New Release: Girls in a World at War By Peggy Munro Scholberg

27 July 2024

Girls in a World at War By Peggy Munro Scholberg

A new and different perspective on World War II by author Peggy Munro Scholberg, as she brings her mothers riveting story to publication

After visiting a friend who returned from World War II confined in a body cast, Kathy Collens felt compelled to enlist in the war effort. In 1944, at the age of 23, she joined the Army. Despite her background as a college-educated dietician from an affluent family, and having attended the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kathy discovered nothing could fully prepare her for the realities of war.

Girls in a World at War offers a firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed in France, they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge. Their patients included survivors released released from the Dachau concentration camp.

The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of crossing the Atlantic, lodging in a castle, working with German prisoners of war, and attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam taste good. The book describes the experiences of weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby’s birth, immersing readers in the narrative. Their adventures included interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, and the jubilation of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The story also touches on visits to Paris, Biarritz, and trips to the magnificent Reims Cathedral to see ‘The Angel of the Smile’ statue and attend a memorable Christmas Eve service.

Romantic entanglements add another layer of complexity to the girls’ wartime journey. Throughout their trials, these women provided invaluable support to each other, navigating the tragedies of war with resilience and camaraderie. As readers engage with their stories, they’ll find themselves laughing and perhaps shedding a tear, gaining a rare insight into the female perspective of war, grounded in real-life events.

Girls in a World at War by Peggy Munro Scholberg | Kirk House Publisher (kirkhousepublishers.com)

“Based on a 67-year-old autobiographical manuscript, ‘Girls in a World at War’ offers a far-too-rare view of war from a smart, adventurous, and independent-minded woman serving as a WAC dietician in an Army General Hospital in France. There, she learns first-hand the grim realities of war, a world tipped in a precarious balance between military rigidity and lawless savagery. True to its original author’s voice and experience, ‘Girls in a World at War’ resists contemporary cliches about the Greatest Generation to expose the good and the bad, the nobility and the meanness, of people thrown together with the fate of the globe at stake.” ~Todd DePastino is the author of Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front and Executive Director of Veterans Breakfast Club.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Peggy Munro Scholberg is delighted to at last bring her mother’s telling of her story from World War II to publication. Peggy and her husband Bill live in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where they raised two sons. Together, they retraced her parents’ European travels and delved into World War II history. Following her career as a pharmacy manager, Peggy now revels in retirement.

Mirroring her mother’s passion, Peggy delights in culinary experimentation, while inheriting her father’s fondness for sports.

More information can be found about Peggy at: Peggy Munro Scholberg | Kirk House Publisher (kirkhousepublishers.com)

Mrs. Melania Trump to Release First Memoir, Melania

Jocie McKade

26 July 2024

Melania will include stories and images never before shared with the public
Available now for pre-order, Melania is available in a Collector’s Edition and Memoir Edition.

Mrs. Melania Trump today announced that her first memoir, Melania, will be released this fall.

Melania is a powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has carved her own path, overcome adversity and defined personal excellence. The former First Lady invites readers into her world, offering an intimate portrait of a woman who has lived an extraordinary life.

Melania includes personal stories and family photos she has never before shared with the public.The Collector’s Edition is a hardcover book measuring 10″x13″ featuring 256 pages in full color throughout, with each copy signed by the author. This edition is printed on premium art paper with a special custom white binding and adorned with black foil, blocking, and a ribbon marker. Purchasers will also have the option of receiving a digital collectible, which will be minted on the Solana blockchain.

The Memoir Edition is a 304 page jacketed hardcover book measuring 6″x9″ including 48 pages of never before seen photographs.

The Memoir Edition will be available for $40 USD and signed copies will also be available for $75 USD.

Mrs. Melania Trump’s memoir will be released by Skyhorse Publishing.

Both editions are available for pre-order on MelaniaTrump.com.

About the Author: Melania Trump

Former First Lady Melania Trump is one of two First Ladies born outside of the United States, and is the only First Lady to become a naturalized United States citizen.

During her time in the White House, Mrs. Trump launched BE BEST, an awareness campaign focused on children’s well-being and highlighting the people and programs dedicated to ensuring a better future for our next generation. She has continued to spread the BE BEST mission and ethos through Fostering the Future, a BE BEST initiative, securing scholarships for children in the foster care community.

Prior to her time in the White House, Mrs. Trump had a highly successful modeling career, appearing in many high profile ad campaigns. She also launched her own jewelry collection “Melania Timepieces & Jewelry.”

In recent years, Mrs. Trump has focused on emerging technology and built successful businesses utilizing Web3 and blockchain technology. One of these, MelaniaTrump.com, is curated through the lens of art, fashion, and design, featuring United States inspired collectibles, exclusive Christmas ornaments, and jewelry, with the proceeds going to support Fostering the Future scholars.

YA Historical Fiction Novel Is a Gut-wrenching Yet Poignant Tale of Persecution and Friendship During the Enslaved South of 1860

Jocie McKade

26 July 2024

BANDY By Craig Robert Hipkins

Just in time for summer reading, bestselling and award-winning author Craig R. Hipkins announces the release of his upper middle-grade young adult crossover novel, Bandy, a powerful literary novel about two unlikely friends on an escape journey during the early Civil War era.

Thirteen-year-old Isaac’s only friend is a Passenger Pigeon named Bandy. He deludes himself in believing the bird talks to him. Bullied, he is resigned to a life of being the misunderstood bookworm by neighboring boys until a disastrous fire kills his parents and little sisters, sparing only his younger brother, Thomas. He and Thomas are taken in by their Uncle Raymond, an abolitionist, who plans to send Isaac to Virginia to buy Joy, a young slave with debilitating health, from her slave owner, Wil Jericho. Shortly after arriving in Virginia, Isaac learns the ugly truth. The butler who accompanied him on the journey killed his uncle before leaving and plans to do the same to Isaac to steal Raymond’s estate.

Isaac, with Joy, escapes into the backwoods of Virginia. Discovering passages of the Underground Railroad, stowing away in carriages, hiding in churches, and outwitting the mercenaries hired by Jericho, the two teens fight tooth and nail to make it to Boston before they’re caught. Will Joy be taken from this life by sickness before she’s found freedom? On their journey, they learn a lot about each other. Isaac promises to bring Joy to Bandy’s pond, a heavenly place where peace and serenity reign.

Hipkins’s storytelling, praised by The Historical Fiction Company as, “…nothing short of genius, weaving a narrative that balances sadness with hope, loneliness with companionship, and darkness with newfound light,” is a wonderful learning resource for librarians and educators of young children or readers looking to peel back the curtain on a pivotal period in our nation’s history.

If you would like more information about author Craig R. Hipkins and Bandy, visit https://hipkinstwins.com/.

Sneak Peek: YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE by Lauren Thoman

Jocie McKade

26 July 2024

YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE by Lauren Thoman

Two strangers search for the truth behind bizarre occurrences no one else dares to discuss―only to discover that they’re connected by secrets that could destroy them both. A thrilling and twisty novel by the acclaimed author of the Mindy’s Book Studio pick I’ll Stop the World.

When sixteen-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her?

Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is located close to her job, within walking distance of a dog park―and, most importantly, in the town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers.

As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Thoman is the author of the speculative mystery novels I’ll Stop the World and the upcoming You Shouldn’t Be Here. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children, a fluctuating number of rescue and foster dogs, and a somewhat alarming quantity of fish. Her pop culture writing has appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade, Vulture, and Collider. When she’s not writing, she’s probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs.

https://www.laurenthomanwrites.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurenthomanwrites/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenThomanWriter/

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Book Review: “The Reckoning” by John Grisham

Jocie McKade

25 July 2024

Book Review: “The Reckoning” by John Grisham

In 1946 Mississippi, war hero Pete Banning stuns the small town of Clanton by murdering the beloved Reverend Dexter Bell. Pete offers no explanation, leaving his family and community reeling. As Pete awaits execution, flashbacks reveal the horrors of his WWII experiences as a prisoner of war. Meanwhile, his adult children, Joel and Stella, grapple with the aftermath – caring for their mentally ill mother and facing the town’s scorn. A wrongful death lawsuit against the Banning estate adds another layer of complexity. The novel explores themes of war trauma, family bonds, and the pursuit of justice in a racially charged South. Will the truth behind Pete’s actions be revealed before it’s too late?

I asked Google Gemini AI to write a 150 word summary of this book.

“The Reckoning” is not John Grisham’s best.

I have read every novel (except the brand new ones) and…..

Where his writing sparkles (Part 1 and Part 3), he tends to, at times (oddly for him) drag, and there are 125 pages (Part 2) that seemed unnecessary to me (an old retired engineer, not an awesome author)…..so I just skimmed it.

Concerning Part 2…….in legal speak……I stipulated in Part 1 that Pete was a war hero. 🙂

That said…..the story is still pretty damn interesting!

Next up will be “The Guardians” as soon as it pops up in the TBR shelf.

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard to Narrate Her Audiobook “My Time to Stand”

Jocie McKade

25 July 2024

For the first time, Gypsy will tell her shocking story in her own words and iconic voice

RBmedia, the largest audiobook publisher in the world, today announced that Gypsy-Rose Blanchard will voice the audiobook edition of her first memoir, “My Time to Stand.” Written by Gypsy-Rose with Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani, “My Time to Stand” is coming from RBmedia in December 2024, one year after Gypsy-Rose’s release from prison.

A victim of her mother’s Munchausen syndrome by proxy and a child abuse survivor, Gypsy-Rose’s unique and controversial case made headlines across the world. Now, she’s finally free to start living her life on her terms—and to tell her own story as only she can. In this revelatory, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful memoir, Gypsy shares the painful realities she grew up with and the details of her life that only she knows. Featuring new stories about Gypsy’s life that she previously kept private, “My Time to Stand” offers an unprecedented look at the real Gypsy-Rose Blanchard, who is proudly embarking on her ongoing journey to recovery and self-discovery.

Gypsy-Rose said, “I can’t think of a better way to connect with readers than for them to hear my voice as I read the words of my life’s journey so far. By narrating my memoir, “My Time to Stand,” I hope readers will feel like I’m in the room with them, so they can find the strength, hope, and inspiration to explore their own stories and heal. For my whole life I was denied a voice. Now, to be in a place where I am literally speaking my truth feels like a miraculous gift. And I can’t wait to share it.”

Gypsy’s life story has been adapted into a fictional Hulu TV series titled “The Act” and she has been the focus of many documentaries, including HBO’s “Mommy Dead and Dearest” and the recently aired docuseries “Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup”—the follow-up to Lifetime’s “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.” “My Time to Stand: A Memoir” is the first time Gypsy-Rose’s story is being told in her own words.

Troy Juliar, Chief Content Officer for RBmedia said, “Gypsy-Rose has overcome so much incomprehensible adversity in her life. With only a second-grade education, what an amazing feat and achievement to now write and narrate her own book. RBmedia is honored to bring her incredible story to audio for the very first time in her own words and iconic voice. The audiobook will capture the authenticity and raw emotion in Gypsy-Rose’s voice, engaging listeners in a way that only audio format can.”

The audiobook will include exclusive bonus content from Gypsy and her co-authors that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this book.

RBmedia will publish the audiobook edition of “My Time to Stand: A Memoir” under its Recorded Books audio brand, with the hardcover and eBook editions from BenBella Books releasing simultaneously. “My Time to Stand: A Memoir” is available for preorder now, wherever audiobooks are sold.

Upcoming Release: A Cat Called Q and The Magic Globe By Melody Horrill

Jocie McKade

25 July 2024

A Cat Called Q and The Magic Globe By Melody Horrill

When Sheri shakes a mysterious-looking snow globe she discovers in a charity shop, her whole world is turned upside down when she suddenly finds herself inside it, along with her best friend, Shawn. Once in this strange new realm, she embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue a spellbound land and its unique animals from destruction. Luckily, a majestic, mischievous, sandwich-loving magical cat comes to her aid. A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is an enchanting fantasy about the importance of believing in ourselves, being brave, caring for the natural world and embracing our connection with it. It also serves as a reminder that magic does exist in nature and that love can heal and restore everything.

A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe – Kindle edition by Horrill, Melody. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Books – 12 Willows Press

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Horrill is an Australian author, award-winning environment/science journalist, former television presenter and documentary producer.

She is co-chair of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Cetacea Committee and Ambassador of Australia’s Kangaroo Island/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch.

In 2022 her memoir, ‘A dolphin called Jock’ was published in Australia and New Zealand. It details how an injured, wild, solitary dolphin helped her overcome a childhood wracked by domestic violence. The book was released in the US/UK and Canada in late 2023 under a new title ‘The Dolphin Who Saved Me.’ Her memoir was endorsed by Dr Jane Goodall DBE, UN Ambassador for Peace.

Melody has spent much of her life lobbying for the protection of the wild dolphins in the Port River in South Australia. She co-founded a not-for-profit to raise public awareness about the dolphins and their environment. She developed Australia’s first ‘dolphin sponsorship’ program and was instrumental in raising awareness about the special river dolphins.

She became the spokesperson for multiple environmental organisations which eventually led to her career in front of the camera. One of her documentaries, A Dance with a Dolphin, was broadcast nationally and globally on CNN with Melody presenting it from the US. This helped encourage the South Australian government to declare the Port River Australia’s first Dolphin Sanctuary in the mid-2000s.

Melody continued lobbying for ongoing protection for the dolphins highlighted marine and land conservation through her television career. She relocated to Melbourne in 2015 where she worked as a media and communication manager. She won an Australia Day Merit Award for her work during the 2019/2020 Victorian bushfires.

After learning about the large number of unexplained dolphin deaths in the Port River, she left her job to focus on writing her memoir ‘A dolphin called Jock.’ She continues to share her story and passion for dolphins and marine protection and our important connection with the natural world through her public speaking, media, and penning articles for publications. More information about Melody can be found at: Home – Melody Horrill

Sneak Peek: A Dark and Stormy Knit By Peggy Ehrhart

Jocie McKade

24 July 2024

A Dark and Stormy Knit By Peggy Ehrhart

Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser call their crafting group Knit and Nibble, in honor of its two main activities. But on a stormy Halloween night, their peaceful chat over spiced cider and cookies is interrupted by homicide . . .

With the houses of Arborville, New Jersey, decked out in festively frightening decorations, it’s easy to mistake a real dead body for a fake. But Pamela and Bettina are alerted by the screams of teenage trick-or-treaters to the corpse next door. Their neighbor Adrienne’s sister, visiting from New York City, is slumped on the porch, fatally stabbed. And with countless people traipsing around in costume, the killer might be as elusive as an apple in a bucket of water.

The victim was a charismatic college professor and fierce feminist, and soon the women are infiltrating her social and academic circles to collect clues. But some scandalous local gossip also suggests that Adrienne, not her sister, might have been the target. Now, Pamela and Bettina will need all their creative skills to solve this ghoulish crime . . .

DARK HORSE COMICS ANNOUNCES INFERNAL DARK FANTASY LIVING HELL FROM CAITLIN YARSKY IN HER WRITING/ART

Jocie McKade

24 July 2024

The artist behind Black Hammer Reborn, Wonder Woman and Catwoman merges Blade Runner 2049 and Buffy in a new creator-owned series about a demon escaping the prison of hell

“From the moment she started drawing Black Hammer, I knew Caitlin Yarsky was a special artist and talent. And with her solo debut, Living Hell she fully arrives as a force to be reckoned with in comics!” –Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer, Sweet Tooth)

Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce LIVING HELL, a new modern fantasy creator-owned series written and drawn by Caitlin Yarsky (Black Hammer Reborn, Wonder Woman, Catwoman).

The plot revolves around Jerome Jameel—a loving father and husband who also happens to be a demon. He’s fled his former prison of Hell to live incognito on earth as a bartender, hiding in plain sight. Jerome is determined to stay out of trouble, but when he kills one of Hell’s most vicious bounty hunters in self defense, he inherits the job of infernal bailiff, hunting down his own kind. Jerome soon faces a range of ancient deities and monsters, from the human-eating ghosts known as Jikininki to psychopomps like Baron Samedi. But with every act of betrayal, Jerome loses a little more of his hard-earned humanity.

“Almost every mythology around the world has its own version of an underworld—a land of the dead, the embodiment of despair,” writer/artist Caitlin Yarsky explains. “LIVING HELL explores the lengths we’ll go to transcend generational trauma and the prisons of our past. It’s a story about family, the fantasy of a clean slate, and of course, cool monsters.”

“Throughout her relatively brief career, Caitlin has continued to define herself as a premiere, emotional storyteller. No matter how surreal or epic the scene, the character always comes first in her work,” said series editor Megan Walker. “We’re delighted to host her first full series as a writer and artist, and we have no doubt it’s going to enchant and exhilarate readers.”

Living Hell will debut later this year on November 6, for $4.99. Preorder now by visiting your local comic shop, or PRH Comics. For more news on Living Hell, be sure to follow DarkHorseComics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com for more news, announcements, and updates.

Sneak Peek: Live like a Guide Dog By Michael Hingson

Jocie McKade

24 July 2024

Live like a Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith

The newest book from 9/11 Survivor and New York Times Bestseller, Michael Hingson

A guide dog’s guide to life’s most important lessons!

Michael Hingson’s inspiring true story captivated the world when he and his guide dog Roselle escaped the Twin Towers together on 9/11, a story that became the New York Times bestselling book Thunder Dog. During decades of walking with guide dogs, he had learned a surprising truth that helped save his life that day: Being afraid can be a positive thing, one that prepares us to deal with any situation that befalls us. Now, in Live like a Guide Dog, he reveals how to:

Get equipped for whatever obstacles or challenges you may encounter as you make your way through the world
Train yourself to be brave, just like a guide dog’s training equips handler and dog to prepare for the unexpected
Learn to use your natural fear reactions as a way to focus and concentrate to make better decisions and turn your fear into courage and confidence.
Apply eleven principles Michael has learned with his guide dogs to overcome the fears that you face every day.

Live like a Guide Dog: True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith: Hingson, Michael, Kent, Keri Wyatt: 9781496489739: Amazon.com: Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Hingson wrote the runaway bestseller, Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero. He lives on the water in Novato, California with his wife, Karen, his guide dog, Africa, and Africa’s mother Fantasia. When he isn’t traveling the world with Africa speaking and teaching, he enjoys playing with his dogs, cooking, and helping Karen with her quilting business. Mike’s favorite things include Harry Potter books, nachos with cheese only, talking with people on his ham radio set, and listening to vintage radio shows. Visit Mike’s website: michaelhingson.com.

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