Book: Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing
Author: Erin Jones
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“Bridges connect to places, but bridges also get walked on…and sometimes with heels.” Being a bridge is at the same time rewarding and painful.
“Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing” penned by the author Erin Jones is a book worth reading. This book teaches strategies to the readers that could help them to move their community towards racial justice. This book guides readers to do their part to end the racial discrimination in the United States of America.
This story is both a memoir and an insightful call to action that inspires readers to work towards racial healing. Erin, a brown woman was given birth by a white mother at a hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her mother gave her up for adoption at the Children’s Home Society where Erin was adopted by a white couple who had never met Black people. The couple was unaware of the challenges they have to face for adopting a black child in a white family.
Readers could take away many useful things from this book. Cover photo is mind blowing and the title is suitable. In this book, the author has not only shared the good about her life but she has also covered the bad and ugly parts of her life. This is a book worth reading. I am glad to get my hands on it.
Pederasty is the debut novel of the author J. C. Morgan. Story features Julian, a respected lecturer at a high-end university. Julian fell for a schoolboy named Matt. Matt had sent an email to Julian and after reading that email, things changed. But before receiving that email, Julian and Matt had interacted very briefly.
One morning in London, Julian is at a cafe sitting with Matt where Matt is gulping coffee after coffee and Julian realised that he couldn’t say no to this charming schoolboy. As the story progresses, Julian knew that he should walk away from the boy. But will he be able to? They have come so close that they have been under the covers and touching each other’s bare skin.
This is an intriguing story with a unique plot. I enjoyed reading this story. Cover photo is nice. Author’s writing style is nice. Her characters are amazing. Author has constructed an intense world and I was hooked to the story the way Julian was to Matt. Morgan’s sentence formation and use of language made my reading pace smooth. Pace of the story is fine and I didn’t feel bored anytime. I must say the author has done great work in her debut novel.
“The Fall of the Phoenix” penned by the author Daniel Kelly is a retelling of the tale of the fall of Troy. The story began with the duel between Hector and Achilles who trained together, grew to men as brothers and fought together. Hector and Achilles both are powerful and being face-to-face in the final battle means only one will survive. Can Hector beat Achilles and save Troy from Greece?
Written in 274 pages, this story is full of action. This classical story about the fall of Troy is well described by the author. I haven’t heard about this story before so it’s an insightful read to me. Both Hector and Achilles are amazing, making it difficult to pick one. The story is detailed. Since I have read the story about the fall of Troy for the first time, I had to re-read a few pages but it’s totally worth it. Language used in the book has good vocabulary so one would come across many new words.
Those who love reading historical fiction should definitely pick this one.
“The Adventures of Autumn Lee” is an interesting Children’s book written by the authors Candace and Autumn Lee. Autumn Lee is an extraordinary girl who loved her home and family. Her grandma V knew that Autumn has a super special power i.e. her sweetest heart.
Grab a copy of this book and read it yourself to know what is going to happen further in the story.
Illustrations by Khadija Maryam are so beautiful that it will catch kids’ attention right away. This book has a valuable lesson for kids. It teaches little ones about kindness. Cover photo of the book is lovely and the story plot is interesting. I loved this picture book.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hi, my name is Lynn Jaffee. I’m an acupuncturist and free-lance writer. I love to write and blog about health, nature and eating well at acupuncturetwincities.com. I’ve also written about Eastern medicine in ‘Simple Steps: The Chinese Way to Better Health’ and how you can use it to live a healthier life. However, in my recent book, ‘Love Pain: Stories of Loss and Survival’ I wrote about love, loss and mental health after losing my adult son, Andrew, to cancer. I live and work from my home in Edina, Minnesota, which is near Minneapolis.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Love Pain: Stories of Loss and Survival’ book?
Love Pain was an incredibly hard book to write, because I was telling the story of losing my son. Despite the story being sad, there’s also a narrative underneath the sadness about living life to the fullest and appreciating the small miracles that occur every day. Even on the worst of days some incredible things happened, and it was a challenge finding the balance to tell that part of the story without the sadness overshadowing everything else.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love so many different authors that it’s hard to choose! I’m a big fan of Pam Houston because reading her stories feels like you’re talking to your best friend. And when I’m stuck or need inspiration in my writing, I always turn to Natalie Goldberg.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love the Southwestern United States, especially Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Maybe because I live in Minnesota which is so green and lush, I’m attracted to the red rocks and desert landscapes of those states. It’s beautiful country that demands you go outside to hike and explore it.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
The idea for a book percolates in my head for several months before I actually sit down and begin to write. Because I was writing about the loss of my son, that process for ‘Love Pain’ took even longer. I knew that I would write the book, but beyond being creatively ready, I had to be emotionally ready to sit down and write that story.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Love Pain: Stories of Loss and Survival’ book?
It took me over a year when I actually sat down to write ‘Love Pain’. There are several stories in the book, and I’d write a couple of them and then had to step away for a while. It seemed that when I took breaks, I was able to come back and feel fresh and ready to continue writing.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Love Pain: Stories of Loss and Survival’ book to buy?
It’s available in paperback and on Kindle from Amazon.com here.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Love Pain: Stories of Loss and Survival’?
I had completed the book, but was struggling for a title, figuring that if I just set it aside for a while, a title would come to me. Then, one day when I was walking through the marsh trail near my house, I came across a women who was singing to her daughter in German. As I passed by them, she was a little embarrassed about singing, and explained to me—a complete stranger—that it was about love pain, and it was s song that her grandmother used to sing to her. I immediately thought “That’s it! Love Pain!” So much pain that occurs in our lives is because of the people we love, and it felt like the perfect title. The cover image for ‘Love Pain’ is actually a photograph I took during my first solo road trip out west that I wrote about in the book. It was taken in the Sandhills of Nebraska, and I was attracted to the lonely road and the threatening color of the sky. I felt like it captured the theme of the book, that despite difficult times on the road ahead, we find strength and keep moving forward.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
For myself, I took regular breaks from writing, so I could come back with a fresh perspective. For my readers, I tried to keep the stories interesting in a couple of ways. First, each story intertwines my son’s words with my own, so we’re both telling the story from two different perspectives. Second, I tried to mix things up. While I was ultimately telling a story of loss, the book also talks a great deal about travel, nature, a little bit of Eastern medicine and the incredible things that happen when you slow down and live in the moment.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Yes, despite being a story of loss, many readers have said they enjoyed the humor in ‘Love Pain’. There’s even a food fight!
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Tiffany Smith. I have been in education for 9 years after spending almost 10 years working in the criminal justice system. I am an instructional coach for Central Middle School in Dover, Delaware. I have been married 10 amazing months to my best friend. I have one daughter who is a rising senior and is slated to go Division 1 for lacrosse. Last but absolutely not least, I love God, he is my everything.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Second Wind’ book?
The key challenge was I had no idea what I was doing initially. I am a teacher but I teach Algebra 1. Not only did I not know the processes, I struggled making sure grammar was right, my theme was throughout the book and each part of my story was well developed. Another challenge was finding time between my job, being a wife, a mom and between doing my school work for my doctoral classes.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
To be honest, I just started reading again. I used to be an avid reader when I was younger but life changed all of that. A book I read most recently was The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson which was very informative and a good read. I recently have been reading on Black history. No one really influenced me to write my book. It was a burning desire to tell my story.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite spot to visit as of right now is Naples, FL. I like to visit beaches and Naples had a very relaxed environment and beautiful view/scenery of the beach.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
It wasn’t for me. I really just wanted to tell others how great God was in spite of the circumstances. I wanted to encourage and inspire anyone and everyone who has ever been in a dark place and felt like they weren’t going to ever make it out.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Second Wind’ book?
I started writing it on March 1st and finished it on May 29th. I took 3 months but that doesn’t include edits and revisions that took place afterwards.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Second Wind’ book to buy?
Second Wind can be found on Amazon, Ingram Spark, Barnes and Noble and the hardback can be found on Target.com.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Second Wind’ ?
Second Wind in the natural state is when you are out of breath and you are exhausted and your body naturally kicks in a boost of energy or desire to keep going. The second wind I speak about in my book is the same thought process except I am speaking about having a second wind spiritually. When you are struggling in your spirit and you seek God and he gives you a new strength and energy to stay the course.
I was told how important a book cover is to your story and I was blessed to find Vanessa Mendozzi, Coverart by Vanessa Mendozzi. She was absolutely amazing. She listened to my vision and created exactly what I wanted.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I made sure I kept my voice. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am full of personality. I don’t want to sound cocky but I am one of a kind, definitely my own person. I knew if I could keep my voice, I would keep my audience captive. Everyone who has read my book say, “I couldn’t put it down.”
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
A lot of people want to know where my daughter, Superia eventually committed to for college because I never said in the book. She is verbally committed to go to Syracuse University.
Betrayal High is the fifth installment in the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller. At Bloomfield High School, a kid named Kevin Burns was a victim of bullying by school students. They call him by small and by different names also. Kevin has had enough. In the absence of his parents at home, he took a gun from his Dad’s cabinet and went to his high school. At school, Kevin started shooting innocent people, mainly the ones who had bullied him.
Famous attorney Zachary Blake’s adopted sons Kenny and Jake Tracey are also students at the same school. When Kenny saw Kevin, he decided to do something to save innocent lives. As Kevin was switching guns, Kenny attacked him and got shot on his leg. But one good thing that happened is Kevin got arrested. Pick a copy of this book and find out for yourself will Zach be able to know how Kevin got access to the weapons?
This is an intriguing story. Legal thrillers are my favorite and Mark is a master of them. His plots are perfect and captivating at the same time. Every book in the series had brought something different to the readers and I enjoyed reading it. World building is amazing. While reading this book, I totally forgot about the outer world around me. Don’t miss to pick this.
Supreme Betrayal is another interesting legal thriller in the series. In 1997, a party was thrown by Oliver Wilkinson and his brother Jared. Oliver and Jared are the sons of wealthy parents. Oliver had always got what he wanted. Parties with wild sex, drugs, alcohol, etc is what he do whenever his parents are on a trip. At the recent party at his mansion, he saw an attractive girl Hayley coming out of the master bathroom.
Oliver and his best friend Shane Marbury assaulted Hayley. She tried to seek justice but no action was ever taken against Oliver. Now, in 2020, Hayley was stunned to see the news that Judge Oliver Wilkinson has been tapped by President Stephen Golding to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Associate Justice Noah Fitzgerald. Hayley and her husband Joel approached a trial lawyer Zachary Blake to stop Oliver. Will they be able to stop Wilkinson?
This is a great story with a wonderful plot. The detail with which Mark writes his story plots are amazing. It gives the readers a great idea about the criminal world. Title of the book couldn’t have been better than this. Cover photo is nice. Once again, I am impressed with Mark’s writing. Get your hands on this page-turner story now.
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Anthony Walker from the Bronx, New York and I am an aspiring author who has gone on to create 12 novels and 3 screenplays .
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Vicissitude Of A Femme Fatale’ book?
Unfortunately during the timing of this novel, I was an incarcerated inmate who made the wise decision to become an author in the effort of removing myself from any negative behaviors by way of immersing myself in productive and creative activities until my time to regain my freedom was granted.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I have been influenced by a number of great authors such as the late Eric jerome Dickey, Jeffery Deaver, Tess Jerritsen, Vince Flynn, Nelson Demille, Terry Woods Andrew Vochs, and a newcomer named K’wan Foye amongst the many others who provided me with the insight on how to create a great novel.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite place to visit hands down is the ‘Museum of Natural History’ which always works to allow me the ability to escape the barriers of my own mind by allowing me to take a voyage outside of my mind to ponder upon the many wonders of the galaxy. I often recommend the experience to anyone in search of a fun encounter
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
In my experience I cannot fathom someone just diving into the process of creating a novel without first processing the many factors that are involved with how it should commence, what the ending should amount to be, to go along with the process of creating the many characters which are meant to compliment the story the writer is crafting.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Vicissitude Of A Femme Fatale’ book?
One of my earlier creations ‘The Vicissitude of a Femme Fatale’ was actually done over ayear before reching its completion as I made my best effort to produce a proper novel on my accord that is ready for submission to publishers.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Vicissitude Of A Femme Fatale’ book to buy?
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Vicissitude Of A Femme Fatale’ ?
The cover art for the novel came about during a chance happening when after creating a rough draft of the main character for the book cover, I I paid a visit to my aunt Brenda at her workplace where I found a discarded illustration of a flower that someone painted and I thought to include such a picture in a way of detailing the state of innocence that the main character “Gloria” wishes to protect.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
In the effort of keeping things fresh for public consumption, I sought inspiration from the likes of everything from movies, T.V shows, famous songs, poems, and of course the inspiration I derive from everyday life.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
The only secret which contributes to the creation of the novel, is the fact that the story is loosely based up3on true events which arise during an unfortunate time when a number of young women have gone on to commit the act of suicide in an attempt to escape the troubles of their tumultuous livliehoods that they fear is unaviodable. As such, I sought to keep the memories of said women alive by creating a character that is meant to encompass the strength of every woman in the world in the hopes to inspire others from avoiding a similar fate by recognizing the inner courage they possess to overcome any form of adversity.
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Angela and I have been a professional, award winning artist for 30 years as well as a children’s art teacher. My art career mainly saw me focusing on painting portraits. After homeschooling my two children and teaching K-12 art in the homeschooling community, I began teaching in a Montessori school where I taught art from grades 1 to 10. I also studied Psychology at the University of Victoria, where I earned my degree. In my first children’s book, ‘Sammi’s Worry’, I wanted to bring together everything I knew about children’s psychology, my love of teaching, and my art background.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Sammi’s Worry’ book?
I strove to create a book that would be both useful for children suffering from anxiety, but would also tell a very compelling story. It was very important to me that the art be captivating, beautiful and panoramic. One of the struggles I had was to create a “worry monster” that wouldn’t be too scary for younger children. That is why he has cat like features. I modelled the Worry after my beloved cat, teeth and all!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
One of my favourite author/illustrators is Helen Cooper and I could read ‘Pumpkin Soup’ every day for the rest of my life. I also read ‘Jacob Two Two Meets The Hooded Fang’ by Mordecai Richler every couple of years. It’s an oldie but a goodie and was my favourite book as a child.a I still love it to this day.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I live in a lovely little rural spot on Vancouver Island. Every morning I start my day with a morning hike along the coastline with my dog. I started walking this trail with my children when they were very young about 20 years ago. For that reason, it remains a sentimental spot for me.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
For me, I began by talking with my students about their fears and anxiety. The story evolved from a combination of those stories, as well as inspiration from my own childhood anxieties and nightmares. The longest part of the process for me was creating the illustrations.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Sammi’s Worry’ book?
Once I actually sat down to work on the book, it took about a year to write, edit and illustrate.
Q7. On what platforms can readers find ‘Sammi’s Worry’ book to buy?
Readers can buy Sammi’s Worry from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and the Book depository
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Sammi’s Worry’ ?
The book cover (and title) depicts the part of the story just as Sammi confronts her Worry. He is huge and towers over her, yet that doesn’t stop Sammi from facing him eye to eye. Here, we see Sammi gathering all her courage.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I keep working with and for children. They keep me young, fresh, and on my toes! We have a million questions for each other, and sitting and listening to children express themselves is very important to me.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Well, I suppose if you don’t mind spoiler alerts, the reader may find it comforting to know going in that Sammi does find a way to defeat her Worry and get her anxiety under control. It’s up to the reader to discover how. So start reading ‘Sammi’s Worry’ today!
Sassy Reviews 