FIRST CHAPTER PLUS Can an “Unknown” Write that Memorable Character?
Existing They Continue (a prayer for peace...)
Puppies, I life time commitment
The Barefoot Librarian Corner
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Existing They Continue (a prayer for peace...) Page 5 Featured Books and Authors Page 3 2021-2022 Reader Views Awards Winners Page 8 Indie Books! Pages 6-9-1013- 14-18 - 24-26-30. Interview with Perry Martin Author of “California Chrome: Our Stor” Page 20 Can an “Unknown” Write that Memorable Character? Page 12 Puppies, I life time commitment Page 15 Book Videos Page 22-23 IHSTSP Books Launch Video - Page 26 Inside Scoop Live Podcast of the Month Page 23 The Barefoot Librarian Corner Page 28
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Table of Contents - Featured Books and Authors
6 La Clave La Clave shares the author’s financial knowledge and experience to help teens get a head start in life. The book presents readers with basic financial knowledge and life changing know-how tips on how to manage money to make the most of their income to build a successful future. But Anderson does not stop there, she also teaches young people to invest in their communities by buying local products and donating to help others. La Clave is the Spanish translation of Marjorie L. Anderson’s Reader Views Award winner “The Key.”
10 Bineta Ngom author of “Becoming An Angel Of Change” Bineta Ngom was born in Senegal, West Africa in 1964. She grew up without her father, who died when she was a little over four years old. She was raised by her mother who taught her how to appreciate life and serve people in need even when the family was enduring hardship. She came to America in 1994 to pursuit her dream, to give her children the opportunity she never had as a child, and to empower the global community.
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Editor’s Note Born and raised in Venezuela of Italian immigrants, Susan completed a BA in Political Science and Business Administration before moving to the US . Although she built a career as a Business Analyst/Accountant, she also kept herself active as a freelance writer in the US; publishing articles, poetry, children’s stories, and illustrations since 1996. She published her first book in 2009, and released her revised edition: Innocent War: Behind An Immigrant’s Past – Book 1 in 2011. Her picture book: Tuma: The Tribe’s Little Princess was published in early 2013 under her own label. Currently, Susan Violante is the Managing Editor/CEO/ Partner of I Have Something to Say Press and Book By Book Publicity, Author, Reviewer, Publicist and Publisher. She resides in Austin, TX with her husband Michel and her dogs, Canela, Karina, and Nutela. Susan is mother of two adult daughters, Arianna and Nicolette, and caregiver to her father. She enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, painting, writing, gardening, and any outdoor activity.
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Existing They Continue (a prayer for peace...) How do the pigeons, react when their chicks from their nest have flown away? What does man say when a soldier, to kill will not obey? They stand silent. Because they have been touched. Because existing they continue and they have seen the worst. Because of life they are a part, and they know it was a grant. How loud does a heart cry, when their grant to life has been denied? Vio.
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Featured Authors Marjorie L. Anderson Marjorie Anderson is a native Virgin islander, retired bank executive, co-funder and former executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Minority Business Strategic Alliance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morgan State University, a Master of Science in Management from La Salle University, and is a gradute of the Wharton’s School agement Program Manate of the Wharton’s School Management Program of the University of Pennsylvania. Her book “The Key” is a Reader Views Literary Awards Winner. Marjorie currently lives in Liberty Hill, Texas.
View Book Video Here
La Clave shares the author’s financial knowledge and experience to help teens get a head start in life. The book presents readers with basic financial knowledge and life changing know-how tips on how to manage money to make the most of their income to build a successful future. But Anderson does not stop there, she also teaches young people to invest in their communities by buying local products and donating to help others. La Clave is the Spanish translation of Marjorie L. Anderson’s Reader Views Award winner “The Key.”
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La Clave Marjorie L. Anderson I Have something To Say Press (2021, 2022) ISBN 9780985430825 Tradeback - 100 pages - $16.00 Nonfiction - Spanish/YA-Teen
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he skills teens develop in this workbook can be applicable to all aspects of their lives, not just finances.
— Nico Neak Social worker/Children and Teen Therapist
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. his is an invaluable resource
for the financial preparation of our adolescents to ensure an economical, stable and successful future.
— Juliana Leal-Belloso Preschool teacher and mother of a teenager
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The Munchkins By Candice Zee Candice Zee (2021) ISBN 9781737233909 Fiction - Young Reader 8-12 Tradeback - 306 pages - $9.99
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ahis has all the "ingredients" for a fantastical, magical, YA story that also caters to adults who absolutely love the Potter-esque world that happens maybe twice in a lifetime. — Reader Views
Thirteen children with incredible powers suddenly appear outside a children's home, but no one knows who they are or where they came from. They aim to live a normal life with their loving adoptive father but have to face a malicious neighbor named "Big Boss" when he starts to intrude on their lives. The siblings realize he's up to something sinister and they need to find out what it is before it's too late.
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rold in a fast-paced narrative voice with complex characters, the exhilarating fantasy will keep readers guessing until the very end—all while falling in love with the quirky cast. The book deserved to be made into a movie or a web series. — The Prairies Book Review
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Featured Authors Bineta Ngom Bineta Ngom was born in Senegal, West Africa in 1964. She grew up without her father, who died when she was a little over four years old. She was raised by her mother who taught her how to appreciate life and serve people in need even when the family was enduring hardship. She came to America in 1994 to pursuit her dream, to give her children the opportunity she never had as a child, and to empower the global community. She never stops learning and always strive to be best role model to her children. She decided to write her book “Becoming an Angel of Change” to share her stories with the world to inspire parents, immigrants and women to make positive change within themselves, their homes, their work places as well as their communities.
Through a collection of inspirational stories, Bineta Ngom details her journey exploring her life’s purpose, helping others in need. From her beginnings as an eight-year-old philanthropist in Senegal, to her adult life establishing outreach programs in the United States, readers will be inspired to discover their strength, uniqueness, and purpose in her recent memoir “Becoming an Angel of Change.” View Book Video Here 10
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Becoming an Angel of Change Bineta Ngom I Have Something To Say Press (2021,2022) ISBN 9781647751784 Tradeback - 186 pages - $16.00 Nonfiction - Memoir / Self-Help
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ineta shows us all how we, too, can develop the spiritual depth to become angels of change. A fast-paced, inspiring read!” .
— Donna Winters author of the Great Lakes Romances Series®
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. resented in three parts,
‘Becoming an Angel of Change’ is a fascinating story and one that encourages hope, positivity, and gratitude…
— Sheri Hoyte Reader Views
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Can an “Unknown” Write that Memorable Character? Every future generation will know Harry Potter the moment his name is spoken. Of course, when you write a character who ends up with his own Universal theme park, that isn’t a shock. But that young man, his friends, and his magical universe came from the mind of J.K. Rowling. Out of the blue, she arrived on the scene and brought with her pages filled with characters and locations that became one of, if not the, most popular series of all time. Now, can other authors write something of that magnitude that becomes that popular? Actually, yes. Is it difficult? You bet it is!. Think about the fiction realm, past and present. You have Agatha Christie’s, Hercule Poirot, who still has movies made to this day. Preston & Child is a duo that brings us a wealth of memorable characters; Xavier Pendergast is one that stands out because of his charisma, dry wit, pale, vampire-like looks, and his ability to find everything from criminals to legendary relics. Dean Koontz brought us Odd Thomas, who lit up the bookshelves with his weirdness and ability to sit down and have a humorous conversation with Satan, himself. Hannibal Lecter came from the mind of bestselling author, Thomas Harris. Not only will Dr. Lecter always be associated with thrilling fiction, but the Oscar-winning performance by Anthony Hopkins made him even more frightening. Dan Brown’s, Robert Langdon, took us on religious mysteries of monumental proportions, allowing “The DaVinci Code” to sit atop the bestseller lists for ages. I could go on forever…but I won’t. Each one of these characters was “born” from the mind of a once unknown author and became unbelievably popular, because the stories encircling them were written with skill, talent, passion, and by someone who believed in their character wholeheartedly—which translated to the public. Independent authors are appearing on the scene with characters who own their own brand of idiosyncrasies, new realms, and incredible plots that make their work unforgettable. For example, a debut author’s book crossed my path; the first in a series that—if the beginning proved anything—will end up being a “must-read” for the world. I speak of Amber Vonda’s Family Crystals series, with Book II “The Agate Enchantress” just being released. The only difference between this series and, say…“Lord of the Rings” by Tolkien, is the
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fact that marketing is needed to get this read in front of everyone so no one will miss out on a very special gift. And this is just one of the incredible indie authors who have emerged.. It’s very important to take the following advice to heart. For those who are writing, continue. For those who wish to write a book and have the passion needed to do it, begin. Because, whether you believe it or not, one of you reading this could just be the author holding the next psychotic doctor or heroic wizard in your own mind. by Amy Lignor “Being the daughter of a research librarian, Amy was hooked on books from the moment she could open one. She has been the editor of Suspense Magazine for over a decade; she also reviews and interviews artists and authors for various websites, while continuously helping up-and-coming authors by editing their work. Amy is also the author of the bestselling “Tallent & Lowery” series; the award-winning YA trilogy, “The Angel Chronicles,” and the historical fiction novel, “The Heart of a Legend.” A member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), she is currently at work on her first horror novel, “The Wake.”
Good Night (Not Really) By Nan Evenson
Olympia Publishers Bumblebee/Children’s Imprint (2021) - ISBN 9781839343339 Early Reader - Tradeback- 42 pages - $12.99 Charlie and Lisa are charming guides, helping children count not only to ten but backward as well. Surprise! This is actually a good morning book and is the first in the Not Really series. The picture books offer fresh ways for children to expand their math skills (including counting by 2’s and 5’s), surprise endings, and gorgeous illustrations. The next book, “The Terrible Day (Not Really): Let’s Count by 2’s,”comes out in spring 2022.
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The Three Tree By Madison Farkas Friesen Press (2021) - ISBN 9781525591563 Early Reader - kindle- 28 pages - $3.99 ”Our three has been stolen! How will we ever be able to count to five again?”The residents of a peaceful town love nothing more than to count to five. But when the Evil, Mean, Mad Magician sneaks into their town and steals their magical number three, someone must journey to his castle in the clouds to rescue it. A little girl will decide if she is the strongest, bravest, smartest person in the land. Then she’ll have to prove it – to her people and to herself.
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Prophecy Written in the Stars By Dr Larry Anderson Outskirts Press (2020) - ISBN 9781977231970 Religion/Christianity 111 pages - Tradeback - 111 pages - $19.95 There hasn’t been a book written on this subject in over 125 years. Do you know thereal meaning of your Astrological sign? Haven’t you ever wondered why God made all the stars and constellations? Did you know each one has a purpose, other than light? God wrote prophecies concerning the gospels in the stars, long before man could read or write. Be amazed at what you learn as we ride through the galaxy.
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Aunt Tina, Church Secretary By Lorrie Hewitt Independently published (2019) - ASIN: 1699693900 YA-16+ - Satire - ebook - 73 pages - $3.94 Welcome to Glenco Institutional Missionary Baptist Church! In this short, delightful play, experience the fun ups and downs of the church secretary as she interacts with members of her church. Watch closely, you may even see someone you recognize in your church. Let’s begin!
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Puppies, I life time commitment Susan Violante
I have always had dogs. When I was a young girl, my parents introduced me to all sorts of animals. From birds including parrots, squirrels, bunnies, tortoises and turtles, kittens, armadillo, baby caiman (Venezuelan alligator), and of course puppies! So, it is no secret I did the same with my kids, adding gold fishes, hamsters, ferrets, parroquets, and more bunnies, puppies, and kittens to my list! There is something special about the love we can receive from a pet. They do not care how we look, who we are, what we do for a living, and any other standard used by society to judge us by is nonexistent to them. They just want to be by our side. But dogs are special…they are not tamed animals, they were engineered by men to be our companions, service dog, farm helper…etc. Most of us will adopt puppies and commit for life to them. But sometimes life can throw us out of the paved road making caring foe our dogs very difficult. Some people make it work and can keep them or give them to family members that can offer a better home to their dog. Many end up surrendering them to rescue organization or shelters which breaks the dogs’ heart but gives them the opportunity to find a forever home. But others for some reason opt to abandon, neglect, or sometimes mistreat them. I feel a deep connection with all animals but none like dogs. Almost all the dogs that I was fortunate to share a portion of my life with I raised from puppies until it was their time to transition to dog heaven. Most religions and belief systems do not recognize animals as sentients creatures with souls; after relating and sharing my life with them I am convinced that is not the case. They express joy, anger, sadness, and love. They communicate with us and understand us when we communicate with them. They establish different relationships with the members of their pack or their human family. Because humans tend to gift pets to their children…especially puppies, only to surrender them later because of the responsibility and amount of extra work is too much to handle; I was inspired to write this in hopes that they would pause and research to get real knowledge of what having a puppy or any other pet means, as well as how they will change their lives. Not everyone is made for a long-term commitment that entails becoming a dog owner, and there is nothing wrong with that. On Puppy Day’s (March 23rd) month I think of my current and past puppies. I am grateful for how they have filled my life, my heart, and my soul.
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READER VIEWS B O OK OF THE MONTH The Satisfied Introvert By Benjamin Plumb NonFiction - Memoir / Self-Hekp Satisfied Introvert LLC (2022) ISBN 9798985494105 Reviewed by: Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views (3/2022)
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he Satisfied Extroverted, by Benjamin Plumb takes a deep, satisfying dive into the world of the introvert, explaining the introvert’s characteristics, wants, needs, motivations, and more, by recounting his own experiences growing up as one, and entering adulthood as one. The author describes how he used a “recipe” to make the most of his introverted traits, but discovered that it led to heartache and challenges. His saving grace came when he realized he couldn’t live by prescriptive measures any longer—he had to rewrite the recipe and live life according to his own individual personality. He became a critic of the very formula that was supposed to assist introverts in living a fulfilled, successful life. Through travels, trials, and great introspection, Plumb helps other introverts, and those that care about them, by sharing his own journey. What makes this book special is that it’s part memoir, part self-help, and it comes from authentic experiences. One of my favorite things about Plumb’s writing is the way he simplifies and explains complex ideas, in a way that introverts, extroverts, and the general reading audience can understand. He explains how hard it can be for introverts to feel safe in their world, and how they often pretend to be outgoing or extroverted when in fact they aren’t— they’re playing a role, or behaving in ways that they think will help them achieve and be happy. It can be a little difficult to read how frustrated the author was when he thought he was following the recommended advice for introverts to get the most out of life. I like the idea that no two introverts are the same, and that there is an ebb and flow to introversion, just as there is to extroversion. I also like that regardless of personality, success is what you make it, and there is a lot a person can do to improve their situation... To read complete review click here or visit www.readerviews.com. 16
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READER VIEWS KIDS B O OK OF THE MONTH Who’s Afraid of a Lion? By Lee Jenkins Teen/YA- Ages 16 To 18 LtoJ Press (2020) ISBN 9781733011082 Reviewed by Lydia and Mom for Reader Views (02/2022)
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ho’s Afraid of a Lion?”is the story of a bully, but it’s different because the bully is a little bitty bug, and he’s picking on a big, strong lion! The whole story is about this bug flying around the lion and hurting him; this part I don’t like too much. When my mom would read the book, she’d tickle me in the spots that the bug was getting the lion, in places like the calves, head, nose, ribs, shoulder, and neck, as well as others. The story was okay to read; it wasn’t as exciting as I’d like it. I got a little tired of the bug hurting the lion over and over, but when my mom tickled me, that made it more exciting. My younger brother likes the story, so maybe because I’m older, that could be why it’s not as exciting to me. I do like the ending because it’s a happy ending, and it happens out of nowhere! The first time I read it, I was not expecting that. The story doesn’t have too many words, so it’s not too difficult to read by myself. Even though I wouldn’t say this is my favorite book, I think that kids my age and younger will like it. Note from Mom: I like the message in “Who’s Afraid of a Lion?” because it teaches several things. One thing is that it shows kids that when you’re mean to others, they don’t like it, as evidence of the lion’s face. A second thing is that the bad guy usually gets what’s coming to them, although not always in real life. This story can work as a conversation piece for kids and their parents to talk about the right way to interact with others and to teach them empathy for those who are being picked on.
To read more kids reviews click here or visit www.readerviewskids.com.
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Featured Authors B.A. Bellec A graduate of Lights Film School and a proud recipient of a grant from The Canada Council for the Arts, B.A. Bellec has shown a knack for utilizing his skills and background to cast a wide net and attract talented partners. He has completed two very different novels and produced an eclectic mix of songs to accompany them. Come find him on YouTube, Twitter, or Instagram to keep up-to-date with his projects.
Someone’s Story is literally Someone’s story, as in a first-person narrative of a teenager that calls himself Someone.
As he struggles to find a new footing in a new space, we encounter the many ups and downs of modern teenage life, the difficulties that adjusting to adult feelings bring, and a few tear-jerking surprises along the way. The endearing debut novel from B.A. Bellec is a coming-of-age story you won’t forget anytime soon.
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Someone’s Story B.A. Bellec B.A. Bellec (2020) ASIN B089M43TS2 eBook - 328 pages - $3.99 Fiction - YA-16
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A. Bellec has crafted a masterpiece of emotive and well-rounded young adult fiction.
— K.C. Finn Author
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. A. Bellec has truly created
a masterpiece that deserves worldwide recognition, awards and so much more.
— Rebecca Ryan Reedsy
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INTERVIEW WITH PERRY MARTIN AUTHOR OF “CALIFORNIA CHROME: OUR STORY”
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erry Martin’s career was in performing root cause failure analysis for the USAF performing “aircraft mishap investigations” and then for the private sector involving failures in high reliability equipment. His first book was Electronic Failure Analysis Handbook, published by McGraw Hill in 1999 and was a comprehensive overview of the use of root cause failure analysis in developing more reliable electronic equipment. “California Chrome Our Story” documents the development of a champion racehorse and more enlightened readers will ascertain how root cause failure analysis was used in this process. Hi Perry, Welcome to Reader Views. What is “California Chrome: Our Story” about? The first 45 pages are a quick introduction to the world of horseracing and background on the Martin family to help understand the world from which we came and explain who we were. Horseracing was a very small part of our lives, which gave us much pleasure and joy. We desired to increase that joy by increasing our involvement and were rewarded beyond our dreams. There are sections which will hold little interest for some readers, such as pedigree analysis, but I felt it was a necessary part of the story, so
I included it. I try to keep the read and tempo quick like a horserace so that the more technical descriptions quickly blend into the background story. At times, it will be hard to believe, but I assure you that this story is non-fiction! What inspired the storyline for this book? There are two main threads historical and the fictional story to tell the history. The historical events move forward and the story interconnects to tell the truth. This includes showcasing prohibition and its many issues. What inspired you to sit down and write your book? “California Chrome Our Story” was a labor of lost love. My wife Denise and I had been talking about a book about California Chrome for some time to set the record straight about Chrome and detail what it was like to own a champion racehorse. When Denise died suddenly in June of 2021, there was a large hole in my life which I decided to fill by working on achieving the goals we had set for our “retirement”. The five-month effort to write, Our Story, really helped me heal emotionally. Tell us about some of the highlights of California Chrome’s career. Luckily, being a champion, most of Chrome’s career is highlights! He has won the world’s richest race, The Dubai World Cup. He has won the most prestigious
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race in America, The Kentucky Derby. However, my favorite race has to be the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. I was feeling very good as my stress level was low and I completely enjoyed the day with our still new ownership group. I visited
Chrome at the barn in the morning and he was feeling very strong that day. With the perfect scenery and weather where the Surf meets the Turf, everything just seemed perfect. The easy win was icing.
By Sheri Hoyte
Read the full interview with Perry Martin
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B O OK VIDEOS The best way to check out a book!
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ometimes we need a little bit more than an endorsement, book review or book cover to get a feeling for the story and decide on whether to purchase or not a title. For me, the little something is a book video. A book video not only brings to life the main story or topic for the reader, it can also portray a feeling on who the Author is and what message he or she wants to share. Below are some things I get from book videos that help make the decision to read the book but also gives me insight on its contents, improving in many cases, my reading experience. • The images – unlike movie trailers which use previews from the movie, the book video images could be off putting when reading the story, as the characters looks and settings will be a combined result of the descriptions, and the readers’ imagination. But images that do not mess with such specifics and instead reflect the message, topic, or plot are perfect as a preview of a book, because it helps us to visualize in a short time the content of the book. • Background music and narrator’s voice – The sound allows the possible reader to feel the mood of the story. Is it thrilling? Mysterious? Romantic? • Finally, but not least is the script of the slides or voice narration. Here is where we learn what the book is all about, and other information like endorsements, Author website, and where to get the book. What is awesome about book videos is that we get all the above information in one minute or less! Check out some book videos we included here by clicking on the cover!
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Book Videos on this page were provided by https://www. youtube.com/user/ReaderViews - For information on how to place your bookvideo here email us at admin@firstchapterplus.com
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On the Trail of the Wind’s Tears By Lynne Armstrong-Jones FriesenPress (2021) ISBN 9781525582653 Fiction - Fantasy Tradeback - 279 pages - $11.15
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Mysterious magical force tries to seize control of the weather! Swords and sorcery must work together to stop this threat! The warriors will do whatever they can to protect the sorcerers and sorceresses during the battles of magic against magic. As they deal with these challenges, the Witch of the forest lies dying .. someone must replace her, but who has the skills?
eeply-realized characters, compelling, wonderfully fluid narrative .. this fascinating tale will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. — The Prairies Book Review
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lot elements were well presented to leave the ending unpredictable .. I recommend it to anyone interested in spell craft or who wants to draw inspiration out of nature. — OnlineBookClub
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INSIDE SCO OP LIVE POD CAST OF THE MONTH Gloria A. Swift immigrated to the United States in 1973 and served in the United States Army where she received many “firsts” in awards and recognition. Ms. Swift also served as the first female police officer on the Foster City Police Department. Those were the days when it was difficult for black women to integrate into a white, maledominated profession. Ms. Swift is a retired educator who holds multiple degrees and credentials in Education. ‘Thank You, Ms. Swift - It’s Not about As and Bs’ was written to highlight the challenges teachers face when assigning students the grades they earned. Ms. Swift enjoys authoring real stories about real people. She does not shy away from the issues that affect human lives. Ms. Gloria Swift spends her time commuting between the United States and Belize, where as a Director, she is actively involved in the non-profit organization established in honor of her parents, John and Adele Swift Development and Enrichment Center (JADE), providing for those who need food, financial assistance in education, and transportation. She also assists in the family’s B&B in Belize. In her spare time, Ms. Swift visits countries around the world and soaks in the culture.
Click Here To Listen to Podcast
To visit Gloria Swift’s webpage click here
Topics of Conversation • Her writing journey • About "They Called Me Mama" • Farm animals vs. Pets • Returning to Belize and the farm after many years • Mama telling the story in first person • Life on the farm with Mama in charge • What's next for Gloria Swift?
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Featured Authors Kevin Kunkel Kevin Kunkel believes people are good. He hopes his books help unlock that goodness. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and two boys, which means he can never see a movie featuring snow without commenting that “Hollywood doesn’t understand real cold.” Kevin is a former stand-up comedian who is fully committed to fixing the screen door by fall or next spring at the latest.
Winner of The Book By Book Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2020/2021 - focuses on the good things about our planet and encourages—and empowers!—kids to make our future even brighter. Cable news often reports on the bad things that happen every day, but we can choose a positive story and make it a reality. This uplifting children’s book reminds us all that we can choose a better world.
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The World We Choose By Kevin Kunkel Kevin Kunkel (2020) ISBN 9781643438962 Hard Cover - 24 pages - $17.95 Fiction - Early Reader (5-7 years old)
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ngaging, relevant, and fun. "The World We Choose" made a timely appearance and shines a much-needed light on the positive in our world.... — Eve Panzer Barefoot Librarian
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ncouragement, inspiration, and positive vibes fill these pages and remind that life is full of hope and just as many good things (if not more) than bad. — Tonja Dreckerw Bookworm for Kids
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BAREFO OT LIBRARIA N CORNER Eve Panzer reviews books for Reader Views Kids as well as her own business, Barefoot Librarian. Monthly she publishes the Barefoot Librarian Newsletter. She sells children’s books published by Barefoot Books and Usborne Books & More at book fairs, educational conferences, community events, and online. She earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas in Austin and worked as a school librarian before retiring to start her own business. www.barefootlibrarian.com Eve Panzer
Spring has almost Sprung The spring equinox is just a few days away. To many, it is a time to clean out and clean up the physical spaces where they live – homes, closets, desks, garages, etc. To Mother Earth, it signals renewal – animals come out of hibernation, and dormant plants start to grow. In central Texas, where I live, Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, and myriads of other wildflowers blossom with an explosion of colors. And I start looking forward to the wideranging varieties of vegetables and fruits that will soon be available. Some of my favorites, stone fruits, have endless varieties that start showing up in the next few months. For example, there are over 2000 types of peaches worldwide and over 300 in the U.S, and the same goes for plums. Then there the hybrids such as plumcots (half plum and half apricot), apriums (a blend of plums and apricots, heavier on the apricot), pluots (a combination of plums and apricots, heavier on the plums), and cherry plums (a mix of cherries and plums). Did you know that cherries and plums belong to the same plant family? But, oh my, I do digress. However, that leads to why I loved springtime as a school librarian. So many topics tie into this time of year. For example, you can focus on how the seasons are the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. Then tie this in with geography and other cultures. You can focus on the science of the changing of seasons. Or eggs, a springtime symbol of renewal. Several religious holidays, such as Easter and Passover, include eggs in their celebration. Display books that feature animals and the eggs from which they come. Insects, beaches, shells, gardening, farming, flowers, oceans - I could go on, but I think you more than get the picture. For authors, springtime offers a plethora of topics for your future books. And booksellers and librarians, you have your work cut out for you. There are so many books to feature this time of year! Pick some of your favorite topics or delve into a subject that is new to you. Enjoy welcoming springtime into your bookstore or library. Eve - Barefoot Librarian
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THE BAREFO OT LIBRARIAN B O OKS OF THE MONTH Crack! By Author: Beatriz Giménez de Ory, Illustrator: Paloma Valdivia Barefoot Books (2021) - ISBN 9781646860937 ( 3 - 6 years old ) - Hardcover - 28 pages - $19.99
This fun interactive book is everything it is cracked up to be! Riddles about eggs, written in expressive and lyrical language, pique children’s interest. Turn the pages to transform the pictures to reveal the answer. Endnotes include age-appropriate fascinating, fun facts about eggs. So snap up a copy and crack it open!
Secrets of the Vegetable Garden By Carron Brown Usborne Books and More (2017) - ISBN 9781610674133
Age: 4 - 8 years old - Hardcover - 36 pages - $12.99
This book is part of the popular Shine-A-Light Usborne Books & More series. Gardens contain so many hidden wonders! Find critters and plants hidden under leaves. See what is happening underneath the garden. Grab a flashlight and let the adventure begin!
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Featured Authors Sandra Brown Lindstedt Sandra Brown Lindstedt was born and raised on the south-side of Chicago. As a black girl growing up in poverty, with virtually no role models, she struggled. But with the help of her grandmother’s abiding faith in God and in her, she graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and English. Today she resides in Gothenburg, Sweden, with her husband Christer, working as the drama director for Smyrna International. Sandy has an invisible secret weapon. It’s activated by her grandmother to ward off the evil she’d face, moving to Chicago to live with her mother. Though it was tiny, it was the most powerful thing in the Universe. When darkness was out of control, it was strong enough to turn a bully like Gorilla Girl into her friend. It was the Firefly. If she could keep it glowing inside her, she could conquer anything. - A multi-award-winning children’s book: * 2021 International Book Awards Winner Children’s Mind/Body/Spirit * 2021 International Book Awards Finalist - Children’s Religious * Reader Views’ Grand Prize for Best Fiction 2020. * Reader Views’ Gold Medal - Young Readers Category 2020 * Reader Views’ Gold Medal - Teen Category 2020 * Reader Views’ Regional Awards - South Winner 2020 * Readers’ Favorite - 5-star Seal * The AME Award - Best Debut Fiction 2020
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Life of a Firefly By Sandra Brown Lindstedt Fiction - Juvenile / Young Reader (8-12 years old) Independently published by Sandra Brown Lindstedt(2020) ISBN 9798679133327 Tradeback - 157 pages - $9.85
S
andra Brown-Lindstedt says simply and ingenuously that it is “particularly suited for ages 8–12.” I’m afraid that’s like saying To Kill A Mockingbird is at heart a children’s book just because it’s narrated by a child. So is Life of a Firefly. But the child, a young girl named Sandy Forte, is every bit the storyteller and every bit as literate as Scout. This book is every whit as powerful, as emotive, and as profoundly evocative and compelling as its more-famous classic cousin. Sandy Forte is one of the most appealing characters ever to appear in contemporary fiction. — Joel R. Dennstedt Readers’ Favorite I loved this book! When I first picked it up I was afraid it would be too “young” for me but Sandy is a character that captured my attention immediately and I soon found myself taking any chance I could to break away from everything and read. Sandy is hilarious and had me laughing out loud throughout the whole book. Her personality is as big as life – she says what’s on her mind and that often gets her into trouble, but sometimes it’s her inner thoughts that are the funniest. — Amy C. Reader Views Kids
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e-magazine . March 2022 volume 13 . issue 3
Published by I Have Something to Say Press
