Thursday, January 21, 2016

Midnight Owl by Viv Drewa


When the dismembered body of a young woman is found Detectives Joe Leverette and Philip Marsden are assigned the case. After investigating the Port Huron, Michigan area where the six body parts were found there’s a twist in the case: The murderer goes after each individual who found the parts, one by one. 
Leverette becomes interested in one of the women, Carole Sage, a sensitive, but because of the case he’s not able to take it any further. Everyone on the police force sees his infatuation, but Carole does not. 
Each of the six witnesses has a dream about the murderer removing the particular body part they found the night. They are startled awake and hear an owl hoot three times. None of them want to reveal their dream to the detectives. 
Carole sees the actual murder and each murder as it happens to the witnesses. The police chief, Billingsley, understands her ‘gift’ and sets up a sting to catch him. It fails and they have to regroup to think of something else. Two witnesses are dead and they don’t want a third to die. 
This books is for 18+ due to the violence. 



Author Viv Drewa writes:
"Joe Leverette was a character I created for a screenplay I was writing 30 odd years ago. I liked him so much I decided to use him in this series.
I wanted it to be more of a paranormal thriller but decided to use Carole Sage's gift only, she's a sensitive.
I loved writing this book and can't wait to write more in the series.
It started out as a trilogy but as I wrote it I came up with so many other ideas for stories that it'll be a series.
The only thing is you'll have to read the first three books in order, the ones following won't have to be.
Thank you Carol for having me on your wonderful blog."


Book Review:
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Carol Ann Kauffman on December 25, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This highly suspenseful, well-written murder mystery opens with a grizzly, horrific murder that gives nightmares to several people not related to the murder in any way. Likable, believable characters draw the reader into the nightmare, while the baffled but competent police work feverishly to stop the killer before he kills again. I highly recommend this book. Ms. Drewa, write faster!

Buy Link:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Pete Ballard's "A Century of Fashion" at Butler Institute of American Art



These elaborately dressed "ladies" are in Pete Ballard's gorgeous collection called "A Century of Fashion" at the Butler Institute of American Art. The collection begins with fashions from the 1790s and showcases the fashion of the 1800s.





Detailed information on each costume is displayed, explaining the popularity of promenade costumes with Spenser jackets during the Empire period, and the difference between visiting clothing and home clothing, which are then further divided into morning costumes and afternoon wear.





Bridal costumes and ball gowns were also on display with information on materials used and where they came from.



Seasonal outfits with accessories were beautifully displayed. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. If you are in the area, stop by  the Butler on Wick Ave. in Youngstown, Ohio. The Butler never disappoints, except on Mondays, when they are closed. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Interview with Author Irene Helenowski


Irene Helenowski
Chicago, IL

Good morning, Irene, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the place for Art and Authors. Can you tell us a little about what you've written?
I have written a science fiction trilogy and am now working on a fairy tale.  I also write poetry in between.

What is your favorite genre to write?  
I do not have a favorite in particular; I am still a novice so am still figuring out what I’d like to write the most.

What's your favorite food?
I do like chicken paninis.

Tea or coffee?  
Depends on my mood, but usually coffee.

Pizza or ice cream? 
Pizza!!

Wine or beer?  
Actually, neither; I really don’t drink.  Just maybe a little champagne on New Year’s Eve.

Where would you like to visit?  
Even since I’ve seen the Sound of Music, I wanted to visit Salzburg, Austria.

Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What? Sometimes and I listen to all kinds, from classical to rock and pop.

What makes you laugh?  
The silliest things sometimes.  My mom and my brother have a great sense of humor and always make me laugh.  My 7-year old niece must have inherited my brother’s sense of humor because she says the darndest things too.

Favorite work of art or sculpture
Lady with an Ermine Painting by Da Vinci.

How old were you when you started writing? 
Always liked writing since I was a teenager but was not serious about publishing until after I completed my dissertation three years ago.

Describe your perfect evening. 
Relaxing with family and friends.

Where do you get your inspiration?  
Sometimes just from little everyday things.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 
I try not to stress too much about it.  And I always get ideas when I least expect them.

Who is your favorite author?  Too many to list.  
I like all the classics as well as the authors I met during my writing journey.

Best book you ever read. 
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

Last book you read.  
Housebroken by Sonja Yoerg.  I did find it shed a new light on a unique family dynamic.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?  
I am a biostatistician by day.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?  
Definitely my mom.  She has been through so much in life but always keeps a positive attitude.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?  
Wish I could talk to my dad again.


What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?  

Monday, January 18, 2016

MacKalvey House


Young American Michelle Rosemont visits England after graduation and decides to stay. She takes a job as photographer for a Historical Magazine and falls in love with Kenneth MacKalvey, an older British author with a shady past. Old families scars resurface and play havoc with Michelle and Kenneth's relationship, as she struggles to come to terms with her father's abandonment.

Book Review:

Most Helpful Customer Review

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Another great book in the time after time series. Kauffman has created yet another pair of lovers, and they need to deal with all drama in their path to love. Michelle Rosemont has moved to England and fallen in love. Kenneth MacKalvey has a secret past, and is full of mystery and that's what leads Michelle down the wormhole. Just like the other books in Kauffman's time after time series, this has a outstanding plot, very well written characters, and intrigue and drama. It interests the reader, and pulls them into the world, as you root for the characters to end up happily ever after. Each book keeps getting better and better. This was a great read with romance, humor, drama, and some action. It's a great book to add to your reading list, and I promise you won't be disappointed! I thoroughly loved it, and look forward to more books by Kauffman!

Buy Link:

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Schedule for January 18 through Jan. 22, 2016




Dear Gentle Readers,

I have more interesting and exciting posts planned for this week.

        Monday, Jan. 18 - MacKalvey House Description, Review, and Buy Link
                                     This is my latest full length novel. It was delayed because it was in the
                                     Kindle Scout Program. It was then released and got lost in all the Christmas
                                     stories.
        Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Interview with Author Irene Helenowski.
                                      This very smart young woman writes novels and poetry in her spare time
                                      when she's not being a biostatistician.
    Wednesday, Jan. 20 - A Century of Costumes by Pete Ballard, A Butler Art Exhibit
                                      This was a lovely exhibit of ladies costumes from 1790 through the next
                                      one hundred years.
       Thursday, Jan. 21 - Belterra Description, Review, and Buy Link
                                      The hauntingly beautiful new cover has shot this novel back up the bestsellers
                                      ranking.
            Friday, Jan. 22 - Midnight Owl by Viv Drewa, the author of  The Angler and the Owl and the
                                       Owl and the Sipan Lord, both terrific books.
                                       Book Description, Review and Buy
                                       This is a tight, suspenseful, fast-moving story. I can't wait for the next part!