Book Tour Fun Facts & Giveaway: Chutes, Beer, & Bullets by Jesse Holder

We're doing things a little different today. Please help me welcome Jesse Holder, the author of Chutes, Beer, & Bullets: Not Your Grandpa's War Story. If you've been following the tour, you know that this book has been getting great reviews! Jesse will be offering you the chance to win a copy for yourself, so don't forget to leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter below!


Without Further Ado: Here are Fun Facts with Jesse Holder. Welcome Jesse!!!

Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. Jesse. We're going to have a little fun with you today, just a small step outside of the box :).

BK: Favorite Book of all time?

JH: The Gunslinger by Stephen King.

BK: Favorite Movie?

JH: Brave Heart

BK: Best weapon the military ever let you play with?

JH: Haha, I have to say the best weapon is the fully automatic Mark-19 Grenade Launcher

BK: Night or Day?

JH: Day, I’m a morning person.

BK: Coke or Pepsi?

JH: Undoubtedly Coke! I’m from Georgia, home of Coca-Cola!

BK: How would your friends describe you?

JH? I think my friends would say I am spontaneous, and hilarious.

BK: Panster (write with the flow of the story) or Formatter (planning out your book chapter by chapter)?

JH: I’m a certainly a Panster. I just write, outlines are for O.C.D. maniacs

BK: Name a song that could be the theme song for your book.

JH: Closer to The Edge by 30 Seconds To Mars. It is actually the theme song to it on my book trailer on YouTube.

BK: Favorite scene from your book?

JH: My favorite scene from the book is where my friend rips a stripper pole out of the ceiling at a strip club because he was way too heavy for it, and then we all take off without paying!

BK: Favorite quote of all time?

JH: “If you hold on tight to what you think is your thing you may find that your missing all of the rest" Dave Matthews

BK: If you were stranded on an island, who would you most like to be stranded with?

JH: I think I would rather be stranded with my Zune and a few bottles of vodka than listen to someone whine in my ear all day about being stranded.

Thank you so much for stopping in today Jesse. It's been so much fun!

Jesse will be giving away 3 Signed Paperbacks at the end of his tour, so be sure to enter to get a copy for yourselves!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jesse Holder (1986- ) was born in Valdosta, Georgia. He quickly became known as a "class-clown" throughout his school years. After putting college on hold, Jesse joined the United States Army. He graduated United States Infantry and Airborne School in the spring of 2006. He served in the 173rd Airborne Combat Team in Italy from June, 2006 to July, 2009. He has completed two combat tours, the first being a fifteen month deployment in Afghanistan with the 173rd ABCT; the second being with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq. Jesse is very passionate about friends, family, food, beverages, traveling, and University of Georgia football.

Book Genre: Military, Humor
Websites: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ChutesBeerBullets

Purchase Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Jesse-C.-Holder/e/B0089OWL74
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chutes-beer-bullets-jesse-c-holder/1111098658?ean=9781468575118
http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000521821/Chutes-Beer--Bullets.aspx

Publisher: AuthorHouse Publishing Company
Release Date: May 19th, 2012

Chutes, Beer, & Bullets: Not Your Grandpa's War Story is a humor filled narrative that takes place during the peak of The War on Terror. Follow Jesse is this uncut and unscripted adventure as he leads you through United States Army Airborne School, Europe, and ultimately to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Chutes, Beer, & Bullets is assured to have you laughing, sighing, looking away, and possibly even shedding a tear as you connect with the real life characters within. No doubt you will be longing for more as you turn the final page.

Excerpt

            The door of the C-130 Hercules flew upwards as the hot Georgia air poured into my nervous lungs. The continuous bump of the aircraft was not helping the situation...the sting of diesel nipping at my nostrils. The Black Hat yelled, "Thirty-Seconds," holding up his index finger and thumb. We all replied "thirty-seconds" as was taught to us for the past three weeks. I could feel my right hand tighten around the yellow rip cord. The only thought circulating through my head since I hooked up was, "Is the yellow cord really going to open this parachute that some nut packed?" This was by all means a new experience. 

            "Standby!" the Black Hat barked, and the number one jumper turned to face the rustling Georgia Pines, pissing his pants as he did so...the Black Hat stepped back. I was the #4 jumper, or the fourth person that would jump from the plane. I was just close enough to the door to see the ground zipping by. The planes altitude hit 1,200ft and all I could think was, "What in THE HELL am I doing here?" "Green light go!" The Black Hat responds in a roar, and like ducks following a seemingly retarded mother, we all exited the aircraft. 

            What I confused for the wrath of God was actually the prop blast from our C-130, throwing my ragged body through the air much like your cat does with a cheap toy. I felt my T-10 Parachute opening, "Praise the Lord!" too bad Jesus didn't warn me of the opening shock on my gonads. The straps dug into my legs, and the risers were twisted behind my head. As I am bicycle kicking through the open air to untangle my straps, I see the Georgia clay approaching with terrifying speed. Which way am I supposed to pull the risers again? As I am looking toward the horizon, I hear my 1st Lieutenant yell in agony accompanied by a sickening pop, which was his femur snapping. I try not to focus on the ground, staying as loose as possible. Feet and knees together! Then, as if the entire world is quiet except for the breeze though the pines...I hit like a ton of bricks thrown from the Empire State Building. Hey that was easy; only four more jumps, and I'm a paratrooper!

            After one more jump that day, we run back up to the Airborne barracks at Fort Benning, Georgia. I'm in Delta Company 1/507th. Having just graduated Infantry School on good ole Sand Hill, I am with at least a platoon size of my buddies. One in particular, Clark, is a character from Seattle, Washington. The guy had nothing better to do than join the Army and see where that took him. In between serving time for high-speed chases across Washington State, and almost getting killed by his own dad for walking into the family business un-announced (AHEM...meth lab), he figured why not try something a little less dangerous. 

Being from Georgia myself, I had my own vehicle there at Airborne School. A black 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee named "darkie", my first ride. Clark and I often took it for a spin to my hometown on the weekend or around Columbus to see what kind of shit we could get in. Clark is notorious for getting to drunk and making outrageous claims about spaceships or how he can beat you in any event you think of. Plus, he likes to walk out on tabs...so usually Captain Shitstorm finds us. 

            That evening we decided to go to The Chop house in Columbus. Clark and I frequented this establishment. I heard the food was amazing, but we went for the beverages. The bartender, whose name has slipped my mind, was a hipster kind of guy. He wore a red goatee and one of those damn hemp necklaces, and he drove a 1979 Blue Chevy. Mr. Barkeep claimed he obtained a degree in bartending from one of the wacko colleges that specializes in such things. The steak house was small and sat in the corner of strip mall across from the fabulous Sheraton Hotel, where I had vomited many times in the past and even jumped in the hot tub with my clothes on, but that's a different story. 

            Clark and I sat there drinking a beer. He preferred German beer; I'm a Coors Light man myself. A shot was sitting in front of us, Jaeger-bombs no doubt; Clark would stroke the side of his shot glass like some perverted serial killer until it was time to drop the Black Death into Red Bull. I swear God smites a kitten every time one of those is drunk. Conversation in the establishment was entertaining as usual. Clark was trying to hit on a waitress who was way out of his league, hell out of his division; Clark wasn't much of looker back then, even less so now.

            An unusual cat sat down beside us with jet-black hair slicked back and stripped polo on. He obviously knows the bartender as they exchange words, slaps, punches, and play grab ass a little longer. Meanwhile Clark is eyeing me, like "If you so much as slide a hand on me that's going to be it!" I have been known to throw a few lisps on my words to make the gayest man seem straight. Rex, the gelled-Guido grab asser, turns to us and says, "What are you soldier-boys havin?" Now I may have looked young, 19 at the time, but Clark was by no means a boy. Clark, in his usual forward manner, "Well...what are you buying?" I had another Coors, the grab-asser and Clark did shots of Johnny Walker...talk about a lush.

            After some interesting conversation, we found out that Rex was a geologist for some institute that was going out of business, and I thought the business of being a rock whisperer was booming! Of course Clark in his infinite wisdom knew all there was to know about geology from volcanic ash to the sand in his vagina. Then as if Gabriel himself blew the golden trumpet, Rex and Mr. Barkeep looked at each other and wink. Rex turns to us, "Hey...do you guys play poker?" Now I am a hell of a rummy player, I use to beat one of my best buds every Sunday afternoon but I have never played poker; much less gambled for it. As I am sure you are imagining now, Clark once again in his most matter-a-factual tone, "Oh I'll murder ya...my knowledge of the game and the quickness of my hands...c'mon." I sat there pondering on the meaning of Clark's statement. It was too late though, the gauntlet had been thrown. "Well come on over, Mr. Barkeep will be joining us. I have ten beers and Kevin will be there too." Rex informs us. 

            I don't know who keeps the count of beers in their fridge, or who the hell Kevin is but before I could swipe my handy-dandy debit card, we were out the door, already at a BP gas station picking up a twenty-four pack of Bud Light; neither one of us keeping in mind that we have to do two maybe three more jumps tomorrow. No that never occurred to us. What a grave miscalculation.

            Clark and I arrive at Rex's one-story brick suburban home. One of the older models you saw built in the 70' and 80's, a nice home for a Guido bachelor. The back door opened up into the outdated kitchen, a large wooden dining room table was in the dining room to my immediate right. The table should have given Rex plenty of room to count his beer on. Speaking of beer, low and behold, ten nicely arranged Bud Lights in the refrigerator. I'm no doctor, but I think someone had a touch of O.C.D. Only about five minutes had passed when Mr. Barkeep arrived. Rex had given Clark and me the grand tour of his lair, surprisingly not brandishing a plate of Fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti.

July 17 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
July 19 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
July23 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
July 25 - Guest Blogging at Whoopeeyoo
July 27 - Fun Facts Interview at BK Walker Books Etc.
July 31 - Interviewed at Playful Creative
August 1 - Guest Blogging at The Bunny's Review
August 3 - Author Favorite Recipe & Interview at Writing Innovations
August 7 - Interviewed at Mass Musings
August 9 - Interviewed at From The Mind Of Omegia
August 13 - Interviewed at Ink in the Book
August 15 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
August 17 - Review & Interview at A Book Lover's Library
August 20 - Interviewed by Louise James
August 22 - Review & Interview at Infinite House of Books
August 24 -  Guest Blogging at Wise Words

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3 Rules to Writing A Good Series: Guest Post & Giveaway by Lola James

Guest post with Lola James, touring now with her second installment in the Spellbound Series, Unbound! Welcome Lola!

Guest post by Lola James

The Rules of a good Series

When I wrote my first book I thought to myself I cannot write a series, for one I get bored super easy and two that’s a lot of writing. Well, here I am the author of two series and I still don’t know how I do it.

I do know that I outline my stories to death, so I have come up with the rules to follow for the thought process behind a series.

Rule one: Create compelling characters

These characters can be human, vampire, werewolf or otherwise but just make them interesting. I recently read a story that had a main character was a werewolf with a bum leg. What made the story interesting was the fact that she persevered with her bum leg to become the leader of the pack.

Rule two: Create a gripping story

In paranormal stories, you have to spice it up. Let’s not just have the typical human and the paranormal being story. Add an element power or mystery that will make the story pop. In my Spellbound series, I added the Greek Mythology element and I continuously get complements from readers that they love that element of my book. It made for a attention-grabbing story.

Rule three: Cliffhangers

Ok my opinion but I LOVE cliffhangers! So my theory is make them hang BUT don’t cut them off mid-sentence… no one likes that! Let the story end well enough to have the read anticipate the next story not toss the book, kindle, or nook across the room.

As simple as the rules may seem these three rules are important for any good series, in fact I challenge you to look for them as you read my story and/or others. I followed this method and here I am. I will admit that some writers don’t always follow these rules, but the story comes out great. So it’s up to you as the reader to have your say.

Aside from my rules, what do you think makes a great series?

Unbound, Book Two of the Spellbound Series

Toni went from being a doctor, to the lover of a god in an instant. Remembering who she was, she's now torn between her past self and her current love. Ben is stunned when Toni leaves and at the arrival of his long lost love, Catherine, but her arrival doesn't eradicate Toni from his mind. Unlikely allies will team up to get Toni back from the Lord of the Underworld, Hades, but it's not Hades they need to worry about.

Excerpt 1

“She knew I was a vampire.” I dropped my head as astonishment casted over Kevin’s face. “It is my fault she is with Hades, I’ll take that blame.” I swallowed the lump in my throat that formed around my next words. “Do it, take me this pain away from me!” Kevin pressed the stake hard to my chest, and I closed my eyes, preparing to die.

In a flash, Catherine tackled Kevin to the ground, knocking the stake out of his hands. Dawn screamed and I picked up the stake with the swiftest of movements and drove it through Catherine’s back. She turned to ash while still atop Kevin whose eyes widened in shock.

We looked at one another, both bewildered, in the moment before I offered my hand to help him from the floor. Dawn eased closer toward us. As Kevin brushed Catherine’s dust off him; then he picked up his stake, and returned it to his back pocket. Kevin stared at me for a long moment before he gave a nod. "For now, vampire."

Lola will be offering a $25 Gift Card to readers choice of Barnes and Noble or Amazon at the end of her tour. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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Lola James has been reading romance novels since her teens, and fell in love with the paranormal after discovering Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Her love of the dark worlds of vampires and witches, as well as her fascination with Greek mythology led her to create the Spellbound Series, an ongoing Paranormal Romance combining all of the above into tales of suspense with a little bit of humor in an Urban Fantasy setting.

A long time lover of reading and writing with a passion for a great story, James became discouraged by the complicated and arbitrary publishing process, James had initially set down her laptop and her hopes of being a writer. However, with the purchase of her first e-reader, James became re-energized by the new possibilities for an undiscovered author to reach the masses. Dusting off her keyboard she finally finished Bound to Remember, the first book of the Spellbound Series and self-published it. Energized and ambitious, James is now hard at work on both the Spellbound Series as well as the Fate Series, a paranormal romance about dreams and what happens if they come true.

Living in Southern California with her two beautiful children, James finds time to write in between her full-time job as a mother as well as her other full-time job as an HR manager, as well as her academic schedule as she studies for her Master’s degree which she hopes to complete in 2013. With the success of Bound to Remember, James hopes to continue to reach an audience that will allow her to leave her HR job and focus on her writing as a full time career.

Lola James, Author  
Website: www.lolajames.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/1lola_james
Blog: http://lolajames-author.blogspot.com
Fate Series Blog: http://thefateseries.blogspot.com/
Spellbound Series Blog:http://spellboundseries.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLolaJames
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lola_james
Buy Books on: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

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