The Review Hutch

Share It With a Sister Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Win 10 FREE Copies of The Fine Art of Insincerity and a Call from Angela Hunt

(Via my friends at Glass Road Public Relations!)

Angela Hunt's highly anticipated May release of The Fine Art of Insincerity is coming soon and we couldn't wait to tell you this news!

Angela Hunt is having a giveaway contest she is calling Share It With a Sister. The details are listed below. We thought it would be fun for you to share with your readers. Enjoy!

We have waited a long time for the arrival of a new Angela Hunt novel, so in honor of the soon-coming release of The Fine Art of Insincerity, she's having a "Share it with a Sister" contest!

Since Insincerity is about three sisters, you can enter the contest by showing off your sisters. To enter, simply email a digital photo of you and your sister(s) (they don't have to be biological sisters) to aehcontest@gmail.com.

Enter as many times as you wish between March 1 and May 1, but only one entry per day, please. If you don't have a photo of you and your sister handy, you may enter simply by sending an email to that address with "Contest Entry" in the subject line.

Enter the Contest

Share It With a Sister
Email a photo of you and your sisters to aehcontest@gmail.com

Watch the Video at http://www.angelahuntbooks.com/

CONTEST PRIZES
Grand Prize
A tote bag filled with Angela Hunt books and 10 copies of The Fine Art of Insincerity for your book club

First Prize
Five first prize winners will receive an autographed copy of The Fine Art of Insincerity

Each week she'll be taking some of submitted photos and inserting them into the "Sisters" video that will play at http://www.angelahuntbooks.com . So check the website often--you may see your smiling face!

The grand prize winner of the random drawing will receive a tote bag filled with Angela Hunt books for herself and ten copies of Insincerity for her book club. (If you don't have a book club, call some friends. There's no better way to get started!)

Five first place winners will receive an autographed copy of The Fine Art of Insincerity, which officially releases on May 3. And yes, the first video playing is made up of pictures of Angela and her younger sisters! Watch the video here: http://www.angelahuntbooks. com

Hope you or one of your readers win!

Sincerely,
LeAnn Hamby
Glass Road Public Relations

We're moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:03:00 +0000

I'll be off-line for a bit as we move from central Ohio to western Kentucky. We're looking forward to be nearer to the bulk of the grandkidlets!

Letters from Home by David R. & Andrea R. Reiser

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:01:00 +0000

Title: Letters From Home
Authors: David R. Reiser and Andrea R. Reiser
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-4706379-2-0
Pages: 240

Letters from Home is the ultimate gift to all parents and grandparents! Easy to read and understand, David and Andrea Reiser base parenting on teaching the basics of common human decency; faith, morals, ethics (including a strong work ethic), and the love of fellow mankind.

Each chapter is written as a letter to their sons on the subject of one basic belief for the betterment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is followed by real life examples of the actions and beliefs, as well as lifestyle, of people they know who personify that trait.

Letters from Home gives structure, as well as, a blueprint for raising healthy, happy, productive, and loving children—who will go on to use those same guidelines to raise the next generation.

Bravo (!) to the Reisers!

The Dead Rise First, Rapture Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Title: The Dead Rise First, Rapture Countdown
By Alton Ragan & Robert D. McLaughlin
Publisher: Vessel Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-615-21151-0
Pages: 205

A work of fiction, based on 1 Thessalonian 4:13-14, the premise of the book is that the dead in Jesus will rise first at the Rapture. A feel-good look at end-times.

While I agree with much of the authors’ interpretation of Bible prophesy, this work begins with a small-town citizenry noticing that the power is out—their first clue that all is not right with the world. My biggest issue is the way in which the tribulation is down-sized, which, I fear, may lead many Christians to believe they’ll all be called up before any of the judgement (read: prior to earthquakes, massive hail, fires, famine, pestilence, disease, captivity/slavery by Satan’s followers, etc.) of God happens here on earth. I’ve never been able to find Scripture that supports this, and to believe that even small-town America could be so blind-sided of world events, both physical and spiritual, makes this particular take a hard sell.

This is a sweet tale and a feel-good read, but not realistic to many of us who are serious studiers of the Bible and end-times prophecy. However, it would be a good book to put in the hands of those just beginning their walk with God. All-in-all, the premise of the books is good and the storyline is one that hasn’t been covered well, or often, by Christian writers. An interesting concept brought to life.

Typical of self-published books, it could have benefited from a professional edit pre-publication.

Perhaps beginning with world events to set the stage for the (possible) world-wide power outtage, or news of any of the other happenings prophesied in Scripture, would have been a better beginning. Rather, we open the story to find a small town in Oklahoma without power, without the ability to use anything with computers—including cars—and not one person having any inkling that this may be more than a trivial and temporary matter.

The characters are believable, those currently alive, and those resurrected. Many are most interesting and represent real-life situations that could be comical, if the situation turned out to be different.

Overall the book is well-written and interesting. It provides one perspective on the coming end-times, that of small-town American Christians—and non-Christians. It makes the point well that those who have chosen to not follow the teachings of Jesus are doomed to an eternity of damnation. The authors also gave us clear indications that not all who profess to be Christian will make the cut when the Rapture happens.

Please note that I do not take a stance on whether the coming Rapture will be pre-tribulation or post-tribulation. However, to believe that it will happen without any loud build-up or fanfare is beyond my capability, based on my personal study of the Bible.

Review: Doubleback by Libby Fischer Hellmann

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Title: Doubleback
Author: Libby Fischer Hellmann
Publisher: Bleak House Books
ISBN: 978-1-60648-052-6 (hardback)
978-1-60648-053-3 (paperback)
Pages: 344 (ARC)

Doubleback is a thoroughly satisfying stand-alone thriller and the sequel to Easy Innocence which features single-mom and video-producer Ellie Foreman, and introduces her friend—former cop, now licensed PI—Georgia Davis.

In Doubleback, Georgia takes center stage when she’s hired by the husband of Chris Messenger, recently-deceased IT manager of a large Chicago bank who died under suspicious circumstances mere days after their young daughter had been kidnapped—only to be returned, unharmed—three days later. Odd enough circumstances. Then Chris’ boss is found dead.

Following leads means following the bank’s missing $3 million, without much help from the Chicago police or the bank. From Wisconsin to southern Arizona, Georgia does the travel while Ellie sleuths deeper into the money trail locally.

Georgia runs head-on into the bigotry and racism, corruption, poverty, human trafficking, mercenaries and drug cartels that are the southwestern America border towns. She must rely on her cop-instincts, because nothing is as it seems.

Treasure of Eden

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Title: Treasure of Eden
Author: S. L. Linnea
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ISBN: 0-312-94216-8
EAN: 978-0-312-94216-8
Pages: 351

Army Chaplain Jaime Richards plans to take a much needed R & R from her tour of duty in Iraq. But first she must tend to the spiritual needs of a wounded soldier and then thwart an attacker on her way to the plane.

From the Judean wilderness to Switzerland to Paris, she is chased, shot at, and then tortured by ruthless rogue CIA political officer and black-market antiquities trader Frank McMillan. McMillan believes that “he who rules Eden rules the world”.

Through it all Jaime gives up neither her faith, her love of Country, nor her angst for lost-love Yani.

As the clock ticks down on an eBay auction for a bejeweled box held by a Bedouin tribe in the hills of the Judean wilderness, the box—first discovered in 1954 and thought to bring good fortune to the tribe—disappears.

The race to find the box is fouled with the kidnapping of the young bride of the Hajj, misappropriations of Israeli military equipment and personnel, and murder.

From the wealthiest and most power-hungry moguls attending the invitation-only World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to an aging rock star’s haven in Paris, to the Judean wilderness, to Eden, Jamie is pursued at every turn.

Treasure of Eden is a suspense-filled thrill ride, impossible to put down! Although it is the third in the Eden series, it possesses all the flavor and texture of a stand-alone. Each character is multi-dimensional serving a duality of purpose.

Heartily recommended for the adventurous mystery/suspense reader, although romance lovers will find it just as delicious.

Review of Safe House by Christine Duncan

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Reviewer's Choice

Reviewers do a service to writers that I think needs to be more appreciated. They help us get feedback on our work. And what more can anyone want?

I stopped by CrimeSpace the other day to see what other mystery writers are doing.

I was struck by a discussion started by Patrick Balester--"101 Things to do Before You Die (for Crime Writers)." Some of the list was applicable to all writers ("number 7: This year, query three agents a week until you snag one.") some of the list was an inside joke aimed at mystery writers by taking swipes at a couple of famous mystery folks (shake literary agent Janet Reid's tentacle???) Although the list didn't actually make it to 101, it did mention getting a review in your local paper, but that was it. For me, the review itself matters. I want a review where the reviewer gets it.

Oh, my books have had some nice reviews along the way, don't get me wrong. I love when that happens. But if I were doing the 101 list, it would be item 10 and item 21 and maybe item 33 and... See, there is a deal that we writers forget often as we pound out our work. We're writing for an audience. I love it when the audience likes my work.

I've done a lot of the things on Patrick's list. I've gotten books published, spoken at conferences, attended the famed Bouchercon, given talks about my books at the library, been on panels at writer's cons and taught fellow writers some of the little I know. Frankly, except for being published, none of it was on my to-do list before I die. (Don't get me started on speaking in public--but really why would ANYONE want that?) Again, with the exception of being published, none of it measured up to getting a review (either from a reader or from a published reviewer) where they "got" the books. Isn't that really why we write?

VBT--Christine Duncan, June 1st

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Christine Duncan is the featured guest at a virtual book tour stop on June 1st. Her latest book, Safe House, isn't quite out yet due to some unfortunate delays. However, Christine will be stopping by to respond to reader's comments, so please check back often.

Thanksgiving is coming up fast and the snow is starting to fall, plunging Colorado into a winter wonderland.

But who has time to celebrate? Certainly not battered women's counselor Kaye Berreano. With two teens, a job that tends to claim all of her attention and a new relationship with police investigator Pete Farrell, Kaye is more than a little overwhelmed.

When a kid she has known since birth turns up dead and her own son, RJ becomes a suspect, Kaye is forced into an investigation that leads her from the safe house to her own house.

An excerpt is available at http://www.readerseden.com/product.php?productid=743&cat=0&page=1, where you may also snag your own copy for a most reasonable price.

Review: The Olive Horseshoe

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Title: The Olive Horseshoe
Author: Ben F. Small
Publisher: Night Shadows Press
ISBN: 978-0-9799167-2-4
Pages: 357

Depth of character and exotic locales keep the action rolling at a clip which allows us license to accept that Denton Wright had become a billionaire at such a young age, that his insecurities were the driving force behind his martial arts training, and that he’d been on an extended kayaking—and soul-searching—trip through Maine when his father was murdered.

The prologue, which depicts the torturous murder of the senior Mr. Wright and a fellow traveler on a seniors’ excursion through Spain and Morocco, gives us as few clues to work from as it does Denton and his assistant, Mandy. Enter Jenna Rogers, daughter of the second ill-fated traveler and her California winery foreman Carlos, to rub raw the tangled mass of emotions.

The killer(s) left one signature calling card: The Columbian Necktie.

Add to the mix Howard Wright’s Manhattan law partner and his son, travel snafus, language barriers, break-ins, subsequent and supposedly unrelated murders, alpha-male personality issues, high-end surveillance gadgetry, an international drug cartel, and sheer gut instincts—and it’s one hell of a ride!

Will Denton find his soul as he grapples with the twisted minds of those intent on destroying him—and every other life he touches?

Delightful mystery/suspense/thriller. A very satisfying read.

Linda J. Hutchinson
www.lindajhutchinson.com
http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com

The BOOKHOUSE Author Live Chats!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 +0000

The schedule is up for the Bookhouse Chatroom author series! You'll notice MY chat on Thursday, June 11th. (Please notice that...)

Where: http://www.freewebs.com/thebookhouse/chatroom.htm
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. Eastern US

Author Chat Schedule

Tuesday - May 5th - Author Frank Say

Tuesday - May 12th - Author J. E. Braun

Tuesday - May 19th - Author Andrea Kulman

Tuesday - May 26th - Author Elaine Charton

Tuesday - June 2nd - Author Donald James Parker

Tuesday - June 9th - Author Martha Jette

Wednesday - June 10th - Author Madelyn Lorber

Thursday - June 11th - Author Linda J. Hutchinson

Friday - June 12th- Author Lyn Armstrong

Tuesday - June 16th - Author Elizabeth J. Van Amelsvoort

Tuesday - June 23rd - Author Jean Harrington

Tuesday - June 30th - Author Deanna Jewel

Tuesday - July 7th VACATION - NO CHAT

Tuesday - July 14th - Author Arlene Radasky

Tuesday - July 21st - Author Linda Ciletti

Tuesday - July 28th - Author Charlotte Holley

Tuesday - August 4th - Author Nancy Kaiser

Tuesday - August 11th - Author Heidi M. Thomas

"Aphrodisiac" Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:41:00 +0000

I'm currently reading Aphrodisiac by the husband and wife team Allyson Roy, thanks to my friend PJ Nunn at Breakthrough Promotions.

Sex therapist and Do-Me-Good sex toy distributor Saylor Oz and her so-far still-living best friend lead us on a 'race to the finish or die' romantic suspense. I'm half-way through this thrill-ride. Will give a full review later, but I'll say it now, "BUY THIS BOOK!". Very well written, with a realistic plot, an abundance of humor, and sexual innuendo to spare - or share.

Publicist Sandra Beckwith's Quotes and Info For Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Sandra Beckwith puts out a quality newsletter twice per month to help writers promote their books, appropriately titled Build Book Buzz. She also provides potential ideas for books.

A former publicist, Sandra knows the ins and outs of the publishing industry.

The current newsletter features NYT bestselling author John Scalzi, who is also gearing up to build his Big Idea Authors website - opening on my birthday, April 20th. Take a look to see if you're interested in being interviewed or showcased.

"Build Book Buzz is a free e-newsletter published monthly by
Beckwith Communications, www.buildbookbuzz.com. Please forward
this newsletter to anyone. To subscribe, visit
www.buildbookbuzz.com. We do not share our mailing list with any
individual or organization for any reason."

I wouldn't recommend any site that sells, or rents, or distributes, or shares, their mailing list. That's a spammer's network. I won't promote spamming. Ever. (It's akin to my loyalty to Ann Landers - who hated having drop-in company as much as I did - and do.)

Sandra has an interesting survey going on, but it closes on March 1st. If you'd like to take part, time is running out.

Check it out and then drop me an email at linda at lindajhutchinson dot com to let me know what you think. Or leave a comment here.

Are you interested in reading about other sites on my recommended list? Let me know what you're looking for and I'll find it.

T. Jefferson Parker and Pen on Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:51:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of interviewing Barbara and love what she's doing for authors and writers. If you are in California, check it out. Should be a fun evening. Send me feedback if you have the chance to attend. linda at lindajhutchinson dot com

An Evening with T. Jefferson Parker and
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

We have a very special evening coming up on February 10 with T. Jefferson
Parker.

T. Jefferson Parker¹s new book, The Renegades, is being published this
month, so next Tuesday night, at 7 p.m., we¹re holding a launch party at the
Student Center on the UC Irvine campus. We¹ll discuss Jeff¹s new book,
he¹ll read, take questions, and sign books provided by the UCI Bookstore.
There will also be refreshments. No charge.

This launch party also heralds ³Pen on Fire: A Speaking Series,² which
intends to bring literary events to Orange County on a regular, monthly
basis. Authors, magazine editors, literary agents and poets.

The show will be recorded for a future broadcast on "Writers on Writing,²
KUCI-FM and will also be podcast.

The New York Times Book Review said this about The Renegades: ³Another
insanely imaginative thriller from T. Jefferson Parkerthe wondrously weird
characters [take] this lurid plot to its outer limits.²

Unfortunately, reservations cannot be made (seats are free) so please get
there early. Here are directions:
http://shop.book.uci.edu/ePOS/form=cat.html&cat=101

If you have any questions, email me at Barbara@barbaraDemarcoBarrett.com.
Please forward this email to your reading and writing friends.

Please join us for a wonderful evening.

Barbara

p.s. Please let me know if you received duplicate emails, and apologies if
you did.

http://penonfire.blogspot.com

Author, PEN ON FIRE: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within
(Harcourt, 2004), honored with a 2005 ASJA Outstanding Book Award

Host, "Writers on Writing," Wednesdays at 9 a.m. KUCI-FM, on iTunes (click
on Public Radio), and podcast at An Evening with T. Jefferson Parker and
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

THE DAILY BLONDE: eHow To Do What??

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:05:00 +0000

THE DAILY BLONDE: eHow To Do What??

Recommended reading.

Review Super Bowl Ads?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:20:00 +0000

If you'd prefer to watch (and review) the Super Bowl ads without having to watch the Super Bowl, check out this link:

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100076996

Feel free to post your reviews of the Super Bowl commercials in the comment section here.

Currently reading The Obama Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Currently reading The Obama Nation by Jerome R Corsi. Very interesting, fully annotated, biblio'd, and fact checked. It was written to make U.S. citizens fully aware so as to not vote for Obama for President. (Of course, I did not, even without reading this book.)

That didn't work, obviously. However, it does make us aware of what might happen in the Obama oval office.

Tears apart the un-truths, barely truths, and straight-out lies of Obama's Dreams from My Father, which he published in 1995 - which was written to prepare the voting public for his run for the presidency.

Interestingly, Mr. Obama has not sued Mr. Corsi for slander.

To track just how many of the nearly-500 campaign promises Mr. Obama made, snatch the link for the Obameter on my writer's blog.

See Barbara DeMarco-Barrett in California on Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Just in from a writer I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing a couple of years back. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello. Tell her I sent you.

(And if you'd like to post your review of one of her books here, let me know. linda at lindajhutchinson dot com)

Hi from rainy Orange Co., CA.... (gratefully so!),

This Sunday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m., join us for a reading at Laguna Beach
Books, 1200 South Coast Hwy., in Laguna Beach. My students, including my
"Writers on Writing" co-host, Marrie Stone, Ben Peters, who recently had a
wonderful essay in Orange Coast Magazine and Phil Doran, author of The
Reluctant Tuscan: How I Discovered my Inner Italian, will be reading. Please
come by to join in the festivities.

And on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at UCI's Student Center, I'll interview T.
Jefferson Parker whose new book is The Renegades. He'll read and sign books
as well. (No charge.)

Feel free to forward this to your friends. Hope to see you there!

Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

...
www.penonfire.com

Contributor: "Knitting: My Urban Escape," in the new anthology, KNITTING
THROUGH IT: Inspiring Stories for Troubled Times (Voyageur Press, 2008).

Author, PEN ON FIRE: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within
(Harcourt, 2004), honored with a 2005 ASJA Outstanding Book Award

Host, "Writers on Writing," Wednesdays at 9 a.m. KUCI-FM, on iTunes (click
on Public Radio), and podcast at http://writersonwriting.blogspot.com
....................................................................

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future." - Victor Hugo

New FR*E Classes for Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:14:00 +0000

I'll be away for a couple of days - finally getting to celebrate Christmas with the grandkids. My recent surgery and the g'kidlet's illnesses made it impossible to do in December.

Just added new links for FR*E classes for writers at http://tinyurl.com/dfkd9z Check under the "Classes" heading on the Links for Writers page.

Also... Added new items to my pride and joy gift store, Linda's Gifts and Decor: http://tinyurl.com/c5bgcx

I recently had the privilege of critiquing a fiction manuscript for Ms. Hope Clark of Funds for Writers. She had the sweetest way of saying Thank You! www.ediblesinc.com Her verbal TY was quite enough payment for reading an enjoyable and satisfying mss, but the surprise delivery of the Edible Thank You was over the top!

Bruce Cook/Brant Randall VBT Happening NOW

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:28:00 +0000

I've had the pleasure of reviewing two of the books by these/this author(s). Bruce Cook writes suspense/thrillers and Brant Randall has written an historical novel based on a story his grandmother told him regarding the KKK in the New England states in the early 1900's. Both were well written and enjoyable reads. In fact, if you scroll down quite a ways, you'll find my reviews of both books; Philippine Fever and Blood Harvest.

I also had the opportunity to interview Bruce, and then Brant while on staff at The Writer's Chatroom. Great fun both times.

Today marks the one-month anniversary since the extreme makeover of my spine/neck and I'm still in a neck brace (only two more months to go!!), with limited mobility and energy. However, I would happily have joined in on this VBT if physically able.

Even though Bruce/Brant lives and works in CA and I'm in OH and we've never met, I consider him a friend and will continue to support him in his writing career.

Print out this post, pop into one of the virtual stops and leave a comment. Guaranteed to be fun.

"Stop by to see the author mercilessly skewered. Add comments of your own!" Bruce/Brant

January 5 - http://www.andilit.com - review
January 6 - http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com - guest post -
January 9 - http://the1stpage.blogspot.com - excerpt
January 12 - http://rebecca2007.wordpress.com - interview
January 13 - http://bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com - review
January 14 - http://jmnlman.blogspot.com - review
January 15 - http://zensanity.blogspot.com - interview -
January 16 - http://tbfreviews.wordpress.com - review
January 19 - http://stuffasdreamsaremadeon.com - review
January 20 - http://scrappyd.blogspot.com - review
January 21 - http://beyondthebooks.wordpress.com - interview
January 22 - http://stuffasdreamsaremadeon.com - interview -
January 23 - http://scrappyd.blogspot.com - interview -
January 24 The Village Bookstore in Glendora, CA 7:30-9 pm. IN PERSON reading and signing

January 26 - http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com - review
January 27 - http://readingandmorereading.blogspot.com - interview -
January 28 - http://readingandmorereading.blogspot.com - review
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com - review
January 29 - http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com - guest post -http://poseysessions.blogspot.com - interview - will follow with her for the questions
January 30 - http://fictiontofruition.blogspot.com - review

This morning's social media events!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:38:00 +0000

If you're a writer - or if you have expertise in a field like PR, social media, marketing, life - join HARO. Peter Shankman's Help A Reporter is a must-sign-up-for three-email-per-day must-belong-to experience. If you're looking for sources, post your request at www.helpareporter.com/press. Read the list on the morning, afternoon, or evening emails to see if you can contribute. Often, if you contribute to a story, you'll get a mention and some will even include your website address. (My ENT is being featured in Good Housekeeping because I responded to a query for input.)

Another reason to sign up for HARO is that you'll get to see what others, as in those names that appear in all the places you want your name to appear as the author, are querying and to which publications. This point is often overlooked by the newbie writer.

And, you'll have the opportunity to email back and forth with, or talk on the phone with, published writers if your response to their query fits their needs.

MY WEBSITE is FINALLY back up and running after the final encounter of the raging 4+ year-old war with my former webhost. The final blood-letting scene had them shutting down my site on two day's notice - NINE days after my very serious spine surgery. (I'm chronicling my recovery at Living With Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis blog site. All of my blogs are listed on my website.)

I'm now with GoDaddy, which is The Writer's Chatroom recommended webhost of choice. (Use TWC's affiliate link to sign up. It helps support the chatroom.)

Oh, and I'm building my entire Linda's Gifts and Decor store within my writer's website. Many less hassles on both sides. Just click the link about half-way down the menu on the left.

If you don't Twitter, you're losing out! You'll meet so many who can contribute to your writing career. While checking out PodCast 2009 in Ohio's website (I follow them at Twitter), there was a link to Words to Mouth. What an excellent site for writers and readers! It's definitely worth the stopover. I'll be following them SOON, as in today.

HARO, GoDaddy, The Writer's Chatroom, Linda's Gifts and Decor, Linda J. Hutchinson, Living with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis, Twitter, Words to Mouth, and PodCast 2009 in Ohio were all mentioned in this post. And many of those listed here will be included in other blogger's and website owner's sites.

See how social media works?

E-book stats

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:02:00 +0000

And you think e-books will never become much to shout about... Go here for the stats: http://www.openebook.org/doc_library/industrystats.htm

Reading mss of C. Hope Clark

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:59:00 +0000

Currently reading Ms. C. Hope Clark's mss. Enjoying it very much. I can't even tell you the title yet. But, I can tell you it's a good story with a great opening hook.

Having to wear a neck brace post-surgery makes reading a tough endeavor. I have to prop 5 pillows behind me on the bed and then prop 3 pillows on my stomach to hold the book, or in this case a stack of copy paper, in a position that I can read it through my tri-focal lenses - while maintaining my spine in the prescribed supine position.

Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh. Just wait until your spine falls apart.

My motto: "Never Give Up!"

You can follow the ups and downs of my recovery at http://livingwithfmandoa.blogspot.com

And, yes, my website is still down. My .com is probably lost forever. I'm working with GoDaddy to get it set up again. If you have tried to email me at linda@ I didn't get it. Please use hutchlj at yahoo dot com until further notice. Thank you!

Oh, I nearly forgot to say "Tripod/Lycos sucks - lousy webhost!"

My website is still down.

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:56:00 +0000

This is day 5 of my website being down. Tripod's "FR*E" domain name is NOT FR*E if you every want to leave their web hosting - which I've been trying to do for a very long time. They won't give me the DNS unlock code until I've paid a $12.95 "rental" fee on my domain name - and agree to pay it for the rest of my life.

My site was never set up on "Fr*e" to begin with. I paid them $8.95 for the Pro plan every month for 5 years. One would think that I would own my domain name. However, I do not.

And, of course, their "customer service" is only open Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 - and it takes at least 3 days to get a response from them via email.

So, I've not only got a website that is non-functional STILL, but all of my website email is down, too.

I will say LOUDLY once again, "Do NOT use Tripod/Lycos as your webhost!" Ever.

GoDaddy is ready to give me telephone support - 24 hours per day !! - if Tripod will ever get around to giving me the DNS unlock code so I can move my site.

Tripod/Lycos sucks.

I'm sure this will not be the end to this particular rant. The BS never seems to end when your webhost is Tripod/Lycos.

Beware, be wary!

All of this on top of trying to heal from major spine surgery. Please excuse typos and mis-spellings. I haven't had my meds yet today.

Tosca Lee releases Havah!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:57:00 +0000

Tosca Lee, whom I interviewed in a live chat at The Writer's Chatroom because I loved her first book, Demon: A Memoir, is now releasing Havah: The Story of Eve.

Just in from Rebeca Seitz, President, Glass Road Public Relations, LLC:

A Novel Approach to Reflecting Your Light.

Tosca Lee's Next Book is in Stores NOW!

Havah: The Story of Eve receives praise...

"...a passionate and riveting story of the Bible's first woman and her remarkable journey after being cast from paradise...Lee's superior storytelling will have readers weeping for all that Havah forfeited by a single damning choice."

Publishers Weekly

(starred review)

"Havah is a novel with boundless imagination."

Eric Wilson (Fireproof)

"...an extraordinary book about an extraordinary woman...she has brought Havah to life."

Randy Ingermanson, Christy-award winning novelist

Giving Havah as a gift or want your copy personalized? Email books@toscalee.com to receive a FREE personalized bookplate.

Have a book club? Copy this link into your browser http://havahstoryofeve.com/main.php to learn about the FREE book club kit Tosca put together! You can also watch the trailer, read chapter one and read Tosca's notes about writing the book - which always offer more insights into the making of the book than you'd ever find on the flap.

Before you say, "I'm not into reading Christian/religious books," I'll remind you of what I said in my review of Demon: "If all references to religion, the bible and Christianity, were removed from this book, it would still be a great read!"

This book does not preach. You won't be seeing that shouting preacher in your mind's eye as you read Tosca's books. However, you will get lost in the story.

Tosca writes in a lilting, lyrically mesmerizing - nearly hypnotic - style that will keep you reading until the most unexpected of endings. She is a master storyteller who does impeccable research.

Contact Rebeca Seitz, President
Ph (615) 986-9516 ofc, (615) 308-1198 cell, (270) 472-3448 hm
Fx (615) 986-9517
www.GlassRoadPR.com

PS If I didn't adore Tosca as a person, I'd still say the same things about her books and her ability to write. Just wanted to clear that up.

Visit me elsewhere post-surgery

noreply@blogger.com (Linda J. Hutchinson) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:35:00 +0000

I'm having surgery tomorrow to replace at least 3 discs in my neck and to correct other problems caused by fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

The only blog I'll be updating for awhile is http://livingwithfmandoa.blogspot.com Considering some of the drugs I'll be on, this could be hilarious - or total chaos.

Stop by and say hello! I'll be tied to a recliner for a few weeks.