Pierre the Peacock is an interesting Children’s Book written by the author Jocelyn M Lacey and illustrated by Teresa Wilkerson. Story features a handsome peacock named Pierre. He had a full tail with beautifully colored feathers. Pierre constantly bragged about how attractive he was. Because of this, he didn’t have any friends.
Read this story book to know will Pierre be able to make a friend? This is a must read book as it teaches a valuable lesson to kids. I like to recommend this book not only to kids but to adults as well. I appreciate the storytelling skills of the author. Cover photo of the book is nice and the language used in the book is lucid. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
Book: The Flying Warthog: A Modern-Day ParableThe Flying Warthog: A Modern-Day Parable
Author: Marie Ballif
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“The Flying Warthog: A Modern-Day Parable” is a Children’s Book written by the author Marie Ballif and illustrated by Ethan Roffler.
Story features a young warthog named Chester. He was born in Savannah. One day, when Chester saw a flock of beautiful birds flying above him, he wondered what it would feel like to be different. Chester’s dad told him that he is a special warthog and one day he will realize why he was born a warthog.
Read this story to know will Chester ever realize how special and blessed he is? This is a beautiful story that teaches a valuable lesson to the little readers. I appreciate the storytelling skills of the author. Illustrations are pretty and helped me to understand the story better. Go ahead with this book for your little readers.
“Getting Off The Nail” is one woman’s inspiring story penned by the author Angela Stigler. In this book, Angela has shared her story. Her father told her not to marry the guy she has selected but Angela ignored the warnings, red signs, etc. During her marriage, her husband blamed her for everything that went wrong. He wasn’t taking any responsibility for his wrong actions.
Angela had put much effort into making her marriage work but later she felt that she was nurturing a dead limb. She was sick and tired of carrying the burden of blame and shame of being married to a cheater. Angela along with her husband seeked marital counsel but a counselor could only help if both the persons are ready to work towards their relationship. Read this story to know how Angela embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
This book would definitely help someone who is in Angela’s shoes. Faith and God’s divine love play an important role in our life. This book is inspiring. I am glad to get my hands on it.
I really appreciate the author’s advice of not marrying at a young age as our minds aren’t developed that much. Marriage is a life altering decision which we should take after being a bit mature. Angela’s writing style is nice. I appreciate her for sharing about her journey with us. This is a book that I like to recommend strongly to my fellow readers. It’s worth reading.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Adam Klein. I am so proud to have completed my first novel, which is something I have wanted to do since I was 12. For one reason or another, I never actually took the time to devote to writing, but last year, I felt the time was right. My urge to begin writing was intensified when I completed my master’s degree in higher education leadership in 2018. I had to write a paper every week and enjoyed doing it. Once I got settled in my current position of Director of Admissions and Recruitment, I felt it was now or never.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Unlawful Games’ book?
The biggest and maybe only challenge for me was finding the time to write the book. Between work and school (I am going for my Doctorate in Leadership), it was very difficult to find enough time. However, once I got going and the story really began to develop, I found myself making time to write getting easier.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love suspense/thriller novels, which is why I decided to write one. James Paterson is my favorite author and I used a lot of his writing styles to influence me. He is so gifted in the way he tells a story, it is truly inspiring.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I have been fortunate enough to have been to a lot of cities across the United States, but my favorite spot is Miami, Florida. I am a warm-hot weather person and love the scenery of palm trees and South Beach. Every time I go to Miami, I have a new experience, usually better than the previous ones.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
I am sure there is for most authors, but surprisingly, I did not plan anything out in my book, except the ending. All the dialogue, plot ideas and characters came as I was writing each chapter. I love telling stories and I had this story in my head for so long, I sort of already knew how I wanted to tell it. There were some instances where I had to write a page or two because I didn’t like what I wrote, but that was the extent any difficulties I had.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Unlawful Games’ book?
It took me just over 4 months to write Unlawful Games.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Unlawful Games’ book to buy?
Unlawful Games is available only on Amazon at the moment. It is offered in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Unlawful Games’?
I wanted a cover that would grip the audience’s attention, while giving a subtle hint as to both the book’s plot and main antagonist. I also wanted the justice system represented, along with blood. The cover artist I worked with captured everything I wanted and more. I could not be happier with how it turned out. The tile took a long time to come up with. I wanted to wait until I finished the book to come with the title because I did not want any influences in my writing. I wanted the title to have something to do with the law and the fact that one of the characters loved playing games with people. My wife assisted me with coming up the title. She came up different variations of games, but I ultimately came up with Unlawful Games.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I try to put myself in the readers’ shoes and think of what I would want from the story. I have read so many thrillers over the years, that I tried to incorporate certain aspects that I enjoyed. I love plot twists and turns, especially those I did not see coming. I wanted to tell a different story with a different type of plot twist, which hopefully will be refreshing for the reader.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Without giving too much away, all I can say is your mind will be continually going a mile a minute trying to figure out the mysteries. The feedback I have received from numerous readers is that they thought they had everything figured out, but in fact were completely wrong.
Nobody’s Road written by the author Vera Jane Cook is a Sci-fi fantasy fiction story. The year is 2045. America is ruled by “The Brain”. Most of the species are extinct. Rivers have dried. Vegetation has rotted. The Brains control the news that people receive. Every day murders are happening and most of them are done by the children.
The Brains don’t allow children to bond. Even though Adina is a journalist, she can’t report it. Whatever is typed in the computer is read by the Brain and they delete the news related to report of any murder. Harry Cooper was looking for a wife. When his eyes fell on Adina’s file, he was immediately attracted to her. Harry put efforts to make Adina his wife. He succeeded and they had a beautiful wedding. Read this story to know about the common mission of Harry and Adina.
The plot of the story is unique. I enjoyed every bit of this story. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable. Writing style of Vera is amazing. Characters are well written. Adina’s character is my favorite. Those who love reading sci-fi stories should get their hands on this book right away.
After the Cut is a helpful guide for preparation and recovery after cosmetic plastic surgery. This book is written in five sections. The first section guides readers on the preparation before surgery. The second section tells what one should expect on the day of the surgery. The third section “Recovery After Surgery” is very important. Many times after surgery, people call it bad plastic surgery. But one should be aware that it is not a bad plastic surgery, rather, it is a result of bad care after surgery.
After surgery, one needs to get plenty of rest. Walking is necessary after surgery as it helps with the movement of the extra fluid which will heal the body quicker.
Those who want to gain information on cosmetic plastic surgery should get their hands on this book. The author is the pioneer of recovery after cosmetic plastic surgery. Cover photo of the book is well designed and the title couldn’t have been better than this. The details mentioned in this book would be helpful to those who are thinking about cosmetic plastic surgery. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.
“The Power of Truth’ is the story of The Louis R. Vitullo and the Legacy of the Rape Kit penned by the author Tristin Engels. Louis R. Vitullo was Tristin’s grandfather. Louis had made a great contribution to the society by inventing Rape Kits. When he died, hundreds of sexual assault victims sent cards and letters to express their gratitude for Louis’ contribution to society. Louis was the kind of person who couldn’t watch injustice happen. In Dec 1942, he enlisted and entered active duty for the US Air Force in Apr 1943. Louis remained on active duty until Feb 1946. Even though Louis never admitted it, he suffered from the PTSD of the war.
After much education, Louis became Chi- cago Police Sergeant and the Chief Analyst of the Chicago Police Department’s Crime Lab. Even though Louis’ job wasn’t easy, he was good at what he did. Because of his role in Richard Speck’s conviction, Louis received many letters and cards praising him for his key role in the case. With more experience, Louis identified the deficits in the evidence collection process. He invented Rape Kits as a result.
Before reading this book, I wasn’t aware that PTSD could occur from even witnessing traumatic events. Louis’ story is worth knowing. I appreciate Tristin for sharing Louis’ journey with us. Writing style of the author is wonderful and narration is easy to follow. I really appreciate Louis’ contribution to this society. I like to strongly recommend this novel to others.
Book: Buried Secrets: Some Things Should Stay Hidden
Author: Krissy Baccaro
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“Buried Secrets: Some things should stay hidden” penned by the author Krissy Baccaro is the first installment in An Ella Perri Mystery series. Main character of the story is Ella Perri. She stands at the foot of her grandparents’ home but is unprepared to enter it. Her grandfather aka Poppy has passed away. He is not there to welcome Ella in the cottage which has once provided comfort, stability, and love to her.
Before Poppy passed, he asked Ella to find a box in the cottage. Poppy also asked Ella to watch who you trust. Poppy didn’t wake up after his heart failed for the second time. Ella found white envelopes with letters inside them. In one of the letters, it was written ‘Please don’t waste your time on me when the real criminal is out there somewhere…’. After reading more letters, Ella found out that Poppy was in love with a woman named Gianna but has something bad happened to her? Was Poppy responsible for that?
Read this story to find out the dark secrets that have been buried in the Perri’s family for a long time. Story is intriguing. Pace of the story is fast and I enjoyed every bit of it. The author has created a great plot. I love Krissy’s writing style. Those who love reading mystery stories couldn’t afford to miss reading this one.
Q1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
Hello readers! A bit about me and my background. I graduated from Suffolk University in 2016, with a Bachelor’s in Communications and Public Relations. After graduating, I was working in various Client Service roles in Boston, and eventually, New York City. In August of 2019, I left the corporate world to pursue my dream of becoming an educator. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a Dual Certification in Special Education at Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Last semester, I was student-teaching in a 4s/5s UPK classroom in NYC. This semester, I am student-teaching in a 2nd-grade classroom in NYC.
Q2. What is your inspiration behind your book “A Broken Crayon Still Colors”?
A Broken Crayon Still Colors was inspired by my own childhood experiences dealing with divorce. As I reflected on that time, I remembered how scared and confused I was. I questioned what my family would look like with my parents living apart. However, I did not have books or resources that reflected what I was going through or how I was feeling. So, I sought to change that.
Q3. When did you realize you want to be an author of Children’s Book?
During my 2021 Spring Semester at Bank Street, I was enrolled in the course, Language, Literature, and Emergent Literacy in the Primary Grades. This course truly allowed me to examine the role of literature in children’s lives and understand the role of literature in language development in children’s primary and new languages. Exploring the ways to use literature from a wide range of genres and perspectives, honoring and stimulating children’s storytelling, and deepening their learning across content areas, was the catalyst for creating A Broken Crayon Still Colors. While this book started as a final project for school, it has turned into a dream come true.
Q4. Are you planning to release your next book soon?
I hope to create many more children’s books, inspired by my own experiences, and the experiences of those around me. I am in the process of working on another children’s book, which focuses on autism (ASD). While I am in the very beginning stages of this book, I want to focus on stories that reflect and honor the lives of ALL young people.
Q5. For which age group your books are suitable?
My books are suitable for children 8 and under. However, my hopes for this book are to provide a resource for children, grown-ups, and educators, that acknowledges the complex emotions often associated with divorce, separation, and changes within a family, yet explain that even when we feel “broken” those feelings are not forever. This story also serves as a way for children to recognize that “family” looks different for everyone. As a way for children to express their understanding and how they make meaning of the story, the last page of the book encourages readers to draw their family portrait.
Q6. What is your favorite Quote?
“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” – Maya Angelou
Q7. What do you like the most about your country?
Diversity. Without the diverse lived experiences of those in our country, we would have no stories to tell, no traditions to share.
Q8. What suggestion you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
One suggestion I would give to parents of little readers is to really think about the books you are choosing to read with your child and/or books you purchase for your child. Make sure you are choosing books that empower and affirm all identities. Recognition of a child’s identity in books can have a powerful effect on how they view themselves and how they view others.
Q9. What does literary success look like to you?
To me, literary success would be knowing I impacted someone’s life. Whether that “someone” is a child, a parent or guardian, an educator, etc., success is knowing that A Broken Crayon Still Colors positively influenced a life.
Q10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
My inspiration in life cannot be attributed to a single person, as so many have touched and influenced my life in so many different ways. However, my inspiration to continue to learn, to grow as an educator, and to keep writing, is simply drawn from all of the children who I have had the pleasure of being around.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Frederick Douglass Reynolds. I am a retired LA County Sheriff’s Homicide Sergeant. Named after Frederick Douglass, an African- American abolitionist in the 1800s, I was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia and grew up Detroit, Michigan where I became a petty criminal and was involved in gangs. I joined the US Marine Corps in 1979 to escape the life of crime that I seemed destined for. I ultimately became a police officer with the Compton police department, working there from 1985 until 2000 before transferring to the sheriff’s department where I worked an additional seventeen years until I retired in 2017. I live in Southern California with my wife, Carolyn, and our daughter Lauren and young son, Desmond. We have six other adult children and nine grandchildren.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Black, White, And Gray All Over’ book?
Facing my own inadequacies and deficiencies. There were so many scenes that were difficult to write, starting with my father’s alcoholism, my upbringing, and the contentious relationship between my parents. I went down a dark path that involved drugs and jail time, I was homeless for a time, and was working the night two of my friends were murdered by a street gang member. I often found myself crying as I struggled to put my feelings on paper.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Beck, and Carl Sagen. I also love Ta-Nehisi Coates and Mitch Albom. The autobiography of Frederick Douglass is probably the book that influenced me the most, but I probably learned how to truly write from Marvel comic books. Did you know that Frederick Douglass’s given name was Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, but after escaping from slavery he changed his last name to Douglass from a poem by Sir Walter Scott titled, “The Lady of the Lake”? Which is also ironic because my sister’s married last name is “Bailey.”
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite spot if Lake Tahoe, Nevada. It is so serene and beautiful, especially in the winter months. It is also the place where I got my first formal introduction to my wife’s family.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Not for me. When I sit down and start writing, I will write for days on end. Nothing really motivates me. A lot of times I will just be sitting around, watching tv, listening to music, or maybe even reading a book when I just feel the urge to start writing.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Black, White, And Gray All Over’ book?
Probably about two to three, solid years altogether. I had been writing off and on for about twenty years, but I was just jotting down notes and ideas. After I retired, I started putting everything in some type of order. But after I had a heart attack in 2020, I realized that I could have died without finishing my book. After that, when I recovered, I started in earnest and finished in early 2021. Rewrites and editing took about six more months.
Q7. On what all platforms can readers find ‘Black White And Gray All Over’ book to buy?
Amazon, Target, and Barnes and Noble.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Black, White, And Gray All Over’?
I had the title for the book before I even started writing it. I chose the title because my life has never been about just Black, or White. It always seemed like I lived in the gray area. Cop cars are Black and White, there has always been issues between Black and White people in America, and I believed that for us to bridge that gap, we had to somehow become one and Gray comes from a mixture of black and white.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Well, this is my first book and the topic I was writing on; my life as a Black cop, was a polarizing one. Because of that polarization, the topic itself always remained fresh due to the climate.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I would love to share them with my readers, but I won’t. I don’t want to spoil the rollercoaster ride. I want you in the front seat with your hands thrust above your heads in anticipation of that first, ridiculously steep drop. I will say that I have left clues in the book that will lead certain readers to answers to bigger questions.
Sassy Reviews 