Here is a list of times, dates and places where I will be signing copies of my Christmas booklet, Christmas in Bliss and the multi-authored book, Christmas Spirit, a collection of true Christmas stories.
Fort Union Deseret Book Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 10:30 AM – 12:30
Redwood Road Seagull Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 11:00 AM – 1:00
Draper Deseret Book Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 11:00 AM - 1:00
American Fork Seagull Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 2:00 PM – 3:15
Taylorsville Seagull Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 11:00 AM – 12:15
W. Jordan Seagull Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 12:30 PM – 1:30
Bountiful Deseret Book Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 11:00 AM – 12:30
Centerville Seagull Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 12:45 PM – 2:00
I hope to see you there. As always, I will have CHOCOLATE!!!
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
I'm so excited to announce that I have two new Christmas books out, available now, just in time for your Christmas shopping.
First is the booklet, Christmas in Bliss
It's Christmas Eve, and Nikki Michaels is on the last leg of her drive to celebrate the holidays at home. Though Christmas doesn't quite hold the same magic it did when she was younger, Nikki's idea of a merry Christmas is sharing in the festivities with her family in Salt Lake City—so when blizzard conditions force her off the snowpacked freeway in a middle-of-nowhere Idaho town called Bliss, she finds her situation anything but blissful. Snowed in at a rest stop with a small band of strangers, Nikki finds kinship in a fellow traveler who helps her find the magic of Christmas again and spread the spirit of the season to other stranded travelers. Christmas in Bliss is a heartwarming holiday tale that is sure to inspire readers with the hope and happiness found in the true meaning of Christmas.
Next is a collection of great Christmas stories by various LDS authors called, Christmas Spirit
You can find these and my others books at:
Deseret Book
Seagull Book
Amazon
First is the booklet, Christmas in Bliss
Next is a collection of great Christmas stories by various LDS authors called, Christmas Spirit
You can find these and my others books at:
Deseret Book
Seagull Book
Amazon
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
New release, The Guardians of Elijah's Fire, by Frank L. Cole, author of Hashbrown series
I'm excited to feature author, Frank L. Cole, on my blog and tell you about some of the books he's written and about his most recent book release.
First, here is a little about the author.
Frank was born into a family of southern storytellers and wrote his first book at age eight. Sadly, he misplaced the manuscript and has since forgotten what he wrote. Highly superstitious and gullible to a fault, Frank will believe in any creepy story you tell him, especially ones involving ghosts and Big Foot. Currently, along with his wife and three children, he resides in the shadow of a majestic western mountain range, which is most likely haunted.
Frank is the author of the highly successful Hashbrown series. He has written an exciting adventure series for youth (adults will enjoy this book as well) and the second book in the series was recently released. The first book in the series is, The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter;
Amber never dreamed her archaeology class would turn into a top secret mission that would take her across the globe, but when her teacher goes missing, Amber realizes it's up to her to protect the Hidden Scepter or risk unleashing an ancient power too terrifying to imagine. This guaranteed page-turner from the bestselling author of the Hashbrown Winters series is perfect for the adventurer in your family.
and the second book, recently released is, The Guardians of Elijah's Fire.
Just when she thought she was safe, Amber learns she's become a target and it seems even her closest allies can t be trusted. Now Amber, Trendon, and the whole gang are facing their most terrifying enemy yet. This thrilling tale ups the action and doubles the danger! Bestselling author, Frank L. Cole delivers an engrossing tale for adventurers of all ages.
If you like suspenseful and exciting adventure books, you will love this series. I thought both stories were extremely well written and paint a vivid picture for any reader's imagination.
I asked Frank to tell me a little about himself.
I have lived in such exotic places as the Philippines and Kentucky, and currently live with my wife and three children out west. While I strived for years to earn my publishing credits, I consider sharing my message of “Exercising Your Imagination” to over 30,000 kids across the country as my greatest accomplishment. The Guardians of Elijah’s Fire is my 5th published book.
Here is my interview with Frank:
M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
Frank: I suppose a lot of authors say this, but I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I can remember being in elementary school and having a collection of my stories I would share to anyone willing to listen.
M.B.: What is your writing and educational background?
Frank: I really don’t have much of a writing background. I graduated from Weber State in Communications, which has helped me immensely with marketing my book and speaking at assemblies.
M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?
Frank: Long, hard, and very painful. I began the publishing journey about 11 years ago with my first novel (a very poorly written middle grade fantasy.) Over the next few years I saw probably more than 125 rejection letters. I don’t know how many times I considered hanging it up, but something kept me going. I received a contract for my first book, The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters, in December of 2008. That was about seven years after the journey began.
M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?
Frank: I still feel discouraged because as every author realizes or eventually will realize, rejection never ends. I deal with it by screaming a lot. ☺ Seriously, I would wallow in self-pity for a while after a particularly painful rejection, but then I would go back to work. I had to remember my roots and realize I didn’t start writing as a child because I wanted to be published. I started because I truly enjoyed it.
M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?
Frank: Sporadic. If I’ve caught the writing fever I’ll write for hours every night. If I’m in between projects, it can be weeks before I smack the keyboard. I try to at least set aside a few hours each week to focus intently on a story, but with life, my job, and my family, it can be difficult.
M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?
Frank: I have a fairly unique background. I was born in Kentucky and my dad told me stories of his upbringing in Brooklyn, NY. I usually pull from my own experiences and memories to begin a story. I’m also a horrible sleepwalker and talker. My mind is constantly going in a million different directions. It can be tricky finding the right idea to focus my energy. If it wakes me up in the middle of the night or if I suddenly can’t think of anything else but the idea than I usually know I have something. I’ll also try it out on my wife and family to see their reaction.
M.B.: When did the idea for this book first come to you?
Frank: I woke up one night and scribbled down a few notes in my notebook I keep by the bed. I had this dream of these kids studying archaeology and I got excited about it. I’m a huge Goonies fan and I love a good adventure tale.
M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?
Frank: Absolute quiet and the only light I use comes from the computer screen. Plus I need warm socks. Weird. I know.
M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?
Frank: They all have a special place in my heart, but I think I love my newest novel, The Guardians of Elijah’s Fire. It is the sequel to my novel, The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter, which came out last March. I really did a ton of research on it and I just love the creepy stories found in the Old Testament, which seriously reads like the greatest fantasy novel. Plus, when I read those stories and realize they actually happened, it makes the world a more mysterious place. I love that. My Guardians series follows Amber and Trendon as they search for dangerous artifacts capable of Biblical destruction. I incorporate a ton of action, frightening sequences, and of course, humor. I have to make it funny.
M.B.: What is something about yourself people don’t know?
Frank: I’m still scared to walk up my stairs at night. I take them two at a time and try not to look back. If someone or something grabbed my leg I would scream like a banshee. Honest truth.
M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?
Frank: Don’t give up. Keep writing, polishing, and thinking up new ideas. You’ll eventually find somewhere your books belong and you’ll be happy you stuck with it.
M.B.: What are you working on now?
Frank: I’m finishing up the 4th Adventure in my Hashbrown series, which will come out in April of 2013. Right after that I’ll start immediately on the final book of my Guardians trilogy. I also just finished a new novel called, The Summoner’s Handbook, which I’m polishing in my free time.
M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?
Frank: Barnes and Noble, Deseret Book, Amazon. You can read more about my books at http://franklewiscole.blogspot.com
You can also befriend Frank on Facebook.
First, here is a little about the author.
Frank was born into a family of southern storytellers and wrote his first book at age eight. Sadly, he misplaced the manuscript and has since forgotten what he wrote. Highly superstitious and gullible to a fault, Frank will believe in any creepy story you tell him, especially ones involving ghosts and Big Foot. Currently, along with his wife and three children, he resides in the shadow of a majestic western mountain range, which is most likely haunted.
Frank is the author of the highly successful Hashbrown series. He has written an exciting adventure series for youth (adults will enjoy this book as well) and the second book in the series was recently released. The first book in the series is, The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter;
and the second book, recently released is, The Guardians of Elijah's Fire.
If you like suspenseful and exciting adventure books, you will love this series. I thought both stories were extremely well written and paint a vivid picture for any reader's imagination.
I asked Frank to tell me a little about himself.
I have lived in such exotic places as the Philippines and Kentucky, and currently live with my wife and three children out west. While I strived for years to earn my publishing credits, I consider sharing my message of “Exercising Your Imagination” to over 30,000 kids across the country as my greatest accomplishment. The Guardians of Elijah’s Fire is my 5th published book.
Here is my interview with Frank:
M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
Frank: I suppose a lot of authors say this, but I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I can remember being in elementary school and having a collection of my stories I would share to anyone willing to listen.
M.B.: What is your writing and educational background?
Frank: I really don’t have much of a writing background. I graduated from Weber State in Communications, which has helped me immensely with marketing my book and speaking at assemblies.
M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?
Frank: Long, hard, and very painful. I began the publishing journey about 11 years ago with my first novel (a very poorly written middle grade fantasy.) Over the next few years I saw probably more than 125 rejection letters. I don’t know how many times I considered hanging it up, but something kept me going. I received a contract for my first book, The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters, in December of 2008. That was about seven years after the journey began.
M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?
Frank: I still feel discouraged because as every author realizes or eventually will realize, rejection never ends. I deal with it by screaming a lot. ☺ Seriously, I would wallow in self-pity for a while after a particularly painful rejection, but then I would go back to work. I had to remember my roots and realize I didn’t start writing as a child because I wanted to be published. I started because I truly enjoyed it.
M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?
Frank: Sporadic. If I’ve caught the writing fever I’ll write for hours every night. If I’m in between projects, it can be weeks before I smack the keyboard. I try to at least set aside a few hours each week to focus intently on a story, but with life, my job, and my family, it can be difficult.
M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is
good enough to write a book about it?
Frank: I have a fairly unique background. I was born in Kentucky and my dad told me stories of his upbringing in Brooklyn, NY. I usually pull from my own experiences and memories to begin a story. I’m also a horrible sleepwalker and talker. My mind is constantly going in a million different directions. It can be tricky finding the right idea to focus my energy. If it wakes me up in the middle of the night or if I suddenly can’t think of anything else but the idea than I usually know I have something. I’ll also try it out on my wife and family to see their reaction.
M.B.: When did the idea for this book first come to you?
Frank: I woke up one night and scribbled down a few notes in my notebook I keep by the bed. I had this dream of these kids studying archaeology and I got excited about it. I’m a huge Goonies fan and I love a good adventure tale.
M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?
Frank: Absolute quiet and the only light I use comes from the computer screen. Plus I need warm socks. Weird. I know.
M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?
Frank: They all have a special place in my heart, but I think I love my newest novel, The Guardians of Elijah’s Fire. It is the sequel to my novel, The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter, which came out last March. I really did a ton of research on it and I just love the creepy stories found in the Old Testament, which seriously reads like the greatest fantasy novel. Plus, when I read those stories and realize they actually happened, it makes the world a more mysterious place. I love that. My Guardians series follows Amber and Trendon as they search for dangerous artifacts capable of Biblical destruction. I incorporate a ton of action, frightening sequences, and of course, humor. I have to make it funny.
M.B.: What is something about yourself people don’t know?
Frank: I’m still scared to walk up my stairs at night. I take them two at a time and try not to look back. If someone or something grabbed my leg I would scream like a banshee. Honest truth.
M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?
Frank: Don’t give up. Keep writing, polishing, and thinking up new ideas. You’ll eventually find somewhere your books belong and you’ll be happy you stuck with it.
M.B.: What are you working on now?
Frank: I’m finishing up the 4th Adventure in my Hashbrown series, which will come out in April of 2013. Right after that I’ll start immediately on the final book of my Guardians trilogy. I also just finished a new novel called, The Summoner’s Handbook, which I’m polishing in my free time.
M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?
Frank: Barnes and Noble, Deseret Book, Amazon. You can read more about my books at http://franklewiscole.blogspot.com
You can also befriend Frank on Facebook.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Review of The Kindling, by Braden Bell
Homework? Of course. Crushes? Sure. But who knew seventh grade included superpowers?
From the back cover:
Loud shrieks sliced the air, followed by the smell of burning cloth. Conner looked over in time to see Geoffrey jumping up and down, yelling and shrieking. Smoke poured from the seat of his shorts while blue and yellow sparks snap-crackle-and-popped all around the heater.
All thirteen-year-old Conner Dell wants to do is pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens. He didn’t mean to set anyone’s gym shorts on fire or make school lunches explode. But now that the strange powers inside him have been ignited, Conner’s normal teenage life is about to go up in flames!
The Kindling, by author Braden Bell is a page-turning adventure filled with excitement, suspense, humor, magic, and fun, perfect for middle-grade readers and adults alike. Bell’s writing is filled with vivid images, wonderful characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader completely entranced from start to finish.
From the first page, the excitement and intrigue begin. A series of strange events start happening to Conner Dell, his sister Lexa and her friend Melanie and suddenly their whole world turns upside down. Not only are kids starting on fire but a creepy guy keeps following them, and no one else can see him! Even the teachers at school are acting weird.
Not sure who they an trust or where to turn for help, the children soon find themselves in a battle of good and evil, a fight of light against darkness.
Author, Braden Bell, also a middle school drama teacher, definitely knows his audience and his writing reflects that. The dialogue is witty and fun, the characters are relatable and quirky and the plot clips along at a breathtaking pace.
The story also reflects deeper themes of family, loyalty and the hope that good will triumph over evil.
With all the books available for youth that don’t bother providing anything edifying, I was pleased to read a book that not only kept me entertained but left me feeling uplifted.
The Kindling is a great book for youth and the first in the series. Let’s hope the next one hits the shelves soon!
To go to Braden's web-site click HERE and to purchase the book on Amazon click HERE
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Most often asked question - "When is your next book coming out?" Want the answer?
I've been asked a lot lately when my next book is coming out. I need to answer that with a somewhat lengthy explanation.
There has been a lot going on with our family. And when I say a lot, I don't mean a lot, I mean A LOT!!!!!! I don't mean to sound a like a drama queen, but our family has been slammed with stuff, both fabulous and heart wrenching. I realize that you, as my friends and family and fans, deserve an answer to the oft-asked question.
So, here is my attempt to answer the question.
I'll start with my son and what's been going on in his life.
My son, Wes, is 28 years old, 6'5", good-looking, athletic, smart, and funny, and my oldest child. He is married to a gorgeous, awesome, amazing woman and has two of THE CUTEST, smartest, sweetest little girls in the world! On March 1st he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Our world flipped upside down and we are still hanging on by our fingernails. How did this happen to my son? Why did this happen to my son? When you think of Laman and Lemuel, ya, that was me for a while. I did my fair share of murmuring and rebelling. I have since repented and am back on the straight and narrow path, I think. He had to have his entire colon removed and part of his rectum. He is now in chemo and will have 12 rounds of it which will consume the next 6 months of his life, our's too. We're all in this together and we will fight like dogs to beat this. As a young boy Wes loved superheroes. I never thought he would one day actually become one. But he has. He is my Superhero!
Here is my son after surgery, getting some sunshine and fresh air. After losing 45 pounds in a month, he has really been through heck, but he's doing much better and one day we'll look back and say, "What the crap?" Sorry, this is a PG-13 blog entry, shoulda warned you earlier.
This alone would be sufficient reason I haven't been blogging. But nooooooooo, we're throwing in some super-excitement to make it nice and crazy and totally off-the-hook! My daughter was crowned Miss Utah USA in October. She is now, right now, at this very minute, in Las Vegas, competing in the Miss USA pageant. It has been quite a journey as she's prepared for this "dream-come-true" "once-in-a-lifetime" moment. She has worked hard. She has sacrificed much. She is going to be amazing!
You can watch her compete on NBC, June 3rd. BUT you can VOTE right now for her to be a finalist that night by going to HERE PLEASE take some time to vote for her. You can vote 10 times from one email, every day! I want her to know how proud I am of her. She has proven that dreams really can come true!
Next, is my amazing daughter, Andi. She has spent the last three years at the School of American Ballet in NYC, working her tail off. She recently signed with Los Angeles Ballet and will be moving to Santa Monica. I am so freaking excited for her I can hardly stand it. Things were intense as this audition/decision process was going on but LAB gave her an offer she could't refuse and now I can go watch her dance!!! She's close enough I can actually drive there. In fact, friends and family can go visit her more often and come with me. Road trip!!! Congratulations to my sweetie pie, Andi. I am so excited for her and what the future holds.
I have another daughter and right now all I can say is that she is like sunshine to my soul every day. I've never seen anyone wake up as happy as she does. I love how goofy and upbeat and extremely funny she is. How grateful I am for her.
With the support of incredibly wonderful family and friends, and an extremely amazing husband who keeps us all afloat, somehow all of this is working. But, I realize I still haven't answered the question.
The answer is . . . I don't know.
Pathetic, huh?
I am actually making revisions on a manuscript and hope to have it sent in to my publisher in the next few weeks (ROFL - if you knew how many times I've said that). No, I mean it this time.
So I ask you, my fans, to not give up on me. Great things are coming. If you knew what I had in the works it would blow your minds. And I promise to blog more and up date often to let you know of the the progress. Writing is a joy and therapy I have missed and I'm ready to hit it hard again.
Thanks for listening. If you think about it, send a prayer heavenward for us. I know they are helping. I have felt the prayers of many.
I have the best fans in the world and I love you all!
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