Tag Archives: Indie Author

Quantum Crystal by Rob Shackleford

Quantum Crystal

Is humanity evolving?

Today, millions suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress due to warfare, car accidents and violence.

In response to this global epidemic, pioneering medical researchers develop a new treatment that is seen to produce outstanding results. Dubbed the ‘Quantum Crystal’, the treatment is soon rolled out for many of the maladies that affect modern humanity.

But is this treatment all it is purported to be, or are deeper changes under way?

‘Quantum Crystal’ examines the efforts of victim support group, The Staff, to rollout the Quantum Crystal to a deeply divided humanity and the inevitable violent opposition to change.

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Author Bio Two

An English-born Australian, Rob Shackleford has lived in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with a varied career that has included Customs Officer, Scuba Instructor, College Teacher and management roles in too many places.

With degrees in the Arts and Business, he is mad keen on travel, Scuba diving, Family History, martial arts, astronomy, and playing Djembe and Congas. Despite that, he is actually not that boring. Rob is father of two and has made his green escape with his lovely lady into Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.   

Other Books by Rob Shackleford

Traveller Trilogy

Traveller Inceptio

If you were sent a thousand years into the past, would you survive?

After the accidental development of the Transporter, university researchers determine that the device sends any subject one thousand years into the past.

Or is it into a possible past?

The enigmatic Transporter soon becomes known as a Time Machine, but with limitations.

An audacious research project is devised to use the Transporter to investigate Medieval Saxon England, when a crack international team of Special Services soldiers undergo intensive training for their role as historical researchers.

The special researchers, called Travellers, are to be sent into what is a very dangerous period in England’s turbulent past.

From the beaches of Australia to the forests of Saxon England, Traveller – Inceptio reveals how Travellers soon learn that they need more than refined combat skills and modern technology to survive the trails of early 11th Century life. First Two Chapters here …

Writing “Traveller – Inceptio”

“Traveller – Inceptio” is my first novel and, like any first novel, is the result of years of writing, rewriting, editing, and then leaving it to sit and mature, or rather for me to mature, so I could go back and write new chapters and make adjustments. Originally titles “Traveller”, Traveller – Inceptio was rebranded to make the book name stand out more.

To keep the historical components accurate I had to engage in considerable research. In so doing I have tried not to become too engrossed in the historical minutiae of Saxon or Gabi Gabi Aboriginal life but have attempted to look at what it was like to be a person living there and then. If I have made errors, these are a lapse in my research or understanding and are not meant to be malicious or lazy. I welcome scholarly and cultural input and corrections so I can better understand the rich tapestry of human history where I dip my toes on occasion.

While writing Traveller I have the deepest gratitude for friends and family for their encouragement, input, and correcting my many spelling and grammatical errors. The inspiration for Traveller came when I was sitting on a beach one day and observing the many resorts that proliferate around Australian beaches. Thinking how the world has changed over twenty years then led to speculation of changes over the past two hundred years since the European settlement of Australia. So – why not 1000 years? The world was such a different place.

The cover is an image of a Saxon saex or knife as created by Artist Blacksmith and Bladesmith Owen Bush of Kent in England. I am grateful for his generosity in permitting the use of his image. View his impressive work at http://owenbush.co.uk/  

To describe the attempt to professionalise the writing process, this book has been physically published, professionally edited, rewritten and shortened, republished in electronic format, and recently proofread. Phew!

I hope you find Traveller Inceptio to be an enjoyable read. 

Traveller Inceptio eBook Links:

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Traveller Probo 

Traveller – Probo is the inevitable sequel to Traveller Inceptio and the second of the Traveller series.

Traveller Probo

Would you survive if sent one-thousand years into the past?

Development of the Transporter saw highly trained researchers, called Travellers, successfully sent one-thousand years back in time to early medieval Saxon England.

Traveller Missions now mean enormous national prestige and the recovery of valuable lost artefacts and knowledge, so nations vie for the use of the Transporter and more daring Traveller missions are planned.

As the study of History becomes hotly contested, politics and power soon come into play.

To study lost peoples and civilizations, Special Forces researchers have to be even better trained, better equipped, and prepared to put their lives on the line.

While Michael Hunter continues to build a life in Saxon England, the tragically injured Tony Osborne finds his resurgence in a mission to ancient Turkey, and Professor Adrian Taylor seeks to better outmanoeuvre his contentious colleagues.

From the misty shores of New Zealand to the shining splendour of the ancient Byzantine Empire, it is soon learned that sending modern researchers into the past is not without its rewards, and pitfalls.

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Traveller Manifesto 

Traveller – Manifesto is the final novel for the Traveller Series.

Traveller Manifesto

Traveller Manifesto is Book 3 of the Traveller Trilogy, the explosive final sequel to Traveller Inceptio and Traveller Probo.

To use the enigmatic Transporter and send Special Forces trained Researchers back a thousand years is now the biggest game in world politics.

But not only politics, as academics scramble to outdo each other and harness prestige in the increasingly influential field of History.

As Professor Taylor is rescued from Byzantine Rome, a heavily-armed US Traveller team explores Mississippian Cahokia to experience a situation beyond even their control. Michael Hunter and Tatae flee Giolgrave in the hope of finding safety from modern interference. But at a terrible cost.

And something seems to be happening in Israel, resulting in the creation of a high-profile investigation team to uncover if there is a clandestine Traveller mission operated by the US and Israel.

From the windswept mountains of Wales, to the hills of Cahokia and the dusty wadis of the Negev, researchers find that to visit the past may not necessarily provide the answers they seek.

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More about writing the Traveller Series

When we examine the history of humanity one thousand years in the past we find many human populations were experiencing massive change and population migration. Migration meant populations coming into contact and the inevitability of violent conflict. This resulted in the extinction of cultures and races.

The people of the time were often not people we of the 21st Century would like to visit. Over a surprisingly wide segment of the globe, any strangers risked becoming victims of cannibalism or ritual sacrifice. The Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and indeed many locations would be just too dangerous for a 21st Century researcher to visit.

 

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Introducing Sandra Brewster, Women’s Fiction Author

Interview With an Author

 

What is your name?

Sandra Brewster

Do you have any pen names?

No

Tell us about where are you from?

Currently, I live in Chilliwack, BC. It’s where corn comes from and is about an hour east of Vancouver. I grew up in Squamish, BC which is the stop light between Vancouver and Whistler. I married my husband while there and we moved regularly. We spent 5 years in Northern BC with 24 hour daylight in the summer and 4 hour daylight in the winter. We then spent years all over Ontario.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I work in a Walmart pharmacy. For fun and recreation, we plan trips, go for walks, hikes, garden, read and have almost finished renovating our house.

When did you start writing stories?

The first story I remember putting on paper was in Grade 8 or so. It was about a bank robber who escaped on a plane. I’ve had stories running through my mind for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first manuscript in 1990. We had moved to Ontario, and I was so homesick. The story in my head started to keep me up at night and I wrote it down so I could purge those thoughts and I could sleep. Work, babies and life got in the way and I stopped for a few years. Then my mom had a stroke. All she could do was read and she very quickly read through the library in their small town. I then opened the part of my mind again and allowed the stories to flow to entertain her.

What or who inspired you to write stories?

I don’t know. I’ve said often that I’m just the keeper of the hands that type. Where the ideas come from? How the puzzle fits together? I don’t know, I just type and let the story form. I learned early on not to delete anything until the entire story is finished, you never know what fact is going to be important.

What is your favourite genre to write and why?

I would say it’s Romance, but to be honest, I don’t like that label. It brings up a vision of Harlequin Romances and bad Christmas movies. People trying to hide from their feelings and avoiding the one they care about ‘in case they find out.’ Most of what I write is a couple fighting to stay together and dealing with the problems the world deals them.

What is your favourite genre to read?

I like to read Women’s Fiction and Suspense.

Who is your favorite Author and why?

From years ago, LaVyrle Spencer, I love her writing. Nora Roberts has a varied style and I like a lot of her books. Blood Brothers and my current favorite is Under Currents. Danielle Steel and a lot of Daniel Kalla’s work.

What was the first story you ever wrote?

I don’t think it even had a title. It was about a bank robber who escaped on a plane. My first full-length novel finished is IN HONOR OF HIM. My first full-length novel started is Nobody Needs to Know.

What happened to it? Did you save it or trash it, and why?

The bank robber was trashed. I gave it to a teacher to read and was told it was too predictable. The two novels are on tap to be self-published.

Are there any sub-genres that you would considering pairing together?

I would love to be able to write suspense and crime stories. A personal touch of a couple fighting together is what I love.

Do you have more fun writing the scenes, or creating the characters?

I like dialogue the best. I get to say all the things that I wish I’d said when I was having the conversation.

You’re an Indie Author, so tell us, why go Indie? Why choose to self publish?

I’m not interested in fighting to become a best-selling author. I don’t want to be pushed to sell, sell, sell. My whole point in getting my books published was to hold them in my hands with a beautiful cover. That they’ve been well received and people love them is icing on the cake.

Tell us how you work. From pen and paper, to your fingers dancing across the keys, do you find yourself cozy and warm with a cup of tea and a blazing fire? Or do you hide in your dungeon, slaving away on your latest masterpiece; the words of wisdom flowing from your fingers as the story is born? Tell us how you write?

Music! There must be music. When I wrote full time, my kids were in school. I would write while they were in school. Spend the evening with them and then write till the early hours of the morning. I mostly typed all day. First thing the next morning, I would print out what I had written the day before and would make hand-written notes on it. Many a time, I would write a paragraph or thought which was further along in the story and then spent the rest of the day trying to catch up to what I’d written. In my novel, No Matter What, I wrote the ending first.

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Reviews:

Shattered Badge Shattered Trust

 


So finally sat down to read the book tonight and yeah it’s now 3:33am!! I absolutely loved it! The story made me laugh, feel anger and cry! The author definitely has the gift of a story teller ? Her writing has a good amount of wit and sarcasm to it as well which I love in a story! I love the attention to detail and can tell she did her research for the backgrounds and jobs for Jill and Logan. This is great at helping develop depth to the characters and helping me feel like I really know them and be able to sympathize with them. I thoroughly enjoyed those 4 hours lost in her imagination and I give it 5 stars!! ??????????

****

This book captured me as I read through the chapters. There was always something going on and then the least expected occurred. So many emotions were encountered including bringing tears to my eyes. Well done Sandra Brewster this is a wonderful read.

****

Absolutely loved this book. I immediately fell in love with the characters and couldn’t put the book down til it was done. The writing is fantastic. I felt like I was there with Logan and Jillian through it all. An absolute must read. 5 out of 5 stars from me ? ? ? ? ?

****

Sometimes I don’t finish mystery novels because I get bored with them. This author however, blended mystery and romance in a way that kept my attention throughout. It was difficult to put it down at night. You may lose some sleep when you read this book.

****

Well written with a great ending. Showed lots of insite into the sometime failed law enforcement procedures. Sandra should be compared with Sandra Brown.

It’s Only a Name

I honestly cannot put this book down, I’m halfway through and so far, there has been so much that hits so close to home. I understand Devon, I understand why she feels and thinks the way she does. She has become a friend of mine and I find myself rooting for her!

****

I encourage everyone I know to read this book, I promise, you won’t regret it. You’ll be finding yourself thinking about it, thinking about Devon, about Jarrett, anxious to find the time to read more.

****

It is amazing! So accurate. I loved it! Not living it but revisiting the how and why. An absolute must read, either cautionary or for recovery.

****

I absolutely love it! I know I’ll be so sad when I’m finished. You’ve truly outdone yourself with this one, I can’t wait to start the next!

****

 Author Bio 

Most children have imaginary friends. I was no different. I spent hours in my room telling myself stories and creating lives for my “friends”. Where most people grow out of this stage, as I grew older, the lives I’d created became more intense as I understood more of the world.

As an adult, letting my mind wander as I tried to fall asleep began to keep me awake as I tried to keep all my stories straight, and the only way to sleep was to purge my mind of the characters by writing it down.

My mother had a stroke and once home from the hospital, the only way she could entertain herself was by reading. She very quickly read through the library in the little town she lived in, so I told her to give me some time. Typing as fast as I could, I turned my scraps of paper and stories into six novels to send to her so she had something to read.

I have since written a seventh and have three more in various stages of completion.

On the personal side, I work OTC at a Walmart pharmacy and am the wife of a retired RCMP Constable. We live in Chilliwack, BC and have two grown children.

 

 

 

 

 

ARC Reviews: The Night of the Moonflower by Poppy Mann

The Night of the Moonflower is a book that can be judged by its cover. The glowing, exotic moonflower it features is a tantalising entrée into a diverse world which melds genres in a plot incorporating romance, diplomacy, intrigue, political machinations, revenge and with a mysterious soldier of fortune at its core. It is an intriguing story line crafted together with skilful insight. Poppy Mann is a debut author who writes with perception and the ability to leave readers demanding “what’s next?”. A sequel is eagerly awaited

 Jill Nicholas QSM

Journalist/reviewer  

PRE PUBLICATION REVIEW – FIVE STARS

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A scintillating ride, taking us from the suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand, to the diplomatic circles and presidential court of Jakarta in the 1970s. Poppy Mann shows a sure touch with plot, dialogue and character. Her Anna proves an attractive and resourceful heroine as she uncovers the truth about her glamorous husband’s past. Part romance, part thriller, part travelogue, The Night of the Moonflower kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to Poppy Mann’s next book.  

Catherine Watson

Wonthaggi, Australia

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An enthralling and luminous story of a young woman thrown into a diplomatic life and a country full of political upheaval.  This bold and daring novel is an intriguing insight into a tale of a passionate young woman and her dangerous involvement with a mysterious soldier.

The reader is vividly drawn into the beauty and romance of Indonesia and the talent of a young fashion designer in the 1970s.

Couldn’t put this book down and look forward to reading many more by this author.

Jude Robinson

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The Night of the Moonflower by Poppy Mann – I was drawn into its essence straight away with the clever first chapter, and it’s development throughout the book. It holds so many aspects of life including action and suspense, tenderness, romance and deep love, fear, sadness and courage, and so much more. I learned so much about people and places in the world. I also learned to love one character especially along the way, and wondered if others would too. It is a book I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for the next one.

Jaci

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Meet the wonderful Poppy Mann

I was always an avid reader as a child and began to make up stories of my own and wrote them for my own enjoyment.  I also had an interest in fashion and after leaving school, became an apprentice fashion designer in Melbourne going on to design for one of the top Australian fashion houses. This career finally brought me to New Zealand, designing for a company here in Wellington where I eventually met my future husband, a serving army officer. After accompanying him on several overseas postings we finally settled in Rotorua where we opened three restaurants using my training as a chef in Paris and a switch in careers working in the emerging food industry.

It was many years later that I wrote my first full length novel based on a newspaper article that I had read in a French newspaper. I submitted it to Harpers/Collins who replied immediately expressing an interest in it, but finally didn’t publish it. I still like the story and intend to self publish it soon.

I tend to write romantic mysteries, more along the lines of Danielle Steel and Nicola Thorne. I concentrate on the story line and try to keep things moving to keep the reader interested.

I have three more books rattling around in my head that need to be put into print but would feature The Night Of The Moonflower as my favourite at present. It was written over a period of several years as life intervened and was based on a lot of my own experiences living in Indonesia. However it is a work of fiction. I have almost completed writing the sequel after being implored to keep the enigmatic anti hero Jan Van Hendryks  in print.

I do plot, but the characters seem to take over and change my best laid plans occasionally.  I always write in the 3rd person, but may one day  I will write in the 1st person to write my book of family memoirs. I try to edit as I write, but do seek professional help for final edit. I write for people who like a good story with a few twists here and there, a bit of mystery and of course a conflicted romance! This book is a great read!

I am now self publishing with professional help. I will promote my books on my Poppy Mann Facebook website and my books will be available on Amazon. You will also find Poppy’s book here with other new releases. 

Favourite authors? So many excellent writers  in all genres today. Isabelle Allende, Deborah Challinor, Rani Manicka, Mary Lovell, Lisa See, Fanny Flagg, Julia Stewart, Anne Rule, Peter James. Jeffrey Archer, Lynwood Barclay etc.etc.

As I read at least three full length books a week, fiction and non fiction, the list goes on with new  favourites being added to the list.

I am a member Of the Romance Writers of New Zealand and have great respect and admiration for the writing talents and friendship of my fellow members. We have some great story tellers here that deserve to be read world wide.

You can fine out more about this wonderful author HERE