Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category:

New Book for Review: Middle Grade/YA Fiction ‘The Secrets of the Magical Medallions’ by Sean McCartney

Sean McCartney will be touring in April with his middle grade/YA novel, The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions. A Treasure Hunting Legend… Four Ordinary Kids… Two Magical Medallions… Pursued By An Ancient Evil… In One Extraordinary Adventure. Join the Treasure Hunters Club as they look to unlock the Secrets of the Magical Medallions. …Some Secrets Are Better Left Alone. When Tommy Reed received a medallion from his famous treasure hunting uncle “Diamond” Jack Reed he didn’t think much of it. Now an ancient evil is pursuing his every move and his treasure hunting club friends, Shannon McDougal, Jackson Miller and Chris Henderson are on the
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Final Mercy Virtual Book Tour February 2011

Join Frank Edwards, author of the medical thriller, Final Mercy (Zumaya Publications), as he virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – February 25 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Frank Edwards Frank J. Edwards was born in Rochester New York.  In 1968 he entered the US Army and served a tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.  He received a BA with honors in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill then attended medical school at the University of Rochester, graduating with an MD in 1979.  In 1989 he received an MFA in writing from Warren Wilson College in
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The Paris Wife Virtual Book Tour March 2011

Join Paula McLain, author of the historical novel, The Paris Wife (Ballantine Books, February 2011)  as she virtually tours the blogosphere in March 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Paula McLain Paula McLain received an MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan and has been a resident of Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony. She is the author of two collections of poetry, as well as a memoir, Like Family, and a first novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives in Cleveland with her family. You can visit Paula McLain’s website to learn more about The Paris Wife at www.pariswife.com. About The Paris Wife A
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One Pelican at a Time Virtual Book Tour, April and May 2011

Join Nancy Stewart, author of the children’s picture book, One Pelican at a Time (Guardian Angel Publishing, January 2011)  as she virtually tours the blogosphere in April and May 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Nancy Stewart After having been an elementary school teacher, a management consultant with New Options, Inc. in New York City and a university professor of education, Nancy Stewart now writes children’s books full time.  She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge. Nancy travels extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa.  She is the US chair
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Released Virtual Book Tour February 2011

Join Tom Roy, author of the Christian Sports novel, Released (BMH Custom Books), as he virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – February 25 ‘11 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Tom Roy Tom Roy is the President and Founder of UPI. After a very brief time in the S.F. Giants organization, Tom went on to a career in radio, taking his first job in West Virginia. Shortly after that he felt the call of God to pursue a college degree and enrolled at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN. Upon completion of that degree he took a head baseball coaching job at a local high
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New Book for Review: Christian Contemporary International Thriller ‘People of the Book’ by Kathi Macias

Kathi Macias will be touring in May with the fourth book in her Extreme Devotion series, People of the Book.  Eighteen-year-old Farah, who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. Then the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. Her older brother, Kareem, who has never liked Farah, actively seeks to expose her for the sham he believes she is. At the same time, Farah’s 17-year-old cousin, Nura, begins frequenting an online chat room where former Muslims discuss their new Christian faith. While there, Nura meets an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a
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Letters From Home Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Join Kristina McMorris, author of the women’s fiction novel, Letters From Home, as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 21 – March 25 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Kristina McMorris Kristina McMorris lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Her foray into fiction began in the fall of 2006 as a result of interviewing her grandmother for the biographical section of a self-published cookbook intended as a holiday gift for the family. Inspired by her grandparents’ wartime courtship, Kristina penned her first novel, a WWII love story titled Letters from Home. This award-winning debut is scheduled for
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  • January 17, 2011
  • Authors on Tour, Featured
  • Comments Off on Lessons from Stanley the Cat Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Lessons from Stanley the Cat Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Join Dr. Jennifer Freed, author of the self-help humor book, Lessons from Stanley the Cat (Perigee Trade), as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – March 25 ‘11 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Dr. Jennifer Freed For more than 25 years, Jennifer Freed, Ph.D., has been a licensed marriage and family counselor, group psychotherapist and educator.  She was the Clinical Director at PACIFICA GRADUATE INSTITUTE, one of the country’s leading centers for depth psychology, where she continues to serve as a professor and workshop leader. Dr. Freed is a recognized expert on behavioral matters such as teen bullying, character development, marriage
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Final Vector Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Join Allan Leverone, author of the thriller novel, Final Vector, as he virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – March 25 ‘11 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Allan Leverone Allan Leverone is a three-time Derringer Award Finalist whose short fiction has been featured in Needle: A Magazine of Noir, Shroud Magazine, Twisted Dreams, Mysterical-E and many other venues, both print and online. His debut thriller, titled FINAL VECTOR, is available February 2011 from Medallion Press. For details, please visit www.allanleverone.com or his blog at www.allanleverone.blogspot.com. About Final Vector Air traffic controller Nick Jensen’s life is in a shambles. His wife Lisa has
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Outlander Virtual Book Tour February and March 2011

Join Diana Gabaldon, author of the historical science-fiction adventure romance novel, Outlander, as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 14th – March 11th on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Diana Gabaldon Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning, #1 NYT-bestselling OUTLANDER novels, described by Salon magazine as “the smartest historical sci-fi adventure-romance story ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting “Scrooge McDuck” comics.” The adventure began in 1991 with the classic OUTLANDER (“historical fiction with a Moebius twist”), has continued through six more New York Times-bestselling novels–DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, DRUMS OF AUTUMN, THE FIERY CROSS, A BREATH OF SNOW
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  • January 14, 2011
  • Authors on Tour, Featured
  • Comments Off on Start Up from the Ground Up Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Start Up from the Ground Up Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

Join Cynthia Kocialski, author of the business book, Startup from the Ground Up: Practical Insights for Entrepreneurs, as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – March 25 ‘11 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Cynthia Kocialski Cynthia Kocialski is the founder of three companies – two fabless semiconductor and one software company.  In the past 15 years, she has been involved in dozens of start-ups and has served on various advisory boards. These companies have collectively returned billions of dollars to investors. Cynthia has worked with established companies to bring start-up techniques and technologies to corporations desiring to process improvement and efficiency.
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New Book for Review: Historical Sci-fi Adventure Romance Novel ‘Outlander’ by Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon is touring February 14th through March 11th, with her historical science-fiction adventure romance novel, Outlander, the first book in her Outlander series. Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another… In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon–when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord…1743. Hurled back in time by forces
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New Book for Review: Women’s fiction book ‘Friendship Bread’

Darien Gee will be touring in May 2011 with her women’s fiction book, Frienship Bread. For fans of Kristin Hannah and Kate Jacobs, Darien Gee’s deeply felt and utterly charming novel follows two estranged sisters, three newfound friends, and—ultimately—a whole town brought together by a simple loaf of Amish Friendship Bread. 400 pages If you would like to review Friendship Bread, email us by clicking here and filling out the form or email Cheryl Malandrinos at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com. Deadline for inquiries is April 1, 2011 or until the tour is filled. Thank you. UPDATE: THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BROWSE OUR OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. THANK
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The Innocent Virtual Book Tour February 2011

Join Vincent Zandri, author of the thriller novel, The Innocent, as he virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – February 25 ‘11 on his third virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Vincent Zandri Vincent Zandri is an essayist and freelance photojournalist, and the author of the recent bestsellers, The Remains, Moonlight Falls and The Innocent . His novel As Catch Can (Delacorte) was touted in two pre-publication articles by Publishers Weekly and was called “Brilliant” upon its publication by The New York Post. The Boston Herald attributed it as “The most arresting first crime novel to break into print this season.” Other novels include Godchild (Bantam/Dell)
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  • January 13, 2011
  • Featured, Staff Articles
  • Comments Off on Guest Posts: 50 ideas for great guest posts for authors on virtual book tours

Guest Posts: 50 ideas for great guest posts for authors on virtual book tours

When an author signs up for a virtual book tour with us, he more than likely will have to write a few guest posts (unless he specifies an all-review or all-interview tour). While it depends on how long his tour will be, he might be asked to write two, three, sometimes more guest posts.  The one thing the author needs to remember is that this is going to be one way to show everyone how well they can write.  Sometimes the reader picks up a certain style which may determine whether they may or may not buy their book, believe it or not.  What pressure! And sometimes the author’s
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Women’s Fiction Author Shana Mahaffey on A Book and a Chat Tonight!

Shana Mahaffey drops by A Book and a Chat tonight to chat about herself and her book “Sounds Like Crazy”. Though she doesn’t remember the trauma that caused it, Holly Miller has Dissociative Identity Disorder. Her personality has fractured into five different identities, together known as The Committee. And as much as they make Holly’s life hell, she can’t live without them. Then one of those identities, the flirtatious, southern Betty Jane, lands Holly a voice over job. Betty Jane wants nothing more than to be in the spotlight. The rest of The Committee wants Betty Jane to shut up. Holly’s therapist wants to get to the bottom of
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What Exactly are Blog Tours, Virtual Book Tours, Online Book Tours, Etc.?

A blog tour, sometimes called a virtual book tour or an online book tour, is an intensive lesson in online marketing that allows others to find out about you and your book through interviews, guest posts, podcasts, or reviews.  Instead of the author leaving her home to tour with her book, she can do it from the comfort of her home which makes it easier for most and economically-wise, you can’t beat it. By now, most of you already know what a blog tour is.  Sometimes I take it for granted that everyone knows and you’d be surprised to this day I still get questions asking what they are.
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Crossing Borders Virtual Book Tour February 2011

Join Michael Ferris, author of the personal narrative, Crossing Borders, as he virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – February 11 ‘11 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Michael Ferris Michael Ferris, originally from St. Joseph, Michigan, started working in his father’s music store, Ferris Music Center, at the age of sixteen and started playing the classical guitar at the age of seventeen. Having had many wonderful teachers, not only with great talent but also great souls, he moved on to study at the internationally acclaimed Mozarteum University for Music and Applied Arts in Salzburg, Austria (*-Die Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst
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‘Sheetrock Angel’ Online Book Tour February 2011

Join Jeanne C. Davis, author of the psychological Mystery, Sheetrock Angel (CreateSpace), as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 1 – February 25 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Jeanne C. Davis Before Jeanne C. Davis seriously entertained writing a novel, she wrote for radio and television including staff jobs on DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN and the modern prequel to the BONANZA series, THE PONDEROSA. Between the numerous drafts of SHEETROCK ANGEL, she wrote, produced and directed the independent feature THE UNIFORM MOTION OF FOLLY. Her early career had little to do with writing – other than in her journal – and
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New Book for Review: Historical Fiction ‘Against All Odds’ by John Milton Langdon

John Milton Langdon will be touring in March 2011 with his historical fiction novel, Against All Odds.  Stepback in time – it’s the Victorian era, when Great Britain is at the forefront of industrial development.  Based loosely on fact, author John Milton Langdon weaves a tale of romance and adventure on the high seas.  “Against All Odds” describes the early years of an average man.  Although he is born into humble circumstances, he shows how a combination of perserverance and intelligence, aided by a little good fortune, can help any child overcome the disadvantages of lowly birth status and a poor education.  If you long for a sense of
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Talking Virtual Book Tours with Humor Columnist Rose A. Valenta

Rose A. Valenta is a nationally syndicated humor columnist. Her irreverent columns have been published in Senior Wire, Associated Content, Courier Post Online, NPR, Newsday, USA TODAY, the WSJ Online, and many other local news and radio websites. She is the author of Rosie’s Renegade Humor Blog. This is the blog for people who would be knowledgeable about current events and politics if only politicians and news anchors didn’t stretch the truth. “What else is there to do, but share an honest laugh?” Rose said. Rose regularly attends the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton, is a member of the Robert Benchley Society and the National
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The Dumpster Virtual Book Tour February 2011

Join Becky Due, author of the contemporary romance novel, The Dumpster: One Woman’s Search for Love (Due Publications), as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 1  – February 25 2011 on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Becky Due Becky Due is becoming the new voice of women’s fiction. She has the courage, honesty and writing style for today’s busy women, and she does not cringe away from hard issues. She will leave you feeling strong, self-confident, independent, and in control of your life. She has a way of sucking you into the story and changing your life with her fast-paced novels you won’t
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Book Giveaway: ‘Sounds Like Crazy’ by Shana Mahaffey

Shana Mahaffey is giving away a copy of her book, Sounds Like Crazy, at Acting Balanced! Deadline is January 20, 2010. Click here to enter!


Pump Up Your Book Chats with Humor Columnist Rose A. Valenta

Rose A. Valenta is a nationally syndicated humor columnist. Her irreverent columns have been published in Senior Wire, Associated Content, Courier Post Online, NPR, Newsday, USA TODAY, the WSJ Online, and many other local news and radio websites. She is the author of Rosie’s Renegade Humor Blog. This is the blog for people who would be knowledgeable about current events and politics if only politicians and news anchors didn’t stretch the truth. “What else is there to do, but share an honest laugh?” Rose said. Rose regularly attends the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop at the University of Dayton, is a member of the Robert Benchley Society and the National
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Book Giveaway: ‘Sounds Like Crazy’ by Shana Mahaffey

Shana Mahaffey is giving away a copy of her book, Sounds Like Crazy, at A Cozy Reader’s Corner! Giveaway ends February 6. Click here to enter!


  • January 3, 2011
  • Author Interviews, Featured
  • Comments Off on Pump Up Your Book Chats with Urban Fiction Author Frank C. Matthews

Pump Up Your Book Chats with Urban Fiction Author Frank C. Matthews

Prodigious and profound author Frank C. Matthews’ triumphant transformation from inmate to novelist has established him as a leading force in the world of urban literature. Armed with his mastery of the written word, Matthews has achieved feats that are only reserved for the most seasoned of writers, selling an unprecedented amount of books as a first-time author and self-publisher. When it comes to putting the urban voice – the human voice – on the page, Matthews has no peer. His unprecedented journey demonstrates that even when confronted with a web of trials and tribulations, creativity has the ability to flourish. As a New York City native, Matthews grew
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Book Giveaway: ‘Dear Sparkle’ by Sparkle the Cat

Sparkle the Cat is giving away a copy of her book, Dear Sparkle, at I am a Reader, Not a Writer today! Book Giveaway ends JANUARY 18. Click here to enter and good luck!


Pump Up Your Book Chats with Women Fiction Author David Richards

D.W. Richards is a member of the Canadian Authors Association and beyond being a novelist he is also a script-doctor and freelance writer. An excerpt from Pairs will appear in the October 2010 issue of the international literary PDF quarterly Cantarville as a standalone fiction piece. In addition to creative writing, D.W. Richards has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Carleton University and is a Certified General Accountant. He divides his time between Venice, Italy and Ottawa, Canada. Visit his website at www.pairsthenovel.com or connect with him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DW_Richards. You can purchase a paperback copy of Pairs online by clicking here or order the Kindle edition by
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New Book for Review: Self-Help Humor ‘Lessons from Stanley the Cat’ by Dr. Jennifer Freed

Dr. Jennifer Freed will be touring in February and March with her self-help humor book, Lessons From Stanley the Cat. Seduction is just the practice of artful stretching.  Never let people know how fast you are.  Appear slow in all things, and less is expected of you.  When someone is on the computer too long, help them by distracting them, or walk lightly on their keyboard. So advises Stanley, a remarkably astute cat with a keen eye for the important things in life. Perhaps you don’t have time for yoga, can’t afford therapy, or wouldn’t dare cry to mother. If so, let Stanley be your guide. Lessons from Stanley
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New Book for Review: True Crime ‘Dead Reckoning’ by Caitlin Rother

Caitlin Rother will be touring March 1 – 11  with her true crime novel, Dead Reckoning.  Happy and retired, Tom and Jackie Hawks lived a charmed life in sunny Southern California. They were delighted when former child star Skylar Deleon and his pregnant wife Jennifer offered cash to purchase their 55-ft yacht The Well Deserved. But a trial voyage turned into a nightmare. Out at sea, the Hawkses begged for their lives as they were forced to sign everything over to Skylar. In return, they were tied to the ship’s anchor and thrown overboard – alive…Skylar and Jennifer’s twisted story became even more shocking when Skylar’s unusual sexual motivations
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