I was recently introduced to CL Talmadge, author of The Green Stone of Healing series.  Tomorrow, I will be sharing with you my review of these books. Today, however, I would like to give you a brief idea of what this series is about and who CL Talmadge is.  Lastly, Helen, one of the major characters, stopped by to answer a few questions for me and I am pleased to share them with you. 

 The Series

The series features four generations of strong-willed female characters who inherit a mysterious green gem ultimately revealed to mend broken bones and broken hearts, protect against missiles, and render its wearers undetectable.

These stalwart protagonists learn to use their jewel to offer a healing, inclusive alternative to a government that persecutes those who do not look like or share the religious beliefs of its leaders.

Readers who become fond of these and other characters will be delighted to discover that they reincarnate, affirming that not even death can separate lovers and loved ones (or enemies).

Buy ebooks here.

Buy paperbacks here.

More information and book reviews.

Browse the first three books online, free!

About the Author

Under the byline Candace Talmadge, the author of the Green Stone of Healing® series is a columnist syndicated by North Star Writers Group

Her career as a professional writer began in 1976. She has written for numerous media that include Adweek, Business Week, the Dallas Times Herald, Forbes, the International Herald Tribune, The New York Times, and Reuters America.

She is familiar with the intimate link between spirituality, energy, and individual and collective healing. In 1999, she published a non-fiction book about emotional and spiritual healing resolution based on the Sunan method of working in the energy of human consciousness. In this book, she provides an expanded definition of energy that demonstrates the connection between matter, spirit, mind, and heart.

To write her fantasy series, the author delved into her own past lives and those of her family, friends, clients, and acquaintances. The fictionalized result is the series presented in this website.

The author resides in Texas with her partner and editor. Readers may contact her here.

***

A Talk With Helen

Posted by joyceanthony at 2:23 AM EST

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This Writing Blog Discovery Project (a meme) and the first Writing Links originally started off from the Juiced on Writing blog.

Here’s how it works.

• If you write a Writing blog take all of the links on this page and add yours to it (if not there already), and also think about adding a writing friend’s blog link to the list (tell them you’ve done it, so that they can then add their own entry on their blogs also), then publish a blog entry like mine. It’s like a wrapped surprise gift - explore the writing blog world by just clicking on a random link in the package.
• Add your new discoveries to your blogroll if you keep one. Simply republishing this list as a blog entry also benefits the writers on 
• These are all blogs with a focus on writing - that’s the one rule. Some are award winners, some are entirely personal, some are extremely popular, some are group blogs, some are part of a community of blogs, and some are just getting started. There are freelance writers, ebook writers, novelists, non-fiction authors, article writers, copywriters, published writers, professional writers, and non-published writers in this list. There are aspiring writers, writers who also have other interests, and there are writers who coach or teach about writing.
• Blogs from writers of all ethnicities, cultural and religious or sexual preferences are encouraged. I respect all values when talking writing. I’m sure you’ll do likewise.
• Most blogs on here should be current - with at least a blog entry from the past month. If your blog has gone into hiatus, please don’t add it here, unless the archives contain lots of useful information. An example can be found in the Miss Snark blog, which provides ample information even a year or so later.
• To link to your blog, try not to add it by writer name, if possible. A Blog name is preferable, just to add to the surprise for readers clicking on these links.
• The blog links you find below -  in this format, have all been browsed to personally, and are confirmed as belonging to writers with writing content. .
• You do have permission to republish this list, and add to it with further writing blog links, on your own blog. In fact, this is encouraged!

Here are the links --More than 100!

Posted by joyceanthony at 9:23 PM EST

Updated: Thursday, 11 December 2008 1:34 AM EST

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Yah, I don't live in any books. I live in Valhalla. My name is Brunhilde, and some of the stories of your Mundane Norse legends are very similar to my life.

2.  Describe to our readers what your role in the book is.

In Magic, Mensa and Mayhem? I was asked by the Mensa Committee of your universe to attend the convention and tell them stories about my life. It was very flattering, plus I am interested in your Mundane world. Like the bodybuilding, yah? I love pumping the iron--iron doesn't bother me--but I really like my bowflex I bought online.

Anyway, they invited me, so I went to talk about my Ride to Hel, but they had many other questions. And the men were so nice and polite. And clean! They sang me funny songs and treated me so nice.  And I bought many toothbrushes to take to Valhalla--the ones with Billy Beaver on them. My Vikings like Billy Beaver; makes the brushing more fun. I also bought lots of toothpaste--the minty kind. I like minty.

I was also looking for a new market for my lingerie line, Valyrie's Whisper. So I did some modeling, made some contacts.

I had some fun, too, and got into some trouble playing a practical joke. But it turned out okay in the end, yah?

3.  Would you tell us about one of your favorite friends from this book?

Cambridge Ramada--he's a Mundane Mensan and a private investigator specializing in precious artifacts. He and Vern know each other. He's a very large man, but well-groomed and well-dressed. Me-ti-cu-lous, that's the word he taught me. After millennia of kissing men who never shower, I find truly clean men fascinating. He taught me the grooming arts. He even gave me a pedicure set to use on my sweaty Vikings.  I hope to meet him again someday.

4.  Do you plan on appearing in another book or are you happy to be where you are?

I hope to return to the Mundane now and again. Right now, I'm with my dwarf "friend," Kent. We're setting up a theater in Faerie Australia. I do the costumes; I'm not an actress. However, I think I shall return to Valhalla and my wild, feasting men someday.

5. What would you like our readers to know about you?

I love my rowdy, sweaty Vikings--even if I do like them better when they brush their teeth and comb the food out of their beards.

Oh, and about Siegfried, who was at the convention as well. People wonder why we were not a...coupling? No, a couple. He's a nice enough guy, yah, but he was always trying to be what he thought would impress me, not who he was. I need a man who is comfortable with himself--whether a partying, carousing rude Viking, the meticulous and polite Mundane, or the dwarf who had the courage to shun the mines and pursue his dream of acting. I don't think that's too different from how most girls feel, yah?

6.  Did you learn anything during your adventure in this book?

Oh, yah!  I learned the pedicuring and the manicuring and about some opera singer named Elmer Fudd. Someday I will need to find his whole Die Walküre performance.

7.  Can you tell us what you think is the most exciting thing that happened to you in your book?

No, that's private.

8.  Is there anything in your story you wish you had not done? Why?

The biggest thing I've been asked not to reveal--Karina called it a "spoiler."  However, I'm sorry I betrayed the trust of my dear dwarf, Kent. Fortunately, he forgave me. His heart is bigger than he is.

9.  What was your main motivation?

I'm interested in remaking myself: I started the body sculpting with the weights, then began my own business. Now I'm working on making Valhalla a cleaner, mintier land.

10.  Introduce us to your main adversary?

At a Mensa convention? Everyone was so friendly. I didn't have any adversaries.

11.  Is there anything you would like to have done?

I would have liked to have met a major supplier for one of your department stores, and attended a bodybuilding competition--just to talk to the participants and get tips, yah?

12.  Here's your chance to speak your mind.  What do you want to tell everybody?

Don't be afraid of trying new things and making changes in your life--and of working for changes in your society. You think it's easy to get a bunch of rowdy Vikings to take regular baths? But I'm making the small progresses, and you can, too.

Please tell everyone where they can find out more about your story and where they can purchase it.

Magic, Mensa and Mayhem comes out for pre-order from Swimming Kangaroo Press in February and is officially out March 1. http://www.swimmingkangaroo.com/.

In the meantime, I know Vern has a website for his DragonEye, PI detective agency, and he has a lot of interesting information there. You can read it at http://www.dragoneyepi.net/. If you register on the website, you get his newsletter and offers on other stories.

Posted by joyceanthony at 4:06 AM EST

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After Owen Fiddler had a run in with Amanda the kitty cat yesterday over at http://unwriter1.wordpress.com/ I wasn't sure he'd show up here today.  Not only has he showed up, he's put on his best thinking cap and given some thoughtful answers.  Let's hear what Owen Fiddler has to say!

(Hey folks, this is Owen-he cleans up well, don't you think??)

Joyce: Thanks for joining us here today, Owen! I'd like to take a few minutes to discuss the recent election if that's okay with you?  I'd shy away from politics with most people, but I know you don't mind a bit of controversy :-) I'd like to give our readers a deeper glimpse into your thought processes. Which brings me to my first question:

Most of the world sees the recent election of Barack Obama as an historical election because of his heritage.  I see it more as a move ahead spiritually. Tell me, Owen, do you see any spiritual significance in America's choice for president?

Owen: Hm. I don't know if I would say there is any spiritual significance in the peoples' choice. As a man, speaking of Barak Obama now, I don't know for sure really who he is. Nor do a great many of the voters. What we know is what we get through the media, and that is always packaged carefully to present us with an image. The image is not the real man. Close to election day, I once saw a clip from the Howard Stern show. I don't watch his show, but someone sent me this clip. It was very revealing and quite disturbing, about how misinformed the voting population is. They sent two people out into African American neighborhoods posing as news reporters. They would walk up and ask people who they were voting for and why. Everyone was voting for Obama of course. He's black. Gotta vote for the brother, right? Well here's the catch. When they claimed they were voting for him because of his platform and policies, the two imposter reporters would query them further about those policies, only they were using McCain's positions. Without exception, everyone said "yes" that's why they supported Obama, when if fact, Obama's position was the exact opposite of the position or policy they had been asked about!

Like they would ask, "So you are in favor of smaller government then, right?

"Yes. Smaller government. That's why I'm for Obama."

And then you are against abortion, against pro-choice, right?"

"Yup. I'm with Obama on that one too."

It was hysterical. In a way, and frightening in another. So much ignorance in the hands and minds of our voters. We hold the power to elect our leaders, but the truth is our leaders do not get elected by people with correct information. Not true of everyone, of course, some folks take the time to dig through all the hype and propaganda to know the real what and why of their voting decisions. But not enough to make me comfortable.

The only aspect of spirituality I see in the election process now is that I pray to God that Obama will be blessed and led by God to do a good job leading this country. He is now our president and that is a tremendous responsibility. So God bless Barak Obama and our country and our world.

Joyce: I'm hearing a number of opposing views on the recent bailout plan by this administration as well as plans set forth by the incoming administration.  The viewpoint that interested me the most is that America is moving toward a socialism mindset.  Owen, what are your thoughts on this?

Owen: You know Joyce, I'm really not in favor of putting so much power into the hands of government. I mean, if that's what everybody wants, higher taxes, bigger big brother government, and more socialism, then fine - I'll go along with it. We DID ask for it. But to me, government has never been the answer. Big government, small government, lots of programs, fewer programs, this country will not turn around and become a nation of true freedom and justice for all until we return to God. I would have never had this opinion before, back when I was a devil-may-care selfish irresponsible jerk, but I've seen the light. God is the answer. Loving each other with the love of Christ is the answer. The Golden Rule is the answer. Paying higher taxes and assuming now we will all get along and be all happy happy because everyone will be cared for by our elected officials is to my way of thinking just passing the spiritual buck along to our elected officials. It's the proverbial ostrich head in the sand lunacy. My author, Marvin Wilson, did a whole post about this very subject on Free spirit, titled, We the People. That's pretty much my stance as well.

Joyce: Last question in this area, Owen.  What changes do you foresee taking place in the future with the vastly different mindset of the incoming administration as opposed to that of the past eight years?

Owen: On the down side, we will have bigger government, higher taxes, higher prices (big business will be passing on their higher taxes to us in the form of jacking their prices - their profit margins will remain the same, count on it), so the cost of living will go up. Way up. On the positive side, there will be more programs to assist the poor and more money spent, hopefully, on taking care of our environment. I also think the majority worldview of Obama is at least so far favorable; he may be able to make strides toward a better image of America overseas, better global public relations, and God - I hope he and this administration can do something to help bring about peace. Pounding Muslim nations to death is not doing anything to lessen radical terrorist Islamic hatred of our country. Hate never conquers hate, Love conquers hate. Here again, however, governments are not in a position to be able to love their enemies and to do good unto those who harm them. People are. We the people. It's on us.

Joyce: Onto other matters, Owen. The recent Thanksgiving holiday had many people considering what they are thankful for in their lives.  Can you tell us, Owen - what is Owen Fiddler most thankful about today?

Owen: Oh, gosh soooooooooo many things. My daughter, Frenda. She's passed on, but visits me regularly in visions and dreams. Talks to me. Encourages me. My family. Mom, God bless her, she never threw me away all those years when I was such a disrespectful, spiteful, finger-pointing selfish jerk. I put that poor woman through hell but she never gave up on me. I'm thankful for her for sure. And Paize, my brother. I always was jealous of him, harbored ill feelings toward him for all his success and self-confidence. He knew it. But he never returned the animosity. In fact, once I had recovered from the coma and he saw the change in me he offered me to be partners with him in his landscaping business. I've leaned a whole lot about the right way to live from my little brother. And lastly but most importantly, I'm thankful for a God that loves me and has saved me from the pitiful state of being I had been in. Amazing grace. How sweet the sound!

Joyce: Owen, what do you think it takes to really make a person thankful for the things in their life?  Is there anything you discovered on your journey that might help others reaching out for that thankful state?

Owen: Well I think that oftentimes people have to lose what they have in order to appreciate what they have. What's that old 70's song? "Don't it always seem to go - that you don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone?" I never appreciated life until I nearly lost it. I never appreciated my wonderful wife until I lost her. I couldn't really be with my daughter much as she was growing up because of the divorce and then Frenda was taken from this world at such a young age. No matter what you think you don't have enough of in life, there are always others worse off. Just look around. Be thankful for and appreciate what you do have rather than whining over what you think you ought to have.

Joyce: Any other thoughts on thankfulness before we move on?

Owen: Just this. Thanksgiving, it's okay, I mean picking out a day to be thankful. But like all holidays, it is meant to be symbolical of how we should always be. Thankfulness should be a life attitude, not a goody goody feeling we get all stuffed on Turkey over once a year.

Joyce: We will be celebrating Christmas here shortly, Owen, and I was wondering if you would like to share with us some of your thoughts on this time of year.  Christmas started out as a celebration of the birth of Jesus (as opposed to Jesus' birthday).  Tell me, Owen, do you think we still maintain this purpose or has Christmas become something far removed from its original purpose?

Owen: At this point let's just get real. Christmas is too far gone down the road of consumer-driven materialistic madness to consider it a real spiritual event anymore. The madness starts the day after Thanksgiving with "Black Friday." Throngs of people clamoring all over each other at the retail stores to buy the latest baubles at discount. You heard in the news where someone had been trampled to death at a Wal-Mart by the stampeding storm shoppers? It's sick. And not sick like cool the way the young people use that word these days. Sick as in sickening.

So but anyway, Christmas is what you make of it. It can still be a celebration of the birth of Jesus. That's the way I celebrate it. Here again though, why limit that celebration to one arbitrary day? There is only one day, only one now, and the birth of Jesus should be cause for celebration in every waking here and now moment. And many people who are not Christians find joy in the Christmas holiday, and they act nice to each other and smile a lot and feel good and treat people especially well. Even if that's all it is, if it's just a good excuse to get the warm & fuzzies, then I'm okay with that too. Free country.

Joyce: Christmas isn't the only celebration this time of year, as you know, Owen. There is Yule, Hanukah and Kwanzaa.  I have often thought how great it would be if we could somehow take the best elements from all four celebrations and combine them into one grand celebration of life.  What are your thoughts on this, Owen?  Do you think humans are ready to put aside differences long enough to make something like this work?

Owen: I would LOVE that. But I'd be totally like, shockerood if it ever happened. The biggest divisive element of society is religion. Religion divides people into opposing camps and splits our unity apart into animosity towards one another out of ignorance and fear. If we as a society could become more enlightened and see through the constraining fetters of organized religion and become truly spiritual, we would see that there is a fundamental sameness in all the great Masters' teachings and while we all might still choose to follow one path rather than the other, we certainly could gather together once in a while and celebrate our sameness and the Oneness of All. That's a great idea, Joyce. You gonna start a movement? If so, where do I sign up?

Joyce: I'll let you know, Owen.  I'd love to see it happen. Now for an easy one.  How will Owen Fiddler be spending the Christmas holiday?

Owen: I'll be helping out Marv at our church's free food and clothing pantry all morning and until probably late afternoon. Then he'll be going back to Camp Shiloh to celebrate and have a nice meal together with the four young men he mentors there. Me, I'm invited over to Paize's house for dinner. He and his wife invited me and also Jewel to come over. I'm really hoping Jewel will come. I'm trying my best to get back together with her.

Joyce: One last thing before we go, Owen.  Would you please tell our visitors where they can find out more about you and purchase your book?  Also, is there anything else you'd like to share with us today?

Owen: Oh sure - thanks for asking. The Owen Fiddler info site is at http://www.owenfiddler.com/ Best way to get a copy of the book is through http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.cambridgebooks.us/

(By the way, that there on the right is the cover!  Great one, isn't it?) 

One last thing? Well, Marvin asked me to put in a plug for his blog, Free Spirit. http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/ Marvin has been offered a contract by All Things That Matter Press to publish an anthology of some of the best posts. It's going to be titled, Between the Storm and the Rainbow, and should be out early in 2009. And also everyone remember that there are still lots of great stops left on this virtual tour. For all the prize giveaways and a listing of the entire agenda just go to: http://owenfiddler.com/Links2.html

And thanks for having me on here, Joyce! My former self has been taking a pretty good beating on some of the tour stops, and rightfully so - lol. But it was good to be able to come on here today and let people know that the new Owen Fiddler ain't all that bad anymore.

Joyce:  It was truly my pleasure, Owen. I look forward to seeing what you and Marvin have planned tomorrow over at http://www.danafredsti.com/blog/  Rumor has it Marvin is actually posting one of his humor pieces!!

I'd also like to remind everyone about the prizes being offered by Marvin (details here http://owenfiddler.com/Links2.html ).

Oh...you want to know a bit about this Marvin character? Okay, here goes:

Marvin D. Wilson is the author of two published books, I Romanced the Stone (Memoirs of a Recovering Hippie), and Owen Fiddler. Owen Fiddler has been awarded the prestigious AVATAR  award for excellence in spiritual books. Wilson has had articles published in several Ezines, and has been interviewed on hundreds of blogs, radio and TV shows, both over the internet and on the airwaves. He maintains his internationally popular blogsite at: FREE SPIRIT (http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/) Free Spirit recently was awarded first place in the 2008 Book Blogger Appreciation Week award contest, in the Christian/Inspirational Fiction category.

Wilson is a family man, married for thirty two years, with three adult children and five grandchildren. He has been around the block of life several times, through the ups and downs, and has survived in good enough spirits to desire to write about life, to write about living life on purpose. Wilson is a self-described non-religious dogma-free Maverick spiritualist Christian. He writes books that deliver spiritual and inspirational messages in an engaging, thought provoking, often times humorous, more than often irreverent, sometimes sexy and even ribald way, through the spinning of an entertaining tale.

Contact Information:

E-mail: marvwilson2010@gmail.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/Paize_Fiddler

Blog: http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/

New Book Website: http://www.owenfiddler.com/

Posted by joyceanthony at 3:15 AM EST

Updated: Monday, 8 December 2008 1:48 PM EST

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Tomorrow is going to be a real treat here at Books and Authors. Own Fiddler (the new, reformed guy) has graciously (and bravely, I might add) allowed me to interview him on a few subjects. Not many souls would be willing to discuss both political and spiritual issues-let alone in the same post!

Owen has been on tour with his sidekick, Marvin Wilson, and they are setting the Net on fire! Just check out this tour schedule, folks:

**Thursday, December 4, 2008 - Pre-Launch Event

Location: Diary of an Eccentric Blog, host Anna Horner

Blog URL: http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/

Format: Anna posts her review of Owen Fiddle

**Friday, December 5 - Grand Kick Off Event

Location: Diary of an Eccentric Blog, host Anna Horner

Blog URL: http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/

Format: Anna hosts author Marvin D Wilson and Owen Fiddler with a Q & A interview.

**Saturday, December 6 - Stop #2

Location: Katrina L Wampler's Blog

Blog URL: http://katrinawampler.wordpress.com/

Format: Katrina posts an interview with Owen Fiddler.

**Sunday, December 7 - Stop #3

Location: Unwriter Blog (Ron Berry)

Blog URL: http://unwriter1.wordpress.com/

Format: Ron posts a collision between Amanda the cat and Owen Fiddler. Ron will be serving all visitors with coffee, doughnuts and Purina Cat Chow.

**Monday, December 8 - Stop #4

Location: Books and Authors Blog (Joyce Anthony)

Blog URL: https://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Format: Owen on politics, thanks and Christmas

**Tuesday, December 9 - Stop #5

Location: Zhadi's Den Blog (Dana Fredsti)

Blog URL: http://www.danafredsti.com/blog/

Format: Dana will post a short review of the book, and a humorous piece written by Marvin with a preface written by Owen Fiddler

**Wednesday, December 10 - Stop #6

Location: Serena's Savvy Verse & Wit Blog

Blog URL: http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/

Format: Serena posts her review of Owen Fiddler. Also she will post an in-depth article written by Marvin, a biographical overview of the transformation from the undisciplined "freebird" Hippie of yore into the structured disciplined writer "living life on purpose" type of person he is today, and how that transformation affected and was affected by his taking up the arduous task of establishing a golden years career as a published author.

**Thursday, December 11 - Stop #7

Location: Straight From Hel Blog (Helen Ginger)

Blog URL: http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/

Format: Helen re-posts her review of Owen Fiddler and Marvin posts an article on novice authors dealing for the first time with a dastardly candid and taskmastering professional editor.

**Friday, December 12 - Stop #8

Location: The Emerging Author Blog (Emma Larkins)

Blog URL: http://emmalarkins.blogspot.com/

Format: TBD

**Saturday, December 13 - Stop #9

Location: Pretty, Prosperous and Powerful Blog (Lacresha Hayes)

Blog URL: http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com/

Format: TBD

**Sunday, December 14 - Stop #10

Location: Morphological Confetti Blog (Stephen Bess)

Blog URL: http://civileyes.blogspot.com/

Format: Stephen posts an excerpt from the book that Marvin will select.

**Monday, December 15 - Stop #11

Location: The Quiverful Family Blog (Jennifer)

Blog URL: http://quiverfullfamily.com/

Format: TBD

**Tuesday, December 15 - Stop #12

Location: The Daily Blonde Blog (Cheryl Phillips)

Blog URL: http://dailyblonde.blogspot.com/

Format: TBD, but knowing Cheryl probably something on the slightly mischievous and riske side (smile)

**Wednesday, December 16 - Grand Finale Stop!

Location: My Friend Amy's Blog

Blog URL: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

Format: Amy posts the interview with Louis Seiffer on "Inside the Actor's Head Studio with Thames Lipton

I encourage you to stop by and check out the stops already made- some great stuff there!! Warning-keep all liquids far from keyboards during the stops (spew alert in effect, folks!).

In addition to all the great post, Marvin is offering PRIZES!!!  Go here http://owenfiddler.com/Links2.html to see what he has in store for you guys!!

 Marvin and Owen will be stopping in several times during the day tomorrow to answers questions, address commenters and just keep everyone thinking, smiling-or both. Opposing opinions and thoughts are as welcome as though in agreement--just keep in mind this is a family blog. That said, keep comments free of cussing, hate or name-calling-not difficult rules, are they? :-)

***

Now for the second special anouncement:  Katrina Wampler ( http://katrinawampler.wordpress.com/ ) is featuring yours truly at kat Logic this week.  She did a rather extensive interview with me and you will find it in three parts (posted M, t and F).  Katrina has a great blog going over there so please stop by not only to leave me a comment on my days, but also to check out her posts on the other days-you won't be disappointed!

Posted by joyceanthony at 2:47 PM EST

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I'm Coyote, baby! The Trickster, Old-Man Coyote, Raven... Wakdjunkaga, Manabozho... I have many names, but they are all fun-loving, legend-making, spice-of-life me! 

The book is Magic, Mensa and Mayhem: From the Case Files of DragonEye, PI  by Karina L. Fabian

2.  Describe to our readers what your role in the book is.

Cause mischief. Get hugs. Be sexy. You know, just be myself. (wags eyebrows)

3. How did you convince your author to put you in this book?  For example, did you visit a dream or make yourself known some other way?

Oh, I wish I could visit dreams. How about yours? Want to dream of me, do ya? Huh? Huh?

4.  Is your author easy to work with or controlling?

Well, I'm easy, but she's great to work with. After all, she's just there to tell the facts. It's just too bad that she's not giving it from my point of view. Vern is such a wet hide.

5.  Would you tell us about one of your favorite friends from this book?

Oh, there were so many. Mensa women are wonderful--so intelligent and imaginative. I can now see why so many humans say the mind is the sexiest part of the body.  An yet...Sister Grace really got me in the end. Got to admire a nun that can out-trick the Trickster.

6. Do you plan on appearing in another book or are you happy to be where you are?

Oh, Vern's and my paths cross now and again.  Not so much now that I'm under house arrest in Montana, but there will be stories.  What's Coyote without stories?

7.  What would you like our readers to know about you?

To know me is to love me.

8. Did you learn anything during your adventure in this book?

Vern's taught Grace a little too well? Any more than that, and it'd be a spoiler, and you know I love to tease!  Otherwise, the things I learned aren't fit to print in this venue. I'm a naughty Coyote.

9.  Can you tell us what you think is the most exciting thing that happened to you in your book?

No.  Brunhilde put on a nice show, though.

10. Is there anything in your story you wish you had not done? Why?

I wish I'd stuck the bull down my pants pocket.

11.  What was your main motivation?

Just looking for fun, as always.

12. Introduce us to your main adversary?

Adversary is far too strong a word, but in this world, it's Vern: an undersized dragon with a stunted sense of adventure for an immortal. I have to wonder how much of that is the fact that he works for the Church now, but I have the feeling he always had a stick up his hide.

13.  Is there anything you would like to have done but your author stopped you?

Karina never stops us--she's jut the transcriber. Vern, however, did his best to put a damper on my fun, you can be sure of that.

14. Here's your chance to speak your mind.  What do you want to tell everybody?

Come to Montana and see me!  Bring strawberries and electric blankets and an open mind! Arooooo! Baby!

15.  Please tell everyone where they can find out more about your story and where they can purchase it.

Magic, Mensa and Mayhem is coming out in February from Swimming Kangaroo Press. Learn more about DragonEye, PI at http://www.dragoneyepi.net/. If you sign up for the website, you'll get the DragonEye, PI newsletter and a free story. I'm not in it, but it's a good one, nonetheless!

Posted by joyceanthony at 6:13 AM EST

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1.  What three words do you think describe you as a human being?

Compassionate, liberal, sometimes stubborn

2.   How do you think others would describe you?

Passionate and empathetic

3.  Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.

Singing. Before I started writing, I felt I could get a song out of every aspect of my life.

4.  Do you have any pets?  If so, introduce us to them.

We have a pit bull named Leah. When our cat Whisperer died, I was too heartbroken to get another one to replace her.

5.  What is your most precious memory?

When I was growing up, every Christmas Eve when our parents were out doing last minute shopping, my siblings and I would put on a play called Baby Jesus in a Manager. The girls would dress up as shepherds, the boys would pretend they were sheep, and we used a doll for baby Jesus. The sheep would give us a hard time and weren't always easy to keep in line.  After the play, we would stand around the tree and sing Xmas carols.

6.  What is your most embarrassing memory?

Well here goes, One day I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items. Shortly after I walked out of the store holding my grocery bag, I lost my footing and proceeded to fall on my knees. Groceries went everywhere. My milk spilled, eggs cracked and fruit was rolling all over the parking lot. People stopped and helped me up and the manager came out and took me inside and wrote up an accident report. My knees were bleeding and I had a few other scratches, but mainly my pride was hurting from embarrassment. My family and I speculated it was the sandals I was wearing that caused the fall. My sister was later appalled when I decided to wear my sandals again-out in public.


7.  If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?

Singing and in pursuit of my real purpose in life.

8.   In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.

TIME, TIME... "For Everything there is a time...To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... Ecclesiastes 3:1 A TIME TO BE BORN...Carol Denise Dockery Jones was born on February 22, 1957 to Mina and Jimmy Dockery in Hernando, Ms... A TIME TO PLANT...She began a love relationship with Jesus Christ at an early age and continued that relationship until her death... A TIME TO LOVE...She demonstrated her love to family, friends and to all people wherever she went....A TIME TO WORK...She was a servant, faithful Christian, a writer, and the founder of YMCC-Young Men Coming to Christ-an organization that provided housing and education to young men who were wayward and needed God and direction in their lives...A TIME TO DIE... She departed this life to enter into eternal rest with the Savior...A TIME TO MOURN...She leaves to mourn her passing her family and all who knew and loved her.

Carol Jones the writer:

9.  Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real" writer?

When my theology teacher had me to stand up in class after reading the first page of my manuscript "Dare to Dream." God then later confirmed in my spirit, I should always be prepared to write-because I am a writer.


10.  What is going on with your writing these days?

My book Dare to Dream is in publishing and will be in the stores this month. It is now in pre-sales at Living Waters Publishing Company.

11.  What are your future goals for your writing?

I am working on my son's testimonial book. He was shot and killed in March, 2007. It is painful, but I know what God has ordained, He will maintain so there is no doubt  I will finish it. There are other books to come as well.

12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?

This may sound a little funny, but I wrote most of Dare to Dream in the public library. Sometimes I go to the library in the morning when it is quiet and sit at the computer and begin to type. Usually I'll stay there most of the morning. Sometimes I write at home when all is quiet and that's mainly late at night.


13.  Why do you write?

I didn't choose to be a writer-God chose me to be a writer. I know this is one of my calling to get the message of  hope through the Gospel out to all people. I have discovered when I write with the anointing-there is purpose in my writing. When I write out of emotions-that's just me letting off steam.


14.  What writer most inspires you?  Why?

I am inspired by many writers, mainly one- Stormie Omartian. Her writing inspires me-maybe because of familiarity. I always like to read books of inspiration and hope.

15.  How do you define your writing?

Simple and true

16.  In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years? 

Her writing was simple, yet inspiring and encouraging to all readers.

Carol Jones the details:

17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website?  Blog?

My website is http://www.caroldjones.com/ and my blog is http://www.simplify-readywriter.blogspot.com/

18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?

cdenisejones1@yahoo.com

19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?

Dare to Dream

20.  For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?

Dare to Dream is a book of encouragement to all people. God gave each of us the ability to dream, but many are caught up and lost in how to make their dreams come true. These people are silent dreamers who don't dream out loud-only in secrecy. This book reveals through the word of God and in building a relationship with Him-how He is bringing all my dreams into fruition-how He has given me new dreams with new meanings-as He is taking me into a journey from glory to glory. He has given me a song of deliverance I will sing for the rest of my days. The Bible says God is no respecter of persons and what He has done for one, He will do for another. So read it and be encouraged and know that God is God and He will do just what He says.

In conclusion:

21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would you like them to know about you and your writing?

When I was growing up, I always felt I was different and had a hard time fitting in. When my sisters were learning how to do housework, I was outside riding my bicycle, our pony or the mo-ped. When I became an adult, I would find myself in the middle of conversations about home decorations or what china to buy, which was of no interest to me. But the flip side of it was I had an eye for fashion, and when I was involved with a project I was concerned about every small detail. Well I was different, but so is everyone to a certain degree.  Every time I wanted to get my point across or have a deep conversation with someone I would sit down and write a letter. When I look back I can see the hand of God moving me towards my destiny-although it would not be realized until years later my real potential as a writer. Sometimes when I write-I am in another zone. Sometimes I have to say Lord help me and He steps right in and even when I don't know where I'm going with it-it always pulls together because the hand of God is in it. I have come to realize I can do nothing on my own and without God I am nothing. God revealed to me in the midst of one of my storms that I was a writer and I fully accepted it because it came from Him and I don't have to doubt my potential. It's a matter of knowing who you are and whom you belong to. If I trust him wholeheartedly and always keep my eyes on Him, then I will be okay, no matter what the outcome is.

Posted by joyceanthony at 4:46 AM EST

Updated: Friday, 5 December 2008 8:42 AM EST

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As we finish up our visit with Dyan Garris, I can't help but feel disappointed that I was unable to share so much of what this wonderful woman does with you--there just wasn't time.  I'm going to mention a few of my favorite things tonight--please visit the links and take a look.

First there is the Doors to the Soul DVD  (don't forget it comes with a free CD!). You can find it here:

http://www.dyangarris.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=22

Dyan writes and performs wondrous music.  My favorite is Illusions

http://www.dyangarris.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=5

I featured Money and Manifesting here a short while back.  This is a book I have read twice so far.  You can read about it here:

http://www.dyangarris.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=13

Dyan's other products are featured here:

http://www.dyangarris.com/main.sc

and by going here:

http://www.voiceoftheangels.com/

you can listen to a sample of the beautiful music Dyan performs and look at the Angel Cards she designed.

I want to thank Dyan Garris for visiting with us this week. She had trouble getting my blog gremlins to allow her to comment, but wanted everyone to know she can read comments. I know Dyan would love to have you leave her a quick note!!

Thank you, Dyan!

Posted by joyceanthony at 1:27 AM EST

Updated: Thursday, 4 December 2008 1:28 AM EST

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About Automatic Chaka Balance™ DVD (Balance your chakras in 10 minutes)

Part of the Spiritual Toolbox™ for relaxation, spiritual transformation, Automatic Chakra Balance™ help in sleeping and vibrational attunement of mind, body, and spirit by Dyan Garris. Doors to the Soul DVD is completely mesmerizing and relaxing! It features a special version of the very soothing song "The Journey." The DVD is designed to automatically balance your energy field in ten minutes! Order now to receive your FREE CD!

Special offer! Receive an entirely FREE CD with your DVD order. Spiritus Sanctus Volume 2, which charted in the top 100 of the New Age Reporter billboard chart for over a year, and was nominated for multiple New Age Reporter Lifestyle Awards will be included FREE with your order with no additional shipping.

***

Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of sharing with you an article written by Dyan Garris.  In the meantime, view yesterday's video again--or for the first time if you haven't already-and imagine the peace you will feel from an entire DVD of the same :-)

Posted by joyceanthony at 1:17 AM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 2 December 2008 1:33 AM EST

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