May 25

Memorial Weekend Bonanza!

This Memorial Weekend or English bank holiday is special for two reasons… J.W. Northrup and Chris Keys have BOTH decided to giveaway copies of their bestselling latest releases! Now, Novel Ideas is happy to tout these burning hot novels and give them away for free…

Chris Keys1Chris Keys is giving away “One Mistake”.

To avoid an expensive divorce, Tyler Stone devises what he believes is the perfect murder. He carefully plans every aspect of his crime to ensure he isn’t guilty of making that one mistake that will get him caught.

Believing he is about to have a private meeting with his soon to be ex-wife to discuss the terms of their divorce, Tyler sets his plan in motion. The plan remains whole for scant minutes though, as his soon to be ex-wife arrives with her sister in tow for moral support. Tyler is then forced to alter his plan for the first of what becomes a continuing series of adjustments all jn an effort to avoid making that one mistake!

Click here to get your FREE copy right now! 

 

J.W. Northrup however is giving away his highly recommended novel “The Gold Slaves”.

This is a story about a group of gold miners who were confined within the Earth over a century ago in a secret mine run by the Rockwell Mining Company. Using the techniques of a new pseudo-science called “Brainology, the miners were conditioned to believe they live in the only “space” in a solid universe and their gods have decreed that they follow the path of gold to Nirvana. They offer their gold to the “gods” above in exchange for food and from their viewpoint it all makes sense.
With all the riches from their secret mine, and using the oppressive technology of Brainology, Rockwell has become a materialistic, psychotropically drugged-up company, surrounded by a huge, debauched city. In contrast, the miners have created a beautiful, aesthetic world in the underground mines devoid of drugs, crime and insanity.
But two of the miners escape from the mines by exploring an adjoining cave, they step out into an inconceivable new world of infinite space that turns their viewpoint and philosophies inside out.

goldslaves

Get your free copy of the “The Gold Slaves” right now for free here!

 There you go, folks! Two great books to read over this sultry, hot holiday! I think I will be reading them both in turn… Have a great time! Adios!

Other Links You May Enjoy

Interview with Chris Keys

Interview with J.W. Northrup

 

 

May 24

Why I Will Take The Whole Summer To Write My Next Book….

Mike TrahanMike Trahan, Texan, American, Writer, Father, Pilot, Veteran etc gave me some of his time yesterday. He has already released two books this year, both of which, were considered to be exciting releases. I heard from his publishing team that he had a third on it’s way… A THIRD? I wanted to know more…

“I have got the third installment of “The Gift” on the way,” Mike drawled in a way only Texans can. “I want to spend some real time on this one, it’s important to get it right.”

It has been stated that Mike has one of those photographic memories. He seems to know fascinating facts from his early years. He has a knack for bringing out what he was doing in 1974, as fascinating as what he writes is, many find the fact he can remember those details a wonderment in itself.

“Nick,” Mike said sternly with a smile. “I kept notebooks and diaries for many years. There is no secret, it was just a case of writing what happened down at the time.”

Yet, even with the everyday details, Mike sternly disagrees with putting too much detail in his books. “I just can’t see people wanting to read what I had for breakfast. I keep to the truth, the facts. I keep to the exciting bits and keep the less exciting bits in the diaries.

I asked Mike if he would ever publish his diaries. He refused point blank to even consider it. “Those are private and I don’t want the world knowing my whole private life. I take what I need from them, and the rest is for my eyes only.”

It was only a few months ago that Mike was just another American retiree. Since the release of his first book he has been busily attending to his growing fanbase. His home-town signing was attended by most of his town of West Orange, Texas.

“Of course, I knew when all the women in West Orange were discussing my book… It was a hit,” Mike related with a chuckle. “If the women are talking about it then you can bet word gets around.”

When Mike retired from flying for Delta a few years ago, he thought his retirement would be quiet, it’s a fact that in some ways it has become busier. “I just think things happen that make it more exciting to be retired,” Mike told me. “I want to keep on writing and I believe that this third book will be my best so far.”

Mike Trahan will be appearing on the weekly book hangout in a few weeks. “Nervous?” Mike teased. “No, I don’t get nervous anymore.”

Mike

“I just want to keep on writing as long as I can,” Mike said suddenly. “I really feel at home with it.”

 

The Gift: Part 2 is currently on sale! Get your copy here!

Check out these other great articles about Mike here and here!

May 24

Singer FOR FREE! Get Your Free E-Book Right Now!

jacobsingerBestselling South African writer Jacob Singer has finally released his brand new and totally FREE E-book!
The Vase with the Many Coloured Marbles has been available for sometime as a paperback and as a download… BUT NOW you can get your free sample copy off Amazon for nothing.
Jacob has been lauded as one of the most exciting writers to come out of South Africa.
 

 

Praise for “The Vase with the Many Coloured Marbles:

“Let me begin by saying this is not the kind of book I gravitate to. I read it out of curiosity after the many comments I read about it. But once I began I was completely drawn into the story.
The book spans the decades before and during the struggle to deal with apartheid in South Africa, up to recent years. Singer follows two female characters, a mother, Emma, and daughter Marla through Emma‘s early years, right into Marla’s adulthood, from the times of a racist country in the throes of Apartheid to the present struggle to rid itself of the lingering effects of that destructive policy. This is a book about politics, racism, and the struggle for equality. Yet it avoids the common pitfalls of focusing on the sensational aspects that so often show in acts of rage and violence. Rather, it stays inside the lives of two very `real’ people learning how to live in a segregated world without losing their dignity or becoming embroiled in violence. These are the stories we do NOT see in the news. And it is this approach that makes” The Vase With The Many Coloured Marbles” an engaging, thoughtful, often tender tale that draws the sympathetic reader in. At the same time it manages to educate the reader about life, politics, and the struggle for equality in South Africa. It teaches without preaching, speaks without orating, educates without becoming academic.”~ 5 Star Review

*****************************************************************************************************************************

                                                                          Get your FREE copy right now!

 


May 22

FREE…. FREE…. FREE…. Northrup FREE!

“J.W… You can’t give away another book….”

“I sure can,” J.W. replied.

He did, and it’s a stomper!

For the next few days “Running a Marathon with the Runs” by J.W. Northrup is TOTALLY FREE!!!

 

Synopsis

The first signs of the diarrhea began at the six mile mark. It is feeling every marathoner dreads.

Maybe it was the excessive coffee and the bran muffins for breakfast, maybe it was just nervousness. Yet in my previous eight marathons a similar dietary preparation had created no ill effect. But now, as I approached the six mile mark, and with at least two and a half hours of running ahead of me, I had a foreboding fire brewing somewhere deep within my bowels.

“A majestic look at the running world that will have you laughing until you cry,”~ Terry Irving~ Emmy- winning journalist and author of “Courier“.

 

 

                                                             Get your free copy right now, right here!

 

 

 

May 21

André Araújo: Breaking the Artist’s Silence!

When George Vega asked me to profile all his major artists, I was thrilled, naturally! Andre Araujo was next on the list and as we conversed back and forth, I knew he would make an interesting interview. I think interviews with artists are probably the most fascinating projects I get to do. Andre is the kinda guy you can just relax with, spend time talking with and learn so much from… I hope you enjoy our time together!

Q) Good morning, Andre! I want to start by asking you a really important question. How did you become an artist?

A) I’ve been drawing for as long as I remember, so it’s always been a part of my life. As I grew, the desire to tell stories grew as well and with comics being company for me since a very young age, it all happened pretty naturally. I graduated as an Architect due to the impossibility of being a comic artist in Portugal, but the Internet ended up wiping those frontiers. As the lack of working opportunities diminished, my possibilities of working as an architect, I began trying more seriously about drawing comics for a living. Publishing online, travelling to conventions and persistence brought professionalization for me.

Q) What drives you as an artist?

A) Telling a story. That’s the most important thing for me and the one I think above all. My work is always driven towards narrating a story as clearly and as compelling as possible. With that comes the constant search for improvements in all aspects that take part in the making of a comic, always with a deep obsession for detail.

 Q) Do you think you have fulfilled yourself so far?

A) My professional career is still pretty short, but since I’m currently working for Marvel (Avengers A.I.) with a great writer – Sam Humphries – and working on a creator owned book that will be published next year, I couldn’t ask for more as kick-off.

Q) I think you still have many huge achievements ahead of you! Let me ask you- what was it like working with George (Vega of Vegamation Press)?

 A) Pretty smoothly. George was helpful in all the questions I had and was always receptive to my requests.

 Q) What would your ultimate creation be as an artist?

 A) Hopefully my creator-owned work. Not a specific one, but in its entirety. The space provided in such opportunities allow for an artist to express himself with more freedom. After a while, and provided you have the chances, certain books inevitably stand out in one’s career, but those things happen naturally, so I’m really looking forward to keep creating and enriching my body of work.

 Q) Where do you feel you will be in five years?

A) For the next few years, I hope I’ll keep having the opportunity to keep my current place, but with a lot more done, obviously. That is, to have more work done at Marvel and keep that relationship as well as keep my creator-owned work going strong.

Q) Tell me about the book you worked on called Introducing…Vol 4. What was your experience working on that one?

A) George allowed for a good amount of freedom regarding the choice of pieces for “Vol. 4.” As I had a lot of work done that seemed fit to the book, what I did was try to find a nice sequence that would make an interesting read and rework or finish some of the pieces to adapt better to this type of publication.

Q) Are you heading in any new directions or is art itself always a new direction?

A) I have a lot of stories that I want to tell, and finding a way to make all of those ideas reality always involve a search for new means, new directions, be it narrative choices, different concepts to explore, new techniques; I think we always end up doing something different in our various works. Sometimes the difference is big, other times it’s more subtle. The important thing for me is always to aim at the story, and that’s the thing dictating the changes.

Check out Andres blog right here!

 

 

 

May 18

Keys Hits The Top Ten!

Chris Keys1

The new Chris Keys release entitled “Chris’s Quotes” has hit the top ten on the free kindle chart. When asked about his success Chris released the following statement:

“I have been honored with many things during my long and varied career- but I am not sure I have ever been in the Amazon top ten… I woke up today to find my book in the bestsellers ranks. Thank to all the people who bought my book, and I hope you enjoyed it.”

Get your copy of “Chris’s Quotes” now!

 

 

May 15

A Life Well Lived…. Northrup Naked!

J.W. Northrup has finally released his new E-book series! The stories all center around his life and things that have happened to him on his travels around the world. All of these stories are now available on Amazon for just 99 cents!

A note from J.W:

I hope you all enjoy my brand new books released with you in mind. I hope my association with Mr and Mrs public lasts long into the future. This is my attempt to do something about the recession currently crippling our world. These six stories are some of my very best and I hope you enjoy them.

My best to you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the latest interviews with J.W. Northrup here and here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 14

Keys Unlock Doors: Nick Wale Meets Chris Keys

The new Keys novel has been announced and it’s going to be a killer. The novel is called One Mistake and let me tell you, it was no mistake. The only mistake Chris made was waiting so long to get this killer out there. I believe you will love this interview– Chris is an ex-politician, but we can trust him. He is now reformed, and actually breathes air like a human being. “I am only half crazy now,” he says, with a glint in his eye. “I just can’t stop putting words down on paper!” Chris is a natural smiler.

Q) Hi, Chris, how does it feel to be putting out another book?

A) Oh, it feels good to me! I just love getting them finished and holding them in my hands. That’s when I know it’s real!

Q) How do you know when a manuscript is finished?

A) I put the final period onto the last sentence.

Q) Short answer from such a talkative guy. Are you happy now you’ve left the political arena behind?

A) I really am. It was one of those things I couldn’t wait to get out of. I feel much happier sitting in front of my laptop tapping out the lives of characters and making people happy.

Q)  Is One Mistake your best book to date?

A) It is one of my most cohesive works. My best work is still in my head, and I believe the best book I ever write will be the one that really makes me a household name. Popularity is shunned, but as far as I am concerned it is what all writers really desire. We all aspire to be known.

Q) You have stated that you are trying “to leave a legacy.” Would you say that you are achieving that goal?

A) Yes, each time a book sells better than the one before, I am building a legacy. I want to be remembered for something great, and slowly, I am achieving that.

Q) You are by nature a talented businessman and a man who really gels with the public. How do you translate those talents over to your writing career?

A) I like to sit through interviews and make myself known to my readers. I also like meeting them face-to-face for book signings and every now and again I meet them at the Walmart check-out. People just recognise this big ol’ face of mine sometimes.

Q) You really get stopped at the Walmart checkout?

A) I have been stopped before. One time I was in Tampa and like twenty people came over to talk to me when I was at a waterpark with my kids. “You’re him, aren’t you?” (laughs)

Q) Do you think people just take to you naturally as a person?

A) I guess so! I am just a guy who likes to read and write. I am nothing special, but I do have a certain affinity for the people I meet. If someone says they enjoyed my book then that makes me one happy guy.

Q) I think you are probably one of the most down to earth people I have ever interviewed. How did you get into the writing game?

A) I was bored one day after I had retired and sat down at my computer. The phone wasn’t ringing anymore and the junk emails were piling up in my inbox. I just started writing a short story, and then it became a novel, and then I decided that writing was for me.

I actually started writing in my teens after an accident with a lawnmower. I wrote a lot of books and tried to get them published, but it didn’t work. I did, however, get the taste for writing and continued it off and on for the rest of my working life.

Q) Do you ever plan to return to politics?

A) Not as long as I have a breath left in my body. I had my fill. Let the younger guys take the stress and strain of that business. I want to write; therefore, I will always write.

Q) What is One Mistake about? Can you give me a few insights?

A) Sure! Every criminal makes one mistake and it’s always that mistake that leads the cops to catch them. So, I wrote the perfect crime. A man who wants to kill his cheating wife. I really hope this book doesn’t give anyone any ideas…

Q) Do you really think the crime you created is perfect?

A) Well, you won’t know until you read it all the way through. My lips are sealed!

Q) Has anyone read this one yet?

A) My editor, my proofreader and my wife. That’s all! I have review copies heading out this week and that’s when we will know if the book is a winner.

Q) So, when will One Mistake hit the shelves?

A) Hopefully next week! Look out for it. It’s a scorcher!

Q) Thanks, Chris, for all your time and all the best!

A) Thanks, Nick! I really enjoyed this one. You ask some great questions.

One Mistake will be hitting bookshelves, Kindles and other book reading formats near you very soon. Look out for it! You can find out more about Mr Keys here!

 

May 14

Mike Trahan Goes Wild With The Gift Part Two…

Mike Trahan announced yesterday that there may be a third book in store for his readers. The book will focus on his experiences as a Delta pilot after the Vietnam war. Mike said recently that the story would be the most fascinating of the trilogy and he can’t wait to get things written down and out there.

Recently, Mike released his second book The Gift Part Two: The Air Force Years to rave results. His fans have already said that this volume surpassed the first in content and style of writing. Mike has already got a hit on his hands and the fans’ approval of a second and third volume just shows that he is beginning to gel with his readers. Sales have now started to mount up from around the world.

 

giftpart2The Gift Part Two is scheduled for release as a Kindle book in the near future. The story tells of Mike’s experiences in war torn Vietnam. He undertook many hair-raising flights and writes frankly about the day-to-day struggles military and Air Force personnel faced. The story is a tell-all, honest and frightening account of a subject many have forgotten about. In the process of battling with the returning warriors, many have forgotten the horrors the warriors faced.

Mike makes no political statement about the war. As a true patriot, he talks only of the duty he was expected to fulfil. He talks about what he faced, what he dealt with and what he went through. There is no doubting the honesty of this Texan who has no tall tales to tell.

****************************************************************************************************************************

The first book Mike Trahan wrote was called The Gift and had a rave run of five star reviews from readers. To celebrate the book’s release, Mike organised a book signing and was left amazed as all copies of his first book were whisked away by anxious readers…

Reviews

This is an extraordinary personal story of ordinary events coming together to shape a young man’s life. Mike Trahan is a talented storyteller and writer who draws the reader into his early years growing up in East Texas in the `50s and `60s. His love of family, devotion to church, and passion for sports become the nexus to an early fervor to fly and “…slip the surly bonds of earth.” This authentic and personal account details his quest to fly.

As Mike is dealt life’s cards, the reader feels his failures and disappointments and celebrates his successes. As he prevails over setbacks, he achieves his goals – receiving his commission as an Air Force lieutenant and going through USAF flight training. This is a story for those who remember that time and for those interested in how we construct our individual identities.~ Five Stars

****************************************************************************************************************************

This is a wonderful autobiography. It’s warm, candid, motivational, human, upbeat. All attributes that reflect its author, Mike Trahan a man I’ve known for a half century

Mike has done a splendid job explaining the process whereby, at an early age, he found his focus. It captivated me. It also made me appreciate how precious an experience this was for him.

And rare too. Unlike so many others, Mike knew what he wanted to do and, to his enduring credit, he set about achieving his goal. What I find motivational is he succeeded, and then some.

Mike’s book is also replete with examples revealing his love of family, community, country and especially flying.

And, since the book takes readers only to his mid-twenties, a follow-on edition will give us more about his rich and interesting life, including flying low level combat missions in the Vietnam War, a very divisive event for his generation.

Stylistically, his prose is unaffected by obtuse meanings or by complicated verbiage. It is simply as endearing as the man who found his path early on and followed it to a fulsome life during which he made friends galore.

I’m one of them, and you will be too once you meet him, something you’ll want to do after reading his book, “The Gift”~ Five Stars

***************************************************************************************************************************

Catch recent interviews and excerpts from Mike Trahan here and here.

 

May 12

The Great E-Book Mystery….

I have a question for you…

It’s not a political question.

I am not asking you for money.

I am not asking you to share your home with me.

This isn’t a fashion question– I’m not asking if legwarmers are still acceptable.

I just want to know…

When will The Gold Slaves be available as an E-book?

J.W. Northrup has interviewed with me several times. He has appeared on the book webinars, the YouTube interviews, he has written follow-up stories…

BUT

When will his publishing company for The Gold Slaves release an electronic version of his smash hit?

Why am I asking this question?

Well, I want to download it, of course, and much of the mail I get has been asking this question, too.

As it turns out, The Gold Slaves in e-book format will FINALLY be available
later this month! Hallelujah!

Watch this space for the exact release date. You don’t want to miss this one!

goldslaves