3 Days with Danny Iny - Book Bash for Engagement from Scratch!

New Blogger Blunders to Avoid At All Costs! 

Everyone and their sister has a blog these days.

And unfortunately, most of them never get seen or read, and the three regular subscribers are the blogger, the blogger’s mom, and the blogger’s other email address.

It’s a sad reality for most bloggers, and the good news is that it can be avoided quite easily.

You see, even though there’s a lot that goes into creating a successful blog, the worst results are usually because of the same few – very common – new blogging blunders.

Let’s talk about what they are, and how to avoid them...

Blunder #1: Blogging for You

When you get into the world of blogging, it’s very, very important to remember that it isn’t all about you. Of course you need to blog about something that you’re interested in and passionate about – but you need to have an audience, and you need to make sure that everything you write interests them.

All the time. Every post.

Readers can tell when you’re interested in giving them content that they want, and are very, very quick to abandon a blogger who fails to meet their needs. Look back at the posts you’ve written in the last few months. Were there any that got a lot of attention in the form of comments or shares?

Good. Write more like that.

Was there a post or two, or three that you sweated over, agonized about and love like it was your own flesh and blood? Did it fall flat? Was it ignored?

It may not be easy, but sometimes you’ve got to hold back on some of the topics you could be writing about – even if you love it and it blows your mind – if they’re leaving your readers unmoved.

Blunder #2: Not Going Where the Eyeballs Are

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, every blog starts out with three subscribers. Of course, if you want to make your blog a successful one, you’re going to attract a lot more people than that!

But how?

Well, you’ve got to put yourself and your content in front of the readers eyes. Don’t worry, there are lots of ways to do that:

• You can share content via social media, like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
• You can guest post on other blogs that are read by the people you want to attract.
• You can leave interesting and insightful comments on the blogs of others – both the blogs of your prospective readers, and the blogs that they enjoy reading.
• You can join can contribute to forums on different topics – those that are similar to yours, and forums on other topics that interest your readers.

Once you choose how you want to get your content out there, you need to stick with it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a big audience.

Blunder #3: Not Having a Plan

Procrastinating is easy. Really easy.

And writing blog posts is one of those things that it is incredibly tempting to put off, and put off, and put off, until you’re scrambling to meet your deadline (or, in extreme cases, missing the deadline) and churning out mediocre pieces that reflect badly on you.

Don’t fall into the procrastinating trap!

No matter what other pressing matters are on your plate right now, the content for your blog needs to be a real priority. You need to plan what you’re writing about and when well and in advance.

It’s not that hard to do; just take a look at the coming year for your blog, and decide on some things that you want to accomplish during that time. Then schedule those things in so that you have a framework of larger goals to work around.

All of a sudden, your blogging is going to be a lot more meaningful – to your readers, and to you.

Blunder #4: Reinventing the Wheel

Learning by trial and error is a time-honored tradition that goes back to all of our childhoods, when we first figured out how to tie our shoes and catch a ball. In fact, trial and error is an important part of most education and growth processes.

But it’s not the best way to build your blog.

The fact of the matter is that there are wildly successful bloggers out there who are willing (even eager) to share exactly how they achieved their success in terms of content, traffic, social media, affiliate sales, you name it.

They want to help you succeed, and they know what they’re talking about, so take advantage!

It’s always a good idea to try and be innovative in your ideas and your delivery – that’s how real change and development happens, but you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot if you deliberately ignore (or fail to seek out) the best practices to start and the worst mistakes to avoid as given and shown to you by bona-fide experts.

Danny Iny (@DannyIny), a.k.a. the “Freddy Krueger of Blogging”, teaches marketing that works at Firepole Marketing. Together with Guy Kawasaki, Brian Clark and Mitch Joel, he wrote the book on building engaged audiences from scratch (available in paperback and on Kindle).

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VBT Pit Stop & Guest Post with Cora Parks - Your IRS Refund

Cora Parks is a Tax Consultant and she is touring with her book, Your IRS Refund. What better time to learn tips and ways to make sure there is no delay in your tax refund than during tax season. Welcome Cora!

Cora Parks is a lifelong Atlantan whose vision is to bring proactive tax counsel and personal responsibility to the masses in the area of taxation.
She is the author and editor of the financial blog Tax Today, a blog that provides readers with information on an array of federal tax topics. She is currently collaborating with PYPTW Inc, a nonprofit organization to start a low income tax clinic in metro Atlanta.

Time Is Winding Up To File 2011 Tax Returns

If you did not file a return for 2011 and were due a refund, the deadline is fast approaching.  In order to collect the refund, your return must be postmarked, properly addressed, and mailed by Tuesday, April 17, 2012.  There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

It is especially beneficial for individuals that had federal income tax withheld from their paychecks or who made quarterly estimated payments. In addition, you may find that you may qualify for refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Credit, which would increase the net amount of refund to you or the Recovery Rebate Credit if you did not receive an Economic Stimulus payment in 2008.

In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Before you file, make sure that you contact the IRS and the Financial Management Service (FMS) to make sure that you do not owe past due obligations.  If you have not filed tax returns for 2009 and 2010 and have a filing requirement, your refund may be held. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

If you need copies of your tax records from previous years, you can request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by ordering them on the IRS website at https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/irfof-tra/start.do, completing Form 4506-T, or by calling 1-800-908-9946.

In Your IRS Refund you will find all the information you will need about an IRS refund, from the options that you have to get your refund, to getting a bigger refund, and getting it faster. In addition, we include little known IRS refund topics, like what to do when you have an expired refund, what to do if you get an unexpected IRS refund and much more.

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S.W.A.K.R. - Review of Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all. 
Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Old Cover - Wonderful.

New Cover - Phenomenal - I love the colors mixed with the perfect contrast drawing your eyes in and around. Gorgeous.

Book Teaser:  Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still "see" things others can't.  When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand has to be one of the most author original stories I've read in a very long time. The main character, Alex, is blind, and that in itself had to have been a big challenge while writing this as Chand is not blind at all. That right there is enough for me to give this title 5 Latte's. There is more though. 

Pulling in and obviously well researched the psychic aspects of this plot, it really makes the story intriguing, one of a kind and the mix of characters I have to say were well blended. As three of the teens try to grasp their gifts, or not as Shapri refuses to accept it, we are pulled into a whirlwind of visions, mystery, and suspense. 

I loved the runes and prophecy at the beginning of each chapter, and I am telling you that I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Each prophecy gave us an idea of where Alex's gifts would take him next and the suspense that went with each chapter kept me turning the pages for more.

If you have never experienced Emlyn Chand yet, then you should. You're going to love this series, oh yeah, did I mention it's a series? Open Heart is the next installment and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Farsighted was a phenomenal read from beginning to end and is a hands down in my top 10 must-reads!

Follow Emlyn's Tour HERE

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For 3 Days Only - Mancode:Exposed by Rachel Thompson $.99 Book Bash

TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE SHOULD BUY THE MANCODE: EXPOSED

10. Men: Clearly, based on the title, this book has to do with men. I’m married to one, have been for almost twenty years. I’ve had several long-term relationships, dated for many years prior, and have been in the workplace since age sixteen. Plus I’m online and interacting constantly with hundreds of guys as part of my social media consulting business and author platform. And they’re kind of always walking around and stuff. I have lots of material.

9. Women: I have two fabulous sisters and a terrific mom, as well as awesome friends and have always worked well with a cadre of chicks. Sure, women are competitive but so are men. We’re all people, right? My book specifically discusses women’s reactions to men and vice versa. One of my theories (after too many martinis one night) is women talk in circles, and men speak in points. Think about it.

8. Sex: Kind of hard NOT to discuss in a book about men and women don’t you think? But I decided to look at it from a different point of view and deconstruct things. Like our private parts – why not? Some people are uncomfortable with it but clearly, not me! I also discuss lingerie – pretty but man, that stuff is itchy.

7. Humor: Much of what I discuss is tongue in cheek, sarcastic, metaphorical. A lot of people have had quite visceral reactions to it because I think they take it literally. And that’s okay – I’m thrilled if I can elicit an emotion in anyone. I just hope people remember this is a humorous collection of essays. I’m no ‘ologist’ and make no claims to be.

6. Chocolate: From my point of view, chocolate is a food group. I can exist on Nutella alone. One guy on Twitter once told me to explain that and about twelve women practically attacked him. Chicks get it, dudes don’t. If we’re PMSing, we become Maleficent. What’s not to get?

5. Martinis: My salvation from a bad day. I’m a vodka girl. I really only have one a week, but I love writing about them. Just the thought of a vodka martini with extra olives makes you – sigh – take a deep breath, right? Hey, I have a drama queen tween girl and a six-year-old Tasmanian devil child darling son. A girl needs her martinis.

4. Stereotypes: There are certain behaviors or ways of communicating that my husband and I engage in. It’s simple fact. That’s what I write about. It’s where Mancode started for me. It’s funny. People can relate to it. We’re not all that different. There are universal truths about marriage, men, women, sex, relationships, etc. This is how stereotypes were formed ‘in the beginning.’

Some people have issues with my book – this is where the controversy comes in – saying I’m simply caving in to stereotypes. I researched stereotypes, DNA, how the male and female brains work, and more before I wrote my book.

Again, this is a humor book. It’s meant to be taken as such. I’m okay with however people want to internalize it and encourage discourse about it. That rocks.

3. Remotes: My guy is pretty obsessed with them. Quantity, volume, types. I could care less where they are or if I put them in a blender one day and crush them to an electronic death they’ll never recover from. Hey, a girl can dream.

2. Chickspeak: I’m quite task oriented (see my COMMUNICATION STYLES post on my blog) but women do say stuff like “I’m fine,” when we’re so not. This confuses men. They think we’re fine. Silly men.

1. Mancode: The main reason you should read The Mancode: Exposed is right there in the title. We’re got their number. Or do we?

I deconstruct the goofy things men do (organize the garage but not the house – what is that?), the brain shelf (why men can only keep three things on the shelf at any one time: sex, food, and sports – as reported to me by several men), and why they’re obsessed with their own bodily secretions (I know—ewww).

Oh, and did I mention The Mancode: Exposed is priced at only 99cents this week? That’s kinda major! And it’s already made it into the Amazon Top 100? And hit #1 on Motherhood, Parenting and Families, and Parenting and Relationships?

So there’s that.

The book is eBook format and is available from Amazon exclusively but remember, you don’t need a Kindle to purchase eBooks – download their free apps for smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet, or cloud to read any eBooks – even if you’re a Nook (or other tablet) owner – you don’t have to miss out!

Be sure to follow Rachel here: her blog RachelintheOC.com, Twitter @RachelintheOC, Facebook and Goodreads. If you need social media advice, contact her at BadRedHeadMedia.com and follow her on Twitter @BadRedHeadMedia.

I'm a chick who writes stuff that makes you laugh. My blog has been nominated for funniest blog this year. I've been told I write in the style of that Dickens guy. Kidding.

I'm a mom, a wife, and a recovering pharmaceuticals rep. It's been a long process but I'm doing okay, thanks.

I usually write about men (The Mancode), marriage, kids, being a mom, living in the OC (ya know--being a pale redhead living in a sea of blondes) and vodka. Not necessarily in that order depending on the day.

I also write occasionally about serious stuff, like the death of someone I once loved or lost love--so don't be shocked if you come visit and don't see the funny.

Don't come here looking to find advice about how to be sweet or nice. I'm pretty much allergic to both of those words.

If you want to learn how to find humor in everyday life, well, I'm really not your girl either. Mostly I just laugh at stuff and make up words (See "Refrigeratoritis and Manesia.")Yet somehow it all seems to work.

And don't call me cute. (Hint: babies and puppies are cute. Grown women are not.)

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VBTC Interview & Giveaway with Author Cindi Maciolek

Cindi is a writer and business consultant, helping small to mid-sized companies with everything from strategic planning to marketing activities. 

Her writing focus is on books, CDs and screenplays and sharing those lessons, experiences and ideas with others.


Her recently released book, Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion, is the true story of life with a diva-tastic cockatiel, a story any animal lover would enjoy.


Java Jems: 5 Minute Inspirations for Busy People, is both a book and CD, a unique combination of spoken word and original music. Her first book, The Basics of Buying Art, is sold out. There’s more to come. Stay tuned!


Cindi was also a contributing writer for The Robb Report and Luxury Las Vegas for many years and had articles published byDelta Sky Magazine. 


Her travels have taken her to 23 countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

 www.cindimaciolek.com

Welcome to BK Walker Books Etc. I'm so happy you could join me today on the patio at Grape Street restaurant here in Las Vegas.

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

CM: I’m a writer and business consultant living in Las Vegas. I grew up in Michigan, then spent several years working in Silicon Valley after graduating from college. I moved to Las Vegas a few years ago. I work mostly with small to medium-sized businesses, consulting on strategic planning, marketing, communications and public relations. I write regularly for Luxury Las Vegas magazine, and I contributed to the Robb Report for several years. Plus, I have my own projects!

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

CM: Divatiel, Reflections of a bird’s companion is truly a labor of love. I had the good fortune to live with a loving, intelligent, diva-tastic cockatiel for 17 years. The book starts from the beginning, when I was trying to decide what sort of pet would best fit my lifestyle, shows how she came into and completely infiltrated every aspect of my life, all the way through to when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It’s truly a story any animal lover would appreciate and identify with. 

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular book?

CM: Since I was blessed to have Jake’ in my life for so long, there are obviously a lot of stories to share. I really had no idea how much fun it would be to live with a cockatiel and how intelligent she was. As time went on, I learned more about her. I let her out of the cage the very first day I brought her home, and she increasingly had more freedom. Some people might get a bit freaked out having a bird fly through the house, but I thought it was beautiful. It allowed her personality to come through.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

CM: I’ve been writing since I was about four-years-old, but I only recently really thought of myself as a writer. I tend to be pretty secretive about my writing projects, so it’s probably difficult for others to think of me as a writer, too. I need to share more in order for it to reflect back.

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

CM: In this particular case, I think it was relatively easy because it was a memoir. When I write fiction, I tend to work through a lot in my mind before I sit down at the computer so I’m generally happy with what comes out. But, then again, I can’t count the number of times I edit!

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

CM: I often work on two or three projects at a time, so if I seem stuck on one, I move to another. I don’t think what people refer to as writer’s block is necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you just need to process what you’ve written before you move to the next step. At times, I’ll read through the previous several chapters to get myself in gear, or go through my notes. I do whatever it takes, but generally if you’re writing on a regular basis, it flows more easily.

Some people get hung up on names of people, places, and so on. I don’t. I keep the flow going and just refer to it in capital letters as a flag that needs to be addressed in the edit. 

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

CM: As I said before, I tend to write a lot in my head before I put it down on paper. I know the beginning and the end, and I have some idea of what I want to happen in between, but I really prefer the story take me on the ride. I enjoy getting inside the head of the characters and letting them have some say in their lives. However, it is quite fun to know that you have complete control over what happens to them!

When I edit, I read aloud and use different voices for each character so I can envision what the project will look like on the big screen some day!

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

CM: I’m working on some projects that I hope will showcase my fiction capabilities since I tend to write so much non-fiction. I truly enjoy writing dialog and creating a complete story from just a thought.

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

CM: I like to educate people when I write, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. I want people to learn something in the end, or to provoke thought or discussion. In Divatiel, I list several things I learned from my little cockatiel. Who knew a human could learn from four ounces of feathers and ego!

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

CM: I think the best thought to hold is that if you want to be a writer, then write. When I meet people and tell them I’m a writer, they start telling me how they have this novel/children’s book/screenplay/song inside of them, just screaming to get out. So, let it scream! Put it down on paper. Writing is a commitment. It sometimes takes years to create what you really love. It doesn’t happen overnight.

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

CM: It’s important to write as much as possible so you can develop your own voice. Don’t be afraid to write! Put as much down as you can, and fix it in an edit. And learn how to type! I can’t imagine writing anything by the hunt and peck method.

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

CM: I’m currently writing a business book aimed at small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. I started it a couple of years ago and although I feel the information is good, it took me a long time to find a structure that worked. I finally decided on what I feel will be the final structure and hope to have that out in a few months.


I’m also working on a chick lit novel that I love, love, love! 

BK: Where can readers find you?

CM: Readers can keep up-to-date with my writing activities at www.cindimaciolek.com, on Facebook at Cindi Maciolek – Writer, and on Twitter at @cindimaciolek.

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.

CM: Thank you for the opportunity!

Giveaway:

CM: I’ll be giving away one signed copy to one lucky person who is new to my Facebook follow list between now and the end of the book tour on March 12th. I’ll post the winner to my Facebook page on March 17th.

Can four ounces of feathers and personality change a person’s life?

She can if she’s the Divatiel!

Cindi was looking for a roommate, and finally settled on a fine-feathered friend who was a gift from a co-worker. What she got was a loving, intelligent, fun, free-spirited, demanding – Jaké.

After recovering from illness that put her near death’s door, Jaké healed and was let out of the cage so she could spread her wings. She lived her life with gusto. Jaké took risks, used her intelligence to her advantage and loved unconditionally. She took charge, not only over her surroundings but over her owner as well. Luckily, she had a cooperative Mommy in Cindi.

Not only was she demanding, Jaké did things some humans have never done. She flew on an airplane several times, went on numerous road trips and ate fresh vegetables daily.

Jaké lived a very long life and had many adventures along the way, most of which are captured in this book.

Jaké was first a gift to William, then a gift to Cindi, and now a gift to the world.
Divatiel: Reflections of a bird’s companion will tug at your heart strings and bring a smile to any animal lover. 

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VBTC Pit Stop - At the Round Table with Mohana Rajakumar, Mommy But Still Me

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is a South Asian American who has lived in Qatar since 2005. Moving to the Arabian Desert was good in many ways since that is where she met her husband, had a baby, and made the transition from writing as a hobby to her full time gig. She has published three e-books this year including Mommy But Still Me, So You Want to Sell a Million Copies, and Coloured and Other Stories. Since she joined the e-book revolution, she dreams in plotlines.

Her work has also been published in AudioFile Magazine, Explore Qatar, Woman Today, The Woman, Writers and Artists Yearbook, QatarClick, and Qatar Explorer. She has been a guest on Expat Radio, and was the host for two seasons of the Cover to Cover book show on Qatar Foundation Radio. She was the Associate Editor of Vox, a fashion and lifestyle magazine.

Website- www.mohanalakshmi.com

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

I’m a woman with a lot of interests who doesn’t believe people when they say you should just choose one.

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

This is my journey from being an academic and professional who worked 80 hours a week (afraid to get a Crackberry because it would mean even more hours) to becoming the sustainer of another life. The book records all the questions, worries, and fears from trying to get pregnant to caring for an infant.

BK: What inspired you to pen this particular memoir?

At first it was something I did for myself: so I would remember these moments and not lose them to sleep deprivation. Then when I thought about epublishing, it seemed like a book that would resonate with a lot of readers.

BK: When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

Um… sadly, about six months ago? But I’ve been writing since middle school. I hand wrote a romance novel in eighth grade. My teacher read it and said it was good. I wish I knew where it was now! I wrote another thing – can’t remember if it was a book or a story—for a teacher as a gift in middle school. My Dad found it, read it, and said “Why don’t you do something more productive with your time?”

BK: How do you keep your story flowing?

Structure is something I impose after a first draft. It’s important to get down everything you’re thinking about the world of the story first, and then go back and look at making it technically perfect. 

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

Now that I’ve a few books under my belt, I ask myself: WHAT ELSE? to keep the plot going. And it helps to talk to other creative people to toss around stories ideas.

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

I teach and also juggle a few standing freelance writing assignments as well as startup projects (plus the aforementioned child and the contingent husband) so I only have a limited time to get things done. When I sit down, I have to get to it in four hours a week or less. If I don’t, it doesn’t get done. Sometimes I don’t make my goal in terms of numbers of words or pages or pieces but I usually I do something. And that matters.

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

I’ve got three novels in the works right now and I’d like to give fiction a good run for my money in the next six months.

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

A world that isn’t the same as theirs maybe in composition – the nationality of the people involved, a foreign setting, but within a story has emotions, dilemmas, characters that do resonate with universal themes in their own lives.

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

Write. Every single day. Even if it a journal entry (Julia Cameron) or a story that’s rejected (Stephen King). And no, email doesn’t count (Me).

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

Ask yourself why and how badly you want to see your work in print. Can you put in the hours it would take to train for a marathon? The stamina to then run one? If other things take priority, you don’t want to write badly enough. And that’s okay. Come back to it. Or it will fade away. And that’s okay too. Writing has become a fad of sorts “I’m working on a book” is something people say to be cool. But don’t pretend to be cool. Do it. Otherwise find something else that’s your true passion.

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

I hope to have an essay collection about living in Qatar ready soon. The editing is as tricky as the writing so I’m stuck there for now. But readers deserve the best so there’s no point in rushing.

I do have another memoir type reader out there already, SO YOU WANT TO SELL A MILLION COPIES? If you like the conversational tone of MOMMY BUT STILL ME, this guide for aspiring writers may appeal to you.

BK: Where can readers find you?

www.facebook.com/themohadoha

@moha_doha

In Qatar. So if you’re in the area, look me up! 

The modern woman's guide to switching from jet setter to incubator, MOMMY BUT STILL ME retells the story of a first time mother with humor and honesty. From sex with a purpose to ankles swelling into cankles, this is a no-holds barred look at the all the changes, big and small; from knowing "hipster" as a term that describes your generation to using it describe where you like to carry things.
Imagine a man volunteering to trade in his game nights for heart burn and back ache. Good thing there are women around to ensure the survival of the species. This hilarious look at the journey from high heels to high blood pressure, as a jet setter turns into a bed wetter, is what your doctor won't tell you and your own mother may have forgotten in the years since she was blessed by your arrival.
"At our first meeting my future father-in-law waited until we sat down in the Thai restaurant, the oblong menus placed in our hands and the waiter was a distance away, tending to other diners, before turning towards me, his eyes glowing. This was the first time we were all seeing each other after his son had proposed to me. "When will I get to hold my first grandchild?" He asked. For my father-in-law and everyone else, I have a question of my own: When will any of you be satisfied?"

Follow Mohana's Tour HERE

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Wet Firecrackers:The Unauthorized Autobiography of Gordon Osmond

Publisher Publish America

Released February 2011

Purchase Links:

Amazon
Publish America

BN

Join Gordon Osmond in his attempt to produce from the disparate elements of his long life some coherent whole and purposeto discover the root causes of the author's ultimate sense of highly partial personal fulfillment.

Long on analysis and short on chronological order, this unauthorized autobiography (sic) takes you to Osmond's diverse domiciles, (the United States, England, Japan, and Brazil), and to his toilings in the various vineyards of law, theatre, tennis, and teaching.

In our lives, we all have episodes of pride and shame, of celebration and despair, and of conquest and defeat. Osmond hopes that this account of these opposite events in his life may in some measure illuminate and inform the reader's own life odyssey.

First off, I love this cover. It really draws you in and begs for you to turn it over to see what's in store. The more I read memoirs, the more I'm really starting to like them. Osmond brought a well written story in his Unauthorized Autobiography. From undergraduate school to not being able to discuss sex in front of his parents or risk getting the lecture on how he will wait until he's married, to humorous satires and California Dreaming,  Osmond puts it all out there with humor, dignity, and I think if he were one of my teachers, I'd have breezed through school with ease.

The world could use more teachers like him, one of those that actually tries to connect with and reach their students. He couldn't have said it better when he said, "curiosity is the gateway to learning." Teachers could realize this more and find ways to pique that curiosity instead of just "teaching". Nothing against teachers, but Osmond is right on.

 I found myself laughing more often than not throughout reading this title, and I would just love to meet this guy in person. "Brazil, where nuts come from and sometimes go to", how could you not find that funny? Overall, Mr. Osmond has been many places, accomplished many things, and he takes you along for the ride as he relives it all. I truly enjoyed this read and would recommend this for anyone looking for a relaxing read and a good laugh.

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The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

Publisher   Mill City Press

Released  July 2011

Purchase Links:
Amazon (Print)
Kindle

"Wicked Wives" is based on the true story of the 1938 Philadelphia murder scandals in which seventeen wives were arrested for murdering their husbands. Mastermind conspirator Giorgio DiSipio, a stunning lothario and local tailor who preys upon disenchanted and unfaithful wives, convinces twelve of them to kill their spouses for insurance money. The murder conspiracy is very successful until one lone assistant D.A., Tom Rossi, uncovers the plot and brings the perpetrators to justice. "Wicked Wives" is a story made for Hollywood, combining murder, corruption, treachery, love, lust and phenomenal detail as it vividly captures Depression-era Philadelphia.

True life crimes - it couldn't get better. From the first page I was drawn in, and my biggest intrigue was that this happened so close to where I actually live. Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, society wives were creating a new meaning to infidelity. Giorgio DiSipio was a ladies man, bedding all the woman unhappy in their marriage. When it came about that they could take out a life insurance policy and reap the benefits upon the death of their unsuspecting husbands, Giorgio wasted no time getting his piece of the pie.

Each woman thought they could change his ways, making him true to one, and one only. Giorgio loved the game and played it well, and none of the ladies get their hearts desire.

Tom Rossi was up for the next District Attorney, and when Lillian offs her husband with poison, her mother-in-law knows there is funny business. Rossi, being very knowledgeable in the symptoms of poison and the diseases they can portray, he has no choice but to go with his gut and investigate. Forcing the issue just may cause him his promotion when Lillian turns out to be the Deputy Mayor's niece. The deeper he digs though, and with more deaths falling under "Pneumonia", he can't let it go with a clear conscience.

Adultery, sex and conspiracy, this title played out like a movie. I could see it all so vividly and Pelagatti did a fantastic job pulling you in and keeping you in until you found out how it all ended. Being a trial lawyer in real life, he was able to paint the picture perfectly. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves true crime, murder, and corruption all tangled into one great read.

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Today Only - Book Frenzy for Immortal Becoming by Wendy S.Hales

Stop in to Wendy's website for full details - http://www.wendyshales.com/immortal_becoming_book_frenzy.html

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Shane Einar is a five hundred year old Volaticus Elven warrior, sworn to duty and honor. His species has inhabited the earth since the beginning of time. The sources of vampire, elf and fairy myths, Volaticus are in reality something altogether different. He never expected to meet Jess Reed. A female living amongst humanity completely unaware that she is Hulven, a human/Elven hybrid race of Volaticus, or that she is on the cusp of Becoming into her Elven traits. Shane should turn Jess over to the Symbiosis of Species Council, SOSC. His attraction to her along with her ability to enrapture him with a smile bars him from it. He rightly suspects that this female is his bloodmate. 
Jess had always been psychic, a painful and confusing fact of her life. Empowered by Shane's love, Jess is launched into a world of unimaginable passion where enlightened species walk among humanity. When given a choice to sacrifice the power and beauty of their bloodmating to aid in the rescue of victimized females from breeding cages under the control of an Elven rogue, they discover that honor and destined love comes with a price. 

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