History Trivia

February 18

 

1229 The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor signed a ten-year truce with al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem with neither military engagements nor support from the papacy.

 

1478 George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of England, was executed.

 

1503 Henry Tudor (Henry VIII) was created Prince of Wales.

 

1516 Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, was born.

 

1546 Martin Luther died.

 

1564 Michelangelo Buonarrotti died.

Phil Naessens featured on The Examiner

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-phil-naessens-show-1

Independent Author Index Newsletter - Mary Ann Bernal featured author

http://indaindex.com/general-delivery-newsletter-february-2013/

General Delivery Newsletter: February 2013

184 authors of 368 books have joined the Index!

Thank you!

In about a month, the Independent Author Index will celebrate its first anniversary! The success of the site is because of visitors like you who come here and read about authors and their work. I wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate your time. This is the first of many General Delivery Newsletters that will be made available to visitors to the Index, so enjoy what you see here and don’t forget to find the section about the current giveaway. Thanks for reading!            FEATURED AUTHOR: MARY ANN BERNAL! Mary Ann Bernal, author of The Briton and the Dane novels, is an avid history buff whose area of interest focuses on Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain during the Viking Age. While pursuing a degree in business administration, she managed to fit creative writing classes and workshops into her busy schedule to learn the craft, but it would take decades before her “Erik the Viking” novel was ultimately published. To date, her books include: The Briton and the Dane: The Special Edition | The Briton and the Dane: Birthright | The Briton and the Dane: Legacy | The Briton and the Dane The Complete Trilogy | The Briton and the Dane: Concordia You can also find Mary Ann in the following compilations: Unearthed: A Literary Underground Anthology | Time: A Literary Underground Anthology | Independent Author Index Short Story Compilation, Volume 1 | Independent Author Index Short Story Compilation, Volume 2 Learn more about Independent Author Index member author Mary Ann Bernal!

The Ritual by Mary Ann Bernal featured in The Independent Author Index Short Story Compilation

http://indaindex.com/independent-author-index-short-story-compilation-volume-2/#more-15509

The Ritual by Mary Ann Bernal

Summary:

The Ritual is a story about an impressionable young woman’s initiation into a modern-day pagan sect on All Hallows’ Eve in a mausoleum. She becomes terrified when she witnesses the first initiation amidst a raging storm and flees for her life, but will she survive the tempest?

Excerpt:
Loud rolls of thunder shook the earth, bright flashes of lightning streaking across the darkened sky as fierce winds battered the countryside. Swollen storm clouds hovered menacingly above the cemetery, threatening the celebration of All Hallows’ Eve.

The small crowd had gathered in the old section of the graveyard where the mausoleums of the city’s once eminent families still stood, long forgotten by their descendants and falling into disrepair. Statues of angels protected most of the marble and stone structures, their sightless eyes watching every move. However, two buildings were bereft of religious connotation and the inscriptions above the doors were difficult to read. Yet the family names were well known to the men and women who were waiting patiently for the high priest to arrive.

Ashley held onto Kent’s arm tightly, standing firmly against the wind gusts that toppled the nearby treetops and scattered the fallen leaves while glancing at the neglected tomb where her ancestors rested. She was proud to be a Raven just as Kent was proud to be a Wolf, their lineage tracing back to the ancient Celts. She envisioned the ancient rituals in her mind’s eye, smiling when she remembered being married to Kent. However, when she thought about her own initiation she was overcome with fear, recalling her terror when the high priest placed her naked upon the altar. She had tried to be brave for Kent, not wishing to embarrass him before his friends, but she could not control her tears. She had kept her eyes closed when they prayed above her, their hands perilously close to her exposed flesh. She remembered being relieved when the initiation was over, but she also remembered her anger when Kent had chastised her for crying and for her misplaced modesty.

Two new members would be initiated this night, but only Devona mattered, and Devona had no knowledge of what the ritual entailed. Ashley wanted to tell Devona so she would not be afraid but Kent had forbidden it, reminding her of the punishment she would suffer once the high priest learned of her meddling.

Devona and Ashley met at the Laundromat, and they quickly became friends. Devona was a country girl, having moved to the city recently to perform on stage, but the play closed within a week and Devona needed a job. Ashley found her a position in her law firm where she had met Bronson Wolf, and it was Bronson who had introduced her to their religious beliefs.
The high priest and his assistants walked solemnly through the crumbling gate as the thunder and lightning intensified. He opened the entrance to the Wolf mausoleum, entering quickly with his followers not far behind just as a heavy rain began to pummel the earth. Once the fire was lit, one of the assistants closed the door, sealing them in.

The group encircled a stone coffin that had been placed in the center of the small building that was being used for an altar that was covered with flaming candles. Incense burned in a bronze offering bowl, the billowing smoke filtering through the air. The assistants kept their heads covered, their black garments blending well in the darkened room, their piercing eyes glaring menacingly at Ashley, or so she thought.

Ashley grasped Devona’s hand, squeezing her fingers reassuringly, mouthing words of comfort while noticing beads of sweat dripping down the side of her face. She would have said something, believing Devona wanted to leave, but the high priest raised his hands above him, chanting the offertory prayers loudly to be heard over the thunder. The ritual had begun.

Phil Naessens Writers Showcase - Barbara Morrison featured

http://thewritersshow.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/the-writers-showcase-podcast-e09-innocent-confessions-of-a-welfare-mother-by-barbara-morrison/

On this weeks Writers Showcase Podcast Barbara Morrison joins host Phil Naessens to read from her book Innocent: Confessions of a Welfare Mother, shares her journey as a writer and discusses her memoir with host Phil Naessens.

History Trivia

February 17

 

1370 The Battle of Rudau - Teutonic knights defeated the Lithuanians in their attempt to Christianize the country.

1461 Second Battle of Saint Albans where the Lancastrians were victorious, and were able to free King Henry VI who had been imprisoned by the Earl of Warwick.

 

 

 1779 British historian Edward Gibbon published the The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

 

BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 41 - MAXIMUM CONVICTION

BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 41 - MAXIMUM CONVICTION: SHOW SYNOPSIS:  This week the crew reviews the "epic" team-up of Steven Segal and Steve Austin in Maximum Conviction and spend most of the...

Phil Naessens talks with Ricky Dimon

This Week in Tennis February 16, 2013: Atlanta Sportswriter Ricky Dimon Talks Tennis!!

R.P. Dahlke featured on The Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/article/a-dead-red-cadillac-by-rp-dahlke

History Trivia

February 16

 

116 Emperor Trajan sent laureatae (word of military glory) to the Roman Senate at Rome on account of his victories and being conqueror of Parthia.

 

374 The ninth recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet.

 

600 Pope Gregory the Great decreed the saying "God bless you" is the correct response to a sneeze.

1646 The Battle of Great Torrington, Devon was the last major battle of the first English Civil War.

Shamrock Book Giveaway

http://www.kimscottbooks.com/shamrock-s

25 Great Books

& a Kindle* 

in this Giveaway!

*This Giveaway is in no way affiliated with Amazon.com or any of their partner companies.

Mark Berman featured on The Phil Naessens Show

On Fridays Phil Naessens Show Blogging Mets’ Mark Berman joins Phil to discuss Mets General Manager Sandy Aldersons recent statements to WFAN radio host Mike Francesa, the Mets recent signings and the outfield woes followed by Knuckleballs Blog writer Eric Pleiss who fills us in on the Fox Satuday Baseball lineup, the Vegas betting odds for the Minnesota Twins and all the rest of the Twins news followed by Athletics Nation writer Alex Hall who shares all the recent trades, signings and other news involving the Oakland A’s.

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/the-phil-naessens-show-february-15-2013-mlb-spring-training-news-mets-twins-and-as/

Author Otis Ritch featured on The Examiner

Spirit of the Wolf by Author Otis Ritch http://www.examiner.com/article/spirit-of-the-wolf-by-author-otis-ritch via @examinercom

Interviewing Author K-T Meador

 

Welcome to Meet The Author! Today K-T Meador has stopped by to give us a little insight into her life and her books.  So let’s get started. 

 

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am the youngest of five children, raised in Texas on a seventy acre farm. I learned how to drive a tractor, shoot a gun, assist in birthing calves, and install carpet all before I could drive a car!

After High School, I attended a technical college and majored in aviation maintenance. This profession has allowed me to travel to places such as Hawaii, South Carolina, Georgia, and I currently reside in Oklahoma.

In addition to being an aircraft mechanic, I also write a book article column for The Examiner, Austin, Texas and am an avid blogger.

I have two grown sons; one who is training to be a Master Scuba Diver, and my other son is attending a technical college majoring in Welding.

 

When did you start writing?

My first short story, at the age of sixteen, was “No Way Out” which won a contest in High School, and I was awarded fifteen dollars and a feature in the local newspaper.

 

What projects have been published?

I have three books currently published: Journey to Freedom (April 2012), Their Journey Begins (November 2012), and Transcendence (December 2012).

 

Tell us about your books.

Journey to Freedom is a full length novel set in the American Civil War. It chronicles the adventures of several people through their fight for freedom.

Their Journey Begins came about because readers of Journey to Freedom wanted to know more about certain characters prior to Journey to Freedom beginning.

 

Transcendence is a collection of poetry from my heart and experience spanning the time of 1998 through 2012.

 

What are you currently working on?

 The Inner Chamber is my current project. My target release date is June 2013.

 

The Inner Chamber is a Christian Suspense/Thriller with a subtle meaning written in the first person voice.

 

It is about how our actions inside our hearts and minds control our actions on the outside.

Thus, the name of the book: The Inner Chamber.

The heroine, Alisa, is in her early forties and finds herself the target of a kidnapping while doing a tour as a civilian aircraft mechanic over in Afghanistan.

During her captivity her actions and choices are broadcasted to the world via the internet. With no way out, she begins to have limited interaction with the other captives and then it is her turn to face The Controller.  And she learns that her decisions will equate to life or death for the other captives…some who are her friends and some who are acquaintances.

As the challenges begin, Alisa is placed under tremendous pressure and the love and faith that she has talked about to others is now being put to the ultimate test. Alisa questions her beliefs, faith, love, forgiveness, and the God who she claims to believe in.

 

What are you reading at the moment?

 I am catching up on my list of books from Indie Authors! Too many to list!

 

What do you like to do in your free time when you're not reading or writing

 Photography, hiking, traveling

 

 Do you have any advice for other authors? 

 

Advice for other writers would include:          

 

start networking/marketing before your project is complete           

develop the networking/marketing relationships that you come in contact with – make them personal and support their work as much as your own

   

write well and then hire an editor; using friends are okay, but hiring a professional editor makes a world of difference

 

And finally, can you tell us some fun facts about yourself, such as crossed skydiving off my bucket list

 

When I do watch television it is limited to professional or college football or cartoons. 

I love food, but don’t like to cook or clean.

 

I have blue eyes and therefore:  People who have blue eyes are often associated with youthfulness.  It has been noted that the blue-eyed people mostly have long-lasting relationships.  They are pretty, peaceful, kind and smart.  Those who have deep blue eyes are spiritual people and also possess a good power of observation.

Would love to visit my long-distance friends across the pond.

Get my motorcycle license, buy a Harley and tour America.

I want to go skydiving through a rainbow in Hawaii. It is possible!

I want to go on a hot air balloon ride.

Learn sign language

Learn how to write in calligraphy

 

Where can we find out more about you, and where can we purchase your books?

website: www.authorkmeador.com

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKMeador

The Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/user-author-k-meador

 Amazon Author Central Page:

 http://www.amazon.com/K.-Meador/e/B0081NNBCC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/

Blog: http://inthemidst-km.blogspot.com/

linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=77053394&trk=hb_tab_pro_top

 

 

History Trivia

February 15

44 BC, Mark Antony offered Julius Caesar the diadem of royalty which he refused.

360 AD the first Cathedral of Santa Sophia in Constantinople was dedicated.

399 Philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death. 

670 Oswy, King of Bernicia and subordinate to King Penda of Mercia for 13 years died. When Penda invaded Bernicia, he was killed by Oswy's forces. Oswy then united all of Northumbria, which he ruled from 655 until his death.

King Oswy

1113 Knights Hospitaller was formally named and recognized. The Hospitallers were founded to care for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem.  The order evolved throughout the Crusades and still exists today.

1564 Galileo Galilei was born. 

Independent Author Index Compiliation - Author Mary Ann Bernal featured

http://indaindex.com/murder-in-the-first-by-mary-ann-bernal/

Murder in the First - an excerpt

An eerie sea fog shrouded the rocky shoreline, enveloping the massive cliffs and dense foliage while rolling slowly across the countryside. Bethel cursed the limited visibility but was thankful for the obscurity as she drove towards the cliff. Verdi’s Requiem played from her iPod that had been tossed carelessly on the dashboard, an appropriate choice that reflected her mood. Bethel sang along with the chorus, her fingers tapping the steering wheel, her foot resting gently on the gas pedal as the car inched its way through the thickness. She kept her eyes on the familiar road, the dim lights cutting through the fog, applying the brakes when she reached the top.

Bethel shut off the engine but remained in the car, waiting for the last song in her playlist to finish before opening the door, silently begging the Lord’s forgiveness for the grave sin she was about to commit. She stepped onto the graveled road, her senses heightened as the sound of crashing waves resonated throughout the still night. When she opened the back door, a solitary tear escaped from the corner of her eye as Michael slumped forward, hitting his head against the driver’s seat, his soft moans deafening in the stillness.

"We’re here," Bethel said while helping Michael out of the car.

"My head," Michael whispered, leaning against Bethel for support as he shuffled along the road, his gait unsteady upon the loose pebbles.

Bethel spoke of nonsensical things, knowing Michael would be comforted by her steadfast voice as they approached the edge. She struggled under his weight, ignoring his incoherent questions as the effects of the drug began to wear off.

"Not much further. You can do this…you must do this," Bethel thought.

"I’m…cold," Michael stuttered as Bethel stopped abruptly, which caused him to stumble forward.

Bethel stepped away quickly as Michael flapped his arms to steady himself while the earth crumbled beneath him. She looked away, closing her eyes and covering her ears as he fell off the cliff and into the sea, the roaring surf obscuring his screams. A salty mist caressed Bethel’s face as she peered at the rocks below through the lifting fog. Minutes seemed like hours as she searched for Michael’s body, which was nowhere to be seen.

As red and orange hues lightened the darkened sky, Bethel drove down the steep hill, singing along with the chorus as Verdi’s haunting melody warmed her heart.

***

It was Sunday morning and the church bells rang loudly, calling the faithful to prayer. Bethel hurried across the gardens, entering the cathedral just as the priest kissed the altar. She stood in the last pew, near the door, as she waited for Mass to begin. She mumbled the responses, behaving appropriately for the hour, but waiting impatiently for the service to be over while wondering if God had forgiven her. The bells pealed again as the priest and the altar servers processed out of the church, but just as Bethel was about to leave, someone grasped her arm.

"I know what happened to Michael," the stranger whispered.

Author Bill Jones, Jr Featured on the Examiner

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-stream-discovery-by-author-bill-jones-jr

History Trivia

February 14

44 BC, Julius Caesar was made dictator of Rome for life, which turned out to be one month and a day.

1014 Henry II, the last of the Saxon dynasty of emperors, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. 

1400 Britain's deposed Richard II was murdered in Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire.

1556 Thomas Cranmer, leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI, was declared a heretic when staunch Catholic Mary I became Queen.

Phil Naessens talks with Jameyan Smith

On Thursdays Phil Naessens Show The Sports Goons Jameyan Smith joins Phil to discuss Valentines Day, Facebook Fugazi’s and a look at the NBA’s Eastern and


http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/the-phil-naessens-show-february-14-2013-say-what-pastor/

My Paranormal Life: Its Not Too Late To Listen To Sherrie, Tina And AJ...

My Paranormal Life: Its Not Too Late To Listen To Sherrie, Tina And AJ...: Listen to internet radio with Mackenzie K on Blog Talk Radio

Booksessed: Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Booksessed: Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles: Book: Fury by Elizabeth Miles (The Fury Trilogy #1) Published by Simon Pulse; 2011 370 pages Format: Hardcover Genres: YA/Fantasy/S...

Veetu Industries and Rae Gee: Battlefield of the Mind

Veetu Industries and Rae Gee: Battlefield of the Mind: On any given night in America 125,000 veterans are homeless and sleeping on the streets. Lack of family, social and medical support h...

Author Ngaire Elder spotlighted on The Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/article/author-ngaire-elder-spotlighted

Fable Press accepting novel submissions

Fable Press is now accepting novel submissions!

http://www.fablepress.com/

 What, exactly, are we looking for? All flavors of speculative fiction interests us. Standalone novels are fine, but if you have a series of books ready to go - we certainly want to hear from you.

Our Mission: To publish undiscovered speculative fiction which rings true to us.

Our Promise: To build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with authors and readers.

Our Dedication: To help authors reach their goals, to deliver fantastic fiction to our readers and to demonstrate -by example- that publishing need not be a heartless affair.

Book Adventures: Life, the Universe, & Everything: A Symposium on S...

Book Adventures: Life, the Universe, & Everything: A Symposium on S...: (banner by Jenna E.)           An awesome event is coming up this week from February 14th-16th here in Provo, UT! It's the annual "Life...

Author Susan Griscom featured on The Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/article/brief-interludes-by-author-susan-griscom

The Whispering Voice: Love's Message © by Irina Serban

The Whispering Voice: Love's Message © by Irina Serban: I had a dream of a beautiful woman in a red silk dress. Her long ebony hair caressed her marble-like shoulders, ...

Phil Naessens Show with Andy Flint

On Wednesdays Phil Naessens Show Sports-Kings Andy Flint joins Phil to discuss Kobe Bryant chiding a Twitter follower for calling another follower gay, former Duke star and ESPN College Basketball analyst Jay Williams and his comments to the NY Times, trading Josh Smith and the All Star Game including how to fix the Slam Dunk Contest.

 

 

 

 

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/the-phil-naessens-show-february-13-2013-kobe-bryant-and-the-twidiots/

Author Suz Korb: FREE Romance Stories!

Author Suz Korb: FREE Romance Stories!: Happy Valentine's Day to you whether you're single or hitched because, in honour of my upcoming debut romantic comedy novel, my gift to you ...

Christopher Penczak Live! - Magick! 02/12 by Mackenzie K | Blog Talk Radio

Christopher Penczak Live! - Magick! 02/12 by Mackenzie K | Blog Talk Radio

History Trivia

February 13

1542, Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII of England, was executed for adultery.

1633 Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for his trial before the Inquisition.

1689 British Parliament adopted the Bill of Rights.

1692 Massacre of Glencoe Scotland where 38 members of the MacDonald clan were murdered by soldiers of the Campbell clan for not pledging allegiance to William of Orange.

Goats Eat Cans: PEN MAN

Goats Eat Cans: PEN MAN: I really do love drawing. It relaxes me, it takes my mind off of things, and it can make me feel like I’ve accomplished something ...

The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview With Sarah Tipper

The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview With Sarah Tipper:  Sarah Tipper Eviscerated Panda I met Sarah around the time of the launch of the Independent Paperback Gift Shop and took ton h...

Book Review and Radio Interview: Innocent: Confessions of a Welfare Mother

Book Review and Radio Interview: Innocent: Confessions of a Welfare Mother

The Phil Naessens Show - Pope Benedict Resigns

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/the-phil-naessens-show-february-12-2013-pope-benedict-lvi-resigns/

History Trivia

February 12

881 Pope John VIII crowned Charles the Fat, the King of Italy, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles was the grandson of Charlemagne who suffered from epilepsy and other illnesses; he also paid the Vikings to keep the barbarians from pillaging his empire.

1554 Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen of England, was executed at the age of 16.

1554 - Lord Guildford Dudley, Jane Grey's husband, was beheaded

The Examiner -Author Spotlight - Mary Ann Bernal featured author

 

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/author-mary-ann-bernal-spotlighted

My Paranormal Life: Mackenzie Knight by Wiz Green

My Paranormal Life: Mackenzie Knight by Wiz Green: http://greenwizard62.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/mackenzie-knight-queen-of-paranormal.html

Welcome Back Baseball! I Sure Have Missed You!!

Welcome Back Baseball! I Sure Have Missed You!!

Hollywood Shakedown by Mark Barry featured on The Examiner

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/hollywood-shakedown-by-author-mark-barry

History Trivia

February 11,

Norway folk-belief: Christ's Cross was hewn on this day, and therefore the axe should not be used.

55 Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Emperorship, died under mysterious circumstances in Rome, clearing the way for Nero to become Emperor. 1

466 Elizabeth of York Queen of England and mother of Henry VIII was born. Elizabeth had seven children and died in childbirth on February 11th, 1503.

1531 Henry VIII of England was recognized as supreme head of the Protestant Church of England.

Kid Atomic by Mark Barry featured on The Examiner

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/kid-atomic-by-mark-barry?fb_action_ids=390105041086235&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=246965925417366

Gladiator's Pen: Firsts MFRW Bloghop

Gladiator's Pen: Firsts MFRW Bloghop:       Welcome to Firsts the first blog hop sponsored by Marketing for Romance Writers.org. Here on Gladiator's Pen I have an excerpt from ...

Ngaire Elder: Chain Saws, Airheads and Carla!

Ngaire Elder: Chain Saws, Airheads and Carla!: Oooooops! I was tagged in a Blog-Thingy by the lovely Yvonne Anderson author of The Story in the Stars - Gateway to Gannah. However, I had f...

The Writers Showcase with Phil Naessens

http://thewritersshow.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/the-writers-showcase-podcast-e08-brilliant-disguise-by-mark-berman/

Author Mark Berman joins host Phil Naessens to share his journey as a writer and to discuss his novel Brilliant Disguise.

History Trivia

February 10,

60 it is believed St Paul was shipwrecked off the coast of Malta on this date.

1098 Crusaders defeated Prince Redwan of Aleppo at Antioch.

1162 Baldwin III, King of the crusader state of Jerusalem, died.

1306 Robert the Bruce murdered his leading political rival John Comyn in front of the high altar of Greyfriars Church in Dumfries and sparked revolution in the Scottish Wars of Independence.

1355 the St. Scholastica's Day riot broke out in Oxford, England, where 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals died.

English Historical Fiction Authors: Swords - Parts and Pieces of a Masterpiece by Scot...

English Historical Fiction Authors: Swords - Parts and Pieces of a Masterpiece by Scot...: Swords populate the world of English history and the books we love.  Whether your favorite character(s) went on Crusade, haunted the tourney...

The Illustrated Woman by Mark Barry featured in the Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-illustrated-woman-by-author-mark-barry