Author Feature - Yvonne Ventresca

Author - Yvonne Ventresca - www.YvonneVentresca.com

Book - Pandemic

Genre - YA

Publisher - Sky Pony Press

Road to Publishing -  I've been writing seriously for about ten years. Although I had some success getting two nonfiction books published, writing a good novel was much harder. Pandemic was actually my fourth attempt at a novel. (I'm currently going back and revising number three.) It's been a long process, but a rewarding one.

Book Synopsis - Pandemic is a contemporary, realistic young adult novel about an emotionally traumatized teenager struggling to survive a bird flu pandemic.

In Pandemic, only a few people know what caused Lilianna Snyder's sudden change from a model student to a withdrawn pessimist who worries about all kinds of disasters. After her parents are called away on business, Lil’s town is hit by what soon becomes a widespread fatal illness. With her worst fears realized, Lil must find a way to survive not only the outbreak and its real-life consequences, but also her own personal demons.


More Info - I have a blog for writers at www.yvonneventresca.com/blog.html. You can also find me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/YvonneVentresca), Facebook (www.facebook.com/yvonne.ventresca.3), Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/author/show/317481.Yvonne_Ventresca) and Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/yvonneventresca).


Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Roseanne Cheng

Author - Roseanne Cheng - www.teachablelit.com

Book - The Take Back of Lincoln Junior High

Genre - Middle Grade/Young Adult

Publisher - Wise Ink

Road to Publishing - I shopped my book out to many traditional agents, and was met with a lot of interest. After a long process of back and forth, the consistent feedback I got was, "it's great, but we don't know if we can sell it". My book for young people contains no sex or violence, no gratuity of any kind. I am a teacher, connected in education, and knew my book would serve a great purpose in a classroom setting. So when I got the feedback I needed-- that the story was good-- I contacted a local business that helps people like me self-publish. Nowadays, you don't need the backing of a major publisher to be a successful author. You just need a good story and the determination to make it happen.

Book Synopsis - Lincoln Junior High is out of money. For Andrew and Hannah, this means no sports, no music, and no fun. That is, until the principal begins a corporate sponsorship program to “Take-Back” the school. A few advertisements in exchange for cool programs and new technology can’t be that bad. Or can it?


Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Sheila Kelly Welch

Author - Sheila Kelly Welch - www..flavors.me/sheilawelch

Book - WAITING TO FORGET

Genre - Upper MG/YA

Publisher - namelos

Road to Publishing - When I was in junior high, I thought that someday I'd write and illustrate for kids. But it wasn't until after I'd had open heart surgery and could hear my artificial valve ticking that I decided someday had arrived. My first short story was published two years later. Since then, I've had a lot of stories and books published but I always wanted to work with Stephen Roxburgh because I'd heard him speak at a conference and liked his independent ideas. In 2009, I completed a novel that I thought he'd appreciate and when I sent it to namelos, he wrote back within a few weeks with an offer to publish it. His acceptance was the quickest of any I've ever had. I sent the sample chapters on January 12, 2010 and signed a contract on January 29, 2010. The book was released on October 1, 2011. My advice would be to read a lot, write a lot, and aim high. But give yourself time to relax and enjoy life., too.

Book Synopsis - WAITING TO FORGET takes place in a hospital where twelve-year-old T.J. is waiting to see if his little sister will regain consciousness after a bad fall. While he waits, T.J. recalls the traumatic life he and Angela led with their neglectful birth mother and how they were eventually adopted by a childless couple. But T.J. isn't sure he wants to be part of this family with Marlene, who insists on calling him Timothy and Dan, who seems to want a more responsible son. Their birth mother often lied because it was easier than telling -- or facing -- the truth. Back and forth between then and now, T.J.'s story unfolds until the past catches up to the present. And T.J. is faced with his own truth.

 WAITING TO FORGET has been chosen for the following lists:

Best Books of the Year, 2012 edition: Bank Street College

Best YA Books of 2011: Pennsylvania School Library Association

South Carolina's Junior Book Award Master List 2013/ 2014

#1 of 50 books: Realistic Middle School Fiction: Goodreads List


Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Sheila Duncan

Author - Sheila Duncan - www.troublethedog.net

Book - Here's Trouble!

Genre - Picture Book 

Road to Publishing - I self published because I was working at the time with an outstanding illustrator, Annette Nicolas and a fabulous printer, Jerry DiFazio of Daily Printing. Initially, I thought of going the traditional route; but after a meeting with a Random House executive, I realized my message of hope might be better received by the masses than the publishing houses. She absolutely loved the concept but felt at the time it might be a little out of the box for old school children’s publishers. So I forged ahead and got it done on my own.

Book Synopsis - When Sheila Duncan’s niece was 12, she found herself surrounded by adversity. The family experienced three cancer losses in a very short time. This devoted aunt then suggested they sit down together and write a book about it. The result was the creation of a gutsy, huggable, inspiring dog named - Trouble. As the book begins, Trouble finds himself abandoned on the streets of New York City with his siblings in a box. The story is about hope and resilience and how you can never give up. Trouble is eventually adopted by a kindly grandmother and he then makes sure two other pups in need are adopted as well. The ending is a happy one with this very unusual family curled up, warm and safe, with the words “hope … believe and dream” written in stars in the night sky.

There are slogans that accompany Trouble The Dog which are so important for children in today’s world. They are “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope”; “When Trouble Comes, You’re Never Alone”; "Trouble Can Help With What's Troubling You".

More About Trouble -  Trouble The Dog has gone from the drawing of a child trying to help other kids going through tough times to a global symbol of hope. The book was such a success that a Trouble plush toy was created, along with Trouble-inspired jewelry, and T-shirts and quite possibly, an animated children's television series. Quite simply - Trouble helps kids deal with things that are troubling them.

Author Sheila Duncan spends countless hours reading the Trouble story and donating Trouble plush dogs and books. She has been warmly received when presenting Trouble The Dog to families affected by overwhelming circumstances – including victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut and the Haiti earthquake.

She has generously given Trouble toys and books to families at children's hospitals, residents of nursing homes, VA Hospitals and over a hundred plush Trouble dogs and books were given to the Shriner's Hospital For Children and the Children's Miracle Network. Sheila is constantly on the go - performing readings, guest speaker engagements, author signings and visiting children at hospitals across the country.

Sheila and the character she created, Trouble The Dog have been featured on CNN’s American Journey, The USA Love List, Magic 106.7’s Exceptional Women Entrepreneurs, MSNBCs Your Business as a Socially Conscious toy; North Shore Magazine’s Top Women Entrepreneurs, a Finalist in Martha Stewart's “Made in America”, and Success Magazine’s “Seniorprenerus” series.

It is Sheila’s mission to brand Trouble The Dog as a global children’s character, giving hope to kids around the world.





 Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Damir Fonovich

Author - Damir Fonovich - http://www.lucalashes.com

Book - Luca Lashes

Road to Publishing - We decided to publish as eBooks and to develop book Apps for our children's series, as we thought it would not only leave us in more control over the process, but we could also earn more of a payout (70% vs. 6%) when we sold the eBooks and Apps. Our solution to put our ideas into the universe also is green, as there are no paper products in an eBook/App. In terms of the editing process and finding the right developer to create the Apps and finalize the eBooks, we have been able to publish 8 ebooks and book apps within 2 years, whereas a traditional publisher would take a lot longer to publish just one book, not to mention that traditional publishers take a very long time to approve publication, typically only work with agents, and keep more of the book profits to cover their costs.

Book Synopsis -  Our series is dedicated to helping parents and their children confront fearful firsts with confidence and with a smile! Luca Lashes is a little boy with magic eyelashes, when he blinks them twice he can confront any situation. Our series has Luca learning to brush his teeth, go to the dentist, go to the doctor, learn how to swim, get a haircut, etc. Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital.

 Our most recent book involves visiting Mommy in the hospital, something that can be quite scary for little ones. Our next book will be Luca's first airplane ride!




 Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Clark Rich Burbidge

Author - Clark Rich Burbidge - www.giantsinthelandbook.com


Book - Giants in the Land: Book Two - The Prodigals

Genre -  Middle Reader YA Fiction/Fantasy


Publisher - WinePress Publishing


Road to Publishing - I consider WinePress a mix of both worlds and I have certainly been treated as I had come to expect from a Traditional publisher (my first book was traditionally published and this is my 4th book). I began seriously writing in 2010 while I was in between jobs. I have been a story teller my entire life and found the publishing process to require patience and humility to the max. I looked at books in the genre of my writing and called many authors. I found them wonderful to speak with and helpful. I then submitted my work to several publishers. I got declined by some but one in particular didn't appear to even have read the manuscript. So my wife and I talked about it and decided, what can they do decline me again, so I wrote them a very nice letter but one that clearly asked them to at least read my manuscript before declining so I could at least learn from the process. Amazingly enough about 2 weeks later I got a letter back from the publisher telling me they loved the book, suggesting some revisions and giving me 10 days to get the revised manuscript to them. Don't give up and don't be afraid to tactfully and respectfully speak out is what I tell young writers.

My 2nd through 4th books were done with WinePress who I found through a national clearinghouse. They loved my Christmas book right away and also my Giants series so that went much more smoothly.

If you write you should go for it and not be shy. Take the advice and learn from it even if it is tough, and it will be. Just make sure your voice is respected. Publishing is not the same as writing. It is a business and will require you to learn all the things necessary to start a new business. The skills are the same. But if you hang in there and see the process as taking you somewhere worth being then you will find joy in the process. I love meeting fans and doing something to help uplift them is some small way. My outreach to schools to inspire youth to stay in school and that it is worth the effort to find your greatness and become a giant has brought me the real joy in being an author.


Synopsis -Giants Two: The prodigals begins a few years after book one ends. Thomas the primary character of book one is older and is now a forest ward watching over the land. He is central to the book but we also meet several teenage prodigals. Young people who have lost their way, given up on hope in life or simply discouraged and distracted because they don't like their life, don't fit in or feel they can't live up to their parents expectations. These prodigals are caught up in a sudden change as a great evil threatens the land. They must discover their own true potential, overcome their fears and misgivings and save the land. They, along with an aging hero are the only ones that stand between the evil threat and the destruction of the land, their way of life and all the giants have worked to create for a thousand years. You might say they are way outside their comfort zone.

The Giants Trilogy is a thrilling adventure for the middle and YA reader. Parents frequently respond saying they have loved the books as well. There is a huge market out there of people who are tired of dark conflicted characters and not being able to tell good from evil. They seek characters with values that can be inspiring to youth and emulated. I will also say that my books do not give the characters any easy way out of their problems. They cannot just wave a wand, call upon a super power or beam up. My characters draw the young people to them because they, like real people, can only solve problems by reaching deep within and finding their own greatness, rising up and bravely doing all they can. It is my hope that through my books young people can realize more readily that they do have value, they can make a difference and that while they may not be able to clearly see how they fit in, they will see it as they press forward. There is a place for them and it is worth all the effort getting there. My books focus on hope that leads to faith that inspires action that can make a difference.






Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Luis Rodriguez

Author - Luis Rodriguez - www.klampie.com

Book - The Klampie Mystery

Publisher - Mascot Books offers some traditional publishing tools, but the financial backbone is provided by the author.

Road to Publishing - While more demanding financially this route is definitely more certain.

One extremely critical issue is this:

Start promoting the book at least 6 months prior to publication. REPEAT: Start promoting the book at least 6 months prior to publication.

To that end, have ready 'Bound Galleys" or "Advance Reader's Copies".

Most book critics at Big publications will not consider a book for review close to the scheduled publication date.

Book Synopsis - The adventure begins in San Diego, when Samantha gets a life-sized stuffed koala, before she and her parents go on a trip to visit an aunt and an uncle in Australia around Christmas time. The koala looked very real. Samantha just loved him and named him Klampie, since his arms clamp onto anything, just like a real koala.

Samantha clamped Klampie onto her backpack where he stayed during the flight, and then in the ride to her aunt and uncle's home after landing in Sydney.

The mystery begins when they stop to get gas. Something happens at the gas station that goes undetected by Samantha, her parents and her aunt and uncle. Something that is going to have everybody wondering later on...

In any event, the adventure continues during their exciting stay in Australia, that beautiful country down under. Samantha was amazed by the differences in weather, time and customs between the United States and Australia, and enjoyed all the additional love and affection she received from her aunt and uncle.

They all visited different interesting places, did a lot of shopping and even enjoyed a "barbie" (cookout) by the beach.

Most of the times Samantha left Klampie, so he wouldn't get lost. They had a great time in Australia!

Finally, it is time for Samantha and her family to return home to San Diego, and that is when the mystery unfolds...On the overnight plane ride home, little Samantha wakes everybody up screaming: "Klampie! Klampie! Klampie's alive!"

What a confusion! Is Klampie alive? What has happened? It is a true mystery for Samantha and everybody else, but not for the readers!

Children will love being on the truth while Samantha remains in the dark!

The Klampie Mystery is a sweet, heart warming story for all ages.








Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Angela Muse

Author - Angela Muse - http://4eyesbooks.com/


Book - The Christmas Owl

Road to Publishing - All of our books are self-published through Amazon. We offer both print and ebook versions of our children's stories. We decided to self-publish because we wanted creative control of our product in every aspect. Our goal is to bring high quality stories with positive messages and gorgeous illustrations to life.

For anyone thinking of self-publishing be ready to think outside the box when it comes time to market your book. Seek out other indie authors that you can share ideas with. Blog hops and giveaways are a great way to get your book in front of new audiences.


Book Synopsis - Inspired by her own love of owls, author Angela Muse’s “The Christmas Owl” follows the adventures of a Barred Owl who becomes injured and must ask others for help. He promises to give back to those who have a generous and kind heart – and he is true to his word. Filled with beautiful illustrations, “The Christmas Owl” is a heartwarming story that helps families celebrate the season of giving.








Disclosure - The questions were answered by the spotlight person in conjunction with my new feature.  I have not read the books.  I received nothing for this post.

Author Feature - Mark Smythe author of The Snowman's Revenge

The Snowman's Revenge

Ages:  4-8

Pages:  44

Publisher:  Mark Smythe

ARV:  $9.99

The snow's piled up high and school's cancelled, so let's play outside and, of course, build a snowman! Now, what if you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, like that poor snowman? Would you be mad? Of course you would!

Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let's see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, very beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed.

So lovable, it's sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with "kids" of all ages.

About the Author...

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful Southern geography of Western New York State. It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just South of Buffalo, New York.

He and his two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.

Mark is an Interior Structural Fire Fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, and also works in the field of Bio-Oncology Diagnostics.

In His Own Words...

You will note that the rhymed verse, in this particular book, is quite fun and, depending on how you tell the story (what tonation you use, the meter, the cadence, voice ranges, etc…) it can be altered for various age ranges and personalities. The story can be told in a very humorous manner, or you can make it a bit spooky, or you can just let the flow of the rhyme and the nice illustrations encapture the imagination.

Not only is the rhymed verse unique in its very nice cadence, allowing for verbal creativity in your presentation, but you will also note various “graphic” or “artistic” uses of the text, as well; in that, the text is very purposely “integrated” into the illustrations, in certain page spreads, in order to make the text “come alive” as an imbedded part of the illustration itself.

For instance, in the scene where a snowball is being thrown, it is the text that tells the tale of the snowball’s path, catching and leading the eye, infusing the text into the very drawing itself. Or, when the snowman slides down the hill toward the house: it is the text that tells the “story” of his curvy, swervey  ride.

So, when talking of the writing process, I also incorporate the illustration process; because, as Mike (my very gifted illustrator) will tell you, I was extremely particular and very meticulous about how each of the drawings depicted the story and lent itself to the rhymed verse. In so doing, I believe we created a book that is so fun for children to read (as I have seen their faces light right up), a joy for adults to read to a child, and one that is very pleasing to the eye (in that the drawings, the colors and the resolution is very aesthetically pleasing overall.

**  Thank you most kindly Mark for stopping by and sharing yourself with us...we wish you success in all that you do~!!  **

Spotlight - Shobhan Bantwal author of The Full Moon Bride

Join Shobhan Bantwal, author of The Full Moon Bride as she virtually tours the blogosphere in September 2011 on her fifth tour with Pump Up Your Book!

 Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing Bollywood in a Book, romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of her own Indian culture, stories that entertain and educate.

Shobhan writes for a variety of publications including The Writer magazine, India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, Desi Journal, India Currents, Overseas Indian, and New Woman India. Her short stories have won honors/awards in contests sponsored by Writer’s Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines.

Besides authoring five novels, Shobhan Bantwal is a freelance writer and award-winning fiction writer.  She regularly donates a portion of her book earnings to women's charities.

No Bosoms or Biceps

by Shobhan Bantwal - author of The Full Moon Bride

What is it about romance novel covers that makes them enticing on the one hand and the butt end of jokes on the other? I've seen both kinds of reactions and many in between. It is the men who typically make crude jokes about romance novels and avoid the romance aisles in the bookstore. But there are also women who are embarrassed to be seen reading romance novels with provocative images.

Historical fiction covers still tend to stick to the old stereotype: voluptuous women with breasts spilling out of their gorgeous gowns while dashing heroes in tight breeches and embroidered jackets bend over them in all their regal splendor.

Contemporaries however have come a long way since the days of bosomy heroines with flowing tresses looking up adoringly at the heroes holding them in their muscle-bound arms. Nowadays they still show full-breasted women and long-haired men, but with a slight twist. The women are more scantily clad, with slender legs and bare midriffs, and often wielding guns or other weapons, depending on the sub-genre. The men's broad chests and tree-trunk size biceps are bare, too, often tattooed and hairless. Then there are the paranormal covers with vampires, wolves, and wild cats poised to leap. All those covers are beautiful and tell their own story. They seem just right for the tales inside.

So where does that leave the kind of fiction I write: Bollywood in a Book? Mine is multicultural commercial fiction with heroines in modest saris, heroes working at ordinary jobs, and family drama or social issues as the central theme. But there is always plenty of love and romance woven into my novels.

Before the release of my debut book four years ago, I was worried about what kind of covers my publisher would design for my books. How would they sell romance without curvaceous women and handsome men on the covers?

Well, it turns out that I had no cause for concern. Kensington's art department has come up with some really striking covers to suit my unusual brand of romance. No bosom on display, and no man at all—just a woman wearing a sari or tunic top and ethnic jewelry. And yet the covers work well in attracting readers who are looking for something different in romance.

Spotlight - Mitchell Earl Gibson MD author of Nine Insights For A Happy And Successful Life

Join Dr. Mitchell Gibson, author of the self-help book Nine Insights For a Happy and Successful Life as he virtually tours the blogosphere in September & October 2011 on his first tour with Pump Up Your Book!

 Dr. Gibson was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina on August 24, 1959. He was born to William James and Mary Magdalene Gibson. One of five children, Gibson’s parent’s separated when he was 6 years old and he grew up in Ellerbe North Carolina; a small farming community near Pinehurst.

Dr. Gibson received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then completed his residency training at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. During his last year of residency he served as Chief Resident in Psychiatry and received the Albert Einstein Foundation Research Award for his work in Sleep Disorders.

Dr. Gibson then moved to Phoenix Arizona where he became Chief of Staff at the East Valley Camelback Hospital in Mesa Arizona.

Dr. Gibson has been listed among the Top Doctors in Arizona in the Phoenix magazine on several occasions. He has also twice been named to the Woodward and White listing of the “Best Doctors in America”.

Remember to Empty Your Cup

The cup of life has the capacity to fill itself each day with a myriad of tasks, both big and small, that we struggle to complete as best we can before we sleep.  The reality is however, that we can never really get it all done.  No matter how hard we try, something remains undone at the end of the day. 

Those little undone tasks consume the waking and sleeping moments of our lives and without realizing it, we often surrender the serenity and peace that we truly deserve to worry and anxiety.

If we choose, we can let go of that cup and fully empty it at any moment that we choose.  In a moment, we can choose to contemplate the silence of togetherness, the beauty of sharing life with another.  Let me suggest a few methods that you can use to gradually learn to empty your cup:

1.  Take twenty minutes a day to sit, close your eyes, and do nothing.  You don't have to count your breaths, say a mantra, or visualize anything.  These minutes are yours.  Allow your mind to drift for this special space in time.  Try to incorporate doing this each day no matter how busy your day becomes.

2.  Share your twenty quiet minutes with a friend or loved one.  If you like, hold their hands while you share this time.  Let your minds drift together.  Try not to talk.  Remember to smile.

3.  Take two hours each week to do something that you absolutely love.  Write out a list of things that you like to do.  I mean truly, absolutely like to do.  Make an exhaustive search inside your psyche for those things that ignite your passion.  Then, clear two hours once weekly to indulge yourself in one or more of the items on your list.  You will come to find that these times will become some of the most precious and special times of your life.

I often recall the peace and security I experienced as a boy when I sat quietly with my grandfather. I think about the strength and courage that I drew from him as I grew.  I think about the days that we sat on the porch and counted trucks.  Sometimes, we would just watch cars together and nod quietly to each other when a particularly well crafted machine passed by. The quiet moments of appreciation and stillness helped me learn to focus and appreciate the moments of life that often escape our notice.  He had no formal education past the third grade.  He had not traveled the world much beyond a fifty mile radius of where he was born.  But somehow, my grandfather had mastered an almost Zen-like talent that I rely to this day to get me through tough times and find peace.  No matter how busy life gets, take time to empty your cup and enjoy the peace of the moment.

Mitchell Earl Gibson MD

Dr. Mitchell Gibson is one of the world’s leading authorities on the interface of science and the frontiers of human consciousness.  He is the best-selling author of Your Immortal Body of Light, Signs of Mental Illness, Signs of Psychic and Spiritual Ability, The Living Soul, Nine Insights For A Happy and Successful Life, and Ancient Teaching Stories. 

He has delivered addresses to many of the world’s largest conferences related to science and consciousness. These include, The International Science and Consciousness Conference, The Sivananda Ashram Annual Symposium, International Institute of Integral Human Sciences, The SSGRR-IT Conference on Advances in Electronic Medicine in Italy, The Southeast Regional Unity Ministers Conference, The Northwest Astrological Association, The American Federation of Astrologers and many others.

Dr. Gibson has been a consultant for Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, A&E Network, NBC, ABC, and CBS regional affiliate television stations, newspapers, radio stations. 

Spotlight - Fiona Ingram author of The Secret Of The Sacred Scarab

About the author...

Fiona Ingram’s earliest story-telling talents came to the fore when, from the age of ten, she entertained her three younger brothers and their friends with serialized tales of children undertaking dangerous and exciting exploits, which they survived through courage and ingenuity. Haunted houses, vampires, and skeletons leaping out of coffins were hot favorites in the cast of characters. Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children’s book—The Secret of the Sacred Scarab—was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. 

The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into a children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has finished the next book in the series—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—a huge treat for young King Arthur fans. Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted teenage foster child, from an underprivileged background who is just discovering the joys of reading for pleasure. 

Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

About the book... 

Fiona Ingram's first book for children, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, takes its young heroes, Justin and Adam Sinclair, on a gripping adventure through Egypt. The cousins travel down the Nile on their holiday and are soon caught up in an adventure they didn't expect to happen. They dodge danger in the form of a deadly giant cobra, outwit seriously creepy baddies, survive the desert, and finally discover the secret of the sacred scarab.

As the book evolved, an entire series developed in the background - The Chronicles of the Stone. The Chronicles continue in the second book, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, which Fiona has just completed. Justin and Adam find themselves plunged into the myths and legends of King Arthur and his wondrous sword.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was nominated a Finalist in the Children's/Juvenile Fiction section of the USA 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as well as the USA National Best Books 2009 Awards. It was nominated a winner in the 2009 Readers' Favorite Awards. It was also listed number 2 in The Children's & Teens' Book Connection Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens. Recently the book won a Silver Medal in the 2010 Nautilus Book Awards and a Finalist place in the 2010 International Book Awards for Children's Fiction. The book won a Bronze Medal in the 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards. It was also a Finalist in the 2011 International Rubery Book Awards and was awarded the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

From the author...

Any parent who is an avid reader will have already thanked their parents for getting them started on the road to reading. Through the magic of storytelling, children learn, experience emotions, and begin to understand the world within as well as the world around them. Reading with your child, or sharing activities that involve reading is a wonderful pastime with so many benefits. Not only does this special ‘together time’ strengthen the bond between you and your child, but it enables you to monitor your child’s progress. You’ll see the growth of your child’s vocabulary, awareness of the world, social behavior skills, listening skills, confidence, use of imagination, and many other developmental aspects.

The written word also has a deeper impact on young readers’ lives. Life issues are sometimes a challenge for kids to comprehend. Although most parents wish to shield their children from the tragic side of life, many times reality intervenes and the parent may be powerless to adequately comfort their child when dealing with a sad or traumatic situation. Death, disease, divorce, moving house, loss of a pet, bullying, experiences with alcoholic or abusive parents, and drugs form part of a long list of potentially negative life experiences. The death of a beloved grandparent, parent, sibling, friend, or an important adult can have a potentially devastating effect on a young person. Books can offer the kind of therapy that a child will appreciate and in a format that they can understand. Stories, either fiction or non-fiction, enable children to identify with characters and sad or devastating events and relate these experiences to their own lives. Children are then able to recognize and understand how other people respond to frustration and disappointment. This helps children develop empathy and understanding of human behavior. It can also enable children to respond to discussing issues with a parent or responsible adult such as a teacher or therapist.  Today’s books also have opened up discussions on a variety of previously taboo topics or at least topics that were avoided. These issues can include: ·        bullying at school ·        peer pressure to indulge in drugs or sexual activities ·        negative comments regarding a child’s weight, appearance, or lack of athleticism ·        tolerance of differences among peers, such as income levels, religious beliefs, nuclear families vs. broken homes, etc. ·        a parent’s history with substance, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse ·        long term changes in living situations, such as the arrival of stepchildren or grandparents ·        issues such as homosexuality and lesbianism, especially where a parent decides to ‘come out’ ·        unique abilities and challenges faced by peers or family members with special needs, i.e., autism or Down Syndrome, debilitating illness, or illness or trauma resulting in disability, etc.  Regardless of the issue tackled or the story composed, a book’s therapeutic effectiveness will be enhanced by:  ·        age-appropriate language ·        honest and realistic characterizations ·        an avoidance of explicit preaching while allowing the reader to make the moral connection through critical thinking ·        a good, well-written story with relevant illustrations   Of course, even the best written book embracing a particular problem is not a cure-all, and parents should take note that books cannot replace the expert advice of a health care professional where necessary. However, using books for the purpose of healing will often be a solid step in helping a child understand and accept the realities of life, even when harsh and unpleasant.

  

THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB

Written by: FIONA INGRAM

Publisher: IUNIVERSE

ISBN Number: 9780595457168 (soft cover)

Genre: Juvenile Fiction - middle grade adventure

Spotlight - Terrell Dunnam author of While There Is Still Time

Join Terrell Dunnum author of the Christian inspirational, motivational poetry book, While There is Still Time: A Book of Prophecy Revealed Through Poetry, as he virtually tours the blogosphere in September and October, 2011, on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.

About the book...

God always sends messengers to warn his people before a special event. He sent Noah before the flood. He sent angels before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He send John the Baptist before the arrival of Jesus Christ.

In the same way God spoke to Noah and John the Baptist, he has spoken to Terrell Dunnum. Terrell had released the Lord’s messages into a book of poetry that will bring hope and healing to all who read it. 

While There is Still Time is filled with poetry that is enjoyable both for its messages and its unique rhythms and rhymes. The poetry in While There is Still Time will touch all people, whether saved or unsaved. The lost will be drawn back to God, the weak in faith will be strengthened, and all readers will find encouragement and inspiration.

About the author...

Terrell Dunnum is a school teacher and an ordained minister. At the age of twelve he began to teach Sunday school and help his mother prepare for her missionary license. Terrell’s unique message is one that has inspired, educated, and challenged individuals of all ages in making life changing choices.

At the age of 18, Terrell Dunnum’s mother died from an aneurism and a year later his father died from a coronary heart failure. Finding it difficult to continue with life and questioning God about the traumatic events left Terrell in a confused and depressed state. Terrell graduated from High School and continued through college receiving a bachelor’s degree in education through the help and encouragement of his older sibling,

Terrell says,” it was not easy, but I had to let go of the past, and learn to trust God in ways that my intellectual mind could not understand.” Through prayer and fasting, Terrell began to witness the miraculous effects of forgiveness and faith. Terrell later received his master’s degree in Christian Counseling from the American Bible College and Seminary.

Terrell Dunnum now encourages others as a motivational speaker. He has a gift to touch the hearts and minds of individuals struggling with identity crisis and relational barriers. He has helped thousands of young men and women find true meaning and purpose in life. He is the founder of Total Freedom Ministries Inc., a non-profit organization that provides mentoring, biblical counseling, and basic life skills to troubled youths and families

Read the excerpt...

Yearning for You
Like a whistle from a kettle as steam is set free
Is my yearning for you
Like a hand that rocks the cradle
With a soft, gentle touch
Is my yearning for you
My fragrance is sweet, so why don’t you sit, relax
Let it warm your feet
I am warmer than milk and sweeter than honey
With words of love as gentle as a little baby bunny
So come into my presence, my dear, my sweet
I have all the bread and wine and so much more to eat
For I will satisfy your longing no man can fill
With my words full of comfort
I’ll carry you to this great and awesome hill
So be still and know that I am
You are my bride
Prepare yourself
  

Book Information

Title of Book: WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME
A Book of Prophecy Revealed Through Poetry
# of Pages:74
Genre: Religion, Christian Life, Devotional
Poetry, Inspirational, Religious
Publisher:Tate Publishing & Enterprises
Publication Date: April 19, 2011

Spotlight - Benjamin Kane Ethridge author of Black and Orange

Join Benjamin Kane Ethridge, author of the award-winning dark fantasy horror Black & Orange as he virtually tours the blogosphere in August & September 2011 on his first tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About the book...

Forget everything you know about Halloween. The stories are distortions. They were created to keep the Church of Midnight hidden from the world. Every October 31st a gateway opens to a hostile land of sacrificial magic and chaos. Since the beginning of civilization the Church of Midnight has attempted to open the gateway and unite with its other half, the Church of Morning. Each year they’ve come closer, waiting for the ideal sacrifice to open the gateway permanently. This year that sacrifice has come. And only two can protect it.

Martin and Teresa are the nomads, battle-hardened people who lack identity and are forever road-bound on an endless mission to guard the sacrifice. Their only direction is from notes left from a mysterious person called the Messenger. Endowed with a strange telekinetic power, the nomads will use everything at their disposal to make it through the night alive.

But matters have become even more complicated this year. Teresa has quickly lost ground battling cancer, while Martin has spiraled into a panic over being left alone. His mind may no longer be on the fight when it matters most… because ever on their heels is the insidious physical representation of a united church: Chaplain Cloth.

About the author...

Benjamin Kane Ethridge’s fiction has appeared in Doorways Magazine, Dark Recesses, FearZone, and others. His dark fantasy novel BLACK & ORANGE (Bad Moon Books 2010) has won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in First Novel. Beyond that he’s written several collaborations with Michael Louis Calvillo, one of which is a novella called UGLY SPIRIT, available in 2011. He also wrote a master’s thesis entitled, “CAUSES OF UNEASE: The Rhetoric of Horror Fiction and Film.” Available in an ivory tower near you. Benjamin lives in Southern California with his wife and daughter, both lovely and both worthy of better. When he isn’t writing, reading, videogaming, he’s defending California’s waterways and sewers from pollution.

MY TWO YEAR OLD & SCARY MOVIES

What do I do? My daughter, a two year-old going on three, refuses to let me hide her eyes during scary movies. I’ll guess your next question: Why do you let her watch them? Well, there could be a variety of explanations in that case. For one, I’m a dope. I haven’t yet learned how to completely fit my daughter into the paradigm of my previous life. See, I’m a dark fantasy writer and I love horror tales. It’s one of the few genres I’ve found that can be completely honest with the reader, both on an animal and spiritual level.

Well that’s all great, if I didn’t have to raise a child now. She won’t go to sleep when night falls and she WANTS to see what I won’t let her see. My wife and I enjoy shows like “Dexter” and “Supernatural.” Now my daughter likes them too. But this is way too soon. Both shows are gory. “Dexter,” especially so. I haven’t relented in trying to cover her eyes, but I cannot get to her every time.

Maybe this is a cyclical thing. My parents let me watch just about anything. I was probably ten when I saw “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” My mother also shielded my eyes during the explicit scenes—different is, I let her.

Parents want to have their freedom. You don’t want to watch cartoons day-in-day out, you’re too tired to stay up to all hours just to watch a movie, and you don’t fancy locking your kids in another room just so you can watch SCREAM 4. Possibly, and I certainly hope this is true, just the act of protecting your kids will demonstrate how violence is a negative thing. See, people talk a lot about horror movies desensitising kids, but I don’t think it works that way most times. If it did, kids would stop watching such films because there’d be no impact. If violence no longer impassioned them one way or another, why indulge it anymore? Horror films reinforce what we all inherently know. Violence is an unwanted part of life. That is just as true for the characters in the movie as it is the audience members watching them go through hell.

With having convinced myself, at very least, that still leaves me with an impressionable child. I try to explain to her that the movie is make-believe, but she’s too young for that concept. It is what it is, I guess. I’m not completely resolved with this, mind you, but I’m putting my faith in the world I present to my daughter outside of movies. Will she turn out demented, for all my assumptions? I don’t think so.  As long as she’s shown love in her everyday life, no manner of story will ever have the power to take that away.

One hopes.

 

Spotlight - Steve DeWinter author of Inherit The Throne

Join Steve DeWinter, author of the suspense thriller, Inherit the Throne (CreateSpace), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in June and July on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Steve DeWinter:
I was born and grew up loving to read. But enough about me; you’re here for my books. If you like super-charged thrillers that merge high-tech gadgetry with ancient mythology and pit the outcast against powerful
clandestine organizations, you are among friends.

My goal as a writer is to transport you to fresh and exciting worlds that not only take you on a white-knuckle ride but leave you hungry for more when you finally turn that last page and reluctantly slam shut the back cover of the book.

This is my promise to you the reader.

I will continue to satisfy your never-ending desire for more. So keep reading!

When one story ends, another begins.

To find out more about Steve visit www.stevedw.com

 About Inherit The Throne:

Some lines should never be crossed.
Living under a new identity in the tiny Northwestern tourist town at the base of Mount Hood, Melissa thought she had finally escaped her past. That is until an assassin tries to kill her and forces her back into a treacherous shadow world she vowed never to return.

That same night an unmanned robotic SUV slams into the limousine of the Vice President of the United States and detonates with several hundred pounds of explosives. Melissa soon discovers that the attack on the Vice President and the attempt on her own life are related.

And time is running out to find out who wants her dead and why she alone holds the key to saving the President of the United States.

The Reader Friendly Author

As a consumer of goods, and a father, I love to hear the words "Kid Friendly, Family Friendly, etc." Descriptions like these tell me that what I am about to spend time and money on will be fun for my child, my family and me.

There is another "Friendly" that I would like to talk about today, and it is a term that I don't hear used very much when discussing fiction. As a reader, I want books that are "Reader Friendly". I wasn't aware that this was something I wanted because, for several decades now, the large publishing houses have been sheltering readers from unfriendly writing.

I'm not talking about content, genre, or any of that subjective stuff. Everyone's personal tastes differ from each other on enough levels that what is awesome for one is awful for another. What I am referring to are the objective aspects of writing. What we were taught in school immediately after learning to hold a pencil between our tiny eager fingers.

I'm talking about the basics.

I'm talking about spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The brain glides effortlessly over words it recognizes. But hit a misspelled word, and the reader is violently thrown out of the story world. The illusion that the author has so carefully crafted over the preceding pages is gone in an instant. And the pages directly after the misspelling were not designed to create the illusion, only sustain it. And this is a huge problem for writers and for readers.

I am an unapologetic self-published author, but I made a grave mistake when I failed to take the necessary steps to ensure that I published a "Reader Friendly" book. I convinced myself that it was okay. I wasn't supported by a major publisher who had stores of cash to pay the best editor in the business to go over my book. I was just a little self-publishing author. I had read through my book and located as many as I (and spellchecker) could find. The readers would forgive me for those that I missed.

But once a reader pointed them out, I changed my self-publishing tune very quickly. I had to stop thinking like a self-publishing author, and think like a self-publisher.

A publisher would have hired an editor.

So I hired an editor.

And from this point forward, love them or hate them, my books are "Reader Friendly."

p.s. My editor didn't have a chance to review this guest post, so be gentle ;) -- Steve DeWinter

Spotlight - Hermina Krista Pettiford author of Surrendered Balance

Join Hermina Krista Pettiford, author of the self-help, inspirational/devotional, self-help non-fiction book/workbook for the Christian Women, Surrendered Balance: Daily Living for the Modern Christian Woman as she virtually tours the blogosphere in May 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. 

About Hermina Krista Pettiford:

Hermina Krista Pettiford

Hermina Krista Pettiford is the women’s ministry leader in her local church – New Covenant Tabernacle located San Diego, CA where she lives with her family. She has a B. A. in Biblical Studies from Southern California Seminary. Her belief is that the Spirit of God and the Word of God work together to create dynamic power for living the Christian life, thus, she ministers with a solid Biblical message and with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Her desire is to see women and families strengthened through God’s Word and their relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. She has written out of her own life experiences, and her gift and love of writing to and for the Lord.

You can find Krista Pettiford at her website; www.surrenderedbalance.com

Surrendered Balance

About Surrendered Balance:
Do you live a fast paced and hectic life? Is your relationship with God suffering because of it? Imagine living a life of balance, in the flow of God’s will even while you’re always on the go. It is possible to flourish and have fulfillment in both your spiritual life and natural life without feeling as if you are neglecting either one. It comes by way of surrendered balance.

Hermina Krista Pettiford, in her first book connects with modern the Christian woman, giving fresh ideas and insight for balancing the responsibilities of modern-life while maintain an intimate relationship with God.  In her personable style she gives practical solutions and applicable tools for women to make a life of surrendered balance no longer just a dream but a reality!

A modern Christian woman is someone who balances all of her responsibilities – family, career, friendship, ministry to others, and caring for herself all while keeping the Lord at the center of her life. If you are a modern Christian woman this book was written for you.

Proverbs 31:16 (AMP) says, “She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.”
As modern Christian women we balance so much: time with the Lord, family, friends, work, staying fit and healthy, making time for ourselves without feeling too guilty, church and ministry.

God has a plan for each one of us that will bring about a proper balance between our spiritual and natural life. It is through the path of surrender and making time for Him that we find this plan. As we allow God to order our lives, not taking on more than we can handle or are called by Him to do, but rather, like wise women considering all of our choices in the presence of God before we proceed, our lives are bound to come into a state of surrendered balance and make room for all the needed things.

However, because of modern-day busyness, living a surrendered life and creating a constant balance is not always easy, even for those who have lived the Christian life for many years. The disciplines and principles in this book may not be new to you, but I believe the strategies and ideas will give you a fresh way of looking at how to balance your daily living as a modern Christian woman.

This book has two parts. The first part lists and discusses seven disciplines of a balanced life for the modern Christian woman. The second part is designed to help you implement these disciplines into your life without boxing you into just another system that will never work because it doesn’t fit your life. This book was written to help you keep track of your time, so that you will have time for all the needed things without getting overwhelmed.

The strategies and ideas I will share are those that God gave me when I was in a stressful time of life with more work and responsibilities than time and energy in a day. They still work for me and they will work for you if you apply them.

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **

Spotlight - M.J. Rose author of The Hypnotist

Join M.J. Rose, author of the historical suspense novel, The Hypnotist (MIRA, May 2010), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in May and June on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.

About M.J. Rose:

M.J. Rose is the international bestselling author of 11 novels; Lip Service, In Fidelity, Flesh Tones, Sheet Music, Lying in Bed, The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, The Venus Fix,The Reincarnationist, The Memorist and The Hypnotist.
 
Rose is also the co-author with Angela Adair Hoy of How to Publish and Promote Online, and with Doug Clegg of Buzz Your Book.

She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She runs two popular blogs; Buzz, Balls & Hype and Backstory.
Getting published has been an adventure for Rose who self-published Lip Service late in 1998 after several traditional publishers turned it down. Editors had loved it, but didn’t know how to position it or market it since it didn’t fit into any one genre.

Frustrated, but curious and convinced that there was a readership for her work, she set up a web site where readers could download her book for $9.95 and began to seriously market the novel on the Internet.

After selling over 2500 copies (in both electronic and trade paper format) Lip Service became the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as being the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.

Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek and New York Magazine.

Rose has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers and Publishers Weekly.

Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

She lives in Connecticut with Doug Scofield, a composer, and their very spoiled dog, Winka.

You can visit her website at www.mjrose.com

Her Insight:
Inspiration is a crazy thing. I don't know where it comes from but I'm thankful it does come.

My characters are very elusive. They arrive like wisps of smoke. My first inkling about a new character comes as a question. A "what if".

"What if" a man was in an accident and woke up with memories that don't belong to him.

Then I start thinking of what kind of man would that be a conflict for. Who would hate that and fight it.

Slowly a person starts to emerge.

Then I work on their names - for a main character it can take me a month to come up with the right name. And all too often I think I have the right name - then start working on the book and realize I have the wrong name. In The Memorist I wrote the whole book with Meer's name being something else and she was wooden on the page. Then I changed her name and she came alive.

My real work with the characters is an evolution. For three months I don't write a word. Rather I do research and work on my main character's scrapbook. The very process of collecting her preferred poems, swatches of her favorite colors, and petals from the flowers she grows gives me time to find her.

I collect the ticket stubs for a performance of the Metropolitan Opera that she went to, a postcard from her mother's first trip to Europe, a piece of the red and white string on the pastry box from her grandmother's apartment: it's all in the scrapbook.

And only when I've found all the knickknacks of her life and I've done a fair amount of procrastinating do I even think about sitting down to write. And by then, I can't wait.

 ** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **