A Book and a Chat with Donna (Cygnet) Brown

Author Donna "Cygnet" Brown or as the name she writes under “Cygnet Brown” was interested in writing from an early age, but as with many of us life overtook her creative talents. Many years later and during some difficult times Donna found the creative muse calling her again.

With this renewed passion, she wrote her first book in The Locket Saga: When God Turned His Head. She also began writing articles for Mother Earth News, Ehow, Busika, info barrel, and Hubpages.

About “The Locket Saga”

“When God Turned His Head”:

Beautiful Drusilla was in love with Kanter Thorton but to protect him she was forced to marry another man. After years of abuse her husband is poisoned and all eyes are on her as the likely suspect. Only Kanter and a young lawyer named John Adams believe she is innocent. Discover what it took for Drusilla to truly be set free in this drama set in the backdrop of Post-Puritan/Pre-Revolutionary War Boston

The Locket Saga continues with book two “Soldiers Don’t Cry” daughter Elizabeth wears the locket.

Despite Elizabeth’s patriotic loyalties, she falls in love with a British officer. As young children, Elizabeth Thorton and Philip Randolph met in the frontier of Western Pennsylvania in 1763. For years, the Atlantic Ocean separated them, but now years later, the conflict brewing between the British Empire and the American colonies brought them back together. What is it that keeps Phillip from remembering his childhood and how is it the key to his and Elizabeth’s love for one another?

With book three already underway this historical romance series looks to be one many will follow.

As one reviewer put it…

Descriptive and well written i found myself unable to put it down. The characters were likable, Elizabeth is my favorite. Her passion for what she believed in overriding everything else. The conflicted romance between Elizabeth and Philip kept me hooked all the way through wanting to know how they could overcome it. A very enjoyable book, i will definitely be reading more from this author.

I think many will be reading more of Donna “Cygnet” Brown

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 Donna (Cygnet) Brown

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Donna (Cygnet) Brown

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Donna (Cygnet) Brown "

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Donna (Cygnet) Brown - When God Turned His head"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

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A Book and a Chat with Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis was introduced to me by my son Andrew who handed my one of her books one day and told me “Dad you need to get this lady on your show” and I am really glad I did.

Lauren  is described in Wikipedia as “an author of children's books, with several series of fiction and historical works found in thousands of libraries and translated into several languages” but she is so much more than that.

She the author of the critically acclaimed Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree, a Golden Kite honor book for fiction and Oprah book club pick, and the sequel Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love. Books that are on many state lists and are often used by schools as part of anti-bully programs.

When not writing she is the  editorial director for language arts at Scholastic, and the editor of Storyworks magazine, an award-winning language arts magazine for children in grades 3-5 and also oversees Scope magazine, a language arts magazine for middle-schoolers. Circulation of these two magazines alone is over a million.

To my mind however the her greatest gift to young readers has been her “I Survived” series,  fast-paced historical fiction for kids of all ages each one focusing on a historical disaster from the perspective of a boy who lived to tell the tale.

And all this from a person who struggled with severe reading issues throughout  middle school.

There are so many books to share that Lauren has written it has been hard for me to find one for the”about this book” part of the blog but I have chosen my sons favorite.

About “I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 (taken from authors web site)

Nothing is more important to Lucas than football, but when he gets his third concussion, his parents decide it’s too dangerous for him to keep playing his favorite game. He is sure his Uncle Benny will convince his parents to change their minds, and he skips school to find Benny at the firehouse where he works. But then a terrible attack happens in New York City, and Lucas is caught in the center of one of the most terrifying days in modern American history.

Lauren states she wrote this book after getting thousands of requests from readers, and it has become the most popular I Survived book yet.

With more books already under way including one that I believe to be very important (you will have to listen to the show to find out why) these books are a must for children 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 Tarshis

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Lauren Tarshis - I Survived Series"

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 Josepth Brady

When Miami-based author Joseph Brady, wrote his first novel, "The Zurich Decision", he set it in Switzerland - even though he'd never set foot in the country. Then his wife was offered a job there, and fiction turned into reality

That is what we learned in an enjoyable “A Book and a Chat with Joseph Brady”

Joseph Brady is an American author who was born in Phoenix, Arizona and after working nearly ten years in the pharmaceutical industry, this multilingual author moved to the location of his debut book “The Zurich Decision” .

The reason he chose it as the prime location for the novel was because of its links to the pharmaceutical industry, however book like Joseph covers much of the world, an international thriller in the James Bond mode, with many interesting characters, including a Russian assassin.

About “The Zurich Decision”: (taken from Amazon)

Throughout his life, Chief Financial Officer Stephen Kastner was an honest man who helped run one of Europe’s most important pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, when his organization’s CEO deceitfully tells Stephen that he’ll be helping humanity by firming financing for the research of a new medicinal molecule, Stephen makes a dishonest business decision. His task is simply to arrange alternate financing for the research of this new drug. Unbeknownst to him, however, this new molecule is also highly addictive and potentially fatal. Stephen quickly learns that his decision was about more than medicine when his CEO orders him to organize a business meeting with an Iranian crime lord and a prominent Tokyo mafia boss. As the Zurich winter approaches, Stephen begins to regret his actions. Nonetheless, when one of his employees is murdered, Stephen realizes that it is too late to turn back.

As the business plan that Stephen inadvertently helped create begins to unfold, people around the world are dying from the illegal drug. In addition, the Russian assassin who murdered Stephen’s employee is now hunting him. While the mysterious compound gains popularity worldwide, Stephen finds his company under investigation by Interpol and the DEA. His life begins to unravel before his eyes. But it isn’t until an unimaginable personal tragedy occurs that Stephen must face the most horrific consequences of his actions. As a result of this event, he is forced to make one of the most important choices of his life as he attempts to lead himself on a potentially fatal path of redemption to stop the dreadful compound that he unwittingly helped create.

Though his debut book, Joseph already is building up a following, with a second novel already being penned  the name Josepth Brady will be one to look for on book shelves.

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 Joseph Brady

Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Joseph Brady

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Joseph Brady"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Joseph Brady - The Zurich Decision"

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 Heywood Gould

It is a big welcome back to the show  for screenwriter, journalist, novelist and film director Heywood Gould. Haywood's screenplays read like a who's who of  film masterpieces including “Boys from Brazil”, “Fort Apache, The Bronx", "Cocktail", “Double Bang” and "Rolling Thunder”. He has also directed films such as One Good Cop, Trial by Jury, Mistrial and Double Bang.

When last on the show we chatted about his novels,  "Leading Lady," which was a finalist for the 2008 Dashiell Hammett and Foreword Magazine awards for literary excellence in crime writing and a bronze medal winner for the Independent Book Publisher's Award, and his then latest novel "The Serial Killer’s Daughter”.

 Now Heywood is back with a new character, and new book and the promise of a new series.

"Green Light for Murder" is described as a thriller in which we are introduced to Detective Tommy Veasy, and is the first in a planned series.  It is however that and so much more a "witty thriller is filled with his inside knowledge of the backstabbing, cutthroat, libidinous one-upmanship of the film industry".

As one reviewer described It... "It's the most deliciously biting and wickedly inspired Hollywood satire to come around the pike since Budd Schulberg."

About Green Light for Murder: (taken from "The Big Thrill" blog)

Having been suspended for beating up a suspect in a 10-year-old girl’s murder, Veasy is back on the force, much to the displeasure of police chief George Jonas. In between solving cases, Veasy ad-libs bad poetry and smokes weed. Meanwhile, washed-up director Jay Braffner (aka the Madman) is devising inventive ways of murdering various producers who have stolen his ideas and derailed his career, and he’s also directing an imaginary, and admiring, film crew while he does it.

As stated "Green Light for Murder" is the first in the Detective Tommy Veasy Mystery series, with book two all ready underway and several more being planned I can see Veasy becoming a series many will enjoy and "Green Light for Murder" another hit for today's guest "Heywood Gould".


So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Heywood Gould "

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Heywood Gould".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Heywood Gould"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Heywood Gould - Green Light for Murder"

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 Dina von Lowenkraft

Despite a storm causing severe program interruptions during tonight’s show, my guest Dina von Lowenkraft managed to get through the show and towards the end without line interruption. Mind you, the fact that Dina is in Belgium and it was gone midnight there, alone was a challenge, but in the end the show was well worth getting through.

Dina was born in the US and has lived on 4 continents, worked as a graphic artist for television and as a consultant in the fashion industry before producing her first but I’m sure not last novel. The ability to create her own worlds and share them with the reader is helped by her being a black belt in Karate and a keen horse rider. In her debut YA fantasy novel “Dragon Fire” Dina is able to paint with words the land and the characters that merge together to make a “must read” debut novel.

About “Dragon Fire “:  (taken from Amazon)

Some choices are hard to live with.
But some choices will kill you.

When seventeen-year-old Anna first meets Rakan in her hometown north of the Arctic Circle, she is attracted to his pulsing energy. Unaware that he is a shape-shifting dragon, Anna is drawn into a murderous cycle of revenge that pits Rakan and his clan against her best friend June.

Torn between his forbidden relationship with Anna, punishable by death, and restoring his family’s honor by killing June, Rakan must decide what is right. And what is worth living – or dying – for.

The story is set in arctic Norway which enables Dina to share a unique world where humans and dragons and other mythical creatures are the norm. She is able to introduce intriguing secondary characters in the book, which can only lead to further books from this “one to follow” author.

As one reviewer put it…

I was so involved when reading this book that I found myself caught up in the drama and splendor of this mystical realm. The characters were interesting and well defined and the story was interesting, exciting and entertaining.

I'm looking forward to reading her next book!
Reviewer… me too!!!

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 Dina von Lowenkraft

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Dina von Lowenkraft

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Dina von Lowenkraft"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Dina von Lowenkraft - Dragon Fire"

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 Shamron Moore

Today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat” is Shamron Moore (Shamron is a name is Israeli origin.).
Shamron left her home state of Michigan for Los Angeles in 2000 to pursue her showbiz aspirations. She quickly found success in international publications as well as nationally syndicated commercials. After numerous television and film appearances and being voted as one of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World, she left the industry to focus on writing, one of her lifelong passions.

They say write about what you know and in Shamron’s debut book “Hollywood Strip” she uses many of her own showbiz experiences making good her own dream of leaving Michigan hometown for the bright lights of Hollywood. Where for almost eight years, she worked as a model and actress, appearing in national commercials, international publications, TV shows, and feature films including "Zombie Strippers" with Robert Englund and Jenna Jameson.

Hollywood Strip gives readers a first-hand account of what goes on behind the scenes, when the camera isn’t rolling. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors in the entertainment industry, and much of the goings-on are far from glamorous.

About Hollywood Strip:

Hollywood, CA - Callie Lambert is a small town girl from Michigan. Sexy, beautiful, ambitious, and bored, she decides to pack her bags and trade that boredom for the excitement of Los Angeles.

Auditioning in her free time and working as a waitress to pay her bills, Callie relentlessly pursues her big break, taking every opportunity that comes up. Through a series of dramatic and scandalous events, Callie finally hits the big time as the lead in the film Nympho Cheerleaders Attack! and it feels like everything is coming together for her–until she runs into betrayal, jealousy, love, and murder. Quickly, Callie finds out that life as a starlet on the rise is not nearly as glamorous as she once imagined.

HOLLYWOOD STRIP is intended as the first of a series, with book two already written and is a novel I think that all will enjoy.

As one reviewer stated about Hollywood Strip…

“Does for Hollywood what Sex and the City did for New York, and the Boulevard of Broken Dreams will never be the same. So hot the pages will singe your fingers.”

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 Shamron Moore

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Shamron Moore

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Shamron Moore"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Shamron Moore - Hollywood Strip"

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 Kristin Kuhns Alexandre

My guest on today’s "A Book and a Chat” is writer, journalist, newscaster, on-air reporter, executive film producer and author of her recently published book "Gem City Gypsy"… Kristin Kuhns Alexandre.

Kristin has been writing since she was a 16-year-old as a newspaper feature writer for The Kettering Oakwood Times in Dayton, Ohio. Her debut novel “Gem City Gypsy” is based on her graphic novel Nuncio and the Gypsy Girl in the Gilded Age (Runnymede Press). It is like an American version of Downton Abbey, based around her home town of Dayton, Ohio and the real story of America circa 1917-21.

About Gem City Gypsy:

The period between post-adolescence and adulthood – that time known as “coming of age” – can often be painful and confusing. For Neci Stans, a 19-year-old gypsy girl in pre-World War I Dayton, Ohio, the stakes are raised as she experiences first-hand an historic tragedy at sea and deadly bigotry at home.

In Kristin Kuhns Alexandre’s new novel GEM CITY GYPSY, Neci’s harrowing journey of self-discovery includes surviving the sinking of the Lusitania, witnessing the brutal murder of her master and mentor Lord Pool and facing down the ever-menacing Ku Klux Klan.

Alexandre first published Neci’s story in a graphic novel entitled NUNCIO AND THE GYPSY GIRL, which was narrated by an African Grey Parrot named Nuncio. The story is set on the eve of World War I in Dayton, which was regarded as the Silicon Valley of its day for its liveliness and industry. Neci, a strong-willed Gypsy princess, attempts to reinvent herself and move up socially. She wants to live a full, passionate life. She is in love with her childhood sweetheart, the aviator Ezra Crawford, who is ultimately engaged to the wealthy and beautiful Marlene Schiller. Ezra is also the son of Head Klansman Harold Crawford.

In 1915, celebrity writer Elbert and Alice Hubbard decide to make the Atlantic crossing on the Lusitania and Neci accompanies them as a servant, finding herself on deck when the ship is struck by a German torpedo. The Hubbards choose to go down with the ship, but Neci makes it to a lifeboat and survives. She spends two years as a housemaid to Lord Pool who schools her to be a proper lady. But Germans break into their Kinsale, Ireland home and murder her beloved master. Before Neci evacuates Ireland she steals Lord Pool’s lockbox filled with jewels and returns home under a false identity. Her life becomes more and more complicated; as she must confront her past and face the brutal stepfather she ultimately kills.

The book would understandably make a fantastic film something Kristin is eagerly pushing for. When you have reviews such as that from Vanity Fair shown below you can understand what a great book and hopefully film Gym City Gypsy is.

What a page turner! In breathless prose that's never less than highly entertaining, Kristin Alexandre takes her gypsy heroine on a dark journey from one rapacious benefactor to the next, until Neci Stans starts a rise to riches in the heart of the midwest that no reader will ever forget."--Michael Shnayerson, Contributing Editor, Vanity Fair

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 Kristin Kuhns Alexandre

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Kristin Kuhns Alexandre

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
Kristin Kuhns Alexandre

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Kristin Kuhns Alexandre - Gem City Gypsy"

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 Claire Glowen

My guest on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” was meant to be on a previous show, however owing to traffic issues on the way home from work, I had to cancel the show at the last minute. Thankfully I managed to find another slot and I am pleased to say Claire Glowen was able to be the guest on today’s show.

Claire is one of the three authors of “Death and Rising Through Human Flesh” a Christian Thriller/mystery.

Started by Walt March and the completed by Antony Sturdee and Clair the book was eight years in the making, but the end results have been well worth the wait.

In many ways this book reminds by of John Bunyan’s “A Pilgrims Progress” being  a mystic writing send their hero on a difficult mission: investigate the cruel double slayings and correct the mistakes made during his last years.

The book takes the reader along the mystery and thriller-esque path with frequent stops at the 173 poems (a couple of which Claire read on the program) that fill the pages along with pictures that tie the book and the feelings of the characters into a thought provoking novel.

Like “The Pilgrims Progress” the book is a good against evil that takes the reader deep within themselves and encourages them to look at their own life and how you should live it.

One paragraph that I read in a review stands out to me…

"Don't believe everything you hear - even if it comes from you personally. All the barriers and hurdles we face in our lives live inside of us. Break them down Your soul - your inner powers - are ageless. While alive you can always improve. Don't wait for better times; the best time is NOW"

About “Death and Rising Through Human Flesh”: (taken from Amazon)

The authors of this mystic writing send their hero on a difficult mission: investigate the cruel double slayings and correct the mistakes made during his last years.

He shares his past, present, and future views of the world as he experiences the criminal investigation. Some may find the hero’s perspective cruel, but the truth can't always be sweet.

For harmonization, the narration is supplemented with 173 poems and fourteen professional illustrations, which enhance the readers’ sensations.

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 Claire Glowen

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Claire Glowen

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Claire Glowen"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Claire Glowen - Death and Rising Are Through Human Flesh"

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 Stephen Beccia

Stephen John Beccia when previously on "A Book and a Chat" shared with us about his book “The Treelanders - Journey to the Giants” which was an award winner of iUniverse’s Publishers Choice, and Editor’s Choice. A musician for most his life, he started writing stories when he was ten, the first one being his version of Dr. Jekyll.


Stephen as well as his children's books also produces adult short stories, his list of novels and stories include Winter Chill, Seed of the Werewolf, White Room, Flying with Frank and Warning Sign.

Since last appearing on the show Stephen has produced a kindle version of “The Treelanders - Journey to the Giants”, and now a new novel entitled "The Hawk Squad".

About "The Hawk Squad": (taken from authors web site)

During the summer of 1977 while playing a friendly game of baseball, Dustin Baker gets himself into quite a pickle—a quandary involving his misfit friends, a brilliant hawk, and a distress note written by a girl they have never met. Throw some bad guys and bullies into the mix, and that’s one big fat pickle! 

The Willabee kidnapping is the biggest crime Dustin’s town has ever experienced, and he stands in the heart of the beast. Unknowingly, Dustin and the Hawk Squad are about to play the greatest game of baseball ever played, both on and off the field. 

The Hawk Squad is a fast paced story about a coming of age adolescent geek who finds the inner strength to triumph over one of life’s biggest challenges: being bullied. Unified with his group of misfit friends, Dustin Baker realizes he is not alone in his struggle against criminals at large. Despite taking his share of punches, jeers, and humility, a hero emerges to confront the biggest battle of his life.

As we heard through the program Stephen already has another four of the “Treelander” series on the way, with book two due out hopefully later this year.

So sit back and listen to today's interesting and entertaining show as I host "A Book and a Chat with Stephen Beccia".

If you enjoy these radio shows why not become a follower of the prgram at a A Book and a Chat

Barry

Direct link to the show

"A Book and a Chat with Stephen Beccia".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Stephen Beccia"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Stephen Beccia - The Hawk Squad"

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