Bookland Heights: Temporarily Rolls Up The Sidewalk

"I would be the most content if my children grew up

to be the kind of people who think decorating consists

mostly of building enough bookshelves."

--Anna Quindlen

"I cannot live without books."

--Thomas Jefferson

Bookland Heights will return again.

It's just right now...we don't know when!

Thanks to all who shared their love

Of writing or reading or both the above.

Until next time, discover new worlds

And climb new heights through the written word!

-- Diana & Mary

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Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle

Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle:

Sebastien the Great, a magician whose fiancée, Kathryn, disappears through the magic trunk, vows revenge. If Cynthia and Gus don't find a missing page from the “Book of Spells,” Cynthia’s family could face financial and personal ruin.

Follow this time-traveling duo as they journey back to a 1914 Swiss castle where Eva, Sebastien’s grandmother, gives them clues on where to begin their search. Their journey takes them through miles of tree tunnels, an enchanted garden ruled by a cranky rock monster, and even high in the Alps. They get the surprise of their lives when they're sent 50 years into the future, have a shocking encounter with another set of best friends, and receive a fresh set of clues that could lead to Kathryn's return. But, at what price?

Make a comment and win a chance for a free download of "Christmas With Daisy," a Cynthia's Attic Christmas story!

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. She is proud to announce book four, "The Magician's Castle," is due for release in December, 2009. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, "WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty" along with published stories, "Ghost Light" and "Christmas Daisy," A Cynthia's Attic short story.

Click on Cynthia's Attic Blog for The Magician's Castle Blog Tour Schedule!

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Gwyn Ramsey & Her Historical Family Series in Bookland Heights

JOURNEY TO TRACER'S POINT:

They left Virginia with dreams of getting rich quick. When lured by his brother, John, to seek adventure in the California gold fields, Alexander Anderson sells his farm, packs up his family, and heads west cross-country in a covered wagon along
the unmarked trails.

Heavy hearted and compelled to make the perilous journey West, Caroline Anderson does not want to leave her comfortable home in Virginia and dreads the possibility of unknown hazards facing her and her family on such a long, dangerous trip.

When Caroline is abandoned, afraid of what lies ahead, she is forced to make a life-threatening decision. Determined to survive she trudges forward through uncharted land to conquer rugged mountain terrain, treks through treacherous Indian lands and crosses a searing desert. Her dim but only hope now is to find her brother-in-law and try to obtain her husband’s share of
the gold claim.

WINDS OF CHANGE:

After struggling through the throes of being kidnapped by Indians and traded for goods to the Arapahos, Sarah Anderson proves herself worthy of the Indian name Vision Seeker, becomes the wife to Running Swift and the mother to Little Feather.

Sarah settles into the comfortable daily routines of Indian wife and mother until her life is again changed when the Army charges into the village to arrest the warring warriors only to find Sarah living among the natives.

Returned to Fort Laramie, Sarah must now face the difficult task of transitioning back into the white world with an Indian child. As a soiled dove she is shunned by the white populace. At the fort, her path crosses that of Patrick O Brien whom she once loved and believes can no longer have.

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Gwyn Ramsey is the author of two published novels in a historical family series, Journey to Tracer’s Point and the latest Winds of Change.

She is a member of EPIC, Mystery Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Western Writers of America, Tampa Area Romance Authors, and Peace River Writers. Gwyn makes her home in Port Charlotte, Florida and is a member of the Port Charlotte Reading Council. Visit her blog at http://gwynramsey.blogspot.com/

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BH: What or who most influenced your writing?

GR: As a young person, I enjoyed the spaghetti westerns at the show. What an adventure each weekend brought to my life. I sat with a small bag of popcorn and watched the western stars ride across the screen. John Wayne captured my attention with many of his film. Then I began reading Louis L’Amour, Dana Ross Fuller, Zane Grey, and other western writers. Now I enjoy the challenge of bringing back the old west in my writings. A journey of where we came from.

BH: What is the one thing you want readers to know about your book(s) and/or writing?

GR:As a researcher at the Library of Congress, my books are fiction based on fact. I wrote my novels as fiction to entertain, but wanted to bring out the history of our wonderful country and what it truly was like back when people struggled to settle our land, being it pioneer, slaves, or Indians. The challenges they faced, the struggles they endured, and the disasters that befell them are what we must remember, it's who we are.

BH: What is your next project and when can we expect to read it?

GR: My latest book, Winds of Change, was released in April 2009, the second in the series about the Anderson family. The storyline is about Sarah Anderson, her life as a wife to an Arapaho Indian and the mother to his child.

My next project, Bound for Texas, is a work in progress and should be out in 2010. The story is the life and challenges of James Anderson who, as a young boy, is rescued from a river bank, hauled to Texas by two drifters and becomes a rancher, all the while searching for his family who journeyed west to California in Journey to Tracer's Point.

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"Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers" by Brigitte A. Thompson

Synopsis: Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers addresses issues writers face daily such as how to deduct travel expenses, determine taxable writing income, and claim home office deductions.

Navigating through the recordkeeping required for a small business owner can be difficult. This book is written exclusively for those of us who earn money by writing. It includes useful information to help interpret the complexities of our federal tax code and proven techniques to reduce taxable income.

Throughout the book we have included tips from both new and seasoned writers. In the Tips for Success feature writers share the wisdom they have acquired over time. In the Writer’s Block feature you will discover specific questions writers have submitted which, when answered, help clarify points made about that topic.

You will also find that each part of this book works together to assist you in forming your overall business plan. Each chapter steps through a comprehensive plan that works as a building block towards a successful writing business.

Biography: Brigitte A. Thompson is the founder and President of Datamaster Accounting Services, LLC in Vermont. She has been active in the field of accounting since 1986 and is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and the Vermont Tax Practitioners Association.

She is the author of several finance books for business owners, contributing author to two business books, and a freelance writer whose articles have appeared nationally in print and online publications.

Internet Information:

Brigitte’s Blog for Writers: Writers in Business
http://www.writersinbusiness.blogspot.com

Amazon Link to Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers:
http://www.amzn.com/0963212389

Brigitte’s Web Site for the Book:
http://www.BookkeepingforWriters.com

Publisher Web Site:
http://www.CrystalPress.org

Brigitte’s Accounting Business:
http://www.DatamasterAccounting.com

An interview with Brigitte A. Thompson, author of eight financial books including the just released Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers published by Crystal Press:
Tell us what Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers is about. Writers have many important questions to ask about income and expenses, but no single source for answers. I created this book, Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers, to be that source. It is an easy-to-understand guide to organizing a writer’s financial life.

This book addresses issues writers face daily such as how to deduct travel expenses, determine taxable writing income, and claim home office deductions. Navigating through the recordkeeping required for a small business owner can be difficult. This book is written exclusively for those of us who earn money by writing.

Readers will also find that each part of this book works together to assist in forming an overall business plan. The chapters take the writer through a comprehensive process that works as a building block towards a successful writing business.

Have you found that freelance writers require a different set of bookkeeping rules?Many bookkeeping rules are universal such as the requirement to record income, but there are some areas of the tax law that are of more interest to freelance writers. This includes dealing with royalty payments, bartering, personal property and agent fees. My book addresses the universal tax rules as well as the infrequently discussed rules that apply specifically to freelance writers.

Learning how to document expenses and how to track income will give writers the best chance at overall business success.

What are some tax deductions that freelance writers might not be aware of? There are many tax deductions available to writers. Some expenses are common, such as the cost of purchasing a case of paper or paying for a computer software upgrade. Other costs incurred in the operation of your writing business may not jump out at you as expenses when they could be. For example, consider the following accounts.

Mileage: Trips made in your vehicle to pick up office supplies can be counted as a business deduction if you record the proper information to support it.

Meals: Treating your agent to a restaurant meal with the discussion focusing on your next book can also generate a tax deduction when properly documented.

Shipping: UPS charges and postage used to mail a query or review copy of your book can be a small expense, but it should still be tracked. Those small deductions add up and every penny spent as a qualified business expense will reduce the amount of income tax you owe.

Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers devotes an entire chapter to expenses including a comprehensive listing of expenses and detailed information regarding what documentation is required to support each one.

I'm sure you've observed other freelance writers making accounting missteps that cost them time and money. What are some of the most common issues and how can we avoid them?
The most common misstep I’ve seen with writers is not taking themselves seriously as business owners. This can lead to financial pitfalls. Many writers have been honing their craft for years so it’s hard to identify an official starting date for their self-employment. Without this point to mark the beginning, it is easy to put off tracking income and expenses. This can be an unfortunate mistake.

The IRS will consider you to be in business when you are actively pursuing projects intended to generate income and expenses. This means they will expect you to file a tax return to report those transactions. Keeping track of your income and expenses from day one will enable you to pay the least amount of income taxes on the money you earn.

Many people find numbers, especially when related to bookkeeping and taxes, intimidating. Will this book make these things easier to understand"? Yes, my book breaks down complicated number crunching into easy to follow steps. By reading the book, readers will understand why it's important to keep certain receipts and how those pieces of paper factor into the overall success of their writing business. Sometimes knowing the reasoning behind a task makes it easier to complete.

Writers can take advantage of some wonderful tax deductions, but only when they are aware of the possibility and know how to accurately document the expenses. My book explains it all in a reader friendly format.

What are some of the challenges readers face with regards to bookkeeping?I found the most common challenge writers face revolves around what they can claim as income and what counts as a tax deduction. For example, if their first job is writing the school newsletter, is the money received really income? Do they need to do something with the Internal Revenue Service before they can be considered a business? How do they handle self- employment tax?

The second most common concern for the freelance writers is related to proper documentation. What receipts did they need to save? How should they be kept? What information needs to be recorded to prove the expense? These are all great questions and they are addressed in the book.

Why is it important for writers to understand bookkeeping?

Writers are earning money and this money needs to be reported as income on their income tax return. If writers do not have any expenses to claim, their taxable income will be higher and they will owe more income tax.

Understanding what can be claimed as business expenses when you are a writer and how to properly document these expenses will help ensure the success of your business.

The most important thing you can do as a writer is to become organized. There are many books available on how to organize your writing, but this is the best book available about how to organize the financial side of your writing business.

Obviously, your book is a great place for writers to get information on bookkeeping. Are there are any other resources you recommend? Yes, I recommend writers visit the IRS web site (www.irs.gov) to research specific tax issues and the Small Business Administration (www.sbaonline.sba.gov) for general business information.

I also recommend joining professional associations for writers such as American Society of Journalists and Authors (www.asja.org), The Authors Guild (www.authorsguild.org) and National Writers Union (www.nwu.org). There are many groups to choose from so consider the benefits of membership before joining.

I was interviewed recently by Freelance Success (http://www.FreelanceSuccess.com) which offers an insightful newsletter for their members. There are also online groups for writers such as MomWriters (http://www.MomWriters.com) offering networking opportunities as well as camaraderie.

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Brought to you in part by:
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"Look to the East" with Maureen Lang in Bookland Heights

Look to the East:

At the dawn of the First World War, the French village of Briecourt is isolated from the battles, but the century-old feud between the Toussaints and the de Colvilles still rages in the streets. When the German army sweeps in to occupy the town, families on both sides of the feud are forced to work together to protect stragglers caught behind enemy lines.

Julitte Toussaint may have been adopted from a faraway island, but she feels the scorn of the de Colvilles as much as anyone born a Toussaint. So when she falls in love with one of the stragglers—a wealthy and handsome Belgian entrepreneur—she knows she’s playing with fire. Charles Lassone hides in the cellar of the Briecourt church, safe from the Germans for the moment. But if he’s discovered, it will bring danger to the entire village and could cost Charles his life.
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Review: "This is an intriguing historical tale with a romantic subplot enhancing the deep look at life during an occupation. Julitte is terrific as the lead protagonist who holds the insightful story line together as her love with Charles is pure and in stark contrast to a village filled with the seven deadly sins. Readers will enjoy this cautionary tale that resonates today at a time when outright lies by leaders are acceptable because the mean no longer matters if the end is achieved." --
Harriet Klausner
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A chat with the author, Maureen Lang:

BH: What or who most influenced your writing?

ML:I’ve been writing since I was ten so I’ve had many influences over the years. Perhaps the very first to make an impact were the authors who wrote the Nancy Drew series—and many influences since!

BH: What is the one thing you want readers to know about your book(s) and/or writing?

ML: I’m hopeful that the underlying theme in all of my books reflects the love of God. That’s my hope, anyway!

BH: What is your next project and when can we expect to read it?

ML: My next book in this Great War Series is called Whisper on the Wind and will release summer 2010. It’s the story of two people who get involved in a secret press, rebelling against the censors of the German army occupying Belgium in 1914. And they do it romantically, of course!
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Andrew Kent & "Johnny Denovo" visit Bookland Heights

Five years ago, when neuroscientist John A. Novarro helped with a highly sensitive government investigation, he had no idea how it would change his life - separating him from his past, giving him a new identity, transforming him into Johnny Denovo, the world-famous Detective of the Mind.

Now, the Denovo name is the bane of high-stakes criminals the world over. When Johnny's finely honed senses detect codes hidden in spam emails, the puzzling phrases and suggestive metaphors hint at a plot to steal rare and valuable objects.

Soon, Johnny learns that something even more sinister is brewing. As he tracks the emails to their source, events explode into an adrenalized, trans-Atlantic race to prevent a geopolitical catastrophe. Will his allies, nerve, media savvy, and knowledge of the human brain be enough to unhinge the criminal mastermind? Or will he become another victim of a ruthless conspiracy?

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"Andrew Kent has created a character so memorable and distinct that he will surely dazzle on-screen someday as he dazzles in a book. . . . [the book has] a fast-paced, exciting plot involving vivid characters and geo-political interests. But what really sets this book apart is the author’s mastery of language, vocabulary and metaphor. Reading it is an utter delight, as much for the sheer pleasure in superb writing as for the story itself. Bravo to a new author whose originality explodes from these pages. Highly recommend." – The Urbane Dame

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BH: What or who most influenced your writing?

AK: I like writers who play with words, writers who can evoke a sense of elsewhere, and writers who can teach. I think if I were to narrow down a vast list, I'd have to say Shakespeare for wordplay, Faulkner and Hawthorne for atmospherics, and John McPhee for clarity of thought.

BH: What is the one thing you want readers to know about your book(s) and/orwriting?

AK: My mystery novels are fast-paced and fun, but with a foundation in psychological research. We think and dream in metaphors, so I wanted to see what it would be like if a detective used intuitive reasoning to follow metaphors to criminals. It's working so far!

BH: What is your next project and when can we expect to read it?

AK: I've published two Johnny Denovo mysteries, and am well along with a third, one that reveals how the first two are related. It should be out early 2010. I'm also working on a non-fiction book about health and physicians. I have no clear timeline for it yet.

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Maggie Bishop's "Appalacian Adventure Mysteries"

Maggie Bishop is the author of a mystery series, Appalachian Adventure Mysteries, and two romance novels set in the Mountains of North Carolina in the Boone area. "I started with romance and have turned to murder."

In Perfect for Framing, greed and a lust for power led to murder in a clash of personal versus public needs.

Murder at Blue Falls has Jemma who leads trail rides on her parents’ guest ranch as a suspect in the murder of neighborhood dogs and well as a man.

Emeralds in the Snow involves skiing at Sugar Mountain, an emerald mine, and a cold case murder. Award winning Appalachian Paradise takes place on a five-day backpacking trip in the spring amongst the bears, boars and girl scouts.

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Next project: One Shot Too Many, Spring 2010, continues with CSI wannabe Jemma Chase and Detective Tucker working to solve the mystery when a local newspaper photographer dies at a photography club meeting

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