~Spotlight: Perfect World by Shari Sakurai~

It is the year 2115 and the world is very different. With climate changes, natural disasters and war shaping the landscape, England has become a nation made up of several super cities and wasteland in between.

Eric Rawlins is a genetically engineered superhero created by the London Security Agency (L.S.A) to defend and protect the city against both national and international threats. With his superior abilities, celebrity status and beautiful girlfriend, Eric appears to have the perfect life. However, it is an illusion created by the L.S.A in order to control him.

Eric's nemesis is the charismatic Adam Larimore. The only son of billionaire business tycoon Victor Larimore, Adam is gifted with a genius level IQ as well as the same longevity as Eric.

When the actions of the L.S.A throw the two of them together Eric finds himself questioning everything that he has ever known as well as discovering the true course of events that led to Adam turning to a life of crime. As they become closer Eric realises that the L.S.A may be the real threat to London. But can he trust Adam or is he part of Adam’s plan for revenge against those who have wronged him?

Reviews:

5 stars
In the distant future, London is ravaged by the great tsunamis of 2049. This was a disaster on a global scale. War and strife followed, the struggle for resources seemed without end - until the LSA was formed. The LSA (London Security Agency) became the greatest asset in restoring order and peace to the world.

With the world's greatest arsenal of weaponry at their disposal, holographic technology that can recreate the old world at a whim; and genetic engineering able to completely map and control the human genome, the LSA eventually established total control over a weary, splintered population -- or so they thought.

Eric Rawlin, the LSA's best genetically engineered super soldier, is the face of hope against all who would threaten this new-found peace, the pinnacle of their achievements. Eric has never questioned his loyalty. He would give his life for the cause, and as with any cause, there will always be those who would seek to end it.

Adam Larimore is such a man: the greatest terrorist the world has ever faced. He is the perfect weapon, with a burning hatred for the LSA, and the means to destroy them.

As Eric moves to put an end to Adam, he must delve deep into the mind of the enemy, into the secrets of his past, and he must, for the first time, question the organization that created him.

Will Eric find the answers he needs in order to defend London, or will he wish he never started looking to begin with?

Shari Sakuri has created an amazingly detailed world in the distant future. I found myself right at home, in this space opera. She describes the tech with great intricacy, down to the dates of its conception.

Eric Rawlin is an absolute bad ass with an immediately likeable personality. It was a pleasure to see how he evolved from soldier to a man, in control if his own life, in this tale. His supporting cast is fleshed out and realistic down to their postmodern wardrobe.

Adam Larimore provides the perfect counterpoint to the flawless order of the LSA. At first, I considered him an ever-present antagonist, always popping up to taunt Eric and drive him forward. Although certain plot points related to him were a little cliché, as the story progressed, I found Adam to be so much more. And the twist between Adam and Eric came as a complete but welcome surprise to me.

The only complaints I have about this book are its few grammatical errors, and a bit of lag towards the middle of the story.

I know the year is young, but I feel it is going to be tough for any book to beat Perfect World. I immensely enjoyed Shari's writing style and beautiful story. There is even a teaser for another one of her books after the epilogue. I'll probably check it out very soon. If you enjoy, sci fi, martial arts, romance, and technology; be sure to give this book a read. I look forward to her next.
J.B Maynard (http://www.tabbyafae.com)

4 stars
Perfect World caught me completely off guard. I expected an LGBT romance set in a SciFi world. But what I go was a really deep book that focused on many different elements. While Adam and Eric's romance isn't the highlight of the book, it is still sweet and I enjoyed it. I actually like that the author paid more attention to the whole story instead of focusing on the romance.

The pacing was great. There were never moments of lag, and I enjoyed this book all the way until the end. The ending, though. It's a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Adam and Eric's story isn't over yet!
Kristen Noel (http://www.prettylittlepages.blogspot.co.uk/)

Where you can find Perfect World:

http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-World-Shari-Sakurai-ebook/dp/B00LXPO5WA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456643250&sr=8-1&keywords=perfect+world+shari+sakurai

Where you can find Shari:

Website:  http://www.sharisakurai.com/

Perfect World website:  http://www.perfectworldseries.com/

Twitter:  @ShariSakurai

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sharisakurai

Blog:  https://sharisakurai.wordpress.com/

Interview with Shari:

1.  Please tell me about your book and why you decided to write it.

Perfect World is a science fiction and LGBT novel and is the first book in the series of the same title. The novel takes place in London in 2115. The protagonist, Eric Rawlins, is a genetically engineered superhero and part of the London Security Agency (L.S.A), which is the organisation that created him. The L.S.A has given Eric the perfect life with his superhero abilities, longevity, celebrity status and beautiful girlfriend, but in reality they control him and use his popularity with the public to their advantage. Eric’s nemesis Adam Larimore was also genetically engineered and has a genius level IQ and longevity. As the novel progresses Eric begins to see a darker side of the organisation that he works for and also learns that Adam isn’t quite the villain that he’s made out to be. They become closer throughout the novel but Eric remains unsure of whether he can trust Adam or if he is being used.

Perfect World decided to write itself really. One day out of the blue I had the idea and I just had to start writing it!  

2.  Do you have any works in progress?  What are they?

Yes, I'm currently working on a companion novel to the Perfect World series as well as Book 2 in the series.

3.  Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

My favourite author is James Clemens. I love his style of writing and the worlds that he creates.

4.  Favorites:  food, color, activity, place?

My favourite food is a tie between macaroni cheese and pizza! Apart from writing my favourite activity is going to live music concerts. You just can't beat seeing your favourite artists live! My favourite place is London; there's just so much to see and do there!

5.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

I am a perfectionist when it comes to my work. I have to be completely happy with every word before I can even think of publishing something. As a result I go through many rewrites until I am satisfied that my work is as perfect as I can make it.

6.  If you could give one piece of advice about life, what would it be?
Don't put things off. If you want to do something then do it! It's better to regret doing something than regret not doing something!

~Spotlight: The Leprechaun Delusion by Dr. Leviak B. Kelly and Idav Kelly~

In the years between 2004 and 2006 of our current calendar, a social movement among atheists rose to popularity across the world. At first many atheists around the world, particularly the anti-theists, were overjoyed at the new movement that eventually became known as the New Atheist movement or simply New Atheism.

Then as the years went by, the atheists around the world began to see the growing suppressed and repressed inherent anger in the rally cries of the spokesmen of this movement. Yet the general populace of discontent and disenfranchised middle class males and a smaller amount of people of various descriptions seemed to find their niche in the movement.

The movement became a voice for those that were looking for meaning outside churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. New Atheism resonated with the frustrations and other issues that harboured, both knowingly and unknowingly, within these individuals. Groups on social media of these devoted followers began to hold events and establish various internet media into “their” voice.

This was their chance to change and inform the world. It was their chance to vent their frustrations on religion, especially monotheism. However, they did not critique religion, they lambasted it with the mockery and ridicule that gave rise to other atheists and religious followers to mark their obvious fundamentalism.

Their vision, however, was not just skewed by psychological issues but by a blindness of their own “enlightened” intellect. They failed to see that religion was more than monotheism. They failed to use the very science they claim to rally around to search out the environment they were getting stuck in by manipulation. So centered are they on their pot of gold that they do not realize that they have been hoodwinked into a new religion, by both a sociological standardized cult definition and by self-identification from its founders.

In their desire to right the wrongs and bring a multiplicity of light to bear on religion, they have followed a carefully crafted set of mythic leprechauns, the founders, through a rainbow of logical fallacies and ignorance, to a pot of iron pyrite. They have, like many, been lead into the end of St. Elsewhere, trapped in a snowglobe environment called the Leprechaun Delusion.

Reviews:  

Okay, let's be honest - no one really likes the New Atheists except for the New Atheists. They're rude, abrasive, obnoxious, they get in your face, they write books like "Manual for Creating Atheists". This book says what we're all thinking: New Atheism is just another fundamentalist religion. What the New Atheists generally argue is that they aren't religious because they don't do anything that's really all that harmful, but this book proves that statement wrong: The New Atheists DO do harmful things - like ridicule, which causes violence, or like racism, or sexism, or advocating thousands of people being killed just because they're scary muslims. Some of the things the "Four Horseman" said were so bad that I had to look up the citations to make sure the author wasn't making things up. The saddest part was that the author *was not* making any of this up - Sam Harris really suggested that people of color might be less intelligent, and Christopher Hitchens really did advocated that all of Turkey could be blown to smithereens without shedding a tear; all of them made similar infractions to these and more, Richard Dawkins calls Yahweh infanticidal, and then later says that infanticide of Down Syndrome children is acceptable? And then on top of that, all of them are pushing for communism. You'd think they'd have learned something from the past century.

All in all, great book. It revealed a lot about New Atheism that I didn't know before.

5 star review by James Landon

Where you can find Leprechaun Delusion:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Leprechaun-Delusion-Revealing-Religion-Atheism-ebook/dp/B00Z8QWX1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456521694&sr=8-1&keywords=the+leprechaun+delusion

Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-leprechaun-delusion-dr-leviak-b-kelly-dd/1122370792?ean=9781512318135

Where you can find Idav:

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14188907.Idav_Kelly

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/alixetiir

Website:  http://skeletonscomic.blogspot.com/

Tumblr:  http://alixetiir.tumblr.com/

Where you can find Leviak: 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/35027587-leviak-kelly

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/veritasubique

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Leviak-B-Kelly-Doctorate-of-Divinity-836941823058244

Interview with Idav:  

1.  What prompted you to write your book?

I saw the problems with the New Atheist movement, and I don't believe that just because I'm not religious that I have to 'side' with them.

2.  What do you hope the publishing of your book to accomplish?

I'm hoping to reduce the number of people who want to ridicule people for their belief systems, especially when those people are falling into their own trap.

3.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

I tend to avoid sticking to one side or the other on partisan issues, which, in a way, is part of the motivation for writing my book. I don't believe anyone is above criticism if they're not telling the truth.

4.  Who are your favorite authors and why?

Well, definitely Carl Sagan. He knew how to be spiritual. I also like a variety of fiction authors, but Edgar Allan Poe is still one of my favorites because his horror stories are so sophisticated. If you check out my Goodreads page, you'll also see a few web cartoonists who I like because they were funny and also inspired me to write my own comic.

5.  If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be and why?

Strangely enough, I'd probably want to meet Megyn Kelly, the reporter, because I think we'd see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues and I like her attitude. When people interview her offstage, she's not the ultra-conservative that she's been painted as.

6.  If you could give me one piece of advice about life, what would it be?

Keep working even when things seem bad. Studies show that perseverance is the most correlated trait with success.

Present Days

As part of my artistic journey, I've created a vast number of quotes about things I've learned to live by or things I've learned from. I'll be including my quotes in the art spectrum of my blog.

This particular quote is entitled Present Days. I wrote it while in an enlightened state of mind. It is a reminder to me to enjoy the present moment because it is quickly gone into the past where it can never be re lived.

As citizens on this planet, it is so easy to get caught up in the physical moments of life. We have a tendency to forget our true nature as we engage in this worldly reality. I have come to learn that it is imperative to remember our nature as we go through our daily situations. Only then can we truly live and enjoy the things we experience in each moment of each day.

It is my hope that this quote will remind all of us to stop and reflect on the brief passage of each minute in life. As the moments culminate, years go by and soon we are asking ourselves where the time went. Enjoy every minute because life is precious and fleeting!

Namaste!

Where you can find Present Days:

Red Bubble:  http://www.redbubble.com/people/diamantelavenda/works/14126321-present-days-become-days-past-by-diamante-lavendar

Fine Art America:  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/present-days-become-days-past-diamante-lavendar.html

Some of the available products:

~Review: Wind Down by Mark Ewig~

Aaron Starks survived a near death experience when he was stabbed by an unknown assailant. All of his college roommates were suspects. However, investigators could turn up nothing to catch the attempted murderer. Fifteen years later, Aaron is all grown up with a family. Things are going great until he starts experiencing strange blackouts and other paranormal visions. During the blackouts he still interacts with others, but he cannot remember anything he said or did. Doctors are unable to provide an answer. It is not until Aaron has an encounter with Ju'van, a local shaman, that he realizes what he needs to do. He is sent on a journey to meet up with all his old roommates to discover the truth on what really happened the night he was stabbed in the back.

My Review:  4 Stars!

Although this book had some editing issues, I absolutely loved the story line and conflicts contained within it!  This is a novel about a man journeying through his unconscious, attempting to find answers to the mysteries that happened in his life.  Unsure as to whether he is really alive or dead, the story follows him as he revisits old friends and tries to gather an ending to his paranormal trial.

This book will keep you guessing!  It will also make you think about your own life and actions. This is a perfect book for those of us who love to examine life and attempt to better ourselves through those self examinations.

To any paranormal buffs out there...give this book a try!  It's hard to put down and a very interesting and introspective story!

Where you can find Wind Down:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Down-Mark-Ewig-ebook/dp/B00O6P2OUY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455590434&sr=8-1&keywords=wind+down+mark+ewig

Where you can find Mark:

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9812829.Mark_Ewig?from_search=true&search_version=service

Letter Of Intent #1 by Diamante Lavendar

I am starting another new aspect of my blog! It is called Letters Of Intent. This is the first letter. Others will follow at random. But I suspect there will be quite a few over time!

Letter Of Intent #1:

Life is a poem: a living of pen to paper. The backdrops of our lives are the papers and we are the pens; creating, moving through space to find a meaning to our existence.

Intent is life's purpose. It is up to us whether we allow our intent to be pure or corrupted. In each of us is a possibility of both. What matters is the voice we heed.

Find your intent and you will find your purpose. Accomplish your goals and you will achieve your dreams!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14495473/?claim=qwva73jcxcm">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

~Spotlight: Bounty by J.D. Cunegan~

Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore's best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret -- a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts' connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.

Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she's so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all...

Who is Bounty?

Reviews:

Read this one without a doubt!

By Alexandra on October 8, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

Can I just say, WOW! The main character here already deserves 10 stars, and she’s everything I love about strong females. She’s smart, funny, kicks ass, and knows what she’s doing. She also has a heart and can be a simple human sometimes, so that we all can relate to her, and she’s stubborn and strong when it comes to her work. She’s what you get if you cross the women sleuths and superhero genres, plus throw in a good deal of author’s imagination and humor. I can tell right away the author must be a very fun person to hang with. The secondary characters strengthen this impression, because all together, they form an impossibly cool team – and you know how much I appreciate it ;) The story has it all – mystery, thriller, suspense, drama, and ACTION, so much epic, well-written action that there’s no place for slow chapters. The pacing is really great, pushing the story forward just when it feels like it’s slowing down. Even though many of the intrigues are resolved early, the suspense is built in an original and mind-gripping way till the very end. The flashbacks to the past make it especially hard to put the book down, and they also help us get to know Jill better and understand her motivations and feelings. I think, whether you’re a fantasy or sci-fi fan or not, if you love action – read this one without a doubt. The author did a really great job introducing the series, and something tells me the next book will be only stronger. *I’d like to thank the author for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

5.0 out of 5 starsFull of crime drama and suspense, I loved it!

ByBoundless Book Reviewson July 15, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I was very pleased. It was a very good read. It tells the story of a woman who is "modified" due to taking part in a hidden experiment. She is not only a cop, but a hidden vigilante.

This book is written well and is full of crime drama and suspense. I absolutely love Jill and find her strength honorable. She went through a lot when she was young, but never let it stop her. She continued to grow and now she is doing what it takes to help out her city, on the front lines and behind the scenes.

I want to say thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. It is definitely a good book and is one I'd highly recommend....

Where you can find Bounty:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Bounty-Volume-1-J-D-Cunegan/dp/1514140179/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bounty-jd-cunegan/1122055374?ean=9781514140178

Where you can find J.D.:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/J.D.-Cunegan/e/B00YNTP4S2/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14050436.J_D_Cunegan?from_search=true&search_version=service

**New From J.D.:  Blood Ties available on Amazon!**

Love

This was a write up in my February newsletter I recently published.  My editor loved it (she is also my friend.)  She encouraged me to put it on my blog, which I have now done.  I hope it helps you to find more peace and meaning in your life.

*****************************************************************************

Love. We've heard so much about it during our lives. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." "Treat others as you would like to be treated." "True love keeps no record of wrongs." These things are all very true but sometimes hard to achieve.

Everyone is tested. We endure fiery trials of one form or another. The trick is to always bring it back to a loving attitude at the end of the day. How is that possible in some instances? Sometimes, only by the power of God Himself is it possible.

I have suffered, as some of you know, through differing forms of abuse. I have felt like I had nothing left to give, like everything had been taken from me. And yet, I was expected to love. If you've read my book Breaking The Silence, you know my story. It has been excruciating...and still is sometimes to this very day. The best advice I can give is do your best in the time given. Ten years ago, my best wasn't as good as it was five years ago. And five years ago, it wasn't as good as it is now. I still have a long way to go, but as long as I'm on my way, I know it will continue to get better day by day.

Don't beat yourself up if you have trouble being loving. Especially at times when you are hurting. Nobody is perfect and nobody can be 100% loving 100% of the time. It's not a human capability. Luckily, God is there to hold your heart in His hands as He molds and makes you into who you really are made to be as you progress through your existence on this planet. Humans are frail and fallible. But we are also very capable of learning. So keep that in the forefront of your mind. Do the best in the day you are given.

And be forgiving. Forgive yourself and others for not consistently living up to difficult standards. Sometimes the best way to show love is to forgive. And to know perfection is not attainable. Once you let go of "should, must, have to" it gets a little easier to be a loving person.

February is a time of hearts and candy and flowers. Those are all wonderful, but it is my experience that the expectations we put on ourselves and others are the most primary causes of either happiness or disappointment. So remember, we're all here to learn and grow. Enjoy it as much as you can without beating yourself up over it at the same time!

Happy February! May every day this month be your Valentine's Day!

~Review of Insane-O-Tron by Nick Alverson~

Insane-O-Tron is a collection of six short stories about unexpected characters in crazy situations, with plenty of action, adventure, Sci-Fi, fantasy, friendship, family and romance.

The title story, Insane-O-Tron, is about two best friends, one a man, the other his haircut, thrown into the middle of a plot to stop humans from ever existing. As they battle a lunatic scientist and his fast food employees, they attempt to travel back in time seventy two million years in order to save their future.

In The Family Family the former golden boy of TV comedy, Scott Scotterson, is tasked with reviving a failing TV show, by turning its family-themed plots, from wholesome and boring, into crude, over-the-top insanity.

Mallard Quackenbush explores the anxiety and paranoia of a father as his only daughter prepares to go on her first date with a duck.

Terry is the story of a small plastic pumpkin and his best friend Billy Skids. It’s a tale of friendship, of bullies and the glory of Halloween.

In The Perfect Day, Ernie the earwig takes a summer’s day trip to the warm, scum infested water of the gutter.

Brave Pony pits an awkward and socially outcast pony named Gooch against the deadliest threat Pony Land has ever known: a fire breathing dragon.

My Rating:  3 Stars!

Insane-O-Tron is an offbeat comedy written by Nick Alverson.   This book speaks of everything from the mundane aspects of life to outrageous situations that could possibly occur only in the wildest of dreams.  Peppered with obscenities, stories about everything from bodily functions to hallucinogenic possibilities are presented in the manuscript.

I did find this book humorous on several occasions:  the ridiculous aspect of the stories was somewhat appealing to me.   However, some of the humor was also quite raunchy which isn't my every day "thing".  Overall, though, I do have to say that the bizarre and unpredictable outcomes gave me a laugh as I do tend to enjoy irony quite a bit!

If you like weird/raunchy/ironic humor you'd enjoy this story!

Where you can find Insane-O-Tron:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Insane-O-Tron-Nick-Alverson-ebook/dp/B0125MRT18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455009026&sr=8-1&keywords=insane+o+tron

Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/insane-o-tron-nick-alverson/1122343491?ean=9780989664301

Where you can find Nick:

Website:  http://www.nickalverson.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/NickAlversonAuthor

Twitter:  @NickAlverson1

Meet Patsy Gunn! An artist of integrity!

I'm beginning a new spectrum of my blog!  Every now and then I'll be featuring an artist!  It is my belief that creativity in all forms is a gift that needs to be revered and shared.  It is also my belief that we are all endowed with forms of creativity to share with the world.  And I embrace that concept here on my blog!  So this is the first page in my journey of featuring artists and their work!

Today I'm very excited to introduce you to Patsy Gunn! I've known Patsy for a while now. She is part of my art group, Emotive Art, on Fine Art America. She's also a friend of mine on facebook. Patsy is a warm, kind hearted person and also a talented artist of integrity!

Patsy writes:

Hello everyone! I am a visual artist and primarily use drawing as the foundation of my compositions because of its elemental nature. To inspire my greatest creativity I walk, preferably in nature. The act of wandering and drawing depictions of life comes naturally to me and I believe this is because it is part of our human heritage that dates back to the Paleolithic period. Using graphite as my base, additionally I work with pen and ink, charcoal and pastels, gouache and acrylic. Each of these mediums has a distinct quality which allows me to express the various feelings of human existence, such as, spiritualism, enthusiasm, bliss, melancholy, subtleness, and so on. It is the intertwining of these sensations with a subject that speaks to me.

I am often asked how long I have been an artist, and I generally say I was born an artist! This is because, looking back to my earliest memories from my childhood I somehow always knew that art and life were deeply intertwined in a such a way that I could not think of one without the other. I understand this interweave of art and life today as the inherent human flow of creativity into life. In all forms, it is a gift from the Universe that has, and continues, to aid human progression as well as our survival.

My artistic journey began at the age of six when I received my first set of pencils and a sketchbook. At this point in my life, this simple gift made me feel jubilant in the knowing that I could go anywhere I wanted to in my imagination. Although this is a blissful memory for me, my most joyous moment happened many years later when I discovered I could capture pieces of life with images and imbue them with the sensations of life. On my artistic journey today I continue to experiment with techniques that will aid in bringing forth the feelings that are present in life, because for me art is life.

Over time I have been influenced by many visual artists, but my favoritism falls to the Great Masters of the Early and High Renaissance period, such as, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. This is because this era of artists through the use of various mediums, styles, and symbolism interwove pieces of life, sensations, and secrets, into each composition, and this for me is humbling. Additionally, I favor some of the twentieth century artists, such as, Van Gogh, Rodin, Picasso, and Matisse. My painting Gravity, which I share with you today, was inspired by Henri Matisse’s painting, The Dance II. In Matisse’s painting, I observed how his use of color and fluid movement brought forth significant sensations that illustrate the processes of the human body as one interweaves with diverse currents of life impulses. Likewise, in my rendering of Gravity my use of color and movement demonstrates the interconnectivity of all living things being embraced by the dynamic rhythms of Earth and the heavenly atmosphere. If you are interested in learning more about this, Glen A. Mazis, in his book earthbodies, captures the profound meaning of Matisse’s painting as he discusses the unified interconnection of humans with the dynamic rhythms of the earth and the cosmos.

To all artists, whether poet, musician, writer, or visual artist, I believe we are all spirits having a human experience, and that being gifted with an artistic talent brings to each of us a responsibility. The responsibility lays in the fact that our creative endeavors may have a strong influence on humanity. So as we make art, I feel we must use our gifts in a way that is respectful to our interconnection to all others, the Earth and all its inhabitants. In my opinion, doing this is, and has always been, the artist’s way to contribute to the blissful preservation of humanity.

Where you can find Patsy:

Fine Art America:  http://fineartamerica.com/artists/patsy+gunn

Website:  http://www.arttatouille.com/

My drawing entitled Shadows

This is an older piece I created many years ago when I was having trouble with flashbacks stemming from my abuse. One day I sat down and began to create this piece as I was suffering.

It's meaning: Memories are like shadows in our minds. The good memories remind us. The bad memories haunt us. Our lives are filled with many different memories. They shape who we are. How we allow them to affect us is our own decision.

I wrote a book about my life entitled Breaking The Silence. It is a story of my torment and agony but also a story of my hope and healing. Sexual and psychological abuse is extremely difficult to deal with. The emotions that it creates threaten to destroy the victim's life. Breaking The Silence is my story about how I went from victim to over comer. It is my hope that everyone who has suffered as I have will find the courage to recover after reading my story.

Shadows is my physical depiction of a small piece of that torment and hidden hope.  If you know someone who has suffered from abuse, show them this piece.  They will probably be able to identify deeply with it.

Where you can find Shadows:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/diamantelavenda/works/14126123-shadows-by-diamante-lavendar?grid_pos=1&p=sticker

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/shadows-diamante-lavendar.html

Products made with Shadows:

The January Lowdown!

Hello everyone! Today I'd like to take a moment to thank all the wonderful authors who participated in my blog during the month of January!  It was a very busy and prosperous month!

I am grateful to all of you for bringing interest and diversity to my blog!  It was great working with you and even better getting to know you!  I hope this post finds you happy and well!

If you're reading this post and would like to know more about the featured artists or the art work I pictured above, just go to "reviews/promos" under the blog tab to look up the authors or go to "art" under the art site tab to locate what you're interested in!

~Spotlight: Miscalculated Risks by Maria Riegger~

What would you do if you met someone who defied all of your stereotypes?

Outspoken and abrasive, law student Isabel enjoys arguing with just about everyone, including her friends. It's 2010, and her strained relationship with her mother, less-than-stellar job prospects and frustrations with the conformist political culture of Washington, DC have left her resentful and unfulfilled. Only her sisters and a few good friends are able to keep her semi-grounded. When she meets a new fellow student who dares to challenge her, she is intrigued but skeptical. While Isabel is risk-averse where her feelings are concerned, she is also becoming increasingly curious. She's afraid to get close, because being vulnerable always lead to being hurt, doesn't it?

Where you can find Miscalculated Risks:

http://www.amazon.com/Miscalculated-Risks-School-Heretic-Book-ebook/dp/B014N9SJLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453879152&sr=8-1&keywords=miscalculated+risks

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miscalculated-risks-maria-riegger/1122823090?ean=2940151015813

Where you can find Maria:

Author website/blog: www.lawschoolheretic.com

Twitter: @RieggerM

FB: www.facebook.com/lawschoolheretic

Google+ Maria Riegger

Interview with Maria:

1. What prompted you to write your book?

The storyline came to me all at once. I had some ideas for scenes, and then everything coalesced one day. I wanted to write a book with Washington, DC, my hometown, as a setting, and also wanted to write about what it was like to go to law school there as a young professional.

I also wanted to experiment with characters who didn't act the way people expect. The main character, Isabel, doesn't always act as you would expect a woman to act; however, there are reasons for that. Isabel also applies her own stereotypes to people, which end up turning out to be untrue. This novel was a lot of fun to write.

2. What is your favorite genre-to read and write?

I love to read thrillers. When I was younger, I read a ton of Agatha Christie. Ken Follett is my favorite author. Eye of the Needle is a classic spy novel, and Pillars of the Earth is an epic. Follett writes a fast-paced thriller, but also has the ability to write in different genres. His novels always include strong female leads. I also enjoy reading Neil Gaiman; he is a great storyteller. His novel American Gods is incredible.

 

I enjoy writing women's fiction with a brash, independent edge. I really enjoy getting into the characters’ heads. I prefer characters who have a mix of positive and negative traits, who have some redeeming qualities but also (sometimes major) flaws. I also enjoy writing witty, sarcastic exchanges between characters.

3. Do you have any works in progress? If so, what are they?

I'm working on Acceptable Misconduct, the sequel to Miscalculated Risks; and I'm working on a political fiction novel. You can't get away from politics in the Washington, DC area.

4. What do you hope to accomplish as an author?

I write because I have something to say. If my books make people think about things, then I consider my job done. Writing is also cathartic for me, since I draw on some of my own experiences and feelings.

5. What are your favorites-food, color, place, activity?

Hmmm, it's difficult to narrow it down. Coming from an Argentine family, I love pasta. My favorite color is deep red. My favorite place depends on my mood, but right now that would be Toledo, Spain, a medieval walled city that is packed with tourists during the day but silent at night (perfect for writing in solitude!). My favorite activity is spending time with my young son. As the child of an attorney, he is always giving me a piece of his mind.

6. What would you like your readers to know about you?

I work full-time, write, volunteer and take care of my family. People ask me how I have the time. I make time for the things that matter to me. If you want something badly enough, you will find a way to do it.

7. If you could give one piece of advice about life, what would it be?

Do your own thing, and don't let other people's words of discouragement affect you. You are the master of your own destiny.

Serenity by Diamante Lavendar

 

Today I'm posting one of my older pieces. It is entitled Serenity. I drew this abstract piece with colored pencils.

I titled this piece Serenity because I drew it from a place of serenity. Serenity is a special place within our hearts where anything is possible. It is the site of origin...the center of our being. Serenity is a space within us that connects with Divine presence; a place where we truly know exactly who and what we are.

We all crave serenity. It is actually a need created in us to commune with Divinity. When we don't have serenity, we feel the emptiness and the loss in our lives. To fill that empty space is what we yearn and search for. However, all we really need to do is connect with the love within! Then Divinity begins to fill the emptiness with the beautiful energy of love, compassion and peace! Thus serenity blooms and grows along with a sense of purpose and fulfillment!

Products made with my drawing Serenity:

Where you can find my drawing Serenity on hundreds of fun products:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/diamantelavenda/works/15389424-serenity-by-diamante-lavendar?grid_pos=3&p=sticker

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/serenity-diamante-lavendar.html

~Review: Silence Under The Blue Sky by Rajalakshmi Prithviraj~

Set against the backdrop of the Jamnagar Helicopter crash on 30 August 2012, where two helicopters of the Indian Air Force had a mid-air collision, this story is a reality fiction, loosely based on the true story of an Air Warrior from the Indian Air Force. Narrated through the silent echo of the sorrowful heart of one the shattered families, their pain is best expressed as silent streams of tears flowing noiselessly down a pair of eyes that have intensely loved and sadly lost. Sometimes, when the heart weeps, there is only language that it understands…..Silence.

My Rating:  3 Stars

This book was based on a very touching story about a woman who lost her husband while she was pregnant.  The dream entries were quite poignant but I had a bit of trouble with the rest of the manuscript as it was written in a very formal manner.

This book was interesting as it came from the perspective of an Indian woman.  It speaks of the Indian culture and the expectations towards women as well as the subculture of the Indian Air Force.  At times I was confused as to some of the lingo because it was written from that perspective.  However, the book speaks in a humanistic way as well when it describes the tragedy and pain of losing someone close to one's heart.

Overall, I would recommend this story because it gives unique insight into India's cultural expectations towards women.  It also speaks of the tragedy of love lost and dreams coming to an end-something everyone can relate to.  If you enjoy studying other cultures or can relate to the pain of loss, this story is for you.

Where you can find Silence Under A Blue Sky:

http://www.amazon.com/Silence-Under-Blue-Rajalakshmi-Prithviraj-ebook/dp/B00ZSHPLJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453529678&sr=8-1&keywords=silence+under+the+blue+sky

https://www.flipkart.com/silence-english/p/itme9hb4grkyhku6?pid=9781514348345

https://www.createspace.com/5559629

https://pothi.com/pothi/book/rajalakshmi-prithviraj-silence

Interview with Rajalakshmi:

1.  What prompted you to write your story?

I had always wanted to do something for my husband; something that would make him proud. This story is a tribute to him, a homage to what he did for his country and the principles he stood for. Also, the support that I got from my organization helped me and my family bounce back and start living again. Hence, this book is my way of expressing my gratitude to all the men and women in blue and their families.

2.  Is there anything autobiographical in your story?

Yes, it is my story. I re-live a particular event in my life through Apoorva. All the characters exist in reality. Hence, names have been changed to protect their identity. Since the story is based on a real-life incident and narrated as a  fiction, hence the genre is reality fiction.

3.  What would you like to accomplish as an author?

My sole aim as an author is to narrate stories that can evoke emotions and touch a chord in the reader's heart. I wish to write about events in my organization which would bring out its humane side. Also, I want to write about things, people and places that have touched my life and brought about a positive change in me. I believe that every story has something good to offer its readers. I dream of my stories to have something to share with the readers.

4.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

I would like my readers to accept me as I am. I am but one of the woman in blue who would do anything for her organization. I am a wife of a martyr and wish to continue being acknowledged as his spouse and not a widow; after all, his not being physically present in my life does not mean that he is no longer my husband. Why label me a widow, when I am still married to the man I call my husband? Above all, I am a mother who wants her children to remember their father as a man who loved his family, loved his country and loved his uniform. In short, I am like any other woman who wants to live a life of dignity and retain her sanity inspite of changes in ccircumstances.

5.  If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?

If I could have one wish granted to me it would be to make sure that no woman whose spouse is dead is called a Widow. The very existence of this word acts as a stigma and makes a woman vulnerable. Its bad enough to have a spouse missing from one's life, but it is worse to be thought of as readily available for lecherous men.

6.  If you had one day in life to do whatever you wished, , regardless of cost, what would it be?

I would want a time machine to take me and my two kids into the past so as to spend that whole day with my husband. I was pregnant with my second child when he had died. I wish I could get him to meet his baby, now grown up, in person.

~Spotlight: Images Of America: West Columbus by Sean V. Lehosit~

Present-day West Columbus is a collective of neighborhoods born from the western banks of the Scioto River in what became Franklin County on April 30, 1803. The first settlement, Franklinton, was founded by Lucas Sullivant in 1797, platted two years after he received 6,000 acres in payment for surveying the central Ohio portion of the Virginia Military District. Later expansions included the areas of Sullivant’s Hill, Rome, and Camp Chase. While the first settlers were farmers and ex-soldiers, the land would also attract Quakers, rail men, real estate moguls, and manufacturers. The neighborhoods found success even though the Scioto River, which birthed the region, on multiple occasions threatened to wash them off the map during three great floods. Characterized by a hardworking and driven population, the community attracted major investments by the mid-1900s, including the expanded operations of the General Motors Fisher Body Plant.

Where you can find Images Of America:  West Columbus:

http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467114639/West-Columbus

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/west-columbus-ohio-sean-v-lehosit/1122367222?ean=9781467114639

http://www.amazon.com/West-Columbus-Images-America-Lehosit/dp/1467114634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441435868&sr=8-1&keywords=west+columbus       

Where you can find Sean:  

https://www.facebook.com/svlehosit

https://www.twitter.com/svlehosit

Interview with Sean:

1. What prompted you to write your book?  

I worked as a freelance writer for two publications during college, a campus magazine called UWeekly at OSU and a community rag, Columbus Messenger Newspapers. I attended The Ohio State University, and graduated in 2010 with a bachelor degree in English. Around the same time I graduated, I also was hired as a full-time news editor for the community newspaper.

I was charged with producing content for the west side edition, and as part of my duties,       regularly attended government meetings, school functions and other happenings. I also grew up in this neighborhood. I began meeting so many amazing people, ranging from longtime residents, to military veterans and business leaders.

The community has suffered economic problems for decades, and I realized many people forgot about its rich history. It was the training grounds for Union soldiers during the Civil War, later turned into a Confederate prison and cemetery; birthed the largest school district in Ohio; survived fatal floods; and was the location of a historic insane asylum and so much more.

I was inspired to write this book to not only preserve its history, but in hopes of creating some community pride for the younger generations.

2. Please explain the story line and why you believe it to be an important story to tell?

Following the American Revolutionary War, the country did not have the money to pay those who served, but what they did have was land – lots of land, referred to as the Virginia Military District. Former soldiers quickly hired surveyors to descend upon the lands to lay claims, many times paying the surveyors with pieces of the land they were scouting.

Lucas Sullivant, one such surveyor, chose a little area on the banks of the Scioto River to settle the community of Franklinton. A year later he had to move it a few miles, due to heavy flooding. One of the first streets was Gift Street – named because anyone who agreed to settle there received the land as a gift – this of course, was to entice people to relocate to Franklinton; remember, at the time it was still dangerous due to attacks by Native Americans.

West Columbus continued to grow over the decades, creating new neighborhoods, which were under the constant threat of being washed off the map by flooding waters of the Scioto River. However, they always bounced back.

This is why the story is important: some people want to write off the present-day area; because of the economic turmoil it’s suffered. But it has always been a resilient community, and I believe they can be inspired by their ancestors and reminded it’s never too late, nor impossible to either rebuild or redefine their selves.

3. Your personal history....does it have anything to do with why you wrote your story?

My family came from Austria-Hungary, present-day Slovakia, just prior to World War I. They moved to West Virginia, where they worked in the coal mines. It was not an easy livelihood. My great-uncle, Karoly “Charles” Lehosit was killed in a mine collapse in the 1920s, but you won’t find a grave for him, his body was never recovered, something not unusual for the time period and his social class.

However, the hard life of a coal miner was still better than the world they emigrated from. Austria-Hungary Dual Monarchy was one of the last feudal systems still functioning in the world; many times family’s like mine were the property of the land’s Baron, and most times were born, raised, worked, and died without stepping foot off the farmland. They were not considered freemen until the late 1860s and then they flocked to America searching for a better life.

My family’s story doesn’t have specific links to the community I write about, but it shares the theme of wanting to build a better life. The early settlers of West Columbus arrived in hopes of redefining their legacy and building a better future for their children.

4. Do you prefer to write nonfiction?  Is there another genre you may be interested in writing?

I began concentrating on nonfiction a couple years ago. I’m a huge history nerd, but not about the topics people are most familiar with. It annoys me there’s so many stories in history that go overlooked. For instance, both World Wars were heavily influenced and took place in Eastern Europe – but how much do you know about Slovenia, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Croatia, etc.?

The same with local history like my book talks about the Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery. While most locals know the story behind the cemetery and its annual memorial service, if you ask a resident in the next city over, odds are they’ve never even heard of the historic cemetery that’s nestled between an ice-cream stand and a church. I want to shed light on these topics.

However, I do enjoy writing in other genres. Other genres I have interest in writing are horror and crime fiction. Those are tricky areas though, especially horror, because public interest goes in and out of fads, so you have to time your project perfectly. For instance, now would be a difficult time to write a vampire book, but 10 years ago, publishers were looking for the “next Twilight.”

You really need to predict what the next fad will be. Pop culture usually goes in 20-year cycles, so look at what was popular 20 years ago, and you could make a smart bet it’ll be popular again soon.

5. What would you like your readers to know about you?

I attended The Ohio State University as a transfer student; I entered the university as a senior. I first attended Columbus State Community College, where I graduated with as associate’s degree. While I was there, I wrote a one-act comedy called “Dysfunct” that a faculty member asked to use for their summer production in 2007. I also directed the play, and it remains one of the highlights of my writing career – so far.

I also have a four-month old son, Kade. Having my first child really changed my perspective on the world, and I actually think my writing and story ideas matured once he came into this world. I also have a five-year old beagle, Freya. I rescued her from an abusive home and she was pregnant – little did I know. I came home one night and she was giving birth on my bed. It was a surreal experience, although ruined the bed and I had to throw the whole thing out.

6. What are the affects you hope that your published book will accomplish?

My hope is the book serves as a time machine for readers. I hope the stories they learn about echo through their daily lives; and when they pass a building, park, or drive by a school or church, they have a deeper appreciation for where it all came from.

I also hope it inspires them to further develop the community. It took the city more than 100 years to create a flood wall to stop businesses from being washed away. While the community has seen hard times, it’s not a lifetime sentence, even if it takes some years, things always get better.

~Review: Bloodline by Tara Ellis~

Sixteen-year-old Alex is your average teen who thought she'd be spending the next few years suffering through high school...not saving the world from an alien plague. But when a rare meteor shower unleashes something otherworldly, she finds herself at the center of a five thousand-year-old conspiracy. Guided by cryptic clues left from her deceased father, Alex is plunged into a strange world predestined since ancient times. As the mystery unravels, she discovers her bloodline is anything but average. Pursued by both the people she loves and unknown enemies, Alex is forced to rely upon her instincts and the help of her friend, Chis and loyal dog, Baxter. Together, they race against time to find a cure. ** Bloodline is the first book in The Forgotten Origins Trilogy (all three books available).

My Rating:  4 Stars!

This is a fantasy adventure story that any fantasy buff would love!  With plenty of action and adventure, it keeps you riveted from the very beginning!

When a virus affects the town that Alex and Jake live in, they find themselves in the middle of a confusing scenario of intrigue and evil.  Destined to find the answer to the equation, as the virus quickly spreads across the globe, they set out on an adventure to bring peace back to their town and to the entire world.

Armed with only sparse tidbits of information, they are forced to piece a puzzle together that looms larger than their wildest dreams!

I loved this book!  It kept me intrigued from beginning to end.  It was very well written and the plot was captivating.  The only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because of some minor editing issues I found in the manuscript.

If you enjoy fantastic, paranormal adventures, this one's definitely for you!

Where you can find Bloodline:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Bloodline-Book-Forgotten-Origins-Trilogy/dp/1492169676/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453108875&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=bloodline+tara+ellils

Where you can find Tara:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Ellis/e/B00IVF1JQK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/taraellisblood

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/forgottenoriginsbloodlineHeritageDescent

Interview with Tara:

1.  What prompted you to write this book?

This isn't the first book that I've written, but it's the first one that I completed and published! I think the difference with this particular story, is how much time and thought I put into the plot and in writing the outline. I have always loved science fiction, and since my daughter was fourteen when I started writing this, it was just natural for me to write a young adult scifi novel!

2.  Do you have any works in progress?  If so, what are they?

Yes! I just released the third book in my middle grade mystery series a little over a month ago (July), and I am working on the audiobook for the 2nd book in that same series. I will then move on to the second audiobook in my trilogy.(the audiobook for Bloodline is already out). I just released a short story this month (September), and I am now turning my attention to rewriting an adult thriller that features a female FBI profiler.

3.  Who are your favorite authors and why?

Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ken Follet and Suzanne Collins rank at the top. I feel that Stephen King is one of the best writers ever, but I prefer to read Dean Koonz due to the darker side of King's stories. Ken Follet is just a masterful storyteller and Collins is one of the reason I chose to write in the first person.

4.  What is your favorite:  color, food, place, activity?

My favorite color is hunter green, food is probably pizza or nachos, place is Blue Bay at Flathead Lake in  Montana and activity would be (other than writing!) hiking.

5.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

Reading has always been a form of escape for me, ever since I was a child. My goal as a writer has always been to offer that same level of entertainment to someone else. Because of this, I take my storytelling very seriously, and always give 100%. You'll find that my trilogy, The Forgotten Origins, is very involved and unlike other trilogies, gets better as it goes, rather than tapering off. I don't think there's anything worse as a reader who's invested so many hours into a saga, to be disappointed at the end or feel like the author gave up. When I finished the last sentence of the last book....I'm not ashamed to say that I cried a little. I hope that the passion I have for this story comes through!

6.  Is your story in any way autobiographical?

Thank goodness...no. However, if an alien virus were to infect the world when I was that age, I would have likely behaved the same way! I will say, that when a couple of people asked if I based the main character, Alex, on my daughter, my answer is that some of the characteristics are more similar to myself. I think that's a natural aspect of writing in the first person...at least for me, it was. I thoroughly enjoyed narrating the book. When I write, I visualize it as if it's a movie, so I already 'heard' all of the voices in my head!

7.  If you could give one piece of advice about life, what would it be?

To never give up! Pursue what makes you happy, and if anyone tells you that you aren't good enough....just get better!

~Spotlight: Empty Fists by Mangalam Shiva~

"God, why has this happened to me? I have never hurt anybody in my life. I have been sincere to God, to my work, to my husband....Yet, I have to suffer this cruel brutality. Why?"

A software professional who led a charmed life, finds that life destroyed by a single brutal incident… A man on his deathbed realizes a life spent in the US chasing money, filled his pockets but left him empty… An ambitious reporter with her dreams within grasp, finds them turning into dust… A beautiful woman is locked in a battle against unwanted male attention with shocking results… Meet these characters - strong, inspiring, wayward, cynical, ambitious, and share their journey, in this contemporary anthology of ordinary lives, extraordinary insights.

Reviews:  

Empty Fists is an anthology. A collection of short stories reflecting on the different aspects of life faced by every individual. There is love, friendship, struggle, even loss. This is a collection of stories that will truly touch your heart from beginning to end.

One of the best parts of Siva’s writing is his ability to convey emotion through each of his characters. Even though there’s a mix of male, female, or even animal, I still felt something tug at my heart with every story. A different message was conveyed in each tale but it wasn’t hard to find them and to learn from them. Shiva paints a very plain and clear picture of what he wants to say and he does it in such a way that readers of all ages can enjoy his work.

-Valicity Garris

Empty Fists is a collection of short stories that tackle multiple themes but the primary focus of the stories is on the difficulties faced by women in their daily lives. Many women are ostracized and exploited in today's world in spite of the progress of civilization. The stories in this collection highlight the struggles and tragedies in the lives of women while also venturing to portray the desires, failures, agony and ecstasy which are part of human existence.

I liked most of the stories. They have a lot of depth and emotions are expressed brilliantly. The author has a good grip on language though at times he uses unnecessary adjectives and that affects the flow of the story. I was particularly impressed with the story about a stray dog and how the dog understands the things that happen around him. This unique point of view surprised me pleasantly. These stories need attention not just because they are commendable pieces of literary fiction, but also because they expose the dark side of society defined by oppression and violence.

-Saradia Chatterjee

Where you can find Empty Fists:

http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Fists-Mangalam-Shiva-ebook/dp/B010NNOQI0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Interview with Mangalam:

1.  Tell me about your book and why you decided to write it.

EMPTY FISTS, book by me in my pen name MANGALAM SHIVA, has short stories. We human beings always think that we are superior to animals and they are all dumb just because the other living things cannot think like humans or talk. Raju the intelligent stray dog proves that even animals are clever, can think and save human beings from their disasters. Raju feels and regrets the atrocities committed by people around him.
There are other stories in the book which reflect the social injustices in India affecting weaker sections of the society like Children and Women.
I watched many atrocities happening in our society daily reported in News TV channels. Newspapers etc. As my age did not permit me to take any direct action to stop these atrocities like corruption, rape, kidnaps, loots and social discrimination, I decided to write stories with a hope that some of the readers of my book can bring change to Indian situations.

2.  Who are your favorite authors and why?

My favorite authors are---
ROBERT LUDLUM
ROBIN COOK
SIDNEY SHELDON
JEFFREY ARCHER
FREDRICK FORSYTH
JAMES PATTERSON
TOM CLANCY
I like fictions by these authors as their characters, situations, style and stories are thrilling, interesting and captivating.

3.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

I would like my readers to understand that a retired person has written a moving message giving book of stories. There are moral and social messages which can be implemented wherever there is a scope for these.

4.  Where would you go on your dream vacation?  Who would you bring with you?

I would like my dream vacation in Switzerland, with my dear wife.

5.  Do you have any works in progress?  What are they?

I have got the manuscript of short stories for my second book ready for editing & publication. I am writing more stories for third book to be published at a later date.

6.  If you could give me one piece of advice about life, what would it be?

I am not competent to give any advice to my reader friends. One advice I would give myself is "TOLERANCE WITH ALL".

Addictions by Diamante Lavendar

This is one of the first art pieces I posted online.  It is a colored pencil work entitled Addictions.

This is a personal piece for me since I struggled under the weight of addictions for years. Substance abuse was the way I coped with the pain I endured as a child...a very ineffective coping mechanism indeed!

I used dark colors to depict the weight and the pain that addictions have on our souls.  It is a heaviness and a darkness that can only be known by a fellow addict.

Addictions have a debilitating effect on the psyche and spirit of a person.  They deaden our senses and dull our perceptiveness.  We see the world through different eyes...many times eyes of apathy and depression when we are living under the weight of our addictions.

I created this drawing to bring awareness to the fact of the pain that addictions bring to life. Many times we believe they are a means of escape when in reality they are a road to destruction.  It is my hope that this drawing will bring to light the devastation addictions cause in the lives of those who suffer.

Here are some of the products created with my drawing entitled Addictions:

This piece can be found and purchased in many different items at these locations:

Red Bubble:  http://www.redbubble.com/people/diamantelavenda/works/14031947-addictions-by-diamante-lavendar?grid_pos=8&p=sticker

Fine Art America:  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/addictions-diamante-lavendar.html

Zazzle:  http://www.zazzle.com/collections/addictions_by_diamante_lavendar-119037889821001092

Thank you!

I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the authors who participated in my blog in 2015! It was a memorable, wonderful year with great variety!

I had a lot of fun posting your spotlights, reviews and interviews! I look forward to much more in 2016! May the new year find you healthy, happy and prosperous!

Bless you all! Cheers!

~Review: Piggy Sense by Reed Abbitt Moore~

Piggy Sense! .... is a fun educational children's book that will instill in children the basic fundamentals of work ethics, saving money, and spending wisely. Age Level: 4 - 11 Grade Level: P - 5. Parents will love reading this book to their children - Grandparents will love reading this book to their grandchildren, and school teacher's will love teaching young children about work ethics and sound wisdom for financial success found in this cute children's book.

My Review:  5 Stars!

This is a wonderful book created to introduce children to the concept of saving money.  In a society where credit is ample and savings are dwindling, this book is timely and inspiring.  Being that this story is written for children, this book is even more valuable!  What a wonderful way to explain the concept of "saving for a rainy day" to a child!

With bright colors and well thought out illustrations that bring meaning to Reed Abbott's manuscript, this book is sure to please both children and parents alike. Reed also includes pictures of money to help children grasp the concept even more fully.  

This book would be a wonderful gift or educational tool for any child!  I highly recommend this book on many different levels (educational, motivational and future planning) for any younger child through age ten or eleven.  

Where you can find Piggy Sense:

http://www.amazon.com/Piggy-Sense-Save-rainy-day/dp/1517655528/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452468133&sr=8-1&keywords=piggy+sense

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/piggy-sense-reed-abbitt-moore/1123103729?ean=9781517655525

Where you can find Reed:

Email:  reedabbittmoore@yahoo.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/reedabbittmoore

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ReedAbbittMoore

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/50087867-reed-moore

Interview with Reed:

1.  What prompted you to write your book? 

I would have to say the economy.  Yes, the economy and a desire to see it change.  

It seems as though people are borrowing further and further into their future.  

We are coming to a point  of breaking the economics of this country and perhaps

even the world!

The best way I can see to change it is to change the way our children view money.  

Money is a symbol of value, but how we spend it reflects our values.  You can

tell a whole lot about a person by how they earn money, but even more by

the way they spend it!

2.  Do you have any works in progress?  What are they?

Why yes, yes I do.  I'm working on two books right now...no...three books.  The

Zoo Is A Rockin', Hansel and Gretel:  A Retelling In Rhyme and Jibber Jabber.

3.  What do you hope to accomplish as an author?

Oh I suppose to pass on my experiences, impart some wisdom and give a good laugh!

4.  What would you like your readers to know about you?

Well... Now that's a deep subject isn't it. I'm trying to make a difference if only

a small one.  Just a  ripple in this pond we call life.

5.  If you could have one wish granted, what would it be and why?

I would wish that people could see the magnificence within them so they could be

free to see the wonder around them.  

6.  If you could give me one piece of advice about life, what would it be?

Hmmm...the only way you can keep something is if you give it away.