#Bookshelfie Collage from My Weekend Adventure at the Dallas Half Price Book Store!

If you happen to find yourself in Dallas, I suggest a visit to the Half Price Bookstore! This place is AMAZING! 

This collage I created shows just a tiny sampling of what this place has to offer. 

c. 2018 Susan Barton

Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon Character Interview with Wyatt Baldwin with GIVEAWAY

Q: Readers were glad to know you survived the original Monsterland theme park. Did you have your doubts?

I was surrounded by werewolves, vampires, and zombies. I had a rifle pointed at my head. My best friend turned into a werewolf. Yes, to say the least, I had my doubts.

Q: What’s changed for you since you walked away from your near death experience in Monsterland?

Well, I know what happened to my father. Frankly, I’m even more confused now than I was before. Also, the world is in disarray. I need to find out what’s going on outside Copper Valley, but Carter and my mom won’t let me go. So annoying. Then there’s Jade. She’s not what I expected her to be.

Q: When we left you, you were a geeky high school senior. How are you different now?

I’ve decapitated a werewolf. I’ve grown a bit since my last days of whatever is left of school.

Q: Much of the world’s future now depends on you and your friends. Did you ever imagine you’d be put in such an important role?

Not in a million years. I have a long road ahead of me. I’m what most people call a Hero’s Journey. I’m just getting started, and the first thing I need to do, is find out what the hell is going on outside Copper Valley. Rumor is a slimy purple substance is sucking the life out of all the surrounding towns.

Q: On the lighter side of things, how are things going with Jade? Or can readers expect to read about a new love interest?

Um. So yeah. Jade. She’s um, changed a bit, and not the same girl I was expecting her to be. As for a new romance…well, I’m not at liberty to say…*wink, wink*

Michael Okon is a bestselling author and screenwriter. Monsterland Reanimated, Book Two in the Monsterland series, was just released on April 13, 2018 and promises to be bigger and badder than Book One. Michael invites readers to connect with him on his website. 

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

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“Why I MUST Listen to Music When I Write” Author Guest Post By Michael Phillip Cash

I love music. Always have. To me, music helps me focus, which is super advantageous while working. I always have music playing while I write. I find that it puts me in a productive writing mood. I also enjoy switching things up, according to my current mood and genre.

I’m not alone in my music listening while working habit. Studies show that listening to music that you enjoy while working actually releases those feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This relaxes you and increases focus better on a task at hand. Even complex tasks can be benefit from background music. Think about the surgeon who has Bach playing during a surgical procedure and you’ll know it’s a widely respected fact.

Believe it or not, I love listening to classic film soundtracks while writing fantasy, and they don’t necessarily have to be related to Sci-Fi films either. I’m pretty eclectic in my music tastes. My go-to favorites are:

• Star Wars by John Williams
• Shaft by Isaac Hayes
• Blade Runner by Vangelis
• 2001 by Stanley Kubrick
• Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

I’ve found that listening to music makes a hugely positive impact on my writing. Give it a try and you will too!

About Michael Phillip Cash

Michael Phillip Cash is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. His novel The Battle for Darracia is a three-part saga and is available on Amazon.

Michael’s novels are best-sellers on Amazon under their genres – Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense, Ghost, Action Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. Michael writes full-time and lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wonderful wife and screaming children. You can follow him @michaelpcash or connect with him via his website.

*DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD AND FREE SIGNED COPIES OF "THE BATTLE FOR DARRACIA".

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and Free Signed Books During The Battle for Darracia by Michael Phillip Cash Author Guest Post Hop Giveaway!

Author Michael Phillip Cash is excited to offer readers a super easy and affordable way to catch up on all three books in his The Battle for Darracia SciFi series. As his way to say thanks to his loyal fans, he's giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and signed print copies of his book.

Readers are encouraged to enter the giveaway throughout the June 4 - June 8 Author Guest Post Hop. You can also connect with Michael on his website and on his Amazon Author Page to stay updated on the latest Darracia news!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

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The Underground Toy Society Saves Peggy by Jessica D. Adams DIY Mom Book Review

Janice was a little girl who desperately wanted a baby doll for Christmas, so she asked Santa for one in her Dear Santa letter. Janice is thrilled when she receives her new baby doll, Peggy, under the Christmas tree. Janice and Peggy are inseparable as Janice is growing up. But, as is often the case with children and their toys, Peggy is set aside in favor of other interests and activities, until one day when she’s inadvertently left behind.

The Underground Toy Society Saves Peggy is a sweet story of a little girl and her beloved baby doll, told from the doll’s perspective. It’s clear that the author is relating the story of her own life and her mother's doll Peggy, and the love shines through beautifully. How wonderful that she has these loving memories of her dear mother and is willing to share them with readers.

I LOVED the illustrations in this book. They’re adorable drawings, created by the author’s two daughters (I’m assuming, from what's included on the book description page). What a lovely way to get the entire family involved in this labor of love. There’s even a photo of the famous Peggy at the end of the book and the cover is Janice and Peggy sitting happily together. 

This is the second book I’ve read by Jessica Adams and I have to say she has quite a creative imagination. Her stories are thoughtful, sweet and endearing. I'll definitely read more from this author!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, DIY Mom Blog

Author Interview and Book Swag Giveaway with Judith Kohnen Author of For the Love of Mandy Romance Novel and Series

I'm excited to have romance author Judith Kohnen with me today on my blog! Judith is the author of the Mandy Story book series. Her latest installment, For the Love of Mandy, has just been released so I reached out to ask her a few questions about the book, the series and what's she's been up to since One Chance, One Moment came out. It seems that One Chance, One Moment has won several book awards since we last spoke. How exciting! Judith shares some other great information so let's get on with the interview...

Can you tell us a little bit about your new book For the Love of Mandy?

This new release is the sequel to the nine-time award-winning novel, One Chance, One Moment – originally inspired by the oldies hit song from the 70s titled Mandy. You know … the one who came and gave without taking, but he sent he sent her away?

Anyway, For the Love of Mandy takes off right from where the first book ended, but unlike the first book that sends the reader off onto a humorous spin of unexpected romance, this second installment hurls the reader into a world of danger and intrigue. Yes, still with bouts of humor now and again, but also on a more serious note involving sacrifice, desperateness, as well as that enticing emotion we call want, and the more survival instinct we call need. Any questions left hanging from the first book is answered in this second book. The new book trailer – which I created in less than a week after a quick self-learning period with Adobe Premier Pro – relays this shift where the continuing story evolves into a more suspenseful mode. What the trailer does not reveal is the stronger “family” aspect of this continued story, and how a mere boy of nine-years-old teams up with his “new dad” to rescue the woman who will make their life complete.

I totally love Garry – the main protagonist male of this book – yet I’m totally in love just as much with Eddie – who plays both protagonist and antagonist in very unique ways. Who will end up with Mandy? Only one will.

This book is the second installment in your Mandy series, with One Chance, One Moment being your first. Is it necessary to read One Chance prior to reading For the Love of Mandy?

Oh no, one should be able to pick up the second book without reading the first. However, my hope is that, no matter what, the reader will be curious enough to want to read the first book if they should read the second first. The fact that it reads without the necessity of reading the first book has been proven by my step as an author to ensure this second book could stand on its own. An editor of Writer’s Digest (second Draft Services, which I HIGHLY recommend), and another avid reader from Readers’ Favorite Review service assured this second had the ability to do just that. I would suggest to any author who is writing a sequel, especially one that continues with the same exact characters, to have their sequel read by those who have never read the prequel. Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite said this: “Though For The Love Of Mandy is the second and last book in this series, it is easy to follow and connect the events that lead to the explosive ending.” From Writer’s Digest editor Terri Valentine: “What a perfect ending to the novel. You paced the drama and black moment followed by the resolution perfectly. Great dialogue and sense of scene and chapter.”

What do you enjoy most about writing romance novels?

LOL, why running away from the real world, of course! Reality is not always what we hope it to be. Unfortunately, some of our wishes and life happenings are not “novel” material, particularly concerning happy endings. I think that’s what I LOVE most about romance novels. Nearly every one of them has a happy ending. Of course, there are those like “The Titanic” and “Gone With The Wind” that are a bit less than satisfying … yet with the Titanic, there is that “Other Side” happy ending that was satisfying enough for me … and with Scarlet & Rhett, my imagination was left believing that yes, surely, they would find each other in some near future moment! I admit that I hate unhappy endings (which is why I’ll never write one), and that I honestly write romance for the happy ever after (no matter that challenges get in the way now and then!).

Do you read many romance novels?

As an author, I wish I could say “yes” because frankly, the more reading one can absorb in their daily life, the better writer an author can be. An author learns from other authors … what to do, but mostly, what not to do. In all honesty, I have little time in my day to read; however, it is always my goal to make such time to see what others are putting out for their readers. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and thus, the reason I spend so much time on one book. But I know what I put out is my best, or so I try. I’m not in for the “how many can I produce to make the most income” but rather “how many I touch and heal who needs healing or who needs a lift-me-up?” That might be my downfall, yet I believe in it somehow – what I do; what I create. I know I have a lot more in me that I’m not allowing to play out. My hope is that I’ll write more in the near future. Read more as well. My focus now is putting out the “stories that matter.” I’m presently reading authors who have managed to retrieve a load of followers due to their ability to produce stories that people are attracted to. So many different likes and dislikes out there. As an author, the best work is produced as the result of what that author most loves and is inspired by.

Will there be a sequel to For the Love of Mandy in the future?

For the Love of Mandy is actually the last of The Mandy Story; however, the story does continue with Robbie – the nine-year-old boy who grows to be a man. It’s a possibility that I will write some short stories that take off from The Mandy Story. The book I’m presently working on is about the boy from the first and second book of The Mandy Story, but twenty years later, who works for NASA and quite intelligent and important in the U.S.A. This next book (if it should be my next … as I’ve other books in mind, both fiction & non-fiction that I’m working on), Robbie, will have his own romance. I’ve actually placed a sneak peek at the end of FOR THE LOVE OF MANDY for this new adventure that asks the question … how does a young man in a wheelchair teach a girl about love, and a troubled one at that? You can bet it will have a load of humor, fun, and lots of adventure. Will it have a happy ending? Well, what do you think?

What important piece of advice would you give new authors who are just beginning the publishing journey?

Since my own journey has been quite a challenging one, and not one of those super success stories by any means, my best advice would actually not be my own, but advice I received from one of my writer colleagues, author Marie Force. WRITE MORE BOOKS. I’ve two books that are wonderfully written and crafted well, and yes, I’ve earned much recognition – nine awards to date – but until I produce what readers want … more from a particular author they enjoy reading, what have I truly accomplished? Yes, two great books. But unfortunately, in this fast world we live in, more is better. True, that’s quite unfortunate. There is no real or successful marketing without product to give. They like you. They want more. And then some. If it’s not there, readers go elsewhere to find what they are looking for. So, what do you do? You focus on writing. That’s my goal for 2018. Who knows what I’ll come up with if I put my mind to it? Of course, I have to have the confidence, the willpower, and the motivation. That’s the hard part. But it’s obtainable if I believe in me. In the author. So, my advice to you? Believe in YOU. And do what you’ve got to do. Focus on writing. Writing more books. Good books with good titles, and good plot. Write what people want. Get enough of you out there, and you’ll get noticed in the end. Spending a load of money to get yourself recognized isn’t really the key you’re hoping for. Producing more books, though, may be your ticket in creating a dream come true.

Judith Kohnen is the author of One Chance, One Moment and the recently released For the Love of Mandy – Books One and Two of The Mandy Story. A nine-time award-winning author, Judith hopes to continue to inspire readers with stories of hope, healing, and entertainment.

Readers can connect with Judith via her website and her Amazon Author Page.

*TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL OFFER*

All books in The Mandy Story series will be promotionally priced at just .99 beginning February 13 and ending February 20.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS GORGEOUS DAVINCI MUSICAL CHARM BRACELET AND A SIGNED PRINT COPY OF FOR THE LOVE OF MANDY

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Why and How I Made the Transition from Law Enforcement to Authorship by Anita Dickason, Author of Sentinels of the Night

I LOVE books that feature strong female characters, so when I heard about Sentinels of the Night by Dallas police officer turned crime author Anita Dickason I knew I had to highlight this awesome woman! 

I reached out to Anita to ask her how she made the transition from law enforcement to book series author and she kindly obliged with an author guest post. Anita has lots to share about her journey - it's certainly a fascinating one - so read on!

After retiring from the Dallas Police Department, I started an accident reconstruction business. I received a phone call from a California film company. They were looking for an accident investigator and had found my website. A new reality TV series was being filmed about unsolved mysteries. One episode dealt with the death of a witness to the Kennedy assassination. Lee Bowers was killed in a car accident in 1966.

The date to film was set, and the company had obtained permits from the Texas Department of Transportation to shut down the southbound lanes of a highway outside of Midlothian, a small town south of Dallas.

At first, I wasn’t receptive to their offer. I knew nothing about the accident and had little time to research. The company representative asked if I would at least look at the documents and I agreed.

The packet I received included the location of the shoot and a video of a Geraldo Rivera show that had aired in the middle 90s on the same topic. In the video, a man stood on the highway pointing to the bridge that Bowers vehicle had hit. It only took a few seconds to realize everyone had the wrong location. The bridge and highway didn’t even exist in 1966.

That got my attention. Could I find the actual accident site? By the time I had researched documents at the county courthouse and located the right bridge, I was hooked. I decided to attempt a reconstruction of the accident.

I wrote a book that detailed my research and conclusions, JFK Assassination Eyewitness: Rush to Conspiracy. The project became the springboard to a new career as an author and publisher. I closed the accident reconstruction business and started Mystic Circle Books & Designs, LLC, providing manuscript and cover design services to help other authors publish their books.

As for my books, I have published two fiction novels, Sentinels of the Night and Going Gone! The stories are suspense/thrillers with a touch of paranormal and light romance. I set up a new FBI unit, code name—Trackers. Each of the agents has a unique gift drawn from Native American myths or Irish and Scottish folklore. I am on my third Tracker novel and hope to have it published by the first of the year.

For more information on Sentinels of the Night and the second Tracker novel, Going Gone!, please see my website, Amazon author page or the book trailers: 

Anita Dickason Website

Amazon Author Page

Sentinels of the Night Book Trailer

Going Gone! Book Trailer

New Detective Novel "One by One" by Robert Germaux with Book Excerpt and Giveaway

I LOVE detective novels and am always on the lookout for new books in the genre. Author Robert Germaux has just released his fifth book, "One by One", and, judging from the Chapter One book excerpt below, it promises to be a thrilling read. 

This isn't the first detective novel Germaux has written. I read and LOVED "Small Talk", Germaux's previous super sleuth story, so I have high hopes for One by One. Perhaps a book review is on the horizon? In the meantime, scroll down to the Chapter One book excerpt to get a glimpse of what's between the pages of One by One!

Print Length: 342 pages

Publisher: Robert Germaux (May 26, 2017)

Publication Date: May 26, 2017

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

ASIN: B071PBX39B

  

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The victims appear to have had nothing in common, other than the fact that, as one officer put it, somebody wanted them dead. And that somebody left a “clue” at each crime scene, but as those clues began to accumulate, Detective Daniel Hayes and his hand-picked squad soon discovered that the clues appeared to have even less in common than did the victims. 

In order to catch his prey, Daniel realizes he has to change his focus and concentrate on an entirely different aspect of the case by following a twisting trail that eventually leads to a face-to-face encounter with the killer.

PURCHASE ONE BY ONE ON AMAZON HERE

ABOUT ROBERT GERMAUX:

Both my parents were readers. I'm talking stacks-of-books-on-their-nightstands readers. So it's no surprise that an early age, I, too, became an avid reader. Everything from sports books (especially baseball) to Nancy Drew to the Hardy Boys to almost anything about distant and exotic places. And although I've always enjoyed putting words on paper, the writer in me didn't fully emerge until I retired after three decades of teaching high school English. I quickly wrote two books aimed at middle school readers, at which point my wife urged me to try a novel for adults. As is usually the case, Cynthia's idea was a good one. Over the next few years, I wrote several books about Pittsburgh private eye Jeremy Barnes, including "Hard Court." Along the way, I took a brief hiatus from the detective genre to write "The Backup Husband," the plot line of which came to me one day when I was playing the What-if game. On that particular day, the question that occurred to me was, What if a woman suddenly realized she might be in love with two wonderful men? After "The Backup Husband," I wrote "Small Talk," my first novel about Pittsburgh police detective Daniel Hayes. I then switched gears again with "Grammar Sex (and other stuff)," a book of humorous essays. Now I’m back with "One by One," the second Daniel Hayes mystery, which will be released on June 1st. You can find all of my books on my Amazon Author Page.

In our spare time, Cynthia and I enjoy reading (of course), seeing Broadway plays and musicals, watching reruns of our favorite TV shows, such as "Sports Night" and "The Gilmore Girls," and traveling to some of those distant and exotic places I used to read about as a child. So far, we've been fortunate enough to walk in the sands of Waikiki, swim in the warm waters of the South Pacific and enjoy a romantic dinner in Paris.

I love interacting with my readers and getting their input on my stories and characters. Please feel free to contact me on my website.

~CHAPTER ONE~

Ellen Tishler was killed in her home in Hampton Township, about twelve miles north of Pittsburgh, but still within Allegheny County. My team works out of Zone 3 in the city, so in the normal course of events, we wouldn’t have had anything to do with the case. We were called in because the chief of police in Hampton thought it might be something SAS should be handling.

The chief’s name was Benjamin Roberts. He was a shade under six feet, with dark hair cut very short and the beginnings of a little potbelly, but still in good shape for a guy chasing sixty. His uniform was neat and clean, his tie perfectly knotted, his shoes spit-shined. Ex-military, I was guessing. Roberts had a reputation for being old school all the way. He even conducted inspections at the start of most shifts. He also had a reputation as one of the sharpest cops in the county.

It was three o’clock on a sunny September afternoon when Henry and I arrived at the two-story brick colonial on Edgerton Drive in the upper-middle class neighborhood. The chief greeted us at the door.

“Ben Roberts,” he said, shaking my hand. “Thanks for coming, Detective Hayes.”

“It’s Daniel,” I told him. “And this is my partner, Henry Reynolds.”

Roberts nodded at Henry, then motioned for us to enter the house.

“I appreciate you gentlemen driving out here,” he said. “I hope I’m not wasting your time.”

“You’re not,” I said. The three of us were standing in a small foyer. I could hear people talking and moving around in what I assumed was the living room, down the short hallway and to the left.

“When you called,” I said, “you indicated you thought this might be a case for the Special Assignments Squad.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Crime scene’s got kind of a weird look to it. My department doesn’t handle many major crimes, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t your run-of-the-mill homicide. Anyway, c’mon in and have a look.” He led us down the hall and around the corner, and Henry and I got our first look at Ellen. 

If it wasn’t for the small hole in the middle of her forehead, it would have been easy to assume that she had simply dozed off while reading that month’s issue of Beautiful Homes, which was lying on the floor next to the large floral-patterned wingchair. Ellen was slumped in the chair, her head tilted to one side, her right hand dangling over the armrest. Her eyes were closed, and there was no noticeable blood.

“Small caliber,” I said. “Maybe a twenty-two.”

Roberts nodded and said, “That’s what I was thinking. Probably a revolver.”

“So no shell casings,” I said.

“And no exit wound,” said Roberts. “Bullet must have bounced around in her head a bit. We’ll find what’s left of it at autopsy.” He shrugged. “Might not be enough to identify or match. We’ll see.”

Henry and I stood for a minute to take in the scene. Ellen appeared to be in her mid-to-late seventies. She was wearing an expensive-looking dark green pants suit, with low-heeled brown shoes. Her white hair was nicely coiffed, as though she’d recently been to a salon, and there was a string of pearls around her neck. I doubted if this was how she dressed for an afternoon at home.

“Who found the body?” I said.

“Next door neighbor, woman named Alice Cloakley. She and the deceased were supposed to go out for lunch today. Ms. Cloakley came over around noon, found the front door ajar, came in and discovered the body.”

“Ms. Cloakley still around?” asked Henry.

Roberts nodded towards the back of the house.

“She’s on the patio. I figured you’d want to talk to her.” He paused, shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “There’s something else. It’s the main reason I contacted you.”

He’d been carrying a large plastic evidence bag, and now he held it up for Henry and me to see.
“We found this on the body.

~ENTER THE GIVEAWAY~

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Interview with Children’s Book Author Neil McFarlane

DIY Mom has had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of children's book author Neil McFarlane's books over the years. Neil is truly a great guy...and he's pretty funny too. We invited Neil to drop by and chat about his newest book The Revolting Brains. He had plenty to say about the book, his writing and more! 

Tell us about The Revolting Brains:

It's a collection of seven read-aloud bedtime tales where the listening child is made to feel that he or she is the protagonist of each story (a follow-up to a previous collection called "A Month of Bedtime Stories"). The idea is that the reader describes to the child an adventure the child had earlier in the day but has forgotten about due to receiving a "bonk on the head" or similar amnesia-inducing event. The intention is to make the stories immersive and fun for both parent and child.

How long have you been writing?

I started uploading files to Amazon in 2014 but wanted to be a writer since about the age of 5.

Where do you get your story ideas?

For this series ("And off you went to the woods ...") I imagine what adventures I, as a child, would love to have had. For example: shrinking in size and living in an ant colony; driving a submarine; traveling to the center of the Earth; exploring a whale's insides, joining a pirate ship, etc.

What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy all sorts. I used to read fiction almost exclusively but I now tend to read more non-fiction. I'm currently reading "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali. The last few books I read include "The Blank Slate" by Stephen Pinker, "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" by Scott Adams, and "The Heart of the Matter" by Graham Greene.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

That I speak fluent Chinese (particularly if we re-define the word "fluent" to mean "not very good").

How can readers get in touch with you?

Readers can check out my Amazon Author Page. I also include a contact email in all of my books.

What are you currently working on?

"Animal Mix-up" (a book which is also a game); "Me Tawk Funny: Book Four", the final book in a series about a boy whose dog can talk; and a rhyming picture book about a dancing monkey which I'm going to attempt to illustrate myself.

What advice would you give new authors?

If you are really new, read books about the craft of writing. Seek, be open to, but not over-sensitive to, feedback. Read over what you've written (again and again) and assess it impartially. If you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? Also, writing is an increasingly saturated field. If you're not an overnight success (which you probably won't be), you'll need to enjoy writing because it's more than likely you'll be in it for the long run. Also: read good writers. If you don't know who's good, choose books, which are hailed as classics and try to work out what it is about them that makes them so hailed.

Interview with Author Robert Germaux

Today, we're welcoming author Robert Germaux to the DIY Mom Blog. Robert is the author of four books, all available on Amazon. He's here to chat about his writing process and his newest book, Grammar Sex and Other Stuff, which is a short story collection. Welcome, Robert!

In your own words, please tell us about Grammar Sex and Other Stuff:

As I say in the blurb for the book, it’s one man’s take on life’s little moments, minor annoyances and unexpected delights.

This book is a change from your previous books. What made you change things up?

I’ve enjoyed reading a couple of local newspaper columnists for several years. At some point, my wife suggested I try writing some essays myself, with an eye towards having enough for a book. So to anyone who enjoys the book, you can thank Cynthia for planting the idea in my head.

So I have to ask…was including the word “sex” a deliberate attempt to grab the attention of potential readers? Oh, definitely, and the fact that you asked that question means it worked, right?

Actually a year or so ago, when I was writing my first guest post, a friend suggested I come up with a “catchy” title. Since I had used the expression “grammar sex” in “The Backup Husband,” I decided to use the term in the title of the post. Incidentally, that piece is one of the essays included in this book.

I love slice-of-life stories and Grammar Sex and Other Stuff certainly fits that category. How did you manage to recall all of your awesome stories? Do you keep a folder or do you just have an incredible memory?

I do have a good memory, but not that good. One thing that helped, especially with the essays related to vacations Cynthia and I have taken, is that I’m big on taking notes. When we’re on vacation, I take a few minutes every evening and jot down notes about what we did that day. After we get home, I use the notes to write what amounts to a daily diary of our trip. I put that diary with the photo album of the trip, and then we’ll get it out every few years and relieve all those wonderful moments. As for the essays that aren’t trip-related, anything I can’t remember on my own, I can usually get help from Cynthia or, in some cases, family members, especially my sister Barb, who’s become sort of our family historian.

Speaking of awesome stories, what do you think makes an interesting story?

For me, it has to be something that I can relate to in some way. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something I have personal experience with, as long as the author writes well enough to grab my attention. That pertains to fiction, but I also enjoy reading autobiographies.

What kinds of books are in your personal library?

I like detective novels, of course, but also other genres, anything that is well-written and captures my interest. I particularly enjoy stories that inform me about other countries and cultures.

Do you have a book genre/writing preference – fiction or non-fiction? Definitely fiction.

I loved writing “Grammar Sex and Other Stuff,” but I prefer writing about my private detective, Jeremy Barnes, or my police detective, Daniel Hayes, both of whom work in Pittsburgh. As soon as I sit down and start a new chapter about either Jeremy or Daniel, I’m right back in the world that I created for that book. I just lose myself in it.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I do. I’ve completed “One by One,” the next book about Daniel Hayes. It will be available not too long from now. And I’ll also be releasing at least one more Jeremy Barnes novel later this year.

How can readers connect with you?

You can always reach me at my Amazon Author Page. I love interacting with my readers.

Since you have now had several published books completed, what advice would you give aspiring authors?

The most important thing is to keep writing (and rewriting). Equally important is to find at least one person whose opinion you trust. Ask that person to read everything you write and give you an honest take on it. In my case, that person is Cynthia. She knows my characters, my writing style and, well, me better than anyone else in the world. When she offers a suggestion, I end up taking it 99% of the time.

###

ABOUT ROBERT GERMAUX

Robert Germaux and his wife Cynthia live outside of Pittsburgh. After three decades as a high school English teacher, and now a good many years into retirement, he is beginning to have serious doubts about his lifelong dream of pitching for the Pirates. Grammar Sex and Other Stuff is Bob’s first non-fiction book. You can find links to his first three novels (The Backup Husband, Small Talk and Hard Court) at his Amazon Author Page.

The Mystery of Claw Mountain by Paul Moxham is an Excellent Old-Fashioned Mystery for Readers of Any Age

How'd you like a FREE mystery book that everyone in the family will appreciate? If you loved The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew as a kid like I did, you'll appreciate Paul Moxham's Mystery Kids series. The Mystery of Claw Mountain is FREE and it's a great way to get into the series. 

Joe Mitchell along with his two sisters Amy and Sarah and his friend Will go on vacation to visit Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell. They keep themselves busy sledding, ice skating and camping out in an unused hut, but they love a good mystery. When they hear an intriguing story about how Claw Mountain got its name, they know they’ve got a case on their hands. When they stumble on an old abandoned mine they decide to go inside, but soon find themselves in some very real danger.

I loved this story! Mr. Moxham includes all the necessary elements to keep readers interested. Mystery, suspense, action and several sticky situations abound for the Mystery Kids in this book. I especially love the fact that the author has the children working together as a team to figure things out. The situations aren’t just happening to the kids, they’re active participants in the plot. Through character dialogue and kid-friendly action, readers can get a real sense of how well the children manage to work their way through any number of predicaments. That definitely makes these characters excellent role models for children.

The Mystery of Claw Mountain is extremely reminiscent of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, which I absolutely loved as a kid. I would highly recommend this book (and the series) to readers of any age who want to lose themselves in a good old-fashioned mystery.

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

My Little Prayers Illustrated by Diane Le Feyer is a Sweet Little Book Perfect for Gift-Giving

If you're looking for an adorable little book to give as a baptism, first holy communion or other faith-based gift you're in luck! This sturdy little book would make an excellent gift for the special child in your life.

My Little Prayers is a sweet little book of 80+ pages of prayers for little ones. The book is broken down into eight themed sections, which highlight different times of a child’s day. Subjects like mealtime, bedtime, feelings and others are emphasized through prayer.

Some of the prayers are taken from the Bible and others are quotes from a variety of sources. The accompanying illustrations are colorful and cute and are sure to capture the attention of even the smallest child.

This is a sturdy little book, with a nicely padded cover, that should last for years to come. Small children should enjoy having the prayers read to them while they look at the pictures and older children should have no problem reading the book to themselves. 

At just $5.92, My Little Prayers would make a wonderful gift for baptism, first holy communion or just because. The “For, From and Date” page at the beginning of the book makes it easy to personalize for gift-giving. Wonderful!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Love and Happiness by Ben Burgess Jr Romance Novel Book Tour Spotlight Stop

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Ben Burgess Jr. (April 23, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0988374544
ISBN-13: 978-0988374546

ABOUT “LOVE AND HAPPINESS:

Karen has it all: a handsome husband, beautiful twin daughters, a lovely home and a great job. Karen also has a secret; she’s cheating on her husband, with not one man, but two. 

On the outside her life seems perfect, but on the inside Karen feels neglected, bored and unappreciated. Yearning for affection and excitement, she falls into the arms of first Raheem and then Tyrell. Out of fear of losing her husband and breaking up her family, Karen ends the affairs but things don’t turn out how she planned. When Karen’s dirty secrets are revealed she must fight to keep her family together. 

Chris is doing all he can to hold his marriage together. He loves Karen but she grows more distant every day. When she starts coming home later and later, he suspects she is being unfaithful. When Chris accidentally takes her cell phone what he finds changes their lives forever. 

When tragedy strikes, Karen must decide if she should sacrifice her happiness for her husband’s love, and Chris wonders if he should stay with Karen because he still loves her despite her infidelity. But if they do stay together, will they ever find love and happiness again? 

Sexy and relatable, insightful and inspiring, Love and Happiness shows us both sides of Chris and Karen's story, and reminds us that sometimes to have it all, you must first lose it all.

PURCHASE “LOVE AND HAPPINESS” ON AMAZON.COM HERE

RECEIVEA FREE DOWNLOAD OF “LOVE AND HAPPINESS” IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR HONEST REVIEW HERE

  

ABOUT BEN BURGESS JR:

Ben Burgess Jr is the author of the award winning novels "Monster", "Wounded", the poetry book "Times Have Changed and Life is Strange" and the new novel "Love and Happiness" He is an active performer of spoken word poetry.

Ben uses his love of writing to inspire and influence youths to strive for what they believe in, and to never give up on their dreams. His poetry book "Times Have Changed and Life is Strange" and his novel "Monster" are currently used in schools on the lower east side of Manhattan.

Ben Burgess has a BA degree in Business Management, and a MA degree in Educational Leadership. He is the proud father of his daughter Jaelynn and is active in trying to improve urban neighborhoods and communities.

CONNECT WITH BEN

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

  

 Tour media kit provided by Susan Barton, MyBook Tour