Author: Angie

Mom, blogger, social media influencer, healthcare worker

Hole Punch Book Tour & Giveaway

Hole Punch by Garth Simmons Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Humor Anthology

HOLE PUNCH is: The height of the Earth Empire – where War Bricks flatten alien civilisations. Yorkshire 1985 – where a child’s mind is patched together with trauma. Ancient Greece – where Socrates discovers a carnal method of time- travel. Mars 2348 – where crime and terror haunt the Martian Habitation Domes. The Mistake’s skull – where Muscle Society achieves self-destruction. Delaware Dost – where mindfulness prevails and hierarchy is understood. The End of Everything – where convert concepts welcome refugees into the folds of theory. All these places (and many more!) reside within the tangled text of Hole Punch. Goodreads * Amazon

Garth Simmons was born in 1981 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK in 1981. He’s a visual artist who’s made paintings, installations, animations and pattern designs. He has had exhibits everywhere from Scarborough to Los Angeles. His pattern designs were in the Golden Globes and Fashion Times and he likes to remind people of this. Writing has always been a feature of his artwork. He would write directly onto his artwork, or by collaging “stream of consciousness” notes. In 2015, whilst working in a data entry position for Siemens, he began writing short stories as Facebook posts. At first they were daydreams of outrageous acts he could commit whilst at work (if he were professionally or ethically allowed). Later they were stories in other settings. Some dark memoirs of times in various school settings and learning programmes (for those who are “not on the right level”). These stories resonated with his social media followers. He was encouraged to put them into a collection and seek out publication. While putting these stories into a contextual order he realised they formed a larger narrative. A tapestry of recurring themes, settings and characters. They made up a larger biographical webwork and subjective statement on the world. A hole punched through this fabric, hence the title Hole Punch. Since completing Hole Punch, he has been working on three long-form novels. Also he has an actual short story collection comprised of several 10’000 word stories. He also does a podcast called Slanderhour and has an EP in the works. His philosophy is that “the more things you make, the more you enjoy your own company”. Apart from creativity, he loves cats, mochas, wearing blazers, arthouse films and many ropey science fiction series. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$15 Amazon giftcard, Signed Art Print – 1 winner each a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cutthroat Cheerleader Book Tour & Giveaway

Cutthroat Cheerleader by Zachary Ryan Genre: YA Suspense, Thriller

In the sleepy town of Townsend, Washington, there was an act so gruesome that no one would ever be the same. What heinous crime do I speak of? Skylar Torres thinking she could pull off a crop top with that pudgy body of hers. Oh, did you think I was going to say my murder. Well, I thought it was more sensational than anything else, but the real scandal was who killed me and why. You should already know my name since it was on everyone’s lips once they found me with my throat ripped out. People thought they should have only feared me, but the Liberty Lion’s cheer squad knew one thing, hunt or be hunted. No one’s hands were truly clean from all the dirt and blood on them. Be safe, watch your back and always remember, Happy Hunting. Love, Madison Taylor Goodreads * Amazon

Zachary Ryan grew up in a black-and-white box in Maryland, before moving to Chicago to start a new life. There, he found that he was accepted for his misfit status—and learned that it’s perfectly normal to spend your twenties feeling lost and confused. After a disastrous sexual encounter, Ryan stumbled on a group of true friends, or “soul cluster,” that he connected with. Through his writing, he hopes to help other broken souls out there find comfort amid the chaos. Facebook* Twitter* Instagram* Amazon* Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$5 Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

No Halo Required Book Tour & Giveaway

No Halo Required by Travis Casey Genre: Women’s Fiction, Suspense

Isaiah Hightower has everything a forty-nine- year-old man could want: respect as a high school principal; admiration as a leader in the black community; and a wife who would do anything for him. Despite his shining public image, Isaiah has a dangerous dark side. When his indiscretions threaten to unravel his life’s accomplishments, he has no choice but to silence the source by any means necessary. When his wife witnesses her husband’s greatest sin, her life is about to change forever. But it doesn’t have to. One lie will keep her life the same and save her husband’s reputation. **Pre-Order for only .99 cents!! **Goodreads * Amazon

Travis was brought up in Midwest America before embarking on a nine year Navy career that allowed him to travel the world and learn about life. He has ping-ponged across oceans moving from mainland United States to Hawaii, to Scotland, to Seattle, to England, to Minnesota, back to England, and back to Minnesota where he currently resides … for now He writes easy-reading, light-hearted fiction and “You couldn’t make it up” true stories about his own experiences. Relax by the beach or curl up on the couch on a rainy day while Travis takes you on fun-filled adventures that let you forget about life for a while and have a laugh. Website* Facebook* Twitter* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! $10 Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 Tips for Setting up a Commercial Kitchen

Opening up a restaurant or revamping an existing one will take a lot of work. There are many things to consider, such as the size and shape of the dining room, kitchen and office areas. The theme and atmosphere, target market and menu also play an important role when deciding what to do. While it may be tempting to focus on the areas seen by the public, if the kitchen is neglected, then the quality of the food and productivity of staff members may suffer.

1. Consider Health Codes

Following all federal, state and local laws and regulations is incredibly important. Violating health codes can result in expensive fines or the temporary closure of the business. Make sure that all the sinks, drains and food preparation areas are placed in correct proximity to each other and that everything is clean and disinfected. Use materials in the kitchen that are easy to clean, and have a plan in place for contacting people about things like restaurant vent hood duct cleaning Manhattan NY. Do not forget to consider fire codes and other safety protocols to prevent any other violations from occurring.

2. Design the Ideal Layout

Depending on the building and the budget, knocking out walls may not be an option. If the size and shape of the kitchen are not able to be altered, then the layout should be carefully considered during the planning process to ensure maximum efficiency. Make sure there is enough space for everyone to work as efficiently as possible to get food out to customers quickly. There should be no tight spaces that may result in accidents or cause employees to slow down operations.

3. Purchase the Right Equipment

While most equipment is standard, the menu will often dictate whether any additional equipment is needed. Cutting corners to save money may sound like a good idea at first but purchasing low-quality equipment can result in premature breakdowns and high maintenance costs. Purchase refrigeration equipment that can comfortably store everything that will be needed during daily operations, and do not skimp on storage spaces for other items either. The ovens, stovetops and countertops should all be large enough to handle food preparation needs during peak hours.

Designing an effective commercial kitchen takes a lot of time and careful consideration. It is a good idea to consult with professional chefs and other people in the industry who can examine the plans and give constructive feedback to improve the design to optimize productivity.

This is a sponsored post from Valued Voice.