D is for Danger, Diamonds, Death and...

D is for Danger, Diamonds, Death and…

There is danger in Diamonds, Death and Deceit, the novel that takes you from the University to the Dark Continent.  Ex FBI agent, David Hemingway, turned to the Peace Corps and teaching to try to regain his sense that the world is made up of mostly good people.

 The explosion that ripped his family from his arms, the Mafia hit that causes his pain is a world away…or is it?

In a move from Quantico, Virginia and big city crime, to the tiny African Village of Ewando  he discovers the world is the same only the players have changed. 

His mission becomes helping the people of Ewando to see the value of education, the folly of their superstitions and to stop the raping of the country's resources, pride and heritage. 

When Organized Crime, in the form of the Russian Mafia, wants something they will stop at nothing to get it. David Hemingway is in their way. Will his FBI training be enough to stop them and pull peace and tranquility from chaos and the race for diamonds, ending in death, and covered by deceit?

Mystery Readers Love Mysteries to Solve so...

Mystery Readers love Mysteries to solve --Do You like Riddles?  Are you up for a challenge?

How about this one: 

Judy likes archery but not arrows

Judy likes fishers but not fish

Judy likes brothers but not sisters

So… What does Judy Like? 

Source: Brain Games, Lower your Brain Age in Minutes a Day

 by Consultant: Elkhonon Goldberg, Ph. D. 

Email me your answer. The person or persons who get it right will receive a mystery packet. Be sure to include your email and snail mail address in your email. Hurry and enter today!

P.S. sign up for The Mystery Reader Connection  Newsletter and get a copy of Black Roses a short, short mystery. Do it Now while you are thinking about it. It's free and its loaded with mystery and more.

A New Book and a Great Resource for Writers fiction and non-fiction

I just bought a new book, well okay I bought it on June 5, but I've been going through it and I wish I had an affiliate link for this book because I'm going to recommend it every where to every one.  It's called Sell Your Book Like Wildfire The Writer's Guide to Marketing and Publicity, by Rob Eagar...what makes this one different is that he doesn't leave the fiction writer behind - He makes it useful for all of us-- 277 pages of awesome things...like - did you know what to do with Author Connect on Amazon - do you know how it can really help you sell your books for free?

Do you know how to effectively use twitter, facebook, linkedin and the rest?  I took copious notes--and I'm still trying to digest it all. It doesn't make you feel over whelmed but it does give you a head full of what's out there and how to use it.

And each chapter he has an online resource or two on his website you can download for free. I mean this guy gives so much!  I think I paid $16.99 for this book from Writers Digest but it was worth every penny. I am usually pretty skeptical because most times its all for non-fiction -- not this one. One chapter he interviews publishers, agents and others that know what we deal with when we seek publication. It's down to earth. It's a " here's how we see what you submit," kind of stuff straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. This guy just knows what we need.

His website is http://www.bookwildfire.comgo check him out.

I'll post stuff in a couple days that I've learned from here. And another resource that I just got called "Your Daily Success Plan,7-Steps To Starting Every Single Day With The Right Mindset, A Clear Direction, And Unstoppable Energy!" by Dennis Becker...talk about stoked - I'm ready. LOL

Clever, Friendships, Cold Water

Clever, friendships and what happens in Cold Water the Young Adult Mystery Suspense novel by Billie A Williams

What is a friend? How do you build friendships?
Zip is Clever, but is he so clever that he doesn't need a friend?

These are all questions that the free Readers Guide will ask about Cold Water. Here is a snippet of the chapter where Zip is befriended by a suddenly homeless woman. Why?

Zip shot his skateboard into the alley. He stopped short. His heart beat so hard he thought it would burst through his ribs. He gulped for air. His lungs hurt from the chase. He had forgotten the new addition to the factory had closed his favorite escape route. Now what? He was doomed. As he was about to try to climb over the fence separating the buildings, he heard the dogs. Were they in the connecting yard or down the street? Panic tied his insides into tighter and tighter knots. Despite the cold, he broke out in a sweat. If not over the fence, where? He couldn’t’ reach the top of the fence anyway, but maybe if he…

“Over here,” a woman’s voice called to him.

He jerked to attention. He scanned the dark alley for the source of the voice. He didn’t see anyone.

“In here, quickly.”

The lid on the paper recycling bin raised high enough that he could see a splash of white skin and the top of a woman’s head. Zip froze in place.

“Hurry,” the woman’s voice sounded insistent, urgent. He bolted to the bin. She reached for his skateboard and he handed it to her. Beautifully manicured white female hands grabbed the board. Zip leapt up, bracing both hands on the edge of the bin to lift him up and over the edge. He somersaulted in and the lid came down quietly behind him. The box grew dark and silent. The delicate smell of vanilla perfume slid by his nostrils. What street person wore perfume?

“Sh,” the lady’s voice said.

Zip held his breath as he heard Snake and Tony’s sneakers slap, slapping up the street and squeak to a stop at the end of the alley. Silence. He needed to swallow, but he was afraid it would make noise. His heart was loud enough. How do you quiet your heart, how do you keep it from beating so loudly, he thought.

Snake sped off down the alley and Tony bounced up to the top of the paper recycle bin and jumped off into the yard on the other side of the fence. The dogs snarled and barked. Tony obviously got past them or they were in the next yard. Then it grew silent again—dead silence slipped through his mind, like he might have been if it hadn’t been for the vanilla lady. 

Cold Water will be released July 1, 2012. Get your Readers Guide, questions, information and resources on bullying by emailing me here Billie A Williams put "Bullying" in the subject line.  And I will send it to you.

P. S. Sign up for my Newsletter, The Mystery Reader Connection and stay abreast of all the events, news and free stuff available for you. Once a month in your inbox you'll receive the Newsletter, if there are important up dates I'll occasionally send you an email about them. There is a safe unsubscribe at the bottom of every email...so you never have to stay if you don't want to. Hurry, sign up today and receive your copy of Black Roses, a mystery, just for signing up. You won't want to miss a single issue.

On The Go With Children's Author Nancy Sanders

 Perma Link

http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/book-launch-party-frederick-douglass-for-kids-11/

Featured Book:

Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities

By Nancy I. Sanders

Author’s site: www.nancyisanders.com

Book’s site: www.FrederickDouglass.wordpress.com

Purchase the book on Amazon at: http://tinyurl.com/7opjcn4

Book Synopsis

Few Americans have had as much impact on this nation as Frederick Douglass. Born on a plantation, he later escaped slavery and helped others to freedom via the Underground Railroad. In time he became a bestselling author, an outspoken newspaper editor, a brilliant orator, a tireless abolitionist, and a brave civil rights leader. He was famous on both sides of the Atlantic in the years leading up to the Civil War, and when war broke out, Abraham Lincoln invited him to the White House for counsel and advice.

        

Frederick Douglass for Kids follows the footsteps of this American hero, from his birth into slavery to his becoming a friend and confidant of presidents and the leading African American of his day. And to better appreciate Frederick Douglass and his times, readers will form a debating club, cook a meal similar to the one Douglass shared with John Brown, make a civil war haversack, participate in a microlending program, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.

Author’s Bio

Nancy I. Sanders is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 80 books including the picture book D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. She teaches other writers how to launch their career to the next level based on material found in her groundbreaking book for writers, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, live in southern California. They have two adult sons, Dan and Ben.

Interview with the Author

On the Go with Children’s Author Nancy I. Sanders

What are some of the ways you plan to market your new book, Frederick Douglass for Kids?

I’m supplying teaching resources for teachers to download and use with this book on my book’s site as well as sites such as Teachers Pay Teachers. I’m also going to events such as a local school’s career day to talk with kids about writing and distribute promotional materials about my book. Plus, I’ll be attending ALA later this month where the publisher has set up a booksigning to help get the word out about my book to librarians. Then there are also events I’m hosting on my blog such as the Book Launch Party that is going on right now.

Are you available to speak at writing conferences?

Yes! I love sharing practical tips on how writers can jumpstart their writing career to the next level of success. In May, I just finished teaching at a large conference, the Orange County Christian Writers Conference. I’ve taught at various writing conferences over the years. Many times people ask me to teach on writing for children since that is my area of expertise, but I also teach workshops on time management and setting successful career goals for writers of all genres. These classes are based on the information I present in my award-winning book, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career.

Do you ever do online workshops or classes?

In this day and age, virtual workshops over Skype or AnyMeeting are so do-able! I can do small virtual workshops with just two or three writing buddies…or workshops with large groups where they put my image on a big screen for a hundred or more writers to gather and enjoy. I can teach a workshop to one group gathered in one place…or a group of writers spread out all over the country all at the same time! My fees are very reasonable, often just $20 per person depending on which options you choose. Plus, I have taught so many workshops and writing classes over the years that I can dovetail yours to meet the needs of your particular group. Since I’ve written over 80 books with publishers big and small, I’ve got a lot of experience in different genre and with different publishers. To find out more about setting up a virtual workshop, e-mail me at jeffandnancys@gmail.com and visit my site:

www.YesYouCanLearnVirtualVisit.wordpress.com

What are you doing to celebrate the release of your book, Frederick Douglass for Kids?

This is the last day of my two-week virtual Book Launch Party! And today’s the last day to enter to win a prize! Stop by my site today to join in the party as it’s winding down. You can join the fun on my blog today at:

http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/book-launch-party-frederick-douglass-for-kids-11/

Thank you so much, Billie, for being the final stop on my Book Launch Party! It’s been a joy!

And thank you for visiting Nancy it has been such a pleasure. I'm sure my readers will love it.

Billie