Book Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Laughing Fire Press Release Date: September 14, 2015 Buy Link(s): Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Minds-American-Ghost-Story/dp/0967492297/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442109831&sr=8-2&keywords=developing+minds Barnes and Noble.com:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/developing-minds-jonathan-lapoma/1122192543?ean=9780967492292 Book Description: -"Raw and edgy. . . Entertaining and authentic look at the troubled American education system. . ." --Kirkus Reviews, Recommended Review -"Should be required reading for anyone who is considering or has ever considered teaching as a career. . . most highly recommended." --Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review -"A scathing comic novel . . . sort of a M*A*S*H for Miami schoolteachers." --Patrick Murtha, Book 'em, Danno -"Incredibly artistic . . . raw and endearing." --San Francisco Book Review -"A multi-faceted exploration of growth, maturity, and eventual transformation. . ." --D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review -Finalist in 2015 Stargazer Literary Prizes for best Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY follows a group of recent college graduates who struggle with feelings of alienation and their addictions as they try to survive a year of teaching at two dysfunctional Miami public schools. A poetic and insightful coming-of-age novel, DEVELOPING MINDS is centered on 24-year-old Luke Entelechy, an aspiring writer who sees his creative output suffer when he begins teaching at one of Miami's most challenging middle schools. As the year progresses, however, Luke begins to relate to the neglect and abuse his students suffer, and is faced with a haunting decision: continue to let his dark past destroy him, or rise above the struggle to realize his potential as an artist and a real human being. Equal parts disturbing and humorous, DEVELOPING MINDS offers a brutally honest look at the American public school system and the extreme measures many teachers take to cope with working in it. Excerpt
We joined the herd and sat somewhere in back. Some far-too-energetic young woman, who probably
had a horrible childhood she never left, was hopping around onstage trying to
contrive spirit as some ‘80s pop crap blasted from speakers behind her. She was nearly out of breath, punctuating her
performance with “Yeah”s and “Super”s.
The music soon stopped, and she stepped to the mic. “Congratulations to
all of you for being where you are. You
now join the wonderful family that is the MPSD.”
“Yeah, the dysfunctional family,” said the brunette sitting beside
Billy.
“And we’re their bastard children,” Billy said.
“I really hope that woman isn’t the mother,” I said. “She fucking
scares me.”
The bitch onstage was smiling like a goddamned idiot.
The brunette held out her hand. “The name’s Abbi. I just got sentenced to West Miami High.”
“Hey, my school’s the feeder to yours!” I said, with far too much
enthusiasm. I hung my head.
“Yeah, and my school’s the feeder to Dade County Corrections,” she
said.
Billy let out a loud snort.
Several people turned around to see where it came from. I started chuckling.
Some crazy, old woman stumbled onto the stage, and the cheerleader
passed her the mic. The woman spared no
time in upping the day’s level of insanity. “Hello, my name is Sandy Frankles,
and I’m the Deputy Superintendent of the Miami Public Schools District, and I
want to say that I’m appalled by the likes of your filthy people slandering our
dear Superintendent’s name. Dana
Canterbury never misappropriated any funds and to suggest that her recent
purchase of a yacht in any way hurt our children makes you a damned fool—” The
cheerleader came back out and yanked the mic away from Ms. Frankles. Her words were amplified through the
speakers. “Sandy . . . SANDY, this is the new
teacher orientation, not a press conference. Get it together!”
Ms. Frankles, who may have been drunk, took back the mic. “I’m
sorry, I mistook you all for something you weren’t. Fear not, for I have the ability to change
gears quickly, and I will deliver you a wonderful introduction. That is, after all, what they’re paying me for—”
“Yeah, too much!” yelled a heckler.
Ms. Frankles pointed
indiscriminately into the crowd. “I wouldn’t take a red cent that wasn’t
mine! Show yourself, you coward!”
The cheerleader grabbed the mic
away from Ms. Frankles and started ushering her from the stage. “Okay, okay,
Sandy, I think we’ve got enough from you today.”
But Sandy wasn’t going quietly.
She kept pumping her fists and threatening she’d show us all!
“What the hell was that
about?” I said.
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good for business,” Billy said.
I scanned the crowd, but no one seemed fazed by
what had just happened. People were texting, sleeping, reading books, and one
woman was even crocheting a blanket.
Perhaps this was just another day in Paradise . . .Guest Post How I Came up with the Idea for Developing Minds In 2009, I finished writing a novel based on my experiences living in Mexico for about five months after I graduated college. I was severely depressed and had a lot of dark thoughts, but something about Mexico seeped inside me and made me chose life. When I finished writing the novel, I thought I’d said what I’d wanted to say about life and my experiences with it. But, in July of 2012, I took a road trip to Big Sur, and on the ride up the Pacific Coast Highway, I got to thinking about my experiences teaching at an at-risk middle school in Miami in 2007—and the personal, professional, and creative growths I had there—and realized the story wasn’t over. I started writing it almost immediately after I got back to San Diego, and finished the first draft in about a month. DEVELOPING MINDS is a sort of a loosely-linked sequel to the Mexican novel, UNDERSTANDING THE ALACRAN, and it shows the protagonist’s growth while trying to fit into society after returning from Mexico. My intention with DEVELOPING MINDS wasn’t to demonize teachers or the public school system—I simply wanted to show a portrait of these as true to my experiences with them as possible, while showing how these experiences affected the main character’s maturation and eventual transformation as a writer. DEVELOPING MINDS is more a coming-of-age story than it is a story about teachers and teaching. But while the focus is on the protagonist’s growth, I did want to raise awareness for some of the issues plaguing the American public school system, because they’re important for people to see and because I felt there were some parallels between these issues and those affecting the protagonist’s development. Some of these issues include assessing labels to complex things which reduce them into easily-classifiable stereotypes, ignoring child abuse/neglect even when it’s painfully obvious, pushing kids to master subjects/tasks when they don’t have the requisite skills to do so and calling them failures when they don’t achieve… On top of telling my story, with DEVELOPING MINDS I wanted to do two things: 1. Give readers a realistic portrait of what’s really going on in America’s public schools without exaggerating or romanticizing anything, 2. Challenge readers to think about the obstacles that may be blocking their own development on a personal, professional, and creative level. 
Author Bio:
Jonathan LaPoma is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, songwriter, and poet from Buffalo, NY. In 2005, he received a BA in history and a secondary education credential from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and he traveled extensively throughout the United States and Mexico after graduating. These experiences have become the inspiration for much of his writing, which often explores themes of alienation and misery as human constructions that can be overcome through self-understanding and the acceptance of suffering. His five feature-length screenplays have won over 40 awards/honors at various international screenwriting competitions, and his novel DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY is a finalist in the 2015 Stargazer Literary Prizes for best Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction. He lives in San Diego and teaches at a public secondary school. Author Links - Website: http://www.jonlapoma.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonlapoma Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonLaPoma LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanlapoma Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25586052-developing-minds  |
BOOK REVIEWS BY ALINA SYED
Monday, 19 October 2015
BLOG TOUR + Giveaway - Developing Minds; An American Ghost Story by Jonathan LaPoma
Thursday, 15 October 2015
Review - Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins
SWEET TEPTATION BY WENDY HIGGINS
PUBLISHED: 8TH SEPTEMBER 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS
Summary from Goodreads
Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.
Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.
Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.
Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.
Author Note:
Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.
My Review
Every moment of being in Kaidan Rowe's head was pure bliss. Every single word was magic. I have never been more in love with someone as I am with Kaidan. Thank you so much Wendy Higgins for creating such awesomeness. This book deserves an infinity of stars.
It's my favourite book!
PUBLISHED: 8TH SEPTEMBER 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS
Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.
Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.
Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.
Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.
Author Note:
Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.
My Review
Every moment of being in Kaidan Rowe's head was pure bliss. Every single word was magic. I have never been more in love with someone as I am with Kaidan. Thank you so much Wendy Higgins for creating such awesomeness. This book deserves an infinity of stars.
It's my favourite book!
Monday, 12 October 2015
BLOG TOUR + Giveaway - Tillie's Tale by Mindy Mymudes
WELCOME TO THE NEXT STOP IN THIS BLOG TOUR
Genre: Middle Grade | Urban FantasyPublisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Description:
Who is the mysterious ghosty haunting puppygirl Tillie? And why? George, the magical basset hound familiar is on the trail.
Author Bio: I've worked in a hazardous waste lab, where under the sign for the Right To Know law, was added: if you can figure it out. I've been a metals tech, a bakery clerk, a professional gardener, and taught human anatomy and ran two university greenhouses. Along the way I picked up my Master's Degree in Biology, specializing in the population genetics of an endangered plant. I’ve also been a top breeder, handler, and trainer of English springer spaniels under the prefix of Muddy Paws. We three in the equivalent of the National Club's (ESSFTA) hall of fame. Every time I think I know dogs, another dog comes along and proves my beliefs are totally wrong. The truth is, the Muddy Paws Pack walk all over me.
Author Links -
Website http://mindymymudes.weebly.com
Blog: http://mindymymudes.weebly.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindy-Mymudes/486126501426333
Twitter: @GeorgeBasset
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6702514.Mindy_Mymudes
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Mymudes/e/B00H9LFMR4
Author Links -
Website http://mindymymudes.weebly.com
Blog: http://mindymymudes.weebly.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindy-Mymudes/486126501426333
Twitter: @GeorgeBasset
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6702514.Mindy_Mymudes
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Mymudes/e/B00H9LFMR4
Giveaway: Ecopy of George Knows & $10 Amazon Gift Card
Giveaway Entries: To enter this giveaway, click the bird above & Tweet about the giveaway, or click on share by Tweet on this post. Your Tweet MUST contain the following to enter - #vbtcafetours & @GeorgeBasset. Good luck!
All prizes courtesy of author, Mindy Mymudes.
All prizes courtesy of author, Mindy Mymudes.
Schedule
September 27 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
September 29 - Interviewed at Author, CA Milson's Blog
October 2 - Interviewed at Avenue Books
October 2 - Spotlight at Cherry Mischievous
October 5 - Spotlight at 4Covert2Overt A Place In The Spotlight
October 7 - Reviewed at Voluptuous Book Diva
October 9 - Interviewed at Writers Revolution
October 12 - Interviewed at SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
October 12 - Guest Blogging at Bellevue Book Reviews
October 16 - Reviewed at Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
October 19 - Spotlight at Jody's Book Reviews
October 21 - Review & Guest Blogging at Teatime and Books
October 23 - Review & Interview at Deal Sharing Aunt
October 23 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
October 23 - Spotlight at My Book Tour
October 23 - Guest Blogging at Infinite House Of Books
Friday, 9 October 2015
BLOG TOUR - Universal Scams and Fraud Detection by David Snow
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher:
Release Date:
Buy: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book Description:
Fraud and Scams are a costly menace to society and global industry. Learning from experience is the best way of developing skill and knowledge. This book will assist you in preventing fraud and financial crimes against you and your business. The book will teach you the tricks used by scam artists in modern society and give you the edge and ability from falling victim to fraud. Explore the many aspects of fraud, including; identity theft, retail scams, fraud against the elderly, insurance scams, employee theft and more. Learn how to conduct elaborate investigations including cross border and gathering of valuable evidence. If its too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true. Learn to trust your feelings from experiencing the different real life cases and scenarios. Don’t fall victim to fraud, learn how to protect yourself.
Publisher:
Release Date:
Buy: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book Description:
Fraud and Scams are a costly menace to society and global industry. Learning from experience is the best way of developing skill and knowledge. This book will assist you in preventing fraud and financial crimes against you and your business. The book will teach you the tricks used by scam artists in modern society and give you the edge and ability from falling victim to fraud. Explore the many aspects of fraud, including; identity theft, retail scams, fraud against the elderly, insurance scams, employee theft and more. Learn how to conduct elaborate investigations including cross border and gathering of valuable evidence. If its too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true. Learn to trust your feelings from experiencing the different real life cases and scenarios. Don’t fall victim to fraud, learn how to protect yourself.
BIO
David Snow has been working in the private security and financial investigation arena since 1989. He was one of the first graduates and members of the Institute of Irish Investigators. He obtained the "youngest student award" from the Institute in 1989. In 2013 he was awarded Investigator of the Year by the Europe Middle East and African chapter of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators. He was also presented with the International Investigator of the Year Award in Denver Colorado by IAFCI – North America and donated his winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports American troops injured at war.
He was initially employed by Sleator Carroll Investigators and then Pinkerton Security & Investigations. Pinkerton is the world’s oldest and largest Private Detective and Security agency with operations on every continent. He joined Pinkerton in 1993 and became the General Manager of the Irish operation in 1996, leaving in 2001 to pursue a career within insurance fraud investigation.
Today he is employed as the Head of Special Investigations for the Irish operation of a multi-national insurance company. He is a member of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI), the Association of Irish Risk Management (AIRM) and was one of the first Europeans to obtain the Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI) from North America. He has lectured on identity theft and financial crime in Ireland, North America and Europe. He is also a member of the Irish charity A Little Lifetime Foundation, formally known as ISANDS, obtaining an award in 2012 for his efforts in the prevention of the identity theft of dead Irish baby’s.
He lives in Dublin, Ireland with his wife and two children Olivia and Sarah.
Website
www.davidsnow.iehttp://www.davidsnowauthor.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Davidsnowauthor?ref=bookmarks
Twitter
https://twitter.com/author_davesnow/
David Snow has been working in the private security and financial investigation arena since 1989. He was one of the first graduates and members of the Institute of Irish Investigators. He obtained the "youngest student award" from the Institute in 1989. In 2013 he was awarded Investigator of the Year by the Europe Middle East and African chapter of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators. He was also presented with the International Investigator of the Year Award in Denver Colorado by IAFCI – North America and donated his winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project, which supports American troops injured at war.
He was initially employed by Sleator Carroll Investigators and then Pinkerton Security & Investigations. Pinkerton is the world’s oldest and largest Private Detective and Security agency with operations on every continent. He joined Pinkerton in 1993 and became the General Manager of the Irish operation in 1996, leaving in 2001 to pursue a career within insurance fraud investigation.
Today he is employed as the Head of Special Investigations for the Irish operation of a multi-national insurance company. He is a member of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI), the Association of Irish Risk Management (AIRM) and was one of the first Europeans to obtain the Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI) from North America. He has lectured on identity theft and financial crime in Ireland, North America and Europe. He is also a member of the Irish charity A Little Lifetime Foundation, formally known as ISANDS, obtaining an award in 2012 for his efforts in the prevention of the identity theft of dead Irish baby’s.
He lives in Dublin, Ireland with his wife and two children Olivia and Sarah.
Website
www.davidsnow.iehttp://www.davidsnowauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Davidsnowauthor?ref=bookmarks
https://twitter.com/author_davesnow/
Schedule
September 28 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog
September 30 - Interviewed at Author, CA Milson's Blog
October 1 - Guest Blogging at Mythical Books
October 5 - Guest Blogging at Belleve Book Reviews
October 7 - Spotlight at SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
October 9 - Spotlight at Teatime and Books
October 12 - Guest Blogging at 4Covert2Overt A Place In The Spotlight
October 14 - Spotlight at Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
October 16 - Spotlight at Writers Revolution
October 19 - Spotlight at My Book Tour
October 19 - Guest Blogging at Avenue Books
October 21 - Spotlight at The Self-Taught Cook
October 24 - Guest Blogging at Lori's Reading Corner
October 24 - Guest Blogging at Infinite House Of Books
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