Tuesday, April 30, 2013

FOR HORSE LOVERS and OTHERS

Pie: An Old Brown Horse (That Knows What He Is Doing)

This is the story of a twenty five year old ranch horse that was injured and pretty much left to die. He was brought to a stable and sold, even though no one really expected him to survive. He was reborn into a merchant of hope. His amazing spirit and calmness have helped many people over the next 13 years as he became the most amazing mentor and therapy horse. This is Pie's story as he tells it about the most amazing second chance at life and his travels through it. You will meet his person, a shy young girl who he helps grow into adulthood. He will introduce you to the other horses and people that helped shape his journey. His influence has known no bounds throughout this last 13 years and he continues to shine his light even at the ripe old age of 38. This is a feel good story about life, love, second chances and giving back.

Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo is a seventh generation Texan with her own brick at the Cowgirl Museum. She has taught in alternative education for over twenty years. Ms. Scaramuzzo is a member of Strathmore's 2012 Whos's Who.

She has a BA in Criminology and a MAedCT. She works in horse, cat, dog, and snake rescues. Ms. Scaramuzzo was a tester/observer for Therapy dogs for nine years. She ran a therapy horse riding program for autistic and special needs children for five years. She has been a recognized animal behaviorist for over twenty years. She has written her first book about an exceptional horse. She feels it is important to give back to maintain the balance of a civilized society.

Favorite Quotation

Do what you can with what you have where you are. Teddy Roosevelt

Pie An Old Brown Horse (That Knows What He Is Doing) available at

EQUITREKKING a MUST read Article WHODECIDES WHEN A HORSE IS NO LONGER USEFUL?

DISCOVER YOUR LIFE PURPOSE

OUTSKIRTSPRESS.COM

From Colleen M. Bratly

Writing a story in the first person is not uncommon, but when that first person is a horse, well, I really wasn't expecting it to actually be entertaining to say the least. Thankfully since I have such a huge admiration and respect for horses, I decided to give it a read. What a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable story this is.

The title is a little misleading. Pie may be an old brown horse now, but he was nothing of the sort during the story. Kandy brought that personable horse to life like he was almost one of us. As we all know, animals have feelings, thoughts and ways to communicate just like we do. Even though some, and maybe a lot of people, don't think about this in a very in depth way, Kandy proves that to be our oversight and sadly our loss. Because as you read the story, the thoughts, and emotions of how Kandy presented these majestic animals is nothing short of enthralling, entertaining, and enlightening.

To Read more click here

Monday, April 29, 2013

GOODBYE TCHAIKOVSKY by MICHAEL Thal

Book Description:

A violin virtuoso is plunged into a deaf world, necessitating him to adapt to a new culture and language in order to survive.

David Rothman is an overnight success. He performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with rave reviews attracting the attention of the Queen of England. His future is laid out for him like a well-lit freeway. Then, on his twelfth birthday, David suffers from an irreparable hearing loss, plunging him into a silent world.

How will David communicate with his friends? What about school? Where does his future lie? The novel shows how an adolescent boy copes with deafness.

The book can be purchased at this link: http://www.rfwp.com/series/books-on-deafness#book-goodbye-tchaikovsky

Author's Bio:

Michael L. Thal, an accomplished freelancer, is the author of The Legend of Koolura and Goodbye Tchaikovsky. He has written and published over eighty articles for magazines and newspapers including Highlights for Children, The Los Angeles Times, and San Diego Family Magazine. You can learn more about him at www.michaelthal.com.

Michael lives in Sherman Oaks, CA. He's the proud father of two adult daughters, Channie and Koren, and the grandfather of Arielle. You can reach him at michaelthal@sbcglobal.net.

Visit Michael Thal @ http://www.michaelthal.com

Sunday, April 28, 2013

APHRODITE'S SECRET by SAMANTHA KETTEMAN

Read Between The Lines April 22

Read2Review April 22

Self Publish or Die April 23

Close Encounters With The Night Kind April 23

Vault Girl April 23

Le' BookSquirrel April 24

Recent Reads April 24

Amazing Books April 25

Deal Sharing Aunt April 25

As You Wish Reviews April 25

A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner April 26

The Many Muses of MaryLynn April 26

Kitty's Inner Thoughts April 27

4covert2overt In 33 Days April 28

To Be Thode April 28

Busy Moms Book Reviews April 29

Confessions of the Paranormal April 30

Brianna Lee Book Reviews April 30

In her own words...Samantha Ketteman is a caffeine addicted insomniac who drives her husband crazy with her late hours and constant badgering about whether an idea is a good one for the next book, has the attention span of a chipmunk – OOH A FACEBOOK MESSAGE! And loves the men in her books just a little more than her own husband sometimes. Just kidding!

Do you have any little rituals you do or traditions you follow when you write?

I try really hard to never stop without completing the chapter. Then, I take a break between chapters so that I don’t get burned out. Some days, I get 3 or 4 chapters done in a day, sometimes only one, but I also always make it a point to write every day. There are those days when I just don’t have a chapter in me, so I will at least write a few paragraphs.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your published works?

I wouldn’t change a thing, except for maybe finding an editor sooner. I hate editing. I edited (with other help from friends and family) my first two books, and decided that I just want to write the stories. I hate editing. Did I say that already? Other than that, I think that my stories came out in the way they were meant to come out. I’m proud of everything I put out there, and hope that everyone loves it as much as I love writing it.

A peek into your future work; what are you working on now?

I am currently working on the first book in a new series, titled Reaping Justice, that should be available sometime in April or May, but plan to begin the second novel of The Forgotten, Jasmine’s story, as soon as the end of the month. It should be released in June or July. Kaira, still reeling from the loss of her younger sister in a tragic boating accident, lives in the dark world of exotic dancing for survival. When one man enters her life, her world is turned upside down and inside out, where reality and fantasy seem to intertwine.

Kaira feels the eyes of a striking man watching her every move on stage. Zane is a scarred man with many secrets, one of which is the knowledge of who and what Kaira really is and the danger she will face.

While Zane fights a subconscious battle about what to tell her and whether he cares enough to get involved, another has noticed her as well. An Ithacan, sent to destroy her for what she is and take her powers to the God that has commanded all Forgotten be exterminated. The God intends to absorb her powers and rule absolutely.

Before Kaira realizes what is coming for her, she finds herself tumbling into a world where a scarred man that she is inexplicably attracted to will become her only hope. A hideous creature, one such as she’s never seen, is hunting her and trying his best to destroy everything and everyone she knows to get what he wants for his Master, and only Zane knows why.

While Kaira thinks it coincidence that Zane shows up at the club the girls like to frequent after work, Zane uses the planned interception to explore the pull that he feels towards Kaira, when he has cared for no one but himself for so many years. After finally meeting, Zane notices that the Ithacan has also followed and as their eyes meet, they both know that the battle for her soul will come; who will win is less important as the insistence Zane feels to tell Kaira who and what she is before she ends up like her sister.

Amazon Click here

Excerpt

As she sashayed her way to the center of the stage, exaggerating the swing of her

hips with each step, she glanced around the few rows that were in her line of vision. The spotlight focused on her made it impossible to see further. It looked as if it was a full house tonight, which was a good omen for her rent fund. She gave a small, slow sexy, smile, and sauntered over to the giant gleaming pole standing like an old friend in the center of the stage. As she swung around in a circle, back arched out from the pole to better display her more prominent assets, she was mentally singing along to the song.

Kaira hated this song, but it seemed to go hand in hand with the costume she was wearing for the night, and she had a whole routine devoted to this particular outfit and song.Sadly, this was one of her more popular costumes and characters. She shimmied down the pole, spreading her legs and bending over before sliding her backside back up the pole in a move that would have made many women blush; or fall over; or both. Sheturned to face the pole, jumped up, and then maneuvered herself so that she was then sliding down the pole head first, gripping it with her legs. She slid all the way down to the floor before releasing the pole, rolling over, and crawling her way along to the first row of eager faces beaming up at her.

Goodreads Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Samantha Ketteman has resided in southern Illinois for 7

years, (though still claims to be an Alabama girl), with her husband

and three crazy demon children. She started reading novels at a

very young age and decided two years ago to write for herself. She

is orking on The Forgotten series, as well as two others. She is a

caffeine addict, insomniac, and general basket case most of the

time. When she's not writing, she's thinking of writing, much to

the chagrin of her husband who has to listen to her paranormal

ramblings.

Social Media Links

Amazon Author Page

http://www.amazon.com/Samantha-Ketteman/e/B00BM30CUW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Blog

http://samanthaketteman.blogspot.com/

Facebook Author Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samantha-Ketteman-Author-Page/334974643286916

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/samantha.ketteman.9

G+

https://plus.google.com/105666303084567030732/posts

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6970009.Samantha_Ketteman

Twitter

https://twitter.com/SamKetteman

TOUR @ READ BETWEEN THE LINES

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Saturday, April 27, 2013

TINA HAMMOND

VISIT TINA HAMMOND ON FACEBOOK

The Team Red series was meant to be an Adult Contemporary Paranormal Romance. It was tough to classify the genre because we have a level-headed woman blinded in an accident who is united with a German shepherd service dog she finds she is able to mentally communicate with - paranormal, right? Sigh... it should be so easy.
The book, doesn't have the feel of a paranormal book because the book is completely taken over by the German shepherd dog, Red, and his snarky, witty dialog, sans filter. So, humorous, right? Sigh... Nope.
The author had to make herself crazy and added two hot guys that decide to compete with each other for her affections (think hijacked dates, and sabotaged good-night kisses). So, light, romantic comedy, right? Heavier sigh.
She could have stopped there, but no - She obviously wasn't done messing with everyone's head (or her own, apparently) so she added that the dog has awesome tracking ability that brings him to the attention of the Police department... so Crime? Drama?

See what I mean about trouble finding a good genre fit? Blind Seduction is an adult-oriented, sexy, Laugh-out-loud, paranormal romance with a touch of crime drama.

But wait! It didn’t end there. Red was so engaging to many readers, that they asked for a less adult-themed version of the series for younger readers (and for readers that don’t want the erotic love scenes). At reader request, the series was re-written with younger characters, and a different story-line with very little adult content. Red Rover is a PG13-ish modification of Blind Seduction.

The Team Red Series comes in two versions “Blind” (Starting with Blind Seduction) contains adult content, not suitable for readers under 18. The “Red” series (Starting with Red Rover) is suitable for most audiences over 13.

Red Rover, Team Red Book 1 by T Hammond will be free on Amazon thru Sunday, Apr 28

Click Here

Blind Seduction, Team Red Book 1 by T Hammond is $3.99 on Amazon

Blind-Seduction-Team-Red-ebook-click-here

Book Description – for both book versions

8 Months Earlier

Warm breath caressed the back of my neck, and I sighed at the damp heat that stirred the tiny hairs at my nape. In my half-awake state, I had a fleeting thought that it was strange to be sleeping upright. I rolled my face to the side and opened an eye to see adoring, beautiful dark eyes gazing at me like I was the most gorgeous woman in the world.

“Janey, Rex is staring at me again,” I complained.

“If you'd quit dozing off and leaning against his cage he wouldn’t be watching you at all,” she replied reasonably. “As it is, you keep slipping him dog treats, and don’t think I haven’t noticed, so he thinks you’re a goddess among women.”

Rather than reply, I slipped a hand into my coat pocket and pulled out a treat that I defiantly poked through the links of the kennel partition. A warm tongue licked my fingers and soft golden brown eyes worshiped me as he delicately took the offered dog biscuit between sharp, white teeth.

I was visiting my friend, Janey Declan, during the much-anticipated arrival of Stormy's third litter. My best friend had been raising animals since her early years in the local 4-H club. She had started with rabbits, and goats, but when we were twelve, she got her first German shepherd dog and a professional GSD breeder was born!

Janey’s parents had converted an old barn on their property to a kennel to accommodate and encourage their youngest child’s new interest. Ten cages, and fenced-in dog runs later, Declan Kennel was gaining a reputation as one of the best GSD kennels in the area.

On Halloween morning, we were presented with nine gorgeous German shepherd puppies over the course of five hours labor. I must have dozed off for a few minutes; the last thing I remembered is that we had changed the bedding when it looked as if Stormy’s labor was finally over.

I watched as the babies crawled blindly towards their mother's body heat. Stormy looked weary, but she was vigilantly nosing each of the new arrivals. Janey and I were both grinning like idiots; you'd think that WE were the ones that had labored for so long.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Is it easier or harder to be a teen in the twenty-first century?

Twenty-first century teens believe they have it made. With one touch of a finger, they can travel the world … nay, the galaxy. They're in constant contact with friends and family via cell phones, computers, and social networking. New advances make all these devices and internet groups the place to be.

So, twenty-first century teens must have it easier than teens from say the twentieth century. Right? Do they really have it easier?

What about personal relationships? What about spending time exercising not only their bodies, but also their imagination?

With all these technological advances, other problems have cropped up. School violence has increased; predators use this new technology to lure children of all ages away from safety. Bullying via the internet causes panic. All this has taken away some of the simpler pleasures today's teen's parents and grandparents enjoyed without a second thought.

Oh, the days of running barefoot in the grass, from sunup to sundown. There were no parents texting or calling every hour or so, to see if we were okay. We arrived home in time for supper – home cooked not take out – sweaty, tired, and happy.

For those lucky enough to live in the country, it wasn't unusual to spend ours fishing with a cane pole in a nearby creek. Catching lightning bugs in a jar was a favorite spring nighttime activity.

What you ask? People actually spent time outside after supper. Oh yes, we did. We walked the streets. We played football or baseball – the time of year wasn't important, just the joy of being with friends. We rode bikes without helmets or knee and elbow pads, all after the sun set and the day was supposedly over. Television wasn't the totality of our existence; it was brief entertainment for an hour or two a day. No ear buds provided non-stop music; we talked with our friends.

And we could walk along a road without being afraid of a stranger abducting us.

In many ways, today's teens grow up far too fast. They no longer have the sense of adventure to discover things on their own. Think what our world would be like if no one figured out how to program a computer, if Bill Gates and Steve Jobs didn't take their paths in life because they were having too much fun on World of Warcraft. Where would we be if the internet never blossomed into being?

Perhaps in protecting our children from the big, bad world, we've also opened them up to more dangers. They don't know how to make sensible decisions. Presented with a bottle of booze or a joint at a party, how many will risk ridicule from their peers and say no? Will they turn down a challenge to race along a deserted road? It's time to walk away from the technological advances and run barefoot in the grass, ride a bike along a road, and swing from a tree branch. It's time to make it easier for twenty-first century teens.

RED ROVER BY T HAMMOND FREE ON AMAZON Until April 28, 2013

Red Rover, Team Red Book 1 by T Hammond will be free on Amazon thru Sunday, Apr 28

Click here for free e-book until 4-28-2013

This is the New Adult version of Blind Seduction.

Red Rover is the story of a blinded woman that finds she can communicate mentally with her service dog, a smart ass, sassy German Shepherd, named Red. Add two sexy suitors, and the realization that Team Red can help for the police department, and you have a Fun LOL paranormal romance.

Book Description

Heart pounding, she woke abruptly. It is still dark. Her mind cleared- it is always dark now. Within a heartbeat, an accident changed Teresa’s life, took her sight, and left her scarred.

Red is a typical German shepherd, well, except for the whole talking-in-Teresa’s-head thing. He’s sassy and opinionated, and pretty handsome, even if he does say so himself.

And if a smart-ass dog isn’t enough, Sebastian and his friend David came to town and both have set their sights on Teresa. Neither of the sexy ex-Navy men are above using military tactics to secure their target- and so begins the Siege.

And when you quit drooling over the two gorgeous men, don’t forget to consider the implications of a talking dog… the police department certainly has.

*************************************
Red Rover is meant to be a Paranormal New Adult novel. It was tough to classify the genre because we have a level-headed girl blinded in an accident who get's a German shepherd she finds she is able to mentally communicate with - paranormal, right? Sigh... it should be so easy.

The book doesn't have the feel of a paranormal book because the book is completely taken over by the German shepherd dog, Red, and his snarky, witty dialog, sans filter. So, humorous, right? Sigh... Nope.

I had to make myself crazy and I added two hot guys that decide to compete with each other for her affections (think hijacked dates, and sabotaged good-night kisses). So, light, romantic comedy, right? Heavier sigh.

But wait! I could have stopped there, but no - I obviously wasn't done messing with everyone's head (or my own, apparently) so I added that the dog has awesome tracking ability that brings him to the attention of the Police department... so Crime? Drama? See what I mean about trouble finding a good genre fit? Let's just say the book has it all... and just maybe it does.

Excerpt (Different from Blind Seduction, the adult version of the story)

8 Months Earlier

“Janey, Rex is staring at me again,” I complained.

About the author

T. Hammond lives in Spokane, WA with her goofy, neurotic, long-coat German shepherd, Dexter; he’s noble and brave until someone turns on the microwave, then she has 100lbs of quivering dog trying to hide behind her chair or bury his head under a pillow.

T. has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and before becoming a writer was a bookkeeper, administrative assistant, computer software instructor, technical/manual writer, Call Center Manager and the owner of a freshwater aquarium store, Guppy Tales.

Arthritis forced her retirement in February 2012, and at loose ends she decided to write a story about a woman who could communicate with her dog. The two characters took over her brain (I KNOW! Sounds like she should be writing Zombie stories, right?); before she knew it - a book was born.