Non Profits Literary Program discussion

Hi Dawn,

Thanks so kindly for the invite! I'm Alayna, the author of an anthology of poetic stories about the complexities of human relationships entitled "Ophelia's Wayward Muse". (you really should read it if you haven't.)

In any case, Dawn contacted me about making a donating to her cause, and I did. Amusingly enough, it turns out her charity isn't based far from where I live! *laughs*

Lovely to meet you all, and thanks to Dawn for her commitment in supporting and promoting a great cause. :)

Hello and thank you for your gracious invitation. My name is Evan Geller and I am a Goodreads Author. My novel, God Bless The Dead is available as both a pBook and eBook in all the formats one could possibly desire. It was recently named a Finalist for Book of the Year by ForeWords Review. I invite you to check it out at my author page here on Goodreads.

All proceeds from the sale of God Bless the Dead are matched dollar for dollar and donated to two very worthy charities, the National Alliance on Mental Illness here in the US and SANE in the UK.

You can learn more and be fantastically entertained at my blog at:
www.thegoatrodeoblog.com

Evan wrote: "Hello and thank you for your gracious invitation. My name is Evan Geller and I am a Goodreads Author. My novel, God Bless The Dead is available as both a p..."

Hi Even, congrats on your book i have added it as to read, i completley support the charities you metioned and my 2nd book is about emotional abuse and depression - well done for supporting and shedding light on the charities for mental illness.

hello all im d.w. jackson. my books are fantasy.the reawakeing saga. so far two books in the series but the third book will be out soon.

I everyone. I am Calvin Dean, author of The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff, a YA horror/mystery. The 300 page novel is about two high school seniors who investigate the suspicious death of their best friend only to find themselves trapped in a pact with perdition. Paperback | Kindle | Nook at Amazon, B & N and Books-A-Million. Learn more here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

Please consider voting for my book as Goodreads April Book of the Month - Small Press. Voting ends April 2. Follow the link: http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/81554

Hello. Looks like I've been invited into a great group of people. I will endeavor to be worthy.

Dawn invited me to donate copies of my book, Knight Before Dawn.


I am sending five copies for the Hospital program, and one signed copy for auction. Additionally, for every five reviews (good or bad) that mention Wee Care, I will donate another signed copy for auction.

Knight Before Dawn is about mistaken identity and a twist of fate that lands a woman 1000 miles from home only to find her true home. It is about learning to trust. It is about learning the hard truth that sometimes the people you love are not worthy of trust. It is about standing up for what is right. It is about discovery and tenacity.

Here is the jacket blurb:
Cassandra Reyes wakes up in a hotel in Juneau, Alaska, with no notion of where she is or why. Cassie recalls only vague flashes of the events that landed her a thousand miles from her Seattle Office, but what she does remember leads her to the realization that she was kidnapped by mistake. When she meets bush pilot Nicolas Knight, she doesn’t know if he truly is just a compassionate stranger, or if he was somehow involved in her abduction.

Nick Knight is baffled by the beautiful woman he encounters in Juneau. Although he finds her hauntingly vulnerable, he is also struck by her remarkable strength, and when he learns Cassie’s story, he decides to help her. Cassie convinces Nick that if her abductors aren’t stopped, they will keep looking for their intended target. Together, Cassie and Nick find themselves risking their lives to protect a stranger from being kidnapped… or worse.

Enjoy!

Dawn wrote: "Thank you Kerry-you are amazing and so very caring! I appreciate everything you are doing to help-please support Kerry she is an amazing author and a wonderful friend."

Dawn, I would love to hear more about the causes you support, and donate a book/books if I can. Would you post that on here or message me? Thanks!

Kerry, is Observation City available in a digital format anywhere? I love my Kindle, though I really want to read your book. I'm just as happy to order it in print, but thought I would ask first. ;-)

And finally, here is some info on my book. Thanks to everyone else for posting their books as well. Looks like some great reading. My "Want to Read" shelf just grows & grows...

Trading Poisons by Angel Lepire
General/Contemporary Fiction
A book about addiction, relationships, and discovery of self. What's different about it is that it's about food addiction & addiction transfer, two subjects rarely discussed and I don't think ever addressed in a fiction novel. There is more info on my website as well. Thanks for taking a look!

www.AMLepire.com

Angel wrote: "Trading Poisons is a book about addiction, relationships, and discovery of self. What's different about it is that it's about food addiction & addiction transfer, two subjects rarely discussed and I don't think ever addressed in a fiction novel. ..."

Sounds like an important topic. I have put it on my list and will definitely check it out.

Kristi wrote: Sounds like an important topic. I have put it on my list and will definitely check it out..."

Thanks Kristi!

Dawn wrote: "Kristi wrote: "Thank you for your generosity. Your books will be used to promote literacy throughout the years :-)

You're welcome.
My husband had a brain injury when he was 3, and because he wasn't as fast as the other kids at learning, his teachers 'felt sorry' and passed him up from grade to grade. As a result, he graduated without being able to read. He finally taught himself at age 23.
His story is incredible; both inspiring and painful. I think of how much I enjoyed reading as a child, and it makes me sad. A good book beats TV any day, and kids today, in my humble opinion, should be encouraged at every turn.
So, thank YOU, Dawn, for your efforts.

Hello all! I just received the email today from Dawn and I am happy to donate first edition signed copies of The Great Succession Crisis dated October 19th, 2012. The book is currently in revised edition, so these copies are limited edition and I hope will really help the literacy program.


I am a world builder hoping to walk in the footsteps of that other brilliant world builder, Professor John Ronald Reul Tolkien, my greatest literary influence. If you like the Lord of the Rings and love that amount of detail, odds are you will love my books too!

Like Tolkien, I do not dummy down my work; I have reference materials in each volume and yes, they are there for reason. Yes, my books get better with re-reading. I liked the Lord of the Rings the first time I read it; I LOVED it after the third time I read it.

Book one, The Great Succession Crisis is released in revised standard edition and extended. The regular book is nine chapters. The extended edition adds two more, plus adds in all five data files reference materials and four non-fiction behind the scenes articles -- plus a recipe for one of the foods I created in the books: Beinarian slatkos.

In book one, we meet Princess Anlei, the daughter of the current sovereign queen who is forbidden from inheriting her mother's throne because she is female. A political romantic adventure drama ensues as Anlei tries to navigate the complexities of feudal gender politics (based very much on the experiences of actual medieval queens). A villain rises up, threatening the princess, a villain whose "ghost" will haunt Beinan in book two.

Book two, Ghosts of the Past, continues the narrative three generations later. Someone -- or something -- is bombing healing centers across planet Beinan. After Lord Knight Elendir loses both of his healer parents to terrorism, his best friend and distant cousin, Prince Kendric orders him to investigate in this murder-mystery where no character is truly safe from danger.

Ghosts spans four generations and includes something like six original songs along the way as characters are born, grow up, marry, have children, and deal with terror. It is a more violent story than its prequel; terrorism tends to be! But it is also a story of hope and especially the story of one mother's love and sacrifice for her children as planet Beinan falls to tyranny and despair.

If you look at my books, I actually put parental guidance markers on my book descriptions which I hope will help each of you make great decisions for your own families.

There is a book giveaway in progress for Ghosts. Please enter if you have not already

Finding Pride is free on amazon right now...

TRAILER: http://youtu.be/Uxd3wfYkOl8
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Pride-S...

Kerry wrote: "Kristi- your book sounds teriffic - im going to be looking at that one too (im a big reader :) wheres the best place to buy paperback"

Thanks, Kerry! If you go to my website, you will find links to the CreateSpace and Amazon product page. If you buy enough stuff to get free shipping on Amazon, get it there, but if you don't meet the free shipping cutoff, I hope you will consider purchasing through CreateSpace. Same price, but my royalty is better through that site.

www.kristicramerbooks.com

On my website, check out my "Work in Progress" page. You will find a link to a preview of my next book, due out this month: "Blinding Justice"
(The preview is pre-copy-edit, but you'll get hooked, I promise!)

Kerry wrote:will do Kristi!!

check out mine at
http://www.kerrylconnelly.wix.com/aut... "i>

I'll have a look at it tonight. :-)

Kerry wrote: "xx awesome....do u have FB too? we can help each other

http://www.facebook.com/authorKerryLo..."

Already done! Here's the link to mine:
https://www.facebook.com/KristiCramer...

Hey there all. Fantastic meeting you. Hope you are having a great day!!

Firstly I have to thank Kerry Connelly for inviting us to this group and also to Dawn for having us here.

My name is Kel Trevisan and I work in a team of 5 and work closely with the Authors. I look after most of the communications/promotional side.

Would like to invite you to check out our Series Jade & The Deva 1st Book 'Hidden Wings'. It is an Australian story and totally original.

When it is about our Environment, the Children and the Future Generation, what is there not to like?

Our Deva's are ‘etheric’ beings: an ancient lineage of architects, caretakers and custodians of the natural world on Planet Earth. They have come to deliver there message to all Humankind and have a distinct purpose.

It is the impossibly possible story told in the seriously unserious way. Moments of hilarity occur throughout, and the quirky characters will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The Jade & The Deva Series is a story for our times and many will recognize their own thoughts and ideas in its pages... It will resonate for generations.

The Deva's would love you to visit their at Website www.jadeandthedeva.com or on our Authors Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/JadeAndTheDeva. You can also follow us on Twitter at Jade & The Deva @jadeandthedeva.

Cheers to you all from the Land Down Under and look forward to seeing you there… Enjoy!

Kel Trevisan

Hahaha! Thank you Kerry. I am glad you enjoy our Deva's. We are just waiting on our new blog (blob) and there is some amazing info on there as well...

Well I am sure you will Love it Kerry. We are getting awesome feed back from the people who have read it so far. More reviews would be great but being new kids on the block as you know it all takes time.

I forgot to mention you can purchase Jade & The Deva 'Hidden Wings' at www.smashwords.com/books/view/245310 and also within the next few weeks it will be available directly from our Website. We will keep you all up to date on this development...

I'm doing a 2 book giveaway this week (until 4/7)

I love doing giveaways for my birthday! Oh, by the way, I'm giving two books away... Because I'm a twin and my sister said so.

Two contemporary romance books, Finding Pride (book one in the Pride Series) and Discovering Pride (book two in the Pride Series).

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Visit me at the below address to enter!

http://www.prideseries.com/blog.html

Greetings, Everyone -

My name is John J Kelley, and Dawn also invited me to donate copies of my debut novel, The Fallen Snow.

What a worthy effort!

I am sending 8 copies for the adult hospital lending program and 8 signed copies for children's program auction. I feel honored to have received the invitation and grateful for the opportunity to share my novel here. Thank you.

My debut novel, The Fallen Snow, recounts the struggle of a young man returning from WWI France to the expectations of a dying boom town in Virginia's western highlands. Through the journey of my protagonist - Joshua Hunter - I explore indelible moments in life - moments of love, fear, agony and ultimately healing. This particular tale bounced about my head for a number of years, even before I began writing, so I'm understandably thrilled to be able to offer the work in completed form now.

I've included the book description below, as well as links for the goodreads page, the novel website, and novel Facebook page. Please feel free to check them out. I hope you'll consider reading my debut novel.

The Fallen Snow is currently available in paperback at Amazon.com and BN.com. It is also available on Kindle, with Nook, eBook and kobo editions slated for release in late April.

Have a great day, everyone.

Be well,


John J Kelley
Author, The Fallen Snow

www.thefallensnow.com
www.facebook.com/thefallensnow
www.goodreads.com/book/show/17242832-...

____________________________________

Book Description:

In the fall of 1918 infantry sniper Joshua Hunter saves an ambushed patrol in the Bois le Prêtre forest of Lorraine . . . and then vanishes. Pulled from the rubble of an enemy bunker days later, he receives an award for valor and passage home to Hadley, a remote hamlet in Virginia’s western highlands. Reeling from war and influenza, Hadley could surely use a hero. Family and friends embrace him; an engagement is announced; a job is offered.

Yet all is not what it seems. Joshua experiences panics and can’t recall the incident that crippled him. He guards a secret too, one that grips tight like the icy air above his father’s quarry. Over the course of a Virginia winter and an echoed season in war-torn France, The Fallen Snow reveals his wide-eyed journey to the front and his ragged path back. Along the way he finds companions – a youth mourning a lost brother, a nurse seeking a new life and Aiden, a bold sergeant escaping a vengeful father. While all of them touch Joshua, it is the strong yet nurturing Aiden who will awaken his heart, leaving him forever changed.

Set within a besieged Appalachian forest during a time of tragedy, The Fallen Snow charts an extraordinary coming of age, exploring how damaged souls learn to heal, and dare to grow.

Hiya everyone! It's nice to meet you all. I'm happy to be part of this! My name is Nastasia Peters (Nas works too) and have recently released my debut novel, 'Altors' (book 1 of 3). It's a fantasy adventure, with a dash of romance and a hint of magic. You can read the synopsis here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17... - I have sent 10 copies of the book to Dawn's lending organization, it just sounds amazing a program!

Some places to find me online:
http://facebook.com/zinctrilogy
http://zincuniverse.com/
http://twitter.com/naspetersAltors

I was very happy to send a couple of signed copies of my new YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology novel . I hope I can entertain some readers. What a wonderful program!

Tellulah Darling
www.tellulahdarling.com
@tellulahdarling

Tellulah wrote: "I was very happy to send a couple of signed copies of my new YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology novel. I hope I can entertain some readers. What a wonderful prog..."

I wish you could 'like' discussion posts!

Today, I've interviewed Kerry Louise Connelly about her wonderful publication, 'Observation City'. Please stop by my blog and read all about Kerry, her books, and her take on writing.

Also, if anyone else is interested in trading/being the subject of an author interview, guest post, or book review, please drop me a private message. :)

"Today is the launch of a new weekly segment on my blog called "Literary Libations". Each Sunday, we chat about books, interview authors, discuss creativity, or provide food for thought. Grab your Bloody Mary and take your laptop to a sunny spot, because today's guest is the cheerful, quirky Kerry Louise Connelly.

Check us out over at my blog,Jaded Elegance: The Uninhibited Adventures Of A Chic Web Geek

Cheers,
*~ A.

Hello Folks,

I just donated a copy of my debut novel, A Breach in Death, to Dawn's group, Wee Care Community Outreach, Inc. For more about the novel, read below. Thanks for your support.

A Breach in Death is a character driven urban fantasy novel that was released by Boxfire Press, an indie publisher based in DC, in March 2013.

Synopsis: Arc is a new Grim Reaper, and his first day on the job doesn't go according to plan. The transition should've been a smooth one, more or less, as it's a process that's repeated itself time after time for eons. Arc died. He still had a debt to pay and this was to be his penance. Soon though, Arc and his fellow reaper Lucy, a guide on his journey into the underworld, learn that something or someone has upset the balance between life and death in a way that threatens us all.

Buy A Breach in Death on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breach-In-Death...

Salty Tails and I are thrilled we could donate a copy of our first book, Pirate Tales, to Dawns group. Pirate Tales

Hello, Dawn asked that I donate a few copies of my debut novel
I am also hosting a giveaway here on goodreads if you want to check out my page there are links to my website/facebook etc. and you can check out reviews if you are interested.
Blessings Dawn for your literary program! What a great idea!!

What a great group! I'm Hal Eisenberg, author of the young adult, contemporary novel, Overnight Sensation, and I recently donated 5 signed copies to the Wee Care Community Outreach program because it's for a great cause. What's the book about? It's about 238 pages long... Okay, all seriousness aside, it's about a 15 year old boy named Jonah who, along with his friends, starts a rock band, which after a series of mishaps and dumb luck, becomes one of the hottest bands in the country, thanks to a song on the radio they took credit for, but didn't record. Oh, and a few months ago, they could barely play a note between them. In today's world, it seems everyone is desperate to be famous in the worst way, and in Jonah's case, that's exactly what happens! You can read about it at: www.hal-eisenberg.com and purchase the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Overnight-Sensa... Okay, that's enough marketing for one comment... THANK YOU DAWN!

Hi Savannah - I'm sorry you did not win my giveaway so I am donating one of my copies of Fatal Breach to the Wee Care Community Outreach program. I hope you like the book and share your experience. Fatal Breach is a murder mystery for adults. Although it is clean mystery - (it does have some violence )- it's not for children. Parts are medical thiller so be careful which hospital patients it goes to. Anyway, please enjoy. Here is the description -
Acting medical examiner, Dr. Amy Daniels and Father Michael Lauretta become entangled in murder at the local soup kitchen in Burlington, Vermont. As their intricate relationship develops, they are drawn into a sinister plot as FBI Special Agent Marcus Cain pursues a deadly internet activist group, known as Shepherd Force. They soon learn, the cybercrime organization will stop at nothing to retrieve an illegal flash drive worth millions of dollars.
Savannah - These are my author links if anyone would like to connect or follow me -
www.facebook.com/lindarawlinsauthor
www.twitter/@lrl8
www.goodreads.com/lindarawlins
www.lindarawlins.com
Thanks again!

My latest book just got released last week (the 11th)

Here is the blurb:
Detective Mitzi Reardon doesn’t know what she did to anger her boss, but he is gunning for her. Literally. Now a prostitute is dead, and she is the prime suspect with the law hot on her heels. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Mitzi’s only hope lies in the hands of a sexy stranger.

Blue Thomas is a stranger in Denver. The bright lights and big city bustle are 250 miles and a world away from his family’s cattle ranch in Kansas, and he is out of his element. He came to find work and save the ranch from foreclosure, but on a rainy night a desperate woman finds him. Back home, he would never let anyone—especially a woman—face danger alone. Without fully understanding what he is in for, Blue pledges his help, whether she wants it or not.

As a trap closes around them, Mitzi must abandon her usual strategy of careful planning and situation management, instead relying on quick thinking and a bold, head-on approach that may just get her—and Blue—killed. Before the last bullet flies, Blue will find out just how far he is willing to go to live up to his old-school ideals of gallant chivalry.
www.kristicramerbooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/KristiCramer...

Also available!
What do Aliens, Musicians, Intergalactic Moles, and Zombies all have in common? The Blues, that's what!

When Marty, front man for blues sensation Marty Pepper and the Shakers, gets the feeling that a fan is stalking him, it turns out he's right! But Zacha is not just any fan. She's a Densitran thief, capturing the Soul right out of Marty's music.

When Marty confronts Zacha at the kickoff of his big tour, he has no idea that the chain of events she set in motion will change his life forever.

To complicate matters, Intergalactic Moles show up to arrest Zacha, and Marty has an unwelcome brush with the undead. Marty finds himself wishing on a star for the life he used to know.

Also, apparently, it is a big deal to some that the cover is lavender, since it was added to the Listopia of "Books with Lavender Covers". ;-)
www.kristicramerbooks.com
https://www.facebook.com/KristiCramer...

Hi, I'm Thelma Zirkelbach, author of Stumbling Through the Dark, a memoir of my husband's and my last year together. I'd love to send a review copy to anyone who would like it. I don't know if it would work for the literacy program so let me know.

Where's Opie? Vanished in ChicagoWhere's Opie?: Life Goes on

My name is Donald Ross, firstly I am a parent of a missing son. Secondly I am an author, defined by the task of sharing the story of my son, my family and the past 6 years of our lives. This is my attempt to share with the world an inside view of the world of the missing. An education, a journal, a book of verse. So I'm not sure I earned my place here honestly, but I do enjoy good company. d:-)

Hi Thelma, I'd love to review your book. Please send me a message if you'd like me to do that.

Donald, you write! As far as I can tell (and I'm new here too) that's all it takes to qualify for the group!

Hi Donald, never worry about that! I'm glad to have you here, and would love to read your story.

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback.

Hi,

I'm and indie author, my first two contemporary romance books are available now. My third, Returning Pride will be released this July.

--------------

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FINDING PRIDE:
Megan Kimble was traveling a long way to find the next chapter in her life, one that would not include her brother Matt. Losing him now was tragic, even more so since she had finally freed herself from the abuse and the shame of a bad marriage. She'd spent years hiding things from Matt, so he wouldn't know about her horrible life. Keeping her secret world of bruises, cuts, and broken bones, much like the one she now sported with a large white cast.
Dealing with her loss was hard, but, now she was thinking of taking over Matt's new business venture. This could be the fresh start she needed, a new town, a new place to forget the pain and maybe she could learn to trust again.
Todd Jordan was a successful businessman, who had once lost it all, and now he'd just lost his best friend and business partner. But, then she came into town broken and scared, and for the first time in a long time he was looking forward to his future. Breaking down Megan's barriers would take patience and strength, and he would need that strength to keep what he loves safe.

----------------

[image error] 
DISCOVERING PRIDE:
Lacey Jordan was a woman who knew what she wanted… and she wanted nothing to do with the new doctor in town. He had the perfect smile, perfectly tan muscles and a way with people. Her people. This was her town, her family, her life, and he’d come in and shaken everything up, including her heart.

Aaron was running away from a hard breakup where more then just his heart had been broken. At this point all he wanted to do was take over his grandfather’s medical practice, and work on his new house, turning it into the first place he could call home. He liked the town of Pride, in fact he’d spent the only good parts of his childhood here. What he hadn’t expected was to bump into a fairy goddess. Bumping hard enough to get a concussion and have his heart mended at the same time.
Then, the town gets a visit that will change their lives forever, if they can survive.

----------------
[image error]
RETURNING PRIDE:
Iian Jordan runs a successful restaurant that has been in his family for generations. He has a large beautiful house that overlooks the shoreline and his hometown. Why then, did he feel like something was missing? And he wasn't talking about his hearing, which he’d lost in a tragic accident over ten years ago.
No, what he was missing was the person who’d just driven back into town. Someone he’s always loved from afar. Now, was when he needed to step up and grab what he wanted, before she gets away again.

In the past two years, Allison Adams has made a name for herself in the art world. Now, all she wanted was some peace and quiet from all hassles and pressures of her demanding career. Some time to get back to her roots and focus on painting. But, when she arrives home, she finds her mother trapped in an illness that consumes her every waking moment.
Just when she thinks she knows the path she wants to follow, everything is taken away from her in one night and she is being stalked by a mad-man. But, with the help of the good people in her hometown, and an old flame, she finds that returning home for good was the best thing that could have happened to her.


For more info, http://www.prideseries.com

Hi everyone

Many thanks to Savannah for inviting me to join your group. It sounds likes a very worthy cause you are promoting and I will be happy to donate two copies of my book.

From the Kitchen of Half Truth is my first novel, and it has just been released in the US, following publication in the UK, Australia and Sweden. It is due for publication in Italy, Spain and Germany this year, so it's a really exciting time! Please feel free to take a look at my author profile on Goodreads or see my website for further details (www.mariagoodin.co.uk).
If you would like to read a sample of the book, you can down load this from the Legend Press website (www.legendpress.co.uk).


My novel centres around Meg- a rational, sensible science student - and her mother, Val, who has created a wonderful world of culinary make-believe in order to protect herself and her daughter from the harsh realities of life. But in the face of her mother's terminal illness, Meg spends one last summer fighting to discover the truth behind the lies. The question is, does she really want to know?

I hope you can take a moment to check out my website, and I look forward to being part of your group!

Thanks Savannah for the invite and I will gladly donate 4 signed copies of my book "6 Minutes Wrestling with Life" to the Wee Care Community Outreach Program. I love the idea of people who are recovering in Hospitals being given books to read - That is when the human spirit needs it the most...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

And for every 8 reviews that mention the Wee Care Program I will donate another signed copy.

http://www.amazon.com/6-Minutes-Wrest...


---------------------------------------------------
6 Minutes Wrestling with Life

What would you do if you were presented with a choice of caring for and trying to cure a sick family member with a brain injury or living and loving life?

I hope you would do what I did.

And choose both.

6 Minutes Wrestling with Life is about the two 6 minute events that have impacted my life.

In 2009, my nineteen your old daughter, Jess, lost oxygen to her brain for 6 minutes.

in 2012, my eighteen year old son, Maverick, won the New York State High School Wrestling Championship in a 6 minute match.

This story is about my journey through the depths of despair to the euphoric highs, and the life lessons that I learn along the way.

It is about the true meaning of sport, teamwork and family.

6 Minutes Wrestling with Life is about the ability to handle adversity and keep moving forward towards achieving your goals in your life.

------------------------------------------------------
Taken from an Interview by the New York Wrestling News:

When the toughest challenge of his life struck, John Passaro understood.

He had been bitter. He had stayed away from wrestling – no participating, coaching or even following what was going on in the sport. After all, he had spent six years doing far more than he was asked. And then his dreams of county and state glory ended when he was injured and didn’t make the podium at the Suffolk County tournament for William Floyd High School.

“I remember putting everything I had into it – total dedication, total discipline,” Passaro said. “If it was an hour and a half practice, I stayed for two and a half. If we were supposed to a run a mile, I ran three. My goals were to win leagues, win counties and win states. I damaged some ribs in the league tournament as a senior and didn’t even place at Counties. I lost to a kid who I teched earlier in the year. I couldn’t believe it. I asked myself what the heck I did everything for. I hated wrestling for a while; I probably avoided it for 17 years or so. I wanted no part of it. I felt like it wasn’t worth it – I did everything I should do and felt like I got nothing out of it. Of course, I was wrong.”

While he slowly changed his mind and got back into the sport with sons Maverick and Travis, it was when his daughter Jess was suddenly rushed to the hospital with a brain injury in 2009 that he realized wrestling gave him the tools he needed to face a foe more powerful than ever before.

“I never realized what wrestling meant to me until I had adversity,” Passaro said. “It just kicks in and you go into wrestling mode. You block everything out, you figure out what the obstacles are and figure out how you will overcome each one. There are setbacks and you work harder. You work as hard as you think is possible and then you have to work harder again. It’s about constantly moving forward and not listening to the noise around you. The biggest thing about wrestling is that you always reach a point when you’re on the mat with someone better than you. You have to find a way to win anyway. Life is the same way. There are things bigger than you; my family was faced with an opponent much bigger than us. You still have to come up with a plan to win. You realize you have the ability to take yourself to levels you never thought possible.”

In his book, Passaro brings it all to life, telling the tale of what can happen when a family believes and sacrifices, even in the face of unlikely odds. It details the battle Jess and the Passaro family had (and have) in dealing with significant illness and talks about the trials and triumphs of sons Maverick and Travis, both All-State grapplers in New York.

We don’t want to give away too much because the book is worth reading. It pulls no punches and will move, touch and inspire. You’ll feel the power of the story.

For the rest of the interview:

http://newyorkwrestlingnews.com/winni...

Please LIKE my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/6minuteswres...

I've been interviewed by the Savvy Indie, and although I'm not normally the type of person who'd have much to say to a motivational writer and speaker, it all worked out rather well!

Please stop by and press the "Like" button or leave a comment of love and encouragement for little old me...and for all indie authors out there!

Cheers,
*~ Alayna

Thank you.

Thanks, Savannah!! :)

REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS

A limited amount of Free Ebooks available for Reviews...

Who would like to do a Review on Jade & The Deva Book 1 'Hidden Wings' to be featured on our new upcoming blog?

An intriguing original Australian story about looking after the environment, the children and the future generation. It is the impossibly possible delivered in a seriously unserious manner.

Check out our Website if you haven't already and our Facebook fan pages at www.jadeandthedeva.com or www.facebook.com/JadeAndTheDeva to find out more about Jade's journey with the Deva's. You can also find us on Smashwords at www.smashwords.com/books/view/245310.

If your interested in Reviewing, comment below and personal message me on here your email address and I will send you a coupon so you can do so!

Jump on board! You know you want too! What's stopping you...

For those that have already read about our Deva's we would love your comments on here also about your thoughts of it to encourage other readers.

Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you...

Kel! ;)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

UPDATE: Not only did Faith Colburn do a guest blog on Jaded Elegance today, I've published one on hers! Hop on over, read an amusing anecdote, and leave me a comment to show I am loved. Or liked. Or read. Or just in existence ;P It doesn't matter. Go here!:)

Today's Literary Libations are brought to you by Faith Ann Colburn, who has penned a collection of short stories about a family's struggle for survival and connection, through good times and bad.

She is a magical storyteller, and if you're like me, you've never set foot in Nebraska---so it's a lovely glimpse into another world.

Visit me at Jaded Elegance to hear one of Faith's beautifully crafted stories from the American Midwest. And, of course, a big thank you to Faith Ann Colburn for being my guest this week!

Have a story to tell, and want some humble exposure on a colourful blog? Drop me a private message, and we'll chat!

Hello everyone, my name is Mark Clayborne, and I'm the author of HiddenHIdden Credit Repair Secrets, Amazon's #1 book in the credit repair category. I just wanted to introduce myself because I'm brand new to the group. My book has helped thousands of consumers repair their credit, raise their credit scores, get approved for homes, cars, brand new credit and start their businesses. Right now, I'm running a giveaway, and it ends at the end of this month. If you don't win you can always click the link here to get your copy. Feel free to ask me any question about the book. Thanks

http://www.selfcreditrepairlearningce...

Hi,
I am so excited to be part of such a wonderful group. I look forward to reading and reviewing new books and enjoying different genres and styles of writing.
If you are interested in reading one of my books it is available for Kindle and Paper back. The Samson Brothers

We can also connect on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sa...
I look forward to liking your pages, blogs, and other social networking sites.
Happy Reading and writing, and God Bless!!
EB

Hello My Name is Angela my first book is free today only go to amazon.com the book title is Daybreak Gaining Strength Through Our Pain. My second book will be release nationwide May 1, 2013 for more info visit my website at www.angelayhodge.com

Hello everybody and I'd like to say a big thank you to Savannah for the invite.

My name is David Chuka and I'm a children's book author. I write funny books for kids. I have written 7 books and they are all available to download on your kindle device or app. Three of my books are now available as physical copies.

You can check out my books at my Amazon author page at the link below

http://www.amazon.com/David-Chuka/e/B...

You can also see my latest project, events, giveaways, author interviews etc at my blog http://www.davidchuka.com

Hope to add value to the group.

All the best!

Kerry wrote: "to help support me my fb page is

http://www.facebook.com/authorKerryLo...

and website
http://www.kerrylconnelly.wix.com/aut...


thanks"

Hi Kerry

I just liked your facebook page. Please do mine below

https://www.facebook.com/Author.David...

Many thanks