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Saturday, September 29, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Christina Cody

The shops have already started to load their shelves with Christmas items, and Christina Cody has some books that would be great to add as Christmas gifts also as was shared during the show books that would fit into any junior school library.

While growing up in Alabama, Christina spent many happy hours in her local library where she learned the magic of books. She carried on with this love of storytelling through her work as a middle school teacher and now as an author.

 Her first book which is always popular at this time of year is “The Perfectly Imperfect Pumpkin”. In the book we learn with Amy that every does not have to be perfect, just perfect for you. It is a story based on a moment in time with Christina’s mother.

“A Mother and Daughter visit a pumpkin patch in search of a pumpkin. They leave the patch with an imperfect pumpkin and a lesson in empathy. Imperfects in nature can lead to promising potential”

This was followed by and equally successful book “The Pirate Scope” which is a book about using your imagination as Pete takes a “boring day” into a “pirate day” with the aid of a paper towel tube. The book includes scallywags, a sea hag, and a chocolate chip cookie treasure. The book also and “I Spy” styled book with lots of pictures inside illustration.

Christina’s latest book is one I think is a must for children, libraries and schools, being great reading as well as educational. “Monster Reader” takes you back to Christina’s early library visits. It tells how two children on a trip to the library learn about the best book for word swallowers and book eaters. The children soon discover a monster teacher, monsters devouring books (literally) and how reading can change how you see the world of books. It provides a wonderful story and education which include a specially created recipe for a Monster Cupcake.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Christina Cody

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Christina Cody

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Christina Cody"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Christina Cody - Monster Reader"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Thursday, September 27, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Mary Monaghan


My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” called into the show from Cape Town, South Africa, though her life and indeed much of her writing relates to Ireland. Mary Monaghan was actually born in England of Irish parents; her family was much traveled, something that has seen Mary continue along with her love of languages.

In 1993 Mary was living in what South Africa in what she thought was a happy marriage her husband announced he was going for a backpacking trip to Australia for three months. That was the last she saw of him, well not exactly the last, but the last for 14 years.

This led too much bitterness, heartbreak and tears as Mary tried to get her life into some form of order. Her book “Remember Me?” originally for written for close family and friends became an almost overnight success and is now sheared with many, and is even optioned for a screen play.

About Remember Me?

When your husband vanishes without a trace, there’s no telling what you might do. Mary wrote a book. Remember Me? This book became a self-publishing success story, selling widely in both Ireland and South Africa.

She had wanted to share my story of how she had managed to survive and rebuild my life. Her marriage had been a happy one, envied by our friends.  As with any marriage it had its ups and downs but on the whole life was good.  Until one day her husband John announced he was leaving for a three month backpacking trip to Australia. 

He left in 1993 never to return. Mary undertook a desperate struggle to locate the man she loved, finding out along the way of his involvement with at least two other women before he walked out on their marriage. She asked Interpol and private investigators to help me locate him with no success, eventually finding him herself and speaking to him on the phone six years after he had walked out on their marriage.

This however was not the end of the story as while visiting Ireland on a book tour she caught site of the man who has left her those many years before. FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again. Yet there he was also visiting his family in Ireland.

What happened next can be found in Mary’s second book “Who Do You Belong To?”

A Mary herself says about this second book

The launch of Remember Me?  set in motion a whole new chapter of my life.  Even though it has taken many years I have finally let this man go and Who Do You Belong To? continues the story of my journey .  I had put John out of my mind, he no longer had a place in my life, but on a brief visit to Ireland to launch my book in 2007 I had a sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. Now I had the chance to get answers to all the questions that had tormented me for all those years when I was desperately trying to make sense of what had happened.  I was now face to face with the man who had caused me such heartache.

The writing of my first book changed my life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery. Who Do You Belong To? takes you along with me as I travel the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfillment.

Mary has also written several self help books and along with her sister published her mother’s journal in the beautiful memoir “Green Are the Hills Far Away”.

About “Green Are the Hills Far Away"

Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Mary Monaghan

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Mary Monaghan

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Mary Monaghan"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Mary Monaghan - Remember Me?"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A Book and a Chat with John Valeri

My guest today is not an author, well not yet though I expect sometime though that title will change, he is not a radio show host such as myself, yet he has interviewed and had contact with many authors from famous household names to local debut writers. 

My guest is John Valeri who for the last several years has been the voice of the “Hartford Books Examiner” on examiner.com. 

During this time John has interviewed many authors, writers, publishers, agents and I for one can relate to the power as during my book signing yesterday at “The Big E” I had a both visitor come to talk to me who had read John article about myself on Examiner.com and wanted to come and check me out for himself. John like myself, is a fan of YA literature though as he shared during the show his favorite authors include such names as Marcia Clark.

Chatting during the  show it was interesting to compare the reports and interviews on the “Hartford Books Examiner” to my own on “A Book and a Chat” and how teach us the creators of the articles/radio shows and how much we learn from our guests. 

John was able to share a couple of stories about guests which I for one can well relate to. As I stated at the start John is “not yet” a published author, but “time permitting” (don’t we all know about that pressure) he has a YA thriller underway. 

I am sure with what John has learned along the way and his love for literature that when this book finally reaches the market it will be one not to miss and you can bet when that happens I will try and have John back on the show. 

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with John Valeri

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with John Valeri

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"To Be Added Later" ( I am still having issues this download will be added later)

You can find out more about my guest at:
"John Valeri - Hartford Books Examiner"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Saturday, September 22, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Jennifer Archer

At the age of ten Jennifer Archer decided she wanted to be a writer, life and “sensible” decisions however lead her down a different path training in business and accounting. The spark for writing did not leave her though and in 1993 she enrolled in a creative writing class which was the gateway to launching her first book “Body and Soul” which was released in 1999.
From then on Jennifer’s writing has gone from strength to strength her second novel “Once Upon A Dream” spent several weeks on Borders best selling Paranormal Romance list and she has been a finalist in the Paranormal Excellence Award in Romantic Literature award as well as twice in Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart competition, Jennifer was also a 2006 finalist for the prestigious Rita Award with her mainstream women’s fiction novel The Me I Used to Be.
Now Jennifer is sharing her talents with the YA world with her debut book “Through Her Eyes”
About “Through Her Eyes” (taken from “A Good Addiction” blog)
Every ghost has a story.
The last place Tansy Piper wants to be is stuck in Cedar Canyon, Texas, in the middle of nowhere, with a bunch of small-town kids. But when her mother decides to move to the desolate West Texas town, Tansy has no choice but to go along. Once there, Tansy is immediately drawn to the turret of their rickety old house, a place she soon learns has a disturbing history. But it's the strange artifacts she finds in the cellar—a pocket watch, a journal of poetry, and a tiny crystal—that have the most chilling impact on her.

Tansy soon finds that through the lens of her camera, she can become part of a surreal black-and-white world where her life is intertwined with that of mysterious, troubled Henry, who lived in the same house and died decades earlier. It seems their lives are linked by fate and the artifacts she found, but as Tansy begins spending more and more time in the past, her present world starts to fade away. Tansy must untangle herself from Henry's dangerous reality—before she loses touch with her own life forever.
The story has already received many great reviews, it is a ghost story set in two separate settings, flash backs to the 1930’s mixed with modern day. The characters many will be able to relate to, Tansy because of her constant moving being somewhat of outsider, something that Jennifer herself can relate to. The story does a great job mixing paranormal with realistic.
As one reviewer put it…
Well crafted and well written Through Her Eyes is evenly paced with chapters that flow smoothly from one to the next. Archer seamlessly breaths life into her characters, giving them defined depth and meaning - even the ghostly characters that fill the pages. Especially Tansy who is portrayed as being realistically honest and believable, a character that exudes an array of emotions. Readers will instantly connect with her and the cast of both living and dead characters that surround her.
A second YA book “The Shadow Girl” is due out early next year, so lovers “Through Her Eye” will not have long to wait for Jennifer’s next book.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Jennifer Archer

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Jennifer Archer

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"To Be Added Later"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Jennifer Archer - Through Her Eyes"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Michael F Blake



I’ve had a couple of shows in September where for whatever reason my guest has just not showed up,  leaving me to chat about them and anything else I can think of for at least part of the show. However I am pleased to say that tonight was not such a show, as Michael F Blake joins me as the guest on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat”

Michael was born and raised in the inner-city of Chicago, where dreams of making it big in music or sport are clouded with the peer pressure of making it big within local gangs, going for perhaps the fast track way out.  Being pulled in two different directions, the dream of following his families love of basketball against the overwhelming peer pressure, Michael found that the extra pressure of becoming young parent lead Michael to follow the fast track that lead to him ending up in jail.

It was during the three years he was incarcerated that Michael found the talent that he never knew he had; the result is the first in a trilogy of books and hopefully a film or TV series… “The Holly City”.

About  “The Holy City”

Using recollections from his childhood, mixed with characters and storylines from his own imagination, “The Holy City” tells the story of  two brothers growing up in a rough neighborhood on the Westside of Chicago. A neighborhood where crime is a regular. No different than any other 'hood around the world, either you make it out playing sports, music, or crime. These two brothers had different qualities, but their decision making could possibly affect them throughout the rest of their lives. Marcus and Christopher Williams, brothers from the same mother but different fathers were well known in their neighborhood. With Christopher being the younger of the two, it seemed as if they would take separate paths in life. Would they allow the street life to take total control of their lives, or will realization come aboard before it's too late?

As Michael shared, the second book in the trilogy “The Holly City II – The Rise to Power” is already written, but the fact that the first book which was originally self published has now been picked up by a publishing house means readers will have to wait a little longer.
 

 So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Michael F Blake

Barry

Direct link to the show
Michael F Blake

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Michael F Blake"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Michael F Blake - The Holly City"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Marcia H Black


My very first guest on “A Book and a Chat” way back in 2009 was Kim Smith who has been on with me several times since then, but now we have another member of her family on the show today when I host “A Book and a Chat with Marcia Hylander Black”.
Her debut book which she wrote over ten years is partly based on her own life and happenings on a farm “not near anywhere” in Tennessee.

The book “One Time: Adventures of Sarah” was originally written for her four children and eight grandchildren to answer there "what was it like when you were young?" questions.

One Time: Adventure of Sarah” is partially fictional tale of a young girl whose innocent adventures lead her into hot water more often than not. An eight year old philosopher, her observances of life and people in general are timeless and hilarious.

While based around the adventures of an eight year old girl it written in such a way that people of all ages will read and enjoy the book. Like a real “Little House on the Prairie” as one reviewer out it…

This book is a great, easy read for all ages. The story centers around one smart little Southern country girl, who is no "belle" by any stretch of the imagination. Sarah gets into scrapes, engages in hilarious high-jinx and comes of age in the 1940s South with the help of her part-time nemisis/part-time collaborator, her brother.

Highly recommended as a "beach read" or Book Club pick. It had me laughing out loud!


As I often say it is one of those books that all ages will enjoy.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Marcia H Black

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Marcia H Black

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Marcia H Black"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Marcia H Black - One Time"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley

Brenda Stanley is my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” from being one of those quiet children she developed a career around communication. Be it as a news anchor and investigative reporter for NBC affiliate KPVI in Eastern Idaho to her latest novel “The Color of Snow”. Along the way she has won several rewards as well as bringing up five children including two sets of twins.

Her first dip into the published author pool was actually a cook books called “The Zucchini Houdini” originally written as a sort of “tongue in cheek recipe book after she overdid the Zucchini planting one year, but in the end became a well liked cook book for many readers. Brenda has another cook book coming out shortly.

This success was followed by a book she had written many years before but with the dust blown of it launched her as a novel writer of note, this book being “I Am Nuchu” a story of 17 year old half Ute Indian, it is a coming-of-age story about a teen wrestling with his identity as he finds himself caught between two drastically different worlds.

Brenda’s latest book “The Color of Snow” has already received many great reviews.

About “The Color of Snow”

When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed.

Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa's claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.


It is a book that covers many themes from Mental illness, and teen pregnancy to religious intolerance and racism. Though classed as YA it is a story that has been enjoyed by people of all ages, just check her many reviews…

As one reviewer put it…

I want more! The tension begins on the first page. From the very beginning the author has created a scene that leaves so many questions. I would read and think I had answers to some of them only to find out that I didn't quite have it right. In the beginning I wanted to really dislike the man she had always known as her father. As I read I realized that even he was not black and white. As I was read his past I really disliked Sophie's grandfather. The fact that he really thought that his family was better than Luke's family because they raised sheep and worked for him made me dislike him. There are so many things going on here. There are family secrets, issues with social class, as well as a difference in religious beliefs. Was there really a curse on Sophia's family as she believed?

As well as “The Color of Snow” Brenda also has another novel “Like Ravens in Winter” just out, this time it’s about a television network reporter (hmm who could that be based on….) who is assigned to Iraq at the beginning of the Gulf War. Looks to me like another hit for this great author.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Brenda Stanley"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Brenda Stanley - The Color of Snow"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

A Book and a Chat with Pauline L Hawkins

Already we’re into September, kids are back at school, roads are once again busy and memories are once again brought back to bright sunny September 11, 2001.

The question “Where were you when the twin towers fell” is like a modern day “Where were you when JFK was shot”, it is a moment in time, when everybody remembers.

My guest on today’s “A Book and a ChatPauline L Hawkins started writing her book as her own way of coping with the trauma she still felt within her relating to 9/11.

She sat down in 2002, in a desire to come to grips with her own feelings; her expectation was simply to put a few words down on paper to work through the needed grieving process.

Like many others Pauline found putting her own feelings and thoughts on paper whatever the emotion helps her. Though she has always been interested in writing or rather telling stories she never intended to write a book. However the more she wrote, it was like the floodgates of her emotions opened and all the memories came back for her to share with the readers in her debut book Ashes to Ashes - The Twins Fall Down.

About "Ashes to Ashes - The Twins Fall Down" (In Pauline’s own words)

As I sat there recounting my memories of that bright sunny September day, I soon realized that while everyone talked about what happened in New York, at the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania, very little had been said about how that day affected those of us outside of those areas. An entire country, and world, was affected on that day. Lives were changed, security lost, and our story, my story, should and needed to be shared as well.

The book shares where Pauline was and what she was doing when she heard this horrible news. She tells us of how she felt throughout her day after the attacks and then some. She gives us details of the attacks, she has really done her research, statistics, quotes from the President and his response after the attacks, her research on Bin Laden and who he was, her feelings on terrorism, and so much more.
As one reviewer put it.

This book is such a therapeutic read that I highly recommend it to everyone! It is so personal as the author shares her feelings, and own experiences with regard to the events of 9/11.

Pauline also shared with us about her next book “Always and Forever” about reconnecting after 28 years after breaking up with her High School sweetheart on Facebook, and how her life has changed along with many other views into g\her life… Can’t wait for that one!

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Pauline L Hawkins

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Pauline L Hawkins

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Pauline L Hawkins"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Pauline L Hawkins - Ashes Ashes - The Twins Fall Down"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry