Tuesday, March 19, 2024

❤Inside the Pages: ST. JAMES INFIRMARY by Steven Meloan #bookspotlight #insidethepages

 





Title: St. James Infirmary
  Author: Steven Meloan
Publisher: Roadside Press
Pages: 80
Genre: Short Stories

A book of short stories by Steven Meloan.

Steven Meloan’s writing has been seen in Wired, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles, BUZZ, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SF Weekly. His fiction has appeared in SOMA Magazine, the Sonoma Valley Sun, Lummox Press, and Newington Blue Press, as well as at Litquake, Quiet Lightning, and other Bay Area literary events. He has regularly written for the Huffington Post, and is co-author of the novel The Shroud with his brother Michael. He is a recovered software programmer, and was a street busker in London, Paris, and Berlin.

“Reading these stories, I felt like I was hearing an original voice for the very first time. They are surreal, cinematic, poetic, and have real punch-with everything I could want in a collection of short fiction. Set in California and Europe, from the 1960s to the 1980s, they vividly capture lost times and lost places. They have echoes of Jack Kerouac and Paul Bowles, and can be read again and again with a sense of wonder and pleasure.”-Jonah Raskin, Author of Beat Blues, San Francisco, 1955

St. James Infirmary is a captivating collection of stories that takes readers on a dark and uncanny journey through everyday life. Meloan’s writing has a haunting subtlety that draws one in, as if witnessing the events in real-time. With sharp insights and unexpected twists, these stories explore complex human relationships and the often-mysterious forces that shape them. Meloan vividly captures the gritty reality of each setting, throwing a column of light into the underground of the ordinary. For fans of evocative writing that stays with you long after the final page, St. James Infirmary is a must-read.” 

– Roadside Press

St. James Infirmary is available at Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/fv3zr2hn and Roadside Press at https://www.magicaljeep.com/product/james/129 .

It had been a long, hard cross-country drive west, in our boat-like 1960s Mercury cruiser. My parents could only cover a few hundred miles a day—because my brother and I were always hungry, or bored, or needed to pee. After a half-day of driving, my father would finally give in, check us into a roadside Motor Hotel, where we would swim, eat burgers, bounce like monkeys between beds in the musty room, and then fall into exhausted sleep.

The final stretch had seemed an eternity of highway—parched plains, tin-badge sheriffs wanting payments for (we suspected) manufactured infractions…and then the haunted moonlit expanse of the Mojave Desert. My parents had purchased an after-factory A/C for our new car—a rare luxury for the time. But because of it, the car was endlessly overheating.

Knowing nothing about such things, my college-professor father opened the hood, cars roaring past us in the starry night. He pulled out his handkerchief, loosening the radiator cap, unleashing a boiling geyser of water that blew ten feet into the air. He howled into the night like a wounded animal. My mother applied Vicks VapoRub (there in case my brother or I fell ill) to his badly blistered forearm, and we continued on into the desert expanse.

So after all that, it was a relief to have finally arrived—to be in Los Angeles. We pulled in at midnight off the Harbor Freeway, our legs stiff, our butts numb. Rolling down the windows brought the distant roar of traffic, which I imagined to be the ocean. The breeze carried with it the smell of oranges and dust, and other new and indefinable things.

And Downtown L.A. wasn’t much back then, almost a ghost town by night. My brother whispered over to me, “…It’s not very nice here, is it? Not like Indiana.”

My mother peered out into the solitary darkness, involuntarily gathering her coat around her. I watched her tired face lit in pale fluorescence, reflected in the car’s window glass.

And once again, my brother and I needed a snack, and had to pee. A diner at the corner of Pershing Square glowed in the distance like a solitary oasis—neon-red and fluorescent-white splashing out onto the dark oily streets. “Googies”—the two O’s of the sign forming curious cartoon eyes.

Cruising past, we saw solitary men inside hunched on red naugahyde stools, nursing cups of coffee, and maybe a slice of pie. I wondered what people were doing out at that hour, and all alone.

“I’m not taking the children in there,” my mother said as we pulled up to the curb. “It’s full of bums!”

My father, tired from the road and his arm still raw, growled back—“If they get hungry enough, they’ll get used to it!”

We were the only family in the place, the young waitress giving us a booth by the window. The unearthly brightness and neon trim felt like a space station. At a nearby stool, a man nervously traced a finger along the pastel shapes etched in the countertop, stubbing out the last of a cigarette, and then lighting another.

But after a fountain Coke, a grilled cheese, and fries, all felt right again with the world. Even my father seemed in better spirits. We checked into our hotel—the “Cloud Motel,” just west of downtown. The rooms smelled of stale cigarettes and bleach. But a glowing swimming pool hummed in the center courtyard, its lattice of turquoise light dancing in invitation.

The next morning, we all went sightseeing—billowing L.A. clouds against a painfully blue sky, impossibly tall palms swaying in the breeze, and the jacaranda trees in full purple bloom. It was before the era of smog, and the downtown gleamed like Oz.

When we came back to our room later that afternoon, though, we found my mother’s dresses and blouses inexplicably stuffed into a plastic trash can in the hall outside the door. My father’s face tightened in rage. Like a detective, he slowly unlocked the door of our room. Inside, three men in their underwear sat at a small round table, smoking cigars and playing cards. Their wiry black chest hair spilled out from white-ribbed undershirts, and a lone woman lounged on a far chair, her legs crossed, wearing nothing but a bra and panties.

“What the hell are you doing in my room!” my father snarled.

“What the hell are you doing in my room?” a man who appeared to be the leader of the group shot back.

My father spun out to the hall, grabbed the trash can filled with my mother’s clothes, emptied the contents into the trunk of our Mercury, and then headed for the hotel office. My brother and I stood outside with my mother, her arms wrapped around us. Inside the glass enclosure, we saw my father waving his arms, his mouth contorting into vague obscenities. In response to something the desk clerk said, my father drop-kicked the plastic trash can clear across the office lobby. He’d never been good at sports, but it was an impressive shot.

Minutes later, he emerged with a new room key. “There’s a convention nearby,” he said, his face still red, “and they needed the larger rooms. It’s apparently how they do things here. But we’re getting the new room for free—and for the rest of the week.”

I looked at my parents as we made our way to the new room, trying to decide from their expressions whether this turn of events was a good thing, or a bad thing. My father suggested we all put on our suits and go for a swim. 

“…Welcome to L.A.,” he said. 

 

 


Steven Meloan has written for Wired, Rolling Stone, the Huffington Post, Los Angeles, BUZZ, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SF Weekly. His fiction has appeared in SOMA Magazine, the Sonoma Valley Sun, Lummox Press, Newington Blue Press, and Roadside Press, as well as at Litquake, Quiet Lightning, Library Girl, and other literary events. His short fiction collection, St. James Infirmary, was released in 2023 on Roadside Press. He is a recovered software developer, co-author of the novel The Shroud with his brother Michael, and a former busker in London, Paris, and Berlin.

Author Links  X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram

 


Tuesday, February 13, 2024

❤Inside the Pages: THE DREAMING TEAM by Chris Wallace #bookspotlight #insidethepages

 




Title: THE DREAMING TEAM

Author: Chris Wallace
Publisher: Round Lake Publishing
Pages: 368
Genre: Historical Fiction

In the 1850s, Australia was a thriving colony of the British Empire, with its own sense of importance and sophistication.  But the people who had occupied this vast land for upwards of 40,000 years didn’t fit well with colonial expectations of the future.  In every way imaginable, white Australia tried to keep its “darkies” in line. It is against this backdrop in the 1860s that the amazing story of an all Aboriginal cricket team, the first Aussie team to do so, played at Lords, the home of cricket in England.  Conventional wisdom predicted that Indigenous Australians would die off by the next generation. The Dreaming Team brings those Indigenous players to life and follows them on an adventure that would appear to be unbelievable if it weren’t true.  They not only changed the minds and perceptions about Aboriginal Australians, they arguably changed the course of Australian history.  Praise for The Dreaming Team: “A beautiful story, beautifully written, about a piece of Australian history that, if you don’t know about, you probably should. Heartwarming, heartbreaking and brimming with relevance for today’s Australia. A poignant example of how far we’ve come and how far we haven’t.” “The Dreaming Team tells the true story of the all Aboriginal cricket team from Victoria who did a tour of Great Britain back in the 1860s and all the drama, setbacks, and cultural divide between the Aboriginals and white Australians involved. Considering the state of affairs for Aboriginal people in those days, the team’s accomplishments are no small feat!” “What an interesting story. It is truly an Australian story about indigenous Australians. The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and drew me further in to where I could not put it down. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will say that the twists and turns makes you want to know what happens next at the end of each chapter. To say it is a sports story is not fair, it is a people story, told from the heart, about the hearts of people who love the land, and their story. I recommend it highly, and look forward to more from the author, Chris Wallace!” You can purchase your copy at Amazon

Mr. Buckingham has asked Black Johnny to come into the shearing shed.  They stand together, both uncomfortable for different reasons.  Unaarrimin wonders if he’s done something wrong.  He has always tried to be a good worker.  Never complained about anything.  Was happy just to be there on the station  What could he have done?  In the very back of his mind, he wonders if it has anything to do with Alice but dismisses the thought as soon as it comes.  Mr. Buckingham is uncomfortable because he doesn’t like confrontation.  And especially this one.  He is perfectly happy with Black Johnny, finds him easy going, cooperative and good at his job.  It’s only because of his wife that he is in this position.  After a few more awkward minutes, Buckingham clears his throat and begins.  “You know . . . Um . . . You see . . . If it was up to me . . . Well . . . Er . . . The Missus has a bit of ah . . . Oh, damn it, I’m going to have to let you go.  That’s the size of it.  You’ll have to leave the property.  I’ve arranged some provisions for you, tea and sugar, salt, a blanket, a billy, matches, a good knife.  But you’ll have to go.”  Unaarrimin can only look at this man dumbfounded; this man who has been his guardian since he was orphaned as a little boy.  “What have I done?” Unaarrimin asks.  “Well, that’s just it, you see.  It isn’t that you’ve done anything.  It’s more like . . . um . . . look, Johnny, let’s just leave it that the Missus would rather you weren’t here anymore.  Like I said, if it was up to me, we wouldn’t be having this talk.  But you’ve got to go.  Here, take this letter with you.  It’ll help you get a job somewhere else.  But she wants you off the property tomorrow.  Early.”

Alice and Unaarrimin had been inseparable when they were children.  She claimed him.  She taught him to read.  As she learned them, she taught him manners.  They hiked all over Mullagh Station together.  He taught her how to live in the bush, showing her what plants were edible; how to make bread, how to build a proper fire.  They got into all manner of mischief together, stealing honey from Mrs. Buckingham’s cupboard and tobacco from Mr. Buckingham’s pouch.  One time Unaarrimin twisted his ankle jumping from the roof of the shed because Alice dared him.  When they saw that he was alright, they rolled on the ground together in fits of laughter.  He remembers how infectious Alice’s laugh is.  It’s like a melody, like music to him.  He would always do anything to make her laugh.  And she always did.  One day he was teaching her how to throw a boomerang.  “Hold it like this,’ he says.  “Throw from the shoulder”.  Alice cranks her arm for a mighty toss and cracks Unaarrimin in the nose.  She starts laughing her magical laugh.  Even when it starts bleeding, she’s still laughing.  And by now, he is laughing  too.  Alice takes a handkerchief from her pocket and begins dabbing the blood.  Then she gives it to him so he can apply enough pressure to stop the bleeding.  All the while they are laughing uncontrollably.

But there is no laughter now.  Now, he is filled with sadness as he empties the remains of the billy onto the fire and rolls up his swag.  Where is he to go?  What is he to do?  He ambles away from the billabong, no longer conscious of freedom, but thinking of what he has lost, wondering if he’ll ever see her again. 

 

 

Chris Wallace is a creative resource.   As an actor, he was a regular on the hit daytime drama, All My Children, created the role of The Half-Percenter in Joe Papp’s production, Mondongo, appeared in countless television programs, including The Incredible Hulk, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour and had a starring role in the holiday horror classic film, New Year’s Evil.   As a producer, he put on New York: A Great Place to Live at Lincoln Center which kicked off New York City’s Diamond Jubilee; for Channel Five in New York, he produced the highly acclaimed Harlem Cultural Festival; at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, he produced Uptown Sunday Afternoon, which was hosted by Harry Belafonte and featured Richard Pryor, Bill Withers, and a galaxy of other performers; for the National Organization for Women, he produced A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Woman at New York’s Town Hall;  was associate producer of the first Ali-Frazier Heavyweight Championship Fight at Madison Square Garden, and produced the gigantic block party, hosted by Gwen Verdon, which named West 46th Street as Restaurant Row. . He earned the Silver Award at the New York International Film and Television Festival for In the Balance, a film that advocated sustainability and common sense in wildlife management.  It was also singled out by the Department of the Interior as one of the best films of its kind.  Chris wrote, narrated and wrote the musical score for that film. He performed on several children’s television programs in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, singing his original children’s songs.  In Hollywood, he performed them for all denominations of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.  He created a musical, A Special Thing to Be, at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum that featured his kids’ songs and the museum’s children’s chorus. He wrote the songs for two children’s theatre productions in Hollywood, Hooray, Here Comes the Circus and Sleeping Beauty; wrote and performed the songs on Strong Kids, Safe Kids, a video produced by Henry Winkler for Paramount that dealt with the protection of children from sexual molestation and exploitation.  He created his first musical revue, Greatest Hits, in Hollywood, which played several venues, including Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s on Sunset Strip and The Backlot in West Hollywood. Upon relocating to Australia, he produced A Helping Hand at the Victorian Arts Centre, a benefit for Quadriplegic Hand Foundation; wrote book, music and lyrics for Nothing to Wear, a musical based on “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” also produced at the Victorian Arts Centre.  He created a one-man show, A Thing of Shreds & Patches, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival; created another one-man show, The Mark Twain You Don’t Know, which toured Australia, then Pacific Palisades, California, and played in New York City on the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death.  He created several cabaret shows for The Butterfly Club in Melbourne, most notable of which was Les Femmes which featured an all female cast.  He wrote, produced and performed in Huckleberry: A Musical Adventure which premiered in Melbourne. Which brings us to The Dreaming Team.  This is his second book.  The first, Hollywood Mosaic is written under the pen name, Pete Joseph. You can visit his website at www.olentangymusic.com

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

❤Author Interview: Novella Author Michael D. Meloan #authorinterview

 


Michael Meloan traveled extensively to England, Germany, and South Korea supporting the Department of Defense as a software engineer. He met the real Top Guns at Ramstein, Germany. He also wrote short stories for Larry Flynt, Buzz, Wired Magazine, and many literary journals. With his brother, Steven, he penned a published novel called The Shroud. Also with his brother, he wrote journalism for The Huffington Post.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Meloan was friends with Charles Bukowski and his wife Linda. Bukowski enthusiastically encouraged his writing and invited him and his wife Cathy to many Hollywood events.

Meloan was also good friends with NPR monologue artist Joe Frank. Their regular brunches at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills were among the most fascinating encounters of his life. They discussed sexual failure, the nature of existence, godly realms, and the existential abyss. Meloan had the privilege of co-writing a number of radio shows with Frank that appeared on the NPR syndicate. The documentaries

Bukowski: Born into This and Joe Frank: Somewhere Out There both contain interviews with Meloan.

Visit the book’s website at www.pinballwizardbook.com.


 

Your book is a novella. Did you intentionally want to write a novella or is it something that just happened on its own?

PINBALL WIZARD consists of mostly true tales from a compressed period of my life in the early 1980s. There is a bit of embellishment here and there. So, I chose the moniker—novella.


Can you give us a book blurb so others can find out what your book Is about?

“Are you the Pinball Wizard or the pinball?” asks Ralph Hargraves’ manager inside a nuclear-hardened bunker in England. That is the question driving Michael D. Meloan’s new novella—a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski.

Lights flash, and bells ring as Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets up the action.

But in the end, it is Ralph’s turn at the controls.

Who exactly is Bukowski?

Charles Bukowski was a prolific LA-based poet and novelist from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. His work explores life at the bottom end of the economic pyramid—barflies, denizens of the race tracks, the working poor, and of course, women and alcohol. 

He wrote uninhibitedly about his sex life, delivering a wry sense of humor peppered with genuine bits of wisdom.

Have you written other books? Do you plan on writing more books?

My brother Steven and I co-wrote a published novel called The Shroud. And I have two new book projects coming soon. The first is a collection of flash memoirs and fiction with photos. These shorts have been well received by my 5,000 Facebook audience members over a period of years. Next, there will be a collection of short stories, including many previously published in magazines.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

There is a PINBALL WIZARD website, including excerpts from the book and information about me.

www.pinballwizardbook.com

Where can readers buy your book?

PINBALL WIZARD can be ordered from Amazon.

It can also be ordered directly from IFSF Publishing.

https://www.ifsfpublishing.com/pinball-wizard

And it can be ordered from bookstores across the US.

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.  What is next for you?

After this interview, I’m going to make a spinach, onion, and Munster cheese omelet.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

❤Inside the Pages: HOMECOMING CHAOS by D.W. Brooks #bookspotlight #insidethepages

 





Title: Homecoming Chaos

Author: D.W. Brooks
Publisher: Life: The Reboot LLC
Pages: 448
Genre: Romantic Suspense | Contemporary African American Fiction

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks


The sound of the flight attendant on the loudspeaker startled Jamison Jones Scott out of her light sleep. Despite having traveled frequently in her lifetime, she still couldn’t sleep comfortably on a plane. The seat location— first-class or economy—didn’t make a difference. The plane was nearing its destination, so the passengers needed to finish filling out their declaration cards. Jamie was returning to Atlanta to stay at her parents’ home with only the clothes on her back, a computer bag, the few items of clothing in her duffel, and a stethoscope. She had nothing to declare. 

Her seatmate appeared to be sleeping through the announcements. Jamie was jealous. The four-year-old in front of her turned around and started babbling excitedly in French. She must have noticed that Jamie was finally awake. With her head still fuzzy from her nap, Jamie couldn’t completely follow the child’s rapid words, but the gist was that she wanted something from Jamie. Something about a playdate? Jamie smiled at the girl and hoped the girl’s mother would intervene. No such luck; she was asleep as well. The child eyeballed Jamie expectantly. Jamie realized she and the seatmate had started this situation by playing with the dark-haired child while they were over the ocean. Now, when she didn’t agree to the latest request, the little girl scrunched up her face to cry. 

“Nous atterrissons bientôt. Elle ne peut pas aller avec vous,” Jamie’s seatmate answered, eyes still closed. “Mais vous pourriez être en mesure de visiter. Je suis sûr qu’elle tu aimerait garder les enfants.” He grinned.

Jamie gasped while the young girl clapped. This guy had just volunteered her as a babysitter! 

“Je suis désolé, mais il se trompe. Je ne serai pas disponible,” Jamie stated. “Je parie qu’il a une surprise, pour toi.” The child looked at Jamie’s seatmate for her present and clapped again. This reply made him open his eyes. 

“Qu’est-ce que c’est? Qu’est-ce que c’est?” the child asked. Startled, her pregnant mother woke up and turned around in her seat sheepishly. 

I’m sorry, she mouthed. She made her eager daughter turn around in her seat and asked her to leave the other passengers alone. The girl was disappointed, but her mother handed her a shortbread, which made her forget the people behind her. 

Her seatmate smiled, opened his eyes, and said, “I could have given her the stuffed bear I bought. I have a daughter the same age.” He stretched gingerly. “I can’t wait to get home. I’ve been traveling for too long. What about you? Looking forward to getting home?”

Jamie thought about her return to Atlanta. She hadn’t been home in a while, so she wasn’t sure how she felt. 

Revel in the chaos. 

Revel in the chaos. 

Revel in the chaos. 

Jamie tried to live by this motto for most of her life because her life seemed to invite chaos. She learned to expect—and sometimes encourage—complications. As the plane taxied to a halt, she repeated her motto to herself. This phrase, tattooed on her right hip, particularly applied now. 

The international terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport had changed since she was last there. Her brother, Jonathan, would pick her up at the baggage claim—alone, she hoped, and not sporting a clingy girlfriend. Time to re-acclimate and re-establish family bonds. Dealing with an unknown woman in her face when she wanted to spend time quietly with her brother wasn’t at the top of her to-do list.

As she waited in line to get through passport control, she thought about how she got to this point—back in Atlanta after several years abroad. She had spent two of those years working with the non-profit organization Doctors Overseas. Jamie worked in several locations, including the Central African Republic. She had her reasons for joining the charitable organization; not all were altruistic, and she kept those to herself during her entrance interview. The horrors she witnessed overseas helped her put her personal chaos into perspective. She realized her issues were nothing compared to what people endured in other parts of the world. This realization allowed her to embrace her job and enjoy what she was doing, despite the frequent threats of bodily harm. To help maintain her sanity while overseas, she traveled a lot and spent six months in Italy working with a designer friend. 

The agent summoning her snapped her out of her reverie. Handing over her passport, she said, “Nothing to declare. Coming back home for my mother’s birthday and Christmas.” 

At the check-in counter, the inspector carefully examined her and her passport photo. Jamison understood the scrutiny. At the time of that picture, she had been at the height of her glamor phase with a history of modeling and a resulting, above-average concern about how she looked. In medical school, she often showed up at rounds with perfectly coiffed hair and more than a swipe of mascara and lip gloss. 

But in Africa, those concerns fell away. Right now, Jamie was makeup-free, and a baseball cap covered her hair. She was still beautiful, but now it was a girl-next-door beauty. Jamie had high cheekbones, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, a straight nose, a square jawline, and her golden-brown skin was still smooth. She wasn’t stomping down runways anymore, as in her past life, because she had shifted her priorities. 

Her mother would hate it. 

“Welcome to Atlanta,” the inspector said as she stamped her passport. “Have a pleasant stay.”

 

 



The author lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys trying to stay in shape, sporadically cooking, reading (still), writing, and working on her blog. She is eternally grateful to the woman who donated a kidney to her over 5 years ago and continues to advocate for organ donation as much as she can.

Author Links  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram



 

❤Author Interview: 'Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond' Donna Fletcher Crow #travel

 


Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, is an award-winning author who has published some 50 books in a career spanning more than 40 years. Her best-known work is Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, a grail search epic depicting 1500 years of British history. The Celtic Cross is a 10-book series covering the history of Scotland and England from the 6th to the 20th century. 

Crow writes 3 mystery series: The Monastery Murders, contemporary clerical mysteries with clues hidden deep in the past; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime stories within a fictional setting; and The Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series, featuring various literary figures. Where There is Love is a 6-book biographical novel series of leaders of the early Evangelical Anglican movement. The Daughters of Courage is a semi-autobiographical trilogy family saga of Idaho pioneers.

Reviewers routinely praise the quality of her writing and the depth of her research. Crow says she tries never to write about a place she hasn’t visited and one of her goals in writing is to give her readers a you-are-there experience.

Donna and her husband of 60 years live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren, and she is an avid gardener.

Author Links  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


 

Thanks for stopping by, Donna!  What attracted you to the travel memoir genre?

As with my novels, it's almost always the setting that grabs me first. I didn't at all set out on this journey with an idea of writing a book, but as we traveled to such amazing places and had such lovely experiences in the midst of the Covid pandemic, I began to realize how extraordinary it all was and wanted to share it with my readers. It seemed to work well to do direct travel memoir to set the scene for the short stories each place suggested.


And then, there was the fun of exploring a new genre after 40+ years of writing.

In your book, Going There: Tales From the Riviera and Beyond, was there a particular story that just grabbed at your heart more than the others?

My stories are rather like my children--my favorite is always the one I'm with at the moment. The two with a fantasy element: "The Ghost boy" and "Worlds Converge" were perhaps the most fun to write because imaginary literature is a somewhat new genre for me.

Do you write in any other genres?

I am best known as a novelist, especially of British history and mystery, usually with a dollop of romance. I have also written plays and a few other short stories. I admire writers who can develop a series and stay with it for many years, but I enjoy variety in my writing and my reading.

Can you give us your book blurb so others can find out what your book is about?

In the summer of 2021 amidst a world-wide pandemic, Donna Fletcher Crow, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter managed to slip through a narrow window of calm for a remarkable journey to France and Switzerland. And much to Donna’s surprise and delight, she was accompanied on the undertaking by characters from several of her novel series—who had adventures of their own.

Going There, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond, is an account of a memorable travel experience in the real world and the fictional. It takes the reader to places physical and imaginary, and like all good books, expands our universe.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

I welcome readers to visit my website where they can find all my books, see photos from my research albums and my garden, and subscribe to my newsletter. Those who choose to subscribe will receive a free book from my Lord Danvers Investigates Victorian True-crime series.

Readers can also follow me on Facebook or visit my Amazon Author's page.

Where can readers buy your book?

All editions of Going There, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond, are available on Amazon. Please note that the Kindle edition is full color, the paperback is black and white, and the special hardback gift edition is full color, so there are plenty of choices.

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview. What’s next for you?

It's been a joy to be here, thank you for giving me a chance to visit with your readers. 

My next project is a story I have been wanting to tell since I visited the Hebrides Islands in 2001. It will be #7 in my Monastery Murders series, titled A Wind in the Hebrides--hopefully out in November, 2024.



Thursday, January 11, 2024

❤Inside the Pages: ECHOES OF A VOICE FOR JUSTICE by Anita Hackley Lambert #bookspotlight #insidethepages

 





Title: Echoes of a Voice for Justice: The Story of Barry A. Murray

Author: Anita Hackley Lambert
Publisher: HLE Publishing
Pages: 296
Genre: Historical Biography

Experience the extraordinary life of Barry Antonio Murray, an unwavering champion for the progressive Black movement of the post-Reconstruction era. Ms. Lambert masterfully tells the riveting tale of this unsung civil rights activist, influential publisher, and uncompromising editor in this historic biography. Uncovering a 50-year-old family secret, Ms. Lambert’s captivating narrative begins at her book's debut, where chance encounters forever altered her life. Delve into Barry Murray’s legacy, his ties to F.H.M. Murray, a civil rights trailblazer and the great-grandfather he never knew—yet, walked in his shoes. Readers gain insights into the nation’s racial divide and witness the heart-wrenching conclusion and his questionable sudden death. This captivating biography sheds light on Barry’s remarkable journey, celebrating his unwavering activism, pursuit of justice, and empowerment of the community. This saga intertwines history, personal struggles, and family secrets, leaving an indelible mark on readers, showcasing the indomitable spirit of one man’s triumphs and divine destiny.

“Barry was one of those Black people who was loyal to his belief in the need to sacrifice for full Black freedom. People like him often make great sacrifices but do not benefit from their sacrifices. He never got rewarded by the community for his service to the community – most never do. If we all lived as Barry did we would be free.” -- Wayne Young, Editor of Port of Harlem Magazine

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Prologue

Echoes of a Divine Encounter

God blessed me, then set me up to bless me again. 

Call it an omen if you like. I know better. It was a clear demonstration of God's favor in my life, as He has always been present. In His infinite wisdom, the Holy Spirit sent a message to my spirit, assuring me that great things would transpire once my book, F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice was released. Little did I know how astonishingly accurate that message would prove to be. 

As a first-time author entering the arena of Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, the journey behind the creation of this book is remarkable in itself. Allow me to indulge in a few eventful affirmations leading to this book.

Revelation At Harpers Ferry

DAY 1. Over three remarkable days, I experienced an extraordinary blessing. The journey began with a captivating audience of history enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the scholarly presentation of my  book. Hosting the event was none other than the talented actor and orator, Fred Morsel, adding an extra layer of prestige to the occasion.

DAY 2. The second day brought an unforgettable collaboration as I joined forces with the esteemed Dr. Henry Lewis Gates. Together, he and our volunteer group embarked on a historical reenactment that transported us back in time, allowing us to breathe life into the past. The experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

DAY 3. As the event's third and final day unfolded, it delivered an exceptional finale that surpassed all expectations. Amidst a captivating photo shoot, I had the incredible honor of meeting the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and esteemed historian, David Levering Lewis. His approval of my book was a momentous validation, solidifying its significance in the literary world. Furthermore, I had the pleasure of engaging with readers and selling and signing copies of my book--an experience that felt like a dream come true for a first-time author.

But the wonders did not end there. On this very same day, I had the privilege of capturing memories alongside the illustrious Dr. DuBois Irving, the great-granddaughter of the legendary W.E.B. DuBois, as well as Reverend Walter Fauntroy. It was a surreal convergence of influential figures embodying the legacy and impact of the subject I had delved into within my book.

In retrospect, I realized how mistaken I was to believe that the day couldn't get any better. This trifecta of days had become the pinnacle of a first-time author's aspirations, a once-in-a-lifetime culmination of success, connections, and reflective experiences. It was an unforgettable chapter in my life, ever etched in my memory.

The true purpose behind our fateful meeting that day in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia became crystal clear, and its significance can never be underestimated. It felt as if the forces of destiny were at work, orchestrating every detail. Joan Anderson and her daughter Kelly had embarked on a journey with a singular objective in mind: to find me and engage in a discussion. Their presence was no mere coincidence; they sought me out with a determination reminiscent of an eagle's relentless pursuit of its prey.

As they made their way across the paved courtyard towards me, I immediately sensed an air of urgency and purpose. Joan, with a noticeable limp and relying on a cane for support, locked eyes with me. The tremor in her voice betrayed her emotional state as she began to speak. What she revealed next left me utterly stunned. "My son, Barry, has been a closely guarded family secret for half a century," she confessed. Her words hung heavy in the air. "He is none other than F.H.M. Murray's great-grandson. He shares a bloodline with you."

Sensing the watchful eyes of curious onlookers, Joan guided me away from the crowd, creating a cocoon of privacy amidst the bustling celebration. She revealed that other family members were in attendance, yet she chose to trust me, a stranger, with her most painful secret. As she spoke, her words carried a weight of sincere love and immeasurable loss. It was palpable how deeply she cherished her son and the devastation she felt in his absence. 

The burden she had carried for so long was finally lifted, and she entrusted it to me, a confidant she had only just met.

In that moment, the weight of generations converged, extraordinarily intertwining our lives. The revelation brought forth a deep sense of connection as if a hidden mystery of familial ties had been unveiled. Our encounter was far more than a chance meeting—it was a cosmic convergence guided by an unseen hand. It was as if the universe itself conspired to bring us together, weaving together our shared heritage and the legacy of our ancestors.

I sat in awe as Joan continued to unveil the depths of her long-held secret, her words flowing uninterrupted. It was as if she bore the weight of this revelation for years, and now she was resolute in her purpose. There was a certainty in her voice, an insightful understanding of the task before her. With a firm determination, she looked directly into my eyes as if she could anticipate my very thoughts.

You have been chosen," she declared, her gaze piercing into the depths of my soul, "to write Barry's story."

At that moment, the weight of responsibility and privilege intertwined. For over fifty years, the truth about Freeman Murray's audacious fight for African-Americans had remained buried, neglected by historians and authors who failed to uncover his significant contributions. Yet, she believed that I, and only I, possessed the ability to breathe life into Barry's legacy, to connect him to his Murray lineage, and to share his untold journey with the world. Joan was adamant, unyielding in her conviction that it was my divine purpose to write Barry's biography.

An inexplicable connection enveloped us instantaneously as if the threads of fate had bound our lives together across the ages. It felt as though I had stumbled upon the long-lost sister I had conjured in my childhood fantasies. Joan articulated that our bond symbolized her "freedom," a newfound purpose that propelled her forward. As I grappled with the weight of this extraordinary opportunity, I contemplated whether I dared embrace an encounter that would bind me by an unbreakable oath while simultaneously liberating her.

Though cognizant of the commitment that awaited me, I recognized it as a remarkable honor to undertake. The magnitude of this chance was too extraordinary to overlook. It held the promise of a cherished friendship, a sisterhood forged in the depths of shared secrets, a bond of cousinhood, and the revelation of a hidden familial legacy. Moreover, it presented an unparalleled opportunity to craft yet another captivating book, exceeding my wildest aspirations. The first book had merely set the stage, but this authorized biography, bestowed upon me like precious rubies, was a treasure of immeasurable worth. It came accompanied by invaluable documentation, slashing through the dense thicket of research and providing a shortcut to truth.

 

 

Ms. Lambert, a distinguished genealogist, historian, and biographer, achieved historical acclaim with her inaugural book, praised by luminaries such as Pulitzer Prize-winner David Levering Lewis and historian Charles Patterson. As an unrivaled familial authority, she penned insightful biographies of visionary businessmen and civil rights champions F.H.M. Murray and Barry A. Murray. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia with her husband, Ms. Lambert continues her literary journey, poised to add two more captivating biographies and contribute to a quartet of nonfiction gems, that showcases her unwavering commitment to illuminating the human experience.

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