Jeannie Walker's Blog: JEANNIE WALKER-AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, page 3
June 20, 2013
UNBELIEVABLE - Woman convicted of First Degree Murder receives Probation
A Texas woman convicted in the arsenic poisoning death of her millionaire boss is set to be released from prison. Debra Lynn Baker is to be released this week after spending only ten years behind bars after being convicted of First Degree Murder for killing her millionaire boss with arsenic poison.
Debra Lynn Baker
Baker was sent to prison only after violating the probation she received for the murder of Texas businessman and millionaire Jerry Sternadel.Baker was Sternadel's bookkeeper and was suspected of embezzlement. Prosecutors also said Baker was close to Sternadel's wife and poisoned him before he could divorce her. The wife was never charged in the arsenic poisoning murder of her husband, Jerry Sternadel.
The family of Sternadel say a "terrible injustice was done". The relatives have started a petition seeking to have the case fully investigated.
JUSTICE for JERRY STERNADEL PETITION
Sternadel's ex-wife penned a true crime about the murder sharing personal stories and the journey to put a killer behind bars in the Award-Winning book "Fighting the Devil".
Award-Winning True Crime "Fighting the Devil"
Associated Press Coverage

Baker was sent to prison only after violating the probation she received for the murder of Texas businessman and millionaire Jerry Sternadel.Baker was Sternadel's bookkeeper and was suspected of embezzlement. Prosecutors also said Baker was close to Sternadel's wife and poisoned him before he could divorce her. The wife was never charged in the arsenic poisoning murder of her husband, Jerry Sternadel.
The family of Sternadel say a "terrible injustice was done". The relatives have started a petition seeking to have the case fully investigated.
JUSTICE for JERRY STERNADEL PETITION
Sternadel's ex-wife penned a true crime about the murder sharing personal stories and the journey to put a killer behind bars in the Award-Winning book "Fighting the Devil".

Associated Press Coverage
Published on June 20, 2013 13:08
March 16, 2013
NBC NEWS: Woman who killed my millionaire ex-husband denied early release from prison

Debra Lynn Baker, now 56-years-old, will not be released until her original prison release date of June 20th. She had filed for early release before then, but the parole board denied her request. She has made previous requests for parole but family and friends of the victim have always strenuously protested her release.
Baker was convicted of the 1990 arsenic poisoning murder of Clay County business man Jerry Sternadel, and the jury sentenced her to 10 years probation. But in 2003, she violated her probation and was sent to prison to serve those 10 years.
Prosecutors say Sternadel suffered a slow and painful death as a result of arsenic put in his juice. Family members have long maintained his second wife was also involved she has never been charged and that case file remains open.
His first wife and daughter say Sternadel discovered his wife and Baker, who was his bookkeeper, had been embezzling thousands from him and he planned to divorce his wife. His net worth was estimated at around two million dollars.


Award Winning Author WEBSITE
Published on March 16, 2013 18:22
January 27, 2013
Amazing true account of battle for justice
Fighting the Devil, by Jeannie Walker Posted on January 27, 2013

That said, this review is of a non-fiction work, as compelling as any novel ~ my honest opinion of Fighting the Devil: A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder, by Jeannie Walker, which I finished reading Wednesday. Characters:I’m not sure “characters” is the right word, since the people Jeannie details in this first-person memoir are real people. They include herself, and her ex-husband, millionaire Jerry Sternadel, fatally poisoned with arsenic by his bookkeeper Debra Lynn Baker in an alleged plot with Sternadel’s second wife, Lou Ann, to get the millionaire’s money.Jeannie does a good job of showing who everyone is through their actions including physical description. Here’s ex-husband Jerry, as a kid:Jerry was a good-looking, freckle-faced kid with short, curly brown hair. He grew up in Petrolia, a small town fifteen miles outside of Wichita Falls. He participated in every sport the school offered and became the star basketball player for Petrolia. After high school, he enrolled at the local university in Wichita Falls. He was gregarious and full of ambition. He was also gutsy and strong-minded.and later:Every day, as if it were a ritual, a guy with curly brown hair and red sideburns would walk by my office and peck on the window. “Go to lunch with me?” In spite of the fact that I always ignored him, Jerry Sternadel continued tapping on the windowpane, asking me to go to lunch.Jeannie introduces us to their son Sandy and daughter Becky, now both adults. Jeannie gives readers an up-close-and-personal encounter with 2nd wife Lou Ann:“Lou Ann, I want to know where my kids are. I know you took them from school. Where are my kids?”“You’re crazy! I don’t know where your fucking kids are. You need to talk to Jerry.”“I will talk to Jerry,” I quickly responded. “Just tell me where Jerry is.”“I just called him. He’s on his way right now. And so are the cops. Good-bye!” She slammed the door shut.At that moment, the curtain on the side window inside the house was pulled aside, and I saw my daughter Becky, then only nine years old, standing at the window. She was crying, “Mommy, don’t leave. Please, Mommy, don’t leave. Mommy, please, I want to go home.”Jeannie makes it clear from both her personal experience and documented evidence that Lou Ann and Debra are not very nice people. Their victim, Jerry, isn’t much better. Jeannie paints a convincing picture of an increasingly abusive husband, who grows so cruel that she has to divorce him:He walked over to the bedroom dresser, opened a drawer, and pulled out a long length of nylon cord. I was becoming very frightened of my husband. I rolled off the bed and tried to run out of the bedroom.Jerry raced over, quickly closing the bedroom door. He grabbed the ropes on my hands, pushed me backward onto the bed, and tied my hands to the bedpost with the nylon cord. I started tossing and kicking as he pulled my skirt up past my waist.“Kick, you bitch. That’ll just make it more fun!”Jeannie does a nice job as well with the various friends, relatives and law enforcement people involved in this remarkable account.Plot: Again, not sure this is the right word. But Fighting the Devil details author Jeannie’s epic struggle to get justice for her murdered ex-husband in the face of what seems to be the amazingly sluggish and disinterested legal and medical systems of Clay County, Texas.She intersperses details of Jerry’s downfall and her subsequent pursuit of the perpetrators with memories, many unpleasant, of her life with Jerry.Even Jeannie asks herself the question — why go to so much trouble for someone who had been so cruel to her? The answer — Jerry was the father of their two children; he appeared to become more human toward Jeannie as he grew older; and perhaps the most compelling reason — no one deserves to die the agonizing death by arsenic poisoning that Jerry did.There’s even a touch of the paranormal in this story. Jeannie recounts several of the experiences that give the book its title:I tried turning the steering wheel but could not move it. The car was completely out of control and heading straight for the dam. I knew if I didn’t stop the car soon, I would be crashing over the spillway into the raging, icy water below. I felt something breathing down my neck from behind the driver’s seat. A cold chill shot through me. My reaction of looking into the rearview mirror was almost instantaneous. What I saw made my blood curdle. In my mirror I saw two eyes that looked like fiery red-hot coals. I knew immediately the Devil was in control of my car. The Prince of Darkness wanted to kill me and take my soul to hell if he could.I glanced at the speedometer: ninety miles per hour and climbing.Setting: The events of Fighting the Deviltake place in Wichita Falls and Clay County, Texas. Jeannie doesn’t give much attention to the setting, and honestly, it’s not integral to recounting of what happened. What I thought could’ve been done better: Jeannie’s narrative, while undeniably compelling, could be tightened up a bit. Wordiness and passive voice slow things down here and there.Here’s a scene from Jerry’s funeral:People were meandering around, but some stopped in their tracks to stare at Jerry’s widow exiting from the chauffeur-driven limousine. They continued watching as Jerry’s mother and grown children exited from another limo.Tighter:People meandered around. Some stopped and stared at Jerry’s widow exiting the chauffeur-driven limousine. They watched Jerry’s mother and grown children leave another limo.In truth it’s not a huge difference. But over the course of an 80,000-word book, tighter, sharper more active prose make for a better reading experience.Adverbs also contribute to wordiness and redundancy, as in:Becky looked over at her stepmother, Lou Ann, and screamed loudly, “I’ll tell you one thing. There’s no way Daddy would poison himself.”“Screamed” by itself is good enough. Screams, by their nature, are loud. “Screamed softly” would be an oxymoron. One reason I mention needless adverbs — I struggle with them in my own writing.Something I thought the story never satisfactorily addressed — why did the doctors attending Jerry never question how arsenic at fatal levels came repeatedly to be in his body?What I thought was good: Lots. First, unlike too many indie books, Fighting the Devil is free of annoying typos and grammar errors. It’s a clean read.I liked the straight-forward way Jeannie presents the story. Her personal reminiscences are clear, and her accounts of medical and legal aspects are complete and well-documented:Dr. Ulrich’s report said the following: “Arsenic level dramatically increased. Patient to be dialyzed today.”Throughout the day on Monday, June 11, the nurses continued to frequently suction large amounts of bloody oral and nasal secretions from Jerry. His weight had gone up to 257.4 pounds. His breathing was labored, and at times he gasped for breath. He had facial cyanosis. His abdomen was distended and firm. There were no bowel sounds present. He had no cough reflex. His urine output was very low and muddy brown.Tuesday, June 12, there was a red rash over Jerry’s entire body. Thick, bloody secretions oozed from his mouth and nose. He was gasping for air, even though he was on a ventilator. His blood pressure was very low. His condition was deteriorating.Jeannie introduces us to some interesting people, like Sheriff Jake Bogard:Jake Bogard had been sheriff for over sixteen years and had been in law enforcement for even longer than that. The rugged lawman was born on the RO Ranch near the Texas Panhandle. His dad worked in the oil field and bought a farm in Beulah. His grandfather was Dusty Rhodes from Sur, Texas. He had three sisters—Opal Roberts and Tommie Ann Gaston, both of Junction, Texas, and Barbara Kinnison of Seagraves, Texas—and a brother, Dusty, a cowboy.In his younger days, Jake was a cowboy and worked on ranches in the panhandle. Jake was a well-built man with slightly graying brown hair, gray sideburns, and graying eyebrows. He looked like a lawman that a criminal wouldn’t want to tangle with.Jeannie does a wonderful job of gathering all the evidence into the narrative and combining it with her personal observations. She methodically builds it all into a damning case against Debra, who the jury convicted, and Lou Ann, who the police never arrested — but who is, probably in no small part due to Jeannie’s efforts — still a suspect 20 years later.Overall: Fighting the Devil is an amazing true account of one woman’s battle for justice. Competently presented, well-researched and documented, it’s nevertheless personal and emotional, including Jeannie’s own struggle against the darkest spiritual influences.Jeannie has delivered a fascinating account of crime and her own dogged pursuit of the perpetrators that I’m sure anyone who reads Fighting the Devil will remember for a long time. I sure will.Good job, Jeannie!
Published on January 27, 2013 15:56
January 19, 2013
AWARD-WINNING ***** FIVE STAR TRUE CRIME STORY
Fighting The Devil by Jeannie Walker

in love and ready to start life together.
They supported each other and spent
lots of time together. Then the worst
happened and they began drifting
apart. Life changed for them both
and the two children they'd brought
into the relationship. Jerry became
a different person and Jeannie could
no longer deal with him.
Strange things began to happen
and it wasn't until it was too late
Jeannie found out about it all.
Jeannie is then put into the awful
situation of reporting her ex husband's
murder. This is a true story.
AMAZON SMASHWORDS BARNES&NOBLE
Gripping, shocking and real,
this book will keep you spellbound. I was simply amazed at the strength of Jeannie.
She endured for her children and still does. You can't imagine what she must deal
with and go through. This book will leave your mouth agape at the injustice
throughout. Get your copy!
I didn't find issues but will make a statement. I don't think I could have
printed such personal things for the public. I understand why Jeannie did,
but I know I couldn't.
I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it shows just how flawed
our justice system is.
Melanie Carrico ..You should check her out.
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AWARDS





Published on January 19, 2013 10:58
Have You Heard My Book Review: Five Stars for "Fighting The Devil" by Jeannie Walker
Have You Heard My Book Review: Fighting The Devil by Jeannie Walker: Jerry and Jeannie Sternadel were in love and ready to start life together. They supported each other and spent lots of time together...
Published on January 19, 2013 10:44
December 31, 2012
Announcing new book by my friend: Dr. Rita Hancock



In Bookstores and Elsewhere on the InternetJanuary 8, 2013! Radical Well-being: A biblical guide to overcoming pain, illness, and addictions Book Description
If you suffer from chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, neck or back pain, or if you have irritable bowel syndrome, jaw pain, large numbers of food and drug allergies, unexplained rashes, or even mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or unwanted behaviors such as overeating, an eating disorder, overspending, drug abuse or alcoholism, Radical Well-being may be the right book for you. This is especially true if you desire an overtly Christian or biblical approach to solving your problem.
With nearly fifteen years experience counseling patients from a balanced, mind/body/Holy Spirit perspective, Dr. Rita gives you practical nuts-and-bolts advice, including:
• How to identify the lies that are manipulating you from a subconscious level, e.g. "I'm worthless," "It's my fault," "I'm stupid," "I'm bad," "I'm ugly," "I'm dirty," "I'm damaged goods," etc. • How to fully receive biblical truth to replace those lies• How to heal the emotional factors that can make your pain and unwanted behaviors seem worse• How to overcome addictive behaviors like overeating, taking drugs or alcohol, over-shopping, etc. • How to overcome depression, anxiety, and anger issues that threaten your relationships• How to fully accept God's love and forgiveness on a deep, healing level
*I was privileged to receive an advance copy of this book. I believe it is a positive approach to the nuts and bolts of love and healing by finding our inner spirit with the help of God and His infinite love. I love how the author skillfully puts action points in the book with questions to ask God as we kneel in prayer. We need to ask questions if we are to learn why we reach for false comfort in things and the wrong kind of people. There is no better source than God, who can show us the truth, give us hope and guidance on how to successfully live our lives in a constructive and happy way. Feeling pain, guilt or remorse can cause each of us emotional and physical illness. I think "Radical Well-Being" is a great guide that will help us learn how to live one day at a time happier, healthier, stronger, sharper and better by the power or God's healing love.
Another book by Dr. Rita HancockThe Eden Diet http://amzn.to/UzkNIg
Published on December 31, 2012 08:51
December 25, 2012
Wishing all the very best for the NEW YEAR


It is friends like you who make the world a much better place. May God bless YOU always!
Sincerely, Jeannie Walker My Author Website
Published on December 25, 2012 09:09
November 30, 2012
Author to Author Blog Tour


Jeannie WalkerAWARD-WINNING AUTHOR I'm happy to present this author-to-author blog tour. For this, I have Sheila Callaman to thank. Sheila is the author of "Stories from Spirit". However, the beginning of this posting is supposed to be about me and my work - cool, huh? I get tagged by an author so I can write about my work and introduce you to other authors. What fun I am having....I’m choosing to tell you about my newest book, "I Saw the Light". Amazon Link

And now, drum roll pleeeeeze… for the awesome, inspiring authors that I’m pleased to tag. I have read their books and highly recommend them to you. ***********

Sheila Callaman "Stories from Spirit is a collection of spirit journeys and the gifts of wisdom that received during the experiences. Through a series of questions, readers reflect on their own spiritual path and then tap their own wisdom with guided meditations and facilitated spirit journeys. The book concludes with eighteen wonderful exercises meant to deepen the spirit." ***********

I am currently an author of speculative fiction, yes, science fiction.My most recent books are "Another Space in Time", and the originally titled "Another Space in Time, Returns". I have some earlier books, which are reworked neoclassical plays. These will be of interest to those who wish to read Jean Racine in prose English. Yes, not everyone's cup of tea. I am an advocate of independent, vanity, and small press authors, and with this in mind regularly review. As well as reviewing in all the usual places, including on my own site, I am also currently a reviewer for Bookpleasures.
Above all, I like to be read. Even if my works don't attract your interest I hope that you look at my GR reviews, and thanks for wading through this interview. ***********

Roderick Low Roderick's books: Promises of Love and Good Behavior - Reward and Dilemmas - Going Nowhere -
Roderick Craig Low is the son of Scottish parents, was born and brought up in England.
I always liked writing and, after a few years as a computer business analyst, I became a technical writer – providing documentation to support computers, software systems and business methods for many ‘big name’ companies. In 1994, my book, ‘Writing User Documentation’, was published by Prentice Hall. It became a major work on the subject of successfully conveying technical and business information to professionals and is still used in universities and colleges throughout the world. It was even translated into Chinese!
I'd be delighted if you'd take a look at my books and, hopefully, review them! Thank you very much! ***********

Walter's ramblings: "Taste is an acquired sense. What one person my find only to be an appetizer, another may savor as an entree." The same goes for the books we read.
As a long time teacher and coach at Central Regional High School in New Jersey, Walter praises public education and the dynamic students it produces. When not at the Jersey Shore, Walter is a part time resident of the Central Florida coast. He became enamored with the beauty, culture, and people of this pristine area over 30 years ago, and still can't get enough. He has vigilantly taken the time to delve into the history of this beautiful coast line and incorporated that background into his writings.
Walter spent much of his earlier years traveling the Florida coast from Saint Augustine to Key West from his father's home in Daytona Beach. When not working on his next novel, Walter enjoys reading as well as outdoor activities that include surfing and jogging. ************

We were returning home from an outing in the mountains when our car was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. After the screeching of brakes, glass shattering, and half of our car destroyed, my wife and two of my three children were dead. I was only in my early twenties and was unable to cope with the loss. I fell into a miasma of depression and, unfortunately, turned to illegal drugs for consolation.
Even though I later remarried and had two more children, I never fully recovered from my loss and continued to use drugs as a crutch. All of this came to an abrupt halt fourteen years later when my second wife and I were arrested in 1993 on numerous drug charges. Both of us were sentenced to 32 years in prison!!! I was 39 years old!
Entering the prison system, I felt as if I was in a void similar to the five stages of grief. First there is denial, followed by anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, hopefully, acceptance. It actually took me four years before I came to terms with my situation and did a “life review.”
I finally asked myself, “Am I going to try and accomplish something, even though I’m in jail, or am I just going to give up?”
It was then that I decided to try writing. I had always loved to read, so writing came quite naturally to me. In prison there was no access to computers or the Internet for reference materials, and the prison library consisted only of a box of tattered westerns and romance novels, which in effect forced me to rely on my own imagination. For me, writing became my therapy. I was finally able to deal with the death of my wife and children, my incarceration, and overcome my dependence on drugs.
While in prison, I was very fortunate that my cellmate was an artistically gifted person. We had an unspoken agreement to keep our cell quiet so that each of us could pursue our creative endeavors – I wrote and my cellmate, who was serving time for murder, painted. I used him to critique my writing, and he used me as the subject of many of his paintings. I now have a portrait that he painted which I take to all of my book signings.
With the “time” to write and our cell turned into a creative studio, I wrote six manuscripts using only a pencil on yellow legal pads. My first published book, Rendezvous Rock, is a romantic-drama with some light supernatural elements. One of the principal characters is a contemporary witch. Yet I knew nothing of witchcraft and had no way to do any research, so I concocted an earth-based religion to base the story on. I tried to make the characters real and believable. Although fictional, it seems real enough that it leaves the reader wondering … maybe? The book placed second in the Fantasy Category of the 2010 Reader Views Literary Contest and won the Cross Genre Category of the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards.
I am now a free man, however, I was in the Oklahoma prison system for twelve years, from 1993 until 2005. Since my release from prison, my wife and I divorced, but I have recently married a lovely woman I have known since 1977 and now reside in Marlow, Oklahoma. I have also returned to my previous profession as a house painter and serve as the foreman for a painting company. I hope to eventually get all of my manuscripts published. My life has turned around, and I am now only looking forward instead of dwelling on the past.
Published on November 30, 2012 17:56
November 16, 2012
Five Star Personal Journeys

Paul Anthony Bio"Paul has written 5 full length fictional novels, a collection of poetry, and a book of short stories, all of which are in both print, Kindle, and ipad. Apart from being a Goodreads author, he is also an Amazon author. In the past he has been published by a Vanity House and a Traditional Publishing House. Visit his storefront at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/anthony... His blogsite is at http://paulanthonys.blogspot.com/
Published on November 16, 2012 11:11
October 28, 2012
Five Star Rated & Amazing True Stories





"Fighting the Devil" "I Saw the Light" "Thomas, The Friendly Ghost" "The Rain Snake"
"Fighting the Devil"
This story is filled in with emotions - with passion for the truth - with true devotion of a woman fighting to find the true murderer of her former husband.
After Texas millionaire, Jerry Sternadel was divorced from his former wife (the author of the book) he got re-married. His Ex-wife lived far away - they did keep contact since having two children together, a daughter, Becky, and a son, Sandy.It's a dark day when Jeannie learns her ex-husband died in the hospital - and it got even darker when she was informed he had died from poison...
From that moment on Jeannie Walker begins to fight - fight for the rights of her passed away husband, fight for justice, fight for her children - and sometimes, fight for her life!
In many ways I do admire this passion for justice and truth! And it's not over yet. Nobody will be disappointed by reading this true story.
"I Saw the Light"
This book has left me breathless in many ways. The surprise of the beauty, the relief of knowledge that even dying isn't scary...
Jeannie Walker has a talent to use simple but impressive words to tell her story. I personally think it is the simplicity and combination of her truthfulness that touches the heart and caresses the soul of her reader. It's still not that I may "like" to die... it's more that whenever my time is up I don't need to be scared.Thank you Jeannie for sharing your experience and not merely entertaining your readers, but letting them KNOW that death is not the end. It is a new beginning!!!
"Thomas, The Friendly Ghost"
Jeannie Walker's "Thomas, the friendly ghost" has taught me many things. I learnt that Jeannie Walker is indeed an extraordinary strong woman, not fearless, but facing her fears until she finds out what's going on. Additionally she's deeply spiritual and a true believer. I do admire her for many things.1. For her courage to face the unknown2. For her ability to open her heart and soul to the unknown3. For her truly being good4. For her guts to write it all down and let the world know about her experiences5. For teaching people about things they'd rather don't see
I have learnt from this book that being open to things that are hidden can be a true enrichment to a life. And Thomas the friendly Ghost shows, that welcoming the good things and lock out the evil ones is possible with the right guide. If you belong to the fainthearted, don't read it. But, if you're open to the spiritual things in this world, then please read it.
"The Rain Snake"This book is so simple, so well written, so clear... reading this story feels like diving into the clear water of a mountain creek.
The Rain Snake contains not only memories but also the purity of innocence and love that keeps the reader going on until knowing everything.It's flattering and wonderful at the same time. I loved it. And I'm sure all others reading it will love it as well!
In deep admiration - Raani York Raani York's Website
Published on October 28, 2012 11:37
JEANNIE WALKER-AWARD WINNING AUTHOR
BOOK OF THE YEAR TRUE CRIME WINNER & 2011 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST
* "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
A true crime suspense thriller o BOOK OF THE YEAR TRUE CRIME WINNER & 2011 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST
* "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
A true crime suspense thriller of the horrific, excruciating death and murder of a millionaire, and haunting occurrences that actually happened. This true story contains sexual abuse, death, embezzlement, poison, premonitions, and spine-tingling accounts of unexplained phenomena that may seem like the stuff of soap operas. However, these dastardly deeds and haunting occurences actually happened.
* "The Rain Snake"
A children's story based on real events that actually happened about Native American Indian Legends, love, faith, and trust in God.
...more
* "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
A true crime suspense thriller o BOOK OF THE YEAR TRUE CRIME WINNER & 2011 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST
* "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
A true crime suspense thriller of the horrific, excruciating death and murder of a millionaire, and haunting occurrences that actually happened. This true story contains sexual abuse, death, embezzlement, poison, premonitions, and spine-tingling accounts of unexplained phenomena that may seem like the stuff of soap operas. However, these dastardly deeds and haunting occurences actually happened.
* "The Rain Snake"
A children's story based on real events that actually happened about Native American Indian Legends, love, faith, and trust in God.
...more
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