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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Historical Romance - A Good Story Is A Good Story








Please join Marsha Casper Cook on May 5 at 9PM EST 8 PM CST 7 PM MT 6 PM PST  and her guests - Leigh Michaels, Mary Ann Bernal and Kelly Abell. All three authors will talk about writing Historical novels, characters, places and events leading up to their writing Historical Romances. It's going to be a great show with lots of information and fun.


Please feel free to call in or go into the chat room(714) 242-5259

Friday, April 17, 2015

Book Spotlight: ESPete - Sixth Grade Sense by Arnold Rudnick

Talents are something that everyone wants and hopes to use to achieve their goals. But, what would you do if you were a sixth grade kid who can read minds, know things that might happen before they do and even figure out how to stop someone from thinking you are going to help them cheat on a test? Well! What a great feat that would be!

“ESP is sometimes called, the sixth sense because it is extra beyond our normal senses as Loyd Auerbach, MS shares in the forward of this book. He defines telepathy, Clairvoyance and Precognition and helps readers understand the kids are often more psychic than adults. Meet Peter Powell ad sixth grader who will surprise, mystify and definitely make you wonder: But, first think of a number between one and 100 before reading this book. You’ll learn why at the end. I did and was pleasantly surprised.

Peter Powell can read minds. Eleven years old and definitely smart, astute and knows exactly when to use his talents. Distracted during time and then sent to the school psychologist, Ms. Hornbauer who well sometimes grownups cannot handle things like Peter is ADHD. Even more revealing as he tells her he hears people talking when their lips are not moving. Wanting to test him for ESP was her next move. ESP the ability to read minds or called the sixth sense. But, not everyone is a friend and one not so great friend named Rodney Bell was waiting to see the Ms. Hornbauer and low and behold he knows the secret and of course would now use it to manipulate Peter. Added in Peter had a crush on a girl in his class named Casey Grant whose mind he tried to read during a math test and might have been accused of cheating. But, here is where the story gets interesting as we meet Pete in school and learn more about Mr. Stein the substitute teacher!

But, just as Mr. Stein introduced himself Peter caught wind of his thoughts. Was this substitute teacher really planning on robbing the school cafeteria? Or was he planning something bigger? How does this 11 year old approach the Principal and tell him what he thinks an adult might do? As he tried to follow what his dad always told him to rehearse before speaking which helps you to figure out what he would say, no amount of rehearsing was going to change the outcome when poor Peter had to face Mr. Stein along with Principal Willis. Adults have a way of covering up for themselves and the end result was they both thought that Peter was “prone to exaggeration.” But, not so fast everyone wait until you find out what happens next!

Rodney was the school bully and was constantly annoying Peter. Big for the grade hi’s in and knowing Peter’s secret, will Peter cover for him and not be a tattletale when he comes in hurt and in need of the nurse. A chapter test in math was hanging over his head and talk with his father did not ease his tension. But, poor Mr. Davenport was really sick and Mr. Stein was there. Just from his greeting you know that this was going to be trouble for Peter. Talking about money and where it goes and instructing the class in the Federal Reserve System triggers something in Peter’s mind. Using hands on experiences he shows the class how money is stored, how loans are paid and decides on a field trip to the bank.

Casey Grant and Peter talk about the field trip at lunch and he spills what he thinks. But, what can two kids do to stop what an adult has in mind? But, first the math test that would or not prove to Rodney that Peter was not going to help him cheat and he might pass on his own. You have to read it to understand Peter’s logic and the humor.

Every step of the way we learn more about Peter’s talents and how he tries to use it for the good. But, can he and Casey along with Rodney figure out how to stop Mr. Stein? Pretending to do a research project for school they follow Stein to learn his movements and more about what he does when not in school. Finding them in the same market they cover for themselves and convince him to buy fruit snacks for the class trip for the students.

As Peter and Casey decide on their next move they enter the First American Bank pretending to deposit some money, telling the teller who directs them to Judy in charge of new accounts. By the time Peter and Casey get done she takes them into the vault to show them just how protected their money is as he explains that he wants to become a lawyer when he gets older. But, things get dicey and difficult when the class does go on the trip and the truth is revealed. No one believed him and the adults in the school thought he was wrong about Mr. Stein. But, when Davenport gets sick again and the class trip comes about wait until you find out what happens when the class is taken into the vault and Mr. Stein implements his plan.

Fear, nerves and definitely some quick thinking come into play as Mr. Stein takes a chance, gets tons of money and what happens next you just won’t believe. Did he really plant a bomb in the vault? What will happen to Casey? Why did he take her hostage? Will they ever get out and will they recover the money? A chase that is heart stopping and a sixth grader that hopes his mind reading skills will save his friend, get the culprit and find the money. An ending you won’t expect. A final scene that will make you smile and let’s not forget to do the exercise on page 107. Added in the author gives readers a small treat: A short excerpt from his next book: ESPete: Psychic Hoop Dreams.

This book is for middle school readers and even older teaching kids honesty, understanding and friendships are important. Sometimes we even help a bully like Rodney see the light! Characters that you have to love and a young 11-year-old boy named Peter that is smart, polite, and adorable and definitely hopes to see more of Casey Grant. Can't wait to read the next book.

Fran Lewis: Reviewer 

 E.S. Pete: Sixth Grade Sense is about the perils of a paranormal preteen and winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and Reader’s Favorite Book Awards
ISBN: 0981587909
Publisher: Paraphrase, LLC
 
About the Author: ARNOLD RUDNICK has written for many television shows, including THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, STAR TREK: VOYAGER and THE NEW ADDAMS FAMILY.
Follow on
Twitter @isntitpossible or arnoldrudnick
FB Fan Pages:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ES-Pete-Sixth-Grade-Sense/239256356097969

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Romance is great especially if the author is Leigh Michaels


                                                               


 LINK TO THE SHOW - May 5 - 9 PM EST 8 PM CST
Today we have with us the talented author of nearly 100 books, including 80 contemporary novels and more than a dozen non-fiction books. More than 35 million copies of her romance novels have been published by Harlequin. A 6 time RITA finalist, she has also received two Reviewer’s Choice awards from RT Book Reviews, and was the 2003 recipient of the Johnson Brigham Award. She is the author of On Writing Romance, published in January 2007 by Writers Digest Books. Leigh also teaches romance writing on the Internet at Gotham Writers’ Workshop. She lives in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she is working on her third book from Sourcebooks, The Wedding Affair, which will be in stores in September. Her first book with Sourcebooks Inc. Publishing House sold to rave reviews, The Mistress’ House and is followed by Just One Season in London.
Let’s get right in to the questions about your newest book. Just One Season in London was just released. Can you tell us what scene in the book is your favorite?
LM: One of my favorites is near the end of the story when Sophie hijacks her brother’s horse, tears her dress so she can ride astride, and takes off across the park in pursuit of the man who she simply can’t let get away. I loved writing that scene, largely because it parallels an earlier scene where they even say some of the same things to each other. And because Sophie is something of a renegade – she’s young enough not to think about the consequences.
I have to say, the novel was wonderfully written to add some suspense to the final pairing up of the characters. I wasn’t sure who was getting a HEA or who they were getting it with. How did you come up with the plot for Just One Season in London?
LM: I started writing with the basic idea of a mother, son, and daughter who are all trying to marry money – not to make life easier for themselves, but to take care of the other two. It’s the element of sacrifice which made this story so satisfying for me. I knew pretty much how Miranda’s story would end – though some of the details surprised me – and I was fairly certain of Rye’s happy ending. But I didn’t know who Sophie would end up with until I was about halfway through writing the book.
How much research did you have to undertake to make this historical romance novel?
LM: I think I’ve been researching the Regency period forever, first by reading novels set in the Regency period and then by absorbing all the non-fiction resources I could find. I usually have a reference book nearby and in odd moments I open it at random just to refresh my memory, because a writer never knows what detail she’ll want to use. Among the specific materials I obtained for this book was an illustrated guide to London at that time, so I could see what Grosvenor Square actually looked like. Also period maps, to visualize how different sites related to each other geographically and what the characters would see as they looked out windows or rode in carriages.
Tell us about your process of writing Just One Season in London, any outlines or plans?
LM: This book includes 66 separate scenes and four distinct points of view – so to keep each of the individual stories flowing, I kept a list of the scenes. For each scene I had a short tag line which included the POV character’s name, so I could glance at the list and know exactly how long it had been since I had used a particular point of view or advanced that specific romance.
If Just One Season in London gained a movie deal, which actors would you cast in the character roles?
LM: I’m absolutely terrible at the game of choosing actors – would any of your readers like to make suggestions? – but I would like to see Maggie Smith as Lady Stone. She could play both the cynical and romantic sides of that character with panache.
Your next book The Wedding Affair is coming out in September of this year, can you tell us about it?
LM: The Duke of Somervale’s sister is getting married at his country estate, and half of England is invited. But most of the guests have other things – not the wedding – on their minds. Wife-of-convenience Penelope Townsend is hoping to use the trip to the duke’s estate to seduce her husband into a real marriage… Vicar’s daughter Kate Blakely is desperate for a job that will let her escape the village… and poverty-stricken widow Olivia Reyne will stop at nothing to secure her daughter’s future, even if that means pretending to adore the duke – while the duke himself is dodging the covey of bridesmaids who are stalking him.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
LM: I’ve been a writer since I was very small – there is some perfectly dreadful poetry in my baby book. My degree is in journalism, because I wanted to make my living as a writer. Fortunately for me, I was able to do that by writing fiction instead.
What do you think makes a good story?
LM: To draw me in, a good read has to have interesting characters – people I would like to be friends with – facing intriguing problems with style and grace and humor.
Do you draw inspiration from reading other books, from family, or other sources?
LM: I’ve built entire books on a random comment someone made to me over lunch. I’ve used incidents that have happened to my friends (though, luckily for my friends, the incidents are usually much worse in the book than in real life). The most useful single source for me is newspapers, where there are stories about people facing odd or unusual problems. That serves as a takeoff point to ask, “What if this happened next?” or “What if he did this instead of that?”
What have you discovered is the most challenging part of writing?
LM: Actually putting the rear in the chair day after day and producing pages, when I sometimes don’t feel like it, or when the story feels as if it’s not going anywhere. Writing a book is a BIG project, and at the beginning it feels as if it will never be done no matter how many hours I sit there, so taking a walk is a much more inviting alternative.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
LM: Other than a wastebasket (or the electronic equivalent), not much. I often use Dr. Wicked’s Write or Die website (www.writeordie.com) when I’m writing a first draft, because facing consequences keeps me writing instead of second-guessing and editing and picking at flaws. That gets a lot of words on paper in a hurry, and then I can edit and polish and make them good.
Finish this sentence, Writing is like…
LM: Writing a book is like moving a train. Starting up from a dead stop and pulling out of the station takes a huge amount of energy, but it’s exciting to begin a new journey (or a new book). Then once the train is rolling and up to speed, the momentum carries it along and it’s actually hard to stop until you reach your destination – and write The End.
And last but not least, is there anything else you would like readers to know about you or the books you write?
LM: I love writing triple stories – three heroes, three heroines, three romances melded into one book. And I’d love to hear what readers think of that approach!
JUST ONE SEASON IN LONDON BY LEIGH MICHAELS—IN STORES JULY 2011
A family that courts together…
Viscount Ryecroft has a beautiful sister he needs to marry off… if only he had the money for her Season in London.
His family is in financial ruins, and his mother is willing to do anything to help her children, including sell herself to the highest bidder…
Finds passion on their own…
Sophie Ryecroft will sacrifice love to marry for the good of her family… but instead finds passion and solace in an attractive alternative.
With so much riding on their one and only Season in London, Rye, Sophie, and Miranda can’t help but get hopelessly entangled with all the wrong people…
Celebrated author Leigh Michaels effortlessly weaves three tales of unexpected romance with surprising twists you won’t soon forget.
Enter for your chance to win a free copy of Just One Season in London by Leigh Michaels
The always wonderful Danielle at Sourcebooks Inc. is giving away one copy of Just One Season in London to two lucky winners. USA/Canada only. To enter all you have to do is fill out this form and comment on this post with your answer to the following question…Who is your favorite historical man? Contest ends August 5.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Paramormal Authors Discuss Their Experiences

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Strange things happen - Paranormal show - World Of Ink -






 
Special Paranormal show - Please join the WORLD OF INK NETWORK on A Good Story Is A Good Story - April 14 at 9 PM EST 8PM CST 7 PM MT -6PM PST when Marsha and Kelly host a fun packed evening with Paranormal Writers and their stories. It's not just about books it's about why they write books in the Paranormal Genre and how they react to events in their lives that are Paranormal.

Guests for the show are Marianne Morea, Steven Spellman and Gail Gurley.
It's going to be a great show - call in with Paranormal stories if you have    (714) 242-5259

for more info
http://www.michiganavenuemedia.com
http://www.world of ink network.com
http://www.marshacaspercook.com







Link to the show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork/2015/04/15/woi--paranormal-authors--hosted-by-marsha-casper-cook-and-kelly-abell

Monday, April 6, 2015

WOI Cover Reveal: LITTLE GREEN & ESPete by Arnold Rudnick



LITTLE GREEN – Little Green Frog wants to be special, and he hops out of the swamp, asking “Isn’t it possible?” he could be a goose, horse or kio. While the reader learns about animal groups, skills sounds and traits, Little Green learns it’s important to be himself.

Arnold Rudnick has a gift for creating fascinating stories to challenge children toward self-improvement and self-esteem. In LITTLE GREEN he introduces a little green frog (beautifully realized by illustrator Marcelo Goreman) who has big dreams to be special. 

ISBN: 0981587976
Publisher: Paraphrase, LLC

E.S. Pete: Sixth Grade Sense is about the perils of a paranormal preteen.
 
Pete knew there would be a lot more homework in Sixth Grade, but he didn't plan on the reading list including the minds of his teachers and classmates. Knowing what they think can be helpful sometimes, but it also gets complicated -- ESPecially when Pete thinks the substitute teacher is planning a big robbery.

Winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and Reader’s Favorite Book Awards

ISBN: 0981587909
Publisher: Paraphrase, LLC

About the Author: ARNOLD RUDNICK has written for many television shows, including THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, STAR TREK: VOYAGER and THE NEW ADDAMS FAMILY.


Follow on
Twitter @isntitpossible or arnoldrudnick

FB Fan Pages:

The World of Ink Network will be touring author Arnold Rudnick's newest children's picture book, Little Green and his middle grade chapter book, ESPete: Sixth Grade Sense in April/May 2015.
 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015

All Time Favorite - Beef Stroganoff


LINK TO BUY THE BOOK

Beef Stroganoff
This was a favorite of all and we encouraged Mom to make it often.
2 lbs lean round steak
4 T butter
½ lb mushrooms
½ C tomato juice*
1 clove garlic peeled and crushed
Pepper
2 tsp salt
1 C mushroom soup
1 C sour cream
Trim all fat from beef.
Cut meat into strips, about 3” long and 1” wide; set to one side.
In a sauté pan, melt 2 T butter, add mushrooms, sauté until golden brown.
Remove mushrooms from pan; set aside.
Melt remaining butter in pan.
Add meat and cook, stirring constantly for about four minutes.
Add tomato juice and garlic
Simmer (with lid partly open) until meat is tender and done. (*Note: Additional tomato juice may well be required in order to simmer the meat sufficiently).
Add mushrooms, seasoning, and soup. Heat thoroughly.
Stir in sour cream — just before serving.