All posts by June

Best Selling European author Virginia Fox is releasing her books to the US. Her German series, Rocky Mountain, saw every volume enter the top 50 of the Kindle charts. Her series of books, set in the Rocky Mountains, follows a cast of characters who feel like instant friends. Fox captures the essence of a life most people only dream about. The Genre-skipping series features elements of romance, suspense and a little bit of mystery. We talked more with Virginia Fox:

Q. What top 3 advice can you give to someone who wants to ride a horse for pleasure or sport?

Search for a place where a good atmosphere prevails, between teacher and client as well as the teacher
stable hands and the horses.
Watch the horses. Are they attentive when someone approaches? Are their ears pricked in a interested
manner?
You should feel safe and relaxed.

Q. If your book was turned into a film/TV show, who would you tap to play the lead(s)? Why?

I’m embarrassed to say that I have no idea. I don’t watch tv and seldom go to the cinema. I prefer
reading 🙂 So I don’t have any idea who the hip actors are at the moment.

Q. What is the core message you want to deliver to the world through your writing/books/stories?

We are all connected. Try to be open, curious about other people and don’t jugde. The other thing is: go
for your dreams! Grab the future with both hands. you can do it! Even if it might be hard, there’s always
a way.

Q. What’s one secret about you that you’ll share with the world?

When I’m writing I consume my body weight in chocolate. Seems like my brain needs the constant sugar
rush to function properly

Q. If you could give your book to one celebrity, who would it be and why?

Kate Winslet – I really admire her work as an actor and producer.

Q. What is the coolest thing you heard from your friends and family about your new book?

It’s like coming home, meeting up with my friends, like being on vacation from the comfort of my sofa.

Q. Tell us more about ‘Pansting’ and why it works for you:

I don’t have the patience for plotting for days when I already could be writing. And since my
protagonists frequently decide to stray from the script and change the whole plot, it doesn’t make sense
to me to spend energy on plotting. At the bottom of my heart, I’m a lazy person.

Here are some rapid-fire questions we’d like you answer as fast as you can. Pick one.

1. Are you more of a thinker or a doer? Doer
2. Physical strength or mental strength? Mental strength
3. Street smarts or book smarts? Book smarts
4. Are you more cautious or bold? Bold
5. Cannonball into the pool or dip a toe in first? Cannonball
6. Would you rather travel to the past or to the future? Future
7. Would you rather fly or have super strength? Fly
8. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? Lottery – I already have my dream job
   🙂
9. Do you prefer social time or alone time? There is a time for social time and a time for alone
   time. I do need more alone time to recharge after social time
10. Expensive presents or homemade presents? homemade presents

Read more about a new author, Deborah Levine Herman Here.

A best selling author, publisher, literary agent and intuitive writing couch, Deborah Levine Herman has a vast wealth of knowledge of the publishing world. Her goal: Help writers discover their spiritual writing path. We talked more with Deborah to get to the bottom of the secret and tell us more about Spiritual Writing From Inspiration to Publication.

Q. What makes your book a must-read? 

The book is a must-read for writers but beyond that it has significant Spiritual messages for people in general who want inspiration and a greater understanding of our place in this world. It is also about how we can do our part to make things better. Aside from that, it is well-written with some really good stories in it.

If you could give your book to one world leader, who would it be and why? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

I think he is a good leader during this very difficult time. I believe my book would give him hope by putting it in the context of spiritual lessons. He is someone who is in tune with his authentic Divine Inner Voice.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?   

I wrote the first version of this book over twenty years ago. I thought I would just update it to reflect the changes in the world and available technology. However, I found that I had changed so much and had held back aspects of my story that I needed to rewrite the book from top to bottom. Every word is now new and a reflection of my authentic voice and meaning. The book is personal as I am sharing my journey as well as “coming out of the closet,” with my spiritual gifts. Twenty years ago, I wrote the book because spiritual material was considered too fringe and “woo, woo.” Now, in writing the book I no longer felt the need to hold back anything. If I am asking people to be authentic, I needed to be as well.

What is the most enlightening/inspirational story you tell in your book? 

Perhaps it is the beginning when I discovered there was more to life than the five senses. I met my first spiritual teacher only a few weeks before he passed away. He was the husband of my music teacher and he gave me a poem to read that he had written. It was very mystical and opened my eyes. He gave me his book and said this is for you. From that point on it was as if something was ignited in me, a spiritual flame. One of my first writing jobs was to write his Eulogy for a local paper. Even though I had only known him a short while, his wife told me he wanted it that way. That started me on the path to becoming a writer.

One word that best describes you. 

Mystical

Any ritual like a specific scented candle, preferred writing place, or drink that you kept through writing? 

When I am writing anything of length I have a writing room in my home. My home is over 100 years old and this room has bookshelves and a large desk. I can block off the rest of the house so I can concentrate. When I am writing a book I tell my family that I love them but they should not call me unless they are bleeding or in jail and they typically comply. Of course, I do allow my dogs to sleep near my desk or they would make a lot of noise.

Then, although this doesn’t help my figure, I keep a box of crackers, some cashews and chocolate in my desk drawer.

I light nag champa incense because I love the smell and it relaxes me.

If I am under a particularly difficult deadline I will say a prayer asking God to allow me to be a vessel for the highest energies and to do a good job.

If I am particularly nervous about a project I might also add a prayer: Almighty God and my Guides, please don’t let me “screw” this up. However, I may use a different expletive.

If there is a movie adaptation of Spiritual Writing Second Edition, who do you think would be perfect for the lead roles? 

My daughter Jess is about the same age as I was when I first came into awareness and she looks like a mini Me. She is also an actress.

What can this new edition teach to a motivated and mission-driven population of writers? 

The first part will help them center and focus on being a positive vessel for higher information. I stress the need to move above ego. The seven lessons are laid out clearly for writers to understand their individual journeys.

Then these writers will learn everything they need to know about how to navigate the publishing industry, but more importantly, how to create success with the many alternative opportunities. I stress that becoming a bestselling author may not be the goal. It could be the result. However, the important thing is to be accessible to those who need the message they convey. The book includes sections on platform building and digital marketing that didn’t exist when I first conceived of the book.

As an animal communicator, what would animals mostly like to tell their human owners?

Not to worry so much. I had a dog drag his owner across a street to meet me. I explained that I was an animal communicator and asked if she wanted to know what her dog was telling me. She agreed and I told her the dog was adamant that he was okay and no longer sick from lyme disease. She was still so anxious and worried about losing him that it was interfering with the relationship and was making him nervous.

Dogs tend to complain about things, but they are also there to convey concerns about their owners.

Cats often start out with “I don’t like you.” I am not making this up. When they feel me tap into them they don’t like it at first but then it seems to change to “you are not like me.” When they warm up they also like to complain and demand.

In one situation, a woman came to me and said her cat stopped being affectionate toward her. She was worried.

I tuned into the cat and the cat clearly showed me salmon and said it was angry that she didn’t give it to her.

I asked the owner if she had stopped giving the cat salmon and she said, “yes, she was getting too fat.”

I had to laugh and tell her that the cat was essentially on strike. Of course, you never have to do what the cat wants, but at least she could understand the stalemate.

I know that the animals do not speak English and am not sure why my mind translates it this way.

Horses are the best for me. I can hear them as clearly as a conversation with a human. They are philosophical. They are concerned about humanity and, at least my first horse who has passed away, hoped that people would be more like a herd and have each other’s back more. Even though there is a hierarchy in a herd, they protect and watch over each other.

My horse was also concerned about too much traffic and business. He passed away before the pandemic but I think he would have thought the side effect of people staying home would have been a good one.

The Lakota Medicine Man, Chief Arvol Lookinghorse explained the importance of horses to his people. He said the horse is here to give us many lessons of wisdom.  

Are you ready for our rapid-fire questions? Let’s go. 

1. Dogs or Cats?  Both
2. Beach or Mountain? Beach but I live in the mountains
3. Werewolf or Vampire? Vampire
4. Candles or Incense? Incense
5. Pasta or Pizza? Pizza
6. Artist or Writer? both
7. Writing in the Morning or at Night? morning
8. Coffee or Tea? tea
9. Games or Movie Night? movie night
10. The ability to see the future or the ability to change the past?  see the future

Find your copy of Inspiration to Publication on Amazon now. Reflect on your journey and life, check out this interview about the poetry collection, Tears of Change.

E.A Smiroldo is a nuclear engineer turned author with her debut novel, The Silent Count. She weaves her real life expertise with real-world inspired drama for her climate science fiction thriller. E.A. is also a award-nominated signer-songwriter, engineer, and musician. A woman of many talents, she tells us more about her writing experience.

Q. If you could give your book to one celebrity, who would it be and why?

Reese Witherspoon!  She has a book club and I think my book would appeal to her fellow readers.  Daisy Jones and the Six was one of her selections.  While not a cli-fi book, this book uses song lyrics as part of the storytelling and focuses on different characters and their viewpoints.  My book has a lot in common with Daisy Jones, particularly a beating, rock and roll heart.

Q. Who is your biggest writing inspiration?

I’m a huge Jane Austen fan. We’re still talking about her characters 200+ years later. They’re all wonderfully flawed and fully human.    

Q. Give us the scoop about your book.

It’s a climate change thriller based on real science. Yes, you really can change weather patterns by eliminating certain mountain ranges using nuclear weapons.  But I’m not recommending it!

Q. Can you tell us three fun facts about you?

I’m an award-winning pop-punk singer-songwriter, and my novel is laced with lyrics from songs I wrote and performed.  The soundtrack will be available on YouTube!

I’m a guitar playin’ fool and grew up practicing 7 hours a day.  I play all the guitars on the soundtrack to the novel. “Break the Skin,” one of the songs in The Silent Count, features the guitar solo I’m most proud of. 

My family is from Sicily and my mom taught me everything she knew about cooking.  I go nuts making traditional dishes for my loved ones, especially during the holidays. I secretly dream of owning a food truck that sells Sicilian street food!  I want to call it “Rhymes with Arancini.”

Q. If your book was turned into a film/TV show, who would you tap to play the lead(s)? Why?

I think Millie Bobby Brown would make a great Dara Bouldin (my main character).  Dara is young, introverted, and damaged by heartbreak and loss, but finds her strength as the story progresses. As Eleven on Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown has shown that level of emotional depth.    

Q. What’s one secret about you that you’ll share with the world?

My favorite car is a white Corvette Stingray (any year is fine, they’re all great), and when I see one, I make a wish. The wishes almost always come true!  

Q. What is the core message you want to deliver to the world through your writing/books/stories?

We sent a man to the moon, we developed the atomic bomb, we created a vaccine for covid-19…why can’t we do something just as remarkable about climate change that would realistically solve the problem? 

Rapid Fire Questions and Answers

Q. Movie or TV Series?

A. Movie

Q. Long walk or long car ride?

A. Car ride

Q. Comedy or Drama?

A. Comedy

Q. The city or the country?

A. City

Q. Baking or Cooking?

A. Cooking

Q. Margarita or Cosmo?

A. I don’t drink…do virgin margaritas exist?

Q. Holding a Puppy or Holding a Baby?

A. Puppy

Q. invisibility cloak or sparking skin?

A. Invisibility cloak

Q. Coffee or tea?

A. Tea

Q. Dinosaurs or princesses?

A. Princesses

Q. Laptop or phone?

A. Phone

Find your copy of The Silent Count now on Amazon.

Beatrice Adenodi is telling the world to evolve their behavior, anazlyze their problems, and learn their patterns. She believes most of life’s problems can be boiled down to a handful of issues. Let her explain more:

Q. If you could give your book to one celebrity, who would it be and why?
– I don’t have a Celebrity that I admire and want to be like. I don’t know what mask they are wearing even to want to put that admiration in a mainstream figure. 
 
Q. Who is your biggest writing inspiration?
I was going through a transitional period in her life that made me reflect on my career, relationships, and faith. Through my professional and personal experience, I realized a growing trend of not valuing the human experience. People fascinate me. Their unawareness and my shortcomings lead me to believe that many societal issues stem from a lack of self-empowerment, community support, and many environmental conditions we must endure through our growing years. Societal systems do not effectively promote empowerment and community involvement in the workplace, education, and communities. 
 
Q. Give us the scoop about your book.
– The reader would be able to identify with some of the characters in the book. They will also learn different ways to become aware of their situation and view their challenges from another perspective. Also, the reader would know that they are not alone with their problems and know how to identify sustainable solutions.
 
Q. Can you tell us three fun facts about you?
– I started my college career studying opera 
– I used to march in the band during Mardi gras in high school
– I got to meet a lot of the Medal of Honor recipients 
 
Q. What’s one secret about you that you’ll share with the world?
– Secrets are for kids. After a certain age, they are not relevant. 
 
Q. What is the core message you want to deliver to the world through your writing/books/stories?
The book catalyzes our awareness of daily behaviors that keep us stuck in a reactive cycle. Through storytelling, I gave examples of specific behaviors about how far the rabbit hole goes and the conditioning we have been subjected to by our families, social constructs, unlearned behaviors through experiences, AND circular patterns that we readily overlook that eventually balloon through time. I bring the reader through a journey of self-awareness. 

Q. Tell us something about you that no one else knows
– I am a wounded healer. 
 
Q. What book has made you cry? Why?
– Great Expectations made me cry. It’s a literal and metaphorical representation of real-life relationships in society today. It illustrates the deep suffering and pain that happens after a broken heart. The trauma and emotional torture were overwhelming. 
 
Q. What has been your favorite comment/review about your book?
– Adenodi’s debut as an author with “Mindless Behaviors: Breaking through Unseen Barriers” weaves allegory with the understanding of our underlying metaphorical context of the world. It is well crafted, evoking hubris to humor, but ultimately lending a mirror into sub/unconscious behaviors and bias that we all universally share. Your takeaway will be personal to you, but the perspectives in leadership, CDI—culture, inclusion, diversity, and self-awareness are more important than ever across our enterprises, work teams, families, and communities.
 
Q. What is something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that we are in constant battle with our light and shadow side of the self and that every day we have a choice to live in peace or chaos. 
 
Rapid Fire Questions and Answers
Q. Phone call or text?
A. Phone call 
Q. Reading or writing?
A. Writing 
Q. Wine or beer?
A. Wine 
Q. Karaoke or bowling?
A. Karoke 
Q. The ability to fly or invisibility?
A. The ability to fly. 
Q. Selfie or group photo?
A. Group Photo 
Q. Bacon or Tofu?
A. Bacon

We can’t get enough of Suzie Newels newest book, The Path 365 Daily Direction for Ladies and Mothers; Witches and Others. We asked her to tell us more about this inspirational meets how-to book. Here’s what she had to say:

Q. If you could give your book to one celebrity, who would it be and why?
 The Americana Singer/Songwriter Brandi Carlile. Her journey is such an inspiration.

Q. Can you tell us three fun facts about you?
 My first degree was in political science. I love sci-fi and fantasy everything and always have. My daughter, Madeline Jaina, is a singer/songwriter. 

Q. What’s one secret about you that you’ll share with the world?
 I dream about retiring in Guatemala. 

Q. What is the core message you want to deliver to the world through your writing/books/stories?
 You can create your own path one damn day at a time! 

Q If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
 World peace with compassion (It’s a trick, because the compassion bit includes all the other stuff like hunger:) A complete overhaul of western medicine, particularly in the United States. Access to power without responsibility:)

Q Who/What is your biggest inspiration in your writing?
 A toss up between Alice Walker and Barbara Kingslover. It’s funny because they didn’t write self help, but they wrote from the depths of their soul. 

Q If you could give your book to one person in the entire world to read, who would it be and why?
 Easy, the Dali Lama. I would like his honest opinion. That guy says a lot of really wise things. 

Q How did you come up with your title?
 That was my team.  My original name was “A crone’s wisdom”. They very gently and firmly said, NO. So we tossed around ideas. Then the tagline came to me and everyone liked it. 

Q What has been your favorite comment/review so far about your book?
 I feel like I am having a chat with the author, like she is just talking to me. Authenticity. 

Q What is something you learned while writing this book?
 I am nobody without my team.

Rapid Fire Questions and Answers

Q. Morning person or night owl?

A. NIGHT OWL

Q. Reading or writing?

A. Both

Q. Kittens or puppies?

A. Puppies.. although I recently have a grand kitty to whom I am very partial. 

Q. Road trip or Cruise ship?

A. Road trip. 

Q. The ability to fly or invisibility?

A. Invisibility. 

Q. Selfie or group photo?

A. GROUP

Q. Love story or scary story?

A. Scary Story

Q. Bacon or Tofu?

A. Sugar

JD Mass, author of Race for What? has a lot to say about his experience growing up as a white kid in a black community and shares what he believes are the 7 steps to healing racism.

Q. Can you tell us about your book?

Race For What? is part journey of a road less traveled and part guide meant to dare white folks to analyze where we came from, where we are going, and the value of healing the harm that has been done.

In this memoir, I tell the story of growing up in a black community and witnessing racism firsthand, as well as my successes and missteps in building powerful alliances with the community in which I was raised. I have been on a lifelong journey to learn why racism was created and what we can look forward to without it. 

Race for What? provides stories with a unique perspective from a white man’s experience and illustrates seven steps to healing. In the seven steps, I encourage white people to work through the emotional and psychological obstacles and see the value of repairing and healing the harm racism has caused.

Q What is your writing inspiration?

It was a combination of three things.  First and foremost, I spent my entire life being lived by and loving black folks.  Second, in 2017 I achieved my doctorate in Organizational Psychology which gave me the tools to communicate my vision effectively.  Third having been heavily involved in white antiracism groups in Los Angeles and later in St. Louis I learned that I have a valuable and unique perspective to share.  All of this combined inspired me to write Race for What?

Q What is the core message you want to deliver to the world through your writing?

I am witnessing a desire for change to the dominating way of our culture.  I believe that if we continue to work at it, humanity is achievable.  I am encouraging white folks to stay the course, work through the pain, fear and discomfort of letting for of our desire for control and privilege.  Together we can finally correct the harm of racism.

Q What is something you learned while writing this book?

I learned that writing a book is no easy task.  I learned that I needed the help and support of others and I had to use the struggles that so many others are in for justice to motivate me to continue to complete my mission. 

Q If you could give your book to one person in the entire world to read, who would it be and why?

Ice Cube.  His music and movies have contributed to my development that led to my ideas shared in my book. I am a huge fan of his work, his art, and his commitment to the healing of his people. I believe that my book supports the Contract with Black America in which he worked with some of the greatest minds that have also influenced and taught me.  My book is meant to offer a white man’s perspective to support him and other black folks and organizations dedicated to the healing of marginalized and oppressed communities.

Q. Can you tell us three fun facts about you?

1) My three favorite athletes of all time are Allen Iverson, Albert Pujols, and Russell Westbrook for how they played their sport and how they carry themselves outside of their profession. 

2) My vegan breakfast sandwich that I used to make was listed as the best tasting vegan food item by the top blogger in LA in 2010

3) One of my favorite moments in my life was creating remakes of popular songs with my son to reflect whatever was going on in our lives.

Bonus: Nelly and I from our high school time, before he became famous, used to buy cheap tickets to Cardinals baseball games and eventually work our way down to field level so we could be heard by the players.

Rapid Fire Answer and Questions:

Super power of Invisibility or mind reading?  Invisibility

Halloween or Valentines Day?  Valentine’s Day

Beach or the mountains?  Beach

Rain or Sun?  Sun

Book Series or Netflix Binge?  Netflix Binge

We spoke with author Harrison Taylor about his newest book, Those Who Hunt Wolves. His inspiration comes from movies and cinema, and after reading his thriller, we can see why.

Q. Can you tell us about your book?

A: Those Who Hunt Wolves is a techno action thriller that is about two covert agents, Shepard and Graham. Both are gunned down and left for dead by a secret organization known as 7721. The two former agents survive and exact revenge by stealing a dangerous and secret weapon from 7721 known as the Blackout.

Q When did you decide to write this story and why?

A: This Story has been on my mind for years. I started it about four years ago, however the idea first came when I wrote a script about 16 years ago about a heist gone wrong.

Q What is your favorite passage from your book?

A: I tried to give them the impression that I was scared, but let’s face it: That’s like asking a crocodile not to fucking smile, right?

Q What makes your book unputdownable?

A: The action is constant. The story and plot engage and always move forward. As I writer I believe every word has a place and that is to support moving the story forward in an exciting way. I feel this book succeeds in that sense.

Q. If your book was turned into a film/TV show, who would you tap to play the lead(s)? Why?

A: Mccray: Don Cheadle

     Ashcroft: Bryan Cranston

    Shepard: Alan Ritchson

   Jonah: Jeremy Alan white

So, I picked these actors because aside from being amazing at their craft, I heard their voices in my head while writing this book. Crazy, I know. LOL.

Q If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for?

   World peace

   An end to this pandemic

   A cure for ALS

Q. Can you tell us three fun facts about you?

A I like to skateboard

   I’m a big gamer

   I’m addicted to funkos

Rapid Fire Answer and Questions:

Morning person or night owl? Night owl

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Horror Movie or RomCom? ROM COMS (big time)

Beer or Wine? Trick question BOTH

Bacon or Tofu? Bacon

Find your copy of Those Who Hunt Wolves on Amazon now.