Mike Dellosso's Book Tour

I want to introduce all of my readers to Mike Dellosso. I met Mike on a board for writers where he shared with us his news that he has cancer. His struggle to continue with his active life while sharing day-to-day battles impressed me. I hope you will take the time to read his book information and then maybe pick up a copy!

A town’s deadly secret will drive one man to the edge of his faith…Debut novelist Mike Dellosso delivers a spine-tingling drama in the style of Frank Peretti and Stephen King.
Novelist Mike Dellosso offers a bone-chilling mystery about the town of Dark Hills and the deadly secrets it holds, in his first novel, The Hunted, to be released June 3, 2008.

Joe Saunders is determined to unravel the mystery surrounding the brutal mauling of his nephew.
Police Chief Maggie Gill is determined to protect the mystery surrounding her family’s deadly secret.
But neither is prepared for the truth when the mystery revealed uncovers the horror that is lurking in the shadows of Dark Hills.
After learning of the disappearance of his nephew, Joe Saunders returns to his childhood home of Dark Hills to aid in the search effort. When Caleb is found, badly mauled and clinging to life, Joe embarks on a mission to find the beast responsible. But the more Joe delves into the fabric of his old hometown, the more he realizes Dark Hills has a dark secret, shrouded for three generations in a deadly code of silence. As Joe unravels the truth behind a series of unexplained animal attacks, murder, and corruption at the highest level of law enforcement, he is led to a final showdown where he must entrust his very life into God’s hands.

About the AuthorBorn in Baltimore, Maryland, Mike now lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jen, and their three daughters. He writes a monthly column for Writer . . .Interrupted, was a newspaper correspondent/columnist for over three years, has published several articles for The Candle of Prayer inspirational booklets, and has edited and contributed to numerous Christian-themed Web sites and e-newsletters. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, the Relief Writer’s Network, and International Thriller Writers. He received his BA degree in sports exercise and medicine from Messiah College and his MBS degree in theology from Master’s Graduate School of Divinity.

Praise for The Hunted:A great first book from an exciting new author! A vicious enemy, a family secret, a thirst for revenge, and a need for reconciliation all drive The Hunted from intriguing beginning to thrilling conclusion. Skillful prose and great storytelling make Mike Dellosso a writer to watch. I can’t wait for his next book!—Kathryn Mackel, author of Vanished
Mike Dellosso delivers a spine-tingling tale of hidden secrets, buried hopes and second chances. Interwoven through page-turning drama is the truth about vengeance and the triumph of God’s mysterious ways. The Hunted is a story best read with all the lights on and an extra flashlight handy–just in case!—Amy Wallace, author of Ransomed Dreams
Something’s coming for you… and you might not be able to stop it. Read this someplace safe as you experience the incredibly descriptive world of The Hunted through the vivid writing and spine-tingling imagination of Mike Dellosso. And sleep with the lights on.—Austin Boyd, author of the Mars Hill Classified trilogy.

With hints of Frank Peretti and Stephen King, The Hunted is a chilling debut. Author Mike Dellosso is certain to make his mark in Christian fiction.—Creston Mapes, author of Nobody
Mike Dellosso’s pins and needles thriller hurtles the reader down a dark and twisted path. Flickers of faith light the way, and fateful decisions determine the outcome of a horrifying climax. I dare you to take this one home!—Jill Elizabeth Nelson, author of the To Catch a Thief suspense series.

From page one The Hunted grabbed me by the collar and wouldn’t let go. Full of intrigue, supernatural undertones, and true to life characters, I highly recommend this superb debut novel. —C.J. Darlington, Co-founder & Book Editor, TitleTrakk.com
. . . The Hunted places Dellosso on the list of authors to keep your eye on.—Vannessa Ng, Aotearoa Editorial Service
Author: Mike DellossoTitle: The HuntedPublisher: Realms Fiction (Strang Book Group)
ISBN: 978-1-59979-296-5BISAC: FICTION / Christian / SuspenseRetail Price: $13.99

Get Ready for a Great Week!

It's a new week. That means anything is possible. Anything can happen. That even means I could finish my last 15,00o words on my book. Or I could receive an email announcing one of my submissions was accepted. Or I could walk to my mailbox and find a letter confirming a story in an anthology. Anything can happen--any day. But not only to me--but to you. Are you ready?

I've tried for a week to find cheap tickets to the Montrose Conference. Nothing so far. I really wanted to attend but am thinking it might not be in the plan for this year. With fuel prices skyrocketing---things change. So I'm looking at a writers conference that takes place in Orlando in July to attend instead. I am hoping I might meet some fellow Central Florida writers who are interested as well in a writers group. I have some interest so far from a few local writers but I hope to put an ad in the paper to attract more. Our first meeting is June 30th and I know with summer plans, it could kick off to a slow start but I really feel Clermont needs a Christian Writers group.

Hoping this is a week of good results, good changes and some exciting happenings! Please share with me how God surprised you this week!

Women of Passions Update

Looks like Women of Passions is coming along right on schedule. I'm really excited about this book and can't wait to read all the other stories in it. When I get the word, I'll let everyone know. My story about how God worked a miracle in a bookstore ministry appears in it.

Coming This Summer...
Women of Passions Anthology


Women of Passions: Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God is a superb collection of stories and inspirational writings providing the reader with a powerful connection to the Heart of God. Women from various backgrounds and walks of life open their hearts with a fresh perspective on the ageless questions asking “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “Why me?”

Regardless of the reader’s age, vocation, personal interests or level of spiritual maturity, the stories in this book will lead them to their knees in prayer, to their feet in thanksgiving, or to the phone to share with their closest friend.
Used as a devotional, shared in a small group setting for discussion, or picked up when there are only a few free minutes in her busy day, the reader is invited to press beyond her comfort zone to experience the unexplainably passionate love shared between a woman and her God.

Women of Passions: Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God will be available this summer.

Why I Blog

When I spoke at a writer's group last week, I mentioned that everyone should create a blog. Most wondered why I even had one. Isn't it a waste of time? Who reads them? What could I write about?

Here's why I blog:

1. It provides a way for readers to find me. For example--I recently wrote a book. I want my readers to be able to keep track of its progress. What a perfect place to do it--on a free blog. I add the site to my signature, to my business cards and to any other site I frequent.

2. It creates a means to meet other writers, speakers and people interested in something I might be. I have met so many wonderful people all over the world through blogging. I've read their stories and marvelled at their journeys.

3.It offers a means to market my work, my dreams and my flaws.(Oh so many flaws.) Blogs humanize us so that when I struggle to write and then I read how some other author who has a ton of books out can't find the time to sit down and finish a manuscript--I no longer feel alone.

4. Blogs connect. Ten years ago, the art of writing and getting published was a maze for me. Now I can click on a blog and ask a question about submitting or proposals and the answer is before me.

5. Blogs use less paper than journals. I love them.

Hope you start a blog today or at least consider the possibilities!

Blessings

I had a great time at the Writers Group on Tuesday! They offered refreshments, allowed me to choose how and when to speak and then they asked questions afterward. When I got ready to leave, Mary, the spokesperson, gave me a gift bag as a thank you. I don't think I could have been more thankful for the generous spirit and roomful of encouraging writers.

I've sure if someone would have rung the "ah" counter bell, my scores would have been off the chart, but I really didn't care. I was given the opportunity to share and I think I was given more than that in return.

If you get the opportunity to ever visit another writers group--it is worth the trip--mine was.

Standing on His Promises

Tonight I speak at a Writer's Group for the first time. I am excited about the opportunity to share and thankful that fellow writers are willing to encourage me in my endeavour to learn how to speak without fainting!

Eventually every writer will need to market their new book. Along with that necessity, they will need to convince readers why they should even bother to read their book. To do that, the writer should be able to speak without being boring, bragging or redundant. Not an easy task to be sure. Hopefully, I won't have everyone searching the clock or excusing themselves to use the bathroom.

I do plan to be brief and offer some methods that I used to increase my chances at getting published. I'm sure most of the writers present will be familiar with most of what I share, but I've found that sometimes hearing it again brings back new hope and a surge of energy.

Hopefully, I will encourage at least one writer as many have me in the past years.

An inspiring evening

No blue ribbon this week at Toastmasters but God gave me something better. I discovered a few more Christians in the group. I also found that I need to speak on what God directs me to speak about and toss my fears away.

I wonder if I will ever get the hang of looking into twenty pairs of strangers' eyes as I deliver a speech that I've practiced over and over but still blank out after the first sentence? I studied the painted walls instead of their expressions. My evaluator said to connect more with the audience by looking at them. Hmm, easier said than done when my husband is staring up at me like he wants to cry when I retold the story of our one-dollar miracle. I had to look away.

Most of what I want to talk about with others stirs my heart to tears so I practice until all emotion is erased. Now to bring some of that back.

I don't have a topic for my next one yet. Right now I am busy thinking of a story about my grandmother to enter into a contest--a tough one for sure, since I hardly knew either of them. But I have one tiny memory stays tucked in the back of my head like an old shoe on the closet floor. But how can I convey what that brief moment meant to me?

I usually like to find my opening line and move forward from there. The rest follows like a string of ducklings after a mother duck. Guess I better get back to work! (are they called ducklings??)

Are You Preparing?

A woman I know from another writers' group called me to see if I wanted to give a talk to their group about how I got my book published. In return, they would give me a nice critique and tell me if I have a chance at speaking or not.

Of course, I agreed. I might not have said yes a month ago but after standing in front of a group of strangers at Toastmasters--I think I might be able to just get through it without falling over.

Sometimes opportunities come our way and we quickly say, "No, I can't do it!" I have wanted to share what God has laid on my heart with writing and moments we go through for a long time. But I needed to practice and learn my craft and overcome some fears first. I still have a long way to go but at least I'm getting ready.

Are you?