Vicki Taylor has tagged me for the MeMe thingy, so here goes.

1.I am a gypsy! Okay, not in the literal sense and maybe Nomad would be a better fit. But, for the last twenty plus years, I have had the Devil's own time finding 'home'. I have wandered, or rather, dragged my husband and kids from Florida to Georgia to Tennessee and back again a dozen times. Which leads me to ...

2. I am a very old soul. I've been reborn at least eight times over the last few centuries. Perhaps that is why I keep searching for home. I firmly believe in re-incarnation.

3.I adore chocolate, but I have to have it with something salty, like popcorn or chips. So, I have some peculiar eating habits. One that comes to mind is: Banana and Mayo sammiches with dill pickles and cheddar cheese. NOT on the sammich, I'm not that odd!!

4.My kids drive me to distraction. Yeah, they're all grown, but I still worry about them to the point of obsessing. Is that healthy? I don't think so.

5.I love to dance.I used to be able to dance, really well. Had the whole rhythm thing down and had some sleek moves. Now, I just shift left, and everything follows. It's a lot easier now, but, it doesn't look the same. And I embarrass my grand daughters ( both 12) when we are in the car, the radio blasting and Shakira's "My Hips Don't Lie"comes on and I start dancing. Wonder why that is?

6.I do not own a bathing suit. I would not be caught dead in a bathing suit. A person can only take so much humiliation.Tides are suppose to go out naturally, not be chased out.

7.I have a Shih Tsu. I hate small dogs. Why did I get a Shih Tsu? I have an insane cat. I don't like cats. Why do I have a cat?

8.I like everybody, except the ones I hate. I never get mad, till I'm pissed off. I'm always right, unless I'm wrong, but I'm never wrong, so I'm always right.

People I am tagging: Marilyn Celeste Morris, Mike Morris, Jennifer Ertner, Kim Robinson, Dorothy Thompson, Jamieson Villeneuve,Sandy Lender, Karen Magill

Reading Rucker
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linda l rucker

She's finally here!!! Today Sandy Lender, author of "Choices Meant for Gods" is my very special guest on Reading Rucker.
Sandy is one of those extremely rare people. She is a first time author, who has written an spectacular and wonderful novel, and garnered the attention of the world in just a few short weeks.
I am thrilled beyond words to have her with us today on reading Rucker, but even more so, I am honored to be able to call her my friend!

“Choices Meant for Gods” is the absolute best new fantasy novel to come down the pike since JK turned Harry and gang loose on us, and forever changed the genre!
Sandy, welcome.

Sandy: Good morning, Linda. Thank you for letting me appear on your blog today, and thank you for all the great things you've been saying about my book. Nigel keeps me apprised when I've been working too much to visit all the sites…

Linda: Okay, you have to know what my first question to you is going to be, right?

Sandy: Is this about the title? I'm laughing…

Linda: You know I absolutely love that title, and I have to know where you got it.

Sandy: You'll die when I tell you this. And I almost hate to admit this, but it was one of those spur-of-the-moment, I-need-something-for-this-so-I-can-send-a-query-letter-to-an-agent kinds of titles a few years ago. It was a "working title" to use just to get the query letter off to the first agent I wanted to work with. I figured that it fit the book because the decisions (choices) Chariss is forced to make are choices she feels are better made by the gods of her society; not herself. They're choices meant for gods. So, pow, that stuck for that night and I printed off the letter, mailed it to an agent who had no interest (SURPRISE!) and the title has just never changed. It grew on me. (Oh, I never got an agent, by the way, until after I had the contract from the publisher.)

Linda: Can I get your phone number? I need a title for my new novel! LOL!

Sandy: Let me post my ex-husband's number on this public forum… But, seriously, you should let your visitors know that I'm very open to helping people out with stuff like that. You posted a question in our writers' group the other day about a title for a project you're working on and I know I was only one of several folks who wrote back to you. People are welcome to reach me at sandy_lender at yahoo.com.

Linda: Amanda Chariss is a very unique character. Knowing you, is she modeled after anyone you know; yourself, perhaps?

Sandy: You know, Chariss's experience moving from benefactor to benefactor, place to place all her life is modeled after my childhood (although I didn't realize this until I was answering one of the questions for an interview on this Online Book Tour just a few days ago) as a military child and member of a family with the "moving bug." I see more of my sister in Chariss than anyone else I know. There's also a hint of Jane Eyre in her just because there's that stoic orphan figure in her. I think Chariss is just…Chariss. I guess it's peculiar because she's such a strong and central character. What you may find intriguing is that very few of the characters in the novel contain characteristics of "real people." Each is his own person.

Linda: From reading so many emails from you over the last year or so, I think it’s safe to say that Nigel’s character wasn’t taken from anyone you know so intimately, so I’m assuming that maybe he is your fantasy mate?

Sandy: Nigel is every woman's fantasy mate. I don't think I can express it in words…other than he has physical characteristics of someone I do not know intimately. He has elements of Edward Rochester in his makeup, a little touch of Heathcliff once in a while, a bit of John Taylor (obviously), and a lot of Nigel Taiman. He's just himself. And, if I may say so, he's amazing. I love this guy.

Linda: Tell me, Sandy, was it difficult to come up with all the names and places you created for “Choices”? How did you ever keep them straight, and who provided the ‘map’ of Onweald for the book?

Sandy: Oh my gosh…Okay, I'll try not to rehash my entire History of the English Language class and bore your visitors to death here…A lot of the fantasy words you see in Choices Meant for Gods stem from Old English/Anglo-Saxon literature and themes. Read Beowulf (in the original OE) and you'll see a bunch of CMFG words in there. Oh, wait, no one can read OE these days… So! If your visitors check out my blog at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, they'll see that the Word of the Day column each day features the fantasy words I created or morphed for the novel. I decided that for the duration of the Online Book Tour, I'd define the fantasy words, give their etymology (how I created them) and give an example of how they're used in the novel for folks.

Now, as to how I kept all that stuff straight: I've got a recipe file box with 3X5 cards in it with the words alphabetized in it. There are also notebooks full of scenes and words and legends and backstory and characters and names… In fact, the Ungol in Tiurlang have their own language, which the reader will learn a bit more of in Book II.

Then I've got the map you mention, which the incredible Megan Kissinger (an artist who worked for me at the university) created on her home computer after I gave her this crude drawing on 8 ½ by 11 notebook paper. You should see the pathetic chicken-scratch I gave her compared to the masterpiece she gave back to me. It's amazing what she was able to do; how she was able to take what was in my mind and display it electronically. She's simply stunning and she deserves so much more credit than what she's received to date. I had her on my blog for a week to celebrate her and she was able to offer advice and inspiration to other artists. She's even offered to do a joint book signing with me here in our hometown in the near future, so I'm going to talk to Barnes & Noble about arranging that. She's just incredible.

Anyway, her map appeared in color, ghosted behind the testimonial blurbs on the back cover of the novel, and in black and white on an interior page of the novel. I'm disappointed that the print quality obscured her name, which is on the map, down by the compass rose, but that will be corrected in a second plate creation.

Linda: I’m thinking that some of Drake’s more diabolical traits are taken from past relationships. He certainly has traits like an ex-husband of mine. So, when you created him, did you by chance have a ‘model’ of sorts, close at hand?

Sandy: This may surprise you, but Drake's behavior isn't modeled on anyone in particular. Like the other characters in the book, he's got his own personality and doesn't reflect anyone out here in the real world. To be brutally honest, anyone in my life dastardly enough to be manifested in Drake wouldn't deserve the recognition or the immortality.
But his name comes from a TV/movie star from the '80s. I love Jameson Parker from Simon & Simon (he played the blonde brother—A.J.), so, back when Drake first showed me Chariss, I wanted to know what his name was, and I took a good look at him. He looked a lot like Jameson Parker (come on, I was 13) and I heard the name "Jameson" come back to me. Fine. But, as I looked at scenes with him in the future, I realized A) he wasn't the good guy and B) his name wasn't quite right. So I watched his nature and name morph over the years. By the time I was ready to sit down and make my dream of writing "happen," he was an evil son of a gun and his name was Jamieson Drake.

Linda: When you delve into Chariss’s back story, how long did it take you to create the history?

Sandy: YEARS. She knew it all, but I didn't. It took her forever to tell me everything. I'm not always a good listener. As I mentioned, the first time I saw her was 1982 or 83. I didn't sit down to write until 2000. So that's a long long time to have ideas and thoughts popping in and out of my head. But it wasn't just her backstory I was creating all that time. When ideas came to me to jot down in a notebook, I might be writing down something about one of her ancestors or about one of the gods of the society she lives in. There's a lot of history and legend necessary for the telling of what happens to the god she's meant to protect.

Linda: I saw on GMA the other day that there is a woman spearheading an effort to get all of the Harry Potter books removed from school libraries because in her opinion, the books glorify and teach children about witch craft. Are you concerned that parents might take a dim view of the sorcery, magic, and the Gods and Goddesses that dwell in the world you created?

Sandy: Ugh. Yeah, when those books were getting popular a few years back, everybody was up in arms over the sorcery in them. Here's my take on that. Yes, the Bible teaches that sorcery comes from an evil source. Does that mean books that talk about sorcery are bad books? No. Fiction is the key thing to remember here. The Harry Potter books are fictional stories made up in J.K. Rowling's mind. She's a writer with a story she made up. I wish people would cut her a break.
Now, I did something different with Choices Meant for Gods, and I'm glad your question gives me a chance to talk about this. There's no mistaking that sorcery is bad in my novel. In the Harry Potter novels (and I've not read them, so you'll have to correct me if I mess this up), I believe that Harry and his friends are taught how to use their witchcraft and sorcery skills. Now, I don't think they're taught naughty uses. I think they're taught skills in general and they are good kids so they use their skills to do good things. That's where kids who aren't guided by a parent can get confused, in my personal opinion. In Choices Meant for Gods, Nigel, who is an adult, is taught how to use something called the geasa. It's not sorcery. It's not witchcraft. Heck, it's not even magic. It's a power that I created. I made it up for my fantasy realm because I didn't want my good characters to have their power derived from a negative source. I didn't want there to be any confusion.
Choices Meant for Gods has drawn a very clear line between the characters that derive their power from evil (the sorcerers) and the characters that derive their power from good (the Geasa'n).
As for the multiple-god thing, my hope is that any teens (and my book is not intended for children—it has a PG rating) who have questions about the polytheistic society will ask their parents or a guardian or teacher or someone who can say "no, in the real world, there's only one god."

Linda: What advice would you have for the parents of children who pick up your book?

Sandy: First of all, don't freak out. There are no sex scenes—romance is there and incredibly tense but the characters aren’t married so there's no "falling into bed," if you catch my drift; the violence is mostly implied; the creatures might produce a few nightmares; but, to be honest, this is not a children's book (it's rated PG). I had a friend buy the book for his son, and his ex-wife said she wouldn't let the boy read the book because "the devil is in that book." You could have knocked me over with a feather. The devil? In my book? Probably not! I'm a Southern Baptist. I'm not going to put the devil in my book. What I think she may have picked up on is the bad guy's partner, Julette, who is referred to as The Dragon, The Betrayer, and The Devil. She has other names, too, but those are the ones mentioned. The deal is this: if you're going to have a showdown between good and evil, you have to have a good guy and a bad guy.
For a parent concerned about letting her teen read Choices Meant for Gods, I would suggest she just keep in mind that the differences between Christianity, Judaism, and any other faith-based religion out here in the real world, and the made-up religion in CMFG are so blatant (on purpose) that teens shouldn't draw any parallels. There are multiple gods set on a hierarchal level that interact with the mortals in a corporeal fashion, and these gods are not always portrayed in a positive light. They are flawed (well, except for Parrin Aeschere, but he's got a purpose that's going to blow everyone away in Book III) and imperfect. Not like the Savior I know…

Linda: Well, time will tell if “Chariss and company" become the new HP and gang. But, I have no doubt that Sandy Lender will become as much of a household name as JK.

Sandy: You know, I'm not interested in fame for me. I want Nigel and Chariss to be mentioned when people talk about Romeo and Juliet, Anthony and Cleopatra, Abelarde and Heloise. One of these days, I'm going to be watching some TV show, and the host will say, "Like Nigel and Chariss," and I'm going to either burst into tears or die of a coronary event. If I die of the coronary event quickly enough, I won't have to hear the guest say, "Who?"

Linda: Speaking of time, do you have a completed itinerary for your book tour yet? Any concrete dates on where and when your fans can meet you and get their copies of “Choices” signed?

Sandy: The itinerary keeps getting stuff added to it, which is cool! I have a couple more online chats scheduled where people can "meet" me in the virtual sort of way. There's www.cassidymckay.com on Thursday, June 28 from 8 to 9 p.m. eastern time; then http://willifordblog.com on Monday, July 16 from 9 to 10 p.m. eastern time; then www.authorisland.com chat room on Wednesday, July 18 from 8 to 9 p.m. eastern time. Note that these are all on different nights of the week so folks who have different nightly commitments can pick and choose when to check in and chat.
If someone lives in the Southwest Florida area, he or she can meet me and enter a contest to win a replica of Jorin Taiman's training sword at my first official book signing two days from now, Saturday, June 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Naples, Fla. It's the one in the Waterside Shops at the corner of Pine Ridge (Seagate) and 41 (Tamiami). I tried to get into a book store for a signing in New York for next weekend while I'm up there for the Duran concert, but, a brick wall called "we-don't-need-new-authors-helping-us-sell-books" kept going up when I'd call around. Sigh. I'm extremely grateful to the folks at this B&N in Naples. They were excited when I called. I took them four-color flyers to put in shoppers' bags ahead of time. I gave them cloth bags with my book's cover and my blog's URL and my slogan "Some days, I just want the dragon to win," on them to hand out to anyone who bought my book ahead of time. They were thrilled. I gave them bookmarks to hand out. They said people love those things. So…the stores in New York lost out on a great opportunity.
Anyway, the itinerary for each week gets listed on my site and Nigel's each weekend. Folks can check that out at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com and http://sandylender.blogspot.com.

Linda: Well, just remember to give me a call when you have the dates for your Orlando stops. I plan to be the first in line.

Sandy: You and I are doing a joint signing, Baby.

Linda: I’m so happy you stopped by here today. You know you’re my new hero, don’t you? If “Choices” doesn’t sell a million copies, it certainly won’t be for my lack of trying. I think I have talked CMfG up on every community page I belong to. And I know it won’t be for your own lack either. I have watched you and followed this blog tour with fascination. It is wonderful to see you in action. Arche Books should count themselves fortunate to have landed such a talented and truly determined author.
Can you tell our readers where they can get their copies of “Choices Meant for Gods”, and where they can go to read an excerpt?

Sandy: First of all, thank you. That's incredible to read…
This Online Book Tour has been mentally exhausting. I'm grateful to all the folks who've been willing to let me appear on their blogs or in their chat rooms. I'm actually on the ArcheBooks blog tomorrow…if Bob doesn't forget…I better go jog his memory…hmmm…

To get a copy of Choices Meant for Gods, folks can visit their local book stores and beg. ;) Or they can order it from the comfort of home at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=dp_return_1/104-9089752-5140754?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1175821346&sr=8-1. There's a free shipping option there at Amazon. Now, if folks have a Barnes & Noble membership, I think they get a discount at http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781595071651&itm=1. My publisher also offers a discount if you order it direct from ArcheBooks, but you have to pay shipping. There's also a huge excerpt of the first three chapters at this link: http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm
Now, if you go to http://www.authorisland.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=195&category_id=12&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=43 you can read four short excerpts from the book. If the link fails, it's basically a page buried on www.authorisland.com, where I have a presence under the "Fantasy" link.

Linda: Again, a million thanks for stopping by Sandy. I wish you all the success in the world with “Choices” as well as the rest of the books in the trilogy.

Sandy: Thanks for having me here! I've enjoyed it! I'll check in shortly to see what questions I can answer from your visitors…

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So, what do these women all have in common?

Come on, take a guess.Give up?
All three of these women are married to philandering husbands, or husbands who have 'philandered' at one time or another.
So, what is it that makes reasonably intelligent,successful, beautiful, ( with the possible exception of Hilary Clinton that is) women swallow their pride and stay with a cheating man?
Glad you asked that question. Personally, I think it has a lot to do with money, or in at least one case, power.
Take Vanessa Bryant, for instance. Kobe was accused of raping a young woman in his hotel room a few years ago. Went to trial, went on national TV, admitted to having sex with the young woman and tearfully begged Vanessa for forgiveness. And she did. Big surprise there, considering the pleas for forgiveness were accompanied by a four million dollar ring. Apparently, forgiveness can be purchased, if you have enough bucks. And Kobe certainly has enough of those.
Then we have A Rod's loving wife, Cynthia, who has been bombarded with pix of her loving hubby, A Rod prancing all over town with a big boobed bimbo stripper. Obviously the two of them are a bit more than drinking buddies, but, Cynthia had forgiven A Rod his indiscretions. And why do you suppose that is?
Apparently over the last few months, she has been rewarded for her blind loyalty to a cheating slug by lavish gifts of jewelry.
Again, apparently, forgiveness can be purchased with the right amount, and just as apparently A Rod has the right amount.
And now we come to the Clinton. The whole world knows of her philandering hubby's peccadilloes, um not so discreet indiscretions, and she has portrayed herself as the long suffering, loving and forgiving wife, who stands staunchly by her man.
But, we all know for Hilary Clinton the motives were far less apparent than a brightly shining bauble. For her, apparently the cost of her forgiveness was the ultimate in power. The White House.
I dare say that forgiveness, was bought and paid for by the promise of at least four years more in the White House.
Did you ever notice that Hilary was one of the very few First Lady's that didn't go in and immediately begin to re-decorate the White House? Why was that do you suppose? Likely because her sights were set on the Oval office, not the gardens or formal dining room of the White House.
Anyone who cared to open their eyes during the Clinton years could see very plainly who ran that Presidency, and it wasn't slick Willy.
There is a new book coming out in June, Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton, by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr. This book details Billy boy and Hilary's twenty year plan to reach the White House and even talks about their plan to ultimately change the current restrictions on length and number of terms a President can serve, in order to ensure that one or both of them remain as President for life.
Now, I haven't read this book, yet, and likely won't because quite frankly, I find anything to do with the Clinton's boring and wouldn't pay a plug nickel to read anything published about either one of them, However, this book might be worth looking into. If the guys who wrote it can prove their allegations, wouldn't that be an eye opener for those who are so staunchly supporting putting that woman in the ultimate seat of power.
I found Nancy Pelosi's behavior during her swearing in as completely less than professional, letting her grandchildren run around the Senate floor like they were on a playdate.
How much worse will things be if this country actually elects that woman as President?
Me, I'm a registered republican, but my vote this election will be cast for the best man and for me that man is, Barack Obama.
Of course, given the mentality of this country, if Barack is elected, I wouldn't give odds on him actually living to take the oath of office, and that is the sad truth .

hilary rodham clinton
alex rodriguez
kobe bryant
Kobe Bryant presidential race A Rod Alex Rodriguez Hilary Rodham Clinton presidential race cheating spouses Presidential Election Presidential Election Barack Obama a rod

Since May is National Lupus Month,

Today, I am honored to host author Marilyn Celeste Morris on her blog tour promoting her book, "Diagnosis: Lupus: The Personal Journal of a Lupus Patient'"

Marilyn is a multi published author whose books, "Sabbath's Room" and "Once A Brat" are quickly climbing the best seller lists.

"Diagnosis: Lupus: The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient" is Marilyn's account of her personal battle with Lupus.

Marilyn, welcome to Reading Rucker.

Marilyn: Thanks for inviting me.

1.. Marilyn, I know very little about Lupus. I wonder if you could explain the disease and it’s symptoms for our readers.

Marilyn: There are two types of lupus: discoid and systemic. The discoid lupus kind affects the skin, causing dark splotches along the hairline and over the face and body. A familiar sign of both types of lupus is a “butterfly” pattern across the bridge of the nose and under the eyes. A person with lupus does not necessarily have to have the butterfly rash. In the systemic kind, it’s an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. The immune system sees vital organs of the body as invaders, and attacks them as if they were foreign bodies. Lupus has nothing to do with AIDS, I must point out. I like the ‘short’, understandable description of what lupus is: Think of the body as a fort, like in the Wild West Days. Every now and then, Indians would attack the fort, and the soldiers inside the fort (white blood cells) would repel the Indians (the infection). Then the fort (body) would settle down and go back to its usual routine, until the next Indian attack.
Only with lupus, there are no Indians. The soldiers inside the fort are ever ready for an attack, but the Indians don’t arrive, so the soldiers (stressed) turn on each other, fighting among themselves, eventually destroying the fort itself: lungs, kidneys, central nervous system, etc.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, Lupus is more common than Leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis. And yet, the average person rarely knows about lupus and is generally misinformed, vaguely believing it to be “kind of like arthritis, isn’t it?” While my symptoms first presented themselves as “kind of like arthritis,” and I was thus diagnosed and treated for two years for RA, other symptoms soon presented themselves, until, after three emotionally charged and pain-filled years from the onset of symptoms, laboratory tests confirmed the presence of SLE, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
There is no known cause for any person contracting lupus. However, research has found that women of childbearing years are most susceptible, as are African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Men can have lupus, but it is not as prevalent in males.
A family can have the tendency to develop lupus, as in a family with diabetes; certain family members would be more susceptible.
There is no definitive lab test, but if you show a positive ANA

(Anti-Nuclear Antibody factor, you most likely have lupus.
A rheumatologist should treat lupus patients.
Usually, lupus patients will be treated with steroids. Plaquenil, an anti-malarial, which was found by accident to prevent flares.
Persons with lupus should stay out of the sun, wear Sunscreen, avoid stress, and take your medicines as prescribed.

Symptoms of lupus include these fourteen factors:

Fatigue, overwhelming fatigue not caused by activity.

Do you have/ever had/been told you have:

Achy, painful and/or swollen joints for more than three months;

Fingers and/or toes becoming pale, numb or uncomfortable in the cold;

Sores in the mouth for more than two weeks;

Been told you have a low blood count, anemia, low white cell count or a low platelet count;

Ever had a prominent redness or color change in the shape of a butterfly across the bridge of your nose and cheeks;

An unexplained fever over 100 degrees for more than a few days;

A sensitivity to the sun where the skin breaks out after being in the sun (not a sunburn);

Had chest pain with breathing for more than a few days (pleurisy);

Been told you had protein in your urine;

Experienced persistent, extreme fatigue and weakness for days or weeks at a time even after 6-8 hours of restful nighttime sleep.

If you have 3 or more symptoms, you should see your doctor. As of today, there is no cure, but it is treatable.

2. How old were you when you were diagnosed with Lupus, and what kind of reaction did you have when the doctor told you that you had it?

Marilyn: I was 50 years old when I was finally diagnosed with lupus. Lupus generally strikes young women in their childbearing years, and since I was not typical, most doctors assumed it was rheumatoid arthritis. Until one doctor finally "connected the dots" and confirmed I did have lupus. My reaction was, "Thank God. We know what it is. Now we can treat it." He has told me that is a typical reaction, as we are exhausted from going from doctor to doctor with no relief for the unrelenting pain and fatigue.

3. Did your family and friends treat you any differently when you were diagnosed, or did they know about Lupus?

Marilyn: My children kind of panicked, but when I told them my prognosis was good, they began to relax a little and learned that lupus is a disease process, and I would most likely not die suddenly from lupus. Other systems may break down due to lupus, but so far, so good.

My parents alternately hovered and tried to avoid talking about it. They felt helpless, as a lot of relatives do. My friends were a huge support, since I live alone and they voiced their concerns and check on me often. A support system is essential for living with lupus. Family, friends, church – learn to lean on them for a change. I know, I know, we have always been the ones to comfort, rather than be comforted. To give, rather than receive, care, compassion and chicken soup to those in need. This is your turn.

4. I understand that people with Lupus can’t consume alcohol or seafood because of the adverse effects of the disease. Is this true?

Marilyn: I have not heard of that, but I do know a good diet is essential to my health, even without having lupus. I've never been one to drink, except maybe wine with a great dinner, but I have never been advised not to drink alcohol or avoid seafood.

5. Finally, were your experiences with Lupus what prompted you to write your book, Diagnosis: Lupus

Marilyn: I kept a daily journal recording my frustrations, anger and progress over the years, both before and after the diagnosis. I decided to take portions of this journal and put it in a book form so others wouldn’t feel so alone in their disease. I wanted to tell others that they weren’t the only persons whose families and society in general didn’t understand what was going on with them, physically and psychologically. I wrote this book to encourage anyone with a chronic illness to seek the best possible treatment, to be assertive with your doctors, and to spread awareness of lupus in general.

Linda:

Where and when can we get a copy of your book?

ISBN: 1-4137-6789-3: Diagnosis: Lupus – The Intimate Journal of a Lupus Patient
The publisher is PublishAmerica http://www.publishamerica.com/Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble – most bookstores have websites, or you can have your favorite bookstore order it for you.

For more information about lupus and support groups: Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. - http://www.lupus.org/

Thanks, Linda, for helping spread awareness of this baffling disease.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to drop by. I hope our readers have gained some insight into this disease. I wish you continued success with your books and with controlling your Lupus.
If any of you have any questions you'd like to ask Marilyn, please leave a comment and she'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Again, Marliyn, thanks for coming.

Lupus Foundation, lupus, Marilyn Celeste Morris, living with lupus, ReadingRucker

Lupus FoundationMarilyn Celeste Morriss Reading Rucker

Just a quick note to remind everyone that I will be hosting Author Marilyn Celeste Morris tomorrow on Reading Rucker.
Be sure to stop by and visit with us and leave Marilyn a comment or two.
We will be discussing Lupus, and its effects on families and friends of those suffering with the disease.
And remember that May is National Lupus Awareness Month.
Thanks.

Lupus Foundation, Lupus, Marilyn Celeste Morris, lupus books, Lupus Awareness

Welcome A Dragon to Reading Rucker! Sandy will be stopping by here on her blog tour on June 7, 2007.

New fantasy author Sandy Lender breaks onto the writing scene with a high epic fantasy novel titled Choices Meant for Gods. She began writing stories as soon as she learned to string words together on the page. As a child, Sandy entertained the folks in her great grandmother’s apartment building in Southern Illinois with tales of squeaky spiders and mice picking berries, and then won awards with writing projects as she moved through the elementary and high school systems in the St. Louis area. It was apparent that a career in journalism was her calling, and she found herself proofreading, editing, and (finally) writing for trade publications after she graduated from Truman State University in Missouri. Now she writes in Southwest Florida where her love of sea turtles and all things related to the Gulf waters keeps her imagination growing.

Sandy’s fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods is now available from ArcheBooks Publishing at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. You can get information about grammar and writing from her main blog at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com. And visitors to can interact with Sandy Lender because I’ve had the foresight to invite her to stop by during her online book tour. It promises to be an intriguing interview, and Sandy promises to respond to visitors’ comments and questions, so be sure you mark your calendars to be back here for the antics.

Choices Meant for Gods from http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm is the story of Amanda Chariss, a young lady who’s been on the run from a madman all her life. When Chariss finally chooses to stand and fight, she discovers she’s wrapped in centuries of prophecy that demand she protect the very gods of her society.

You see, none of the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now the story picks up when she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.

When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? And will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

The novel is written in the style of J.R.R. Tolkien, a gentler Terry Goodkind, and a more mature David Eddings all rolled into one. Basically, if you’re a J.K. Rowling or Harry Potter fan, you’ll find something in the sorcery driven Choices Meant for Gods that lights your fancy as well—plus dragons.

Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker,
fantasy author Choices Meant for Gods Sandy Lender
dragons

Michael Moore is at it again. Of course that should come as no surprise to anyone. Was there ever a doubt in anyone's mind that this mockumentary film maker would ever pass up a chance to thumb his nose at America and Americans?
He has managed to poke fun at this country in general and the current administration in particular for years now, from his movie blasting the auto industry in Flint,Michigan, "Roger and Me" to the ridiculous 'Bowling for Columbine" to his nonsense in "Fahrenheit 911" and now "Sicko".
I've seen them all, though why is still a mystery to me.
To give him props, he pretty much hit the nail on the head in all instances, BUT, my question to Mr. Moore is, "Why wait until this administration to start his campaign against America?"
Near as I can tell, "W" wasn't in office when the auto industry went belly up. And The Republicans weren't in charge when the USS Cole was bombed or the American Embassy in Lebanon. And why are the Democratic leaders past and present exempt from the health care issues of Moore's current film, "Sicko".
This country NOT having a health care system in place is not a partisan issue, or it shouldn't be. But, people like Moore strive to make it one, and the sheep of this country blindly follow his lead, howling for the head of the Republican leader.
While Mr. Moore's attempt to bring attention to our failed health care system is laudable, why did he wait until now to bring it to light? Just exactly on who's payroll is Moore?
And, how does this man get to thumb his nose at the laws of this country, (laws by the way that "W" did NOT put into place), and take rescue personnel to Cuba?
Do you think we are stupid Mr. Moore? Do you think that the average American is too ignorant to understand the lack of health care in this country? Trust me, we're not.
We certainly don't need someone like you to bring this to our attention. Millions of us face that truth every time we need a doctor, and have for generations. Your film isn't telling us anything we don't already know.
What it is telling us, by virtue of the timing of this newest slap in the face of America is that you, sir are a partisan buffoon who's only goal is to make certain your party gets in the White House this time around.
Okay, so you win, and more than likely the Liberal Democrats will once again rule the roost. So then does that mean that America will have a National Health Care System in place by 2010? Does that mean that the next president will not be out and about doing his or God forbid, her own thing? Does that mean we will at long last have that chicken in every pot; at least those of us who can afford the pot?
Why don't you put your energies toward actually making a difference in this country instead of stirring up the radicals who won't be happy until we are as oppressed as some of the third world nations people like Bono and Oprah are trying to help.
Use your influence on the "Me" generation to actually make a difference instead of creating even more conflict.
And, try to get this picture in your tunnel vision mind, be grateful that you can actually slip off to Cuba and continue to make these 'films' of yours, BECAUSE you are an American, not in spite of it.
And last but far from least, no matter how much rhetoric you spew, no matter how vehement your diatribe against America is, you, by virtue of being an American have just as big a target on your back as the rest of us. Your anger, your tirades, your protests to the contrary don't change a thing. Those who hate us will not make a distinction between you and I and they certainly won't make an exception to hating you simply because you are a dissident.
What I really find amusing is the fact that you fancy yourself a rebel. Rest assured Mr. Moore, you are far form the first and you certainly won't be the last. Fame is fleeting, enjoy your fifteen minutes.


Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, Michael Moore, 9-11, Michael Moore, Cuba, Michael Moore Flims

We're finally down to the final four. So, let's start with Blake. I am not at all sure I want Blake to win this year. I don't care at all for the beat boxing or whatever it's called that he does . Why can't he just sing the dang songs and let it go at that. Some of his song choices would have been great had he not inserted that silliness of his. Still, the boy does have a good voice, but, it isn't anywhere near as strong and vibrant as it needs to be to win this competition. SO, for me, I 'm not voting for Blake.



Next we have Melinda. As usual, a strong performance, a great voice, but little stage presnece. Melinda has taken humble to a whole new level in this compoetition. If she wants to be a star, she needs to develope that star persona, or at least the illusion of it.
I think Simon is right on about her, his continued admonishments to accept that she has 'it' and run with it keep falling on deaf ears. After every performance, she stands there with this "Please I did good? question in her eyes. We all know she did good, now I'm beginning to wonder if this is all an act. Get with the program Melinda. it takes a lot more than a great set of pipes to win American Idol. You need charisma as well, and right now, you don't have it.



Then we have Lakesha. She is doing so good! This girl has come into her own in this competition. She has a great voice, has managed to build her stage presence to the point that I can actually see her as a star.
I hope she doesn't trade on her single motherhood to win, because that's already been done, by Fantasia. I didn't care for her, still don't. Lakesha has a great personality, and she seems to have a good time performing. I think stardom is definitely in Lakesha's future, and she can tell her boss at the bank that she is resigning, cause stars don't work in banks!!




And finally, we have little Jordin! OMG! That little girl can sing! She is far and above the rest of the idols in stage presence, and just star quality. I've watched Jordin closely during this season and she is going to be in the top two, if America has any taste whatsoever. Of course we are talking about America here, and as an American, I am not blind to the fact that insofar as taste and culture go, we rank somewhere slightly above an earthworm, but one can only hope that good sense will prevail and Jordin will win.
After Phil was booted last week, all of my attention has been diverted to Jordin.

Of course at this point, if you're a fan of the show, you have gotten attached to all of the remaining contestants, so you have to be rooting for everyone of them, just do me a favor and vote for Jordin, okay?


Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, American Idol, Blake, Jordin Sparks, Lakesha, Melinda

I got an email this morning from a friend that got me to thinking. Apparently, as the email goes, a new author dropped by her local book retailer and asked if she could set up a book signing. Since she was local, the clerk at the store was pretty excited and told her that she would take the matter up with the store's manager and see when they could set up the singing.
A couple of days later the writer called and asked about the date and was told that there would be no signing. Apparently,the store manger decided that since the author was an unknown it would be pointless to set up a signing because no one would buy the book.
I find that to be not only extremely discouraging to new authors, but completely out of line by the book retail industry.
Now, I know as well as anybody that like every other industry in this country, book retailers are driven by the bottom line, but when does one draw a line under that bottom line?
How does a writer become 'known' if no one knows they exist? If the author is willing to supply the books for the signing and offer a percentage of the sales to the store for hosting the singing, how does the book store lose? They don't. They can't. They're not out any money, and no one is going to blame them if the signing doesn't go well, so why not give that local author a boost?
Any one who has ever written a book knows full well that word of mouth is the single best way to get their names out there. If no one knows you, how can they buy your book? And how can you gain recognition unless you put your name and your book in the public?
I was very upset when I read that email this morning. Not everyone who writes is well known. A great many writers might never become household names, but they'll never know if they don't get their name out there.
Most writers have by necessity grown that much needed thick skin, so being told "no" is nothing new to them. But, not even given the opportunity to try should not be allowed.
Okay, so Joe Blow owns Joe's Books, so what? Is letting that local author try to sell a few copies of his/her book going to cost Joe anything? Nope, not a red cent.
All we, as writers are asking for is a little cooperation. We don't want you to sell the book for us, we can pretty much handle that on our own, but at least have the decency to give us a couple of hours to try.
And you never know, you just might be the catalyst that launches a new star in the publishing industry.
And that is well worth that couple of hours exposure, right?

Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, Book Sales, new books, Dark Ridge, book retailers, book signings

I thought perhaps I should post an excerpt or two from "Dark Ridge" on here so folks could get some idea of what the book is all about.
Some days, like so many authors, I'm sure, I feel like pulling the book from my publisher and just chucking the whole thing.
I was extremely proud of "Dark Ridge" when I finished it, but now, well, I'm just not so sure anymore.
I still strongly believe in the books potential. Someone told me that an authors first five, or was it ten books, were just practice and I am beginning to believe it. I do know that the more I wrote, the more I seem to grow as a writer.
I can tell a world of difference between my first book, "What the Heart Wants" and my second, "Dark Ridge", and even more in the third one I began shortly after "Dark Ridge" was completed.
Still, all in all I think that an authors success these days depends far more on being in the right place at the right time than the actual book.
Some of the so called best sellers I have read have astounded me. Not that they were that good, but how they ever made it on that coveted Best Sellers list to being with.
Apparently, I'm just not living right!
So, unwilling or perhaps, simply unable to give up, I keep plugging away, in the hopes that one day I will hit upon that magic right time, right place prescription that apparently defines success in this business.
So, below, is an excerpt from "Dark Ridge". Perhaps it will be sufficient to entice people enough to want to buy the book.

Harlan was having a bad night. He couldn’t get his Christmas lights to work properly, his eggnog was spoiled, Mary was giving him sass, and Molly refused to come out of her room. He had considered dragging Molly out by the hair of her head, but Mary had pleaded with him to leave her be,so he had slapped her around instead. It gave him a small measure of comfort,but the damned lights still wouldn’t work. Snarling in frustration, he threw the lights down and tossed back a beer. Belching loudly, he plopped down in his chair, and stared morosely into the fire.
Harlan actually hated Christmas. It was the time of year when his Mother had abandoned him up on Dark Ridge and the time when she had died,leaving him to care for his younger brother Pete.
It should have been Mavis’ job to raise Pete, she was after all the oldest,
but she had run off to Nashville, and no one knew where she was.
He could have left Pete to be raised by Granny Ketchum, but he didn’t want his baby brother raised up with any of those trashy Ridgers. So, he had taken Pete and raised him for the next ten years.
When Pete turned eighteen, he moved in with Bobby Purdy, claiming that Mary made him feel unwelcome in her home. This netted Mary a severe beating, but it changed nothing.
Pete was supposed to come to Harlan’s tonight and help him with the
tree, but so far he hadn’t shown, and this only added to Harlan’s frustration.
He was about to tackle the lights again when a knock sounded on front
door. Mary jumped up to open it and Harlan glared her down. She sat back
on the sofa, and picked up her knitting.
The last person Harlan expected to see at his front door was Amos Quimby.
“What the hell do you want, Quimby?” he snarled, “It’s Christmas
Eve.
Amos took his hat off and held it in front of him. “Harlan, I need to talk
to you,” he began in a halting voice.
“If it’s about Lonnie Patterson, forget it. I got nothing to say.” Harlan
stuck his chin out belligerently.
Amos wanted nothing more than to ram his fist against it, but he resisted
the urge. “Can I come in, Harlan?” he asked, “It ain’t about Lonnie.”
Harlan stepped aside with an exaggerated sigh of disgust, and Amos
entered the room. He nodded to Mary, who was looking at him curiously.
“Mary,” he said.
“Amos.” She got to her feet, and stood watching her husband and the
sheriff.
Amos turned to Harlan, “I think you better sit down, Harlan,” he began.
“What the hell do you want, Quimby?” Harlan said, picking up his
beer.
Amos took a deep breath. “There was an accident out on the valley road
tonight. Car hit a patch of ice and slammed into a tree.”
“So, what the hell has that got to do with me,” Harlan asked, taking a
sip of his beer.
“Bobby Purdy was driving the car, Harlan,” Amos replied softly, “and
Pete was with him. They’re both dead.”
Harlan’s face drained of color and he sat down hard, staring at Amos.
“I’m sorry, Harlan,” Amos said simply.
Mary stood and looked from her husband to Amos and back again. Harlan’s eyes were closed; his face etched in pain. She said nothing.
Amos stood quietly letting the news sink in; the crackling of the fire the
only sound in the room.
Finally, Harlan opened his eyes. They were filled with sorrow. He got
unsteadily to his feet, and walked from the room without a word.
“Tell Harlan that I had Pete’s body took to the funeral home. He needs
to go down there and identify the body.” Amos told Mary.
She nodded mutely, and he turned to leave.
“Is he really dead?” The voice belonged to Molly who was standing in
the hall, in her pajamas.
Amos nodded, “I’m afraid so,” he said.
“Good,” Molly whispered fiercely, then turned on her heel and walked
away.
Amos stood staring after her.
“She don’t mean nothing by that,” Mary said, looking at Amos.
“You sure?” Amos tried to hold Mary’s eyes, but she looked away. “Tell
Harlan I’m sorry,” he said, then turned and walked to the front door.
“Amos, wait.” Mary’s whispered words drew him up and he turned back
to face her. She reached out and lightly brushed his arm with her hand, her
fingers trembling. “Amos, there’s something you need to know about . . .”
“About what?” Harlan was standing in the doorway, swaying slightly
and Mary jerked her hand away from Amos, her eyes round with fear.
“What does he need to know, Mary?” Harlan’s eyes narrowed and Amos
saw Mary visibly shrink.
“Just that . . . nothing, there’s nothing, Harlan,” she stuttered.
Amos watched the two of them. He could feel Mary’s fear and Harlan’s
anger.
“Harlan, I’m sorry about your brother,” he said, trying to divert the other
man’s attention away from Mary.
“Save it, Quimby. If you don’t mind I’d like some time with my brother.”
Harlan said, grabbing his coat off the hook by the door and pulling it on.
“You want me to drive you over to the funeral home?” Amos asked.
Harlan nodded once and without a word or glance to Mary, jerked open
the door and walked out.
Amos looked at Mary, and she shook her head. Nodding Amos followed
after Harlan.
****
Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, Dark Ridge , mountains, Linda L Rucker, murder , Linda Rucker Author

Idol Gossip for today, and the War in Iraq

Yeah, it's a day or two late, but I was so depressed over the results that I had to take a day or two to recover from the shock. Well, maybe shock is a bit too over the top, I mean how does a person go into shock over a TV show? So, let's just say I was upset and let it go at that, but do keep in mind the 'shock' reference, okay?
So, I was not surprised that Phil was voted off, but honestly, after his performance Tuesday night, I was pretty sure he was safe. I mean come on, out of all six performers, he really did give the best performance by far. So, America spoke and Phil got the boot. I was this () close to heartbroken.
Phil's rendition of "Blaze of Glory" was wonderful, and he finally hit his stride with that song, even Simon said so, and Simon hordes his compliments like a pimp hoards his stable!
But what really threw me for a loop was the reprieve that Jordin got. Now don't get me wrong, Jordin is one of my favorites. That child has a great and powerful voice, but her choice of songs, by all rights should have been her death knell. So, how she managed to slip under the radar with her performance is a true mystery, to me at least.
SO, then Chris gets the boot. Why do you suppose that is? He did a great job on "Wanted: Dead or Alive" Not nearly as good as Phil did on Blaze of Glory, but certainly better than Jordin.
So, my guess is most of the 130+ million votes came form boys who think Jordin is hot.
Oh, well, there is still some great talent left. My pick will have to be Jordin. She has come so far in this competition, and her poise, her stage presence and her talent have grown exponentially.
Melinda is a star, and will be huge even if she doesn't win Idol, and so will Blake and Lakesha, so my votes from here on out will go to Jordin.



On a new note, I know everyone has seen the picture of the little eight year old boy,tears streaming down his face, his little chin quivering as he accepted the American flag from a U.S. Marine at his father's funeral.
That my friends is also the face of war. I was actually surprised when GMA had an interview with the boy and his mother this morning. After all, they are extremely proud of that Marine who gave his life for freedom. This husband and father was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, one he volunteered for because he believed in what they were fighting for and he knew all too well that freedom isn't free. For every right we,as American's have in this country, someone gave his/her life to secure.
Okay, so this is not a popular war, but come on, how many wars have been popular? None, but as long as there are men, there will be wars. It is encoded on our DNA and nothing short of complete annihilation of the human species is ever going to stop that.
All we can do as Americans is support the men and women who have volunteered for this war and let them know that we honor their sacrifices and we support their decisions.
I know, I know, a lot of soldiers didn't opt to go to Iraq, but didn't they? Of course they did. They voluntarily joined the military, they weren't forced to join. Remember, all we have is an all volunteer Army; there is no draft any more.
A great many of the National Guardsmen joined for the sole purpose of getting the Army to pay fro their college. What better way than to join the Guard. They can serve their two or three years, get a bunch of bucks for college and be able to use the Veteran's preference on things from jobs to mortgages. I'm sure it never occurred to them that joining the military put them on the front lines should war break out. And break out it did.
So, we have an all volunteer Army fighting an enemy we can not define, or identify. THis war is unlike any we have ever fought before. In the Civil War, The Spanish-American War, WWl, WWll, Korean conflict, Viet Nam we knew exactly who we were fighting and why. Of course in the VN war the enemy was often disguised as SVN farmers, but we knew who they were.
This war, we don't have a clue. The guy standing next to you on the street corner could well be a terrorist wearing an IED. The guy riding down the street, wife and kiddies in the car with him could be a car bomber. How can we tell? So, how does one fight an enemy one can not clearly identify?
Carefully. That's all they can do. And these men and women are doing the very best they can. We need their support, not our petty political spats for power here at home.
Congress threatens a veto of the Presidents veto. Congress is screaming for a pullout and refusing to sign the President's request for more money for the war and on it goes. If Clinton had declared this war, then the Republicans would be screaming for pullouts and his head. It's all political B.S. and the ones who are suffering for this nonsense are the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Send them the freaking money they need for the supplies they need to stay alive. Stop bickering over money that, by the way isn't yours to bicker over, and support these guys and gals.
Don't tell me or the rest of the world that you support your troops, but not the war. The troops are the ones fighting this war, not Kennedy, Clinton, McCain, or Bush. Their asses are not on the line every single minute of every day, and their families are not the ones who die a little every day that the news bombards us with scenes of carnage against our soldiers.
AS usual, this whole thing boils down to partisan B.S. The Dems v the Repubs. SO, my thought is simply this: If Congress and the Senate want to fight so badly over who's right and who's wrong, let them don a uniform and hie their fat asses over to Iraq and have at it!
Just remember the faces of this war, and remember this child's heartbreak, and temper your diatribe with against the war with compassion for the ones who are sacrificing everything.
Congress and Senate are sacrificing nothing.

Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, American Idol, war, Jordin Sparks, Iraq, Good MOrning America

Well, since I am having a time with my own book , "Dark Ridge" right now, I decided to promote the books of two of my very dear friends and fantastic writers.
Sandy Lender, who, by the way, I simply can not find a picture of, has just released her first book, "Choices Meant for Gods" (I could write that title all day long. I just love it, don't you? I have the devil's own time coming up with titles for my books.)
Any way, Sandy's novel, "Choices Meant for Gods" has been released by Arche Books, and it is selling like i-Pods to teens! The book is a fantasy, and let me tell you, that is no easy genre to write.
Well, for some of us anyway, who appear to be imagination challenged, but Sandy apparently has no trouble with her imagination.
Below is a brief description of this wonderful new fantasy novel by Sandy Lender, written by another dear friend and fellow author, Jamieson Wolf.

"Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war. When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty? "Choices Meant for Gods is without a doubt the freshest most engaging high fantasy novel to come out in years and breathes new life into a tired genre. The characters leap off the page and the plot is lightning quick and deftly written with many layers that tease the mind and imagination. Choices Meant for Gods is not a mere novel; it is a gorgeous piece of written art. "

For those of you in the Naples area of Florida, do yourselves a favor and drop by the Barnes and Noble's store on Saturday, June 9, 2007 between 2-4 p.m. to meet this fantastic new author and get your autographed copy of "Choices Meant for Gods".

JK move over, there's a new talent on the horizon!


Another exciting new book is "The Search for the Million Dollar Ghost" written by, Dorothy Thompson, Pam Lawniczak, and Heide Kaminski.
This book is a must read for the ghost hunters and ghost lovers in all of us.
Do you believe ghosts really exist? Could you prove it, for million dollars? Six young women believe they can.

Eccentric tobacco tycoon Rodger Hawthorne III can have anything his heart desires except his dead wife, Sarah. Feeling responsible for the car crash that killed her thirty years ago, he offers one million dollars to anyone who can find her spirit and bring it to him within one week or the money is forfeited. Six spiritually-challenged—but highly intuitive—women find his ad over the Internet and accept his challenge only to embark on a journey they didn’t quite expect that covers astral traveling, past life regressions and spiritual encounters of the unworldly kind. While this book is lightly based on a true story of a real man who is offering one million dollars to anyone who can prove that spirits exist, this story is purely fictional.

Or is it?

"The Search For the Million Dollar Ghost" is a romp through the supernatural as only Dorothy, Heide and Pam can take you.
Be sure to pop over to Barnes and Nobles website and order your copy of this wonderful book.
For book-signings and personal appearances by the authors check out :

www.thesearchforthemilliondollarghost.blogspot.com

Tags: Reading Rucker, Linda Rucker, Dark Ridge, ghosts, Dorothy Thompson, dragons, Sandy Lender