Wednesday, September 27, 2017

BULWARK by Brit Lunden: A Wonderful Review done by Foreword Reviews

BULWARK by Brit Lunden:
A Wonderful Review done by Foreword Reviews

BULWARK

Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5


Bulwark is a spooky thriller—a melodrama with horrors and chills.
Brit Lunden’s supernatural thriller Bulwark lifts the veil on eerie happenings in a small town.
A year after the mysterious kidnapping of his daughter, Sheriff Clay Finnes is investigating an accident involving an ever-growing puddle. A gingerbread house materializes at a site that everyone in town claims has been abandoned for a century; his chief deputy has his throat ripped out; there’s talk of hellhounds running loose. He keeps bumping into two cousins, Bobby Ray and Trout, who may be doing more than just hunting rabbits. Meanwhile, he is going through a painful divorce from a woman he still loves, and a local reporter is meddling in his affairs.
The book is well-plotted, telegraphing some of its developments and letting others be a surprise. As the narrative unfurls, the town’s unearthly secrets are plumbed, and more and more of the backstory is revealed. A mix of romantic intrigue and paranormal action propels Bulwark forward at a riveting pace.
Natural dialogue employs regional dialects and advances the story, carrying a lot of emotional freight and containing the right amount of exposition, as when the sheriff claims that “duty calls” and his estranged wife, Jenna, responds that “it always does.” Such lines are telling but also evocative, leaving the imagination to fill in the blanks. The book is at its most effective and intriguing when it hints at troubled pasts, dark mysteries and an eldritch otherworldliness.
The prose is often workmanlike, but occasionally contains unexpected flair (“once Jenna saw Dayna wrapped around him like a boa constrictor”), and even reaches poetic heights from time to time. Scenes are effectively set and develop the characters. Minor errors in punctuation and grammar are an occasional distraction.
In this brief, plot-driven work, many characters are underdeveloped. They are introduced and typically stay true to form to keep the narrative moving forward. Some of the ancillary characters are clichéd—a blockheaded sheriff’s deputy, a dimwitted cousin, a Lothario doctor. Main characters are more fully sketched out––Finnes’s motivations, for example, are always clear––and are interesting and relatable.
The novel is very effective at creating atmosphere, conjuring a Gothic world populated by monsters and the stuff of fairy tales. An air of paranormal mystery hangs over the small Southern town throughout the book, but the police protagonist and other identifiable characters keep it anchored with a degree of verisimilitude as events become increasingly crazier and more supernatural.
Bulwark is a spooky thriller––a melodrama with horrors and chills. It’s a tale of the fearsome and fantastical that succeeds as a light diversion.
Reviewed by Joseph S. Pete
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/bulwark/

Monday, September 25, 2017

Interesting Perspective on Autism...

The two titles I've published are, "What She Says & What I See" and "What's This Thing Called Safety?"  I have a third coming out next month, "Learning About My Disability Through Others".  In all honesty, I'm loving the third book in the series the best, but then again I'm probably biased.  ;)

Chris, the main character, is an Autistic boy who goes through distinct challenges.  Throughout all the stories, Chris learns how to accept himself, understand his symptoms better, and overcome hurdles.  His mother aids in these journeys.  With each book, I have developed specific grammar that an Autistic child can comprehend.  With awesome illustrations and a fun rhyming rhythm - all children will be delighted to read.  I've also been told by some, and seen reviews that state it brought them to a better understanding of Autism.  They could now see through that child's eyes, never having a child with a special need.

In," What She Says & What I See", Chris takes the phrase, "Night, night, don't let the bed bugs bite" - literally.  Which is something a lot of Autistic children do.  His mother doesn't realize it, but once she does; Chris's mom uses another technique to ensure Chris goes to bed with happy thoughts.  Since children at the age of 5, might be delayed and don't understand titles- the book doesn't use extensive pronouns or adjectives to ensure the moral of the story is comprehended-not the language aspect.  I've condensed the story for children who may have ADHD or focusing issues.

 I've designed the books in the series to include Chris's age ranging from infancy throughout High school.  As the mentality strengthens in the children,  a parent/caregiver will be able to chose a book from the series which exemplifies their strengths but aids their weaknesses.  I began the series at age 5, only because I felt that hitting on crucial issues first was imperative vs. the age being an issue.

In," What's This Thing Called Safety", Chris has aged, slightly.  He keeps hearing his mom repeat the words, "Safety First" -yet doesn't know what it means. This topic hits home severely, considering my child went on a walk-about one time.  The hardest and most shocking thing to ever endure.  I've also noticed a lot of children with Autism: forget safety rules, have impulse control problems, and "safety" is not easily understood.  Using the voice of Chris (first person narrative), the reader follows along, learning just how Chris grasped the safety aspect.  There are also analogies with great illustration to help the moral sink deep into the brain.  Not to be forgotten by anyone who reads.

I'm super stoked about the third book in the series.  This time, I bring the reader along as if they are a part of the story.  Children will learn a cognitive game and be able to participate in a coloring exercise that helps the parent/caregiver understand the child better.  Chris, the main character, is going to a fair for those with disabilities.  Little does he know that many at the fair don't share the same one.  Throughout the journey, the reader and Chris meet a little girl named Annie.  Chris thinks she is weird and continues moving through the fair.  During lunch time, his mother asks him to help set the picnic area.  There, Chris has a slight meltdown, but able to turn it around.  He also finds his mother's word's so inspiring about Annie's condition, Schizophrenia; Chris begins a search for Annie (another game in the book) to apologize for his past behavior.  In the end, Chris, Annie, and hopefully the reader- understand the similarities within the differences.  Chris also learns that there are many types of disabilities, but there is one thing they all share in common.

Website: www.rbdaniels.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rbdaniels260Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBDaniels260Fbpage: https://www.facebook.com/autism.RBDGoodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/RBDaniels
My books can be found on Amazon.com /createspace.com/ barnesandnoble.com I also have a Gofundme fundraiser in which I'm going to start using the money earned to help sponsor families in need-having children with Autism/disabilitieshttps://www.gofundme.com/sponsoring-families-in-needI'm also beginning a YouTube channel in which will run concurrent with the books.  Kids are going to host it, but should be a lot of fun when done
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXi3sJejM3P0iio83cxIrOA? Or very easy found under Ronnie B. Daniels


Friday, September 15, 2017

A Huge Carole P. Roman Classroom 32 Book Bundle Giveaway! #ReadYourWorld

A Huge Carole P. Roman Classroom 
32 Book Bundle Giveaway! 
#ReadYourWorld
September 15, 2017 by Valarie Budayr Leave a Comment
It all started with a question from a little boy; a question about an iconic landmark 
that most adults recognize easily.
Author Carole P. Roman fondly remembers the day she and her grandson were 
spending time together on a family trip to Las Vegas. As a curious four-year old, 
Carole’s grandson spotted a replica of the Eiffel Tower and asked what it was. 
After explaining what the iconic Paris, France landmark was, she realized that 
kids needed a colorful and easy way to learn about the world around them. 
In that moment the idea for what is now a 50+ book collection was born.
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still 
working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense 
of humor as well as a love for history and culture with the audience she adores.
“I wanted a way to explain cultures, provide gentle lessons, show examples of 
dreaming big to young readers to they don’t feel limited in what they can achieve,” 
Carole noted. “I also wanted to provide books that acted as introductions to 
cultures, religions, ethnic foods, historic times and even period dress. It was an 
exciting new journey that was vastly different from current role, but one I was
 thrilled to embark on nonetheless.”
As a very success business owner, Carole soon found herself “reinventing” 
her career path in her sixties and taking on the new role of children’s book author. 
Since that first inspiration moment with her grandson, Carole has self-published 
five different series-totaling 50+ books.


If You Were Me and Lived in… is an award-winning collection of twenty-two books 
that share national identities and cultural experiences with the middle reader crowd.
 This series has been given multiple awards and is extremely popular in the 
homeschool community. It’s spin-off of the same name, addresses historical 
time periods and is fast being recognized as a great introduction to history by 
homeschooling moms.
Carole’s massive catalog of published works is broken up into several types and
 ten of her titles make up the “historical series.” These books include 22 notable
 titles like If You Were Me and Lived in….(Peru, Egypt, North Korea, Italy etc).


Her ten If You Were Me and Lived in- Historical series books includes a look at life
 in Ancient Rome, Mars, Colonial Times and many more.


One Lucky Winner
Carole has always been incredibly generous with of all her wonderful diverse books
 and this time is no exception! One lucky winner will win one copy of each of her 22
 Cultural Series books and one copy each of her 10 Historical Series books for their
 classroom bookshelf!
You do not need to be a teacher or educator to enter, but it is our hopes to get
 these wonderful books into the hands of young readers to be used in an 
educational setting.
Giveaway Rules and Guidelines
ONE winner will receive a one copy of each of Carole’s If You Were Me and Lived 
in…historical series and one copy each of her If You Were Me and Lived in…
cultural series.
Giveaway begins September 15, 2017 and ends September 22, 2017
·         Prizing & samples  courtesy of Author of the above books
·         Giveaway open to US addresses only
·         ONE lucky winner will win one copy of each of the above books.
·         Residents of USA only please.
·         Must be 18 years or older to enter
·         One entry per household.
·         Staff and family members of all MCBD team members or Carole Roman’s team members are not eligible.
·         Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize
·         Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on 9/23/17

Friday, September 8, 2017

BookWorks Back to School Recommended Reading

BookWorks Back to School Recommended Reading

Can you believe it’s September already! (We hope you caught some of the titles in the July and Aug posts.) The air feels crisper, the days are getting shorter and there’s a sense of greater energy/urgency as Nature and we prepare to collect on the efforts and bounty of another year. September also means new…
Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Can you believe it's September already! (We hope you caught some of the titles in the July and Aug posts.) The air feels crisper, the days are getting shorter and there's a sense of greater energy/urgency as Nature and we prepare to collect on the efforts and bounty of another year. September also means new beginnings for those heading back to school with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
They say one should never stop learning (and we agree wholeheartedly) so here are some edifying reads from our BookShop for scholars of all ages and ilks:

Elementary Fundamentals

Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com"School days, school days, dear old golden rule days...". Much may have changed since that song, yet the thrill and challenge of the first day of school remain. Kids today are smarter, but the power of a good book to enlighten young minds and summon a giggle can still trump anything on mass media.
Any Two Can Be Twindolicious by Natasha Danna (Twins Violet and Kelly discover their own uniqueness despite their look alike appearance in this charming illustrated book.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
The Day My Fart Followed Me to Hockey by Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence (Part of a series about a friendly fart who shows up in the most unlikely places. Irresistible because let's face it...fart humor never gets old.)
Bumbling Bea by Deborah Baldwin (A would-be thespian has to contend with the drama that takes place outside the school play. 3rd graders and up will relate.)
Little Miss History Travels to Ellis Island by Barbara Ann Mojica  (An illustrated series that takes young readers to famous places and events where Little Miss History shares the important facts.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Mr. Pete Where Are Your Feet? by Katherine Bartlett (Delightful rhyming verse about a little blue parakeet for beginning readers.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Ava the Monster Slayer: A Warrior Who Wears Glasses by Lisa Maggiore (Don't mess with Ava! She may be small and cute and wear glasses, but she gets the job done when someone messes with her favorite stuffie.)
If You Were Me and Lived in Kenya by Carole P. Roman (Another fun illustrated series that teaches young readers about their peers who live in countries around the world.)

The In-Betweens

Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.comIn the middle and halfway to graduation, in the zone between little kids and adolescents, middle schoolers have active imaginations—which won't be disappointed by these:
Greg's First Adventure in Time by C.M. Huddleston (Greg experiences history and archaeology firsthand when he ends up time traveling to visit early Native Americans. Book 1 of a series of time travel adventures for young explorers.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
The Mystery of the Masked Marauder by Peter Cox (Kidnapping, mystery and the secret life of pets—can Nate and his trusty companion Basset solve the crime? Maybe the animals know.)
Billy Bedivere in the Quest for the Dragon Queen by Alan Sproles (An unexpected cry for help sends Billy on a fantastical adventure that will change his life forever.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Kin Seeker, Book One of Dragon Calling and Kin Seeker Companion Guide by N.R. Eccles-Smith (A little something for all lovers of myth, magic, adventure, mystery. and suspense...with more to come.)
A Little Wicked by Janet Macreery (Young Dory's tale begins in 17th century Scotland and takes her across the sea to colonial America during the Salem witch trials in this riveting historical adventure.)

Too Cool for School

Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.comTeens are practically their own species, navigating a pivotal age that is quite a ride. They deserve books that inspire, entertain and acknowledge the complex emerging adult they are.
Maggie Vaults Over the Moon by Grant Overstake (An uplifting story of a young heroine who copes with loss and grief by literally hurling herself skyward as a competitive pole vaulter.)
Storm Born by Amy Braun (A plucky heroine confronts strange, dark, alien forces from an alternate realm in this action/adventure novel.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
The Queen of England: Coronation by Courtney Brandt (Fans of steampunk, romance and legend will be hooked on this alt-reality tale set in 1840 London, which happily, is the first of a series.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
The Packing House by G. Donald Cribbs (Dealing with the challenges many teens face from bullying and a broken home, Joel runs away but his nightmares follow unless he can find the key to set himself free.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
A Gift of Wings by Stephanie Stamm (Sci-fi/urban fantasy novel with another strong female protagonist, that combines romance, danger, ancient forces and the paranormal.)

Never Too Old for Back to School

Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.comHumans are a curious bunch, always looking to acquire new knowledge and improve our skills. Here are just a few titles that will get those mental gears working, expand your intellectual toolbox and maybe even help you with your next book. So back to school with you!
Medieval Underpants and Other Blunders (Third Edition) by Susanne Alleyn (Indispensable to anyone writing historical fiction or using historical references in their books who want to avoid historical incongruities.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Closest to the Fire, A Writer's Guide to Law and Lawyers by Karen A. Wyle (By a lawyer, for students and authors of legal thrillers or anyone who wants to understand and write about the legal system.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
Compelling Conversationsand Compelling American Conversations by Eric H. Roth (If you are not a native speaker this series compiled by a team of English teachers will help intermediate and advanced ESL students to master their conversation skills.)Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com
The 7-Step Guide to Authorpreneurship by Rochelle Carter (Award-winning guide that takes the author from concept to execution to create a sustainable writing business.)
101 Medical Word Search Puzzles by Joseph C. Kunz (Challenge your medical word prowess with these entertaining and vocabulary-building puzzles.)

What's in Your Back to School Book Bag?Back to School Recommended Reading from BookWorks.com

So there you have it, a few selections to get your September off to a great start. These are just some of the excellent offerings in our BookShop. Have a look and pick a few of your own. Let's read each other's work and support our collective indie endeavors. Submit your suggestions in the comments or on the Discussion Groups topic "Read Any Good Books Lately?".

Tuesday, September 5, 2017