The Power of Receiving by Amanda Owen

Author Amanda Owen joined me on Page Readers today to discuss her new book "The Power of Receiving."

This book is POWERFUL.  There is no other way to describe it. 

We are all taught to give, to be kind to others, do for others.  What we are not taught is how to receive when what we give is given back to us. 

Think about how you respond to a compliment.  Someone likes your blouse, your shoes or your hair.  How do you respond?  With a "Thank You," or "Oh, this old thing?"

It is the same with our goals.  If we are not open to receiving them, then our goal will feel unwelcome and move on.  We must be open and aware to receiving our goals when they come to us, regardless of how they come to us.

And believe it or not, there are so many things we do subconsciously to keep our goals from reaching us!  Amanda shines a light on these "monsters" and helps us deal with all the things we keep in the closet that keep us from our dreams.

The Power of Receiving will help you learn with simple exercises designed to teach the act of receiving.  While you are charting out your New Year's Resolutions, be sure to add this book to your wish list.  It will help you achieve your goals this year and beyond!

Visit Amanda on the web to learn more about this exciting book!

"Killer Recipes" raises money for Cancer Research

Hi Friends,


Do you like to cook? Are you always on the hunt for new and delicious recipes? If so, I have great news for you. Killer Recipes is a combined effort of writers of Mystery, Murder & Mayhem around the world who’ve come together in support for the American Cancer Society. We have all been touched by this dreaded disease and it's a wonderful feeling being able to contribute toward its cure. I do hope you will consider joining us in our effort to help find a cure or to help those suffering from cancer.

Author Catherine Chisnall releases "Descending"

Today I bring you an interview with author Catherine Chisnall who shares with us her newest release "Descending."

Welcome Catherine!  Tell us a little about you and your background.
I was born in the Midlands of England and now live with my husband and child in the South. I have had a varied career working in banks, libraries, charities and for the last 10 years, secondary and further education.

I am now a full time mum after trying for a few years to ‘job share’ with my husband (we both worked outside the home part time and looked after our daughter part time). That was exhausting, it turns out it is easier for one partner to be full time parent and one partner to be full time career worker. So I also have time to write while at home, which is wonderful.

For many years, I ignored the desire to write, thinking it wasn’t a valid career but can’t ignore it anymore. I have had several factual articles published and this has given me the confidence to publish some of my fiction.

My articles: http://www.wikinut.com/author~whmd/CatherineC/


What is your story about?

My story is called Descending, it is about inappropriate relationships. I have realized over my life that relationships are never straightforward, they often do not fit into conventional categories. The synopsis is:

Emily is a lonely, disillusioned, teaching assistant at a college of Further Education (for over 16 year olds). Jamie is a neglected, unpredictable student. Trapped together in a falling lift, wherever will this lead? Told from Emily's point of view, this story explores the ambiguity of relationships between staff and students, and reflects on who is actually in control.

How did this story come to you?

It was a combination of things really: news stories, gossip, my own observations. Years ago, I watched documentary about a teacher and 15 year old boy- a black and white situation because she was obviously in the wrong. But I wondered what sort of person she was to get involved with him: she seemed lonely, misguided, unwise. It's an occupational hazard for female staff to be propositioned by boys: most just laugh it off, so why did she succumb?

What compelled you to write it?

There are loads of stories about teachers having relationships with students, but I wondered what about learning support assistants?

They are more likely to cross the boundary with students because they sit amongst them. It's their job to develop supportive relationships with them, so some are bound to go astray. Teachers are removed, in control at the head of the class, so I think they are less likely to get involved.

I've heard of learning support assistants having difficulty working with older boys because they're attracted to them. I've observed young learning support assistants being flattered by boys flirting with them. So a relationship could quite easily start. It's a very grey area. Especially if the boy was over 16, but under 18, which is why I made Jamie seventeen.

I wanted to explore what would really happen if this sort of relationship actually took place. It wouldn’t be all hearts and flowers and happily ever after, would it?

I also wanted to set the story in a post 16 environment. In schools, you can go to the head of year and they will tell the boys off if they act inappropriately. But in post 16 colleges there is less of a ‘chain of command’, so if staff are harassed, they could be unsure where to turn.

Who is your favorite character?

Probably Jamie because I can sympathise more with him. He has a terrible life, he just wants a break from it. I don’t condemn Emily really, she is a lost, misguided and lonely woman who in turn wants a break from that.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The scene where Emily and Jamie go to the gay club and get found out by some other college students. I found that scene quite funny as it shows how homophobic and immature Jamie is, plus there is the air of danger as now their affair is becoming public knowledge.

How long did it take you to write the story?

About one month. It was a dark, cold winter and I was feeling bleak and as if I had nothing to look forward to in life. So I wrote a bleak and cold story. Its not long, it’s a novella, so its not like I’m a high speed writer however.

What has the reaction been to the controversial aspects of your story?

I can honestly say I've had a different reaction from every reader, which is better than I‘d hoped for.

I've had:

'Emily is wrong, she should go to prison.'

'But who is abusing who here? Isn't it mutual?'

'What an unlikely, boring story.'

‘I was rooting for them all the way through.’

Some have said Jamie is smooth and knows exactly what he's doing.

Some have said Emily is a horrible person with no redeeming features.

I suppose the majority of readers have felt sorry for Emily, however, and related to her situation. I don't mean they want to have affairs with 17 year olds! But she seems to be a character that women, especially, can sympathise with. I didn't expect that. I thought everyone would say she was wrong and should go to prison.


When was it released?
July 2010.



How is it available?

Print and e-book.



Where can we find it?

Descending is available on Amazon, Smashwords (and all its distribution channels) and Createspace.


What was your publishing experience like?
 I sent a couple of query letters and emails to mainstream publishers but heard nothing. Then I decided to put Descending onto one of the online critiquing sites.

I chose Authonomy, and although I didn’t get to the Editors Desk, I got incredibly useful constructive criticism. I then put it on Slushpile Reader and Night Reading. Both sites promise that the most popular books will be published.

Night Reading is the social arm of the company Night Publishing and holds a monthly competition where the most popular books are voted on and the winner gets published.

I didn’t win the monthly competition, but luckily the Night Publishing editors also decide which books they would personally like to publish. And Descending was chosen!

So Night Publishing paid for publishing via Createspace.

Would I have done it differently? Well I haven’t had any money from the books yet, but I wouldn’t do it differently because I am so happy to have some published books and be a published author. I have had mainly good reviews, so that is very satisfying.

Where we can we find you online
www.catherinechisnall.co.uk (my blog)

I am searchable as Catherinewrites on Twitter

Do you have upcoming publicity events you'd like to share?
The sequel to ‘Descending’ has just been published by Night Publishing. It is called ‘Surfacing’ and is the further adventures of Emily and Jamie, bringing their story to a conclusion. So many people said ‘aw, poor Emily, what happens to her next?’ that I wrote a sequel. I am amazed that she gained so much sympathy from readers, I didn’t expect it.

‘Surfacing’ is available in the same places as ‘Descending’ i.e. Amazon, Smashwords and all its distribution channels, Createspace.

My publisher also decided to put ‘Descending’ and ‘Surfacing’ in a compendium, conveniently called ‘Descending Surfacing’. This is also available from the same places.

Congratulations Catherine!  And thank you so much for stopping by Page Readers to share your story.

Keeping in Touch: Feed Burner or Feed Blitz?

Hello to all my wonderful authors, guests, fans and followers!

As with anything that happens on the web, change is inevitable.  Same goes for Page Readers.

I've been doing a lot of research into the best way to get the word out, keep you informed and of course, promote the authors who honor me with their appearance on Page Readers.

For some time now I've been using Feed Blitz to send out weekly blog updates to everyone who subscribes.  In some ways it has worked well, in others not so well.

During the course of my reading and research to keep up with the changes that seem to occur daily online, I've read that Feed Burner is a better way to go. 

The point of this post?  I would love to get some feed back from any of you who use Feed Blitz or Feed Burner to promote your sites.  What do you use? What do you like, and what don't you like, about either of them?

Do you like getting the once a week update, or would you prefer to get updates sent to your RSS Reader as they happen?

I welcome your emails and/or comments left here on the blog.  Comments could help others with their own RSS/Promotion issues.  If you have done your own research, please share!  I also welcome links to other information out there - books, articles other blogs!

Robert C David, The Undaunted Life

So many books have been written on the subject of building a successful life, perseverance and determination, but none tell the story like Bob David in “The Undaunted Life.”

Mr. David points out the important, teaches us to let go of the unimportant and tells touching stories of his own journey along the way.

The best part of this book is that it is fun to read. Because of Mr. David’s ability to talk to the reader in an intimate way, the information is easily absorbed, understood and put to use in everyday life.

You don’t need to be in the financial industry as Mr. David was to enjoy the book, or learn from it. The tips are more than tips, they’re steps to help anyone to create habits that will lead to success in any area of one’s life to which they are applied.

This is a book that I will recommend to many people around me. From the stay at home mom raising the future leaders of life, to the business professionals seeking to raise their level of success, this book is a must read.

Visit Mr. David on line at http://bobdavidlive.com/

And to see Mr. David in action as "Bob as Bill" watch this video.  Pretty cool stuff!