Volume 1, Issue 2
November 2018
Promoting Literacy, Parenting Tips, Short Stories, Recipes, Activities for the Kids, Exploring New Worlds, Wellness and Well-being, Discovering New Authors and so much more...
All contents Copyright Š the individual authors and used with their permission. All rights reserved.
Promoting Literacy Parenting Tips Short Stories Recipes Activities for the Kids Exploring New Worlds Wellness and Well-being Discovering New Authors and so much more...
Mom’s Favorite Reads eMagazine is published monthly by Goylake Publishing and designed by Nicole Lavoie of www.JustSayingDezigns.com
Mom’s Favorite Reads Find us online
www.moms-favorite-reads.com facebook.com/momsfavoritereads momsfavoritereads@outlook.com
Founders Hannah Howe
Denise McCabe
Ronesa Aveela
www.hannah-howe.com
www.kidsstoriesblog.com
www.ronesaaveela.com
Discover more about us through our video: https://youtu.be/s0CNofMbQdM Never miss an issue by subscribing to our FREE magazines: www.tinyurl.com/momsfavoritereads-subscribe
In This Issue... Feature Article
Thanksgiving: An Attitude of Gratitude by Grant Leishman...................... 4
Articles
What You Didn’t Know About Reading by Rachael Wright........................ 6 Surviving the Holidays by Melanie Smith..................................................... 8 Tragedy and Privilege by Nicole Lavoie..................................................... 12 Reading, Recounting and Wow Words by Sylva Fae................................. 14 From the Vampire to the Werewolf by Fabia Scali-Warner ....................... 20 Hello, my name is Heather and I’m a Bookaholic by Heather Ramsay.... 22 The Thriller Genre and The 5 C’s by Dax Munro...................................... 28 You want me to write a review? Oh no! by Eileen Sheehan....................... 30 Encouraging Confidence in Children by Denise McCabe.......................... 32 Arthur of the Britons by Mansel Jones ....................................................... 34
Short Stories
Reflections by Kelly Wallace-Artieri............................................................. 40 The Hill of Uisneach by Barbara Doran-Rogel............................................ 42 Octopus’s Garden by Holly Barbo............................................................... 46 Mini Mystery The First Getaway Car by Hannah Howe........................... 49
Poetry
Writing by Brenda Mohammed....................................................................... 7
Books
Best Sellers & Hot New Releases................................................................. 24
Activities Thanksgiving Word Scramble..................................................................... 13 Autumn Crossword Puzzle.......................................................................... 21 Autumn Word Search.................................................................................. 27 Activities for the Whole Family to Learn about Different Cultures by Ronesa Aveela ................................................ 38 Dinosaur Crossword Puzzle......................................................................... 45
Galleries
Dmitry Yakhovsky / Writer & Illustrator...................................................... 18 Shaun Neary / Photographer......................................................................... 19
Author Spotlight
Brenda Mohammed...................................................................................... 50
Thanksgiving: An Attitude of Gratitude By Grant Leishman
Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November, is a uniquely American tradition and one to be proud of. Regardless of whether you are an American and Thanksgiving Day is ingrained in your psyche, the idea of “giving thanks” or gratitude is a universal concept that we are all guilty of overlooking and forgetting from time to time. The Thirteenth Century German philosopher and mystic, Meister Eckhart left us with a little gem, that sums gratitude up perfectly.
Some practical steps to achieving an;
“attitude of gratitude”:
1| Say “thank you” at every single
opportunity that arises - and don’t just say it as a matter of course; because that’s what your parents taught you to do. Actually mean it - be grateful for whatever that person has done for you.
“If the only prayer you ever utter in your entire life is; ‘Thank You’, then that will suffice”.
2| Start saying “thank you” every time
There is ALWAYS something you can be grateful for. Every morning you can be grateful for a new day, a new opportunity to breathe, to walk, to talk and to exist. We take for granted so many of the wonderful experiences and things that we as human beings are blessed to enjoy and be grateful for every, single day - open your senses and enjoy the world around you and be grateful for the opportunity.
you sit down to eat or drink. Be grateful to all the people who have been involved in bringing your food to you.
3| Start your day with an attitude
of thankfulness. Send just a little time giving thanks to the Universe for the new day, for the blessings in your life.
4| Make a gratitude list. There is power in writing things down. Have a gratitude journal and at various times during the day jot down the things you are feeling grateful for (or, be a techno-whizz and have it on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC). Get that attitude of thankfulness.
5| This is a big one! Stop complaining! When you feel annoyed or frustrated at a circumstance or a person, don’t vocalize your feelings. What you are unconsciously doing is asking the Universe for more of these annoying and frustrating circumstances or people. If you feel annoyed or frustrated, focus -4-
instead on something you can take from the circumstance or person that is positive - something to be grateful for in that person or that circumstance.
6| If others are negative or critical of
someone, or gossiping about someone - either walk away (if you can) or inject something positive about that person into the conversation. There is always something positive you can find in every person - otherwise that person wouldn’t be in your life.
as a habit. And how do we create habits? By simple repetition! Research has shown us that it only takes around one month for a repetitive action to be accepted by our subconscious as the “norm”. If we regularly and meaningfully practice the art of gratitude for just a short time it will become as natural and normal to us as walking, getting dressed in the morning, or driving - we won’t even have to think about it anymore. It will just come naturally.
Enjoy Giving Thanks this 2018!
The most important thing you can do to develop an attitude of gratitude is to simply ingrain it into your subconscious
Grant Leishman is a fifty-nine-year-old full-time author and editor, domiciled in the beautiful islands of The Philippines. After careers in finance and journalism, Grant finally found his true bliss in life – writing. He his happily married to Thess and they have two daughters, Rose and Angeline. You can discover more about Grant here: www.grantleishman.com -5-
What You Don’t Know About Reading by Rachael Wright
It seems as often as you walk into the paediatrician’s office they inform you of the benefits of reading to your child every day. Those benefits are often quickly passed over; as if you, as a parent, should just accept the idea and move on–like signing the flu shot waver.
The benefits of reading, however, are numerous and begin in an area of the brain’s visual cortex dubbed “the letterbox” by researchers. With literacy, areas of the brain (lateral occipital) increase their activation, not only to words, but to all sorts of stimuli, like pictures, suggesting that learning to read redefines the capacity to recognize any picture. Literacy may even be responsible for increased facial recognition since, literate people learn to focus their attention better and in a more flexible manner.
As far as novel reading goes: “The neural changes that we found associated with physical sensation and movement systems suggest that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the protagonist,” according to neuroscientist Professor Gregory S. Berns. Or in lay man’s terms: the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes improves the ability to be compassionate. A recent study led by Professor Loris Venzzali of the University of Modern and Reggio Emilia in Italy, found that reading Harry Potter improved attitudes toward homosexuals and increased compassion to refugees. According to Scientific American, Vezzali’s work supported earlier research that suggested reading novels as a child–literary engagement with life’s social, cultural, and psychological complexities–can have a positive impact on personality and development skills. Another study found that reading literary fiction, as opposed to popular fiction or nonfiction, resulted in keener social perception and increased empathy as readers occupy the
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perspectives of those they might not have concentration might be the benefits your otherwise considered. paediatrician touts, there are far wider ranging benefits to reading than ever So while stress reduction, better imagined. writing skills, and improved focus and Rachael Wright is a Colorado native with degrees in History and Political Science from Colorado Mesa University and is a columnist for Colorado Politics. She is a devoted tea drinker, Manchester United fan, wife, and mother. Rachael lives outside of Denver with her husband, daughter, and crammed bookshelves. Much of her writing is drawn from her experiences as a police wife, a life in politics, and the challenges of parenting. Although her first two novels were glibly classified as women’s fiction, she believes that death and loss and relationships are not issues that only women deal with or that women want to read. We are all of us drawn to stories that help us understand our own lives. You can discover more about Rachel here: www.authorrachaelwright.com
Writing
Brenda Mohammed
Writing takes me into a fantasy world. Sometimes I find myself in a black hole. I edit and fight to come out of it But not before I get into a fit. My books have gathered great reviews Won awards and made the news. Is it worth it, I sometimes ask? Writing a book is a great task. A writer’s life is a rather lonely one. All day behind a computer is no fun. An author must make the time Read others’ books and go out and lime. Do not sit at your computer all day. Join the family in travel and play Love of a family is life’s greatest gift When you need to relax they give you a lift. -7-
You can discover more about Brenda Mohammed in this month’s Author Spotlight, on page 50, as well as on her website here: http://brenchris.allauthor.com/
Surviving the Holidays Melanie Smith
So, we survived Halloween. Whew! Now, comes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. As we move into the Holiday Season life tends to get a little more hectic and chaotic. We pressure ourselves to get that perfect gift, prepare an impeccable Thanksgiving feast, bake the picture-perfect pie, and be the ideal parent, spouse and friend. The obligations pile on day after day until we are ready to snap. Sound familiar?
Now, add that to an already stressed out year where there never seems to be enough time in the day and the budget is stretched beyond it’s limits. No wonder we can’t just sit back, remember what we’re grateful for and watch the snow fall as we read that novel we’ve been dying to get to.
but it just might give you the strength you need to finish out the day. If you go for a quick walk to rejuvenate, will you have to skip buying that perfect gift for Uncle Joe? Can your kids get by with 12 gifts rather than a baker’s dozen... and will they even notice? No, the world will not fall apart if you engage in a little “me” time. And I submit, the world might actually be a tad bit better for it. Because, you will be in control and better able to cope with the chaos instead of teetering on that precipice about to fall over the proverbial 100 foot cliff. Here are three tips to get you started... • Utilize technology to help with planning and organization • Control Social Media, don’t let it control you • Develop and maintain a budget
Don’t give up. You can survive the holidays. But the answer might be counterintuitive. When we are pulled in a million different directions; family, work, Utilize Technology holiday obligations, etc... we tend to leave out time for ourselves. Well, don’t. (Oganization & Panning) So, “How do I get started?” you might Take a few minutes to decompress. ask. For most of us, our day to day life Read a blog, go for a walk, lock yourself is already hectic and chaotic enough. Between working full-time, to family in a room and meditate. Whatever helps obligations, to neighborhood events — you relax... take the time to do it. Daily. Seriously, think about it. Will ten minutes we find it hard to squeeze everything in already and still have time for ourselves. really make you blow that dinner? No, -8-
Then along comes the holidays and we have social and religious gatherings, family get-togethers, shopping, cooking, and house work on top of all the regular day to day stuff. It’s no wonder a season that should be spent appreciating life, catching up with relatives and enjoying the wonder in our children’s eyes has become a time of increased stress, family fights and chaos. Well, fear not... there is hope. Wait for it - there’s an App for that.
Controlling Social Media
Social Media... friend or foe? I would submit that it is both. These days it’s easier than ever to maintain long distance relationships through social media. We can also cultivate amazing new friends around the world. But, sometimes there’s a downside, right?
So, how does this impact the holidays? You’re feeling confident things will go off without a hitch due to your amazing new planning skills. It’s going to be the best holiday season — EVER! Then, you sit down for a little “Me Time”, scroll through your newsfeed and WHAM...blindsided. Just when you hit that calm, serene happy place someone posts a picture that offends you. Or a “friend” makes a statement that angers Utilize your phone to your advantage. you, somebody frustrates you or insults There are hundreds of apps out there everything you believe in. Within to help you with this process. Here are seconds, you are stressed out, irritated a few resources I located to get your and maybe even angry. How do you started. There are a wide range of choices recover and cope with the conflict? There from holiday music and games to list are two important things to remember. development, recipes and menu planning. First, keep things in perspective. Go wild, most of them are free so what do you have to lose? ‣ Top Free Android Apps for Holiday Season (click here) ‣ 9 Best Christmas Apps for Android (click here) ‣ Top Android Apps for Christmas & Holiday Season (click here) ‣ 12 Free Android, IOS Apps for Holiday (click here) ‣ The Christmas Gift List (click here) ‣ Best Shopping List (click here) ‣ 10 Best iPad/iPhone Apps for Planning your Holiday Trip (click here) ‣ Best Holiday Apps (Games & Activities) (click here) ‣ Martha Stewart Festive Holiday Apps for iPhone (click here)
Facebook & Twitter friends aren’t really your friends. Of course, some of them are... very good ones in fact. But some are also new contacts, acquaintances, business colleagues & people you once knew a long time ago. My point is this... with a mix of several hundred people,
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there are bound to be some (maybe even a lot) who have different beliefs, morals, experiences and standards than you do. Be willing to accept them for who they are... different beliefs, morals, experiences, & all. Not everyone is going to feel exactly the same way you do about everything — and that’s okay. Their story is different than yours. Their experiences, life lessons & priorities may not align with yours completely. If it’s not possible to accept them for who they are, you shouldn’t be friends in the first place. Which brings me to the second thing to remember. Understand your circle of control. What do I mean by that? Well, there are things you can control (i.e., your words, actions, ideas & mistakes) & things you cannot control (i.e., others mistakes, words & reactions). Focus on those things you can control, let the rest go. When you get upset, ask yourself — Is it worth losing my friend over a Social Media argument? If not, walk away, keep scrolling, and don’t engage. Most of all—Don’t be a cyber bully. Conversely, you don’t have to let others bully you.
or photo. Control your social media interactions, don’t let social media control you.
The key to everything is moderation. If you find yourself spending massive amounts of time online, force yourself to take a break. Walk away, go shopping with a loved one, or impose a mandatory cool down period before responding to any contentious meme, statement
‣ Holiday Shopping Budget (click here) ‣ Printable Budget Form (click here) ‣ Interactive Planner (click here) ‣ How to Stick to Your Holiday Budget (click here) ‣ 10 Tips for Holiday Shopping on a Budget (click here)
Develop & Maintain a Budget Why budget? Because if you don’t plan ahead, you will spend more than you think. Marketers know the best way to get their customers to impulse by, is to prey on their emotions.
If you are committed to sticking to a budget, you won’t wake up December 26th and discover you’ve spent twice as much as you can actually afford. When developing a budget be sure to include everything; gifts, entertainment & parties, meals, travel and spending goals. Then determine the maximum amount you can afford to spend. Now you are ready to develop a budget. There are probably as many ways as there are people to budget for the holidays. The trick is finding the one that will work for you. But you’re in luck, again, you can rely on an App to assist you. OR... There are tons of articles on the internet to get your started. Here are a few that might help...
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‣ 8 Tips to Help You Control Spending (click here) ‣ Tips for Avoiding a Holiday Spending Hangover (click here) ‣ 10 Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Tips (click here) ‣ Top 9 Apps for the Holidays (click here) ‣ Christmas Gifts & Budget (Android) (click here) ‣ The Christmas List (iPhone) (click here) In conclusion, the holidays are supposed to be about love & happiness, enjoying friends & family, & for Christians Christ. Don’t let stress, unnecessary aggravations or limited funds get in the way of appreciating the little things. Because life is short and the holidays are about enjoying the moment while you can.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Melanie P. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has an Associates of Science degree in Marketing, a bachelor’s in business management, and a Masters Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation. Melanie served as a support member in Law Enforcement for 26 years before retiring in 2016. During that time, she worked closely with the department’s specialty units to include K9, Motors, SWAT, Search & Rescue and the Mounted Posse. In addition, she coordinated communications and logistics for the SWAT Team and was a member of the Child Abduction Response Team’s Logistical Unit. She has always had an adventurous spirit and has been sky-diving and rappelling. She owns an ATV, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and is an amateur photographer. For years Melanie has used her creative writing skills for office related tasks such as awards programs and web content. Then one day, she decided it was time to start writing for fun again. Her stories are exciting, action packed, and gripping. Her characters are classy, memorable and strong-willed. If you are looking for a story that you can’t put down, one that will keep you guessing as you embark on a rollercoaster journey of discovery, then you are definitely in the right place. You can discover more about Melanie here: https://melaniepsmith.com/about-the-author/ - 11 -
Tragedy and Privilege Nicole Lavoie
November is National Adoption Awareness Month in the United States. The month is set aside to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care. We always wanted a family larger than what we were biologically able. With the number of children in state care that need foster and adoptive families so high it was never a question to us which path we would take to grow our family.
As I watched this young woman confirm with the judge that she understood what she was legally committing to I found myself overwhelmed with emotions. This young mother, who had been taken away from her own biological mother at birth and then lost her adoptive mother to cancer at a young age now had to put her trust in us, almost complete strangers, that we would take good care of her son and give him the life she could not.
In the time that we have been licensed we have had two children placed in our care. When the determination was made that reunification would not be possible in either case, the biological parents planned to voluntarily terminate their parental rights and agreed to an open adoption with us.
A child born to another woman calls me mommy, The MAGNITUDE of that tragedy and the depth of that privilege are not lost on me.
When the actual day came for the biological parents to go before the judge there was a sense of relief that this roller coaster ride was coming to an end but the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach the first time I sat in that courtroom is something I will never forget.
ADOPT If you can’t adopt, FOSTER If you can’t foster, SPONSOR If you can’t sponsor, VOLUNTEER If you can’t volunteer, DONATE If you can’t donate, EDUCATE
~Jody Landers
Nicole Lavoie is an aspriring children’s book author who wants to focus her stories on the relationships between biological and foster children. When Nicole isn’t designing the Mom’s Favorite Reads eMagazine she is busy using her graphic design and project management skills to help other authors get their books from concept to completion. You can discover more about Nicole here: www.JustSayingDezigns.com - 12 -
Thanksgiving Word Scramble Mom’s Favorite Reads
1. DFNISRE _________________________________________ 2. NRBCAEYRR _____________________________________ 3. TFKLUHAN ______________________________________ 4. ELVOD __________________________________________ 5. UERKTY _________________________________________ 6. RESATHV ________________________________________ 7. IPPMKN _________________________________________ 8. DELSESB ________________________________________ 9. LAYMFI __________________________________________ 10. FATES __________________________________________
This activity is available to download and print out on our website (click here) The answers for this activity are also available on our website (click here) - 13 -
Reading, Recounting and Wow Words Sylva Fae
How to help improve your child’s reading and writing. I’ve always been an advocate of getting children reading from a young age. My earliest memories are of bedtime stories; first as an only child snuggled up with Mum, then later as big sister hanging over the top bunk to see the pictures. It was a magical time; those last special moments before I dozed off to sleep would feed my dreams with faraway lands and mystical beings, with fantastic adventures and a sense that anything was possible. I remember that feeling as I saw those black squiggles on paper. They were the magic, the secret door to enchanted worlds and I wanted nothing more than to learn how to read them.
a young age and have learnt to read and write quite effortlessly. All three have amazing imaginations, and like I did, they bring their story characters to life through their play. I know most of the credit lies with our fabulous primary teachers but I also know that giving them access to books and promoting a love of reading has played a huge part in their development.
Recently I went to parents evening at my daughters’ school. I came away a proud mum, but most of all because all three of the teachers spoke about how my girls excelled at literacy. They commented on the breadth of their vocabulary and understanding of the texts. One of the new teachers smiled and said, “We can always tell the children who’ve read at home from a young age.” Needless to say, I have given my children We chatted about the best ways to support reading at home to help my little a similar childhood filled with stories. ones progress from decoding readers, I have watched their progress with the who read the individual words but don’t pride of a mother and the interest of a teacher. Every parent sees their own child necessarily understand the whole text, to as a genius, and I am no different, but my fluent readers who gain meaning from whole sentences. Every child develops girls always surpassed their milestones at slightly different rates but as a rough with their speech and vocabulary, they guide, these are the milestones: were excited to learn their letters from - 14 -
Emerging pre-reader ‣ 6 months to 6 years old Novice reader ‣ between 6 to 7 years old Decoding reader ‣ between 7 - 9 years old Fluent, comprehending reader ‣ between 9 - 15 years old The two main techniques that stood out were helping children to show their understanding by recounting the story in their own words, and promoting the use of Wow words.
Recounting the story
Reading the title, looking at the cover and reading the blurb with your child is a great way to aid their understanding. Ask your child to predict what the story will be about. What type of story do they think it will be? Will it be adventure, fantasy, family, space, school...?
My girls’ teachers stressed the importance of discussing the stories with children when they read at home. Pause occasionally and question them about what they think will happen next, why they think the character behaves in that way, or what would they do in that situation. Stories are often great platforms to prompt discussions about wider interests and issues children face. In addition to supporting the literacy lessons in our schools, all these activities help children to develop their listening and concentration skills. Most importantly, any time spent reading with your child is a precious bonding moment, where you can show you are interested in their ideas and opinions.
At the end of each section / chapter, ask your child to recount the story so far. If like me you read a chapter book over several nights, you could start by asking them to tell you what has happened so far. These memory joggers not only aid understanding and enjoyment of the book, but show your child you are sharing the reading experience with them. Wow Words If you are reading with younger children, I hadn’t heard this term before so I queried it with the teacher: you may want to give them hints: ‣ What was the giant called? ‣ Where was he? ‣ Who was the giant meeting? The important thing is that they recount the story in their own words and you can fill in the gaps if they can’t remember. As you use this approach to reading, children will focus more until they can recount the story unaided.
Wow words are advanced adjectives, verbs and nouns which are used to improve a piece of writing by making it vivid and interesting. For example: Once upon a time there was a dragon that lived in a cave. He was a nice dragon. One day he went for a nice walk in the woods... Boring!
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When you read together, ask your child to pick out the Wow words. Prompt them, how did the character move / talk / look?
But with Wow words: Once upon a time there was a tiny red dragon that lived in a dark and dingy cave. He was a kind-hearted and cheerful dragon. One glorious day, he went for a stroll in the cool shady woods... More interesting? The Wow words help you picture the character and the scene and give you the mood of the story.
For Example: ‣ Instead of walk, did they amble, stumble, stagger, sprint, shuffle, march, plod, wander, stroll....? ‣ Instead of talk, did they shout, whisper, exclaim, cry, remark, demand, ask, state...? Ask your children if they can think of other Wow words they know to describe the characters or the settings in the stories. Discuss the meanings of any unfamiliar words with your children. Gradually, your children will develop a diverse and interesting vocabulary that they can use to enhance their writing in school.
In school, children are taught to pick out the Wow words from the text, think about Quick Guide their meaning from the context, and use a dictionary to check the meaning to Reading at Home of any unfamiliar words. They are also encouraged to use Wow words in their Read to your children – share a own writing, but this is only possible if love of reading and enjoy the experience they have the vocabulary to do so. together.
1|
As a parent and a writer, I never dumb down language for children. Children love to question. If they don’t know what something means, they’ll ask! Yes, they can drive us mad with the incessant questioning but for every word you explain you are increasing their vocabulary and supporting their literacy skills.
2| Get them to tell you a story – with
little ones, let them use their imagination and just make it up. With older ones, ask them to recount the story or continue it in their own words.
3| Listen to your child read – show
them you are interested and give them your full attention.
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a child’s mind. The benefits are too numerous to name but the best of all is seeing the delight on their faces when it is story time. So read to your children, expand their world to one of adventure and excitement and know that you are instilling a love of learning in the most wonderful way.
4| Ask questions...
‣ Who was it about? ‣ What happened? ‣ What were there favourite bits?
5| Make reading a regular activity –
encourage reading as something fun your child looks forward to. Set aside some quality time and build it into the family routine. In my experience as a parent and a teacher, I have witnessed the huge advantages early reading has on shaping
In this magazine you will find many fabulous examples of children’s story books that are packed full of wondrous Wow words. Happy reading!
Sylva Fae is a married mum of three from Lancashire, England. She has spent twenty years teaching literacy to adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, and now works from home as a children’s writer and illustrator. Her earliest memories are of bedtime stories. It was a magical time, those last special moments before dozing off to sleep would feed dreams of faraway lands and mystical beings, with fantastic adventures and a sense that anything was possible. She now wants to share that love of stories and inspire children to create their own magical adventures. Sylva and her family own a wood and they escape there at every possible opportunity to enjoy the peace and fresh air. Adventures in their own enchanted woodland, hunting for fairies and stomping in muddy puddles, inspired Sylva to write stories to entertain her three girls. Sylva has published several children’s books and also writes a blog, Sylvanian Ramblings. Her debut book, Rainbow Monsters won the Chanticleer Best in Category award. You can discover more about Sylva here: https://sylvafae.co.uk/blog/about-sylva-fae/ - 17 -
Dmitry Yakhovsky Writer & Illustrator
Dmitry Yakhovsky has received education at the Academy of Art in Minsk, Belarus. He mostly works for authors and publishers all over the world to illustrate books in both digital and traditional way but is also regularly commissioned for smaller projects. Dmitry writes and illustrates his own books. Examples of this are the graphic novel series ‘The Shadow of the Cross’ and created two colouring books for adults which were all published by the British publisher MadeGlobal and two historical graphic novels set in medieval Netherlands published by the Dutch publisher Pear Productions. He is this year’s winner of a big comic contest in the Netherlands. Dmitry is besides this specialised in portrait and landscape paintings which are usually done in oil paint or watercolour and regularly exhibited.
You can discover more about Dmitry Yakhovsky here Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entaroart DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/entar0178 - 18 -
Shaun Neary Photographer
Based in Dublin Ireland, Shaun is a self-taught photographer who is generally at his happiest at a dark venue chasing musicians around stages which is what he has been doing for the past several years. His portfolio includes images Hozier performing to 190 people in a church right up to Bruce Springsteen performing to over 80,000 people at Dublin’s Croke Park and has work has been featured in national and international press. When he’s not hiding in dark photo pits of music venues, he’s often found cycling around Dublin, or meddling with whatever gadget he can get his hands on when he’s at home.
You can discover more about Shaun Neary here: http://shaunneary.com/ - 19 -
From the Vampire to the Werewolf Fabia Scali-Warner
The Wolf Leader, by Alexandre Dumas The name of Alexandre Dumas is universally associated with his most famous works, like The Three Musketeers or The Count of Montecristo: less known is his The Wolf Leader, a booklet placing him with the first authors to draw the figure of the werewolf in modern literature. This short novel, much like Polidori’s The Vampyre, contributed greatly to the creation of the archetype of the mythical figure of reference. The werewolf in the contemporary imagination is a primal force of nature, violent in its fury, yet not entirely separated from natural principles of justice.
the man in wild beast occurs as a consequence of a provocation and a reaction to an abuse of power repeated in time: for this reason for the werewolf there is a hope of redemption that is not available for the vampire. Just like the werewolf represents the natural and violent fury of the uprising of the farmers and anticipates the concept of class conflict that Marx was soon to express (The Wolf Leader was published in 1857, The Capital in 1867), Polidori’s vampire portrayed the predatory and arrogant behavior of the aristocracy towards the lower classes, with the addition of unmotivated cruelty beyond possibility of redemption.
The figure of the werewolf Thibault is so fascinating exactly as a consequence of this underlying ambivalence: the jealousy and hatred driving the beast are Accordingly, Dumas’ The Wolf Leader comprehensible, no matter how morally is the tale of the ill-fated pact between the unacceptable the deriving actions. Also, shoe-maker Thibault and the devil, who beyond the socially-oriented analysis, promises the young man physical and in Dumas we can really feel the love social payback towards the local lord, for the forest and the immediacy of guilty of having beaten and humiliated the relationship with nature: and the Thibault because of an interference admiration for the natural balance, during a hunt. As violent and malignant strength and grace of the symbol of the as it may be, the metamorphosis of wolf. Fabia Scali-Warner is a writer who loves communication and technology. Her non-fiction works are focused on literature and communication. In fiction, she is currently exploring the depths of the Sci-Fi genre. Her first novel, Julia Dream, explores a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future. You can discover more about Fabia here: https://twitter.com/FabiaSW - 20 -
Autumn Crossword Puzzle Mom’s Favorite Reads
This activity is available to download and print out on our website (click here) You can also play this crossword puzzle online (click here) The answers for this activity are also available on our website (click here) - 21 -
Hello, my name is Heather and I’m a Bookaholic Heather Ramsay
Reading is my vice. Some people prefer television, others movies, but not me. All I need is a book and a quiet place to dive in. The more books I visually consume, the more I realize I love all genres. There is just something so uplifting about a romance, exciting about a thriller, intriguing about a mystery, and wondrous about a fantasy world.
Once upon a time, I read only the most popular “it” books by traditionally published authors. After I finished one novel, I’d be off to the next one. It was through Amazon’s “customers also bought” category that I discovered indie books. It was here, out of the mainstream, where I found some of my favorite authors. After reading affordable and well written indie books, I wondered why I’d paid upwards of ten dollars for a well known author’s book. I could buy three or four indie novels for the price of one traditionally published book. My eyes were suddenly open. I began to regret all the hard earned money I’d spent on overpriced books now that I knew there were millions of hidden gems just waiting for me.
The more indie’s I devoured, the more traditionally published books became formulaic with similar storylines. I found this especially true of books in a series. Once I moved past books two or three, I started to find the rest repetitive. The protagonists were somehow always stuck in repetitive loops, doing the same thing over-and-over again expecting different results. My discovery of indie books brought my love of reading to a whole new level. These unique stories pushed the boundaries, filled with fresh views, and no fear of discussing real, gritty topics. The author’s could let their imaginations run wild with no restraints from agents or publishers.
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A few years ago, I had the crazy idea to join the front lines and start writing my own novel. It began as a hobby, something to do while my husband watched TV. So I wrote my book. I rewrote my book. I erased entire sections of my book and tried again. Once I finally finished it, I wondered if someone else might want to read it. Would they even *gasp* pay to read it? In the end, I decided to take the plunge. Every story has a beginning, right? Well, this is mine.
I welcome you to check out my debut romantic thriller novel, Snakebite, Alpha Squad Book 1. Then grab Retribution, Alpha Squad Book 2, and let’s see if you too, prefer indie books!
Heather Ramsay grew up in a town just outside of Toronto, Ontario. After spending a few years working and exploring California, she now resides in Pennsylvania with her family. Personal trainer, yoga teacher, and group exercise instructor by trade, her true passion is writing. An avid reader and make believer from a young age, Heather dreamed of one day publishing her own book. When not reading or writing, you can often find her training, spending time with family, or chasing around her kids. You can discover more about Heather here: www.heatherramsayauthor.com
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Bestsellers & Hot New Releases Survival Beginnings: Jenny’s Story - Rhonda Hopkins “Some days, the only plan is survival...” Discover more at https://rhondahopkins.com
Navigating Family Court: In the Best Interest of Your Child - Rhonda Hopkins “Going to court can be scary. Going to court to decide custody of your child can be truly terrifying — there is so much at stake!” Discover more at https://rhondahopkins.com
Ben: an Amie Backstory – Lucinda E. Clarke “A captivating story about old and new customs as the young learn there is more village life.” Discover more at https://lucindaeclarkeauthor.com
Fear’s Whisper – Poppy Flynn “The intimate scenes were explicit and scorching hot. The book was a perfect steamy read.” Discover more at https://www.poppyflynnsaucyauthor.com
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Bestsellers & Hot New Releases Bea & Bee – Sylva Fae “My son enjoyed the story about the bee.” Discover more at https://sylvafae.co.uk
Sparky – Millie Slavidou “This is a delightful book, perfect for early readers.”
Life According to Poetry – Sarah Northwood “The author has a way of touching your emotions with her poems, and the reader will find they can relate to each and every one.” Discover more at http://www.sarahnorthwood-author.com
Vickie: Doctor by day. Vampire Medic by night. – Eileen Sheehan “It’s another page turner!” Discover more at www.sheehan-author.info
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Bestsellers & Hot New Releases A Solitary Reaper: A Captain Savva Mystery – Rachael Wright “Secrets, lies, and pain lie under the beautiful and serene mask of the isle of Lesvos, Greece.” Discover more at http://www.authorrachaelwright.com
The Flame Queen – Dax Munro “One woman will take back her freedom. And rise.” Discover more at https://daxwrites.com/
The Clumsy Gnome – Denise McCabe “Great message, pictures and games to play for the kids” Discover more at https://kidsstoriesblog.com/
Authors, book visibility is the key to sales!
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Autumn Word Search Mom’s Favorite Reads
This activity is available to download and print out on our website (click here) The answers for this activity are also available on our website (click here) - 27 -
The Thriller Genre and The 5 C’s Dax Munro
The 5 C’s of Writing A Great Thriller Novel After reading an article on The 5 C’s of Writing A Great Thriller Novel: See Original Article Here, I began thinking about my first thriller, which I’m currently polishing off.
aspiring writers to try some literary vitamin C, using a clever play on words that draws us into the idea of the five C’s as a whole. So, what are Bell’s Five C’s?
I began thinking about how my storyline and characters do or do not reflect the 5 C’s Principle I’d read about. My First Thriller: The Red Man, An Evylia Wilde Novel The story follows a teenage girl named Evylia as she searches for answers to her parent’s disappearance.
Evy has experienced strange visions ever since she was small. These visions allow her to view past or future memories in great detail, which often comes as a bit of a shock.
I’ve listed them in the above image. Let’s briefly run through them, to get an idea of what each of the five C’s entails. Complex Characters ● An intriguing protagonist should be realistic, with both good and bad qualities. ● They should struggle with both internal and external problems. ● Their inner demons should influence how they react to different situations. ● Supporting characters should sometimes create conflict with the MC. ● Realistically, nobody gets along 100 percent of the time.
Not only does she insist on finding out all she can about her birth parents: she also seeks answers to why she’s always been able to see things that others can’t. James Scott Bell & The Original 5 C’s Article The original article writer, James Scott Bell (a bestselling author) encourages
Confrontation ● The climax: the hero and villain should both have good and bad traits. ● They should think they’re their - 28 -
actions are justified, even when others disagree. ● Both the hero and villain need a detailed back-story. Careening From my own experience as a reader, I love a good plot twist, the more sudden and unexpected, the better. ● Add in plot twists to keep readers on their toes. ● When the story slows, shake things up and add in something unexpected.
Communication ● Thrillers should carry a message to bring the community together. ● What life lesson does the main character learn from their terrifying ordeal? ● What theme will run throughout your tale? ● The ending should sum up the theme/ lesson, neatly rounding off the story. Telling darker stories has always come naturally to me. I found these five C’s really insightful and am definitely going to take a lot of Scott’s advice on board.
Coronary ● Get the heart skipping and blood pumping. ● Replicate the emotions of your main character. ● Manipulate sentence structure, tone and flow. ● Use Sense Memory: think of the emotion you want readers to feel. ● Recall a time when you felt the same emotion you want to describe and make notes on how your mind and body felt, how you reacted, etc.
As far as Complex Characterisations, Confrontation, Careening, and Coronary go, I think my novel is more or less sound. As for communication, I should probably do a bit more polishing before I decide to release the final draft of my novel. This has been a really enjoyable post to write. I hope that it (and indeed Scott’s original article) will be of help to aspiring writers and readers looking to learn more about structuring thrillers. Have an amazing day and as always, feel free to share this post.
Dax Munro is a lifelong dreamer, coffee lover, and fantasy fanatic. Dax recently came to terms with their diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, a mental illness characterized by its fluctuating emotional states and love/hate thought pattern. Moving forward, Dax hopes to share inspirational novels that will encourage young adults to learn about the human condition and the mental health issues that sometimes affect our everyday lives. You can discover more about Dax here: https://www.daxwrites.com/ - 29 -
You want me to write a review? Oh no! Eileen Sheehan
Okay. So, you’ve just read a great book by a new author and you find a note at the end of it from the author asking you to provide a review. You think about it, but, in the end, you don’t bother because you either don’t understand the positive impact that review can make on the author and book’s future or you are intimidated by the concept of writing a review. Maybe both?
them in deciding what titles are more apt to yield a nice reward for their time and effort. Are you beginning to see the value in that review you’re debating about writing?
But, you’ve read those long, wordy reviews and you aren’t up to creating something like that. In fact, the idea intimidates you. Not to worry. As an author, I like to see reviews that are clean and simple. Giving away too much of the plot can spoil it for the future readers [which is while they’re call them spoilers]. For me, what I like to know is if you found the story interesting. Were the characters believable. Did you like them or hate them? Did you get attached to a character(s) and are you sorry the story ended? Would you like to read more about that character(s) or plot? Would First of all, it’s important for you to never you recommend it to your friends? underestimate the value of a good review. Not only is it something that other readers look to when they’re deciding about purchasing a book, but it’s used by many marketing venues when they are deciding whether or not that book is good enough to participate in the promotion they are running. Most venues have a minimum review requirement as well as a minimum rating requirement. New authors, in particular, struggle to acquire those reviews and ratings so that they can participate in campaigns that will Of course, these are just things I enjoy help get the word out about that great seeing, but they don’t necessarily all have book that you just read. Many translators to be individually listed in the review. enjoy royalties from the books that they You can keep it short and simple and translate into a new language so that still get your message across. Here is an others can enjoy a good read in their actual 5 star review for my novel, “The native language. Because of this, they Vampire, The Handler, and Me” that is use the reviews and ratings to assist posted on Amazon: - 30 -
“I am reading this author’s work for the first time and I am very pleased with her style. I would recommend this book very highly and I look forward to reading other books she has written.” J. Bloom As you can see, the reader relayed the message that she/he was pleased with the plot and characters enough to want to read more of my work. Simple, but effective. The book received that all important rating as well as a review to add to the collection to help future readers and translators decide to select it. This simple and clean review also assisted with the book’s qualifying for marketing purposes and it is now being translated into Spanish. Best of all, the reader invested minimal time in providing this valuable review! But, you’ve seen comments on editing in reviews and you’re not an editor. Again… not a problem. If you find errors in the novel, it’s actually not advisable to post them in your review. The review should be about the author’s ability to create a good story and not the editing. This is why most professional reviewers receive an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) which is never completely edited. They overlook the mistakes because their job it to review the story, not the editing. It is, however, appreciated by the author and most publishers if you send them
a private message about the error that your “eagle eyes” caught for them. If the author is traditionally published, then the publisher can correct the error before the next run. If the book has been selfpublished (which is becoming more and more popular these days) then the author can immediately make the corrections. Sending a private message instead of posting about the errors in the review also saves your credibility. Most authors and publishers will quickly eliminate errors if they’re made aware of them. If readers of your review find no errors, they may question your motive for mentioning these “fictitious errors” in your review and/or discredit future reviews that you might zealously post after reading another great novel. Whether you decide to write a long, flowing review about your latest favorite book or a short and simple one, I’m sure I speak for all authors when I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Eileen Sheehan writes hot, steamy romances with a sexy male and strong female. The majority of her novels are paranormal, but some are straightforward love stories. Her screenplay, ‘When East Meets West’, was a finalist in the 2001 Independent International Film and Video Festival. You can discover more about Eileen here: www.sheehan-author.info - 31 -
Encouraging Confidence in Children Denise McCabe
As parents, it can be hard to watch your child in a situation where they are not feeling too good about themselves. Children tend to put themselves down a lot; they want to be able to do something exactly like others or they can sometimes get upset if someone is great in a certain discipline and they are not. Children can get frustrated easily, if they can’t get the hang of things straight away. They tend to think of the now moment and have no concept to look into the future. What can we do as parents to help our children feel happy and confident with themselves and guide them that it’s not about being perfect at everything? This is an important thing to have, as even adults tend to put themselves down with lack of self-confidence, thinking that they are not good enough and there’s no point in even attempting something. There are a few simple ways we can guide them, for example:
1| Questions - Let them make
decisions – like what we should have for dinner or what will we do today? Or get involved with a game they are playing and ask them to show you how to play.
2| Communicating – When you are
3| Patience – We all learn at our own
pace. Just because we don’t get the hang of it immediately and someone else does, that’s not a reflection on them. We have our own way of learning things; sometimes we need different ways of things to be explained or shown to us.
4| Interests – Spend more time with
them doing something they love. Even if you don’t like it and can find it boring (after twenty minutes of playing the part of Elsa or Cinderella I can go insane but my daughter loves acting and singing) but try to remember it’s not about you; it’s about giving them the time and showing you are interested too.
5| Lead by example – Adults can lack a lot of confidence in life situations also, but show them that you are willing to try at something and if you don’t succeed as well as you might have hoped, let them see it’s not that bad and just move on. Try to have a more carefree positive approach. Easier said than done at times but try not to let them see it.
shopping or having a bite to eat, let them go to the counter and buy something or let them order their own food. Ask them to get you more napkins cutlery etc. Talk to more people when you are out and be Failure – If they think they are friendly. Let them know its ok to talk to failing at something, ask how you can people, as long as a trusted adult is with help; take it slow and find out why they them and obviously they know the rights think they are getting it wrong. What’s and wrongs and the safety of talking to the main reason; sometimes it can be one strangers. little thing that makes the ‘aha moment’ - 32 -
6|
7| Respect – Listen to their opinion,
every little thing they do, is irritating and sounds fake. Especially, when it’s if they really don’t like that food you’re something they should be doing by now giving or don’t want to go to a particular anyway like ‘brushing teeth’. Don’t get venue etc. don’t force them. Let them me wrong, it’s a great achievement for speak up for themselves. them when they do anything for the first time but how long do you need to keep Behaviour – When correcting their praising them for something they should behaviour, let them know it’s not them be doing anyway at this stage. If they but the way they are behaving is the get overpraised on every little thing they problem. For e.g.: You’re very bold – do they’ll never learn the difference of try: Your behaviour is bold right now and actually achieving something new and I don’t like it. I’ve been caught out with the delight that comes with it. When you that a few times and the kids got so upset are giving them praise, let them know when they thought that’s how I saw them. you really mean what you say and why you thought it was good Chores – Let them get more
8|
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13| Accept – Accept them for who
involved around the house. Yes, it takes a lot longer and it can be frustrating but they like that they are doing grown-up things and getting involved
they are and their interests. Don’t enforce things on them just because you were good at something and you think it’s in the genes. They might not want to be a footballer or a dancer etc.
10| Role Play – When they are
in a situation that they have a fear of something or is upsetting for them, try a Bullies – If you think they are game of role-playing, like them being the being bullied (click here), act on that superhero in a story and ask them what immediately at the school. Bullying, if they would do to overcome that particular not acted on can be a long problem even fear. when we are adults. Teach them when to stand tall and when to walk away. Intervention – Don’t be too
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quick to jump in and help them – let them figure it out themselves. It can be frustrating but it’s about a little patience.
12| Praise – Don’t overdo the
praise, sounds weird but hearing ‘that’s awesome ‘great job, well done ,’ on
15| Speaking out Loud – Have
them read a story out loud or get them involved in activities that they need to speak out loud. (Click here) to find a range of activities for both adults and children.
Denise McCabe is a children’s book author and blogger. She resides in Dublin with her two children. Her favourite pastime is writing, and reading with a cup of tea at hand. You can discover more about Denise here: www.kidsstoriesblog.com - 33 -
Arthur of the Britons Mansel Jones
Arthur was a warlord of the late fifth and early sixth centuries who defeated the Saxons at the Battle of Badon, a victory that heralded a fifty year period of relative peace. Although sources for Arthur are scarce, he is mentioned in the Annales Cambriae (Welsh Annals), the Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) and a number of early medieval poems, including Y Gododdin. And yet many modern historians choose to write Arthur out of history. Why should this be?
ferocious dragons and divine boars. In these tales Arthur also appears as a sort of superhero living in the wilds of the landscape and, in the Welsh tradition, as someone who can bridge the gap between this world and the Otherworld or Annwn. Clearly, these tales are just that, stories, but for millennia stories have been written, reshaped and based on real events and real people. Arguably, the same holds true for Arthur.
Historians who dismiss Arthur as an historical figure point to Gildas’ sixth century polemic De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain). In De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae, Gildas records the Battle of Badon and yet makes no mention of Arthur by name. That said, Gildas does not mention any leader by name at the Battle of Badon, thus allowing the possibility that Arthur was the leader of the Britons. Those historians arguing against the existence of Arthur also point to the fact that he is not mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, c890s, or in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, c731. However, given that Arthur was a hero of the original Britons and the developing Welsh nation it is little wonder that his name was ignored. The earliest literary references to Arthur can be attributed to Welsh and Breton sources. In these sources Arthur is portrayed as a peerless warrior who protects Britain from the Saxons and from monsters, including giant cats,
A Victorian image of Arthur by Charles Ernest Butler (1864 - 1918)
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Several poems attributed to the sixth century poet Taliesin also refer to Arthur. These poems include ‘Kadeir Teyrnon’ (‘The Chair of the Prince’), making reference to ‘Arthur the Blessed’, ‘Preiddeu Annwn’ (‘The Spoils of Annwn’), which recounts Arthur’s expedition to the Otherworld, and ‘Marwnat Vthyr Pendragon’ (‘The Elegy of Uther Pendragon’), a poem that refers to Arthur’s valour. Another early Welsh text includes a poem found in the Black Book of Carmarthen, ‘Pa gur yv y porthaur?’ (‘What man is the gatekeeper?’) Arthur is denied entry to a fortress and a dialogue develops between himself and the gatekeeper. During the dialogue Arthur recounts his deeds and the deeds of his men, notably Cai and Bedwyr. Cai and Bedwyr, and a cast of over two hundred men, also feature in the Welsh prose tale, Culhwch and Olwen (c. 1100). Culhwch and Olwen is included in the Mabinogion and the story tells of Arthur and the assistance he offers to his kinsman, Culhwch, as the latter attempts to win the hand of Olwen. In the story Culhwch has been set a series of apparently impossible tasks, including the hunt for the great semi-divine boar, Twrch Trwyth.
If the stories of an Otherworldly Arthur appear too fanciful, then we can look to Welsh battle poetry. The Welsh battle poem, Geraint, was written in the tenth century and the poem describes a battle at a port-settlement, possibly modern-day Portsmouth. Geraint, the son of Erbin, was a sixth century king and the praisepoem written in his memory mentions Arthur: ‘In Llongborth I saw Arthur, brave men hewed with steel. Emperor, ruler of battle’. In another battle poem, Y Gododdin, which is attributed to the sixth century poet Aneirin, one stanza refers to a warrior who kills many of his enemies. The warrior’s bravery is acknowledged ‘although he was no Arthur’. Surely these poems place Arthur’s name in history? However, what if the poets were writing about another Arthur? This is possible, but if so, where did the name Arthur originate from? As with everything about Arthur, the origin of his name is a matter for debate. Some historians believe that ‘Arthur’ derives from the Roman name Artōrius, while other scholars suggest that the Welsh arth (bear) and gwr (man) offer a solution to his name. Dr John Morris makes the excellent point that the name ‘Arthur’ was almost unknown in the early
Hunting the boar, Twrch Trwyth
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fifth century and yet by the sixth century the name had become very popular amongst the Britons, Arthur ap Pedr, a Prince of Dyfed, born c575 A.D. serving as an example. What gave rise to this phenomenon? Possibly, a generation of parents naming their sons after the man who had resisted the Saxon advance?
these pedigrees are false, the people who compiled them clearly attached a great deal of importance to Arthur.
Medieval pedigrees and genealogies also offer us a glimpse into Arthur’s family. His first wife, Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere in the Norman tradition) is well known, but a far more interesting character is Princely genealogies list Arthur and many Arthur’s second wife, Eleirch, or Eleri, members of his family. You could argue the daughter of Iaen. Eleri’s story forms that the creators of these genealogies the centre-piece of my novel, Pendragon. were looking for nothing more than an association with success, a link to a prosperous dynasty. This may be so. However, the belief in Arthur’s success must have been real to these people for them to claim association with Arthur in the first place and many of these people lived only a few hundred years after Badon and so were far closer in time than we can ever be. It is a modern myth to suggest that because we are more ‘advanced’ and ‘civilised’ than the people of the eighth and ninth centuries it follows that we also know more about the past than they ever did; these people lived within generations of Arthur and obviously his name resonated with them. Genealogies associated with Arthur list Uther as his father, Eigyr as his mother, Madog as his brother and Gwyar as his sister, with Gwalchmai (Sir Gawain in the Norman tradition) as his nephew. Furthermore, the genealogies from the thirteenth century Mostyn MS. 117 claim that Arthur is the son of Uthyr, the son of Custennin, the son of Cynfawr, the son of Tudwal, the son of Morfawr, the son of Eudaf, the son of Cadwr the son of Cynan, the son of Caradoc, the son of Bran, the son of Llŷr. Genealogies and pedigrees were very important to medieval Welshmen, in terms of status and land ownership, and even if some of
Guinevere, a stained-glass window by William Morris
Arthur also features in many early medieval texts and vitae (lives of post Roman saints). One of the most famous of these texts is the Historia Brittonum, a ninth century Latin document, which has been attributed to the Welsh cleric Nennius. In the Historia Brittonum,
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Nennius lists twelve battles fought by Arthur culminating in the Battle of Badon, where Arthur defeated the Saxons in the decisive encounter of the BritishSaxon war. Another text that mentions Arthur is the Annales Cambriae, which dates to the tenth century, though its contents are probably based on a chronicle dating to the eighth century. The Annales Cambriae links Arthur with the Battle of Badon and it also mentions the Battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut (Mordred) fell, c537–539. In the Life of Saint Gildas, written in the early twelfth century by Caradoc of Llancarfan, Arthur is said to have killed Gildas’ brother Hueil and some historians believe this is the reason why Gildas did not mention Arthur in his De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae.
hagiography of the Breton saint Goeznovius, which dates from 1019, includes a brief section that mentions Arthur and Vortigern. Arthur is also mentioned in the vitae of Carantoc, Illtud and Paternus. Unless there is a remarkable discovery, it is unlikely that we will find a document directly linking Arthur with Badon and the events of the fifth century and so we are compelled to rely on secondary sources. From an historian’s point of view, this is not ideal, but much of our recorded history is based on secondary sources and if we were to remove these sources from the record then we would have an insubstantial view of the past.
Clearly, there is a gap in the fifth century historical record and common sense suggests that Arthur fills that gap. To deny the man who did so much to preserve a way of life for the Britons is In the Life of Saint Cadoc, written churlish. It is also unfair, unfair to the c1100 by Lifris of Llancarfan, the saint man and to his cultural background. What offers protection to a man who killed is undeniable is that each generation three of Arthur’s soldiers and Arthur recreates Arthur in its own image and the demands a herd of cattle as compensation words each new generation of historians for his men. Cadoc delivers the cattle write about Arthur say as much about as requested, but when Arthur takes those historians and prevailing social possession of the animals they turn into attitudes as they do about the past. bundles of ferns. The Legenda Sancti Goeznovii, a Mansel Jones has been researching and writing about medieval history for the past forty years. He is an acknowledged expert in his field and academics and universities seek his views. He is the author of A History of Kenfig, Pendragon and Tangwstyl. You can discover more about Mansel here: www.jonesthebook.wordpress.com - 37 -
Activities for the Whole Family to Learn about Different Cultures Ronessa Aveela
School has started and families are busy with autumn activities and projects. Here are a few suggestions for things the entire family can do together. Since we strive to live in a world without borders or prejudices, go outside your comfort zone by learning about different cultures.
Dine at an Ethnic Restaurant
Perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind is dining at an ethnic restaurant. That’s perfectly fine. We all love food. Instead of the usual fare of Chinese or Mexican, see if other ethnic restaurants are nearby that you’ve never been to. Have you ever tried Bulgarian food? With pumpkin and apples in season, I’m sharing a tasty and healthy recipe from my childhood. It’s my favorite autumn pumpkin dessert called tikvenik. Check it out, and let me know what you think. You can find the recipe on my website (click here).
To explore more recipes and learn about different Bulgarian and Mediterranean dishes visit my website (click here). Health tips: Spices are truly nature’s medicine chest. Did you know that cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar? Cardamom is fantastic for all kinds of digestive complaints.
Color and Learn
Coloring can reduce stress and be fun for the whole family. When you’re coloring, you’re not checking your smart phone, flipping TV channels, or tweeting. With my two Mermaids Around the World coloring books, you can also discover mermaid legends as well, since each illustration provides you with a fact about the mermaid you’re coloring.
Experience Ethnic Music and Dance
There are plenty of ways to learn more about music in other countries. Here are some suggestions: • Sign up for a dance class to learn flamenco (Spain), polka (Scandinavia), or the jig (Scotland or Ireland). • Attend a concert or music festival that showcases music from different parts of the world. • Check out CDs of ethnic music at the library. Bulgarian folk music and dance are quite different from what Americans are used to. Dances are performed by men and women in lines or circles (called a horo).
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members. Creating a family record is a pursuit you can work on for a long time, and you never know what you might discover. Even if your heritage is not Bulgarian, maybe you have a friend who is and you want to learn more.
Create Crafts “Na Megdana” by Nelly Tonchev-Nelinda (Nelinda.com)
Bulgarian music is mournful, and probably quite different from most music you’ve listened to. I’m sure you’ve heard the song “Message for the Queen” in the movie “300.” If you haven’t, you can listen to it (click here).
In addition to birthdays, Bulgarians celebrate name days (where each person celebrates on a day associated with their name). They also observe and practice many more rituals and traditions. My favorite one is making a martenitsa, the white and red amulet of friendship. In the short story The Miracle Stork, I steps on how to make your own.
“Go down, go down, bright sunshine Go down, hide your light. Mourn for your leaves, you forest.” Have you done other things to learn That’s Bulgarian music. You can also about your own or other cultures? discover more about Bulgarian music and Write to me at contact@mysticalemona. dance on my website (click here). com and let me know.
Learn About your Heritage
Performing genealogical research with your family allows you to spend time together and reach out to distant family
If you want to learn more about Bulgaria and Bulgarian beliefs and folklore, visit my website. All my books and where you can find them are listed (click here).
Ronesa Aveela grew up in Bulgaria and moved to the US where she completed her Master’s degree in Boston. She is the author of the novel Mystical Emona, a nonfiction book called Light Love Rituals: Bulgarian Myths, Legends, and Folklore, as well as a short stories series, Baba Treasure Chest, inspired by the magic of Bulgarian, Thracian and Slavic Mythology. You can discover more about Ronesa here: www.ronesaaveela.com - 39 -
Reflections Kelly Artieri
Each morning I stand before the mirror readying myself for the day. I am always a bit behind schedule, rushing through each process preoccupied by thoughts of my upcoming schedule. Usually I just go through the motions of my routine, but today was different. Today I stood looking at the reflection that was looking back at me.
in the mirror that I no longer recognized. I become my own stranger because I didn’t take the time to remember the very essences that have made me over the course of my years. I am not speaking of only the monumental life events that I have had, but also the small everyday moments that I often barely notice at all. Some of the very things that define who I am now may have been only a brief Who is that person with the seemingly passing breeze from my past. All the curious stare? As I peer into the reflection people who have influenced me, the fads in the mirror, I am fascinated by both the and passing notions, the laughter and the familiarity and the vagueness I see. When tears that have sculpted my reflection are did the gray hair creep in, the wrinkles, standing there now looking back at me. and the maturity? I carefully study the thoughtful complexity that the longevity It’s sometimes funny when I stop what of aging has afforded me. Did I realize I am doing with a random memory of how much life was there at that moment something that seems out of nowhere. or was I caught off guard by the lack of It is usually followed up with some youth? Each line has an experience, each comment like “wonder what the dickens blemish and imperfection a memory, each made me think of that”! Some bring dimple a story, each freckle a day. smiles, some a shake of my head, and yet some still give me chills. These memory Time passes so quickly it seems that flashes are my being, my material, my before I realized it, I was that reflection life.
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Though I no longer see the delicate adolescence in my face, as I deliberate this reflective juncture, I celebrate the wisdom that time has afforded me. I will smile at the laugh lines, and giggle at the crow’s feet that line each expression on my face. I will remember those people and the moments that have helped mold me into the person I am. So as I joke
that I didn’t get any younger, nicer or prettier, laugh with me knowing that if nothing else, I got older and with that fact hopefully wiser.
Today, I looked at my reflection and I met me.
Kelly Artieri is an author/illustrator with degrees in Medical & Scientific Illustration. She resides in the Buffalo, NY area with her family. She is the author of “A Spot in My Heart”. Kelly began journaling after the loss of a beloved pet, she and her family had adopted due to his special needs. Her journals have become an award winning memoir. It is not a dog book; it is a powerful memoir with a dog in it. Kelly enjoys writing, freelance illustration work and speaking engagements that the success of the book has awarded her. She is currently working on her second book. You can discover more about Kelly here: www.kellyartieri.com
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The Hill of Uisneach Barbara Doran-Rogel
On a recent holiday to Ireland, which was action packed, my sister suggested going to visit The Hill of Uisneach, a local place steeped in mythology and history. I’d been feeling tired, trying to fight off a cold so the thoughts of climbing hills didn’t appeal to me in the least. Still, it was a nice gesture so I said I’d love to go.
brass sign which gave the name of some stately-sounding house like Lugnaghsea House or something to that effect. Feeling like an intruder, I had to walk around to the side of this smaller lodge house to find the entrance.
The drive itself took about fifteen minutes. My brother was wise enough to take a map and I sat back and enjoyed the rolling hills and forty shades of green. The landscape became hillier as we approached the site. Gorse and Mayflower were blooming in abundance and we passed a hedge of wild Hortensia nestled amongst the verdant vegetation. Although we saw no sign of the Hill of Uisneach, my brother looked up from his map. “It must be around here somewhere.”
Before I had a chance to find the buzzer, the patio door was opened with gusto and a youngish fellow came out.
The open vegetable patch at the back and the compost heap, along with a few colourful bits and bobs indicated that It was a muggy day, not too cold but, as this was the house of a person totally is often the case, the sky was heavy with into new alternative grow-your-own swift-moving clouds in tones of dirty vegetables and ‘let’s get back to nature’ white to grey to slate. Ah, but when the trip. The back garden was separated by sun peeked through the moody sky, it cast a fence and a gate which opened up to a beautiful light over the landscape. more hilly fields and low stone walls.
We pulled up to a little lay-by near a small bungalow directly on the main road.
“Hi,” I said. Sorry for intruding, but we’re looking for the Hill of Uisneach.” “Yep, it’s right behind this house,” he said. “Just climb over the stile, take the path along the gorse bushes and head straight up towards…” I heard the word palace, cat stone, centre of Ireland and sort of dazed off, assuming my siblings were taking it all in too. I was wondering what this place was all about and regretted not having done my research beforehand.
“Why don’t we just knock on the door and ask,” I said. “Fire ahead then,” both answered in unison.
“Just hold on a second and I’ll give John, the landlord, a call,” he said. “Oh, doesn’t it belong to the State?” I asked. “No, he bought the land about ten years ago. He So I did. I noticed on the other side of the has lots of cattle in the field, and a couple road there was an impressive driveway of bulls, so I’d better check with him with wrought-iron gates and a stylish first.” - 42 -
He clicked a few numbers on his mobile and I heard him tell the landlord about us and our quest. “No, I don’t think they have a dog,” he answered. He finished his call and told us it was fine, we could go ahead and check it out. We thanked him profusely and climbed over the style. My sister went marching off, followed by my brother while I wandered behind them. “Where do we go now?” my sister turned around. “Why, weren’t you listening too?” I asked, slightly ashamed of my lack of concentration. I pointed in the general direction and we laughed as we looked ahead. A herd of cattle stood on the hill and even as we proceeded those few meters, they lined up in unison. It was as if they were protecting their space and may possibly attack if we took one more step. In the distance, a man on a motorised buggy made his way towards us. My sister and brother were already chatting to the fellow in the buggy as I made my way towards them, doing my best to avoid cow pies and squelchy bog land. Although I had five pairs of shoes in my luggage, I’d not taken my walking shoes and was wearing my favourite leather boots. The man was friendly, and informative, if slightly bemused. He pointed behind him, ‘The palace is up above’ and then turned to me, saying, ‘Now, don’t get your hopes up!’Ah, that Irish humour. What a strange image that conjured up – palace – in the middle of a landscape of fields. Wise man, I thought. Buying this land. It’ll be a place of pilgrimage in a
few years. It’s already started. He told us a group of locals had come to celebrate the Bealtaine Fest and how a group of pilgrims showed up a couple of months ago. He was right when he said most of the locals have never been there. I grew up in the vicinity and had never been there either. But I’d left when I was eighteen. That group he’d told us about were from Germany and they’d walked from Fore (another local historic site) all the way to this place. They knew more about it than the locals. “This is a serious spiritual place, if you’re into that sort of thing,” he said. “It’s even older than The Hill of Tara. When you reach the summit, you’ll be able to see all the bordering counties. You’ve got Lough Ennel over to the left, the Slieve Blooms in front of you, and…” I was already there in my mind, wandering through the mystical navel of Ireland. He pointed out the lake, the palace and the cat’s stone, which we did finally find. It was like a dolmen. According to various sources, the original stones at Stonehenge were transported from this place to our neighbouring island. I wouldn’t even begin to imagine how that feat was achieved. Supposedly it is so named because it resembles a cat holding onto a mouse.
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Now, I have a pretty good imagination but there’s no way I could see that resemblance. We never did find the palace, not that I expected to. Of course it referred to the remains of an old castle so it was probably one of the small groups of stones we came across.
When we entered the sacred enclave, like a fairy fort, in the centre of which was a circular formation of small stones, my brother said. “Here, can you feel the energy.” Well, I had to be honest. I didn’t feel anything particular, no tingling, no sense of long-dead ghosts, but I did feel as if I was in an altered state of reality. It was similar to the feeling I had when I recently went to another sacred place here in Germany. It was as if this place was suspended in a protected honeycomb of serenity.
‘Feel that rush of warm air,” my brother said. I never could be sure whether he was having me on but I sensed he was serious. We all stepped back out and in again through the portal of fairyland. “Yes, now that you mention it...” The power of suggestion never ceases to amaze me. A soft mist enveloped us as we carried on, finally reaching the summit where we had a fantastic view of the surrounding lakes and hills. The purple hills appeared to touch the low-lying clouds. The soft mist turned to soft rain and finally into continual rain as we squelched our way back to the car, each of us locked in this special moment and drenched in long-lost memories of ancient druids and another time on this island. Before I reached the stile, I looked behind me and saw the line of cows still watching silently from the distance.
Barbara Doran-Rogel is an Irish writer currently living in Germany. She is no stranger to moving and has also worked and lived in Dublin, London, the U.S. and Germany. She enjoys meeting new people and is fascinated with their stories. One of her favourite quotes is: Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. She is the author of Where She Belongs (Liz Doran) and a Memoir, Red Hat, Green Boots (Barbara E Doran) and hopes to write many more. - 44 -
Dinosaur Crossword Puzzle Mom’s Favorite Reads
This activity is available to download and print out on our website (click here) You can also play this crossword puzzle online (click here) The answers for this activity are also available on our website (click here) - 45 -
Octopus’s Garden Holly Barbo
“Come on, Allie, wake up! Your fever’s broken. You’re out of time. We’ve got to get out of here. They plan to kill you! A girl with big dark eyes looked over her shoulder from the look-out position near the hallway. “Shh! Keep it down, Mitch! Get her upright. She’ll be worthless until she gets some fluid and one of those energy bars inside her.” He lifted the pale girl to the edge of the bed and propping her up, touched a glass of water to her lips. “Allison, take a sip. Open your eyes and look at me. I need you to pay attention.” The weak girl made a protesting sound but took a sip of water. Her eyelids fluttered. “Where am I?” Sensing his building impatience, the girl at the door whispered sharply, “Tell her and get her to eat the bar!” “All right, all right, Pilar!” Mitch returned his focus to Allie. “Listen now. I’ll tell you but not until you take a bite. The food will help you feel more like yourself.” With her eyes still closed, Allison chewed. “Answers now!”
“We’re in the medical research pod of Oceania Four, the Underwater Habitat west of California. They recruited a hundred and twenty of us to help the scientists find ways for humans to adapt to living and working for long periods of time underwater. Do you remember any of this?” Half of the bar eaten, and Allison was sitting up on her own. “Vaguely. It’s coming back. Keep talking.” “We came here to work in the labs. Our college debt would be forgiven and they guaranteed us research jobs.” “So... I got sick?” With one bar gone, Allie started on the second. She could focus now and glanced around the dimly lit room as she listened. “We all did. It turns out we’ve been guinea pigs for their gene manipulation experiments.” “Oh shit. Give me the bottom line.” Allison slipped off the bed and onto her feet. Shaking, she reached for the glass of water and a third of the highly efficient power bars.
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“Forty-nine died screaming in agony. Thirty-four mutated into... things beyond nightmares. Eighteen of us made it through the fever and were lucky enough to wake at night and slip out of the facility between security shifts. We come in at night, watching the ward. We’ve come back for you but we’re nearly out of time. There’re eighteen remaining but still desperately ill. They’ll not get a chance to win or lose their personal battle in the cellular war. One of us overheard the administrator. The decision’s been made to do a major cover-up and ‘sanitize’ this facility. They plan to euthanize all their test subjects in the morning. That means us… if we’re caught!” He glanced over at Pilar who still watched the hallway but had begun move restlessly. “Are you up to moving Allie? Security will make their rounds soon and we need to be away. Slip into this skin suit. We’ll be getting wet.” As she tugged on the strange, slightly opalescent-translucent garment, she muttered, “Two more questions: Why weren’t you rounded up and why did you recover but not the others?”
finger to his lips and winked reassuringly to Allie. Unbelievably, the night patrol passed them without notice. Once security was out of sight, the three darted into motion. They slipped inside a darkened room where the ocean portal lapped softly. This was where dive teams accessed the encompassing water world. Pilar nodded to Allison and, without an air tank, slipped into the circular pool and disappeared. “What…?” Mitch put his arms around her reassuringly. The hug was brief and when the dark-haired grad student stepped back, he squeezed her hand and gave her a serious look. “Trust me.” With no further warning, his hands moved to her shoulders and pushed. Allison fell into the sea with a splash, sinking into the dark blue depths. She felt a disturbance and Mitch joined her. Grinning, he tugged her hand as his voice came into her thoughts. “It’s okay Allie. We can breathe here, too! ”
“Different gene splicing for different groups. Even then some couldn’t adapt. As for how we got away? They couldn’t find us.” Incredulous, Allison stared at the two before shrugging. “Okay. Let’s go.” Mitch leaned into the hall then Allison and Pilar eased past him and the three ran down the darkened passageway on almost silent feet. Turning a corner, they heard security approaching. All three stepped into a shallow alcove. Mitch put his
He led her through bright anemones and shy yellow spotted fish. They swam deeper into the labyrinth of the coral reef until it opened into a large grotto. Pausing, Mitch winked. “Now you see me...”
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Within seconds he was indistinguishable from the red coral outcropping. As he vanished, seventeen people coalesced from the rock and sea fans! They had mimicked the reef so perfectly they’d been invisible! Mitch reappeared. He reached out to touch the frond of a waving fern. Startled, a camouflaged octopus became visible and jetted away in a cloud of ink.
“Oh. My. God!” Allie’s tears were part of the sea. “We’re now the only ones who know what they did. I hope they think us dead.” Mitch tugged on her hand as they turned and disappeared.
“They spliced our genes with those of an octopus. The resulting mutation has changed our blood so we can tolerate the ocean temperatures. We’ve gills, too and have developed chromatophores in our skin so we can camouflage completely. We can’t go back home, but we have each other and this world.” Suddenly, there was a percussion wave and an enormous air bubble exploded from the habitat. Debris rained down on the nineteen in the reef. Shocked, they watched water flooding the station through a ragged hole in the structure’s wall. The entire research pod had vanished.
Holly Barbo’s world is shaped by her love of family (which includes an adorable rescue kitty who has stolen her heart), the beauty of nature and an irrepressible curiosity that frequently has her turning over rocks and questioning what she finds. This sometimes sends the reader down a rabbit hole into an alternate view of the world than what they expected. Holly’s mind can be an interesting place. Holly weaves alternative worlds with threads from today as she spins stories in many different genres. You can discover more about Holly here: http://hollybarbo-books.com - 48 -
Mini Mystery The First Getaway Car Hannah Howe
On 21st December 1911, a French anarchist gang made history by using the first getaway car. The car, a 1910 Delaunay-Belleville luxury limousine (pictured), registration number 783-X-3, was stolen on 14th December 1911 by four members of the gang who changed the plate to 668-X-8.
messenger. With the satchel and briefcase in their hands, the gang jumped into their getaway car, executed a screeching U-turn and sped away.
They left the car in Dieppe, which suggested to the police that they had fled across the channel. However, they were still in France. In hiding, they opened A week later they used the car to intercept the satchel and discovered 5,126 francs a bank messenger en route to a bank in while the briefcase contained 130,000 Paris. At 8.25 am the messenger arrived francs-worth of useless cheques and by tram carrying a satchel and briefcase. bonds. If only they had looked inside the A gang member grabbed the satchel and messenger’s jacket where they would briefcase, but the messenger would not have discovered a wallet crammed with let go. Shots were fired, wounding the 20,000 francs.
Hannah Howe is the author of the Sam Smith Mystery Series, the Ann’s War Mystery Series and the #1 international bestseller Saving Grace. Hannah’s books are published by Goylake Publishing and distributed through Gardners Books to over 300 outlets worldwide. Her books are available in print, as eBooks and audio books, and are being translated into ten languages. You can discover more about Hannah here: www.hannah-howe.com - 49 -
Author Spotlight Brenda Mohammed Your favourite... Colour and flower?
Qualities in a man?
I love red. Red roses are my favourite flowers.
My favourite qualities in a man are strength, wisdom, intelligence, and integrity.
Qualities in a woman?
Heroes in fiction?
My favourite qualities in a woman are the same as for the man. She too must have strength, wisdom, intelligence, and integrity.
Pastime?
My favourite pastime is going to the movies and shopping.
Painters and musicians?
My favourite painters are Leonardo da Vince, Paolo Veronese, and Picasso. I bought copies of their paintings at the Louvre in Paris in 2014 and they are hanging in my home.
Prose authors and poets?
My favourite prose authors are Stephen King and Lee Child. There are many upcoming authors whose books I have enjoyed like Hannah Howe, Ellie Midwood, Sarah Stuart, and Julia Antoine.
I will always like Superman, Spiderman, Batman, and Robin Hood. However, in some of the recent books I have read, I like the Campbell Brothers in historical fiction books by Julia E. Antoine. I must also mention Dr. Steven Sharpe in Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka, a book I wrote.
Heroines in fiction?
Wonder Woman still stands out in my mind. She made a great impact on me when I was young. In recent books I have read, Sam Smith of Sam Smith Mysteries by Hannah Howe and The Girl from Berlin by Ellie Midwood made quite an impression on me.
I met many international poets at a new Facebook forum called Motivational Strips. Their names are too numerous to mention. - 50 -
What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
What is your idea of happiness?
What is your main fault?
If not yourself, who would you be?
I like my friends to be loyal and supportive. I do not need fake friendships.
My idea of happiness is having a loving and devoted family. I thank God for my loving and close-knit family.
I make spur- on- the moment promises which I am obliged to keep. This stresses me out at times.
I thought long and hard about this question. I would not want to be anyone else.
Author of the award-winning science fiction futuristic thriller series Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka, Trinidad based Author Brenda Mohammed, a multi-genre and award-winning author, has written eighteen books.
♦ Six fascinating memoirs. ♦ A five book science fiction series. ♦ Two children’s books. ♦ Four books of short stories. ♦ One self-help book on How to Write for Success
Brenda, a former Bank Manager was successful in her job. After her retirement from banking, she ventured into Insurance Underwriting. A diagnosis of cancer changed her career aspirations and in 2013 she became a writer. Her first book published was I am Cancer Free. – A Memoir. I am Cancer Free won first place in Non-fiction in McGrath’s Publishing Awards 2016 and won an award in Readers Favorite International Book Awards 2018. Her science fiction book Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka won an award in Science Fiction in SIBA Awards 2017, received a five-star review and five-star seal from Readers Favorite in September won the gold award in the category science fiction in Emagazine Readers’ Choice Awards 2018, placed in the top ten finalists for the Author Academy Global Awards 2018, and won an award in the category young adult thriller in Readers Favorite International Book Awards 2018. Two of her other books won awards. My Life as a Banker won an award for best memoir in Metamorph Publishing Summer Indie Book Awards 2016, and Your Time is now won an IHIBRP 5 Star Recommended Read Award Badge You can discover more about Brenda here: http://brenchris.allauthor.com/ - 51 -
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