Book Launch: Atonement for Emily Adams by Susan Lawrence

New on Amazon US and Amazon UK

When Emily Adams hits and kills ten-year-old Isaiah Nelson with her car, she is overwhelmed with remorse. Knowing she cannot undo this tragedy, Emily hopes to atone for Isaiah’s death with good deeds and community service. 

However, the more she does, the more her life falls apart. With her job on the line, her volunteer efforts fruitless, and her marriage in jeopardy, the final blow comes when Isaiah’s grieving parents file a wrongful death suit. For them, this will be justice and closure, but for Emily this is final proof she will never be forgiven. Not by Isaiah’s parents—not by God. Where do you turn when “I’m sorry” isn’t enough? 

All author's proceeds go to Pour International, a non-profit agency, for the building of an abandoned baby home in Swaziland.  For more information about Pour International go to www.pourinternational.org.

This story will wring your heart, but the satisfying resolution will leave you smiling. ~ Yvonne Anderson, Author of The Story in the Stars, 2012 ACFW Carol Award Finalist

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About the Author

Susan Lawrence taught elementary school for 26 years before hanging up her chalkboard to write and speak. Atonement for Emily Adams is her first novel. Susan lives in the woods of Iowa with her husband and yellow Lab, Annie E.  Susan has 3 children and 7 grandchildren who love to hear her stories. You can find out more on her website at http://www.susanrlawrence.com/ and on Twitter @susanrlawrence

Book Review: The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Available on Amazon US and Amazon UK

What book would you take on a holiday to a remote cottage in the English Lake District?  I chose The Time Traveller’s wife by Audrey Niffenegger for several reasons. I’ve been fascinated by the idea of time travel since reading H. G. Wells’ TheTime Machine as a child. I have also been avoiding seeing the film version of The Time Traveller’s wife, as I wanted to approach the book without knowing how it ends. I was also interested to see a first novel that became an international best seller.

It turned out to be perfect holiday reading, with short, episodic chapters that could easily be read between walks in the hills. It is also one of those great books that keep you wondering about the small details, skilfully dropped into the story, that you just know are going to be hugely significant later on. I used the idea of switching point of view from husband to wife in my second novel, The Shell, without realising this was what Audrey did to such good effect. It is a great plot device, as you get two stories for the price of one and keeps up the pace, as you want to see the other person’s take on events.

I’ll not spoil the book for anyone by giving away the ending but there was a point when it could have ended quite happily. I could see there was still a way to go and correctly guessed that it would descend into the darker novel hinted at in the opening chapters. Original, and engaging, this is really a story of the power of unconditional love. Highly recommended even for people who don’t usually go for time travel books. Now I’m going to look for the film on DVD!

New Book Launch: Black Dragon by Richard Turner

New Thriller on Amazon UK and Amazon US

1945 – with the Soviets preparing to invade Japan’s northern islands, a top-secret military installation rushes to erase any sign that it ever existed. Only they aren’t through enough and a secret from the past returns to threaten the present.

Present day, a routine close protection assignment for former special operations soldier Ryan Mitchell and his team suddenly turns deadly. Drawn into a lethal game in which the balance of power in the world hangs by a thread, Mitchel races to stop shadowy forces and their murderous agenda before all is lost. From war-torn Japan, to Mongolia, to Texas the fight for survival is on.

About The Author

Richard Turner proudly served in the Canadian Army for more than thirty years. Starting his career as a private and finishing it off as a senior officer, he considers himself fortunate to have lived and worked all across Canada. He had numerous overseas deployments that took him to many varied locations throughout the world, including: Germany, Cyprus, Croatia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Egypt, Israel and finally two tours of Afghanistan. Wanting to try something new, he now spends his time writing.

Visit Richard's blog and follow him on Twitter @RichardTurner_1

Discovering Literature - the British Library’s literary treasures, online

Discovering Literature brings together, for the first time, a wealth of the British Library’s greatest literary treasures, including numerous original manuscripts, first editions and rare illustrations. A wealth of original sources span the Romantic and Victorian periods, alongside historical material such as newspapers, diaries, letters, photographs, and maps.

William Blake’s notebook, childhood writings of the Brontë sisters, the manuscript of the Preface to Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, and an early draft of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest are just some of the unique collections available on the site.

Discovering Literature features over 8000 pages of collection items and explores more than 20 authors through 165 newly-commissioned articles, 25 short documentary films, and 30 lesson plans. More than 60 experts have contributed interpretation, enriching the website with contemporary research. Works from the Romantic and Victorian periods form the first phase of a wider project to digitise other literary eras, including the 20th century.  Visit http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians to find out more.

WARWICK book trailer

Sir Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the 'kingmaker' is the wealthiest noble in 15th century England. He fights on both sides in what have become known as ‘the Wars of the Roses’ and turns privateer, daring to take on the might of the Spanish fleet.

The friend of kings, he is the sworn enemy of Queen Margaret of Anjou. Then, in an amazing change of heart, why does he risk everything to fight for her cause?

In the first and only novel to ever show events from his point of view, you can experience his life of adventure, power and influence at the heart of one of the most dangerous times in the history of England.

Available Now in Paperback and eBook on Amazon UK and Amazon US

New Book Review: King’s Crusade by AD Starrling

Winner of the Action/Adventure category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2014, the exciting, action-packed follow-up to Soul Meaning and the second instalment in the award winning supernatural thriller series Seventeen.

Available in eBook and paperback on AmazonUK and AmazonUS

You know it’s a great story when you find yourself wondering when they are going to make it into a blockbuster movie. The second book in AD Starrling’s Seventeen series is a roller-coaster ride fantasy thriller that will keep you guessing to the end.   Think ‘Tomb Raider meets Dan Brown’ and add superhero invulnerability.  An ancient sect is plotting the downfall of civilization and we travel from the desert mountains of Egypt to the heart of Rome as all attempts to stop them are thwarted.

 

Beautiful warrior Alexa King is fortunate in that she can completely recover from her wounds by the next chapter, as she gets into plenty of scrapes with her accomplice  Zachary Jackson, a genius archaeology professor. Amazingly, she seems to have given little thought to her mysterious background until it really matters. Fortunately, Alexa also discovers her human side.

Now I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

About the Author

AD Starrling was born on the island of Mauritius and came to the UK at the age of twenty to study medicine. After five years earning her MD and another five years working all hours as a Paediatrician, she decided it was time for a change and returned to her first love, writing.

Released in July 2012, SOUL MEANING was the first in the award-winning supernatural thriller series SEVENTEEN. The second, KING’S CRUSADE, was released in May 2013. The third novel, GREENE’S CALLING, is scheduled for publication June 2014. She lives in Warwickshire in the West Midlands, where she is busy writing the next instalment in the series. She still practises medicine.  AD Starrling is her pen name. Visit her website http://www.adstarrling.com/  and find her on Facebook and Twitter @ADStarrling

Tips For A Long Term Writing Career And Writing Historical Fiction

Colin Falconer

Colin Falconer is the international bestselling author of over 40 books translated into 23 languages, drawn from many periods of history.

Starting in advertising as a copywriter because his early manuscripts didn't get published, Colin moved into scriptwriting for TV and other freelance work for magazines. After one article helped him get an agent, he started writing novels.

Does writing get easier after 40 books? Colin talks about his experiences to New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanna Penn:

See Colin's website for more information about his books at http://colinfalconer.org/  and follow him on Twitter @colin_falconer.  Joanna Penn's website is http://www.thecreativepenn.com/ and Joanna is on Twitter @thecreativepenn