Tuesday, September 27, 2011

This week on A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book

On the September 28th edition of the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show, Jennifer will interview Andrew Boeshaar, author of this eyar's UNDAUNTED FAITH and .numerous other books. Listen in Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2011/09/28/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book, or the episode will be archived at that location if you miss it.

UNDAUNTED FAITH:

Can the McCabe Brothers Find Love Amidst the Chaos of the Arizona Territory?


The McCabe brothers have their hands full. Trouble on the range and trouble in town. But they never expected their sweet schoolteacher, Bethany Stafford, to join in the mix of woe. When her reputation is unfairly tarnished, Pastor Luke McCabe is quick to propose marriage. But Bethany wants better than just a marriage of necessity to save her good name. Could Luke ever come to love a plain “little field mouse” like her?

Dr. Annetta Cavanaugh has her own questions about men and their intentions. While Pastor Jake McCabe seems sincere, she still has her doubts about him. But after he accompanies her on a medical call, she sees a whole new side of him and can't help but admit her attraction to the handsome pastor.

However, there’s evil brewing in town—a lawlessness that even the sheriff cannot tamp down. Finally, it comes face-to-face with both Luke and Jake and it threatens the lives of the women they love. Are the McCabe brothers ready for the fight of their lives?

Find out more about Andrea Boeshaar on her website at http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Book Review: Mind Over Mind, by Karina Fabian

Mind Over Mind, by Karina Fabian

Paperback: 314 pages

Publisher: Dragon Moon Press (August 8, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1897492367
Rating (1 to 5 *): *****
 
Mind Over Mind Book Review


Ydrel (or Deryl, as his mother named him, or Darrel as his guardians insist on calling him), has been in a mental institution for years, ever since his uncontrollable psychic powers got him in some deep trouble at school. No one has been able to help him gain control, that is until 19-year-old Joshua Lawson came along for a summer internship. Joshua uses Neuro Linquistic Programming, and after a few pointers, Ydrel starts learning how to bring his world back under control. The only thing is, there's much more to Ydrel's powers than merely being psychic. He is being used by two alien species in their interplanetary war.

Meanwhile, Joshua has some issues of his own to deal with. He went on this internship to get away from school and girl issues at home and get his mind focused again on his studies and an upcoming audition that could launch his band's career. However, he can't seem to help himself from falling in love with Ydrel's best friend and favorite nurse.

Mind Over Mind is a very interesting take on science fiction, in that we see very little of the science fiction aspect of the story, and what we do see comes in flashes through Ydrel's dreams. The concept of Neuro Linguistic Programming is a real concept, and it was interesting to read about being used in the book. However, I do wish that more of the story had centered on that and on Ydrel's struggles--I felt Joshua's romance with Sachiko distracted just a bit too much from what I thought the main point of the story was. However, the writing is good, the characters well developed, and the story line is very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next two books in the trilogy go.

Learn more about Karina Fabian at http://fabianspace.com/ or purchase Mind Over Mind on Amazon at  http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Karina-L-Fabian/dp/1897942362.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Author Interview: Karina Fabian

Today we learn a little about Karina Fabian and her latest book, Mind Over Mind.  Come back tomorrow to read my review of the book!

Jennifer: Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?



Karina: For more about all my books (and me, if you're really interested), go to http://fabianspace.com. In the books sections (arranged by genre), you'll find links to purchase the books from the publisher or Amazon.

To purchase my latest, Mind Over Mind:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Karina-L-Fabian/dp/1897942362

Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-ebook/dp/B005D94LI0


Tell us about your book.


Karina: Deryl Stephen’s uncontrollable telepathic abilities have landed him in a mental health institution, where no one believes in his powers.

But when Joshua Lawson, a student of neuro linguistic programming, takes part in a summer internship, he takes the unique step of accepting Deryl’s reality and teaches him to work with it. As Deryl learns control, he finds his next challenge is to face the aliens who have been contacting him psychically for years—aliens who would use him to further their cause in an interplanetary war.


What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?


Karina: This sounds terribly conceited, but I love to go back and reread my work. Even when I'm in the editing phase, I love re-experiencing my characters as they move through the story. It might be because I'm a pantster, so I let the characters dictate the progress of the story, so I'm not reading my writing so much as their stories.


Tell us about your previous work.


Karina: Where do I start? I write comedic horror, funny fantasy, serious science fiction, often with faith themes. I've written a devotional, and nonfiction.

I write in several universes: In DragonEye, PI, our world is linked to the Faerie though a interdimensional gap, and magic and technology don’t mix well. The Rescue Sisters universe centers around an order of nuns who do search and rescue operations in outer space. Neeta Lyffe's world is about 30 years in our future, where zombies have become real and real pests. (Neeta is a zombie exterminator.) Mind Over Mind is a present-day fantasy, though the next two books will take place on the planets of Kanaan and Barin.

The best thing for readers to do is check out my website, http://fabianspace.com and look at my books. The website is organized by genre, so you can explore what you like best.


What other projects do you have coming up?


Karina: In April, the next DragonEye, PI novel comes out, Live and Let Fly. It's super-spy spoofing with a dragon and a magic-slinging nun on a mission to protect our world from a demigod intent on bringing Armageddon to our world. To get ready, I'll be posting some serial stories on my website. The second Mind Over book is with the publisher, but I've not heard anything back yet.

In September, I have a story coming out in Mother Goose is Dead, coming from Damnation Books. "The Faerie Truths Behind the Fairy Tales" is Vern's article on some of the common fairy-tale scams going around our world. I also have an article in The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal, coming from DragonMoon Press in September or October.


Do you work with a writing group or mentor? Why or why not? If you do, what do you get out of it?


Karina: I would love to have a mentor. However, right now, I have a group of trusted friends who are excellent writers who critique my work for me, and I sometimes go to one of my many groups and ask for crits there. The objective set of eyes is vital to me--they find plot holes, show me where readers get confused because they don't know all I know--and they find my typos! I've not found a writers' group, mostly because I'm so busy at home, and we move every couple of years (Rob is in the Air Force), so I've not put much effort in finding a live group.


What have you done to develop your writing craft?


Karina: Practice. Get critiques--tough critiques. Take workshops. I learn best by doing and having my mistakes pointed out to me, rather than reading about theories or methods.


What was the hardest part: writing the book, getting it published, or marketing it? Why?


Karina: Marketing. I was never much of a salesman, and never was in the popular crowd. Again, this is where I know all the theory, but putting it into practice isn't as easy. Wish I could find a marketing critique group, LOL. On the bright side, usually once someone buys one of my books, they love them, so I have a loyal fan base.


Tell us a little about your non-writing life. Family? Pets? Hobbies?


Karina: Last year, my family and I decided to try a new marital art, haidong gumbdo. It's Korean sword martial arts. It's the first time I've done anything like that, and I enjoy it. We had the first Pan American games this summer. Rob and Amber, our 16-year-old, participated, but I was heavy into writing my latest books and didn't practice, so I bowed out. I'm a green belt right now. I'm hoping to work up to my black belt this year, though, and maybe I can participate in the next Pan Am games--unless Rob talks me into our going to Korea for the World Cup. Talk about intimidating!


What is your favorite genre to read? To write?


Karina: I have fairly eclectic tastes, but in general, I prefer fantasy and science fiction both to read and to write. I like escaping reality.


If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be, and with whom?


Karina: Rob and I want to make it to Greece one day, preferably on a cruise, but really, anywhere I go with him or one of the kids is a great time for me. In August, I took my daughter to the Catholic Writers Conference Live in Philadelphia, then to New York for a weekend. We had such a wonderful time together. I loved the mother-daughter time, and we shared it with my friend, author Michelle Buckman, and her daughters, which made it extra fun.

Monday, September 19, 2011

This Week on A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book

The September 21st episode of the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show will feature Bill See, author of the autobiographical 33 DAYS, the story of his tour with his rock band Divine Weeks.  Listen in this Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2011/09/21/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book. As always, you will be able to listen to the recording after the fact.

Learn more about Bill and 33 DAYS at http://www.33daysthebook.com/.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Author Interview: Andrea Pearson


Our interview today is with Andrea Pearson, author of The Key of Kilenya. Tune in to the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show on October 19th to hear a live interview wtih Andrea!


Jennifer: Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?



Andrea: I spend most my time on Facebook (Author Andrea Pearson) and Twitter (andreapearson2). You can find more information about my books on my website: http://kilenyaseries.com/


Jennifer: Tell us about your book.


Andrea: It's about a fourteen-year-old kid who has powers he doesn't know about. He discovers a link to a different world, and when he gets there, he finds that the inhabitants (good and bad) know everything about him. The good ones want his help in retrieving a stolen key—the Key of Kilenya—and the bad ones want his powers. It’s geared to late middle grade/early young adult readers, but even adults and older teens have enjoyed it.


Jennifer: What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?


Andrea: The feeling that comes to me when the words flow from my fingers.Seeing my characters come to life. Reading over something I'd written a year earlier, and getting giggles over things that were funny back then and still are funny now. :-) It's really neat. I'm still pretty new to it all.


Jennifer: What other projects do you have coming up?


Andrea: I’m working on book three (Gehrok Fortress) of the Kilenya Series. It should be released late 2011/early 2012.


Jennifer: What have you done to develop your writing craft?


Andrea: I spend a lot of time researching on the internet and reading books. I’ve attended a few writer’s conferences, but have found that most of the information there is also available online, so I don’t do that much anymore. I also love getting into writing discussions with other authors.This helps a great deal.


Jennifer: Tell us a little about your non-writing life. Family? Pets? Hobbies?


Andrea: I have five brothers and one sister. It was chaotic in my parents’ home, yes, but we all loved it and are still really close. I’m married (no children yet—we’ve only been married a few months) and have the world’s best husband. Ever. No competition. :-) I don’t have any pets now, though if I did, I’d probably have another beta fish or a canary. And my hobbies? Art! I strongly lean toward the artsy side. Here, actually, readers can watch a video of me showing my hobbies and interests:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTP0r-rW82s


Jennifer: Is your family supportive of your writing?


Andrea: Yes. Incredibly. My parents and siblings have been there with me through all of the disappointments and triumphs. My husband and in-laws are also very supportive. I feel very blessed and lucky to have such a great support structure.


Jennifer: When and why did you decide to become a writer?


Andrea: While I was serving a mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Two of my only outlets for expressing emotions were my journal and writing home to my family. I discovered a love for words and their meanings, especially while studying the Spanish language. :-)


Jennifer: Who is your favorite author of all time, and why?


Andrea: I know he's not in my writing "genre," but Michael Crichton has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. He really knew how to grip his readers—something most writers wish they could do, but many fall just short. And I love logical, scientific type books—he excels at that.

Next, J.K. Rowling, for starting at the bottom of the totem pole and making it so incredibly high up, maintaining humility through it all. I can't stand arrogant authors. :-)


Jennifer: If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?

Andrea: Dinner at the Olive Garden with my hubby. :-) I know, not terribly imaginative, but their bread sticks and soups are amazing!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Book Review: Pumpkin Roll, by Josi S. Kilpack

Pumpkin Roll, by Josi S. Kilpack

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 7, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1609087453
Rating (1 to 5*): *****
 
Pumpkin Roll Book Review


Sadie Hoffmiller is supposed to be on vacation. Well, she's babysitting her boyfriend's grandkids, but she's supposed to be on vacation from her investigation service. Yet, it doesn't take long for weird things to start happening, all starting with Mrs. Wapple, the neighbor across the street the kids insist is a witch. Mrs. Wapple doesn't make her case any less suspicious when she makes signs in the air and the light bulb in the lamp right next to Sadie explodes.

Things only get weirder from there, when Sadie tries to figure out how to help the poor woman across the street. Soon, it seems that ghosts are invading the house to scare them, although Sadie and Pete refuse to believe that could be true--or could it? Sadie is getting nowhere with Mrs. Wapple's sister, the poor woman's only family. To make things even worse, Jane, Sadie's part-time employee in the investigation business and full-time pain in the neck, shows up to help. Sadie doesn't really want her there, but it seems she can't get rid of her and could really use her. If she doesn't solve the mystery of what's going on and get Mrs. Wapple some help, who knows what could happen?

Josi S. Kilpack's books just keep getting better. You kind of want to strangle Sadie sometimes, but she has a good heart and you have to admire her tenacity. Pumpkin Roll was delightfully suspenseful, playing on the Halloween theme to keep me turning the pages over and over--I lost a lot of sleep thanks to this novel. The characters have fun, easy interactions, and the answer to the mystery was jealously guarded right up to the right moment.

Then, of course, there's the food. That darned Sadie is always cooking, which makes this series a hard one to read if you're on a diet! To further rub salt in the wound, Kilpack includes recipes for most of the treats mentioned in the book. I haven't tried them yet, but I've put in a couple of requests to my chef husband!

Tune in to the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show at 10:00AM Pacific Time when I talk with Josi about Pumpkin Roll and all kinds of other interesting stuff. The recording will be posted in case you miss it!


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Book Review: MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH, by Lorilee Craker Giveaway!

Read this whole review to find out how to win your own copy of Money Secrets of the Amish!

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 14, 2011)
ISBN-10: 159555341X
Rating (1 to 5 *): ****** (yes, six)

Book Review: Money Secrets of the Amish


The Amish have long been known for their thriftiness, but few "fancies" (us folk who aren't part of their community) probably have little understanding of just how thrifty these "plain" folk are, or really what their culture is all about. As it turns out, these people are the masters of making do with what they can and saving money--in some cases, putting away hundreds of thousands of dollars while raising a family of 14 children.

Journalist and best-selling author Lorilee Craker found the need in her own life to learn to cut back on her spending, and with her Mennonite roots, the Amish fascinated her. She befriended several and got to know their ways, as well as talked to some experts outside of the community, to see how they lived and saved. What she found was not only highly interesting, but also very useful in the course of every day "fancy" life. Thus, Money Secrets of the Amish came to be.

Although most people aren't willing to give up their cars and televisions and turn to horse-drawn wagons and growing their own wheat, there are a lot of thing the Amish do that we can incorporate into our daily lives, namely: use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without. In Money Secrets of the Amish, Craker goes over some of these concepts and how they relate to the rest of us. She also brings in some suggestions from her thrifty "fancy" friends, so you get a wealth of ideas that are not hard to implement if you're willing to do it. She wraps up each chapter with "My Amish Money Makeover", which is a takeaway you can implement immediately to start saving some cash.

Craker's writing style is fun as well as informative, and what I particularly appreciated was that she is not preachy. In fact, she admits freely that she gives in to temptation from time to time, or that she's not ready to take on certain aspects of Amish living. She talks about what she does and doesn't do, the great ideas her friends come up with, what she wants to try, and how something worked out for her in a "hey, this is pretty cool!" sort of way rather than a "look at how much better than you I am" sort of way. Major kudos from me! I highly recommend Money Secrets of the Amish to everyone who could use to save a little money. In this economy, that pretty much means everyone!

Want to win a copy of Money Secrets of the Amish? Leave a comment on this post, and I will randomly draw a winner. Make your comment by Sunday, September 25th, and I'll announce the winner on Monday. Be sure to give me your email address so I can contact you.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Author Interview: Tracy James Jones

Today's interview is with Tracy James Jones, author of Secrets and Lies.
About the Author: Tracy James Jones

I grew up migrating between Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas, and started writing while in high school with the help of a wonderful Journalism teacher. At Navarro College I majored in Journalism / minored in Mass Communication. Before college, I worked as an actor with the local Community Theater, and later as an extra/stand-in for two award winning feature films. Writing is my passion because it just simply is. I am totally captivated by the condition of being human.


Jennifer Walker: Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?
Tracy James Jones: I can be found on Amazon and the links below;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-James-Jones/110692882366182

www.twitter.com/hatchiekid


Jennifer Walker: Tell us about your book.
Tracy James Jones: My new book:

Secrets & Lies
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G5L36O

(Provocative multi-cultural modern-romance)

“Sometimes a need for keeping secrets… Can be just as intriguing as a reason for telling lies…”

Secrets & Lies is a 60,000-word in-depth emotional journey into the private lives of four central characters that unfolds as a provocative, multi-cultural, modern-romance with a twist…

Secrets, as they are, rarely devastate the national population as a whole. They are more often limited to the individual going on about their lives. That is what this story is about, a group of not-so-ordinary people, all from very different backgrounds, whose secrets and lies leaves a trail of honest deception waiting to upset the rituals of their daily existence.

* * *

Kennedy Jordan is a handsome young man with a secret past and a challenging future that keeps him in the balance between having what he wants versus what others expect of him.

Camilla Vargas is a beautiful ambitious young woman with big dreams of success that she has planned to obtain by any means possible, and vows to not let anything keep her from it.

Ulanda Jefferson is a hip outspoken fashionista with a fiery attitude. Armored with sharp-wit and an uncensored tongue, she is more than just a force to be reckoned with.

Bren Searcy is a grown-up lost in transition, (literally from male to female). There is almost nothing she wouldn’t bear to hang onto the happiness she has finally found.

* * *

In the end, for everyone involved, even the elements of true confessions gets lost in translation as the explicit details of who they are brings the group together in a surprising, yet necessary finale that could change the course of all their lives forever…


Jennifer Walker: Where did you get the idea for the story?
Tracy James Jones: The idea for this book turned out to be something I believe I have been wanting to write my whole life. Growing up shy and in a very strict, over-protective environment sort of stumped my view or vision of what life and people were really about. I had to learn a lot about life in the real world on my own, and in the process, I had to figure who I was and where I fit into it. Not exactly a pretty picture, but the experiences I had along the way introduced me to a lot of different people and things. What I learned through my interactions with others sort of fed my creativity. The idea, simply put, came from living and the characters I have encountered throughout my life.


Jennifer Walker: What is your greatest writing challenge?
Tracy James Jones: My greatest challenge is trying not to hold my characters back. I keep trying to groom them in a respectable way when I know an uncensored, outspoken character should reflect exactly that. When I first started writing, an agent friend pointed that out to me and insisted that I learn to release my personal views from my characters and just to let them be, whether I like the character or not. That was hard to do because of how I was raised.


Jennifer Walker: What do you find most rewarding in writing a book?
Tracy James Jones: In some ways, my writing allows me the adventure of living outside the box. Basically, I live a little vicariously through my characters because they are free to do and be whomever they are and I get to join them. I find their adventures and experiences touch on all sorts of emotions, which is something I love.


Jennifer Walker: Tell us about your previous work.
Tracy James Jones: My first book, a biography, was about a local guy from my hometown. I was in college when I received the offer to pen his life story.

No Tears For A Hero -The Stephen Mitchell Story - 1995

No Tears For A Hero: The Stephen Mitchell Story is an extraordinary saga of triumph of the human spirit. When Steve is hit by a car while riding a bicycle one day, the Mitchell’s world is shattered. After a long hospital stay, much of which Steve spends in a coma and paralyzed down one side of his body, he returns home to face the long road to recovery….

In 2008, Mitchell’s story was produced as a documentary film by an acclaimed Dallas Director & Brokedown Films, entitled, “Champ: The Steve Mitchell Story,” which won the official selection seal for the Dallas Video Film Festival that same year.

-------------------------

My second book is titled Searching For Eden. Fiction 2003

Searching For Eden – The Story of Stacy Christian

In the middle of the night, seventeen-year-old Stacy Christian ran away from home or he would have been dead by the light of day. He had no idea that his nightmares were only just about to begin… In the end, it is for the lives of others and his own future that his journey to adulthood really begins… (Sort of a YA male adventure turned loose in a grown-up world.)

I am presently reconstructing both books for re-release as ebooks.


Jennifer Walker: What other projects do you have coming up?
Tracy James Jones: After Secrets & Lies I am prepared to release another book titled Torn.

Torn: Sixty days of Calaboose

(Psychological Drama)

“It is said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste… For some, it is also a very terrifying thing to lose…”

This title will not likely fit in with the general reading public because of the subject matter. Though there is no graphic sex or extreme violence, it deals heavily with all elements of a single character’s downward spiral into madness and other experiences behind the walls of a local county jail. In a way it can be somewhat compared to HBO’s once popular prison series “Oz.”


Jennifer Walker: Do you work with a writing group or mentor? Why or why not? If you do, what do you get out of it?
Tracy James Jones: Presently, I am just getting into writing groups and thus far, I have learned a lot about the self-promoting/marketing business. My groups offer a lot of interesting thoughts and advice on what to and what not to do. When I am writing, I rely strongly on my test readers, and I have one person for each level of my writing process. 1st draft, second, third and/or final proof. Each person is very important to the outcome of my book because when I am writing my focus remains totally on telling the story. My test readers help work out the flaws and they keep me on my toes.


Jennifer Walker: What is your writing process like--do you outline first or just start writing, etc.?
Tracy James Jones: Usually, before I begin a book, I decide what the story is fully about in an outline. That helps me to map out the important elements of the story. Then I write out my characters. I start with who they are, how they look, personality traits and what makes them tick. Once that is done everything else plays out in my head like a movie. Even the secondary characters just fall into place once the story begins.


Jennifer Walker: When and why did you decide to become a writer?
Tracy James Jones: The when would be in high school. I had a fantastic journalism teacher who had a way of pulling you into a project with every fiber or your being. No matter what the subject, she taught us to push the envelope with our words until we could covey passion and emotion in anything we wrote. After that, I always looked for books that brought back those same intense emotions.

As for why, besides that teacher, it was my own passion for the intensities of the human condition. For that reason, I have always been observant of people. I’ve always had a fascination regarding how they reacted in all sorts of situations. I just love human emotion. It’s like if someone smiled, I always feel compelled to smile back, or if someone were sad, I feel sad with them. The compassion I have for others is often reflected in my work because it breathes real life into my characters. It also speaks to the kind of person I believe I am.

Thanks to Tracy for stopping by!

Monday, September 12, 2011

A special edition of A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book

This Thursday, I will hold a special edition of the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio. I will interview Josi S. Kilpack, author of several culinary mysteries, about her new book, Pumpkin Roll. We'll talk about Josi's books, writing, publishing, and even Halloween!

Tune in on Thursday at 10:00AM Pacific Time at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2011/09/15/special-edition-of-a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book, or listen to the recording after the fact.

Look for my review of the book on the same day!

Learn more about Josi at http://www.josiskilpack.com/.

This week's book giveaway!

From our friend, Linda Weaver Clarke:

Book Give-Away September 12 - 19: To win the first book in The Eyes of Innocence series, leave a comment about this interview with your e-mail. U.S. and Canada.


It's truly a heartwarming story of a young innocent girl coming to terms with an amazing talent and the story of her and her familys life. - J. Woodfield

This popular series depicts the life of an orphaned girl as she grows up displaying an innate way with animals and many surprises for her aunt and uncle. By the age of five, Kalina is showing psychic abilities and the power to heal. The series opens when Kalina is nearly sixteen, and a white horse haunts her dreams. On her birthday, the horse appears. The mare is real, and she is hers.

Kalina's tumultuous life is riddled with unanswered questions. Someone is watching her, and although she is aware of this, she has no fear. When the day arrives that she actually meets these people, she quickly forms a bond with them, much to her aunt and uncle's dismay.

Follow Kalina's escapades, as she matures into a gifted psychic and healer. Her aunt and uncle want her to tone down her abilities, but Kalina is unwilling to do as they ask. If someone needs her, she reacts, especially if a child is involved. People grow suspicious of her extraordinary powers, and try to prove their theories, but haven't been able to uncover the truth....yet. Kalina is unique, as is her story.

To win a book, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/



Sunday, September 11, 2011

This Week on A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book

On the Septemer 14th edition of the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show, join Jennifer as she talks with Michael Kastler, author of Get a GRASP on Your Budget and Cash. Michael is a budgeting coach, so maybe he will offer some helpful tips for surviving this economy!

Listen in on Wednesday at 3:30PT at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2011/09/14/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book. As always, the show will be archived if you miss it, so you can listen any time!


Learn more about him at http://www.budgetingmoneytips.com/.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Book Review: MARKED, by Kim Richardson

Marked
Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (March 18, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1461017092
Rating (1 to 4 *): ****

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Marked-Soul-Guardians-Kim-Richardson/dp/1461017092/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Kim Richardson's facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/KRAuthorPage?sk=app_163325500392236
Kim Richardson website: http://kim-richardson.ca/
Book Review: Marked, by Kim Richardson


Sixteen-year-old Kara Nightingale has important things to do. In fact, she's on her way to an important presentation at the art gallery when she is unfortunately sidelined by a bus. The next thing she knows, she's on an elevator, manned by a not-very-helpful monkey. As it turns out, she's on her way to Horizon (AKA Heaven), where she finds out she not only won't be making her presentation, but she won't be seeing her family and friends ever again, because she's dead. Instead, she gets to be a rookie in the Guardian Angel Legion, whether she wants to be or not.

She is quickly matched up with bad boy (but sweet and way too cute) David, her petty officer, who guides her on her missions. Even though she is less than spectacular at her job and she has been mysteriously marked as a traitor, which has a terrible effect on her friendship with David, Kara is assigned to a mission that will decide the fate of the whole Legion--and David won't be there to keep her from failing.

Marked is the first in the series called Soul Guardians, although it is not clear at the end of the book how the series will continue. This is a really fun book, particularly for the Young Adult reader. Kim Richardson manages to work in the teenage issues kids deal with, but in a completely different story and setting from most books for this age group. I would like to see some more character development, and the dialogue was a bit too silly, the main character just a bit too slow to understand things. Because of this, I think this is a book that will have a lot of appeal for teens and not so much cross-over appeal for adults. However, it was definitely an enjoyable read with a really fun premise.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Author Interview: Aris Whittier

Our interview today is with Aris Whittier, author of Across Eternity. Read to the very end to find out how you can win a copy of the e-book!

Genre: Romance, YA-Child Crossover

Recommended Age: Adult & 15+: Teen Who Want To Move On From YA Romance
Author's Blog: http://awhittier.blogspot.com/
Pub Date: 3/2011 ( electronic) 7/2011 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1463655273

Across Eternity Book Description:

Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working, she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.


Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Across-Eternity-ebook/dp/B004RVB2EG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310910862&sr=1-1


Aris Whittier Author Bio:

Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman's fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time. Visit Aris Whittier at: awhittier.blogspot.com

Aris Whittier Author Interview:
 
Jennifer Walker: Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?
Aris Whittier: You can get a glimpse of my crazy life by visiting my blog at: http://awhittier.blogspot.com/. You can buy any of my books at Amazon, B&N, and almost all independent bookstores.



Jennifer Walker: Tell us about your book.
Aris Whittier: Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that tells of love that transcends time. It will pull at your heart. It is set in the small coastal city of Dana Point, in Southern California.


Jennifer Walker: What inspired it?
Aris Whittier: Across Eternity was inspired by a dream. I dreamt the entire book one night and sprung out of bed at about 3:00 in the morning, scrambled into my office and immediately began writing—I didn’t want to forget it! Across Eternity is an amazing love story and I hope it makes the reader think and question certain aspect about life, love, and ourselves. And most importantly what do you believe in and is your Logan out there somewhere?


Jennifer Walker: Tell us about your previous work.
Aris Whittier: I have two other romance novels out. Fatal Embrace (Fatal Embrace was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot read) and Foolish Notions. I have also written a humorous compilation called, The Truth About Being A Bass Fisherman’s Wife.


Jennifer Walker: What other projects do you have coming up?
Aris Whittier: I’m just finishing up SECRETS. SECRETS is a romantic suspense, whose heroine, Ashley Dawson, is a crime writer who has the ability to see spirits. Its hero, Nathaniel Marshall is a hardnosed architect with a long, dark past. A tight web of doubt, uncertainty, and affection is weaved when Nathaniel’s dead wife comes to Ashley in a vision. Throw a stalker turned serial killer in the mix and a crazy cat named Voodoo and the pages keep turning.


Jennifer Walker: Who is your favorite author of all time, and why?
Aris Whittier: Hands down Judith McNaught. She is why I write romance.


Jennifer Walker: When did you know you would be a writer?
Aris Whittier: I never aspired to be a writer. However, I’ve always loved to read and write. Growing up, I would read anything from Readers Digest to Stephen King. When I was younger, I used to love to tell stories…my mom called them lies…but I considered it creative story telling… LOL. When I was 16 I pick up my first romance book (Once and Always by Judith McNaught) and I fell in love with the genre. When I was in college I wrote my first romance novel and it was then that I knew I wanted to be a writer.


Jennifer Walker: Is there anything you find particularly challenging when you’re writing?
Aris Whittier: I write in spurts and that is very frustrating. Sometimes I’ll write dozens of pages in a day and other times I can barely get a paragraph written.


Jennifer Walker: Do you write full-time?
Aris Whittier: That depends by what you mean by full time. I don’t sit at my computer and writer for a certain amount of time each day. I’m a mom, with two kids, so they come first. But I do like to try and write one book every year or so.


Jennifer Walker: Any advice to aspiring writers?
Aris Whittier: My advice is to never give up. And write about what you love. Oh, and develop a very thick skin because you’re going to need it. Everything will be judged and nitpicked—your writing, your plot, your characters, your query, your book cover…get used to it. Some of the criticism will be worthy and some of it not. You’ll know what to take in and what to just let roll off. Trust your instincts!

Thanks to Aris for stopping by! To win a free copy of the e-book of Across Eternity, leave a comment and I will draw a random winner from the comments! Make your comment by midnight on Sunday, September 11th, and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Monday, September 5, 2011

This week on A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book

The September 7th episode of the A Cup of Coffee and a Good Book BlogTalkRadio show will feature McCarty Griffin, author of Monster Story, Half-Inch, and The Tribe. Join us this Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2011/09/07/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book. As always, the show will be archived for later listening.

To learn more about McCarty, visit her on the web at http://www.mccartygriffinbooksonline.com/.