Author K. Blue: A Unique Take On Life

It’s always a pleasure to welcome a ‘new-to-me’ author here to talk about their latest release and learn how they came to be a writer. Please help me welcome author K. Blue today as she makes a stop on her Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tour for her book, ORDINARY WISDOM.

Ms. Blue was raised in a middle class American family with 3 brothers. Her father worked for a large corporation and her family moved quite a bit during her growing up years. From Indiana to New Jersey, Texas to Georgia, she has lived in many different areas of the country and had many different experiences. These experiences have given her a unique take on life which she enjoys sharing in her book ORDINARY WISDOM.

Here’s Ms. Blue.

Moving around is never easy on a family. I don’t care how much you are used to uprooting your life every time you have to do it is painful. I can tell you that my parents handled it as well as any parent could. Here are a few things they did to help keep our family together… 

They did not hide that the move was going to be difficult for them as well. They had friends and loved ones they were leaving just as we were. I can remember during several moves watching my Mom sit on the back porch crying her eyes out. She cried because she was leaving her friends. She cried because she knew that she would be starting over. She cried because there was a lot of work ahead. She cried because she was going to have to be the strong one for her kids and husband. 

She never hid that she was grieving, but once she got it all out, she got up, looked me in the eye, and said, “We’re going to be ok, honey.” This taught me that it was natural to feel sadness in leaving something behind, but that there was a time to get up and look to the future. 

My parents kept us in the loop with regards to the details of the move. They did not keep secrets or withhold information. We usually sat during dinner and talked over what was going on. If there were changes in where we were moving, or what the dates were going to be, we knew it. 

They did not try to shield us, but talked openly about plans. We had all the information about the move that they could give us, and that helped to make us feel a part of the process rather than left out and wondering.

 

Most importantly, my parents tired to give us choices when they could. Sometimes it was as simple as choosing the color of paint on our new bedroom walls or the color carpet. Others, it was which house we purchased. Once, it was even the state we relocated to. We all got an equal vote. 

This went a long way to helping us to feel like we were a part of the family. The move was not something being done to us, it was something we were doing as a family. In a world turned upside down, when it feels like we are losing control, having the ability to make our own choices, to feel in control of something, is so very important. Giving a child a choice, a voice, can sometimes make all the difference in how they feel about a move. 

All this combined to help us feel like a team. I never remembered worrying about making friends in the new location because I was bringing my best friends with me. My brothers and my parents are not just people I am related to, but people I like, respect and love to spend time with. 

Today we live all over the country, but the foundation that was built with all those moves is still strong. From Texas to Nebraska, Washington State to Georgia we have all built different lives, but we can always count on each other.  

Wishing you the very best, K. Blue 

K. Blue, thanks for visiting and sharing this information with us. The way your parents went about the moves makes it sounds more like an adventure than the scary process it can be.

For more on K. Blue and her writing, visit her website at www.shareordinarywisdome.com

Here’s a brief description of ORDINARY WISDOM:
This collection of short family stories is heartwarming and genuine. Each story is a lesson learned by experiencing everyday life. From childhood to adulthood there are lessons in all that we do and experience. The trick to growing as a person is to recognize their significance and continue to learn. 

You may find that you identify with the experiences of this wonderful family. You may even be reminded of times in your past and the lessons you have learned. Be prepared to smile, laugh and maybe even cry a little as you enjoy reading of ordinary wisdom.

Do you have any bits of wisdom you’ve learned over the years you’d like to share with us today? Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

Author Ruth Kaiser: Be Porous, Not Teflon

 

It’s my pleasure to be a part of author Ruth Kaiser's WOW Blog Tour for her children's picture book, THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS.

Ruth’s delightful book will have you grinning from ear to ear after one peek inside. The text is all about being optimistic and the photographs are, well...Smileys. Hidden Smileys, that is. For instance, did you ever look at your dinner plate and notice that the dash of applesauce, pile of corn and hotdog were making a Smiley face at you? Ruth did! And she used the Smileys she found everywhere to illustrate her book (divided by color, of course)! 

Ruth joins us today to ‘Be Porous, not Teflon.’

Pan Smiley

If you go through life with a Teflon coating, you miss out. So often it’s a matter of incorrectly thinking we have too much to do to take the extra time to enjoy our surroundings. Too much to do? That supposition deserves a second look. 

Where does: choosing how you live, so as to have a life filled with pleasure and happiness, rank on your TO DO list? For most of us, sadly, it might not even make it onto our list at all. As parents is that the lesson we want to teach our kids? Should we model a life where drudgery rules and playfulness is squelched in the name of efficiency. Maybe that's the way we are living, but don't we all want better for our kids? You, and the way you enjoy life (or not), are the best indicators of how your children will handle their adult lives. 

And honestly, I would argue that much of what one misses/lets slip by unnoticed, takes little or no extra time.

Macaroni and Cheese Smiley

* Paying attention to how good macaroni and cheese tastes - no extra time.  

* Listening to the neat-o sound the sprinkler makes - no extra time. 
* Taking note of how nice a slippery bar of soap feels as it glides along your face - no extra time.      
* Inhaling deeply the smell of fresh laundry as you switch a load from washer to dryer - no extra time. 

Did you miss Upside Down Truck Stuck at the Side of the Road Smiley?

 

Share these sensual pleasures with your children. Try never to miss the opportunity to point out and talk with them about cool stuff that you see, feel or smell. As you do so, you will experience the stimulus so much more strongly. So will they. 

Noticing all the cool things which are always surrounding you, is a wonderful habit to pass along to them! And as an added bonus, in no time they'll be pointing out cool things for you to notice. 

Don't walk past Rock Smiley without returning his grin!

OK, so the chatting about all the cool things you notice, does take time. What else were you planning? Perhaps to be on your phone? Or maybe deep in a day dream? Both of those activities leave your child waiting for you to tune back into them and their life. Don't ever forget that your day to day responsibilities, errands, To Do's, chores, etc....that's their childhood!!

Phone Smiley

And if it's not the time crunch that causes us to miss noticing a thousand small pleasures a day, it's often that our mind is distracted. We miss the here and now as we replay the past or fret about the future. We’ve all experienced spending too much time thinking and rethinking a subject. I’m suggesting that you turn off that virtual video loop that plays endlessly in your head. But, you have to decide to pull yourself into the here and now. Noticing life, noticing Spontaneous Smileys, is an excellent way to turn off the distracting, internal chatter. 

Be porous. Soak up every delicious, fragrant, soft, beautiful moment. Eat your strawberries slowly. Pay attention to just how good the tingly toothpaste and scratchy toothbrush feel on your gums. When you step out the front door each morning, inhale deeply, there’s bound to be something interesting on the wind. Even a stinky smell is interesting! Appreciate how great it feels to scratch an itch or rub a tired muscle. Search for the beauty and the joy in the objects and activities of your life. It’s there, always. You just have to decide to notice!

Strawberry Smiley

And, if you think there’s nothing beautiful to enjoy in the places you inhabit each day, I challenge you to look again. Rusty stuff=beautiful. Water running in the gutter=beautiful. The flicker of the light in a subway tunnel=beautiful. Peeling paint=you guessed it, also beautiful. All so beautiful.

 

Peeling Paint Smiley in a Very Pink Potty 

Smile. Be Happy.

Ruth, thanks for visiting today and giving us a different look at how to be happy. After reading THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS I’ve started looking at ordinary objects in a whole new light.

This book will make preschoolers giggle, older children want to borrow your camera and go on a Smiley hunt, and adult grin. The best part is, every photo of a Smiley uploaded to Ruth's website "earns" $1 to be donated to Operation Smile, which pays for surgeries for children with facial deformities such as cleft palate. The Spontaneous Smiley has funded 18 surgeries so far, one Smiley at a time. 

Now a bit about Ruth. She is proud to be a self-proclaimed, happy-go-lucky, cockeyed optimist. Also known as a Pollyanna, a goofball, and little Miss Sunshine, Ruth is an easy breezy, cup runneth over, top of the world, outgoing, people loving, fun seeking gal. This perky gregarious, cracking herself up child at heart is filled with gratitude every minute of every day!
 
She is mom to three of the greatest kids ever who, even though they are all out in the world pretending to be grown-ups, will always be her babies. To pay for all those kids’ college tuitions, Ruth owns a small chain of preschools called TOT DROP where for 18 years she has been known and loved as “Teacher Ruth” by hundreds of preschoolers and their parents. To quote one of her mommies, “Everyone should have a ‘Teacher Ruth’ in their life!”
 
Although completely allergic to cats, she is also completely enamored with them. So Philbert, Noodle, Rooster, and Mr. Simon have the run of the house and Ruth sits on a plastic chair and washes her hands a hundred times a day.
 
Ruth studied art at the University of California at Berkeley, but really believes that everyone is an artist. With excitement she proclaims, “How cool is it that the Internet has given us all an avenue to share our art!”
 
Ruth is also running a special contest for a signed copy of THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLOR on her website to be awarded on the last day of the tour which is tomorrow, April 19. To enter this contest, just snap a pic of a Smiley and upload it to her website. To be entered in the contest, be sure to enter the word “WOW” in the box marked “Smiley Title” when you upload your photo. 

For more on Ruth and her writing, you can find her on Twitter @SpontaneSmiley, on Facebook, visit her blog, stop by her website, find Do You See What I See? A Smile Video on YouTube, and there’s even a Spontaneous Smiley Song. 

Have found any smileys in unusual or usual objects today? Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to smile. 

Author Carolyn Brown: How Publishing Has Changed

 

I am always thrilled to have New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown visit because she perpetually makes me laugh and if she’s visiting, it means she has another wonderful book out.

Her stories capture your imagination transporting you to whatever small town in Texas she’s writing about. Her characters are realistic and so likeable you can’t help but want to visit them time and time again. Besides, she always writes about the sexiest cowboys and the feisty cowgirls.

Can you tell I’m excited to have Carolyn join us today? Well, before I forget - thanks to Carolyn and the delightful Danielle at Sourcebooks I have 2 copies of Carolyn’s latest book, ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING, to giveaway to 2 lucky visitors who comments on today’s post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, April 25. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment, if it’s not included in your profile. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Now here’s Carolyn.

Thank you so much for inviting me back to Thoughts in Progress! It’s a delight to be here again to talk about my new book, ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING, the fourth book in the Spikes and Spurs series.

It is available in paperback at Sourcebooks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Wal-Mart, Waldens, Hastings and most major book stores. If you have a Nook, Kindle or E-reader you can get a copy at B&N, Amazon, Sony and most of the eBook stores. And if you prefer a hardback copy, Rhapsody and Double Day Book Clubs has it available.

Wow! That’s a lot of places to get a copy of ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING! Things have definitely changed in the writing and publishing world since I sold my first book fourteen years ago.

And if you go back a few years prior to that, it’s really done a turn-around. More than thirty years ago my third child was a newborn baby and believe me she was part night owl. She didn’t scream and cry. I didn’t have to walk the floor with her or rock her until daylight. She was quite content to watch the fish in the aquarium and spin tales in her baby brain. 

I sharpened a dozen pencils, bought a spiral back note book and set out to write the best selling novel in my head. Publishers all over the world were waiting to buy it for sure and Hollywood was yanking all their hair out in anticipation of the great movie it would make.

When the notebook was nearly full of profound words, Husband figured I was serious and brought home an old Underwood manual typewriter that he’d found at a garage sale for five bucks. Lord, I thought I’d done died and gone to heaven! White out, ribbons, sticky keys, and all!

The book was finally finished and visions of book tours danced in my head. I was going to be famous, eat bon-bons all day, build a new house and a swimming pool and the contract was going to be for a multi-book deal.

It did not sell! 

My daughter started sleeping at night so the writing business got put on hold for many years. When I pulled it out again there were electric typewriters on the market, word processors that looked like glorified electric typewriters and I found myself in a much easier world than the old Underwood days. The ribbons were even half white so corrections were even easier.

I was now ready to write the next big thing…a visit to Oprah danced in my head.

Those stories did not sell!

PC’s came to the market. Surely with all that technology and many years of writing a newspaper column under my belt, I was ready to produce the novel of the century. I had enough rejection slips to paper the White House; that big one on Pennsylvania Avenue, not the two holer at the end of the back lot. 

Those were the years of writing query letters, sending them with SASE (always) and waiting six months for a reply. Hopefully, the Gods of Publishing or Gods of the Agents would ask to see three chapters and a synopsis. When they did, the job involved getting it ready to send in hard copy, mailing it and waiting another six months. Then if they asked to see the full manuscript, it was typing the whole thing perfectly, printing, mailing and you got it…waiting!

But one day all the waiting paid off and I sold two books! Revisions came in letter form and hard copies went back and forth. Then I sold four more and it was the same. 

The line I’d been working for died and I went to another publisher and not much changed. Query in letter form, send hard copies by mail, revisions by mail. 

And then boom! I started selling cowboys and everything started popping. Everything was done by email…no more trips to the post office, no more edit letters by mail and buying reams upon reams of copy paper for hard copies. 

Don’t tell me cowboys don’t make things happen in a big way!

The next step my books being available in e-book format for the new and upcoming Nook and Kindles and then they hit the book clubs and were available in hard copy as well as eBook and paper back.

ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING was written on a lap top that I can carry with me wherever I go. It was backed up on a flash drive no bigger than a tub of lipstick. No more hardcopy back ups that take a whole closet shelf. No more computers as big as a desk top. It can be ordered on line in any format that you want: paperback, hard copy, eBook.

Nora Roberts spoke to the RWA Conference in Orlando a couple of years ago and her words have stayed with me. She said that we have it easy these days with the technology and less waiting and more avenues to get our books out to the readers but to remember that our craft can be done with a pencil and a notebook. That if we have a writer’s soul with a book full of quirky or interesting characters begging to be written that we can do the job. However, it takes discipline to keep writing and determination to keep on going when the rejection letters are piling up.

For me, it all started many years ago with a pencil and a notebook. There has been lots of determination and discipline but it’s paid off. ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING is my fifty-sixth published book. 

It’ll be fun to see what direction the writing and publishing fields take in the next five years. What do you like…hard cover books, paperbacks or eBooks? Do you take a book from the shelf if the cover catches your eye? Or do you grab it because you know the author? What do you foresee in the future for the publishing industry?

Carolyn, thanks so much for visiting again and giving us this glimpse at how the publishing industry has changed. I think the changes have been a wonderful thing for us readers. I realize each day how eBooks are becoming more popular and convenient, but I still enjoy the feel of a print book (hardcover or paperback) in my hands. 

Now for a brief synopsis of ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING (which I’ll also have a review for you soon):
A marriage made in Vegas...
Hunky cowboy Ace Riley wasn't planning on settling down, but his family had other plans for him...The only way to save his hide, and his playboy lifestyle, is to discreetly marry his best friend, Jasmine King.

Can't possibly last…
Fiesty city–girl Jasmine as just helping out her friend—that is, until their first kiss stirs up a whole mess of trouble, and suddenly discretion is thrown to the wind.

One hot cowboy, one riled up woman...
And they'll be married for a year, like it or not!

Now for a bit of background on Carolyn. She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than forty books published, and credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She writes bestselling single title cowboy and country music mass market romances. 

Born in Texas and raised in southern Oklahoma, Carolyn and her husband now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma, where she continues to write more cowboy romances! For more information on Carolyn and her writing, visit her website at www.CarolynLBrown.com. 

If you’re a writer, has the changes in the publishing industry been a good thing for you? If you’re a reader, has the changes expanded your ability to get more books or books sooner? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of ONE HOT COWBOY WEDDING. It’s a fun read that you’ll find hard to put down.  

Book Launch For An Accidental Affair by Eric Jerome Dickey

It’s always exciting when a bestselling author visits your area of the world promoting their latest work.

New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey will be in Atlanta (GA) tomorrow (Tuesday, April 17th) to launch his newest seductive thriller, AN ACCIDENTAL AFFAIR. Dickey will be at the Barnes and Noble located at 2900 Peachtree Road NE at 7 p.m. For more on his book signing, visit www.barnesandnoble.com.

AN ACCIDENTAL AFFAIR pulls readers into the tempestuous world of Hollywood tabloids and the lives of celebrity power couple Regina Baptiste, A-list actress, and James Thicke, acclaimed screenwriter.

Regina and costar Johnny Bergs take too much acting liberty for a love scene, leading to a compromising situation. Within hours, a leaked video of Regina’s infidelity has gone viral. In a fit of anger, James savagely attacks Johnny then flees Los Angeles. Lust, blackmail, and revenge become his constant companions as he weathers the raging storm. Does an accidental affair spell permanent danger? 

AN ACCIDENTAL AFFAIR is the book Dickey fans have been waiting for. Sensual, smart, and as fast-paced as ever, Dickey once again “pushes romance and deceit to the next level” (USA Weekend).

According to the Amazon posting: AN ACCIDENTAL AFFAIR has the eroticism of Pleasure, the intrigue of Thieves' Paradise, the relentless pacing of Drive Me Crazy, and a female lead as complex as Genevieve. 

Dickey has a number of other book signing scheduled with the next one set for Wednesday, April 18, in my second favorite city, Houston (TX). He will be at the Barnes and Noble located at 7626 Westheimer at 7 p.m.

Here’s a listing of Dickey’s other signings, hopefully one will be near you. 

KILLEEN, TX - Thursday, April 19 - noon - HEB #581 – 3 Plus Store, 2511 Trimmier Rd., www.heb.com

LOS ANGELES, CA - Friday, April 20 - 7 p.m. - Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Boulevard, www.esowonbookstore.com

LOS ANGELES, CA - Saturday, April 21 - Time TBA - LA Times Festival of Books, University of Southern CA, http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Saturday, April 21 - 6 p.m. - Russo’s Books, 9000 Ming Avenue #I-4, www.russosbooks.com

CORTE MADERA, CA - Sunday, April 22 - 4 p.m. - Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Boulevard, www.bookpassage.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Monday, April 23 - 12:30 p.m. - Alexander Book Company, 50 Second Street, www.alexanderbook.com

OAKLAND, CA - Tuesday, April 24 - 6:30 p.m. - Marcus Bookstore, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr., www.marcusbookstores.com

Dickey will have 2 signings that are not open to the general public, but are for members of the armed forces. The signings include:
FORT HOOD, TX - Thursday, April 19 - 5 p.m. - Fort Hood Exchange, Clear Creek Main Exchange, Bldg 50004.

FORT LEWIS, WA - Wednesday, April 25 - 4 p.m. - Fort Lewis Exchange, Building 5280, Pendleton Avenue.

Have you had the chance to meet a favorite author in person before? If you’re a writer, what is the worst part of participating in a book signing? Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day. Remember to smile and make others wonder what you’re up to.

Sunday Salon: Books To Make You Smile, Wonder

Each week readers throughout blogdom gather together to celebrate Sunday Salon - a time of relaxing and discussing the wonderful books we’ve read or discovered.

This week I’d like to tell you about a delightful children’s book that adults will also find entertaining and a couple of mysteries that will keep you guessing until the end. So refill that cup with your favorite beverage, get relaxed in your most comfortable chair and let’s talk books.

THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS by Ruth Kaiser

We are never too old to learn and author Ruth Kaiser has a new book out that shows learning is fun and can be done anywhere.

THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS is a delightful book that teaches not only colors, but that happiness can be found in the most unique places. The inspiring rhyming text is accompanied by vivid color photos of objects featuring smiles. 

The objects include such things as the back of a chair, a tennis shoe, stacked concrete blocks, a slice of strawberry, and a bowl of mac and cheese. 

The author encourages readers to find happiness in everything around them. The photos will make you smile and have you looking at simple objects in a completely different light. If you look hard enough, you’ll be amazed where you can find smiles.

The book is a fun way to teach youngsters colors, about various objects, and how to how an enjoyable time learning.

The book came about through the author’s website, Spontaneous Smiley.

The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser, Gooden Books, @2012, ISBN: 978-0375869839, Hardcover, 32 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - A PDF of this book was sent to me by the author as part of her blog tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

*BTW, be sure to stop back by on Wednesday, April 18th, when author Ruth Kaiser visits. Her topic is “Be Porous, Not Teflon.”

 

DEADER HOMES AND GARDENS by Joan Hess

Three people in a house may not sound like too many for most, but for newly married Claire Malloy her cozy 2 bedroom apartment is too small for herself, her new husband, deputy police chief Peter Rosen, and her teenage daughter, Caron.

While house hunting Claire finally finds her dream home located in an area known as Hollow Valley. However, there are some problems like the real estate agent disappearing while showing Claire the house.

Claire contacts the owner of the property and he decides to return to the area to discuss the sale with her. When he dies a mysterious death, Claire knows there’s more to Hollow Valley and it’s cast of zany residents. Will she be able to find the killer before she becomes a permanent resident of the Hollow Valley Cemetery?

Author Joan Hess has created a likable and fun protagonist in Claire Malloy. The cast of supporting characters are witty and help move the story along at a good pace. With a number of twists and turns along the way, the author keeps you guessing who the real killer is while giving you laugh-out-loud moments to break the tension.

Rachael Warren does a delightful job narrating the story. Her cadence will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat. She does a wonderful job giving each character their own unique voice.

DEADER HOMES AND GARDENS is the 18th installment in the Claire Malloy Mystery series, but is a stand along book. It’s a fun read (or listen) filled with suspense and intrigue.

Deader Homes and Gardens by Joan Hess, A Claire Malloy Mystery, Narrated by Rachael Warren, AudioGo, @2012, ISBN: 978-1609983963, Unabridged, 9 Discs, Listening Time Approximately 11 Hours, 9 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

THE VIOGNIER VENDETTA by Ellen Crosby

Who knew reuniting with an old friend could lead to murder, mystery and the downfall of an investment guru.

Lucie Montgomery visits Washington, D.C. at the request of an old friends, Rebecca Natale, who she hasn’t seen in years. After a brief reunion, Rebecca leaves on an errand for her boss, billionaire philanthropist Sir Thomas Asher, but never returns. Also missing is an antique silver wine vessel with an questionable history.

When Rebecca’s clothes are found near the Potomac River, authorities believe she may have committed suicide. Lucie doesn’t believe it. She begins suspect murder when she learns Rebecca was apparently going to help provide information against her boss in revealing his financial scam.

Author Ellen Crosby transports you to the wine country of Virginia with her vivid descriptions of the landscape and its residents. The story flows smoothly as the protagonist travels between wine country and the politics of Washington, D.C. It’s a fast-pace story with some unique twists and turns.

Narrator Christine Marshall does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. She provides the emotions to draw listeners further into the story.

THE VIOGNIER VENDETTA is the 5th installment in the Wine Country Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. This story is filled with suspense and intrigue making it a fun read.

The Viognier Vendetta by Ellen Crosby, A Wine Country Mystery, Narrated by Christine Marshall, AudioGo, @2010, ISBN: 978-1609988401, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Listening Time Approximately 9 Hours, 26 Miinutes 

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

What was on your reading’s list this past week? Have you ever stopped and try to find a smile in unusual objects? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Author Boo Walker Discusses Writing, LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH

It’s my pleasure to welcome debut author Boo Walker here today to answers some questions and talk about his latest release, LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH, which offers thriller/suspense/mystery readers a real treat.

LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH is a mystery thriller where the hero, a DEA agent who recently experienced tragedy (an accidental killing of a friend) and a broken heart (wife left him), goes back to his hometown, Charleston, to regroup. There, finds himself in the middle of a complicated drug trafficking scheme that threatens the lives of the people he knows.
  

What’s unique about the story is that yes, it has all the things that mystery and thriller readers love—fast-moving, expertly crafted plot, intelligent twists, plenty of action/surprises etc.—but it also gives us a fully rendered character, with a personal story that's just as engaging (and surprising) as the action. The setting and the way it's written, adds to both his personal struggles and the action. The result is a really fun read. 

 
The hero, TA Reddick, is tough as nails—a real guy’s guy—but has a believable weakness for women (they twist him every which way, and his broken heart may as well be a bullet wound). And he comes across real, like the kind of guy you’d love to hang out with (and be saved by.

Boo is here to answer some questions for me about his book and his writing.

Mason - The age old question - What inspired you to write this book?

BOO - Oddly enough, I wanted to write a love story. My kind of love story, not romantic fiction but a love story wrapped up in a thriller cloak. T.A. Reddick is one of those guys that just can't get a break with the women in his life, and I had a ball watching him get kicked while he was down. Of course, I knew he could handle it. As far as location, I've loved Charleston since I was a boy, and I had so much I wanted to share with the world about the Holy City, so it only made sense to set Reddick loose there. And as far as the DEA thing, as a boy and even so now, I love Miami Vice. So this is my version of Miami Vice, a lowcountry version.

 

Mason - How do you go about doing research for your writing? Is it a process you enjoy or just find it necessary?

BOO - In researching LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH, I called the local DEA office in Charleston. Two weeks later, I walked into their office and was led to a board room with four or five agents in there. I was terrified at first, almost like I had done something wrong but after they interrogated me for a while, it started to get fun. They must have spent an hour with me answering questions and tossing out ideas. I think they enjoyed it too. I kept in touch with one of the agents and we started having lunch together about once a week. Though he asked that I not mention his name, I owe him a great deal. Other than that, I did a ton of reading. I must have read just about every book out there written by or about DEA agents. I even found a copy of the official DEA manual on Ebay. Needless to say, I had a blast doing the research and above all else, it's where many of my best ideas came from. 

Mason - What was the best/worst thing about writing?

BOO - The worst is always the depression.... that feeling that you're no good. That little voice that asks you why the heck you're spending all that time locked up in a room trying to write a story worth reading. I think all writers go through that. But it's those that get past it and are able to shut that voice out that finish their books and find the light at the end. The best part is easy... there's not much more satisfying in this world than typing the last lines of a book. You know you've bested those voices that were desperate in talking you out of it and that you've really accomplished something worth being proud of.  

Mason - Is there a message you’d like readers to take away from your book?

 

BOO - First off, I hope they fall in love with Charleston, just like I did. Not enough to move here but enough to come visit. I want to keep the population right where it is! Secondly, I hope everyone closes the book with a little different perspective on love. We all need reminders that there is nothing more important in this world than those we love. I hope this book does that in an odd, thriller-like way.

 

Mason - What can readers expect next from you?

 

BOO - I am a couple chapters away from finishing my next one, TURN OR BURN. It's a story about Harper Knox, a war vet and military contractor who has left the battlefield and returned to his home on Red Mountain in Eastern WA State to plant a vineyard on his family's land, hoping that a more relaxed lifestyle might help him heal from PTSD. But as most everyone who starts a vineyard experiences, he is running out of money. So he agrees to take a bodyguard gig in Seattle protecting a doctor on the cusp of some very advanced discoveries regarding the connection between man and machine. Harper will soon discover PTSD is the last of his worries. And of course, there's a woman right in the middle of it, and just like my wife, she has thick Italian blood running right through her!     

Boo, thanks for guest blogging and answering these questions for me. It’s fun knowing Miami Vice had an influence on your writing (fun show). Your next book sounds intriguing too.

Now for a little background on Boo. He spent his College of Charleston years and a few after in Nashville as a banjoist and songwriter for the avant-garde punchgrass band, The Biscuit Boys. Some hand problems knocked him out of the game, and he stumbled into a position with Automated Trading Desk, a short term equity trading firm based out of Mt. Pleasant, SC. To feed his ravenous muse, he began writing his first novel, LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH. Around that time, what started as a passion in wine became a neurosis.

After six years of the Wall Street thing, Boo decided it was time to end his sedentary, computer-driven lifestyle. He grew out a handlebar mustache and moved clear across the country into a double-wide trailer situated on 5 acres of Malbec vines just down the road from Hedges Family Estate on Red Mountain in Washington State. The Hedges family took him in and taught him the art of farming and the old world philosophies of wine. He now travels North America peddling the family's vintage, and chances are you can find him in an airport somewhere working on his next novel. 

For more on Boo and his writing, visit his website at http://boowalker.com/boo

Here is what some readers had to say about LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH:
“His characters were so enthralling and believable- that I felt as if I was sharing their moments concurrently with them. I can't wait for his next book...I hope TA/Travis returns!! Bravo!” -- Teacher Traveler 

  
“This was a great book, full of laughter and intrigue, then finally a can't-put-it-down finish that had me reading late into the night! It's a fast-paced mystery with a tough-as-nails, gritty hero, TA Reddick. He's quick to anger and eager to fight, yet openly adores his family, his loves, wine and jazz, with great references to musical artists and banjo.” -- Elizabeth  

“I was impressed with Walker's ability to craft his first novel with the color and eloquence of a longtime novelist. His first person narration transported me to the Lowcountry in a way that authors such as Conroy and Benton Frank haven't been able to do for me. Any transplant to the area can more easily imagine themselves in the Charleston Walker paints over the romanticized versions depicted by the more well known authors.” -- Mermaid 

  
“I had a hard time putting Boo Walker's LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH down! To complete a book in a couple of days between working and caring for two kids under ate 2 says a lot. Good job, Boo- cant wait for the next one!” -- RJRobbins

 

Here’s a recap of the synposis:
After one of the worst nights of his life, DEA Agent T.A. Reddick leaves Miami for Charleston, South Carolina, hoping a return to his roots will heal a wounded heart and relieve the guilt of killing a friend. The sleepy and sultry city of Charleston is filled with echoes of the Old South: Genteel playboys, society debutantes, and quiet cobblestone streets. But as Reddick will soon discover, there's very real danger lurking beneath her charming veneer. 

 
When a movie star's death shines a national spotlight on Charleston's underground cocaine trade, Reddick must go undercover to find the main supplier and shut him down. As a hurricane bears down on the port city and the DEA gets ready to spring its trap, Reddick must contend with more than he’s ever been able to handle.

As an action story, LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH promises plenty of thrills, but goes a step further. Walker has achieved a kind of hero that can draw you in on his personality alone. Written in an easy-to-read, breezy style, LOWCOUNTRY PUNCH transports you into the sumptuous world of the Old South, as it straps you in for an action packed thrill ride. 

Do you enjoy books that transport you to a different place or time? Does the setting matter in a story? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great (and lucky) Friday the 13th.

Giveaway of THE LIFEBOAT by Charlotte Rogan

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on Saturday, April 14, many are thinking about the tragic sailing vessel and what occurred to its passengers.

Taking a different look at what could happen on a sinking ship, author Charlotte Rogan brings a provocative read in her release, THE LIFEBOAT. 

She asks the simple question, “What would you do to save your life?" She answers it in the most complex of scenarios. Its narrator, Grace, takes you into her world and presents the story as she sees it unfold from her seat in the lifeboat. Her observations leave you thinking, and when everything ought to be how it should be, you wonder just when you crossed that line with the narrator between humanity and survival.

Thanks to the author, as well as Anna and the good folks at Little, Brown and Company, I have 3 copies of THE LIFEBOAT to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for the guidelines.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:
Grace Winter, 22, is both a newlywed and a widow. She is also on trial for her life.

In the summer of 1914, the elegant ocean liner carrying her and her husband Henry across the Atlantic suffers a mysterious explosion. Setting aside his own safety, Henry secures Grace a place in a lifeboat, which the survivors quickly realize is over capacity. For any to live, some must die.

As the castaways battle the elements, and each other, Grace recollects the unorthodox way she and Henry met, and the new life of privilege she thought she'd found. Will she pay any price to keep it?

THE LIFEBOAT is a page-turning novel of hard choices and survival, narrated by a woman as unforgettable and complex as the events she describes. 
  
The author graduated from Princeton University in 1975. She worked at various jobs, mostly in the fields of architecture and engineering, before teaching herself to write and staying home to bring up triplets. After many years in Dallas and a year in Johannesburg, she and her husband now live in Westport, Connecticut. 

For more on the author, her writing, and a reading group guide, visit her website at www.charlotterogan.com, like THE LIFEBOAT Facebook Page and check out the excerpt, talk to Charlotte Rogan on Facebook or on Twitter @Charlotte_Rogan.

Here’s an interesting book trailer for THE LIFEBOAT for your enjoyment.

Now the giveaway guidelines. Send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) and your subject line should read, “Win THE LIFEBOAT.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. Canadian residents are asked to also include their telephone number. Just so you know, I don’t share any of this information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance at 1 of 3 copies of the 288-page THE LIFEBOAT (ISBN: 9780316185905) is 8 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, April 24.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great day.

Author Tiffany Craig Brown: Creating Believable, Empathetic Characters

 
It’s my pleasure to welcome author Tiffany Craig Brown here today as she makes a stop on her Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tour with her latest release, HEAVEN’S RAGE.

Tiffany is joining us to talk about how to develop believable and empathetic characters. But first here’s a synopsis of HEAVEN’S RAGE:

Homicide Detective Ian Buchanan is assigned to the murder investigation of Richard Tate, a retired military helicopter pilot. Buchanan quickly determines the victim’s three former wives and college girlfriend all had motive and opportunity to commit the crime. As each of these women takes him through her volatile relationship with Tate, the detective finds himself sympathizing with his suspects rather than with the victim.
 
GINA RODRIGUEZ is a career naval officer determined to break through the invisible barriers of a male-dominated military. It’s 1989 and along comes Dick Tate to charm her through a whirlwind romance that leads to an explosive relationship with a drunken and abusive husband.
MEG MCALLISTAR is devoted to her son, but manages to get away one night a week to party at a nearby naval base. During one of those evenings in 1982, she meets the recently divorced Dick Tate. Two years later they marry. As Dick’s bitter resentment of his first wife grows, Meg is subjected to his frequent fits of rage.
JORDAN CAMPBELL is just completing her Army training when she meets Dick Tate, a young pilot-trainee. Their brief romance is threatened when they each receive orders to opposite sides of the country, prompting them to wed quickly. Shortly thereafter, Jordan discovers she’s pregnant and is discharged from the Army.
COLLEEN MORGAN and Dick Tate are both members of their college swim team. After dating for a couple of months, Dick is becoming serious, but his chameleon-like moods trouble her and she decides to end the relationship. 

Now here’s Tiffany talking about believable and empathetic characters.

Know your character 
We’ve all heard the phrase, “write what you know”. In fiction, this bit of advice extends not only to your story line but to your characters. Start with people in your life, note their character traits and imagine how they would react to the situation at hand. Keep that vision in your head while writing about a particular character in your story. (The key here, though, is not to let on to your friend or family member that their personality is the inspiration for your character. They might, understandably, find that a little creepy!) 
 
Another way to “know” your character is to engage in people watching. Wherever you go, you run into different types of people, each with individual personality traits. Watch them. How do they look and how does that play with their speaking style? Study their body language; watch their behavior and how they react to their environment and other people. Keep a note-taking device with you, be it a notebook or an iPad, to jot down ideas you derive from this exercise. 
  
Understand your character 
When writing fiction, one of the most difficult challenges an author faces is to create characters for which the reader can feel empathy. Whether your character is a hero, villain, victim or a minor part of your story, your goal is to have your readers feel the character’s emotions. This is where your understanding of your character comes in. Regardless of their exterior qualities, or maybe despite them, who your character “is” depends upon their past experiences. Their memories (happy and sad), trauma, resentments and inner demons all fit together like puzzle pieces in their development and impact their personalities, their morals and their behavior.  
  
Create a Character Profile
The profiles you build before you write your story helps bring your characters to life, making them believable because, in a sense, they are real, if only in your imagination.  
 
Before I “put pen to paper” for my mystery novel, HEAVEN’S RAGE, I created a spreadsheet listing each character’s name, gender, age, ethnic background, body type, hair and eye color, education, family members, character traits and background.  
  
Once I had developed the basic idea for my story, I determined who my main characters would be and then built their families, friend and coworkers around them. This helped me create each character’s personality. At that point, I gave them a name. I spent days researching names and the meaning behind them. For example, my character, Gina, thought very highly of herself, so I decided to make her full name Regina, which means “queenly”. I paid equal attention to my character’s surnames.  

Compiling this information about each of your main characters before you write your novel will help develop characters to which your readers can relate and find believable.
 
Tiffany, thanks so much for guest blogging. You’ve made some good points here about what makes up a character, especially one that readers will enjoy knowing more about.

Here’s a little background on Tiffany. As the daughter of a career Air Force officer, she has traveled the world, living in such exotic places as Ethiopia and Japan. Some of her first memories include bathing beneath waterfalls in the African bush. She also saw first-hand the effects of extreme poverty and disease which taught her to appreciate how lucky she was to have been born an American. 

After a tour in the Army and a brief marriage, Tiffany moved to San Diego, California with her two young children and enrolled in college. Three years later, she transferred to California State University, Sacramento, where she received a B.S. in Business Administration. Following her two years as a financial consultant, Tiffany used her financial knowledge and writing skills to gain the position of Corporate Communications Manager for an investment firm where she met her husband. She spent the next 20 years working in various capacities within the communications field. 

Tiffany served as Director of Advertising for the Natomas Journal before taking over the role of Managing Editor in 2000. During that time, she also sat on the board of the Natomas Business Association. She resigned from the Natomas Journal in 2003 to fulfill her dream of writing a novel. Tiffany resides in Sacramento with her husband. Her grown children live nearby and visit often.

For more on Tiffany and her writing, visit her website at www.tiffanycraigbrown.com
 
Do you enjoy stories more when you recognize traits in the characters that resemble people you know? Thanks so much for stopping by today.