Cheryl Martin and the Hawaiian Island Detective Club--busy again!

About the Book, Ukuleles Undercover, book 3 of the Hawaiian Island Detective Club series:

 

Someone’s leaving threatening notes on music stands, in cases, on stacks of music and in the bathrooms. Kimo takes ukulele lessons and is very concerned about his teacher, Mrs. Lee, the kids and the music school, so he asks Leilani to join the class to investigate the mystery. She’s not happy since she’s a surfer girl, not a musician. Maile and Sam join her in class which makes the whole thing bearable.

Cheryl, what inspired you to write mysteries for kids and this series?

I was first inspired to write as a child, reading Nancy Drew. I knew at that young age that I would one day write a mystery!

Striving to do what God has placed in front of me motivates me to keep pressing forward. Sharing wholesome mysteries filled with fun, humor, mishaps and unexpected moments for kids to enjoy also motivates me to continue this amazing journey.

I have always loved Hawaii ever since I lived there while attending The University of Hawaii. I combined that with my interest in writing for ages 8-12 years and The Hawaiian Island Detective Club was born!

The three books in this series are entitled Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing, and Ukuleles Undercover.

What do you do for fun and relaxation when you’re not writing?

I love to grow veggies, blueberries and raspberries on my deck. I also love to sing, and am part of my church’s drama team—challenging, yet rewarding. I sometimes work-out with my son and do push-ups with the Oregon Duck (the U of O mascot) whenever Oregon scores—and, yes, they’re men’s push-ups! I’m practicing for another great fall of football and push-ups!

Tell us a little about your family:

I have a great husband, three amazing kids and two adorable Persian cats, Nala and Thor.

My oldest son, Ian, has his own home and works for Nautilus. My daughter, Ashley, is married to a wonderful man, Dave. She works for Portland State University and he is a lawyer for a Portland, Oregon firm. They just made me a first-time “Tutu” with the birth of their son, Ewan. My youngest son, Shane, wants to be an artist for a Graphic Novel company. In between working at a movie theater, he’s busy working on projects—not unlike being an author!

 

Connect with Cheryl:

My website

My blog all about Hawaii

You can also connect with me on my facebook author page 

Twitter

If “tweeters” would like to comment on The Hawaiian Island Detective Club, they can add any of the following hashtags: #Detective #Hawaii #Hawaiian #Ukuleles #Undercover #Kids #Parents #Moms #Homeschool #HIDC

Jerusha Agen talks No love, No pain in her debut novel

Meet Jerusha Agen, who talks about her debut book This Dance,
book one of Dance Sisters Redeemed

PRINT $14.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-938092-44-2
DIGITAL $4.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-938092-45-9

PURCHASE on Amazon

About the Book:

No love, no pain. No God, no games.

A tragedy three years ago destroyed Nye's rise to the top of the dancing world as an upcoming tango star, and in the process destroyed her reason for living. She survived the pain and built a new life resembling nothing like the one she left behind, determined never to hurt again.

Nye's emotional walls hold up perfectly until she meets a handsome lawyer and an elderly landowner. They seem harmless, but one awakens feelings she doesn't want and the other makes her face the God she can't forgive. Will these two men help Nye dance again?

 

Jerusha, what do you love about this book?

I have always loved dancing and studied ballet for several years when I was young, so the idea of writing about a former dancer is in part what first made me fall in love with this story. The central character, Nye Sanders, is an artist and, as an artist myself, I can understand and relate to her artistic personality. I also love the topics that God enabled me to deal with in this book. I hope that Nye's experience with great loss and her struggle with God because of that loss will be of help to others.

Tell us something you learned during the research that fascinated you.

Nye's new career as the manager of a private equity firm required me to learn about a field with which I was previously unfamiliar. It never ceases to amaze me how many careers and different "worlds" I know nothing about! Part of the joy of writing is getting to explore those worlds and become an "expert" while I'm working on the story.

What do you hope readers will tell other potential readers about your book?

I hope they will say that this book is more than just entertaining. I pray that people who read This Dance will be able to honestly say it touched them, changed them, and, most of all, brought them closer to Christ.

About the Author:

Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story--a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her fiction and nonfiction have been published in various journals, magazines, and newsletters.

In addition, she is a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. Jerusha is also a film critic, with reviews featured at the website, www.RedeemerReviews.com.

Jerusha relishes snowy Midwest winters spent with her large, furry dogs and one little, furry cat.

Visit Jerusha’s website at www.SDGwords.com. Follow Jerusha on Twitter @SDGwords and Facebook (Jerusha Agen – SDG Words).

 

Garden Truths From My Family’s Stories

By Chris Eirschele

c. 2013

36-page book with eight chapters, photographs

 

“The innate ability to grow plants is a gift from my parents; this is their story; what I did with it is mine.”

 

Garden Truths is a charming story of family, legacy, gifts, secrets and joy, through it all, growing things. Eirschele’s memoir will touch readers who have fond memories of their parents.

 

Eirschele’s dad loved to grow flowers from bulbs and perennials, and especially loved to share them. Some of the authors’ family and friends shared their memories of the precious gift.

 

Throughout the book, Eirschele has photographs of her own plants, plants that illustrate the chapters. She also takes care to include instructions for the growth, nurture, and storage of the plants she talks about.

 

From lilies to sweet Williams to her mother’s indoor potted citrus trees (an orangery), exotic plants, and fruit and vegetable hints, Eirschele’s gentle memoir is sure to enchant.

 

Find out more www.StayGardening.com, the author’s blog.

 

About the Author:

Chris Eirschele is a freelance garden writer whose current work is found on www.BucketTripper.com. Chris' inspiration comes from plants grown, gardens explored and garden paths traveled. Her articles have been read in such far ranging publications as Ohio Gardener, Greenhouse Grower and Milwaukee Magazine. Her muse resides at her blog, www.StayGardening.com.

She is a past Master Gardener with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee County Extension and as member of the Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners and was horticulturally educated at Milwaukee Area Technical College. A native of Wisconsin, Chris now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

She has maintained a membership with the Garden Writers Association since 2006. Chris' past memberships include the Perennial Plant Association and the Daylily Society of SouthEast Wisconsin.

Book Review: On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

 

Book two in the Wings of the Nightingale series

 

 

Baker Publishing Group

c. August, 2013

ISBN: 9780800720827

$14.99 print and $14.99 ebook

Historical Romance

Sarah Sundin is a favorite author, I admit. Her attention to detail is always amazing. Her latest novel which takes place during World War II features a flight nurse, Georgie Taylor, who signed up on a lark with her best friend while she was waiting to get hitched, and pharmacist John Hutchinson, who was drafted before he could enlist in officer’s training school and carries a medium-sized chip on his shoulder for being a medical professional who’s treated like a roadie.

Both the American soldiers face their worst fears under dangerous combat situations. Will they buckle or overcome? When the pair meet, she’s engaged and longing for home, unsure she’s really cut out for wartime service, yet reluctant to simply quit. He’s engaged as well, a practical situation, although he regretted not tying the knot before he shipped out. Georgie and Hutch encourage each other to be more than what they’ve been told they are, to reach for loftier goals, but for the right reasons.

When, through tragedy and adverse situations, they meet again, they are unencumbered by their intendeds and they are free to give in to their feelings for each other. The mechanisms of others, misunderstandings and more tragedy cause them to wonder if their feelings are the sum of their fears.

I could hear the music to South Pacific in the background while I read, though of course this story takes place on the western front: gorgeous European settings, Sicily, Greece, Italy, and so forth. The camaraderie, the fun, the dark places and self-discovery each soldier must face were well-drawn. Although I appreciate the depth of research, sometimes it felt as though Sundin stuck in facts simply because she’d discovered a cool detail. I personally like that because I’m a history nerd, but others may skim over it.

I like characters who have to grow, reach out for help, and learn to trust, no matter the setting. Those who enjoy detailed historical situations, particularly World War Two-era medical corps stories, will find a great story in On Distant Shores.

“Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

 

Emma Right, Fantasy for Young Adults, Keeper of Reign

Emma, is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? 


I want to empower young readers with the message, that if they seek the truth (the Ancient Books in Keeper of Reign) they will find wisdom and answers to life's problems. It doesn't mean the answers are going to come easy, but persistence will pay off. So seek wisdom and it will help each person to live triumphantly; in essence, to reign in life.

Watch the trailer:

Here are three short excerpts from Keeper of Reign:

Excerpt 1:

Jules said, “We need a plan. Let’s check what’s missing.” He rushed to the hearth and pried the loose brick to the side. He reached his arm deep and thought he felt the soft nap of the pouch but then he jerked his hand back out and sucked on his finger.” Ouch!” 

Ralston said, “We can’t afford to lose your pouch—maybe the only way to buy things if we have to look for Mom or Dad.” 

Jules glared at him. 

Ralston said, “What’s wrong?” 

Jules reached back into the hole, this time less enthusiastically. “Something sharp.” When he pulled it out he stared at the shard of glass in his hand. “Hold this, Rals.” 

Ralston held the sharp edge gingerly. “Is it yours?” 

“Would I put something sharp like that to cut myself up?” Jules then brought out his pouch, and sighed. He gave its contents a quick peek and slipped the soft pouch into his cloak pocket. 

“It’s a good thing the burglars missed that,” Ralston said. “Should we toss this?” He passed the shard to Jules who turned it over. 

“Some words here.” He read, “‘—ook within.’ What’s that mean?”

Excerpt 2

A blood-curdling scream pierced through the cold evening air and all five children jerked and stared at each other. The scream appeared to have come from the dark forest. Was someone in trouble? Or was it just some- one trying to scare them?

“Wh-–at was that?” Bitha grabbed Tippy’s hand and tugged at her, but the little girl, her face indignant, squirmed and pulled away.

“No–o!” A series of ear splitting protests came from Tippy and she shook her head vigorously. Her eyes, the rims red, locked with Jules. “I want the gem! It’s mine!”

Arms on her hips, Tst Tst said, in a sinister whisper, “If we don’t leave now, Gehzurolle will kill us!”

Tippy slumped her shoulders, let out a sob and opened her mouth as if wanting to protest but at the last minute she only stepped aside. “All wight!”

“We’ll give the stone another try. Ralston, you wedge it with that stick and I’ll pull.” Jules glanced at the sky and thought he saw a dark blob in the blue far away. Must get away quickly. The meadow is too bare for a good hiding spot.

Nausea swelled up from the pit of his stomach and a shiver crept up his back. The last time he had such a feeling was right before his grandpa left on that trip. “Rals, hurry! Pull!”

 

Excerpt 3:

In the yonder forest, perched on a cypress, Whisperer watched the group with what could qualify as disappointment on his crooked face with his crooked lips. His efforts had failed. This sort of fowl tactics worked umpteen times before when his master ordered him on some mission.

Now he considered other prongs of attacks. The ifs and what-ifs, the whisperings, he could float in the wind. Whisperings that wafted down and instilled fear to all who heard him. This was one assignment he could not afford to blunder. Too much was at stake.

He debated over his options, his heavily lidded eyes darting from tree to tree. For a second he determined to strike the bumbling boy again, but he decided against this. He would wait for Beta and re-evaluate the problem with the latest update.

Whisperer pursed his crooked lips, his breath a gray tube of smoke that swirled toward its goal: the clouds. First softly, then more intensely, he blew. But his gaze never wavered from the struggling, lanky lad with his sister on his back.

Beta had better find that Book, or he would find a suitable punishment for the servant.

 

About the Author:

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Emma worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

Visit Emma Right at her home site and sign for her blog feed and newsletter and blog for tips and ideas about books, homeschooling, bible devotions, and author helps from self-publishing to book marketing. For the latest events. Follow Google Plus  and Twitter. She'd love to hear from her readers.

Buy the book:
 Amazon Link

 

Connect with Emma:

Website

Blog

Facebook Author page

Facebook Fan page

Google Plus

Pinterest

Twitter

Amazon authorpage

Book Review: Swept Up by the Sea

Review of Swept Up By the Sea, a romantic fairy tale

By Tracy and Laura Hickman

(c) 2013 ShadowMountain 

ISBN 9781609076610

 

9.95 E-book

A cunning and delightful mash-up of Pirates of Penzance, Princess Bride, and little Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and On Stranger Tides makes Swept Up By the Sea creates an ingenious  laugh-a-second suspension from reality break.

 

Labeled a fairy-tale romance, the Hickmans have created a cozy world where minotaurs and dwarves, nyads and dryads, djins, humans and pirates all live together by the sea.

 

Apparently engaged to Vestia, the girl next door, the naïve and silly Percival Taylor sets out on an adventure before he gets hitched, based on the advice of a suspect fortune teller. He soon becomes the romantic hero he thinks he is to the governor’s insipid daughter Tuppence and begins a rather involved quest to woo her, all the while being chased by Vestia, and used for their own mysterious purposes by the town shipwright and a professor.

 

Naturally there’s a pirate ship involved, a nyad who always wants just one more thing and the troublesome issue of finding their way back into a genie’s bottle, and—oh yes, fending off the ghost ship. Hearts are offered and won, lost things come home, gumption restored, and virtue is saved.

 

Adventure, romance, danger on the high seas…with touching moments as well as many humorous ones will keep readers who enjoy the causal and impossible fairy tale setting with a satisfying layer of reality turning pages as fast as they can—like I did.

 

Well done!

DM Webb talks Mississippi Nights

Meet D.M. Webb, Recovering Wanna-be Astronaut

 

D.M Webb is the pen name for Daphne M. Self. She and her husband live in Mississippi with their two sons and various pets: from a no-legger to the four-legged variety. Every since she was young, she wrote stories and poems with only one goal in mind: to be an astronaut. Sadly the fear of heights kept Daphne from reaching her dream, but the love of books and science fiction movies more than made up for that failing. Eventually life stole into the mixture and added a new outlook on her journey. She took all those experiences, all those emotions, and all those dreams and created bigger stories, until one day: she became a published author.

Usually during the time she should be writing on her stories, a reader can find her on social media or painting on her canvases or chasing fuzzy critters that create havoc in her house. To Daphne life is like a cupcake: it can be perfectly baked and frosted or it can be lopsided and frosting oozing off in clumps, but the cake still taste just as sweet. It's only a matter of perspective.

D.M. Webb is also an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a proud supporter of American Family Association.

Mississippi Nights

Can the love between two brothers eventually win against pain and guilt?
When Firefigther David Boyett's fiancee perishes in a car fire, he blames his brother, Sgt. Jeremy Boyette, for her death.

Three years later, David returns home with a dark and devastating secret. With the help of family, a woman's love, and a small child's devotion, can David overcome insurmountable odds as he and Jeremy face the bitterness that enslaves him?
Together the brothers must decide if the bond of brotherhood is stronger than resentment and hate.

ISBN: 978-1-935507-91-8

Buy the Book:

www.dmwebb.com
http://barnesandnoble.com/

www.amazon.com

www.deepershopping.com

www.lifeway.com

www.christianbooks.com

www.vryso.com

 

Daphne, what do you love about your characters? About your latest book?

 

When I wrote Mississippi Nights, I loved how the character David took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions: anger, love, guilt, and longing. He was such a paradox of emotions as he searched for his way back to faith. His brother, Jeremy, the cool-headed one, but just as stubborn as his brother, spoke to my more analytical side.

My next novel will be based in Alabama. My characters are just as vibrant as the Boyette brothers; although, Scott is more OCD. He is a fun character to get to know. Honest, fiercely loyal, and with such integrity. Of course, it's his sense of right/wrong that gets him into deeper trouble. Just as with David in Mississippi Nights, Scott is fighting his way through faith. He's more stubborn about it, though. His friend Angela on the other hand is vocal about her faith, and spunky in all other facets. She's a firecracker and fun to learn more about.

My latest book is a devotional of sorts. Three years of a spiritual journey condensed into thirty days. It's in design production at this time, but I'm looking forward to it. It will be my first nonfiction and I'm learning that some things that fly in fiction are not the way it is done in nonfiction. In other words, "lots of edits."

Here's the blurb for it (still in editing stage):

Do you desire to no longer be alone?
Do you yearn for understanding and hope?
Do you wish for a closer walk with Jesus?
When a relationship ends, whether through divorce or death, it leaves us with heartache
and sadness. Fear of loneliness overwhelms our soul. Anger at God consumes us. We are
suddenly thrust into unknown territory, lost and bewildered.

Psalm 147:3
He healeth the broken in heart,
and bindeth up their wounds.

30 Days: A Devotional Memoir brings you deeply moving stories to strengthen your walk
and bring you closer to Christ. Author D.M. Webb shares her three year spiritual journey
with a collection of thirty devotions designed to reach out and uplift those who have
endured the turbulent emotions that come with divorce, widowhood, and single parenting.
Reach out, place your hand in His, and begin your journey today.

Sounds like something I need too. Please share something unique about yourself that readers won’t learn from your web presence.

 

If anyone is on my Facebook page, then they will learn a lot about me. My faith--I am vocal about it. I mince no words when it comes to standing for Christ. Part of my personality, the quirky and geeky side, flows over to my author page, but I try my best to be professional on that part of Facebook. Pinterest is another useful website that allows people a peek inside the real me: quirky, colorful, full-spectrum of emotions, "yadda, yadda, yadda." I've never really thought about myself as unique to the point that I have a need to describe it. I'm just me: nerdy and geeky, a Star Trek/Star Wars/Dr. Who fan, sci-fi nut, Seinfeld sitcom watcher, CSI follower, avid reader (everything under the sun, but not 50 Shades), animal collector, artist, writer, baseball lover, star gazer, etc. I love water, but fear the ocean. I love mountains, but fear the heights. I can't sing unless it's to torture someone. I'm bold, but cautious. I'm spunky, but respectful. I'm a paradox courtesy of being a right-brain/left-brain thinker.

 

 

Hail, fellow Trekkie. How do you hope readers will perceive your work, and what do you hope they’ll say when they encourage someone else to read your book?

 

I really hope that when people read my books, they not only read the words, but also between the lines. I like to use symbolism and motifs when I write. I have a cyclic logic to my writing. I start at one point and come back to a parallel point--in essence, full circle. That's just the analytical side of the book. I hope that readers are encouraged, uplifted; maybe even at times, realize that hope is always there. Everyone sins, everyone falls. In my books, the readers see that and just as the characters are able to regain or strengthen their faith and able to stand back up, I hope the reader can, too.  It took a while to figure out that "brand name" or "tag line" that authors like to use, but during a TV interview a year ago, it came to me: I use real words and real life to show real faith. Everyone struggles. Everyone falters. And everyone can have faith and hope. Hence: Real Life, Real Words, Real Faith.

I like to use things that actually happen to people: alcoholism, smoking, drug addiction, atheism, loss of faith, contemplation of suicide, running from the past, etc...

I want readers to see someone in the book and go "hey, that's me." I want the books to speak to them on some level, whether through sheer enjoyment of a good story or an insatiable need to learn more about God's word. Most of all, I want the book to bring glory to God's name.

Thank you for coming and sharing today, Daphne.