With freedom…
So very happy! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com
Posts tagged ‘books’
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25 Interesting Facts about American Literature
American Literature, Books, Classics, English Literature, Facts, Famous Authors, Literature, Writers. ENJOY! ~ Bette A. Stevens 4writersandreaders.com
Interesting trivia about American writers and their work
As it’s Independence Day, how about some facts about the great and the good from American literature, from Edgar Allan Poe to Toni Morrison? What follows is a compilation of our 25 favourite facts about American authors and their writing.
Edgar Allan Poe’s prose-poem Eureka predicts the Big Bang theory by some eighty years.
Marlon Brando was a huge fan of Toni Morrison; he would often call her up and read passages of her own novels which he particularly enjoyed.
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National Get Caught Reading Month
Reading with children is a great investment in their future and the world’s! ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator http://www.4writersandreaders.com
Announcing new #fictional #thriller: HIS REVENGE by John W. Howell
“If you’re looking for a captivating new thriller, you sure won’t want to miss this one.” ~ Bette A. Stevens
His Revenge by John W. Howell is now available in paper and e-book on Amazon.
The sequel to My GRL titled His Revenge is available and a new story continues where My GRL left off.
His Revenge is now available
- In the US Paper and Kindle editions
- In Canada Paper and Kindle editions
- In the UK Paper and Kindle editions
Book Blurb
America loves John Cannon—its newest hero—and the President wants to present him with the highest civilian medal for bravery for saving the Annapolis midshipman from a terrorist plot to destroy them. While in Washington for the award ceremony, John unwillingly becomes an accomplice in another plan by the same group to attack the credibility of the US President and the stability of the worldwide oil market. There is no way out as John either becomes a traitor to America or causes thousands of innocent people to die if he refuses.
The second John J Cannon Thriller moves from a barrier Island off the coast of Texas to Washington DC, then to Northern California, and finally to Ecuador. John is on the receiving end of an offer he cannot, refuse. His avowed enemy Matt Jacobs now wants John to help him shake the reputation of the US in the world political arena and disrupt confidence in the government at home. If John refuses, Matt plans to murder innocent Americans including John’s latest relationship. John’s only way out is to pretend to go along with the plan and hope for a miracle.
Excerpt from Chapter one
The water rushes over my head. I’m sinking and don’t know why. With my breath held, I have trouble stopping the air from escaping since the pressure drives the air up and out. I try to keep my mouth closed, but the water pressure pushes the air out more and more. Will I pass out? In the distance, the light is dim. To rise to the surface in time might not be possible─I need to breathe right now. Toward ending the pain in my chest, my rambling mind rationalizes taking a deep breath—even knowing it will end my life. In conflict with the irrational thought of ending it, my body won’t let me suck in the water, as it fights to retain the little bit of oxygen left to fuel my brain.
The despair is nearly overwhelming, and my mind considers other ways to battle the feeling. What more could I have done with my life? The pressure becomes more intense, and I’m about to lose it all, and I decide I’ve lived the way I wanted and have no regrets. I close my eyes and hear only the roar of the sea. I’m so tired. Exhausted. Sleep will fix everything, and I want to give in.
About the Author
John W. Howell’s main interests are reading and writing. He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business. John writes fictional short stories and novels as well as a blog at http://www.johnwhowell.com. Howell lives on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of south Texas with his wife and spoiled rescue pets. The author can be reached at his e-mail johnhowell.wave@gmail.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241 or Twitter at @HowellWave
John W. Howell’s first novel, My GRL is available on Amazon and wherever e-books are sold.
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Oh Crap She’s Famous!
Darlene Craviotto, author of “An Agoraphobic’s Guide to Hollywood – How Michael Jackson Got Me Out of the House” and so much more!
Meet Darlene Craviotto… She’s one amazing woman! ~ Bette A. Stevens
MATILDA’S BUTTERFLY BONANZA: FREE eBOOK and more…
“Three cheers for Matilda,” her friends shouted. AMAZING MATILDA by Bette A. Stevens
BUTTERFLY BOOK BONANZA
June 15 – 19
Are you an adult who loves to inspire kids?
This contemporary tale of friendship teaches kids to keep trying in the face of adversity. You can get it for FREE for five days. It’s…
AMAZING MATILDA: A Monarch’s Tale
by Bette A. Stevens.
That’s right! It’s FREE for 5 days: JUNE 15-19.
PLUS, there are other FREE monarch goodies for you, too…
Help MATILDA spread the word!
Find out all about it at http://www.prlog.org/12153228-5-day-butterfly-book-bonanza-amazing-matilda-teaches-kids-patience-and-persistence.html
In today’s world where instant gratification is often the norm, AMAZING MATILDA teaches kids that THEY REALLY CAN REACH THEIR DREAMS & INSPIRE OTHERS ALONG THE WAY. Did you know that President Jimmy Carter called the Monarch Butterfly An Ambassador for The Americas?
English: Foreign trips of Jimmy Carter during his presidency. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
AMAZING MATILDA is off on another world tour and she needs your help. She’s looking for children and friends of children everywhere to inspire with her story of friendship. Please SHARE AMAZING MATILDA’s 5-Day Butterfly Book Bonanza with your family, friends, fans and followers.You can download my FREE PDF and learn all about Monarch Butterflies, access games, crafts, coloring pages, teacher’s guides, butterfly gardening tips and so much more on my blog at https://4writersandreaders.com/fun-learning-with-monarchs/ Please SHARE, SHARE, SHARE the great news…THANKS for helping MATILDA spread the word! Bette A. Stevens
FREE eBook DOWNLOAD JUNE 15 – 19. ‘Amazing Matilda: A Monarch’s Tale,’ an illustrated adventure story, reaches kids and teaches kids (ages 4-11) that friendship and success go hand-in-hand.
‘AMAZING MATILDA: A Monarch’s Tale’ by Bette A. Stevens“Children of all ages will be able to relate to monarch’s plight in some way… This story is a true gem and one that will inspire kids for years to come.” Renee Hand, award-winning adult and children’s book author. Hand reviews for the New York Journal of Books.
FIND OUT ALL ABOUT Amazing Matilda’s Butterfly Bonanza GET YOUR FREE eBOOK & SO MUCH MORE at
Related articles
- Book Promo Day – 6th June, 2013 (imagineerebooks.wordpress.com)
- Getting to know the author: Bette A. Stevens (4writersandreaders.com)
- Get puzzling over AMAZING MATILDA! (4writersandreaders.com)
- Migrating Monarchs (4writersandreaders.com)
- Milkweed for Monarchs (seedsmulchandweeds.com)
- Magical transformations: From monarch caterpillar to butterfly (greenbelvedere.wordpress.com)
- Monarch Butterflies (countrylifeanddeath.wordpress.com)
Thought-provoking Historical Romance
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Irina Shapiro
Irina Shapiro, author of THE HANDS OF TIME, historical romance with a hint of the supernatural and a dash of mystery.
“I was born in Moscow, Russia during the height of Communism and “enjoyed” the life of an average Russian child until my family’s immigration to the United States in 1982. We settled in Brooklyn, NY where I finished school and then graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City with a degree in International Business. Despite my business degree, history and travel have always been my passions and I have tried to incorporate my knowledge and experiences into my stories.“I live in New Jersey with my husband and two children.”
Reviewers call Shapiro’s novel, THE HANDS OF TIME, exciting and thought-provoking —
“This was my third book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed. I could feel Valerie’s fear and despair as she found herself trapped in the past and tried to make a life for herself in the 17th Century…” –FRYEHI, Amazon review.
“The Hands of Time is a fun and emotional read. Irina Shapiro puts a clever spin on romantic time travel and takes readers’ breaths away… [This book’s] story is not yet finished, the sequel will be just as exciting and thought provoking!” – Lovey, Dovey Books, Amazon review.
Welcome, Irina. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing life?
I graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College with a degree in International Business and worked in Advertising and Import/Export for years. After leaving the work force in 2007 to stay at home with my autistic son, I began to write, and have written seven novels since then. My latest is coming out in early January.
What about your family?
I live in New Jersey with my husband and two children. My daughter has just started High School, so the fun has begun.
How long have you been writing and what type of writing do you usually do?
I’ve been writing seriously for about five years. I like to write the type of books that I, myself, like to read. My novels are historical romance with a hint of supernatural and a dash of mystery.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book?
When a young woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England, only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent allowing the authorities to search for her in vain.
Meanwhile, Valerie Crane finds herself transported to the year 1605. Terrified and confused, she turns for help to the Whitfield brothers, who take her in and offer her a home. Both Alexander and Finlay Whitfield fall in love with the mysterious woman, who shows up on their doorstep, creating a love triangle that threatens to consume them all. Valerie must make her choice, deciding between the brother who will lead her down the path of destruction, and the one who will give her a love she couldn’t find in her own time.
What prompted you to become a writer?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but didn’t think I had the talent or the imagination. After being at home for a while, I needed something to occupy my mind and distract me from the daily stress of dealing with an autistic child. Writing was an escape from reality – time travel of the mind. I never dreamed of publishing my work, but after getting some very positive reviews from the people who’ve read it, I decided to take a chance and see where it would take me. It’s been an amazing journey.
Do you have a favorite line from THE HANDS OF TIME?
I do, but I can’t share it because it would give away a crucial point in the plot.
Who is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character is Valerie because she is based on me. I couldn’t create her without trying to envision what I would do in her situation and how I would deal with the difficulties that arose.
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
The hardest part is to come up with an original plot; something that hasn’t already been done by other authors.
Do you do anything besides write?
I enjoy anything that requires a degree of creativity. I love pottery, drawing, and photography, as well as experimental cooking, which I inflict upon family and friends. Haven’t poisoned anyone yet.
How can my readers get a copy of THE HANDS OF TIME?
My book is available for purchase at Amazon, as is the sequel: A Leap of Faith. http://www.amazon.com/The-Hands-of-Time-ebook/dp/B006JRO9WS/ref=lp_B0068O1DFS_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334015717&sr=1-4
What can we expect next from Irina Shapiro’s hand?
I’ve just finished the third book of The Hands of Time Trilogy. It’s currently with my editor and will be released very soon. I must admit that finishing the story left me desolate. These characters have been with me for so long, that I miss them as if they were real people. It’s difficult to move on to other projects.
It’s been great having you with us today, Irina. Historical fiction is my literary cup of tea. Add romance and mystery and your novels sound simply irresistible. I can hardly wait to delve into my copy of THE HANDS OF TIME. –Bette A. Stevens (www.4writersandreaders.com)
Follow Irina Shapiro’s Book Tour
January 2013 Tour Schedule:
4th Lightning Book Promotion Blog5th Phaedra @ Identity Discovery
6th Jackie @ Writing for Readers in a .com world
7th Bette @ 4writersandreaders.com
8th Andi @ Radiant Light
9th Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!
10th Drennan @ Speaking of Books
11th Susan @ My Cozie Corner
12th Cara @ Peace, Love, Books
13th Darryl @ Savage Lullabye
Find out more about Irina Shapiro’s novels:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Folly-ebook/dp/B007WNTXGK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1335178325&sr=8-6
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13381342-the-hands-of-time
Internet Insights
A big welcome to my guest for the week, Juli D Revezzo. Here Juli questions why we are so willing to trust our cyber friends whilst telling our children never to talk to strangers.
When Amelia asked me to write about an issue for her blog, in all honesty, I drew a blank. I don’t tend to write issue related stories; I write my stories to give a reader a good time, or as in the case of The Artist’s Inheritance, a good scare. There, I wrote about a normal woman, hoping to live a normal life after the death of her brother-in-law. Instead, she finds out her husband isn’t having such a normal time of it.
I guess the biggest issue in the story is that of knowing whom to trust. The main character meets a man who says he can take his career to bigger and better heights—things he’s undoubtedly…
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Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 06/01/2017