Eric Lindner, Author of Hospice Voices: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on February 4th, 2014

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, Oct. 6, 2013
Category: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Volunteerism, Hospice, Caregiver
Tour Dates: January, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 232 pages

As a part-time hospice volunteer, Eric Lindner provides companion care to dying strangers. They are chatterboxes and recluses, religious and irreligious, battered by cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer s, old age. Some cling to life amazingly. Most pass as they expected.

In telling his story, Lindner reveals the thoughts, fears, and lessons of those living the ends of their lives in the care of others, having exhausted their medical options or ceased treatment for their illnesses. In each chapter, Lindner not only reveals the lessons of lives explored in their final days, but zeroes in on how working for hospice can be incredibly fulfilling.

As he s not a doctor, nurse, or professional social worker, just a volunteer lending a hand, offering a respite for other care providers, his charges often reveal more, and in more detail, to him than they do to those with whom they spend the majority of their time. They impart what they feel are life lessons as they reflect on their own lives and the prospect of their last days. Lindner captures it all in his lively storytelling.

Anyone who knows or loves someone working through end of life issues, living in hospice or other end of life facilities, or dealing with terminal or chronic illnesses, will find in these pages the wisdom of those who are working through their own end of life issues, tackling life s big questions, and boiling them down into lessons for anyone as they age or face illness. And those who may feel compelled to volunteer to serve as companions will find motivation, inspiration, and encouragement.

Rather than sink under the weight of depression, pity, or sorrow, Lindner celebrates the lives of those who choose to live even as they die.

Advance Praise for Hospice Voices:

 “This is an honest, pull no punches look at coming to terms with the one thing we will all do-die. In this well-documented and highly-readable book, Lindner proves an adept chronicler of the individual human stories that make up his journey to understand that beauty and grace can exist at the end stages of life. Lindner deftly reminds us of the power of the small things, the simple gestures and the importance of dignity for those that face a terminal situation. Throughout the book, we meet people approaching the end of life in their own individual ways, with different measures of love, faith and family. This book simultaneously opened my heart and broke it as each story taught me how hope and dignity can exist even in terminal situations. As a hospice volunteer, Lindner teaches us all that the ability to ease and bear witness to someone’s journey at the end stage of life is perhaps the ultimate gift one human can give another.”– Lee Woodruff, author of the New York Times bestsellers Those We Love Most and In an Instant

“Heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure claim more lives than any other disease state. Over my career I’ve seen my share of sadness due to the ravages of end-stage cardiovascular disease. But I’ve also seen terminal patients and their loved ones wring out great joy and meaning in the final months of life. This book is joyful, insightful, witty, and truly meaningful. It tugged at my heart, tickled my funny bone, and served up numerous insights and tips that had escaped me when trying to advise patients and their families. What a marvelous set of stories that should be read by all adults. It inspires us to live life to the fullest and respect and learn from the past in order to better deal with future uncertainty.”–Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., FAHA, FACC. Kenneth Jay Pollin Professor of Cardiology, Director, Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease and co-editor-in-chief of Preventive Cardiology: Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease

“As a physician who cares for the chronically ill and dying I all too often see people who are alone in the midst of their suffering. Trained volunteers, like Lindner, play such an immensely important role in providing that companionship to the patient. His book reminds all of us that we are invited to attend to others-not to change them, not to judge, not to fix. We are there simply to listen and to be witnesses to the suffering and joy of others in their living and in their dying. Presence to others, as Lindner describes so poignantly in his book, is a transformative sacred act for the patient and for the companion. His book inspires all of us to enter the sacredness of living and dying with openness and courage.”-Christina M. Puchalski, MD, MS, FACP. Director, George Washington University’s Institute for Spirituality and Health, Professor, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the author of A Time for Listening and Caring: Spirituality and the Care of the Chronically Ill and Dying.

“This book intrigued me because of the author’s pledge to donate 100% of his profits to charity. His book moved me because it’s an illustration that there are many ways we can provide love and justice in this world. We think of love in our daily affections for those close to us. We think of justice in the work of social movements. But all religions teach that at the heart of justice is love, hospitality, and kindness to strangers. It is hard to imagine a better example of exactly that than this book, and in reading it, one comes away knowing that as in sacred scripture, Lindner has encountered and served angels themselves.”–Timothy L. Fort, PhD, JD, Everleigh Professor of Business Ethics, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University and author of Business, Integrity, and Peace: Beyond Geopolitical and Disciplinary Boundaries

“Eric Lindner gives voice to those in their final days so that we may better listen, love, and learn from their example. A must read for any caregiver – volunteer or family.”–Vince Evans, MSW, Vice President of Patient Services, Hospice of the Valley

About Eric Lindner:

Eric Lindner is an attorney & entrepreneur. He has been a hospice companion caregiver since 2009. He divides his time between Warrenton, VA and Kauai, Hawaii.

Author Website: http://www.hospicevoices.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericlindnerauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricLindner1
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ericlindner/

Buy Hospice Voices:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Jan 3 Review & Giveaway
WV Stitcher Jan 6 Review
WV Stitcher Jan 7 Guest Post
I’d Rather Be At the Beach Jan 8 Review
Teena in Toronto Jan 10 Review
Anastacia Reviews Jan 13 Review & Giveaway
Library of Clean Reads Jan 14 Review
Sincerely Stacie Jan 15 Review
Midnight Musings Jan 16 Review
Midnight Musings Jan 17 Interview
Sweeps for Bloggers Jan 20 Review &Giveaway
Every Free Chance Jan 21 Review
Every Free Chance Jan 22 Interview
Daddy Blogger Jan 23 Review & Interview
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 24 Review & Giveaway
As I Turn the Pages Jan 27 Review
As I Turn the Pages  Jan 27 Guest Post
Joystory Jan 29 Review
Genuine Jenn Feb 4 Review
Anglers Rest Feb 7 Review

 

 

Ako Eyong, Author of The Vision of a Blind King: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on January 31st, 2014

Publisher: Ako Eyong (March, 2013)
Genres: Historical Thriller, Time Travel, Supernatural Elements
Tour Dates: January, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook ,353 pages, with illustrations

This is the story of Melenoc, a very power hungry man with a particularly uncommon fear of death; a toxic combination of emotions that ultimately drive him into an unending quest for immortality. As he digs deeper it becomes obvious that he will stop at nothing to achieve this goal, even to the point of crossing lines that may compromise the security and well being of a whole kingdom.

It is a tale that pits good against evil, taking us deep into an ancient African society where the survival of the same kingdom will come to rest on the shoulders of another individual; a General who must rise above personal trauma and self doubts, and find a way to pull a nation away from the edge.

As powerful forces collide and the struggle intensifies, unexpected turns and twists will catapult the plot into a four thousand year journey that spills over into the contemporary age; from the rugged camp of a bitter African rebel leader to the concrete jungles of Los Angeles, spawning characters who have no idea that their lives are being affected by a four thousand year old quest.

Praise for The Vision of a Blind King:

“If historical fiction (or any kind of adventure story) is your thing then you are going to love this book. TVOTBK takes you on a journey back into ancient times where an assortment of luring characters and captivating events are thrust together seamlessly while leaving you in the dark just enough so that it’s impossible to put down. It becomes even more intriguing when you realize that a much larger game is at hand and that everything is just a piece being put into position on a giant chessboard stretching over counties and centuries. As intricately clever as it is enjoyable. “-Kevin, Amazon Reviewer

“THE VISION OF THE BLIND KING intertwines seemingly unrelated tales, spanning continents and millennia, into an engaging story of political and spiritual intrigue. Believable characters and well written dialogue capture the imagination and carry the reader on a suspenseful journey through the ages, tracing the path of an amulet that is endued with a mysterious and supernatural power.
On the journey, the reader encounters many characters – from royalty to rogues of forgotten ancient cities; politicos and journalists in the former French colony of Cameroon; rebels and their captives in the jungles of Africa; and, assassins and pawns in the modern day streets of Los Angeles. Through, protagonists and antagonists alike, the author deftly examines universal aspects of human nature, from compassion and acceptance to greed and prejudice. My only disappointment came when I realized I had reached the last page. In short, J.R.R.Tolkien has his “Ring” – Ako Eyong has his “Amulet”.  I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did!”–Donald Pitts, Amazon Reviewer

“Right off the bat, incredible drama with careful plot enigma. Main character in ultimate morally and physically challenging terrain engaging me to want to know more before I even know what’s going on. And these are real issues that pertain to all of us. The backdrop is very interesting, and this book within first 30 pages definitely got me thinking = classic Hollywood feature film story. All the right elements = both historical and current today but causing wonder, passion, desire to know the outcome. I give this author an A+ in creative relevant drama.  Perfect story for a feature film!”–Cary O’Neal, Amazon Reviewer

About Ako Eyong:

Ako Eyong is a Cameroonian national, whose critique of government policy (as a journalist) has led to an existence in America as a political exile. Presently, while working on the sequel to The vision of the blind king, he is taking the first steps into the world of public speaking. He has spoken at several locations in the country, including Oxnard College in California, Coconino community college in Arizona, Ventura college, Ventura Chapter of Amnesty international, Rotary club of Malibu at Pepperdine university, just to name a few. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a diploma in political science.

Ako Eyong  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ako.eyong.9

Ako Eyong  Twitter: https://twitter.com/akoeyong

Buy The Vision of the Blind King:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Jan 13 Review, Video,  & Giveaway
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 14 Review
The News In Books Jan 15 Review
The News In Books Jan 16 Guest Post
Sweeps 4 Bloggers Jan 23 Review & Giveaway
Mina’s Bookshelf Jan 24 Guest Post
Cuzinlogic Jan 29 Review
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time Jan 31 Interview

Constance Corcoran Wilson, Author of The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on January 6th, 2014

Publisher: Quad City Books (October 22, 2013)
Genres: Children’s Picture Book, Christmas
Tour Dates: December, 2013
Available in: Print and ebook 32 pages, with Illustrations

The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats is a Seuss-ical tale for young children which builds upon the moral of the first Christmas Cats book to once again teach children a valuable life lesson.

In this second Christmas Cats adventure the lesson to be learned is:  In life, always keep an open mind.  Don’t accept stereotypes as true or let the unfounded opinions of others prevent you from finding out the truth for yourself. We all need to act without prejudice and learn to accept each other as individuals.

The Christmas Cats learn that rats, too, should be judged as individuals. Another message: all of us should try to help others.

Written for the author’s four-year-old granddaughters, Ava and Elise Wilson, with the assistance of talented professional illustrator Gary McCloskey, The Christmas Cats  continue to have adventures while attired in their familiar silly hats from Book One (The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats).

Learning to accept others in a non-judgmental, open-minded fashion is a lesson we all must learn. If children can internalize this behavior while young, learning to help others and to do good works, the world will be a better place.

About Constance Corcoran Wilson:

CONSTANCE WILSON graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in English and Journalism, but she began writing for her hometown

(Independence, Iowa) newspaper at the age of 10 and was Editor-in-Chief of her high school newspaper. She continued her education, including a Ferner/Hearst Journalism Scholarship and a Freshman Merit Scholarship at Iowa, and then at Berkeley, WIU, NIU and the University of Chicago. Connie holds a Masters (+30) in English, Journalism and Education. Her career path led to teaching 7th and 8th grade language arts (Silvis, Illinois) and teaching writing at 6 IA/IL colleges or universities, including a class teaching film at Black Hawk Junior College. She then established the second Sylvan Learning Center in the state of Iowa and a Prometric Testing site, in conjunction with ETS of Princeton, NJ. She has taught writing and literature classes at all 6 IA/ILQuad City colleges.

“Constance (aka Connie) was Midwest Writing Center Writer of the Year, Content Producer of the Year for Yahoo, and Illinois Women’s Press Association Silver Feather Award winner (Chicago chapter.) She was named one of the “10 Most Creative Teachers in America” in a TAB Scholastic Books competition. Her Sylvan Learning Center (#3301) in Bettendorf, Iowa, was named Best Business of the Year by the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce that year and the free reading program for poor kids she established was the largest scholarship program of its kind among a 900-member chain, for which she was personally awarded a Bi-State Literacy Award by then sitting First Lady Barbara Bush in 1993.

Constance lives in East Moline, Illinois with husband Craig and in Chicago, Illinois, where her son, Scott and daughter-in-law Jessica and their four-year-old twins Elise and Ava reside. Her daughter, Stacey, a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, recently returned from a year spent living and working in Australia and now lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee.

Connies Website: www.WeeklyWilson.com
Christmas Cats Website: http://www.thexmascats.com/

Connie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnieCWilson
Connie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connie.c.wilson?fref=ts
Connie on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/conniecwilson/

Follow the Tour:

Daddy Blogger Dec 1 Live Video Interview
So Many Precious Books Dec 2 Review & Giveaway
Deal Sharing Aunt Dec 2 Review
Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Dec 3 Review
Joy Story Dec 3 Review
Saving For Six Dec 4 Review
Daddy Blogger Dec 5 Review
Rhodes Review Dec 5 Review
Rhodes Review Dec 5 Giveaway
Sincerely Stacie  Dec 6 Review
VW Stitcher Dec 9 Review
Dogs Rule Cats Drool Dec 9 Review
Books, Books & More Books Dec 10 Review
Practical Frugality Dec 11 Review & Giveaway
The News in Books Dec 11 Review
The Crypto-Capers Review Dec 12 Review
Stories from Unknown Authors Dec 12 Live Interview  at 1 pm EST
Carole Rae Random Ramblings Dec 13 Review
Little Lovely Books Dec 13 Spotlight
Bea’s Book Nook Dec 16 Review & Giveaway
Identity Discovery Dec 16 Review
The News in Books Dec 16 Interview
Reviewing Novels on Line Dec 17 Review
Hott Books Dec 18 Review
Manic Mama of 2 Dec 19 Review
Allison’s Book Bag Dec 19 Interview
Laura’s Reviews Dec 20  Review
Allison’s Book Bag Dec 20 Review
Chaos Is a Friend of Mine Dec 24 Review

Buy Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
 

Vera Jane Cook, Author of Where the Wildflowers Grow: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on February 21st, 2014

Publisher: Musa Publishing (March 8, 2013)
Genres: Womens Fiction, Southern Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Tour Dates: January, 2013
Available in: ebook only 312 pages

The Story of Sassy Sweetwater was the Finalist for the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards for 2012! Won the Eric Hoffer Award for Sassy Sweetwater for 2013 – Honorable Mention Best ebook Fiction!

Sexual confusion and dysfunction cause the unraveling of the perfect American family in small town Georgia in 1960.

Rose Cassidy’s fantasy life is a haunting reminder that she’s living a lie. So when she has the opportunity to act on those fantasies, she dives in without any thought to consequences.

Rose’s husband, Ryan, has fantasies of his own, and his actions cause unimaginable pain to the very children he tries so hard to protect.

When the happiness each member of the Cassidy family seeks so desperately to find is shattered by shame, guilt, and ultimately murder, they must each face the truth that lies deep within their souls.

Praise for Where the Wildflowers Grow:

“A Riveting Plot from the 60’s—Secrets, Shame, Murder—Sexual Confusion Unravels A Perfect American Southern Family!”– Jo-Anne Vandermeulen, Goodreads Reviewer

” Love her books, a great author. Nice to read something that is not the same old stuff. Can’t wait for her next book to come out.”– Sharon, Amazon Reviewer

Praise for The Story of Sassy Sweetwater:

“This story was as sweet and sassy as its narrator and title character. But not the sweet of syrup, no, more like the pucker-power sweet of a persimmon.  The sweetness is in the delicious prose, the pucker in the dark plot and the sassy in its protagonist’s stance towards her life.”– Joy Renee Davis, Joystory

“As you read the story there are times you feel like shaking Sassy so she can get a grip on herself but also times when you feel her heartache a tear trickle down your face in compassion for what she had endured. The story is well written and I cannot emphasized enough the real life dramas that was brought forth. A lot of eye openers especially for people who are very quick to judge.  If you into southern history stories this is one is for you, definitely a must read.”– Lynelle Clark, Romance & Inspiration

“I love southern fiction and the easy style of storytelling that Vera Jane Cook uses in “The Story of Sassy Sweetwater” made this a page turner for me. A richly woven tale where Ms. Cook makes the characters seem so real, that they literally step off of the pages and make you feel as if you’re viewing the goings on in their lives! Sassy was such a unique voice, at the age of thirteen she is more than a bit feisty,and well Sassy! She sees the world in such a down to earth way. Really wise beyond her years, but not always doing the right thing, she was totally understandable and really likeable. The author does a wonderful job of allowing Sassy to grow and change as the story progresses. The  way that she clashed with her Grandma Edna was sometimes funny, it seemed often to be a test of will, but as the story progresses we see that relationship change, and truthfully Edna and Sassy were a lot alike. With more than a few twists, I was actually surprised at what sort of family that Violet actually came from. There were several secondary characters that propelled the plot right along and added interesting layers to the overall telling of the story. Overall a story that easily pulled me right in making me care about what happened to the characters. Fans of southern fiction that pull you back in time and revolve around family drama will certainly enjoy this read, I know that I did!“-Brenda Casto, WV Stitcher

“Vera Jane Cook joins the illustrious ranks of Faulkner, O’Connor, and Capote with The Story of Sassy Sweetwater.  The novel contains the necessary elements for good Southern gothic:  flawed and eccentric characters, racism, violence, and incest.  Her depiction of rural South Carolina in the 1960s is so clear that the reader can almost hear the cicadas in the background.  Clear a day on your calendar before you start reading, because after you start, you won’t be able to put down this book until the end.”– Tammy Cuevas, The Self-Taught Cook

About Vera Jane Cook:

Vera Jane Cook, writer of Award Winning Women’s Fiction, is the author of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, Lies a River Deep, Where the Wildflowers Grow, Dancing Backward in Paradise and Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem.

Jane, as she is known to family and friends, was born in New York City and grew up amid the eccentricity of her southern and glamorous mother on the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan.

An only child, Jane turned to reading novels at an early age and was deeply influenced by an eclectic group of authors. Some of her favorite authors today are Nelson DeMille, Calib Carr, Wally Lamb, Anne Rice, Sue Monk Kidd, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Her favorite novels are too long to list but include The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cheri and The Last of Cheri, The Picture of Dorian Grey, Wuthering Heights, Look at Me, Dogs of Babel, The Bluest Eye, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Body Surfing, Lolita, The Brothers Karamazov, She’s Come Undone, Tale of Two Cities, etc., etc., etc.,

The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, Vera’s second published southern novel, was a finalist for the ForeWord Book of the Year Award for 2012! The novel also won the Eric Hoffer Award for 2012 – Honorable Mention Best ebook Fiction! Vera’s first published southern novel, Dancing Backward in Paradise, won the Indie Excellence Award for notable new fiction in 2007 and the Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence, also in 2007. Both books earned five star ForeWord Clarion reviews!

The author works by day for an education publishing company as an account manager and lives on the Upper West side of Manhattan with her long term partner, her Pomeranian, Daisy, her Basenji/Chihuahua mix, Roxie, her Chihuahua, Peanut and her two pussy cats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.

Vera Jane Cook’s Website: http://www.verajanecook.com/

Vera Jane Cook on Twitter: https://twitter.com/verajanecook
Vera Jane Cook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.j.cook

Buy Where the Wildflowers Grow:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Follow The Tour:

So Many Precious Books Jan 20 Review & Giveaway
Joy Story Jan 21 Review & Giveaway
Carole Rae’s Ramblings Jan 23 Review
Romance & Inspiration Jan 27 Interview
Wall to Wall Books Jan 28 Review & Giveaway
Romance & Inspiration Jan 31 Review
From Isi Jan 31 Review & Giveaway
The Book Review Feb 5 Review
VW Stitcher Feb 7 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary Feb 10 Review & Interview
Back Porch Reservations Feb 17 Review
Manic Mama of 2  Feb 21 Review
Indie Reviews Behind the Scenes Mar 29 12 pm cst Interview- Live on Blog Talk Radio