Mystery Book Tour Day 3 #MysteryNovember The Singing Bowl by Roy Dimond

 

Please welcome Roy Dimond to the mystery book tour with his book The Singing Bowl

 

Where is your hometown? 

Garden Bay, British Columbia, Canada. It’s a small fishing village on the west coast, a lovely little harbor with wonderful people.

How long have you been writing?  

About 12 years. I started decades earlier, but just wasn’t ready. I think writers mature very much like a fine wine… or maybe that should read writers mature only after drinking many a fine wine?

Tell us about the start of The Singing Bowl and what the main character must search for.  

The Singing Bowl begins in Tibet just after the communist Chinese have taken over. The story is set in a remote village called Sakya where the monastery is being disbanded. Each follower is given an artifact from the monastery as well as a quest. The main character is given the most important artifact, a singing bowl, and is told to, “Find a book lost to the world.”

What are the elements of mystery in the book?  

Like all good mysteries, the protagonist, a monk, is sent on a journey of discovery. Over time, he learns that his quest to find a lost book is very much like a Japanese koan. It is more about the journey than it is about finding a solution. In his travels through bookstores and such mystical places as the Khyber Pass, Samarkand, Nag Hammadi, and Machu Picchu he discovers that it is really about the people he meets along the way. The Sufi, The Old Woman of Alexandria, The Librarian, The Raven Haired Woman and many others are just some of the intriguing characters that he learns from as he travels the world.

Where is the first main city that the Monk travels to? Who does he meet there?    

Katmandu in Nepal, where he meets the love of his life, Dorje, a mysterious woman wise beyond her years. As well as Little Brother, a behemoth of a man whose appetite is only surpassed by his kindness. It is here where he realizes Chinese agents, minions of chaos, follow him and mean to stop him from fulfilling his quest.

The monk travels to 3 parts of the world, what are they?  

The Ancient World… where his travels take him from Sakya to Katmandu, to Peshawar, to the Kara-Kum Desert, to Istanbul and many other fascinating places. The Old World… where his quest continues to Vienna, Interlaken, Florence and Berlin just to name a few. Then finally the New World… where he looks for the book lost to the world in such places as Arequipa, Ixtlan, Las Vegas, and Vancouver.

What type of establishments does he search to find the lost book?  

His journey takes him from the most common and quaint bookstores in the world to some of the finest universities ever created. From bookstores owned by the Medici family to ruins shown to him by Carlos Castaneda, where secret tunnels and caves reveal clues to solving his mystery.

How does the monk travel without a passport?

Tell us some of the ways he crosses borders.   In the Ancient World, borders between states are somewhat fluid. Along the Hindu Kush, Pamir Plateau, and Silk Road even today, people cross borders without even realizing they have. In the Old and New World where borders are fixed, he has many who will secretly help him, including other monks disbanded from his old monastery in Sakya. Still more characters come to his aid, people who travel often between Mexico and America, others using old dilapidated bi-planes from another time who can find valleys and old goat trails to follow so that, so called, secure borders are easily circumvented.

Tell us what you are working on at the moment.  

My second book, The Rubicon Effect as well as my third book, Saving Our Pennys co authored with Jeff Leitch are both out in bookstores. I have a children’s illustrated book co authored with award winning writer David Ward called, Emma and the Big Bowl of Nonsense which should be out before Christmas and my new publisher, Untreed Reads is launching my novel, Silence and Circumstance this coming January. It is a novel about the eleven days that Agatha Christie went missing as told from the perspective of her Governess.

Where can readers find out more about you?  

Roy Dimond

Thank you Rosie for this opportunity. Great questions. My books are in all the regular places, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., as well as many brick and mortar stores. This site below shares many of my interviews, promotional videos, and hopefully some interesting information about me. Again, Rosie, thank you so much for your time…

http://roydimond.tripod.com/

http://greendragonbooks.com/

Find a copy of The Singing Bowl from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

I reviewed this book a while ago here is a link to my review http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-50f

Fantastic offer: This book will be available for e-readers at $1.99 direct from the publishers only 11/3-8/14 (3rd -8th November)

Here’s a link to the publisher’s ebooks on their site:

EPUB: http://greendragonbooks.com/the-singing-bowl-3.html

Kindles: http://greendragonbooks.com/the-singing-bowl-4.html

August Editions of Fleet Life and Elvetham Heath Directory

I am lucky enough to write book reviews for 2 local magazines, for which I receive no monetary compensation. Approximately 7000 paper editions go out locally and both magazine have on-line versions too.

The August Edition of Fleet Life can be found at http://www.fleetlife.org.uk. Click on the on-line directory, then find my reviews on page 6.

This month the following books have been reviewed;

A Woman’s Choice by Annie Thomas

Fallen For Rock, by Nicky Wells,

The Rubicon Effect by Roy Dimond,

Some People Prefer Hotels, Motorhome Novices Tour Cornwall by Nigel R Hicks

and Irish Inheritance by Paula Martin.

The Elvetham Heath Directory has the following books. Go to http://www.ehd.org.uk, click on the on-line directory and turn to page 6 as well.

Suppose by Kathy Steinemann

Reborn by Cherie Reich

Gypsy by Cynthia Harrison

A Gunman’s Destiny by Randy Mixter

and A Change of Heart by Adrienne Vaughan.

Really fab to hear back from authors when my reviews get them sales, thanks Cherie.

The Rubicon Effect by Roy Dimond

The Rubicon Effect by Roy Dimond

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book I have recently read by Roy Dimond and I am really impressed with the way he gets really important messages about our human life across to the reader. He makes you think about your life and how you are living it.

The Rubicon Effect deals with how the way we live our lives is damaging the planet and endangering the future for our children. A Rubicon means a situation where there is no turning back from. Originally written several years ago, there are surprisingly similar events described in the book that have come to real life fruition. For instance Roy has a character Pope Agapetus III a Pope born in South America who is called a Papal reformer. This character echoes values that the current Pope Francis believes in.

The fate of the World lies with the people and the choices they ultimately make. Sam Albright is a scientist and environmentalist, he’s spent years fighting against global warming. Coming up against forces in Governments and the oil industry whose only belief is power and profit. The book deals with the race for the next American Presidency, again with some astonishing similarities to real life situations.

How many of us are fed up with politics? Lethargic about voting? And are demoralised by the endless paperwork shuffling by bureaucrats who spend our taxes without our say? What will it take to make us change our ways? The characters in the Rubicon Effect call for a Grounds Up Revolution, returning the power to the people. They vow to stop the World from being ruled by fear and negativity and turn it around to a World of hope, hope for the future. Now I think that’s not a bad idea for the real World that we live it today.

Read one of Roy’s books today and open your mind to change.

Check out the book trailer on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwh-aL-hEl0&feature=youtu.be

http://latalkradio.com/archives/Allen-042114.mp3

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelonewriter/2014/04/17/a-talk-with-roy-dimond

Find a copy on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon .com

View all my reviews on Goodreads.

Good Deeds Week 23rd – 29th March

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong, I’m now entering my twelfth month. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

March 23rd – Took my daughter out for a driving lesson this afternoon, ended up helping my Mum on her computer while my Dad volunteered to do the driving lesson. It was great for my Dad to be able to spend some time helping his Granddaughter, it made him feel really useful.

March 24th – Sent my son to school with money for the Sports Relief collection.

March 25th – Sent off my book recommendation copies for the May issues of Fleet Life and Elvethan Heath Directory. Really early copy deadlines due to the Easter holidays.

March 26th – Traded help on the computer for another driving lesson today for my daughter and everyone was happy.

March 27th – Dropped some coins into the Diabetes charity pot whilst at the Supermarket, I feel it’s been a while since I last made a voluntary money donation. See how natural it’s become part of my life? I look back at Monday’s line and see I gave money only a few days ago. When you make a conscious decision to donate more “It’s only money, you can’t take it with you when you leave this life” It removes the guilt/ selfish factor which likes to yell “But it’s mine I earnt it”. Yes but giving some back to others sends out hope into the world.

March 28th -Read a really great article this morning which has been trending on Twitter by Elyse Salpeter. It talks about a bit of a change on Twitter that’s taking place where people are looking to interact more with followers rather than posting AT them. We all know the biggest turn off are tweets which basically just shout “Buy my book, buy my book”. This turning over  a new leaf and treating people once more as humans is following a re-curing theme this week. Yesterday I finished 2 books, The Rubicon Effect by Roy Dimond which talks about a grounds up revolution to help solve our worlds destruction by taking back our rights to choose “Politicians are not the solution to the problems”. That should raise some eye-brows!

My second book was “Sugar Coatin’ is for Candy and Pacifyin’ is for kids” by Nonnie Jules. Apart from having a serendipity moment while reading her book on the back of Roy’s, she too has some great advice on interacting with your readers and followers. Her short book is a collection of her best blog posts and at 77p or $1.27 it is good value for money.

Set some of these new ideas into motion with some better wording of my own tweets. What type of Tweets do you re-tweet? What Tweets appeal to you?

Launched a Spring Reads collection on the blog today. Just some of the books that I’ve recently been really impressed by and I included one about Iceland for a good friend who reminded me of Iceland today as he is there on Holiday for a few days. Here is the link to the post. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-536

March 29th – A bit of a strange day, the internet struggles to hold on to just one open page at a time, let alone the multitude of tabs I usually have open all at the same time. So instead I got on with my reading and chuntered under my breath in frustration. Finished reading Reborn by Cherie Reich, read a short story called One Chance by Rishika Sitlani and began re-reading The Spook’s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney, it’s such a good series that it deserves more exposure. Agreed to help an author Paul Collins out with his request to have an author interview here on the blog in May.

Guest authors Roy Dimond and Jeff Leitch

Today my guests are Roy Dimond and Jeff Leitch authors of yesterday’s book “Saving Our Pennys”. If you missed the book review here is a link to it. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4XH

Let’s find out more about them. Firstly Jeff.

1) Where is your home town?

My home town is in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada – ironically only a half-block from where Roy and his wife Lorraine lived before they moved up to the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

2) How long have you been writing?

I have been an avid writer for over twenty years, mostly writing articles for local papers.  Saving Our Pennys is my first published work which was co-written with my great friend Roy Dimond.

3) Have you written other books in this genre?

No, but this type of book intrigues me for my future endeavours.  I really enjoy the ‘voice’ we have used in Saving Our Pennys.

4) How did you split the writing roles of these book?

After having the opportunity to work with Roy, we discussed over the course of that time the idea of this book.  It slowly evolved into a great story, but even with Roy’s move up to the Sunshine Coast we were not concerned with the collaborative efforts.  Over the course of a calendar year, like the four seasons of a school year, we wrote the story of Penny.  As each chapter was written and ideas flowed and merged we had essentially a “talking stick” between us.  Despite some initial rejections and letting the book ‘sit’ for a few years, we always knew this story would be told.  But honestly, I have to credit Roy giving the book its real push a few summers ago.  He breathed new life into Saving Our Pennys voice and the story absolutely soared.

5) What or who was the inspiration for this book?

Saving Our Pennys was written in honour of a student that Roy had the great fortune of working with.  As I worked with Roy, and in some of my initial teaching experiences, I noticed we had many similar concerns about those students who were simply disappearing from the school system.  This deeply concerned not only us, but many of our colleagues.  We used Penny as that student that needed to be heard from again.

6) Can you tell the readers about the “Words” that people carry as stones?

Yes, our story demonstrates to the reader that all words have weight.  These words are stones that we either choose to carry, or put down from our life’s backpack to move further down our road.  But the reader will soon realize that some stones are necessary to achieve balance.  But you will have to read Saving Our Pennys to see how this balance is achieved…

7) When did the teacher first step out of the fast lane? What did he do?

I think the best way to answer this is by asking ‘How does one become conscious?’  This is truly realized by the self-analysis of the power of intention.  A life must be seen to matter, to exist and to be important, but too often the fast lane takes us away from the magic of each day.  This particular teacher recognized the pain and made the conscious choice to understand why this pain is crucial to his life.

8) Would you say that too many of us on a roller coaster ride of life which we seem unable to get off?

Absolutely… just watching the faces in traffic, in coffee shops and diners, in schools, at work…  These people exist but so often they don’t realize their potential in their existence.  They have become robotic and live a life of reaction, without realizing that they are the catalysts of their own happiness.

9) How can a person take the first step towards “Living in the moment?”

I think ‘the first step’ is realized from the two earlier questions and the willingness to step out of the fast lane, to step off of the roller coaster of predictable highs and low.

10) A line from the book suggests that if we all live to be 100, we will be given 36 500 precious days. How many precious days of life have you lived and what has been your best moment so far?

I have to be careful how I answer this… I think if one recognizes the preciousness of tragedy in one’s life, and the power of those messages, then every day up until this point of my life I have lived.  Have I attained this?  I don’t believe I have found the magic in all lessons yet, but I believe I am moving in the right direction.  So I suppose my best moment… is right now.

Jeff added, ” a heartfelt thank you Rosie” Aww! You’re welcome.

Hoping that you are now really intrigued by this book and it’s authors let’s move on to Roy’s interview.

1) Where is your home town? 

Garden Bay, British Columbia, Canada. It’s a small village on the West coast where my wife and I live in a small log home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

2) How long have you been writing?

Over twenty years. I think my English teachers from High School would fall over if they knew that I was a professional writer.

3) Have you written other books in this genre?

No, this is my first work of non-fiction.

My first book is called, The Singing Bowl, a story of a Tibetan monk sent on a quest to find a book that has been lost to the world. I loved writing that story. It took 5 years to complete as the main protagonist travels the world. My second book is called, The Rubicon Effect. I have always wondered how the human species will react the day it is too late to reverse Global Climate Change. I was lucky, as one of the characters is a new Pope born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and he wants to change the church. This was published before the real Pope was elected!

I have two other children’s books under contract and my agent is presently negotiating a deal with another publisher.

4) How did you split the writing roles of these book? 

Jeff and I worked well together. I think we both placed our egos aside and tried to be as honest and raw as we could in the telling of this story. We were both motivated because of all the unhappiness we have seen on our jobs. In co-authoring a book, I think both had to really listen to each other’s ideas and be brave enough to go down unseen roads. Jeff would come up with these great ideas and off the story would run down some avenue I had not even seen. It was fun to release the story a little bit and soon a third entity sort of formed that was not Jeff or I, but the story itself. It was a thoroughly grand experience, as it remains to this day.

5) What or who was the inspiration for this book? 

Well, the main inspiration was a student named Penny. She was a boisterous and happy child who, because of circumstances not of her making, plummeted into a dark and bad place. But with the help of others she worked her way up and back to the life she deserved.

6) Can you tell the readers about the “Words” that people carry as stones?

Great question, Rosie! This is such an important part of the book… words have meaning. That may sound trite, but it is a vital concept to grasp in the telling of this adventure.  Words can hurt worse than a knife and can help more than a stranger passing by and giving you money. They can weigh us down so we are lethargic, or inspire so we believe in ourselves. But Jeff and I wanted people to know that they have a choice which words to hold onto and which to let go. Words are like rocks and we can throw them at each other or share one we think is beautiful. It is just a simple choice.

7) When did the teacher first step out of the fast lane? What did he do?  

To me there is no one moment where he steps out and decides there is another way. It is a process and we can tell if our process is working for us by the things that we hold dear. What we value, what is important to us, these concepts tell us where we are on our road. I think once he realized there was another way, he began his process, and like all those who take, the other road, he found it hard, and entirely worthwhile.

8) Would you say that too many of us on a roller coaster ride of life which we seem unable to get off?

Very much like the inspiration for this book, Penny, we all find ourselves in circumstances not of our making. Because of our culture, we are all on that roller coaster. And I’m not sure at all that life is meant to be lived that way. Like Penny, we find ourselves in a culture not of our making, but one that just appeared, and now we have to deal with it. Some go to the bad, dark place, others just survive, and a few, who have eyes and use them, find another road, a better path.

9) How can a person take the first step towards “Living in the moment?” 

There are many roads to this “moment” but all start by having a need. Acknowledging that need, facing the dread, believing you deserve better. Then having the courage to take a deep breath and then do nothing. To let the moment come to you. To breath slowly and smile. We sometimes believe “the moment” is far away, but it isn’t. It’s right beside you as you read our book or contemplate this interview. The moment waits… but we have to slow ourselves and concentrate before we are one with it.  And we have to do that… everyday.

10) A line from the book suggests that if we all live to be 100, we will be given 36,500 precious days. How many precious days of life have you lived and what has been your best moment so far?

A very, very tough question Rosie. You make me stop and think.  If I can attain but a few precious moments in each day  then I will be a very happy man. My best moment so far, is, as always, this moment right now. Why? Because there is nothing else.

Thank you so much Rosie for your insightful questions. I and very grateful for your time and for you taking your moment and sharing it with me.

http://roydimond.tripod.com/

Find a copy here from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

So there you have it, got your taste buds tingling? Roy describes the book as non-fiction, but don’t be put off it can read like fiction, I loved the book, it inspired me. After I’d finished reading it I went out for a walk in the fresh air and sunlight just to let it all sink in and to live in the moment. It made me think about my Year of Good Deeds challenge, I’m way over 300 days of my 365 and this book made me realise why I was doing it. I have stepped off the roller coaster and am doing something I love and making a difference.

You can also read my reviews of Roy’s other books, The Singing Bowl and The Rubicon Effect here on the blog in the first half of May.

Good Deeds Week 16th – 22nd March

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

March 16th – I’m reading books from the Shivers box set from HarlequinE books. Also finished another book The Wrath Inside by RR Gall and sent off the review to the author.

March 17th – A good morning helping out at school today.

March 18th – I have a friend coming over for coffee later, I’ve baked a tea bread for us to eat while she’s here. Good deeds received; my friend brought some delicious cookies as a gift for us.

March 19th – Phew! Had a hectic day, but finished by providing tea for friends. Received an ARC of Reborn by Cherie Reich which is due out on May 23rd, I am planning a book review and author interview for late May. Good Deeds received; had some great help tweaking details on some of my social network sites.

March 20th – Went out for a walk to hand deliver some overdue Thank you notes. Picked up litter along the way. Couldn’t decide between the next two books that are on my TBR list so began reading both. The Rubicon Effect by Roy Dimond on my Kindle and the paperback of Derek’s Revenge by Mac Black. After an evening spent doing paid employment in the form of bookkeeping I needed time to reflect and smooth my mind, so I picked up my copy of The Power is Within You by Louise Hay.

March 21st – A busy morning, it’s the A to Z April Challenge Theme Reveal day and I’ve been visiting other bloggers who have signed up for the Theme Reveal and leaving comments. Missed my post? Here is a link http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-502 Walked in to town and saw the advertising poster outside Costa Coffee for Fleet. Author John P Ford who is holding a book signing session on Saturday, for his book The Royal Descendant. It looked good, will drop him an email saying I saw it, have been invited along to the event on Saturday.

Went to one of my favourite shops for book bargains The Works and rummaged through boxes of books all for £1. Bought 2 books by Rachel Cain, Fade Out from her The Morganville Vampire series which I enjoyed a few years ago and another book by her, Chill factor. Stopped off at Help the Aged as I passed by and checked out their books, deciding on Heretic by Bernard Cornwell. My arms nearly dropped off with the books and all the other shopping that I’d done by the time I got home, so now I’m off to put my feet up and get on with some reading.

March 22nd – Went to Costa in Fleet this morning to support author John P Ford with his book signing event, sent out an early morning Tweet to @Love Fleet about the signing and they kindly re-tweeted. John had business cards made up and was offering books at a discounted price to readers who bought a copy today. I’m hoping to feature John’s book in the May issue of Fleet Life and the June issue of The Elvetham Heath Directory.

Good Deeds Week 23rd February – 1st March

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

February 23rd – Finished reading a Flawed Perfection by Cassandra Giovanni today and wrote a review ready to coincide with the book release on March 7th. Happily agreed to read and review another book, Sarah’s Survival Guide by author Cynthia Harrison, I have previously enjoyed reading several of her books.

February 24th – The children are back at school today, so my Good Deed is ticked off with a morning helping out at school. Good Deed received; Mac Black’s book Derek’s In trouble arrived in the post today, can’t wait to get started on it.

February 25th – Have had a great 2 days on the blog giving and receiving Good Deeds. It started on Monday when I posted my review of Red Clay and Roses by S.K.Nicholls http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4Ge and went on to today with her taking part as our guest author. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4Hp I have had so much positive feedback about the review and the interview it has been lovely. On top of that I’ve helped spread the word about the book far and wide and I know it has lead to some readers buying the book. Finished another book today, this one was part of the new HarlequinE box set Shivers books, Legacy of Darkness by Jane Godman. My review and author interview will be posted here on the blog at the end of March.

February 26th – Have just written a book review for Sarah’s Survival Guide, it will appear on the blog later in March, started my next book Saving Our Pennys by Roy Dimond and Jeff Leitch. Just 5 letters to fill in my A to Z challenge, 2 of which I have authors interested in, but just need their confirmation.

February 27th – Having just finished reading Saving Our Pennys by Roy Dimond and Jeff Leitch. I needed to get out in to the sunshine and spend some time reflecting on the lessons I had learnt from the book. Do you ever read something that really makes to stop and think? So off I went for a walk, I like to leave all technology behind when I go out like this and just be at peace. Picked up litter along my route. Good Deeds received: Had virtual coffee with a blogging friend and she helped me out on a few technical issues.

February 28th – Am reading  Mac Black’s book Derek’s In trouble and having a good chuckle along the way. Left a big tip for my hairdresser today who worked wonders with an unruly mop of hair. Accepted 3 more books for review; Judas Goat – The Kennet Narrow Boat Mystery by Patrick Brigham, and two from Roy Dimond; The singing Bowl and The Rubicon effect.

March 1st – Have been feeling guilty, guilt is bad! I have contacted several authors about taking part in my A to Z challenge, lots of them have been wonderful and sent me back information quickly and efficiently. I had an author I had contacted by Twitter back in January who said yes, then when I sent out more messages they just got re-tweeted instead of read and replied. I’ve since let another author have the slot and the first one RT’s many of my daily tweets, but lost his chance. Today I sent him an apology by tweet. What else can I do?

Finished and reviewed Mac Black’s book Derek’s In trouble and the lovely Mac has offered to send me the third book in the series. There were so many great characters continuing the mayhem in Derek’s life, I’m still chuckling now remembering Granny Wisdom in her wheelie bin and 4 drunken men trying to climb over a high wired fence in the middle of the night. The afternoon was lovely and sunny and I spent it in the garden, a small good deed involved weeding the shared garden pathway.

Filled another letter on my A to Z challenge. Just letters Q and X to find books for, am hoping authors of the letters U and Y will send me the details I need this week. It’s been a good week.