Recommended Summer Reads: ‘Fat Girl Fairy Boy’ by Debut Author Carol McConkie

     A darkly humorous tale of family, friendship, and personal discovery . . .

     Frieda Kunkelheimer knew she wasn’t welcome in the world from her earliest stirrings. She also knew she was big and ugly, as proclaimed by her grandmother on the day of her birth. Though Frieda Kunkelheimer later blossoms into a beautiful and successful Hollywood film star, it had been determined, even before birth, that she was unwanted and unloved.

En route to a film shoot, the embittered, aging actress known as Frie, and Robin, her phobic, gay makeup artist, survive a plane crash in the jungles of Central America only to be held hostage by El Salvadoran guerrillas. Their self-absorbed lives take a backseat to the events of their capture as a bizarre set of circumstances unfold and kindle courage, compassion, and forgiveness they never thought possible.

‘Fat Girl Fairy Boy’ is written in masterful prose, and filled with rich characters, McConkie mixes irony, humor, and pathos while weaving multifaceted storylines into a wildly entertaining adventure. Few experienced novelists fare as well as McConkie in this debut literary event.

“I’m no professional literary critic but I know what I like and I truly enjoyed this contemporary fiction novel. Each night I looked forward to jumping into bed to read another chapter and follow the thrilling story about the two main characters, Robin and Frie. I’d love to see a movie version soon.”     -Steve R.

“A very original book that I highly enjoyed…4 out of 5 stars.”        – Erica H.

“I wish it was longer! I wanted to continue reading on and on. Nonetheless, Carol McConkie achieves so much, educating us on decades of US history, through the Great Depression, WWII, 60s counter-culture and Americo-Latin American political relations. In ‘Fat Girl Fairy Boy’ she has produced an absolute gem.”               – Nathan S.

“An amazing portrayal of human fortitude and strength and how people can find salvation in purpose in the wake of difficulty. ‘Fat Girl, Fairy Boy’ isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you like strong storytelling, I say give it a shot.”

-Poindextrix Book Reviews

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NEW FICTION: “Family Secrets” by Candice Kohl

Esther Brown’s family is falling apart around her. Widowed and re-married with two daughters, Esther is unable to control her eldest daughter Geneva’s wayward ways and sends her to live in Ivy Glen with her sister Prudence and her husband, Brock Langtry. Esther’s attempt to find salvation for her child sets in motion a series of dramatic events that tests the bonds of one family as they discover ‘Family Secrets.’
Based-in-fact, Candice Kohl’s novel is set in a 1920’s Chicago suburb and told from the perspectives of multiple family members. This dramatic tale has it all: passion, betrayal, deception, forgiveness and a glimpse into the unconditional ties that bind a family together.

“Family Secrets is a very well written story, thoroughly describing the internal struggle of each character, how each wishes for their own desires, dreams and love . . . This story is one of manipulation, of family, of the ties that bind . . . Once picked up this book was near impossible to put away.  Each page left you craving for more.”

– Lara Girdler, NCReaderGirl Book Reviews

“It had its fair share of, ahem, romance, but it was so much more than that. The story is full of heartbreak and, as you may have guessed, family secrets . . . The storyline definitely kept my attention, I connected with the characters.”

– Carissa A.

Available as an eBook and in trade paperback from these retailers:
AMAZON, NOOK, KOBO, SONY, iTUNES, and ALL ROMANCE

Thomas M. Lister’s “Man’s Greatest Fear” Winner of the 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards!

Author Thomas M. Lister Ed.D.’s Man’s Greatest Fear: The Final Phase of Human Evolution has won the 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards in both the ‘Environmental/Political Change’ and ‘Social Change’ categories!

Lister’s Man’s Greatest Fear has also won the ‘Best New eBook’ in the non-fiction category of the 2012 International Book Awards and was a finalist in the psychology category of Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards. Politically, socially, and environmentally timely, Lister’s work is a must read for anyone who cares about the survival of humankind on our planet.

In explaining the primordial motivation of man that continually stirs the cauldron of conflict throughout the world, Lister uses the war in the Middle East as a case study to exemplify man’s addiction to war, his relentless destruction of the environment, and his universal domination of woman.

Through careful historical research, Lister examines humanity’s history of violence in relation to current events to explain subconscious motives beneath man’s endless quest for power. By turning Freudian psychoanalysis inside out, Dr. Lister argues achievable solutions through the inclusion of women and male environmentalists in leadership roles. He hopes to educate and stir the public into action with his powerful explanation as to what, exactly, man’s greatest fear is and why it must be made a reality in order for humankind to escape extinction.

Here’s what others have said. . .

“Fantastic read. Overall, I feel this was a very insightful and interesting read. Each point made was concise, backed up by evidence and research, and very well expressed. I would recommend this book to anyone who is either interested in gender roles, male thought patterns and actions, or the human condition. . . I enjoyed it immensely.”

“I have never read a book as thought-provoking as ‘Man’s Greatest Fear.’ Dr. Lister carefully analyzes man’s behavior both in current events and historical examples…Anyone interested in psychology, politics, women’s rights, or what’s going on in the world today needs to read ‘Man’s Greatest Fear’ . . . Strongly recommended!”

“Dr. Lister proposes an idea that flips American politics and religions of the world on it’s head . . . With tons of interesting quotes and facts from world leaders, religious leaders, and philosophers, Dr. Lister explores what the world might look like if his own gender took a step back.”

“Written with thought and skill. Easy to read, to understand and to enjoy.”

NOW ON SALE!

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, KOBO, NOOK, SONY, GOOGLE BOOKS, and iTUNES!

NEW RELEASE: Self-Help Title from Dr. Linda R. Harper – “Give: A Guide to Discovering the Joy in Everyday Giving”

What is the key to giving that energizes and fulfills us, rather than exhausts and
depletes us? asks Dr. Linda Harper, Ph.D. in her latest work,
‘Give: A Guide to Discovering the Joy of Everyday Giving.’

     Daily life continually asks us to make choices about how to give—whether it is our attention, time, energy, talents, love, or even money—to others and to ourselves. Often, we juggle our attempts to meet our own needs and the demands of others. So the decisions we make about what, when, and how much to give, strongly impact the quality of our everyday lives. These choices can cause us stress, turmoil, guilt, exhaustion, and depletion—or they can bring us immeasurable joy, peace of mind, and fulfillment.
     Linda R. Harper’s simple five-step guide will help you rediscover the joy in everyday giving using one question: What are my heart’s true desires at this very moment? ‘Give’ is not about giving more or giving less. It is about giving from your deepest self and trusting the natural wisdom of your heart’s desires. As you become the giver you were meant to be, you will deepen the meaning of your life through soulful, ordinary acts of giving—both to yourself and to others.

Available at Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Sony, iTunes,
Google Books, Gardners Books, and OmniLit!

MEET THE AUTHOR

     Dr. Linda Harper, Ph.D., has been a clinical psychologist for 29 years in private practice with her husband in Evergreen Park, Illinois. She is also the author of ‘The Tao of Eating: Feeding Your Soul through Everyday Experiences with Food’ (Innisfree Press,1998), ‘Eat: A Guide to Discovering Your Natural Relationship with Food’ (Blue Star Books, 2012), and ‘Give to Your Heart’s Content…Without Giving Yourself Away’ (Innisfree Press, 2002, and InnerOcean Publishing, 2004).   
     Dr. Harper is an international speaker and has given the keynote address at a variety of national conferences and volunteer recognition events across the United States and in Canada, Bali, Egypt and Paris, France. She gives workshops and lectures to a variety of non-profit institutions including hospitals, the Mayo Clinic, hospices, libraries, volunteer associations, animal shelters and humane societies, mother’s groups, churches, caregiver support groups and wellness centers. Dr. Harper has participated in many radio and television interviews, with her ideas and articles appearing in various magazines and newspapers throughout the country. She is also the founder of “Blessed Bonds,” (www.blessedbonds.com) an eight-year-old program belonging to Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment (A.D.O.P.T.) pet shelter  in Naperville, Illinois.

 

 

Discover Charles W. Allen’s “The Gift: A True Story of Life, Death, and Trust”

Book Hub Announces Allyn House Publishing’s Touching Memoir “The Gift”

     Charles Allen, loving husband and father in a family of eight, shares his personal experience of conquering the heartache and tragedy of losing two children to cystic fibrosis, and both his oldest daughter and wife to cancer.
Through the details of Allen’s experiences of coping with the loss of four family members, it becomes clear how tragedy can become a powerful source of personal growth and how faith plays an important role in the trials and tribulations of life. Allen’s mourning culminates with the selfless gift given to him by his wife, Sue, as she struggles with her last breath.
Through touching personal journal entries and revealing narrative, ‘The Gift’ chronicles one man’s one man’s struggles with, and triumph over, loss and grief.

“Once in a great while, a story touches you so deeply that it changes you forever,
a timeless story that will never grow old.”

– Brian Carter, SunRise Publishing

Available at Kobo, Amazon, Nook, OmniLit, iTunes, and Google Books.
Coming soon to SONY and Gardners Books!

Spanish Version Coming Soon!!

Hey Romance Fans! NEW RELEASE: “Knight’s Desire” by Elizabeth Taylor George

 

“So addictive I couldn’t put it down!”

See what others are saying on GoodReads!

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, KOBO, NOOK, ALL ROMANCE, and iTUNES!
Coming Soon to SONY, Google Books, and Gardners Books 🙂

5-Star Book: New Release from Debut Author Carol McConkie – “Fat Girl Fairy Boy”!

Blue Star Books is excited to announce the long-awaited release
of debut author Carol McConkie’s Fat Girl Fairy Boy!

Frieda Kunkelheimer knew she wasn’t welcome in the world from her earliest stirrings. She also knew she was big and ugly, as proclaimed by her grandmother on the day of her birth. Though Frieda Kunkelheimer later blossoms into a beautiful and successful Hollywood film star, it had been determined, even before birth, that she was unwanted and unloved.

En route to a film shoot, the embittered, aging actress known as Frie, and Robin, her fearful, phobic gay makeup artist, survive a plane crash in the jungles of Central America only to be held hostage by El Salvadoran guerrillas. Their self-absorbed lives take a backseat to the events of their capture as a bizarre set of circumstances unfold and kindle courage, compassion, and forgiveness they never thought possible.

Fat Girl Fairy Boy is a darkly humorous tale of family, friendship, and personal discovery. Written in masterful prose, and filled with rich characters, McConkie mixes irony, humor, and pathos while weaving multifaceted storylines into a wildly entertaining adventure. Few experienced novelists fare as well as McConkie in this debut literary event.

Now available at Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and other eBook retailers!
Coming soon to Sony, iTunes, and Google Books.

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