The Book Bin

Author Interview: Morrie Richfield, author of MR. BREEZE

Morrie Richfield lives in Pennsylvania with his two sons, his dogs and his cat. He is working on his next novel, and he still dreams that someday the world will be a better place for all of us to live.

His latest book is the inspirational novel, Mr. Breeze.

Visit his website at www.mrbreezethenovel.com.

Q: Can we begin by having you tell us how you came up with the idea to write your book?

I things I saw in the news and what I read about in magazines did not give me much hope, in fact it made me wonder what we have done to ourselves. So I thought what if, and then I sat down and wrote Mr. Breeze.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

For me it came very easy, I do not use notes I just write what comes out of my mind. Since I have very little formal education I consider myself a story teller more than a writer and I write as if I am having a conversation with the reader. Which is why there are no chapters in my novel sine I neither think or speak in chapters.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I self-published

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

No

Q: Can you describe the feeling you had when you saw your published book for the first time?

It has been my dream to publish a book since I was 14 years old and it felt great.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

The sequel to Mr. Breeze is almost done and it will be out early nest year. The working title is Revelation the return of Mr. Breeze

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?

I hope it makes people think about our world and what we can all you to make it a better place for us all to live in.

  

Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

Yes for all the dreamers out there like me, KEEP DREAMING!

Book Spotlight: Voluspa by Ray East & Sam D.

VOLUSPA: A MAGICAL WORLD, by Ray East & Sam D., PRAMITA, 212 pp., $5.65 (Kindle $ .99).

Centuries ago, war between aliens and humans almost destroyed the world. To prevent such a war from happening again, a mighty ruler then formed a secret society of nine powerful humans and aliens called the Bramhas. These Bramhas each wrote a book imparting ancient wisdom and knowledge. The possession of these books could bring about untold power and success. The nine books were hidden but the desire to possess those books, still cause men to fight wars and turn against each other. One such war was fought in the realm of Voluspa decades back; the consequences of that war still resonate in this magical land. Two young lovers get caught in this tussle and it changes their destinies forever.

Amy’s humdrum life takes a complete 180’ turn with the death of her stepfather. She goes to live with her grandmother – her only living relative, though she hasn’t seen her in the last five years. Among her mother’s childhood memorabilia, she finds a book ‘Legends of Voluspa’ that captures her imagination. She becomes so engrossed in the book that she starts dreaming  about the places in the book till one night she finds herself inexplicably transported to the new world – Voluspa, as described in the book. Here she meets Drake, who unknown to her is a shape shifter.  Chemistry cackles between the two from the very first and as they discover that they share a lot in common, a tenuous bond forms between the two. ‘I’ll keep you safe’ vows Drake and he remains true to his word as he befriends her and saves her from various troubles that befall her over the next couple of months.

In Voluspa, Amy discovers a new way of life. It’s a magical world inhabited by primarily four clans – Empaths, Morphus, Mendens and the Pulchrous. The Empaths have the power of mind, the Morphus are the shape shifters, Mendens are the healers while the Pulchrous possess physical perfection and strength. With the help of an old family friend, Amy takes her rightful place in the Empath clan. This marks a new chapter in Amy’s life. She realizes her own powers and subsequently starts going to a school to enhance the same. With Drake by her side, she makes some wonderful friends. However, her life is not all smooth sailing; trouble comes when she learns the truth about her biological parents. She realizes that her very existence is against Voluspan law which forbids the union between individuals belonging to two different clans. History threatens to repeat itself as she realizes that her predicament was not that different from what her mother had faced, decades back. She is totally in love with Drake, who belongs to the Morphus clan.

The enchanting world of Voluspa is far from Utopic; it has barely recovered from a devastating war fought twenty years back when the peace of the land is once again threatened by Gangrels, the evil army of aliens.  The two young lovers soon realize that besides contending with forbidden love, they have to deal with other impediments. Ancient enmities, a past war, a much coveted book, all conspire against the two lovers. Gangrels reappear in Voluspa and Drake falls in the clutches of one such evil being who would stop at nothing to realize his fiendish ambitions. Amy and her friends cross realms, face enemies, deal with challenges, solve riddles and brave possible destruction, as they set off on an adventure to rescue Drake.  The ‘Force of Sutra’ clashes with the ‘Elemental Force’ of the Gangrels as Amy and her friends are faced with an indomitable enemy. They use strategic warfare, pit adversaries among themselves and use every last drop of strength, skill and courage as they take on warriors far more ruthless and skilled than themselves.

As Amy embarks upon a quest to save Drake, her love for him is tested at every turn but she never wavers from her objective. Braving imminent death she manages to reach Drake – only to find a changed person. Gone is the man she is in love with, instead a dangerous stranger stood in his place. This Drake was teetering at the edge between becoming completely evil and retaining his own soul. He almost harms Amy but stops himself at the very last minute. His love for Amy proves to be stronger than the evil entity threatening to overpower him.  However when chips are down, Drake comes through. He sets aside his personal well-being in order to save Amy, one last time. Drake is perhaps lost forever but hope dies last – Amy is determined to get back Drake, no matter what the cost.

Book Excerpt:

No way could she follow the beast into the woods, what if it was waiting and pounced on her the moment she stepped into the shadowy darkness of the dense woods, dream or no dream she had no desire to encounter that overgrown dog again. But she couldn’t go back, she had already spent what felt like hours to get to this point and somehow she had to move forward. With trepidations, she tackled the creek and started walking along the edge of the woods hoping to get as far away from the beast as possible. Doggedly she walked on, fervently wishing her dream would now end till she came across a small rocky ridge. She had no desire to indulge in rock climbing in her totally inadequate PJs but on the other hand she was loath to enter the forest. ‘Talk about choosing between a rock and a hard place ‘ she chuckled to herself. ‘Well this time I choose rock’ she announced to no one in particular as she started negotiating her way up the ridge. She was a good ten feet above the ground when she felt a shower of loose gravels and looked up to see death staring back at her.

She forgot that she was dreaming, she forgot that the creature that was malevolently eyeing her had become extinct millions of years back and could not possibly exist.  She even forgot to breathe as she looked at what could only be described as a ’sabre toothed tiger’, poised to attack her. For the second time in the day, fear rendered her immobile – either the nightmare was going to end or her life would. A loud snarling caught the attention of the tiger – the black monstrous dog was back and it placed itself squarely between her and the tiger. With an unexpected flash of humor, Amy thought ‘ great now I have two monstrous beasts vying to make me their prey.’ What followed had to be the most primitive display of strength and violence that Amy had ever witnessed – loud snarls reverberated in the air as the beasts took each other’s measure, teeth bared, hackles raised, they circled each other. The beasts were evenly matched in size and as they used their hind legs to rear up and strike at each other, Amy could get a glimpse of their sharp claws and protruding canines. The big cat aimed for the dog’s jugular as it tried to sink its teeth into the dog’s neck, but the dog ducked away and used it massive jaws to clamp on the other beasts back. The struggle continued till the cat swiped at the dogs face, drawing first blood, the dog howled in rage and agony and retaliated by gripping the cat by the back of its neck and with all its might, tossed it aside, as the cat landed in a heap with a bone crunching thud and yelped in pain. What followed remained a mystery to Amy as she lost her footing and tumbled all the way down and landed at the bottom with a thud and blessed darkness enveloped her.

She woke to the feeling of being gently shaken by strong, firm hands. She forced her eyes open to find a stranger bent over her, engrossed in the process of trying to rouse her. Maybe she had died and gone to heaven because the boy looked like an angel. No, on second thought she must have gone southward as he looked more like a fallen angel – all dark and intense. As Amy looked her fill, she became even more fascinated -he was younger than she had first thought, probably a few years older than her, but there was nothing boyish about him. It was not as if he was very handsome , he had dark hair almost black and equally dark eyes, a roman nose which looked like it had been broken at some point, a strong square jaw  and a tall , muscular frame – handsome was too pretty a word to describe him , he was elemental – fierce, almost dangerous. He had a long gash on his cheek which looked raw and was still oozing blood.

‘You are hurt’ she blurted out pointing to the gash on his cheek.

A low rumbling laugh came from the boy as he sat u p and extended a hand to help her up. ‘You tumbled down the ridge and you tell me I’m hurt! Can you stand up? I don’t think you have any broken bones but it was quite a fall you took. You are very lucky that you survived the fall at all, that too without any broken bones. Do you realize you fell from a height of almost 10 ft. and landed on hard unyielding stone? In fact I’m still trying to understand how you are still in one piece’.

As Amy scrambled up she realized she was now inside the dense woods. ‘I… those animals…Where exactly am I?’

‘You are safe’ the boy assured her calmly. ‘At least as safe as you can be in the Forest of Skotos in Voluspa’ he added on afterthought.

But I can’t be…I mean I’m not really in your world…this is all part of an elaborate dream. I know this is going to sound strange but I don’t remember reading about you in my book so I’m wondering why you are part of my dream and you look nothing like Matt…I dreamt about him once… so I think the question is who are you?’ she babbled.

The boy stared at her as if she was crazy and in all honesty Amy couldn’t blame him. Dream or not she did sound hopelessly confused, maybe she hit her head harder than she thought when she took the fall.

Amy flinched back as the boy inched closer, almost circling around her and then he did the craziest thing, he sniffed the air around her.

‘Wake up Amy. Wake up right now’ she muttered as she pinched herself and let out a loud yelp.

‘Yup definitely human’ he uttered in resigned tones.

‘Well you look like one too’, Amy retorted under her breath, she could now feel every one of her bruises and aches and was on the verge of bursting into tears.

‘How did you get here? Humans can’t bridge the gap; are there more of you?’ he demanded suspiciously, all concern for her welfare definitely gone.

‘I know you don’t believe me but I am not really here. I have been reading this book – “Legends of Voluspa” and dreaming about it every night. You are just part of my dream and any moment now I’m going to wake up’.

He looked almost insulted as he stepped closer and took her hand, ‘Here feel this. It’s real ‘ he said as he placed her hand on the bark of the nearest tree, and ‘feel this’ and he pressed her hand on the gravel ‘and I’m real too’ he said as he placed her hand on his chest.’ And that Smilodon on the mountain was real too and if that dog hadn’t come, it would have ripped you into pieces’.

‘Where did you find me?’ Amy asked.

‘I saw you fall from the ridge and then carried you here. The Smilodon can always come back to that cliff. It probably inhabits one of the caves; it must have been protecting its cubs’ he answered.

‘Smilodon’, Amy hesitatingly pronounced the name – so the sabre toothed tiger, the black dog and everything that has been happening to her was real. Having the illusion of being in a dream ripped off from her, Amy felt achingly vulnerable and lost. ‘Look you have to help me; if this is not a dream then I need to get back right now!’

‘I can’t help you with that. I can’t even imagine how you got here in the first place’.

Amy blinked back tears of frustration and genuine fear, as she observed the boy. Realizing that she may be stuck with his company for some time she decided to at least find out his name.

‘I’m Amy by the way, what’s your name?’ she asked

‘I’m called Drake’.

‘How old are you?’ asked Amy openly curious.

‘I’ve seen seventeen winters if that’s what you mean’.

Somehow he looked older than seventeen- more self-assured, more confident.

‘You said I’d be in trouble if someone finds me here; so why aren’t you turning me in? You know calling for your people?’

Drake shrugged as if faintly embarrassed, ‘I’ve read about your world, I’ve always been curious about your human ways but I’d never imagined that I’d meet one and you don’t look like a threat to me or my people. I’ve nothing to gain by calling in the clan elders’.

Amy silently digested that piece of information, surprised to hear that the human world was not a mystery to the people of this land whereas , other realms and their occupants was hardly a topic for study in her world except in fantasy novels and sci- fi movies perhaps. Was it because of the arrogance of the human race or just limitations of the human mind, Amy wondered?

‘You can’t be wondering in these forests. We have to find some place for you to hide. Till you can go back to your world and we need to find something else for you to wear. You are still in your night clothes ‘ stated Drake, curiously looking at her pink and black ‘Hello Kitty ‘ PJs.

About to open her mouth to defend her favorite pair of jammies, Amy froze midway as she heard a sound of faint rustling of dry leaves. Drake moved in a flash and instantly pushed her behind a tree trunk of enormous girth.

Author Interview: J.E. Hall & ANGIE OF THE GARDEN

J.E. Hall is the author of the romance mystery novel, Angie of the Garden.

Q: Welcome to The Book Bin!  Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wanted to do a story involving a ghost. I happened to visit The Planting Fields, which is an arboretum located on the grounds of a mansion from the gold coast era. I thought it would be a good setting for the story. I imagined a family living there today, the father being a psychiatrist who encounters the spirit of a troubled woman. A while later I happened to be on the internet researching something and came across a story about the Oregon Trail. I thought that making the woman a pioneer who had traveled on the trail would make for an interesting story.

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

It was a pleasure. I enjoy writing because I never think about selling the book during the creative process. To me it would become like a job if I wrote to someone else’s specifications. While it might not be the best approach from a commercial standpoint it works for me. I’d advise other writers to do the same.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I self published.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

Since I controlled the process, I’d have to say no.

Q: Can you describe the feeling you had when you saw your published book for the first time?

I had a feeling of accomplishment.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

I’m currently shopping around a science fiction manuscript entitled Bad Wine, Crappy Chocolate. I’m also writing another story which is a comedy called Save Us From Miss Simpson.

Q: Finally, what message are you trying to get across with your book?

That our first love will never be forgotten. Also that people tend to see and hear what they want to, regardless of what reality presents them with.

Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

I hope that everyone who reads my book enjoys it!

____________________________

Pick up your copy at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Garden-J-E-Hall/dp/1468557297/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342449026&sr=1-1&keywords=ANGIE+OF+THE+GARDEN

Purchase your copy at the publisher’s website:  http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000549256/Angie-of-the-Garden.aspx

Literary Agents You Should Avoid

Beginner and veteran writers alike can be victimized by shady literary agents. If you don’t know what to look for, you can fall prey to an agent who is looking to make a quick buck. So, how can you tell if a literary agent is legitimate? We’ve got answers.

Huffington Post

Is it worth the bags under your eyes? Maybe promoting your book from home is the answer.

An writer's dream is to turn the moniker 'writer' into 'author.'  A writer dreams of touring the countryside with stops at bookstores with lines of people waiting at the door to buy YOUR BOOK.  In the last few years, we've seen a decline of these kinds of book tours and an upscale online version called blog tours.  Virtual book tours.  Online book tours. Whichever you want to call it, authors are coming around to the idea that promoting their books isn't that bad if they don't want to leave the house to do it and don't want to spend as much money.

Paul Doiron is one of the chosen few who did embark on an offline book tour.  His experience is worth reading:

"When I used to imagine actually becoming an author, this experience was what I hoped would happen. I dreamed of glamor. What the past few years have taught me, however, is that the publisher-sponsored book tour is now a rarity, and I am one of the lucky ones (and luck, as we all know, is fleeting). More and more writers are using blog tours and even Skype visits to get the word out about their new titles. In a few years we may look back on touring the way we do Borders: as an idea whose time has gone."

http://mainecrimewriters.com/pauls-posts/the-author-on-book-tour

Do we judge a book by its cover? Yes.

I ran into an interesting blog post on the subject of book covers today that I'd like to share with you.  Not only does the author raise some great points, she also sends you to a link where you can pick up graphics to make your own book covers:

"Don’t let the cliché, 'Don’t judge a book by its cover,' sway you. Everything is judged by its cover, whether it’s an object or a person! The presentation of a product for sale is important. If you’ve ever been attracted to a particular product while shopping, 9 out of 10 times it had everything to do with the presentation. However, the contents are equally important, but this article will focus on what’s on the outside. "

http://tonyakappes.blogspot.com/2012/07/covers-do-matter.html

 

Book Spotlight: 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom by Duane Harden

5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM, by Duane Harden, CEOebooks, 216 pp., $10.76 (Kindle $2.99).

If you hate your job and feel stuck in life, and believe that your skills, education, or lack of finances prevent you from taking a chance on something new, then you need to read 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom: Do What You Love & Get Rich Doing It by Duane Harden. Conversationally written, and peppered with humorous drawings, helpful worksheets, and key tips, 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom: Do What You Love & Get Rich Doing It shows you to do nothing short of changing your life. Harden helps you figure out what your passions are and how to turn them into profitable businesses. When you love what you do, he says, it isn’t work and any business then becomes a real pleasure. Because attitude is everything, Harden demonstrates how to say yes to opportunity, yes to financial freedom and no to the naysayers who would pull you down while trying to elevate themselves (he calls this a crab pot mentality). Practice the Law of Attraction, he advises, by putting up vision boards around you that have photographs of the things you want in your life. If you imagine yourself rich and happy and doing what you love, you attract those things to you. Plus, you are more likely to go out and do the concrete things you need to do to make that life a reality. Harden doesn’t just advise. He practices what he preaches. His 90-day action plan comes from Harden’s own reading, attending seminars, completing home-study courses, and pursuing a variety of his very own life experiences, including purchasing numerous real-estate properties. His “Life Assignments” can help you to begin to think and act differently. His “Keys” point out truths about learning to live a wealthier life style. Rich people are not afraid to take chances, he says, and those chances always pay off. From putting your financial house in order to discovering what really makes you tick, 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom will change your life and make you wealthy while doing it.

About the Author:

Duane Harden just doesn’t teach you theory but rather you learn through his very own life hands-on experiences that come along with building a strong portfolio of successful businesses, including residential and commercial real estate, a restaurant, a music company, and many more. He began with no financial education, but he was determined and inspired. Today he leads a Cash Flow Club where he mentors entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their business so they, too, can become financially free.

His latest book is 5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom: Do What You Love & Get Rich Doing It. Visit Duane Harden’s website at http://www.duaneharden.com/.

To enter $10,000 Prize Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/5EasyStepsToFinancialFreedom/app_208195102528120

To get your paperback copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Steps-Financial-Freedom-Doing/dp/0984822704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335047035&sr=8-1?books0df4-20

To purchase a copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/5-easy-steps-to-financial-freedom-duane-harden/1110871992?ean=9780984822706

Pick up your copy of 5 EASY STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM by Duane Harden on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/5-easy-steps-to-financial/id519796307?mt=11

Like Duane Harden on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/5EasyStepsToFinancialFreedom

Follow Duane Harden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CEOeBooks

Pump Up Your Book & Crime Fiction Author Lindy S. Hudis on nationwide virtual book tour

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to announce Lindy S. Hudis' Crashers: A Tale of Cappers and Hammers Virtual Book Publicity Tour beginning August 6 and ending on September 28 2012. Lindy will be on hand during her nationwide tour talking about her book in candid interviews and guest posts! As an added bonus, Lindy's tour is also part of a Kindle Fire Giveaway! To find out more details visit her official tour page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/07/19/pump-up-your-book-presents-crashers-a-tale-of-cappers-and-hammers-virtual-book-publicity-tour-2012/.

About Lindy S. Hudis

Lindy S.Hudis is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied drama. She is a former actress, having appeared on such television shows as “Sunset Beach” and “Married with Children”. Her romantic murder mystery, Weekends, is currently available from Lachesis Press. She is also a filmmaker, her independent short film “The Lesson”, which she wrote, produced and directed, screened at the Seattle Underground Film Festival. She is co-owner of an independent production company called Impact Motion Pictures. She and her husband Steve, a Hollywood stuntman, have just completed the screenplay adaptation of Charmaine Hammond’s best selling book, “On Toby’s Terms.” She lives in California with her family. Visit Lindy on the web at www.crashersbook.com. To get your paperback copy of CRASHERS: A TALE OF CAPPERS AND HAMMERS by Lindy S. Hudis at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crashers-A-Tale-Cappers-Hammers/dp/1936332272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338825994&sr=1- To get your ebook copy of CRASHERS: A TALE OF CAPPERS AND HAMMERS by Lindy S. Hudis in the Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/Crashers-A-Tale-Cappers-Hammers/dp/1936332272/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338825994&sr=1-1 Visit Lindy S. Hudis’ publisher’s page: http://www.bettieyoungsbooks.com/authors/LindyHudis/index.htm Like Lindy S. Hudis on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=736712042 Follow Lindy S. Hudis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Lindyscribe Follow Lindy S. Hudis at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10311165-lindy-hudis Like Lindy S. Hudis at LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=17714000&trk=tab_pro Visit Lindy S. Hudis film production company: http://www.impactmotionpictures.com/

About Crashers: A Tale of Cappers and Hammers

Fraudulent car accidents is a multi-million dollar racket, involving unscrupulous medical providers, personal injury attorneys, and the cooperating passengers involved in the accidents—and who also receive a portion of the illegal proceeds. Such is the fate of newly engaged, Nathan and Shari, whose joy is tempered by the dark cloud of mounting debt. A chance encounter with a stranger in whom Shari confides her troubles proves fortuitous: he tells her of a get-rich-quick scheme that will put her and her fiancé on easy street. Seduced by the chance to move from hard times to good times in no time, Shari takes the carrot offered her, and finds herself acting as a “stuffed passenger”—the “victim” in a staged auto accident. The act goes according to plan and Shari gets her payday, but getting out and breaking free of the insurance fraud underworld will take nothing short of a miracle. A modern day cautionary tale, Crashers is a true-to-life novel that uncovers how the innocent get lured into the scheme of “cappers” and “hammers.” A riveting story of love and desperation, greed and redemption.

About Pump Up Your Book

Pump Up Your Book handles all the aspects of virtual book touring from pre-buzzing your book before the tour starts to making sure buyers will find your book long after the tour is over. If you are the author of a newly published book, have an upcoming release or just want to give a previously published book new life, a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book is the answer. We welcome traditionally published, electronically published and self-published authors. Our esteem list of clients include Claire Cook, Caridad Pineiro, C.W. Gortner, Barbara Bretton, Cody McFayden, James Hayman, Karen White, Kathleen Willey, Lisa Daily, Lisa Jackson, Mary Burton, Nancy Thayer, Randy Sue Coburn, Ray Comfort, Sandi Kahn Shelton, Sheila Roberts, Therese Fowler, Hope Edelman, Wendy Wax, Jon Meacham, Shobhan Bantwal, Pat Williams, Jane Green, Judge Glenda Hatchett and cook show personality Paula Deen. We also represent Random House, Abingdon Press, Zumaya Publications, WND Books, Sheaf House Publishers, New Hope Publishers, Guardian Angel Publishers, Genesis Press, and Moody Publishing. Contact us to find out what we can do for you and your book!

If you’d like to interview Lindy or review her book, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife(at)gmail.com. Pump Up Your Book is an innovative public relations agency specializing in online book promotion for authors. Visit us at www.pumpupyourbook.com.

Interview with Denise Robbins, author of 'Phish NET Stalkings'

High-tech becomes high-risk in Denise Robbins’ novels. The New Hampshire based author uses two decades of experience in computers to explore the killer possibilities in technology. Denise integrates her knowledge of computers and technology along with secrets, intrigue, suspense, and even a little romance into all of her techno-romantic thriller novels. Readers and reviewers agree Denise writes stories that will keep you at the edge of your seat and clamoring for more.

Her latest book is Phish NET Stalkings.

You can visit her website at http://www.deniserobbins.com.

Thank you for this interview, Denise. Why was writing Phish NET Stalkings so important to you?

Have you ever received a phishing email? One of those little emails that invade your privacy and try to steal your information? I have. I’ve been hacked. I’ve had my information stolen and it was not pretty. Now I’ve learned. By the time users finish reading Phish NET Stalkings they will hopefully know the dangers and know how to protect themselves.

What was the experience like writing Phish NET Stalkings?

Writing Phish NET Stalkings was different for me because my hero was a small town cop and the heroine is afraid of badges. I used my own anxiety toward men with beards to help in portraying the heroine’s fear of men with badges.

Can you tell us more about Cooper Chance, the chief of police?

Cooper is an ex-FBI cybercrime specialist turned small town cop. After a yearlong job on a special task force, Cooper Chance has to leave the FBI or lose his mind. He’s seen too many bad things.

What are his strengths and what are his weaknesses?

His strengths are his cybercrime skills, but also his love of children and women and making certain they are safe. His weakness is also that love of wanting to keep people safe. He gets involved.

Why does Jane have a fear of cops?

When Jane was younger, she hid in the closet while her mother was murdered. Her only real recollection is seeing a shiny badge on the person who killed her mother.

Are there any supporting characters we need to know about?

Jack is Cooper’s longtime friend who helped get him the job as chief of police. David is Jane’s business partner and mentor, and the man who helped turn her life around. Amy is Jane’s best friend from college and they are still close.

Can you open to page 25 and tell us what’s happening?

The hero and one of his police officers who is a longtime friend are planning on going out for a drink to a local bar and grill called Billy’s. Jack is impatiently pounding on Cooper’s office door while Cooper is rushing to change clothes. I don’t dare tell you more, but suffice it to say, Cooper is in such a rush that he doesn’t get completely out of his disguise before he leaves his office.

What about page 65?

Jane, my heroine, just walks into her house after a very disturbing evening out with a friend and her first encounter with the hero, Cooper Chance.

Now that Phish NET Stalkings has been published, what’s your next project?

I just finished my sixth novel with a working title of At Face Value. Cannot wait for it to be published. It takes place in Ireland, has murder, mystery, and the IRA all wrapped into one.

Thanks, Denise, for this wonderful interview. Do you have anything you’d like to tell our readers that hasn’t been discussed?

I hope you enjoy reading Phish NET Stalking as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please feel free to let me know what you think.

What's the Price of Invoking a Plant Teacher?

We have a great guest today.  Caroline Alethia, author of Plant Teacher, is here to talk about the price of invoking a plant teacher.

What’s the Price of Invoking a Plant Teacher?

By Caroline Alethia

The idea for the novel, Plant Teacher, was born on a lazy evening at a small guest house in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I had arrived in the country several days earlier, and, as so often happens when we travel, I immediately bumped into a colorful character. “Greg” was a retired U.S. army colonel who had come to eastern Bolivia to research a book about the Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara.

As we lounged in the private patio, sitting under unfamiliar constellations of the southern hemisphere, and enjoying a warm breeze that played across the palm fronds, Greg regaled me with the story of his ayahuasca experience.

Ayahuasca, also known as caapi, is a psychotropic concoction brewed by indigenous people in the Amazonian regions. Under the guidance of a shaman, people imbibe (or sometimes inhale) ayahuasca in order to experience its hallucinogenic effects. The hallucinations caused by ayahuasca, and the plants that cause these hallucinations, are known as “plant teachers” because they supposedly impart spiritual guidance and knowledge.

Greg’s trip had, in his opinion, been a good one. He described to me seeing dozens of snakes and feeling that the snakes were benevolent. He had beckoned them to come and entwine themselves around him, and although this scenario would cause most people to break into a cold sweat, Greg enjoyed this bonding with his serpentine plant teachers. He valued the experience as something which had brought him closer to the natural and spiritual worlds, and he felt that he had attained a degree of enlightenment via the encounter.

I listened to Greg’s story with frank skepticism. I recalled a girlfriend who, years earlier, had also experimented with indigenous drugs while studying anthropology in Latin America. Her drug use had been followed by a manic outbreak and, ultimately, chronic bipolar disorder. While the two events, the drug use and the bipolar disorder, could not be causally correlated, I wondered. I knew that I would never try a hallucinogenic plant unless the infusion was forcefully shoved between my unwilling lips.

As Greg and I left the patio that evening and retired to our respective bungalows, I considered the possibility that an ayahuasca trip might speak to both ends of a spectrum. Suppose the “student” took away both positive and negative experiences from the hallucinogenic episode? Suppose the plant teachers did, indeed, impart wisdom, but there was a price that came with that wisdom?

Two years later, I found myself revisiting these questions as I typed, reflected, and plotted out the actions, choices, and destiny of one of the main characters in Plant Teacher, Martin Banzer. With the omnipotence of the fiction writer, I forced Martin to try ayahuasca, and then I watched where his experimentation took him. Now, I invite the reader to also follow Martin’s journey and, at the same time, to entertain the question, Does wisdom come at a price?

Author Bio:

Caroline Alethia is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, on radio and in web outlets. Her words have reached audiences on six continents. She lived in Bolivia and was a witness to many of the events described in Plant Teacher.

You can visit her website at www.plantteacherthebook.net.

About the Book:

Hailed by Huffington Post contributor Joel Hirst as a compelling and powerful story, Plant Teacher begins in 1972 when a hippie in Oakland, California flushes a syringe of LSD down a toilet. Thirty-five years later, the wayward drug paraphernalia has found its final resting place in Los Yungas, Bolivia, the umbilical cord between the Andes and Amazonia.

Enter into this picture two young Americans, Cheryl Lewis, trying to forge her future in La Paz and Martin Banzer, trying to come to terms with his past in the same city. The two form an unlikely friendship against the backdrop of a country teetering at the brink of dictatorship and revolution.

Bolivia sparks the taste for adventure in both young people and Martin finds himself experimenting with indigenous hallucinogenic plants while Cheryl flits from one personal relationship to another. Meanwhile, the syringe buried in the silt in a marsh in Los Yungas will shape their destinies more than either could anticipate or desire.

Plant Teacher takes its readers on a fast-paced tour from the hippie excesses of Oakland, to the great streams of the Pacific Ocean and to the countryside, cities, natural wonders and ancient ruins of Bolivia. It reveals­ the mundane and the magical, and, along the way, readers glimpse the lives of everyday Bolivians struggling to establish equanimity or merely eke out a living during drastic political crisis.