No Mad by Sam Moffie

About the Book:

Sam Moffie is 49 years of age and resides in Youngstown, Ohio with his family. When not writing and marketing he enjoys walks with his dog, red wine, watching movies, reading fiction, arguing politics and being a big target for his children. No Mad is his third novel. His fourth, The Book of Eli will be published in the fall.

Visit his website at http://www.samsstories.com/


About the Book:

“No Matter where you go, there you are.” Sam Moffie’s third novel takes readers on an impromptu road trip that proves transformative.

No Mad takes a good natured look at failed matrimony, middle age, and empty nest syndrome. Moffie’s novel evokes humor and optimism as his hero embraces life’s pitfalls and learns to “roll with punches.” Often nostalgic, Moffie’s novel also proves relevant as he explores issues such as corporate monopolies, politics, commercialization and their effects on “independent thinking and acting people” – people like the main character Aaron Abrams.

Sam agreed to answer a few short questions for me - here is what he had to say:

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is my muse and live-in girlfriend: Juliette.

Your biggest critic?

It's a tie between my biggest critics. My editor Devra and ny step-father Donald. They are the epitome of the phrase "devil's advocate".

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

My cause is to eliminate the stigma of self-publishing being something that is unholy.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving are my biggest influences.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently writing a novel and also waiting for the editing process to be completed on my 4th novel -- The Book of Eli. Eli should be released in late October or early November.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength with my writing style is my humor. My biggest weakness (besides misuse of a semi-colon), is that I don't write about teenage monsters, teenage wizards, christian fiction, self-help and diet material.

Thanks so much Sam!

Keoni's Big Question by Patti B. Ogden

Join Patti B. Ogden, author of the Christian children's picture book, Keoni's Big Question (Capstone Productions), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in April on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As an enthusiastic Sunday school teacher, there was only one thing Patti Ogden did not enjoy about the teaching experience; too often, her lessons would end with the children not grasping the concepts that they were intended to teach. With a genuine heartfelt desire to reach children’s soul realm, she unleashed her God-given creativity and began to break down her lessons into simple terms – added excitement and drama - and suddenly she saw the "lights go on!" Soon the kids were asking questions and wanting to know more!

With a background in journalism and a sincere burden to help kids seek their own spiritual growth, she is now the author of Keoni’s BIG Question and two other Christian children's books due to be released in 2009.

She was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Patti is a devoted wife to her husband Jeff, of 35 years, mother of two and grandmother to five darlings that fill her life with joy. She and her husband Jeff enjoy life on their eleven acre hobby farm in Oregon, Illinois.

You can visit Patti's website at www.capstone-productions.com

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A boy who seeks answers about God’s presence in everyday life, finds his friend held the key to his revelation all along. This gripping tale follows a pair of dear friends on a fishing trip that turns dangerous, then miraculous, and leaves Keoni with more answers then he ever dreamed possible! Every child wonders why we can’t see God. Keoni’s Big Question makes the answer easy to understand.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview this very talented author. Here are her answers:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Keoni’s Big Question is a 32 page fully-illustrated children’s book that follows the journey of a little boy who is extremely curious about God. The story is about Keoni’s question and his quest to find the correct answers. In the end, he finds that an old family friend held the key to his revelation all along. Every child has questions about God at one time or another, this book helps make the answers easy to understand.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Yes, I am a Sunday school teacher and I had a few very disappointing experiences where the children were not grasping the basic Bible concepts that I was trying to teach. I realized that many of the studies aimed at children were presented far above their level and they couldn’t relate to the words and examples that were used. I decided something had to be done to reach them and when I was successful at doing so, the idea for a book came to mind.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

William Branham told a story about a little lad and a grandfatherly gentleman "Old Fisherman" in some of his sermons. That was my inspiration. My challenge was to name the boy and fill in the gaps with fiction.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am very passionate about reaching out and spreading the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. It’s a treasure we are not to keep to ourselves. You know, let your light shine!

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I have improved on sentence structure and learned that less is more.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

On my first book I am very thankful to my friends George Smith as well as David and Sharon Buckley. They have given their utmost assistance with constructive analysis, wonderful suggestions and editing; all of it has helped me "think outside of the box".

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

When I received comments, reviews and feedback that hit me right at the goal I wanted to reach. My book moved not just people, but entire families. That was an awesome moment.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?


















The ability to discern what children are needing and saying without them ever speaking a word.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

It doesn’t have just one message or meaning. A parent or teacher can take this book and teach at least seven different Biblical messages, virtues or lessons from it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I would like to invite everyone to our website www.Capstone-Productions.com to learn more about our books. We would love to have you stop by! My new blog will begin in a couple of weeks.

Also, we have two other books coming out this year. Shamgar and the Ox Goad and Momma, Am I Pretty?

Our book trailer for Keoni’s Big Question will be out in May.

It’s been great to be here, I would like to thank you for hosting me. Blessings, Patti

WIN PRIZES!!!

THE KEONI'S BIG QUESTION VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on April 1 and end on April 30. You can visit Patti's blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in April to find out more about this talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Rue de La Pompe by James Earl McCracken

Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (May 20, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0595485057
ISBN-13: 978-0595485055

Book Synopsis:

Celebrating his thirtieth birthday alone in Paris, American businessman Michael Whyte realizes that it’s entirely possible to live an unglamorous life in the most glamorous city in the world. But an unexpected gift of formal wear followed by a party invitation from his eccentric neighbors lands him in a curious search for the first French franc—a coin said to be incredibly valuable and wickedly dangerous.

Guided by a deaf-mute and mentored by an epistemologist, Michael careens across the city in his quest for the coin. From the Chateau de Vincennes and the Musée d’Orsay to the sewers of Paris and the base of the Eiffel Tower, he braves the city for an answer to the perplexing question of the franc’s true nature.

Assisting, thwarting, or simply confusing him along the way is a bizarre collection of lunatic personalities, including a Castilian hit man, a Zen Buddhist Swiss jeweler, a flatulent statue of Benjamin Franklin, a foul-mouthed rhinoceros, the Concierge from Hell, and an enigmatic beauty named Chione.

Unforgettable characters and vivacious details make James Earle McCracken’s debut novel sizzle with expectation. Both hilarious and introspective, Rue de la Pompe is a fast-paced ride through the City of Lights with a hapless American who is caught in an exhilarating journey of discovery.

I got to ask James some questions about himself and the book. Here are his answers.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

There has been no single individual, but rather a series of people throughout my life that have influenced my writing, directly and indirectly: David Harley, my social studies teacher in high school, Vicki Mahaffey, my favorite professor at Penn, Jeff Schneider, a terrific writer and great friend whom I met in London in the 1980’s, Mark Acey, my boss when I was writing greeting cards twenty years ago. Those are a few. The greatest influences while I was writing “Rue de la Pompe: A Satiric Urban Fantasy” were my wife, Mirella, and my daughter, Jamie. That’s why the book is dedicated to them.

Do you write everyday?

No, I don’t write every day. My goal is to write five or six days per week during the first draft. I found when working on “Rue de la Pompe” that one or two days off was refreshing and allowed for perspective. In general, I think many writers struggle to find the balance between creativity and discipline. You can force yourself to sit in the chair at your desk for so many minutes per day. You can even force yourself to fill up pages with a certain number of words. But you might find that blind insistence on a schedule can result in creating more work when you have to go back and rewrite large sections of your manuscript.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

Seeing my novel all the way through from germinal idea to published work. And having the end product come pretty damn close to what I originally intended.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?

My misfit tendencies were latent. As a kid growing up in the 1960’s, I wanted to be an astronaut. The back-up plan was major league baseball player. I was in college, on track for a business degree from one of the best undergrad programs in the country when the light bulb came on (or the booze kicked in), and I decided to become a novelist. A mere 28 years later, I published a novel.

Are you currently working on anything?

I am supposed to be working on the sequel to “Rue de la Pompe.” I started the research and began taking notes earlier this year, but then my time in Paris ran out, and I had to get ready to move back to the U.S. My wife and I arrived back here in August, but we’re still waiting for our furniture. When my desk arrives, my excuses for procrastination will depart.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

I’ll read anything and everything by Nail Gaiman and James Morrow. I appreciate that both are prolific so that I don’t have to go through extended periods when no new books are available.

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

I would say Walter Tevis, the author of “The Hustler,” “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” and a handful of other books. Tevis, first and foremost, was one hell of a storyteller. Beyond that, his depiction of the desperate loneliness of social isolation is always moving, never maudlin. He deserves greater recognition. Then again, he’s dead, so it’s not like it would be much consolation to him at this point. Among the living, I like Rudolph Wurlitzer in this category. “Slow Fade” is a classic.

What is your favorite book?

“Homer Price” by Robert McCloskey. It was my favorite book as a child, and nothing that I have read since has permanently displaced it. My elementary school library had a huge folio copy of the book. It took three 2nd graders to lift and carry it from the shelves to the table. I read “Homer Price” and then immediately went back to the library and checked out “Centerburg Tales.” When I finished “Centerburg Tales”, I returned to the library to look for the next Homer Price book only to discover that McCloskey hadn’t written another one. For years, I would check libraries and bookstores to find the Homer Price book that didn’t exist. I can’t say that “Homer Price” made me want to become a writer, but it made me a reader for life.

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?

Here we go. I have two. The first is “Catcher in the Rye,” the most overrated book in American literature. It’s absolute crap, and I can’t believe we are still subjecting high schoolers to Holden Caulfield’s vacuous psuedoangst while simultaneously bemoaning the lack of interest among young people in reading. (I love being definitive on a subject that is completely subjective.) Why not try something radical, like offering books in the curriculum that 14-year olds might like? Instead of “Catcher in the Rye,” have them read “Red Sky at Morning” by Richard Bradford. First runner-up goes to “The Great Gatsby,” another sacred cow. I know F. Scott was a raging alcoholic, but you would hope that he would have enjoyed a brief period of lucidity and realized that having the least interesting character in the story serve as narrator might be a drag. If we want to read an author from the 1920’s, what’s wrong with P.G. Wodehouse? His stuff is terrific, and the humor has held up nicely.

What word or phrase do you feel is overused?

In my book, the most overused word is “ass.” I couldn’t help it. I became ass-obsessed when I was writing “Rue de la Pompe.” I had the holy trinity of Smart Ass, Dumb Ass, and Jackass as characters. I started using ass with every adjective I could think of: big-ass instead of large, ass-wild instead of berserk, etc. I think my record was nine uses of the word “ass” on one page (a perfect example of going ass wild). Clearly, I have deep psychological issues or an extremely limited vocabulary. Those who know me would argue that it’s both.

About the author:

James Earle McCracken was born in 1960 in Takoma Park, Maryland. He received a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982. After a brief but nonetheless tedious stint as a technical writer, McCracken moved to London in 1984 with the intention of becoming a writer of short stories and novels. He failed. Returning to the U.S. at the end of 1986, McCracken resumed real life. Twenty-two years later, he published his first novel - Rue de la Pompe: A Satiric Urban Fantasy. He is married to the former Mirella Abdel Sater, a prominent attorney and human rights activist from Beirut, Lebanon, and has a daughter, Jamie, who is a junior at Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia.

You an visit his website at www.jamesearlemccracken.com.

RUE DE LA POMPE VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on October 1 and ends on October 30. You can visit James' tour stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in October to find out more about her latest book!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author with a recent release or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on October 30!

You Had Me At Halo by Amanda Ashby Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Book Synopsis:

Holly Evans has just seen her own body laid to rest. Now she would like to move onto the afterlife. But apparently she has some mortal baggage to unload first, starting with the matter of how she died. Her heavenly shrink isn't buying that she didn't kill herself- and says she must return to earth to straighten things out. The thing is, she needs to borrow the body of computer geek Vince Murphy to do it. Oh, and although Vince was supposed to have vacated the premises, he apparently never got the memo.

Now, Holly has forty-eight hours to resolve her issues while sharing arms, legs, and...other things...with a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. But the real surprise is what life has to offer when you have only two days to live it.

Questions for the author:

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

My father gave me my love of reading from a very early age and then encouraged me as a writer as well, but of course the biggest influence has come from all the writers whose books I love so dearly.

Do you write every day?

Pretty much. Sometimes it might just be notes or snippets, but there is always a story in my head trying to get out.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

Signing with my agent and then having her sell my book. I still have to pinch myself that it really happened!

How would you describe your writing?

Light, quirky, irreverant.

Are you currently working on anything?

I just finished a book last week (hooray!) and have just started playing with a new idea that I'm very excited about.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

So many! Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer are two long term favorites and more recently authors like Michelle Rowen, Julie Kenner, Holly Black to name just a few.

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

Not really. The authors I love to read are still having their books published which means that I have more great stories to look foward to - I'm content with that!

What is your favorite book?

Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula LeGuin (it's no longer a trilogy but I didn't like the next two books so I tend to forget about them a bit!!!!)

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?

Hmmmm, I honestly can't think of any, but that's not because I'm easily pleased but rather because I tend to only pick up books that I like the look of, also I tend to read popular fiction rather than literary fiction.

Is there a word you feel is overused?

Hahaha - my pet hate in the movies is when people say "can I ask you a question?" That is such an overused and completely redundant phrase that it drives me crazy!!

About the author (as taken from her website at http://www.amandaashby.com/) :

I'm from Brisbane, Australia, and when I was eight I broke Will Robinson's leg. Thankfully, since Will Robinson was a character in Lost In Space, I only broke his leg in my mind, and I did it with the sole purpose of caring for him in a kind and loving manner (I think I might've disposed of that pesky Robot as well). Of course now I can look back and see this was probably the first sign I might want to be a romance writer, but unfortunately, at the time I couldn't see past the whole Hot Guy with limited mobility thing.

Will Robinson wasn't the only clue that I ignored. Growing up, I read just about any book I could get my hands on. English was my best subject at school. I studied Journalism at The University of Queensland and hated it because it was all so...well...factual. Clues, all of them, yet it wasn't until my late twenties that I suddenly woke up one morning and out of the blue, decided to write a book. My husband and mother thought this was a fine joke and very kindly helped me with titles. I think their favorite was, Lust in the Dust. They still laugh about it.

The weird thing was, that after years of having no career ambitions what so ever, I suddenly knew what I wanted to do. My first attempt was a romance which was pretty dreadful, but after we moved to New Zealand, I attempted another equally dreadful one. Then, a week before we moved to England in 1999, I read an article about British Chick Lit and instantly went out and bought, Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees', Come Together. I read the book on the plane and was overwhelmed with understanding. Finally I knew what sort of books I wanted to write.

As soon as we were settled in Liverpool, I started writing a book about a girl who was forced to be a bridesmaid at her younger sister's wedding. It was entirely done in emails and was enticingly called Lovedotcom. The minute I had finished three chapters I started to send it out and the third agent requested the full and then asked for me to ring her. She was lovely and I went down to London to have lunch with her. Nothing ended up coming of that book, or the next, or the next, but then I won a competition with the RWNZ and the prize was to be published by Heartline, a new romance press in the UK. Again, I went to London for lunch, but this time the publisher went out of business, before my book came out. After that I decided to send some work to Harlequin, which is when I met my critique partners (known as the Witches). I had very promising revisions with an editor at Harlequin Flipside (no lunch in London though!), however two weeks after I sent them off, the line was cancelled and once again I was back at square one.

Then in 2005, my dad died - just three days after I'd been to Australia to visit him. I knew he was sick, but I hadn't expected him to pass away quite so soon. Especially since I live in England and the thought of hoping back on a plane for another 24 hours (and some) was a bit daunting. However, the funeral was put off for two weeks so I had a bit of recuperation time before I set out again, and actually the trip was quite good. Possibly because I normally travel with two children under six - and trust me, the difference is great.

The three days I had back in Australia were very therapeutic and most strongly marked by the conversations I had with my dad - well, yes, I know he was dead, but that didn't seem to stop him from talking! It started when I was helping to clean the house for the wake that was going to follow the funeral. My dad had a cleaning obsession that made Monica Geller look like a slacker, so while dusting, I couldn't help but feel that my father was up in heaven giving me directions - and not quiet ones either! In fact it seemed he was getting quite pissed off that I had missed a spot (and, okay so perhaps I hadn't bothered to do under the bookshelf, but puleez! Who is going to check under it at a funeral?) But, apparently - according to my dead dad - that wasn't the point. The point was if I was going to do something I should do it properly. Yeah, right. Whatever.

Anyway, the conversations continued all the way through the funeral and back to the UK where I was about to pick up on the book I'd almost finished writing. However, in one of those Eureka moments (which naturally occurred when I was in the shower), I suddenly had an idea for not a cranky old man shouting at me from heaven, but rather of a young girl. And boy was she pissed off. Apparently she was up in heaven looking at her funeral and couldn't believe how badly people had dressed for it. Like, where was the respect?

From there the book literally poured out of me and three weeks later it was finished. I sent it to a bunch of US agents and the requests started coming in almost immediately and about four weeks after the book was finished I got my first offer of representation. I nearly fell off my chair. I'd been trying to get published for six years. Six. And suddenly in under two months I managed to take a huge step forward. At this point another agent, Jenny Bent from Trident Media, had asked for revisions on the full manuscripts and I had been blown away with how clearly she could see how to make the book better than it had been, so when Jenny offered to represent me, I didn't hesitate to go with her and two and half weeks after she sent it out, we got an offer from NAL to publish my book, You Had Me at Halo.

It was definitely a strange time for me. I lost my dad in May but in October, five months and two days later, I sold my first book. And since I can quite easily write about a dead girl getting kicked out of heaven for talking too much, I have no problems believing that my dad helped pull a few strings up above. So thanks dad, I owe you one, and may everyone find the silver lining to their own dark clouds.

Extra Stuff
When I'm not writing, I'm busy looking after my two kids and husband. Of course, they might disagree on how much looking after I actually do, but like I often tell them, not everyone can burn a fish finger like I can.

Some of my favorite authors are: Julie Kenner, Michelle Rowen, Georgette Heyer, Jilly Cooper, Jane Austen, Janet Evanavich, Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde, Christina Jones, Liz Young, Sarah Morgan, Liz Fielding, Essie Summers, Betty Neels, Raymond E Feist, David Gemmell, Sarah Mason, Ursula le Guin, Anne McCaffery, Christopher Paolini, Eoin Colfer.

As well as reading, I am a complete television addict and some of my favorite shows include (but not limited to): Buffy, Angel, Friends, Firefly, 24, My Name is Earl, How I Met Your Mother, Hex, Supernatural, Dark Angel, Love Island, American Idol, X Factor, Big Brother.

Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry Review and Interview

When I received this book in the mail I was thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to read a book described by the author as "Not thriller, nor fantasy, nor romance. Yet all of these and so much more." All I can say is WOW!

From the first page I was sucked into a world that at first I was envious of, but ultimately grew to question how much I would really love living there, all things considered. The story opens with Sylvie and her mother Miranda. Sylvie has been suffering with horrific allergies and skin conditions that have caused her to loose her will to live. So, when she is hospitalized and a Doctor broaches the subject of how much Sylvie looks like the Hallfolk of Stonewylde, both mother and daughters interests are piqued. After being introduced to the Magus, who is the head of Stonewylde, it is decided that even though they are outsiders, they will be allowed to come to Stonewylde to see if something can be done to help poor Sylvie get well.

All truth told, Magus is enchanted with her and her mother both. Once in Stonewylde, Sylvie receives a magical gift from Magus - a gift that causes her ailments to recede, and allows her to start living the life that seems on the surface to be every girls dream. Her mother to, although at first skeptical, grows quickly to love the life they lead in Stonewylde, and becomes quite fond of Magus as well.

Even though Sylvie and her mother are considered Hallfolk, Sylvie is drawn to Yul, an unruly Villager who is constantly being punished by either his father Alwyn, or Magus himself. Even though they have been forbidden to see each other, they are unable to stay away - it is much more than a physical connection between the two and in the end they both need what the other doesn't have to try and right all of the wrongs that are taking place.

Let me just say that there was one thing about the book that I did not enjoy, the fact that I need to wait until the next book to pick up where this fantastic book leaves off. Wonderfully written, well thought out and developed characters and storyline, this book certainly left me wanting more. Kudos to Kit Berry!

Questions for the author:

Where did you get the idea to create a community such as Stonewylde?

I lived in Dorset for many years, the place where Stonewylde is set. It's a beautiful and mystical part of England, and there are many standing stones and sacred sites there. I've always felt the power and magic of nature when out walking in the hills and woods. There's a huge country estate which is walled off and completely private, and when I used to drive past it, I started to imagine what could be behind the boundary walls. Once the idea had taken hold, there was no stopping it!

Were you familiar with the rituals you wrote about, or was research necessary in order to write the book?

I have some knowledge of earth-based magic and was always empathetic to the concepts of paganism. I did do a great deal of research on rituals and customs, and the rituals and ceremonies described in Stonewylde are a hybrid of modern celebration, ancient customs and beliefs, and pure imagination. The point with paganism is that there's no definitive creed or dogma, so in creating Stonewylde is was possible to use artistic license. I was concerned that some of my ideas may offend practicing pagans but in fact I've had nothing but praise and support from everyone who's written to me - and there are lots of them! When I received very favorable reviews from Professor Ronald Hutton, the UK's leading authority on modern paganism and British folklore, I realized my fears had been unfounded.

Who/what was your inspiration for this series of books?

I was initially inspired to reconnect with the earth by an encounter in some woods with a great hare. Apparently these type of encounters with a creature from nature are not uncommon, and the hare in particular is seen in folklore as an animal of transformation. This rekindled in me a great interest in finding out more about the natural world and earth-based religion. Then I had a very profound and mystical experience a couple of years later in a labyrinth, and this epiphany inspired me to actually start writing rather than just dreaming about it.

What can we look forward to in the future?

There will be five books in the Stonewylde Series. In the UK, the first three are now published and proving very successful. I have written the fourth and am currently working on it, and the fifth is yet to be written, although I know exactly what's going to happen. At present only the first title in the series has been published in the USA. Depending on the success of that, the others will follow but there are no immediate plans for this right now. The US edition of Magus of Stonewylde is available on amazon.com and also through our US wholesaler, Magus Books (visit www.magusbooks.com for more details). The name is pure coincidence! I see that on amazon.com it's also possible to buy the UK editions of the second and third book, if anyone is interested. We've also had enquiries about film rights as the books would make fantastic movies. Reviews of all three books can be found on www.amazon.co.uk . Readers can visit my website too on www.stonewylde.com and also join our forum, leave entries in the guest book, and subscribe to the Stonewylde newsletter.

Linda Joy Singleton Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Book Synopsis for Don't Die Dragonfly:

Book Description:After getting kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother, Sabine Rose is determined to become a "normal" teenage girl. She hides her psychic powers from everyone, even from her grandmother Nona, who also has "the gift." Having a job at the school newspaper and friends like Penny-Love, a popular cheerleader, have helped Sabine fit in at her new school. She has even managed to catch the eye of the adorable Josh DeMarco.

Yet, Sabine can't seem to get the bossy voice of Opal, her spirit guide, out of her head . . . or the disturbing images of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo. Suspected of a crime she didn't commit, Sabine must find the strength to defend herself and, later, save a friend from certain danger.

About the Author: With plots involving twins, cheerleaders, ghosts, psychics and clones, Linda Joy Singleton has published over 25 midgrade and YA books.When she's not writing, she enjoys life in the country with a barnyard of animals including horses, cats, dogs and pigs. She especially loves to hear from readers and speaking at schools and libraries. She collects vintage series books like Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Judy Bolton.When Linda is asked why she'd rather write for kids than adults, she says, "I love seeing the world through the heart of a child, where magic is real and every day begins a new adventure. I hope to inspire them to reach for their dreams. Writing for kids is a gift, a responsibility, and an honor."

Q&A Time!

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

The author I wrote to when I was 14, Margaret Sutton, who wrote mysteries for girls about a character named Judy Bolton. Later when I was an adult, I co-wrote another Judy Bolton mystery with her which I self-published for fans.

Do you write every day?
I'm at my computer every day and write at least 5 days a week.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?
Every sale, every fan letter, ever good review is my "greatest achievement." A career isn't one success but a journey with many amazing moments.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?
I always wanted to write. I submitted work when I was in high school but never quite believed I could become published. I stopped writing from about age 17 to 27, gaining experiences of love, marriage, family. Then I reclaimed my writing dreams, joined a writing group, critique group, worked very hard, and sold my first book at age 30.

How would you describe your writing?
Fast-paced, humorous, cliffhangers, characters I love, suspense with twists and surprises.

Are you currently working on anything?
I'm writing the 3rd book in the DEAD GIRL series. The first book, DEAD GIRL WALKING, comes out in September from Flux, and it's about a 17 year old girl with such a bad sense of direction that when she has an out-of-body experience, she lands in the wrong body--of a popular, gorgeous girl who just committed suicide.A fan just made a YouTube for DGW at:http://www.%20youtube.%20com/watch?v=w8VUQmv2c2I

What authors do you enjoy reading?
So many! I have a long list on my MySpace page. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I love mysteries, fantasy and books that touch my heart. Some authors are Margaret Peterson Haddix, Kathryn Duey, Kathleen Reiss, Scott Westerfeld, Charles de Lint, Ingrid Law, Angie Sage, Eva Ibbotson...and more!

What is your favorite book?
Harry Potter series

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?
Great question--but hard to answer because if I don't like something and it doesn't past the 50-page test I won't keep reading. I could reverse the question and tell you two books which I loved and thought should have gotten more attention than it did -- MAGYK by Angie Sage and VOTE FOR LARRY by Janet Tashjian.Is there a word you feel is overused? I have to edit "that," "very," "smile" and "gasp" from my books as I tend to use them too much. I never notice with other authors and just enjoy whatever I'm reading.

Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregorson

With mental health issues being so prevelant in society I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. Let me tell you that as hard as it was I read it in one sitting - it grabbed hold and would not let go.

All Destiny wants is to get a job and try to have a semblance of a normal life. Instead she is burdened with the responsibilty of taking care of her mentally ill mother and trying to protect her younger sister Cassidy from the violent rages and outbursts that have become more common than not. Destiny's life has never been anything but that of a constant caregiver and mediator...especially since the incident at Crater Lake. She loves her mother, and even though she knows that this is not a normal family life she is willing to do what her father asks and help keep her mother in their home, for better or worse.

As this book unfolds you watch this family go on such a downward spiral that my heart was literally breaking. As much as I hated to turn to the next page for fear of what was going to happen next, I was compelled to do so in hopes that a ray of light would be found and something positive would happen to change some of the bad to good. At first I was unsure if this could really happen - how could both parents let their children go through this living hell? I then thought of my own life, and the lengths I may go to keep my family in tact. Love is a very powerful emotion, and nothing is more powerful than the love between a parent and their children. As Ms. Gregerson points out in her Author's Note, children that come from abusive families are even more loyal to their parents than children who don't. They seem to constantly be searching for a way to gain acceptance and love from the parent(s) who neglects or abuses them.

This book is a true eye opener, although it is fiction we can't turn a blind eye to the fact that there are families like this in every town in America. I am hopeful that this book will give some of these families the strength they need to get the help so desperately needed before it is too late and the children are damaged to a point of no return. It will hopefully also make people think closely about some people they know and maybe will give them the strength to intervene in situations they know are not healthy for the family involved. The author has done a true service by writing about an issue that should not be ignored.

Questions for the author:

What made you decide to write the story from the perspective of the oldest daughter?
Well, it was personal really. I was a parentified child, meaning that I was one of those kids who took care of my mother and my older sister when my family was spiraling out of control. I was the one who felt responsible to hold everything together because no one else would. And I believed that multitudes of people all around the world experience that same thing -- they become the savior of their families because no one else will. I wanted to shine a spotlight on that problem and what it does to a kid. And on another level, this is a cautionary tale: beware what you do to your children. When 5 children a day die in this country because their mother, a family member, or someone who knows their parent kills them, we're in deep trouble. We are allowing the ruin of our children and then we wonder why these kids can't learn in school or why they turn to crime, or why they're depressed. This book tells why, in some cases, our children are lost.

What was your inspiration for the story?
There were several things that inspired me. And in some sense, it was reaching critical mass and feeling that I had to say something about this problem. I tell everyone the story about meeting a man whose mother set their house on fire after locking him and his little brother in. There was Susan Smith and Andrea Yates. I thought they were anomalies, but I found out that they aren't. I started studying this issue and realized that 500 mothers a year kill their children. I started wondering what it would be like to live in a family like that. What if every day, your little sister's life was on the line and you couldn't do anything except be the one who stood between her and your mother? What if you knew your life was on the line and you had to live with one eye open so you could survive? These are the things I thought about, they're the questions that horrified me, as I wrote this book.

Do you have any books currently in the works?
I currently have one book in the works about a girl whose mother deserts her at the local grocery store, leaving the girl with her eccentric extended family and the question, "Why did she leave me?" I'm about a third through that and may get back to it soon. I also have another book finished about a girl in a trailer park who's the underdog and can't seem to find her way.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Oh, I'm an odd one. I love to research. That is really relaxing to me. I pick a topic and then I search it out. I travel a little. We have a summer place on a beautiful glacier fed lake and I love going there. I hang with my daughters who are almost 18 and 21. They're my greatest joy. I read some, mostly nonfiction. I have a few favorite TV shows like CSI and Ugly Betty. Other than that, I just hang and try to find things to laugh at. The absurdity of life amuses me.

The Ghost Under Third Base by Fran Orenstein

We all know a kid like Willie. Smarter than all of the other kids, and due to this he has trouble making friends. Perhaps other students are threatened by him. After all, he is 2 years younger than all of them, and still surpasses most of them when it comes to intelligence. He even has a hard time at home due to his brother and sister and their constant razzing. The only place he can go to escape and feel comfortable is an abandonded cellar just next to his property.

One day, just after he has come out of the cellar and is laying in the grass, he meets Huby. Huby seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but they develop a wonderful friendship, and Huby helps Willie gain the confidence he so desperately needs. Having this new confidence even gains him a few friends at school. But there is something not quite right about Huby. Like the fact that he seems to just disappear and appear out of thin air. And the fact that his parents have yet to see him.

The real problem, though, is that something is in the cellar. Not something menacing, just the spirit of a boy who died tragically years earlier. So, when Willie proposes the field where the cellar is located be turned into a baseball field, they need to make sure that "Daniel" finds his way home.

This book was totally engaging and even though it is geared towards tweens, it held my interest the whole way through. I am thankful that I have books like this to review, as they really open my eyes as to the fantastic stories available for the younger crowd. There were only a few authors like this when I was growing up.Hopefully this is not the last we hear from Fran Orenstein!

Questions for the author:

Any chance of a sequel to this book?
A first draft of the sequel, at the request of the publisher, is complete. This will be the second in a Huby series, as he is the continuing character. This next book, called The Goblin Murder Mystery, is a Halloween based story which will come out next fall, in time for, guess what, Halloween (also my birthday).

In March, the next book to be published, will be the first in a fantasy series. It is called The Book of Mysteries, The Wizard of Balalac. It's about 2 boys in New York City who are sent to a mysterious, disappearing bookstore to find The Book of Mysteries. The Wizard of Balalac will be first, then next year it will be followed by The Gargoyles of Blackthorne (working title).

What are you currently working on?
I am currently doing a final draft read through on The Fat Girls From Outer Space, expected out by July. It is a contemporary Tween story of pre-teen obesity and the intolerant and cruel culture we live in. Don't worry, though, the girls get their revenge in the end and come out shining stars.

What is your favorite book, or character?
My favorite Tween book is Holes by L. Sachar. My favorite Tween characters are Harry Potter and the gang, expecially Hermione, who reminds me of me.

Black Dove by Bridgette Cassese

When Emma decides to pack up her lucrative job after a failed engagement to get a fresh start and do something that she really enjoys her sister tells her, "No one is really free, and there is no such thing as 'free will'. We all have responsibilities." Emma has decided to move to Cornwall with it's beautiful beaches, interesting history and a place to start over. She finds a place to start her new dream - The Black Dove Inn. She can't believe her good luck when she finds out that it is for sale, and at a very reasonable price. Rumor has it that it is haunted, but this is more intriguing that scary for her.

She has also met some new friends, among them Anton, a local artist and somewhat of a mystery himself. Although there is an immediate attraction he seems to be involved in a relationship and she needs to put some work in to make the Inn exactly what she wants it to be - an art gallery, wine bar, and a great place to just sit and socialize while appreciating the finer things.

After moving in she does experience some "hauntings", and when she comes across a painting that resemles Anton she does some digging. She finds out that the history around the Inn involves seances, pirates, and smuggling gone bad. This is extremely enchanting to her, and when she meets Anton again their chemistry is impossible to resist. After all, this is the same man she has seen in her dreams, and some of her nightmares as well.

This story really makes me want to visit England and see some of the historical sites. The author really draws you in and evokes many different emotions as you are reading.

Black Dove is a collection of 4 Novellas including Black Dove, The River Tale, Castle of Dreams, and Dark Goddess. Each focus on mystery, intrigue and romance. Each story is set in a new location that matches the atmosphere of the tale.

Bridgette Cassese, in her late thirties currently resides in Sennen in Cornwall. She studied Social Anthropology and Psychology, at Sussex and London Universities and enjoys Jungian analytical, Rogerian and humanisitc psychology, from which she has taken many of her themes. She is also a contributor to the magazine Dark Nights. She has taught psychology at Norwich city college and as a private tutor.

Questions for the author:

Do you miss teaching?
I still teach occasionally - the psychology of creativity - I dip in and out.

Do you have any books in the works currently?
I am currently working on another historical novel with supernatural themes and featuring local legends - 'The Lost Isle of Lyonesse - a flight of doves', for which I am seeking a publisher and agent.

What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Hobbies - Surfing - body surfing mostly, but can use the big boards but not standing up yet. Walking and exploring rugged and wild terrains. Swimming horse riding, computers, desktop publishing, psychology and art. Creative writing, short story writing. Visiting art exhibitions - the romantics. Music.

Seeing as how Black Dove focuses on art, do you have any artistic abilities?
Yes, I attended Ravensbourne College of art and design for one year and studied graphic design and did a fine art module. I paint in both watercolours and oils (an average talent). I worked for 18 months as a researcher on the compilation of the Penwith artist's dictionary, at the Hypatia Trust, an academic publisher here in Penzance and like the romantic artists, particularly the Pre Raphaelites - such as Dante gabriel Rossetti and John Waterhouse Collier and F Leighton etc.

Don't be Afraid of Heaven by Clint Adams

Miguel Estes has been born with a rare genetic skin disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa, or E.B. for short. Unsure of how much time he has left to live, his Aunt Shirley has helped him develop a To Do list - a place to keep track of all of the things he is afraid to try. She believes that it is necessary to conquer these fears to lead a more enriched existence. This certainly helps to motivate him and in spite of his daily struggles, keeps him in high spirits, after all, he can't let his aunt down. When his mother chooses to move in with her husband, Hunt, Miguel decides it is best for him to move in with his father, even though this means starting a new school, and changing doctors as well.

Aunt Shirley decides that when school starts, Miguel should start up an afterschool program called F.A.A.T. or Fear Ain't All That. She thinks that this will be a good way for him to get to know new students, and help them realize that life is what you make it, and fears are all relative. Thankfully he already has the support of his new best friend Samantha, his nurse's niece. And there is no one that needs F.A.A.T. or Miguels help more than she does.

This book was a rollercoaster ride, and it was so wonderful to read a book that was sure to inspire children and adults alike. We all fear something, but we need to look past all of that and make a To Do List - I believe it would help us all stay positive, and realize that there really is nothing to fear, anything can be overcome, even death. Thank you Clint for opening my eyes, and I think you will do the same for many people in the future.

Author Questions

How did you come up with the idea for this book, and the F.A.A.T. concept?
Honestly, I wrote DON 'T BE AFRAID OF HEAVEN as a tribute to my cat, Samantha. I named one of the main characters after her. I learned so much from Samantha, her life and the time she chose to die. Since my books all have to do with 'eliminating fear,' I decided to write about eliminating, or trying to help teens eliminate the most common fear of all, the fear of death. I hadn't seen many of these for the teen market (not novels anyway)...so I thought I'd give it a shot. In my mid-thirties, I began to feel certain that fear is something that is completely learned, not natural in any of us. I wanted the themes in all my books to be the same; lives begin to change only when fear is absent.

Do you have any books currently in the works?
Yes, I do. After having published four novels for teens, I've decided to try something different. My newest novel is a suspense thriller for adults titled, THE SEVEN RITUALS. Two plots run consecutively throughout; the two protagonists are the same person, yet one offers an innocent outlook at something rather perverse and dangerous, while the other shows incredible determination to discover the truth that will inevitably set him free.

What made you decide to have Miguel suffer from E.B., as opposed to some other ailment?
Good question. A long while ago I attended a fundraising concert in San Francisco ...not really knowing what the particular cause was. It ended up being a benefit event for kids that live with this rare disease, E.B. Shortly after the concert, I got to meet several of these brave kids. Their courage inspired me incredibly; I learned as much as I could about E.B. and I decided to continue writing about a boy living with E.B. as a tribute to them, those kids that have chosen to live without fear.

Do you have any other hobbies?
I love meeting people from as many countries as possible and learning as much as possible about their lives and their cultures. This is my favorite hobby, as well as being my greatest opportunity to learn.

Summer Dreams by Heather Schultz

We all have been through the teenage years, and some of us are even living through them currently with our own children. The ups and downs can be very trying, and I think we all remember trying to "identify" ourselves in some way. Summer has tried many different activities but usually after a short time she gives up saying they just aren't for her. So when she decides to take up horse riding her parents think this will be just another "fad" and she will soon to be on to something else.

8 months later, Summer is more in love with horses and her riding lessons than ever! She has been pestering her parents about getting her own horse and spends every available second at "the barn" where her lessons take place. When her trainor tells her there are 2 horses for sale at a nearby ranch, Summer jumps at the opportunity to take a look at them.

When Summer lays eyes on Shamu (later to be named Peanut) it is love at first site. It is evident that he has been mistreated by his current owner, but is nothing but gentle and calm with Summer, it is like they were made for each other. With a little convincing her parents decide to let her get him, and their new life together begins.

They are almost effortless together in every aspect, from riding bareback to doing jumps. They do so well that Summer is encouraged to enter into competitions, in which she does extremely well, placing in every event she enters. Her and Peanut seem to be made for each other, and besides Tiffany, he is her best friend. She enjoys nothing more than spending time with him and her friends at the barn. Summer's world is about to come crashing down around her when a tragedy pushes her to the limits of her emotions, and makes her wonder if she will ever get past not saying goodbye.

Having never been on a horse, I really enjoyed how the author made you feel like you were there and explained things in layman's terms. It really made me understand more about these amazing animals and gave me a new insight into the equestrian world.

Questions for the author:

Do you have any projects in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on the sequel to Summer Dreams, which will be entitled A Mystery for Summer. This book picks up where Summer Dreams leaves off. A Mystery for Summer is just that - a mystery the whole way though. One may wonder how the same characters could be the subjects of this book since Summer Dreams ended the way it did. Well, that is one of the mysteries that will unfold early on in the book. Summer, Tiffany, Frizbee and, yes, even Peanut continue their adventures together the way they never thought possible. When the girls come across a gift for Summer, they have no idea the magical powers it holds or the unbelievable adventures they are about to embark on.

What made you decide to write a book about teens?
Summer Dreams is based on actual events that occurred in my life as a tween. I decided to write this book and share my story because of the impact these events had on my life. I know that all tweens face difficult situations in their lives, some more than others, but certainly all are faced with some sort of disappointment or sorrow at one time or another. My hope was that Summer Dreams would show that while there are wonderful things that happen in life, there are also things that we don’t necessarily like to face or experience, but we do, and that’s all part of living. I learned that it’s not only important to have good friends, but also how important is it to be a good friend to others and to be thankful for the things that we are blessed with including our family. I also wanted to convey that it is important to work for the things we have in life rather than expect to have everything given to us…we tend to appreciate things more when we actually put forth an effort to achieve them. I think it is so important to have good, wholesome reading material for our tweens who are faced with so many difficult decisions and stress these days…a nice little get away is what I wanted to create for them.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
A favorite book of mine is Same Kind of Different As Me." For me, this book taught me that things aren’t always as they seem from the outside and that people come from all different situations in life. It made me really think about how important it is to treat all people with respect and to never give up on anyone. You never know when the most unlikely person could turn out to be that one person you need most in life…or maybe you are the person they need in theirs. It’s nice to have the opportunity to be able to make a difference in someone’s life or to lift them up through a trying time or just to be there to share in their accomplishments and triumphs. We all need people in our lives and you just never know where or when you will find the most important ones.

Favorite author and/or book?
I still love horseback riding and enjoy just about any outdoor activity. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family no matter what we are doing. One of my favorite things to do is read to my daughter. I don’t know if you could call it a hobby or not, but watching and helping my daughter find her way through childhood is one of the things I enjoy most in life.

Revenge of the Homecoming Queen by Stephanie Hale

Reviewed by Misty Guffey

"I'm going to destroy you." The words of a vengeful...winner? Aspen Brooks is completely floored. She just knew she was a shoo-in for homecoming queen. Only she just lost to her arch rival, Angel Ives. Not only that but the dorkiest guy in the whole school has just been crowned king. Now Angel seems to think that Aspen is somehow behind the whole thing. Aspen knows she's innocent just as she knows that someone has to be pulling some kind of twisted prank. It's either that or she's entered into some sort of parallel universe. But when even more bizarre events occur, such as; unusual kidnappings, theft, threatening notes, and Aspen discovering that the people closest to her are more than they once appeared to be, she finds herself leaning more towards the parallel universe belief.

Aspen Brooks is a great protagonist and by far my favorite character in this book. In the beginning she's so wrapped up in herself that she can't see beyond high fashion and popularity. She seems to be one of those girls we all love to hate, but as the story progresses and her eyes are opened to the fact that true beauty is more than tiaras and Dooney bags, you find yourself not only falling in love with her character but also wanting to be more like her. I myself have been guilty on occasion, as I'm sure we all have, of judging someone by their outward appearance alone. We sometimes forget that true beauty comes from within and that we can sometimes find a diamond in the rough. Stephanie Hale has done a fantastic job of reminding us of that fact with this story.

Stephanie Hale is such a unique talent. I don't think I've ever read a better first novel. She hooks her readers with her clever writing skills and her funny, witty banter. "Revenge of the Homecoming Queen" is packed with laughter, a bit of romance, friendship, and the oh so familiar teenage girl rivalry. Hale has done a fantastic job at capturing the life of a teenager. Although this is a young adult book readers of all ages will love it. It brought back so many of my own high-school memories that I couldn't stop laughing and comparing the characters to people I knew in school. It is such a delightful read and so easy to relate to. I loved it and can't wait to see what Hale cooks up in her next novel.

Questions for the author:

What made you decide to write a book for young adults?
I actually started out writing for adults then decided to try my hand at young adult. For some reason it comes really easily to me. Hmmm...maybe I haven't grown up yet!

Are there any plans for your next book?
Yes, my next book comes out on April 1st. The title is Twisted Sisters and it is a sequel to Revenge of the Homecoming Queen. Aspen and her Comfort High peeps are back only this time they are going to college!

When developing your characters did you create them using people you actually know?
I suppose they are all a little bit of me, but no, I didn't create any of them with specific people in mind. Thanks so much for all the kind words about Revenge of the Homecoming Queen!

Losing Kei by Suzanne Kamata

There's an old quote that says "A mother who is really a mother is never free". This, as any mother knows couldn't be more true and unfortunately Jill Parker finds this out the hard way in this wonderful book by Suzanne Kamata.

Jill is reeling from a bad relationship, and instead of traveling to Africa, the site of her now ex-boyfriend, she decides to take a fellowship to Japan for a fresh start. She falls in love with the culture, and soon with one of its residents, Yusuke Yamashiro. They have a whirlwind romance, and decide to elope to avoid conflict with his parents. After all she is an American and probably not someone they would approve of him marrying seeing as he is the sole heir to the Yamashiro estate.

Not long into the marriage, Jill finds out that she is pregnant. Even though she is thrilled at the thought of bringing a new life into this world, she is becoming less tolerant of her role in the Yamashiro household. She wants nothing more than to be able to move into a house of their own, but when a tragedy strikes the family it is soon evident that she will never be free.

When young Kei is born she focuses all of her energy on him, after all he is absolutely perfect and the only thing she needs to get her through her lonely days. With a domineering yet needy mother-in-law, and a workaholic husband, he is the only thing in her life that brings her ultimate joy. But soon it is not enough and she decides that her marriage to Yusuke must come to an end. If she was aware of the laws of Japan when it comes to custody of children, she may not have chosen to do this.

After doing some research I have found out some interesting facts:

-Joint custody is illegal in Japan -Japanese courts do not recognize foreign custody orders

-Japanese court orders for custody are not enforceable

-Natural parents do not have priority in future custody changes

-Discrimination against non-Japanese in granting child custody

-Fathers of Children Born Out of Wedlock Have No Custodial Rights

-No system to register a foreign parent's contact information

-Mothers granted child custody in 80% of court decisions

-Child abuse and other psychological factors are ignored in family court decisions

-Adoptions are permitted without approval of the non-custodial natural parent and without approval of a court

-Government officials refuse to help a parent find a child being hidden by the other parent

Unfortunately I was not totally shocked by some of these statements, I just know that I sympathized to my very core with Jill, knowing what kind of fight she was in for to try and get visitation, much less custody of a son born in her husbands native land.

This book is one I would recommend to anyone. It was thoroughly engaging, and gave you a glimpse of how different cultures handle something that is very common here in the US. Well done!

Questions for the author:

Are you a mother?

Yes. I'm the mother of eight-year-old twins - a girl, and a boy. I dedicated the book to my son.

What made you decide to move to Japan (I have always been fascinated with the culture myself)?

I think I originally became interested in Japan through literature. I fell in love with Heian court poetry when I was studying Asian history in college. I loved the idea that courtiers communciated via verse. I also read a couple of novels while I was in college - Equal Distance by Brad Leithauser and Ransom by Jay McInerney - that piqued my interest.I had the opportunity to go to Japan for one year on a program sponsored by the Japanese government which invites young native speakers of English to assist in English classes in public schools. I renewed for a second year, and during that year I met my husband, who is Japanese.

Do you miss anything about the US?

I miss the wide open spaces, and I think that Americans are more tolerant of differences. I also miss libraries and bookstores full of books in English!

What advice would you give new authors?

Persistence is key! I wrote four novels before this one, and I've sent short stories out twenty times or more before getting them accepted for publication. I also think it's important to finish your work. At some point you might get discouraged and think that what you're writing will never pan out, but if you don't get it down, you'll have nothing to work with.Also, join a writing group. And read, read, read.

The Tea House by Paul Elwork

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave..." The first part of that quote seems quite an appropriate place to start the review of "The Tea House" by Paul Elwork.

The story concerns a set of twins, Emily and Michael Stewart. While their family is well-to-do, their home life is a bit mysterious and at times I sensed a bit of sadness. Emily discovers she has a unique "talent" one day, and initially has some fun with it. But once her twin, Michael, discovers her secret, he convinces Emily to expand their performances to include friends of theirs. Eventually, word of Emily's talent gets out, and Emily and Michael are drawn into the adult world, where their audiences are more than curious. And when adult curiosity about Emily's talent is mixed with genuine desperation/grief, the ending is unpredictable and shocking.

This book is extremely well written. Mr. Elwork does an excellent job of developing the story and bringing together characters in the story and the story itself in equal portions, so that the farther along the book goes, the more characters and circumstances fit together, giving the reader a more detailed understanding of the story.

The characters of Emily, Michael, and Mr. Dunne are extremely well developed. The detail given to these characters made it quite easy to conjure a picture in my mind as to what they might actually have looked like.

This book held my interest from beginning to end. I liked the story line and the author's writing style makes this a very easy read.

And here are answers to the author questions:

Who are you influenced by as an author?

The list is long, as I guess it is for everyone. I love the works of Kurt Vonnegut, James Salter, Alice Munro, John Irving, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Carver, Jhumpa Lahiri, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Flannery O'Connor, Charles Dickens... and on and on. And like any writer, my debt to them is immeasurable.

Do you plan on writing a sequel to this book, or do you have something else in the works?

I don't have any plans for a sequel to The Tea House, but I do have another novel in the works, this one set during the early days of the Holocaust in Germany. I'd say more, but that would be telling.

This book was published by Casperian Books, a small, independent company that publishes fiction. It is a single-member limited liability company that publishes fiction and operates out of a chaotic home office with some help from the other occupants of the house and a few hearty volunteers. To view their other books, please click on the link above.

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jennifer Gardiner

When I saw the title of this book I thought this was sure to put a smile on my face. And, although I would still classify this as a comedy, it appealed to all of my emotions and hit close to home many times.

Claire Doolittle is a wife and mother of 5 who has NO time to herself. Between raising kids, working part-time, running numerous errands, and keeping up the house, she struggles to fine some me time. And, being married to Ward...I mean Jack doesn't help.

Jack Doolittle is an accomplished architect who suffers from control issues. Throughout their marriage he has slowly lost his sense of adventure and fun and has slipped easily into the shoes of TV icon Ward Cleaver. His ideal is when Claire completes all of the items in HIS to-do-list and the kids are perfectly behaved - this way he can come home and relax with no interruptions. So much for being a parent.

Claire wonders what has happened to her spontaneous, romantic, and attentive husband. She feels as if her marriage is going downhill fast and isn't sure if she even feels bad about this. She blames Jack for the majority of the problems that they are having. So, when Todd walks back (or emails as the case may be) into her life, she is ready for some sweet talk, even if it is from the man who ripped out her heart years earlier, and made her question the woman she was and what she did to make him treat her that way. She strikes up an online friendship with him, and somewhat of a flirtation. I believe the author summed up the emotion of love (past or present) when she wrote "I think that an emotion as intense as love shape-shifts into some other passion that encompasses love but then can be tainted by hatred, anger, or bitterness".

But, even though Claire is flirting with an old flame, when she goes to a dinner party for Jack's architecture firm and sees Jack's new associate Julia hanging on his every word she just about explodes. Julia is young, beautiful, has a perfect body, and is somehow able to bring out the "old" Jack - someone she hasn't seen in a long time. And he seems totally enamored by her.

I don't want to reveal any more of the plot, but let me say that any wife or mother should easily be able to relate to Claire in one way or another. There are days where I too wonder what has happened to the husband I knew years ago. Changing over time is not necessarily good or bad, as long as you are able to keep the fires of love burning and continue to work as a team. Just don't give up on each other too quickly - look deep inside and see if there are things you both could change to bring back the relationship that once was...and maybe never left.

Questions for the author:

I see that not only are you an author, but a photographer as well? Do you prefer writing to photography, or are they equal passions for you?

Alas, photography sort of lapsed into oblivion once I became a mother. Long ago, before kids, I schlepped vast amounts of photography equipment wherever we went. We traveled "light" to Africa, and honestly, one of the many lenses I brought along was about two-feet long.
So once I had babies to tote with me and the ancillary accoutrements one needs for small children, I sort of lost my enthusiasm for hauling all that equipment (and didn't often have a chance to use it, although some portraits I did of my children when they were young are priceless in their hilarity!).

Plus, I was a freelance photographer, which often translated into very last-minute shoots: "I need you at a press conference in an hour!" Which doesn't work so readily with children.
So long story short, that was the end of my photography career! I am now a point-and-shoot digital girl and I've relegated myself to that. However, I do get a little camera-envy when I'm around professional photographers with amazing state-of-the-art digital equipment. So I suppose my photography gene is currently latent ;-) .

Did you enjoy working for a newspaper - do you miss it?

I worked for our college paper, Penn State's Daily Collegian, which was (and still is) one of the top-ranked college dailies in the country. It was a lot of fun and I learned so much. But I was studying broadcast journalism so soon found myself instead in radio/tv stations, which was also a lot of fun.

I currently have a column for our city paper, but believe it or not, I've never stepped foot in the office, as I simply send my column in by email.

But my recollection at both newspapers and tv/radio stations is there is a certain camaraderie there that you don't necessarily find in other jobs. Perhaps it has to do with working weird hours and covering all sorts of crazy things, but I always had fun there!

What hobbies do you enjoy pursuing when you aren't writing?

I LOVE to travel. And I love all things Italian and study Italian (though I am regressing, I fear!). For a long time I was really into cooking, but don't find I have the time for that much any more, and honestly, my family could have cared less about what I was feeding them so I've taken the hint and simplified on that end of things! I also quilted a lot up until the past couple of years, and when I am idle, at my kids' sporting events, I'll usually bring along some quilting or needlework to keep me occupied while I watch their games.

Returnable Girl by Pamela Lowell

I wanted to start this review by looking up the definition of the word Mother. There were multiple definitions, but the one that I liked best was "maternal tenderness or affection". Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had never had my children. I know that there are many people out there who would do anything to be able to have and/or raise a child, and others who try but somehow fail - this is one of those stories.

Meet Veronica Hartman. At 13 she has been in and out of 9 foster homes, 10 if you count the time she stayed with her Aunt and Uncle - that's where she went after her mother packed up her two brothers and fled for Alaska telling Ronnie "I need you to listen. We can't take you with us. There's not enough room." Shaken down to her very core, Ronnie has been trying everything in order to get reunited with her family. Riddled with behavioral problems from lying to stealing to anger issues, her case worker has turned to Alison as a last resort. Alison is a therapist and is willing to take Ronnie in and give her one last chance to prove that she can change her ways.

Although Ronnie and Alison have a rocky beginning, before long Ronnie seems to be making improvements not only in her behavior, but in her socialization skills as well. She is part of the "in" crowd at school - even though to get there she had to betray the only true friend she had made, someone who accepted her for herself, rather than try to mold her into someone they wanted her to be. And, even though her mother has suffered from drug and alcohol abuse in the past, it seems as if she may have finally gotten her life back on track and will be ready to have Ronnie come and stay with her. The only question is, is it too late?

Reading this book made me think of what it was like growing up. The teenage years are not a pleasant experience for anyone, at least that is what I believe. I can't imagine the additional struggles that are faced by children that are part of the "system". I loved the way the author delved into each character, and even though some of them seemed pretty rotten, she still let you see that there was good in each of them. I think this is very important - people normally don't do bad things on purpose, but are sometimes victims themselves. We should all try to remember that, before we judge others too quickly. This is a great read for anyone, not just young adults. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity!

Questions for the author:

Do you have any children?
Yes, I have two teen boys. I love writing and working with girls because I grew up in a very "girl" oriented family with two sisters, no brothers, and only one male cousin--and 10 female cousins!Now that I am the only "girl" in my house (even our dog is a male) I tell my family that I write about and work with girls to get my "girl fix"!I see that you are a therapist.

Have you ever taken in a foster child or did you rely on your experience to help define your characters?
I've never taken in a foster child. But I have worked with many wonderful foster kids and families and this experience allows me to feel very confident about character motivations and story lines. Some of the people I work with have these very incredible things happen to them--good and bad--but I think just listening to voices of teens every week helps to keep my character voices "real".

Are any of your characters based on "real" people or are they just a combination of many?
Ronnie was based on a foster child I worked with many years ago. That is to say I was thinking about what she might be like as a teenager as I wrote Returnable Girl. I met this girl when she was 6 years old, and my own son was 6, and to think about a child having to move from place to place like she did (while my own son was snug in his own bed) was very heart-wrenching to say the least. But Ronnie's "story" is entirely made up as are all of my characters.

Do you have any additional books in the works?
Yes! I'm currently in the process of working on SPOTTING FOR NELLIE.