Guest post - On Track for Murder by Stephen Childs

With her father stabbed to death, her brother caught with the bloody murder weapon, and her stepmother suspiciously missing, 18-year-old Abigail Sergeant is forced into a dangerous cross country adventure to uncover the truth and bring the real killer to justice. Traveling from England to Australia in the late nineteenth-century, Abigail and her naive younger brother hope that reuniting with their father — and his new wife — will offer them security. What awaits them on the shores of the Swan River dashes any prospects of a blissful life. Discovering her father murdered and her brother seemingly caught red handed, Abigail’s life is thrown into turmoil. The police are convinced of Bertrand’s guilt, but Abigail is determined to prove his innocence, no matter whatever it takes. The only thing that the now insensible Bertrand will say about the murder is that their stepmother, Frances, knows what really happened. Frances, however, has fled south to Albany, a port from which she plans to board a ship bound for New Zealand. With time running out, Abigail persuades the police to let her follow Frances, but only if she is chaperoned by the reluctant Constable Ridley Dunning. Embarking on a heroic train journey across Western Australia, Abigail faces deception, kidnap, sabotage and arson, forcing her to draw on a resolve she didn’t know she possessed. But will that be enough to save her brother from injustice?

Building Emotion Through the Eyes of a Teenage Girl by Stephen Childs

Writing about murder and the subsequent challenge of finding the perpetrator presumes many intriguing plot twists. With On Track for Murder, I wanted the characters to experience more than just a series of perplexing puzzles. The drama comes from fear and confusion, deception and dilemma. 

From the outset, I sought a character who offered the greatest possibility for change. I looked for the most innocuous of protagonists to challenge the ever present Victorian ideals of the nineteenth century. Abigail Sergeant became that lead character. Discovering a bloody murder traumatises her as would be expected. The determination to find the killer, though, immediately reveals a hidden strength. 

My challenge was to put her through terrors that would incapacitate many of the time, but that she would overcome and use to grow. She is chased by a knife wielding attacker and only manages to escape by stealing a railway locomotive. A kidnapping that would see most Victorian women merely sobbing, allows Abigail the opportunity to use her knowledge to blow up a boat and effect her escape. An ever increasing array of terrifying scenarios builds the drama. Even faced with, what seems like, the ultimate betrayal, Abigail manages to prevail.Her final witnessing of the killer’s hanging truly reveals how much she has grown through the traumatic experiences. 

Edge of the seat encounters are a great tool for progressing a character. In this story Abigail’s tenacity strengthens, while she continues to prove that you don't need to be perceived as strong to overcome adversity.  

Many thanks Stephen for joining us today.

About the author: Born in Ealing, West London, Stephen Childs immigrated with his family to New Zealand in the 1970s. He has enjoyed a long career in the film and television industry. After a serious health scare in 2005, Childs’ view of life changed. He briefly went into politics as a parliamentary candidate in the national elections, standing against the now New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key. The drive to pursue new challenges prompted Childs to relocate to Western Australia, where he now lives in Joondalup, north of Perth, with his family and two cats. In his spare time, Childs enjoys exploring the great Australian outdoors and studying genealogy. On Track for Murder by Stephen Childs (published by Clink Street, available September 1st, RRP $12.00 paperback, RRP $7.50 ebook) is available online from retailers including amazon.com and can be ordered from all good bookstores.

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Guest Post - Toby Downton, author of Solarversia

Drawn into an epic year-long virtual reality game, eighteen-yearold Nova finds her life fractured and her strength tested as she fights to become the last player standing in this action-packed novel inspired by the revolutionary Oculus Rif - and written by a groundbreaking digital innovator who is already turning fiction into reality. In the year 2020, London-based gaming company Spiralwerks will launch their ambitious year-long virtual reality game, Solaversia. Over 100 million players from around the world, each given a unique number in The Player’s Grid that corresponds to their individual profile, will compete against each other across the solar system to be the last person standing and win the £10 million grand prize. Nova Negrahnu and her friends Burner and Sushi cannot wait to start playing. But when an international terrorist organization sets its sights on the game and it’s creator, Nova finds her life turned upside down, as the line between simulation and reality blurs. Can she navigate between playing the game, coping with all the issues an eighteen-year-old girl faces and avoid the very real and present danger mounting outside Solaversia?

Getting Into the Mind of my Teenage Protagonist by Toby Downton

I never consciously chose to write Solarversia from the perspective of Nova Negrahnu, an eighteen year-old girl; I always felt that she chose me. 

Nova was there from the very beginning, asking - demanding - to be the star of the show. It was slightly daunting at first, writing from such a foreign perspective, so I tried a couple of things to get into her mindset.

First, I spent a lot of time reminiscing about school and university. I jotted down memories: the things that made me laugh and cry, the names of fellow pupils and teachers, and the way things worked back then (the prefect system, detentions, attending lessons and lectures). I wanted to know her fears and desires, to know her heart as well as her mind. Most stuff didn’t make it into the book, but I’ve learned that’s usually the way with writing. You search far and wide, hunting for gold in them thar hills. Most of what you find is dirt … but if you’re lucky, hidden among it, you might discover a couple of nuggets shining bright.

The second thing I did was to pay more attention to strong female leads, both in fiction and in the real world. Nova was always a force of nature: strong-willed, stubborn and determined. I wanted these traits to come across naturally, and worked hard to make her appear authentic. Fortunately, I had a (brilliant) female editor to help achieve this. I remember one scene in particular: Nova and her best (male) friend, Burner, were running from a horde of crazed circus animals when I had Burner help her through a smashed window. My editor amended the scene, leaving a comment that said, “Nova don’t need no help getting through no window.” She was correct of course. If anything, Nova would be the one helping Burner through the window. 

Looks like I still have lots to learn.

Thank you so much for joining us today Toby.

About the author: Toby Downton lives in North London and is head of business development at Matter, a digital innovation consultancy he co-founded. He has previously worked at the London Stock Exchange and has also lived in Australia. Solarversia by Toby Downton (published by CreateSpace, RRP $14.00 paperback, RRP $4.50 ebook) will be released August 31st and will be available to purchase at online retailers including Amazon.com and can be ordered from all good bookstores. For more information please visit solarversia.com.

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From the Press Release:

The world of virtual reality is about to fundamentally reshape the way in which we live, work and play. The Oculus Rift — the much-lauded and potentially transformational VR headset, which broke crowdfunding records in 2012, and was recently acquired by Facebook for $2 billion — is scheduled to launch in early 2016. While its most obvious impact will hit the world’s 700 million plus gamers, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes the potential VR impact to be far more profound: “Imagine enjoying a court side seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face - just by putting on goggles in your home.” 

The relatively new genre of virtual reality inspired science fiction, centered around the gaming industry is booming, with Ernest Cline’s bestseller Ready Player One already in production for a major movie adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg. Downton is emerging as a driving force in the VR revolution. Solaversia is just the first step in his thrillingly ambitious multi-platform story-telling experience that will explore the relationships between artificial intelligence, technology and the human spirit. Downton will be incorporating his tech-company - Spiralwerks - in the real world, developing Solarversia as a commercially available game, ready to storm the games market in 2020. Accompanying the publication of the Solarversia book, A Golden Ticket promotion will be launched this year, enabling games enthusiasts to win 100 specially reserved places within the Player’s Grid”, through competitions, charity auctions and book sales. 

Guest Post by Patricia Vanasse, author of Awakened.

We originally showcased Patricia in one of our Shout Out to Indies posts when she released her first novel Resilient.  Now she's here to tell us a little about the characters in the sequel, Awakened

Synopsis:

Under the control of The Agency, a secret, governmental organization that created genetically engineered teens who posses a combination of extraordinary abilities, Adam is serving the purpose for which he was created while his girlfriend, Livia fights to save him. Manipulated to forget his love for Livia and his past, he lives a life crafted by fake memories that enslave him to a life of following the orders of an organization, whose intentions are unclear. Now Adam battles with vivid “dreams” of a life he does not remember and the strong connection he feels to the girl with familiar blue eyes. 

Livia’s desire for vengeance lead her and Daniel on a dangerous race to disrupt the destructive string of events that The Agency initiated seventeen years earlier. As they travel across parts of North America in search of other teens who are just like them, Livia will face an ethical battle over genetics, loyalty, and love. The race is on, and it is up to Livia to destroy The Agency and rescue Adam, but even if she succeeds at saving him, there are no guarantees she’ll be able to save the deep connection they once shared.

In Resilient, you got to meet Livia, Adam and Daniel. In Awakened, you’ll meet new characters that will bring this story to whole different level. Each has their own stories to tell and abilities to explore. Please, allow me to introduce you to these amazing people.

Brooklyn Mathews

Looks Like: AnnaSophia Robb

Special Ability: Memory Manipulation, including projecting lost memories, creating new ones, or deleting all memories from one’s mind.

Favorite Song: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons.

Desire: To redefine her life.

Profile: Raised in The Agency, Brooklyn never desired to live a normal, mundane life, until she met Adam. As she slowly allows her humanity and emotions to surface, Brooklyn decides that the world has more to offer her than she’d ever imagined.  

Quote: “Love has never been a part of my life. Not that it didn’t live somewhere within my heart, it just has always been suppressed. Affection was never an option, and I have never expected it or even really wanted it until now.”

Mason Wailer

Looks Like: Alfred Enoch

Special Ability: Accelerated probability, which allows him to sense all the variables of any situation. With that, he can foresee the outcomes of the choices he can make to reach the conclusion he wants.

Favorite Song: Felling Good by Muse.

Desire: To understand his abilities.

Profile: Mason entered college at the age of 16 and is perceived as genius by his Yale peers. Determined to find answers for his special abilities, he hacked into the FBI classified files revealing dirty business within the bureau to the world , but found nothing on super humans. Now chased by government officials, Mason has to escape his life if he wants to find out who and what he is.

Quote: “What the hell, Adam?” he yells. “Next time get one of the pretty girls to whisper in my ear if you want to wake me up, man.”

Jordan Sanchez

Looks like: Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Special Ability: Clairvoyance. Jordan can see visions of people by thinking about them. She can also see glimpses of what that person is doing

Favorite Song: Rebellion by Linkin Park

Desire: To belong.

Profile: Abandoned by her adoptive father, Jordan blames her ability for the destruction of her family. After her mother is taken to a rehab facility, Jordan is forced to use her ability for money and gets involved with a gang who threatens her life if she refuses to help them.

Quote: “When I was thirteen, I started cutting. It was a way to relieve all the emotions boiling inside of me. After a while, I started healing instantly after the cuts, and that’s when I knew for sure that I wasn’t normal.”

Alexis Monte

Looks like: Maia Mitchell

Special Ability: Persuasion, the ability to force others to obey one's spoken imperatives.

Favorite Song: Beggin For Thread by Banks

Desire: To make a difference in the world by working with The Agency.    

Profile: Alexis left her adoptive parents to join The Agency and its causes.

Quote: “Adam, you just don’t get it.  I grew up out there among humans, they’re prejudice, racist, judgmental creatures. They reject their own kind because they have different skin color, or different lifestyles. Do you really think you can be yourself and be part of their world?”

Ethan Jäger

Looks like: Austin Butler

Special Ability: Telekinesis, the ability to move objects with the mind.

Favorite Song: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes.

Desire: To be accepted for who he is.   

Profile: Forced by his adoptive father to fight at illegal fight clubs, Ethan pretends to be this cold-hearted guy, when in truth, he is a caring young man.

Quote: “When my adoptive father found out about my ability, he used me to make money. He set up all those fights. He told me over and over that if I didn’t fight, he would make more money by turning me in to government officials near Area 51.”

Now tell me, who do you want to hang out with?

Guest post by Good Intentions author Pembrooke Sinclair

Today we are happy to have Pembroke Sinclair join us. Good Intentions is the third book in her Road to Salvation series that started with The Appeal of Evil and continued with Dealing with Devils.

Katie has been through Hell—literally—and discovered that it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be.  In fact, she kind of enjoyed it.  She got to be with Josh, found out about her past, and discovered who she wanted to be as a person.  Katie didn’t care that her actions went against social norms.  She was happy.

But things are changing—again.  Wes has come back into her life, and that can only mean trouble.  His presence threatens to unravel her new-found happiness.  She can’t allow that.  She won’t let him back in.  Yet, Katie can’t push him away. 

Thrown back into a state of confusion and uncertainty, Katie is once again forced to pick sides, and in the process, she may lose herself.

The Joy and Agony of Writing a Series

By Pembroke Sinclair

I enjoy book series. As an author, I appreciate and enjoy that readers get lost in my series. I love that they are invested in my characters and can’t get enough of their adventures. It makes me happy that they anxiously await the next book. 

Writing a series can be a magical and wonderful experience. I enjoy that the world is already set up and that the characters are already established. I don’t have to strain my brain coming up with new ideas, I can expand on ones that already exist.

The thing that (I hope) makes my series so wonderful is that I have fun writing it. I enjoy being in that world just like you do, but at times, it gets tedious. Sometimes it isn’t fun anymore. When this happens, I have to walk away. I have to work on something else. I have to take a break.

Writing a series can get incredibly exhausting. I have to spend a lot of time in this world and with these characters. I’m there for months or years, and I know waaaaay more about what happens than what is on the page. My brain is full of elaborate back stories. I know minute details about the characters’ lives and the history of the world. Sometimes these details are written down so they aren’t forgotten, but they aren’t ever part of the final story.

Keeping track of all this gets tough. And sometimes the characters don’t cooperate. Some days they don’t want to tell me their stories, or I get bored listening to them. Spending too much time with characters is like spending too much time with real people. We get tired of each other. There is some truth to the phrase “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” even with fictional people.

There’s also the added pressure of making sure the next book lives up to readers’ expectations. I want to make sure the details are just right, that I’m staying true to what was written before, and sometimes that means going back and rereading the previous books in the series. 

There’s a need to get the book out in a timely fashion so that interest isn’t lost. Nerves get frazzled when I feel like I’m falling behind—even when I don’t have a deadline.  When this happens, it makes it hard to continue to write.  It becomes difficult to overcome the fear that I’m going to fail, that people are going to be angry with the book.

There’s a moment when I just want to scream and tear my hair out, but then I take a deep breath and step back.  I remind myself that this is supposed to be fun.  And if I’m not having fun, then it’s not worth doing.  

Author Bio:

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

You can learn more about Pembroke Sinclair by visiting her at http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/

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Guest post from Catherine Linka

Today we are happy to feature a guest post by Catherine Linka, author of the Young Adult books A Girl Called Fearless and AGirl Undone - which is published today.

Published: June 23rd, 2015

On the run with deadly government secrets, Avie must decide if she can live up to her name and truly become fearless for the cause or if it’s better to just give in.

The sequel and explosive conclusion to A Girl Called Fearless.

Having survived a violent confrontation with the US government, Avie is not out of danger. Both she and the young man she loves, Yates, have been declared terrorists, and Yates is hospitalized in critical condition, leaving Avie with the perilous task of carrying information that can bring down the Paternalist party, if she can get it into the right hands.

Forced on the run with handsome, enigmatic woodsman Luke, Avie struggles when every turn becomes a choice between keeping the two of them alive or completing their mission. With her face on every news channel and a quarter million dollar reward from the man who still owns her marriage Contract, Avie’s worst fears are about to come true.

Equal parts thrilling and romantic, A Girl Undone is sure to keep your heart racing right until the very end.

From Catherine:

While writing the character of Avie in A Girl Called Fearless and A Girl Undone, I’ve thought a lot about what it means to be fearless. Sometimes people say they wish they were fearless like it’s a power you’re either born with or not. And I think that’s because they believe being fearless means rushing into danger and never being afraid.

But here’s what I believe:

Being fearless means not letting fear stop you from trying.

We are all afraid at times. Yeah, maybe you can’t ace that interview or climb that rock wall, or sing in front of 200 people, but maybe you can. And if you take the first step or sing that first note, you’re not letting fear bully you around.

You aren’t born fearless, you become fearless.

I don’t believe being fearless is something you either have or don’t have; it’s more like a skill you can develop. Each time you try something new or scary or intimidating, you get a little bit more comfortable and a little bit better at dealing with your fear. And the more you try, the less your fear will control you.

You don’t have to be a superhero/ninja/assassin to be fearless.

There are a lot of brave characters in the Fearless series, and sometimes their bravery is as quiet as providing an alibi or teaching a secret code, while at other times it’s as dramatic as walking into a firing squad. Being shy, unsung heroes doesn’t make them any less remarkable than the ones who get the glory.

Be fearless!

Catherine Linka is not afraid of speaking in front of hundreds of people, but she is afraid of biking down hills. She has moved to a new city with no job and no friends (four times!), but she can’t watch horror films. Catherine pukes her guts out almost every time she gets on a small boat, but sucks it up because she loves going whale watching.

Thank you so much for joining us today Catherine, and good luck with the book.

Catherine Linka is the author of A Girl Called Fearless, which was an ABA Indie Next Pick and won the Young Adult Novel Award 2014 from the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. A frequent speaker at writing and teen conferences, Catherine received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and worked as a young adult book buyer for an independent bookstore for seven years. 

Guest Post - Taylor Dawn

Published: June 9th, 2015

Blurb

“You have terminal cancer.”

London Patterson, a seemingly healthy young woman, had her entire life ahead of her. That was until four little words brought everything to a screeching halt. As the shock and grief begin to fade, London decides to map out her last year and embark on an epic journey to complete a bucket list. She wants to do the things she’s been afraid to do in her life, step out of her self-contained box, and see the world. What she didn’t expect was for a mysterious stranger named Adam to breeze into her life like a breath of fresh air.

Adam offers to help London complete her list on one condition…that she sees it through to the end. Agreeing on those terms, the two set out on an adventure of a lifetime. But London soon realizes that Adam isn’t quite…human. Along their journey odd occurrences happen that cause London to question who or what Adam is and why he’s helping her.

Follow London as she checks off her bucket list in this inspiring new Urban Fantasy novel from Taylor Dawn.

“What’s On Your List?”

Taylor Dawn

How are you using your time on this earth?

In the giant picture that we call life, many of us tend to forget what all of this is really about. We are so caught up with trying to find success and happiness, that we miss the things that are right there in front of us. We fail to do the things we’ve always wanted to do because they become daunting tasks that might involve some sort of pain, or even sponge too much of our time. But what if you found out today that you only had a certain amount of time left? What if you were able to look at your life’s clock and see the remaining minutes tick by? Would that make you stop and think about the things you haven’t done? Would it make you kick it into high gear and get to it? I choose not to wait until I hear the tick of the clock hands as they pass by each number. So much so, that this entire premise inspired a book. A book that took on a new life and morphed into so much more than I could’ve ever imagined. So I ask you…what’s on your list?

I’ve had a bucket list for quite some time now. On it are items that some would say are completely out of reach for someone like me. What type of person am I? Well, I’m the person whose spine is partially made up of rods and screws. I’m the person who shouldn’t be able to do much, but I refuse to cave to the fact that I am not the same as I was years ago. My body may be broken, but my spirit burns bright. For my character, London, in Saving London, the same holds true. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was handed a death sentence and expected to go home and wait for the end to find her. But London is a lot like myself. She refuses to rot away and compares herself to a banana. Sitting on a counter and rotting away like a banana won’t do. Embarking on an adventure for her last year is the only way she wants to live for the rest of her time. Would you do that? Would you sell off your worldly possessions to fund the adventures on your bucket list? Me? I most likely would. Like I said before, London and I have a lot in common. We also share some of the items on our lists. Funny how that happened. She was supposed to have her own list, but when you write a character, sometimes they turn out more like you than you expected. And I know the question burning in your mind right now, I can practically see it spinning so fast that smoke is barreling out of your ears. You can slow down that thought process because I’m going to put you out of your misery. Yes, I will tell you what my bucket list consists of. Not the entire thing, but some of the items.

The first thing on my list is to fly a plane. London and I have this one in common. Now, I’m not looking to get behind the wheel of an American Airlines Jet, we have enough issues with crazy pilots as it is. For me, a crop duster plane will do. I don’t want to do the whole takeoff and landing part either. I’d just like to hold the controls for a bit while I’m in the air. I want to feel like it’s me keeping the bird in the air. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Secondly I wanted to visit what I consider one of the most beautiful places on this earth. A place where I could stand and just take in the environment around me and appreciate it for what it was. I was able to actually check this item off my list in 2010. My family and I visited a tiny island off the coast of Belize called Goff’s Cay. Now, mind you, this miniature island was literally no bigger than a football field. White sand beaches, crystal blue waters and breathtaking scenery below the water. The amount of life bustling beneath the surface was a sight to behold. I can still remember standing on the edge of the sand, letting the clear water lap over my toes, thinking “this is it, this is my most beautiful place on this earth.” When the realization hit me, it was difficult to hold my tears at bay. Checking this item off my list was a spiritual experience that I shall not soon forget.

Number three on my bucket list could be comical to some and confusing to others. Here goes…I wanted to make and decorate a three tiered cake. Yes, you heard me right, a cake. I still giggle when I think about it. I’m still not sure why I threw that on my list but there it was. Did I get to do it? Yes I did. It took hours of my time but by the end, I had a slightly lop-sided three tiered cake. But to me, it was beautiful. And hey, topsy-turvy cakes seem to be in style lately. Since I completed it several years ago, I consider myself a trendsetter.

London and I also have “climb a mountain” in common on our bucket lists. In Saving London, she gets to complete this one. And I’ve been able to do so as well. Traveling to Colorado I took on a chunk of rock that was a little over 12,000 feet above sea level. Talk about tiring. But I made it to the peak. I stood there looking down at the tiny town below me thinking “I feel so big, but yet so small.” It was an eye opening experience. You stand at the bottom thinking there’s no way you’ll make it to the top but when you get there, you let out a sigh of relief. I learned a valuable lesson when I climbed. It’s not about the view from the top. It’s the view from the bottom because from the bottom, there’s only one way to go. Up. I took a lot away from that experience that I hold with me to this day. And yes, when I found myself on the top of my mountain, I cried tears of joy. How could you not?

I think I’ll round this out by telling you just one more thing on my bucket list. I don’t want to share the entire thing that somehow doesn’t seem right. But the 5th item is to dance with my son at his wedding. He’s only 10 right now, and I truly hope I get to have him lead me around the dance floor on his big day. But as with everything, we will never know what the future holds.

Life doesn’t offer guarantees. Its rules aren’t written in black and white somewhere for us to find. I believe that we must live each day as if we may not wake tomorrow. Smile plenty, love with all your heart and take stock in the little things that life has to offer. Someday you’ll look back and realize those small things were actually the big things.

Peace, Love and Pages

Taylor Dawn

Taylor Dawn began writing as an item to check off her bucket list. After putting words on paper, she decided that being an author was where she needed to be. She resides on a farm in southern Illinois with her husband, son and a plethora of animals. Taylor is a huge kid at heart. She loves playing practical jokes, challenging her son to a game of Super Mario and rarely rolls out of bed before noon. She enjoys dancing, is perpetually clumsy and has a horrible green thumb. Taylor believes that if you work hard, you must play even harder.  To learn more, visit her at:

Blog:  http://authorcdtaylor.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorC.D.Taylor?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CDTaylor_Author

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/booksareglitterforthesoul/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4908299.C_D_Taylor

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Dawn/e/B00VZF0T64/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1