VBT Cafe' Blog

The Mancode:Exposed Book Bash - 3 Days Only

2012-02-23T04:02:00.000-05:00

TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE SHOULD BUY THE MANCODE: EXPOSED

10. Men: Clearly, based on the title, this book has to do with men. I’m married to one, have been for almost twenty years. I’ve had several long-term relationships, dated for many years prior, and have been in the workplace since age sixteen. Plus I’m online and interacting constantly with hundreds of guys as part of my social media consulting business and author platform. And they’re kind of always walking around and stuff. I have lots of material.

9. Women: I have two fabulous sisters and a terrific mom, as well as awesome friends and have always worked well with a cadre of chicks. Sure, women are competitive but so are men. We’re all people, right? My book specifically discusses women’s reactions to men and vice versa. One of my theories (after too many martinis one night) is women talk in circles, and men speak in points. Think about it.

8. Sex: Kind of hard NOT to discuss in a book about men and women don’t you think? But I decided to look at it from a different point of view and deconstruct things. Like our private parts – why not? Some people are uncomfortable with it but clearly, not me! I also discuss lingerie – pretty but man, that stuff is itchy.

7. Humor: Much of what I discuss is tongue in cheek, sarcastic, metaphorical. A lot of people have had quite visceral reactions to it because I think they take it literally. And that’s okay – I’m thrilled if I can elicit an emotion in anyone. I just hope people remember this is a humorous collection of essays. I’m no ‘ologist’ and make no claims to be.

6. Chocolate: From my point of view, chocolate is a food group. I can exist on Nutella alone. One guy on Twitter once told me to explain that and about twelve women practically attacked him. Chicks get it, dudes don’t. If we’re PMSing, we become Maleficent. What’s not to get?

5. Martinis: My salvation from a bad day. I’m a vodka girl. I really only have one a week, but I love writing about them. Just the thought of a vodka martini with extra olives makes you – sigh – take a deep breath, right? Hey, I have a ~~drama queen~~ tween girl and a six-year-old ~~Tasmanian devil child~~ darling son. A girl needs her martinis.

4. Stereotypes: There are certain behaviors or ways of communicating that my husband and I engage in. It’s simple fact. That’s what I write about. It’s where Mancode started for me. It’s funny. People can relate to it. We’re not all that different. There are universal truths about marriage, men, women, sex, relationships, etc. This is how stereotypes were formed ‘in the beginning.’

Some people have issues with my book – this is where the controversy comes in – saying I’m simply caving in to stereotypes. I researched stereotypes, DNA, how the male and female brains work, and more before I wrote my book.

Again, this is a humor book. It’s meant to be taken as such. I’m okay with however people want to internalize it and encourage discourse about it. That rocks.

3. Remotes: My guy is pretty obsessed with them. Quantity, volume, types. I could care less where they are or if I put them in a blender one day and crush them to an electronic death they’ll never recover from. Hey, a girl can dream.

2. Chickspeak: I’m quite task oriented (see my COMMUNICATION STYLES post on my blog) but women do say stuff like “I’m fine,” when we’re so not. This confuses men. They think we’re fine. Silly men.

Mancode: The main reason you should read The Mancode: Exposed is right there in the title. We’re got their number. Or do we?

I deconstruct the goofy things men do (organize the garage but not the house – what is that?), the brain shelf (why men can only keep three things on the shelf at any one time: sex, food, and sports – as reported to me by several men), and why they’re obsessed with their own bodily secretions (I know—ewww).

Oh, and did I mention The Mancode: Exposed is priced at only 99cents this week? That’s kinda major! And it’s already made it into the Amazon Top 100? And hit #1 on Motherhood, Parenting and Families, and Parenting and Relationships?

So there’s that.

The book is eBook format and is available from Amazon exclusively but remember, you don’t need a Kindle to purchase eBooks – download their free apps for smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet, or cloud to read any eBooks – even if you’re a Nook (or other tablet) owner – you don’t have to miss out!

Be sure to follow Rachel here: her blog RachelintheOC.com, Twitter @RachelintheOC, Facebook and Goodreads. If you need social media advice, contact her at BadRedHeadMedia.com and follow her on Twitter @BadRedHeadMedia.

Meet & Greet with Cora Parks - Your IRS Refund (just in time for the season)

2012-02-22T06:57:00.001-05:00

Today we proudly present you with Cora Parks. Cora will be touring with her book, Your IRS Refund and what better time to have this book brought to you than during tax season. Cora gives you tips on how to ensure your refund is not delayed in every aspect. Welcome Cora!

Cora Parks is a lifelong Atlantan whose vision is to bring proactive tax counsel and personal responsibility to the masses in the area of taxation.

She is the author and editor of the financial blog Tax Today, a blog that provides readers with information on an array of federal tax topics. She is currently collaborating with PYPTW Inc, a nonprofit organization to start a low income tax clinic in metro Atlanta.

In Your IRS Refund you will find all the information you will need about an IRS refund, from the options that you have to get your refund, to getting a bigger refund, and getting it faster. In addition, we include little known IRS refund topics, like what to do when you have an expired refund, what to do if you get an unexpected IRS refund and much more.

Schedule:

February 22 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 24 - Review, Guest Blog & Giveaway at Taking Time for Mommy
February 27 - Guest Blogging at BK Walker Books Etc.
February 28 - Book Feature at Walker's Musing
March 2 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
March 5 - Twitter Fiesta & Giveaway
March 8 - Featured at Authors Promoting Authors
March 13 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
March 15 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
March 16 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services

Meet & Greet with Beth Aldrich - Real Moms Love to Eat

2012-02-22T01:46:00.000-05:00

Today we welcome Beth Aldrich to the tour ring. Beth is the author of Real Moms Love to Eat and this is going to be a great tour. So come on over for the food, and stay for the girl talk - you're going to love it!

Welcome Beth!

She is the founder of For Her Information Media, LLC (FHI) established in 2003, with productions such as the PBS TV series, For Her Information (aired in Turkey, Israel and 60 cities, nationwide), the radio shows, A Balanced Life with Beth Aldrich, and Real Moms Love to Eat with Beth Aldrich, and the online magazine and newsletter, FHI Online. Her company's mission is to be a life guide for conscious-minded women. Beth is also the founder of Restoring Essence Nutrition, LLC and a Certified Holistic Health and Nutritional Counselor through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Beth received her education from Columbia University's Teachers College and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.

http://www.realmomslovetoeat.com

Beth Aldrich, author of, Real Moms Love to Eat wants you to conduct a love affair with food and still look fabulous by simply working through her easy-to-follow 10-part plan of making over your entire outlook and relationship with food. You have to eat at least three times a day, so why not love what you're eating and feed yourself food that will love you back? Discover new and interesting ways to prepare and "get involved" with food; complete with 21-days of satisfying and delicious meal suggestions, this funny book will find a permanent spot on your bedside table or kitchen counter. Real Moms really DO love to eat!

Just a few of the many busy-mom-friendly tips readers of REAL MOMS LOVE TO EAT will learn include:

Make it All About YOU: Remembering the pleasure inherent in early food experiences can make food seem like a friend, not an enemy. Beth teaches readers how to have a loving relationship with food and recapture the pleasure, showing them how to change their perspective on food-for good. Out with the guilt and in with the happy-tasty-delicious! This book will provide the tools needed for moms to feel more energetic and still look great in those skinny jeans!
Get Naked with Raw Foods: Every bite of fresh, scrumptious, whole foods can increase vitality, energy and contribute to the health of the planet. Raw foods are easy to prepare and make your mouth sing. You’ll be asking the sales clerk, “May I get a smaller size, please?” in no time, when you get on the whole-food wagon.
Tame your Cravings Dragon: If you’re yearning for sweets and processed baked goods, odds are your cravings dragon needs to be tamed. By consuming nutrient-dense whole grains, such as quinoa, whole-grain toast with sesame butter, and oatmeal, that dragon of yours will turn into a pussycat in no time.
Hungry for More Lovin’?: In addition to the easy-to-follow steps outlined in Beth’s 10-part plan, there’s 21 days of lick-the-back-of-the-spoon, sample menu suggestions, complete with lifestyle recommendations and recipes including, Balsamic Broccoli Salad, Harvest Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup, Lime-Crusted Spiced Salmon, Cocoon Chicken and Apple Cobbler Du Barbi—and yes, you can have a piece of chocolate every day—Beth insists upon it! Find out why.

Schedule:

February 21 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 23 - Guest Blogging at Live To Read
February 25 - Guest Blogging at This Author's Life
February 29 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
March 2 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
March 5 - Reviewed at Loves 2 Read
March 6 - Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Taking Time For Mommy
March 7 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
March 7 - Interviewed at KWOD RadioMarch 9 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
March 10 - Guest Blogging with Ami Blackwelder
March 13 -  Interviewed at KWOD Radio
March 16 - Interviewed at MK McClintock's Blog
March 19 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
March 21 - Guest Blogging at Live To Read
March 23 - Reviewed at  Writing Innovations
March 27 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
March 30 - Reviewed at It's All About Me
April 2 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
April 4 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Books Are Cool
April 6 -  Interviewed by Louise James
April 9 -  Guest Blogging at Walker's Muse
April 10 - BOOK BLITZ DAY April 11 - Twitter Fiesta
April 13 - Reviewed by Jennifer L. Bonges

Blitz Sponsors
VBT Cafe' Blog
Authors Promoting AuthorsBK Walker Books Etc.
Walker's Musing of the Mind
Books Are Cool
MK McClintock's Blog
Louise James
It's All About Me Ami Blackwelder
Live To Read
This Author's Life
Cindy Vine
Writing Innovations
Loves 2 Read
Taking Time For Mommy
Mommy Reads Too Much
Ereading on the Cheap
Easy Peasy Recipeasy

Meet & Greet with M.K. McClintock - Gallagher's Pride Giveaway

2012-02-22T00:55:00.000-05:00

Due to computer issues, we are late with this meet and greet and offer our sincere apologies. We are very excited to get this tour started though and proudly present you with M.K. McClintock! Welcome M.K.

McClintock was born in California, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. After more adventures around the country, business college and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana. "I've always loved books and spent more hours reading through school than any other activity. I wrote stories when I was younger and even tried my hand at a novel. It wasn't very good and I shelved the idea for years. I’ve learned a lot since and even more since publishing my first book." She pulled the ideas off the shelf and began working on her novel, Gallagher's Pride, the first in an historical series about a ranching family in Montana. Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock still calls Montana home.

Websites: URL: http://www.mkmcclintock.com Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com

Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family. As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.

Purchase Links:

· CreateSpace Store Page: https://www.createspace.com/3501170

· Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gallaghers-Pride-First-Gallagher-Novels/dp/1456346814/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325974711&sr=8-2

· Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Gallaghers-Pride-Gallagher-Series-ebook/dp/B006ZOSVFG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1327266592&sr=8-2

Giveaway:

There will be a giveaway at the end of M.K.'s tour for three signed copies of Gallagher's Pride, so be sure to follow for a chance to win. The more you comment, the more chances you have :).

Schedule:

February 20 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 27 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 29 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
March 6 - Reviewed at E-reading on the Cheap
March 8 - Guest Blogging at Speculative Friction
March 12 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
March 14 - Guest Blogging at This Author's Life
March 16 - Review & Interview at Hardcover Feedback
March 19 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
March 21 - Guest Blogging with Natalie Nicole Bates
March 23 - Guest Blogging with Ami Blackwelder
March 28 - Interviewed by Louise James
March 30 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings

Hot Topic Tuesday - I Did A Blog Post, Now What?

2012-02-21T14:17:00.005-05:00

Last week we talked about Engaging Your Audience. So you did some research, found a niche that you just LOVE right? You drafted your first blog post, went over it and over it, asked your significant other if it looked okay, if it sounded okay, then you turned to your kids and asked them too. You stared at the Publish Post button for another 5 minutes, closed your eyes tight and finally went for it! YAY YOU!

Now you've called your best friend, "Please log on and go to [yourblogname.blogspot/wordpress.com] and tell me if this sounds alright."

Your best friend calls you back and tells you that it's great so now you can relax. Whew! Take a deep breath and exhale my friend.

You've made your first blog post, now what?

That is the million dollar question this week, submitted by my good friend Mandie over at Taking Time For Mommy.

I'm really glad you've found your niche, but now you need to figure out what content you want to add right? Your research is not over. I'm only guessing that the niche you've chosen is either something of high interest or something you are really knowledgeable of, am I right? So here's what comes next.

As my good friend Rachel from RachelintheOC calls them, Essays. You can call it whatever you want though, essays, post, article, content. You just have to create it.

Image from Dipity.com

Grab your handy dandy journal or notebook, jot down some ideas. In your niche, what are you hoping to accomplish? Are you writing about weight loss and looking to give tips about effective ways to lose weight and keep the pounds off? Or are you a book blogger looking to make it easy for readers to find new releases, authors, and just to share the books you love? Share your experiences, your reviews, your thoughts on what you love. Write good quality content, what you know, what you've learned. If you write it, they will come.

Whatever your niche is, write down some ideas on what it is exactly you want to cover. The content you want to share with your readers and the content that you think will help your readers. Once you have some ideas on paper, research it, then write it. Blog posts do not need to be research papers like we did in high school, but a basic discussion on a particular topic that you want to share, or hope to find others that share in the same interest. I usually tell my authors that are touring to do a guest post of 300 - 500 words. That is a good place to start, but by no means has to be your limit. It's your blog, you write what you want and how you want.

So now you've written your article, edited it to perfection, and you're ready to post. Congratulations!

We discussed how often you should post last week, but just to refresh your memory, you should be blogging everyday to every other day when you're just starting out. Don't make it all articles and content though, mix it up some with weekly features, blog hops, giveaways, guest posts, polls, Q&A, etc. I would suggest post an article with content directly related to your niche once to twice per week, then do features and hops, (see above) the rest. Take the weekend off, you've earned it!

Don't forget to let others know about your posts. Share it using your social media networks and groups you've joined.

Thank you to Mandie for her topic submission this week. If you would like to submit a Hot Topic, please email bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with Hot Topic Tuesday in the subject line.

If you have questions or comments about this week's Hot Topic, I'd love to hear them. Show me the LUV baby! Comment below :).

Hot Topic Tuesday - New VBTC Feature

2012-02-14T15:10:00.004-05:00

Everyone has frustrations, either in blogging, writing, or marketing. From engaging your audience, building a solid reader base to what you should do first in the publication process and editing. We are here to help you succeed in every aspect.

Every Tuesday we will do a blog post on topics that are presented by bloggers. Topics will can include blogging, writing, social marketing, and promotion tips. Whatever you want to be a topic, I will post on it.

If you would like to submit a topic for us to discuss, please send email to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with "Hot Topic Tuesday" in the subject line. Let me know what you're having trouble with or problem/concern you would like me to address and we will do a blog post about it.

Today's Topic - 11 Ways to Engage Your Blog Audience

1. Decide for sure what your blog is going to be about. Is it a book blog, product blog, news blog, etc. Pick your niche and stick with it.

2. Blog frequently. When I say frequently, I mean daily to every other day. The more you blog, posting articles about topics that your readers followed you to learn about, the more your readers will be apt to comment and "engage" with you. Maybe once you get a good relationship with your readers, you can go down to blogging once or twice a week instead of daily to every other day.

3. Do a couple of weekly features. If you're not sure what to do - hop on over to www.immortylcafe.com and click on the tab in the menu - Weekly Features. This will give you plenty of ideas for features when your lacking articles.

4. Visit your readers blogs and leave a comment. People love comments, but if you never comment on their blog, you can't expect them to comment on yours. Scratch their back, they will scratch yours.

5. Use your social networks - Facebook, Twitter, Stumble Upon, etc. Let people know about your posts. Invite them to come check it out. You never know when you may even get a new follower. Don't forget to share your posts on Facebook too, link up with Networked Blogs and your posts will automatically go onto your Facebook stream and on whoever is follow you on that stream.

6. Did I mention to blog frequently?

7. Use a Call To Action - 

How Are We Doing? - ask your readers how they are liking your content, ask what they would prefer to see
Grab a Copy or Giveaway - let them know you are offering them something of value
Don't Click This Link - tempt them
Take Our Quiz/Poll - invite them to participate (best book, what you should read next, what you should post next or topic you should cover, etc.)
Subscribe Now for Free Tips - Give them a way to stay updated on your posts , or let them know they can get weekly or monthly tips from a newsletter. They can subscribe to you via your newsletter signup form or RSS Posts.
Which is the best (insert topic here) - invite their opinion about something you're trying to make a decision on.

8. Keep Post Titles Interesting, Fun, & Intriguing - try to keep your post titles short and inviting.

Hanging Out with (guest blogger name here) - let them know who's appearing and what you're doing together [Hanging at Moe's Bar with Andrea DiGiglio]
Chatting with (guest blogger name here) - [Chatting with author Greg Kiser - inSyte]
Have you Dragoned Yet? Andread DiGiglio tells all

9. Make opening statements fun, interesting and draw them in in the first two to three sentences -

Have you Dragoned yet? Not sure what that is? Me either. Dragon is not a mystical creature, but a talk to computer program designed to automatically type what you speak. Today my guest, author Andread DiGiglio tells us exactly what Dragon is. (I use this as Andrea just did a guest post on Dragon, and it's on my wishlist.)

10. Make sure you have "Share This" buttons easily available for your readers to share. There is nothing I hate more than finding a good post, and having to look around for a way to share it. If you need instructions on how to add this to your blog, email me.

11. Make commenting easy - my favorite is to either add Disqus to your blog, or you can make your comment window be a pop-up. In blogger - go to settings, comments, then scroll down until you see Comment Form Placement then click on "Pop-up". You can still leave your word verification on to help keep spammers out. In Wordpress - just add Disqus from your dashboard.

Once you get a pattern down, you should start seeing an increase of followers and interaction. I'd love to hear from you, whether you have something to add or if this is even of any help to you. So give it to me baby!

Happy Valentine's Day

Meet & Greet with Mohana Rajakumar - Mommy But Still Me

2012-02-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

Mohana Rajakumar is starting her virtual book tour today and we are very excited to have her with us. Her book, Mommy But Still Me is a humorous journey of becoming a Mommy - going from high heels to high blood pressure.

Welcome Mohana!

Indie writer would not survive without bloggers. Pure and simple. You all do what we wouldn't be able to otherwise: help get the word out to readers about our books.
I wrote this book as I wrestled with the idea of becoming a mother my way. I started a firm conviction that I would not disappear into a creature with applesauce in her hair, unable to sustain a conversation about anything other than sleeping schedules and teething remedies. And I ended--- well you'll have to read the book! For those starting the journey, I hope you know you're not alone in the worries and dreams that plague you while contemplating the biggest change of your life. And for those who are second, third, or multiple timers, hope you find aspects of my story that resonate with your own. If these ancedotes, or don't, drop me a note and tell me why.

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar

www.mohanalakshmi.com

Looking forward to being hosted by everyone. Thanks in advance for reading!
mohana

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a South Asian American who has lived in Qatar since 2005. Moving to the Arabian Desert was good in many ways since that is where she met her husband, had a baby, and made the transition from writing as a hobby to her full time gig. She has published three e-books this year including Mommy But Still Me, So You Want to Sell a Million Copies, and Coloured and Other Stories. Since she joined the e-book revolution, she dreams in plotlines.

Her work has also been published in AudioFile Magazine, Explore Qatar, Woman Today, The Woman, Writers and Artists Yearbook, QatarClick, and Qatar Explorer. She has been a guest on Expat Radio, and was the host for two seasons of the Cover to Cover book show on Qatar Foundation Radio. She was the Associate Editor of Vox, a fashion and lifestyle magazine.

TheMohaDoha YouTube Channel

The modern woman's guide to switching from jet setter to incubator, MOMMY BUT STILL ME retells the story of a first time mother with humorous and honesty. From sex with a purpose to ankles swelling into cankles, this is a no-holds barred look at the all the changes, big and small; from knowing "hipster" as a term that describes your generation to using it describe where you like to carry things.

Imagine a man volunteering to trade in his game nights for heart burn and back ache. Good thing there are women around to ensure the survival of the species. This hilarious look at the journey from high heels to high blood pressure, as a jet setter turns into a bed wetter, is what your doctor won't tell you and your own mother may have forgotten in the years since she was blessed by your arrival.

"At our first meeting my future father-in-law waited until we sat down in the Thai restaurant, the oblong menus placed in our hands and the waiter was a distance away, tending to other diners, before turning towards me, his eyes glowing. This was the first time we were all seeing each other after his son had proposed to me. "When will I get to hold my first grandchild?" He asked. For my father-in-law and everyone else, I have a question of my own: When will any of you be satisfied?"

Tour Schedule:

February 12 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 13 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
February 16 - Author Spotlight & Giveaway at This Author's Life
February 17 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
February 20 - Guest Blogging at Mommy Reads Too Much
February 22 - Guest Blogging at Smiley Boy Knows Best
February 24 - Reviewed at It's All About Me
February 27 - Review & Giveaway at Ebooks on the Cheap
February 29 - Review & Giveaway at Taking Time For Mommy
March 2 - Interviewed by Louise James
March 5 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
March 7 - Interviewed at From the Mind of Omegia
March 9 - Guest Blogging & E-book Giveaway at AZ Publishing Services
March 13 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
March 15 - Interview & Giveaway with Ami Blackwelder

Give the gift of reading

So You Want to Sell a Million Copies
Mommy But Still Me
Coloured and Other Stories

Today Only - Book Frenzy for Immortal Becoming by Wendy S.Hales

2012-02-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

Stop in to Wendy's website for full details - http://www.wendyshales.com/immortal_becoming_book_frenzy.html

Help support a new debut paranormal romance author!

Please "Tag" & "Like" while you're there :).

Shane Einar is a five hundred year old Volaticus Elven warrior, sworn to duty and honor. His species has inhabited the earth since the beginning of time. The sources of vampire, elf and fairy myths, Volaticus are in reality something altogether different. He never expected to meet Jess Reed. A female living amongst humanity completely unaware that she is Hulven, a human/Elven hybrid race of Volaticus, or that she is on the cusp of Becoming into her Elven traits. Shane should turn Jess over to the Symbiosis of Species Council, SOSC. His attraction to her along with her ability to enrapture him with a smile bars him from it. He rightly suspects that this female is his bloodmate.
Jess had always been psychic, a painful and confusing fact of her life. Empowered by Shane's love, Jess is launched into a world of unimaginable passion where enlightened species walk among humanity. When given a choice to sacrifice the power and beauty of their bloodmating to aid in the rescue of victimized females from breeding cages under the control of an Elven rogue, they discover that honor and destined love comes with a price.

Meet & Greet with Cindi Maciolek - Divatiel: Reflections of a bird's companion

2012-02-08T01:48:00.004-05:00

Today we're kicking of a virtual book tour with Cindi Maciolek. She wrote a book telling tales about her Cockatiel. I once had a cocktiel and I'm looking forward to this book and learning more about this pairs adventures.

Welcome Cindi!

Greetings and welcome to my virtual book tour!

I’m thrilled you’ve taken the time to learn a little bit more about me and my book, Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion. While it’s not the latest romantic-vampire-psychic-paranormal-mystery-thriller, it is the story of life, love and lessons learned. And, for anyone who loves animals, it depicts just how much your pet can take over your life, if you’d only allow it!

For many people, the thought of having a bird fly throughout the house brings back haunting images of Hitchcock’s famous movie. And, I must admit, I have had a few people duck as Jake’ went swooping through the air. To me, however, it’s a grand and beautiful sight to behold, that something so small and fragile could possess such power.

Jake’ had many adventures during her life, from getting stuck between the kitchen cabinets to flying on an airplane. And, the intelligence such a little creature possesses is astounding! But, you’ll have to read the book to find out all the details!

I hope you’ll take Divatiel for a spin. And, if not, I invite you to either follow me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindi-Maciolek-Writer/185676404778438) or Twitter (@cindimaciolek or @Divatiel), or join my mailing list (link on my website). I have more books coming out in different genres, and maybe one of those will appeal to your taste.

Giveaway:

I’ll be giving away one signed copy to one lucky person who is new to my Facebook follow list between now and the end of the book tour on March 12^th. I’ll post the winner to my Facebook page on March 17^th.

Thanks again for stopping by. I’d love to hear from you!

Cindi is a writer and business consultant, helping small to mid-sized companies with everything from strategic planning to marketing activities.

Her writing focus is on books, CDs and screenplays and sharing those lessons, experiences and ideas with others.

Her recently released book, Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion, is the true story of life with a diva-tastic cockatiel, a story any animal lover would enjoy.

Java Jems: 5 Minute Inspirations for Busy People, is both a book and CD, a unique combination of spoken word and original music. Her first book, The Basics of Buying Art, is sold out. There’s more to come. Stay tuned!

Cindi was also a contributing writer for The Robb Report and Luxury Las Vegas for many years and had articles published byDelta Sky Magazine.

Her travels have taken her to 23 countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

Contact Cindi through her website: www.cindimaciolek.com

Can four ounces of feathers and personality change a person’s life?

She can if she’s the Divatiel!

Cindi was looking for a roommate, and finally settled on a fine-feathered friend who was a gift from a co-worker. What she got was a loving, intelligent, fun, free-spirited, demanding – Jaké.

After recovering from illness that put her near death’s door, Jaké healed and was let out of the cage so she could spread her wings. She lived her life with gusto. Jaké took risks, used her intelligence to her advantage and loved unconditionally. She took charge, not only over her surroundings but over her owner as well. Luckily, she had a cooperative Mommy in Cindi.

Not only was she demanding, Jaké did things some humans have never done. She flew on an airplane several times, went on numerous road trips and ate fresh vegetables daily.

Jaké lived a very long life and had many adventures along the way, most of which are captured in this book.

Jaké was first a gift to William, then a gift to Cindi, and now a gift to the world.

Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion will tug at your heart strings and bring a smile to any animal lover.

Websites

www.divatiel.com
www.cindimaciolek.com
www.grandarborpress.com

Purchase Links

www.divatiel.com/shop
www.divatiel.com/amazon-store
http://www.amazon.com/Divatiel-Reflections-birds-companion-ebook/dp/B006RDKJO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326259724&sr=8-1

Follow Cindi's Tour:

February 7 - Meet & Greet at the VBT Cafe' Blog
February 9 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
February 11 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
February 13 - Guest Blogging BK Walker's Musing of the Mind
February 17 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
February 20 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
February 22 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 24 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
February 28 - Book Frenzy at VBT Cafe' Blog
March 1 - Twitter Party
March 5 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
March 7 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at MK McClintock Blog
March 9 - Interviewed with Louise James
March 12 - TBA

Meet, Greet, & Giveaway with Greg Kiser - inSyte (Paranormal Thriller)

2012-02-07T01:00:00.003-05:00

Today we're kicking off Greg Kiser's tour with his paranormal thriller - inSyte. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy as we get to know Greg and one of the characters from the book *grins*.

Welcome Greg!

Hello fine readers – I’m excited to start my tour. And I’m not the only one. Cheslov, one of inSyte’s dark stars, would like to express his perspective…

Hello my dear ladies. My name is Cheslov. Cheslov Kirill.

At this point Cheslov takes your hand in his, leans down, touches his lips to your palm, gazes into your eyes. Don’t be put off by the depth of his black stare.

It is wonderful to be in your presence today, the presence of such a beautiful woman and, indeed, so many beautiful women who are a part of this book tour.

Cheslov stands, pulls a long cigar from his pocket, fires it up with a gunmetal zippo.

Although, to be truthful, I do not see an actual book. Books that a man can hold in his hand and fondle. Books with which a real man can bond.

I am reminded of my childhood in Rostov where a man dealt with the physical world from sun up to sun down. And beyond.

You can see that Cheslov is really back there, back in time to a different world.
Where a man could touch the earth, feel the light from the moon upon his face, smell the forest, hear the animals.

Cheslov chuckles and it sounds like a soft snarl.

Even if sometimes that sound comes too late, no?

Cheslov shakes his head and continues.

I do not think you ladies would disagree with the power of a man’s senses, that they define the man. No, I do not think you would.

How many senses? Five, you say? I think perhaps you are missing one. The most important sense is sense. Yes, sense itself.

Now you are in that dark forest at night. Hearing and feeling and smelling and tasting, but not seeing. The moonlight has disappeared.

If one is quiet long enough… shhh. Let go of this world, feel the waves of darkness. They emanate from the blackness of the forest.

Float, my darling. Float and you will sense the forest. The forest beyond the trees. And soon you shall see what is truly there.

You feel the presence of something awakened. Something urgent. Something moving toward you quickly.

Welcome to inSyte!
Feb 2012,
Greg Kiser

Greg Kiser is happily married to a wonderful and inspirational wife, Serena, and has two beautiful children – Miller and Grace.
Greg graduated from Southern Polytechnic University in Atlanta with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Greg also earned his MBA from the University of South Florida. He is currently a Director at Cisco, a high tech fortune 50 multinational corporation.
Greg has written extensively for fortune 50 high tech firms in describing next generation networks and painting pictures of the true evolution of technology for the consumer.

Email – gkiser@cisco.com

Website - http://www.gkiser.com/gk/HOME.html

Blog - http://gregkiserinsyte.blogspot.com/

Purchase Links:

Paperback - http://www.amazon.com/inSyte-suddenly-answers-interesting-questions/dp/0615484875/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1328135846&sr=1-1-catcorr

Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/inSyte-ebook/dp/B004YWKIB6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328135846&sr=1-1

inSyte is a paranormal-thriller that according to Perry Crowe of Kirkus Reviews, is equal parts Crichton, Clancy and King.
It’s Tampa Bay and the year is 2020. Ex-Navy SEAL Mitch “Double” Downing discovers how to tap into the internet with his mind. His new inSyte provides transparent access to the sum of all human knowledge recorded since hieroglyphics. More than mere information – Mitch can see into men’s hearts and be all places at all times (easy in an ‘always on’ surveillance society with fourth generation tweets). Sort of like God.
If knowledge is power, Mitch just became the strongest man in the world.
But inSyte has ideas of its own as the software exposes a politician’s “divine” plan that will unwittingly slaughter millions of people. Is killing the man the only way to prevent Armageddon? The politician’s daughter would probably disagree. And she happens to be the love of Mitch’s life. Losing Kate would be too damn much collateral damage.
At the center of the conflict is a wolf-like killer who will stop at nothing to murder the ex-Navy SEAL. And Mitch must come to grips with inSyte’s dark side – a dominating addiction that soon controls his thoughts and places him on a steep slide to self destruction.

Giveaway:

Today, you can win a signed print copy of inSyte by filling out the Rafflecopter below!
Pssst....you actually have to click on the blog title and open this post to fill out the Rafflecopter :).

Follow Greg's Tour:

February 7 - Tour Kickoff & Giveaway at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 9 - Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Live To Read
February 14 - Interview & Giveaway at Immortality and Beyond
February 15 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
February 17 - Interviewed at Paranormal Romance
February 20 - Review at Beauty in Ruins
February 22 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
February 24 - Interviewed at MK McClintock Blog
February 27 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
February 28 - Author Spotlight at AZ Publishing Services
March 1 - Interview at KWOD Radio
March 6 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Book Bags and Cat Naps
March 8 - Review & Giveaway at Kindling The Fire
March 10 - Interview with Louise James
March 12 - Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Ce's Ce's Garden of Reviews
March 14 - Review & Giveaway at Books Are Cool
March 16 - Review & Giveaway at E-reading on the Cheap
March 19 - Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Ink Spots & Roses
March 21 - Reviewed, Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Words I Write Crazy
March 23 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet & Greet with C.G. Powell - Spell Checked

2012-02-06T07:50:00.001-05:00

Today we are so happy to introduce you to author C.G. Powell. We're kicking off her tour with a fantastic paranormal romance - Spell Checked. Please be sure to introduce yourself in a comment and follow the tour as we get to learn more about C.G. and Spell Checked.

Welcome C.G.!

As a teen C.G. Powell was selected as a member of her school's newspaper staff. After her first article the editor decided the darkroom was a more suitable place for her skills…or lack of. Since then, she has traveled everywhere—thanks to her innate curiosity about the world and the Navy. In her life time, she has learned: aviation electronics, CCNA networking, Gemology and how to get bloodstains out of the carpet (you never know when you might need that). But her latest, all-consuming, endeavor is storytelling. When asked why, her response was "I live to challenge myself; I like to be pushed outside of my comfort zone and writing is one of those things that pushes my boundaries. Besides it was the only way to share all of the crap bouncing around in my head!" C.G. Powell lives in Virginia with her husband and children. When she is not writing, you might find her watching hot guys jog past her front window, ordering the cabana boy to fix her another drink or abusing the local authorities…but that’s just hearsay.

Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Website

Broken relationships were a constant in Mae’s life, causing her to swear off men forever. Unwittingly lured to Ireland, Mae finds herself knee-deep in a hidden world she never knew existed and head over heels for the very man that tricked her to coming there. His deception is complicated by his own feelings for the one person that holds the key to merging the ancient races that once ruled the ancient word.

Mae finds herself in an underground world of witches, and vampires, which are half-breeds of aliens long gone. She learns about her own unique parentage and powers, which she must study in order to control, before they consume her.

Beck and Helen’s love for one another spans across a millennium, her human soul reincarnated to match Beck’s own immortality. This time however the body she occupies is of a being that cannot be eclipsed by her return. After waiting two hundred years, Beck finds himself tormented by Helen’s inability to return and his growing love for her new host.

Some of the underworld creatures welcome her with open arms as a savior, while others seek to destroy the abomination they believe her to be. Will the knowledge of her existence cause a race war when the true power of her blood is discovered? Or will love become her ultimate downfall?

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Schedule:

February 6 - Meet & Greet at the VBT Cafe' Blog
February 10 - Reviewed at Immortality & Beyond
February 13 - Interviewed at Kindle The Fire
February 15 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
February 18 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings
February 21 - Guest Blogging with Louise Wise
February 23 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 27 - Reviewed & Spotlight at Faerotic Prose
February 28 - Reviewed at Ce's Ce's Garden of Reviews
February 29 - Review & Spotlight at A Bookalicious Story
March 2 - Interviewed by Brenda Woody & Steve Tindle
March 5 - Reviewed & Interviewed by Cait Lavender
March 7 - Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
March 8 - Reviewed and Guest Blogging at For The Love of Reading
March 9 - Reviewed & Interviewed at From The TBR Pile
March 12 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging with Natalie Nicole Bates

February 6 - Book Blitz with Aaron Drew

2012-02-05T20:01:00.004-05:00

Starting at Midnight, February 6

When you purchase Light Under the House by Aaron Drew for just $.99 on Amazon.com, with your proof of purchase, Aaron will gift you another book of your choice valued at the same price of $.99, (exluding Erotica). That's 2 books for the price of 1! So jump on the bandwagon and go get yourself some awesome books!

Send Proof of Purchase to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with your Amazon receipt and the book of your choice (title and link) and preferred email. Once it's been verified, Aaron will gift you your book and send you a personal note of thanks.

Ends at 11:59 pm, Monday, February 6, 2012.

Sponsors

VBT Cafe' Blog

Interview - BK Walker Books Etc.
Authors Promoting Authors
Louise James
Wise Words
MK McClintock Blog

Faerotic Prose
Book Bags & Cat Naps
This Authors Life
For The Love of Reading!
Walker's Muse
Immortality and Beyond

Aaron L might be a newcomer to the creation of fiction but is not one when it comes to the arts and all things creative. Growing up in places from Seattle to South Africa, he spent a lot of his time drawing. Aaron always knew that his future lay in a creative field. In 2010, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in graphic design. Although the usual application of this degree is in the creation of different types of art and design, Aaron chose instead to focus his creative skills on the task of storytelling. He lives near Chicago, Illinois.

See his website at www.lightunderthehouse.com

Meet & Greet with Grand Prize Giveaway - Andrea DiGiglio author of Finding Alice

2012-02-02T00:23:00.001-05:00

Today we're kicking off the virtual book tour for Andrea DiGiglio with her book Finding Alice! We are so excited to have Andrea touring with us. Not only is she an author, but also an actress! WOOT! WOOT! Check this out...

If you want to hear a word personally from Andrea, visit her website at www.andreadigiglio.com and you can also learn more about Finding Alice and Andrea's acting career.

Finding Alice officially releases February 19, 2012! If you're in the Michigan area, be sure to stop in for her book launch party! (See schedule below)

Andrea will be giving away a signed copy of Finding Alice as a grand prize to one lucky commenter who follows her tour! Winner will be chosen randomly at the end of the Finding Alice tour so be sure to follow along and leave a comment along the way for more chances to win. Let's meet Andrea....

Andrea was born and raised in Michigan, she still resided there
with her son. Andrea has always been a writer at heart. Over
the last decade she has written, starred and directed in many
screenplays. She recently in the last few years decided to
venture in writing novels. She hasn’t looked back since, giving
it her full attention. She is very excited to share the wonderful
words she creates, with the world.

Alice is cursed with an intense version of empathy; she runs from a wasted life to start a new one somewhere no one will know her, Hell, Michigan. Alice works at a hole-in-the-wall bar in the middle of nowhere mostly keeping to herself to avoid the overwhelming emotions of those around her. Alice allows her best friend to convince her into taking a few college classes without realizing it would drastically change her life forever. From her first day of class she was hooked on him; his scent, his eyes, the way he talked to her inside her head.

Throughout her struggles she learns about true love, true pain and the truth of her own heritage. Alice must quickly find out who she is because after all everyone else is out to find her. With Angels and Bounty Hunter’s in constant pursuit she finds protection within a group of Fallen Angels. These Fallen Angels vow to do anything to protect her; for it is their belief she will save their kind and all of mankind.

Schedule:

February 2 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 6 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 8 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc
February 9 - Reviewed at Kindling The Fire
February 10 - Reviewed at E-Reading on the Cheap
February 13 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
February 15 - Author SpotLight at This Author's Life
February 16 - Interviewed at The Detroit Live Show 10am
February 17 - Reviewed at Persephone's Winged Reviews
February 19 - Book Release Party 5pm
(Raffle, Meet & Greet, Q&A, Book Signing, Merchandise Available)
Dino's Lounge
22740 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, MI 48220-1734
February 19 - *Release Day* Guest Blogging with Ami Blackwelder
February 21 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
February 22 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Ce's Ce's Garden of Reviews
February 25 - Reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
February 27 - Interviewed by Louise James
February 28 - Guest Blogging at Mad Moose Mama
February 29 - Reviewed & Interview at Ink Spots & Roses
March 2 - Reviewed at From The TBR Pile

March 5 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment 2pm EST
March 6 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Book Reader Addicts
March 8 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings

Meet & Greet and Kindle Give@way with Sandra Bunino - Marooned in Miami

2012-02-01T00:01:00.004-05:00

It's time to get Marooned baby! Today we kickoff Sandra Bunino's virtual book tour with her book, Marooned in Miami. This is a fantastic little, sensual short story that you're just going to love. Check this out...

Just for following Sandra's tour, and for every comment you leave, you will also be entered into her Grand Prize Giveaway for a brand new Kindle! One randomly drawn commenter from her entire tour will have a chance to win, so the more you comment, the more chances you get. Winner will be announced at the end of her tour. Not only that, Sandra will also be offering you a chance to win an e-copy of Marooned in Miami at every stop! So let's meet Sandra, shall we?

Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.

These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family. Living so close to the city affords her the best of both worlds and provides wonderful writing material. She occasionally pretends to be in a Sex in the City episode and has renamed her best girlfriends Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda which she blogs about often.

Sandra’s first release is an erotic romance novella entitled Marooned in Miami and is currently hard at work on the sequel.

http://sandrabunino.com/

Twitter: @sandrabunino

Undeniable lust and a fierce Miami storm bring sexy strangers together at The Hotel Del Santos for a passion filled night.

Stephanie, still reeling from a failed marriage, needs a break from the past. She decides to take her friends’ advice and finds a perfect stranger for a night of no-strings-attached, smoking hot sex.

Jason, a wealthy Seattle builder has the worst luck with love. Swearing he would never allow another woman to get under his skin, Jason decides a life of casual sex is just fine with him. While watching Stephanie’s sexy stilettos click across the lobby floor he zeros in on his next conquest.

Cut off from the outside world, the lives of these two strangers collide and burn with desire when stranded in the perfect storm. Both are content with the idea of sharing a glorious one-night stand together, that is, until they go their separate ways.

Schedule:

February 1 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
February 3 - Trailer Promo at Writing Innovations
February 7 - Reviewed & Interviewed at Immortality and Beyond
~~February 9 - Guest Blogging with Ami Blackwelder~~ RESCHEDULED
February 11 - Interview at Authors By Authors
February 13 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 15 - Reviewed at E-Reading on the Cheap
February 18 - Interviewed at Written In Blood
February 20 -Guest Blogging at Wise Words
February 22 - Interviewed at Brenda & Steve's Blog
February 24 - Reviewed & Interviewed at Ink Spots & Roses
February 26 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Niina's Reading & Reviewing
February 28 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Natalie Nicole Bates Blog
March 1 - Reviewed by Cindy Vine
March 5 - Reviewed & Guest Blogging at Book Reader Addicts
March 5 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment

Don't forget to follow along and leave a comment to be entered to win the grand prize for a Kindle and an e-copy of Marooned in Miami at each and every stop.

Meet & Greet with Jonathan Wutawunashe - Fulfill Your Threats

2012-01-31T01:27:00.002-05:00

Today Jonathan starts his first virtual book tour. I am so happy to have him with us today, and just to allow you to meet him personally, I've decided to take a video created by him where he talks about his book and his favorite chapter. We bring you face to face.

Welcome Jonathan!

This incisive, well-written book shares profound insights into the psychology that drives doers to do what they do, and to do it with confidence, method and persistence. Its energizing claim is that we can all be effective doers if we take simple steps to yank our ambitions from the realm of idle thought and idle talk, and to mobilize those dreams and aspirations into projects that achieve results that can be seen, touched and experienced. Wutawunashe draws from experience and observation to illustrate how business ideas, personal development efforts, social influence and other schemes can be pursued in a manner that assures effective, sustained impact . In an engaging style that melds entertaining anecdotes, humorous turn of phrase and powerful didactic principle in a uniquely seamless manner, Wutawunashe delivers a powerful manual that could well come with a warranty, given the ease with which the reader can apply these lessons and see results.

Ambassador Wutawunashe is a sought-after speaker and counsellor who has motivated audiences at universities, churches, training seminars, trade symposia and in other contexts in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. His personal achievements include writing for magazines and academic journals from an early age, musical compositions and an extensive discography that has caught the attention of researchers and writers on global culture. He has done creative work for television, for which he has received plaudits, and has also established several audio-visual recording and mastering studios. The Ambassador holds post-graduate degrees in literature and social sciences. He is married to Shuvai, and the couple have three children, Tinashe, Tendai and Paidamoyo.

http://www.fulfillthedream.org

Schedule

January 31 - Meet & Greet at www.vbtcafe.com
February 2 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews RESCHEDULED
February 4 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
February 7 - Guest Blogging at Ashley's Bookshelf
February 9 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
February 12 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
February 15 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 16 - Interviewed at From The Mind of Omegia
February 20 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
February 22 - Interviewed by Louise James

Be sure to follow along during Jonathan's tour to learn more about him and his book, Fulfill Your Threats. Don't forget to introduce yourself, and Jonathan is happy to answer any questions while you're there.

Tour Kickoff - Meet & Greet with Emlyn Chand author of Farsighted

2012-01-22T00:02:00.003-05:00

Tour Kickoff!

I'm so excited to have Emlyn Chand starting her tour today! She is the author of Farsighted, a young adult paranormal. I've started reading this book and I have to say that I love it when a book grabs you right from the start. So let's give Emlyn a warm welcome as she kicks off her tour, leave her a comment to introduce yourself, follow along for chances to win a copy of Farsighted and let's have some fun!

Welcome Emlyn!

Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). Farsighted is her very first novel. When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Book Teaser: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Schedule:

January 22 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
January 24 - Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Lori's Reading Corner
January 26 - Interview & Giveaway at AZ Publishing Services
January 26 - Interviewed at KWOD Radio
January 31 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
February 2 - Guest Blogging at Mad Moose Mama RESCHEDULED
February 4 - Guest Blogging at Been There, Read That
February 6 - Interviewed at Paranormal Romance
February 8 - Review, Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Cece's Garden of Reviews
February 10 - Reviewed, Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Book Reader Addicts
February 13 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
February 15 - Guest Blogging with Natalie Nicole Bates
February 16 - Guest Blogging at Kindling The Fire
February 17 - Reviewed & Interviewed at Ink-Puddle
February 19 - Reviewed, Guest Blogging & Giveaway at Words I Write Crazy
February 21 - Interviewed at This Author's Life
February 23 - Interviewed by Louise James
February 27 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings
February 28 - Reviewed at Persephone's Winged Reviews
February 29 - Reviewed at S.W.A.K.R.
March 2 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
March 6 - Guest Blogging at Mother, Gamer, Writer
March 8 - Reviewed & Interviewed at Ink Spots & Roses

This is going to be a fun tour as we learn more about Emlyn, and her book Farsighted. So be sure to follow along for chances to win and leave a comment and introduce yourself here today.

Rachel Thompson Tour Kindle Giveaway Winner

2012-01-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

I know you have all been patiently waiting to see who won the Kindle from this tour. I would like to thank Rachel for having such a great tour and to all of you that stopped in and followed. We had a lot of fun learning more about Rachel and her books, and let's not forget the Snark :).

A special thanks to all the hosts! You guys rock!

So without further ado....**DRUMROLL**.......Our winner was chosen using Random.org, and the one chosen was.....

Dawn Doyle!

Congratulations Dawn!

Random.org was used to choose between the number of pit stops which was stop 6 with Cindy Vine, then again to choose commenters which was #1 - Dawn Doyle!

Thank you again for following Rachel during her tour and supporting Indie Authors! You all ROCK!

You can keep up with the snark at www.rachelintheoc.com
Twitter @RachelintheOC
Facebook Rachel "RachelintheOc" Thompson

She also has a social media consulting service where you can email her for more info:

Meet & Greet with Joana James - Nightmare at Emerald High

2012-01-16T15:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first day of Joana James' virtual book tour with her book, Nightmare at Emerald High. This is Joana's first tour, so please help her feel welcome and introduce yourself in a comment.

Welcome Joana!

Joana James is a 28 year old author from the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. She is an I.T. professional by day but in her free time she escapes from the logical world of technology into the artistic world. She is an avid reader and her kindle is her favourite piece of technology. Music is her best friend and that manifests itself through her love for dance and singing.

Joana writes stories that portray the reality of her world. Her first book, a two-part short story series called Rise from the Ashes featured the lives of two young girls struggling in dire circumstances.

Her latest book, Nightmare at Emerald High, brings to the fore a world that everybody knows exists but no one talks about.

http://joanajames.webs.com

Malcolm Drake is one year away from the end of high school when a tantalizing scholarship offer comes his way. Malcolm and several other classmates eagerly join a program called Alternative Science that promises to open their minds to new ways of thinking and of course, help them win that scholarship. Little do they know that this program would change their lives forever. The class is riddled with eerie séances, encounters with spirit guides and a slow desensitization of the teens towards everything evil until they become completely entangled in the world of the occult.
With the program being run by the town's most influential people, the kids have a hard time getting out. Things take a turn for the worst when Malcolm is summoned to his school where he is bound and drugged in an effort to convince him to remain in the program.

Available at Amazon

Schedule:

January 28 - Guest Blogging at Ashley's Bookshelf
February 2 - Review, Guest Blog & Giveaway at Cece's Garden of Reviews
February 6 - Guest Blogging with Natalie Nicole Bates
February 6 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
February 8 - Reviewed at All Things Books
February 10 - Guest Blogging at Words I Write Crazy
February 13 - Interviewed with Louise James
February 15 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
February 17 - Guest Blogging with Louise Wise

Meet & Greet with Cesar - Book of Prophecies

2012-01-10T03:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the first day of Cesar's virtual book tour with his Book of Prophecies. This book has gotten some amazing reviews, so follow along the tour to learn more about Cesar and the Book of Prophecies, which releases officially on January 13th.

Welcome Cesar!

Cesar has a very experienced background in the spiritual world. He was brought up in a Christian family, but branched out from that base as he got older, seeking answers about the world around him, and the spiritual world around him. In his mid-twenties dramatic events occurred in his life which challenged his very existence, but he learned from these experienced and most of learned that how that life is not just in our own hands. Now Cesar is a firm believer that everyone has their own path to walk in life, and part of that walk is all about the choices that you make. Some people choose a good life and some a wicked life, but most of us live the life in the middle, influenced by the world around us and our own upbringing, Cesar understands that life is simply not black and white.

A collection of brand new Prophecies about the world, about the world's economy, about disasters and wars, about terrorist attacks and about survival itself

In this book Cesar takes prophecies to the next level. In the year where everyone will be hearing once again all about Nostradamus, a year in which the Galactic alignment will occur on the 21st of December, comes a Fantastic book which is sure to broaden the imagination of those who believe in prophecies

www.cesarprophecies.com

Some Reviews of Book of Prophecies:

Each passage forces thought by the reader, if not contemplation about the underlying lessons and the hidden clues reviewed by ReadersFavorite.com

Enigmatic and visionary, this book will appeal to those who believe it is possible to foretell the future reviewed by Susie Barrett founder & epublisher at WritersReadersDirect

An interesting and eclectic mix of cryptic scripts and verses that are bound to make a reader consider the intriguing meaning behind each sentence, a thought provoking read reviewed by Sabine A. Reed Author of The Black Orb

An intriguing book full of uncanny insights and incredible predictions about the future of mankind reviewed by Feature Writer Shoma Mittra

Explains the revelation of future events and what is described as the reality of terrible or bad things destined to happen reviewed by Minister Judith A. Mays

Schedule

January 10 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
January 13 - (Release Day) - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
January 15 - Reviewed at KMU
January 19 - Guest Blogging at Ashley's Bookshelf
January 20 - Guest Blogging at BK Walker Books Etc.
January 21 - Interviewed by Katie Salidas
January 23 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
January 25 - Guest Blogging at Authors By Authors
January 27 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
January 30 -Reviewed with Cindy Vine
February 1 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
February 3 - Guest Blogging at Mad Moose Mama RESCHEDULED
February 6 - Interviewed at From The Mind of Omegia
February 8 - Guest Blogging at Niina's Reading & Reviewing
February 10 - Reviewed & Interview at Rhodes Review

Tour Kick Off & Giveaway with Kat Jorgensen - Your Eight O'clock is Dead

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first day of the Your Eight O'clock is Dead tour with Kat Jorgensen. This is going to be a fun tour with a giveaway at each stop so be sure to follow along for more chances to win.

Welcome Kat!

A notorious daydreamer, Kat knew it was only a matter of time before she became a writer. She learned to read by age four and had her first library card before her fifth birthday. To this day, she can lose herself for hours among the books at her local library or neighborhood bookstore. Ebooks and online ordering have made it really easy for her to keep her To Be Read pile from ever going down. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Kat is married with children and has a cranky tuxedo cat named Ben.

http://katjorgensen.com

Becca Reynolds is having a bad day. Her grandfather’s lecture (#405: Eat a Healthy Diet or Die Not Trying) makes her late for her job at Daley and Palmer, the psychiatrists' office where she works as the office manager—her title, not theirs. Then her sausage and egg breakfast biscuit creates an oil slick that takes out half her desk, along with that day’s patient files. But she knows the day has taken a really bad turn when she discovers the firm’s eight o’clock patient dead with Dr. Dick Daley’s letter opener opening the patient instead of the mail.

With the fledgling firm in danger of an early demise, Becca appoints herself the unofficial investigator since the police seem to be looking in all the wrong places and doing a half-assed job of solving the crime. She begins a journey to find the killer, keep the practice afloat and with it, her job. In the course of her interfere—er, investigation—she finds a virtual cast of characters who could have done it, including the fancy side piece of the murder victim, his wife, his business partner, and even his psychiatrist.

The case takes Becca from the sordid depths of the Russian mob, to the upscale West End of Richmond, Virginia (known locally as River City), and even to her own backyard. In the course of the story she finds herself in hot water, hot danger, and with dreams of hot men.

Giveaway:

Leave a comment for Kat with your email address for a chance to win an e-copy of Your Eight O'Clock is Dead. Follow along during Kat's tour for even more chances to win.

Schedule:

January 9 - Kick Off & Giveaway at www.vbtcafe.com
January 12 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings
January 13 - Interviewed by Louise James
January 16 - Guest Blogging at BK Walker Books Etc.
January 18 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
January 20 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
January 23 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
January 25 - Guest Blogging at Mad Moose Mama
January 26 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
January 28 - Guest Blogging at Ashley's Bookshelf
January 31 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
February 4 - Interviewed by Ami Blackwelder

Tour Kick Off & Giveaway with Karen Bell - Walking With Elephants

2012-01-08T14:14:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the first day for the virtual book tour with Karen Bell and her novel, Walking with Elephants. Be sure to follow her tour for chances to win an e-copy throughout her tour and learn more about her as a writer and a person.

A word from Karen:

"When I stumbled upon the Virtual Book Tour Cafe, I was stunned. Here was an affordable book tour and I had just lost my publisher and had to become an indie to keep my book in print. Since I would bear the entire cost for marketing, I did not hesitate to book this tour. What a great find for authors and I look forward to meeting to new people and spreading the word about my book on this tour.

My experience in this publishing business has had many challenges. After a long duration in the writing of Walking with Elephants, due to working and raising my kids, I embarked on the excruciating trial of getting it published. I decided to focus on publishers when agents responded negatively and said really silly things like, books with a message are don't sell, (the Bible?)and publishers gave me encouragement. But alas, the New York publishers with all their encouragement passed, and I finally got a serious offer from a small independent publisher. I was thrilled to see my book in print and sold at all online outlets and have it also available for e-readers. Then like Cinderella with the clock ticking, my publisher closed its doors due a family illness after one short year of my publication date. So there I was left to figure out what to do. Luckily, I was able to get all the files and so I decided to stay with the same printer and distributor. I had to make minor modifications but after a very short transition, the novel is again being sold online. There is a sense of invigoration to be in charge. An empowerment. I can decide how to promote and where and I'm enjoying that aspect. But there is also a sense of isolation. I'm one person trying to push this book, sell my next one, and write my third. I really just want to be a writer, just write and let someone else figure out the rest. That said, I really enjoy reading reviews online by average women who feel connected to my story, to my main character, and to the understanding of how hard it is to do it all in this culture of having to excel at everything--raising kids, advancing at work.

So hello, to all you women out there--you women readers who are rushing around doing for everyone else. Take a minute for yourself, curl up with my book and laugh your head off."

Karen S. Bell

Walking with Elephants is Karen Bell’s first novel, although she is not new to writing. After earning a graduate degree in mass communication she spent 15 years as an editor and writer of business materials. She says, “Inspiration for this novel came from my direct contact with the joys of Corporate America and the balancing act that comes with being a working mother.” Currently, Ms. Bell resides in Ponte Vedra, Fl with her husband and photos of her children, granddaughters, and grandson who live everywhere BUT Ponte Vedra, Fl

www.karensbell.com

www.karensbell.com/blog1

Suze Hall is at a crossroads. Her nemesis at work, Wanda, has been promoted and now will be her boss. Her husband, Bob, is leaving her and the three kids for a six-month sabbatical down under. To top it off, her best friend, Marcia, is missing in action--playing footsie with some new boyfriend!

Adding to this disaster stew, David, the gorgeous hunk who broke her young-girl's heart has coincidentally popped back into her life and has something she desperately needs to keep her job.

Walking with Elephants, a lighthearted slice-of-life story, brings to the table the serious work/family issues facing women today. It explores the modern dichotomy of a workplace that is filled with homemakers who still must cook, clean, carpool on nights and weekends, shop for prom dresses, and "create" the holidays—such as Suze. But it also is filled with women who have the same drive as men, have no family responsibilities, and will do what ever it takes to get ahead.

So step into the shoes of Suze Hall and commiserate over workplace politics, titillate your sexual fantasies, ride the wave of a working mother, and fall-down laughing.

The cover is a symbol of the message of empowerment of women. The protagonist, Suze, writes and essay at the end of the novel suggesting a paradigm shift from the patriarchal societies that have been in place for centuries to a matriarchy, such as is found in nature. Like elephants, hence the title.

Reviewer said it's like Bridget Jones meets Erma Bombeck.

Giveaway:

Leave a comment for Karen today for a chance to win an e-copy of Walking With Elephants. Don't forget to include your email address.

Schedule:

Schedule
January 8 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
January 12 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
January 13 - Guest Blogging at Ashley's Bookshelf
January 16 - Interviewed at Unnecessary Musings
January 18 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
January 21 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
January 25 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment 2pm EST
January 25 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
January 27 - Reviewed at E-Reading on the Cheap
January 31 - Interviewed with Louise James

Meet & Greet with Guy Magar - Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot

2011-12-28T12:54:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the first day of Guy Magar's virtual book tour with Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot. I don't know how many of you actually know a movie director, but I have to say I'm very excited about this tour. Please be sure to introduce yourself in a comment and follow Guy's tour as we learn so much more about him.

Welcome Guy!

Guy Magar was nine years old when he left Egypt in 1958. His family immigrated to the U.S., where he grew up in Middletown, New York. Graduating from Rutgers University with a B.A. in philosophy, Guy began his film career at the London Film School. Soup Run, his first short about the homeless, won a Special Jury Prize at the 1974 San Francisco International Film Fest.

In 1978, Guy relocated to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute. His first dramatic short, Once Upon an Evening (made for $500 at the AFI) earned him a seven-year deal at Universal Studios. He soon began directing network TV dramas in the action/adventure genre. Guy has over 100 film credits including episodes of series La Femme Nikita, Sliders, The A-Team, Blue Thunder, Fortune Hunter, The Young Riders, Lawless, Hunter, and the CBS pilot/Movie of the Week Dark Avenger. He also directed 35 episodes of the studio daytime drama Capitol. In 1995, Guy was nominated for a Golden Reel Award for his television work on the series Nowhere Man.

Guy’s feature film credits include Lookin’ Italian (starring TV “Friends” co-star Matt LeBlanc and singer Lou Rawls in their first film); Stepfather 3 which launched HBO’s World Premiere Series; and the cult thrillerRetribution which will be released for the first time on DVD on its 25th anniversary on Halloween 2011. His most recent feature directing credit is Children of the Corn: Revelation based on Stephen King’s original story for Dimension Films.

Guy is founder of the Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, which for the last ten years, has provided the acclaimed “page to screen” industry workshop—a two-day educational overview of the creative filmmaking process. Action/Cut has taught thousands of filmmakers at over 100 weekend seminar events during annual USA and international tours. His seminar is offered as a 12-hour DVD home film course which sells worldwide in stores and online.

Guy is also founder of the annual Action/Cut Short Film Competition, which provides an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their talents. The one-of-a-kind prize packages are designed to help launch film careers and assist in opening industry doors. Action/Cut was one of the first to stream winning films on the Internet, which can be viewed year-round on its website. MovieMaker magazine reviewed the Action/Cut Competition as one of the “Top 10 Shorts Festival in the World for Filmmakers.”

Guy provides a consultancy service for directors and screenwriters, and private coaching for actors. In 2011, Guy published his memoir entitled Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot. He can be reached through thecontact page on this website or at his Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars and Short Film Competition website.

Guy lives in the Hollywood Hills with Jacqui, his beautiful wife of 26 years.

Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot is a memoir about magic...the magic of making movies and the magic of finding true love.

Movie lovers will discover what it would be like to work in the dream factory, to be a film director, to have an inside peek at Hollywood s inner workings making movies and TV shows. This memoir brings to life the many personalities and stars encountered, and tells the hilarious stories on the rocky road to Hollywood success.

With production work spanning over 100 credits from shorts to TV shows to feature films, Guy Magar s behind-the-scenes stories range from his first producer turning out to be a Mafia assassin, to shooting in Egypt for the original series Battlestar Galactica, to almost decapitating a young Drew Barrymore after ET, and to almost derailing James Cameron s career (or slowing it down as he proved way too talented for anyone to alter his storied destiny.) This memoir is about living the great American dream, an immigrant s dream to make movies in Hollywood.

” Kiss me quick before I shoot has been my welcoming catchphrase to my wife Jacqui whenever she visited on-set, seemingly always just before I rolled cameras.” And so this book is also about a deeper magic, the magic of finding a life partner.

Jacqui and I were married in a beautifully costumed Renaissance-themed wedding. I got to duel in a sword fight to win her hand against hooligans (stuntmen friends) who kidnapped her after she arrived by horse and buggy in front of 300 surprised guests. It was a magical wedding and my Errol Flynn life moment! Now, 28 years later, I am still head-over-heels in love with Jacqui.

But then, suddenly, Jacqui was diagnosed with leukemia. I immediately moved into the role of caregiver, and my entire 24-hour life focus became Jacqui s healing. We discovered the medical mecca of the City of Hope where we met a world-class gifted doctor who welcomed Jacqui to join their national stem cells trial. We locked up our house, boarded the dog, and moved in to start Jacqui s curative journey back to health.

DARE TO DREAM! As an immigrant I had Hollywood dreams to become a director and I did...I dreamed of finding true love and I did at 34...and when Jacqui got ill, I dreamed we would find a way to heal her, and we did. People love stories about making dreams come true. I dared to dream!

This passionate, life-celebrating memoir embraces both love and work within entertaining stories of what it s like to live this dream. Join me on a wild and thrilling rollercoaster ride of a Hollywood film career, of the intoxicating highs of finding and sharing true love, and of the sweet triumph of survival and healing…all rolled into one magical journey!

Schedule:

December 28 - Meet & Greet at VBT Cafe' Blog
December 30 - Reviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
January 2 - Reviewed at S.W.A.K.R.
January 4 - Guest Blogging with Cindy Vine
January 6 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
January 12 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
January 16 - Interviewed at Writing Innovations
January 18 - Guest Blogging at Live To Read
January 21 - Interviewed with Louise James
January 23 - Guest Blogging at Wise Words
January 25 - Reviewed at Reviewers Helping Authors

January 30 - Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment