Interview with Susan Taylor-Reeves, Author of Return to the Garden

Hello,

Today I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Susan Taylor-Reeves, author of Return to the Garden.

Please enjoy!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

Susan Taylor-Reeves, I live in Brisbane, Australia

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

Return to the Garden. It is a fiction novel for young adults.

3) What is the book about? 

The first created creature in who wakes to find himself in The Garden, he is all knowing, and alone, so he thinks! The animals in The Garden witness the fall of man and are forced to live outside of the garden that was created for them. These are the tales of Lowey and Savannah who lead their fellow creatures, helping them adjust to life in a new community called The Clearing, while they search for a way to return to The Garden and back into the peace that they had once known.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I have always had a love of animals and our planet and finally became a Vegan 5 years ago after driving behind a truck of cattle bound for the slaughterhouse (I assumed). Since that time I have become involved in animal rescues and in particular QLD Guinea Pig Refuge in Brisbane. I foster guinea pigs and have many foster fail guinea pigs of my own. Earlier this year I lost four of my little ones over a couple of months and wrote a poem about ‘A Party over the Rainbow’, a place that many people refer to when their pet passes away. I have always beleived that animals have a place in Heaven, and as a Christian always pray for the creatures in my care. A dear friend Lynne Hudson, is an artist and I commissioned her to paint a picture of my guinea pigs in heaven.  In the Book of Genesis after the Great Flood, the Lord makes a covenant with all living things, Genesis 9:5 so I decided to write this book inspired by the Word of God and the creation story.

5) How long did it take you to write it?

It has taken me 4 months to write the book.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

This being my first book, it has been a very steep learning curve, especially in the area of new ideas and editing. I am currently writing book two and am much more organised!!

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?

My website is www.chuckleinn.com Once the book is available, Lowey the main character in Return to the Garden will have his own blog.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 

Believe in your characters and let them come alive in your life, I talk about my characters like they are real people, even friends.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I enjoy reading non-fiction, biographies but also young adult thrillers and science fiction/fantasy.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 

When a Monster Calls.  I really enjoy young adult fiction which incorporate animals for example The Narnia series. When a Monster Calls is so incredibly deep, I found myself so caught up in the emotion that Connor, the main character experiences and takes you into world of fantasy. It covers many issues that so many young people face today and gives a message of hope. Even the story behind how the story came about is powerful.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

I have many pets, all rescue animals, two dogs, Bramwell and Ruby, two cats Simba and Baby Joey, a tank full of fish and 36 guinea pigs.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

I use the kindle app on my iPad, however it cannot be compaired to holding a good book, and smelling the pages, and of course never needs charging!

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Interview with Christine Reynebeau, Author of Home

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Christine Reynebeau, author of Home.

Please enjoy.

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

Christine Reynebeau, Wisconsin

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

Home, Children’s Books

3) What is the book about?

Change and how to handle transitions

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I had a friend recommend writing a book about moving, and when I asked what the lesson in that would be, she said that change can be okay. And I’ve always been bad at change, so helping others to practice the skill early felt important.

5) How long did it take you to write it?

Probably about 6 hours over the course of two to three months.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Every time I work with a new illustrator I learn different ways to manage a project and work with different people to bring my story to life.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?

www.dreambuiltbooks.com

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCw7VTfUWvra7ndvMdrybF6g

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?

My biggest advice is to do your research, protect yourself and don’t let anyone pigeonhole you in a publishing journey that doesn’t fit you.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I love a good fiction novel, and always I am open to reading from new authors and reviewing work, it’s so important for authors to support each other.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?

That’s so tough, but They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky by Benjamin Ajak. Because it is a story of human will to survive and the best lesson of my life, I learned from that book. There’s a beautiful humanity those portrayed in the desire to simply survive. And while I have never been faced with the risk of not surviving, it is always humbling to remind ourselves how capable and determined our bodies are to survive.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

Walter, he is a German Shepard/Terrier Mix and featured in two of my books!

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

Absolutely not, I have never been able to get on board with electronic reading devices. I do produce ebooks, but I personally like hard copy books. I’m an old soul.

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Interview with Dawn Young, Author of Melvin Fastidious the Sailor

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Dawn Young, author of Melvin Fastidious the Sailor.

I hope you enjoy it.

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

 

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

Dawn Doig.  I penned one book under my maiden name, Dawn Young, because it was inspired by and written for my father.

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

‘Melvin Fastidious the Sailor’ is my most recent release.  It’s a children’s picture book.

3) What is the book about?

A sailor with OCD.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

Growing up with my father, a veteran of the Canadian navy, and his need to have things ‘just so’.

5) How long did it take you to write it?

About 3 hours.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

I have learned how to work with illustrators through the publication of all of my books so far.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?

https://doigda.wixsite.com/mysite-1

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?

Persevere.  If you love writing, keep doing it.  I have appreciated the art work of all of the illustrators I have been put in contact with through Pen It! Publications

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

Crime detective, historical romance, and children’s books; I work full-time so my ‘free’ time is limited.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?

I don’t have one favourite – I enjoy all of Diana Gabaldon’s books and anything I have read by James Patterson.  I also love ‘Stellaluna’ and ‘The Phantom Tollbooth.’

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

Two beautiful cats we adopted in Mongolia.  My husband and I have always had cats.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

iPad mini – I don’t use it for reading books.  Actually, I seldom use it, but my tech-loving husband insisted I have one.

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Big and Small in the Mirror by Mary Feliciani

Friends Carlo and Marco learn the effects of bullying on their self-images and that positive relationships help them grow.

A discussion page appears at the end of the story to help foster a deeper understanding of the issue of bullying, and to put the story in perspective. The author creates empathy for the victims while at the same time showing that bullies don’t feel good about themselves.

Big and Small in the Mirror is the first of a trilogy of books about bullying that happens at school. The author uses the same characters and setting as The Magic Leaf — Carlo and Marco in a small Italian town named Roseto. Each book will focus on a different aspect of bullying.

About the Author:
Mary Feliciani is a Canadian author, independent publisher and an elementary school teacher. She attended UTM where she studied psychology and still lives in Mississauga, Ontario. Mary’s background in psychology, work with children and passionate interest in the human condition, which stems back as far as she can remember, are all evident in her writing.

 

 

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Interview with Medea Kalantar, Author of Honeycake!

I am please to post this interview with Medea Kalantar, author of Honeycake! Please see the questions below and her answers!

Warmly,

-Vincent Lowry

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

MEDEA KALANTAR

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

HONEYCAKE: “HELP I SWALLOWED A BUTTERFLY”

CHILDREN’S BOOK (See the book at the bottom of this interview.)

3) What is the book about?

“Help I Swallowed A Butterfly” is the second book in the delightful Honeycake series. In this sequel, Nala gets stage fright at school. But with the help of her mom, Nala learns how to get rid of those pesky butterflies in her tummy. This charming book empowers young readers to practice mindfulness and meditation so that they are able to meet life’s challenges head-on in a healthy and balanced way.  “Help I Swallowed A Butterfly” is clearly written and incredibly relatable, with step-by-step instructions and guided meditation exercises for young readers. This book is also a valuable resource for caregivers who want to provide a positive introduction for children to the world of self-care and managing those butterflies.

Life can be stressful at any age, but with the right tools and mindset, we can overcome any obstacle!

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

When I found out I was going to be a Grandma it was a full circle moment for me, so I started to bake a honey cake in honour of my Grandmother. My Bebi taught me how to bake a honey cake when I was a little girl. As I was making the cake, I realized all the different spices the cake had, like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, brown sugar and honey. It made me think of all the different ethnic mixes my new grandbaby would have and how they would be just like this honey cake I was baking. That’s where the title of the series came from and the idea for the first book that would introduces the readers to our entire family. Hence, Honeycake: A Family of Spices.

With more lovely stories to tell, Honeycake will be followed by a series of

books. Each one tells valuable life lessons and gives caregivers and children

the tools to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives. These books will help caregivers teach their children how to do random acts of kindness, have honest and open communication, and practice gratitude. Children will even discover how to meditate and manage their emotions when things don’t go their way.

5) How long did it take you to write it?

The words and stories started to pour out of me. I wrote 5 books in 4 days.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

With all the negativity around diversity in this day and age, I feel it’s very important to create books with positive messages that showcase a diverse multicultural loving family. The idea of a common human bond through the blending of culture and national origins is beautifully represented as mixtures of exotic spices in a manner that children can easily understand. My hope is that if we instill these valuable lessons to our youth at an early age, we can shift the universe into a positive direction.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog?

http://honeycakebooks.com/

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?

I always say that you have to be passionate about what you’re writing. If you are, then it will just come out naturally. You won’t be stuck for words. Be authentic and true to yourself. Don’t try to be like someone else, be who you are. That’s what we should all be striving for. I used a company that did all my editing, illustrations and cover design. It was a Frustrating process trying to communicate via email through a project manager instead of speaking directly to the editor, and design team. Because I independently published my books, I had full control on how I wanted my books to look and sound like. One really great tip I can offer is that I got a sponsor for each of my books to help offset the financial cost of publishing a book. I gave an exclusive write up at the back cover of the book to promote their company.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I love reading mostly all genres but my favourites are anything that is motivational, metaphysical, fantasy or a thriller. Yes, I am very open to help other Authors by providing them with a book review. The writing community is such a supportive and welcoming family especially on Twitter.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?

THE MAGIC by: RHONDA BYRNE

I loved this book! It completely changed my perceptive on how I viewed myself and set me on my path for my “Soul Purpose” in life!

I feel that I was reborn after reading this book.

This is a must read in my option.  (See book below.)

 

 

 

 

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Bubbles and Buddy by Denver Kidd

(Click here to see the book on Amazon!)

Bubbles and Buddy is a bright and fun picture book for young children. The story is about two kitten brothers who I hope will make children smile and teach them about the relationship between siblings.

Read it today!