Adopt a pet! Save a life!

I created this video at the shelter where I volunteer. These homeless babies and my pets, who “once upon a time” were strays, are my biggest inspiration for writing and the greatest motivation for striving every day to be a better human being. 

Book trailer for "Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted"

 

"Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted" Book Review

 

Storytime and Adoption Event

 

Book Trailer for "Rocky"

 

New Release---Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted

 

Rocky and a Girl with a Curl

Book Review of The Little Labradoodle-Puppy Pickup Day

The Little Labradoodle: Puppy Pickup Day by April Cox is a captivating story of friendship, kindness, hope, and love. In this beautifully illustrated children's picture book, young readers can follow eight labradoodle puppies as they are getting ready for their fur-ever home. The readers can also witness all the funny things the smallest of the puppies can get into. The little labradoodle delightfully takes on the world, but at the same time worries that he will miss an opportunity to meet a loving family. This rhyming book is definitely a wonderful read-aloud with colorful illustrations and engaging text. 

Interview With an Author and Entrepreneur, April Cox

April M.  Cox,  an  Author, and  Entrepreneur who has always enjoyed creative writing, rediscovered children’s picture books while reading to her grandchildren.  Her little labradoodle often sat with them and was the inspiration for this book series. Little  Labradoodle Publishing was founded in 2018 with a passion to publish beautifully illustrated books that children would love and parents would appreciate.  Little Labradoodle books provide underlying themes like gratitude, kindness, friendship, diversity, self-acceptance and inclusion. When her corporate position was eliminated, she decided NOT to look for another position and instead is dedicating 100% of her time to Little Labradoodle Publishing.  April and her husband knew their expenses were too high, so they made some sacrifices, sold their home and have reduced expenses by 75% in order to best position themselves for success.  She is ALL IN!!!! April can be contacted at april@thelittlelabradoodle.com  More information about her and her work can be found on her Website, Amazon Page; GoodReads; Facebook; Instagram, and Twitter. 

What inspired you to write The Little Labradoodle?

It started as a passion project for my grandchildren. Over the past few years reading along with them I fell in love with picture books all over again. There’s nothing like having a child climb up on your lap and snuggle in close to read together. My little labradoodle, Brady, would jump up with us and listen too. After awhile we started making up stories together about our little puppy and that’s how the idea for The Little Labradoodle series was born. 

What is your favorite scene in your book?

Oh wow. That’s a hard one. There are so many beautiful illustrations that Len Smith has created.  If I had to pick one, I would pick the image on page 24 when the little labradoodle puppy is staring into his water dish at his reflection looking so insecure and concerned about the family he was getting ready to meet. He worries that his family won’t like him because of his limitations or his small size. The way Len captures the emotions of the puppy is amazing! 

How long did it take you to write this book?

A very long time! When I started I was working 60 to 80 hour weeks in the Corporate world so it was slow-going at first.  The manuscript went through many revisions - more than a dozen in fact.  I would say it was a “work in progress” for about 6 months. 

What books and authors have most influenced you?

I love the humor of Dr. Seuss, the lessons of The Berenstein Bears and the characters in the Winnie the Pooh. Those were some of my favorites to read with my kids. 

If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

Great question!  I have a non-fiction story inside me waiting to come out about my childhood, the challenges and victories along the way.  I go back and forth between whether I want to write for adults or make it a book for young adults (12 and up). Time will tell!

Do you have a current work in progress?

I am working with two amazing authors.  The first is Johnny Ray Moore who is a bestselling author already for his board book on Martin Luthor King.  He has written a book called, “The Night I Met the Zooney Goons” which is a humorous story about visitors from another planet.  Kids will really love that one.

Second is author, Lindsay Achtman who has a story titled “I hope it’s a Puppy!”.  I don’t want to divulge too much information without talking with Lindsay first. But it’s another book that we are really excited to publish under Little Labradoodle Publishing. 

I also have a few stories in need of further development for The Little Labradoodle series and am trying to find time to choose the next one in the series and get that manuscript completed. 

But first, I need to get Puppy Pickup Day launched!

Sneak Peek of The Little Labradoodle:

Well, we have a sneak peek on our KickStarter page.  If you go to KickStarter.com and search for "Puppy Pickup Day" you can find the campaign.  I’m sure there will be a link posted here as well. 

I feel so strongly about what we have created with Puppy Pickup Day that I put the entire book as a downloadable link in PDF form.  There is also a FREE weekend on Amazon for the eBook, so starting on Friday you will be able to grab the eBook absolutely FREE.  

Our KickStarter campaign will fund the printing of hardcover books and creation of gift sets that will include an 8” plush from Douglas, a 6 x 9 signed 1st edition hardcover book along with a companion coloring book. To top it off it will be in a beautifully customized canvas book bag for the kids.  It makes a great gift for the holidays, but we can’t bring it to our customers without help.  We need support to make it happen and we have made some great rewards available to our backers that help make this dream come true!                                                        

   

                                                                                                    

Interview with Illustrator of Rumtum the Sailor, Mary Manning

                                                      Rumtum the Sailor by Kyle Duffy, Illustrated by Mary Manning  

Illustrator bio

As an illustrator/character designer, I've worked with numerous publishers and related industries over the years.  In my free time, I'm also dipping into 2D hand drawn animation and broadening my skills as an artist.  You can view Mary Manning's work at her Webpage

Do you have a preferred medium to work in?

I only work digitally these days.  It's much more convenient and time saving than traditional.

How long did it take you to convey the essence of  Rumtum the Sailor through your illustrations?

No time really.  You get a good sense of the character(s) when you read the story or manuscript. That's a main part of the illustrators' job.

What is your favorite piece of work in your portfolio?

Oh boy ... I don't know.  I don't think I have a favorite because in each one I see where I would have maybe done something differently ;)

Are you working on any new projects?

Always.  And if I'm not, I'll use it to do some personal work.



Special note: Ramtum the Sailor is being launched on Kickstarter 

The Season when past wears a Halloween mask is on...

The Balkan Sisters

The Legend says that Dracula, the Balkans’ Devil, was buried at the isolated Snagov Monastery not far from Bucharest, Romania. History has it that the Monastery was a torture chamber. Near to the end of the twentieth century, killing fields spread around this beautiful peninsula and most of them were in Yugoslavia, the biggest country in this part of the world. Many people never escaped from those bloody prisons. Even today, when they no longer exist, screams coming from the sites of the prisons are loud and painful. They remind us that even walls can’t keep secrets; they share stories of haunted souls that refuse to let peace breathe freely. The difference between you, me and them is that they are trapped in the darkness of their ghost towns and we are following the shadows of our ignorant world. Nevertheless, in the belly of our Earth Mother, they wait for us. When you hear the doorbell it will be too late to run or to hide. They will be pushing through. They will be delivered right before your eyes. As your path closes, their path will be a wide open way of possibilities.

Available on Amazon

Book review of "Researching the Heart" by author Olive Youngly

The story line of this book was easy to follow, yet it was intriguing enough that I looked forward to reading more. The main character Sylvia, a young, attractive, and strong-willed woman took this book from ordinary to extraordinary. Interactions between her and other characters, especially Dr. Jonathan Philip-Hankle were presented in creative but down to earth way.

The author had a way with words that made me as a reader to connect with the plot, the setting, the characters, and their lifestyle. My favorite line of Researching the Heart, which dictated the story, was: “Sometimes the things you fear are the best things in your entire life. Sometimes those things are your victories.”

I highly recommend this book.

 Readers can find more about Researching the Heart and the author on Amazon 

Book review of Not Flowers, but Love by the author Krys Batts

Not Flowers, but Love has engaging content, easy to follow format and most importantly substance.  Descriptive language painting a creative and romance-filled picture simply drew me in and kept my attention all the way through. It is a beautiful story that proves love can happen at any time despite the circumstances. I especially enjoyed blended emotions presented in this work that are able to pull the reader’s heartstrings as well as to take him or her into the world of sharing a better and deeper emotions.

The main character Jamie is building a successful career while overcoming her painful past. She has no courage or will to ultimately be open to trusting and learning to love again. Yet she is forced to drift away from her path.

This is a well- written book; one that stays in the reader’s mind long after the last page has been turned. I definitely look forward to reading more books from this author.  

Readers can find more about Not Flowers, but Love and the author Krys Batts on Amazon

Straight Out Of The Box:The Poetry Style Of S.L Batts

Fifteen of Sherlene Batts’s most inspiring poems. Separated into three chapters, poems to Motivate, poems to Inspire and poems Willy Nilly style, which means these are poems that contain urban lingo, and explicit lingo.

                                                                                           About Author

Sherlene Batts is a poet and writer. She was born and raised in Houston TX and attended Forest Brook Senior High School. She graduated in 1980. She also attended the University Of Houston/downtown College where she took some courses in Psychology. Some of the poems in "Straight Out Of The Box" center around her everyday life, prayer, and her faith in God. Poets who influenced her are Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, and Phylis Wheatley.

Readers can find more about Sherlene and her work on Amazon 

Awakening Her-Book for Men by author Maja Monrue

"Awakening Her" is the first book of its kind. It is a hybrid of new philosophy, informal psychology, and everyday life. This amazing book is being launched on Kickstarter

A unique guide to loving a modern woman, including real-life stories, and lively illustrations.

Interview with author of Herbal Lore, K.J. Simmill

This book covers a wide range of herbs and their uses in both medicinal and magical practices, including sections detailing extraction and application. It also provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions on making a wide range of items encompassing creams, herbal bags, incense, salves, tinctures, and poultices.

Presented in an easy to understand format, with an added definition of terms, making it an asset to anyone wishing to utilise the beneficial properties of herbs.

What was your inspiration for this book?

I had kept a record of herbs and their uses in both medicine and magical practices for a long time, which I used not only on a personal front, but as a guide for my non-fiction fantasy writing. It was only when I gave a copy of my research to a friend, and others asked if they could also have a copy, I realised there was nothing like it on the existing market. Since I was already about to publish my first fantasy novel I decided I should release this also.

What is your favorite scene/part in your book?

The methods and application section. In this part I detail all the various ways to obtain herbal extracts (from decoction to tincture) and how to create the tools for applying it (compresses, poultices, lotions etc). That said, the section on making magical items is a close second.

What books and authors have most influenced you?

Thomas Bartham and David Hoffmann are both amongst the books I keep returning to. In a non-fiction writing sense it was more the fact that I couldn't find a book with the information I sought, thus I compiled it myself.

Special Note: Herbal Lore is sold until March 31st for only 99¢ and 15% of this book's royalties go to The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) who provide practical and emotional support to military personnel, their families and other entitled civilians when they are in hospital, rehabilitation or recovery centres and support patients from all three services, wherever they serve.

                                                                            

                                                                                             About Author

K.J. Simmill is a British author with books released in both the fantasy and non-fiction genres. It is her intention to ensure each book she writes will donate a percentage of her royalties to a good cause. She is a qualified Usui Reiki master, with certifications in various fields of holistic therapy. inclusive of aromatherapy, crystal healing, colour therapy, ethereal Reiki, Indian head massage, shaman power Reiki, sound therapy, and massage therapy. She has also spent many years researching various practices of magic and herbal medicine. She is also currently working towards a herbal practitioner qualification. When she is not writing, she is an avid reader and a passionate gamer. It is K.J's aim for each one of her titles to donate a percentage of the author royalties to a different charity. Herbal Lore is donating 15% to The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and Darrienia is donating 10% to the University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM) charity directed towards the Neonatal intensive care unit.

Readers can find more about K.J. Simmill and her work on the following pages:

Amazon US  ; Amazon UK 

 Facebook ; Twitter and Blog 

The Wayward Astronomer by author Geoffrey Thomas

A story of passion, conflict and love, set in the vivid Dreamkeepers universe. Are you brave enough to discover your world?

The Wayward Astronomer is a science fiction / adventure novel set in the vivid and imaginative Dreamkeepers universe (www.dreamkeeperscomic.com). Normally depicted though critically acclaimed graphic novels and a companion webcomic, The Wayward Astronomer is the first written novel to expand upon the Dreamkeepers saga. It features a brand new cast of characters, a new story, and a new enemy lurking in the shadows of Anduruna.

                Readers can find more about this book HERE and read about Geoffrey Thomas's work on his BLOG

Book review of Essential Oils for Allergies

I am not new to the world of essential oils and have been exploring this ancient wisdom for many years. I also love natural healings so I was eager to read this book. I have to say that this guide exceeded my expectations by being quite different in many aspects of its incredible concepts… it has great content, easy to comprehend format and most importantly substance.

My favorite section of the book is the one that explains how to tell if an essential oil is pure. Here, the author makes a strong connection between knowing plants and putting them together to good use. Differently from other books that I read about this topic, this guide balances the author’s knowledge with great resources that allows the reader to do research of his/her own.

I am very pleased with the amount of information in this book, and I can't wait to try out some of the recipes/remedies. This book definitely expanded my knowledge in essential oils. I would recommend it to anyone with allergies as well as to those who are trying a healthier lifestyle.

Interview with author of "Resume Psychology" Dirk Spencer

Resume Psychology is a science based approach to resume content to help people hack the black-hole of job boards and corporate career pages.

Resume Psychology provides ethical resume hacks to leverage the performance and behavioral norms of the recruiting process, the people behind the scenes and the technology while avoiding the pitfalls and traps of out-of-date advice.

The author reviews what to do on your resume to avoid being rejected automatically by the technology. Mr. Spencer shares a counter-intuitive writing approach which increases your keyword placement to improve how your resume is ranked against the competition. Dirk describes a resume section-by-section showing what helps, what hurts and what to do better.

         

•     Why margin size matters to your resume inside a job board

     ·              Best and worst bullet styles to use on the resume and why

     ·            The 4-keyword hacks necessary for higher resume scores

     ·           The Kiss of Death and the words to stop using on your resume

     ·           Why job descriptions may be the worst place to find keywords

     ·          The mistake spell check does not fix and how to avoid it

What inspired you to write this book?
There is a lot of bad resume advice out there. I had seen my share of friends spend upwards of $2K

dollars for a resume which landed them no-calls, no-emails, no-interviews and no-offers. These 

resume writers are not skilled in recruiting. Most are English majors with PhDs who are good people 

lacking the necessary insights to help their clients in the age of modern resumes.

 How long did it take you to write this book?

I spent 3 months dedicated to writing and editing the book.

What books and authors have most influenced you?

Dr. Williams, my college English professor. I dedicated the book to her. She taught me writing was a

science and she was right. She submitted for an Emerging Scholar Award in English for a poem I 

wrote following the “rules” as it were. She said she saved my papers for last – they were her dessert.

Do you have a current work in progress?

I just released my second book The Candy Maker Resume – Resume Writing Hacks. If Resume 

Psychology is the “what”; this book is the “how.” There are 2 more books in draft-mode; Interview 

Psychology – Preparation Attracts Offers and Using LinkedIn for Job Search (tentative titles).

                                                      About Author:

Dirk Spencer is a former government analyst, turned corporate recruiter and is the author of Resume Psychology Resume Hacks & Traps Revealed - Beat the Machine. Be Seen. Get Hired! A fact-based, science-focused approach to modern resumes. Dirk shares his technical and process insights to help people hack their resumes to be more effective when applying to job openings.

Mr. Spencer has presented Resume Psychology to several professional associations from Dallas to Denver, including: Pikes Peak Recruiter Network, Inter-City Personnel Associates, Executive Search Owners Association, American Society for Quality Conferences, National Investor Relations Institute, International Institute of Business Analysis, Intuit Women's Network, Texas Workforce Commission and Dallas Fort Worth Texas Recruiters Network (DFWTRN).

He has also volunteered his time to present Resume Psychology to Career Transition Groups such as: Career Jump Start FUMC Richardson, Carrollton Career Focus Group, Carrollton City Job Hunt 101, Crossroads Bible Church Career Transition, Fort Worth Career Search Network, FWCSN Resume Boot Camp Job Angels Network, MacArthur Blvd Baptist Church, Preston Trail Job Network, McKinney Workforce Networking, Southlake Focus Group.

Dirk has also presented Resume Psychology to diverse ecumenical groups as well: Jewish Family Service (JFS), Career Counseling Group of DFW Islamic Association of North Texas (IANT), Career Counseling Group of DFW Islamic Center of Irving (ICI), McKinney Trinity Presbyterian Church Career Transition Network, St. Philip's Episcopal of Frisco Job Ministry, St. Andrew UMC Sales Group, St. Jude Career Alliance a Chapter of the Catholic Career Development Community.

In his off-time the author does amateur nature photography, makes Christmas decorations year-round and folds origami-crafts.

Readers can find more about Dirk Spencer's work here: Amazon; Createspace

and connect with him at: Linkedin; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Slideshare; Flickr; Website and Blog