On Monday, I am honored to annnounce we will have a special guest here to talk with us--Owen Fiddler (and his sidekick Marvin Wilson!).  Marbin is going to choose one commentor from all Owen's stops (see dates below) to win a copy of Owen Fiddler.  In addition--EVERYONE who leaves a comment will receive a free first chapter sample of OWEN FIDDLER--so get those comments in folks--and don't forget to leave an email address so Marvin knows where to send your fre gift.

Here is a list of all of Owen's stops--I'm sure he's welcome you stopping by:

         OWEN FIDDLER 2008 - The No Dead Trees Cyber Tour

Hosts

Joyce Anthony    June 16 - blog  https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Peggy Bell    June 18 - blog   http://peggyullmanbell.com/sappho_sings.blog/

Janet Elaine Smith   June 19 - radio show http://internetvoicesradio.com/

Phil Harris     June 20 - blog   http://philipharris.blogspot.com/

Bradley Simpson (aka Veldane Darkhosis)  June 21 - blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=11425927

Beckie Joki    June 22 - blog   http://360.yahoo.com/chevynova71us

Kwame    June 24 - blog   http://kwameswritings.blogspot.com/ 

Lisa Haselton June 28 blog http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews

Billie Williams   July 1 - blog  http://printedwords.blogspot.com/

Ron Berry  July 4 - blog      http://here-it-is.tripod.com/kritterwriter/        

Posted by joyceanthony at 1:24 AM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 15 June 2008 2:53 PM EDT

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We are running a fundraiser and it gives you guys a wonderful opportunity!!  One winner will receive a prize package of over eighteen books (see current list below)--all brand new and autographed by the authors!!!  The grand prize list is growing daily!!  In addition, there will be numerous prizes of one book given to random winners.  For all the details, go here:

https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/

Current Prize Package

It Had to Be Us by Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence http://www.bettyjotucker.com/   Susan Sarandon:  A True Maverick by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/   Confessions of a Movie Addict by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/   Death By Candlelight by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/   Knapsack Secrets by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/   Storm by Joyce A. Anthony https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/   Conduct Unbecoming by Nina M.Osier http://www.geocities.com/nina_osier/   Redemption by Judith Rochelle http://www.judithrochelle.com/   Shepherd's Pie by J. D. Webb http://www.jdwebb.com/   Heal and Forgive:  Forgiveness in the Face of Abuse by Nancy Richards http://www.healandforgive.net/   Cherry Blossoms in Twilight: Memories of a Japanese Girl by Yaeko Sugama Weldon and Linda E. Austin http://www.moonbridgebooks.com/   I Romanced the Stone by Marvin D. Wilson http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/   Different Roads by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1   True Blue Forever by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1   Gentle Journey by Elaine Lyons Bach http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=39176   Angel's Dance by Lynn C. Johnston http://www.lynncjohnston.com/   Bank Roll:  A Max Stryker Mystery by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/   Dakota Printer by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/

Posted by joyceanthony at 12:57 AM EDT

Updated: Sunday, 1 June 2008 1:05 AM EDT

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The recent storms in the south have created devastation for many.  Author Lacresha Hayes ( you will remember her from a few weeks back when she was here with her book The Rape of Innocence) and her husband saw there church damaged considerably.  In addition. many of their congregation have been left with basic needs unfulfilled. 

 A group of Lacresha's friends, myself included, are setting up a funraiser to help .  We are gathering a large package of printed books to raffle off.  The chances will be 1.00 each and the prize will be the entire set of books we gather--all new, many authographed--there will be at least ten, but watch here for titles as the number grows.

Any author willing to donate a copy of your book is asked to contact me at rainbow@velocity.net and I will let you know where to send the book.  For those wishing to buy chances, you can also contact me at the above address or watch this space for further information.

Thanks, Everyone!!!

Tomorrow, we start a week-long visit with author, Steven Bradley.

Posted by joyceanthony at 12:57 AM EDT

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Since today is my birthday, I thought I'd share with you an excerpt of my own book, Storm!!  I hope you enjoy it.  When finished, please click on the link to your left that takes you to further excerpts and a place to meet Jane, as well as other characters.  Of course, if you'd like to make my birthday extra special, each of you will buy a copy :-)

*****

Jane jumped to her feet and it appeared to Storm as though she were hugging the air.  What's going on?  Storm knew abused children sometimes had emotional breakdowns and he wondered if that was what he was witnessing.  Jane stepped back, still smiling, and once again looked as though she were listening.  She nodded her head one last time and watched the empty spot for a moment longer, then turned to Storm.  When she saw him, she ran over to him.

"Did you see him?"

"See who?  The crow?"

"No, the nice man.  He always visits me here."

Storm hadn't seen anyone, but the child seemed happier and he didn't want to ruin that.

"He makes me feel happy when he talks to me.  He won't hurt me like my daddy."

Storm had no clue as to how to respond.  Jane didn't seem to be waiting for an answer, however, so he kept quiet and listened to her talk.

"He used to come see me at my house, but then he helped me find this place.  He says Daddy is a bad man and I will be safe one day soon.  He says I can come live with him."

Storm found his voice.  "Do you know this man's name?"

"He says he has many, many names and I can call him anything I want."

"What do you call him?"

"He is my Special Friend.  He loves me and says my mommy will be at his house when I get to go live with him." 

The little girl turned and pointed at the tombstone she had been kneeling near, "This is where my mommy lives right now."

Posted by joyceanthony at 1:05 AM EDT

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The end of May (the 25th through 31st to be exact) I will have the pleasure of sharing this blog with Steven Bradley.  This incredible man has led a very full life so far--and isn't slowing down yet.  I wanted to share a few of the Author Banners he has made recently.  Stay tuned later in the month to see how you can also have one of these inccredible banners.  Here are three:

Aren't these wonderful???  I have yet to get Nikki Leigh here on a book tour (hint, Nikki!) but if you guys will recall, both Earl Hutchinson and Dyan Garris have paidf us a visit--and Dyan will be returningin less than two weeks for yet another wonderful visit--and a live chat on Chakras!!!  Please be sure to stop by and say Hello!

Posted by joyceanthony at 3:33 AM EDT

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Here it is folks, the first ever Rainbow Writing Contest!!!! 

 I thought it would be fun to have a contest for you guys, since you have been so great at sticking with me!!  Here's how it will work:

I will give you a brief scenario that must be included somewhere in your story.  Stories can run anywhere between 250 and 2000 words, so you have lots of room to play with.  In addition, any genre that would fit into G, PG or PG-13 is acceptable.  That pretty much opens up most genres. 

Additional rules can be found here: https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/id18.html

Of course there will be prizes--you didn't think I'd forget them, did you??:-)

First Prize will be either a book trailer or a trailer covering author's career and services--this will be author's choice--plus submission of said trailer to 25 video sharing sites. Video will be created by Surreal Storm Creations.

Second Prize will be copies of both Janet Elaine Smith's Promo Paks and Carolyn Howard Johnson's The Frugal Book Promoter.  (More information on each of these coming later this week).

Third Prize will be a surprise "rainbow package" with many rainbow-themed prizes included.

There will also be several Honorable Mention prizes.

Every semi-finalist will also be given a Rainbow Award of Writing Excellence to post on their website or blog.

The judging will take place in two parts.  First, a panel of six judges will read and rate each entry and he highest-scoring 25 entries will move into the semi-finals.  Here is where it gets fun.  These entries will be posted on my website for two weeks and viewers will vote on their favorites. 

Now for the scene that must be included:

It is almost night and there are several police cars with their lights flashing at a scene surrounded surrounded by yellow police tape.  Off to the side of this scene, a shadow of someone watching can be seen on the grass.

Okay....the rest is up to you!!!  

Again, please check out the rest of the rules at:

https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/id18.html

and get your entries in by May 31, 2008.

Have fun!!!

Posted by joyceanthony at 5:36 AM EDT

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I thought I'd take a moment today to let everyone know what is coming up for the month of May.  Besides the usual book reviews--I will be posting at least five within the next few weeks, there are several book trailers I want to share with everyone.  These were created by the up and coming Surreal Storm Creations.

 May will have four very exciting blog tours.  May 5-8, we will be visiting with Colin Davis, author of Tall Tales of the Iron Horse.  Christie Kremer, author of If Only, willl be paying us a visit from May 13-16.  Dyan Garris, who recently spent time here discussing her book will be back from May 17 thru May 20--and this time we get to explore all her wonderful works, from music to books and angel cards.  She will honor us with a live chat on chakras at 8PM EST on May 20.  May 21-May 24, our visitor will be Peter Knight with his interesting title 33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make With Firearms.

As if all this wasn't plenty, may will see my First Annual (I hope it will become annual!) Writing contest.  I'll be giving the details of this contest tomorrow, so don't forget to come back and check it out!!!

Posted by joyceanthony at 1:18 AM EDT

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I have a very special post tonight.  Ron Berry, one half of Surreal Storm Creations (yours truly is the other half) has created a book trailer for my book, Storm!!  Please let me know what you think!!!

Posted by joyceanthony at 12:30 AM EDT

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We are visiting for a few days with Lacresha Hayes, author of The Rape of Innocence.  Lacresha recounts how childhood sexual abuse took her childhood and how she came to overcome the pain to grow and become a minister who helps others in the same situation.

This is an isolated case, correct?  It doesn't happen often, does it? When it does happen, it's some shifty-looking stranger who just happened by, correct?  Wrong! A child is sexually abused every four seconds. One of every 3 girls and one of every 4 boys is sexually abused by age 18. Ninety percent of sexually abused children know and trust the perpetrator.  The little old man with the sweet smile next door could be a child molestor.  The daycare worker, minister or local police officer could all be hiding a horrid secret.  Child sex abusers come in every age, size, race and social class.

So, if there is no way to tell a child molestor by the way he or she looks (Yes, women can be child molestors too!) what can a person look for that might be a clue?  There is no one particular profile, but a majority of child molestors have the following characteristics:

• Usually an adult male.
• Often appear to be hard-working, family men.
• Tend to be better educated and more religious than the average person.
• Find ways to be alone with children; for instance, teachers or coaches who are in a position to give individual attention to students.
• Tends to be well liked by parents and children; often one of the most popular teachers in school.
• Actively seeks children who are quiet, needy, or have problems at home.
• Often photographs the victim.
• Often collects child pornography.
• Usually accomplishes molestation by gradual seduction, not coercion.
• Lavishes attention on children they don't abuse to build a sense of trust by parents and other students.

Unfortunately, we can't always protect our children no matter how hard we try.  To keep them totally safe, we'd have to lock them away from society and that in itself would be abuse--a child needs to interact with people to learn, grow and develop into the wonderful being they are meant to be. 

There are some signs you can watch for that might alert you to the fact that something is drastically wrong in your child's life.  While these can be symptoms of something other than sexual abuse, they do indicate a need to find out what is wrong:

• Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearfulness, and excessive crying

• Bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed, or other sleep disturbances

• Acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing an unusual interest in sexual matters

• A sudden acting out of feelings or aggressive or rebellious behavior

• Regression to infantile behavior; clinging

• School or behavioral problems

• Changes in toilet-training habits

• A fear of certain places, people, or activities

• Bruises, rashes, cuts, limping, multiple or poorly explained injuries

• Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid, or rawness in the private areas

Parents can help keep their children safe by teaching children that their bodies belong to them alone and nobody has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.  If someone violates that wish, children need to know they can come to you.  Let them know that even if they are told things like people will think they are bad or that someone will hurt them or their family, that they must still come to you because these things are not true.

Most of all--if your child comes to you and tells you someone touched them inappropriately, BELIEVE THEM!  It is very rare that a child will make up a story of this nature.  If trust has been violated, your child needs you to hold onto and believe them.

Posted by joyceanthony at 7:03 PM EDT

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As promised, today I announce the three additional winners of my Hundred Interview Contest.  First I want to take a minute to explain how I chose the winners.

 As I posted each interview, I wrote the interviewee's name down.  Once I reached the hundredth interview yesterday, I then asked each of my three guys to give me a number between one and ninety-nine.  I then went back and looked at my list to see who was given that number as I posted--those were my winners. 

 The winners and their prizes are (as well as a link to the orignal interview) are:

Dorien Grey has won a book trailer!  Check out his interview at: https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?from=20071203

Lorena McCourtney has won a package of promotional material!  Her interview is posted at:   https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?from=20071228

Lacresha Hayes has won the book tour! Her interview can be found here: https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/index.blog?from=20080201

 Congratulations Guys!!!

I want to take a minute to let all of you know how much I enjoy getting to know you with these interviews.  I have much more planned in the near future with these past one hundred interviews.  I will also continue doing interviews so those of you who haven't had a chance yet, please contact me at rainbow@velocity.net and we'll get one set up.  I am now embarking on my Second One Hundred Interview Contest :-)

Posted by joyceanthony at 4:13 AM EDT

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