Lisa Henry

Well, I’m back from GRL. Okay, I know everyone’s probably already finished talking about GRL since they all got home ages ago, but I only got home last week. If I had to fly halfway around the world to go to GRL, I was taking some extra time to see some of the US while I was at it. 

I met some wonderful people at GRL, way too numerous to mention here. Seriously, I’m not mentioning names because I know that I’ll leave someone out. A special shout out has to go to JA Rock and Lori Toland, my roomies. And, of course, my favourite roomie - the professor. OMG, look at that face: 

In exciting news, JA Rock and I have a release date forBrandon Mills versus the V-Card, the second in our Prescott College series. For those of you playing at home, the date is October 28!

I don’t know what it is with the Prescott books, but the timing is always terrible for me when it comes to promo. When Mark Cooper versus America came out, I was in hospital and, despite all my best intentions to get some work done while in there, I spent a lot more time being unconscious than I’d intended. Also being on drugs that made me very happy and floaty.

Brandon Mills is out the week after GRL, and I’ll be in San Francisco that week with my friend Kate, who I met a gazillion years on my first day of school at Goondiwindi State High. So, once again, the lion’s share of the blogging and stuff will be down to JA. But I will totally pay her back in chocolate. She knows I’m good for it.

But you can’t have a sequel without a three-quel, right? That’s a word now. So, from the kinkfest of Mark Cooper versus America, to the awkward sweetness of Brandon Mills versus the V-Card, to:

Ta da!

Liam McDermott versus Authority.

This is the working title for our third Prescott book. And yes, there will be kink. There will be a D/s relationship. And, for Liam McDermott, college will mean a very steep learning curve.

Yay! Bliss is here! Well, it is if you've pre-ordered through Riptide. Otherwise it'll be here on the 18th! 

If you want to read the first few chapters of Bliss for free, go and check it out at Riptide! 


And don't forget you can join the blog tour and win an awesome prize! Heidi and I will be touring here: 

Well, actually it's on Facebook. 

JA Rock and I have stated a flash fiction group for anyone who is interested. We'll be posting a shared prompt at least every month, and hopefully get some fun and crazy-different responses. If you're into writing flash fiction, or just want a smile, come along and join in. You can find it here: Flash Fiction Addiction. 

Here's our first every picture prompt, and my story underneath. Enjoy! 

Whoops

“Are you sure?” Peter growled, his canary yellow pants a million times sunnier than his current disposition.

“Dude, at least you got the hat.” Max said. “What the hell is up with this shirt? Do I tuck it in or not?”

“You’re just jealous because you couldn’t grow a moustache,” Alan said.

Max snorted. “Your moustaches are ridiculous.”

“Epic,” Alan muttered, smoothing out a crease on his high-fastening blue pants. “They’re epic.”

“All right,” the general said. “Settle down, please. Let’s not forget you’re scientists and you have a serious mission out there. I don’t need to remind you that time travel is inherently dangerous, and that’s without the risk of discovery. Good luck, and stay safe.”

Peter held up his hand. “Wait. I just want to double check.These clothes, really?”

The general glanced at the technician. She nodded rapidly. “We take our research very seriously!”

“Fine.” Peter sighed, and led the others into the module.

“Well,” said the general. “Back they go, all the way to 1973.” He blinked at the display. “What does B.C. mean?”  

The technician shrugged. “No idea, sir.”

She turned the dial, and the module disappeared in a flash of light and smoke. 

I am only posting information that is easily and publicly available.  Links are good as of the time of posting this.  All screen shots are my own.

Michael Alexander Beas

Let's start this one with his Goodreads profile, shall we?

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7744167.Michael_Alexander_Beas?from_search=true

As you can see, Mr. Beas is a Goodreads author as well as member.  Let's have a look at his reviewing stats.

As of 23 July 2014, he has 388 ratings, 351 reviews.  His average rating of 4.90 means he gives very, very few books less than a 5-star rating.

Michael Beas is the #97 top reviewer on Goodreads as of 23 July 2014 when this screenshot was made.

But as stated above, Mr. Beas is also an author.  Here is the Goodreads book page for his fantasy novel Strump:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20464137-strump

His book has 17 ratings, almost all 5-star for an average of 4.88.

The same holds true on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Strump-Shadows-Michael-Alexander-Beas-ebook/dp/B00I9VBHPO/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406175366&sr=8-1&keywords=Strump

Of the 18 reviews on Amazon.com for Strump, 17 are 5-star, one is 4-star. 

Michael Beas, using his own name, is also a reviewer on Amazon.com

He clearly states his location as Waxhaw, North Carolina, exactly as on the Goodreads profile.

Here is Michael Beas' review of The Galadima Conspiracy by Dan Abubakar, posted on Goodreads on 23 July 2014.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1004763811?book_show_action=false

And for good measure, here is Michael Beas' Amazon review of the same book, also posted on 23 July 2014:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Galadima-Conspiracy-Dan-Abubakar-ebook/product-reviews/B00IFBFG28/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Next stop, fiverr.com for the profile of book review seller "Strump."

http://www.fiverr.com/strump/write-a-verified-review-and-post-on-4-sites?context=adv.cat_5.subcat_111&context_type=rating&funnel=2014072404023190018657280

As you can see, the fiverr profile page incorporates the cover of the book Strump with the author's name clearly visible:  Michael Alexander Beas.

A close-up of the profile avatar is also revealing:

as is the actual profile text for "Strump":

"Strump" is an author.  He will only post 4- and 5-star reviews.

Now let's take a look at some of the testimonials posted to "Strump's" fiverr gigs:

Here's one from "9 days ago."

Here is Michael Beas' Goodreads review of Vito Veii's book

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/990908784?book_show_action=true&page=1

Here is the same book's listing on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Human-Part-Two-Androids-Soul-ebook/dp/B00IICQEDO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

And Michael Beas' review of that book on Amazon.com:

The Amazon.com review is also dated 14 July 2014.  Nine days ago.

The testimonial from "vitoveii" clearly states that he has utilized the services of "strump" as a provider of reviews. 

Michael Beas review of Skies Like These by  Tess Hilmo, dated 22 July 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1003482434?book_show_action=true&page=1

And the fiverr testimonial from "thilmo" with the cover of Skies Like These avatar

Again, all of this information is readily and easily available.  I've provided all the links.

As some of you may know, JA Rock and I have been advised by our publisher to change the title of our Mark Cooper versus America sequel, which was called Brandon Mills versus Virginity. Because Amazon would refuse to list it with that title.

When I mentioned this on Goodreads, a few people pointed me towards this book:

Why is this book allowed to use the V-word, but we aren’t? I suspect that it’s all to do with the way this book is tagged. While this book, for all I know, might be full of sexy good times, it’s not listed as erotica or erotic romance, so it escapes the cull. Here’s how it’s categorised on Amazon:

Here's a flash fiction piece I wrote last year for one of the GR groups. The picture prompt, from what I remember, was a woman in really short skirt and really tall stilettos stalking down a set of steps towards a surprised-looking guy in a suit. I don't remember all the rules, but I know we had to get the word "candle" in there somewhere. 

So here's what I wrote. I like to think it's proof that I don't always torture my characters. 

Cynthia Montgomery.

She moved as sleekly as a cat, in those high heels, short skirt, and legs that went on for-fucking-ever. Slinking up the steps like she was looking to rub herself against the nearest tomcat. Who would be Dan, by the way.

Poor woman, because what she didn’t know was that all those hours of effort—of plumping and primping and waxing and buffing—were completely wasted on Dan. That slightly stunned look on his face? Not befuddled by lust. He just hadn’t expected to see what his boss had for breakfast.

I am so excited for this book! 

For those wondering what got deleted, here you go. Screen shots!

I haven't gone through all of the comments, and I assume more has been deleted, but you can get a real sense of what she considers "gangster bullies".   Even Jenny Trout! (WOW!) 

Most of the comments deleted were opposing views about Stopthegrbullies.com (STGRB). Apparently, she simply doesn't care that they use anonymous names, bully authors and reviewers, and play all the dirty tricks she claims to want stopped.

Oddly, there are very few pro comments about STGRB. Why is that? The exception are a few people who have been active in the STGRB all along. So if she can't listen to reason, maybe she should listen to the silence. It speaks loudly. Her fans may support stopping cyber-bullying (as do all of us), but they don't appear to be fans of STGRB either.

Screen shot #1: Full blog post 4/28/2014, early in day - many comments were later deleted

Screen shot #2: Full blog post 4/28/2014, later in day - you can see some of what got deleted

Screen shot #3: Full blog post 4/29/2014 late afternoon

Screen shot #4: Autumn Turner / Misanthropic Bibliophage  thread (1 of 2)  before it got deleted

Screen shot #5: Autumn Turner / Misanthropic Bibliophage (2 of 2)   with final comment (from me!) All deleted.

Screen shot #6: Ole Andreas Imsen comments -- also deleted

Screen shot #7: The now infamous Jenny Trout "Gangster Bully" thread -- also deleted

Screen shot #8: Comments by Elyse Shramm -- also deleted

Screen shot #9: Floras comments to Yvonne before deletion

Screen shot #10: Floras comments have been deleted, Yvonne's still there

And for some fun, do check out Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog post:

This month I am the featured author over at Riptide! Hooray for me!

If you follow the link you can find out all about my newest releases and what's coming up from me at Riptide. You can also read an interview and find out why my study is full of garden implements, dog food, and outdoor furniture. I'm not lazy at all -- it's a safety issue. *whistles*

Being the March featured author isn't just good news for me -- it's good news for you as well.

You can buy He Is Worthy at half price -- only $1.99 The rest of Riptide's Warriors of Rome series is half price as well!

You can also preorder Bliss, co-written with Heidi Belleau, for the special price of $5.99!

Read a five star review of When All the World Sleeps on Goodreads.