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Posts Tagged ‘mystery’

Every so often I get contacted by or have the name of a new author sent to me to see if I think they “might be a good fit for the show”. It is rare that I ever say no, however if the author is a fellow Connecticut author and has written a book that seems to be already a “must read” for many, then you know I will have the author as a guest on my first available slot.

The name Suzanne Palmeiri was sent to me by a previous guest, when I read “absolutely amazing” and “close to perfection” and “magical” I knew that Suzanne would be on the shows first available slot.

Suzanne is a blast of fresh air on the literary map, and her debut novel “The Witch of Little Italy” is a book that has already international. At the same time as Suzanne was snapped up for a two book contract, she also received a contract for “I’ll Be Seeing You,” co written with Loretta Nyhan under the name of Suzanne Hayes which will be released in May.


About “The Witch of Little Italy” (taken from Dream World Book Reviews)


The Witch of Little Italy is the first novel by author and essayist Suzanne Palmieri.

Eleanor “Elly” Amore is pregnant with the baby of her evil and abusive boyfriend. Desperate for support and a fresh start after her theater-actress mother leaves her to deal with her pregnancy alone, Elly decides to reunite with her estranged aunts (all of whom are rumored to practice witchcraft) at their Bronx family home.

Although Elly knows in her heart that she loves her aunts, her memory is fuzzy about the time she’s spent with them, and she cannot recall exactly why her relationship with them is estranged.

Upon arriving at her aunts’ home, Elly is instantly reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Anthony, who also lives in the building. As Elly makes herself at home, she begins to blossom and thrive under all the love she receives. However, ghosts and mysteries dwell in and around the Amore home, putting Elly and her fuzzy memory to the test as she embarks on learning more about her past.

That same reviewer described the book thus…

If I had to use one word to describe Palmieri’s debut, it would be “magical.” Everything about The Witch of Little Italy screams magic as you read it, and the more you read… the more mysterious and magical this book becomes.

The book is story telling at it’s finest, on par with the classics of our youth.

As  Romantic Times Magazine wrote about “The Witch of Little Italy”…

“Suzanne Palmieri’s enthralling debut will make adult readers nostalgic for beloved books from their childhoods. Abundant with secrets, hidden passageways, magic and several enchanting mysteries, it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. The magic and witchcraft elements are subtle, enhancing the over-all effect of this clever, beautiful novel.”

With a second book already in the editing stage and the soon launch of I’ll Be Seeing You” The name of Suzanne Palmieri should be on your “must read” list.

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 Suzanne Palmieri

Barry

Direct link to the show

“A Book and a Chat with Suzanne Palmieri”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from

“Suzanne Palmieri”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:

“Suzanne Palmieri – The Witch of Little Italy”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

Facebook Link: A Book and a Chat on Facebook

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

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Chuck Barrett is my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” an author I first came across during my show following “The Next Big Thing” blogs. During that show I came across his blog about his then  next book “Breach of Power” a book that comes out later this month and was fascinated about the subject and the success of his previous books.

Little did I know when I invited Chuck to be a guest on the show how it would flow with the previous show and the thriller writers such as Jon Land and Gary Grossman who have been gusts in the last few weeks.

Chuck comes from a background of air traffic control with a history of being a commercial pilot and flight instructor, where the only writing might be down to drafting labor agreements.

Like many though he knew he had a story inside of him, so using his own experiences and over a period of twelve years he produced his debut and now award winning novel “The Savannah Project ” which also introduced the readers to Jake Pendleton.

The book became an award-winning novel, winning awards in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Award, International Book Awards, and Reader View’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and received such reviews as…

The Savannah Project signals the arrival of a new member to the thriller genre. “Chuck Barrett”. The tale contains all of the danger, treachery, and action a reader could wish for. The intrigue comes from all directions, slicing and stitching with precision.

This success was followed by “The Toymaker” which as we learned from the show was inspired by a chance meeting while on holiday.

Now comes Chuck new book “Breach of Power“.

About “Breach of Power” (taken from Chucks web site)

A hiker finds a journal deep inside a glacier that was lost during World War II. On its frozen pages are etched the secret locations of treasures lost since the 1940s. But something more ominous is scribed in the journal, something that threatens the Presidency of the United States.


Jake Pendleton is summoned to the White House and instructed to locate and acquire the book. He soon realizes there are others on a quest to find it as well.


Others who will kill to get to it first…

As the reviewer of his first book noted…

…signals the arrival of a new member to the thriller genre. “Chuck Barrett”. 

This third book just cements Chuck as a writer that all thriller lovers will enjoy.

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 Chuck Barrett

Barry

Direct link to the show

“A Book and a Chat with “Chuck Barrett”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from

“Chuck Barrett”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:

“Chuck Barrett – Breach of Power”

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

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Rosemary McCracken
is today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat” she is the author of the thriller novel
Safe Harbor” or is it “Safe Harbour” (You’ll have to listen to the show to
understand that comment).
Rosemary is now a freelance journalist who specializes in
personal finance and the financial services industry though her background has been
working in newspapers across Canada as
a reporter, arts reviewer, editorial writer and editor.
While literature has
always been part of her life it was only in the latter years that she finally
has produced her own literary works. Firstly with short stories and now finally
with her debut novel “Safe Harbor.”
The book was not
without its teething problems, her original attempt seemingly not being wanted,
it was only after sharing her work with v
eteran Canadian crime writer
Gail Bowen who told Rosemary that “This book needs to be written in the first
person…
”, (it was written in the third person), that ”Safe Harbor” became what
it is now.
Rosemary entered the rewrite in the 2010 Debut Dagger
competition, sponsored by the British Crime Writers Association, where it was shortlisted.
The success lead to it being published and Rosemary already has a follow up
under way.
About “Safe Harbor”: (taken from “Morgan Bailey’s Writing
Blog”)
Safe Harbor opens
when a frightened woman barges into financial planner Pat Tierney’s office with
a shocking request: “Look after my boy; he’s your late husband’s son.” The next
day the woman is murdered and police say the seven-year-old may be the killer’s
next target. In a desperate race to protect Tommy, Pat’s searches for the truth
and uncovers a deadly scheme involving illegal immigrants, trafficking in human
body parts and money laundering.
The book has received many great reviews, as one person
wrote.
“The title of Rosemary McCracken’s debut novel, Safe
Harbor, resonates on many levels. Safe Harbor, a house that offers refugees
with questionable legal status a home, is a central player in the novel’s
fast-paced and involving plot. But the words “safe harbor” also reflect
the life financial adviser Pat Tierney has chosen to live after her husband
Michael’s sudden death. In the opening pages of the novel, Pat is ripped from
her safe harbor by a dark secret from her husband’s past. She is forced to meet
challenges she could never imagine, but her courageous refusal to turn from
danger makes her a very compelling protagonist. This novel will stay with you
long after you’ve turned the final page.”

So listen now and share an interesting,and entertaining thirty minutes with my guest Rosemary McCracken.

(If you have enjoyed the blog or the radio show, why not become a follower of the show?)

Barry

Direct link to the show

A Book and a Chat with Rosemary McCracken

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from

“Rosemary McCracken”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:“Rosemary McCracken – Safe Harbor”

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

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D

I am back from my trip back across the pond to England, and what a wonderful time I had there, the whole country during the Olympic Games seemed to be walking around with a smile on its face. From the first to the last it was a truly magical event.
You can read my Olympic blogs at http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com
Talking about magical it’s great to have on my first show back a writer of another truly magical time and location.
Ray East along with her partner Sam D is the author of the magical, mythical, adventure, romance, coming of age YA fantasy novel  VOLUSPA- A Magical World.
While the book is a YA fantasy. It is a crossover between urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a mythological and dystopian twist. This book showcases a unique coming of age story of a fifteen year old girl who struggles with the ramifications of forbidden love, obscure parentage and in essence struggles to find her place in a world that is threatened by her very existence.
One reviewer described the book as having “the edge of Harry Potter, the vibe of Narnia and the twists of Twilight”… now that puts this book as a must read, which it is.
About VOLUSPA- A Magical World(Taken from Amazon)
Twilight meets Harry Potter Amy, a forlorn fifteen year old girl from NYC, never thought that she would attend school on a magical mountain with wild animals as her classmates and that she would go to a prom on a flying carpet.
Its love at first sight when Drake- a shape shifter rescues her from a pre-historic beast and befriends her. Little does she know that Drake’s father is the tyrannical leader who has always wanted Amy and her kind dead. In her struggle to challenge the supremacy in the magical world, she realizes her powers, confronts aspects about herself that she may not be comfortable with, makes lasting friends while excelling in her school – something which she had not been able to do in her human world.
All hell breaks loose, as Drake goes missing and Voluspan mercenaries try to hunt Amy down. Amy and her friends use strategic warfare, pit adversaries among themselves and use every last drop of strength, skill and courage as they take on warriors far more ruthless and skilled than themselves. But Amy is in for a rude shock when she finally finds Drake.
The book has already received many rave reviews with readers clamoring for the next in the series, it is indeed a book for the whole family. As one reviewer wrote..
A plot which sucks you in and you wish for more. The 5 main characters of Amy, Drake, Jacek, Amelio and Cornelius are very well fleshed out, and this is something you dont get to see a lot in middle grade books. I love Amy, the 15 year old heroine and i felt i could relate to her a lot.
What makes books for me is the writing, and this story is amazingly written. There are ancient creatures, gnomes, kapas, griots, niads,gangrels, magic, and you think to yourself “This is true fantasy as far as fantasy will go” but because of the writing, you also feel for the characters, and it all seems so real, so normal, and so true. The events in the book are grand and fantastical, but the emotion that the characters feel, and that you feel with them, is very grounded and personal.
The writing and the story caters itself well to the teen reader, but I enjoyed every bit of reading it with my 12 year old.
I now also add my voice to the many others saying bring on book two…
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 Ray East and Sam D
Barry
Direct link to the show “A Book and a Chat with Ray East and Sam D”
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from “Ray East and Sam D”
You can find out more about my guest and their books at: “Ray East and Sam D -  Voluspa: A Magical World”
Barry Eva (Storyheart)
My Blogs:
Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog – 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

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Today was special “A Book and a Chat” being the 500th show and it was fitting that the guest I had not only kept us laughing but proved yet another interesting and entertaining visitor to the radio show.
Mar Preston has lived a pretty eventful live, when her previous jobs include picking grapes in the Beaujolais fields and daffodils in Eureka, California, where she also sold Fuller Brush door to door, cleaned motel rooms, cracked crab and filleted fish. Her “what if” view on life and imagination developed through short stories until finally after seeing some police monitoring a march she was taking part in the idea for a detective story was born.
Her first book “No Dice” introduces us to melting pot that is Santa Monica as well as Police Detective Dave Mason and Ginger McNair. The knowledge she shows within this real who done it has been remarked about in many rave reviews. I am totally shocked that this is the author’s FIRST novel! It is such a fast paced who-dun-it, that I would have thought she had 5 or 6 books under her belt! Guess being a creative writing teacher really DOES give you the writing chops! You will be hooked from the first chapter of the tight story.
Her characters are lively, true to life and you can’t beat real life for giving you an excellent backdrop to base a story on! The story has lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Even if you guess who the murder suspect is before the end, you’ll be flipping the pages quickly to see how they get caught! You’ll also be hoping there will be another book to follow- and there will be… If you’re looking for a new voice in the police procedural genre, check it out…
The success of this first book leads to “Rip Off” and more of Detective Dave Mason.
About Rip-Off
High-tech burglary and murder are bad for business in the upscale, tourist-destination beach city of Santa Monica with its leftist politics, rich homeowners, and huge homeless population. Bad for Detective Dave Mason of the Santa Monica Police Department.
A deadbeat burglar has been found in the upscale Santa Monica beach condo of a playboy studio exec. The dead body must link up with a string of high-tech burglaries, and the Chechens Mason keeps meeting must link up with each other somehow, but how?
The investigation leads him down mean streets into the dark world of embezzlement and an explosion that almost kills him. The stakes rise as the investigation send Mason to the Hollywood Russian community where he is warned off by the FBI and Homeland Security. A bungled take down results in two murders of key informants. Fingers are pointed. Mason is outranked and the Department blamed.
While Mason brings an international whodunit to an end, restoring his own and the Department’s reputation, he finds his relationship with his community activist girlfriend teetering on the edge.
As Mar shared with us a third Dave Mason book is on the way ash she herself wants to know what happens next to Dave and Ginger.
Meanwhile there is a new “standalone” novel “Payback” soon to hit the shelves.
A California mountain village explodes with the news of the beheading of a popular mayor. But we’re all such nice people here in our little paradise, aren’t we, people ask?
It’s up to Sheriff’s Homicide Detective Dex Stafford to discover who of all these nice people has a dark motive. The village’s Patrol Officer, Holly Seabright, turns out to be a helpful, and attractive, ally in the dangerous unraveling of this fast-paced story.
As a reviewer said… “Her in-depth research into police work, how the police think and function; the story itself which kept me spellbound to the surprising end. Love her character development. A must for all lovers of mystery. “
I for one agree with that and I could not be more pleased to have Mar Preston as a guest on this 500th show.
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 Mar Preston
Barry
Direct link to the show “A Book and a Chat with Mar Preston”
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from “Mar Preston”
You can find out more about my guest and their books at: “Mar Preston – Rip Off”
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

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It has been a great year for debut YA authors be it the “class of 2k10” or the “tenner’s” and I have really enjoyed chatting to the numerous guests who have appeared on my show during the year. I am already around the blogosphere are news of the “class of 2k11” is appearing and I have several already booked to appear on the program next year.

Today’s “A Book and a Chat” was though I am glad to say another chance to get to know a debut author of 2010, as I chatted with Denise Jaden about herself and her debut, and much anticipated novel “Losing Faith”.

Where as many of the guests on the show seem to have been writing from the time they were able to hold their first colored crayon, Denise only took up writing about seven years ago. Since then she has successfully gone from writing short stories to this her debut novel. Not that her past writings have gone un-admired, having won several awards in recognition for her work.

With a background that runs from mushroom picking and church secretary to her love of Polynesian dancer and fitness training, Denise shared with us some of her interesting and entertaining life. We learned about how the first draft her debut novel, was created in just 21 days during National Novel Writing Month (nanwrimo). Also about some of the other work she has produced as well as what might be planned for this year’s creative “nanwrimo”.

About “Losing Faith”:

When Brie’s sister Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a
dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.

The show covered many aspects of writing from outlining and character creation to book censorship.

So sit back and enjoy today’s “A Book and a Chat with Denise Jaden

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Denise Jaden”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Denise Jaden”

You can find out more about my guest and their book at:
“Denise Jaden – Losing Faith”

Don’t Forget November is MALE YA MONTH

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

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Today’s “A Book and a Chat” was show number 200 and I was proud to have one of the Class of 2K10 the one and only Bonnie Doerr as my guest.

When she realized at the age of 6, she could not be a cowboy, or as we found during the program, a horse, nor was there going to be some prince to drag her off to a cozy home on acres and acres of land, she decided to become a teacher. From the early days of doing homework on a chalkboard in her basement to teaching all grades in seven different states, Bonnie has mixed teaching and reading with her love of nature.

This eventually lead to a children’s book “Kenzie’s Key” which was recommended by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for environmental education and is also included in Milkweed Editions literary guides.
Kenzie’s Key was also the grounding of Bonnie debut YA novel “ISLAND STING”.

Published by “Leap Books” and already on its second printing, this book has become one of the successes of 2010.

During what was a wonderful 200th show Bonnie shared with us many items and details about the book, her love of nature and the area of the Florida Keys as well as some insight into the characters win the novel.

ISLAND STING:

What better way to hook readers into a book, than to have your main character almost drown as she rescues what she takes to be a dog, but later finds out is an endangered Key Deer? The fact that she is rescued by a very cute looking guy just adds to the opening pages of this great book.

Mix with that a mystery, poachers, the desire to clean up the litter environment all set in the beauty of the Florida Keys and you have a book that will appeal to all ages.

From science and art teachers, to green teens, or just those who enjoy a good mystery, this book is one that I’m sure will find it way into libraries and peoples must reads for 2010. Bonnie’s second book “STAKEOUT”, a book about turtles already in the final stages of editing, before being released early next year the name Bonnie Doerr is one to look out for.

For my two hundereth show, Bonnie proved a delightful and entertaining and informative a guest as her book “Island” is to read. So sit back and listen to today’s “A Book and a Chat with Bonnie Doerr

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Bonnie Doerr”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Bonnie Doerr”

You can find out more about my guest and their book at:
“Bonnie Doerr – Island Sting”

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

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My guest on tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” is Author/Writer/Poet “Tinisha Nicole Johnson”.

Tinisha has come a long way since at the age of eleven she started writing poetry, keeping several journals of these poems, some of which were published in books poetry collection books.

While poetry is still Tinisha’s first love she has produced novels and short stories across many different realms of writing from her first novel “Searchable Whereabouts” A mystery novel about a woman is trying to unravel the mysterious death of her beloved uncle. To her latest production “Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman

During the show Tinisha shared with us how “Lessons Learned” came about, the inspiration behind the writing and the hope she has that this book will help others.

A self help book, “Lessons Learned” addresses ten life lessons into a woman’s most intimate and professional life, while emphasizing the importance of self-love. The book touches on issues of happiness, self-love, a woman’s worth, family and more. Although the book caters mostly towards women of color, it is a book that any woman can benefit from. With powerful tips, messages, and suggestions it is, as Tinisha hopes a book that can help many.

During the show many area of Tinisha’s writing and work were discussed including what she is currently working on. So why not sit back and enjoy today’s “A Book and a Chat with Tinisha Nicole Johnson” or else download the mp3 and listen at your leisure.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Tinisha Nicole Johnson”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Tinisha Nicole Johnson”

You can find out more about Tinisha and her books at:
“Tinisha Nicole Johnson – Lessons Learned”

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

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You ever have one of those days where you just can’t catch up with things? Tonight’s show was one of those events. I was running a little late due to work, children and the “I’ve just cooked that dinner you had better eat it before your show starts.” I logged onto the system and switchboard to find some strange entry for Skype instead of my normal dial in number, then it hit me. For some reason or other my show booking had not taken when I set it up last weekend. So a mad dash to get the show up and running,meant that my guest and I were just a few minutes late. Still the show proved more than worth those couple of harassed minutes.

Vincent Zandri was my special guest on “A Book and a Chat” tonight, was award-winning novelist, essayist and freelance photojournalist and author of four books including his latest novel “Moon Light Falls“.

Vincent proved a great guest sharing many incites and anecdotes both from journey to the publication of his latest novel, to how the modern use of social networking had helped him.

From majoring in “Rock Star” at college, and how music has been part of his life, to writing blogs for “Russia Today TV” Vincent Zandri has lived what can only be called an interesting life.

His latest novel “Moon Light Falls” is Vincents fourth book following in the successful wake of “As Catch Can” and “Godchild“. It is a thriller full of twists and turns, which as Vincent explains during the show, surprises many readers with the plot, let alone the ending.

So sit back and listen to show or else download it’s mp3 file and listen later to “A Book and a Chat with Vincent Zandri

Barry

Direct Link:
“A Book and a Chat with Vincent Zandri”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Vincent Zandri”

You can find out more about Vincent and his books at:
“Vincent Zandri – Moon Light Falls”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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Gale Laure, a native Texan, is the international selling author of “Evolution of a Sad Woman“. The book is a mystery, suspense, thriller, romance all rolled into one, and as was discovered during the radio show, her next book will even as Sci-Fi to that list.

Evolution Of A Sad Woman is a story that works on multiple levels; beneath the surface of a murder mystery lies the heart of a tale of the incomparable, enduring power of true love. As equally integral parts of her past, each of Kizzy’s five heirs managed to carve out their own special places in her heart, and, thus, subsequently plays a unique role in solving the mystery of her fate. By highlighting the genuine, heartfelt nature of their bonds, author Gale Laure helps the reader reach a higher appreciation of the emotional intricacy of her tale, and, ultimately, of love itself.

Written in a style all will enjoy, while this is Gale’s first book it will certainly not be her last.

From having to re-write her novel when her computer crashed to saving her second book from the jaws of a hurricane. Stop by and listen to the fun thirty minutes as we discuss items virtual book tours, to where Kizzy the books female character might have developed from.

Join me as i chat with Gale Laure and her writing as she is my guest on todays “A Book and a Chat”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond/2009/11/03/A-Book-and-a-Chat-Gale-Laure

or on my blog spot at

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com

Barry



BARRY EVA (Storyheart)
Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
“Across the Pond”

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