Bobby Nash "Deadly Games"

 

[Official Press Release]:

BEN Books proudly presents Deadly Games! a thriller by Bobby Nash.

Deadly Games! 

A madman's death triggers the most deadly game of all!

They played the most dangerous game of all and death was only the beginning...

Six years ago, Police Detective John Bartlett and journalist Benjamin West were instrumental in the capture of notorious master criminal Darrin Morehouse. Their story played out in the media, rocketing both Bartlett and West into local celebrity status.

Today, Morehouse, still a master game player and manipulator, commits suicide while in prison. His death initiates one final game of survival for the people Morehouse felt wronged him the most. At that top of the list are Bartlett and West, who must set aside their differences to save the lives of Morehouse's other victims and solve one last game before a dead man’s hired killers catch them and his other enemies.

Deadly Games!



DEADLY GAMES! can be purchased in print and ebook editions at the following:
Print Direct Sale, Print at Amazon, Kindle, Smashwords e-book, Nook, and Kobo.

Synopsis:

Games! opens six years ago with the conviction of Darrin Morehouse, providing the back story and motivations of Darrin Morehouse. The case garnered national attention, thrusting Detective John Bartlett and reporter Benjamin West into the limelight. West loved the attention and even garnered a book deal based on a fictionalized account of the events from the perspective of a plucky reporter. Bartlett, on the other hand, did not enjoy the attention and tried unsuccessfully to stay out of the spotlight.

For more information on Bobby Nash, visit him on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Ben Books, and Lance-Star.

About Bobby Nash:

From his secret lair in the wilds of Bethlehem, Georgia, Bobby Nash writes. A multitasker, Bobby is certain that he doesn’t suffer from ADD, but instead he... ooh, shiny.

When he finally manages to put fingers to the keyboard, Bobby writes novels (Evil Ways; Deadly Games!; Earthstrike Agenda), comic books (Fuzzy Bunnies From Hell; Demonslayer; Domino Lady vs. The Mummy; Lance Star: Sky Ranger "One Shot"), short prose (A Fistful of Legends; Full Throttle Space Tales Vol. 2: Space Sirens; Green Hornet Case Files; Tales of The Rook; Zombies vs. Robots), novellas (Lance Star: Sky Ranger; Ravenwood: Stepson of Mystery; Nightbeat; Blackthorn: Thunder on Mars), graphic novels (Yin Yang; I Am Googol: The Great Invasion; Bloody Olde Englund), screenplays (Zenoids: "Animal Crackers", Starship Farragut: "Conspiracy of Innocence"), and even a little pulp fiction (Domino Lady; Secret Agent X; The Avenger; The Spider) just for good measure. And despite what his brother says, Bobby swears he is not addicted to buying DVD box sets and can quit anytime he wants to. Really.

When not writing fiction, Bobby is usually talking about his books and fiction writing at conventions and writers conferences. Bobby is also a part-time extra in movies and television, is the co-host of the weekly Earth Station One podcast and writes for the New Pulp and All Pulp news sites.

Lauren Clark "Dancing Naked In Dixie"

The Book Plot: 

Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.

With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.

Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage? 

A few questions for our author:

What made you write "Dancing Naked in Dixie"?

Two reasons - (1) Like Julia, I'm a Northern girl who moved to the Deep South. I took many of my experiences, embellished, and included them in Julia's journey. Like Julia, it didn't take long for me to love my new 'home.'  (2) There are many novels about a character excited about moving to a big city or traveling to Paris or London, but Dixie follows a big city girl who visits a very small town. At the outset, she doesn’t want to go—in fact, she throws a hissy fit about it! She’s really a fish out of water—the accents, the food, the mannerisms are all foreign to her.

I think we’ve all harbored preconceived notions or ideas about people and places we haven’t visited. The fun of this storyline involves Julia discovering how wrong she was about the Deep South. It’s a life-changing experience for her. It’s my hope that readers feel that Dixie honors and celebrates cultural differences.

Share some writing tips with us!

(1) Outline enough so that you know the beginning, middle, and end of your story. Print it out and place it where you can see it every day. If you are so inclined, go further with your plotting, write down at least one sentence for each chapter.

(2) Set a writing goal for yourself (example: Monday - Friday, 1000 words a day). Stick to it. On that schedule, you can get a first draft done in four months. Not bad!!

(3) While working on your first draft, do not stop and get caught in the revision cycle, because you'll never get the next 1000 words done.

(4) When the first draft is done, celebrate!  Let it rest and let someone who you respect (besides your mom, sister, or favorite aunt) read it. Listen to his or her critique. Revise.


And what is something no one knows about you?

I used to play field hockey and soccer in high school! I also love NHL Hockey (Buffalo Sabres) ... a sport which NO ONE in the South follows!

Want to buy the book or know more about the author. Check out the links below!

Lauren Clark's author page on Amazon and buy the book on Amazon. Visit the author's website and Facebook page. See what Lauren has to say on Goodreads and Twitter.

Tracie Banister "Blame It on the Fame"

An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional  protagonist Scarlett O'Hara.  Her Hollywood-themed Chick Lit novel, "Blame It on the Fame," was released in January, 2012. 

Visit her blog where she writes about books and other fun stuff. Her Twitter handle is @traciebanister.

Read the five star reviews on Amazon for "Blame it on the Fame". 

Blame It on the Fame tells the story of the five women who are in contention for the Best Actress award at this year’s Oscars.  These are five very different ladies, ranging in age from 24 to 48, and they are all at very different places in their lives and careers.  For some, this nomination is a dream come true.  For others, it’s a nightmare.  All of them will experience tremendous highs and lows on their journey to the ultimate red carpet event.

I decided to write Blame It on the Fame because I’ve always been fascinated by Hollywood, all the glitz and glamour, the premieres, the parties, the designer gowns, etc. and there’s nothing more star-studded and fabulous than the Oscars.  What we see on the red carpet at this event every year are the public faces of the nominees.  I wanted to know what was going on behind-the-scenes with these actors and actresses.  How overwhelming was the whole experience?  How thrilling?  How terrifying?  How did being part of the Oscars change their lives?  And that’s how Blame It on the Fame was born.

An interesting tidbit about me is that I like visiting old graveyards (my mother and grandmother share the same predilection, so it's a familial eccentricity.)  There is so much history in cemeteries.  Every grave has a story, which appeals to the writer in me.  I can spend hours reading tombstones.  One can learn such fascinating things from a tombstone - how the person lived and died, who loved them, who their family was, what they meant to the community.

I have two writing tips for my fellow novelists:

1) Always print up a hard copy of your manuscript and do your proofreading from that.  You will be amazed (and horrified) by how many mistakes the eye will miss when looking at a computer screen.  And you cannot trust Spellcheck to find every error for you.  Proofreading is best done the good, old-fashioned way.

2) Writing is a very sedentary pursuit and sitting in the same position for hours on end, staring at a computer screen, can be mind-numbing.  I think it's important to take a break from your work every few hours and do something physical.  Talk a walk, jump on a treadmill, do some yoga stretches, whatever.  Just get that blood flowing and those endorphins pumping through your bloodstream.  It will improve your writing, trust me. 


Good luck to everyone with their writing!


Tracie

Blame It on the Fame can be purchased at: Amazon and Smashwords

Doug Dahlgren "The Son: Silas Rising"

Find the book series on Amazon.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

That quote from Edmond Burke has been paraphrased by some, but the message is always the same.

It comes from a time that gave birth to our country and in one simple sentence explains the essence of what makes us free. The willingness to take a stand, for what is right, against any odds.

Those ideals are the inspiration for my character, the mysterious and secretive assassin known to the world only as, “The Son.”

Set slightly in our future, yet close enough to be uncomfortable, the stories expose a layer of evil that goes untouched by the law. High ranking political figures, who use their positions to protect them, while committing unspeakable crimes.

My protagonist investigates the charges against these people and if proven to himself, he takes what he sees as “appropriate action.” His morals and ethics are patterned after the Sons of Liberty. Those revolutionary patriots are today seen as heroes, but in their time that was in question. I leave the answer, as to this character, up to you.

The story of “The Son” is currently a three book series, with more on the way.

I began putting my stories on paper after retiring from two, simultaneously held careers. Those careers allowed me and my wife to raise our three children, which is the point of working, but they also exposed me to a wonderful base of characters. People I met and dealt with through the years. Understanding how people will react to situations is very important in business and more simply, communications.

Story telling is basically communicating, expressing ideas in a way that others will understand and hopefully agree with. This is how I try to approach my writing.

They say, “people change,” and that is true. But personalities are usually dependable, reacting as you expect them to. This gives you a sense of comfort and reliability in both real friends and characters we read about or watch on television or in the movies.

I hope my characters are making friends among those who read about them. If I can accomplish that, I will have happy readers who look forward to the next story.

That’s what story telling is all about.

I love meeting with and speaking to book clubs. If you're a member of a book club and would like to have me come speak to your group, please e-mail me!

Doug Dahlgren

                     

Visit the author's website.

Like Doug Dahlgren's Book Page.

Meet the Author Saturday, June 9th

Noon til 3PM

 Books for Less, Buford, Georgia, near the Mall of Georgia

2815 Buford Dr, Buford, Georgia 30519

              

Renea Winchester "In the Garden with Billy:Lessons about Life,Love & Tomatoes"

After Little Creek Books released my debut book titled In the Garden with Billy: Lessons about Life, Love & Tomatoes (2010), my life became a whirlwind of activity. After months of planning a book launch, I bowed my head in grateful prayer when the event sold out. Then, bookstores shelved copies of Garden with Billy and I began my book tour.

All without an agent, or a publicist…just a story, a book, and me.

While on tour, I met an author who had self-published a beautiful book. However, I quickly recognized her mistakes. For starters, she invested $20,000. Passionate about her work, yet desperate to sell stock that had accumulated in her basement, she asked for advice. Realizing that emerging authors desperately need help, I wrote, Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author.

I’ll admit, my husband did not want me to write this book, nor did many fellow authors. A workshop, they suggested, was best. My husband said, “Self-published authors will not listen to you (or anyone else) that is why they self-publish.”

Both were correct. During my workshops, I have met a few obstinate authors. Fortunately, I have met many more who are hug-my-neck grateful that I shared what I know. It is easy to identify emerging authors who need help. They say they have looked up Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author on Amazon and want to know why my sales aren’t ranked higher.

At this, I smile. These authors desperately need guidance. They need to understand (because they will soon learn the hard way) that Amazon is not the only place readers purchase books. (Remember my sell-out book launch?) They want to enjoy the success I did with Billy and Advice, but first, they must understand the business.

Three Mistakes Self Published Authors Make

·        Being misinformed about the process

·        Acquiring a “proofreader” instead of an editor

·        Believing someone else will market their book

Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author is my gift to emerging authors. My hope: that no author will ever have a thousand unsold books in their basement.

Learn more by listening to my podcast here. Please visit my blog, Advice for Authors

Currently, I am working on In the Kitchen with Billy: Friends, Fords and Fried Bologna Sandwiches. Visit my web  and Blog the Farm .

                                           

Renea Winchester talks about Billy (from the award winning author's website)

Q: Some people might look at the title In The Garden With Billy: Lessons About Life, Love and Tomatoes and think this is a book about gardening, but it isn't, is it ?

A: We've all heard the phrase, "you can't judge a book by the cover," the same can be said about titles. While the book does contain many stories about the time I spent "in the garden," ultimately the book is about relationships and overcoming obstacles. In The Garden With Billy is about a mismatched pair and the intricate myriad of experiences we've shared. When I met him I had no idea that his wife had recently passed away. He didn't know my mother was ill, but together we helped each other and harvested delicious vegetables along the way. Billy also introduced me to new friends.  People matter. Stories matter. Everyone matters.

Q: What made you return to the farm just hours after meeting Billy?

A: That's an excellent question and one I have trouble answering. Initially, my daughter was the reason I returned, but when I met him there was a inexplicable magic that made me want to become part of something bigger than myself. I believe I'm my best when helping others. When I tell people about my friendship with Billy, they nod politely and ask, "What's so exciting about working in the hot sun without pay?" If possible, I take them to the Billy's. Without fail, everyone I've introduced to him says the same thing, "I love him!"

Q: What was the most important lesson Billy taught you?

A: Oh, that's easy. That everyone matters.

Visit Renea's book page on Amazon.

Lee Gimenez New Release "Death On Zanath"

Lee Gimenez's sixth novel, Death On Zanath, was published by Double Dragon Press, May 2012. It is a page turning thriller! Buy it on Kindle today.

Story line: Humanity reached the stars, colonizing planets deep in the galaxy. But a century later, the T'Akons, a powerful alien race appeared. The machine-based aliens conquered the colonies with their advanced technology. They also began their quest to remake humans into their own cybernetic likeness. On the planet Zanath, the aliens create cybernetic-hybrid humans that now comprise a majority of the population. Unmodified humans are shunned on Zanath and forced to live in ghettos. One such human is Kira Zo, a soldier. She is smart, beautiful and headstrong. Her parents, against the wishes of the government, bear another unmodified child. The enraged T'Akons kill the infant and her parents. Vowing revenge for the death of her family, Kira organizes a Resistance movement. The group is an uneasy alliance of defiant humans and hybrid defectors. She also seeks the support of the Elayans, an alien race from the other side of the galaxy and mortal enemies of the T'Akons. But the T'Akons crush the Resistance, and Kira and what's left of her group flee Zanath. They continue the rebellion on Earth, which is now a technologically backward planet left in ruins by nuclear war.As Kira races to form the alliance with the Elayans, while trying to keep her infighting group together, the T'Akons find and imprison her. She escapes and finally enlists the Elayans. With their help, she mounts a climactic series of battles that will determine the future of humanity.

 Lee Gimenez is the bestselling author of six books and over fifty short stories. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), and is a Featured Author on their website. His latest novel, DEATH ON ZANATH, was published by Double Dragon Press in 2012. Three of his other novels, THE NANOTECH MURDERS, VIRTUAL THOUGHTSTREAM and AZUL 7, became bestsellers on Fictionwise, the Barnes & Noble Company. His novel TERRALUS 4, published in 2011, was produced into an Audiobook. THE TOMORROW SOLUTION is his collection of short stories.


You can find his books are at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Fictionwise, Books-A-Million, Books In Motion, Apple, Mobipocket, Amazon UK (England), Flipkart (India), Amazon CA (Canada), Booku (Australia), IBS (Italy), Amazon JP (Japan) and many other retailers.


Visit the author's website. Connect with Lee Gimenez on Facebook and Twitter. Read more on Lee Gimenez's Amazon page.



Listen to  Dan Kaus' interview with Lee Gimenez on BlogTalkRadio which featured his earlier books, including his bestsellling novel, THE NANOTECH MURDERS.

Listen to internet radio with About the Author on Blog Talk Radio

Jackie Lee Miles author "The Heavenly Heart"

Jackie Lee Miles author of The Heavenly Heart (available on Kindle), All That's True, Divorcing Dwayne, Cold Rock River, and Roseflower Creek. Visit the author's website.


In Jackie's words:

My latest book The Heavenly Heart was inspired by an actual Fox news program where a man received his daughter's heart. The tagline is:

After a fatal accident, sixteen-year-old Lorelei Goodroe follows the lives of five people who receive her organs, including that of her father who gets her heart. After Lorelei's unexpected demise she finds herself in turmoil. She is unable to move on without first letting go and letting go is the last thing on her agenda.

One thing readers may not know about me is that I didn't start writing until our children left home and my husband assured me they weren't coming back unless they needed money. I started to write to keep myself busy and got published with my first novel Roseflower Creek which set everything in motion.

I've just finished Summer Ridge. This is a novel that is reminiscent of Paper Moon. Twelve-year-old Mary Alice Munford struggles with the knowledge that her mother plans to marry her father, a man who abandoned them before she was born. It's set in the south in the 1970's.

My best wishes to all your readers! Jackie

Jackie Miles resides in Atlanta along with her husband Robert, where she is a featured speaker at book clubs, local schools, and writer’s workshops. Her debut novel Roseflower Creek was Cumberland House Publishing’s lead book when it debuted in hardcover. It’s now available in trade paperback. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons calls it “A powerful, extraordinary novel.” The late William Diehl wrote, “The lyric prose will thrill you, the story is unforgettable, and the characters will stay with you forever.”

All of the author's books can be purchased on Amazon. Buy the Kindle version.

Check out The Heavenly Heart book trailer on YouTube.

Anne B. Jones "Tides Of Fear" and more

Anne B. Jones, author of Tides of Fear; Gold Thunder; All Around the Track; Brave at Heart; A Light on Peachtree; Tools for Successful Writing . Visit author's website.

   This site is mostly for self-published authors, but with Barbara's gracious invitation, I will talk about my experience with traditional publishers and readers. I found what they are looking for is excellence in craftsmanship.

    I have obtained an agent and published seven books with four traditional publishers in less than ten years. I will use Tides of Fear, my serial killer thriller, as an example as to how I accomplished this.

   When I started writing Tides of Fear, I made a commitment to excellence. This meant I had to be willing to devote time and energy to learning to 1) hook readers with every page;  2) develop characters readers root for; 3) build a plot that holds readers’ interest; 4) research information to impart to readers (sonar in underwater recovery, police procedure, the pathology of serial killers, and violence); 5) use word choice and pacing to enhance the reader’s  experience; 6) build a setting to reflect and intensify the story in which readers can “see” themselves; 7) use sensory details with which readers can identify; 8) create reader anticipation (suspense); 9) write reader-believable action scenes. 10) objectively submit my work to a respected published writer for a “reader” critique. The most important idea to keep in mind is, as authors, our work is primarily to entertain and/or inform the reader, while striving for excellence.

   You can accomplish everything I have done. Here are steps I took and you can take too:

1.      Attend writing conferences.

2.      Join writing groups.

3.      Find an accomplished mentor and a nurturing, competent and honest critique group.

4.      Read quality books on writing (ex. Keys to Great Writing)

5.      Write articles (even if at first you don’t get paid) for local papers, shopper papers, etc to help build credentials.

6.      Research and read your genre.

7.      Subscribe to Poets and Writers and/or Writers’ Digest.

8.      Keep up with publishing and marketing technology and trends.

9.      Develop a platform (Your platform includes why your book is important, to whom it will sell, your credentials, and your marketing plan).

10.  Learn how to write a pitch, query letter and synopsis.

   You are welcome to email me at annebjones@msn.com. I am not able to read and edit others’ work at this time, but can answer questions.

   What they are saying on Amazon about "Tides Of Fear":

   Which is the most dangerous predator? A shark? Or a man? St. Simons Island becomes a scene of panic as bodies are washed ashore. First blaming the deaths on sharks, police soon realize the predator is human. A killer stalks the tourists, luring and drowning his victims as easily as he eludes discovery. Tides of Fear, set on the shark-infested Georgia Coast, includes the hunt for a serial murderer, with water as the crime scene. ... As author of Tides of Fear, Anne B. Jones has been compared to Thomas Harris and Jeffrey Deaver, 'without the slice and dice.' The book includes a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and insights into profiling and other forensic subjects. Tides of Fear is unusual because of its use of water as a crime scene with underwater crime scene analysis. The book is based on the author s doctoral research related to violence. Author Bob Mayer, calls it Jaws, with a serial killer .

Find Anne B. Jones on Amazon and Tiger Iron Press.

   Click on the YouTube book trailer! Don't watch it alone.

For The Love Of Books And The Folks Who Write Them!

Welcome to my book talk blog! Open to authors who would like to say a few words about their book, or books, share some writing tips, and photos. Instructions on the right side bar. Check back in a few days and see who has stopped by!

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Site is a work in progress, look for book reviews and more coming soon.