Posted on April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. To help you find the best gifts to give the book lover in your life, I’ve compiled a list of 18 great ideas to get you started. Some of these are favorite products of mine. Some are just fun ideas any mom would be happy to receive. Click the image or the title of each item to find them on Amazon.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission.
This handy bookmark fits on your book lover’s thumb to help hold their page open.
A cozy throw pillow is perfect for propping up when you need to read just one more chapter.
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All the supplies needed for organizing a bookworm’s personal library.
Cute and cozy! Who doesn’t love novelty socks, am I right?
Light and soft, this scarf makes the perfect bookish accessory.
A lovely pendant makes the perfect bookish Hanukkah gift.
Help your bookworm keep track of their reading goals, favorite titles, and notes.
Beautifully handcrafted, this novelty box is a great hideaway for your book lover’s trinkets or bookmarks.
Personalize it for your favorite reader.
Or for tea, this mug features 30 classics and changes colors from the heat of your favorite beverage.
Great for reading after dark!
This handy pillow is perfect for hands free reading.
Add a bookish glow to their desk or nightstand.
Republic of Tea is a favorite of mine. This sampler will keep the book lover on your list well stocked whenever they need a warm cup.
Now waterproof, a Kindle is perfect for reading pretty much anywhere.
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Kindle Unlimited offers free access to tons of great titles for your book lover to enjoy.
#ShamelessSelfPromotion – Every bookworm appreciates the gift of more books. Consider one of mine!
Posted on April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment
Born and raised in London, Miriam Drori has spent most of her life in Jerusalem, where she married and raised three children. She has worked in computer programming and technical writing, and now spends her time writing fiction, reading, hiking, dancing and touring.
No bio of Miriam is complete without mention of her passion to raise awareness of social anxiety. Not all her writing includes it, but she’s ready to handle it when it butts in.
Murder in a Jerusalem office. The suspect can’t stand up for himself. Luckily, one person believes in him.
Probably all of these statements:
Belief can make all the difference.
I had a look through my list of characters in the novel, and I don’t see one that was particularly challenging. I think they’re all based on people I’ve met or observed over the years. Perhaps that’s what helped to make the writing of them fairly straightforward.
Asaf is close to my heart because of his internal struggles, but I love feisty Nathalie, who is determined to do what she believes is right and refuses to be swayed by anyone.
As far as I’m concerned, the poems I’ve had published are flukes. I still insist that I’m not a poet. Of my short stories, I like them all, but I’m most proud of the latest, Gruesome in Golders Green, which marks a change in style and length. The story sits at the head of a two-volume anthology of dark and wonderful stories, the proceeds of which are donated to charity. It’s called Dark London and was published by Darkstroke in 2020.
Social anxiety is the reason why I write. After discovering the name in 2002 and realising that it applied to me, I joined an online forum for ‘sufferers’ and learned a lot through interacting with the members. In particular, I learned that it’s much more common than most people think, that many sufferers, before discovering the name, believed they were alone with the problem, and that ignorance and lack of understanding causes too much unnecessary distress. In a bid to alleviate all of those, I became passionate about raising awareness of social anxiety. For me, the obvious way to do this was by writing, and so my book, Social Anxiety Revealed, was born. The book explains social anxiety from many different viewpoints, and is intended for everyone, because everyone knows or has encountered someone who lives with this problem. Social anxiety has also wormed its way into some of my fiction writing.
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I guess I’ve just answered this question. In general, I see writing as a way of enabling readers to view situations in different ways and from different points of view, as well as providing stories they can enjoy.
My primary goal, when writing a story, is to tell a gripping tale in an interesting way. I want readers to enjoy what they’re reading. But messages always turn up and tend to make readers rethink some of their opinions. I’ve mentioned the messages in Style and the Solidarity in previous questions.
I’m currently reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I have a long list of books to be read, many of them by the amazing authors published by my publisher, Darkstroke.
I have started writing a sequel to Style and the Solidarity, but had to put that aside for various reasons. There are also several other projects awaiting my attention – a short story, a possible collaboration, a rewriting of my debut novel followed by its sequel, and more.
Of course. Website and blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram, Wattpad.
Thank you so much, Heidi, for your questions and for taking an interest in my new novel. It will be launched on 26th April and can be pre-ordered now from Amazon.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Interested in working with me on an interview? Complete the form on Contact Me. I’ll be in touch within 48 hours. I look forward to working with you!
Sherry V. Ostroff is the author of two books, The Lucky One, is a memoir originally published in 2016, and Caledonia, a work of historical fiction was published last year. She is a winner of the Indie Diamond Book Award. Q: Can you sum up Caledonia in 20 words or less? Caledonia is the tale…
AJ Sidransky is joining my blog today to tell us about his newest novel, The Interpreter. We’re also getting insight into the third installment in his Forgiving series, Forgiving Stephen Redmond, set for release early next year. Q: Can you sum up the The Interpreter book series in 20 words or less? The Interpreter is…
Ashley Amber is a 26-year-old author who calls Boston home. Whether it was her first picture book that she entered in a Reading Rainbow contest at 9 years old, loads of fanfiction as a teenager, or her own novels, Ashley has always been writing. When she’s not writing, she’s making videos as an “Authortuber.” Ashley…
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Posted on April 14, 2021 Leave a Comment
Jake Anderson is a silverware designer turned vigilante, albeit a reluctant one, living on the fringes of a dying society. Fresh food has become scarce and, what is available, is under ration by the government. Jake finds himself infatuated with Sam. But he soon finds himself becoming less and less committed to the cause.
McKinnell crafts a face-paced, timely and engaging story. The protagonist, Jake, comes across as bland and average. Enter Sam, a pink-haired eccentric with mile-wide, inch deep ideas and Jake gets swept away. The dark humor and sarcasm come across brilliantly. Enjoy the escape of this dystopian world.
I would like to thank the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Jesse McKinnell is a writer living in southern Maine with his wife and young daughter. Dead Cats and Other Reflections on Parenthood is his first novel – he’s sorry for writing this entire bio in the third person.
Do you have a book in new of review? Would you like to be interviewed about your latest project? I’d like to work with you! Please visit my Contact Me page to complete the form with your details.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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By Lesléa Newman This poetry collection explores the father-daughter relationship based on the author’s relationship with her own father. The collection is progressive in time as her father ages and reaches end of life. Newman’s writing is emotional and raw as she wrestles with issues so many face as parents age. Coping with difficult issues…
By John Jennings Set in the 1990s, in Northumberland and Northern Ireland, The Monarch, is a potrayal of life in a heavily industrial culture, forced to reinvent itself as its once beloved industries find themselves in decline. The story gives an intimate picture of the Compton family, who are at the heart of society in…
By Janice Beetle A sequel to her first book, Divine Renovations, in which she tells the story of being laid off from her job while caring for her husband in his final days with two teenaged children to raise, Janice gives us the rest of the story. This is the story of rebuilding and coming…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Posted on April 14, 2021 Leave a Comment
Thomas Tallant returns to England, from India, to find his country mired in turmoil. Conflict between King George I and Parlement is threating to boil over into civil war. But when a rival spice merchant is found brutally murdered, Thomas finds himself at the center of suspicion. While fighting to clear his name, he is captivated by Elizabeth Seymour, a brilliant scientist with a pencion for gambling. Her gift for logic proves valuable in uncovering the truth of what happened to Thomas’ competition. But only time will tell if they will succeed in saving Thomas’ reputation.
This is the first book in a series by indie author, Michael Ward, and I’m already intrigued. The story is well-paced and the characters are well-developed. Ward places the reader at the center of 1640s England with vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells of the time. I enjoyed the way Ward engaged all of his reader’s senses through his writing. The interwoven layers of fraternities of merchents keep the reader guessing as to the identity of the true killer (no spoilers).
Ward has created a well-crafted historical mystery. I look forward to reading more from him.
Do you have a book in new of review? Would you like to be interviewed about your latest project? I’d like to work with you! Please visit my Contact Me page to complete the form with your details.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
By Zhanna Slor Masha and Anastasia are sisters who immigrated to the United States from the former USSR as children, in the 80s. The two spent their adolescents in the gritty counter-culture neighborhood, Riverwest, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her early twenties, Masha makes a journey of self-discovery, immigrating to Israel but returns to Milwaukee, at…
By Jonathan Yalon Set in a fictional kingdom, in Eurasia, King Genghis I is a satirical rom-com with a political twist. Turan was born in this kingdom but raised in New York. The kingdom is led by a monarch who is more like a modern-day dictator. Turan is persuaded to return home through an invitation…
By Lesléa Newman This poetry collection explores the father-daughter relationship based on the author’s relationship with her own father. The collection is progressive in time as her father ages and reaches end of life. Newman’s writing is emotional and raw as she wrestles with issues so many face as parents age. Coping with difficult issues…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Posted on April 13, 2021 Leave a Comment
PD Alleva is an alternative fiction author. His novels cross genres, blending mystery, conspiracy, psychology, and action with horror and dystopian science fiction. Alternative fiction is PD’s attempt at describing what readers uncover in any one of his books, a new discovery towards mainstream storytelling. He’s been writing since childhood, creating and developing stories with brash and impactful concepts that he would describe are metaphors for the shifting energies that exist in the universe. PD exists inside of his own universe, working diligently on The Rose Vol. II and exceptional horror novels. Be prepared for Golem, PD’s upcoming horror thriller.
A species of alien vampires from hollow earth conspire with alien greys and elite humans to subjugate the human population.
A love for science fiction, fantasy, ancient alien theories, ancient philosophy, and quantum mechanics; add in an obsession with vampires, and sprinkle a bit of nostalgia, and you’ve got yourself a book.
I went for a walk in the hot Florida sun. An hour later, with no hat or sunscreen, dehydrated and delirious, a story had formed in my mind. When I came back to Toronto and told my staff this story (I’m a CEO of a non-profit association), one of them said, “when are you going to stop telling us these stories and actually write something?” So, I wrote it to spite her.
Constantly escalating mayhem and chaos surrounded by increasingly high stakes for our protagonists to overcome, while exploring the heart of humanities evolutionary mind.
The series will play out over three separate although connected series. The Rose will have three volumes (originally it was two, however, I just finished writing Vol. 2 – clocked in at 113k words – and discovered there’s so much more story to tell in this first series that a full Vol. 3 will be required), and will be followed by The Indigo Trials (tentative title) Trilogy. The series will conclude with two volumes – tentative title is Winter – that will chronicle the main character Robyn Winter during the rise of World War 3 and his time traveling exploits as he attempts to reset the events leading to war.
This honor goes to Sandy Cox, the main female protagonist in the series. There’s a change Sandy will go through during Vol. 2 and 3 that fundamentally changes Sandy’s personality, strength, courage, conviction, and physicality, so during the first book my goal was to present Sandy as naïve as possible but with an inner strength born from purpose that will ultimately propagate this coming change. It was important for me to present her in a very specific manner in this first book in order to drive home the complete 180-degree change in upcoming installments.
100% Sanos, the main alien vampire villain in the series. Sanos is without a doubt just an awesome villain to write. Anarchic, cerebral, mad, and manipulative.
Feedback has been great and wonderful. I love reading reviews where the reader’s emotional tie to the story comes through. I’m a vampire fan myself so changing the lore and mystery behind vampire lineage was a big risk and I was eager to discover how vampire fans would react to the story. Considering the reviews and reader feedback apparently those vampire fans are enjoying the change.
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A burning desire to tell great stories. To enthrall the reader with the wonder of what can be and what could be. To see and understand all possibilities then latch on to the most provocative, surreal, and intriguing and tumble down that rabbit hole to discover new worlds, new concepts, and imaginations that stretch the bounds of reality.
A common theme in all of my books deals with the harms of self-deceptive practices, a theme that is more than likely a result of personal (I have indulged in more than a few in my life time) and professional influence (I’m also a hypnotist and psychotherapist specializing in trauma and addiction). Self deceptive practices, once taken too far, leads to the dark side for which there is little if any space to return.
Currently, I’m reading Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, it’s a bit of a slow burn but not too bad so far. Also, I was lucky enough to find a pdf copy of a book that was banned by the CIA, and I highly recommend everyone reads The Adam and Eve Story: A History of Cataclysms by Chan Thomas. Chan was a scientist who traced the major cataclysms throughout history using scientific evidence over his decades long study. It’s a real eye opener.
I have a few I’m currently working on. I finished The Rose Vol. 2 a few days ago – expecting a December release – but I’m also editing a horror thriller novel titled Golem that I’m getting ready for an October release. Tentative description is below. I also completed a second horror novel, Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect a few months ago, which will be released sometime in 2022. I call Jigglyspot my Covid Quarantine Isolation novel, it’s a satirical cosmic grindhouse horror thriller that follows a four foot ten, half human half warlock alien lackey whose tasked with pulling off 2019’s summer solstice celebration for presenting humans and their alien demon overlords. Tentative blurb for this one is: Carnivals. Cannibals. And Clowns. Oh My! Jigglyspot enjoys dressing up as a clown, hence why the clown is in there. Although I might use something along the lines of: There’s a new clown in town. Ha, I love Jigglyspot. I also started writing a novella series titled: Girl on a Mission, first installment in the six novella series is titled: The Dead Do Speak. The story follows 16 year old near death leukemia survivor Liza Ward who discovers she has the power to influence peoples minds to do whatever she tells them to. When Liza’s father enters a drug and alcohol rehab she uses her newfound power to work as a hitman for the Italian mafia in 1990’s Brooklyn, NY. I’m hoping to have the first installment ready this summer.
Here’s the Golem blurb:
On November 1, 1951, war hero John Ashton was promoted to detective. His first assignment: find the district attorney’s missing daughter. But his only lead is Alena Francon, a high society sculptor and socialite committed to Bellevue’s psychiatric facility.
Alena has a story for the new detective. A story so outlandish John Ashton refuses to heed the warning. Alena admits to incarnating Golem, a demonic force, into her statue. A devil so profound he’s infiltrated every part of New York’s infrastructure. Even worse, he uses children to serve as bodily hosts for his demonic army, unleashing a horde of devils into our world.
When Alena’s confidant, Annette Flemming, confirms the existence of Golem, John is sent on a collision course where fate and destiny spiral into peril, and the future of the human race hangs in the balance.
Confusion is an evil art!
Of course. I can be found across social media platforms, although my preferred method of choice to interact with readers would be through my newsletter. I enjoy giving a bit of a personal touch in the monthly emails.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdalleva_author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdallevaauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PdallevaAuthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/pdalleva
Website: www.pdalleva.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7634126.P_D_Alleva
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/p-d-alleva
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gxKH7P
Thank you Heidi for the interview and for supporting indie authors as we lead the charge towards a return to great literature. Thank you.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Interested in working with me on an interview? Complete the form on Contact Me. I’ll be in touch within 48 hours. I look forward to working with you!
Troy has been many things in his career. Shoe salesman, waiter, newspaper owner, children’s performer, actor, elected official, policy advisor, CEO and university lecturer. Now he wants to try his hand at writing. His first attempt at writing is a novel called The (Extra)ordinary Life of Jimmie Mayfield. The genesis for The (Extra)ordinary Life of…
Born in Northern California. Wife, mother to three amazing children, and author of fantasy and adventure. Brings adventure with a mix of fantasy to the pages. Advocate for people who have Russel Silver Syndrome, and epilepsy. Q: Can you sum up the Ella in 20 words or less? A prince adopts a dragon egg, and it leads…
Originally from South Amboy NJ, Matthew has been creating science fiction and fantasy worlds for most of his reasoning life. It took a while, but he eventually decided to take writing seriously. His first published novel, Division Zero, released in 2014. His books span adult, young-adult, and middle-grade fiction in multiple genres, predominantly science fiction, cyberpunk,…
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Posted on April 7, 2021 Leave a Comment
Set in the 1990s, in Northumberland and Northern Ireland, The Monarch, is a potrayal of life in a heavily industrial culture, forced to reinvent itself as its once beloved industries find themselves in decline. The story gives an intimate picture of the Compton family, who are at the heart of society in the region.
Jennings paints a vivid picture of the setting behind his novel, rich with detail. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness writing style. The story is interwoven with a number of very strong characters who each bring a piece of the unique culture of the North – East region. Jennings also does a remarkable job of incorporating the regional dialect and accent into the writing.
Jennings is a masterful storyteller and I look forward to reading more from him.
The author was born and grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne, England before moving to the East Midlands and London where he studied a degree in English, history and politics and then a Masters in journalism. He spent almost twelve years teaching adults in various settings including university and college. He now lives with his wife and young family in the North of Ireland. Extensively traveled, John has visited over 30 countries throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australasia and both North and South America.
Do you have a book in new of review? Would you like to be interviewed about your latest project? I’d like to work with you! Please visit my Contact Me page to complete the form with your details.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
By Amber Ashley James Letta is a breakout star in the music industry. Despite amazing success as a vocalist, behind the scenes, James is sad. While on a tour, promoting his latest album, James experiences a particularly rough day. That is until he is visited by a ghost who takes him on a tour of…
By Molly Golubcow Molly Golubcow’s memoir focuses on growing up in Atlanta City in the early 1970s between it’s early hay day and the modern day casino boom. Her parents, Holocaust survivors who grew up in a Polish shtetl, become the proprietors of the Seacrest, near the boardwalk, which was home to a colorful cast…
By S. Lee Manning Operative Koyla Petrov is tracking Mihai Cuza, a decedent of Vlad the Impaler. Cuza is suspected of plotting meltdowns at nuclear power plants around the world. But whenever Petrov closes in on his target, he loses a member of his team. Petrov’s agency decides to deploy a ‘trojan horse’, or a…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Posted on April 7, 2021 Leave a Comment
A sequel to her first book, Divine Renovations, in which she tells the story of being laid off from her job while caring for her husband in his final days with two teenaged children to raise, Janice gives us the rest of the story. This is the story of rebuilding and coming back from devastating life events. In this follow-up book, she talks about travel, using yoga to build her mental and physical strength, and starting two businesses. She also includes some humorous tales of dating again.
This is a wonderful example of human resiliency in the face of incredible challenges. Beetle provides a very real, and at times raw, account of reinventing herself. I found the writing engaging, like sitting down with a good friend and hearing her tell her story. Beetle truly holds nothing back and shows remarkable strength in letting the reader into her emotions, even the dark ones.
In the end, this story is heart-warming and full of hope.
My mind is full of book ideas, and I work to bring them to life as I am able. My first memoir, Divine Renovations: A Carpenter, His Soul Mate, and Their Story of Love and Loss, was published by Off The Common Books in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2012. I have a second memoir, Willful Evolution: Because healing the heart takes strength, coming soon, and my first work of fiction is in the works.
In addition to developing my own books, I help people to bring their book idea to the book shelf–and the book store through Janice Beetle Books. My work is helping people with a story in their hearts and minds. I also bring my 15-year career reporter background to my work in my PR business, Beetle Press, through which I craft press releases and marketing pieces for organization leaders that translate into news stories and on-air time in media.
I live life to the fullest. I take time to travel and spend time in warm places in the winter months. I boat and kayak in the summer, and play with my grandchildren, enjoy my daughters, and read and relax all year long.
Do you have a book in new of review? Would you like to be interviewed about your latest project? I’d like to work with you! Please visit my Contact Me page to complete the form with your details.
This page contains affiliate links. This means for any purchase made, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
By Zhanna Slor Masha and Anastasia are sisters who immigrated to the United States from the former USSR as children, in the 80s. The two spent their adolescents in the gritty counter-culture neighborhood, Riverwest, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her early twenties, Masha makes a journey of self-discovery, immigrating to Israel but returns to Milwaukee, at…
By Jonathan Yalon Set in a fictional kingdom, in Eurasia, King Genghis I is a satirical rom-com with a political twist. Turan was born in this kingdom but raised in New York. The kingdom is led by a monarch who is more like a modern-day dictator. Turan is persuaded to return home through an invitation…
By Lesléa Newman This poetry collection explores the father-daughter relationship based on the author’s relationship with her own father. The collection is progressive in time as her father ages and reaches end of life. Newman’s writing is emotional and raw as she wrestles with issues so many face as parents age. Coping with difficult issues…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Posted on April 6, 2021 Leave a Comment
Troy has been many things in his career. Shoe salesman, waiter, newspaper owner, children’s performer, actor, elected official, policy advisor, CEO and university lecturer. Now he wants to try his hand at writing.
His first attempt at writing is a novel called The (Extra)ordinary Life of Jimmie Mayfield. The genesis for The (Extra)ordinary Life of Jimmie Mayfield came while going for a walk in Placida, Florida where his parents have a winter home. While he navigates the waters of seeking a publisher for that series of books, he is writing short stories and working on a fantasy series, The Companions of the Stone; the first book “The Stone of Death” is out on September 1, 2020. Also published in September is a space western, “The Seeker of Solace”.
Currently, if you are a fan of Lovecraftian Horror, you can delve into his series, The Other. The first compilation is now available, as are the individual stories of book 2. Book two should be available this October, with book 3 available in 2021.
Troy lives in Toronto with his wife, daughter and dog.
A guy with big dreams but no ambition struggles to find where he fits in.
I chose the setting because my parents have a winter home in the area and I have become intimately familiar with it over the past decade.
I went for a walk in the hot Florida sun. An hour later, with no hat or sunscreen, dehydrated and delirious, a story had formed in my mind. When I came back to Toronto and told my staff this story (I’m a CEO of a non-profit association), one of them said, “when are you going to stop telling us these stories and actually write something?” So, I wrote it to spite her.
Jimmie’s life takes a radical change at the end of the first book. The second one deals with his adjustment to this change. Then, without giving things away, it takes a radical departure and things accelerate and it takes our poor everyman Jimmie on a barely believable roller coaster ride. Readers will probably be “oh, come on, really?” but then stick around for the final three books just to see what happens. It covers a three-year span, and you won’t believe where he ends up after starting unemployed, smoking a cigarette on his rusting porch in the first book.
The character of Chester. He is an older black man who moves to the trailer park who starts dating Jimmie’s mother. You worry that including such a character could be misunderstood; I use him to challenge racism. It’s difficult as a privileged white man to address this topic without coming across as out of touch or misrepresenting the issue.
Beyond Jimmie? The aforementioned Chester. I had an editor who was disappointed he wasn’t as prominent in the second book. He thought Chester was by far the most interesting character and wanted to see more of him. So I’ve altered it a bit to give him more time to shine.
Nothing but positive. My mom even hosted an event at her place in Florida with all the other residents. It intrigued them I wrote about their little neck of the woods. They got all the local references and loved it. Most people have loved the book.
I had another editor who thought Jimmie was an iconic character for the ages. I got an early, unedited unfinished draft through back channels to one of the big 5 publishers and it landed on the desk of a VP. I saw the internal email she sent where she declared “this kid can write!” (I’m 49) and compared Jimmie Mayfield to Holden Caulfield from A Catcher in the Rye. High praise indeed (although they declined to publish it).
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Once you get the bug, it’s hard to stop. Ideally, I want to be able to do this as my career (which is tough because the two jobs I hold down are very lucrative, so I’d have to become wildly successful as an author to give them up). For me, success at writing is being able to pay your bills from the writing alone. A personal benchmark would be to walk through an airport and see your book for sale at a newsstand. Then I will know I’ve made it.
Dare to dream. When the time is right, things will fall into place. We can try to plan our lives all we want, but it rarely goes as we intended. You never know what will be the difference, but as long as you are ready to jump on opportunities, you will go places. It takes Jimmie a while to realize his success, but with hard work (and in his case, a lot of luck) you’ll get there.
I have so little time to read for myself. I have three books I started but lost interest in (Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan, News of the World, by Paulette Jiles, and Swords and Deviltry, by Fritz Leiber). Mainly, I read to my daughter at night (Young Adult novels). We just started Divergent, and honestly, these dystopian books (like Hunger Games) do such a comical job of describing how a dystopian society would act. Read 1984 or Brave New World; they get it right. You have to fool the public into thinking that this is the best way to be, and that others have it worse. These YA dystopian tales just make everything terrible and then pile more terribleness on things. A dystopian society should sap your will to resist. These YA ones just keep pushing buttons of people until, well of course they are going to strike back.
That went on quite a tangent.
I write in a variety of genres, including cosmic horror, sci-fi and fantasy. I’m adding to a sword and sorcery series of short stories right now, then I have to get back to the final two horror stories in my series so I can finish that off. I have the third novel in my sci-fi western to write, and then I was thinking of starting a YA series of cyberpunk detectives (since I just slagged YA, I figure I should put my money where my mouth is).
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Sherry V. Ostroff is the author of two books, The Lucky One, is a memoir originally published in 2016, and Caledonia, a work of historical fiction was published last year. She is a winner of the Indie Diamond Book Award. Q: Can you sum up Caledonia in 20 words or less? Caledonia is the tale…
AJ Sidransky is joining my blog today to tell us about his newest novel, The Interpreter. We’re also getting insight into the third installment in his Forgiving series, Forgiving Stephen Redmond, set for release early next year. Q: Can you sum up the The Interpreter book series in 20 words or less? The Interpreter is…
Ashley Amber is a 26-year-old author who calls Boston home. Whether it was her first picture book that she entered in a Reading Rainbow contest at 9 years old, loads of fanfiction as a teenager, or her own novels, Ashley has always been writing. When she’s not writing, she’s making videos as an “Authortuber.” Ashley…
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Posted on April 5, 2021 Leave a Comment
Thank you to everyone who submitted work for the January Short Story Contest. The 1st selected featured entry is:
Leon Moss is a retired engineer. He enjoys writing and painting in his retirement. Enjoy his musings on aging at his website: exceedinglysenior.com. This is his second featured short story on this site.
Leon’s entry was based on this writing prompt:
I recognized the place the minute I saw the photo. Riverside Manor! The elegant and large house that’s been in my life four times. So far… Brilliantly situated ten meters from the Tenth River with the rolling mountain at her back. It’s quite a story and forms more than one chapter in my autobiography. In fact that’s exactly where I’m sitting as this moment; putting the finishing touches to my autobiography, the history of my time on earth. I turned 88 years old last week and the handing over the book to the publisher is my celebration of a long and exciting life. Not that I expect it to end any time soon but one never knows.
We lived in that house before the war – the Second World War, that is. I was born in 1933 and my brother 3 years later. My mother was 27 and my father 30. The house consisted of one module, the left-hand one when you look at the photo. Partly hidden behind that tree.
My memory is still working well and I remember a few incidents from my early years. Like the day I fell into the river and my mother rushed over, jumped in and fished me out, coughing up water, wet and with a new respect for water deeper than me. I remember the days that my father planted the trees behind the house. I ran up and down with buckets of soil and fertilizer. I must have done a good job; just look at those trees in the photo. Tall, strong, evergreen trees. I remember not having any friends. The house was remote and there were no neighbors.
In 1939 the war broke out and father rushed to the enlistment center and was soon on his way to Africa. Mother sold the house. We packed up and moved to her parent’s house in the city. Mother, brother and I shared a bedroom for 5 years. Mother hated it. At every opportunity she took her two children, stood at a bus stop and boarded the first bus that came along. “Where to?” asked the driver. “Anywhere,” she answered. We spent afternoons in strange places.
My brother and I were at a nearby school and life was good. We made new friends. Letters from father were exciting and frightening. Some contained photos, all of which I still have in my old album. We knew all about the war. My friends were always asking me questions about the war.
In 1945 the war ended and father came home, older but safe and sound. He found a job in the city and we continued living in our grandparent’s house. One day he walked in and announced that he had bought a small house a few blocks away. We moved a few weeks later. I remember the excitement that day, walking east to school in the morning and walking west to our new home when the school-out bell rang.
Two years later we moved again, this time to a brand new house in an upper-scale suburb. Father was appointed the manager of the store where he had been working. The new house was great and I found new friends nearby. The years flew past. Schooldays came to an end and I was off to university and a new life. New friends, new activities, new interests.
I met Sue. We dated and fell in love. Sue wanted a wedding with all the trimmings and she made sure it had them. She insisted on a great honeymoon and said she would arrange it and surprise me. A week spent in a special ‘Honeymoon-Hideaway’ in the country. It was my second stay in our old house. This time the building consisted of 2 modules. The second one from the left in the photo had been added and the whole building transformed into a fairyland.
It was a magic week. We wandered around gardens lit up in different colors. We sat next to a fishpond that played softly to a music fountain. We took rides in a gondola on the river. The gondolier didn’t sing but he spoke Italian and looked good in his costume. We drank mystifying drinks. It was a magical honeymoon. Many corners of the old house brought back memories of my childhood.
Back in the city Sue and I worked hard, raised children, joined the PTA and a motor pool. I mowed the lawn and the children fed Bruno, our dog.
I worked in a large engineering company, doing calculations for buildings and roads and bridges. It was rewarding work and I enjoyed seeing the results of my labor.
The boss called me in one day and told me that big changes were coming because computers and software had been developed for engineers and now calculations that had been done on slide-rules and calculators would be replaced by the new technologies.
“I have selected you, Peter, to be our man at a training camp for engineers. It will be held at a small and elite college in the country. Pack a bag. You will be away for a fortnight. When you come back you will be made a partner and you will be in charge of computerizing the company and its staff. Good luck!” He handed me an envelope of information. “Better do some reading before you leave!”
The top page of the enclosed papers had the address of the place where the classes were to be held. I took a quick glance at the first line, saw the address and recited the rest of it.
It was my third stay at our old house. This time the building consisted of 3 modules. The second one from the right in the photo had been added and the whole building had been converted into a college. The honeymoon was over!
The classes were long, boring, partly in my home language, English and partly in something like Greek. But I learned the basics and welcomed a lecturer’s remark; don’t worry! Once you are sitting in front of the computer everything will become clear. I hoped he was right! I spent two grueling weeks there and was pleased when it was over. But of course I had enjoyed seeing the old house again and I was in awe at its growth, tenacity and modifications. About 3 years ago I decided to write my biography. I wanted my grandchildren and their children to know about me and to know a little about the world I lived in and the times I lived in.
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Was it selfishness? I don’t know. I do know that it was a gigantic task. It seemed to go on forever. Writing, reading, changing, reading, correcting…
Finally I said to Sue, “I’m going away for a while. I have to be alone and completely free from the world in order to finish this thing.”
I called the number I had from the long-ago time I had spent there learning about computers to see if they would let out a room for me for a month or two. Or three. Or however long it took.
“The college moved out of here years ago,” explained someone. “We are now a health resort. We are part hotel and we do have rooms for guests at the spa. We have a swimming pool, gyms, exercise classes. Come along. You will enjoy it.”
I booked for a month and went down the next day. I stood looking in amazement at the building, Another module! That’s four! And more… As I approached I saw a detached item that was new. It looked like a small church or chapel. The roof was sharply pitched, matching the roofs of the older houses. There must be heavy snowfalls or rainfalls around here and owners want to get the wet stuff off their roofs as quickly as possible.
I settled into my room, unpacked my small suitcase, fired up my laptop and sat looking at the screen. It was four in the afternoon. I had missed lunch and I was thirsty. I went across to the dining room in search of food and drink, but the best I could do was operate a coffee machine and find a ready-wrapped cheese and tomato sandwich.
I walked the few meters to the river bank and stood looking at the water. A motor launch came along and slowed as he neared me. “Want a ride, Guvnor? I’m going downstream and I’ll be coming back in about two hours. There are a couple of pubs lower down. Hop in! It’s not free but it’s cheap!” I didn’t hesitate for a second. A pub! A couple of beers will get my literary juices flowing, I thought.
“Is that a church? I asked the boatman.
“It is. It was built when this place was a college, many years back. The owner was religious and he believed in that old Roman saying ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’. So he had the church built for the students. I reckon healthy included all aspects of health, body and soul. They have services on Sundays and there’s a young priest there. Gets quite a crowd, too!”
“I’ll check it out!” I said. And I did. The church was full. The priest gave a stunning sermon and the boatman was waiting for me when I walked back to the river.
Two months later the book is finished. I call the publisher who doesn’t sound all that pleased. Not as excited as he was when I handed over the final draft of my ‘Engineering by Computer’ book. I am sitting on the verandah one day with the manager of the health center. I am celebrating with tall glasses of beer in front of us.
“You like it here, don’t you, Peter?”
“I love it,” I answer. “It’s as close to paradise as I can get!”
“Well I have news for you. We have permission to build. I’m thinking of a retirement center. Would you and your wife be interested?”
“Where do I sign?’ I ask.
Thank you to everyone who submitted work for the January Short Story Contest. The 3rd selected featured entry is: My Back for a Bridge by Leon Moss Leon Moss is a retired engineer. He enjoys writing and painting in his retirement. Enjoy his musings on aging at his website: exceedinglysenior.com. This is his second featured…
Thank you to everyone who submitted work for the December Short Story Contest. The 1st place featured entry is: A Bank Heist by Leon Moss Leon Moss is a retired engineer. He enjoys writing and painting in his retirement. Enjoy his musings on aging at his website: exceedinglysenior.com. Leon’s entry was based on this writing…
Each month, my site hosts a contest. The contest is unique in that it is based on a visual writing prompt. For this month’s writing prompt and full contest rules, visit Contests.
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As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Thank you to everyone who submitted work for the November Short Story Contest. The 1st place featured entry is: The Night Bus by Zvi Lando Zvi Lando published his first group of stories in 1967 while in forth grade. 5 years later, he left his home in Kalamazoo Michigan, went on his own to Israel…
Thank you to everyone who submitted work for the November Short Story Contest. The 2nd place featured entry is: Castle by Ashley Amber Ashley Amber is a 26-year-old author who calls Boston home. Whether it was her first picture book that she entered in a Reading Rainbow contest at 9 years old, loads of fanfiction…
Posted on March 31, 2021 Leave a Comment
Operative Koyla Petrov is tracking Mihai Cuza, a decedent of Vlad the Impaler. Cuza is suspected of plotting meltdowns at nuclear power plants around the world. But whenever Petrov closes in on his target, he loses a member of his team. Petrov’s agency decides to deploy a ‘trojan horse’, or a computer virus, to help with their mission to stop Cuza. But the plot puts Petrov in a dangerous situation where he must decide between his own life and putting a stop to Cuza.
Manning does an outstanding job of grabbing the reader in the first five pages and keeping them guessing until the very end. The book is fast-paced and action packed. The characters are well-developed and easy to empathize with. Manning keeps the tension high throughout the story.
I enjoyed the double meaning in the title. First, the trojan horse refers to a common form of a computer virus, introduced into a system through the download of a seemingly friendly file. Second is an allusion to the planting of a spy in the enemy camp.
This is one that is hard to put down.
S. Lee Manning spent two years as managing editor of Law Enforcement Communications before realizing that lawyers make a lot more money. A subsequent career as an attorney spanned from a first-tier New York law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, to working for the State of New Jersey, to solo practice. In 2001, Manning agreed to chair New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NJADP), writing articles on the risk of wrongful execution and arguing against the death penalty on radio and television in the years leading up to its abolition in the state in 2007. An award winning short story writer, Manning is the author of international thrillers. A life-long interest in Russia and espionage is reflected in the Kolya Petrov thrillers.
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By Zhanna Slor Masha and Anastasia are sisters who immigrated to the United States from the former USSR as children, in the 80s. The two spent their adolescents in the gritty counter-culture neighborhood, Riverwest, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In her early twenties, Masha makes a journey of self-discovery, immigrating to Israel but returns to Milwaukee, at…
By Jonathan Yalon Set in a fictional kingdom, in Eurasia, King Genghis I is a satirical rom-com with a political twist. Turan was born in this kingdom but raised in New York. The kingdom is led by a monarch who is more like a modern-day dictator. Turan is persuaded to return home through an invitation…
By Lesléa Newman This poetry collection explores the father-daughter relationship based on the author’s relationship with her own father. The collection is progressive in time as her father ages and reaches end of life. Newman’s writing is emotional and raw as she wrestles with issues so many face as parents age. Coping with difficult issues…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
So many books, so little time! I am an avid reader and love to share recommendations with fellow readers. My choice in books tend to vary by my mood but some of my favorites are mystery, suspense, thriller, and humor. Get my reviews direct to your inbox every Wednesday and check back here for monthly…
Join 5,500+ Followers
As a thank you for registering for our email list, you’ll receive free printable reading journal templates and a bonus 100 book reading list! Members of the email list also receive an exclusive discount code for my Etsy store: MapleStreetStudioHRS.
Heidi Slowinski 