Deborah Carney: Photos of Buddha Beach

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of
Deborah Carney and The Indie Exchange.

Click picture for a puzzle game to reveal the cover.

Buddha Beach is an area on the banks of Oak Creek in Sedona Arizona. The area is considered to be near one of the vortex sites, near Cathedral Rock. Cathedral Rock is probably one of the most photographed places in the United States.

Buddha Beach got it's name because people that visit Oak Creek started building rock cairns that resemble little (or big!) Buddha statues. The Buddhas are created and then changed by others visiting the area, making it a living, ever-changing rock garden.

photo used with permission of Deborah Carney

There is a sense of peace that comes over you if you stop and absorb the energy at Buddha Beach, which is also referred to as Buddha Garden. Being on the shore of Oak Creek gives you the soothing sounds of the water as you walk and enjoy the Buddhas. At some points in the creek there are actually Buddhas in the water.

The water level rises and falls in the creek, so one day the cairns are all on the sand and another day they are under water. The location is not only a place for families to go and play, but it more often is a place where people go to meditate and absorb the energy. If you need to recharge your batteries, consider a visit to Buddha Beach on Oak Creek.

See more of Buddha Beach in the photo books by Deborah Carney. The first two volumes are currently available.

Deborah Carney has been a freelance photographer for over 35 years. As a prolific photographer with an eye for details her photos involve many of her favorite subjects such as butterflies, hummingbirds and macro images of flowers, wildlife and nature of all kinds. Her latest study involves the geology and natural formation of rocks and minerals in Sedona, AZ with the manmade stone Buddha’s paired with the sayings of Buddha himself.

With the onset of color ereaders, tablets and applications, Deborah was inspired to create a multitude of high quality photo books on a large variety of subjects.

Currently she and her partner Vinny O’hare are refuges from Hurricane Sandy living south of Phoenix, AZ where they frequently go on day long photo adventures and discover new and exciting things to photograph.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Gallery * Pinterest * YouTube

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Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Controlling Your Fictional Character by Carolyn Moncel

Last week I featured Donna Brown and Double-take Tales as part of the first blog tour run by The Indie Exchange. Today I have the other author on the tour, Carolyn Moncel, and her book 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover. Make sure you enter to win a copy of one of these fabulous books. There are Amazon gift cards up for grabs too.

Controlling Your Fictional Character By Carolyn Moncel

Since my oldest daughter is now a young woman and spends most of her weekends out with her friends, I find that it’s a perfect time for me to bond with my youngest daughter. One of the ways in which we do this is by watching a lot of movies on Friday nights. This week’s selection actually wasn’t my choice, but I’m happy that my daughter selected it anyway because it was a real treat. It was sweet little movie called Ruby Sparks and as a writer, I could not help but love it. Think Stranger than Fiction but instead from the author’s point of view.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a little recap of the movie’s plot. A young writer finds unexpected literary fame as an adolescent. Years later, he still struggles to write a successful follow-up novel and the pressure from his agent and publishing house to do so sends him spiraling out of control and on to a psychologist’s sofa. Having broken up with his long-time girlfriend only complicates matters. At his therapist’s suggestion, the writer creates a character for whom he would consider to be his “ideal” woman and girlfriend. The more the writer learns about her (a character who reveals herself as “Ruby Sparks”), the more she not only becomes the central character in his new novel, but also in his own life. The fun begins the day Ruby becomes a real, functioning human being, demanding a life of her own. In light of this surprising discovery, the question becomes whether or not her creator will allow her this free will to grow and evolve, or will he try to guide her every movement to the point of extinction.

I could totally relate to Calvin Weir-Fields, the writer in the movie. Take for example, my character, Julien Roulet, who is featured in the novella found in 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover. I know him better than anyone else because I created him. He is an elusive lover; distant and slightly mysterious. Tall and slim with brown hair and sparkling green eyes, he’s handsome, intelligent, creative, quick witted and tad bit irreverent. A French man who refuses to pronounce the letter “h” when speaking in English, he’s also married and a devoted family man. He’s far from perfect though – an insecure, rakish, adulterer in fact. And yet at the same time, he’s a good guy who is still deeply in love with his wife. Unfortunately, he now finds himself in an impossible situation and saving him remains my toughest challenge. The only problem being, Julien really doesn’t want to be saved. Oh, the complexity!

As authors we experience a whole host of emotions while creating characters. Just like in real life, we take up their hobbies, research their professions, record their fickle likes and dislikes, all in an attempt to better understand them. When all is going well between us, we can’t wait to visit them in their imaginary world each day. One minute we’re laughing at all of their jokes and the things that they do. And the next, we’re infuriated and downright embarrassed by their behavior. When they abandon us because they yearn for independence and space, we become fearful because we never know which direction they will take our story.

The point to all of this is this. Creating characters for which there is genuine affection is what makes writing fun and rewarding. Whenever we are able to achieve that level of love for our character, our readers are the true beneficiaries. However, as writers we also have to know when to let our characters live. We cannot become obsessed with controlling their every movement or behavior in order to achieve a desired outcome for their lives. After all, it is their lives. Even if we could changeour characters's lives, as authors we would be doing so at our own peril because our characters would lose their essence -- the very “spark” that gives us permission to love (or hate) them in the first place. And, THAT would be such a shame.

5 Reasons to Leave a Lover by Carolyn Moncel

In 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover, author Carolyn Moncel offers up a fresh batch of stories based on love and loss. As singer/songwriter, Paul Simon so eloquently suggested in a famous song from the 1970s, there are many ways to leave a lover. However, Moncel's characters demonstrate that the reasons for leaving in the first place are quite finite. Encounters in Paris` Ellery and Julien Roulet return, picking up their lives where the short story, "Pandora`s Box Revisited," ends. This time the Roulets are involved in a love triangle, and along with two other couples, must explore how love relationships are affected and splinter due to abuse, ambivalence, deception, cheating and death. This bittersweet collection of tales proves that some breakups are necessary; while others are voluntary; and still others are simply destined and beyond anyone's control.

A virtual media and web consultant by day and author by night, Carolyn Davenport-Moncel moved to Paris from Chicago, her hometown, in 2002. She received her bachelor's degree in Communications from Loyola University. Known for her online articles on media relations, Moncel owns MotionTemps, LLC, a bilingual Digital Project and Web Content Management firm with offices in Chicago, Paris and Geneva; and its subsidiary, Mondavé Communications, a media relations training and publishing company. She has written, placed articles or been featured in such diverse publications as Entreprenuer.com, Expatica.com, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Wired News, International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, and Working Mother. She currently resides in Lausanne, Switzerland with her husband and two daughters. Author of Encounters in Paris - A Collection of Short Stories and 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover - A Novella and Other Short Stories, her latest collection is called Railway Confessions - A Collection of Short Stories.

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Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Donna Brown on Committing to the Story

Today I am thrilled to be participating in the first book tour hosted by The Indie Exchange. I've been lucky to work with this group of authors and bloggers for over a year now. It was through this group that I first met Donna Brown and her husband David. David has been featured on the blog a few times but now it is finally Donna's turn. Double-take Tales is coming up quickly on my "to read" list and I've only heard wonderful things about these stories. Now I'll let Donna fill you in on her approach to writing and everything else. Keep reading to the end of the post to find out more about Donna's book and the other book on this tour, 5 Reasons to Leave a Lover by Carolyn Moncel. You also have an opportunity to win one of these books or an Amazon gift card.

Can I Commit to a Long Term Relationship?

I admit it: I'm flighty, sometimes impetuous, easily distracted. Life is full of so many things, I'd like to try to learn as much as possible. The phrase 'Jack of all Trades, Master of None' rings true. Since leaving high school I've studied modules in politics, Spanish, German, English, biology, chemistry, maths, animal science and social sciences. Commitment problem? Oh yes! I've studied something almost every year for the last decade and achieved good scores, yet I don't hold a degree. You want me to learn ONE thing for three years? Ouch...

The same rings true in my writing. I admire my husband's commitment in spending 10 years building a fantasy world, but it also baffles me. 2-3,000 words is more than enough time for me to introduce my characters, make things happen and then leave them to it. Do I wonder what happens next? Truthfully, no. I care deeply about my characters in the past of the back story and the present story. Not their futures. Truth be told, I don't really want my readers to care either. I write stories with a twist because I want readers to question what they read and look back, not necessarily ahead.

Even so, a character keeps haunting me. Harry Schmidt has been popping in and out of my thoughts for almost four years now. I know his story, but can I commit to this character for long enough to tell it? I really don't know. I care deeply about Harry's story and that's part of the problem. Perhaps it needs someone more committed to really do it justice. What if I sell this very very flawed character short, burying him under dark humour and terrible events, instead of offering some kind of redemption? That could be worse than never telling the story.

Recently I looked into completing my studies and turning my work so far into a Social Sciences degree. The fees are now prohibitive - that ship has clearly sailed. Maybe it's a sign that I'm not meant to be a master of any one trade. Maybe, instead, my impetuousness and lack of commitment is a gift, always taking me somewhere new. Or maybe it's a sign that sometimes you need to commit, even if you're not entirely sure. Time will tell.

MEET HARRY SCHMIDT: Excerpt from the first chapter

Harry Schmidt was forty-two when love first found him. He lived alone, having shared a house with his mother until her death two years previously. At 82 Mrs Schmidt had retained a startling amount of independence and thus Harry required far more looking after than she did. Indeed this situation would have continued for several years had it not been for the unfortunate incident with the shoe.

Despite 35 years of being told not to do so, Harry had the unfortunate habit of kicking off his shoes at the end of a working day (Harry worked as a postman and therefore his feet were begging to be relieved from his shoes after hours of walking). Regrettably, Harry often kicked off his shoes in unfortunate places; thus, during the years, Mrs Schmidt had needed to be ever more vigilant in order to avoid Harry’s wayward footwear. Many accidents had been avoided due to Mrs Schmidt’s careful approach over the years but it was, perhaps, inevitable that in the end a shoe would be her downfall.

As a postman Harry was usually home in the afternoon; however, on the ill-fated day in question he had decided to go out to watch a football match and had been delayed in getting home due to the bus breaking down. The fates would further conspire in orchestrating a fuse outage at the house, which would lead the independent Mrs Schmidt to attempt to navigate her way down the cellar stairs with only a candle to light her way. Naturally, this would also be the day that Harry had kicked off his old work shoes for the last time for just the day before he had purchased a new pair of black boots and was wearing those instead. His old shoes had been haphazardly abandoned as so many times before but this time with catastrophic consequences.

So it was that all these coincidences conspired against poor Mrs Schmidt to ensure that when she weaved her way through the small corridor to the cellar door and pulled it open, her foot clipped one of the abandoned shoes as she took her next step and this small action was enough to unbalance her. At any age a stone staircase is a difficult adversary but for 82 year old Mrs Schmidt it was a fatal one.

Harry would never know the trouble that his misplaced shoe had caused for the very step that had caused Mrs Schmidt to unbalance was the step that knocked the shoe into a tidy position. When the fuse switch was flipped and light was restored, paramedics could only conclude that Mrs Schmidt had panicked in the darkness and taken the stairs too quickly. In this way, Harry was spared from a lifetime of guilt but, sadly, not from the loss of his beloved mother.

Therefore, at forty years of age, Harry Schmidt was finally forced to stand on his own two feet and face the world. And this he did. For a while, Harry would feel quite content with his progress in the world; however, Harry Schmidt was yet to face his biggest challenge – love.

Double-take Tales by Donna Brown

Three dark, sardonic short stories that will have you expecting the unexpected:

In "Poison," a psychologically abused wife discovers that her husband's nut allergy may be the solution to all her problems.

In "Round Trip," a five pound note passes through desperate hands, greedy hands and tired hands before coming full circle…accompanied by a big surprise.

In "Ç'est La Vie," the police bungle a murder investigation under the watchful eye of someone uncomfortably close to the killing.

Donna is a long time book reviewer and has devoured books from an early age. She writes short stories as and when inspiration hits and is married to fantasy author David M. Brown. She is also a contributor to David's (mostly!) non-fiction book, Man vs Cat.

Donna has lived in many different areas of the UK over the last 31 years but has remained in Yorkshire for the past decade. She ardently disputes the misnomer that 'It's grim up north'. You can find Donna on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Goodreads, or visit the blogs she shares with her husband: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave, and Diary of Mr Kain

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Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Family Means Everything for Coral Russell

At first, I wasn't sure what was going to tie these five characters in the story together. If you haven't read one of my stories before you'll know that I like convoluted story lines because that's what I like to read.

Family came up after I got into the story. It's a stronger theme for some characters than others.

When you come from a small, close family like Frankie's and want to have a big one of your own but it is unlikely to happen. For Alicia her family is dwindling away now that they're older and the hopes of having a family of her own is growing faint.

Roberta has a very close family only it is not the kind she wants to be a part of but it's also the kind that won't let go. It's dominating and decisive and that can tear someone apart. Luis' family was perfect on the outside but it was just a pretty shell. He struggles with issues of commitment. Wanting something beyond just words.

Duke at the beginning has it all. He has deep family commitments and obligations. Not only to blood but also to his gang. He believes in family and in being the father figure to that family. But then he finds out that none of it was real. No spoilers so we'll just say he doesn't handle it well.

Families come in all shapes and sizes and sets of issues. Can't live with them, can't kill them. Or maybe you can.

When Mexican drug cartels fight for control along the border, Juarez becomes the murder capital of the world. In El Paso, Texas it's drug business as usual: a grifter sets out to buy her freedom, a car salesman runs drugs to make his fortune, a gang leader battles to rise among the ranks of the cartel, and a detective and his wife are ripped apart by a family secret. Everyone's fate lies in the hands of an old woman. Will she let the past die with her or take revenge the only way she knows how?

Buy Sacrifice at Amazon!

Coral Russell runs the blog http://alchemyscrawl.com where she reviews Indie books/authors. "By the end of 2013, I will have read close to 300 Indie titles. I can vouch that the quality and diversity of Indie authors is worth investing in." On the blog you can find links to her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Google+ and email.

The Indie Exchange is a group of authors, readers, and book bloggers who post reviews, articles, and giveaways. Listen in Fridays to our radio show at http://blogtalkradio.com/alchemyofscrawl

Ms. Russell won the 2003 McCaleb Peace Initiative which produced the non-fiction articles Peace on the Peninsula. All profit from the sale of that eBook goes to rebuilding Joplin, MO.

Titles available: Amador Lockdown, Playing with Fire (Devil of a Ghost Tour and Key to a Haunting), Peace on the Peninsula, The DIY Guide to Social Media Marketing and eBook Publishing, and Twelve Worlds (profit goes to Reading is Fundamental).

Please visit The Indie Exchange for a complete list of blogs participating in this tour.

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Library Girl Reads & Reviews is NOT responsible for distributing the prizes. All prizes will be distributed by Coral Russell.

Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Kiwi in Cat City by Vickie Johnstone (Guest Post) #petsontour

Today I'm happy to welcome Vickie Johnstone as she interviews Kiwi, Inspector Furrball of Cat City’s Cat Squad, and the two children, James and Amy, from Kiwi in Cat City and the six-book Kiwi Series. This character interview is part of the Raining Cats & Dogs Tour that Vickie is on with David M. Brown, author of Man vs Cat. Keep reading to the end to find out more about the Kiwi books and to enter the giveaway for an Amazon gift card.

Wow, what a pleasure to have all of you here today. Inspector Furrball, thanks for taking the time away from your duties in Cat City to talk with us. Are you getting any more used to this world since your first visit (in the book Kiwi and the Living Nightmare)?

Furrball: Well, thank you for inviting me here. It’s a pleasure to speak to you, but before we begin do you think… well, do you have any nice biscuits?

Amy nudges James, who chuckles. Kiwi raises her eyebrows to the ceiling.

Furrball: Thank you kitty much, but I don’t suppose you have fish biscuits, do you? No? Oh, ok. Well, these will do!

Kiwi: They’re nice biscuits!

Amy and James: Mmmmmm!

Furrball: Yes, yes, splendid, I think. Mmm. Well, to return to your question. It’s nice to be back in the human world though I have to say that I prefer our own world, Cat City (munch munch).

Kiwi: Inspector!

Furrball: Well, Kiwi, I’m being honest. It’s not as warm here in the human world. In Cat City, it is always summer. The sun is orangey and just lights up the city – everything seems to glitter there (Furrball smiles fondly). I miss the streets – they have blue and white mosaics of cats, you know, and they’re very clean. Not like the streets in the human world where you have to dodge smelly things on the pavement!

Amy and James start giggling.

Kiwi: But you have to admit the people are nice and you met some really nice squirrels on your last visit (in Kiwi and the Living Nightmare)…

Furrball: True, true. Yes, I really liked that fellow, Red. Decent chap. But you know, the food in Cat City is much better and the milk. We have special milk. It’s good for cats, but the milk in the human world… well, let’s just say that my tummy didn’t like it much!

Amy: Euuuuuwwww!

Furrball: And buses… scary things… they go so fast! I never want to ride on one of those again…

James: Especially when old ladies are about!

Amy: But didn’t you enjoy the old ladies tickling your tummy?

Furrball: (coughs) Best forgotten, young Ames and Jimster. That’s best forgotten. An unusual experience…

Kiwi: And one I’ll never forget. The look on your face when they were saying you were so fluffy and cute will stay with me forever…

Furrball: Are you saying that I’m not cute?

Amy and James collapse in giggles.

Kiwi: I think it is best that only Madame Purrfect answers that question!

Inspector Furrball, now that you have been with Amy and James as both kittens in Cat City and as human kids here, which do you like better?

Furrball: Ah, there’s a question. Seeing them in human form was such a shock the first time. I’d never seen humans before. I was scared, I don’t mind admitting. For a start, they’re so big, and they have these long limbs. I think humans are a little odd looking! And they smell different…

James: I think cats are stranger. You’re all furry with long tails.

Amy: And you spit on yourselves to have a bath!

Kiwi (making giggly purrs): I think you might be outdone there, Furrball!

Furrball: But it was a shock - the biggest shock of my life! I was thinking who are these strange giants? I thought they’d eaten you, Ames and Jimster. Then I had to just forget what I’d heard when Moggie explained that you were one and the same, but now not in cat form. I couldn’t have got through that day unless I’d kind of hypnotised myself that it wasn’t really happening!

Kiwi: Really? You did that? I didn’t know! I thought you were kitty okay with it pretty fast!

Furrball: I was sort of pretending! The shock was too much. I just put it to the back of my mind. Otherwise, my right-paw tom, Siam, and I would have just been rolling around on the grass mewing all day like little kittens when we’re actually big, brave members of Cat City’s Cat Squad! We had a reputation to live up to!

James: I loved being a catizen!

Amy: Me too! It rocks!

Furrball: What rocks? Are we moving?

Amy: (laughing) No, No, Furrball, it means that something is great. It rocks!

Kiwi: It’s young human talk, Inspector! You know how our kittens have their own kit speak?

Furrball: Indeed. It rocks. Mmm. Maybe I could fit that into my language. Fish biscuits rock!

Amy and James giggle.

James: Being a kitten rocks! And the Catema rocks! And having a tail sometimes rocks! But not if I’m playing football!

Furrball: What’s football? Could I play? Is it dangerous?

Amy holds her head and shakes it.

How about you, Kiwi, which world do you prefer? Do you think you could live in just one place?

Kiwi: Now there’s a question.

James: No! Kiwi, you can never leave the human world!

Amy: Yeah, you have to stay with us. We won’t let you go!

Kiwi: Well, half of the time (smiles).

Furrball: Our Kiwi has always been a bit of a traveller… gets it from her father, Delphinius, I think…

Kiwi: That’s right, but then my mother was from the human world and my father was from Cat City, so I’ve always felt pulled between the two worlds, I think. I belong in both, but not entirely in either…

James: Like someone is pulling your tail to go back when you go somewhere else…

Kiwi: (giggly purrs) That’s a funny analogy, James, but there could be some truth in it. I love travelling.

Amy: And the falling in the purple smoke between the worlds is such fun…

Furrball: Fun?! Well, I think my ears and tail nearly blew off!

James: And the landing is a bit hard on your bottom!

Kiwi: You know, I think I could never stay in one place. I get itchy paws to explore.

Amy: Where was the first place that you visited? Do you remember?

James: Was it exciting?

Furrball: I remember (chuckles)…

Kiwi: (winking at Furrball) I remember it very clearly. I was a kitten. I think I was roughly your age, Amy, and my first adventure was with my father, Delphinius. He had the wander lust really bad. Moggie was often fed up because he’d be late home for dinner and it would go cold. He’d go on adventures with his friend, Mr Eastwood, the owner of the Catema and Cat City’s only film director.

Amy: Ooohhh, can we act in one of his films?

James: Can we? Can we?

Kiwi: Mmm, well, first things first – did you want to hear about my first adventure?

Amy and James: Yes! Yes!

Furrball just sits and grins.

Kiwi: Well, I was about your age, Amy, as I said, and I’d always ask my father where he was going. He’d tell me these amazing stories, but they sounded like the kitten tales that catizens tell their young ones, so I just guessed he made them up. Then one bright summer’s day, he asked Moggie if he could take me along with him. He said they’d be visiting a safe place – the human world. I remember Moggie didn’t like the idea, but Delphinius persuaded her – he was good at that – and off we went. What a trip! It was the most amazing day of my life so far…

James: Wow!

Amy: Were you scared?

Kiwi: Sort of and sort of not. I was more excited, but I was with Delphinius, so I felt safe. He knew the most powerful magic. Moggie is good with magic, but my father… my father was something else.

James: Like a wizard? A wizard cat?

Amy: A mage? A genie?

Kiwi: Maybe something in between. So we went on this magical trip. I remember him saying some magical words and then the purple mist was everywhere. I didn’t know then that I was magical… remember I told you what happened when I was a kitten that made me magical… (in Kiwi and the Missing Magic) Yes, well, it was partly genetic too. I got a lot of my talent from my father. He taught Moggie, too. Anyway, I’m wandering off the subject. So then this purple mist was all around me, I remember. It was so bright and colourful. It became my favourite colour because I felt connected to it. My fur would sometimes shine this same purple, but back then I was a little kitten and I didn’t know it was magic. So, off I went, floating and falling in this magical mist, whisked away from my daily life to … well… I didn’t know where… and then I landed… but I wasn’t scared. Delphinius was sitting there, waiting for me with the biggest grin on his furry face… and I knew I was safe. And then he showed me around the human world.

Amy: Did you like it?

James: How did you find us?

Kiwi: Ah, well that’s a story for another time. But I loved the human world and I still do! Maybe because I was a kitten, but I just took it in. I wasn’t scared. I was just amazed by everything. And I felt at home; strangely at home. It was like part of me had gone back to my roots… Moggie was from the human world, after all.

Furrball: That’s a nice story.

Kiwi: Thanks. It’s a nice memory! Furrball: If only someone had brought me here when I was a kitten – it wouldn’t have been quite so shocking!

Amy and James giggle.

Amy and James, do you ever think you’ll tell your parents about the adventures you’ve had with Kiwi? Will you still visit Cat City when you are older?

Amy: Oooh yes! I hope so. I hope I never get too old to come to Cat City.

James: I never want to grow up really. I want to stay a kid-kitten and nothing change.

Kiwi: Things always change, James. That’s the only sure thing in life, but that’s a good thing. It’s how you approach change that really matters – you should treat it as an exciting adventure and nothing scary!

Furrball: Well, there are other sure things, too. Like you can be sure that Kiwi, Madame Purrfect and I will always make you feel welcome in Cat City! You’re invited to all of our parties!

Kiwi: But it’s very important that we don’t let your parents find out…

James: That’s true. Adults don’t believe in such things anyway.

Amy: They don’t believe in talking cats or talking hamsters… (the Hamster March in Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle) I don’t think they’d believe us anyway. Does everyone stop believing when they grow up, Kiwi?

Kiwi: I hope not, but I think many people do. Maybe their lives get harder… with grown-up things. They may miss the little details in things as they have responsibilities.

Amy: And work!

Furrball: Work can be very rewarding, Amy. You just need to choose carefully. I am proud to be the head of the Cat Squad, keeping Cat City safe. Think about what career you would like to do and aim for it. I think anyone can achieve anything.

Amy: But I don’t want to grow up if I can no longer hear animals talk.

Kiwi: You just have to remember how to listen, Amy. I don’t think you’ll stop hearing us.

James: Phew! Life would be a bit boring otherwise!

You have all been together in some very sticky situations, what were your scariest moments?

Kiwi: The ghost of the old man in the old house in the Living Nightmare adventure! I never thought I’d be able to escape. I couldn’t move!

James: Eeek, definitely him! But then Loki in Ancient Egypt in the Realm of Ra was scary!

Amy: And don’t forget the spooky witch with the big wart on her nose in Kiwi’s Christmas Tail.

Furrball: I have to say the Serpent of the Isle. I thought I’d never see my dear Madame Purrfect ever again. He was our strongest enemy ever. But then those old ladies on the bus were pretty scary too…

James (in old lady voice): Ooooohhh, Mavis, what a cute kitty!

Amy: Wasn’t her name Mable?

Furrball: Stop it! I’m getting shivers along my whiskers just thinking about them! Also, plunging out of the sky in a purple mist and landing on the ground in front of two giants – you two, Ames and Jimster – was pretty scary! And then my brain turning to jelly!

Amy and James: Sorry Inspector Furrball.

Furrball: Not your fault. Now if only Moggie had warned me beforehand…

Kiwi: Our first adventure together where we tried to solve the Case of the Missing Catizens was pretty tough, if I remember. Don’t you think?

Furrball: Yes it was – a lot of dead ends in that mystery. And when Cat City was going to be invaded in our second adventure together (Kiwi and the Missing Magic) – now that was scary…

James: Especially when we all went into the Cat Crime building and… (BEEP – so as not to give the plot away!)

Amy: And the battle in the Land of Giant Mice… and the maze… that was a bit scary.

Furrball: Yes that was close. If it hadn’t been for the brave actions of… (BEEEEEEP).

Kiwi: I agree, Inspector. That was a close one. I think we’ve had a few close shaves.

Inspector: But, still, I think the Serpent of the Isle was our biggest challenge. If it wasn’t for…

Kiwi: Shush! Don’t give it away…

Furrball clamps his mouth closed and peeks around.

James: I miss the crabs and the fish…

Amy: Shush James…

James: Ooops sorry… (goes red), but what about the excellent bit with the hamsters…?

Do you have any dreams of what you would like to do in the future?

James: I want to be a detective when I grow up!

Amy: I want to work for Greenpeace and save whales!

Furrball: These are both very good choices, kittens. Erm, I mean child..ren. Mmm, such a strange word.

Kiwi: I want to keep on going on adventures and learning new things. I never want to become bored. I always want to carry on exploring.

Furrball: I always want to get the bad catizens and save the good ones!

James: That’s why I want to be a detective, so that I can come and work for you in Cat Crime…

Amy: But you’re human…

James: So? I can do both, can’t I? I want to be a two-world detective – in the human world and in Cat City! I can solve two crimes at the same time!

Kiwi: Ah, this could be an interesting future.

Furrball: Indeed (scratching behind his ear).

Amy: I really wanna see that!

Furrball: Oooh is that the time? (glancing at his gold watch, hanging off his red waistcoat). I’m sorry, but I think I need to be getting back to Cat City. It’s past my teatime you know, and Madame Purrfect will start to worry. And she makes the most kitty good cakes… I wouldn’t want to miss out on those.

James sighs.

Amy sighs and pokes James.

Kiwi: Thank you for inviting us today. It’s been purrfectly good fun! Have a kitty day!

About the Book:

One dark night, Amy cannot sleep and she looks out of the window into the garden to see her cat, Kiwi, transfixed by the moon, which is glowing brightly like a cat's claw. Waking her brother, James, Amy suggests they follow Kiwi to see where she goes... whether it involves a hunt for mice or something else. Little do they know that, with a flick of her tail, Kiwi is going to magically change them into kittens and lead them on the adventure of their lives to a land they never knew existed in their wildest dreams. In the blue-lit world of Cat City, the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to solve the mystery of the missing catizens and find out what happened to Madame Purrfect.

For children aged 9+, teens and adults. This book is the first in the Kiwi Series.

So far, there are six books in the series.

Buy Kiwi in Cat City on Amazon (US): eBook or Paperback (affiliate links)

Buy Kiwi in Cat City on Amazon (UK): eBook or Paperback

Buy Kiwi in Cat City on Smashwords

Buy Kiwi in Cat City on Barnes & Noble

Buy Kiwi in Cat City on Diesel

About the Author:

Vickie Johnstone lives in London, UK, where she works as a freelance sub-editor on magazines and an editor on indie books. She has a thing about fluffy cats and also loves reading, writing, films, the sea, rock music, art, nature, Milky Bar, Baileys and traveling.

Vickie has self-published the following books:

Kaleidoscope (poetry); Travelling Light (poetry); Life’s Rhythms (haiku); 3 Heads and a Tail (comedy romance); Kiwi in Cat City (magical cat series for middle grade readers); Kiwi and the Missing Magic; Kiwi and the Living Nightmare; Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle; Kiwi in the Realm of Ra; Kiwi’s Christmas Tail; Day of the Living Pizza (comedy detective series for middle grade readers), and Day of the Pesky Shadow.

The Kiwi Series has illustrations by Nikki McBroom.

Connect with Vickie on Twitter * Blog * Website * Facebook Author Page * Facebook Kiwi Series Page * Facebook Poetry Page * Facebook Editing Services Page 

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Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Man vs Cat by David M. Brown (Guest Post) #petsontour

I love it when I get to call authors friends. Although David M. Brown lives in England and we've only interacted online I'm so happy to call him and his wife, Donna, my friends. David has been on the blog before when I helped with the launch of one of his fantasy novels, A World Apart. Today we have something a little bit different for you though as it is one of David and Donna's cats who will be doing the talking. David has written Man vs Cat about his life with six cats and I'm not sure they are too happy about it. Make sure you read all the way to the end because there just might be a giveaway involved.

Have You Heard the One About the Two Norwegians?

 

Greetings, dear readers. My name is Frodo, not the Ring Bearer from The Lord of the Rings, but a Norwegian Forest cat. The lovely Angela has invited me here to share a few thoughts with you but her main motive is for me to sing her children to sleep so she can have a well-earned rest. I’ll get right on that, Angela. Just let me finish speaking to your readers. Why don’t you make us both a cup of tea? Lots of milk in mine, no sugar, and leave out the teabag and the hot water.

What can I tell you about me? Well, I come from a house, not in Norway, but in England where sunny days are passing into the days of myths and legends. It’s a bitterly cold and miserable place here to be honest but the company are nice. Well, not all of them. I have five brothers – one is my actual brother, Bilbo, and there are four adopted brothers too – Kain, Razz, Buggles and Charlie. I also live with two humans, one is lovely and we call her Frizzy Hair. The other is difficult to describe. Grab a Thesaurus and look at the synonyms under words such as “idiot,” “moron” and “jerk,” and that should give you an idea of what the infamous Beard Face is like.

I have heard through the catvines that Beard Face has written a book. This isn’t news as such. He’s written books before, really terrible fantasy books that are about as convincing as England’s chances at the next World Cup. Anyway, whisper this amongst yourselves but I have heard Beard Face’s latest book is about me and the other cats. Such news has divided the cats here. Buggles is excited, Charlie wants revenge, Kain and Razz are still rolling their eyes, and Bilbo is just perplexed by the whole thing. He’s a bit dippy is my brother, a bit like a car that’s had the engine taken out to be cleaned and it hasn’t been put back. You know the type I mean, right?

Much of the content in this book began before Bilbo and I came to live with Beard Face and Frizzy Hair but I understand we have not come away completely unscathed from the narrative. There are ill rumours that Beard Face has photocopied notes from some of the private meetings I have with Bilbo. I call these Frodo’s Dialogues, after that Greek philosopher Socrates. You know him, a lovely man. I’m not embarrassed if Beard Face has these notes, not for myself anyway. I’m a philosopher and a gifted singer. I don’t do shameful things but I can’t say the same about Bilbo. If Beard Face has got those notes I just hope he hasn’t included that bit about the Carpet People. Goodness me, my heart could hardly take that so I hope you, the dear readers, don’t have to suffer it as I did.

Come closer. Closer still. Okay, back up a bit, we’re not friends just yet! I’m hoping Angela doesn’t check the bag I’ve brought. Bilbo is in there and I plan to leave him here. Don’t get me wrong, he’s my brother and I love him, but I cannot take anymore of those awful cat jokes or his theories about where all cats come from. Do you want to hear a joke or two from Bilbo? Okay, if I must.

What happens when Charlie and Kain stop fighting? They hiss and make up.

How do you sing scales, Frodo? Do-ri-me-ow.

Hilarious, eh? Yes, my brother is something of a joker. Not that I’m bereft of humour myself, you know. Amidst this great mind and gorgeous singing voice is the wit of Chandler Bing. Prior to visiting Angela here in the US of A, I told this one to Bilbo.

Have you heard the one about the two Norwegians? They took a trip to the States but only one came back! When Bilbo assured me he didn’t understand the joke, I simply told him that he would get the punch line once we had visited our good friend Angela.

On that note, I think it’s time for me to say farewell. Angela is calling and my lovely singing voice is needed to help these children to sleep. I’m thinking a medley of Van Halen’s Jump to expel the last of their energy, Unchained Melody to calm them and I’ll round off with The Beatles Goodnight to guide them gently into slumber.

A furry and fond farewell to you all.

About the Book:

History has known many famous cats - Garfield, Mr Bigglesworth, Simon's Cat, the Aristocats, the Cheshire cat and the Keyboard Cat on YouTube.

In recent years these feline things have replaced man's best friend as the most popular pet in the U.S. while the Ancient Egyptians once worshipped them as gods. This was a mistake and I'm here to tell you why.

Man vs Cat is the story of one man, one woman and the six cats that changed their lives forever. To the woman they brought love and affection, to the man they brought sleepless nights, fear, paranoia and even ruined his jigsaw. Need I say more?

Buy Man vs Cat on Amazon (US): ebook or paperback (affiliate links)

Buy Man vs Cat on Amazon (UK): ebook or paperback

Don't forget to add Man vs Cat on Goodreads

About the Author:

David Brown could be considered a fantasy fanatic, especially since he has spent the last 10 years developing a 47,000-year history for his fictional world of Elenchera. When converting his obsession into literary form, David commits himself to a rigorous writing and editing process before his work can meet his approval. Combined with the critical eye of his wife and a BA Hons in History and English, David's dedication leads him to his goal of inspiring readers through heartfelt stories and characters.

Connect with David on Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog

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Note: All opinions presented in book and product reviews are my own. Opinions presented in posts authored by others reflect the view of the author only and not necessarily my view or opinion. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Amazon and Book Depository links are affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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