Sunday, June 29, 2014

Breakdown

There are many kinds of breakdowns; nervous breakdowns, fiddle breakdowns, mathematical breakdowns, and of course, mechanical breakdowns. As a truck driver, it’s the last category that affects me. Recently, I’ve been plagued with a rash of them. Not on my personal vehicle, thankfully, but on my truck. In one respect, that’s good, I don’t have to pay for the repairs. On the other hand, it does cost me an awful lot of time. And, breakdowns produce more than a little aggravation.

Among the difficulties my truck has suffered are; coolant leaks, brake problems, power steering issues, lights that won’t work, blowouts, a transmission that didn’t want to change gears, airbags that wouldn’t inflate, and a bunch of other stuff. Since I drive at night, when I break down, it means even more down time than normally would be the case. I have to wake someone up, wait for them to get dressed, drive to the shop, get the parts I need, and then drive to where I’m stranded—usually quite a few miles.

In the last month, I’ve gotten home late more often than not. Hours late sometimes. This throws my schedule off but more importantly; it cuts into my personal time! I do have better things to do than work twenty-four hours a day!

So, I’m really looking forward to my upcoming vacation. Just a few more trips to make and it’ll be here. Approximately, 3575 miles. Should be a breeze—if I don’t break down!

__________________________________



Current Read
Heaven’s Waiting Room
Clare Wilson



SPOTLIGHT Author
Kenneth J. Kerr
The First Madam President


______________________________________

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com






Sunday, June 22, 2014

EAT

The year was 1973. My father decided we were moving: from Missouri to Oregon. At six years old, this was quite an adventure for me. I vividly recall the whole thing: the packing, my dad rebuilding the engine on a Ford Galaxy 500 so it would make the trip, loading the U-Haul, and then the long drive. The drive, most of which I didn’t sleep, was apparently practice for when I got older and would spend the better part of my waking hours behind the wheel, in a semi.

The 2000-mile trip was fun. We saw a lot of sights along the way, played games in the car, and ate at McDonald’s—when we could find one (the Golden Arches were not so prevalent in those days). Strangely, it seemed that doing nothing, while riding in a car, produced quite an appetite. By the time we neared our destination however, I think all four of us; my dad, mom, brother, and me, were ready for the journey to be over. I remember finally taking the exit for the town that would be our new home. There was an old flour mill—a big white building badly in need of new paint, a downtown church with a towering steeple, and a big bright blue sign with yellow letters, trimmed in red, that simply said, “EAT.” That’s what caught my eye, the sign, rising high above a drive-in diner. And, as had become my habit on the trip, I was hungry.

My dad said we’d go find our house first, and then worry about eating. We did locate the house, and we did eat, but not at that restaurant. I think it was the next day that we got to enjoy the drive-in’s burgers. However, since our new town had no McDonald’s, we did frequent the drive-in, well, frequently—probably more often than my dad could afford. But you know kids, they just keep asking. The drive-in diner quickly became one of my favorite places to eat.

That’s been 41 years ago now. A lot of things have changed since way back then. A lot of the town has changed; buildings have been torn down and new ones built. Despite the changes, some things remain. For instance, every day, as I arrive home from work and exit the freeway, I see that same sign that I saw years ago. The color has faded, the drive-in is now gone, replaced by another restaurant, but the sign is still there! It’s how I know I’m home. Only problem is; you know how memories are associated with the senses? And how the mere sight of something can bring back the same feelings of long ago? Well, I know it may have something to do with the fact that by the time I make it home each day, I’ve been driving for about 14 hours but, every time I look up and see that sign, I’m instantly hungry!


_____________________________________________


Current Read
Heaven’s Waiting Room
Clare Wilson



SPOTLIGHT Author
Our Lady Of Victory
Shirley H. Slaughter


_________________________________________

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com




Sunday, June 15, 2014

OLV Remembered by Shirley H. Slaughter


This week, please join me in giving a warm welcome to my friend, Shirley H. Slaughter. Shirley is the author of Our Lady Of Victory The Saga of an African-American Catholic Community.
She is a founding member of Rave Reviews Book Club and this week's SPOTLIGHT Author. 




OLV REMEMBERED

FINDING OUR FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE

That was the headline that stared out at me from the “Opinion” section of the Oakland Press in my local community. As I started to read it I was struck by the content…explaining how one can be rooted in the sameness of everyday life. Going to a restaurant and always sitting at the exact same booth or table. Attending church and always sitting in the same seat week after week. If someone takes your spot you become territorial and protective of it. I talked about this same phenomenon at my church in the following…

Excerpt:

Vondie Curtis Hall…He had a sister and a brother and they always came to church together, well dressed, and they always sat in the front row. Everyone always had a particular seat that they claimed every Sunday and so you were known by where you chose to sit—not necessarily by your name.

Gong to work every day, eating and sleeping, cleaning our surroundings…this is our Fortress of Solitude. It’s funny how habits can shape your life and how much we are creatures of habit. And we do become territorial in our routines. Just like the earth goes round and round the sun each day and night, we live by a routine and balance. If the balance is ever upset we become ill or off balance. This world of ours is so profound that we must protect it. If the balance is off just slightly, it could be catastrophic. That might explain why we become creatures of habit and rituals.



Bio

Shirley Harris-Slaughter is a Michigan native. She is a community activist having been a school board trustee in the Oak Park School District and mentored four freshmen girls in the Winning Futures Program.  Shirley loves trains, vintage clothes, and old buildings with historic significance. So it was a natural that she would write about growing up in historic Royal Oak Twp. and keep alive a catholic community that was about to lose its history and identity. It seems that everything she loved closed down and she was not about to let any of it be forgotten. Shirley joined Rave Reviews Book Club because she recognized the need to support fellow authors in order to move forward in her own endeavors. She already had a thriving relationship with like twitter followers. “We all had the same goals so it was a natural fit.”


Question:  What is your Fortress of Solitude?

SHIRLEY HARRIS-SLAUGHTER, AUTHOR

Book title:  Our Lady of Victory, the Saga of an African-American Catholic Community
RRBC Seal of Excellence
Amazon.com
Createspace
Twitter Handle: @sharrislaughter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharrislaughter3
Email:   sharrislaughter@gmail.com
Website: http://shirleyslaughterblog.wordpress.com/

***SPOTLIGHT GIVEAWAY***
To celebrate being the spotlight author for Rave Reviews Book Club, I am giving away an autographed, Limited Edition Hardcover Copy of “OUR LADY OF VICTORY:  THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY.”  All you need to do is visit my blog and leave a comment there, and stop by each leg of my tour with your comments, as well.  The more stops you visit and the more you comment, the more chances you have to win. If you leave a comment on each day of my tour this week, then your name will be entered into my drawing 7 times which increases your chances of winning! (Only 1 comment allowed per stop/per day).  The person whose name is pulled via a random draw, will be the winner. It’s that simple! Restricted to US residents only. Thanks again for the support and good luck in winning!!!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Not So Healthy?

As a commercial truck driver, I am required to have a physical every two years - an annoying hassle that comes around way too often. I don’t do the doctor thing well.

A few weeks ago, it was time for my re-certification; to make the dreaded trip to the clinic so I can get a little piece of paper to carry in my wallet that proclaims my health does not prevent me from safely operating a commercial motor vehicle. Since I still seem to need a job, I reported to the clinic.

They ran all the usual tests, eyes, ears, reflexes, and the like—and found nothing wrong. Apparently, I am a quite healthy specimen of a human. They could’ve just asked, I would have told them there’s nothing wrong with me—I suffer none of the common ailments of the typical 47-year-old male.

But that, of course, wasn’t good enough for the doctor. My age, coupled with the fact that I do not see a doctor regularly—not at all, actually, other than the irritating DOT physical every two years—seemed to concern her. My insistence that every two years was by definition, “regular” health checks didn’t impress her either.

“You really need to see a doctor more frequently,” she said.

“Why?” I wondered. “If there’s nothing wrong with me, what would be the point?” To waste my hard-earned money by giving it to someone in a white jacket so they can tell me I’m healthy, I suppose.

“Everybody needs to have regular health exams,” she insisted. “That’s the only way to ensure a healthy life.”

Right, I was thinking. ‘Cause I have so many problems now due to not seeing a doctor! No, I didn’t tell her that. Instead, I said, “You might be right. I’ll probably consider starting regular doctor visits about the same age as my dad.”

She frowned at me. “How old was he?”

I shrugged. “I’ll let you know when he starts.”

“He doesn’t see a doctor regularly?” She was aghast. “Why on Earth not?”

“Same reason I don’t,” I said. “Ain’t nothing wrong. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The look she gave me said I had a very unhealthy approach to healthcare. “I’m going to have to sit down and calm myself after you leave,” she said, handing me my medical card.

Being the nice, considerate, and thoughtful person I am, I offered this bit of advice, “You probably shouldn’t worry so much, it’s not healthy.”


Told you I don’t do the doctor thing so well.

_____________________________________


Current Read
Superior Peril
by Michael Carrier

SPOTLIGHT Author
Shirley H. Slaughter
Our Lady Of Victory

________________________________


Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com

Sunday, June 1, 2014

A New Day At Rave Reviews Book Club





A word from the President of Rave Reviews Book Club, Nonnie Jules...

Hello, and Welcome to a NEW day at RAVE REVIEWSBOOK CLUB!  If you’ve never heard of us, you must not ever turn your computer on because we are the Virtual Book Club that everyone is buzzing about.  We’ve been around now for five (5) months and our membership has almost reached 500!  Our website is an extremely busy place…again, in five (5) months, it’s been viewed almost 43,000 times!  Boy, there must be a lot going on there for all that traffic, right?  YOU can bet your bottom dollar there is!

We aren’t your typical book club.  First, our membership is open to Authors and Readers.  Our mission is to PROFILE, PROMOTE & PROPEL INDIE AUTHORS via book sales, “honest” book reviews and name recognition.  That means, that if no one has ever heard of you before, if you’re an active member-author at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB, your name is probably on a lot of tongues now!;  second, we are here to foster an environment of positivity and support and we do an extremely good job of supporting our members; and third, we offer so many perks and privileges to ALL members which include: BOOK OF THE MONTH Winner, “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR, #PUSHTUESDAY winner ,and we offer writing contests and fun photo contests to help you earn some of these fabulous spots!  If you’re a Reader, how would you like your chance at winning Amazon gift cards just for referring new members who join?  And what if you’re an avid reader?  How would you like to win a $50, $100 or even a $200 Amazon Gift Card for having read the most member-author books during the year?  These are just a few of the many perks we offer at RRBC.

Some of you reading this are already aware of the fabulous club we are, so let me tell you WHY there’s a new day at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB.

When we first formed, we accepted any and everyone who submitted an application.  Then, we noticed that some of the people who were aligning themselves with us, just weren’t the right “fit” for us, so we became a bit more selective.  {We do offer an overwhelmingly huge amount of support to all our members and we do ENCOURAGE all of our members to support one another, but the ONLY real requirement of RRBC is that each member purchases, reads and reviews a minimum of 4 books per year.  Weekly, many member-authors list their books at only $.99 and some for FREE!  It has been shared with us by some members that they have completed all four of their required reads for the club for only $3.98!  UNBELIEVABLE!}.  Even with us becoming more selective, we still encountered those members who would join for one second and then turn right around a week later to say something to the effect of:  “I realize my dog is going to be sick for the next two weeks so I’m going to have to cancel my membership.” Really, some of the excuses we’ve received are so laughable and unbelievable, all you can do is stare in disbelief!

So, because our board of 8 members work extremely hard at propelling our members and constantly devising NEW plans to propel our members, we thought instead of just adding members to the roster, we’d add a second step to the process.  This little step merely asked the prospective member to return to our site, to READ OUR FAQ page FULLY and after that, “let us know if you’re sure you want to become a member.”  We did this because it is a hassle to add members to our online roster, to our internal rosters, to add and link their books to our online book catalog, to only turn around and have to remove it all.  Please believe me when I say in the voice of the very entertaining YouTube sensation, Sweet Brown, “AINTNOBODYGOTTIMEFORTHAT!” We are much, much too busy!  So, we implement yet another step in the process…on May 18, we instated a 30 day probationary period.  What this entailed was:  new members joining on or after this date, would not have their name OR their book(s) listed in our online roster and catalog, but they would still be allotted all of the other perks and privileges of membership.  If after their 30 day probationary period they were still with us, we would then add their names and books to the rosters for the world to see.  During the first 10 days of this new policy, we received almost 50 NEW member applications.  See, even with a new stipulation to our membership in place, these new people STILL wanted to join us because they’d heard the stories about how SUCCESSFUL we are in PROFILING, PROMOTING & PROPELLING our indie author members. I know, you want me to hurry and get to the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT…THE REASON THAT WE’RE REALLY HERE TODAY…THE NEW DAY AT RRBC!

Now that our membership is nearing 500 and to ensure that we are aligning ourselves with the BEST OF THE BEST and the MOST SERIOUS-MINDED INDIVIDUALS, who take what we do here seriously, we are implementing a NEW MEMBERSHIP FEE!  Beginning June 1, 2014, our annual membership fee is $25.00/per member.  THIS FEE IS FOR *NEW* INCOMING MEMBERS WHO JOIN ON OR AFTER JUNE 1ST, and current members will not be assessed a membership fee until their anniversary date.  For most of you, that won’t begin until January, 2015 or one year after your join date (which is different for everyone).

*NEW* MEMBERS:  Here is what your membership will entail:
*The listing of up to 3 of your books in our online catalog (right now, members are allotted only 1 listing for now, with the ability to add one additional in the near future);
*The ability to add 2 book covers to 2 of your titles;
*FREE 3 months of One-on-One consultations via phone calls, email or e-chat with your very own Mentor; a critique of your partially completed manuscript, which includes helpful hints and suggestions about what could make the writing better.  Right now, this service has a fee of $10 on its own;
*FREE entry into all our fee-based writing contests;
*For approved works, inclusion in our upcoming RRBC Anthology;
*Discounted rates to our future Writer’s Conferences and Book Expos;
*Our site receives upwards of 500 hits per day, and the majority of those hits are views to our Online Catalog, where member-author books are being purchased, read and reviewed; GRAND EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BOOK(S);
*Our Online Catalog is now about to be made available for download to libraries, booksellers/bookstores and shared via regular press releases; MORE EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BOOK(S)
*The possibility of being selected as BOOK OF THE MONTH, “SPOTLIGHT” AUTHOR and #PUSHTUESDAY winner has taken some of our member’s Amazon rankings from the 1 million plus mark, down to #38, #35 and as low as #22 on Amazon’s Top 100 Best Seller’s List!  See what some of our members have to say about RRBC:

Member:  LINDA MIMS“RRBC is like a slice of Heaven in the humongous publishing world. Since being accepted into this family of writers I have been welcomed and treated with respect and I have yet to complete and publish my novel. My social media accounts have grown and I have a sense of fellowship with a kindred community. I fully embrace Rave Reviews Book Club (blowing kisses to all of you)!”

Member:  TLCKIDS4915“Even if I never get a chance to be in the hot seat with RRBC, I will always be a part of this club because of the awesome people I have connected with here. These authors are among the most selfless, positive minded, and supportive people I have come across yet – from any author site I have been a part of. My followers list on Twitter has increased majorly because of the support I have found at RRBC. I truly enjoy reading and reviewing the books to return the favor!”

Member:  KINDLE NINJA“Being a ninja in a sea of talented authors, I sit and wonder what am I doing here. I have no books to share, no tours to promote, and no manuscripts for editors to scrutinize. But I have a book review blog with a cult following of 4 people (on a good day!). To support the RRBC, I added a ‘Conversations over Milk & Cookies’ segment in my blog and featured the Board members. Episode 1 pulled my blog from utter obscurity, with over 500 page views in the first two hours of posting. It’s astonishing!  Thanks, Rave Reviews Book Club!”

Member:  WENDY STORER“I am still smiling from the effects of being the lucky recipient of yesterday’s #PUSHTUESDAY initiative. I woke up to a deluge of tweets and book sales, and this continued throughout the day. I felt very supported by other RRBC members, and sold more books on Amazon.com than I had sold in months! Beyond this one day, I am looking forward to being connected to such a great bunch of writers and having the opportunity to support them as they have supported me. Thanks, Rave Reviewers!

I wish I could list all of the nice things members have to say about us, but you would get tired of reading so feel free anytime to pop over to the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB site and check out our “WHAT RRBC HAS DONE FOR ME page.

We’re wrapping this up now, but not before we let you in on a very special offer:  FOR a limited time only, we are offering our AWESOME membership package for only $15!!!!  That’s it……15 little one dollar bills will get you aligned with the most illustrious member-authors and readers around.  For what we do and how we do it, for the support we offer and the way we offer it, the price tag could not be afforded.  But right now, you’re able to get in at the low, low cost of only $15!  I encourage you to act now, as we don’t know when it might jump up to its original price of $25/yearly!  By imposing this fee, we will be able to now weed out the junk and align ourselves with only the best!  If you’re serious about support, if you’re serious about having the opportunity to be PROFILED, PROMOTED & PROPELLED in unimaginable ways, JOIN US NOW!

When you get there, be sure and tell ‘em Bruce A. Borders sent you!


“IT’S A NEW DAY AT RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB” and we welcome you into it!!!