Patrick Jones's Blog, page 37
February 4, 2015
Dog Bone Soup Launch Tour: Bette Stevens
DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….
Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga. Available now at “YOUR AMAZON”
From the Reviewers
“Dog Bone Soup is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when most others were on the crest of a wave. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. But most of all it will make you glad you read it.” ~ Charlie Bray, founder of the Indietribe
“In Dog Bone Soup, Bette Stevens captures the feeling and images of growing up in hardscrabble times perfectly.” ~ John Clark, librarian and author
DOG BONE SOUP
READ the opening Excerpt from Chapter One right here…
The postcard arrived four days before my eighteenth birthday. All I had to do now was sign the final papers and light out for basic training. I could hardly wait to leave this place behind.
There were six of us ready to become soldiers. The other five guys were headed to Fort Dix. Soon as we were inducted, the sergeant who swore us in started calling us a bunch of lily-assed bastards and worse. When the jerk marched the other five guys off, I was happy as hell I wasn’t one of them.
Lieutenant Richards called me into his office. “You’ll be heading out tomorrow, Private Daniels. Here are your tickets.”
We sat in his office and talked about my future with the U.S. Army. Then he handed me a schedule for the next day’s journey and we went over every detail.
“Now let’s get you home so you can get a good night’s sleep before you fly off to serve Uncle Sam, soldier.”
“Good luck Private,” the lieutenant said when he dropped me off at the house. We saluted and I stood there watching until his car disappeared over the hill.
I’d always liked army people. They called me Mr. Daniels and even sir sometimes. Now I was officially a private in the U.S. Army and I was ready to start a new life. I pictured myself in an officer’s uniform one day—a lieutenant, a captain, maybe even a general.
Mum and I didn’t get much more than a few winks of sleep that night. I don’t know how many pots of coffee she perked while we sat at the kitchen table and talked the night away. Of course, it was Mum did most of the talking. Once she opened her picture books, I felt like I was drinking in the life I wanted to leave.
Mum took all of those pictures with her Brownie—that camera was her pride and joy. None of us kids was allowed to touch it unless she supervised a picture taking every now and then. If Dad wasn’t around, it was me peeking through the lens. Mum was fussy about taking pictures just so.
Five books were piled on the table and we went through them one page at a time. Mum had a story for every snap shot. Some made me laugh so hard that I doubled over.
It was two minutes shy of three when she closed the last album.
“Thanks for staying up. I’ve got the alarm set for six and I know that won’t give us much sleep.” Mum pulled out her hanky, sniffled and hugged me before we turned in. My leaving would to be hard on her.
Willie was snoring away, likely dreaming about cars. I slipped in next to him and pulled away some puffs and huddled under them.
The minute I closed my eyes I started dreaming about my new life. No more freezing to death up north. I was headed for southern sunshine and I saw myself soaking it all in.
Bzzzzzzz. I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, grabbed the suitcase and headed for the kitchen. Mum already had breakfast on the stove, so I ran outside to do my business and came back in to grab a hot biscuit and down it with a cup of steaming coffee.
I was half frozen and snow was whipping around me in circles when I headed out on the three-mile walk into town to catch that bus.
I shook flakes big as quarters from my jacket when I climbed the steps of the Greyhound. Two hours and I’d be boarding a plane headed to Fort Jackson. South Carolina was sure the place to be, especially in February.
### end of excerpt
Read all of Chapter One
OR Grab your own copy of DOG BONE SOUP here at “YOUR AMAZON” and dive right in!
About the author
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to DOG BONE SOUP.
Find out more about the author and her books right here on “YOUR AMAZON”
Bette’s WEBSITE/BLOG
Find Bette on FACEBOOK
Follow Bette on TWITTER
Author Bette A. Stevens at “YOUR AMAZON”
February 1, 2015
My View of The Creek
We have a room on the south side of the house we call, “The Sun Room”.
During the day, there is plenty of sunlight filtering through the four picture windows, I do most of my writing in this place.
The thing I most like about writing here is that during those short periods that I go blank, there is a creek that runs the length of my property.
In the morning the sun lends her light, ever so softly at first, waking the birds.
I watch the red flashes of cardinals flying from their nests looking to feed. The bluejays are not far behind.
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The warming rays motivate the squirrels from high in the trees to the ground searching for food.
Soon woodland creatures are all moving looking for that tasty morsel.
One day as I sat at the keyboard working on a short story (which is taking on the life of it’s own that I cannot control) there was unusual movement along the creek.
A closer look revealed a beautiful fawn grazing. I watched it for some time until I noticed movement just to the right.
It was another fawn. They were twins. The two romped and played as they ate the early acorns and fresh blades of tender grass.
Quietly, I called for my wife Sandy (who is the photographer) to bring her camera.
She was stunned and happily excited to see the two small deer walking around without any worry.
Sandy started clicking the camera making it work overtime.
Then, at the same time, we both saw a doe standing close by eating fallen crab apples.
I thought the fawns felt safe in the knowledge we would never allow harm to befall them. That was not the case. It was because their Mama held a watchful eye over them.
The animals allowed us to watch and marvel at their beauty for what seemed to be a very long time.
Soon, though, they all moved down to the creek for a cool drink of water before moving on, disappearing from sight.
Since then, only once more have they graced my view only not for as long but the memory of that morning will linger on.
Writing still stalls from time to time but who cares?
I have the creek.
Copyright (C) 2015 Patrick Jones
January 31, 2015
#Read about PnP #Authors #Promotions
Excellent information from Chris The Story Reading Ape about PnP Authors Promotions who features authors as part of their mission! Check it out!
Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog..... An Author Promotions Enterprise!:
PnP Authors began as a source to promote their own books, Peter & Pattimari Cacciolfi state proudly, but its members of notable authors and poets grew so fast that they renamed it, PnP Authors Promotions, and began promoting other authors who joined PnP; FREE. Pattimari began putting together spotlights for the author’s book, and sent them all around the world by having their authors support them by clicking on websites at the end of their spotlighted promotions, sending them into thousands of homes.
[image error] PnPAuthors
[image error] PnPAuthors Promotions
Peter & Pattimari began brain storming with their Administrator, Harmony Brooks and they soon came up with PnP Authors Promotional Magazine where they talk about authors, poets, artists and their writings and works; another way of promoting authors’ books.
[image error] PnPAuthors Promotional Magazine
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Peter & Pattimari believe that authors have something to say, and they believe in them, so they promote them…
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January 30, 2015
INTRODUCING my NAUGHTY CHIMPS
Chris The Story Reading Ape and the AMAZING Naughty Chimps! An excellent author promotion site!
Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog..... An Author Promotions Enterprise!:
INTRODUCING my NAUGHTY CHIMPS warming up to visit those authors who have not yet sent me their Guest Author or other articles for my blog
My thanks to author Ali Isaac for pointing me to their activities :)
January 29, 2015
Advertise Your Book on Amazon—New Opportunity
Excellent post from Chris McMullen about the opportunity to advertise on Amazon through KDP Amazon Marketing Services
Originally posted on chrismcmullen:
ADVERTISE ON AMAZON
There is a new opportunity available to advertise your book on Amazon.
https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A2DJUTY13KIH2C
How would you like to advertise your book directly on Amazon.com?
That would be cool, huh?
What if you could do this on a modest budget?
Even better!
Well, now you can:
minimum campaign budget is $100
minimum bid is 2 cents
pay per click
But there’s a catch:
It’s only open to KDP Select authors.
I think it’s a nice benefit for enrolling in KDP Select, on top of current benefits like Kindle Unlimited.
So if you bid 2 cents, a campaign budget of $100 can net you 5000 clicks.
Higher bids are more likely to result in advertisements being shown and result in clicks. But then you get fewer clicks for your money, also.
I like that the charge is per click. You’re not charged when people see your ad, but don’t…
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January 28, 2015
#Read about Guest #Author Patrick Jones
Patrick Jones, author of The Wolf’s Moon, The Linden Chronicles, Book 1 is featured on Chris The Story Reading Ape’s blog today! What an honor to be part of such a wonderful community of people! Have a wonderful day!!
Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog..... An Author Promotions Enterprise!:
Author Interview: The Wolf’s Moon by Patrick Jones,
The Linden Chronicles: Book 1
I had a couple of hours in between the next hurried crowd of people that wanted a signed copy of “The Wolf’s Moon.” All I wanted was to rest my hand and have a quiet cup of coffee and a cigarette.
I picked the grill and pub called Blazers. In the book I called it Barkers but if you are from the area, you know the place. It had great food and even better patrons.
There was an open corner table and I rushed to get it. The crowd at the bar was two or three deep and tables were at a premium.
Dana brought me a cup of their finest coffee as I settled back in my chair to reflect over the last couple of days. Like most Indie authors, I chose to self-promote the book…
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January 27, 2015
Great News from Google+ | Savvy Book Writers
. . Google+ is the only Social Media site where your posts, comments and likes are directly transferred to their search engines. That’s not the only
via Great News from Google+ | Savvy Book Writers.
January 25, 2015
#FREE Today: Eli Copper and the Lion Runner – #Scifi #Adventure…Check it out!
Wow! FREE today!! Check it out!
Did you know Eli has a pet Wolf?
“Eli Copper and the Lion Runner” #free today on #amazon #Kindle #scifi #adventure http://amzn.to/1CT2eD0
Eli Copper is a man disenchanted with his existence. The good life has rejected him and Eli looks for the reasons at the bottom of a bottle. He can’t find them. Misery, so far, has been his best friend. His career as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Army has taken him everywhere, yet nowhere he’s wanted to stay.
After surviving an airplane crash, Eli is confronted by a mysterious priest seeking his help to save humanity. In return, Eli receives powers beyond human comprehension. But has Eli finally gone insane? He doesn’t know – and he doesn’t care.
[image error] Niels Balzer
Niels Balzer, like Eli Copper, leads an international life steeped in adventure. Born in Germany, he moved to Hong Kong as a teenager and found himself at a crossroads of cultures that gave him a rich visual imagination. Drawn to manga, with its action-driven narratives and colourful characters, he tells stories that unfold like graphic novels in the mind.
His own life is no less remarkable. A veteran of international business, he owns his own import-export company. His business dealings have brought him contact with people from all levels of society. He is equally comfortable walking the halls of power or traveling to the most obscure corner of the world. His writing is alive with a cosmopolitan sense that reflects the international lives of himself and the people he’s met.
A fresh new voice in the world of adventure fiction, his writing defies categories. Readers of all ages are drawn to his vibrant characters and their remarkable adventures. A blend of vintage cartoons and old-fashioned storytelling, Niels Balzer is a storyteller for a digitally-savvy generation where the unexpected is the one thing readers can always expect.
Niels Balzer currently lives in Vancouver, Canada, where he enjoys a rich cultural mix, and a stunning natural backdrop that keeps his imagination fresh.
January 24, 2015
A Day at The Library
Rachel
Patrick
Years ago when my son was moving from kindergarten to the first grade there was a Summer Reading Program. The program covered all students in St. Louis, Missouri. If a student read five books over the summer, the reader received a certificate for an ice cream cone from the St. Louis Public Library. The fast food chain, McDonald’s, sponsored the program.
That summer my son, Pat, was six years of age. Even at six his bright mind was quick and always looking to find the things that would benefit him. Simply reading five books to acquire an ice cream cone was easy. Pat had been in tow with me for years going to the local branch library. That year on summer vacation my son attained his first library card.
My daughter, Rachel, was two years old and she, too, wanted free ice cream cones. So while Pat was looking for books, I told Rachel she could get books on my card. She had also learned to count. Five books was a number for her to count.
Once, sometimes twice per week, the three of us were at the library returning books and getting another certificate.
Rachel would sit on my lap and we read each book together. She learned her alphabet and was sounding out words over that summer.
While at the library returning books, Rachel asked in her soft, sweet voice, “Daddy, when can I get my own “libraby” card?”
The ladies working at the library heard her question and told her she had to sign her name. That was all that was needed.
Those two bright, brown eyes looked to me for the answer. I asked the younger of the two ladies for a sheet of paper, then we sat at a table. Starting with large block letters, we reduced the size each time until she wrote the letters. Pat stopped looking for new books to read and was cheering Rachel on. Soon I noticed the crowd of adults and other children watching.
Finally Rachel signed her name twice, the same size, to go on the back of the “libraby” card.
It was time.
I filled out the card, the one that told the librarians where the book that was not returned was located.
Rachel took the pen from the librarian and signed her name in the block letters. When she finished, it seemed Rachel had drawn a crowd – everyone applauded her!
My daughter was not just happy but proud of herself.
Now she was able to earn her ice cream cones on her own and Pat was every bit as proud of her.
A few decades later, Pat is Director of Informational Technology for a school district. He is currently working on his PhD and Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree as a Geological Engineer. All from reading at a local branch library.
One other thing, I have always been proud of both!
Copyright © 2013 Patrick Jones, All Rights Reserved.
January 23, 2015
Lighthouse ~
Gorgeous picture of a Lighthouse from Maverick Mist Blog
Originally posted on Maverick Mist:
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“Nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storms of life.
The love of the young for the young, that is the beginning of life.
But the love of the old for the old, that is the beginning of things longer.”
Jerome K. Jerome
