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by Guest Author

{ HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY TOUR + GUEST AUTHOR POST } Hello 2012. Goodbye World!

December 26, 2011 in Drama, Fiction


Announcing the Farsighted Social Media Whirlwind Tour!



As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Farsighted eBook edition is just 99 cents this week.


What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 30th, so you don’t miss out.

Hello 2012. Goodbye World!

A Guest Post by Emlyn Chand


The New Year is upon us. And if the Mayans were right, so is the apocalypse. Oh, man… Just when Earth was getting good.


Well if I’m going to go by flame, flood, meteoric collision, or zombie uprising, I think it’s best to be prepared. No, not with a flame retardant unitard or a well-equipped cross bow, but with mental resolution—with a calm acceptance of humanity’s plight.


Consider this a combo suicide note/ Dear John letter to the world. I might as well get a few final words in (just in case those Mayans knew what they were talking about). Pfffhew, here goes…


Dear World,


I wish I didn’t have to write this letter. We’ve been together some twenty-seven years, and that’s a long time. Sure, we’ve had our clashes. You’ve sent a fair share of inclement weather my way. Remember that thunder storm when the tree almost broke through the window of my apartment? I was so scared. That was totally not cool on your part. And tornados? I mean what’s that about. Control your temper!


But I know I’ve hurt you too. I’ve been frivolous with your resources and have sometimes even—gasp—littered. I bought a V6 when I could’ve bought a hybrid. In fact, I think my carbon footprint is a size 12 at least—and that’s a size you have to special order at the shoe store. Yeah, I’m not saying I’m perfect. We all do things we regret, but Earth, you know I love you, right? That’s why it’s so difficult saying what I have to say…


We can’t be together anymore. I’ve heard talk of a major problem. They say you’re going to die a horrific death, and since I count on you for protection, I’m gonna die too. I’d like to say we’ll be together in the next world, but do planets go to Heaven? I can’t say for certain, so I think I should say goodbye instead.


We’ve had a good run, you and I. And I never regret having loved you. How I wish I could save us both, but who am I to interfere with an ancient prophecy?


I’ll miss the way you spill light through my closed blinds in the early morning, gently telling me it’s time to start my day. And I’ll remember fondly the way the ground smells after a restorative rain shower—the way the pitter patter on my skin prickles like teensy weensy fingers giving me a massage, the way the earthworms come out of the ground and dance on the pavement. The songs of birds in the morning are my favorite; they always sound so happy. I wish I understood the lyrics to their upbeat symphony so that I could join in with them. And ice cream? I’ll give you credit for that, because the cows are yours, the vanilla bean is yours, the sugar is yours. The taste is magnificent! To never feel that icy sensation arouse my taste buds again is such a great shame.


I’m tearing up now just thinking about all our good times together. I hope you’ll remember me with the same fondness. No matter what happens, I will ALWAYS love you.


Now it’s time to say goodbye. Go out with a smile,

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About Farsighted: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Farsighted is the winner of the 2011 Dragonfly eBook Awards. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.


About the Author: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Win the Prizes:

  1. Purchase your copy of Farsighted for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
  2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
  3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
  4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!
  5. DOUBLE BONUS: If I receive more comments than any other blogger, *I* win $100.


…We can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

Vote for The Bookworm Society!

Please click the image to vote for The Bookworm Society! Find the voting box, then find our name, enter your email and then cast your vote! Thank you so much for supporting The Bookworm Society!

 

The Featured Events include:

Monday, a guest blog on Novel Publicity! Emlyn kicks off the tour on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog by discussing her brightly burning passion for books in a guest post entitled “My journey through the pages and toward a life-long love of reading.” One commenter will win an autographed copy of Farsighted. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!


Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a fun read to round out your holiday break? The paranormal YA hit Farsighted is just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/81Dt1 #whirlwind


Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Farsighted book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?


Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Farsighted book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs.


Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Farsighted either in paperback or on an eReading device, then post it to Emlyn Chand’s Facebook page or email a copy to author@emlynchand.com. You just way win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the photo with the most interesting setting (so put your holiday travel time to work for you). Another $50 will go the funniest photo, and one more prize of $50 will go the scariest photo—this is a paranormal YA book after all. An autographed copy of Farsighted will go to one randomly selected entrant. For more details about this contest, please visit www.emlynchand.com.

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Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)

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Avatar of Rebecca Perlow

by Rebecca Perlow

Snowball in Hell | By Josh Lanyon

December 17, 2011 in Crime, Drama, Fiction, Mystery



Snowball in Hell by Josh Lanyon is the story of Lt. Mathew Spain, an LAPD detective assigned to investigate the murder of petroleum heir Philip Arlen. Also investigating the murder is Nathan Doyle, a reporter for the Tribune-Herald and former Arlen acquaintance who may have had good reason to want the man dead.

Plot
It’s 1943 and the world is at war. Journalist Nathan Doyle has just returned home from North Africa–still recovering from wounds received in the Western Desert Campaign–when he’s asked to cover the murder of a society blackmailer.


Lt. Matthew Spain of the LAPD homicide squad hates the holidays since the death of his beloved wife a few months earlier, and this year isn’t looking much cheerier what with the threat of attack by the Japanese and a high-profile homicide investigation. Matt likes Nathan; maybe too much.


If only he didn’t suspect that Nathan had every reason to commit murder.


Impressions
The story takes place in the early 1940s and Lanyon’s story is an excellent homage of that period of detective fiction. The opening of the story — the body of Philip Arlen being pulled out of the Brea Tar Pits — reads like a great pulp novel, film noir in electronic ink. Lanyon’s references to that era — mentions of the war, clothing — are subtle and effective. I never felt like any of those details had just been dropped in later to remind the reader of where they were.

BUY SNOWBALL IN HELL



KINDLE




 

 

 
Like all good mysteries, the case is front and center in the narrative, with character development and the romantic chemistry between Spain and Doyle building at a gentle pace in the background.


Matt and Nathan are good men, both former soldiers who were wounded and sent home. They’re relatable and immensely likable. Lanyon highlights their differences well — Matt has recently lost his wife to cancer but is still able to function well in his job, essentially conducting a major murder investigation on his own without any help from his distracted and fumbling partner.


Nathan still has nightmares about the war and has contemplated suicide on more than one occasion. Nathan takes a lot of risks in his reporting as well as his private life and his recklessness complements Matt’s stability.


The mystery succeeds, too! With so much of our mass media entertainment devoted to a few police procedurals story arcs, it’s hard to find new ways to surprise readers but Lanyon manages to do just that — by overloading the narrative with people who would have more than enough motive to dump Philip Arlen in a tar pit and weaving in just enough clues and suspense to keep things interesting.


All in all this was a quick, thoroughly enjoyable read and it made me want to check out more of Lanyon’s work.


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Guest Author

{ HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY TOUR + GUEST AUTHOR POST } What’s the Story, Morning Glory? The Importance of Music and how it Inspired In Leah’s Wake

December 12, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Life and Family


Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour!



As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.


What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

The Importance of Music and how it Inspired In Leah’s Wake
Although I find it too distracting to listen to music while I write, inspiration for my stories often arises from music. While I was writing In Leah’s Wake, songs brought me into the emotional state necessary to write difficult scenes. Songs set a mood, which helped me envision places, and songs helped me to identify and shape the book’s themes.


The novel opens with Zoe and Will listening to the Van Morrison song “Tupelo Honey,” a sweet love song that gives their relationship context by suggesting happier, better days. “Showdown at Big Sky,” which Will puts on the stereo next, foreshadows the problems on the horizon, and “Face in the Crowd” speaks to the profound loneliness Will feels as he waits up for Leah that night, imaging all the unthinkable horrors that might have befallen his daughter.


Later in the book, the song “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” from Evita, gave me a glimpse into Zoe’s fractured emotional state—remorse compelled by abiding love—as she drives home, wondering what to expect next from her rebellious teenage daughter: “I still need your love after all that I’ve done . . . I love you and I hope you love me . . .” “Stardog Champion” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, suggests power, so appropriate to the post-fight euphoria felt by Todd and Lupo after a showdown with Will.


Often, songs transport me to a place. Listening to Miles Davis one evening brought me, in my mind, to the coffeehouse Zoe visits with the policeman, Jerry Johnson. Music also helps me to clarify themes. One night, on our way home from dinner, my husband, Dave, played the Bruce Springsteen album Greetings From Asbury Park. The song “Growin’ Up” struck a nerve and I insisted on listening to it over and over. I saw Leah, a good kid, just trying to grow up and make her way in the world.


I heard “Champagne Super Nova,” from the Oasis CD What’s the Story? Morning Glory, when I stepped out of the shower one morning. Our house was wired for sound and Dave was playing the new CD he’d just bought. As with “Growin’ Up,” I insisted that he replay the song, and then replay it again. The pivotal scene, where Justine asks Leah for a cigarette and Leah allows her little sister to smoke, blossomed as I listened to the music.


As I wrote, music came to play a defining role in the book, and I would often search for the right music after writing a scene. The Liszt piano solo “Hungarian Rhapsodies” mirrors Zoe’s frenzied mind as she drives home from her motivational workshop, the day after Leah shows up drunk at 3:00 a.m., after a wild party. The same happened with “Paranoid Android,” from Okay Computer by Radiohead, “I’m On Fire,” from the Bruce Springsteen album Born in the USA, “Stardog Champion,” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, “I Loves You Porgy” from Porgy and Bess, and “Misguided Angel,” from The Trinity Session by the Cowboy Junkies.


Without music, In Leah’s Wake would be a very different – and for me, the writer, much less compelling book.


For those of you who, like me, find inspiration in music, here’s the soundtrack. Enjoy!


Soundtrack from In Leah’s Wake

  • “Growin’ Up,” Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ, Bruce Springsteen, Sony Records, 1972
  • “Tupelo Honey,” Tupelo Honey, Van Morrison, Polydor/Pgd, 1971
  • “Showdown At Big Sky,” Robbie Robertson, Robbie Robertson, Universal Int’l, 1987
  • “A Face In The Crowd,” Full Moon Fever, Tom Petty , MCA, 1989
  • “John Barleycorn,” John Barleycorn Must Die, Traffic, Island Records, 1970
  • “Not A Pretty Girl,” Not a Pretty Girl, Ani DiFranco, Righteous Babe, 1995
  • Hungarian Rhapsodies, Franz Liszt, Leslie Howard solo piano, Hyperion, 1999
  • “Testify,” The Battle of Los Angeles, Rage Against The Machine, Sony Records, 1999
  • “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” Evita (Music From The Motion Picture), Madonna, Warner Bros./WEA, 1996
  • “The Ride of the Valkyries,” Wagner Without Words, Conducted by George Szell, Performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, Sony Records, 1991
  • “Chase The Blues Away,” Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology, Tim Buckley, Elektra/ WEZ, 1966
  • “Champagne Supernova,” (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis, Sony, 1995
  • “The Candy Shop,” The Massacre, Fifty Cent, Aftermath, 2005
  • “Vital Transformation,” Inner Mounting Flame, The Mahavishnu Orchestra Jazz, Sony 1971
  • “Strawberry Fields Forever,” Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles, Capitol Records, 1967
  • “Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5,” Mozart: The Five Violin Concertos by Itzhak Perlman violin, Weiner Philharmoniker and James Levine, Deutsche Grammophon, 1995
  • “Surrey With The Fringe on Top,” Steamin, Mile Davis, Prestige, 1956
  • “Come As You Are,” Nevermind, Nirvana, Geffen Records, 1991
  • “Paranoid Android,” Okay Computer, Radiohead, Capitol Records, 1997
  • “I’m On Fire,” Born in The USA, Bruce Springsteen, Sony, 1984
  • “Stardog Champion,” Stardog Champion, Mother Love Bone, Mercury/Universal, 1992
  • “I Loves You, Porgy,” The Melody At Night With You, Keith Jarrett, EMC Records, 1900
  • “Hasta Siempre, Witchi-Tai-To, Jan Garbarek and Bobo Stenson Quartet, EMC, 1973 Records
  • “As The Years Go Passing By,” Born Under a Bad Sign, Albert King, Stax, 1967
  • “Misguided Angel,” The Trinity Session, Cowboy Junkies, RCA Records, 1988
  • “Davidian,” Burn My Eyes, Machine Head, Roadrunner Records, 1994
  • “Here I Am, Lord,” Wonder, Love, and Praise, Daniel Schutte, New Dawn Music, 1981

To Win the Prizes:

  1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
  2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
  3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
  4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!


…We can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

Vote for The Bookworm Society!

Click the image below to vote.


The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Terri on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this inspiring and friendly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!


Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah’s Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7WP5H #whirlwind


Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?


Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.


Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a $500 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Terri’s most recent blog post. Yup, you read that correctly—$500! How easy is that? An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

 

Remember, it’s all about the books!

Terri Giuliano LongAbout In Leah’ Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. What happens when love just isn’t enough? Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah’s Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she’s enjoyed! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

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Avatar of Amy Fine

by Amy Fine

Maximum Speed | By Joanna Lee Doster

December 2, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Life and Family, Thriller



Maximum Speed: Pushing the Limit by Joanna Lee Doster is a work of action-thriller fiction set in the crazy world of auto racing. Devlin Motor Sports is located in Florida with the exception of Connor, Sean’s brother and his family who lives in New York but never misses a Devlin race.

Plot
Sean Devlin is a successful auto racing driver and teammate on the Devlin Motor Sports team. He is tasered while his best friend and teammate Jimmy Stanton is kidnapped.


While Jimmy is still missing, Sean races in one of the biggest races of the season, but just when he thinks he has got it, he is taken out with a horrific crash but more than an “accident” is suspected.


As the truth about Jimmy’s kidnapping and Sean’s crash comes to light, the Devlin family has to decide who they can trust and realize who is behind all of this mischief. I guess you can say “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”!


Impressions
The plot tends to jump around a bit and it took me some time to follow the back-and-forth. But other than that, the story is action-packed in this condensed novel.


Without giving too much away, if you like action-thriller fiction, I think you will find this book to be just the “Friday-night” read you want…especially if you are a Nascar or racing fan!


Favorite Scene
My favorite scene is just when you think nothing else can happen to this family, Billy Ray, one of the Devlin crew, picked up Sean’s mom to bring her to the hospital to greet her son when he was released. This should be a simple trip but as with all things surrounding the Devlin family, a simple ride to the hospital turns deadly. You will have to read the book to see how this scene turns out!

BUY MAXIMUM SPEED



KINDLE – Only 99¢




PRINT
Favorite Quote
“We were just having a little fun with you. So we snatched your driver. What’s the harm in that?”


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Guest Author

{ HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY TOUR + GUEST AUTHOR POST } Nine Myths and a Truth: The Real Story “Behind the Scenes” at a Local Television Station

November 29, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Guest Author Post



As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Stay Tuned eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.


What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 2nd, so you don’t miss out.

Nine Myths and a Truth: The Real Story Behind the Scenes at a Local Television Station**



10. Reporters are paid tons of money! FALSE—Reporters at small television stations are paid a little more than minimum wage. They are required to have a college degree and many just-out-of-school jobs are classified as a “One Man Band, ” which means that the reporter carries the camera, shoots the footage, does the interviews, then writes and edits the story.


9. Reporters get to meet famous people! SOMETIMES—I was fortunate enough to meet Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro and many local senators and congress members. However, I did interview Eliott Spitzer while he was New York State’s attorney general. Now that’s just creepy!


8. Reporters and anchors get lots of perks! SOMETIMES—Reporters do often get sideline tickets and backstage passes to events. However, it’s often a reporter attends only AFTER her or she covers the actual event, which means working for at least the first part of the concert, fundraiser, or dinner.


7. It’s always glamorous! NOT REALLY—Often, reporting took me to crime scenes, car crashes, bad neighborhoods, dairy farms, voting polls, and raging fires. My most unique assignments included reporting on a lost Emu and covering cattle judging at a local fair. In Alabama—try to stay cool and look pretty in 105-degree heat! In Upstate New York, this meant trudging through the deep snow to get a story.


6. If you’re an anchor, people do your makeup and choose your clothes! FALSE—In smaller markets, you do your own makeup (MAC is the best!) and bring your own clothes. Sometimes, the television station might give you a small clothing allowance, but a few hundred dollars doesn’t go far when you work 5 days a week.


5. Viewers call in and tell anchors how wonderful they are! SOMETIMES—I admit, I did get some fan mail and it was pretty fabulous. However, most often, people called in to complain about (1) an outfit someone was wearing (which a viewer didn’t like it), (2) a story reported on (which a viewer didn’t like it), or (3) a story that didn’t get coverage. There was one particular viewer who didn’t like the way I said “Iraq.” (It’s not Eye-rack. It’s Ir-aq)


4. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people! FALSE—I loved that part! I thought it was so amazing to talk to people from all walks of life and find out why they were a farmer, a policeman, or a teacher. I liked asking questions that made people think. Some of the most rewarding stories were health-related (recovery from an illness) or the features about children. The hardest part for me was the shift I worked: 2 am – 10 am. (This meant getting up at 1:15 am every morning!!)


3. You always have to dress up! FALSE—On the weekends, in smaller markets, it’s pretty common for anchors and reporters to wear a formal suit or top, but have jeans underneath and casual shoes (hidden under the desk). I’ve known some sports guys to wear tennis shoes or flip-flops on set!


2. The camera adds ten pounds! FALSE—It’s actually more like fifteen or twenty! People often commented on how short I was or how much thinner I was in person. (Sigh!)


1. I’ve heard that anchors use Preparation H under their eyes to reduce puffiness!? TRUE—I’ve done it, anyway. When you’re working 2 am – 10 am, there’s only so much coffee and sugar can do!


Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to work as an anchor, producer, and reporter at two CBS affiliates. I made some wonderful friends, worked with many talented people, and really enjoyed the experience.


**These comments are solely the views of the author and do not represent the actual experiences of every anchor or reporter who currently works in or has previously worked in television news.


Remember, it’s all about the books!

About Stay Tuned: What happens when a #1 news team becomes the top story instead of reporting it? For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle. But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch. Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target. What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out… Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.


About the Author: Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Win the Prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of Stay Tuned for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (You’ll need it for the big contest on Friday)


2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes


3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!

…We can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that we referred you, so we can get a point in the poll.

Vote for The Bookworm Society!

Click the image below to vote.


The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Lauren on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this fun and bubbly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of Stay Tuned. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!


Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Take a break from the holiday frenzy, and read Stay Tuned. It’s fast, fun, and reduced to just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA1e #whirlwind


Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?


Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs.


Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Stay Tuned either in paperback or on an eReading device, tag Lauren Clark’s Facebook page, and you can enter to win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the most creative photo, $50 to the best BFF photo, and $50 to the photo with the most people in it. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. If you need help learning how to tag a photo, you can visit Lauren’s Facebook page for detailed instructions.


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by LA Rhodes Write

{ BOOK GIVEAWAY } Kings of Colorado | By David Hilton

November 26, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Life and Family, Personal Development

Will Sheppard’s life changes forever in ways he could never imagine, when he sees red one day and stabs his father with a pocketknife. At only thirteen years old Will is sent to the Swope Ranch boys reformatory in Colorado where he had to grow up pretty fast.


In the two years he was there he gained friends, lost friends, gained enemies, fought for his life and learnt to break in wild horses.


The story is told by Will himself reflecting on his life as a child, still haunted by the tragic and heart breaking events that occurred during that time. He was never the same again once he left the ranch and guilt and regret weighed heavy on his shoulders.


I don’t think I could have imagined the events that took place during this story if I tried. The horrific way the boys were treated and treated each other, the cold calculating pure evil of the wardens were so well scripted, that I felt my stomach turn as I read.


I kept on reading as I wanted to find out how Will’s life turned out, even though it was written through his eyes as an older man, so I knew he was alive, I wanted to find out if those life events were finally laid to rest and he could be happy in the end.


I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to be ripped away from your home and away from your mother at such a vulnerable age, and have to defend and fight your corner in unfamiliar and frightening circumstances.


David Hilton’s writing definitely helped me to take a step closer to that understanding.


Favorite Quote
“The night time was the hardest. It was lonely to see the world outside my window cloaked in darkness; during the daylight hours, watching the land slip pas was my only escape.”


A must read.

 

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Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Mrs. BookFreak

Marla | By Donna Doty

September 21, 2011 in Drama, Fantasy & Paranormal, Fiction, Romance

By some standards Earl Kane could be considered one lucky guy; he lives with the two women that he loves and lusts for. One woman, Marleen is his wife and she reluctantly accepts the living arrangements that her husband desires.


The other woman is Carla; she is Marleen’s long time friend and the two are very close like sisters. As time progresses, the threesome live together involved in a ménage a trios relationship until something incredible happens; a supernatural event occurs that changes their lives forever.


Plot
Marleen and Carla learn how to communicate with each other through the means of mental telepathy. Eventually the two women learn how to move their consciousness from one body to another. They also find that they are so in love and entangled with each other that they merge physical characteristics and become separate but identical twins to each other.

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The threesome soon finds that living in ménage a bliss is rather difficult because of the newly transformed twins. The existence of the twins has to be hidden from both family and neighbors. Eventually another separate identity is formed creating Marla. Soon after the “birth” of Marla, the three identities Marleen, Carla and Marla become trapped in one body further complicating matters.


Impressions
Marla as a paranormal fantasy book has plenty of fantasy weaved throughout the story. The fantasy premises used in this story such as the actual “twinning” of Marleen and Carla, the creation or birth of Marla makes for a fairly interesting and intriguing read.


The only issue I have with this book is the interaction between characters which is somewhat realistic but reactions towards the situation from the tangent characters in the story (such as Marleen’s father and mother,) I found to be a little unbelievable and lacking emotion. Aside from the emotional level of the characters however, this book makes a very nice summer read.


The story of Marla captures your attention and takes you on a paranormal fantasy journey like no other. Marla is written in detailed and descriptive language making it easy to envision the action in the story. I did enjoy the story as a whole, it is an entertaining read.


Without giving away too much of the story I will say that the story did work out nicely for everyone in the end. If you are looking for a good paranormal fantasy read this book will definitely satisfy.


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Karina Knightingale

Initiation (The Warrior Book 1) | By Rebecca Royce

August 23, 2011 in Drama, Fantasy & Paranormal, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Initiation is the story of sixteen year old Rachel Clancy, born with a specific set of genes that let her fight monsters, she has trained her entire life to kill Vampires and Werewolves.


Knowing since birth what her destiny would be has not made the onslaught of emotions she faces as she journey Upwards any easier. It doesn’t help that her father is drunk and her best friend just doesn’t get ‘it.’


Plot
My name is Rachel Clancy. Thirty years before I was born, the world ended. Today is my sixteenth birthday. Today I will go Upwards to fight the monsters and, statistically speaking, I won’t be coming back—at least not still living.


Rachel isn’t prepared for the level of deception she faces, and before long she will find herself on a quest she is in no way prepared to handle. What happens next will alter not only Rachel’s life but the lives of everyone she knows.

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She will learn beyond a shadow of a doubt that sometimes the monsters we know are worse than the ones we don’t and that love can surprise us when it comes from somewhere we never anticipated it.


If she lives, she will be a Warrior. If she doesn’t, no one will ever remember her name.


Impressions
First of all, don’t get put off by the drab cover. The story is fab.


It took me maximum three hours to read this book, it was flowing so fast on its own. Easy language, likable heroine, engrossing world. Some sort of dystopia with werewolves and vampires against humans huddled up underground.


Rachel Clancy has Warrior genes. It means that she belongs to a small part of the population who at sixteen go above ground and start fighting monsters in defense of their safe haven and in search of valuable resources.


On the day of her sixteenth birthday she finds out that the head of the Council plotted her first venture above ground in such way that she will inevitably die. She still goes and unexpectedly gets saved by werewolves.


Then all she knows about them as monsters crumbles when they tell her that since Apocalypse the world has changed, and there are too many things that people underground do not know.


She plays along with the pack’s plan to show her some important truths and then let her be the messenger for her people, but what she doesn’t count for is that she will fall in love with a wolf-boy Jason.


Rachel matures through the book immensely and shows incredible courage, strong survival instincts and ability for leadership. She is smart, has sharp sense of humour and tight grip on reality. She is one of these characters you can’t help but admire.


The world described in the book is fascinating, but I could only catch glimpses of it, and it left me with more questions than answers. What happened during the Apocalypse? What was the agenda of the evil guys? Where did Warrior gene come from? Why some werewolves suddenly came to their senses and some not? What about vampires?


I also liked that Rachel like any normal teenager didn’t stick to her attraction to only Jason. She was open to other possible love interests. Chad and Deacon were *grinning* really promising characters, and I would like to see more of them in the second book (which is out, by the way).


All in all, great beginning of the series, which with a little more polish and deeper background story, also with a new cover will get a lot of fans. Do read it.



Find this review and more at Karina’s Blog, Nocturnal Book Reviews.


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Manar منار

The First Century After Beatrice | By Amin Maalouf

August 20, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Sci-Fi

The First Century After Beatrice is a science fiction novel written by Amin Maalouf, in 1992.


The novel tries to give a prophetic answer to the question: “What would happen if people had the possibility to choose their baby’s sex?”


Plot
The events mentioned in the novel take place around the “year of the 3 zeros” and are reported by a passionate french entomologist who, at the age of 83 years old, has witnessed some of the major events of the new millennium.


The narrator—whose name is not mentioned in the novel—states right away that he is highly influenced by the two women of his life: the first is Clarence, a french journalist who shares his principles and fights for them. The second is Beatrice, whose love is greater than any he has ever experienced—he dates all the events he reports from the year of her coming into his life.

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It all started a little before the new millennium. The narrator attended a seminar in Egypt during which he discovered the existence of a “beetle powder”, a “medicinal” substance known since the time of the Pharaohs and said to help whoever takes it to have male children instead of females.


The news spread and the substance is used all around the world, from families who consider having a girl as a disgrace to those who just want to “be in control”, not caring—or not realizing—that the effect of it is irreversible.


In a world that lies under the weight of misogyny and patriarchal mentality, especially in developing countries, the effects of this “medicine” is devastating and the world’s population balance is highly impacted.


Impressions
I really loved this novel. Like almost all of Amin Maalouf’s writings, I was caught up right from the first page. The book offers an insight into the future of our society if we don’t respond properly to today’s issues.


Favorite Quotes
“I was only one among many other witnesses of the events which I am consigning to these pages; I was closer to them than the horde of onlookers, but just as powerless.”


“What defeats us, always, is just our own sorrow.”


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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by Hallie Sawyer

Cold Sassy Tree | By Olive Ann Burns

August 17, 2011 in Drama, Fiction, Historical

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is a 400-page historical fiction novel set in early 1900’s Georgia and was published in 1984.


Cold Sassy is told through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy living in a small town as he learns about love, marriage, death, and life.


Plot
Young Will Tweedy has big shoes to fill. His grandfather, E. Rucker Blakeslee, is a larger than life force in his family as well as in the town of Cold Sassy.


He creates a scandal in their small town, being a widower for only three weeks, when he elopes with the milliner from his general store. Will is torn between the betrayal he feels of his grandmother and the new found happiness he sees in his grandfather’s eyes.


His grandfather’s new bride, Miss Love Simpson (a Yankee of all things!), stirs things up in their sleepy town, giving the townsfolk enough cud to chew for years to come.


Mr. Blakeslee buys her a horse, he lets her shave his ancient beard and mangy head of hair, buys the first automobile in town, and challenges anyone who dares question him. Everyone in town suspects she is the force behind his new attitude but Will Tweedy sees things differently.


Ms. Love is a breath of fresh air and finds himself as enamored with her as his grandfather. He watches as their relationship changes from a business agreement to a deeply caring and loving union.

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Impressions
This story is told through the first person point of view and it was perfect. Ms. Burns’ attention to southern dialect was spot on and it completely immersed me in the story from the beginning.


I found this book in my local library’s used bookstore and its odd title caught my eye. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it before. I began to feel like the Blakeslees were my own “kin” and I found myself laughing, gasping, cheering, and crying as I read their story.


Ms. Burn’s ability to tell this story as a fourteen year old boy was amazing. The southern names she came up with as well were a hoot. His best buddies were Lee Roy, Smiley, Pink, and Dunse. There was Aunt Loma, the nosy neighbor Effie Belle, and his first love, Lightfoot McLendon.


As Will mosied through town on his adventures (and his grandfather’s), I could smell the dirt roads, feel the faded overalls with patched up knees, and see the tobacco stained sleeves.


The story deals with various themes: racism, the rivalry between North and South, and socioeconomics. It was a great view into the lives of those living in every day Georgia. I think it was fantastically written with a witty flair. I highly recommend it.


Favorite Scene
I loved the scene in which Mr. Blakeslee and Miss Love are enjoying quiet time at home on a Sunday and Mr. Blakeslee talks about the bible and church. Will enters the house and realizes the private moment he has come across. He hides behind the door and listens to his grandfather’s wisdom from the crack in the door.


Favorite Quote
“Well’m, faith ain’t no magic wand or money-back gar’ntee, either one. Hit’s jest a way a-livin’. Hit means you don’t worry th’ew the days. Hit means you go’n be holdin’ on to God in good or bad times, and you accept whatever happens. Hit means you respect life like it is-like God made it-even when it ain’t what you’d order from the wholesale house. Faith don’t mean the Lord is go’n make lions lay down with lambs jest cause you ast him to, or make fire not burn. Some folks, when they pray to git well and don’t even git better, they say God let’m down. But I say thet warn’t even what Jesus was a-talkin’ about. When Jesus said ast and you’ll git it, He was givin’ a gar’ntee a-spiritual healin’, not body healin’. He was sayin’ thet if’n you git beat down-scairt to death you cain’t do what you got to, or scairt you go’n die, or scairt folks won’t like you-why, all you got to do is put yore hand in God’s and He’ll life you up.”–E. Rucker Blakeslee


Reviewer’s Final Rating



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Rating: 3.0/5 (1 vote cast)

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