Sunshine Rodgers's Blog - Posts Tagged "fiction"
Laura Thomas. Author Interview
Author Laura Thomas explains that she writes heartwarming encouragement for the soul and has penned novels, children’s stories, devotionals and articles... through that hope-filled lens.
Me: Hello Laura Thomas! You are a published Christian Author. Tell me a little bit about yourself
Laura: I have three Christian romantic suspense novels published as well as a Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, middle-grade novel, several anthology books, devotionals, articles, and stories in magazines and online. I’m a chocoholic mom of three grown children and am married to my high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, we live in Kelowna, British Columbia as audacious empty-nesters.
Me: Wow! Congrats on your literary success! Tell me about some more about your books.
Laura: My Flight to Freedom series is Christian romantic suspense, published by Anaiah Press. The Glass Bottom Boat, The Lighthouse Baby, and The Orphan Beach can also be read as stand-alone novels and are all stories of hope with some nail-biting tension.
Me: What is next for you? Any new books?
Laura: I just finished writing my latest Christian romantic suspense manuscript and sent it to my literary agent mere days ago, so now I have to be patient—not my forte! It’s a brand-new series set in an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, and it involves a Canadian photographer, a dashing surgeon, guilt and grief, and the ugly underbelly of the art world.
Me: What inspired you to be an Author?
Laura: Books have always brought me such joy. I was an absolute bookworm as a child and dreamed of being the next Beatrix Potter one day. And then many years later, when I shared my dream of writing a book with my husband, he encouraged me to pursue it… and eventually the author life became a reality!
Me: I love to read, too! Who are your literary influences?
Laura: My all-time favorite book is Little Women, and Louisa May Alcott certainly impacted my desire to be an author when I was a little girl. More recent authors who have inspired me in my writing include Francine Rivers, Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, and Angela Hunt, for their compelling writing in the world of Christian fiction.
To contact Author Laura Thomas:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
To purchase Laura's Books:
Amazon
To see the entire post:
http://sunshinerodgersblog.simplesite...
Laura Thomas
Me: Hello Laura Thomas! You are a published Christian Author. Tell me a little bit about yourself
Laura: I have three Christian romantic suspense novels published as well as a Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, middle-grade novel, several anthology books, devotionals, articles, and stories in magazines and online. I’m a chocoholic mom of three grown children and am married to my high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, we live in Kelowna, British Columbia as audacious empty-nesters.
Me: Wow! Congrats on your literary success! Tell me about some more about your books.
Laura: My Flight to Freedom series is Christian romantic suspense, published by Anaiah Press. The Glass Bottom Boat, The Lighthouse Baby, and The Orphan Beach can also be read as stand-alone novels and are all stories of hope with some nail-biting tension.
Me: What is next for you? Any new books?
Laura: I just finished writing my latest Christian romantic suspense manuscript and sent it to my literary agent mere days ago, so now I have to be patient—not my forte! It’s a brand-new series set in an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, and it involves a Canadian photographer, a dashing surgeon, guilt and grief, and the ugly underbelly of the art world.
Me: What inspired you to be an Author?
Laura: Books have always brought me such joy. I was an absolute bookworm as a child and dreamed of being the next Beatrix Potter one day. And then many years later, when I shared my dream of writing a book with my husband, he encouraged me to pursue it… and eventually the author life became a reality!
Me: I love to read, too! Who are your literary influences?
Laura: My all-time favorite book is Little Women, and Louisa May Alcott certainly impacted my desire to be an author when I was a little girl. More recent authors who have inspired me in my writing include Francine Rivers, Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, and Angela Hunt, for their compelling writing in the world of Christian fiction.
To contact Author Laura Thomas:
Website
Youtube
To purchase Laura's Books:
Amazon
To see the entire post:
http://sunshinerodgersblog.simplesite...
Laura Thomas
Joy That Renews: Book of the Month
I wanted to spotlight the book "Joy that Renews" by Steve Akerson as my pick for THE BOOK OF THE MONTH.
Joy That Renews is a devotional book that will bring joy to your heart and refresh your soul.
Genre: a Bible-based devotional.
Pages: 175
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Steve Akerson has this to say, "The focus of looking in-depth at one specific verse in each chapter of Psalms brings out the intensity of the situations faced by David and Moses and others. My book allows the reader to find themselves in those situations and apply what the writers learned and experienced to their own lives."
From the author: " I hope my readers gain an understanding of how good God is and how much He wants to put joy in their lives and their hearts. I want my readers to know that there are proven things they can do to destroy the habits and sins that have captured them so they can live in complete freedom."
A quote from the book: "From the look at Psalms 20:7 - "There are so many things in life that will try to grab you. They will whisper that strength and security can be found in them...We are waking up to the truth that the physical things we put our hope in will fail. When you put more and more of your trust and faith in the Lord, your perspective on "things" will change...You will find your future of direction, peace and contentment - the real things of life."
What others are saying about "Joy that Renews":
"Not only does he use the most faithful and potent English version of the Book of Psalms, the Passion Translation, Akerson aligns his heart with King David and the other Psalmists in their pursuit of the grace and lovingkindness of God in the midst of great personal and external challenges and uncertainty. This fresh new book is an invitation to all who seek the shining, benevolent face of God in these anxious times." - Dave Householder – Senior Pastor at The Well at Surf City, Huntington Beach, California. #DiveDeepTogether, Author
"Steve’s devotional from Psalms will set your passion for Jesus on fire. His commentaries will help empower you to experience joy no matter the issue of your heart!" - Mark Strandjord – Missionary, Teacher, Pastor
"Steve’s passion for knowing the Lord is abundantly clear as he shares his heartfelt revelation of the Psalms. Nothing addresses the reality of the human experience quite like the Psalms, and Steve has masterfully captured key verses to ponder, pray and apply to daily life. As he guides you through each reading, may he deposit in you all that the Lord has freely given him and may you discover the true source of a joy that renews." - Mary J. Nelson, pastor and author of Jehovah Rapha: The God Who Heals and Praying for the Cure
To read the entire post:
http://sunshinerodgersblog.simplesite...
Joy That Renews: A devotional from Psalms to refresh your life every day
Steve Akerson
Joy That Renews is a devotional book that will bring joy to your heart and refresh your soul.
Genre: a Bible-based devotional.
Pages: 175
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Steve Akerson has this to say, "The focus of looking in-depth at one specific verse in each chapter of Psalms brings out the intensity of the situations faced by David and Moses and others. My book allows the reader to find themselves in those situations and apply what the writers learned and experienced to their own lives."
From the author: " I hope my readers gain an understanding of how good God is and how much He wants to put joy in their lives and their hearts. I want my readers to know that there are proven things they can do to destroy the habits and sins that have captured them so they can live in complete freedom."
A quote from the book: "From the look at Psalms 20:7 - "There are so many things in life that will try to grab you. They will whisper that strength and security can be found in them...We are waking up to the truth that the physical things we put our hope in will fail. When you put more and more of your trust and faith in the Lord, your perspective on "things" will change...You will find your future of direction, peace and contentment - the real things of life."
What others are saying about "Joy that Renews":
"Not only does he use the most faithful and potent English version of the Book of Psalms, the Passion Translation, Akerson aligns his heart with King David and the other Psalmists in their pursuit of the grace and lovingkindness of God in the midst of great personal and external challenges and uncertainty. This fresh new book is an invitation to all who seek the shining, benevolent face of God in these anxious times." - Dave Householder – Senior Pastor at The Well at Surf City, Huntington Beach, California. #DiveDeepTogether, Author
"Steve’s devotional from Psalms will set your passion for Jesus on fire. His commentaries will help empower you to experience joy no matter the issue of your heart!" - Mark Strandjord – Missionary, Teacher, Pastor
"Steve’s passion for knowing the Lord is abundantly clear as he shares his heartfelt revelation of the Psalms. Nothing addresses the reality of the human experience quite like the Psalms, and Steve has masterfully captured key verses to ponder, pray and apply to daily life. As he guides you through each reading, may he deposit in you all that the Lord has freely given him and may you discover the true source of a joy that renews." - Mary J. Nelson, pastor and author of Jehovah Rapha: The God Who Heals and Praying for the Cure
To read the entire post:
http://sunshinerodgersblog.simplesite...
Joy That Renews: A devotional from Psalms to refresh your life every day
Steve Akerson
A CROWN OF CHAINS: BOOK OF THE MONTH
I wanted to spotlight A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips as my pick for the Book of the Month!
A Crown of Chains is a YA fantasy retelling of the Biblical story of Queen Esther, with fresh twists based on the original context in this timeless tale of miracles in the midst of forgotten faith.
Genre: Upper YA Fantasy Retelling
Pages: 430
What makes this book different from those in its genre? The Author Erin Phillips has this to say, “When compared to other retellings of Esther, you'll find A Crown of Chains doesn't shy away from or change the realities of Esther's story, addressing the sexual assault in her story with compassion and appropriateness for teens. It is also definitely a page-turner with a heart-pounding pace that will keep you on the edge of your seat with political intrigue, forbidden romance, and dire stakes!”
Me: "What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your book?”
Erin: “Hope and comfort, to see that God never abandons us, even when we have forgotten Him, and that He is able to take even the most evil deeds of man and use them to do great good. Even in the darkness, there is always light, if only a candle in a window.”
A quote from the book: "If death is all that awaits me, then I won’t waste it."
What readers are saying about A Crown of Chains:
“I cannot stop thinking about this book! Brilliant and imaginative, A Crown of Chains offers a fresh take on the Biblical story of Esther, infusing the fantastical with an unmistakable sense of purpose. Erin Phillips is a brave voice in the YA genre. I’ll be counting down the days until her next release.” -Caroline George, author of Dearest Josephine and The Summer We Forgot (HarperCollins)
“A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips left me speechless. There were times I had to put this thought-provoking book down just to process my emotions, only to pick it back up again, unable to stay away from the story for long. Roxana’s tale is one of heartbreak and intrigue, despair and hope. Despite knowing the familiar story of Esther, I still found myself surprised by this fresh and imaginative take on the Biblical narrative. Fans of Kiera Cass and Tosca Lee will rejoice over this breakout novel that inspires readers to cling to faith even in the darkest of times.” — Sara Ella, award-winning author of the Unblemished trilogy, Coral, and The Wonderland Trials
To purchase A Crown of Chains:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
To connect with Author Erin Phillips:
Website
Instagram
Tik-Tok: @erinphillipsauthor
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
A Crown of Chains
Erin Phillips
A Crown of Chains is a YA fantasy retelling of the Biblical story of Queen Esther, with fresh twists based on the original context in this timeless tale of miracles in the midst of forgotten faith.
Genre: Upper YA Fantasy Retelling
Pages: 430
What makes this book different from those in its genre? The Author Erin Phillips has this to say, “When compared to other retellings of Esther, you'll find A Crown of Chains doesn't shy away from or change the realities of Esther's story, addressing the sexual assault in her story with compassion and appropriateness for teens. It is also definitely a page-turner with a heart-pounding pace that will keep you on the edge of your seat with political intrigue, forbidden romance, and dire stakes!”
Me: "What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your book?”
Erin: “Hope and comfort, to see that God never abandons us, even when we have forgotten Him, and that He is able to take even the most evil deeds of man and use them to do great good. Even in the darkness, there is always light, if only a candle in a window.”
A quote from the book: "If death is all that awaits me, then I won’t waste it."
What readers are saying about A Crown of Chains:
“I cannot stop thinking about this book! Brilliant and imaginative, A Crown of Chains offers a fresh take on the Biblical story of Esther, infusing the fantastical with an unmistakable sense of purpose. Erin Phillips is a brave voice in the YA genre. I’ll be counting down the days until her next release.” -Caroline George, author of Dearest Josephine and The Summer We Forgot (HarperCollins)
“A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips left me speechless. There were times I had to put this thought-provoking book down just to process my emotions, only to pick it back up again, unable to stay away from the story for long. Roxana’s tale is one of heartbreak and intrigue, despair and hope. Despite knowing the familiar story of Esther, I still found myself surprised by this fresh and imaginative take on the Biblical narrative. Fans of Kiera Cass and Tosca Lee will rejoice over this breakout novel that inspires readers to cling to faith even in the darkest of times.” — Sara Ella, award-winning author of the Unblemished trilogy, Coral, and The Wonderland Trials
To purchase A Crown of Chains:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
To connect with Author Erin Phillips:
Website
Tik-Tok: @erinphillipsauthor
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
A Crown of Chains
Erin Phillips
The Characters Within’ by Sunshine Rodgers: Unveiling Chapter One!
Introducing ‘The Characters Within’ by Sunshine Rodgers: Unveiling Chapter One!
Posted on April 2, 2023
Are you ready to explore the captivating characters and story of Sunshine Rodgers’ young adult novel, The Characters Within? Then this blog post is for YOU!
Synopsis of The Characters Within
“The Characters Within” is a book-within-a-book: part-Musical and part-love story!
Brittany Myers is stuck. She has been working at Cheddar and Such, the thriving theme park in Central Florida for years, and she is sick of the guests, the heat, and the Fun at the Parm Attraction, featuring the animatronics Patty and Pretzel and Peter the Breadstick.
Her only relief from the monotony is writing pages of her book “The Carnival Ride” where she elaborates with theatrical scenes about her co-workers, her fears, and the struggles she faces day in and day out.
With the help of her work family, her best friend, and the man of her dreams, she might just discover that the magic she is looking for was right inside of her the entire time!
Book Details
Name of the book: The Characters Within
Name of the author: Sunshine Rodgers
Genre(s): Inspirational Fiction, Young Adult
Target audience age range: 18+
Does the book contain any explicit content: No
Format, ISBN and date published: eBook, B0BXG1B1YT, December 28, 2021
Format, ISBN and date published: Audio Book, 9781664929265, October 9, 2020
Format, ISBN and date published: Paperback, 9781648301698, August 2020
Name of publisher: RWG Publishing
Book link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40heHBM
CHAPTER ONE
I waved wildly at the sound interrupting my sleep.
The red, fuzzy alarm clock rang chaotically in my ear, an irritating buzz that evolved into a haunting cackle that reminded me that my 11-hour workday was about to start.
…
I rolled around in my comfortable bed, not wanting to start my shift at Cheddar and Such theme park, a popular amusement park in Florida.
I closed my eyes and remembered the first day of Orientation.
…
Was it really ten years ago when I signed up to make “Cheese look Fun”?
————————————————————————————
“Hello, new Cheese Crusaders, and welcome to Cheddar and Such theme park, where your days are always delicious!” said chipper Paulomi Dholakia, a Curd-Boss at the park.
Paulomi’s long dark hair flowed down over her navy blue outfit.
She stood in front of a large projector showing impressive facts and images about the company.
…
“You are going to love working here!” Paulomi continued. “I have been here for two years now, and I started right where you are sitting!
Cheddar and Such has so many opportunities for advancement! You can jump into training or management positions pretty quickly! I would know! I became a Curd-Boss in no time!” She snapped her fingers and laughed at herself as if she just made the funniest joke in the world.
I looked around at the small group of bright-eyed and innocent recruits at Cheddar and Such all bunched together in this small classroom in the backstage area of the park. Each of us had a packet of information in front of us.
I felt so excited to be sitting in this room, going over the introductory pages of the “Most Delicious” park in Florida. We were asked to go around the room and share our names with the
group.
After I introduced myself, the girl sitting to my right continued by sharing her name.
“Hi! I’m Maddie Stiles, and I love this theme park! I remember taking vacations here with my family when I was young and making such delicious memories!” This young brunette rambled on about how it was always her dream to work here.
“Hey, what’s up! My name is Christopher Bungert, and I am excited to work my way up to be a Curd-Boss at this company!” the eager man with light curly hair explained.
“Hey, guys! I’m Roberto Diaz! And similar to Maddie…I loved coming here as a kid and riding the Blue Cheese Falls! Such a great ride!” said a young man who sounded way too enthusiastic and who was writing notes furiously during the presentation.
And finally, one other girl spoke out. “Hey guys! I’m Brittany Restrepo, and I am anxious to get to know all of you, and I am happy to be working at this theme park in the sunny state of Florida!”
Paulomi then passed the remote for the projector screen to Angelina Sanchez, a young woman wearing a similar navy blue outfit as the first facilitator.
Angelina and Paulomi high-fived each other and started giggling as if they share an inside joke.
Angelina clicked the remote, and the next slide showed a collage of pictures: children dancing in front of the Queso Fresco band, a couple posing next to the Asiago performers, and a little girl in pigtails enjoying a cheese sample of the day.
“You are going to love working here as a Cheese Crusader,” Angelina continued, explaining that each role is unique, and we would be working at different areas of the park, assigned to a themed uniform.
“If you could please turn to page 13 in your packet, I will highlight the benefits of working at Cheddar and Such!”
I smiled as I stared down at the pages of my packet filled with pictures of vacationers making “delicious” memories. Cheese Crusaders in various outfits were holding balloons. Men and women dressed in a sky blue uniform with an attached flower broach pass out cheese samples at the front entrance of the park.
There was even a page that listed all the locations that offered training and management positions within the company.
I was beyond ecstatic about my future at Cheddar and Such!
Maybe now I won’t be a loser who quit college.
I will advance in a thriving theme park!
That will show them!
That will show me ….
…that I still have a future!
“Okay, new recruits!” Josh Brown announced, a man who had been sitting patiently in the corner of the room as if awaiting his turn to speak. “Come and collect your Cheese Crusader name tag and park placement letter. Let us know if you have any questions about your assignment at Cheddar and Such! We officially welcome you to the team!” Josh was dressed in an all-brown uniform with Swiss cheese images stamped up and down his shirt.
I collected my name tag like it was a treasure. The small piece of plastic was bright yellow and shiny, my name glistening on the front: Brittany Myers.
I initialed after my name on the clipboard that Josh was holding to secure my place in the company after receiving my official badge of honor.
I cuffed the name tag in my hands like precious gold was just given to me.
“Wow!” I thought. “I am going to love working here!”
I pinned my name tag on my button-down green pastel shirt and quickly read my park placement letter:
Welcome, Brittany Myers!
Cheddar and Such theme park originated in Wisconsin but franchised in the
sunny state of Florida, bringing in even more guest flow and traffic than the nearby entertainment venues and tourist attractions already in the Central Florida area.
Cheddar and Such theme park creates a “delicious” way to have fun. Such attractions inside the park include: Gouda Land, Swiss Ride, and the ever-popular, Blue Cheese Dip!
Brittany Myers, you are assigned to the Fun at the Parm Attraction.
This show is about Peter the Breadstick, Patty the Pretzel, and Ben the BrocStalk, who fall in love with their new life now covered in a cheesy sauce. The content of the show reminds the guests about the importance of cheese as an essential part of their daily nutrition.
I’m going to wear this amazing costume!
And this milk jug disguised as a water cooler.
I love my life!
Fast forward to a decade later as I finally roll out of bed.
“I hate my life…” I begin to whine as that memory of the first day of Orientation fades.
The once beautiful golden name tag is now stained and dirty from years of wear and tear, leaning sideways on my dresser, tossed carelessly from the night before.
The corresponding milk jug/water bottle became too embarrassing to wear and now collects dust in my closet.
My inner monologue gives me plenty of reasons to call out today:
I have a stomach cramp.
It’s that time of the month.
I need a mental break day.
I want to binge-watch the new hit TV show: Magic Tree
I sigh and frantically searched for my notebook, which is currently mangled between the sheets of my bed.
I keep this notebook with me at all times, its pages containing a plethora of scribbles, words crossed out, character names, and storyline ideas.
And one book I have been working on for years called “The Carnival Ride” about Sasha, a female handyman at a carnival who longs to be a Performer.
I’m happy with what I have so far.
I feel so hopeful about a possible author career that I spend my free time mailing and submitting my story to publishers, agents, and small literary houses.
I have spent days, months, and years daydreaming, organizing, and creating characters and scenes for my book, “The Carnival Ride.”
I’m using the names and personas of my co-workers at Cheddar and Such to be the characters for my story…
They just don’t know it yet.
My everyday drama working at Cheddar and Such theme park provides plenty of material for a book.
Or so I hope….
I am praying that one day…these little opportunist storylines will lead me to my dream job as a writer.
Maybe…just maybe…I can become a Best Selling Author like my literary icon, Heather Pierce, who wrote my favorite book series, Star Haven. Her stories have everything I love! Romance. Fantasy. Quirky characters. Happy Endings!
On my bedside table is a zebra-colored framed photo of Heather and me when I was 13-years-old, attending one of her book signings in Jacksonville, FL. My mouth was wide open in excitement as she signed the first edition paperback copy of “Star Haven Returns: Claire De Room” for me.
I decided then that I wanted to be just like Heather Pierce when I grow up!
The teenage version of me pops her head out of the zebra print picture frame with her blonde hair tied in pigtails and her green braces looking cute and youthful, asking in a rather annoying way, “What went wrong? Why didn’t you become what you wanted to be?”
And my present-day slob with tussled dirty blonde hair and lazy eyes would respond back, “because life is unfair.”
The truth is, I’m a 30-something college drop-out who took a job at a theme park to make ends meet.
And that’s the beginning and end of my story.
I drag my exhausted body towards the small bathroom mirror to disapprove of how disheveled I look, noticing a giant zit now occupies space on my forehead.
My back slumps in a tight posture as if maintaining years of stressed-induced weight.
What would Martin think about my organically horrendous look?
I swoon at the thought of Martin Masson….
Martin is the man of my dreams!
He’s the reason why I try to look cute at work!
And the reason why I try to be a good Cheese Crusader on the clock!
Or rather…I act like I care about work whenever Martin is around!
I attempt to untangle a knot from my mangled hair with my flimsy dollar store brush.
What would the Fabulous Four say if they saw me?
I’m sure they’d take one look at my nonsensical demeanor and just laugh, knowing I can never beat their style and popularity!
There are many cliques at the Fun at the Parm attraction.
I often wonder where I belong.
“I’m sorry, ” I whisper to absolutely no one by my strained psyche. “I failed.”
I glance over at the ridiculous costume I am forced to wear to work, now hung up by the bathroom door. The bright clown-like uniform almost mocks me with a chuckle…
This is your life now.
Forever and ever!
I am about to seep into a coma of deep depression when I start to smell something…
Let me guess…
Pancakes!
My mouth starts to salivate, and I quickly put down my hairbrush, giving up on any real chance at the beauty this morning.
My neighbor and best friend Travis stops by for breakfast most days before he heads out to work.
I gave him a key to my place years ago.
I hear activity going on as I linger out of my bedroom, wearing my popcorn themed pajamas and stroll casually into the kitchen where sure enough Travis is flipping over another pancake on a pan, utilizing my electric stove as he’s done so many times in the past.
A neatly stacked pile of the delicious flapjacks is on his left, placed delicately on my plastic orange plate.
“Almost done!” Travis yells without even turning around, using some weird ESP ability to know that I have suddenly arrived into the room.
Travis is a man in his mid-30’s sporting light blonde hair and wearing a dark suit and tie, a normal look for him as he clocks in at his office at 9:00am sharp dealing with insurance and sales policies.
Travis hands me the plate of steaming hot pancakes, and I noticed placemats are already neatly arranged on the kitchen table along with cups of orange juice, napkins, and cutlery.
“How fair is it that you get to look so spiffy and I have to wear a giant cheese cap for work?” I grumble, finally sitting down.
Travis takes a seat across from me, now pouring syrup over his meal.
“Probably because I don’t have to make cheese look fun!” Travis dives into his breakfast plate. “Oh, what’s the cheese sample today?”
“Um…Mascarpone,” I respond.
Travis looks away in disdain. “Pass.”
“Guess what comes out in theaters next month?” I clap my hands excitedly. “The new Star Haven movie!”
He smiles, gently rolling his eyes at my enthusiasm over corny romance movies, and takes a sip of his orange juice.
Star Haven is a movie based on my favorite book series about finding true love and believing in Magic. And stars my all-time favorite actor, the oh-so-handsome Brad Cunningham.
I know Travis doesn’t necessarily care for movies about romance and drama, but he’ll end up going with me, usually to talk about how unoriginal the storyline was or how predictable the love triangle is.
But I can count on Travis, no matter what.
Ever since I moved to Central Florida… 10 years ago.
My friendly next-door neighbor introduced himself as he was watering his front lawn and offered to help me unpack into my studio apartment, informing me about the area and how bad the I-4 traffic is and warning me about Florida’s hurricane seasons.
I was grateful for his help and a couple of nights later, he took me to dinner at a local taco joint.
And we’ve been best friends ever since.
Travis’ phone alarm beeps loudly.
“Oh! I have to go!” Travis jumps up and places his now empty plate in the sink. “I was thinking for Wednesday…I can get doughnuts from the place we like near that beauty salon.”
I nod my head in agreement.
“Say good-bye to BIRD-KIN before you leave!” I shout as Travis starts laughing and gives a farewell wave to the plastic gourd on the counter.
BIRD-KIN, as we properly named him, is a grotesque looking, disproportional plastic pumpkin that contains bird-like features. The mouth is hanging low, and there are “wings” that come out of the pumpkins’ sides, and the entire plastic thing is blue.
Travis saw it years ago when we went to the carnival together, and he got it for free, probably because no one else wanted it.
…
“You know, I feel like no one would understand our inside jokes. We have too many!” I added.
“Yeah.” Travis rubbed his eyes and starts to calm down. “Good times! So…written any more pages?”
I nodded and took out the notebook from my backpack.
Travis is the only one who is allowed to read my manuscript.
“Hey, I’ll be right back. I need to get changed.” I went into my bedroom and closed the door to take off the ridiculous uniform and change into my comfortable sweatpants and blue tee.
I heard Travis laughing from the other room as he read my pages.
I moseyed back into the living room and tied my light knotty curls into a loose bun.
“This is good stuff! I love it!” He hands me back the notebook. “So…who does Sasha end up with at the end?”
“Of course…Martin the Great!” I announced as I get a soda from the fridge.
“Oh?” Travis reacts. “Don’t you think that’s a little too… obvious? The shy girl ends up with the man of her dreams! That story has been told before…”
“That’s the beauty of it! Readers love a happy ending!” I placed my drink on the coffee table and found a seat on the couch.
“Have you heard back from any publishers yet?” Travis inquired.
…
A sparkle of adoration lit up Travis’ eyes, and he gently places his hand on my knee as a slight assurance that he wouldn’t miss spending time with me…even if it means seeing a movie with a predictable plot and a simplistic love story.
***
What do you think about this blog post “Introducing ‘The Characters Within’ by Sunshine Rodgers: Unveiling Chapter One!”? Please leave a comment below.
If you enjoyed reading this chapter and want to read the rest of The Characters Within’, please support the author Sunshine Rodgers by purchasing a copy of the book via your favorite book retailer. You can also buy the book on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/40heHBM
Segilola Salami
Sunshine Rodgers
Posted on April 2, 2023
Are you ready to explore the captivating characters and story of Sunshine Rodgers’ young adult novel, The Characters Within? Then this blog post is for YOU!
Synopsis of The Characters Within
“The Characters Within” is a book-within-a-book: part-Musical and part-love story!
Brittany Myers is stuck. She has been working at Cheddar and Such, the thriving theme park in Central Florida for years, and she is sick of the guests, the heat, and the Fun at the Parm Attraction, featuring the animatronics Patty and Pretzel and Peter the Breadstick.
Her only relief from the monotony is writing pages of her book “The Carnival Ride” where she elaborates with theatrical scenes about her co-workers, her fears, and the struggles she faces day in and day out.
With the help of her work family, her best friend, and the man of her dreams, she might just discover that the magic she is looking for was right inside of her the entire time!
Book Details
Name of the book: The Characters Within
Name of the author: Sunshine Rodgers
Genre(s): Inspirational Fiction, Young Adult
Target audience age range: 18+
Does the book contain any explicit content: No
Format, ISBN and date published: eBook, B0BXG1B1YT, December 28, 2021
Format, ISBN and date published: Audio Book, 9781664929265, October 9, 2020
Format, ISBN and date published: Paperback, 9781648301698, August 2020
Name of publisher: RWG Publishing
Book link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40heHBM
CHAPTER ONE
I waved wildly at the sound interrupting my sleep.
The red, fuzzy alarm clock rang chaotically in my ear, an irritating buzz that evolved into a haunting cackle that reminded me that my 11-hour workday was about to start.
…
I rolled around in my comfortable bed, not wanting to start my shift at Cheddar and Such theme park, a popular amusement park in Florida.
I closed my eyes and remembered the first day of Orientation.
…
Was it really ten years ago when I signed up to make “Cheese look Fun”?
————————————————————————————
“Hello, new Cheese Crusaders, and welcome to Cheddar and Such theme park, where your days are always delicious!” said chipper Paulomi Dholakia, a Curd-Boss at the park.
Paulomi’s long dark hair flowed down over her navy blue outfit.
She stood in front of a large projector showing impressive facts and images about the company.
…
“You are going to love working here!” Paulomi continued. “I have been here for two years now, and I started right where you are sitting!
Cheddar and Such has so many opportunities for advancement! You can jump into training or management positions pretty quickly! I would know! I became a Curd-Boss in no time!” She snapped her fingers and laughed at herself as if she just made the funniest joke in the world.
I looked around at the small group of bright-eyed and innocent recruits at Cheddar and Such all bunched together in this small classroom in the backstage area of the park. Each of us had a packet of information in front of us.
I felt so excited to be sitting in this room, going over the introductory pages of the “Most Delicious” park in Florida. We were asked to go around the room and share our names with the
group.
After I introduced myself, the girl sitting to my right continued by sharing her name.
“Hi! I’m Maddie Stiles, and I love this theme park! I remember taking vacations here with my family when I was young and making such delicious memories!” This young brunette rambled on about how it was always her dream to work here.
“Hey, what’s up! My name is Christopher Bungert, and I am excited to work my way up to be a Curd-Boss at this company!” the eager man with light curly hair explained.
“Hey, guys! I’m Roberto Diaz! And similar to Maddie…I loved coming here as a kid and riding the Blue Cheese Falls! Such a great ride!” said a young man who sounded way too enthusiastic and who was writing notes furiously during the presentation.
And finally, one other girl spoke out. “Hey guys! I’m Brittany Restrepo, and I am anxious to get to know all of you, and I am happy to be working at this theme park in the sunny state of Florida!”
Paulomi then passed the remote for the projector screen to Angelina Sanchez, a young woman wearing a similar navy blue outfit as the first facilitator.
Angelina and Paulomi high-fived each other and started giggling as if they share an inside joke.
Angelina clicked the remote, and the next slide showed a collage of pictures: children dancing in front of the Queso Fresco band, a couple posing next to the Asiago performers, and a little girl in pigtails enjoying a cheese sample of the day.
“You are going to love working here as a Cheese Crusader,” Angelina continued, explaining that each role is unique, and we would be working at different areas of the park, assigned to a themed uniform.
“If you could please turn to page 13 in your packet, I will highlight the benefits of working at Cheddar and Such!”
I smiled as I stared down at the pages of my packet filled with pictures of vacationers making “delicious” memories. Cheese Crusaders in various outfits were holding balloons. Men and women dressed in a sky blue uniform with an attached flower broach pass out cheese samples at the front entrance of the park.
There was even a page that listed all the locations that offered training and management positions within the company.
I was beyond ecstatic about my future at Cheddar and Such!
Maybe now I won’t be a loser who quit college.
I will advance in a thriving theme park!
That will show them!
That will show me ….
…that I still have a future!
“Okay, new recruits!” Josh Brown announced, a man who had been sitting patiently in the corner of the room as if awaiting his turn to speak. “Come and collect your Cheese Crusader name tag and park placement letter. Let us know if you have any questions about your assignment at Cheddar and Such! We officially welcome you to the team!” Josh was dressed in an all-brown uniform with Swiss cheese images stamped up and down his shirt.
I collected my name tag like it was a treasure. The small piece of plastic was bright yellow and shiny, my name glistening on the front: Brittany Myers.
I initialed after my name on the clipboard that Josh was holding to secure my place in the company after receiving my official badge of honor.
I cuffed the name tag in my hands like precious gold was just given to me.
“Wow!” I thought. “I am going to love working here!”
I pinned my name tag on my button-down green pastel shirt and quickly read my park placement letter:
Welcome, Brittany Myers!
Cheddar and Such theme park originated in Wisconsin but franchised in the
sunny state of Florida, bringing in even more guest flow and traffic than the nearby entertainment venues and tourist attractions already in the Central Florida area.
Cheddar and Such theme park creates a “delicious” way to have fun. Such attractions inside the park include: Gouda Land, Swiss Ride, and the ever-popular, Blue Cheese Dip!
Brittany Myers, you are assigned to the Fun at the Parm Attraction.
This show is about Peter the Breadstick, Patty the Pretzel, and Ben the BrocStalk, who fall in love with their new life now covered in a cheesy sauce. The content of the show reminds the guests about the importance of cheese as an essential part of their daily nutrition.
I’m going to wear this amazing costume!
And this milk jug disguised as a water cooler.
I love my life!
Fast forward to a decade later as I finally roll out of bed.
“I hate my life…” I begin to whine as that memory of the first day of Orientation fades.
The once beautiful golden name tag is now stained and dirty from years of wear and tear, leaning sideways on my dresser, tossed carelessly from the night before.
The corresponding milk jug/water bottle became too embarrassing to wear and now collects dust in my closet.
My inner monologue gives me plenty of reasons to call out today:
I have a stomach cramp.
It’s that time of the month.
I need a mental break day.
I want to binge-watch the new hit TV show: Magic Tree
I sigh and frantically searched for my notebook, which is currently mangled between the sheets of my bed.
I keep this notebook with me at all times, its pages containing a plethora of scribbles, words crossed out, character names, and storyline ideas.
And one book I have been working on for years called “The Carnival Ride” about Sasha, a female handyman at a carnival who longs to be a Performer.
I’m happy with what I have so far.
I feel so hopeful about a possible author career that I spend my free time mailing and submitting my story to publishers, agents, and small literary houses.
I have spent days, months, and years daydreaming, organizing, and creating characters and scenes for my book, “The Carnival Ride.”
I’m using the names and personas of my co-workers at Cheddar and Such to be the characters for my story…
They just don’t know it yet.
My everyday drama working at Cheddar and Such theme park provides plenty of material for a book.
Or so I hope….
I am praying that one day…these little opportunist storylines will lead me to my dream job as a writer.
Maybe…just maybe…I can become a Best Selling Author like my literary icon, Heather Pierce, who wrote my favorite book series, Star Haven. Her stories have everything I love! Romance. Fantasy. Quirky characters. Happy Endings!
On my bedside table is a zebra-colored framed photo of Heather and me when I was 13-years-old, attending one of her book signings in Jacksonville, FL. My mouth was wide open in excitement as she signed the first edition paperback copy of “Star Haven Returns: Claire De Room” for me.
I decided then that I wanted to be just like Heather Pierce when I grow up!
The teenage version of me pops her head out of the zebra print picture frame with her blonde hair tied in pigtails and her green braces looking cute and youthful, asking in a rather annoying way, “What went wrong? Why didn’t you become what you wanted to be?”
And my present-day slob with tussled dirty blonde hair and lazy eyes would respond back, “because life is unfair.”
The truth is, I’m a 30-something college drop-out who took a job at a theme park to make ends meet.
And that’s the beginning and end of my story.
I drag my exhausted body towards the small bathroom mirror to disapprove of how disheveled I look, noticing a giant zit now occupies space on my forehead.
My back slumps in a tight posture as if maintaining years of stressed-induced weight.
What would Martin think about my organically horrendous look?
I swoon at the thought of Martin Masson….
Martin is the man of my dreams!
He’s the reason why I try to look cute at work!
And the reason why I try to be a good Cheese Crusader on the clock!
Or rather…I act like I care about work whenever Martin is around!
I attempt to untangle a knot from my mangled hair with my flimsy dollar store brush.
What would the Fabulous Four say if they saw me?
I’m sure they’d take one look at my nonsensical demeanor and just laugh, knowing I can never beat their style and popularity!
There are many cliques at the Fun at the Parm attraction.
I often wonder where I belong.
“I’m sorry, ” I whisper to absolutely no one by my strained psyche. “I failed.”
I glance over at the ridiculous costume I am forced to wear to work, now hung up by the bathroom door. The bright clown-like uniform almost mocks me with a chuckle…
This is your life now.
Forever and ever!
I am about to seep into a coma of deep depression when I start to smell something…
Let me guess…
Pancakes!
My mouth starts to salivate, and I quickly put down my hairbrush, giving up on any real chance at the beauty this morning.
My neighbor and best friend Travis stops by for breakfast most days before he heads out to work.
I gave him a key to my place years ago.
I hear activity going on as I linger out of my bedroom, wearing my popcorn themed pajamas and stroll casually into the kitchen where sure enough Travis is flipping over another pancake on a pan, utilizing my electric stove as he’s done so many times in the past.
A neatly stacked pile of the delicious flapjacks is on his left, placed delicately on my plastic orange plate.
“Almost done!” Travis yells without even turning around, using some weird ESP ability to know that I have suddenly arrived into the room.
Travis is a man in his mid-30’s sporting light blonde hair and wearing a dark suit and tie, a normal look for him as he clocks in at his office at 9:00am sharp dealing with insurance and sales policies.
Travis hands me the plate of steaming hot pancakes, and I noticed placemats are already neatly arranged on the kitchen table along with cups of orange juice, napkins, and cutlery.
“How fair is it that you get to look so spiffy and I have to wear a giant cheese cap for work?” I grumble, finally sitting down.
Travis takes a seat across from me, now pouring syrup over his meal.
“Probably because I don’t have to make cheese look fun!” Travis dives into his breakfast plate. “Oh, what’s the cheese sample today?”
“Um…Mascarpone,” I respond.
Travis looks away in disdain. “Pass.”
“Guess what comes out in theaters next month?” I clap my hands excitedly. “The new Star Haven movie!”
He smiles, gently rolling his eyes at my enthusiasm over corny romance movies, and takes a sip of his orange juice.
Star Haven is a movie based on my favorite book series about finding true love and believing in Magic. And stars my all-time favorite actor, the oh-so-handsome Brad Cunningham.
I know Travis doesn’t necessarily care for movies about romance and drama, but he’ll end up going with me, usually to talk about how unoriginal the storyline was or how predictable the love triangle is.
But I can count on Travis, no matter what.
Ever since I moved to Central Florida… 10 years ago.
My friendly next-door neighbor introduced himself as he was watering his front lawn and offered to help me unpack into my studio apartment, informing me about the area and how bad the I-4 traffic is and warning me about Florida’s hurricane seasons.
I was grateful for his help and a couple of nights later, he took me to dinner at a local taco joint.
And we’ve been best friends ever since.
Travis’ phone alarm beeps loudly.
“Oh! I have to go!” Travis jumps up and places his now empty plate in the sink. “I was thinking for Wednesday…I can get doughnuts from the place we like near that beauty salon.”
I nod my head in agreement.
“Say good-bye to BIRD-KIN before you leave!” I shout as Travis starts laughing and gives a farewell wave to the plastic gourd on the counter.
BIRD-KIN, as we properly named him, is a grotesque looking, disproportional plastic pumpkin that contains bird-like features. The mouth is hanging low, and there are “wings” that come out of the pumpkins’ sides, and the entire plastic thing is blue.
Travis saw it years ago when we went to the carnival together, and he got it for free, probably because no one else wanted it.
…
“You know, I feel like no one would understand our inside jokes. We have too many!” I added.
“Yeah.” Travis rubbed his eyes and starts to calm down. “Good times! So…written any more pages?”
I nodded and took out the notebook from my backpack.
Travis is the only one who is allowed to read my manuscript.
“Hey, I’ll be right back. I need to get changed.” I went into my bedroom and closed the door to take off the ridiculous uniform and change into my comfortable sweatpants and blue tee.
I heard Travis laughing from the other room as he read my pages.
I moseyed back into the living room and tied my light knotty curls into a loose bun.
“This is good stuff! I love it!” He hands me back the notebook. “So…who does Sasha end up with at the end?”
“Of course…Martin the Great!” I announced as I get a soda from the fridge.
“Oh?” Travis reacts. “Don’t you think that’s a little too… obvious? The shy girl ends up with the man of her dreams! That story has been told before…”
“That’s the beauty of it! Readers love a happy ending!” I placed my drink on the coffee table and found a seat on the couch.
“Have you heard back from any publishers yet?” Travis inquired.
…
A sparkle of adoration lit up Travis’ eyes, and he gently places his hand on my knee as a slight assurance that he wouldn’t miss spending time with me…even if it means seeing a movie with a predictable plot and a simplistic love story.
***
What do you think about this blog post “Introducing ‘The Characters Within’ by Sunshine Rodgers: Unveiling Chapter One!”? Please leave a comment below.
If you enjoyed reading this chapter and want to read the rest of The Characters Within’, please support the author Sunshine Rodgers by purchasing a copy of the book via your favorite book retailer. You can also buy the book on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/40heHBM
Segilola Salami
Sunshine Rodgers
The Book of the Month: Sierra Elliott
I wanted to spotlight “When the Rivers Swell” by Sierra Elliott as my pick for THE BOOK OF THE MONTH.
“When the Rivers Swell” is a biblical fiction novel about the Exodus from Egypt, as seen through the eyes of one Hebrew girl and one Egyptian girl. This book landed #1 on Amazon in the category of: New Release in Biblical Fiction and Book #2 is being released in the Fall of 2023!
Genre: Biblical Fiction / Christian Historical Fiction
Pages: 346
What makes this book different from those in its genre? Author Sierra Elliott has this to say, “We all know the Bible story of Moses and the Exodus, but my book allows readers to experience the plagues through the eyes of two girls who lived it. Hannah is a Hebrew who has Moses warning the people what's coming, but Anipe is an Egyptian who is in the dark (literally during one plague). As Hannah and Anipe navigate the difficulties of surviving the plagues. Readers will get to see Anipe's coming to faith story and Hannah's struggle to trust God & boldly preach salvation.”
From the author: “My hope for this book is that readers will understand that God is still good even through the storms of life and they are chosen by God for a purpose.”
A quote from the book: "What is that?!" Bennu cried, falling to his knees beside Anipe. "Look, Papa!" Suddenly, Anipe saw it too. Through the center of the river, a red stream of blood was churning toward them."
What others are saying about “When the Rivers Swell”:
"When the Rivers Swell …what an adventure of a read! I have read the story of Exodus in the Bible countless times since I was a child, but this book brought new perspectives of how it actually felt to be within the plagues as an Egyptian and a Hebrew. It made me want to re-read the story of Moses and Pharaoh. What more could you want in a book than to be transported to a different time and yet also drive you closer to God and your relationship with Him?!" -Kalicia Esh
"Wow. This book is a must read. The author does an amazing job at immersing you into Egypt at the time of Exodus. It’s evident that lots of research went into creating this book. I loved seeing the plagues from the perspectives of not only the Hebrews, but also the Egyptians. A lot of questions the characters had about who God is and why He would let such terrible things happen were very relatable. The author highlights the goodness of God, his faithfulness, and his sovereignty in the midst of circumstances we don’t understand. The threads of redemption weaved into this story will draw you closer to the Lord and overwhelm you with thanksgiving at His goodness throughout history." -Kayla Steel
"I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of Biblical fiction about the Exodus, but this one is the first to show what it might have been like for Egyptians during the plagues. This would be a perfect book for pre-teen girls and up. The story of these two young girls, Hannah (Hebrew) and Anipe (Egyptian), and their families was hard to put down." -Cindy Simpson
To connect with Author Sierra Elliott:
Facebook
Instagram
Website
To purchase your copy:
Amazon
Sierra A. Elliott
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
“When the Rivers Swell” is a biblical fiction novel about the Exodus from Egypt, as seen through the eyes of one Hebrew girl and one Egyptian girl. This book landed #1 on Amazon in the category of: New Release in Biblical Fiction and Book #2 is being released in the Fall of 2023!
Genre: Biblical Fiction / Christian Historical Fiction
Pages: 346
What makes this book different from those in its genre? Author Sierra Elliott has this to say, “We all know the Bible story of Moses and the Exodus, but my book allows readers to experience the plagues through the eyes of two girls who lived it. Hannah is a Hebrew who has Moses warning the people what's coming, but Anipe is an Egyptian who is in the dark (literally during one plague). As Hannah and Anipe navigate the difficulties of surviving the plagues. Readers will get to see Anipe's coming to faith story and Hannah's struggle to trust God & boldly preach salvation.”
From the author: “My hope for this book is that readers will understand that God is still good even through the storms of life and they are chosen by God for a purpose.”
A quote from the book: "What is that?!" Bennu cried, falling to his knees beside Anipe. "Look, Papa!" Suddenly, Anipe saw it too. Through the center of the river, a red stream of blood was churning toward them."
What others are saying about “When the Rivers Swell”:
"When the Rivers Swell …what an adventure of a read! I have read the story of Exodus in the Bible countless times since I was a child, but this book brought new perspectives of how it actually felt to be within the plagues as an Egyptian and a Hebrew. It made me want to re-read the story of Moses and Pharaoh. What more could you want in a book than to be transported to a different time and yet also drive you closer to God and your relationship with Him?!" -Kalicia Esh
"Wow. This book is a must read. The author does an amazing job at immersing you into Egypt at the time of Exodus. It’s evident that lots of research went into creating this book. I loved seeing the plagues from the perspectives of not only the Hebrews, but also the Egyptians. A lot of questions the characters had about who God is and why He would let such terrible things happen were very relatable. The author highlights the goodness of God, his faithfulness, and his sovereignty in the midst of circumstances we don’t understand. The threads of redemption weaved into this story will draw you closer to the Lord and overwhelm you with thanksgiving at His goodness throughout history." -Kayla Steel
"I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of Biblical fiction about the Exodus, but this one is the first to show what it might have been like for Egyptians during the plagues. This would be a perfect book for pre-teen girls and up. The story of these two young girls, Hannah (Hebrew) and Anipe (Egyptian), and their families was hard to put down." -Cindy Simpson
To connect with Author Sierra Elliott:
Website
To purchase your copy:
Amazon
Sierra A. Elliott
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Murray's Miraculous Mission
I wanted to spotlight the book "Murray's Miraculous Mission" by Author Brooke Young as my pick for the BOOK OF THE MONTH!
This book is a colorful, joyful journey that highlights the importance and power of compassion, volunteering, and the profound impact of Therapy Dogs. "Murray's Miraculous Mission" is geared toward children, especially those who are wanting to learn about service, volunteering, and helping others.
Grade: Pre-K through 4th grade
Pages: 26
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Brooke Young has this to say, "What I believe makes my book different is that the entire story is rooted in my real experiences of training therapy dogs. My Grandpa and I trained my first therapy dog when I was around eight years old. Through that experience, I learned so much about compassion, growth, multigenerational friendships, therapy dogs, and of course, volunteering. My book is very open and honest and a true recollection, in a fun way, of the lessons I learned. In true Brooke Fashion, the book is colorful, exciting, and sprinkled with humor!"
"I hope that readers will walk away with a new understanding of multigenerational friendships. What can we learn from people outside of our generation? What can we share? How can we create a truly beautiful and collaborative society? In addition to that, I hope they have fun learning about volunteering and think of ways to implement service in their own life. I hope readers follow along and see how both Brooke and Murray, the main characters, step further into their purpose and grow in compassion and excitement for their work! Anyone, in any way, can make a huge difference." - Author Brooke Young
What others are saying about "Murray's Miraculous Mission":
"Not only is this book adorably illustrated and beautifully written, it shows children the power of love and compassion and teaches them the importance of volunteering and being there for others - all through an amazing therapy dog named Murray! Kids (and their adults) will instantly fall in love with the fluffy Murray, who is the most happy when he brings joy to others. Wonderful book!" - NeoMuadDib
"As a lifelong educator, I highly recommend this engaging story of a real therapy dog on a real mission with his amazing owner, Brooke. Murray spreads joy through his interactions with residents in nursing homes, hospitals and other congregate care settings. Brooke spreads compassion and intergenerational care and love through her travels with Murray. This story will inspire dog lovers and humanitarians alike. It may even spawn a family's interest in sponsoring or training a therapy dog, and it should certainly spur settings with older residents to pursue bringing a therapy dog onsite. Mostly it should remind all readers that we need to spend quality time with our elders, because they have love and wisdom to share with all generations, but especially with children and youth. And with dogs, of course!" - Amazon Customer
To purchase books and connect with Author Brooke Young:
Instagram
*All books are signed by Author and Murray
Murray's Miraculous Mission
Brooke Young
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
This book is a colorful, joyful journey that highlights the importance and power of compassion, volunteering, and the profound impact of Therapy Dogs. "Murray's Miraculous Mission" is geared toward children, especially those who are wanting to learn about service, volunteering, and helping others.
Grade: Pre-K through 4th grade
Pages: 26
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Brooke Young has this to say, "What I believe makes my book different is that the entire story is rooted in my real experiences of training therapy dogs. My Grandpa and I trained my first therapy dog when I was around eight years old. Through that experience, I learned so much about compassion, growth, multigenerational friendships, therapy dogs, and of course, volunteering. My book is very open and honest and a true recollection, in a fun way, of the lessons I learned. In true Brooke Fashion, the book is colorful, exciting, and sprinkled with humor!"
"I hope that readers will walk away with a new understanding of multigenerational friendships. What can we learn from people outside of our generation? What can we share? How can we create a truly beautiful and collaborative society? In addition to that, I hope they have fun learning about volunteering and think of ways to implement service in their own life. I hope readers follow along and see how both Brooke and Murray, the main characters, step further into their purpose and grow in compassion and excitement for their work! Anyone, in any way, can make a huge difference." - Author Brooke Young
What others are saying about "Murray's Miraculous Mission":
"Not only is this book adorably illustrated and beautifully written, it shows children the power of love and compassion and teaches them the importance of volunteering and being there for others - all through an amazing therapy dog named Murray! Kids (and their adults) will instantly fall in love with the fluffy Murray, who is the most happy when he brings joy to others. Wonderful book!" - NeoMuadDib
"As a lifelong educator, I highly recommend this engaging story of a real therapy dog on a real mission with his amazing owner, Brooke. Murray spreads joy through his interactions with residents in nursing homes, hospitals and other congregate care settings. Brooke spreads compassion and intergenerational care and love through her travels with Murray. This story will inspire dog lovers and humanitarians alike. It may even spawn a family's interest in sponsoring or training a therapy dog, and it should certainly spur settings with older residents to pursue bringing a therapy dog onsite. Mostly it should remind all readers that we need to spend quality time with our elders, because they have love and wisdom to share with all generations, but especially with children and youth. And with dogs, of course!" - Amazon Customer
To purchase books and connect with Author Brooke Young:
*All books are signed by Author and Murray
Murray's Miraculous Mission
Brooke Young
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
THE BOOK OF THE MONTH! : A.R. Grosjean
I wanted to spotlight "Alien Taskforce" by A.R. Grosjean as my pick for THE BOOK OF THE MONTH!
"Alien Taskforce" is a story about a man who loses his memory and the nurse who helps him find his way, as well as proof of his innocence in the Duke's murder.
Genre: Science Fiction Thriller
Pages: 206
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author A.R. Grosjean has this to say, "The adventure itself is different. First, John/Azula loses his memory and how he learns who he is, is a journey in itself. But then he remembers he was convicted of murder, something he doesn't remember doing before he loses his memory—that's another journey. Then he must face his leader and stop him from evading Earth while proving his innocence. So this story has several journeys all rolled into one and opens to a new series that is waiting to be written. I tossed in a few twists and made some of the characters shapeshifters to keep the readers on their toes and on the edge of their seats.
What others are saying about "Alien Taskforce" (the audio book version):
"Unexpected and sudden twists throughout. This was a very fun and fast paced book with lots of creativity in every chapter! It was skillfully tied together by the narrator who gave each character memorable voices and made it a uniquely enjoyable listen! I would recommend giving this a try to anyone who enjoys sci fi on any level."
"Excellent story and narrator. This book was a really fun listen! The story was exciting, and the characters well developed. The narrator did an excellent job with the voices, it was really impressive! Just hearing the voice, I knew which character was talking."
To purchase your copy of "Alien Taskforce":
Amazon
To connect with A.R. Grosjean:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
A.R. Grosjean
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
"Alien Taskforce" is a story about a man who loses his memory and the nurse who helps him find his way, as well as proof of his innocence in the Duke's murder.
Genre: Science Fiction Thriller
Pages: 206
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author A.R. Grosjean has this to say, "The adventure itself is different. First, John/Azula loses his memory and how he learns who he is, is a journey in itself. But then he remembers he was convicted of murder, something he doesn't remember doing before he loses his memory—that's another journey. Then he must face his leader and stop him from evading Earth while proving his innocence. So this story has several journeys all rolled into one and opens to a new series that is waiting to be written. I tossed in a few twists and made some of the characters shapeshifters to keep the readers on their toes and on the edge of their seats.
What others are saying about "Alien Taskforce" (the audio book version):
"Unexpected and sudden twists throughout. This was a very fun and fast paced book with lots of creativity in every chapter! It was skillfully tied together by the narrator who gave each character memorable voices and made it a uniquely enjoyable listen! I would recommend giving this a try to anyone who enjoys sci fi on any level."
"Excellent story and narrator. This book was a really fun listen! The story was exciting, and the characters well developed. The narrator did an excellent job with the voices, it was really impressive! Just hearing the voice, I knew which character was talking."
To purchase your copy of "Alien Taskforce":
Amazon
To connect with A.R. Grosjean:
Website
A.R. Grosjean
http://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-o...
THE BOOK OF THE MONTH: Gina Holder
For the month of April, I wanted to feature a cozy mystery, "Handmade Mayhem" written by Gina Holder as my pick for THE BOOK OF THE MONTH! It’s HGTV meets Hallmark Mysteries! This book will be free from April 23rd through April 27th, 2024. Readers can sign up on Gina Holder's newsletter to receive a free crossword and word search puzzle based on the book.
Pages: 221
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Gina Holder has this to say, "My main character, Addie Masters, learns a spiritual lesson along with solving the mystery. She's also a redheaded, overall-wearing, junk collector."
What others are saying about "Handmade Mayhem":
"It’s HGTV meets Hallmark Mysteries! "Handmade Mayhem" introduces readers to Addie Masters, a DIYer who owns a junk removal company. When she finds a dead body and a friend is implicated, she launches her own investigation to figure out what happened. Addie with her pot belly pig is a memorable character you’ll root for. "Handmade Mayhem" is a fun and cozy small town murder mystery with twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages until the very end!"
- Christy Barritt, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries
To connect with Gina Holder:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
To purchase your copy:
Amazon
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-...
Gina Holder
Pages: 221
What makes your book different from those in its genre? Author Gina Holder has this to say, "My main character, Addie Masters, learns a spiritual lesson along with solving the mystery. She's also a redheaded, overall-wearing, junk collector."
What others are saying about "Handmade Mayhem":
"It’s HGTV meets Hallmark Mysteries! "Handmade Mayhem" introduces readers to Addie Masters, a DIYer who owns a junk removal company. When she finds a dead body and a friend is implicated, she launches her own investigation to figure out what happened. Addie with her pot belly pig is a memorable character you’ll root for. "Handmade Mayhem" is a fun and cozy small town murder mystery with twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages until the very end!"
- Christy Barritt, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries
To connect with Gina Holder:
Website
To purchase your copy:
Amazon
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/book-...
Gina Holder
Author Interview: Sunshine Rodgers
As part of the virtual book tour for Just Brooke, author Sunshine Rodgers has agreed to participate in an interview with Hazel’s Book Tours!
A bit more about Rodgers from her author bio (from Amazon):
Sunshine Rodgers has written 13 books that have landed on Amazon’s International Best Seller lists in 26 different categories, including #1 in the United Kingdom, #2 in the United States, and #25 in Canada. Her books have been translated into several languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese). She has participated in 8 book tours and dozens of book signings. Her Creative Team of 38 Professionals include Artists, Narrators, and Photographers. When she is not writing, Sunshine is a guest and featured author for a total of 82 Media opportunities, such as radio, podcasts, and online magazines. Sunshine is a Brand Ambassador to 38 Fashion, Health, Food, and Skincare Companies. She is a Blogger and an Entrepreneur with 58,000 social media followers. Sunshine is married to the love of her life, Travis, and they reside in sunny Florida.
Read on below for the full interview with Sunshine Rodgers.
.
Q: Congratulations on the recent release of Just Brooke! What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by the storyline of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and the TV Shows: Big Brother and American Idol.
The premise of Just Brooke: A popular singing competition, The Tune to the Top, has audiences raving and cheering each episode as performers show what they’ve got to a panel
of judges.
But one by one, each performer falters and consequently gets eliminated due to a clear and obvious flaw. Zeek The Man is obsessed with the fanfare on social media. Nolan Artemis Jones the Third only cares about the prize money. And Desiree Simon comes from a prestigious family and feels entitled to the win.
None of the contestants are there for the right reason.
Except…one.
Q: What kind of challenges did you come up against while you were writing this book?
I am not a singer/songwriter and I had to write lyrics and use musical terminology in the text which required a lot of research!
From the pages of Just Brooke:
“While the rest of my class was at lunch, I was with Ms. Garrison, learning
musicality, practicing inflection, and hitting those high notes.” (pg. 19)
“I see the lyrics forming as if illuminated in the vast darkness of my psyche.
I start to sing the words pounding in my spirit like winged creatures being
uncaged for the first time. Unexpected. Unfiltered. Raw.
♫ I am trapped. The struggle is real.
I cannot form the words – but I know the deal. Come here, they say. Follow the script.
But I am the one who is so over it! ♫ (pg. 84)
“The words are overlapping one another. It is such a great song to sing as
Ms. Isle plays the piano in the background. Dean’s deep voice is meshing
very well with my soprano.” (pg. 131)
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Just Brooke?
My favorite scene – so insightful! – is when Giovanni challenges Brooke to a virtual racing game at the arcade and uses this free play experience to explain the importance of the long game.
An excerpt from Just Brooke:
“There’s a short game and a long game,” Gio tells me.
“Oh? I thought there was just one racing game….” I look confused.
“Let me explain it to you.” He is serious in his tone. “If you go too fast, you’ll crash and burn.”
“I saw that.” I agree.
“But if you take it easy and pace yourself…” The screen is loading, so Gio continues. “You’ll end up winning. Don’t look at the cars ahead or behind you, though you’ll be tempted to. Keep your eyes on your own race. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused. Concentrate on the path in front of you. Keep the long game in mind. It’s like life, you see.” (pg. 122 – 123)
Q: If this book was made into a movie, who would you like to see playing
the main character?
Ally Brooke! I just finished reading her personal memoir, Finding Your Harmony. In this inspirational book, singer Ally Brooke recalls her journey to fame, reveals how she has remained true to her beliefs through her most difficult moments. She pushed herself to achieve her dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. While her rise to fame was rapid, it wasn’t always smooth, and Ally candidly discusses the challenges she faced along the way, sharing how she navigated tough moments by staying true to herself and her beliefs.
Ally credits her start in the music industry from being on a TV Show Competition, The X Factor.
I think Ally Brooke would make excellent and an authentic Brooke Evans!
Q: Now that this book is finished, what will you be working on next?
I am working on Book #15 now, tentatively called Hashtag Family Photos at Work.
My new Fiction Novel is about Erin Melrose who experiences firsthand the benefits of coworker comradery, of team building exercises, of having fun on the job. And she is learning all of these invaluable lessons from the Department she is assigned to shut down. Will Erin keep her corporate status, or will she realize there is more to life than budget reports and the bottom line?
Set to be released Winter, 2024!
Q: What do you want your readers to know about you?
I am a Brand Ambassador to Fashion Retailers like Elevated Faith Apparel and The Pink Lily Boutique. I also represent Beauty and Cosmetics like Truly Beauty and Timeless Organics Skincare. I am paid by
Health and Food Companies as I promote their products like BHU Foods and Bare Life.
You can view the 38 Companies I represent on my website:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/disco...
Q: The classic bookstagram question- what book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (SUCH a great writer!)
I am really into MOVIE VS BOOK reviews, so I cannot wait to compare Skipping Christmas to its movie adaptation: Christmas with the Kranks.
I host a MOVIE VS BOOK Blog Series:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
Thank you again to Sunshine Rodgers for the interview! Follow on Instagram and website to keep up with new books, writing updates and to help support an author.
https://hazelsbooktours.wordpress.com...
Sunshine Rodgers
A bit more about Rodgers from her author bio (from Amazon):
Sunshine Rodgers has written 13 books that have landed on Amazon’s International Best Seller lists in 26 different categories, including #1 in the United Kingdom, #2 in the United States, and #25 in Canada. Her books have been translated into several languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese). She has participated in 8 book tours and dozens of book signings. Her Creative Team of 38 Professionals include Artists, Narrators, and Photographers. When she is not writing, Sunshine is a guest and featured author for a total of 82 Media opportunities, such as radio, podcasts, and online magazines. Sunshine is a Brand Ambassador to 38 Fashion, Health, Food, and Skincare Companies. She is a Blogger and an Entrepreneur with 58,000 social media followers. Sunshine is married to the love of her life, Travis, and they reside in sunny Florida.
Read on below for the full interview with Sunshine Rodgers.
.
Q: Congratulations on the recent release of Just Brooke! What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by the storyline of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and the TV Shows: Big Brother and American Idol.
The premise of Just Brooke: A popular singing competition, The Tune to the Top, has audiences raving and cheering each episode as performers show what they’ve got to a panel
of judges.
But one by one, each performer falters and consequently gets eliminated due to a clear and obvious flaw. Zeek The Man is obsessed with the fanfare on social media. Nolan Artemis Jones the Third only cares about the prize money. And Desiree Simon comes from a prestigious family and feels entitled to the win.
None of the contestants are there for the right reason.
Except…one.
Q: What kind of challenges did you come up against while you were writing this book?
I am not a singer/songwriter and I had to write lyrics and use musical terminology in the text which required a lot of research!
From the pages of Just Brooke:
“While the rest of my class was at lunch, I was with Ms. Garrison, learning
musicality, practicing inflection, and hitting those high notes.” (pg. 19)
“I see the lyrics forming as if illuminated in the vast darkness of my psyche.
I start to sing the words pounding in my spirit like winged creatures being
uncaged for the first time. Unexpected. Unfiltered. Raw.
♫ I am trapped. The struggle is real.
I cannot form the words – but I know the deal. Come here, they say. Follow the script.
But I am the one who is so over it! ♫ (pg. 84)
“The words are overlapping one another. It is such a great song to sing as
Ms. Isle plays the piano in the background. Dean’s deep voice is meshing
very well with my soprano.” (pg. 131)
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Just Brooke?
My favorite scene – so insightful! – is when Giovanni challenges Brooke to a virtual racing game at the arcade and uses this free play experience to explain the importance of the long game.
An excerpt from Just Brooke:
“There’s a short game and a long game,” Gio tells me.
“Oh? I thought there was just one racing game….” I look confused.
“Let me explain it to you.” He is serious in his tone. “If you go too fast, you’ll crash and burn.”
“I saw that.” I agree.
“But if you take it easy and pace yourself…” The screen is loading, so Gio continues. “You’ll end up winning. Don’t look at the cars ahead or behind you, though you’ll be tempted to. Keep your eyes on your own race. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused. Concentrate on the path in front of you. Keep the long game in mind. It’s like life, you see.” (pg. 122 – 123)
Q: If this book was made into a movie, who would you like to see playing
the main character?
Ally Brooke! I just finished reading her personal memoir, Finding Your Harmony. In this inspirational book, singer Ally Brooke recalls her journey to fame, reveals how she has remained true to her beliefs through her most difficult moments. She pushed herself to achieve her dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. While her rise to fame was rapid, it wasn’t always smooth, and Ally candidly discusses the challenges she faced along the way, sharing how she navigated tough moments by staying true to herself and her beliefs.
Ally credits her start in the music industry from being on a TV Show Competition, The X Factor.
I think Ally Brooke would make excellent and an authentic Brooke Evans!
Q: Now that this book is finished, what will you be working on next?
I am working on Book #15 now, tentatively called Hashtag Family Photos at Work.
My new Fiction Novel is about Erin Melrose who experiences firsthand the benefits of coworker comradery, of team building exercises, of having fun on the job. And she is learning all of these invaluable lessons from the Department she is assigned to shut down. Will Erin keep her corporate status, or will she realize there is more to life than budget reports and the bottom line?
Set to be released Winter, 2024!
Q: What do you want your readers to know about you?
I am a Brand Ambassador to Fashion Retailers like Elevated Faith Apparel and The Pink Lily Boutique. I also represent Beauty and Cosmetics like Truly Beauty and Timeless Organics Skincare. I am paid by
Health and Food Companies as I promote their products like BHU Foods and Bare Life.
You can view the 38 Companies I represent on my website:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/disco...
Q: The classic bookstagram question- what book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (SUCH a great writer!)
I am really into MOVIE VS BOOK reviews, so I cannot wait to compare Skipping Christmas to its movie adaptation: Christmas with the Kranks.
I host a MOVIE VS BOOK Blog Series:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
Thank you again to Sunshine Rodgers for the interview! Follow on Instagram and website to keep up with new books, writing updates and to help support an author.
https://hazelsbooktours.wordpress.com...
Sunshine Rodgers
Author Interview: Angela Schmeling
I am here with Angela Schmeling. She is a writer with seven published books - including two award winning books, Magnolia Sky (2024 Book Fest: 2nd for Christian Romance) and Unveiled Memories (2024 Book Fest: 3rd for Christian Suspense). I want to open up the Q&A with this talented writer!
Me: You have written so many books! Let me ask you, what advice would you give to those who are aspiring authors?
Angela: Just start writing. Get your story out on paper! You never know who needs to read the story that's in your heart.
Me: Yes! And, tell me about your more recent book.
Angela: I finished the third book in my Unveiled Series, Alex Unveiled, and I am currently writing the final book, Julia Unveiled. This series has been a mystery, suspense series that has twists and turns and has been a blast to write!
Me: What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your books?
Angela: I hope that readers would gain a feeling of being wrapped up in the story like they are right there with the characters. I love books by Christy Barritt, Lori Wick, and Frank Peretti. I love how the books feel so real and that's what I want from my readers.
Me: I love that! So, what is next for you? Any upcoming events or new book releases?
Angela: Finishing the 4th book in the Unveiled Series and then I have another romance suspense book to write called, For The Kingdom (at least that's the current title). I have events coming up in October.
To purchase Angela Schmeling books:
Amazon
To connect with Angela Schmeling:
Website
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Angela Schmeling
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/featu...
Me: You have written so many books! Let me ask you, what advice would you give to those who are aspiring authors?
Angela: Just start writing. Get your story out on paper! You never know who needs to read the story that's in your heart.
Me: Yes! And, tell me about your more recent book.
Angela: I finished the third book in my Unveiled Series, Alex Unveiled, and I am currently writing the final book, Julia Unveiled. This series has been a mystery, suspense series that has twists and turns and has been a blast to write!
Me: What do you hope your readers will gain from reading your books?
Angela: I hope that readers would gain a feeling of being wrapped up in the story like they are right there with the characters. I love books by Christy Barritt, Lori Wick, and Frank Peretti. I love how the books feel so real and that's what I want from my readers.
Me: I love that! So, what is next for you? Any upcoming events or new book releases?
Angela: Finishing the 4th book in the Unveiled Series and then I have another romance suspense book to write called, For The Kingdom (at least that's the current title). I have events coming up in October.
To purchase Angela Schmeling books:
Amazon
To connect with Angela Schmeling:
Website
YouTube
Angela Schmeling
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/featu...
