Poetry In a Pandemic By H.M. Gooden

23 October 2023

Poetry In a Pandemic
An in-depth look at living a regular routine in a world-changing event through poetry by family physician and author, H.M. Gooden

2020 was a year that changed life as we know it.

In this collection of poetry and prose, Gooden explores her longing for more than her daily routine as she makes her way through a “once in a lifetime” world event.

In the middle of turmoil, she creates magic in the mundane as she examines her life in an honest, poignant, and often irreverent way.

As she reflects on life and all it encompasses through her perspective as a healthcare worker, she proves there can be light even in the darkest of days.

Poetry in a Pandemic Volume 1: changes | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store! (books2read.com)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

H. M. Gooden has been scribbling on everything since she first learned how to hold a pencil. While often told that her handwriting was atrocious, she persisted, and upon discovering computers and learning how to type, she realized that she was no longer limited by her (admittedly) messy writing.

Unfortunately, life, work, and family have conspired to make it only possible to write in the wee hours or at coffee shops, so most of her love of reading and writing are indulged at times when only vampires and insomniacs abound.

In October of 2017, her love of writing and the characters in the world she created burst into public view in her first book, Dream of Darkness, which follows the adventures of a group of girls fighting evil with abilities that H. M. Gooden would love to have.

When not writing fantasy, H. M. Gooden writes non-fiction pieces exploring the emotions and situations that arise in her day job as a rural family doc. As a result, 4 am has never been busier, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sign up to H. M. Gooden’s newsletter for information on upcoming releases and other random musings at
https://www.subscribepage.com/hmgooden

JAMES TYNION IV AND MICHAEL AVON OEMING’S ALIEN ENCOUNTER SERIES RETURNS WITH “BLUE BOOK: 1947”

Jocie McKade

22 October 2023

From the multi-Eisner Award-winning creators of Something is Killing the Children and POWERS!
Long before Betty and Barney Hill excited the public with their alien encounter story, there were years and years of suspected sightings and abductions. James Tynion IV, Michael Avon Oeming, Tom Napolitano, and Dark Horse Comics return with another deeply weird non-fiction tale exploring alien sightings in the upcoming comic, Blue Book: 1947.

In 1947, Kenneth Arnold flew his Call-Air A-2 over the skies of the Pacific Northwest when all of a sudden, he saw a blinding flash of silver light. What followed was a bizarre and difficult to explain encounter with several flying objects that would change the course of his life forever.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 is written by Tynion, illustrated by Oeming, and lettered by Napolitano. The first issue will also include six variant covers by artists Michael Avon Oeming, Fábio Moon, Michael Allred, Cully Hamner, Joe Quinones (1:10 virgin retailer incentive variant), and Christian Ward (1:10 virgin retailer incentive variant). One additional variant cover will be revealed at a later date.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 also includes a True Weird backup story by Zac Thompson (Hunt for the Skinwalker), Gavin Fullerton (The Closet), and Aditya Bidikar.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 (of 5) flies into comic shops on February 7, 2024. It is now available to pre-order for $4.99 at your your local comic shop.

Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com, for more news, announcements, and updates!

Praise for Blue Book Volume 1: 1961:

“Creepy and unnerving, Blue Book #1 is a fantastic opening to this UFO thriller and love letter to creepy encounters and strange stories from decades past.”—Monkeys Fighting Robots

“The fantastical is typically depicted in the future or at least the present, but both stories in Blue Book explore the supernatural under a historical context of the past, making the weird and unusual feel unique and new. Read Blue Book for the supernatural uniqueness but stay for the enjoyable exploration of humanity.”—AIPT Comics

“Dark Horse Comics’ Blue Book #1 is an exciting exploration into some of history’s strangest UFO encounters. From mysterious abductions to eerie sightings, this comic book brings these tales from beyond our world into vivid detail for readers everywhere!”–Capes & Tights

“Blue Book #1 is a fun ride into historical nonfiction with a comic book twist. Even if aliens and UFOs aren’t your thing, Blue Book is an engaging and really fun read.”—Comic Watch

Dark Horse Comics

Sneak Peek: Knowing You by Tracie Peterson

Jocie McKade

22 October 2023

Knowing You by Tracie Peterson
(releasing November 7, 2023)

In 1909, Seattle is a place of excitement and intrigue. With the Alaskan-Yukon-Pacific Exposition taking place, people are pouring in from all over the world, eager to participate in the fair. May Parker is no exception. Born and raised in Seattle, she is determined to play her part in the expo and signs up as a Camera Girl. She is especially drawn to the Japanese exhibits, since her mother is Japanese and May longs to explore her heritage. But her curiosities turn to danger when a piece of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.

Lee Munroe is a police detective assigned to the expo. He and May grew up together, but their friendship was thwarted by his parents’ racist feelings. Ten years later, Lee and May reconnect at the fair, and their friendship begins to blossom with hints of something more.

As May and Lee find themselves entangled in a dangerous heist, their love is threatened. Can May and Lee overcome the odds against them?

Join Peterson as she combines her impeccable research and awardwinning writing style to explore themes of racism, honor, and the reminder that God focuses on the heart rather than outward appearances.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with nearly 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.Bake

Random House to Publish Memoir of Serena Williams

Jocie McKade

21 October 2023

Random House will publish two books by cultural icon Serena Williams, winner of 39 major tennis titles, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and champion for equality and justice in sports. North American rights were acquired by VP and Executive Editor Jamia Wilson and Publisher Andy Ward from Suzanne Gluck at WME. Both books will be edited by Wilson. Audiobook editions will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio. Global publishing rights have been sold in 11 territories with more to be announced. The publishing deal was announced today by Sanyu Dillon, President of the Random House Group.

The first book will be an intimate memoir from one of the most inspiring figures of our time. In it, Williams will offer a full and open account of her remarkable life, from her childhood in Compton, California, learning to play with her mother and father, to her academy years in West Palm Beach and her decision to turn professional at age 14, to her rise and reign as the top women’s tennis player in the world – and one of the most accomplished athletes in history. Williams’ memoir will also be an open-hearted exploration of the experiences that have shaped her life, including: overcoming scrutiny and attacks in a predominantly white and male-dominated sport, navigating devastating losses on and off the court, falling in love with tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, celebrating body diversity and expanding the confines of style in sports and pop culture, bringing awareness to maternal health disparities, and being a devoted mother to her daughters, Olympia, and Adira. 

“For so long, all I was focused on was winning, and I never sat down to look back and reflect on my life and career. Over the last year I’ve really enjoyed taking the time with my growing family to celebrate my accomplishments and explore my other passions.  I couldn’t be at a more perfect place to be able to take-on such a personal intimate project, and there’s no one I would rather do it with than the team at Random House,” said Serena Williams.

For her second, inspirational book, Williams will offer rules for living that draw on her experiences as a philanthropist and advocate, her career as an investment unicorn with Serena Ventures, and someone who has long sought to lift a diverse and emergent generation of young women whose aspirations are not confined to the court. 

Both books will be bound by an unwavering belief in the power of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and dreaming unabashedly.    

“I am honored to be working with Serena Williams on her frank, inspiring, unflinching, and soulful books,” says Jamia Wilson. “Through stories that have yet to be told, Serena will pull back the curtain to reveal new layers about her experiences on and off the court and what it took for her to make such an indelible mark on sports and culture.”

Adds Random House Group President Sanyu Dillon, “I am thrilled that Random House will have the privilege of publishing Serena Williams, one of the world’s most pioneering changemakers. The story of Serena’s life is one of deep commitment, fierce talent, unabating passion and love. The team and I are honored to collaborate with Serena on her literary endeavors, and we can’t wait to publish what will no doubt be landmark books of inspiration from a truly singular woman, athlete, mother, and business leader.”

PODCAST::: Zombies and Halloween Hauntings with Author Lisa Morton on Book Lights

Jocie McKade

21 October 2023

Zombies and Halloween Hauntings with Author Lisa Morton on Book Lights

LISTEN HERE!!

Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and prose writer whose work was described by the American Library Association’s Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening.” She is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, the author of four novels and over 150 short stories, and a world-class Halloween and paranormal expert. Her latest releases include Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances and The Art of the Zombie Movie. Recent short stories appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2020, Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles, and Classic Monsters Unleashed. Lisa lives in Los Angeles and online at www.lisamorton.com

And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Here’s a look at Lisa’s latest release Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances:

Calling the Spirits investigates the eerie history of our conversations with the dead, from necromancy in Homer’s Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism—when Victorians were entranced by mediums and the seance was born. Among our cast are the Fox sisters, teenagers surrounded by “spirit rappings”; Daniel Dunglas Home, the “greatest medium of all time”; Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose unlikely friendship was forged, then riven, by the afterlife; and Helen Duncan, the medium whose trial in 1944 for witchcraft proved more popular to the public than news about the war. The book also considers Ouija boards, modern psychics, and paranormal investigations, and is illustrated with engravings, fine art (from beyond), and photographs. Hugely entertaining, it begs the question: is anybody there . . . ?

Dog Trainer Unlocks the Secret to Building Bonds with Dogs in Just 60 Seconds

Jocie McKade

21 October 2023

Tom Mitchell, widely recognized for his revolutionary and time-efficient dog training methods known as “The 1-Minute Dog Trainer,” has unveiled his latest book exclusively available on Amazon.

“Mitchell draws on his decades of experience as a dog trainer to simplify the process in this guide,” said the Kirkus Review. “In brief, colorfully illustrated chapters full of engaging graphics and bulleted text, Mitchell takes the reader through his program. He broadens his advice to include many training-adjacent subjects, like dog cognition, leash training, nipping and biting,” continued the review.

“The foremost strength of the book lies in the inherent compassion underlying all of these micro sessions of training that dogs are separate, complex beings, far more intelligent and intuitive than most humans give them credit for being,” said Kirkus.

Tom Mitchell stands as an iconic example in the dog training field with his emphasis on short, consistent, and effective training sessions. His techniques demonstrate how investing just one minute at a time can lead to well-trained dogs.

“I have been working puppies, dogs, zoo animals, and Olympic horses for over thirty years,” Mitchell states. “The core of successful dog training lies in being consistent. It’s not about how long you train, but how regularly,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell’s new book is more than a collection of training tricks. It is an accumulation of his expertise and success stories over many years. Packed with insightful tips, real-life anecdotes and easy-to-follow instructions, readers can discover solutions tailored specifically for their challenges.

Mitchell emphasizes the need for harmony between dog and owner, citing how effective training techniques make training less time-consuming and stressful. “We are a busy family so training in 1 minute sessions made a big difference,” said William Showalter, MD, a client of Tom’s.

Dog lovers and critics alike submitted early reviews praising its clarity, effectiveness, and engaging writing style. Tom Mitchell’s latest book, 1 Minute Dog Training: The Fun, Fast, & Easy Way to Train Your Perfect Dog is on Amazon in both paper, hardback and Kindle versions.

The free version is available at https://www.amazon.com/Minute-Dog-Training-Train-Perfect/dp/1733164529

For more information visit https://1minutedog.com/ or info@1minutedog.com.

7 Families Surprised in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 200 Millionth Book Celebration!

Jocie McKade

21 October 2023

Seven families around the world are the recipients of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 200 Millionth Book Celebration surprise as the Imagination Library commemorates a major milestone – 200 million books gifted globally since its inception in 1995.

The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to age five.

In September, International Literacy Month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library celebrated by randomly hiding enchanting Dolly bookmarks inside Imagination Library books of seven families from five countries.

Recipient families who received the bookmarks are in Portland, Victoria, Australia; South Lanarkshire, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; Ontario, Canada; Beaver, Oklahoma; Clay, New York; and Sterling, Illinois.

The children’s celebration includes an opportunity to video chat with Dolly herself and receive a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets.

The Dollywood Foundation also donated $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or £2,000 GBP on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to whom Dolly calls the true heroes of her program.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts more than 2.6 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world. There is never a charge to families who participate in the program and it is open to all children under the age of five in geographic areas with operating programs.

“I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books,” said Dolly. “It’s been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I’m so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we’re just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.”

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has mailed well over 200 million free books in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than two million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring children to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

New Release: Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin, Megan McDowel

Jocie McKade

20 October 2023

Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin, Megan McDowel

A National Book Award finalist, a blazing new story collection that will make you feel like the house is collapsing in on you, from the 3 time International Booker Prize finalist, “lead[ing] a vanguard of Latin American writers forging their own 21st-century canon.” –O, the Oprah magazine

The seven houses in these seven stories are strange. A person is missing, or a truth, or memory; some rooms are enticing, some unmoored, others empty. But in Samanta Schweblin’s tense, visionary tales, something always creeps back inside: a ghost, a fight, trespassers, a list of things to do before you die, a child’s first encounter with darkness or the fallibility of parents.

In each story, twists and turns will unnerve and surprise: Schweblin never takes the expected path and instead digs under the skin, revealing surreal truths about our sense of home, of belonging, and of the fragility of our connections with others. This is a masterwork from one of our most brilliant modern writers.

This was the collection that established Samanta Schweblin at the forefront of a new generation of Latin American writers. And now in English it will push her cult status to new heights. Seven Empty Houses is an entrypoint into a fiercely original mind, and a slingshot into Schweblin’s destablizing, exhilarating literary world.

Rosetta Stone Releases Interactive Picture Dictionaries in Mandarin

Jocie McKade

20 October 2023

Rosetta Stone, the world’s leading language learning brand, has released two new picture dictionaries in Mandarin: one in Simplified Chinese and one in Traditional Chinese. Now available on Amazon, the picture dictionaries help learners of all ages grasp key Mandarin vocabulary and pronunciation through colorful visuals and engaging audio content. Picture dictionaries are also available in Spanish and French, enabling students to explore other widely-spoken languages in an enjoyable format.

“Language learning should be fun, accessible, and give every person the confidence to begin using their new skills in real-world situations. We are excited to release Rosetta Stone’s Mandarin picture dictionaries because they offer a captivating and delightful way to learn a language spoken by more than one billion people worldwide,” said Kate Mattison, Vice President of Curriculum at IXL Learning, Rosetta Stone’s parent company. “Whether you are a younger learner or continuing to develop a strong foundation in Mandarin, our interactive picture dictionaries are the perfect resource to build fluency.”

More than 500 words and phrases help build essential vocabulary skills

Rosetta Stone’s picture dictionaries are approachable and encouraging, and help learners experience the excitement of speaking words in a different language. Like its popular Spanish and French picture dictionaries, Rosetta Stone’s new Mandarin resources feature more than 500 common words and phrases with vibrant matching illustrations. The picture dictionaries also include sections on numbers, colors, food, animals, and items found at home, so that learners can use their new vocabulary in everyday life.

Fun and helpful audio immerses learners

With Rosetta Stone picture dictionaries, the joy of reading goes beyond the pages of each book. Each dictionary features practical and entertaining audio elements in addition to the text. Readers simply scan the QR code printed on each page to hear every word and phrase pronounced by a native Mandarin speaker, so they can practice an authentic accent right from the start.

Insights into Mandarin captivate and provide context

In addition to key vocabulary and pronunciation, the Mandarin picture dictionaries also provide readers with captivating language insights. Fun facts and helpful language tips on almost every page help learners gain a deeper appreciation of the Mandarin language, such as the intriguing origins of certain words and aids for remembering vocabulary.

Rosetta Stone’s Mandarin picture dictionaries are now available to order from Amazon. Readers who purchase a picture dictionary qualify for a special offer: 40% savings on a Rosetta Stone Lifetime Unlimited membership, or a 20% discount for a 12-month subscription. This offer allows learners to continue their language journey with Rosetta Stone in one or all of Rosetta Stone’s 25 languages.

Monday Motivation 52 Inspirational quotes to start your week right

Jocie McKade

20 October 2023

Monday Motivation – 52 Inspirational quotes to start your week right
Brought to you by USA Today Bestselling author, DC Gomez!
An exclusive Kickstarter for the ages that ends October 23rd!!

’m doing a happy dance! After months of studying, analyzing and planning, I did it. I hit the launch button and my first Kickstarter campaign is live. I’m actually nervous and can’t believe it. OMG!

If you are new to the Kickstarter community, it is a crowdfunding platform, specifically designed for creators. The goal is to help bring projects to life.

Unlike many other platforms, Kickstarter believes is all or nothing. If a project doesn’t fund, the backers are not contributing to the goal. This is the reason I love Kickstarter. It helps to guarantee projects will be made ethically.

Now a bit about the project. The goal is to create a beautiful coffee-table book of 52 motivational quotes and reflections (like our Monday Motivations) that you can enjoy anytime. Since Kickstarter gives us the option to create different levels (Tiers) and add fun goodies, I combine many of my passions, to include meditation.

So, my dear friend, if you enjoy our Monday Motivations and would love to see this made into a book, just click the link and check out the campaign:

The 52 Weeks- Monday Motivations by D.C. Gomez — Kickstarter

Let’s make Monday even better!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

D. C. Gomez is an award-winning USA Today Bestselling Author, podcaster, motivational speaker, and coach. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. D. C. studied film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years.

D. C. has a Master’s Degree in Science Administration from the Central Michigan University, as well as a Master in Adult Education from Texas A&M- Texarkana University. She is a certified John Maxwell Team speaker and coach, and a certified meditation instructor from the Chopra Center.

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Knowing You by Tracie Peterson (releasing November 7, 2023)

Knowing You by Tracie Peterson
(releasing November 7, 2023)