Pulling back the veil

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

coldhandboyack's avatarEntertaining Stories

Regular readers of this blog know I’ve been working pretty hard on projects. There seems to be a little of that going around these days, because I’ve discovered some kindred spirits.

We’ve formed a collective group, initially for some group promotion, but it’s grown into something more. Today, I want to tell you about Story Empire.

I’ve joined up with these wonderful authors to bring you something new:

Our initial common ground is the paranormal. We’re all pretty diverse, and we have other common interests as well.

We’ve all been working hard on different corners of our cooperative effort, but the work of Staci Troilo really shows in the new website and blog. Look at these wonderful graphics.

Huh, how’d I manage to use that last one? (Because Entertaining Stories is my blog, that’s why.) Didn’t she do a super job?

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Naked Alliances up for Eversion Pre-Order and Paperback is Ready

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

S.K. Nicholls's avatarS.K. Nicholls

As you may have noticed, I’ve been off social media for a while. There were too many things on my mind and loads of work to get done. I’m packing to go to Michigan to see my new grandbaby…my first born’s first born. Really excited about that.

We also have a book. Naked Alliances is now available in paperback only and the eversion is up for pre-order. Yay!!!

4

Had to go this route this time. The publicist package we won at Sleuthfest came with a publicist who insists we have a book before she begins her marketing campaign. (I personally believe in a lot of pre-marketing, but she needed ARCs for reviewers and this is the only way to get them with CreateSpace.)

Mayglenn McCombs, the publicist,  will be doing a blog tour, but I’d also like to set one up on my own. Anyone willing to help, let me…

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Princess of the Light by N.N. Light on Sale for #99cents #angels #paranormal #romance

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

E-book Sale!

During the month of September, Princess of the Light is on sale for the super-low price of $.99 USD. 100% of the proceeds during this time will go directly to our local food bank to help feed children and families in need. This is the first time Princess of the Light has ever been this low and who knows when it will be this low again.

POTL

Mary’s the Princess of the Light but her only hope is to make a pact with her enemy.

Blurb:

Mary Miller receives a startling visitation from Gabriel, the Messenger of God. The Archangel reveals an astounding truth–Mary is the Princess of the Light and even more amazing, her destiny is to battle Lucifer’s army of demons and restore the balance of good and evil on Earth. It’s getting harder to fulfill her new role and keep her identity secret while juggling her personal life, and when Than, Lucifer’s second in command, amps up the attacks on her, she knows she needs help.

Joe Deacons is everything she’s ever wanted in a man. And as providence would have it, in a moment of great need, he’s the Warrior of Light–the one who can help her defeat the forces of darkness.

Not so simple when they confront Lisbeth, a demon hell-bent on usurping Than and Lucifer himself.  When Lisbeth wages war and several innocent people die, Mary must form an alliance with her enemy in order to destroy her.  But will this be a grave error or the choice that saves their world?

Book Cover Graphic Artist Credit

Illustration : streamy digital

Model : VictoriaAndrea

Photo : shutterstock/depositphoto

POTL 2nd anniversary

CLICK FOR AMAZON SITE

Excerpt: Visions in Lavender

I sunk into the water, and let the suds and scent of lavender engulf me.  The stress of the day finally began to melt away.

My body jolted.

I was in the middle of the desert. There were grass huts and women with hajjis walking quickly around me. Something whizzed past my ear, and a deafening explosion rocked me off my feet. I instinctively curled my body in a fetal position.

I listened for the screams to start, but it was eerily silent. I glanced around, but all I saw was water.

I was still in the bath. What had just happened? Was that a vision? Had I fallen asleep?

My headache was a dull thud now.

A knock on the washroom door made me gasp. I sat upright in the tub and heard my roommate, Amber, call in, “Mary, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just must have fallen asleep.”

“Hey, Amber, what time is it?” I looked down at my pruney fingers and wondered how long I was in the tub.

Amber said, “It’s five thirty.”

I leaned forward and turned on the hot water. The bath water had gotten cold while I had drifted off.

I leaned back as the warm water ran over my toes and closed my eyes, wondering what I should wear tonight. I wanted to look beautiful for Joe. I began to picture every outfit in my closet, and tried to imagine his reaction to it.

A shiver ran down my back and I faintly hear the water splash over the edge.

I opened my eyes and tried to scream. All that came out was a reverse gasp, and I pulled my towel in to cover my body.

A small child was in the tub with me. He couldn’t be older than five. Blood was running down his face, and his body was covered in sand mixed with congealing blood. He was clinging to my towel, and I didn’t know whether to let go of it or yank it back from him. His dark hair was wet with fresh blood. My heart filled with sadness and I quit trying to scream.

As I clung to my own towel, I didn’t know what was happening or what I should do.

The little boy raised his head and more sadness poured into my heart. His eyes were dark pools of grief and despair. They pleaded with me, begging me to help.

How? I mouthed silently.

I jumped when he began to move slowly toward me. He lifted one arm and spoke in a language I didn’t recognize. I knew I didn’t know exactly what his words meant, but I knew what he was saying: He was hurt and needed help.

The closer he came, the more my fear eased and the pain increased. He reached for my arm. His hand was bloodied, and it sent a jolt of electricity and agony throughout my body. I tried to pull away, but his grip was locked on my arm. His eyes turned black and murky, and a voice not his own spoke.

“Princess, help my people,” it said.

I shook my head.

“Let go!” I tried to scream again.

The little boy disappeared, and I jumped out of the bathtub, wet towel still wrapped around my body, and crumbled to the floor. The blood was smeared all around me, and I looked at my arm. The blood was still there, too.

I whimpered, scrubbed at my arm until it was raw, and yet I could still see the blood.

Buy Links:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469480

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/princess-of-the-light-nn-light/1120170709?ean=9781502438454

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Light-N/dp/1502438453

Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/Princess-Light-N-ebook/dp/B00N19FDKO

Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Light-N-ebook/dp/B00N19FDKO

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/princess-of-the-light-1

Indigo: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/princess-of-the-light/9781310880230-item.html?ikwid=princess+of+the+light&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

iTunes/ iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/princess-of-the-light/id913013798?mt=11

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5008419

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23009005-princess-of-the-light

N N Light Author Pic social mediaAuthor Bio: N. N. Light is the husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.

They’re blissfully happy and love all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find them on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. They’re a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.

In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.

100% of the proceeds of Princess of the Light go directly to food banks (US and Canada) in order to feed the hungry and help those in need. With only 7,500 books sold, N. N. Light will be able to set up a monthly endowment for the local food bank.

They’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:

Website: http://princessofthelight.com

Blog: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/nnlight

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NNP_W_Light

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nnlight

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-n-light/90/1a7/902

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118060034268079734144/posts

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight

Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/n-n-light.html

iAuthor: http://www.iauthor.uk.com/princess-of-the-light:10294

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7 Tips to Dating a Fairy

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz
Crysta and Zak from FernGully

Crysta and Zak from FernGully

To make a Feykin, you need a fairy.  That’s just biology or some type of science that makes people blush during the slideshow.  So, what do you need to know when you start dating a fairy?

  1. Watch where you step and sit.  Also, don’t swat at what you think is a bug unless you’re sure it’s a bug.  Might want to hide all flyswatters and sell your Pikachu-shaped bug zapper.  This only goes for the small fairies, but smashing your date would put a crimp in the relationship.
  2. Never carve your initials into a tree in order to impress a dryad.  She probably knows the tree very well and will become enraged that you mutilated her friend.  The addition of a heart will only make things worse, so best to leave the pocketknife at home.  Either that or ask her if there are any trees she has issues with.
  3. Do not believe a fire sprite when they tell you ice skating, skiing, or the IceCapades shouldn’t be a problem.  They’re only trying to be nice since you seem very interested in going.  Depending on the species, you will either have a date-sicle within a few minutes or the entire venue will melt.  If your date still insists on going then make sure to pack a pair of floaties and a stack of apology cards.
  4. Always laugh at a sprites pranks because not laughing means they will try harder.  Best to keep their antics small like buckets of water over doors and itching powder in your socks.  Last thing you want is to start your car and have it launch into the stratosphere like a rocket.  There has never been a human that a sprite hasn’t pushed into either laughter or agony.
  5. Don’t threaten to stop believing in fairies when you’re fighting.  Not that it would kill them like Tinkerbell.  It’s just that it doesn’t work and you’ll open the door for them to prove they exist.  This can range from a slap to the face to thorns sprouting from your pants . . . backwards.
  6. Cosplay as a fairy once or twice.  By this, I mean put on fake wings and the outfit while allowing your date to transform you for a night.  Learning what it’s like to be a fairy can go a long way in the relationship.
  7. Never touch their wings without permission.  Just don’t.
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20 Questions with Tom Julian

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Don Massenzio Today we sit down with New Jersey author, Tom Julian. He’s going to tell us about his work, his inspiration and a bit about himself. Please enjoy this edition of 20 Questions: Q1) When did you first realize … Continue reading →

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Do We Even Want to be Entertained?

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

So, I’ve been wondering this for a while now.  I wasn’t sure how to write this up either and have gone through it in my head many times.  Then I stumbled onto this part from a Suicide Squad review:

“In my sensible critical opinion, Suicide Squad wasn’t a complete disaster, but inexcusably mediocre. To be fair, the audience I saw the film with appeared to love every frame: big laughter, cheers for the action and clapping as the credits rolled. Is there a disconnect between critics and audiences?”

Now, I’m not going to touch on the question because I have another one.  Are people disconnecting themselves from movies, shows, and books before they even start?  I’ve seen so many people swear that something will be bad for months and then they begrudgingly indulge.  SURPRISE!  They didn’t like it for exactly the reasons either they said or the critics declared.  Sometimes word for word too when they put up their social media announcement that they were right.

It seems like it’s a lot more difficult to entertain people these days.  Solid opinions are being made off the promotional material, which creates a bind for an artist out to only entertain the audience.  The goal changes from entertaining people to changing their established opinion, which you never knew prior to finishing whatever it is you put out there.  You can’t do anything about that.  It’s entirely on the head of the reader/viewer to let their opinions being influenced by the final product.  This is for better or worse, but I see more people holding true to their original opinions as if changing is a horrible sign of weakness.

Honestly, I’m still confused on why people go to see a movie or read a book that they already claim to hate.  You tend to search for problems that will justify your previously established opinion, which becomes your focus instead of giving the story a change to entertain you.  I’m pretty sure I’ve done it in the past, but I’ve spent the last few years sticking to stuff that interests me.  Honestly, the first ‘Game of Thrones’ book is where I had a preexisting opinion and tried to read it, but failed miserably.  The series was described to me as ‘every character you love will die’ and that caused me to look for reasons to give up.  I learned my lesson there and have been pickier about what I watch and read now.  Also, who I listen to. This means I miss out on some blockbusters and end up at odds with people who hate the movies that are cool to hate on, but I don’t waste 2-3 hours of my life on something I didn’t have any intention of enjoying.

And that’s part of the ‘problem’ that I think I see.  Many people don’t enter fiction with the intention of enjoying the escape and having fun.  They set out to analyze and put their ‘findings’ on the Internet to prove whatever they were saying before.  This isn’t even to hate what they’re looking at because you can go to the other side too.  I can probably sum this up with this:

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Now, this is coming from an author who writes to entertain first and a viewer/reader who does so solely to relax.  Sure, I’ll get into an analysis discussion after I have fun, but I like to be in the moment when it comes to fiction.  Just drift away and go on the adventure because I’m tired of thinking about bills, my exhaustion, deadlines, and all the other stresses of my life.  Adding a goal to rip whatever I’m enjoying to shreds kind of defeats my purpose.  This is just me though and I do think a person shouldn’t be forced to like something.  Yet, we should give these things a chance instead of going in with a critical agenda.  Going back to that review segment: Critics are paid to analyze a work while the audience pays to have fun.  That’s how I see it.  You can have overlap, but it seems silly to hand money over for something you plan on hating.

Maybe I’m naive and missing the modern day point of everything.  I remember going to a summer blockbuster every weekend and having a blast.  There was no bombardment of trailers, clips, opinions, predictions, actor contracts, future releases, etc.  I saw what was out, picked a showing, and went to have fun.  Fiction has always been a source of fun for me.  Probably why I skip some big movies that don’t hold my interest and why I have so few movies that I regret seeing.  So, I guess I’m missing the modern point of fiction if it’s no longer to have fun and leave reality behind for a few hours.

(I’m really hoping there isn’t too much of a fuss in the comments.  I’ve gotten into this fight on FB a few times.  So, let’s try to be civil.)

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Caledonia on Lisa Burton Radio

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

coldhandboyack's avatarEntertaining Stories

Today, on Lisa Burton Radio, we’re in the studio with two very special guests from the series, Caledonia. I’m your host, Lisa the robot girl, and my guests today are Detective Inspector Leah Bishop and Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland and vampire. “Welcome you guys. Thanks for joining me.”

“Thank you for having us.”

“My bio says Robert is actually the Robert Burns, the famous poet. How are you still around? You have to be like 220.83 years old.”

“I’m a vampire. And you know what they say, age just makes a man more experienced.”

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m a robot.”

“Always on the lookout for new experiences.”

“All right, Rabbie, slow it down.”

“So, Robert. You’re immortal. And you still live in Scotland after all those years?”

“Of course. I guard the gate to Faerie. It’s behind a bar in a small pub in the…

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Three Reasons to Exercise – Guest Post…

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz

Great advice!

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Both the Transplant Games and the Olympics are finished and the athletes have returned home with their stories, memories and awards. But, the essence for activity has not vanished into thin air. Many athletes know the importance of movement for their bodies and brains. Indeed, as Maurice Slapak, initiator of the Transplant Games, believed that exercise was important to help people heal after their surgeries. This article explores the benefits of exercise, you don’t have to be as refined as a Games athlete but performing exercise every day will help your body and life.

1)     The Body and Bones

Physically, exercise is good for the bones and body. The National Osteoporosis Society says, “Exercise is important in building strong bones in your early years but also throughout life in strengthening your muscles and bones and reducing your risk of a fragility fracture.” Now, you may not have osteoporosis but knowing…

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Welcome to the city of Rhundar

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz
Yahoo Image Search

Yahoo Image Search

The city of Rhundar is home to the Feykin and hidden deep within the jungle.  Found at the base of a waterfall and surrounded by a river, the city is full of lush vegetation.  The water also helps maintain any buildings that are made out of living plants, which some Feykin prefer to stone.  Most citizens live in the four elemental towers while their businesses are in the smaller structures.  There is also a central temple to the Four Sisters, patron deities of the fairies and seasons.

Due to their situation, the Feykin maintain a barrier around the city.  It is really the high priestess who keeps this single defense active.  It doesn’t hide the existence of the city, but prevents any non-fairies from entering without permission.  Feykin can cross the border without a problem while others are harmlessly deflected off.  A non-fairy can get permission by entering through a special opening, which marks them as friends.  This marking can also be removed by the high priestess.  If done inside the barrier, the person is launched out of Rhundar and into the nearest body of water.

The Feykin culture is rather simple with holidays falling on full moons, solstices, and equinoxes.  Celebrations involve a feast and everyone praying to the Four Sisters for another successful season.  Thanks to the barrier, the Day of Darkness has very little effect on Rhundar and the citizens go about their business with the help of fireflies that are drawn to the area on this day.  Undead will gather outside the barrier, but they are unable to get inside.  The high priestess usually adds a sound blocking spell on this day since screams of those caught by the prowling monsters is fairly common.

The main rule of Rhundar is that everyone works.  Children do small cleaning jobs and run messages when they aren’t in school or playing.  The elderly do whatever they can while the younger generations take care of them.  Unlike most of Windemere, the Feykin work off a bartering system instead of currency.  Jewels and coins are used for offerings to the Four Sisters and kept in the temple vault for emergencies.  In the past, an envoy has been sent out to buy needed supplies that have been lost for one reason or another.  This is rare since the people know how to replace lacking supplies with what they have.  Another use for this public fund is when citizens are sent into the jungle to find enslaved Feykin.  They always attempt to buy the person in order to avoid a conflict.  This doesn’t always work, which is another reason for tension in the area.

So, what will happen to Rhundar now that it’s been pulled into the champion prophecy?  Was it always meant to get involved?  Find out in Charms of the Feykin!

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Science Fiction eBook Giveaway and Book Sale

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Charles Yallowitz
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