C.J. Ives Lopez's Blog, page 9

Author Interview – Carol McKibben

Carol McKibben is a multi-genre author of 14 novels, and we had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Carol McKibben for our blog. Check out these fantastic authors and follow them for more amazing stories.

Carol McKibben is the author of 14 novels, including two vampire mystery series – Snow Blood and Moon Blood — and her beloved, award-winning Luke’s Tale. Her books are predominantly narrated by a wolf or a dog, passions along with horses.

She also writes unexpected paranormal romance under the pseudonym of Penn Scripter with her daughter S.N. McKibben. Together they have created The Demon of Reginhart and The Reincarnation of Charlie. When not writing or editing, you’ll find her practicing or showing her dressage competition horses.

When did you start writing?

2005

What was it like growing up?

I grew up just outside Asheville, North Carolina. Times were different then. We went out in the morning in the summertime and played until the street lights came on. Mother was a stay-at-home mom. I have always loved dogs and horses and kept surrounded by them. My brother was nine years older than me, so he was in college when I was a pre-teen. It was like being an only child, except my brother and I were very close.

How was your early life?

From North Carolina, I attended the University of Georgia and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in English and Journalism. I was married in college and had my son. Later we had a daughter. I taught high school English and Journalism for a decade and became a magazine editor and later publisher for another 15 years. I began my freelance editing and writing business in 2005.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My father. I started writing stories when I was fourteen. He would read my writing and encourage me to become a writer. He made me promise to get a college degree, and I did. After he passed, I earned an MAT in English. On stage, I raised my diploma and looked upward with, “This is for you, Daddy!”

Tell us about your newest release.

Reign – The Rise of the Lich is Book 2 in the Silver Blood Knight Series. (All my novels are written through the eyes of a wolf or a dog.) This is the third series which is the continuing saga of the sire line of the original vampire as taken from the Vampire Bible. Here is a summary of the Reign Book 2 plot: They are Italy’s only hope. James, God’s own appointed knight, a hybrid vampire wolf, a teenaged wizard, and a handful of kindred Lycans are the only barrier that stands between all of Italy and its destruction. The corrupt politician, Matisse, has spent decades transforming into a Lich. Now that he can raise the dead, he leads masses of undead warriors across Italy, intent on killing every living soul in their path. As Heaven’s small band struggles to stop the Lich and his unholy soldiers, other mythological predators arise, determined to destroy James and his friends. With evil closing in on every side, will Heaven win? The book is in pre-order on Amazon now and will be released on April 21, 2023.

http://www.carolmckibben.comWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Probably Luke’s Tale – A Story of Unconditional Love. It was my first novel (non-vampire) but close to my heart.

What inspired you to write this book?

For Luke’s Tale, I wanted to show readers the unconditional love that dogs provide to humans and pose the question: If dogs can love us unconditionally, why can’t we love each other in the same way? Reign – The Rise of the Lich, it was a natural progression through the generations of the original vampire’s progeny. Throughout all three series, a wolf or dog’s unconditional love, even for characters that might not be easy to love, is steadfast. They example of what it means to love and support others.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

As you can tell from my profile photo, horses play an important part in my life. I have been training and riding in dressage competitively for the past 25 years. So when I am not writing, I am riding!

What does your writing space look like?

It’s a small desk with a computer screen, a dock for my iPhone, and an extension for my Daytimer that I still rely upon! My back is to a large window overlooking the woods of our 27-acre property in Central Texas.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

I wrote a memoir. It’s called Riding Through It. It’s about my early life and my first husband, who almost killed me.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

About three months. I wrote an outline and began to write. Then l just need to quote William Faulkner: “It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does.” This is so very true. My protagonist leads the way, and he or she is always a wolf or a dog.

Favorite reads?

Anything by Koontz, King, or Irving.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Yes! The Reincarnation of Charlie. LOL! It’s by Penn Scripter, and I wrote it with my daughter S.N. McKibben. Or any of my vampire novels. Start with Snow Blood, Season 1.

What’s your next big project?

Onward to Book 3 in the Reign series. Also working on a novel for Penn Scripter entitled Blood Money.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write every day. Read every day. Listen to your heart and your gut. Decide if you are in it for the money or the love of it. If you are in it for the money, write what your audience wants to read. Figure that out through research. If you are in it for the love of it, write what you love and want to read.

Follow Carol:

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http://www.carolmckibben.com

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Carol-McKibben/author/B00B6HDRVU

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Author Interview – Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter

Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter co-wrote Novellas highlighting Native American stories based on their extensive experience and studies. We had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter for our blog. Check out these fantastic authors and follow them for more amazing stories.

Randal Nerhus received a BS in Agricultural Studies from Iowa State University in 1982, and an MA in Oriental Philosophy and Religion from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 1988. Shortly after obtaining his agriculture degree, he volunteered with the Peace Corps in the Philippines. While traveling in the mountains on the island of Palawan, he visited a remote tribal village and encountered a very different way of life—one of community, contentment, happiness, and love.

Fifteen years later, his interest in tribal traditions deepened while taking part in a ManKind Project initiation that used native approaches to bring men into a life of integrity. In 2002, Marjorie Carter took him under her shamanic guidance which complemented and expanded upon his early Christian foundations. From 2013 to 2016, he lived in Colombia’s Amazon jungle studying under Cocama shaman don Rogelio Cariguasari, and relevant parts of that experience were incorporated into the novel.

Marjorie Carter was born in Salem, Missouri, on July 17, 1937. Of Cherokee descent, she learned the traditional ways of her relatives from early childhood. During the eighth grade, she was forced to leave school to work and provide for her younger brothers.

At nineteen, she moved to Texas and began her careers in the restaurant and real estate businesses. During her life, she was diagnosed with seven different cancers and fought against melanoma for 25 years. A Native American seer and shaman, she had a passion for art, poetry, and stories. She wrote at her ranch near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, hoping that Red With Native Blood would help reservation students embrace their heritage. Marjorie died of pneumonia on July 12, 2004.

When did you start writing?

I never desired to be an author until I was forty when I began writing my memoir about living in India from 1985 to 1991.

What was it like growing up?

I grew up on a farm in Iowa with three brothers and one sister. Something always needed to be done when raising crops and livestock. I find it hard to imagine my life any other way.

How was your early life?

Strange how what I started doing as a kid never became work. Fixing machines and building and home repair have come second nature ever since. Those skills have really helped me while living on a shoestring. Getting a $400 quote for a car repair, then doing it myself with $40 of parts, has kept me writing.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

Meeting Marjorie Carter in 2002, learning from her, and bringing her novellas to publication has changed my life trajectory and brought me where I am today.

Tell us about your newest release?

Talks Like Thunder—An inspiring YA story of resilience, grit, and perseverance of a young female Apache warrior—will be released via Amazon in paperback, with a free eBook for all readers, on April 11. As Thunder comes of age, she becomes a rare female warrior, falls in love, and learns the ways of Apache ancient beliefs and traditions. After her tribespeople and their land are overtaken by whites, a horrifying event spurs her future to one of avenging honor and reuniting her people.

https://randalnerhus.comWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

The last novella, Singing Wind. Marjorie created a beautiful storyline and unforgettable characters. Completing the story was my chance to use some of her leftover writing and tie the story elements into a pretty bow.

https://randalnerhus.comWhat inspired you to write this book?

Marjorie was a wonderful mentor and a dear friend. When she died of pneumonia in 2004, I had the only copy of her manuscript. I completed the story and brought the series to publication for her.

https://randalnerhus.comWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

The Philippines has plenty of lovely beaches and mountain towns to visit. I just take a bus, stay for a few days, and come back refreshed and ready to work.

What does your writing space look like?

The Philippines has a shortage of modems, so I’m sharing my neighbor’s Wi-Fi. I’ve moved a small table and chair near my front door to catch the signal. Not ideal by any means, but good enough.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

From the Inside Out

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

My writing process took forever. Having 60+ beta readers offer critiques and suggestions did convolute things. That, along with an unforgiving editor, turned it into a decades long project. In fact, I’m still making some micro-tweaks while proofreading. Regardless, I’m quite happy with the way it’s turning out.

Favorite reads?

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M Pirsig Shogun, by James Clavell Secrets of the Talking Jaguar, by Martin Prechtel

Do you have any book recommendations?

For aspiring authors, first read Jerry Cleaver’s Immediate Fiction. Creating a living, breathing novel is a tremendous undertaking. Best to start early with the right tools in Cleaver’s book. Consult Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Author, when stumped. While redacting the beginning and end of Marjorie’s series, I pulled out a list of things from Swain’s book. Once I checked them all off, the story was complete.

What’s your next big project?

I’ve always liked short stories better then novels. A slice of life that forever changes the character and reader. I may be publishing some short stories in the months ahead.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I’ve heard that we never fully heal until we’ve told our story. I was writing my memoir when I met Marjorie. For two years, I delved deeply into what happened in India and reoriented my life for the years to come. When I finished the first draft, I printed and bound it into a physical copy—never to touch it again. Marjorie died at that time, and I fully devoted my life to complete her series. Often our writing turns into a purely personal endeavor. But who knows, any day I could dust off that first draft and bring it to publication.

Follow Randall:

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Her Deadly End

Her Deadly End by Tikiri Herath

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


WOWZER, I did not see that coming at all.

The twists, the turns, and the character development.

I experienced a gut punch coming out of nowhere, and I loved it.

First, Tanya is a total badass; her friends are the perfect companions and sidekicks. We all know a town like this, and if they didn’t exist, we would all be bored out of our skulls without perfect little mysteries to read.

From the first inciting incident until the end of the book, I was trying to find little clues that would tell me what was going on, but I had absolutely no idea the twist that would come in the last few pages, and WOW, you got me TIKRI.

I want to follow Tanya with a telescope and watch her kick butt wherever she goes, and I pray she brings along her two friends because they are quite the trio. I loved how the back of the book gave you more things to read and allowed you to learn more about Tanya and her friends.

Of course, I’m a sucker for learning more about the characters and their background information. I get into the texture of stories and will read more about Tanya and her bandit girl gang soon.

If you like Crime thrillers/murder mysteries, this is your book. Grab it now and get ready to fall in love with a series that will take you on twists and turns.

https://tikiriherath.com/

View all my reviews

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Author Interview – Bre Rose

Bre Rose is a newer author writing in the contemporary and paranormal why choose genre primarily. We had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Bre Rose for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Bre Rose writes under a pen name and is a newer author with five published books currently. She writes in the contemporary and paranormal why choose genres primarily but does have works that will not be. Bre is a native of North Carolina and mother to three amazing sons and two feline fur babies more affectionately known as her hellhounds.

She’s always been an avid reader, then progressed to becoming an ARC, BETA, and ALPHA reader for some of her favorite authors. After some encouragement, she decided to tackle writing the stories in her head and loves every minute of it. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys traveling the world and still has some places to mark off her bucket list.

She also enjoys spending time with her family and advocating for the differently abled population. To keep up to date with all upcoming releases and all things Bre then, simply join her Facebook reader group Bre’s Rose Petal Readers.

When did you start writing?

I started writing during COVID in 2020.

What was it like growing up?

I had a good childhood, and a mother who loved me and made sure we had everything we needed. I did grow up in a poorer, rougher community.

How was your early life?

It was average, I would say. I had friends and family, and we hung out. I was involved in school programs and clubs. Now, I wouldn’t say I was the popular kid in school, but I did move between the school cliques.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorWhat has been the biggest influence in your career?

The support from all my amazing author friends and readers. The encouragement and love they give me is amazing.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthor
Tell us about your newest release.

My newest release is book 2 in the Beyond the Pack series and is a co-write with Cassie Lein. It is a deliciously dark paranormal why choose academy book. It’s all about our FMC finding her strength to break free from the horrible pack she was in along the way, finding out more about herself and her past as well as her mates. Now when I say dark, please read those content warnings.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

My favorite book. I love them all, but I would say my first book, Finding Memphis, because it started this whole journey for me.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorWhat inspired you to write this book?

I love MC, and why choose romance there just weren’t enough books out there that had both of them together.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I am a huge supporter of the differently able population, so I do a lot there as far as support and education. I love to travel and enjoy any time that I get to curl up with a good book and lose myself in another author’s world.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorWhat does your writing space look like?

I kind of bounce around. I have a desk in my living room, sometimes, I’m on a couch, and others, I am at the local coffee shop. When I’m at home, there is always something playing in the background, either the television or music, and I always have coffee in hand.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

Work in Progress.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorHow long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

They vary, typically a couple of months, depending on the word count. I have found when It comes to the last book in a series, it takes longer, simply because I don’t want it to end having grown so attached to the characters.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorFavorite reads?

I have so many. Heather Long, Lexie Winston, and Elizabeth Dear are always one click. it doesn’t matter what it is, I know I will love it. Currently, I am working on my physical TBR, making sure to read every unread book on my bookshelf

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorDo you have any book recommendations?

This is my all-time book recommendation. I love it so much. The MIndfucked Series

What’s your next big project?

I’m currently editing with Against All Odds, it’s releasing on 4/29/23. Then other big projects I am part of the Fairytale with a Retelling Shared World. Merciless Few MC Kentucky Chapter, High School Reunion Shared World, and A Night to Remember Auction Shared World. So a lot of big things coming.

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthorDo you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Do it. Take the chance you will never know what will happen. Take all criticism for what it is. and pull the feedback from the constructive ones. You will never make everyone happy, stay true to yourself and have fun.

Follow Bre:

https://linktr.ee/breroseauthor

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Author Interview – Heather Weidner

Heather Weidner is a Crime/Mystery author. Originally from Virginia Beach, and has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. We had the pleasure of having this Author interview – Heather Weidner for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.

Her short stories appear in The Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Deadly Southern Charm, and Murder by the Glass. She has non-fiction pieces in Promophobia and The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers’ Cookbook.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Sisters in Crime – Chessie, Guppies, International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew.

She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

When did you start writing?

In elementary school – I’ve always loved to read and write, and I’ve been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew.

What was it like growing up?

I was a C.K. (Cop’s Kid). I thought everyone talked about murder and mayhem at the dinner table. One of my first jobs was to help my dad pick up spent shell casings on the range after he practiced. When he was head of the SWAT team in the 70s, we melted down some of my old crayons to make dummy bullets for their training sessions. I learned all kinds of interesting things back then.

How was your early life?

I got my first library card in kindergarten, and that opened up so many new worlds. I love to read and learn new things. I owe so much to all my amazing teachers and librarians who encouraged me through the years.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

I think growing up in a police officer’s house was a huge influence, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I was exposed to a lot of his world, and it definitely helped me later in life as a mystery writer. I have always loved whodunnit books and movies. It was the perfect fit.

Tell us about your newest release.

Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is the third book in the Jules Keene Glamping mystery series. The town of Fern Valley, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is celebrating all things Christmas until some drama comes to town. The arguments and shoving matches escalate, and Jules has to solve a murder mystery before the season is ruined.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

There are so many. I have always loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie.

What inspired you to write this book?

I love cozy mysteries, and it was a great fit for me and my writing style. The stories are light and fun, but the amateur sleuth uses her wits to solve the crime and bring justice. Jules restores vintage trailers for her glamping resort, and I had so much fun researching these. She and her boyfriend Jake have added tiny houses to the resort’s offering.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I’m an IT manager by day. In my spare time, we like to travel, take pictures, and paddle our kayaks. We share our home with two crazy Jack Russell terriers.

What does your writing space look like?

My office is upstairs, filled with computer gadgets and books. Our house is in the woods, so I have a wonderful big window to watch the squirrels and birds.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

How I got my head stuck in a rocking chair.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

I am much faster these days. I write 2-3 cozy mysteries a year now. When I started, it took me five years to write the first book and another two to publish it. I spent way too much time rewriting. Now, I outline the entire book and write the first draft. I don’t go back and edit or rewrite until I’ve finished the first draft.

http://www.heatherweidner.comFavorite reads?

Mysteries, Thrillers, Suspense – Favorite Authors Libbie Klein, Ellen Bryum, Sherry Harris, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, S. A. Cosby, Lee Goldberg, Diane Kelly, Bree Baker/Julie Anne LIndsey, K.L. Murphy, Lee Child

Do you have any book recommendations?

There are so many. Anything by S. A. Cosby, Diane Kelly, or Julie Anne Lindsey

What’s your next big project?

I am working on books 3-6 for the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries. I just signed a contract for books 3-6 in the Jules Keene Glamping series. Many thanks to Level Best Books for letting me share the adventures of everyone in Fern Valley and Mermaid Bay.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Be persistent. Writing is a business, and you have to treat it that way. Work on your craft. Build your author platform/audience and network, network, network.

Follow Heather:

Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidn...

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Author Interview – L.D. Wosar

L.D. Wosar is a best-selling multi-genre author, predominantly writing PNR, and we had the pleasure of having this Author interview – L.D. Wosar for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

L.D. Wosar is a best-selling multi-genre author but writes PNR predominantly. She lives in Las Vegas, where she soaks up the sun in the blistering heat…not really. She prefers to stay indoors and write….write…write while listening to her vast collection of vinyl records.

https://linktr.ee/ldwosarauthorWhen did you start writing?

When I was about 10. Didn’t publish until 2019.

What was it like growing up?

I was a Navy Brat, so we moved every four years and had to learn to adapt to new bases, new schools, and new friends.

How was your early life?

That was so long ago; it feels like it’s in the stone ages. I was the oldest of four, but it was a loving, though strict upbringing.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

I know it seems like a generic answer, but my husband and kids have really influenced aspects of my writing. But I am more influenced by movies and pop culture.

https://linktr.ee/ldwosarauthor
Tell us about your newest release.

Scarlet Peacock is book 1 in the Blood of a Peacock Duet. She was a bastard child of a King and a witch. For her protection, she’s sent to England and grows up as a farmer’s daughter but thrust not only into a life of wealth and nobility but vampirism.

https://linktr.ee/ldwosarauthorWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Jaded Vamp, hands down. There is no other character than Kaysee Belluomo.

What inspired you to write this book?

At first it was going to be a dirty, crass retelling of Little Orphan Annie until I decided to turn it into my first vampire book ever written. The more I wrote, the more it evolved into the final funfest, that is, Jaded Vamp.

https://linktr.ee/ldwosarauthorWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Binge watching cooking shows and whatever I am in the mood to watch. Well, that’s when I am not working as a Service Advocate II for Farmer’s Insurance.

What does your writing space look like?

It’s a corner desk with my wee personal laptop, work laptop, and two monitors.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

Are you sure you want to read this?

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It depends on the book on how long it takes to write – but on average, a month or two. I have written a few books in 2 to 3 weeks…I don’t recommend that.

Favorite reads?

Anything by James Patterson and Stephen King

Do you have any book recommendations?

I am not a big reader, to be honest. But I would recommend the Thesaurus. It’s my bible.

What’s your next big project?

Right now, I am working on Busted Vamp: Belluomo Vampy Saga Book 4. That’s my big project.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Just do you and research whatever advice you’re given. Most importantly, be patient and don’t give up. Your time will come when you’re least expecting it.

Follow L.D.

https://linktr.ee/ldwosarauthor

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Author Interview – V.B. Emanuele

Valentina Emanuele (V.B. Emanuele) is an award-winning author/editor, and we had the pleasure of having this author interview – V.B. Emanuele for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Valentina Emanuele (V.B. Emanuele) is an award-winning author/editor who began writing professionally for a serial, visual story app, under the username VioletBlue. She quickly found herself wanting to expand her art, and wrote her first online novel, The Veil, in 2019.

After the rapid success of the book, she released several more online novels before deciding she wanted to publish them. Just Business was the first book to launch the Club Euphoria Novels and Valentina’s publishing debut.

She has lived in both Europe and the United States and obtained a Fine Arts degree and an English Literature degree. When she is not writing or reading, she can be found active outdoors, participating in fitness challenges and events, cooking, or traveling.

When did you start writing?

When I was seven years old.

What was it like growing up?

I grew up in a huge family. It was chaotic and lonely at the same time, but I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. My house was haunted.

How was your early life?

Pretty eventful and a blur. I got to live in three countries and travel the world.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

I don’t really have influences, but I have a best friend, and that counts.

Tell us about your newest release.

Just Business is the first book I ever published, but I’m rereleasing it. It has added scenes, and since my writing has matured, I wanted it to shine properly and give it the attention it deserved. It’s one of my darker books. It takes place in a strip club in a city I used to live in. Most of the book came to me in a dream but parts of it are true. I’ll never reveal details.

https://vbemanuele.comWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

I was reading Shakespeare at age seven and playing outside. I had books but I don’t recall a favorite right now. I do know a few of them were only in Italian.

What inspired you to write this book?

It came to me in a dream and merged with my life. I was a stripper for a couple of weeks before an incident that changed everything. That incident is not in the book but will be in one within the series.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Gardening, shopping, painting, exercising, traveling, cooking, baking, and spending time with my family…to name a few.

What does your writing space look like?

Controlled chaos. I have my own office that is decorated in an Art Deco style with a library, reading chair, and ottoman on one side. On the other, two desks with three computers, a tablet, and an iPad (and a bunch of other stuff) on the other side. I also have a ton of artwork I need to finish. My office is also my art studio. I also have a ton of plants in my office. Don’t look in the closet.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

Blue Eyed Italian

https://vbemanuele.comHow long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It takes about a month or two to write the first draft, then edit and edit until I send it to my editor.

Favorite reads?

My favorite reads vary based on my moods. I’m a mood reader.

https://vbemanuele.comDo you have any book recommendations?

I will always recommend Sara Cate’s Give Me More to everyone.

What’s your next big project?

I’m writing four novels at once right now.

https://vbemanuele.comDo you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Please do not use Google translate. It butchers every language. Find someone who knows the language fluently and ask them.

https://vbemanuele.comFollow V.B.

https://vbemanuele.com

https://linktr.ee/vbemanuele

https://instagram.com/vbemanuele

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Poetic Expressions in Nursing

Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring by Susan J. Farese

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


At some point in our lives, we need healthcare. Trust me, you were born, enough said.

Reading these poems, I felt the love, compassion, heart, pain, turmoil, and service our nurses and loved ones go through when health becomes the front-line thought.

No one wants to go through health concerns, but it’s a part of living and dying.

Reading Susan’s poems bring us an insight into the nurses’ perspective, which is absolutely beautiful.

Reading the poem of her grandmother brought me to tears as we are currently experiencing it with my father. It helped me realize that I can remember him as he was before the disease took over. Then the tribute poem to Donna makes us realize how short life is.

There are happy moments, like the little girl who gets her transplant.

Some of you may think I’m telling spoilers, but trust me; they’re not. This book isn’t about who lived or died like works of fiction.

What Susan wrote is about emotions. This book is about each nurse’s feelings, caring for every single human being on the face of this earth.

This book is about the moments spent with these patients, and their family members, who are going through the times in their life that either they never expected, wished for or weren’t prepared for.

The nurses are always there before, during, and after, just like when you came into this world. We ask them to leave it all in the hospitals or wherever they serve and go home to raise their families as if they were robots without feelings.

This book is their story.

Bravo, Susan. Please continue to be the light that the world needs, and I am blessed to have had you come on The Authors Porch podcast. When you read Anne’s Zest to us all, allowing us to slow down momentarily, basking in the beautiful story of resiliency and love.

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Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you’re the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we’re looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ & Evlis reviews books independently based on what they enjoy reading. Any other reviews by reviewers are their independent thought and do not represent The Authors Porch’s opinion. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for review. We do not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. Reviews are solely at the discretion of the reviewers’ reading endeavors.

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Author Interview – Joyce Reynolds-Ward

Joyce Reynolds-Ward is a science fiction, fantasy, western-themed author, and we had the pleasure of having this author interview – Joyce Reynolds-Ward for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Joyce Reynolds-Ward has been called “the best writer I’ve never heard of” by one reviewer. Her work includes themes of high-stakes family and political conflict, digital sentience, personal agency and control, realistic strong women, and (whenever possible) horses, frequently in Pacific Northwest settings. She enjoys mixing science fiction and fantasy with Western themes and stories, as well as romance.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.com

She is the author of The Netwalk Sequence series, the Goddess’s Honor series, The Martiniere Legacy series, The People of the Martiniere Legacy series, and The Martiniere Multiverse series as well as standalones Beating the Apocalypse, Klone’s Stronghold, and Alien Savvy.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.com

Joyce is a Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off Semifinalist, a Writers of the Future SemiFinalist, and an Anthology Builder Finalist. She is the Secretary of the Northwest Independent Writers Association, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, and a member of Soroptimists International.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.comWhen did you start writing?

Back in grade school. I remember typing some sort of story about Mighty Mouse on yellow paper using my dad’s typewriter. Then I wrote (by hand) a trilogy about the girl version of the Black Stallion…girl raises a palomino mare who wins the Triple Crown. Beyond that, I tried my hand at mystery fiction, wrote some science fiction stories that never got published when I was in high school, and otherwise fiddled around with writing.

What was it like growing up?

I was a smart girl in a logging town during the ’60s and ’70s. Not only that, I was blond with a big chest. However, because I was (check back) said smart girl, and a weird smart girl at that, I was never very popular. I found refuge in books, hanging out with my horse, and being outside.

How was your early life?

Not really something I want to talk about.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

Landscapes and the stories arising out of them strongly shape my writing. My Netwalk books are influenced by the ten years I spent teaching and skiing on Mt. Hood. My Goddess’s Honor series is shaped by the Columbia Plateau. The Martiniere books are shaped by spending time in Northeastern Oregon. I am very much a Pacific Northwest writer, even though I write science fiction and fantasy.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.com
Tell us about your newest release.

A Different Life: Now. Always. Forever. is set in the Martiniere Multiverse, in a world where my protagonists Gabe and Ruby meet differently from how they met in the main Martiniere Legacy series. Now. Always. Forever. is the story of the romance of Gabe and Ruby’s assistants, Armand Martiniere and Linda Coates, and how they overcome politics and family weirdness to marry.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.comWhich book of yours would you call your favorite child?

It varies. At the moment, it’s a book I’m working on, The Cost of Power, which is yet another story in the Martiniere Multiverse. In this book, I’m taking a closer look at mind control technology and how it impacts those involved. The main Martiniere Legacy series focused heavily on indenture, and subsequent different universes involving the Martinieres are looking not only at different change points in the story of Ruby and Gabe, but different elements within those stories. I plan to tie them all together at some point, and The Cost of Power is one of those books.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.comWhat inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write about some of the issues surrounding mind control technology might be.

https://www.joycereynoldsward.comWhat are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I’m on horseback, in the woods, quilting, gardening, or reading. Or doing my share of the housework.

What does your writing space look like?

A cozy, cluttered den with everything ranging from horse stuff to craft materials.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

The Best Writer You Never Heard Of

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It generally takes me around 3-5 months to draft a novel. I write a chapter in Word, then put it in Scrivener. I’ll have both Word and Scrivener open when I write because it’s easier to refer back to previous chapters for continuity in Scrivener than scroll through Word. Plus, I have all of my worldbuilding notes in Scrivener under the Research tab, which is very helpful.

Favorite reads?

Right now, Beverly Jenkins, and a number of older books.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Right now? I’m blanking.

What’s your next big project?

I plan to pull together a collection of my short stories, both published and unpublished. Then I intend to write a sequel series to my fantasy Goddess’s Honor series, to be called Goddess’s Vision. I’m hoping to have it out by 2024.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Read, journal, and above all else, please keep track of everything you write! I am now at the point where I need to rebuild some structures, and it’s more challenging than it should be.

Follow Joyce:

Joyce Reynolds-Ward’s Peak Amygdala

https://joycereynoldsward.substack.com

https://joycef1d.substack.com/p/no-go...

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In All of Your Days Have You Seen the Ways an Animal Plays an Instrument?

In All of Your Days Have You Seen the Ways an Animal Plays an Instrument by Lisa Baker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading In All of Your Days Have You Seen the Ways an Animal Plays an Instrument? to Elvis, The Little Prince. If you don’t know Elvis, you should check him out. He is my sweet little boy, an IVDD survivor, and has the affectionate name of Scoot because he scoots around the house since he was paralyzed from the waist down. He is my ride-or-die best friend and my writing, reading, and traveling partner.

I read children’s books to Scoot, AKA Elvis, who loves our reading time. He looks lovingly into my eyes and tells me how he feels about these books.

Elvis couldn’t stop staring at me as I read him the beautiful rhymes of this book. The animals were his favorite part; I could see his eyes light up as I listed them. When he heard of the numerous instruments neither of us knew existed, we were having such a great time because we had to go and check out what they sounded like.

Our favorite part was that a teacher wrote this, and she is such a kind soul because she even had a table of index in the back teaching us about the instruments, and we loved that so much.

Elvis wanted to eat the pages; the illustrations were adorable and vivid.

This is a must-read for every child. Immerse your children in music and watch their creativity spark. I can’t say enough how much I loved this and had the pleasure of speaking with the author on my podcast. She is a bright light traveling around the world, and here is the best part, this book is #1 in a series, so you can enjoy more rhymes coming soon, but don’t wait for those because she has more rhyming books for your little ones.

View all my reviews

Do you have a book review to share with The Authors Porch? Are you an avid reader who would love to share your reviews with an audience? Reach out to The Authors Porch at admin@theauthorsporch.com to see if we can collaborate on your review to be hosted on our blog. The world needs to hear more about great books, and maybe you’re the person to introduce them to these books. Take a chance on yourself and your ability to influence the book world; you may be the next great book influencer. Some of the things we’re looking for are positive reviews and people who can articulate what they liked about the book. We do not accept spoilers or negative reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Book reviews are what help authors get noticed. CJ & Evlis reviews books independently based on what they enjoy reading. Any other reviews by reviewers are their independent thought and do not represent The Authors Porch’s opinion. The Authors Porch does not charge for book reviews and will never request compensation for review. We do not solicit reviews nor accept review requests from any inbox. Reviews are solely at the discretion of the reviewers’ reading endeavors.

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