They All Died Smiling: A Spiritual Romance Thriller by Ronda Del Boccio

2010-04-30T08:11:00.001-07:00

2009-03-22T13:42:00.001-07:00

@CollinRaye 's story song "Quitters" gets you to think and @TheStoryLady teaches you some secret skills of success http://ping.fm/fU1SK

2009-03-20T11:55:00.001-07:00

HOT NEW Firefox Add-on lets you leave a trail for others to follow: storytelling trail on Trailfire shows you the best in storytelling http://ping.fm/CyQJn

2009-03-12T15:35:00.001-07:00

5 tax credits u may qualify 4 r in this post, so it's a good plan to have a look. You might qualify. http://ping.fm/haZkP

2009-03-10T06:49:00.001-07:00

Personal narrative examples - using storytelling to build relationships & teach your market http://budurl.com/narr

2009-02-16T11:29:00.001-08:00

Avoid these 3 dating profile disasters - free webinar http://ping.fm/3Rgol with Rhonda cort (@RhondaTheMaven) who'll teach you to sizzle & shine

2009-02-14T19:33:00.001-08:00

How @AdamUrbanski's 10-yo Girl Got Fast Food Giants like McDonalds and Burger King as Marketing Partners http://ping.fm/U7Kky

2009-02-13T18:40:00.001-08:00

If you could use a boost of confidence, download this book and read it right now - no optin required - http://poprl.com/IVL Make it happen!

2009-02-11T15:14:00.001-08:00

How much money can a fart app for the phone make? http://ping.fm/5uajO how about the iFart: $40K?

2009-02-02T22:08:00.001-08:00

of tweeting dogs, storytelling & new perspectives ttp://tinyurl.com/cz3m2b

2009-01-27T15:31:00.001-08:00

Giving away a Flip Mino! http://ping.fm/RyGSl once I have 2000 Twitter followers

2009-01-27T15:29:00.001-08:00

The secret of fearless living revealed http://ping.fm/QXQK3

2009-01-27T15:28:00.001-08:00

Today only: Score BIG when you http://budurl.com/score buy win Q5

2009-01-14T14:45:00.001-08:00

Google business storytelling: Gmail & Google Phone including quote from @TheStoryLady ttp://tinyurl.com/8a2rvq

2009-01-13T08:50:00.001-08:00

Storytelling in social media & Web 2.0 with @TheStoryLady & @JvQueen http://ping.fm/8B5kr

2008-12-29T14:33:00.001-08:00

Are you challenging yourself like http://ping.fm/xIMOX @BoulderCoaching, or are you arguing for your perceived limits?

2008-12-23T14:33:00.001-08:00

Using prize from @emailcopywriter Puppet Master 2 quantum leap joint ventures - http://ping.fm/NZLOF 4 me & book launch author clients!

2008-12-18T14:10:00.001-08:00

NFL football failures have no clue what football can teach them ters: http://ping.fm/JkpgE

2008-12-18T14:04:00.001-08:00

Promote your blog by participating in a global book tour & hosting an author your readers should know ttp://tinyurl.com/52tv5n

2008-12-18T12:10:00.001-08:00

Bloggers: why promote your blog, get more readers quickly and easily by hosting an author on global blog tour? http://ping.fm/VVTup

2008-12-18T11:59:00.001-08:00

Why should you start TALKING to yourself instead of listening to yourself? ask @BoulderCoaching & check out http://ping.fm/shB1w

2008-12-15T14:43:00.001-08:00

stories and smartphones and web 2.0 - oh my! http://ping.fm/qknB0

2008-12-13T14:13:00.001-08:00

full video of blessing fudge in the making. I just made some & WOW the house smells great http://ping.fm/ltbSY

2008-12-13T10:39:00.001-08:00

internet storytelling tips for video http://ping.fm/vONPS

2008-12-13T08:39:00.001-08:00

Plz take 2 seconds & vote for the wireless accessories store at http://ping.fm/PfPD7
to help a colleague win a contest. plz rt tyvm

2008-12-12T17:04:00.001-08:00

How is Disney creating a storytelling experience for those who are not at the park? The virtual Storyteller http://ping.fm/Pg4YL

2008-12-12T16:14:00.001-08:00

Ira Glass shares storytelling strategies in these videos http://ping.fm/LFdH4

2008-12-12T15:44:00.001-08:00

How does the G1 Google Phone incorporate storytelling into their marketing? http://budurl.com/qky4

2008-12-09T17:32:00.001-08:00

Are you a Look at Me Marketer or a Relationship Marketer? Find out http://ping.fm/FYWFw

2008-12-08T20:43:00.001-08:00

Does spirituality have a place in business?
http://budurl.com/rhg7

2008-12-07T22:27:00.001-08:00

Did you ever feel your students/clients were totally missing the point? http://ping.fm/57Ida

2008-12-06T22:52:00.001-08:00

Is storytelling irrelevant or essential for business? http://ping.fm/mehw0 What say you?

2008-12-04T20:25:00.001-08:00

A father's legacy for his son becomes a life mission of sharing football success strategies http://ping.fm/Ps1CK

2008-12-03T18:25:00.001-08:00

What lessons does football teach? New videos & links added: http://ping.fm/eLqky

2008-12-03T17:51:00.001-08:00

What can you learn from football & @Bob Beck? http://ping.fm/sHDSB

2008-12-03T11:51:00.001-08:00

Viral marketing = storytelling: How can you create a viral story: http://ping.fm/dYBeE

2008-12-03T10:56:00.001-08:00

beware of any email saying you have a Hallmark card/postcard - Snopes verified http://ping.fm/hOrDc

2008-12-03T09:25:00.001-08:00

What do Twitter, Beowolf and Grand Theft Auto share? http://ping.fm/wgWh6 Storytelling in all its glory

2008-12-03T09:13:00.001-08:00

why will storytelling live forever? http://ping.fm/k5YQi

2008-11-29T14:54:00.001-08:00

The Geometry of Success excerpt & why writing a book without having the back end in place is a bad idea http://ping.fm/JqIxx

2008-11-28T14:49:00.001-08:00

power of acknowledgment/affirmation, thanks @AnneHolmes & @KenMcArthur http://ping.fm/WSyBR

2008-11-28T14:37:00.001-08:00

Book Launch of The Geometry of Success Begins - while I'm still writing! http://budurl.com/vksw excerpts & mroe coming too

2008-11-27T08:37:00.001-08:00

Can gratitude grow your business? real life story _ @TheStoryLady's SEAD Radio show http://budurl.com/f53a on gratitude for business growth

2008-11-27T06:27:00.001-08:00

Dr. Robin Rushlo: 1 of the most inspiring & successful blind guys ever is on the radio, in MLM, & a true go giver http://budurl.com/ghwu

2008-11-25T20:22:00.001-08:00

I wish all my American friends to everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday & everyone worldwide many reasons to be grateful

2008-11-25T20:21:00.001-08:00

Want to change ur life & kick it up a notch? FREE coaching to start your biz from 1 of the good guys http://ping.fm/D4fqo plz rt/share

2008-11-25T20:19:00.001-08:00

inspirational viral storytelling in action http://ping.fm/2aG2o the power of recognition plz rt

2008-11-24T07:59:00.001-08:00

Football empowered Author speaker Bob Beck's success in Find out how life http://ping.fm/lsDhG

2008-11-21T22:21:00.001-08:00

Business Storytelling: BuildABear Workshop bear unites a father serving in Iraq & daughter: he always says goodnight http://budurl.com/a3tx

2008-11-21T11:57:00.001-08:00

How can you win a football game in the 5th quarter? Bob Beck says http://budurl.com/6lea

2008-11-21T11:45:00.001-08:00

Without affirmations, Scott Armstrong would never have made his big dream a reality. Watch this vid http://ping.fm/FQCZ4

2008-11-21T05:08:00.001-08:00

Storytelling Tellabration: stories aren't just for kids ttp://tinyurl.com/64f5ol

2008-11-17T14:16:00.001-08:00

Delectible Dish Description Contest - win prizes - http://budurl.com/v8ky

2008-11-17T13:03:00.001-08:00

storytelling increases memory by 200-700% & incorporates the whole brain http://budurl.com/b75c

2008-11-17T07:45:00.001-08:00

web 2.0 storytelling: in education, ARGs, interactive & digital http://budurl.com/7n6f

2008-11-17T07:35:00.001-08:00

Do you expect to harvest before you work? http://budurl.com/pvk3

2008-11-17T06:31:00.001-08:00

Storytelling in marketing creates messages people want to spread like dandelions http://budurl.com/albz

2008-11-16T16:30:00.001-08:00

Political Storytelling in the White House - Creating a legend wi/ concurrent images, stories, Thx @RevxNexus http://budurl.com/dl3r

2008-11-16T16:00:00.001-08:00

automated story capture & storytelling for army training project http://budurl.com/72eg intriguing

2008-11-16T14:12:00.001-08:00

storytelling for business, hero's journey formula captures everyone's attention http://budurl.com/6hkw

2008-11-16T14:03:00.001-08:00

"Storytelling Slam" in NYC from insecurity to power through telling stories http://budurl.com/swjx

2008-11-16T13:51:00.001-08:00

storytelling in social media - hook, story & action + my comment & story http://budurl.com/rgqw

2008-11-14T13:15:00.001-08:00

writing a book? Book Launch social style http://ping.fm/gY0g8

Sales Expert Bob Beck is on a Mission

2008-11-14T07:38:00.001-08:00

"I'm on a mission to bring respect, fun, and pride back to selling," is what sales guru Bob Beck says. This short video shows him speaking at a live event and receiving rave reviews from business owners.

Here's the link: http://ping.fm/31WUz

You'll see the cover of his book Mutual Respect shown there, and his newest book is just out now.

What's Bob Beck's story? He created a system for selling that started in the USA & spread to 10 countries worldwide. That's how powerful his Quid Pro Quo system is. Naturally, he did not start out as a wildly successful salesman and business owner.

After college, he spent some time living on welfare. Then he used success strategies he learned from one of America's most popular sports to raise himself to become the multi-published author and successful businessman he is today
.
Bob Beck shares success secrets he learned from playing football in his latest book, Winning in the 5th Quarter,

"Good is the enemy to great," Bob Beck declares from the stage. Why? Because being good enough leads to complacency.

Watch the short video at http://ping.fm/31WUz and pick up his books at Amazon.com.

2008-11-14T07:29:00.001-08:00

Put respect into sales - Bob Beck wowed his crowd http://ping.fm/31WUz

2008-11-05T19:34:00.001-08:00

football fans - thu 11/6 noon ESTBob Beck talks about his book join us http://ping.fm/ZnFlj 347-324-3823

2008-11-05T17:22:00.001-08:00

Keep your sanity intact - share this video postcard http://ping.fm/fvslI

2008-11-04T21:24:00.001-08:00

Teach yourself to overcome fear & negativity: Book Trailer - Best Affirmations Workbook http://ping.fm/MMySM

2008-11-03T14:32:00.001-08:00

ooh look out Geek Squad! FUNNY video sweeping the net! http://ping.fm/K9o2c

The Mighty Thor Spoofs the Geek Squad

2008-11-03T14:31:00.001-08:00

Watch out, Geek Squad & Best Buy...there's a new Geek of Thunder in town, and he knows how to make a video! This is a funny video commercial making fun of a company that reportedly is causing a lot of grumbling lately. It is getting views rapidly, so watch out for this viral video from Thor Schrock of Schrock Innovations!
You're HIRED!

2008-11-03T08:59:00.001-08:00

Network Marketers MLMers The Story Lady live on Networking w/ Blind Guy http://ping.fm/N2Aq3 347-324-3823 phone or 'puter NOW

2008-11-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

Become a customer magnet thru profitable storytelling! Listen to this call, my gift for you this week http://ping.fm/IOJfS

Roberts & Ross Publishing Squidoo Lens

2008-10-30T12:42:00.001-07:00

Explore the services of Roberts & Ross Publishing on Squidoo with this new lens at http://ping.fm/aX0uM

Not every book is selected to publish with Roberts & Ross Publishing.

Roberts & Ross Publishing combines the best of both worlds. The author has the credibility, distribution and book quality of traditional publishing with the speed of print on demand publishing at an affordable price.

In this Squidoo Lens, you will:

* Discover the distribution channels available to you with Roberts & Ross Publishing (more than just online booksellers!)

* Learn what the top 10 criteria for selecting a book to publish are

* Buy R&R books from Amazon

* Find out what's Del.icio.us about Roberts & Ross Publishing

* Connect with R&R authors on Twitter

* Explore author services

* Video book trailers and media appearances of those connected with roberts & Ross Publishing

* and more!

This is a new lens, so look for it to evolve as more video book trailers, books and authors arrive!

Visit http://ping.fm/dtQCL

2008-10-30T12:35:00.001-07:00

Roberts & Ross Publishing Squidoo Lens http://ping.fm/dtQCL req lens luv will recip

2008-10-29T13:20:00.001-07:00

Coffee lovers, please accept a free sample of Boresha AA Arabica organic fair trade http://ping.fm/Y2UVc

2008-10-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

Authors, looking for an alternative to traditional publishing or print on demand? http://ping.fm/cSojo

2008-10-27T09:05:00.001-07:00

Authors, connect with me on the new Roberts & Ross Publishing Social Network Authors: This is an excellent publisher. You'll keep all rights, get a high royalty, & be freed up to do what you do best.

2008-10-25T12:34:00.001-07:00

Winning in the 5th when the heat is on - great book http://ping.fm/y4rS4

2008-10-25T12:31:00.001-07:00

storytelling tip: Create GAR in every story (anticipation for more

2008-10-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

New publishing option 4 authors gives you more $ & control http://ping.fm/QwL56

2008-10-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

I'm happy about this new publishing choice for authors http://ping.fm/QwL56

2008-10-25T08:50:00.001-07:00

Want to get your head on straight during tough times? http://ping.fm/SlXsY

When in Lincoln, Stay at the New Victorian Suites

2008-07-03T09:33:00.001-07:00

Hey I know this has nothing to do with the novel, but I frankly haven't had time for that anyway. I've been part of a big challenge.

I’ve been staying at the New Victorian Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska, during the filming of Top Affiliate Challenge, the world’s first almost real time internet marketing reality show. The hotel staff is wonderful and the hotel is kept very clean. I really enjoy the breakfast buffet, because it has everything from cereal to pancakes to bagels I could wish for better coffee, but aside from that, the New Victorian Suites is a great place to stay in Lincoln, Nebraska. The hot tub and pool are open 24 hours a day – woo-hoo!

Visit their website at http://www.newvictoriansuites.com

Author, Coach Ronda Del Boccio's NEW Top Affiliate Challenge Audition:Dog Training & Affiliate Marke

2008-04-07T11:21:00.001-07:00

Did you ever imagine that dog training had anything at all to do with why someone is an ideal candidate for an affiliate marketing internet reality show? Discover why and receive a gift from Ronda Del Boccio, The Story lady

clipped from youtube.com

http://www.RondaIsA10.com receive thank you gif... (more)

Power from the People: Purchase Petey's Power Pack

2008-04-07T11:14:00.001-07:00

http://Petey.HeartHeirstories.com

clipped from youtube.com

No More SPAM in Your InBox

2008-03-17T15:12:00.001-07:00

Oh the thins that go on in he mind - great BRAIN TV moment here about something we have come to hate to see in our inbox.

clipped from blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com

They purchased advertising space in a national writing magazine to plead with WRITERS not to call junk email s p a m. (Don't say it out loud if you're talking about unwanted email) They do not want people to confuse junk email with their unique meat food products. When we refer to s p a m, we should be referring to the food.

When we are talking about the canned meat, the parent company would like us to write it as follows, according to the ad: The SPAM® Family of Products.

Wow – when did that canned meat food have kids? I never knew. I went to the website to see pictures of the family. I thought maybe there would be vacation pictures of little Spammy playing with his brothers and sister Spamela on the beach or standing next to Mickey Mouse at Disney World or something like that.

Random Act of Kindness Insppire Young Women to Give

2008-03-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

These young women found their new groove. They couldn't stop talking about what had happened and what it inspired them to do. They are on the road to greatness. What about you? Check out the New Groove Blog at http://YourNewGroove.blogspot.com to discover how people all over the world are uniting to help a young man named Petey get his wheels of freedom.

clipped from www.everydaygivingblog.com

Pay It Forward

They went to breakfast this morning at our local dutch restaurant. When they returned, every single one of them was talking a mile a minute. They couldn't wait to share what happened at the restaurant.

Rev. Norman Ramsey wrote a song for I'll Push You Steer

2008-03-02T12:15:00.001-08:00

Rev. Norman Ramsey wrote the theme song for the inspirational book I'll Push You Steer by Ronda Del Boccio and Bonnie Tesh.

clipped from youtube.com

Jeff Foxworthy Redneck Test

2008-02-28T14:56:00.001-08:00

Kassidy, heroine of They All Died Smiling by Ronda Del Boccio (The Story Lady), lives in Chicago as the story opens, but she's an Ozarks girl at heart. She even makes "Redneck Paella." Kassidy loves the rolling hills of the Ozarks - and so do I!

clipped from youtube.com

Blind Woman Thwarts Stalker: excerpt from I'll Push You Steer by Ronda Del Boccio

2008-02-27T15:03:00.001-08:00

Award winning author Ronda Del Boccio is mostly blind. One time a stalker threatened her and nobody stopped to help her..

clipped from youtube.com

Ronda Del Boccio and Bonnie Tesh, co-authors of I'll Push You Steer

2008-02-27T15:00:00.001-08:00

Both authors are award winners. Ronda Del Boccio is mostly blind and Bonnie Tesh has survived cancer 3 times over. THey inspire with a dash of faith and a laugh in their hearts in I'll Push You Steer.

clipped from youtube.com

Author and Grow Rich real life success story: blind author Ronda Del Boccio

2008-02-27T14:49:00.001-08:00

Author, coach adn speaker Ronda Del Boccio followed the system Glenn Dietzel created and now shares in Author and Grow Rich to build her business (not just write a book).

clipped from youtube.com

Have you ever lost your faith?

2008-02-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

First let me say that a couple of people ahve asked me to post excerpts of the book as I write it. I cannot do that. You see, if I put parts of the novel up, that makes it "published," and that means a publisher will not be interested in seeing it. So once a week I will share something about the novel, the people, adn situations, etc.

Kassidy, the heroine in They All Died Smiling, has lost her faith in God and definitely in her preacher father. He kicked her out whenshe was 9 and said he didn't even want to see her name in an obituary.

Why?

Well, her father was not a terrific person to start with. He beat her often if she said or did anything he did not like.

But why she got kicked out...Kassidy has a gift of Discernment, and she noticed that another minister visiting her father was under an evil influence. Fearing for her father's spiritual safety, she tried to warn him. He would hear nothing of it and made her go live with her Aunt Beck in Berryville, Arkansas.

Would you lose your faith if something like this happened to you?

Would you find it hard to want to go to church if this happened to you?

Please comment and let me know.

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story lady

They All Died Smiling: Short Story Becomes Novel

2008-02-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

They All Died Smiling started out as a short story under a different name. Someone I saw in my town sparked the story idea of a Christian minister's wife.who welcomed an evil influence and went on a subversive killing spree.

She is so cunning that people are not able to make the connection between her and the deaths, and she cloaks her evil in the guise of Godly ministry.

No, the character is not based on anyone. Nor are any characters in They All Died Smiling based on any real people, but it's interesting how one spark can beget a short story.

Then I thought the story deserved to be its own novel, and it took me a while to get to it, but now, They All Died Smiling is coming into its own.

Ronda Del Boccio, co-author of I'll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling through Life with Blinders on

They All Died Smiling: never Write about Popcorn unless...

2008-02-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

I wrote a scene in They All Died Smiling in which Kassidy's roommate Julie makes a bag of Smart Balance Popcorn. Now frankly, that's not my style. If I'm going to eat diet popcorn, Smart Balance Popcorn is good. However, I don't even eat microwave popcorn because I make it in a pot on the stove...

But I learned something right then. never write about popcorn unless you're prepared to stop what you're doing and make some. I was on a writing tear and didn't, but I kept thinking about popcorn. Funny how that works. The smell of it permeating the house and the taste of itas it practically melts in my mouth had me wanting some. So on a break thet next day, I made some.

Progress of the book is coming along fairly well. But what I need is a few days where I have nothing else to do but write. Last week I wrote 25,000 words in four days - that's 100 pages - just about killed my body even though I stopped to stretch etc.

So - don't be afraid to use a brand name in your writing. I just gave Smart Balance Popcorn a nice plug and they'll have one again in the finished book.

Ronda Del Boccio, co-author of the inspirational best seller I'll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling through Life with Blinders On.

They All Died Smiling: Recipe for Redneck Paella

2008-02-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

One of the things I as an author can do to pull you the reader deep in a novel or short story is to be specific about things in the environment, such as food. I'm not afraid to say that in They All Died Smiling, Kassidy and her roommate drink Coke Zero in one scene. That says a lot more than that they drank a soda. the more specific I am as an author, the more real the book feels to you, the reader.

Kassidy and Russ are both living in Chicago as the novel opens, but they're both children of the Ozarks. Russ always wanted to be in a big city and so he tends to deny his redneck roots, but Kassidy uses her country charm whenever possible. She isn't sure she likes Chicago but she's working there for now.

There is a scene in which Kassidy invites Russ over for dinner. He asks her what she's making, and she says, "My special paella." When he comes over and sits down, she sets a bowl in front of him. He expects the usual paella with fish and rice but sees pinto beans, cut up hot dogs, and tomato chunks, and he smells onions and barbecue. "This is your paella?"

"Sure, it's 'Redneck Paella.'"

Here is the recipe for Redneck paella, and I'll be making sure that Jeff Foxworthy gets a hold of it.

Redneck Paella

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon oil
half an onion, minced
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes with the liquid or 2 diced fresh tomatoes
1 26 ounce can of Bush's baked beans with bacon, or your favorite flavor
1 15.5 ounce can of pinto beans, drained
1 package hot dogs, cut into bite sized pieces

Get out a paella pan or large deep skillet. Heat a tablespoon of oil, add minced onions and garlic. Cook about 3 minutes or until brown. Add hot dog slices to the pan to brown on both sides (you don't have to do this but I think it tastes better). Add tomatoes, baked beans and pinto beans. Cover and simmer on medium for about 15-20 minutes.

This is better than ordinary hot dogs and beans with that extra kick of the onions and garlic. This is great SuperBowl or cold winter night supper fare and it heats up great for a hearty lunch. Comment when you try it and let me know what you think! Also, I wouldn't mind if some folks decided to send this recipe to Jeff Foxworthy as well.

Now you can sign up using the form on this blog and get updates about They All Died Smiling PLUS a free sample of the inspirational bestseller I'll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling through Life with Blinders on by Ronda Del Boccio (that's me) and Bonnie Tesh.

They All Died Smiling: "Saving Grace" Meets Dean Koontz

2008-01-29T13:01:00.000-08:00

Describing the genre for this novel was tough. It has paranormal elements, romance, lots of suspense, and a strong thread of faith. It also reads like a thriller because of the demons in it. So imagine what fun it was to do a competitive analysis for the proposal to the agent. Some places only ask for the first 3 chapters - thsi one asks for a whoel big proposal. But that's good, because it made me think through the competition.

These are some of the elements so you'll know what I mean:
Romance: There are sparks of budding romance between Kassidy and Russ.
Paranormal: Kassidy has the Gift of Discernment - she is able to see and sense evil influences.
Christian: Kassidy struggles with her own faith (or lack thereof) and Russ struggles with his notion that if someone doesn't accept Christ fully, he cannot be in any kind of relationship with her (romantic or otherwise). There are a few arguments around this too!
Suspense: The book opens with a woman throwing herself off a cliff, smiling and laughing and shouting, :I'm free!" so you can imagine that there's a lot of suspense. What's happening here? Kassidy discovers that there are a lot of women who die smiling, and it isn't from good loving either.
Psychological: When Kassidy tells Russ her suspicions that a Christian author is behind the deaths of these women, he thinks she's crazy. When she finally confides in him about her special gift, he wants to check her in for psychiatric help.
Thriller: We're dealing with powerful spiritual forces here, so you'll read about encounters with various levels of nasty spirits and demons as well as some benificent forces.

This book is the first in a series. Each book will stand alone.

So what do you call a romantic, suspenseful, Christian psychological thriller like this?

Here's what I discovered. I'm creating a new genre of faith-based fiction. I call this book a Christian Romance Thriller

This is the analysis of competition for my book. There truly is none because there are no books that cover the same ground I do.

I describe the book as "Saving Grace meets a Dean Koontz Novel." Kassidy isn't as rough a character as Grace, but I make this comparison because it is a real life, hard core look at faith with a twist. In teh TV series, Grace has an angel named Earl. In They All Died Smiling, Kassidy sees evil influences and other paranormal oddities as well. While the show warned about language and sexual content, They All Died Smiling is clean.

I compare the book to a Dean Koontz novel because if you like the kinds of creepy stories Koontz writes, you'll probably enjoy mine. He does not often deal with issues of faith, but sometimes he does. Since the struggle with personal faith is central in my book, I would be sure to label it as Christian.

Competitive Analysis

The best way I can think of to classify my book has no exact matches in the Amazon.com listings. I would call They All Died Smiling a Christian romance thriller or perhaps a spiritual paranormal romance. “Spiritual thriller” yielded some relevant results. Following are some of the books in this category that are similar in certain aspects to what I am doing.

Hauntings: Evil Confronted by Brian Willshire, is a coming of age spiritual thriller about a boy confronting his faith as well as evil. The first page was far from riveting, but the young hero faces issues of faith as well as evil. My book is similar in that aspect, although there is a romantic subplot and my heroine is in her early 20’s. My book is also full of natural humor.

Star Warrior: A Spiritual Thriller by Terri Ray involves the hero and companions trying to stay spiritually connected while coping with cataclysmic changes to the planet and other dangers. My heroine Kassidy is not trying to match her behavior up to a code of conduct in the way the heroes of this book do, but she does face issues of faith, including forgiveness and self acceptance.

The Black Angel, by John Connolly involves a statue that could be an evil spirit. This is the most similar to what I am writing. The author handles a spiritual issue without becoming preachy. I am never one for pat answers or heavy-handed religiosity.

The Fist of God by A. T. Nicholas is a thriller that deals with good and evil, evidently with a good deal of strong language, which my book DOES NOT have. (Terry, your mom could read my book and you would not feel ashamed.) The protagonist struggles with his faith, as mine does with hers, but this book lacks character development. Many of the reviewers on Amazon.com complain about the strange plot twists and poor characterization. I do my very best to be sure that even minor characters come across as real multi-dimensional people.

The Grail Conspiracies by Michael McGaulley unites science, spirituality, and paranormal phenomena. This book is a mystery where as I would classify mine as suspense.

Why My Book Should Be Published

My book is a twist of romance and thriller with a strong core of faith holding it together, plus a dash of natural humor. What I mean by this is that the humor is not forced or slapstick. It flows from the interaction of the characters and their natural way of being.

This book has the chilling elements of a thriller with a strong but non-preachy element of faith, much like the TNT television program Saving Grace. People who enjoy thrillers and suspenseful romances would enjoy my book. While I will not beat the reader over the head with a moral, the theme of forgiveness and self acceptance is strongly woven into the plot. This book does not neatly fit into a mold, and perhaps that is its strongest selling point.

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady

Meet Award-Winning Author Ronda Del Boccio

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Ronda Del Boccio’s Bio

Ronda Del Boccio is a globally published, award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Her first book, I’ll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling through Life with Blinders on (AWOC Books 2006) rose to #1 with the publisher within two weeks of its November release. She and co-author Bonnie Tesh have appeared in local and global media, including an appearance on local television and a December 20, 2007 appearance on “Today’s Author Interviews” global broadcast.

She is a columnist for Dialogue Magazine for the Blind, a regular contributor to Storyteller Magazine, and a former newspaper columnist with The Stone County Gazette. Her short stories, articles and poems appear in several anthologies and magazines.

Del Boccio has a number of books planned in addition to the current proposal. She is currently working on a Christian paranormal suspense book that will be the first in a series.

A Chicago native, she loves living and writing about the beautiful Ozarks. She raises chickens for their entertainment and egg value and works as an author and author coach from her little house in the woods. Her background includes working as a college professor and as a massage therapist. She has a master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in religious Studies.

She hosts a weekly internet radio show called InnerSpace Author Interviews on which she interviews authors to find out about the person behind the books. Both emerging and best selling authors are appearing on her show. She is also co-host of a show called Today's Guest with the Fab 5, a daily personal/business development show.

She is a fearless public speaker. Her goals include to write 100 books and to help 10,000 people go for their dreams.

Welcome to They All Died Smiling: Christian Paranormal Suspense

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Sell Sheet for They All died Smiling

Kassidy’s Godly Gift of Discernment Has Brought Her Nothing But Despair—Now She Must Use It To Save Lives

An experienced camper joyfully throws herself over a cliff in California, calling out, “I’m free!” A visitor to the Ozarks drives off the highway down an embankment to her death. A jogger discovers a woman who has drowned in the Chicago River. These women and others share two traits in common: They all read the Christian self-help book Healing Your Broken Heart, and they all died smiling, just like the other ecstatic victims. The deaths seem to be nothing more than unfortunate accidents, unrelated to each other.
When Julie sits in the talk show audience, she has no idea that her life is in danger.

Kassidy knows, but nobody will listen to her. Not even Julie. She has a secret gift so powerful that she was nearly killed for revealing it.

She tries to enlist the aid of her childhood sweetheart, now FBI agent Russell Higgins of the Chicago Field Office, but he believes she is inventing trouble. He fears that she is mistaken at best or mentally ill at worst. He also refuses to help her because the preacher’s daughter has lost her faith and does not go to church. She never told him what her father did to her, and now that he has soundly rejected her, she never will.

A minister doing evil behind the mask of Christianity is causing the deaths, but she will be hard to stop, for she has the backing of the Father of Lies. Kassidy uncovers the serial killer’s tactics, but nobody believes her. Sleuthing on her own, she searches for evidence. she must save her best friend’s life and, ultimately, her own as she faces her foe alone.

Will the reluctant warrior use her God-given gift to save herself and destroy the enemy? Will Russell ever believe her and try to help her save lives? And will she find her faith?