Cat had an amazing week meeting new author friends and was invited to be a guest on an awesome podcast that all my “ladies” need to know about! Please meet Candace Gish. Candace is the founder of “Divas That Care Network.” She is also the host of the podcast of the same name and has several women who host shows on Divas. Candace is a best-selling author too.
I really enjoyed being interviewed on her podcast this past week, as you will hear just how much fun we had doing so as she wanted me to share some of what I do here through “Cat Lyon’s Reading Den & Lyon Literary Services” and how I enjoy helping other authors learn how to market their books and branding.
Let’s learn a little more about Candace and all she does with the Divas! But first? Here is the link to the episode we did, and I hope you will take some time to listen. I even shared some of my marketing tips with all her listeners!
About Candace ~ Join Diva Host Candace Gish as she interviews a variety of committed women weekly, who are working to make the world a better place!
Candace is an independent businesswoman who understands the challenges women face in business, including how to be successful. She also understands the importance of having mentors and a strong support network. Her four daughters and wonderful husband inspire her to work for a better world. She loves connecting with women who have big dreams and the commitment to make a difference. She believes in the power of women when they come together to effect change, which is what the Divas That Care movement is all about.
Hello! My name is Candace Gish, I’m a motivator and empowering change agent who understands the challenges women face while finding success in their everyday lives and businesses. I am an advocate for mentorship and strong, supportive networks. My four daughters and wonderful husband have inspired me to create a better world, thus the Divas That Care Network was born. I enjoy connecting with goal-oriented women and a commitment to make a difference. I believe in the power of women converging to implement change and have ensured that the purpose of the Divas That Care movement quantifies just that.
I created the Divas That Care Network because I am the mother of four beautiful girls who look to me to model the hope and countless opportunities that lie in their futures. I recognize and salute the power that a true DIVA holds. A strong, informed, and empowered woman is a force to be reckoned with and admired. She will not back down or accept no for an answer. She works hard and pays her dues on her path to success, but not without often being overlooked and discounted by others, due to her self-assuredness. She is a lover, a giver, loyal, and dedicated, but her passion is often mistaken for overconfidence.
The Gish Family!
Why I Keep The Divas Going
Every day I get more and more inspired by the guests who have been on my show, they talk about their lives, dreams, fears, motivation, ways to help themselves or others, things that can be hard to talk about, and so much more. How can you not get inspired when listening to these amazing women. My continued desire to provide a proper example for my girls as other women inspires me to keep moving forward and NEVER give up.
Usually, I don’t start my guest spotlights of an author by sharing my book review and other reviews already on Amazon first.
This is not an ordinary special guest spotlight with Randy being a first-time best-selling Amazon Author; I’m kind of excited to get to the good stuff first. Please, meet Randy Grimes, an awesome friend, and I’ll share all about him and his amazing wife with you after the reviews. Since he and his wife are attending their 13th Super Bowl in Calf., I thought I would have him as my Special Guest Author to share his fantastic new book!
Randy Grimes is a former professional football player who played his whole NFL career for the Tampa Bay Bucs. He was drafted right out of college, playing for Baylor University. Just a little boy from Tyler, Texas, who had big dreams of just playing the game and sport of football. But, he never knew addiction was lying in wait years later.
That is a smidge of what you learn while reading his new memoir titled “Off Center: A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption in Professional Football.” It has been a long journey for Randy to get this exceptional book written and to the finish line to release.
And, “how sweet it is” that it was released right before the Super Bowl ~ 2022!
Of course, Randy and Lydia have been busy in California with all the Super Bowl festivities and soaking in the sun while Randy does his NFL duties (lol), like Radio Row at the Super Bowl this past week. Not only to promote and share his new memoir but share a message of HOPE. Also, sharing what he and Lydia and other former pro athletes do through their organization of https://proathletesinrecovery.org/our-story/ that I highly suggest everyone should take a visit!
Off-Center by Author Randy Grimes is a former NFL Pro who played with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Unfortunately, his memoir is not your average read. Randy’s story, testimony, and intervention of another are fine examples of how anyone can be “touched” by addiction, be it a regular person or even as a sports pro.
With big dreams of playing football, a little boy from Tyler, Texas, had no idea that addiction had been lying in wait for years. That is the cunningness of any addiction. Randy’s memoir also shows how this can happen without going rogue with ego or status or being a “Party Guy.” If there is anything he knows best, Texas is known for, “The Love For Family, Faith, Church on Sunday, and FOOTBALL!
While he shares his life, past pro career, while sharing an intervention and part of the advocacy work is some of what you find between the pages of this exceptional book. With “No Shame,” the author shares the real and raw of his downfall, how he crawled on his hands and knees into a treatment center, and another example of how many athletes end up having addiction problems later in their career afterward.
It seems that when you play pro sports and have the best doctors and sports medicine professionals helping you stay in the game, and it’s over? All the author wanted to do was get rid of the pain from all the injuries he had. So sad he had no guidance after he left pro football.
Then the true miracle of faith begins to work within his life after losing just about everything he worked so hard for and to provide for his family, as he went from being lost, addicted, and spiritually broken to a man who stands tall today within redemption! And that is only the tip of the iceberg you’ll read within this fantastic memoir.
I have read many memoirs from other sports pros, and this one is not your standard braggy sports stats and facts. Everyone should read this book and learn how anyone can change and turn their lives around after addiction. Randy and Lydia help many athletes gain life from addiction while healing the whole family through several foundations.
I highly suggest parents read this memoir/book, and I enjoy reading a great book that can teach you something while cheering (for Randy) simultaneously! It’s what makes this book a must-read.
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Now, this Cat has been in the business of book promoting and marketing for an extended time. That means I’ve read many memoirs from everyday folks to many high-profile people like celebrities, sports pros, and others.
I can honestly tell you there is a little something within the pages of this book for anyone who enjoys reading.
So with that said, here is more about Randy’s book and a few more reviews for “Off Center” that share “The Why” you need to read this fantastic memoir. Since the book was released on Amazon Books and Amazon Kindle a few days ago, Randy’s biography has HIT #1 in over 6 different categories. Now that is priceless and a darn good read!
ABOUT THE NEW MEMOIR of RANDY GRIMES
Randy Grimes quickly learned one important truth as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers top draft pick: play through pain or get cut.
This is just part of being a pro athlete, he told himself.
Growing up in Tyler, Texas, Grimes’s life was very much on center. A childhood spent in church on Sundays and on the gridiron all week turned into a football scholarship to Baylor, marriage to his college sweetheart, and a coveted NFL roster spot.
When the Bucs’ starting center began piling up brutal hits, he determined to do anything to stay in the game. If the pills prescribed by the team doctors could help, Grimes would take them.
“All in a day’s work,” he told himself.
Even before Grimes left the NFL, his life began slipping off center. Eventually, he lost almost everything he owned, the respect of his children, and very nearly his life, before tumbling out of the car and crawling on hands and knees into a treatment center—literally—into a life-changing miracle.
Off Center is Randy Grimes’s riveting story of having it all, playing the sport he loved, losing almost everything, and ultimately finding redemption and hope. Witness the addiction trap that binds millions and claims thousands of lives each year—and the steps Grimes took to reclaim his life and guide others.
Today Grimes and his wife, Lydia, stage drug and alcohol interventions for professional athletes, celebrities, business leaders, and everyday Americans to find recovery from addiction.
Recovery has become his playbook. His treatment center colleagues are his team. And those with addiction are his community.
Above all, Randy & Lydia Grimes want people to know: “Even when the world seems to be yours, there is room to fall. And even when that world seems to slip away, there is hope.
A Few More Book Reviews For “Off Center.”
“I saw something very special in Randy Grimes while recruiting him from high school to Baylor University. I saw a leader, a warrior, someone who would battle through any obstacle to reach his goals. The pages of this book just reaffirm what I already knew. Nothing, not even addiction, could ever keep Randy Grimes down. A great comeback story!” —Grant Teaff; head coach, Baylor University 1972-1992; executive director, American Football Coaches Association; College Football Hall of Fame
“I’ve seen athletes who wanted to be great but were unwilling to do the necessary hard work over the years. Recovery is similar. Some want to be sober—but are unwilling to do what it takes. Not only did Randy do the work, but his story is the perfect example of the fruits of recovery. This book is one of those fruits!” —”Sudden” Sam McDowell; MLB pitcher, Cleveland Indians 1961-1975; six times MLB All-Star; author, The Saga of Sudden Sam
“I played during the same time as Randy and shared his conference and in fact, faced his team twice a year. I know firsthand the pressures he faced to stay on the field. I also know the play-at-all-costs mentality that existed then. Randy accurately describes the dark side of the NFL, and what many were and still are willing to do to be the best. Great job, my NFL brother!” —Eric Hipple; NFL QB, Detroit Lions 1980-1989; mental health advocate; author, Real Men Do Cry
I sure hope all my readers, friends, and visitors have enjoyed reading this Special Super Bowl Guest Author Spotlight all about my friend and call Randy a fellow author too!
The image above is the most memorable day I hold dear as my hubby, “Big Tom,” and I finally met Randy and Lydia’s beautiful wife.
They were gracious to come and speak for an event I pulled together for a friend at the Arizona State Capital to raise awareness of all addictions to share our recoveries, and it was the BEST DAY EVER! (Lol).
Randy and I have supported one another’s recovery for almost four years. Randy and Lydia have been amazing friends and kind mentors to Tom and me. We have advocated and have networked together several times. So when I call him while I am helping someone in need of recovery or intervention advice, he is always the first to answer my call…
So we are blessed to call them both our friends. ~Cat
Steve and I got to catch up on what he has been up to the past year since he was with us last. And I sure was surprised to hear he is making a run for political office in his old childhood area where he lived in Coos Bay, Oregon. That is District 4 for those who live in Oregon. He has even written his resume’ of why he wants to serve Oregonians in congress and this little handbook shares why. It is now available on Amazon.
‘Résumé to Serve’ is a middle-class aspirational point-of-view for America the Beautiful meant to engage and enliven constituents. A collection of innovative & ambitious musings that document the author’s thought processes, distinguished military career, leadership, integrity, character, education, experiences, awards & values as he makes his 2022 bid for Congress representing Oregon’s 4th District. This is SO much better than a Voters’ Pamphlet and at $2500 for a small insertion in the aforementioned pamphlet, this book has a cost savings of 250 times that!
“America the Beautiful” is a Must Read! ‘Quality of Life’ and survival of our democracy, nation, and the planet can be achieved by rebooting and repurposing state and federal governments–namely, the White House, Congress, and State Legislatures.
A Founding Fathers’ worthy blueprint that actually serves in the best interest of the majority middle-class and below for America’s Survival-an innovative, a functioning platform of agendas and initiatives-with truer middle-class representation for a far more effective, efficient, and inclusive ruling class societal governmental body.
We simply MUST STOP anointing aristocrats, bigots & bullies, conspiracy theorists, and obstructionists as our Rulers! We Must Raise the Bar!
Now, beyond politics, Steve has also been busy writing and revising two of his first favorite children’s books to be appropriate for children of all sages to read and enjoy, not just for the tots as bedtime stories. See, Steve is the “Big Guy behind the little guy of Stevie Tenderheart Books!” I do believe these two ebooks are still on sale until after Valentine’s! They will make a great gift for Valentine’s Day for all the children and grandkids you love in your life! 💘
by Steve William Laible and Nancy Watson | Oct 8, 2021, ~ Kindle is only $1.99 until after Valentine’s Day!
Based on a True Story. In this version, the author elevated the wildly popular children’s ‘picture book’ of the same name, to a 6 x 9” illustrated paperback novella [77 pages] so older children can get in on the fun too. It’s a fuller, richer story.
Summary: A warm and ‘tenderhearted’ story of gladness and adventure abound in this amazingly crafted, splendidly illustrated story about a boy and his dinosaur and SO much more. We’re talking about puppies and parrots and rabbits and chicks; frogs and dogs and pollywogs, but we shouldn’t say anymore…surprises and all.
In keeping with the “BED” theme, of his first book, Stevie Tenderheart My Favorite Place to Be…(A Bedtime Story) where Stevie loves his bed SO much, he wishes he could take it everywhere he goes, in this story, Stevie FILLS his bed instead, with ALL of his favorite things. (If you can imagine.) It’s a hilarious bedtime story with calming twists and turns that both parents and kids adore. The animals and their expressions are just too adorable to miss.
by Steve William Laible and Nancy Watson | Oct 8, 2021, ~ Kindle Also On Sale for $1.99!
Stevie Tenderheart Books
Based on a True Story. In this version, the author elevated the wildly popular ‘picture book’ to a full-color, illustrated, 6 x 9″ paperback novella (for older children). Stories within stories of gladness and adventure abound in this sweetly crafted and splendidly illustrated storybook about a little boy who loves his bed SO much, he wishes he could take it everywhere he goes.
Author Insights: The author uses a little misdirection (or leg-pulling) in his books, which is his nature, coming from a comic strip background. He feels this adds to the flavor and fun of his bedtime stories immensely. He believes his tongue-in-cheek writing style resonates with children’s funny bones.
Build your Stevie Tenderheart Home Library Today!
Stevie’s books are perfect for Bright Eyes & Toothless Grins. They appeal to positivity, kindness, and a general feeling of self-confidence and well-being. They are meant to be read ONLY at bedtime as a prelude to sweet dreams. The gentle cadence and leg-pulling lower the noise of the day, helping children feel silly, safe, (loved & cozy) at bedtime. ZZZzzz
Dispensing with “He said, She said,” dialogues, Stevie’s storytelling is easy to read and follow helping parents put their children to bed on time, every time, guaranteed! Just be mindful when you say, “It’s Stevie time.” They will likely hear, “It’s TV time.” (And that’s on you.) “-) (Stevie Tenderheart books have been lauded with 600+ Goodreads ratings and reviews.)
HERE IS Steve’s next fun project is this brand new release of “BACKFIRE!”A DIY Fun Board GAME!
by Steve William Laible | Jan 20, 2022, ~ The Ebook Version Also On Sale FEB. 15th!
A Blast For Family and Friends!
“Backfire” wasn’t created in a think-tank or peer-reviewed by focus groups or industry giants with top-secret, sophisticated, corporate laboratories at their disposal, but rather from the mind of a family man with a creative and innovative thirst for quality time with his boys. ‘Backfire’ is a Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Board Game invented by the author—a single dad raising his then, three young sons, Adam, Chase, and Kyle.
Family FUN Game Night Returns! Speaks to the truly amazing board game this is. The stacking point play is unmatched with anything on the market today. Manufacturing the actual board game was cost-prohibitive on his military pension, so he decided to share his prototype here in this book, so other gamers can get in on the fun! Competition & strategies are always keen. No game is ever alike. Each game has a different dimension and a different outcome!
‘Backfire’ is NEVER boring only exciting!!
‘Backfire’ enjoys elegant play with tremendously crafty twists and turns whether using the multicolored game board or flashcards. One minute you are stacking your dice, bridges, and overpasses (advanced play) and winning! And then, in the blink of an eye, you lose! How will you know? Everyone is yelling “Backfire.” That’s just the beginning of the end. Players then add their point values (in chips) to the ‘Fools Pot’ deciding whether or not to challenge the pot and win untold riches…‘nuff said.
Beyond being the perfect family board game for decades of fun, ‘Backfire’ is ideal for college dorm life too & military personnel stationed in isolated outposts where recreation & morale are so essential. ‘Backfire’ is the elite MUST HAVE board game when quality family time matters!
About Steve William Laible
Steve Proudly Served Our Country! Thank You, Steve!
Author Steve William Laible
“I shall be in transports of delight once parents, but especially children–those with bright eyes & toothless grins–discover Stevie Tenderheart books.”
Steve William Laible is an American Children’s Author who lives in the Pacific Northwest.
He ended his Stevie Tenderheart comic strip after five years in publication to write more. He currently has 17 Stevie books on Amazon & Amazon Global in Print, ebooks & Audiobooks, plus his Family Fun Game Night Board Gamebook, Backfire by Kodel, a must-get to complete your Stevie Home Library.
Steve served his country with honor & distinction for 22 years as a Mustang (enlisted & officer) from Aerospace Support to Special Duty/Joint Service tours at the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS); Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) Hawaii.
As Chief of Administration, USAF Honor Guard (Wash DC); Superintendent of Publishing HQ 15AF; Commander, Civil Engineering Squadron & Commander, Flight Operations (CCQs) in Korea, [honorary call sign ‘ghost’] supporting two F-16 Fighter Squadrons, retiring on New Year’s Eve 1993 as a Captain.
Steve received the Bronze Star device for Desert Storm; Distinguished Graduate (Leadership Academy); Lauded as the USAF Outstanding Administrator of the Year; Nominated for White House Fellowship; unaffiliated 2020 candidate for Congress, Oregon’s 2nd District. Canceled by Covid.
I sure hope you have enjoyed learning more about my buddy and friend, Steve Laible. Before I close I want to share a YouTube Link and really encourage you to not just watch this video, but listen to the words as Steve shot this video some years back about The WHY he loves writing and publishing children’s books. He has a BIG ❤!
He is the BEST STORYTELLER I know, and many of his books are based on memories of his childhood. Take a listen as the color of the video is a bit rough, but you’ll enjoy it just the same!
Cat is so honored and very excited to share a new emerging author with all of (you), my readers, friends, and new visitors to Cats Reading Den.
Author Pavane Ravel
Meet Ms. Pavane Ravel. Pavane is a unique writer and wordsmith of dramatic literary, twisty political fiction novels. Her new novel series is titled “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin,” and, as she shared with me, she has been ‘living and breathing’ her main character of Larry Martin for quite some time now. Well, let’s just say…for writing over six more books to come in this novel series, and that, they say, is a whole lot of writing, my friends!
I am reading the first novel and introduction to her series titled “Revelation of Lies,: I have to say her writing style sort of reminds me a little of another author I enjoyed reading years back, Mr. Harold Robbins who wrote many literary fiction novels that incorporated loads of topics in his books like sexiness, salty language, murder, politics, and so much more. he wrote with just “Letting It All Hang-Out” so to speak. Hopefully, Pavane won’t be too harsh on Cat for that comparison! But I do enjoy books that do! Even though they are lit fiction, they are real and raw.
So who is Pavane Ravel? I think I will share some of this from her amazing Press Release, some in her own words, and a few questions and answers she shared as she will be the Featured Author & Interviewed by Deb of Book Goodies in a few short weeks. So without any more delay.
ABOUT PAVANE RAVEL AND SPECIAL MESSAGE TO READERS:
“I grew up in a conservative Catholic home. My father was a politician involved in the ‘moral majority,’ which sought to criminalize gays and destroy women’s reproductive rights. As a child, I didn’t know better. But eventually, I had my own revelation about what I believed. I found extreme conservatism to be narrow-minded and authoritarian. Its policies inflicted the worst kind of misery. I noted the hypocrisy and deceit. All of it changed me.
Growing up, I closely observed the viciousness of conservatives. I saw that they didn’t care about living with children, so long as they could force a woman to have a child. And after that child was born, it was a ‘moocher’ if the mother needed government support in feeding that child.
I watched Ronald Reagan throw the mentally ill out of hospitals and onto the streets. People who needed food stamps and supplemental family aid were called ‘welfare queens.’ The American way was to ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps.’
I have watched the decimation and underfunding of public education. As a result, much of America is no longer well educated.
I have lived through the Recession of 2008, where approximately half the country lost their homes and savings.
I have observed the current crisis of rising rents, resulting in a horrific increase in homelessness. All of this relates to the conservative fiscal policies of ‘trickle-down economics’ which have never worked.
Then, in 2010, the Supreme Court ruled for Citizens United, essentially allowing corporations to become people. (The only dissenting opinion came from Associate Justice John Paul Stevens who argued this ruling represented ‘a rejection of the common sense of the American people who recognize the need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government.’) And of course, this ruling DID allow the billionaire donor class to buy the government through dark super-PAC donations. As was feared, the Citizens United ruling boosted the electoral success of Republican candidates. But that was the sole purpose.
And as was feared, over time, conservative policies funneled the money upward from the middle class until a handful of billionaires own more than 60% of the world’s wealth. I feel this is awful and morally wrong.
I am neither an economist nor a political scientist – although I studied political science at University and ultimately became a commodities broker reporting on the technical nature of economics and the impact on the domestic markets.
As a progressive, I have been frustrated over conservative policies that help the ultra-wealthy, but not the people. I have watched homelessness rise under Trump. And thus began the kernel of my idea for The Other Shoes of Larry Martin. I never dreamed it would turn into a series, but now, I am on Book Five. I do try to illuminate some things in these books — that kindness can change the world, toxic masculinity is not the answer, and governmental policies can be used for good or ill. And, of course, more.
Book One begins the contemporary story of a young man who faces his failings and must change and grow in order to succeed. I hope you will join me on his journey of learning, discovery, and a transition to a better path.”
Beginning in book one of ‘Revelation of Lies,’ Larry is fired, he finds himself with no friends. He knows he’s in serious trouble and immediately tries to find work. He calls all his contacts, but no one is interested in helping him. He is down to one last contact to call. The most important one. It’s to Peter Bennett, the only guy he’s ever respected. Larry knows Peter works for a big-time progressive web-based newspaper. Maybe Peter will give him a chance to write?
Peter is kind. Even knowing that Larry worked at The Bart Data Report – a site he considers a trash heap of conspiracy theories and bomb-throwing agitation – he allows Larry to submit two timely political articles. He doesn’t think Larry has the skill set to write at the level of The Political Standard, but he would see.
While Larry is researching his articles for Peter, he begins the struggle of opening his mind from a closed conservative mentality to a massive new progressive worldview. He barely gets his articles written when disaster strikes and he suddenly becomes all that he has mocked and despised. Now, he has to survive. And after he is struck by a shattering revelation, he knows he has to change.
Profoundly. Deeply. Totally. And to keep changing until he becomes an entirely different person. He would save himself in this way …
Written by Pavane Ravel
The Other Shoes of Larry Martin
Revelation of Lies
by Pavane Ravel
“Finally, a dynamic Progressive hero for the Progressive minded!
Pavane Ravel delivers a powerful new novel – a riveting story of transformation and inspiration! This book is a compelling combination of Progressive politics, enduring friendships, metaphysical exploration, and personal triumph. I loved this book and I’ll wholeheartedly recommend it to all my friends!”
— John Wildermuth, Atlanta based musician and Former Music Librarian, Atlanta Symphony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — New York, NY
Written by the emerging author, Pavane Ravel, The Other Shoes of Larry Martin tells the captivating story of a politically conservative young man, Larry, who endures a number of hardships that lead him to become homeless and hit rock bottom.
He is forced to face the reality of his life choices and reflect on why he has no friends and why he often treated people very poorly throughout his life.
During his turbulent fight for survival, he arrives at the conclusion that he must undergo a drastic transformation in order to find peace and personal success. He resolves to make significant changes and become a completely different person.
The Other Shoes of Larry Martin is a story. Larry’s story — of hard times, revelation, growth, and transformation. There is sadness and joy. Discipline and discovery. Trauma and recovery.
Conservative policies are “savage cruelty” — Larry Martin
UP Coming Valentine Featured Author Interview Q&A On Book Goodies ~ Sneak Peek Read…
Book goodies: What inspires you to write?
I was born wanting to write. As a child, once I learned how to read, all I did was read. Then, at age 13, I decided to try to write my first book, The Leader of Yore. It took me 5 years, writing in the dark and in secret from my parents. Finally, I ended up with 322 single-spaced hand-written pages. This book was for me. I had wanted to find out what it took to write a novel and I did. After I was done, I put the manuscript in a drawer and never looked back.
As life went on, between college, marriage, working full time, raising children, maintaining a household, and paying attention to my lovely husband, I had no time to write during normal hours. But, when my kids were in middle school, I was bitten hard by another inspiration for a book called Hepplewhite.
I loved Hepplewhite and I often wrote at night when everyone was asleep. I lived and breathed this book. It took me years to finish, writing a little at a time. But I did finish. And by now, I knew that all I wanted to do was become a full-time novelist. What inspires me to write? The love of writing itself. And the complex process of turning imagination into a living thing on paper that can be shared.
I am finally able to fulfill my dream of writing full-time. It’s a good thing. Because when I was struck with the idea for a series titled, The Other Shoes of Larry Martin, I realized that by the time I was done, this series would come in between 4,000 to 5,000 pages, spread over at least 7 books. And that is exactly what is happening. Larry Martin, is for me, just monumental.
Who are YOUR favorite authors?
Ken Follett, John Grisham, Diana Gabaldon, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Charles Dickens, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Nora Roberts, Jack London, and Robert Reich … just to name a few of them.
The Featured Author Interview will be available on Book Goodies Network around Valentine’s Day! Make sure you take a visit to read the of the interview with Pavane Ravel>>>>https://bookgoodies.com/category/interviews/
I sure hope you have enjoyed learning about this new emerging writer and fantastic author! Start reading book one and follow this unique novel series as Larry Martin’s life journey will be unfolding within many new releases to come.
Book Description: “The gospel teaches us to be careful with envy or elevating yourself by deception and falsehood. It may come back upon you ten-fold”…
It began underneath the honeysuckle vine. Meg Evans came from a privileged background. She thought she was better than most around her. Meg had beauty, money, and prestige. She lived in a fantasy world, ignoring the mistakes she made. When it all crashes and crumbles, she blames her illegitimate daughter Carin for her misfortune.
What will happen as she lies, cheats, and steals to return to the life she believes she deserves? Will her daughter Carin survive the abuse? Will Meg change? Will a return visit to the honeysuckle vine help?
Read “Beyond Cedar Cove, Book One to find out”…
ABOUT THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR ~ Cynthia Ulmer
Author Cynthia Ulmer is an award medal-recipient writer of her ‘Southern Family Fictional’ series, “The Cedar Cove Chronicles,” a Christian-themed fiction drama series about family life, love, faith, and endurance. Books one and four are medal-winners received by ‘Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards’ and awarded several 5-star book reviews by Readers Favorite. Ms. Ulmer has released her new book series titled “Beyond Cedar Cove” in December 2021. The author’s titles are available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and many online bookstores.
As the author shares, “Some people struggle with what they’re meant to do in life, and others know it all along. I’ve known since I was a small child that I wanted to write–the stories were always in my head.” The Cedar Cove Chronicles is a beautiful book series set in the fictional community of Cedar Cove, North Carolina, which follows the lives of ‘The Jansan Family,’ their friends and neighbors during the 40s and 50s.”
The author describes her fictional family drama as, “Have you ever been to Cedar Cove? Once you visit, life for you will never be the same. You will never want to read about witches, warlocks, and evil forces again. The powerful emotions of Love, Unity, Harmony, Dreams, Forgiveness, Reconciliation and a clear understanding of the Love of Christ will visit you and remain a part of your life.”
These good people will live with you daily in the author’s six-book series. You will not be able to wait until this evening’s quiet reading moments to get to the next scene. It is almost like these people are real. The author hopes the ‘Holy Spirit will touch readers to change the way people in America and the world love will care about each other. “It will change the kinds of books you look forward to reading forever”. . .
When Cynthia is not writing, she loves cooking, crocheting, listening to music, reading some of her favorite authors of Wiley Cash, Clyde Edgerton, and Stephen King. Her pleasure reading genres are Southern fiction, mysteries, short stories, poetry, autobiographies, and biographies. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and her friends. Today she resides in North Carolina.
This Cat thought she had seen it all from many of our fantastic authors we enjoy working with when it comes to writing. I can now admit I have learned that doggies can WRITE! As a writer, our newest author, Barb Daniels Dena, possesses a “Magical” weapon when she writes her short stories. Her name is Princess Zoe.
Zoe not only helps Barbara write her books, but she is a publisher too! With Ms. Dena’s new release titled “For the Soul,” about livin’ life with raising children, quilts, doggies, and even some of grandma’s buttons, Zoe barks a few sentences here and there to remind the author to add a distant memory or two she may have missed.
Barb and Zoe’s collection of short stories delight readers worldwide and receive rave reviews and a few barks of the “tall tails” in her first published works. Cat caught up with both of them, and here is a little of what they wanted to share with Cat’s Readers.
Cat hopes you enjoy reading their interview first seen on Book Goodies Site. ✨📘📚🖊✏🐕🐾
CATS New Interview With Best-Selling Authors Barbara and Princess Yorkie Zoe!
About Author Barbara Daniels-Dena: Barbara Daniels Dena is a new indie author with her eclectic book debut of “For the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories,” released in August 2021. Almost a memoir, this unique collection of inspiring stories of ‘good ole fashioned living,’ along with many of her past and present memories and life experiences that tugs on the heart, warming stories, and fictional tall tails delighting readers worldwide. The book is available now for purchase on Amazon Books, Amazon Kindle, and many fine online book sites.
Barbara began writing at an early age as a lover of “Make-Believe.” Today, her writing has developed from memories of family experiences, various compilations of events in her life, and her love of animals. She is willing to admit her vivid imagination plays a role in her stories.
The author is an Illinois native who has lived in many places; as Barb says, like a free-spirited “Gypsy,” she has lived and worked in Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Georgia, but Ultimately, she came home and settled back in the Quad Cities area.
Barbara is a proud mother of two grown children. She was a business owner of a Temp Agency, then transitioned into her passion for floral design, owned and ran several floral shops. Her favorite flower is the “Casablanca Lily.” Her favorite color is Red, and when she isn’t writing, Barbara spends her free time oil painting, enjoys quilting, knitting, and reading.
Her favorite book? “Death Be Not Proud” by John J. Gunther. Her first love is and always will be playing with her fur baby, a little Yorkie named Zoe. She continues to write from her cozy nook as she gazes over a pond full of geese and ducks. On many days it is more gazing than writing.
What inspires you to write? The world around me. I watch people and animals. I am always on the lookout and continually ask myself, “what if?” and I go from there. I enjoy entertaining myself with the scenes I develop in my mind.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing? My bookshelf is filled with my current favorite authors, and all are indie authors and are on Amazon. My list is eclectic and varied and covers many genres. Diane Olsen, without a doubt, is at the top of my list. J. Schlenker Dave Lager Mark Nolan Anne Fifield Mary Kingsford Dana Brown Violet Patton
Tell us about your writing process. Once I have an idea in mind, I scribble; no matter where I am, I scribble a note, a setting, a conversation, a character’s name, or a trait. I admit I’m a “pant-ser.” I write by the seat of my pants. I am not a plotter. I do not plot out my stories. They evolve.
I write a little every day with my Yorkie sitting on her pillow in my lap. She will be the first to tell anyone who will pay attention that she is the writer. I only listen and put her words into the computer.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters? Yes, of course, I do. They’re my imaginary friends. They guide me on the path of my storytelling. I talk to them all the time—their opinion matters.
What advice would you give other writers? Take writing classes. Offer to swap Beta reading with other authors. Read as many books as possible. This way, you will see the good and the bad in writing. And write something every day; a paragraph or two is still writing. Do not throw away the stuff you don’t like. Save it. One day you will pull it from the shelf and either see the errors or find it wasn’t so bad after all.
Do not have family/friends critique your work. They love you. Their words will always be filled with praise. Persevere.
How did you decide how to publish your books? So many friends urged me to publish my stories, so I did. I self-published under my doggie, Zoe’s name. “Magical Zoe Publishing.”
What do you think about the future of book publishing? There is no doubt in my mind that indie publishing is the wave of the future. The big houses will remain for the ultra-famous writers, but with the influx of people who want to write, whether they will be famous or not, indie publishing is the way it will go.
What genres do you write?: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoirish in Short Stories
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
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