A Book and a Chat with K. A. Barson

We have another one hour special on today’s “A Book and a Chat” as K.A.Barson or Kelly, a member of the Class of 2K13 is my guest. When you read about her addiction to peppermint chapstick and the fact she changes the color of her hair every 5/6 weeks you know that Kelly would be a great guest for “A Book and a Chat”.

Always a avid reader and writer, Kelly never thought that she could actually do it for a living, after all, wasn’t work something that was meant to be hard and boring, not getting paid to do something you liked?

In 2001 Kelly wrote her first novel, ignorant of the writing craft, it was at least the first steps down her literary road. This ignited the creative spark and she went on to learn the craft through various classes and groups and now not only is a writer but also teaches about writing as well, along the way winning several awards.

Her debut book “45 Pounds (more or less)" took five years to write, but the result has been well worth waiting for.

About “45 Pounds (more or less)”: (Taken from Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library on Amazon)

Sixteen-year-old Ann has a big problem. She has just two months to get into a bridesmaid dress for her Aunt Jackie's wedding. She needs to lose 45 pounds, which would be hard enough without the complications of a new job, a cute boy, a mean group of girls, and blended families that leave her caught in the middle-and left out. Her mother is obsessive about her own weight and as the summer wears on, Ann begins to see just how troubled her families are. 

Telling the story in Ann's wry, realistic voice, this debut author effectively captures society's preoccupation with size and the resulting alienation of an overweight teen. With a chain-smoking grandmother whose language is peppered with "fat-ass," relatives and friends who are slyly disparaging about her weight, and a mother who constantly prods her about dieting, the message could be heavy-handed. But Barson lightens the tone with almost cinematic humor, ensuring that even the most painful scenes have a slapstick edge.
The ticking clock behind the wedding deadline gives the story real momentum, and while the ending is all nuptial jubilation, it is also a realistic summer's end for Ann.

Already chosen as Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Teen Book of July, “45 Pounds (more or less) has been called “Deliciously relatable with a lot of laughter on the side.”  To me it is one of those “must reads” and I’m sure will be another large step down the literary road for K.A. Barson.

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

Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with K. A. Barson

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"K. A. Barson"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"K. A. Barson - 45 Pounds (more or less)"

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 Amy Fellner Dominy

Sometimes during the over 500 shows I have introduced there is a guest that my family, mainly my children pick up on and follow. When Amy Fellner Dominy previously appeared on the show as one of the Class of 2K11 YA authors with her debut book "OyMG", not only was the hour spent with Amy a totally fun show, but her book has become a firm favorite with my whole family, who have been waiting and perhaps pestering Amy for a follow up novel now with her new book "Audition & Subtraction", there wish has been granted, my daughter was also lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Amy's new book... WHICH THEY LOVED!

For those who do not remember “OyMG” here is a brief synopsis.

Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. After all, she’s been arguing with her Zeydeh (that’s grandfather in Yiddish) since she could talk. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she’s sure she can win the final tournament and a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot—literally. His name is Devon and whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she’s up for the challenge—until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship’s benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity be worth a shot at her dream?

While Amy’s books fit between middle grade and YA I can tell you from my own reading and from numerous other reviews that Amy’s books are for all ages.

About “Audition & Subtraction” (Taken from Amy’s web site)

Best friends Tatum and Lori are used to doing everything together—including a clarinet/flute duet for District Honor Band auditions. But all that changes when Michael transfers to their middle school, and into their band. Suddenly, not only is he competition for Tatum’s spot on stage, but he’s stealing Lori, too. Tatum is determined to stop him, and hold on to what she’s got. 

She enlists the help of her good friend, Aaron, but now he seems to believe her fib that they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. And her mom, to cope with a separation from her dad, is performing in Community Theater, of all things! Amy Fellner Dominy composes an equally heartwarming and hilarious story of how holding tight to what you have can keep you from reaching for your dreams—and how oftentimes the best way to move forward is by going solo.

While I can’t hear about band camp without thinking of the American Pie “One time at band camp…” it is a pleasure to see the people in this new book are “normal” not “Band Geeks” to them it’s just a another subject that is taught at school. Also it is great to see that though the parents are separated there is no, good or evil parent, it is like most divorced families that though separated the main aim of the parents was to support their children.  

The book covers many issues  from friendship to standing on your own two feet and being by Amy there is always humor, it is certainly a book that not just myself but my whole family can recommend.

 

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 Amy Fellner Dominy

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Amy Fellner Dominy"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Amy Fellner Dominy"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Amy Fellner Dominy - Audition and Subtraction"

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 Brenda Stanley

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

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

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

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

About “The Color of Snow”

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

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

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

As one reviewer put it…

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

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

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

Barry

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

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

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


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

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

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

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

A Book and a Chat with Corrine Jackson

Corrine Jackson and that is sounded “Cor-een” is one of the Class of 2K12 debut YA authors for this year, however in her case it’s not one book coming out this year but two.

Corrine wrote her first short story in second or third grade. Which she still has.. Oddly enough, it was about a girl whose best friend was being physically abused by her dad. That theme somehow made it into her first novel “Touched”, so maybe everything comes full circle?

She continued writing through her school year moving around a lot, she actually attended eleven different colleges, has earned bachelors and master’s degrees in English, and an MFA in Creative Writing. She is its lead to believe a dab hand in creating pies, cup cakes and the odd bowl of Mac and Cheese.

Along with a normal job and her educational studies Corinne now has produced two totally different books both of which are due to be launched in 2012.
“Touched” is the first book in a trilogy, the second already going through the editing stage with the third shortly to get underway.

About “Touched -Sense Thieves” (Taken from Corrine’s Web page)

Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.

Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies.

Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll becoming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.

As stated this is the first of what is a trilogy; however in the mean time her she has a debut novel coming out next month which is totally different to Touched.
In a way “IF I LIE” has somewhat a similar theme to “Touched” where a girl keeps a secret at great cost to herself. It is however a deeper book that covers the gray space between truth and perception.

About “If I Lie” (taken from Amazon):

Cheater. Traitor. Slut.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town.
But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and waits for Carey to come home.

Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.



As one reviewer put it…

"If I Lie" is easily one of the better written contemporary debuts I've come across this year, if not the best. It is powerful, thought-provoking, and is beautifully written. While it touches upon a variety of subjects and something or the other is constantly happening throughout the novel, at its core, it is a character-driven story like no other. I guess if I had to, I’d describe If I Lie as a cross between The Scarlet Letter and Speechless, but really, it is a novel that manages to hold its head high and stand all on its own, for although it covers a similar subject matter, it also covers so much more. It is a novel not only about bearing burdens, facing a cold shoulder of shame, torn families, friendship, and the army; it is also a story about hope and perseverance and the ability to find strength and courage even in the darkest of times.

With two different styles yet the same creative talent, I can well see the name of Corrine Jackson being on many YA readers 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 Corrine Jackson

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Corrine Jackson

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Corrine Jackson"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Corrine Jackson - If I Lie"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

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

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

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

A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany

Back in June of 2010 I had a debut YA author on my show, one of the Class of 2K10 who’s first book was due out that month. An interesting part of the interview was that this author had been the winner of the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world.

This debut author was Shannon Delany who in 2009 she following the success of the phone novel contest was contracted by St. Martin’s Press to create a trilogy based on the original serial 13 to Life story.

From that early appearance on “A Book and a Chat” and in the case of actually meeting Shannon, it has been a huge privilege to see her career go from strength to strength.
The original “13 to Life” was followed in 2011 by “Secrets and Shadows” and “Bargains and Betrayals” Such was the success of these books; in 2010 Shannon’s contract was extended to include five books. The fourth and fifth in the series being produced in 2102 namely “Destiny and Deception” and “Rivals and Retribution”.


With this series just completed Shannon has set her sights on breaking new ground and not just with her writing; she has recently written short stories for two charity anthologies. Starting work on an up and coming steampunk trilogy has allowed her to work with the two other guests on today’s show.

Both are musicians but distinctly different…

Max Scialdone whose dark and edgy style of music caught Shannon’s attention and they have since co-wrote “Pieces of Eight” for Month 9 Books’ "TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES" (releasing this fall).

Wade Mulvihill was introduced to Shannon at an “Open Mic Competition” where she asked for help in creating a song for her up and coming steampunk trilogy. Wade dully obliged creating a song that connects the characters in a powerful and pivotal way with his music

Both Max and Wade have been playing, loving and making music for years and have strong voices all their own, and it was interesting hearing about how their music can also be developed into Shannon’s writing.


As I said at the start of this blog it has been great seeing the success of Shannon and her “13 to Life” series, now though I am looking forward to following the success not just of the writing but also the music created by Max and Wade in the future. That is why I am also providing their links on this blog.

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 Shannon Delany and Friends

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Shannon Delany and Friends"

You can find out more about my guests, their books and music:
"Shannon Delany - 13 To Life Series"
"Max Scialdone"
"Wade Mulvihill"


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

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

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

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

A Book and a Chat with Barbara Ehrentreu

“If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor” is the debut book of Barbara Ehrentreu my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat”.

After years of teaching Barbara took a workshop as a requirement for my Master Degree at Manhattan Ville College with the late Paula Danziger. Required for that workshop was to write three chapters of a children’s book. So, taking her youngest daughters experiences Barbara with help and encouragement from Paula and later from her own critique group Barbara after many edits and rewrites produced her debut book “If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor”.

About “If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor”: (Taken from MuseItUp Publishing)

Carolyn Samuels is obsessed with the idea of being popular. She is convinced that the only thing keeping her from happiness is her too heavy for fashion body and not being a cheerleader. Hyperventilating when she gets nervous doesn’t help.
When she is paired for a Math project with the girl who tormented her in middle school, Jennifer Taylor, she is sure it is going to be another year of pain. With Carolyn’s crush on Jennifer’s hunky Junior quarterback Brad her freshman year in high school looks like a rerun of middle school.

After Jennifer’s the only student who knows why she fell in gym class, Carolyn is blackmailed into doing her math homework in return for Jennifer’s silence. Jennifer takes on Carolyn as a pity project since she can’t be seen with someone who dresses in jeans and sweatshirts. When Jennifer invites Carolyn to sleep over to make her over and teach her to tumble, Carolyn learns Jennifer’s secret and lies to her own friends to cover it up. Will Carolyn become a cheerleader and become popular? Does she continue to keep Jennifer’s secret? Or will she be a target of this mean girl again?

If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor is a book that covers many aspects of teen life, and perhaps not just teen, with many reader relating to Carolyn others to Jennifer and though written for girls ages 10 -14, it has also been enjoyed by older women, boys and men.

It is a book for all and one that already has quite a following

As one reviewer put it…

I pretty much only give 4-5 star reviews. If a story doesn't grab me opening chapters, with limited time, I set it aside. This debut novel hooked me opening page and didn't let go. I felt like I was completely immersed in Carolyn's world. Without an excess of drama or unrealistic focus on getting a boyfriend, clothes and makeup, this 14 year old told her story from the viewpoint of an honest kid who genuinely respected and cared for her parents. So refreshing! Her relationship, especially with her mom, was lovely in the fact Carolyn showed wonderful character growth by the last page, and the author didn't need to have abusive parents or hateful teenager to do so.

The hard topics of bullying, self-centeredness, serious health issues some young girls deal with, and so forth was all told so well I could go on and on, but I don't want to give away spoilers. The story left me smiling, certain more teenagers are actually like Carolyn, Jennifer and the rest, capable of doing the right thing, and because of that this novel is on my treasure and re-read pile. In all honesty, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor is one of the best novels about teenagers I've read.

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 Barbara Ehrentreu

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Barbara Ehrentreu

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Barbara Ehrentreu"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Barbara Ehrentreu - If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

STARTING JUNE 4th I AM ON MY VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR.
PLEASE STOP BY AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME AND MY NEW BOOK



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 Sarvenaz Tash

In this month’s Library Media Connection magazine, which is aimed towards school librarians and whether or not books are good fits for their curriculum and collection, my guests book was ladled “"Full of adventure and mystery, this novel is sure to bring out the explorer in every reader."

After listening to today’s “A Book and a Chat” I am sure it is a book that will find its way into many library.

Sarvenaz Tash, pronounced Sar (like the first part of Sara) – ve (rhymes with meh) – naz (rhymes with ‘cuz... yet I still had issues saying it..
Was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. This means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). She has dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY where all the streets are laid out in a delightfully simple grid system, which is a good thing for as we learned she is not very good with directions unlike “Goldenrod Moram” the hero of her debut book “The Mapmaker and the Ghost.”

About “The Mapmaker and the Ghost”

Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home.

This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest

The book is a rollicking adventure full of great characters from Goldenrod, the intrepid explorer, who has the quest to map her town. Her little brother, who just wants to be brave enough for his sister to let him come along on her adventures, to a group of runaway kids called “the Gross Out Gang”, and of course the ghost…

The book has just enough danger to make you worry for their safety intermixed with humor ranging from slapstick of the Gross Out Gang with their gleefully disgusting habits and kids will adore to equally as intelligent and quirky interactions that any adult reader would enjoy.

The book is due out April 24th, if I were you I’d get an order for this book in now, no matter what your age as I can see this not only being a great hit, but to me "The Mapmaker and the Ghost" is also destined to appear on one form or other silver screen.

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining sixty minutes with my guest Sarvenaz Tash.


If you have enjoyed the blog or the radio show, why not become a follower of the show?

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Sarvenaz Tash

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Sarvenaz Tash"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:"Sarvenaz Tash - The Mapmaker and the Ghost"

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 J. Anderson Coats

Today’s “A Book and a Chat” was another one hour special being that my guest was another of the great group of debut YA authors from the Class of 2K12. J. Anderson Coats author of the brilliant historical fiction novel “The Wicked and the Just”.

Jillian grow up surrounded by books as her mother was a librarian, sharing with her daughter the joy of the written word, her father being a geologist added the enquiring mind that questioned some of these books, also being the reason she was later able to travel a mile underground.

She started writing almost as soon as she could hold a crayon, and encourage by her parents created several stories featuring nothing but ponies, some of these early creations I’m pleased to say she still has.

At the age of thirteen Jillian finished her first novel. It was pretty bad, but fortunately no one told her that. By the time she graduated from high school, she’d written six other novels, including one massive 500,000-word doorstop book with a sweeping, complicated plot and way too many characters. None of these books was very good, but she loved every single one and learned something new with each.
Her literary education mixed with her love of history has now brought forth her debut novel “The Wicked and the Just”

About “The Wicked and the Just” (taken from Class of 2K12):

1293. North Wales. Ten years into English rule.

Cecily would give anything to leave Caernarvon and go home. Gwenhwyfar would give anything to see all the English leave.

Neither one is going to get her wish.

Behind the city walls, English burgesses govern with impunity. Outside the walls, the Welsh are confined by custom and bear the burden of taxation, and the burgesses plan to keep it that way.

Cecily can’t be bothered with boring things like the steep new tax or the military draft that requires Welshmen to serve in the king’s army overseas. She has her hands full trying to fit in with the town’s privileged elite, and they don’t want company.
Gwenhwyfar can’t avoid these things. She counts herself lucky to get through one more day, and service in Cecily’s house is just salt in the wound.

But the Welsh are not as conquered as they seem, and the suffering in the countryside is rapidly turning to discontent. The murmurs of revolt may be Gwenhwyfar’s only hope for survival – and the last thing Cecily ever hears.

During the show we learned much about the Welsh history and that is Wales the country, not that swims in the sea as one person we heard thought the book was about, including the reason for the mention of Caernarvon, rather than it being called Caernarfon.
The book has already received many rave reviews before its launch date in April.

As one blogger put it…

This book was filled with excellent characters, tons of actions, heaps of emotion and kept me up until way past my bed time. I’m really looking forward to see what Ms Coats writes next.

I for one agree with that statement, especially as we learned there is at least another if not two books in the pipeline about that period of Welsh history.

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest J. Anderson Coats .

If you have enjoyed the blog or the radio show, why not become a follower?

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with J. Anderson Coats

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"J. Anderson Coats

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:"J. Anderson Coats - The Wicked and the Just"

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 Megan Bostic

My guest on today’s Book and a Chat is one of this year’s debut YA authors, a member of the Class of 2K12 Megan Bostic. Let’s first get the name right it’s Megan with a long “e” so it’s more like “Me gan”, now that’s out the way let’s chat about this great new author. Megan is the author of “Never 18” a YA book that has received great reviews from teens and adults alike.

Megan lives over on the west coast, but not the sunny climes location that one thinks of, the rainy and gray northwest weather that makes her extremely “angsty” (one of her favorite words). Megan loves the color black, monkeys (has a collection of sock monkeys), and is a notorious Facebook addict. She migrated from early writing of poems and songs, though the poetry is making somewhat of a comeback to writing her first novel which she completed in 2008. That novel still has to see the light of day and in 2009 she produced “Never 18”.

She writes in the “seat of your pants” style, typing away with reckless abandon to get, with the aid of numerous sticky notes, the story that is bursting out of her head typed out. Once written, then starts the editing and smoothing out process.

While “Never 18” is only 200 pages long it is filled with emotional scenes, though some the language and topics are perhaps not for the younger end of the YA market, “Never 18” is a book for all ages, and can and should be shared by adults as well as children as it relates to real life situations.

About “Never 18”

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

While Never 18 is Megan’s debut novel there are already several others either completed or in the pipeline, including another contemporary YA tentatively titled, Sad. I call it a story of loss, loathing and lacerations. It’s about a girl suffering from depression who ends up being a cutter, and her healing process.

As one reviewer put it…

New author Megan Bostic makes writing look easy. Her new novel, NEVER EIGHTEEN, is so clear, so smooth, so effortless, that the reader is completely immersed in the story, living it along with the characters. This story is so moving, so touching that I could not put it down. I read NEVER EIGHTEEN from cover to cover in a matter of hours. And normally, I would never look at this kind of book. It just isn't my normal genre. But I knew of Ms Bostic, and I had heard a lot about this book, so I leaped at the chance to give it a try. And, OH MY, I feel honored and privileged to have read NEVER EIGHTEEN. Megan Bostic it a true talent, and NEVER EIGHTEEN is a brilliant debut.

I for one, totally agree with that!

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining sixty minutes with my guest Megan Bostic

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Megan Bostic

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Megan Bostic"

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"Megan Bostic - Never 18"

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 Veronica Blade

Bite's tale, Book and a Chat
When Twilight first came out YA readers divided themselves into factions with “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” each being a heartthrob for YA readers. Veronica Blade however might just have found the next YA hunk, in the form of “Haydn Anders” in her debut YA novel “Something Witchy This Way Comes.”

Though “Something Witchy This Way Comes” is Veronica’s debut novel, it’s by no means the first one she has written, in fact it was her 5th, and as we found out during the show some of those previous creations, might well be hitting the book shelves next year.

About “Something Witchy This Way Comes”:

Brainiac Tessa McClean’s newly discovered magical powers give her an escape from her self-absorbed parents. But the thrill of being a witch fades when she learns of a rival coven and begins to suspect her own coven’s motives. Evidence tells Tessa to trust one side, but instinct drives her toward the other. When the school’s scrumptious delinquent, Hayden Anders, offers Tessa self-defense lessons in exchange for tutoring, his timing couldn’t be better.

Although hanging out with him is a necessary evil in Tessa’s fight to stay alive, resisting a bad-boy she secretly yearns for might be more than she can manage. Together, Tessa and Hayden work to unravel the mysteries behind the two covens to discover why they’ll stop at nothing to lure Tessa to their side. She must form an alliance with one of the covens before it’s too late. But the wrong decision could cost Tessa the lives of all who she holds dear — including Hayden…

The book is one of those great YA novels that appeals to people of all ages, the characters have you cheering for them, the dialogue and emotions are real and raw.
Something Witchy This Way Comes is full of paranormal twists and turns, self-discoveries, courage, loyalty, trust and surprises. As one reviewer put it…

“What I loved about this book was that it dove straight into my emotions. When she and Hayden had a steamy scene, I felt it too. When she was getting into trouble, I was biting my nails. When she discovered truths, I gasped and even cried. It was a great emotional roller coaster...” - booknookclub.blogspot.com

But this is not the end, as we heard there are many new offerings scheduled from Veronica.

She has A Bite’s Tale: A Furry Fable coming out later this month. It’s a novella with a Cinderella spin, but with vampires and werewolves.

In December, there is the prequel to her shape shifter series, a novella called Thrown to the Wolves. To be followed by the first book in that shape shifter series, "My Wolf’s Bane" releasing in January 2012.

And then of course there is definitely more to hear from Tessa and Haydn.

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 Veronica Blade

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Veronica Blade

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Veronica Blade"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Veronica Blade - Something Witchy This Way Comes"

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 Kelly McClymer

My guest today is Kelly McClymer, from early days putting on and directing plays with her three younger sisters, she was inspired by stories such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, her favorite book being the “The Complete Tales of the Brothers Grimm” and her favorite story as we discussed being “The Six Swans".

She finally followed this love of writing through with her first book “The Fairy Tale Bride” (see Brother Grim were never far away), the first book in her “Once Upon A Wedding” series of romance stories. This early success was followed by several more in the series, such as “The Unintended Bride”, “ The Star Crossed Bride” and “The Next Best Bride” to name but a few. Yes they all had “Bride” in the title, but this was soon to change.

From the romance novels Kelly change tack and started a humorous YA series starting with “The Salem Witch Tryouts” which is sort of a mix between “Bewitched” and “Get It On”, this successful book was followed by “She’s A Witch Girl” and “Competition’s a Witch”.

At the same time an idea Kelly had for a “chicklit” book aimed at adults turned itself into a YA novel called “Getting To Third Date”.

About “Getting To Third Date”:

Katelyn Spears is a firm believer in the two-date rule. First dates are so awkward; every guy deserves a second chance. But a third? Not unless he's got serious Romeo potential.

Enter Tyler. Tyler thinks Katelyn's rule is too harsh. He dares her to go back through her Little Pink Book and grant a third date to all the two-date duds. Oh, and she should report back to the whole school via her newspaper column. Standing by her policy (and determined to prove Tyler wrong), Katelyn makes a few phone calls. But will any of her old flames rekindle a romance?

This first was followed by another change in direction with “Must Love Black”.

About “Must Love Black”:

NANNY FOR 10-YR-OLD TWINS. MAINE COAST. OWN ROOM & GENEROUS SALARY. MUST LOVE BLACK. “Must love black?” Sounds like a coffee-loving, seclusion-seeking goth girl's dream job. Philippa isn’t fazed by the fog-enshrouded mansion on a cliff, the weirdest twins on the planet, or even the rumors about ghosts, ‘cause when she meets the estate’s hot gardener, Philippa’s pretty sure she’s found her dream boy, too. Too bad Geoff’s already taken…by a girl whose wardrobe is head-to-toe pink. Still, Philippa can’t get Geoff out of her head. What will it take to lure him to the dark side?

Kelly shared with us how she is re-editing and re-launching many of her book in E-format, as well as finally perhaps that adult version of “Getting to Third Date”

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with MelKelly McClymer"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Kelly McClymer"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Kelly McClymer - Must Love Black"

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 Carrie Harris

Carrie Harris (no relation to the villain in my book “Across the Pond” I’m sure) is one of the wonderful group of debut YA authors for this year, part of the class of 2K11. Before the show there was some doubt as to if Carrie would be able to make the show travelling with her family as she was. The start of the show where we lost complete connection to Blog Talk Radio, followed by a disconnection for Carrie could have been a worry, however once the initial gremlins were out of the work we went on to have a truly enjoyable “A Book and a Chat” with this popular YA author, that was full of interest and humor.

An assortment of jobs that included an autopsy coordinator/statistician, managing the place that researches Mad Cow disease in humans, and spending a lot of time looking at brains and body parts, was an obvious background for her to write a book about Zombies. That and of course her obvious sense of humor has produced her debut YA Novel “Bad Taste in Boys” which even before its launch this week has produced hugely exciting responses and reviews around the blogosphere.

Not the least of these is the way people have picked up on the “sugar lips” on the books cover… (Zombie football players…sugar lips? Your guess is as good as mine) pictures and information of which can be found on her terrific web site.

Carrie tried to produce her first book during the NaNoWriMo but the planned fantasy satire and somehow turned into a political satire halfway through. Eventually she decided to stop trying to write something serious and wrote with her obvious humor producing something that got the attention of her agent “Kate Schafer Testerman” the first novel started doing the literary rounds, but it was “Bad Taste In Boys” which sold in about a month.

About “Bad Taste In Boys”

Super-smartie Kate Grable gets to play doctor, helping out her high school football team. Not only will the experience look good on her college apps, she gets to be this close to her quarterback crush, Aaron. Then something disturbing happens. Kate finds out that the coach has given the team steroids. Except . . . the vials she finds don’t exactly contain steroids. Whatever’s in them is turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless, flesh-eating . . . zombies.

Unless she finds an antidote, no one is safe. Not Aaron, not Kate’s brother, not her best friend . . . not even Kate . . .

As stated the book has before its launch date this next week received some terrific reviews, as one fellow author wrote…

“BAD TASTE IN BOYS is a nonstop romp, with more mayhem than a mall full of mocha-chugging monkeys. I loved watching Kate try to keep her sensible, scientific head amidst rampaging zombies and amorous football players (often the same people). Bring me my next dose of Carrie Harris NOW!” – Jeri Smith-Ready

A follow up book currently called “Bad Hair Day” which you might guess from the title might include werewolves is already in the editing state, so we know this great new book will not be a one off, and we’ll hear more of the name Carrie Harris in the future

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend sixty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Carrie Harris"

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Carrie Harris - Bad Taste in Boys"

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 Julie Anne Peters

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is YA and Children’s author Julie Anne Peters. In her YA she has tackled issues such as how to deal with your first same sex crush, growing up transgender, and what it's like when your two moms' relationship falls apart.

She originally aimed her career to be a teacher however one year of teaching fifth grade showed to both herself and the school (yes she got fired) that perhaps teaching was not quite the career for her. Several more exams and careers later, as she shared with us during the program, she was working on counting the number of parts in a car… the dreaded widgets… we she realized that there must be more to life than geeking out about 4GL and the number of widgets on a car. So there and then she decided to become a writer.

So started the long and bumpy road to being a published author.
Back in the 1990’s the YA literary explosion was still to happen, so she wrote books for younger readers from “The Stinky Sneakers Contest” to the wonderfully named “Love Me, Love My Broccoli” and including the "Snob Squad" series of books.

In 2000 she wrote a book which though aimed for the younger market, there not being a recognized one for the YA readers called “Devine Normal” which through word of mouth found its way to the cusp of the YA literary explosion. That was the start of Julie’s march through the ranks YA authors.

Along the way her editor asked her to write about a lesbian relationship, and though reluctant at the time, afraid to lose her existing readership, Julie’s book “Keeping You a Secret” broke new ground. Since then she has written books that cover many varied and sometimes “controversial” issues faced by children and teens regarding sexual identity, abuse, destructive relationships and problematic family dynamics.

Her book “By the time you read this I will be dead” for instance covered follows a suicidal high school student who has been the victim of peer bullying for years.

Her latest book is “She Loves You, She Loves You Not”

Dumped by her girlfriend and rejected by her family, Alyssa is sent across the country to live with the mother who abandoned her at birth. A mother who still doesn’t seem to have room in her heart for Alyssa. Hurt and alone, Alyssa is left to create a new life for herself. Can she ever get over her abandonment issues to trust again? Can she redefine “family?” And will she open herself to the possibility of new love?

Her books are always fresh, always looking at new subjects in a format enjoyed by all sexes, ages and human situations, and I’m sure that the number of he readers will just continue to grow.

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Julie Anne Peters".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Julie Anne Peters"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Julie Anne Peters - She loves you, she loves you not"

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 Aaron Patterson

Today’s show guest is Aaron Patterson author of the best-selling “WJA” series, as well as two Digital Shorts: 19 and The Craigslist Killer, who has now launched a new YA novel called “Airel”.

Aaron was always one for reading but never thought his literary skills would enable him to write, now he has become a bestselling author who enjoys writing even more than reading.

His first nove in the “WJA” series "SWEET DREAMS" was published in 2008 receiving some mixed reviews as it was one of those “love or hate” novel, though as it went on sales increased and more and more were on the “love” side. With the launch of the second book in the series “DREAM ON" sales increased enough so that Aaron could follow his dream and become a full time writer. A third book in the series “IN YOUR DREAMS” will be out soon.

Along with the “WJA” set of books, Aaron has also produced two short stories which are also selling well on Kindle, “The Craiglist Killer” and “19”. During the show Aaron discussed how the sales of his novels and short stories even just for 99 cents on kindle all add up. Now having his own publishing company he is not only able to produce his own books, but help other authors as well.

Aaron’s new book “Airel” looks like being another smash hit with great reviews and a second story already completed and ready to be released perhaps at the end of this year.

For a start the cover is fantastic, one that will catch any book shop browsers eye. Within Airel there are two different stories, that merge into the one story in such a way that the reader will never feel lost, nor ever want to put the book down. Written in short chapters with the knack for leaving the reader hanging, dying to know what is going to happen next.

About Airel: (review from Café of Dreams)

The main story focuses on Airel, a young teenage girl, who has lead quite a normal life until one day she meets a gorgeous stranger and new guy at school, Michael. He is everything she had ever dreamed of and most incredibly, he is into her in a big way. However, that isn't the strange thing. The crazy thing is that all of a sudden Airel becomes more and more beautiful - not a flaw in sight, upon her skin or hair, wounds suddenly heal within seconds and worst of all - a killer is on the loose, claiming to know "what" Airel is.

The second story, which takes place throughout Airel, is about Kreios and an ancient family of fallen angels, during the time period of 1250 BC. Kreios has lost his beloved wife and will do anything to protect his young infant daughter from the Seer and their enemies. But will he be able to keep her safe forever and before it is too late?

The book is a story of imagination and fiction, with lifelike characters and some moral thoughts. Airel is a great story that will have the reader wanting more (you’ll have to wait until the end of the year for that) it is highly recommended to everyone - male, female, young and the young at heart.

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Aaron Patterson".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Aaron Patterson"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Aaron Patterson - Airel"

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