Friday, October 13, 2017

“Werewolves, Vampires or Zombies…Who Would Earn the World’s Deadliest Warrior Title?” By Author and Screenwriter Michael Okon

I recently asked Michael Okon this very question. True to form, the bestselling author and screenwriter gave me a pretty interesting answer! Read on…




Gosh, that’s a tough question. It’s like choosing children!

Each monster has a pro and a con, a superior and inferior quality compared to each other. Werewolves are all power, but one bite from a zombie, and they’re toast. Zombies are relentless and when they are aroused, they’re unstoppable, but a vampire can rip its head off with one twist of their head. A vampire is seductive and powerful but one bite from a werewolf, they don’t stand a chance.  

Each monster can take on the next, but only if they are put in a situation that scares them into fighting. There is a more superior monster, but you will have to read the book to find out.

I will, indeed, Michael! I’m planning to grab a copy of Monsterland today. Book review to come… 


Michael Okon is a bestselling author and screenwriter. His newly revised book, Monsterland, is scheduled for release today, Friday the 13th. Michael invites readers to connect with him on his website

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

A Trip Around the World with Carole P. Roman Author Tour Spotlight and Giveaway




ABOUT THE “IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN…” BOOKS:

The “If You Were Me and Lived In…” books are an introduction to customs and cultures around the world. The series is a collection of twenty-two books designed to help children experience life from the perspective of a variety of other children from all around the world, in the hopes that they’ll see how similar we all really are.

The idea of countries, borders, and customs is sometimes difficult for youngsters to grasp. Carole breaks things down into various topics that even the youngest child can identify with – what their name might be, where the country is located, what they would call their parents, what kind of food would they eat, what one thing identifies the country, like a landmark. Children finish each book able to identify both similarities and differences, and with the added of having multiple books, can compare how life is all over the world.

The series includes books about the following countries: 
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Kenya
  • Mexico
  • Norway
  • Peru
  • Portugal
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Scotland
  • South Korea
  • Turkey



ABOUT CAROLE P. ROMAN:

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, IAN Award, Moonbeam Award 2014, National Indie Excellence Award Finalist, Shelf Media Outstanding Series Award, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader's Views Children's Book of the Year 2013.


Carole P. Roman is also the author of the award-winning non-fiction culture series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...", that explores customs and cultures around the world. She has co-authored a self-help book, Navigating Indieworld A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. She lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren. Carole invites readers to connect with her via her website

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE ENTIRE BOOK COLLECTION!


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Wednesday, May 17, 2017

A Shift Toward Prey by Natalie Allison Tour Spotlight and Excerpt


Publication Date: May 15, 2017
      Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC 
      ASIN: B06XKJMNND

ABOUT THE BOOK:

There’s a war brewing in the shadowed lands of the Fringe, a conflict that will match Shifter claws against Vampire fangs for the first time in two centuries. And it seems as if those with the power to stop it are only making things worse.

For too long, a young, ambitious Jaguar-Shifter named Chiari Jhahn has been forced to watch her elder sister’s savage regime destroy the very heart of the Shifter Realm. And now it seems as if that regime is hell-bent on starting a war with their long-time enemies, the Vampires of the Everdark.

After witnessing her sister let her pride stand in the way of a peace agreement that would have stopped the coming bloodshed, Chiari feels she has no choice but to start a revolution—it’s either that, or watch her people become nothing more than prey for a much-stronger predator. But her sister’s reach is long, and Chiari doesn’t know who she can trust.

Forced to seek allies in the most unlikely places, Chiari must use every ounce of her intellect and cunning to build a rebellion that will topple her sister from power and hopefully mitigate the Vampire threat. But Vampires aren’t the only monsters hiding in the dark—and they’re not the only predators out for blood. Chiari’s friends may prove to be worse than her enemies. When political ambition is matched against predatory instinct, the phrase “coming back to bite you” takes on a whole new meaning.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie Allison grew up in a house full of books. Her world---and her imagination---became infused with the wonder and mystery of places like Middle Earth, Narnia, Valdemar, and Pern. An early love of reading led to an early love of writing, and she wrote her very first novel at the tender age of eight.

Natalie has been building worlds with words ever since, and her stories have entertained readers from all over the globe. Now she lives with her adoring husband, a son who's a genius, and a dog who's determined to save the world from mushrooms, kittens, frogs, and other nefarious creatures.

Readers can connect with Natalie via:



Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The After House by Michael Phillip Cash Book Tour Spotlight and Giveaway



  • Paperback: 212 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 30, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1500600369
  • ISBN-13: 978-1500600365


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Remy Galway and her daughter Olivia are rebuilding their life after a failed marriage in a 300 year old cottage in historic Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.

Little do they know, another occupant is lurking in the haven of their own home. 

Will the After House be their shelter or their tomb?





PURCHASE THE AFTER HOUSE ON AMAZON.COM



ABOUT MICHAEL PHILLIP CASH

Michael Phillip Cash is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. His novels are best-sellers on Amazon under their genres – Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense, Ghost, Action Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. 

Michael writes full-time and lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wonderful wife and screaming children. You can follow him @michaelpcash.


Readers are invited to connect with Michael on:

Enter the Giveaway:


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Robert Germaux Author Guest Post - Seriously, Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously

I'm welcoming author Robert Germaux to the Bob Reads Books blog. Robert has just published his fourth book, Grammar Sex and Other Stuff, and he stopped by to share his meanderings on not taking ourselves so seriously. I'm with you, Robert! Welcome to my humble blog :)




By Robert Germaux

We all get a little full of ourselves at times, some people more than others, but it’s only human to occasionally suffer from a somewhat self-inflated ego. The trick is to not let it get out of hand, to try to nip it in the bud, and for that, you usually need a little help. In my case, that help came in the form of a twelve-year-old kid early in my first year of teaching. I can’t remember exactly what the lesson was that day, but I’m sure it was something terribly relevant to the lives of my first-period seventh-graders, maybe proper punctuation of a business letter. At any rate, whatever it was, I was really into it, and I assumed my students were equally involved, especially one young man in the front row. He seemed totally engrossed in what I was saying, his eyes never leaving mine. And I thought, here it is, it’s happening exactly as I had imagined it would. My students, thirsting for knowledge, were hanging on my every word. Suddenly, the young man in the front row raised his hand, no doubt seeking further clarification on some salient point I had just explained. 
“Yes, Louis,” I said, eager to be of even more assistance in molding this young mind. “What’s your question?”
He pointed over my shoulder and out the window to a water tower atop a hill in the distance.
“How do they keep the water up in that thing?”
Lesson learned.
Ego deflated.
Thank you, Louis.

###


ABOUT ROBERT GERMAUX

Robert Germaux and his wife Cynthia live outside of Pittsburgh. After three decades as a high school English teacher, and now a good many years into retirement, he is beginning to have serious doubts about his lifelong dream of pitching for the Pirates. Grammar Sex and Other Stuff is Bob’s first non-fiction book. You can find links to his first three novels (The Backup Husband, Small Talk and Hard Court) at his Amazon Author Page.





Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Book Tour Spotlight on God's Easter Miracles by Lee Ann Mancini


  • Publisher: GLM PUBLISHING (February 1, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0997332514
  • ISBN-13: 978-0997332513 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Paul, Jimmy, Brian and the whole town witness God's Easter miracles in this unique story. God’s Easter Miracles highlights God’s love and provision to His children. The lessons learned are not only about Jesus’s resurrection, but also awareness of treating children with Autism with love and respect, and taking care of God’s creations.

As in previous books, God’s Easter Miracles establishes characters that children can relate to, while capturing their imagination and touching their hearts in a loving way. Written in a fun and endearing way, God’s Easter Miracles also provides interactive entertainment by including hidden symbols for children to locate throughout the book.

PURCHASE GOD'S EASTER MIRACLES ON AMAZON.COM




ABOUT LEE ANN MANCINI

Lee Ann Mancini’s desire is for children to begin to know and love Jesus from an early age. This passion led her to seek out books for her own children that portrayed an active relationship with Jesus in a relatable way. She knew communicating God’s truth through captivating words and compelling illustrations is a crucial part of establishing that foundation.

An adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary, Mancini holds a master’s degree in Christian studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as well as Knox Theological Seminary. She holds a board position with the Florida Authors and Publishers Association and the Alexandrian Forum and maintains memberships with organizations such as the Christian Small Publishers Association and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Mancini is an active member in her local community, visiting schools to share the Adventures of the Sea Kids series with children, as well as speaking to women’s groups about the redemptive power of the Gospel represented through the types of brides of the church. Learn more about Mancini and the Adventures of the Sea Kids at glmpublishing.net.


Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Guest Post by Alexandra Warren Author of Accidental Arrangements

Romance novelist, Alexandra Warren, is currently touring with her new book Accidental Arrangements via My Book Tour. I've invited Alexandra to stop by my book blog to discuss her book and her writing process. Welcome, Alexandra!


ALEXANDRA WARREN AUTHOR GUEST POST

“My Mind as an Author” by Alexandra Warren

Imagine being in a public place and the only thing you can think about is how many plot bunnies for future novels you see around you. That’s exactly how my mind works now that I’ve taken on the wonderful world of Romancelandia.

Everyone and everything – except for my closest friends and family… maybe – has the possibility of showing up in one of my books mainly because of how easily inspired I am by human interactions at the most basic level. Whether it’s a father playing with his son, strangers meeting for the first time in an airport, a couple sharing coffee on a date, someone FaceTiming with a loved one on the beach; my mind is constantly registering tidbits from everything going on around me so that I can create a fictional reality later.

I enjoy being able to make my words come alive, to make my characters come alive in a way that readers connect with them on a personal level. I enjoy making readers feel what my characters feel, laugh with my characters, cry with my characters, be mad with my characters depending on the situation. And for me, that’s what being an author is all about.

So even though my mind is constantly in go-mode, observing, and saving, and taking in my surroundings, I truthfully wouldn’t have it any other way.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alexandra Warren is a twenty-something year old Nebraska girl who enjoys teaching, blogging, traveling, and of course, writing. Contemporary Romance novellas are her absolute favorite to write as well as to read. With thirteen books under her belt, and more on the way, she is excited to see what 2017 will bring!


Readers can learn more about Alexandra on herwebsite. 

Friday, February 24, 2017

Interview with Kathleen M. Jacobs Author of Honeysuckle Holiday

A warm welcome to YA author Kathleen M. Jacobs! Kathleen stops by during her book tour to chat about her writing and her book, Honeysuckle Holiday.



Kathleen M. Jacobs Author Interview

In your own words, please tell us about your book:

Honeysuckle Holiday tells the coming-of-age story of twelve-year-old Lucy Moore, growing up in Memphis in the 1960s against the racial tensions of that era.  After discovering her father’s uncharacteristic involvement with the KKK, Lucy’s mother moves the family from a life of privilege to one of near marginality.  With the help of a black woman she hires to help her with the children, the family is brought full circle, shedding their unknowing racism and embracing the need to re-evaluate their thoughts on race.  As Lucy struggles to hold on to the trappings of childhood and its innocence, she learns to peel back the layers of human frailty (her own included) painful piece by painful piece.

Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?

I very much like a quote by William Carlos Williams:  “I think all writing is a disease.  You can’t stop it.”  I have always walked around with a piece of paper and a pencil.  Writing always helped me make sense of things that were difficult for me to understand, to process, to come to terms with, which I never could achieve by any other means. Writing is the way I make sense of the world around me.  I’ve tried to not write, but I can’t do it.  And I can’t begin to imagine not doing it – ever.

Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

What I recall specifically is a story that my younger sister penned, “Joey the Grape,” when she was probably seven years old.  I was completely taken with it, and it was actually that story that prompted me to write a story of my own that very much centered around a racial chant that my great aunt taught me when I was just about the same age as my sister was when she wrote “Joey the Grape.”  That chant became the core of Honeysuckle Holiday.  It never left me.  It still resonates with me all these years later.  Memory is a powerful tool for a writer.

Where do your story ideas come from? 

I think, for a great number of writers, ideas percolate over time, and the ones that get planted and grow in our spirits for longer than we ever imagined become fodder for future stories, or at least they become seeds that when planted grow into stories that present universal themes; for, as writers, we hope to engage the reader and take them on a journey that they’ll not only remember, but perhaps bring about a certain degree of transformation.

What do you think makes a good story?

Incorporating the five senses into every story is certainly a good starting point.  And being able to connect with our readers is then a gift.  If we can engage the reader in those bright gems of visibility, let them hear the nuances of language, let them somehow engage in the flavors of the story and its characters, then we will – hopefully – be able to bring them a renewed sense of hope in humanity.  It’s a tall bill, but when you think of the greatest stories told, it is also possible.

What kinds of things do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, read, and read some more; and then, talk about what I’ve read and what might come from it in terms of my own work.  Picking up on conversations around me, while a bit challenging at times, brings insight, laughter, and possibilities.  It’s also tremendous fun!

Who would you say has been a major influence in your life?

Kind, patient, passionate, encouraging teachers of English and literature have been my core influences as far as writing is concerned.  When I was a student at WVU my freshman year, my English 101 professor (and I wish I could recall his name) wrote a comment on an essay I had written:  “Once again, your jovial style saves the day.”  I’ve never forgotten it.  And when I taught creative writing to seniors at Charleston Catholic High School, I sent a letter to Harper Lee, asking her for advice to share with my students.  One sentence from her reply was enough for all of us, and still is:  “Don’t fall in love with what you write to the extent that you cannot edit it.”

What types of books do you like to read?

My appetite for reading is insatiable.  For a very long time, I was happily buried in a mound of fiction – both classics and contemporary.  Southern writers:  Faulkner, O’Connor, Welty, McCullers, Hurston, Capote (and I could go on and on) have always held me in their tight grip.  Poetry and non-fiction grab me at unexpected moments, most often when I am introspective.  But, I think, it’s the world of YA fiction and MG works that now have such a strong hold on me, and I find myself completely at their mercy.  And children’s work is gaining in momentum.

What would readers be surprised to know about you?

Holding numerous positions in education, business, banking, and the legal field – while at the time, I wasn’t aware – would enable me to write about a wide variety of issues, eventually working these experiences into my writing.  And yet, as I recall those myriad positions, I chuckle just a bit because I can recall writing stories as I ate my lunch and even using those microcassettes a time or two after I transcribed a legal document, recording the sound of my voice and a story idea. 

How can readers connect with you?

Social media  . . . again, I find myself chuckling just a bit, because after the release of Honeysuckle Holiday, my publisher, Jan-Carol Publishing practically insisted that I “get with it,” and I did.  Working with an IT genius, we created an inviting and beautiful (we think) website:  www.kathleenmjacobs.com.  You can also find me on Twitter @KathleenMJacobs.  And Kathleen M. Jacobs can also be found on Facebook.

What are you currently working on?

Final edits are in progress right now on my first Middle Grade novel, which is scheduled for release in the spring.  It is a mystery, filled with the promise of hope, healing, and a young boy who must make the choice between good and evil.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Once again, I must yield to the advice from Harper Lee when she wrote in her reply, “Write.  Simply write.”

###

ABOUT KATHLEEN M. JACOBS:

Kathleen M. Jacobs’s work has appeared in regional and national publications. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Humanistic Studies, and has taught English and Creative Writing on the high school and college levels.

Kathleen divides her time between the Appalachian region and New York City. Honeysuckle Holiday is her first young adult novel. She encourages readers to connect with her on her website, and on Facebook and Twitter.


Thursday, January 19, 2017

Spotlight on Cry for the Mercenary by Gabriel Wright



·       
   Print Length: 332 pages
   Publication Date: November 12, 2015
   Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
   Language: English
   ASIN: B017X442DQ

ABOUT THE BOOK:

He was all they had . . .

In the face of a monster of a man, they were powerless. They couldn’t run, they couldn’t hide, they couldn’t fight. Every aspect of their lives were under his control. It was obedience or oblivion. When that monster of a man went down into a death spiral, he expected them to follow.

To break free they needed an outsider, a stranger, a mercenary. They found him.

With all his troubles, and all his flaws, they found him. With all his baggage, and even his reluctance, they cried for him. It wasn’t only a question of would he do it, but could he. It wasn’t only a matter of saving them, but of saving himself.




ABOUT GABRIEL WRIGHT

Gabriel Wright was born, and raised in NYC.  Originally from the borough of the Bronx, Gabriel attended college at the City University of New York (CUNY). Afterwards, he spent 20 years in a career as an IT Professional.  Gabe admits it wasn't exactly his dream job but he liked the work enough that he would've happily toiled away at it until mandatory (or forced) retirement.

Gabriel’s true dream job was being a writer.  It was always in the back of his mind, but it was always something that he thought he’d get around to eventually. Then a not so funny thing happened in Gabe’s IT career – he was laid off.  Although, sadly, it wasn't the first time, this time he took it as a sign that eventually had finally come.  Gabriel began to write and ultimately producing his first novel Cry for the Mercenary.

Gabriel Wright still lives in NYC with his family.  Along with writing, he’s also trying to make a success of his family-owned bagel shop in Harlem.

Gabe encourages readers to connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.