Thursday, September 27, 2012

She's Baaa-aaack! Chatting with Omegia Keeys - Single, Black, and Government Owned (VBTC Book Tour)



Welcome back Omegia! We’re so happy to be celebrating your newest release, Single, Black, and Government Owned, with you! Congratulations!

Omegia will be giving you a chance to win an e-copy of her book, so be sure to enter using the Rafflecopter below. Now....Let's just dive in and chat!

BK:  What can readers expect from SBAGO?
OK: Readers can expect to see a lot more emotion from me. I exposed them to the inner thoughts of the mind of Omegia. For those who’ve read my erotic novels I think it will give them a sense of why I chose to write those first.

BK:  Is this a continuation from Rise and Fall of a Track Star, or just another aspect of your life?
OK: This is the continuation. I pick right up from where I left off in Rise and Fall of a Track Star. I split up the memoirs because there was a change in my life which made them two different stories. I didn’t realize it when I first wrote them but the first part is great for the YA audiences and the second dives deeper into adult issues. 

BK:  Rise and Fall of a Track Star was a very emotional process, what was the writing process for SBAGO like?
OK: SBAGO was gut wrenching because it brought me up to the present and I ended the book so close to where I was at that moment in time. It was what I call ‘the man in the mirror’ moment. The good, the bad, and the what the heck was I thinking was staring me smack dab in the face and I had to tell the truth no matter what because everything in there could be verified by someone else. There was one instance I went back and forth over would I in include it or not up until the day I sent the book off for publishing. I wrote it, lined it out, unlined it, then I decided I needed to show it or the reader would miss a big catalyst for change within me. From the response it was the right thing to do. 

In case you missed my live interview with Omegia for Rise and Fall of a Track Star, check it out.
Listen to internet radio with Bk Walker on Blog Talk Radio


BK:  What do you hope readers will take away from your Memoirs?
OK: I want my readers to know that no matter what side of the coin they’re on they have a choice in their outcome of their life. If you go around hurting people in time it will come back on you and if you go around being angry you’ll miss the life in front of you. No one can control things that happen to them but we can control how we react to it. 

BK:  You’ve also written other books in the Adult and Young Adult Genre, what did you find was the hardest part switching to your own life writing from these other genres?
OK: The hardest part was admitting I did things wrong in my life and not some fictional character. But, it allowed me to show how I began writing the other novels. 

BK:  Also a Publicist and Publishing Liason, tell us a little bit about your roles in these, and what you offer…How can someone hire you for your services?
OK: As a publicist I help market authors from those with a first book to those under big name publishers. I bring an out of the box thinking style with selling books by setting up signings/events, getting books in libraries, and school systems. I had one client laugh at me because I set up a signing along with a Passion Party. Well, her book was erotic, so it fit. It worked because she sold the case of books she took to the event. I don’t believe in limitations—otherwise I would have given up a long time ago.
For those who self-publish I also know the publishing aspect backwards and forwards so I can help edit, format, and complete other areas. I can be reached on my contact form via www.okeeys.com.

BK:  Now for a little fun. One place you’d love to visit if you could.
OK: Alaska. I’m determined to see the northern lights. 





Aren't the lights just gorgeous???

BK:  One surprising fact readers would be most shocked to know about you.
OK:  I actually was a lingerie model during a small phase of my life. 

BK:  If you were stranded on an island, what are 3 things you would want to have with you.
OK: Water, Food, pen and pad set (I’d have to tell about my crazy adventure before I went insane lol)

BK:  One person you would have stranded with you and why.
OK: My middle son. He motivates me in so many ways

BK:  Favorite writing must-haves.
OK: PC, power, and the screaming voice in my head. I’ve written while during officer training for the Army so it doesn’t take much. 

BK:  Please tell us where readers can connect with you.
OK: FB under Author Omegia Keeys, Twitter: okeeys

BK:  Where can readers purchase your books?
OK: Almost everywhere books are sold in print and ebook to include, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Diesel, Kobo and this link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=omegia+keeys

BK:  Any upcoming releases or events you’d like to share?
OK:  I mentioned out of the box thinking so I’m hosting the Launch of MeMe’s Passionate Playhouse on Oct. 2nd http://mmpp.eventbrite.com/, and I’ll be accepting my Gold Award for Single, Black, and Government Owned, as well as a speaker for Readers Favorite at the Miami International Book Festival in November, and speaker for the One Karma Publishing banquet in December. 
Next year I’ll be releasing the Soldier’s in Heat Collection. It’s back to the steamy stuff for me for a while. 

Thank you so much for chatting today Omegia! As always, it’s been so much fun. Best of luck in the future!

Thank you for having me and for always helping authors. 

About Omegia:



Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author, Publishing Liaison, and Motivational Speaker are just a few of the makings of O. Keeys (Omegia). After serving two terms in the military Omegia went on to apply her strategic planning to the publishing industry. She has garnered numerous awards and praise to include the Scribe Award for the National Black Book Festival, guest speaker for The Miami International Book Festival, and ranking in Conversations Magazine top 100 books of 2010 and 2011. In between book touring Omegia spends her time dedicated to helping her fellow authors. She has over 20 years in the publishing industry in which she started out as a teen working in her mother’s book store. Omegia has many published books to include (Adult) Passionate, Playmates, Seduction.com, Can You Keep a Secret? and Erotic Moments: Love, Lust, and Desire, (Memoir) Rise and Fall of a Track Start and Single, Black, and Government Owned, (Young Adult) The Baby Girl and Unloved, and (Self Help) The Not So Common Sense Guide for Authors.

Author Links:

Link to Author’s Tour Page – O. Keeys

Single, Black, and Government Owned is the explosive follow up to O. Keeys's critically acclaimed memoir, Rise and Fall of a Track Star. After walking away from a rising track career Omegia joins the military and leaves her son at home with her family.
For nearly thirteen years she balances being a single parent, dating, and her commitment to Uncle Sam. Single, Black, and Government Owned is an up close and personal view into the life of a woman overcoming the challenges of being a victim of sexual assault. This memoir takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride and will leave you feeling liberated.

Genre: Memoir
Release Date: May 9, 2012
Publisher: Passionate Writer Publishing
Purchase Link:  Amazon


Excerpts:
This is Single, Black, and Government Owned

What the heck was I thinking? I stood in front of a brown brick building with about fifty other people, both male and female, being screamed at. We were lined up in four rows with ten in each column. I was in the second row, midway down and an arm’s length away from the each of the four other people surrounding me.
“Drop your bags! Pick them up! Hold them with your arms straight out!” one of the drill instructors yelled.
Dressed in their battle dress uniform (BDU’s) and Smokey the Bear hats, they swarmed us. Something about those hats made them more intimidating. For me, it was because it blocked their eyes, but for those who got the one-on-one attention of the drill instructors, it was something more. The fear could be seen on their faces whenever a drill instructor approached them. One guy with long, blond hair received special treatment with the hat. The drill instructor stood so close as he spoke to the boy, the brim of the hat smacked the boy in the forehead on every other word. By the time the drill instructor was finished, the poor guy had a red indention on his forehead.
“You rainbows are a bunch of freaking idiots! You just couldn't follow directions, could you? The Airman manual clearly said pack two changes of clothes,” another drill instructor added.
I found out later they called us rainbows because it was day one of Basic Training and we hadn't been issued our uniforms yet. The group of us standing together in formation with different colored clothing made us look like one big rainbow.
With my arms out straight and parallel on both sides of my body, I fought desperately to hold up my bags in my hands. My arms were just beginning to feel the burn and from all my years of watching military movies, I knew this was only the beginning. I held back tears as I reflected on what had gotten me to this point.
I was done, defeated. I had just walked away from my one true love—track. Running had been the one thing in my life that was consistent and then it was turned into a vice used by others to put me down. How dare I leave my son with my mother and step out into the world to better myself? How dare I dream to be something different than what I had grown up seeing around me? I was supposed to be like all the others who have a baby as a teen, drop out of school, get on welfare, and let all of my dreams fall to the wayside.
Well, I was determined not to live that life, so I took the scholarship offered to me and went to college. There I excelled academically and in track, but mentally, I was fading fast. The hard, protective shell I had put around myself no longer held the negativity at bay. The shame from my childhood was catching up with me. The more races I won, the worse I felt. Why would anyone like me deserve something good? Who was I to achieve any of the accomplishments I had? If I was so special, then why did something so horrible happen to me? Those thoughts were why I left my love and walked away.
A lonely month dragged by and I began to realize the gravity of the situation I found myself in. It was way worse than the one I had left. I was living in a rundown apartment on the east side of Indianapolis without scholarship money to help pay my bills. The money I made working in the shipping and receiving department of a warehouse only provided enough so I could pay for the daycare in order to get to the crappy job in the first place. I reluctantly picked up a part time job at Walmart so we wouldn’t starve.
Once a week when I left the house, I set off a bomb to keep the roaches at bay. I had discovered the unwanted guests on a trip to the kitchen in the middle of the night during my first week there. When I complained to the rental office, I was handed roach motels. No way was I going to house those things. I wanted them gone, not stuck to the inside of a box in my kitchen.
Thus began my roach bombing campaign. I’d have my son stand in the hallway, I’d set off the bomb, and then run out the apartment. The roaches would disappear for a week and then return. Living in an apartment provided them an escape. They would leave and come back once the coast was clear.
I tried pleading with my neighbors to bomb their apartment along with me, but they blew me off. One day I took matters into my own hands. I saw an open window, popped the top on an extra bomb I had and threw it in. Cursing and screams spilled out into the stairwell. I picked my son up and ran to the car before they came outside and saw who the culprit was. My fear of being caught subsided as I made my way to work. It was gone by the time I got a phone call later that afternoon informing me I had not been hired for yet another job.
After going to more interviews and hearing the same thing over and over—You're a smart kid, but you have no experience—I was beginning to realize it had been a wasted effort for me to have busted my behind trying to erase the stigma of being a dumb jock. My grade point average meant nothing to Corporate America. Neither did my blank diploma. Oh, I had finished college, but somehow Indiana State University claimed I owed money. I was on a full-ride scholarship, but arguing with the Controller’s Office landed me nowhere, so I gave up.
I knew I finished and that was all that mattered. I had completed the American Dream. Go to college and you would land a good job, right? I had yet to see the good job, and from the look of contempt on the last person I had interviewed with, I knew I wasn’t going to find it any time soon.
I made a decision to go down to the military recruiting center, join the Armed Services, and get the experience I was lacking. I did not want to be a welfare recipient and at the pace I was going, I was bound to end up there sooner or later. I chose the Air Force after remembering a conversation with my dad from childhood. He had retired from the Navy and always said he didn’t want his daughter on a boat with all those men and only men with nothing else to do in life should join the Marines. My choices were narrowed down to Air Force or the Army.
Coughing in the phone, I faked an illness to my supervisor and called in sick to my dead-end job. Afterward, I headed over to the recruiting center.
A large man in a tan uniform stood outside the building as I approached.
“Where you going with that funny looking hair?” He stared me down, making my five-foot-five-inch frame feel less than two inches tall.
I had been in a hair show a few days prior, and my hair was burgundy and in an up-do with two chopsticks sticking out of it. Nothing that I would have ever worn had it not been for doing my friend a favor and filling in for one of her no show clients. I wanted to say something smart back, but the look in his eye told me better. Instead, I glanced at the sign behind him and let out a sigh of relief. It read, “Marines.” I was looking for the Air Force or Army office. I sidestepped my heckler and continued to the door beside him.
The sign read “Army” but no one was inside. I continued to the next door, which read “Air Force,” and poked my head in. A man in a blue uniform glance up from his desk, and his gaze immediately went to my hair.
“It was for a hair show. I normally don't wear it like this and the color is weave,” I quickly muttered. I felt like an idiot.
“No problem. What can I do for you?”
“I want to sign up.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes. I just finished college and now I can’t find a decent job. I need to have experience.”
“College, huh?” He smiled. “You have your diploma?”
“No, but I finished and my overall GPA was a 3.89.”
He flashed those pearly whites at me like he had just won the lottery. After introducing himself to me as Technical Sergeant Harvey, he quickly went through his spiel and gave me the practice ASVAP test, a test everyone had to take before joining. He looked at my score and said I could pick any job I wanted, as he slid me a book with all the jobs the Air Force offered.
I read over a few and picked Intelligence Analyst. The job sounded cool, sort of like a spy. Technical Sergeant Harvey had me fill out some more information and a form to take my real test and physical exam the next week. What he neglected to tell me was I’d have to get naked and let some cruddy old doctor look at my female genitalia, walk like a duck in my bra and panties, and pee in a cup with someone staring me down. It was more humiliating than the first day of gym in junior high, but I survived.
I waited until almost two weeks were left until my ship out date before I told my mother what I had done. She wasn’t too happy about it. In fact, she loudly voiced her opinion. Her “What?” still rings in my ears to this day. She had a conference with my oldest sister, Lette. In the end, they agreed to keep my four-year-old son as long as I signed over temporary guardianship to my sister. I was hesitant, but saw no other way.
And that is how I ended up there with my arms held up like an idiot. I think they had it timed just right for us to lower them before they ripped out our sockets. After that, they shuttled us around like cattle up into our barracks on the third floor, females on one side and males on the other. Metal doors kept us separated and someone always had to stand guard to allow entry. No males, unless they were our drill instructors. They even had a sign on the wall in case you forgot.




September 23 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
September 25 - Guest Blogging at Cindy Vine's Blog
September 27 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
October 1 - Guest Blogging at Cafe' Creations
October 3 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
October 5 - Fun Facts & Recipe at Writing Innovations E-zine
October 8 - The Book Connoisseur 
October 10 - Interviewed at MK McClintock's Blog
October 12 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
October 16 - Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library
October 18 - Reviewed at Turning The Pages


Monday, September 24, 2012

GFP Tour: Interview & #Giveaway with Josh Johnson - The Cerberus Rebellion




Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. I'm so happy you could join me today.  Please tell us a little about yourself...

I'm in my late 20s, married with an 18 month old son. I work nights for UPS and write in what little spare time my son allows me.

BK: Please tell us a little about your book....

It tells the story of the nation of Ansgar as a civil war tears it apart. It is told from the perspective of four different characters who tell the story of different aspects of the war.

The Cerberus Rebellion takes a lot of standard fantasy aspects (magic, Elves, mythical creatures) but throws in rifles and railroads. It's not quite steampunk, as it doesn't include more advanced steam-power technologies (ie Airships), but it's in that vein. The Griffins & Gunpowder universe includes a fair amount of political maneuvering as well, though The Cerberus Rebellion doesn't feature this as much.



BK: What inspired you to pen this particular novel?

The Cerberus Rebellion started out as a piece of flash fiction inspired by the thought of a medieval style falcon-hunt but with more advanced technoloy. It started as something much different than it ended up being, but the root of the story and the inpsiration were the same.


BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I've been writing since I was about 13, but I didn't really consider myself a writer until I was about 18 when I started trying to get published.


BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

It helps that I use multiple Points-Of-View, there's always something to tell.


BK: Do you ever run into writer's block, and if so, what do you do to get past it?

Having multiple POVs helps with Writer's Block. If I get stuck on one plot point, I can go to a different character until the block resolves itself.


BK: What is your writing process like? Do you have any quirks, or must-haves to write?

Most days I sit on the couch with my laptop, typing away, making sure my mischevious son isn't tearing things apart, and watching one of his DVDs: Pocoyo, Elmo, the Wiggles or Thomas the Tank Engine.

  
BK: Where do you hope your books/writing will be in the future?

I'd really just like to get to the point where I can make a solid living off of my writing, but in my wildest dreams seeing a movie or series built out of my work would be amazing.


BK: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

I really just want readers to enjoy my work and enjoy the world that I've built


BK: What is one piece of advice you received that you carry with you in your writing?
.
It's extremely cliche, but "Show, Don't Tell" is always in my mind when I'm writing.


BK: What is one piece of advice you would give to new and aspiring writers?

Keep writing; you'll get better. I have notebooks in my basement full of my early writing and I'm the first to admit that it's absolutely terrible. I got better because I kept writing.


BK: Are you currently working on any new projects? What can we expect from you in the future?

I'm currently working on the sequel to The Cerberus Rebellion and book 2 of 6 for this series: The Hydra Offensive. I've also got 3 other series in this universe that I'll be working on.


BK: Where can readers find you?

My website/blog is at www.gunpowderfantasy.com; they can find me on twitter @authorjkjohnson

  
Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a pleasure having you and I wish you much success in the future.


One hundred years of peace and prosperity. War changes everything.

On the world of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist beside rifles and railroads. The futures of two nations hang in the balance as rebels and revolutionaries trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.

Eadric Garrard was raised to believe that as the rightful King of Ansgar, his loyal nobles and fearful subjects answered to his every whim, no matter the cost or consequence. His decision to send his troops thousands of miles away will test that fear, and loyalty.

Raedan Clyve was ordinary until an Elven ritual involving a griffin’s heart turned him into something more. Twenty years later, he still struggles with the magics that rage through his body. His mentor holds him back from his full potential and he faces pressure to find a suitable wife and father an heir.

Hadrian Clyve has picked up where his father left off and works to expand his family’s influence amongst the Ansgari nobility. His aggressive negotiation of alliances and shrewd choice of marriage agreements has earned him respect, and resentment. When his King calls his troops to arms, Hadrian has other things in mind.

After a century of scheming and decades of preparation, Magnus Jarmann is ready to bring his family’s plans to fruition by launching a war of independence that will free his people and return his country to its rightful place among the nations of Zaria. The King’s call to arms creates an opportunity that Magnus cannot afford to miss.

In a war, little is held back; in a revolution, nothing is safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


EXCERPT ONE:

The crackle of musket fire drifted up from the trenches; only a few quick shots at first, but quickly followed by full volleys. Flashes of light marked the battle in the trenches and Raedan listened carefully for the command to push his troops forward. He glanced behind him quickly.

The color guard stood resolute, the banners of Arndell and the North Griffin Cliffs at the front of the formation. A half-company of infantry had been assigned to protect the flags should they come under attack.

Wounded began to drift back out of the trenches. Some retreated under their own power; others were carried between two of their fellows. Raedan tried to count the men fleeing the battle, but quickly lost count.

Finally, the trumpets sounded again, ordering him forward.

“How's it look in there?” he asked a retreating officer. The man wore the gaudy orange of Sea Watch and the stripes of a captain. He had taken a round through his shoulder and was supporting a corporal that had taken a shot to the leg.

“The artillery did a job on them,” the captain said. “But they've still got some fight left.”

“All right, men! Let's take it to them!” Raedan started toward the trenches at the double time and his men started to trot after him.

The earthworks twisted and zagged one way and another, slowly leading the infantry closer to the fortress that loomed large above. The sun had finally set and flares were exploding high overhead.

Joshua will be awarding .mobi copies of his short stories (details available at www.gunpowderfantasy.com/products) to one commenter at every stop. Grand Prize for one random commentor and host with the most comments: The Chesian Wars collection (all published 3 short stories and an additional prelude short story exclusive to the collection). 

 Joshua Johnson is the author of "Gunpowder Fantasy" The Cerberus Rebellion (due to release in early July) and the creator of the Griffins & Gunpowder universe. When he isn't working or spending time with his family, he writes novels, short stories and novellas.

He currently lives in Northern Illinois with his wife and young son. 









Goddess Fish Partner

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Kindle Fire #Giveaway & Book Tour with Author Annie Harris - It's Time To Dance


Hi Annie, and welcome to Bk Walker Books Etc. I’m so happy you could join us today in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania.

I too live in PA, actually, really close to you, and I just love the mountains. What is your favorite thing about PA?

AH:  I love the rolling hills in the fall.  The maple trees and oaks are breathtaking at that time of year.

I have worked in the nursing field for many years, so Cerebral Palsy isn’t new to me, but may be to others. Please tell us how living with CP has affected your writing life, and what inspired you to be a writer at all…

AH:   In the African American culture, having a disability doesn’t so much define you, just how you get things done.  I cannot separate having cerebral palsy from being an African American woman, therefore, I speak and write from ALL of who I am.  In all aspects, I move at a slower pace than western culture.  I believe, as a writer, this has given me the ability to slow down and perceive the “core” of things; i.e. that which is essentially true and to articulate and elaborate on that which is not readily visible or usually ignored.
I was inspired as a child to write poetry and keep a journal as early as age 14.  I LOVE TO WRITE!!!!!!!  I don’t really remember NOT wanting to be a writer and using my skill as a way to teach and encourage others.

Do you have any writing quirks, such as music you must listen to, coffee, tea, or other “must-have” you need to write?

AH:  The early morning (around 6:00 a.m.) and I cup of coffee “set the stage” and I am lost in a world of my own where I write my best.  Little editing is needed and I produce my best work.

How do you get in the writing mood?

AH:  By quietly sitting with the intention to write. I waitfor words to come.  I require I significant time of solitude to meditate and pray for what may be most important to commit to paper.

When you wrote the last word for “It’s Easier To Dance”, what emotion did you feel, knowing the next  step would be putting it in front of public eyes? 

AH:  Exhilaration!  A few days later when I handed a copy of my manuscript over to an English professor and writer for editing, I wept  and prayed my story would make a difference  in the lives who needed to read it  most.  I also felt, and continue to feel somewhat vulnerable

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

AH:  Encouragement, inspiration and HOPE!!!  That no matter what has happened in your life, you CAN move forward to find joy  and love!                                  

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

AH:  I’m an avid fan of college sports, especially Penn State football and basketball.  I also enjoy the theater, swimming, and I’m always planning my next trip to the ocean.   I’m very active in my church and volunteer with young children.


What can we expect from you in the future? Any new projects in the works?

AH:  A book on self advocacy is in the thinking stage. I have practiced yoga for 14 years and would like to write a book about my experiences as well.

Where can readers connect with you?

AH:  My web site   www.annielaurieharris.com  is the best place to connect with me.  I am available for speaking engagements.  Fees are negotiated according to size of group and make up of group.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today Annie. I loved getting to know you better and wish you much success in the future.

Thank you, BK.  I enjoyed this interview too.  If any of your readers have questions, please ask them to write the questions in a comment and I will be sure to respond.  I encourage all of them to enter my book launch contest.  I am giving away a Kindle Fire!


Annie Laurie Harris, the oldest one of her ethnicity who lives independently, was born with cerebral palsy. She has defied the odds and challenged the medical prognosis since early childhood. She continues to live a full and active life in her 6th decade. After achieving her Master's Degree at Penn State University in 1985 she worked as a counselor and advocate for those with a history of chemical dependency. In 1990, she was recruited by the prestigious World Institute of Disability to be the Assistant Director of the first HIV/Disability Project. Her grant writing expertise is second to none as private foundations funded her innovative research projects again and again. Since returning to her home state of PA where she lives near her beloved alma mater, Ms. Harris continues to be involved in her community and avidly supports the Penn State athletic program. Once again,her love of writing helps to supplement her income. Her groundbreaking memoirs, It's Easier to Dance, is provocative and thought provoking.



It's Easier to Dance, a memoir, by Annie Laurie Harris, a woman of African American Heritage, born with cerebral palsy, depicts the highlights, turning points and crossroads of her life while living with cerebral palsy. 

Excerpt:

Ticket to Freedom

My mother always stressed great importance in having an education. From early in my childhood, she insisted that I go to school like any other child. She became my first teacher. But never was college considered a possibility. After getting my high school diploma, I went to a rehabilitation center where I entered a typing program. No one bothered to tell me that in order to be a clerk typist, you needed to be able to type at least 40 wpm with a maximum of 5 errors. When I learned this, I felt betrayed, and I quit the program, returned home depressed. There was another reason I wouldn’t see my vocational rehabilitation counselor.   He wanted me to go to a sheltered workshop which was for those whose diagnosis was primarily “mental retardation”.  I didn’t get dressed; I don’t even remember eating regularly. I wondered what would happen to me. Finally, my brother, who was a graduate student at PSU, asked one of his professors if there was some way that his younger sister could go to college. The professor had influence, and recommended to the appropriate people (I assume was Admissions) that I would be able to attend the branch campus for 2 terms and then my acceptance would be based on my GPA.
In Sept. 1972, the year congress passed the Right to Education Law which allowed children with significant disabilities to attend public schools; I became an adjunct student at Penn State University’s Shenango Valley campus. I excelled academically, making the Dean’s List and that next fall, I began my undergraduate degree at Shenango Valley. Being older than the typical undergraduate, I made friends among the young instructors, who loved having me in their classes.  My academic advisor recommended that I be exempt from taking a language (something I later regretted), and she also thought I should not take the undergraduate speech requirement, which included giving public speeches. I went to talk to the instructor, James Elder, who said “Annie, you have important things to say to the world so you might as well start in my class.”  Except for statistics, college, was easy for me… not particularly intellectually challenging.









Follow The Tour:

September 10 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
September 12 - Book Feature & Excerpt at YA Reads
September 12 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Little Book Star
September 14 - Interviewed at Blogzine
September 17 - Reviewed at All Things Books
September 20 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
September 20 - Reviewed at Silver Sleep
September 25 - Reviewed at Waiting On Sunday To Drown
September 25 - Interviewed at YA Reads
September 27 - Guest Blogging at The Bunny's Review
September 27 - Review & Interview at Sky Rose Review
October 1 - Review & Guest Blogging at Whoopeeyoo
October 3 - Book Feature & Excerpt at My Miscellaneous Bookshelf
October 3 - Review & Interview at Turning The Pages
October 5 - Review & Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library
October 8 - Review & Interview at Simple Books
October 10 - Review & Guest Blogging at Black Hippie Chick's Take On Books & The World
October 12 - Review & Guest Blogging at Indie Writer's Review


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Dream to a Book! Interview & #Giveaway with author Rebecca L. Graf - Deep Connections




Please welcome author Rebecca Graf to the blog. Rebecca is currently on tour with the Virtual Book Tour Cafe', and touring with her new release, Deep Connections! Rebecca will also be giving you a chance to win a copy of her book, so be sure to enter via the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win.

Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. Rebecca!

BK: Please tell us a little about yourself...

I am a mother of three children. My oldest who I look up to physically is 16. She is beautiful and almost six feet tall. My son is about the same height and will be 14 this month. My petite youngest is 10. I live with my husband and children in Wisconsin. I was an accountant for 20 years before I took a chance at freelance writing.

BK: Please tell us a little about your book....

Deep Connections is a paranormal/romance/suspense novel about a young teacher who is feeling an attraction for a friend. Just as they both decide to test the waters, they discover that Brenna is being stalked. The person seems to do things no human can do as he escapes out windows several floors up and defy the laws of science. It is about them discovering what the stalker wants and how to save lives. 

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular novel?

I had a dream one night of a man and woman who when they touched felt electricity. It was a signal of their destiny to be together. That is where the title comes from. They have a deep connection to each other.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I got paid for my first article I wrote online. I was paid to write articles that were published for the whole world to see. That was cool.

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

I read it and envision it as a movie. If there is a jump in the film, I know it needs to be smoothed out.

BK: Do you ever run into writer's block, and if so, what do you do to get past it?

I do occasionally and it is normally because I’m tired or too stressed to think. When that happens, I pull away from the story and do something else. If that doesn’t work, I call in some friends who read my work and throughout possibilities. I find the ones I like and then let them morph into what they need to be for the story.

BK: What is your writing process like? Do you have any quirks, or must-haves to write?

I tend to like quiet while I write. Other than that no. Maybe I should develop some to inspire creativity.

BK: Where do you hope your books/writing will be in the future?

I hope where anyone can read them. I want to write hundreds of books. I know the odds are against me, but the stories are there and I want to get them out.

BK: What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

A sense of enjoyment and frustration when I leave them hanging.

BK: What is one piece of advice you received that you carry with you in your writing?

I have to admit that most of the advice given to me was not useful. Most were trying to put me in a mold and my writing in a structured format. I think the best advice was to write as me.

BK: What is one piece of advice you would give to new and aspiring writers?

Sit down and write. Don’t let others tell you if you can or cannot. Just write and don’t stop until the first draft is done. Let it consume you.

BK: Are you currently working on any new projects? What can we expect from you in the future?

Oh, my. Those that know me well would laugh. I’ve got so many projects going on. I am trying to get the sequel of Deep Connections, Dark Connections, to the editor. I’m also working on getting the first two books of my Redemption Series ready to be published in December. These are Christian children’s books about the last days of Christ.

BK: Where can readers find you?

I can be found at www.rebeccagraf.com and at my blog for book reviews and such www.abookloverslibrary.com. I can also be found on facebook, goodreads, and librarything.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a pleasure having you and I wish you much success in the future.


Rebecca Graf worked as an account for 20 years before taking a chance at a dream. Starting off with writing online, she began to build a reputation and a number of followers. Now, she has one children's book, A Gift for a Mouse, published with Deep Connections being her first adult novel. She lives near Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children as well as two cats, Oreo and Cookie, and two dogs, Bug and Mocha. Rebecca has started her own publishing company, Silver Tongue Press, with two partners. Their goal is to help new authors to achieve their dreams. She also spends her days crocheting and knitting....


Twitter: @rebeccagraf



Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.


Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Silver Tongue Press
Release Date: August 23, 2012



Excerpt:

Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in an older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. The old smell of the car was tainted with something repugnant and caused her nose to crinkle in response. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, a gasp involuntarily escaped her vocal cords when she saw he was as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tires left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.

September 13 - Fun Facts & Fav Recipe at Writing Innovations E-zine
September 15 - Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Book Reviews
September 17 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Reviews by Dee
September 19 - Guest Blogging at SheWrites
September 22 - Interviewed at Mass Musings
September 24 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
September 25 - Guest Blogging at Romance That's Out Of This WorldSeptember 26 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
September 27 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews  
September 28 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Whoopeeyoo

October 1 - Guest Blogging at Kimberly Lewis Novels
October 3 - at The Bunny's Review
October 5 - Review & interviewed at Infinite House of Books
October 8 - Reviewed at From The TBR Pile