A Book and a Chat with George Earl Parker

Moving from Hertfordshire to the USA, into music, has just written a book... No today's show was not about me, but about somebody who has done these things and much more, and is making a welcome return to the show in the form of today's guest on "A Book and a Chat" was George Earl Parker.

Unlike those  writers who have started writing stories seemingly as soon as they could hold a crayon George's first success in the world of writing earned had definite benefits when coming runner up in writing contest sponsored by Cadbury's earned him a large amount of chocolate,  at the age of around ten that was better than any other award going.

George was the  designer and director of the short film “Yellow Submarine Sandwich,” which was included in Eric Idle’s pseudo-documentary of a band called the Rutles, he has received accolades, awards, and a showing at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. This lead to George, like myself, to take the step across the pond, from England to first New York and latterly California.

George is also a talented musician, three of his songs have shown up on the European Country Music Association charts and he shared that his latest song has entered already gone straight into the charts.

When last on the show we discussed novel "Vampyre Blood - Eight Pints of Trouble". Not your traditional "Vampire" novel, so don't expect a version of "Twilight", rather as one reviewer described the book...  "Its humor will brighten any day and its perspective will lighten your heart. It’s silly, it’s endearing, it’s very human, and it will make you laugh out loud."

Now George is back with his new book "The Subatomic Kid" a full blown, unable to put down,  adventure novel for all ages.

About "The Subatomic Kid"

John Smith is a perfectly ordinary thirteen-year-old boy who accidentally gets trapped in an illicit scientific experiment at his school. That same morning he’d met a couple of older kids on the school bus who’d dared him to get a date with a beautiful girl, which amazingly he’d done, and now here he is—blown into a strange Subatomic world where an ever-changing cast of characters urge him to get his thinking straight because all that exists in the cosmos is threatened with destruction.

 Pulled back by instinct into the world of matter, he seeks to discover those responsible for his plight, but at the same time he’s bound and determined to keep his first date with the girl of his dreams.

Two squabbling half-brothers searching for the secret of immortality turn out to be the culprits standing in the way of his happiness, and now one of them surmises that if John survived the powerful blast of the experiment, he could have the ability to become anything he wants—even the fly on the table in front of him.        

On the day of the date, the four teenagers are kidnapped by an ex-secret agent in the brother’s employ and brutally imprisoned. But when his terrified new friends turn on him because they have absolutely no idea what’s going on, he realizes that he must do virtually everything in his power to bring them home safely, defeat his fear, and understand the nature of his new talent before he can even consider saving the universe and keeping his promise to the masters of the Subatomic world.

So why not sit back and listen to an enjoyable show as George Earl Parker in my guest on today's "A Book and a Chat".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with George Earl Parker"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"George Earl Parker"

You can find out more about George and his book at:
"George Earl Parker - The Subatomic Kig"


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

A Book and a Chat with K.F. Ridley

I first came across my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” when I was hopping from site to site checking out various new books on “The Next Big Thing” blog week, where people shared what they were writing or releasing as their “Next Big Thing”. While hopping from blog to blog I came across K. F Ridley’s” page and her new book “Dirt”, since then I have been trying to get her on the show and finally here she is.

K.F Ridley or rather Kim, has always had what can only be described as a wild imagination,  a place she used to go to escape from her own world which had its own issues. From studying opera, to a career in nursing, all the time there was bubbling underneath,  a world ready to explode into this world. Finally Kim was able to share some of the multitude of stories that were filling her head in her first novel “The Curse of Yama” Book 1 of The C Walker Adventure series, which is to be followed later this year by book two “The Castle of Family”. The series is sort of Indiana Jones with a little bit of fantasy and who done it mixed in, mid grade series, for all ages. That might sound strange but it is a series that all will enjoy, and Kim already has another 3 books in the series ready to be shared with readers.

The book that I picked up on during “the Next Big Thing” was “Dirt” the first book of a trilogy that is now available for readers.

About "Dirt":

Ashe has just entered college and is studying Art, she leads a simple life and has pretty much brought herself up because her oddball father is so dedicated to his scientific research in a lab under their house, where he occasionally resurfaces to dig and bury stuff in the back garden or give her the medicine for her unknown condition. One day, on her way home, she realises she is being followed by a black camero and speeds off, luckily the car turns in a different direction… this time…. But he comes back, again and again and eventually makes contact. Just who is this man ‘Rowen’ and why is he following her around? It’s usually her best friend Taylie who get attention from the boys.

That isn’t the only odd thing to happen to Ashe though, but it starts a chain of events that will change Ashe’s life completely, leaving her to wonder just who she is… until Rowen takes her somewhere in the name of protection and she finds out, the thing is, they want her blood……and they want her dead!

As we learned during the show the follow up books “Sand” and “Clay” are almost ready, and going by the comments and reviews for “Dirt” already have many people asking for their release date.

I came across K.F. Ridley as the “Next Big Thing” and I think her “Dirt” trilogy will be just that.
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 K.F. Ridley

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with K.F. Ridley

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
" K.F. Ridley"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
" K.F. Ridley - Dirt"

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

A Book and a Chat with William Elliott Hazelgrove

My guest on today’s show is award winning author William Elliot Hazelgrove.  Born in Richmond, Virginia but has also lived in Baltimore and Chicago. He attended Western Illinois University where he received his Master of Arts in history. He settled in Chicago and began writing full time. His first novel, RIPPLES, was published in 1992 and awarded "Editor's Choice" by the American Library Association.

He is also the author of TOBACCO STICKS. MICA HIGHWAYS, his third and his latest novel “ROCKET MAN” were written in the most novel of settings, the attic of the Hemingway Birthplace Home.

About Rocket Man: (taken from Amazon)

The Catcher in the Rye for the Great Recession, Rocket Man defines a new upside down American Dream. Dale Hammer is the every man who is trying to find himself.

Rocket Man is a very funny and poignant comment on our times, when an upside down middle class is barely hanging onto the American dream. Taking cues from the calamity of The Great Recession, we meet Dale Hammer, a man who is determined to find meaning in a landscape of suburban homogeneity, looking for the moment he had with his own father when they blasted off a rocket on a wintry evening. He feels his son slipping away as he tries to get around "the silent shame of fathers and sons."

He becomes the Rocket Man for his sons scout troop and immediately his life implodes. Accused of cutting down the subdivision sign to his neighborhood, he becomes the lone rebel, going down in a flaming arc. When Rocket Day comes, Dale is determined to give his son more than his father gave him.

The book is one of those that will grab you and not let go and I am sure one that will resonate with many people. It has received comments like…

“ROCKET MAN manages to capture the transcendent, heart-wrenching and soul-rending quality of a man leading just this kind of life, a life that will be familiar to many entering or moving through mid-life.

In September William will be releasing  another  novel that looks a life and promises to be yet another hit in the form of “The Pitcher”…

“Sometimes a Dream is All You Have...The PItcher...A broken down World Series Pitcher coaches a Mexican boy to pitch for the highschool team”.

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 William Elliott Hazelgrove

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with William Elliott Hazelgrove

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"William Elliott Hazelgrove"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"William Elliott Hazelgrove - Rocket Man"

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

A Book and a Chat with Lauren Roedy Vaughn

“There are good books, and there are great books, and then there are books with characters you’ll never forget”. So writes one reviewer about Lauren Roedy Vaughn’s book “OCD, The Dude, and Me”. I would like to add, it is a book that can be read and enjoyed by all. Making the fact that Lauren was the guest on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” a show I had been looking forward to, and I wasn’t disappointed.

In a way Lauren is especially equipped, even picked out, to write Danielle’s story in “OCD, The Dude, and Me”. She has been a special education teacher and a writer for nearly 20 years. In 2005, she received the Walk of Hearts Teaching Award, and she serves on the Board of the International Dyslexia Association’s Los Angeles Branch.

The mentioned being picked out for that in a way is what seemed to happen to Lauren, the story just chose her to be the author, and a great job she did. As Lauren described…

“One day when I was teaching and thinking about how difficult it is to be a high school student, especially one with learning challenges or psychological issues. I have great respect and compassion for these students. They are warriors. I was moved to write about a fictional one of these high school students to illuminate the courage I see in so many of them"

The result is a story that is smart, funny, touching, and has a strong voiced main character, it is written in a format that employs various formats including emails, diary entries and school essays.

About “OCD, The Dude, and Me” (taken from Amazon):

With frizzy orange hair, a plus-sized body, sarcastic demeanor, and "unique learning profile," Danielle Levine doesn't fit in even at her alternative high school. While navigating her doomed social life, she writes scathing, self-aware, and sometimes downright raunchy essays for English class.

As a result of her unfiltered writing style, she is forced to see the school psychologist and enroll in a "social skills" class. But when she meets Daniel, another social misfit who is obsessed with the cult classic film The Big Lebowski, Danielle's resolve to keep everyone at arm's length starts to crumble.

“OCD, The Dude, and Me” is one of those books I highly recommend for people of all ages.

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 Lauren Roedy Vaughn

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Lauren Roedy Vaughn

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Lauren Roedy Vaughn"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Lauren Roedy Vaughn - OCD, the Dude & Me"

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

A Book and a Chat with Harris Gray

On today’s “A Book and a Chat” I have half of author “Harris Gray” which is the pen name for Allan Harris and Jason Gray”.  Allan used to come into Jason’s Coffee house/Pub and bounce ideas off owner Jason, partnership soon blossomed and the two have been writing together for about seven years. Luckily the families also get on well together even to being able to put up with the two co authors who I am sure spend as much time laughing as they do creating novels.

The whole idea of writing about a vampire was partly due to the two families and their being into the new world of vampires; however their novel is far from the traditional vampire.

In “Vampire Vic” the hero Victor Thetherson (even the name sounds like an accountant) is a bald, middle-aged, fat, accounting manager whose life is far from the normal vampire experience.

About Vampire Vic: (taken from reviewfromhere blog)

Fat, balding accountant Victor Thetherson hoped becoming a vampire would turn his life around. But Victor can’t stomach confrontation and gets queasy at the sight of blood. Instead he gets it from the blood bank, diluted in bloody Bloody Marys. The result: a vampire who doesn’t bite, and a man who gets no respect.

Victor’s slacking staff mockingly calls him Vampire Vic. Victor’s boss amuses his wife by intimidating Victor on video. His ex makes him stay out late while she entertains boyfriends in the house she insists they continue to share. One night it finally boils over, and Victor bites someone. And then another…and very soon, he’s no longer visiting the blood bank.

Muscle replaces fat, and his comb-forward widow’s peak takes root. Victor basks in newfound attention and respect, at the office and at home. But real vampires get hunted, and as the transformation reaches the tipping point, Victor must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the power of the vampire.

The work of the two authors molds well into each other and you can only guess that much of the edited out parts will provide interesting reading.

As one reviewer put it…

I found Vampire Vic to be a very entertaining story about a not so typical vampire. I will try to avoid any spoilers but I think I can tell you that Vic didn't choose to become a vampire and his daily life is miserable...until he starts biting people. Then everything starts to change and he has more questions than answers. The book takes you through this vampire's daily life and how he and his vampirism evolves. I found it very funny and endearing and it was a great book to read while on vacation!

I myself think it is a great book to read at anytime, a book that will have you, as another reviewer put it… “like a cheerleader at the side lines really wanting this guy to win”.

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 Harris Gray

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Harris Gray

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Harris Gray"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Harris Gray - Vampire Vic"

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

A Book and a Chat with Demitria Lunetta

Today’s show is one of my one hour specials as I introduce Demitria Lunetta another of the members of the Class of 2K13 the debut YA authors of 2013 with her debut book “In The After”.

Always interested in reading while younger Demitria studied Human Ecology for her BA, which in a way enabled her to spend countless hours studying the many ways in which people are capable of bringing about their own destruction.  An ideal background some might say for somebody writing a novel about post-apocalyptic survival. An environment that for Demitria at least, must include being able to still have a bar of chocolate available.

As we learned during the show, the time Demitria took researching the publishers and agents that would be the best fit for her book. This proved to be time wells spent as when the manuscript was sent out she received offers from no less than five offers of representation from agents.

About “In The After”:  (Taken from “Auntie Spinelli Reads” blog)

They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.
Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

The book to start with is a little like “I Am Legend” but the characters and some major twists in the story make it a novel you just can’t put down.

As one reviewer put it…

“In the After” is a page-turning dystopian thriller with a compelling heroine. The bond Amy and Baby form is strong, yet tender and I was hoping for a great outcome for them both. A romance is alluded to for Amy but it doesn't really go anywhere, so if you're looking for the cookie cutter love triangle, you won't find it here. The world building is riveting, the pace fast and the plot tense and hopeful. I can't wait for the next one!!

Due to be released on June 25th “In The After” might be Demitria’s debut book but the follow up is already in the editing stage, and I believe there will be many to follow

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 Demitria Lunetta

Barry

Direct link to the show
">A Book and a Chat with Demitria Lunetta

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Demitria Lunetta"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Demitria Lunetta - In The After"

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

A Book and a Chat with M.D. Kaczkowski

My guest today on “A Book and a Chat” is an author, artist and medical inventor, with many of his technologies in use by hundreds of patients worldwide. MD Kaczkowski is founder of The Center for Alloplastic Facial Reconstruction in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he serves as president and lead practitioner, designing and fitting ocular and facial prosthetic reconstructions.

His debut novel “The Seers” is called a Scilestial novel, a word that comes from the combination of words: “Science” and “Celestial”. It is books perhaps unlike you’ve ever read before a mixture of detective, science fiction, celestial or spirituality. Using technology, it gives us readers a multi-media experience with QR codes, illustrations and video links sprinkled throughout.

M.D. Kaczkowski sheds light on the unseen laws of the universe with a fantastical, page-turning thriller. The Seers introduces a world where good battles evil for the world’s soul. The fate of humanity rests in the hands of the Seers, a handful of humans with the rare ability to see the unseen, who call their Angels into action to do battle with Demons. This captivating, fast-paced story blends two classic genres: part apocalypse and part detective story.

About “The Seers” (taken from Amazon)

Welcome to a new world where science and spirituality are not separate, but coexist on opposite ends of the same spectrum. Creator M. D. Kaczkowski sheds light on the unseen laws of the universe with a fantastical, page-turning thriller. The Seers introduces a world where good battles evil for the world's soul. The fate of humanity rests in the hands of the Seers, a handful of humans with the rare ability to see the unseen, who call their Angels into action to do battle with Demons.

This captivating, fast-paced story blends two classic genres: part apocalypse and part detective story. Through the characters' lives, readers are introduced to the prophets of humanity, known as the Seers. Between chapters, Dr. John Alderson, a well-traveled Seer-physician, shares his inside knowledge and encourages readers to delve deeper by guiding them to sections in The Seers' Handbook, which makes up the final third of the book. Welcome to the universe of The Seers. Your journey has only just begun.

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 M.D. Kaczkowski

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with M.D. Kaczkowski

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"M.D. Kaczkowski "

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"M.D. Kaczkowski - The Seers"

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

A Book and a Chat with David Snow

As we here all the time on TV, radio and in the news papers identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Incidents have reached around 10 million cases a year in the US, every minute around 20 people fall victim of identity theft.

My guest on today’s A Book and a Chat is David Snow, whose book “Someone Has Taken My Place” shares with us a true international chase, investigation and capture of Insurance Fraudster who stole identities of deceased Irish babies.

David is the real-life investigator who handled the case on which SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY PLACE is based: it involved Jeremy Cochran, a Texan who traveled from Dallas to Ireland intent on creating fresh identities from Irish babies who died around 1975, the time of his own birth.

The plot hit home hard in many ways for David having lost his own son Andrew in 2003 at the time of his birth.  This perhaps motivated David to get to the bottom of what at first glance looked like a simple insurance fraud but turned out much more.  David felt compelled to share the story, hoping that in some way to give justice to the parents whose children’s identities had been used for committing crime.

About “SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY PLACE”:

Based on actual facts of the case, the novel follows Stone as he chases the Cowboy across Europe and the United States and–with the help of FBI, ex-KGB and CIA agents, the Secret Service, Interpol and the Irish police force–pieces together the Cowboy’s web of illegal aliases and criminal intent. Just how did a Texan travel to Ireland and obtain so many official Irish passports? 
What is the evil secret at the heart of the multiple identity thefts? 
Will Stone catch the Cowboy in time for the innocence to be restored to the children’s identities?

As David shared with us on the show, his book has already lead him to appearing on Ireland's longest running chat show and won him many plaudits around the world.

It’s David’s hope that  “SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY PLACE” will alert readers to the problems of insurance fraud and identity theft, and to educate them “that ripping off of insurance companies is a crime we all pay for and how law enforcement, working together, can stop it

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 David Snow

Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with David Snow

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"David Snow"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"David Snow - "

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

A Book and a Chat with Sheri Fink

My gust on today's "A Book and a Chat" is Sheri Fink a #1 best-selling, award-winning children's author, the creator of "The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink" children's brand, and an international speaker. Sheri writes books that inspire and delight children while planting the seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit.

Sheri was a Marketing Executive who enjoyed her job, but wasn’t feeling passionate and excited about it. With her husband she crafted a plan to leave Corporate America, which she did in July 2010. She as not sure what she was going to do, just that she needed to create a space to change her life. Following attending Jack Canfield’s (chicken Soup for the Soul) Breakthrough to Success conference Sheri started her own journal that became her first published work "Dreams Come True: Your Daily Journal for Maximum Success & Well-Being"

Many read this and wanted to know what else Sheri had written, so she dragged children’s story written years before out of the draw and the rest is now history.

This first, award winning and soon to appear on the stage story “The Little Rose” launched Sheri into the world of being a number one best selling international award winning children’s author.

About “The Little Rose”

The Little Rose is a timeless, heartwarming story about embracing who you really are. Finely detailed, irresistible illustrations bring to life this endearing story of the Little Rose growing amongst a bed of weeds.
Teased by the ugly weeds around her, the Little Rose nearly gives up but then learns to accept and love herself for what she really is, a beautiful rose.

The Little Rose inspires children to embrace who they are despite their current environments.
In 2012, The Little Rose won a Gold Medal for Best K-3rd Fable in the Readers Favorite International Book Awards.

This success was followed by “The Little Gnome” and her latest book “The Little Firefly”. All have been met with much praise from young and old alike.

About “The Little Firefly”

The Little Firefly is an enchanting tale about a late-blooming firefly who can't wait to be all grown up. When all the other fireflies are glowing except for the Little Firefly, she discovers that true friends will love and support her just the way she is. This charming story helps kids learn about love, friendship, and acceptance.

With a Little Gnome activity book underway and a new story book about “The Little Seahorse” planned for next year  there is nothing but continued success ahead for Sheri Fink.


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 Sheri Fink

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Sheri Fink

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Sheri Fink"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Sheri Fink - The Little Rose"

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