Coming For Money by F.W. Vom Scheidt

About the Author:

F. W. vom Scheidt is a director of an international investment firm. He works and travels in the world’s capital markets, and makes his home in Toronto, Canada. He is also the author of a new book, Coming for Money (Blue Butterfly Book Publishing), a remarkable and provocative novel about the world of international finance and the human quests for success, understanding and love.

You can find out more about his book at http://www.bluebutterflybooks.ca/titles/money.html.

About the Book:

How much money is too much? And how fast is too fast in life?

International investment firm director and author F. W. vom Scheidt, writes from his first hand-hand experience of the world of global money spinning with candor and authenticity in his remarkable literary novel Coming for Money.

As investment star Paris Smith steps onto the top rungs of the corporate ladder, he is caught between his need for fulfillment and his need for understanding; trapped between his drive for power and his inability to cope with his growing emptiness where there was once love. When his wife disappears from the core of his life, his loneliness and sense of disconnection threaten to overwhelm him. When he tries to compensate by losing himself in his work, he stumbles off the treadmill of his own success, and is entangled in the web of a fraudulent bond deal that threatens to derail his career and his life.

Forced to put his personal life on hold while he travels nonstop between Toronto, Singapore and Bangkok to salvage his career, he is deprived of the time and space necessary to regain his equilibrium.

In the heat and turmoil and fast money of Southeast Asia, half a world from home, and half a life from his last remembered smile, he finds duplicity, friendship and power --- and a special woman who might heal his heart.

A talented author, vom Scheidt has confidently crafted a fast-paced, highly readable and intelligent novel. His details are fascinating. His characters are real, and not easily forgotten. A deeply felt story about the isolation of today’s society, the prices great and small paid for success and the damages resulting from the ruthless exercise of financial power, Coming For Money is a taut literary page-turner about a man who refuses to capitulate to the darkness in his journey into the light.

I was lucky enough to get the author to answer some interview questions. Here's what he had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

In summary, Coming For Money is a novel about the world of global finance and a human quest for success, understanding and love.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?








How I came to write it is much like a montage of photographs, all taken of the same subject, but all taken from several perspectives.

I have always written.

Following the adage of write from what you know best, I wrote from my first hand-hand experience accumulated as a director of an international investment firm. I wrote as truthfully as possible of the world of international finance — not with the over dramatization so common in film and television, but with an intimate telling through a first-person narrative ... of what it can be like to labour in the world of money spinning ... of how the money’s immense leverage for triumph or disaster doesn’t so much corrupt people as corrupt the way they treat each other ... of how the relentless demands of the money so often deprive you of sufficient time and energy to live through the events of your emotional and interior life.

In addition to this witnessing of the world of international finance, Coming For Money is also a provocative literary novel.

That flows, I think, from the fact that, throughout my life, I have always sought to maintain my integrity in a struggle with questions that have no answers.

So the novel flows from some of the questions I continually ask about life. The plot advances along questions arising from how we relate to our careers: How much money is too much? And how fast is too fast in life? And the central character advances along deeper questions in his own life: How do we cope with love and loss?

Moreover, because our societies equate financial success with a successful life, we are often blind to the inner stories of countless people in all endeavors who, in their desperate search for inner happiness, endlessly repeat a formula for financial success even while remaining deeply unhappy due to unresolved emotional and psychological issues at their core. I wanted to bring one of these inner stories to life.

The result is a deeply felt narrative about the isolation of today’s society, the prices great and small paid for success and the damages resulting from the ruthless exercise of financial power.
I also wrote the Coming For Money to be a good story well told.

The story is event-driven. It follows Paris Smith. As he steps onto the top rungs of the corporate ladder, he is caught between his need for fulfillment and his need for understanding; between his drive for power and his inability to cope with his growing emptiness where there was once love. When his wife disappears from the core of his life, his loneliness and sense of disconnection threaten to overwhelm him. When he tries to compensate by losing himself in his work, he stumbles off the treadmill of his own success, and is entangled in the web of a fraudulent bond deal that threatens to derail his career and his life.

Forced to put his personal life on hold while he travels nonstop between Toronto, Singapore and Bangkok to salvage his career, he is deprived of the time and space to mourn the absence of his wife and regain his equilibrium.

In the heat and turmoil and fast money of Southeast Asia, half a world from home, and half a life from his last remembered smile, he finds duplicity, friendship and power --- and a special woman who might heal his heart.

As much as I want to write a literary novel, I wanted to write a story that was fast-paced and highly readable.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I sat down at the keyboard. Although I have always been a literary writer, I had no idea how I would capture my experiences in international finance in literary fiction. Without thinking, the first sentence came to me. I typed it. Then I looked at that sentence for a long time.

Instinct told me that the sentence had risen from something that was deeply absorbing me, and that it was something I had to tell. I knew I had to find some way to tell it truthfully. From that point, I knew there was no way out . . . except to construct the novel.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife.

Your biggest critic?








Me.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?








I was fortunate to come from an environment that valued reading and education. As a result I absorbed a broad spectrum. Having the experience of so much writing from so many writers was a far greater influence that any single author.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a new novel; and on bringing a new institutional investment fund to market.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?








For writers … write.
For readers … read whatever interests and entertains you regardless of what it may be, but never stop reading.

What are some of your long term goals?

Value the gift of each new day by working at what I love, learning something new, being grateful for those in my life; and, before the day runs out, somehow becoming a better human being than I was yesterday.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Being able to see what I want to paint on the canvas of my life while it is still blank.

Biggest weakness?

Succumbing to the seduction of working too much.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

At last count, I was not aware of many literary novelists coming from the international investment industry. I imagine I bring a unique perspective to a unique setting for storytelling.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

The collected works of Shakespeare, to populate my world with characters and stories.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

If we are not here for each other, then we are only here to die.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I was thinking the other day about how I came to writing.

When I was in the eighth grade our history studies focused on how colonists came from England to settle in Canada. It was mentioned that some immigrants came as indentured servants, working on farms for several years to pay off their passage; and it was pointed out that some of these indentured servants were the same age as we were in the eighth grade. Our assignment was to imagine that we were indentured children newly arrived in the Canadian colonies, and to write a letter to our families left behind in England.

It was assumed we would write about clearing the land, planting crops, building farm houses and everything else from our history lessons.

When I began the assignment, the first words I wrote were: “Dear Mother and Father, it is with great regret that I write to tell you that my sister, your daughter, died of typhus on the ship to Canada.”

I went on to express remorse over not sharing food with her and to describe the loneliness of the dark winter nights without her.

Later in the day, when the teacher was reading the assignments, something happened without expectation or warning.

The teacher took me and my assignment to the principal’s office.

The principal demanded to know what was wrong with me.

It was generally accepted in the eighth grade that the ultimate calamity was to be dragged to the principal’s office. And worse than that was to be asked by the principal to explain yourself when you had no explanation.

As I sat between the principal and my teacher, and resigned myself to the misery of their demands and derision, it occurred to me that I was the only one in my class who had caused so much trouble with something I written ... and maybe I had something that the others didn’t have.

No Mad by Sam Moffie

About the Book:

Sam Moffie is 49 years of age and resides in Youngstown, Ohio with his family. When not writing and marketing he enjoys walks with his dog, red wine, watching movies, reading fiction, arguing politics and being a big target for his children. No Mad is his third novel. His fourth, The Book of Eli will be published in the fall.

Visit his website at http://www.samsstories.com/


About the Book:

“No Matter where you go, there you are.” Sam Moffie’s third novel takes readers on an impromptu road trip that proves transformative.

No Mad takes a good natured look at failed matrimony, middle age, and empty nest syndrome. Moffie’s novel evokes humor and optimism as his hero embraces life’s pitfalls and learns to “roll with punches.” Often nostalgic, Moffie’s novel also proves relevant as he explores issues such as corporate monopolies, politics, commercialization and their effects on “independent thinking and acting people” – people like the main character Aaron Abrams.

Sam agreed to answer a few short questions for me - here is what he had to say:

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is my muse and live-in girlfriend: Juliette.

Your biggest critic?

It's a tie between my biggest critics. My editor Devra and ny step-father Donald. They are the epitome of the phrase "devil's advocate".

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

My cause is to eliminate the stigma of self-publishing being something that is unholy.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving are my biggest influences.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently writing a novel and also waiting for the editing process to be completed on my 4th novel -- The Book of Eli. Eli should be released in late October or early November.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength with my writing style is my humor. My biggest weakness (besides misuse of a semi-colon), is that I don't write about teenage monsters, teenage wizards, christian fiction, self-help and diet material.

Thanks so much Sam!

The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark

About the Author:

Elle Newmark is an award winning writer whose books are inspired by her travels. She prowled the back streets of Venice to cook up The Book of Unholy Mischief and explored India by car and elephant to conjure The Devil’s Wind. She calls California home.

For more information on Elle or her work visit http://www.ellenewmark.com/


About the Book:

It is 1498, the dawn of the Renaissance and Venice teems with rumors of an ancient book that hold the secrets of unimaginable power. Rich and poor alike speculate abouthe the long buried secred tht might be scrawled in its pages and where the book might be hidden in the labyrinthine city. While those who seek the book will stop at nothing to get it, those who know will die to protect it.

As a storm of intrigue percolates in Her Most Serene Republic, Luciano, a penniless orphan, is plucked off the street by the doge's chef and taken in as the chef's apprentice. In the palace kitchen Luciano is initiated into the chef's rich and mysterious world where recipes are more than they seem.

It is not long before Luciano is caught up in the madness. Torn between loyalty to his street friends and his passion for Francesca, a convent girl, Lucianco's worthiness is tested. Armed with a precicious mind and insatiable curiosity, Luciano embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. What he discovers will swing opent he shutters of his mind, inflalme his deepest esires, and leaven an indelible mark on his soul.

I was fortunate enough to get Elle to agree to an interview with me. This is what she had to say:


Could you please tell us a little about your book?

The Book of Unholy Mischief is a historical mystery with a culinary twist. It is 1498 in Renaissance Venice. The city is abuzz with rumors about a mysterious book that might hold secrets of alchemy and immortality. In this tumultuous atmosphere, the doge's chef takes an urchin off the street and makes him his apprentice. But there is more cooking in the the palace kitchen than food. It soon becomes apparent that the chef has ulterior motives for taking on Luciano and soon they are both swept up into a delicious but dangerous maze of secrets and intrigue.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I had just finished writing my first novel (which is still unpublished) and thought my writing career was finished. I had no new ideas. Zip. Nada. So my writing coach asked me to think about what I like, what interests me, and what I know about. I like Venice and I like a good story with an element of mystery. Also, since my father is a chef I know about good food. But that did not a novel make, so I slouched around the house for weeks, reading other people's novels and watching movies. One evening I watched The Name of The Rose and that night I had a dream. I woke up at 5 a.m. with a broad notion for a book about a chef in Renaissance Venice who mentors to a young man with the intention of grooming him for a larger purpose. The story revolved around a mysterious book, but I did not know what the book contained. I wrote and re-wrote The Book of Unholy Mischief for two years before it became clear what was so important about the chef's fictional book. I started with a foggy plot idea and two characters; the rest evolved in the writing.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

Life and my own interests are the inspiration for all my books. I take things I know and things I'm interested in and mix them together. In the case of this book it was my love of Italy and food and my personal belief in Humanism.

Who is your biggest supporter?

Other writers. One of the things I love about writers is how we support each other. In other fields people doing the same work might be inclined to compete and trample each other in a bid to get ahead, but the writers I know are incredibly generous. Without the feedback, expertise and honesty of other writers I doubt I could ever have written a book.

Your biggest critic?

Me. I can be a real pain.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

The cause that resonates in Unholy Mischief is humanism. No matter what anyone might or might not believe about the meaning or purpose of life, it cannot be denied that we are all stuck on this planet together. If we poison the earth or our children's minds we all suffer. But if we try to leave things better than the way we found them we all benefit. It sounds so simple; I don't know what it's so difficult to carry out.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I have been privileged to work with a very fine editor at Atria, Emily Bestler, and . I've learned a great deal from her. Emily was able to pinpoint what was needed where with surgical precision and the book was much improved for her input. I believe that working with her has made me a better writer.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I take a shower, sit outdoors and breathe deeply.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Again, other writers. There are so many great writers, past and present, it is inspiring to read them and know that there is room in literature for many voices. That knowledge has given me the freedom to develop my own.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Becoming a better writer.

What are you currently working on?

I recently delivered my new novel (working title The Devil's Wind) and am about to start revisions with my editor. It is a tale of parallel love stories in India set against a backdrop of parallel wars. I spent last March in India researching.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

For readers: Don't read junk; be picky. Insist that an author leave you with something valuable. For writers: Never give up.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

John Steinbeck is the first author that made me wonder how ink on paper could cause me to laugh and cry and make the world disappear. I wanted to know how he did that and I'm still trying to figure it out.

What are some of your long term goals?

To never retire and to never stop learning.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Not giving up in the face of 20+ years of rejection from traditional publishing. I love to hear from readers who say they were discouraged and ready to give up until they read my story. That's the best!

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

The food. There are lots of historical novels out there, but one that makes its points with culinary metaphors is something different. I feel rather clever about that.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

Stuck on an island? Horrible thought, but okay. Probably Sohpie's Choice by William Styron. It has everything: Fine writing, fascinating characters who come to life completely, a fully imagined setting, and a heartbreaking comment on the human condition that I could think about for a very long time.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

None. Everything I've experienced has been necessary to who I am.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Yes. I have a job.

Visit me at www.ellenewmark.com

Journal According to John by Sheryl Keen

About the Author:

Sheryl A. Keen has a bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in English Literature from the University of the West Indies. She lives in Canada where she works in Administration.

In addition to prose, Sheryl also writes poetry. When she is not writing, one of her other loves is painting.

You can visit Sheryl A. Keen’s website at http://www.sherylkeen.com/


About the Book:

Following a nasty bar brawl, John, a twenty-eight-year-old man, follows a close friend’s advice and begins keeping a journal. He’s recently divorced from his wife, Debbie, and he hopes the journal will provide a tool with which to make sense of his brief, failed marriage and to determine why he is so emotionally challenged.

As a therapist specializing in behavioral issues, he knows he has to pull his own life together. If he tells people to clean up their own lives, modify their thoughts, and learn new, more appropriate behaviors, he knows that he’s got to step up and follow his own advice. Early on, he realizes that his mother, the curator of a gallery that specializes in steel art and other nontraditional works, has largely shaped his thoughts and actions. But just how much can he blame her for his current state of affairs?

Soon the words in the journal are flowing easily and quickly. When painful thoughts are no longer avoided and dreams provide fuel for his writing, the journal takes on a life of its own. Will John discover the reasons for his dysfunctional situation? Can keeping a journal help him improve his life?

I was lucky enough to get the author to sit down and answer a few questions. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

My book is “Journal According to John.” It tells the story of John, a twenty-eight year old man who is recently divorced. When he finds himself miserable and uncharacteristically engaging in bar fights, John finally takes a friend’s advice and begins keeping a journal. He hopes the journal will provide a tool with which to make sense of his brief failed marriage and to determine why he is so emotionally challenged.

Early on he realizes that his mother, the curator of a gallery that specializes in steel art and other nontraditional works, has largely shaped his thoughts and actions. He continually blames her for his current state of affairs. As he continues to write, he begins to take a closer look at his own actions and decisions and soon he starts to make interesting discoveries about himself.

The questions are many. How much can he blame his mother for his problems? Will John discover the reasons for his dysfunctional situation? Can keeping the journal help him improve his life?

The novel really looks at the complex relationship between a son and his mother.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

There was nothing specific that happened. I just thought it might be interesting to tell an emotional story from a male’s perspective and to tell it in a way that is not very male. I am not sure how many men write in their personal journals. Not too many I suppose. The story is told through John’s actual journal entries and this is ironic because it is a direct antithesis of the manhood that he is trying to find. It would be interesting to find out if John does come to terms with his masculinity while writing in this way.

The good thing about the story is that it lends itself to intimacy between the readers and the main character because they get to look directly into John’s journal.

Your biggest critic?

My biggest critic is me. I know myself, my work and story that I want to tell better than anyone else. The work that I put out there is representative of me so I am always trying to find areas to improve so that when people see my name they can associate it with good work.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I don’t have any rituals but I usually have two or three ways in which the story could end. When this happens, I always spend a lot of time obsessing over the ideal ending. As a rule, I try to use a realistic ending even if it’s not a happy one.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

I have been influenced by the great Literature teachers that I have had in high school. They made books fun and they made them relatable to everyday life. The way in which they have been able to impart lessons and ideas from great books further cemented my enthusiasm to be a writer. They also taught me to think in a critical way. Although those teachers are not in my life right now, I can still hear their voices in my head.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

My advice for writers is to write even when you are not motivated. The act of writing can serve as motivation. It’s sometimes difficult to come up with a single line but once you start other lines will come.

Also, never give up on the dreams and goals that you have set for yourself as a writer. Rejection of any sort is simply a setback. Belief in your work and take yourself seriously and others will follow suit.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I am detail oriented. Sometimes when you go to an interview you are asked: are you a details person or a big picture person. It’s a funny question because you cannot have a big picture without details. It’s because I can see the big picture why I would know which details to put in and why I would know how important the details are.

The details are important in writing to give readers a sense of place, time and emotions. Moreover, life is made up of just that - details.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

I would take “To The Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf. This is one of my favourite books because it explores the nature of human consciousness. If I am stuck on an island, I might be there for a while and this is not a novel that one hurries to read. It’s also a novel that has the lighthouse as a strong image and a lighthouse can represent enlightenment. Hopefully, I might find illumination about something in my life while stuck on an island with only myself and Virginia Woolf.

There is a theme of light and dark when it comes to a lighthouse. It’s possible that I would have some anxiety about being stuck on an island and this would be reflective of life’s frequently altering situations which can be stable at one moment and uncertain in the next. Obviously I would have a lot of time to think and I would want to gain some insight while I am there.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

We have to take risks to obtain the things that we want. Nobody ever achieve greatness by playing it safe. When we go out on a limb, most times the limb will bend to accommodate us. It basically comes down to fear or faith.

What is your favorite past-time?

My favourite pastime is painting. I tend to think about it as a complement to my writing because the process is similar in that there are a lot of details used to create a big picture. In painting I use color and composition and in writing I choose words and a certain way of putting them together. They both end up giving the reader or the viewer a certain point of view.

I carry a camera everywhere because I never know what I’ll see. So I take pictures and then create paintings from them.

Making Light of Being Heavy by Kandy Siahaya

About the Book:

These days everyone has a society-driven mindset and totally forget to laugh, especially at themselves. This may be cliche but I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine and I think everybody should laugh every day. Period. Over the years as a person blessed with the fat gene, I have been in many situations where if I could not find humor I probably would end up on the couch in the psychiatrist's office. This book is about as politically incorrect as it gets for such a subject but it is also based on reality. This is a reality that many women have just like me, but do not think they can (or should) at times just laugh about it.

My intention when I started writing this book was to hopefully give insight to many who could never relate but at the same time perhaps provide a different perspective to women just like me. It is a point of view that has given me the strength to live my life happily and project these feelings onto everyone I come in contact with. I have a great sense of humor and a quick with and guarantee you will be laughing (and thinking) with each chapter of Making Light of Being Heavy.

About the Author:

Kandy Siahaya was raised in a small town in Maine where she graduated from high school in 1984. She worked her way up from her first job as CSW to Manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken and ended up in Brunswick, Maine. When she decided to leave the fried chicken business at age 22, she packed up her little Chevy Chevette and moved to Fort Myers, Florida where she worked as a waitress and had a great time as a single girl in her 20's. Reality hit when she was 25 years old and went back to Maine and received her Associate's Degree at Beal College and promptly moved back to Florida and started a career in medical transcription. In 1995 at age 29, she met her future husband and moved to North Miami Beach, Florida, and continued with transcritpion starting her own business.

In 2002, Kandy left North Miami Beach and moved back to Maine with her five-year-old son and eventually divorced in 2005. Kandy still does medical transcription but had an unexpected decline in work which left her with a lot of time on her hands. This is when she decided to write a book. this is something she had been thinking about for a few years but never had the time because she was always so busy with her business. It was meant to be a quick and funny read, something to brighten the outlook of many that really do not see the light through their own tunnel vision. It was also intended to be insightful for those that could never possibly relate to this specific subject. Kandy has succeeded in doing just that with Light of Being Heavy.

For more information please visit http://www.makinglightofbeingheavy.com/

I was lucky enough to be able to interview this fantastic lady. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Making Light of Being Heavy is short comical rant from the perspective of a fat chick with a sense of humor in today's society.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

About five years ago a friend and I were walking with our kids along the sidewalks of Old Orchard Beach in the summer when a cute guy driving a pedicab stopped beside us waiting for the light. Joking around with him I asked him if there was a weight limit on that ride. My friend and I both were over 300 pounds and he was looking at us I think trying to come up with a "safe" number and he said "500 pounds" smiling. My friend and I started laughing and I jokingly said that we would have to have individual rides. While walking away we started talking about all kinds of instances like that one that we could laugh off and my friend said we should write a book.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

My own personal experiences and having been fat ever since I was a kid.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My son and my friends.

Your biggest critic?

Anyone without a sense of humor.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

No specific cause I am passionate about but I am a strong believer in the more you give the more you will receive and I love to help people and encourage my son that in life it is better to give than to receive.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

My 23-year-old stepdaughter and young granddaughter who turns 3 in April moved in last June so I think I will say my ability to have more patience has improved.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I am not sure if just being true to myself and being real would be considered rituals but that was how I based Making Light of Being Heavy in the hopes that the book would not only be entertaining but insightful as well.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Making Light of Being Heavy is my first book but I would say that society in general influenced part of the book and then my own personal goal to make people laugh with a different perspective on such a touchy subject.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Raising my son.

What are you currently working on?

Actually, my son and I are working on a children's book in which he uses is great artistic ability and illustrates it.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Always be positive. Remember...it takes more muscles to frown than to smile!

What are some of your long term goals?

I am not really good with long-term goals but for the short term I would say actually sticking to a diet and also helping my son in his achievements as he gets older.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Getting my point across and having the effect on the reader that was intended.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I always finish what I start and do what I say I am going to do.

Biggest weakness?

Good food :)

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

There are not too many that I could find in the same genre but a couple that I did look at seemed to be more "fat and proud" or more bitter towards people and their thoughts on weight. At this point in my life I have no reason to be bitter at a boy in the fifth grade that did not pick me for the kickball team and I am not proud of being fat but I am proud of myself and who I am.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

I am hopeless romantic and believe in happy endings so I would say it would be something in the historical romance department like Judith McNaught or Lisa Kleypas, two of my favorites.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

None. The decisions (good and bad) I have made throughout my life have made me who I am and I have no regrets.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

I was going through a divorce five years ago which was very stressful because I really do believe in happy endings but also believe in being emotionally healthy which I am now.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Always treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. Always.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Not yet...maybe a further down the road something will come to mind...

What is your favorite past-time?

I love yard sales and thrift store shopping.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Thank you for the interview. I hope everybody enjoys reading Making Light of Being Heavy.

MAKING LIGHT OF BEING HEAVY VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on May 1 and end on May 29. You can visit Kandy's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in May to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Scattered Leaves by Richard Roach

Join Richard E. Roach, author of the suspense mystery novel, Scattered Leaves (Multi-Media, Sept. '08), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in April on his third virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

About the Author:

Suspense/Mystery author Richard Roach was born in 1931 in Galveston, Texas. Short stories of his have been published in Man’s Story 2, Happy 2007, Vol. 20 and Bibliophilos 2006, Vol. 42. His first novel, Scattered Leaves, hit the book stores on September 1, ’08, and his second novel, Scattered Money, will be published in 2009.

You can visit his website at http://www.richarderoach.com/.

About the Book:

When Ben McCord comes home from a business trip to find his young wife raped and murdered, he starts out on a journey of death and destruction. Clues lead him to a dark world of drugs and violence in action that spans Texas, Colorado, and the Mexican border. McCord hooks up with a beautiful doctor, who was also victimized by members of the same drug cartel, and together they track down the killers, surviving bloody confrontations, and ending with a suspenseful climax in the Big Thicket of Texas.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview the author. Here's what he answered:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Ben McCord comes home from witnessing a blow-out on a drilling rig to find his wife raped and murdered. At first he’s overcome with grief; but soon the sorrow is replaced with black anger. Ben vows vengeance and starts looking for the perpertratiors.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

No, but the murder of a family in Georgia caused me to realize it could happen to anyone.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

I had no choice in the matter, I felt compelled to write.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife. She reads what I write, the poor soul, and never condemns me.

Your biggest critic?

Oh! Boy! The worst critics are the editors that tell me where I went wrong, rearrange the plot, and drive me crazy in general.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

This is a loaded question! I would never finish this if I were to cover all my passionate causes but just to pick one is hard to do. However, I’ll go with this. I have little faith in the political situation concerning law making and law enforcement. Too much corruption, the media news is full of it every day. Look at Madoff and the trillion dollar debt.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I like to think I have.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

A big sigh of relief and satisfaction.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

John D. MacDonald

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

My health. I hate going to the hospital for operations.

What are you currently working on?

Cecilia—Another crime novel. I have just finished Perverse Judgment.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Beware of opening your door to strangers. Always carry a gun, keep your emotions in check and remember—if a thug comes in your domicile while you are there, HE’S COMING AFTER YOU! Burglars don’t rob home while people are there unless they’re drug mad.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Gardner , MacDonald, Short, Lamour, Hamilton , McBain and Charteris.

What are some of your long term goals?

To continue to write better novels.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

I don’t feel as if I’ve accomplished hardly anything but the best so far is to get SCATTERED LEAVES published.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

My imagination.

Biggest weakness?

Lack of formal education. I should have studied English: Lit and Grammar and writers.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

If you read it, I believe you’ll agree, Action! Violence!

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

Any of the Travis McGee books. The reason: Simple. I could read it over and over. I have read the twenty-one books in the McGee series over and over as is. I also have a complete set stored in plastic containers where light never shines on them. I’m saving them for when I get old. I’m only 7711/12 at this time.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

June 1, 1945 That’s the day I was forced to leave Livingston and go to Houston and work in a grocery store. I was fourteen.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Definitely! I have studied the art and written about ten books in that length of time

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

I’m still learning things . . . the most important thing so far, has to be, get a damn education! Money can’t buy happiness but an education coupled with hard work and perseverance can allow you to suffer in luxury.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Thinking I was smart enough for this world and quitting college.

What is your favorite past-time?

Writing a good story. You can control everything that happens, that’s called heaven.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes! I love you for asking all these questions. It was my pleasure to answer them. I wish you and your family good health, happiness, and piles of nice crisp one-hundred dollar bills.

Win Prizes!!!

SCATTERED LEAVES VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on April 1 and end on April 30. You can visit Richard's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in April to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Keoni's Big Question by Patti B. Ogden

Join Patti B. Ogden, author of the Christian children's picture book, Keoni's Big Question (Capstone Productions), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in April on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As an enthusiastic Sunday school teacher, there was only one thing Patti Ogden did not enjoy about the teaching experience; too often, her lessons would end with the children not grasping the concepts that they were intended to teach. With a genuine heartfelt desire to reach children’s soul realm, she unleashed her God-given creativity and began to break down her lessons into simple terms – added excitement and drama - and suddenly she saw the "lights go on!" Soon the kids were asking questions and wanting to know more!

With a background in journalism and a sincere burden to help kids seek their own spiritual growth, she is now the author of Keoni’s BIG Question and two other Christian children's books due to be released in 2009.

She was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Patti is a devoted wife to her husband Jeff, of 35 years, mother of two and grandmother to five darlings that fill her life with joy. She and her husband Jeff enjoy life on their eleven acre hobby farm in Oregon, Illinois.

You can visit Patti's website at www.capstone-productions.com

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A boy who seeks answers about God’s presence in everyday life, finds his friend held the key to his revelation all along. This gripping tale follows a pair of dear friends on a fishing trip that turns dangerous, then miraculous, and leaves Keoni with more answers then he ever dreamed possible! Every child wonders why we can’t see God. Keoni’s Big Question makes the answer easy to understand.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview this very talented author. Here are her answers:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Keoni’s Big Question is a 32 page fully-illustrated children’s book that follows the journey of a little boy who is extremely curious about God. The story is about Keoni’s question and his quest to find the correct answers. In the end, he finds that an old family friend held the key to his revelation all along. Every child has questions about God at one time or another, this book helps make the answers easy to understand.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Yes, I am a Sunday school teacher and I had a few very disappointing experiences where the children were not grasping the basic Bible concepts that I was trying to teach. I realized that many of the studies aimed at children were presented far above their level and they couldn’t relate to the words and examples that were used. I decided something had to be done to reach them and when I was successful at doing so, the idea for a book came to mind.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

William Branham told a story about a little lad and a grandfatherly gentleman "Old Fisherman" in some of his sermons. That was my inspiration. My challenge was to name the boy and fill in the gaps with fiction.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am very passionate about reaching out and spreading the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. It’s a treasure we are not to keep to ourselves. You know, let your light shine!

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I have improved on sentence structure and learned that less is more.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

On my first book I am very thankful to my friends George Smith as well as David and Sharon Buckley. They have given their utmost assistance with constructive analysis, wonderful suggestions and editing; all of it has helped me "think outside of the box".

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

When I received comments, reviews and feedback that hit me right at the goal I wanted to reach. My book moved not just people, but entire families. That was an awesome moment.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?


















The ability to discern what children are needing and saying without them ever speaking a word.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

It doesn’t have just one message or meaning. A parent or teacher can take this book and teach at least seven different Biblical messages, virtues or lessons from it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I would like to invite everyone to our website www.Capstone-Productions.com to learn more about our books. We would love to have you stop by! My new blog will begin in a couple of weeks.

Also, we have two other books coming out this year. Shamgar and the Ox Goad and Momma, Am I Pretty?

Our book trailer for Keoni’s Big Question will be out in May.

It’s been great to be here, I would like to thank you for hosting me. Blessings, Patti

WIN PRIZES!!!

THE KEONI'S BIG QUESTION VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on April 1 and end on April 30. You can visit Patti's blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in April to find out more about this talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Save the Best For Last by Kim Hanks

About the Author:

Kim Hanks is the author of Save The Best For Last, a fantasy adventure debut from the author! Critics have compared this book to an example of hugely popular genres and reality in the novelists craft and have described it as a strong, good, and multi layered fantasy adventure written with a hand that is both sure and light.

Kim has a full time job and is a graduate of Cambridge International College with a degree in Human Resource Management. He lives in Dubai.

For more information please visit his website at http://www.kimhanks.net/

About the Book:

Zwick Lamps, a secret admirer to Whitney Barnes, got targeted by a genius son of the past evil family that had lived in Green Oasis Town. However, it was once before that Zwick had finally discovered his supernatural powers that were only known by the isolated old woman Tabitha, a misfortuned lady whose husband died on their wedding day.

I was able to get Kim to agree to an interview. Here are his answers:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

My novel save the best for last is a fantasy adventure saga; it's the first in the series. This book is set in Green Oasis Town. Zwick is the major character in the book; he had supernatural abilities that were only known by the unknown woman. He later becomes attracted to a girl who obviously wasn't destined to be with him. After experiencing the tragedy, Zwick had to do everything in his powers to stop history from repeating its self.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

It was during a day dream when I got the aspect of this book unfolding in my minds; it only began with two characters. Immediately I knew this was a novel event as the idea continued pouring in visually. Despite of my literature back ground, by then I was also a creative writing student. So as a person who loved writing, this was the right time for me to take it on the professional level.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Apart from my creative teacher who encouraged me through it, several authors whose work I never miss up to now, like Stephen king, Jk Rowling, though their several other new authors whose work I enjoy reading these days, they have influenced me so much because I feel that spirit to work hard so that I can produce smart work similar to theirs.

What are you currently working on?

Right now, I'm working on the sequel of save the best for last and I have just finished two single title projects in the editing process.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Believing in your work is vital to any author, if you don't trust it, nobody will. Keeping reading and don't forget to write something every day. It will help you to recognize advancements in your writing craft as you writing career goes on.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

Frankly, anyone who like reading fantasy and those who enjoy cross genre books, I mean book with elements from other genres. Then my book is a must read for them because it lights logical and unforeseen twists and turns within its inherent concept.

What is your favorite past time?

When not writing or reading? Then obviously I will be attending acting classes which I only go for during my free time. But I'm no exception, I watch movies too, I like those drives around as well answering emails and meeting my friends relieves me.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes! Anytime my book Save the Best For Last may appear on the silver screen as movie proposals have started coming in, but no deal has been confirmed.


WIN PRIZES!!!

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on March 2 and end on March 31. You can visit Kim's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in March to find out more about this great book and talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

About the Book:

MY LITTLE RED BOOK is an anthology of stories about first periods, collected from women of all ages from around the world. The accounts range from light-hearted (the editor got hers while water skiing in a yellow bathing suit) to heart-stopping (a first period discovered just as one girl was about to be strip-searched by the Nazis). The contributors include well-known women writers (Meg Cabot, Erica Jong, Gloria Steinem, Cecily von Ziegesar), alongside today's teens. And while the authors differ in race, faith, or cultural background, their stories share a common bond: they are all accessible, deeply honest, and highly informative. Whatever a girl experiences or expects, she'll find stories that speak to her thoughts and feelings.

Ultimately, MY LITTLE READ BOOK is more than a collection of stories. It is a call for a change in attitude, for a new way of seeing periods. In a time when the taboo around menstruation seems to be one of the few left standing, it makes a difficult subject easier to talk about, and helps girls feel proud instead of embarrassed or ashamed. By revealing what it feels like to undergo this experience first hand, and giving women the chance to explain their feelings in their own words, it aims to provide support, entertainment, and a starting point for discussion for mothers and daughters everywhere. It is a book every girl should have. Period.

I was fortunate enough to be able to ask Rachel some questions as part of her blog tour. Here is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It’s a collection of stories about first periods told by women and girls themselves. It’s diverse—there are stories told in AIM conversation form, stories from grandmothers who don’t know how to type, stories all the way from India to Ohio. I see it as somewhere between a manifesto and a bedside companion for girls going through their first period.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

My own, traumatic first experience. Think waterskiing, yellow bathing suit, alone with old-fashioned grandfather.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

My wrinkly great aunt whispered to me her first period story, shocking me and making me wonder why she was whispering. She got her first period while fleeing Nazi-occupied Poland; she was naked in line waiting to be strip-searched by a Nazi officer when she noticed that her leg was blood red. The officer was so disgusted that her period saved her from being examined! And the craziest part is that she had never told anyone before!

Who is your biggest supporter?

My dad.

Your biggest critic?

My dad. (I’m eighteen, what can you expect)

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Ending awkwardness, one step at a time. Periods is the first step. There is no reason that girls should feel as ashamed as they do when they get their first period! I am trying to end an unjustified stigma. Of course, periods aren’t my whole life. I am really into food. Eating well, sustainability, cooking, farming, the whole shebang.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

Publishing a book has taught me so much! From how to write a book proposal to how to pretend sounding professional, When I wasn’t working on the book, I was learning to cook, and like to think I have improved my dicing abilities.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

Mmm not consciously. Although I generally look at recipes whenever I want to give my mind a break. So I probably go on Epicurious.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Dave Eggers, Henry Millers, Joyce Maynard, Nabokov. But, erm, I’m not really a writer yet, more of an editor for now. Maybe someday!

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

My ukulele. My sister. A sharp knife.

What are you currently working on?

Making My Little Red Book a project that will live and expand on the web. I’m collecting stories for the website and working on first-period story videos; see http://www.mylittleredbook.net/videos. I am also working with The Color of Words, a New Haven based nonprofit which teaches inner city kids how to express themselves by making documentary films. I’m helping the girls making short movies about their own first period experiences. They are awesome. And are teaching me more than I am teaching them.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Writing for writing’s sake is enough. That’s the true reason to write. For readers of the book, I would suggest thinking about, as contributor Michelle Jaffe discusses, how each first period story reveals something about a woman’s character, and applying it to each story in the book. Then think about how your own first period reveals something about you.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Nabokov, because he has so much fun with the language. This opening of Lolita says it all: Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.

Joyce Maynard, because her essay "An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life" showed me it was possible to articulate feelings and opinions that I had never before been able to verbalize. I am so lucky that she contributed her story. In her usual fashion, it is an incredibly thoughtful and poignant piece.

What are some of your long-term goals?

To become really really witty.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

My enthusiasm. I always did well in my effort grades at school, and significantly less so for the achievement. Enthusiasm seems to be part of the package deal that comes with youth. And it has definitely helped me, if not achieve, at least appear like I am trying.

Biggest weakness?

My upper arm strength is significantly lacking. And my spelling is pretty poor. (I am definitely a child of spellcheck.) In seriousness, I am still working on finding my own voice.

What other books belong to the period story genre?

Comparing it to other puberty books, this is the first one that has been compiled by someone my age, and in which YA authors, moms and teens voices are all represented. Also, all the royalties are going towards a diverse range of women’s health charities, which makes the awareness message of the book more tangible -- just by buying the book, you are helping advance women’s causes.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on a deserted island. What book would you bring with you and why?

Don’t Forget to Write, compiled by the staff at Valencia 826. It’s a book of awesome writing prompts and excerpts of inspirationally good writing, and cautionary bad writing. Going on a deserted island with that book is also known as a writing workshop.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what ways?

Entirely. I know what I like, and I don’t have braces.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

When someone asks you a question you don’t really want to answer, it is okay to answer the question you wish the person had asked. My favorite story in the book is about a girl who thinks she is dying and burns her underwear in the woods every night for a week.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

On my last day in a NOLS trek in Alaska, I decided not to purify my water in order to taste glacial water at least one time. I lived to regret that decision.

What is your favorite pasttime?

Staying up late and baking pies with friends.

About the Author:

Rachel Kauder Nalebuff was initially embarrassed by her first period, but the power of these recollections has rubbed off. She has come to embrace her own story (and has even used it as a conversation starter). Because she talked about periods...let’s just say more than once a month, it was inevitable that she would go down in her high school's history as "the period girl." She is absolutely cool with that.

Rachel is on a gap year before heading to Yale. In her free time, she plays guitar, rides/falls off her unicycle, and indulges in late-night pie baking with friends. She is donating all the proceeds of My Little Red Book to women’s health charities so that this book may benefit girls beyond its readers. My Little Red Book is her first published work.

Grayrider by Bruce Skye

About the Author:

A former technical writer, detail is important to Bruce Skye. His research for the Deathsong Chronicles included medieval armor and fortresses, as well as Celtic names and magic. "If you create a world, it must be consistent. And that's what I strive for Grayrider's world to be. I've built a database of material for each of the Deathsong Chronicles. Those databases aid me in keeping the world the same from book to book.

"When I wrote Grayrider, I followed the advice of Stephen King. I did not write the book following any sort of outline. I have no more idea than my readers do when I write a novel what will happen in the midst of the story. It makes it more exciting for both the readers and myself."

You can visit his website at http://www.bruceskye.com/.

About the Book:

Gabriel, the exiled king of Rivalin, comes before King Airell to warn him the Ansgarian army will invade his kingdom before the night is over. Airell tells him he has no one to send. Gabriel wants revenge for the murder of his family by the Ansgarians. He decides to fight the incursion without help.

As this takes place, Deirdre (Airell’s daughter), flees the kingdom of Cynyr north of Boadhagh. She knows now her mentor, Morrigan, created the Ansgarian army her father has fought for years. She goes south to warn him of her. Because Deirdre does not believe in herself, the young sorceress has difficulty in performing magic.

Once she is reunited with her father, she tells both he and Grayrider about Morrigan. Her power is growing; only Gabriel’s magical sword may yet destroy her. He must go to Cynyr to fight her. He agrees if Deirdre attends him, seeking her counsel. On that journey they fall in love and foil many efforts by Morrigan to kill Gabriel by both armies and sorcerers.

Grayrider fights Morrigan and sees his beloved slain by the sorceress before he is finally able to kill her. He returns to Rivalin brokenhearted. The ending is a complete surprise the reader will not expect at all.

I had the opportunity to ask Bruce some questions. Here's what he had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Gabriel the Gray is a refugee king driven from his land by those who murdered his family. He is an exile in the kingdom of Boadhagh, helping in defending that land from the same army which invaded his own realm. To do that, he has a powerful magical sword known as Deathsong. The sword and its abilities scare him on occasion.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Being a writer has been a lifelong dream of mine. A divorce made me decide to finally begin to live out my own dreams.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

I had a troubled childhood. The Grayrider character has been in my mind for years.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My fiancé. She pushed me to attempt to publish the book. She’s dying of cancer. And I dedicated the book to her.

Your biggest critic?

I am.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I fear radical Islam. I have studied Muslim terrorism and it truly frightens me.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

My writing has improved because I constantly work at it. My goal is to have every novel I publish be better than the last.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

No.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Two writers have influenced my writing: Jack Higgins and J.R.R.Tolkien

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Succeeding as an author.

What are you currently working on?

Grayrider is the first volume of the Deathsong Chronicles series. The second volume is finished and I hope for it to be published later this year. I’m working on the third book in the series now.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

For writers I suggest not to give up. Being published can be quite daunting. And there is much to know in doing it wisely. Find out everything you can before attempting self-publication.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Again, Jack Higgins.

What are some of your long term goals?

To have a New York Times bestseller.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Writing suspenseful stories both reviewers and readers enjoy.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Having the humility to be willing to constantly learn and grow in my craft.

Biggest weakness?

The fear of failure.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

This fantasy novel is actually a suspense story combined with sorcery, swordplay and romance. One reviewer wrote of Grayrider "I found that I could not put the book down."

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

That is a difficult question!

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago?

Absolutely!

In what ways?

I’m certainly more mature and level-headed.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Never give up. If I had, Grayrider never would have been published.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

I have yet to go skydiving, scuba diving and getting my sailplane license.

What is your favorite past-time?

Reading.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I think the message I want Grayrider to give to people is not to give up, no matter the odds against you.

WIN PRIZES:

GRAYRIDER VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '08 will officially begin on February 2 and end on February 27. You can visit Bruce's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in February to find out more about his new book!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.