Melissa Ann Goodwin

Melissa Ann Goodwin

Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Christmas Village Wins Reader's Choice Award

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is the winner of the 2013 Blogger Book Fair's Reader's Choice Award for action/adventure!

Thank you so much for showing your love and support for The Christmas Village. If you haven't read it yet, check out the reviews via the REVIEWS tab above.

And stayed tuned - I'm getting very close to finishing the sequel and still hoping to release it in the late fall.

Find The Christmas Village on Amazon.com HERE

Again, many thanks!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

BLOGGER BOOK FAIR: MEET AUTHOR HALEY WHITEHALL

About Haley Whitehall:

Since the age of four, Haley Whitehall wanted to be a writer. She went to Central Washington University and majored in her other favorite subject: history. She has social studies and library endorsements. Now she pairs her two passions into writing historical fiction set in the nineteenth century U.S.
She writes what she fondly calls "out of the box" stories. Forgotten history and the complexities of human nature inspire her characters and plots. Mark Twain serves as her writing mentor. Haley loves coffee a little too much. Perhaps that is why she is a night owl. Cats, good books, and a view of the mountains make her happy.



The Power of Love

As children we learn mannerisms, customs, hard lessons, and many other things which mold us into who we are today. But did you know as a child we also learn how to love? That is probably the most important. There are different relationship styles and the interaction children have with caregivers, neighbors, teachers, and even pets helps the child form their primary relationship style which will have a major impact on who they choose as a life partner when they are an adult.

Yes, love is that powerful.

I have written two Childrens stories - a picture book Who Tells the Moon to Sleep? and Journey to Glory: A Story of a Civil War Soldier and his Dog. Both of these stories revolve around love.



In Who Tells the Moon to Sleep? Tess learns from her mama that they are slaves and although they could be separated at any time the love they have for each other cannot be taken away.

Blurb:
Picture book for ages 8 and up.

Having learned from Mama that the world is filled with things that do what they please like the moon and the cat, eight-year-old Tess wonders why she and Mama are constantly told what to do. They are told when to play, when to eat, and even when to sleep. Mama gently explains that they are slaves and are told what to do because they are owned by the couple in the big house whose fields they work. But Tess realizes that a person can never truly be owned. The master cannot control her mind or her heart.

This is a tender story that tells of the heartbreak of slavery and one little girl’s powerful plea for freedom.
This book is on sale for 99 cents during the Blogger Book Fair!

Links to buy Who Tells the Moon to Sleep?



In Journey to Glory Ethan strikes out on his own and enlists in the Confederate Army thinking being a soldier will turn him into a man and maybe he’ll return a hero. His loyal dog Sam does not want to be separated from his master and follows him to war. The strong bond and love they have for each other gets them through many hardships and some dark hours.

Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Mire is excited when war is declared and is eager to enlist in the Confederate Army. This is the defining moment of his generation and he wants his chance to achieve glory. 

His loyal dog Sam won't be parted from him. Though he thinks human warfare is madness, he becomes the mascot for the Georgia regiment. His job is to keep the soldiers company and raise morale until Ethan's first battle gives him a more important mission.

Will Sam follow Ethan only to find the grave? 
And who will achieve glory in this Civil War tale?

This story is written for a PG-13 audience and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
This book is on sale for 99 cents during the Blogger Book Fair!

Links to Buy Journey to Glory:

About Haley:
Since the age of four, Haley Whitehall always wanted to be a writer. She went to Central Washington University and majored in her other favorite subject: history. She has social studies and library endorsements. Now she pairs her two passions into writing historical fiction set in the nineteenth century U.S.
She writes what she fondly calls "out of the box" stories. Forgotten history and the complexities of human nature inspire her characters and plots. Mark Twain serves as her writing mentor. Haley loves coffee a little too much. Perhaps that is why she is a night owl. Cats, good books, and a view of the mountains make her happy.

Connect with Haley:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752677.Haley_Whitehall

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

BLOGGER BOOK FAIR - MEET NANCY LARONDA JOHNSON


Bio

Nancy LaRonda Johnson is a passionate writer of Christian and other fiction and poetry. She has written short stories, poetry and personal journals most of her life, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Juris Doctorate.

Her first book, the literary Christian speculative novel, Anticipation of the Penitent, reached the finals in the Indie Publishing Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Writer’s Conference 2012, and is receiving high acclaim. Salted With Fire, a book of flash fiction and poetry, is her second publication.

She is working on several projects, including a sequel to Anticipation of the Penitent. Visit her website at www.nancylarondajohnson.com.






Anticipation of the Penitent


Anticipation of the Penitent depicts the battle between good and evil in one family until it is rendered to its destined completion. Only then will it be known whether Alezea succeeds in her struggle for a life free from Satan’s control.





Salted With Fire

Black magic, murder, insanity, humor, honor and devotion. Salted With Fire is a journey of flash fiction and poetry that shows my writing transformation from worldly to wanting to please God.

Flash fiction is my passion; poetry is my release. I love creating a complete story, with a beginning, middle and end, with twists, humor, drama, compassion and horror, all under 1000 words. Salted With Fire isn’t just a book of stories and poetry, it is my journey as a writer, from writing only for the mere joy of it regardless of the message, to writing stories that highlight God’s will for people, even if the stories themselves are not religious in nature.

Inside are fifteen flash fiction pieces and twelve poems with full-color pictures, and short Biblical discussions after each story.



Available in print and eBook:



BLOGGER BOOK FAIR: MEET A.K. TAYLOR

Today's BBF guest is A.K. Taylor, author of adventures set in exotic places. Read on!

About the Author


A.K. Taylor grew up in the backwoods of Georgia where she learned about nature. She enjoys hunting and fishing, beekeeping, gardening, archery, shooting, hiking, and has various collections. She also has interest in music, Native American history and heritage, Egyptian history, and the natural sciences. A.K. Taylor has been writing and drawing since the age of 16. A.K. Taylor has graduated from the University of Georgia with a biology degree, and she shares an interest in herpetology with her husband.

Neiko’s Five Land Adventure:



Blurb:
The Indians and the Crackedskulls are locked in the turmoil of war and presently in a stalemate. Her enemies, Raven and Bloodhawk, have come up with a scheme to up the ante and break the stalemate into their favor. Neiko later finds out that a land she thought she had only imagined is actually real and contains a legendary and otherworldly evil within it. Not only that, she becomes trapped there and must escape the world, the people within it, and the sinister evil within.

Neiko must find her way back home and turn the tables on her enemies. Can she come back home and escape the evil that seeks to claim her?

Buy Links:
 Nook

Escape From Ancient Egypt:



Blurb:
Seeking his revenge on Neiko for exposing him, Francesco banishes Neiko into ancient Egypt just like he did her friends eleven years ago. During her stay there, she unravels the mystery of what happened to her four friends. Now she’s faced with a bigger problem—how to get home. After a series of unfortunate events, Neiko is now entangled with Pharaoh Ramesses II. Francesco also comes to make sure their fates are sealed. Can Neiko and her friends beat impossible odds and return to Hawote and back to the present?

Buy Links:
 Nook


Contact Author:

Monday, July 22, 2013

BLOGGER BOOK FAIR - MEET DANIEL ALEXANDER

Today I'm hosting Daniel Alexander in the Blogger Book Fair. He writes about parenting and the impact that parental action has on kids later in life. Read on to find out more ....

About the Author

Daniel Alexander was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1983. After a largely uninspired, uncreative and lonely youth, he graduated from college with a diploma in computer science and worked as a programmer. Programming left him un-stimulated, so after many years he left. The next few years turned out to be tempestuous. Traumatic events followed and inspired this book, which fulfills one of his goals and desires.

Life has changed now, and the author studies the mind and gives talks on parenting and related subjects. He has a deep passion for those in need and has formed relationships with wellness and addiction centers, family crisis mediators and other similar organizations. His passion now lies in helping people understand how their beliefs affect their lives and how often those beliefs start when they are young. His mission is to educate parents and make them aware of the impact they have on their children, so we can build a better tomorrow for all children.







Tired of Your Children’s Bad Attitude:

Back Chatting, Fighting, Whining…?

Would you like to:
P   gain the respect you deserve?
P   reclaim your relationships with your children?
P   build a happy, harmonious home, free from fighting?
P   give your children the best start to life?
P   protect your child?


About the Book

Communication and relationship experts say that communication should be a two-way street. For many years however, society adopted the attitude of “children are to be seen, not heard.” This has had a profound effect on our ability to build relationships today, often resulting in children who backchat, fight and whine. Sound familiar…?
To help you better understand your children you need to turn things around and look at life from their point of view. This helps you improve your understanding of their feelings, attitudes and thoughts, so you can give them the best start to life and create the happy, harmonious home you’ve always dreamed of.
Much research and professional input went into writing the latest breakthrough-parenting book Through the Crimson Mirror. Many interviews were conducted including those with psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, children, parents, reformed drug addicts and alcoholics, people who work with children who have learning challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia, and many more.
Through the Crimson Mirror is unique. It shares all the lessons the author wishes he’d learned while growing up, wrapped in a story. This makes it easy to read and interesting for parents, young adults and book readers.

What others are saying

“Daniel interviewed many educators, parents and medical professionals to get a balanced insight.” Pat Pughe-Parry of Living ADDventure.
“Whether you're a parent or not, you'll enjoy it and start thinking critically about the world around you. That's something very few authors can achieve, so I have to congratulate Daniel Alexander on that. I give this book 4.5/5 stars.” Internet book reviewer, Carrie Slager.
Computers have very quickly integrated themselves into our lives. We have to regularly update the software to make sure they run at their best.
Isn’t it time you learned something new about what’s most precious to you: your children?

Through the Crimson Mirror

Half price on Kindle for the Blogger Book Fair: only $2.99 - your children are worth it!
Join me on:



Beginners Success in Public Speaking on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A4UF06A
Beginners Success in Public Speaking in print https://www.createspace.com/4326431 (will be available on Amazon in a week)


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Clearing at the End of the Trail

Just thought I would share a bit of artistic beauty with you today. A few recent works by my hubby Dick, aka RVPainter. You can check out his painting demos at his RVPainter Blog. And he's got some of his seascapes in his Etsy Shop.


 The Clearing at the End of the Trail
9 x 12


This week he's been homesick for Arizona (we lived in Scottsdale for 7 years) so he's been painting red rock scenes. I love the way he's captured the colors and the feeling of the rugged landscape with his palette knife.


McDowell Mountains at Sunset



The Other Side of Camelback