Pump Up Your Book & Devine Destinies Announce The Samsara Chronicles Virtual Book Tour 2012

Join Diana Kemp and Gabriella Bradley as they tour the blogosphere June 1 – August 31 2012 on their first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! Diana and Gabriella will be promoting their series, The Samsara Chronicles (Devine Destinies), and have agreed to give away not only a Kindle Fire but also a $50 Gift Certificate to the person who comments the most on their 3 month blog tour. There’s also an incentive for blog hosts, too! The blogger who receives the most amount of comments will also win a $50 Gift Certificate. If you don’t have a Paypal account and would like to receive your gift certificate from Amazon, that can be arranged, too.

About Diana Kemp

Toronto native Diana Kemp is a multiple award-winning screenwriter and author with one hundred and thirty film festivals and screenwriting competition awards/placings to her credit. She is the co-writer of an NRL (Naval Research Lab) documentary (http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/videos/nrl-extended-video) produced by David Bellino of Second Wind Films.

Graduating with honors from Cal State Long Beach, she began a writing career at the age of seven that culminated in a diversely prolific collection of science fiction, horror and fantasy short stories, numerous short and feature screenplays and three science fiction novels, two of which include The Samsara Chronicles co authored with Gabriella Bradley.

In addition to serving as Executive Producer and Producer on a variety of projects with Michael Gianfriddo, her credits include Blink Black Ops (http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2083939/) and her 3-D science fiction show, Trapezoid, (http://pro.imdb.com/title/tt2160425/), which is in pre-production. .

Diana founded Shadowland Productions and Edge Media with producing partner Michael Gianfriddo and holds positions as CEO and Chairman in addition to serving as an executive for Dominant Entertainment. She oversees all development, production and management for each company.

She is represented by industry veteran Sherry Robb of the Robb Entertainment Group.

About Gabriella Bradley

Gabriella Bradley lives amidst rugged mountains. She more than often has a grizzly in her backyard searching for food. Other critters that visit on a regular basis are cougars, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons.

She has been a writer all of her life, though only ventured into erotic works in 2003. The Samsara Chronicles was born through psychic channeling. Many of the scenes in these books were inspired by David—possibly a writer during his life, a guide from beyond that visited Gabby. During the course of his visits, he told her to involve Diana.

Gabby’s hobbies include hiking, gardening, swimming, sewing, embroidery. Favorite movies are old timers like Gone with the Wind, Spartacus etc. Favorite music is Abba. Besides all that, she owns and directs a busy company and its staff.

http://gabriellabradley.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/gabriellabradley

https://twitter.com/#!/GabriellaBrad

About The Samsara Chronicles

The Samsara Chronicles is a continuing series of futuristic/fantasy books which include Eos, Nadir, Covenant, Itineras, Tempest, Maestrom, Exodus, Nirvana, Netherworld, Bloodline, Entity, Kindred, Nexus, and Equilibrium.

To find out how you can participate in this gigantic tour or find out how you can win a Kindle Fire for your very own, visit http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/05/11/pump-up-your-book-presents-the-samsara-chronicles-virtual-book-publicity-tour-2012/.

Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in virtual book tours and online media marketing for authors. You can visit our website at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Interview with William ‘Bertie’ MacFarland, author of ‘Back Channel: The Kennedy Years’

William Bertram MacFarland – Bertie Mac -never sought – or even imagined – a role as a Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy. Even less did he imagine continuing in the role of Special Assistant to the President in eight subsequent administrations. His degrees from Duke University were in Mathematics and Physics (Quantum Mechanics) but fate and the U.S. government extinguished any hope of a career in those fields.

Eager for adventure and travel, immediately after graduation from university he entered the intelligence arm of the government, did extensive military training, became a U.S. Army Ranger, trained in Special Operations, hand to hand combat techniques, did rigorous advanced parachute training, and went through intensive training in Russian language and culture at the language school in Monterrey, California. Subsequently assigned as a “diplomatic courier” to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, he was callously betrayed by his own government – the government of the United States of America – and turned over to the Soviet Union where he was brutally tortured in Lubyanka Prison at KGB Headquarters in Moscow. He was rescued near the point of death in a clandestine operation carried out by two high ranking Soviet Generals and was entrusted by them with information which became vital to the peaceful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. His unique value to both sides was his profound distrust of both governments.

He slowly came to be a friend and confidant of President Kennedy in his (unsought) role as Special Assistant to the President and he tried in vain (and disgust) to resign his position when President Kennedy was assassinated but President Johnson would not accept it. The knowledge and “back channel” contacts that he had accumulated – and continued to accumulate as his career progressed – made him uniquely valuable to a long succession of U.S. Presidents. His 50 year access to the highest levels of nine Administrations and the highly classified materials that they generated make him uniquely qualified to relate these riveting and spellbinding memoirs. His reputation as being totally incorruptible is not necessarily a good thing in the halls of power and the only thing that has saved him from assassination by officials in his own government is a vast collection of documents accumulated over the entirety of his career which resides in a safe deposit box in a western European country – the key to which is held by a well known law firm in that country. Should he die under suspicious circumstances, those documents will be released to the public – at a horrific cost to hundreds of individuals and indeed, to the nation as a whole.

He describes himself as “a patriot, a soldier, a spy, and an assassin.” The description does not do him full justice. He was involved in intergovernmental intrigues at the highest levels and as a superbly trained and conditioned special operative he was an amalgam of James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Ryan. He is surely one of the American “cousins” described by John Le Carré. Bertie never sought glory or recognition for his contributions. He did what he did purely from love of country. He is a true American hero – who will forever remain anonymous and in the shadows.

His story can be found in his latest book, Back Channel: The Kennedy Years.

You can visit his impressive website at www.bertiemac.com.

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Bertie.  Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

BACK CHANNEL: The Kennedy Years is the first in the Back Channel series and is the first book I have published

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

I self-published because traditional publishers felt the book was too controversial.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It made me realize how much more work I have to do to finish the series.  I’ll hold off celebrating until I’m satisfied with sales.

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I interviewed a lot of publicists until I found one I really liked.  I also created a web site www.BertieMac.com so that people could find out more about the book.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

I’m hoping that ‘practice makes perfect’ but am all too aware that if so, I have a lot more practicing to do.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

I think that traditional publishers are only now beginning to realize the implications of an author’s ability to easily self-publish and create an e-book edition at the same time.  Publishers are structured for competition with a limited group of other publishers – not a mass of determined authors.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Your only limitations are the limitations you place upon yourself.

Pump Up Your Book Announces Extasy Books & Devine Destinies Kindle Fire Giveaway

Join eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies as they tour the blogosphere June 1 – August 31 2012 on their first virtual publisher tour with Pump Up Your Book! eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies have agreed to give away not only a Kindle Fire but also a $50 Gift Certificate to the person who comments the most on their 3 month blog tour. There’s also an incentive for blog hosts, too! The blogger who receives the most amount of comments will also win a $50 Gift Certificate. If you don’t have a Paypal account and would like to receive your gift certificate from Amazon, that can be arranged, too.

About Tina Haveman

Tina Haveman is the founder and CEO of eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies. Tina was born in Europe, left there at age eight, then traveled to several countries with her parents, to finally settle in Australia for many years. She immigrated to Canada in 1973 where she has lived since.

After raising a family of five as a single mother, she finally found time to concentrate on her writing. In 2000 she started her own publishing house with a partner but became too busy with eXtasy and Devine to continue her involvement and withdrew to focus entirely on eXtasy and Devine.

Tina devotes all her time to her publishing house and authors and is grateful for the success her company is experiencing. “After many years of struggling to keep my head above water while raising five children on my own, I have much to be thankful for,” said Tina. “While the company affords me a comfortable living now and I have quite a staff aboard, I thoroughly enjoy what I do and won’t stop until someone up above tells me it’s time.”

About eXtasy Books

eXtasy Books first opened its doors December 2002 with a small website that was soon revamped into a more business like site. Within a matter of months, eXtasy outgrew that website and had to build another site to accommodate its growing catalog. Since then, the site has been revamped a number of times. Our imprint, Devine Destinies, started in 2008 to accommodate mainstream, YA, inspirational and children’s books.

We publish a wide variety of stories ranging from short stories to full books, pricing kept reasonable to accommodate our readers. Prices range from 1.59 to 5.99.

We have an attractive reward program in place. Receive 5 dollars on first sign up for an account that can be applied if you spend 20 or more dollars. For every purchase you receive 10% of your total in rewards. These rewards can be saved or you can use them when you come back to buy more books. We’re always looking for new ways to make our site a great shopping experience. Come and visit us at http://www.extasybooks.com and/or http://www.devinedestinies.com.

To find out how you can participate in this gigantic tour, visit http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/04/17/pump-up-your-book-presents-extasy-books-virtual-publisher-tour-2012-kindle-fire-giveaway/.

Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in virtual book tours and online media marketing for authors. You can visit our website at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Interview with Thomas Laresca, author of ‘I Want to Help’

Tom Laresca lives in New York with his wife and three children. Currently working as a foreign stock trader, he attended college at St. John’s University. Laresca enjoys playing sports and weightlifting.

I Want to Help: My Story About Cancer, Depression and God is his first book.

You can visit his website at http://iwanttohelp1225.com.

ABOUT I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION AND GOD

Tom Laresca lived an average life in a quiet American town: a good job as a stock trader, a wife, a family, a beautiful home. Then in 2001, his life changed.

While living in Boca Raton, Florida, Laresca explains, “I was wrongly arrested and abused by the police. I had been an athlete in high school and college, and had never been in trouble with the law before or since in my professional career as a stock trader. I was put into intensive care, due mainly to being maced for thirty minutes while being pinned down, handcuffed and hogtied. These events all happened in front of my own home in an exclusive gated community.”

Following the assault, Laresca says his main focus was to get the charges against him dropped. “For years, I spent time and money on lawyers to make this happen. The police wanted me to sign a pre-trial intervention (PTI) document, which would make the charges go away but with me assuming part of the guilt. But I didn’t want to do that; I wanted them to admit what they did. I spent years fighting the PTI.  Even though the charges finally went away, I never found out what happened, and the police were never questioned or investigated. This all took lots of time and money, and I had to miss work.”

During this period, Laresca was diagnosed with cancer in three parts of his body and faced the grim possibility that he might only have three months to live. After his treatment and recovery, he then fought a battle with depression.

“Something told me to write about it.” he says. “I wrote the book in one night, sent it out to publishers, and went with the first publisher who answered.”

The book, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD, is a tiny book which, as Laresca says, “is written with the sole purpose of helping others overcome any struggles they may be going through. Not that everyone will go through something as severe as I did, but I believe that most people at some time are struggling with something.”

“The book begins with me learning I had been diagnosed with cancer in three parts of my body. I recount what it felt like to receive the news from my doctor, coupled with the grim possibility that I may have three months to live. I talk about my hospital stay, my fight to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, but most of all spiritually.

“Next, I tell of going through chemotherapy treatments and on to recovery, only to be brought down by what I can only say was crippling depression. I go on to thank God for getting me through all this. Because the truth is that God brought me through it all, and He is waiting to help you with anything you are going through.”

Laresca remembers that as a child, he read Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. “There were two things that stuck with me: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ and ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Those helped me through everything, and I use this [philosophy] every day.”

At twenty pages, I WANT TO HELP: MY STORY ABOUT CANCER, DEPRESSION, AND GOD is so short, Laresca says, because he worked long hours, had three kids, and not a lot of time. Still, he adds, people who have read it tell him that it’s helped them in some way, and that he’s heard that grownups have given the book to their children.

These days, Tom Laresca is much more relaxed, especially now that he’s written the book. “If reading it can help just one person,” he says, “I’ll be happy.”

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Thomas.  Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

 

I am published for the first time.

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

I chose small press, I sent out a one-page synopsis to some publishers and I chose the first one who responded because I believe my message is important and I wanted it out soon as possible.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

It took about a year and a half to get published.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

It feels pretty cool to be published I never thought I would write a book. I haven’t celebrated yet only when it achieves what I set out to do will I celebrate and that is when it helps others. Also I will celebrate when it helps me get the truth out, that I was dead and I know what death is like.

Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

I hired an excellent publicist Charles Barrett he has gotten me on several radio shows to discuss my book and that has been a blast. He has also gotten my book to be reviewed by top book reviewers favorably I may add thank God.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

I have taken what I do more seriously and try to devote more time to things such as this. I believe my message can help others so I want it to do whatever is necessary to get it out there.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

It is a lot more work than I thought and there is a lot more to it then just writing the book.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

The most rewarding thing about being published is the feedback. I have had parents tell me they thought the book was very helpful and handed it to their children and it has opened lines of communication between them. It has been surprising how many people that have confided in me things that they are going through now that they have read this. That is great because no one should suffer alone as I did with depression there is a way out and this book tries to show how I did it.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

I wish you all the luck possible and to go for it dreams do come true. Thank you for your time God Bless you all.

Launching Today: Allergies and Awesome You

Do you have a child with allergies? Can you imagine life allergy free?

The AmazingAllergist will show you how!

Allergies, and Awesome You: Believe You Can Get There Too!

This book, through a life story of an allergic child, will empower you and your children.

Allergies, and Awesome You” is a part of the AmazingAllergist’s Awesome Series that empowers allergic children to live and lead great lives, allergy-free. It is a by-product of the author’s extensive medical knowledge, vast experiences as an allergy specialist, and the desire to make a difference, one allergic child at a time.

Learn more here – http://amazingallergist.com/book/

About the Author

Atul N. Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is a celebrated author of this AmazingAllergist book series, founder of www.AmazingAllergist.com, and the medical director of www.Center4AsthmaAllergy.com. He is a board certified allergist who has earned an honor of fellowships in both the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

He has personally treated more than 20,000 patients, made a significant impact on more than 100,000 lives as an allergist so far, and earned the nickname “AmazingAllergist” from his patients and peers. His work is rewarded daily with numerous compliments of smiling patients and their families. He has been recognized with various awards, including the America’s Top Physicians’ Award, the Patients’ Choice Award, and the Most Compassionate Physicians’ Award. He believes that every allergic child and individual has a potential to live a great life, allergy-free. His desire to empower allergic individuals translated into this series of books.

Meet the Author

Buy the book – http://amazingallergist.com/book/

Join our online community

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAllergist

Twitter – https://twitter.com/LifeAllergyFree

~ ~ ~ WIN A FREE KINDLE FIRE! ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book Tour and the Amazing Allergist are giving away a FREE KINDLE FIRE! Leave a comment below, then head over to http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/05/07/pump-up-your-book-presents-dr-atul-n-shahs-allergies-and-awesome-you-may-8-blog-blitz-kindle-fire-giveaway to enter with the Rafflecopter form.

This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canadian citizens, sorry!

Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2. If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com. You have 48 hours to reply. If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Thanks and good luck!

Interview with R.H. Ramsey: ‘I am a self-published author with humble expectations’

Rhonda Ramsey is a prolific new author who enjoys breathing passion and life into each and every character she creates. She is an avid writer with eleven completed novels, four novels near completion, and five short stories. She is also a military wife, mother of two, and student.

Over the course of seven years, Rhonda has diligently researched topics ranging from but not limited to; relationships, addiction, abuse, and mental illness. With a passion for people, helping, and learning, Rhonda’s zeal for inspiring others through her writing has also expanded to freelance writing and blogging; as she has her own blog, and enjoys contributing to other websites as well. She hopes to continue in her quest of inspiring others as well as learning from everyone she meets.

Her latest book is Just Beneath the Surface I.

Visit her blog at www.arirjames.wordpress.com.

ABOUT JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE I

When Kendall Berkely takes a look in the mirror, she not only desperately wants to run away from the stranger staring back at her; but she also knows that her days are numbered. She can feel it in her bones, and has the bruises to prove it. To make matters worse, Kendall will soon discover that her seventeen year old daughter, Diamond is on a path nearly just as dangerous.

After the demise of the family unit she once knew, a distracted mother, and being forced to accept a new stepfather, Diamond finds herself knee deep in a multitude of mistakes. When Diamond finds herself more lonely than ever before she crosses paths with Bobby Lidell; a teacher’s aide with a dark side. Just as Diamond realizes that she is in over her head, her mother and father have already been notified, and will do everything in their power to protect her.

But what is lurking in the shadows will not stop until a vow has been kept; what is lurking just beneath the surface will come seeking revenge.

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Rhonda.  Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

Hello and thank you for having me!

Just Beneath the Surface I is my first published book, but I do have one other book available for purchase, titled Where were you?.

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

I am a self-published author, and I published Just Beneath the Surface I in February of 2012. I chose to self-publish after more than ten years of keeping my writing to myself. I finally decided that being so unsure of myself was crippling me more than helping me. So I told myself that whether or not I was over looked or rejected, it was better to try and fail, than never try at all.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

I am a self-published author with very humble expectations. If I ever do get the chance to sign a contract, I have a feeling it will be several years from now. :-)

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

When I made the decision to self-publish, and went through with putting my book online, I was elated!

I am finally sharing what I am passionate about, I am receiving some very positive feedback, and I am also learning new things every day.

How did I celebrate — I celebrated by starting the editing process on the next book , and that to me was sheer exhileration! When it comes to writing, finishing what I start so that I can start all over again is a huge rush.

Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The first thing I did to promote my book was an internet radio interview. I was able to share information about the messages I wanted to convey in my book, the characters I created, and a bit about myself as a writer.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

Since becoming published, I have grown in many ways. I have learned to research everything thoroughly; from promoting, to punctuation in dialogue. I have always understood the importance of never being complacent, but with sharing my work being new to me, I have a new appreciation for constructive criticism.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

I am not really surprised. I knew that there would probably be more doors closed than open. I understand that it is very difficult to be ‘discovered’, or to find a literary agent. Although I am still very new, I have researched and heard a lot about the publishing industry; I am up for the challenge.

That being said –  I admire, and I am very inspired by authors who have been able to make a career out of their passion. The authors who are diligent, persevere, and never give and up, amaze me.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

For me, the most rewarding thing about being a self-published author is finally stepping out and sharing my work. For people to say that they were deeply moved, or could see the novel unfold like a movie, is everything that I could have asked for and more!

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Never stop dreaming. Never allow another person to tell you your dream is far-fetched.  Research everything related to writing until your eyes are blurry, because there is always something new to learn.

 

 

 

Interview with Kenny Scudero: ‘You just need to stick with it and believe’

Comfortably Awkward is Kenny Scudero’s debut self-published novel. He is a twenty-two year old author from New York City who looks forward to a bright future in writing. Kenny recently graduated from St. John’s University where he majored in Sport Management. At St. John’s, Kenny was Sports Editor for the University newspaper. After graduating from St. John’s, Kenny had trouble finding a job and wrote “Comfortably Awkward” based off that frustration. He is currently working on his second novel.

You can visit Kenny’s website at www.kennyscudero.com for more information.

ABOUT COMFORTABLY AWKWARD

For Albert Ferenzo, life is a series of ironic events that may or may not have a reason behind them. While struggling to find a niche for himself, Albert blames the corporate world for hindering his dream of making money and living a prosperous life. After playing the good guy his entire life, Albert decides that the only way to get ahead in the world is to be the bad guy. Albert questions his own fate as he drives himself to insanity in an effort to find happiness. The destinies of Albert and everyone around him intertwine as he finally realizes what life is all about or at least, he thinks he does in this revolt against normality.

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Kenny.  Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

This is the first book I’ve ever written and it’s the first time I’ve published.

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

I self-published because I was tired of rejection letters from agents and publishers. I tried going the traditional route but I wanted to get this story out there so I could continue writing on new projects. I did learn a lot through self-publishing but I’d like my next work to be published by a big-time publisher.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

Since I self-published, the process took about two months between creating a cover and going through the reviewing process. From the day I finished writing my novel and began the self-publishing process, my book was for sale two months later.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

I was proud of myself because it took a lot of hard work to do what I did. Self-publishing takes a lot of discipline and it is definitely a grind. I relaxed for a while knowing that the publishing process was complete and I celebrated for a short time with my friends before starting on other projects.

Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?

The first thing I did was paid for advertisements and I learned that advertisements do not sell books. There are much better ways to promote your book rather than using an advertisement.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

Yes without a doubt I’ve definitely grown as a writer. I feel like I still have the same style of writing but I see things a little better now. I understand myself better and I’m able to see what works and what doesn’t. Writing and publishing a book has turned me into a better writer and I can’t wait to finish my next couple of projects.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

It is more difficult than I thought it would be to get a big-time publisher to sign on to your project. I came in thinking that if the great writing is there, you will be discovered. Although I still believe that, I am determined to get a big publisher attached to my next book.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

Knowing that I accomplished something I did by myself is the most rewarding thing for me. On my own I wrote a book, self-published it, and I reached people with my words. When someone tells me they enjoyed my book or they can relate with something specific in my book, there’s no feeling like it. I’m happy that there are people who share the same thoughts and feelings that I have.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

Don’t ever give up. No matter how many times you are rejected, you need to keep plugging away. If you are determined and you believe in yourself, you can truly do anything you want to do. You just need to stick with it and believe.