VBT Pit Stop with HD Hatcher - A Cold Dark Place

Author HD Hatcher is no newcomer on the literary

scene. He is author of In the Heart of the Closet, a

piece nominated for both the 2006 Stonewall Book

Award and the 2005 Lambda Literary Award. He is

an avid supporter of gay and lesbian causes, suicide

prevention programs, as well as Animal Rights.

Hatcher currently resides in the Grand Strand area

of South Carolina, near his hometown of Conway,

with his Life Partner of ten years, Jerry.
 A Cold Dark Place
 One Too Many (a short)
Unloved (Anthology)





Today I am pleased to have my guest author HD Hatcher.  Welcome HD and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today.
 
BK:  What inspired you to pen your first title?

HD:  Being a gay writer, I am always on the lookout for gay stories. Unfortunately, most of the novels that I have read, concentrate on the sex between two men, the drug habits of this one or that one, and the big party that gay people apparently indulge in on a daily basis (which someone forgot to invite me to). There is a very serious and human side to GLBTI community that deserves attention. I wanted to write a story that showcased the emotional and sometimes tragic side of being gay.

BK:  How long have you been writing?

HD:  I have been writing ever since childhood. I am a lover of poetry and this is where I got my start.

BK:  What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?

HD:  A Cold Dark Place was too dark for me at times. As cliché as this may sound, I literally had to dig deep and drudge up dark emotions that I do not normally have. I am a very happy-go-lucky kind of person, and I would have to put the pen and paper down and walk away from writing A Cold Dark Place to recuperate emotionally. 

On a chance meeting, (at a mutual friend’s house) Luke finds the love of his life. Andy is what Luke has been longing for all of his adult years: the perfect man. But, this perfect man is not only straight—he is married to a woman who is more devilish than Satan himself.

In a bittersweet journey that will change his life forever, Luke must reach deep inside and find the strength he never knew existed. A Cold Dark Place is the story of a man who must pick up the pieces of his broken heart after a lifetime of heartbreak and betrayal.

BK:  Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?

HD:  My dream has always been to have someone read my work, and to like what they have read. So, I would say, yes.

BK:  Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

HD:  I want readers to grasp that all gay people are not created equal. As with the straight community, love can be sweet and endearing, but it can also be very tragic. Love knows no gender and neither does heartache.

BK:  Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

HD:  I would love to help in the writing of a screenplay for the movie that someone is making of my book. However, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

BK:  What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?

HD:  Keep writing and always remember that not everyone is going to like your style of writing or even your story. You don’t write for them. You write for those readers that do.
 
BK:  Anything else you would like to share with us today?......

HD:  I had the honor of working with some very talented authors in the writing of an anthology entitled Unloved. Every story deals with either suicide or bullying. All proceeds from Unloved will be donated to suicide prevention and anti-bully education programs. 

Bullying was once considered a harmless rite of passage. Some were either bullied in school or they were the bully. What was once considered an acceptable practice has now been drawn into the limelight by the national attention of highly publicized suicides due to bullying.

Bullying can take on different forms. Bullying is not just a physical act but can also be an emotional, written, or verbal act as well. Bullying can take place in the workplace, school, online, and even while we are traveling in our vehicles on the road. Bullying is a form of abuse that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and civilized nations across the globe.

When bullying goes too far, the end result is sometimes suicide. Suicide should never become an option. One life lost to this senseless way, is one too many!

Seven authors (Jo Davis, HD Hatcher, Omegia Keeys, Autumn Prince, Lisa Rusczyk, KJ Thompson, and Vogue) have joined forces to send one message. That message is, “You are not Unloved!” Unloved is an anthology dedicated to those who have been the victim of bullying, or know someone who has been bullied.

All proceeds from Unloved will go to charities in support of Bully Prevention and/or Suicide Prevention.

HD your books sound great and I cannot wait to read them.  I wish you much success in the future and will be on the look out for new titles from you.  Thank you so much for stopping in and chatting with me today.  It has been such a pleasure :).

HD is currently on Virtual Book Tour and you can view his schedule and follow his tour for your chance to win A Cold Dark Place at The Virtual Book Tour Cafe'. 

        

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VBT Pit Stop with Ami Blackwelder and Shifters of 2040

Please welcome my guest author Ami Blackwelder as we sit down for a nice cup of java and chat about Shifters of 2040.

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

http://amiblackwelder.com

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today Ami.  I'm so pleased to have you here on my blog to discuss your newest release,  The Shifters of 2040.

1.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself for those that may not know of you yet….

I am a teacher and a writer. I spent eight years in Asia working as a teacher, building up English schools.

2.  What inspired this to be a series?

The first book Hunted of 2060 told a short segment of a story in my head and after written, I knew more had to be told, characters would not leave me alone -lol.

3.  Technically you wrote the second book in the series first,  and then the first.  How difficult was that to do?

Well, actually, the series is six books and I write book five first. Originally the book was going to be a solo book, about a girl half shifter and half human and her back story was that her father was alien and mother human.As the final page ended, I realized there was sooo much more I wanted to tell about this story. But book five was the starting point. I then worked on book 3 and then book 4. Now I am working on book 2 and then book 1. Actually, I find this easier, because this helps me know where I am going and allows me to dive further into each character, knowing their fate.

4.  How are you keeping up so well with releasing the next installment?

Very busy. Time Management is a plus. Between teaching, an online job, writing, editing, and promoting, it can be daunting. Actually the whole month of December I took off and only got three chapters done in book 2 this month. I will go head on in Feb and March though. Usually writing takes 3 months and editing takes 1-2 months for me.

5.  I see you have the series pretty much laid out.  How do you come up with your ideas for the next book?

I knew vaguely a story I wanted from start to finish and as I write the details become clearer. I usually have a set of concepts I want to work with, but I write more spring about from characters and events i did not anticipate.

6.  What's the hardest part about writing a series?

I love series writing, because I get to know the characters so well. Hardest -would be keeping track of everyone. How old they are here and who is still around and who is the focus in this book and how much do I tell and did I get the appearance correct…I have to keep it on paper.

7.  I know you've received a ton of reviews,  but how do you handle a not-so-good review vs a really good review?

Well, I think most people have something to say that i can use constructively, whether positive or not, but I have received reviews from people whom I simply dismiss because I pretty much think they don't know what they are talking about and don't have anything beneficial to add. I write what I love. If others love it too, great. If not, I am not changing for them.

8.  Why do you write in this particular genre?  Will you ever write in another genre?

I write primarily in SCi Fi Paranormal Romance. but I have written an Historical Romance and have ideas for contemporary romance and cultural romances. So, yes.

9.  Do you have a favorite author?

Jane Austen,

10.  Who has been your biggest influence and why?

George Lucas, Star Wars I guess. This series reminds me a tinge of Star Wars.

11.  Is there anything you would like to share with my readers?

I am pursuing screanwriters and film producers to help make Shifter Evolutions into an independent film.

I could so see this as a movie and I hope you can make it happen.  Thank you so much for joining me today Ami.  I wish you much success in the future and I can't wait for The Hybrids.

America 2040.
Three Species. Divided Lovers. The Race is on for Planet Earth.


Summary: Set in Alaska in 2040, Melissa Marn and Bruce Wilder must work under the iron fist of the SCM, while still trying to maintain humanity. Discovering a world of shifters and hybrids, the scientists must struggle with human prejudice and betrayal. With the original ancestors, dubbed shifters, still living on earth, humans are in the midst of a fifteen year old war. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices, love on planet earth proves challenging.

With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages.

    
  

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Shadows Series Interactive CD Winner

And our winner for leaving a comment and answering the question about why they love suspense novels is....

KAREN

Congratulations Karen.  I will send out an email to obtain your mailing address.  Thank you for all who stopped in and don't forget to visit Ashley online at Ashley's Bookshelf for more information about her and her books.

Until next time,

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Giveaway & Interview with Ashley Dawn

Today I welcome Author Ashley Dawn.  Ashley and I decided we were in for some warmer weather,  so we will be chatting on the beachfront today.  Welcome Ashley and thank you so much for joining me today.  Ashley is the author of the "Shadows" Series,  and today we are giving you a chance to win both her books on Interactive CD.

First a little bit about Ashley:

Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years. She and her family make their home in TX.

BK:  What inspired you to pen your first title?
AD:  There is a huge list of things that inspired me to write Shadows From The Past.  My mother always entertained us with her amazing stories, she would get into telling stories like ‘The Leaf That Ran Away From Home’ and her stories always had a moral at the end and I loved that and always wanted to do something like that with my imagination.  I always liked writing songs, poems and telling kids stories, so it seemed a natural progression to write some of the stories I dreamed about.

My first novel was written after reading a ‘suspense’ book that was very predictable and I started wondering and thinking if I wrote a book what I would do different and the story just progressed from there.

BK:  How long have you been writing?
AD:  I’ve been writing novels for the past eight years.  In that time, I finished two novels and had them published and started multiple others, but my next title Shadows of Pain is almost complete and hope to have it finished and published this summer.  After that, I hope write more in my Shadows series and maybe complete a completely different book, but it all depends on what strikes me next time I have a pen and paper in my hands!

BK:  What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?
AD:  My second title Shadows of Suspicion was more difficult because in my first book, all the characters were new and I could just use my imagination to make up their pasts and characteristics.  In the second book, I used a lot of the same characters and I had to keep them straight as to who for instance had an abusive past and who has what training.  It is just a different experience entirely and I have completely enjoyed it.  Having to go back and revisit the characters I introduced just makes them more dear to me and I love writing about them!

BK:  Have any dreams been realized as a result of your writing?
AD:  Absolutely!  Having two books published was a dream come true.  My first book was dedicated to my grandparents and I’m so happy they were thrilled with the dedication and were proud of me for the accomplishment.  Their being proud of me meant more than any of the rest!

BK:  Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?
AD:  Yes, I want readers to read my book and understand that God is in control of all things.  No matter what, He can help you and guide you.  If nothing else, I want readers to understand that God loves them.

BK:  Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?
AD:  I hope to write many more books in my Shadows series.  I have four in the series started and ideas for them but actually sitting down and writing them takes concentration and time!  I want complete books outside of that series (one of which I currently have about half done!).  Get my current books out in ebook format is one of my main focuses at the moment so more people can have access to them and make the less expensive to have.  My biggest hope is to have someone touched by my writing, even if I don’t know about it, I just hope it happens!

BK:  What advice do you have for writer's just starting out?
AD:  Be passionate about what you are writing.  If you aren’t passionate about your work, no one else will be but if you are, passion is contagious and wonderful things happen to people who are passionate about what they do.

BK:  Anything else you would like to share with us today?......
AD:  I want to thank you for having me BK!  You have been wonderful to me and I greatly appreciate it!

You can visit Ashley online at her blog Ashley's Bookshelf where you can learn more about her and her books.  She can also be found on Facebook.  Thank you so much for chatting with me today Ashley.  It has been a pleasure and I wish you much success in the future.

Now about her books:

“…It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother’s life…”

Those words haunt her dreams, and her waking moments. LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brothers killer. Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things: memories, guilt…the hit man. Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her.

“Kill her. I don’t care how, and I don’t care where, but I want her dead now!”

Someone was trying to kill his dead partner’s sister. FBI agent, Jordan Reiley will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Even if it means going against her wishes; putting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother.

Will God keep them alive long enough for them to find the truth? 

Revenge is the agenda... "Find my sister." Rick Reiley's words were what drove Luke to search mercilessly for Kerry. He is in a race against time to find her and will have to face more than a criminal mastermind to get close to her. He is prepared to give his life for her, but what about his heart? "...I would like you to meet....My wife." Those words from her enigmatic rescuer threw Kerry more than anything else that had happened to her in the last few days...and that was saying a lot! Kerry's simple life is turned upside down when she is kidnapped and dragged to the middle of nowhere by a madman. She trusts Luke with her life, but can she trust him with her heart? As Luke fights to keep Kerry safe, the chemistry ignites and the danger gets closer. Will God protect them while Luke tries to sort out his heart....and capture Kerry's?

 Shadows of Suspicion




And the Giveaway:

To win an Interactive CD with both Ashley Dawn's books on it,  simply leave a comment with your email address,  answering this question - What do you love about suspense novels?

Extra Entry Points (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

•  Become a new follower of this blog via GFC or Networked Blogs

•  Get a point for being an old follower too

•  Follow Ashley's Bookshelf

•  Follow Immortality And Beyond (new weekly features)

•  Share this post and leave the link where you shared it

Winner will be drawn using Random.org so make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.  It will automatically be assigned a number :).

Thanks for stopping in.  Until next time,

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***** The Price by Leon Newton

Click to Purchase at Amazon

The Price by Leon Newton was my first play write and I wasn't sure what to expect.  I must say though that I truly enjoyed this read.

It starts off by telling you about the characters and the sin they committed,  giving you details such as age,  and scene.

A millionaire is cast to hell after his death.  Standing before Satan he demands that the "paperwork" be checked as there must be some sort of mistake that he is in Hell.  Not only is he in Hell,  but it's so hot and he asks Satan to turn on the air conditioning.

The millionaire does not believe in Heaven or Hell,  God or Satan.  He does not understand why he is here and during the play we see the characters try to convince him of his sins and that he is paying the price for them.  He believes he is a good man though,  and just because he is rich shouldn't condemn him to Hell.

Satan laughs when the millionaire continues to ask for air conditioning and paperwork to be checked.  He tries to tell him that there are only two choices on Earth,  God or Satan. 

The millionaire continually states he doesn't believe in God or Satan,  but only in himself.  As new arrivals take their turn in telling of their sins and why they are in Hell,  the millionaire thinks its a bunch of craziness and that they have sinned and are paying the price,  but isn't convinced that his own greed and arrogance was enough to land him in the flaming pits of Hell.

Annie keeps quoting scripture,  Billy cries he was never told about Jesus,  and the Athlete is ready to kick the millionaire's butt for his arrogance.  When Satan has had enough,  he casts them all to burn and the play ends.

I found myself amused and seeing the message as well.  The Price was a fast paced read,  enlightening the fact that we should live right and by God and not for ourselves.  We should give to others freely,  and not only when we are searching for praise.

Price did a fantastic job and I would love to see this in an actual play.  I think it would be fun to watch and even my 11 year old son enjoyed it.

http://www.thepriceleonnewton.com/

I enjoyed the trailer for this as well and have included it below :).

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**** Completely Whole by Paulette Harper

Life's daily struggles can often leave us perplexed and bewildered on how to cope with hard issues. In COMPLETELY WHOLE, Paulette Harper offers keys to help those who are searching for answers that can lead to a life of complete wholeness: Spirit, Soul and Body. COMPLETELY WHOLE focuses on how to overcome suffering caused by alcoholism, substance abuse, poverty, and other obstacles blocking the path to a life of wholeness


Buy at Amazon

Paulette Harper






 My Thoughts:

This title was a really fast read by Paulette Harper.  I think this title would be perfect for a new Christian,  or someone that needs a better understanding of bible scripture.  If you feel like something is missing from your life,  then you will enjoy this book.

From the first page Harper talks about how you can make yourself Completely Whole,  living by the Word.  From relationships,  to your way of thinking,  to changing the way you look at life,  Harper did a great job explaining how you can apply scripture to daily living.  She even goes as far as to break down the scripture for a better understanding of what it means and how to make it work for you.

The only thing I didn't care for was she used the King James Version of the Bible a lot,  which I never understood.  She does have some scripture from the Amplified version and these are a little easier to grasp.  I use the New International Version which talks in today's dialogue,  and used it to look up the scripture she used to better understand the verse.

My favorite quote that I took away - "No one can do you like God can do you."

All in all,  this was a great book for self exploration,  and for a better understanding on what they mean when they say,  "Live by the Word."

Pauletter Harper is an Ordained Minister,  and she does public motivational speaking.  Her goal is to help women across the board,  and I would love to hear her.  I think she would be a lot of fun and a true inspiration.

A sought after speaker, certified life coach, minister and author. As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Paulette’s desire is to motive women to reach their God given potential through conferences, workshops and seminars. Combining enthusiasm with an energetic speaking style, audiences describe Paulette’s presentation as inspiriting, enriching and encouraging. She is committed to speaking a message that is always uplifting and edifying.

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