Tuesday, July 31, 2012

2012 Summer Literary Showcase: Book Tour w/Shon Hyneman


About the Author
Shon was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio for 25 years and in 2004 moved to Phoenix, Arizona with his family. He is happily married for ten years to Londina and has two children. Shon is the owner of Never Again Ministries which promote Marriage Enhancement and Holistic Relationships in God. He's an Author, Speaker, Ordained Minister, Mentor and radio personality for "The Doctor of Love" show. He is a certified Marriage Coach and the "Marriage Works" series from AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors). Shon is a fan of NFL football and UFC fights.


About the Book
Everyone desires to be wise, but the truth is it doesn’t come naturally for many. Wisdom must be sought after. Wisdom must be practiced. Wisdom must be a goal for every day of life. Shon ‘Doctor of Love’ Hyneman has made the attainment of godly wisdom a priority in his life and his marriage, and now he’s sharing the treasures gained during his journey with others through his new book Wisdom: Preventing Problems Before They Happen.

Wisdom: Preventing Problems Before They Happen highlights Shon’s passion for marriages. He desires to see two whole and healthy individuals cleave together to create a union that blesses
their partnership, their relatives and friends, their community and ultimately the world at large.

Shon values transparency. In Wisdom: Preventing Problems Before They Happen he gives an up close and personal look at his approach to various relationships and marriage outside of the safeguards of Godly wisdom. This sincerity gives hope and encouragement that with a renewed mind a lifestyle of blessing is birthed.  There’s no better time than the present to grab hold of wisdom with all your heart, mind and soul and intentionally create a marriage relationship that so glorifies God its remnants echo through eternity.
Purchase book Amazon

Book Excerpt: “When smarts and wisdom is applied one can help improve others as well as himself. With wisdom you can get to the heart of a person and in the process a relationship is developed because you showed them that you care.”

Author Interview
Tell us a little about yourself.  
I am a Husband of ten years, Father, Mentor and Owner of Never Again Ministries which promote Marriage Enhancement and Holistic Relationships. My Wife and I host the Doctor of Love Show on Three different stations.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
 In my latest book WISDOM:  Preventing Problems before They Happen the overall message is to help people cut back on making bad decisions. Don’t get me wrong, we all make mistakes but if there is someone who can mentor us from making bad decisions, apply the wisdom that others give to you.

What is the most challenging part of being an indie author?
What is the most rewarding part of being an indie author? The most challenging part of being an indie author is getting others to see the vision that is birthed within you. When you don’t have others backing you or you don’t have the big name to match, it takes more time for others to buy into what you are writing.

What made you decide to become an author?
 I like to talk a lot! I figured if I can put all my thoughts and ideas on paper it will become more valuable to those who read my books.


When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published?
I started writing my first book If You Apply These Principles in 2008. Then I went on to get published by the company Lulu.

Please tell us the titles of your current book (s): And give a brief synopsis 
-If You Apply These Principles: God Is More Practical Than We Think (2008) I used a lot of Bible Scripture from the book of Proverbs on the practicality of God and how God require work to be done on our behalf to be successful. 

-It’s The Woman You Gave Me (2009) how we can get past blaming others for past hurts and disappointments from parents, friends, spouses, and situations. Notice how the blame game started with Adam and Eve in the garden. Since the beginning of time it’s been an issue even until today.

-3 Are Even Better (2010) eight week workbook for married couples and benefits of God being the head of your marriage. The title came from the book of Ecclesiates 4:12 we discuss topics from money, sex, how to affair proof your marriage to blended families
-WISDOM: Preventing Problems before they happen (2012) Refer back to question number one for synopsis 

What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors?
Don’t quit when things get tough and get connected to others who have the same goals as you. Networking with other authors is a powerful tool. Also support other authors and understand it’s not always about you and your work.

Tell us about your journey to publication.
For me it was tough because I didn’t know any other published authors when I wrote my first book. I just did the best I could and let the cards fall. But as time went on publishing became easier.


What next for you?
We are hosting our first “3 are even better” Marriage Retreat in Payson, Arizona this fall and the release of my new book WISDOM: Preventing problems before they happen 




Literary Wonders! Review
Date:                         7/24/12
Title:                          Wisdom: Preventing Problems Before They Happen
Author:                      Shon Hyneman
ISBN 13:                   978-0-9856836-0-3
Pages:                      64
Publisher:                 Never Again Ministries
Cover:                       Unedited electronic galley
Reviewer:                 Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                      5 Stars


Wisdom: Preventing Problems Before They Happy by Shon Hyneman is a book that anyone from any walk of life, any age or any race should be able to relate to. Mr. Hyneman gives advice or tidbits of wisdom in various points of life that, ironically, will have readers thinking, that was/is me.

In a roundabout way, Mr. Hyneman  brings to the forefront ways we may subconsciously see the “signs” or those “red flags”, but somehow miss them. This in turn has the reader looking back, after a certain situation, wondering why they didn’t see that sign, because it was certainly there.

The author uses simple, easy to understand and common sense wisdom such as taking out the trash. I love that he knows if the Mrs. is going to be upset if you don’t take out the trash, there will be an argument—and he knows to keep peace in the home, the trash had better get emptied.

Shon touches on subjects from marriage to being single; from seasons to business. In each of his wisdom bits, Mr. Hyneman gives supporting biblical scripture and narrates his writing as if he was talking to any one of us. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.

I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next title from Mr. Hyneman. It is my hopes that there may also be a co-authored project from both Mr. and Mrs. Hyneman.




Click the button below to listen to That Literary Lady's interview with Shon.


Monday, July 30, 2012

2012 Summer Literary Showcase: Dilsa Saunders Bailey


Dilsa Saunders Bailey netted a nomination by the Georgia Writers Association for Georgia Author of the Year-First Novel Category in 2010 for Dreams Thrown Away, a romantic suspense novel. Split Images, the second novel in The Sperling Chronicles series was released in December 2011. She is currently working on the third novel in the series.

Though she has been working as an administrator in healthcare for over twenty years, her first love is writing. She enjoys Tweeting, visiting friends on Facebook, and blogging on her website, simplydilsa. Dilsa originates from South Carolina, has lived in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Her books can be purchased on Amazon and most online retailers in print or e-book format. Dilsa enjoys booksigning events, book club visits, and speaking engagements (Suds to Success and How to Publish Your Own Books). To contact her, send an email to info@goodshowpublications.com. Visit her author website, her Facebook page, or Tweets anytime.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

2012 Summer Showcase: April Joy Bowden


April Joy Bowden is a graduate of Virginia State University. She has worked as a photographer for the past sixteen years.

As a child and young adult, April wrote many poems, short stories and comics. She has always known that becoming a published author was on her 'to do" list. In 2010, "HIGH-On Love & Addiction" was released. "The Other Side of Joy" was released in 2012.

Combining her love for the arts and entertaining, April has spent the past few years planning events. Most recently, she has hosted several multi-author book signings using "out of the box" ideas and locations.

"The Other Side of Joy" is a collection of poems that deal with the emotions and passionate moments we experience in relationships; joy, pain, intimacy and ecstasy. You will find rules for dealing with each emotion. Each poem will allow you to laugh, cry, feel or wonder just how one can live with or without joy in their life. Do you remember your first kiss? Do you remember your first love? A special place that always makes you feel good? Can you recall having your heart broken? Or how you felt when you had to tell someone goodbye? Take this journey to reminisce on past or current relationships through poetry.

Contact Info

Saturday, July 28, 2012

2012 Summer Literary Showcase: An interview w/Marlene Banks

MARLENE BANKS resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to being a prolific writer she has an associate degree in Theology from Rhema Bible Institute in Keysville, Virginia and is currently pursuing studies to initiate a Christian counseling ministry. Marlene is a member of Bethel Deliverance International Church in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. Her work resume includes forty years in nursing and business.

A divine gift of storytelling with her unique voice and love of Christ creates engaging and inspirational novels. She considers her fiction writing an avenue to communicate the Gospel and Christian principles. It is also Marlene’s goal to bridge the gap between faith-based and secular literature. RUTH’S REDEMPTION is her first release and SON OF A PREACHERMAN is her second.

Click the button below to listen to Marlene's interview.

Friday, July 27, 2012

2012 Summer Literary Showcase: R. Jenkins-Oliver


R. Jenkins-Oliver was born and raised in a small Geechee and Gullah community in McIntosh County Georgia. She is the oldest of four children, and is a graduate of Todd-Grant High School, Margaret M. Washington, and Brunswick College. She has worked for the FBI, as a health care professional, and was an entrepreneur. She has appeared in several industrial and feature films.

Out of the Shadow of Poverty is a good old-fashioned memoir, the story of a girl and a family who made the most of what life handed them. Equal parts of discipline and love are applied by a network of people who stuck by each other through good times and bad. To teach many children how to abide and thrive in tough time is hard work.

The description of the southern town, its geography and its resilient people are charming. The description of the homes and schools and stores captured a time that is gone but still shadows the author. The births, deaths, fires, superstitions and home remedies are realistically described. The wine-winning numbers and the family that got along, or not, and still helped each other and shared most of the times.

Rudy’s precognitive dreams and visions ring true. Her awareness of her situation and determine to move herself out of poverty seems unusual in a young girl.

Genre: Nonfiction, Inspirational, self help/ memoir

Other books by R. Jenkins-Oliver
Friendship Breaks Barriers a children picture book for ages 4-9
Toby the cat finds friends despite insurmountable difference.

1878  the life and times of Henry Forest.  

1878 is based on the life and times of Henry Forest, who lived during the late 1800s to the mid 1900s.
Historical Fiction based on the life of Henry Forest a Georgia sharecropper.


My books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a million, and they can be ordered through your favorite book store. 


Thursday, July 26, 2012

2012 Summer Literary Showcase: Siggy Buckley

Former matchmaker par excellence - or Dating Guru as the Irish media liked to call me- I was born in Germany. Having achieved a Masters Degree in English, I got married, had two children and then emigrated to Ireland with my family for the GOOD LIFE.
 
Involuntary life on an Irish farm produced a crop of misgivings and the break-up of our marriage. Single again, I launched a dating service in Dublin which eventually planted the seeds for this novel.

Now happily married, I live in sweltering Florida. I write for American Chronicles and Opednews. My other blog deals with my previous life on an organic farm. It's called  "I once had a farm in Ireland" and you will find it at www.Inandoutofireland.blogspot.com.
I'm a proud new International member of the National League of American Pen Women:www.Americanpenwomen.org

NEXT TIME LUCKY: LESSONS OF A MATCHMAKER 
A professional matchmaker who can’t find Mr. Right for herself?
After the break-up with her love of three years, CHERIE’S world comes tumbling down when GEORGE tells her during a Sunday afternoon romp he never really loved her. The German-born forty-something divorcée, teacher turned businesswoman, i.e., matchmaker, transplanted to Dublin feels it’s time to get on her hindlegs and try some new approaches.  
Cherie faces the ultimate challenge to find a soulmate for herself. She is at a loss because her professional ethics forbid her to mix business with pleasure. Her additional problem is that everybody in Ireland knows who she is. Therefore she decides to look for Mr. Right further afield via the Internet where the possibilities seem to be endless.
            Her escapades take her around the world and her adventures become more daring with the experience she gathers on her journey. Chat-rooms prove to be intoxicating and Cherie feels like a kid in a candystore where she can choose from all the men in this world. Too many prospects that first appear to be worthwhile candidates for Mr. Right turn out to be only the “Mr. Right Nows”. Something is missing or disturbing about each and every one of them. Still, she doesn’t lose hope; it only strengthens her resolve and adds to her adventure. Among the Lotharios she encounters are recycled bachelors, breezy islands of ego, fly-by-nights, birds of paradise, commitment phobics, and the odd sex maniac. She learns the hard way that it is easy come, uneasy go at this sexual smorgasbord of cyber-dreamboats. Nothing in her work, however, prepared her for the realities of modern mate selection.
          During her country-hopping exploits, she muses about her fate that took her away from her home country, Germany, and she feels increasingly uprooted, even as she becomes more comfortably multicultural. 

          In the process she learns what is most important and constant in her life: to find a sense of belonging with a man she loves and who loves her, going forward in a life plan that suits them both together. She lives a woman’s dilemma of being independent yet longing for coupledom. Cherie continues her search always believing, “Next Time Lucky!” At long last she meets the love of her life, CONNOR, not on the Internet, but unexpectedly in a bar when she is just about to abort her quest. 

Click the button below to listen to Siggy's interview.