99 cents sale on Kindle: Three of my books

I have reduced the Kindle price of three of my books to only 99 cents! That's a real bargain any way you look at it. All that great reading for only 99 cents each. Please check it out, and buy yourself some cheap but good reading:

Bob the Dragon Slayer, a witty fantasy novella.

White Lightning Road, a contemporary romance novel.

Gilleland Poetry: Storoems and Poems, a collection of my fabulous poetry.

The Spirit of the Season Catalog

Greetings, All ~

I just now returned home tonight from a holiday trip to my father's in Macon, Ga, to my sister-in-law's & her family in Clemmons, NC, to my oldest son's (Geoffrey) & his family (3 of my 5 grandkids)in Rock Hill, SC, back to Pop's in Macon, & finally the 675 miles home to Shreveport today...a long 12-hour drive in the rain. Arriving home exhausted, I was delighted to find "The Spirit of the Season Catalog" has now been released on-line. I have five books in this catalog: three in the Poetry book section, one in Fantasy, and one in Romance. Check it out:

www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com

This on-line catalog offers a life-enriching shopping experience and features bestselling books, unusual and personally empowering, self enriching products and services in a varied collection from amazing authors, coaches, gurus and mentors...and ME.

You’ll find gifts in the Spirit of the Season Catalog in the following categories: art, inspirational, motivational, business opps, success & wealth building, health and energy healing, Law of Attraction workshops, intuitive healing, all genres of fiction and a variety of non-fiction to empowering products that will light anyone’s life and .... MY BOOKS!

Please check out this catalog ... And MY BOOKS. Then please share the catalog with your friends, family and contacts! Thanks so much.


http://www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com


Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season.

Cheers to all and to all a good night!

Harry

Write-up in my local newspaper

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903180314

The Shreveport Times' Wednesday magazine supplement which is distributed throughout the neighborhoods located in the southeastern area of Shreveport, LA, (my hometown) is called Southeast Voices. It reaches about 40,000 readers out of Shreveport-Bossier City's total population of about 240,000. Today it has a feature article about me and my poetry. (link above)

Meet Author Mark Bradley

My guest author for March is Mark Christopher Bradley, age 27, an aspiring writer from Baltimore, Maryland, where he is currently studying as an English major in pursuit of a career as a writing teacher. Since high school Mark had delved in writing poetry. Having taken a Creative Writing class in his junior year, Mark's imagination was fueled with inspiration as he began launching a barrage of poems from heart and soul, taken from the experiences of his life. Since 2002, Mark has posted his writing online and received reviews and comments about it at Writing.com. Mark has published two books of his poetry to date, his first being "A Parody of Myself" in January 2003, followed by "Writing Poems in the Rain" in May 2007. He is currently working on two novels as well and seeking publication of several of his short stories.

Q&A:

How did you come up with the title "Writing Poems in the Rain"?

That is the title of one of the poems in the book. I thought it would make a nice presentation as to what the book is (poetry) as well as hint at one of the common themes in the book. The rain inspires me, so it comes up quite a bit throughout the book.


Tell us more about your book of poetry "Writing Poems in the Rain". You write about so many topics. How did you decide which poems to put in the book?

I wanted to put a little bit of everything in there to show the different facets of my writing. Some people stick to one subject or style, which works for them, but for me I don’t limit myself to what I write about. I also do this so that my readers can find something in particular they like.


What made you decide to self-publish your two books of poetry?

I knew that the poetry market is harder to get into by means of traditional publishers. I had no experience as far as literary magazines or journals, so I thought that I could use self-publishing as the first rung of the publishing ladder. It would get my name out there, at least, and give me a chance to start a fan base.


Do you write in other genres as well? Any other projects you want to share with us?

I’m getting more into fiction writing now, and my favorite genres are fantasy and other forms of speculative fiction. I’m currently writing a fantasy novel, as well as several short stories in various genres that I would like to put into a compilation.


Examples of Mark Bradley’s Poetry:

I Lost My Appetite
copyright 2008 Mark C. Bradley

No words have been spoken,
since the waiter left our table,
but among the din of
forks and knives clattering against plates
and the silence between,
an entire conversation ensues.
Her foot whispers to my ankle,
asking it to pass along a message to my hand
so it would sneak under the table to return the favor.
She must be drowsy;
her eyelashes keep fluttering, and
she leans into her hand, gazing at me,
dream-like, as when I first met her years ago.
The sauce from her pasta must be sticking to her lips,
for she licks them every so often,
so I hand her a napkin,
not looking her back in the eye.
She tugs her neckline downward, her face aflush.
The candles are giving off too much heat,
so I douse them with my spoon.
The air reeks of burnt wax.
I need some fresh air,
so I drop my napkin onto my plate and
leave my wife alone.


It Was Written
copyright 2007 Mark C. Bradley

Fifty eight thousand, twenty two names
That's over a hundred thousand words,
enough to write a novel,
yet never enough to tell the stories
of the ones who died there in Vietnam.
The book spread open for all to see,
etched in black granite,
written in blood and tears.
My fingers span the shiny pages,
drawing me closer to the many
faceless authors unknown to me.
They will not be forgotten.
They are the enduring characters,
protagonists forever engraved in our hearts
and reflected in the storybook of our history.

The Last Chivalrist
copyright 2006 Mark C. Bradley

Nobody ever throws their coat
over a puddle anymore,
nor do moonlit serenades reach a woman's ear.
Who champions a lady and defends her honor now?
The armor, kept long locked away
in closets hidden from sight,
doesn't shine like it used to.
Besides, maidens don't like to see tarnish anyway,
so I go off to rescue my damsel
in plain clothes, unlike the suitors that woo her
with their fancy vestments and shiny adornments.
I know the real valor lies in the heart underneath
where true chivalry is not dead after all.


Firefly
copyright 2006 Mark C. Bradley

On a sultry summer evening,
in a field of clover,
I went catching fireflies.
Like collecting dreams in a jar,
I chased the glows in the night.
As I caught one in midflight,
the firefly illuminated the jar,
and I watched, dazzled by its mystery
and its love of light.
But I would not hold on for long,
or the dream would soon fade
into the darkness of memory.

Check out Mark’s blog site: http://aparodyofmyself.blogspot.com

My next post in a few days will highlight Mark Bradley's latest poetry book, "Writing Poems in the Rain". Please drop back by and check out his book.

Cheers!

Harry

New Review for White Lightning Road

A new review for my contemporary romance novel, White Lightning Road, was posted today by Shannon Yarbrough at Lulu.com at the WLR page ( http://www.lulu.com/content/261801 ),as well at the Lulu Book Review blog ( http://lulubookreview.com/ ). Shannon enjoyed the read!

Cheers!

Harry

Reviews of Storm, Joyce Anthony's Book

A. What a breath of fresh air this book is! In an age when “God” has become a four letter word, and in a contemporary society that by and large considers all things Biblical to be babble, author Joyce Anthony brings us home to all things spiritual and meaningful with this charming and insightful story. Her boldness of faith is evident throughout and admirable. Also impressive as I read “Storm” was her depth of understanding of human nature, psychology and spiritual condition.

As a literary work “Storm” is well crafted; Anthony is definitely a gifted writer who can capture you and transport you into the sights, sounds, smells, feelings and aura of a different world and make you feel as if you really know the characters involved. I don’t want to spoil the fun for potential readers, so I will not divulge the plot. However, I will tease you with this: it is the greatest true story ever re-told before it comes true.

Plan on a few hours of uninterrupted trance-like reading, you won’t want to do anything else except keep turning the pages once you’ve started. Get ready to examine yourself, our society, and our world as it relates to its’ creator. There are many sad truths in this book. But in the end, the truth will set you free.

Review written by: Marvin D. Wilson, author of “I Romanced the Stone” http://www.rockofallages.com/

***

B. The title belies the depth of this book. From the opening sequence to the final lightning bolt flash finish, Joyce Anthony keeps you riveted to your seat. Storm will permeate your very soul to a depth you never knew you had. Do not underestimate this book by its size. Ms Anthony unleashes more energy than any supernova. Storm will flood your emotions in biblical proportion. God lives through the hands of the angel that wrote this. You do not read Storm so much as you feel it. It is a book written in reverse. The thunderous opening builds and envelopes the reader until the stark brilliance of lightning burns the meaning into your every pore.
Review by Ron Berry, author of Journey into the Surreal http://www.rberrysurrealhumor.com/

***

C. Once in a while a book crosses a reader's path that changes their life. For me, that book was Norman Vincent Peale's Power of Positive Thinking. Inspirational non-fiction books often are credited with doing that.

But now, a new book is on the horizon. It is the debut novel by Joyce Anthony, entitled simply Storm. Storm is a mysterious person who comes into the life of Sam, an old bachelor who raises him. When Sam dies, he leaves Storm with the message that there is a great job for him to do, but he doesn't fill in any of the blanks.

As Storm seeks the purpose of his life on earth, he crosses paths with many troubled people, and Storm deals with each one in a most unique way. He is soon joined by a strange dog, Maggie, whose amethyst eyes are as piercing as Storm's.

This book will not leave you alone. It will fill you with passion, compassion, faith and a zest for life unequal to anything you have ever imagined. And the end? I don't want to spoil it for you, but you will never look at anything the same way again.

This is a must read for readers of all ages. To miss it is to ignore the best book you will probably ever read.

Review by Janet Elaine Smith, author http://janet_elaine_smith0.tripod.com/

***

D. It is one awesome book for sure! After reading and evaluating the manuscript for possible acceptance at Star Publish LLC, I couldn't get it off my mind. I even dreamed about it. It won't let go of me.

Kristie Leigh Maguire, owner Star Publish LLC
http://starpublish.com/

***

E. Storms are bringers of many things; Winds that rip the sea apart, dark skies that foretell danger, limbs ripped from trees and rain that pummels down all around us. But what if a storm brought something else all together? What if a storm brought something that would change your life?
This is what happens to Sam. A lighthouse keeper, he takes his job seriously. He is the last thing between a ship and the rocks of the coast. Playing solitaire as a fierce storm rages outside his lighthouse, he is thankful that he is safe inside. What he does not know, however, is that his life is about to change forever.

Going outside the next morning to survey the damage, Sam comes upon a wicker basket. Inside is a baby that stares at Sam with eyes that are wise beyond their years. Sam wonders how anyone could have gotten the child onto the island; they are surrounded by nothing but water, clam now that the storm had passed.

Deciding to take care of the baby, he calls the child Storm, naming him after what brought him to the island in the first place. Thirty three years later, Storm rests by Sam’s side as he lies dying. No matter what Storm does, Sam is not comfortable. A chill has invaded his bones and he knows he is not long for the world.

Knowing this, Sam tells Storm that he is meant for great things. “Follow the railway tracks and seek the whirling rainbow. There you will find what you are meant to be.”

After Sam’s death, Storm finds himself in a small town where he hears a voice in a dream telling him that he must find his destiny. He finds the railway tracks that Sam spoke of and soon meets a pure white dog with amethyst eyes. When the dog leads Storm to a battered woman by the train tracks, Storm has no idea that he has found his destiny.

The dog with the amethyst eyes leads him down a path that will change his life forever and will challenge everything he knows. And Storm must rely on all of his strength if he is to help others and to survive…

This was one incredible read. From the first words, I knew I was in for a literary treat. After reading the first chapter, I knew I was in for a life changing experience. Rarely does a book come along that speaks to me so clearly, so beautifully and I was blown away by the beauty of Storm.

Part parable, part fantasy, party mystery, part spiritual quest, Storm is unlike anything you have read or will read. Ever. I can’t even come close to describing the beauty and depth of this novel, the sheer gorgeousness of it. I am still haunted by this novel, thinking of it, dreaming of it. You will find yourself thinking of this book well after you have turned the last page.

What I love most about this book is the story. It’s so simple yet it manages to touch on every emotion you can name. I laughed and cried while reading this novel. It’s written with such a depth that it’s hard to believe this is Anthony’s first novel; she writes with a maturity of a seasoned writer and the beauty of her words is breathtaking.

Even though there is a spiritual message in this book, it doesn’t hit you over the head. Storm makes you think and it makes you feel and that is the true power of a book. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so affected by a novel, so moved by words I’ve read.

This is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure to read. I can’t get Storm or those amethyst eyes out of my head and I don’t think I’ll ever want to. Storm helps reshape how you look at the world, how you look at others and, perhaps most importantly, how you look at yourself.

Storm is an enchanting work that I will read again and again for years to come.

The Book Pedler

http://thebookpedler.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/storm-by-joyce-a-anthony/

***

F. As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Storm". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try.
Tommy Taylor
Author, Second Virgin Birth

http://www.secondvirginbirth.com/

***

G. Do you know who you are, what makes you tick? Do you recall what it was like when you came face-to-face with the real you? Does your life have a purpose? Why do you exist? What—or who—lives within you?

Joyce A. Anthony has striven to present a story that she hopes will inspire you to ask questions, to dig deep into your soul and understand who you are, why you are, and what your existence can and does contribute to the human story. While it does fall under the Christian fantasy genre, there are various ways to interpret the story, if indeed you need to interpret it or if you are satisfied just with a good read. It is both.

Storm, published POD (print on demand) by Star Publish, is Anthony’s first novel with a prologue so intense that you won’t want to put the book down. The questions come at you and remain with you long after you reach the intense conclusion and close the back cover. Who is Storm? How did a baby in a basket end up near the lighthouse on the beach of a lonely island? Who was this child? A better question is WHAT was this child? And what can be the impact of one life on a whole world?

It is not every day that a first novel is published. Anthony struggled over the writing of the book for well over a year to write the story the way it needed to be written. Though she said she never could figure out specifically who the audience is for Storm there are messages or effects for everyone, young or old and any age in between. Even if it causes the reader only to pause and question, it has accomplished what she set out to do.

The novel is not preachy. It is, however, thought-provoking. It doesn’t always go where you expect it to go. Even if you’re sitting and thinking that there must be more to the story on the one hand, on the other you may end up thinking about your own life path and where you have been, where you are going. If you read only one book this month, Storm may just be the one you will want to read, the one that will push you to accept who you are and the destiny that waits for you.
Cathy Brownfield, Senior Living Editor

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51096.asp.

***

H. If this one doesn't move your heart, nothing will, April 14, 2007
By Nina M. Osier (Augusta, ME USA)

Sam the lighthouse keeper names the baby Storm, because he finds the child cast up on the rocks in a great ocean storm's aftermath. Storm lives on the island, alone with his foster father, until Sam's death. Then, at 33, Storm takes the supply boat to the mainland for the first time. He knows in his heart, as well as from Sam's last words, that he has a destiny to fulfill. But he has no idea what that destiny may be, what he needs to do, or where he needs to go, in order to fulfill it.

I can best describe Joyce Anthony's first book as a modern-day Pilgrim's Progress, although this allegory takes the form of a page-turning contemporary novel. Storm, the innocent in a world he doesn't know - the stranger in a strange land - struggles with questions and feelings familiar to all humans. His story ends as it inevitably must, but until its final scene the reader can't be sure about what will happen despite Anthony's foreshadowing.

The Vietnam veteran's chapter left me blinking back tears. If this book doesn't move your heart, I don't know what possibly could.
http://www.geocities.com/nina_osier/

***
I. Storm, By Joyce Anthony
Reviewed by Billie A Williams

I don't know what I can say about Storm and Joyce Anthony that hasn't already been said. Anthony's characters are rich with detail, living breathing normal folks in every day situations laced with the problems of life, rescued by faith in themselves and a higher power they come to know, as the reader is led from page through page.

With a Moses-like beginning Storm and then Maggie, Anthony's characters, address each situation they encounter with wisdom and empathy. You may not like all the people you meet in Storm, but you are almost certain to know at least one of them.

There are no guaranties in life, but in reading Anthony's Storm you are guaranteed food for thought and reason to hope. Is Anthony a seer, a prophet or does she just have a knack for finding the deepest meanings and bringing that to you via her story telling? You be your own judge. Read Storm, you won't be left without an opinion about its message.

http://www.billiewilliams.com/

****

Why not check out "Storm" by Joyce Anthony for yourself?

Cheers!

Harry

About Joyce Anthony's Book "Storm"

Joyce Anthony’s “Storm”:

Who he is and why he's here is a mystery, even to Storm...a mystery that can only be solved within the whirling rainbow. As he searches for answers, he touches the lives of society's forgotten people, and he changes their lives and heals their souls. When he finds the answer to his identity, nobody is left untouched and the world is changed forever. Upon closing the covers of this book, you will see the world around you in a far different light and find yourself wondering: Is it really fiction? Is it only a fantasy--or is it real?

Book Details:
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Star Publish (March 3, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932993746
ISBN-13: 978-1932993745
Book Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.8 x 0.7 inches
Amazon Link: http://www.storm.2freedom.com/

View “Storm” Trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCU-D9W72E4

News Flash! Dianne Sagan Signs Publishing Contract...

http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com Breaking News...

Dianne Sagan signed a publishing contract this morning, December 3, 2008, for the first in a series of novellas – Rebekah Redeemed. The ink is barely dry on her signature. She doesn’t even have a cover or ISBN yet, but those are coming.

Rebekah Redeemed will be released after the first of the year, 2009. Watch her blog for release date. http://diannesagan.wordpress.com/

The daughter of a shepherd who saw the Christ child that first night, Rebekah is thrown into a life of servitude. Traded from relative to relative, she suffers through hard labor, neglect, and abuse. What will become of her? No one cares until a kinsman redeemer reveals himself.
Can Rebekah forgive the past?

Congratulations, Dianne! Way to go.

Coming Soon...

Starting in a few more days, I will be hosting another author every couple of weeks to introduce you to new authors whose books you would enjoy if you knew about them. This is called participating in a virtual book tour, somewhat like a book tour for an author in a brick and mortar bookstore except we do it on-line. So, be sure to check in regularly to learn about authors new to you. You will be glad you did!

Cheers!

Harry

New Links Added

I just finished adding three new links to other authors that you will want to check out. I also added a link to my personal poetry website. I hope you will take time to go to these various links over on the right side there because you'll find some wonderful authors whose books will interest you. Aren't you always looking for new books to read?

More Authors' Links Added

Two more links to other authors' sites are now added to Links List at right.
Please stop in and look around their sites. You might find books that are of great interest to you. Take a look!

Check Out These Authors' Links

I'm getting a lot of nervous energy building up waiting for the UGa-Fla football game in a couple more hours. Go 'Dawgs. I was trying to watch Auburn & Mississippi play their game, but....BORING. Neither has any offense.

So, I decided to update my blog with the links to some author friends who belong to a VBT group I've joined. Check out the links at the right-hand side of this page. You might find some great books you'd like to read. Come on, what have you got to lose by having a look-see?

Greetings & A Bit About Me

Welcome!
This is my first post. I am new to blogging. A bit about myself: I am a retired professor who taught meddies and grad students and performed vaccine research for 29 years at LSUHSC, School of Medicine in Shreveport, as a faculty member in the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology. After retiring in 2004, I have kept myself busy as a poet and author. I have self-published five books through Lulu Press (a POD press) thus far. Three are collections of my poetry: Poetry For The Common Man: Storoems and Poems (2003), Gilleland Poetry: Storoems and Poems (2005), and my most recent, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man (2008). I also published an action adventure fantasy novella, Bob the Dragon Slayer (2005) and a contemporary romance, White Lightning Road (2006). If you'd like, please check them out on Amazon.com. You don't have to be a poetry reader normally to enjoy my poetry. Plus poetry books make a great gift!

Saturday I am pulling for the 'Dawgs to kick some Gator butts.

Tuesday I am pulling for Obama to kick some Republican asses. Maybe then they can put Rove, Cheney, Bush, and the rest of those lying, cheating, arrogant bastards in jail where they all belong for what they have done to America while enriching themselves.

Enough for now.

Have a Happy Halloween!