Monday, December 24, 2012

Spiritual Freedom? Author Spotlight & #Giveaway with Blanca Beyar - Attributes of Mastery



Attributes of Mastery
by Blanca Beyar

Blanca, who is known as Lavayna to her students, has been a vessel for healing for over 11 years. Her passion for spirituality began when she was intrigued by a talk-show that was discussing angelic communications. Curious to see what would happen, Blanca attempted to communicate with her angel and to her utter surprise, succeeded. This was the beginning of a life-long mission and purpose for Blanca to be of divine service.
In her quest to assist humanity in their healing process, Blanca has composed and self-published six titles: “The Path That Leads the Way,”“The Path to Self-Realization,” “Mastering the Language of the Universe,” “Goddess Mother Speaks,” “The Little Book of Life,” “Love...The Only Reason,” which hit #1 in Amazon.com best new Releases.
Throughout her spiritual mission, Blanca has mentored and attuned over 100 students in the art of Reiki healing Today, she has devoted students of the Spiritual Path around the world. Through her books, website and newsletters, she continually inspires humanity to expand their spiritual potential.
Throughout her years of teaching and mentoring, Blanca has used many of her life’s experiences to inspire and assist countless of individuals to abandon the role of “victimization” and instead, to embrace the experiences as gifts of growth. For the first time, in her greatest composition yet, “Attributes of Mastery,” Blanca boldly shares many of her traumatic life experiences and teaches readers how to persevere against all odds with grace and spiritual mastery.
In addition to offering her books and mentoring, Blanca is also a gifted Empath and Medium. She has presently limited her private practice in order to focus on reaching the masses with her workshops and book events.




Book Genre: Mind/Body/Spirit

For ages, Masters of spirituality have been teaching the simple principles of living and of being.

In our modern time, it has become increasingly difficult to implement the teachings to our everyday lives. Attributes of Mastery is a revised interpretation of specific states of being that can lead us to walk and to experience the wisdom and bliss that sages and gurus have been teaching and inspiring us to follow.

Blanca Beyar, a modern time Guru and healer, intimately shares her own initiations of struggle and perseverance as she walked the journey to spiritual freedom and how the attributes of mastery created a foundation for her life’s purpose. Discover the attributes that will provide the keys to your own unique Mastery!

Excerpts:

Love has no boundaries or barriers. Love has no exceptions or limitations. The energy of Love is what sustains this existence in place because no matter how much we feed opposing energies, as a collective humanity, we all experience and express love, whether consciously or subconsciously. No matter how disturbed our lives may be or the world around us, there is not one day that goes by that we do not experience and express love! It must be so, for, this is the true essence of what we are made of.





Follow The Tour - More Chances To Win

December 20 - Introduction at VBT Cafe' Blog
December 24 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Mass Musings
December 26 - Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
December 28 - Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
January 3 - Interviewed at BK Walker Books Etc.
January 5 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Bookalicious Travel Addict
January 8 - Interviewed at The Book Town
January 10 - Guest Blogging at A Book Lover's Library
January 14 - Interviewed at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit
January 16 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
January 18 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
January 21 - Book Feature & Excerpt at The Avid Reader
January 23 - Interviewed at Angels & Warriors Radio
January 25 - Interviewed at Black Lilac Kitty Literary Services
January 29 - Guest Blogging at The Writing World

January 31 - Book Feature & Excerpt at Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Chatting with author, Michelle Cornwell-Jordan - Now & ForeverVirtual Book Tour Plus Giveaway


Now & Forever Tour

Publisher: Michelle Cornwell-Jordan
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: 11/24/2012

Synopsis for Book

The Kindred is the second novella in The Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy.

Angel and her friends at Ame Academy, a boarding school for preternatural and humans are back, and they are preparing for battle against the dark forces that kidnapped Angel’s younger brother Jordan. Angel had recently discovered that she was a Hunter and that she alone has a special weapon against her enemies; her blood, which is discovered to be toxic to her enemies. Angel is prepared to use her training and all that is at her disposal in order to save Jordan, even if that means joining forces with the strange and mysterious Rafael, who at their first meeting, she recognized him as the boy she had dreamed about for weeks prior to his arrival at the school. Angel cannot shake the feeling that she knew Rafael before, and is hopelessly drawn to her extremely handsome fellow hunter.

Rafael frightens her, he hints of a secret; another time and another life lived.

Can love survive two lifetimes?

Events unfold that provides the answers to who Rafael really is and what they mean to one another; and along with these strange and blossoming emotions for Rafael, along with guilt and fear for her brothers safety; Angel discovers that she is more than just a Vampire Hunter, and that she plays a major role in a ancient prophecy, which she must fulfill by facing an a force so evil that survival is not promised.

But she will face the Dark One, Angel will sacrifice all, if it means saving all whom she loves.
Many questions are answered, but the drama is just beginning….


MM: Many authors relate their characters to people they know. Is this the case with your characters and do you see yourself in any of them?

Angel the main character is not based on any person real or otherwise. But I will say that she is the one who I see a little of myself in; I wish I could say it was Angel’s kick-butt awesomeness  ,lol but mainly it was her determination and loyalty to those she loves. I can sink my teeth into something, and hold on, and I tend to strive to go to bat for the underdogs, or those in need.

The Interview:

MM: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

My favorite character is Angel, because the girl never gives up!

MM: Who is your most favorite character from any book of all time?

I know this is cheating a little...But my favorite would be the entire group of Twilight characters.

MM: If you could dive into the pages of any book, which book would it be and what character would you be?

I sound like a broken record and I realize it might have something to do with my seeing this movies several times…but I would have to go and just for a moment, experience the love that Bella had. (Aww come on…you know you would want to as well:O)

MM: If your book was to become a movie, which actors/actresses do you see playing the parts of your characters?

Angel ( Yaya DaCosta)

Rafael ( Kiowa Gordon)


MM: What can we expect from Michelle Cornwell-Jordan in the future? Any new projects?

I am working on completing and re-editing my 2012 NaNoWriMo creation, Chrysalis

MM: Where can readers connect with you?

My website: http://michellecjordan.wix.com/author#!

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a wonderful pleasure.


About the Author

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is a YA Paranormal Author.

Her titles: Reahket (Co-written with Author Danny Jones)

Michelle is also the author of the YA novella series Night School Vampire Hunter trilogy.

Series includes:

Night School Vampire Hunter novella #1 Released date March 2012

Kindred (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #2 Released date November 2012

Redemption (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #3 Released date spring 2013

Works –In-Progress

Chrysalis (Full Length) Released date spring 2013
Hunters Series novellas Released date summer 2013
Ame Academy’s Paranormal novella series summer 2013
Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is also the producer of the online radio segment IndieReview Behind The Scenes, where she and her co-host Jamie B Musings interviews Indie Authors and Musicians.

Contact Info

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan’s website
Contact regarding the Hunters Series Fan Club
Twitter handle
@mcjordan37
Author FaceBook page







Now & Forever Tour! (December 2012)

December 2012 tour!

Angel & Rafael’s Now & Forever tour’s Mega Giveaway Prizes include:

$25.00 Amazon Virtual Gift card,

Plus 5 copies per stop available of Kindred

AND 

Tour wide there will be 3 lucky winners who will win an autographed copy of Rock Artist Cecile Monique’s EP Immortal Beloved! (Angel and Rafael’s song!) CD open to US only!

About Artist
Cecile Monique

With her powerful, yet angelic voice and unmistakable charisma, Cecile Monique is a multi-talented musical artist ready to make her mark on the international music scene. Cecile Monique is not only an accomplished vocalist; she is also a skilled writer, composer, and arranger of her own original music. Her years of formal classical vocal training provided the foundation, but her singular creativity...
, diverse musical influences, and her fresh, youthful style have provided the fuel to create the distinctive fusion of rich, classically-influenced vocals with modern, innovative instrumentation that exist together in perfect harmony and have become Cecile Monique’s signature, genre-bending sound.

In addition to her impressive musical talent, Cecile’s cosmopolitan personality and multicultural roots (half European and half Hispanic) also broaden her appeal to an international audience; Cecile is fluent in several languages and has recorded and performed songs in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Czech, and Latin.

In 2010, Cecile Monique was awarded the prestigious FACTOR New Talent Award in support of her self-titled EP release featuring three of her original compositions, which was recorded at Metalworks Studios, Canada’s #1 recording studio. With the launch of her new EP now available on iTunes worldwide, and a myriad of new projects on the horizon, Cecile Monique is a rising star poised to become an international phenomenon!

Contact Cecile Monique

Cecile Monique Speaks about Kindred (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy Novella)

Listen Now!


Listen To Immortal Beloved!

You Tube Video






Thursday, December 20, 2012

Yes We Can!! Stop The Insanity:Target 2014 by David Welch




Genre:Politics & Current Events|Government |Congress
Buy Now: Amazon

The premise of Stop the Insanity by David Welch puts forth the idea that the government is as insane as the voters who send the same representatives back time and time again. And as long as those voters continue to reelect the same worthless politicians, the insanity in Washington will continue.

There is one other possible explanation: voters lack a reasonable alternative. This suggests the voters are not actually insane, though Washington politics are. Our two political parties are either unable or unwilling to offer reasonable candidates. I suspect—and hope—that is the case.

And from that hope springs this book. I truly believe it is possible to offer the voters an alternative: independent candidates for Congress who will truly act in the best interest of our country and its citizens.

Reader's Comments

A clearly and cogently argued plea for the world’s largest democracy to start doing what a democracy is supposed to do, govern for and with the people.”

Every American who is concerned about the dysfunctional mess we call a government should read this book.”

Your optimism is applaudable, and I wish you luck with your efforts. There definitely is insanity in Washington, and the career politicians need replacing. Your use of plain language and real world examples makes this an easy read, and your chapters are a manageable length.”



About the Author:
David Welch's life has been divided between school (studied economics as an undergraduate at Stanford, an MBA in Finance at the University of Chicago, an MS degree in Tax Law at Golden Gate University), Army (two years in Korea during the Vietnam era), politics (ran for Congress and won the Republican primary in California), business (Treasurer of Dowell Schlumberger, Asia Tax Manager for Schlumberger Wireline, CEO of his own educational software company), and teaching (taught English in Poland, taught International Finance at a Chinese University). Recently, David has been assisting his brother in a small Mortgage Modification business. The brothers have helped save the homes of approximately one hundred families facing foreclosure.




Monday, December 17, 2012

Virtual Book Tour & #Giveaway - Journey To Malachi by Malachi Stewart


I'm so glad to have Malachi Stewart visiting us today, and we're going to learn some fun elements about Malachi as a writer. Taking a break from the seriousness of Journey to Malachi, while on tour at the Virtual Book Tour Cafe', please give a warm welcome to Malachi Stewart - Journey To Malachi.

Welcome Malachi!


MM: Who is your most favorite character from any book of all time?

My most favorite character would definitely be Celie from The Color Purple. I think my book proves that I have a lot in common with her characters experiences with abuse and struggle with self-image.

MM: If you could dive into the pages of any book, which book would it be and what character would you be?

I would love to dive into the pages of Alice and Wonderland and be the Absalom. Who wouldn’t want to be absolute and all knowing? Plus I think it is cool how he never really seems to answer questions directly. A certain mystery about him that is intriguing.

MM: If your book was to become a movie, which actors/actresses do you see playing the parts of your characters?

Journey to Malachi is a biography so I would probably want Shia Lebeouf to play myself. Obviously we look nothing alike, but I think he is a tremendously gifted actor and I think he can capture the emotionalism of my book well. I think everyone else can be cast interchangeably with any actors.

MM: What can we expect from Malachi Stewart in the future? Any new projects?

I just began writing a new book I am working on called Daddy. It is about how often our natural experiences with our father affect that way we perceive and interact with God as our father. I am also trying out a radio program I started called Survivors Radio, dedicated to helping victims and survivors of sexual abuse became overcomer.

MM: Where can readers connect with you?

Readers can find me at Malachi Jeremiah Stewart on Twitter and Facebook. I can also be found at my blog Sanctum Sanctorum.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a wonderful pleasure.

Author.Speaker.Youth Specialist. Specialist in Rehabilitation from Sexual Abuse and Freedom from Sexual Bondage.

Malachi Jeremiah Stewart is an ancient vessel housed in a modern body. In 2011, he was entrusted to lead Prophetic Streams Ministries in Philadelphia, PA as a unique tributary of Kingdom life, by declaring the finished work of Christ and dispensing the ‘unforced rhythms of grace.’

Currently, Malachi is pursuing a degree in Religion and Christian Counseling at Liberty University and seeks to work in full time ministry, both at locally and globally. He serves as Youth Advisor & Trainer to Dominion’s Prophetic & Apostolic Coalition Trans-Continental (D'PACT), Youth L.E.A.D. and Youth in Ministry (YIM) organizations, training high school and college students in the areas of evangelism, spiritual devotion, biblical instruction, and Papa prayer. He leads IGNITE! a youth evangelistic outreach in the capitol region, including DC-Maryland-Virginia. As a visionary leader and prophetic flame, he has a strong desire for souls to be saved, families to be restored, and for nations to be reconciled with Christ.


Genre: Biographical
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

When we face turbulent times, hardships and calamity there is much solace in companionship. We all want to know that someone has been where we are and have gotten through the same difficulties we face. When I wrote Journey to Malachi, I began to visualize myself as a little boy being abused and recalled all of the feelings that flooded my heart at that time. My writing literally became a journey in my mind through my life’s darkest hours and through my writings, I became my own companion.
As I wrote, I took several pauses to minister the words of hope, grace and freedom that I needed.I went deep into my inner sanctum to find the little boy who was afraid to tell his secret, who needed more than anything to be loved and accepted and wanted more than anything to be protected and valued. As the writings progressed, he grew older and how the bitterness grew inside him and birthed inner ‘demons’ of self-hatred, insecurity, un-forgiveness, hopelessness, distrust, suicide, anger, resentment and so much more. I remembered the confusion the sexual abuse caused concerning his sexual identity and the long-terms effects it had on his mental health. I recalled the embarrassment and isolation all of the deep pain that lied beneath a warm smile. He laughed and often made others laugh but inside there was a fiery hell that tormented him and yet this was only something he knew. He was so invisible in many ways and so I begin to tell his story and share the shameful secrets of his reality.In the midst of the journey, I interjected to share biblical truths that would later free him (me). Even though his journey seemed to grow darker and more hopeless, I had experienced the ending and so I was encouraged to continue to write and get to the expected end.

Journey to Malachi, is my journey from becoming a powerless victim to a victorious over-comer! As a reader I invite you to share this intimate journey with me embark to discover how I became a messenger of light, liberty and love. Whether you have been through the same things that I have or simply understand hard times, I plan to grab your hand and become YOUR companion as well journey together to find the divine purpose & ultimate overcoming victory that is wrought from our utmost pains.

Excerpt #1:

FOREWARD

As a teenager, I often appeared accomplished on the outside, but was a proverbial war zone within. My public life showcased "normal" at school, but my private world was completely "abnormal," and my parents had no clue! My perception was distorted about everything from God and sex to drugs and abortion.

That was over 35 years ago, but much has not changed in the world. Countless young people today still struggle with complicated realities as sexual identity, social pressure, family crisis, religious indifference and mental escapism. Fortunately, back then, my college classmate, Dennis showed me tough love, got in my face, and helped me discern 'truth from a lie' by introducing me to Jesus Christ. It was only through that love relationship that I came out of the darkness and into real and honest light. Embracing the Lordship of Jesus Christ changed my life.

Today, I am an apostle and senior pastor of a radical and progressive ministry and training company called, Dominion International Ministries and also lead its prayer affiliate, EXOUSIA. My life is steeped in helping others break free from the issues that hold them captive. What a wonderful life!

It was during Exousia, our 12-hour prayer summit, that I was first introduced to Martez Stewart; a college kid from Philly, styling boyish glass frames and a Jewish prayer shawl. Even then, he appeared to me as a giant in many ways despite his small physical frame. I would later discover his intense struggles with sexual abuse, sexual sins and all of the related medical issues that tormented his young life. I was gripped by his need for the kind of tough love that had saved my life when I was exactly his age. In so many ways, Martez was me; and I whole-heartedly embraced him. 

Despite his internal challenges, all of us at Exousia observed the strong prophetic gift that operated with potent power through Martez. Fire filled his eyes when he talked. As he prayed, angels seemed to move at the sound of his voice. While he ministered to others, especially children and youth, their hearts were opened and real change occurred. It was amazing! We all recognized a young prophet in the making. 

Time passed. I didn't see Martez for a long while. Then one Sunday morning, I felt him deeply like a mother lion sensing her cub was in danger. I could hear his cry and prayed earnestly for him. My mothering instincts were confirmed when I received an email from Martez later that evening. He described how I had come to him in an open vision as a spiritual mother with great care and concern. Therefore, he was certain I could help him overcome the forces that held him bound.

From that day, we were both convinced that the Lord had brought us together in a fresh way and for a liberating purpose. Together, we conquered many of his demons, and he experienced great change, deliverance, and breakthroughs. 

Then, Martez told me that he had received a divine strategy for overcoming the devastation of his past: changing his name from Martez to "Malachi." Deep inside an abused, victimized Martez was a valiant, victorious Malachi battling to the surface! The name “Martez” embodied too much of the baggage from the past; but, “Malachi” held the master key to both his identity and destiny. Recognizing how critical this was to his life and ministry, I immediately agreed with this name change and we celebrated the overcoming strategy that he had received from above.
The book you hold in your hand is the outcome of that decision and the spiritual mapping behind the Journey to Malachi. Emerging from the pages is the radical unfolding of a young man who stared abuse and perversion in the face and addressed it with stealth and determination. Malachi's story is mine in many ways and it is yours. Perhaps the specifics are different, but we can all relate to the confusing conditions of being young, impressionable and unprotected from things that "go bump in the night" or the childhood "boogie-man" we all feared. Life can be harsh and ugly behind closed doors, especially with the young and innocent. This book chronicles that reality.

Journey to Malachi is a written prescription that offers real healing for the broken, bruised, captive and tormented who have suffered at the suffocating hands of sexual abuse and/or sexual sins. You will be strengthened as you read each page. As you apply its anecdotes, you will be lifted from hopelessness to possibility. If you stay the course to the last word, you will be made whole and restored in heart and soul. Journey to Malachi is a tell-all expose' that will help you avoid life's pitfalls, defy self-sabotage and crossover into safe terrain for a better life and a brighter future.   
All of us are peppered with pain and problems in this life. Like me and Malachi, you may need some tough love right about now. As Dennis got in my face, and I got in Malachi's, he is ready to get in yours. So, don't run or hide...just be still.

Malachi and I are free today because someone dared to love us enough to tell us the truth and thrust us from darkness into light. Are you ready for true liberation and freedom? I believe you are. So, take a deep breath and slowly exhale. It's your turn to take the journey!

Apostle Yolanda L. Powell
Senior Pastor & Visionary
Dominion International Ministries & EXOUSIA Prayer Training Summit
Author, Soul Food & Living Water: Spiritual Nourishment & Practical Help for the African-American Family
Owings, Maryland USA

Giveaway – Signed Paperback + Free 5 Blog Stop Tour at Virtual Book Tour Café










Thursday, December 13, 2012

Promotional Book Tour & Prize Pack #Giveaway with Christie Palmer - Shadow Play



Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Jinx Fantasy Fiction LLC, Salt Lake City, UT
Date of Publication:  12/12/2012


A small town in the mountains of Marshall, Montana is being plagued by an unknown entity and it is mutilating and killing the women of the town. At his wits end the Sheriff of Marshall has nowhere to turn but to a friend. A friend, with the abilities to track and kill any prey.

Ryder doesn’t normally do mortal issues. However, he can’t turn his back on a friend. Besides he is the best at what he does. After all he is a Tracker, an ancient race with unparalleled abilities to track down any prey. With one of the three essential elements: Taste, Touch or Smell. Heartless and cold, Ryder knows what needs to be done and performs his duty without feeling.

Kyra, an Air Element and the only female Elemental Enforcer, is sent on a fact finding mission to Marshall, by the Druid Council. She needs to find out exactly what is happening in Montana before the Tribunal goes in and kills everyone.

The last thing she expects to find is a Tracker, and is even more surprised to find out that he is on her side. But can they get past their initial feelings upon meeting and the sexual tension? Or will the evil that is living in the mountain kill them both.

Ryder and Kyra must learn to work together to destroy the shadow and save Kyra from a fate worse than death. When pure evil is involved is love enough?

About Christie:

Christie was born and raised in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Ut. She lives less than a mile from the home she grew up in. World traveler she is not. But what she lacked in travel she more than made up for in her imagination. Within her vivid imagination she has traveled the world over as well as different worlds and different times.

She works a full time day job to pay the bills but looses herself in books and her writing whenever possible.

She is a loving mother of two wonderful children that she admits she is obsessed with. She has been married for 18 years to a very tolerant man that is grounded in reality in order for her to fly to the heights of her own imagination.

She started writing when she was a teenager after reading a book that she didn't like the ending too. Took a hiatus to raise her wonderful children but has dedicated herself to becoming a published writer for the last several years.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



Promotional Tour

December 11 - December 31 


December 12 - Kimberly Lewis Novels
December 12 - Reviewed at All Things Books
December 13 - Mass Musings
December 15 - Reviewed at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit
December 16 - Reviewed at Marked By Books
December 12/17 - Reviewed at Kaidan's Seduction
December 18 - Reviewed at Let's Get BOOKED!
December 19 - Lori's Reading Corner
December 20 - Reviewed at Books, Books, and More Books
December 29 - Reviewed at A Book Lover's Library
December 30 - Reviewed at Books-Marks The Spot

Monday, December 10, 2012

Virtual Book Tour Cafe': Interview & #Giveaway with Hy Conrad - Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You To Know




GUEST INTERVIEW FOR “MASS MUSINGS”
With Hy Conrad (Author of “Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know”)


Welcome to Mass Musings. We're so glad you could take a moment to chat with us today.

BK
Please tell us a little bit about yourself that isn't included in your bio...

HY
My career has been based on the simple act of answering the phone. Apparently, I’m no good at self-promotion, but very good at answering phones. It’s happened a dozen times.

For example, I had never even thought of writing for TV when I got a call from Andy Breckman. He had found a few of my solve-it-yourself books and tracked me down. I believe his exact words were, “I’m either going to steal your plots or hire you to write for me. Your choice.”

His new show turned out to be “Monk” and it kept me happily employed for the next eight years.

BK
What do you like to do when you're not writing?

HY
I wish I had an answer for that one. Most of the writers I know don’t have very fulfilling lives. Flaubert said, “Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” But I think he was just making excuses for being boring.

I do go to the gym when I can. And I’m studying Italian every day. As a teenager, I was nearly fluent, but I haven’t spoken it much since.

BK
What inspired you to write “Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You To Know?”

HY
Our inspiration came from a series of late-night infomercials. “Things the Banks Don’t Want You to Know.” Things the Government Doesn’t Want You to Know.” The idea of dogs not wanting you to know their secrets seemed like a natural. Why do puppies bite? Why do dogs lean out of car windows? What do they do while you’re gone all afternoon?

Once we actually got into the book, we found there were relatively few things that dogs kept from us. For the most part, they ‘re eager to communicate, if it weren’t for that pesky language barrier. So the title may be a little misleading. But it’s a great title.

Like many humor books these days, this one began as a blog. We started posting on the most obvious topics: “What We Do When You’re Gone” or “Sticking My Head Out The Car Window.”

Our idea was to keep them generic, in a sort of Everydog persona. But we soon realized that the humor was in the specifics. It was funnier if the dog had a real personality, and even funnier if we invented a variety of “blogging dogs”, each with a radically different personality.

We wound up creating eleven dogs, from tiny and obnoxious (Tinkerbell, author of “My Life in Your Purse”) to large and dumb (Axelrod, author of “The Reason I Ate the Sofa”). And we gave each dog an arc, which is a writerly term for “all the little stories add up to something.” For example, Sarge is a German Shepherd and a working dog. In each of his stories, he gets a new job and it always winds up being a disaster. By the time Sarge tells his tenth story, he has finally been adopted by a great family. But he still thinks it’s a job, and this one he doesn’t want to lose.

BK
If you're dogs could talk, how would they describe you?

HY
My dogs are very impressed by my smell. They also appreciate my regular habits and my desire to walk around the block several times a day. If I have a fault, I think they would say it’s my memory. Sometimes I forget to give them enough treats.

BK
What pops to mind that is the funniest thing you're dogs have ever done?

HY
We once had a dog who’d lost some of the use of his hindquarters. One day, I was carrying him through the lobby of a trendy, boutique hotel and stopped to talk to the manager. A few seconds later, I realized Jake had pooped in my hand. I continued standing there, talking and pretending that nothing had happened. Then we went right up to the room and both had a bath.

BK
What is your most favorite breed?

HY
I always had dogs when I was a kid. Later, as an adult, I held a Boston Terrier up to my face and discovered I’d become allergic. Miniature schnauzers, I found, are hypo-allergenic, don’t shed and are wonderfully adventurous. We are now on our third generation of schnauzers, Charlie and Nelson. The others are buried at the top of our hill in Vermont. Nelson loves to pee on the marker.

I imagine many people are like us in this respect. One gets used to a certain look and personality and that becomes your breed. Whether real, or simply imagined by their owners, different breeds have distinctly different characteristics.

BK
What emotions did you experience when your book was finally published and you held it in your hands?

HY
My co-author Jeff and I spent a lot of time trying to get the book to look great. We argued over a dozen designs, from the cover to the illustrations. Finally when Dean (our art director) and the publisher sent us the real book, we were blown away. The look was so appealing and inviting.

BK
How did you and your co-author meet?

HY
Jeff and I have known each other for 33 years, which is way too long. I’d like to say we met in grade school, but that’s not true. It was in New York when we were beginning our careers, Jeff as a psychologist and me as a playwright. We became best friends from the moment we met.

BK
If you could go anywhere in the world and take one person and one item with you, where would you go, who & what would you take?

HY
I love to travel and have been to a lot of places. One dream destination that may go unfulfilled is Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world. It’s in a remote part of Venezuela. You have to hike and go by dugout canoe – and then sleep in hammocks with mosquitoes. It’s very Indiana Jones. In fact, that’s who I’d like to go with; Indiana Jones.

BK
What are you reading now?

HY
I read for work. Alas. If I’m not doing research, then I’m reading a script for a friend or catching up on old New Yorker magazines. The last books I read were three “Monk” novels written by Lee Goldberg.

BK
Favorite author of all time?

HY
You’ve probably never heard of him. E.F. Benson, a British writer from the 1920s and 30s. He wrote a series called the “Mapp and Lucia” books. They’re light and insightful and utterly charming. I was depressed for days when I realized that there were only six and that I was reading number six.

BK
Last movie you've seen?

HY
This is the beginning of awards season in the movie biz, which means all the studios mail out DVDs of their films to the people who vote. It’s like early Christmas and you don’t have to go to a theatre for the next six months. The latest one I watched was “The “Dark Knight Rises”. I have to say, I was impressed. Very well plotted.

BK
What can we expect from you next?

HY
I’m always writing something. It’s my job and only hobby. Most recently I was asked by the USA Network and Obsidian Press to take over writing the “Monk” novels, a successful series of books based on the characters from the TV show. My friend Lee Goldberg wrote the first 15, and I’ve been asked to write 16 and 17.

As soon as I have a chance, I plan to finish the second novel in my Abel Adventures Mystery series, about a woman who leads tour groups around the world and always runs into murder. The first book in the series, “Rally ‘Round The Corpse” is available now.

BK
Thank you so much for stopping by.


GENRE: Humor, pets

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks

RELEASE DATE: April 2012

Purchase - Amazon

Blurb:
Why do dogs eat furniture when there are endless chew toys nearby?

Why do they always dash to a rug when they have to throw up?
And why are they always absolutely starving?

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know answers the questions that dog owners have asked for centuries. The book is a collection of 115 humorous essays that reveal the truth behind some of the most baffling canine behavior, their hopes and dreams, their grudges and pleasures, and what they really think about us humans. Peppered with lively, clever stories and visually appealing photographs, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is a verbal and visual delight that is laugh-out-loud funny. If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.

Topics include:
  • My Life in Your Purse by Tinkerbell, the Chihuahua
  • Waiting by the Table (for food scraps, of course!) by Orson, the bulldog
  • The Bed Rules (Rule #1—It’s my bed) by Dimples, the boxer
  • The Reason I Ate the Sofa (leather tastes a lot like rawhide) by Axelrod, the yellow lab
  • I Can Poop the Second I Start My Walk (but choose not to) by Sophie, the cocker spaniel

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Target, on e-books and at independent bookstores everywhere. For more information, go to www.ThingsYourDog.com where you can also ask questions about your own dog’s behavior and learn the secrets they have been keeping from you!


PRAISE FOR THINGS YOUR DOG DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
A whimsical delight for dog lovers everywhere, this book will charm and remind readers why they fell in love with Rover to begin with.” (Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

I laughed, my dog howled.” (Steve Martin)

This is the perfect book for anyone who owns a dog, has ever owned one, or knows what a dog is. These guys made me laugh out loud—and captured my heart at the same time. The book is simply irresistible.” (Tony Shalhoub, star of the TV series Monk)


ABOUT HY CONRAD
Best known for his work in mysteries, Hy was one of the original writers for the groundbreaking series, Monk, working on the show for all eight seasons, the final two as Co-Executive Producer. In a related project, Hy was Executive Producer and head writer of Little Monk, a series of short films featuring Adrian Monk as a ten-year-old. His latest TV work was as writer and Consulting Producer for White Collar.

Hy is also the author of hundreds of short stories and ten books of short whodunits, which have been sold around the world in fourteen languages. Hy’s first mystery novel series, Abel Adventures, will debut in 2012 with the publication of Rally ‘Round the Corpse. And his first full-length comedy/mystery play, Home Exchange, premiered at the Waterfront Playhouse in May 2012. He lives in Key West with his partner and two miniature schnauzers. (www.hyconrad.com)

ABOUT JEFF JOHNSONJeff spent most of his working life in advertising agencies, currently as General Manager of Cramer-Krasselt in New York City. He is the author of The Hourglass Solution:  A Boomer’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life and co-authors (with Paula Forman) a national online advice column called Short Answers, which also appears in newspapers all along the east coast (from Massachusetts to Florida). Jeff lives in Vermont and Key West and is on the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Playhouse and the Florida Keys SPCA.

WEBSITE LINK: www.ThingsYourDog.com









The Tour's Almost Over so Jump On The Doggie Wagon Now!
December 12 - Reviewed at Create With Joy
December 12 - Book Feature & Excerpt at ¡Miraculous!
December 14 - Review & Guest Blogging at huithiang!






Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...