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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

New Release -- Hunter James Dolin (The Half-Breed Gunslinger II) by Bret Lee Hart -- Giveaway!

Hunter James Dolin is a half-breed gunslinger who exists in the roughest land possible—the Florida Everglades—and survives. Born and raised in this wild swampland, half-white and half-Indian, he belongs in neither world—and he knows it. He’s a loner, a survivor—matchless when it comes to a fight of any kind. He’s back to take on Richard Montgomery, the man who has stolen everything from him—his best friend, his surrogate son, and the love of his life.

But with the odds stacked against him, can Hunter James Dolin survive long enough to rid the earth of this evil tycoon who has endless wealth, an army of followers, and a beautiful young woman at his disposal? Going after Montgomery alone is a suicide mission, but there’s nothing left for Hunter but revenge—he’ll be the death of his nemesis, or die trying.

What Hunter doesn’t plan on is the loyalty of two friends—and the love of a beautiful woman. With their help, Dolin might even live to enjoy the defeat of his arch enemy. The Civil War rages to the north, but the odds are suddenly looking a whole lot better for HUNTER JAMES DOLIN: THE HALF-BREED GUNSLINGER in his own private war…and this time, Richard Montgomery will die.

EXCERPT

      "Watch ya think, Jebediah?"
     "Hell, I don't know, Walt." Jebediah stretched his neck forward, his eyes squinting as he tried to focus on the man at the fire.
     "It's got to be him, who else could live way the devil out here?"
     "Well, I reckon we need to ride in, at least in speakin' distance, ya think?" Walt asked nervously. 
     "I s’pose," agreed Jebediah. "We're already in rifle distance, the way that son shoots. If he wanted us dead, we'd done been shot already." 
     "Let's do what we came to do, then," replied Walt. "Can't live forever."

Be sure and leave a comment for a chance to win a free ebook!

     

Thursday, September 15, 2016

New Release -- APACHE TEARS by John Duncklee -- Giveaway!

A year of evenings in 1948 spent with "Apache Bill" Russell, a second cousin to Geronimo, listening to his stories and gaining a deep appreciation for his people. I should have been doing homework from the university. Alas, I failed freshman chemistry, but I learned far more from Bill Russell than from any homework, or classes for that matter.

A young Apache boy, Kaetin, loses everything in one fateful night of death when many of his people are massacred by another Indian tribe. Stolen away and forced into captivity, Kaetin waits for his chance to escape, and when it comes, he kills the man responsible for the deaths of his mother and sister so many years ago.  (John Duncklee)

BLURB

But Kaetin must learn to accept what has happened in his life and turn away the bitterness that his thirst for revenge brings. Once he joins Geronimo’s band, he faces being shunned by many of the warriors for his unwillingness to become a warrior himself.

Can Kaetin survive in the harsh Apache world and stand true to his own beliefs? Through a white prospector, Silas, he learns that not all White Eyes are treacherous, and that revenge can never bring happiness. Reconciling his losses and his future proves to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.

EXCERPT

The village was silent in death except for the sobbing that came from my friends and relatives. It was a temptation to beg for death, but we were forced into a line and herded away from our village. I kept thinking that my father would come with the other men and rescue us, but I knew they were all hunting far up the canyon. Our Papago captors made us walk away toward the south. None of the White Eyes or Mexicans bothered or helped us. It was not long before we realized that the Papago were taking us to be slaves. It was not only to provide them labor, but also to fulfill their revenge against us, the Apache, to whom they harbored a deep hatred that seemed to have lasted since the beginning of time. 

Be sure and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a free APACHE TEARS ebook.


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT--WORKSHOP AND WORKBOOK!



Are you writing a work of fiction? Whether you're a seasoned author or brand new at writing, Keena Kincaid's DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT workbook and workshop are MUST HAVES! Keena has written a wonderful workbook to help you discover and unlock the secrets that your fictional characters have--secrets even you, the author, may not know about. In addition, Keena also offers on-line workshops with excellent feedback and help to bring you deeper into your characters' personalities and their world--yes, even a world you created.

Learning about the secrets that your characters keep, how these secrets affect personalities and plot line outcomes, and what you can do to discover and guide the revelation of them is crucial to an effective storytelling process.

BLURB:

Secrets. We all have them. Even our characters keep secrets—sometimes from the author. Dirty Little Secrets of Character Development workbook takes you through fun, inventive exercises to root out your characters’ hidden secrets. The lessons and exercises in the book will give you insight into how these secrets affect characters at the deepest level and give you an understanding of how these secrets to propel the plot forward in a logical, engaging manner.

Get your own DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT workbook here, in either print or digital formats, for only $9.99! Keena is offering the next session of her online workshop from September 20 through October 20 for only $15! Yes, that's everything--workbook AND workshop--for around $25!

Contact Keena to sign up for her workshop here: keenakincaidauthor@gmail.com or friend her and private message her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/keena.kincaid?fref=ts

      

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Writers as Leaders

This post by Gayle M. Irwin

Last month I attended a simulcast of the Global Leadership Summit (GLS), an endeavor of the Willow Creek Association located in Chicago that is broadcast to venues throughout the nation. This two-day conference, held annually for more than 20 years, features renowned speakers and leaders from businesses, non-profits, and churches who encourage attendees to become better leaders. This year’s faculty included Melinda Gates, Dr. Travis Bradberry, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bill Hybels, and Patrick Lencioni. As I’ve listened to the stories and talks by the various presenters this year and during previous years and pondered applications, I've come to recognize that writers are leaders. 

Have you ever considered that? The journalist on the air or the page, the blogger online, the poet and essayist in a literary magazine, the nature article writer, the book author, songwriter, screenplay composer… they all contribute ideas, share tales, and make people think. Writers engage, educate, and inform; writers spark controversy, investigate rumors, research, report, entertain, encourage.

Writers engage people. They teach and inspire readers, and sometimes they teach and mentor one another. I’m planning to attend a one-day writer’s workshop later this month; the leader is fiction writer Morgan Callan Rogers. I have not written a book or short story in a similar vein as Morgan; my work, mostly memoir and children’s pet stories (the pet does not talk), primarily use setting and action to tell the story, not dialogue or character development. However, I have works in progress which will branch me out and take me out of my comfort zone – for these, I need further writing instruction and guidance, in particular developing characters and generating strong dialogue. I feel I will become a better writer by attending this conference and being tutored by a writing leader… as well as learn from other attendees.

I, too, can be a leader with the works I do produce. For example, I write inspirational pet stories for children, in which I weave character traits and life lessons, such as courage, perseverance, friendship, and self-confidence. When I visit schools and libraries and share my words with youngsters, my hope is to inspire them for the times in life in which they may face negative things like divorce or bullying… as well as to create an engaging, fun story for them to read.

I also see myself becoming more of a leader in regard to pet and creation care. Animals and nature are my passions; I desire to see people more greatly appreciate the beauty around us and the pets which share our lives and need our help. I recently had a short story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America, in which I reflect upon the gems which are America’s national parks. One of my works in progress is called Jasmine’s Journey: The Story of a Rescue Dog, which will teach children what pet rescue organizations do. I envision these projects growing me as a writer-leader.

The major theme of the GLS is “Lead where you are.” During a session at a previous Summit, the speaker talked about “sowing seeds.” I enjoy sowing my word-seeds in order to encourage, inspire, and entertain people, both adults and children. Writers are leaders, and it’s an exciting journey!


Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. 
 ~ Henry David Thoreau


Gayle M. Irwin is the author of several inspirational dog books for children and adults, including a chapter book called Sage's Big Adventure and a memoir titled Walking in Trust: Lessons Learned from My Blind Dog, both about her dog's blindness and the lessons she learned along that journey. She is also a contributing writer to several editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul and is one of the featured writers in Memories from Maple Street U.S.A: Pawprints on My Heart, released in July by Sundown Press. She speaks in schools, at libraries, and for civic and faith-based organizations. Learn more at www.gaylemirwin.com.