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TOLERANCE FOR ALL, THEME IN DRAGULA AUDIOBOOK DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale By John Arthur Long

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Vellum Publishing, Inc. announces the release of a Blackstone musical audiobook worldwide distribution: DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale, offering support for all those in the LGBTQIA+ movement with the message of tolerance for all.DRAGULA is a tale filled with sensitivity to personal struggle, raucous humor and musical entertainment. Peter, a vulnerable young man, makes the decision to transition, becoming the gender and human being he was meant to be.
However, the Right Reverend Bobby Swagger is determined to prove by whatever means necessary that Peter’s lifestyle and entertainment choices of the drag performer Dragula are sinful and wrong. Finally, Peter finds the courage to take an uncompromising stand against bigotry, proving that it’s all right to be true to yourself, no matter what lifestyle you choose.
According to the audiobook award winning narrator and writer, John Arthur Long, DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale conveys a message that is clearly and uncompromisingly stated by the main character: “Bigotry, the inability to tolerate the differences in others, is one of the great flaws of our society!” Moreover, he states that when presenting entertainment that represents individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community, he has endeavored to be sensitive to the courage these individuals have shown and empathetic to what they have endured by living in a manner that allows them to be true to themselves.
Vellum Publishing notes that a rave review from Broadwayworld.com supported the author’s words when it wrote that DRAGULA was…“Fantastically hilarious, entertaining, and still made a statement about who may be truly different in a heterosexual, Christian-dominated world.”
A series of six videos by the author covering all aspects of DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale audiobook can be found on YouTube. It’s important to note that the author is not transgender, but believes strongly in entertainment that takes a stand for equality and tolerance for all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
While spending a full, rewarding career teaching English, Creative Writing, and assorted Drama courses on the high school level in public education, John Arthur Long also pursued a writing career, publishing several successful novels. Mr. Long’s most recent professional writing creation is DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale, based on DRAGULA The Musical, a theatrical project Mr. Long co-authored with Theodore Kastrinos. With the message of “tolerance for all,” DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale incorporates music, humor and sensitive dramatic scenes to look at the world of a musical entertainer who performs as a transvestite named Dragula, and has made the decision to transition to become the woman he was meant to be in life. Mr. Long also served as narrator of the audiobook edition released and distributed by Blackstone Audio.

Mr. Long’s first novel, The Sign of the Guardian was published in two separate editions and optioned twice for motion picture production for which Mr. Long co-authored the screenplay. Eve of Regression, Long’s second novel about the search for the grave of the first woman in an African safari adventure, has been translated into several different languages, distributed worldwide as a bestseller and was recently re-issued as a Kindle book titled The Gates of Eden. Mr. Long also authored The Harvard Man, a hard-hitting crime novel about a rejected applicant who becomes obsessed with destroying the esteemed Ivy League university. The Mean, a recent contemporary novel by Mr. Long looks at the nature of true learning, the drama of human relationships, and the threat of violence that has recently become such an integral part of our lives. Mr. Long also performed as the narrator for the audiobook edition of The Mean.

John Arthur Long has also been active as a writer and a director in theater for his entire professional career and recently received a Best Director nomination for the Chain Theatre’s Off-Broadway revival production of Wait Until Dark. Long is the co-author of a children’s book, The Tooth Fairy Legend, a perennial seller which was based on his original family theatrical musical for which he co-wrote the book and music with Chet Meyer and that Liz Smith called “delicious,” in her column about its New York premiere, which Long also directed. Mr. Long also served as narrator for the audiobook edition of The Tooth Fairy Legend.

Narrator: John Arthur Long

John Arthur Long has pursued a professional writing career that has resulted in several successfully published novels as well as being active as a voiceover artist and audiobook narrator. Mr. Long performed as the narrator for the Blackstone distributed audiobook edition of his recently published novel, The Mean which received the honor of being nominated in the best Author/Narrator and Mystery categories for the 2017 Voice Arts Awards, and for the best Audio Drama category of the 2018 Audie Awards.

Long served as narrator and music performer for the audiobook edition of his children’s chapter book, The Tooth Fairy Legend, which garnered nominations at the 2019 Voice Arts Awards for both best Sound Design and Production and for which Long was nominated as best Author/Narrator.

Mr. Long’s most recent audiobook is DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale, which he wrote and serves as both narrator and musical performer. DRAGULA: A Transgender Tale is based on DRAGULA The Musical which Mr. Long co-authored both the book and music with Theodore Kastrinos.

Wake County Public Libraries Storytime

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Who doesn’t love storytime? The Wake County Public Libraries offers a series of storytime readings and activities you can engage with right at home.

This is fun for children, toddlers and up! It’s more than just stories. It’s activities as well! This is fun for the kids and something positive for parents to share.

You can see several of the episodes HERE.

And watch an example of their videos below-

The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

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The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

 


Reviewed by Holly Irish

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I couldn’t put this story down! I was hooked from the first page and didn’t put it down till I was done! The story focuses around a woman who is in her 40’s. She realizes that after 24 years of marriage it just wasn’t working. However, to get away from her husband proves to be difficult. He is possessive, abusive, and a control freak. He manipulates the people around him to make it out that she is crazy. Yet she knows that if she doesn’t get away she soon will not be breathing. The reason why I couldn’t put this book down is because it’s very relatable. If you’re in the mood for a book you just can’t put down, then this is the book for you! Happy reading my friends.

View all my reviews

Book Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers a poignant and powerful story about how one woman’s best intentions lead to the worst of situations and how the power of love helps her to heal and ultimately triumph.

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves.

Disney Books: New YA Releases

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REBEL ROSE by Emma Theriault 
Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue-and a touch of magic.

It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form as Prince Adam, and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.

Belle has always dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her roots as a commoner, and her future as a royal. When she stumbles across a mysterious, ancient magic that brings with it a dire warning, she must question whether she is ready for the power being thrust on her, and if being Queen is more than just a title.

Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen’s Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you’ve never seen before.

MOUSE WATCH by J.J. Gilbert

You’ve heard of the Rescue Rangers. Now meet the Mouse Watch. Around the globe, exceptional mice live in the shadows. Under the direction of famed mouse inventor Gadget Hackwrench, they work together as a team to solve BIG problems using SMALL gadgets. They are high trained. They are nearly invisible. And they love cheese. Their mission: save the world. Bernadette is a small— but brave— mouse with a score to settle. Jarvis is a sensitive rat with a big appetite and unmatched puzzle-solving skills. Both are eager to prove their worth as the youngest, newest recruits to the Mouse Watch. But before their first day of training is through, Bernie and Jarvis find themselves at the center of an evil plot orchestrated by the Rogue Animal Thieves Society (R.A.T.S.). Soon they are catapulted from new recruits into full-on action heroes, as they learn how to work together to save the Mouse Watch— and the world as they know it. Mission Impossible meets “Mice in Black” in this action-packed middle grade adventure that will take readers on an epic thrill ride and leave them ready to join the Watch!

FROZEN 2: DANGEROUS SECRETS by Mari Mancusi

Sixteen-year-old Iduna harbors a dark secret. On the surface, she is an Arendellian village girl, an aspiring inventor, and the best friend of Prince Agnarr, but she is also secretly Northuldra.

Ever since the day the forest fell, Arendellians have despised and distrusted Northuldra with a vengeance. No matter that the Northuldra—along with some of Arendelle’s own—have been trapped in the Enchanted Forest behind an impenetrable wall of mist since the day of the battle.

Iduna doesn’t know why the mist refuses to part, or why it descended to begin with. The only clear thing is that she must keep her identity from everyone, even Agnarr. Her life depends on it.

 

Illustrated Romance Covers of 2020

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Not everything in 2020 has been completely horrible. Some things were mildly horrible. Some weren’t horrible and a little bit was actually kinda fun. Yes, we mean it!

One trend we thought was fun is the multitude of illustrated romance novel covers this year. Romance covers have evolved, changed, and evolved again. That’s the prerogative of the Romance Genre! And we love it!

Here are a few covers that caught our eye! Based solely on what we thought was eye-catching.

 

Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo

 

We love the colors! All that red and pink with flowers and lines. Love the reflection in her glasses as well!

 

 

 

 

 

Beach Read by Emily Henry 

 

This is bright, cheerful and fun! Don’t we all want a beach read with some romance?

 

 

 

 

 

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

 

Maybe because it’s getting closer to New Year’s Eve this caught our eye? Sparks are flying and something is certainly going on behind that menu! I love that it makes me think we’re about to celebrate love!

 

 

 

 

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

 

Oh those tropical nights. I have no idea if this is set in the tropics. But, with a cover like this, I do want to find out!

 

 

 

 

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

 

I love the pink and blue. I love the splash of yellow. Mostly I love the dog! Who can resist this? Not us!

 

 

 

 

 

Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert

 

What in the world are they talking about? Are they at a comic con? What can you learn about someone while waiting in such a long line? This cover gets props for all the things the picture makes you question. Plus…we love that blue!

 

 

 

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

 

The blue with the yellow works. I love the look on her face. This entire cover screams “read me!” so…I got the book! I’ll be sure to do a review later.

 

 

 

 

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

I love everything from the font to the colors, the title and the fact someone is reading a book on the cover of a book! This is such a clever illustration that makes you want to know what in the world is this person reading?

 

 

 

 

 

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

 

 

Two lives, two people, and two…oh wait! They don’t exactly match! Is this a matching game? Such a totally fun cover! I need to know what it’s about right now!

 

 

 

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey

 

Now this cover has got some attitude! The colors are great and I totally love the wall that divides them. This has “romcom” written all over it! Probably inside it, too!

 

 

 

 

Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson

 

ROFL!!! I am certain real men can and do knit. Why not? What do they make? Is it for relaxing? A hobby? Or do they need new socks? The colors are great and the illustration is top of the line! Love the squiggly lines around the title, too.

 

 

 

 

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

 

Whoever illustrated this cover is a genius! It is so funny you just want to run away with it! This leaves no question that there is some romcom going on inside!

 

 

 

 

There are so many other wonderful covers that are illustrated like this. We love this trend and hope you do too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: “VICTORY OF EAGLES” BY NAOMI NOVIK

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After the events of the last book, Laurence has been found guilty of treason and is in jail. Temeraire has been placed in the breeding grounds and, if he does not behave, Laurence will be hanged.

Temeraire is continuing his quest for better living conditions for dragons in Britain and is making as many friends as he can of the rest of the dragons, and humans, at the breeding grounds.

Unfortunately, Napoleon has marshalled the power of his Army and Navy and is now invading Britain….yikes.

Temeraire and the dragons in the breeding grounds are without captains, but, Temeraire organizes them to fight on their own if needed.

They are needed.

As Napoleon’s army advances in Britain, the breeding ground dragons fight, and Laurence is let out of jail to lead all the dragons.

The war rages on, and……

Oh, to find out what happens, you will have to read the book.

“Victory of Eagles” is the 5th book in the Temeraire series and is a fast fun read filled with fierce battles of war and politics as Temeraire and Laurence are reunited and vow to never be separated again.

About the Book:
Naomi Novik’s triumphant debut, His Majesty’s Dragon, introduced a dynamic pair of heroes to the annals of fantasy fiction: the noble fighting dragon Temeraire and his master and commander, Capt. Will Laurence, who serves Britain’s peerless Aerial Corps in the thick of the raging Napoleonic Wars. Now they soar to new heights of breathtaking action and brilliant imagination.

It is a grim time for the dragon Temeraire. On the heels of his mission to Africa, seeking the cure for a deadly contagion, he has been removed from military service–and his captain, Will Laurence, has been condemned to death for treason.

For Britain, conditions are grimmer still: Napoleon’s resurgent forces have breached the Channel and successfully invaded English soil. Napoleon’s prime objective: the occupation of London.

Separated by their own government and threatened at every turn by Napoleon’ s forces, Laurence and Temeraire must struggle to find each other amid the turmoil of war and to aid the resistance against the invasion before Napoleon’s foothold on England’s shores can become a stranglehold.

If only they can be reunited, master and dragon might rally Britain’s scattered forces and take the fight to the enemy as never before–for king and country, and for their own liberty. But can the French aggressors be well and truly routed, or will a treacherous alliance deliver Britain into the hands of her would-be conquerors?

BLOG TALK RADIO: Push and Pole and other great book with author Laura Heffernan

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Push and Pole and other great book with author Laura Heffernan

Laura Heffernan is the award-winning, internationally best-selling author of fun, witty romantic comedies and more serious women’s fiction. After a few years of practicing law, she realized that she much preferred arguing with her characters rather than other people. It’s easier to win that way.

When not watching total strangers get married, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys board games, travel, board games, baking, and board games. She lives in the northeast with her husband, the world’s most active toddler, and two furry little beasts.

Some of Laura’s favorite things include goat cheese, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, the Oxford comma, and ice cream. Not all together. The best place to find her is usually on Twitter, where she spends far too much time tweeting about writing, Canadian chocolate, board games and reality TV.

Her latest book, Poll Dancer, is out now.

When politics meets pole fitness, Mel’s life flips upside-down.

After Mel’s disastrous promotional video goes viral,  a “family values” group launches a protest against her dance studio. Their leader isn’t just trying to stop her from teaching—he’s using Mel as a moral scapegoat for his own senate campaign. If he wins the upcoming election, he threatens to change the laws to keep all pole dancing out of their community.

Mel’s no politician, but she’s not not going down without a fight. Since running for office beats unemployment, she decides to face off against him. She hires a campaign manager and tosses her hat in the ring. There’s just one problem: voters don’t understand pole. Mel needs to change her image, fast. If she can’t get the people on her side, she won’t have a business to save. Worse, Mel finds herself falling for her campaign manager, Daniel, but she can’t tell if he likes Mel the dancer or Melody the candidate.

For Mel, the hardest part of running for office may be protecting her heart.

Poll Dancer is a fun, witty update on My Fair Lady, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella.

You can contact her at her websiteFacebookTwitterBookBub, and Goodreads.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars an Interview with Christopher Paolini

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From penning the bestselling Eragon series as a teen Christopher Paolini hasn’t slowed down. But, he has evolved. From Fantasy to Science Fiction Paolini talks about his new book To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.

Why Science Fiction?

About the book –

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a brand new epic novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini.

Kira Navárez dreamed of life on new worlds.

Now she’s awakened a nightmare.

During a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move.

As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn’t at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human.

While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity’s greatest and final hope . . .

Paolini talks about the biggest challenge in writing the novel.

Where did the title – To Sleep in a Sea of Stars come from?

 

No Comic-Con, No Problem: Del Rey and Out of Print Team Up to Launch Exclusive Star Wars Offers Online

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In advance of the 30th anniversary of Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire in May 2021, Del Rey and Out of Print have teamed up to celebrate Thrawn like never before with two exciting offers.

First is a spectacular collector’s edition of Star Wars Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, the recently released first volume in a brand new Thrawn trilogy. The collector’s edition book features an exclusive jacket cover designed by illustrator Magali Villeneuve. Each copy is signed by author Timothy Zahn and has a special foil stamped slipcase and true stained book pages in vibrant Chiss blue. 750 copies were printed and will be sold for $150 each.

In more normal times, special edition publications like this would be available to fans only at events like Comic Con, but Covid-19 forced Del Rey and Out of Print to think creatively to find a new way to bring these products to market directly and exclusively on outofprint.com. After social, email and PR promotion by both divisions, over 1,000 Star Wars book enthusiasts signed up to be notified when the book goes on sale.

“2020 has been all about finding new ways to connect with readers despite losing conventions, in-person events, and other immense challenges. Working with Out of Print and our friends at Lucasfilm to create this incredible collector’s edition is remarkably exciting. It’s the start of what we all anticipate will be an exciting new way to connect with Star Wars readers,” said Tom Hoeler, an Editor at Del Rey Books.

Second is an all-new Out of Print t-shirt inspired by the iconic first edition cover of Heir to the Empire, featuring art by the legendary Drew Struzan on the front, and the classic novel crawl on the back. It is the first officially licensed Thrawn Star Wars merchandise and has also been very well received. Each shirt will be sold for $30 or for a special price of $20 when purchased with the collector’s edition book.

“This project is an excellent match for our brand. Collectors of exclusive, premium books are the perfect audience for the type of ‘fanware’ we offer. This is just the beginning. We see more projects like this taking place in 2021 with Star Wars, Del Rey and other PRH publishers,” says Out of Print Managing Director Todd Lawton.

The collector’s edition book and Heir to the Empire t-shirt will be available on November 17 at 11am EST. Visit https://outofprint.com/collections/star-wars for more info.

BLOG TALK RADIO: Twists, Turns, and Deadly Sins with thriller author Rachael Tamayo

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Twists, Turns, and Deadly Sins with thriller author Rachael Tamayo

LISTEN HERE!!

Rachael Tamayo is a former 911 emergency operator and police dispatcher.  After twelve years in those dark depths, she’s gained a unique insight into mental illness, human behavior, and the general darkness of humanity that she likes to weave into her books.  A formerly exclusive romance author tried her hand at thrillers in her award-winning novel, Crazy Love, and loved it so much that she decided not to turn back.   Born and raised in Texas, Rachael lives in the Houston area with her husband of almost fifteen years, and their two small children. You can learn more at her website: https://rachaeltamayowrites.com/

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

Book Lights – shining a light on good books!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Carnal Knowledge: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller (A Deadly Sins Novel Book 2) 

Six women are dead, and Wren Addison is the next victim on the SMS Killer’s list—or so she’s been told after waking in a pool of blood with no memory of the events that have transpired.

Newly separated and struggling to start her life over after her husband’s infidelity, Wren tries to remember what happened to her, but nothing is adding up as more horrors unfold around her. With her life on a timer and the murderer taunting her, she realizes there is nothing typical about this serial killer.

Wren is pushed to the edge as she dances between knowing she’s likely to die and fighting to be the first to survive. As the truth starts to emerge, she rises to the challenge and decides not to go down without a fight.

Someone is going to die, and she’s determined it won’t be her.