Over the next several weeks, I have the pleasure and privilege of being the launch blog for a few talented authors on their latest blog tours. To kick things off, here is my friend from across the sea: Kate Tenbeth. Join her here: http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2013/03/blog-tour-kate-tenbeth.html

Okay, maybe not me (that sounds needy), but I do have something for you to listen to. http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2013/02/listen-to-me.html

Find out what happened to me - http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2013/01/running-late.html

Coming Very Soon!

The third volume in the Boochi Malloochi series.

Since finding the treasure chest, Boochi and her family have experienced surprises at every turn, and there trip to Antigua has been no exception.

Now she will find out the true mystery behind the treasure chest, and more stories about Rimiricas's travels.

Boochi will also learn about the pirates, who just might be seeking to steal the chest away from her.

Be sure to check out the mini-book…

You know, the small town in Amish Country, Lancaster PA?

What did you think I meant? Find out at http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2012/12/lets-talk-about-intercourse.html

Author interviews, writing and marketing tips and lots of free books!

The Mystery We Write Blog Tour starts Monday, November 26th.…

Recently, I started a new series with my friend, Giovanni. It was a relatively new experience diving into the world of Amish fiction. I did not quite know what to expect, but we ended up with something totally unique and outrageous.

To find out more and enter the giveaway, please visit my official blog: http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2012/11/ebook-giveaway.html

Hollywood Shakedown WEEKEND!!!

Mark Barry's feel good thriller and intelligent airport novel, is FREE this weekend for Kindle, Ipad, Ipod and laptop Kindle simulators. That's FREE!! A once only offer.

Links:

UK:…

I have known Giovanni Gelati for quite some time. He's interviewed me more than once on The G-Zone BlogTalkRadio Show. We've written together (A Prince in Trenton, Seriously?). Our latest collaboration is The Defective Amish Detective - Volume 1 - The Whoopie Pie Affair. It is a humorous story, that one might call a cozy mystery. Both of us had the goal of telling a fun story, while holding the Amish with utmost respect. With the "defects" of our main character, it ended up being a story…

This November, The Adventures of Boochi Malloochi, is promoting a fundraiser for Trees for Troops. This is a fantastic organization that supports families with loved ones in military service around the world. Trees for Troops, provides Christmas trees, decorations and assistance for the Christmas…

My mystery/suspense novel, Mixed Messages, takes place the last week of October, which, of course, includes Halloween. As I was doing research for the book, I discovered some interesting facts about the combination secular and religious origin and history of…

So Giovanni had this idea and he issued a challenge to me. Find out the result on my official blog: http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-and-different.html

The Pirate Ship, has arrived at port!

Now you can learn about Boochi's next adventure, as she gets a visit from a mysterious stranger, which leads her and her family on a journey full of new treasure and surprises!

Available exclusively at:…

The time has come...the waiting is almost over...

The Pirate Ship is set to dock very soon...this September 19th, you can find out what suprises arrive at Boochi's door.

She will embark on a journey with her family, and a mysterious stranger to a far away land, to discover more…

For the past few weeks, whenever I had the chance, I've been working on a book trailer for my mystery novel, Mixed Messages, and I've finally completed it.

I'd never done a trailer before and, let me tell you, creating it was both frustrating and fun. I can laugh now when I think about how many times my computer locked up, just as I was getting close to the end. Of course, I had to reboot and…

Like most children, Boochi Malloochi loves adventure, and living near the ocean gives Boochi even more reason to believe in adventure--she thinks there is buried treasure somewhere beneath the sand on the beach where she plays. Armed with her trusty bucket and shovel, Boochi sets out to find the perfect spot to dig up pirate treasure!…

In 1965-1966, my main interests were boys, learning how to drive so I could get my driver’s license and school, pretty much in that order. So I paid little attention to the news, never realizing how what was going on then (in my city) would mirror the novel I would write many years later.

You see, I learned something recently that actually gave me chills. From October 1965 to December 1966, a man…

Words have power. They can make someone’s day. (“You have beautiful eyes.”) Or, they can break someone’s heart. (“I don’t love you anymore.”) We writers know about proper sentence structure and how to place our carefully chosen words within a sentence to create the effect we want. And we strive to do that in our novels.

But what about in our daily interactions with others? Do we stop and think how we want to phrase something before we open our mouths or type a quick reply to an email?…

I’m a morning person. Most days, as soon as I wake up, I’m alert and ready to start my day. After coffee, of course. That’s why I choose to write in the morning; I’m fresh and at my best. When I’m writing, whether it’s the first draft of a manuscript or a rewrite, I focus on that. I don’t even check my email or answer my phone until I’m satisfied that I’ve produced the day’s writing. It’s too easy for me to get sidetracked, responding to emails, posting on Face Book and…

In real life, when we hear of someone doing something bizarre or out of character, we often wonder, “What on earth possessed him to do that?” And, if we know the person, we might even think “That’s not like him.” But, since we know that he did it, we have no choice but to shrug our shoulders, shake our heads, accept it and move on. It happened; it’s a fact. In real life.

In fiction, writers don’t have that luxury. If one of our characters behaves in…