FIRST CHAPTER PLUS Why Do We Read Romances and Why Not?
Amazon Author Central Account a must if your book is in Amazon
The Barefoot Librarian Corner
“Editor” Isn’t a Synonym for “Evil” Mastering Covid-19
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Why Do We Read Romances and Why Not? Page 5 Featured Books and Authors Page 3 Amazon Author Central Account a must if your book is in Amazon Page 8 Indie Books! Pages 6-9-1013- 14-18 - 24-26-30. Interview with Britt East Author of “A Gay Man’s Life To Life” Page 20 L“Editor” Isn’t a Synonym for “Evil” Page 12 Mastering Covid-19 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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Why Do We Read Romances and Why Not? I am not a romantic person, and rarely read romances, yet occasionally I find myself craving a good love story. Why is that? I decided to investigate why romances capture us indiscriminately at some point in our lives even when we usually are into the genre. I found that there are few reasons why. 1) First and more common is to escape our daily mundane routines. It doesn’t matter how much we love our lives; we do get tired of the same old normal. Getting lost for a little while in romance is a way to escape the routine and recharge our heart. 2) Second and most obvious is to find what we lack. This is true for any single person looking for their soulmate, but it is also true for couples who have let romance go as responsibilities and daily tasks overwhelmed their life together. 3) Is being a woman a reason? I think not, but it helps! It is not a secret that women wear their emotions. We are just made that way. We also have been accumulating so many roles and hats that at the end of the day feel depleted and drained. What better way to fixt that than reading a love story with a happy ending to fill up the fuel tank for the next day! The above are good reasons for why we do. But why don’t we read romances? 1) Romances are considered light reading, dorky and chick flick reading so I think many are embarrassed to be caught reading anything with a “Fabio” type cover. 2) I also think they are victims of the “romance” stigma, if you read it is because you lack romance in your life? Not really, I’ve heard that believe it or not. 3) If you are like me, you might agree with this one. I just do not relate, as my love language isn’t really verbal. Whether you usually read romances or not, it is he month of hearts, why not give them a try?
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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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Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here
Amazon Author Central Account a must if your book is in Amazon by Susan Violante
I was looking recently to my new I Have Something to Say Press new authors’ Amazon page to create an instructive for them on how to keep it updated by with their own blog, events, videos, etc. I decided to look at other Authors’ pages to get an idea on how everyone else is using their amazon Author page. I realized that many independent authors are not even joining the Author Central feature, so I decided to share some things Indies can do to present themselves and their books in Amazon through this tool The Amazon Author Central Page is a tool that allows the authors to have all their books, events, videos, blog entries, and basically all happenings in one page. This page will appear to the audience when they click your name on any of your books’ listings. Think of it as your store window. To join in you must sign up. You can visit https://author.amazon.com/ to do so. By the way joining is free. Below are some things you can do to in the Author page. • Create and consistently update your bio and profile picture • Add all your publications (books, translations, illustrations) on your page. Upload your book videos, pictures, and any other compatible media of your events to the page) • Connect your podcasts interviews, blogs, written interviews with the Amazon Page. • Generate a short link and ad it and share it on all your social media interactions. • Read thoroughly the instructions by clicking on the Help button. Publicity and advertising are great promoting tools, but the author is the key to generate attention to their book through their events, interaction, and the sharing of their passion for their stories. Author Central is an awesome way to connect the author to the bookstore and generate followers. So sign up and make the most of it!
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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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“Editor” Isn’t a Synonym for “Evil” I always find myself thinking about this topic when awards season comes along. I review, edit, proofread—you name it, for other authors. However, I find myself saddened on an annual basis when books arrive nominated for awards that consist of great plots, memorable characters, and everything the author needs to make their book rise to the top of the pile—yet…the spelling and grammatical errors are so numerous that their challenging work is all for naught. You see, all readers agree that if there are a lot of errors in a book, it makes it look amateurish and it’s impossible to follow the story. An extra pair of eyes cleaning up the manuscript is a “haveto” step on any author’s “must-do” list. The fact remains, no matter who we are or how long we’ve been writing, even if you’re like me who authors books while also getting paid to edit others, you can’t edit your own work. You’ve invested too much time in that book of yours, and your eyes will not catch all the errors you will have because (simply put) we all make mistakes. Heck, I placed two characters in the U.K. once and proceeded to talk about Thanksgiving holiday decorations in the store windows. When my editor called me to ask, “When did the U.K. start celebrating America’s holiday?” I simply rolled my eyes; I hadn’t caught that one, and it would’ve made me look ridiculous if the book had gone to press with that glaring mistake on its pages. For the writers who are shaking their heads right now, I understand. When I was young, after writing my first book, I went hunting for an editor. No, I wasn’t wealthy. Yes, their prices seem exorbitantly high. Even with their long resumes, it seemed like they were asking a lot for my wee, two-hundred-page book. But I hired one. Not knowing the ins-and-outs of the industry at that time, I hired a self-proclaimed expert who promised me a finished product in six weeks, drew up a contract, took too much of my money, and sent back a “polished” manuscript with edits consisting of three comments and a couple of punctuation corrections. I was thrilled, believing I must be a very clean writer. When the book was independently published, however, it had far more errors and became an embarrassment for me instead of the success I’d expected.
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Go into this knowing that no true, professional editor is cheap. They take their time; they return your manuscript with red lines, comments, suggestions, and editorial changes. Ask for references up front, view jobs they’ve done in the past, understand that if you find an editor who’s right for you, you will have them for life. In the end, these are not all evil people, and they are necessary to your ultimate success. To win the proverbial blue ribbon and enjoy your success, do not take the editor out of the equation. 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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Mastering Covid-19 Susan Violante For two years I have lived in fear of getting Covid. Not because I was afraid of death, with seven painful chronic conditions…death could be considered a break; it was mostly because I had no idea how painful it would be due to my other conditions. So, I had isolated myself as much as possible. Right when I had finally fed up and decided to come out of the cave and not worry about it anymore…My husband and I finally got Covid. It’s funny how when you finally are face to face to your fears, they don’t scare you anymore. As I sit here typing I, still sick and feeling miserable, my mind wanders off if everything I did to protect myself was worth it. The more I think about it, the more I realize that when it comes to the pandemic nothing is black or white. Below are some things I am glad I did and others I wish I did differently. • I am glad I got the vaccine and the booster. I believe I would be dead if I hadn’t. I am also positive that I didn’t need the hospital (although there was a night I almost went), because the shots and booster made the effects of the virus lighter. • The game changer for me was getting tested in a clinic where I got to see a doctor when I came out positive because she referred me for the antibody infusion. This made all symptoms milder almost immediately. • I am happy I bought some oxygens in a can. Oxygen Plus was helpful when I felt out of breath. • Also glad I had the oximeter for peace of mind. I was told I should not be less than 96 so I could read it and had a puff of oxygen if I went lower than 95; or call my Dr. Also, a thermometer to keep the fever in check. • I have mixed feelings about being so isolated for so long. I do not regret isolating myself during the beginning because I know it was necessary. But for sure would take it easier on myself after the booster if I had to do it all over again. • The virus doesn’t last 10 days. So, waiting for the 10 days before fully interacting with people is important. Everyone is different and some do die from covid, to me is important not to bring death to anyone. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to prevent spreading it. • I did not enjoy getting covid but am glad it is over with. Now I don’t fear it anymore. Don’t get me wrong I will still be careful not to catch it again but by knowing how my body reacted to it, and how to tackle it lost its mystery and turned into any other virus.
Covid has changed life as we knew it worldwide. I believe we all will catch it at one point or another. Some of us are higher risk then others, but either way for most catching it will not be fun. Only by sharing our experience with it, we all will be able to master Covid, to finally be able to get back to living our lives and connecting with friends, family, and community without so much fear.
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READER VIEWS B O OK OF THE MONTH Send Her Back and Other Stories By Munashe Kaseke Fiction - Short Stories / Cultural Mukana Press (2022) ISBN 9780578353128 Reviewed by: Lily Andrews for Reader Views (2/2022)
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’n this quietly powerful and eminently robust collection of short stories, Munashe Kaseke explores the world of Black Women as immigrants in the United States he stories capture their hopes, dreams, challenges, joys, and disappointments as they seek to adapt to a new environment. Further, the set showcases their experiences using strong female protagonists as they navigate through relationships, love, cultural clashes, and change. Some stories have a hopeful ending such as “Noon” and “Imported Husband” while others have a bleak ending such as “Send Her Back” and readers will find themselves sympathizing with the protagonist’s situation. Most entries, moreover, are written in the first persona. However, some are written in the third person narrative like “Unseen” which follows a young girl, Tatenda, living with her family in Zimbabwe seeks to have her rightful place in the family and have equal rights like her brothers. The collection intersperses across two continents, Africa and the United States. Kaseke further spotlights the challenges that countries in third world countries go through using Zimbabwe as an example. In “Unseen” and “Return to The Land of The Giant Suns”, unemployment, poor infrastructure are some of the problems the author highlights facing the country. I enjoyed how she brings to light some of society’s pressing inequalities and problems through her work of fiction. Each story has a different set of characters and a unique plot. I couldn’t wait to start another story once I was done with one. ” Send Me Back and Other Stories” gave me an extremely rewarding reading experience and I found myself going back to some stories to understand the concepts better, as I mined the nuances hidden across the pages...Overall, I must say Munashe Kaseke has penned a winner in this debut of entrancing set stories. Largely written for people of color, this book is sure to garner an even larger audience owing to the complex and relevant themes that the author cuts across the chapters. I tip my hat to the author for her creativity and skill. I found the stories to be striking and original. I look forward to reading more of her books! 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 Crystal’s House of Queers By Brooke Skipstone Teen/YA- Ages 16 To 18 Skipstone Publishing (2021) ISBN 9781737006428 Reviewed by Amy Lignor for Reader Views (02/2022)
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know some will agree with me and some won’t, but I am one of those firm believers that We, the people should be honored. I believe that all men are created equal, as well as women, by the way. I believe Black lives matter, as well as everyone else’s. And I believe that all people should love whoever they want to love, and that choice isn’t anyone else’s business. I was born in a conservative household, raised by great parents, believe in God, and still love Kiefer Sutherland to this day, and none of that is anyone’s business to judge. I also believe you should never judge a book (literally) by its cover, title, synopsis, etc. Because if you do, you’re guaranteed to miss out on something. In the very beginning of this poignant book, a quote is offered from one of the characters by the name of Crystal Rose: “We all need to be held and loved. Why do people take issue with who does the holding?” And after that important thought, the book speeds forward to tell a tale of kindness, anger, judgment, love, abuse, drama and more, by utilizing a great plot and equally great characters. Friends since the fourth grade, Crystal and Haley were always close. Even at a young age, they felt a special kind of love for one another, but neither really knew what category to place that emotion into. Now, Crystal is 18 and her dreams about Haley have matured along with her years. Crystal is an artist who uses her ability to calm herself as well as spark her imagination. This one morning, after dreams of Haley have interrupted her sleep, she heads out on a nature trail that takes her past the fog-encrusted pond in the woods behind her house located in Clear, Alaska. Readers learn from Crystal, as she describes herself, that she is a “special needs” kid with a special power. (And the awesome illustrations on the cover and within the book prove that talent). You see, she can draw the shape of virtually everything using one continuous line, never removing her pen from the paper while creating the creature, image, location, etc...Touching upon a myriad of subjects ranging from the pandemic to sexual identity to living life with a disability, this is one upcoming author who delivered a fantastic story to readers.
To read complete review click here or visit www.readerviewskids.com. 17
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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
Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here
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INTERVIEW WITH EK PRESCOTT AUTHOR OF “SINS OF MAN”
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ive Star author, E.K. Prescott, Ph.D., whose books have been compared to Dan Brown’s Angel and Demons, has been an educator for over 40 years and has taught at the college level for 20 of those years. She spent many years as a high school English teacher, middle school principal, and national educational consultant, and college professor. Dr. Prescott earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri and her master’s degree at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. She earned her doctorate at the University of WisconsinMadison, where she was awarded a three-year, fulltime Fellowship. She is now happily retired living in sunny Florida with her husband. She is living her dream: a full-time author. Hi EK, welcome to Reader Views! Tell us about your latest novel, "Sins of Man." The "Sins of Man" is the second book in the Ivy League Chronicles. In 1924, after his last taste of solving a murder, Richard Wikki wants to get back in the field. Fortunately (or unfortunately), there’s been another suspicious death, and this time, it’s one of Scott Judson’s Wolf ’s Head secret society brothers at Yale University. When four more of Scott’s friends turn up dead at the same party, leaving only one survivor, Richard knows it’s no
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coincidence. Meanwhile, Maize has sweet-talked her way into a secret ghostwriting job on Yale’s all-male newspaper. Unbeknownst to her, her charming new nemesis is the nephew and successor to the notorious crime lord of New Haven’s Irish Mob, Seth Mulhaney. There’s something suspicious going on; Richard and Maize will leave no stone unturned until they uncover the truth. 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 piqued your interest in the Roaring Twenties Era? I really don’t know…I have always LOVED that time period. If I believed in reincarnation, I probably was a FLAPPER. I can feel it in my bones. Tell us about the research entailed in writing Sins of Man. Like every book in The Ivy League Chronicles, I spend at least 3 weeks researching before I even begin writing, then research as the story unfolds. Your research helps develop the story line. Are there certain areas where you took more creative liberties than others? Hmm…, that is a good one. The only creative liberty was the fictional story to tell history
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of that time. Can readers pick up Sins of Man as a stand-alone novel with a solvable case or does the plot flow through the entire series? Tes. The mystery is solved in every story. The main characters continue throughout series. A new character is added for each story to come alive, just for that story. They do not move
on… usually. But the character Tommy in Sins of Man has become quite popular; he will resurface in book. Give us a one-line teaser that will make readers want to go out and pick up your book today! "What do the Irish Mob, Prohibition and the Whitehouse have in common?" By Sheri Hoyte
Read the full interview with E K Prescott
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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
Read First Chapter Here View on Amazon Here
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INSIDE SCO OP LIVE POD CAST OF THE MONTH Sandra Brown-Lindstedt was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Portland with her three children when she was thirty-three. After working as a medical secretary for many years, she decided to go back to college and her my degree graduating from Lewis & Clark College in Portland Oregon with bachelor’s degrees in Theater and English. She’s also worked in New York, on stage productions, art and design. She’s won two first place short story awards and three poetry awards, publishing the work in literary journals. She’s written and directed numerous plays in the US and in Sweden. Sandy resides in Sweden with her husband. Life of a Firefly is her first children’s book. To visit Sandra Brown Lindstedt’s webpage click here
Click Here To Listen to Podcast Topics of Conversation • About winning several awards for her debut book. • Inspiration behind the story. • Writing for a young audience. • The sequel to Life of a Firefly • Advice for emerging authors
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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)
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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
Black History Month February is Black History Month. And every year, I learn about contributions that I had never heard before. So why have I not heard about these achievements before? If I think about my public education in the South, most famous people I learned about were white (and mostly male – but that is a discussion for another time). As a child, I did not give it enough thought, but as I now look back upon my education, I realize how one-sided it was. I only lived in one place for the first 18 years of my life. I only saw the world from only that one perspective. I am horrified about what I just took for granted when I look back. So many places and the streets I drove on were named for Confederate Generals – Robert E. Lee Blvd., Lee Circle, and Jefferson Davis Parkway, to name a few. I never thought about what it felt like for the Black population of New Orleans to see and hear those names every day. It would be like having streets and paces in Germany named after Nazi leaders. Americans are from every corner of the world, and the history of America should include all Americans. A book of outstanding Americans should consist of Americans of all genders, races, cultures, religions, and skin colors. This, of course, has not been the case, but hopefully, one day soon, it will. However, at least we are finally slowly seeing some books that highlight the contributions of non-white people from America and the entire world. These are usually found in books that feature one segment of the population, such as Black, LatinX, Asian, Indigenous People, etc. We must make accessible quality books containing accurate accounts of these remarkable diverse groups that have played a role in the rich tapestry of history in America and around the world. Because this is Black History month, I am recommending two books that focus on the contributions of outstanding Black community members. Eve - Barefoot Librarian
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THE BAREFO OT LIBRARIAN B O OKS OF THE MONTH Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History By Author: Schele Williams, Illustrator: Tonya Engels Harry N. Abrams (2021) - ISBN 978-1419748752 ( 4 - 8 years old ) - Hardcover - 48 pages - $19.99
The author starts with a brief description of life in Africa before slavery began and continues with Black slavery in America in 1619. Her depictions of slavery are accurate but appropriate for a picture book audience. Highlighted in large letters throughout the book are the words LOVE, INTELLECT, COURAGE, DETERMINATION, BRILLIANCE, STRENGTH, INGENUITY, GRACE, and DIGNITY. These words are used to describe both the enslaved people and other outstanding African American writers, inventors, scientists, entertainers, artists, leaders, activists, athletes, and more. The illustrations are powerful and wonderous, and text and images are woven together in a brilliant tapestry. Grades K – 2nd.
Young Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present Written by Author: Jamia Wilson, Illustrator: Andrea Pippins Wide Eyed Editions; Illustrated edition (2018) - ISBN 9781786031587
Age: 7 - 10 years old - Hardcover - 64 pages - $23.99
This book contains entries about 52 Black heroes from around the world. Each entry is over a page and ends with a portrait that reflects the illustrator’s interpretation of the person. The book highlights Black people from all walks of life – from famous singers like Beyonce to little-known figures like Maurice Ashley, the first African-American CHESS GRANDMASTER in the world. In addition, the book includes writers, directors, musicians, actors, activists, astronauts, mathematicians, explorers, politicians, artists, athletes, ballerinas, entrepreneurs, nurses, and pilots.
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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
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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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FIRST CHAPTER PLUS Connecting Readers to Indie Books www.firstchapterplus.com
e-magazine . February 2022 volume 13 . issue 2
Published by I Have Something to Say Press
