My guest today Dora Machado, is one of the few Latinas writing fantasy these days. Dora is the multiple award winning author of the epic fantasy trilogy “Stonewiser” series. She has now released a new novel “The Curse Giver”, which promises to be equally successful.
Born in America Dora grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Meringue, before moving back to America where she now lives.
After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories, something she has written with huge success.
Her first novel in the Stonewiser series “The Heart of the Stone”, won the 2009 Benjamin Franklin award for best debut novel. The second in the series “The Call of the Stone”, won the 2010 Independent Publishers Book Award's (IPPY) Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy book of the year. Both books were also finalists in ForeWord Magazine for Book of the Year in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Category. The third novel “The Lament of the Stones” has received equal success.
Her latest book is “The Curse Giver”, while meant to be standalone could well develop into another series with readers already clamoring for more about Lusielle.
About “The Curse Giver”: (taken from “Review from Here” blog)
Lusielle’s bleak but orderly life as a remedy mixer is shattered when her husband betrays her and she is sentenced to die for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s on the pyre, about to be burned, when a stranger breaks through the crowd and rescues her from the flames.
Brennus, Lord of Laonia is the last of his line. He is caught in the grip of a mysterious curse that has murdered his kin, doomed his people and embittered his life. To defeat the curse, he must hunt a birthmark and kill the woman who bears it in the foulest of ways. Lusielle bears such a mark.
Stalked by intrigue and confounded by the forbidden passion flaring between them, predator and prey must come together to defeat not only the vile curse, but also the curse giver who has already conjured their ends.
If you like fast-paced, plot-twisting fantasy, epic, dark, and yes—why not?—incredibly romantic fantasy, give The Curse Giver a try. I’m betting you might like 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 Dora Machado
Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Dora Machado
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Dora Machado"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Dora Machado - "
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
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
A Book and a Chat with Danelle Harmon
After six shows about bullying it is good to get back to my normal format, not that I have not enjoyed and found very informational the shows on the bullying subject. I could not have asked for a better guest to get back into the old routine than New York Times and USA Today and International best selling and award winning Historical Romance author Danelle (yes that’s spelt right) Harmon.
Danelle has a life that almost matches her own writings when it comes to romance, leaving her home and family and travelling 3000 miles to be with somebody she’d met and fallen in love with on the internet. Having been in the same boat… rather airplane as her but while my trip was from the UK to the USA, Danelle followed her heart to be with and marry the man she’d fallen in love with in England.
As Danelle describes it…
How did a Yankee girl who used to be a 1775-era minuteman in a Boston re-enactment group end up in ENGLAND, of all places? Well, in 1994, I met a wonderful man over the Internet. He was handsome, intelligent, all that a romantic hero should be... but there was just one little catch -- he was English, and lived 3,000 miles away! Love always wins in the end, though, and following a romantic courtship in which our gilded coaches bore the names "British Airways" and "Virgin Atlantic," the good doctor from England asked me to marry him.
This romance can be found in her award winning historical romance books which have received many hundreds of fantastic reviews on Amazon.
From her first book “Pirate in Arms” to her “Hero’s of the Sea” and “De Montforte” series the name Danelle Harmon has become one that all lovers of historical romance have read an enjoyed. Indeed her book “The Wild One” (first in the “De Montforte” series) has well over 500 reviews on Amazon.
Now after a break to start and raise a family, Danelle is back not only with her books being now released in updated EBook format, but with a fresh book in the “De Montforte” series heading for the publisher.
About “The Wild One”: (taken from Amazon)
Lord Gareth de Montforte is an irresponsible, fun-loving rake when beautiful Juliet Paige arrives from America with his late brother's baby, hoping to give the child a name. Gareth impulsively weds her, only to discover he wasn't ready for all the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood. They're in for plenty of trouble and heartache, until they discover that their love can overcome anything.
Danelle was described in -Laurie Likes Books thus…
Author Danelle Harmon is known on the 'Net for her fiery demeanor and the romantic way in which she met her husband. She is also known as an author's author -- witness Julia Quinn's comments about her, "Danelle is one of maybe four writers I will buy without even looking at the back cover copy. People hold on to her books, and with good reason."
A great show, with a 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 Danelle Harmon
Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Danelle Harmon
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Danelle Harmon"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Danelle Harmon - Historical Romance Author"
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
Danelle has a life that almost matches her own writings when it comes to romance, leaving her home and family and travelling 3000 miles to be with somebody she’d met and fallen in love with on the internet. Having been in the same boat… rather airplane as her but while my trip was from the UK to the USA, Danelle followed her heart to be with and marry the man she’d fallen in love with in England.
As Danelle describes it…
How did a Yankee girl who used to be a 1775-era minuteman in a Boston re-enactment group end up in ENGLAND, of all places? Well, in 1994, I met a wonderful man over the Internet. He was handsome, intelligent, all that a romantic hero should be... but there was just one little catch -- he was English, and lived 3,000 miles away! Love always wins in the end, though, and following a romantic courtship in which our gilded coaches bore the names "British Airways" and "Virgin Atlantic," the good doctor from England asked me to marry him.
This romance can be found in her award winning historical romance books which have received many hundreds of fantastic reviews on Amazon.
From her first book “Pirate in Arms” to her “Hero’s of the Sea” and “De Montforte” series the name Danelle Harmon has become one that all lovers of historical romance have read an enjoyed. Indeed her book “The Wild One” (first in the “De Montforte” series) has well over 500 reviews on Amazon.
Now after a break to start and raise a family, Danelle is back not only with her books being now released in updated EBook format, but with a fresh book in the “De Montforte” series heading for the publisher.
About “The Wild One”: (taken from Amazon)
Lord Gareth de Montforte is an irresponsible, fun-loving rake when beautiful Juliet Paige arrives from America with his late brother's baby, hoping to give the child a name. Gareth impulsively weds her, only to discover he wasn't ready for all the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood. They're in for plenty of trouble and heartache, until they discover that their love can overcome anything.
Danelle was described in -Laurie Likes Books thus…
Author Danelle Harmon is known on the 'Net for her fiery demeanor and the romantic way in which she met her husband. She is also known as an author's author -- witness Julia Quinn's comments about her, "Danelle is one of maybe four writers I will buy without even looking at the back cover copy. People hold on to her books, and with good reason."
A great show, with a 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 Danelle Harmon
Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Danelle Harmon
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Danelle Harmon"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Danelle Harmon - Historical Romance Author"
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, August 22, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Kaitlin Bevis
On the sixth and final Book and a Chat about bullying I am pleased to have Kaitlin Bevis as a guest. The past five shows have covered many aspect of bullying from across all ages and I hope the shows have helped a few people along the way. Indeed I know from an email I received after one show they have indeed made a difference to some people.
Kaitlin herself has been on both sides of the bullying fence being bullied and being the bully, attending a small town school where classes were about twelve people and secrets were hard to keep. During the show she shared with us about one of her friends who with good looks, money a smart mind and a pleasant personality one would think would be “the” girl, instead because of the plus things she was bullied.
Kaitlin was one of those people who knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer. She spent her childhood curled up with a book, and a pen... Yes a pen… as If the ending didn’t agree with her, she rewrote it.
After studying English at college she started writing articles for truuconfessions.com and Athens Parent Magazine before starting her wonderful “Daughters of Zeus” and her first trilogy about Persephone.
While about a Greek Gods and Goddesses set in a modern setting there is always a background of bullying, anybody who knows a little about Greek Mythology will know Zeus could be a bit of a bully.
The series which to me is a must read, consists of “Persephone”, “Daughter of the Earth and Sky” and “The Iron Queen”, this is going to be followed by a trilogy about “Aphrodite” again set in a modern world.
About “Persephone”: (taken from Amazon)
There are worse things than death, worse people too.
The "talk" was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they're a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn't until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.
This first book has already received almost a 100 reviews on Amazon filled with comments such as…
"'Persephone' is a fun, imaginative, smart retelling of my favorite myth, fusing modern culture with a rich world of magic. I had such a great time reading this. I ate it up in just a few days. With its irreverent sense of humor and its intelligent references, it reminds me most of Joss Whedon, in particular the livelier, funnier seasons of "Buffy" or "Angel."
All in all a good way to finish of my six shows about bullying. So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's last show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Kaitlin Bevis
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Kaitlin Bevis
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Kaitlin Bevis"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Kaitlin Bevis - Persephone"
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
Kaitlin herself has been on both sides of the bullying fence being bullied and being the bully, attending a small town school where classes were about twelve people and secrets were hard to keep. During the show she shared with us about one of her friends who with good looks, money a smart mind and a pleasant personality one would think would be “the” girl, instead because of the plus things she was bullied.
Kaitlin was one of those people who knew from an early age that she wanted to be a writer. She spent her childhood curled up with a book, and a pen... Yes a pen… as If the ending didn’t agree with her, she rewrote it.
After studying English at college she started writing articles for truuconfessions.com and Athens Parent Magazine before starting her wonderful “Daughters of Zeus” and her first trilogy about Persephone.
While about a Greek Gods and Goddesses set in a modern setting there is always a background of bullying, anybody who knows a little about Greek Mythology will know Zeus could be a bit of a bully.
The series which to me is a must read, consists of “Persephone”, “Daughter of the Earth and Sky” and “The Iron Queen”, this is going to be followed by a trilogy about “Aphrodite” again set in a modern world.
About “Persephone”: (taken from Amazon)
There are worse things than death, worse people too.
The "talk" was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they're a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn't until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.
This first book has already received almost a 100 reviews on Amazon filled with comments such as…
"'Persephone' is a fun, imaginative, smart retelling of my favorite myth, fusing modern culture with a rich world of magic. I had such a great time reading this. I ate it up in just a few days. With its irreverent sense of humor and its intelligent references, it reminds me most of Joss Whedon, in particular the livelier, funnier seasons of "Buffy" or "Angel."
All in all a good way to finish of my six shows about bullying. So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's last show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Kaitlin Bevis
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Kaitlin Bevis
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Kaitlin Bevis"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Kaitlin Bevis - Persephone"
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
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Shelia Murphy Adams
On this the fifth of my six shows featuring “bullying” my guest is teacher and fellow Connecticut author Shelia Murphy Adams.
From almost the time she could hold a crayon Shelia has loved writing, creating many poems and short stories, of which I am pleased to say, many from as far back as elementary school still exist.
Somewhat late in life Shelia became a teacher and as we learned from the show was not able to use her own experience as a mother but also share with her pupils the full process of creating a and editing a book.
So far with four books in print, Shelia has covered many subjects.
Her latest novel “The Coolest Kids in School” covers the issue of bullying. The story takes place in a school that is being ruled by a bully named Robbie. When Pete, a tough looking new kid, starts school, the students worry that he will soon join forces with Robbie. But Pete has no interest in being the class bully. He actually thinks Robbie’s behaviors are lame. Will Pete be able to convince Robbie and the other kids that being cool doesn’t mean being a bully? Can Pete prove that a person can be both COOL and KIND?
Like her latest book, Shelia's first book “Beads, Bands & a Brass Ring”, is illustrated by her father Ed Murphy. The book is a result of a memoir study which Shelia and her fourth graders explored.
Louie Digs Up a Surprise was her second published book, Shelia describes the reason for writing this book thus…
As a teacher and mother, I have too often heard the words “I wish I could…” followed by any number of abilities or activities. I wish I could play soccer like…, I wish I could draw like…, I wish I could do math like… Children are so quick to compare themselves to others, always measuring their own abilities against those of their friends. My wish as a teacher and mother is that all children will come to appreciate the qualities that make them special.
In the book Shelia creates a lovable character named Louie, a young puppy living on the Harrison’s farm. Louie loves playing with his friends on the farm, but he can’t help comparing his abilities to those of his friends.
Next came Puffy No Nose he story of a much-loved and well-worn stuffed bunny, Puffy No-Nose, who finds himself replaced by a new favorite toy on Christmas morning.
These books for me with their teachers notes and information are ideal for any school library and a great gift for all children.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Shelia Murphy Adams
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Shelia Murphy Adams
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Shelia Murphy Adams"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Shelia Murphy Adams - The Coolest Kids in the School"
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
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Bruce Sarte
On this the fourth of my shows covering “bullying” I am pleased to welcome author Bruce Sarte for a return visit to the show.
Author of “The Towering Pines” series as well as introducing us to detective Lance Carter in books such as “Philadelphia Story” and the “Insider Story” and his soon to be released “Bourbon Street Story” which see’s Lance leaving Philly for a trip to the south.
Inspired by several speakers and some of the preventable tragedies A Sarte around us, Bruce author and Technology Professional will soon be presenting the Raising a Responsible Digital Citizen Town Hall.
Bruce shared much about what he has learned and is trying to educate both children and in many cases more so the parents who might not be as internet savvy as their offspring.
In his hour long town hall, Bruce will cover:
· What is the digital landscape and how does your child see it?
· How to prepare yourself for the digital landscape
· What is Facebook and Twitter and why do you need to worry?
· What is CISPA and why doesn't it matter.
· How to talk to your kids about using online resources such as Facebook, YouTube and the difference between these and online research.
· What is CyberBullying?
· Why is CyberBullying particularly dangerous for your child?
· How to help your child protect themselves from online predators and cyberbullies.
· Preparing your home for a safe Internet and cell phone experience.
· The Responsible Digital Citizen Contract
Also we touched on the new books and audio version of books coming out later this year.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Bruce Sarte
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Bruce Sarter
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Bruce Sarte"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Bruce Sarte - Bourbon Street Story"
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, August 15, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner
Today’s guest for this the third in the shows about bullying is Gae Polisner, perhaps half author and half mermaid, she first appeared on “A Book and a Chat” as one of the Class of 2K11 with her great YA novel ”The Pull Of Gravity”.
The book has since that time gone from strength to strength with some wonderful reviews on Amazon, today though Gae joined me to talk about “bullying’.
For much of her time at High School, Gae was bullied pretty much on a daily basis, while hard to remember the details of the how’s and whys she knows that she did NOT deserve it.
Despite many issues with both verbal and physical bullying, Gae’s view is…
“If you are suffering, if you are being bullied, even if no one is doing what they should to STOP those bullies: it DOES GET BETTER.** And, SOONER than you think!
There comes a point in your life where you not only DON’T FEEL HURT OR ANGRY OR BROKEN anymore, but you DON’T EVEN CARE about those moments. If anything, you look back at them as something that made you STRONGER, and a more compassionate person. Good qualities, mind you, that will serve you well later in life."
Gae is also a supporter of “Stand For the Silent” (https://www.facebook.com/SFTSorg) on Facebook “Empowering youth to stand above bullying.”.. Please check them out.
On the writing front “The Pull of Gravity” was named a Bank Street College Best Children's book, 2012, a PSLA Best YA book for 2011, and won a 2011 Nerdy Award for Best YA Fiction. It was also a YALSA Readers' Choice and CYBIL's nominee.
Gae’s second book “The Summer of Letting Go” will be out next year and I hope to have her back on the program to discuss what I am sure will be another hit for this talented author and caring lady.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Gae Polisner"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Gae Polisner - Pull of Gravity"
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
The book has since that time gone from strength to strength with some wonderful reviews on Amazon, today though Gae joined me to talk about “bullying’.
For much of her time at High School, Gae was bullied pretty much on a daily basis, while hard to remember the details of the how’s and whys she knows that she did NOT deserve it.
Despite many issues with both verbal and physical bullying, Gae’s view is…
“If you are suffering, if you are being bullied, even if no one is doing what they should to STOP those bullies: it DOES GET BETTER.** And, SOONER than you think!
There comes a point in your life where you not only DON’T FEEL HURT OR ANGRY OR BROKEN anymore, but you DON’T EVEN CARE about those moments. If anything, you look back at them as something that made you STRONGER, and a more compassionate person. Good qualities, mind you, that will serve you well later in life."
Gae is also a supporter of “Stand For the Silent” (https://www.facebook.com/SFTSorg) on Facebook “Empowering youth to stand above bullying.”.. Please check them out.
On the writing front “The Pull of Gravity” was named a Bank Street College Best Children's book, 2012, a PSLA Best YA book for 2011, and won a 2011 Nerdy Award for Best YA Fiction. It was also a YALSA Readers' Choice and CYBIL's nominee.
Gae’s second book “The Summer of Letting Go” will be out next year and I hope to have her back on the program to discuss what I am sure will be another hit for this talented author and caring lady.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest on today's show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Gae Polisner"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Gae Polisner - Pull of Gravity"
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
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with K.M.Walton
K.M.Walton, or rather “Kate”, describes herself on twitter as…”Author, reader, lover of Napoleon Dynamite, broccoli and kindness… KINDNESS ALWAYS WINS!”
From today’s interview in which we discussed her books weaved around bullying, the kindness art is plain to see, in fact she gives school presentations on the topic "The Power of Human Kindness".
Always having a yearning to be a teacher, practicing that role with her three sisters when growing up, the dream turned into reality when she became a middle school language arts teacher and teaching coach, teaching for twelve years before becoming a full time author. Kate is passionate about education and ending peer bullying.
Though Kate is the co-author of “Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking”, a book for mathematics teachers K – 8, it is her two novel s “Cracked” and “Empty” that have put this Farrah Fawcett firmly on the literary map.
About “Cracked” : (taken from authors web site)
Victor hates his life. He's relentlessly bullied at school and his parents ridicule him for not being perfect. He's tired of being weak, so he takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills -- only to wake up in the hospital.
Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. He's the opposite of weak. And he's tired of his grandfather's drunken beatings, so he tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.
When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, things go from bad to worse. Until they discover they just might have something in common: a reason to live.
Described as “unrelenting look at the corrosive effects of bullying, sometimes coming from where one would least expect it… crackling with emotional intensity from beginning to end."
Cracked was soon followed by Kate’s second novel “Empty”.
About “Empty”: (taken from authors web site)
Dell is relentlessly teased about her weight, and she’s devastated when a tender moment with her long-time crush turns violent. Distraught and isolated after the attack, Dell’s depression—and life—spins out of control.
Finding that food no longer eases her pain, Dell turns to her mother’s prescription pain pills. But what starts as a quick fix rapidly escalates. How far will Dell go to make the loneliness, the self-loathing, the heartbreak, the shame, and the name-calling stop?
One reviewer described “Empty” thus…
Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.
A third book is already in the editing stage, and I hope to have Kate back on the future show to discuss what I am sure will continue to be her success as an author.
As I stated at the beginning of this blog, one of Kate’s sayings is “Kindness Always Wins” and from her school presentations and within her books that is something that is something she is sharing with all.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today's first show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with K.M.Walton
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with K.M.Walton
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"K.M.Walton"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"K.M.Walton - "
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
From today’s interview in which we discussed her books weaved around bullying, the kindness art is plain to see, in fact she gives school presentations on the topic "The Power of Human Kindness".
Always having a yearning to be a teacher, practicing that role with her three sisters when growing up, the dream turned into reality when she became a middle school language arts teacher and teaching coach, teaching for twelve years before becoming a full time author. Kate is passionate about education and ending peer bullying.
Though Kate is the co-author of “Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking”, a book for mathematics teachers K – 8, it is her two novel s “Cracked” and “Empty” that have put this Farrah Fawcett firmly on the literary map.
About “Cracked” : (taken from authors web site)
Victor hates his life. He's relentlessly bullied at school and his parents ridicule him for not being perfect. He's tired of being weak, so he takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills -- only to wake up in the hospital.
Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. He's the opposite of weak. And he's tired of his grandfather's drunken beatings, so he tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.
When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, things go from bad to worse. Until they discover they just might have something in common: a reason to live.
Described as “unrelenting look at the corrosive effects of bullying, sometimes coming from where one would least expect it… crackling with emotional intensity from beginning to end."
Cracked was soon followed by Kate’s second novel “Empty”.
About “Empty”: (taken from authors web site)
Dell is relentlessly teased about her weight, and she’s devastated when a tender moment with her long-time crush turns violent. Distraught and isolated after the attack, Dell’s depression—and life—spins out of control.
Finding that food no longer eases her pain, Dell turns to her mother’s prescription pain pills. But what starts as a quick fix rapidly escalates. How far will Dell go to make the loneliness, the self-loathing, the heartbreak, the shame, and the name-calling stop?
One reviewer described “Empty” thus…
Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.
A third book is already in the editing stage, and I hope to have Kate back on the future show to discuss what I am sure will continue to be her success as an author.
As I stated at the beginning of this blog, one of Kate’s sayings is “Kindness Always Wins” and from her school presentations and within her books that is something that is something she is sharing with all.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today's first show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with K.M.Walton
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with K.M.Walton
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"K.M.Walton"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"K.M.Walton - "
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
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Patty Blount
Starting today I have six shows which cover bullying, be it authors who have written about the subject or people that have been involved in the subject, some like Patty Blount my guest on today’s show covers both writers and those affected by bullying.
The government web site stopbullying.gov defines bullying as…
“Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.”
It is as most of us know a lot more than that, within a work place, a marriage or in daily lives bullying affects both young and old.
Patty was not only share with us how her own life was affected by bullying in the work place but also how her own sons issues of being bullied and then being accused of being a bully lead to her writing her first book “Send”.
As Patty says in her own words… (Taken from Jeanbooknerd.com) :
People often wonder how I got the idea for SEND and why I wrote it from the bully’s perspective. The answer to this question is a complicated one – actually, it is an answer with several parts that converged into what would ultimately become Dan Ellison’s story.
First, let me tell you about my son. When my oldest boy, Rob, was in sixth grade, he broke down in tears one gloomy night in April and told me he no longer wanted to live. To say I was surprised would be the biggest understatement in history. Turns out, he’d been the victim of bullies since the term began the previous September. I had no clue he was being tormented. I had no idea he was even unhappy. He was twelve years old and suffering through an early puberty. His classmates tormented him over his body hair, his acne, his deep voice and made him feel so freakish, he actually believed he was not normal. We got him help and spoke to his teachers and principal and my son finished out the year with no further incidents. He’s now in college but his scars are deep.
The second contributing factor occurred the following year, when Rob was in seventh grade. I’d left the house early one Saturday morning to run errands with my youngest son in tow. Rob was still sleeping when I left. When I returned to my house, I saw some guy hanging by his fingertips from my living room window. This guy turned out to be the older and very muscular brother of a classmate who claimed Rob was now bullying him. He came over to ‘talk some sense into him,’ which – judging by his confrontational demeanor – was code for ‘see how he likes it.’
I’ve been a parent for a long time now and I KNOW most of us are oblivious to our kids’ shortcomings and faults. I have seen so much denial in my life but trust me on this – the word ‘disbelief’ doesn’t even come close to describing my reaction. How could the same boy in so much pain barely a year earlier turn around and cause that same pain in someone else? Near as I was able to determine, since the child would not directly address us, Rob intimidated this child without meaning to. Rob is large: by sixth grade, he was shaving, had reached five foot nine inches tall, which put him about a foot and a half higher than most of his classmates. What he thought was fooling around or playing was perceived as something entirely different by this boy. Judging by the depth of Rob’s guilt after hearing the accusations from this boy’s family, I have to believe he never meant to intimidate or threaten anybody.
“Send” has received many plaudits and wonderful reviews from people of all ages, and I am sure has helped many who can relate to what the story is about.
About “Send” (taken from Amazon):
All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible. This is his last chance at a semi–normal life. Nobody here knows who he is. Or what he's done. But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight. Because Dan knows what it's like to be terrorized by a bully—he used to be one.
Now the whole school thinks he's some kind of hero—except Julie. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn't really Daniel...
Since this debut book Patty has written two more novels, both involving teen/tween issues, and I look forward to having Patty back as a guest in December when we can discuss these other books as well as what has anything else we can find to talk about.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today's first show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Patty Blount
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Patty Blount
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Patty Blount"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Patty Blount - Send"
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
The government web site stopbullying.gov defines bullying as…
“Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.”
It is as most of us know a lot more than that, within a work place, a marriage or in daily lives bullying affects both young and old.
Patty was not only share with us how her own life was affected by bullying in the work place but also how her own sons issues of being bullied and then being accused of being a bully lead to her writing her first book “Send”.
As Patty says in her own words… (Taken from Jeanbooknerd.com) :
People often wonder how I got the idea for SEND and why I wrote it from the bully’s perspective. The answer to this question is a complicated one – actually, it is an answer with several parts that converged into what would ultimately become Dan Ellison’s story.
First, let me tell you about my son. When my oldest boy, Rob, was in sixth grade, he broke down in tears one gloomy night in April and told me he no longer wanted to live. To say I was surprised would be the biggest understatement in history. Turns out, he’d been the victim of bullies since the term began the previous September. I had no clue he was being tormented. I had no idea he was even unhappy. He was twelve years old and suffering through an early puberty. His classmates tormented him over his body hair, his acne, his deep voice and made him feel so freakish, he actually believed he was not normal. We got him help and spoke to his teachers and principal and my son finished out the year with no further incidents. He’s now in college but his scars are deep.
The second contributing factor occurred the following year, when Rob was in seventh grade. I’d left the house early one Saturday morning to run errands with my youngest son in tow. Rob was still sleeping when I left. When I returned to my house, I saw some guy hanging by his fingertips from my living room window. This guy turned out to be the older and very muscular brother of a classmate who claimed Rob was now bullying him. He came over to ‘talk some sense into him,’ which – judging by his confrontational demeanor – was code for ‘see how he likes it.’
I’ve been a parent for a long time now and I KNOW most of us are oblivious to our kids’ shortcomings and faults. I have seen so much denial in my life but trust me on this – the word ‘disbelief’ doesn’t even come close to describing my reaction. How could the same boy in so much pain barely a year earlier turn around and cause that same pain in someone else? Near as I was able to determine, since the child would not directly address us, Rob intimidated this child without meaning to. Rob is large: by sixth grade, he was shaving, had reached five foot nine inches tall, which put him about a foot and a half higher than most of his classmates. What he thought was fooling around or playing was perceived as something entirely different by this boy. Judging by the depth of Rob’s guilt after hearing the accusations from this boy’s family, I have to believe he never meant to intimidate or threaten anybody.
“Send” has received many plaudits and wonderful reviews from people of all ages, and I am sure has helped many who can relate to what the story is about.
About “Send” (taken from Amazon):
All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible. This is his last chance at a semi–normal life. Nobody here knows who he is. Or what he's done. But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight. Because Dan knows what it's like to be terrorized by a bully—he used to be one.
Now the whole school thinks he's some kind of hero—except Julie. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn't really Daniel...
Since this debut book Patty has written two more novels, both involving teen/tween issues, and I look forward to having Patty back as a guest in December when we can discuss these other books as well as what has anything else we can find to talk about.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today's first show about bullying on Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Patty Blount
Barry
Direct link to the show
Bullying - A Book and a Chat with Patty Blount
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Patty Blount"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Patty Blount - Send"
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
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Saturday, August 3, 2013
A Book and a Chat with Polly Holyoke
Today is another one hour special as I chat with another member of the debut YA and Midgrade authors from the class of 2K13. Polly Holyoke is my guest, and when you can write about many of the things you love around a subject you feel strongly about the outcome is bound to be a great book, and so it is with Polly’s debut novel “The Neptune Project”.
Polly has been imagining stories since she was in fifth grade and when she isn't writing, she loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert, though she did once get herself bitten by a rattlesnake.
When it came to “The Neptune Project” it really helped that she had done quite a bit of scuba diving over the years. Those she has never lived by the sea, she has spent enough hours under the waves to be able to describe some of the basics—like light, visibility and currents as well as hours and hours reading books on oceanography and articles by avid divers.
About “The Neptune Project” : (Taken from the authors web site)
With her weak eyes and useless lungs that often leave her gasping for air, Nere feels more at home swimming with the dolphins her mother studies than she does hanging out with her classmates. Nere has never understood why she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water than on land until the day she learns the shocking truth—she is one of a group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean. These products of the "Neptune Project" are supposed to build a better future under the waves, safe from the terrible famines and wars and that rock the surface world.
But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her fellow mutates must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive.
Fierce battle and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friend race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure.
As one reviewer put it...
I loved this book! I can't wait to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book to children and adults. I bought a copy for the ten year old boy that I nanny for, he read it in one day and immediately asked if there was a sequel yet. He's an avid reader and he loved it! I bought another copy for my 11 year old niece, can't wait to give it to her! I will let you know what she thinks.
The characters were great, and the book is packed with adventure from start to finish. I can picture it all on the big screen!
The book is one of those that appeals to both girls and boys, young and old and I highly recommend it to all.
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 Polly Holyoke
Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Polly Holyoke
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Polly Holyoke"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Polly Holyoke - The Neptune Project"
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
Polly has been imagining stories since she was in fifth grade and when she isn't writing, she loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert, though she did once get herself bitten by a rattlesnake.
When it came to “The Neptune Project” it really helped that she had done quite a bit of scuba diving over the years. Those she has never lived by the sea, she has spent enough hours under the waves to be able to describe some of the basics—like light, visibility and currents as well as hours and hours reading books on oceanography and articles by avid divers.
About “The Neptune Project” : (Taken from the authors web site)
With her weak eyes and useless lungs that often leave her gasping for air, Nere feels more at home swimming with the dolphins her mother studies than she does hanging out with her classmates. Nere has never understood why she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water than on land until the day she learns the shocking truth—she is one of a group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean. These products of the "Neptune Project" are supposed to build a better future under the waves, safe from the terrible famines and wars and that rock the surface world.
But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her fellow mutates must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive.
Fierce battle and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friend race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure.
As one reviewer put it...
I loved this book! I can't wait to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book to children and adults. I bought a copy for the ten year old boy that I nanny for, he read it in one day and immediately asked if there was a sequel yet. He's an avid reader and he loved it! I bought another copy for my 11 year old niece, can't wait to give it to her! I will let you know what she thinks.
The characters were great, and the book is packed with adventure from start to finish. I can picture it all on the big screen!
The book is one of those that appeals to both girls and boys, young and old and I highly recommend it to all.
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 Polly Holyoke
Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Polly Holyoke
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Polly Holyoke"
You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Polly Holyoke - The Neptune Project"
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
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