Friday, November 30, 2018

Release Blitz: Temptations Trials Rebellion by @BrandyTruly #urbanfantasy #dystopian #releaseday #excerpt #giveaway @RABTBookTours


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Adult, Dystopian Romance & Urban Fantasy
Date Published: 11/30/2018

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Can love defeat the greatest temptation ... lust?

In a post-apocalyptic nation where the land of the free is now run under a dictatorship, there is one factor that holds the key to keeping world order—love. The new Regime controls the emotions of the heart. It’s their most vital law. At the age of twenty-one, every citizen is forced into an arranged marriage. The only way to escape the arrangement is to enter the Temptation Trials—a government-sponsored reality TV show where the loyalties of the contestants are tested by Tempters and Temptresses who are impossible to resist.

Catalina enters the Trials as a Temptress in hopes that she can win the funds to save her brother. Sahara’s been ridiculed in the eyes of the public. By being a Temptress, she’ll be able to have a fresh start. The Regime promises that if she fulfills her role on the show they will wipe her slate clean.

The problem is that the Trials are rigged for failure. In all the prior seasons, love’s rival, lust, has proven to be more powerful. No contestant has ever won the Temptation Trials and be allowed to stay with their chosen partner. Lutheran Eminence, the world’s dictator, has shown that he’s the ultimate matchmaker.

As the Temptation Ball approaches, conflict is at an all-time high. Most couples are too hurt by betrayal to reconcile. With the odds stacked against them, Kincade and Tobias try to mend their relationships, hoping that the greater good will prevail.

Attempting to uncover the true meaning of love may cost the contestants more than they bargained for—it may cost their souls.


Excerpt



Sahara tossed and turned. When she finally fell asleep a reoccurring nightmare consumed her….



            Sahara had been in a funk all day. The last month had been horrible, not talking to Calvin. He’d tried numerous times to reach out to her. Sahara’s only response through text had been, I just think it’s best if we don’t see each other anymore.
            Slowly, his texts and calls lessened, but today Calvin had texted, begging to see her because he would be in town this weekend. Sahara was struggling with giving in, wanting to see him desperately.
            She handed a customer their latte, and then greeted the next in line—a male and female enforcer approached the counter.
            “Hello, what can I get for you guys?” Sahara greeted.
             “Are you Sahara Fenty?” the female officer asked with a stern expression.
            “I am.”
            Sahara’s co-worker, Caren, raised her eyebrows.
            “What is this about?” Sahara asked, her stomach clenching.
            “Sahara Fenty, you’re under arrest for the Floozy charge,” the female enforcer announced, loud enough for the entire cafe to hear.
            A few customers gasped, and her co-worker’s eyes were about to pop from their sockets. She wanted the floor to just suck her up. “What is the meaning of this?” Sahara questioned, having a damn good idea. She would bet money it involved her first love.
            “Calvin Bush’s wife, Bonnie, is pressing charges against you. She has proof that you and her husband are having an affair.”
            More gasps from the cafe. Sahara wanted to die. “What proof does she have?”
            “Please don’t make this harder than it has to be, Ms. Fenty,” the male enforcer intervened, wiping out his hand-cuffs.
            This was the most humiliating moment of Sahara’s life. Not wanting to cause herself further embarrassment, she cooperated and went with them willingly.


About the Author

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B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old and is grateful to have accomplished this dream. She has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of action and sci-fi. She writes New Adult and Adult, Romance. Sci-fi, Dystopian, and Paranormal genres.


B. Truly likes to explore different elements of sci-fi romance, and create various realms of reality. She also loves creating impossible situations for her characters to grow from and try to overcome.

B. Truly has three wonderful children and a husband who defines the person that she is today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Houston, Texas.


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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Blog Tour: Don't Expect Me to Cry by Janet Bentley with a #giveaway @JanetBentley @RABTBookTours #memoir #nonfiction

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Non-Fiction / Memoir
Date Published: October 24, 2018
Publisher: MBK Enterprises LLC / Spotlight Publishing

Don’t Expect Me To Cry is a powerful story of the horrors Janet experienced at the hands of multiple abusers, including her father, and her courageous journey to a life that is inspirational to other survivors.

Janet’s resilience is evident as she tells her story in three parts, reflecting her thoughts and experiences at critical stages of her life.

Don’t Expect Me To Cry - Starting with a child’s view of shocking abuse, Janet shares how she had to build defenses to survive the impact of the horrors of her childhood.

Don’t Expect Me To Lie – Continuing with her journey through early therapy, Janet describes the pain and fear she experienced as she started to share the ‘secret’.

Don’t Expect Me To Die - The final part tells how Janet hit ‘rock bottom’ and tried to end her life. From that place of despair, she learned that it is possible to heal from the dark shame and trauma.




About the Author

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Janet Bentley was raised in Southern California. She currently lives in Arizona where she founded the non-profits Courageous Survivors and Show Up For Children. Janet is a member of RAINN’s (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) Speakers’ Bureau, a facilitator of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training, and a co-author of the international best-seller, We Choose To Thrive. She also started and facilitates a support group for survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. Janet loves living in the beauty of the desert.



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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

PROMO: Death By Poison by @TaleTellerEvans #giveaway #thriller @RABTBookTours


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Thriller
Date Published: Spring 2018

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Beautiful assassin Genevieve Wangen continues to work on her deadly concoctions from her secret lab in the woods, far from the prying eyes of the law. But just as soon as she has love and a new life in her sights, Genevieve is pulled into a far more dangerous high-stakes game of cat and mouse. She already upended her life and identity once. How far will she need to go this time to stay alive?


Reviews

"Make sure you set aside extra time, cancel any appointments and don't plan on sleeping! Once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down until you have finished it. Gary definitely has a way with words. His writing flows and is filled with great lines and an even greater story. He is a natural storyteller. This second book in the series is even better than the first." - Shelley Olsen, Owner, Paperbacks and Pieces Bookstore

"A major eureka page-turner, Evans has spun an original web of intrigue . . . that will be eagerly shared by murder mystery readers!" - Rollie Wussow has Midwest roots and is a semi-retired healthcare executive in sunny New Mexico

“As a journalist and author (and especially over a glass of wine), Gary has always been a master storyteller with a rich eye for the humorous and the ridiculous. Death by Poison features wonderful characters, rich dialogue, and a compelling tale. Like Gary, it’s great fun.” —Rusty Cunningham, Executive Editor, La Crosse Tribune


Previous in the Series


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Thriller
Date Published: July 2017

When Shawn Sorenson drowned in 1987, no one in La Crosse, Wisconsin, took much notice. They thought it was simply another drunken accident. When another student, Tad Schwartz, drowned a year later, the residents began to suspect foul play. Why else would a healthy young man drown? Even so, the police had no leads or clues to suggest anything other than a tragic accident. Were these truly accidental deaths? Suspicion became reality one fateful morning in 2011 when Police Detective Allan Rouse, Sheriff's Deputy Charlie Berzinski, and pathologist Rick Olson pulled the 15th victim from the river. The body had a tale to tell.

Dr. Olson, physician Patricia Grebin, and researcher Sarah Giles discover an obscure piece of evidence. It leads Berzinski and Rouse down a tangled trail of clues before reaching a mind-boggling conclusion. Will Berzinski and Rouse catch the killer before it's too late? Filled with intrigue, betrayal, and gut-twisting suspense, Death by Drowning will draw readers into a Midwestern town full of secrets and clues as breathtaking as the Mississippi River.





Coming Soon in the Series


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November 2018


After confessing to killing fourteen young men in La Crosse,Wisconsin, sultry serial killer Genevieve Wangen escapes custody for the second time. Aided by her Mafia contacts, she settles in at a remote cabin in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana. Now, safely hidden behind her new identity as Samantha Walters, she happily continues her deadly work for the Carbones. But Detective Al Rouse and Deputy Charlie Berzinski are bent on locking her away for good. When they finally catch up to her, as she is about to wed her latest debonair lover, Genevieve finds that she must escape more than just the law!



About the Author

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Gary Evans has turned his passion for novel writing into a post-retirement career, with book four soon to be released, and book five already in the works. Evans spent 30 years in Midwest newsrooms as an award-winning writer, editor, and publisher. He spent 12 years as vice president at Winona State University. He ended his career as the president and CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Communication, one of the nation’s first alternative entrant telecommunications firms, after 15 years. Married to Ellen, they have two grown children, Gregory and Natalie.




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Blog Tour: Death Opens a Window by @mikeljwilson #mystery #giveaway #interview @RABTBookTours

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Mourning Dove Mysteries, Book 2
Mystery
Date Published: October 19, 2018
Publisher: Acorn Publishing

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Emory Rome is back in DEATH OPENS A WINDOW, Book 2 of the Mourning Dove Mysteries and the follow-up to the national bestseller MURDER ON THE LAKE OF FIRE.

As he struggles with the consequences of his last case, Emory must unravel the inexplicable death of a federal employee in a Knoxville high-rise. But while the reticent investigator is mired in a deep pool of suspects - from an old mountain witch to the powerful Tennessee Valley Authority - he misses a greater danger creeping from the shadows. The man in the ski mask returns to reveal himself, and the shocking crime of someone close is unearthed.


Interview

Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?
Being gay is not a defining trait for an actual person or a three-dimensional character. I’ve written Emory Rome, the protagonist in the Mourning Dove Mysteries series, in an honest, realistic way. He doesn’t announce his sexuality when he enters the room, and the fact is not played for shock value or comic relief. The reader only finds out he’s gay in a nonchalant, organic revelation about a quarter of the way into the first book, Murder on the Lake of Fire.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
The editing process can be challenging for me. The first draft is always fun to write, but each revision is increasingly tedious because the focus is on smaller details as I refine the text.

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written four books and published three. Whatever book I’m currently writing is usually my favorite at the time. While I’m having a blast writing the third novel in the Mourning Dove Mysteries series, I think my favorite book of all will actually end up being one I haven’t started writing yet – the fourth in the series. I have the story in my head, and I just love it. This book will answer all questions about Emory’s past while dealing with a current threat in a big way.

If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
For Emory Rome, I picture someone like Nick Robinson or Casey Cott. They physically match his description, they’re both wonderful actors and I think both can convey great depth with their eyes.
  
When did you begin writing?
I started with poems and short stories in elementary school. By high school I was writing plays, and I started working on screenplays in college. A few years later, I wrote my first book, which became a prequel of sorts for the Mourning Dove Mysteries. I use it as backstory for my protagonist, Emory Rome.

How long did it take to complete your first book?
My first published book was the sci-fi novel, Sedona: The Lost Vortex. That one took me five years to write because I was working a day job 50 to 60 hours a week and going to school part of that time. The novels in my current mystery series take about six months to write the first draft and four to six months for revisions.

Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
If I had to pick one author who inspired me to write, it would probably be Agatha Christie. I read all her books when I was a kid, and I loved trying to get inside the writer’s head to figure out the plot.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?
One of my favorite parts of writing a mystery series is coming up with the instigating murder. I have a “no guns or knives” policy for that murder and I’m a science nerd, so I love devising unique, visually exciting ways to kill a character that might seem supernatural at first but can legitimately be explained. 

Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Murder makes interesting bedfellows.

Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?
I’m having a blast writing the third Mourning Dove Mysteries novel, which will be out next year. It features the freakiest murder I’ve ever imagined, and it answers questions about Jeff Woodard’s past. The fourth book will reveal Emory Rome’s complete backstory, which will have a huge impact on a current case. The series will end with the eighth book.






About the Author

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Bestselling mystery and science fiction author Mikel J. Wilson draws on his Southern roots for the Mourning Dove Mysteries, a series of novels featuring bizarre murders in the Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee. Building on the success of the first book in the series, Wilson continues his “no guns or knives” philosophy for murder as he delves deeper into the lives of the characters and their evolving dynamics.




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Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Goin' The Extra Mile


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Mystery, Thriller, Sci-fi
A Mary Jo Melendez Mystery, Book 3
Published: October 2018
Publisher: Carrick Publishing

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Mary Jo is back. Her domestic bliss is rudely interrupted as a mercenary tries to kidnap her adopted children. She and husband Mario have a theory about why: after fighting off CIA and SVR agents in the previous novels in this series, it’s now the Chinese government that wants the super-soldier technology of her MECH friends (“Mechanically Enhanced Cybernetic Humans”) who are hiding in France…and they will stop at nothing to get it. With action taking place in China and France, this novel returns to the international action of the first to round out the trilogy.



Other Books in the Mary Jo Melendez Mystery Series:



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Muddlin' Through
A Mary Jo Melendez Mystery, Book 1
Publisher: Carrick Publishing
Published: August 2014


In this international mystery/thriller, ex-USN Master-at-Arms Third Class Mary Jo Melendez struggles with restarting her life until she is hired as a security guard for an R&D firm with Pentagon contracts. She is framed after a violent break-in and lands in prison. She escapes, struggles to clear her name, and seeks revenge for her sister and brother-in-law’s deaths, during a journey that takes her around Europe and South America and tests her many skills as well as her faith. On the way, she makes new friends that restore her belief in human goodness, and even finds romance.

In this international mystery, thriller, and espionage tale about conspiracy and betrayal, Steve Moore creates yet another strong female protagonist whose adventures illustrate his keen interest in the world around him and the people who populate it.




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Silicon Slummin'...and Just Gettin' By
A Mary Jo Melendez Mystery, Book 2
Publisher: Carrick Publishing
Published: February 2015

Mary Jo Melendez is back in this sci-fi mystery thriller. The protagonist of Muddlin’ Through takes a permanent security job in the Silicon Valley after bouncing across the U.S. through temp jobs. Her future isn’t all bright, though, as she discovers she has a stalker. Moreover, two teams of agents, U.S. and Russian, are in hot pursuit because of what she knows about the cyborgs she saved in the first book in this series. She hires a PI for surveillance and protection who becomes a new love interest. The two match wits against her pursuers. Will this ex-USN Master-at-Arms survive this time? Will she and her new romantic interest be able to end yet another conspiracy.




About the Author

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Steven M. Moore was born in California and has lived in various parts of the U.S. and Colombia, South America.  He always wanted to be a storyteller but had to postpone that dream to work in academia and R&D as a scientist.  His travels around Europe, South America, and the U.S., for work or pleasure, taught him a lot about the human condition and our wonderful human diversity, a learning process that started during his childhood in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Queen of Zazzau


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Historical Fantasy/Mythical Realism
Date Published: November 20, 2018
Publisher: Afrocentric Books | Mugwump Press

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Amina is heir apparent to the throne of Zazzau and must prove she is worthy of the crown. As foreign invaders close in on them, she is all that stands between her people and destruction. Caught in a web of prophecies, she must defend Zazzau, but cannot do so if she wants to prevent the future that was foretold. She did not seek war yet it finds her. Unwilling to be the plaything of gods or men and determined to take control of her own destiny, she tracks down the god of war himself. But has her destiny already been written? Can she choose her own fate? And can she protect her kingdom, no matter what price she must ultimately pay? Because, gods always want something in return.

Queen of Zazzau is an Historical Fantasy that takes place in precolonial West Africa.  It chronicles the life of one of the most famous W. African queens, Amina of Zazzau (or Zaria). At 139,000 words, the novel features several W. African historical figures and a pantheon of W. African gods. The story is told in first-person and gives the reader an intimate look at some of the lifestyles and cultures--many of which are still alive today--of medieval W. Africa.

Excerpt

I dreamed. Not a dream of laughing brooks and water spirits; I dreamed of an empty plain. I stood in the field, yellow-green savanna grass swaying in the wind. As its soft whistle grew to a roar, the grass whipped my legs violently. But it wasn’t the wind roaring; it was men. Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands suddenly surrounded me. Each man fought the other with murder in his eyes.

My uncle was among them. Sword in hand, he lunged at the nearest half-naked man and brought down his blade, cutting into the other man’s shoulder. His enemy howled in pain but did not fall. The soldier rushed forward, still howling, pushing the sword deeper into his own flesh, and stabbed at Karama with a long-knife. Karama swept the knife away with a braceleted wrist. Then his wrist came down on the howling man’s head, burying the raised, serrated edge of a war bracelet in his skull.

Dislodging his bracelet, my uncle pushed the corpse off his blade. He turned and saw me. Our eyes locked for only a moment before a spear sprouted from his chest. Screaming, I ran to him but was buffeted by a sea of men. The faster I tried to run, the farther away my uncle was.

“Uncle,” I cried. “No!” But the wave of men pushed me to the ground. Curling into a ball, I tucked my head under my arms, closed my eyes, and screamed as the men stampeded over me.

Silence.

I opened my eyes, confused, sweat slick on my brow, tears still damp on my cheeks. The men were gone, but I could hear their cries. Climbing to my feet, I scanned the vast savanna ocean. A mud altar that hadn’t been there before now stood beside me. Blood spilled from the edges of the altar like melting wax. The men’s cries came from the structure. From the thousands of tiny figures piled upon it. At first, I thought they were living dolls, but they were the miniaturized bodies of men suffering myriad violent deaths. These were the casualties of war.

I stared at the mangled bodies, some of which were writhing in pain, and somehow knew these men had died—were dying—in the battle many leagues away. Frantic and nearly petrified by what I might find, I searched for my uncle among the bodies. There were so many Zazzagawa and Kwararafa mingled in the pile; I couldn’t tell one fallen soldier from another.

Wringing my hands, I backed away and reminded myself not to let fear subdue me, but terror pounded in my chest. The stink of death hung over the altar like a horrible fog that choked my lungs. Retreating from it, I came up against something hot and solid.

I froze.

The thing behind me shifted. It spoke.

“Look upon Death, Beloved. And know it for what it is.”

I spun around, stumbling backward, to find myself staring at the chest of a very tall man. Still trying but failing to fully master my fear, I took another backward step and looked up at who stood before me.

Towering over seven feet, the man had skin like polished ebony. He wore a vivid red and gold kilt that hung to just above his knees and a black cloak so long it brushed the ground. Black leather bracers with gold clasps covered his forearms. The open cloak was slung back over his shoulders, exposing a lean, powerful torso that rippled with muscle under smooth, dark skin.

I followed the contours of his chest, his long neck, a proud jawline. Save for the pointed tuft of hair on his chin and the thick, black eyebrows, his face and head were bald. His gaze was not upon me, his chin raised, so I could not see his eyes. I didn’t need to see them. I knew that once he looked at me, I’d be staring into the roiling red eyes of War.

About the Author

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J.S. Emuakpor was born and raised in West Africa. She is a married mother of four, a scientist, and owner of Afrocentric Books. She currently lives in North Carolina and is very much allergic to it. Most of her writing draws upon the spiritual beliefs of the ancestors who frequently whisper in her ear and on the superstitions that she refuses to relinquish.




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Monday, November 19, 2018

Our Gift-Giving God


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Christianity, Religion
Date Published: November 19, 2018
Publisher: Lucid Books

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Has Christmas gotten to be just the same old, same old? Do you feel as if you're simply going through the motions, even though you know this should be a season of celebration and worship? Same tree, same Christmas songs, same baked goods.

Come and refresh your hope in Christmas through Our Gift-Giving God. This devotional will take the reader through the traditions and symbols of Christmastime and uncover the deep, gospel truths woven throughout that God has for each and every one of us. Throughout these chapters, you will discover:



A purposeful, firmly planted life

Friendship

Joy

Protection

A new beginning

Provision

Mercy

Unfettered approval



In this eight-day study, you can unwrap the very best gifts and the best news you'll receive all year. Spend time opening the gifts only our gift-giving God can deliver.


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About the Author

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Andrea Kim was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She holds an accounting degree, an MBA, and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also earned a Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She has spent well over a decade teaching the Bible at church and serving as head of sermon research for her pastor at Houston’s First Baptist Church. Andrea is an attorney of 20 years, but her passion is to open up the world of God’s exciting truths for others the way they were opened up for her. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Seed Company, a Bible translation organization currently translating the Bible into more than 800 languages.

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Thursday, November 15, 2018

Blog Tour: Don't Expect Me to Cry by @JanetBentley #nonfiction #memoir #giveaway

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Non-Fiction / Memoir
Date Published: October 24, 2018
Publisher: MBK Enterprises LLC / Spotlight Publishing

Don’t Expect Me To Cry is a powerful story of the horrors Janet experienced at the hands of multiple abusers, including her father, and her courageous journey to a life that is inspirational to other survivors.

Janet’s resilience is evident as she tells her story in three parts, reflecting her thoughts and experiences at critical stages of her life.

Don’t Expect Me To Cry - Starting with a child’s view of shocking abuse, Janet shares how she had to build defenses to survive the impact of the horrors of her childhood.

Don’t Expect Me To Lie – Continuing with her journey through early therapy, Janet describes the pain and fear she experienced as she started to share the ‘secret’.

Don’t Expect Me To Die - The final part tells how Janet hit ‘rock bottom’ and tried to end her life. From that place of despair, she learned that it is possible to heal from the dark shame and trauma.


About the Author

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Janet Bentley was raised in Southern California. She currently lives in Arizona where she founded the non-profits Courageous Survivors and Show Up For Children. Janet is a member of RAINN’s (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) Speakers’ Bureau, a facilitator of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training, and a co-author of the international best-seller, We Choose To Thrive. She also started and facilitates a support group for survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. Janet loves living in the beauty of the desert.



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Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Blog Tour: Firsts Coming of Age Stories by People with Disabilities #interview @beloism #giveaway




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Memoir/Creative nonfiction/anthology
Date Published: October 1st, 2018
Publisher: Oleb Books

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Take a step back in time with some of the best writers with disabilities as they recount their first adventure, their first heartbreak, and the first time the unexpected treaded into their life. From body transformations to social setbacks, to love affairs and family trauma, Firsts collects the most thought-provoking and exciting stories of our time by people with disabilities. Contributors include Nigel David Kelly, Kimberly Gerry-Tucker, Caitlin Hernandez, Andrew Gurza, and David-Elijah Nahmod



Interview

Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?
Well, the anthology compiles stories about disability and I hope that able-bodied readers are able to get a glimpse into a world unknown to them. While several of the story touch on tragedy, I think the authors do a great job in showing that having a disability does not mean that one has a life that is less rich.


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Because I am blind and use adaptive tech to write, some aspects of writing are challenging to me. For instance, my computer reads my work out loud in a robotic voice; however, this makes it tough to edit dialogue because the software does not read it as a person would.  

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I have written 3 and I don’t have a favorite. I do, though, feel really close to the characters in the novel I am working on now. I am sure that once I start working with a book editor, I will have a tough time changing things around.



If you had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?

 My first book, Blind: A Memoir is about my experience of losing my sight in my late twenties. If it ever got turned into a movie, I would like to have a blind actor play me.

When did you begin writing?
I began writing after I lost my vision. I took classes but did not feel like a real writer until I went to get my Master’s degree in creative writing.


How long did it take to complete your first book?
My first book took about a year to write and a year to edit.


Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
I didn’t know too many blind writers so when I met Susan Krieger; I was inspired to tell my own story. Susan was not only a motivator, but also a great mentor.




What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I like doing research and have been known to spend hours at the library. I also like to interview people and apply my findings to my fiction.


Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Authentic stories about disability


Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?


 I started a new press that will publish the work of writers with disabilities. Its called Oleb Books www.olebbooks.com and we have several great projects coming up in the next few months. We have also pulled three stories from Firsts: Coming of Age Stories by People With Disabilities and produced a mini documentary series, which people can find in the Oleb Media Youtube channel. 


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Belo Miguel Cipriani is a columnist with the Bay Area Reporter. In 2017, his column on disability issues was recognized by the National Center on Disability and Journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

He is the author of Blind: A Memoir (2011), which received an Honorable Mention for Best Nonfiction Book by the 2011 Rainbow Awards, and an Honorable Mention for Best Culture Book by the 2012 Eric Hoffer Awards.

He has received fellowships from Lambda Literary and Yaddo, and was the first blind writer to attend the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. Cipriani has guest lectured at Yale University, University of San Francisco, and University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, and was the Writer-in-Residence at Holy Names University from 2012 to 2016.

His writing has appeared in several publications, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Business Insider, and HuffPost. He was a contributor to the Ed Baxter Morning Show on iHeart Radio, and was also a frequent commentator on San Francisco’s KGO Radio, as well as on several NPR shows.

Cipriani has received numerous awards for his disability advocacy work, including being named “Best Disability Advocate” by SF Weekly (2015), an “Agent of Change” by HuffPost (2015), and an “ABC7 Star” by KGO-TV (2016). He was also honored as the first blind Grand Marshal at San Francisco’s 45th Annual Gay Pride Parade.

He currently works at the Center for Academic Excellence at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN, where he helps students improve their writing skills.


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