tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50543949714713997752024-02-18T21:51:54.628-06:00Harry Gilleland WritesHarry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-17799639135924357412015-01-15T15:50:00.000-06:002015-01-15T15:50:20.875-06:00My Last Free Download For A Man in Control Was SuccessfulLike many authors I offer free download days for my e-books at Kindle. My latest free download for my latest novel, A Man in Control, lasted two days. The book was downloaded 570 times the first day and 340 times the second day, for a total of 910 free downloads of my book. I think this is a good way to get the book in the hands of a lot of potential readers quickly. Now if some of the people who downloaded the book will read it and post a review at Amazon/Kindle, I will be a happy camper. If giving the e-book away for free results in some reader reviews, it will have been a good trade.
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What has been your experience with giving away free downloads of your books? Do you think it is worthwhile? Did you get reviews posted as a result?
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The plot of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-Control-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00P1KBEEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414705596&sr=1-1&keywords=a+man+in+control">A Man in Control</a> is not your typical mystery, suspense, crime, murder plot. The story involves one man’s obsession to control all aspects of his life, including the decisions made in their personal relationship with the love interest in his life. This main theme is played out against a backdrop of murder and mystery and includes current topics of Muslim terrorists and viral bio-weapons involving the Ebola virus. I used my past experience as a microbiology professor to ensure the virology was plausible.
Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-29298273297863665762014-10-31T10:11:00.000-05:002014-10-31T10:11:16.864-05:00A Man in Control, My New Novel, is now on Kindle<BR>
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My latest published book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-Control-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00P1KBEEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414705596&sr=1-1&keywords=a+man+in+control">A Man in Control</a>, is available now on Kindle as an e-book.
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The novel is in the genre of Mystery-Suspense-Crime-Murder, my second such novel in this genre. It tells the story of a man who wants to be in complete control of all aspects of his life set against the backdrop of his wife's death, Muslim terrorists, a new viral biological weapon with toxins from the Ebola virus incorporated into an influenza viral carrier, murder, a female police detective, and the FBI. It deals with timely topics, with suspense and mystery and human nature.
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The book is a 51,000-word novel that makes a quick and entertaining read. I invite you to check it out:<BR>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-Control-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00P1KBEEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414705596&sr=1-1&keywords=a+man+in+control">http://www.amazon.com/Man-Control-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00P1KBEEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414705596&sr=1-1&keywords=a+man+in+control</a>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-28332507010093877522014-10-20T10:54:00.001-05:002014-10-20T10:54:53.061-05:00My Latest Novel, A Man In Control, Is in Its Final EditingMy latest book, A Man In Control, is in its final editing prior to formatting and publication. It stands at 50,710 words at present. Look for it to be available within the next few weeks on Kindle as an e-book and Amazon & elsewhere as a paperback print book. Book blurb: David Wynthers is a microbiology professor whose need to control all aspects of his life is thrown into turmoil by the death of his wife, which causes a cascade of events for Dave to cope with – murder, mystery, terrorists tracking him, sudden wealth, a female police detective, and the FBI. Can Dave maintain control of the events swirling around him?
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A Man In Control is a fiction novel in the genre of Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense – Crime – Murder. It is the tenth book published by Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.
<BR>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-58853996997838070672014-09-18T09:21:00.000-05:002014-09-18T09:21:42.851-05:00Working on Book # 10 I just completed the first draft of my newest book. Now to start polishing and massaging it. So far I haven't decided on a title yet so it is being called "Book Ten". It will turn out to be another short novel in the 42,000 - 46,000 words range. My other three novels have all fallen in this range. I guess I can only think of stories that run that length. I don't like to pad them to reach an arbitrary length goal.
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Some ill-informed reviewers mistakenly call my short novel a novella. Here is the word count guide:<BR>
Classification --- Word count<BR>
Novel --- over 40,000 words<BR>
Novella --- 17,500 to 40,000 words<BR>
Novelette --- 7,500 to 17,500 words<BR>
Short story --- under 7,500 words
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Not that there is anything wrong with writing novellas. Here are some of my favorite novellas:<BR>
Jack London's The Call of the Wild<BR>
John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men<BR>
George Orwell's Animal Farm<BR>
Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange<BR>
Isaac Asimov's Nightfall<BR>
Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor<BR>
Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's<BR>
Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea<BR>
Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde<BR>
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol<BR>
H. G. Wells' The Time Machine<BR>
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Time to get to work on the second draft of my new book.Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-239681739070596152014-07-23T22:32:00.000-05:002014-07-23T22:32:02.863-05:00Self-published authors and Reviewers for Self-published Books SurveysAre you a self-published author? Do you review books for self-published authors? Would you be willing to help a Ph.D. student researching the importance of reviews for self-published authors in her research by taking one of these two surveys?
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<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/selfpublishedauthorsurvey">Author Survey:</a> https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/selfpublishedauthorsurvey <BR>
<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/selfpublishedreviewersurvey">Reviewer Survey</a>: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/selfpublishedreviewersurvey
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She would appreciate your help in gathering data, and it would help clarify the relationship between self-published authors' book sales and obtaining reviews. Please consider helping her by taking the appropriate survey.Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-8904932084294203202014-07-22T18:22:00.000-05:002014-07-22T18:22:43.305-05:00Zack's Choice Received Its 50th ReviewMy latest novel in the crime-heist-mystery genre, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zacks-Choice-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00IJEWGM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392956480&sr=1-1&keywords=Zack%27s+Choice">Zack's Choice</a>, hit a bit of a milestone recently. It received its 50th review and has a 4.7 out of 5 average rating. Plus its sellers rank at the moment is " #44 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Crime Fiction > Heist". Why not check it out? It's a fun, entertaining summer read.
Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-1503832566080315892014-03-31T12:00:00.000-05:002014-03-31T12:00:06.146-05:00Come Watch My Trailer for Zack's Choice
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/StFXJUjbM9k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
My new trailer for Zack's Choice is now available. It was a deal at only $49. I like the end result. What do you think? Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-17816364156044999102014-03-25T13:28:00.000-05:002014-03-25T13:28:34.276-05:00Comments from Reviews for Zack's ChoiceMy crime-heist-mystery with a dash of humor and a bit of sex novel Zack’s Choice has received these comments in reviews:
“Zack's Choice is literate, fun, and entirely unpredictable, and I enjoyed it immensely.” from Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite;
“The total package has cinematic appeal – especially when you throw a sexy romance into the mix. Zack’s Choice is sure to appeal to anyone who likes a well-told tale about clever, risk-taking characters in love and in danger.” Posted in Palmetto Review;
and “Quill says: This book will keep you guessing at all the twists and turns right up until the very end.” from Kristi Benedict of The Feathered Quill Reviews.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zacks-Choice-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00IJEWGM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392956480&sr=1-1&keywords=Zack%27s+Choic">http://www.amazon.com/Zacks-Choice-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00IJEWGM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392956480&sr=1-1&keywords=Zack%27s+Choice</a>
Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-40941263775698857342014-03-02T17:40:00.001-06:002014-03-02T17:40:50.842-06:00Trailer for A Wandering Warrior Available Now
Please check out my new trailer for A Wandering Warrior, my action-adventure, historical fiction novel published last year:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aQLb4zly_s&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aQLb4zly_s&feature=youtu.be</a>
I hope you like it!Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-9125108164583202562014-02-21T15:14:00.000-06:002014-02-21T15:21:20.894-06:00Zack's Choice -- My Newest Novel Now on Kindle
My ninth published book is now available as an e-book on Amazon's Kindle. It is a fiction novel (182 pages in print format of 6" x 9" trade paperback; 44,533 words) in the crime/heist genre with a bit of mystery and a bit of romance and sex included. It's intended for older teenage and adult readers.<BR>
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Book Blurb: Zackery Gresham has his life all planned. His mother is a lawyer; his father is a federal judge; and he is Pre-Law at Yale, with Harvard Law School to follow before he joins his mother’s prestigious law firm. He plans to marry his high school and Yale girlfriend once he graduates from Law School. During a school break Zack takes a once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle trip through the southern states. In New Mexico he has a chance encounter with a strange hitchhiker. The resulting chaos will bring Zack face-to-face with a choice that could alter his life forever.
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The e-book version was published on February 18, 2014 through CreateSpace. The print version will be available soon.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVs3NbAnmgstdgBMXAr2KV5JElvsdQDWQT_T9E6N4_DCUtz1JKrQDwFHZYmjRiT-sQQulfwHFoVAw6QeG0OGaKucO9jE-DJWPvzesAs1-mWNXIpzS5b-0X1ru0n5_1N4IbqroXtPHjnBe/s1600/Zacks+Choice+Cover+KINDLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVs3NbAnmgstdgBMXAr2KV5JElvsdQDWQT_T9E6N4_DCUtz1JKrQDwFHZYmjRiT-sQQulfwHFoVAw6QeG0OGaKucO9jE-DJWPvzesAs1-mWNXIpzS5b-0X1ru0n5_1N4IbqroXtPHjnBe/s400/Zacks+Choice+Cover+KINDLE.jpg" /></a></div>
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I invite you to stop by and check out Zack's Choice at:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zacks-Choice-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00IJEWGM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392956480&sr=1-1&keywords=Zack%27s+Choice">http://www.amazon.com/Zacks-Choice-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00IJEWGM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392956480&sr=1-1&keywords=Zack%27s+Choice</a>
Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-45024242573479779802014-01-17T12:24:00.001-06:002014-01-20T23:58:05.243-06:00A Wandering Warrior Took First Place in 2014 P&E Readers Poll All Other Novels Category <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj8RQI-lojpHKcVln-4qMzeNI9IR6wqlzAxtGuBj9-HqLosYAoN6neCuOAW234BpvnKfUs2lCawbGh8o6_kD68ATmuGz9uUf30yjig5N4wU5vUUv5SPpBG9p4UWffeRa3nVTUl-iUvWqG/s1600/novel+-+AWW+P&E+First+Place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj8RQI-lojpHKcVln-4qMzeNI9IR6wqlzAxtGuBj9-HqLosYAoN6neCuOAW234BpvnKfUs2lCawbGh8o6_kD68ATmuGz9uUf30yjig5N4wU5vUUv5SPpBG9p4UWffeRa3nVTUl-iUvWqG/s320/novel+-+AWW+P&E+First+Place.jpg" /></a></div>
My action-adventure, historical fiction novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior">A Wandering Warrior</a> finished first out of thirty entries in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll in its category of "All Other Novels." I thank all those who voted to make this happen. I much appreciate your support for my book.
<a href="http://critters.org/predpoll/final_tally_novel.ht">http://critters.org/predpoll/final_tally_novel.ht</a>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-36720200921205754712014-01-01T01:34:00.000-06:002014-01-01T01:34:12.118-06:00Preview of My Long-overdue Trailer for “A Wandering Warrior”
<BR>While my 2013 novel was being edited and re-edited by 4RV Publishing prior to its eventual publication on 15 April 2013, I contracted with a professional designer/artist to prepare a book trailer for A Wandering Warrior. The specifications were agreed upon and payment was made in full in September - October of 2012 to that artist/designer. I thought the book trailer would be prepared and released PRIOR to the novel’s publication – you know, like a trailer is supposed to work to drum up interest prior to the novel’s release – but the designer/artist suffered calamity after calamity (illness requiring hospitalization, dead computer, another family illness, financial difficulties, another computer failure, and more). To say the least, 2013 was an extremely difficult time for this designer/artist.<BR>
<BR>Well, here it is fifteen months after payment was made in full and nearly nine months after A Wandering Warrior was published and still no trailer for it has been released due to all these circumstances. As 2014 begins, it looks like perhaps the trailer finally could be finished soon. Therefore, I wanted to give you a preview of what the trailer will contain. This preview requires that you use your imagination to “view” it. Therefore, to fully enjoy this trailer preview please ensure your imagination is turned on to its maximum.<BR>
<BR>My Imaginary Trailer for A Wandering Warrior<BR>
<BR>Imagine background music that fits well with the medieval era playing.<BR>
<BR>Front cover of A Wandering Warrior appears on the screen.<BR>
<BR>Text on next screen will be shown in bold type as here:<BR>
<BR>Thomas Beaumont, a commoner and itinerant soldier, travels across late 12th century England to avenge his brother’s murder.<BR>
<BR>(Map #1 from the book = large map showing all the shires of 12th century England)<BR>
<BR>Thomas encounters two young ladies in the woods fleeing from Royal Guard soldiers. He saves the girls from capture, suffering a wound in the fight.<BR>
<BR>(Trailer new illustration (#1) = Depiction of Juliana and Beatrice in woods --
Juliana: Her long, blond hair framed a rather pretty, delicate face. She possessed a tall, slender body with small breasts. Sixteen years old.
Beatrice: Her sister, Beatrice, however, seemed very much an immature girl, with a less attractive body build both shorter and plumper than that of her older sister and with darker blond hair, almost as light brown as his. Thirteen years old.
Woods: trees and greenery. LOL Duh.)<BR>
<BR>As Thomas recovers, his wound becomes infected, and feverish and weak he is encircled by hungry wolves. He loses consciousness.<BR>
<BR>(Trailer new illustration (#2) = Thomas lying on ground with wolves surrounding him --
Thomas like he looks on cover. Lying on ground with several wolves tightening circle around him menacingly. Wolves’ eyes are a glowing yellow.)<BR>
<BR>Thomas awakens to find himself being tended by Emalda, a Traveler dark beauty, while he recovers.<BR>
<BR>(Trailer new illustration (# 3) = Depiction of Emalda with vardo/wagon close behind her -
Emalda had long hair that was black as a raven; a glowing, dark complexion; and quite a lovely shaped body, displayed well in skirt and low-cut peasant blouse, which revealed her ample cleavage. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties.)<BR>
<BR>Thomas resumes his quest eastward, in spite of his hating to leave Emalda. He buys an old, well-used, gray horse (named Horse) for his journey.<BR>
<BR>(Trailer new illustration (# 4) = Thomas with Horse --
Thomas as on cover. Horse was an old, well-used, gray horse that stood covered in dirt with matted mane and tail and sores. A dilapidated-looking saddle lay by the doorway.)<BR>
<BR>Thomas pulls off a daring rescue of two young ladies of nobility -- Juliana and Beatrice, whom he met in the woods previously and who now are held captive in the castle keep by Sheriff Mowbray.<BR>
<BR>(Map #2 from book = rescue path map showing route taken in the escape = through which shires.)<BR>
<BR>Thomas has his desired showdown with Sheriff Simon Mowbray, a brute of a man with a mean nature, in a fight to the death.<BR>
<BR>(New trailer illustration (# 5) = Fight scene between Thomas and Simon (sheriff) using battleaxes on foot -- Simon Mowbray was a large man with powerful, muscular shoulders and arms. His hair was unkempt; he had stubble on his face. He was a rough-looking character who looked like he could handle himself in a fight. He was in his late 30s. Impressive rival to Thomas. Each man armed with a battleaxe, a dagger, helmet, and shield. No chain mail worn. Just clothing like on cover. Show each man bloodied with blood on axe blades.)<BR>
<BR>Thomas has many adventures involving searching for his lost love Emalda (Map # 3 from book = search for Emalda map showing route of Thomas’ search through various shires) and disputes with nobility, culminating in Thomas’ gaining a higher position in life.<BR>
<BR>(New trailer illustration (# 6) = Thomas as knight with chain mail and helmet holding sword in ready position -- Thomas wearing a long gambeson with chain mail covering body and head. Chain mail down to knee-length. Armored helmet on head. Holding a sword like on cover but out in ready position.)<BR>
<BR>Will Thomas ever find peace and happiness? Will he ever know love? Can Thomas survive his encounters with royalty? Come and travel throughout medieval England with Thomas on his wanderings and adventures.<BR>
<BR>There you have the gist of what my book trailer for A Wandering Warrior should contain. There will, of course, be the necessary title page, publisher information about 4RV Publishing, and other details included as well.<BR>
<BR>I hope you enjoyed your “viewing” of this preview of the trailer for A Wandering Warrior.<BR>
<BR>A Wandering Warrior is an action-adventure, historical short novel (66,000 words) set in late 12th century England. It is available as both a print version and as an e-book through Kindle, Nook, and others.<BR>
<BR>Links: 4RV Publishing Bookstore = <a href="http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/harry-gilleland.php">http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/harry-gilleland.php</a><BR>
<BR>Amazon Print Version = <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior">http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior</a><BR>
<BR>Kindle e-book = <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00D33E1PG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388380762&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior">http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland-ebook/dp/B00D33E1PG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388380762&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior</a><BR>
Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-36513484974969513282013-12-08T11:41:00.001-06:002013-12-08T11:41:53.107-06:00Two of My Favorite Christmas StoroemsEvery year when everyone gets involved in Christmas shopping for presents for all, I like to repost two of my favorite Christmas storoems:<br />
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The Garden Statue<br />
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<span name="myContent">The garden statue catches his eye.<br />
It is ordinary – gray plaster, two feet tall,<br />
but it is something he feels compelled to buy;<br />
although for doing so, he has no explanation at all.<br />
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The statue is an angel, standing, head lowered,<br />
a solemn look upon her face, cradling some object<br />
lovingly to her chest. At first he puts her with stored<br />
items, but later displays her in the yard – the subject<br />
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of complaint from his wife. “Sitting at the kitchen table,<br />
that thing will be prominently in view. I don’t like it much.”<br />
“It seems to belong there. I don’t know if I will ever be able<br />
to explain. It intrigues me. The angel herself is cast with such<br />
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exquisite details – the feathers in her wings, the curls of hair,<br />
her facial features, the flow of her garment -- all these are so<br />
sharply defined. Yet the object she clutches is not. There<br />
is no way to tell what it is…but I sense that I should know.”<br />
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The statue stands for weeks out in the December cold.<br />
He studies her daily as he drinks his morning coffee.<br />
It seems to speak to him, but the message remains untold.<br />
There is something there…what he simply cannot see.<br />
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The house is filled with family staying for the holiday.<br />
On Christmas morning, he gets out of bed at 6 a.m.<br />
Enjoying his coffee, the first rays of dawn in a strange way<br />
illuminate the garden statue. That is when he sees them.<br />
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The angel has her head held high, with a smile beaming.<br />
She holds in outstretched arms a boy child plain to see.<br />
Coffee spilling, he runs to the window, and stands looking<br />
with wonder when he hears the others clamoring for it to be<br />
<br />
time to see what Santa brought and to open presents for all.<br />
He calls, but no one is interested. He goes to tell them<br />
of the statue. Presents, presents, lavish ones, large and small,<br />
consume their interest. Chances of interesting them are slim.<br />
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He returns to the kitchen to gaze upon the statue once more.<br />
The angel stands head bowed, sad, appearing now as before.</span><br />
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<span name="myContent">Her Christmas Wish List</span><br />
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<span name="myContent"><span name="myContent">Her shabby clothes a size too small,<br />
the six-year-old girl is being subjected<br />
to disapproving looks. She cares not at all.<br />
To her talking with Santa, none has objected.<br />
<br />
The line to sit in Santa’s lap is quite long.<br />
This upscale mall is doing brisk business.<br />
Some parents whispering she doesn’t belong<br />
with their kids doesn’t dampen her eagerness.<br />
<br />
One after another, each recites their wish list<br />
to Santa. “I want a bike, a computer game,<br />
a TV for my room. I want … Now don’t miss<br />
anything on my list. I want …” Ever the same.<br />
<br />
The little girl’s turn has finally come.<br />
All smiles, she crawls into the big man’s lap.<br />
She talks softly to him. They talk until some<br />
mother, filled with modern holiday spirit, snaps<br />
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“Hurry up, Santa! Why are you giving her so<br />
much time?” Santa takes a list from her hand,<br />
kisses her cheek, sends her away smiling. “No<br />
more now. Santa’s on a break.” A security man,<br />
<br />
assigned to protect Santa, follows him into<br />
the break room. Tears are wetting Santa’s<br />
synthetic beard. “This is one list I intend to<br />
see filled! 'Gimme. Gimme' is the mantra <br />
<br />
"that I hear all day every day from child after child.<br />
This sweet girl lives in a homeless shelter downtown.<br />
Her list has winter clothes, a few toys to bring smiles<br />
to some kids who last year by Santa weren’t found.”<br />
<br />
The guard: “Were some new clothes for her one thing<br />
on her list?” “For herself she asked for absolutely nothing.”</span> </span><br />
<span name="myContent"><br /></span>
<span name="myContent"><br /></span>
<span name="myContent">Holiday Cheer to All!</span><br />
<span name="myContent"><br /></span>
<span name="myContent">Harry</span><br />
<span name="myContent"> </span>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-11637558891670211272013-05-25T21:35:00.001-05:002013-05-25T21:35:36.901-05:00Review of A Wandering Warrior by Hollywood Book ReviewsHollywood Book Reviews<br />4346 Willow Glen Street<br />Calabasas, CA 91302<br />(805) 440-1787<br />www.HollywoodBookReviews.com<br />
<br />Title: A Wandering Warrior<br />
Author: Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.<br />
Publisher: 4RV Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9852661-9-6, Pages: 212, Genre: Historical Fiction Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert, Hollywood Book Reviews, Date Review Completed: May 25, 2013<br />
<br />Author Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. takes readers on an action-filled excursion through life, as it was, in twelfth century England in his latest novel A Wandering Warrior. Mr. Gilleland is a lauded author and poet and A Wandering Warrior is his eighth published work. The novel centers on a soldier for hire - Thomas Beaumont. Thomas is young, handsome, fearless, loyal and a skilled warrior, who seeks to avenge the death of his older brother John which is what starts him on his adventure-filled journey across England.<br />
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As itinerant soldiers, Thomas and his brother John led nomadic lives moving from battle to battle fighting as temporary warriors for pay. It is during the course of a poorly strategized battle that Thomas is severely injured, barely survives his wounds and winds up far away from the scene of the battle. After a kind couple finds him close to death on his horse, they take him in and nurse him back to health. While on the road to search for his brother Thomas encounters a messenger, who was actually looking for any members of his family - the Beaumont family. The messenger carried the<br />unfortunate news of his brother’s brutal murder while in captivity, at the hands of High Sheriff Simon Mowbray of Thetford in Norfolk, which sends Thomas on a hell bent venture to Norfolk for revenge.<br />
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Along the route of his journey towards vengeance, Thomas encounters several fascinating characters, and situations leaving little room for dull moments in his life. Thomas learned from his life as a soldier, that bravery, and gallantry often caused him to become involved in situations that test repeatedly tested his mettle; including many impromptu, fierce battles as well as a bloody battle with the royal guard. Although always a considerable foe in battle, Thomas repeatedly comes close to death after his battles. In a few instances he is nursed back to health by the kindness of other commoners like him and one instance in particular leads him to a life lesson in love by virtue of his rehabilitation back to health by the daughter of the leader of a band of Travelers – the beautiful and determined Emalda. Eventually, Thomas does get to exact revenge on his brother’s murderer but it is what he learns and accomplishes along the way that brings his journey full circle.<br />
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Not being a big fan of historical fiction I did not expect for this book to be as engaging a read as it turned out to be. It was engrossing, thoroughly entertaining, a realistic representation of the time - period, with well-composed characters that are relateable, vividly detailed scenes - especially the fight battles and just an overall well told tale. I admire Harry E. Gilleland, Jr’s ability to write such a compelling story in A Wandering Warrior. I heartily recommend A Wandering Warrior to anyone looking for an absorbing read.Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-2364993354069500002013-05-22T02:20:00.000-05:002013-05-22T02:20:13.501-05:00Win a Free Copy of A Wandering Warrior<span class="blogtext"><br />Bookkaholics is hosting a Giveaway for A
Wandering Warrior at present. Why not check it out and enter to win one
of three copies to be given away: <a href="http://www.bookkaholic.com/a-wandering-warrior-book-giveaway-may-20-june-23/" target="blank">http://www.bookkaholic.com/a-wandering-warrior-book-giveaway-may-20-june-23/</a>
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<br />A Wandering Warrior is an action-adventure, historical fiction novel
set in late 12th century England. It follows the exploits of a commoner
itinerant soldier as he travels throughout the shires of England
seeking revenge, finding love, and engaging in battles.</span>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-29032432555833933402013-05-14T14:04:00.003-05:002013-05-14T14:04:55.281-05:00What's an Author to Do to Get Reviews?A Wandering Warrior, my new action-adventure, historical fiction novel set in late 12th century England was published by 4RV Publishing on 15 April 2013. Since then, I have been in marketing mode, trying to draw attention to and get reviews for my book. People say an author should not buy reviews because paid reviews are tainted somehow. Instead, it is supposedly better to send review copies out and/or solicit free reviews. Free reviews ARE nice. Good luck in getting them!<br />
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I sent out emails inquiring about obtaining a free review in exchange for a review copy of my book being mailed to them for free. On April 27th - 29th I emailed twenty-three book review blogs asking for a free review for my book. One of the twenty-three, one responded thus far after more than two weeks ... one out of twenty-three.<br />
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I sent emails on May 4th & 5th to Amazon.com top reviewers selected by their giving an email for contact and their book genres interest matching my book's genre. I contacted twenty-five reviewers requesting a review for my book. One responded so far with agreement to read the book for possible review ... one out of twenty-five. <br />
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Therefore, in seeking free reviews, I contacted a total of forty-eight blogs and Amazon reviewers, with a total of two responding after nine to seventeen days. It is no wonder that authors turn to paid reviews to get a number of reviews posted to Amazon and to Barnes & Noble.<br />
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Anyone interested in posting a free review to Amazon and/or B&N in return for receiving a free copy of A Wandering Warrior, please contact me at my email = hgilleland @ gmail.com (remove spaces).<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior">http://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Warrior-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0985266198/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366967763&sr=1-2&keywords=A+Wandering+Warrior</a><br />
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Cheers!<br />
<br />
HarryHarry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-31606639819545320442013-04-26T04:05:00.000-05:002013-04-26T04:05:59.540-05:00A Wandering Warrior in Goodreads Giveaway<div id="goodreadsGiveawayWidget51588">
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<br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17853175">A Wandering Warrior</a><br /> </h3>
<br /> <h4 style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 10px; padding: 0;">
<br /> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5996850.Harry_Gilleland" style="text-decoration: none;">Harry Gilleland</a><br /> </h4>
<br /><br /> <div class="giveaway_details">
<br /> <br /> Giveaway ends May 31, 2013.<br /> <br />
<br /> <br /> See the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/51588" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br /> at Goodreads.<br /> <br />
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<br />
Enter for your chance to win one of five copies being given away.<br />
<br />Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-75364383735164351092013-04-17T00:05:00.000-05:002013-04-17T00:05:43.867-05:00"A Wandering Warrior" Will Be Published SoonMy newest novel, <a href="http://www.gillelands.com/poetry/images/AWW_small.jpg">A Wandering Warrior,</a> has been uploaded to the printer and should be available soon. After I get a proof copy to approve, the book should become available in May. Please look for it then.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b>A Wandering Warrior</b> is an action-adventure,
historical fiction novel to please all readers. In twelfth-century England, a commoner and
itinerant soldier, Thomas Beaumont, travels to avenge the cruel slaughter of
his older brother while a captive after a battle lost. Along the way, he
encounters a band of Travelers and falls in love with the dark beauty, Emalda,
the leader’s daughter. In his future wanderings, he finds many adventures
involving battles, the rescue of two young ladies of nobility, the search for
his lost love, trials of honor by combat, tragedy, new love, and encounters </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">with knights and royalty. <b></b></span><br />
<br />Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-5833633652274008812013-04-04T23:59:00.000-05:002013-04-04T23:59:55.967-05:00Cover design for my newest bookHere is the<a href="http://www.gillelands.com/poetry/images/AWW_small.jpg"> cover </a>for my latest novel to be published in another month or so by 4RV Publishing. The novel is an action-adventure tale set in 12th century England. I'd appreciate your watching for its debut. It makes entertaining reading!<br />
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The cover is designed by Aidana Willowraven, who also designed the cover for my previous novel. Aidana does truly excellent work. <br />
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<br />Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-8790846931309182792013-01-09T00:47:00.000-06:002013-01-09T00:47:34.065-06:00Rusty Nail January, 2013 Issue has Two of My PoemsThe January, 2013 issue of the Rusty Nail magazine is now available. Two of my poems (All the Dancing Bears and Beast Within) are included on page 49. Check it out:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rusty-Nail-January-2013/dp/1481899341/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357713808&sr=1-9&keywords=rusty+nail">http://www.amazon.com/Rusty-Nail-January-2013/dp/1481899341/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357713808&sr=1-9&keywords=rusty+nail</a>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-49441291017316026692012-10-04T13:19:00.000-05:002012-10-04T13:19:39.934-05:00Two More Poems Accepted by The Rusty NailTwo more of my poems, "All the Dancing Bears" and "The Beast Within", have been accepted by The Rusty Nail Literary Magazine to be posted on-line and then printed in a later issue of the print magazine.<br />
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My first two poems accepted by them and already displayed on-line, "<span>Living With the Tiger<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">" and </span>"My Yesterdays", are now scheduled for publication in the October, 2012 issue of The Rusty Nail print magazine. </span><br />
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<span>I am pleased at having some of my poems published in their on-line and print versions of the magazine.</span><br />
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<span>Cheers!</span><br />
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<span>Harry </span><br />
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Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-11476431887112232342012-10-04T13:08:00.000-05:002012-10-04T13:08:41.296-05:00Aldric & Anneliese Wins Book Award<span class="userContent">Aldric & Anneliese, my action-adventure
novel published by 4RV Publishing in 2011, won a First Runner Up Award
in the Historical Fiction category for 2012 in the
Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) 2012 book awards,
announced at the MWSA conference last week (27 -29 September).<br /> <br /> I am both delighted and surprised at receiving this award.</span>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-7610165780951910962012-08-24T12:10:00.002-05:002012-08-24T12:10:44.623-05:00Two Poems in The Rusty Nail Literary MagazineThis week in the on-line The Rusty Nail Literary Magazine I had two poems featured -- Living With the Tiger and My Yesterdays. These two poems will also appear in an issue of the print version of The Rusty Nail in a couple more months.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rustynailmag.com/index.html#.UDe0P6Dl-Sp">http://www.rustynailmag.com/index.html#.UDe0P6Dl-Sp</a><a href="http://www.rustynailmag.com/index.html#.UDe0P6Dl-Sp">http://www.rustynailmag.com/index.html#.UDe0P6Dl-Sp</a>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-8231743084338227232012-07-28T16:50:00.001-05:002012-07-28T16:50:51.027-05:00MWSA 2012 Book Award NomineesToday started off well. I received word that my action-adventure, medieval-era novel entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aldric-Anneliese-Jr-Harry-Gilleland/dp/0982659407/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299221085&sr=1-1">"Aldric & Anneliese"</a> published in 2011 by 4RV Publishing is a nominee for the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) 2012 Book Award in the Historical Fiction category. I am quite pleased and appreciative.
See: <a href="See: http://www.mwsadispatches.com/node/1071">http://www.mwsadispatches.com/node/1071</a>Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5054394971471399775.post-83584697103279800432012-06-18T18:24:00.000-05:002012-06-18T18:24:15.181-05:00Aldric & Anneliese Received A Great Review!Fran McGraw, a reviewer at Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) and someone I had never encountered previously, gave my medieval action-adventure novel, Aldric & Anneliese, a fabulous review.
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A sampling: "You can find just about anything you’re looking for when you read this special story. If you want the thrill of victory on the battlefield, you’ll find it; if you want the gruesomeness of war, you’ll find it; if you want romance, intrigue, betrayal, tragedy, revenge, hopelessness, and ultimate redemption, you’ll find it. Aldric and Anneliese is a tale for young and old.
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... this great tale held me captive through to the end. I personally feel this item is good read to younger children, as a bedtime story, young adults venturing into reading for themselves, and adults as a light tale of true honor and integrity. There was no one part of the book I liked above the other, except for the morals and integrity listed within. Through action and word, Aldric is a prime example of a true friend, a great leader, and a person true to their word. Once it was over, I wanted more stories from this author. The tale was fast paced and one I couldn't put down. I felt transported back in time to a year where life was physically hard, and not always rewarding. Lessons learned often came at a high price. I would recommend this book to all readers. It is one that whisks you away into another world. It transports you through great imagery and action. A whole new adventure to be found. The author is very talented. I will be searching other books out from this author and adding them to my collection."
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Please go and read the full review at MWSA: <a href="http://www.mwsadispatches.com/node/1010">http://www.mwsadispatches.com/node/1010</a>
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I also want to thank Fran McGraw for her wonderful review. I truly appreciate it!Harry Gillelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699675008716378867noreply@blogger.com0