Barbara J. Smith - Author and Freelance Editor

Faith and the Mafia

2012-01-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

This Thing of Ours: How Faith Save My Mafia Marriage, by Cammy Franzese caught my attention. Unlike similar books, it also kept my attention. Cammy was a dancer and had an opportunity to dance for a movie production. Along the way she met and fell in love with Michael Franzese. Being naïve and not picking up on hints from friends, she married Michael despite his past as a member of the mob. This book tells the story of Cammy’s life raising three of their four children mostly alone while Michael served time. Despite the hardship, she and her husband remained devoted to each other. Along the way, Michael found God and his new mission in life. Cammy, although raised by a Christian Mom, took her time in following Michael’s pursuit and testimonies. She eventually did, however, find a calling talking with other young women who were dealing with similar issues in their married lives.

This is a story of faith as both Cammy and Michael, along with their four children, go through the trials of prison life and the fairness and unfairness of arrests and red tape. Despite some very difficult times, the family that nearly collapsed from time to time, has come together and continues quite intact.

Cammy Franzese’s This Thing of Ours is a quick read. It’s entertaining, educational, inspiring, and, yes, I admit it – a real tear jerker.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T04:51:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to you and your family. And may you have a healthy and happy 2012!

Nearing Home!

2011-12-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Billy Graham’s book Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well has a simple message. It’s a message we’ve all heard – accept Jesus Christ – yet it’s delivered in such a simple and non-preachy manner that we can read it without getting our backs up. You know what I mean because we’ve all been preached to. And that preaching doesn’t always win over our hearts. Billy Graham doesn’t do that in this book. He delivers his message in a gentle manner. He speaks honestly about aging and we all (some more than others) can relate to this. But his message comes through and yet we can read that Billy Graham is at peace in his life and in his future.

Nearing Home is an honest look at Billy’s end-of-life journey with his simple but definite suggestions for us all. No matter how you feel about the subject, this book is worth a read.

William G. Bentrim Does It Again!

2011-11-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Wicked Good Stepmother, by William G. Bentrim, is a nice story that will help ease the fears many children face these days. With divorce common, many children are faced with the insecurities and fears that go along with a new stepmother or stepfather. This fear may be worse in the case of a parent’s death and a remarriage by the remaining parent. In this book, Bentrim shows how Bonnie and Bradley face their fears of a new stepmother. They know all the scary stories of wicked stepmothers but don’t know any about good ones. They definitely expect the worse when Dad returns from his deployment with a new wife.

The story allows Bonnie and Bradley to express their fears but also shows how their Dad demonstrates his love for each of them. And the new “wicked” stepmother handles the situation perfectly so that they can all face the unknown days ahead as a great new adventure.

If a child you know is dealing with similar fears, they may be comforted to see how Bonnie and Bradley can now face their future together with love and hope. This is also a good book for those who are not facing this situation so that they can better understand friends who may be going through a similar scary times.

Read The Wicked Good Stepmother to your child and help ease their fears. Well done, Mr. Bentrim!

American Politics and Global History

2011-11-13T03:32:00.000-08:00

America The Last Best Hope Volume III, by William J. Bennett is a book describing America through its politics and world relationship during the past 30 years. It touches on the Presidents and their administrations from the end of the Cold War through a close inspection of the years since 1998 and our present-day difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Surprisingly, it was an easy read despite the heaviness of the subject. It was totally unbiased, which is like a breath of fresh air these days. So many publications are extremely conservation or extremely liberal. I found Bennett’s unbiased handling of this history both fair and informative. If you’re interested in global events and the political world, Bennett’s America The Last Best Hope Volume III is a good, informative book to read.

Where Has Oprah Taken Us?

2011-10-28T05:12:00.000-07:00

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? by Stephen Mansfield will be a magnet for many. With Oprah being a household word, readers will flock to this book. Most who have watched Oprah’s show over the years love her. They may agree with some of her topics and disagree with others. But the general consensus is they like her and like her guests and topics of discussion. Some of those discussions have been difficult to watch, such as child and spouse abuse, murder and rape. Others have been enlightening. This book covers her personal life, her rise to fame, and her TV show and acts of charity and generosity. But the main thrust of the book is her faith journey and where it has led her.

Raised as a Baptist, Oprah has made a 180-degree turn, and then another turn and another turn. She’s studied many religions including most Eastern ones. And, according to Mansfield, Oprah has created her own “religion of self” based on the aspects of each religion she prefers. It was an interesting book about Oprah’s life but I disagreed with the Mansfield attempt to blame her for leading her fans astray. If a fan is moved to the point that he or she abandons his or her own religion then that person was searching for something different anyway. If a fan is so wishy-washy that he or she changes each time Oprah features a new guest and new religion, then anyone could have changed that person’s beliefs. If someone is strong in his or her faith, watching and listening to Oprah would have been interesting but not earth shattering.

If you are searching, read this book – it may lead you somewhere new. If you are strong in your faith, read this book – it will be interesting but won’t affect your beliefs. If you have no faith, then the book will still be interesting but have little or no effect on you. Me? It didn’t affect me in any way other than to learn a bit about Oprah’s childhood, climb to the top of her career, and her beliefs.

Mansfield’s Where Has Oprah Taken Us? is a quick read but only if you’re an Oprah fan. If not, move on to read something with more substance.

A Quirky Christmas – Not just for Christmas

2011-09-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

Bentrim has done it again! A Quirky Christmas: A Tale of Christmas Spirit, by William G. Bentrim, is a delightful story for any time of year – not just for Christmas. But it would make a great gift for under the tree. It’s a story about four squirrels who display the same traits we find in people. Three of them, Quirky, Stubby and Art, are good friends. Each one has his own little idiosyncrasies but they are still good friends and overlook each other’s “issues.” And then there’s Reggie who seems to have an attitude and considers himself “above” the other normal squirrels.

The squirrels manage to co-exist despite the underlying friction caused by Reggie’s aloofness and greed. Then it happens. A “giant” comes along and cuts down Reggie’s tree, takes it into the house and decorates it for Christmas. It’s beautiful but Reggie is beside himself. Quirky, Stubby and Art show compassion and offer a helping hand. Reggie is surprised they’d be so nice to him after he treated them so poorly. He softens and learns a great lesson.

This story is a fun read for young children, while it subtly teaches them to be kind to others. It’s advertised for ages 9 to 12 but I feel the book is for younger children. My 5-year-old granddaughter loves it! It’s a great book for reading to young children yet still fun for the older self-reader. Put Bentrim’s A Quirky Christmas under the Christmas tree for your favorite child. It will delight him or her for years to come.

Surprised by Oxford is no Surprise

2011-09-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Surprised by Oxford, by Carolyn Weber, is a memoir of the author’s journey from an agnostic to a Christian. She had a tough childhood yet, through perseverance, she managed to get through college and received a scholarship to Oxford. That’s when her journey took off in a new and surprising direction. Early on she met an interesting man she called TDH, short for tall, dark and handsome. He’s a Christian and leads her toward Christianity despite the fact that she continues to fight it. But Jesus wins out in this struggle and “Caro” becomes a happy Christian. The book shows how others affect her life and how she, in turn, affects other’s lives.

The book is an easy read and Weber’s story is interesting. However, I feel it was about twice as long as it needed to be. Some may love the book while others will react as I did. Enough is enough. End the book and come to the not-so-surprising ending. Apparently, this book could have been much longer because the ending was summed up in a few pages while we had to read through hundreds of pages to get there.

Yes, Christians will enjoy this book and it is interesting for non-Christians also. I don’t think it’s the type of book that will convert anyone. And the length may just turn some off. Don’t get me wrong, I think Weber is an excellent writer. She just needs to know when to end a good thing.

Survival on 9/11 - A Different Point of View

2011-08-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Thunder Dog, by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory was quite a surprise. I began this book with apprehension. I’m just not ready to be reading books about 9/11 as it’s still too painful. But this book and Michael Hingson’s story is different as it’s about his harrowing escape that day and, also, about his survival each and every day of his life. Hingson is blind and has dealt with issues all his life, but his blindness has never held him back. Try riding a bike or even driving a car with your eyes closed. Try walking through a room and “hearing” the coffee table before running into it. Life has been a series of challenges for Hingson and he’s met each and every one of those challenges head on. 9/11 brought on a challenge no one ever expected. Hingson met that challenge too.

The book describes how Hingson, along with his various guide dogs, has met these challenges and acquired skills most people assumed he could never achieve. The tales of his life are interspersed with his story of 9/11 and his long walk down 78 flights of stairs along with his wonderful guide dog, Roselle and his friend Dave.

Hingson did a great job in telling his story of that tragic day and the aftermath. But he also managed to teach the reader the challenges and the capabilities of the blind. We all tend to assume the blind can’t do many things in life. Let’s not cut them short. Hingson even flew and landed a plane!

This is a fast-reading book and very interesting to boot. Yes, it’s a depressing and sad topic as we deal with 9/11 over and over again. But it’s a day that’s etched in all our lives forever so read Thunder Dog for a very different viewpoint – not from the tragic event but from the survivor’s point of view.

A Whole Book of Quotes from Sarah!

2011-06-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Quotable Rogue -the Ideals of Sarah Palin in Her Own Words, edited by Matt Lewis is a compilation of quotes by, who else but Sarah Palin. Despite the fact that some quotes are entertaining and some are obviously coming from an intelligent woman, I really don’t know why any of us would want to read a book of Palin quotes. She is definitely not my favorite politician but I also believe she is often misrepresented by the press. Hey, that’s the nicest thing I may say about her so take it or leave it.

Many of the funny and way out quotes we’ve all heard over and over again are in this book, but not taken out of context. But even in context these quotes don’t impress me one iota. And a whole book of them? No, I’m sorry, this is definitely not a book for me. But if you’re a Palin fan and are hoping she’ll be president one day then you may enjoy reading this book.

Song of the Silk Road - Fast, Steamy, but not my Cup of Tea

2011-06-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

Song of the Silk Road by Mingmei Yip is a fast read. It covers some wonderful aspects of the Chinese culture and beautiful descriptions of geography along the Silk Road. That’s where my admiration ends. Lily Lin is the main character of the story. She’s a struggling writer who is involved with her married professor. She receives a mysterious offer from an aunt she never knew she had. Lily is told she must travel the Silk Road and follow specific instructions and she will be rewarded with $3 million.

Lily decides to take on the too-good-to-be-true challenge and heads for the Silk Road. Some of her adventures are interesting but most everything that she experiences is, well, slightly unbelievable. I loved the explanations of the culture and ways of the Chinese, but a good part of this book seems to be contrived to “fit” into the storyline.

There’s a great deal of romance and “just plain old sex” in the story. Lily seems a bit of a fly-by-night to me. I’m sure anyone who is into steamy sex and romances would enjoy this book. No, I’m not a prude but this story goes a bit overboard. It could have been written with lots of great descriptions of the culture and history of the Silk Road and with less of the sex scenes. But all in all, the story would still seem rather far fledged.

If you want a quick read and can look beyond the silliness of some of the storyline, you may well enjoy this book. Personally, I’m glad I read it but am rather unhappy I actually paid money for it.

Live Like the Amish in Tough Economic Times

2011-06-14T05:58:00.001-07:00

Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing and Saving, by Lorilee Craker is a delightful little book. Ms. Craker comes from a Mennonite heritage and decides to explore the frugal ways of the Amish when she runs into some tough economic times. She learns a great deal of how to live within her means as she teaches us some of the traditions of the Amish culture.

Saving money is the way of life for the Amish and we could all learn a lot from them. She translates some of what she learns into our own “English” culture. Living within means Amish style is a far cry from how the “Fancy” people live. Maybe we can’t live totally debt free but there can be a nice compromise. The Amish believe loans are considered “stealing” and tend to pay their debts not only on time but ahead of schedule. Needless to say, the Amish don’t have trouble getting credit – the lenders know full well that they will pay back well in advance.

Ms. Craker gives loads of hints of living frugally and many can be applied to our lifestyle as well. However, there are a few extremes. For instance, there’s no way I’d but a mixture of honey and vinegar in my eyes to avoid cataracts. Bring on the cataracts I say! Other than a few extremes, there is plenty one can take away from this book if they hope to change their spending habits. But the reader will also learn a great deal about these beautiful and happy people.

Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing and Saving is a quick read and quite interesting. There’s a lot of humor throughout the book and I must admit I laughed out loud reading some of the stories about both the “Plain” and the “Fancy” people. My only criticism is that I wish Ms. Craker had listed all the websites she mentioned at the end of the book for easy reference. I had to go through the book a second time to find the more interesting websites I wanted to visit. Other than that, take a chance reading this book. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed even if you’re not trying to live a more frugal lifestyle.

Cute Children's Book

2011-06-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Lee Pritchett has done it again. He has a new book titled, Bert Tumblefluff and Friends. As his last book The Tale of Greta Gumboot and Other Stories, this is also a collection of stories set in a magical world. Many of these stories are sequels to previous stories from the first book but they are easy to pick up even having not read the first book.

Greta Gumboot, Gilbey, and Mr. Bumble return to new adventures any child will enjoy. Broken up into many separate stories, this is a book that will be hard for children to put down. Yet with each story a complete tale in itself children can finish one and have the anticipation of a new one for tomorrow.

Holly and the Epheline were my favorites in Pritchett’s first book and they continue to be my favorite in the new book. Pritchett has outdone himself with stories and illustrations. Many of these stories could have been a storybook by itself, but Pritchett has compiled them into one big fun book. I think your children will enjoy Bert Tumblefluff and Friends as much as they liked The Tale of Greta Gumboot and Other Stories.

Too Far-fetched for Me!

2011-05-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity, by Andy Andrews, is fiction with bits of non-fiction thrown in. It’s about a man, David Ponder, who is trying to save mankind. He does this with the help of Joan of Arc, Winston Churchill, Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln, and other real-life characters. I find the story so far-fetched that I had a hard time forcing myself to continue to read it. I don’t mind fiction if there’s some basis of realism but this is way out there. I’m sure Mr. Andrews means well and I’m sure he has a large audience for this type of book. It’s just not for me. If you’re into this type of book you’ll enjoy it as it is a quick read.

Daddy Dates Helps Build Strong Relationships

2011-05-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

Daddy Dates, by Greg Wright, is a great little book for fathers who want to create and/or improve the emotional connection with their daughters. Many fathers, busy with their careers, spend little time with the family. Wright gives pointers and suggestions in ways dads can connect with their daughter one-on-one.

This connection is far more important than just creating quality time for father and daughter. It also helps insure the daughter’s future relationships with boyfriends, husbands, and other males in their future. No, it doesn’t eliminate the chance that a young woman may end up in an abusive relationship, but it does help build that security needed to, hopefully, avoid that possibility.

The book is broken down into short chapters dealing with different topics and strategies for dates with their daughters. It’s a quick and easy read but also a book that you can go back to for a refresher course whenever needed. Dads need to take the time to work on their relationship with their daughters and this book helps the Dad build the relationship and prepare him for the daughter’s growing years. At the same time, it helps the daughter build a relationship with the number one man in her life. And it really is easy once the process gets underway. All dads should take the time to read Wright’s Daddy Dates.

Bach - The Man and the Musician

2011-04-29T13:25:00.001-07:00

Johann Sebastian Bach, by Rick Marschall is a good book for anyone interested in this wonderful musician. It’s a quick and interesting read full of facts – known and little known – about Bach. Although Bach is well known as a musician, some may not know the depth of his faith. This book shows both sides of the man as well as the times in which he lived. If you’re interested in Bach and history, you’ll enjoy this book by Rick Marschall.

Hardy and Tiny are Back with Gusto!

2011-04-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hardy Belch and Tiny Return, by William G. Bentrim is filled with real-life stories and situations and not-so-real life hysterics. This book is divided into four separate stories, each based on something Hardy Belch has read about or learned in school. Then a mystery presents itself and he and his 240-pound telepathic dog, Tiny, set out to solve it. With the knowledge he already has he and Tiny are able to solve each mystery. But the most fun in this book is the conversations between Hardy and Tiny. Yes, Tiny can converse - in Hardy’s mind, of course.

Children and young adolescents will love the mystery and humor in each of these stories. And they will learn something as they read through this book. If you have a good sense of humor, you won’t be able to help yourself – you’ll just laugh out loud reading Bentrim’s Hardy Belch and Tiny Return.

The Fight of Our Lives is Overstated

2011-04-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Fight of Our Lives, by William Bennett and Seth Leibsohn had interesting points, most of which have been rehashed over and over again in the decade since September 11, 2001. I agree that most terrorists are from radical Islam, but I do not believe the majority of Muslim people are terrorists. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The authors seem to be saying that our national security is in greater danger because of political correctness. Give me a break! Why can’t we be open-minded and understanding of all people? No, I don’t mean we should bow down to radicals but we certainly shouldn’t be as narrow-minded as the radicals are!

According to this book, Bush got nearly everything right and Obama is getting everything wrong. I believe politics is politics. Bush’s administration certainly messed up and Obama’s administration isn’t perfect either. Why can’t our country and our politicians work together? Stop with the extreme conservative and extreme liberal side of politics – that’s nearly as bad as the radicals we’re trying to fight.

Don’t get me wrong, there was much truth in this book, but it’s nothing new and it’s certainly expressed from the extreme right. I define myself as a moderate and both extremes irritate the heck out of me. Let’s be a little more understanding of all peoples and all religions and let’s fight what we need to fight (the extremes).

OK, now I’ll calm down long enough to say that I wasn’t a great fan of this book. I truly hope we can, one day, achieve peace. I know, many say this is naïve but we can at least move in that direction by being a little more open-minded about all religions. And, no, I’m not saying we shouldn’t fight back when attacked but let’s try to do it responsibly. We’re in a war situation now that I know we can’t walk away from as much as many Americans would like to. But making comments about an entire religion is not the way to getting closer to some kind of peace.

Rick and Bubba's Story

2011-03-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How Two Kids from Calhoun County, Alabama Became Rick and Bubba, by Rick Burgess and Bill Bussey is about two Southern good ol’ boys who made it big. I never heard of them until I agreed to review this book.

The book is not only about their journey in radio and television broadcasting, but also about their journey in faith. On their morning radio show they were themselves – and no one else. They loved sports, food and their God.

This is a very easy read and I enjoyed it despite my first impression. I was a bit distressed that I agreed to review the book but I really enjoyed it. My only gripe is that I could never quite figure out what was not completely true in their story. How much could I believe?

Their journey to stardom was not always easy. It took many detours as they were let go from station after station. But none of that was because they weren’t popular with their listeners. They were just “different” from the run-of-the-mill programs on radio. With perseverance and hard work, they continued to survive and finally made it big.

Their story includes their families and home life, their religion and politics. I don’t agree with everything they believe in but I do feel this is an easy read and an enjoyable book.

Spring Training – Time to Read About Baseball Too!

2011-02-26T08:51:00.001-08:00

Pujols: More Than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth, is a book many baseball fans would enjoy reading. I love watching baseball but would seldom bother to read about it. So reviewing a book about baseball would not have been my first choice. The statistics quoted in the book are rather boring although I’m sure my husband will enjoy reading the book.

Despite that, this book is quite interesting and kept my interest. The story of Pujol’s faith and family and how he grew within that faith is quite interesting. The book and Pujol’s story kept my interest and I read through the book much faster than I expected I would.

If you’re a baseball fan, you definitely should pick up Pujols: More than the Game.

Get Caught!

2011-01-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

Caught, Harlan Coben, is a quick read. It’s a mystery dealing with a missing high school senior and a recently identified pedophile. But it goes way beyond that when a local TV reporter tries to connect all the dots and ends up looking into several lives of a group of friends from Princeton University.

I particularly enjoyed this book because it’s centered mainly in North Jersey near where I grew up. So I recognized many of the places mentioned and that’s always a bit of a kick. Beyond that, the story itself is full of twists and turns and confuses, not only the local TV reporter and a few persistent police investigators, but also the reader. Each time I thought we were close to solving the mystery another twist would develop. This book certainly keeps you on your toes.

My only criticism of the book is that Coben needs to get all his facts straight if he bases a story on a real-life place. Princeton does not have a medical school. That’s such a small part of the story it didn’t even need to be mentioned in the book, but it is, in fact, inaccurate.

If you like mysteries, you’ll love this book. You won’t be able to put it down until you reach the end. And then you’ll wish for more. Enjoy getting Caught!

Surviving Rejection

2011-01-31T06:05:00.001-08:00

Left at the Altar, by Kimberley Kennedy is a short book and quick read. It tells the author’s true story of literally being left at the altar and how she got through the days, weeks, and years after her humiliating rejection. It’s also full of stories of others who had similar tales of their own. One thing I noticed is that the man is always the bad guy – seldom is it the other way around. It also is deeply religious. I have no problem with that but one must, of course, get through this with the love and support of friends and family, along with God. Beyond that, this book will surely touch those who have been through similar situations, whether they rely on God’s help or not. If you’ve been through this type of situation or if you know someone who has, this is a good book to read.

Entertaining but Predictable Storyline

2011-01-21T06:46:00.000-08:00

Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James is a quick read. It’s interesting but predictable. It’s about a young woman, Charlotte Hale, a secretary at a newspaper in the early 20th century. She’s one step closer to her goal to be a reporter when her boss asks her to take a position as a governess in order to “spy” on a local professor and devout Christian. She is torn between ethics and ambition. However, as the story unfolds it’s rather obvious what is going to happen. The storyline is typical where she feels guilty but also needs to finish the job in order to advance in journalism. As hard as she tries, she cannot find anything to pin on the professor and, of course, falls in love. If you’re looking for a light read, this book is for you. I found it easy to read but with little substance.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T14:05:00.001-08:00

Have a healthy and happy 2011!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T08:27:00.001-08:00

I'd like to wish you and your families a very safe and happy holiday.

Lies the Government Told You - A Real Eye Opener

2010-12-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

Lies the Government Told You: Myth, Power, and Deception in American History, by Andrew P. Napolitano, is definitely a book worth reading. I’m not a fan of big government. I know the government doesn’t tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in all situations. But when I read about all the circumstances in this one book, I realized how untruthful the government can be. Of course, some issues need to be covered up (for awhile) for the sake of security. And we all know that history has revealed some pretty inhumane events that have occurred right here in the good ol’ USA. But after reading this book, even I’m shocked!

Napolitano is a student of the Constitution and history and tells it as it is. I thought the book would favor one party over the other, but Napolitano is fair and unbiased as to what the facts are. He covers seventeen lies from "All Men Are Created Equal” to "Everyone Is Innocent Until Proven Guilty" to "We Don't Torture" to "America Has a Free Market. He shows excellent examples of how the government lied or just didn’t tell the truth in each case. I’ve read many political books and most are biased and tend to bash one party or the other. This book is fair and full of facts – lot just opinions.

Everyone should read this book so that we can all listen to what the government is telling us and “translate” if necessary. How can this all be changed? I don’t really know if it can. And that’s the scary part.

Read Napolitano’s Lies the Government Told You with an open mind. If you get nothing else out of this book, you’ll understand the Constitution better and get some terrific history lessons. But I think you’ll also wake up and want to help change our government. I just hope there’s a way before it’s too late.

Special Guest at CityMommy Holiday Shopping Expo

2010-11-29T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'll be reading and signing A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit at the CityMommy Holiday Shopping Expo. CityMommy of NEPA is a nationally-recognized social networking site operating in over 45 cities. It's also been featured in Oprah Magazine Online.

I'll participate in their "Countdown to Christmas Expo" on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Scranton High School.

Free admission. And a portion of their proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.

Vendors include Stella & Dot, Thirty-One Gifts, Livie D. Funwear, J. Madison Wellness Spa, Jewelry & Accessories by Sandra, Exo Skincare, Sugarloaf Herb Farm, 2GirlsGifts, Chocolate Creations, Lia Sophia, Mommy Made It, Miche Bag of NEPA and Scentsy!

Live performances by Arabesque Academy of Dance, AMR Gymnastics, and Scranton Dance Center!

Children's Activities - a children's obstacle course, interactive dance, craft station, and Just Plain Crazy Face Art providing holiday face art designs!

Special Guest appearance by children's author/editor, Barbara J. Smith, A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit, that includes a book reading and signing!

Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus from BeCaptured Photography.

And many door prizes and giveaways.

Come join the fun!

Time - 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Date - December 4, 2010
Scranton High School
63 Munchak Way
Scranton, PA

A Daily Dose of History

2010-11-20T02:22:00.000-08:00

The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America, by William Bennett and John Cribb is a collection of events and fact in American history. With 365 entries, it’s organized so you can read one a day for a year. I’m sure some people would enjoy reading a bit a day, but I personally think this book is a good resource to look up key historical facts whenever the need or desire. I loved just leafing through it and then realized I was getting absorbed in the writings.

As well written and organized as this book is, I was disappointed in the quality of the physical aspects of the book. It seemed to have been produced extremely economically and I’m afraid it won’t hold up through a series of “look-ups” over the years. Beyond that, I think it’s a great book to check facts, inspire conversation, or just enjoy our great heritage. Bennett and Cribb have done a good job with The American Patriot’s Almanac.

The Bible Made Easier for Children

2010-10-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Big Red Holy Bible is definitely child oriented - easy to read and filled with colorful pictures. It’s a great first Bible for children. Youngsters can understand some of those complicated stories we’ve all struggled with because it’s written in plain English – no interpreting. Of course, that means it’s been interpreted for the reader, which may be a problem for some. The Big Red Holy Bible includes a dictionary and an index that are also easy for children to use.

But I was disappointed that it comes with a paper cover instead of a hard cover. It’s too large a book as a paperback, especially in the hands of young children. Other than that I think it’s a good version for children to start reading before graduating to a more mature version.

Your Children will love A Christmas Knot

2010-10-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

William Bentrim has done it again! His latest children’s book, A Christmas Knot, is just delightful to read – for both child and adult. It tells a sweet story about Hardy who is helping his Dad put up Christmas lights. Dad is called away for awhile. Hardy and his cousin Mardi decide to lay out the strings of lights so they’ll be ready to go up when Dad returns. Great idea. But Tiny, Hardy’s pup, sees a squirrel. Well, we all know where this is going. After the wild chase, there sits Tiny entangled in a ball of Christmas lights.

Dad returns and realizes Hardy and Mardi were just trying to be helpful. So off he goes to the hardware store to get new lights. Rather patient Dad, I’d say. I’m not sure if I would have been quite as calm. But there seems to be a lesson here for parents also.

The ending of the story brings us back to the meaning of Christmas. Dad decides to offer the large ball of lights to the local Nativity scene and it lights up as the Christmas Star.

Mr. Bentrim has created a fun story for children with a wonderful lesson for both children and their parents. And he brings in the true meaning of Christmas all at the same time. Read Bentrim’s A Christmas Knot to your children. You won’t be sorry.

Transforming Church in Rural America

2010-10-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

Transforming Church in Rural America, by Shannon O'Dell, is both a story and an instructional manual. The story tells how Mr. O’Dell came to accepting his role as a pastor of a rural church and making it come alive. He was happy as a lark in his large urban church but kept being called to pastor a small, dying church in Nowhereland, Arkansas. Having been an active member of many suburban churches I can only semi-relate to the problems of both the urban and rural churches. But I can see the issues of many churches, no matter where they are located, are similar.

I’ve been part of churches that had the masses exit within weeks and months. I’ve been part of churches that worked hard on coming back after the exodus. It’s never easy. It takes a lot of work and a change in attitude by the pastor and the members.

Mr. O’Dell knows what he’s talking about. Not all of his suggestions would work for all churches but any pastor (no matter where his or her church is located) can come away with good ideas after reading this book.

His many good points particularly include his V.A.L.U.E. (Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Understanding, Enduring Excellence) system. I feel the Vision and Attitude are the most important, and the others should follow, with a little bit of help from our friends and prayer.

No matter what you get from this book you will find the points delivered with a good sense of humor. I laughed out loud in many parts of the book. Read it and see what you come away with. It’s good for any pastor, any leader in the church, anyone who volunteers in a church, or anyone who is simply a member with little participation. After this book, I think every reader will volunteer to help the life of his or her church.

Book Reading and Signing at Barnes and Noble

2010-10-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Come by to see me at Barnes and Noble on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. I'll be reading and signing A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. Barnes and Noble is located in Brunswick Square Mall, 753 Route 18, Brunswick Square, East Brunswick, NJ. The event will be in conjunction with the Book Fair Fundraiser to support Monroe Township PTA-Oak Tree School. Hope to see you there!

Sweet and Simple Story about Christmas

2010-09-23T13:32:00.001-07:00

A Christmas Prayer by Amy Parker tells the true meaning of Christmas. It’s well done with the child thanking God for each person and animal in the Nativity – Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, of course, but even the donkey, the star, the manger and the shepherds. The book is beautifully illustrated and perfect for a young child. This is a book that can be read on Christmas Eve and any other day of the year. It reminds us all of the spirit of Christmas and all of our blessings.

Amy Parker has written a simple but quite effective story for any child and parent to enjoy.

Don't Waste Your Time

2010-09-11T07:45:00.001-07:00

The Falling Away by T.L. Hiines is a difficult book to read. Dylan Runs Ahead, a Native American, is addicted to prescription drugs. His white friend Webb is addicted to alcohol. They are involved in a drug deal where two men are murdered. But Quinn, a homeless woman who turns out to be one of the Chosen, is out to save Dylan (also Chosen). In the meantime, she kills a state trooper. Bizarre? It gets better (or in my opinion, much worse). Throw in a cult whose leader takes over people’s bodies and minds.

The storyline is rather disjointed and it takes awhile to figure out who’s wearing the white hats and who’s wearing the black hats. But once you think you’ve figured out who the good guys are, the story takes another bizarre twist. It’s basically confusing right to the last page, where the story ends rather abruptly.

Now maybe this storyline just isn’t to my liking. So go ahead and give it a shot. But even if you love suspenseful stories with a good deal of violence there are other well written books out there. This one is totally disjointed and confusing to read. My opinion – don’t waste your time on The Falling Away.

Let's Do Lunch!!!

2010-08-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m always ready to do lunch - maybe that’s why I’ve been overweight for years. I’ve been on many diets and always have a problem sticking to the diet after a couple of weeks. No, I don’t need to lose 230 pounds like Roger Troy Wilson did, but maybe his book can help me lose that last 10 pounds! So I picked up a copy of his book, Let’s Do Lunch.

I’ve never heard of a diet quite like Wilson’s but I certainly see how it can work. Eat fruit, fruit and more fruit to take away the urge to satisfy your sweet tooth. I think that could work for me. Then he suggests lunch should be your main meal and contain all your protein for the day. I agree that’s a healthier way to eat. But could I do it? Maybe some days but my schedule just wouldn’t allow me to do it on a daily basis. But Mr. Wilson has an answer for that too. There are ways of “doing lunch” at dinner if that’s necessary for your particular schedule.

It all started with frozen grapes! You laugh but I’ve actually been eating frozen grapes as a snack for years. They’re delicious! But I never thought of them as a means to losing weight. Mr. Wilson created an entire diet that began with a simple plate of frozen grapes.

Other than eating lots of fruit for breakfast and dinner and having your protein at lunch, this is basically a diet that eliminates sugar and flour. Also, he suggests eating corn and beans (with the help of Beano for those who may need it), which will take away the urge to eat the fattening white foods – bread, potatoes, rice and pasta.

Let’s Do Lunch includes many delicious recipes and two weeks’ worth of suggested menus. Mr. Wilson also claims there’s no need to exercise while dieting. This is probably where I disagree with him, but it’s his story that’s a success – not mine. So give it a try – with or without the exercise.

I think I’ll give it a try to see if I can lose those last ten pounds – maybe with some exercise. See you! I’m off to stock up on lots of bananas, grapes, peaches and plums. Yummy!

Let the Great World Spin

2010-08-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann is a series of short stories that come together in the end. The stories are about individuals living in New York City during the famous tight-walking episode in 1974. Each tale tells what people were doing while a man was doing interesting antics on a tight walk extended between the World Trade Center towers.

The individuals or group of people are from different walks of life – very different. From priest to prostitutes to poor Blacks to high society, each had his or her own story to tell. Their lives, amazingly, all overlap. However, the actual telling of the stories seemed a bit disjointed. This made the book less enjoyable to read as I would have liked.

Each entity is well written but the coincidence of how all touch each other is a bit coerced. Getting beyond that, it is interesting how McCann brings it all together in the end. Again, a bit coerced but doable. Although the tight-walking episode is fact, the rest of the book is fiction.

Let the Great World Spin would make a good book for a book group discussion – a where-were-you-when type of discussion.

William F. Buckley, by Jeremy Lott

2010-08-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Lott’s William F. Buckley is a short book about the man’s life, beliefs, and endeavors. Buckley lived through and influenced many of the major events of the 20th Century. Although Buckley is far too conservative for my tastes, I must admit the book is well written. Lott did a good job of showing why Buckley did what he did, supported who he supported, and believed what he believed. It’s an easy book to read and quite interesting. Just not my taste. Based on my personal feelings, I must give it a lower rating but a more conservation person may think it’s a 5-star book.

Although fairly well written, it definitely comes from a biased point of view. I feel nonfiction should always be unbiased. But if you’re a Buckley lover, you’ll enjoy Lott’s William F. Buckley.

Interview with Zetta and Mitchell Hupf

2010-07-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

I had the double pleasure of interviewing Zetta Hupf and her son and co-author Mitchell. Zetta and I became friends through her blog, The Book Cubby. She has interviewed me in the past and I’m excited she agreed to an interview herself along with her very talented son.

Zetta and Mitchell are co-authors of several children’s books including Alex Fox Moves to Town, Max and Daisy’s Adventure to the Big Woods, Henry Goes to the Park, and Detective Buddy and the Case of the Missing Football. Her books are available on Amazon.com and through her website.

But enough about that. On to our interview.

BJS: Tell me a little about yourself.

Zetta: I am originally from a small town called Thomas, WV and now live in Wisconsin. I joined the army straight out of high school. and met my husband, Chris, while serving. We have a 12-year-old son, Mitchell, who is the co-author of our children’s books. I am a huge dog/animal lover. I guess that’s why our characters are mostly animals.

Mitchell: I’m 12 years old and love the outdoors. I enjoy hunting, fishing, football, riding ATVs and most anything to do with wildlife.

BJS: What is your latest published work?

Zetta: Detective Buddy and the Case of the Missing Football.

BJS: Why did you write this book?

Zetta: We had recently adopted our dog Buddy from the Humane Society and loved watching him try to sniff around and find things.

Mitchell: He reminded us of a detective trying to find his clues. So he soon became Detective Buddy!

BJS: Where do you get your ideas?

Zetta: We like to get our ideas from everyday life. Things that we like to talk about and things that we think other children will enjoy reading about. Or playing out the scenes after reading the story.

BJS: What are you working on right now?

Zetta: We have two stories in the works right now.

Mitchell: The first is: My Dad is a Soldier, Yes, He Is. It’s a story of a little child missing his dad who has gone off to war.

Zetta: Our second is The Hunt For Underwater Treasure. It’s a story about Tony Turtle, a young turtle who has heard many stories about a treasure lost at sea. Tony sets out to find it.

BJS: Do you use a set process when you write such as outlining, or do you just sit and type?

Zetta: We usually create drawings while watching a movie or by playing our travel game. One makes a squiggle and the other has to create something out of it. Once we have a character drawn that we really like, then we’ll sit together and write in a notebook the type of story we could see that character in. We really feed our ideas off of one another.

BJS: What do you like the most about writing?

Mitchell: We really like seeing the story take shape and can’t wait to see the completion. It’s truly amazing to see the story bring the characters to life.

BJS: Who is your favorite author and why?

Zetta: Jane Austen-Her stories are so pure and truly amazing for her time.

Mitchell: S.E. Hinton (The Outsiders), J.K. Rowlings (the Harry Potter Series) and Gary Paulsen (Brian Saga)

BJS: Do you have any advice for other new or wannabe authors?

Zetta: Stay true to yourself. Always write about things that you believe in. Try writing with a child, it is amazing. You will get wonderful ideas from a kid’s point of view, not to mention how much fun it is to create together.

Mitchell: And never give up.

BJS: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Zetta: You can find out more about us and our stories by visiting us on our website.

BJS: Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview.

Get the Tissues Ready

2010-07-18T11:14:00.001-07:00

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is a well-written true story about two men from two totally different backgrounds. Ron is a white Texan who makes a very good living as an art dealer. He and his wife Deborah live the good life but also want to do the Christian thing in helping others. Denver is a black man who grows up poor as a “free” version of a slave. He makes what little money is to be had by picking cotton for “The Man,” but he never manages to get out of debt. He finally decides to hop a train and leave Louisiana for good. He ends up in Texas but lives on the streets until he finally meets up with the Halls.

Denver is not a nice man as he has to live tough to survive. Ron wants to look good but his heart isn’t necessarily where Deborah’s is. They work at a homeless mission where all three lives finally cross. It’s not happy ever after from there though. It’s a struggle to befriend Denver. And it’s tough for Ron to completely open his heart. But Deborah manages to handle both men and eventually a true friendship develops.

The story is told by each man from his own point of view. It’s well done, except for some redundancy in their stories. That’s the only part of the book I didn’t care for as I felt they were telling me the same thing over and over again. But no one can read this book without being touched. And no one will be able to read it without a lot of tissues.

Deborah, or Miss Debbie as Denver refers to her, is the woman who pulls the men together. This is a story of this remarkable woman told by two remarkable men. Same Kind of Different as Me will definitely touch whoever reads it.

Book-Reading and Signing Event July 17th

2010-07-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 17th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Borders, 325 US Highway 202, Flemington, NJ - I’ll be reading and signing A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. Come by to see me.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2010-07-09T16:29:00.001-07:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford is a light story that deals with a serious subject. It is told by Henry, a Chinese boy who falls for Keiko, a Japanese girl. Keiko and her family are “relocated” to an internment camp with the other Japanese living in the United States after the Pearl Harbor attack.

Henry tells his story both from his adolescent years and again as an adult. As a child, he deals with a strong-willed father who hates the Japanese and his caring and understanding, yet obedient, mother. Henry struggles to visit Keiko while she’s in the internment camp but they eventually lose track of each other. It tells his story of trying to find her again as an adult. The book definitely gives the reader a good history lesson but with a light and often sad storyline. It shows how many wore blinders when it came to the Japanese who were once their neighbors during the war years. The story also shows the Japanese-American’s point of view and living conditions in the camps.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is very informative but needs a bit more pizzazz to keep a reader’s interest.

You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be

2010-07-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be by Max Lucado is a quick read with a good message. Lucado is aiming his message at the teenager or young adult population in this little book but almost anyone can use the book to steer his or her life in a better direction. Basically, the book tells us to find the “sweet spot” of life and go for it.

If you’re less than happy in your job, studies, or life in general, you may find Lucado’s encouragement helpful in turning that around. Don’t tolerate the job and career – change it. Life is to be enjoyed and reading this will help you to figure out how to do just that. This motivational little book makes a terrific gift but be sure to purchase one for yourself too. An excellent message!

Have a Little Faith

2010-06-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom is a wonderful little book. Albom has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read his Tuesdays with Morrie and he certainly didn’t disappoint me with his latest. Have a Little Faith is a short book with an easy-style. I read it in one sitting!

Albom’s rabbi asks him to do his eulogy and so he sets out to get to know the man. Eight years later he delivers the eulogy but not after learning a great deal about life and faith.

Albom also tells the story about Henry who starts his “career” as a drug dealer and thief and turns into a pastor at an old city church ministering to the poor and homeless. Both stories show what life is all about and how it can be meaningful – with or without the religion of choice.

Whether you’re Jewish, Christian or have other beliefs (or even none at all), this book will move and inspire you. Take the time to read Have a Little Faith – it won’t take long once you pick it up.

The Book Cubby Interview

2010-06-17T03:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Zetta Hupf interviewed me on The Book Cubby blog. Thanks, Zetta!

Check it out at:
http://thebookcubby.blogspot.com/2010/06/enjoy-todays-interview-with-author.html

Billy Graham: His Life and Influence

2010-06-13T04:12:00.000-07:00

Billy Graham: His Life and Influence, by David Aikman, thoroughly covers the evangelist’s life and influence around the world. From his upbringing in the 1920s through his relationship with and the administrations of the presidents from Eisenhower through G.W. Bush, the book shows Graham’s influence on both our country and the rest of the world. This book is chockfull of history and Aikman delivers it in an easy style of reading.

Graham saw many changes in his lifetime. He was at the center of many of these changes and was even instrumental in them. Although he had a brief and less-than-satisfactory encounter with Truman, he got close to most presidents beginning with Eisenhower. He continued these relationships with each president at varying degrees. Although a Democrat himself, he was particularly close to Johnson, Nixon, Reagan and the Bushes.

Surprisingly, Graham was also able to break the ice around the world. He was able to speak in Russia and China long before any American would have this access. Even when the American government didn’t want him to preach, Graham was able to visit and speak in Eastern countries. Being careful not to say or do anything that would be insulting or dangerous in the culture where he was a guest yet not saying anything that would upset the American government, Graham had a tight rope to walk. He was not only successful but helped warm relationships during the years of the Cold War.

David Aikman doesn’t show Graham’s life and endeavors as all rosy though. He was particularly close to Nixon and was surprised as anyone when Watergate came down, and even more so, when the tapes were later revealed. The book tells of Graham’s struggles with his relationship with Nixon after this and how he came to be spiritually close to Nixon again.

Graham is shown as a man of God but certainly not perfect. He had charisma and a need to be liked by everyone and that sometimes caused mistakes in dealing with other cultures and governments and certainly in reporting back to our government the true situation in other lands. But he was always ready to listen to God and to spread the Gospel far and wide.

Throughout the book we also learn about his family from his parents and siblings to his wife Ruth and their children. Ruth’s influence on Billy also helped direct him in his dealings with our country and others. Ruth was a strong woman and definitely showed it. They had a long and very strong marriage based on love and their beliefs.

Christians will get to know the man and his views by reading this book. Non-Christians will also get a lot out of it, more from the history side of his story. No matter what your religious views are, you will come away with a wealth of historical knowledge after reading this book. An easy-to-read and informative book, I highly recommend David Aikman’s Billy Graham: His Life and Influence.

Calling all History Buffs

2010-05-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a great historical book. Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones is chock full of history. I love books based on historical truth and this book fits the bill. This is a novel about the Civil War and how it tore apart our country, the states and families. Walt Whitman, who befriends one of the brothers, is center to the telling of the story, which is based on a Maryland family dealing with mixed loyalties.

Two of the four brothers are injured in battle and end up in the same hospital. When one, William Prentiss, dies the other brothers, John and Melville, along with Mr. Whitman visit the other injured brother, Clifton, to tell him the sad news. From here the story begins with flashbacks to events throughout the war.

Through the flashbacks, we learn both the Confederate and the Union points of view, the stories of men in battle, the women’s role in the underground, and the free blacks’ role in the 7th U.S. Colored Regiment. All this history wound into an extremely interesting and mostly easy-to-read story. At times the book slows with a bit too much detail but, on the whole, it is a good book for both the historical facts and the intertwining story of the characters.

Civil War buffs will love this book and most everyone else who is interested in our history will enjoy it. I highly recommend Mr. Jones’ Two Brothers: One North, One South.

I Am Hutterite - A Beautiful Memoir

2010-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

I Am Hutterite is an interesting and very well written memoir by Mary-Ann Kirkby. Ms. Kirkby tells about her carefree and loving childhood and about the history of her family in a Hutterite community. Not having heard abort Hutterites before, this turned out to be quite educational for me. The Hutterite community is similar to the Amish and Mennonite communities except that the residents pool all their resources and work with and for each other. They farm together, they cook together, and they eat together. A surprise to me is that they even drink together. Yes, alcohol is allowed in this culture unlike other religious groups.

This is a step back in time for most of us yet the Hutterites live this way in the 21st century. After describing her parents’ history and her upbringing in the Hutterite fashion, the author then describes how and why her family left the community. The Hutterite community was definitely her security but her family left and tried to exist without the support system from which they came. The descriptions of their struggles and near-starvation were heart-wrenching but they did finally succeed to live in the “English world.”

I thoroughly enjoyed I Am Hutterite and recommend it to anyone interested in reading non-fiction. It’s an easy read and will definitely keep your attention.

Cutting for Stone Deserves More than Five Stars!

2010-05-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a brilliant novel, but that wouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has read Dr. Verghese’s other books. I loved My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story and I know I’ll be running out to get The Tennis Partner next. Dr. Verghese is a powerful storyteller and his books are beautifully written.

The setting of Cutting for Stone is in both Ethiopia and the United States. A nun and doctor travel to a small hospital in Ethiopia, which begins a series of mishaps and intriguing scenarios. A long story short, the nun gives birth to twins who are co-joined and separated. The doctor disappears and the nun dies in childbirth. But this is only the beginning. Although a piece of fiction, it is based on actual events such as the unrest in Ethiopia during Emperor Haile Selaisse's reign.

The twins, Marion and Shiva, are cared for and loved by two other doctors at Missing (Mission) Hospital. The story continues as the boys grow to become young men with one having to flee the country. He continues his education in the United States and eventually meets his father again. The other twin continues his on-the-job training as a specialist in Ethiopia along with his adoptive mother.

This short description doesn’t give the book justice, but I don’t want to give away the story. Let me just say that I couldn’t put this book down. If there’s any way of giving the book six stars in a five-star rating system, I certainly would. Cutting for Stone is a powerful book. You simply must read it. You won’t be sorry.

The Tale of Greta Gumboot and Other Stories - A Great Collection of Stories for Children

2010-05-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Tale of Greta Gumboot and Other Stories, by Lee Pritchett, is a wonderful collection of stories set in a magical world. Greta Gumboot, the bad witch of the forest, loved turning forest animals into wonderful tasty treats. Imagine a real bunny turned into a chocolate bunny. Yummy! But, of course, this really wasn’t a nice thing to do so Greta Gumboot was taught a lesson by those very same animals she’d eaten. What a cute story with a good lesson. Greta Gumboot, bad witch-turned-good, ends up helping others and being a good friend to those she used to turn into candy!

Greta Gumboot is just the first of several exciting tales in this book. Although the book is geared for the 4- to 8-year-old child, I believe older children will also enjoy it. The tales include Gilby, a wizard’s apprentice, who saves the kingdom, and Mr. Bumbles, the wizard who loses his hat and magic but, thanks to Greta Gumboot, receives both back along with a group of new friends.

This book is full of wizards, witches, goblins, princesses, and even a kitten and an epheline (wondering what that is?). Each story is a unit unto itself but many of them are intertwined in a very intriguing way. Children will want to continue reading, not because it’s passed their bedtime, but because the stories are so good. Luckily, the book is broken up into several tales so that he or she can start a new tale the following day.

All the stories are great but my own personal favorite is Holly and the Unicorn. Holly gets all the forest animals, including a rabbit with headphones and a dancing bear, to help find the baby unicorn’s Mum. This is just too cute.

Each one of these tales could have been a book by itself, but Lee Pritchett has combined them all into one big book for your child to enjoy. This may be Mr. Pritchett’s first book but it certainly won’t be his last. And if you’re wondering what an epheline is, you’ll just have to read Lee Pritchett’s The Tale of Greta Gumboot and Other Stories!

After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery, by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.- Not my cup of tea

2010-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is a book advertised as the history of conservatism in the United States and the direction it must take from here. Normally I don’t read political books although I’m willing to read almost anything else. But I decided to give After the Hangover a shot because I really do want to know more about the history of the conservative movement. How’d they get where they are now?

I must say right off that although this book was often hard to read because of Tyrrell’s many million dollar words, it is, in fact, very well written. But I sometimes found myself lost and having to re-read portions to figure out where Tyrrell was going – or coming from. This book is not for light reading.

Tyrrell tends to skip around a bit as he gives us historical background of the conservative movement. But I enjoyed learning his viewpoint on those conservatives such as Ronald Reagan and Henry Kissinger. His background on William F. Buckley, Jr. was also interesting but way over the top. I wanted to shout, “Enough already!” The book was interesting but also frustrating. Throughout the book Tyrrell refers back to his previous books and I thought the book may have been better categorized as an autobiography with a little history thrown in.

I don’t consider myself either an extreme conservative or an extreme liberal but I fall somewhere in between with a slight leaning to the left. So I didn’t expect to agree with everything Tyrrell had to say. But I emphatically disagree with his beliefs that those labeled liberals or environmentalists are basically socialists. I’m guessing he’d say anyone who doesn’t agree with him and his conservative views is a “flaming liberal!”

But, surprisingly, I do agree with some of his policy ideas such as a flat tax and tax credits for natural gas use. I especially agree with a federal spending cap. And I definitely agree that George W. Bush was “a grave disappointment” although I may have used stronger words to describe my feelings on that subject.

There is too much anger between conservatives and liberals. Is there no happy medium? Can’t we live together? Why must everyone be labeled one or the other? All politicians, conservative or liberal, should stop the back-biting. Maybe if we didn’t have so many career politicians, they would once again serve the people they were chosen to represent instead of just collecting votes for the next election. If Tyrrell, would consider writing such a book, I’d be happy to read it. But after reading After the Hangover, I think I’ll skip any other books by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.

A great children's book with a good message

2010-04-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

William G. Bentrim’s latest book What About Me? really hits the mark in dealing with a child’s mixed emotions when a sibling is ill or hurt. Most children have experienced the feeling of being left out but it’s doubly hard when they’re left out by their own family. This can happen when there’s illness within a family and it’s very upsetting and confusing for a child. Often beyond the child’s control, jealousy and anger results, causing more problems for the family unit already under stress.

What About Me? deals with this situation beautifully. As parents we’re so involved with the child who is ill or has been hurt that we tend to spend less time with the well child. We try to explain what’s happening but we’re already stressed so don’t have the time our healthy child needs. And, of course, we assume the child understands since his or her brother or sister is ill. It’s difficult for the parents to juggle the different types of needs of both the ill and well child.

The well child loves his or her sibling but feels alone and possibly some guilt about the ill sister or brother. Besides the “neglect” the child is feeling the phone calls, cards, gifts and attention keep pouring in – for sister or brother. It can be a lonely and sad time for any child. This book helps children understand that parents still love their child even if they don’t have the time to show it the way they normally do.

The story is enjoyable for children to read but it also teaches a good lesson – for both child and parent. The illustrations beautifully show the emotions that Bradley is going through as he deals with his feelings over Bonnie’s broken leg. This adorable book is good for any child as he or she will most likely experience this at some time during childhood. I highly recommend William G. Bentrim’s What About Me?

Montana Legacy, by R.C. Ryan

2010-04-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

I was asked to review Montana Legacy by R.C. Ryan. Although it is not the type of book I usually read, I decided to give it a shot. I must say it’s a quick, easy read and keeps your interest. But the storyline seems so predictable. It’s a typical cowboy love story.

The story begins right after Jesse’s grandfather, Coot, dies from a fall while out looking for a "treasure" that is rumored to be hidden somewhere on the vast ranch. His cousins return to the ranch for the funeral and decide to stay after many years away. Jesse resents this as he’s been the one to stay and work the ranch while his cousins have been off traipsing around the world. Jesse’s old high school girlfriend Amy also shows up at the funeral because she’s home visiting her ill father. After licking his wounds, Jesse predictably falls for Amy again. And, he eventually accepts his cousins back.

Halfway through the book the reader finds out there’s more to Coot’s death than meets the eye. Suddenly, it seems Amy’s in danger also. But the mystery of the book is presented and solved in a few short pages. And, of course, everyone lives happily ever after.

My main criticism of this book is that the mystery is presented late and easily solved. Also, Amy’s father has some sort of grave illness and is told to get his affairs in order. We never know what that illness is or what treatments he’s undergoing. But those treatments apparently work because he’s suddenly cured.

If you’re interested in a quick read, I definitely recommend this book. Personally, I like books with a little more meat to them. But we all need something light once in awhile. If you’re looking for that light book, read Montana Legacy. And, if you like it you’ll be happy to know it’s the first of a trilogy. Montana Destiny will be released in May 2010.

Springtacular Kids' Event

2010-03-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Borders will be hosting me at their Springtacular Kids' Event this Saturday, April 3rd. I will be reading and signing A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. They will also have other stories for the children, along with crafts and a Spring Parade. A good time should be had by all. Come by to visit me at 12 Noon at Borders, 240 Commons Way, Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater, NJ. Looking forward to seeing you all!

Book Reading, Saturday, March 13th

2010-03-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

March 13th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Waldenbooks, Palmer Park Mill, Easton, PA - I’ll be signing A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be no official reading but if any children come by I'm always happy to read. Come by to see me.

What a day for a daydream!

2010-03-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

It's going to be another beautiful day in the Poconos! The snow is melting fast (although we still have quite the white covering), the sky is blue and the sun is shining! I'm definitely getting out before the rains come. We are supposed to have several days of rain with temperatures in the 40s and 50s (almost 60 yesterday) so I'm sure there will also be some flooding. But, for now, it's gorgeous out! Spring will soon be here. Gotta love it!

Thank you, Barnes & Noble!

2010-03-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

Had a great turnout at Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Saturday. Read A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit and signed a lot of books. The children also did a cute bunny craft after each reading. A big thank you to Barnes & Noble and to Donna Wench for making the arrangements!

Newspaper Article

2010-03-04T03:47:00.000-08:00

Don McGlynn interviewed me last week and wrote a very nice piece in The Abington Journal. It was published yesterday with one big error - Ellie's name is now Emily. He did get Audrey's name right though. Oh, well. It's still a good article. Read it here.
Thank you, Don!

Book-Reading/Signing - Saturday, March 6th

2010-03-03T06:12:00.001-08:00

March 6th 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA. - I’ll be reading A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit to the children at both 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will be signing books after each reading. Also, there will be a cute bunny craft for the children to do. I think it’ll be great fun. Barnes & Noble will also be hosting a book fair for St. Jude’s school that day. Come by to see me.

GoneAway into the Land, by Jeffrey B. Allen

2010-02-11T07:20:00.001-08:00

I was asked to write a review of GoneAway into the Land by Jeffrey B. Allen. Since I'm not big on fantasy stories I wasn't so sure I'd be a good one to review this book. But let me tell you, this book absolutely blew me away! GoneAway into the Land will be the next Lord of the Rings, I kid you not! The story starts out with a 12-year-old boy and his family who suffer the trauma of dealing with an abusive father and husband. The father is a beast and truly becomes one once they leave the World and end up in the Land, looking for John’s sister Marny, who has been abducted by the beast.
ZingZongLand is a land of confections. How cool is that? Any type of confection you can imagine. It seems like a paradise until greed and power of a few take over.
Allen’s wonderful art of description makes you forget you’re in a land of make-believe. Instead you are entrenched in this “candy land” of sorts. Of course, you are also entrenched in the horrors and battles because Mr. Allen so vividly describes them.
The Land and its civilizations are virtually destroyed in the process of fighting the greed and power. John and his mother are in the midst of it all as they search for Marny. And, during the process, they find another lost wonder. To tell more would be to give away the story and I enjoyed this book way too much to ruin it for someone else.
This is an easy read because of the lightness Allen keeps despite some of the horrors experienced by John, his family and the friends he meets along his journey. There are times you will laugh out loud! Personally, Albertson was my favorite character. I wanted to take him home with me.
You will be on the edge of your seat to the very last page. And, if you react as I did, you will be anxious for Allen to finish the sequel. I can’t wait to read Into the World and my guess is that we’ll be seeing a film version one day. I highly recommend this book for both young and older adults.
Great job, Jeffrey B. Allen! Keep up the good work!

Book Giveaway

2010-01-27T04:44:00.000-08:00

The Book Junkie is celebrating her birthday by giving away a box of books! Her birthday is in February and she will choose the lucky winner on February 22nd. Go to her blog to fill out the form. You could win a box of books for HER birthday!!!! What a great idea!

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

2010-01-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of receiving and reviewing an advance copy of Making Toast, by well-known author Roger Rosenblatt. The book will be released February 16th. I hope you get the opportunity to read it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here's my review:

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt shows how your entire life can change at any moment. And, in this case, the author and his family will never return to the way life was before the sudden change that hit them when their daughter suddenly dies. I have to admit I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked up this book. It is heart wrenching yet engaging and quite light in its own way. Does that make sense? Probably not – until you read it.

The author and his wife go through the grief process while trying to be there for their son-in-law and their other children’s families and to play “parent” to their three young grandchildren. They are at the stage of their life where they should be enjoying the carefree times they’ve worked hard to attain. Instead of the doting grandparents they should be at this age, they are suddenly thrown into the role of caregiver for children who have lost their mother. Not an easy task, but these two are definitely not ordinary people.

These grandparents are now dealing with schedules, temper tantrums, and the children’s loss as they deal with their own feelings. This book will break your heart while at the same time entertain you. A hard task, for sure! But I found I couldn’t put this book down even as I cried my eyes out and as my own heart was breaking for this family.

Losing a child is a nightmare no one wants to have, but, sadly, many do. This book heals as it hurts. What a marvelous family. Their love and good humor comes through on every page but the pain never goes away.

Don’t let the subject put you off. This book is definitely worth the time it takes to read it and is well written. You won’t be sorry. I loved Making Toast.

A Belated Happy New Year!

2010-01-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry to be late in wishing you the best for 2010. My New Year's resolution is to actually try to blog a couple times a week. I've been quite negligent but am determined to get this going! So off to a good start - only 22 days into 2010.

Right after the new year I headed to Florida for a very, very cold week in the sunny south. Upon my return I went to Boston to celebrate my granddaughter's first birthday. Believe it or not, the weather was much milder in Boston than it was in Saint Augustine and Jupiter Island, Florida. But I wouldn't have minded cold, ice or snow because seeing my beautiful granddaughters warmed my heart.

Happy New Year and I hope 2010 brings you all much happiness.

Interview with William G. Bentrim, Children’s Author

2009-12-20T05:32:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of interviewing William G. Bentrim, a wonderful children’s author from bucolic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Bill and I became friends through our interaction as children’s authors on GoodReads. He has been kind enough to let me interview him for my blog and will also be interviewing me.

Bill has written several children’s books, first for his grandchildren, and now for all children. His books, I Like to Whine, Daddy Goes on a Trip, Mommy’s Black Eye, and The Adventures of Hardy Belch, can be found on Amazon.com, Doylestown Bookshop, his website and someday soon practically any bookstore.

But now on to the interview.

BJS: Tell us a little about yourself.

WGB: It has been suggested that I am a hyperactive adult. That is certainly possible. I have a tendency to jump in with both feet whenever I tackle a project. I am retired. I had a computer networking company for 25 years and sold it. Prior to working with computers I had owned and operated a convenience store. My first real career was as a teacher and guidance counselor. I have had an exciting eclectic life that would not have been possible without the support of an absolutely wonderful wife and family. I am besotted with my grandchildren and love spending time with them. Golf and bridge are my primary recreations at this stage since my knees no longer tolerate volleyball or basketball. All in all I am one deliriously happy soul.

BJS: What is your latest published work?

WGB: “The Adventures of Hardy Belch” is my latest work. The Adventures of Hardy Belch chronicle the exciting and unbelievable adventures of a normal 12 year old boy and his 240 pound telepathic dog. Hardy and Tiny (his best friend and dog) find themselves in many predicaments but as a team and best friends they always end up helping others. Combining mystery and humor each story is written to entertain, and highlight the value of friendship, planning and selfless actions.

BJS: Why did you write this book?

WGB: My eldest grandson was getting too old for my picture books. I wanted to write a chapter book that would be appealing to pre-teens. I can’t seem to get away from trying to sneak in moral lessons though.

BJS: Where do you get your ideas from?

WGB: I am so full of ideas that I often feel my head is going to explode. In the computer business, it took my brother and my wife to keep me grounded and profitable. I have so many ideas I despair of ever getting them all in print but I am trying.

BJS: What are you working on right now?

WGB: “The Further Adventures of Hardy Belch” and “What About Me?,” which addresses the feelings of abandonment that well siblings often feel when there is a seriously ill sibling.

BJS: What advice can you share with other writers?

WGB: Write, write some more and then sit down and write more. You will only get better if you write more and get feedback from those who read it. Don’t be afraid to self publish and don’t feel like you must find a “publisher.” If you do great, if you don’t and want in print, do it yourself. My books are selling and I have done it without a publisher.

BJS: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

WGB: Life is grand and writing is a hoot. When I had a delightful 7-year-old come up to me and tell me “Mr. Bentrim, I loved your book,” it gave me a sense of fulfillment that is difficult to describe. If one child is moved or helped by one of my books I am a success in my mind. Rachel, with her kind comment, allowed me to feel like I am really an author.

BJS: Thank you, Bill.

Review of I Like to Whine

2009-12-11T03:49:00.000-08:00

To whine or not to whine. This book helps solve the problem. A whining child will drive any parent a little bit nuts. But, let’s face it, we all whine to some extent. This book shows how annoying whining can be but in a very funny way. The author shows various whining scenarios with different animals. Some examples are quite common like refusing to eat, share toys, or clean his/her room. A wise owl explains the result of the animals’ actions or non-actions. Each case gets across the point but makes it funny and light-hearted. And, both the child and parent will see how annoying and unproductive it is when someone constantly whines. The illustrations are great. This book will teach a lesson while making both the child and parent laugh. I highly recommend I Like to Whine (http://www.amazon.com/Like-Whine-Dealing-Whining-Children/dp/1442131721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260532324&sr=8-1)!

Goodreads Giveaway Winners

2009-12-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Meghan Finley, Meredith Walsky, and Joy Gotmer! Out of 847 entries to the Goodreads Giveawy, these three are the lucky winners of a copy of A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. Congratulations, Meghan, Meredith, and Joy!

Book Reading and Signing

2009-11-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'll be reading A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit at the Children's Hour at Barnes and Noble in the Princeton MarketFair on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Hope to see you.

A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit is now on Etsy

2009-11-12T14:02:00.001-08:00

You can now purchase a personally inscribed and autographed copy of A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit on Etsy. Go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/barbarajsmith

Interview with Simon Rose, Author

2009-11-06T04:59:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of interviewing Simon Rose, a very successful Canadian children’s author. I “met” Simon when I joined Children’s Authors and Illustrators on Facebook. He’s the founder of this group and has been kind enough to let me interview him for my blog.Simon has written many novels for young people, some of which are The Doomsday Mask, The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox, and The Alchemist's Portrait. He's also a contributing author to The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One. But now, on to the interview . . .

BJS: Simon, please tell us a little about your books.

SR: My books are in the science fiction and fantasy genre for middle grades, around ages eight to twelve. You can see full details of each of them, including excerpts and synopses (and you can even listen to recordings of my readings) at the Books page on my website.

The Alchemist's Portrait is a time-travel story, in which Matthew journeys through the centuries using magical paintings, which act as doorways into the past, in order to save the world from the clutches of an evil alchemist. The Sorcerer's Letterbox, another time-travel tale, is based on the famous mystery of the Princes in the Tower about Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York, who were supposedly murdered on the orders of Richard III in 1483. The Clone Conspiracy is a science fiction thriller involving clandestine laboratories and secret experiments, while The Emerald Curse, based on my own reading of comic books while growing up, concerns Sam's adventures in a bizarre, and at times deadly, superhero universe. The Heretic's Tomb is set in the medieval period once again, this time during the Black Death in 1349. My latest novel, The Doomsday Mask, was published in the spring. It's once again for ages 8–12 and in the science fiction and fantasy genre. It's a fast-paced adventure about ancient civilizations, mysterious artifacts, and shadowy secret societies.

BJS: As a new author, I’m totally impressed with anyone who has such a long list of published books. How long have you been writing and how did you get started?

SR: One of the best things about writing for kids is that I can write about the kinds of things that fascinated me when I was young. Stories can be very imaginative if they are for children, which makes writing them so much fun. And, of course, in science fiction or fantasy, more or less anything you can imagine is possible, as you craft stories involving ancient mysteries, the unexplained, the paranormal, science fiction, time travel, parallel universes, alternate realities, weird and wonderful characters, and a multitude of "what if" scenarios. Once I had children of my own, I came into contact with children's books again for the first time in many years. Picture books initially, of course, but then early chapter books and novels. When I decided to try my hand at writing novels and stories, I found myself drawn to the types of things I used to read as a child. I read lots of science fiction, as well as fantasy writers and ghost stories while growing up. I also read a tremendous number of comic books, in which the stories took me across the universe, into strange dimensions, into the land of the Norse gods or had me swinging from the New York rooftops. At high school, I studied a lot of history and have retained my interest in the subject up to the present day. I also read voraciously on ancient civilizations, mysteries, the supernatural, and the unexplained.

BJS: From reading Children’s Authors and Illustrators and from snooping around your blog and website, I’ve noticed you do a fair amount of teaching and that you offer seminars. Can you tell us a little about that?

SR: Yes, I offer a wide range of presentations, workshops, and author-in-residence programs for schools and libraries. I cover such topics as where ideas come from, story structure, editing and revision, character development, time-travel stories, history, and research. You can learn more about them on my website and I offer study guides for all the books. I also conduct virtual author visits via video using the Skype network, and you can get some idea of how it works from my videos on YouTube.

I also offer workshops for adults, both in person and online, as well as online workshops for children, which are proving very popular. I did a lot of work in summer camps this year, some of which you can learn about on my website. In addition, here in Calgary I work as a writing instructor with home school children, the local school board's continuing education program, and the University. I am also an instructor with the National Writing for Children Centre and will be presenting at schools libraries in the UK as part of the Off the Shelf Festival of Writing and Reading this fall.

BJS: What are you working on now?

SR: I have another completed novel on a paranormal theme, which I am seeking a home for, if there are any interested editors and publishers reading this. I'm working on a number of editing projects for other writers, have numerous projects of my own for future novels, and I am collaborating on several picture books with a local illustrator. In addition to novel writing, I offer copywriting services for business, such as editorial content for websites. I have a few of those types of projects, as well as upcoming articles for magazines and online publications on a wide variety of topics, such as the articles written for Dark Roasted Blend on a bewildering variety of incredible and fantastic topics You can search for my articles on the Dark Roasted Blend home page. I'm also involved in a large local event this month called the Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference.

BJS: I’m exhausted just listening to you but I’m also inspired. Any advice for aspiring children’s writers like me and so many others out there?

SR: Writing is in some ways the easy part. It can be a very long process not only to write a book, but also to get it published. A book is a marathon measured in years rather than weeks or months. Don’t be afraid to revise and revise over and over again. Most authors go through many revisions before their work reaches its final format. Remember, too, that your book will never be to everyone’s taste, so don’t be discouraged. A firm belief in your own success is often what’s necessary. After all, if you don’t believe in your book, how can you expect other people to? Read as much as you can and write as often as you can. Keep an ideas file, even if it’s only a name, title, sentence, or an entire outline for a novel. You never know when you might get another piece of the puzzle, perhaps years later. You also mustn’t forget the marketing. You may produce the greatest book ever written. However, no one else is going to see it if your book doesn’t become known to potential readers. Be visible as an author. Do as many readings, signings, and personal appearances as you can. Get your name out there and hopefully the rest will follow. Especially for newly published authors, books don’t sell themselves and need a lot of help. You can read some of my tips and advice for writers at Ezine Articles. I also belong to a number of writing organizations and am the Assistant Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Western Canada.

BJS: Thank you for your time and all the great tips. Where can readers find out more about your books?

SR: Autographed copies of my books are always available from me directly, but they are also available at all the usual places such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many other places online — and details can be found for each book on my website. You can also easily order any of the novels from your local bookstore if they don't have copies on the shelf. You can stay up-to-date with me and my work by visiting my website and blog, connecting as a friend on Facebook, joining Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook or my own groups for each of the novels or following me Twitter.

BJS: Thank you again.

Book Signing in Boston

2009-11-06T04:39:00.001-08:00

Another book-signing event in Boston. Roslindale, a small village within Boston, is celebrating Open Studios this weekend and I've been asked to sign my books at Village Books on Saturday, November 7th beginning at 11:00 a.m. If you live in the Boston area, please stop by to visit. And, I'm sure you'll enjoy Open Studios, which is celebrated throughout Roslindale all weekend. Village Books is located at 751 South Street (Phone # 617-325-1994). I hope to see you.

Back to Reality

2009-11-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

I've been gone for awhile - off on a trip to Boston and then a nice long vacation in Arizona. Both were great fun! Arizona was a hiking trip mainly in the Grand Canyon and the Sedona area. Both are beautiful and I'm ready to go back again. But first - back to reality for awhile.

2009-09-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two more book readings and signings have been scheduled! One at Borders in Princeton, NJ and one at Village Books in Roslindale, MA! See my event listing on the left for details of all my book signings. Thanks again for all the great support!

One Stormy Day by James McCullough

2009-08-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

A friend recently had a new children's book published that I've reviewed. It's One Stormy Day by James McCullough. It's a great story done in rhyme! Ben and Sarah try to come up with ideas of what to do on a rainy Saturday. Mom and Dad try to help with a few ideas, but Ben and Sarah prefer their own idea. Imagination creates a fun-filled day with a story of pirates and treasures. This book is lots of fun to read and the illustrations are colorful and very well done.
Check it out at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1448686377

Book Giveaway

2009-08-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

Just For You and Me has reviewed A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit. They are also giving away a free copy. Check it out at: http://justformeandyou2.blogspot.com/2009/08/childrens-book.html

Good news! Bad News!

2009-08-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well, let’s start with the bad news. When my book, A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit was released in June, the eLIVE audio version was also supposed to be available at the same time. Unbeknownst to me (or to my publisher apparently), the reader had finished it but never uploaded it. Well, the reader is no longer employed at Tate Publishers. When we realized what had happened, the publisher assigned another reader to record the audio.

The good news is that the new reader, Josh Kilbourne, did a great job and the audio is now officially available. So, for any of you who have purchased the book, you may download a free copy of the audio version by following the eLIVE instructions inside the back cover.

I apologize for this delay in the audio but hope you and the children for whom you purchased the book enjoy Josh’s take on Skipper’s adventures. Again, I’d like to thank you all for supporting me in this venture.

Barbara

Thank you!

2009-06-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

A Surprise for Grandmother Rabbit was released on June 9th! The eLIVE portion of the book is also available. The book is now available through Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and other bookstores and online booksellers.

Special thanks to everyone who has, and continues to, support me through this interesting, but wonderful experience! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!