Sunday 29 April 2012

Two Bicycle Mechanics Made A Plane

Author Unknown

Would you agree with the statement that a dream is born from and idea, a simple idea conceived in the mind?

Back in the 19th century two brothers had an idea which eventually became their passionate and consuming dream. Their relentless pursuit of that dream was rewarded with an accomplishment that changed world travel.

On Friday, December 17, 1903 at 10:35 am, the Wright brothers (Wilber and Orville) achieved their dream. They flew "the world's first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine in which man made free, controlled, and sustained flight." This memorable feat took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on a cold windy morning.

The dream started with an idea that was planted in their minds by a toy given to them by their father. In the words of the boys, "Late in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor." This simple toy made of bamboo, cork and stretched rubber bands, fascinated the Wright brothers and sparked their lifelong interest in human flight.

The Wright brothers were great thinkers. They enjoyed learning new things. Initially, they recycled broken parts, built a printing press and opened their own printing office. Their interest moved to bicycles and in 1893, they opened the Wright Cycle Company where they sold and repaired bicycles.

But Wilbur (the older brother) had his mind set on something more exciting. He decided to seriously pursue flying.

The brothers spent many hours researching, testing their machines and making improvements after unsuccessful attempts at human flight. What started out as a hobby soon became a passion. With determination and patience they realized their dream in 1903.

The next time you hear or see an airplane or travel on one, remember where it all started. A simply idea conceived in the minds of two young men who did not finish high school. Believe it or not, they did not have a University degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or any other subject. They were not scientists in the true sense of the word.

In fact, many of their peers who did not witness their accomplishment, had trouble believing that two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio did what they claimed.

What idea or ideas are YOU working on? Have you said you can't do this or that because you are not a scientist? Have you limited yourself by saying you are not smart enough? Or have you joined the majority in saying that everything has already been invented or discovered?

Saturday 28 April 2012

Slow Motion B&W or Real Live 3-D?


By Paula Renaye

What if every time you turned on the TV, you sat down and watched the same old black and white movies on the same channel? They're okay, and they pass the time, but they really aren't what you enjoy. You love golf. The way the pros make the little white ball dance to their own tune is just amazing! In fact, you wish you could eat, sleep and breathe golf. Yet, every day, you come home from work, turn on the TV and sit and stare at those old black and white reruns of movies you've seen a hundred times.

Every now and then, you get lucky and someone walks onto the screen with a golf bag. Your heart soars! If the guy makes it to the golf course and takes as swing, well, you're practically beside yourself with glee. But, most of the time, you're just apathetically sitting there, wishing things were different, enduring because they're not and believing there's no way they ever could be.

But, what if you remembered that by changing one little thing, you could change everything? What if you remembered you had a choice? What if you remembered all you had to do was change one little thing--the channel--and you could instantly be watching what you really want to? You wouldn't have sit and wait, hoping for a glimpse of a golf course to flash onto the screen during some drug commercial. You'd be watching what you love every moment.

And who knows, maybe after watching for a bit, you might even realize you could actually be out on the course yourself, playing the game. Instead of watching others do what you love, you could be out there, smelling the fresh-cut green grass under your feet as you swing your shiny club and send that little white ball sailing through the blue sky toward the flag. You could be living--and loving it!

If you're not living the life you really want, isn't it time you started figuring out why? Isn't it time you figured out how you can? What are you waiting for? What's your excuse?

Start right now and think about something you would love to do, but don't. List five reasons why you can't, won't or don't. Look at each one and see if it's really true--if there's a legitimate physical reason you can't at this moment--or if it's just an excuse or if you're avoiding it because of deeper issues.

Whatever the case, look at your list carefully, then make a new list of ten things you can do that will start making what you want a reality--things you can do that will get you closer in some to what you want. Then, pick one item and do it.

If you need to make a phone call and find out when the next scuba class starts--do it. If you need to look online and find the nearest rock climbing gym, get to it. Need to know what all that gear is going to cost, start pricing it. Find out what time the museum opens and what's showing at the theater. Do something toward your desires. Just getting information and looking at options is part of the doing. And, when you're actively doing, you stop seeing excuses why you can't have what you want and start seeing ways you can.

You don't have to watch your life go by in a black and white, slow motion haze, hoping to find a little pleasure in whatever happens along the way. You can choose to live your life on purpose. You can choose to get out there in the real 3-D world and start experiencing the real versions of 3-D living color and surround sound!

Stop watching, get busy and start doing!

****

Paula Renaye is author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, which has won Four National Book Awards. Visit http://hardlineselfhelp.com for more inspirational and motivational articles, tips, techniques and free downloads.

Paula is also a literary-award-winning fiction author, and her Jolene Jackson Mystery Series by Paula Boyd is available on amazon Kindle. Have a laugh!


Friday 27 April 2012

Fame or Fortune? Which Would You Choose?


By Shane W. Smith

Fame or fortune? Seems a natural question to pose to a writer at the start of their career.

But I had a lot of trouble answering it, and I want to break down some of the reasons why, beginning with:

What does it mean to be a writer?
This was a question posed to me very early on in my university studies, and it’s one that almost the entire class floundered with. The lecturers hastened to assure us that anyone who writes can call themselves a writer without fear of embarrassment or contradiction.

I struggled with this for a while longer, convinced that there must be some distinction between Stephen King and myself, and also between myself and someone chalking the Specials board. In the end, the existential angst nearly took me down, so I decided to leave that question for wiser minds, and just focus on what writing was to me.

Writing was a tremendous source of fun and catharsis for me. I had been writing since before I began preschool, and had never lost the taste for it. In addition to the draft novels I was preparing, naval-gazing journals, self-indulgent short stories and lousy teenage poetry were all equally rewarding for me to write. But I quickly learned that for me, it wasn’t enough to just write. I wanted to say something. I wanted to learn something. I wanted to be read.

And yes, I wanted to be published and to make money. I wanted to be read... but even more than that, I was desperate to avoid the drudgery of the administrative career path laid out before all graduates living in their nation’s capital... and money was the only way to do that.

But when presented with the titular question (Fame or fortune... which do you prefer?), I realised – much to my surprise – I don’t really want much of either.

I’d like to make a modest wage from my writing – a replacement salary – but not so much that I can just sit back and do nothing, because I fear losing the drive, the urgency, the necessity, and then: losing writing itself.

And I’d like to have the respect and some small acclaim from the writing community and a decent circle of readers, but I don’t want to be a celebrity. I take great comfort in the simple pleasures of life: family, stability, solitude – I fear the impact that stratospheric fame would have upon all these elements of my life.

If I had to choose between fame and fortune, with no third option, I would choose fortune... because at least I can give that away!




Stanley Myres, Chancellor of the galactic Senate... Elam Padakan, Overlord of exiled superpower Padakan House... Young Ross Tillman, a student on Messar... When civil war erupts on Messar, these three men are drawn into the conflict. And as their paths begin to intersect and tangle together, they come to realise that the galaxy has very different plans for all of their dreams. The Lesser Evil is a graphic novel that examines what it means to have a dream... and what that dream can end up costing, regardless of whether it comes true.

Buy Now @ Amazon 
Genre - Science Fiction / Graphic Novel
Rating - PG13


Connect with Shane W Smith on Twitter & Facebook
Website http://shanewsmith.com/
Check out where this author will be talking about his latest release!

Thursday 26 April 2012

Orangeberry Free Alert - Doxology


FREE from 
26th April to 27th April 2012
Normal Price: $4.99


After a lifetime of abuse and loss--from fights with other boys staged for his father's entertainment, to the death of his only son-- sixty one year old Vernon Davidson is angry. He's ready to get back at God, his paper mill coworkers, and everyone else in his north Louisiana town. Constantly drunk to numb his pain, the normally cautious Vernon spirals into recklessness; drinking on the job, facing down a younger man at work over a parking spot, scandalizing his former fellow Baptists with displays of his nakedness. 

Meanwhile Jody Davidson, Vernon's estranged nephew, struggles to survive a similarly tragic past by self-imposed exile, inserting himself into a new, seemingly different family a thousand miles away. The two men are reunited when Vernon agrees to retrieve Jody for his dying brother so they can say goodbye-and that's when they each embark on a journey that will ultimately change their lives.

Showers of Books


To stand a chance to win
$5 Amazon.com gift card


(Update on 30th April - Winner is Joanie D)


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This Giveaway Hop is organised by two very Blog-A-Licious blogs, 
I Am A Reader Not A Writer & One A Day YA
There are loads of giveaways happening 
so do come join us and check out the other 200++ participating blogs HERE


For Kindle Fire giveaway, click HERE


(Additionally, recommend an author to Orangeberry Phoenix 
and you receive a $50 Amazon gift card or cash. More details HERE)

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Orangeberry Special Feature - The Boston 395



Available on Amazon Kindle &

Normal price: $2.99 

Before the economic downturn, James Scottsdale did all the right things: he went to school and studied the right things, he had all the right friends, he had the love of a good woman and the support of his family. And then the economic crisis began and his secure life was suddenly not so secure.


Now, age 25, he lives on his mother’s couch, in debt and broken-hearted. All of that changes when The Boston 395 train line appears in his living room. The Boston 395 is like no train you have ever seen. Each stop exits into James’ life, revealing truths he would rather not deal with. Guided by The Conductor and populated by a colorful cast of characters, The Boston 395 will take James - and the reader - to places they never expected.



THE BOSTON 395 is a novella, sitting in the literary arena of magical realism/fantasy. The book follows its own rules and weaves an interesting world for the reader to get lost in, and to wrestle with.


What the reviewers are saying
"Anyone who has struggled to meet the expectations of family and society; anyone who has pursued the societal idols of job, marriage, degree, family and found them not as advertised; in short, anyone who has really lived will find this a painful and joyfully real story."

"Derr's style offers depth and complexity that makes this a challenging read without giving it full focus. Far from the lightweight read of a mass market movie or TV-inspired science fiction, this novel deserves multiple reads."

Monday 23 April 2012

Orangeberry Book Tours - Milestone Tapes



Jenna Chamberland never wanted anything more than to be a wife and mother. That is, until she realized that her life was ending after a three-year battle against breast cancer. Now, all she really wants is more time.

With 4,320 hours left to live, Jenna worries for her loved ones and what she knows awaits them on the other side: Gabe will have to make the slip from husband to widower, left alone to raise their seven-year-old daughter; Mia will be forced to cope with life without her mother by her side. In a moment of reflection, Jenna decides to record a set of audiocassettes — The Milestone Tapes – leaving her voice behind as a legacy for her daughter.

Nine years later, Mia is a precocious sixteen-year-old and her life is changing all around, all she wants is her mother. Through the tapes, Jenna’s voice returns to teach Mia the magic of life, her words showing her daughter how to spread her wings and embrace the coming challenges with humor, grace and hope.

THE MILESTONE TAPES is the journey of love between a parent and child, and of the bond that holds them when life no longer can.



Buy Now @ Amazon 
Genre - Literary Fiction
Rating - PG13


Connect with Ashley Paternostro on Twitter & Facebook
Website http://ashmp.wordpress.com/
Check out where this author will be talking about her latest release!

Sunday 22 April 2012

No Strings Attached


To stand a chance to win
$5 Amazon.com gift card


(Update on 25th April - Winner is Suzanne T)

Leave me a comment so I'll know who you are

This Giveaway Hop is organised by the Blog-A-Licious, 
I Am A Reader Not A Writer
There are loads of giveaways happening 
so do come join us and check out the other 100++ participating blogs HERE


If you don't have your copy, Drive on Hope is FREE
for all Kindle readers. Click HERE to download



For Kindle Fire giveaway, click HERE


(Additionally, recommend an author to Orangeberry Phoenix 
and you receive a $50 Amazon gift card or cash. More details HERE)

Saturday 21 April 2012

Give It A Try - Yoda Self-Help

By Paula Renaye 


"Do or do not; there is no try." -- Yoda


The word "try" still trips me up sometimes. As I was going through the final edits in my book, I found a heading that said "Things to Try." It stopped me in my tracks and triggered an internal discord that I knew I had to address.

The phrase wasn't technically wrong since we all know that not everything works for everyone, but it just didn't feel right. Even though we understand the intent, the big problem with the word try, is that it automatically allows for failure as an option--or even the expectation of it. "Sure, go ahead and give it a try. 


It may not work, but you can say you tried." Well, who's inspired by that kind of thinking?

Not everything we attempt does work out, so that does make it a try--but only after the fact. We still did. And because we weren't focused on the possibility of it not working, our positive mindset gave it a much better chance of success.

Obviously, I changed "Things to Try" to "Things to Do," which is far more empowering. Because one thing we know for certain, doing nothing will get us nothing. And a half-hearted try will, at best, get us a half-hearted result. 

As I work on the final edits of the new book, I don't sit here thinking, "Well, I'll try to get it done by my deadline." My mindset is that I will get it done--and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Very different than telling myself--with a big sigh, of course--"Well, I'm trying…" No, I'm doing! 

Daydreaming, wishing, hoping or any other version of magical thinking won't get me what I want. Sitting in the chair and doing the work will.

Yoda was right. "Do or do not; there is no try."

So, whatever you do, don't just try--do! And do it on purpose and with passion!


*****

Paula Renaye is the author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook--What are you willing to do to get what you really want and the upcoming release, Living the Life You Love. For more inspirational and motivational articles, visit http://hardlineselfhelp.com

If you love to laugh, Paula also writes fun and funny mysteries and you can get the first book in the series, Hot Enough to Kill, free for your kindle Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only. Get it now!


Friday 20 April 2012

Orangeberry Book Tours - Cemetery Street



In a world where dreams are possible and nightmares come true, can you romance a memory? James Morrison thinks so. In a snowy cemetery, James reenacts a childhood ritual unleashing an avalanche of memories. Laugh, cry and blush with James as he recounts a late 20th century American life. 

Buy Now @ Amazon 
Genre - Contemporary / Coming of Age
Rating - R


Connect with John Zunski on Twitter & Facebook
Website http://johnzunski.wordpress.com/
Check out where this author will be talking about his latest release!

Orangeberry Free Alert - Suspending Reality



FREE for ONE DAY ONLY
(20th April 2012)
Normal Price: $2.99


Everyone has parts of their life they’d like to change - but if your whole life had become a disappointment, how far would you go to find happiness? 


Esther feels stifled by her religious, judgmental family. Cheryl is unfulfilled by motherhood and trapped by her poverty. Carla is beautiful and successful, but haunted by the ghosts of her past. 



For these women to find peace, someone might need to die.



Suspending Reality is a fast moving, intricate novel of character and suspense.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Authors in Bloom - Easy To Make Lamingtons




Cook the butter cake the day before you plan to eat the lammingtons so that the cake does not fall apart when it is iced and coconuted.

What You'll Need
Cake
125g butter, softened
¾ cup caster sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups self raising flour
Pinch of salt
½ cup of milk

Chocolate icing
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 cups icing sugar
½ teaspoon butter
5 tablespoons boiling water
Desiccated coconut

Method To Savour
- Line the base of a greased 27cm x 18cm lamington tin with baking paper.
- Cream the butter and gradually add the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Gradually beat in the slightly beaten eggs, adding them one at a time, and beating until well-incorporated before adding the next.
- Preheat your oven to 180C.
- Sift the flour and salt together (you can do this a few times, which will help to make the cake lighter).
- Gently fold the flour and salt into the creamed butter mixture, alternating the flour with the milk, be careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cooked through (a skewer will come out clean).
- Leave on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cut the butter cake into desired sized cubes or oblongs.
- Dip into the chocolate icing and then immediately roll in the coconut. Leave on rack to set.

Giveaway
To stand a chance to win
$5 Amazon.com gift card


(Update on 19th April - Winner is Kim)


Feel free to
- Follow this blog via GFC / Google Plus
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This Giveaway Hop is organised by Dianne & Tiffany
There are loads of giveaways happening 
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For Kindle Fire giveaway, click HERE


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and you receive a $50 Amazon gift card or cash. More details HERE)


*Travelling Story* - Line #67 - 
"But be wary the gardener who wants to clip your beauty for selfish desire."


Wednesday 18 April 2012

I'm Really Good At That

By Paula Renaye

Why is it easier for some of us to say, "Yeah, I suck," than to admit that we do something well?


Is it because we don't want to be thought of as a braggart, arrogant, self-absorbed, narcissistic or egotistical? Are we in some way afraid that we really aren't good, and that if we say we are that we'll somehow be exposed as a fraud? Are we afraid we'll be challenged on our belief--or that someone will come back later and say, "See, you weren't nearly as big a deal as you thought you were"?

The answers are as individual as we are, but the bottom line always boils down to a fear of some kind--fear of not being good enough, of being unlovable, of being abandoned, etc. And because the pain that comes with that fear is pretty awful, we find all kinds of creative ways to avoid it. 


Since the fear is that saying, "I'm good" is asking for proof that you're not, you'll look to others for validation. Someone else will have to pronounce you "good" in order for it to have any "truth" to it--for you. The catch is that it only works for that moment, because nothing changed inside and you'll continue to need proof from others of your worthiness.


When we value ourselves, we don't allow others to set the measure of our worth--to give it or take it away. -- Paula Renaye


Now, I'm not suggesting that you become an arrogant blowhard. That's just a different way of covering the same insecurities--a loud and obnoxious way of keeping others from picking at your house of cards. 


So, if you can't say, "Yes, I'm really good at that," in a matter-of-fact manner when it's appropriate, there are really only two reasons: you're either afraid of what will happen if you do, or you don't fully believe it yourself.


Take an honest inventory of what you're good at and own it!

* * * *

Paula Renaye is the author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook--What are you willing to do to get what you really want? For more inspirational and motivational articles, visit http://hardlineselfhelp.com

Autism Awareness


The demands of living with a person with autism are great, and families frequently experience high levels of stress. Recognizing and preparing for the challenges that are in store will make a tremendous difference to all involved, including parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, and friends.

The uniqueness of each individual with autism makes the experience of living with autism different for each family. But there are some consistent themes or issues that most families will want to be aware of to be able to provide the best support to the individual and to family members.


The Autism Society has developed in-depth information on a variety of topics related to living with autism. This information is by no means exhaustive, but it should help to equip families with some of the basic tools they may need to provide the best outcomes for their loved ones on the autism spectrum. These publications are available as free downloads


(Sourced from Autism Society)


First hand experience about Autism, 
(this is NOT a freebie)

For this giveaway, to stand a chance to win
$5 Amazon.com gift card


(Update on 20th April - Winner is Katherine W)

Feel free to
- Follow this blog via GFC / Google Plus

(Note - If you've followed this blog before, 
you may need to follow it again 
as I lost my previous GFC button on 1 March 2012)
OR
- Follow @PandoraPoikilos on Twitter
OR
- "Like" Facebook page (Peace from Pieces)

Leave me a comment so I'll know who you are

This Giveaway Hop is organised by two very Blog-A-Licious blogs, 
There are loads of giveaways happening 
so do come join us and check out the other 100++ participating blogs HERE

For Kindle Fire giveaway, click HERE

(Additionally, recommend an author to Orangeberry Phoenix 
and you receive a $50 Amazon gift card or cash. More details HERE)

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Orangeberry Book Tours - The Other Side of Life



Anya and Leticia are partners-in-crime who steal for a living. Their world turns upside down after a chance encounter with fellow rogue, Ithilnin--the enigmatic leader of an Elven band of thieves.

A scuffle to prove who's "the better thief" transforms into more than Anya and Ithilnin ever bargained for. They retrieve the missing piece of an ancient poem, before getting caught in the secret dealings of a megacorporation. What they uncover threatens to alter the very essence of not just human life, but the other side as well.

Elven intrigue, cyberpunk action, and a deadly dose of danger come together in The Other Side of Life [Book #1 in the (Cyberpunk) Elven Trilogy].

Buy Now @ Amazon 
Genre - Cyberpunk / Urban Fantasy
Rating - PG13


Connect with Jess C. Scott on Twitter
Website http://jessink.com/tosol.htm
Check out where this author will be talking about her latest release!

Sunday 15 April 2012

Orangeberry Book Tours Celebrates Mums and Dads





In conjunction with Mother's Day on 13th May and Father's Day on 17th June ... 


If you are a parent or your novel's main characters  are parents, sign up for an Orangeberry Phoenix book tour from now till 15th June and you will receive another Orangeberry Phoenix book tour ... FREE. 


Yes, that's two book tours for the price of one. Which means you can put your book on tour for 60 days or promote two books. 


More details about Orangeberry Phoenix are listed below and if you need more information, please send me an email - pandorapoikilos@gmail.com


ORANGEBERRY PHOENIX is a 30-day virtual book tour that offers you and your book an extremely sweet spot at some high traffic blogs.
What will you receive? You'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts, be interviewed, receive book reviews and daily social media presence. From 1st June 2012, each author will also receive $25 worth of advertising credit for GoodReads.*
What will it cost you? It will cost you $199.00 (that's about $6.60 a day).
Payment is via PayPal. Use button below or "SendPayment" to pandorapoikilos@gmail.com

1.Once your author page has been set up, you will receive a starter kit with more details about your guest posts and interview questions.
2. Please sign up HERE. Also, please send me an email to let me know if you will be using this promotion for one book (60 days) or two books. 
More questions? Email me at pandorapoikilos@gmail.com


*Next available date is 10th July 2012. 


(All proceeds will go towards the Orangeberry Goodie Bag, advertising & site maintenance) 


**GoodReads Advertising - Orangeberry Book Tours is in no way affiliated to GoodReads. Advertising credit will be purchased as per their advertising rates and terms. 


Orangeberry Book Tours Sponsorship Options

Friday 13 April 2012

Anna & Modern Day Slavery

By Magda M. Olchawska


I’m a writer of children books, short stories and scripts & an award winning filmmaker. I became interested in modern day slavery and human trafficking over a year ago.

The stories about sex slavery/human trafficking or modern day slavery that have been surfacing all over the world are horrendous and would make even the toughest of people cry.



After a good bit of crying I came to the conclusion that crying won’t do anyone any good. It was time to do something useful and make as many people aware of the problem as possible.

Since I’m a filmmaker & a writer I decided to write a script and make a feature narrative film called “Anna and Modern Day Slavery”.

Many of us don’t know (recently I was one of those people) that the sex slavery is one of the most profitable “businesses” in the world.

I can only guess that making “Anna and Modern Day Slavery” is going to be an emotional journey. However I do believe that together we can make a difference and make people more aware of the huge problem humanity is facing.

What I’m intending to do with the movie?

Once “Anna and Modern Day Slavery” is made, I’m planning to enter the movie into various film festivals. Of course, to make my job and effort more fruitful, I’ll hire a publicist to help me choose the right festivals for the movie.

When we finish the festival circuits I’m going to make the movie available for everyone to watch online for FREE.

Yes, you heard it right. For FREE.

Of course for some period, let’s say two weeks, the movie will only be available exclusively for the supporters of the movie. But after that time passes, everyone will be able to watch it. The more people the better because...

... while making “Anna and Modern Day Slavery” my goal is not to make enormous amounts of money from it. I’m making this movie because I want people to wake up and see how cruel our advanced society are.

After watching the movie the audience will have a chance to make a donation towards making another Anna movie, (this time about illegal organ selling) & towards charities helping the victims of human trafficking. The charities will receive 55% of the total donations.

We will also have special packages for community & campus screenings of which 55% earnings will go towards the charities, too. Our first charity is CREER -
Centre for the re-insertion and education of street children.

This is my IndieGoGo campaign page. Please find some time to check it out and see how you can help.

If you would like to be updated daily on the movie progress please check out my daily blog 



Synopsis “Anna and Modern Day Slavery”

Anna, a strong & independent woman, leaves her partner & high paid government job behind to set up an underground Organization that exposes corruption and injustice which is spreading like a virus around the world.

Her IT/hacking skills come in very handy when she discovers international sex slavery networks that run deep into the government & corporate structures.

Her investigation leads her to Eastern Europe where one vital contact set her on track to discover horrific truths behind human trafficking.

To keep up on top of things Anna recruits Pawel, a talented researcher who unwittingly gets entangled into the unstoppable current of events.

Together they help unravel the secrets behind a major trafficking ring and shed public light onto the horrors of sex slavery.

How to find me?
Twitter
Facebook  
Website

Anna & Modern Day Slavery
Website

Thursday 12 April 2012

Orangeberry Book Tours - Playing the Genetic Lottery



Caitlin is happily married to her best friend, has two healthy children, and enjoys a rewarding career and the love and support of her extended family. Her seemingly great life is marred by an obsessive fear that Caitlin can't shake. Having grown up with two schizophrenic parents, she is terrified with what may be in her DNA, and haunted with the knowledge she may have passed the genes to the disease that robbed her parents of their sanity down to her children.

Buy Now @ Amazon 
Genre - General Fiction / Medical
Rating - PG


Connect with Terri Morgan on Facebook
Website http://terrimorgan.net/
Email soquelterri@yahoo.com
Check out where this author will be talking about his latest release!

Happy Easter Eggstravaganza


To stand a chance to win
$5 Amazon.com gift card


(Update on 15th April - Winner is Mary R)


Feel free to
- Follow this blog via GFC / Google Plus

(Note - If you've followed this blog before, 
you may need to follow it again 
as I lost my previous GFC button on 1 March 2012)

OR
- Follow @PandoraPoikilos on Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/PandoraPoikilos
OR
- "Like" Facebook page (Peace from Pieces)
https://www.facebook.com/peacefrompieces

Leave me a comment so I'll know who you are

This Giveaway Hop is organised by two very Blog-A-Licious blogs, 
I Am A Reader Not A Writer, & Once Upon A Twilight 
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Wednesday 11 April 2012

Another Lap Around the Track

By Paula Renaye

If you've read my books or blog, you know about Rebound Guy, the man I got involved with immediately after my divorce. It was a wild ride to say the least, and one that at times I didn't think I was going to survive. I'd get fed up with being in turmoil and swear I was done with him. Then, he'd do something to convince me he'd changed and I'd let myself get sucked back in again, believing that "this" time things would be different.


A friend who watched me struggle through the ups and downs, gave me some sage advice once that I will never forget. Being a NASCAR fan, he looked at the world through that lens, and gave my situation a really memorable "spin."


"Well," he said, "you've run this course before and you know how it goes. There's gonna be a crash. It's just a matter of when, where and how bad. But go ahead, take another lap around the track if you want to."


I did. I ran the same track with the same car, the same bad tires and the same faulty steering. And the ending was exactly the same as it had been on every other lap--I crashed and burned. The good news is that each time I went for another round, it took less and less time to slam into the wall. And when I finally hit it for the last time, I jumped right over that wall and got myself out of that loop for good.


We all have to take another lap until we don't need to anymore. No matter what we read or what great advice we get, we will keep doing the same thing over and over until we finally reach our personal threshold of pain. We'll keep on until we finally get it through our thick skulls that if we want a different outcome, we have to either drive a different course or a different car, or both.


If you have a situation in your life where this rings even the tiniest of bells, pay attention and do something different. It could save you a lap or two around your own personal track of pain.


Jump the wall and live your joy now!

*****
Paula Renaye is a certified life coach, speaker and author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, which has won Four National Book Awards. For more motivational articles and free audio and digital downloads, visit http://hardlineselfhelp.com and be inspired!

If you're into funny mystery novels, check out the first book in my Jolene Jackson Mystery Series, Hot Enough to Kill. It's less than a dollar on Kindle!

Saturday 7 April 2012

Love Is

Author Unknown

Love is a slow kiss goodnight.
It is anticipation.

Love is an imperfection in yourself not bothering you.
It is acceptance.

Love is passing up an opportunity because the time is not right yet.
It is patience.

Love is a back massage that starts above the hairline and ends around the innersoles.
It is exploration.

Love is not having to say, "Let us make love", because you know what the other person wants.
It is understanding.

Love is being given an honest chance to say no when you thought you were committed.
It is consideration.

Love is saying the perfect phrase to make a solemn embrace dissolve into giggles.
It is humor.

Love is being told, "Stop and I will kill you".
It is desire.

Love is reviewing the damage to your living room and realizing personal effects are strewn
in a clockwise pattern from the front door to the bedroom.
It is abandonment.

Love is seeing what your lover really looks like for the first time.
It is truth.

Love is knowing what time it is and not caring.
It is joy.

Love is the arms around you tightening their embrace.
It is ecstasy.

Love is telling a person, if you have to leave, you will let them sleep, and being told they would rather be awakened.
It is tenderness.

Love is waking up to find the subject of the dream you were having asleep on your shoulder.
It is where fantasy meets reality.

Love is being there to wake your lover, slowly.
It is sensuousness.

Love is belatedly knowing why you bought a king size bed three years ago.
It is practicality.

Love is two people only taking up a third of a king size bed.
It is closeness.

Love is knowing you gave the extra set of keys to the right person.
It is trust.

Love is saying goodbye and knowing you will be back by mutual consent.
It is faith.

Love is stretching your arms and discovering the real meaning of the word "sore".
It is a lesson in human frailty.

Love is opening your medicine cabinet and finding your tooth-paste turned into a pretzel.
It is adaptation.

Love is sitting at the window, looking out, and remembering who you were with the night before.
It is reflection.

Love is hearing the weather forecast for a winter storm, and wishing you could spend it in bed with your lover.
It is loneliness.

Love is stories that will never be told.
It is personal.
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Books Sold - 6 Nov 2011 to 31 May 2012

Some of you have asked me for my total number of books sold to evaluate KDP Select so here it is. Bear in mind, that results will vary based on genre and author. Good luck and remember, Keep Moving Forward.

Total - 120,836

1. Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out
Amazon Kindle - 42,559
Paperback -
Smashwords -

2. Frequent Traveller
Amazon Kindle - 35277
Paperback -
Smashwords -

3. Dora's Essentials - Books, Blogs & Smiles 1
Amazon Kindle - 462
Smashwords -

4. Mirror Me Martha (Short Story)
Amazon Kindle - 281
Smashwords -

5. Drive On Hope (Short Story)
Amazon Kindle - 190
Smashwords -

6. Blog-A-Licious Directory 2012
Amazon Kindle - 1
Smashwords -

7. Pandora's Reading Room 1
Amazon Kindle -
Paperback - N/A

8. The Cat That Barked (Short Story)
Amazon Kindle -

9. Dora's Essentials - Examining Anxiety
Amazon Kindle -

10. Dora's Essentials - Books, Blogs & Smiles 2
Amazon Kindle -

11. Elevenses from Around the World
Amazon Kindle -

12. Genetically Modified Foods vs. Sustainability
Amazon Kindle -

Blog-A-Licius - Sherbet Blossom

SherbetBlossom

Blog-A-Licious

Dealightfully Frugal

Blog-A-Licious - The Few, The Proud, The Wife

Blog-A-Licious

My Soul Slippers

Blog-A-Licous - Textbook Mommy

Blog-A-Licious - Blue Frogs Legs

Blog-A-Licious - Pretty All True

Pretty All True

Blog-A-Licious - tbaoo

tbaoo

Blog-A-Licious

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Blog-A-Licious - The Invisible Art

Blog-A-Licious - Rediscovering Domesticity

Rediscovering Domesticity

Blog-A-Licious - Quiver Full

Blog-A-Licious - Cori's Big Mouth

Blog-A-Licious - Great Fun

Greatfun4kids

Blog-A-Licious - Busy Wife

Blog-A-Licious - Steps To Happiness

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Blog-A-Licious - Toby & Max


Blog-A-Licious - Amelie

Raising Amelie

Blog-A-Licious - Peas In A Pod

Blog-A-Licious - Riley

Blognostics - Poetry

BlogNostics

My Awards - September 2010

My Awards - September 2010
Awarded By Jo Frances

My Awards - May 2011

My Awards - May 2011
Awarded By Alejandro Guzman

My Awards - May 2011

My Awards - May 2011
Awarded by Kriti Mukherjee

My Awards - April 2011

My Awards - April 2011
Awarded By Roy Durham

My Awards - June 2011

My Awards - June 2011
Awarded By Sulekha Rawat

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