It took nearly a day to get there by train. But then there we were: Chicago!—the Europe of the Midwest, the “Rome of the railroads.” (Possibly parodying this association, Mark Twain explored how, to an American traveler, Berlin was “the European Chicago.”) Here everything was grand and girthy. Soon we were at my grandmother’s apartment, […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/07/14/a-portrait-on-the-wall/
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme
I am officially on vacation, but busy prepping the next two Sunday Posts, doing laundry and preparing for our flight, along with some last-minute things for Caffeinated PR. Sophia & Clayton a.k.a., the Royals are already packed and so excited. My posts are all scheduled, including the week we get back, because the return is always so tiring…lol. Stay Caffeinated.
A special thanks to Penguin Audio, St. Martin Press and Tantor Audio
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/07/sunday-post-636-busy-busy-busy.html
Piper’s Perfect Pick follows a young girl frustrated with trying to excel in sports who takes the advice of her cat to try out boxing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I absolutely love to box, even though I didn’t start boxing until I was 60 years old. The first time I punched a boxing bag I felt empowered. I thought, “Oh, I like this. I want to learn this sport!” So I did! Now I box 4-5 days a week.
Before I started to box, the only thing I knew about boxing was what I saw in the Rocky or Creed movies, which was pretty scary to me!
What I didn’t realize was that boxing is really about discipline, focus, and strategy, not just about throwing punches. It’s an amazing sport that is not well understood.
I wondered, “What if I had started to box when I was younger, say 8 or 9?” I probably would have been so much stronger, both mentally and physically. I would have had much more confidence in myself.
I started to think about how I wanted kids, especially little girls, to know that boxing is a great sport for them to try.
I thought, “Why don’t I tell them?”
Then…ding, ding, ding! The idea for Piper’s Perfect Pick came to me.
My rescue cat, Camelot, was the inspiration for Piper’s cat, Tater Tot. Before Cami got comfortable living with me, he would swat at my face whenever I walked by. I called him my little boxer!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Penny Weber?
I loved working with my illustrator, Penny Weber. We have a great relationship – after all, we are both a Peni/Penny! I had been looking for someone who did realistic illustrations, instead of cartoony ones. When I saw her portfolio I knew she was the one.
We are each other’s biggest fan – she loves my writing and I love her illustrations.
The only direction I gave Penny was the approximate age of my main character and the desire for her and her family to be of mixed race. Other than that, she had free rein. I had complete trust and faith that she would illustrate this book superbly – which she did!
Penny is already lined up to illustrate two more upcoming books of mine.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I write books to encourage, motivate, and empower children, so my debut picture book needed to showcase all of those themes.
It was important to show that Piper’s family encouraged and supported her.
It was important that Piper showed resilience and determination to follow her own path, even though it was an unexpected choice.
And it was important that children feel personally empowered after reading Piper’s story. If she could do it, then they could too!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book, Heart Trouble for ZZ, is due out November 3, 2024. I have three more books coming out in 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
In this compelling tale of resilience and determination, Piper teaches us an invaluable lesson: true strength lies in the willingness to explore the unknown, to never surrender to failure, and to keep pushing the boundaries until we uncover our own unique path. Sometimes, what we love most is not what we expect, and Piper’s story serves as a powerful reminder that our passions are waiting to be discovered, only if we persevere and never stop searching.
In Piper’s Perfect Pick, witness a heartwarming transformation that will leave you cheering for Piper and inspire you to keep exploring until you, too, find the one thing that sets your soul on fire.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/14/encourage-motivate-and-empower-children/
Jar of Tears: Moms Aren’t Supposed to Die follows a young girl struggling with the death of her mom, who questions why God would allow her mom to die as she adapts to a whole new life without her. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story is my own story of grief and faith. My own mother died 8 days before Christmas, quite unexpectedly and I was thrown into a new family dynamic within hours of learning the awful news. In order to keep my new stepmother happy, I was discouraged from grieving openly, picking up on messages all around me that grief should be private and very short to prevent others from being uncomfortable. It wasn’t until 30 years later that I saw a therapist who told me my grief was not complete and it was time to go back to it. She assured me that grief will leave on its own timetable, not mine. I began facing the sadness that grief brought and it ended up bringing me peace and perspective. I wanted to share that wisdom with others since we live in a grief-illiterate society in North America.
Miracle’s story is relatable. There is no magic happy ending; instead, it portrays what life is really like after a loved one dies. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I believe that you cannot protect children from reality, but support them as they process it. I didn’t want kids to read that there is a happy ending, because that isn’t the truth. The truth is that there are little glimpses of happiness and life is very difficult, but there is value in the struggle.
There are so many dynamics within a nuclear family but it’s more complicated with a blended family, which is more often the case after the death of a parent. I wanted children to see that it’s hard for everyone to adapt to change at first, but there can be unexpected blessings, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I want, more than anything else, for children to know that while their heart is broken over the loss of a loved one, God is in control, He loves us, and He loves us so much that even something as insignificant as our tears are precious to Him. I want children to know that God has a place for our loved ones and us, that we get to enjoy forever if we put our trust in Him. Being honest with God about our anger, sadness, and loneliness is critical in our relationship with Him. It’s important we do not hide our emotions to protect others, but to be honest about them to our loved ones, and God.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Jar of Tears?
I hope readers will find value in the struggle to grieve and understand God’s Will. God can use anyone and anything to bring his children back to him. He can use unbelievers to be His hands and feet, loving on grieving children and providing a hopeful lantern to them while they journey in the dark valleys of grief.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Accompany Mira as she’s thrust into a world of change. She misses her mom. Her heart is broken. Her mom was her best friend, but now she must adapt to a new home, a new stepfamily, and worst of all, a new school. She still has Pastor Will, but Mira’s not so sure God is real anymore. Will Mira ever finish her paintings so she can fulfill the promise she made to her mom before she went into the hospital? How will Mira grieve and still be a kid?
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/14/peace-and-perspective/
Little Melvin… The Pig That Could Eat the World follows a young pig living on a farm whose hunger gets out of control, sending him on an out-of-this-world adventure. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Anyone (even a cute little pig) can break free from his/her confines in search of new hopes and dreams and adventure!
Also, not everyone has visited a farm, particularly younger children, and this book may give them an early view of how a farm can look.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
To successfully create an enjoyable picture book that could be enjoyed between parents and young children during reading times together.
I was also hopeful that the book could attract the interest of a traditional publisher or literary agent.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
There may be another Little Melvin coming to market. If so, I envision him returning to Earth to share his adventures from outer space where he learned important ways, on other planets, to improve our planet (instead of devouring it)!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
But Melvin’s simple, everyday world is about to change forever.
Melvin’s deep love for his farmers delicious food takes over, and his need for more food leads him to a place he could never have imagined!
You might say that Melvin’s new adventure is truly, “out of this world”!
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/14/new-hopes-and-dreams/
Divorce Is Not a Destination shares with readers your experiences and extensive work as a breakup and divorce coach so that they can navigate a post-divorce life and regain their own joy. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Of the taboo subjects I write about in Divorce Is Not A Destination, if I were to pick one that was more difficult than the others to address, it was sharing about how I contracted herpes. It was important, to be honest about my anger, frustration, confusion, and diminished trust while also owning my choices. Chapter 2 is where I cover the Loss Cycle, and it was the perfect place to share that experience in hopes that my story would support someone else in dealing with the emotional aspects of their situation.
In the last chapter, I do mention other taboo subjects. Even then, while I was willing to be vulnerable and honest about challenges and decisions, it was important that I didn’t derail people’s ability to stay focused on their own issues by sensationalizing mine.
The challenge for me was how to write a book that is, in many ways, about me yet still leaves space for the reader to find themselves in it so they can do their work as well.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Key ideas for me include the framework of Accountability, Alignment, Communication, and Trust (A.A.C.T.). I truly believe using the AACT framework can put a person on their path to healing and experiencing joy. It is normal to hurt when we lose someone we love. I want people to embrace the fact that our emotions can teach us so much, and we need to learn from what we’re feeling so we can move into healing.
Another key idea is to be okay with challenging beliefs you haven’t explored or experienced yourself, especially when those beliefs leave you feeling shameful, guilty, or inadequate. There is something unhealthy about holding onto pain because it’s connected to someone we appreciate or admire.
Finally, I can’t say the phrase don’t be so hard on yourself was an idea because I think it’s okay to challenge yourself with difficult questions. It’s part of being accountable, which might not be easy at first. I think we could be more intentional about being kind and loving to ourselves. At the end of the day, I hope that the reader understands and embraces the importance of working on, loving on, and believing in oneself.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
Trust yourself! Whether you call it listening to your gut, your inner wisdom, or discernment, when we trust that voice inside of us, we learn we can face whatever life brings our way. We are perfectly designed to live our unique lives. This doesn’t mean we live anxiety-free; it means we learn to tap into a courage and curiosity that can carry us through challenges. It means we can cry, feel hurt, be disappointed, and know where and when to go for solace and support. We can sit in the emotion, knowing it’s temporary. Trusting yourself opens the door to believing that life is happening for you and not to you. That breeds confidence. And that’s joyful.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The personal reflection exercises, tools, and strategies will put you on the path to re-establishing boundaries and improving your ability to communicate, first with yourself and then with those close to you. Now is the time to rediscover what’s important, rebuild your confidence, and lead your best self forward. “Divorce Is Not A Destination” was written for you, now.
This book is for you if:
You’re divorced, on the brink of divorce, or seeking support following a breakup, and you need guidance on how to engage, ignite, and empower yourself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
This book will help you:
* Heal from heartache and stop hurting yourself emotionally.
* Identify emotions-don’t be controlled by them.
* Set boundaries for toxic behavior.
* Create a support team.
* Unlearn debilitating beliefs about divorce.
* Stop embodying lies.
* Tap into your intuition and trust yourself again.
* Talk to your child about the breakup or dating.
* Model recovery for your child.
* Embody the confidence people think you already have.
* Celebrate because joy is your birthright.
After more than one divorce, Dr. Lisa Summerour learned how to stand on her story and not be stuck in it. As a breakup and divorce strategist, Dr. Summerour is a Master Practitioner accredited by the International Divorce Coach Centre of Excellence and The Dash Charity, a UK-regulated domestic abuse charity.
You are not damaged, defective, defeated, or done, because “Divorce Is Not A Destination.”
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/14/trust-yourself/
There’s No Cure for Impossible follows a young woman working in the news industry who finds herself increasingly entangled in a former friend’s web of dangerous lies that threaten her career. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I had heard that when a baby is abducted from a hospital setting it’s usually done by a woman who is not a career criminal at all. It’s by a gal whose motivation is needing a child to try and bind herself to a man, and to pass the baby off as “theirs,” when it isn’t. She doesn’t want her man to get away. Well, that intrigued me no end! It’s bizarre, and so extreme, and I was off and running with creating a story around the idea of a woman who would be crazy enough to try to pull off that sort of a kidnapping. This one doesn’t happen in a hospital setting, though, the baby is snatched at a store, yet it’s done for the same wacky reason. The character of Mila has recently miscarried and takes an infant because she wants to hold on to her boyfriend. He’s gotten fed up with her, as just about everyone in her life eventually does…
What was the inspiration for the relationship between Selena and Mila?
I think everybody has had a situation or two where they have a toxic friend, and are pushed to the point that, for their own sake, they have no choice but to go their own separate way. You can only take so much. Decades ago I had a friend at an entertainment industry job, one who turned out to be a pathological liar and was prone to throwing spectacular tantrums if she didn’t get her way. It was unreal and it had to be seen to be believed. After I left that job, I put a stop to any further contact with that one. Enough! So that’s where Selena is at the start of this story. She’s written Mila off because she just can’t take all the drama and craziness that Mila generates any longer. She wants out of the friendship, and she gets out, but when Mila’s latest stunt of grabbing a baby makes headlines, Selena is working for a television news station and accidentally lands in the middle of another Mila mess…
What was your favorite scene in this story?
All of it was fun to write. I think the part where Selena meets with an FBI agent and finds out a few tidbits she hadn’t known before is my absolute favorite part of this one. That throws everything in disarray and for quite a loop besides. And while I don’t want to add any spoilers here, I’ll say this. I also really like the way I ended this story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Believe it or not, this past winter and spring I worked on three books at a time! UNTIL THE STARS ALIGN, a historical novel about the Kindertransport and World War II, has already been released and it’s doing well. Then there was this one, THERE’S NO CURE FOR IMPOSSIBLE, and finally the third, THE TEETOTALER’S BAR. All of them were enjoyable to write. THE TEETOTALER’S BAR is about a young woman whose distant relative is murdered and leaves her a fortune, a puppy, a whole apartment building filled with tenants she has to contend with, and a bar and grill. But the girl is a healthy-living teetotaler. She initially isn’t thrilled with owning a bar, and she also wants to figure out the reason behind the murder. It’s going to be available soon! I’m also already hard at work on yet another one, a mystery involving exotic animal traffickers.
If I may add this, I’d like to encourage anyone out there who hasn’t already done so to go for it if they have a creative idea they’d like to put into action and pursue. It has worked so beautifully for me! Just give it a shot. And as the old adage goes, “No guts, no glory!”
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Blog | Amazon
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/14/a-toxic-friend/