Friday, September 30, 2016
Zombie Rock takes the absurd and makes it believable
Entertaining story told in the first person by a seventeen-year-old boy living in the time of a plague. The Red Plague makes people crave brains so they are renamed zombies. With proper diet, they are able to function, Jackson's world slowly shrinks to us and them, infected or not. J.R. Cleveland writes a feasible scenario leaving the reader sympathetic to the characters you were supposed to and repelled by the unlikable. Sometimes humorous, mostly tongue in cheek, Cleveland tackles important issues like teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, abuse, bullying, and treatment of people who are different. Zombie Rock takes the absurd and makes it believable much like his other novel Abducted. He understands teen boys and gives them the right voice. A fun read where the monsters are not necessarily the ones eating brains.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Monday, September 26, 2016
Inspiring Minds
My illustrator for the cultural series had a lot of fun with some three and four-year-olds recently! Kelsea has always been a pleasure to work with. She puts so much effort into her beautiful illustrations and has made a wonderful difference in the lives of the families that read my series. Thank you Kelsea for sharing my books with these children, introducing them to other countries and cultures, and inspiring their creative minds with information about how you make the characters come to life.
"I was a guest artist at my sister's Montessori school. I read If You Were Me And Lived In...Australia and If You Were Me And Lived In...Norway to the kids and they loved them! I talked about what it's like being an illustrator and took a few questions from the kids."- Kelsea
Kelsea Wierenga is one of my illustrators. Read more about here below.
About
Kelsea Parks Wierenga graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2006. She has worked seven years as a professional illustrator and designer for CreateSpace.com, a Print On Demand book publisher in Charleston, South Carolina. Sometimes I’m a Fire-Breathing Dragon is an original story that Kelsea wrote, illustrated and published in 2010.
Kelsea is currently illustrating author Carole P. Roman’s cultural children’s book series available on Amazon.com. These informative and entertaining books detail every day life for kids living in countries around the world including: Mexico, France, South Korea, Norway and many more.
Kelsea is available for illustration and design work.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Five Stars!
Wonderful way to be an armchair traveler and visit some of the Unites States thrilling monuments. Little Miss History is an adorable guide that takes the reader behind the scenes in this book to Mount Rushmore. She goes into quite a bit of detail, explaining the scope and cost of the project giving fascinating facts, like the amount of explosives needs and the type of rock, as well as many of the challenges the sculptors faced. Even more interesting, Mojica doesn't shy from controversy regarding the bitter dispute between the United States government and the Native Americans over the land. This opens the door to discussions on how to solve the issue a appreciate the many cultures sharing American history.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Free Downloads Saturday and Sunday!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Sweet little romance about the fate, faith, and destiny
Sweet little romance about the fate, faith, and destiny. An accident brings an unknown, unconscious patient to the hospital in serious condition. He is comatose and the doctors discover there is something bigger going on. A dedicated nurse decides that the man needs his family as much as his family needs to know where he is. She learns and uses social media making the patient and his struggle into an internet interest. She raises awareness of him and in the process learns a lot about herself. This is a story about kismet, and how in some strange way we are all connected, whether we realize it or not. A quick and enjoyable read.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Every empire rises the same way
Every empire rises the same way, using it power and financial muscle to rule the world. This planet has seen many supposedly " indestructible" empires from The Roman, to The Ottoman, The Russian, Napoleon's French Empire, the thousand year Reich that lasted barely twenty years. It is a chilling thought that the American Empire could slide into a decline. Some would argue it already has.
TK Carter paints a bleak picture of the future where the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been trampled by too much government. There is widespread shortages, and as a result, the government decides who will be allowed to travel, get gas, or have medical treatment. Unrest between classes has forced them into an experimental program of reallotments - much like when the Bolsheviks confiscated homes and reassigned who would live there. The Nazi's did the same. Seem farfetched? It has happened time and time again throughout history. We have seen our own current government use brinkmanship shutting down services so many agencies went to part-time until funding was released.
The story follows several characters, the most terrifying, a ten year old cut off from her parents. Fast-paced and horrifying, this is a scary look into the possible scenario of the collapse of a government. While it may feel stretched as well as a little extreme, I think we have to remember that revolution of any kind takes people by surprise in ways they never see it coming.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
love letter written by the mayor about her home
When I grow up, I want to live in Tofino. This a love letter written by the mayor of the small town in Vancouver Island about her home. Though it sounds like a sun-drenched Italian resort, it really a small island in British Columbia. Kait Fennel leaves no stone unturned in her vivid and thorough descriptions. A surfers paradise, it is filled with Native American history, and well as a natural wonderland for people see enjoy animals doing what they do best. She includes highlights, activities for young and old as well as charming snippets for the areas inhabitants. This is a wonderful slice of life in a beautiful place, where people are proud to share their heritage as well as their hospitality. I received a copy of this book for an honest review, but now I think I honestly want to bring my grandkids there for a visit!
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Monday, September 12, 2016
a love letter to her family
Promises by Ardyce Durham is a love letter to her family, a detailed and charmingly written memoir of a Southern family living just prior to the Civil War.
Owen and Weston are best friends, buddies who do everything together. With a Huck Finn quality, Durham recreates farm life in the South. The tone changes with the whirlwind of the Civil War. Durham traces Owen's experiences with a folksy style creating a slice of life in a family living through the calamity of crisis.
Well written, truthful to the times, this is an interesting picture of American Life spanning close to one hundred years.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Perfect adventure for middle school students
Perfect adventure for middle school students. Orphan farm boy Luke is abducted by aliens he found attempting to milk his cow in the family barn. He wakes up aboard the alien ship only to discover the parents he thought were dead are imprisoned on a distant planet. They were on a mission for NASA on Mars and now Luke has to save them. Action-packed, full of wild life forms, Cleveland writes with humor and warmth. Luke is a fun action hero, his interaction with his alien comrades entertaining. Abducted is an enjoyable journey that I will enjoy sharing with my grandson. Loved the ending.
Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
a boon to the authors who have good creative imagination and substantial content to write but often fail to succeed
"I consider myself fortunate to read this gem of a book.
In today’s publishing world, This book comes as a breather and a ray of hope to independent, first timer self published authors who by default get bogged down by the different aspects of publishing due to lack of knowledge and guidance.
The brilliant authors of this book, Julie and Carole comes together to share their hard earned vast experiences of self publishing in this easy to read and comprehensive book. They have literally covered each and every aspect of self publishing which can make an author well placed and successful in his writing career.
This book is a boon to the authors who have good creative imagination and substantial content to write but often fail to succeed due to negligence on other aspects of self publishing."
-Amazon Reviewer
Friday, September 2, 2016
Number 1 In Hot New Releases!
Social media guru, Julie A. Gerber and award-winning author of forty-three best-selling, independently published books, Carole P. Roman, team up to travel the winding road of self-publishing, promoting, and marketing a book. Join these two self-help experts as they share their vast store of experience in an easy to read, comprehensive guide, complete with end of chapter checklists to keep an author on track.
Learn the importance of a beta reader and the value of a good editor. Know what's needed when preparing a list for choosing an illustrator. Compare the many ways to promote your book. Find out what each step can cost and where you can save. This guide takes new independent authors from the first draft, through publication and the complicated world of marketing. Included is a directory of resources to help get there faster.
Navigating Indieworld will end up being the ultimate travel guide for writers on their journey to published author.
Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/NavigatingIndieworld
Introduction
A funny thing happened on the way to my retirement. I found myself entering a whole new career in my late fifties, joining a community of people in which there was no return. I entered Indieworld.
A different breed of people live there, yet we all have the same agenda. It’s an amazing place - we don’t see our differences. We are color, age, and gender blind. We only want to tell our story and have it be appreciated. Oh yes, and make a small fortune in the process.
Indieworld is a vast entity filled with a universe of people driven to do the same thing. They are seeking what I refer to as the three “Fs”: fame, fortune, and fulfillment without getting screwed. I bet you thought I was going to use another word.
It’s been four years since I fell through the rabbit hole of independent publishing, and I feel the motivation to give back to my people. This is for the endless population of folks who are loitering on social media, crammed on Goodreads, and filling up blogs, who are lost and don’t know how to get on the track to succeed.
If any chapter of this book makes it easier for one of our brethren and they make it to Fifty Shades of Gray status, then we feel we have done our job. A best-seller for one of us is a victory for all of Indiekind.
This is making me feel like an independent author superhero, and every one of those has a valiant sidekick. A brave individual ready to take on the dark forces of bad reviews, expensive publicity, and the black hole of a four-digit high-rating number on Amazon.
The partner in my quest for the three “Fs” is Julie Gerber, the head guru at Away We Go Media. She is the wonder woman of social media, the empress of Twitter, the princess of Pinterest, and a maverick riding the ups and downs of Facebook. She has become a vital part of our process and a member of our family. I could not have done it without her.
We will approach the subject to educate, prepare, and enable any person to write, publish, and ultimately sell their books to the general public. This is our story.
A different breed of people live there, yet we all have the same agenda. It’s an amazing place - we don’t see our differences. We are color, age, and gender blind. We only want to tell our story and have it be appreciated. Oh yes, and make a small fortune in the process.
Indieworld is a vast entity filled with a universe of people driven to do the same thing. They are seeking what I refer to as the three “Fs”: fame, fortune, and fulfillment without getting screwed. I bet you thought I was going to use another word.
It’s been four years since I fell through the rabbit hole of independent publishing, and I feel the motivation to give back to my people. This is for the endless population of folks who are loitering on social media, crammed on Goodreads, and filling up blogs, who are lost and don’t know how to get on the track to succeed.
If any chapter of this book makes it easier for one of our brethren and they make it to Fifty Shades of Gray status, then we feel we have done our job. A best-seller for one of us is a victory for all of Indiekind.
This is making me feel like an independent author superhero, and every one of those has a valiant sidekick. A brave individual ready to take on the dark forces of bad reviews, expensive publicity, and the black hole of a four-digit high-rating number on Amazon.
The partner in my quest for the three “Fs” is Julie Gerber, the head guru at Away We Go Media. She is the wonder woman of social media, the empress of Twitter, the princess of Pinterest, and a maverick riding the ups and downs of Facebook. She has become a vital part of our process and a member of our family. I could not have done it without her.
We will approach the subject to educate, prepare, and enable any person to write, publish, and ultimately sell their books to the general public. This is our story.
Carole P. Roman
Long Island, New York
Long Island, New York
---
Chapter 1
Genesis ~ Carole
Genesis ~ Carole
Let’s start with Genesis, the beginning, the tiny seed of an idea that roots itself in your brain crying out to be nurtured.
It ignites with a spark, the light that illuminates the recesses of your mind, making the wheels start to whirl feverously.
The thoughts refuse to be extinguished. They needle, interrupting your daily chores, making you stare off into space and think. You shelve it; you have too much to do, but it percolates, the “what ifs” bubbling up until they erupt in a cataclysmic explosion that finally forces you to take your computer in hand and gaze at the white screen that turns your face red with the heat of embarrassment. Can you do this?
Writing a book is subjective. It’s a highly personal experience. You are taking your deepest thoughts, your fears, perceptions and laying them out like a smorgasbord for the world to read, peruse, and finally, judge you based on their personal point of view. Sometimes they are brutal, flaying the words from your book like a marauder. Other times, you will strike a communal cord, touching their heart and soul in the most intimate way. Either way, it is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
Your subject or story means everything to you. You can plot and plan, but somehow they take on a life of their own. Don’t obsess about what you are writing. You may find that like the childhood game of telephone, your book has morphed somehow and is a completely different story from where you began. In the end, it won’t matter; keep the momentum going, and let it develop organically. Once your characters take the lead, it becomes their story and not yours. Push to the finish line. As soon as you complete it, you’ll find out that is when the hard work really starts. Jump into the world of indie writers.
You will find plenty of experts to help you take your project from idea to a finished work of art. Amazon and the internet are filled with books to help you through the nuts and bolts of writing a book.
I got started writing when most people are thinking about jettisoning work and lightening their load. My sons dared me to take on the challenge. After all, I had talked about it my entire life. It was a long time dream, put on the back burner, the demands of family and business eclipsing my passion.
I didn’t know where to begin. My son urged me to sit and start writing. You don’t need special tools or carved out time. It could be while you’re waiting for the kids at practice, when you are on the train, or in my case, at my desk, in the office, before everyone arrived to begin the workday.
Experts say, write about what you know. I don’t agree with that. Write about what you want to know. Write about what you love or hate. What about what you want. If we all wrote about what we know, do you think there would be so many choices on Amazon in science fiction or fantasy?
All that matters is you enjoy it and finish it. You could be the one to make a fortune and become the next literary breakout. Maybe you won’t. Either way, you are leaving a permanent marker that you were here. You are sending out a piece of yourself to our vast universe to mingle with other notions. Perhaps you are going to change the world. Uh oh, did I make you feel self-conscious?
Don’t be intimidated by the thoughts rushing through your head! Once you start, your imagination will take on a life of its own.
You can’t do it, you tell yourself. You feel stupid. It’s silly, a childish daydream, you are thinking, but still your fingers type. You are so lost in research; nobody can have a coherent conversation with you. You’re discovering things you’ve never known before.
Your spouse is annoyed; the kids are hungry; the boss is mad; you missed a deadline for work. It doesn’t matter. All that counts are the words flowing from your speeding fingers, your shoulders shaking with mirth at your humor. It will start to take shape; the paragraphs will add up, and a story will emerge. Enjoy the sting behind your eyes at the sad turn of events for Brad, Thad, Emily, or Justin. The thrill of a chase or the crazy quilt of twists you are creating.
Check the word count. Fifteen hundred words. Is that dawn peeking under the shades? Sixty-five hundred by the following weekend. You hit twenty thousand yesterday. Did you share your creation with anyone? Did you tell your bus driver you are writing a book?
You do sleep; you still eat; you continue to perform your day job. Mindless activities like laundry are a welcome relief as you plot and plan, playing out scenarios in your mind. You function in a Twilight Zone of want. You want to complete the next chapter; you want to tie the threads together; you want to - finish? The computer waits on the table, mocking you, daring you to continue.
Reread or not to reread - you can. Don’t let it stop you. Don’t overthink it, yet they’ll be others who will do that for you. Today you’re like a dynamo. Just finish the darn thing!
The story is taking shape; your characters have a personality - you love them; no, maybe you hate them. They are as real to you as the faces you are cleaning up after dinner and the soft cheeks you kiss goodnight. You return to your computer with ice-cream or popcorn, whatever your comfort food of choice and continue.
So it begins, your opus, your work of art. The shaping and molding of words to echo your thoughts, your deepest, love/fear, hate/joy - it doesn’t matter. It’s yours, and it’s here. You read it multiple times, but you need to have another opinion. It could be your spouse, lover, or friend, but the time has come to share your creation with someone who promises to be honest. It’s time to launch this baby into orbit.
It ignites with a spark, the light that illuminates the recesses of your mind, making the wheels start to whirl feverously.
The thoughts refuse to be extinguished. They needle, interrupting your daily chores, making you stare off into space and think. You shelve it; you have too much to do, but it percolates, the “what ifs” bubbling up until they erupt in a cataclysmic explosion that finally forces you to take your computer in hand and gaze at the white screen that turns your face red with the heat of embarrassment. Can you do this?
Writing a book is subjective. It’s a highly personal experience. You are taking your deepest thoughts, your fears, perceptions and laying them out like a smorgasbord for the world to read, peruse, and finally, judge you based on their personal point of view. Sometimes they are brutal, flaying the words from your book like a marauder. Other times, you will strike a communal cord, touching their heart and soul in the most intimate way. Either way, it is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
Your subject or story means everything to you. You can plot and plan, but somehow they take on a life of their own. Don’t obsess about what you are writing. You may find that like the childhood game of telephone, your book has morphed somehow and is a completely different story from where you began. In the end, it won’t matter; keep the momentum going, and let it develop organically. Once your characters take the lead, it becomes their story and not yours. Push to the finish line. As soon as you complete it, you’ll find out that is when the hard work really starts. Jump into the world of indie writers.
You will find plenty of experts to help you take your project from idea to a finished work of art. Amazon and the internet are filled with books to help you through the nuts and bolts of writing a book.
I got started writing when most people are thinking about jettisoning work and lightening their load. My sons dared me to take on the challenge. After all, I had talked about it my entire life. It was a long time dream, put on the back burner, the demands of family and business eclipsing my passion.
I didn’t know where to begin. My son urged me to sit and start writing. You don’t need special tools or carved out time. It could be while you’re waiting for the kids at practice, when you are on the train, or in my case, at my desk, in the office, before everyone arrived to begin the workday.
Experts say, write about what you know. I don’t agree with that. Write about what you want to know. Write about what you love or hate. What about what you want. If we all wrote about what we know, do you think there would be so many choices on Amazon in science fiction or fantasy?
All that matters is you enjoy it and finish it. You could be the one to make a fortune and become the next literary breakout. Maybe you won’t. Either way, you are leaving a permanent marker that you were here. You are sending out a piece of yourself to our vast universe to mingle with other notions. Perhaps you are going to change the world. Uh oh, did I make you feel self-conscious?
Don’t be intimidated by the thoughts rushing through your head! Once you start, your imagination will take on a life of its own.
You can’t do it, you tell yourself. You feel stupid. It’s silly, a childish daydream, you are thinking, but still your fingers type. You are so lost in research; nobody can have a coherent conversation with you. You’re discovering things you’ve never known before.
Your spouse is annoyed; the kids are hungry; the boss is mad; you missed a deadline for work. It doesn’t matter. All that counts are the words flowing from your speeding fingers, your shoulders shaking with mirth at your humor. It will start to take shape; the paragraphs will add up, and a story will emerge. Enjoy the sting behind your eyes at the sad turn of events for Brad, Thad, Emily, or Justin. The thrill of a chase or the crazy quilt of twists you are creating.
Check the word count. Fifteen hundred words. Is that dawn peeking under the shades? Sixty-five hundred by the following weekend. You hit twenty thousand yesterday. Did you share your creation with anyone? Did you tell your bus driver you are writing a book?
You do sleep; you still eat; you continue to perform your day job. Mindless activities like laundry are a welcome relief as you plot and plan, playing out scenarios in your mind. You function in a Twilight Zone of want. You want to complete the next chapter; you want to tie the threads together; you want to - finish? The computer waits on the table, mocking you, daring you to continue.
Reread or not to reread - you can. Don’t let it stop you. Don’t overthink it, yet they’ll be others who will do that for you. Today you’re like a dynamo. Just finish the darn thing!
The story is taking shape; your characters have a personality - you love them; no, maybe you hate them. They are as real to you as the faces you are cleaning up after dinner and the soft cheeks you kiss goodnight. You return to your computer with ice-cream or popcorn, whatever your comfort food of choice and continue.
So it begins, your opus, your work of art. The shaping and molding of words to echo your thoughts, your deepest, love/fear, hate/joy - it doesn’t matter. It’s yours, and it’s here. You read it multiple times, but you need to have another opinion. It could be your spouse, lover, or friend, but the time has come to share your creation with someone who promises to be honest. It’s time to launch this baby into orbit.
To Do List:
1 - Write your book.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
On Sale The Month Of September!
On sale the month of September!
99 cents
Excerpt:
I sunk into the water, and let the suds and scent of lavender engulf me. The stress of the day finally began to melt away.
My body jolted.
I was in the middle of the desert. There were grass huts and women with hajjis walking quickly around me. Something whizzed past my ear, and a deafening explosion rocked me off my feet. I instinctively curled my body in a fetal position.
I listened for the screams to start, but it was eerily silent. I glanced around, but all I saw was water.
I was still in the bath. What had just happened? Was that a vision? Had I fallen asleep?
My headache was a dull thud now.
A knock on the washroom door made me gasp. I sat upright in the tub and heard my roommate, Amber, call in, “Mary, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just must have fallen asleep.”
“Hey, Amber, what time is it?” I looked down at my pruney fingers and wondered how long I was in the tub.
Amber said, “It’s five thirty.”
I leaned forward and turned on the hot water. The bath water had gotten cold while I had drifted off.
I leaned back as the warm water ran over my toes and closed my eyes, wondering what I should wear tonight. I wanted to look beautiful for Joe. I began to picture every outfit in my closet, and tried to imagine his reaction to it.
A shiver ran down my back and I faintly hear the water splash over the edge.
I opened my eyes and tried to scream. All that came out was a reverse gasp, and I pulled my towel in to cover my body.
A small child was in the tub with me. He couldn’t be older than five. Blood was running down his face, and his body was covered in sand mixed with congealing blood. He was clinging to my towel, and I didn’t know whether to let go of it or yank it back from him. His dark hair was wet with fresh blood. My heart filled with sadness and I quit trying to scream.
As I clung to my own towel, I didn’t know what was happening or what I should do.
The little boy raised his head and more sadness poured into my heart. His eyes were dark pools of grief and despair. They pleaded with me, begging me to help.
How? I mouthed silently.
I jumped when he began to move slowly toward me. He lifted one arm and spoke in a language I didn’t recognize. I knew I didn’t know exactly what his words meant, but I knew what he was saying: He was hurt and needed help.
The closer he came, the more my fear eased and the pain increased. He reached for my arm. His hand was bloodied, and it sent a jolt of electricity and agony throughout my body. I tried to pull away, but his grip was locked on my arm. His eyes turned black and murky, and a voice not his own spoke.
“Princess, help my people,” it said.
I shook my head.
“Let go!” I tried to scream again.
The little boy disappeared, and I jumped out of the bathtub, wet towel still wrapped around my body, and crumbled to the floor. The blood was smeared all around me, and I looked at my arm. The blood was still there, too.
I whimpered, scrubbed at my arm until it was raw, and yet I could still see the blood.
E-book Sale:
During the month of September, Princess of the Light is on sale for the super-low price of $.99 USD. 100% of the proceeds during this time will go directly to our local food bank to help feed children and families in need. This is the first time Princess of the Light has ever been this low and who knows when it will be this low again.
Buy Links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469480
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/princess-of-the-light-nn-light/1120170709?ean=9781502438454
Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5008419
Goodreads:
Author Bio: N. N. Light is the husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.
They’re blissfully happy and love all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.
Most of the time you can find them on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. They’re a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.
In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.
100% of the proceeds of Princess of the Light go directly to food banks (US and Canada) in order to feed the hungry and help those in need. With only 7,500 books sold, N. N. Light will be able to set up a monthly endowment for the local food bank.
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