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Today we are interviewing Amelia Marie Whalen, author of the memoir Everything You've Ever Done.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I
am an outdoor adventure girl living in the Southwest. My passion is
rock climbing. I work as a technical writer and am a professional
playwright.
Describe your book in a few sentences.
Everything You’ve Ever Done
is a memoir of my wild 20-something love affair that turned to tragedy
when my husband died from a rare brain disease. It’s not a “young lover
dying early” story shot through a soft filter. It’s a pungent,
rollicking story of two center-of-every-party types who lived hard and
full. Dave and I were real-life characters who blasted through a life
stranger than fiction. And we created a story as deep and powerful as
any spiritual guide.
Your
inspiration to write this book was due to something your husband, Dave,
said after a diagnosis with a brain disease. Can you tell us a bit
about this decision to write the book?
Dave inspired me in many
ways, through his words and by his example. The last sentence he said to
me, before the brain damage robbed him of speech, was “I appreciate
everything you’ve ever done for me.” He spoke out of the blue, but with
total clarity and sincerity. Dave’s character and those words gave me
strength at the time and have motivated me since then.
Your book is chock-full of adventure. Did you and Dave always lead such adventurous lives?
When
Dave and I met in our early twenties, we both had adventurous
backgrounds. I’d been camping and hiking since I was a small child and
rock climbing from the age of 13. Dave was a world traveler, helping his
father run a South American import company since he was a teenager.
Together we adventured in the woods, on the road, and with our business
and art pursuits.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I
think that those who feel deeply and strive to experience the richness
of life would most appreciate the book. I think anyone struggling,
especially with illness and death, can find comfort in my story.
Did
anything surprise you as you were reflecting on your past and writing
this book? Anything that you realized looking back but didn’t realize or
appreciate at the time?
The importance of Dave and my story’s
background surprised me. I didn’t realize before I started writing and
building the book’s structure how much of our pasts would be relevant to
the way we lived and dealt with Dave’s illness. I didn’t expect to
include so much of our lives from before the time when we met and
leading up to the onset of Dave’s illness. It took me a while to
understand the importance of the big picture and how impactful our pasts
were on our character development.
How do you think reading your book will impact people?
My
book will reassure people that suffering and death are parts of our
human experience that enrich our lives. These aspects of our existence
are a reality that doesn’t have to be feared or avoided. Embracing the
bad with the good is essential for spiritual development. We are
blessed, even by tragedy. Readers will see that the most devastating
life circumstances can create personal discovery, peace, and acceptance.
You’re currently in the process of finding a publisher or
agent, and are sharing some excerpts with readers. Can you tell us a bit
about the excerpts you’re currently sharing with readers?
I am
attempting to give readers pieces from both the dark and light parts of
the book. It’s undeniable that parts of the story read as tragedy and
are heavy and sad, but I hope that other parts read as a love story and
inspire.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Anyone
who'd like to be notified when the book is released can sign up for the
mailing list, at either the Facebook page or the blog.
Thank you for a great interview!
More Information
www.everythingyouveeverdone.com
www.facebook.com/EverythingYouveEverDone
Today we are interviewing Jim West, author of the middle grade fantasy book Libellus de Numeros, which spark young readers' interest in the STEM fields.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Killeen, TX in 1977 and grew up mostly in central Louisiana. For over 18 years I have worked in the Cyber Security field and came up with the ideas and concept for the Magicae Mathematica series about a decade ago. My first book of the series, Libellus de Numeros, is one I hope will resonate with its young readers. I am a father of two SMART and beautiful girls whom I love dearly and when I am not away 'saving the world' we live in Dubai, UAE with my wonderful wife Eman.
Describe the Magicae Mathematica series in a few sentences.
A young girl, who has anger issues due to her parents demanding careers, finds herself mysteriously transported to a world where math is magic. Too bad she never paid much attention in math class.
What inspired you to write the Magicae Mathematica series?
My two daughters, Mya and Tia. They both are part of this story in many ways. The main character of Alex is based upon them both. My oldest used to wear a red hoodie and that became part of Alex’s character’s look. Both of their personalities are ever present within the book.
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| Author Jim West. |
Why do you think young girls will connect with the series?
I hope young girls will identify with the strong young female main character of Alex. Too many big books have the main male character, and I hope Alex will become a good role model to look up to.
Archimedes is a character in your book. What was it like channeling this ancient thinker?
Archimedes is the first ‘absent minded professor’ in history. It was fun writing his character, all the while maintaining a fine balance of logic and humor.
How do you hope your book will impact young readers?
The biggest dream I have is to inspire an entire generation of young readers to become scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. To be part of a change that is generational is huge to me. I hope my books sparks the interest in the STEM studies.
A large part of the reason there is a gender disparity in the STEM fields is because of a lack of role models for young girls. Why do you think there is this lack of role models?
There is not so much a lack of role models, but more perhaps a lack of public awareness of who they are. Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie are two historic examples, but today we have great mathematicians like the recent Fields Medal winner, Maryam Mirzakhani who deserves more spotlighting so young girls can have more role models to look up to.
How have your daughters reacted to your book?
They love it. Everyday there is something new happening in regards to the book, and they get the front row seat to all that is occurring.
What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
Well Book Two of the Magicae Mathematica Series, Circulus de Potentia (Circle of Power), is being worked on now. I should have it ready for publishing by this summer.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
This is a self-published independent work by myself. I am a nobody in this huge industry of book writing. I don’t have the marketing team like the big authors do. I don’t have the advertising budgets that big publishers do. It takes each and every fan I gain to help get the word out on this fantastic story. My success is not just in sales, but rather in the fans and their word of mouth. Every time a fan shares or retweets on social media helps spread the word. Each fan is important to the success of the bigger goal of impacting an entire generation. I tremendously appreciate each and every one of my fans.
More Information
www.MagicaeMathematica.com
This book is now free on Amazon for a short time. Click here to get a copy while you still can.
The purpose of "Fifo Tales" is that by developing emotional intelligence I want to help the future generation stand up against everyday difficulties with the help of the morals of the tales and encourage children to develop healthy self-confidence and an optimistic way of thinking.
My tales make it possible for the children to process their unconscious anxiety and vent tension. This ability will help them to solve their problems when they grow up.
With Fifo’s tales, my purpose is to make a series of several books. The title of the first part is ‘Fifo and the Mocking Teo’.
During his several adventures Fifo, the chick boy, learns how to fight with everyday difficulties at the kindergarten.
In this tale he moves into a huge city with his parents and younger sister, Fifina. In his new kindergarten he has to face an unexpected situation. He gets acquainted with Teo, the nasty hedgehog boy, who is always mocking and excluding him.
Fifo’s desire is to feel good at the kindergarten and make new friends. He would like to play with Teo and wants to be his friend. He tries to be kind to him, but Teo behaves dismissively and excludes Fifo with his mocking behaviour.
His mother helps him in a clever way to solve this difficult situation...
Charming characters and scenes make Fifo’s tales colorful and fun to follow.
Today we are interviewing Lisa Burton, author of the juvenile/self-help book The EnergyWise Kids and the Happy Heart Affirmations: A Child's Guide To The Power of Positive Thinking.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Lisa Burton, MPH, OTR/L is an expert in creating positive, safe, thriving and vibrant school cultures with optimal learning environments using Mindfulness and Natural Stress Management Tools. She works with Administrators and Teachers who desire an effective and easy-to- use, step-by-step motivational system based on Mindfulness principles that unifies the School Community. School Wide results include: elevated student academic achievement, improved workplace harmony, strengthened school to home connections and a sense of restored personal well-being for greater individual success and fulfillment for both students and staff.
Describe the purpose of your book in a few sentences.
The purpose of the book is to empower children to purposefully direct their individual well-being and the well-being of the greater community. The story illustrates the power of the individual and how through our interconnectedness, we impact one another.
Who do you think would most appreciate your book?
Parents, Grandparents, and Teachers who appreciate the value of self-awareness and Mindfulness Tools who are looking for a fun and engaging way to teach this concept to children and would like a hands-on activity to practice this concept.
What inspired you to write a book about the power of positive thinking?
The Power of Positive Thinking is a Tool I rely on daily. It was a concept I introduced to my son at a young age and also to the staff and students of the former childcare center I operated, with positive results. I see it as a valuable Tool to help children develop resiliency in these turbulent times.
Why is it important to have a positive mindset?
It is important to have a positive mindset to inspire oneself, persevere towards one’s goals, and to contribute to humanity.
Do you think children growing up today have a different set of challenges than children who grew up two decades ago?
Yes, today’s children live with higher levels of stress at younger and younger ages. The sources of stress are many: excessive Media influences that dictate how one should look and dress, intensive competition in school both academically and with sports, a bombardment of violent images through gaming, film, and TV, technology driven, fast-paced lifestyles, latchkey kids, and often times extensive peer pressure through social media.
How do you hope your book will impact readers?
It is my intention that the book will serve as a fun and engaging prop for Parents, Grandparents, and Teachers to use to start a conversation about what their child thinks is important to them and to their greater community. And now once you know that, the child can learn, through the Power of Positive Thinking, how to create it.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
The next book is already in the works. It describes and illustrates an additional 12 new tools to create and sustain a Mindfulness Practice for the home or the classroom.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
The rhythmic meter and rhyming of the story is fun and engaging. The wonderfully detailed illustrations reveal something new each time you look at the pages – for example, a snail with a spiraled shell, crickets dancing together, and the last page contains 12 Happy Heart Affirmations to be cut out and used as a positive thought for the day, tucked in a lunch box, or hidden under a pillow as a reminder to the child about the power of positive thinking.
More Information
www.mindfulandstressfreekids.com
Today we are interviewing Lola Allen, author of the urban fiction novel Rhonda's Revenge.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am an English graduate and teacher; I completed an MA in Creative Writing in 2011. I have always been an avid reader and writer; this really began when I was a child - I realised that I could make up my own characters and my own reality. It was very liberating. My degree in English was what really prompted me to pursue writing properly. I studied African American women’s fiction, contemporary fiction and romantic fiction, which inspired me to be the writer that I am today. One of my lecturers (African American Women’s fiction) after reading my work, persuaded me to purse writing further. I took up her advice and several years later, have not looked back.
Rhonda’s Revenge was written before I completed my MA and I then came back to edit parts of it, using some of the knowledge that I gleaned from my course. My first proper novel and actual MA project, was my novel ‘The Heartless Game’, which also address the issues of infidelity, paranoia and cheating.
Describe Rhonda’s Revenge in a few sentences.
Rhonda’s Revenge is the story of a woman wronged, who would go to any lengths to get her own back. Rhonda’s pride would not permit her to understand or even begin to envisage the thought that her husband Joseph could ever fall out of love with her. The novel started out as a bit of joke really – me imagining a situation in which women were completely in control and could do anything with their powers, including meting out punishments of their choice to unappreciative, unfaithful men - I then decided to finish the story and turn it into a novella.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
On the surface I would say women that have been cheated on by their husbands or partners. However, there is also a satirical side to this novel, which cannot be taken too seriously and some parts that are like something out of a fantasy movie! My husband himself found parts of this novel funny, as did male friends of mine who read the novel. So men can get something out of reading this novel too…even if it’s just a warning about a woman scorned.
What inspired you to write about a woman’s plan for revenge on her cheating husband?
Probably because the breakdown of a marriage is a woman’s worst nightmare. That and being traded in for a younger model. I’d just like to add at this point, that I wrote this story before I was married, so it was not inspired by personal experience! Every woman likes to think that she’s special and has her man’s heart forever, especially when they’re married to each other. A woman’s wedding day is widely seen and marketed as the most important day of her life, however once the day is over and the dress is off, things can rapidly begin to go downhill. This is especially true of the first few years of marriage, as in Rhonda’s Reveng’, in which she and Joseph have only been married for five years before he begins his affairs. When writing my stories, I like to create the worst case scenario, so that I can focus on how my female characters respond to them – this was certainly the case for Rhonda’s Revenge.
I also wanted to show that no one was right in the novela; Joseph was wrong for cheating on Rhonda and Rhonda was wrong for trying to get him back in the way that she did. I tried to juxtapose the ideas of good and evil throughout Rhonda’s Revenge and the fact that no one is truly innocent. As such, although Rhonda was the injured party, the way in which she went about her revenge, absolved her of any of the purity, or ‘righteousness’ she might initially have had. She therefore becomes as bad as Joseph.
Tell us a bit about the relationship between the main character, Rhonda, and her cheating husband, Joseph.
Rhonda and Joseph have known each other since secondary (high) school. Joseph comes from a single parent household where money is hard to come by whilst Rhonda is an only child, with relatively wealthy parents and a silver spoon in her mouth. Whereas Joseph has had to work his way up from the bottom, Rhonda has many things handed to her on the plate, hence her ‘princess’ mentality. Their backgrounds have a huge bearing on how they treat each other in their marriage, as Joseph grows resentful of the fact that Rhonda thinks she can have anything she wants. He then seeks to prove otherwise.
Rhonda does love her husband, but she is very full-on. She wants to control her husband and the direction of their relationship. She doesn’t realise that the shy boy she knew in school is no more. Joseph has had to work very hard to get to where he is, and simply wants to be his own man. Rhonda’s need to control everything almost leads to an eating disorder and the loss of her ability to ever have children. As an only child, having her own family is very important to Rhonda; not so much to Joseph who hails from a large family, where he has seen struggle and pain on a daily basis.
What drives Rhonda to still want a relationship with Joseph despite all the ways he has wronged her?
She wants to be in control. As a bit of a spoilt woman, Rhonda wants to always get her own way. She remembers that Joseph has always had a huge crush on her, and she enjoyed the attention. Now that they’re married, she doesn’t want this to change. She also wants to prove to Joseph that she is more desirable than the younger models that he’s chasing, because of their history and the fact that every boy had a crush on her in school. Not to forget of course that Rhonda is desperate for a family, and want this with Joseph, as she believes that becoming a father would be good for him and help him to escape the demons of his own inadequate father and his legacy. A child would provide Rhonda and Joseph with the opportunity to begin their own legacy.
How do you hope your book will impact people?
I hope it would help them to think about the effects that infidelity can have on people, especially mentally, as well as the implications of breaking up a marital home. A person who has cheated once, would do it again and again. No woman or man is immune to being cheated on (no matter how beautiful or handsome) and once a person realises that their partner is a serial cheat, they need to be willing to either accept that person as they are, or simply let them go and start their lives over. Some things can’t be forced, and you certainly can’t force a person to love you (at least, not the natural way)!
Are there any authors who have influenced your writing style?
In terms of contemporary urban fiction, I’m a huge fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, I love the lyrical and effortless way in which he writes. He has inspired me to be less afraid to write about sex in my novels and novellas. As long as this is done tastefully, there is no need to be embarrassed or afraid. I also really admire the writing of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and fellow British writer, Alex Wheattle.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
My next project is a story about a woman who harbours a deep love for one of her close male friends (they grew up together), without ever telling him. It showcases the struggle she endures and the pain of seeing him with other women, knowing that she could never have that sort of relationship with him herself.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Please read it, it’s good fun! It’s also very popular with other readers. When I first released it as a free ebook, it was ranked number 1 in African American women’s fiction and number 1 in African American romance (in the UK Amazon Kindle store). It’s now no longer free, but still a reasonable buy at just $2.99. As a novel/novella, Rhonda’s Revenge is short, but I intended it to be that way, as it’s just a fleeting glance into a troubled marriage and the drama that quickly unfolds as the result of this. I’m toying with the idea of creating sequels to Rhonda’s Revenge - at the moment I’m not completely sure, but watch this space!
A short excerpt from Rhonda's Revenge:
As Joseph
pulled away from his girlfriend, he was looking into her eyes, Rhonda
recognised that look; it meant that Joseph was in love. Joseph was in
love with another woman! The realisation suddenly hit Rhonda full in
the face, like a jagged rock that had been thrown at her, scarring her
face and making it bleed. What had she been, blind? Stupid? No wonder
Joseph had been neglecting her, he had been showering his affections on
someone else. And she was so beautiful, and fleshy. Rhonda began to
feel insanely jealous, she wanted to kill him. She wanted to kill them
both.
“Why don’t we leave now?” Graham suggested pragmatically.
But
Rhonda was not having any of it, “What, without a drink?” she asked,
with a dangerous edge to her voice, “Get me a triple vodka.”
“But Rhonda-” Graham began.
“Now.” Rhonda added.
“Do as the girl says,” Elaine pushed, “can’t you see she needs it?”
Without
any further ado, Graham did as he was asked, turning around momentarily
to ensure that Rhonda wouldn’t change her mind. She didn’t.
Samina,
Peter and Delilah stood rooted to their seats in silence, they were
still in shock. Rhonda and Joseph had been married five years, how
could he be cheating on her already? Samina came forward to hug Rhonda,
but she pushed her away.
“Please don’t pity me,” she said, on the verge of tears, “I really don’t need it.”
“Of course not,” Samina replied “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologise,” Rhonda ordered, downing the drink that was put before her in three seconds. “Another,” she told Graham.
“But-” he began.
“Now!” Elaine said on Rhonda’s behalf; Rhonda smiled weakly in appreciation.
“Okay, coming up,” he sighed, making another trip to the bar.
After
about three triple vodkas, Rhonda made her way to the bar. She was so
fiercely angry; no one tried to stop her. Head held high, back
straight, she walked over to her husband and tapped him on the
shoulder. “Hello darling,” she said sarcastically.
Joseph turned around, and his eyes came to meet his wife’s. He didn’t even look like he cared.
More Information
Buy Rhonda's Revenge on Amazon
Today we are interviewing Sarantos, author of the novel Not Where I Wanna Be.
Sarantos is a solo music artist who started a unique journey in 2014 releasing a song, music video & book chapter every month. He plans on doing this every month until the day he dies. Although he is a singer-songwriter, his true passion is lyrics so Sarantos decided to do something no other musician has ever done before! He wrote this 1st fiction/fantasy book mirroring each chapter after the specific song released that month.
Sarantos has been writing lyrics since he was in the 4th grade and was always mesmerized by words. So Sarantos decided to do something no other musician has ever done before! He wrote his 1st fiction/fantasy book in 2014 but decided to raise the bar. The book is titled Not Where I Wanna Be which is the exact same title as his 1st CD. Additionally, Sarantos thought it'd be fun to mirror each chapter after the specific song released that month. This is the story of his fantastic journey.
Who do you think would most appreciate your new book, Not Where I Wanna Be?
I think the book would apply to a wide ranged demographic but probably more specifically 16 to 45-year-olds. Anyone who loves fiction and specifically stories about vampires will probably find it especially appealing.
What was your favorite part about sharing your ideas in a book?
My favorite part was being able to do more writing than I usually do in a song with my lyrics. I was able to express more intrigue and develop the character and scenes much more than I normally am able to.
What inspired you to embark on this journey where you release a song, music video, and book chapter every month?
My initial inspiration for finally doing something that I've wanted to do my entire life was the passing away of my father. This is what led me on this journey to finally start doing something that I'm so passionate about.
Tell us a bit about the development of your interest in writing lyrics.
All I can say is that words have always been very important to me, even as a child. I was always trying to write stories and songs for as long as I can remember. I think words are very powerful - much more so than anything else in the world.
You’re a very creative person, having experience in literature, music, and music videos. Can you tell us about the similarities and differences in the creative processes for each of these forms of expression?
The creative process I like to think is always basically the same. It all starts with an idea and what emotion you are ultimately trying to trigger. What story are you trying to tell in your song, music video or book? What is the theme? Are there double meanings? Obviously, each of these mediums is a very different as you can do a lot more in a book with words, in a song by including music and in a music video by including all 3 elements. The interaction of video, music and words is incredible and I wish I was not so limited in my budget to truly be able to bring to life what is in my head.
What kind of music do you like to listen to when you’re not creating it?
I listen to all sorts of music but probably my favorite genre is 80s music and then specifically rock and pop.
Can you tell us a bit about any projects you’re currently working on?
I’ve been offered an opportunity to tour around the world for 6 months but I had to pass that down because of my day job. I’m hopeful that I continue to grow and can make this creative process my full time job so I can continue to grow as an artist and continue this journey in a much bigger way all over the world.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
It's the first book in a trilogy and I hope they enjoy reading the chapter each month and find it worthwhile to add on their to do list. I promise to always try to keep them on edge and interested…
More Information
Author's website: http://www.melogia.com
Sarantos Facebook artist page: https://www.facebook.com/Sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/+SarantosMelogia
Sarantos Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SarantosMelogia
Sarantos Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sarantosmelogia
Sarantos Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sarantos-melogia
Today we are interviewing Jaye C. Blakemore, author of the murder mystery Double Identity.
Describe the plot of your book in a few sentences.
This is about twins that go through more than anyone should have to in their lives. The people they love may not be who they thought they were.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
40+ men and women.
What inspired you to write a book about twins separated at a young only to later learn of their unique family history?
I have a hard time with this….. I was trying to go to sleep and the story just came. I just started writing and could not stop. The more I wrote the more they came to life.
Tell us a bit about the protagonists, Gillian and Julianne.
They stayed close throughout their lives despite everything life dealt them. The faced whatever life through at them and prevailed.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Robert, he is the guy you love to hate.
Double Identity is a unique blend of romance, suspense, murder, and revenge. Did you set out to write a book with all of these elements? Or did the story develop these elements as you wrote?
I knew the book before I wrote, I just kept finding I had to give a more in-depth description of them.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
I am already working on another murder mystery, and it also has a twist no-one sees coming.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Anyone that has read it has made the two same comments, I was sad it was over and I did not see that coming.
Book Blurb
A passionate star-crossed romance between charismatic French vintner
Cecile Cardin and elusive billionaire art collector Paul Allensworth
leads to the birth of beautiful twins Gillian and Julianne, who were
separated at the age of three during a mysterious divorce, and raised in
completely different environments. Julianne artsy bohemian life of a
small French winery, and Gillian lives in lonely luxury in New York
City. Cecile and Paul take their shocking secrets to the grave… but they
also leave their daughters with great wealth, an empire to run, and a
strongbox that reveals a legacy they could never have imagined. As
Gillian and Julianne learn of their parents past, and a family history
steeped in unimaginable courage and tragedy, they must come to terms
with the gifts and challenges that their parents have bequeathed to
them, while making their way as independent women in the challenging
world in the 1970’s. Only one twin will have the perfect life… but both
will skyrocket through incredible journeys. Double Identity is richly
characterized, inventive thrill ride with plenty of suspense and
romance.
More Information
Visit Jaye C. Blakemore's Facebook
Follow Jaye c. Blakemore on Twitter
Today we are interviewing Jeannie Croichy, author of the children's book Four Reasons for Each Season.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Sure!
I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to Caribbean parents. This makes me a first-generation American. I am also a first-generation college graduate. Currently, I am earning a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership. In addition, I am an adjunct professor. In regards to my interests, I love to write. Writing is my heart’s passion.
Describe your new children’s book in a few sentences.
My new children’s book is my very first published book. It was important for me to develop a book for children, but also for all ages. The book consists of four haiku poems for each of the four seasons. Four Reasons for Each Season is a wonderful glimpse of the beauty of the Earth’s seasons. Each haiku provides a descriptive visual of the exquisiteness provided by winter, spring, summer, and fall. This children’s book will allow children and their parents to admire nature’s gift to the world as a family.
What inspired you to write a children’s book about the beauty of the four seasons?
That’s a beautiful question. Personally, I was inspired by nature. I love walking in the woods with my dogs, Sweetie and Rosco, and just admiring everything – the scent of the air, color of the trees, touch of the green grass, and the taste of the snowflakes. These are enjoyable aspects of the four seasons. I thought it would be great and educational to share my admiration of nature with families – in hopes of children creating their own admiration and love for nature.
Why did you decide to tell this story with haiku poetry?
I believe telling this story of the four seasons with haiku poetry would allow children to make an instant connection with the words. Haiku poetry provides a beautiful description of feelings and images – and this is especially manifested with the theme of nature in my book.
How do you hope your book will impact people?
Personally, it is crucial to create an impact in the world. The future of our world is in the hands of our children. Through my book and other nature-related resources, our children will continue the legacy of appreciating nature and its seasons. However, it is important for parents to introduce this appreciation to their children. This will allow children to create their very own appreciation for the seasons, nature, and our beautiful world.
Growing up, I was taught to appreciate the Earth. In school, there was a magnificent day called “Earth Day” and this celebration of the Earth still continues today.
My deepest hope is that Four Reasons for Each Season would create a very special place in children. At times, nature is something that is taken for granted and it’s truly important to educate our children in appreciating nature and appreciating our seasons. Whether it’s cold or hot outside, we should all have something to appreciate about each season.
Can you tell us a bit about the creative process for this book, from the initial idea to the finished book?
Sure! The creative process was quite an adventurous journey. Since this is my very first book, I am undeniably so amazed at the extraordinary stages of the creative process.
Writing the haiku poetry was the very first step. Inspiration was definitely in nature. At times, hiking or simply looking out of my beautiful window developed my inspiration. In regards to looking out of my window, I have a spectacular view of the woods on a hill, which is definitely inspirational.
After the development of the poetry, the artwork was crucial. I am blessed to have two wonderful and artistic brothers, Jean Croichy Jr. and Joel Croichy. Both of my brothers worked very hard on creating beautiful artwork for each poem and the book cover. I am truly grateful of their artistic input in the overall process.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
Wonderful question! I have plenty of exciting projects in mind. I am definitely going to create more nature-themed children’s books. I am in the process of developing an animal and nature children’s book as well.
In the future, I am looking forward to undertaking themes that will teach children about social issues in a creative way.
Overall, I am just super excited to use my writing to inspire children and to possibly use my writing to create cherished memories.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Most importantly, I would like to thank potential readers in believing in the message of this book. I am delighted to share this message with the world. It is important to educate our children in the value of appreciating nature. Four Reasons for Each Season is a breathtaking book not only for children, but also for all ages. This book will allow individuals to create their own appreciation for each season and nature.
Four Reasons for Each Season is available as a Kindle format on Amazon. I’m looking forward to the printed version in the future.
Short excerpt from Spring:
The budding green leaves
Tulips and daffodils
Refreshing spring breeze
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Today we are interviewing P., Piero DDS, author of Never Brush Your Teeth Again! - Startling Information On How Oral Health Impacts Your Entire Body.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Dr. Piero is a 1982 graduate of the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry with a family practice in Holland, Michigan. He has steadfastly placed a special emphasis on periodontal disease and restorations. His patients will tell you he is passionate about patient education and total body health and wellness.
Since 1984, Dr. Piero has used his clinical experience in the development of Dental Air Force, a sophisticated, personal, at home dental hygiene system that represents the biggest leap forward in personal hygiene and periodontal disease prevention and treatment since the invention of the modern toothbrush in 1939.
Dr. Piero developed and created Dental Air Force based on professional dental hygiene equipment – the Prophy Jet™ - that can “power wash” away plaque, remove microscopic debris from between teeth, and disrupt the biofilm that grows on teeth and produces periodontal disease. Dental Air Force has been heralded as a major advancement in home oral hygiene care that can help people of all ages prevent periodontal disease, preserve teeth, and improve overall health and longevity.
Describe the purpose of your book in a few sentences.
The main objective of the book is to make its readers aware of the pitfalls that traditional tooth brushing can pose. It explains, in detail, how and why brushing can be harmful. Despite being taught to brush our teeth twice a day ever since we were children, this book brings out the hidden truth about tooth brushing. It not only makes us aware of how to defend our body against the harm caused by brushing, it also suggests an alternate way to keep our mouths healthy and clean. It does a wonderful job of guiding us towards the right way of taking care of our mouth.
With each chapter of the book, one will find new information unfolding in front of them - information that you may never have known or that you never even thought existed. “The Zoo in Your Mouth” chapter tells us about all the bugs our mouth harbors and all the threats that might be present in a dormant state in the mouth.
There is a chapter on the biofilm ecosystem and most importantly on periodontal disease. Other chapters describe the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases that affect the entire body. The book gives us a very clear idea of all the existing threats to our body as well as to our immune system.
The book is a life saver. Studies show that tooth brushing can lead to serious abrasions on the tooth enamel. This is not just a statement – there is scientific proof.
Who do you think would most benefit from reading this book?
Anyone that uses a toothbrush! Anyone with teeth that cares about their (and their loved ones) overall health will benefit from reading this book. This book helps you understand what’s going on in our mouths and helps spread the word about deadly disease that can be prevented by switching up our oral hygiene routine.
What inspired you to write a book about the ineffectiveness of the toothbrush?
Periodontal Disease is the most prevalent disease on the planet, yet almost 50% of Americans over age 30 have periodontitis… according to the CDC. And if you are age 65+ the numbers jump to 70%.
Dentistry is not only my career, but my passion. I take Dentistry to a higher level by talking to each and every patient about their overall health history and reminding them that the condition of your mouth is linked to the health of your entire body. I take pride in my work in prevention and periodontal disease therapy. It took me two decades to get to this point and share my device- a toothbrush replacement and solution to preventing periodontal disease at home… a new way to clean your teeth without the damage! Seeing as how I cannot be everybody’s Dentist, I wanted to write this book to get the word out to more than just my patients.
Why do you think society has so heavily embraced the toothbrush as a cure-all for dental health?
I wish I could tell you… I’m trying to change the mindset though. The bristles of these toothbrushes drag the abrasive toothpaste across your teeth- scratching the surface of the enamel and dentin leading to many problems including sensitivity. On top of that, they cannot clean many hard to reach surfaces.
You write about the bio-system of bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites in the mouth and how they are dangerous. Tell us a bit more about this.
Not all of these microorganisms are dangerous! Some are beneficial, but many are contagious, smelly and infectious. Even after a professional cleaning by your dentist, it only takes 24-48 hours for all of the bacteria to return.
How do you think reading your book will impact people?
I’ve found a solution to preventing periodontal disease in a way that you can do daily at home, without damaging your teeth, and will allow you to reach all of those spots you could never get clean before. Reading this book will positively impact anybody that doesn’t realize what is going on in your mouth (most people don’t) and what SHOULD be going on in their mouth,
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
There is an amazing return on investment when you put your money where your mouth is. You live longer… You live healthier… Prevention is the key to unlocking the vault of longevity within each of us.
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Today we are interviewing Marilyn Z. Tomlins, author of the true crime book Die in Paris.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am English and I live in Paris. When I am not writing, I am reading what others have written. Indeed, I love books and I have over 4,000 of them in my apartment.
I’ve been in the world of the written world for a long time, my first job, based in South Africa, having been on the editorial team of a media group. Next, having moved to Paris, I was a ‘stringer’ for another South African-based media group, covering general news. Fifteen years ago I had become the showbiz and royal correspondent for an Australian media group while I also began to do crime reporting. Five years ago I stopped all journalism because I wanted to write books: I did not have time to do both.
Describe your true crime book in a few sentences.
Die in Paris is the story of a most vicious killer: Dr Marcel Petiot. He killed in Paris during WW2, yet 70 year after the end of the war, he remains France’s most prolific serial killer. He was guillotined for having slaughtered 26 people, but the police chief at that time thought that he had murdered at least 200. His motive was money: having grown up a poor boy, he wanted to be wealthy and WW2 had given him that opportunity. France having surrendered to Germany and the Germans occupying the country, many people wanted to flee the country in order to be free from Hitler’s Nazis. Petiot told them that he could help them do so. He ‘sold’ them an escape route from Paris, but no such escape route existed: after having charged them enormous fees for his assistance, he killed them.
What do you think would most appreciate this book?
True crime readers. Also people who are interested in WW2, and indeed in France and the French. Die in Paris certainly shows a Paris which can not be called a ‘city of light’.
What inspired you to write a book on Dr. Marcel Petiot?
Petiot grabbed my attention when I first came across him when I was reading a book about France during WW2. He then would not let me go again. He certainly held on to me after I had discovered that I could see the cemetery where he lies buried from the windows of my apartment. So maybe he found me and I did not find him. Weird, I know, but so it was.
You spent two years researching the story. Can you tell us a bit what that process is like?
For those two years I ‘lived’ with Petiot: I had a most vicious killer in my head and there was no way I could get away from him. Or wanted to get away from him.
The internet has made research much easier than it used to be, but there were only two books on Petiot in English, so I therefore had to do my research in French but fortunately I knew the language. There came a time when I no longer had space in my office for my research material, so I started to set it out in my living room. I am someone who still wants everything printed out, so whatever documents I had come across, I had to print out. Eventually I had such a massive amount of French documents to go through and which I had begun to translate to English, that I had to hire a translator to assist me. He worked well and fast – and I will be grateful to him forever: he passed away before the book was published.
I had one disappointment when a ‘very’ close relative of Petiot – a man - would not speak to me. I had promised him that I would not reveal his identity or whereabouts in my book or in interviews. Still he would not speak to me. I’ve kept that promise as I still have not spoken about him to anyone.
The fact is that I love doing research and I could certainly work as a researcher, so researching Petiot was not a problem.
What techniques did you use to make this story come alive for modern readers?
I just wrote the book as I had told the story of Dr Marcel Petiot to friends and relatives. I had as example Meyer Levin’s Compulsion about the Leopold and Loeb case published in 1956, and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood about the murder of the Clutter family in Kansas published in 1966. Levin was the first to have written a true crime as a ‘non-fiction novel’ or a ‘documentary novel’. This is what I tried to do with Die in Paris. Also, I am a great admirer and reader of Ann Rule, so her style was an inspiration.
What is the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research on Dr. Marcel Petiot?
About myself? That I do not scare easily. When I was a child I could not watch scary movies and later, grown-up, I still could not. I will tell you that I’ve not even watched one episode of ‘Star Trek’ because I found the faces too frightening. However, having lived so closely with Petiot for so long, it now takes some doing to scare me.
About life? Not to trust people easily. Petiot’s victims trusted him, never for a moment having suspected that he was going to kill them.
About writing books? It is amazingly satisfying.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
The assassination of Princess Diana. Or a book about Jack the Ripper. I’ve just written an article about Jack the Ripper which has done well on the internet among Ripperologists, so I am thinking of writing a book about him. I have my own theory about who he was.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Murder is always fascinating and as Dr Petiot has not been ‘done to death’ as a book subject, Die in Paris will be a discovery. Also, the book is not only about a serial killer, but it is also about Paris and also about World War Two and the Nazis. Furthermore, Petiot was a handsome man – I think he looked like Johnny Depp – and his wife was pretty, and the murders took place, not in some back street, but a 5-minute walk from Paris’s Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
A short excerpt from Die in Paris:
It was
always preferable that death should come quickly to the condemned.
Therefore, Desfourneaux and his three assistants worked fast. They
pulled Marcel towards the guillotine; they did not look left or right.
They did not even seem to waste time to breathe.
“Don’t look,
gentlemen; this won’t be pretty,” said Marcel, looking over his shoulder
at those who had come to see him die. He was smiling.
The ‘gentlemen’ stood well away. They wore their best suits. Those too had been expensive and blood could splatter.
Desfourneaux
took Marcel by the arm and pushed him against the bascule, the
guillotine’s vertically-positioned tilting board. Rapidly, two of his
assistants swung wide leather belts around Marcel’s torso and legs
and tied him to the board. They pushed the bascule down into a
horizontal position until it was level with the lunette, the device that
kept the condemned’s head in position. Desfourneaux was waiting and as
the bascule came to a halt, he grabbed Marcel’s head and pushed it
through the lunette. Suddenly, Marcel began to thrash about as if he
wanted to get up and run away. With ease that came from years of
experience, Desfourneaux, with both hands, held him down by the
shoulders. Marcel calmed and became still; the reflex had passed, the
storm had ended; he had accepted the abyss. He turned his head and
looked and smiled at Desfourneaux. The latter’s face betrayed not a
trace of emotion, but his left hand was moving towards the déclic that,
when pushed down, would release the blade that would rob Marcel of his
life. The blade was oblique. Such a blade had been found to be far more
effective than a straight-edged one. A straight blade was inclined to
crush the neck rather than to severe it. It made guillotining an
altogether messier procedure.
Desfourneaux’s third assistant was
standing directly in front of the lunette, but behind a wooden shield
that would protect him from Marcel’s blood. Between the lunette and the
shield stood a wicker basket. As Marcel’s head appeared through the
lunette, he grabbed it by the hair; it was imperative that a condemned’s
head should not move. Had Marcel been bald, he would have grabbed him
around the top of his head.
Desfourneaux pressed the déclic. The
guillotine’s blade was attached to a metal block known as the mouton.
Its purpose was to add speed and force to the blade. The mouton weighed
thirty kilograms; the blade seven. Three bolts that kept the blade in
place weighed a kilogram each. That was a total of forty kilograms: it
hit Petiot’s neck with a dull and very sharp thud.
It was 5:05 A.M.
Marcel’s
head fell into the wicker basket. It was the kind of basket as might be
found in any office, but this one was lined with lead so that blood
could not seep out. Marcel’s body, as lifeless as it was headless, laid
stock-still on the bascule. Hastily, the two assistants, one on each
side of it, pushed it into another wicker basket, this one long. It was
also lead-lined and was large enough to hold four adult bodies.
Dr
Paul stepped up to the long basket. He had to establish death had taken
place. He had always found that procedure such a ridiculous formality.
He looked into the basket and nodded heavily. Marcel lay on his back.
His arms were underneath his body. His legs were bent.
Dr Paul would
later say, “For the first time in my life, I saw a man leaving death
row if not dancing, at least showing perfect calm. Most people about to
be executed do their best to be courageous, but one senses that it is a
stiff and forced courage. Petiot moved with ease, as though he was
walking into his consulting room where a patient was waiting.”
Those
who had witnessed guillotine executions, used to say that after
decapitation, the eyelids and lips of the guillotined had continued to
contract for five or six seconds. Rumour has it that Marcel had
continued to smile and flutter his eyelids for at least twenty or thirty
seconds after his head had been severed from his body.
Some of the witnesses left the courtyard, got into their cars and drove off.
Desfourneaux
and his three assistants still had work to do before they too could go.
They transferred Marcel’s body and head to a plain wooden coffin. They
hosed down the guillotine, the basket into which Marcel’s head had
tumbled and the basket into which his body had been pushed. They hosed
the courtyard. All part of the service.
Monsieur de Paris and his
three assistants had nearly not turned up for Marcel’s execution. They
had gone on strike for an increase to their 65,000 francs annual salary,
and the 50 francs bonus they received for each execution. Since the
increase had been promised, but had been slow in coming, Desfourneaux
had threatened he would not be able to guillotine Dr Petiot; threatened
with dismissal in return, he had said his machine was not in working
order; it had been damaged during Allied bombing. In fact, Desfourneaux
had efficiently guillotined Germany’s enemies— mostly resisters, some of
them women— throughout the War. It was something that would sully his
name until the day he died in 1951 of a heart attack, probably caused by
the alcoholism and depression of his last years, years he had spent
repairing bicycles. Just like Maurice Petiot.
Desfourneaux had not
become an executioner by chance; no one in France ever had done so; it
was a profession that had run in families. Father to son; grandfather to
grandson; uncle to nephew. He had two executioners in his family; his great uncle, Edouard Mathieu and an uncle Leopold.
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