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GROWING UP MUCH TOO SOON


DOG BONE SOUP Launch Tour continues + a great review by Barbara Ann Mojica!

bamauthor's avatarBarbara Ann Mojica's BLOG

DOG BONE SOUP Launch Banner

DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….

Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga. Available now at “YOUR AMAZON”

From the Reviewers

“Dog Bone Soup is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when most others were on the crest of a wave. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. But most of all it will make you glad you read it.” ~ Charlie Bray, founder of the Indietribe

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF KATHRYN CHASTAIN TREAT


In memory of my dear friend, Kathryn Chastain Treat:
Kathryn, I miss you. Your unfailing friendship, support and encouragement to me and your message of courage, caring and determination in ALLERGIC TO LIFE continue to bless me and so many others. You are loved and missed. ~ Bette A. Stevens

Cindy Harris's avatarBlack Lilac Kitty Book Reviews

IMG_2869_1Kathryn C. Treat passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 2:20 am (California time).  On Friday, Dec. 19, after having a wonderful time at the Rave Reviews Book Club’s virtual Christmas party, in a virtual chat room with her fellow RRBC VIP Lounge members, Kathryn informed that she was not feeling well and that she was going to leave.  Shortly thereafter, she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and then lapsed into a coma.

Kathryn was an honorary board member of the Rave Reviews Book Club, where she served as Membership Director from Dec. 2013, until September, 2014.  Kathryn is the author of “ALLERGIC TO LIFE:  MY BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL, COURAGE AND HOPE” .  She inspired and encouraged many with this book so if you have not had the pleasure of reading it, please head to Amazon and get your copy.

Allergic To Life by Kathryn C. Treat

BOOK TRAILER

Kathryn was a dedicated member of RRBC

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THE TWELVE DAYS OF “AUTHORS” – DAY 3


Awesome author… great book! ~ Bette A. Stevens

IMG_2869_1Allergic To Life cover

nonniejules's avatarWatch Nonnie Write!

Hello, and welcome to my very own 12 DAYS OF “AUTHORS!”  Today, I begin with my theme song:  “On the 3rd day of authors, Ms. Nonnie gave to me, a Kathryn C. Treat from Cali!”  You’ve heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, right?  Well, this is  my version of that, my gift to these very special people and to you!  This all started on Sunday, December 14, with John “Fio” Fioravanti,  as the 1st of my 12 Days of “Authors”, then Marlena Hand as my 2nd day, and it will continue until Dec. 25, Christmas Day.  Each day I will profile one very special author and their written work.  Because I am in awe of so many of you, (definitely more than 12), I had to come up with a process for my selection.  So, I threw a bunch of names into a pot and the…

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J.E. Spina’s Debut Novel: HUNTING MARIAH


indexAn insane killer, obsessed with blood and death, seeks revenge with those he perceives wronged him. He is now on the loose. His next victim may be Mariah.

Mariah has lost her memory. Will she remember what has transpired in her past?

Can Mariah escape this deadly killer’s grasp? Will she finally be safe? Will the killer be apprehended?

Find out more and get your PAPERBACK copy today: Hunting Mariah by J.E. Spina or KINDLE (eBook) COPY at Amazon

J.E. Spina’s novel has been a long time in coming. She started it over twenty years ago but put it on the back burner until this year when she decided it was time to get it ready for publication.  J.E. Spina is an author of five children’s books, one of which received the Silver Medal from Mom’s Choice Awards. She writes her children’s books under the name of Janice Spina.

Janice SpinaJ.E. Spina has written three other novels—a spiritual/mystery, historical/drama and a YA fantasy which she hopes to edit and publish over the next two years. In between she will continue to publish more children’s books under the name Janice Spina. Besides being an author, Janice is also a copy editor, blogger, avid reader, book reviewer and supporter of fellow authors.

J E. Spina will be offering a giveaway on Goodreads. Please go to her blog for more updates  http://jemsbooks.wordpress.com. and website http://jemsbooks.com

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POETRY: Seasonal Changes


The Wonder of It All

A few flitting monarch butterflies and my favorite fall asters will soon dissipate into grand memories awaiting reincarnation.

Final Performance for 2014 posts

As we expect this dawn of change, shimmering monarchs are heading south to aggregate  in the warmth of southern groves. Meanwhile, I’m settling in for the evening with wood stove ablaze—I think I hear autumn’s tendrils softly tapping at the door. I close my to dream of butterflies and dancing blooms.

Although summer is coming to an all-too-soon close here in Central Maine, fall is sure to welcome us anew with its shimmering colors too.

Blessings to you at the close of one grand season and the opening of another! ~ Bette A. Stevens

 

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Debut Novel is Coming…


DBS Coming Soon!Working on the final draft of “DOG BONE SOUP.”

Here’s the first endorsement:

“Shawn Daniels and his siblings shake off extreme poverty, hunger, a dilapidated homestead and a drunken father, to somehow embark upon an idyllic childhood. Bette Stevens has crafted a remarkable tale of hope and happiness in the face of despair.” ~ Charles Bray (author/editor/reviewer)

I invite you to sign up for my email updates for news on pre-release orders, specials, freebies and more at http://eepurl.com/t-7JP

Have a great day!

Bette A. Stevens

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Meet the author: Shirley Harris-Slaughter


A warm welcome to Rave Reviews Book Club Member and author Shirley Harris-Slaughter. Shirley’s got a special guest post for us today. Let’s listen in. ~ Bette A. Stevens

I’M A POLITICAL JUNKIE!

Shirley Harris-Slaughter is the author of OUR LADY OF VICTORY, the Saga of an African American Catholic Community

Shirley Harris-Slaughter is the author of OUR LADY OF VICTORY, the Saga of an African American Catholic Community

Hi, I’m Shirley Harris-Slaughter and I’d like to thank you all for having me today! Besides being a published author, here’s something else you probably didn’t know about me (if you know me)… I’m a Political Junkie! I have a love/hate relationship with politics. Another passion is my involvement in my local community. These two things keep me busy most of the time.

Politics – One thing for sure is the fact that I love to be in the know, because ignorance is no longer bliss. It could spell disaster if you are not informed on the issues, especially with what is happening right now.

Case in Point – Voting rights are being tampered with and compromised. I hate to say it, but there are some bad folks out there that are up to these shenanigans. If we don’t pay attention, we might wake up one day to find that we are no longer able to vote. In fact, that is already happening in urban communities in several southern and eastern states. One Party has succeeded in gerrymandering so many districts that your rights to representation is being challenged and compromised in the courts.

Voter laws are being challenged right now by the Department of Justice. Boy, do they have their work cut out for them.

But beware! It’s coming to a neighborhood near you.

The results of our last mid-term elections can already be seen in a dysfunctional Congress made up of these gerrymandered districts, virtually guaranteeing that these do-nothing incumbents will be re-elected. And guess what? Do-nothings affect all of us and our way of life. It doesn’t care if you are white, black, Asian, Hispanic; whether you live in the city, suburbs or rural areas… you will be affected negatively by this congress sooner or later. Look at what is happening to health care in North Carolina. Our crumbling infrastructure is another prime example of a dysfunctional government.

THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY!

Please listen… You don’t have to be affiliated with Democrats or Republicans or even Independents to know there is cause for alarm when one group feels that the only way they can win, is by cheating and gerrymandering districts. Not only are your legislatures passing these draconian laws to make it harder for you to exercise your right to vote, they are also passing restrictive laws on women’s health choices and denying you the right to choose quality health care that your tax dollars are paying for.

I’m thrilled that the Justice Department has finally gone after the banks – CitiBank in particular; and making them pay back billions of dollars for their part in the economic meltdown that cost people their homes and their jobs across the country. What a sad chapter to the American Dream.

Another passion is my involvement in my local community. I got involved in hometown politics and helped elect a good friend to the Oak Park School Board. That paved the way for me to run for a position on that same school board later. I couldn’t turn down the offer because I wanted to be part of the solution. I wanted my property values to remain stable; and I wanted to play a part in providing a good education for our children who are the future.

I didn’t know much about ADD and all these other disabilities that our children are now being afflicted with. And everywhere I turned, everyone was acting like this was a normal thing. Where was I when this was going on? I was not in the public school system so I guess I missed something—something huge.

So there you have it, my greatest passions, because I love children and I care about my community and my country.

Thanks for listening!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Our Lady of Victory, the Saga of an African American Catholic Community

Our Lady of VictoryI wrote about local history while growing up in a Catholic Community. My love of history and tradition propelled me into this forum. While serving on the school board, they tried to take away the music “Pomp and Circumstance” played at every high school graduation and I got visibly upset over it. Were these people for real? I felt like a stranger among strangers.

So, writing this book was no exception to who I am and what I stand for. It was a natural outgrowth of my community activism. Besides, no one else was going to do it. I didn’t understand at the time, that I was the chosen one.

Little did I know the “can of worms” I was about to unleash. But I needn’t have worried…no one was ready to challenge my findings. They just pretended like there was nothing to be concerned about. And so I wasn’t taken seriously, for the most part, with the exception of a few close friends. And then Nonnie Jules crossed my path and I joined Rave Reviews Book Club and excitement for my book and my message, was re-ignited.

I am a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club—the place for Indie Authors!

 

 

This is an awesome trailer! Please take a look:

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/aF3ZBZFn3AY

Five Star Review of Our Lady of Victory by Nonnie Jules “Seal of Approval”

 

CONNECT HERE…

Tour Lineup Page: http://wp.me/P43s9i-2g

Author Page: http://wp.me/P43s9i-1m

Email: sharrislaughter@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharrislaughter

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/historybuff

 

Purchase Links…
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B00KDO1MSM/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/4751309
Limited Editions: http://rememberourladyofvictory.com/about-the-book/

 

SHIRLEY’S BLOGS…
http://shirleyslaughterblog.wordpress.com/
http://rememberourladyofvictory.com/

 

 

 

Meet Bette Stevens


You’re invited to find out more about my writing and ‘other’ adventures on Maine Crime Writers blog today. Stop by for a visit. We would love to hear from you! ~ Bette

Bette & 4 Books 2014 Green Vignette

John Clark sharing an interview with fellow Hartland author (and member of the library book discussion group), Bette Stevens.

http://mainecrimewriters.com/johns-posts/meet-bette-stevens

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COVER REVEAL + Manuscript of my debut novel should be ready for the editors this week!


Here I am reading, editing & rewriting one more time…

Dear Readers,

The manuscript for my debut novel (current Work-in-Progress title: DOG BONE SOUP, A Boomer’s Journey…) is almost ready to go to the pros (professional editors). I feel like I’m making progress. Wanted to share my latest cover design with you.

I would love to get your thoughts on the cover design and on the back cover blurb. Simply click on the image to enlarge.

The more 'eyes' the better. Thanks so much Marilyn and Dale for heads-up on changes. You're awesome! ~ Bette

Thanks for reading & comments. APPRECIATED. The more ‘eyes’ the better. Thanks so much Marilyn and Dale for heads-up on changes. You’re awesome! ~ Bette

For the latest updates on my novel, free chapters, excerpts, notices of author giveaways and other freebies, I invite you to sign up for my bi-monthly author updates at http://eepurl.com/t-7JP

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Happy reading, writing & all of those other amazing things you do,

Bette A. Stevens

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A Spring Haiku


TULIP Haiku 2

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