Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category:

Donations to Clarity Virtual Book Publicity Tour November/December 2011

Join Noah Baird, author of the humor book, Donations to Clarity (South Wind Publishing), as he virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – December 16 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Noah Baird Noah Baird wanted to attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, but his grades weren’t good enough (who knew?).  However, his grades were good enough to fly for the U.S. Navy (again, who knew?), where he spent 14 years until the government figured out surfers don’t make the best military aviators. He has also tried to be a stand-up comedian in Hawaii for Japanese tourists where
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Babes in Bucksnort Virtual Book Publicity Tour November 2011

Join Davis Aujduvd’hui, author of the humor/satire book, Babes in Bucksnort (Outskirts Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – 23 2011 on his second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Davis Aujourd’hui Davis Aujourd’hui is the author of the Sister Mary Olga Fortitude series of hilarious satires. The first book is entitled The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. It was followed by Babes in Bucksnort. Davis possesses a rich life experience that has enabled him to draw from it in order to create a colorful canvas upon which to paint very human lives. He is a retired social worker, having worked for
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The Clara Ann Burns Story Virtual Book Publicity Tour November 2011

Join Heidi Ann Smith, author of the family/relationships/fiction novel, The Clara Ann Burns Story (Monkee Puzzle Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – 23 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Heidi Ann Smith Heidi Ann Smith grew up in the Chicago area and began publishing poems as a child. At a young age, she won various local and academic awards for her writing; based on her writing abilities, she was awarded a scholarship to a private high school and attended college courses during her high school years. After high school she began raising a family and was taken away
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Echo Falls Online Book Tour November & December 2011

Join Jaime McDougall, author of the paranormal romance novel Echo Falls as she virtually tours the blogosphere in November and December 2011 on her second tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Jaime McDougall Jaime McDougall is a citizen of the world, currently loving life in beautiful country Victoria in Australia. She loves eating sushi, kidnapping her husband and naming her pets in honour of science fiction authors. She has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: High School: The Real Deal and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles. So You Want to Write a Guest Post: An Author’s Guide to Promoting with Guest Blogging is her
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Black & Orange Online Book Tour December 2011

Join Benjamin Kane Ethridge, author of the award-winning dark fantasy horror Black & Orange as he virtually tours the blogosphere in December 2011 on his second tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Benjamin Kane Ethridge Benjamin Kane Ethridge’s fiction has appeared in Doorways Magazine, Dark Recesses, FearZone, and others. His dark fantasy novel BLACK & ORANGE (Bad Moon Books 2010) has won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in First Novel. Beyond that he’s written several collaborations with Michael Louis Calvillo, one of which is a novella called UGLY SPIRIT, available in 2011. He also wrote a master’s thesis entitled, “CAUSES OF UNEASE: The Rhetoric of Horror
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You Never Know Virtual Book Publicity Tour November 2011

Join Lilian Duval, author of the literary fiction, You Never Know: Tales of Tobias, an Accidental Lottery Winner (Wheatmark, Inc.), as she virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – 23 2011 on her fourth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Lilian Duval Lilian Duval lives with her husband George, a native of Singapore, in a small house in New Jersey overlooking a large county park. They have two sons and a daughter, all independent and ambitious, and several cats. She’s an amateur classical guitarist and enjoys attending concerts and plays in New York City. But writing has always been her calling. In her own words, “The
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The Door to Far-Myst Virtual Book Publicity Tour November 2011

Join Mike DiCerto, author of the middle grade fantasy novel, The Door to Far-Myst: The Adventures of Rupert Starbright (Vol. 1) (Zumaya Threshold), as he virtually tours the blogosphere November 1 – 23  2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Mike DiCerto A filmmaker and writer since childhood, Mike DiCerto has directed numerous shorts, music videos, documentaries, promotional videos and two feature films (NO EXIT and TRIPTOSANE). His first novel, Milky Way Marmalade, received rave reviews and was the winner of the 2003 Dream Realm Award. He is very excited about the release of the first of his exciting new kid-lit series, Rupert
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New Book for Review: Family/Relationships/Fiction ‘The Clara Ann Burns Story’ by Heidi Ann Smith

Heidi Ann Smith is touring November 1 – 23 with her family/relationships fiction novel, The Clara Ann Burns Story! In Heidi Ann Smith’s short novel THE CLARA ANN BURNS STORY, a woman who suffered child abuse looks back over her turbulent life as she approaches her fifties. Smith describes it as “a story of a young girl, Clara Ann Burns, who was tortured, abused and neglected by her family. When she was old enough to go out on her own, she got herself into situations that were not always the best. But in the end she raises her own family and holds onto the hope of healing and living
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New Book for Review: Business/Leadership “Fundamentally Different” by David Friedman

David Friedman is touring in November 2011 with his business/leadership book, Fundamentally Different. In Fundamentally Different, Friedman uses stories and examples from his 27 years of business leadership experience to make clear the connection between values and success in a way that’s as enjoyable to read as it is insightful. Is organizational culture just a New Age obsession that distracts us from the real work of business?  What role do values play in organizational success?  How can we create greater consistency between the values we say are important and the ones that actually show up in the routine behavior of our people?   What’s the most important common denominator found
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New eBook for Review: Christian-spiced Christmas Fiction ‘Slouching Towards Bellingham’ by Anneke Campbell

Anneke Campbell will be touring December 5 – 16 with her Christian-spiced Christmas fiction novel, Slouching Towards Bellingham! When a pregnant girl named Mary waddles into Bellingham, Indiana, she also wanders right into the hearts of its townspeople. Not to mention their imaginations: Because Mary’s a virgin! Joe the postman is the first to spot her, struggling bedraggled and dirty down the road into town. He introduces her to Violet, the waitress at his favorite diner, who has her own reasons to be kind. Next thing you know their friend Dr. Bob’s examined her and proclaimed her a virgin. And then the whole world wants a piece of her. News
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New Book for Review: Humor ‘The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey: A Journey of Extraordinary Ordinary’ by Deborah Barnes

Deborah Barnes will be touring November 14 – December 16 2011 with her humor book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey: A Journey of Extraordinary Ordinary! Combining a warm, humorous, and conversational style of writing with stunning photos and charming artwork, readers are immediately immersed into the world of Zee, a lovable male Maine Coon cat, and Zoey, a high-spirited female Bengal cat, as they share their amazing relationship and bond that formed between the two of them in The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey. What makes this story so compelling is that the author narrates the journey of the cats through the personal trials and tribulations of her
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New Book for Review: Contemporary Christian Fiction ‘Downtown Green’ by Judy Christie

Judy Christie is touring in March 5 – 30 2012 with her Contemporary Christian Fiction novel, Downtown Green! When the highway bypass around Green opens with much fanfare, downtown dries up faster than cement on the roadway. Businesses close and the hospital becomes a clinic. While the road is progress to some, it seems to be leading Green toward a national trend–a town that is merely a shadow of itself. With the town going backwards, Lois Barker Craig is determined to save Green while juggling life as a new mom and owner of The Green News-Item. But can her plan rescue the town from the path it’s on? And
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Sharon Bially + Win copy of ‘Veronica’s Nap’!

Sharon Bially lived for twelve years in Paris and Aix-en-Provence before settling with her family in Massachusetts.  A graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she’s a public relations professional and leads seminars for the Boston-based, nonprofit literary arts center, Grub Street Writers.  She’s also an adult student of ballet and modern dance.  You can visit Sharon’s website and blog at www.veronicas-nap.com. Visit her at Twitter at www.twitter.com/@sharonbially and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sharon.bially AND http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronicas-Nap/240292619323500. Thank you for this interview, Sharon.  Can we begin by asking you how you came up with the idea for Veronica’s Nap? Sharon: I lived in the south of France, where Veronica’s Nap
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Pump Up Chats with Karen Simpson – Author of Act of Grace

Karen Simpson lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan and holds a Master’s in Historic Preservation. Writing, fabric art, and history are her passions. She’s a quilter and has taught African American quilting for over twenty years. As a historian, Simpson has designed exhibits for museums and other historical institutions that deal with issues of cultural diversity and racial reconciliation. The subjects and themes for her fiction are taken from the stories she discovers while doing research. In 2009 Simpson was awarded the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Older Writers Grant. Act of Grace is her first novel. Thank you for this interview, Karen.  Would you tell us briefly about Act of Grace
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Pump Up Your Book Presents October 2011 Authors on Virtual Book Publicity Tour

Pump Up Your Book! Announces Oct ‘11 Authors on Virtual Book Tours Join a talented and diverse group of 42 authors, promoting 44 books, who are touring with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Tours during the month of October 2011. Follow them as they travel the blogosphere from October 3rd through October 28th to discuss their books. There are genres for everyone: from literary fiction to satire, from fantasy to historical fiction, from true crime to memoir, and more! Award-winning authors Kathi Macias and Marilyn Meredith return for their ninth virtual book tours to promote their latest releases. Literary fiction comes to you from Gregory Allen, John Banks,
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New Book for Review: Family/Relationship Nonfiction ‘Inside the Spaghetti Bowl’ by Frank Zaccari

Frank Zaccari will be touring November 14 – December 16, 2011, with his family/relationship nonfiction book, Inside the Spaghetti Bowl! Like many of the “baby boomers” my family faced the difficult task of burying our Mother. This is our story, this is your story. It is a story for every beating heart that has loved or has been loved. It is the story about the struggles and pains endured by those virtuous individuals who poured their lives into ours and filled our years with intimate memories and a gladdened heart. It is the story you will want to pass down to your children and grandchildren. This is a book
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Telegraph Island Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join John Milton Langdon, author of the historical fiction novel, Telegraph Island (Tate Publishing & Enterprises), as he virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on his second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About John Langdon Author John Milton Langdon is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has a master’s degree in maritime civil engineering.  Langdon retired and became a professional writer after an active and rewarding engineering career.  Initially he worked in Britain but from 1972 until 2008, he dealt with project development in Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.  Langdon lives in the Austrian
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Nephilim Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Mary Ann Loesch, author of the urban fantasy/paranormal novel, Nephilim (Lyrical Press, Inc.), as she virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Mary Ann Loesch Mary Ann Loesch is an award-winning author living in the Austin Area. Teacher by day, writer by night, Ms. Loesch has an extensive background in Theatre Arts and education. In 2009 her novel, Nephilim, won the Writers League of Texas Manuscript contest in the category of Science Fiction/Fantasy. Having published short stories in SNM Horror Magazine, A Side of Grits, and Red Fez, she is also a proud contributor
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A Death For Beauty Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Alberto Rios Arias, author of the historical mystery novel, A Death For Beauty or, An Immortal (Freedom River Books), as he virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Alberto Rios Arias Born in Jersey City and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, Alberto Rios Arias filled his leisure time writing and illustrating short stories and took an interest in creative writing after reading J.D. Salinger’s, Catcher in the Rye in high school. After a three-year stint in the Army, he pursued another obsession and enrolled in the popular School of Visual Arts in Manhattan under
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Veronica’s Nap Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Sharon Bially, author of the women’s fiction novel, Veronica’s Nap (Connaissance Media), as she virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Sharon Bially Sharon Bially lived for twelve years in Paris and Aix-en-Provence before settling with her family in Massachusetts.  A graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she’s a public relations professional and leads seminars for the Boston-based, nonprofit literary arts center, Grub Street Writers.  She’s also an adult student of ballet and modern dance. Her latest book is the contemporary women’s fiction novel, Veronica’s Nap. You can visit Sharon’s
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Lagan Love Virtual Book Publicity Tour October/November 2011

Join Peter Murphy, author of the literary fiction novel, Lagan Love (Fiction Studio), as he virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – November 23, 2011, on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Peter Murphy Peter Murphy was born in Killarney where he spent his first three years before his family was deported to Dublin, the Strumpet City. Growing up in the verdant braes of Templeogue, Peter was schooled by the De La Salle brothers in Churchtown where he played rugby for ‘The Wine and Gold’. He also played football (soccer) in secret! After that, he graduated and studied the Humanities in Grogan’s under the
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New Book for Review: Humor ‘Donations to Clarity’ by Noah Baird

Noah Baird is touring in November & December 2011 with his humor book, Donations to Clarity! The plan was simple: hoax bigfoot, then sell tours to bigfoot enthusiasts. The plan wasn’t brilliant, and neither were Harry, Earl, and Patch. The three chemical-abusing friends only wanted to avoid the 9 to 5 rat race, but their antics attract the attention of a real bigfoot. When the misogynistic Earl is mistaken for a female bigfoot by the nearsighted creature and captured; it is just the beginning of their problems. The U.S. Government has a plan to naturalize the mythical creatures living within the U.S. borders.  The problem is the plan needs
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New eBook for Review: Nonfiction ‘Writing Your Way: The Great American Novel Track’ by Julie Smith

Julie Smith will be touring December 5 – 16 with her nonfiction book, Writing Your Way: The Great American Novel Track! WRITING YOUR WAY is a no-nonsense, jam-packed book on writing fiction that came directly out of the author’s belief that most writing teachers need to cut their students a little slack. Edgar-winner Julie Smith’s approach is to help you find your own writing method, not bombard you with “unbreakable” rules. But make no mistake, she’s going to give you plenty of how-tos—on plot, character, setting, voice, point-of-view, dialogue, pacing and marketing.  As well as plenty of practice exercises. And lots of motherly advice. She also thinks most writing
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New eBook for Review: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Crime ‘Better Off Dead’ by Jason Krumbine

Jason Krumbine is touring November 1 – 23, 2011 with his urban fantasy/paranormal/crime novel, Better Off Dead, Book 3 in The Grym Brothers Series! They say dead men tell no tales, but that’s just because they’ve never worked as a Grim Reaper. Grim Reapers are real. They are governed by the Council of Reapers. Reapers are responsible for the capture and containment of dead souls that refuse to or cannot move on to the afterlife. Lori Standford’s mother died six months ago. Now she’s back, haunting Lori out of her home. Lori turns to her close friend, Emma Grym, mother of Thane and Mort Grym, for help. Now Thane
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Devil’s Hand Virtual Book Publicity Tour October/November 2011

Join M.E. Patterson, author of the supernatural fantasy novel, Devil’s Hand (Digimonkey Studios), as he virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – November 23, 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About M.E. Patterson M. E. Patterson is an author of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and thrillers, as well as an information technologist. He received an English/Fiction Writing degree from Virginia Tech, where he studied under nationally-recognized writers and poets. He has published short stories on RevolutionSF and his first manuscript for his book, Devil’s Hand, placed in the top five in the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest. You can visit his website at
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A Christmas Journey Home Virtual Book Tour, October 2011

Join Kathi Macias, author of the Christian contemporary seasonal novel, A Christmas Journey Home (New Hope Publishers, October 5, 2011), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in October 2011 on her ninth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Kathi Macias Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and
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Deliver Me From Evil Virtual Book Tour, October 2011

Join Kathi Macias, author of the Christian contemporary suspense novel, Deliver Me From Evil (New Hope Publishers, September 5, 2011), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in October 2011 on her eighth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Kathi Macias Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Tamara Elizabeth

Tamara Elizabeth is a speaker, author, self love coach, radio host, a master motivator of women in transition, conductress of motivational seminars, professional photographer, small space designer, lover of social media, mother of 5, and a fabulously loveable woman after her first 50 years.  She is determined to create a revolution of women. Tamara started her life over at fifty and believes that if she can do it, any woman can.  That’s when she decided to take her experiences and help others with her latest book, Fabulously Fifty and Reflecting It! – Discovering My Loveable Me. I have 4 greatest accomplishments in my life – my 4 grown children. 
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New Book for Review: Thriller ‘Naked Addiction’ by Caitlin Rother

Caitlin Rother will be touring January 3 – 27 2012 with her thriller novel, NAKED ADDICTION! Police detective Ken Goode is tired of working undercover narcotics and wants a transfer to homicide. When the Camus-reading surfer finds the body of a beautiful woman in an alley, he gets the go-ahead to head a team of relief detectives and wins the chance to prove he’s homicide-worthy. As Goode explores the underbelly of the affluent coastal enclave of La Jolla and its neighbor, Pacific Beach, he clashes with the patrons and employees of a neighborhood bar: real estate agents and beauty school students who have possible ties to an escort service
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Carole Eglash-Kosoff

Carole Eglash-Kosoff lives and writes in Valley Village, California. She graduated from UCLA and spent her career in business and in teaching. In 2006 her husband, mother, and brother died within a month of one another, causing her to reevaluate her life. She volunteered to work with the American Jewish World Service and was sent to South Africa to teach. She returned there a year later, having met an amazing array of men and women who had devoted their lives during the worst years of apartheid to helping the children, the elderly, and the disabled of the townships. These people cared when no one else did and their efforts
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