Blog Archives

The Boy Called Troublemaker Review

1/29/2013

The Boy Called Troublemaker, Based on the Childhood of Nelson Mandela
~Written by Ellie Crowe

The Boy Called Troublemaker by Ellie Crowe is a compelling story about the childhood of the courageous man the world came to know as Nelson Mandela.

Rolihlahla was his given name, it means "Troublemaker," but to most people he was simply known as Buti. At the age of 5, Buti and his family were forced to leave their home and all of their possessions. They moved to another village to live with family. It was in this village that Buti was given the incredible opportunity to attend school. In school Buti was given the English name, Nelson. Although he didn't think he needed to have three names, he accepted it as part of his education. He was anxious to learn to read and just before his father passed he said to Buti, "education and books will help you get on in the world. I worry that life will not be easy for you. I want you to always stand firm for what you believe is fair and right." Buti would always remember his promise. Eventually, he was sent to the Great Place to live with a Chief who was a good friend of his father's. In the Great Place Buti learned about forgiveness and to look for the good in people. It is in the Great Place that Buti became a man.

The Boy Called Troublemaker is an exceptional story. Written in a simplistic nature, the story is perfect in helping young readers discover the aspects of Buti's childhood which shaped him into the amazing man who gave up his own freedom in an effort to secure it for others.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Boy Called Troublemaker, which is available at www.amazon.com.

Author Interview: Jeff Botch

1/28/2013

Meet Jeff Botch, author of Big Feats

Jeff Botch is a children's writer who has a passion for assisting in the development of children. He believes that growing up is one of the hardest things to do and more time needs to be spent putting positive information in front of our kids.

He aims to influence kids by teaching and speaking on the four pillars of his ASAP model and firmly believes that by getting our children to use the formula as a base to overcome obstacles they will ultimately grow into more happy and successful adults. (www.amazon.com)

BBB: What inspired you to become a children's author?

JB: I have spent much of my adult life studying “Self Development" and "Human Potential." During this period I have come to the conclusion that growing up is one of the hardest things to do and many of the problems that adults face is directly related to the obstacles they experienced while they were kids. My inspiration for becoming a children's author stems from my desire to help in overcoming the adversities associated with being a kid.

BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book, Big Feats?

JB: I created a developmental formula called the ASAP Model and it represents Attitude, Self Development, Action and Persistence. This model addresses four key areas that the child can use along with a formula on how to tackle the obstacles they may encounter on an everyday basis.

BBB: What do you think children will learn most from your book?

JB: Big Feats will help kids to discover that they have control over many of the challenges they encounter. The book will show them that they have options in how they deal with the issues they face.

BBB: Are you currently working on other books?

JB: Yes, I am working on two other books and they both revolve around activities that I enjoy doing with my children and the family experience.

BBB: What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?

JB: Getting published is not easy but it is possible as long as you're willing to put the necessary time into it. Always remember WHY you wrote the book and use this as inspiration to do whatever is necessary to see the project to completion. Never give up!

BBB: Thank you to Jeff Botch for sharing information about his ASAP Model and talking to us about his book, Big Feats.

You can find out more about Jeff Botch and his book by visiting http://jeffbotch.tumblr.com. Happy Writing!

Author Interview: Lissa Brown

1/27/2013

Meet Lissa Brown, author of Family Secrets: Three Generations, Another F-Word and other stories

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Lissa Brown on a previous occasion and am honored to have the chance to speak with her about her new book Another F-Word.

Lissa Brown has been on a southward journey from her Newark, New Jersey birthplace. Now retired from careers in teaching, marketing and public relations, she has written about adjusting to life in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains and published the award-winning novel, Family Secrets: Three Generations, in 2011. Her newest novel, Another F-Word, tells the story of Rory Calhoun Wilson, a gentle boy growing up in rural Tennessee. It is a story about bullying, courage and love. When she is not writing, Lissa tinkers with her bluegrass banjo on the porch of her log cabin. (www.amazon.com)

BBB: What inspired you to write Another F-Word?

LB: This is an unusual answer, I’m sure. I was driving home from town and stopped at a light behind a pickup truck bearing the bumper sticker, “Santa Hates Jewish Kids.” I nearly choked on my own shock and anger. How could any adult be so thoughtless, I wondered. Imagine if I’d been a seven or eight-year-old Jewish kid and read that! It gnawed at me for a few days and I started thinking about the countless mean things adults do to hurt kids, sometimes unintentionally and sometimes deliberately. I felt I needed to write about it. I saw that as an act of bullying and began to shape a story about a young boy who was a victim of bullying, a gay boy growing up in a rural southern town. Bullying is a growing tragedy in our society and I want to help put an end to it. Too many kids are taking their own lives when they feel they cannot tolerate further bullying.

BBB: What do you hope readers learn from Another F-Word?

LB: Adults need to realize the damage they can do to children and think before they act or say things. One lesson I hope readers take from the book is that children can be made so miserable by bullies that they sometimes decide their lives are not worth living and commit suicide. Equally important is the notion that the right mentors can make a major difference in the lives of bullied kids. Further, parents of gay kids sometimes struggle to accept them, and there are places they can go for support from other parents. The mother in this story sought out PFLAG, a very successful support network. Schools and religious institutions can make a huge difference to kids who are different. If they welcome them with love, they can become safe havens. If they don’t, they can do tremendous damage. Many people don’t realize that bullying is also damaging to those who bully. The primary bully in this story pays a high price for his behavior. Lastly, we all need to remain open to people who can make a positive difference in our lives. We never know when they will appear. I wrote this book so that it is appropriate for adults and high school teens.

BBB: Tell us about your main character, Rory Calhoun Wilson.

LB: Readers will no doubt recognize that the author fell in love with this charming, sensitive boy. The more I wrote about his gentleness and appreciation for flowers and other living things, the more I wanted to protect him from his father’s harsh treatment and the bullying of classmates, his pastor and others. Rory bears the burden of having been named for his grandmother’s lifelong crush, the ruggedly handsome macho cowboy TV and movie star. He is as far from that model as one can imagine. He dislikes sports because he isn’t good at them and shies away from the kinds of activities his father and other boys in his town enjoy—hunting, NASCAR, etc. Instead, he prefers to work in his garden with the plants he regards as pets. In one scene, his mother wonders how he manages to raise such beautiful flowers. “I just love them, and they’re happy to see me,” he answers. Rory is conflicted about his feelings for another boy and with the negative messages he gets from several sources, he begins to feel he is not a good person. Fortunately, at the most critical moments in his life, he is able to rely on his one good friend, his adoring grandparents and his mother. A series of important mentors rescue him from what could have been a very unhappy life.

BBB: Are you currently working on another book?

LB: I’m giving serious thought to starting on a sequel to Another F-Word but I’ve committed to do several talks and book signings about this book. One of the reasons I wrote the book is that I want to speak with as many groups as will have me about the issue of bullying and find solutions that adults can provide to stop it. If any of your readers want to contact me about a program on bullying, they can do so through my website, www.lissabrownwrites.com.

BBB: Can you offer advice to authors who are seeking to have their work published?

LB: Another F-Word is the third book I have self-published. Obviously, I’m a big fan of that method. It allows the author far greater control over the final product. The flip side to that is the author is completely responsible for every aspect of the process. Authors need to be sure that the book is well written, carefully edited, attractively packaged and marketed. Not all authors feel comfortable with each of those things. I have a marketing background, so I prefer to do my own marketing plan and execute it. I hire illustrators, book designers and editors. Trying to edit your own work is worse than what results when a lawyer defends herself in court. Timing of when your book gets published is entirely in your hands when you self-publish. You don’t have to spend a year or more sending query letters to agents or publishers and if your book is accepted by them, you don’t have to wait a few more years before they are ready to release it. Finally, you do not have to share the income from the sale of the book with an agent and a publisher. There are definite disadvantages to self-publishing, not the least of which is the stigma that some attach to it. Happily, that is fading as more and more self-published books are meeting or exceeding the quality standards observed by traditional publishers.

BBB: Thank you, Lissa Brown for giving us insight into her newest book Another F-Word and for sharing her experience as a self-publisher. Happy Writing!

You can find out more about Lissa Brown and her books by visiting www.lissabrownwrites.com.

Beach Tales Review

1/26/2013

Beach Tales
~Written by Uke Jackson

Beach Tales by Uke Jackson is a collection of 12 short stories. The rich plots and spicy characters will engross readers at every turn.

Beach Tales is centered around the racy and intriguing lives of those who call South Beach, Florida home. From the young aspiring journalist who faces a landslide of bad luck on her first big story in An Elton Moment to the athletic beach goer who is awestruck by something he sees in the ocean only to meet his demise in The Bird of Paradise readers will be captivated by every detail.

I recommend picking up a copy of Beach Tales which is available at www.amazon.com.

Rainbow Stick Boy Review

1/24/2013

The Rainbow Stick Boy
~Written & Illustrated by Michael Santolini

The Rainbow Stick Boy by Michael Santolini is an inspiring story that teaches young readers to accept others for who they are on the inside.

"In a village called Chromaville lived stick people who were always born one solid color," but when the Biv family had their baby he was a mix of all the colors. Even though their son, Huey, was different they loved him just the same. Other stick families questioned why Huey was so different. Huey found it difficult to make friends and often times he felt sad and alone. Sometimes he even tried to hide his colors so others would accept him. Huey longed to fit in. One day while on a walk Huey met Rae. Rae was a magical orange stick girl and never questioned Huey's rainbow colors. They became very good friends. Rain begins to fall in Chromaville. It rained and rained and rained and soon everyone's colors begin to fade. Huey was worried about his friend, Rae and set out to find her, but instead he discovers the beauty within himself.

The Rainbow Stick Boy is a heartfelt tale of a special boy who, although different from others, has something very special to offer the world.

The lesson found within The Rainbow Stick Boy is timeless. Learning to accept others without judgement is one that will make our world a better place.

I recommend picking up a copy of The Rainbow Stick Boy at www.amazon.com.

Kabe Academy Review

1/23/2013

Kabe Academy
~Written by Caleb J.H. Cameron

Kabe Academy by Caleb J.H. Cameron is an imaginative tale of wizardry and magic that will entertain readers to the end.

Zallin is an 11 year-old boy whose mom just happens to be a fire wizard. Zallin has been selected to attend Kabe Academy, a school for wizards. He is anxious to begin his training such as learning potions, spells and how to breath fire. While discovering the ins and outs of wizard school Zallin meets Jose and they become fast friends. The boys soon learn that training to master your powers is no easy task and often times things go wrong. Does Zallin have what it takes to make it at Kabe Academy?

Caleb J.H Cameron wrote Kabe Academy when he was just 11 years old. He shows great talent as a writer. His book is perfect for young readers as he allows his creativity to shine through creating a captivating story.

I recommend picking up Kabe Academy which is available at www.amazon.com.

Dark Application Review

1/21/2013

Dark Application
~Written by Brian Krogstad & Lindsey Waterman
~Illustrated by Anthony Sturmas

Dark Application by Brian Krogstad and Lindsey Waterman delves into the Information Age of Smart Phones and Applications with a plot so intriguing it will leave you spellbound.

Luke Jeffers is an average college student in Virginia. He spends most of his time just trying to get through life. He daydreams about a fellow student named Amy, but she hardly acknowledges his existence. With the new semester about to begin Luke is enrolled in CIS: Computer Information Systems. Arriving to his first class, he is surprised that it is located in an odd and mysterious industrial area. Confused he enters the building only to find people in military fatigues. He decides to make the most of this experience and begins looking around on his computer. A networked server named DARK catches his eye, but access requires a password. Thinking the application must contain really cool games he downloads it to his cellphone in order to gain access later. This seemingly simple move will catapult Luke Jeffers into a world he never imagined, one where all of his actions are controlled by his Smart Phone. Luke's life begins to spiral out of control with death and destruction abound. Will he ever regain control of his life or will DARK cause him to pay the ultimate price?

Dark Application is a gripping thriller that goes beyond your wildest imagination. I highly recommend reading it and once you start you won't be able to put it down.

Pick up a copy at www.amazon.com.

Brianna the Ballet Fairy Review

1/21/2013

Brianna the Ballet Fairy
~Written by Julia Dweck
~Illustrated by Kimberly Soderberg

Brianna the Ballet Fairy by Julia Dweck is an enticing tale that will have young readers dancing for joy as Brianna overcomes the bewitching tricks of a pixie to discover the real magic lies within her.

"Brianna is the smallest sprite who sprinkles sugar through the night." The fairies leap and twirl though the land, all except for Brianna. She wishes she was able to swing and sway like the others and longs to dance before the Fairy Queen. A tricky pixie overhears Brianna's wish and lures Brianna with her magic. But, as often times happens with cunning pixies, everything goes terribly wrong leaving Brianna even more doubtful of the the unique talents that make her special.

Brianna the Ballet Fairy is charmingly illustrated by Kimberly Soderberg. She brilliantly captures adorable Brianna and her art enhances this enchanting story.

Brianna the Ballet Fairy by Julia Dweck is the second book in her new Fairy Series.

I highly recommend picking up a copy which is available on Amazon Kindle at www.amazon.com.

Amelia 1868 Review

1/19/2013

Amelia 1868
~Written by Janet Kay

Amelia 1868 by Janet Kay is a gripping paranormal novel that easily lures readers through the vivid detail and intriguing characters.

Prairie Rose Johanssen, known to her family and friends as Rose, lives in the present day, but feels connected to the past. In a desperate attempt to find herself she flees her family and fiance to begin a new life. Something seems to be drawing Rose to Montana and once she arrives she feels an awkward sense of deja vu. The pieces start to fall into place and Rose realizes she must discover the past in order to help her move into the future. Making her way to Virginia City, Montana, Rose immediately recognizes many buildings from drawings she used to do as a child. Rose decides to stay in Virginia City and meets Paul DuBois. The electricity between them does not go unnoticed, and Rose is strongly cautioned by an inner voice not to trust him. Rose comes to learn Virginia City has many residence, several of whom are no longer living. Paul, a historian, tracks the ghostly activity and invites Rose along. Lured to an old headstone with the simple inscription "Amelia 1868." Rose feels compelled to learn all she can about the woman who lies in the grave. Will Rose discover the truth and find out her life's purpose or end up lost forever living in the past?

Janet Kay is a gifted storyteller, who enthralls her readers with her brilliant imagination and alluring plot. Amelia 1868 is a story you won't be able to put down.

I highly recommend picking up a copy at www.amazon.com.

Let Me Out Review

1/14/2013

Let Me Out!
~Written by Anita Chainani
~Illustrated by Rakhi Valrani

Let Me Out! by Anita Chainani is a heartwarming adventure about a very special whale shark named, Niki and her inspiring quest for freedom.

Niki is a whale shark who was found stranded in shallow waters and rescued by a fisherman. She now lives in the aquarium of the Treasures of Arabia Resort in Dubai. Niki desires to return to her massive ocean home instead of living in this tiny cage where she is hand fed. Niki soon becomes very depressed.

One day a young, but very astute princess named Alisha visits the resort. Princess Alisha observes the sadness in Niki's eyes and urges her father to help return Niki to the wild.
Will Princess Alisha be able to help Niki or will she be trapped forever in her new aquarium home?

The illustrations by Rakhi Valrani are absolutely stunning and lure young readers into this underwater tale.

Let Met Out! is an encouraging story of helping others and doing what is right, even if others disagree with you. Children will love Let Me Out! and will want to hear it again and again.

I recommend picking up at copy today!