A Book and a Chat with Polly Holyoke

Today is another one hour special as I chat with another member of the debut YA and Midgrade authors from the class of 2K13. Polly Holyoke is my guest, and when you can write about many of the things you love around a subject you feel strongly about the outcome is bound to be a great book, and so it is with Polly’s debut novel “The Neptune Project”.

Polly has been imagining stories since she was in fifth grade and when she isn't writing, she loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert, though she did once get herself bitten by a rattlesnake.

When it came to “The Neptune Project” it really helped that she had done quite a bit of scuba diving over the years. Those she has never lived by the sea, she has spent enough hours  under the waves to be able to describe some of the basics—like light, visibility and currents as well as hours and hours reading books on oceanography and articles by avid divers.

About “The Neptune Project” : (Taken from the authors web site)

With her weak eyes and useless lungs that often leave her gasping for air, Nere feels more at home swimming with the dolphins her mother studies than she does hanging out with her classmates. Nere has never understood why she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water than on land until the day she learns the shocking truth—she is one of a group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean. These products of the "Neptune Project" are supposed to build a better future under the waves, safe from the terrible famines and wars and that rock the surface world.

But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her fellow mutates must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive. 

Fierce battle and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friend race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure. 

As one reviewer put it...


I loved this book! I can't wait to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book to children and adults. I bought a copy for the ten year old boy that I nanny for, he read it in one day and immediately asked if there was a sequel yet. He's an avid reader and he loved it! I bought another copy for my 11 year old niece, can't wait to give it to her! I will let you know what she thinks.

The characters were great, and the book is packed with adventure from start to finish. I can picture it all on the big screen!

The book is one of those that appeals to both girls and boys, young and old and I highly recommend it to all.

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Polly Holyoke

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Polly Holyoke"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Polly Holyoke - The Neptune Project"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

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

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

A Book and a Chat with Joseph Spencer

From an early love of reading Sherlock Holmes through a traveling sports reporter to working with police officers every day at the emergency 9-1-1 communications center it might seem obvious that  the debut novel for my guest Joseph Spencer might well have some form of detective base, and so it does with his paranormal crime thriller “Grim”.

His debut novel “Grim” is the first in the “Sons of Darkness” series which is soon to be followed by the second in the series “Wrage”.

Grim started with the idea for the Heath Grim character. This was inspired by Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in Dark Knight. Joseph wanted to develop a character which created chaos like the Joker character, but had more of a sympathetic story. Always loving gritty, edgy characters which are morally gray, he wanted to take his readers down a more chaotic path than what was explored in the Dark Knight.

About Grim: (taken from a review on Amazon)

Grim, by Joseph Spencer, covers a series of murders that have occurred. Heath Grim is a war veteran who has scars on his face and is rarely seen without a mask. Though Heath's best friend has been dead for a couple of years, Heath has been known to still have conversations with him in his head! Adam White is a renowned police officer who is tasked to investigate the murders that have occurred. Adam is seen as a hero.

When new murders begin to happen that are similar to those before, Adam fights to solve them and put an end to it all. Especially since Adams wife is one of the people who fell victim to the awful crimes. Cyrus Black is a man who's bad side you don't want to be on. He's a city thug who seems to have his hands in everything, as well as everyone within the city on his payroll, including the mayor. Cyrus takes a dislike to Adam, and therefore makes Adams life a living hell. The more you read, the more secrets you begin to uncover about each of the characters.

As one reviewer put it…

Good mix of characters, each with their own secrets and past. Keeps the reader turning the pages to see how it is all connected. Although not too graphic or gory, it is a story of the deepest and darkest of souls.

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 Spencer

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Joseph Spencer - Grim"

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 Karl Waterbury

My guest on today's “A Book and a Chat” is author, editor and illustrator Karl Waterbury.

While Karl has always had a strong passion for writing it was not until later in his life that he’s finally started producing his own books, not just writing but also illustrating them.

Karl’s first book and the first in a series is “Teddy and the Sea Monster” a beautiful short story for young readers. It is about a little boy named Teddy and his encounter with what he thinks is a sea monster only to be told it is just one giant of a fish. He will soon be releasing the second in the series, “Teddy and the Talking Whale.”

As we learned during the show there are already plans for further book in the series as well as well as an adult mystery novel called “We Cried Before Laughing”.

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 Karl Waterbury

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Karl Waterbury

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Karl Waterbury"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Karl Waterbury - "

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 Jack L Brody

On today’s “A Book and a Chat” I talk with Jack L Brody author of the suspense thriller, “The Moroni Deception”.

Jack is x-military, and an avid traveler who dabbled with screen plays during his army days and afterwards went to film school to learn the screen writing craft. These screen plays might have made him famous, but you’ll have to listen to the show to find out just why.

Always fascinated by history, politics and architecture,  Jack used this love to not only write “The Moroni Deception", but also on another two books he has underway.

About “The Moroni Deception”: (Taken from Blogcritics)

The presidential election is just around the corner and it looks as though charismatic Republican candidate and Utah senator Brockston Ratchford is going to win. The fact that his wife has been brutally murdered and his daughter kidnapped has only gained him public sympathy.

However, his wife isn't the only one whose throat has been cut from ear to ear and whose forehead has been marked with strange symbols. A retired history professor by the name of Martin Koplanski has suffered the same fate, and the fact that he's the author of a book that apparently doesn't sit well with the powers that be in the Mormon Church doesn't look like a coincidence. 

New York Times journalist Chenault begins working on the story. With the help of Rachel Potter, a fledgling reporter for the The Salt Lake Tribune, he sets out to investigate the murders. Soon, a dark grim history begins to emerge, one of ancient artifacts, secret societies, and a mysterious prophecy that points to none other than Senator Ratchford.

Who, in fact, is The Prophet? Who is meant to be The Great Restorer? As the clock ticks and the presidential election approaches, the bodies pile up.

The book is a fast moving page-turner in the tradition of The DaVinci Code, one that will be relished by fans of suspense thrillers.

As one reviewer put it…

This is a page-turner political thriller that will keep you wanting more! If you like Dan Brown's novels then you will certainly love this book! The Dan Brown comparisons are inevitable; however this book has been well researched and presents facts about the Mormon religion that I did not know. 

This book is very relevant to our political times particularly now and I think that anyone would find it a very interesting, exciting, and enlightening novel. Definitely one of the better books that I have read recently! I hope that the author has another book that I can 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 Jack L Brody

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Jack L Brody

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Jack L Brody"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Jack L Brody - The Moroni Deception"

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 Luke Murphy

My guest today is Luke Murphy one time ice hockey starlet and now lighting the writing world as the author if adventure thriller “Dead Man’s Hand”.

Born in a small rural community in Western Quebec his dream growing up in a location where you learned to skate before you could walk was to become and ice hockey star.

When his mother lost her battle with cancer he decided to out his mind to his dream. The fact he was only 5’9” and weighing 160 pounds in a time when ice hockey was looking for big bodies on the ice did not put him off and he won many awards before using his one ice talent to get a hockey scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology where he gained Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with a Minor in Sociology.

He went on to get called upon by the Florida Panthers and though he got to play only four games in the NHL he had a career all be terminated early through injury, he had a carrier in the minors terminated by an serious eye injury.

Knowing that dream had come to the end he returned to his home town and not only started a career as coach but also writing for a local paper, so began his drive to becoming an author.

Several years later and after first learning the craft of a writer he has produced a wonderful murder suspense novel “Dead Man’s Hand”

About “Dead Man’s Hand” (taken from Imajin Books)

From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds him to be the perfect fall-guy.

…and the cards don't fall your way?

When the brutal slaying of a prominent casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie, Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the last twelve years.

The book has received many great reviews, several remarking that the book which is in the style of James Patterson or Rick Mofina, does not have the feel of a debut book.

As one reviewer put it…

I loved how the book kept me in the dark right till the very end! The author made me sympathize with his protaganist Calvin Watters through excellent character building, and I was definitely rooting for him! I believe the author took some serious time doing research for this novel, it was educational AND entertaining for me! A terrific debut! I look forward to more work from Luke Murphy in the future.

Well another book is already underway reviewer, and as we discussed during the show perhaps then a follow up on “duck duck goose”….
 

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 Luke Murphy

Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Luke Murphy

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Luke Murphy"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Luke Murphy - Dead Mans Hand"

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 Kim Purcell

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” was due to be on the show a couple of weeks ago when I was unfortunately suck, so as I always try and do I added an extra show to have Kim Purcell back as my guest today.

Kim started out on the road to becoming a writer in fifth grade when her teacher Mrs. Aalto picked Kim for an enrichment class, in which the very proud Kim wrote her first book “The Mystery of the Poison Ivy”. While it was not a brilliant novel it did open the door to Kim’s imagination.

Her life after that first taste of literature followed numerous paths in many countries, with writing in some form and various languages being part of her life, being teaching, broadcasting or writing.

Kim’s love of teaching foreign students and basically chatting to people from around the world lead her to hear the story of Svetlana, a legal immigrant from Uzbekistan. We also heard during the show about Kim’s investigation trip to Moldova and what she experiences there.

Svetlana’s story, Kim’s experience and her own imagination have produced her fascinating YA novel called “TRAFFICKED”.

About TRAFFICKED: (taken from “wherethewriterscometowrite” blog)

When Hannah, a teenager from Moldova, is offered what seems to be the chance of a lifetime- the chance to go and work in America as a nanny, getting a huge wage every week and being able to study night classes and eventually become a doctor, she takes the plunge; after all, there's nothing keeping her in her home country, not since her parents died.

But, though her employee's seem nice at first, soon a much more dark side comes through and nothing is as it seemed. She's threatened with a terrible life and no future at all...

Now Hannah must fight for everything she holds dear, the most important thing threatened? Her life.

While the story of Hanah is fictional the problem, as we’ve learned in the pas from authors such as Kathi Macias, is very real with over two million people are victims of human trafficking every year.

The story has strong themes filled with reality including some sexual scenes, but it should be read, these are real goings on in your own neighborhood.

It is a book I highly 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 Kim Purcell

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Kim Purcell

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Kim Purcell"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Kim Purcell - TRAFFICKED"

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 Rudy Mazzocchi

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is Rudy A. Mazzocchi author of the medical thriller “Equity of Evil”.


Rudy is best known for being a medical device and biotechnology entrepreneur, inventor, and angel investor, with a history of starting new technology ventures throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has authored more than 50 patents in the field of medical technology, including areas such as cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology and biomechanics.

He describes himself as more of a “start-up” entrepreneur who was fortunate to develop the skills to raise the necessary capital to fund the development of innovations from concept through market release.
With a background which includes insight into some of the newest innovations in healthcare and also enables him to work with some of the most brilliant researchers, scientists and physicians in the industry, you know any medical thriller will not only be entertaining but thought provoking. So it is with his debut book “Equity of Evil” the first of what promises to be a trilogy of such novels.

The book is based on his  first-hand experiences in reviewing and/or participating in the development of some of the most controversial and cutting-edge medical technologies. These include starting one of the first embryonic stem cell companies to designing the world’s only electronic, auto-focusing implantable lens for inside the eye; (similar to the one in the Terminator or the Six Million Dollar Man – depending upon your generation)!

While his book deals with the controversial subjects of abortion and genetic engineering Rudy manages not to take either a Pro-Life or Pro-Choice position when using the abortion theme as a backdrop of this story. Neutrality on such a controversial topic is very difficult, but he believes that regardless of your political or moral position, the reader will find support in the words and actions of the book’s characters for whatever perspective they might have. The fact that, as he shared during the program he’s had encouraging emails from not only both side of the fence but the church as well shows how well he has managed his neutrality
.
About "Equity of Evil”:


In hopes of a quick and lucrative return during harsh economic times, a Venture Capital Fund makes a risky investment to start a challenging new business that appears capable of reaching profitability with modest capital requirements. The real challenge: optimizing one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the World — abortion — by replacing oftentimes seedy and life-threatening back room procedures with clean, safe and dignified alternatives.


An unfolding world of deceit, rape, human trafficking and assassination becomes deeply personal as Roman’s sole love interest secretly uses one of his new abortion services to end her own untimely pregnancy. When she disappears, his frantic search becomes a hellish nightmare that grows worse by the hour.


Based on true events, this bold novel involves some of the world’s oldest and most emotional—therefore controversial—issues, including abortion and human trafficking. At the core of each matter is man’s predisposition to control and take ownership of the human spirit for the sake of profit and personal gain. Such pursuit for the equity of evil is the force that drags Roman through a dark and brutal world that most people would deny exists.


This debut novel is a politically compelling, suspenseful and reality-cutting Medical Thriller that will challenge the reader’s personal views on capitalism, ethics, and the basic morality of his fellow man. It will drag you through a dark and brutal new world where human life becomes the actual equity of evil.

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest Rudy Mazzocchi.

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 Rudy Mazzocchi

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Rudy Mazzocchi"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:"Rudy Mazzocchi - Equity of Evil"

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 Joan Bird

Joan Bird comes from a family that is almost as interesting as her book, involving a cattle rancher/silver miner, an orphan that survived the 1906 earthquake, the secretary to the Governor and the Irish lad who lied about his age to join the military. Mix with that her own previous existence as a singer/songwriter with a rock band and a pretence of telling stories, which with being one of six children helped while growing up and you have all the making of somebody who is destined to write.

Joan s is legendary amongst her family and friends for her storytelling. For years she's been including short stories with her holiday greetings each December and for years her friends and family have been encouraging her to write a book

With a “push” from a writing group, this love of storytelling produced her debut novel “Tumbleweed Heights” even then the title of the book has a story of its own. Her father waking the six kids up on Saturday mornings, by playing The Sons of the Pioneers Album, with that great song, “Drifting along with the Tumbling Tumbleweeds”.

Her fun book, while full of romance and happy ever after, also includes amazing dog and a food fight, rats, guns, raging storms and a kidnapping. So there’s plenty for the reader to read and enjoy. As one reviewer put it…

Funny. Rich descriptions, classic hero/heroine troubled pasts. With horses, bad guys, and quirky characters it's easy to engage. The tension between the gutsy Gilly and her hero is part of the dynamic. Though some may wish for more explicit physical connections, this reader was tantalized enough by the HEAT between Gilly and Luke so as not to be disappointed. With the countryside supporting the action, including thunder, lightning, old trucks, and the equivalent of Rin Tin Tin, simply a fun read. Okay, it's romance, but if nothing else, you'll want berry pie a few times a day when you're done.

About “Tumbleweed Heights”:

Moving to Briarwood, Colorado had not been in Gilly Casey’s original life plan. Sure, she’d dreamed of owning a horse ranch, but as kind of a part-time gig, in Topanga Canyon maybe. But the best laid plans of this high-powered L.A. attorney turn to dust when more than her bar card is threatened. Fleeing to a life she had never imagined quickly becomes a cat and mouse game just to stay alive.
Luke Hudson’s road to Briarwood was no less bumpy. Hiding from his own demons, he’s no longer able to float below the radar when he recognizes the feisty Miz Casey is in more trouble than she’ll admit. Donning the hero mantle years after he’d shed that skin, Luke realizes that rescuing Gilly might just save him, too.
With so many secrets between them, does love stand a chance? When the past trains its loaded gun on them, truth may not be enough to safeguard Gilly and Luke

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest Joan Bird.


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 Joan Bird

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Joan Bird"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:"Joan Bird - Tumbleweed Heights"

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 Shana Mahaffey

Shana Mahaffey my show guest today has a debut book called “Sounds Like Crazy” which is something today’s show could have been like. The normal Skype connection with headset for some reason just would not connect; perhaps the threat of the 1-2 feet of snow we are threatened with tonight was the issue. Whatever, it left me with a mobile phone which having to have my hands free to hunt the internet etc, meant a mobile phone with speaker on. Not too bad? Well when you’re doing the show from a basement with boilers, furnaces and water pipes making their own orchestral noises it certainly could be “Sounds Like Crazy”

Still, as they show “the show must go on” and so it did proving itself to be another truly interesting an entertaining thirty minutes.

Shana thought she had been writing “Sounds Like Crazy” until, as we heard an x-boyfriend upon hearing she’d finally completed and published her book reminded her she’d been writing it for more like twenty years.

Shana shared with us the reason and driving force behind her completion of this her debut novel, as well as what she is currently working on. The main part of the show however was the driving force, story line and what went into her production of “Sounds Like Crazy”, how she writes the ending first and then lets the characters lead her to that ending.

Sounds Like Crazy:

Though she doesn’t remember the trauma that caused it, Holly Miller has Dissociative Identity Disorder. Her personality has fractured into five different identities, together known as The Committee. And as much as they make Holly’s life hell, she can’t live without them. Then one of those identities, the flirtatious, southern Betty Jane, lands Holly a voiceover job. Betty Jane wants nothing more than to be in the spotlight. The rest of The Committee wants Betty Jane to shut up. Holly’s therapist wants to get to the bottom of her broken psyche. And Holly? She’s just along for the ride.

“Sounds Like Crazy” is one of those books you end up reading, that perhaps you wouldn’t normally have read, only to find out it’s a total gem, and as for the ending… well you’ll have to read it to find out about that.

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

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Shana Mahaffey".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Shana Mahaffey"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"Shana Mahaffey - Sounds Like Crazy"

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