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The Riddle Roo
Shannon Pate
Details
Title The Riddle Roo Author Shannon Pate Illustrator Julie Ebbert Genre Children’s; Learning Size 8.5 ” X 8.5 “ Pages 37 Format and Price Hardcover $18.50 Available Purchase here or through booksellers worldwide Important If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Buy Hardcover
Blurb
Featuring a silly kangaroo who speaks in riddles, this picture book offers the youngest learners an opportunity to guess objects from clues given by The Riddle Roo. By first hearing the riddle, then seeing the image, this book creates a dynamic way for little learners to develop their critical thinking and logic skills. By not giving the answers outright, the learner is challenged to verbally communicate what they think the answer to the riddle is. This guessing game format is a fun way to encourage the critical thinking and language skills that are crucial to later successful learning and problem-solving.
Author
Shannon Pate was born and raised in San Diego, California. Not only does “sunny” describe her hometown, but it also encompasses her entire attitude toward life in general. Shannon’s passion for writing began at an early age. As a child she wrote books in her free time and told stories to anyone who would listen. Her love for creativity and the arts spilled over into her adolescence and she got involved in community theater and singing in her church worship band. In her adulthood, Shannon graduated from San Diego State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and has an established career in event management. She continues to hone her writing skills by writing Young Adult Fiction and Children’s books, and in her spare time enjoys wine tasting and snuggling with her Pomeranian, Meeko.
Instagram: @shannonpate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonpatePreview
Waterton Wisdom
There is no such thing as freedom of speech on the internet. Yes, you can write things, and say things, but, in the end, someone can come along and delete your words, delete your platform. The only real free speech in the world is found through personal dialogue, personal declarations, and print media – newspapers, books, magazines, posters, and the like. Don’t be fooled by Google and Meta and Twitter…you participate at their beck and call.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
If you want to be happy, untether from your screens, and take a walk among plants and animals, the things that are real, the things that matter.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
It is no coincidence that, during an epidemic of mass murder in the United States – whereby distraught cowards shoot as many unsuspecting people as possible, every other movie out of Hollywood glorifies and actually promotes extreme choreographed violence within the context of revenge.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
Some eighty years ago, media companies were just finding out that they could get people to watch advertisements for products on an electronic screen if they were embedded in something people actually “wanted” to watch. As the electronic screen age advanced, so did the media giants’ ability to keep people watching the screen. Content producers discovered that the more startling the presentation, the more glued to the screen their audience, and the more money they could make with advertising. Things have not changed. People are still being manipulated by giant media companies – only the screen size has shrunk, making it a 24/7 portable marketing machine.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
Be careful who you admire. Blind following has replaced rugged individualism. Wall Street greed is now supposed to be the goal, and extreme wealth is supposed to be the benchmark of success. Make your own benchmark, tune out the hucksters, and strive for a life of personal fulfillment.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
The goal of artificial intelligence (AI) is first to make a device that thinks like a person would think if that person had an almost unlimited store of information. AI is capable of making judgment calls and exercising discretion in formulating conclusions and/or implementing processes. A machine using AI may be able to perform tasks that require variable responses. As such, a human operator would not be needed. Funny how much of digital technology keeps evolving in ways that are designed to improve people’s lives but in fact has the opposite effect. Computers are on an evolutionary trajectory to supplant all other life forms on Earth. Sound familiar?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
There is nothing “free” about speech stifled out of fear of harm – be it personal, professional, or financial – regardless of the source.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
Words written on the 72nd rung of the ladder of success: “The further up I go the more unhappy I become.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
Racism and xenophobia go hand-in-hand – blaming personal unhappiness and perceived failure on immigrants and people of other races is as old as humanity itself. Now, in this day and age, we can add the internet and a flow of non-stop media-bites. People face a constant video deluge of other people appearing successful and happy. Reality disappears. It’s easy to forget everybody – everybody – faces challenge, heartbreak, and disappointment. Humanity has to come to terms with the internet or risk losing all sense of humanity.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Publisher
Dearly Befuddled
Katherine Finstuen
Details
Title Dearly Befuddled Author Katherine Finstuen Illustrator Jessica Lyman Finstuen Genre Essays; Humorous Size 6.5 ” X 6.5 “ Pages 102 Format and Price Paperback $16.50, E-Book $6.00 Available Purchase here or through booksellers worldwide Important If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Buy Paperback
Buy e-Book
Blurb
For those who find life mysterious and lovely, filled with both gut-wrenching despair and gut-shaking humor, Dearly Befuddled offers a collection of essays delving into the vastness of human experience and imagination. Written by Katherine Finstuen and illustrated by Jessica Lyman Finstuen, this follow-up to their first collaborative effort, Those Who Can’t Do, will once again elicit laughter, poignancy, thought, and a sense of wonder.
Author
Katherine Finstuen grew up in Washington state before relocating to California in 2002 where she earned her M.A. in English Literature and Composition at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Though two short stories were published there during her time as a student, she has since devoted her life to reading copiously, walking vigorously, and creating offbeat cross-stitch slowly — all while teaching high school English. Recently, however, she devoted more time to writing, producing “Those Who Can’t Do” along with her beloved sister-in-law. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559017991020
Illustrator
Jessica Lyman Finstuen grew up in rural Montana until moving to less rural Montana and then onto Wales, Oregon, California and finally settling in Washington State. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Montana State University in 1999 and has enjoyed creating her whole life. Teaching special education has been her focus for the last 14 years while raising two kids with the author’s brother, hiking, gardening, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. The opportunity to collaborate with her creative and wonderful sister-in-law sparked her artistic side and this book has been a fulfilling collaboration.
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Media
Radio
Dearly Befuddled on KCBX Reviews
Richard Stacy David In her first book “Those Who Can’t Do”, Katherine Finstuen shared with us her reflections on a wide swath of Life and Living, skillfully utilizing a wry sense of humor and wit while remaining focused on everyday aspects of Life that we can all pretty much relate to in one way or another.So how could she possibly surpass that?
Easy- with another book.
And she does just exactly that in her second tome- “Dearly Befuddled.” In this follow-up volume Katherine takes us another step forward while sparing no part of her experiences from examination. Once again, it’s an opportunity for us to enjoy her perspectives on the things in Life that are so often simply taken for granted. In the process, Katherine provides another way to look at, and appreciate, those things.
And once again, Katherine demonstrates a knack for helping us to better understand what we thought we already understood.
Unabashed. At times provocative. Always entertaining.
Highly recommended.Robert Dearly Befuddled–the sequel to Katherine Finstuen’s first book Those Who Can’t Do–proves her first book was no fluke and that we have an original talent on our hands. Wise and funny, there is a seamless unity of intelligence with humor in this sequel that demonstrates a new confidence, a stronger voice and even more unfettered attitude. But this time Finstuen takes on more challenging topics —body part artists—Covid—rejection letters—each one challenging her ethos to rise to the occasion—which it does again and again. There is hardly a single line in this book that does not land with a surprising insight, revelation, pun or joke. It’s sometimes like listening to a very brave and very literate stand-up comedian who, nevertheless, is always looking for the truth. A wonderful book by a writer’s writer and a reader’s best friend. I am a big fan. Diane Dearly Befuddled moved me to tears and laughter–sometimes at the same time. Katherine’s wit and humanity shine through the pages. She understands loss, anxiety, and the annoyance caused by well-meaning people. And her sense of humor crackles! These essays provide insight into life itself, and I happily recommend it. It’s a great companion to her first collection, Those Who Can’t Do. Larry Katherine Finstuen has once again proven her mastery and agility with the written word. Dearly Befuddled is a deeper book than her first, tapping into a different set of emotions yet with the same brand of humility, wit, and charm as the first. When the two books are paired together it almost feels like going on a series of dates with the author, but strangely enough the conversation doesn’t feel one-sided. The date conversations begin light and funny, with occasional hints at what lies beneath her surface, progressing to stories that bare her soul in profound, yet still laugh out loud funny ways, all of which are so elegantly worded that you love the dance as much as the dancer. Her stories are told in such an honest way, most will find some degree of simpatico with many of them, leaving the reader feeling very connected to the material. Goodreads April 5, 2023 Katherine Finstuen’s second book manages to feel comforting and fresh at the same time, like having coffee with a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. The trademark humor is there, sometimes brazen, sometimes subtle, as is Katherine’s ability to be somehow poignant, sad and silly simultaneously. These essays beautifully express the delight, sadness and bewilderment found in the quotidian, while also illuminating how our inner worlds can bring a sense of possibility to seemingly mundane circumstances. The prose is masterful, bringing a certain intimacy to this delightful and at times disconsolate book. 
Where the Butterflies Sleep
Steve Carey-Walton
Details
Title Where the Butterflies Sleep Author Steve Carey-Walton Genre Fiction Pages 228 Size 5.0 inches by 8.0 inches Format Paperback $17.00, E-Book $6.00 Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Marigold’s husband is dead. She wears black and tries to cry. But he was old, like she is, and sick, so what does she really have to mourn? That is until she learns that he cut her out of his will, bequeathing his sizeable estate to the first child to be born from the vials of semen he left behind. With her sister Eliza, Marigold devises a scheme to get rid of the samples and win back the inheritance. For the plan to succeed, Marigold sheds her passivity and acts like her sister. She lies, steals, and finds . . . she’s never felt more alive. But the plan has unintended consequences. As Marigold destroys the samples, she’s forced to expose the truth about her past, her marriage, and her own decades-long scheme.
Author Bio
Steve Carey-Walton grew up in San Francisco and studied journalism at San Diego State University. For the last ten years, he has lived in South Korea, where he works as a writer and editor. Where The Butterflies Sleep is his first book-length publication. His short stories have appeared in online literary journals.
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Memory
Hanna Abi Akl
Details
Title Memory Author Hanna Abi Akl Genre Poetry Pages 177 Size 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches Format Paperback $17.00, E-Book $6.00 Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Memory is a selection of poems that reconciles the past and the present. It is a celebration of thought infused with personal recollections and hypothetical musings, demonstrating the power of accepting experiences in order to move past them. The poems read like visions from the author’s mind, and he reveals the demons that plague his memory and keep him second-guessing at the turn of every page. Abi Akl delivers his words with crude honesty and philosophical sensibility.
Author Bio
Hanna Abi Akl is the author of poetry books, novels, essays and short stories. He discovered his fascination for language through books and was deeply captivated by the words of others which he at times found to be mystic. This set him on a lifelong exploratory journey of the wonders of language and everything it represents which led to the publication of some poetry collections and novels. Intrigued by human life, cognition, emotion and behavior, Hanna writes extensively about every aspect of being “human”, from snapshots of mundane daily lives to open-ended philosophical musings. The main inspirations to his work remain however music, paintings and of course, words. His work is featured in literary journals and magazines.
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Those Who Can’t Do
Katherine Finstuen
Details
Title Those Who Can’t Do Author Katherine Finstuen Illustrator Jessica Lyman Finstuen Genre Essays; Humorous Size 6.5 ” X 6.5 “ Pages 84 Format Paperback $15.00, E-Book $6.00 Available Purchase here or through booksellers worldwide Important If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Buy Paperback
Buy e-Book
Blurb
Celebrating a love of the quirk and despair we all experience in this odd thing called life, Those Who Can’t Do is a collection of essays combining humor with more serious reflections on the nature of existence. Many of the essays explore the often bizarre world of teaching while maintaining one’s sanity and creativity. The simple pen and ink drawings provided by the author’s sister-in-law (another teacher) prove a wonderful accompaniment to the pieces. Readers who can enjoy both the absurdity and beauty of life will delight in both the words and pictures comprising this unique collection.
Author
Katherine Finstuen grew up in Washington state before relocating to California in 2002 where she earned her M.A. in English Literature and Composition at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Though two short stories were published there during her time as a student, she has since devoted her life to reading copiously, walking vigorously, and creating offbeat cross-stitch slowly — all while teaching high school English. Recently, however, she devoted more time to writing, producing “Those Who Can’t Do” along with her beloved sister-in-law. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559017991020
Illustrator
Jessica Lyman Finstuen grew up in rural Montana until moving to less rural Montana and then onto Wales, Oregon, California and finally settling in Washington State. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Montana State University in 1999 and has enjoyed creating her whole life. Teaching special education has been her focus for the last 14 years while raising two kids with the author’s brother, hiking, gardening, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. The opportunity to collaborate with her creative and wonderful sister-in-law sparked her artistic side and this book has been a fulfilling collaboration.
Preview
Media
Katherine Finstuen on KCBX public radio
The Woodinville Weekly
Article no longer available online.
Goodreads Reviews
Those Who Can’t Do by Katherine Finstuen (goodreads.com)
Sample Reviews
From Allison
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you are a lingiphile, you will appreciate observations about our language, funny life stories/lessons, and so many shared experiences as humans. Uplifting in a way that will make you nod your head and chuckle out loud.
Jun 03, 2022 Jamie rated it it was amazing
Somehow this book made me laugh and cry without feeling sentimental at all (that’s a good thing!). Beyond the erudite and exquisite prose, the author’s ability to imbue the quotidian with meaning, quirk, delight and a look askance is unparalleled. The effect is like watching a ribald stand-up comedy routine, reading a wise haiku, and attending a deeply felt outdoor sermon all at the same time.
May 15, 2022 Robert Inchausti rated it it was amazing
Very Smart and Very Funny
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by a self-confessed English teacher that is as original in its ideas or more beautifully composed. The short essays collected here are a blend of stand-up comedy, commentary, and confession— articulated by a keen observer of people and language in all their various uses and mis-uses. Think of Sara Silverman’s outrageous honesty combined with the tempered wit and wisdom of Montaigne. (Too much?)
Get this book for its astonishing perceptions, but read it again and again for the sheer pleasure of its eloquence. The Thurber-like illustrations drawn by the author’s sister-in-law are as understated and poignant as the prose—providing a bird by bird reinforcement of two of the book’s central themes—
1) that life is too serious to take seriously and 2) that cartoon chickens deserve a lot more respect than we have been giving them.
The American
Anthony Belcher
Details
Title The American Author Anthony Belcher Genre Autobiography Pages 288 Size 6 X 9 inches Format Paperback $17.00, E-Book $6.00 Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb and Author Bio
I was born on December 20th in the year 1956 at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota, and not far from the steely gaze of Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt carved into the side of Mount Rushmore. On the first day of Elementary School, I was introduced to my fellow classmates as “The American.” After living in England for three years I returned to the states with a Cockney accent and the realization that my father was an angry alcoholic because of me. Oh yeah, I also learned that in America I was just a little nigger who talked funny. With the “Turbulent Sixties,” the Psychedelic Seventies, as the backdrop to my childhood and young adulthood, I would go on to father three children before I was twenty and serve in the United States Air Force. The Eighties would bring in the Reagan era for the rest of the country and for me an opportunity to star in a local production of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in The Sun.” That led to an audition at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where I was put on the road to a promising acting career, derailed before it ever got started by a vicious crack addiction. The nineties would take me on a merry tour of crack houses and prisons in three different states, which would last into the first three years of the 21st Century. The American is the recounting of the journey that is my life. I hope you enjoy it. My name is Anthony Belcher.
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Stems from the Edge of Silence
Hanna Abi Akl
Details
Title Stems from the Edge of Silence, Writings from the Springs of the Mind Author Hanna Abi Akl Genre Poetry, Essays, Short Stories Pages 286 Format Paperback $17.00, E-Book $6.00 Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Stems from the Edge of Silence is a combination of written works including poems, short stories, essays and letters. The book addresses controversial themes such as religion, family ties, society and immigration. The collection is written as a multi-layered memoir in which Abi Akl questions foundational concepts ranging from artistic creation to immortality, pitting the essence of human belief against all forms of doubt.
Author Bio
Hanna Abi Akl is the author of poetry books, novels, essays and short stories. He discovered his fascination for language through books and was deeply captivated by the words of others which he at times found to be mystic. This set him on a lifelong exploratory journey of the wonders of language and everything it represents which led to the publication of some poetry collections and novels. Intrigued by human life, cognition, emotion and behavior, Hanna writes extensively about every aspect of being “human”, from snapshots of mundane daily lives to open-ended philosophical musings. The main inspirations to his work remain however music, paintings and of course, words. His work is featured in literary journals and magazines.
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Vitality
Hanna Abi Akl
Details
Title Vitality Author Hanna Abi Akl Genre Poetry Pages 360 Format Paperback, E-Book Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Vitality is a collection of contemporary poetry written in free verse. It taps into raw thoughts laid out in prose-like fashion and exploits a memoir of travel, heartbreak, longing and resilience in an attempt to understand the limits of the human fighting spirit.
Author Bio
Hanna Abi Akl is the author of poetry books, novels, essays and short stories. He discovered his fascination for language through books and was deeply captivated by the words of others which he at times found to be mystic. This set him on a lifelong exploratory journey of the wonders of language and everything it represents which led to the publication of some poetry collections and novels. Intrigued by human life, cognition, emotion and behavior, Hanna writes extensively about every aspect of being “human”, from snapshots of mundane daily lives to open-ended philosophical musings. The main inspirations to his work remain however music, paintings and of course, words. His work is featured in literary journals and magazines.
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Red, White & Betrayal
AJ Wood
Details
Title Red, White & Betrayal Author AJ Wood Genre Adult Fiction Pages 294 Format Paperback, E-Book Important No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Eddie is a hot-headed young man struggling with the monotonous and meaningless drudgery of work in the corporate world. So, finally, he decides to do something about it – Eddie quits his job and moves to Rio de Janeiro. The wonders of this beautiful country enrich his life, as does a lovely young woman whom he happens to meet under the most amazing of circumstances. Their romance flourishes and, before he knows it, Eddie has a new bride and a young daughter. The family moves back to the United States; but Eddie’s wife longs to return to Brazil and her unhappiness in America destroys the marriage. She kidnaps their daughter and moves to Brazil without a word to Eddie. What will Eddie do to see his daughter again? Red, White & Betrayal touches the soul of every parent, wondering, what would I do? A story of love, loss, action and adventure, coming together, on a multi-cultural tightrope of intrigue set in some of the most exotic locations in the world.
Author Bio
Red, White & Betrayal is A.J. Wood’s first novel though he has written a children’s book and had several articles published in various business journals. A.J. strives to achieve his passion: balancing experience and creativity to enable great storytelling. He has traveled and lived overseas and enjoys exploring the boundaries of myriad situations possible in the ex-pat universe. A.J. lives in California, is married, and has two children and two step-children. When not writing, A.J. coaches almost every youth sport with a focus on basketball. The best gift he can give to his children, A.J. believes, is an interest in reading, and he is working hard to make sure that his kids share his passion and appreciate every day in a world of boundless curiosity. He hopes you enjoy Red, White & Betrayal and look forward to his future novels.
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