First Chapter Plus May 2021 Issue by firstchapterplus

FIRST CHAPTER PLUS Remember And Honor A Collection of Mothers

Never Forget Who You Are

Young Adult: The Throwback

The Barefoot Librarian Corner

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Remember And Honor Page 4 Featured Books and Authors Page 3 Never Forget Who You Are Page 6 Young Adult: The Throwback Page 10 Interview with Kaylin McFarrenAuthor of “Soul Seeker” Page 18 Indie Books! Pages 8 - 1112- - 14 - 23- 24 - 28 Book Videos Page 20-21 The Barefoot Librarian Corner Page 26-27 Inside Scoop Live Podcast of the Month Page 25 A Collection of Mothers Page 22

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Table of Contents - Featured Books and Authors

8 The World We Choose by Kevin Kunkel 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.

12 Sandra Brown Lindstedt Author of “Life of a Firefly” 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.

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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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Remember and Honor

any of us look forward to the Memorial Day long weekend to rest at home or travel, and unfortunately forget the real meaning of the holiday. But to remember and honor the meaning of Memorial Day is not just the right thing, it is necessary. War is not something we want to happen, but it does whether we like it or not; and it takes a special kind of person to put themselves in harm’s way to defend ideals, borders trusting that they are there for the right reasons.

I always feel blessed to be able to read memoirs of Authors who served, because I beleive that they share important life lessons learned through hard experience. Lessons that need to be passed down to us, who sometimes tend to take so much for granted. As the daughter of WWII Italian survivors, I feel gratitude to the American soldiers who gave their lives to stop the insanity of Fascism and Nazism in Europe. Even though I am a pacifist as I have heard all the horrible war stories from my parents and grandparents firsthand accounts; I know that diplomacy sometimes fails. In these cases, we must always support and honor our soldiers regardless of how we feel about the conflict. Susan Violante Editor

Never Forget Who You Are Article by sby Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. and Dr. Rudy F. Jamison Jr.

acism is real, it’s not just some pseudo-situated reality imagined by a non-White populace. Racism is an incessant atmosphere that pressures thought, decision, and behavior, particularly for Black folk. Racism forces Black folk to ‘make a decision,’ to choose sides,

America’s largest domestic terrorist attack was in Oklahoma, and no, it was not at the Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. It was in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921. “Black Wall Street” was an area in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was home to Black Americans and Native Americans who had become wealthy from oil discoveries. The resentment among whites against this community was a powder keg awaiting a spark. That spark came with a sexual assault allegation against a Black teenager named Dick Rowland. When the Tulsa Massacre concluded, more than 35 blocks of the city were destroyed, along with more than 1,200 homes, and some 300 people dead, mostly Black. Ten thousand people were left homeless. For two days beginning May 31, 1921, White mobs set fire to hundreds of Black-owned businesses and homes in Greenwood. More than 300 black people were killed. More than 10,000 Black people were left homeless, and 40 blocks were left smoldering. Survivors recounted black bodies loaded on trains and dumped off bridges into the Arkansas River and, most frequently, tossed into mass graves. Talking Race is uncomfortable and intimidating, and talking Racism, even more so. This factual occurrence is rarely discussed in American history. This act of domestic terrorism is rarely mentioned or taught in schools. It is important because the Tulsa Massacre is founded in the disrespect of Racism and the violent reaction by White America to Black America’s quest for equality, human dignity, and respect. Like America’s incomplete, dishonest, and Racist history, Racism is also misaligned in the annals of America. "Never Forget Who You Are: Conversation about Racism and Identity Development" by Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. and Dr. Rudy F. Jamison Jr. examines uncomfortable conversations about Racism, through their eyes as Black males, one 77 years of age, and one 52 years of age, and brings the conversations about Race and Racism front and center. It is not a read you will soon forget… and it asks and answers the questions, which is worse – having uncomfortable conversations about Racism or being the targets of Racism? If we, as a country and community, are going to address America’s greatest sin, we must be deeper relationship with difference and this begins with empathically understanding who we are, where we are situated in this socio-cultural order of race, and having the uncomfortable conversations about systemic racism, white supremacy, and systems of oppression. - Love!

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Stone Fever By Norman Westhoff Fiction - Young Adult / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic Iguana Books (2020) ISBN 9781771804561 Tradeback - 386 pages - $25.10

ne of the things which I particularly enjoyed about this novel was how direct the narrative was, making it so easy to fall into the story. With Keltyn you feel as though the story is being told to you by an old friend, and young adult audiences will be sure to respond to the immediacy of being immersed in these excellent settings... Stone Fever is a high quality read for YA and adult science fiction fans everywhere...

— K.C. Finn Readers' Favorite

tone Fever is a clever blend of two civilizations in a sci-fi action adventure for young adults but I don’t think the audience is limited to that age group. It’s an action-packed journey that will be enjoyed by all age groups and I look forward to the next book in this new series.

— Amy (age 16) Reader Views Kids

Synopsis: Radical climate change has reshaped human geography by the 24th century. Geologist Keltyn Sparrow Hawk flies to ice-free Antarctica to scout for iridium, and encounters a tribe of nomads. She befriends Luz, a young horsewoman, also searching for the iris stone, from which her mother makes jewelry. Despite warnings, they climb a nearby volcano to find the stone, but mortal perils await on the mountain and with the tribe. 7

Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here

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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.

View Book Video Here

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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)

ngaging, relevant, and fun. "The World We Choose" made a timely appearance and shines a muchneeded light on the positive in our world.... — Eve Panzer Barefoot Librarian

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

Read First Chapter Here

View on Amazon Here

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YOUNG ADULT: THE THROWBACK By Skyler Boudreau

hen books are marketed, it’s important to know what audience the book is being marketed to. Knowing the demographics of the audience plays a key role in knowing who you’re trying to get the book to. That could include anything from gender to genre preference. Age can be another key to deciding who to market a book towards. In recent years however, I’ve noticed that age doesn’t play as big of a role in many people’s reading choices. Young Adult novels are popular among many older audiences. What makes these novels so alluring to adult readers?

One of the most pivotal themes present in YA novels is the coming-of-age story. Everyone has one, and it’s one of the most relatable themes in storytelling. Novels provide a medium to explore the countless stories in numerous different ways. Self-discovery and exploration are a natural part of life. YA offers older readers the opportunity to reflect on these comingof-age events in stories (as well as in their own lives) with the experience of an adult. A good YA novel can emulate the voice of a teenaged protagonist while telling a story that may not ultimately be about teenagers. As both a book reviewer and a regular, one of the things that frustrates me the most in reading YA is when the protagonist comes across as too old or too young. When an author is successful in capturing the voice of a teenager, it can be a breath of fresh air. Like the coming-of-age theme, everyone is familiar with how it feels to be a teenager. After all, everyone had to grow up. Sometimes slipping back into that headspace can be a break from the chaos of everyday adult life. Like many people in the original target audience, YA is quick to change and adapt to its ever expanding audience. I’ve read far more novels in this genre that offer LGBTQ+ inclusivity and racial diversity than any other. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I find it far easier to find characters representative of myself in YA novels than in adult novels. While adult novels have begun to shift towards a more inclusive community in recent years, YA authors are much farther along in the process. Like many teenagers themselves nowadays, the YA community is leading by example.

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Young Adult is one of the most refreshing genres for readers to immerse themselves in. It offers a throwback to an older audience’s younger years and allows them to reflect on their own experiences as teenagers with more worldly experience. With its relatable themes and welcoming tone, YA is truly one of the most diverse and rapidly evolving genres of the time. What are some of your experiences with these novels?

LISTEN to Sample Here

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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..

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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

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

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 eader Views Kids

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Featured Authors J. Stewart Willis

J. Stewart Willis is a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has been a soldier, a college professor, a manager in industry and the mayor of a small town in Virginia. This is his fourth novel.

When the President-elect dies three days after the election, his 272 Electoral Votes must be held together. One Elector votes his conscience and two are bribed, throwing the nation into Constitutional chaos and no elected President on Inauguration Day.

During the House’s repeated failures to select a President, the Vice President-Elect gets sworn in. Simultaneously, the existing President refuses to leave the White House, saying he is the only elected President. Legally, in accordance with the Constitution, the new Vice President should serve as Acting President. Read about the Constitutional chaos and its eventual resolution.

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One Vote By J. Stewart Willis J.Stewart Willis (2020) ISBN 9780578795539 Tradeback - 290 pages - $14.99 Fiction - Novel - Political

illis builds a suspenseful political drama around a tantalizing premise that proves ingenious because it is both eminently plausible and one on which the Constitution is silent. As a consequence, he delicately exposes the fragility of the democratic process and the rule of law... A thrilling work about a political crisis; original and gripping."

— Kirkus Reviews

n a time of politics over conscience One Vote suggests the real heroes are the ones who listen to their conscience and do not rely solely on politics. J. Stewart Willis offers a tightly written tale. Love the seeming simple action of one man which causes so much in its aftermath. Good storytelling. Characters are well thought out. Liked everything about the story and plot of “One Vote.” Highly recommended.

— Mark Sneed Readers View

Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here

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READER VIEWS B O OK OF THE MONTH Will Computers Revolt? By Charles J. Simon NonFiction - Computer Science FutureAI Press (2021) ISBN 9781732687257 Reviewed by: Lily Andrews for Reader Views (05/2021)

rtificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly embedded in many of the things we interact with and use daily. “Will Computers Revolt?: Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence” is a timely and informative text by Charles J. Simon, a software expert, and a neural network pioneer. This book is a revised and expanded edition. The text begins by describing the neurons in the human brain and their functionality. This Simon relates with the possibility of a computer to think just like a human brain. In the subsequent chapters, he defines the term intelligence and proceeds to explore the future of Artificial Intelligence... ...The text embraces expectations that people anticipate and its use of present-day terms and reasoning will resonate with readers. A lexicon is provided for readers to reference while reading this professionally edited read. I found the writing style to be informative, neat, and detailed. This book is unquestionably a masterpiece and it is obvious the author did thorough research before writing this book. The well-illustrated visuals accentuate the thoughts and views expressed in this powerful read. I genuinely give “Will Computers Revolt?: Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence” 5 stars as it avoids all the hype surrounding Artificial Intelligence. It was refreshing reading a book based on facts and not hearsay. The author has delivered a scientifically sound resource that is a must-read for techno-savvy readers. To read complete review click here or visit www.readerviews.com.

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READER VIEWS KIDS B O OK OF THE MONTH A Unicorn Named Rin

By Crystal Z. Lee - Illustrator: Li Liu Early Reader - Ages 5-7 Balestier Press (2021) ISBN 9781913891121 Reviewed by Lydia (age 7) for Reader Views Kids (5/21)

Unicorn Named Rin by Crystal Z. Lee is the story about a unicorn named Rin who is asked by the princess to find the Royal Phoenix, Fan. Princess Pingyang is upset because she can’t find Fan anywhere and starts to think of where Fan might be. Rin gets help from friends. The first place he goes is to the lake where he meets Baihu the white tiger who offers to help. They look in the water and places that they knew he liked to be. On the way, Lon the purple dragon offers to help and they look in a cave and find Gui the turtle and messages on the walls from people a long time ago. They go to the festival where people were dancing and they sang a song. Rin is upset that they are singing because they can’t find Fan. Rin finally started singing with her friends and the Rin followed the song and found them. Then they go to the Princess’s party and sing their favorite song together. Rin now knows how to be a good friend with his new ones. I like this story because I like that they found Fan, the phoenix. I like the pictures because they are pretty and each of the animals are a different color. Some of the pictures show Rin doing silly things. The pictures look different than other one’s I’ve seen, but I was told that it is becaSuse they are Chinese. I like all the colors. I didn’t know what all of the words meant in the story, so my mom explained them to me. This isn’t a book I could read on my own yet, but it was fun to listen. I know how Rin felt while trying to find Fan because I like to try to get things done right away, too, but I like that Rin found out how to calm down so that everyone felt happy, and that they ended up working together. I think that any kid would like this story because it’s easy to understand and imagine what’s happening. Note from Mom: I like that this book brought some Chinese culture to Lydia. In the back of the book, the Chinese names for the animals in the story are listed, and then a short write-up about the real Princess Pingyang who lived in China during the Tang dynasty. I found this book educational for myself alongside Lydia while reading it to her. There isn’t anything wrong to say about the book, and I like that it emphasizes teamwork making the dream work.

To read more reviews click here or visit www.readerviewskids.com.

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INTERVIEW WITH KAYLIN MCFARREN AUTHOR OF “SOUL SEEKER”

aylin McFarren has received more than fifty national literary awards, in addition to a prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award nomination for Flaherty’s Crossing—a book she and her oldest daughter, New York Times/USA Today best-selling author Kristina McMorris, co-wrote in 2008...Her self-published books are written in multiple genres and include award-winning romantic thrillers, mysteries, a time-travel adventure, and now, a paranormal fantasy. She hopes that her stories are entertaining and that they linger in the minds of readers long after her final twists are revealed... Hi Kaylin, welcome back to Reader Views! Tell us about your latest novel, Soul Seeker. Thanks for having me. I guess the best way to tell you about Soul Seeker is to share the summary for this unusual story. So, here goes! While awaiting 18

his execution for murdering his son, Benjamin Poe confesses to his lawyer the true story behind his crime, a harrowing tale of a manipulating, soulcollecting demon named Crighton. Following Poe’s death, Crighton continues his malevolent duties, until he’s kidnapped by members of The Sovereign Sector. This group of scientists, notorious for experimenting on supernatural creatures, force Crighton into a soulmate relationship with the very angel he was sent to capture for Lucifer. However, with secrets revealed and loyalties shifting, Crighton soon becomes the target of Lucifer’s revenge, and his journey to redemption and freedom—or eternal enslavement—begins. What was the inspiration behind the storyline? We would all like to believe that a heavenly being is ever present in our lives—watching over us,

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whispering messages of hope, protecting us from threatening situations, and guiding us through the inevitable stupidity we inflict upon ourselves. When it comes to subjects regarding these feathery benefactors, there are a remarkable number of books written regarding near-death experiences and visitations, often in the most unlikely places. There are also a great many books that concentrate on the battle of good and evil and, occasionally, a fallen angel or two who we tend to sympathize with, even though we’re not supposed to. All of these factors inspired me to write this book, bringing to light the battles between good and evil that exists all

around us.Soul Seeker is a supernatural thriller, which is a bit of a departure from your other works. What called you to the dark side? That’s actually a great question. I wanted to write something very different from the rest of my books and with the Covid-19 lockdown, my thoughts drifted to the dark side of life – dwelling on captivity, the need to escape our bonds, and also the soaring death rate in our country. Like any artist, quite often the situation surrounding us impacts our emotions and is translated into our work... Read the complete interview with Kaylin McFarren

By Sheri Hoyte

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B O OK VIDEOS The best way to check out a book!

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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A Collection of Iconic Mothers

by Megan Weiss

There are all kinds of heroes and heroines written about

in books, but some of the fiercest, and most underrated, of these lifesavers are the mothers we read about in our favorite books. Literature has many attitudes toward motherhood. Some authors are bitter. Some believe motherhood is one of life's best gifts. Mothers in books are as unique and treasurable as those surrounding us every day. In honor of Mother's Day, let's take a look back at some of the best maternal figures authors have given us:

1. Ma Costa: His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman): Ma Costa is the quintessential, fierce mama bear. She is a prime example of how a mother's love transcends all kinds of different worlds. She is a voice for not only her children, but for every child she has the grace of coming into contact with. She is a protector. A provider. She is the type of mother that will risk anything for those she loves, especially the children in her care. Even in a world full of parallel universes and magic, Ma Costa's character emphasizes how the love of a mother can be the best magic of all. 2. Mrs. March: Little Women (Louisa May Alcott): Mrs. March provides an example of the kind of mother who, despite going through personal hardships, wartime, and despair, still finds it within her to raise her children with the best morals, intelligence and family life as possible. She resonates pure wisdom and Christian grace. Mrs. March teaches her children how to live their best lives, even when they might not be able to have the best clothes, toys or luxuries. She helps her girls understand that wealth is not about how much money one has, or stuff. No - true wealth is giving and receiving love, finding it in your heart to forgive when hurt, and apologize when in the wrong. True wealth is found in the size of one's heart. 3. Ma: Room (Emma Donoghue): Room is the story of one woman, her young son, and that locked room in which they are forced to live. She is a victim - abducted by a sexual predator when she was nineteen. She spends eight years in captivity. Despite the horrors of her situation, once little Jack is born, she dedicates all her energy into making sure he is as happy as possible. She is his teacher. His provider. His playmate. When their situation turns from bad to even worse as Old Nick, her captor, loses his job, Ma focuses on escape. If Old Nick were to have to leave, she knows that they would be left behind to die. She teaches her son how to fight and be brave. Ma is the quintessential 'superhero' mom. 4. Molly Weasley: Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling): Possibly one of the most iconic mothers in all of literature, Mrs. Weasley is featured in one of the most beloved moments in the series - the defeat of Bellatrix Lestrange at the Battle of Hogwarts. Literally saving one of her children from being killed by Bellatrix's killing curse, 22

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Molly Weasley does not fire back a killing curse of her own. She retaliates with sheer maternal, protective determination. Her love for her children, and the lengths she will go to in order to keep them from harm, are literally enough to shatter Bellatrix into pieces. Another superhero mom, Mrs. Weasley also represents the maternal kind who always has room for one more at her table. Her children's friends are her children, too, and if she can provide for them in anyway by way of showing them that they are loved and have someone on their side, she will do it. Molly Weasley is humble. She is kind and quirky. Molly Weasley is the kind of woman who feels like she could be your mother too, and who you can always make the hardest days better with a hug, a smile or, of course, a hearty family meal.

Megan Weiss is a colaborator for First Chapter Plus,a book reviewer for Reader Views and the Author of "The Familiar Dead."

To READ First Chapter of "The Familiar Dead" by Megan Weiss click here. To view book on Amazon click here.

A Death For Academe By John J. Wells Outskirts Press (2020) - ISBN 9781977227843 Tradeback - 363 pages - $20.95 Very often academic policy is determined less by lofty ideals than by pure politics, and the politics can be rough. So the faculty finds when, in 1994, Adrienne Plum is appointed the new academic dean with the specific charge to bring Marquette to the forefront of education in the twenty-first century. It doesn’t take long for the senior faculty to decide that the academic dean must go, at whatever cost.

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Storms From A Clear Sky By Denise Frisino Fiction - Historical / Romance

Denise Frisino (2020) ISBN 9781734928204 Tradeback - 406 pages - $19.96

antastic. Boy did she do her research. The characters - well-drawn - in typical Frisino fashion and attention to intimate detail - are an instructive mixture of social interaction and rival ambitions. I’m reading Storms From A Clear Sky a second time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. — Bob Harmon Professor Emeritus of History Seattle University, who served in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge

risino’s fictional story becomes more real thanks to her painstaking research. She introduces her second book with a “thank you” to the many men and women who shared their wartime experiences with her. Frisino has expertly woven many factual accounts into her tale, leading her characters on a journey into The War to End Wars. "Storms” is an experience that easily captures readers’ page-turning interest.”

WII drastically changes the lives of FBI agent, Jack Huntington, and his new wife Billi. Her involvement with the Nakamura’s threatens Jack’s mission to unearth Japanese espionage. Torn between his duties to country and protecting Billi from the ruthless spy, Akio Sumiyoshi, Jack is forced to make a devastating decision impacting their personal relationship.

Storms From A Clear Sky is a finalist in the Forward INDIES Awards for 2020 in the Military/War category.

Read First Chapter Here

— Jean Godden Former member of the Seattle City Council Former journalist for Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Times

View on Amazon Here

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INSIDE SCO OP LIVE POD CAST OF THE MONTH Geoffrey Morris is a 10 time awardwinning author. He has garnered much acclaim for his debut novel, Tomorrow’s End. He not only won a prestigious Dragonfly book award, but a Feathered quill and received multiple 5 star reviews from many websites. He was a philosopher and a graduate from seminary studies before taking writing courses in college.

For more information about G.R. Morris and his book, visit his website at grmorrisbooks.com Click Here To Listen to Podcast

Topics of Conversation

• Philosophical Fiction • A Sixteen-Year-Old Savior • How Tomorrow's End evolved over 20 years • Thoughts on reading and horror movies! • The story behind the cover art. • What's next?

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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

Home, Sweet Home

I have always been intrigued by homes. I remember every home from my childhood and often the homes of my childhood friends. I love touring homes – both new and old. I love exploring the architecture of cities that I visit. When people have their curtains open, I unabashedly look inside to get a glimpse into their lives. And I watch endless hours of HGTV to unwind. This year I have given even more thought to the concept of home. For many people, their homes took on many new roles - a business office, a school, a gym, a movie theater, a studio, a bakery. It has been said that “Home is where the heart is.” Our physical dwellings are often the heart of our family. I understand losing a home – as a child, I lost one to fire and one to a hurricane. When people lose their physical homes – whether by mother nature or otherwise – I feel for them. Homes give people a safe harbor, the space to gather with friends and family, a place to create memories, a sense of pride and dignity, and often the stability needed to hold a job. Homes can form the center, backdrop, setting, or sometimes take the starring role in a book. Homes reflect our personalities and preferences and our localities, our countries, and our cultures. Homes are a great way to introduce children to diverse cultures. Books like Usborne’s All About Families and Barefoot Books Children of the World depict homes from around the world and are a great starting place. Build Me a House, a new book from Usborne, which I review below, depicts children dreaming of places to call home. Books about homes can also deal with social and emotional issues and foster creativity and imagination. Here and There describes the difficulty of a young boy adjusting to two homes when his parents separate. A Place to Stay, previously reviewed, is about a homeless young girl’s first night in a shelter with her mother. I had the privilege of reviewing Sissy Goes Tiny, a book explaining the pros of downsizing from a standard-sized house to a tiny transportable house. Build Me a House, a new book from Usborne, which I review below, depicts children dreaming of places to call home. Next time you curl up with a book, think about the dwellings of the characters and how it shapes them. When reading with children, this can be a fun and interesting topic to pursue. Happy reading, Eve - Barefoot Librarian

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THE BAREFO OT LIBRARIAN B O OKS OF THE MONTH Here and There

By Tamara Ellis Smith - Illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi Published by Barefoot Books (2019) - ISBN 9781782857426 Age 5 to 8 - Tradeback - 32 pages - $8.99

Ivan’s parents separate, and suddenly Ivan has two homes. Ivan delights in nature and the familiar calls of the birds at his mother’s house, where the family used to live together. His body irresistibly moves with the rhythm of the bird songs. But he must leave his place “here” and go “there” to his father’s new home. Not only is the new house unfamiliar to Ivan, but he doesn’t hear the call of the birds he loves so much at his mom’s home. But when Ivan’s dad plays a wordless tune for him on the guitar, Ivan can’t keep still. He creates lyrics for the song out of all the bird calls he knows. Soon Ivan connects with nature again as the birds he loves fly around his dad’s new house. Ivan learns that he can be happy “here” and “there” and enjoy nature anywhere. An excellent choice for children adjusting to a divorce.

Build Me A Home By Emily Bannister - Illustrared by Ana Sanfelippo

Age 5 to 9 - Hard Cover - 24 pages - $11.99 Published by Kane Miller Picture Books (An imprint of Usborne Books & More-2018)

Double-page spreads include cheerful, colorful, whimsical illustrations of different kinds of homes imagined and inhabited by a diverse group of children and various animals. Four-line rhyming poems describe the homes the children dream of, , from the more conventional cabins and ttreehouses to the more adventuresome Rocketship and submarine. One home includes a library with a glass roof so the children can lay on the floor reading all day and then at night “watch stars shooting past.” To find out what house is the best you will have to read the book. The book concludes with a long poem suggesting ways children can build their own “homes” using everyday objects such as chairs, pillows, blankets, a box, or a table. This book is perfect for encouraging children to engage in creative play.

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Featured Authors Erica M. Elliott, M.D. Erica Elliott, M.D., specializes in both family practice and environmental medicine, with a busy private practice in Santa Fe. Dr. Elliott is also an author and public speaker. She has given weeklong workshops at both Omega and Esalen Institutes and is co-author of the book, “Prescriptions for a Healthy House.” Dr. Elliott is often referred to as “The Medical Detective” since she attracts people from all parts of the country and even abroad who have mysterious and puzzling medical problems that have not responded to mainstream medical care. Dr. Elliott is often .

referred to as “The Medical Detective” since she attracts people from all parts of the country and even abroad who have mysterious and puzzling medical problems that have not responded to mainstream medical care.

This is the true story of a young Anglo woman, Erica Elliott, who comes to the Navajo Reservation in 1971 as a newly minted schoolteacher, knowing nothing about her students or their culture. After several blunders and misunderstandings, and beset by loneliness and despair, Erica makes a determined effort to overcome the barriers of language and culture. From the moment she begins learning the Navajo language, the people open their hearts and homes to her, inviting her into a mystical world that most people don’t know exists, a world that profoundly impacts the rest of her life. Years later she returns as a medical doctor to serve the Navajo People. This book is a page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.

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Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert By Erica M. Elliott, M.D. NonFiction - Biography/Memoir Balboa Press (2019) ISBN 9781982220983 Tradeback - 202 pages - $14.99

his book is sorely needed at this moment in America, when divisive voices incessantly warn us of the other, the foreigner, those who “are not like us... Mystery and Medicine in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People reveals how diversity and inclusiveness can enrich our own society — a lesson on which our future may depend. — Larry Dossey, MD author of “One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters

uch an inspiring, life-affirming, yet tough tale, woven through with a strong drive to realize her life path. Beautifully written. Elliott is an exciting new voice.. — Natalie Goldbert author of “Writing Down the Bones.

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Connecting Readers to Indie Books www.firstchapterplus.com

e-magazine . May 2021 volume 12 . issue 5

Published by I Have Something to Say Press

First Chapter Plus May 2021 Issue

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