BJ Salmond's "Grudges And Grace"...Available Today

 It's been a few years since I last saw Brad, or BJ as it's printed on the book cover. About twenty years ago he and I worked on the same floor in the same building, each work day, Monday through Friday. Several weeks ago I ran across a post on a Facebook writer group of which I am a part.

Brad was asking for advice for his new book.

Dude's an author! I had no idea.

BJ Salmond's Grudges and Grace came out today. You can order the book for yourself by clicking: HERE. Since I got into this writing world, I've met many authors. BJ is the first I met that I already knew.

Grudges and Grace is historical fiction set in the mid-nineteenth-century middle America. We meet William Chestnut, a young man who wants more than a life on the farm. He dreams of the business world. What I found interesting in Salmond's storytelling are the details. If you were to take a snapshot of a person's life, they may be interested in sports, or politics, or their career, or even thinking about downtime. Salmond includes details that put me not only in the scene, but in the time of these people.

The novel is based on a true story. Historical fiction is a genre I enjoy, even though I don't read it often anymore. The good news is Grudges and Grace is only the beginning. I look forward to see more books from BJ Salmond.

A New Book...And The Author

This picture is one of the most unique I think I've ever taken. It's not spectacular or full of action. Quite the opposite, really. It's a picture of my computer screen. In the picture I have Facebook open to a friend's post. The post is proclaiming to the world that a new book is available. It's launch day for David Butler's In the Palace of Shadow and Joy from Baen Books.

If you can't see the blurred image above my computer screen, I captured the author of this new book hard at work on his next project. Yes--that's D.J. (a.k.a. Dave...) Butler, the author of the book on my screen. Now, I've taken many pictures over the years of authors proudly holding up a book or books they've written. I think this was the first time I snapped a photo of an author and their book on the first day of that particular book's availability.

If you're interested in Dave's newest offering, click: HERE. From the Amazon website, here's what this book is all about:

Indrajit Twang is the four hundred twenty-seventh epic poet of his people, the only person alive to carry their entire epic history and mythology in his head. His people are dwindling in number, and if he can’t find a successor in the great city of Kish, their story will disappear with them.

Fix grew up a foundling on the ancient streets of Kish and is making his living as a mercenary. The woman he loves married someone else, and Fix has turned to buying and selling risk on the black market—but is he trying to impress her, or prove something to himself?

Indrajit and Fix have been hired by a powerful risk-merchant to protect the life of opera star Ilsa without Peer for the duration of a risk contract he’s taken on. When an attempt is made on Ilsa’s life, Indrajit and Fix find themselves hunted by multiple mercenary squads and targeted by some of the most powerful men in Kish. Will they be able to save themselves, not to mention protect Ilsa, in the Palace of Shadow and Joy?

So, there you go--a new book and its author. If you've read anything from Mr. Butler, you know the story will not be average or ordinary. And, when you're finished, you'll be able to answer the question; Will they be able to save themselves, not to mention protect Ilsa, in the Palace of Shadow and Joy?

Get the book and find out!

Jay Barson's "Blood Creek Phantom"...Available Today

There are some things going on that--for the slightest of moments--make you believe life is operating as normal. No, it's not being able to do many of the things we used to do without thinking of the ramifications. But, when a new book is launched into the world, well...that's something that used to happen and still happens now.

With today's release of Blood Creek Phantom, Jay Barnson has added to his Blood Creek Series, all published through Immortal Works. Since it's the third in the series, and I believe there will be at least one more volume. However, you never know what plans the muse has. Here's a short description of each book so far:

Blood Creek Witch, Blood Creek Series Vol. 1

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, a monstrous evil rises, and the only one who can stand against it is a teen-aged witch who doesn’t believe in magic.

Grieving and lost after the death of her parents, Jenny Morgan is sent to West Virginia to live with an aunt she’s never met. It’s there that Jenny is confronted with an unbelievable family heritage of witchcraft and magic – something she immediately dismisses as old-fashioned superstitions. However, once her new home is threatened by deadly horrors straight out of myth and folklore, her aunt’s stories become impossible to ignore.

Now Jenny and her three new friends – friends with dark secrets all their own - are the only ones who stand a chance of stopping the growing evil, but only if Jenny can embrace her arcane heritage. But little does Jenny know, becoming a witch will attract the attention of an even greater evil - the same un-killable creature her parents died to protect her from.

Blood Creek Beast, Blood Creek Series Vol 2

For years, Jack Parsons dreamed of escaping the tiny community of Maple Bend, West Virginia. Now he is trapped in another world entirely. Seeking help to protect the crossroads from the immortal “man in the white suit” and his Coven, Jack ventures into the world ‘Round the Bend, a mirror-image of West Virginia more wondrous, and more dangerous, than he had ever imagined.

On the other side of the crossroads, the Coven pursues Jessabelle Rose with plans to use her shape-shifting powers for their own dark ends. Jessabelle must choose between flight or fight; to escape the Coven forever, or risk everything to protect her family.

What began with mysterious deaths deep in the Appalachian Mountains now threatens to engulf two worlds. Witchcraft and creatures of folklore mix with shadowy high-tech organizations and political intrigue in this thrilling tale of magic and adventure.

Blood Creek Phantom, Blood Creek Series Vol 3

An army of the living and an army of the dead converge on the Crossroads, and the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.

Sean Williams can see the ghosts of the dead rising in Maple Bend. They can see him, too—including the vengeful spirit of a serial murderer hunting him. To save Maple Bend from the plans of the Man in the White Suit, Sean must put the dead to rest—but doing so may cost him the girl who haunts his dreams.

Beyond the Crossroads, a powerful army approaches, led by the evil daughter of the Man in the White Suit. Jenny Morgan, an inexperienced witch self-exiled to this magical parallel version of West Virginia, stands with the defenders to halt a vastly superior force. But is she truly part of the last line of defense against the darkness, or is she the key to its victory?

You can order the book today from Amazon: HERE. 

Writing any book is an incredible feat. Writing three--expanding the universe--compounds the difficulty with each volume. I'm so impressed with friends who have the creativity, the self-discipline to complete the project, and through it all, remaining sane.

The writer's triple threat.

Congrats to Jay! Well done on Book 3!

On to the next!

Risa Nyman's "Swallowed By A Secret" Is Available...From Immortal Works

January and Immortal Works publishers is a great combination. This month's new book is entitled, Swallowed by a Secret, by Risa Nyman. Again, since it's a brand new book, available today, I have not read this particular story. But, I have read many Immortal Works books and there's not one I haven't enjoyed.

What's Swallowed by a Secret about?

Here's the write-up from the Immortal Works website:

One dead father.

One lying mother.

After twelve-year-old Rocky overhears Mom admit her story about how his dad died is bogus, his trust in his one remaining parent unravels. The For-Sale sign appears on the front lawn right after the funeral, forcing Rocky to leave the house linked to so many memories of his dad.

Consumed by the secret and struggling to adjust to changing schools mid-year, Rocky is startled by a familiar voice. Dashing into a restroom stall to hide, the voice of his father tells him that the only way to learn the truth is to return to his old town.

Can you take advice from a dead person? 

Rocky finds a real partner in a new friend, Olive, who offers to be his assistant sleuth and help him crack the secret and get his life on track. The pair's schemes go bust, but they embolden Rocky to embark on a journey of risks, eavesdropping and snooping to discover the truth about the father he thought he knew.

I think we all experienced tough times growing up. Life, after all, ism't supposed to be necessarily easy. But, when we read about how others cope and what others go through, I think it bonds us to others, it also helps us deal with our own challenges.

If you think this something you'd like to read, you can check out the publisher's site for the book: HERE. You can also go to the Amazon site: HERE. Help support indie booksellers and book publishers. It's such a cool January thing to do.

About Risa Nyman

From her Amazon author page:

Born in Boston with the accent to prove it, Risa lived within ten miles of the city for decades until a recent move to the neighboring Ocean State.

For many years, Risa worked in a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting active participation in our democracy, with a special focus on voting and elections.

Risa's deep dive into creative writing started with a strange event that involved finding three pennies in a neat stack in a completely empty apartment that belonged to her mother. It's a long story.

Writing is a priority and passion. At other times, Risa is reading, exercising or doing therapeutic ironing - unless the grandchildren are around.

Ruth MItchell's "Deleted"...It's Available Today!

It was almost two years ago...on my friend's birthday...my debut novel Chaser became available. It's a surreal experience waiting for the day to arrive, then when the day finally arrives, a few keyboard clicks and there it is--the book you wrote, the words you strung together, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, chapter after chapter, until it somehow magically exists.

Like I said, it's a surreal experience.

Today another book came out, a book from the same publisher that chose my book. It's Ruth Mitchell's Deleted and it's available to buy. You can order the book or download it immediately by clicking: HERE. Since it's so new, I haven't read it, obviously, but if you want to know what Deleted is about, here's the synopsis from the Amazon page:

Lucy Campbell is the last person you'd expect to hack minds. The college freshman prefers vintage technology, old books and retro fashion. But when she makes a fool of herself in front of her crush, Marco Han, she wishes she could erase the whole episode from his brilliant mind. She's shocked to learn that her older sister, Mollie, can do just that.

Mollie tells Lucy she's found a way to delete people's memories via Spex, the thought-activated successor to smart phones and Google Glass. Yet, when Mollie breaks into Marco's mind, she decides not to erase any embarrassing moments because he already has a crush on Lucy. Encouraged by her sister's discovery, Lucy stops avoiding Marco. Soon, the two are dating, and Marco, a tech guru in his own right, elevates Mollie's mind hacking from a guilty pleasure to an efficient crime-solving tool.

As the three infiltrate more minds, they realize they're not the only ones who can steal memories. Marco suddenly forgets Lucy; and Mollie forgets that she could ever mind hack. Lucy's mind should be safe because she doesn't wear Spex. But then the mysterious hacker, Nick Lethe, comes after her in person.

Lucy flees to the woods, the only place safe from the surveillance of the ubiquitous Spex. If Nick finds her, he'll erase her memories or worse. If she doesn't find him --and stop him -- no one will know that minds can be hacked and lives rewritten.

We wake up, go to work (most of us...), finish work, come home, go to bed, and do it all over again the next day. If we're lucky, in between the ordinary, something happens that's wonderful, exciting, nerve-wracking, and beautiful. I know how Ruth feels tonight. 

The book sounds amazing. I hope you get a chance to read it. And to Ruth, I hope you have a wonderful sleep after the emotional roller coaster-day you've had.

Looks Like "Shattered Show" Is In The Forecast...WORLDWIDE...Starting Tomorrow!

Half the world is experiencing winter, but tomorrow, everyone should expect a snowstorm...a literary storm of new words, new sentences, paragraphs and chapters. Tomorrow (in addition to being my wife's birthday...) is also the launch of Immortal Works Press's latest edition, Rachel Huffmire's Shattered Snow.

What a great day for a book launch!

I haven't read the book myself yet, but here's an Amazon review from the book's home page:

Shattered Snow is an engaging story about people who want to do the right thing but end up at odds with each other. Rachel Huffmire has constructed characters of action with depth that kept me glued to the page. I felt their pain when they met misfortune and excitement when they triumphed. That kind of empathy isn't typical for me so this was a refreshing read.

This novel is a retelling of Snow White but it's so subtle at first that I didn't realize what the story was until half way through the novel! Yet, even after I caught on, Shattered Snow told its own narrative and I couldn't predict how it would align with the classic story. Several times while I read, I wouldn't realize events' significance until chapters later when I had an ah-ha moment and things fell into place. Those moments were fun as a reader since it makes me feel like I'm involved and discovering what's going on.

There's nothing quite like having a party for a book that you wrote. It's exciting, a little scary, and exiting. And a release for a debut novel makes it that much more special.

If you'd like to enjoy the Rachel's adventure, you can order it by clicking: HERE. You can also follow along with the release party on Rachel's Facebook page: HERE. At the party free stuff will be handed out! Give Shattered Snow a chance! After all, winter's the perfect time to read all about snow!

Today's The Day For Jay To Say..."Blood Creek Witch" Is HERE!

Today Immortal Work's latest book, Jay Barnson's Blood Creek Witch, is available to the public. Jay posted a picture of himself holding his creation. And not only is Jay wearing an amazing Commodore 64 shirt, he's wearing a smile.

I know that smile.

I've worn that smile.

It comes when you receive that box of books for the first time.

It's an incredible feeling holding a book that exists because you wrote it.

I have not read Jay's latest, but I have read things he has written. In fact, Jay has a boatload of things published. You can check out his Amazon author page: HERE. You can also order your copy of Blood Creek Witch from Amazon: HERE.

I can't help but be excited for my friend. He's worked hard getting his book published. He's worked hard getting his short stories published, too. And he has a job (unlike me...) where sometimes putting in forty hours a week means he's just getting started. I can learn a lot from him about writing, putting in the time, and finishing projects.

Reading books written by people you know is a pleasure. Reading great literature is wonderful by itself, but when you know the person who wrote it, it adds an extra dimension to the reading experience. I can't wait to read Jay's novel. Congrats Jay on the book! May it sell a million copies!

Six Years Ago I Took A Picture Of A Wish...Today that Wish Came True

Today was exciting for the Taylor household. My book Chaser went on sale on Amazon--the digital copy. I spent much of the day doing a little self-promotion, but hopefully, not too much. I received well-wishes from friends and family and even got a review posted on the Chaser Amazon page (you can access that page: HERE for yourself...).

But it wasn't until I did a little Facebook reminiscing that I found something that totally blew me away. You see, six years ago to the day I was in a Barnes & Noble bookstore imaging a book written by me in their store. I took a picture of the exact place a novel written by Scott William Taylor would be shelved. I used it as my Pic Of The Day. I know I was in Barnes & Noble on January 16th because one of my Pic Of The Day rules is I can only post a picture that I took the same day.

To an aspiring author, Barnes & Noble is like a pinnacle, a place that proves you are a real author. Since 2012 I've learned a lot about publishing. The publishing world is multi-faceted and complicated. Back then, I thought all you did was write a fantastic book and the world rushes to your door with cash and accolades. 

Sorry--didn't happen then; doesn't happen now.

I'm excited about my book, but I'm not unrealistic. And it may never actually be wedged between Patrick Taylor's An Irish Country Village, and Terence Taylor's Bite Marks--especially since mine is a middle-grade novel and the two Taylor novels appear to be written for readers not necessarily in jr. high school. But something made me search a bookstore exactly six years ago today, make a little gap between two books, take a picture, then post that picture on social media with the caption, "Mmmm...I think something's missing." It's taken six years, but today, on a digital shelf somewhere, it finally happened.

David J. West's "Scavengers"...Book Launch

David J. West is launching another book--they guy just can't be stopped! But in all seriousness, a book launch is an exciting thing. I should admit that I have yet to read this book, but I have read a few of David's stories, and I have no doubt this one is great as well.

I also don't know much about Porter Rockwell, other than what I've heard hear and there. I know he was a bodyguard to Brigham Young, a man who's been called The American Moses. I've heard Rockwell didn't cut his hair, either--believed it would rob him of his power. There's a lot of information out there on Rockwell. I'm sure there are a lot of tall tales, too.

From Scavengers Amazon page:

Deputy Marshal Porter Rockwell can't be harmed by a bullet or a blade. As long as he never cuts his hair, Rockwell is free to right wrongs and chase criminals without worrying about the consequences. But when he learns about a map to a mysterious cache of gold, he's embroiled in a battle for the treasure with enemies lining up on every side.

As outlaws, villains, and a surprisingly formidable Ute chieftain stand between the Deputy Marshall and the gold, bullet and blade might not be what finally take Rockwell down. It could be plain old bad luck...

Scavengers is a Western with colorful characters and wit straight out of a Tarantino flick. If you like mixing horror with your pulp, strong and admirable heroes, and weird Westerns, then you'll love the first book in David J. West's Porter Rockwell series.

The book launch for Scavengers: A Porter Rockwell Adventure is Friday, January 27th. If you'd like to participate in the book launch, click: HERE for more information. Dave spins a good yarn. If you like well-written, energetic, suspenseful stories, I'm sure you'll love this one.

A Friend's Plea..."Clockwork Charlie, The Kidnap Plot"

My friend Dave Butler posted on his blog today about an upcoming event for which he is extremely excited. And for good reason--he's worked hard for it.

His book, The Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie, The Kidnap Plot is being published through Knopf and will be launched one month from tomorrow, June 14, 2016. In Dave's blog post he explains some of the details surrounding the publishing world and his hopes for how this particular book fits into that world.

I've read the book (my review can be read: HERE). I loved it! It's exciting and tender and fantastic and fun. Dave turned to Facebook and his blog today to do a sort of "pre-launch announcement." So, I'm doing what little I can to help the pre-launch along.

If you're looking for a great book for your kids--or even yourself--please follow this link: HERE. It will direct you to Dave's blog (it's a great place to visit even if he's not hawking his own, and other's works...). On his blog is a link to the book's Amazon page where you can pre-order the tale of Clockwork Charlie.

When all the craziness of life is said and done, we're basically a product of our decisions. And if you decide to buy this delightful little book, I can say without hyperbole, your life will be 1000 times better. Yes, it's that good. You'll thank me later.

Announcing "Beyond The Wail" Including The Short Story "The "Grim" Reaper," By L.K. McIntosh

Xchyler Publishing has released Beyond The Wail, an anthology including 12 grave stories of love and loss. And this post is to spotlight one of those stories and its author.

The story is, 

The "Grim" Reaper,

and the author is,

L. K. McIntosh.

Here's a little background on the author:

L.K. McIntosh has been making up stories about the people around her since she learned how to talk. She eventually discovered cultural anthropology, a fantastic and often macabre world of research rabbit holes and bare bones tales just begging to be fleshed out. She is irrationally terrified of sharks, which makes perfect sense, considering she has always lived in a landlocked state, and she is a proud supporter of the Oxford comma. She is currently working on two speculative fiction novels and several short stories. She physically lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, but tends to live life vicariously thanks to the Internet, books, television, and a vast array of interesting people.

As far as the story goes, the main character of The "Grim" Reaper is just who you'd think he is, the ol' soul collector himself. I've always found Mr. Reaper to be a fascinating character. Does this entity, who makes the decision of when our time is up, have a soul of his own? And what's going through his mind when he's not making those decisions.

McIntosh gives us a story about one who carries this burden. What I enjoyed most about this story is the Grim Reaper is not the only fantastical character. There's magic, witches, teleportation and other mystical elements crammed into this short story. We find out some of the thoughts someone who has lived for millennia is thinking.

I couldn't help hoping that this cannot be all to the story. I have to believe there's a whole novel out there either written or living in the mind of the author just waiting to be let loose. There's just too much of a well-established world to play with and explore for this to be all there is. I would like to know more about Mr. Reaper and how this story continues.

I have not read the rest of the stories in this anthology, but I want to. You can order it now through Amazon by following the link: HERE. I consider some of the authors in this collection friends and I always love reading stories written by friends and people I know. If the one story I read is an indication of the rest of the book, it's going to be a good one.

Announced Today: Book Launch For Johnny Worthen's New Book..."Celeste, The Unseen, Book 2"

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Today, as I was checking out my Facebook account (I do that from time to time...), I received a notification, as is prone to happen from time to time. The notification came from a friend and fellow local author Johnny Worthen and he wanted the world to know that in a few short weeks, his latest book, Celeste will be released.

Celeste is the second book in the "Unseen" series. Regrettably, I must admit that I have not yet read Book 1 in the series, Eleanor. I really should rectify that. But even though I haven't read Johnny's books, I have gotten to know him at the various Comic Cons and writing symposiums in the area during the past couple of years. So when I say Johnny is a "colorful character," those you of who are lucky enough to know him know exactly what I mean. You can access Johnny website: HERE. And Johnny even speaks Danish, so you KNOW he's a class act!

Mark your calendars, folks! Celeste launches on Saturday July 18, 2015 at 4pm MDT. The event's being held at The King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City. You can learn more and access the Facebook page to the event: HERE. My life's so crazy right now I don't know what I'm going to be doing at 4pm MDT on Saturday July 18th, 2015 at 4pm MDT. But I'm going to join the party and hope I can make it! I hope you can too!

* Photo used without permission from: http://www.johnnyworthen.com/Celeste.html

Presenting John D. Brown's "Raveler"

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I met author John Brown in 2012. He was a panelist at the LTUE Conference, and since then, I've had a chance to talk to him at several conferences--most recently, at Salt Lake's latest Comic Con. Today I noticed many of my local author friends did a book bomb on social media sites to promote his latest book. I thought I'd try and help out.

There's one problem--I've never read a John D. Brown book. 

That's the trouble with getting to know a lot of authors. There's just no time to read everything everyone writes and...you know, work and sleep and things like that. And John writes long books, over 100K per, I believe. I am making it a goal to start reading them soon.

Even though I've never read one of his books, I know many who have and he comes highly recommended. And, as an author, he's been very approachable whenever I've talked to him.

So, if you're looking for new books to read, check out Raveler, or better yet, check out Servant and Curse, books 1 and 2 of the The Dark God series. And go to his website: HERE.

Good luck, Mr. Brown! And keep writing!

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23148283-raveler?from_search=true