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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Death with Dignity: The Case for Legalizing Physician-Assisted Dying and Euthanasia Virtual Book Tour October 2011

Join Robert Orfali, author of the non-fiction current affair book, Death With Dignity: The Case for Legalizing Physician-Assisted Dying and Euthanasia as he virtually tours the blogosphere in October, 2011 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. About Robert Orfali Robert Orfali, the guru of client/server systems in the early days of Silicon Valley, co-authored three best-selling books that demystified the complexity of these mission-critical systems and made them understandable to a whole new generation of programmers. The books sold over a million copies. In this book, Robert uses his analytical skills to deconstruct the most complex system he has yet encountered: our modern end-of-life
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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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Pump Up Your Book Chats with Nemo James, author of Just A Few Seconds

Biography Born and based in England, Nemo James worked as a professional musician and singer/songwriter for more than 30 years. He now lives in Croatia with his wife Federika and their cat Jutko. His first book “Just a Few Seconds” was published this year. You can find Nemo’s website at www.nemojames.com or he welcomes friend requests at www.facebook.com/nemojames. About Just a Few Seconds Just A Few Seconds is a story of one man’s experience in the music business. It is an amusing and true story of a successful freelance musician whose gigs ranged from private parties to the very rich and famous to the roughest London pubs where playing
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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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Pump Up Chats with Women’s Fiction Author Shobhan Bantwal

Besides authoring five novels, Shobhan Bantwal is a freelance writer and award-winning fiction writer featured in publications such as The Writer, India Abroad, Little India, India Currents and New Woman India. She regularly donates a portion of her book earnings to women’s charities. For information on her books, contests, events, recipes, photos, contact, and favorite charities, visit her website at www.shobhanbantwal.com or her facebook page at www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author Thank you for this interview, Shobhan. I (Jaime) have been working with you for four years now to spread the word about your books online. It’s been a wonderful pleasure. Can you tell the readers here about how things have changed since promoting your first book?
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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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  • September 19, 2011
  • Authors on Tour, Featured
  • Comments Off on Act of Grace by Karen Simpson Online Book Tour October & November 2011

Act of Grace by Karen Simpson Online Book Tour October & November 2011

Join Karen Simpson, author of the contemporary speculative fiction novel Act of Grace as she virtually tours the blogosphere in October and Novemer 2011 on her first tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Karen Simpson Karen Simpson is passionate about the craft of writing fiction, the art of quilting, and the discipline of historical research. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry, M.A. in Foreign and International Trade and a M.S. in Historic Preservation. A historic preservationist trained in heritage interpretation and administration, the subjects and themes of her fiction are often taken from the stories she discovers while doing research for museum exhibits. In 2009 Simpson
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Pump Up Your Book Chats with U.L. Harper Author of In Blackness

U.L. Harper is an after-school program Site Director in Long Beach, California. Over one hundred students attend his program. He previously worked as a corporate manager, and a journalist for a now defunct news agency in Los Alamitos, California. Newspapers are part of his writing background but he also dabbled in poetry. His poetry is published in The Body Politic chapbooks. He is the author of In Blackness, The Flesh Statue and the short story book Guidelines for Rejects. You can visit U.L. at http://ulharper.com/ Purchase the book at Amazon Thank you for this interview, U.L.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug
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A Christmas Secret Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Candace Hall, author of the children’s book, A Christmas Secret (Tate Publishing), as she virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Candace Hall Who would have thought a California girl would grow up to love the magic of a snowy Christmas and the mysteries of the North Pole. The scent of pine needles fills the air as the sleepy eyes of six small children begin to open. Then it begins “The Great Race.” Who will get to the presents first? The sounds of wrapping paper tearing, children laughing, and toys strewn everywhere. This was
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Taken Away Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Patty Friedmann, author of the Young Adult Fiction novel, Taken Away (Tiny Satchel Press), as she virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Patty Friedmann Patty Friedmann’s two latest books are a YA novel called Taken Away [TSP 2010] and a literary e-novel titled Too Jewish [booksBnimble 2010]. She also is the author of six darkly comic literary novels set in New Orleans: The Exact Image of Mother [Viking Penguin 1991]; Eleanor Rushing [1998], Odds [2000], Secondhand Smoke [2002], Side Effects [2006], and A Little Bit Ruined [2007] [all hardback and paperback from Counterpoint
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You Never Know Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 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 October 3 – 28 2011 on her third virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! About Lilian Duval Lilian Duval was born in New York City to French-speaking parents and went to public school with a French accent so thick that she was assigned to the slowest of four first-grade classes. “Thunder, not TUNDER!” the teacher scolded her in front of the class. “Mother, not MUDDER!” “I got rid of my accent all right,” Lilian says in perfectly generic American English. “I
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New Book for Review: Historical Romance ‘Winds of Change’ by Carole Eglash-Kosoff

Carole Eglash-Kosoff will be touring in December 5 – 16 and January 3 – 13 with her historical romantic fiction, Winds of Change! The racially charged love and conflict of the critically acclaimed When Stars Align become more entrenched after the Civil War and Reconstruction.  Amy had taken her daughter, nephew, and a son she’d had never been able to acknowledge, born from her love with Thaddeus, her colored lover, to San Francisco, as a refuge from the intense racial scrutiny of the South. They are forced to return to their old home, Moss Grove, a successful Mississippi River cotton plantation, as young adults.  They discover facts about themselves
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The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude Virtual Book Publicity Tour October 2011

Join Davis Aujduvd’hui, author of the humor/satire book, The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude (Outskirts Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere October 3 – 28 2011 on his first 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
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New Book for Review: Action Adventure ‘Served Cold’ by Chuck Waldron

Chuck Waldron will be touring December 5 – 16 2011 with his action/adventure novel, Served Cold! For two families, revenge served cold is not on the menu. Fuelled by a long-standing feud between the clan patriarchs, nothing less than hot-blooded vengeance will do… Called to the bedside of his dying father in Atlanta, a young man never expects what is waiting for him. In a hospital room the man who raised him, isn’t his father. Instead, he learns about his true parents and a feud that went horribly wrong. For years an uneasy balance of power between two powerful businessmen remained intact. But when one discovers his daughter is
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New Book for Review: Action Adventure ‘Tears in the Dust’ by Chuck Waldron

Chuck Waldron will be touring December 5 – 16 2011 with his action/adventure novel, Tears in the Dust! Tears in the Dust is a contemporary novel with gleams of hope intertwined within the despair of life. This is a story which serves to lift the reader up, only to take him back down into the darkness that lurks around the corners of one man’s life. Alestair “Alec” Ferguson beings a journey as a young man, off to enlist in the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Samuel T. Harrison is a dark and warped detective with a deep hatred of communism. He is the dark and violent nemesis who makes
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