A happier life is only 5 Happy Choices away! Find out more from author and coach Kristina Rienzi!

 

5 Happy Choices

The simple way to a happier life 

A new direction from critically acclaimed fiction author and certified professional coach, Kristina Rienzi 

Published by Indigo Hawk Group and will be released February 1, 2022

 

A happier life is only 5 Happy Choices away!

In this energizing and thought-provoking self-help book, bestselling author and certified professional coach Kristina Rienzi reveals five simple and proven choices you can make today that lead to a happier life. Kristina's education, experience, and advice highlight the simplicity of making specific choices that have the power to unleash happiness. Backed with proven scientific research, Kristina's 5 Happy Choices encourages, empowers, and inspires you to choose happiness as a technique to take control of your life. In simple, easy-to-use action plans, Kristina teaches how to identify and unleash happiness in the day-to-day moments. The empathic nature of her words is like having a loving conversation with a trusted friend. Happiness is a lifelong journey, made one choice at a time. Take the easy road, right here and now. Choose the simple way to a happier life with 5 Happy Choices. Let’s go!

Now an Amazon #1 New Release and Bestseller!!!

Amazon.com: https://bit.ly/5HappyChoices

A message from Kristina:

If you’ve read my bio, you’ll get a pretty-good sense of who I am even if you don’t know me and you’ve never read my books. However, there’s more to an author than her writing life summed up in one paragraph. I’m here to let you in on the details I left out. 

If you’ve read my thrillers, but never met me in real life, you’d likely believe that I’m an introvert. You’d also probably believe that something dark lurks inside of me. Then, you’d meet me in person and your head might just spin around. 

We’d talk and you’d see that I’m bubbly, outgoing, positive, and intently engaged in our conversation. I’d look like any other extrovert you’d ever seen. As we chatted, you’d hear me talk about dreaming big, never giving up, and likely glean some inspirational message or positive affirmation from our conversation. 

Darkness? Not so much. 

Two different people, yes. Nevertheless, we’re one in the same. I assure you, the motivational-speaker-personality you meet in real life IS the real me. So is the introverted, dark girl. We go hand in hand. Not surprising for a Gemini. When you add writing to the mix, it makes for interesting stories. 

Confusing? Sure. That’s because introversion isn’t what it seems on the surface. It’s not about being quiet vs. loud. Social vs. antisocial. Friendly vs. shy. It’s about where introverts get their energy from, and the answer is, ourselves. Extroverts, on the other hand, get their energy from other people. 

It’s probably why most writers are introverts at heart, even if they feel extroverted in social situations. However, introverts feed off being alone. We’re energized when the door is closed, and only our thoughts and our story (plus some coffee!) remain in the room. It feeds our souls so much that after we write as many words as our fingers can speedily type, we still have the wherewithal to rally with friends. That is, until we inevitably collapse from social interaction. 

Because as introverts, we lose our energy around people. We give every ounce of what we have to others until we’re depleted entirely. Therefore, after a conference or a book signing, you’ll find me in my usual restorative place---on the couch binging Netflix, wine in hand…zombified. 

For my darkness obsession, it’s real. Sadly, no matter how hard I try to be a kind person and bring those around me up, darkness lives in our world. To cope, I write dark stories to face my fears and triumph, and self-help to focus on my happiness, as is my hope for my readers as well. 

Truth be told, darkness has always intrigued me. It inspired my advanced psychology degree, and then my coaching certification. I wanted to learn why people did the things they did, and what motivated them to change, or not. While I’ve made the recent shift from writing dark thrillers to happiness self-help books, my desire to inspire and empower through my writing is at the core of all I do. 

I hope my books, whether dark (thrillers) or light (self-help) inspire you to overcome all that’s holding you back so you can live your happiest life, one more in alignment with who you are and what you truly want. 

As a writer, it’s all about the two sides of this Gemini: dark and light, in balance. 

I’m grateful for all the readers who trust me to pull them through the darkness and into the light. They’re why this introvert writes at all. If you haven’t read my books, I hope my words intrigued you to come over to the introverted, dark side...to find the light! 

~Kristina 

About Kristina: 

Kristina Rienzi, M.A., C.P.C., is a bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction who has dedicated her life through psychology, coaching, leadership and writing to inspire and empower others. Her debut self-help book, 5 Happy Choices: The Simple Way to a Happier Life is an Amazon #1 New Release and Bestseller. Among Us, her latest novel was featured on Audible’s ACX University and an Audible Editor’s Select Pick. Kristina also holds an ELI-MP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and CiHS. She lives at the Jersey Shore with her husband and daughter. Visit her at https://kristinarienzi.com. 

To request additional review copies or an interview with Kristina Rienzi, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com/ 403.464.6925.   

We look forward to the coverage!

Christopher Denmead gives an incredible new take on the legend of Dracula

 

Vlada, A Dracula Tale 

Acclaimed horror writer, Christopher Denmead gives an incredible new take on the legend of Dracula!! 

Illustrations by Ken Hunt and a foreword by NY Times Bestseller, Jonathan Mayberry!

 

We take the entire cast of Dracula and Gender Swapped the cast, Its the classic story with new twists and turns. This is a prose novel. Very akin to Bernie Wrightson Frankenstein with 24 black and white illustrations by Ken Hunt.

   Amazon.com:  Vlada a Dracula Tale: Denmead, Mr Christopher David, Hunt, Ken: 9798718583601: Amazon.com: Books

Christopher Denmead has both updated and gender-swapped Bram Stoker’s life-impaired Transylvania nobleman. Vlad is now Countess Vlada Dracula, and she is now pitted against a female Harker and -of course – a new take on Van Helsing. It’s both a re-telling of the story and an original take, bringing freshness and a dark sense of fun to a story we only think we know by heart. 

It’s a quick read -pause through to drink in the wonderful artwork-and a thoroughly entertaining one. Scary and smart, fast and very furious. It is -pun entirely intended – something to really sink your teeth into.

 Turn the page. Take the bite.

 Jonathan Mayberry, NY Times Bestselling author of V-Wars, Ink, & Rot & Ruin

About Christopher Denmead:

Chris Denmead hosts a midnight horror themed radio show The Dr. Chris Radio of Horror show in Worcester MA. The show has been broadcasting on 91.3 FM from the WCUW building since Oct, 2007 It Airs Sunday night at 10pm. He recently published Vlada a Dracula Tale, a Graphic Novella and Audio Book and Tie in Prequel Comic Book with artist Ken Hunt. He gender swaps the cast of Dracula. He lives in Framingham MA. He has one son and his Black Cat. When he is not writing books on the most unusual filmmakers in New England, he is watching Godzilla movies with his son or playing video games. He is an avid comic book collector.

To request additional review copies or an interview with Christopher Denmead, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com/ 403.464.6925.    We look forward to the coverage!

Introducing Angel Maker, an award-winning novel by Canadian author Barry B. Wright

 

Angel Maker

The Award-Winning Novel by Barry B. Wright

Meet evil that is impossible to forget. This historical espionage adventure novel, which begins on the eve of World War II, invites you for a journey inside the murderous mind of a psychopathic killer.

The gruesome murder of a young child, Rebecca Grynberg, pushes Inspector Alexander Collier into a treacherous investigation—and places his own family in jeopardy. Propelled into a world of seemingly unconnected murders, he soon learns that the lives of his son, his son's fiancée, and her Jewish family in Nazi Germany all hang in the balance because of his involvement.

For help seeking justice for the murdered child, Collier joins forces with an unlikely group of people that includes a psychic medium, a NKVD Soviet agent, and a British agent with a prosthetic leg she calls "Cuthbert."

Will Inspector Collier save his son and his fiancée’s Jewish family among the turmoil of Nazi Europe, or will the Gestapo win the day? This historical spy thriller delivers suspense, revenge, romance—naughty bits and all—and plenty of sharp turns as Inspector Collier races to bring a killer to justice.

Angel Maker is an exciting crime investigation and action adventure thrill ride that will take you from the shores of Bournemouth, England, across the English Channel to Paris, France, and into the heart of Berlin, Nazi Germany. 

Hold on to your pages, things will go bump in the night.

Amazon.com:  Angel Maker - Kindle edition by Wright, Barry B.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com

About Barry B. Wright

Barry B. Wright is a retired high school teacher and the author of Betrayal of Trust (November 8, 2012), and Angel Maker (early release, November 27, 2020), both sold on Amazon. First drafts of short stories (included in a collection called Welcome to My Garden) and novels are available at https://www.chapterbuzz.com/bawright

He counts his experiences in education, acting, environmental initiatives, and local politics as some of the strongest influences on his writing.
Barry is also the co-author of the Mathscope series, the first mathematics series for Prentice-Hall Canada, and A Guide to Public Involvement, published by the Canadian Standards Association.
Currently, Barry is working on his third novel, Sunnyvale.

 He and his wife divide their time between Priceville and Brampton, Ontario. 

To request additional review copies or an interview with Barry B. Wright, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: Mickey@CreativeEdgePublicity.com | 403.464.6925.    

We look forward to the coverage!

When You Least Expect It, a new novel from Lorna Schultz Nicholson

 

When You Least Expect It 

A change in direction for critically acclaimed Children and Young Adult author, Lorna Schultz Nicholson 

Released on November 15th in Print by Red Deer Press 

How long can Holly keep her secrets?  

Avid competitive rower Holly is seventeen. There is nothing she wishes for more than to compete in the Olympics. When she fails to make the rowing team that is going to Europe she is shattered. Her dream has exploded, and she is left dealing with the disappointment. She is also confronting a new reality at home: she and her mother have moved in with her mother’s annoying new boyfriend, Super Stew, and his two sons.

This move is a blow to the close relationship Holly thought she had with her mother.

Holly’s not a quitter. She lands a summer job, and then she is handed an unexpected lifeline in the person of a man who offers to coach her in a single rowing boat. For a girl raised without a father, the coach’s generosity – and rigorous demands – are a gift. But where did he come from and who is he, really? Discovering the answer plunges her into sadness – but then he inspires her to work beyond her comfort zone. Holly feels her mother won't support her so she secretly trains. And when Holly starts seeing someone from work who could become a significant romantic partner, she hides that from her mother as well. How long can you keep secrets like this? This page-turning story is enhanced by fascinating detail of what it means to be a competitive rower — as well as an emotional core that is powerful and compelling. 

Amazon.com:  Amazon.com: When You Least Expect It: 9780889956414: Schultz Nicholson, Lorna: Books 

Amazon.ca:  When You Least Expect It: Schultz Nicholson, Lorna: 9780889956414: Books - Amazon.ca

PRAISE FOR WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT:

About Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Lorna Schultz Nicholson has published children’s picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and hockey non-fiction. Her books have been nominated for many different awards and are often on the CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens list. Lorna loved sports as a child and she also loved to read and write. She is thrilled to be able to combine her love of literacy with her sport background. WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT is a novel that is close to Lorna as she rowed for West Park Secondary School and the St. Catharines Rowing, and she also coached rowing at the University of Victoria. Lorna now lives in Edmonton with her husband (Go Oilers Go) and Mexican rescue dog.

To request additional review copies or an interview with Lorna Schultz Nicholson, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com | 403.464.6925.  

We look forward to the coverage!

Twelve Wheeler Christmas by Diane Bator

 

To BUY BOOKS

My Website:  https://dianebator.ca/

One of the fun things I've been able to do this past couple years is be a part of several podcasts. This short story, was shared on Randy Lacey's Between the Lines blog before Christmas. I wrote it with a local man in mind who pushes several shopping carts around town. I often see him parked outside a local bank sitting on the bench and minding his own business. This story is purely fictional.

Twelve Wheeler Christmas

By Diane Bator 

Ben watered the six-inch Christmas tree with a cold, shaky hand. He was surprised it still thrived in the damp cold of the Ontario winter. Was it his imagination or had it grown just a titch?

He capped the water bottle, careful not to spill a drop. There might be a need for it later to soothe his rumbling stomach.

“Excuse me,” a woman said, “you can’t park that here.”

That was the line of three shopping carts Ben pushed through the streets of town. His Twelve Wheeler. Up and down both the busy and the quieter streets where shops stood. Never in front of people’s homes. He didn’t want to be reminded of where he’d come from.

He released a long, frustrated sigh. “I’m not parked. I’m watering my Christmas tree.”

She put her hands on her hips but took a step back like she was afraid, or he was contagious. “Then water it and move along.”

“I will,” Ben said as he tucked the water bottle into the middle of his ratty, rolled up sleeping bag.

The woman tapped her foot while she waited.

Ben sat on a nearby bench and pulled out half a chocolate bar.

“When?” she finally asked.

“Soon as I’m ready.” He unwrapped the chocolate and breathed in the sweetness before he took a small bite.

Her shoulders seemed to tighten even more. “You’re making my customers nervous.”

Ben snorted a laugh. “They’re in a bank at Christmas. They’re already nervous. None of them have any money. Everything’s on credit.”

“How would you know?” she asked.

His gaze darted from the chocolate bar to her heart-shaped face. “I was them three hundred years ago. This is all I have left.”

She shifted from heel to heel before she glanced up and down the street. “When is the last time you ate?”

“Right now.” He held up the last inch of chocolate. “I got lucky. Dollar store had these marked down.”

A pained expression crossed her face. “I mean a real meal.”

“Dunno. Before I got the chocolate bars.”

“When was that?”

“You’re nosy. I don’t like strange, nosy women,” he said.

This time, she laughed, which surprised him. “My name is Rose. I’d like to buy you lunch.”

His hazel eyes grew wide before he gave a nod. “Ben. I haven’t been on a date in thirty years. I’m not starting now.”

Rose shook her head. “I’m going across the street to get my lunch. Could I bring you back a sandwich or something?”

He took one last bite of the chocolate as he studied her. “No date?”

“My husband wouldn’t approve.”

“Okay then,” Ben said. “But no funny stuff.”

“Agreed.” She smiled then headed to the corner and strode across the street.

While she was gone, Ben wiped his hands on the clean part of his pants and got up. One by one, he pushed all three carts across the street in front of town hall. He soon had them lined up along a low, stone wall and sat for a rest.

“Are you leaving without your lunch?” Rose called out to him from in front of the bank.

Ben shielded his eyes from the sunshine. “Nope.”

She joined him in front of the stone wall and handed him a steaming paper cup. “There’s cream and sugar with your lunch in the bag. Where are you going?”

“You’re nice to buy me lunch,” he said as he set the cup on the wall and took the bag. “I won’t scare your customers today.”

Her face softened. “Thank you. Merry Christmas, Ben.”

A small grin lit his face. “Huh. That explains why people are being nicer than normal.”

Rose’s cheeks reddened. After a minute, she reached into her purse. “You’re right. I’ll tell you what, Ben. Next time you come by the bank, come inside and ask for me. We can have lunch together again. Maybe even talk.”

Ben took her business card then tucked it in the folds of his sleeping bag next to the water bottle. “Okay. Whatever you say. Merry Christmas, nosy Rosy.”

Just a reminder to pay it forward whenever and wherever you can!

Have a very Merry Christmas! 

Diane

The Tattoo Murder by award-winning author and broadcaster, Bob Brill

 

The Tattoo Murder

A novel with a new direction by

Award-winning author and broadcaster, Bob Brill 

Released and published by Tuscany Bay Books

The book is available worldwide digitally

“The Tattoo Murder” is the story of a U-S Army combat veteran who became a police officer back in his home town after he’d seen enough injustice in the world.

A different kind of cop, Det. John Potenza travels to the tune of his own drum, the waves which he loves to surf, the women who occupy his life and the music which drives him. All this is secondary to getting it right when it comes to justice. An Italian-American who knows his way around the kitchen, the fit and trim cop with comic book hero good looks catches the eye of almost every woman he meets. If he were British he’d probably be in “her Majesty’s Secret Service” with a Double-O in his name.

Many of the characters in the book are derived from Bob Brill’s own past and acquaintances and friends and while the book is a work of fiction, the people are real – well sort of.

Universal Link:  https://books2read.com/u/braNDZ

 About Bob:

A native of Pittsburgh, PA and a hardcore Pirates and Steelers fan, Bob began in radio career in 1972 and worked all over the western US, several times in the L-A market. He's currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio.

Bob has won multiple broadcast awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award (among others) for anchoring KNX's storm coverage in 2011.

A baseball historian, Bob writes the very popular weekly column found at www.baseballinthe1960s.com. He also is a podcaster who has teamed with former NFL Quarterback Erik Kramer for a weekly Fantasy Football Podcast called Kramer and Brill, which can be found where ever you get your podcasts or at their website www.kramerandbrill.com. Both are always posted on Facebook as well as Twitter.

Bob made his mark with the UPI Radio Network when a gunman went crazy in a San Diego fast food restaurant and Bob covered the story. It was his first big break. He later became a UPI National Correspondent and Bureau Chief. He has interviewed presidents, covered Super Bowl games and Hollywood as well as major news stories.

He lives in L-A. He has survived earthquakes and a beating during the 1992 L-A riots while covering the story, which was recorded on audio tape.  More information about Bob can be found at:  BobBrill 

To request additional review copies or an interview with Bob Brill, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey@creativeedgepublicity.com  403.464.6925.  We look forward to the coverage!

    

David B. Savage, shares his business expertise in Break Through to Yes

 

Break Through To Yes

Unlocking the Possible within a Culture of Collaboration

 

“A work that couldn’t be more timely.”

Collaboration expert, David B. Savage, brings his business expertise, stories, and processes to the forefront.

 

“Canadian collaboration expert Savage … offers a work that couldn’t be more timely. While it addresses organizational collaboration, this book could be interpreted more broadly as a treatise on building a cooperative culture within families, groups, businesses, and government. In a collection of concise chapters, Savage leads the reader through a discussion of the meaning and value of collaboration. The author supplements his own experiences over more than four decades with extensive quotes from experts and results from surveys that he conducted; in effect, he collaborated far and wide to garner input for this volume… Highly readable, informative, and well-organized, this insightful work acts as a short-form textbook on the best practices in collaboration. A valuable volume for the senior leader of any group, business, or organization who wants to build a collaborative culture.” Kirkus Reviews 

Amazon.com:  Amazon.com: Break Through To Yes: Unlocking the Possible within a Culture of Collaboration eBook : Savage, David B.: Kindle Store

Amazon.ca:  Break Through To Yes: Unlocking the Possible within a Culture of Collaboration eBook : Savage, David B.: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

 

Praise for Break Through to Yes!!

“David B. Savage’s Break Through to Yes provides the key for real success – collaboration!”   Marshall Goldsmith,  Thinkers 50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World and Top 5 Management Thinker 2015

“Written in a manner that illustrates collaboration in action, Break Through to Yes shares decade’s worth of knowledge and a structure that outlines what true collaboration looks like.”  David L. Milia, MBA, CET
Associate Director, Centre for Corporate Sustainability/Energy Initiatives
Haskayne School of Business

"What a concept; a masterful book on Collaborative Leadership that is truly collaborative! This book will have you take a whole new look at how you operate in business. A MUST read."Teresa de Grosbois #1 International Bestselling author of Mass Influence

"From the book's opening metaphor to its final appendix, David Savage’s Break Through to Yes is filled with valuable insights, quotes and suggestions on why and how to see collaboration as the best (perhaps only) path to a successful and sustainable yes. Supported and enriched by many examples from his own work and the experiences of others, each section offers hope and direction with respect to how we can choose a different path in the way we work, communicate, problem-solve and interact with just about anyone, anytime, for any reason!"  Kirkus Reviews 

"From the book's opening metaphor to its final appendix, David Savage’s Break Through to Yes is filled with valuable insights, quotes and suggestions on why and how to see collaboration as the best (perhaps only) path to a successful and sustainable yes. Supported and enriched by many examples from his own work and the experiences of others, each section offers hope and direction with respect to how we can choose a different path in the way we work, communicate, problem-solve and interact with just about anyone, any time, for any reason!"
David Gouthro, Facilitator and Former President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers

About David Savage

Since 2007, Savage Management has focused on building capacity, innovation, and accountability in people and in and between organizations and communities.

Beginning in 2015, David has published seven books and hosted forty-five podcasts on collaborative leadership, negotiation, critical thinking, creating shared value, and collaboration. Currently, David is, also;

ü  President 2021/22, Rotary Club of Cranbrook Sunrise,

ü  Co-Chair, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group D 5080 (SEBC, E. Washington & N. Idaho),

ü  Advisor, The Canadian Energy and Climate Nexus, and

ü  Director, Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association. 

To request additional review copies or an interview with David Savage, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com/ 403.464.6925.   

 We look forward to the coverage!

December Round Robin Blog Fest

 

Happy Holidays to  you all!!

Twas the week before Christmas and the blog fest is here

For reasons that really aren't exactly clear

We're writing about how our family deeds

Translate into delicous writing scenes

In other words:  How do your family experiences translate into writing scenes?

In spite of various family members recurring nightmares about being characters in my books, I’ve been pretty easy on most of them. Sure, the odd friend has appeared as a victim or an innocent bystander in my mysteries, but I never portray them as awful people. For the most part, rather than blatantly use one person in my books I tend to mesh two or three people into one character using traits, features, and habits from each in different ways. The writing group in The Bookstore Lady is a great example. No, they are not based on my local writing group aside from bits of various personalities.

Buy The Bookstore Lady

Imagine coming home and finding a group of people gathered in the living room of your landlady’s home then being informed you have just become the newest member of a local writing group. Poor Katie never set out to be a writer, unlike me, but she quickly found her niche in the group since she ran the local bookstore. That bookstore was based on one the kids and I frequented often and where I did my first book launch. I’ll have to go back there one day soon. Perhaps with a new book in 2022.

Any family or even friend experiences I may use will definitely be embellished. When book one of my Gilda Wright Mysteries, Dead Without Honor, first came out, there was an ongoing debate for years as to which of my senseis at the time were the one I modeled Mick Williams after! I can honestly say none of them. Mick was a combination of many people. Kane Garrick is also a combination of various.

Buy Dead Without Honor

One of the most fun scenes I’ve ever put into a book was about a gingerbread house we made one year. While putting it together, the icing was still too warm and a roof panel slid off and broke. Since perfection wasn’t going to happen, we put a candy Santa beneath the rubble. The joys of having three boys!

Our own gingerbread disasters inspired Christina Davidson’s whole catastrophe with building a gingerbread house for Lucy Stephens in The Bakery Lady. Although I can honestly say I’ve never trapped a bowl inside of one but did come darn close! 

Becoming a single mom came after I’d written The Mystery Lady, but Lucy was loosely based on a couple people I knew at the time. Then I became her, which was a switch. Just like Lucy, life went on and has become better again one step at a time.

Buy The Mystery Lady

Let’s hop on down the list to find out how the rest of the Round Robin group’s family experiences translate into writing scenes!

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Dr. Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2ue

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com