Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Closed: Beat the Winter Blues Giveaway

Beat the Winter Time Blues Giveaway

Are you fighting the winter time blues? Curling up with a new book (and a mug of tea) always seems to help me. What would you buy if you won a $50 Amazon gift card from Terri Morgan, author of Playing the Genetic Lottery? Enter to win below.

"Caitlin’s story touched me deep in my soul" ~ Marina, Chick Library Cat

"Terri Morgan's depictions of [schizophrenia] are realistic as well as haunting." ~ Allizabeth Collins, The Paperback Pursuer

Playing the Genetic Lottery


Will Caitlin succumb to the disease that has claimed her parents and brother? Will her daughters be the next victims of the family curse? Find out in Terri Morgan's fictional memoir Playing the Genetic Lottery.

Available at Amazon and in paperback directly from TerriMorgan.net *
*$1 of every paperback purchased from Terri's site goes to support mental health research.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beat the Winter Time Blues Giveaway is sponsored by Terri Morgan and organized by GWR Publicity. No monetary compensation was received nor should this post be considered an endorsement under FTC's advertising and endorsement policy.

 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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

OTL: Monkey Do Project #monkeydo


During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season many of us reflect on what we have and how we can share the abundance that we have with others. Even if we do not see our lives as overflowing, during this time of year it seems that the spirit of generosity takes over as we appreciate the people and things in our lives and want to share that joy with others. But what happens when that season is over? While non-profit organizations certainly appreciate the outpouring of support and donations they receive during the holidays, their mission does not stop simply because a new year begins and we all get back into our regular routines. There are still needs to be met and people to help. Generous, joyful giving should be a year round occurrence.

Throughout this year I am going to be sharing with you each month about an organization that has become an inspiration for me. Monkey Do Project is based in Indiana and sends aid to the people of the Appalachian region here in the United States. So often when we think of extreme poverty we think of third world countries but really it is here in our own backyard as well. Please watch this video to see why it is so important that the people in this area get some help.



Monkey Do Project has several different initiatives going on at all times. Some are ongoing projects with no end in sight while other projects meet a specific need during a certain time frame. Please visit MonkeyDoProject.com to see all of the ways that you can help either by donating directly or by shopping in the Monkey Do Project Store.

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, January 14, 2013

Author Interview: V Frank Asaro - The Tortoise Shell Code

Today I'm chatting with V Frank Asaro, author of The Tortoise Shell Code and Universal Co-opetition. This is one of many stops on his virtual tour with Pump Up Your Book. Be sure to check out the complete list of tour stops to find out more about the author and the books.

About the Author:

For forty years V Frank Asaro, J.D., was a gun-slinging litigation lawyer. To escape the combat, he wrote for pleasure on the side, but kept the manuscripts in a drawer. Often he would switch to composing music and writing lyrics, and inventing, too- all to take a break. Disk jockeys across the U.S. played his albums, recorded by world-class guitarist Peter Sprague and his group, with Frank occasionally sitting in. For a time he had played professionally. The inventions also happened at this time –part of the continuing quest for sanctuary. He holds several patents. But the triumph he most would like to share is his inventive contribution to products liability law –Greenman v. Yuba Power Products. He made that as a young lawyer-clerk with the California Court of Appeal. The concept was expanded by the Supreme Court of California, and is now taught in every law school in the English speaking world, including the European Union. He reached the highest lawyer peer review rating by secret ballot, published by Martindale Hubbell, was named Whose Who in American Jurisprudence, and in Who’s Who in the World.


What are these two related books about?

The Tortoise Shell Code is a high-seas legal/crime thriller, with romance, fisticuffs, prison breakouts, revolution, all with a philosophical twist – that of co-opetition.

Universal Co-opetition is a non-fiction work. It explains the axiom that we can better resolve issues and problems if we cooperate while we compete. I mean by that: we synthesize the behaviors of cooperating and competing into one dynamic. For example when we compete in business we’d better do it ethically or customers will evaporate.

Who is the intended audience?

The audience would be pretty broad from the standpoint of those seeking inhalation of pure entertainment, but I would hope the deep thinkers out there would grasp and appreciate the universal application of the theory of co-opetition. Throughout the book I seed the story with concepts from my non-fiction work Universal Co-opetition. What’s wrong with employing the techniques of Orwell, Ayn Rand, and Huxley et al? Never could I rise to their stratosphere, but one shouldn’t shirk from the inspiration they gave.

Why did you choose to write a crime thriller?

The Tortoise Shell Code novelized the concept of my non-fiction work Universal Co-opetition. I felt that a high-seas crime/legal thriller is the way to it.

What was your experience with publication? Did self-doubt creep in at any point?

Early editors of publishing houses liked the concept of Universal Co-opetition, but did not have the courage to take a shot at it. Many years later some of my followers and others adopted the concept to business theory. It exploded from there. I find it now cited in the search engines by a hundred different authors. No. I never experienced self-doubts, only frustration because of delay getting out the concept.

Where do you write?

I write at home in my studio where I enjoy sculpting phrases on my word processor. From there, it’s a short drive to the coffee shop discussions or to the back yard pool – I am in Southern California, you see.

How did you prepare yourself for writing these books?

I attended workshops on writing, read how-to books and combined those with my personal adventure experiences and those of friends and acquaintances. As a child, I have to admit, I was a book worm. Getting to high school and beyond, I gravitated to athletics – wrestling, track, cross-country, sailing, horsemanship, snow skiing, scuba diver, but always a book worm.

Who is your publisher and how did you get accepted by them? And did you pitch your book yourself or go through an agent?

I pitched my book myself and was fortunate that the publisher, Bettie Youngs Books and her top editor Mark Clements, actually read it. Their enthusiasm pleasantly surprised me.

If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?

If you know what you have is good, somehow let the readers know that. Persevere.

What are you working on now?

I’d like to have The Tortoise Shell Code made into a movie. Other than that I have a few manuscripts about regression in time and ghosts. One set in Alaska and California and one sent in Europe and California.

About the Book:

Off the coast of Southern California, the Sea Diva, a tuna boat, sinks. Members of the crew are missing and what happened remains a mystery. Anthony Darren, a renowned and wealthy lawyer at the top of his game, knows the boat’s owner and soon becomes involved in the case. As the case goes to trial, a missing crew member is believed to be at fault, but new evidence comes to light and the finger of guilt points in a completely unan­ticipated direction.

Now Anthony must pull together all his resources to find the truth in what has happened and free a wrongly accused man—as well as untangle himself. Fighting despair, he finds that the recent events have called much larger issues into question. As he struggles to right this terrible wrong, Anthony makes new and enlightening dis­coveries in his own life-long battle for personal and global justice.

Buy The Tortoise Shell Code in eBook or Paperback (affiliate links)

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Thomas Block, Author of ‘Captain’, talks about life on his Florida Ranch

Yesterday I ran a book spotlight for Captain by Thomas Block. Today I am pleased to have a guest post from him about his life on his Florida Ranch. This is also the last day to enter to win one of several Amazon gift cards through the tour from Pump Up Your Book.

Life on the Ranch 

My wife Sharon has been a horse-involved person her entire life, and she managed to finally get me involved soon after I retired from airline flying in April, 2000. I rode my first horse when I was 56 years old, so I was definitely an older guy starting something totally new!

You can see more about this at both of our two websites: www.ThomasBlockNovels.com and www.FlyingB-Ranch.com. Matter of fact, the two websites are directly connected, so you can simply slide from one to the other by hitting the link button between them. We’ve got photos, videos and lots of information on the two sites that covers everything in our lives - novels, airplanes, horses and the ranch, our horse-motel operation (including our honored periodic guests, the Budweiser Clydesdale operation and the Wells-Fargo Stagecoach team - read more about them on the ranch website), new and old photos, and even our two house cats Furr and Fuzz.

I’ve found that I’ve really enjoyed working with horses on our Florida ranch a great deal, and then got myself involved in Cowboy Mounted Shooting (a competitive sport where we shoot at balloons from horseback with old-west style guns). With Mounted Shooting, I’ve discovered something really neat to do with my horse that more than fills my free time, and it was an absolute thrill for me to be able to finally become one of those cowboys (and one of the Cavalry Troopers!) that I loved to watch at the movies and on TV when I was a kid.

In the beginning, I really wondered if I would actually be able to navigate a galloping horse through a pattern of balloons while shooting them with an old-style western six-shooter. By working on my riding skills, by spending lots of time with my horses, and by learning how to effectively shoot those old-style pistols with one hand (my other hand is on the horse’s reins), I was able to put myself back into all those old westerns from over a half century ago that I loved so much!

I’ve made a great many friends from the horse world, and particularly among the cowboy mounted shooters (at most events, the participants are about evenly divided between men and women). The biggest of the mounted shooting organizations that I belong to is the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA), and I’ve been an active member of that group for nearly ten years.

I’m also happy to report that the CMSA has recently featured Captain in their magazine with a big spread and a rave review - here’s what they said: “…A diversified and very realistic cast of complex characters are thrown into the chaos…one heck of a gripping saga…I found the story to be fascinating, I couldn’t put it down…” are some of the quotes from that Mounted Shooting magazine’s review. It’s very satisfying to have folks from a totally separate portion of your life make an enthusiastic crossover to something else that you’ve done and are proud of. I’ve gotten a huge amount of very positive feedback about Captain (and also about my other action/adventure novels) from many of the people I’ve met during my mounted shooting travels across the country.

Sharon and I do most of our ranch work ourselves, and if you’ll look through our ranch photo gallery you’ll see that our 33 acre ‘Ranch and Horse Motel’ is a place where we like to spend time. I’ve swapped my captain’s seat in the front office of a Boeing airliner for a seat in a John Deere tractor, backhoe and excavator, to name just a few of the pieces of ranch rolling stock that keeps our place in good working order.

The two parts of our life style complement each other real well, and there is nothing more ‘real’ and hands-on after spending several hours at the desk working on novels than to saddle up your own horse and go for a ride. It’s an exciting and satisfying way to balance out all the requirements that go into developing and creating a fictional world on paper to share with others.

One other thing I’d like to share is a tribute to my beloved horse Mister Cloud, who recently died. He was my very first horse, and we learned how to do many things together. Due to medical problems, he was retired from active riding the past few years, and he is buried here at the ranch.

To read more about Mister Cloud, go to ‘Sad Day at Our Ranch’ at our ranch website, and then click your way over to http://www.ThomasBlockNovels.com to see the other things that we’ve been doing. On behalf of Sharon, myself and all the critters large and small that are an integral part of our Ranch and Novels lifestyle, we thank you for sharing part of your day with us.

Buy books by Thomas Block (affiliate link)

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.
Enhanced by Zemanta