Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Meet the Authors 2021 – #Fantasy Charles E. Yallowitz, #Crime Fiona Tarr, #Family Christa Polkinhorn

Over the summer I will be updating author’s details in the Cafe and Bookstore and also sharing their bios, books and recent reviews with you in this series…

Meet Charles E. Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn’t working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. Truthfully, his tales of adventure are much more interesting than his real life, so skip the bio and dive into the action.

A small selection of books by Charles. W. Yallowitz

A recent review for Savagery Book Six War of Nytefall 

May 10, 2021 Victoria Zigler rated it five stars it was amazing

This was an excellent addition to the series, with plenty of action, a good dose of humour sprinkled throughout, and even a few tender moments.

Charles Yallowitz – Buy: Amazon US – and:Amazon UK – follow Charles : Goodreads – Blog: Legends of Windemere Blog – Twitter: @cyallowitz

Meet Fiona Tarr

Fiona would be the first to admit a fascination with religion and the impact it has on culture, both historically and today. Her first two complete series are full of elements of mythology and theology set in various historical time periods. They are character driven stories with all the elements of the classic heroic/epic fantasy genre.

Fiona lives in Noosa, Australia with her husband and two adult sons, where she runs a small family business involving tourism and watersports.

When she is not writing, you will likely find her kitesurfing, stand up paddle surfing, travelling or volunteering in some capacity.

Fiona is the great niece of Australian literary author George Johnston, who is best known for his book My Brother Jack which was made into a mini series with the ABC. Although Fiona’s writing style is unlike her Uncle George’s literary form, she writes a compelling, contemporary fantasy novel.

Fiona’s focus on faith, philosophy and sociology continues to be the topic of her current series; a young adult fantasy that crosses into sci-fi with magical time travel.

A small selection of books by Fiona Tarr

One of the recent reviews for Death Beneath the Covers

Ms Rachel Ratajczak 5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew Adelaide’s underbelly could be so riveting?  Reviewed in Australia on 7 June 2021

With a powerful female lead Ms Tarr flexes her sleuth muscle in her new exciting novel.

With great characters and a riveting plot line, Ms Tarr’s unique knowledge of the landscape brings to life the torrid underbelly of Adelaide.

Being a fan of her previous work, it’s fantastic to see her talents can pivot in a different genre.  

Read the reviews and Buy: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Fiona: Goodreads – Website :A Time 2 Write – Twitter: @FionaTarr

Meet Christa Polkinhorn

Born and raised in Switzerland, Christa Polkinhorn has always had the desire to explore the world outside of her beautiful but tiny country. She traveled in Europe, China, Japan as well as South America. Now, she lives and works as writer and translator in southern California. Her interest in foreign cultures informs her work and her novels take place in several countries. She published a volume of poetry (The Path of Fire). Now, she writes and publishes contemporary fiction with a focus on family drama/love stories (The Family Portrait trilogy) and family drama/suspense (The Wine Lover’s Daughter series). Aside from writing and traveling, she is an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.

A selection of books by Christa Polkinhorn

One of the recent reviews for The Italian Sister

Tina D. Birkett 5.0 out of 5 stars The Italian Sister-what a story!  Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021

A great story of the secret life of a dearly departed father and vintners with a secret Italian daughter to share with his American daughter. Sophia learns of her secret sister in Italy at her father’s passing and the fact that she inherited a home and vineyards in Italy. A little sinister events occurring as she arrives in Italy to meet her Italian relatives and claims her home and vineyards in Tuscany. A great story of family and love…great characters! Would love to see where this story continues...

Christa Polkinhorn, Buy: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – follow Christa :Goodreads – blog: Christa Polkinhorn – Twitter: @cpolkinhorn

 

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates – Reviews #Family Christa Polkinhorn, #Shortstories Karen Ingalls, #Sc-fi Sandra J. Jackson

Welcome to the Friday Cafe and Bookstore update with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first author with a recent review is Christa Polkinhorn for The Italian Sister (The Wine Lover’s Daughter Book 1).

About the book

Standing at her father’s grave in California, Sofia Laverne mourns his untimely death. Henry had not only been a loving parent but Sofia’s best friend and mentor. Imagine her shock and grief when she finds out her father had lived a double-life, that she has a ten-year younger sister and inherited a vineyard in Tuscany. Torn between anger about his betrayal, grief for her loss, and hopeful anticipation, Sofia packs her bags and takes off for Italy to meet fourteen-year old Julietta. Arriving in the small hill town of Vignaverde, she is greeted by olive groves, neat rows of grape vines, and picturesque houses. Some of the inhabitants of this beautiful estate are, unfortunately, less welcoming and resent her intrusion into the family business. Soon, strange occurrences begin to frighten Sofia. When a suspicious accident lands her in the hospital, Sofia fears for her life.

Part family drama, part romantic suspense, THE ITALIAN SISTER takes us on a wild journey from California to Tuscany and provides glimpses into the exciting world of winemaking.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Amazon Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars Great vintnerbook!  Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021

The plot was excellent, the Italian family as expected and the wine growing information was exceptional. Great read! Thanks

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

A selection of books by Christa Polkinhorn

Christa Polkinhorn, Buy: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – follow Christa : Goodreads – blog: Christa Polkinhorn – Twitter: @cpolkinhorn

The next author with a recent review for her collection of short stories is Karen Ingalls for When I Rise: Tales, Truths and Symbolic Trees. 

As always Karen will be donating all proceeds go to ovarian cancer research.

About the collection

When I Rise: Tales, Truths, and Symbolic Trees is a series of twelve short stories inspired by a poem written by Ms. Ingalls’ grandson. Each story (tale) brings to light one or more social or moral issues, the truth is the lesson(s) to be learned, and the symbolism of a tree provides the ways we can learn how to live, grow, change, and die.

A recent review for the collection

Karen K 4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Readings  Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021

The book is extremely easy to read as each story is short. Reading the stories is time well spent as each one presents a different moral or truth to consider. This book is one that can be read over and over. Keep it within easy reach and open it up any time you need a lift to your spirit.

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book : Amazon US – and: Amazon UK

Also by Karen Ingalls

Karen Ingalls, buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Karen: Goodreads – Blog: Karen Ingalls – Twitter: @KIngallsAuthor

The final author today is Sandra J. Jackson with her post apocalyptic sci-fi suspense story Playing in the Rain  (Escape Series Book 1)

About the book

When the effects of a hypnosis inducing drug fade, April slowly begins a conscious awakening. Memories of her past are unclear and she has no recollection of her identity or her whereabouts.

As the days slip by, April realizes there is more to life than existing when she is introduced to an occupant who does just that—her sister. The more she learns about her environment the more she wants to escape.

Will April remember her past, her sister? Will she have the courage to leave? And if she does, where will she go?

Experience through April’s eyes her struggle to remember and her determination to escape in this sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, suspense story.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Gnomes  5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and interesting page turner!  Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021

This was a very enjoyable read. It started out shrouded in mystery and worked like an onion. Revealing itself slowly but keeping me intrigued the whole way. The plot is surely unique and engrossing at the same time. I don’t want to give too much away about the story. Part of the joy was being submerged in this world and figuring out the questions along with the character. I very much enjoyed this book. It’s a quick fun sci fi like read for anyone looking for a few hours of enjoyment 🥳

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

Also by Sandra J. Jackson

Read the reviews and buy the book:  Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Sandra : Goodreads  – blog: Sandra Jackson WordPress – Twitter: @sjjacksonauthor

 

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Meet the Authors – #Poetry Balroop Singh, #Family Christa Polkinhorn, #Poetry Colleen M. Chesebro

There are over 150 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore and I wanted to keep it to key pieces of information such as buying links, recent review, website and covers. However, I know that readers also like to know more about the background of authors.

In this series during June and July I will share the bios of all the authors in the cafe in a random selection. I hope that this will introduce you to the authors in more depth and encourage you to check out their books and follow them on their blog and Twitter.

Meet Balroop Singh

Balroop Singh, a former teacher, an educationalist, a blogger, a poet and an author always had a passion for writing. The world of her imagination has a queer connection with realism. She could envision the images of her own poetry while teaching the poems. Her dreams saw the light of the day when she published her first book: ‘Sublime Shadows Of Life.’ She has always lived through her heart.

She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling leaves and the sound of waterfalls. She lives in Danville, California.

One of the recent reviews for Moments we Love on Goodeads

May 26, 2020 Smitha Vishwanath rated it Five Stars

Like the name suggests, ‘Moments we love,’ is a book that captures moments in life where the beautiful feeling of love exists. The book is divided into three sections – Moments of love, Moments of Harmony and Moments that make Life. Before each section is a beautiful personal quote – not more than three lines that sets the tone of the section. The poems follow the free-verse style and are not punctuated making the reading easy. There is a tenderness in each poem which reflects the poet’s nature. Even when the poet is angry about love being bitter, the feelings change but the tone is still gentle and sounds more like a learning. There is an absence of hatred but the presence of an inner strength. The book cover sets the tone of the poems.

If love was a three-dimension object, the poet has covered every side, every angle and every surface – the feeling of first love, the yearning, the doubts that one has when one is in love, the rift (there is a poem by the same name), the memories are some of the themes under the first section – Moments we love.

There is a equal mix of romanticism and rebelliousness in the poems. The poems are a light read and can be read by non-poets as well.

Balroop Singh, Buy: Amazon US – and : Amazon UK – Follow Balroop on: Goodreads – blog:Balroop Singh on WordPress – Twitter: @BalroopShado

Meet Christa Polkinghorn.

Born and raised in Switzerland, I have always had the desire to explore the world outside of my beautiful but tiny country. I traveled in Europe, China, Japan as well as South America. Now, I live and work as writer and translator in southern California. My interest in foreign cultures informs my work and my novels take place in several countries. I published a volume of poetry (The Path of Fire). Now, I write and publish contemporary fiction with a focus on family drama/love stories (The Family Portrait trilogy) and family drama/suspense (The Wine Lover’s Daughter series). Aside from writing and traveling, I am an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.

A selection of books by Christa Polkinghorn

One of the recent reviews for The Italian Sister

Kindle Customer LL 5.0 out of 5 stars Who wouldn’t want to live in Tuscany on a vineyard? Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2020

Nice storyline with a Tuscan backdrop. Makes the reader feel they are with the lead character. Very enjoyable. Interesting into On wine production.

Christa Polkinhorn, Buy: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – follow Christa : Goodreads – blog: Christa Polkinhorn – Twitter: @cpolkinhorn

Meet Colleen M. Chesebro

Colleen M. Chesebro is an American Novelist & Poet who loves writing paranormal fantasy and magical realism, cross-genre fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. She loves all things magical, which may mean she is experiencing her second childhood—or not. That part of her life hasn’t been decided yet.

A few years ago, a mystical experience led her to renew her passion for writing poetry and storytelling. Colleen sponsors a Syllabic Poetry Challenge on her blog where participants can learn how to write traditional and current forms of Haiku, Senryu, Haiga, Tanka, Gogyoka, Tanka Prose, Haibun, Cinquain, Etheree, Nonet, and Shadorma poetry.

Colleen is a Sister of the Fey, where she pursues a pagan path with her writing. Colleen won the “Little and Laugh” Flash Fiction Contest sponsored by the Carrot Ranch Literary Community in November 2017. In 2018, she won first place for the “Twisted Travel” category. In 2019, she placed second for the Three Act Story category, with her piece called “The Game.”

Colleen lives in Arizona with her husband. When she is not writing, she is reading. She also enjoys gardening and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art.
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Books by Colleen M. Chesebro

An extract from a  recent review for Fairies, Myths & Magic

Jan 03, 2020 H.R.R. Gorman rated it it was amazing

As expected, this book is full of sugary sweetness and seasonally inspired poetry and shorts. The haibuns, as a whole, were really thoughtful and calming.

Another reason I was interested in this book has an interesting take on the world, cultures, and human relationships with nature. Written with a loving outlook on magic and paganism, its messages are a far cry from my own upbringing and beliefs, but I still very much enjoyed the educational/learning aspect. Colleen included several mythological teaching moments that makes the book rather accessible to a wide audience. Regardless of your own faith or lack thereof, her book is a gentle way to imbibe a different world view.

Speaking of gentle, the general tone was gentle and relaxing. The hotness and splendor of summer was definitely the star of the show, and the inclusion of many fairies was adorable.

Colleen Chesebro, Buy: Amazon US –  And:Amazon UK   –   Goodreads: Colleen at Goodreads –  Website:Colleen Chesebro – Twitter: @ColleenChesebro

Thank you for joining me today for this series and I will be sharing another three authors and their work every weekday during June and July. It would be great if you could share. Thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Updates – #Reviews #Family Christa Polkinhorn, #Contemporary Jessica Norrie, #Memoir J.E. Pinto

Welcome to the mid-week edition of the Cafe and Bookstore update with recent reviews for authors on the shelves.

The first author with a recent review is Christa Polkinhorn for The Italian Sister (The Wine Lover’s Daughter Book 1).

About the book

Standing at her father’s grave in California, Sofia Laverne mourns his untimely death. Henry had not only been a loving parent but Sofia’s best friend and mentor. Imagine her shock and grief when she finds out her father had lived a double-life, that she has a ten-year younger sister and inherited a vineyard in Tuscany. Torn between anger about his betrayal, grief for her loss, and hopeful anticipation, Sofia packs her bags and takes off for Italy to meet fourteen-year old Julietta. Arriving in the small hill town of Vignaverde, she is greeted by olive groves, neat rows of grape vines, and picturesque houses. Some of the inhabitants of this beautiful estate are, unfortunately, less welcoming and resent her intrusion into the family business. Soon, strange occurrences begin to frighten Sofia. When a suspicious accident lands her in the hospital, Sofia fears for her life.

Part family drama, part romantic suspense, THE ITALIAN SISTER takes us on a wild journey from California to Tuscany and provides glimpses into the exciting world of winemaking.

One of the recent reviews for the book

Kindle Customer LL 5.0 out of 5 stars Who wouldn’t want to live in Tuscany on a vineyard? Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2020

Nice storyline with a Tuscan backdrop. Makes the reader feel they are with the lead character. Very enjoyable. Interesting into On wine production.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

A Selection of other books by Christa Polkinhorn

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And Amazon UK: Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow Christa : Goodreads

Connect to Christa via her blog: Christa Polkinhorn

The next review is for author Jessica Norrie for her recent novel The Magic Carpet.

About the book

Outer London, September 2016, and neighbouring eight-year-olds have homework: prepare a traditional story to perform with their families at a school festival. But Nathan’s father thinks his son would be better off doing sums; Sky’s mother’s enthusiasm is as fleeting as her bank balance, and there’s a threatening shadow hanging over poor Alka’s family. Only Mandeep’s fragile grandmother and new girl Xoriyo really understand the magical powers of storytelling. As national events and individual challenges jostle for the adults’ attention, can these two bring everyone together to ensure the show will go on?

One of the recent reviews for The Magic Carpet

LaCatrina 5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming read about a school and its community

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2020

There are many characters in the book, yet it is such a pleasure getting to know them. We follow a handful of children as they grapple with the school Magic Carpet project: take a fairy story home and involve the whole family in retelling it. The children are enthusiastic.

The families are at times confused, uninterested, antagonistic, and eventually cooperative. We follow individual children trying to put form onto their imaginations, and each of their parents and carers as the project impinges on their lives.

The author knows her subject and her subjects! We are in an inner-city multicultural setting, where the community, through the school, get to know each other and each other’s worlds. The school is the catalyst.

Day-to-day family rifts and dramas interweave, as the children engage with the school project, overcome barriers on the way, and produce a splendid final school production.
It’s a joy to read.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK

And on Amazon US: Amazon US

Also by Jessica Norrie in English and German

Read the reviews buy the books: Amazon UK

and: Amazon US

Find more reviews : Goodreads

Connect to Jessica via her website:Jessica Norrie on WordPress

The next author with a recent review for a memoir sharing the adventures of parenting when you are a sight impaired mother…by J.E. Pinto…Daddy Won’t Let Mom Drive the Car: True Tales of Parenting in the Dark.

About the book

“So Sarah?” the teacher asked, in a question I had rehearsed with her, “what’s it like to have a blind mom?”“Well,” my little girl said, in an unrehearsed answer, “it’s like a regular mom, except Daddy won’t let her drive his car.”With that nonchalant reply in front of her second grade class, Sarah summed up the way my blindness has fit into the fabric of our family. It isn’t a problem; it isn’t even a novelty; it’s just part of how we roll. My blindness has changed a few practical logistics. But in the end, kids are kids and moms are moms, and the dents and delights of parenthood are universal. As I told my daughter when she was very small, putting an only slightly different spin on the words my mom had said to me thirty years before, “The eyes in my face are broken, but the ones in the back of my head work just fine.”“Daddy Won’t Let Mom Drive the Car: True Tales of Parenting in the Dark” is a book of short vignettes—most of them lighthearted, a few more serious—about my life as the blind mother of a sighted daughter. Welcome to my journey!

One of the recent reviews for the book

CuteAsADaisy 4.0 out of 5 stars Back Eyes  Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2020

As a mother of a daughter who is legally blind I absolutely loved listening to this book. It a group of short stories from a blind mother with a mix of life lessons, cute stories, frustrating moments from ignorant and some just plain rude people. She even included her solution to problems like using hot glue (brilliant and Thank you!) to baking recipes. I loved the stories about her “Back eyes” all mom’s have them! Whether you are blind or not this is a great book for parents in any stage. I liked the little stories format and would love to hear more from this author. The narrator did a great job and was easy to listen. This was a really fun and quick read.

Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US

And: Amazon UK

And also by J.E. Pinto

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US

And : Amazon UK

Read more reviews and follow J.E. Pinto on : Goodreads

Connect with J. E. Pinto via her Facebook: Author J.E. Pinto

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. thanks Sally.