Wednesday, October 31, 2012

FREE - Today & Tomorrow

at Amazon.com

 
Something to send a chill down your spine on Halloween
 

 

Blood-Moon - A nightmare come to life!
 
 

Fairy Tail - This is no bedtime story!
 
 

Try them - you know you want to!


Complimentary pillows to hide behind - NOT INCLUDED


 

 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

In Need of Adventure?

 

Look no further...

 

 
Get a taste for the future with...Guardian Angels.
 
Available form Amazon.com - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords.
 
The future is changing.
Be a part of it!
 

Need Something to Read This Halloween?

 

How about these?

 
 

 
Here's a recipe for danger!
 Take1 part Special Forces, 1 part 'Mad Pack', add a dash of Jungle = Nightmare!
Find out Why.
 
or
 

What happens when you get a hardened cop with a chip on his shoulder, a beautiful stranger with a dark secret, and a serial killer on the loose? Find out..

Both at Amazon.com NOW!
 


Monday, October 22, 2012

Pagan Writers Press - Week Long Party

 
 
see attached link to the Pagan Writers Press Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/356278771129699/
 
There are giveaways, excerpts, author interviews and more!
Today
we are featuring 'The Cliff' By Christie A. C. Guker, and this is the prize pack
 
Of course, you'll have to read the book to discover why there's a tasty snack/food theme? YUM
 
See you all there

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Recent Reviews

 
I just thought I'd share some recent reviews from October...by those who were kind enough to leave their views on Amazon
 

Guardian Angels

 


(i) A good read for all sci-fi fans ,once you start you cant stop reading . one of the books that worth
to be a film..cant wait for the next one since this leaves you very intrigued.
Overall a very good job , keep up the good work (5 star)
 
(ii) We purchased this book after meeting the author's wife on Kos Island. The story grabbed us from the first page and kept our interest all the way through. We read, on average, 3 books each per week and not many are hard to put down but this one was. We thought that the characters were well drawn and became interested in them and what will happen to them during the series. The detail / explanations of events through this book were well written. We eagerly await the second installment. (5 star).
 
(iii)  I loved this novel and cannot wait for the next installment. It hooks you in and keeps you there so much so that you wont want to put it down. Definitely a must read for the fantasy genre! I hope if the author reads this you keep up the good work and the next book will be out soon. (5 star)
 

Blood-Moon

 
 
(i)This short story is a quick and easy read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The author leads you through a detailed adventure across the jungles, inspired by his own life in the military. His knowledge and experience really shine through and make you feel like you're struggling beside him in the jungles. The supernatural aspects of the story are just as thrilling. There are a group of panthers fighting as a pack and picking off the soldiers one by one, and a beautiful exotic woman that seems to show up at just the right times. This story has it all. Action, suspense, a little lusty romance, and an ending that you'll never see coming. (5 star)
 
Thank you - kind readers - for your encouraging thoughts. Authors love to receive feedback, and I for one am happy to know my work is hitting the right note.
 
Andy W :)


Friday, October 19, 2012

Nothing to do at Halloween?

Here's two to get you in the mood
 

Blood-Moon



Once every few hundred years, the Blood-Moon rises on an unsuspecting world. When it does—the very stuff of myth and legend comes to life.

He was sixth generation military, his path laid before him by his family. To secure his spot in the elite British Special Forces he found himself up against one of the harshest environments known to man. It is here that he will face an ancient horror.

What do you think might happen when nightmare becomes reality?
 

Fairy Tail



For the third year running, a ritualistic serial killer has struck in the week leading up to Halloween, leaving a gruesome and bloody trail in his wake.
It’s the same every year. One murder every day, until his quotient of seven has been reached. Butchery doesn’t begin to describe what happens to those he gets his hands on. Then the killer vanishes – only to return twelve months later as merciless as ever.
When he does resurface, he appears to strike randomly and at will. It cannot be established exactly how the killer selects his victims, or why. As such, the detective leading the case is no closer to discovering the identity of the ruthless predator than he was when the slayings began.
It’s only when the detective gets an unexpected break that things get interesting…
 
Check them out - Available NOW from Amazon (complimentary pillows to hide behind are NOT included)


 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Blood-Moon

 


I'm happy to announce that my latest Paranormal Action/Adventure - Blood-Moon - is available from Amazon!
 
 
Once every few hundred years, the Blood-Moon rises on an unsuspecting world. When it does—the very stuff of myth and legend comes to life.

He was sixth generation military, his path laid before him by his family. To secure his spot in the elite British Special Forces he found himself up against one of the harshest environments known to man. It is here that he will face an ancient horror.

What do you think might happen when nightmare becomes reality?
 
Find out for yourself :)


Tuesday, October 16, 2012


 


Today - I'm mostly being Interviewed by

Rosa Sophia



 
 
Please stop by and take a look, and make sure you find out more about Rosa herself on the above link.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Book Review

The Cliff
 
 

By: Christie A. C. Gucker.
 
 
Three lifelong friends who grew up together form a bond that is as close as 'real family can get'.
They make a pact - to always be there for each other 'no matter what.'
Two make a pact in secret!

 
The Cliff explores what happens when pacts are made and broken - when an uneven love triangle is formed - and the turmoil this can bring to even the most longlasting and apparently stable of relationships.
 
Do former loyalties have any influence whatsoever when jelousy and revenge rear their ugly head?
****
Review
 
I must admit. I approached this story with a little trepidation. I am simply not 'into' love stories...(Yes...I'm a guy!) ha ha. (Wuthering Heights & Twilight aside).
 
So, what did I discover in 'The Cliff'?
 
Firstly, I liked the realism. How often do you find kids growing up together forming bonds that can last a lifetime? How often do you discover that those bonds hide a secret longing? That the different parties involved want to be with one of their 'friends' forever? They are their perfect match. BUT - for whatever reason, they refuse to act on their feelings. How many of us have been...'there'!
 
Years pass, kids grow up and become young adults. Circumstances have changed so two of them try to take the first steps into a new and wonderous place, only to have bitterness and rivalry bite them in the ass when hidden jelousy rears its ugly head.
The inevitable 'tit for tat' ensues, and we discover the realism of vulnerable emotions experienced during a new relationship. Lust, excitement, delight - pain, stubborness, possessiveness and hurt when suspicions are raised.
(And 'oh don't we over-react sometimes before the full picture is revealed?)
A rollercoaster ride follows as three worlds literally do experience the peaks and troughs of victory and dispair.
Secondly, I enjoyed the humor injected into the affair. You'll see what I mean - especially when you get to the part with the 'telephone' call which really shouldn't have been taken while two of the main characters were...'otherwise' engaged.
I was also drawn to the 'chocolate theme! (Again - you'll see!)...I'm sure many memories will be invoked there :)
Finally - I think everyone will love the ending. But I'm not going to give that away...
 
Well done Christie! It's plain to see a great deal of thought went into this tale. It is engaging and fast paced and it will be one of the few love stories I will look back on and say 'I enjoyed that one!'.
 


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Look Mom! I'm Famous!

 
Today - I'm mostly being interviewed by Sarah J Carr
 
 
As Part of the Sizzlin Pr Tour
 
 
I really enjoyed this interview, so please press the link and stop by to see how it went!
Take care now :)

Friday, October 5, 2012

October Guest Star Interview

 
Hi everyone.
Last month, I introduced you to the Master of Magic.
The month of October sees me a very happy lad indeed as I welcome the King of Vampire tales to my blog. Yes, say hello to none other than:
J.R. Rain.
 

J.R. has kindly taken the time out from his busy schedule to tell us a little more about himself and his work.
So, tell us a bit about yourself, perhaps something that isn’t already included on your bio. Who is J.R Rain?
 
Hi Andrew! Thank you for having me here. I’m quite honored. The real J.R. Rain is someone who lives a simple life on a faraway island in the back of beyond. My home has been dubbed The Tree House. It’s a beautiful structure that pokes out through the evergreens that surround me and gives me a majestic view of Puget Sound. I’m also someone who gets up early and works until I’m tired. That could be just a few hours or all day long. I love hanging out in coffee shops and occasionally bars. I’m a sucker for football and I read all the books I can on metaphysics. Come to think of it, those two subjects might just be polar opposites, ha! Well, nothing wrong with a little duality in one’s life. You know, a little good mixed with a little dark never hurt anyone, I say. Keeps things interesting, I say.
 
What or who inspired you to write?
 
My father initially. I just got such a thrill knowing that he’d written two children’s novels (both are available through Kindle--Kurt and Captain Annie and Jimmy). Sorry, shameless plug. But, hey, it’s for my pops! Anyway, I shortly discovered that my mother was also a writer and had published two articles and worked as a newspaper reporter! Holy smokes! Who knew I came from a family of writers? It was quite a revelation.
 
You are best known for a number of well known works. The Vampire for Hire series, the Jim Knighthorse series and the Spinoza series to name just a few! Tell us, do you have a particular favorite series or one that you really enjoy working on. If so…why?
 
I mostly enjoy writing standalone novels, truth be known. My novels, The Body Departed, Elvis Has Not Left the Building and Silent Echo (and incidentally, The Body Departed and Silent Echo just sold to Thomas & Mercer, Amazon’s publishing division!) are some of my favorites. All are standalones and not part of any series. For me, a standalone novel present endless opportunity to explore new storylines, new characters, and new ideas. With that said, my favorite series character is probably Jim Knighthorse, as I pour most of myself into him. I always say he’s me, only bigger, badder and better. Samantha Moon has a gentle sweetness to her that resonates on a whole other level for me. I care about Samantha deeply and want to look out for her. Almost like a big brother.
 
You have a new novel that has just come out what are you willing to tell us about it?
 
Yes! It’s called Temple of the Jaguar and it’s written with my good friend, Aiden James. We’ve been meaning to team up on a novel for some time, and decided to pick this project. Temple of the Jaguar is actually a 20,000 word novella...but boy-oh-boy do we pack a lot in 20,000. The story is centered around a relic hunter named Nick Caine, a looter with a conscience. He finds himself knee-deep in trouble after the alluring Marie Da Vinci hires him to find the legendary Ciudad Blanca, the lost White City purportedly located in the Honduran jungles. We had a great time putting this one together.
 
 
What made you choose that title? And, where did the idea for this specific story come from?
 
The Mayan temple at Tikal is called Temple of the Great Jaguar, so I’m not afraid to admit that I swiped the title from the Mayan themselves! As far as the idea for the story...well, I wanted my adventurers on a quest for something other than El Dorado, the lost city of gold. So I happened upon stories about Ciudad Blanca...and was intrigued.
 
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
 
Well, there’s always something new in the works! I will be releasing The Vampire in the Iron Mask in about a month. It’s the third and final Spinoza story. I’m currently writing the second book in the Spider series. Spider was first introduced in Bad Blood, which I co-wrote with Scott Nicholson and HT Night (my brother). HT will not be involved with the sequel, although he might write the third book on his own. Also, there will be a brand-new Samantha Moon novel coming out before Christmas, called Moon Island.
 
How many books have you written now?
 
I’ve written and published 40 books. That includes 24 novels, 5 short story collections, 2 screenplays and 9 children’s books. The children’s book I wrote when I was in high school, and I’ve since published them under the pen name J.K. Drew.
 
You are a prolific writer. What do you think it is that makes your books stand out from others in today’s competitive market?
 
Ah...the million-dollar question, eh? I write emotion-driven stories. Meaning, I go for emotion first, action second. I enjoy plumbing a character’s psyche to see what makes them tick. My stories are an emotional journey, and I think some readers enjoy the experience.
 
What advice would you give to an unpublished writer?
 
Sign on to Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords and Lulu and get published! These days it’s a piece of cake to get published. The real question is...how to find readers? You find readers by working hard at your craft, honing your skills, and writing the best books you can. No short cuts. Buy books on writing. Study other authors. Take it seriously and treat writing as both an art and a business, and you just might go far.
 
If you don't mind J.R, I think the readers would like to find out a bit more about you. So...
Are you a reader? Who do you enjoy reading?
 
I read all the metaphysical, spiritual, New Agey books I can get my hands on. Fascinating stuff. As far as fiction goes, I’m a huge Robert B. Parker fan (probably not a surprise to a lot of readers). Stuart Woods is pure entertainment. I’m a Hemingway enthusiast or perhaps fanatic! I read everything I can about the man. What a legend! Bukowski and Bradbury will forever be close to my heart.
 
Is writing your only talent?
 
When I was younger, I always wanted to be an artist. A cartoonist, actually. I think I can sing, but you’ll never hear me--unless you happen to be in the car next to me!
 
How do you find time to write?
 
These days I write full time, but back when I was married and had a full-time job, I wrote from 9:00 pm until about 1:00 am. Being married and commuting two hours a day and writing when you’re exhausted is no easy task. In fact, I call those the bleak years. But you do what you have to do to make it happen.
 
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
 
Well, I find the whole process challenging. Writing will probably never be easy for me, although I work hard to make it appear that it’s easy. Truth is, I struggle over sentences and paragraphs and motivation and plot and just about everything else. There’s a reason why most writers celebrate like rock stars when they complete a book. It’s a massive, exhausting journey.
 
Do you have a writing vice that continually haunts you? If so, what's the cure?
 
Ha! Well, probably my proclivity to writing shorter books. I’m a slow reader, so I enjoy short novels. I really don’t need to know all the detail of a character’s life. Read the list of authors above. Parker, Woods, Hemingway, Bukowski and Bradbury do not write big books.
 
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
 
Write about your hometown. After all, you’re already an expert. Samantha Moon, Knighthorse and Spinoza all live in cities I’ve lived in.
 
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
 
I don’t see it as writer’s block. I see it as your subconscious letting you know that you’ve ventured down the wrong path. It’s up to you to be brave enough to venture back to see where the problem is.
 
What is one novel book that you would recommend?
 
Easy! Louis L’Amour’s The Walking Drum. What a glorious piece of writing that is. An epic adventure novel. Perhaps the greatest adventure novel of all time. Why this hasn’t been made into a movie, I’ll never know.
 
What do you think makes a good story?
 
A story that touches you on a soul level, that resonates deeply.
 
Is there a genre that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?
 
I’m planning to write a science fiction novel. A mystery set in the far future. Space opera really, as I’m no scientist! Ah, the solitude of space, the exotic settings...geez, that holds a massive appeal to me.
 
It’s five o’clock somewhere…Let’s have a drink! What can I get you - and why?
 
Pour me a Guiness Extra Stout, Andrew! I love that burnt, roasted flavor. I seriously think I was Irish in a past life.
 
J.R. I've heard you can find out quite a lot about someone by the choices they make. So, lets see what the readers make of your answers in the choices round!
 
Boxers or briefs? Briefs
Jennifer Aniston or Penelope Cruz? Penelope Cruz
Underworld or Twilight? Underworld
Wine or beer? Beer
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
Candlelight or dark? Dark
Cake or fruit? Cake
Bourne or Bond? Bourne
Vampires or werewolves? Vampires
Magic or psychic powers? Magic
Alien or Predator? Alien
Pleasure or Pain? Pleasure
 
What would you say are the top 10 list of movies?
 
1.                  Raiders of the Lost Ark
2.                  Big
3.                  The Princess Bride
4.                  Dave
5.                  Groundhog’s Day
6.                  Romancing the Stone
7.                  Rocky
8.                  Star Wars
9.                  The Truman Show
10.              Pirates of the Caribbean
  
J.R. Thank you so much for being with us today. You’re a busy guy – I know – so I really appreciate the time you’ve spent here. (And I know the readers will too).
As a fan myself who has read almost all of your books – I can’t wait to get around to reading Temple of the Jaguar, (already downloaded to my kindle) and I look forward to seeing what else is in store for the future.
 
Until then readers, please be aware you can find out more about J.R. Rain and all his work at his website:

www.jrrain.com

 


 

Worthy Cause of the Week.


DT4EMS

Reading through some of the highlights of the past month - I noticed an entry within facebook regarding the training activites of this worthy service.

When you think of the dedication our EMS Brothers & Sisters have, and the time and energy they devote to serving others in a very personal and public way, it's a crying shame that they also have to contend with a rising level of violence.

Amazing isn't it? They are there to assist at a time of crisis - offering their lifesaving skills in their own unique way, and they have to face all kinds of unacceptable abuse.

Thankfully - this has been noted and is being addressed.
Look at the worthy approach of DT4EMS towards those serving in the EMS, Nursing and hospital environment:


Have you or your staff ever been threatened, yelled at or physically assaulted by a patient, upset family member or bystander?
Did you know, according to several studies, injuries from assaults are a leading cause for lost work hours in EMS?
Have you ever been concerned about the response you or your provider would use in these particularly stressful incidents?

Most EMS providers, Firefighters responding to medical calls and those in nursing can answer yes to at least one of these questions. If you are among them our Defensive Tactics for Emergency Medical Services (DT4EMS) “EVE” courses can help keep you and your staff safe. Statistically, you or your staff will face a violent encounter on-the-job. How they respond will depend on previous training.
View how often assaults occur on the job by visiting our “Assault On Staff Log” updated regularly with news reports of violence directed at staff.
Our training is based on using Good Customer Service at the root of all course content. We train in using proven verbal skills before, during and after an incident. Our courses teach the use of physical force as a last resort, but use real-world skills to free you or your staff from actual physical assaults should they occur.
Our courses take a four pronged approach, with training in four specific areas: Mental, Physical, Media and Courtroom. Read what people say about us!
The mental training teaches the provider the difference between a patient and an attacker. This is important because you want your staff treating a patient who’s confused or has an altered mental status for medical reasons differently than an intoxicated or drugged attacker in a similar situation. A lack of training leaves the provider responding primally, like a caveman.
The actual physical skills leave the provider with a realistic belief in their skill level. DT4EMS allows them to understand what it takes to escape violent encounters. Our experience in training is that the more a person trains, the less they use physical skills.


Dt4ems LLC - Norwood, MO
 
To find out more about this marvelous service - please click on the link in the banner above.
Thank you for you time, and please do what you can to avail yourselves of this excellent concept.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

New Contracts!

 
 
 
Happy - Happy Days!

I'm very happy to announce that my "Noir" short story - "Fairy Tail" (a dark & erotic paranormal thriller) has been contracted to Pagan Writers Press.

I'm also delighted to highlight the fact that a new short story - "Blood-Moon" (a paranormal action/thriller) has been contracted to Pagan Writers Press too.

Just how much fun can one person have before they burst?
I'll let you know.

Thank you to Angie for extending such a lovely start to my day.
Please have a most excellent day yourselves :)

Andy W

Monday, October 1, 2012

Book Siging Day - Kos


Hi everyone - Here are a few pics from my day - great fun - trouble was, I kept forgetting to take photo's.
My wife, Annette and I before it all started
 
The entertainment :)
 
Getting Busy
 
People with excellent taste reading their favorite author!
 
Thank you everyone who supported me today. I had great fun - and look forward to the further "Book Events" we've planned once I restock!