Darcy Lane penned by the author James T Graham is the story of Elise. When Elise was seven years old, she used to quietly read from her book. Her mother Grace Rose used to bring a friend Michael home. Michael has the habit of getting drunk and making noise. One day, Michael was hitting Grace badly, the police came and took Michael with him. They took Elise to the hospital. Since this incident, Elise has been living with her grandfather Emmett Rose.
Elise has recently celebrated her twentieth birthday and it’s her last day at the psychiatric unit. After coming home, she met her neighborhood friend Tom Jacks. Tom handed her the journal of her mother Grace. Elise got off from the bus in front of a path on which Darcy Lane was written. Read this story to know what Elise is gonna do next.
Storyline is interesting. Cover photo of the book is nice. Language used in the book is simple and easy to understand. Narration is smooth. The author has written Elise’s character well. It’s a fast paced story that readers could read in a single sitting.
My Roots and My Wings written by the author Shari R Jonas is an amazing book to read. In this, the author has mentioned 24 empowering life lessons for young children.
Some lessons that are given in this book are practice gratitude, follow your passion, believe in yourself, listen to your thoughts, etc. These lessons are very powerful. Even though this book is for children of ages 3-9 years, adults also need to be reminded of these lessons as many times we forget to believe in ourselves or to ask for help when it’s needed.
Illustrations are beautiful. Language used in the book is lucid. Cover photo is well designed. This is a valuable book and every parent should add this book to their children’s bookshelf. I loved reading this book. Really glad to get my hands on this book. Highly recommended for little readers.
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello, my name is Cassandra Campbell-Kemp, I’m 66, British and I live in England in a 350 year old coAage with my rescue cat, Felix. For over 30 years of my life I lived and worked in Europe – Italy, Greece and Spain – where I learnt the languages, fell in love with the people and their cultures and lived happily alone; though more oMen than not I was adopted by stray cats! I am fiercely independent, unafraid of being alone and I absolutely loved travelling and discovering new things.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Tales from the Hamlet’?
I’d actually wriAen my first book (Cauliflowers through the CaRlap) during the first Lockdown so I sort of knew how to put a book together. Writing Tales from the Hamlet, I think the key challenge was trying to decide what to put in and what to leave out, there was so much to tell. I am retired so I had all the time in the world to write and I loved sitting at my desk reminiscing about my time in Italy. In fact my biggest challenge was realising that I couldn’t get the entire story into one book, so I am about to start writing the sequel, which will finish the narrative off nicely. It will be published in the Autumn next year!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Eric Newby’s wonderful books – particularly Love and War in the Appenines (which was set in an area bordering the one I wrote about). He is so good at narrative, at presenting his characters and his life has been absolutely fascinating. Peter Mayle and his A Year in Provence series, Frances Myles and her Under the Tuscan Sun series – the first of which was made into a movie. I like reading about the trials and tribulations of people living in a country that is not their own! Bill Bryson, whose Notes from a Small Island (about Britain) and subsequent books were very influential. I love his writing style.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I think my favourite spot is actually the town where I live. We have a huge partly-ruined 11th century Abbey at the top of the High Street, which, in its time was a monastery and one of the greatest seats of learning in medieval Europe. I go and sit in the bit that’s still standing – which is now the church – and just chill. It’s so relaxing, so beautiful, so full of history and so inviting. I’m not religious but I certainly appreciate the sacredness of the space. The fact that it was also a monastery that produced some of the greatest thinkers of the early Middle Ages really appeals to me!
Q5. Are there lots to do before you start writing
Yes, I sit and stare out of the window a lot, I find my best ideas come from doing that. I then make many notes – I have notebooks full of usually indecipherable jottings. I also like researching the things that I write about so do a lot of fact-checking. Interestingly a number of people who have read Tales from the Hamlet have told me that they have fact-checked what I wrote, so it is important to get things right!
Q6. How long did it take you to write ”Tales from the Hamlet’ book?
About 5-6 months. I didn’t have a schedule, I just let it come. Sometimes my best ideas woke me at 3.00 in the morning. A particular event or word would reverberate around my brain, so I made sure to write it down as soon as I got up.
Q7. How did you decide to set the story in Italy?
I didn’t decide to set it there, I WAS there! The book is a Memoir. It is my story of my time inItaly.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title of your recentbook?
The book cover was illustrated by my very talented friend, Jill Bissenden. It is taken from a photograph of the Manor House where I lived. The title is as a result of how the book came about. While I was living in Italy I would write short blogs on my Facebook page called ‘Tales from….’ and it was my Facebook friends that encouraged me to turn them into a book. Blogs about my time in the Hamlet thus became Tales from the Hamlet. Though writing a blog and writing a book are very different things – as I soon found out!
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I think the main way of keeping things fresh is to stick to the rule ‘show, don’t tell’, to keep the chapters a manageable length and try to make each one interesting and where appropriate, amusing. Keeping it fresh for myself was more difficult, I’d lived it, so I had to make sure if it still interested me, then I could write about it.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Book: Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide on How to Slay from the Inside Out
Author: Kisha Prince
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide on How to Slay from the Inside Out” written by the author Kisha Prince is a helpful book. In this book, the author has shared her journey. Kisha went through a painful divorce that devastated her family. After going through many terrible events in life, Kisha started questioning her own existence. She had so many questions whose answers she was expecting from God. I was glad to read about Kisha’s belief in God which helped her to no longer feel depressed and anxious.
The author has mentioned how by praying, we go into the partnership with God. The author has mentioned some positive affirmations within the chapters. She is recommending us to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, stop complaining, etc.
This book has inspired me to commit to myself. Through this book, the author guides readers to believe in God for what we need and want in life. God has wonderful things in store for us. We should keep our faith in him and we would definitely achieve what we want in life. The way Kisha has written this book is highly appreciated. This book has worked as a guide for me. It’s a book worth reading. I am sure that you would also find it helpful.
Recently I read the book “Tales From The Hamlet: Memories of Italy” penned by the author Cassandra Campbell. This is the second book of the author. Cassandra returned to London in 2005 as her mother’s health was failing. In 2010, she lost her mother. When Cassandra’s own health was bad, she had to retire. It took her five years to recover. Now, Cassandra is nearly 60 and the companies were looking for 45 year old energetic people.
When she was about to lose hope, a job offer came out of the blue and it had taken Cassandra two months to pack her house and move to Italy for the new job. After 15 months at job, Cassandra was made redundant with not enough money to return home. Luckily she found the company of her old friend Ugo. Ugo took Cass to a beautiful property and introduced her to Farah, the housekeeper and her daughter Ayesha. Cass felt relaxed at that place. Read this story to know what will happen in Cass’s life.
I am glad to get my hands on this book. Cass had lived an adventurous life and this book takes the readers on different adventures. Writing style of the author is nice. Cover photo is beautiful. Pace of the story is fine and I enjoyed reading it. It’s a gripping story and I enjoyed binge reading it.
Book: Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide On How To Slay From The Inside Out
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello, my name is Kisha Prince and I’m a person who loves life and is grateful for every moment I get to live and let live. I try to find the lessons and the goodness in the journey I have been allotted. I like to say that I am an empowerment enthusiast. I like to empower the people around me to be the best version of themselves. I am a child of God, mother, personal shopper and stylist, divorce coach, and a new author. I enjoy writing, listening to music, vacationing, relaxing next to a large body of water, good food and wine, decorating my house and spending time with family and friends.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide On How To Slay From The Inside Out’ book?
One of the key challenges I faced while writing ‘Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide on How to Slay from The Inside Out’ was having to channel and go back into the emotions and feelings I had while going through such a painful divorce to put it inside the book. It was exhausting and brought me to tears at times while writing it, but I wanted readers to feel what I felt in those moments. The process of writing this book was therapeutic for sure.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Dr. Myles Monroe and Sarah Jakes Roberts influenced my writing. They are both phenomenal, thought-provoking teachers and writers that leaves you empowered and energized. The late great Dr. Myles Monroe has inspired his listeners/readers to find their purpose and operate in it unapologetically and relentlessly. His book ‘Understanding the Purpose and Power of Women’ is one of my favorites. In it, he encouraged women to know who they are (with or without a man), what their purpose is and find innovative ways to exist in a culture and society that presents women with many challenges and obstacles. I am also encouraged to be great and fearless after reading about and listening to Sarah Jakes Roberts. Her book ‘Lost and Found’ is a book full of hope and life lessons. Her testimony about having a child at a young age, her relationship with her father and growing up in the church is so relatable to me. Her testimony of overcoming and thriving after such difficult times in her journey, makes me want to never give up on myself. She also has a passion for fashion which is something we both have in common. It would be an absolute pleasure to style her one day.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite spot to visit in the United States is California. It has the perfect weather, wonderful sceneries, lots of activities, great shopping, beautiful beaches and was a dream vacation of mine as a kid. Its special to me because growing up in such humble beginnings, California was just a place to go to in my dreams. I would watch the ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ as a kid, but never thought in my wildest dreams I could ever afford to go somewhere so fabulous and prestigious. In 2018, I was able to take my family on a trip there and to top it all off, we were able to sit on the front row in the audience of my favorite game show Family Feud. I can certainly say that dreams do come true.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
For me it was finding the courage to be vulnerable and tell my story. It took time, help from God and my therapist to find my voice and the strength to write about something so personal. I had to think about the women I wanted to encourage and empower through my testimony of healing and deliverance while going through the most painful time of my life.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide On How To Slay From The Inside Out’ book?
It took me about a year to write this book after journaling off and on for years. The chapters about my self-esteem and my unhealthy relationship with shopping, were things I had realized and wrote about years ago, but never thought to put it in a book. It was only after going through my divorce I decided to write about my experiences, not only as a divorcee but as a multifaceted woman with many dimensions.
Q7. On what all platforms’ readers can find ‘Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide On How To Slay From The Inside Out’ book to buy?
Readers can go to keeppressinpretty.com or Amazon.com for now.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Keep Pressin’ Pretty: A Guide On How To Slay From The Inside Out’?
Keep Pressin’ Pretty was an affirmation I came up with years ago to declare over myself when I was feeling less than and not good enough. While writing this book I thought Keep Pressin’ Pretty would be appropriate and indicative of the self-encouraging journey I was on. I wanted something to empower women to press pass what they are going through and remind them that they look better than what they been through. ‘A Guide on How to Slay from the Inside Out’ is the lesson I learned being a person who is a lover of styling and all things fashion. I was tired of slaying on the outside through clothing and accessories but feeling lonely and empty on the inside. As a woman trying to reinvent herself and be better (mind, body and spirit) while transitioning into this new chapter, God worked on me from the inside out. Now I not only dress the part, but more importantly I take pride in being the part.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I think a writer keep things fresh for the reader and for themselves by just being authentic and as transparent as possible. I believe readers want something that they can relate to and see themselves in, and writers want to write about something they can be proud of that resonates with the reader in some way.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I pretty much put everything in the description (blurb) to synopsize the book. But I will say that although this book is about me overcoming divorce, it is not about me bashing my ex-husband. My healing and the process of my recovery had little to do with him, but everything to do with how I saw and see myself.
Book: Meglet And Seb experience A Magical Christmas
Author: Meg Lester
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“Meglet and Seb experience a Magical Christmas” is an interesting children’s story book penned by Meg Lester.
Story features a girl Meglet and her best friend Seb. Maglet has chosen the greatest pine tree with her daddy for christmas. It will be really fun to join Meglet and Seb for the Christmas adventure. Give a quick read to the story to know will the magic of Father Christmas arrive? Children will surely enjoy reading this story.
Writing style of the author is nice. Cover photo of the book is designed well. Title of the book couldn’t have been better than this. This is a good read for sure. Go ahead with this without any second thoughts. Great addition to any school library. Looking forward to reading more books by the author. Parents could pre-gift this book to their kiddos for Christmas.
“The Presidents Did What?” is an interesting story book penned by the author Wag Harrison and illustrated by C Rod Unalt. Millard Fillmore is a former president and current ghost at the White House. He was a one-term president. There were many others like Millard who were one-term presidents. They all made poor decisions during their years in the White House.
This book takes the readers through rooms of the White House and readers will be introduced to US history. It is a fun way of teaching the kids about US History. The illustrations made the book more engaging. It was amazing to read how ghosts are spending their afterlives giving yours to the Executive Mansion.
This is a unique read. I enjoyed every bit of this book. It is thought-provoking. I like to recommend this book to parents for their kiddos. It could also be included in their school syllabus. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable.
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello there, fellow soul traveler! My name is Jessi. I am an author, a poet, a wife, a mother, and simply a human being trying to find meaning in this world I live. I live in Olathe, KS, but am from a small town in Wyoming. I live with my husband and one year old son. I love the challenge life offers in that it gifts me experiences to become more and more kind and more and more loving. There are times I fall flat on my face and times I soar, but what inspires me is sharing my raw, heartfelt truth–even when it’s “broken” or “ugly”. I am not perfect and I am a mess-making machine, but aren’t we all?… and isn’t that what makes us all so beautiful? So I thank you for being interested in reading my book and extend the invitation for you to email me with any questions, suggestions, or comments at mayionlyleaverosepetals@gmail.com.
With gratitude,
Jessi (J.S. Drake)
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘May I Only Leave Rose Petals’ book?
Most of the challenges were my own “inner demons”. I had to face the wounds within me that said, “You are not good enough. You are a failure. You’re unworthy!” This process took me standing up to these negative belief systems with love and conviction over and over—I had to affirm: “No! I am worthy! I matter and I want others to feel they matter, too, so I’m writing this book and am going to publish it no matter how many times I have to face and overcome these doubts and fears.” It was one of the most healing inner journeys I’ve taken and it is my greatest hope my book acts as a catalyst for others’ inner healing as well.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
As a teen I read Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s book, “The Invitation”. It was so healing for me and I was greatly inspired by her and hoped one day to write like her. However, what created the catalyst for me to compose, “May I Only Leave Rose Petals” was reading “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love to be anywhere that’s in nature. I find nature so healing. One of my favorite places I’ve been is in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It is like being in a fairytale. 💗
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Yes. Mostly it’s the mental battle for me…overcoming doubts, fears, and negative belief systems. Once that is taken care of, it flows.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘May I Only Leave Rose Petals’ book?
Many of the poems are from my teenage years and young adult life…I’d say it’s been in the works years before I was inspired to compose it into a book. Once I got the inspiration it took 6 months to a year from start to finish.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘May I Only Leave Rose Petals’ book to buy?
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘May I Only Leave Rose Petals’?
This process was very intuitive. I meditated on the title and heard it during one of my meditations and it comes from a concept taught by Louix Dor Dempriey—my Guru—who inspires each of us to only leave rose petals in every moment and circumstance in our lives (to bless everyone and everything especially when it’s most difficult to do so—i.e when someone cuts us off in traffic—instead of giving the finger—let us choose instead to bless that one).
The cover came to me in a meditation as well and I shared my thoughts with the book publisher and they created the image from what I shared.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
It’s important to be gentle with yourself when writing a book or doing a big project. “The energy you are in when you create is what you create”- Louix Dor Dempriey. When I found myself getting impatient or frustrated, I’d take a break and breather and return when I felt inspired and more centered. The energy that one is in when creating anything in life (a book, a meal, wrapping gifts, etc) is translated to the finished project and can be picked up on, consciously or unconsciously, by those who partake in the finished product.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I simply want my readers to know, “You matter. I see you. And I hope and pray that by reading my journey through pain and darkness that you feel less alone. This journey on Earth can be so challenging, heartbreaking, and chaotic…May I only leave rose petals in your hearts and lives by you reading this book.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I was born in Vermont but grew up primarily in Massachusetts. My parents were both teachers, and I developed an interest in literature at an early age. Although I aspired to be a writer, I put that ambition aside for a stable job, first in retailing, then in banking, and finally in the Federal government. I retired from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2018 after a forty-year career that included nineteen years in SBA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and ten years as SBA’s Area Director for Government Contracting in Fort Worth, Texas. I began writing The First Robot President soon after I retired and published it in 2020. It is my first published novel.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The First Robot President’ book?
I had a good outline before I started writing the novel and knew what the key events would be and how the story would end. However, since I had not done any creative writing in more than 50 years (I am turning 77 next month), I had to figure out how to connect the dots, so to speak, and move the story forward from one high point to the next. Fortunately, I read so many novels when I was young that storytelling is second nature to me now. I believed that the technique would come back to me quickly, and it did.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Since The First Robot President is science fiction (science fiction and political satire), you may be surprised to learn that I didn’t read much science fiction prior to writing my own novel, other than a couple of novels by Jules Verne in my early teens: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. During this period, I read many historical novels, including several by Thomas Costain (The Black Rose and The Silver Chalice), A.B. Guthrie, Jr. (The Way West and The Big Sky), and Kenneth Roberts (Northwest Passage, Arundel, and Rabble in Arms). In my late teens and early 20s, I read books by other famous American writers, including Mark Twain, Henry James, Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. I also read novels by some of the great European and Russian writers, including Charles Dickens, George Eliott, Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Thomas Mann, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Therefore, I would conclude that my writing has been influenced by dozens of writers, primarily American but some European and Russian writers as well.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love to visit Massachusetts, which is where I grew up from the age of 12. Along with Virginia, Massachusetts was one of the first places in North America that Europeans settled in the early 1600s, and some of the original buildings in Boston and Salem have been preserved to this day. I love to drive the highway known as Route 1A through the historic towns of Salem, Beverly, Wenham, Hamilton, Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Also, just a few miles off Route 1A are the famous fishing villages of Rockport, Gloucester, and Manchester-by-the Sea. Gloucester still serves a major seaport, and all of these towns have wonderful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive dive in and start writing a book?
As I mentioned above, I prepared an outline of the entire book before I started writing the first chapter. I had finished the outline before I retired, so I was ready to start writing soon after I retired.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The First Robot President’ book?
I started the novel in April 2018 and finished it in March 2020, so it was about two years; but I didn’t work on it continuously because of an operation and other interruptions during this period. I figure that I actually spent about 18 months writing, revising, and editing it.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can which platforms can readers find ‘The First Robot President’ book to buy?
Up until now, it was primarily available on Amazon, although the print editions could (and still can) be ordered from any bookstore in the United States. At this moment, I am in the process of “going wide,” which means that the eBook will soon be available through Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Rakuten Kobo, and the Google Play Bookstore in addition to Amazon’s Kindle. I encourage readers who prefer a print edition to order it through a traditional brick-and-mortar bookstore rather than Amazon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The First Robot President’?
The title was a no-brainer based on the story, and it came to me soon after I came up with the idea. I hired a professional artist to do the cover.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I make extensive use of dialog. For example, in Chapter 8, “The Debate,” where the robot is debating the other candidates for the office of Vice President, I include comments from the robot’s husband, daughter, and mother-in-law, who are sitting in the audience, in addition to the dialog between the moderator, the panelists, and the three candidates. This breaks up the political discussion and allows me to interject an element of humor into the story.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I don’t want to spoil the plot by revealing too much, but I can mention one or two things that don’t touch on the plot. Although the story is set 500 years in the future, I was very careful to be accurate in my description of the White House and the U.S. Capitol, as well as restaurants, streets, and avenues in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, where the novel takes place. I even called the U.S. Congress to verify the name of the building and the room number where the Small Business Committee meets. This attention to detail may be the result of all the historical novels I read when I was young. Also, I originally named the robot Lucy, but I changed the name to Esmeralda before I finished the book because I think Esmeralda is a beautiful name—my favorite female name, actually.
Sassy Reviews 