Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Interview with humor writer Jerry Klinger

My fun author guest today is Jerry Klinger, to chat about his humorous book, Boynton Beach Chronicles – Tails of Norman.

Bio:
Jerry Klinger and his wife Judy are happily transplanted retired Floridians from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation and the To Save A Life Foundation, two American public charities.

Jerry has written over 100 articles about the American Jewish experience, ranging from the Jerusalem Post, the Prairie Connection to the San Diego Jewish World. He is frequently interviewed on T.V. and radio. But it is in Boynton Beach his alter-ego has found expression.

“Boynton Beach, where every corner has a Bagel Den and somebody kvetching. It is funny, simply a very funny place,” he says.

Welcome, Jerry. Please tell us about your current release
The Boynton Beach Chronicles is a compilation of stories written over a number of years. Like with any story, there is a kernel of truth, an element that comes from real life experience and observation. If we back away from the seriousness, the stress, the overwhelming pushing of media, political, and social concerns, and look at the life about us without filters, there is humor everywhere. Our over serious sincerity is actually funny. Laughing at ourselves makes the living part fun.

It confounds my kids who never realized there was a funny bone in my body…the forest and the trees stuff of being too close. The kids are sure they have been raised by strangers, not by their mother and me. Or, they think I have gone off the deep end and need to be checking out Shady Pines, asap. Now that they are adults, it is extra fun confusing them. The grandchildren love the word games. Grin, Grin.

What inspired you to write this book?
I have been writing about American Jewish history, more serious stuff, for years. The articles frequently went along with the over 100 American Jewish historical markers and projects I have completed in 39 states and in five countries. More than 7,000,000 people annually see and benefit from one of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation efforts.

My wife said I created JASHP because I needed something to do when I retired. She knew I was really bad at golf.

People ask me to write a book after seeing, participating in, reading an article I wrote, or hearing me speak somewhere.
I might someday. I tell them. There could easily be a few volumes for the dusty stacks of University bookshelves about JASHP’s wide ranging projects.

Writing a book about my Jewish American historical projects always struck me as work. Not that work is bad, it isn’t. But, I have been writing Jewish humor for years, mostly under a pseudonym for pure fun, part of a secret personal life. It is an escape from the tensions of work.

Moving from telling about the real world to telling stories from my imaginary world that reflected the real world is fun. I can make mistakes on time, date, place, and because it was fiction, it is still accurate. It is my fiction and fun to share.

The serious and the fun stories continued to build. About a year ago, I was in San Diego with Don Harrison, the editor of the San Diego Jewish World. We were site developing for future Jewish Historical projects that my Society would underwrite.

The subject came up of writing a book about the projects. I felt reluctant, anticipating all the work. I asked Don about doing a book using my humor stories on American Jewish retired life in Boynton Beach, Fl., instead. I never associated having fun and laughing, and then chucking again and again about Florida Jewish retired life, as work.

So what inspired me to write the book? I wanted to have fun and share fun and laughs with others who could use a laughing escape even while seeing some reflection of their own lives.

Many years ago, when I was a junior in Mr. Puglisi’s homeroom class at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md., he kept life quotes on the walls for us to be read. He was trying to get us to think about what we wanted for our lives ahead.

He never asked us to read them. They were just there for us to read, absorb, or not, on our own.

One of those wall quotes stayed with me. I have no idea whose quote it was.

“If you don’t want to be forgotten when you die, do something worth writing about or write something worth reading about.”

It is a bit of a negative perspective. I dreamed that my life had meaning, only what?

Over the years, I have written much and done lots of things. Few of us have one dimensional lives.

My wife, Judy, shares, perhaps tolerates my split humor/serious personality. We are getting to the years when we plan for the Journey’s End. Judy and I both agreed, we absolutely, without question, totally refuse to have our name written on a stone, dates and the text loving parent and grandparent. We wanted to stick out. We wanted to give people a smile about who these people might have been when visitors come to that somber place and read our stone.

Our agree upon text will have our names and dates.

Our texts will read:

On my side:

He did more than some and less than others.

On hers it will read:

She put up with more than some and less than others.

What we want to leave with folks as they drive by and read the stone is a smile, a chuckle, and a wonder…who were they? They had and even now have a sense of humor.

The Boynton Beach Chronicles, Tails of Norman, is a smile that people can own, reread and enjoy for many, many years.

A smile is more fun than a scowl.

What exciting story are you working on next?
There are funny stories that strike me daily. By lunch, followed with by nap time, unless I write down the idea, I forget the idea and have to wait till the morning for a new one to pop into my balding humor head.

This morning, an email from one of my daughters-in-laws complaining there has not been a roll of toilet paper on the shelves of her local grocery store for seven weeks got me going.

My sense of humor kicked in to the dilemma. She has three children, ages ten to five. What can she do to teach them personal hygiene if there is no T.P.? What do people do if there is no T.P.?

I wondered, being in Florida, we could use Palm fronds. I wondered, what do you do if you live in Arizona, use carefully de-thorned cactus pads? What do you use in Alaska, recently caught Salmon?

Anyway, the humorous possibilities of the Great Toilet Paper Crisis of 2020 kept me chucking and writing away.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I have never considered myself a writer. I like to think of myself as a storyteller. Story telling can be serious. When I taught history at the University, my lectures were stories. I think they kept student’s attention better that way.

Humor storytelling makes people’s lives more fun. It makes my life more fun.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No, I don’t write full time. I spend much of my time on my historical and charitable efforts. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

I give a lot, money and time, through my historical and charitable focuses. I think the best way to give is to leave people feeling a bit better about life than when I first passed by.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Instantly seeing the foibles of life and reflecting them through a Jewish cultural perspective.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I thought I wanted to teach history. Can’t make a living teaching history. I went into the financial world. Retired now, I can teach all the history I want without having to worry about making a living.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Probably, but it is getting close to nap time.

Links:

 Thanks for the chuckles today, Jerry! Wishing you many more happy tails. :)

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Interview with novelist and screenwriter Sarah Stonich

Today’s special author guest is writer Sarah Stonich. She’s chatting with me about her new women’s fiction comedy, Fishing!

Bio:
Sarah Stonich is a novelist and screenwriter. Her first book, These Granite Islands was a Barnes and Noble Great New Writers pick and was translated into eleven languages. Her second, The Ice Chorus, was also widely translated and won several honors. Her memoir Shelter: Off The Grid In The Mostly Magnetic North won a Northeast Minnesota Book Award. Sarah is best known for her Northern Trilogy, beginning with Vacationland, recently chosen by USA Today as the definitive Minnesota book for their ‘50 States: 50 Books’ feature. Second in the trilogy, Laurentian Divide, won the 2019 Minnesota Book Award and the NEMBA winner as well as a National Reading Group Month selection by National Women’s Book Association. Wisconsin Public Radios longest running program, Chapter A Day chose Laurentian Divide to be read on air by Jim Fleming. Along with Vacationland, it has been chosen as a community read in three dozen midwestern and Canadian cities.

FISHING! is the first book in her Fishing With RayAnne trilogy, to be followed in March of 2021 by Reeling. She is currently adapting these novels to a television series. Sarah has been awarded fellowships at a dozen residency programs here and abroad, including the Tyrone Guthrie Center in Ireland; Gibraltor Center, Toronto; Hawthornden, Scotland; Art Omi, New York, and Chicago’s Ragdale Foundation, Sarah lives on the Mississippi River in a renovated flour mill with her musician husband recently acquired rescue cat, Dr. Fauci. Of her literary talents Colum McCann says, “One of the joys of reading is coming across books in which language is perfectly wedded to story.” Richard Russo calls Laurentian Divide: ‘Hilarious, smart, moving and kind, ‘Laurentian Divide’ is good for the soul – at least is was good for mine.’

Welcome, Sarah. Please tell us about your current release.
Having fled the testosterone-soaked world of pro-sport fishing, thirty-something RayAnne Dahl takes a consulting job with the first all-women fishing-talk show on public television (one viewer calls it ‘Oprah in a boat’) After the original host bails, RayAnne lands at the helm until a ‘real’ host can be found. Camera shy and out of her depth - RayAnne has her doubts, and enough on her plate with her demanding family just off-stage. Just when things look manageable and she understands the shows potential for good - that it might uplift women, her own life nearly capsizes.

What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to write a book that was entertaining but ultimately meaningful. I was inspired by the influences of older generations of women and the ongoing battle for equality, unbelievably still a battle in 2020. I wanted to write an entertaining story that would speak to young professional women while including fantastic older role models.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Reeling. It’s the second in the trilogy, in which the show is renewed for a second season and goes on the road to New Zealand, providing adventures for RayAnne and Cassi that open their eyes in the way only travel and immersion in another culture can.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
It was one thing to hold my first book, These Granite Islands in my hand, and see it on a store shelf and a library shelf. That all felt a bit unreal. But when I got a heartfelt letter from a reader telling me how she’d related to a character and that the book actually helped her make sense of something she was going through, I was floored. And so grateful to be reminded why books matter. Tip to readers: writers LOVE to hear from you - it reminds us why we do this.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Nearly full time. It’s my primary job so I treat it like one by setting expectations, hours, page counts. I try to make deadlines; visit book clubs (which I love); do speaking engagements, etc. I used to have a few paying gigs (pre-covid) and my husband has good insurance, so for now I can still write (fingers crossed).

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
That I’m dyslexic - so naturally chose to become a writer! My methods and process are pretty messy and disjointed. I write all over the place, from the middle to the end to the beginning and back and in circles. It’s a bit like making hot dogs - not pretty!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist. Many of my characters are creative and good with their hands, and a few are even the sort of talented painters I imagined I’d one day be , so safe to say I’m living vicariously through them. My characters include painters, a milliner, a seamstress, a filmmaker.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I guess to remind them that online reviews and word-of-mouth is the most effective way to spread the word about books we love - readers have more power than they know - more than the publisher or booksellers. If you love a book, shout if from the rooftops (and anywhere online where you review and rate books!).

Links:

To learn more about Sarah and her writing, visit her other tour stops:


June 8th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Visit WOW's blog The Muffin today and celebrate the launch of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing! by reading an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

June 10th @ Madeline Sharples' Blog
Visit Madeline's blog today and you can read a guest post by Sarah Stonich about inviting authors to your book group.

June 12th @ Tongue Tied Magazine
Come by Tongue Tied Magazine today and you can read Sean's review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!.

June 13th @ Boots, Shoes & Fashion
Visit Linda's blog today and you can read her fascinating interview with author Sarah Stonich, author of the book Fishing!

June 15th @ Michelle Cornish's Blog
You can visit Michelle's blog and read a guest post by Sarah Stonich about how reader reviews support authors - and help authors write better books.

June 16th @ Bookapotamus
Visit Kate's blog and you can read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!.

June 17th @ The New England Book Critic
Visit Victoria's blog today and you can read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!

June 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey's blog today and read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!.

June 22nd @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Visit Beverley's blog today and read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!.

June 24th @ Literary Quicksand
Visit Jolissa's blog today and read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!

June 25th @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog today and you can read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing! You can also enter to win a copy of the book too!

June 26th @ Lady Unemployed
Visit Nicole's blog today and read author Sarah Stonich's guest post about feminists we adore.

(Today) June 28th @ Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa as she interviews author Sarah Stonich about her book Fishing!.

June 29th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Stop by Beverley's blog again today and you can read Sarah Stonich's guest post about what fictional heroines can teach us.

July 1st @ It's Alanna Jean
Visit Alanna Jean's blog today and you can read a guest post by author Sarah Stonich featuring 10 books every girl and woman should read.

July 3rd @ The World of My Imagination
Author Romalyn Tilghman will be reviewing Sarah Stonich's book Fishing! as a guest reviewer at Nicole's blog.

July 5th @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Visit Jill's blog today and you can read her Sarah Stonich's inspiring guest post about change starts on the page.

July 7th @ Michelle Cornish's Blog
Visit Michelle's blog and read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!

July 8th @ Chapters Through Life
Visit Danielle's blog today and you can read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!

July 9th @ Journalling Joy on Sahar's Blog
Visit Sahar's blog and read her review of Sarah Stonich's book Fishing!.



Friday, June 26, 2020

Interview with journalist turned wellness organizer Rachel Boehm

My special guest today is Rachel Boehm who is chatting with me about her memoir I Am NOT! .

You can visit her other tour stops, too, to learn more about Rachel and her writing.

Bio:
Rachel Boehm is an award-winning journalist, turned workplace wellness organizer and advocate. Her experiences with school and workplace bullying, fat shaming, disordered eating, perfectionism, and verbal and emotional abuse began at a young age and continued into her late-twenties. 

Embracing a survivor’s mindset, Boehm now views her journey as a calling to transform the way individuals and organizations view well-being, the beauty of the human body, metrics of success, and the fragility of time.

Boehm was raised in Austin, Texas. A love for the fine arts, film, and television took her to Southern California for undergraduate studies and to pursue a career in the industry.

A quarter-life crisis fueled by the tumultuous nature of the industry and a realization of society’s flawed definitions of beauty and success, sent her on a multi-year soul-searching quest. She traveled back to Austin, then on to the UAE, Syria, Jordan, Europe, and New York City, before accepting a graduate studies scholarship with American University in Journalism and Public Affairs. Following commencement, she moved to Northern Virginia.

This journey is detailed in her memoir I Am NOT! .

Please tell us about your current release.
I Am NOT! is a memoir and anecdotes chronicling struggles kids, teens, and adults increasingly face today: bullying at school and work, body shaming, disordered eating, perfectionism, stigma, and gender stereotypes. These issues, touched on through a series of vignettes, are set against a coming-of-age and growing-into-oneself journey.

What inspired you to write this book?
I feel strongly that everything happens for a reason. I believe I was given my journey so I could survive it and then share it. My hope is readers will discover that they can be their own hero. They can choose to and have the power to shed labels others have placed upon them and redefine themselves.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I have a few ideas in the works! I’m in a listening and observing phase, while focusing on the launch of I Am NOT! . It is likely the most important work I will ever put forward.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably in high school, when one of my English teachers told me I was good enough to apply to a writing camp at Bryn Mawr. I won’t elaborate because this is a vignette in my book!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write full-time; writing is one of several side gigs I have. It’s a mode of expression that I fit in when compelled. I fit it in, in the nooks and crannies of my day. When I’m not writing I am working my full-time job in employee wellness, growing my wellness coaching practice and skincare business, working out, hanging with friends, or finding adventures—even simple local ones.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mostly a singer and actor. I had a photography phase, though!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Whatever it is you want to be or do, you can. The mere fact that you want to is enough to start.

Links:

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Interview with women's fiction author Pamela Taylor

Today’s special guest author is Pamela Taylor to chat with me about her new historical fiction, Pestilence.

Bio:
An avid reader of historical fact and fiction throughout her life, Pamela finds the past offers rich sources for character, ambiance, and plot that allow readers to escape into a world totally unlike their daily lives. A history major in college, with minors in French and Spanish, she is also a classically trained musician and believes this has given her a special feel for the rhythm, dynamics, and phrasing of the written word.

In addition to creating her own stories, Pamela is active in multiple writing communities. She is a member of the DFW Writers Workshop and is in her fourth year on the Judges Panel for the Ink & Insights Writing Contest. In 2018, she joined the team at DIY MFA where she writes the Historical Fiction column, “Past Perfect.” She is also a freelance editor and a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association.

She shares her home with two Pembroke Welsh Corgis who frequently remind her that a dog walk is the best inspiration for that next chapter.

Welcome, Pamela. Please tell us about your current release.
Pestilence is Volume 3 of the Second Son Chronicles. The series is set in the early days of the Renaissance, when new ideas were beginning to emerge. The protagonist, Alfred, is the second son of the second son of the king; so he’s not particularly close to the succession and believes his life will be spent in routine service to the monarch. His grandfather, however, foresees for him a special, if somewhat mysterious, destiny. The series follows Alfred’s journey to discover that destiny. Each book in the series can stand alone and readers can begin at any point.

In Pestilence, the unthinkable has happened: Alfred’s brother, John, has become king. And it isn’t long before everyone’s worst fears are realized. Traditional allegiances are shattered under a style of rule unknown in the kingdom for over two hundred years. These will be the most dangerous years of Alfred’s life, forcing him to re-examine his duty to personal honor and to the kingdom, while the threats posed by his brother constantly remind him of his father’s final words of advice. Find out in this book what choices Alfred will have to make to try to protect the things he holds most dear.

What inspired you to write this book?
It all started when the first paragraph of Volume 1 came to me in the middle of one of those nights where you’ve waked up and can’t get back to sleep. I didn’t really know if it would go anywhere, but I decided to find out. Once Alfred got into my head and started telling his story, it soon became clear there was more than one book. So the series was born, and Alfred is still telling his story. There are currently six volumes planned.


Excerpt from Pestilence:
My beloved son,
If you are reading this, then you know that I have taken no steps to alter the succession. Whether that will be my conscious decision or whether fate will intervene to take that decision from my hands is unknown as I write this. Perhaps that is for the best, for it frees me to say the words that are in my heart and in my mind, unencumbered by any foreknowledge of what may transpire.

As I look at the familiar handwriting, tears well in my eyes, causing the words on the page to blur. No less a blur are the events of the past week. It’s hard even to remember that a mere nine days ago I was enjoying a pleasant holiday with family and friends at my parents’ country manor. It’s still difficult to take in the fact that, despite all our efforts, Ralf has taken his vengeance by taking my father’s life.

For one thing I’m grateful – that I was there at the end and that he knew I was holding his hand as he passed into the next world. After he took his last breath, the silence in the room seemed to last an eternity. No one moved for a very long time. Finally, the bishop had no choice. He stepped to the side of the chair where I sat next to my father’s bedside. Placing his hand on my shoulder and looking across the bed at my uncle Rupert, he said very quietly, “I have no special instructions.”

In our tradition, the king’s will is lodged with the bishop for safekeeping in the vaults of the church. A king may specify the succession for two generations in his will. If he does so, he provides the bishop with a separate document of special instructions to be read and acted upon before the next king is declared. If he doesn’t, the rules of primogeniture apply.

The bishop stepped back to the head of the bed and turned to address the room. Quietly, but with great authority, he intoned those dreadful words of transition. “The King is dead.” Then, looking directly at my elder brother, John, “Long live the King.” Rupert and I each made our way to the new king and delivered the ancient pledge of loyalty.

A state of affairs that so many had tried and so much had been done to forestall was now upon us. My brother is ill-suited by temperament, intellect, and attitude to be king – a fact of which we were all reminded as we watched his response to the bishop’s words and our pledges. He held his head high, looking down his nose to accept our pledges rather than deigning to bend his neck. His chest puffed out like a peacock seeking a mate . . . so much that one could easily imagine the tail feathers fanned out in grandiose display behind him.

He then gave the bishop what seemed to me a rather menacing look. Undaunted, the bishop moved slowly to the door that exits into the private reception room where the lords of the kingdom were gathered. Opening the door, he once again intoned those fateful words, and John walked into the outer room, followed by the rest of us. At almost the same instant, the opposite door opened and Gwen, my wife, rushed to my side, followed by Richard, one of my four great friends since childhood, all sons of hereditary lords of the realm. Richard and Laurence are heirs to the Devereux and Montfort domains, respectively. Phillip has already become Lord Thorssen, his father having perished alongside King Harold when their party was mistaken for the advance guard of a rebel force during an unfortunate expedition in the Kingdom Across the Southern Sea. Alone among my mates, Samuel Ernle will never be a lord, being the third son in his father’s large family; but he’s distinguished himself in the knighthood, most recently as Captain of the King’s Own Guard.

The lords made their pledges, which John accepted with the same haughty demeanor he’d shown to me and our uncle. “Devereux,” he addressed the first lord of the realm in a commanding tone. “We’ll have the funeral two days hence and the coronation the day after.”

Lord Devereux couldn’t suppress his look of complete astonishment. “With all due respect, Your Grace,” he began.

And then my mother completely lost her composure – something I don’t believe I’ve ever seen in my entire life. “Nooooooooo,” she wailed, running to John and beating on his chest with her palms. “No, no, no, no, no. You can’t do that. He was your father. He was our king. He deserves your respect.”


What exciting story are you working on next?
Well, the remaining volumes of the series, of course. But beyond that, I’m starting to explore some other ideas: the events surrounding the deposing of Edward II of England, an unfinished early draft set in the Channel Islands during the German Occupation, and something involving the Seigneurs of Sark. Time will tell which, if any, turn out to be viable.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing things for so long during my corporate career that I couldn’t even begin to tell you when that happened – it just sort of crept in. But I know precisely when I began considering myself a novelist – it was the day I got the contract offer from my publisher for the first book.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I wear quite a few hats these days: novelist, freelance editor, reader, purveyor of pet treats and toys, and pet parent. Before Covid-19, I was also taking lessons to learn to play the pipe organ and am looking forward to the time when I can get back to that. The variety keeps my mind stimulated and my ideas fresh. Since I’m no longer in a corporate career, I’m in charge of my own schedule, which makes it much easier to be sure each hat gets its fair share of time.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I edit as I go – I’m a real stickler for getting things as close to “right” as possible the first time through. That doesn’t mean I don’t go back and make revisions – that seems always to be necessary. But I nitpick my own writing every step of the way.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t actually know. Even when I went to college, I didn’t quite know what kind of career I might want, and where I finally ended up – in the software industry – wasn’t even a “thing” at the time. So I suppose I was fortunate to be in the right place with a suitable education when opportunity presented itself.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I hope you enjoy Alfred’s story as much as I’m enjoying bringing it to life. If you do, then perhaps you might be willing to leave a rating or a review on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you do such things. I truly value support from readers.

Links:

Thanks for being here today!



-- Readers, to learn more about Pamela and her writing, check out her other Blog Tour stops

June 22nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us as we celebrate the launch of Pamela Taylor's blog tour for her book Pestilence. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win the first three books in her series "The Second Son Chronicles."

(TODAY) June 23rd @ Lisa Haselton's Review and Interviews
Stop by Lisa's blog today where she interviews author Pamela Taylor about her book Pestilence.

June 24th @ Rebecca Whitman's Blog
Visit Rebecca's blog today and you can read Pamela Taylor's guest post discussing the allegory (themes) embedded in the narrative of Pestilence specifically and the Chronicles generally.

June 25th @ A.J. Sefton's Blog
Visit A.J. Sefton's blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

June 26th @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Visit Jill's blog today and read Pamela Taylor's guest post about getting historical details accurate.

June 27th @ Storeybook Reviews
Join Leslie today as she shares Pamela Taylor's guest post about her life with corgis.

June 28th @ Reading is My Remedy
Visit Chelsie's blog today and you can read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

June 29th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog today and you can read Pamela Taylor's guest post about the authors and books that inspired the creation of the Chronicles.

June 30th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Visit Veronica's blog today and you can read a guest post by Pamela Taylor about the trap of linguistic anachronism – getting the language and word usage right for historical narratives.

July 1st @ Rebecca Whitman's Blog
Visit Rebecca's blog again and you can read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 2nd @ 12 Books
Visit Louise's blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 3rd @ What is that Book About?
Visit Michelle's blog today and you can check out a spotlight of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 5th @ The New England Book Critic
Visit Vickie's blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 6th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog today and read his review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 7th @ Fiona Ingram's Blog
Join Fiona Ingram today when she shares Pamela Taylor's guest post about data encryption in ancient times.

July 8th @ Bev A. Baird
Visit Bev's blog today and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 9th @ To Write or Not to Write
Visit Sreevarsha's blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 10th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Mason Canyon's blog today and you can read a guest post by Pamela Taylor about deriving details for your setting from historical maps.

July 11th @ Books & Plants
Visit Ashley's blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 11th @ A Darn Good Read
Join Yvonne as she reviews Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 14th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 15th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog and read Pamela Taylor's guest post about period-appropriate names for characters.

July 17th @ Books & Plants
Visit Ashley's blog and read Pamela Taylor's guest post about ways to do historical research.

July 18th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's blog today where you can read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence. Plus you can read an interview with the author!

July 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey's blog where you can read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 24th @ Medievalists
Stop by Medievalists where you can check out a spotlight of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.

July 25th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Stop by Linda's blog today and read her extensive interview with author Pamela Taylor about her book Pestilence.

July 25th @ Reading in the Wildwood
Join Megan today and read her review of Pamela Taylor's book Pestilence.