Contests!!!

Hello Orb of Truth fans...time to get ready for the launch of the first of an epic fantasy adventure series. I am currently working on the final chapter with the editor...PRAISE GOD!

"IT IS TIME!!!"

With that being said, I will be having several contests that involve $25 gift card giveaways. A couple things will be required in order for your name to be submitted.

1. Like my facebook page called The Orb of Truth
https://www.facebook.com/theorboftruth

2. Buy the book and show proof of the purchase (you can either buy the ebook or the printed book).
Books will be available at Amazon and I will have some books on hand that you can buy directly from me so you can get an autographed copy.

3. That's it! Follow the above two mentioned steps and you are in the drawing.

Best to get a jump on things and like my facebook page now...The Orb of Truth!

I am working diligently on the second book: The Dragon God (120 pages written thus far)...and I have a strong outline for the 3rd of the series called The Vampire King...great title names huh? (I want to read them just by the title alone)

The Orb of Truth will be the kick off for the epic "Four Horn" series...It has been professionally edited and is getting ready to be released to the world!

I see movies in the future for this series as well...hopefully Peter Jackson will take the helm!

Blessings everyone and don't forget to like the facebook page,
Brae

Becoming The Friend of God

Marc A. Dupont has been an international conference speaker for 30 years. He has spoken in numerous churches and church based conferences in a variety of denominations and ministry networks around the globe. He has spoken in numerous countries through out Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa. As well, he is a frequent speaker in the British Isle’s, Australia, N. America, and S. Korea. Marc is the author of several books including ‘Toxic Churches’, ‘Pursuing Open Heavens’, and ‘Healing Today’. Marc and his wife Kim, have 3 children and reside in Dayton, Ohio.


Marc has an amazing ebook out on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Sony eReader, and the iBookstore...it is called "Becoming The Friend of God". (listed is the Amazon link as it is on sale for a limited time)
http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Friend-God-ebook/dp/B0079QQ5DY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336026343&sr=8-1

Here is what it's about:
Abraham, the patriarch,of both Jews and Christians, was called by God His ‘friend’. ‘Becoming the Friend of God’ takes an in depth look at four critical aspects and situations in Abraham’s life and how he responded to the person of God.

The ability of friends to speak and listen to one another as friends, and the friendship factors of sacrificial love and entertaining one another are examined. In that Abraham is the only person in the Bible to be called God’s friend in both of the Testaments strongly suggests that we have need of gleaning from his life in order to know God on a friendship basis as opposed to merely a friendly relationship.

The book is an invitation to know Christ Jesus to the depth that His words “ a greater friend has no one, than one who lays down his life” invite us to. While not being a classic theological work, the book is very Biblical, simple, and profound. Written for both those who have been a believer of God for decades and for those simply curious about God. ‘Becoming the Friend of God’ will prove to be a great tool and fun read for many.

 Marc is an amazing man of God and he travels all around the world. He is dear friend of mine and I strongly encourage you to buy his book which will bless him financially and it will truly bless you with this Holy Spirit written book. Sow into what Marc is doing...blessings everyone!

Series of BOOKS!!!

I love series because we connect with the characters and want to continue with them through their course of life. We are that fly on the wall, we are that inner voice shouting at the turn of each page to try and influence the characters to say something or do a certain task or warn them not to go there.

The Orb of Truth will be the debut novel for many books to come. This initial book will set the tone for many adventures to come and alludes to pasts that will unfold as the books continue to be written.

Hidden gems are laced throughout with plans to answer them in future endeavors.  I am NOT a flashback writer and like to stay in the moment, but that won't stop the characters from revealing their past or hinting at something that happened a long time ago.  This adds flavor!

The Orb of Truth will be the first of the series. Approximately 300 pages of pure action from beginning to the end. Bradazak, Dulgin, Spilf, and Abawken are the main heroes and they will encounter mystics, creatures ranging from Orcs, Trolls, and Dragons, magical weapons, and most importantly The Orb of Truth! A woven tale of good vs evil. The only issues you will have with this book is choosing your favorite character (hint, the above 4 is not all of them) and wanting more at the end, but don't worry, I end my books with closure and not cliffhangers...but you will WANT more!

That's my job and I will deliver---MORE!

The second of the series is called The Dragon God.  I am half way through writing the first draft and am currently getting feedback from the prestigious Rancho Bernardo Writers Group chalk full of accomplished authors...doesn't get better than that...and this group doesn't hold back telling you if you are writing crap! Well, I'm getting rave reviews from the team on both the 1st and now the 2nd.

The third of the series will be called The Vampire King...I have some notes and the storyline figured out for this epic! Yes, there be Vamps for all you fans out there...I introduce a special Vampire in The Dragon God.

More books to come after these as well...The Horns, Fallen Ones, etc.  I have a lot to tell you all! I love a good read so I write to deliver, NOT to under-deliver!

Then there are plenty of back stories to be told about our heroes...those are the hidden gems I mentioned! Can't wait to dialogue with the fans after the release and people start emailing me and talking about the book online!

Make sure you join my blog and also my facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/theorboftruth

SAVING MONEY at the PUMP and GROCERIES!

My wife and I have recently discovered a simple way to save money when buying gas at Arco, Exxon Mobil, or shopping at Vons/Safeway, Walmart, and tons more. We are saving 1% to 2%.  Any savings that I can get the better and now we want to help our friends and family get the same savings we are. You have to do a lot of work to get it though...just kidding.

IT IS FREE!!!

I just filled up my tank today and it cost me $46.00 at Arco AM/PM where it was $4.05 per gallon. Well, I just saved an additional $0.46. This adds up! Just think about all the gas you buy each year. Then think about the groceries you buy, then think about all the trips to Walmart you make in a year. You end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars per year. I don't know about you but I like a couple hundred dollars back in my pocket.

This is not only free money but your money back in your pocket! I'm thankful I signed up and you will be too.

Email me at braewyckoff@gmail.com to find out how you can register...I will hook you up!

Book Reviews

I wanted to talk a little about the process of reviewing a book and where you draw the line in your 1 thru 5 star rating process.

Now, I am talking about the 5 star rating system that is tied to most book reviews, like Amazon.

As an author, you find yourself in a pickle when reviewing others books because you want to a good review back on your own book, but I find myself not giving any reviews unless it is worth a 3 or higher rating. I also want to give the lower reviews to be honest and hopefully construct it in a way to give the author great feedback, but I hold in fear of negative publicity...It is almost better to be quiet.

Readers have it easy, you give a review and that is that, but us authors who need to have good reviews need to be mindful of our colleagues and the fact that it is a small author world and you don't want to be black flagged by your own community.

Writing is tough and then when you throw in the business of Publishing it gets even tougher because you need to know how to market, how to sell, how to share your love of what you do with the world, and this doesn't come easy.

I was invited to join a group recently on facebook that would be closed to only 50 authors. This group was developed solely for the purpose of giving 4 to 5 star reviews on Amazon of their books regardless if they read the book or if it was good. I thought it was horrible and felt bad for all those contributing to this nonsense. I mean, put yourself in the readers shoes who are searching for a good book and they see all the wonderful reviews to only be disappointed in the end.

I think we need to take the feedback we get like a good author should and learn from our readers insight. There is no need to push your ratings higher...that is just ridiculous and shady in my eyes and will only bring your book down in the long run.

Now, on the flip-side, I encourage all readers and authors to post a review on books they have read at Amazon as this feedback is crucial to us all. It only takes a minute, doesn't have to be long-winded, and really helps the author and the reading community to hear what you have to say about it...good or bad, but please make it constructive criticism.

Blessings everyone...The Orb of Truth is coming this SUMMER! Can't wait to get this quality written book into your hands and to win your hearts for the wonderful world I created!

Let me hear your thoughts about book reviews!

No WAY World!!!

I am tired of the world dictating my LIFE. When will it be "my" life and not the ebb and flow of societies pressures that change like the tide.

I say it is my life and I will do what is right, what is just, and what is true. I will not let others defeat me with their negatives, but instead encourage all that I encounter in life.

I love this quote from Henry Drummond:

"I will pass thru this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

When I say that I am tired of the world's antics, I am referring to the politics, the red tape, the religious mindsets, and true lack of unconditional love. 

I look at my grandson and there is nothing he can do to change my love for him even though he might act out or make a decision that doesn't benefit him...I am going to love him no matter what.

Can we do this as adults? With one another? I think so, and it starts with me and then it starts with you...

I want the history books to say, "Yeah, there was a guy that was firmly standing upon ethics and morals that were unwavering and he did it simply through love."

This is the kind of stuff that inspires me to write EPIC fantasy adventure novels with good vs evil and developing characters who are a sounding board that we can all relate to and with...they become our HEROES!

Let us all rise to the challenge and become HEROES in this world in this time! IT IS TIME!!!

Inspiration

Where do we get our inspiration to write, to paint, to love? We inevitably meet someone who inspires us or we read an amazing story or see an incredible event in our life. It is these moments of experience that shape us, that begin to define us. We all have our own personalities but when you think about it, our personality was shaped from our interaction with our surroundings...parents, friends, teachers, movies, media, music, and so on. As we get older we tend to move towards like minded people and really pinpoint who we want to inspire or shape our personality even more.

It is crucial for us in life to find people we love, people we can trust, people we can count on, people who truly care about us. We are ALL jaded in some facet on trusting people because we have ALL been burned one way or another...BUT don't give up and don't stop trying.

Get involved with what you love and make sure you meet others who are passionate about what you love also. I'm an author and I love fantasy adventure...you know, classic dungeons and dragons, good vs evil, damsel in distress, etc. I'm involved with writer's groups on all levels...critique group that meets weekly, lunches and starbucks with fellow writers, blogs (reading others blogs and actually interacting with them), social media sites such as facebook, goodreads, gaming stores that cater to roleplaying gamers, etc.

Just love life and appreciate all that you have...don't doubt, don't worry, don't compare...just live, love, and laugh!