Guestpost: A Killer Log House by Catherine Leggitt

A KILLER LOG HOUSE 

by Catherine Leggitt

     During the seven years Bob and I cared for my aging parents, our cabin in Lake Tahoe became a much-used retreat. Much as we loved my mother, the stresses and pressure of caring for an invalid piled on until we became so burdened we needed a break. At those times we escaped for a weekend to the tranquil mountain setting. The fall before my parents both passed away, going home after such a getaway, we took a detour onto Highway 20.

     The two-lane road wound through pristine forests, fertile meadows, and acres of luscious trees. Magnificent yellows, reds, purples, and shades of brown and green dotted the mountainsides. The views were spectacular. By the time we arrived in Nevada City and spotted a white-spired church amid the versicolor trees, we were sold on finding a house in the vicinity. We drove through the downtown areas of Nevada City and Grass Valley, hunting for a realty office but not finding one.

     We had just given up hope and were about to reenter the freeway, when I saw a realtor sign in a little strip mall. “There’s one!” Bob yanked the Jeep into a quick turn and we pulled into a parking space.

     Inside, two realtors were talking. The one with her back to us waved a copy of a listing as she talked. “They just reduced the price. It’s a fabulous log building on fourteen wooded acres. Amazing house. Don’t you have someone who’d be interested?”

 

     We were intrigued and asked if we could see the house. At first glimpse of the rambling residence cradled in the woods on the side of a hill, we knew we were home. The interior confirmed this knowledge. Grandma-Moses views from every window mesmerized us. The décor was a bit granny-stuck-in-the-80s for our taste—lace curtains and cow wallpaper in the kitchen—but décor is easy to change. The spacious rooms held endless possibilities. The house even had an apartment over the garage where Bob envisioned creating an art studio.

     As we were leaving, Bob casually mentioned to the owners that we weren’t ready to move in just yet, not having completed our commitment to care for my parents. Would the owners consider renting back to us until we were ready to move? The answer surprised me. They would be happy to oblige.

     All the rest of the way home, Bob concocted ways to buy that house and I tried to convince him of the impossibility. But somehow, he managed to get the purchase through and before another three months, we knew where we would move after we were no longer needed to care for my parents.

     A full two years later, we moved to Grass Valley. I set about redecorating and landscaping. The house became a showplace. Before long the loneliness of being away from my friends, children and grandchildren began to overtake me. Then menopause slammed in like a tsunami. I desperately need a distraction and found it at the keyboard. The delightful quirkiness of Nevada County residents provided copious fodder for characters and plots. The magnificent house and the incredible scenery outside became the perfect setting to hatch a murder mystery. If we had never found this wonderful house, perhaps I never would have written a book.

About the Book:

     Christine Sterling has developed a reputation for jumping to wild conclusions. With such an imagination, who is likely to take her seriously when she discovers a bruised and neglected neighbor named Lila Payne? Try as she might, she cannot interest anyone in Lila’s dire need for immediate rescue. Something about crying wolf once too often.But then Lila and Christine’s beloved dog Molly both disappear the same night.

     If no one will help her, she must find Lila and Molly herself. Heedless of possible consequences, Christine dives headfirst into a dark pool swirling with muddy secrets and misery. Her best friend throws her a lifesaver of prayer and soon she begins to sense God at work. But even with God’s help, can Lila and Molly be saved before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

About the Author:

     Catherine Leggitt is an author and inspirational speaker. A native Californian born in the Bay Area, she raised two daughters, taught school, and cared for her aging parents in southern California before retiring to the north end of the state. Proud grandmother of six brilliant children, Catherine studies the Bible, reads, serves as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, and sings in the church choir.

     Catherine wrote a trilogy called the Christine Sterling Mysteries, which include PAYNE & MISERY, THE DUNN DEAL, and PARRISH THE THOUGHT. The first book won 2nd place at the Orange County Christian Writers Conference in May, 2010. It was published by Ellechor Publishing in 2011. THE DUNN DEAL and PARRISH THE THOUGHT were published in 2012 by Ellechor Publishing. PARRISH THE THOUGHT made the quarterfinals in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

     In addition, Catherine has completed a fourth novel with different characters called DYING TO BE NOTICED and coauthored a memoir for Sam Contino called STREET SMARTS.

      When called upon to share her story, Catherine’s main themes come from Christine’s struggles in her books, which also happen to be some of the things Catherine struggles with. Thus, since PAYNE & MISERY addresses complaining, the first message, titled Always Choose Joy, centers on how to be thankful and choose joy instead of misery. The spiritual theme of THE DUNN DEAL exposes with the nature of truth. Merely having faith is not enough. What we believe matters. Catherine named the second talk, Always Choose Truth. In PARRISH THE THOUGHT, Christine learns to love unlovable people, so Catherine calls the third message, Always Choose Love.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Tour Schedule:

Thursday, March 7

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Monday, March 11

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, March 13

Guest blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Thursday, March 14

Book reviewed at Geo Librarian

Friday, March 15

Interviewed at Free Ebooks Daily

Tuesday, March 19

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book

Wednesday, March 21

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Thursday, March 22

Interviewed at Yahoo News

Monday, March 25

Interviewed at Digital Journal

Tuesday, March 26

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Wednesday, March 27

Interviewed at Vic’s Media Room

Thursday, March 28

Guest blogging at Vic’s Media Room

Book reviewed at A Year of Jubilee Reviews

Friday, March 29

Book reviewed at Vic’s Media Room

Guestpost: Catherine Leggitt on Payne & Misery

 Catherine Leggitt on Payne & Misery

I always wanted to write a book.

     I know, everyone says that. It’s probably a pretty universally held desire. Somewhere hidden in the secret recesses of our cerebral cortex, many of us believe a manuscript waits to be discovered. I don’t remember ever thinking otherwise.

     But it wasn't until my parents passed away and my husband moved me to his dream house on fourteen wooded acres in Grass Valley California that the real opportunity to write presented itself. Our new home was a magical place with a Grandma Moses view out my kitchen windows. Most of the time I loved it there. On the downside, it was more than half a state away from my children, grandchildren and friends. And then, menopause hit like a tsunami.

     That was my state of mind in the middle of our second summer in our dream house—2005. I had already redecorated the kitchen and landscaped the yard. I was miserable and badly in need of another diversion. One day I stood in my beautiful office and stared out the window praying, certain that God was never going to hear me again.

     My eyes lit on the gray house down the hill, a house where we had seen lights but never any people. I sat at my computer and started typing. Words began to flow out. After the first paragraph, I knew I was writing a mystery.

     It was marvelous therapy, and kept my mind well occupied, but I never knew where it was going. I poured all my complaining and misery into that story. Sometimes, the main character (who oddly enough happened to be just like me) would impulsively do something she shouldn’t. Horrified, I’d delete that scene and say, “She can’t break into someone’s house.” Or whatever she had done. But she’d insist. “I must. How am I going to find what I need to find if I don’t?” So I’d rewrite the scene. I really got into the story, discussing possibilities with my in-laws whenever we visited. They encouraged me to continue. My mother-in-law asked me to write her into the story. Her name, Zora Jane, seemed perfect for the protagonist’s best friend and mentor.

     Throughout the initial writing phase, real life intruded in many ways. For example, my husband burned a pile of oak leaves and garden debris in a blaze that lasted for days. Watching the fire, I knew that had to go in the story.

     One day after I’d completed the first draft—called “Cornerstone House” in those days—I mentioned to my friend at Bible study that I had written a book but didn’t know what to do with it. She suggested taking it to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference. That proved to be one of the best pieces of advice I ever received because at Mount Hermon, the desire for excellence was born.

     Payne & Misery, as it is now named, had to be rewritten seven times during a ten-year period before it got whittled down to the kind of story that could get published. In its present state, it may not be perfect, but it has come a long way from its miserable beginnings.

About the Book:

     Christine Sterling has developed a reputation for jumping to wild conclusions. With such an imagination, who is likely to take her seriously when she discovers a bruised and neglected neighbor named Lila Payne? Try as she might, she cannot interest anyone in Lila’s dire need for immediate rescue. Something about crying wolf once too often.But then Lila and Christine’s beloved dog Molly both disappear the same night.

     If no one will help her, she must find Lila and Molly herself. Heedless of possible consequences, Christine dives headfirst into a dark pool swirling with muddy secrets and misery. Her best friend throws her a lifesaver of prayer and soon she begins to sense God at work. But even with God’s help, can Lila and Molly be saved before it’s too late?

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

About the Author:

     Catherine Leggitt is an author and inspirational speaker. A native Californian born in the Bay Area, she raised two daughters, taught school, and cared for her aging parents in southern California before retiring to the north end of the state. Proud grandmother of six brilliant children, Catherine studies the Bible, reads, serves as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, and sings in the church choir.

     Catherine wrote a trilogy called the Christine Sterling Mysteries, which include PAYNE & MISERY, THE DUNN DEAL, and PARRISH THE THOUGHT. The first book won 2nd place at the Orange County Christian Writers Conference in May, 2010. It was published by Ellechor Publishing in 2011. THE DUNN DEAL and PARRISH THE THOUGHT were published in 2012 by Ellechor Publishing. PARRISH THE THOUGHT made the quarterfinals in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

     In addition, Catherine has completed a fourth novel with different characters called DYING TO BE NOTICED and coauthored a memoir for Sam Contino called STREET SMARTS.

      When called upon to share her story, Catherine’s main themes come from Christine’s struggles in her books, which also happen to be some of the things Catherine struggles with. Thus, since PAYNE & MISERY addresses complaining, the first message, titled Always Choose Joy, centers on how to be thankful and choose joy instead of misery. The spiritual theme of THE DUNN DEAL exposes with the nature of truth. Merely having faith is not enough. What we believe matters. Catherine named the second talk, Always Choose Truth. In PARRISH THE THOUGHT, Christine learns to love unlovable people, so Catherine calls the third message, Always Choose Love.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Tour Schedule:

Thursday, March 7

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Monday, March 11

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, March 13

Guest blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Thursday, March 14

Book reviewed at Geo Librarian

Friday, March 15

Interviewed at Free Ebooks Daily

Tuesday, March 19

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book

Wednesday, March 21

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Thursday, March 22

Interviewed at Yahoo News

Monday, March 25

Interviewed at Digital Journal

Tuesday, March 26

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Wednesday, March 27

Interviewed at Vic’s Media Room

Thursday, March 28

Guest blogging at Vic’s Media Room

Book reviewed at A Year of Jubilee Reviews

Friday, March 29

Book reviewed at Vic’s Media Room

Guestpost: The Five Steps for Financial Fitness by James Berman

The Five Steps for Financial Fitness

By James Berman

Getting your finances into shape can appear daunting. Breaking it down into categories can help simplify the process. There are five main categories that everyone should tackle:

1) Tax Planning

Speak to your accountant now about tax planning. With the expiration of the payroll tax holiday and other "fiscal cliff" induced changes, don't wait until April to make sure 2013 withholding and estimated taxes have been properly adjusted.

2) Pension Plans

If you don't yet have some type of tax-advantaged pension plan [IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, 401(k), etc], ask your accountant about eligibility. Be sure to fund your existing pension to the maximum allowable amount every year. If you have an IRA, Roth IRA, or SEP, be sure to keep your contributions up to date. Be aware that Required Mandatory Distributions (RMD's) from retirement plans and annuities must begin by April 1 after the year you turn 70.5. If you have reached this age, be sure you're taking the RMD on time. There are punishing penalties for non-compliance.

3) Estate Planning

It's imperative to have an up-to-date estate plan. Consult a trusts and estates lawyer. Your lawyer should draw up a will, and consider a living will/health care proxy and a durable power of attorney. The lawyer should review your estate for potential trust and life insurance strategies and should update the estate plan after major life events, such as marriages, divorces, births, etc. Finally, your lawyer should thoroughly examine your beneficiary designations on all pension plans. This final item is very important because beneficiary designations on pensions supersede a will and must be coordinated with your general estate plan.

4) Insurance

Review your insurance coverage. Make sure that you have adequate health, prescription drug, auto, life, disability, umbrella liability, professional liability, long-term care, homeowners/renters, and flood insurance. You may have some of this coverage through work, but don't assume so. Call your benefits specialist to find out the details. Conversely, be sure that you are not over-insured. Contact Social Security three months before you turn 65 to enroll in Medicare and to inquire about your benefit options. Consider buying supplemental insurance to cover the gaps in Medicare coverage, such as those offered through AARP.

5) Identity Theft Protection

Identity theft is at epidemic proportions. Protect yourself against this potential nightmare. The most basic prevention technique is to review your credit reports at least once a year here, being sure to note any suspicious new accounts or activity. There are also services that will alert you to new credit activity on your reports such as lifelock.com.

This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.

An earlier version of this article was published on The Huffington Post.

About the Author:

     James Berman is the president and founder of JBGlobal.com LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm specializing in asset management for high-net-worth individuals and trusts. With over 16 years of experience managing client portfolios, Mr. Berman is a specialist in value investing and asset allocation. As the president of JBGlobal LLC, the general partner of the JBGlobal Fund LP, Mr. Berman manages a global equities fund that invests in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

     Mr. Berman is a faculty member in the Finance Department of NYU (SCPS Division), where he teaches corporate finance. He also serves as subadvisor to Eitan Ventures LLC, a venture capital fund based in New York.

     Mr. Berman has appeared on CNBC, the Fox News Channel, the Cavuto Show, and the Fox Business Channel and is frequently published and quoted in a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Fortune, Bloomberg, and CNN Money. As a regular blogger for the Huffington Post, he covers financial topics ranging from hedge funds to the economy. He writes a monthly interactive investment letter, the Berman Value Folio, a Forbes/Trefis publication.

     Mr. Berman received a BA (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) from Harvard University and a JD from Harvard Law School.

WEBSITE

About the Book:

     Written for aspiring investors of all ages, Lessons from the Lemonade Stand explains everything you need to know in the context of that most classic of all American businesses: the corner lemonade stand.

     Rooted in the fundamental truth that “common sense is the best investment tool,” the book slices important concepts into simple sections, sweetening them with folksy, easy-to-read language. The trials and tribulations of lemonade stand owner Lucinda highlight every concept from interest rates to retirement accounts to leverage. Learn investment basics as you follow Lucinda Lemonade Inc. along its sweet (and sometimes sour) journey as a start-up, from the squeeze of the first lemon to its initial private equity deal and its eventual foray into tech, all in the tidy town of Lemonville.

     Entertaining and fun, Lessons from the Lemonade Stand supplies readers with the ingredients they need to become savvy investors.

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Review # 289: Women Will Save the World by Caroline A. Shearer

Description: (from Amazon)

     Leading women across the nation celebrate the feminine nature through stories of collaboration, creativity, intuition, nurturing, strength, trailblazing, and wisdom in "Women Will Save the World." Inspired by a quote from the Dalai Lama, bestselling author and Absolute Love Publishing Founder Caroline A. Shearer brings these inherent feminine qualities to the forefront, inviting a discussion of the impact women have on humanity and initiating the question:
Will Women Save the World?

      At the Vancouver Peace Summit in September 2009, the Dalai Lama announced, "The world will be saved by the Western woman." Shearer was struck by this statement and immediately felt drawn to explore the subject. She joins essays from modern-day Olympians, Billboard-topping musicians, visionary media professionals, artists, authors, and more with profiles of historical women, such as Mother Teresa, Harriet Tubman, and the founder of Junior League, each who saved the world in their own ways.

Featuring:

• Dozens of essays from leading women across the nation
• Profiles of historical women who saved the world through the feminine qualities of collaboration, creativity, intuition, nurturing, strength, trailblazing, and wisdom
• Affirmations to help strengthen these inherent feminine qualities
• Little-known historical timeline with examples of how women have saved the world in myriad ways; and
• Ways to celebrate your femininity.

     Women whose essays appear in the book include Kathleen Aston, Mary Ellen Ciganovich, Jenny Craig, Leslie Davenport, Rochelle Forrest, Sally Franz, Terry Grahl, Sarah Hackley, Elizabeth Harper, Michelle Hastie, Catrice Jackson, Kiva Leatherman, Sue Lee, Carmel Maguire, Katie McCorkle, Shannon Miller, Shirley W. Mitchell, Kate Neligan, Gayle Newhouse, Kathryn Peters-Brinkley, Dea Shandera, Becky Sheetz-Runkle, Lorelei Shellist, Beverly Solomon, Dr. June Stinchfield, Alicia Vargo, Donna Visocky, Tené Williams, and Amethyst Wyldfyre.

Review:

     In honor of Women's History Month, I decided to read a collection of essays that were by women, about women, and for women. The idea behind Caroline A. Shearer's Women Will Save the World immediately intrigued my feminine side. This unique and thought-provoking essay-driven anthology was easy-to-read, packed with womanly wisdom, and highly motivational. The short sections were perfect for reading on-the-go and could be read in any order; I read a section or two each morning, contemplating and discussing what I had learned throughout my day. The research was evident and I enjoyed reading the thoughts of both historical and modern women alike. I thought that most of the essays were well-written, inspirational, and uplifting, however I found that a small percentage of stories fell flat, lacking depth. I would have loved if some of the sections had been longer, allowing for more detail, especially the Historical Profiles. I enjoyed learning about the women who have truly changed the ways of the modern world - Louisa May Alcott, Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, Harriet Tubman, Nellie Bly, Anne Frank, Eleanor Roosevelt, and even Jenny Craig. I recognized the historical figures, but I really did not know much about the contributions of modern women. It is amazing that just a few wise words can inspire such a beautiful and meaningful collaboration. The Dalai Lama's words, "The world will be saved by the Western woman.", definitely hit a chord within me and with women across the nation. It is indeed a wonderful time to be a women, and I rejoice in the fact that the women who have gone before me paved the way, and made my dreams more than just a possibility. Every woman should know their gender-history because our pasts make us stronger. Highly recommended!

Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Guestpost: Lifetime of Achievement - 7 Goal Setting Strategies that Work by Jordan Maylea Ramirez

Pursue Your Dreams Wholeheartedly 

by Jordan Maylea Ramirez 

These are just a few thoughts based on some things I have witnessed lately:

• A goal or dream worth having will not be without its obstacles. Refuse to be stopped by them. Go under them, over them, around them or knock them down — but whatever you do, REFUSE to remain stuck behind them. 
• Sometimes success requires a big push to get you going. I’ve been taught that this push can be referred to as priming the pump… it takes extraordinary effort in the beginning, but once the water is flowing and you are enjoying the results of your hard work, it is well worth it. 
• Become dogged in your pursuit of success. Oftentimes success will require you to get creative. Focus on the WHAT and let your subconscious mind go to work on the HOW. If you know in your mind that the WHAT is inevitable, the HOW will work itself out nearly every time. 
• Seek the help of others through research and advisement. Rome was not built in a day, nor was it built by a single individual. Seek the help of those who are more wise than you — form a mastermind group and work off of the strengths of each individual. While one person alone may not possess all of the skills and resources necessary for your success, you can almost always possess them in a group. 
• Finally, refuse to be discouraged. When you are forced to use creativity to conquer obstacles, remain positive and focused on your goal. Success happens in the mind before it happens in reality. When you know that you know that you know that success is inevitable for you, obstacles will not discourage you. If you feel you are being brought down by obstacles, strengthen your belief.

About the Book:

     There are too many people going through life content with mediocrity. People going to jobs they hate, to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like. People who are dreading Monday, looking forward to hump day and praying for Friday; and let’s not even talk about those two weeks of paid vacation… those are gold!

     How long have we been this way? Is this really what life is all about? I don’t believe we were created to be content with a mediocre lifestyle we never wanted in the first place. What happened to being a rock star, an astronaut, or an actor? What happened to the hopes and dreams we each had as children? Perhaps, over time, our dreams have changed… but our propensity for dreaming is still inside us.

     Lifetime of Achievement outlines seven goal-setting strategies to help get you from where you are to where you want to be. In its chapters you will find knowledge from some of the worlds most popular personal development masterpieces, taken down to a level that is easy to read and simple to understand.

     Learn the steps to discovering who you truly are, creating goals in perfect alignment with that discovery and implementing an action plan that, when followed, has been proven to produce results. Learn how to conquer fear, to activate the powers of the human mind and discover two of the most important factors shared by virtually every successful individual throughout history.

     This book takes proven strategies and puts them into an easy-to-read, easy-to-implement format that can be read in as little as a few hours. Discover the steps, put them to work, and become prepared for a Lifetime of Achievement!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

About the Author:

      Jordan lives with her husband Robert in Lubbock, Texas with their 3 dogs and two horses. Because both her parents have always been self-employed, she had an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age and began her first business at the age of 17. It was at that time that she first became fascinated with the subject of personal development and the impact a personal education can have on a person’s life. She grew up riding horses and competing in Dressage shows all across Texas and New Mexico. The sport continues to be one of the primary passions in her life and if she is not working or spending time with her family you can usually find her at the barn. Jordan has two younger siblings, Clayton and Paige, whom she is very close to, and she greatly enjoys spending time with her family. She and Robert enjoy entertaining friends at their home (especially during football season – Go Red Raiders!) and they love to travel the world and experience new countries and cultures together. Her latest book is Lifetime of Achievement.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Book Trailer

Tour Schedule

Monday, March 4 – Book Trailer of the Week at Pump Up Your Book

Tuesday, March 5 – First Chapter Reveal at My Life. one Story at a Time

Wednesday, March 6 – Interview at Examiner

Thursday, March 7 – Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Monday, March 11 – Book Spotlight at Between the Covers

Wednesday, March 13 – Book Review at Teena in Toronto

Thursday, March 14 – Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Friday, March 15 – First Chapter Reveal at Parenting 2.0

Monday, March 18 – Book Spotlight at Literarily Speaking

Tuesday, March 19 – Guest Blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Wednesday, March 20 – Book Spotlight at Beyond the Books

Thursday, March 21 – Book Review at Luxury Reading

Friday, March 22 – Guest Blogging at Motherhoot

Monday, March 25 – Interview at Blogcritics

Friday, March 29 - Interview at My Devotional Thoughts

Monday, April 1 – Interview at Books Books the Magical Fruit

Tuesday, April 2 – Book Trailer Feature at If Books Could Talk

Wednesday, April 3 – Interview at Literarily Speaking

Friday, April 5 - Interview at Book Reviews & More by Kathy

Monday, April 8 – Interview at Book Marketing Buzz

Tuesday, April 9 – Interview LIVE on Blog Talk Radio’s A Book and a Chat

Wednesday, April 10 – First Chapter Reveal at My Cozie Corner

Thursday, April 11 – Guest Blogging at The Writer’s Life

Friday, April 12 – Guest Blogging at As the Pages Turn

Monday, April 15 – Interview at Between the Covers

Tuesday, April 16 – Book Spotlight at My Book Addiction and More

Wednesday, April 17 – Interview at Beyond the Books

Thursday, April 18 – First Chapter Review at The Book Connection

Friday, April 19 – Book Spotlight at American Chronicle

Thursday, April 25 – Book Spotlight at The Self-Taught Cook

Friday, April 26 – Book Review at The True Book Addict

Guestpost: Roland Allnach on Oddies & Entities

A Road Less Traveled: Crafting an Anthology

by Roland Allnach

     Writing anthologies is something I've enjoyed, for the very fact that anthologies constitute a unique form of literary expression. Anthologies themselves can be broken down into two types, from the unrelated collection of short fiction, to the more elusive, but perhaps all the more satisfying, thematically linked anthology. I chose the latter path with my latest book, ‘Oddities & Entities’, which consists of six different stories bridging the paranormal, supernatural, speculative, and horror genres - with a little dark humor, for good measure.

     Why choose an anthology? The creative journey that led to ‘Oddities & Entities’ started with a single short story I wrote, one by the name of “Shift/Change”. There’s a quote from the story that really captures the central theme of the book: “There’s more to this world than flesh and bone.” That opened a door in my mind to consider things beyond the everyday existence we share, and exposed a varied landscape of possibilities. Following “Shift/Change”, I wrote three more stories along similar lines, but with increasing degrees of philosophical undertones. It was at this point that I realized I was focusing around the theme lingering in my head from “Shift/Change”. With that in mind, and four stories to contribute toward its exploration, I made the decision to create an anthology. I knew I needed two more stories to complete the book, and they became the two longest pieces, because they serve to both unify the philosophical aspects of the book and at the same time open them to further consideration.

     Part of what I wanted to depict in ‘Oddities & Entities’, beside the central theme of life having more complexity than the everyday world, was to impart a sense of fractured localities. Through the use of diverse settings, I aimed to develop an atmosphere in the book that no matter where you are, no matter what you do, strange things can find you, and they don’t necessarily understand or care for the rules under which we live. Here is where the use of the anthology as a distinct form of expression allowed me to combine the stories so that the sum is somewhat more than its parts. In an anthology with a unifying theme, the individual stories aren't just randomly combined pieces, but composites that build upon each other, developing the unifying aspects of the book through varying perspectives. In a way, it let me tell a whole other story, without it ever appearing in a specific form in the book.

     I consider an anthology a form of creative expression akin to how we often view life itself. Our existence is a mosaic of diverse people and events, yet we have a natural inclination in our subjective thought to tie all those various moments together. So, while our memory is composed of many little stories, those stories together tell something greater, they tell who we are. It’s a handy comparison, and it fostered the mental exercise necessary to maintain the linkage between the stories of the book.

     Anthologies are a reading experience somewhat outside the norm, but I like to think that I’ve offered readers a distinct kind of literary journey. Besides, I like to explore some of the stranger paths of existence when I write. As an author, I find endless possibilities in those considerations, odd as they may be.

As the old saying goes, dare to be different.

About the Book:

     ‘Oddities & Entities’ is a surreal, provocative anthology of six tales within the supernatural/ paranormal/horror genres, exploring a definition of life beyond the fragile vessel of the human body. The stories are: ‘Boneview’, in which a young woman struggles to balance her ability to see through people with the presence of a supernatural creature in her life; ‘Shift/Change’, in which a hospital worker struggles to regain his memory as he is confronted by a series of desperate people; ‘My Other Me’, in which a lonely college student finds himself displaced from his body by his alter ego; ‘Gray’, in which a frustrated man is stunned to discover a little creature has been living in his head; ‘Elmer Phelps’, in which a brother and sister find themselves linked in a strange reality by a bat bite in their youth; and lastly, ‘Appendage’, in which a cynical mercenary is hired by his son to protect a research lab on the verge of a stunning discovery.

Praise for Oddities & Entities:

     “Oddities & Entities” by Roland Allnach, categorized as horror fiction, is unlike any other horror fiction I have ever encountered. The book is comprised of six stories, each of which is written a cut above the norm. There are no recognizable monsters in these stories, no sophomoric zombies, no evil ancient vampires, and none of the standard fare I have become accustomed to in the horror genre. I do like the usual run of the horror genre, but this book is written with thoughtful intelligence, for an intelligent adult reader. I do not mean to imply sexual situations or coarse language. What I mean is, any intelligent reader, capable of deep thought, will find this book irresistible. The six individual stories are as unlike as any six stories can be, yet each one is so sufficiently well-written that, if sold as individual short stories, I wouldn't hesitate to award 5 stars to each of them.

     To say I like this book is a crass understatement. Each story drew me in and evoked my empathy for various characters. These stories forced me to actually think beyond what I was reading. Each premise was unique, at least in my experience; I have never encountered any other stories that even approach the situations these present with authority and authenticity. If I could boil down my perception of this book into a single word, that word would be WOW! Roland Allnach’s first anthology, “Remnant”, which I have also read, was placed as a finalist in the Science Fiction category in the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards. I absolutely expect “Oddities & Entities” to follow suit. If you read only one book this year, make it this one. Be prepared to have your comfort zone challenged.

– Readers Favorite (ReadersFavorite.com)

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

About the Author:
     Roland Allnach has been writing since his early teens, first as a hobby, but as the years passed, more as a serious creative pursuit. He is an avid reader, with his main interests residing in history, mythology, and literary classics, along with some fantasy and science fiction in his earlier years. Although his college years were focused on a technical education, he always fostered his interest in literature, and has sought to fill every gap on his bookshelves.

     By nature a do-it-yourself type of personality, his creative inclinations started with art and evolved to the written word. The process of creativity is a source of fascination for him, and the notion of bringing something to being that would not exist without personal effort and commitment serves not only as inspiration but as fulfillment as well. So whether it is writing, woodwork, or landscaping, his hands and mind are not often at rest.

     Over the years he accumulated a dust laden catalog of his written works, with his reading audience limited to family and friends. After deciding to approach his writing as a profession, and not a hobby, the first glimmers of success came along. Since making the decision to move forward, he has secured publication for a number of short stories, has received a nomination for inclusion in the Pushcart Anthology, built his own website, and in November 2010 realized publication for an anthology of three novellas, titled Remnant, from All Things That Matter Press. Remnant has gone on to favorable critical review and placed as Finalist/Sci-fi, 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards; Bronze Medalist, Sci-Fi, 2012 Readers Favorite Book of the Year Awards; and Award Winner-Finalist, Sci-Fi, 2012 USA Book News Best Book Awards. Roland’s second publication, Oddities & Entities, also from All Things That Matter Press, followed in March 2012. It, too, has received favorable critical review, and is the recipient of four awards: Bronze Medalist, Horror, and Finalist, Paranormal, 2012 Readers Favorite Book of the Year Awards; Award Winner-Finalist, Fiction/Horror and Fiction/Anthologies, 2012 USA Book News Best Book Awards.

     His writing can best be described as depicting strange people involved in perhaps stranger situations. He is not devoted to any one genre of writing. Instead, he prefers to let his stories follow their own path. Classification can follow after the fact, but if one is looking for labels, one would find his stories in several categories. Sometimes speculative, other times supernatural, at times horror, with journeys into mainstream fiction, and even some humor- or perhaps the bizarre. Despite the category, he aims to depict characters as real on the page as they are in his head, with prose of literary quality. His literary inspirations are as eclectic as his written works- from Poe to Kate Chopin, from Homer to Tolkien, from Flaubert to William Gibson, from Shakespeare to Tolstoy, as long as a piece is true to itself, he is willing to go along for the ride. He hopes to bring the same to his own fiction.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

Tour Schedule

Monday, February 4 – Interview at Examiner

Tuesday, February 5 – Interview at The Writer’s Life

Wednesday, February 6 – Interview at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

Thursday, February 7 – Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Friday, February 8 – Interview at Books Books the Magical Fruit

Tuesday, February 12 – Guest Blogging at Delphina Reads Too Much

Wednesday, February 13 – Interview at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, February 14 – Interview at Blogcritics

Friday, February 15 – Interview at Book Marketing Buzz

Monday, February 18 – Guest Blogging at Precious Monsters

Tuesday, February 19 – First Chapter Reveal at As the Pages Turn

Wednesday, February 20 – Interview at As the Pages Turn

Thursday, February 21 – First Chapter Reveal at Beyond the Books

Friday, February 22 – Interview at Review From Here

Monday, February 25 – Interview at Pump Up Your Book

Friday, February 28 – Interview at The Book Connection

Monday, March 4 – Book Review at Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

Tuesday, March 5 – Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Wednesday, March 6 – Interview at Between the Covers

Thursday, March 7 – Book Feature & Book Giveaway at Urban Girl Reader

Friday, March 8 – Book Review at Deal Sharing Aunt

Tuesday, March 12 – Interview at Beyond the Books

Tuesday, March 12 – Book Review at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Wednesday, March 13 – Guest Blogging at Moonlight Lace & Mayhem

Thursday, March 14 – Guest Blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Friday, March 15 – First Chapter Reveal at Waiting on Sunday to Drown

Monday, March 18 – Guest Blogging at Bibliophilia, Please

Tuesday, March 19 - Guest Blogging at Fantasy Pages

Tuesday, March 20 – Book Review at Beauty in Ruins

Wednesday, March 20 – Book Review at My Cozy Corner

Thursday, March 21 – Book Review at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

Thursday, March 21 - Interview at The Writer’s Life

Friday, March 22 – Guest Blogging at Literal Exposure

Monday, March 25 – Interview at Broowaha

Monday, March 25 – Book Review at Must Read Faster

Tuesday, March 26 – Guest Blogging at Emeraldfire’s Bookmark

Friday, March 28 – Guest Blogging at The Top Shelf

Friday, March 28 – Interview at American Chronicle

Review # 288: The Phoenix Gambit by Douglas McDonough

Description: (from Amazon)

An alternative history of the Confederacy...

      The Confederate States of America, faced with almost certain defeat, embarks on a dangerous and deadly course of action in order to survive. The Phoenix Gambit is a riveting tale of diplomatic intrigue, political assassination, and complex military maneuvers. An international cast of historical figures interact on a continent spanning stage as desperate combat rages. The final battle for the survival of the new confederacy is fought between armies commanded by the legendary generals Robert E. Lee and George Armstrong Custer.

Review:

     Alternative histories are not one of my favorite books in the historical fiction genre, I much prefer renditions that are "true-to-history". That being said, I actually found The Phoenix Gambit an interesting twist to Confederate history. I could tell that author, Douglas McDonough, was very passionate about the Civil War and its players, his attention to detail in his characters, dialogue, and setting, (especially on the battlefield), definitely had an impact on my overall interest. The book was slow to start, but after I got to know a few of the characters, (of which there were very many), the pace started to pickup. The story-line was well-plotted, albeit confusing at times, however, I did manage to keep up with what was going on for the most part. I feel like I would have enjoyed certain sections more if I had a better background in Civil War history; I am pretty knowledgeable about Gettysburg because I live close and have relatives that fought there, but I am not too good with names, dates, battle locations, and so on. History buffs and those interested in the Confederacy will probably enjoy The Phoenix Gambit and its upcoming sequel, A Manifest Destiny,  but those with no Civil War background may find the story and its participants hard to follow. I also found several punctuation errors that could add to the reader's possible confusion. I liked the book, but I don't think that I will be going after the sequel. I did enjoy the author's writing style, but I still believe alternative histories are not for me.

Rating: Bounty's Out (3/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.