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 Ann Jamieson

My guest today is fellow Connecticut author Ann Jamieson. 

Ann was on the show previously telling us about her wonderful series of book “For the Love of the Horse”

Ann has always been interested in horses and from the age of two expected to get a pony every Christmas. While that gift did not arrive she did at the age of five start getting lessons and has been riding ever since.

When she was young Ann used to attend shows and pretend she was a judge, comparing her marks at the end of the day with the official judges, now she is as US Equestrian Federation judge for hunters and jumpers.

She has written numerous articles  for magazines and newspapers and has now released the fourth book in her own series.

She found that when at horse shows peoples would often tell her stories about their horses pr horses they knew. Ann kept being told “you know, somebody should write these stories down”. Well after several years Ann did just that. Since that first book, word has spread and her stories are starting to be read around the world.

She has many wonderful reviews for her books on Amazon…

I have read all three of Ann Jamieson"s three published books, as well as excerpts from the forthcoming fourth volume, and I have found her writing style immensely enjoyable. Her ability to hone in on the individuality and specialness of each horse, and to include a wide variety of types of horses, keeps the reader waiting for more. I especially like the way in which she ends each account. I highly recommend this book.

As we learned on the show, this new book has many great stories that will touch your heart alongside those of “Soldier” and "Jamaica” in her previous books.

Check out these books on Amazon they will make a great gift for all the family.

 
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 Ann Jamieson

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Ann Jamieson"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Ann Jamieson"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Ann Jamieson - For The Love Of The Horse"

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 Kathryn Burak

Even though we are coming to the end of 2012 we are still lucky enough to have some of the Class of 2K12 sharing with us their debut YA novel, and today is one of those one hour specials that we reserve for the YA debut authors. I am pleased to say that today on “A Book and a Chat” I have Kathryn Burak author of “Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things” as my guest.

Kathryn started got the writing bug with success when a letter she wrote to Santa was chosen to be read on a local radio station at the age of seven. This plunge into stardom was the start of Kathryn’s journey into the literary world. It was followed by an appearance in Highlights magazine when her letter appeared in the “Letters from Near and Far”. After which she received pen pal requests from 37 people in countries all over the world, Kathryn of course wrote back to everyone.

Further success followed for Kathryn with poems being published in “West Branch” and “The Gettysburg Review” and eventually after over thirty rejections (including three by the eventual publisher) she managed to get her first short story published.

Her career carried was on the up but the major novel had not yet surfaced, Kathryn shared with us the amazing story of how she “eventually” found and agent and then how that followed up with the production of her debut YA novel “Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things”

About “Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things” (Taken from Amazon)

When Claire’s best friend Richy went missing, he disappeared without a trace. But when Emily Dickinson’s dress goes missing from the Amherst museum, she knows exactly where it is: in her closet.

As Claire and her student teacher, Tate, attempt to figure out what do to about the dress, they begin to uncover the truth behind Richy's disappearing act. Following a trail of clues across state lines, Claire and Tate attempt to find the person that Claire knows in her gut is responsible for his disappearance..

Top of Form

“Emily’s Dress and Other Missing Things” was launched this month and is already proving popular with YA readers. As one reviewer put it…

I read this book in one sitting and found it beautiful and haunting. Claire is prickly and compassionate, vulnerable and strong; I grew to love her as she navigated her way through grief, loneliness, and first love. Her darkly funny internal monologue added both levity and depth to the story, and Burak's writing is spare, elegant, and lyrical--a respectful tribute to Dickinson herself. This one is not to be missed. 

Kathryn Burak might be one of the last 2K12 authors to debut but her book has been well worth waiting for.

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 Kathryn Burak

Barry

Direct link to the show
Kathryn Burak

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Kathryn Burak"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Kathryn Burak - Emily's Dress And Other Missing Things"


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 Libby Floyd

My guest today has gone through many careers all of them successful, and as Libby Floyd says it help make life interesting.

Libby has been on stage or in front of an audience for most of her life, from appearing as a model at the age of 3 then singing and winning talent contests at the age of 5 as one of the “Floyd Sisters”.

She went on to enter pageant contests, was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen All-American and at 18, was Miss Greenville in The Miss South Carolina Pageant, winning the swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

Then while at college Libby’s love for writing saw the light of day with her first book of poetry - A Winning Heart. The book won a few publishing awards and she became the youngest nominee ever for the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of South Carolina.

Then her perhaps best known career started as when she moved to LA and started a TV career. Starting on sports show, in 1996 Libby became a national television host for The Shop At Home Network and suddenly she was being seen by over 50 million people a day.

In 2005 Libby became a primetime host for ShopNBC, seen by over 70 million people a day. She immediately felt at home with the ShopNBC viewers and the fabulous on-air guests. quickly she became a top producing jewelry and health and beauty host. 

In 15 years on television, she has logged over 20,000 hours of live TV and has sold over 500 million dollars worth of jewelry. She is also a GIA Accredited Jewelry professional in Colored Stones, Diamond and Jewelry Essentials.

While the TV adventures continue, including appearing on the Food channel, her love for the written word has not deserted her and now  she has produced her debut novel a contemporary romance  “Sparkelicious” named after one of her own screen” Libbyisoms”

About "Sparkelicious”: (taken from Blogcritics Books blog)

Sparkelicious is best summarized as a modern day Sex and the City meets a contemporary Steel Magnolias. The story is set in my charming hometown of Greenville, S.C. and my spiritual home of Los Angeles—fashion designer Laney Montgomery is at a crossroads in her life, on the heels of turning 40. On a much-needed vacation back home to South Carolina to visit her family, Laney realizes that her mom and sister’s lives are in disarray. While trying to fix them, Laney learns that her own marriage is in serious trouble back in California and her fashion business is on the verge of collapse. The affections of a handsome younger man doesn't help matters either, as Laney must fix everyone else before she can find true happiness for herself.

The characters in Sparkelicious ooze Southern charm and are extremely colorful and real.

With a fresh TV series already planned along with a second book about life on a shopping channel the world of Libby Floyd continues to be both successful and interesting.

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 Libby Floyd

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Libby Floyd

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Libby Floyd"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Libby Floyd - Sparkelicious"


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 Christina Cody

The shops have already started to load their shelves with Christmas items, and Christina Cody has some books that would be great to add as Christmas gifts also as was shared during the show books that would fit into any junior school library.

While growing up in Alabama, Christina spent many happy hours in her local library where she learned the magic of books. She carried on with this love of storytelling through her work as a middle school teacher and now as an author.

 Her first book which is always popular at this time of year is “The Perfectly Imperfect Pumpkin”. In the book we learn with Amy that every does not have to be perfect, just perfect for you. It is a story based on a moment in time with Christina’s mother.

“A Mother and Daughter visit a pumpkin patch in search of a pumpkin. They leave the patch with an imperfect pumpkin and a lesson in empathy. Imperfects in nature can lead to promising potential”

This was followed by and equally successful book “The Pirate Scope” which is a book about using your imagination as Pete takes a “boring day” into a “pirate day” with the aid of a paper towel tube. The book includes scallywags, a sea hag, and a chocolate chip cookie treasure. The book also and “I Spy” styled book with lots of pictures inside illustration.

Christina’s latest book is one I think is a must for children, libraries and schools, being great reading as well as educational. “Monster Reader” takes you back to Christina’s early library visits. It tells how two children on a trip to the library learn about the best book for word swallowers and book eaters. The children soon discover a monster teacher, monsters devouring books (literally) and how reading can change how you see the world of books. It provides a wonderful story and education which include a specially created recipe for a Monster Cupcake.

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 Christina Cody

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Christina Cody

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Christina Cody"

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Christina Cody - Monster Reader"


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 Mary Monaghan

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” called into the show from Cape Town, South Africa, though her life and indeed much of her writing relates to Ireland. Mary Monaghan was actually born in England of Irish parents; her family was much traveled, something that has seen Mary continue along with her love of languages.

In 1993 Mary was living in what South Africa in what she thought was a happy marriage her husband announced he was going for a backpacking trip to Australia for three months. That was the last she saw of him, well not exactly the last, but the last for 14 years.

This led too much bitterness, heartbreak and tears as Mary tried to get her life into some form of order. Her book “Remember Me?” originally for written for close family and friends became an almost overnight success and is now sheared with many, and is even optioned for a screen play.

About Remember Me?

When your husband vanishes without a trace, there’s no telling what you might do. Mary wrote a book. Remember Me? This book became a self-publishing success story, selling widely in both Ireland and South Africa.

She had wanted to share my story of how she had managed to survive and rebuild my life. Her marriage had been a happy one, envied by our friends.  As with any marriage it had its ups and downs but on the whole life was good.  Until one day her husband John announced he was leaving for a three month backpacking trip to Australia. 

He left in 1993 never to return. Mary undertook a desperate struggle to locate the man she loved, finding out along the way of his involvement with at least two other women before he walked out on their marriage. She asked Interpol and private investigators to help me locate him with no success, eventually finding him herself and speaking to him on the phone six years after he had walked out on their marriage.

This however was not the end of the story as while visiting Ireland on a book tour she caught site of the man who has left her those many years before. FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again. Yet there he was also visiting his family in Ireland.

What happened next can be found in Mary’s second book “Who Do You Belong To?”

A Mary herself says about this second book

The launch of Remember Me?  set in motion a whole new chapter of my life.  Even though it has taken many years I have finally let this man go and Who Do You Belong To? continues the story of my journey .  I had put John out of my mind, he no longer had a place in my life, but on a brief visit to Ireland to launch my book in 2007 I had a sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. Now I had the chance to get answers to all the questions that had tormented me for all those years when I was desperately trying to make sense of what had happened.  I was now face to face with the man who had caused me such heartache.

The writing of my first book changed my life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery. Who Do You Belong To? takes you along with me as I travel the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfillment.

Mary has also written several self help books and along with her sister published her mother’s journal in the beautiful memoir “Green Are the Hills Far Away”.

About “Green Are the Hills Far Away"

Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.

A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.

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 Mary Monaghan

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest at:
"Mary Monaghan - Remember Me?"


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 John Valeri

My guest today is not an author, well not yet though I expect sometime though that title will change, he is not a radio show host such as myself, yet he has interviewed and had contact with many authors from famous household names to local debut writers. 

My guest is John Valeri who for the last several years has been the voice of the “Hartford Books Examiner” on examiner.com. 

During this time John has interviewed many authors, writers, publishers, agents and I for one can relate to the power as during my book signing yesterday at “The Big E” I had a both visitor come to talk to me who had read John article about myself on Examiner.com and wanted to come and check me out for himself. John like myself, is a fan of YA literature though as he shared during the show his favorite authors include such names as Marcia Clark.

Chatting during the  show it was interesting to compare the reports and interviews on the “Hartford Books Examiner” to my own on “A Book and a Chat” and how teach us the creators of the articles/radio shows and how much we learn from our guests. 

John was able to share a couple of stories about guests which I for one can well relate to. As I stated at the start John is “not yet” a published author, but “time permitting” (don’t we all know about that pressure) he has a YA thriller underway. 

I am sure with what John has learned along the way and his love for literature that when this book finally reaches the market it will be one not to miss and you can bet when that happens I will try and have John back on the show. 

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 John Valeri

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with John Valeri

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"To Be Added Later" ( I am still having issues this download will be added later)

You can find out more about my guest at:
"John Valeri - Hartford Books Examiner"


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