A Book and a Chat with Lynn Kelly

 

I have one of the debut authors from the Class of 2K12 on my show today. Lynne Kelly was born in Galesburg, Illinois, grew up in Houston, lived in some much colder places, then found her way back to the Houston area, where she works as a sign language interpreter. For a few years she also taught special education, a good career for someone with excellent organizational and planning skills. Lacking those skills, she quit teaching in 2006 and thankfully has more time for writing. But it was during those teaching years that she worked with some great kids and became interested in writing, so that all worked out.

After giving up her main teaching role, she started writing her book “Chained” which though going through many edits and re-writes has been well worth waiting for.

As we discussed during the show doing research Lynn found out many things about elephants that she did not know before writing her novel, the research also included a personal “get to know” with one of these might beasts.Did you know…

Sscientists recently discovered that there are three species of elephants, not just two. (One in Asia, two in Africa.) African forest elephants are much smaller than their neighbors in the savannah, and the two African species are as different as tigers and lions.

Or that…

A long-distance call: some sounds elephants make are too low for you to hear even if you’re standing nearby, but an elephant two miles away will hear them

The resulting book “Chained” has been worth all the research, receiving some great reviews..

“…a story that unwraps the heart and asks it to be brave, loyal, and above all, kind.”
~ Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestselling author of The Underneath and Keeper.

“…It doesn’t matter if Kelly is writing about about gentle giants, adults who have made mistakes, people left without choices or boys who rise to their own occasion, she has a talent for making the characters feel real and for making readers feel.”

About “ Chained”

The touching story of a boy and an elephant who have a friendship stronger than any lock, shackle, or chain.

Ten-year-old Hastin’s sister has fallen ill, and his family must borrow money to pay for her care in the hospital. To work off the debt, Hastin leaves his village in northern India to work in a faraway jungle as an elephant keeper. He thinks it will be an adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the cruel circus owner. The crowds that come to the circus see a lively animal who plays soccer and balances on milk bottles, but Hastin sees Nandita, a sweet elephant and his best friend, who is chained when she’s not performing and punished until she learns her tricks perfectly. With the help of Ne Min, a wise old man who seems to know all about elephants, Hastin protects Nandita as best as he can. Still he wonders–will they both survive long enough to escape?

As we learned during the show, Lynne is already hard at work on her next book a YA novel, with a more humorous touch “Reasons for Leaving” about a hitting the road to find a long lost friend, when all you want to be is safe at home.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Lynne Kelly

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Lynne Kelly

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Lynne Kelly”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Lynne Kelly – Chained”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Kathi Macias

 

With almost 400 shows under the “Book and a Chat” belt we’ve had many guests appearing several times on shows, today I am very pleased to have one of our most popular and prolific authors back on the show, the one and only Kathi Macias.

Always an interesting and entertaining guest, Kathi shared with us about a new series of three books she has written, once again touching on something that will not only make the reader will enjoy reading about but also make them think.

The first book in the new series is called “Deliver Me From Evil” the start of a series which goes into the world of slavery, or human trafficking. As Kathi shared with us during the show, there are estimated to the 27 million people around the world involved in human trafficking, with upwards of 300,000 in the USA.

In “Deliver Me From Evil” we meet Maria who has been taken by her Uncle to be sold at sixteen she is one of the oldest – she has seen many children die in the conditions Readers will also meet 18-year-old, Bible-college-bound Jonathan and his 16-year-old sister, Leah, whose paths cross Mara’s and who become involved in her dramatic rescue.

Interwoven between the stories of Mara, Jonathan, and Leah is the heartbreaking story of another young woman in captivity in the Golden Triangle of Thailand, whose past life mysteriously connects to the young people in San Diego.
As one reviewer put it…

Growing up in New Zealand , we don’t at times realise how blessed and safe though of course we are not short of the horrific crimes that occur but compared to America and other countries we are quite lucky.

Deliver Me From Evil touches base on a topic that scarily enough does happen and more often than not , the number of victims are higher in statistics than the number of survivors and escapees. Overseas, we read that Human Trafficking is one of the biggest crimes – Children mainly from countries like Mexico, South American Countries are taken or sold from their homes by their families with hope that they can get a better life over in America – across the borders. However , more often than not the families of the children who are used for Human Trafficking aren’t aware of the consequences as they believe their child is better off when in fact -they are worst off as they are beaten, sold, kept in captivity and not nurtured for.

These children are sold to the highest bidder and used for Prostitution etc. It is a game to many people, but for the girls -they have to learn to stay strong as only the strong will survive. .. (The Phantom Paragrapher)

Kathi told us how she struggled with writing this book series, as even for her the subject and just what she found out from her investigation went to some very dark areas.

I am sure this will be yet another “smash hit” of a series for Kathi.

On a lighter note, Kathi also has he first but by no means the last “Christmas Book” coming out.

“A Christmas Journey Home” tells of two widowed woman, one driven by fear and a promise, the other by bitterness and revenge who must make their journeys along different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas Eve.

Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them together in a most miraculous way.

As always Kathi left us with a snippet of her up and coming work, with a second Christmas book already penciled in for 2012, and the release of the further novel in the “Deliver Me From Evil” series, she will be working with other authors on a book series about a fictitious town. I’m sure we will hear more about that during a show next year.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Kathi Macias

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Kathi Macias

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Kathi Macias”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Kathi Macias – Deliver Me From Evil”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with MJ Allaire

 

Author, fellow book signer and friend MJ Allaire makes a welcome return to today’s “A Book and a Chat” to share about her books, self publishing and even appearing as a wench in the court of King Richard.
If you have seen me signing around New England would normally see me working with this great author, as the St George the knight always goes well with a person who has written about dragons.

MJ started writing her young adult fantasy series in 2005, for her eldest son, then 15, however from the first book “Dragon’s Blood“, MJ went on to produce “The Prisoner” and “ Dragons Tear” as books two and three of the now “Denicalis Dragon Chronicles” . Just to show she was not all about dragon as she then produced “My Blissful Life As a Submariner’s Wife”

Imagine yourself as a young mother; half the world away from loved ones as a military dependent, then compound this with the much larger challenge of raising a family by yourself because your military spouse is always gone. No amount of money can replace when an active duty military member misses some of life’s major milestones, such as the birth of a child, a baby’s first steps, or a high school graduation. Follow one woman as she struggles to provide balance and stability to her dependent children while her husband serves his country. Her trials and tribulations will provide insight to just a few of the challenges faced by today’s military family. Think you understand the life of a military dependent? Think again.

In 2010 MJ produced “Dragons Breath” book four of the Denicalis Dragon Chronicles, then took the step to move from print on demand type publishing to produce and market her own, creating her own publishing company Bookateer Publishing

Review of “Dragons Breath”

In book four of the Denicalis Dragon Chronicles series, the reader is invited to follow a group of curious children who set out on a mission to find not only each other, but also the amulets, while finding a solution to save the dragons from evil forces that rule through greed and power.

Will the children succeed through trust and determination as they follow their destiny, or will their efforts become ‘Mission Impossible!’ Why did the girls trust Kennard, and was he a slimy frog, or a muck dragon? Was an evil spell casted upon Kennard, and by whom? Will the girls be able to save Gruffod, and what was Lotor’s intentions? Why is Nivri searching for the missing amulets, and were the dragons able to communicate with each other? What happened to Kennard when he tried to escape at an attempt for freedom, and was a bird laughing at him? How will the girls get to the other side of the mountain? Will they find food to satisfy hunger, and will Tonia ever see her brothers again? Were the rats and turtles Kennard’s friends, and did they help the girls? Who provided lights for the girls as their journey began, and who guided the way?

This novel is highly recommended for all fantasy lovers. MJ Allaire takes the reader through another spectacular adventure that not only young adults would appreciate, but parents and teachers as well. The incredible story is educational as magic fills the air, while mystical creatures come to life. Time is running out as the mysterious quest continues. The clock is ticking fast, who will survive, and who will die? Will the journey end with a treasure of memories, or will it end in a nightmare? Why did the Ring of Alyshana strike an emotional chord in Kennard, and did it have special powers? Why was Zacharu held as a prisoner? Two prisoners found freedom, who were they?

Will the missing stones be found? What happens to Kennard, after the girls make it through the mountain, and who will be grieving? This book will indeed capture the imagination as the reader travels through a life-endangering odyssey. “DRAGON’S BREATH” is enchanting, delightful, and as thrilling as WILD AMERICA!

During the show MJ shared with us some of the issues and what sort advantages there can be from publishing your books yourself, before going on to tell us about her latest venture. Selling her books and being a part of the King Richards Faire in Carver MA.

With those medieval appearances spread over the next month followed by signings in the Connecticut building with fellow CAPA authors at the Big E and now book five underway I am sure the name MJ Allaire will soon be spreading around the country as a must read author for all ages.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with MJ Allaire“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with MJ Allaire

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“MJ Allaire”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“MJ Allaire – Denicalis Dragon Chronicles”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Amy Fellner Dominy

 

My guest on today’s one hour “A Book and a Chat” is another member of the “Class of 2K11” the group of debut authors whose books are released in 2011.

Amy Fellner Dominy debut novel “OyMG” has come from a literary background, from those early days of short stories, and like many of the authors she speaks to, she still has many of those early efforts still on her book shelf, or hidden away to be produced into a masterpiece at a later date.

Her love of the written word lead her to career as advertising copywriter, until Amy went back to school and in 2004 she got her MFA in 2004 with an emphasis in playwriting.

Amy’s plays have been staged across the country and she’s published in both children’s plays and short stories. “OyMG” is her first teen novel, though not her last.

Amy grew up in an area of Phoenix where the only other Jewish kids in school were her brothers and sisters. She tells the story how when she was fourteen, she was fired from a babysitting job when the family found out that she was Jewish.
It was something she had never experienced before, such hate like that. At the time it made her wary, and there was a temptation to hide the part of herself you think someone might not like.

The question is how much of yourself would you be willing to hide? From that question came the creative juices behind OyMG.

About “OyMG”

Jewish girl. Christian camp. Holy moly!

Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she’s sure that if she wins the final tournament, it’ll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot-literally. His name is Devon and, whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she’s confident enough to take on the challenge-until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship’s benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dream?

Debut author Amy Fellner Dominy mixes sweet romance, surprising secrets, and even some matzo ball soup to cook up a funny yet heartfelt story about an outspoken girl who must learn to speak out for herself. (from The Story Siren blog)

The book has humor, a great story and a moral; many reviewers have told Amy how it helps them understand how other people’s lives can be affected by religion. The book is sprinkled with pieces of Yiddis, Tuchus (your behind) Schlep (carry) Kvetch (to whine and complain) Nosh (to snack).

As in: “Quit your kvetching, move your tuchus and schlep in these grocery bags or you’ll get nothing to nosh”

Amy’s wish for the book is that it will help the reader realize we’re all different in our own ways. And that’s it’s okay to speak up and speak out–to be ourselves. It’s always easy to find people to tell you that you’re “less than” but we should all listen to our own voices. We should celebrate our uniqueness, not hide it.

With her second book coming out next year I am sure we will hear a lot more of Amy Fellner Dominy.

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend sixty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Amy Fellner Dominy“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Amy Fellner Dominy”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Amy Fellner Dominy”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Amy Fellner Dominy – OyMG”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Melissa Crandall

 

A fellow Connecticut author and I’m glad to say friend Melissa Crandall is my special guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat”.

Melissa is one of those great people who started writing little stories as soo9n as they could hold a crayon, and as she shared to us, her father recently came across one of her early stories about a dog and a fox, written in pencil with drawings… obviously into self publishing even then.

From those early days Melissa went on to write several different items, her credits include Star Trek novels “Ice Trap” (written in collaboration as L.A. Graf) and “Shell Game,” Quantum Leap novel “Search and Rescue,” and “Earth 2.” She is a contributor to Amoskeag: The Journal of Southern New Hampshire University, The Geranium Farm Cookbook, 5.5BW – Poems and Stories, and Serve It Forth: Cooking with Anne McCaffrey. Her articles have appeared in Animal Watch – the magazine of the ASPCA, NEWN Magazine, Strides – the magazine of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, and various newspapers.

Her first book “Darling Wendy and Other Stories” a set of spellbinding stories that which liked a sketched character cover the light, dark and many of the colors in between. One reviewer described it as… “An artful look into the seamy underside of Neverland, the price of eternal youth and the incompatibility of two alien worlds. The “alliance” at the end is indeed surprising and, I must admit, satisfying.”

Now Melissa’s latest YA novel “Weathercock” has charged onto the blogosphere, finding a place on numerous bookshelf’s.

About “Weathercock”:

Weathercock. The name evokes flames and chaos, and a mythic hero who will one day change the world. Young Kinner – betrayed by those he loves and sentenced to die – knows only one thing: in a world where women hold all the power and men are nothing but property, heroes are hard to come by.

Determined to find a life on his own terms, he flees execution only to discover he knows nothing about survival. Used to relying on others, he dreams of rescue. Instead of the Weathercock, what he gets is Rai and Bayna, mercenary soldiers on the run from the determined (and increasingly psychotic) Commander Remeg.

The last thing they need is to play nursemaid to a half-grown whelp, but a madwoman’s dark secret soon ties their fates. For a while, things actually go their way until further treachery casts a dark wing over the travelers. Alone once more, Kinner must discover within the bravery and skill to save not only himself, but also his friends.
And what of Weathercock? Can someone who doesn’t even exist appear when Kinner needs him most?

As one reviewer wrote…

Weathercock made me laugh, cry, and kept me on the edge of my seat! My whole family read it! Each of us agreed on one thing, we want MORE! Excellent book!

Well that person wish looks like coming to fruition, as her previous planned work “Call of Blood” seems to have hit a bit of a bumpy road, so she is now, as we heard, starting to create the follow up to Weathercock.

What more can you say about this great book? I’ll let another author/reviewer answer that question…

Melissa Crandall has written a rousing adventure with a unique twist: What…if women were the dominant gender and men were smaller and weaker and considered only good for household chores and procreation? And what…if some people wanted to change that? Crandall has peopled her story with sympathetic and believable characters, and her skill at developing these characters and making them “breathe” is superlative. Even minor characters are developed with uncommon care, and each comes alive on the page. In addition, Crandall’s pacing is taut and nearly flawless. This novel is a page-turner! The climax was both surprising and satisfying, and it was delivered with the precision and flare of a gifted writer. –Jim Mastro, author, The Talisman of Elam

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Melissa Crandall“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Melissa Crandall”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Melissa Crandall”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Melissa Crandall – Weathercock”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Carrie Harris

 

Carrie Harris (no relation to the villain in my book “Across the Pond” I’m sure) is one of the wonderful group of debut YA authors for this year, part of the class of 2K11. Before the show there was some doubt as to if Carrie would be able to make the show travelling with her family as she was. The start of the show where we lost complete connection to Blog Talk Radio, followed by a disconnection for Carrie could have been a worry, however once the initial gremlins were out of the work we went on to have a truly enjoyable “A Book and a Chat” with this popular YA author, that was full of interest and humor.

An assortment of jobs that included an autopsy coordinator/statistician, managing the place that researches Mad Cow disease in humans, and spending a lot of time looking at brains and body parts, was an obvious background for her to write a book about Zombies. That and of course her obvious sense of humor has produced her debut YA Novel “Bad Taste in Boys” which even before its launch this week has produced hugely exciting responses and reviews around the blogosphere.

Not the least of these is the way people have picked up on the “sugar lips” on the books cover… (Zombie football players…sugar lips? Your guess is as good as mine) pictures and information of which can be found on her terrific web site.

Carrie tried to produce her first book during the NaNoWriMo but the planned fantasy satire and somehow turned into a political satire halfway through. Eventually she decided to stop trying to write something serious and wrote with her obvious humor producing something that got the attention of her agent “Kate Schafer Testerman” the first novel started doing the literary rounds, but it was “Bad Taste In Boys” which sold in about a month.

About “Bad Taste In Boys”

Super-smartie Kate Grable gets to play doctor, helping out her high school football team. Not only will the experience look good on her college apps, she gets to be this close to her quarterback crush, Aaron. Then something disturbing happens. Kate finds out that the coach has given the team steroids. Except . . . the vials she finds don’t exactly contain steroids. Whatever’s in them is turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless, flesh-eating . . . zombies.

Unless she finds an antidote, no one is safe. Not Aaron, not Kate’s brother, not her best friend . . . not even Kate . . .

As stated the book has before its launch date this next week received some terrific reviews, as one fellow author wrote…

“BAD TASTE IN BOYS is a nonstop romp, with more mayhem than a mall full of mocha-chugging monkeys. I loved watching Kate try to keep her sensible, scientific head amidst rampaging zombies and amorous football players (often the same people). Bring me my next dose of Carrie Harris NOW!” – Jeri Smith-Ready

A follow up book currently called “Bad Hair Day” which you might guess from the title might include werewolves is already in the editing state, so we know this great new book will not be a one off, and we’ll hear more of the name Carrie Harris in the future

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend sixty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Carrie Harris”

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Carrie Harris”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Carrie Harris”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Carrie Harris – Bad Taste in Boys”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner

 

Judging by the photos I have seen of today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat“, Gae Polisner must be part mermaid, and the fact that she states she actually writes (not types) in the water only adds to this view.

Gae writes women’s and young adult fiction, though as yet neither of her women’s fiction novels “The Jetty” and “Swim Back to Me” have made it onto the book shelves, though “The Jetty” was a Top Semifinalist in the 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Instead her debut publication is the wonderful YA novel “The Pull of Gravity”.

She wrote “The Pull of Gravity” as homage to the books she loved as a teenager by the likes of Zindel, Konigsburg, Blume, and L’Engle, with a secret nod to one of her favorite books “Don’t Take Teddy, by Babbis Friis-Baastad”, which as we learned during the show has nothing to do with small stuffed bears.

A practicing family law attorney/mediator and a very keen swimmer, Gae waited until her sons had grown up before rushing down the first draft of “The Pull of Gravity“ in one month’s concentrated brain dumping.

The novel is about friendship, first love, and the true nature of family, and for a change written from the view of the boy, which with two sons is something Gae aimed for. The characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make this a truly original coming-of-age story.

About “The Pull of Gravity”

While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy of “Of Mice and Men” to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

You’ll learn to love the characters including the quirky female character Jaycee Amato, whose wardrobe includes the liking of warring Troll dolls on a string around her neck.

As one reviewer put it…

Gae Polisner’s first novel is a big hit. She has a beautiful way with words and is a master storyteller. I was quickly draw in to the story and became very attached to all the characters. It will touch your heart in a very unique way. I always look for stories like this mostly in inspirational novels. While I usually don’t read young adult novels, it was recommended by an author friend (Michael J Sullivan). I’m glad he recommended it to me because now I can share it with my daughter and friends. I hope Ms. Polisner continues to write more stories because she is so talented…

With other books already on the road to publishing including her favorite one about “Frankie Sky” I’m sure the reviewers wish will soo be granted.

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner”

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Gae Polisner”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Gae Polisner”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Gae Polisner – The Pull of Gravity”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Annie Greer

 

Originally I was going to have Tim Vandehey one of the co-writers of “The Chimp Who Loved Me” instead it went one better when I had on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” the other co-authors whose real life stories go to make up a truly humorous and enjoyable book, Veterinary Chiropractioner, Farmer and chat show host… “Annie Greer”.

Let’s face it, when you read under your guests description that they have “always been English” and the first question they ask you on your show is “PG Tips or Typhoo” (that tea), followed by “love or hate marmite” you know it’s going to be a show that would be filled with a lot of laughter and so it was.

The Chimp Who Loved Me is a collection of very funny real-life accounts of Annie’s strange life with animals. The stories are “laugh out loud” funny, with some slightly strong language, but then these are true stories from real life… it shows the wonder of animals from the dogs and cats we’re all so familiar with to the cougars and wolves and chimps that come into our lives from time to time

You know it’s going to be a fun read, when for instance you read from the first story about Sammy the chimpanzee…

“All I could think was, ‘Oh God! I’m going to be sexually assaulted by a chimp!’ I pictured the 911 call. I saw the operator laughing so uncontrollably that she forgot to send help. I tried to peel Sammy’s pinching, prying hands off my naked, wet body and realized that I had to get some clothes on.”

The show as you can expect is full of laughter, English humour and stories about Annie’s animals, including how a person tried to steal her flying squirrel by stuff it down the front of their trousers.

About The Chimp Who Loved Me

The Chimp Who Loved Me is a collection of true stories from the life and times of Annie Greer, a veterinary chiropractitioner, animal healer, radio host, speaker, farmer’s wife and all-around magnet for bizarre animal behavior. When Annie and Tim Vandehey, a professional writer, met in 2006 and began talking about Annie’s endless trove of strange and pants-wettingly funny tales about drill sergeant sheep and insane veterinary clinic customers, a book was born.

Infused with Annie’s trademark dry English wit and Tim’s storytelling panache, The Chimp Who Loved Me is a sort of twisted love child of Dave Barry, David Sedaris and James Herriot of All Things Bright and Beautiful fame. If you’re sick of the treacly sweetness of animal books like Marley and Me or Dewey and crave twisted tales of sex, poop, pee and death, where apes throw donuts at chefs during dinner parties and stoned veterinary students dispense bizarre advice to puzzled dog show contestants, then you won’t be able to put The Chimp Who Loved Me down…until it hits you in the nose because you’re reading in bed, silly.

It is a great book, a must to be left in the bathroom for visitors, whom you know are enjoying the stories when you hear the sounds of laughter coming from the smallest room.

So listen to an interesting and hugely entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing “A Book and a Chat with Annie Greer“

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Annie Greer”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Annie Greer”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Annie Greer – The Chimp Who Loved Me”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Connie Joy

 

Connie Joy makes a welcome return visit on “A Book and a Chat”, author of the terrific “Tragedy In Sedona. After a little early trouble with both of our phone connections, Joy made today’s “A Book and a Chat” a truly fasinating show”.

With the current trial of “James Arthur Ray” she has been hitting the chat shows and blogs telling of her life in James Arthur Ray’s inner circle.

Raised in a very religious Roman Catholic family, Connie had a near death experience which put her on a lifelong path as a student of spirituality. During a truly fascinating show we discussed such things such as past life regression, and how from learning self hypnosis to try and help with her sleep issues suddenly she discovered a past life.

She belonged to several spiritual groups, including leading a Sylvia Browne study group, and was trained as a Practitioner of Hypnosis with emphasis in past life regression.

After watching the movie “The Secret”, Connie attended one of James Arthur Ray’s seminars in 2007 with her husband Richard and signed up for his Harmonic Wealth Weekend (HWW) event held in February, 2007. Over the next three years, Connie and Richard participated in or volunteered for 27 James Arthur Ray seminars and events.

Connie shared with us how what started off as perhaps a path to enlightenment in the end became obvious to be perhaps nothing more than a scam by a super salesman. Money in the hundreds of thousands paid out by people like Connie, instead of going to do good, seemingly found its way into James Arthur Ray pocket.

From walking on fire and glass to the tragic deaths caused at the “Spiritual Warrior” retreat conceived and hosted by Ray at the Angel Valley Retreat Center, Arizona, where two people died and many others were hospitalized after a “Sweat lodge” exercise.

Connie’s book “Tragedy in Sedona” is a fascinating read. We learned how attendees, who had paid up to $10,000 to participate in the retreat, had fasted for 36 hours during a vision quest exercise before the next day’s sweat lodge. During this vision quest, participants were left alone in the Arizona desert with a sleeping bag, although Ray offered them Peruvian ponchos for an additional $250. With these same items on sale at under $30, it makes you wonder where the money went to?

We spent some time updating on the current trial James Arthur Ray, best-selling author and self-help guru, who mixed New Age philosophy with Native American ritual, who is currently the center of a reckless manslaughter trial.

It is very hard to understand some of what went on not only went on before the events on October of 2009, when 55 participants paid $10,000 each to join Ray near Sedona for a week of meditation, which was to be followed by a “rebirth” during a sweat lodge ritual. The event lead to three tragic deaths and several others very seriously injured, to the indifference of the event leader.

There is so much to hear about what went on, so my advice is listen to the show, but more importantly read Connie’s great book, you will be shocked at some of the things you learn.

So sit back and listen to today’s interesting and entertaining show as I host today’s “A Book and a Chat with Connie Joy“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Connie Joy”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Connie Joy”

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
“Connie Joy – Tragedy in Sedona”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany

In a show last year I had a Werewolf dial in and speak or rather chat at the guest author that day, in today’s show with guest Shannon Delany I went even better. Having not one but two guest werewolf’s, in the shape of Pietr and Max, two of the stars of her “13 to Life” series.

In a show that all will enjoy, not only did we hear about book two of Shannon’s hugely popular series, “Secrets and Shadows”, but also about the third book in the series to be launched later this year.

Secrets and Shadows official launch date is February 15th, though as we heard some lucky people were able to get an advance sighed copy yesterday at the wonder “The Voracious Reader”.

For those who do not know the series, “13 to Life”

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide–secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

About Secrets and Shadows:

The supernatural stakes are higher than ever now that more than just werewolves prowl the town of Junction–friendships will be formed, choices will be made and allies may become enemies…

Nothing’s simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she’s seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she’s suspected.

Secrets and Shadows follows where book one leaves off, answering a few questions left from the cliffhanger ending of book one, as well as leaving a many questions in its own right that already have people clamoring for book three. The relationship between Pietr and Jessie is starting to shows signs of the pressure, not being helped by Sarah. The book also involves Max a lot with both of the Rusakovas brother spending a lot of time as wolves. With Shannon’s normal plot twists and turns, secrets are divulged and new questions asked. It is a fast paced page-turner that will keep the many who have been waiting for this book two, on the edge of their seat and asking when the third book will be available.

Pietr and Max, shared with us much of their enjoyment about appearing not only in Shannon’s books, but as we learned soon to appear with her at book signings.

The show was great fun and one that many will enjoy as they already do with this wonderful YA Authors books.

So sit back and listen to today’s thoroughly entertaining show as I host today’s “A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Shannon Delany”

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
Shannon Delany – Secrets and Sadows

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry