Secrets of My Favorite Genre and Hero Writing by Sandy Lender – Guest Blog and Giveaway

August 5, 2024 By 9 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Secrets of My Favorite Genre and Hero Writing

I’ve learned not to pause when people ask what genre I write in. Although I have over 20 titles out there in a few genres, the main one is fantasy. Epic, to be exact.

I love reading and writing big, sweeping stories of good versus evil with a complex dragon who could switch sides if you don’t treat him (or her) right. Readers who know me know I write strong female characters but a secret to keeping this genre exciting for myself is in the dragons and the heroes. I’m a sucker for a hero who, like the dragon, could switch sides if you betray him. Or if you harm his dragon companion.

Another secret to my genre fiction is the type of hero I write. Considering I’m talking this week about my latest release, “100 Things Duran Duran Fans Should Know & Do During This Life,” it’s probably time to come clean and admit most of my heroes bear a striking resemblance to DD’s bass guitarist. There’s a reason for that.

John Taylor is hot like the rising sun. He has aged like a fine wine you want to sip while listening to all the slow, moody-and-grey Duran Duran songs through high-quality headphones.

Why wouldn’t I model the look of the hero you’re supposed to fall for after my lifelong crush? Now, don’t let this fool you into thinking my heroes are “based on” Mr. John Taylor. That would be creepy. (And probably worthy of a cease-and-desist.)

While John Taylor definitely inspires the heroes in the CHOICES series, the DRAGONS IN SPACE series, the FAERIE HOLIDAYS series, and a few other stories I’ve penned, these heroes are their own fabulous hotties with their own back stories and blends of mannerisms and traits from interesting people I’ve met or observed over my lifetime. It takes more than a handsome face to create a hero, no matter what genre you’re working in.

For me, it’s fun to write in the fantasy genre. It’s fun to bring a gorgeous hero onto the page to assist the strong young women I’m writing about. And to add in some epic dragons.

Best-selling, award-winning author and life-long Duranie, Sandy Lender, offers a delightful guidebook to the fun and sometimes wacky events that bring a fandom together. 100 THINGS DURAN DURAN FANS SHOULD KNOW & DO DURING THIS LIFE is a unique, positive, optimistic, totally new take on exploring nostalgia alongside your BFFs with the supergroup that continues to provide the dance track for so many people’s lives.

This non-fiction foray into Duran Duran history is unlike any biography you’ve read before. Instead of dry stats and facts, it’s a reminder of the joy and positivity that comes from obsessing over a shared musical interest. Herein you’ll find a series of random acts “to do” and trivia you might have forgotten to celebrate. To-do: Dive in and celebrate again!

Enjoy an Excerpt

Introduction

Let me admit, up front, you’re about to read a frivolous romp through a Duranie’s brain. We’re about to dance together down Memory Lane, inspired by a Star Wars book title I saw about four months ago. To prevent myself from stealing the author’s intellectual property, I didn’t open the unauthorized 100 Things Star Wars Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.

Instead, I’ve put together a Duran-o-rama of my own making. It’s arranged exactly as the title suggests: first an item of what a Duran Duran fan should know, followed by an item a fan can do. This order proceeds from one to one hundred in a conversational tone.

The prompts of nostalgia might be numbered, but they’re not in chronological order. Most of the to-do items are geared toward sharing your insanity with others.

Basically, you’re holding amusing reminders of carefree times when a ticket to a concert cost all of eighteen dollars, when you listened to the local radio station at midnight because they were playing the entire new DD release, or when you could grab a crew of giggling girls to plop down on the couch with a six-pack of Pepsi—because that’s what John preferred over the sponsor of the Arena tour—to watch and sing along to Arena: An Absurd Notion, complete with parental advisory.

Now, let me lift the needle off the record for a second.

About the Author Sandy Lender is an international best-selling poet and award-winning author of fantasy, literary fiction, poetry, and short story work. She’s a construction magazine editor by day and author of #GirlPower fantasy novels by night, living in Florida to help with sea turtle conservation and parrot rescue. You can follow her author page on Amazon, check her website at SandyLenderInk.com, or subscribe to her newsletter at https://bit.ly/SSReNews.

With a four-year degree in English and thirty-year career in publishing, Sandy’s successes include traditionally and self-published novels, hundreds of magazine articles, multiple short stories in competitive anthologies, a handful of technical writing awards, a handful of creative writing awards, and the 2023 Michael Knost Wings award. Sandy’s been writing stories since she was knee-high to a grasshopper when her great-grandmother shared her odd little tales of squeaky ghost-spiders around an apartment complex in Southern Illinois. The stories have developed to include strong young ladies working with dragons to save worlds from terrible fates, but those pesky spiders still show up from time to time.

There’s always something brewing at Sandy Lender Ink headquarters where some days, you just want the dragon to win.

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Researching Tips by Dale E. Dallman – Guest Blog and Giveaway

August 1, 2024 By 6 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dale E. Dallman will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Researching Tips

I think the best research for a book is living it! If you are going to write about a place, go there, live it, touch the dirt, listen to the wind. I am part Native American, and I swear, I can feel my ancestors as I go into the Montana and Dakota country. I can hear their wisdom. I do research the area I am writing about, but firsthand experience seems to be what the reader wants! They can read research, look up, look at pictures, but they can’t find the thoughts in your head, unless you tell them. That is what sets you apart from books based on research! My book just released “LETTERS FROM A WARRIOR P.S. Mom, I love you” has no research. It is actual events that you would never be able to research. Every letter is real. Every event is something you can’t find unless you tell it! It is the most personal, look inside another person’s brain, you can get!

Writing is my destiny! It took 60 years to finally get it to happen! I started writing in Grade School! My projects always got good reviews from my grade schoolteacher. She would give a project. The other kids would have two or three lines–I would have 30! High school changed me! I started running and lost interest in school! I went from an A student to barely passing. I was the epitome of the Elvis Pressley look! The greasy, Vitalis, combed back, Duck Tail hair, the black leather jacket, the t-shirt, with the Camel Cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve! The Engineer boots. No interesting anything, let alone writing. Joining the Marine Corps started me back. I kept a Journal, which I incorporated into letters I sent home. That was the extent, until I started VA treatment with a shrink. She suggested I get writing again. SO, I opened the bottom desk drawer, took out the old letters and started this book. It was a combination of the shrink and a GREAT Publisher, Traci Wooden, that I got back into serious writing.

Publication was never a reality. I tried a few times to send the book idea to publishers! Most never even responded! I kept working on three books, knowing that the only person who would ever read them was me and the guy who didn’t publish! My wife, who is a professional photographer, and a singer was going to Las Vegas to record a song. I went along to lose my $300. BUT-the people who were doing her recording started asking me questions! I made the mistake of saying I wish I could publish a book! Oh Oh-that started a flood of questions, with me promising to send the series of letters used to write this book. Long story short, they loved em’! They in turn sent them to Traci Wooden, a great publisher! With the help of my wife, Traci and GOD, I got one!!

My favorite author has always been Louis L’a Mour. I have read his works for decades! He wasn’t just an author; he was an inspiration to the American West. I don’t stick to a specific genre! I jump from Western, to military to women’s rights! Every book I write, I am involved! It is personal. I travel the land I write about. I walk in the shoes of the characters in my books.

The best part of being an author is being able to influence people, connect with people, relate to people! I am not very polished. I don’t have an Ivy League education. I learned street smarts from failure and success. The Marines taught me to “IMPROVISE, ADAPT and OVERCOME! I write from experience! The book about the car business that is coming out-I sold cars, the book about the WHITE BUFFALO that is in process is written on ground I stood on! The Marine Corps book is me!

The worst part-well, the first chapters of the BUFFALO book were written on a trip into the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. I was in a cabin that was 12 miles in by horseback. It was so quiet that at night, a fly sounded like a bomber! The Packrat that lived there would scamper through my stuff and steal every pen or coin I dropped! The pages were written with pen and paper! It is just recently that I advanced to a computer! You would laugh (as my wife does) to watch me type with one finger! (her sister was sitting out in the living room, asking my wife “what that clicking noise was as I beat out a chapter!) That is the worst part! I wish I was not Electronically challenged! I have a 50 word a minute brain, but a 5-word finger!

Well, I’m presently working on three books!! I didn’t plan it that way! I will be putting together a part in one book and think, “you know, I can use that thought in this other one” The WHITE BUFFALO is probably the next one to go to TAWC Publishing! If Traci sees fit! I will continue the work of this military book that is just published and plead with Traci to publish another for this poor ol’ country boy!

I really get involved in my books! I try to feel what the character is feeling! I dedicated the book- Letters From A Warrior P.S. Mom, I love you-to every mom who received a flag back, instead of her son or daughter!

Writing is a high hanging fruit! I encourage every reader who thinks they have a story in them to reach out and grab that high hanging fruit. It tastes so good when you get it!

“Letters From A Warrior, P.S. Mom, I Love You” is a captivating true story full of adventure and self-discovery. It is portrayed with a relentless wit that offers an intimate glimpse into the world of the US Marine Corps Boot Camp in 1960. This is all done through the eyes of a young man who trades his small-town roots in Minot, North Dakota for the thrilling and challenging life of a Marine.

Through a series of unapologetically honest and unintentionally humorous letters to his mother, the author shares his unvarnished experiences as a naive 18-year-old navigating the tribulations of boot camp. With the specter of his seemingly menacing drill instructors looming large, this young man’s quest for a life beyond his hometown quickly becomes a rollercoaster of exhilaration, fear, and personal growth.

Witness the author’s transformation from a small-town boy to a dedicated warrior as he overcomes adversity and learns invaluable lessons about courage, resilience, and the true meaning of strength. From his first day at the MCRD to his thrilling new beginning in Hawaii, this unforgettable memoir stands as a testament to the power of determination and the indomitable spirit of youth.

Enjoy an Excerpt

I sat up in bed and observed a Marine with two stripes coming toward me. He was shaking and yelling at each bunk as he went by. He did an about-face when he reached the end of the aisle and yelled that he was Corporal Johnston, corporal of the guard.

He said Staff Sergeant Smith was busy so he was taking us to chow. He said we had fifteen minutes to shit, shower, shave and dress after which he wanted us all standing on the painted stripes outside. He said anyone late would die. He said the one they’d taken out last night was already dead.

I wanted to say, “You can’t kill a man for pissing his bed,” but my mouth wouldn’t open. I decided I didn’t need a shower, I was too scared to shit, and I was still too young to shave so I just dressed, used the urinal, and stood around talking to my friends.

Todd asked me if I had seen Adam. I said no, but I figured he was gone for good.

Thomas delivered the next question with as serious a face as I’d ever seen on him. “They really can’t kill him for pissing his bed, can they”?

I said no but I thought they might put him in jail. I had read stories about military brigs, and I figured Adam was already in a striped suit, breaking rocks as we spoke.

About the Author: Dale E. Dallman, Senior was born on a hot dry day in Britton, South Dakota, just off the Sisseton Indian Reservation, east of Lake Tewaukon, because that was the closest hospital. His relatives all worked for the railroad and/or farmed near Fort Ransom, Cayuga, and Rutland, North Dakota. When his father got the chance to quit farming and transfer to the railroad they moved to Minot, North Dakota where Dale attended grade school at Sunnyside and graduated high school at Minot High.

After Dale and a few of his friends got themselves into trouble towards the end of their senior year, a nice judge “suggested” that he and several of his acquaintances join the United States Marine Corps. The formation of the “NODAK PLATOON” made the timeline fit. The Marines took him to San Diego, California, Hawaii, Asia, and back to San Francisco, California. He grew up fast in the Marines. One of his buddies stuck with him after they were discharged and the two followed each other off and on through life.

His first real job after the service was in Billings, Montana with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. as a road salesman. This led to other road salesman positions with the American Greetings Company and the Bristol Myers Drug Company. He ventured into real estate, casinos, auto sales, RV sales, which took him to Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He became a deputy sheriff in California for a while, then traveled on to Washington, Arizona, Virginia, Germany, and Colorado, to name a few.

Today, Mr. Dallman lives in the South with his wife Cassandra Dallman, a professional photographer and singer out of Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys and continues to take great pride in his children and their offspring.

This book is neither his first nor last written work so please check back to see upcoming books from Dale E. Dallman.

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My Second Life by Simon Yeats

June 26, 2024 By 4 Comments

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Simon Yeats is awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

We all have two lives. We only get to experience living in the second after we realize we only have just one.

I have my first real scare in life when I get attacked by a kangaroo when I am seven. My first brush with the cliff-face edge of death comes when I am 12. My dad drives the family down the dangerous Skipper’s Canyon dirt road in New Zealand in a rented minivan.

Including the occasion I am almost involved in two different plane flight crashes, in the same night, there have been at least a half dozen more occasions when I have been within a moment’s inattention of being killed.

However, none of those frightening incidents compare to what I experience after my son is abducted.

This memoir is the story of how I used the traumatic experiences of my life to give me strength to forge on during a 13 year fight to be a father to my son.

What did it take for me to get to my second life?
It took me to truly understand what fear is.

Enjoy an Excerpt

How does a second life differ from a first? My story of reaching the second will demonstrate it perfectly for those languishing in the latter. I guarantee the perception of your life will never be the same after reading about it.

What did it take for me to get to a second life?

Was it an occasion of cheating death? Was it multiple occasions of evading the grim reaper? Was it being arrested and thrown in jail for no reason?

Perhaps a better question might be. How much do I love my child? What am I willing to go through to be in my child’s only life?

Until recently, I had never even heard of this saying by Confucius. But, when a person sees something that resonates with a chord in their heart, they feel it.

I felt it like an earthquake.

Before then, I had never given thought to who I might have ever met that I would consider was living a second life.

Yet this would seem to be our very point of being.

While there have been many occasions in my existence when I have felt like the world is against me. The true nature of life often seems a cruel device. Callous. Savagely unforgiving. And the puppeteer of fate in control of all our lives does not seem to care that we do not want it to be this way.

How many people would admit that they are suffering during their first life?

Rhetorical question.

We all are. Some more than others. But we all are.

Not surprisingly then, that humanity thrives on the ever-unfolding tragedies around us. The devastation of the tsunami in Thailand. The OJ Simpson trial. World War Two concentration camps. The collective work of The Cure and The Smiths.

If it bleeds, it leads.

This is what people want to see.

But the hordes in their first life are primarily concerned with the suffering of the mighty.

However, many of us are not mighty.

Most of us are ordinary.

And the suffering in our first life is done in silence.

About the Author:

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

 

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My Gangster Father and Me! by Marcia Rosen – Spotlight and Giveaway

June 19, 2024 By 3 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marcia Rosen will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Happy Fathers Day.
Our history and experiences can define us, inspire our actions and as writers impact our words and stories. Mine most definitely has. My father was a gangster. Really!

This is my story about my relationship with my father and how his profession affected me and my life, “He called me Sugar Plum. Both a blessing and a burden, I learned interesting lessons from my father: about generosity and determination, taking risks, and certainly finding the willingness to live life as an adventure.”

Enjoy an Excerpt

Some fascinating and incredible women have inspired me. None, who by the way had a physical beauty, but surely an inner beauty. Being inspired and inspiring others provides us with shared strengths giving us opportunities to be more than we are as one. Those who inspire us, in the process, influence us by their intellect, accomplishments, and wisdom.

Eleanor Roosevelt and Golda Meir have been two of my role models. Author Gertrude Stein and many other good writers have influenced me. These are people who dared to go beyond the ordinary. They were not willing to accept the limitations society or family set upon them.

If we are fortunate, there are also those in our lives who inspire us, expressing belief in us. I’ve had a few such people in my life, encouraging me to never give up my dreams and ambitions. I decided long ago to keep at a safe distance people who are angry, jealous, and mean-spirited. Really. Who needs them? Who made them right?

I know it’s not always easy to do. Sometimes they are a close relative, even a parent. And it’s quite a juggling act dealing with those situations. The worse is for any woman dealing with an abusive spouse. Finding support and asking for help is critical. We all deserve better.

What does all this have to do with me and my dad?

Quite a lot, in fact. His actions inspired me. In doing so, they influenced my actions in many ways. He almost never gave up at times when it would have been easier to do so.

Once asked what characteristic I think most important in a partner, my response was generosity. Oh, not only financial. I also mean being generous in expressing feelings and communication and being generous in kindness, thoughtfulness, and love. Many people are stingy and withholding of those things. They and their relationships have lost so much in the process.

All we need to do is look and listen to the world around us for negative influences. Controlling people need power to fuel their egos and cause pain and chaos. The benefit of their actions is solely for their own egos even though they falsely claim otherwise. The psychology of their actions and rhetoric is for professionals who understand human behavior. But I do know they are difficult people who create difficult situations.

My father showed me his love and affection. Maybe it’s why writing and words matter so much to me. There should be no doubt how much words matter. Cruel and thoughtless words sting. When I owned my first business, two nursery schools, many parents would say goodbye to their child with, “You better be good today!” or “Don’t be bad today!”

I would ask them please, not to do that and just tell their child, “Have a good day,” and better yet, “I love you.”

There had to be something about my growing up, about my experiences providing me with such an awareness.

I think back about my father buying lunch for the homeless man asking for money. I remember him taking a huge basket of food to one of his sisters whose husband was out of work. I saw how he never said no to my mother when she asked for money.

Sometimes a simple action or a few words can influence.

Sometimes a simple action or a few words can inspire.

About the Author: Marcia Rosen is an award-winning author of twelve books including nine mysteries, the most recent is An Agatha, Raymond, Sherlock, and Me Mystery: Murder at the Zoo. She is also the author of The Senior Sleuths, the Dying to Be Beautiful Mystery Series, and The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus (Menus by her son Jory Rosen). She wrote The Woman’s Business Therapist and My Memoir Workbook and has given Memoir Writing presentations and classes for close to twenty years. Her Memoir Blog can be found on her website. For twenty-five years she was owner of a successful national marketing and public relations agency.

Marcia has frequently been a featured speaker at organization meetings, bookstores, libraries, and Zoom Programs presenting talks on Encouraging the Writer Within You, Marketing for Authors, Writing Mysteries…Not A Mystery and A Memoir Detective…Writing Your Life Story. She has also helped numerous writers develop and market their books.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Southwest Writers, New Mexico Book Association, Public Safety Writer’s Association, International Memoir Writer’s Association, Women’s National book Association and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors—for which she is also a board member.

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Why My Books are Essential Reads by Delicia Niami – Guest Post and Giveaway

June 14, 2024 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a randomly drawn winner a signed special edition copy of the book. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why My Books are Essential Reads

Hey there, fellow book lovers! Today, I want to dive into why my ResilientAF series books aren’t just stories but transformative experiences waiting to be explored. As an author I’m deeply passionate about inspiring resilience in everyone. I pour my heart into every word, crafting narratives that I hope will resonate with readers on a profound level.

In my books, resilience isn’t just a theme—it’s the beating heart of every story. I take readers on a journey through the gritty realities of my own life, exploring the highs and lows of my journey. Whether it’s overcoming trauma, navigating personal challenges, or finding strength in the face of adversity, my character embodies resilience in its purest form. Through my struggles and triumphs, my goal is to remind readers of their own inner strength and capacity for growth.

Self-discovery is another cornerstone of my storytelling. I embark on my journeys of growth and reflection, where readers are invited to explore their own identities, values, and beliefs. Through introspection and exploration, I hope my readers will discover new insights about themselves and the world around them. My books reflect back the complexities of the human experience and encourage readers to embrace their true selves.

Above all, my books are about empowerment. They’re not just about escapism or entertainment—they’re about sparking real change in the lives of readers. By sharing stories of resilience, hope, and liberation, I aim to inspire others to embrace their own journeys of growth and transformation. Whether it’s overcoming past traumas, pursuing dreams, or embracing newfound passions, my books encourage readers to step into their power and live authentically.

So, why are my books essential reads? I firmly believe that my books offer readers an unparalleled journey into the depths of resilience and self-discovery. Through the raw and authentic storytelling in Kissing Asphalt and the forthcoming releases of Not My Circus and The Queen of Silver Linings, I strive to provide reading experiences that linger long after the final page is turned. Your support and engagement as a reader mean the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with each and every one of you. So, let’s embark on this literary journey together, where the possibilities are as endless as the human spirit itself. If you’re ready to embark on an adventure, pick up one of my books and let the journey begin!

Resilience isn’t inherited. It’s a hard-fought skill forged by our ability to pick up the broken pieces of our past and remake them into something new.

Meet four-year-old Delicia, a poor but carefree child who is about to have her world shattered. Along with her seven-year-old brother Nile, she is kidnapped from her Los Angeles home by her estranged father and taken to Iraq, a foreign world she has never known. This is just the beginning of a string of traumas, hardships, and assaults Delicia will endure throughout her tumultuous childhood.

Now an adult living back in California, Delicia Niami bravely recounts how she survived the unimaginable in her debut memoir. Kissing Asphalt, the first in her memoir trilogy, ResilientAF, grapples with the power of resilience, acceptance, and self-love. She revisits her terrifying past with vulnerability, compassion, and the honesty of a true survivor. Hold hands with Delicia as she faces her childhood scars and learns how to confront her fears, accept her true value and identity, and embrace her unique gifts. It’s a multi-decade roller coaster ride that is the beginning of her liberation, propelling her to live an inspired life and embrace her full human potential—a human potential she knows lives inside everyone, no matter what life has thrown at us.

For anyone who has struggled with childhood trauma, Delicia’s unflinching journey through darkness and back to light will resonate. She has decided to share her story publicly in hopes that it will serve as a guide to the many who have suffered in silence and continue to struggle against the daunting weight imposed by childhood trauma.

Enjoy an Excerpt

It was a sunny day in Arleta, California. A layer of smog covered the sky, giving it the most illustrious orange hue. My brother and I were anxiously awaiting our five-day Easter vacation with our father. Our parents were going through a tumultuous divorce and had been separated for about a year at this point. I felt extremely sad because I never got to see my “dad.” I thought it odd that he cut all ties with our family, especially his own children. At only four years of age, I couldn’t understand the concept of a father wanting nothing to do with his kids. Imagine the excitement my brother, who was seven at the time, and I felt after almost a year of not seeing him. Now we were going to get to spend five whole days for Easter with our “dad.”

About the Author: Delicia Niami is an acclaimed memoirist and LGBTQ+ advocate, whose raw and edgy storytelling has touched the hearts of readers worldwide. Residing in Santa Cruz and an alumna of UCSC, Delicia draws inspiration from her own journey of resilience and empowerment. Through her memoirs, she fearlessly addresses topics such as sexual abuse, trauma recovery, and the importance of self-compassion. Delicia’s work not only sheds light on difficult experiences but also empowers others to find their voices and embrace their own resilience. Her passion for advocacy shines through in her writing, making her a powerful voice for change and healing in today’s world.

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One of the Most Expensive, Iconic and Kinetic Maps of Australia in the World by Jose Tugaff Amoloria and Lourdes Villena Amoloria

May 28, 2024 By 1 Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Dream without fear. When dreams are nourished with faith and actions, dreams bloom into realities.

Jose, a self-taught artist, had no formal training in art, no scholastic qualifications and had very challenging life experiences as an international sailor, chef, watchmaker and stone mason. How can one be multi-skilled and pass international standards without proper educational training?

This book will make you rethink how adversity, grief and loss can cause so much pain, and yet these life challenges can facilitate creativity, and be transformed into gifts and blessings for a meaningful and productive existence.

Get inspired by faith and determination that changed the course of life, and be entertained by the unconventional ways Jose educated and equipped himself with skills to achieve dreams and goals. The one-of-a-kind masterpieces in this book and Jose’s life are testimonials that creativity can really transform lives. Miracles do happen, and anyone can manifest miracles if they sincerely believe in themselves and in the intervention of the unseen power of the Supreme Creator.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Jose Tugaff Amoloria, a self-taught Filipino-Australian artist and watchmaker is very unlikely to admit he is an artist. He is even surprised how he was able to create one of the most expensive, kinetic and iconic maps of Australia in the world as well as his other artworks. The unique map is also a showcase of Jose’s collection of remarkable timepieces. An antique 18-carat gold watch, a 14-carat gold watch, white gold watches, other rare collectible timepieces, gold nuggets, Australian opal, and a certified one-carat diamond are embedded in his art pieces.

All the art pieces featured in this book are one of a kind, handmade and had no prior prototypes as they were done progressively as the designs were revealed in his imagination. Jose didn’t have sophisticated tools and instruments to complete his artworks and he is so grateful the result was far beyond his imagination.

About the Authors:

Jose Tugaff Amoloria is a man of multi-talents and skills. He is a professional watchmaker who had mastered most phases of watches: mechanical, automatic, quartz technology and modern watches. He created one-of-a-kind kinetic masterpieces made of collectible time pieces and watch parts, enhanced with microlights. He became a chef, and was personally taught a French masterchef’s family secret of French liquored ice cream.

Jose mastered stone masonry in record time. His experience in watch repair helped him to gain a feather touch to accomplish his masonry works. He is also an avid martial art practitioner of arnis, a Filipino martial art, and he is also a second-dan black belt in Karate, with a champion’s trophy to prove it. With so many other skills and abilities, Jose thanks God for the gifts and talents given to him.

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Lourdes Villena Amoloria is an Amazon international best-selling author for her book Kiss From an Angel: How to Turn Your Grief Into a Gift From Heaven, published in Sydney, Australia, 2014.

Lourdes holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from La Salle, Bacolod City, Philippines, with a post graduate in counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology in Sydney, Australia.

Lourdes is on a mission to help others find the gift behind their grief, help with mental health issues, and live more productive lives with faith, self-responsibility and love in action.

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My Career Journal by Fatemah Mirza – Spotlight and Giveaway

May 8, 2024 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Fatemah Mirza will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Are you seeking to enhance your career and significantly increase your salary? ‘My Career Journal’ by CareerTuners is your guide to achieving these goals. This practical workbook, enriched with insights from my 13+ years as a career and salary coach, is tailored for individuals at any career stage – whether you are just starting or looking to make major changes.
In ‘My Career Journal’, you will:

– Set clear, achievable career goals with defined weekly, monthly, and quarterly milestones.
– Track and record your accomplishments, laying the groundwork for salary negotiations.
– Build and refine a professional portfolio that showcases your strengths and achievements.

The strategies in this workbook have been refined through my extensive experience and continual input from over 3,000 recruiter partners. This is how I have empowered marketing leaders to approach their promotion plans with renewed vigor.

‘My Career Journal’ is especially for those:

– Who are deeply creative and have great ideas they are eager to put into motion.
– Committed to changing their job search strategies.
– Who aspire to align their career success with making a meaningful difference in their field, using their work as a platform for positive change.

The workbook encourages you to take action and think creatively to overcome professional challenges. It is designed not just for planning but for doing. By working through ‘My Career Journal,’ you will rediscover the passion that drives your career success and be equipped to double your salary through strategic planning and execution. Dive into this journal to take control of your career journey and propel yourself towards greater achievements.

About the Author:Fatemah Mirza is a Certified Resume Master and a highly sought-after speaker and coach who helps ambitious job seekers find higher-paying, more fulfilling jobs. She’s been helping job seekers since 2010 when she founded CareerTuners, which is a small team of skilled professionals from various industries who specialize in providing professional resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and many more career-related services to help ambitious people land their dream jobs and achieve career goals.She has created free resources that have seen more than 160,000 downloads, helped hundreds of clients increase their pay, and built a network of more than 3000 recruiters.

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The Importance of STEAM for Young Children by Lydia Lukidis – Guest Post

April 9, 2024 By 1 Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Lydia Lukidis who is celebrating the release of DANCING THROUGH SPACE: DR. mAE JEMISON SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the book.

The Importance of STEAM for Young Children

I love writing nonfiction not only because of my own everlasting curiosity, but also, to help children understand themselves and the fascinating world we live in. That’s why so many of my children’s books are STEAM based. (STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.)

There are many benefits to STEAM. Some include fostering critical thinking and problem solving while cultivating imagination and innovation. It’s possible to distill complex scientific theories and relay them to children in easy to grasp and fun ways.

I’m excited to announce my latest nonfiction narrative picture book, Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights illustrated by Sawyer Cloud and published by Albert Whitman. Most people know that Dr. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to fly to space, but many may not know that she also has a deep passion for dance. This provides the hook for my book: the intersection of dance and science. That’s why I structured the book as a dual narrative that features and dance. As the story unfolds, the two worlds merge together, illuminating how art and science are both essential parts of our world.

What do I hope children will retain from this book?

First off, dream big and persevere to overcome all obstacles. The words “no” or “can’t” are simply not in Dr. Mae Jemison’s vocabulary and she’s a true inspiration.

Secondly, I’d like to gently remind children that they don’t necessarily have to follow one path in life, that it’s possible to pursue multiple passions. That concept mirrors my own life as I studied science early on then switched to the arts, thinking these disciplines were distinct. But as the years went by, I realized these realms are in fact connected.

It’s an honor to write for children and be a small part of their own journey.
To help celebrate the launch of my new book, I’m hosting a giveaway of Dancing Through Space! Simply comment on this blog post. Good luck! (US entries only)

About the Author: Lydia Lukidis is the author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was shortlisted for a Silver Birch Express (Forest of Reading) award, THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST (Kane Press, 2019) which was nominated for a Cybils Award, and NO BEARS ALLOWED (Clear Fork Media, 2019). A science enthusiast from a young age, she now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books.

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In All Things by Dr. John Neufeld – Spotlight and Giveaway

March 18, 2024 By 1 Comment

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The issue of control is a central question of life. At work, in family, community clubs and schools, with the economy or international politics, the question is, “Is anyone in charge here?” Dr. John Neufeld demonstrates the Bible teaching of God’s providence. We are assured that God’s Hand is upon everything and everyone, without exception. Dr. John explores God’s sustaining grip through the natural world and human endeavor, in pivotal matters or the seemingly trivial, the things we welcome and those we shun. He teaches the impact of God’s sovereign rule upon our hearts, minds, work, worship, homes, and nation. We can live in the confidence that God is unfolding His purpose for time and eternity.

What people are saying about Dr. John Neufeld’s teaching:

“This is such an important message for us today. Thank you, Dr. John, for your encouragement to view what is presently concerning us in the world from the perspective of God and His providence. That should take a huge weight off our shoulders!”

Enjoy an Excerpt

Jesus controls the atoms that make up your body, the ground under your feet, the air you breathe, the world upon which you stand and the universe in which you live. All of it is held together and directed by the Son of God. Furthermore, if Jesus were not constantly, moment by moment, sustaining all these things, the forces that hold the atoms in place would fly apart and all things would cease to be. Everything that exists—past, present and future—does so by His will and permission. Everything that goes on does so under His direction. That’s what we mean when we talk about meticulous sovereignty.

About the Author:Dr. John Neufeld, Bible teacher of Back to the Bible Canada, is well known both nationally and internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching. Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God’s Word to life across Canada and beyond.

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Happy Harry: A Magical Golden by Barbara Lampert – Spotlight and Giveaway

March 1, 2024 By 4 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In her dog memoir Happy Harry: A Magical Golden, psychotherapist Barbara Lampert, a lifelong dog lover, tells the story of her beloved Golden Retriever, Harry. Like her first dog memoir, Harry’s story comes from her mostly uncensored daily journal and takes place in Malibu, California.

Harry was a genuinely free spirit – wild, and very wolf-like. Did all this contribute to his being exceptionally happy? Perhaps.

Harry was not only the happiest being Barbara’s ever known, happy to the very core of him, but also the bravest. More than once in his life, Harry had to face true adversity, and each time, Barbara would look at him in wonder, not fully understanding how a being could be so brave and at the same time continue to be so happy.

Harry literally pranced through life, with a joyous attitude that made being around him like magic. Barbara fell in love with Harry. And as you immerse yourself in Harry’s story, it’s likely you will too! Happy Harry is unforgettable!

Enjoy an Excerpt

I call Harry my calendar dog. Exquisite face. That’s what drew me to him when he was nine weeks old. Sounds superficial, but I thought his face was extraordinary. And this sounds superficial too, but I’d hoped his face would stay as gorgeous when he grew up. Well, it has. But you know, no matter what he turned out to look like, I knew I would love him tremendously. What’s inside Harry is amazing!

Harry is the happiest dog I’ve ever known. Genuinely happy, from the core of him. Mostly with a ball game. Harry can’t wait for the moment when he can go out to play.

The first few years with Harry were insane. He was a maniac, wouldn’t listen. Particularly when he was out of the house on a walk or at the big field at the nearby school. We tried every kind of leash and harness. We enlisted a dog trainer. Nothing worked. But little by little, he’s getting better. Still pays scant attention when we’re out of the house, but at least I don’t have the feeling he would run away. Though he’s never off leash when we’re out. Never!

Those first years were so chaotic with him that I was resigning myself to the possibility he might be a sociopath, because he seemed to not care about rules, listening, or consequences. I needed to accept him as he was. But now, at six, Harry has become incredibly devoted and loyal. Our wild wolf has settled into his pack.

I’m at work right now and can’t wait to get home and see Harry. Give him lots of kisses, get his over-the top joyful greeting with a soft toy in his mouth. Seeing Harry brimming with enthusiasm makes me so happy! I love him so much!

Harry’s adapting… But more than that, he’s still so joyful. His abundance of happy energy is so wonderful to be around. He’s still putting stuffed toy rabbits and balls in his mouth, particularly when he’s really happy. Still comes to me with even more enthusiasm and his head held even higher than usual when I say, “Hey Harry.” I love saying that to him, and Harry seems to love hearing it. I only use the “Hey” with Harry. It’s special, just for him. Something I started saying to him a few years ago. To me, it’s a way of emphasizing how cool Harry is. Yes, Harry is really cool, in the true sense of the word. Unafraid, carefree. Still.

Dogs are such special beings. I swear a big reason they were put on this earth is to teach us how to be.

About the Author:

My passion is dogs! I’ve had dogs most of my life and hope to have at least one by my side always. Dog energy is the best!

I’m the author of two dog memoirs: Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and before that Charlie: A Love Story. Each about one of my Golden Retrievers. (I told you dogs are my passion!)

I’m a psychotherapist, licensed for over thirty years, specializing in relationships.

I was a flight attendant for nine years. And taught sociology at several universities. I have two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

Gardening is another love – not as much as dogs, but right up there! I see my garden as a work of art and garden as much as possible in my free time. I love being in nature.

I live in Malibu, California with my husband David and, you guessed it, our two wonderful Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Henry.

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