The Illusion of Certainty Virtual Book Publicity Tour September 2011 – January 2012

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Join Greg Messel, author of the fiction novel, The Illusion of Certainty (Yorkshire Publishing), as he virtually tours the blogosphere September 5 2011 – January 27 2012 on his second, third and fourth virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Greg Messel

Greg Messel has written three novels and three unpublished memoirs. He published his premiere novel “Sunbreaks” in 2009, followed by “Expiation” in 2010 and “The Illusion of Certainty” in 2011. Greg has had a newspaper career as a columnist, sportswriter and news editor. He won a Wyoming Press Association Award as a columnist. Greg also spent many years in the corporate world as a Financial Manager. He now devotes his energies to writing at his home in Edmonds, Washington on the Puget Sound just north of Seattle, where he lives with his wife, Carol.

You can visit his website at www.gregmessel.com. Connect with Greg on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gregmessel or Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.messel.

About The Illusion of Certainty

The Illusion of Certainty follows two parallel storylines. Marc is a successful businessman who seems to have everything—a great job, a beautiful wife, a house in an upscale neighborhood of Portland, Oregon and two great kids who are preparing for college. But something is not right. Marc is unsettled by the sudden change in his wife, Aimee, who seems distant and unhappy. What’s going on with her?

The second storyline involves a successful young attorney, Alexandra Mattson. Alex, as she is called by her friends, meets a handsome young cop, Sean, during an unexpected crisis in her neighborhood. Sean and Alex seem made for each other and begin to merge their futures in a world of uncertainty.

The only certainty in life is that we will face uncertainty. Despite all fo the technology and controls available in the modern world, sometimes the only comfort comes from the human touch.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about The Illusion of Certainty!

“This is a wonderfully written and intuitively imagined story. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last, and have no reservations in making it a recommended read.”

— Between the Pages

“Messel did a great job in the storytelling of the characters and their relationships. I give this book 5 Stars and have it sitting out on my new book shelf next to the fireplace. You will have a big grin on your face my friend when you put this book down.”

— April’s Lifetime Show

“I very highly recommend this book! The story is beautifully written and hooks you from the very start. The characters are vivid and realistic. The story is heart-wrenching and tragic at times but always leaves you with a feeling of hope. It’s a very touching story that leaves you feeling satisfied. I first became a fan of Greg Messel’s books after reading Expiation. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.”

— Life in Review

“Not only were these characters amazingly created, this story itself spoke so many volumes. Being swept away to two different worlds, two different couples’ lives was breath taking, as we watch them embrace their lives; watch them open their eyes to the real world of their relationships.”

— Book Reviews by Molly

“It was so close to perfection. I was absorbed from page one and I never wanted it to end, yet at the same time, I couldn’t wait to find out everything.”

— Just Another Book Addict

“This one wins a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in my book and thank you Greg for adding another book to a permanent home in my personal library.”

— Reviews From the Heart

Book Excerpt:

The naked woman stood motionless, leaning against the wall of the
shower and letting the hot water strike the top of her head and cascade
down her back. She placed her hands flat against the tiled shower wall and
leaned forward and closed her eyes. The warm water soothed her exhausted
body and she felt enveloped in its comforting caress.
She felt safe and was now pampering herself after a grueling night shift
at the hospital where she was a nurse. A nurse with considerable responsibilities.
Aimee Hunt-Wilson had enough experience and clout to avoid these
awful shifts but as a supervisor she was on a mission this summer. She had
been working nights most of the summer to try to rehabilitate the night shift,
which was in disarray. Someone needed to repair the damage brought on by
an incompetent supervisor who was now gone. Aimee was trying to shape
things up. It’s what Aimee did best; however, it was taking a toll on her.
Marc Wilson was having his first moments of consciousness on this
Tuesday morning. He slept alone. That was happening more and more these
days. From the bed he could see Aimee, his wife, through the clear glass
box that was the shower in their master suite. The only light filtering into the
bedroom and casting a soft light on Marc’s bed was the light from Aimee’s
shower.
He leaned up on his elbow and gazed through the steam at the nude
Aimee. He was getting aroused. Marc still loved his wife’s body. Lately,
when he saw her, she was always hidden in the baggy scrubs she wore at
the hospital. Her long black hair was plastered to her wet bare back by the
shower water. Aimee always tanned so well. At this point in the summer she
had a perfect swimsuit tan. Her body had matured but it had actually gotten
better since the college days when they first met.
Her breasts and hips were fuller now but the rest of Aimee’s body was
taunt and lean. She was about 5-5, probably in the best shape of her life. Aimee
obsessively exercised and carefully monitored her diet. After her shower she
would come to bed to rest and then be pounding the pavement this afternoon
running, getting in her miles. Aimee had always been so meticulous about
what she ate and she imposed the same standards on Marc.
Marc’s favorite meal, a burger and fries, was considered in the same
category as rat poison by Aimee. If Marc went through a fast food window
to sneak a burger, he felt compelled to hide the evidence from Aimee.
But all of this vigilance certainly paid off in the way Aimee looked. This
mother of two, with a manic schedule, looked terrific as she approached
Illusion of Certainty
middle age. Her long dark hair, which was naturally curly, was a stunning
combination with her bright blue eyes.
Marc now lay in the early morning light watching Aimee step from the
shower, all pink and soft, as she began to towel off. She then plugged in
her hair dryer, bent over and began to dry her long hair. As he observed her
maneuvers to dry her hair, he was taking in the sight of her bouncing breasts
and lovely body. Marc knew that when she finished, she would quickly
throw on one of his oversized t-shirts and jump under the covers—just as it
was time for Marc to get out of bed and begin his day.
Marc rolled out of bed and attempted to head her off before she dressed
and made it to the bed. He was hoping that somehow he could have her,
that he could enjoy the physical pleasures of his sexy wife. This had not
been planned but the moment was presenting itself and he wanted her. Marc
hoped Aimee would want the intimacy, too.
Aimee slipped on some bright blue bikini panties just as Marc stood in
front of her and said, “Hey you’re really looking sexy this morning.”
“Oh Marc, I’m so exhausted, you seem to have the world’s worst
timing.”
“Oh come on Aimee, wouldn’t it be fun?”
“Trust me Marc, it wouldn’t be fun right now. I just need some sleep.”
“So when, in this whole summer, would you suggest I make love to
you?”
“Marc,” Aimee said with resignation, “I’m begging you to not start right
now.”

Book Teaser

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

To celebrate the release of Greg Messel’s new book, The Illusion of Certainty, he is offering one free paperback copy of his book at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away! Click here for detailsMonday, September 5

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach