#WW WOW Wednesday: Greta Burroughs

Hi guys and girls! Welcome to WOW Wednesday. My 17th guest is my friend and fellow writer, 
Greta Burroughs, author of the Gerald and the Wee People series and some fantastic books for kids. 
What are they all about, I hear you ask? Well, read on to find out more... and if you head to the Reviews section of my blog you'll see my thoughts on her books. I love them!

About Greta's YA books:

In Gerald and the Wee People, Gerald and his best friend, Vernon discover a mysterious spot in the woods where Gerald visualizes a miniature village complete with wee inhabitants. He enjoys going back to that spot and watching the day to day activities until trouble starts in the village and he tries to convince Vernon that the 'visions' are real and the wee people need help.

While trying to prove that the whole thing is just Gerald's wild imagination, the boys literally fall into the new world and get caught up in a war. The boys come up with ways to keep the invading force from entering the village but another solution has to be found in order to put an end to the conflict.

Along with a few companions from the village, Gerald and Vernon embark on a quest to face down the deranged forest god who instigated the mayhem. The dangerous path is laid out by an ancient prophecy, but not everything goes as planned. 

http://viewbook.at/weepeople

The adventure continues in the second book in the Wee People series, House on Bo-Kay Lane. Gerald and Vernon believe their time with the wee people came to an end after they returned to their home world but begin to wonder when strange things started to happen at an abandoned house in their neighborhood. Ghostly images of familiar faces from the wee people village are seen in the windows, echoes of voices from the past haunt the boys’ dreams and an undeniable curiosity draws Gerald and Vernon to investigate the mysterious haunted house. What they find takes them back to the world of the wee people and a new adventure begins.

A mirror is found in a forgotten room in the far-seers’ training centre. Sheela, a far-seer master and Alyson, an apprentice firestarter are unwillingly drawn into the depths of the mirror and wind up in the abandoned house on Bo-Kay Lane. Sheela uses her telepathic skills to enlist the aid of Gerald, Vernon and Gerald’s father, Andrew to help find the way back to the world of the wee people.

That problem resolved, they try to unravel the secrets of the mirror and find that it is a portal between their two worlds, as well as to a time in the future and possibly even to a parallel universe. They also discover that someone is trapped inside the mirror and the decision has to be made as to whether or not to help the trapped soul escape the confines of the portal.

Meanwhile, the wee people discover the origins of their world. That knowledge is not well accepted and leads to discord between them and the outworlders, Gerald, Andrew and Vernon. An uneasy truce paves the way to an understanding and acceptance of the unwelcome facts and eventually to a solution of how to deal with the man in the mirror. http://viewbook.at/bokaylane

Book three in the series will be out later on this year. 

All about Greta

Greta Burroughs loves to read. No matter where she is, there is always a book close at hand. Her love of reading began at an early age and blossomed over time to include many different genres, her favorite now being fantasy.

As a preschool and elementary school teacher, Greta tried to instill the joy of reading in the children she worked with. Books were an important part of her classroom and story time was the highlight of the day.

It has been a while since Greta was in a classroom but she had lots of experience in reading to children of various ages and remembers what they enjoyed listening to. She tries to incorporate that knowledge into her work as an author and believes it makes her a better writer of children's and young adult books.

She now resides in SC with her husband, Robert and three dogs. Greta has six books published at the present time; three children’s books in the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series, two MG/YA fantasy entitled Gerald and the Wee People and House on Bo-Kay Lane, and a non-fiction account of her experiences with an autoimmune blood disorder called ITP - Heartaches and Miracles.

Links:

Greta's website 

FBAuthor page  

Amazonauthor page 

Twitter

LinkedIn

Blog

Pinterest  

Thanks for reading - look out for another WOW writer next Wednesday!

Happy reading & writing! :) 

#WW WOW Wednesday: TM Novak

Hi guys and girls! Welcome to WOW Wednesday. My 16th guest is TM Novak, author of 

The Abduction of Lilly Waters. This fast-paced thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. What's it all about, I hear you ask? Well, read on to find out more about the novel and this talented writer...

“Beth could hear Lilly from the back seat of the car for most of the trip, singing and humming to herself in such contentment that it warmed Beth’s heart. Leaving town wasn’t the easiest choice she’d made, but it was a necessary choice in order to start a fresh life and escape her horrific past.”

The Abduction of Lilly Waters

By T.M. Novak

Beth had never anticipated her life would end up like it did. The last beating she received at the hands of her boyfriend threw her over the edge. She had to escape him, so she fled, taking her daughter, Lilly, with her. She didn’t know where to go, but she didn’t care. All she could manage to think about was her unborn child and her daughter.

The frequent stops that mother and daughter had to make were uneventful until Beth pulled into a diner in Moore, Oklahoma, where Lilly was taken by unseen hands.

Detectives Daniel Prescott and Frank Martinez head the investigation, trying relentlessly to solve the case before it’s too late. These days when children are taken it’s a unified frenzy to find them. In this case every lead turns up empty and every turn they take reveals a clue they couldn’t have anticipated. The detectives are not quite sure where to turn or who to trust; even the mother herself is a prime suspect.

Book links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

“Her scream pierced the darkness, meeting the relentless thunder as it cracked against the black sky. It was like a battle of wills, each trying to conquer the other. This can’t be happening…”

“Detective Frank Martinez scanned the scene. He was looking for something more, something that would spiral the case in the right direction. As of that moment, nothing seemed right. There were no leads, just the words of a pregnant woman that didn’t add up, some witnesses that didn’t see a damn thing, and broken glass. He felt sure the mother was hiding something, and he was determined to figure out what.” 

Reviews on Amazon US

4.7 out of 5 stars for 50 reviews

5 stars - Great read

This was an excellent book by a first time writer. I enjoyed the story development and description. 

I look forward to the next offering from this writer.

Published 3 days ago by manny O

5 stars - Not to be missed

Great psychological thriller. This psychotherapist loved it, but you don't need to be in the 

profession to appreciate the excellent writing of a gripping story

Published 3 days ago by Lena

4 stars - Quite a roller coaster ride!!

This is the kind of psychological thriller that starts in one direction and ends in a totally different one. 

Published 8 days ago by Melissa Troutman

4 stars - Full of twists and surprises

It turned out to be a treasure. Great story line. Really surprised me. 

Published 10 days ago by Linda Ladybug

All about T.M. Novak

Tammy was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, eight minutes before her twin brother. She comes from a large family with seven brothers and sisters, and eleven nieces and nephews so far. She grew up in Southern California and currently lives in Prescott, Arizona.

Tammy married her high school sweetheart, Gary, in 1994 and they have four sons. She received her teaching degree from Northern Arizona University in 2010, and is currently teaching in Mayer, Arizona.

The Abduction of Lilly Waters is her debut novel and there are several other works in progress: a YA series called Butterfly Lake, and a children’s book series called The Big Green Dinosaur, which will be published under the name of Tammy Moore. Her sister, Latisha Wood, is expected to illustrate them for her.

The things that inspire Tammy the most are family and she always keeps her relatives at the forefront of her thoughts. She gets her story ideas from her dreams and her children, where she takes a simple moment and creates a world all its own.

Links

Author Website 

FB page 

Twitter

Thanks for reading - look out for another WOW writer next Wednesday!

Happy reading & writing! :) 

A Poem a Day (50): Fishing

This grey ocean flicks and turns

Writhing, the current strong;

Strips of cloud roll across

Thrown by an invisible hand

Piercing this picture

A majestic eagle cuts the wind,

Swift at break-neck speed,

Sharp talons outstretched

With powerful dark wings raised

It breaks the surface rippling,

Sinks into the chilled depths

To scoop a silver fish

Wriggling to win freedom

It senses the uselessness

Gripped between these feet

Rising into the yawning sky

copyright Vickie Johnstone

#WW WOW Wednesday: Jerrid Edgington

Welcome to the first WOW Wednesday of 2014. My 15th guest is Jerrid Edgington, 

a paramedic - that makes me go wow! - and author of Racing the Reaper. Take it away, Jerrid... 

About Racing the Reaper

Jacob Myers was a normal, average, run-of-the-mill kind of guy. He often felt that his life was meant for something greater. But without any formal education, he was stuck in a mundane office job. That all changed one night when he suffered a spinal cord injury that nearly left him paralysed and trapped in a wheelchair. Through his recovery process, he found the direction in life he’d been longing for: to get a job in EMS. 

Jacob suffered through mistake after mistake with his new job, but began to learn how to deal with life and death situations, as well as the emotional and physical rigours that the job put him through. After two years as an EMT-Basic, he went to paramedic school. Upon completion, he took to the streets and had to learn a completely new set of rules. 

As if his job wasn’t difficult enough, Jacob gained a stalker who was a former patient and she made his life a living hell. In dealing with life and death, followed by a stalker, Jacob was not sure if he’d made the right career choice. Along with seeing the things he did in the field, he began to question his faith in God. Would he survive the streets and the psychotic stalker, Becca? 

All about Jerrid

Jerrid Edgington has been a Paramedic since 1997, working in four different states. He is currently living and working in Poteau, Oklahoma, where he is a paramedic for Le Flore County EMS. He is happily married to Jody, and they recently had an addition to their family on October 16th when they were blessed with the birth of Zoey, their daughter. Jerrid spent several years as a semi-professional football player, officiated high school varsity football and basketball, and also enjoys woodworking as well as writing in his spare time. Jerrid is currently writing a medical fiction thriller series called Racing the Reaper. 

Review snippets 

62 reviews on Amazon US, ranking 4.4 out of 5 stars

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! MUST READ!! CANNOT WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE TRILOGY!!, December 4, 2013

“Absolutely brilliant!! I love this novel and cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy to come out! Captivating and visual from page one.”

Sara (5 stars)

Great new author, November 22, 2013

“Excellent storyline. Didn't want to put it down. It shows insight into the heart of an EMS worker.”

Mama Rose “rvgal” (5 stars)

Victim to Victor!, November 17, 2013

“This is a phenomenal read and worth every penny! Edgington's writing is crisp, visual and captivating. A story of victim to victor will have you turning page after page until the end. The writer brings the main character to life so well I could hear him speaking! I felt his pain deeply and rejoiced in his accomplishments. Awesome job.”

Aro (5 stars)

 Links

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Twitter - @jerridedgington

Facebook 

Blog

Website

Thanks for reading! 

Look out another WOW Wednesday soon!

A Poem a Day (49): We Live in the Echoes

Hi guys & girls! First of all let me say a big Happy New Year to you! Wishing you joy, health and lots of luck, and may at least one of your dreams come true in 2014! One of my NY Resolutions is to write more entries on this blog... some months I write more than others, but I'll try to write a few times a week and introduce some new things. I'll still be writing poems, which I hope at least one person is reading! Ha ha! Enjoy!

We Live in the Echoes

We step inside mirrors,

Lemon petals pave the way;

I sleep in stages, sleep sublime,

Walking pages never read again

I see the signs yet still forget,

Imagining faces of the past;

A rush of bliss splits the breeze

Where the peacemaker wanders

The crevices of the closed mind;

He offers echoes of your stare

We live in the echoes,

Patterns drawn upon a wall;

Plunging ripples capture all

The raw beauty of the real

Where the fool laughs his last

Is a time we’ll never see

For he plays so beautifully,

Daring to step beyond himself,

Embracing all there is to see

With such wide open arms

Copyright Vickie Johnstone, Jan 2014

Merry Christmas & a small gift!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my family and friends - those who I know offline and those I only know in this crazy world called the internet - and all the book people I've met since self-pubbing changed my life in 2011, who are just as obsessed with writing little stories as me. Best wishes, lots of luck, good health and a big dollop of happiness to everyone. I hope 2014 rocks and all your dreams - or some of them - come true...   

Here's a little Christmas elf joy for you - I think Moggie dances the best!
http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=1177/clientId=299/?mId=56738343.3

CHRISTMAS PRESENT - if you'd like a free copy of my Christmas book, just enter coupon code RU94G at the checkout at this link:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/263475 

#99c / 75p today! Kiwi in Cat City purrs forth!

Kiwi in Cat City, the first book in my cool-for-cats series, is just #99c / 75p today (ebook format, although paperback is available for more). It's being featured on http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/2013/12/20/free-discounted-kindle-book-offers-73/. My book has received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on 33 customer reviews. Furry fun for ages 9-99.

Here is the book’s description:

Have you ever wished your cat could talk or wondered where he/she goes when you are not around? Kiwi in Cat City opens on one star-filled night. Amy cannot sleep and she looks out of the window into the garden to see her cat, Kiwi, transfixed by the moon, which is glowing brightly like a cat’s claw. Waking her brother, James, Amy suggests they follow Kiwi to see where she goes… whether it involves a hunt for mice or something else. Little do they know that with a flick of her tail, Kiwi is going to magically change the children into kittens and lead them on the adventure of their lives to a land they never knew existed in their wildest dreams. In the blue-lit world of Cat City, the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to investigate the mysterious catnapping of Mr Katz and find out what happened to Madame Purrfect.

The books contain fabulous illustrations by Nikki McBroom.

If you'd like to win a copy, please leave your name and email or FB link below :)

Page Turner Book Tours Presents Ann B. Harrison's 'From the Outback'

Title: From The Outback

Author: Ann B. Harrison

Publisher: Self-published

Formats Available: Digital

Book blurb:

Although desperate to get out of her dead-end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted... especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door. 

Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?

Excerpt:

A thump sounded on the bedroom door, jarring her from a deep sleep.

"Go away," Samantha Grace Rose Darling groaned into her pillow.

"Sami, phone."

"Tell them to f**k off and let me sleep." She threw a pillow at the door seconds before it eased open and her brother poked his head in the room. "Garth, I'm warning you, go away."

He sighed and she waited for the usual whine to follow. "There's an old guy on the phone. Said he wants to speak to you."

"Tell him I'm not here." She rolled over, brushed the hair from her face and then glared at him through half-closed eyes.

"I did but he insists on speaking to you. Said he wasn't going to go away until he does."

She groaned, pushed her blanket off with her hand and slowly slid out of bed. With languid grace Sami advanced on her brother intent on doing bodily harm to whoever it was who had the audacity to disturb her sleep. Holding out the phone, Garth waited for her to take it before he backed out of the room and quietly shut the door, leaving her alone.

"This better be bloody good. I pulled a double shift last night and I'm freaking tired."

Walking over to the window, she pushed aside the faded curtain and flinched when the bright Alice Springs sunlight filled her room, scorching her tired eyes. She promptly dropped the curtain into place wishing she'd left it alone. Sami rubbed her eyes and waited.

"Am I talking to Miss Samantha Grace Rose Darling?"

"Yeah." She dropped down to the edge of her bed, her fingers tracing a bruise on her leg from when she had bumped into a tray of glasses last night. I am such a klutz.

"Miss Darling, my name is Rupert Newland. I'm a solicitor with Newland, Newland and Cooper in Singleton, New South Wales."

She spat out a laugh before covering her mouth with the heel of her hand.

"I'm glad I amuse you. Now if you would be so kind as to contain yourself, I have news for you."

The voice on the other end of the phone was clipped and precise.

"I am acting on behalf of your grandfather's estate with regard to his final will and testament."

"I don't know who you're talking about. I don't have any family." Names ran through her mind but grandparents didn't come into the picture she had tucked away in her memory. "Nope. No grandparents I can lay claim to, sorry mate. You obviously have the wrong girl."

"Miss Darling, I have checked the facts and you are indeed the granddaughter of my late client. I need you to could come into the office for the reading of the will."

"Where did you say you were again?" Sami kicked through the pile of clothes on the bedroom floor and picked up the crumpled jeans from yesterday. She tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder to hold it firmly while she pulled her jeans on. One foot after the other she slid each leg into the jeans and yanked them up, wiggling her butt to pull them over her hips. Sami popped the button and did up the zip before she took the phone in her hand again.

"New South Wales, Hunter Valley. Singleton to be exact," he said.

"Mate, I don't know if you looked at the post code before you called me but I live in Alice Springs. In the middle of the frigging desert in the Northern Territory. I can't pop down the road and see you, understand?" She blew a stray curl from her face.

With one hand she opened her bedroom door and walked out to the lounge room. Garth tidied up his breakfast dishes and she smiled in his direction. He pointed to the coffee machine and Sami blew him a kiss.

"It will be worth your while to drive or fly down, Miss Darling."

"I can't afford it, okay? It's not like I do double shifts at the pub because I enjoy the work. I need the money and there isn't enough at the end of the week for a happy little visit to your office. Tell me what you want to say and let me get on with my day now you've dragged me from my bed." She lifted a hand and rubbed at her eyes.

"Very well. You have inherited Buttercup Farm and it's contents. There is also a bank account with a small balance which I will disclose once you have formally proven your identity."

"Are you serious?"

Garth looked over at her, his shoulders raised in question. She shook her head and turned away.

"I did send you paperwork last week but I didn't receive a reply, hence the follow up phone call today." The solicitor’s bristling attitude irritated her.

A pile of unopened mail sat on the cluttered kitchen counter and Sami screwed up her face. Out of habit she threw the next day's mail on top of the pile, dreading the bills inside the envelopes. The longer she ignored it, the larger the pile grew.

"Sorry. I've um... been a bit busy and haven't got around to opening the mail for a few days."

"Well I suggest you do that. I need signatures to transfer the bank account into your name. It would be significantly easier if you were here in town. Since you are not, I would appreciate it if you could go to the nearest courthouse and have a Justice of the Peace witness your identity and your signature where I have indicated. It might be best if you  Express Post the papers back to me today. You have to decide what to do with the farm and the stock." There was silence for a few seconds. "If I might make a suggestion? There are interested parties if you should decide to sell the property. Would you like me to have it valued for you? I can arrange everything from this end if you would prefer."

"No, no. I need to think about this for a bit. I'll ring you back after I read your letter. Thanks for calling." Sami hung up and threw the phone onto the couch and dropped her head into her hands.

"What is it? Was the landlord after his rent again? Sami, tell me."

"No, Garth. It was a solicitor." A wobbly laugh rose in her throat. "It seems as though we had family after all, even though he's dead."

Disclaimer: book excerpts are always posted as supplied and are never edited, Vickie.  

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About Ann B. Harrison

Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reading has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing... and publication.

She lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities, and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong, sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course, these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing, Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog, Hugo, and fighting with her computer.

Ann’s Social Media Links

Ann B. Harrison Romance

Facebook
Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#WW WOW Wednesday: John Emil Augustine

Welcome to the very last WOW Wednesday of 2013! Is it almost the end of the year already? Oh my, 

but we're going out with a bang! Ding dong! My 14th guest is John Emil Augustine, 

author of the autobiograpical From the Abyss. So, take it away, John... 

Eeek, but first... I almost forgot to say that John is having a Facebook party today to celebrate the launch 

of this book. There will be fun, games and prizes, so feel free to pop along -  

http://www.facebook.com/events/452801828159353

  

"An abusive relationship masquerades as a perfectly normal relationship, especially to those involved in it." 

From the Abyss, Book I.

"An incredible story of love, abuse, friendship, loss, disappointment and most of all... hope!!!" - Teresa L Myrick

Book blurb

Twenty-four-year-old John Augustine is looking for a lasting, loving relationship and finds one hidden where he least expects it. Knowing that no relationship is perfect, he walks in with eyes wide open, but is unable to see the future swirling with hell and heartache. Amid the struggles of a new marriage, John begins to realise his wife is far different from the woman he thought he married. Her mental illness soon drags the new family past the point of no return. As a man, John struggles to be strong and tackle their problems single-handedly, though the marital foundation is eroding before his eyes. Once his wife files for divorce, he finds himself in a free fall.

All about John

John Emil Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and toured in his twenties and early thirties with local and national acts; writing, arranging and performing with notable jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, post funk, prog rock and folk groups. John has also been a landscaper, mail carrier, English professor and forklift operator. He currently lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four boys.

Links

Website 

Facebook 

Twitter 

Reviews on Amazon

"As a 'guy', Augustine writes about stuff 'guys' don't typically talk or write about. Quite daring really... At first, I wasn't sure about this read. I was asking myself, 'Do I want to read about stressed relationships from a guy's point of view?' And then the author won this 'guy' over with literal, realistic story lines and statements."

G Mitchell Baker – 5 stars

"Heartbreaking at parts, full of life, in its best and worse, and a promise of a better tomorrow. Would definitely recommend for adult readers and especially to people at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to stay or leave."

Jennifer Loiske – 5 stars

"This is a good read, an in-depth look at the life of an abused man. A creature we don't often hear about, but one who is far more common than most know. Though easy to read, the author is unmistakably well versed. His writing reaches deep into the reader's heart, and I can only imagine it is because he, himself, has reached deep into his own while writing this book."

GypsyNana – 5 stars

Thanks for reading! Don't forget John's party!

Look out more WOW Wednesday spots next year!

I'll be back tomorrow with a book review:) 

A Poem a Day (48): The Day Folds

The day folds into itself

Emitting but a murmur,

A slight reaction

Undefined in true form,

So gutless

It wrenches

This fading light.

Life speeds past,

Blurring into an endless

Blend of green,

This flustered rush

Not pausing to breathe,

So it is broken,

A breathless pause.

Closing upon itself,

This day folds.

Copyright Vickie Johnstone