About The Author: Lisa Jacovsky is a Psychology professor at Union College of NJ and SNHU. Lisa began writing short stories when she was seven years old. Writing is a passion for her and one of the many things she enjoys. She is currently the author of the award-winning first four books in the Let's Talk! Series, Rascal Cat Brothers, Purrrfect As I Am, and Spooky Ooky Dance Party. Lisa lives in New Jersey, where she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working on her next books. Keep up with her on social media to see what is coming next. Title: Bones and Friends: The Case of The Missing Mice Genre: Children’s Book Synopsis: Despite being blind, our special needs cat, Beau, has an excellent sense of smell and hearing. When the mice dolls in his house mysteriously disappear, it's up to our hero and his brothers, Bender, and Bones, to locate them by sniffing out their unique scent and listening to the subtle sounds they make. Find The Book: https://amzn.to/4cnO3NL Visit Lisa’s Website: https://diverseinkbooks.my.canva.site/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/U7qpxirMKB8 Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msvemrv4  Click The Cover To Order!
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Listener’s Advisory: Mature Situations; 18+ Open Door Relations; ADHD; Anxiety About The Author: The sassy and sensational Beth Gelman is a professional pianist and vocalist, as well as a teacher and office manager (and an amazing party planner. Stay tuned for future books about that!). Authentic, resilient, loyal, and spiritual, she’s not afraid to learn, fail, speak her mind, or try new things. Life is short—get ‘er done! She loves writing romances, especially romances about women who speak up, but more than anything she loves her husband, twin boys, and her faithful dog, Nora. The Perfect Series are her first books. Title: Always Falling Behind Genre: Contemporary Steamy Rom Com Book Synopsis: Never hitch a ride with a stranger…unless he’s hot. I’m Abigail Farnsworth-Burton. ADHD’er extraordinaire. Aspiring artist of mediums I’m not practiced in and chef of meals I’ve never eaten. And now, heiress. Basically, it means I now own more assets than I can wrap my head — and my limited organizational capacity — around. So, of course, my car breaks down 400 miles shy of my new mansion. And, of course, the only guy offering a ride looks intimidating as hell…until he opens his mouth. I didn’t care that he tripped over his words every time he spoke to me. I figured if he were a real killer, he’d be smoother in his script. Bad guys are never this hot…right? And Elias McGinnis is anything but scripted — unlike the voice in my head that seems intent on my eventual downfall. My one saving grace is my new friend, Amy The Great. She always knows exactly how to get things done. Too bad she’s a chicken. But old money attracts new enemies, and focusing on anything is impossible with my sexy live-in mechanic. If I only had a plan – and some actual cash. Oh, and a car. Always Falling Behind is a fun and steamy rom-com that shows people with neuro-divergent brains living their best lives. Find The Book: https://amzn.to/45Ns6oy Visit Beth’s Website: http://www.BethGelman.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/RwzC_jfjtpQ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2nwatr64  Click The Cover To Order!
Listener’s Advisory: Mature Situations About The Author: Rhys Shaw has always been interested in history, dilapidated ruins, stories of deceit and survival. Her belief that women are overlooked in history, or blamed for mankind’s unsavory decisions is the reigning theme behind her gritty realistic historical fiction books. In The Welexia Series, Rhys draws upon her love of story to bring the pages alive with the personal struggles and pain of strong female characters, taking us on their journey to overcome and thrive. In the modern world, Rhys shares her home with a few furry friends and a less furry spouse. She can often be found with her nose in a book, or taking a walk - though not at the same time. Title: A Queen’s Wisdom: Strength In Mercy (The Welexia Series Book 4) Genre: Medieval Historical Fiction Book Synopsis: When your mind says one thing but your heart says another, how do you rationalize love? A hidden enemy in the kingdom threatens to tear Welexia apart. Queen Alaria must continue to remain strong for her family and all Welexians. This emotionally torn survivor must rule as her duties demand. An heir is imminent to her kingdom’s survival, but is it wise for a royal wedding to proceed in a world of uncertainty and threats? She must draw on her learned wisdom to make a decision. As her dear friend slowly dies, memories of her mother's death return to the surface. Will this storm of emotions break her, or will she endure? A Queen’s Wisdom is the final, heart-pounding book in the Welexia medieval historical fiction series. If you like strong female characters—unafraid to break from tradition, in an all-inclusive world, then you’ll love Rhys Shaw’s gritty series. Buy A Queen’s Wisdom to discover the fate of Welexia and her courageous queen! Find The Book: https://amzn.to/4eKHx58 Visit Rhys’ Website: https://www.welexia.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/b7QRFWHx7Xc Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2vvcx4az  Click The Cover To Order! Do you remember the lyrics from the George Michael song, “Freedom”… “I think I’m gonna get me some happy!”  Well, I got some happy and a whole lot more at the Lakeshore Art Festival in Muskegon, Michigan this past weekend. If you’ve never been to this amazing event, I highly recommend you watch the Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/LakeshoreArtFestival AND set aside the weekend on next year’s calendar.  This phenomenal event shines sunlight on about three hundred artisans from almost every art discipline known to humanity. No kidding, I don’t think there was one artistic endeavor that wasn’t represented in this spectacular force of community. From lawn sprinklers with spinning elements and shining colors, to paintings and pencil drawings that looked like photographs, to clothing, jewelry, and so much more… I was comforted with a new reminder every ten feet of the remarkable talent human hands hold. Food trucks shared their digestible art, and a DJ added joyful sounds to the day. I walked through the streets looking at the smorgasbord of nearly every kind of art imaginable as people ate, sang, danced, and marveled at the wonderment of life. In that environment, I challenge anyone to feel anything but happy! I drove three hours to escape my regular routine (which is generally happy, most of the time) to find excessive amounts of happy in the places where I always find it… inside books and authors. It was well worth the drive, the hotel, and the ten miles I added to my sneakers. On the drive out Saturday afternoon, I listened to an audiobook written by an author who is new-to-me, contemplated the last several months of my life, the next several on the horizon, and while relaxing with another book near Lake Michigan and watching the sunset that night, found a gentle peace knowing I could disconnect from the monster of stress by reconnecting with the gentleness of friends, words, and water over the next couple of days.
More than twenty authors pitched tents along the street bordering the park, mimicking white sails dotting the lake’s horizon. Under each lived many incredible stories, real and make believe. I reunited with dear friends, members of my “tribe” who imprinted on my heart and soul years ago… and I made many new friends, who I’m sure will become special to me, as well. The day was a delightful montage of listening and learning about each author’s imagination, their personal story, and so much laughter… it felt a little surreal. After all, could this much happy gathered together all in one place, be an actual reality? I’m here to tell you that truly, it is… and it’s probably more real than your eight hours of daily cubical time. As I spent the day talking with the authors and discovered the stories their imaginations created, time slowed. Nine o’clock in the morning to five o’clock in the afternoon felt almost like a week of pure play. I learned amazing things about the people behind the pens and keyboards, too. Their personal stories merit as much attention as the ones their imaginary friends force them to report.
The skies began in the morning with puffy clouds and a warm breeze floating in from Lake Michigan, turning to perfect blue in the afternoon, as if someone had painted it just for this day. As the day progressed, the wind became gusty, forcing authors to grab hold of canopy stanchions and pull tight their anchor lines. Though rambunctious, the wind never turned angry, and the warm sun refused to retreat. One author in slicker-yellow, tickled my memory of days on sailboats and laughter… and writing poetry on the bow.
Our Michigan writing community is overwhelming sometimes, but in a good way. How can so many people be so nice, so creative, and so accepting of the unique approach each takes to their craft? It’s remarkable! These people are colleagues, not competitors, even as they sold books… there was not one pushy pitch or resentful, jealous encounter in the mix. They were far more interested in simply meeting new people and sharing with them a world of possibility. Authors welcomed visitors with warm smiles, gentle laughter, and so much kindness, you’d never know it was an election year.
As I spent time petting a very silky-soft chicken (yes, her name is Kay-Kay, and she is the star of a book!) It was difficult for me to make decisions about which books would make the trek back home to fill my shelves. Exercising some modicum of restraint and feigned fiscal responsibility, while pretending to be an adult… I didn’t buy all I wanted, but I’m thrilled to report that at the end of the day, I stuffed a tote full to overflowing with stories I’ve never read, personally inscribed by each author!
If spending a day talking with authors, petting a chicken, and buying books is not the definition of happy… somebody needs a new dictionary.
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