Mailman, where are you?

What an exciting day! I’m telling you, if you told me I couldn’t do something, I’d at least try, especially when the passion takes over, but I received an email from the author of this book right over here to the left. Yes! I know you can’t believe it, either! Now, if Obama sends me a note, I believe I will have done everything in this life and don’t need to do anymore.

Putting political persuasion aside, no matter who you voted for, Obama is our President and he’s going to be a very good President. Trust me on this one.

But look, I’ve got to tell you about my note from the author of The Obama Revolution. I had emailed him through a form on his website, or was it Facebook? I’m not sure, anyway, the message got through to him and look what he left in my email box!

Hi Dorothy,

Thank you so much for your kind email! I am excited that you will be reading and reviewing The Obama Revolution. I have been extremely impressed by Phoenix Books and the professional manner in which they turned this book around in record time. Like you, Barack Obama’s campaign kindled a fire in me that continues to burn. The book gives the first in-the-trenches look at a campaign that made history not only by the excitement it generated but also by the participation it garnered from Americans everywhere. I hope that you will have the opportunity to get a copy soon and let me know your thoughts!

Best,
Alan

Is this guy the bomb or what? I am so thrilled to be reviewing this book. Mailman, where are you???

The Obama Revolution is coming!!!

I am simply ecstatic. One of my buds who now works for Phoenix Books has gotten me a galley of this book over there to the left!

Can you believe the luck????

It’s called The Obama Revolution by Alan Kennedy-Shaffer. Is this my birthday? Christmas? I am so freaking beside myself!

Here’s what it’s about:

The first book to be written by a campaign staffer and offering rare insider glimpses, The Obama Revolution explores how a generation of believers and the politics of hope won the presidency for Barack Obama and changed the world.

The Obama Revolution carefully examines what Obama plans to do as president, how Obama clinched the Democratic nomination and won the general election, and why Obama’s evocative rhetoric inspired millions of Americans to create a political revolution that toppled the status quo and changed the face of American politics forever.

Drawing on both first-hand campaign experience and scholarly analysis, the author delivers everything from personal stories of grass-roots organizing and grueling all-nighters to candid assessments of the Obama campaign’s strengths and weaknesses. Powerfully written and insightful, The Obama Revolution offers an enlightening, annotated, documented overview of Obama’s path to the White House and what it means to every American.

Learn how Obama used policies of change, strategic vision, and the rhetoric of hope to transform the campaign into a political movement. Discover how field organizers (most under 30), using cell phones and the Internet, mobilized and energized a whole new generation of voters. Follow the author as he registers voters, spreads the word and is touched by the people he meets.

Anyone wondering whether America’s flame still burns as brightly needs to read this book and be inspired by the hope, the promise, and the ardor of Barack Obama and “Generation Change”—the future of America—as they work hand-in-hand to fulfill the legacy of change that is the Obama Revolution.

It’s like omg I can’t believe it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I will be talking about it when it comes to me and then review it. I can’t wait!!!

Read the press release here!

Book Trivia: Interview with Young Adult Romance Author Barry Eva (aka Storyheart)

It’s time to play Book Trivia! Periodically, we scour the Internet for interesting authors who would like to play Book Trivia with us. By answering our book trivia questions, we get to learn things about the author no one else knows! So, let’s get ready…let’s play…Book Trivia!

Today our guest author is Storyheart, author of Young Adult Fiction – Across the Pond.

Born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Barry Eva, also known as “Storyheart,” left his beloved England in 2000, moving to the USA to be with the woman he’d met and fallen in love with on the Internet.

Known for his short romance stories on the net and in his book Stories from the Heart, Barry is popular for narrating his stories on local TV or as a guest on other media stations, where his whit, oratory, and old-fashioned English charm make him a popular interviewee.

At present, Barry is living in Connecticut, with his wife and two children.

You can find out about his book and meet a couple of the characters at http://across-t-pond.com.

Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us, Storyheart! Here are your questions:

If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of Across the Pond, how would that help Tom find a way off the island?

Not counting adding to the fuel situation for starting a signal fire, I think it would give him inspiration that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how bad things seem sometime, there is always hope.

Everyone knows rock star idol Brittany Spears is always in trouble with everything you can think of. In what way could your book help her and set her life back on track?

In the book Brit has a secret which until the hero, Fred comes along, she is unable to face or tell even her parents. The growing love and trust she finds with Fred enables her to come to grips with what has happened in her past, and face up to her demons. Just as Brittany needs to do.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi determining whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?

Being English, Simon’s would not be impressed by the cover except for the fact it has a Union Jack on it. There are so many reviews it would be hard to tell which one is the best and which would appeal to the panel. I think therefore and excerpt would show all angles of the story, the language issues, the humor and the romance.

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler and star of his own reality show, has invited you and your book to appear on his show. One catch. You have to read a passage out of it to convince him you are star material. What part would you read?

Hulk would maybe like the fight sequence when Fred and the villain Steve Harris have their final confrontation. However I think from his shows he also has a sense of humor, so I think I’d read the BBQ chapter to him, I’m sure that would bring a smile to that mustache.

They’ve invented a board game using the theme of your book. What would the title of it be that would be different from your book and which retail store would they place it to make the most sales?

It would be called “Race Across the Pond”. The game would be how to collect a prize baseball, and get it back from America to England. Other players try to take the ball from you before you can get it back to England. While Wal-Mart has some games, I think smaller stores might be better, Do Starbucks sell games?

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance. What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that tree in relation to your book?

The Weeping Willow comes to mind with the tears that are shed by various girls throughout the book. However I will have to say an Oak tree, the symbol of strength and steadfastness, the tree of England. As the song goes “Hearts of Oak are our ships”

President Barack Obama has become the author of several books and he has requested your presence at a special hush hush meeting to discuss ways to promote it. Through luck of the draw, you were chosen. What would be the first thing you would tell Barack?

Invite Oprah the White House.

Finally, you just got word that your book has received the 2009 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?

I’d like thank my for my wife without whom I would never have moved across the pond, My family for putting up with me. And all the people who have given me support along the way.

Being at the Four Seasons I was not sure if it was going to about my book or a Vivaldi musical recital.

Actually writing a book is a little like the four seasons.

Winter is when you start thinking about the book. Sketching the story, developing the characters and filling out the words, that will become your novel.

Spring, the story starts to develop, fleshing out the people the places, planting the ideas, making ready for the novel to blossom.

Summer sees the story in full bloom, enabling you to glow in the words that you hope will bring a little sunshine into the lives of the readers.

Autumn, a season of contentment, the work is done, the crops are gathered in and you lay back and enjoy the ride as your book brings in the rewards such as this.

Thank you for this award, thank you for the support of those who have read the back. As Brit and Fred would say, if they were here now. “Call Beans”

IN THE MAILBOX: Keys to Living Joyfully by Life Coach Sheri Kaye Hoff

I’ve had this book for a few weeks now and want to say I am enjoying it immensely. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn how to live joyfully?

Let me quote Sheri from her first page:

“Friends, I am writing this book for you. Every one of us has a tragic moment, event, or deep sadness that changes our lives forever. We may wonder if we can feel love, happiness, or joy ever again in out liftimes. At the same time, we may become deeply sensitive to others and more tolerant for the daily stressors in life. Our lives take a different path than one we imagined.”

Sheri’s “tragic moment” came when she was about to turn seventeen years old. She was thinking of cheerleading and her upcoming birthday party, and everything was great in her world.

That is, until she arrived home and found her brother dead, lying in a pool of blood. So began her search to reclaim happiness that had evaded all those years.

I so closely relate to Sheri and that might be why I am finding her book so healing to read.

I, too, found a member of my family dead. My mother. I was nineteen years old and had just married.

I, too, ran out of the house screaming and I, too, found it hard to heal such a deep wound.

I don’t believe the wound ever heals but time has a way of helping you to go on.

I’ll let you know in the upcoming weeks how Sheri’s book turns out, but I know where she was coming from when she wrote it. We’ll talk about joy and healing and how we can still claim happiness no matter what.

BTW, Sheri will be on a virtual book tour in March and April. If there is anyone who would like to host her during her tour, all it would involve is for you to either review her book, interview her or let her guest blog on your blog during the months of March or April. Leave a comment below with your email address and I’ll get back to you asap.

Sheri, if you are reading this, Godspeed to you.

If you would like to visit Sheri’s website to find out more about her book, visit www.lifeisjoyful.org.

Let’s Play Book Trivia with Mystery Novelist Doug Hewitt!

It’s time to play Book Trivia! Periodically, we scour the Internet for interesting authors who would like to play Book Trivia with us. By answering our book trivia questions, we get to learn things about the author no one else knows! So, let’s get ready…let’s play…Book Trivia!

Today our guest author is Doug Hewitt, author of the mystery novel The Dead Guy. Doug has been writing for over 15 years, seeing over 100 short stories find their way into print. This is Doug’s second work of fiction. His first novel, SPEAR, is a suspense thriller that is currently available on www.fictionwise.com. Doug is blogging about his current promotional activities at www.TwoHewitts.blogspot.com. He would also like to point out that you can download a free chapter of at www.HewittsBooks.com.

Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us, Doug! Here are your questions:

If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of The Dead Guy, how would that help Tom find a way off the island?

First off, Tom Hanks would probably wince at the sight of the book, given his condition. But I think, actually, Tom Hanks decided what my character decided. Death was coming anyway, so why not go for it? A way out. It was that attitude of staring death in the face and spitting at it that got Hanks of the island. You’ll have to read The Dead Guy to see how it affects my character.

Everyone knows rock star idol Brittany Spears is always in trouble with everything you can think of. In what way could your book help her and set her life back on track?

I’m not sure there’s any help for Brittany. Anyway who loves the limelight more than spending time with a child makes me think the priorities are all askew! But, maybe my book would make Brittany realize that life has meaning. And stumbling around in a drunken (or doped up) stupor is not adding much to that meaning. Spending time with friends and family does.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi determining whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?

Well, not the book cover. I’m not sure any book cover would. On the other hand, Hollywood doesn’t seem all that impressed with good content of a novel. And when they do option a good book for a movie, they make a good book a horribly bad movie. So, I’d have to say an excerpt. I think when my character Jack Thigpen has to tell his wife he’s ok with her divorce request, knowing that he’s going to die within 2 months because of a fatal neurodegenerative disease (of which she’s unaware), is a very dramatic scene and would attract good actors.

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler and star of his own reality show, has invited you and your book to appear on his show. One catch. You have to read a passage out of it to convince him you are star material. What part would you read?

Good question! My main character, Jack Thigpen, is a world class tennis player (or at least, until recently, he was). Not a very macho sport. But because Jack has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, he is not afraid (or at least, that’s what he tells himself) to go against the odds, attacking the bad guys with guns blazing. Hulk would appreciate that.

They’ve invented a board game using the theme of your book. What would the title of it be that would be different from your book and which retail store would they place it to make the most sales?

I think, or at least my main character Jack Thigpen would think, it’s already invented and it’s called craps. I mean, where’s the fairness in being told you have 2 months to live, and it’s all because of some genetic combination. But then again, maybe the game should be called “Last Chance to Make A Difference,” because that’s what Jack does. I also think THE DEAD GUY makes a good game board title.

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance. What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that tree in relation to your book?

The Maple Tree. Only because I like the Maple Tree and they already asked. Plus, I like to watch hockey and see the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, hockey is mentioned in The Dead Guy.

President Barack Obama has become the author of several books and he has requested your presence at a special hush hush meeting to discuss ways to promote it. Through luck of the draw, you were chosen. What would be the first thing you would tell Barack?

I’m not sure why this would work, but it would. I would tell Barack to have a press conference and to make a statement that asks people not to buy his book. And of course, everyone would immediately go out and buy it.

Finally, you just got word that your book has received the 2009 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?

I would thank Robin Hewitt, my wife, who has believed in me and given me immense support. Other that Robin, there are many people who have helped influence me along the way. I would point out that a person, in a way, is a summation of all of the influences that person has experienced in his or her life. And in that way, any award that person receives, is an acknowledgement of the positive influences that person has experienced.

Thank you, As The Pages Turn, I really enjoyed this interview, and I think your Book Trivia format is brilliant!

Book Review: BLOG BLAZERS by Stephane Grenier

Author: Stephane Grenier
Title: Blog Blazers: 40 Top Bloggers Share Their Secrets
Hardcover: 232 pages
Publisher: Levac Publishing House (Nov. 2008)
Genre: Computers & Internet
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981085202
ISBN-13: 978-0981085203

First Sentence: “The idea to write this book came to me almost a year before I actually sat down to write it.”

I have been blogging for approximately four years. I have been an online entrepreneur for two years and all of my business depends on blogging. During the four years I have been a blogger, I learned a few tricks of the trade and I incorporated that knowledge into forming my online business. Had I read Blog Blazers: 40 Top Bloggers Share Their Secrets to Creating a High-Profile, High-Traffic, and High-Profile Blog by Stephane Grenier before all those endless days and nights learning the craft, I can’t imagine all the time I would have saved.

Stephane interviewed 40 top bloggers including Seth Godin (the blogging guru of all time), Aaron Wall (SEO Book), J.D. Roth (Get Rich Slowly), Yaro Starak (Entrepreneur’s Journey) and thirty-seven others who are well-respected and whose blogs gets mega hits all in the name of showing other bloggers how to do it right.

It’s a mega-house of information.

I love the way Stephane did this.  I had just finished another book similar that had nothing but articles for other authors and while it was okay, it still didn’t give me that punch.

Stephane goes for the nitty gritty and asks these top bloggers what we would love to know – their top secrets for creating a high traffic blog and they deliver such as:

• What makes a blog successful according to you?  Is it traffic, reach, revenue, etc.?
• When did you decide you finally reached success with your blog?
• How long did it take to become a successful blogger?
• What’s your best advice in  regards to  content and writing for bloggers?
• What are your main methods of marketing your blog?

And many more questions that we as bloggers who are trying to get the traffic, trying to make the money, trying not to give up as a blogger because it’s just too much hard work.

I love this book.  It’s the Bible of Blogging.  The only drawback I have is that I wish I had thought of doing this myself!  Stephane rocks.

Let’s Play Book Trivia with Suspense Fantasy Author Bruce Skye!

It’s time to play Book Trivia! Periodically, we scour the Internet for interesting authors who would like to play Book Trivia with us. By answering our book trivia questions, we get to learn things about the author no one else knows! So, let’s get ready…let’s play…

Today our guest author is Bruce Skye, author of the suspense fantasy novel Grayrider.

A former technical writer, detail is important to Bruce Skye. His research for the Deathsong Chronicles included medieval armor and fortresses, as well as Celtic names and magic. “If you create a world, it must be consistent. And that’s what I strive for Grayrider’s world to be. I’ve built a database of material for each of the Deathsong Chronicles. Those databases aid me in keeping the world the same from book to book.

“When I wrote Grayrider, I followed the advice of Stephen King. I did not write the book following any sort of outline. I have no more idea than my readers do when I write a novel what will happen in the midst of the story. It makes it more exciting for both the readers and myself.”

You can visit his website at www.bruceskye.com.

Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us, Bruce! Here are your questions:

If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of Grayrider, how would that help Tom find a way off the island?

The Celtic magic described in the novel would help him send himself back to civilization.

Everyone knows rock star idol Brittany Spears is always in trouble with everything you can think of. In what way could your book help her and set her life back on track?

Grayrider would show her doing the right things, regardless of the odds against you, can lead to better times.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi determining whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?

I think an excerpt would be best. The reason I say that is, as one reviewer put it “Skye has a talent for vivid descriptions that will make you feel like you are in the middle of the story.”

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler and star of his own reality show, has invited you and your book to appear on his show. One catch. You have to read a passage out of it to convince him you are star material. What part would you read?

The opening section of the first chapter as given below:
A sentry on the north wall was the first to see him: a figure in a silver gray cloak mounted on an immense black warhorse. The cloak billowed in the blustering wind, revealing the stranger’s green tunic. He wore a sword belt with a sheathed long sword at his waist. Yet the hood of the cloak never moved, leaving the rider’s face in constant shadow. He was on the hill just north of the castle. Somehow, knowing he’d been seen, the horseman turned his mount and galloped down towards the keep.

“The Gray Rider,” the soldier muttered. He stood transfixed for a moment as he watched the horseman draw swiftly towards the fortress.

“Open the gates!” he yelled. “Tell the king the Gray Rider approaches!”

They’ve invented a board game using the theme of your book. What would the title of it be that would be different from your book and which retail store would they place it to make the most sales?

They would call it “Against All Odds.” They would place the game in The Sharper Image.

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance. What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that tree in relation to your book?

They would choose a redwood tree because it is a strong classic, much as my novel is.

President Barack Obama has become the author of several books and he has requested your presence at a special hush hush meeting to discuss ways to promote it. Through luck of the draw, you were chosen. What would be the first thing you would tell Barack?

Get people skilled in book promotion to help him sell his works.

Finally, you just got word that your book has received the 2009 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?

I would thank those who had chosen my novel, first of all. Secondly, I would thank those who were members of my review committee who go over everything I write before I give it to my agent. It was their encouragement which motivated me to publish Grayrider.

Let’s Play Book Trivia with Mystery Author Kim Smith!

It’s time to play Book Trivia! Periodically, we scour the Internet for interesting authors who would like to play Book Trivia with us. By answering our book trivia questions, we get to learn things about the author no one else knows! So, let’s get ready…let’s play…

Today our guest author is Kim Smith, author of cozy mystery Avenging Angel, A Shannon Wallace Mystery.

Kim is best known for her contributions to the writing world as the admin of Writers4Writers.com, a place created with the sole purpose of helping other writers find a place to nestle in and make friends. When the site grew large enough to make it on its own, Kim went solo and began her own ventures into the world as a writer.

Kim has since published a number of short stories at such places as Gryphonwood Press, Micro Horror, and Long Story Short. Recently, her first short story using the characters from her book, AVENGING ANGEL, came out at Mouthfull of Bullets. You can purchase your copy of the magazine at: http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com.
In 2009, Kim will have three more shorts coming out including another Shannon Wallace story.

Kim is a member of EPIC.

You can find more about Kim and the books at http://www.mkimsmith.com.

Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us, Kim! Here are your questions:

If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of Avenging Angel, A Shannon Wallace Mystery, how would that help Tom find a way off the island?

Well, the book is set close to Memphis, and everyone knows that Tom’s character worked for Fed Ex in Cast Away and Memphis is the home of Fed Ex’s hub. So his character would just need to click his heels and say “home, home, fly Fed Ex home”.

Everyone knows rock star idol Brittany Spears is always in trouble with everything you can think of. In what way could your book help her and set her life back on track?

Brittany would have no chance of getting into trouble if she hung out with Shannon and her friend, Dwayne Brown. Dwayne was raised by a Bible-believing Grandmother who would “slap all the hide off him” if he did anything she disapproved of, and he still fears her. He’d show Brittany the light.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi determining whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?

An excerpt because it would show them the stuff in this fabulous book and how the characters live and move and give them an idea of why they want to make it three dimensional and put it on the big screen. Besides which, I already have Sandra Bullock, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas lined up for the leading roles.

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler and star of his own reality show, has invited you and your book to appear on his show. One catch. You have to read a passage out of it to convince him you are star material. What part would you read?

The part where Shannon has to fight her way through a scene or die. I think he would appreciate her spunk. Either that or he would expire laughing at her bad timing.

They’ve invented a board game using the theme of your book. What would the title of it be that would be different from your book and which retail store would they place it to make the most sales?

“DVDland” and it would be in adult bookstores because the content would be mature.

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance. What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that particular tree in relation to your book?

Japanese maple. It’s so much like me, short, full, and colorful.

President Barack Obama has become the author of several books and he has requested your presence at a special hush hush meeting to discuss ways to promote it. Through luck of the draw, you were chosen. What would be the first thing you would tell Barack?

Dude, you gotta get out more. No one knows who you are! Get a Bebo, Blogspot, Facebook, Gather, Livejournal, Myspace, Squidoo and Twitter. Oh yeah, Twitter will make you famous.

Finally, you just got word that your book has received the 2009 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?

As the laughter and applause died, I would say, “You love me! You really love me!” Then, I would thank my family, my friends, my editor and my publisher.