Friday, December 18, 2015

The Traitor's Trap

Traitor's Trap


traitors trapThe Traitor's Trap by Brendan Murphy It’s tough being a thirteen-year old schoolboy, especially when you’re a coward and the big brother who stuck up for you is dead. Oh, and you’ve been thrust into a magical realm you’re expected to save single-handedly. Sebastian Duffy has to learn an awful lot of skills in a hurry if he is to defeat Phobitor by stealing the Spear of Lugh from the peace-loving Tuath. He’s been given some help of course–a mercurial sorceress, an orphaned druidess, a taciturn warrior, a snuff-sniffing leprechaun and a lovelorn poet– an outfit known as the Hibernauts, but can he really overcome a psychopathic, warmongering god when half the realm is bent on his destruction? If he is to have the remotest chance he will have to do deal with aiia, cluricaun, brigands, woodwose, undead warriors, speckled bats, spies, hunkypunks, traitors, skeletons and battle-swine first. And are those Tuath really so peaceable? If only he could find his courage.


Excerpt:
Gobbleratches had arrived in droves and the sky was filled with twisting, plummeting forms. He sank to his knees. 
“I could have prevented this,” he wailed, curling into a ball. “Why did they do this to me? How could they expect me to kill thousands to save more? I’m just a boy.” 
He screwed his eyes shut and pressed his palms against his ears, trying to zone out. It did no good. The battle consumed his senses. He could taste it. 
“Are you alright?” asked Blodwyn, her voice appearing to come at him down a tunnel. 
“Why did you bring me here?” he cried angrily, his hands trembling uncontrollably. 
“I’m so sorry,” sobbed Blodwyn, dropping beside him. “I’m so, so sorry.” 
“I can’t get away,” he screamed. “I’m scared. I want to go away. I want to go home.” 
Feeling her hands on him, he pushed her roughly away, but when she persisted he found he had no fight left and he let her fold herself around him, opening his eyes to her hypnotic gaze. He saw her raise her arm and bring it toward him, felt the branch touch his brow, and as her lips brushed his lobes and her tears kissed his face, heard the words she whispered in his ear, knew, even as he dissolved into sleep, that he had never heard anything so wonderful in all his life. 
“Child of my heart,” she murmured. “Child of my heart.” 


Praise for The Traitor's Trap An imaginative epic…an intricate and fully realised fantasy world with a big cast of likeable characters that are charming, well drawn and endearing, with wonderfully apt names. The depth and breadth of the author’s high-voltage imagination, and the richness of the world created is very impressive. ~Sam Mills, author of Blackout, The Boys Who Saved the World, and The Quiddity of Will Self I cannot say just how much I have enjoyed this book ... a very accomplished writer with a wonderfully rich imagination and an incredibly inventive mind. Readers will come to love the many wonderful creations in this novel, it is jam-packed with the most wonderful and inventive characters; new, exciting and beautifully realized. ~Cherry Mosteshar, author of Unveiled: One Woman's Nightmare in Iran

  amazon get it  

Brendan  Author Brendan Murphy Brendan Murphy was raised in Sheffield, England, with dreams of becoming a writer, and has written every day since he was nine years old. After reading medicine in London and psychiatry in Manchester, he moved to Australia in 1999. He is an Associate Professor at Monash University and has written widely on youth mental health. His nonfiction work on the development of football in Victorian society, From Sheffield with Love, was published in 2007. He is contracted to Assent Publishing for his six-book fantasy series, Sebastian and the Hibernauts. The first adventure, Beyond the Gloaming was published in 2014 and the sequel, The Traitor’s Trap, in 2015. He is a columnist for Aontacht magazine. He lives with his wife, Katrina, and their children, Sebastian and Violette, in a sprawling property built for the composer, Dorian Le Gallienne. They share their garden with a mob of kangaroos, a wombat, two possums, any number of creepy crawlies, and some very feisty kookaburras.


    Blog Tour $25 Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/28/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Looking for Signs

A while back an author by the name of Sharon Shabinaw contacted me about the best way to go about publishing a book she was writing. We emailed back and forth a few times and soon she became one of what I call my "phantom author friends" (authors who I admire/like but have never met). She eventually decided to go with self-publishing and hired me to both edit and format her book.

Turns out the book isn't just Sharon's. It also belongs to her mother, Arlene Garrett. Their quest is to share stories, both their own and those given to them by others, about signs from God they've received. Do I believe in signs from God? Absolutely. Always have. In fact I'll share with you one that came to me within the past year or so.

I was thinking of selling my house and moving. I'd been separated over a year and felt like I needed a change from the house I was living in. It hadn't ever really felt like home so I decided that meant I should move. I went out house hunting, and eventually put a down payment on one. Almost as soon as I did I began to have really bad feelings about it. The more I thought of it, the more I felt like it was a crushing burden. So I finally did what I should have from the beginning and prayed about it. A little while later while standing in the shower I heard someone say, "You need to stay here for now." Yeah. Freaky, right? Someone was in my house? Nope, I looked, and no one was there. 

So I said it aloud myself. "I need to stay here for now." Immediately the burden lifted and I knew I had my answer. I called my realtor, who informed me I'd likely lose my deposit, but I didn't care. I couldn't afford to lose it but figured it was a small price to pay for the relief I felt at my decision. (Note: the contractor was very understanding and did refund my deposit.)

At the time my dad was quite sick. He had heart disease, and had been going downhill steadily for a while. Still, I didn't expect him to actually die anytime soon. Three days after I made the decision not to move, he died. Three days. I can't even begin to fathom what it would have been like to be trying to sell my house and complete the new house with not only my grief at losing my dad, but also in the craziness that follows something like that as I helped my mom to get everything organized. Not to mention that about a month after he died I was presented with the divorce papers which, while expected at some point, I didn't expect while I was swathed in my grieving process. 

Several months later, when life had resettled a bit, I found another home and it felt right, more right than the previous one had. I put my house up for sale, it sold in 4 days, and a month later I moved. A couple of months after that I was in my new home, where I am now, and I feel completely content and happy where I am. I'm near my children, near my mom, and near all of the things that currently occupy my life. If I'd ignored that sign, I'd be in the wrong house again, I'd probably have had a nervous breakdown last fall, and I wouldn't be in a place where my life is so complete.

Sharon and Arlene have compiled many, many stories about people, just like you and me, who have heeded the signs they're given and who've been grateful they have. If you're interested in the book, there are links below for you to find a copy for yourself.


"It was the summer of 1990.  I don’t remember the exact date, but I do remember the moment I received my first sign from GOD.  It’s a moment that I believe everyone remembers because it is an awakening on the inside of you.  A feeling of pure peace, love, astonishment, and a life-altering moment!  My boys were three and four years of age at the time and I was going through a very difficult time in my life.  My marriage was in turmoil.  My husband, at the time, was very controlling and at times verbally and mentally abusive to me and our boys.  One day sitting in my office depressed, distraught and simply not able to concentrate on anything, I had mindlessly dropped onto a sticky pad a drop or two of whiteout and folded the paper in half.  My mind was everywhere, thinking what should I do?  What can I do to make a difference? Would we be better off without him in our lives?  Or, do I take a leap of faith for the sake of all of us?  It was then that I opened this piece of paper and saw a cross appear in the seam where I had dropped the whiteout.  I was simply amazed.  Was this a sign from GOD?  I knew it had to be; because, when I held that piece of paper up to the light, I could see the figure of Jesus on that cross.  He paid for our sins so that we can live on.  I was immediately overcome with peace knowing that GOD was in control and from that point forward, I believed everything happens for a reason and I took one day at a time doing what I needed to do for my children and myself."

Purchase at:


Monday, December 7, 2015

The Traitor's Trap

The Traitor's Trap  The Traitor's Trap by Brendan Murphy

It’s tough being a thirteen-year old schoolboy, especially when you’re a coward and the big brother who stuck up for you is dead. Oh, and you’ve been thrust into a magical realm you’re expected to save single-handedly. Sebastian Duffy has to learn an awful lot of skills in a hurry if he is to defeat Phobitor by stealing the Spear of Lugh from the peace-loving Tuath. He’s been given some help of course–a mercurial sorceress, an orphaned druidess, a taciturn warrior, a snuff-sniffing leprechaun and a lovelorn poet– an outfit known as the Hibernauts, but can he really overcome a psychopathic, warmongering god when half the realm is bent on his destruction? If he is to have the remotest chance he will have to do deal with aiia, cluricaun, brigands, woodwose, undead warriors, speckled bats, spies, hunkypunks, traitors, skeletons and battle-swine first. And are those Tuath really so peaceable? If only he could find his courage.


Praise for The Traitor's Trap An imaginative epic…an intricate and fully realised fantasy world with a big cast of likeable characters that are charming, well drawn and endearing, with wonderfully apt names. The depth and breadth of the author’s high-voltage imagination, and the richness of the world created is very impressive. ~Sam Mills, author of Blackout, The Boys Who Saved the World, and The Quiddity of Will Self I cannot say just how much I have enjoyed this book ... a very accomplished writer with a wonderfully rich imagination and an incredibly inventive mind. Readers will come to love the many wonderful creations in this novel, it is jam-packed with the most wonderful and inventive characters; new, exciting and beautifully realized. ~Cherry Mosteshar, author of Unveiled: One Woman's Nightmare in Iran
  amazon get it

Brendan  Author Brendan Murphy was raised in Sheffield, England, with dreams of becoming a writer, and has written every day since he was nine years old. After reading medicine in London and psychiatry in Manchester, he moved to Australia in 1999. He is an Associate Professor at Monash University and has written widely on youth mental health. His nonfiction work on the development of football in Victorian society, From Sheffield with Love, was published in 2007. He is contracted to Assent Publishing for his six-book fantasy series, Sebastian and the Hibernauts. The first adventure, Beyond the Gloaming was published in 2014 and the sequel, The Traitor’s Trap, in 2015. He is a columnist for Aontacht magazine. He lives with his wife, Katrina, and their children, Sebastian and Violette, in a sprawling property built for the composer, Dorian Le Gallienne. They share their garden with a mob of kangaroos, a wombat, two possums, any number of creepy crawlies, and some very feisty kookaburras.


50_Amazon_Paypal BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  

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Saturday, December 5, 2015

Need Some Christmas Money? Here's Your Chance!

Just in the Nick of Time 
 An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! The winner will be selected on December 23rd making it just in the nick of time to help with last minute Christmas shopping! We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com eGift Code!

Sponsor List – Thanks to these awesome bloggers & authors for sponsoring this giveaway!!
I Am A Reader Taking Time for Mommy The Discerning Reader Raven Haired Girl Unshelfish Literary Winner Nicole Tone Here We Go Again...Ready? Simple Wyrdings Coupons and Freebies Mom Author Devon Ashley Julie Antonovich Reece Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke Nikki Jefford Heather Gray, Author Simply Sherryl The HomeSchool Village Jennifer Bardsley Author Ednah Walters The Page Unbound Confessions of a Frugal Mind Once Upon a Twilight Krysten Lindsay Hager author Books R Us Author Cindy C Bennett Lori's Reading Corner Laurie Treacy, Author Heather @ Townsend House Author Erin Richards Lise McClendon, Author D'Ann Burrow Heather Boyd, author Cynthia Luhrs Author Echo Ridge Books Rachelle J. Christensen Dorine White Lucy McConnell Taylor Hart Patricia B. Tighe Author Jeanette Lewis Heather Justesen Babs Book Bistro Glistering Bs Blog A Leisure Moment: A Casual Conversation about our Love for Literature JL Weil

Giveaway Details $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 12/22/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or who can redeem an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

One Year

Dear Dad,

1 year.
12 months.
52 weeks.
365 days.
8,760 hours.
525,600 minutes.

That's how long I've missed you. I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that death isn't the end, that 
you're still somewhere, waiting, but that doesn't mean I don't miss you just the same. I can't count how many times I've wanted to call you, to talk to you or ask you a question or for advice. I've seen so many movies I wanted to take you to because I thought you'd like them. I've heard jokes I knew you'd enjoy and wanted to tell you just to hear your laugh. I've held my grandbabies, your great-grandbabies, and wished so much that they could know you. My daughter married, wearing your wedding ring on her right hand, and I so much would have preferred that it was on your hand, holding her hand, instead. Every time I hear "Home on the Range" I wish it was you singing it.



I've been to the cemetery where your body rests, but it isn't you. You're not there. I know you're so much better, happier now. I know your pain is finally gone. I'm glad. I'm so very happy you're free of the misery that your life became at the end. And still, selfishly, I want you back.

I miss you.

I love you.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Freetown Giveaway



I was asked to watch and review Freetown to help promote its DVD release. Let me first tell you about the movie and then I'll tell you my thoughts about it. To make things even better, Three Coin Productions and Deseret Book are giving away a copy of the DVD to one lucky winner! So be sure to enter at the bottom of the post.

Monrovia, Liberia, 1990: A rebel army has taken over the city. Six missionaries, determined to maintain their proselyting efforts, continue to share their message of hope despite the conflict that surrounds them. But after months of escalating violence, the missionaries, led by Elder Menti (Michael Attram), turn to local church member Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo) to help them flee the country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. 

Reaching Freetown will not be easy. The airport has shut down, power and water have been shut off, and food and fuel are scarce. Menti, together with the other missionaries in the district, convince Abubakar to pack the missionaries into an old Toyota Corolla, and get as far as they can. A few of the obstacles facing the fleeing missionaries include a 30-plus hour trip over muddy, uneven dirt roads, hardly any food and limited fuel. Additionally, they must make their way through seemingly endless rebel checkpoints where the unpredictable rebels are determined to find and eliminate members of the Krahn tribe, one of which is travelling with the missionaries. 

My review: This movie was written and directed by Garrett Batty (The Saratov Approach) and produced by Adam Abel (Saints and Soldiers), both movies that I'm a fan of. I had high expectations from them, and I wasn't disappointed.

I'll begin with the cinematography, which was incredible. They filmed on location in Ghana, using a mostly Ghanian crew (including the actors), and it shows. I think only natives could have shown such love for the beauty of their country while also showing the poverty that rules much of West Africa. With the added layer of the rebel soldiers, it's impossible not to become immersed in the scenery and feel like you're right there beside the missionaries as they try to get to safety. I think it's fantastic that they shot this with natural light, the brightness of the sun a stark contrast to the darkness of war and horror that surrounds them. It makes the violence feel that much more real.

The music was also really great, feeling so organic to the setting and situations that it's almost unnoticeable, which to me is the indication of a composer who knows what he's doing.

The fact that these seven men reached Freetown in such an old car, passing through the roads and checkpoints required, with barely enough food and water to sustain them is a miracle. The movie only shows them passing a few checkpoints when in reality they had to pass over 50 of them. One of the best things about this movie is that they don't feel the need to shove it down your throat that you're watching these miracles, they just organically let them happen and believe you're smart enough to figure it out on your own.

The movie has enough positivity and humor to keep it from feeling to depressing. At one of the checkpoints, when it didn't seem they'd be allowed to pass, one of the missionaries begins preaching and they're quickly waved through as the guard doesn't want to listen to it. The missionary's knowing smile as they pass is golden.

At one point one missionary is explaining to another that he should be brave and lie about who he is in order to not be shot. The other says, "Is it brave just to try to live?" For me, I'd probably say "Yes!" but for this missionary it felt like the lie would be the bigger burden, so he tells the truth. I won't tell you what happens when he does, but suffice it to say I was shamed by my immediate response.

I highly recommend a viewing of this movie. The events happened 25 years ago, but nothing that happened feels dated. It could be happening right this minute somewhere else in the world, and to me, that's as current as it gets.


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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Lovely Fan Art

I know most writers say it, but in my case it's absolutely true: I have the best readers in the world! Here's just  piece of the proof. One of my sweet readers from Mexico, Karime Andrade sent me this amazing fan art she's drawn of a scene from Geek Girl. I absolutely adore it. Not only is she crazy talented (she's only 12!), the fact that she felt strongly enough about the story to take the time to create fan art makes me grin like a fool. I love that she captured the spirit of both Jen and Trev. I'm sharing with you not only the art, but the scene from which she takes it. Enjoy! (I know I did.)


From Geek Girl:

He takes me to an Italian restaurant, where we are both out of place. I’m like a nightmare to the patrons as I walk in. The hostess at the front desk would turn me away if she weren’t afraid I’d cause a scene (I would). And Trevor is way too buttoned up for the chic-type clientele.
I like it. Because he is now out of his comfort zone along with me.
They seat us at a table along the back wall in a cove, partially hidden from view by draping curtains held back by a hook sticking out of the dividing wall. I know this is on purpose to hide me from the rest of their guests, but Trevor acts as if it is an honor to be sitting here.
Our server comes over, definitely looking down her nose at me. Her eyes widen a little when she sees Trevor and her eyes shift quickly back to me, and then to Trevor again in astonishment. We are an odd pair.
“Can I get you something to drink?” She directs her question to Trevor, not so desirous of looking at my offensive person again. I wonder how badly the hostess will have to pay when this particular server is finished with her shift for having seated us at one of her tables.
Trevor looks at me.
“Diet Coke?” he asks with a grin. “They have some really good Italian sodas, too. I like the strawberry one.”
I almost smack my head at my own stupidity. Of course he’s been here before; he’s not out of his comfort zone, he’s just oblivious to how out of place he is.
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I say.
“Two strawberry Italian sodas, please.”
She doesn’t say anything, just writes the order on her pad and walks away, giving me another quick glance, sneer barely concealed.
“You’ve been here before?” I ask.
“Oh yeah, my family comes here all the time. It’s pretty good. Haven’t you ever been here?”
“Do I look like this is the kind of place I normally visit?”
He sits up even straighter, if possible.
“I’m sorry. Do you not like Italian?”
I roll my eyes at him.
“Italian is fine, Trev—Trevor. This is just a little . . . fancy, I guess.”
He looks around at the other customers as if noticing them for the first time, then back at me, taking in my black and red hair, heavy makeup, tight black clothes.
“Oh. Sorry. I guess I’ve just gotten used to . . .” he trails off, flustered, looking away. “Do you want to leave? Go somewhere else?”
I have to admit I’m a little surprised; I’ve never been on a date where my discomfort was worth consideration.
“Nah, it’s okay. It smells good. Besides, it’ll give all these people something to go home and talk about. The freak they saw at dinner.”
“You’re not a freak.” His denial is immediate, unexpected.
"What makes you think I'm referring to me?"
He freezes, cheeks darkening with embarrassment, and I smile at him, let him off the hook.
"Just kidding, Trev. You really need to relax a little." He forgets to correct my shortened version of his name. I lean forward. Subconsciously he does the same.
“So, really, Trevor? You don’t think I’m a freak at all?”
“No.” He sounds sincere anyway.
“And before you met me? Did you then?”
He shakes his head. At my lifted brow, he explains himself.
“No, not a freak. I mean, obviously I can’t go to school and not notice you and your friends because you all dress a little differently.”
“A little differently?”
He smiles with his killer dimples and I find myself wondering why girls aren’t all over those.
“Okay, a lot differently, especially with, you know, the makeup and all. And the piercings. But you don’t have any of those.”
“Not that you can see, anyway.” I say this low, seductively. The effect on him is immediate. His eyes drop a quick perusal over my body and I can see his mind clicking, wondering just where those piercings might be. I decide to let him fantasize and not burst his fantasy by telling him the truth; currently I am pierce-free—or at least jewelry free. I suppose the holes are still there.
After a few minutes, he swallows the lump in his throat and squeaks out, “Oh.”
I can’t help it, I laugh. His eyes meet mine, and he smiles slightly.
“Are you teasing me?” I just shrug—and leave him hanging, counting on his ever present courteousness to stop him from asking again.
The rude waitress comes back to take our order. I change my mind purposely three times so that she has to keep scratching it out on her pad, only to wind up back at the first thing I ordered. Trevor watches, eyes scrutinizing, recognizing that I am doing this on purpose. Then, to my utter amazement, he follows suit and changes his four times. By the time he’s finished, she is vibrant with irritation. As she walks away, Trevor looks at me and grins.
“She deserved that,” he says.
“Yeah, but I can’t believe you did it.”
He shrugs, then looks at the table, chagrined, drawing an imaginary pattern with one long finger. “I’ll leave her an extra tip to make up for it,” he mumbles.
I laugh again, and he grins, peeking up at me from under what I notice are incredibly long lashes covering an amazing shade of green. Huh, I think. I haven’t noticed his eyes before. They’re not bad. Kinda nice, actually. Almost killer.
After dinner, which he insists on paying for—lucky for me since I'm short on cash—he drives me home, walking me to the door. It almost feels like a real date, which suits me just fine. It’s important to my goal for him to start thinking of me as something other than a strange acquaintance.
“Did you have fun tonight at the Senior Center?”
“Oddly enough, I kind of did,” I tell him. “The whole night was fun. Maybe next weekend we can—”
My words are cut off as my foster mother pulls the door open. She seems surprised to see us there.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you two were out here. I was just going to go for a walk.” Which I know is true because she goes almost every night—sans the straw hat—always trying to drag me along. Exercising is not the way I want to spend my evenings. Neither do I want to spend that much time hanging with her.
“Hi, Mrs. Grant. How are you?” Trevor asks.
“I’m fine, Trevor. Did you two have fun tonight?”
Trevor looks at me, as if expecting me to answer. I shrug.
“Yeah, we did,” he says.
“Good, good,” is her inane response. “Do you want me to wait for you Jen? You can walk with me.”
I give her my normal response, which is a look that says you’re kidding, right? She translates correctly.
“All right, I’ll be back soon, then. Bye.”
“Bye, Mrs. Grant,” Trevor says. I remain silent. She walks to the end of the driveway and starts stretching. Could she be any lamer? But Trevor either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. He is watching me, a question in his eyes—one I don’t want him to ask.
“I’ll see you at school next week then,” I say, turning to go into the house. He hesitates, but seeing that I’m not going to satisfy his curiosity, he sighs.
“Okay, see you later,” he says. “And thanks for coming. I’m really glad you did.”
I want to scream at his politeness, but instead I turn back, the little secretive smile that flusters him pasted firmly on my face.
“Me too,” I say quietly, closing the door on his darkening eyes.
It is going well.

Want to read more? Get your copy of Geek Girl today.

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“Think I could turn that boy bad?”
My two best friends--my only two friends, really--follow my gaze and laugh.
“Trevor Hoffman?” Beth scoffs. “No way, Jen.”
“I bet I could,” I say, shrugging.
“Why him?” Beth asks. “Why not any of the other nerds sitting there with him?”
“Because,” I say slowly, “he isn’t your typical run-of-the-mill geek. Trevor Hoffman is different. He would be a little more difficult to take down--more of a challenge, you know?”

Jen’s teenage life of rebelling and sneaking out is growing stale. In an effort to combat her boredom, Jen makes a bet to turn Trevor, a nice geek, into a “bad boy.” Unexpectedly, she is pulled into Trevor’s world of sci-fi movies, charity work, and even--ugh!--bowling. Jen discovers that hanging out with Trevor isn't so bad after all. But when Trevor finds out about the wager, all bets are off.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Willem of the Tafel

Willem-of-the-tafel-banner

In conjunction with the release of his new novel, Swedish author Hans M Hirschi stopped by today to share an excerpt from the book, and he's written a guest post about his take on faith in an apocalyptic future.

Faith in the 26th Century
Hans M Hirschi

Faith doesnt play a major role in Willem of the Tafel, but I realize it plays a major role in society, so I had to consider what faith might look like in the future. What we typically see is faiths change as leaders change, as societys change, particularly when those changes are of a radical nature. If you look at Europe, weve seen faiths change quite a few times in the past few thousand years. In the bronze age, which came later the further north you go, peoples faith revolved around mother nature, the sun and the moon. It was then replaced by mighty and powerful gods, inspired by similar beliefs in the middle east. From Greeces Zeus to Romes  to the Germanic Oden, which were powerful and lively way past the first millennia in Northern Europe. It was followed by Catholicism which reached different parts of Europe in the second half of the first millennia, often made official when kings converted. Then came Protestantism and millions and millions of Europeans changed faith again, sometimes back and forth, at the whim of the ruler in place. Also, Islam spread across Europe (e.g. Spain, South-Eastern Europe), through conquests and - most recently, through migration, just as judaism once had. These days you can add atheism and any world religion into the mix.
So what would happen, if tragedy struck, and we lost everything? Would people still cling to their faith? This is a difficult question, and I suggest they do not. It is difficult to know of course, as societies generally tend to become more religious in perilous times, but I still believe that an event of such horrendous proportions would undoubtedly lead to significant changes. How could e.g. catholicism survive without Rome? Or Islam without Mecca or Medina?

In the greater context of Willem of the Tafel, peoples faith, as strong and steadfast as it may be, doesnt play a significant role as it doesnt really add to telling the story. However, as an author writing a society that does not yet exist, I still had to figure out how people in the 26th century might lead their lives. This is but one tiny example of a very important aspect of our everyday life that didnt make it into the book.

Willem-of-the-tafel-book



Willem of the Tafel by
Hans M. Hirschi
Published by
Beaten Track Publishing
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, LGBT, Post-Dystopian, Young Adult
194 pages
Release Date: May 28, 2015

The world we know is gone, destroyed by greed and ignorance. On a post-apocalyptic Earth, centuries into the future, few have survived the Great War. Some have taken refuge deep inside a mountain. One of them, Willem, is exiled to the surface... Alone and struggling to survive, Willem embarks on an epic journey, making a discovery that could once again alter the future of humanity. Willem of the Tafel is an epic tale of survival, second chances, hope, and undying love.

Excerpt:
Crime was virtually unknown to Tafel society: there was no police force, no one to guard Willem. He was accompanied to the surface by an elder from each of the three main groups, and an engineer to operate the main door, which hadn’t been opened in over two centuries, although it was regularly maintained, just in case. No one really knew what awaited Willem on the other side of that concrete and steel door. Opening it was the most difficult task. It had rusted shut and resisted the guards’ strenuous efforts. Willem didn’t put up a fight or resist; he simply watched as the guards struggled on. He had accepted his sentence with equanimity. Even if he’d been acquitted, he knew that he would still have been considered guilty by the population and shunned by them, at best. Willem didn’t want to die; he wanted to live, wanted to see the sun, wanted to lie naked in the warm light that tanned his skin, wanted to enjoy life like anyone his age. But that wasn’t to be, so he accepted the situation as it was.

He stiffened slightly, as the door finally moved, and a whiff of the outside air reached his nostrils. The others had put on their masks to protect themselves from the radiation and pollutants in the air, and Willem instinctively held his breath, his last one ever…


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author-hans-hirschiWillem-of-the-tafel-about-author

Hans M Hirschi (b. 1967) has been writing stories ever since he was a child. Adulthood and the demands of corporate life efficiently put an end to his fictional writing for over twenty years. A global executive in training and channel development, Hans has traveled the world and had previously published non-fictional titles.

The birth of his son and the subsequent parental leave provided him with the opportunity to unleash his creative writing once again. With little influence over his brain’s creative workings, he indulges it, going with the flow.

A deeply rooted passion for faith in a better world, in love, tolerance and diversity are a red thread throughout both his creative and non-fictional work. His novels might best be described as “literary romance, engaging characters and relevant stories that won’t leave you untouched, but hopeful.”
Hans is a proud member of the Swedish Writers’ Union and the Writers’ Center in Sweden.

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Willem-of-the-tafel-giveaway

The giveaway for Willem of the Tafel has 11 randomly chosen winners; 10 will receive $15 Gift codes to the author's shop, but the grand prize winner will receive a free ticket to GayRomLit retreat 2015, in San Diego, CA, happening October 15-18th, 2015. Ticket value is $175, but if you win the grand prize, you're responsible for travel and accommodations. Please notify the author in advance should you win and be unable to attend, so we can choose another recipient to enjoy the prize!


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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Summer Romance


#1 Bestselling Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!








Excerpt from: Tin Foil Tiaras
A Snow Valley Romance

By Jeanette Lewis
(All rights reserved)

Careful of the mud,” he said, pointing at the low spot ahead where water had pooled, creating a large mud puddle across the trail.
The banks on either side of the puddle weren’t high, but they were steep and covered with long grass. Annalisa and Josh were picking their way along the edge and Cameron could see the mud creeping up over the soles of their shoes.
“I’ll be so ticked if I ruin these,” she moaned, holding out a sequin-clad foot.
“You and your shoes,” Kyle said with a light chuckle. He turned his back. “C’mon, I’ll piggyback you.”
“Ah …” He was much bigger than she was and he was obviously strong, but she’d always been self-conscious about not being a stick.
“What’s wrong, afraid I’ll drop you?” he teased.
“No, but I’m not exactly light …”
“Oh brother,” he bent his knees and held his arms out to his sides. “C’mon, jump.”
Her throat felt dry as she put her arms on his shoulders and gave a small leap. His hands clamped behind her knees as he straightened, seemingly without any effort.
“Hold on,” he instructed.
Cameron didn’t need to be told. She wrapped her arms around his neck, careful not to choke him. His hair tickled her nose and smelled like shampoo and his shoulders were warm and muscled under her arms.
Kyle maneuvered around the mud and she prepared for him to stop and set her down, but he didn’t. He kept going, walking easily down the trail with her on his back.
“Uh … you can put me down now,” she finally said.
“Yeah, I could,” he agreed … and kept walking.
“We’re over the mud, thank you very much,” she didn’t really want him to put her down, but it seemed polite to suggest it.
“Okay,” he said … and kept walking.
“Now you’re just showing off,” she muttered good-naturedly and he threw her a grin over his shoulder.
“Yup.”
She tightened her arms slightly and her heart leapt when she felt him squeeze her knees in return.
Oh yes, taking the day off had definitely been a good idea.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Cokeville Miracle



I was invited to one of the premier showings of The Cokeville Miracle by Excel Entertainment. I attended the showing on May 6th in Salt Lake City. In exchange, I was asked to write a review of the movie which will be released on June 5, 2015. Before I tell you my thoughts on the movie, here's some info about it, including what it's about.

The Cokeville Miracle is a dramatization based on events that happened May 16, 1986 in Cokeville, Wyoming. David and Doris Young held 136 children and 18 adults hostage in a 30' x 30' room in the small towns elementary school with a bomb attached to David Young in the center of the room. After two and a half hours of terror, the bomb accidentally detonated, but the only people who died that day were David and Doris Young. Miraculously, not one child or teacher in that tiny room was killed.

Written and directed by T.C. Christensen, best known for 17 Miracles and Ephraim's Rescue, this movie was the recipient of the Audience Choice Award at the LDS Film Festival. This Saturday, May 16th, will be the 29th anniversary of the Cokeville hostage crisis. As a way to honor those whose lives have been impacted by the horrific experience of school violence and out of respect to the survivors, Excel Entertainment has decided not to run any advertising, promotional events or social media on. Instead, they'll be observing a digital day of silence. They invite you to join in this digital day of silence by turning off your devices and spending 3 hours with the people you love.

My Thoughts:

I went into this movie knowing only the basics of the story and not even knowing if it was a dramatization or a documentary, so I had no preconceived notions of what to expect. One of the survivors of the tragedy was at the screening and spoke for just a moment. She was one of the 4th graders and she said that it was to date the closest representation of what occurred in that room that day, and that one of the things said by Doris Young about how they'd tell their children and grandchildren the story of that day was the absolute truth as she had told her children and would one day tell her grandchildren, and how grateful she was to have that opportunity.

I wanted to love this movie. It's an amazing, miraculous story in spite of how tragic it is at the same time. It would have been better served as a documentary with a few dramatizations thrown in. At the end of the movie, they showed interviews with some of the survivors, and those were far more interesting than what I'd seen up to that point.

The acting was, well, sub-par. Not what you'd expect from a feature film. More what you'd expect from Hallmark Channel or some other made-for-TV movie. There was one bright exception in the form of Kimball Stinger who played Jason Hartley, son of the town's marshal. His performance bordered on honest, and I think given just a bit of leeway he would have been exceptional. This kid has a definite future in acting. Other than Kimball, the acting was sometimes meh, and sometimes just plain bad. I haven't seen any of these actors in anything else that I can recall so I can't really say whether it's their acting itself or the directing, but it wasn't impressive in this case.

The story was sadly muddled. Instead of it being a film about this horrific event and how the town recovered and used their faith in God to rise above, it focused on one man, the town's marshal, and his complete lack of faith which was restored by this event. It almost felt like make-a-film-by-the-numbers which requires a human interest story. There was plenty of human interest with everything that happened. If I had a nickel for every time the phrase was uttered "I'm [or you're] a cop" to explain how the evils of the world had chased his belief in God away, I'd have a decent paycheck. The town's population I believe was somewhere around 575 people. How many bad things can a cop in a town that size have possibly seen? I felt this story overshadowed and detracted from the real story which was the people in the room that day and the miracles that kept them safe.

The mis en scene (which is everything that appears in a frame: lighting, actors, props, costumes, decor, etc) was hit and miss. There were some very 80s things seen that as someone who was a teen in that time I easily recognized, but unfortunately much of it felt very 2015, from clothes to hairstyles, to even something as simple as the rocker light switches which made it a bit confusing.

The villains (David and Doris) were a little like caricatures of who I'm sure the real people were. The movie tried to delve lightly into their reasoning for their actions of that day but obviously no one really knows why other than some rambling writings David left behind about being able to die and then come back to life, as well as wanting to reign over intelligent children. Instead, David's character was apathetic and uninteresting. Doris seemed to question the sanity of David at times without explanation as to why she then chose to go along with him. One explanation given is when a random cohort of David's (who added nothing to the movie and only confused the issue by being added) said to David (with rather poor delivery, I must say), "Does this have something to do with when you were the marshal here?"

Wait . . . what? He'd been marshal in this town? Tell me more. Nope, that's all they gave. So I read about him, and yes, for a short 6 month period in 1979 David Young had been the marshal in Cokeville and was dismissed for misconduct. He moved to Arizona and apparently was never heard from again until deciding to bomb this town's elementary. Why the filmmakers didn't choose to follow that thread is beyond me. That would have been far more interesting than the disjointed path they followed with David and Doris which never really led to any kind of understanding. Then again, there really isn't any understanding for why they chose to do this to these kids.

I think there is value in this movie to be sure as far as telling the story of what really happened in that room that day. I firmly believe in miracles and in angels, and so I have no doubt that what those children spoke of afterward is the absolute truth. For so many of the children to have come up with the exact same story isn't just coincidence. I was touched and teary-eyed as the marshal interviewed these kids and they told their stories because it was the most truthful part of the whole movie. I genuinely wish they'd used that as the focus of the movie since it is the story.

I'd recommend this movie to be viewed at some point either in the theater or once it's released on DVD, but watch it knowing that it isn't about the poor acting or the misguided story of one man's return to faith, but rather that it's about those kids and teachers who lived those few hours inside that classroom and their experiences. Because the things that happened there that day are miraculous and deserve to be told.

Learn more about this movie and get updates at their Facebook page.