Friday, June 15, 2018

Larry Hammersley and sweet inspirational sci fi

Higher Mission

Higher Mission
Larry Hammersley
Burst, Canada, October, 2013
Kindle only $4.95

About the Book:
To widower Joe Cramer, his only mission is to provide care and a cure for his ill daughter, Cindy. Paired with Mona Watson, they mine Saturn’s rings for radioactive boulders, plunge into the ocean beneath Europa’s crust in search of blind fish and dive into Jupiter’s atmosphere to learn the secret of The Great Red Spot.

While Witherspoon, the solar system’s tycoon, pays them well, he has his own agenda. He plans to send Cramer and Mona on the most dangerous mission of all: a trip to the star, Sirius.


Cramer wants to refuse. Exceeding the speed of light isn’t possible, so the trip will take several years. To complicate things he discovers he has feelings for Mona that need to be ignored to complete the mission and return home. Will Cramer ever see his daughter again?

My Review:
Hammersley's sweet sci fi story with elements of romance and speculative fiction is fun to read and think about our solar system and near neighbors. The author takes us to a place and time where humans still think bottom line financially, but are able to put risk over compassion and use resources in a positive way. It's naive but very sweet. Aging heroes and heroines are cast in the starring roles in what is in effect three short stories of exploration and revelation at the whim of an extremely wealthy, influential, but desperately ill man. He has the means to search for the answers to several of humanity's most puzzling questions, such as what is the nature of Jupiter's red spot, are we alone in the universe, and what kind of people are we, anyway? He's kept the biggest secret known to mankind for years, waiting for the right opportunity, and the right people to aid his quest--the people who take the high road on their higher mission.

About the Author:

Larry Hammersley
Larry Hammersley was born May 6, 1938 in Alexandria, IN. He has a B.S. degree in chemistry from Purdue University, January 1961 and a M.S. degree in chemistry from Indiana University, January 1975. He is a retired civil service chemist with 40 years in the work place. He writes science fiction and sweet romance. He has several short romance stories on the internet and has written several novels for which he is seeking representation. He is married, has two children and five grandchildren. His interests besides writing is amateur radio, astronomy, jogging and a little woodworking.


Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Introducing Joanne Otto on tour with her new books


Write Now Literary Book Tours is pleased to be coordinating a book tour for author Joanne Otto. This is a two-month book tour for her books: The You-Song and Daughter of Jerusalem. This tour will run June- July, 2018.
                                 
 Introducing Joanne
Joanne Otto is a lifelong student of the Bible who has taken four exciting tours of Bible lands and done extensive research, including numerous courses. She has taught foreign languages and English and more recently, as an academic language therapist, has helped dyslexic children strengthen their reading and writing skills. Also a music lover and amateur pianist, she especially enjoys accompanying singers. 
About the Book 
The You-Song celebrates, in a way young children can understand, the unique and vital place each of us occupies in God's world and encourages them to fill their place in it with joy. Written by a teacher who's helped many children overcome reading challenges, "The You-Song" is user-friendly, consisting of words that are either familiar or easy to decode. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 50 heart-warming photos, it's also fun to read aloud to pre-readers.
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction                                                                                                    

About the Book
Daughter of Jerusalem" takes its 21st-century readers on a journey back to the first-century world of a young rabbi named Yeshua—better known to us as Jesus. Mara, the young heroine of this story, gets to mingle with the crowds who come to hear him teach during his visits to Jerusalem and, finally, to meet him face to face in a brief, life-changing encounter—one that comes at no small cost to herself. For middle-grade readers who want to use the book as a springboard for deeper study, there are Bible references and questions on each chapter, as well as a glossary. For others, the story itself will be the full journey. 
Genre: Christian Fiction


Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours.... " We take the stress out of promoting."
Click here to check out our tour packages. Click here to join our mailing list for upcoming releases and book promo specials.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Three Strand Cord by Tracy Krauss




May 2018
Kindle book $2.99

About the Book

Tempest. Stella. Cherise. Fate brought them together, but can their friendship survive the tangled web of danger and deception that threatens their very lives? 

Tempest Ross dreams about moving back to California some day – both the place of her birth and her parents’ tragic death. When she agrees to pretend to be her friend Cherise for an afternoon, a tangled web of lies develops from which she can’t escape. Complicated by the unwelcome advances of Cherise’s playboy brother and her own attraction to a mysterious man, Tempest’s faith in God is tested to the limits.

Stella Crayton has high ideals about saving the planet and plans to start with her father’s ranch. Then she finds out her father has been keeping a dangerous secret. At the same time, her own errant emotions take over as she falls in love with two brothers at the same time. Add to this her best friend’s disappearance, and questions about God set this no-nonsense Texas girl in a tailspin.

Cherise Hillyer just wants to have fun, which in her books means having a good looking man in tow. The typical rich girl, she usually gets what she wants, even if she has to lie to get it. Desperate for her latest flame who has left for Rome, Cherise convinces her friends to cover for her while she takes off after her Italian lover. She doesn’t know she’ll soon become embroiled in an international conspiracy of lies and deceit that will threaten her life.

Three Strand Cord is a story of intrigue and romance told from three different points of view, all coming together to prove that when it comes to true friendship, ‘a three strand cord is not easily broken.’

10 Fun Facts About Tracy Krauss:


I’ve moved more than 30 times
I’ve lived in several locations north of the 60th parallel
I homeschooled for nine years
I’m a peanut butter-a-holic
I’m also a playwright and my stage plays have been performed across N.A.
I was once stampeded by a herd of wild buffalo
I’ve been inches away from a polar bear in the wild on more than one occasion (with something like a car window in between, of course!)
I’m a Sci-fi nerd and used to be a ‘Trekkie’. (Maybe I still am… )
In my ‘spare’ time when not writing, I like to paint
I majored in Intaglio printmaking at University (Fine Art Department)

My Review of Three Strand Cord


Tracy Krauss gives her fans a new novel of friendship that takes her readers on a tumultuous ride across the United States and across the ocean to Italy.

Three friends who met at boarding school come from very different backgrounds. Tempest, the naïve orphan, Stella the cowgirl, and Cherise the spoiled rich daughter. All have secrets, weaknesses and strengths that draw them together and, as iron sharpens iron, helps make them want to be better.

The first half of the book is divided into three segments as each girl shares current events. Tempest wants to reconnect with her past, and when an unexpected opportunity falls in her lap, she reluctantly pushes aside her conviction of newfound faith to participate in a lie. She becomes an unwitting pawn in a game perpetrated by her friend Cherise’s equally spoiled brother. Stella, having completed a masters degree in environmental science, returns home to the Texas ranch where she was raised. Her complicated relationship with her stepmother and her best friends, the foreman’s sons, create tension, exacerbated when she stumbles on the not-too-subtle secret shame of the land she’s loved all her love. When Stella realizes her friends have grown up and no longer consider her a kid, either, all’s fair in love and war. The ranch becomes both battleground and haven when Tempest needs a safe harbor. Both Tempest and Stella’s devout housekeeper help Stella to reexamine her absent faith. Cherise lives in the moment, doing exactly what she pleases and forcing everyone around her to bow to her wishes. When she follows her Italian lover, she gets a rude awakening. But going home is impossible when she’s caught up in international intrigue. A secret phone call to Tempest sets up a risky rescue attempt.

Although there will be more stories in this series of friendship adventures, A Three Strand Cord is a complete story. Initially told from the three friends’ viewpoints, the second half of the story comes together beautifully as each of the three learn to rely on dependence and trust in each other and the Lord.

While inspirational, some of the situations in the story portray sexual situations and violence, as well as pet death. A Three Strand Cord is a big story, from the east to west coast US and Texas, as well as Italy, and covers a lot of action. With three very different personalities in the main characters, readers of contemporary romance with suspense and action will find the book a breathless read.

About the author:
Tracy Krauss is an award winning author, artist, playwright, speaker, teacher, mother, grandmother,

and pastor’s wife – not necessarily in that order! She writes contemporary Christian romance with a twist of suspense and a touch of humor. Her books strike a chord with those looking for a hard hitting yet thought provoking read – no sugar added. Her work has won multiple awards and has been on Amazon’s bestsellers’ lists.  She also writes stage plays tailored to a high school audience, and has contributed to several anthologies, devotional books, and one illustrated children’s book.



She is on the executive of ICWF (Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship), a Canada wide organization for writers of Christian faith. She is also an active member of The Word Guild, The Playwrights Guild, and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). An avid reader, Tracy reviews books and posts most of these online at amazon, goodreads, and on her blog. She is also a regular contributor to several other blogs.

Originally from Mossbank, Saskatchewan, a small prairie town, Tracy received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and teaches Secondary School English, Drama and Art – all things she is passionate about. She has been involved in local theatre as a director, playwright and actress for more than thirty years and has written and directed dozens of stage plays, several of which have found homes with well known US play publishing houses.

Apart from her many personal creative pursuits, she leads worship at her local church. She and her husband, an ordained minister with the PAOC, have lived in five provinces and territories including many remote and unique places in Canada's far north such as Churchill, Manitoba – polar bear capital of the world; the Yukon – home of the Klondike Gold Rush; and the North West Territories. They have four grown children and now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, waterfall capital of British Columbia, where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests.

For more information visit her website http://www.tracykrauss.com  “Fiction on the edge – without crossing the line” 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

New Romance from Jennifer Trethewey

Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey

Betting the Scot
Jennifer Trethewey
C. 2018
Entangled
Historical Romance

3.99 eBook
20.99 Print
Buy on Amazon 

About the Book
Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams—his future wife. Though her brother had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game—and the prize is the lovely Caya.

Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.

Winning at cards is one of the many things Declan Sinclair does well. Unfortunately, the ability to court a woman—a talent he lacks—is the only skill he desperately needs to win Caya’s heart.

My Review
Trethewey’s Balforss house books are a delight to those who adore hunky historical bawdy but fun and fairly clean romance. I know, I needed to hide the cover from my hubs, too. There’s just no comparison. As mentioned in the description, it’s a family saga of stand-alones, tied by setting and characters.

Who doesn’t love a guy who buys a bathtub for a wife he has only dreamed about? I admit I fell for Declan in the first book, his sweetness and cluelessness, but braver than brave and true-hearted beyond belief.

At a time period where women, even those who’ve reached the great age of twenty-five and orphaned but under the “care” of a destructive sibling, Caya is at the bottom of the well of opportunity. She seems pretty resigned to her fate, the truth of which is only hinted at through her naiveté. The horror of it comes at a terrible price and sets up the next story beautifully, which makes me yearn to read it. In the meantime, first sight of an eager and yummy dark-haired Scot who keeps staring at Caya with a too-familiar ogle makes her look back. And again. And so begins a truly epic love affair, pirates and all.

Held at bay by wise Uncle John, Caya and Declan weather issues such as unbearable longing, accusations of witchcraft, and a quasi-amorous vicar contending for Caya’s hand. While it might have detracted from the romance, I would have been interested to see more of the effects of the gossiping nearby villagers after Caya performs a heroic task.

Nevertheless, the Sinclairs are a lovely family and a few hours in the Highlands with men of virtue and their dynamic lasses is truly a delight.

About the author:
Trethewey claims to have fallen in love with the Highlands and all things Scottish: the people, their language, cuisine, customs, idioms, humor, history, intense sense of pride, and, most of all, the land--the perfect setting for sweeping romantic tales of love, strife, and glory. As they say, Scotland is pure dead brilliant! She’s an actress, former co-artistic director of a professional theater company, and she and her husband operate an improv comedy club. They live in the Midwest. 

Friday, May 4, 2018

Bookaholics Unite Giveaway - enter all month



Raise your hand if you’re a bookaholic. I sure am and this month N. N. Light is giving away everything a booklover could want: books and bookish prizes. In fact, I’m one of the authors participating and you could win “enter your prize” . The list is long and personally, I’d love to win myself but alas, I can’t. So, I’ll just hope you’ll win instead.




With so many wonderful authors and books available, it's imperative to have a reliable and trustworthy place that can help you choose what to read. It's even better when you get a chance to win free books through a giveaway! Every month, enter to win free books from multiple authors via N. N. Light's Book Heaven. Several authors are offering their books throughout the upcoming year in this innovative and collaborative approach to building a new and immersive online reading community. Authors, bloggers and book reviewers are partnering to share fantastic reads, quality reviews and powerful connections all in one place.


Friday, April 27, 2018

Be Careful What You Joust For new serial fantasy



Be Careful What You Joust For
Pentavia Book 1
Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak
March 2018

Fantasy serial
Series
ISBN  978-1985876057
450 pp
ebook $.99
print: $15.99

About the Book
The fiercest knights in the realm are coming together to compete in the Joust for Arwin's Lance, a tournament that will divide even the closest alliances. The winner alone will have the power to start or prevent a war from unfolding across the peaceful lands of Pentavia.

House Hornbolt, a prominent family that desires peace above all else, is hosting the tournament. The Hornbolt's have always been strict followers of tradition. The first born son wears the armor of a knight. The second takes the priestly Oath of Arwin. And the daughters get married off to the most eligible suitors.

The eldest son is the favorite to win the tournament. But the rest of the Hornbolts aren't as eager to follow the paths laid out for them. What if the second born wants to be a knight too? And what if the eldest daughter just gave her heart to a common thief?

Customs are meant to be broken. But that's not all that threatens to shatter House Hornbolt, not when a secret deeper than the late king's grave is unearthed right before the joust.

The fate of Pentavia hangs in the balance as war becomes imminent. And the scales are about to tip.

One wrong move and everything could fall to pieces.

My Review
Revenge, magic, secret lives and lies combine in an adventurous romp that continues in the next book.

Hauge tries his hand at epic fantasy, influenced by the major players. The kingdom’s several factions ally, fight, commit acts of treason and murder, and intermarry while life goes on for their subjects who serve and provide for them, all in an attempt to be the only one. Of the four main faction, two are pretty much out of the picture. The story opens with a not quite sympathetic character, the Lady Isolda, whose secret life is about to get interesting.

Be Careful… is a lengthy first part of an adventure as Isolda tries to unravel the long-past murder of her father, King Bogdin of the House Talenov, and avenge his name. Her grown and growing children, her husband Garrion of the House Hornbolt, and several players all have speaking voices, so that Be Careful… is really more a series of stories that intertwine.

The book is full of good and complex character portrayals, magic and magical armor, hidden identities—all the fun setting details which bring story to life. Many little subplots raise the stakes to create an intriguing tale for hardcore fantasy readers.

Warning—this is a series in which some principal players bite the dust while others carry on in the next book, in progress, according to the author.


About the Author
Ryan HaugeRyan Hauge is the author of the highly anticipated Pentavia fantasy series. Drawing inspiration from his toy business and the countless computer games he grew up playing, he weaves tales of mystery and intrigue.

When he's not writing, you can bet that he's distracting his wife from her work, handling a toy emergency, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen.

He lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife, Ivy Smoak. They do everything together, including writing the Pentavia Series.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

WWII Fiction from Carole Brown



A Flute in the Willows
Carole Brown
Story and Logic Media Group
December 2017

2.99 Ebook
12,99 Print
Buy on Amazon

About the Book
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other's love...and keep the German enemy at bay.

She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she's scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?

Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life...especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife's life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can't stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.

These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

A Brief Interview with the Author

Carole, what do you love about this book?
A Flute in the Willows was one of my hardest to write. Yet I loved how it came together and ended. I was able to bring several pertinent topics (to today's world) such as PTSD and marital relationships. Then Josie and Jerry Patterson appealed to me and touched my heart because of their selfish ways and the hardships they had to endure to learn that God's way is the best. They came from different backgrounds, yet both ignored God. Josie because of her self-regard in wanting to succeed with her own desires and lack of comprehension of the love her family had for her. Jerry, though came from a family with a father who was so busy with his own work that he ignored his loved ones and belittled Jerry when he didn't achieve what his father felt he should.

Introduce us to a minor character.
One of my favorite characters in this series is Papa Ossie. Oswald Rayner is big, handsome, loud, and a widower, but he adores his daughters and does his best to lead them right. In A Flute in the Willows he's especially noticeable because he's not only trying to save Josie, his second, and most rebellious daughter, but her husband too. His advice is down to earth and not always easily swallowed, but it's given with so much and care that he doesn't overstep the boundaries, but instead, helps them both to consider better ways that will yield what they need. Because Josie is so much like him, he understands her moves and ways which helps him in giving the advice he knows can help her—if she accepts it.

He's a great father and character, and though not a perfect person, he's realistic and likeable, and that's what counts.

Share two things you learned either about the era/genre or about publishing while writing this book.
In each of these WWII era books, the research will overlap, but I positively found it swooningly interesting. I adore the early 1900s history. If I have to pick out two...

The fashion of the day was quite engaging. I particularly enjoyed learning about the hats worn then, the variety and, for the men's, the meaning of the styles and tilts.

The spy business. Romance, danger, secrets, travel and results all gave me pause for thought. It wasn't that the spies were always hidden, checking out people,etc. Sometimes, spying in plain sight, parties and women, meeting the well-known, high society activities: all were a part of a spy's life. It was invigorating and alluring, but also detrimental too. The cost was high if caught. Shame, prison and death were to be expected.

But the study of it was an eye-opening time.

What are you working on now?
I'm finishing up book four of my Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series: Toby's Troubles.
Toby Gibson's sister—Caroline Gibson Carrington, co-owner of Undiscovered Treasures—just got married to his best friend and left him holding the reins of the shop. The problem is, a ghost (or is it a real live person?) is searching for something in his shop late at night, and it's getting tiresome. On top of that, one of his friends is trying to outbid him in purchasing the property between their businesses. And he suspects she's in love with him.

He's much too busy to dwell on love with Amy Sanderson, until the ghost/person invades her property searching for...what? A new handsome man in town and a gorgeous blond that looks a bit like his friend steal their attention, but the question is: do either of these have anything to do with the break-ins?

Can Toby catch the person interrupting his sleep? Do they both find the love of their lives or is it right under their noses?
Coming late summer...

How do you overcome your biggest challenge to publication?
By never giving up! Writing the book, sometimes, seems the easiest part. Publication, not so much. With more books coming out than ever before, it can be discouraging. Being a hybrid author (both traditionally and Indie), means that I have both methods available to me. Some authors refuse to consider Indie publishing, but others use it and succeed in their endeavors. I see advantages in both.

About the Author
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?


Connect with Carole: