BRAG Medallion for Novel, LEAVING LUKENS

I'm honored to announce that my novel, Leaving Lukens, has received a BRAG Medallion by the Book Readers Appreciation Group - an independent band of readers and reviewers who select books unsolicited! Thank you to the readers and reviewers! I'm thrilled! 

(Check out that "bling" on the cover!)

http://www.bragmedallion.com/medallion-honorees/2013/leaving-lukens

Catching up with myself

Maybe it's the old newspaper reporter/editor in me, but I pride myself on making deadlines. Imagine my shock and dismay when I opened my OWN blog today to add a post and read that my last entry was back in October!

I could say there hasn't been much to report, but then I'd be lying. Well, as a writer of fiction, I guess I could be expected to lie ... a little. Truth is, I've been very busy. I finished out a wonderful semester of college teaching, and I landed a marketing communications position with a community college in Pennsylvania. Mind you, I'm in North Carolina. I knew that some day, this "virtual" work world would really, well, work out. It has finally happened, and I'm thrilled. I work remotely for HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, on a part-time basis. This schedule leaves time for family, travel, and writing.

Speaking of which, I have two things in the works now. The first is a novel titled, Deceived. This is story I wrote years ago, but was warned off from seeking publishing because the it is based on a true story, only slightly fictionalized (you could say it's "Faction"). At the time I wrote it, I was warned that someone could get killed for it ... perhaps even me. I dug deep. I researched. I waited. And then, like all novelists do to a certain extent, I lied. I think enough time has passed, and I've rewritten it substantially, so it's now more fiction and less facts. It's being edited now. I'll keep you posted on its release date.

The second story is much less controversial. It's a true story about a young man who made a very difficult decision at the age of 16. After a car wreck mangled him and killed his stepfather, this young man told a surgeon to amputate his crushed and useless leg. What he did after that decision was life-altering and awe-inspiring. I don't think anyone will object to this story. In fact, I hope many will look at Justin Webb as the hero he is becoming. More to come!  

Tell a teacher you appreciate what she/he does!

While tending to my book-selling booth at the Autumn Leaves Festival in Mt. Airy, N.C. this weekend, one of my students bounced into the booth with her parents to say hello, and lots more.

I teach public speaking at a community college, and this particular student had been dreading taking the class prior to arriving in my classroom at the beginning of the semester. See, she'd given presentations before to other classes, and felt horrible about her performance and about speaking in general. What a treat it was to hear her mother thank me for making the class (and subject) fun and exciting, so her daughter no longer feared public speaking!

The student isn't afraid anymore! That's music to a teacher's ears. Another plus was that her mother, who teaches high school science, has been enthralled with my games and techniques that her daughter shares with her. The science-teaching mom now uses these games and fun techniques with her students...and I hope she has students who come up afterward and thank her. It means so much to a teacher to hear what she/he does matters. 

Hospitality still thrives in Greensboro

I had the opportunity to visit with the members of Greensboro's oldest book club last week. I told them about my books, and they in turn shared with me their hospitality. The delicious cake served was nearly as sweet as the women were, as they asked questions about my writing.

One woman in particular knows Oriental, North Carolina, far better than I do (and I know it fairly well, having kept a sailboat there for years). We shared stories of the place and the people -- and she's quite familiar with Lukens, the location of my novel, Leaving Lukens.

My thanks go out to the ladies of Ex Libris Book Club for hosting a delightful afternoon of book talk and true southern hospitality.

Seven Seas Cruising Association Reviews Leaving Lukens

I am so tickled to see this review of Leaving Lukens in Seven Seas Cruising Association's Bulletin -- these folks do what I dream of doing ... on a daily basis. (They sail daily, and yes, I dream daily of sailing.) :-)

From the September, 2012 issue of the SSCA Bulletin: 

Do you love to read great fiction that takes place in locations where you’re cruising to or that you’ve cruised to before? I know I do and after living aboard in Oriental and New Bern, NC for several years, I really enjoyed reading Leaving Lukens, a nautical adventure/love story that takes place in these locales. This award winning historical novel is set in 1942 as WWII encroaches on a small North Carolina coastal village. 

Weave in some North Carolina sailing and treasure diving adventures, a few Nazis, and characters that soon become old friends and you’ve got yourself a great read. The surprise ending is perfect. This is just the right book to grab as you’re heading down the ICW this fall.

SSCA Member Laura Wharton is also the author of The Pirate’s Bastard, a historical fiction adventure set in colonial North Carolina in and around Wilmington, N.C. Visit her website, http://www.laurawhartonbooks.com.

 
 ~Barbara Theisen, Editor
Seven Seas Cruising Association Bulletin

Thanks to my sailing friends for encouraging me to join this excellent organization. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of some of the many educational opportunities presented this year!

Featured in Front Row Lit

Have you seen Front Row Lit today? It's a cool online magazine/blog all about books, and today, Leaving Lukens is highlighted in a short interview. Pretty neat! Please help me spread the word. Thanks!

Murder in Mayberry ... TV interview of Jane Tesh

One of my friends, novelist Jane Tesh, was interviewed for WRAL TV -- a segment on traveling in North Carolina. It's a great short segment, and it showcases Jane's incredible spirit of joy and, I shall say, hints at her mischievous side.

So do her murder mystery books. She has two series going, and each one is as delightful as the next. They are filled with humor, a sense of silly sometimes, references to music, and, did I mention murder? They have a small-town feel, so if you're looking for fast crime in L.A., this isn't it. If, however, you want personality in your characters, Jane's books are worth investigating.

I invite you to get to know Jane Tesh in this short segment. You won't regret it!