WHY I WROTE THE BETWEEN TIMES

Imagine a world where there is no middle class, no environmental controls, no education for the poor, no safety nets for the young or the old. A world with no minimum wage and no way for woman to protect themselves. A place where everyone who isn't wealthy is a number and owned by the company. Their lives and families at the mercy of the few, the corrupt, and the powerful.

As we head into the mid-term elections, so many will not vote, many will vote based upon one issue, some along party lines, and some based upon lies created to deceive and divide people.

If we become a nation without safety nets for our children and elderly, with no minimum wage, health care, or education for anyone that is not already wealthy or born into wealth. Where will we be?

If we become a nation of one religion, the question will become which denomination of which religion will become the STATE religion? What will happen to all those who believe differently?

Today there is a movement for South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to succeed from the United States and form a country called Reagan and build a country based upon anti-gay, pro-life, as long as it is the fetus, without care for women, or the children, without any environmental or safety protections, and with a state religion.

We will have a nation that resembles the story I wrote called, The Between Times. It is a story of a grim world, with little hope for the poor. But, there also is a bit of hope and a bit of magic, within its pages.

In Orwell’s, 1984, he paints a picture of Big Brother in the form of the government, it is a picture that many use to try to prove that anyone who believes in safety nets and protections, are evil. In The Between Times, I see a world where the corporation owns the people and that world is not pretty. It is a world where religious wars are fought to make more money for the richest among us, while the poor are fodder for the war machine. A place where children are no longer protected once they are born, for the truth as my research shows is that those few who are throwing billions of dollars into buying elections and our government do not consider anyone who is not wealthy to be a person. No in their minds they are only fodder for their work force and their wars, which serve only to produce more power for them. It was true in nineteen thirty-three, when a few millionaires tried to overthrow the government and place a fascist regime in its place and it is true today.

Although, there are some who hear the word magic and believe it evil. In The Between Times, although it appears to be magical it can also be a metaphor for what can happen if people from every walk of life put their energy in one direction and how powerful that would be. It is a revolution of sorts, though not one that is carried out in the streets nor is a shot fired, but still hope is found in ‘the prophecy,’ begun by Jewell’s mother Rebecca, while she was standing waiting for her death.

Roman Nyle: Why I joined the Give A Book/Read A Book Campaign

Roman Nyle, began writing at the age of ten. He served in the U.S. Army, during the 1980's and 1990's. He has a passion for reading and exploring the world through watching people and the learning about different cultures.

Roman is an animal rights activist and a nature lover and he was kind enough to join me on my blog today.

He is currently working on a screen play as well as a novel and several short stories. I have been lucky to have a peek at some of his work. Although, currently not published he will be shortly and has become a writer with Katmoran Publications.

I must say along with being an interesting and kind man, he is opinionated. Some may not agree with his opinions, but he is always ready for a good debate.

Thank you for today's guest post Roman and thank you for joining the Give A Book/Read A Book Campaign.

Marta, it is a pleasure to meet you and thank you for letting me post on your blog. I have avoided the social media along with all it entails for a long time, but my wife insists it is time. She says if I am going to publish my work, I need to begin to venture out of my comfort zone. I am excited to be a part of the campaign. I remember more things I have read in books than those I have watched on television or in the movies. My reasons for asking to join this campaign are below.

Imagine a place where horses talk, other planets are populated by different species, ghosts walk, and murders get caught.

An entire universe is open to you, when you read a book.

Even though the Give A Book/Read A Book campaign began in 2013 as a way to promote books and reading, not just one authors books, but all books. Books from major publishers, small presses, and indie authors. It doesn’t matter if it is fiction or biographies and self help books, which author you prefer or if you only buy books that are traditionally published, there is a book that will ignite your passions.

In this day and age of electronics, with our world filled with the noise of television, automobiles, X-boxes, and video games, are we missing some of life's finest pleasures? The ability to allow our imagination to wander, to roam to far off galaxies, catch a murderer, and fall in love.

Are we losing the chance to sit quietly and look at the sunset or sunrise, watch a brook as it jumps over rocks on its way to its destination? Have we forgotten what it is to stop and listen to someone? To hear what they have to say or do we only hear a part of the sentence? Are we doomed to become a civilization-dependent on shopping and soundbites as our only means of entertainment or knowledge?

In the pages of a book, our eyes can be opened in ways no other medium can do. Our imaginations can soar and our minds can grow, becoming more and we can find a peaceful, quiet, place inside ourselves that is only available without the constant on-slot of electronics.

This does not mean that television, movies, video games, the internet, and shopping don’t have their place in our society. Contrarily, they offer us many other things. Yet, if they are our only source of entertainment and we are unable to put them down, what are we losing? What worlds are we not discovering, what understanding of other civilizations and cultures are we missing?

There are many theories on why there is such an abundance of Autism, in all its many forms. Perhaps, it is from an overabundance of noise and an overstimulatulation of our senses. We don't seem to give ourselves time to soak in the meaning of life or allow our mind a chance to absorb the silence and beauty around us. In our fast paced world, I wonder if we give ourselves enough time to let our imagination work,

In days past, life was lived at a slower pace, children played, using their imagination to build worlds or secret societies in their tree house. They spent time on their swing set, fishing, playing tag, and hide and seek. They began reading at younger ages, partly because they were read to or because the rest of the family read.

At the dinner table everyone’s day was discussed, the problems, the solutions, world events, what happened at school, what they learned that day, and stories of past and present adventures were told.

In my mind, I still picture these days, I remember the first books I read, the stories of my youth, and there are those books that to this day I have fond memories of. Yes, it is true, I also have a few movies that have done the same, yet more often than not many of them I can’t remember the substance or the meaning of them. Some television shows left a large impression on me too, yet this probably has more to do with the fact we watched few shows. Our days were filled with the simple games of a child, our chores around the house that made us a part of the solution in our family, and the stories my mind created after reading a book.

Give A Book/Read A Book and enter the world of the imagination.

You can find Roman Nyle on Facebook and soon in bookstores near you. We hope to convince him to join some of the other social media networks.

Give A Book/Read A Book, brings you the story of one little foals fight to survive.

There is yet to be a Dellani Oakes novel that I am not eagerly awaiting. Conduct Unbecoming was not a disappointment. Filled with action packed scenes, romance that will set your heart a thumping, but not from a quivering violet. Instead, Ms. Oakes is a master at strong male and female characters, capable of going toe to toe, yet causing the heat to rise and the spirit sale.
In this Teague McGurty sequel, we Teague and friends coming to the aid of his friend Nadeya who has been framed for the murder of her fiance’.
This is a story about true friendship, modern day romance, steamy love scenes, and full of action.
It is a masterpiece of fun literature you won’t want to put down from the moment you open it up until the last page is finished. It will leave you wanting more and yet filled with the story.
Truly a story to delight.

http://www.amazon.com/Conduct-Unbecoming-Teague-McMurty-Novel-ebook/dp/B00O05NQKW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

NEW FROM DELLANI OAKES: CONDUCT UNBECOMING A TEAGUE MCGURTY NOVEL

I adore Dellani Oakes, her charm, wit, and writing style are a delight. I am honored to call her friend and excited to be a part of the announcement of her latest book. It is an exciting book, filled with all of the elements, which keep one glued to their seats, up late at night, unable to put it down. Thank you Dellani for giving me this chance to help with the advance press for Conduct Unbecoming, a Teague McGurty novel.

Dellani Oakes makes her home in Florida, but she grew up in Western Nebraska. Before that, she lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Massachusetts and Texas. After graduating from high school, she added Mississippi. The diverse locations gave her a unique perspective on life. Always a people watcher, Dellani put that talent to use when she became an author.

Bitten by the writing bug early in life, Dellani first pursued poetry as her medium of self-expression. Soon, she moved on the song parodies and then short stories and humorous essays. Once she got to high school, it became apparent that she needed to learn to spell when she got a paper back from her English teacher, “For content: A+. For mechanics: F.” That comment changed her life, forcing her to focus as much on how she said things as well as what she said.

Dellani took up writing full time when her youngest son started kindergarten in 2002. Since then, she has published five books. She has two romantic suspense novels are with Tirgearr Publishing and an historical romance and two sci-fi novels with Second Wind Publishing. She has also contributed to several anthologies, MJ Magazine and shares her unpublished works on her blog.

Because she loves to talk to other authors, Dellani hosts two talk shows a month on Blog Talk Radio. Listen in every second Monday of the month at 4:00 PM Eastern for Dellani's Tea Time, and every fourth Wednesday, at 4:00 PM Eastern for What's Write for Me.

Armed with bravado and wonderfully supportive friends and family, Dellani has embarked on a journey of self-publication. Conduct Unbecoming is her first venture into this new, and somewhat scary, world.

Where are you from?

I was born in Tennessee, but have lived in Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, Nebraska,

Mississippi and now live in Florida.

What components, in your opinion, make a great story?

A great story needs good conflict, a discernible opposite of the main characters. This can be in the form of an actual person, entity or group. It can also be some hurdle the hero has to overcome. With good conflict comes good characters. They must be up to the task they've been presented with, even if they don't think so themselves. Despite weaknesses, they manage to rise to the challenge and overcome it. Good plot dynamics also add to the story. No good tale can go straight up to the climax and straight down to the denouement. There have to be levels built, like steps, guiding the reader to the conclusion.

What was the hardest part of the story to write?

It was hard to keep the plot fresh and not do a rehash of The Ninja Tattoo. I didn't want the characters in hiding, as they were before. However, when I thought of a full on confrontation, the characters stopped me. Two of the bad guys were too formidable and unpredictable for a frontal assault. I would have lost all my main characters and had a slaughter of innocents on my hands. Teague was champing at the bit to take the villain head to head and I couldn't let him. Amazingly, Jasper, who is even more impetuous than Teague, talked him out of it. After that, I let them decide and I like where they went with the story.

What was the easiest part of the story to write?

The love scenes were the easiest part. I love having people fall in love and bringing them together for the first time is always kind of magical.

Was there much research involved?

Since I had already written a story with similar aspects, there was very little research involved. I did ask an author friend of mine, Seth Bailey, for advice on a rifle for one of the scenes. Though the weapon isn't specifically named, he gave me some useful information. He also told me a real sniper wouldn't be seen or miss, which was exactly what I was after.

What do you feel is your biggest strength as a writer?

Dialogue, hands down. I wrote plays in college and that has stayed with me. Info dumps, back story, characterization—all this and more can be portrayed through dialogue.

When your first started writing, did anything about the writing process surprise you?

I didn't think about how long it would take to get from the beginning to the end. I would get these fabulous ideas and couldn't type fast enough. What I thought would take an hour to write, often took 2 or 3.

Do you celebrate when you finish a story, and if so, how?

I do celebrate a little. I keep my book files separated by Finished and Unfinished files. When a book is done, I move it from one folder to the other and do a little happy dance. Sometimes, if it's a been a real bear to finish, I'll have a glass of wine. I love finishing a book, but once it's done, the real work—editing—begins. I give myself some down time afterward, before I move on to a new project or begin my first phase of editing.

Do you have a set writing routine?

No. My time is too broken up with errands I have to run, needs of my family (buggers have to eat, after all) and all the Mom and Wife stuff I have to do. I try to get in my office by 10:00 most mornings, and put in time on my various projects. Sometimes, it's editing, other times it's setting up my blog posts. Other days, I go on Facebook & promote my books or radio shows. I try to put that off until later in the day, though, because it's easy to get sucked in.

I write or edit awhile, break for a late lunch, watch reruns on Netflix and relax, before going back to work. I take another break to fix dinner. Sometimes, I stop and watch a movie with my family, then I'm back at my computer until around 1:00 a.m. I often have to make myself go to bed. I'm not usually sleepy, but I can't allow myself to stay up all night, even though I'd like to.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Always! I have to listen to music. It keeps me going and makes me feel energized. It also serves a more mundane purpose, it provides a screen between me and the outside world. Even in my office, the sounds of the rest of the house annoy and interfere. I've learned to filter out and ignore some, but I can't separate myself from it all. Also, I have constant ringing in my left ear. The doctors can't do anything about it, so I play music to tone that down.

You’re marooned on a desert island. What’s the one book you’d want with you, and why?

Give me unlimited paper & pens, I'll write my own. The voices in my head won't shut up just because I'm not at my computer.

What’s next for you? Can we look forward to a new story in the near future?

I'm always working on something. I have several books that I've shared on my blog. I plan to get these ready to self-publish. The one I'm currently sharing on my blog, Bad Fall, is actually a companion novel to Conduct Unbecoming. The main character is mentioned in Conduct Unbecoming, and one of the villains is the same. I am also writing a sequel to Bad Fall, and it's an extension of both Conduct Unbecoming and Bad Fall. The title is A Matter of Time.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Learn grammar! I realize that makes me sound like an English teacher, which I am, but it's important. I just finished reading a wonderful book that had a great plot and held my interest, but the author kept hopping from present to past tense. There were times that she switched from first person narrative to third person in the same sentence. It was a little frustrating. Also, PLEASE learn the difference between LAY and LIE and use them right! That bugs the crap out of me. I despair of ever winning that battle, because nearly everyone does it wrong.

What made you decide to venture into self-publishing?

I love my publishers, but they are busy with other authors as well as me. I have books I really want to have published, but can't get out as soon as I'd like to. I've been afraid to do this until many of my friends encouraged me to try it. Thank you Christina Giguere, Karen Vaughan and Ethel Cook-Wilson for convincing me that I could, and should, give it a try.

Excerpt from Chapter Four

As Jasper approached the door, he prayed for inspiration. It was going to take some fast talking for Nadeya not to freak out and kill him. He raised his hand to knock. Rethinking his position, he moved so he wasn't standing directly in front of the door, but slightly to the side so the thick, log wall protected him. He tapped lightly and waited for a response. The curtain over the tiny window moved aside imperceptibly. Only someone trained to be observant would have seen it.

Jasper faced the window and smiled. "I'm Jasper Waters," he said quietly. "I'm a friend of Teague's. You hid on my boat."

The door opened a crack and one dark, wary eye peered at him. "I remember you. What?"

"May I come in? The skeeters are pretty nasty and they're feasting on me."

Nadeya took a step back, leaving barely enough room for Jasper to squeeze through. She shut the door with her foot and slammed him against the wall, one hand pulled up at an uncomfortable angle behind him. She did a thorough frisking of him, leaving no areas unearthed, before letting him go. She stepped out of easy reach, eyeing him with a neutral expression.

"I just want to talk," Jasper said, holding his hands slightly from his sides.

"You're a cop. Why should I talk to you?"

"Because I don't think you killed that man on the beach. We're both friends of Teague's, maybe we could build on that."

"Teague has lots of friends. . . ."

"No, Teague knows every damn body, but there are only a few of us the calls friends. You're one of them. He told me what happened to your fiancé."

She tightened up. Jasper took a step back, raising his hands.

"Would he share that with just anyone?"

Nadeya's lower lip trembled slightly and she blinked hard. Jasper caught the hint of a tear in her eyes.

"He wouldn't unless he knew I would help. You think I drop what I'm doing and run everyone out to a crime scene just cause I'm nice? Teague and I trust each other and I'd like to extend that courtesy to you, if you'll let me."

She stared at him several minutes, sizing him up. She gestured to one of the two chairs near the window. "Want some water or instant coffee? It's all I've got."

"Water would be good, thanks." Jasper sat.

Nadeya got two bottles of water out of the mini-fridge and tossed him one. Jasper caught it with a grin. His left hand gripped it as he twisted it open.

"Nicely done. Now you know I'm a lefty."

Nadeya smirked. "And you're not armed. I could have taken your head off."

"Yup, but I trusted you wouldn't. And I thank you for that."

She nodded as she opened her own bottle. "So, you're here, talk."

Jasper told her what he and Teague had figured out about the man on the beach. He even told her about C.L.A.D.

"You know about that?" Nadeya leaned closer, whispering.

"Bits and pieces, nothing concrete. What do you know?"

Nadeya looked furtive. "I shouldn't tell you. We could get in a lot of trouble."

Jasper held his hands out, palms up. "Who am I gonna tell? Except maybe Teague. Look, the more we know about this, the better. What do you say?"

She looked away, biting her lip. "I don't know much more than you do. The only thing I know for sure was that it's supposed to be a way to reprogram people's minds."

"Like brain washing?"

"Kind of. More sophisticated, but still a way to break them. I know that someone else got ahold of it though. They were using it on us!" Anger flared in her eyes.

"Us—as in you personally?"

"No. But some of our soldiers. There was a captain I heard of, they tried to kill him off in a raid, but he took out everyone who attacked his convoy. They stole his memories and gave him a fucking medal."

"Shit! How do you know about that?"

"The subject came up as they tortured my fiancé," she mumbled.

Excerpt from Chapter Six

"You don't mind sharing with me, do you?" Joel asked Aileen.

"Do you snore?"

"Not that anyone's ever told me."

"Joel doesn't have sleepovers often," Jasper said. "He wouldn't know."

Joel punched Jasper hard in the chest. "Back the fuck off, Waters."

Vivica interceded once more. "Do you guys need anything?"

"I've got a change of clothing in the car," Joel said, heading outside to get it. He slammed the door behind him.

Jasper watched him leave, jaw working angrily. Vivica had to speak to him again to get his attention.

"I just need a toothbrush and some boxers. I'm good to go."

"Teague has some new ones here somewhere. They should fit you. Hang on." She ducked into the master bedroom and brought out a pair of plaid boxers.

Jasper thanked her and went in the bathroom. Vivica and Aileen made the bed while he took a quick shower. Joel still hadn't come back in. Concerned, Aileen called him, but his phone went to voice mail.

"I'm going to go look for him," she said.

Vivica nodded and tucked in the blanket. Aileen went outside. She found Joel sitting on the neighborhood dock, gazing at the moon. He looked up when she sat down on another deck chair.

"He really gets under my skin," he explained. "And I let him. I want to kick myself in the ass."

"What's with you two. You seem to hate each other."

"No. Jasper's a good guy, he's just so competitive. I've been on the receiving end more times than I'd like. He's a sore loser, but he's a worse winner. Problem is, I am too." He chuckled, shaking his head. "We're too damn much alike to be friends. The only reason we tolerate each other is because of Teague."

"He's always had that effect, hasn't he? I've never seen someone who can bring people together and get the best out of them like he can. God, he had me charmed and in his bed faster than any man I've ever met."

Joel held up his hand, halting her monologue. "I can handle many things. But hearing how good my cousin is at seducing a beautiful woman is not one of them."

"Jealous?"

"As all hell," Joel admitted. He stared across the water.

"I can't imagine you've had much trouble along that line," Aileen said quietly. She scooted closer, shivering.

Joel flung an arm around her, pulling her closer. "I'd loan you my jacket if I had one."

"This is good. So, you don't want to know how he seduced me?"

"Nope. Why would I?"

"Because it might work for you too."

Joel chuckled, rubbing her arm. "There is that. Maybe I'll find my own way."

Aileen gazed into his eyes. They looked silver in the moonlight. "How would you go about it?"

"First, I'd take you for a ride in my sexy car."

She giggled. "And then?"

"Then I'd buy you a cup of coffee and a slice of the best pie in town."

"Jasper actually did that."

"Yeah, but I drove you there in my sexy car."

"True."

"Then I'd have me a temper tantrum and storm outside like a three year old."

"Oooh, be still my fluttering heart."

Joel turned his face to hers, pulling her close. "Then, I reckon I'd get you by the river in the moonlight and hope you let me kiss you."

Aileen leaned closer. Joel brushed her cheek, touching her lips with his thumb. His lips met hers—warm and soft and full. She shivered against him, but not because she was cold. Joel's tongue flickered between her lips and she opened them more. He took full advantage, deepening the kiss.

Sighing, they scooted closer together. Joel touched Aileen's cheek, his fingers winding in her hair. Gradually, his hand dropped to her shoulder before drifting down to her breast. Teasing her, he traced circles over her shirt.

The screen door of Vivica's house screeched, sounding loud in the still night. Joel's head snapped around.

"You two okay?" Vivica called.

"Yeah. Be right in, Viv. Sorry," Joel replied. He stood, giving Aileen a hand up.

Her arm slipped around his waist. "That was a nice kiss. I'd like to continue that sometime."

Joel sighed. "But I'm guessing not tonight."

"Not tonight. But soon." She started away from him.

Joel caught her hand, pulling her back. The kiss was even more powerful when they were standing. His firm body pressed against hers. It felt good to have a man show his interest so definitively. There were no games with Joel. He liked her, he was attracted. She had no intention of bedding a man she'd known less than 12 hours—though it was damned tempting.

"How long did it take my cousin," he whispered huskily. His breath tickled her neck.

"A week."

Joel nodded, smirking. Arm slung around her shoulders, he planted a kiss on her cheek, smirking as they walked to the house.

To Buy Dellani's Books

Follow Dellani on These Social Media Sites!

Dellani Oakes at Facebook

Dellani's Amazon page

Wordpress 

Blogger

Twitter

LinkedIn

Google+

A RADIANTLY BEAUTIFUL NOVEL BY A MAGNIFICIENT NEW VOICE

I first met Mary T. Bradford on the Fantastic Summer Splash Blog Tour on Facebook. I was at once impressed with her honesty, compassion, and willingness to support other authors.

As I grew to know her a bit, I discovered that my first impressions were correct, but that she was also a writer with a distinct and original style. A style that I am sure will lead her into greatness.

I am honored that this talented author has allowed me to be a part of the launch of her debut novel, My Husband's Sin.

Thank you Marta for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

It is a joy to have you join me Mary. Please tell us a bit about My Husband's Sin.

If you don't mind I will use publisher's words, they say it best.

My Husband’s Sin is the debut novel from Mary T Bradford. She is an Irish author, married and mother of four children. She has been writing short stories for many years with which she has enjoyed publishing success in Ireland and abroad. While working on a story it happened that the story kept getting longer and the word count continued to climb, resulting with Mary having her novel. My Husband’s Sin is published by Tirgearr Publishing at www.tirgearrpublishing.com.

Synopsis: In the weeks following Lillian Taylor’s burial, her four loving children assemble for the reading of her will. For the grieving youngest sibling, Lacey, life is about to come crashing down as a deep secret is revealed. The fall-out affects every member and they struggle to regain the happy family unit they once shared. Each of the four, now adult, children take the reader on a journey as they try to come to terms with and learn to handle this huge revelation.

Tell us what My Husband's Sin is about?

My debut novel is centered around the Taylor family. Lacey, the youngest of the family is dealt a horrible blow at the reading of her mother’s will. She is devastated and the knock on affect on her three siblings shakes the family unit. Lacey has questions that need answering and at one stage she must leave Ireland to search for some of the answers. Will the Taylor’s come together and unite or do they fall apart and remain so?

What are the main themes in your book?

In my novel, My Husband’s Sin, there are a few themes but the main one is loss. Losing a parent or indeed any family member is a difficult time for everyone concerned. Lacey Taylor, suffers loss greater than the others when after her mother Lillian’s funeral, a letter she is given destroys her life further. She now suffers betrayal as well. But it only takes a small crack to appear in a family for it all to come crumbling down.

If you were casting the movie version of My Husband’s Sin, who would you choose for the leading roles?

I would love the young actress, Amanda Seyfried, play the part of Lacey in my debut novel. The solicitor, Mr. Philip Sherman, played by Jeff Bridges, then Sally by Michelle Pfeiffer and finally Robert, by Jason Stratham. The other characters, Willow and Cora I have no idea.

Why did you write this novel?

I always promised myself that I would write a novel. I have written many short stories and had tons of ideas but none of them ever stayed with me and nagged me like this one. It started as a simple story and just kept growing, the word count grew and the characters kept insisting on me sorting out their dilemmas and after some moments of writing delights and writing disasters, I ended up with My Husband’s Sin.

How do you go about writing a novel? Is it a simple or a complex process?

Wow what a question! I am not a plotter when it comes to writing in general. I have either an idea or a name to begin with and after some thought, I may have an end. Then to get from the start to the finish, I have no idea, honestly. I put down on paper whatever is in my head and take it from there. As I am writing, the characters or indeed objects pop into the writing and it is they that lead my stories. In My Husband’s Sin, a black metal box appeared. I had no clue why or what it represented until much further on, it turned out to be an essential part of the novel.

Whether writing a novel is a simple or complex process I think depends on the writer. Some like to do a lot of research and make maps and plans and know each detail before they commit to paper. Others, I suppose like me, put it down and get it out and then when doing the next draft, and the next, and the next... finally get to the end.

What are you working on currently?

I have my fingers worn to the bone at present because I have three projects on the go. Yes I am a nut to take it all on. I am writing my second novel which is totally different from My Husband’s Sin; it is not even in the same genre. It is a good V evil story, a priest who is sent to do battle with the devil and it all takes place inside a locked room.  So who wins? That is a question I have not yet answered LOL.

I am also writing a western novella for a group that I am involved in. The group are called Writers of the West, it is an exciting project. Finally, I am busy seeking a home for a play I have ready for production.

What would your perfect day be?

A perfect day, let me think, it would be warm, not too hot, by the sea, with a picnic of cold meats/white wine/salads. A book of course and would I want company? Well if, Kevin Costner or Charles Bronson were available, or maybe Michael Bublé, he could serenade me right?

Tell us about a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about?

I enjoy public speaking. I have my CC (Competent Communicator) from Toastmasters International and I started the advanced manuals. I also represented my local club Fáilte Toastmasters in competitions. Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to participate but I may go back to it another time.

Recently Mary has dipped into play-writing and one of her plays was shortlisted in the Claremorris Fringe Festival in April of this year and was performed by the Half A Breakfast Theatre Group. Another of her plays had a Staged Reading in July at Friar’s Gate Theatre in Kilmallock, Limerick in Ireland. Her short story collection, A Baker’s Dozen, is also available on Amazon.com.

You can find out more about Mary T. Bradford at/on:

http://marytbradford-author.blogspot.ie/

http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Bradford_MaryT/my-husbands-sin.htm

https://twitter.com/marytbrad

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-T-Bradford-Author/464343040298924?ref=hl

THE FANTASTIC BLOG HOP TRIVIA QUESITONS

As some of you may know, a few of my author friends started something a few months ago that is known as the Fantastic Blog Hop. The first of them was five days of posts and fun. The second turned into a nine day event and this one they decided to do something different. ---- A two day Facebook event and I was lucky to be asked to participate. We are going to play games, chat with readers, give away prizes. One of the games will be author trivia. The answers to our questions will come from our blogs. So if you will take a moment and read my short answers, you will be ready for my trivia. The event starts tonight and goes through tomorrow evening August 15th. So please join us. http://www.facebook.com/events/497812409321189/?source=1

When did you begin to imagine new worlds and people them with characters?

My imaginary world has always been rich. As a small child I remember pretending I lived in ancient Egypt, traveled down the Nile, lived as a Native American in Southwestern United States, and of course I traveled to the stars.

Who is Dinky? 

Dinky is my youngest horse, we adopted him from a rescue when he was four months old. He is a nurse mare foal. I wrote two books from his point of view. The first is a novel 

Dinky: The Nurse Mare's Foal

 

and the second is adapted from the beginning of the book for ages 3 to 8, called 

Dinky's Quest: The Journey Begins.

 

Do you prefer it quiet or do you like to listen to music when you write? 

I usually like it quiet, for I listen to the sound of my characters, but when writing The Between Times, a story of what our world might become, but again it has a bit of magic woven into it and a prophecy.

 

I listened to Troika, a new age CD and when I wrote The Choosing I listened to the sounds of flutes and drums from a Native American CD.

The Choosing is the story of pre-European America and is interwoven with Celtic and different Native American beliefs.

What was the first book you wrote and published?

My grandmother wrote a few short poems in the 1930's for her children, I found them when my mother was dying and found them charming. I decided to lengthen most of the poems and add some of my own and Wee Three: A Mother's Love in Verse was born. It is the first of two children's poetry books I have written.

It is illustrated by the talented Hazel Mitchell.

How many books have you written?

To date I have published 2 children's poetry, 3 adult poetry, my novella's The Choosing and The Between Times, Dinky: The Nurse Mare's Foal, and its companion, Dinky's Quest: The Journey Begins, and a slew of short stories. I have approximately 30 partially finished novels and stories.

Where do your ideas come from?

I call it the primordial soup, for they seem to come from nowhere. It seems as if they swirl around in my head until something I see, hear, or read will open the door and the characters will tell me their stories as I type.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read, read, read, and write, write, write, and get a good editor.

I understand you once had a blogtalk radio show named A Show To Remember and this Saturday August 16th you are returning to the radio as one of the Red River Radio hosts. What is the name of your new show?

Books and Bards and it will feature both authors and readers in a round table/panel show.

WHY I NO LONGER PICK UP FREE EBOOKS

Why I no longer pick up free eBooks. There is a school of thought that believes giving away free books is the way to get your name known and it may be true. But I have come to believe that the only person that is truly being helped by this is Amazon and other retailers who subscribe to the idea that if a person is on their site and picks up a free book they are apt to buy other things. I believe this does help Amazon and others sell lots of kindles, and other digital readers as well as many other products. I, however, believe it does more harm than good for authors. I remember a time I worked as an administrative assistant for an extremely fine Chinese restaurant in Chicago. It was the second restaurant they had opened, one being in another section of town. Their egg rolls had won international awards their food superb, unfortunately, their lease was not. So they began a serious of give-away parties in an attempt to draw in diners. Instead, what happened was people just waited for the next free party. Oh a few people dined there during off party months, but most went elsewhere and waited. Is that what we as writers are doing, continuing the expectation that writers, musicians, and artists should not earn money from their labor? It is a question that I am struggling with and until I can find a way to believe it is something that in the long run truly help anyone, you will seldom if ever find me giving away free books, nor will I pick up a free book. I will put it on my wish list and wait till it is no longer free. I will support an author, musician, or artist in any other way I can, but I won’t take that free book. I do, however, believe Amazon’s new match program to be worthy of looking into, for it seems to be more of a buy one get one free thing. I suspect if Amazon instead had a way to price eBooks lower than $.99, and enabled people to run ½ price eBooks I might support that, but I am not sure either. Don’t get me wrong, if in my opinion, if the book is priced too high for an eBook, I won’t buy it either. There again, it is a matter of perspective, because the cost of printing, paper, and ink are involved I understand and agree with paperback and hardcover pricing. But, in this digital world without those costs I take issue with an eBook that is over $4.99 or so, especially when in most cases it is the publisher making the profit and not the author. So there you have it, I would like to see Amazon and others, offer packages of eBooks, or buy a kindle/kobo etc. and get x amount of free books (of your choice) but pay the author. I would like them to offer an option for novelettes and short stories to be priced under $.99.

Dinky: The Nurse Mare's Foal

A JOURNEY FOR ALL

Doreen Cox, proves she is a masterful story-teller in her novelette, A Sacred Journey. We follow Leah as she is protected and led through the forest by the spiritual insight and love of animals. In reading Ms. Cox’s story, I was transported by the love, joy, and honor that was shown to Leah, by those that are considered by some to be, ‘just animals.’ The connection between human and animal is deeply spiritual and sustaining, and it gave this reader a glimpse into the beauty that could be in this world. Although this journey had many different meanings that could be found that fit with the word sacred, to this reader it carried dual meanings. I can highly recommend this story to everyone who can believe in the possibility that life can be more.