http://awesomegang.com

Where Awesome Book Readers Meet Awesome Writers

1. Shadows Of The Dust

   About Shadows Of The Dust:

   Feeling trapped in a life so far filled with only chaos and despair,Marcus Spooner, at only fifteen, heads out on his own…in search of peace.

   After finally finding stability and comfort in the care of old, eccentric Mr. and Mrs. Wround at The Bird Creek Inn, tragedy strikes suddenly and Marcus once again finds himself in a life turned upside down.

   One ominous Halloween night, desperate to recapture the happiness he had found at The Bird Creek Inn, Marcus attempts to reconnect with the one person to whom he’d always felt closest – even when that person is no longer living.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Buy the Book On Amazon.

   Author Bio:
   Kathleen, a Brooklyn Girl, is the youngest of three. Always intrigued by the afterlife, she enjoys reading and writing about the unknown. Ghostly stories with out the fright is her main genre but reading anything heartwarming is her preference. Check out her other short story, Finding Rosie.

   Shadows Of The Dust is a post from Awesome Gang

2. 28 Far Cries by Marc Nash

   About 28 Far Cries by Marc Nash:

   28 Flash Fiction tales that take you to the extremes of both humanity and literary form. Tales of warlords and pole-dancers, alien flaneurs and ageing superheroes, toxic relationships and cyanide pills, incubi and faux-werewolfism, Marc Nash’s fourth flash collection sees him wrangle language and big ideas to show us our true human face.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   Marc Nash is the author of 8 books, four of which are novels and four collections of flash fiction. He is a standout live performer and is collaborating with artists and designers to render digital literary works. He lives and works in London.

   28 Far Cries by Marc Nash is a post from Awesome Gang

3. Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul by Jayne Phlow

   About Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul by Jayne Phlow:

   Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul is a compilation of 30 poems written over the course of 25 years. I’ve been through A LOT in my life: horrible breakups; battles with low self-esteem; “baby daddy/baby mama” drama; homelessness; just to name a handful. I didn’t vocalize my heartaches and pains very often, but I DEFINITELY let them bleed from my pen regularly, and the result is this, my very first book of poetry. My life wasn’t always pretty, therefore I couldn’t write these poems in a pretty style. My poems are grimy; they’re raw; they’re very angry at times; and most importantly, they’re REAL. With the exception of approximately 2, maybe 3 pieces, these poems represent every bit of MY truth, and while you may not be able to relate to EVERY poem I’ve written, I guarantee you you WILL relate to at least ONE.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.

   Author Bio:
   Tiffany D. Glover, aka Jayne Phlow, has been writing poetry for roughly 25 years and performing for approximately 17 years. Growing up as an only child, Tiffany retreated into her own private world of imaginary friends and books upon books upon books. English, Spelling, Grammar and Literature were always her favorite subjects in school and she soon discovered she had a knack for essay writing, entering and actually winning a few contests throughout her middle and high school years. When artists like Lauryn Hill, Alannis Morrisette, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott hit the music scene, she was intrigued at how they sang about their loves and hurts and pains, yet made it sound like sweet therapeutic release. She very quickly followed their leads and too began channeling all of her hurts, pains, aggravations, tears and yes, even love here-and-there, into poetry. Anything that Tiffany was unable to find the courage to SPEAK easily poured out of her pen, generating years upon years of notebook upon notebook packed full of her soul.

   After sitting on all of these notebooks for far too long, she finally listened to the urgings of her family and friends and compiled some of her writings into her very first published book of poetry, “Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul,” released February 14, 2014. Get a Grip is a searing collection of 30 very grimy, very raw, very REAL poems, the majority of which are based on specific situations, trials and tribulations that she has had to endure throughout her life thus far. “This is so NOT your friendly, neighborhood, happy poetry,” she explains. “Life is not always cute. Some of the moments I chose to write about weren’t cute. So I couldn’t be cute in penning it. You may not be able to relate to EVERY poem in my book, but I guarantee you’ll relate to AT LEAST one.”

   Jayne Phlow is a contributing writer for BlaqRayn Publishing Plus’ BRPP Magazine, an online and print magazine developed by CEO Kim Morrow, promoting all forms of artistic expression, where she writes a monthly column titled “Mamas Makin’ Moves,” which spotlights mothers, and women in general, making big moves in their careers and communities. She’s also earned editor credits on two recently released autobiographies and she continues to hone her editing skills through working on other authors’ works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. She is currently working on her second book of poetry, titled “Phiyah Phlows: Finga Snaps, Hand Claps and Toe Taps,” to be tentatively released around the first of the year, and she regularly performs at various open mics, poetry showcases, empowerment conferences and other events throughout her hometown of Charleston, SC and beyond.

   She is a single mother to her 15 year-old son, T’Zhean, and is also a recent graduate of Springfield College’s School of Human Services, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Community Counseling Psychology. She hopes to some day use her degree, combined with her love of poetry, spoken word and travel, to empower women battling self-esteem issues to transition themselves from emotionally debilitating relationships.

   Get a Grip: Spilled Ink from my Soul by Jayne Phlow is a post from Awesome Gang

4. The Atheist by Sarah Ettritch

   About The Atheist by Sarah Ettritch:

   Jillian Campbell doesn’t believe in God. When local pastor Jim Preston claims to be an agent of God called a Deiform and declares that Jillian is one too, she dismisses him as a kook. Two days later, Preston is dead, and Jillian stands accused of his murder.

   Deiforms can communicate telepathically with each other, astral project, time shift, communicate with animals, stop hearts, and more. Do their gifts come from God? You decide.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.

   Author Bio:
   Sarah Ettritch writes science fiction, fantasy, and mystery stories featuring female main characters. In addition to The Atheist, Sarah is the author of the Rymellan Series (science fiction), The Salbine Sisters (fantasy), Threaded Through Time (time travel), The Missing Comatose Woman (cozy mystery), and The Cult (the second book in the Deiform Fellowship Series). When she isn’t writing, she’s usually reading or gaming. Sarah lives in Toronto with her partner and several cats.

   The Atheist by Sarah Ettritch is a post from Awesome Gang

5. Sword Striker by Elizabeth D’Onofrio

   About Sword Striker by Elizabeth D’Onofrio:

   Lord Brant is discontented with life at the royal palace. Partly because he is not allowed to attend the Military Academy with his friends. But mostly because assassins are trying to kill him. As the King’s cousin and heir to half the kingdom, he stands in the way of dukes who would inherit his lands if he dies before his twenty-first birthday. Intent on survival, Lord Brant escapes with Lady Adalia, King Durwin’s vain and cantankerous ward, who herself seeks to escape an arranged marriage. Hunted by the King’s agents, their safety now depends on adopting aliases. Posing as peasants named “Thorpe” and “Eadwina,” supposedly brother and sister, their trek through the wilderness ends far afield from their original plan. In the smithy and scullery of a country manor a new life awaits them. But is it a welcome life? New adversaries delight in provoking Brant’s weakness: his temper. Lord Brant, now Thorpe the blacksmith’s apprentice, is not free from his past: he is still a royal heir and he knows there is mortal peril in revealing this secret. But as civil war rends the kingdom, led by peasants determined to overthrow tyrannical King Durwin, Brant has to sort out if he is fighting for Khryterdon as blacksmith or nobleman.

   Come to the medieval land of Khryterdon and join in the adventure of rebellion, friendship, and the courage to forgive, where Lord Brant’s skill in forging a battle sword mirrors his own path to manhood.

   Sword Striker is a tale not only for young adult readers, but for anyone who loves freedom and knows there are costs to achieve it.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   Elizabeth D’Onofrio was not born in a small cabin in the woods of Wisconsin; however, her dream to live in a dugout house on the banks of a small creek remains dear to her heart. As a pioneer wordsmith she has crossed the plains of tedium and writes rich and vivid stories that boldly pave the way for the new era of fiction. She currently lives in Arizona, having to be satisfied at present with sitting beside a small dry creek of pebbles in her Zen Garden. After the drama of ushering the adorable yet highly deadly critters of the American Southwest out of her Zen Garden, she finds the garden to be rather relaxing, except in the summer when the danger of spontaneous combustion becomes a caution. She has never been called “Danny.”

   Presently she is hard at work writing STAR AND SUN – the sequel to SWORD STRIKER.

   Sword Striker by Elizabeth D’Onofrio is a post from Awesome Gang

6. Coyote Jack and the Bluebirds

   About Coyote Jack and the Bluebirds:

   Famous Texas bluesman Coyote Jack has agreed to join The Bluebirds for a one night gig at their UK home venue. Freshly dumped by his fiancee, singer Charlie French hopes that this is the start of bigger and better things for him and his friends. Alas, the band’s blues have only just begun. A series of misfortunes threatens to clip the Bluebirds’ wings, and as their eccentric guest staggers from one embarrassing calamity to the next Coyote Jack’s credibility is called into question.

   Have mercy! – it’s not the Texan’s fault. The airline lost his damn guitar, the Stetson wouldn’t fit in his luggage, these middle class white kids don’t know diddly about the blues…it’s no wonder old Coyote’s flustered. Right?

   There’s another problem. Charlie’s band – and therefore Charlie’s world – is about to fall apart. Guitarist and old friend Rupert Rathwell-Stubbs is secretly plotting his escape from the Bluebirds, his place among top London act The Molten Few assured if he can pull off one final betrayal of his friends. The demands of motherhood have been proving too much for bass player Anne Marie Pinto, and now the discovery of her husband’s infidelity is about to knock her flat. Unaware of his role in Rupert’s devious designs drummer Oz Watkins awakes smitten with his latest conquest, achingly aware that she’s fallen for the Rock God he no longer wants to be.

   The blues, the real blues, are about to hit the Bluebirds. Hard.

   Spanning a single Saturday afternoon and culminating in a riotous musical climax the novel traces the disintegration of the band and the gradual unmasking – and redemption – of the clownish Coyote Jack. Forced to face their respective truths the Bluebirds find themselves struggling to make sense of their lives, their loyalties and the blues itself as the clock ticks down and a full house gathers…

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   Paul Bisson was born in 1976 on the Channel Island of Jersey. In the day he teaches English – by night he’s a performing bluesman, and has been since he ‘woke up one morning’ about twenty years back. He’s been writing short stories and novels since he was this high; recently he’s acquired the knack of finishing them. Come say hello to @LeBiss on Twitter, or for a more general sift of his wares go directly to www.paulbisson.com.

   Coyote Jack and the Bluebirds is a post from Awesome Gang

7. EMBRYO by J.A. Schneider

   About EMBRYO by J.A. Schneider:

   “Maria Moran’s first inkling of trouble was the coppery taste in her mouth. It came suddenly, a rushing whoosh of something that made her gag, and when she reached to wipe her mouth, her hand came away smeared with blood.”

   So begins this thriller about a young intern, Jill Raney, determined to investigate tragedies and terror at a famous fertility and genetic engineering hospital. When two pregnant women die and a fetus is delivered with severe chromosomal abnormalities, Jill’s superiors – including handsome, smitten-with-her resident David Levine – insist there’s no common link.

   But her suspicions deepen with the grotesque murder near the hospital of another pregnant woman – her belly drained of amniotic fluid. And when a woman miscarries in the hospital and then disappears, Jill frantically searches for her – following a terrifying path that seems to link all the victims: Is someone playing with life…and the structures of human life itself?

   An unforgettable tale of suspense with a shocking denouement, Embryo takes you deep into the mind of malignant genius.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   J.A. (Joyce Anne) Schneider is a former staffer at Newsweek. Words and story ideas are always teeming in her head – “a colorful place!” she says. She’s a wife, mom, and loves thrillers. Once a Liberal Arts major (French and Spanish Literature), she has become increasingly fascinated with medicine and forensic science. Decades of being married to a physician who loves explaining medical concepts and reliving his experiences means that there’ll be medical angles even in “regular” thrillers that she writes.

   EMBRYO is her first ebook. Its two sequels are EMBRYO 2: CROSSHAIRS and EMBRYO 3: RANEY & LEVINE. She and her family live in Connecticut.

   Her website is: http://jaschneiderauthor.net More EMBRYO books are coming; to know when she invites you to sign up on her website’s Newsletter.

   She also invites you to follow her on Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/JoyceSchneider1

   or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JASchneiderAuthor

   or Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832782.J_A_Schneider

   EMBRYO by J.A. Schneider is a post from Awesome Gang

8. Heart on a String

   About Heart on a String:

   Marissa tells lies.

   To herself, about the fact that her brother abandoned her.

   To her grandmother, when she says “everything’s fine.”

   To the world when she pretends her mother is at home or working late. When she doesn’t tell them her mother is dead.

   She doesn’t even question the wisdom of living in a world built on lies anymore—until she meets Brandon. Unlike Marissa, Brandon faces his grief head-on. As their relationship sweetens, Marissa realizes the value of letting someone in and not letting her grief destroy her. But when her past filled with denial catches up with her, Marissa is forced to tell Brandon her darkest secrets, or risk losing him.

   The only thing harder than lying about her life? Facing it.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   Susan Soares grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, always dreaming of one day being an author. After numerous short stories, poems and plays, those dreams finally became a reality when her first book, My Zombie Ex-Boyfriends was published. (Featherweight Press, 2013) Her second book Heart on a String was just released in June 2014 by Astraea Press.

   Susan received her MA in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University, and will be pursuing teaching soon. When she isn’t writing Susan spends her time reading, experimenting with photography, planning her next Disney World vacation and chasing after her kids.

   Susan loves to read YA fiction. Maybe it’s because her inner sixteen-year-old still wants to be prom queen. You can see what Susan’s up to and what she’s reading on her YouTube channel at : http://www.youtube.com/user/shewritesbooks. You can also follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/susansoares1

   Heart on a String is a post from Awesome Gang

9. Reflections Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boys

   About Reflections Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boys:

   Reflections Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boy is a Prayer book for teenagers looking to seek guidance in a world that is in constant change. In many ways it will help parents and their children bond as they come closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Author Michael Alexander Beas wrote this collection of prayer when he was only 14 years old. Somehow they have traveled with him over the course of 20 years,; that in itself is truly a miracle. Thanks to the world of self-publishing they can now be put in print and offered to you for reflection and prayer with your teenager.

   Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
   Visit the Author’s Website.
   Buy the Book On Amazon.
   Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
   Goodreads Profile Page

   Author Bio:
   Michael Alexander Beas holds an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management; none of which has anything to do with writing novels. He spent over a dozen years working in banking, telecommunications and commercial insurance. In those industries, he dedicated the bulk of his time selling products and services to customers. He has always enjoyed writing but busy schedules never gave him the time needed to follow the dream of completing a novel. Then one day, life gave him the opportunity to fulfill that dream. Beas lives in Waxhaw, N.C. with his family.

   Reflections Prayers from the Heart of a 14 Year Old Boys is a post from Awesome Gang

10. Busting Your Corporate Idol: Self-Help for the Chronically Overworked

    About Busting Your Corporate Idol: Self-Help for the Chronically Overworked:

    Tired of stress at home because you are thinking about work all the time?

    Recovering workaholic and celebrated life coach Dr. Greg Marcus shares the story of how he cut his hours by a third in a way that made him more productive at work. Busting Your Corporate Idol offers a step-by-step approach so you can too.

    “Busting Your Corporate Idol” tells stories from the corporate world the way it really is – where “successful people” secretly suffer from stress-related illnesses, and selfless people become depressed because they don’t understand that some people will never reciprocate. You will learn how to avoid these pitfalls, and what to do when you find yourself stuck in those situations.

    In this book you see the exact method Dr. Greg Marcus used to reduce his hours by a third while becoming more productive at work. He did this in less than a year, without changing jobs, and in a toxic environment. You’ll see step by step how you can do the same thing.

    Understand the Root Cause of Overwork

    The book starts by explaining that values and priorities determine our decisions and actions. The key to living a happier and more balanced life is a shift from company to people. As you read, Busting Your Corporate Idol, will teach you:

    Who to trust at work

    How to debunk cognitive illusions that lead to stress, anxiety, and longer hours

    Why you risk becoming depressed if you don’t understand your corporate culture

    Work Less, Achieve More

    Many books teach you how to cope with stress, recognize depression, or practice time management. Useful skills, but not a long-term solution. More important is a step-by-step approach to change the habits that lead to the overworked lifestyle. In Busting Your Corporate Idol you will learn to:

    Reduce stress, not cope with stress

    Say no to the boss while becoming better appreciated for what you do

    Protect yourself from politics and backstabbing

    Find a community of people who will stick with you no matter what

    Start right away with a small step to bring more balance to your life, AND become more effective at work

    Are you ready for a shot of hope that you can reduce stress and anxiety without having to quit your job or undergo a career change? Download the book, read the first page, and you’ll understand why this book has so many Five Star Reviews.

    Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
    Visit the Author’s Website.
    Buy the Book On Amazon.
    Visit the Facebook Fan Page.
    Goodreads Profile Page

    Author Bio:
    Dr. Greg Marcus is a recovering workaholic who helps the chronically overworked find life balance through his writing, public speaking, and personal coaching. He has a Ph.D from MIT in molecular biology, and worked for ten years as a marketer in Silicon Valley. In one year Dr Greg went from working 90 hours a week to less than 60 without changing jobs, while at the same time accelerating his career.

    In his own words:

    “I’m serious when I tell you that you’ll never have more time unless you take it for yourself. Thinking that you’ll have more time in the future is the most common mistake, and one that can have terrible consequences. When has the company ever told you to work less? I used to think that the day after the product launch, or the first of the year, I would have all kinds of time. Somehow it never worked out that way. I was so behind on my other deliverables that I needed to catch up. Or, my boss gave me a new project. Or, the completion of the project raised a bunch of new issues to address. Most of all, I want you to remember this: When you work less, you’re worth more.”

    Dr. Greg is a stay-at-home dad, speaker, author and life coach, and lives in the SF Bay Area with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time, he runs the Idolbuster Coaching Institute, which he founded in 2013

    Busting Your Corporate Idol: Self-Help for the Chronically Overworked is a post from Awesome Gang