Friday, December 29, 2017

Book Review: It's Never Game Over by Cristina G #reviews @authorcristinag

Title: IT’S NEVER GAME OVER
Author: Cristina G.
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 145 ebook/268 paperback
Genre: Nonfiction/Self-Help

BOOK BLURB: 

It’s the end of the year but you have the impression it’s the end of your life?
Start the New Year with a plan. Don’t make a resolution, make a habit!
Whatever your situation might be now, you have the power to change it.
  • Depression can be overcome.
  • You can lose weight and find love.
  • You can heal and transform your life.
Believe you’re happy, and you’re half way there.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon



Book Review:

What I found interesting as I dived into It's Never Game Over by Christina G is that this book started out as a book for writers. According to Cristina, it had started out being a short book that she was going to give out for free, but as she started writing, she discovered she couldn't get everything that needed to be said and thus, It's Never Game Over was born as a self-help book for not only writers but everyone!

The author believes that everything we do or not do is a decision and we must zone in on those time wasters so that we can get done what we need to do. Every time you complain about something, you're not taking responsibility for your life. I'm waving my hand to this one because I am terrible at this. I'd rather take it and sweep it under the rug than take responsibility and take care of whatever it is that needs my attention.  The author gives this example: "The writer who sold 800,000 copies of his books didn’t procrastinate, didn’t watch the ceiling for years complaining that it’s difficult to find someone to believe in them (I’m guilty), publish and get noticed. The success doesn’t come overnight." Whoa. 

And this struck home for me: "If you didn’t like it when your parents complained without doing anything to change their situation, why do you act exactly the same?"

Think about that for a minute.

It's Never Game Over is the best pick me up for anyone who feels like they just accept what life has in store for them instead of making that change. Cristina writes from the heart and finds the knowledge to explain to us that while we are human, there are ways out of every situation that is common sense but we have to be smart about it. Just don't give up. I highly recommend it and give it five book trees!




Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Guest Post from Richard Monts, author of Constitutional Renaissance


 
 
 
 
 
 


Title: Constitutional Renaissance
Author: Richard Monts
Publisher: XLibrisUS
Genre: Political Science/Government
Format: Ebook
Have you had enough? When will the United States government stop growing? All constitutionally enumerated activities should have been in place long ago. There should be no more expansion in scope, yet there is. What we have now is an overbearing out-of-control central government—expanding far beyond constitutional limits—imposing on member states’ sovereignty. The result is a reduction in competition among states, a stifling business environment, and citizens and businesses suffering under complex taxation and regulations. On top of that, a litigious environment depresses economic activity further. There is an alternative! This book presents one that is very business friendly, establishes competition among the states, and provides a positive environment for the individual to strive for their potential while honoring the genius of the Constitution.


How can United States government continue to expand without accompanying change to the Constitution of  the United States? During Affordable Care Act discussions, I had heard enough. I endeavored to find out for myself what United States government role is intended to be. Inquiry resulted in a book, Constitutional Renaissance.
 
Watching the direction, we are being taken, I have become concerned for the future of this great country. This concern has prompted me to found the Constitutional Renaissance Institute to promote discussion and  thought on the Constitution and on my suggested alternative to our expanding large central United States government. I know of no other suggestion of an alternative to big central government, we seem to be resigned to the inevitability of it.

To Realize our potential there must be a positive business environment. Without wealth it is very hard to achieve potential. Part of the mission of the Institute will be promoting a mechanism that provides the best environment in the world for business. It is described in more detail in the book Constitutional Renaissance. Regulations, taxation and litigation must be reviewed and modified as indicated to have the best environment for business. This mechanism coordinates economic activities nationally without the involvement of United States government.

United States government is too complicated, too intrusive requiring too much energy to navigate. We need disciplined government that stays within its constitutional role. In short, States take care of their internal affairs and United States government takes care of external affairs. There should be very little overlap, if any. This position is based on the intent of the Constitution. It is not based on what interpretation is in vogue.
Human character has not changed since the writing of the Constitution. Therefore, the Constitution is as valid today as when it was written. It means the same thing now as when written. The Constitution is the legal datum for our country, it does not change with time--unless we change it through amendment process. If the Constitution is interpreted differently over time we will not know where we will end up. It is up to the current stewards as they come and go to be true to it. It is the duty of every generation to hand this country off intact to the next generation. As citizens strive for their potential, building on past generations, the country improves in an endless cycle. There is no need for the various parts of government to change or expand roles.
(The statement above refers to the Congress of the confederate government, but it is applicable to the Congress of the federal government of today too.)

The Institute is not aligned with any political ideology. It is the intent of the Institute to encourage application of libertarian to liberal ideas as is appropriate for the intended task. What is being proposed is to move governance, as much as possible and constitutional, from a nebulous complex central government to as-local-as-is-possible government. Competition improves the breed, this goes for government too. By removing overlaying central government from domestic governance and having the states handle their own domestic issues puts competition in play thus improving governance. This should result in the best environment for both business and for individual citizens.
 This country has tremendous potential, if only big intrusive government would get out of the way so it could be realized. Three quarters of the people of this country think we are on the wrong path. The only difference between the two parties is one goes down the left side and the other the right side of the same path. It is still the wrong path. We need to think anew for solutions to an out of control United States government. We are on the wrong path. Now is the time to make corrections and return to course, a course prescribed by the Constitution.
Founding of the Constitutional Renaissance Institute is motivated by the belief that it is individual citizens realizing as much of their potential as possible that, in the aggregate, makes a great society. Government affects us all, get it right and we all do better, get it wrong and we all suffer. The key to our potential is respecting the Constitution of the United States ("...its only keepers, the people."--George Washington). We all are in this together, working together we can realize the potential that is in all of us--"We the People of the United States."
 
Mr. Monts has been concerned about continued expansion of the United States government since the Kennedy administration. He deferred to others, constitutional and legal experts galore, for the correct interpretation of the Constitution. He assumed they were right. During the Affordable Care Act discussions, he had heard enough. He determined to answer two questions to his own satisfaction. First, what is the role of the United States government? Second, what is the best environment for the individual to realize their own potential? After reading the Constitution and other contemporary writings, using his own common sense, putting intellectual integrity and honesty before ideology, ignoring case law, using correct meanings of critical words, he had his answers. The results are in this book.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

A Bookish Conversation with 'A Wanted Man' Robert Parker



Robert Parker is a new exciting voice, a married father of two, who lives in a village close to ManchesterUK. He has both a law degree and a degree in film and media production, and has worked in numerous employment positions, ranging from solicitor’s agent (essentially a courtroom gun for hire), to a van driver, to a warehouse order picker, to a commercial video director. He currently writes full time, while also making time to encourage new young readers and authors through readings and workshops at local schools and bookstores. In his spare time he adores pretty much all sport, boxing regularly for charity, loves fiction across all mediums, and his glass is always half full.

His latest book is the crime/thriller, A WANTED MAN.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK




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Title: A WANTED MAN
Author: Robert Parker
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Pages: 307
Genre: Crime Thriller

It’s down to fathers and fatherhood.

Ben Bracken, ex-soldier, has just got out of Strangeways.

Not by the front door.

With him, he has his ‘insurance policy’ – a bag of evidence that will guarantee his freedom, provided he can keep it safe – and he has money, carefully looked after by a friend, Jack Brooker.

Rejected by the army, disowned by his father, and any hopes of parenthood long since shattered, Ben has no anchors in his life.

No one to keep him steady. 

No one to stop his cause…

The plan: to wreak justice on the man who had put him in prison in the first place. 

Terry ‘The Turn-Up’ Masters, a nasty piece of work, whose crime organisation is based in
London.

But before Ben can get started on his mission, another matter is brought to his attention: Jack’s father has been murdered and he will not rest until the killers are found.

Suddenly, Ben finds himself drawn in to helping Jack in his quest for revenge.

In the process, he descends into the fold of
Manchester’s most notorious crime organisation – the Berg – the very people he wants to bring down…

This action-packed and fast-paced story will keep you turning the pages.
Manchester is vividly portrayed as Ben races around the city seeking vengeance.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon





What first inspired you to write or who inspired you?

Sunday afternoons watching cartoons and matinee movies with my Grandad, before I realized he had a pretty wonderful set of bookshelves hidden in the front bedroom. They were full of crime, adventures, thrillers, mysteries, you name it. Cups of tea and stories with Grandad – that’ll be where it all came from.

At what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Age 6, although it could possibly be earlier. I knew very definitely at that point that telling stories was what I wanted to do, and that’s just what I did, working predominantly in the ‘preposterous dinosaur fiction’ genre as I recall.

Do you take notes when reading or watching a movie?

I used to, but then I realized I was just being a bit over-zealous and wasn’t really enjoying what I was reading or watching anymore! I love books and movies so much that I didn’t want anything to get in the way of that.

Has writing always been a passion for you or did you discover it years later?

Always, without doubt. I’d make my own books as a kid, and was never ever far from a pen and a scrap of paper – something which is still the case now. I have so many notebooks, all filled with all manner of gold and garbage (mostly garbage).

Can you name three writing tips to pass on to aspiring authors?

Write from your gut, enjoy yourself, and don’t you dare give up.

Do you let unimportant things get in the way of your writing?

Sometimes I can procrastinate as though my life depended on it, other times the words overflow. I tend to hold onto some control though, but there is one thing that I can’t dictate – the behavior of my kids! Sometimes they pick the worst moments to redecorate the living room in Sharpie – that said, I would never class my kids as unimportant. They always come first.

What hours do you write best?

Entirely depends! Sometimes in the dead of night, but I’ve noticed that early to mid afternoon is sort of my prime time.

How often do you write?

As close to everyday as I can, but I’m realistic enough to know that some days it just doesn’t work out. When there’s a deadline, or I set myself a target, I don’t let anything derail that.

Are you an avid reader?

Yes, I sure am.

What are you reading now?

The Forsaken by Ace Atkins, which is the fourth Quinn Colson book. The attitude and elegance of this series mesmerizes me every time, and the characters feel like family.

What are you currently working on?

Well, I’ve completed the next two books in the Ben Bracken series, and ruminating on direction of the fourth while I’m halfway through a standalone novel (as yet untitled). The standalone represents a bit of a departure for me I think, as it focusses on more of a pure mystery. Kind of letting my imagination wander with this one, and it feels good!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Navy Seal Promise Book Blast & Enter Giveaway!





Title: NAVY SEAL PROMISE
Author: Amber Leigh Williams
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Pages: 384
Genre: Romance


He made a promise he intends to keep.

Harmony Savitt is off-limits for navy SEAL Kyle Bracken. Not only is she his best friend's little sister, she's also a single mother and the widow of a fellow SEAL killed in action. This soldier needs to keep his distance. But something between them has changed…

Despite the new complicated feelings he has for Harmony, when his family comes under attack, there's no one Kyle trusts more than her to help him get answers. When that threat extends to her and her daughter, though, he vows to protect them…even if it means putting his own heart on the line.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble



Kyle swung the door open. "Inside."
"No kiss this time?" Harmony asked, testing him. Her chin was high.
"That's right." He spoke quietly enough that it didn't carry into the lobby when he said, "You want to know something I'm afraid of?"
"What've you got, superhero?"
"That whatever's happened between us tonight wiped out everything that came before it. Is that what you want?" he asked.
"Are you kidding me?" For the first time, he saw the nerves behind her brave front. Her chin quavered even as she jabbed him with her finger. "Why do you think I didn't say anything before? You think I want to lose my best friend?"
He didn't reply.
She lifted her shoulders in a helpless shrug. "But I guess...at the end of the day...I'm not half as noble as you are." 


Amber Leigh Williams is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter.
  • This giveaway ends midnight December 29.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on December 30.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 



Amber Leigh Williams is a romance writer who lives on the US Gulf Coast. She lives for beach days, the smell of real books and spending time with her husband and their two young children. When she’s not keeping up with rambunctious little ones (and two large dogs), she can usually be found reading a good book or indulging her inner foodie. Amber is represented by the D4EO Literary Agency.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Interview with Owen Sypher, author of The Song of Solomon

Owen L. Sypher is a devoted servant of the Lord. At eleven years old, he started a spiritual journey to discover and understand God and his word.
In 1979, he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Since then, he has had fellowships with the same group. Song of Solomon is his first book.
You can visit his website at http://www.sypherbooks.com.   
What’s inside the mind of a Bible book author?
My mind is full of a love of the word of God.  I like to meditate and think about God’s word most of the day.  I like to try and see how does the word of God work in my life.
What is so great about being an author?
People is impressed when you say you are an author, that is nice but the greatest thing is knowing that what I wrote can potentially help a lot of people get a closer walk with the Lord.
When do you hate it?
When I am tired and have writer’s block, and when I have a self imposed deadline or goal to reach.
What is a regular writing day like for you?
When I am thinking about a verse, I take the verse and just think about that one verse or setting from morning to night, sometimes for a few days and just let the Lord stir up scriptures. I try to always have a pen and paper with me so that when an idea comes I can write it down even if I discard the idea later.  If I don’t write it down I tend to forget the idea. Then I transfer it to my rough draft that I am doing which I go over  several times later on in the process.
How do you handle negative reviews?
I realize not everyone is going to like my books, I look at the star rating and read what they have to say about it. I try to see if there is anything positive said about my book and dwell on that. The negative part I try to use to see if I could have improve my book anyway, or my writing style so when I write another book it will be better.
How do you handle positive reviews?
I get real excited about positive reviews, they are like a pat on the back for a job well done.      
What is the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance that you’re an author?
First response is usually surprise, you wrote a book? And then it gives me an opportunity to discuss my book with them, and to explain the wonderful things that are found in the word of God.
What do you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do you force it or take a break?
I usually take a break from writing, sometimes I waste my time playing a game on the computer.  I had to force myself to write at the end because I had my own deadline of when I wanted the book done and published by, but this was in the finishing process.
What would you do if people around you didn’t take your writing seriously or see it as a hobby?
It is ok if they don’t take it seriously; I had to do it because it is what I felt like God wanted me to do.  I did not get much encouragement or discouragement while writing my book people were just neutral on it until after it was written.
Some authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to writing. Can you relate?
Yes I can the most beautiful thing about writing this book is that I feel like I have imparted some words of wisdom to this world that will help people.
The worst part about writing is that it can be very time consuming especially if you have a full time job also.
Do you think success as an author must be linked to money?
No the true success is if you impart something of value into your readers lives to where they can improve or have a better life.  Money is just a small part of the equation.
What has writing taught you?
The most important thing it has taught me is that I can start a long term project and finish it.  This is important to me on a personal level; I grew out of writing this book.
It also taught me that I do have knowledge that I can pass on to future generations in the form of this book. Also that people wanted to hear what I had to say.
Leave us with some words of wisdom.
That is a tall order to leave words of wisdom, but I will try.
Write about things you are passionate about, and describe it in your own way. Speak from the heart.  Do your homework so you can be more detailed about what you are writing about.
Enjoy the process it will have it’s ups and downs but stay focus on your goal of finishing.
I have enjoyed writing this book.
God Bless
About the Book:
Title: THE SONG OF SOLOMON REVEALED
Author: Owen Sypher
Publisher: Litfire Publishing, LLC
Pages: 308
Genre: Religion/Bible Studies

BOOK BLURB:
The book of Song of Solomon is a spiritual book full of allegories or pictures where God used the natural to show the spiritual. By using the keys of understanding found in the Bible the author has unlock the hidden meaning of the book of Song of Solomon.
The book of Song of Solomon is about the love that Jesus has for his bride. When looked at from this angle a lot of the verses makes more sense.

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