Panda Picks Book Club discussion

Well good day to you! Welcome to Panda Picks, a place for authors and readers to enjoy books, reviews, blogs, and more!

Christine is a ninja hobbit that lives on the edge of reality. Not only is she Superwoman, but she’s also a Global Publicist, TV Content Creator, Best Selling, Two-Time Award Nominated Author, and Super Mom to four amazing kids. Everything about Christine may seem tiny, from her size to the small farming village of Monroeville, Ohio where she grew up, but her heart is big and helping people accomplish their dreams is her ultimate goal. She loves her Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Sports Teams more than a fresh Krispy Kreme straight off the line.



QUOTE: "Steve Jobs once said, 'The only way to do great work, is to love what you do.' If you’re not excited to get up every single morning, to do something you love, then you’re not in the right field of work. Choosing Pandamoon Publishing was an easy choice. After seeing their marketing structure and how they continuously strive for excellence, I knew I had found the right job to call my home. Being able to help an author achieve success is one of the most fulfilling feelings, and luckily I get to do it here, amongst some of the most amazing, like-minded people who only want every success in the world for the people they love do great work for.

Now it's your turn!

Hi, Christine! I just joined Panda Picks Book Club discussion group. I'm a writer of romance novels, but I'm also an avid reader. And my taste in books is eclectic.

I've been married for 36 yrs and my kids are grown and out on their own. I spend my days writing, reading, biking, and walking my Australian cattle dog Roo. (I'm also an avid foodie, but let's not talk about that obsession. LOL)

Donna, you are one heck of a cool person! Avid foodie huh? Yeah, me too mwhahaha! Welcome!

Hi and thank you for the invite. My name is Catherine Crumber and I am an author. - You can learn more about my books by visiting www.catherinecrumber.com or my goodreads page.

I spend my days writing and marketing. I desire to see my fiction works turn into film. As of 10/9/14 I am working on my latest creation scheduled for release 05/2015! I am excited because this is slightly different from my preferred writing genre which is Contemporary Inspirational Fiction.

Again, thanks for the invite and it is very nice to meet you! - Blessings

Welcome Catherine!! I just visited your website - very eye catching!

Have a great day and I will check out your books for sure :)

Hello Christine. Thanks for the invite. Getting settled in to my third cup of joe for the day, and figured I'd respond while it cools a bit.

I'm JT Patten, author of the Safe Havens series. One out in print, one on the way, lots more in my head and on e-notes.

I am a military thriller writer...rrrrrip (record scratch to the ladies)...so hold on for a second. I'm a military thriller writer who has captured much of the intensity and tradecraft experiences that I was involved with for years. But here's where you all come in. I'm a husband and a dad. Try to live that life in balance with family. My character Sean Havens is probably a lot like guys you know. Means well but falls short at times. (Picture James Caviezel) The story is about how Havens tries to similarly balance duty to family and country while all hell follows him.

He is surrounded by strong women and untrusting friends. It all messes with his head and keeps the pages turning with the twists and terror. You will laugh, cry, throw the book, and hide it afterwards to step back from the blacker than black world that you were just exposed to. Escape your reality. Welcome to mine. Walk with me, I'll show you something you never knew existed. http://amzn.to/1gYxunT

JT! It's nice to meet ya and I'm super jealous because I'm in desperate need of some coffee (puppy dog face.) The weather here in Ohio is quite dreary and wow does it make a person tired.

I will check out your book for sure! I love James Caviezel! One of my fav movies was Frequency. I may or may not have cried a little bit during that movie ;)

You can always wrap some coffee grounds in a slice of cheese.

Great movie. I didn't cry, but there may have been a time or two when my contact got something in it...

If they ever make a movie out of SAFE HAVENS, he needs to play the part. (Although if I ever got a movie deal, I'd shut my mouth even if Will Farrell played the lead).

Thanks again.

Hello Christine, and everyone else. Thanks for the invite, it's great to be here.
I'm an author of erotic fiction, mostly BDSM flavoured. I live in the UK, and most of my stories are set in or around the Yorkshire moors, or the Lake District.
I'm 100% self-employed, though not solely as an author. I have a teenage daughter and a menagerie of animals to keep me busy when I'm not working.
You can find out more about my books on my website, www.ashebarker.com, or I'm on Amazon, and Goodreads too of course.

Hi Christine,
We seem to keep running into each other. Just published my first novel still learning tricks of the trade. Concentrating in historical fiction for now (mid-19th century), but thinking of dusting off some of the old erotica I wrote and sold back in the Dark Ages.
Thanks for having me,
Carlos

Well hey Carlos! You're right, we do seem to keep running into each other - it's cause we're just so darn cool :)

Well thanks for joining and I hope to run into you again soon :)

Hi Christine,
Thank you for inviting me to your group!!
This is my bio, a bit about me!
Bethany was born and raised in South Africa. Her family did not have television until 1976, so her imagination was her main source of entertainment. She had a love of animals and magical creatures and a vast country with big open spaces where she imagined they lived. She would make up stories for her siblings in the evenings. Sometimes she would scare the socks off them and at the same time herself!

The reason she writes for children is the tremendous fun she has making up stories to feed their wonderful minds. They have no doubt an ant can talk. Their imaginations are free to believe. Bethany has always loved writing and reading and won several awards at school. This is her passion and she would love to share it with children around the world.

Please write to Bethany and tell her about your magical animals and what you think of her stories.

bethanybull@woolyswagon.com

Say hello to Scott Pixello. No bio, I'm afraid. I'm on a fitness protection programme and if I told you my real name, what I looked like and what my cat has for breakfast, then I'd have to kill you and no-one wants that. No website, no Twitter, no clue about marketing basically. I’m not into self-promotion. Read the books. That’s where I hang out.
I write mostly YA with adult cross-over. Humour but plenty to make you think. If you like your fiction darkly comic, then this could be for you. I’ve written 9 books, plus a box-set but where to start? How about here…
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
Embrace your inner lunatic and join the Pixelloverse.

Bethany! South Africa! That is a really neat place to grow up in :) I bet your imagination is fantastic! I can't wait to read one of your stories!

Scott - lol, my computer screen almost received a mouthful of Redbull because I started laughing and choked on it when reading your bio. lol, that is awesome!

Oh, and I downloaded your book :)

Have a great day!

Hello all! I live in Florida with my wife and two dogs (one is a foster dog). I'm a culturalist and conflict dynamics specialist. So, most of my writings are centered around culture and conflict. I have 16+ years experience in the criminal justice system, previous experience in the educational sector, special training in Restorative Justice facilitation, and certification as a County Court Mediator through the Supreme Court of Florida. My book, Unbroken Circles for School, is my answer to issues plaguing the school system (i.e., School to Prison Pipeline, bullying, dropout prevention, and racial/economic disparity).

I look forward to getting know all of you better.

Well hey there Ken! It's super awesome to meet you! Your life sounds so incredibly interesting. I can't wait to read your work and get to know you better also :) Welcome to the craziness that is Panda Picks!!

Greetings All,

First, Christine thanks so much for the invite. I've been on a mini vacation (staycation really). The month of October is when my book club has a Cavalcade of Authors in Chicago and my reviewing and online time pretty much gets pushed to the side.

I owned by 2 furbabies Cocoa and Ashez (prounounced Ashes) both are strays who turned up in my alley, Cocoa 11 yrs ago and Ashez 2012. Christine I'm reading Crimson forest RIGHT now and WOW. So glad to be here. Now I'm going to read about each of you, becasue I only read Christines and glanced at a comment about cheese and coffee beans YUK!!!

Hi Everyone! So glad to be a part of this group! My name is Cheri and I'm a historical romance author, wife, and stay-at-home Mom of four children aged 5 and under. I have written 5 novels and am currently writing my 6th. I love to read and write in any and all spare time I have.

I'm a terrible cook, which I blog about, I'm addicted to chocolate and English Breakfast tea, and my favourite sound in the world (aside from my children's laughter) is the sound of rain.

Thanks for the group invite!

Hey Scott. Glad to have you with us.

Ashe, I think Christine missed your post. I've seen your posts on other social media. It's great to have you here with us.

I guess I may as well introduce myself as well. I'm Elgon Williams. I'm originally from Ohio. I grew up on a farm near the small town of South Charleston which is 15 miles from Springfield. Okay, welcome back to those of you who checked out a map of Ohio to see where all of that is. Presently I live not he southeast side of O-Town, aka Orlando, FL. I'm divorced and my three kids have grown-up. So I decided to pursue my writing career as a profession.

Like Christine, I'm a publicist for Pandamoon Publishing. She's my publicist and I'm hers. So we work together a lot. Unlike Christine, I'm not a huge Buckeye's fan. I attended Purdue and The University of Texas.

Ashe, oh my goodness I did miss it! That's what happens when I'm at work and try to answer messages at the same time. Whew, it may be time for a mini vaca!! I'm thinking a short trip to Hawaii! Ya'll want in on some white sand, drinks, and warm weather!? Let's do it!

AHHH! Reader's Paradise - You're reading Crimson Forest!! I hope you like it(blush.) I hear it's alright :)

Welcome to the panda family Cheri!! You're one totally cool chic let me tell you what! That pic of you dressed up was freaking fab!

Also, welcome to the fun guys!!

Hello and thank you for the invite. I'm the author of The Witch's Salvation, which I self-pub last year. I blog on the craft of writing genre (but have been really lazy about this) and review books for Bookplesures.com.

Ooo, I will have to pick up your book! Welcome to the club Francesca! :)

Hey Christine, thanks for the invite!

I'm Jeff Messick, autho of Knights of the Shield, due out 11/14. I'm usually writing paranormal fiction, though I've got some fantasy and sci-fi up in my head somewhere.

I'm also proud to be an author with Pandamoon Publishing, like our erstwhile invite sender. Looking forward to much reading, writing, but forget the arithmetic.

You know, I hear that Knights of the Shield is supposed to be an amazing book! I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on it!!

Hi I'am Benedict, from Chennai (India). I teach people to read work with children and adults with reading difficulties. I am communication professional consult on how to set up teams with social media as the undergirding, Have a son and a daughter.

Iam already part of a book club (just Booked) that meets once a month. Great to be here

Benedict wrote: "Hi I'am Benedict, from Chennai (India). I teach people to read work with children and adults with reading difficulties. I am communication professional consult on how to set up teams with social m..."

Welcome, Benedict. Glad to have you here.

(waves) Hey there Benedict!! Welcome!

Hi

I'm a Sci-Fi writer but I dabble in Fantasy, Horror, Detective and Historical Fiction. I've written two novels and over fifty short stories and I'm a member of several writing clubs. The thing about being in clubs is you get loads of story ideas that you never get to finish. So I have started over ten novels - that's 2 historical, 3 detective, 3 fantasy, 4 science fiction. Will I ever get to finish them? Who knows? Anyhow I blog about unfinished tales here:
http://tparchie.wordpress.com/2014/07...

About me:
I'm an Unreformed hoarder.
I grew up in and around Burnley, Lancashire which is in the North of England. I spent a lot of time in the local library and the bookstore, mostly reading SF and Fantasy. Having taken so much from the genre, I think it's about time I put something back - at least that's what I tell my wife.
I like big ideas infused with realism and I'm inspired by fantastic themes set within a realistic context; e.g. Sandman, Lucifer, Fables. These treatments fascinate me. I'm also a fan of Golden Age SF and admire works such as Dune, Starship Troopers and Lord of the Rings. Sometimes I showcase my stuff on my blog. I've no agent or publisher (diy doesn't count) and I write under my real name.
In a parallel life I'm a CIMA qualified Management Accountant which means I get to use spreadsheets (yippee!). I have four children, three dogs, two cats and a long suffering wife. For the really anal, I do process mapping, spreadsheet modelling, management reporting and costing systems.

I self-publish because I want to write stuff that people will enjoy reading.

Welcome terrence, happy to meet you! I know the four children thing, I've got four as well.

Well hey there Terence! Welcome to our crazy world :)

Christine wrote: "Ashe, oh my goodness I did miss it! That's what happens when I'm at work and try to answer messages at the same time. Whew, it may be time for a mini vaca!! I'm thinking a short trip to Hawaii! ..."

Ah! I can't believe I missed your post! Thank you, Christine! I'm so glad to be a Panda. You all seem like such awesome people, I'm really excited to get to know all of you!

Well we're super excited to get to know you too Cheri! You seem like one heck of a cool chic!

Christine wrote: "Well we're super excited to get to know you too Cheri! You seem like one heck of a cool chic!"

Thank you, Christine! Likewise!

Welcome Terrence

Hello to all who recently joined the group

Cameron Yorke

Hi there, My name is Cameron Yorke and you can read all about my official biography on my Author pages listed below , but on a more personal note, currently I’ve been hiding out in Gran Canaria, working on my next book, in between bouts at the beach, afternoons by the pool, and evenings at Sunset Bar in Meloneras where I seem to gravitate around 6pm for the best mojitos in the entire world.

One of these days I’ll grow up and move back to the big city, but for the moment I couldn’t be happier here. One thing is sure, I’m never going back to my native New Zealand! I tried it at the end of last year (2017) and realised I just don’t fit in there anymore! Truly, it was the longest 5 months of my life, hence the little reward to self of three months indulgence in the Canary Islands- well it was important to have a stimulating, positive setting in which to complete the book, so here was perfect, although last week, with all the celebrations surrounding gay pride, it was perhaps just a little too stimulating!

If we’re talking work, I’m the award winning Author of four books with another two in the oven as we speak. All are either memoirs or self help, and some are even both! I’ve been a journalist for the last 15 years, lived all over the world, visited more than 135 countries and written about all of it. So that’s me folks, thank you for the opportunity to spout superlatives about myself, and I look forward to meeting you all. Cheers!

Oh yeah, by the way, I’d LOVE you to read my books, and review them for Amazon and Goodreads!. PDF files are available to email if anyone would like a copy. The titles are;

Chasing The Dragon: Are You Chem-Friendly?
Candy Flipping
Double Bubble

Tales of My Travels: Europe

And you can find out more about everything, at

www.cameronyorke.com or
www.amazon.com/author/cameronyorke or
Https://business.facebook.com/Cameron...
Https://business.facebook.com/AreYouC...
Https://business.facebook.com/Thesexa...
Https://business.facebook.com/insideB...
Https://Twitter.com/Camyorkebooks or
Https://www.instagram.com/CameronYork... or
Https://www.goodreads.com/cameronYorke

If you, or someone you know has been affected by the issues mentioned in my books on The Chemsex Trilogy, do visit is https:://www.facebook.com/groups/ChemsexPartyboys for brutally honest, current discussions, news, changes to the law, information, opinion and resources for help.

Hi everyone. My name is Patrick McNulty and I've been lurking on this site since 2013. I'm an author of two supernatural thriller books: Sleepers Awake (which is currently free on Amazon) and my latest book The Blood Singer. I've served in the Canadian Armed forces as a medic and now work as a police officer in Ontario. I love reading and writing in my genre but I'm not opposed to mixing it up. I've been married for 22 years to my high school sweetheart and have three beautiful kids, and one mischievous dog.

I try and run giveaways for my books all the time on book funnel and I'm going to start here as well. If anyone is interested in giving me an honest review of either of my books I would gladly provide them with a free copy for their efforts. Just let me know.

Other than that I'm happy to be here and hopefully meet a bunch of you!

Hi everyone, I'm Gary.

I live in Glendale Queens, New York.

I'm a big fan of very funny children's books. :-)

Here's a very important and useful book you might like.