Wonder Weapons of World War Two at Dark Roasted Blend

Check out my article Wonder Weapons of World War Two at Dark Roasted Blend.

The Second World War was a period of remarkable advances in technology and many new weapons were invented during this period, some of which entered production and actually saw service in the war, while others never left the drawing board.

Most of us are familiar with the secret weapons the Nazis had at their disposal in the last months of the war that were expected to turn the tide against the Allies. However, Germany had a reputation as a scientifically advanced nation well before the outbreak of hostilities in 1939. At the beginning of the war, the Germans had a significant advantage in many areas of military technology, although it lost the lead, for a variety of reasons, as the war progressed.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Writers Help and Advice: Coaching Program for Writers

Writing is by nature a solitary occupation and can be a lonely business, without the benefit of hordes of cheering fans on the sidelines. A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions, send your work to and receive constructive feedback, a guide to help you with your writing as you try to build your career as a professional writer. A writing coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, help you to regain momentum and get back to your writing or make a start on a new project. 

My coaching program is designed to help you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. For example, I can be your coach for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations. Just a few examples of topics we can cover during the coaching period are point of view, creating characters, developing dialogue, story structure, editing and revision, marketing and promotion and submissions to publishers. However, I am very flexible and happy to discuss your own unique requirements and areas where you feel that you may need the most help. 

In addition to coaching, on my website you can learn more about my other services for writers, such as online workshops for adults, manuscript evaluation and online workshops for children and young adults.

Vote for The Time Camera for the People's Book Prize

The Time Camera is now a showcased title for the summer collection for The People's Book Prize in the UK this year. 

Please vote for The Time Camera before August 31. You can learn more about The People's Book Prize and register to vote for The Time Camera here.

The Time Camera - Synopsis

The massive explosion in which Eleanor Chamberlain died at her research laboratory was widely seen as a tragic accident. Or was it the perfect crime? Two years later, Jake and Lydia discover a mysterious camera, capable of taking pictures of the distant past and more ominously, of the future. As they uncover the shocking truth and learn of secrets that someone will kill to protect, Jake and Lydia are soon propelled into a deadly and desperate race against time in order to save the future.

Online Writing Workshops for Children and Young Adults

With my Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults, through a series of e mail assignments, details of which are available here, we explore where ideas come from and how to turn them into stories, basic story structure, plot development, creating characters, developing dialogue and more to help develop writing ability. A set of workshops can be started at any time. Following registration, all assignments are sent by e mail and are completed at your own pace, to be sent to me by return e mail. There is no time limit and participants may take as long as they wish to complete their full set of workshops.

Check out Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults today.

Great Review of The Time Camera

Here's a review of The Time Camera in CM Magazine published the Manitoba Library Association

excerpt:

“It’s a camera,” Lydia said.

“It’s not a type I’m familiar with,” Jake said.

Like any digital camera, it had a screen on the back, but there were more buttons than usual. The controls were unfamiliar to Jake. “I can’t even tell which of these buttons is supposed to turn it on.

But as Jake tried pressing different buttons, the screen suddenly activated. “Okay,” he said, “let’s see if it works.”

Lydia stood in front of the desk. Jake aimed the camera at her and took a picture. However, when he pressed what looked like the display button, a different image appeared on the screen. It was not Lydia. Eleanor was standing where Lydia should have been, working at her desk.

“That’s weird,” he murmured

Lydia Chamberlain’s mom was a scientist who died while trying to conceal a secret from her research partner. The explosion that took her life consumed her confidential paperwork, but her laptop and camera were protected. They were in a safe place. When Lydia and her friend Jake find these items years later, they discover the danger behind her research in time photography involved someone they trusted. The pair try to conceal their discovery from ‘Uncle’ Magnus, but it’s impossible to hide a secret from someone when that person can also manipulate time.

      With a turn of a camera knob, Albertan author Simon Rose (The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Doomsday Mask) takes readers back to the past and into the future. When Jake and Lydia have the camera in their possession, they see the impossible; Paris in the eighteenth century; a crime before it’s about to happen, and someone who’s already dead. There are no illustrations in this book, but the chapters containing excerpts from Eleanor Chamberlain’s research highlight the suspenseful moments. This story will have children thinking about the good, and bad things, that could happen in a world where time travel is possible.

Recommended.

Tanya Boudreau is a librarian at the Cold Lake Public Library in Cold Lake, AB.

Great Review of The Doomsday Mask in Midwest Book Review

“The Doomsday Mask" is a thrilling page-gripper of a mystery that has 12- year- old Josh and almost-14-year-old Erica scrambling with their grandfather, an adopted Canadian survivor of WW II Germany, in a race for clues to construct and protect the Mask of Kulkaan to prevent it from being used for evil world domination purposes by the corrupt Crystalline Order.

In a race against time and history, the two sleuths adventure fearlessly with their grandfather in locations ranging from Niagara Falls and Santa Marta, Mexico in the present day, to the lost island of Atlantis 10,000 years ago. Danger lurks everywhere as does the course of history and even prehistory.

Juvenile readers from 10-14 will be spellbound by "The Doomsday Mask," and they will learn a bit of interesting world history and paleontology along the way. Although "The Doomsday Mask" may be considered to be science fiction fantasy/adventure, it is solidly grounded in facts of known prehistorical events and speculates from these logically.

Midwest Book Review, December 2009

Writers Help and Advice: Coaching Program for Writers

Writing is by nature a solitary occupation and can be a lonely business, without the benefit of hordes of cheering fans on the sidelines. A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions, send your work to and receive constructive feedback, a guide to help you with your writing as you try to build your career as a professional writer. A writing coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, help you to regain momentum and get back to your writing or make a start on a new project. 

My coaching program is designed to help you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. For example, I can be your coach for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations. Just a few examples of topics we can cover during the coaching period are point of view, creating characters, developing dialogue, story structure, editing and revision, marketing and promotion and submissions to publishers. However, I am very flexible and happy to discuss your own unique requirements and areas where you feel that you may need the most help. 

In addition to coaching, on my website you can learn more about my other services for writers, such as online workshops for adults, manuscript evaluation and online workshops for children and young adults.

The Time Camera - 'A rollercoaster thrill ride of an adventure.'

The Time Camera, my latest novel for middle grade readers, is available from bookstores, online locations and autographed copies are always available directly from the author. 

The Time Camera - Synopsis

The massive explosion in which Eleanor Chamberlain died at her research laboratory was widely seen as a tragic accident. Or was it the perfect crime? Two years later, Jake and Lydia discover a mysterious camera, capable of taking pictures of the distant past and more ominously, of the future. As they uncover the shocking truth and learn of secrets that someone will kill to protect, Jake and Lydia are soon propelled into a deadly and desperate race against time in order to save the future.

Check out details of my other novels, The Doomsday Mask, The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox and The Alchemist's Portrait on my website. 

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Eight

Here are some more great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

"I read your story The Alchemist’s Portrait. I like your story a lot. It’s excellent, it’s also inspiring, it was interesting, it was awesome."

"I loved your book. It was fantastic. Is there going to be a movie?"

"At my school we read a really good book. It is called The Alchemist’s Portrait . I love that book! It was magical, adventurous and it really brought me into the story. It also captures your imagination so quickly! How do you do it?"

"I got your book yesterday, The Alchemist’s Portrait. And I couldn't stop reading it! It was so great! You’re a wonderful writer. Not very many writers can write a story like that! I can't wait to buy your Sorcerer's Letterbox!"

"I really liked your book The Alchemist’s Portrait. I think your book is better than any other books."

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Online Writing Workshops for Children and Young Adults

With my Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults, through a series of e mail assignments, details of which are available here, we explore where ideas come from and how to turn them into stories, basic story structure, plot development, creating characters, developing dialogue and more to help develop writing ability. A set of workshops can be started at any time. Following registration, all assignments are sent by e mail and are completed at your own pace, to be sent to me by return e mail. There is no time limit and participants may take as long as they wish to complete their full set of workshops.

Check out Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults today.

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Seven

Here are some more great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

"My class and I read your book, The Alchemist’s Portrait. I think it is a fantastic and adventurous book to read. It captures your imagination. It is amazing how people like you can write such interesting and excellent books."

"I love your book The Alchemist’s Portrait and it was inspiring, amazing, and great. I’d love to read it again. Is there a number two?"

"The Alchemist’s Portrait was really good and exciting. The book was inspiring. Please write more books."

"The Alchemist’s Portrait was the best book that I have ever read"

"Your book, The Alchemist’s Portrait , really reminded me of Harry Potter series and that’s good because I really love Harry Potter. Anyway, hope you keep on making more books."

"I love your book. It’s so magical."

"I liked your book. Can you write another book like it with magical powers?"

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Corporate Writing Services - Blogs and Newsletters

I offer professional and cost effective writing services for websites, blogs and newsletters, menus for restaurants, newspaper and magazine advertising, brochures, press releases, direct mail, training materials, reports, manuals and more. 

Copywriting for Blogs and Newsletters 

These days, more and more people make use of blogs for their online presence. Companies and corporations also recognize the importance of blogs in keeping in touch with both their existing and potential customers, delivering fresh and updated content on a regular basis. Others still use newsletters, distributed by e mail. However, actually finding the time to communicate with your clients several times a week can be a challenge. Why not hire a professional to compose the blog entries or newsletters for you?

Contact me directly for rates and fees at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com

The Time Camera and The People's Book Prize

It's always nice to get some recognition for your books and The Time Camera is included in the list of books making up the summer collection for The People's Book Prize in the UK this year. 


You can learn more about The People's Book Prize and register to vote for The Time Camera here.

The Split History of World War II

The Split History of World War II is part of the 2012 Capstone Young Readers non-fiction series from Compass Point Books. For ages 10 to 14, it will be published this summer.


'When World War I ended in 1918, it was called, "the war to end all wars." But it wasn't. Unsettled issues and resentments festered for the next 20 years, culminating in the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia in the 1930s. The Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan, joined to fight the Allies, led by the U.S., the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.' 


You can learn more about the book and the series at the Capstone Young Readers website.


This is just the first of many non-fiction titles I have coming out this summer. Stay tuned for more news.

Corporate Writing Services - Websites

I offer professional and cost effective writing services for websites, blogs and newsletters, menus for restaurants, newspaper and magazine advertising, brochures, press releases, direct mail, training materials, reports, manuals and more. 

Copywriting for Websites 

Today, websites play a crucial role in the way the world does business. Companies lacking an online presence might as well be invisible. You may have the world’s greatest product or service, but if no one knows about it, then it might as well not exist. You need to get yourself online if you want to get noticed and you need to hire a professional to create your webpage content.

Contact me directly for rates and fees at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Six

Here are some some great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

"I just read 'The Alchemist's Portrait' today. I thought it was really excellent. Can't wait to read more of your stuff."

"I just finished reading your book. It is great! I haven't read a children's book in a while that I enjoyed as much as The Alchemist's Portrait. I will be recommending your book to anyone looking for a good kid's story."

"The book is so good I can’t STOP READING!"

"I have never really liked reading but your books make it fun. I loved the Alchemist’s Portrait and I can’t wait to read the Sorcerer’s Letterbox. I loved the suspense built in and we didn’t even get to chapter four!"

"I loved your book The Alchemist’s Portrait. It captures your imagination. YOU HAVE TO WRITE MORE BOOKS!"

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Great Reviews of The Alchemist's Portrait - Part Five

Here are some great reader comments about The Alchemist's Portrait 

“I just read ‘The Alchemist’s Portrait’ today. I thought it was really excellent. Can’t wait to read more of your stuff.”

“I just finished reading your book. It is great! I haven’t read a children’s book in a while that I enjoyed as much as The Alchemist’s Portrait. I will be recommending your book to anyone looking for a good kid’s story.”

“The book is so good I can’t STOP READING!”

“I have never really liked reading but your books make it fun. I loved the Alchemist’s Portrait and I can’t wait to read the Sorcerer’s Letterbox. I loved the suspense built in and we didn’t even get to chapter four!”

“I loved your book The Alchemist’s Portrait. It captures your imagination. YOU HAVE TO WRITE MORE BOOKS!”

The Alchemist's Portrait is available at most online bookstores, which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.