Author:Lancelot Schaubert Release Date: 10th October 2023 Series: Genre: Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Dark Format: E-book Pages: 36 Publisher: — Blurb: Harry woke at night: in his doorway stood THE DANGER. Harry learns first to face and follow Danger, then to court Danger. Harry takes the Danger out for chocolate cake, for jumping over mountains, for leaping over pits of snakes. Then he wields Danger to save lives, homes, and worlds from a world ending fire. A children’s book written in the wake of the historic Joplin tornado, HARRY RIDES THE DANGER teaches the abstract concept of courage in a fun way. It will quickly become an early reader classic.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Harry Rides the Danger by Lancelot Schaubert is a dark children’s fiction graphic novel that will steal any horror lover’s heart. This book is perfect for a nice little spooky read for kids and even for adults who like adventure with a twist.
The characterisation is the heart of this book and I hope the author comes out with more books in this series so that we can read more of Harry’s adventures. This one was a perfect blend of thrills and chills and the brilliant narration and beautiful illustrations took it to an entirely different level.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all children and adult alike.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir —Junis Sultan for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Junis Sultan studied in Frankfurt am Main, Eichstätt and at California State University Fullerton. He received a Fulbright and a Horizonte Scholarship. For the past six years, he has taught English, politics, and economics as a high school teacher in Frankfurt am Main. He is pursuing a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the University of Heidelberg.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My name is Junis Sultan. I’m an author, a teacher, and a doctorate student. I was born in Mosul, Iraq in 1986 to a wealthy intercultural family. After the Gulf War in 1991, my family fled to Germany. We have stayed here since then; so, I’ve spent most of my life in Germany. I started journaling when I was 15 years old—after the 9/11 terror attacks, a very intense and emotional time. Since then writing has been my way to process things and find meaning.
I studied Politics, Economics, and English in Frankfurt, Eichstätt, and Fullerton and received a Fulbright and a Horizonte scholarship at the time. I currently teach part-time at a middle school near Frankfurt and pursue a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the University of Heidelberg.
In my free time I love to be outside or do sports. One of my lifelong passions in addition to writing is boxing. It started with a movie—Rocky—when we came to Germany.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
It was a quite a journey until my memoir got published. The first version of my memoir was titled “Struggles of Strangers: Of Bonding and Freedom” and self-published in 2017. It was staged at the German National Library in Frankfurt. In 2019, it was shortlisted for the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing in New York. Shortly, I signed a contract with Brandylane Publisher Inc. and Königshausen und Neumann to get a polished version of my memoir published with a new title in the US and in Germany. The US title is BROTHERS AND STRANGERS: A GERMAN-IRAQI MEMOIR; the German title is GLAUBENSKRIEGE: VON FREMDEN UND FREUNDEN.
Even though I mostly grew up in Germany and even though German is my mother tongue, I wrote my memoir in English. Writing in English started with some journal entries, mostly poems and lyrics. When I began to study English at Goethe University Frankfurt, I completely switched to journaling in English.
My memoir includes original journal entries; but not just that. It also includes classic storytelling, news-reports, photos, official correspondence, and even court verdicts. On top, it takes place in different settings: Iraq, Jordan, Germany, and the US.
Why did you choose this particular theme for your book? What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
This might sound strange, but I think I did not choose the topic; I believe the topic or life chose me. My father is an Iraqi Muslim and my mother a German Christian. I was born to connect these two worlds, build bridges, and foster mutual understanding and integration. This has been my blessing and curse at the same time. In addition to my family structure, the flight to Germany was another personal fate that demanded my continuous efforts for integration. My happy, privileged childhood was abruptly cut short by the Gulf War in 1991. Our home was destroyed; we were forced to flee and eventually settled in a small conservative town in Germany, near Frankfurt, where we struggled to adapt to our new circumstances. I found myself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for myself between my family’s expectations and a culture that demanded my assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, I began to keep a diary, in which I reflected on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as I began to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom. If I had to break down my memoir to one message, it would be: Act with openness and love.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
On November 11, 2011, I was so broken from the yearlong repercussions of the Gulf War, our flight, and ethnic and religious conflicts in my family and in our new environment that I didn’t see any sense in staying life. After having returned to Frankfurt, Germany, from a study-abroad year in Fullerton, California, I experienced a reverse culture shock: repeated experiences with racism, the uncovering of the racist NSU murder series, and the separation of my parents after decades of marital problems in which ethnic and religious differences were constantly played up. The feelings of loss, loneliness, and despair overwhelmed me that day. I was determined to end my, what I thought, cursed life. But then, pictures came to my mind, like flashes, picture of the positive experiences and relationships in my life. That day, the idea evolved in my mind. In order not only to survive, but to heal, I wanted to write down everything. I wanted to use my story and create something good for others. I wanted to help others deal with their fears and despairs. I wanted to encourage people to love themselves and those around them. I wanted to tear down the walls we have created and connect old and young, men and women, East and West—all people. This was the only way my life made sense to me: to encourage our human experiences—the needs for bonding and freedom, the struggles for happiness and peace, and the connecting and liberating powers of love.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took me several years to finish this memoir as I was facing some challenges on the way: dealing with re-traumatization, developing personally, becoming a better writer in a second language, completing my studies, teacher training, and teaching full-time. The first version of my memoir was called “Struggles of Strangers: Of Bonding and Freedom.” I completed it in 2014/2015 and began to contact literary agents and agencies—without success. So I revised it, again and again. In 2017, I self-published it. In 2019, after about 1000 rejections, it was eventually shortlisted for the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing in New York. Shortly, I signed a contract with Brandylane Publisher Inc. and Königshausen und Neumann to get a polished version of my memoir with a new title published in the US and in Germany.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I would definitely like to write more books. I see myself in 5 years doing the same—teaching and writing—but on another, higher level. Ideally, I will be teaching at university and finishing my next book. I already have it in my mind. It is a continuation of my family’s story. The next book will tackle topics that have been taboos in my family: personality disorders, sexual abuse, homophobia, drug abuse, and suicide. Obviously, these topics are very serious. And it will be difficult to go through everything again. But I think I owe it my brother who was found dead in his apartment in 2021 as a victim of a drug overdose. I want to encourage people to openly talk about these problems—which go beyond cultural borders—so that we all take responsibility and find ways to help those who are affected, in some cases including ourselves, heal, make progress, and live a life in which everyone can prosper.
Are you working on any other books presently?
Yes, I am, but it is another kind of book, an academic book. It is my doctoral dissertation I write at Karl-Ruprecht University Heidelberg. The title is “Linguistic justice: Rethinking Education in Liberal Democracy.” It’s about how public schools (analyzed by the example of Germany) can do more justice to the growing numbers of students that have a non-European background. It’s about the politics of recognition, the prioritization of integration, legally binding frameworks, linguistic and global citizenship, community-based multilingual education, longer joint learning, and inclusive education that is open for different cultures, languages, and religions. There are many ways to further integration; they all make a difference.
Do you also dabble in Fiction?
No, I don’t and probably won’t because the topic I focus on—integration—is a matter of heart for me that does not only concern ethnic minorities. It’s about justice; it’s about how we want to live together as people. On the other hand, I have some dystopic novels with my students at school, which touched this topic indirectly or directly—like Brave New World or The Giver. So, maybe one day I will dabble in fiction but definitely not in the next five years.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I first dreamt of becoming a writer when I started journaling as a 15 year old. My dream was to live in a warm country close to the ocean, read a lot of books and write books. At the time, I also began writing and translating a number of speeches for my father, who was the chairman of the Council for Foreigners. Still, writing was more a hobby and I was more serious about becoming a boxer then. Boxing taught me many life lessons, above all discipline, which includes making sacrifices. So, being ambitious and disciplined has been part of my personality for a long time. It was and still is natural to me. I am a driven person. And yes, I made a lot of sacrifices on the way to follow my passion and become a writer. When you work 9 hours a day, commute, do the household, cook, eat, do sports, shower, and sleep 7 hours at night, there is not much time left every day to become something else—especially if you decide to use your free time watching TV or going out, being social etc. I radically cut back mostly all of those things, except family and health. There always needs to be time for these two things. But if you really want to become something else, you need to invest at least 2 hours every day in yourself, if not more.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I am a nighthawk. Since writing was never my full-time job, I always wrote after I had met my other obligations. I have the habit of changing place when I write. Sometimes I write at the dining table, sometimes at my desk, sometimes on the couch, sometimes standing, sometimes at the kitchen counter, sometimes in the train or bus, sometimes in a café, sometimes right after work or in my breaks in the classroom, sometimes at the train station or airport, sometimes at the pool or even the beach. Sometimes I change places because I have to, sometimes I change place because I want to; it somehow makes me approach the material with different eyes. I usually write on my laptop, but I also have loads of notes on small pieces of paper. My working place is normally a precious mess. Sometimes I like to listen to instrumental music, often soundtracks. When I am working on a difficult piece, I need absolute silence though. I will read the text aloud, again and again until it flows. I usually drink tea, mostly ginger tea with honey, or coffee with milk and sugar when I write.
Is writing your profession or do you work in some other field too?
No, writing is not my profession; I currently work part-time in a middle school as an English and Politics and Economics teacher. In addition, I pursue a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the Karl Ruprecht University of Heidelberg. I also taught high school for three years before that. I did enroll in several creative writing courses during my studies in Frankfurt and Fullerton though. I was also doing some translation work for my writing teacher in Fullerton, who had lost her uncle in a German concentration camp.
Can you recommend a book or two based on themes or ideas similar to your book? (You can share the name of the authors too.)
Reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” touched me very deeply as a teenager. Even though I cannot compare her story with mine, there are some similar topic like the mother-child conflict and feeling alone and sad as a teenager.
Further, I have read many (auto-) biographies and memoirs by African-Americans who have covered themes similar to my book: the struggle for equality and freedom. To name some: W.E.B. Du Bois, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and Michelle and Barak Obama.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I normally use timeboxing as a technique. To give an example: I allocate an evening for a revision of two pages or two years for writing an entire book. This way I create some expectations of myself and take track if I reach my goals. I often do not share my goals with others; reaching new goals is a personal standard I have for myself. The bigger the goal, like writing a new book, the more flexibility I give myself. If, for instance, I am not able to write a halfway good text on one day, I accept that and take a break. I go outside, do sports, and most often that is already enough to approach the piece with more energy and new eyes. If that is still not enough, I try the next day again. And sometimes, I have days where I am very productive and make up for the other less productive days. These are the days when I work until midnight or even longer.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Never give up. Always keep working on your craft. Read and study your topic. Share your work with others. Everybody has got a story. But, always keep in mind that you need to answer the following two questions in the end: What can we learn from you? How does it make anyone’s life better?
Thank you, author Sultan, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir
Born in Mosul, Iraq, to a wealthy intercultural family, Junis Sultan’s happy, privileged childhood is abruptly cut short by the start of the Gulf War in 1991. With their home destroyed, Junis’s family flees to Germany, settling in a small conservative town near Frankfurt. As his family struggles to adapt to their new circumstances, Junis finds himself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for himself between his family’s expectations and a culture that demands his assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, Junis begins to keep a diary, in which he reflects on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as Junis begins to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom.
Brothers and Strangers is a unique, heartfelt memoir of endurance, forgiveness, and self-actualization, offering a timely message about the importance of acting with openness and love in a global reality.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:L.J. Sellers Release Date: 4th May 2023 Series: Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 276 Publisher: Spellbinder Press Blurb: What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind? Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her. But as she starts her new life, lightning strikes! Remi briefly loses her memory and makes one small mistake—that costs her everything. The crime-family patriarch she’s hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The psychological trauma cracks open buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her. AfterStrike blends fast-paced action with psychological suspense and unexpected romance, then ends with an explosive twist.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
AfterStrike by L.J. Sellers is a gripping thriller that will hook you right from the beginning and won’t let you put it down until the end. This book is a stunning thriller that plays out in the readers head like a movie, unfolding at each and every turn the many dark and twisted twists and turns that will keep you glued to the book.
This book had excellent characterisation, amazing pacing and tension and the writing is perfect and compliments the plot and the concept beautifully. I would highly recommend it to all thriller readers and to those who simply cannot miss a stunning suspense novel.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author Junis Sultan who’ll be sharing an excerpt from his latest release Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir.
About the Book
Brothers and Strangers
Born in Mosul, Iraq, to a wealthy intercultural family, Junis Sultan’s happy, privileged childhood is abruptly cut short by the start of the Gulf War in 1991. With their home destroyed, Junis’s family flees to Germany, settling in a small conservative town near Frankfurt. As his family struggles to adapt to their new circumstances, Junis finds himself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for himself between his family’s expectations and a culture that demands his assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, Junis begins to keep a diary, in which he reflects on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as Junis begins to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom.
Brothers and Strangers is a unique, heartfelt memoir of endurance, forgiveness, and self-actualization, offering a timely message about the importance of acting with openness and love in a global reality.
Growing up, I often wondered whether my skin looked brown or white. My hair is certainly black, and my eyes are brown. Many Westerners I met probably thought Middle East as soon as they laid eyes on me or heard my name—Junis Sultan. “Where are you originally from?” I was asked innumerable times. Some were visibly surprised that I spoke their language accent-free. Middle Easterners, however, were oftentimes disappointed that I did not speak Arabic fluently. “Why did your parents not teach you?” For a number of reasons, it was usually impossible for people to label me—and vice versa.
My story is one of unfavorable coincidence and unending reinvention. In the summer of 1991, after surviving the Gulf War, my family fled from Iraq to Germany. I was four years old at the time. One of my early memories is of sitting with my father in our run-down living room and watching the news. He raised his finger and shouted, “The West imposed those bloody sanctions on Iraq, not Saddam.[1]ˮ Intimidated by his anger, I quietly asked him what he meant. He said, “The West is Europe, North America, and Australia. They’ve killed millions, and now they are killing us!ˮ His warning scared me. However, when I started attending kindergarten in 1992, I soon realized that his warning had proved wrong. In fact, we would live together happily and in peace with many Westerners for many years.
Since those early days, I’ve strived to live in harmony with everyone around me, including Middle Easterners and Westerners. Even though I’ve repeatedly failed, I’ve kept trying to balance both our common need to bond and common need for freedom. During puberty, I was particularly concerned with religious freedom. The divisiveness I experienced, especially in the post 9/11 years, always seemed human-imposed, harmful to our relationships, and therefore self-destructive and wrong. Growing up in Germany, I frequently pondered the purpose of our existence. Were we not all precious social individuals, connected and meant to support each other while realizing our personal dreams?
Despite my strong belief in the need for humans to bond, I often doubted our connectedness when meeting other people. A number of Westerners confronted me with negative stereotypes: “Does your mother wear a hijab or a burka?” “Were your sisters’ marriages arranged?” “Do you hate Jews, the United States . . . ?ˮ None of it applied to me. Quite the opposite is true: My mother is Christian, and she has had difficulties accepting my different religion. A number of Middle Easterners have been disappointed by me as well, saying, “Don’t drink! Don’t wear shorts! Don’t . . . ! It’s haram.[2]ˮ Interactions like these often left me feeling strange, disconnected, and challenged. How could I ease and strengthen our relationship? Was I overreacting? Were they looking for common ground?
The thousands-of-years-old stories of my name have shaped my complex identity. In 1993, during my first school year, my father told me that Junis derives from Yunus, “a prophet in the Quran who strongly believed in God’s rules.ˮ In a Catholic religion class, I learned that the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament first told the story of Yunus under the name of Jonah. “Jonah means dove in Hebrew, and a dove is a symbol of peace,ˮ my teacher said before she read us his story. “Jonah was ordered by God to go to Nineveh and prophesy against the Ninevites’ great wickedness. Afraid, however, that God would simply forgive the sinners, he boarded a ship that sailed in the opposite direction; a serious mistake! God punished him for his disobedience with a heavy storm at sea, and when the sailors found Jonah responsible, they threw him overboard. Jonah was then swallowed by a whale. While inside the belly of the whale, he repented, thanked God for his mercy, and committed himself to God’s will, so the whale eventually spewed him out. . . .” I looked at my teacher with large eyes. While I had no idea what my life would bring and how I would react—at times quite like an unforgiving, disobedient runaway—I could relate to Jonah’s story. I, too, wanted to have a relationship with God and be uplifted when I fell.
My first name mostly caused insecurities among new people. Many Germans called me Jonas after I had introduced myself. Sometimes, when I spelled out J–U–N–I–S, I wondered if my pronunciation was unclear, or whether they ignored my real name out of convenience, or even disrespect. Some asked me to spell it out again, and then wanted to know where the name came from. The problem started when I was naturalized in 1991. “Younes is its international notation, but would complicate matters for Germans. They’re not used to Y, which is only used in a few words in German,ˮ a public official told my mother. My first name was thus Germanized. I was too young to notice the forced assimilation. Some Middle Easterners did, however. “So are you a real Arab?ˮ they asked me after reading my name. “My mother is German, my father Iraqi,” I usually told them before I explained how my name was Germanized—which often led to an awkward silence. Growing up, I soon began to understand how much my name defined me.
My last name, Sultan, sometimes amused people, reminding many of a carnival song: “The caravan is moving, the sultan is thirsty . . .” Sometimes, however, it raised fear or false idolization. The word sultan originally meant “strengthˮ in Arabic. Over time, it also became a title for leaders who claimed independence from any higher ruler. According to Wikipedia, one of the most famous sultans, Mehmed II, conquered Constantinople and ended the one-thousand-year-old Byzantine Empire in 1453. I assume his destructive power intimidated the West, which—as Professor Edward Said[3] would say—has continuously strived to invent itself as good in direct contrast to the imagined evil of the Orient. Strangely, my father ascribed the exact opposite value to the Middle East. As if Mehmed II were better than any other murderer, and as if killing four thousand non-Muslims in 1453 was good.I always struggled to understand why some people devalued or even demonized those with different cultural backgrounds while idealizing their own people. Were we not all the same: just people, more or less flawed, and yet all worthy of love?
In my school days in Germany between 1993 and 2006, I mostly learned about the merits of the West. We investigated the European Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.Kant’s[4] “categorical imperativeˮ—to always act in such a way that one would be willing for his actions to become general law—seemed to me like a precious idea that could bring peace among people. We read the classics of the German literary periods; the eighteenth century Storm and Stress period was my favorite since it allowed the free expression of strong emotions. I excitedly examined the revolutions for freedom and unity: 1776 in America, 1789 in France, and 1848 in Germany.
Above all, I embraced the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first document I read at school that was drafted by an international committee with the aim of promoting peace for all people—a dream I wished everybody shared. While our teachers claimed that the unprecedented horrors of World War II led to the UDHR, I learned in 2009 in a rare seminar on “post-colonialismˮ at Goethe University that Nazi Germany was not a short-term mistake, which killed more than seventy million people around the globe, but rather a direct result of the propagandistic and bloody history of the West. Like Hannah Arendt[5] said, mainstream European nationalism and colonialism blended with post-enlightenment racial theories that proclaimed the natural superiority of the “white race,” paving the way for the pseudo-legitimized enslavement and killing of non-white and non-Christian people around the globe for almost two centuries beforeHitler. Our seminar discussions also revealed the subtle, allegedly colorblind and areligious ways in which millions of non-white and non-Christian people have been killed far beyond the borders of the West since 1945, through economic exploitation, starvation, or military adventures that brought chaos, destruction, and even civil war. Still, one burning question remained: how could we stop these processes of dehumanization and these crimes against humanity?
I was eager to find out. After I completed my basic studies at Goethe University, Frankfurt, I studied political science at California State University, Fullerton, from 2010 to 2011. During my political philosophy course, I learned about Greek, Hebrew, Roman, and Christian societies, which my senior professor called “the foundational stories of the West.ˮ In particular, I enjoyed our recurring discussions about whether it was possible to establish truths about ethics—right individual conduct—and politics—right collective life. I, like a couple of my fellow students, believed we could.
At the end of the semester, my professor suggested that modern, twenty-first century global liberalism represented the synthesis of all stories of the West. Skeptical of his Eurocentric perspective, I asked him about the role of the rest of the world. He pondered for a second before he raised his head and said with a raised eyebrow, “Well, there was Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and then came the bloody bastard Mohammed who spread Islam by the sword.ˮ Sitting in the last row, I looked at him in disbelief. Did he just really say that? As if the stories of the West were free of bloodshed. I remained silent and waited to hear more about his black-and-white worldview; but he stopped himself. “Oh, shit, is she here? The one with the scarf?ˮ he asked, looking around.
Her name was Manar, which means “guiding lightˮ in Arabic. She was not in class that day, but I was—embodying a vibrant blend of Judeo-Christian-Muslim, German, Arabic, and Ottoman traditions. That day, like so many times before, I wondered: How could we overcome those hostile attitudes against “the others”? How could we connect with one another and appreciate each other? How could we create more happiness and peace among each other and within ourselves?
[1] Saddam Hussein (Apr. 28, 1937–Dec. 30, 2006), fifth President of Iraq, serving from July 16, 1979 to Apr. 9, 2003, was sentenced to death after being convicted for crimes against humanity.
[2] Arabic term; means “forbidden” or “proscribed” by Islamic law.
[3] Edward Wadie Said (Nov. 1, 1935–Sept. 25, 2003); professor of literature, public intellectual, and founder of the academic field of postcolonial studies.
[4] Immanuel Kant (Apr. 22, 1724–Feb. 12, 1804); German philosopher and central figure in modern philosophy, known for his book Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
[5] Johanna “Hannah” Arendt (Oct. 14, 1906–Dec. 4, 1975); German-born Jewish American political theorist.
About The Author
Junis Sultan
Junis Sultan studied in Frankfurt am Main, Eichstätt and at California State University Fullerton. He received a Fulbright and a Horizonte Scholarship. For the past six years, he has taught English, politics, and economics as a high school teacher in Frankfurt am Main. He is pursuing a doctorate in Modern Political Theory at the University of Heidelberg.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome author L.J. Sellers who’ll be sharing an excerpt from her latest release AfterStrike.
About the Book
AfterStrike
What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind?
Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her.
But as she starts her new life, lightning strikes! Remi briefly loses her memory and makes one small mistake—that costs her everything. The crime-family patriarch she’s hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The psychological trauma cracks open buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her.
AfterStrike blends fast-paced action with psychological suspense and unexpected romance, then ends with an explosive twist.
Remi opened her eyes, her fists clenched. “It’s still not coming back.”
Her counselor sighed.“I’m sorry. That’s the only method I know for recalling memories. I think it’s time to see a specialist, someone who can help you in a more neurologic way.” The woman’s robust voice didn’t match her thin, aging body.
“You’re dumping me?” Another unexpected blow. Remi had found Joanne’s name in her phone contacts and assumed they had a history. Even though this musty, low-rent office didn’t give off a professional vibe, she’d counted on this woman to help get her life back.
“Please don’t see it that way.” Joanne scooted forward, her eyes troubled. “This situation is complex for me. During our earlier sessions, before the incident, you told me things about your past, about your guilt. Now that you can’t remember any of that, it would be unethical and probably counterproductive for me to remind you. So I shouldn’t see you until you’ve recovered.” The counselor reached for a notepad. “I’ll refer you to a neuropsychologist in Portland.”
Remi shook her head. “I can’t start over. It’s all been too much.” She’d had a sliver of hope when she’d walked in, but now she felt abandoned and alone. That would be the tagline on her gravestone.
“I’m still available by phone if you have destructive impulses and need to talk.” Joanne held out the referral note.
Remi let out a harsh laugh. Destructive impulses would be her footnote. “I’ll be fine. Thanks though.”
She bolted from the office, knowing she would never be back. Coming here the first time a year ago had felt like cracking open her own chest. She remembered the pain of that first session if not the details. Then two months earlier—just as she was able to get through a day without hating herself—she’d suffered the strike and woken up with unbearable pain and no memory. Pieces of her recent life in this town had come back, but the rest of her past was still a total blank.
What was the point of seeing yet another specialist? So they could tell her she was physically fine and to just be patient? The doctor who’d treated her in the ER kept saying that, and his indifference, especially to her physical distress, infuriated her. Remi reached for her phone to delete the counselor’s contact, but she’d left the cell in her car.
At the bottom of the exterior stairs, she swore. Not only was it drizzling—signaling summer’s coming end—some jackass had parked his crappy van too close to her Mazda. Now she would have to squeeze her wide hips in sideways like a contortionist. She shuffled across the secluded back lot, wincing at the literal pain in her ass and wishing she’d dressed warmer. As she grabbed the driver’s side handle, a flash of panic. Where was Tuck?
Behind her, the van’s sliding door clanged open. Instinctual fear made her spin around to run, but she was too slow. A powerful hand pressed a vile rag against her mouth and a massive arm wrapped around her rib cage. With a quick lift, the man heaved her like a sack of cement. From inside the van, someone grabbed her armpits and pulled her into the dark space.
“Motherfu—” She couldn’t form the rest of the word. Her tongue wouldn’t work and her brain felt woozy. Yet before she blacked out, a vague thought came together. Whoever she’d been hiding from had finally found her.
Chapter 2
The Recent Past
Did you call me Remi?
July 3, two months earlier
Thunder boomed in the dark sky and Remi tensed. A storm hadn’t been in the forecast, so the sky-shaking noise caught her off guard. Every fiber in her body wanted to bolt for the building, but she had to round up the kids first. She ran toward the girls on the swing set. “Go inside!” She pointed at the back door. “Now!”
Remi pivoted toward the boys playing basketball and repeated her frantic message. Three of the kids went wide-eyed and followed the girls, but Trevor, a hyper five-year old, took another run at the low hoop. Panic made her heart pound in her ears. “I said now!”
The boy turned, shocked at her tone, but instead of running toward the daycare, he burst into tears and bolted to the corner of the fenced-in play area.
Shit. She didn’t have time for this.
The sky flashed, a light so bright it hurt her eyes.
“Get inside!” Remi dashed toward him, but he dodged her. Cursing loudly, she gave chase, catching him as he rounded the big metal slide. She scooped him up and tried to run, but he was heavy and kicked at her knees. Thunder boomed again, and her lungs fought for air against her tight chest. Almost there. As she reached the patio, the boy squirmed out of her arms and scurried in the door ahead of her.
A moment later, the air sizzled and a bolt of lightning knocked her to the ground. The pain was so intense Remi blacked out before her face hit the concrete.
She woke to the sound of concerned voices, a man and a woman talking softly nearby. Her eyes fought to stay closed like they did sometimes on sleepy mornings, but she managed to force a word out of her parched mouth. “Water.” Why did she hurt everywhere?
One voice came closer. “Remi, can you hear me? I see you blinking.”
Who was Remi? “Water.” She forced her eyes open.
The man, who seemed young and dressed in white, was rather blurry as he leaned in and offered a straw. The cool liquid soothed her mouth, and the room came into focus: a small exam space in the back of an ER.
“Why am I here?” Dread filled her chest as she realized she couldn’t remember what had happened.
“You were hit by lightning at the daycare.”
What? Confused, she sat up and peeked under the sheet. Her body had nice breasts that were starting to sag and a layer of pudge on her belly. How could she not remember this? Panic rolled in like a tidal surge, threatening to drown her.
“You should lay back and rest.” The man pressed a lever to raise the top of the wheeled bed. “I’m Dr. Azul Sanjay.”
“Did you call me Remi?”
A flash of concern. “Your work badge says Remi Bartel.”
She gulped for breath. “I can’t remember anything.”
“We’ll get you a CT scan and see what’s happening.” The doctor sounded calm, but his eyes were uncertain. “Your memory loss is likely temporary.” An uncomfortable pause. “I’ve never treated a high-voltage shock patient, but my understanding is that the effects are short-term.”
“Good to hear. Because I need to get home.” Remi didn’t know why, but the feeling was urgent. “How long have I been here?”
“Two hours or so.”
Remi glanced at the wall clock: 3:45. About the time she usually got home from work. The thought floated in and out, untethered to specific details. Still, it offered hope her memory would return.
Dr. Sanjay shifted. “You don’t seem to have any injuries except for the burns where the lightning entered and exited your body. As soon as you feel ready, we can release you.”
Remi touched the white bandage taped to her right shoulder socket. Where was the other burn? She started to ask, then realized she knew. The searing pain in her left butt cheek now made sense. “Have you given me any pain medication?”
“No. I wanted to see how you felt first.”
“Like I’ve been dunked in a deep fryer with a vice-clamp around my head, then branded on the ass.” She tried to smile. “So put some of the good stuff in my IV, please.”
The doctor looked surprised. “On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst pain you can imagine, what’s your level?”
“I thought I just told you, but I’ll say eight or nine, just to be clear.”
A long moment of silence. “Okay. We’ll get some anti-inflammatory in your line, and I’ll write you a script for ten Percocet with no refills.”
“Thanks. I’d like to leave soon.” And go where? Remi tried to visualize her home. A small brown cottage came to mind. No. That was her childhood home. “Where are we, by the way?”
“Wilsonville.”
It meant nothing to her. “Can you be more specific?”
“It’s a small town south of Portland, Oregon.”
The west coast seemed familiar and correct. Time to get out there and see it. Maybe the visual images would trigger actual memories. “Where’s my purse? With my driver’s license?”
“It’s likely still at the daycare. We’ll call them. Anyone else we should contact? A spouse? Family?”
Remi couldn’t think of a single person she might know. “After the CT scan, will you call an Uber for me?” Being alone with the pain and memory loss rather terrified her, but lying in this windowless room not knowing anything felt like a layer of hell Dante hadn’t experienced.
Chapter 3
The Recent Past
Her life had once been more vibrant
A few hours later
Remi walked into KinderCare, blinking at the bright colors. If she worked here, she must like kids, but she didn’t remember this place. Or anything else. Her CT scan hadn’t shown an injury to her skull or brain, but her mind seemed to be lost in a thick fog. The sensation was bizarre and embarrassing and she wanted to get this interaction over quickly. Her headache had eased, but so had the effect of the anti-inflammatory, and her burns hurt with every movement.
“Remi!” The stout woman behind the counter desk beamed. “I’m so glad you’re okay. We’ve all been worried sick.”
Remi tried to be pleasant. “Thanks.” She glanced at the receptionist’s badge. “Cheri.”
“You’re wearing hospital scrubs. Are you sure—?”
“I’m fine. My clothes were burned and they cut them off me.”
“Oh right.” Cheri stood. “Let me get the rest of the staff. They’ll want to—”
“No. Please. I’m not up for it. I just need my purse.”
“Of course.” Cheri reached under the counter and held out a brown canvas shoulder bag.
Remi took it, dug around for a wallet, then stared at her driver’s license. The woman in the photo looked vaguely familiar: thirty-five or so with ash-blonde hair, hazel eyes, and round cheeks. Kinda pretty, but not really. The name read: Remi Lynn Bartel. She noted the date of birth and realized she was only thirty-one. She looked up at Cheri. “My memory is fuzzy. Do I have a car here?”
The receptionist frowned. “The green Mazda.”
“Thanks. I need to go.”
“Are you sure you should be alone?”
“I’m not sure of anything, except that I need to get home.” Remi also remembered the address on her license after glancing at it only briefly. That struck her as odd.
From an interior door, a young boy burst into the lobby. “Remi!” He threw his arms around her legs. “I’m so sorry you were hurt.”
Startled by his affection and concern, Remi patted his head. “Thanks. I think I’ll be okay.” She felt bad about not remembering his name.
He looked up. “Jason told me you were dead.”
Remi chuckled and stepped back. “Do I look like a zombie?” She forced a smile. “I was just asleep for a while. Now I have to go home and rest.”
“You’ll be back tomorrow?”
“Maybe not ’til next week. Bye for now.” She hurried out before anyone else confronted her.
In the car, which was impressively clean, she gave Google Maps her address and let its naggingvoice guide her. As she drove through Wilsonville, the sign for Boonsferry Landing amused her, and directions to Coffee Lake made her smile. Had she grown up in this funky little town or purposely moved here? When the Nag told her she’d arrived, Remi stopped at the end of a short side street and stared at the two-story farmhouse. This wasn’t it. She noticed two mailboxes, then realized the driveway went past the house to another dwelling in back. Remi eased down the cracked, narrow concrete, spotted a cute cottage, and felt a little less intimidated. On the porch, a planter bloomed with purple petunias. Had she planted them? She stepped up to the door and panic hit her. What if she had a roommate or boyfriend inside? Would she even know their name?
Remi unlocked the door with the other key on her set and stepped inside. The air smelled of fried onions, a strangely comforting scent. Something banged in the back of the house, startling her. Rapid clicking sounds, then a little white dog with a brown face burst across the room. He leapt into her arms, wiggling and kissing her face.
“Tuck!”
Love surged in her heart, overwhelming her to the point of tears. She wasn’t alone. This little guy was her life—and remembering his name delighted her. She squeezed him tight, then sat on the bench by the door, letting him jump and rub all over her until he settled down. By then, pain screamed at her to get up, and she took one of the Percocets she’d picked up at the hospital pharmacy. She needed to put something in her stomach soon, or the oxy might make her nauseous, but she wanted to explore the house first.
The tour took all of three minutes, with Tuck padding along. In addition to the boxy living room and galley kitchen, she had two small bedrooms, a hall bath with outdated fixtures, and a closet-sized laundry room with a dog door leading outside. The main bedroom was tidy and simple, the only color a mint-green blanket, the only decoration a vase with dried flowers on the dresser. The simplicity suited her, yet also made her sad, as though her life had once been more vibrant.
“Not much to look at, huh, Tuck?”
He wagged his tail, and they wandered back down the hall. The spare room contained a narrow desk with a laptop, a dust-covered stationary bike, and a stack of empty retail boxes. They’d once contained a flat-screen TV, an electric can opener, and sets of plates, bowls, and glasses. She’d either recently purchased these things, or she never threw away boxes.
A memory tickled her subconscious, like the way her nose itched before a sneeze. Exhausted, Remi headed back to the kitchen. She needed to eat, take some aspirin, and rest for a while.
Halfway through a bowl of canned chili, with Tuck eating his share nearby, an image surfaced. She was stepping out of her car at a park, where she’d looked around and liked what she saw—a quaint, lush-green town where she could feel safe. Her backseat had some luggage, a blanket, and a bag of dog food. Tuck, of course, was at her side.
When had she moved to this place? By the look of the house, particularly the retail boxes, maybe only a few months ago. Yet she knew it had been longer, and she’d come here for a reason. Someone to be close to? No. Fear squeezed her heart. Someone to get away from. . . in yet another life she couldn’t remember.
About The Author
L.J. Sellers
L.J. Sellers writes the bestselling Detective Jackson mysteries—a four-time winner of the Readers Favorite Awards. She also pens the high-octane Agent Dallas series, the Extractors series, and provocative standalone thrillers. The Gender Experiment also won a Readers’ Favorite Award, and her newest release, AfterStrike, is getting the best reviews of her career. L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon where many of her 30 novels are set. When not plotting murders, she enjoys standup comedy, cycling, and zip-lining. And much like her Extractor character, she once rescued her grandchildren from a dangerous cult in Costa Rica
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author L.J. Sellerson The Reading Bud for her latest release Afterstrike.
About The Author
L.J. Sellers
L.J. Sellers writes the bestselling Detective Jackson mysteries—a four-time winner of the Readers Favorite Awards. She also pens the high-octane Agent Dallas series, the Extractors series, and provocative standalone thrillers. The Gender Experiment also won a Readers’ Favorite Award, and her newest release, AfterStrike, is getting the best reviews of her career. L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon where many of her 30 novels are set. When not plotting murders, she enjoys standup comedy, cycling, and zip-lining. And much like her Extractor character, she once rescued her grandchildren from a dangerous cult in Costa Rica
“The best thriller L.J. Sellers has written, and she’s at the top of my must-read list.”
— Bestselling Author Teresa Burrell
About the Book
Afterstrike
What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind?
Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her.
But as she starts her new life, lightning strikes! Remi briefly loses her memory and makes one small mistake—that costs her everything. The crime-family patriarch she’s hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The psychological trauma cracks open buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her.
AfterStrike blends fast-paced action with psychological suspense and unexpected romance, then ends with an explosive twist.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Joesphine Walden Release Date: 20th August 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir Format: E-book Pages: 401 Publisher: – Blurb: After two major floods with their financial, physical, and emotional ramifications, a car accident, several dangerous encounters while traveling and family deaths, I spiraled down into a life-changing, nursing-career ending illness. Diagnosis: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a little understood illness at the time. A single mom, I struggled to work but the symptoms slowly overtook me: debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, a pre-leukemic blood dyscrasia and a slow loss of memory. Then a beloved sister and I inherited two estates. She took care of probate. As I descended into the throes of the illness, she invited me to stay with her and her husband. While there, fun times were punctuated by unpleasant encounters and accusations of family neglect and other short comings. Unable to respond due to memory loss and slow thought processes, I kept silent. As probate progressed, my daughter began to warn me about my sister’s behavior in dealing with the probate issues. I couldn’t comprehend her concerns as I trusted my sister implicitly. I was blissfully unaware of game playing, creative manipulations, plots, thefts and acts of revenge.
Finally, there was some improvement and I returned to work. That attempt failed after only four months. With trepidation I eventually returned to my sister’s due to her persistent coaxing. While there, she did all she could to make me physically, as well as emotionally, uncomfortable. I left. Once away her behavior became overly hostile and aggressive. She seemed to be a combination of Baby Jane’s sister and Virginia Wolff! My ex-husband, a state policeman, guided me through a two-estate, nine-year ordeal. Julie’s actions would almost financially break me, deprive me of some of my inheritance and cause family members to turn against me.
Eventually I had to retain an attorney. He had been a former prosecutor and said it was the worst case he had ever handled. Finally, after trying to deal with her, the attorneys asked me to meet with her. Still ill but with some improvement I pulled myself together. My attempted intervention wasn’t successful. She was evasive, less than honest, accusatory and walked out of the meeting to avoid answering my questions. The lawyers made the decision to hold a judicial inquiry so the judge would know how to rule. Sadly, court would be the next step.
In court the findings influenced the judge to put Julie on supervision to finish the probate business and had her escorted from the parental home and out of town by a Sheriff’s Deputy. He followed her to the next town. My lawyer called it “Frontier Justice.” The home was sealed, and contents and home were sold. This final resolution brought peace and financial stability to my life. Estranged family members were reunited with me.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Ordeal by Josephine Walden is a touching memoir about the author’s story of having been betrayed by someone she held very dear to her heart and how she had to confront the hard realities of life. But thankfully, the author is later saved with the help of her own wits and her dear daughter.
This book is a memoir that deeply resonated with me even though I still cannot understand why; I think may be because it talks about the basic fear we all harbour in our deep subconscious and unconscious minds about being betrayed by the ones we love the most. This book is a very well-written account of the author’s plight and brings out all the situations she had to endure in great detail making the reader understand the situations well and in a very engrossing way.
I would strongly suggest everyone to read this book as this book is a moving story and would make you emotionally involved in it rewarding you with a great payoff too in the end.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Josephine Waldenon The Reading Bud for her upcoming book The Ordeal.
About The Author
Josephine Walden
Josephine was raised in a quaint small town in “the thumb” of Michigan in a close extended family. Music and nursing were her passions. She became a psychiatric nurse and worked while her husband attended college. Work opportunities took them to Chicago. Years later they returned to “the thumb” and renovated her ancestral home. She enjoys her daughter and granddaughter who live nearby. “The Ordeal” is her first book and she is working on another true story involving hardship and duplicity.
After two major floods with their financial, physical, and emotional ramifications, a car accident, several dangerous encounters while traveling and family deaths, I spiraled down into a life-changing, nursing-career ending illness. Diagnosis: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a little understood illness at the time. A single mom, I struggled to work but the symptoms slowly overtook me: debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, a pre-leukemic blood dyscrasia and a slow loss of memory. Then a beloved sister and I inherited two estates. She took care of probate. As I descended into the throes of the illness, she invited me to stay with her and her husband. While there, fun times were punctuated by unpleasant encounters and accusations of family neglect and other short comings. Unable to respond due to memory loss and slow thought processes, I kept silent. As probate progressed, my daughter began to warn me about my sister’s behavior in dealing with the probate issues. I couldn’t comprehend her concerns as I trusted my sister implicitly. I was blissfully unaware of game playing, creative manipulations, plots, thefts and acts of revenge.
Finally, there was some improvement and I returned to work. That attempt failed after only four months. With trepidation I eventually returned to my sister’s due to her persistent coaxing. While there, she did all she could to make me physically, as well as emotionally, uncomfortable. I left. Once away her behavior became overly hostile and aggressive. She seemed to be a combination of Baby Jane’s sister and Virginia Wolff! My ex-husband, a state policeman, guided me through a two-estate, nine-year ordeal. Julie’s actions would almost financially break me, deprive me of some of my inheritance and cause family members to turn against me.
Eventually I had to retain an attorney. He had been a former prosecutor and said it was the worst case he had ever handled. Finally, after trying to deal with her, the attorneys asked me to meet with her. Still ill but with some improvement I pulled myself together. My attempted intervention wasn’t successful. She was evasive, less than honest, accusatory and walked out of the meeting to avoid answering my questions. The lawyers made the decision to hold a judicial inquiry so the judge would know how to rule. Sadly, court would be the next step.
In court the findings influenced the judge to put Julie on supervision to finish the probate business and had her escorted from the parental home and out of town by a Sheriff’s Deputy. He followed her to the next town. My lawyer called it “Frontier Justice.” The home was sealed, and contents and home were sold. This final resolution brought peace and financial stability to my life. Estranged family members were reunited with me.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind?
Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her.
But as she starts her new life, lightning strikes! Remi briefly loses her memory and makes one small mistake—that costs her everything. The crime-family patriarch she’s hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The psychological trauma cracks open buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her.
AfterStrike blends fast-paced action with psychological suspense and unexpected romance, then ends with an explosive twist.
“The best thriller L.J. Sellers has written, and she’s at the top of my must-read list.”
Bestselling Author Teresa Burrell
“A sizzling, must-read thriller!”
Midwest Book Review
About The Author
L.J. Sellers
L.J. Sellers
L.J. Sellers writes the bestselling Detective Jackson mysteries—a four-time winner of the Readers Favorite Awards. She also pens the high-octane Agent Dallas series, the Extractors series, and provocative standalone thrillers. The Gender Experiment also won a Readers’ Favorite Award, and her newest release, AfterStrike, is getting the best reviews of her career.
L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon where many of her 30 novels are set. When not plotting murders, she enjoys standup comedy, cycling, and zip-lining. And much like her Extractor character, she once rescued her grandchildren from a dangerous cult in Costa Rica
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:E T McNamara Release Date: 25th February 2023 Series: Genre: Criminal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Mystery Format: E-book Pages: 366 Publisher: – Blurb: Fans of romantic mysteries and suspenseful crime dramas get both in The Witness Affair, E T McNamara’s fourth novel. In New York City, an attractive young woman trying to save her Iowa home and farm from legal problems unwittingly becomes the target of an international crime ring. Having no idea why people are trying to kill her, she relies on a handsome New York City police detective to keep her safe. They become aware of the romantic chemistry between them as they try to figure out who wants her dead and why. Realizing the conspiracy is deeper than they thought, they must take drastic actions to keep each other safe. Whether it is discovering the perfect crime, its resulting treasure hunt, or the simmering romance of the two main characters, be prepared for a rollercoaster thrill ride, as a series of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Witness Affair by E T McNamara is a romantic mystery that builds up slowly but really well. This book was very different from author McNamara’s usual style of writing, which leans more towards historical stories and style of narration. I really enjoyed this book and the think that the ending was a good payoff for the entire built-up.
The mystery devised by the author was good and the characterisation, keeping with his writing style, was spot on. I was able to connect to the characters and felt deeply for them, making this book extremely engaging.
I’d recommend this book to all mystery readers, especially to those who like a prominent romantic subplot.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Josephine Walden for her latest release, The Ordeal.
The Ordeal
Book: The Ordeal Author: Josephine Walden Publication date: 20th August 2022 Genres: Memoir, Non-Fiction Page Count: 401 Publisher: Self-Published
About The Ordeal
After two major floods with their financial, physical, and emotional ramifications, a car accident, several dangerous encounters while traveling and family deaths, I spiraled down into a life-changing, nursing-career ending illness. Diagnosis: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a little understood illness at the time. A single mom, I struggled to work but the symptoms slowly overtook me: debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, a pre-leukemic blood dyscrasia and a slow loss of memory. Then a beloved sister and I inherited two estates. She took care of probate. As I descended into the throes of the illness, she invited me to stay with her and her husband. While there, fun times were punctuated by unpleasant encounters and accusations of family neglect and other short comings. Unable to respond due to memory loss and slow thought processes, I kept silent. As probate progressed, my daughter began to warn me about my sister’s behavior in dealing with the probate issues. I couldn’t comprehend her concerns as I trusted my sister implicitly. I was blissfully unaware of game playing, creative manipulations, plots, thefts and acts of revenge.
Finally, there was some improvement and I returned to work. That attempt failed after only four months. With trepidation I eventually returned to my sister’s due to her persistent coaxing. While there, she did all she could to make me physically, as well as emotionally, uncomfortable. I left. Once away her behavior became overly hostile and aggressive. She seemed to be a combination of Baby Jane’s sister and Virginia Wolff! My ex-husband, a state policeman, guided me through a two-estate, nine-year ordeal. Julie’s actions would almost financially break me, deprive me of some of my inheritance and cause family members to turn against me.
Eventually I had to retain an attorney. He had been a former prosecutor and said it was the worst case he had ever handled. Finally, after trying to deal with her, the attorneys asked me to meet with her. Still ill but with some improvement I pulled myself together. My attempted intervention wasn’t successful. She was evasive, less than honest, accusatory and walked out of the meeting to avoid answering my questions. The lawyers made the decision to hold a judicial inquiry so the judge would know how to rule. Sadly, court would be the next step.
In court the findings influenced the judge to put Julie on supervision to finish the probate business and had her escorted from the parental home and out of town by a Sheriff’s Deputy. He followed her to the next town. My lawyer called it “Frontier Justice.” The home was sealed, and contents and home were sold. This final resolution brought peace and financial stability to my life. Estranged family members were reunited with me.
Josephine was raised in a quaint small town in “the thumb” of Michigan in a close extended family. Music and nursing were her passions. She became a psychiatric nurse and worked while her husband attended college. Work opportunities took them to Chicago. Years later they returned to “the thumb” and renovated her ancestral home. She enjoys her daughter and granddaughter who live nearby. “The Ordeal” is her first book and she is working on another true story involving hardship and duplicity.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:JoshuaCatchatoor Release Date: 3rd November 2022 Series: A Comedic Tudor Tale (Book #1) Genre: Adventure, Humor Fiction, British Humor, Novellas, Historical, and Tudor Period Format: E-book Pages: 105 Publisher: Blurb: Herein you will find a comedic romp through the English Renaissance, in which the titular Elizabethan courtier finds himself under increasing pressure to keep both himself and his country out of trouble. Great men and women have throughout the ages clung on to the swinging tailcoats of history, their deeds nonetheless holding profound significance for centuries to come. Such is the case with Lord Bolingbroke, a man able to shape the destinies of nations; the hedonistic courses of an evening at the local pub; and contemporary impressions of England’s 16th century populace. This is the first part of his grand tale.
‘A hilarious adventure guaranteed in all but actual law to have you laughing out loud, as you witness a man attempting to navigate such thrilling matters as: various heads of state (and several horses) of questionable intelligence, political conspiracy, dodgy brewing standards, zealots of diverse persuasion and shenanigans bawdy enough to make a grandmother blush. And that’s just for starters.‘
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Adventures of Lord Bolingbroke by Joshua Catchatoor is a brilliant dose of British humour, especially for those who actively seek and admire the Elizabethan era. The author’s wit is really commendable and his insertions of current events into the historical plot made the story all the more interesting. I liked the author’s writing style and his sense of humour which was neither too subtle nor too over the top.
The extremely well-done characterisation is the bane of this story and the author has done an amazing job with it. Not only the main character of Lord Bolingbroke but also the secondary characters are extremely well-developed and rounded making this book a really fun and interesting read.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all readers, no matter what genre of books they prefer to read, as this book has a lot to offer to its readers.
Author:Abigail Keam Release Date: 27th March 2023 Series: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery (Book #18) Genre: Cosy Mystery, Murder Mystery Format: E-book Pages: 210 Publisher: Worker Bee Press Blurb: Josiah is working in her honeybee yard when she hears a commotion coming from a horse pasture. She rushes toward the uproar and comes upon a huge, enraged Texas Longhorn bull. The massive beast is angrily snorting, pawing the turf, and threatening a prized Thoroughbred stallion, Comanche. Getting the bull to calm down is no small task and in the end, Josiah has a busted fence and a barn door ripped off its hinges. Once the bull is secure, Josiah hurries to confront the bull’s owner only to discover he is dead and lying in a pool of his own blood. The police naturally assume the bull is responsible for the man’s death, but Josiah has her doubts. She is convinced foul play is involved and works to save the Texas Longhorn from being “put down.” Will she solve the murder and save the Longhorn in time?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Death By Greed by Abigail Keam is the 18th book in the Josiah Reynolds Mystery series and is every bit as riveting as one can expect from an intriguing cosy mystery read. This book had a really intriguing and alluring plot. The author’s tense writing style weaved the book’s basic concept and the entire plot line so brilliantly that putting down the book got simply impossible for me and I had to read it in one go.
The book opens on a high note and right from the beginning the reader can sense that the story will only get better by the page (something that is quite important when it comes to a mystery novel, especially Cozies.) The mystery itself was very satisfying and I am planning to read the other books in this series. So yes, this book CAN also be read as a stand-alone!
I would strongly recommend this book to all mystery readers, especially readers of the cosy mystery genre.
Author:E T McNamara Release Date: 23rd May 2022 Series: Genre: Historical Romance Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 444 Publisher: – Blurb: From the author of The Puzzle Pieces and Fate’s Final Destiny comes a two-generation romantic novel set against World War 2, the Vietnam War, and America’s space race. Discovering an unmailed letter from 1944 twenty-five years later in an old Chippendale chest, Vietnam War widow Patti Kilbride embarks on a journey to find the intended recipient. Caught up in her efforts to reunite two strangers from the past, Patti is unaware of the changes her search is having in her own life. Following the lives of a WWII naval aviator and a “Rosie the Riveter” aircraft factory worker, we watch their past lives eventually catch up with Patti’s present life. If you enjoy a good love story and at the same time want to experience what American life was like generations ago, this book is for you.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Chippendale Letter by E T McNamara is a very well-written historical romance fiction novel full of highs and lows of great sentimental intensity. This is my second book by the author and as soon as I started the book, I felt as if I had been handed a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee; the author’s writing carries a certain familiar warmth that can only be felt by readers who’ve experienced a previous novel or story by an author.
The character of Patti was very well-developed, and I felt a strong connection with her that made me enjoy the book on a completely different level. The characters of George and Charlotte only added to the book’s charm and the story’s richness. The author’s writing made it an absolute delight, and he executed the entire plot perfectly blending it all seamlessly into the brilliant backdrop of World War II and the Vietnam War.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all historical romance as well as simply historical fiction readers as this story has a lot to offer to its readers.
With new technology everywhere, it’s hard not to watch TV constantly, play video games, or be on an iPad, laptop, or some other device that keeps you distracted from life. This is especially true for children.
Our youth today seem to miss out on their childhood because they are constantly in front of a screen.
Fortunately, there are ways to get your kids out of the Metaverse and into real life again. Reducing screen time and increasing your child’s interactions with other children, you, and their family will benefit them in the long run. Here are ways to get your child to interact more:
Playing
Playing games that don’t require a controller is a great way to reduce your child’s screen time and increase your interactions with them. You can literally do anything with your child. As long as you make it fun, they won’t be able to tell the difference!
Teaching
Teaching your child something new and getting them excited about something else other than technological devices can decrease their screen time.
When your child develops new skills, it’ll not only keep them distracted and away from electronics, but it will also benefit them in the future.
Also, teaching them new skills, like how to cook, paint, or play a new sport, can increase cognitive function, ignite new interests, and intensify your bond with them.
Focusing
Another way to help your child interact with life more is by teaching them how to focus better. These skills will not only help them interact with something other than electronics, they will help them succeed better at school and possibly work when they become adults.
Scheduling
One thing some parents do to reduce their child’s screen time is by setting limits on how much time they can watch TV, play video games, or use social media.
You can limit your child’s screen time by using that time as a reward instead of a privilege. If your child does something good and you want to reward them, give them a set amount of screen time. For example, 30 minutes of TV time or 15 minutes of computer time.
Some of the best ways to learn new parenting tips is from a blog for parents. Reading different blogs specifically written for parents can generate new ideas, and even help you as a parent.
There are other parents that can relate to your situation. When difficulties arise with your child, it’s a little easier to handle if you feel like someone understands what your going through.
Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to play some really interesting online games. These are not just any games, but business-related games! So basically Mortgage Calculator simply combined the two things most people love — money and online games!
So I played many of their games but my I’m reviewing here my top 5 games from their elaborate catalogue of amazing online games:
The first game that I played and thoroughly enjoyed was the Coffee Shop. It is a great calculation game that takes into account the demand vs supply which changes as per the weather and, of course, the pricing of the goods. Also, one needs to manage the inventory; there are so many things to keep in mind that this game becomes extremely immersive!!
The next game that I played was theIdle Pet Business. If there’s a game for your OCD then this is it! In this game you need to be extremely vigilant as the pets keep on producing a particular value after a certain time, but once you take certain boosters (which I obviously did!) their speed increases and their amount starts to double and then triple on its own. But the tricky thing is, the more pets you have and the higher up you go in the levels, the more money you need for the boosters and, of course, your next pet purchase!! It is insane guys!!
Treze Coins is a fun game as it starts off easy but then slowly builds up to get complicated. You need to count the exact change and put it in the bracket above. Once you do, you win the ball. You need eight balls to win. That’s it. Well, it seems so. The game gets challenging after a certain point, but it is addictive and for that I give it full marks!
Sort the Trash,again, is great if you have OCD. At the beginning of the game, it tells you which kind of waste/trash you need to collect in the bin and then you can start. It was easier at the start, but once you get going, it gets pretty fast and difficult. It was pretty fun to collect the bottles before they hit the pavement.
In Tree House Trouble, you go about the lane (right pic) fixing the tree houses. Some need repair, while the others need recycling of the extra materials they used. This one takes a while to figure out unless you are a fan of games like contraption and the sort. BUt it is easy enough to figure out. The repairs also need a very basic amount of maneuvering and that is why I like it so much.
So these are my top 5 games. There are so many more. So do check them out and let me know your favourite ones in the comments below.
Author: Noureddine Hifad Release Date: 4th January 2018 Series: Genre: High Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 269 Publisher: – Blurb: Amidst a millennium of harmony and affluence, the Vargassian dynasty’s reign was abruptly extinguished with the sudden demise of its last emperor. The realm was thrown into pandemonium, with factions battling each other for control, until General Casper Leonberg seized Soliris, the imperial capital. As the political turmoil escalated, the young heir to the throne, Prince Hector, made a daring escape, determined to gather 108 righteous heroes to free the land from the Northern-Tiger’s tyranny.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Wagers of Fate: The 108 Stars by Noureddine Hifad is a high fantasy book that takes the reader on a somewhat nostalgic rollercoaster ride of emotions. Imagine a couple of your classic favourite fantasies thrown in together in an entirely new setting with new characterisation and some amazing plot twists; that’s what you get in this book!
This book is a really well-written ode to the classic hero’s journey in which you will find yourself cheering for the MC more than you’d care to admit. I particularly liked the ending of the book because most of the threads were tied and the author provided answers to almost all of my questions, though I hope we get to read more of the character’s journey in the next book (fingers crossed!)
I’d strongly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and to all the readers who like reading about a good revenge fantasy and a well-executed hero’s journey.
Anyone who’s thinking about becoming an insurance agent has a great career ahead of them that’s both lucrative and fulfilling but you’ll have to pass an insurance exam before you can get started. It’s something that all insurance agents have had to do, so you can expect a streamlined process that thousands of people undertake every year. Your first step is to figure out what type of insurance you want to be involved with.
There are different licenses for every type of insurance out there and you’re going to have to pass an exam for the one that you choose. Whether you decide to go with life insurance, property insurance, casualty insurance, or health insurance, you have to know what it’s all about. That’s why the best decision you can ever make is to take classes that will prepare you for the exam you have to pass to get your license.
Every State is Different
On top of every insurance type requiring its license, each state is also going to have its standards that you have to adhere to to become an insurance agent. If you have a license in another state, you can’t simply start practicing anywhere you want. The best course of action is to seek out the best Utah insurance license exam prep that you can find.
Any exam prep you find is going to come with around 200 hours of class work, no matter which states you’re pursuing your license in. That’s because those hours are typically required by the state before you can sit down and take your exam with them. The sooner you start taking your prep classes, the sooner you’ll get through those 200 hours and be able to schedule your test.
Residential and Non-Residential
On top of that, you also have to consider the fact that you might have to get an out-of-state insurance license if your job requires you to travel to different states for work. Once again, exam prep classes are going to get you ready to take any exam from any state and get you on the path toward becoming an insurance agent.
Author:Clover Blaire Release Date: 19th September 2017 Series: Genre: New Adult Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 335 Publisher: Tini Tonic Books Blurb: I knew three things about Ashley Bragg. First, he was the greatest rogue alive, no matter how charming and respected he was. Second, he was too handsome and too sure of himself. Third, I was going to risk it all to have him, because he was just that alluring. Presley Ann Scots’ move to the mountain town of Darling, an elite, politically powerful town in New Hampshire, could have been the most intimidating move she ever made. What would these prestigious and powerful mountain men and their pageant queen wives say about this single Boston girl? But once Presley Ann meets the charming and well-bred Ashley Bragg, her life takes a romantic and then humiliating turn.
There are three things that Presley Ann does not know about me. First, I know who killed Boston’s mayor. Second, I know who killed New Hampshire’s governor. Third, you should be afraid of me. Up until now, Ashley Bragg, a handsome small town lawyer, has managed to maintain his lovable and upstanding image in the town he was born and raised in. But now everyone is shocked, especially his fiancé, when the new woman in town–Presley Ann–seems to have seduced him. Presley Ann and Ashley find themselves running away from love and refusing their desires, forgetting that desires do not accept refusals. Seductive and filled with deep longing, The Rise of the Royal House of New Hampshire captures the struggle between doing what people expect of us and doing what we desire. This is a love story with a twist.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Giant Men and Violent Women by Clover Blaire is an explosive new release that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is a new adult fiction novel with a huge romantic subplot but with an amazing and dark twist.
I loved the characterisation in this book and how the main characters drove the entire plot to its amazing finish, leaving the readers craving for more action, drama and romance. The story is impressive conceptually, and the plot is well-strung and pulled together tightly with neat writing and a great narrative flow.
I would strongly recommend this story to all new adult fiction readers and to romance readers who like their romantic stories with twists.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author ofThe Fall of Immortals (Shogun of the Heavens #1) —I.D.G. Curry, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
I.D.G. Curry is a fiction novelist who was compelled to bring what started as a dream into an entire universe of characters that interact and intertwine with the mythology he loves. He believes that fiction, folklore, and myths are the true essences of storytelling; which opens the reader’s mind to what could be possible or even what the truth might actually be. Curry aims to collide the world we live in with centuries of man-kind’s imagination, even scattering elements from his own life into the journey. This is the journey’s beginning.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you, Heena & TRB, for taking the time to interview me. I am a fiction novelist who felt compelled to bring to life what started as a dream during one of my darkest hours: an entire universe of characters that interact and intertwine with the mythology I grew to love. In my opinion, fiction, folklore, and myths are the true essences of storytelling; they open the reader’s mind to what could be possible or even what the truth might actually be.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
One thing you will hear a lot about the Shogun of the Heavens series is its pace. It has been described as cinematic to a degree. That was actually very intentional. When I started the Shogun of the Heavens, I wanted it to be in a style and flavor of my own. Because there were characters from well-known artworks from our history, I did not focus too much on their individual details because everyone who is familiar with them already would know what they look like. However, my original characters were all unique and my goal was to bring them to life, with the story, within the minds of my readers. So, I aim to do that mentally and then visually on my website where there will be artwork continuously added over the course of the story: www.shogunoftheheavens.com
In regards to the pace itself, I never really liked “filler episodes” in the content I watched. I understood why they were there, though most of the time, I felt there were other ways to introduce the past into the present or the present into the future. So, although I could make the story longer if I wanted to, it would actually take away more from the story because it would become more like everything else. The story stays focused on what is happening or wherever there is progression. Ask yourself: Do you really need to read a bunch of short fights where you can easily predict who was going to win? Of course not. You want to grip onto your seat! Even if you have no idea who is fighting, it excites you. Because you don’t know what is going to happen. One extra exclusive fact is that Shogun of the Heavens was not the original name of the series. I was originally going to call it GodsGrave, but when I was creating the Facebook group, I learned the name was taken. Oh boy, was I upset, because I wanted there to be symbolism in the name. Not only that, there were volumes of it and I wanted this book to stand out like it deserves so I brainstormed about the story from start to finish and I took a look at where the journey was going and then it hit me: “The Shogun of the Heavens.” I searched across the internet for any other title or reference with that name and there were none, so from then on, Shogun of the Heavens has been it.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
For such a long time, stories have been based on the tried-and-true perception of good versus evil and that the world’s morality is in black and white. I challenge you to determine who is the hero and who is the villain in this story. What you will find as the story continues is that how you feel about a particular character may change from book to book. The way that all of the characters interact with one another and what motivates them are mixed into the story as if it truly happened, while remaining comparable to the stories told five thousand years ago.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Xauldin is my favorite character. Because he is so multi-dimensional, which is also interesting since he himself started out as one of three dimensions of another being. His evolution throughout the story is a journey itself, fulfilling a prophecy of his own in a way.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
It was a dream. The Acolytes of Dawn’s personalities each came from individuals that knew me personally, both now and at the time. Even then, I did not start writing it until eight years later in the summer of 2019. I hadn’t told anyone that I had started writing it because I was still planning it on my War Table as I called it at that time, though I had begun organizing it from point A to point Z.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
This first installment took me around a year and six months, finishing in the middle of March of 2020. I was becoming a father, then later a husband, while learning a new family around the beginning of the Covid-19 era, so writing was a way for me to stay focused on a grander goal, rather than focus on the chaos that was happening around us.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Honestly five years from now, I hope to bring Shogun of the Heavens to a streaming service like Hulu or Netflix. One with a studio that will join me in bringing this epic story to the screen in a series that I know the fans would love.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
Not at this time. I have noted a few other stories to begin on after I have completed the Shogun of the Heavens series. Though right now I am focusing the same energy and attention into this series that I hope to draw from my audience, as I write Book Two. Everyone who finished that first page and then nearly panicked when at the end of The Fall of Immortals, fear not. Book Two: The Throne Crusher is expected to be published on December 9th, 2023.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I have been caught up in this genre since the first time I saw Disney’s Hercules as a kid. I was a big follower of anime and animated films just as I am today. However, as I am now an adult, I expanded into more historical and philosophical book such as The Moors in Spain, The Prince, and the different studies on the mythologies, which in essence are the religions of the past. I believe I have the ability to write another genre, such as crime or a philosophical piece, but I don’t feel the need to get that serious with that right now. I am having fun with Shogun of the Heavens and don’t want to rush it.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
The peculiar thing is I did not actually consider myself a writer until I got published by Atmosphere Press. Before that, I was just a person with an idea, ink, and some pages. I do not say this to demean anyone or discourage the writers of the future. What I am saying is that as I wrote my first book, I learned more about myself, my reality, and the story itself. As I wrote my book, I read others that helped to give me an understanding from multiple points of view. I had to come up with answers to questions like: What is a god? How did this god originate? How can their power and abilities be scaled?
You will know that you are a writer when you realize your ability to take a singular idea or concept and create a message to the world that only you and your audience will understand. The more relatable this concept is to understand, the more people you will inevitably reach.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I feel the power of music is underrated. Music can create feelings and emotions inside us and help us channel our energy into other mediums. I listen to music on YouTube that is either meditative or matches the intensity of a scene I am writing. Channels like Lofi Girl, TSWG, Tranquil Music, or even Tokyo Café Jazz. Hearing melodies that did not put words in my head.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I plan on paper for a visual medium to arrange my ideas on something I can touch. The rest of it, though, is done on my laptop. From the time I was in elementary or secondary school, I did not write fast or have “pretty handwriting” as referred to by my peers at the time. But I could cruise 45 words per minute on a keyboard. I decided to stick to my strengths.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
A Cruel Wind by Glen Cook
Marco Polo by Laurence Bergreen
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare
Gilgamesh translated by Stephen Mitchell
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Never believed in it. At least not for myself. To me, Writer’s Block means you’re out of ideas. I wouldn’t even want to admit that to myself. However, I have reached points in the story where I look left, right, and center. Then ask myself: Where do I go from here? The music I mentioned I listen to earlier is also helpful for stimulating the state a writer enters where you can see the story. I pace back and forth in my office, simulating the consequences, potential catastrophes or benefits that would result from one of my characters making a decision. This, as you can imagine, becomes more difficult the more characters that may be involved in one scene. “The King’s Trial” was one of those chapters, involving the princess and her host who was a Loyalist to her family’s regime. There are a few ways that something of that nature can go. I like the direction we went.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
The same advice I give to all of my friends and associates who tell me that they are writing. If you want to write then reading is going to be essential to you. It is not as though you are copying someone else. In fact, if you really think about it, most—if not all—artworks were inspired by something else or something similar that was also inspired by something or someone else. When you read books related to a topic you are writing on, you grasp the concept better, becoming able to view the world through another writer’s eyes. Everything that they learned while writing, you will then learn and incorporate it into your works that will inspire the generations of writers after you.
I love writing. When I first was selecting my career as a youth, being an author would have never made the list. Now, I write not because it makes a living or just as a hobby. I write because I love telling impactful stories that provoke both thought and self-reflection.
Once again, my thanks to you, our friends, at The Reading Bud.
Thank you, author I.D.G. Curry, for taking out the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!
About the Book
The Fall of Immortals
In the ancient world, during the time of war, gods, and monsters. A sensation had been detected approaching Gaia, so ominous that it was felt across the cosmos by the few who dwelled in its supreme echelon. One Fallen Immortal will be pursued by mercenaries, the divine, and above all, those he once held dear from his past life. The clashes between these factions will decide who becomes an ally or who’s next. The deep bonds of both friendship and love will be strained, some may even be severed. How far would you go for the ultimate prize? How much would you be willing to sacrifice? Most of us spend so much time desperately holding on to what little we can. There are also those of us who are ostracized because we choose to walk a path different from our group or community and then for that simple choice, are treated as if we have committed treason. If you were given the opportunity to gain everything you always wanted at the cost of the aforementioned, would you take it? If your answer is yes, I invite you to turn these pages. If you don’t think it’s possible, I challenge you to witness as our champion accomplishes the impossible.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Noureddine Hifadon The Reading Bud for his upcoming book Wagers of Fate.
About The Author
Noureddine Hifad
A native of the small Moroccan town of Essaouira which is located on the country’s Atlantic side, the author studied economics in high school and later did management studies in a business school. He is a self-made entrepreneur and one of the major exporters of Moroccan argan oil. The author is an amateur of Fantasy, and his writings are influenced by everything related to war and strategy, with a predominantly historical background.
You can find author Noureddine Hifad`here: Twitter
About the Book
Wagers Of Fate
Amidst a millennium of harmony and affluence, the Vargassian dynasty’s reign was abruptly extinguished with the sudden demise of its last emperor. The realm was thrown into pandemonium, with factions battling each other for control, until General Casper Leonberg seized Soliris, the imperial capital. As the political turmoil escalated, the young heir to the throne, Prince Hector, made a daring escape, determined to gather 108 righteous heroes to free the land from the Northern-Tiger’s tyranny.
You can find Please Feel Bad I’m Deadhere: Amazon | Goodreads
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author: Nancy Maloney-Mercado & Jackie J O’Donnell Release Date: 6th December 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Inspirational Format: E-book Pages: 166 Publisher: Sunflower Press Blurb: Are you caring for your chronically ill husband? Did you grow up with suicidal, alcoholic parents? Are you searching for a loving relationship? Have your efforts at starting a fulfilling career been thwarted by someone determined to hold you back? Maybe you’ve postponed your own dreams in order to keep from making waves with a significant other. Does your life seem to be heading a long wat from where you’d wish it to be? Any of these can steal your happiness or keep you from achieving your potential. All can crush your hopes and dreams.This is the story of a woman who grew up in a dysfunctional family, was trapped by a predator at age 8, was suffocated by an abusive marriage, grappled with being a single mother, finally found her soulmate, struggled with a blended family, juggled the incompatible roles of wife and caregiver, yet maintained her faith, at least most of the time. She did it thanks to some special women who supported her in ways she didn’t recognize until she unconsciously drew upon their influence. We hope you’ll learn to call on the influencers in our own life. Possibly you’ve drawn on them in your past and can now appreciate their impact on you.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Women in Me: How They Helped Me Survive and Thrive by Nancy Maloney-Mercado & Jackie J O’Donnell is a beautifully written inspirational memoir that is extremely thought-provoking and very emotional.
The author’s writing is very simple, yet speaks straight to the reader’s heart. The author’s struggles are extremely relatable and one cannot help but feel drawn into the book right from the beginning, finding themselves rooting for the author and even the other characters in the book.
All women should read this beautifully written work by two new authors as it strongly resonates with the problems faced by women. This book can provide equal enjoyment for men, too. I would strongly recommend it to readers of women’s fiction and to those who like reading inspirational memoirs.
Today, we are featuring William Miller, from An Enemy Like Me, for our Character Interview feature.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity. Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others.
Welcome to The Reading Bud! We are really excited to have you over. Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My name is William Miller. I was born in North Canton, Ohio right before the United States entered World War II. That war shaped my life, not only while the fighting lasted but to this very day. That may surprise you since I was obviously too young to be a soldier. But here is something you should know – war changes people – even when they aren’t the ones doing the fighting.
What is your age and what do you do for a living?
I’m 76 years old, so I’m retired now. However, when I was younger, I was a carpenter. Although I built some houses, I mostly did renovation work. In my later years, I did what would be called finish work, such as creating mantles for a fireplace or dental molding to a dining room. I gained quite a reputation in my little North Carolina town for my work and stayed very busy.
How you like to spend your free time?
I have two main hobbies, painting and fixing up old cars. My paintings were never as good as my father’s, so I often went months without getting out the oils. However, I did produce a few that I’m proud of, including one featuring a set of silver wine goblets. You can see images in the condensation. Now, fixing up old cars? That is my true love. I’ve restored over 100 cars. The first one I ever completed was a 1932 Model A coupe with a rumble seat. When I got it, it was nothing more than a rusted-out shell with more holes than metal. I had to borrow money from my father-in-law to buy it, and boy was my wife, Marie, ticked off! However, I fixed it up and sold it. With that money, I paid back my debt and bought another car. Now, 50 years later, I work on cars worth $50,000 or more.
Please share some of your beliefs, principles, motivations and morals (can be social, religious or political or, etc. Anything that will help us get to know you better.)
There are two things that really drive me. The first is family. Family is at the center of everything I do. I worked to earn money for my family. I created fun experiences over the holidays to bring my family closer together. I would give my life for my family. Without family, what does a person have?
The second driver is patriotism. I love the United States and all it stands for. My father fought in WWII to preserve our freedoms, and I joined the Air Force for the same reason. I think I am a lot like my father in both respects. He had to make impossible decisions because of his love for both.
Tell us something about your family and childhood.
I loved growing up in a German community. The food was amazing. I remember going to my grandma’s house when she’d be baking. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was a professional baker and candy maker. But for me, as a little boy? It was just grandma making me treats.
One of my favorites was made from leftover pie dough. She would roll out the leftover dough, spread it with butter, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top. Then, she’d roll it up into a log and slice it up into discs. Once baked, I’d get to eat them hot off the baking sheet.
I wasn’t very good in school. Reading was hard for me. I did fine in math and loved doing anything with my hands. To this day, I’m not much of a reader, unless it is a magazine about antique cars.
There is a funny story about me and cars as a teenager. Well, it is funny now, but at the time? My dad let me drive the sedan, but I wanted the car to look extra special for a date. The steering wheel had a brodie knob, or what my friends and I liked to call a necker knob. You could hold onto the knob with one hand and have your arm around your girlfriend with the other.
Well, I thought it would be cool to move the knob to the right side of the steering wheel. I would still hold it with my left hand, but that would allow my left hand to be across my body.
I took the car out for a test drive and stopped to show my buddies. Everyone loved the idea. However, on the way home, I must have let my mind wander. All of a sudden, I had a thought that my hand was in the wrong place, so I quickly pulled on the knob – and ran into a tree. Needless to say, my father was not happy!
Tell us something about your dreams and aspirations? Were you able to achieve them or are you planning to?
I dreamed of being an inventor like my grandfather. Although I never actually became an inventor, I did create many things that helped me in the garage or at work. I never let the lack of a part or a tool stop me from completing a job. I just figured out another way around the problem.
What is your biggest fear in life?
My biggest fear is not living up to my father’s expectations. He’s been dead for several years, and I still wonder if he’d approve of what I’m accomplishing.
How would you describe your life in one sentence?
My life has been a series of events that have led to this moment in time.
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?
My father left for the war, and I had to live with my grandparents while my mother went to work.
Did it change you for the better or the worse?
That’s a good question. It definitely changed me. After you read An Enemy Like Me, you’ll have to decide if the change was good or bad.
What are your plans for the future?
My life is about at the end. However, I hope to figure out my relationship with my son, continue to work on my cars, and travel a bit with Marie. She has always wanted to go to Australia, so we are planning a trip next winter – their summer.
An Enemy Like Me
How does a man show his love – for country, for heritage, for family – during a war that sets the three at odds? What sets in motion the necessity to choose one over the other? How will this choice change everything and everyone he loves? Jacob Miller, a first-generation American, grew up in New Berlin, a small German immigrant town in Ohio where he endured the Great Depression, met his wife, and started a family. Though his early years were not easy, Jacob believes he is headed toward his ‘happily ever after’ until a friend is sent to an internment camp for enemy combatants, and the war lands resolutely on his doorstep. In An Enemy Like Me, Teri M Brown uses the backdrop of World War II to show the angst experienced by Jacob, his wife, and his four-year-old son as he left for and fought in a war he did not create. She explores the concepts of xenophobia, intrafamily dynamics, and the recognition that war is not won and lost by nations, but by ordinary men and women and the families who support them.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with a love for heartfelt, introspective war stories, then you’ll enjoy An Enemy Like Me. This emotional saga explores war and its impacts in unique ways that few military fiction novels do.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo Release Date: 19th September 2022 Series: Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 152 Publisher: Notion Press Blurb: What happens to your love when you die? Does your love end? Does your love stay in your heart or in your body? When you say, “I Love You,” what does the “I” stand for? Is it your body, mind, or soul? When you die, is your love also destroyed like your body, or is it immortal like your soul? Then the question comes, is the soul immortal? Nobody can give a perfect answer to these questions. This book has tried to find the answers to that mystery. It’s a love story between two immortal souls. Love is an endless fuel to the energy called the soul, which will keep it alive forever. Read An Imperishable Promise to find the real meaning of love. It is filled with lots of suspense and twists. What will happen to Raj and Kashish’s love when death becomes an obstacle between them? Will they overcome this false materialistic life to keep their love alive forever? Will their love survive without having a physical existence of the human body? Dive in to find all these answers.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
An Imperishable Promise: If Afterlife Is True, Will You Still Come To Me? by Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo is a unique love story that is narrated as a part of a flashback by a secondary yet important character and the story takes quite unexpected turns as it unfolds keeping the readers engaged at all times.
I liked the concept of the book and the storyline. The characters were good but needed a bit more development as I couldn’t feel a strong connection to them. Although their emotions did come through beautifully despite the problems with the flow of the writing, the narration delivered the emotions quite well. There was more telling than showing, but the good plot more than made up for it and the weak characterisation.
Overall, the book was unique, enjoyable and pretty thought-provoking. And I would recommend it to all contemporary romance readers.
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author ofThe Lighthouse—Karin Ciholas, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Karin Ciholas was born in Virginia and grew up in Switzerland where she studied classical languages. The study of Latin and Greek led to her fascination with the ancient world and its history. She earned advanced degrees in languages and comparative literature at UNC Chapel Hill and enjoyed teaching modern languages and courses on the ancient world. She has won twelve awards for her short stories and plays. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, author and theologian Paul Ciholas.
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
My father sang Norwegian songs to me and told me stories about his native Norway. My mother told me about her “old Kentucky home” where she grew up. As a child in Switzerland, I learned the Swiss dialect from my school friends, and all my courses were taught in German. All my life, I have been grateful for my gifted teachers in the Swiss school system that placed great emphasis on Greek and Latin and gave me a lifelong love of classical antiquity and ancient history. We spoke English at home, but the first class I ever had in English was when I came to the US to go to college. On a student trip to Rome, I fell in love with a young theology student from France, and when we married four years later, we lived in France for several years. After completing advanced degrees, we chose teaching careers in the US: Paul to teach religion and philosophy at universities in Kentucky and I to teach languages and humanities at Centre College. And that is how we ended up in “our new Kentucky home.”
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The Lighthouse is about a dedicated Jewish physician named Simon who wants to heal and save lives and make the world a better place. But he is thwarted and opposed by violence and racism. Antisemitism rears its ugly head. He fights back at every turn. He fights against vicious criminals, against arbitrary Roman power, and against the injustices of racism. He struggles for freedom for his fellow Jews. One of the battles he cares most about is his struggle to find better ways to treat illness. When his sister is abducted and sold into slavery, he starts his fight against slavery. It is a deeply personal battle that endangers his family. It is a battle he cannot win.
He is a witness to several historical events that profoundly changed the world. He is neither responsible for those events, nor can he intervene to stop them. During the first pogrom of recorded history in Alexandria, Egypt, Simon tries but cannot stop the massacre. He does manage to save many lives.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
The fight against prejudice, racism, and antisemitism is never done. Prejudices against fellow human beings have distorted human behavior since Cain and Abel, and wars and hatred in the name of religion still mar our history and continue to cause havoc. Simon, the physician who seeks to heal, cannot find the way to cut this defect out of the human heart. And yet he tries. Boldly, Simon fights for justice for his family and his people. When Simon plunges into danger, we worry about him. Sometimes we want to shake him and talk sense into him. We are moved by historical drama where life and death are at stake. His urgent fight for justice is never done. At stake, for him, is the survival of his people. Despite many setbacks, Simon brings healing to many. We all need healing.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
Aurelia is my favorite character because she is strong. In many ways, she is stronger than Simon even though Simon does not see it that way. She often protects him, assists him in saving lives during the pogrom, and is not intimidated even when the emperor or the prefect of Egypt opposes her. There are several strong women who sometimes quietly and other times quite theatrically make a difference. Antonia, sister-in-law of Tiberius, saves Rome from an upstart tyrant who wants to take over the imperial throne. One of my favorite characters is Sosias, an orphan Simon rescues who has irrepressible curiosity and sets out to become an engineer. Through him, I show some of the scientific and technological advances of the times.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
My Mother was a discerning and avid reader. She enjoyed reading my short stories and plays but complained she couldn’t find enough historical fiction set in New Testament times. She asked if I had ever thought about writing a novel about one of the characters in the New Testament who knew Jesus. I told her I was intrigued by Simon of Cyrene. I mentioned Simon did not really know Jesus, that he met Jesus under the most excruciating circumstances and that Simon was an unusual Jew since he gave his children Roman and Greek names. She turned to me and said, “Well, Karin, when will you write his story?”
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
It took about 15 years. During a demanding teaching career, I kept my mother’s request in mind, enjoyed studying primary sources in ancient history, and discovered so many jewels of information I could use for the novel she wanted. When I finished the first chapter, I sent it to her in the mail. Then she kept wanting more. I sent chapter by chapter until 1000 pages landed in her mailbox. There have been many changes since, but the basic bones of the novel are still there. A wise agent told me the book needed to be divided into a trilogy.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I hope to get the next two books in the trilogy into shape for publication. Between initial concept—even if on paper—and completion much needs to be done. After that, I may turn back to a historical novel I’m writing set during WWII. I have also ghostwritten several memoirs for veterans of WWII and helped them with the logistics of publishing. Alas, more and more vets are leaving us without having told their stories.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
History provides an endless source of material. My favorite era is the first century when so much was going on. I like to take a character like Simon and show events through his eyes, making him a witness to the great events that occurred in his lifetime: the rise of science in Alexandria, the power of the Roman empire, amazing advances in medicine that will later be lost for centuries, the crucifixion of Jesus, the beginnings of Christianity, the fall of the temple…. I might write a story about another historical character from that time.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I’ve written and published short stories and poems in literary journals, and five of my plays have been performed. But historical fiction is my preferred genre for reading and writing. Faulkner said: “The past is never dead…It’s not even past.”
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I have always loved books. As children, my brother and I even started a little library and made library cards for each book he owned and each book I owned. When my mother discovered he was charging me a penny to read his books, and I charged nothing, she put a stop to his enterprise but not a stop to our reading. The impulse to write was first evident when I started rewriting the endings of stories I didn’t like. From there it was a logical step to just make up my own stories. From those childish beginnings came the urge to write short stories. All my first attempts at publishing them were rejected. I am sure the editors of the journals did me a favor by rejecting them. I started subscribing to the best literary journals and began to learn what was getting published. I also learned that what one publisher rejects can be submitted elsewhere and be accepted.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
When I go to my computer in the morning, I read the news and check the last sentences I wrote the day before. Reading the news is quickly depressing. So, I turn to my writing. Writing makes me feel involved in the whole story of humanity. Research is exciting. I am in a different century. Except…some current events are not always that different from what was going on in the Roman empire.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I started out with pen and paper. All writing is now on the computer.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
Any book by Sharon Kay Penman. One special favorite: Here Be Dragons. She makes Welsh history come alive.
Books by Margaret George. She is the doyenne of historical fiction, the astute researcher who makes major historical characters live and breathe. The Autobiography of Henry VIII with Notes by his Fool, Will Somers is a compelling saga. The Prologue alone is a masterpiece of historical and psychological insights.
Books by Tan Twan Eng. The Gift of Rain is set in Malaysia during WWII. A beautifully written novel filled with mystery and wonder.
Books by Mark Helprin. Paris in the Present Tense is a personal favorite. Helprin’s writing is lyrical, visual, hauntingly beautiful, entrancing.
Books by Geraldine Brooks. My favorite new book this year: Horse. There are many levels of meaning in this book, woven together into a fine masterpiece. Brooks is a versatile writer who makes time travel to distant shores and times sound easy.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
Life can intervene. That’s ok. I just had cancer surgery a week ago. I need times when I must be gentle with myself. When at an impasse, I go to some writers I love most and reread my favorite passages and follow the flow of their sentences through a dramatic sequence and try to learn from them. If inspiration doesn’t come quickly, I like to sit in my garden or take a walk. The silliest thing I do is tell the story to my stuffed bear and explain what I want to do in the next scene. By the time I have told him, I often know what to do. I have a very intelligent bear, and he often warns me not to overthink it.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Besides getting an intelligent stuffed bear? Read, read, and read good writers you enjoy. After your enjoyment, take time to analyze why the writing moves you or inspires you or why it makes you smile or cry. Remember 3 p’s: perseverance, passion, and professionalism. It takes perseverance to complete a work and see it through the many steps toward publication. So don’t give up. If you are not passionate about your subject, your reader will not be. And if there is no passion in your main characters, they will not be interesting. Professionalism requires following the rules of submission to the letter, proper language use or having someone help with that, and being attentive and appreciative to those who give you advice, especially if they care enough to give you pointers when you get rejections. There is a fourth p. But you should avoid this one—perfectionism. Maybe Shakespeare wrote the perfect play, but I doubt it. At some point, you must stop the rewriting and editing and send your work out. Perfectionism is an enemy of success.
Thank you, author Karin Cicholas, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
The Lighthouse
Simon is a gifted physician who faces constant danger as a Jew in first-century Egypt under Roman rule.
When Meidias, an escaped convict, declares a “holy” war against Jews and abducts Simon’s sister, Simon’s search for her leads him on a treacherous journey to slave markets in Alexandria and to Jerusalem where a Roman soldier forces Simon to carry a crossbeam for a stranger. Simon is troubled by the stranger’s death but does not know that this moment will change the world forever.
Simon’s passion is Aurelia, inaccessible daughter of a Roman senator. His mission is revenge against the outlaw Meidias. His ambition is justice for his family and his people. His torment is the conflict between his Hippocratic oath and his vow to kill Meidias.
As his medical reputation grows, he comes face to face with prefects and emperors and the poor suffering masses of Alexandria and Rome. Overwhelmed by the plight of his people, he tries to stop what becomes the first pogrom in Alexandria. THE LIGHTHOUSE moves between Egypt and Italy and back to Alexandria. It is a story about family love and loyalty, medical breakthroughs and heartbreaks, and one man’s quest for justice for his people.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author ofBalsamic Moon – Alan Gartenhaus, from Atmosphere Press, for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Alan Gartenhaus served as an educator at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution, and as a director of Cornish College of the Arts, in Seattle. A recipient of an Alden B. Dow Creativity Fellowship, he created and was the publishing editor of The Docent Educator magazine. His fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Broad River Review, Entropy Magazine, Euphony Journal (University of Chicago), Ignatian Literary Magazine (University of San Francisco), and the Santa Fe Literary Review. His short stories have been awarded with an “Editor’s Choice” distinction, and been designated a finalist in an international competition for Baby Boomer authors by Living Spring Publishers. His nonfiction has been published by Running Press, Smithsonian Press, and Writer’s Workshop Review.
You can connect with author Alan Gartenhaus here: Author Website
Interview
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Thank you for the welcome and for your interest in my novel, Balsamic Moon.
Balsamic Moon takes place in New Orleans. My undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Tulane University, in New Orleans, and my early working years were spent on staff at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I loved my time in that colorful, diverse, richly textured, and exotic city. It was akin to my “first crush,” the place that still makes my heart race whenever I think of it.
Today, many years later, I am seventy, married, and have lived on the island of Hawaii since 1995. In addition to having created, edited, and published a professional journal for museum educators and docents teaching with art, history, and science collections, I’ve spent much of my Hawaii years farming avocados, breadfruit, grapefruit, oranges, and pineapples. Rather than sell our produce, we’ve donated everything beyond what we consumed to local foodbanks.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
“Balsamic moon” is an astrological term for the final phase of the lunar cycle. It’s considered a dark time of endings, dissolution, and change. I had never heard of a balsamic moon until researching the dates on which the novel takes place and discovered that it occurred during such a lunar phase. The irony of this did not escape me, and ultimately provided the story with its title.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
To be compassionate and respectful of all people, regardless of how they might differ from you.
Who is your favourite character in this book and why?
I love and care about both of my main characters, but am most fond of Doreen, who struggled to succeed in life, to retain a sense of humor, and to grow despite adverse experiences.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the inspiration for Balsamic Moon came from watching the experiences and tragedies that befell the citizens of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck, the levees were breached, and floodwaters surged into 80% of the city. Seeing the suffering, the damage, and the ineptitude of our response to the desperation was agonizing. Writing helped me process that pain.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
I worked on the manuscript for over eleven years, although not consistently. I would write, put it away, and come back to it months later. I reworked the text many times over those years.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
I want to continue writing both short stories and novels, and hope that my readership, and their interest in my writing, will have grown.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am almost always writing––mostly short stories. I am also working on another novel that is presently in an initial, rough draft form.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
All storytelling interests me but I am most prolific as a writer of short stories. I have had about twenty short stories published. Several of them are shared on my author website: www.alangartenhaus.com.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
I can barely remember a time when I didn’t write. As a youngster, a neighbor-kid and I used to write science-fiction stories, alternating paragraphs––he, then me, back-and-forth. Since adolescence, I’ve kept journals, written poems, dashed down stream-of-consciousness thoughts, and recorded personal events. I haven’t had to make sacrifices to write; it’s been folded into my life. It is an integral part of who I am.
My focus on writing fiction became more serious when we moved to a very rural environment. In addition to providing me with “imaginary friends” to play with, writing offered a balance to daily chores and the physical rigors of farming.
What is your writing ritual? How do you do it?
I am an early riser, and routinized person. I write most days, after morning exercises and walks, until lunch. If the writing is going well, I continue into the afternoons; if not, I don’t.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
With the exceptions of making notes, or writing a journal entry, both of which are in longhand, all my writing is composed on a laptop.
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
These are five favorites, not necessarily of all time but that I’ve much enjoyed in the recent past:
Edgar Allan Poe: The Complete Short Stories
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
The Absolutist by John Boyne
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I wish I had a magic solution, but don’t. Mostly, I agonize, fret, and take long walks.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Give your work to readers whose opinions you respect. Listen and learn from criticisms; don’t rigidly defend your choices without understanding what has caused a reader to hesitate, question, or have difficulty. Be flexible.
Thank you, author Alan Gartenhaus, for your insightful answers!
About the Book
Balsamic Moon
Within a few short hours, rising floodwaters force next-door neighbors into a desperate fight for survival. Before Hurricane Katrina, neighbors Doreen Williams, an African American single mother, and Richard Girard, a reclusive gay man, were aloof and even suspicious of each other. But when the levees in New Orleans burst, these two are sent scrambling into a cramped attic where, together, they face tests of grueling heat, dwindling supplies, worries about loved ones, and the struggle to keep living. In his novel Balsamic Moon, author Alan Gartenhaus explores the journeys and losses that survivors endure, the courage and persistence required to come through them, and the truth that, when our very survival depends on the formation of ties across differences, our compassion for one another is what makes us feel safe and whole.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Emma Grace Release Date: 1st February 2023 Series: Genre: Dystopian Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 210 Publisher: Blurb: Katie Davis has had her whole life planned out for her since birth. She, along with every other citizen of Carcera, is predestined to marry her perfect Match. She knows that she will eventually have two children, and that none of the citizens will never leave the Border, the wall of stone encircling the city. No one could have predicted, however, the harrowing night that forces Katie and her three best friends to flee for their lives only days after their Matching Ceremony. With nowhere to go, Katie and her friends must make impossible choices at every turn. They are faced with life-altering decisions, such as whether or not to join the Underground, a resistance army dedicated to overthrowing Borders. The smaller choices seem just as unfathomable as the larger ones-what to eat for dinner, what to do in their free time, and even what to wear. When their luck begins to run out, they are left with only two options: fight, or die. Match is the first installment of The Matchbook Trilogy.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Match by Emma Grace is an action-packed dystopian novel that will take you on an adventurous and emotions rollercoaster ride. It is the first book in the Matchbook trilogy.
Author Emma Grace has done a fabulous job of creating a realistic and intricate world that pulls in the readers right from the beginning and keeps them thoroughly engaged till the very last page, ending the book on a perfect cliffhanger. This book has rich and well-developed characters and is an excellently plotted novel that is fast-paced and laced with tense and unpredictable twists and turns. Overall, the writing is good and complimented the plot very well.
I would definitely recommend this book to all dystopian fiction fans and fans of elaborate and intrinsic world-building in fantasy novels. This book is a perfect read for anyone wanting to explore a series by a talented new author.
Author:James Bright Release Date: 28th September 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Guide, How-to Books, Gardening Format: E-book Pages: 121 Publisher: Heath Publishing Company Blurb: “If I wanted to have a happy garden, I must ally myself with my soil; study and help it to the utmost, untiringly … Always, the soil must come first. — Marion Dudley Cran, the 1st woman gardening broadcaster In Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy, garden fertility and soil science expert James R. Bright draws on many years of cultivating high-yield vegetable gardens to provide you with proven methods that anybody can use to easily set up your garden to grow healthy vegetable crops, even if you have never planted vegetables before, or have limited space and time to grow delicious vegetables, spices, and other gardens delights. As Ms. Cron said in the 1930s, the key to growing a beautiful garden anywhere in the world is maintaining fertile soil, and in this easy-to-understand gardening book, James Bright teaches all gardeners how to understand soil composition, soil testing, PH levels and acidity, soil moisture and soil microbes – and how to manage these vital soil factors each year in your garden, without buying expensive fertilizers or garden tools.
In this straightforward and practical soil maintenance and gardening book, you will learn:
In-depth explanations of all of the most important soil characteristics of high-yielding gardens… and how to optimize your home garden soil to produce the most vegetables with the fewest extra soil additives, fertilizers and chemicals.
Easy step-by-step directions for setting up amazingly productive gardens whether you have a large yard or a limited space, including inexpensive hand-made raised bed gardens and container gardens, as well as how to plant no-dig gardens, the best option for in-ground home gardens.
Seasonal soil maintenance – how to treat soil and your garden after harvest each year to improve soil conditions for the next growing season.
The perfect soil mix for raised bed gardens and container gardens to get the ideal mixture of organic matter for nutrients, moisture retention, and aeration.
Proven soil testing methods to determine the timing and amounts of organic fertilizers, lime, nitrogen, nutrients, or soil microbes to improve soil health and maximize fertility.
How to protect beneficial soil microbes, understand your soil’s ecosystem, and apply this knowledge for bountiful vegetable production.
If you have ever struggled to produce beautiful, healthy fruits and vegetables, the problem is not you – it’s poor soil… and there is a solution. It’s time to start setting up your home garden for success, and years of producing cheap, healthy vegetables, as well providing you with many hours of relaxing outdoor activity and a sense of individual accomplishment, when you save hundreds of dollars in grocery bills and grow your own organic food.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy: Create a Soil Base for Abundant Harvests in Your Raised Bed, Container, or No-Dig Garden by James Bright is a marvellous book that teaches about the complicated yet extremely important science of soil in an extremely simple and understandable way.
This book is a practical guide for everyone who likes greenery and wants to grow a vegetable garden in their backyard in small containers, on a terrace garden, or on a farm. This book is an excellent guide for beginners, especially as the author, James Bright, break down complicated concepts into simple-to-understand, bite-sized pieces of information that are not only easily digestible but also very practical to apply and get results.
I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants to have their own vegetable garden, as this book offers a lot of knowledge on the most important element of vegetable gardening: the soil!
Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome Teri M. Brown, the author of An Enemy Like Me for an author interview with The Reading Bud.
About The Author
Teri M. Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity. Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to. Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others.
Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin.
Hello! I’m Teri M Brown. Besides being a writer, I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve been so poor that I the home I lived in had no central heat or air, and I could see the ground between the floorboards in the living room. I was also married to an emotionally abusive man for 14 years and didn’t want to leave because I didn’t want to be seen as a failure. Now, I’m married to a wonderful man who has helped me understand who I am and what I’m meant to be. However, we found out in June that he has an aggressive form of brain cancer, so my life has taken yet another twist as we navigate this journey together. Despite all of this, I am an optimistic person who honestly believes that everything turns out okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.
Please tell us something about your book other than what we have read in the blurb?
The characters are loosely based on my own family. My grandfather is the soldier, Jacob. My grandmother is Bonnie. My father is William. Although I take liberties with their personalities and stories, anyone that knew them in real life would likely recognize them in the book.
What is that one message that you’re trying to get across to the readers in this book?
We are far more like our enemy than we are different from them. I believe that if we look for similarities rather than focus on our differences, we can rid the world of the hatred that splits us up into opposing groups.
Who is your favorite character in this book and why?
My favorite character is Bonnie because she is a woman ahead of her times. We see a quiet strength in her, and even when she is weak, she eventually rises above it.
What inspired you to write this book? An idea, some anecdote, a dream or something else?
My family is German-American, though we’ve lived in the United States since before the Revolutionary War. My grandfather fought in WWII and ended up in Germany in an area near where our ancestors were from. He rarely talked about the war, but once, when I was a teenager, he said to me, “I always wondered if the person on the other side of the gun was a cousin.” That idea haunted me and became the basis of this book.
How long did it take you to write this particular book?
My writing process is something I call word vomit. I don’t use an outline (also called a pantster), and I tend to find a time to write in which I can truly immerse myself for days (I call this binge writing). As a binge pantster, I try to get my story down from start to finish as quickly as possible. Then I let it sit for a while – a month or two – before going back to make substantial edits. When writing An Enemy Like Me, I did the binge pantster part during a two-week writer’s retreat. I completed the edits during a one-week retreat. After going to my editor, I spent another 60 hours or so making the needed changes.
What are your writing ambitions? Where do you see yourself 5 years from today?
Five years from now, I hope to have another five books out, for a total of seven. My goal is to write a novel a year. I also hope to have finished my book about our tandem bicycle tour, as well as a children’s book that I’ve promised my grandchildren. Finally, although I have written historical fiction to date, my writing is really character-driven fiction. I hope to branch out and write some other genres including something with a bit of fantasy or even a romantic comedy.
Are you working on any other stories presently?
I am currently working on a manuscript about a healer woman in the mountains of North Carolina. I hope to include lots of mountain folklore as well as Cherokee lore, and show what happens to traditions as ‘modern’ advancements take over.
Why have you chosen this genre? Or do you write in multiple genres?
I love historical fiction for two reasons. The first is that I love to do research. I call myself a #researchjunkie. The second is that I have trouble with setting. I wouldn’t do well with the kind of world building often found in full-fledged fantasies or science fiction. With historical fiction, I don’t have to ‘make up’ a setting. I just have to do enough research to help my readers understand what it was like at that time. It’s a perfect genre for me.
When did you decide to become a writer? Was it easy for you to follow your passion or did you have to make some sacrifices along the way?
As a child, I used to tell people that I wanted to be three things. The first was an Olympic ice skater, but for anyone who knows me, this isn’t likely because I’m not terribly coordinated! I also said I wanted to be a brain surgeon. Once again, unlikely because I hate the sight of blood. However, I also said I wanted to be an author.
I wrote a lot as a child and teen. Unfortunately, being a writer was not seen as a worthy occupation by my family. One didn’t go to college to learn to write because being a writer meant you would end up as a server in a restaurant and likely starve to death. So, I went to college getting a major in education and psychology, as well as minors in math and sociology – but I never used any of these directly in an occupation.
After getting married, having four children, and then divorcing, I needed to find a job that allowed me to continue to stay at home and homeschool my children. I began writing for small businesses, helping them create content for the Internet.
Then, I spent 14 years married to an emotionally abusive man. I eventually came to the point of no longer believing in myself or my abilities. I had stories that needed telling, but I believed – and was told – that just because I could write nonfiction didn’t mean I could write fiction.
Once I finally got out of that relationship, the words started to flow. However, I was still too terrified to let the words out into the public. I couldn’t handle the thought of rejection.
In February 2018, I met my current husband. Although I never planned to marry again, he was persistent – and perfectly suited for me. While we dated, he encouraged me to write the manuscript that became my first novel, Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. Then, after we married, we went on our tandem cycling adventure. That adventure changed my life. After those three months doing something well outside my comfort zone and very challenging, I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to.
Six months after returning from the trip, Atmosphere Press accepted the manuscript for Sunflowers Beneath the Snow. And now, my second novel, An Enemy Like Me, is out.
How do you prefer to write – computer/laptop, typewriter, dictation or longhand with a pen?
I am a computer writer all the way. I type very quickly and can keep up with my thoughts. I can’t do that with longhand. Plus, my longhand is very messy, meaning I have trouble deciphering what I wrote later!
What are your 5 favourite books? (You can share 5 favourite authors too.)
I have never liked this question because my favorite books change every time I read something new! So, I will give you some books that have meant something to me over the years.
Over in the Meadow – This was a picture book with a sing-song poem by Olive A. Wadsworth. This is the first book I remember being read to me, and it still brings back happy memories.
Trixie Belden books – Trixie Belden was a girl detective. These books were aimed at readers younger than Nancy Drew. I read them all. Then, I read all of Nancy Drew. And then? I read all of The Hardy Boys because it made me angry that I wasn’t supposed to read the books for boys.
The Grapes of Wrath – This novel by John Steinbeck was the first book I read for something other than pleasure. It was with this novel that I learned that authors often had something they wished to impart to their readers. Learning this changed the way I read books.
1776 – I loved the way David McCullough weaved history as a story. I used 1776 to teach my children American history. Because the facts were part of a story, it made history fun and exciting. His books helped me to become a historical fiction fan.
Harry Potter series – Because my children were interested, I read the books, too. I realized that JK Rowling had the ability to write in a way that intrigued children, teens, and adults. That is a skill I’d love to cultivate.
How do you deal with Writer’s Block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. When a writer can’t write, I believe it is because there is something else going on that is taking up the creative space in their head. It’s impossible to write if something big or overwhelming is crowding out creativity. The only thing to do is to fix the thing that is ‘top of mind’ or find a way to put it into perspective so that it is no longer in the way. For instance, when I first found out that my husband had brain cancer, I could not write because that was the only thing on my mind. It took up all the free space and crowded out creativity. I can write again, not because there has been a change in his condition, but because I’ve found a way to go on living despite the diagnosis. Cancer is part of our life right now and it has its own space in my head. However, I have far more control over it and when it comes out.
What advice would you give to aspiring non-fiction writers?
I have four things I would tell aspiring writers. The first is to write. Don’t wait for a class or a degree or some specific event to get started. You will never be a writer until you write, so get started now.
The second is that once you have something you feel has merit, let someone you trust – but who will be honest and give you feedback – read it. Then listen to what they have to say. Feedback can be difficult because it can feel like criticism. But you won’t get better at writing if you continue to do the same things over and over without improving.
The third sounds like it contradicts the second but bear with me. You don’t have to listen to everyone’s advice! There is more than one way to write and more than one kind of reader. Listen to suggestions and give them a try, but if they don’t work for you, it’s okay to put them to one side. For instance, I cannot use an outline. I’ve been told it is the “BEST” way to write, but for me, it stifles my creativity. I tried it. It didn’t work. Now? I’m comfortable with being a binge pantser.
Finally, you’re going to have to be more than a writer if you want to sell your books. That means you’ll need to learn marketing. So, before your first book goes to print, learn how to market and get started marketing at least 12 weeks before the launch date.
Here are ways readers can purchase the book and/or get in contact with you?
The easiest way to connect with me is through my website at www.terimbrown.com. In addition to joining my newsletter, where you will get the list of “The 10 Historical Fiction Novels You’ve Never Heard of That Will Bring You to Tears,” you can reach out to me through my contact form and find links to all my social media.
For those who prefer going directly to social media, you can find me here:
Thank you, author Teri M. Brown, for your insightful answers!
Book Trailer
About the Book
An Enemy Like Me
How does a man show his love – for country, for heritage, for family – during a war that sets the three at odds? What sets in motion the necessity to choose one over the other? How will this choice change everything and everyone he loves? Jacob Miller, a first-generation American, grew up in New Berlin, a small German immigrant town in Ohio where he endured the Great Depression, met his wife, and started a family. Though his early years were not easy, Jacob believes he is headed toward his ‘happily ever after’ until a friend is sent to an internment camp for enemy combatants, and the war lands resolutely on his doorstep. In An Enemy Like Me, Teri M Brown uses the backdrop of World War II to show the angst experienced by Jacob, his wife, and his four-year-old son as he left for and fought in a war he did not create. She explores the concepts of xenophobia, intrafamily dynamics, and the recognition that war is not won and lost by nations, but by ordinary men and women and the families who support them.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with a love for heartfelt, introspective war stories, then you’ll enjoy An Enemy Like Me. This emotional saga explores war and its impacts in unique ways that few military fiction novels do.
If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com
Author:Khalil A. Barnett Release Date: 15th November 2022 Series: Genre: High Fantasy Asian Myths & Legends, Asian Literature Format: E-book Pages: 436 Publisher: Booklocker.com Blurb: A sword & sorcery fantasy novel based on Asian myths & legends. Tulpas, otherwise known as thought-forms, spring first from the imagination, then go on to live lives independent of their creators. And sometimes, they maintain a hostile, even violent, relationship with said creators. No one knows this quite like Coletrane Marx, the only son of an eccentric billionaire archeologist, who one night as a child unwittingly created a tulpa himself; one that visited him in demon form in the middle of the night to murder his parents with a samurai sword.
Forever changed by this trauma, Coletrane grows up to inherit his father’s obsession with archeology and to discover that his unfiltered, childhood imagination created not only this mysterious, cursed samurai named Kojiro, but also an alternate feudal history wherein the strong-willed warrior has his own prophetic story in a world full of mythic creatures, powerful humanoid animal Lords, living deities, and evil Tricksters. A world, Coletrane in addition learns, that will overlap with his own in catastrophic ways if he and Kojiro do not reconcile their dark, shared past and come together as one to stop it.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Kijiro by Khalil A. Barnett is a sword & sorcery fantasy novel based on Asian myths & legends and tells the story of Kojiro, a malignant manifestation of a young child, the son of a billionaire archeologist.
This book is so different from the usual fantasy stories that one reads, especially the popular culture Fantasy books, as most of them draw heavily from Greek and/or Roman legends. But this book was a real treat for me because it is based on Asian mythology and being an Asian myself it was so gratifying to read a story about the culture I could, if not entirely being a South Asian, at least partially, relate to way more than the European fantasy plots. I could feel more connected to the story and especially the motivations of the character and the stakes in the story for them.
I loved the author’s writing style — it had a great flow, making the book seem like a lullaby, albeit dark. The pacing of the novel is spot on and the tension runs tight throughout the story, keeping the readers engaged right from the beginning to the very last page. The concept is phenomenal, the execution fantastic and the overall story extremely captivating and entertaining.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would highly recommend it to all readers, especially to all Asian readers to explore this amazing gem.
The Reading Bud 