THE BRIDGE OF DEATHS

¤♥¤ A Scoop of Love ¤♥¤ by Unoma Nwankwor, Christian Fiction

¤♥¤ About The Book ¤♥¤

The oldest of the Danjuma brothers, Rasheed was a self-made man. He’d learned at an early age that love and commitment brought with it complications he didn’t want to deal with. His single-minded focus had paid off. He was able to step into the shoes of his absentee father by taking care of his mother and twin brothers. But just when he thought he could stop carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders, he gets a call that could change the trajectory of Rasheed’s life.

Ibiso Jaja, a professional caterer, had gambled on the love of a man and lost. Through the redeeming love of God, she had picked herself up and was now living her dream as the owner of Bisso Bites, a bistro in the heart of Abuja. However circumstances conspire to threaten the bistro and bring her face to face with the type of man she has vowed to avoid. The attraction is instant.

Once again, Rasheed is forced to do something he has done all his life – put the needs of his family ahead of his own. This time however, he crosses path with the sassy, independent, Jesus-loving caterer who is bent on making him see the power of forgiveness and God’s love. Just when Rasheed lets his guard down, a deadly sabotage causes old demons to rise. Will Rasheed continue to pursue power and success or surrender to the light of God’s love?

 ¤♥¤About The Author¤♥¤

Unoma Nwankwor is a self- proclaimed romantic. She is passionate about telling stories that are uplifting and life changing sending the message of faith, hope and love. Her readers are in love with her unique way of telling stories that capture the essence of her present home base; Atlanta Georgia and her Nigerian culture. Her stories which center on forgiveness, faith and hope have been described as a fusion of faith, romance and African spice.

 

 

Unoma is also the published author of An Unexpected Blessing (2013) , The Christmas Ultimatum(2013) and When You Let Go (May,2014).

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¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★ VERUM ¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★

"There’s savagery here, there’s grace. But above all, there’s oblivion and no matter what I do, I will be sucked into it." 

VERUM, the sequel to Courtney Cole's spellbindingly dark, heartwrenchind new adult psychological suspense, NOCTE, is coming February 2, 2015.

Are you ready?

My name is Calla Price and I'm drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I'm being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don't know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I'm entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It's just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

Preorder your copy now, and get it the second it's live:
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☆¸.•°*”˜˜ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜ BRIGHT FIRE ˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ˜˜”*°•.¸☆

Delfia thought she was a normal girl about to turn sixteen until her adoptive parents are murdered by creatures from the underworld. Her life gets thrown into chaos as she teams up with her best friend, a strange guy, and a prophetess.

She soon discovers her biological father, Hades, ordered the attack on her and her family because a prophecy names her as the one to take him down. She must first complete a set of tasks to free Persephone, her mother, from the underworld and defeat Hades.

Will she be reunited with her mother or will she get sucked into the underworld?

*Book is geared towards readers that liked Percy Jackson Series, Need Series, Everneath, etc.*

     

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Excerpt:

Mondays are the epitome of all evil. It's just a fact. Do you ever get those feelings deep in the pit of your stomach? The ones that make you feel all queasy and anxious? Well, that’s how I feel right now. I am standing at my locker at a way too early hour, and I am in Dragon Bitch mode; which is surprising because today is my birthday. Normally, I love my birthday. I officially turn 16 at 11:59 tonight, and instead of reveling in the excitement, am I staring at my locker without really seeing it. I just keep trying to figure out what’s causing this annoying pinch in my stomach. I jump when I hear the locker next to mine slam shut. Lyla. "Jeez, Lyla,” I huff. “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Now excuse me while I find a doctor to remove my heart from my nasal passage." I’m not in the mood for the early morning antics of Lyla Browning, even if she is my best friend. "Soooorrry, but it seems to be the only way to get your attention. I say 'Happy birthday, Dell' and what do you do? You ignore me and stare at your locker. What is up with you?" "Nothing, just a funny feeling." She eyes me for a minute, then shrugs her shoulders and in a matter-of-fact tone tells me, "It's probably PMS." “Yeah, maybe I dunno...” I trail off, the feeling still bugging me. I understand that she is trying to snap me out of it so I muster up some enthusiasm and sing, “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me.” She perks up instantly, and before I can clamp my hand over her mouth she starts bellowing out “Happy Birthday” in the middle of the hall that is seriously starting to fill up. By the time she finishes, everyone is staring at us, and my face is burning red. “Aww come on, you love me and you know it,” she beams. I smile because I do love her. Lyla and I have been best friends since forever. We first met in kindergarten when this little twerp, Zach Moreno, decided to pull my hair, and she punched him square in the nose. We’ve been joined at the hip ever since then. “But hey, you should be thrilled you’re turning 16.” she nudges me in the ribs a little. “Yeah, I know, but my parents still won't let me get my permit till I’m 18.” “No offense, but your parents are a little...intense.” She says. “What do you mean by that?” I ask getting a bit defensive. “Well, it’s just that lately they seem to be taking your safety to the extreme. You can't have sleepovers anymore, a car or a life. I mean it’s sweet that they care, but I thought parents got more lenient the older you get.” She fidgets with her wavy blond hair, afraid that she has gone too far. The truth is she’s not wrong. My parents are great people, and I love them, but lately they have been too over-protective. When I ask them about it they just tell me, “the real world is full of dangers, kiddo.” and that’s the end of that conversation. “Yeah, I know, I’m sure that is just their way of showing me that they care.” “By the way, are we still on for binge night Friday?” She sees right through my attempts to change the subject. Binge night has been happening every Friday since the 6th grade. We start off at the roller rink and end up at my place with a large bag of cheddar popcorn, candy, and cokes. “Uh, duh.” She says rolling her eyes. She grabs her stuff out of her locker. “Come on, we have homeroom.” I turn to grab my bag out of my locker when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Everybody gets those feelings now and then, but it was so intense I had to shiver to shake it off. “Dude, what is your problem? Take a picture it lasts longer.” Lyla clicks her tongue, her usual reaction when something annoys her. I whirl around to see who she is talking to and meet the gray eyes of Alec Hales, who is staring at me intensely like he’s waiting for something to happen. He would be the hottest guy in school if he weren't so weird. He continues to stare at me unabashed. I can’t help but stare back. “Come on,” she grabs my arm. “This guy is freaking me out” She throws him the stink eye, and we head to class. I spend the rest of the morning stumbling through class in a daze worried about that creepy stare. I’ve never seen anything like it. What’s worse is that I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I had a chill that ranked 100 on the creep factor. OK, Dell get a grip, I tell myself as I walk into the cafeteria. I do my normal scan and Lyla’s waiting for me at our usual table in the corner of the room, trays in tow. We are not the least popular students, but we are definitely not a part of the in-crowd. Lyla could be, but she sticks with me. Aside from her slightly crooked nose, she is the picture perfect replica of a Barbie doll, with her blond hair, green eyes, and mile-long legs. You get the picture. Me, on the other hand, my height is OK, not too short or too tall, but my drab brown hair and beanpole body are nothing special. The only thing I have going for me is my clear blue eyes. Lyla always calls them hypnotic. “Ugggghhh,” she whines as she rolls her shoulders back and forth. “I think the teachers are secretly evil demons sent to torture teens with tests on Mondays. Seriously, who wants to take tests on Mondays?” “Who wants to take tests at all?” She throws a piece of lettuce at me. With a mouth full of food she asks, “What are your birthday plans?” “Dinner with the family.” “Same old, same old,” she laughs “maybe we can do something special for binge night like go shopping before the roller rink.” “Yeah, that would be...” I trail off instantly when I feel the same eerie feeling I had by my locker. I lean into Lyla and whisper, “Is Alec staring at me?” She lifts her head up, and I pull her down. “Can’t you be discreet?” I hiss. She subtly does a sweep of the cafeteria and relaxes, “Nope; nowhere in sight. Why do you ask?” “I just got this creepy feeling earlier and again just now. I thought maybe it was his intense stare earlier.” “Wow, I hope your weird doesn't rub off on me. Do you think it happens to everyone when they turn 16?” she jokes. I laugh half-heartedly unable to shake the strange feeling.  

About the Author:

M.J. Austin is the author of the Bright Fire series and NaNoWriMo 2014 winner. She has always found the world of fantasy preferable to the real world. She channels this love of mystical worlds and creatures into her writing. She is an avid reader and proud bookworm. She has a Master's Degree in Project Management, but her true passion is writing. When she isn't working or writing she is diving into random projects as often as possible. She lives in Tennessee with three children, husband, and three dogs.
 

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The Fall of the Prodigal by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Author is giving away two $10.00 Amazon Gift Cards.  Two winners will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter. 

Enter contest below.

Book Title: The Fall of the Prodigal

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Urban Books (January 27, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1601626983

ISBN-13: 978-1601626981

Genre: Christian Fiction

Michelle Lindo-Rice enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. Her first published work, Sing A New Song, was a Black Expressions featured selection. Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Lindo-Rice calls herself a lifelong learner. She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, and Teachers College, Columbia University. When she moved to Florida, she enrolled in Argosy University where she completed her Education Specialist degree in Education Leadership. A pastor's kid, Michelle upholds the faith, preaching, teaching and ministering through praise and worship. Feel free to connect with her at michellelindorice.com You can read her testimony, learn about her books, PLEASE join her mailing list, or read a sample chapter at michellelindorice.com

A condemned man, his two brides, and one untimely death. Michael Ward is at the top of his game and he doesn't need anyone or anything. Money is his new best friend--until he's arrested for a heinous crime. As much as he hates to admit it, Michael needs his brother, Keith Ward, the man who stole his wife and children. Will Michael open his heart to forgive his brother? Verona "Tiger" Stachs has been Michaels' attorney for years. She's in love with him, but is tired of being treated as his guinea pig. A lapsed Christian, Verona finds herself being drawn closer to God. She thought she was through with God, but soon discovers He's nowhere through with her. Which relationship will she choose? Keith Ward's a prominent minister and family man, yet he yearns to rekindle his relationship with his brother. When Michael calls him explaining that he desperately needs his help, Keith jumps at the chance to set things right with Michael. Will Keith be able to lead Michael into the light?

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Contemporary Romance I Think About Y♥U by KS Thomas.

★¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★TOUR THROUGH BLOGLAND ★¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★

I was nominated to participate by Sally Georgina Cronin 

She has a FAB post on " A Tour Through Blogland Award and Synergy in our Blogging Community"

 

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And as a writer I am delighted to participate on sharing my creative process as well as learning from others.

The rules for this project

1. Pass the tour on to up to four other bloggers.
2. Give them the rules and a specific Monday to post.
3. Answer 4 questions about your creative process which lets other bloggers and visitors know what inspires you to do what you do.

The last part of Tour Through Blogland is to write a one-time article which is to be posted on a Monday (the date supplied by your nominator). This article can be in the same post in which you answered the 4 questions. The article can be anything of your choosing.

 

 

 

 

The dates supplied by my nominator are Monday January 26th and Monday, February 2 I am doing my intro for my nominees and my post today, They may well choose to only use the very BLOGLAND POST. Their Creative Answers will be posted on FEBRUARY 2nd 2015
 

  

My nominees are posting on Monday February 9th  and Tuesday February 10th or the following week on the 16th and 17th.

Next MONDAY February 2nd I am posting their creative answers

SO DRUMROLL PLEASE FOR

 

CARMEN STEFANESCU  @  Shadows of The Past

 

LYNELLE CLARK  @ Llynelle Clark Aspiredwriter

 

WANDA HARTZENBERG  @ Tattle Tale

Creating characters with the help of shining stars

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and spinning planets

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                                                                     © M.C.V.Egan

 

For writers there are many tools that can help give depth to our characters, intricacies to the storyline and shine light on the settings. I have attended many workshops in the last three years, exploring new angles and techniques to give my characters more depth, my plots more conflict and my settings more detail.

People are complicated multi-facetted beings therefore believable characters need a variety of traits. Settings are more believable when shown, not told; no-one explained that better than Anton Chekov “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”  And then the much needed spicy ingredient to any story that will captivate the reader; CONFLICT.

 Many workshops suggested similar techniques to create the characters.

- Interview your character

- Fill out a job application as your character (Please don’t apply for the job, identity theft of a fictional character is bound to be a crime in most countries).

- Write a bio of your character

- Get an image from a magazine or on line of how you visualize your character.

If you write I am sure you have come across the lot, and frankly they can all be very useful. I am pretty sure that if you write you have also come up with your very own unique ways, I know I have.

I use several techniques to get to know my characters; form them and give them traits before I infuse them into a story line.  I love to pretend they are my invisible friend (yes I did have those when I was a kid) and allow them to hang out with me from time to time. I have used the above techniques; after all why attend a workshop and not use what you are taught right?

I do have a favorite technique, one to be honest I thought was all mine, and then I googled and found books on the subject! You see I am an amateur, fascinated by but quite inexpert at Astrology. I also think it is a tool that can be used very effectively by any writer, even those who never before thought to read a horoscope, but surely at some point in life most of us do check the paper to see what a Cancer, Libra or Scorpio should expect.

As one studies the various signs and planets in Astrology they have key words and traits; again I am a writer and NOT a professional Astrologer, as such I am not going to go through each sign and describe it; anyone can find that easily today in countless sites or books. To keep this simple I will stay with just one sign.

I’ll take the very first sign of the Zodiac; Aries Assertive a go-getter, a mover and shaker, fearlessly forging ahead, a warrior. Okay that gives you a great basis for traits, now famous Aries in history Thomas Jefferson (April 13) and Leonardo Da Vinci (April 15) and Adolph Hitler (April 20). Nice combination right? Well every sign has them, traits that can be used for good or evil.

There are countless ways you can use astrology to develop a character, once you give a character a sig you can always read their horoscope. Bad day for Aries as the ruling planet Mars enters… well again we do not need to be master Astrologers, but now you can imagine your character on a very bad day he/she cannot control.

Astrology books are filled with descriptions of the typical physique of any sign, in regards to Aries books will have variants of similar descriptions; strongly defined facial lines, bony structure, triangular shape of face, and sharp eyes.

Here is the beauty of using Astrology as a tool, as we are all unique we may be reading the very same description and visualizing very different characters. That being said since I have dabbled in astrology for several decades I can play with birth charts and create more defined characteristics that way.

If you are not interested in learning Astrology in any great depth the solution is simple look up famous people in the sign of Aries. That way with a long list you can pick and choose the traits of the famous. For example the prototypical mad scientist/inventor out to rule the world could be a combination Of Leonardo Da Vinci and Adolph Hitler. Just imagine how many combinations are out there for you to blend and create.

With this fun and simple tool a writer can easily give a character a distinct look, by choosing any physical traits of famous Arian traits (not to be confused with Hitler’s Aryans) and creating the look you need. Remember Anton Chekov and don’t tell the reader the character has thick hair have him or her struggle in some way with it; brushing it, untangling it.

Creating a personality with the traits described in numerous site you are bound to give the reader a deep and complex individual. This can easily be done again by looking up famous people born under a certain sign, and they need not be historical figures; I just googled famous actresses born in Aries and came up with Emma Watson, Kristen Stewart, Reese Witherspoon, and Elle Fanning. If you Google that as well however you might find that Marilyn Monroe with Venus in Aries (sum in Gemini) is the image that pops up the most.

Venus brings me to the spinning planets. That is something we are all familiar with and even if Astrology is not to your liking a brilliant tool with those is tapping into the music of Gustav Holst; THE PLANETS, spend time listening to MARS, the Harbinger of WAR! 

 

  

  and the Arian traits of aggression and war are sure to flow through your mind! Also lookup Martian traits which should be compatible and complementary to the Aries ones.

Gustav Holst not only will give you beautiful writing music but just the title of each piece will enhance any Astrological traits for the signs they rule. The Sun rules Leo and of course those traits shine. The moon rules the sign of Cancer and the traits of the moon vary from light to dark. Pluto was discovered before Holst died and in modern Astrology is used to rule Scorpio, but Mr. Holst chose not to write a piece for it, so enjoy the seven.

1.   Mars, the Bringer of War (Aries and Scorpio)

2. Venus, the Bringer of Peace (Taurus)

3. Mercury, the Winged Messenger (Gemini)

4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (Sagittarius)

5. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age (Capricorn)

6. Uranus, the Magician (Aquarius)

7. Neptune, the Mystic (Pisces)

 

BLOOD MONARCH by DRAKO

About the Book:
A king's duty never ends, even when his kingdom changes. Vladimir Dracula is one of the most famous and misunderstood figures in all of history. One thing is true, he is a king, and he is a vampire. He is the true king and enforcer of the vampire race. Feared by all of his own kind, he is perhaps the most lethal of the Black Dragon God's mortal born servants. At the same time, he personifies sex. None can resist his charms, save one.
Vax King is the Chosen of Hecate, the Heir of Mjolnir, and has no plans on a mate. When he's called on to enter Fae lands, he's surprised to find the legendary vampire there. Looking to aid the beautiful Fae, Anaya, and her soul mate, Galen, Vax must enter a world of sex of violence with only Vlad to accompany him. Here, there can be no denial, no hesitation. Only truth....and dominance.
A war is brewing in the Fae lands, as the fallen angels rise to lay claim to the power of their goddess, Verlaine and topple their higher brethren. Older than most, Vlad must accustom himself to having a soul mate, and use all his legendary power to stop the forces of darkness long believed to be controlled by him. A new kingdom is the prize, and none knows better than the famed Dracula that the secret to power lies in the blood.

Book Links:
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Meet the Characters:

Vladimir Dracula

AKA: Vlad, Vlad the Impaler, Dracula
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 315 pounds
Hair: shoulder length, brown
Origin: A human follower of Jarel, the Black Dragon god. He was caught in the crossfire of Jarel’s disagreement with a demon god and the result changed him into one of the first vampires. 
More info: Contrary to popular belief, he has never sired another vampire. The entire race descends from the married couple, Vacker and Deidre. He has functioned as the final enforcer of the race since its creation. He is lethal in battle, being one of those fortunate enough to have had Jarel’s favor in mortal life first. He is also extremely sexual, with an appeal that draws others to him. He should not be confused with the prince who became known as Vlad the Impaler. He’s far older and earned the name in a far different manner. 

Vax

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 220 pounds
Hair: long, red
Origin: A mortal born witch, servant to Hecate, the patron goddess of witches. He was chosen by the goddess himself to wield the legendary hammer Mjolnir to expel Lucifer from the mortal world.
More info: Vax originally had a bit of a self-confidence issue. Because he’s mortal born, he is not used to the strength and power gifted to him by the goddess. He’s a quick learner, and in fact, had a bit of conflict with Vlad in his first story. He’s the first person to resist Vlad’s charm when the vampire is really pouring it on. 

Anaya

Height: 5’3”
Hair: long, red
Origin: An orphaned Fae, she comes into contact with Brandon during his mortal life and the two have a son, Theo, who eventually becomes one of the Three Fates. She is actually the daughter of the Fae queen and the very first angel, Apollyon.
More info: Anaya was captured due to her softer and trusting nature in the second book, and the reasons are complicated. Her ties to the father of her child as well as her soul mate, in addition to her parentage, made her a target. But she’s certainly come into her own and is no damsel in distress

Galen

Height: 6’6”
Weight: 258 pounds
Eyes: blue
Hair: long, black
Origin: A warrior angel created by an ancient goddess, he has only known war and duty and has not adjusted to the idea of having a soul mate.
More info: Galen has loyalty that cannot be questioned, even falling from grace to aid in the fall of Lucifer. He’s powerful and ruthless in battle, but unfamiliar with the concept of love. It’s taken him a long time to accept Anaya.

About the Author:

Drako resides in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, which you may notice is part of the setting of this series. When he isn’t writing, he’s busy editing for other authors, reviewing books, working, going to college, and spending time with his friends and two nieces. He blogs often and is very active on Facebook while trying to readjust to activity on twitter. His subject matter varies as he likes to talk about more than just his writing. You can check out his posts at his website, drakosden.weebly.com



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WENDY NYSTROM Storyteller

 

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My writing style is, Imagine youself sitting around a campfire deep in the mountains with a huge moon above. The mountain outlined all around while the story teller weaves a tale of adventure with a splash of fun as a pebble skips across the water.
I am a published author, writer, a wife, and a mother of three wonderful children. Wendy grew up in St. Paul, MN, and has lived at different points in her life in Minnesota, Texas, Idaho, Colorado, West Virginia, and Iceland. She currently resides in Michigan (USA). Wendy is an avid reader of many different genres; she love adventures; and devotes some of her time to being active in schools, the local library, and other community projects. She earned a BA in Geography concentration Urban Planning. Wendy began writing children stories in 2005 while living in the wonderful country of Iceland.

Currently spending time in my imaginary world with James and Syvok Adventures Working on my 4th one in the series and developing more adventures. I love my imaginary world. James Saves the Moon, Helga Returns, Tomfoolery and 13 Yule Lads of Iceland, New Moon Brethren.

 

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Washburn's Book Club!: Defined by Others Giveaway!!

Washburn's Book Club!: Defined by Others Giveaway!!:                      For those of you who have read my previous review on Defined by Others, you already know when I say that it is a must r...

Washburn's Book Club!: What Word Truly Defines You?

                             Compunction, exuberant, chaos, and optimism. What word truly defines you? Could it be a single word, or could it be a colorful array of words? "Defined by Others", by M.C.V. Egan takes you on a spiritual journey on what it truly means to define a moment, creating secrets, and what those secrets could cost you. 
                            
                                Anne, is a newly divorced woman, who just found out her husband is coming out of the closet(in a closet). With her new divorce, she heads to her hometown to attend an old friend's funeral. There she is given some "inheritance", which includes a very twisted and witty social mind game they like to call The Catfish Project. With the help of her friend Callie the two go down a road neither of the them thought they would end up, and they find out just who they really are meant to become. 
                           
                            "Defined by Others" is a beautiful, witty, heartfelt story of two women finding themselves in a world that once made sense, and is now turned upside down. If you are curious to know more about this game, then make sure to grab yourself a copy of this amazing tale.

As much as I loved this fascinating story, I also had the pleasure of interviewing the author. So, feel free to join me in my conversation with M.C.V. Egan. 
Everyone has their defining moment. Yet Society believes they deserve the credit most times. What is your opinion about that? How would Anne feel?
1. I think that at different stages of life there are defining moments and some are very personal, even intimate. Falling in love, achieving a personal goal and others are very public, running a marathon, getting married. 
I see public ones as linked to society in different ways but the personal ones, are often important to one individual or a small close group. 
Anne in Defined by Others is lost and confused. She uses a word to define a moment ( every moment) so she can grasp how it relates to her. 
She is struggling between being the individual she hopes to be and fitting into a society she reluctantly belongs to. 
In today's society, more and more people accepting gays and lesbians alike. Both Anne's and Connie's husbands turned out to be gay, and they seemed to accept it. What is your view on the subject? Has it always been the same?

Washburn's Book Club!: What Word Truly Defines You?:                              Compunction, exuberant, chaos, and optimism. What word truly defines you? Could it be a single word, or...

☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜ New Reviews ˜”*°•.¸☆ ★☆

DEFINED by OTHERS by M.C.V. Egan 

 

 

 

 

 

 ☆☆☆☆☆ 5.0 out of 5 stars What's In A Word? January 20, 2015

By Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Ms. Egan has filled this book with all kinds of interesting scenarios that you would have never seen ten years ago. There is the case of the person going back to the funeral of a classmate that bullied her? Who does that? Then there is the case of the gay husbands, yep, you heard me right, husbands, more than one. Then there is the case of closing up the family home and inheriting a malicious cyber bullying game. This game goes horribly awry and lives are threatened and destroyed. All of this damage is done by playing with people's emotions. It is a tale of intrigue and malicious mischief. It is almost as if the game had taken on a life of it's own being passed from one bully's hands to another.
Now let's add a neurotic, not stable partner in crime and a pistol packing jealous wife from out West. This little tale moves swiftly from one nasty situation to another, you can almost feel the disasters about to happen. The persons playing the game see nothing wrong with what they are doing, they pretty much think they are harmless, or so they say. Ms. Egan has them define every serious situation with a particular word and by doing that and the choice of the words, it seems that subconsciously they know what they are doing is very, very wrong. Yet they continue to play. It is like they cannot help themselves. Even when a love interest shows up, the game is hidden from them.
This tale is very current and right in sync with the times. Reading this makes one think about how mean we can be to our fellow humans and still deny the fact of what we are actually doing. The story does have an interesting side effect. I find myself stopping several times a day and looking for just the right word to describe the situations I find myself involved in as I go about living my life. Maybe if we all did that, we would be a little more aware of what is going on in our lives without the constant denial. Who knows? Maybe Ms. Egan has started a trend...

 

 

 

☆☆☆☆☆    5.0 out of 5 stars What Word Truly Defines You?, January 21, 2015

By 

Patti (The Bookworm) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Defined by Others (Defining Ways Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

Compunction, exuberant, chaos, and optimism. What word truly defines you? Could it be a single word, or could it be a colorful array of words? "Defined by Others", by M.C.V. Egan takes you on a spiritual journey on what it truly means to define a moment, creating secrets, and what those secrets could cost you.
Anne, is a newly divorced woman, who just found out her husband is coming out of the closet(in a closet). With her new divorce, she heads to her hometown to attend an old friend's funeral. There she is given some "inheritance", which includes a very twisted and witty social mind game they like to call The Catfish Project. With the help of her friend Connie the two go down a road neither of the them thought they would end up, and they find out just who they really are meant to become.
"Defined by Others" is a beautiful, witty, heartfelt story of two women finding themselves in a world that once made sense, and is now turned upside down. If you are curious to know more about this game, then make sure to grab yourself a copy of this amazing tale.

 

☆☆☆☆☆ 5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story line, December 12, 2014

By 

Paulette Mahurin (usz) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Defined by Others (Defining Ways Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

What would it take to corrupt someone and break their spirit, drive them to commit crimes and go insane? Pondering these deep questions, venturing into my own soul, is what I’m left with after putting down, MCV Egan’s, brilliant and cleverly written new age saga. What would or could possibly drive a group of 47 year old women to vengeful madness? Can we blame menopausal hormone changes; inherent psychological or post-traumatic stress incident predispositions; fear and denial of aging; or perhaps a mid-life crisis? Certainly any one of these, all of these, or other factors enter into the equation. It takes very intelligent writing to get a reader to a place of really having a look at themselves; but as the author so astutely states toward the end, in the narrative reflection, “can I get to know and forgive, look in the mirror and feel love,” and poignantly she points out, “it’s in there,” one cannot help but self-reflect.
What starts out with the death of a High School friend, Amanda, two of the main characters, Anne and Connie, get together to further the plan of the deceased; to hack cyberspace, make up fake accounts, and dupe other High School friends. The only reasoning is it’s for the forwarding of the challenge posed by the deceased, Amanda. But is that all? Intertwined in the plot is ostensible heartache and betrayal as we learn that Anne’s husband, Frank, and Connie’s husband, Mike, have become lovers. It would make sense then that from this raw vulnerable place they would be justified to embark on furthering Amanda’s sick cyber game of trumped up romance connections with innocent victims.
Whether it’s the pot smoking duo, tainted cookies, (aka: cookie mickey), the inner drive toward friends and to belong at all costs, finding love, and fear of losing it, something is driving the deceit and it is in this curiosity that the glue to the story is woven together with to make it a compelling read. This is a clever story with metaphysical new age scenes, current social medial insertions, and all that makes it ring contemporary. As the plot is carried along to the last and shocking ending, when the last page arrives and is shut it’s hard to stop thinking of this story. That’s the mark of really good writing.

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¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★ STAR RIDER On The Razor's Edge ¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★ by HEIDI SKARIE ¸¸.•¨¯`•. ★

Agent Toemeka Ganti, code-named Star Rider, lives on the edge. Her latest spy mission is to overthrow General Bhandar, the despot of Jaipar, who’s being controlled by Samrat Condor, a mighty sorcerer and interplanetary conqueror. And Samrat Condor isn’t about to loosen his stranglehold on Jaipar. Toemeka is only too aware of Condor: she remembers the time his space fleet destroyed her home planet, killing her family while she barely escaped with her life. Toemeka must preserve her cover, despite secretly taking on many side operations that threaten to derail her primary mission. Her main work of creating a shield-destroying oscillator prototype is a key to winning the conflict. However her overbearing boss Commander Rochambeau disrupts her and pressures Toemeka daily with thinly veiled bullying tactics: either become his mistress or face certain death at the hands of Condor. Michio Kimes, a handsome spiritual warrior training to battle sorcery, seriously complicates Toemeka’s mission. Her only hope of surviving these tremendous odds lies with her trusted Coalition partner Erling Fenian and their rogue team, who band together with the local underground resistance in the fight to free the people of Jaipar and restore the rightful heir to the throne.

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ON AMAZON
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Heidi Skarie's life as a writer began when she had a dramatic dream about a futuristic world at war. The vivid dream was like watching an action/adventure movie. Excited about the dream, she recorded it upon awakening. That night the dream continued where it left off. After six nights, Heidi had a hundred-page journal recording the series of dreams. This awakened her interest in writing, which continues to be one of her greatest passions today. Heidi writes adventurous tales of well-developed characters in this world and imaginary futuristic ones.

Red Willow's Quest (her first published book) tells the story of a young Shoshoni maiden who undertakes a dangerous quest to become a medicine woman. This book's extensive research effectively brings to life the Native American people of the 1800s.

The Bloomsbury Review said of Red Willow's Quest: "Heidi Skarie displays a talent for mystical and spiritual writing . . . I enjoyed Red Willow's Quest from beginning to end."

Colorado Libraries said: "The Story is well written and rings true. Ms. Skarie has a wonderful voice for the character and obviously has extensive knowledge about the life and customs of the Shoshoni tribe."

Heidi has developed a futuristic science-fiction series with romantic elements and strong characters. She also specializes in historical creative nonfiction.

Heidi enjoyed hearing from her readers. Her email address is heidi.skarie@gmail.com

 

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SAMSON

GENRE: Young adult / Romance

PUBLISHER: WDA Publishing

COVER DESIGNED BY Manuela Cardiga

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BLURB

Samson Zondi is just 15 when his carefree teen-life becomes a nightmare. His parents die of Aids, and he becomes the sole support and provider for his three younger brothers.

He has to face a hostile community determined to ostracize them, and discover the murderer of several members of his Church. His only ally is a girl he hates: Nelly, the daughter of his Father’s betrayer, and the ultimate cause of his family’s tragedy…

Samson will have to use all the cunning and courage of his ancestors - Tshaka's fabled warriors - to defeat a hidden enemy, and make common cause with the lovely but irritating Nelly to unravel a mystery, and uncover the truth.

Set in the lovely hills of Zululand, “SAMSON” is a revelation and a hymn to the lyrical Zulu Culture; a cry for help for the millions of Aids orphans in Africa, and above all a great read for the young and mature reader alike.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Author Danie Adendorff was born and raised in the stunning landscape of the ancient Zulu Kingdom in current day KwaZulu-Natal, and he walked the very land of the Bambatha Rebellion (Samson’s famous ancestor).

Danie Adendorff was a witness and a participant in a watershed moment of South African History, and has synthesized that experience and his love and respect for the Zulu Culture into a fierce, heart-rending epic called SAMSON.

CONTACT DETAILS

Danie. adendorff@wdapublishing.com

Twitter: 

SIMSON Amazon Afrikaans: 

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EXCERPT

The humid air is sluggish; hazy with heat. In the distance the Masinga Mountains are veiled with mist, their blue outlines blurred to dirty grey and sinister pall overlays the region.

Inside the kraal - the family’s compound- the huts look like ant hills visited by a marauding Aardvark: shattered, weatherworn, derelict.

His father’s and mother’s hut stands empty. Already the east side of the roof has caved in, and only the section that overhangs the door still stands. There, two pairs of bull’s horns hang. Blowflies buzz and glut on the blood clotted at the base of the horns. They are still gory, still fresh—only two days old.

His youngest grief is only two days old, though he cannot remember its beginning, nor foresee its end.

These are the horns from the bull slaughtered for his mother’s funeral.

These huts were once the mirror of his family’s pride: neat, with whitewashed walls. One hut had been for his parents, one hut for the children, and one for storage; one for guests, and one for the kitchen.

In the last days of his mother’s life she had slept in the guest hut. Samson had wanted to repair her hut, but she had refused.

“Samson, we are guests in this world, and I am soon to journey to my Maker, I need no hut.” She had known she hadn’t long to live.

Samson stares blindly at the rubbish dumped at the door of the hut. His father had become too weak to clear it, then his mother; and as the rubbish dump had grown in height, so had their troubles.

He watches two empty plastic bottles roll down the putrid hill to clank to a stop against a rusted tin.

The cattle kraal is empty too, the goat enclosure vacant. His very soul is empty.

He looks at the graves. The only full things in this place are graves. Two forlorn heaps, two unmarked heaps of dust, all which is left of his former life.

Two chickens cluck past him, pecking idiotically at the dry soil. Loud wailing and curses suddenly fill the air, and the startled chickens squawk and flutter away in alarm. It sounds again: like the fearful wailing of a duiker-fawn caught in the clutches of a caracal, it is a horrible, hopeless cry for help.

“Why Bhaba? Why? Why? Mama why? Why? Why God? Why?” he screams.

It is his own scream, this sound. His.

Cries of hopeless pain tear at his throat, and he cries until there is nothing left; no tears. His grief leaves him dry, dry and barren; like the land without rain, he is left without tears or breath. Desperately he gasps for air. Trails of tears meander down his dust-covered skin. Bone-tired, worn out by a burden of grief beyond his young strength, he slumps down on to the ground and falls asleep.

It is the second day after his mother’s funeral.

It is the second day of the death of his heart, his pride. It is the second day of his birth into a new life.

***

Every Zulu child is given two names at birth: a Zulu name and a Bible name. His father had baptised him Samson Ndlovu - meaning Elephant - Zondi: the strong, the great. His father had been very proud of his first born son. He, that was Samson, had carried his name with great pride.

“Samson Ndlovu Zondi, you are the oldest son of Petrus Zeblon Zondi, fourth generation and a descendent of Bambatha Zondi; the country’s first freedom fighter. There has been a freedom fighter in this family in every generation after him, and you must follow in their footsteps.” His dad had told him this, again and again during his childhood, and again in his grief clouded dream, he hear these words.

He must fight. It his Fate, it is written in his name, and it flows in his blood.

 

 

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