Great Summer Reads - Day 15

Russ Wallace is a long-time student of history and religion. He employs a vivid imagination to fill in the life of Zenobia, a real historical figure and one of the most fascinating women who ever lived. 

He is working on future books in the Zenobia Book Series. Zenobia - Birth of a Legend won a 2012 IPPY award in Historical Fiction.

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In the 3rd century, a girl of uncommon abilities was born in the desert wilderness of Syria. Rescued from death by her courageous mother, Zenobia masqueraded as a boy to stay alive. She grew up to become one of the toughest, deadliest women who ever lived.

The first book in the series traces Zenobia’s life from age nine to fifteen, setting the stage for her amazing rise to power. It includes the beginnings of her legend and her budding romances.

No one who reads her captivating story will ever forget Zenobia!

The Author is putting both books in this Series on special offer on Amazon 25 - 26th of July 2018! 

·       Click the Amazon Link below to view the steeply discounted price!

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Facts About the Author:

1.     What is your favorite book that is not yours?

Russ’s favorite book is the Bible.

2.     How young were you when you started writing?

Russ started writing in the 6th grade.

3.     If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

Russ would like to talk with author Margaret Mitchell about being an unknown author to having her book being adapted into the most popular movie ever made.

4.     How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

Book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend took 3 years to write. Zenobia - Birth of a Legend Russ’s first book took much longer.

5.     What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

Favorite thing to do in the summertime is read.

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Great Summer Reads - Day 14

"Heather Wallace is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, writer, equestrian, and animal massage therapist.

Her first book, Equestrian Handbook of Excuses, was a 2017 Literary Selection for the Equus Film Festival. Her second book, Confessions of a Timid Rider, is an autobiography detailing Heather Wallace’s insights about being an anxiety-ridden but passionate equestrian. 

After returning to riding as a mother, she is determined to follow her dreams despite the fear she is somehow lacking in talent or ability. An in-depth look into the heart and head of a returning adult equestrian, this message is not limited only those  with horse experience. 

In fact, Confessions of a Timid Rider is the perfect book to read for anyone whom even for a moment questions their value in their designated profession or life choice. This book will inspire you to pursue your dreams despite the inner voice that says you aren’t good enough.

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"For a long time I let that fear get in my way. I always felt like I was missing something when I stepped away from horses during my teens.

I’ve come a long way since I took that first step back to horsemanship as an adult. When I say I am a timid rider, it is not because I am scared to ride. Oh no, it is because I am scared to fail. I am scared that I cannot live up to my own expectations. That my insecurities will hold me back. Or that I will let my anxiety be greater than my passion once again and step away, or worse, not try to be the person I want to be. My self doubt tries to hold me back but I refuse to give in.

These are the confessions of a timid rider."

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Author Interview:

1.      

What is your favorite book that is not yours?

This is such a tough question. I love to read and read a lot. You could even call me a voracious reader. The book I’ve read most is probably Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. There is something inherently powerful about a woman writing in a man’s world. Ms. Austen wrote from the heart but addressed real issues that transcend time even into today’s society. But nothing stopped her, she used a pseudonym and was compelled to write. Compelled to tell a story that still has meaning today, hundreds of years later. I cannot think of anything more compelling. The love story certainly adds a dash of spice as well.

2.                 Do you write in multiple genres? Which genre is your favorite to write?

Confessions of a Timid Rider is my second book, and a memoir about my life and struggles with anxiety and self doubt in horseriding. However, horses are a metaphor for that one thing in our lives we carely deeply about and fear we are unable to achieve. We all have something that matters to us more than anything: family, a hobby, a job, or something else entirely. Mine happens to be horses and *surprise* sharing my writing..

My first book, Equestrian Handbook of Excuses is a photography book with short and sassy little excuses why equestrians tell themselves they can’t ride that day. So I would say so far I’m firmly in the non-fiction category.

Would I be willing to write a fiction novel? Never say never!

3.                 How young were you when you started writing?

I have been writing as long as I remember. I wrote in notepads and journals as a young girl, making up poetry, song lyrics, and fiction stories. When my parents bought a computer I spent a lot of time writing there. But I was always afraid to show my writing to anyone else. When I asked my friend of 20 years to be an advanced reader for Confessions of a Timid Rider she was a little shocked and pleasantly surprised. It was the first thing I’d ever let her read!

4.          If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would absolutely love to meet Stephen King. His creativity and his insight into the writing process has always inspired me. I confess, his prowess is a little intimidating but his no nonsense approach to writing is an absolute inspiration.

5.                 How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

How fast does it take me to write a book? Two or three months, approximately. It’s the editing and revisions that take the longest. Confessions of a Timid Rider had it’s bones in my blog, Bridle & Bone, which was recently rebranded as The Timid Rider. In fact, it was through the success of my blog that I gave me the confidence to write a book!

6.                 What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

Does it have to be just one? Summers are extremely busy for me. In addition to my work as an animal massage therapist, I spend a lot of time with my family and addressing the needs of my daughter who attends a specialized summer camp for children with head trauma. In our down time, we spend time with our pony Ferrous at the barn and have quality time at the beach where we belong to a beach club.

This summer will be unique in that I’m traveling to Mongolia to be the writer and photographer for The Gobi Desert Cup, a 480 kilometer endurance ride on Mongolian horses. 

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Great Summer Reads - Day 13

Shaunna Gonzales currently resides with her family in the greater Seattle area. Married over thirty years, her role as wife and mother of four continue to be her priorities. 

A storyteller in her youth, she endevored to extend her love of stories to the written word and in 2005 began to write her first novel. Though that manuscript will remain buried, she has continued to learn.
Once told by her doctors that she would never leave her wheelchair -- due to her Multiple sclerosis. It has been tucked in a closet while she continues on. (In other words muddles on.)

Shaunna has worked as a professional reviewer for InD'Tales eMagazine for three years. In 2012 she also served as the vice president of Moonwriters, the on-line chapter of American Night Writers Association (ANWA She prefers to write romantic fiction and has ventured into the romantic suspense, and time-travel genres. Her debut novel, Dark Day s of Promise was released by Desert Breeze Publishing in 2012 re-released 2015. 

Although she prefers to spend her days writing, she is willing to share what she has learned from the school of life and is often found "giving back." 

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Evie lives an idealic lifestyle until she travels to Seattle. Here she believes her dreams can flourish. 

But will her love save her when she is involved in a riding misfortune?

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Author Interview:

1.           What is your favorite book that is not yours?

a.     I don't have a favorite author per se. I have an affinity for Jane Austin and for Murder, She Wrote books

2.           Do you write in multiple genres? Which genre is your favorite to write?

a.     Yes, I do write in multiple genres. I write in Contemporary Romance and in Time-Travel cozy mysteries mostly courtroom drama.

3.           How young were you when you started writing?

a.     I wrote my first short in middle school which I destroyed, I have tried to rewrite unsuccessfully.

4.           If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

a.     Donald Bain so I could pick his brain on how to write better murder mysteries.

5.           How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

a.     A year but my shortest book took me about six months.

6.           What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

a.     Sit in the shade beside my garden.

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Great Summer Reads - Day 12

I am a children’s author, but up until a few years ago, I was a journalist and editor. Something rather unexpected sparked my new career as an author—a family trip to Egypt with my mother and two young nephews. We had a great time and I thought I’d write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir…. Well, one book and a planned book series later, I had changed careers. I have now published Book 3 (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) in my MG adventure series Chronicles of the Stone, with many awards for the first book, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, and a few for Book 2, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and one already for Book 3! I also teach online novel writing for aspiring authors and I find that very satisfying. Relaxation time finds me enjoying something creative or artistic, music, books, theatre or ballet. I love doing research for my book series. I love animals and have written two animal rescue stories. I have two adorable (naughty) little dogs called Chloe and Pumpkin, and a beautiful black cat called Bertie.

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In this exciting Middle Grade adventure set in Egypt, a 5000-year-old mystery comes to life. A scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out!

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Author Interview:

1.     What is your favorite book that is not yours?

That’s such a hard question that I can’t answer it. I have a number of favourites in a variety of genres. I keep rereading them. That worries me a bit… I am busy rereading an old favourite by Michael Crichton, titled Prey.

2.     Do you write in multiple genres? Which genre is your favorite to write?

I have a lot of fun writing Regency romances (historical) under a pseudonym, Arabella Sheraton. Arabella is not just a pseudonym; she has emerged as her own personality (also a bit worrying) and is a very prolific writer (8 books!) – more so than ordinary old me. She has had umpteen interviews and I am obliged to do all her marketing. Arabella’s books are a lot of fun – romantic romps, lots of witty repartee and many extraordinary capers that heroes and heroines of yesteryear are involved with.

3.     When did you write your first book and how young were you?

Apart from writing nonsense poetry for family members and short stories when I was a kid, my first real book was The Secret of the Sacred Scarab and how I wish I had started it years earlier ... but my nephews wouldn’t have been born and they wouldn’t have been there to inspire me.

4.     If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

Terry Pratchett, the author of The Discworld series. I have read them all, many times, and his creativity never ceases to inspire and amaze me. Plus, his subtle dry wit is also hilarious. He was a great observer of human behavior. I was devastated when he passed away. The world has lost a great writer.

5.     How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

My first book/s (including Arabella’s) took a couple of years. Now I am better at organizing my research and writing so a Middle Grade adventure takes about 18 months, with research and editing etc., and a Regency romance takes about 8 months. My fastest MG book was my most recent one The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper. My fastest Regency romance was Married at Midnight.

6.     What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

I like to enjoy the sunshine, the good weather, the feeling of being relaxed, sitting on the patio with something cold and delicious to drink, and a book, of course!

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Great Summer Reads - Day 11

Catina worked her way through college as a TV reporter and a dating game show host. She's a sucker for Young Adult romance stories (both real and make-believe). She has a panache for match-making and loves that many of her "set-ups" have resulted in marriages. 

After spending most of her adult life in Las Vegas, Catina traded in tumbleweeds for earthquakes and now lives with her husband and four children near San Diego, California. If she's not home, chances are you can find her at the beach, Disneyland or In-N-Out Burger.

Angela Larkin writes clean teen romance and is a big fan of kissing (in life and in books). She's been a gold miner, a pool cleaner, a mannequin dresser, and a teacher. She's lived a true romance: meeting her husband in a case of mistaken identity. They recently moved with their four children from the sparkling city of Las Vegas to the shade of the North Carolina Pines. Chances are, she's reading past bedtime.

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"Dangerous. Wrong.
She could be so close to finding out who I really am, and I don't want to think about how badly that could damage her. If I have any conscience, I'll turn and run. But I can't let her go."

Presley Hale has no idea the guy she just told off in the school parking lot died in a drowning accident four months ago. Why would she? It's not like she knows she can see the dead. Stunned by Presley's sixth sense, Landon Blackwood rethinks his planned departure and begins tracking her to find answers to their mysterious connection.

When their complicated relationship turns dangerous, they learn that tampering with the boundaries of death comes with consequences. Can Landon save Presley from the insidious spirits who have marked her for death, or was their love doomed from the beginning?

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~ Deseret Book ~

The next book in this Series is available this September!

You can pre-order it HERE

Author Interview:

Catina:

1.     What is your favorite book that is not yours?

a.     Where She Went by Gayle Foreman

2.     Do you write in multiple genres? Which genre is your favorite to write?

a.     Yes, YA Romance and Middle Grade Fiction - I'm having a really good time with my current Middle Grade Work in Progress

3.     How young were you when you started writing?

a.     I wrote  news stories for television and print to pay my way through college, but didn't start writing a novel until I was in my early thirties

4.     If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

a.     I'd have to meet Laura Ingles Wilder! Can you imagine the stories she'd have to tell?

5.     How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

a.     The first novel took way too long, only because I wasn't sure if it would ever become a reality and didn't push myself hard enough. After securing a publishing deal and being offered the sequel, my writing sped up tremendously! The fist one took years, the sequel took months.

6.     What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

a.     Hands down, spend time with my four kids, preferably reading to them trying new recipes or lounging at the beach!

Angela Larkin

1.     What is your favorite book that is not yours?

a.     I've re-read Dairy Queen by Katherine Gilbert Murdock 4 times! So funny and romantic!

2.     Do you write in multiple genres?

a.     Which genre is your favorite to write? Thus far I've only written contemporary YA romance, but would love to take a stab at New Adult and Historical.

3.     How young were you when you started writing?

a.     My first revenge story was called "How Matt Got Fat". I wrote it about my first grade classmate who snubbed my romantic overtures.

4.     If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?

a.      John Steinbeck was the first author to BLOW ME AWAY.

5.     How long does it take you to write a book, and what was your fastest book to write?

a.     I've only written one book without my co-author and the first draft took four months.

6.     What is your favorite thing to do in the summertime?

a.     I love to work on my fear of sharks to the point I can go in the ocean above my knees and actually float! If I can't conquer the fear that day, I love to ride beach cruisers on the boardwalk.

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