Storm Without End (Requiem for the Rift King) by RJ Blain @rj_blain #Fantasy #BookClub #TBR

“Be welcomed to the Spire of the Eternal, Breton, Guardian of the King. What do you seek?”

“Knowledge and advice,” he admitted, unable to stop from frowning. “Is Crysallis here?”

“My sister walks the world. I may be young, but perhaps I can help?” Asaleese cocked her head to the side. Without looking away from him, she reached up and threw back the hood of her cloak to reveal her short-cropped, black hair. “Come, and be as one of us for as long as you can.”

Breton shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out the pouch he’d taken from the corpses on the plains. “Do you know of the outsiders?”

“I did know of them. You will be pleased, I think, to learn that their voices do not pollute the song of our ancestors. One remains, but flees up the trails in fear of the one who follows. I feel for their horses, wretched though they might be. I do not think he will find them worthy.”

“He?”

Instead of replying, the witch gestured for him to follow. Stairs circled the entry niche’s walls to vanish through a hole far above.

Breton swallowed back a sigh and began to climb. “I haven’t seen Crysallis in quite a while.”

“She wanders far,” Asaleese replied.

“It seems like a rather contagious disease. I don’t suppose you have a cure for it, do you?” Breton asked in a dry tone.

“You’ve been keeping company with Maiten again, haven’t you?”

“Not for half a year or more. He’s in Mithrias.”

“He’ll be disappointed to learn of all of the excitement he has missed, then.” Asaleese guided him to the next level and sprawled on a stone bench covered with pillows. A thick carpet of furs covered the stone, and another bench lined the far wall. “Sit. Be comfortable. A drink? Perhaps I can tempt you with some Hessis for when we’ve finished talking about what has brought you up here.”

“I might be tempted,” Breton admitted, flashing the witch a smile. “It may be a while until we cross paths again.”

“Then allow me to give you a fitting farewell until we meet again. I, for one, will miss your skill in the spearing caves.” Asaleese sighed. “Do try not to get yourself killed chasing after that foal of yours.”

“And here I thought you’d miss me for other reasons,” Breton replied, feigning disappointment.

“We’ll discuss this at length — later. Surely that pouch isn’t all that brought you up the Eternal Spire?” The witch held out her hand. Breton dropped the pouch into her palm and sat on the floor beside her.

“It did, in part. What’s in it?”

“You haven’t opened it?”

Breton shook his head. “They had poisoned their weapons.”

“What do you think is within?”

“The Three Sisters,” Breton replied with a cringe. “I was hoping it wasn’t.”

“You’re wise not to open it then.” Asaleese slipped a finger under the string tying the pouch closed and opened it. Three sachets fell out into the palm of her other hand. “It seems your guess may have been correct.” Setting two of the smaller pouches aside, she opened the third and dipped her finger in. She lightly touched the white powder to the tip of her tongue. “Vellest. It seems it is as you feared.”

Kalen’s throne is his saddle, his crown is the dirt on his brow, and his right to rule is sealed in the blood that stains his hand. Few know the truth about the one-armed Rift King, and he prefers it that way. When people get too close to him, they either betray him or die. The Rift he rules cares nothing for the weak. More often than not, even the strong fail to survive.

When he’s abducted, his disappearance threatens to destroy his home, his people, and start a hopeless and bloody war. There are many who desire his death, and few who hope for his survival. With peace in the Six Kingdoms quickly crumbling, it falls on him to try to stop the conflict swiftly taking the entire continent by storm.

But something even more terrifying than the machinations of men has returned to the lands: The skreed. They haven’t been seen for a thousand years, and even the true power of the Rift King might not be enough to save his people — and the world — from destruction.

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Genre - Fantasy

Rating – PG - 13

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Brandon Overall on Self-Doubts & Fear #AmWriting #AmReading #SciFi

Tell us a bit about your family.

-I’m currently not married, but I am close to my parents and my little brother, Scotty.  The rest of my family lives in Michigan, but I’m currently living in Augusta, Georgia.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

-Doubt is one of the most dangerous emotions for someone trying to make progress on anything in life, because it is a negative spiral that makes things worse as you continue to doubt yourself more.  When you are stressed out or afraid of something, just remember this: If you can do something to fix it, then fix it.  If you can’t do anything to fix it, then there’s no sense worrying about something outside of your control.

What scares you the most?

-Failure.  I take failure extremely hard, but I always take lessons away and don’t make the same mistakes twice.

What makes you happiest?

-Working out and playing video games.  The whole day seems to go by a lot better if I lifted weights that morning, and video games are just my favorite way to spend my free time.  I can never get enough time to play games.

What’s your greatest character strength?

-My time in the Army has given me a lot of confidence as a leader and I am a stronger person because of it.

What’s your weakest character trait?

-I worry too much about what other people think of me.

Why do you write?

-Writing, to me, is the ultimate way to bring a fantasy, thought, or idea to life.  Imagine going to a movie or reading a book where your thoughts guided what happens on the screen or on the pages.  You can decide how the story will play out, but even then, it’s still a surprise to you.  It’s kind of like dreaming while you are awake.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

-I’ve always enjoyed it, but for some reason I haven’t actually taken it up as a hobby until recently.

What motivates you to write?

-I want to create stories that other people will read and remember.  I want my writing to inspire thoughts in people that they would have never had otherwise.

What writing are you most proud of?

-So far the only thing I have written is my novel Superhuman Nature but I’m really happy with how it turned out! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGYIIPY

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

-I am most proud of following my dream and becoming an Officer in the Army.  It took a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it.  My life is exactly where I want it right now.

Superhuman Nature is Brandon Overall's first novel. It was written and published during his first deployment to Afghanistan as a 2nd Lieutenant in late 2013.

Neil Hitchens was a senior ROTC Cadet in college. He was just weeks away from graduating and becoming an Officer in the United States Army, until a strange dream set off a chain of events that would twist his life into something he could have never prepared for.

In the days following his dream, several strange happenings occurred that he began to suspect were the result of his own actions. Before long, he discovered that he had the ability to control the world around him with his mind.

What started out as an unpredictable ability quickly evolved into an extraordinary power that had the capacity to change the world. It didn't take long for the government to find out what Neil could do.

They knew having such limitless potential on the side of the US Military could give them limitless political influence, and they would stop at nothing to get Neil to do their bidding. They would find out what happens when you back a dangerous animal into a corner.

Neil spent his whole life believing he would amount to greatness, but he never expected how greatness could corrupt even the most innocent of minds.

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Genre – Science Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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Bryan Taylor (The Three Sisters) on Marketing that Works #humor #satire #comedy

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

It would definitely be marketing.  Writing is the easy part.  Getting published is easy if you choose to self-publish as I did.  So that leaves marketing.  As any author knows, the most difficult part is getting people to know about your book.  My experience has been that once they read the book, they love it, but how do you get them to dive in? That is the million-dollar question.

What marketing works for you?

I’m not sure what works because I haven’t been able to see a clear correlation between marketing and sales.  The most effective way is probably blogging, either on my own website or through guest blogs and virtual book tours. To be successful, you have to be part of the book community, and that requires time and connections.  If you have a full-time job outside of the book community, it is difficult to achieve this.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

Yes, friends and family are supportive.  They have helped to spread the word about my book whenever they can.

Do you plan to publish more books?

Yes, although it may be in different areas than The Three Sisters.  I plan on putting together a book on scandals in the stock market, and may put together a series of short stories related to The Three Sisters.  At some point I would like to write a sequel to The Three Sisters, but I haven’t begun that yet.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

I have been a professor in college, for twenty years, and I have worked as an Economist overseeing the organization of financial data for Global Financial Data. Obviously, neither of these have anything to do with nuns, but that may help to explain the roles of Victor Virga and Father Novak in The Three Sisters.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

It would be where I live now, in southern California.  The weather can’t be beat, and Southern California has the best theater in the country, both through small and large theaters.  I live where I would want to live.

Tell us about your family?

I am an only child.  This gave me more time to read, and I took advantage of it. My parents got divorced when I was twelve, and I ended up living with my dad.  He always pushed me to be successful and always supported me in what I did, so that helped.  Also, he was a preacher, and both my grandparents were preachers, and that is where my religious rebellion comes from. I have never married and have no children.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

I always write on my lap top.  Sometimes I will print out what I have written and write on the paper to reinsert into the electronic version since there are things you can see on paper you can’t see on the computer, but 90% of the time it is on the lap top.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

It would be getting people to read my novel and knowing that my book is recognized as the funniest book about nuns ever written.

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?

The main marketing is through social media.  I have a website to promote the book, www.threesistersnovel.com. The website includes not only information about the book and characters, but a blog and new short stories.  I have Facebook and Pinterest pages where I put up cartoons and other visuals relating to nuns.  I have put together three virtual book tours, and I have done a Goodreads Giveaway.  I encourage people to read my blogs, visit my Facebook page, and tell others about The Three Sisters.  For someone like me who has a full-time job, this works since I wouldn’t be able to take off the time for a physical book tour, assuming I would want to endure one.  The problem is this doesn’t get me in physical contact with people.  That is the best way to sell a book, but doing everything virtually, unfortunately, precludes that.

Nuns just want to have fun! But when three former Catholic nuns have too much fun and get in trouble with the law, they become nuns on the run.

Driving back to Washington D.C. where they work at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Parts, the three sisters are arrested in Tennessee. After defeating the local deputy in strip poker, they escape from jail, and are pursued by the zealous Detective Schmuck Hole, who has personally offered a $10,000 reward for their capture on The 700 Club. Little do they know that when the three sisters visit the Washington Monument, their lives will change forever.

Set in 1979, The Three Sisters is a sacrilegious satire that skewers not only organized religion, but the government, the media, intellectuals, corporate greed and every other part of the establishment. Maybe not the greatest story ever told, but possibly the funniest.

Buy @ Amazon

Genre – Humor, Satire, Catholicism, Politics

Rating – R

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Website www.threesistersnovel.com

Author Interview - Di Worrall @DiWorrall

What book should everybody read at least once?

All leaders should read Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”

Are there any books you really don’t enjoy?

Historical Novels

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

Marketing

What marketing works for you?

A mix of different channels across the digital spectrum. The OB tour is a great way to connect with people who are specifically interested in the things I write about such as leadership, HR Organisational Development, business transformation and change

Do you find it hard to share your work?

Not at all

Accountability Leadership Saves Tech Company

In 2005, HCL Technologies was in trouble.

The Delhi-based IT firm was losing market share, as competitors grew by 50% annually.

By 2009, HCL’s president, Vineet Nayar had turned the company around, nearly tripling annual revenues and doubling market capitalisation despite the recession.

Nayar accomplished all this through a top-down culture of accountability, beginning with the leadership qualities of himself—the CEO—and other senior managers.

The Rules Of Accountability Have Changed

Great business leaders understand that acceptance of greater personal accountability and responsibility leads organisations back on the path to success.

But with the evolving nature of 21st century business, the practical steps that go into creating a high performance culture of accountability have become more muddled than ever.

Many organisations have seen temporary improvements, implementing traditional systems of accountability in an attempt to drive high performance in the workplace—only to quickly revert back to their old ways, or worse.

Accountability Leadership Will Teach You:

• What it really takes to lead a high performance culture of accountability
• Why so many of today’s employees avoid personal accountability and responsibility like the plague, and how to reverse that trend
• How to sustain great performance through inspiring feedback, feed-forward and follow-through
• What an accountability plan is, how to create one, and why it’s considered the “secret weapon” behind successful business transformation

Filled with real world case studies and straightforward, easy to digest research, Accountability Leadership offers practical solutions that are direct, engaging, fast, cost-effective, proven, and easy to implement…

Immediate, Concrete Solutions You’ll Take Away From This Book Include:

• How to transform the “dark side” of accountability into a positive force for change
• Why carrots and sticks no longer work—and what they’ve been replaced with
• How to create compelling consequences that inspire people to perform at their best, and achieve the ultra productive workstate known as “flow”
• Crack the code of high accountability conversations, turning confrontation into a productive and positive opportunity

Accountability Leadership Also Sheds Light On Topics Like…

• How negativity bias covertly sabotages your feedback loop with your employees
• The optimal ratio for positive to negative comments in feedback
• The right amount of autonomy to give employees—without overdoing it
• What lack of recognition is really doing to your workforce (hint: it’s staggering)
• The surprising biochemical effect of praise, and why it cannot fail

Plus, You’ll Also Receive A Special Bonus

Reader’s can claim an exclusive 20-minute podcast interview with top-rated thought leader Marshall Goldsmith, sharing his powerful experiences and groundbreaking ideas on coaching for accountability leadership—absolutely free.

A Personal Message From The Author

Accountability is arguably the number-one issue that makes or breaks leadership performance today. Yet most of us were never taught this critical skill—not by our parents, teachers or business leaders.

The good news is, accountability can be coached.

The ideas in this book draw from extensive research and 25 years experience working with executives to improve performance through high accountability.

These ideas work.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Business, Leadership, Workplace Behaviour, Human Resources, Executive Coaching

Rating – PG

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Connect with Di Worrall on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.diworrall.com.au/

Jack Canon's Women of the House: Love, Lust & Loyalty by @GregSandora #Romance #Thriller

 "You’d be like the Pied Piper of sex appeal." He answered, his eyes glued to Sandy’s milky white thighs. 

"Thanks, Tip, I guess that’s a compliment –right?"

Tip was looking like he wanted to ask her a question.

"Tip, is there something on your mind," Sandy asked, being nice.

"I wanted to ask you…I mean see if you would tell me, why I have so much trouble…"

"With women?" Finishing his question, stating the obvious.

"This should be good," I said, handing Sandy my card, "Get something nice for you, too."

"Tip, you watching? – Jack knows how to treat a woman. It’s a wonder you haven’t picked up anything—being around him all this time."

"I just thought he had some sort of special charisma or something I don’t." Tip answered.

"Well you're right about the charisma, but really there’s something else – and I think it would help, but you’ve got to be honest."

"What," Tip asked anxiously—genuinely wanting pointers.

"The first time I met Jack, he didn’t mention he was a Senator. I walked into an old mattress store – not knowing what I was going to find—Jack looked into my eyes… like an equal. Sure, since then he’s put me on a pedestal, but let me ask you, Tip. What’s the first thing you see when you look at a woman? Be brutally honest – just this once, I won’t mind. "

"I don’t know – it’s different every time, I usually focus on something that catches my eye—like boobs, hair, legs –Tip explained like he’d be getting extra credit for being thorough.

Sandy shook her head, "It’s worse than I thought. You know what I felt the first time Jack looked at me?"

"What?" Tip asked, curious.

"Like… he saw me – as a person – a whole person, not just an object."

"Tip, when I look at a woman as parts it’s intimidating for me, too." I said, trying to make him feel better.

Sandy crossed her leg and starting rolling her ankle, "Tip, what do you see when you look at me?"

"You want me to be honest?"

"Of course—I can’t help you if you’re not."

"Well today I noticed your hips, but I always love your soft doe face."

Sandy looked puzzled, "Soft doe face? What is that?"

"He means you have a very feminine pretty face – there’s no hardness in it."

Tip added, "The women I see usually have rougher facial features."

"Where are you meeting these girls, Tip?"

"Strip clubs mostly."

"That’s nasty Tip! Ewe!"

"Beautiful woman are intimidating – at the clubs the girls are really friendly, easy going."

"They’re friendly because it’s their job – they’re easy because you’re paying them—would you want to marry a girl from one of your clubs?"

"No, but I feel comfortable. I know it’s a job."

"Gross, Tip, that’s so sad."

"A lot of agents have trouble meeting women."

"You need some serious help!" Sandy sounded like a concerned sister.

I coaxed, "He needs a good woman, – do you think you could introduce him to one of your girlfriends?"

"I’d really appreciate any advice you could give me, Sandy." Tip was sincere.

"Tip’s not ready for one of my friends – seriously the girls I know are very needy emotionally – he’d be lost."

Trying to help persuade her, "So, you’re basically resigning him to a life of strip clubs and hookers?"
Sandy looked at me wide-eyed, raising her eyebrows, "Crude, Jack, you’re enjoying this aren’t you." She turned to Tip, "You’re a good man, – you deserve to be happy. Tell me Tip, what do you think women want?"

"I don’t really know – I guess – to be made happy?"

"So how would you do it then – make a girl happy that is?"

"Agree with her, make her feel important, give her things I guess."

"That’s a start, but a woman needs so much more. She wants someone who can share in her emotions without being swallowed up by them. A man who will take his time with her and make time for her—She doesn’t want to be rushed, but still likes spontaneity and excitement. She wants to feel like your equal and be respected for what she brings to the relationship. And, I’m just scratching the surface here."

"Men…do all this?"

"Some do—Jack does this stuff—he’s kind… caring—he listens. Jack enjoys what women are all about—He looks with great passion. Tip,—she wants to know that you’re desirable to other women and she didn’t just get stuck with you."

"What about…?" Tip stopped himself, embarrassed.

"The bedroom...She’ll forgive you. Don’t worry she’ll follow your lead. Just don’t make her feel bad by talking about it later. That’s the one place you can sort of be yourself...I can’t believe I’m saying this—the poor thing …take it slow."

"Are there classes?"

"A good woman will teach you."

"Did Jack know all this?"

"Are you kidding? All he had was a smile when I met him – and a wandering eye. It’s taken me years of subtle clues and hints to train him."

"Some not so subtle," I said, poking fun.

"She wants a friend – but not a guy that makes her feel responsible to make the first move or like she’s a locker room pal."

Tip looked puzzled, "I’m lost."

"Jack, just for fun – tell Tip what you’re really thinking… right now."

"You’re serious –now? No holds barred – what I’m really thinking?"

"Yes, something you’d normally never share with me."

Tip chuckled, "This oughta be good."

"Before you do… let me guess." Sandy squinted and looked up to the left then to the right –

"Something about my panties?"

"Close—what was left of those cutoffs you were wearing that day by the lake."

"I was really close then. Tip, what did you think Jack was thinking?"

"I would have said World peace – you know to make you happy."

"Coward- okay tell the truth what are you thinking right now?"

"The truth… really? – what it would be like – you know…if you were my girlfriend." Sandy rolled her eyes, pursing her lips.

"Not going to happen- but I’ll help. We just have to start really slow."

"Jack gets to say what’s on his mind and you’re okay with it?"

"There’s a lot of trust built up that you and I don’t share. Stop whining – that’s a deal killer for sure."

"You asked though. I thought you wanted honesty?"

"Sometimes…oh forget it…"

Tip cut her off, "Am I a lost cause then?"

"No, I didn’t say…don’t feel like that – we’ve got something to work with. You’re good looking – dangerous – you might be a girl’s worst mistake, at least for the first few, but you’ll learn as you go."

"So will you set me up with one of your friends? One who looks most like you—preferably?"

"Sweet, Tip…, but wrong. Not when you don’t understand the first thing about a woman. They’d thank me at first, but you wouldn’t last two weeks with one of my friends – try to imagine flying too close to a super nova. They’d burn you up and drag you into an emotional black hole. You’d never escape!"

"I can keep a woman safe, at least."

"Of course you can. A woman wants to feel safe, understood, but she also wants a man that isn’t afraid of her -someone who can be honest. Tell her the truth once in a while. Then grab her and make love without asking. A woman wants to live the full range—she wants you to be able to feel her emotions with her – from misery to elation. Can you do that?"

"I can try."

"That-a-boy, let’s go out sometime and find you someone suitable. A starter girlfriend."

"That will be great, are you free tonight?"

"Tonight? I guess so – you don’t need for anything, do you, Jack?"

"No I’m good – take him out – it’s on me." I was happy to make the offer. Sandy would have a project and I wouldn’t feel guilty about leaving her behind.

"We’ll find you a girl with a doe face. You’ll have to show me – but once I know – I’m sure we can find you one. If that’s what you want."

"Really? This will be great. Sandy, I’ll owe you!"

"You’ll owe me big time!"

Two months have passed since the long awaited inauguration of the New President of the United States - Jack Canon. Now he must live up to his promises. The World is wounded, people are hurting, the new President must keep the country afloat. Jack leads a very full life - The first couple's relationship is hot with passion, but he can never admit that to Sandy, his best friend who is also head over heels in love with him. The Women of the House provide a welcome distraction while helping with the arduous task of running the country.

As President Jack must make tough decisions: Global Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Korea on the brink of war, all while thwarting International Greed. Women of the House is a story of noble sacrifice at extremely high cost. Who's going to be the first to be strong enough and willing to pay? It's not all work in Women of the House - Think the Wedding of the Decade meets the Crime of the Century.

Jack Canon's Women of the House, is a story filled with Love, Lust, and Loyalty where passions can run wild! In Sandora's monumental sequel, patriotism and valor mingle with an undying love that refuses to quit. Ride along as Jack Canon fights back against the most evil people on the planet. Readers are sure to embrace this unforgettable tale which will appeal to fans of political adventure, suspense and romance alike. Jack Canon's Women of the House is a story of kindness, passion and courage that can't be separated.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Romantic Thriller

Rating – PG-13

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