Meet The Author with Deborah Fletcher Mello

Name:  Deborah Fletcher Mello

Age: Old enough to know better and still young enough not to care!

Location: Wherever the moment moves me but I maintain base camp in NC…for now.

Genre: Romance / Women’s Fiction / Literary Fiction

Experience/Educational Background: In addition to crafting over 30 published fiction titles, my writing experience encompasses twenty-plus years of scripting technical resources and training documentation for numerous corporations throughout the United States and abroad. 

Full or Part Time Writer: Full-time

 

Getting to Know

 

Can you provide 4 words that describe your writing style? 

Appropriate to the storyline

Do you have a writing process?

If yes, briefly explain. I’m what’s affectionately called a “pantser”. I rarely plot out an entire story and never know how it’s going to end. I know the characters and I allow them to tell me what they want told.

What is your favorite book and why? Who is the author? 

Hands down, my all-time favorite book is STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE by Guy Johnson. It’s a romance, historical tale, and a dramatic saga that resonates with brilliant storytelling.

If you were asked to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be and why?

I have no qualms about dealing with any controversial topic so I’d be open to most things. With the changing political and domestic climate right now, I would really like to do something that revolves around race relations, or lack thereof.

Your story takes place in Colorado but has a character arriving from Thailand, are these locations directly connected to you? 

Not directly, but they are places that I have visited and loved. I have often toyed with the idea of moving to the Midwest, to the Arizona / Colorado area and I’m obsessed with Thai culture and food after spending a holiday there many years ago. It was fun to merge the best of both into this story.

Why did you choose sibling rivalry as the basis of this particular book?

I’m always fascinated by family dynamics. As I thought about the connection that twins have I wondered how it might play out if the brothers weren’t close or were at odds with each other. I’ve often said that not everyone has a perfect mother and siblings aren’t always each other’s best friend.

Is this book the start of a series? 

GUILTY PLEASURES is the first book in a two-book series. It’s the story of the younger twin brother Alexander. The second book, PERFECT PLEASURES coming in the fall, is the story of the older twin brother, Zachary.

 

Fun Facts

 

What city would you rather live in? 

It’s a tossup between Talamone and Porto Santo Stefano, both in Italy, in the Tuscan Maremma.

If you could vacation anywhere, where would it be and why? 

Morocco, because it’s one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It’s rich with culture and history and between the mountains, the desert, and the coast, it’s one unique experience after another. 

If you could collaborate on a book with any author, who would it be and why? 

Walter Mosely because I absolutely love everything about his writing. 

What is your favorite thing to do before a book signing? 

Pray! Public appearances make me nervous and asking for a little help to get through and not embarrass myself never hurts!

Getting Serious

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Be nicer, do better, and remember that you can’t change what you can’t control. 

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? 

Still telling stories and hopefully through other mediums, like film and video. 

What is your motto for life and career? 

There is no trick to living or doing well. There is just the decision to do so.

What is your favorite scripture? 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Learn more about Deborah Fletcher Mello at website

About Guilty Pleasures

Purchase at Amazon.com

Former NBA star Alexander Barrett has slam dunked his career into second gear with the grand opening of his hot new gym in Boulder, Colorado. But his excitement is tempered when his estranged twin brother, MMA title holder Zachary “The Hammer” Barrett returns home from Thailand. Alex has never forgiven Zach for marrying his college sweetheart. And while they’re now divorced, his bitterness lingers.

Zach hoped to re-connect with his brother, but when his personal assistant and trainer, Sarai Montri, arrives, their rivalry is soon reignited. Highly educated, not to mention gorgeous, the former Miss Thailand captivates Alex for the first time since his heartbreak. But Sarai’s devotion to Zach only stirs up the past. Will the brothers’ competitive natures tear them apart once more–with Sarai caught in the middle? …

Spotlight Wednesday: The Bipolar Millionaire by John E. Wade II

Title: The Bipolar Millionaire

Author: John E. Wade II

Publisher: Sunbury Press

Pages: 164

Genre: Memoir

John E. Wade II, retired CPA, author, investor, television producer, and philanthropist, reveals in his memoir, The Bipolar Millionaire, his personal struggle with bipolar disorder and how he has succeeded in living a balanced and blessed life, despite his mental illness.

Wade takes the reader through his family experiences, political aspirations and beliefs, spiritual journey, relationship trials and errors, all while battling mental illness.

Through his religious beliefs, personal perseverance, and the help of friends, family, and his mental health professionals, Wade lives an active, creative, and successful life.

His memoir doesn’t end with contentment at achieving a balance in his life, however. Instead, Wade expresses a determined vision for the future, aiming to assist humanity in what he describes as achieving heaven on earth through his writing, political and spiritual endeavors.

For More Information

• The Bipolar Millionaire is available at Amazon.

• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.

• Pick up your copy at the Sunbury Press store.

• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

I was born in Decatur, Alabama, grew up in Georgia and Mississippi, and have lived in New Orleans for many years.  After high school, I attended the Air Force Academy for a few months until I received an honorable medical discharge resulting from a severe case of meningitis and my first experience with bipolar disorder. Eventually I enrolled at the University of Georgia, where I received a BBA and MA, was named the most outstanding senior accounting student, and served as president of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society. I worked in accounting for nearly thirty years, in both the private sector and eventually for the federal government.

I began writing in 1998, and my first book-length work, Focus Investing, was purchased by John E. Wiley & Sons, but never published, because of changing market conditions. Still, I had discovered the joy of writing and have since produced many essays, blogs, and books.  Deep Within My Heart is a published book containing many of my earliest essays.

My next book project was conceiving and compiling How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth, a collection of essays from 101 other individuals–from world leaders to Nobel and Pulitzer prize winners–about the ten elements of Heaven on Earth as I conceived of them at that time (peace, security, freedom, democracies, prosperity, racial harmony, spiritual harmony, ecological harmony, health, as well as moral purpose and meaning–at the urging of my local editor, Charlotte L. Piotrowski, who pushed for “gender equality,” I have sense added “gender harmony” to the list of ten elements).  I am especially proud of this work and hope it inspires humankind for generations.

In 2012, Ronald Reagan’s Wisdom for the Twenty-First Century was published, which excerpts some of Reagan’s most insightful and articulate quotations from before, during, and even after his presidency, coupled with commentary highlighting the ways in which Reagan’s wisdom is as relevant as ever. Then, in 2014, Glimpses of Heaven on Earth, a book of inspiring quotations and insightful essays by four other co-authors and me, was published. This book won the 2014 Living Now Book Awards bronze metal in Social Activism/Charity. My most recent literary project is The Bipolar Millionaire, my deeply personal memoir.

In 2006, I founded the charity Soldiers of Love, which encourages and enables ordinary citizens to work toward a better world. Soldiers of Love partners with other charities with similar goals, both in the local New Orleans community and beyond.  In 2011 I began producing the television series that also relates to the the goal of Heaven on Earth.

I am passionate about travel and have visited China, India, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Brazil, Argentina, much of Europe, Costa Rico, the Caribbean including Cuba, as well as much of North America.  Some of these trips have been spiritual journeys and mission trips. I enjoy learning about other cultures and my travels inspire my writing and philanthropy. I am equally passionate about my adopted hometown.  I enjoy New Orleans’ unique food, architecture, and music, as well as Saints football games.  I also cheer on the Bulldogs–The University of Georgia, which I attended, and Mississippi State University, where the Davis Wade Stadium was named after my father.

For More Information

• Visit John E. Wade’s website.

• Connect with John on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Blast: Her One True Love by Rachel Brimble

AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

www.rafflecopter.com

Purchase Links

Amazon US/ Barnes and Noble

She Can’t Forget Him…

Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…

He Can’t Let Her Go…

Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits–including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?..

Learn more about Rachel Brimble

Website/ Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter

Meet The Author: Shonda Jabang

Shona V. Jamadi-Jabang is a Jamaican-American. She is a 9^th and 10^th grade language arts teacher at Lakenheath American High school as well as a part-time writing instructor with the University of Maryland University College (UMUC – Europe). She lives with her husband, Lamin, and two dogs. Shona Jamadi-Jabang originally grew up in the UK but has lived in Jamaica, Canada, and the US before returning to the UK to work as a teacher. She has a BA in English, an MS in Education, and MA in Creative Writing (MCW). She enjoys writing stories, poems, and plays that are based on her cultural background – an amalgamation of all the in which she has lived. Shona has just published her first collection of short stories and poems entitled Ethereal Voices under her pen name Shona Jabang and was also recently awarded The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize for her story, “The Sea Witch,” which was published in the The Caribbean Writer.

Get to know the author:

Who is Shona Jabang?

Shona Jabang is a Jamaican-American author who has recently released her debut collection of short stories and poems entitled Ethereal Voices.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I have always enjoyed writing and reading as many books as I can. I am a voracious reader, and I enjoy stories from all cultures that cover a variety of complex themes and issues. I love to travel, do my artwork, and I love animals.

What has influenced your writing?

My writing has been influenced by my Jamaican heritage, my upbringing, and my travels.

Where do get the inspiration for your characters?

I am inspired by stories my mother used to tell, Jamaican myths and legends, religion, and superstition. I also enjoy stories that are different in terms of their subject matter and somewhat fatalistic characters.

Who would be your ideal reader?

Anyone who has a thirst for learning about different countries, fantasies, and complex relationships will love my stories and my poems.

Do you consider yourself a poet as well as a short story writer?

Many of my stories are full of poetry and imagery. I have two stories that are written in a distinct poetic format, which is a very intriguing manner to write and to read a story – poetic fiction.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans are to keep writing. I would like to write a collection of short stories revolving around my ancestry, which I have managed to trace back to the 1850s on both my maternal and paternal sides. I already have a title in mind.

Find the author:

https://www.facebook.com/etherealvoices

https://etherealvoicesbyjabang.wordpress.com/

https://twitter.com/tajjee7777

About The Book

The short stories included in Ethereal Voices by Shona Jabang are reflections of so many aspects of Jamaican life. However, with stories set in Africa, the UK, and America, each story has its own unique take on what it means to be from the Caribbean. The stories span the 1920’s to the 2000’s. The reader cannot help but become caught up in the drama and longing expressed in these colorful stories where themes of social mores and norms and struggles with and impact of emigration are all wrapped in the complexities of relationships in the Jamaican community. This collection of stories and poems overflow with vivid imagery, poetry, rhythmic tones, and symphonies of poignant moods.

Get the book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethereal-Voices-Shona-…/…/1326520814

http://www.amazon.com/Ethereal-Voices-Shona-Ja…/…/1326520814