Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Christmas Book Fair – New Book #Memoir Patty Fletcher, Reviews #Historical Amy M. Reade, #Afghanistan Mary Smith, #Memoir Pete Springer

Welcome to the Christmas Book Fair where I will be featuring all the authors currently on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore.

The first author is Patty Fletcher who is celebrating the release of her memoir Pathway to Freedom – Broken and Healed: Book One – How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life

About the memoir

In this, the first book in her memoir trilogy, Pathway to Freedom – Broken and Healed: Book One – How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life, Patty shares how her decision to gain complete independence with the help of ‘The Seeing Eye Guide Dog’ school in Morris Town, New Jersey, reveals to her a glimpse into worlds she had never before known existed.

Once home from ‘The Seeing Eye’ she soon begins to realize all is not right in her world.

Watch your step as you journey down the pathway with Patty and Campbell, for there are many obstacles along the way. There are triumphs and tribulations, tears and fears, but through it all that forever guide by her side, King Campbell works tirelessly to keep her safe from harm.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Patty Fletcher

One of the recent reviews for Bubba Tails

Robbie Cheadle 5.0 out of 5 stars  A lovely book that all ages can read and enjoy  Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020

Bubba Tails: From the Puppy Nursery at the Seeing Eye is a delightful story for all ages, told from the perspective of King Campbell, an older and more experienced Seeing Eye dog (trained to guide the blind). King Campbell appears at night to the puppies at the Seeing Eye School, and their mothers, and tells them stories about how he came to be selected for the school, his training process and meeting his forever mother. His stories help to allay some of the puppies own concerns and anxieties about the future when they undergo their training to be Seeing Dogs and eventually become companions to a blind person.

This is a most insightful book about how Seeing Dogs are selected, including the qualities they need to have to do this job, as well as the training process they go through before they are matched with a blind person. I say matched because that is exactly what happens, the person is paired with a suitable canine companion. I thought this was very interesting as I had never really thought about how close the relationship between a blind human and their Seeing Dog is prior to reading this book.

The second part of the story when Campbell meets his new forever owner was the most meaningful for me. It was a wonderful experience for me to learn about how the Seeing Dog and their new owner must adapt to working together. The Seeing Dog needs to learn to read their human owner’s body language and respond to subtle signals. The human must also learn to trust their dog and this is quite a difficult thing to do. I can understand that putting your faith in a dog, no matter how much you love it, must initially be difficult when you are unable to see and protect yourself. I loved reading about how this amazing trust developed between Campbell and his owner.

This is a book that everyone can read and enjoy for the story and also appreciate for its detailed insight into the relationship between Seeing Dogs and their owners, and also the world at large.

Read the reviews and buy the books:  Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – blog: Campbell’s World – Twitter: @Bubbalee04

And now for some authors with recent reviews for their books.

Time for a book for historical mystery fans by Amy M. Reade – Cape Menace: A Cape May Historical Mystery (Cape May Historical Mystery Collection Book 1)

About the book

The year is 1714. Two years have passed since Ruth Hanover vanished into the wilderness of the New Jersey colony without a trace, leaving behind her husband, William, and their daughter, Sarah. Though William and Sarah have never stopped hoping that Ruth will return, as time goes by it becomes less and less likely they will ever see her again.

Now William is acting strangely. He won’t tell Sarah why he’s conducting business with a mysterious stranger in the middle of the night, he won’t explain the sudden increase in his income, and he won’t share with her what people in town are
saying about her mother’s disappearance.

When the time comes for Sarah to face her father’s secrets and figure out why her mother never came home that December day in 1712, what she learns will shock her tiny community on the New Jersey cape and leave her fighting for her life.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Falmouth 5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical murder mystery and full of intrigue  Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020

I thought this book, set in 1712 and 1714, was engaging and intriguing. Sarah’s mother goes missing in the first two chapters. Chapter 3 starts the period 2 years later, with no sign of her missing mother. Sarah and her father are still grieving the loss of her mother but they have needed to do the multitude of daily activities to stay alive in a small, but widespread community. And the father owns a small apothecary business, where Sarah is also knowledgable.

When Sarah’s father starts acting strangely, the story gets really interesting. Sarah is left to deal with the household and other issues that arise. She is a very accomplished young woman, although she has doubts about how she handles these situations.

It’s obvious that the author has done her research and she provides a preface that describes the 1714 area that is now known as the Cape May area in NJ. She also provides a brief glossary, which I found useful.

I think this book can be read and enjoyed by young adults and any other reader who enjoys historical novels.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

 Also by Amy M. Reade

Read the reviews and buy the books : Amazon US  – And: Amazon UK – Blog: Amy Reade WordPress  –  Goodreads: Amy Reade Goodreads –  Twitter: @readeandwrite

The next author today is Mary Smith with a review for her novel set in Afghanistan, a book that I can highly recommend…No More Mulberries

About the book

No More Mulberries is a story of commitment and divided loyalties, of love and loss, set against a country struggling through transition.

British-born Miriam’s marriage to her Afghan doctor husband is heading towards crisis. Despite his opposition, she goes to work as a translator at a medical teaching camp in a remote area of rural Afghanistan hoping time apart will help are see where their problems lie. She comes to realise how unresolved issues from when her first husband was killed by a mujahideen group are damaging her relationship with her husband and her son – but is it already too late to save her marriage?

One of the recent reviews for the book

John W. Howell VINE VOICE  5.0 out of 5 stars A Sophisticated Story of Human  Relationships Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020

I was drawn to this book by reading Mary Smith’s internet posts about her time in Afghanistan. From the first page, I was mesmerized by the descriptions of the county and its people. Yes, there is a story here, and the narrative is crisp and clear. But there is another significant feature of the book. This book gives a first-hand account of the struggles of living in a country ravaged by war, disease, and poverty. The people and the country’s conditions provide a backdrop to a very complicated relationship between a Woman born and raised in Scotland and her second husband, a native Afghan. The woman had given up her religion and homeland to follow her Doctor husband back to his home country. We find out early that this is the second time the woman has done this.

The main story deals with the relationship between the woman and her husband. Since returning to Afghanistan, she finds that his need to save face and follow the local community’s rules and mores supplants his love and respect for her. She contemplates what lie would be like without him and does defy his wishes and go off to the town where her first husband is buried.

Read the reviews and buy the book : Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Mary Smith

Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US – and:Amazon UK –  Blog: Mary Smith’s Place – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter: @marysmithwriter

The final author today is retired teacher Pete Springer with his memoir They Call Me Mom

About the book

Who Will You Inspire Today? Teachers face this challenge and responsibility each day, but in the process, the author discovers that his students can also have a profound influence on him. Pete Springer takes you on his memorable thirty-one-year journey in education as an elementary school teacher and offers the many valuable life and teaching lessons he learned along the way. Get ready to laugh out loud at some of the humorous and memorable experiences that all teachers face, feel inspired by the inherent goodness of children, and appreciate the importance of developing a sense of teamwork among the staff.

Learn valuable tips for working with children, parents, fellow staff members, and administrators. This book is ideal for young teachers, but also a reminder to all educators of the importance and responsibility of being a role model. This book is a must-read for all new teachers and those teachers that need a reminder they are human! Mr. Springer educates others in his easy-to-read, story-like, first-hand manuscript. You will laugh, cry, and get motivated to be the best educator you can. After reading this, I have a better outlook on relationships with my colleagues and am reminded to savor every moment. -Tami Beall (Principal, Pine Hill School)

One of the recent reviews for the book

D. W. Peach 5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource for new teachers  Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020

I was impressed with this highly accessible, entertaining, and informative read. A long-time educator, Springer shares his practical experience and the wisdom gleaned from working with children within the educational system. My impression was that the book is geared toward new teachers as it offers ideas about setting up a classroom, dealing with colleagues, administrators, students, and parents.

As an early childhood mental health counselor, I was most interested in Springer’s thoughts about discipline. I was glad to discover a thoughtful, holistic approach to children and their challenges in light of the stressors in their lives. Springer highlights a number of strategies that would be helpful to parents as well as to educators.

Most of the chapters provide concrete and anecdotal examples of Springer’s approach in action. He touches on cultural diversity, grief, problem-solving, and other life experiences that are part of a child’s broader education. My favorite chapters were Memorable Students and Funny Moments at School. These two chapters are testaments to his success as an educator as well as to the joy and value of teaching in general.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Read more reviews:  Goodreads

Pete Springer, Buy: Amazon US – and:Amazon UK – Website: Pete Springer WordPress – Twitter: @OfficerWoof

 

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some gifts to share.. thanks Sally.