Thursday, December 20, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=      HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM ME TO YOU!

It has been an interesting year - I've released three books in paperback, one of those in both ebook and paperback just this year; the other two were already in ebook format. I've posted, Facebooked, tweeted, LinkedIn'd, done freebies, giveaways, interviews, solicited reviews, worked with a PR firm, asked advice from techies, other authors, reviewers, readers, friends and family, and slaved over a hot computer for hours on end trying to get word out about my novels. I didn't realize when I started this journey that being an author who works full-time is really like having three full-time jobs: the one that pays me, the one I love (writing), and the one that wears me out (marketing)! I have learned so much from authors, bloggers, reviewers, and others on FB especially who support and encourage each other and understand the struggle. The main thing I've learned is that you have to believe in yourself and the stories you tell. And I do!

Because you have been so kind, you authors, you bloggers, you reviewers, you FB friends, you "sharers", you "likers", you "tweeters" and "retweeters", and all the rest of you, I say a very sincere THANK YOU, and I want to wish you and yours a wonderful, peaceful, happy, and loving holiday season.

THANK YOU!

Joe

Friday, November 30, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=   I'm so proud to announce this current BARGAIN!

Christmas Special - Buy One Terrific Novel, Get Two Fabulous Novels Absolutely Free!

Free Ebooks! Intrigued? This is a great deal! Buy one of my novels - A MORMON MASSACRE, A SPY AT HOME, or HAZARDOUS CHOICES - and get the other two free! Email me at rinald47@hotmail.com for more details. Awesome Christmas gift for anyone who has a Kindle or other ereader! Check these books out on Amazon or on my website - www.josephmrinaldo.com - for more info!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=

Read Linda Leander's terrific blog interview with me at http://wp.me/p2P8Ef-3S. She has not only picked my brain about how I write, she has given me the opportunity to offer readers a "special"; you'll have to go to the blog post to find out what it is. Check it out!


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=   A MORMON MASSACRE


Mormonism: legitimate church or dangerous cult? A MORMON MASSACRE (a novel). For your free copy, rinald47@hotmail.com.

Monday, October 1, 2012

A MORMON MASSACRE - Amazon Reviewers LOVE It!

Blogaholic Designs”=

Here's the latest awesome review (by Dixie Miller Goode) of my new novel release, A Mormon Massacre, now available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback format!

Spying on the Temple By Pandorasecho "Dixie"

"Because I had previously read and reviewed one of Joseph Rinaldo's novels, "Hazardous Choices," he offered me a kindle copy of this one to read. I was hesitant, not because I didn't think I would enjoy the book, but because I have a lot of friends who are Mormon and I knew that any favorable review of a book called "A Mormon Massacre" would possibly offend my friends. Still, I loved Mr. Rinaldo's writing and I agreed to read it, but did not promise a review.

This book starts with a well researched, historical massacre of everyone but the very youngest children in a large wagon train, at Mountain Meadows, Utah. This happened as the country was entering the turmoil of the civil war era and ended up not being investigated as completely as it might have at another time in history. The fictional novel itself deals with a young man entering a Mormon group as an inserted "spy" in the modern world. There is a connection to the massacre, but the real story is what is happening deep within the highest, most secret groups in the inner temples of modern Salt Lake City and in an empty barn where a secret army demands blood atonement from heretics and unfaithful women.

I loved the intensity of this novel, and the well written story carried me along so that I avoided a few other books I already had started in favor of finding out what would happen next here. I know my Mormon friends would not love this book, but in all honesty, Mr. Rinaldo creates modern Mormons who are realistic and multi-dimensional. He clearly shows the kindness and concern and humanity of most of the members, while also showing the manipulation and insanity in his villain. Of course his villain, a fictional person, happens to be the head of the Mormon Church. His insanity is complete but it progresses along such a natural path that he pulls his followers along that road much farther than they would have ever expected to go.

What I love most about this novel is the characters within it. Each is so complete and well crafted that it becomes hard to believe they are fictional characters. I had to care about them, and love them or hate them. There was no way to put down this book and stop reading once I had entered its pages."

I am so proud of my new book, and I would like to offer my blog readers the opportunity to read and review it. Just post a comment here, and I will be in touch!

THANKS, Dixie!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A MORMON MASSACRE - ANOTHER 5-STAR REVIEW!

Blogaholic Designs”=

A MORMON MASSACRE - ANOTHER 5-STAR REVIEW!


I am so very proud to announce another five-star review for A Mormon Massacre, my newest and most controversial novel! Elliot Malach says, "...high intensity...it would make a great movie." Linda Baumann calls it "Riveting and Shocking!", and Steve Lionel says "Entrancing characters, thought-provoking plot, skillfully told." Don't miss this great read at http://www.amazon.com/A-Mormon-Massacre-Joseph-Rinaldo/dp/1477505911/  

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=

COURTING CONTROVERSY!

The release of my new novel, A Mormon Massacre, has created quite a controversy. Some believe I am trying to destroy the Mormon Church, some believe I am trying to take advantage of the upcoming election by releasing it now (DUH!), and some think I am just a crackpot who likes to rant. What do you think? Read A Mormon Massacre, now available on Amazon, and make up your own mind! http://www.amazon.com/A-MORMON-MASSACRE-ebook/dp/B008R26S18/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344944610&sr=8-2&keywords=a+mormon+massacre


Monday, August 6, 2012

Seeking Reviews for A MORMON MASSACRE!

Blogaholic Designs”=

A MORMON MASSACRE has just been released on Amazon, and I am seeking reviewers who would like to receive a free review copy (digital). If interested, please comment here, and I will contact you immediately! Thanks, friends. Here is a blurb about the novel:




A Mormon militia slaughtered a wagon train of 150 Arkansas emigrants in Utah Territory in 1857. This ranked as the largest mass killing of Americans by Americans until the Oklahoma City bombing, excluding the Civil War. When the bodies were accidentally uncovered in 1999, Mike Leavitt, the Governor of Utah and allegedly a direct descendant of an 1857 militiaman, ordered them re-buried. Jeremiah, in present-day Nashville, decides to go undercover and see what else the Mormons are hiding in my new novel, A Mormon Massacre, available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/A-MORMON-MASSACRE-ebook/dp/B008R26S18.




Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A MORMON MASSACRE available on Amazon!

Blogaholic Designs”=

A Mormon militia slaughtered a wagon train of 150 Arkansas emigrants in Utah Territory in 1857. This ranked as the largest mass killing of Americans by Americans until the Oklahoma City bombing, excluding the Civil War. When the bodies were accidentally uncovered in 1999, Mike Leavitt, the Governor of Utah and allegedly a direct descendant of an 1857 militiaman, ordered them re-buried. Jeremiah, in present-day Nashville, decides to go undercover and see what else the Mormons are hiding in my new novel, A Mormon Massacre, available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/A-MORMON-MASSACRE-ebook/dp/B008R26S18.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Great Review for HAZARDOUS CHOICES!

Blogaholic Designs”=SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION

Enjoy the absolutely wonderful review by Norma Budden for my book Hazardous Choices at http://bookreviews.normabudden.com/2012/07/18/joseph-rinaldo/. Thank you, Norma!


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION

A SPY AT HOME is now available in paperback on Amazon! Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/Spy-At-Home-Joseph-Rinaldo/dp/1475122594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339084663&sr=8-1, and while you're browsing, watch the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi9Fw74llNA.


I would love any comments you may have on the YT video; there's been some discussion that it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for a promotion. Apparently, some people think that Americans have the attention span of a gnat. What do you think?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Blogaholic Designs”=EBOOKS VS. PRINT BOOKS: PART II

Well, folks, here I am again, talking about the controversy between ebooks and print books. I know this is ground we've covered before, but bear with me. I have two ebooks, A SPY AT HOME and HAZARDOUS CHOICES, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Goodreads. (For those of you who have bought, read, reviewed, tweeted about, or "liked" these novels, I thank you most sincerely.) The monetary rewards (in the form of royalties, of course) have been less than huge, even though I have worked as hard as I know how to promote both books, and even though I have given away many, discounted more, and priced them inexpensively to sell! So now what? I asked myself what would come next.

I was challenged to offer my novels in print form by someone who does not have a Kindle or a Nook. (Can you imagine?) I decided, after much soul-searching, to do so. Working with CreateSpace and learning (by much trial and error - mostly error) how to edit, format, and upload my novel A Spy At Home, I have finally been able to offer this novel in print on Amazon. The experience was exhausting; CS has many good points, and their tech support is fine, but there just isn't enough information on their website to make this process easy. I sought advice from FB friends, and I was pleased with the support and encouragement they offered.

Take a look and see what you think, friends. I'm hoping that an opportunity to attend and participate in a book-signing in my hometown on June 14th will help me promote the print version of the book, and I am very much looking forward to my first "public appearance". More to follow...

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Routines - My Way or the Wrong Way?

Blogaholic Designs”=


There is an old episode of "All In The Family" that illustrates brilliantly how rigidly we all adhere to our routines and patterns of behavior. In this episode, Archie and his son-in-law Mike ("affectionately" known as Meathead) are getting ready to go fishing, and Archie discovers Mike putting on his socks and shoes; first Mike puts on his right sock and his right shoe, then begins to put on his left sock and left shoe. Archie, baffled by this behavior, insists that the "proper" way to put on socks and shoes is sock, sock, shoe, shoe. This begins an argument about the correct way to clad the feet. Archie insists that if you put on both socks first, and you have to run out of the house in an emergency, you have two warm feet. Mike counters that, doing it his way, if you have to flee the house in hurry, and it's raining outside, you at least have one warm, dry foot. The disagreement escalates into an all-out battle over the simple act of putting on shoes and socks.

Over the twelve years of my marriage, there have been many occasions on which my wife and I have disagreed about the "correct" way to do such things as load the dishwasher, fold the laundry, drive the car, and other things that seem minor on their surface, but which could potentially escalate to an argument and someone getting his/her feelings hurt. We have finally come to the conclusion that just because someone does something differently than you would do it, does not make it wrong, just different. This was not an easy compromise. It's funny how seriously we all take our own eccentricities and how tenaciously we cling to the behaviors we've learned and practiced all our lives.

So, let me ask you this: Do you put on both socks and then both shoes, or do you prefer the one sock-one shoe method? Do you load the dishwasher from the back to the front or from the front to the back? Do you fold your socks by turning down the tops over the pair, or do you tie matching socks together to be sure they stay together? Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube from the middle or from the end?

Are any of these things worth arguing about? Is it possible to re-train your brain to accept new ways of doing things or will you hold on to "this is the way I've always done it"? Consider Archie and Meathead - they never did reach agreement about the sock/shoe issue, and the fishing trip was called off.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

PRESS RELEASE! Every Child is Entitled to Innocence - release date 2/14/12!

Blogaholic Designs”=
Press Release

Every Child is Entitled to Innocence will be the first publication of the newly- formed Orangeberry Publishing Group. Due to release on February 14th, profits from the sales of this e-book will be donated to Child Helpline International.

Says initiator of the project, Dr. Niamh Clune, “I met many writers through the Internet that experienced difficult childhoods yet have overcome their brutal beginnings. I wanted to make the first Orangeberry publication a celebration of creative imagination. This powerful friend of damaged children plays an essential role in an abused child’s recovery. Gathering this series of stories was a joy. Orangeberry Books has developed special, vibrant relationships with contributors and has forged many lasting friendships.

We encouraged happy stories that reflected the innocence of childhood when infants feel wrapped in the warmth of loving arms. We wanted to contrast these with the sad ones, making them stand out in relief against a bright backdrop. We felt this comparison would demonstrate, without explanation, what happens when innocence is stolen.

In this book, the reader will find many wonderful, heart-warming stories; whilst the sad ones demonstrate the magnificence of the human spirit as it triumphs against all the odds."

Executive Editor, Karen S. Elliott stated, “While I looked at all the stories in the Every Child anthology, I edited only a few. I thought it was important, for this tome, that the writers be able to express the heartbreak and joy of childhoods past without censorship.”

Spokesperson for Orangeberry Books, Niamh Clune, explained how The Orangeberry Group is at the vanguard of a new wave of Internet publishing companies. Orangeberry aims to put quality first and bring exciting, exceptionally talented authors to the reader’s attention. Its focus is not on commercialism, but on quality, beautifully written, well-told stories. Orangeberry will also publish poetry. A further aim of the publishing company is to bring a collection of exceptional artists from across many different art disciplines to collaborate on projects in a personal, hands-on, mutually supportive manner.

The motto of the company is, ‘Paying it Forward.’ The company relies on a well-developed social network, the dedication of the core team members, their talent and enthusiasm coupled with a socially entrepreneurial spirit. Supporters and members of this group will also benefit from on-line mentoring, a book-club, the Youth Tube Channel, and the OBBlog.

For further information visitwww.orangeberrybooks.com http://www.theobblog.com/
Join the FB group @ http://www.facebook.com/groups/orangeberrygroup/

Monday, January 16, 2012

Guest Post from Lorane Leavy!

Blogaholic Designs”=I am proud to welcome Lorane Leavy as my guest post-er for the day! I know you will enjoy her post! Remember, comments are encouraged and welcomed. Lorane's blog is called "Last Seen Wearing Thin" and can be found at http://loraneleavy.blogspot.com/. Today's post is entitled "Resolutions, Revelations, Rallies", and was originally posted on her blog on December 31, 2011.
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     Been hearing all manner of change - that will debut tomorrow. Hardly a joiner, I most definitely am a muller. My musings took me from "Remembering" yesterday to 'and now?' today. We have scanned, eye to mind, mind touching mind, with all the reverent anticipation of "Looking for Mr. Goodbar", through the frenzied yet purposeful jungle that we call mankind. If one subscribes to the concept - and I daresay I do - of the 'Whole' of Mankind, then one accepts the thesis (count me in) that mankind is indivisible and the 'mysteries' not yet solved speak not to Nature's disorder but to man's intellectual immaturity.
     Please forgive me the bromides indispensable to pragmatically applying this thesis to my advocacy of the rights to which, I believe, mankind is entitled. First, you gotta believe that injury to any part of mankind injures - in part - all of mankind.
     (John Donne drove this home with: "No man is an island. Each man's death diminishes me for I am involved in mankind. So, ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee." The boy indeed had a knack.)

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Contest - E-Book Giveaway!

Blogaholic Designs”=Lisa Taylor is hosting a contest/ebook giveaway on her blog, Writer's Block Party! Enter to win a free ebook by either Lisa, Joseph Rinaldo (me!), or Graham Smith! You know you LOVE free stuff, and what better way to get free stuff than to enter this giveaway! It's easy, and there aren't hundreds of things you have to do! Get ready, get set, enter! The link is http://writersparty.com/contests/.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Spotlight Feature on DARLENE'S BOOK NOOK!

Blogaholic Designs”=I'm so pleased and proud to have a spotlight feature on Darlene's Book Nook! It's called "Spotlight Saturday: Author Interview and Giveaway with Joseph M. Rinaldo, author of A Spy At Home", and here is the link: http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com/2012/01/spotlight-saturday-author-interview-and.html. Please check out the interview and enter the giveaway for a free copy of A SPY AT HOME!