Why Writing Letters to Cable and TV Networks is Important by Vivienne Diane Neal

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. When it comes to showing your support or disapproval of a program, writing a letter or sending an email can make a difference if a good or bad show will become a success or a failure.

How often do we hear people say, “That series was excellent, or that show was insulting?”  Networks and sponsors count on viewers, and they need to receive letters of praise and complaints of condemnation.

Many people do not realize how important writing a letter is, which can determine if a good or bad show remains on TV/Cable.

You can sign petitions, but writing a personal letter and sending copies of that post to the companies that sponsor those programs will put the decision-makers on notice.

Producers, filmmakers, directors, and networks rely on sponsors who look at the profit margins. If viewership is low, chances are the program will be put on hold or canceled. Many decision-makers may never give a new program a chance, to grow a large viewing audience if the show is good.

Let us suppose a major network is planning to produce a reality show that is found to be undesirable, this is where the spectator can exercise his or her influence by writing that letter of disapproval, refusing to buy the sponsors’ products or canceling their subscription to a particular cable or movie channel. Money talks and no money talks.

For every correspondence a person sends to a TV/Cable company, one hundred people will not write. Unfortunately, no one can tell whether those people liked the show or didn’t.

The next time you hear about a negative or positive program coming to your nearest channel, write that letter and encourage others to do the same.

Deadly Sexy Trailer (Official Trailer)

Deadly Sexy the movie. Starring Travis Cure and Stephanie Timothy. A book written by Beverly Jenkins, screenplay written by Iris Bolling, movie directed by Iris Bolling, cinematography by Shawn Jones, music by Nelson Johnson and Dewon, produced by Siri Austin Entertainment LLC. For more information on this project go to https://www.gofundme.com/DS-TheMovie

Beware of Mailbox Theft

Mail theft across the country continues to be an ongoing and serious problem. When crooks snatch your mail, they can steal your enclosed checks and also use the information to steal your identity. Following are some tips from the US Postal Inspection Service to help protect your mail from theft:

Do not use public mailboxes. Use the letter slots inside your post office for mail, or hand it to a carrier.

Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. If you are expecting checks, credit cards or other negotiable items and you are away from home, ask a trusted relative, friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.

If you do not receive a check or other valuable mail expected, contact the issuer immediately.

Never send cash in the mail.

If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and other relevant parties.

When you are out of town, notify your post office to hold your mail until you return.

Report all suspected mail theft to a postal inspector at 877-878-2455.

Kimberla Lawson Roby's 'Reverend Curtis Black' Book Rights Acquired by Reel World Management

Kimberla Lawson Roby

Los Angeles-based film and TV production company Reel World Management has acquired the rights to author Kimberla Lawson Roby's 14-novel series "The Reverend Curtis Black." The popular series tells the story of a prominent and very married pastor who is consumed by money, power, and women.

Reel World Management has acquired the rights to the novels with an eye toward developing a television series, with Roby set to serve as executive producer. Roby has authored 27 novels - 12 standalone novels, the 14 published "Reverend Curtis Black" books, and a new "Reverend Curtis Black" novel.

Amy Schiffman of Intellectual Property Group negotiated the "Reverend Curtis Black" deal.

Reel World Management also recently acquired the 20-book series "Virgin River" by Robyn Carr and Emily March's 15-book "Eternity Springs" series. "These talented storytellers have each created compelling characters and worlds which have attracted a global fan base," said Reel World Management president Roma Roth. "I am excited to be able to help them build their reach by adapting their books for the screen."

Article Source - Variety

Another Five Minutes by Destiny Booze Book Blast

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Destiny Booze will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Loving him is easy.



Fearing him is necessary.



Trusting him could be a deadly mistake.

Born deaf and living with an anxiety disorder, Brooke Hartley manages life in five-minute intervals. It’s all she can do to get out of bed each morning. She’s hidden inside her sister’s apartment for over a year.



Everything changes when Brooke’s sister goes missing. Her fragile world crashes. She is desperate to find her, and she’ll need help.



Haunted by a past he needs to forget, Scott Derrico keeps to himself until his gallery manager, Autumn Hartley, suddenly disappears. He is forced out of his isolation to help a woman that needs him with a terrifying intensity.



Scott tries to deny his attraction to Brooke. He doesn’t want to get emotionally involved but he craves her like nothing else. And, for her, he is a dark and sexy diversion to overcome her fear.



With a genuinely flawed and relatable heroine and a mysterious and protective hero, you won’t want this love story to end. You’ll beg…for another five minutes…

Read an Excerpt:


Scott stopped so he could stare at Autumn’s sister. He’d forgotten—again—that she was coming. Maybe if he’d remembered, he would have been more prepared.



Brooke was absolutely beautiful.



Her eyes met his, and he couldn’t look away. Those large, gorgeous eyes held him in place better than steel bars could have. He could stare at those eyes for the rest of the day, or week, or longer.



He suddenly remembered his manners. He’d told Autumn he would make this easier for her. He forced a polite smile, completely aware his behavior was not going unnoticed.



With a pointed stare, Autumn stepped toward him. “What’s wrong? And don’t answer where she can see you. She reads lips.”



He turned sideways, away from Brooke, opened his mouth to respond, and shrugged instead.



“Did you change your mind about her working here?”



“No, of course not.”



“Okay. So why are you looking at her like that?”



Again, he shrugged. What was he supposed to say? Sorry, but I don’t want to have the hots for your sister. You should have told me she was so beautiful.



“Oh,” she said, her eyebrows lifting.



Oh? What the heck did she mean by that?



“You realize I have a picture of my sister on my desk, right? It shouldn’t be a surprise to you that she’s pretty.”



He hadn’t noticed the picture. Obviously. And, she was way more than pretty.



Her look of surprise suddenly changed. “Scott, don’t you dare make a move on my sister. I mean it. That’s the last thing she needs right now.”



“That won’t happen.”



“Good. Now, please turn back around and say hello. I want her to feel welcome.”



Right. He turned back, shoved his hair away from his face, and instantly went right on staring. “Hey. Welcome to the team.”



Was that his voice? It was much softer than normal. He had to snap out of this.



She gave such a small smile that he wondered if he imagined it.



Had she understood what he’d said? Maybe he hadn’t spoken slowly enough?



He looked back to Autumn to make sure she wasn’t still glaring at him. She was. Oh hell. He walked away to his studio. This day was not going to get any easier.



About the Author:

Destiny Booze is an interesting name, true? Destiny’s mom found her first name in a romance book. Her last name was a gift from the man she loves.



She writes novels with intense conflicts, ongoing suspense, romance, and happy endings. She grew up at a campground where she spent her summers working long hours mowing, cleaning bathrooms, lifeguarding, and leading activities.



Destiny resides in Botetourt County, Virginia where she strives to be the best wife, mother, and writer that she can be. Her family is always priority number one. Other things of great importance to her are friends and her readers!



Follow Destiny on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter @destinybooze, or her website www.destinybooze.com. Go to her website and sign up for her mailing list for updates on book releases and book giveaways.

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How to Protect Yourself against Dating Scams by Miss Know It All

Miss Know It All

There seems to be no end when it comes to people searching for love, romance or a lifetime partner on social networks, chat rooms and popular dating sites. And many great relationships and marriages have been created. But one must also be mindful that there are folks who have underhanded motives when it comes to meeting someone, which is scamming you out of your money.

When it comes to online dating, a person who pretends to be a love interest and immediately requests money is without a doubt a con-artist. You can protect yourself from being ripped-off by observing the following signs:

·       Once you meet the individual, he or she will want to leave the dating site promptly and use personal email or Instant Messaging

·       Declares his or her love at first sight

·       Claims to live in the USA but are actually living, working or traveling in another country

·      Plans to visit you but a tragedy has occurred, which prevents him or her from seeing your face to face

When you meet someone for the first time on an online dating site, never wire money to cover the following:

·       Travel expenses

·       Medical emergencies

·       Hotel bills

·       Hospital bills for a child or other relatives

·       Visas or other official documents

·       Losses from a temporary financial setback

Never send money to tide someone over after a mugging or robbery, and don’t do anyone a favor by making an online purchase or forwarding a package to another country. One request leads to another, and delays and disappointments will follow. In the end, the money will be gone along with the person you thought you knew.

You can contact the following agencies to report online dating scams:

Federal Trade Commission

The FBI

State Attorney General

~~~~~

You can recover from a broken heart, but the theft of one’s nest egg because of deception may never be fully recovered. Malicious Acts - Tales of lust, greed, deceit, and revenge! By Vivienne Diane Neal

The Official Trailer for Married in the Nick of Nine

Announcing the World Premiere Film Hero

Inspired by the extraordinary life & times of Mr. Ulric Cross

Frances-Anne Solomon, Director

Trinidad+Tobago Film/18 Festival, a division of the New World Film Centre, is very excited to announce the World Premiere Hero, directed by Frances-Anne Solomon, at their Opening Night Ceremony on September 18, 2018, at NAPA. This is the highly anticipated docudrama about Ulric Cross, a World War II Squadron Leader born in colonial Trinidad, whose distinguished international career as a soldier, jurist and diplomat spanned key events of the 20th Century when independent African and Caribbean nations came of age. Out of this, a new brand of Black leadership was born and post-colonial societies emerged to find their place today on the world's stage.

Stay tuned for information on ticket sales. Read more on their opening night film here.

Wine Tasting Corner

Want to do something unique for your summer entertaining? Ever consider having a wine tasting party? You may choose to have several of the same kind of wines made by a variety of wineries or a variety of wines from a single winery. Following are some hints to help make your wine tasting gala a sip to remember!

The rule of thumb is to provide separate glasses for each person for each wine to be tasted. However, a tasting may be conducted with one glass for each person providing the glass is rinsed between wines. Stemmed plastic glasses are ideal if you wish to provide separate glasses. Unflavored crackers and water should be served so your guests can clear their palates between wines. Begin with chilled white wines. Place each bottle in a brown paper bag and number them. Pour an ounce or two in each glass, so each taster has an adequate amount to judge. Have a large bowl on hand so guests can discard untasted wine. You’ll be judging three things: appearance, aroma and taste appropriate for the type of wine which all sum up to an overall opinion regarding the wine.

 Appearance - The wine must be clear. You can then go on to judge on other characteristics such as brilliance and density of color.

Aroma - According to the experts, 90% of wine tasting is done with the nose. Give two or three short, forceful sniffs. Examine first for the smell or a distinguishing scent of the grape and then for the bouquet. Any strange odor will automatically disqualify a wine.

Taste - Take a sip, pull it back in your mouth and roll it around the tongue. You will be able to distinguish sweetness, sourness, and bitterness, which result from the amount of tannin present in the wine. You will then decide if they are in balance for the wine you taste. Together with the taste of wine you should have a “feel” of the body of the wine in your mouth - full, medium, or light.

Conclusion - Now that you have done all of the above, you are ready to come to a decision. Which wine did you like the best and the reasons for your choice?

If you wish to taste a variety of wines and live near or plan to visit California, check out the following wineries:

Rideau Vineyard

Brown Estate

Esterlina Vineyards

L’objet noir

Theopolis Vineyards

##

Article reprinted in part from Wine Tasting Corner published in Gourmet News, August 1984.

Books That Make Great Summer Reads

Following are some stories that will make those sweltering days seem like a cool day on the beach. There is something for everyone: mysteries, crime stories, romance, legal drama, psychological thrillers, and poetry.

Enjoy your summer and happy reading.

Black Ice: The Family Bloodline by Charlotte Marshall-Murray - Nala Jordan is back with her diabolical antics.  This is the final series to Ice 1, 2 and 3.

In The Spirit of Murder  by Laura Belgrave - An unpopular woman detective lands the case of a medium who was viciously murdered on Halloween.

Halloween Jeopardy by Laura Belgrave - This short story is a prequel to In The Spirit of Murder, introducing you to the 12 year old Claudia Hershey. You don’t have to read this narrative but it will give you a better understanding as to how an incident that occurred on Halloween directed Claudia to become a police officer.

Running in Plain Sight & Other Stories by Charles R. Butts, Jr. - Touches on courage, hope, faith, forgiveness, healing, and redemption.

Burden of Proof: An Emili Jones Paralegal Mystery by Tina Glasneck - Separated from her micro-cheating husband, a woman applies for a receptionist’s job at a law firm, ends up being hired as a paralegal, but has no experience in law.

There is Sunshine After The Rain: Making it Through Life’s Struggles by Patricia A. Saunders - Engaging, informative, and inspirational tidbits that explore the author's life journey from the past to the present.

A Story of Betrayal by Michael Smith - A small town captain investigates a missing person’s case.

Bear Country and Murder by Michael Smith - A burnout city cop accepts a job as a deputy in a small Alaska town, where murder is supposedly uncommon.

A Small Town with Big Secrets by Michael Ace Smith - A family, clouded in mystery, moves from England to a small town in the USA.

Revenge is Thicker than Water by Michael Smith - A couple on vacation stumbles upon a crime scene with a missing woman’s name scrawled across the wall.

Full Circle by Michael Smith - An inspector goes after a depraved criminal who believes he can avoid getting caught.

Violence Knows No Boundaries by Michael Smith - A newly appointed sheriff is faced with solving a gruesome murder case in a rural town.

Murder in a Small Town by Michael Smith - A local girl is found mutilated in a sleepy little town in Yorkshire, England.