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Jersey’s Secret Assassin – World War 3 Looms As Sniper Stalks Political Leaders

April 19, 2013 in Action & Adventure, Books, crime, Espionage, Fiction, Military Fiction

Jersey’s Secret Assassin – an Action, Adventure & Suspense Novel by Eddie Kirkup

A story that starts in Jersey in the Channel Islands and is concluded in Cyprus, another island, but this time in the Mediterranean, a little nearer the maelstrom that is the Middle East. One connection between them is that two brothers each live on one of the islands. The story begins when Richard, living in Jersey, seems to have been the victim of a tragic domestic accident that results in his death. Frank, his brother, knows differently, not only had he been speaking to him shortly before he died but he also knew there was no way his brother would have died under the circumstances described. He may have been two thousand miles away but he knew his brother had been murdered. What he didn’t know: who was the secret assassin that killed him?

Secret Assassin

The Secret AssassinFrank does what only a brother must do, he travels to Jersey to find out for himself the truth of what has happened to his kid brother. One thing for sure is that whoever did this is going to be sorry. Richard may have been a reporter and used to getting his nose where it wasn’t wanted, but Frank was a different character entirely, he had no fear of physical conflict and was very capable of taking care of himself.  Something he was able to demonstrate very soon after his arrival in Jersey; much more effectively than the so called hard-cases of the criminal fraternity expected.

It doesn’t take long for Frank to make a few friends and a lot of enemies. He also realises that there are sinister undertones around his brother’ death and a connection with another, seemingly unrelated, death. He also discovers police corruption at the highest level, criminal activities and a secret plan to disrupt world peace. Problem is, who can he trust, who are the good guys and who are the assassins, criminals and murderers.

The Secret AssassinUnfortunately he finds out who some of the good guys are when they meet their demise trying to help him out. He manages to get out of Jersey before the same can be done to him and takes his story to Interpol. He gets short shrift from the CIA when he offers to help them find the killers. They make it clear that they place him as a rank amateur and advise him in the strongest terms that he should return to Cyprus and keep a low profile, while they and Interpol  deal with what are becoming serious criminal and political threats.

Trouble is Frank doesn’t know the meaning of ‘low profile’, especially when there are still assassins and criminals running around, one of which secretly murdered his brother.

Purchase this Book

If this sounds like an action-adventure and suspense story you might enjoy, it is available now in Kindle format from Amazon, you can purchase the book and be reading it in a matter of minutes. Use the links below:

Smashwords Listings

You can find out all about Eddie Kirkup on his author page using this link.

Reviews

For further information and a book  review, you can visit Amazon where Eddie is already picking up 5 star reviews

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Tuscan Cats get into Mischief

February 18, 2013 in Books, Childrens Illustrated Books, Fiction, Pets and Animals

Italian Cats Making MischiefThe Naughty Italian Cats Go on Holiday

This is the second in the series of popular childrens books by Laura Graham describing the adventures of the dancing, talking cats from Tuscany. The cats take charge as they spend a mischievous holiday in the sun at the country residence of their English mama and Italian babbo (Italian for father). But now there is a new usurper on the scene in the form of Spiritino, a tom cat from the local farm and a very attractive ‘Tom’ as far as Julie is concerned.

Talking Cats From TuscanySpiritino is no stranger to naughty behaviour himself and he sets himself the task of getting to know Rosetta and Julie a little better. Romantic cats, it could only happen in Italy, like a bit of adventure and before you know it all three cats are getting into all sorts of trouble, there is definitely a scent of amore in the air. But which of the girls gets the guy?

Julie is besotted with Spiritino, but Rosetta is not at all seduced by a common farm cat. Still Spiritino is not put off, he gets to know Julie and Rosetta a little better then introduces the ladies to a little wine and teaches them how to celebrate in a country style. So will a little merry making and a few well placed compliments change a girls mind, can Spiritino turn the girl’s heads and convince them that a life in the country may be just what they are looking for.

It goes without saying that these tales of cats misbehaving and the  games they play will have an appeal to all cat lovers. So can you resist the urge to find out what the outcome is? The cats in the eyes of their adoring owners can do no wrong, so how do they deal with the amorous advances of Spiritino? You will need to read the book to find out and I am willing to bet that even if you buy the book for one of your children, you will be the one that finds it very hard to put down!

 Purchase this Book

Available now from Amazon, you can purchase this tale of dancing cats, and  be reading it in minutes if you chose the Kindle version. Use the links below:

Smashwords Listings

Apple iTunes Lisitings

  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: USA
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: Australia
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: United Kingdom
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: Canada
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: France
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: Germany
  • Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief: Italy

Book Reviews

Eagerly awaited by me and my 8 year old granddaughter is Laura Graham’s further adventures of the marvelous speaking Tuscan cats! Now Spiritino enters the story and romance comes with him. Rosalbo’s charming illustrations enhance the characters of the cats, although they appear almost human with such clever linguistic skills too. Laura takes one into a magical world – but beware – once you start reading this glorious book you’ll find it impossible to put down!  – reference Francesca from amazon.co.uk

To see more reviews like this one, click Here

The Author

To find out more about Laura Graham, how to follow her and a little more about her life you can visit her author page – Laura Graham Children’s Author and Expat Writer An interesting lady who has managed to change her career from that of being a successful actress to one as a successful writer.

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Goodread’s Review

Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief (The Dancing, Talking Cats)Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief by Laura Graham

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A slightly more adult theme to this second in the series. Still a lovely book for children but with the introduction of Spiritino, the drinking of wine and amorous intentions, the appeal to adult lovers of cats definitely goes up a notch or two.

View all my reviews

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A Tale of Two Tuscan Cats

February 18, 2013 in Books, Childrens Illustrated Books, Fiction, Pets and Animals

Italian Cats from TusconyThe Talking, Dancing Cats of Tuscany

Who would have thought cats could talk in one language, never mind two. But these cats don’t just speak in both English and Italian, they are also dancing cats with aspirations to be famous Italian artists, or at least Rosetta is. Julie is a little less ambitious, she is just very gratefull to have been given a home by her beloved English mama. Rosetta on the other hand was born wild, a feral kitten saved from the forest and brought into the home of the English mama and her artistic Italian husband.

Italian CatsShe is very grand, very intelligent and takes life in her stride. She also manages to get Julie into all sorts of trouble with the games she plays. Some might say they were naughty cats that get up to mischief they shouldn’t, but they are both adored by their English mama, who is constantly entertained by their antics. Especially when she discovers just how talented they really are.

If cats could be human, they would definitely be considered prime candidates with their talking, dancing and artistic ambitions. This is a delightful story, written for children yes, but with an appeal to all cat lovers, children and adults alike.

Laura Graham moved to Italy to make a new start in life after working for many years as an actress in the UK. She is an avid cat lover and has an eye for their antics and behaviours which she has captured beautifully in this first of her series of cat stories and adventures in the Italian sun.

Also available is her second books ‘Tuscan Cats get into Mischief’, which is equally as appealing and introduces a male lothorio into proceedings in the form of Spiritino. A tom cat with an eye for the ladies, especially Rosetta and Julie who he discovers when they arrive in the country for a painting holiday with their adored babbo and their English mama.

 Purchase this Book

Available now from Amazon, you can purchase this tale of talking cats, and  be reading it in minutes if you chose the Kindle version. Use the links below:

Smashwords Listings

Apple iTune Listings

Book Reviews

A lovely read together book for the young and old who love cats, reading and the pleasure both bring. An ideal book for reading with pre-school children who love colourful illustrations and guessing what the mischievous cats are going to get up to next. Well done Laura, I look forward to more adventures of the Two Tuscan Cats! – reference Toonmaker on amazon.co.uk

You can find more reviews like this here

The Author

To find out more about Laura Graham, how to follow her and a little more about her life you can visit her author page – Laura Graham Children’s Author and Expat Writer An interesting lady who has managed to change her career from that of being a successful actress to one as a successful writer.

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Gay Before God, A Gay Romance Novel

February 4, 2013 in Books, Fiction, Gay Novels, Romantic Novels

Gay Before GodA love letter is written and destroyed; a mother disapproves of her son’s sexual orientation and desperately wants to prevent his gay lover from having any contact with him when he becomes seriously ill.

Gay Romance NovelThe lover is a married man with two children, holds a high position within the church, and needs to know his new lover’s true feelings. He stands to lose everything – wife, children, and his career. But if he knew for sure that this was a real and valued relationship then he might just be prepared to pay that price.

Hypocrisy reigns as members of the church hierarchy take steps to prevent what they see as a looming scandal. Never mind that some of them harbour secrets about their own sexual orientation, they choose to put God before their gay inclinations. They are career men prepared to sacrifice their personal feeling for advancement within the sanctity of the church and take a dim view of anyone who isn’t prepared to do the same. A scandal such as this can damage the reputation of the church, they feel, and that cannot be allowed to happen.

Can I be Gay and Christian?

This is a question that few gay romance novels tackle; to be both gay and Christian for many is considered to be a contradiction in terms, a forbidden love. They will say there is no gay God and there can be no gay church, but real life is not like that. Some Christians are gay and some of those decide to work for the church. This gay love story examines the dilemmas they face. Must they choose to conceal their true feelings in order to pursue a their calling within the church?

Gay Romance NovelsSurely, all Christians have a right to worship their God and live their lives in a compassionate and caring way according to their Christian beliefs, despite their sexual orientation? And even if they work for the church.

The church professes itself to be modern and all embracing, so when one of their flock has a gay awakening, a realisation that his marriage to a woman is no more than a façade for him to hide behind, then surely he has every right to think that this will be both accepted and tolerated. The reality is, however, that instead of acceptance and tolerance, he now faces hostility, not just from his superiors in the church, but also from family and friends. None of this helps him as he tries to deal and come to terms with what is already a complicated and delicate situation.

He has found true love, but the relationship is balanced on a knife edge; serious illness intervenes and the family, with a less than sympathetic perspective on the situation, get control, with one objective in mind: to end this fledgling relationship.

The easy option is to kowtow to the pressure of the church, return to the security of a straight relationship with his wife,  and leave his gay lover to his plight. Certainly that is consensus against him – hardly a Christian posture!

Purchase this Book

Available now from Amazon, you can purchase this story of gay romance in the church, and  be reading it in minutes. Use the links below:

Gay Before God, An Awakening Love Forbidden By The Church - £1.99 from Amazon UK

Gay Before God, An Awakening Love Forbidden By The Church - $2.99 from Amazon USA

Book Extracts

~ Yesterday Rachel got a recording of the conversation in the post. Word for word she could listen to what I said to Terry. Victor wrote a note to say it showed I was a serial liar, I had always slept around, and Terry was just one amongst many.”
Charles said nothing to contradict what was said. It suited him to be silent.
“To make a secret recording and use it in that way was so wrong,” went on James “and it is not like Terry.” ~

~At the same time a meeting was taking place in bishop’s study.
“I cannot see why we are discussing this,” the archdeacon was obviously irritated. “There is a full agenda to get through.”
“I just wanted the matter finalised,” said the bishop, somewhat apologetically.
“Well, as far as I am concerned he is out of our hands,” replied the archdeacon. “He chose to resign, and that is that!” ~

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Website Marketing & SEO Guide for Beginners

January 21, 2013 in Books, Internet and computers, Non Fiction

SEO for beginnersSEO for Content Writers

Content writers refers to anyone that has to produce and publish information on the Internet, primarily in the form of static website pages, as blog posts or as articles. On page optimization is a technique all content writers should consider, as it is critical to ensure publications are found, indexed and returned in search results by search engines.

What is organic search engine optimization?

This web marketing guide introduces the reader to the best SEO strategy for populating a web page or post in terms of the biggest bang for their buck. Where keywords should be located, why each web page on a website needs to be different to the others and unique in it’s own right (unless of course duplicated content is openly declared) and what information should be included in the <head> section of a website so that search engines can quickly and easily determine the subject matter of a website and match that page to enquiries that are being made in search engines.

What is Organic Search Engine Optimisation?

Organic search optimisation differs SEO utilising free natural traffic methods from paid advertising SEO. Organic equals natural and, when it encompasses the process of link building or social signals, is the preferred option of major search engines such as Google, not forgetting of course that they would ultimately prefer you to use a paid advertising campaign utilising their ‘Adwords‘ facility so that they can earn money from your efforts.

This guide walks you through the search engine optimization secrets for producing website copy that will bring traffic to a webpage using on-page optimisation techniques and introduces you to the best methods for off-page optimisation, including Google’s own recommendations for building links to a website page. The primary objective of course being to secure a place on the first page of the search engine results for keyword terms that are actually searched for.

Optimising a Website

The optimisation of a website relies heavily on identifying the correct keywords that are used by people searching for the information, products or services which relate to a specific website page, blog post or article. Included in the guide is a basic free method for identifying keywords that can be used to help in the selection of keywords for your specific niche.  Even a basic analysis is far better than just guessing or no analysis at all.

Once the correct keywords have been identified, using them in the right way for your content and link building activities becomes the priority and the methods for doing this are clearly explained, along with a few methods that should be avoided so that you do not incur the wrath of the big search engines for utilising bad practices or black hat techniques.

It goes without saying that website SEO optimisation is a bit of a moving target but if you are aware of the basic techniques that have stood the test of time and are the core principles of SEO practices then you can be confident that your efforts will not be in vain. That is why this web marketing guide will prove to be a valuable reference for years to come.

Purchase this Book

Available now in Kindle format from Amazon, you can purchase the book and be reading it in a matter of minutes. Use the links below:

Smashwords Listings

Book Extracts

Below are a few short paragraphs from various chapters of the book:

Keyword Optimisation

So first let’s dispel a little myth, “keyword density is important”. Actually no, it’s not, and the reason why is the law of diminishing returns. You select your primary keyword or keyword phrase and you mention it once, that’s good. Then you mention it again, that’s still good. Now you go mad and stick it in every other sentence, but frankly you are wasting your time and what you are also doing is potentially alienating your human audience, because the content starts to suffer in terms of readability.

Page Rank Sculpting

First of all an explanation of what page rank sculpting is. Essentially it is about how links are used to pass page rank to another page. So, for example, if your home page is say a PR4 and you link from there to eight other pages, those eight pages will get a little share of the authority coming from the PR4 page.

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You can see the author’s profile using this link Brian Stephens – Author

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