Seduction in Three - @DonWooldridge lets us look inside New Beginnings for the Blogger Book Fair #BBF

A big welcome to Don Wooldridge who is here today for the last post of the Blogger Book Fair. He, like many of my previous visitors, is going to tempt you to read his book with a Three-Sentence Seduction:

Book Title

New Beginnings: Book 2 The Secrets of Clayton County Trilogy

A Character:

Wendy: “There will be no tomboys in my house, Kent! She'll be Wendy.”

A Location:

“You’ve got to Zoe, or we’ll lose our secret spot. Come on. Get tough!”

A scene-ending sentence:

How many times had Wendy made Sarah regret that she ever wanted a little girl? How many?

About The Author:

Don Wooldridge, born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, lived in the Mississippi River Valley for over 30 years. His life by the river involved boating, water skiing, duck hunting, and fishing.

Don is very grateful for the chance to live along the Mississippi river; to know the people of the small river communities; and to share their faith that the small town values and lifestyle will be everlasting.

He spent 30 years in the technical training and development arena, where he was a technical writer, instructional designer, interactive learning systems designer and producer.

As an instructor Don taught "Classroom Instruction Techniques for Subject Matter Experts" throughout the US and Canada, as well as England, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. He earned a teaching degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and a two year certificate in Golf Course Turf Management from Rutgers University in Brunswick, New Jersey.

Thank you for your invite, Emma! Please continue to connect:

booksbydon@gmail.com

Please add as a friend on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pdwooldridge

Please "Like" my fan page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Don-Wooldridge-Author/183742818445409?fref=ts

Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/DWoolAuthor

Pin me on Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/dwooldridgeauth/boards/

Take a walk around my website

http://www.donwooldridgeauthor.com


Taking readers back to their roots, with a little romance and suspense!
~ Don Wooldridge


AMAZON AUTHOR CENTRAL: http://www.amazon.com/Don-Wooldridge/e/B005IAZZP2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1



AUTHOR’s DEN: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?id=177354

Poetry at the Blogger Book Fair from @AriaGlazki #BBF

My guest for the Blogger Book Fair today brings some poetry to the party - welcome Aria Glazki.

Life Under Examination is the recently released poetry collection, by A.T. Glazki, which explores the full range of interpersonal relationships, with a blend of lighthearted satire and earnest, emotional expression. 

It is now available through Amazon, Smashwords, or 
the author’s site. 

The preview poem below celebrates the power of creativity, in theme with the Blogger Book Fair! 

Otherworldly Remedy

Gargoyles, and witches, and pixies, and elves –
All are examples of our inventive selves.
The fey, the centaurs, the magic, the real –
It all shows who we are, how we feel.

From mountains to valleys, villages, and towns,
In every crevice enchantment abounds.

Amazing, are they not? The realms we can travel,
Without ever leaving our castle or hovel.
The rich, the poor, the hungry, or sated –
We all can share the worlds they've created.

Those brilliant people – you know who I mean:
The authors, the poets, the painters you've seen.

All of those worlds that pour out of their souls,
Aching to fill all the heartbreak, the holes
That others’ deeds or others’ thoughts
Had created – those blemished spots.

Let yourself travel, let yourself feel,
And let yourself question: what defines real?

The pixies, the elves, the gargoyles, the fey –
All do exist, in their own special way.
For what are our lives if they're not filled with magic?
They're pointless, and dull, and so very tragic.

Travel those worlds; let yourself live.
In worlds full of magic, you'll forget and forgive.

by A.T. Glazki.

Author Bio: 

A.T. Glazki’s writing story starts with one of those cliché beginnings when an English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!  

Since then, A.T. has run a literary magazine, completed her Creative Writing degree, been published a few more times, and of course spent countless hours writing. 

After a brief hiatus, she was a 2012 NaNoWriMo winner, which re-inspired her to pursue writing as a career. 

 Learn more about A.T. Glazki and her writing through her blog or follow her on Twitter (@AriaGlazki)!

Aria has a giveaway for the Blogger Book Fair:

 http://ariaglazki.blogspot.com/2013/07/blogger-book-fair

Aria was visiting from the Blogger Book Fair - I will be posting at her blog today and at other blogging locations between the 22nd-26th July (see links below)

 Blogger Book Fair:

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://www.thenuclearcatastrophe.blogspot.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

Blogger Book Fair - @BarbaraBillig Guest Post - The Nuclear Catastrophe #BBF

Today as part of the Blogger Book Fair I am hosting the author Barbara Billig...

THE NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE, a fiction novel of survival (3rd edition) A new FICTION NOVEL for EVERYONE – written for your entertainment & to raise nuclear awareness.

 THE NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE is set in Southern California and deals with characters caught in a disaster that they thought could NEVER happen. Ben, head of Whitewater Nuclear Power Plant & his pregnant wife Sara live in San Mirado, near the ocean. One fateful day the unexpected happens.....Ben and Sara, the plant workers, the people living in San Mirado and those in adjacent cities all have to make decisions as to what to do, where to go. Their choices have both good and bad consequences.

This fictional story brings home the reality of what would or could happen. History has shown us time after time that......what can go wrong....will go wrong. What would YOU do? Your answers may be different after reading this novel.

Read how these characters faced difficult choices - and decide what you would have done - or will do.

This book is available at Amazon Worldwide as an ebook (Kindle version) or in paperback. Kindle books can be downloaded to The Kindle or to a PC or Tablet, Notebook, or Smartphone.

Visit Amazon.com to download a free Kindle app that allows this book to be read on a PC, Tablet, Notebook, or Smartphone.

 This fiction novel is meant to entertain and to educate. Very little has been written on this subject that is not a deep non-fiction book. And now that we have experienced the nuclear disasters of Fukushima and Chernobyl we know how dangerous these power plants can be.

As of 2011 there were 442 nuclear power plants operating or under construction in the world. The United States has 104. Whether it is a terrorist dirty bomb or a nuclear melt down - we should know what is happening and be prepared. I hope you will take the time to read this fictional story.

50% of the proceeds from the sale of the E book in 2013 are being donated to a charity to support the forgotten victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.   Download from Amazon

What some of the readers have said: 

"I enjoyed this book because it could happen. I think anyone living in a state with a nuclear reactor exists should read this."

"A frightening tale of survival. You never really think about the events that take place after you have been stripped of normal day to day resources. No police, hospitals, you are your own 911 and now have to protect yourself against the world." 

"A worthy read! This is a book whose vivid, thought-provoking images have stayed with me even months after reading it! It helped me to better understand the potential repercussions of a nuclear disaster."

Barbara Griffin Billig Thanks You For Your Interest!

Amazon Page: http://authl.it/B004WDRWXY

Web Page:http://mysite.verizon.net/resrrmof/ Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBilligTheNuclearCatastrophe Follow on twitter: @Barbarabillig Available for Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WDRWXY On Pinterest:/http://pinterest.com/barbarabillig/nuclear-catastrophes/ 

Read an excerpt now:http://bit.ly/pY8HxX 

Available also as THE DISQUIET SURVIVORS of The Nuclear Catastrophe in Paperback

Thanks for visiting Barbara!

 - I am visiting Barbara's blog today as well as others in the Blogger Book Fair over the next few days:

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://billigreadersandwriters.wordpress.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

Three Sentence Seduction – Basement Level 5: Never Scared - for the Blogger Book Fair with @LWrightAuthor #BBF

Today I am hosting author L.R. Wright for the Blogger Book Fair.  She has taken up my suggestion for a 'Three Sentence Seduction' - selecting one sentence describing a character, another for a location and a third, a favourite end-of-scene finishing sentence.  

Three Sentence Seduction – Basement Level 5: Never Scared, by L.R.Wright

A Character: 

Sentence #1: “Drop your gun, Tommy, or I’ll blow you to hell,” Alexa commanded softly.

A Location:

Sentence #2: What a difference from the dungeon-like hallway! The freshly painted walls and the plush carpet seemed strangely out of place, considering they were in an underground bunker.

An end-of-scene:

Sentence #3: She wasn’t lightheaded, she was dying.

Blurb: Whoever was trying to kill her didn’t know her very well, or they’d have sent enough men to do the job...

Alexa Martinez was raised to believe that murder, deceit, and lies were a part of life. A trained killer, she follows in her father’s footsteps, specializing in political assassinations for Martinez Security—contracted through the CIA. She thrives on the power, money, respect, and—most of all—the adrenaline rush.Despite the danger associated with her profession, Alexa strives to give her children a normal life. But when her past catches up with her, they become pawns in a deadly game of revenge. Operating from a secret base, five levels below ground, Alexa struggles to unravel the puzzle, uncovering secrets that will alter their lives forever. Now she must make a choice—is she willing to die to give her children a life outside the bullet-proof glass?

About L. R. Wright:

L. R. Wright is a devoted wife of many years. She is the mother of three children who inspire and motivate her to follow her dreams. In addition to writing, Wright loves to plan events for her friends and family.

Where can readers find you and your work?

My blog: www.thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.com

Website: www.lwrightauthor.com

Facebook: Leslie Wright Author

Twitter: @LWrightAuthor

Publisher: www.blackopalbooks.com

Basement Level 5: Never Scared can be found at:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/155672

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XO3H9M/?tag=viewbookat0e-20

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/basement-level-5-l-r-wright/1109472392?ean=2940014569019

All Romance: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-basementlevel5neverscared-786346-149.html

The world of Kellen St. James comes alive in The Star Child from @StephanieKeyes

From July 23-25, The Star Child, the YA Paranormal Romance from Stephanie Keyes is on sale for $1.99!

Kindle users can download from Amazon HERE.

Nook user? Download HERE.

"Keyes very cleverly ensures the book is unputdownable by reeling in the reader within the first few opening pages."- BestChickLit.com

"This was a wonderfully written Young Adult Paranormal Romance. The world and characters are phenomenally crafted." The BookMaven

"Stephanie Keyes is a wonderful voice for a new generation of YA readers. She has skilfully blended mythology and faerie-tale into an original and enthralling story. Pure magick! I'm looking forward to more. - Helen Hart, author, The Black Banner

'Three Sentence Seduction' - @PenelopeReece tempts us to try Phantasma for the Blogger Book Fair #BBF

For the Blogger Book Fair I invited authors to submit three of their best sentences from one of their books. Today, Penelope Reece posts to tempt you to a copy of her novel Phantasma...  and as a special offer you can get a copy for just 99c/76p here:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/319112

Three Sentence Seduction of Phantasma

1. Unlike most kids, I had no memories of my early childhood. (Alphie Brewster, protagonist)
2. Above us was a muddy sky heavy with polluted smoke.
3. I wanted the memories to stay hidden

An Excerpt of Phantasma (in case you want to use it)

"Let this be a dream! My mind screamed. Let me wake up! I chanted the words in my mind, but I knew I wasn’t sleeping. The nightmare was very much real. My eyes and nose were all too aware of this fact. My body knew too, that’s why it was flat lining.
Next to me, the figure continued to breathe, his rancid breath caressing my ear while the smell burned a fiery path through my nostrils. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer, and slowly – oh so painfully slow – I turned my head to look upon the face of, what I was sure was, a nightmare made flesh."

Book Blurb: (Phantasma)

Good school, nice friends, and a loving family. Alphie Brewster's life seems perfect except for one growing problem. She’s plagued with vivid nightmares, and is haunted by a forgotten past. And it's only getting worse.

The day she finds a mysterious necklace, Alphie wakes to see a ghostly figure leaning over her bed. Now she's got an even greater problem. A six foot four inch tall eccentric spook, named Noer, who has to possess her in order to stay in this world. He fills her with fire while slowly draining her energy as if she were a Duracell Battery.

Now her problems only seem to be escalating. The more she learns about Noer, the more she starts to remember her childhood. One that should have stayed buried and could very well tear her apart.  

Author Bio:

Penelope Reece, Penn for short (b. 1984), is an author living in Central Indiana with her husband of two years and her tiny Pomeranian, Kodi.

She graduated from Indiana University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in English. She then went on to spend nearly three years in South Korea where she taught English in a private academy. It was here that she met and married her husband in June of 2010.

They recently moved back to the States in March of 2012.

Penelope's been writing ever since her nerdy high school days where her joys were limited to marching band and day dreaming.

Her other joys include reading, crocheting, snuggling her little Kodi-man, and watching comedic TV shows such as Parks, and the IT Crowd. She also enjoys watching Korean dramas, listening to her husband sing. As well as being hyper and annoying her husband as much as she can.

All Links

My blog:

http://penelopereece.blogspot.com

Twitter:

@PenelopeReece

Links:

Sing for Me

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZRHQ28/?tag=viewbookat0e-20

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/305405

Phantasma 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHRLU7M/?tag=viewbookat0e-20

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/319112

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6893940.Penelope_Reece

Penelope was another guest from the Blogger Book Fair - I will be posting at her blog today and at other blogging locations between the 22nd-26th July (see links below)

 Blogger Book Fair:

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://www.thenuclearcatastrophe.blogspot.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

Three Sentence Seduction by @EMTippetts for Someone Else's Fairytale at the Blogger Book Fair #BBF

Welcome to guest blogger  E.M. Tippetts for the Blogger Book Fair.  Come and tempt us with a Three sentence seduction from your book...

A character:
Jason Vanderholt, the Hollywood A-lister:  "I'd always assumed that his blue eyes were airbrushed, but no, they really were that shade of dreamboat blue lined with thick, dark lashes."

A location:
The view from Sandia Tram: "The path below shrank to the width of a thread, and another plane wreck lay half hidden in the jagged rock."

Favourite ending sentence:

Said by a police officer to my main character, Chloe Winters: "Had nightmares about that incident for years, but you look great."

SOMEONE ELSE'S FAIRYTALE - available worldwide on Amazon

About E.M. Tippetts

Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy as Emily Mah. She is a former attorney with degrees in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University and business law from UCLA. These days she lives in New Mexico - the place where she grew up - with her family.

She also designs book covers and formats paperbacks and ebooks for her company E.M. Tippetts Book Designs.

website | facebook | twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks Emily! 

E.M. Tippetts was my guest today as part of the Blogger Book Fair.  I am guest posting on her blog today too,  which you can find in the list below:  the places I am visiting in my travels round the Interglobe for this event.

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://www.thenuclearcatastrophe.blogspot.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

A World Without #Angels - prequel #giveaway Before The Fall for Blogger Book Fair @Miss_Little_Jay #BBF

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on your blog, Emma, I appreciate it.

I was so excited to be part of the Book Blogger Fair, mainly because I get to discover so many good books as well as spread the word about my own. I have always been obsessed with books and stories that I feel so lucky to be able to make my own.

My latest release is called The Aron Angels series. It starts with A World Without Angels and continues on with Angel’s Uprising.

In the series, we follow guardian angel Jerome as he inadvertently falls to Earth in an attempt to save the angels against the demons waging war on them.

While on Earth, he falls in love with the human Leila and together they must solve the ancient prophecy and save the angels and humans alike.

Finding love in a forbidden place, Jerome and Leila find themselves fighting to be permitted to stay together as they take on the angel council.

A World Without Angels and Angel’s Uprising are available now for your kindle. The prequel Before The Fall is currently free now for you to download and get a feel for the series.

Thank you for having me, Emma. Readers of this blog can also find Emma’s post on my website at http://www.jamiecampbell.com.au

Author Links

Jamie Campbell Website:http://www.jamiecampbell.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jamie-Campbell/501949313166685

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Miss_Little_Jay

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jamiecampbell

Computer genius and hacker on the run, banking collapse and vanishing funds. Real life or fiction? @caitlynnicholas #BBF

Today my guest from the Blogger Book Fair is Caitlyn Nicholas with details about her forthcoming book PURSUIT, which is published by Momentum Books and comes out on the 1st August this summer.

Blurb

Legendary hacker, Dimity Pond, is on the run from the law.  

Her landlord’s sold her home, her money has disappeared along with her two-timing husband, a cyber-terrorist named Nemesis is forcing her to wreak havoc with a nasty virus and she's developing a vile migraine.

Six years ago, Nemesis framed Dimity for the collapse of one of Europe's biggest banks. The money was never found, and the bank's failure caused untold damage to its customers. She's been living under the radar ever since. The only way she can clear her name and live a normal life is to uncover Nemesis's identity, but he's always one step ahead.

Since Lord Richard Summerhayes left the Special Forces he's built the best disaster-recovery network in the world, known as The Bunker. Banks, militaries, airports and other major systems around the world rely on him as the last unshakeable digital fortress in the face of disaster. Richard has been keeping an eye on his neighbor who has a dubious hacking past. He doesn't like hackers, and when someone nukes his network with an intriguing new virus he knows exactly who to blame. But when he confronts her, he gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.

When Nemesis commits an unthinkable act of terrorism, the last hope is an encrypted file that only Dimity can crack. Will Nemesis manipulate Dimity into helping him wipe out the world's biggest financial center? Or can Richard and Dimity take Nemesis down once and for all?

Excerpt from Pursuit

“My name is Susan Kiffler.” The woman had a cultured English accent that perfectly matched her outfit. 

Kiffler? Dimity’s heart stopped.

“So?”

The woman scrabbled around in her gigantic mauve handbag. 

“This is a photo of me and my husband, Jake Kiffler, on our wedding day.” She held out a picture with a hand that shook. Not just trembling, but shaking, like an online gamer at the end of a forty-eight hour session, down to his last quart of caffeinated beverage.

Dimity took the photo from the trembling hand and stared at it, trying to make out what it meant. A stunned, sledgehammered feeling made it hard to concentrate. Thoughts skittered out of her grasp and fragmented, like the smashed mug.

One thing was certain.

Jake was the groom who smiled at her from the photo.

“He said it was a disaster, that his first marriage only lasted a few months.” Dimity lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. 

Jake knew her secrets. He’d helped her create a vague sort of life. Hiding. Isolated. 

“Jake Kiffler and I have been married for eleven years.” The woman pulled out a piece of paper and waved it at Dimity. It was a wedding certificate. “We’re not divorced. He’s still my husband.” She pointed to his name on the paper, then put it carefully away.

“Get away from my house.” Dimity reached forward and flicked the photograph back into the gaping bag. “Go away.”

Susan grabbed her wrist. “He’s disappeared. We’ve got two children.”

Author bio

Caitlyn Nicholas began writing in 2005. Exhausted, pregnant and coping with a demanding toddler, she decided the time was right to embark on a writing career.

To her family's eternal startlement she is now the author of five novels and a short story.

Her debut novel - and the first manuscript she had ever written - Running Scared, was published in 2007. This was followed by Secret Intentions in 2009, The Danger Game in 2012 and, Drive Me To Distraction, also in 2012. Her next novel, Pursuit, will be out in August 2013.

Author Links

You can find me online at: http://www.caitlynnicholas.com

My blog: http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaitlynNicholas

Fb: https://www.facebook.com/CaitlynNicholasAuthor

Google plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105412279044420141735/

Buy links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D8MYCTM

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D8MYCTM

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/pursuit/id659158185?mt=11

Momentum: http://momentumbooks.com.au/books/pursuit-2/

Thanks for coming to visit and best of luck with your book launch Caitlyn - it sounds like an intriguing read! 

Caitlyn was visiting from the Blogger Book Fair - I will be posting at her blog today and at other blogging locations between the 22nd-26th July (see links below)

 Blogger Book Fair:

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://www.thenuclearcatastrophe.blogspot.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

Virtual Book Fairs - Do they work?

In answer to my title question - I have no response, as yet.  I am about to embark on the  first virtual book fair that I have ever done, so in a couple of weeks I may have some sort of answer.  

I would say, that it's a phenomenal amount of work... so I hope that there are positive outcomes.  What have you found?  Can you give any tips for getting the most out of this type of event?


As a break from my constant rabbiting on about my new book  (The Love in a Hopeless Place Collection - in case you missed all the hype ;-) ), I am going to be handing over my blog to fellow scribes from around the world and across genres, for the duration of the Blogger Book Fair (BBF) from the 22nd-26th July.

The Blogger Book Fair is a bi-annual event where authors celebrate and showcase each other's work. There are book bargains/freebies/competitions and general literary fun – just like a real book fair but without the travel.

For my own contribution, I have reduced ALL my books to 99c/76p/89€ for the duration of the event.  So, if you need to fill your e-reader for the holidays... now is the time!

Emma Calin books at Amazon UK

Emma Calin books at Amazon USA

Emma Calin books at Amazon Canada

Emma Calin books at Amazon Germany

Here are the bloggers who will be visiting and showing their wares - and who in return, will be hosting me, on the same dates, on their blogs:

22^nd July    Caitlyn Nicholas http://www.caitlynnicholas.blogspot.com

                   Jamie Campbell http://jamiecampbell.com.au/blog/

23^rd July     Emily Tippets http://www.emtippetts.com/search/label/Blog

                   Penelope Reece http://penelopereece.blogspot.co.uk/

24^th July     Leslie R. Wright http://thebasementlevelfive.blogspot.co.uk/

25^th July     Aria Glazki http://ariaglazki.blogspot.co.uk/ 

                   Barbara Billig http://www.thenuclearcatastrophe.blogspot.com/

26^th July     Don Wooldridge http://www.donwooldridge.com

So, here we go - all the fun of the fair... enjoy and hope you enjoy my guests' posts.

Absolutely Nothing To Do With Anything

I'd been writing most of the day. You know, hardcore romance about overwhelming immoral, wonderful, sexual, unmarried love and passion. We went to the shops and had a coffee at an outdoor bar. I sipped a cappuccino  - you know me being a modern sophistocrat and all. The waiters were young guys - students I guess. I was sitting with my lover poet man Oscar talking about character development in a novel. Just how much percentage can you give this stuff? It seemed important to me - but most things I want to say seem that way.

From inside the bar came a young man's pure voice singing Schubert's Ave Maria. I'm no Christian. I'm not anything at all but I know a neutral non sectarian angel of mother love and joy passed by and filled that young guy's heart. He passed it on and I was there. I was a conscious being in that moment and I was more than me.

Emma Thinx: Belief outlines. Disbelief defines.

A Fanfare for the launch of The Love In A Hopeless Place Collection

Why blow your own trumpet if you can blow your own trombone? On Sunday I had the very chance to get up there and show the world my glissando. The clip shows me performing the Muppet Theme.

The trombone fanfare announces the launch of my 

"Love In A Hopeless Place Collection." 

There are five stories included in this 'boxed set'. The theme is that of life and love among folk at the poorer end of society. My impression has often been that working class life is less examined by fiction than higher income groups. The more beautiful and educated are more appealing. Suave heroes and elegant heroines tread the world in pursuit of high ambitions. All the while there's a guy pushing a broom and a woman packing boxes in a warehouse. Sadly these days the term "working class" often means those with no work or those clinging to marginal insecure jobs. There are the illegal immigrants who pick fruit, prepare meat, prop up the sex industry and rinse the rice for our gourmet restaurant dinners.

In my life I have been drawn to these situations. Seeking to be a writer I have chosen not to have a career path but to work in food processing plants, warehouses and as a bus driver. There is passion, colour and humour in these places. These stories represent what I feel has been the best of my experience. 

Here are just a couple of words about each title.

Sub Prime - This has been a successful prize winning piece for me. A guy down on his luck gets some casual work and encounters those far less fortunate. He has to examine his strength of character and is never the same again.

The Chosen - Two guys at the margins of society have very different ambitions. One is a cynical survivor. The other is a believer in the dream of wealth and success. They unite in a desperate throw of the dice. It's about luck, winners and losers.

Escape To Love - A woman faces a future bringing up her handicapped child alone. In her past lies an abusive relationship from which she has escaped. When her child is rescued by a man on the run, she has the chance of a new life and love. Can she trust her own judgement? Could a new lover entirely trust her?

Angela - This is a true short story. What we believe in often affects what we see or how we interpret what we have experienced. A chauffeur encounters an enigmatic client at a point of indecision in his life.

Love In A Hopeless Place - A working class woman has settled into a resigned acceptance of the second half of her life. Suddenly she learns something about herself and of her true possibilities. Change can often engender passion and violenceA chance moment brings everything down around her and brings even further surprises.

The Love in a Hopeless Place Collection is available on Amazon Worldwide.

And of course, there is a competition. All you have to do is spot the differences...

1)How many differences are there between the first and second pictures?
2) Who is the elegant sophisticated glamour model posing in the third picture?

Enter your answers here to win your own copy of the collection and a customised iphone 5 case.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hear some more tunes from the band as the  'Blowing My Own Trombone Blog Tour Continues'....

18th July Love a Happy Ending Lifestyle Magazine

20th July Sheryl Browne

21st July Nicky Wells

22nd July Melanie Robertson-King

23rd July Miriam Wakerly

25th July Bonnie Trachtenberg

26th July Patricia Sands

27th Stephanie Keys

28th Linn Halton

31st July Venture Galleries Authors Collection