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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Welcome, Author Larry Hammersley!


                                  A Man of Both Science and Letters...                                                           Larry Hammersley

As we continue our Summer of '17 Blog Tour, I am delighted to welcome author Larry Hammersley. He grew up in Williams, Indiana, and is the author of numerous books (there are so many it's hard to keep track! But I know there are at least 8!). Here are a few covers:






In addition, he enjoyed a long and successful career as a professional chemist for many years. Let's let him tell you about himself and then get to our discussion:


"I graduated from Purdue in January 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and from IU in January 1975 with a Master of Science in chemistry.  I worked as a civil service chemist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, IN, for forty years, the first twenty years analyzing explosives and the second twenty years analyzing missile battery components.
I was born in Alexandria, IN, May 6, 1938 and we moved to Williams, IN in 1942 when grandpa Hammersley died.  Sue and I were married on December 29, 1962 and had three children: Tisha, Eric and Lisa.    We have three granddaughters and four grandsons. One of our grandsons, Townes, age nine, lives with us."

Fascinating! Thank you, Larry.

And now to our discussion. Remember, leave a comment with your email address and you will be eligible to win a book from Larry and a $10 Amazon gift card from me. Now to Larry!!






Welcome to my blog, Larry. What is your newest book about?
The Vanishing Shed follows Buddy Wilson throughout his life. At an early age he sees a shed on the horizon but no one else can see it. It vanishes as he walks toward it. The older he gets the closer he can get to the shed before it winks out. As he lives out his life, the shed continually haunts him. He falls in love with Nina during college and they are finally married. At the point of death Buddy can finally enter the shed to learn its meaning.
Where did you get your inspiration for this novel/book/work?
As a child I saw a dark square on the horizon from my childhood home backyard. Also I had a crush on an older girl early on and my college studies in chemistry plays a dominant part.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
My childhood home setting and the days I studied for my BS degree in chemistry at Purdue made the storyline a given.
Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?
Yes, not the romance, but the difficulties I had in my pursuit of a degree in chemistry, my interface with professors and course work many of which contained truth.
What intrigues you most about writing these stories?
I am guilty of living in the past so my attraction for this type story allows me to relive my past times in college.

Tell us a bit about your other books.
I have two science fiction novels out that have excitement in our solar system and beyond. Clean romance occurs in one and a man is reunited with his missing wife and daughter in the other. My first novel was a sweet romance story, A Change of Heart, also centered in a college and work place setting. I have numerous short stories at various places on the internet, all sweet romance stories, many of which are college based.
Which of all your characters is your favorite?
That is tough to center on just one character. I must pick Buddy and Nina in the shed novel in this interview.

How did you get started in this genre?
I started reading and later writing science fiction. Since most of the SF stories included romance I naturally moved into strictly romance as well.

When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?
Early on I read Isaac Asimov. Later I enjoyed Doris Piserchia’s novels. She is still living in her late eighties but doesn’t write anymore. The both wrote science fiction.
Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.
Favorite meal? City you would love to visit and why?
I suppose exploring some dangerous and unexplored caves in Lawrence and Martin County near where I live. This was when I was in early teens to early twenties.

Favorite Meal: I love Tapioca Pudding and despite that being a dessert when I make a batch it is for six people but I make a meal out of it and eat it all.

City to visit. I would like to return to Nome, Alaska where I was sent on my job a long time ago. I was there in an October, it was rainy but the charisma of Alaska affected me deeply. I would like to take a trip down the Rhine River in Germany. I saw a tape in my German class at Purdue of barges floating down this beautiful river.

Thank you so much, Larry, just fascinating!
To learn more about this author, visit his website at http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/ Also at Amazon by typing in my name in the search bar of Amazon. You’ll find all their books at this site.


Links:
Higher Mission at http://burstbooks.ca/
A Change of Heart at http://www.wings-press.com
The Silver Dart and The Vanishing Shed at Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery until they close their doors in the next few months.
A number of short stories are available at Smashwords, Wild Rose Press, and Amazon by typing in my name in the search box.
The Shunammite Woman, an Old Testament character, part fiction/part nonfiction self-published via Create Space and on Amazon.
Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”! Please visit again soon.
I wish you many sales!!

Remember to leave your email with your comment for a chance to win one of Larry's books as well as a $10 Amazon gift card!

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Author Laurean Brooks and A Medley of Inspirational Romance

                              Welcome, Author Laurean Brooks!

             It's a joy to welcome author Laurean Brooks to Gina's World of Good for a visit and giveaway this week. Laurie is kicking off my Summer of '17 Blog Tour with a discussion of her book "A Medley of Inspirational Romance". She will be giving away a copy and I will award a $10 Amazon gift card. We look forward to your comments. 



1. How and when did you know you were destined to write?
My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Mary Brann first inspired me by announcing to the class, “One day, Laurie will be an author.” She must have seen something in me that I didn't see in myself. I was a self-conscious, timid child, but when I read aloud the stories I'd written, the timidity seemed to dissolve. Within a few seconds I would have the class laughing. I still add plenty of humor and wit to my stories. I enjoy making readers laugh, even when the tone is serious.

2. What is A Medley Of Inspirational Romance about?
This book includes four heartwarming romances that portray true-to-life characters who struggle to let go of their pasts through God's healing, and move on to find enduring relationships.



3. Where did you get your inspiration for these stories?
Some came from personal experience. Others came from other people's experiences. The first title, Jonquils In The Snow was inspired by an ice storm that hit our area a few years ago. Most residents were without electricity nine days.

4. Which character in these four stories do you most admire?
I fall in love with all my main characters, but one comes to mind now. Amanda Wilkes in, A Decision Of Trust, is spunky and persistent, no matter what life throws at her. After her playboy husband's body is found in his mangled Porsche with his young secretary's, Amanda has important decisions to make. Especially since her deceased husband gambled away their savings. This story is longer than the other three, so Amanda's character is more developed. I delved into her emotions—got inside her head to show readers her anger and fears, and built on her growing attraction to Attorney Jake Tyler.

5. Which character was your favorite antagonist?
This is a tough decision. I can't decide between these two--the conniving Nelson in Severed Hearts who schemes to get Julie for himself, or jealous secretary Corinne in, A Decision Of Trust, who steals a file to get newcomer Amanda fired.

6. Which character touched you the most out of these four stories?
Rob Canter in Over The Coals. His boisterous, flirtatious personality is an attempt to hide a long-kept secret from even his closest friends. Jill sees more to Rob than meets the eye. Why does he change the subject when she asks about his past? She digs to uncover the truth. Will it destroy their relationship?

About The Author:
Inspirational Romance author Laurean Brooks grew up in Palmersville, Tennessee, a small close-knit community where everybody knew everybody's business and nobody got away with anything. Your parents knew the whole story (usually embellished), before you got home.

A Medley Of Inspirational Romance is available in print or e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Smashwords. Also, each story is available separately for download at Smashwords and Amazon.



Laurie, thank you so much for visiting with me this week. I wish you all the best!

Readers, don't miss out on a chance to win this heartwarming book and an Amazon gift card. Leave your questions and comments for Laurie now!

And join me June 9-19 for our next Summer of '17 blog tour author, an exciting visit with author Larry Hammersley as well as a giftcard giveaway.