Friday, September 13, 2013

Roy Dimond New Release "The Rubicon Effect"

 

New release from author Roy Dimond September 9, 2013. Available on Amazon and Kindle . Use the Look Inside feature on Amazon to read pages from the book.



“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.” —Buddha
 


About the Book:

A new Pope, a new US President, and the end of the world. What happens when we cross the Rubicon, and there is no going back to the way things used to be? How do you solve problems with no solutions? These are the questions author Roy Dimond dares to ask in his new thriller.

Two seemingly unrelated events will soon affect the entire world! The Holy Church has just ordained the first South American Pope. Born into poverty and raised on the mean streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the new leader of the Holy Church intends to bring the church kicking and screaming into the 21st century. While at the same time, the death of the Venezuelan President has opened the door to a new, rising political star and her plan to inspire an entire world. The Pope finds himself cleverly trapped in a web, from which he cannot escape, when the Republican nominees for President and Vice President of the United States of America, Richard Delaney, and his stunning running mate, Michelle Yakin, propose a horrific solution. However, three visionaries: a mysterious Elder from the Andes Mountains, who calls himself Older Brother, the second term, lame duck, President of the United States of America, and an environmentalist, see another way . . . Unfortunately, the time to act is running out. Mother Nature may have crossed the Rubicon and there is no turning back. The Apocalypse, the End of Days has arrived and humanity is to be judged.

Published by Raven's Wing Books, an imprint of Grey Gate Media, LLC. ISBN 978-1618071002



About the Author:




Author Roy Dimond


Roy Dimond was featured on Book Talk on August 15, 2013 with his novel The Singing Bowl. You can read that post by clicking  here. We welcome Roy back today with his new release this month, The Rubicon Effect.

From a recent interview, Roy talks about his main character in The Rubicon Effect. You can read the full interview on the Authors Promotion (Authors Promotion and Books Marketing, a new blog on WordPress.com site)


Sam Albright, my main character, doesn’t suffer fools and seldom has doubts. He’s an environmentalist who knows what’s coming, Armageddon, and worse, he knows that it is already too late to affect Global Climate Change. 

 However, at a deeper level, I think the main character is really the psyche of mankind. Behind the scenes, it is really all humanity that drives my characters. From the newly elected Pope, to the second term lame duck President, from the new President of Venezuela, to the Republican right-wing they really only represent the needs, desires, and dreams of humanity. None of my characters got to where they are on their own; humanity raised them to the positions they have. That’s why I say my story is really about what drives mankind… hope or fear.


And a little personal information about the author from the same interview.

Before I was a writer I was working with at-risk families as a Youth Worker. It was there that I found so many enriching and fascinating people and I often draw from that experience to find characters and plots for my novels.  I then began traveling, and have had the good fortune to find many interesting places. Again these experiences have often found a way into my writing.

 In my spare time I hike and am fortunate enough to live with my wife in one of the most beautiful places on the planet aptly named Garden Bay, on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.


 Links:

Author Website

Author Interview

Amazon

Kindle

Facebook Author Page

Grey Gate Media

Smashwords

Goodreads 

 


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Edward G. Kardos "Elias and the Legend of Sirok"


Available on Amazon and Kindle.




About The Book:

Into the world of dreams and fears . . . Elias and the Legend of Sirok takes you on a hero's journey. Elias, an artist, is at odds with his life on his father's farm, and is forced to make a decision about his future. His grandmother, Nagymama prepares him for a journey of discovery that takes him from his Hungarian village into a supernatural world. Here he faces powers and mystical beings - some that he strives to understand, while others he is forced to battle. With help from Zoltan, a wise man, he finally confronts the Sarkany, a dragon that changes shape at whim and will.

Will Elias triumph over the dark powers around him? If he survives, what will he learn about life and himself?

About The Author:



Edward Kardos
 
 
"Inspiration for my writing comes from the beauty that surrounds me both in people and the places I visit. My wife and I have four great children and we live in Richmond, Virginia." Edward Kardos
 
 
From an Author Interview:
 
Who did you write the book for?

"As always, I write first for myself. I write what’s meaningful to me, but the story of Elias will appeal to young readers and young at heart readers too. If you have ever been in a position that you were afraid to take that next step, you will enjoy taking this journey with Elias."

Is there a central message in the book?

"To be true to oneself would be the central theme. I believe that it is only when we follow our heart that we realize our dreams."

What inspired you to write this book?

"People. Courageous people who know what’s most important to them and live their life to the fullest. So many of us do not follow our hearts for reasons of conditioning, of guilt or fear.  We can fear both our failures as well as our successes and it takes courage to step out of our comfort zone and make a difference in not only our own lives but a difference in the lives of others."

Who should buy this book?

"Young people who enjoy action and adventure. I can see Baby Boomers or even the parents of Boomers buying it for young readers but wanting a copy of their own—I think the story reminds us that in our busy day we eventually come home and when we do, we come home to ourselves. We’ve got to be happy with who we are well before we can be happy with others."

Read the full interview on the author's website.


Edward Kardos is also the author of Zen Master Next Door, Parables for Enlightened Everyday Living and Yours, Aiden. All are available on Amazon.

Links:

Author Website

Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Elias and the Legend of Sirok on Amazon

Smashwords e-book

Author's Blog


“Ed Kardos is a soul searcher. He writes from the head and heart, finding true meaning in the vagaries of life." —Dean King, bestselling author of Skeletons on the Zahara


 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Roy Dimond "The Singing Bowl"




Available on Amazon and Kindle. Other sales sites listed below.

Publisher: Green Dragon Publishing Group; 2 edition (March 13, 2013)
 



About The Book:


A Tibetan monk embarks on a journey filled with harrowing dangers and strange mysteries. His quest is to find a lost book and save an ancient way of life. Under attack from Chinese Communists, a monk travelling the wilds of Tibet is given a daunting task--to bring a way of life back from the brink. That's the spellbinding journey revealed in Roy Dimond's new, action-packed adventure tale. Given an ancient artifact from his monastery, the sacred "Singing Bowl," the young monk beads out on a trek to find a lost book and reunite a broken circle to keep his centuries-old civilization alive.

Amazon Reader Reviews:

"The Singing Bowl is a novel of amazing scope. It's a story of political intrigue, a mystery, a travelogue, a romance, but most of all, a powerful tale of an inner spiritual journey."

"Mr. Dimond had me from the first line, 'Today my heart broke and a world shattered.' "

"This epic story is an ultimate must-read in your life backpack!"



About The Author:


 
Roy Dimond at Machu Piccu


"I was not always a writer.  For most of my adult life I was a Youth Worker meaning that I worked with families that were struggling, or children who were having a hard time.  It was a profession that was both rewarding and heart breaking.  In the thirty years that I was a Youth Worker, I learned two things that led me on a journey half way around the world and back.  When I returned — I began writing." 
 
For thirty years, Roy Dimond worked with at risk families and presented workshops at universities and colleges. Roy draws inspiration for his novels from a combination of this experience and his varied explorations of such locales as Cuzco, Kyoto, Santorini and Tsumago. Five years of research and travel reinforced with fifty years of meditation culminated in The Singing Bowl and it's powerful message.
 

Dimond lives with his wife in Garden Bay, a small fishing village on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. When not traveling, Roy can be found in his log home overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean writing his next novel.

Upcoming Releases: The Rubicon Effect, published by Grey Gate Media and Saving Our Pennys.

Links:

Author's Website

Author's Facebook Page

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Tower Books

Waterstones

Goodreads

AuthorsDen

YouTube

The Wall Street Journal




 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Tudor Rubato won Best Contemporary Cover at the RONE awards

 
Buy On Kindle

As a follow-up to our post on author Jamie Salisbury on August 6, 2013 (link to post) we are pleased to announce her cover for Tudor Rubato won  Best Contemporary Cover at the RONE awards Friday night in Las Vegas!!






From Jamie:

 I certainly cannot take credit because fantastic cover artists like Fiona Jayde is the person responsible for taking my ideas and making them come to life!! Thanks Fiona!! You rock girl!!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Jamie Salisbury "Life and Lies"





 
Life and Lies, the conclusion/sequel to Rockin' the Boss now available!
 
 
About the Book:
 
Heat Index: Sizzling   
 
The world is his oyster and Max Frazier knows that each and every pearl is his for the taking.  At the top, a theater bearing his name in Las Vegas, performances sold out months in advance and record sales through the roof. Things couldn't get any better, could they?
 
Ashleigh Thomas, the fiery, no nonsense businesswoman who orchestrated this success, the only woman he's truly ever wanted is his bed and life. But first he and Ashleigh have a mission to do, one he never wanted her involved in.
 
Alive and quite well, Ashleigh's thought to be dead husband Richard lurks in the background, teasing and taunting. He deals in the underbelly of life - the sex trade business. Max and Ashleigh infiltrate his world of sex clubs and more with one objective in mind…to put an end to Richard's evilness and bring him to justice.
 
In doing so Ashleigh and Max discover a bond which expands and deepens as Max introduces and schools Ashleigh in the BDSM lifestyle. Will she allow him to lead her into temptation, and ultimately submit to Max? Or is her stubbornness and independent nature too much for even Max to contain?
 
Life has a funny way of dealing the cards. One day you're in bliss with the woman and family you love and longed for, the next it almost disappears. Forever, in the blink of an eye. . .but for the sheer determination of one agent who secretly blames himself for pushing the couple too deep calls in every favor owed him. 


From Jamie:

August is on it's way to being awesome. Not only has Life and Lies released,  Tudor Reunion Tour will be out on August 14th.

Another new feature on the blog: Excerpts! I'll start posting excerpts, perhaps even a chapter there. Check it out!

Contest!!

Awesome August giveaway! I'll be giving you two chances to win copies of one or both Rockin' the Boss and Life and Lies! Now what do I do to enter? Simple! Go to my website (Click here)  Then to the 'contact' tab, fill out the form and voila! You're entered! Drawings will be August 15th and August 31st!



About the author:
 
 
 
 
In the two short years since Jamie Salisbury began publishing her Romance stories, she has seen her historical-romance westerns soar to #1 on Amazon, has been nominated for a 2012 RONE award for her novella Tudor Rubato making the finals, and has expanded her audience to include several now published by Secret Cravings Publishing. 
Currently Jamie lives in the American south. When she's not writing or plotting out her next story, she can be found with her camera, traveling or just chillin' reading a good book. 
This is Jamie's second visit to Book Talk. Read an earlier post on Jamie Salisbury from April 2, 2013 on Book Talk by clicking here.
 
Links:
Remember Contest Drawings August 15th  and August 31st. Check out the author's website! Details above.


                                                                 Jamie Salisbury
                                                                         Women's Fiction Author
                                                                         Contemporary and Historical Romance
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe from Julius Thompson's "Ghost of Atlanta"

  



      In my National Gold Medal award winning novel, Ghost of Atlanta, the making of a  lemon pound cake played a crucial inspiration for the characters in the opening chapters of the novel. Since the book's publishing,  I've received numerous requests for the recipe for the lemon pound cake, which comes from my grandmother, Mama Katie, and her famous pound cake.   

       I remember many a day walking into her home in Winder, Georgia, after attending Glenwood High School, and smiling and sniffing that wonderful aroma from the Lemon Pound cake baking in the wood stove oven.

       Mmm...Good!!!!

      Below is the recipe and I hope you enjoy the lemon pound cake with a cup of coffee, while reading Ghost of Atlanta on your ebook reader or a print edition of the novel.

                                                               God Bless,

                                                               J. E. Thompson

 

Use the Look-Inside feature on Amazon to see a bit of the book!
 
 
 
 
     From the Early Chapters of Ghost of Atlanta : When Andy and Grandmother Martha were cooking this lemon pound cake together, it created a bond that lasted a lifetime. More importantly a loving memory that sustains Andy over the years as he faces many trails in his life.
      
 Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake! 
     1 (1.5 ounce) bottle lemon extract (only) Real lemons in those days were expensive, but thanks to Mr. Watkins, who made extract in every flavor, this was a fantastic substitute.
     2 cups butter 4 sticks (key ingredient, remember no margarine back then).
     3 cups sugar
     3 1/2 cups flour  (All-purpose): flour divided
       1 1/2 teaspoons  Baking Power
     6 eggs (remember, in a separate bowl crack and sniff, just to be sure they're fresh)
 ===============================================================
  1. Pre-heat oven: 275
  2. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift 3 cups flour (Well today we don't have to sift, but you can) and baking powder.
  4. Add eggs to butter/sugar mixture (one at a time) and then add lemon extract, alternating with flour mixture ( You going to think you need liquid, but  you don't. It's supposed to be somewhat stiff)
  5. Lightly butter cake pan, then use remaining flour to  flour sides and flute.
  6. Pour batter into pan and gently shake to even out.
  7. Bake for 2-hours and 30 minutes or 2-hours and 45 minutes, depending on your oven. (With all our modern technology, our grandparents still managed to bake a two and a half cake in an hour and half.)
  8. Cake is done when toothpick (inserted into center) comes out clean.
  9. Cool and remove carefully from pan.
  10. It serves about fifteen slices.
This recipe has been in our family since my Mama Katie was a little girl!

=========================================================

Links:
 
Click Here to read the July 20, 2012 Book Talk post on Ghost of Atlanta.

Author's Amazon Page  includes other books by Julius Thompson

Buy On Amazon

Kindle

Author's Web

     
 
 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

"On Grace" by Susie Orman Schnall


Available on Amazon and Kindle
 
 
About the Book:
 
Grace May is about to turn 40, and she can’t wait. Now that her boys are both in school and she’s about to start an exciting new writing job, the next chapter in her life is finally about to begin. Aching to use her brain for more than finding innovative ways to sneak leafy greens into her boys’ mini-meatloaves, Grace is eager to rediscover the intelligent and interesting woman deeply buried under the layers of mother and wife. 

But when Grace loses her job and gets unexpected news from her husband and her best friend, life suddenly gets complicated. Grace stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. By her 40th birthday party, Grace will discover who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace. 

Readers love On Grace because it's soulful and sweet, sexy and sad, straight up and smart, and, ultimately, quite satisfying. 
 
June 19, 2013
 
 
About the Author:
 
 
Susie Orman Schnall



 
Susie Orman Schnall lives in New York and is the author of the enchanting, thought-provoking novel On Grace. She also writes essays, editorial, and endless to-do lists and has been featured in the New York Times,   Westchester Magazine, and on Huffington Post Live. When she's not at her desk writing, you can find Susie driving her three young boys to and fro, reading just about anything, drinking a kale shake, hanging with her husband of 18 years, or trying to get It All done. And if you can't find her in any of those places, she's probably where her heart sings the loudest: at the top of a mountain.
 
Visit the author's website and read more about her life and writing!
 
 
A Word From Susie:
 
I'm so excited about the publication of my debut novel On Grace. And I'm absolutely thrilled with the response I've heard from readers so far. I never would have imagined how much Grace's story has touched so many women. They are responding to the authenticity of the story and how relatable it is to their lives and the lives of their friends. I truly hope you enjoy it!
 
 
Links:
 
 
 
Twitter: @susieschnall
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From Amazon Reader Reviews:
 
 
 
Don't miss out on this great read!!
 
Realistic and Relatable. I Definitely Recommend!
 
Couldn't put this book down!