My brother's birthday - a landmark.

My oldest brother, Steve, turned 60 this week and the event has sent me back in time to our childhood.  He is five years older than me but we've always been close: sharing the same likes and even choosing the identical career path.  We worked in the same clinic for nine years before I branched out on my own.  Steve has always inspired me to reach beyond myself, which is one of the reasons I started to write.  Many years ago, he wrote a wartime saga that he sat aside when a know-it-all publisher tore it to shreds.  I've encouraged him to pick it up again but without success.  It is well written and worthy of publication - I guess I'll continue to hound and invite.

I know this has been a tough birthday for Steve.  Our mother passed away at 60 from cancer, so his celebration has been a reminder of our mortality and how precious and fleeting life can be.  How grateful I am to have loving friends and family who inspire me and lift me each and every day.  Happy Birthday Big Brother - may you have many more!

Steve & Dennis - Both Toothless - 1961

Rise of the Huskers - Free Amazon Download

June 1-2 The Rise of the Huskers will be available as a free download from Amazon.  The second of three episodes follows Husker Leader Nathan Edwards as he builds his pack and they evolve, using islands of undamaged cerebral tissue to learn.  A third party is introduced in this segment: a warring faction of a local native tribe seeks to gain control of the region and further threatens Raven and her friends.  Episode two explores the viral human destruction from the Husker's point of view - anything could happen.

FREE June 1-2

Amazon Review:

"Rise of the Huskers is the second installment in the Raven Falconer Chronicles. Having greatly enjoyed the first book in the series (Operation Z-Day) I was happily surprised to find that Author Dennis Larsen outdoes himself again with Rise of the Huskers. Here we are presented with the same lovable characters in the fight of their lives against zombie like humans that have now developed a pack mentality. Raven and her friends must struggle, improvise and fight for their survival, resources and to maintain their health and security.

I enjoyed Larsen’s ability to maintain an element of suspense and thrills amidst lust greed and raw truth. I also enjoyed Larsen’s ability to paint with words vivid scenery that brings the story fully to life. I highly recommend it!" -- Ally McMahon

A John Twait Mystery

I recently purchased a new mystery by Anthony Rehor and I'd like to recommend it to you.  It's an easy and entertaining read with great characterization and a plot that will engage mystery lovers.  Be prepared for a bit of grown up fun between the book's covers.

Amazon $1.99

Synopsis:

John and Sarah Twait are living the retirement life to its fullest. Escaping death just weeks before their last day at the Hillsville Police Department the aging couple now has a different lookout on life. Clambakes, and relaxing nights on the beach are penciled in for the couple’s foreseeable future. The aging retired couple have a do nothing life, where coffee and beer are in perpetual rotation. A relaxing atmosphere and an open afternoon make for a healthy relationship environment. The harmony is slowly rebuilding in their blistering relationship and finally the Twaits may be honorable.
The burning hot Bermuda sun has changed the pale Nebraska raised Sarah Twait into a gorgeous golden goddess and John Twait is loving every minute of it. He would let nothing come between him and his cowgirl. John, softened by the constant beer intake and lack of an alarm clock, continues his lust for women. Although he puts forth less effort to chase them, so long as Sarah remains by his side. Intimacy and love has returned with a vengeance and the time could not be worse for an alarming phone call from back home. Hillsville Nebraska has a problem that only John Twait can solve. Half-heartedly, he packs a bag to save an old friend.
John and Sarah’s erotic wishes are on hold. They must take with them their rekindled love hoping the flame continues to burn in a cold Nebraskin winter. Mike Yeager, John’s replacement as Hillsville Chief of Police, is in trouble. The Twaits’ young friend is being held on the charge of first degree murder in the death of Rose Tiddle, John Twait’s former mistress.
The evidence only leads to one prime suspect. Micheal Yeagger has been demoted from Hillsville Police Chief to a common county jail thug. With their friend's life in danger John reluctantly returns to Hillsville to save the day to continue his retirement.
Follow the former Chief as he tries to unweave a mystery woven in betrayal and deceit.

Operation Z-Day FREE May 30-31

The first episode of The Raven Falconer Chronicles is FREE May 30-31!
Get started: meet the characters, learn the lay of the land and discover who Nathan Edwards.  Not your typical viral pandemic story - no people dying and coming back to life - read what really could happen.

TFRC - A Trio of Amazon Reviews

Amazon reader, Ally McMahon, has published three reviews, one for each of the serials that make up The Raven Falconer Chronicles.  They are posted here for your consideration:

Operation Z-Day:

"Operation Z-Day from the Raven Falconer Chronicles is an action packed suspense filled post apocalyptic zombie thriller. Author Dennis Larsen surpasses expectations with this captivating and alluring story of the fight against a virus spreading and destroying the minds of all who contract the virus turning them into zombies fueled only by basic instincts. Although steps are taken to stop the spread of this virus it is too late. Millions are now infected. Here we join the main characters in the fight of their lives.

This book in the series sets the background and the story line firmly in place. The characters are well developed and I find myself eager to get onto the next book to find out how this will play out.

For an exciting and intense zombie experience I highly recommend it."

Rise of the Huskers:

" Rise of the Huskers is the second installment in the Raven Falconer Chronicles. Having greatly enjoyed the first book in the series (Operation Z-Day) I was happily surprised to find that Author Dennis Larsen outdoes himself again with Rise of the Huskers. Here we are presented with the same lovable characters in the fight of their lives against zombie like humans that have now developed a pack mentality. Raven and her friends must struggle, improvise and fight for their survival, resources and to maintain their health and security.

I enjoyed Larsen’s ability to maintain an element of suspense and thrills amidst lust greed and raw truth. I also enjoyed Larsen’s ability to paint with words vivid scenery that brings the story fully to life. I highly recommend it!"

Vengeance Fulfilled:

"Vengeance Fulfilled is the third installment in the Raven Falconer Chronicles. Having read the other two books in the series (Operation Z-Day and Rise of the Huskers) I could not wait to sink my teeth into this book and find out how everything works out. Author Dennis Larsen delivers again with the same skills I have come to appreciate in his writing. Here we are presented with the survivors’ ability to fight back and attempt to gain control of their fate and extract the vengeance that has been building inside them from the beginning. This is an excellent portrayal of an exciting and exhilarating adventure of the human spirit and its will for survival and retribution. While this is an ending complete and satisfying, I hope to see more of Raven and her friends in the future. Highly recommended!"

Being an Indie Author, I can't tell you how vital book reviews are to the sustained success of a book.  I truly appreciate those who take their time to not only read the work but then write a constructive review.  Thanks - Dennis F. Larsen

Instagram Marketing for Beginners

Amazon $5.00

Please Note: Special Free Promotion May 25th - Download from Amazon!

Jenny Li's book is one of the most useful items I've ever helped promote.  The information is accurate, timely and easy to follow.  It's no wonder that with 19 reviews it stands at 4.8 Stars on Amazon.  I was not aware Instagram.com had such a vast following - 150 million users.  Tapping into such a huge resource would be beneficial for anyone with a product - authors take note.  Ms. Li takes the reader step-by-step through the process of building a loyal following.  I highly recommend this book and I'm working to implement the principles myself - watch for future updates on my Instagram successes.

Synopsis: Published February 2014

Do you know Instagram has 150 million users per month? Are you taking advantage of this free social network to market your products? Do you know Instagram has a different demographics than Facebook?

Instagram has been one of the biggest social networks. If you are considering using Instagram to promote or market your business, you need to know the mindset of your followers and how to build a relationship with them, and how to get more followers.

*** It doesn't matter how wonderful your product is or how much effort you spent on marketing when you don't have real, good followers. ***

This book provides specific insights from followers as to what they like or, even more importantly, what they don’t like. It also includes interviews with successful entrepreneurs who have thousands or tens of thousands of followers regarding how they build relationships with their followers, and how they promote their businesses on Instagram.

Amazon 5 Star Review by Laura Scott:

"I was skeptical about buying this book, because there are so many people out there selling fake follower services and books about strategies that only work temporarily. Being a business owner and freelance designer, it is extremely important for me to have a great public image, and I always thought that having more followers was important. Thanks to this book I've learned what is truly important, and exactly how to get it: quality followers!

When I found this book I was extremely happy to find that it was filled with very useful information, and not a bunch of nonsense that wasn't going to help me gain followers. I especially loved the chapter that covers the "lingo" of Instagram. Through my friends and Google, I have figured out a few of the hashtag meanings, but there are so many that I didn't recognize. Another aspect about hashtags that I didn't understand was how to make my own. I always just went with the flow of using hashtags of whatever came to mind. For example, if it was a picture of a kitten, I'd think: #kitten #kitty #cute #adorable etc. After reading this book, I'll definitely be redefining the way I look at hashtags.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, whether you're a business owner or someone looking for more information about Instagram. The author is extremely insightful into how Instagram works and she will definitely get you more quality followers!"

Elite Indie Reads Review

Writer Hannah Jones has posted a nice review of my book, Rise of the Huskers, in her Hannah's Picks section of eReaderRecon.  You can read a condensed version of the review below or click her logo to read the entire posting.

"No, Dennis did not pay me or bribe me in any way to rate his books well.  I'm simply a BIG fan. Here's the thing: it's hard to be so polished, so entertaining and so unique without a professional editor, but Larsen brought it with this second installment, and it is all of those things and more.

This second installment of the Chronicles is much more disturbing than the first, which set up the back story of the heroine and her group of friends so well that I really cared about what happened to them in this book and was truly invested in their lives and struggles, emotional and physical. We get to see the girls in their weakest and strongest moments in this book, which draws some complexity into them and endears them more to me.

I also really appreciate the complexity of the huskers in this installment. We get to see the undead point of view and it's not as easy as it seems to be in the stale themes we see on the tv and read in so many zombie books. I love that Larsen added these other elements to bring the zombie novel up to par.  This author is a must read in thriller, suspense, drama and adult fiction. I highly recommend this book and all books by Larsen. I read this book in a matter of hours, and I read the first book just as quickly." - HM Jones (May 2014)