Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Poetically Baring My Soul by Jerald Brown Book Blast!



Title: Poetically Baring My Soul
Author: Jerald Brown
Publisher: Jerald Brown
Genre: Poetry
Format: Paperback

 Poetically Baring My Soul is a poetry book that offers a honest inscription of trials, feelings, thoughts, and revelations. It creates a visual image from personal accounts within the expressions of the writings. Poetically Baring My Soul invites all those who have an acceptance of faith, a honesty and even accountability of self, and a vivid appreciation of metaphors and wordplay, to embrace the poems inside.

  ORDER INFORMATION Poetically Baring My Soul is available for purchase at  
amazonBN

  I was born and raised in Danville, Il, a small town about 2 hours outside of Chicago. My parents, J.W. and Dizer Brown instilled values and principles of life in me at an early age. I enlisted into the Army 10 days after graduating high school and the discipline I received added to my upbringing, shaping me into the man I am today. My love for poetry began through hip hop. I had aspired to become the greatest rapper of all time! Alongside the music, I would write little poems about anything from my surroundings, to my feelings, to my experiences. Eventually, those "little poems" turned into pieces of my life. Poetically Baring My Soul is my very first book. It provides a testimony to the trials and tribulations I've faced, my growth into manhood, and expressions of my spirit, soul, and body. I wrote this book to honor God with this gift, glorify Him, and to connect with others who may share in my walk through life. I am a man of faith. I am confident that my poems will explain my purpose, provide insight, and give readers a honest look into my heart.

For More Information

Visit Jerald’s website.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Breaking the Silence: A Novel of Spain's Civil War by Maria J. Nieto Book Blast - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Breaking the Silence Title: Breaking the Silence
Author: Maria Nieto
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 202
Genre: Historical Thriller
Format: Kindle/Paperback

 On a sweltering summer day, the streets of Old Madrid that once resonated with the laughter of children playing are empty and silent. But inside the apartment buildings there is life as families faithfully wait for updates about an army uprising in Spanish Morocco. Before long, their greatest fears come true. As rebel troops storm Madrid and chaos fills the streets, six-year-old Mari wonders why she cannot go outside to play. Unfortunately, she has no idea she is about to be trapped inside the abyss of what is rapidly becoming a ruthless civil war.

Already emotionally wounded by the absence of her mother, Mari attempts to go about her fear-filled days living with her father’s family, which includes a grandfather who lovingly teaches her about the history leading up to the conflict. As she embarks on a coming-of-age journey submerged in the darkness of war, Mari somehow stays alive despite the decisions of an intimidating, ruthless dictator, starvation, and brainwashing by the new Fascist regime. But when circumstances lead her to inadvertently commit the ultimate betrayal, Mari must face the horrifying consequences of her actions. Breaking the Silence shares the compelling tale of a little girl’s experiences as she attempts to survive amid the horror and death surrounding the Spanish Civil War.

The author spent her childhood in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the post war years that followed the war under a brutal dictatorship. As an adult, and after four years in the US Navy, Maria graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with degrees in nursing and nursing education followed by graduate and post graduate degrees in mental health education and counseling psychology. After teaching psychiatric nursing in Philadelphia, the author moved to New Mexico where she worked in mental health services for the Indian Health Service, and later worked for the University of New Mexico in the department of Emergency Psychiatry. Now retired, Maria still lives in New Mexico with her horse. 
 

Maria is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins June 15 and ends on June 26.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on June 27.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The Shiva Syndrome by Alan Joshua Book Feature!


Title: The Shiva Syndrom
Author: Alan Joshua
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: Kindle

 A secret Russian mind research laboratory in Podol'sk erupts, annihilating thousands and leaving a monstrous, one-mile deep crater in its wake. Beau Walker, parapsychologist and reluctant empath, is coerced into joining a research team, code-named SHIVA, to investigate the enigmatic event. Walker must fight his way past political and military deceptions and a host of deadly adversaries to unlock the riddle of the SHIVA syndrome. Will he have the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength to defy the dangers he faces…or will they destroy him before he can come to a new, challenging understanding of the nature of reality?

To Purchase The SHIVA Syndrome

amazon BN


The Shiva syndrome, his debut fiction novel, is a science fiction/paranormal mystery and thriller. Always curious about the unknowns of human experience, he is fascinated with creativity and paranormal abilities. This led to his involvement with Psychology and research into Parapsychology. He has explored paranormal abilities using hypnosis and in-depth interviewing of a wide range of practitioners. Among his prized possessions are a shriveled, mummified banana (a product of one healer’s biopsychokinesis) and a small, curled Austrian teaspoon produced by a German healer while six people sat around him. (see http://alanjoshua.com/biopsychokinesis )

The Shiva Syndrome incorporates his knowledge of Parapsychology and experiences with healers, intuitives, “psychic” sensitives, etc. Unsurprisingly, he is a science fiction fan and has been influenced by such writers as Asimov, Bradbury, Crichton, Heinlein, Serling, and the extraordinary genius of Phillip Dick. As an avid Star Trek fan, he is fond of contradicting Gene Roddenberry, believing that human consciousness and its potentials are “the final frontier.” If you have questions for me, I would be glad to answer them–time permitting. I’d like to hear from you if you’ve had any paranormal experiences.

  For More Information Visit Alan at his website  
As a native Philadelphian, Alan Joshua (pen name) has the appropriate fondness for soft pretzels and cheesesteaks. He is married, has two grown children, and lives in the suburbs. He is currently a practicing Clinical Psychologist with a background in Forensic Psychology. His diverse background includes working in a State penitentiary and mental institution, a sleep laboratory, and a pain management center. Joshua has published many nonfiction journal articles.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Myth and Magic by Mae Clair Book Feature!



Title: Myth and Magic
Author: Mae Clair
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Format: Kindle 

AS CHILDREN THEY PLAYED GAMES OF MYTH AND MAGIC…

 Veronica Kent fell in love with Caith Breckwood when they were children. As a teenager, she was certain he was the man she was destined to marry. But a traumatic event from Caith’s past led him to fear a future together. He left Veronica, hoping to save her from a terrible fate. Twelve years later, Caith, now a P.I., is hired to investigate bizarre incidents at the secluded retreat Veronica manages. Returning to his hometown, Caith is forced to face his nightmares—and his feelings for the woman he’s always loved.

THEN ONE DAY THE MONSTERS BECAME REAL.  

After the callous way Caith broke her heart, Veronica isn’t thrilled to see him again. But strange occurrences have taken a dangerous toll on business at Stone Willow Lodge. Forced to work together, Veronica discovers it isn’t ghostly apparitions that frighten her, but her passion for a man she has never forgotten. Or forgiven. Can two people with a tarnished past unearth a magical future?

PRE-ORDER INFORMATION

  Myth and Magic is available for pre-order at  Amazon, B&N,  Kobo and Google Play


Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back.  Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars. Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.

For More Information

Visit Mae’s website.
 Connect with Mae on Twitter.  

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Highlander vs. Warrior - which hunk is hotter?

Hero vs. Hero
Summer’s just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than a hot one-of hero vs. hero match between two hunky historical heroes!

 In one corner there’s Diana Cosby’s Giric Armstrong, rugged Highlander. Giric-Armstrong_FACE Giric-Armstrong_STATS

 In the other, his opponent: Valentine Alesander, crusading warrior. Valentine_FACE Valentine_STATS

 Who will win? That’s up to you! Read up on these heroes and place your votes now through June 22nd.

And come back June 23rd to see who will be victorious!   http://kensingtonheroes.tumblr.com/historicalhero  

Monday, June 15, 2015

Guest Post from Sarah Smith Ducksworth, author of No Crystal Stair



Title: No Crystal Stair
Author: Sarah Smith Ducksworth
Publisher: Trafford
Genre: Poetry
Format: Kindle

 Each poem in this collection is a reflection upon the author’s personal life or is a response to her vicarious interactions in the lives of characters she has met in real life or in books. Through the critical lens of poetry, she has looked for deeper meanings inside those experiences. Though the writer ends with an understanding that her life has not been a “crystal stair,” alluding to the hardships the titular character in Langston Hughes’ Poem--“The Negro Mother”-- faced, the writer feels that these poems, all together, reflect her world view and personal Truth.

To Purchase No Crystal Stair

Guest Post 

When I was in elementary school, my mother, who observed me constantly scribbling on paper, told me I should never write anything down that I would be embarrassed to have the world read. She gave me this warning back in the day when both manual and electric typewriters were primarily considered office equipment and there were no digital devices available for composing and sending messages through space. Moreover, the technology did not exist for desktop and portable computers which could store countless volumes of random thoughts. Back in those olden days, I was what you might call a stream of conscious writer, putting my ideas and fancies into notebooks. And, my mother perceived a danger in this.

As a child I did not realize that such eclectic and responsive writing could be classified as therapy.  All I knew was that writing was for me a necessary extension of myself. I wrote about things I thought about—things that hurt my feelings, desires for revenge, wishes, and whatever else that made me tick. The same is true today. I write about things that trouble me, about fantasies that intrigue me, etc.; and, in the process, I exorcise demons and find ways to improve good and bad situations.

Of course, over the years, there have been times when the wrong people have gotten hold of some rant I’ve written and used it against me. The trouble my mother perceived so long ago has been proven time and time again as prophetic. And so, over time, I have become more careful in protecting my private thoughts. Still, the digital world has caused me a huge setback. The world-wide web, rife with hackers, has become my biggest challenge. Based on recent experience, I know first-hand that the internet is no place to vent.     

Back in 2010, I went online and filled out a form posted by a self-proclaimed “ethics investigator.” I asked this expert about the ethics of a local prosecutor who would not assist me in finding out who was hacking my cell phone. I also invited comments from visitors to this “legal” website. In my post, I explained that there was a person who was remotely using up data on my phone and that this person had caused my cell phone, while it was lying dormant inside my pocketbook, to dial my landline phone. 

Since that ethics question was posted in 2010, it has stayed prominently associated online with my name. Someone must be very interested in this post; yet, there has never been a response to my query, either from the ethics investigator or from one of his visitors. I felt hopeful when I first posted the question, but its staying power as an online item both puzzles and bothers me today.

Do I regret putting a sensitive question into the public sphere, which has the life span of dirt? The answer is yes. But, on the other hand, my life has been greatly enriched by the caveat my action provided. As result of my experience, I will consider the thin line between public and private communications when it comes to social media in the future. 

Now, I face another consideration: Do I have to slash and burn my electronic diaries? After being hacked, I believe I should. Unfortunately, the loss of this private writing could translate into a loss of wisdom and hamper my growth as a writer. The only solution may be returning to pen and pad. But, even that may not work if someone really want to get me and invades my home. Farfetched, you say?  
When confronted with the choice of writing freely for emotional release or not writing things I don’t want to share, I have to choose writing anyway and taking the precaution to keep those ideas off the web. 

Writers from the past and present support me in extolling the therapeutic value of writing to explore one’s own world view. Graham Greene conveyed the benefits of diary writing when he mused: “I wonder how all those who do not compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.”          


About the Author

For most of her life, Sarah Smith Ducksworth has seen herself as a teacher who writes. She has had a teaching career spanning nearly forty years and has taught language arts in New York and in New Jersey middle schools, high schools and universities. This current book of creative writings represents a reversal in the way she has begun to identify herself and launches her intent to spend the rest of her life pursuing her love of writing.  


Thursday, June 4, 2015

Generations of Betrayal by NSLeumas Book Blast - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: Generations of Betrayal
Author: NSLeumas
Publisher: Trafford
Pages: 690
Genre: Political Science
Format: Kindle/Paperback

 . . .more-praises “You need to know everything in GOB if you are to understand the subversive forces which are destroying our nation, & our White-Heritage.” -gp “GOB is the one phenomenal’ ‘underground’ book that -- if read by enough people -- will turn America upside down!” -ss ¼-million words * No greater-action exists that YOU now can do for our-cause than to spread “GOBs” message!! * Hidden-truths revealed. . . .never-before combined in one-book * The most-important book of the 21st-century ! (published at-locations worldwide) NSL chose to be the mouthpiece against the schemers, before his own voice is stilled You’ll be fascinated by my-uncoverings, be satisfied that this is the final-word in exposing the lying-deceivers, & so-give your-commitment to spreading GOBs iconoclastic-&- scholarly research N.S. Leumas: He is multiply-published in all genres. He has voraciously-studied everything-historical since-ancient-times, revealing connected-links of ramifications, up to present times. He excels in history-research. “GOB” took him 25-years to complete.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Compiler/Commentator NSL is retired from the professions of music, education, publishing, while continuing his literary/political/social writings, & his mentoring prison-outreach. Besides being focussed on his AA-Teachings, he assists an international-seeking of a “survival-homeland” for kindred-families. Multiply-published in varied-genres (200+ times to-date), including poetics/criticism/editing/ courses/column-syndication, he’s edited/compiled 2 chaps, & is now-processing a book of his-own poetry. He was led into his present-scholarship by the late Jost, of NSK. Recently, he concluded that this, his scholarly-work of 2-decades, has been ‘lost’ (ie, ‘refused’) within the biasing/prejudicing/censoring Anti-Truth Anti-FreeSpeech Jew-Rom publishing monopoly, & so decided to self-publish in typescripted m/s form. He relaxes by singing/piano-styling his-set(“Memories & Remembering”) publicly, after voraciously study-reading everything historical/philosophical/religious/economic since ancient-times, in his isolated hermitage-home in-nature.

NSLeumas is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins May 25 and ends on June 5.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on June 6.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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While Being A Parent by Eddie Marie Durham Book Blast - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!





Title: While Being a Parent
Author: Eddie Marie Durham
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 216
Genre: Family
Format: Kindle/Paperback/Hardcover

 Being a parent is a lifetime job. No one knows that more than Eddie Marie Durham, mother of three adult sons. In her guidebook filled with practical parenting advice, Durham shares not only her personal experiences but also poetry, scripture, and quotes in order to help parents find their way down what can be a very challenging road while raising children in today’s world. Durham, a retired elementary school teacher, has always relied on God’s guidance and her family values to carry her through difficult times while parenting her children. Guided by these principles, Durham leads others chronologically through her experiences, both good and bad, while offering wisdom and encouragement to other parents that will help them respect one another, talk to children about expectations and consequences, carry out discipline, allow children to grow and mature, be active with children in all facets of life, and lean on their faith for strength. While Being a Parent shares time-tested advice from a blessed mother that will help other parents attain the greatest reward in life: mentoring a child into a productive, loving adult.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eddie Marie Durham is a retired elementary school teacher and mother of three sons. She is an avid reader, speaker, poet, traveler, and volunteer who is active in her church and community. Eddie resides with her husband, Bobby, in Port Arthur, Texas.

Eddie is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins May 25 and ends on June 5.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on June 6.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Drive In by Douglas Gardham Book Blast - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!





Title: The Drive In
Author: Douglas Gardham
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 130
Genre: Short Stories
Format: Kindle/Paperback

 Have you ever been intrigued by what mysteries lie behind the doors and windows of the places you pass by on your drive into work everyday? The Drive In takes you on Tom Johnson‘s commute. Unlike Tom, you’ll get to peek behind some of those closed doors. Remember going to the “Drive-In” theatre? Each story reveals what goes on like watching the “dusk ‘til dawn” features through your car’s windshield. Meet the people at the places Tom only passes by each day. Then discover how his drive in ends like no other.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Douglas Gardham is the author of the STARbook-awarded novel The Actor. He lives near Toronto, Canada with his wife, dog and cat. He loves books, music and movies. This is his second published novel.

Douglas is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

 
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
  • This giveaway begins May 25 and ends on June 5.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on June 6.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Guest Post from H.O. Tanager, author of Autograph Penis

Autograph Penis Book Banner

Autograph PenisTitle: Autograph Penis
Author: H.O. Tanager
Publisher: H.O. Tanager
Pages: 282
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Paperback/Kindle

 Performance artist H. O. Tanager holds high hopes for her cross-country trip to Boston: to see great art, to eat delicious food... and to incite mayhem. But once the journey actually begins, it’s all she can do to hold on for the ride. Surrounded by brilliant, intimidating, and sometimes delicious-smelling colleagues, Tanager’s precarious hold on her ambition and desire threatens to unravel in the face of laryngitis, an angry God, and the unexpected death of a friend. Will her team’s independent spirit and wit buoy Tanager though the pitfalls, heartache - and yes, mayhem - as hundreds of artists strive to be the best that ever was, the best that’s ever been?

 For More Information:
  Autograph Penis is available at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble. 
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.    



Hello dear #readers! The time we have #anticipated for #months is upon @us - it is #BookBlogTour time for Autograph Penis, the #sweetest story ever #told about performance #poetry! For two-plus months #kind #bloggers will be featuring the words of @moi upon their virtual #pages. #soblessed #soreal #pumpupyourbook

Now as you have #intuited by now, those who #know @moi, I participate in performances and #promotions for one reason: to gain #compliments. #vanity #selfesteem #fragile #butwhynot #soblessed I recently checked in on #Goodreads and found some new #reviews, ranging from 1 to 5 stars! #controversy

Now that's #range.
Now that’s #range.
One kind #reviewer of the four-star #variety said quite #lovely things:

How #kind! #soblessed
How #kind! #soblessed
Now, in the #cruel #world of performance poetry, if I got one very high and one very low score as I did #here at @Goodreads, we would #say, “@You must have really #affected people!” And indeed, I must #have! I was curious as to what my one-star reviewer might #enjoy in #books, and it is light #romances about dating one’s best friend’s #brother. So good #luck to @her and may she enjoy her #choices. #notmykindofgirl #soblessed

Meanwhile, completely #different people have #reviewed on @Amazon. It is my #understanding that @Amazon owns @Goodreads, but their reviews do not cross-populate. We can only #speculate that it is to create a #false dichotomy between “real #readers” on @Goodreads and “fake not-#readers who merely #consume books” on @Amazon. Because @Goodreads is a “community” and @Amazon is a “marketplace.” I’ve noticed my #reviews are better on @Amazon…

amazonreviews
…possibly because my @Goodreads reviews are largely from people who got the #book for #free as part of my #giveaway in December, while the @Amazon reviews seem to be from people who heard of the #book through the poetry slam #grapevine. Neither #source seems free of #bias! #confusing #ego #salesmanship #fatigue #mystery But we will #continue to #learn what can #happen when one publishes a #book, like the good #learners we hopefully #are. #realauthor #soblessed

Ah, my #dears, I do wonder why we write #books at all, when there are so very #many of #them! But more now than #ever in the history of #personkind, we #can publish books, and so we #shall publish books, and perhaps the #whys will become obvious in #retrospect. #wisdom #somuchwisdom #soblessed

And for the #wisest and #best gift we’ve received this #week, let us gaze upon @DesireeDallagiacomo! For those of you not #addicted to attending #National-level poetry events, @Desiree can not stay #off Finals stages – why, they #reach out and scoop her #onto them even if she’s not #competing! @Desiree must be on all Finals stages! And instead of #crying about the #kidnapping of her personal #time, she rises to the occasion again and #again, bringing #new #works all the time! She is a @soldier of @poetryGodness! #soblessed




H.O. Tanager

H. O. Tanager is an author, adventurer, and provocateur who divides her time amongst her passions: family, satirical performance pieces, and convincingly wearing slacks. She’s achieved so many things, she finds achievements boring. What she does like is surprise, and people who work hard, juxtaposition, and repurposing forms for her own amusement.

For More Information

Visit H.O.’s website. Connect with H.O. on Facebook and Twitter.

After Ozz by Bart Baker Book Feature!


Title: After Ozz
Author: Bart Baker
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 254
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Kindle/Paperback

 With her uncle, the President of the United States, presumed dead and her beloved younger brother, Ozz, missing, Dot Gale is whisked into an odyssey in a different, very strange dimension. With the aid of three friends she makes on this arduous adventure, Scared Crow, Heartless and half man/half beast, Lars, Dot must battle the diabolically deadly Empress West if she is ever to return home with Ozz. Can Dot survive the evil machinations of the Empress and return home to rescue the United States before her wicked Aunt Emily succeeds with her sinister plan to take over the country?

To Purchase After Ozz

amazon BN
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Bart and his family, Pastor Joe Elvis and their two sons Isaiah and Emmanuel, moved to St. Louis, Bart’s hometown. For nearly 30 year, Mr. Baker resided in Los Angeles, where he worked as a writer/producer in the entertainment industry.

He has had two feature films produced LIVE WIRE for New Line Pictures, and SUPERCROSS for Fox, as well as eleven films for television, including CHILDREN OF THE BRIDE, which spawned two sequels, BABY OF THE BRIDE and MOTHER OF THE BRIDE on CBS, as well as the Christmas perennial, A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS for Lifetime.

 Mr. Baker has worked on film and TV projects for Warner Brothers, Tristar, New Line, Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, Lifetime, USA Network, Syfy Network, Fox Television, The Family Channel, as well as working on staff on the FX Network series, DIRT starring Courteney Cox.

 Presently, Mr. Baker has two projects in development, HONEYMOON WITH HARRY a feature film based on Bart’s debut novel of the same name at New Line with Bradley Cooper attached to star. Mr. Baker has also completed his second novel, IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

Mr. Baker also has eight produced theatrical plays under his belt. An avid fitness buff and political junkie, Bart enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends, and enjoys teaching film/television writing classes at Webster University. Writing is his passion and he feels blessed that he’s been able to make a living doing what he loves and for all the interesting people and events that he’s been exposed to through his work.

For More Information

Visit Bart at his website
Visit him at the following locations:
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