A Book and a Chat with Wendy Wax

Back in June 2009, Wendy Wax came on my show as one of my first guests, at the time she was just releasing her new book “The Accidental Bestseller” a book that firmly put her name on the “must read” list. Since then she has had a further hit with “Magnolia Wednesdays” and now with what already looks like another smash hit for this great author “Ten Beach Road”

Wendy is a native of Florida which enables the settings of her book to be not only believable but enables her with the skill for creating such believable characters, enable you to almost feel the gentle wind and hear the lapping of the waves as you read the book. So saying “Ten Beach Road” is not some book about the beach, summer tans and drinking ice cold martini’s, far from it.

About Ten Beach Road: (taken from “You’ve Gotta Read This blog”)

Three women, who are complete strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They've all been financially decimated by a Ponzi scheme shyster, and have been left with nothing but a three-way ownership in a ramshackle mansion on the Florida gulf shore beach of Pass-a-Grille.

Bonded by a common goal, the women decide to use a little elbow grease, along with the grumpy (but alas, handsome) contractor to bring Bella Flora back to its previous grandeur. But this isn't a summer of tans and strawberry daiquiris. It's about the most labor intensive work they've ever done, and about digging deep into their own souls to work through all their personal demons. In addition to being broke, the women worry through their family problems, lost loved ones, failed relationships, and secrets they keep from each other. Secrets that threaten to destroy the fellowship and trust they have established.

But in the spirit of their mission, the women hold steadfast to one tradition. At the end of every back-breaking day, they watch the sunset, eat Cheez Doodles, have a drink and praise "one good thing" that happened that day. Never underestimate the power of friendship and a stiff margarita

As Wendy shared with us, the success of this book has already meant that the planned next creation has been put on the back shelf while she has written a follow up to “Ten Beach Road” called “Ocean Beach” which should be out in July 2012, so not long to wait for Wendy’s the many fans.

I’ll leave the final word to a reviewer of “Ten Beach Road”

“Wow! Wendy Wax has earned herself a spot at the top of my awesome authors list! She is a fantabulous author with terrific writing skills. She really blew me away with her characters, her wit, and her plot line. It is wonderful book to get lost in to past a beautiful summer day with... (Molly Edwards)”

Molly, I am sure Wendy is at the top of many other readers “awesome” list and will be for many years to come.

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 Wendy Wax

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Wendy Wax

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Wendy Wax"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Wendy Wax - Ten Beach Road"

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 Mary Carter

Mary Carter is my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat”. She started writing at the age of four, with her first story being, The Boy and the Mouse. Then in third grade she won a story-writing contest, this time her work was about a boy and a muskrat. I’m sure there must be some deep underlining reason for this early creativity around boys and rodents that would fill pages on a psychiatrist’s report…

From this early start Mary went on to graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology A background that has definitely helped her in her writing process.

In 2004 Mary decided she wanted to write a book after years of essays, letters, journals, poems, plays, and a screenplay the result of which was her first novel “She’ll Take It” a story about Melanie Zeitgar. Aspiring actress-turned-bored temp. The Queen of Divine Quips… And a total kleptomaniac. For Mel, stealing is a lot like love: she knows the right thing when she sees it...

This was followed by “Accidently Engaged”, “Sunny Side Blues” and “My Sisters Voice”. All covering different subjects yet penned with the same style, characterization and wonderful storyline that keeps her readers asking for more.
Mary’s latest book is called “The Pub Across the Pond” , Mary says about this latest book…

“Like Carlene Rivers, the main character in The Pub Across the Pond, I’ve always had a fascination with Ireland. I was also dating an Irishman at the time. And hanging out a lot in an Irish pub. I used to see advertisements for the contest Guinness used to run to ‘Win a pub in Ireland’. Basically it was a wish-fulfillment project, how amazing I always thought to just pack up your life and go run a pub in Ireland. So cool. I guess I’m always jealous, so I funnel it through my writing."

Amongst the comments made by readers of this great book is the fact that it is not your “typical Irish romance novel”, you know… big castle on the hill, etc, etc. It is a story written about Irish people, their humor and magic, friendliness including depth and warmth of their hearts and loyalties as a community.

About “The Pub Across the Pond”:

Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she's living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The prize: a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.

As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten, not just by the town's beguiling mix of ancient and modern but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near GalwayBay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges--from a meddling neighbor to the pub's colorful regulars--there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories and, in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub's charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart--and her luck--for the very first time.

It is a book that all will enjoy, and will touch your heart bringing a smile to your lips and a tear to your eye.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Mary Carter"... I even managed to find the clip of me singing that I promised during the show... well sort of singing...Barry singing Gypsy Rover

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Mary Carter - The Pub Across the Pond"

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 Helen Laibach

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is Helen Laibach, always interested in writing she eventually graduated in psychology.

She quickly realized that her plans to be a “Marriage, child, and family counselor” did not suit her temperament. So instead she began a family and chose a more satisfying career as an executive assistant. Helen is an avid reader and very talented nature photographer.

She wrote her debut book “A Soul Less Broken” over eleven years ago, though after the days of rejections both in having the book published and getting an agent, the book, then under another name laid on the shelf.

This was not forgotten by her son who at least once a year asked his mother “So Mom, when are you going to publish your book?”

As times change and publishing with the development of e-books and the internet independent publishing has become much easier and much more common and that was the route she decided to take.

About “A Soul Less Broken”:

It's about the struggles and triumphs of the main character Catherine, as she recovers from being brutally attacked and left for dead.

She falls in love with the emergency room physician who treats her, but quickly realizes that she is so emotionally scarred from the attack that her only choice is to push away the one man who truly loves her.

Then just when her life is finally beginning to heal, she learns that her dearest friend has terminal cancer. So it's about love, loss, the enduring strength of friendship between women, and the power of love.

At the end of the day, love really can overcome anything.

As “Pacific Book Reviews” put it…

"... In Laibach's skillful hands, the psychological impacts are brought home in a frightening way. Its characters will touch readers at a deep level. Yes, this book is also a love story, but certainly not in the conventional sense. It will haunt you long after you turn the final page..."

As we learned during the show, a follow up novel “A Soul to be Forgiven” is already underway and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from this talented author.

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Helen Laibach"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Helen Laibach"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Helen Laibach - A Soul Less Broken"

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 Becky Due

Becky Due, stopped by tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” as my special guest.

She is becoming a voice in woman’s fiction with her courage, honesty and writing style for today’s busy women, that does not cringe away from hard issues.

It was not always like that for her, as we learned during a very interesting show, a lot of what she writes about are from her own life story, one that I hope someday she put in a biography for us all to read.

After extensive training at Victim Services, worked the 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis-Line and was a Victim's Advocate where she offered one-on-one assistance and support to rape victims. She found herself running away once too often and decided to put down and start writing. The resulting four novels and children’s book, not only show the talent of her writing, but also how she is able to write novels which teach as well as entertain.

From her first book “The Gentleman’s Club” through the multi award nominated “Touchable Love” Becky has with her passion, writing, has been able to use her own experiences to share a common bond with many other woman.
This is even more evident in her novel “Returning Injury, A Suspense Celebrating Women's Strength” which touches on stalking.

Her books always celebrate the fun, strength and independence of women, because she believes women are fun, strong and should always maintain independence.
This is very evident in her latest book “The Dumpster” a book which I enjoyed myself, laughing out loud at several points in the book.

About “The Dumpster”:

One Woman’s Search for Love is a Contemporary Romance Novel set in Miami, Florida about Nicole, a cute, chubby, twenty-something woman, who is looking for love in all the wrong places. Who would have guessed that a dumpster in the back alley below her bedroom window would hold the key to finding love?

I am also looking forward to perhaps a follow up to her children’s book “Blue the Bird on Flying” yet another string to the bow of this talented author

So sit back and listen to today's thoroughly entertaining show as I host today's "A Book and a Chat with Becky Due".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Becky Due".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Becky Due"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
Becky Due - The Dumpster

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 W Richards

Stopping by for a chat today is David W Richards a member of the Canadian Authors Association and beyond being a novelist also a script-doctor and freelance writer. His book “PAIRS” is engaging and hilarious like a cross between Sex & the City and The Celestine Prophesy.

Unlike many authors he did not want to be a writer from early on, in fact was a bit of a class clown while at school, instead he got his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and then took up accountancy.

The writing bug eventually bit with the result being his debut novel “PAIRS” a book that has been labeled “Woman’s Fiction”.

When asked why women’s fiction? his very short answser was: why not?

A less short answer is that he didn’t know that I had written a women’s fiction novel.

A slightly longer answer is...

Publishers and agents insist on knowing your genre since they often specialize in specific categories and have established networks and promotional templates. It wasn’t until after writing ‘Pairs’, that he began to think about readership, and he recognized everything had fallen into place for the story to be classified as a work of women’s fiction.

So what about PAIRS?

PAIRS is the story of Kayley and Adam, a single mom who makes her living writing greeting cards and a young carpenter; and Alexandra and Henry, a former stripper with dual identities and a math teacher with some unusual gender issues. The couples are connected through Henry and Adam, who are cousins, and through Kayley’s friend Helen, who is also Henry’s step-sister. As each couple builds a connection, the joint friendship turns into family. Kayley’s daughter, Terra, becomes a central focus of both relationships; she is loved and nurtured by the village that the couples create.

With the tightening of the bond between the couples, the mission for the pairs—which begins and ends with Kayley—turns to parenthood for Henry and Alexandra. The story weaves the elements of past sexual abuse, sexual dysfunction, problem pregnancies, and absolute devotion to family into a plot that draws the reader into the lives of these very unconventional characters...

We learned that this is not the end of the some of the characters in PAIRS, that David’s favorite character Alexandra will be the thread that will be there to lead the reader through several future books.

So sit back and listen to today's thoroughly entertaining show as I host today's "A Book and a Chat with David W Richards".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with David W Richards".

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

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"David W Richards - Pairs"

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