Book Blast: The Newstead Project

The Newstead Project

the giant.

Joel Cranston shouldn’t exist. He just doesn’t know that yet. He’s lived a pretty normal life for the last sixteen years. If you consider being almost seven feet tall and good at about every sport you’ve ever played normal. Normal ends the day Newstead shows up with an invitation to come to their school.

the school.

Newstead is a private high school in Central Vermont by the Green Mountains. It’s a great place to hide a few hundred people who shouldn’t exist while you train them to become tomorrow’s rulers, tomorrow’s dictators, tomorrow’s gods.

the unexpected.

Rachel Newell thinks she’s just passing through. She never stays any place more than four months and with Newstead so close to Weston, she has even more reason to make this her shortest stop ever. The last thing she expects is to have a reason to stay.

Together Rachel and Joel uncover the truth behind what is

the newstead project.

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Author Melanie Schulz

I live in Upstate New York with my husband and three children, where I’ve pretty much been planted my entire life. Which is fine, because it’s beautiful here. My only complaint is that most people assume that New York means NYC, which it doesn’t. There. I’ve done my part in exposing the truth. Truth. The truth is I’m not a writer; storyteller maybe, but not a writer. It wasn’t something I spent years dreaming of, or even what I went to school for. I’m a nurse. I love being a nurse. So why write? I don’t know. I do know when it started, though. September 3, 2010. I know this because I nature journal, and on that day Joel made it into my notes. I guess that’s fitting. Someone like him needed to be birthed out in the woods. If you were to meet me, and I hope someday you do, you would not connect me with this story. I’m a wife, a mother, a nurse. The person who wrote this should’ve been a guy, first off, secondly he should be some militaristic strategist; that’s who you’d expect to see if you were to come to a book signing, not me. But I’m there, in every line. So if I don’t have the good fortune to meet you in person, I hope to see you in THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT.

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Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/19/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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New Book: A Ton of Gold

We're diving into adventure and mystery this week with James Callan's new book, A Ton of Gold. 

"Can long forgotten, old folk tales affect the lives of people today? In A Ton of Gold, one certainly affected young, brilliant Crystal Moore.  Two people are killed, others threatened, a house burned and an office fire-bombed – all because of an old folk tale, greed and ignorance.  

On top of that, the man who nearly destroyed Crystal emotionally is coming back.  This time he can destroy her career.  She’ll need all the help she can get from a former bull rider, her streetwise housemate and her feisty 76 year-old grandmother." 

Praise for A Ton of Gold
 Your heart will go out to Crystal Moore, who must not only combat attacks on her only living relative, but must also figure out who her enemies are. And, at the heart of her struggle, there is the lure of a ton of gold. Callan draws genuine, sympathetic characters that pull you in… Jory Sherman author of The Baron Decision James Callan is a master at understanding human conflict and the raw emotions… In A Ton of Gold, he magically weaves a story in the midst of folk tales and murder that are haunting, mysterious, and guaranteed to remain with you long after the final page is read. ~ Caleb Pirtle III Editorial Director at Gallivant Press

A Ton of Gold is available now from Amazon and Oak Tree Press. 

Meet James Callan 

"After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing.  He wrote a monthly column for a national magazine for two years, and published several non-fiction books.  He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mysteries, with his fifth book released in February, 2013." 

Connect with James online at his website, blog, a book site. 

A Ton of Gold is available now from Amazon and Oak Tree Press.

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Spring Fling Hop

Welcome to the Spring Fling Hop!

The warming weather makes this a perfect time of year to sit outside and dive into a new book. So how about curling up with 3 new ebooks that delve into myth and legend come to life! 

Enter to win all 3 books in The Twin Souls Saga! 

"He avoids her because of the strange physical pain he feels when they touch. She avoids him because the way everyone seems to do what he says scares her. But when Claire needs to escape a bad situation Uriah is the first person she thinks of, and he is eager to rescue her. Faced with each other for the first time, both Uriah and Claire find it impossible to listen to their fears and stay away from one another. They soon find out, though, that there is more than they ever thought possible trying to keep them apart.

Following tradition the pair approaches the Elders of their Tewa tribe to ask permission to marry. Everyone is shocked when the shaman refuses them, claiming they are not Twin Souls. Confused and angry Uriah refuses to listen, and promises them that he will never abandon Claire. When Claire is poisoned by her vindictive father his resolve is tested. Ancient Native American myths and legends spring into reality, doing everything they can to keep Uriah from saving Claire’s life, while beginning to reveal the truth behind the lies he has been told all his life." 

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Guest Post: C. Michael Powers

Writing--Novels Vs. Screenplays

 Hey everybody,

As I was going through the editorial process for my first book, Mirror Images Book 1: The Darkness of Man, I realized how different the process of writing a book is compared to writing a novel. Here are a few of the differences.

Length: Screenplays should be no longer than 120 pages, and even that is pushing it. Most readers don’t care to read anything over 90 pages. The reason is, each page of the script is thought of as being equal to one minute of screen time. Most movies nowadays are right around an hour and a half. So anything over 120 pages is like watching a movie well over two hours. I got my script down to 110 pages, and that was after cutting out a few characters and chopping the script up a lot.

Novels can be as long as they need to be to tell the story. Of course, nobody wants to read a 1,000 page book full of description and no action, but you’re not locked in to a maximum page number like you are with screenplays. You can spend more time on your story.

Editing: Back to talking about length, editing a screenplay isn’t that difficult. Most of what you read is either dialogue or small sections of text. A novel can take forever to edit.

How you write: This is one that I’ve struggled with a little bit. Because I started out writing screenplays, I was used to that style of writing. I read David Trottier’s The Screenwriter’s Bible (which is an awesome book if you want to learn about screenwriting) and studied it, from front to back. With screenplays you can only write what the viewer will see.  So, for example, you can’t write the following:

Dave stands at the front door of her house. He remembers how nervous he was the last time he saw her, the time he almost threw up on her shoes, and he considers standing her up, out of fear of his own lack of confidence.

Why can’t you write that? You can’t because the audience isn’t going to be able to see what he’s thinking. So your options would be to either use a voice over, to show that he’s thinking out loud, or use a flashback and actually show what happened the last time he was with her.

Novels are different. You can absolutely tell what the character is thinking. In fact, that’s a part of character development. Knowing that Dave is nervous and threw up last time, could make you feel sorry for him, and worried about his upcoming date.

Which tense do you use: This is another one that’s difficult, especially if you switch back and forth between writing screenplays and writing novels. With screenplays you write in the present tense. Always. So you would write something like this:

David walks up her driveway and approaches her door. He raises his knuckles to the door, about to knock, when he hears loud arguing coming from the other side.

Novels can be written in several tenses, but most of the time you’re telling the story of something that has happened, so you write in past tense.

David walked up her driveway and approached her door. He raised his knuckles...

Since I often go back and forth between novels and screenplays, I catch myself writing screenplays in past tense and novels in present tense. Then, I have to go back and rewrite.

POV (point of view): Here’s another tricky one. I think I’m a very visual writer. I like people to clearly imagine every piece of action that’s going on in the story. If there’s a fight, I tell you exactly how it went down. This can make staying in the correct point of view tough.

I like to write novels the same way I write screenplays. So, I might tell you about Jimmy’s fight in the bar, but I’d like to also tell you about the cops pulling into the parking lot outside. This becomes a problem with novel writing, as you’re supposed to only write what the main character can see. So if Jimmy’s in the middle of a fight, he won’t see the cops pulling up outside. So, technically, I’m not supposed to write that.

POV glitches were the main things I needed to fix during the editing of my book.

A good example of how POV is done perfectly is George R.R. Martin, one of my favorite authors. He wrote the Song of Ice and Fire books (Game of Thrones). In his books, he names each chapter after one of his characters, and in the chapter, you only see things through the eyes of that character. His way of doing it is just genius. I plan to borrow that style in one of my upcoming books.

The fruits of your labor: Perhaps one of the biggest differences, nowadays, between writing screenplays and writing novels, is the ability to actually do something with your work. It’s difficult to really break into Hollywood and land a big producer. So, unless you have a filmmaker buddy, or you’re a filmmaker yourself, and you’re able to create a low budget indy style film, you may never have the chance  to see your work on the screen.

However, through sites like Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and many others, you can self publish your book. It’s free. If you want to put it out in paperback you can do that too, at Createspace. You’ll only pay for a copy of your book. That’s it. Marketing is a whole other story, but if you just want to see your book on your shelf at home, you can do it.

Plus, there are tons of small publishing houses willing to take on new writers. You might have to work harder than you would with some of the big power companies, and you might have to pay a little bit for proper editing and good cover art, but other than that, it’s cheap to publish your own book. Just don’t go with one of the vanity publishers that will charge you $2,000 to publish an ebook version of your novel. Why pay someone to do what you can do for free?

Whatever you do, whether you decide to write screenplays or novels, just make sure you write. Don’t let anything hold you back. Writers write.

Thanks so much for reading,

C. Michael Powers

Mirror Images is available now from Amazon. 

Review: In Polyester Pajamas

Jean's life is falling apart around her piece by piece. She hasn't been happy in quite a while, but she never expected to be completely alone at 50 with her husband and children rushing to get away from her and only her dog to keep her company. Life gets even better when the perky, too willing to help, utterly annoying Rosie shows up as a new Realtor at her office. Ready to give up, Jean has no idea what is in store for her. 

This is definitely a character driven story. The main focus is on Jean, but many of the side characters shine as well. I really enjoyed Rosie, and I even felt sorry for Bob. Justin is hard to forget, and even though Jean's boys only had quick appearances, I felt for them as they tried to muddle through their own lives and their parents' divorce. 

All of the characters were memorable and well written. My only real issue was that Jean was so unlikable in the beginning. She was supposed to be. Her life was a mess, and a good chunk of that was her fault. She is a jaded and bitter woman when readers first meet her. This had to be the case so she could later grow and reassess her priorities and relationships. I just would have liked to have had a little glimpse of her redeeming qualities earlier on so I could connect with Jean faster. As the book progressed and Jean started to really take stock of her life, I cared much more about her happiness and felt connected with her. 

The overall arc of the story was well developed. Jean undergoes a great deal of change and progression during the story. She isn't a saint by the end of the book, we still have more story to go, but she is someone readers will want to see succeed and find joy. Rosie and several of the other side characters also have a great deal of depth and grow throughout the book. I enjoyed Rosie quite a bit, and I even cared about the ex-husband Bob as well. 

The relationships in this story had many levels to them. The romantic elements were a bit subdued as Jean is mending from being left by her husband and struggles to figure out what she wants, but the friendships she develops were very worthwhile and interesting to explore. Her friendship with Rosie takes most of the focus as Rosie attempts to instill her positive attitude on Jean. She's not always successful, but both Jean and readers will appreciate her effort. 

Jean also develops a friendship with Jacob when she temporarily moves to Cleveland to care for her mother. Jacob's kind and patient demeanor is a comfort to Jean, but sparks just don't seem to fly. Regardless, Jean does not want to leave him behind when he returns home. But as her fondness for Jacob grows, Bob begins reconsidering the divorce. I was definitely intrigued by Jean's relationship with both men and I look forward to following them in the next book. Overall, this was an entertaining and heartfelt story of personal growth and friendship that I enjoyed quite a bit. 

In Polyester Pajamas in available now from Amazon, B&N, an Smashwords.

Find out more about Catherine by visiting her website, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Goodreads. 

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Interview: Catherine Dougherty

Let's get to know more about Catherine Dougherty's new book, In Polyester Pajamas. 


1. What was your inspiration for this book? 
The day I met Rosie, I made up my mind I didn’t like her.
This was the first line I wrote when I began writing in Polyester Pajamas and it was the first thought that motivated me to complete it several years later. Funny thing is the line was deleted during the editing phase. Still, I’ll always remember it.

2. Would you classify your writing as plot driven or character driven? 
It is definitely character driven. Although there’s plenty of drama throughout, it’s the characters that’ll get you hooked right away.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main character?
Jean, a real estate agent, has just turned 50. Her husband has left her for a younger woman and her kids have gone off on their own. She’s alone, miserable, self-centered and, quite honestly, a real bitch. 

4. Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write?
Jean’s mother, Mildred, was the hardest character to write about because of what she is going through in the novel. There were memories and emotions pertaining to my own mother as I wrote about her. Many readers have mentioned they cried while reading about Mildred. Well, I cried while writing these parts and cry every time I read them, too.

5. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book. 
Rosie, another real estate agent, joins the same agency as Jean and sits right next to her. Jean can’t stand her because Rosie is the cheerful, optimistic sort and wants to help Jean get over her unhappiness. They go through plenty of drama together while, at the same time, Jean is dealing with her upcoming divorce, the empty nest syndrome, new men entering her life, and some unexpected news. During a pajama party, Jean and Rosie open up to each other and share their deepest, darkest secrets.   

6. Why did you choose this genre? 
I’m a middle-aged woman and also work on a day-to-day basis with plenty of women. It seemed like the perfect choice. Write what you know, right?

7. What do you hope readers take away from this book? 
That it’s important to have a best friend, at any age, to share your thoughts and feelings with. Also, it’s necessary to work out issues in your life—they won’t go away until you do—and your attitude and beliefs make a big difference on how you handle them.  

8. Who are your favorite authors?
Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Berg, Anita Shreve, Jennifer Niven, Frank McCourt, George MacDonald (just to name a few!)

9. Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write?
Not really. Sometimes I listen to music. Windham Hill’s George Winston is my favorite choice. He’s a pianist and his music is so beautiful.  

10. Can you tell us about any future projects? 
The sequel, in Woolen Bikinis, is being released this June by Great Gate Media, LLC (formerly Briona Glen Publishing).  I’m also working on my first Christmas novel, and I’ll soon be working on a third book in the Jean and Rosie series for release in 2014. 

In Polyester Pajamas in available now from Amazon, B&N, an Smashwords.

Find out more about Catherine by visiting her website, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Goodreads. 

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New Book: In Polyester Pajamas

This week I am welcoming Catherine Dougherty to the blog to talk about her new book, In Polyester Pajamas. 

"When women talk, they talk about EVERYTHING . . . 

Jean and Rosie, opposites in every way, are dealing with different aspects of their lives when they find themselves working side-by-side in the same real estate company. Despite reluctance, they also find themselves teaming up for some new mid-life adventures filled with excitement, romance and plenty of drama. 

As they become better acquainted, a friendship begins to form. They laugh, cry, and even fight together. Until finally, during a slumber party and while sporting polyester pajamas, they entrust their lives completely to each other and share their deepest, darkest secrets. 

Through it all, they discover how truly wonderful having a best friend, at any age, can be. If you’ve ever had or needed a best friend, have wondered what life was all about, have been ashamed of something you’ve done in the past, or if you’ve ever lost someone you loved with all of your heart, then you MUST read this book! 

Praise for in Polyester Pajamas: 

“In Polyester Pajamas is at once gutsy, poignant, tear-inducing, and wickedly funny. I recommend this book to anyone who has experienced love, loss, heartbreak, happiness, and new beginnings. In short, In Polyester Pajamas is for everyone. It’s a brave, ballsy, brightly colored novel by a brave, ballsy, brightly colorful writer. Bravo, Catherine Dougherty.” —Jennifer Niven, author of Velva Jean Learns to Drive, Velva Jean Learns to Fly, and Becoming Clementine

In Polyester Pajamas in available now from Amazon, B&N, an Smashwords. 

Get to know more about Catherine Dougherty!

Catherine Dougherty, a New Hampshire native, is a former newspaper reporter, columnist, photographer, and Real Estate/Business Broker. For several years, she served as the Lakes Region Coordinator of The Cozy Cap Project, a project she began in 2007 resulting in many volunteers making and donating thousands of hats for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.  She was editor of The Cozy Cap Project Newsletter for three years, and currently volunteers as writer/editor of a newsletter for The Greater Lakes Region Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Besides writing, Catherine enjoys reading, knitting, and browsing through bookstores.  She lives in the Lakes Region area of NH with her husband, and is a member of the NH Writers' Project.

In Polyester Pajamas in available now from Amazon, B&N, an Smashwords.

Find out more about Catherine by visiting her website, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Goodreads. 

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