Vision and Verse Schedule
for May 23 - 28, 2016
Mon., May 23 -
The Fabulous Art of Elspeth McLean
Tues., May 24 -
Interview with Author Dane McCaslin
Wed., May 25 -
DB Jones, Author of the Madison Hart Mysteries
Thurs., May 26 -
Bentley Square by Carol Ann Kauffman
Fri., May 27 -
KC's Hot Pick of the Month
Sat., May 28 -
Pamela Ackerson Westbound's Blog Tour
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Danielle Lee Zwissler's The Falling for You Series
Author Danielle Lee Zwissler brings you her new complete
series of
New Adult Romance!
The Falling for You series will make you laugh out loud!
Get ready to swoon!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE
SAYING ABOUT THE BOOKS—
The Boy Next Door-
"One of the
cutest romances of the year!" - That Look of Love Romance Review
"Danielle has
done it again! She knows how to write a truly lovely romance!" -
Books, Reviews and More
5
stars! Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Boy Next Door: Falling for You, Book 1 is a young adult coming of age novel written by Danielle Lee Zwissler. Keri was looking forward to a relaxed morning in her dorm room, watching a favorite show and eating chocolate chip cookies, when her roommate interrupted her viewing to tell her that her mom was calling. Keri and her mom spoke on the phone a lot, so it was no big deal and something Keri decided to put off until later, but then she heard the change in Alexis' voice, and, her heart thudding, she picked up the receiver. Her dad had had a heart attack, and, no, he hadn't died, but was in surgery. Her mom needed her and her twin brothers to come home and be with her. Keri had an unused emergency credit card her parents had given her when she left for school, and she and Alexis quickly threw together just enough gear for the trip. Before she knew it, she was on the plane going home to Texas, and when she got there, her best friend, Payton, was waiting at the airport for her. He seemed different somehow, despite the fact that they had grown up together and been virtually inseparable until she went away to school. That different quality tugged at her subconscious even as she fought her emotions on the way to the hospital to see her dad.
The Boy Next Door: Falling for You, Book 1 is a young adult coming of age novel written by Danielle Lee Zwissler. Keri was looking forward to a relaxed morning in her dorm room, watching a favorite show and eating chocolate chip cookies, when her roommate interrupted her viewing to tell her that her mom was calling. Keri and her mom spoke on the phone a lot, so it was no big deal and something Keri decided to put off until later, but then she heard the change in Alexis' voice, and, her heart thudding, she picked up the receiver. Her dad had had a heart attack, and, no, he hadn't died, but was in surgery. Her mom needed her and her twin brothers to come home and be with her. Keri had an unused emergency credit card her parents had given her when she left for school, and she and Alexis quickly threw together just enough gear for the trip. Before she knew it, she was on the plane going home to Texas, and when she got there, her best friend, Payton, was waiting at the airport for her. He seemed different somehow, despite the fact that they had grown up together and been virtually inseparable until she went away to school. That different quality tugged at her subconscious even as she fought her emotions on the way to the hospital to see her dad.
Danielle Lee Zwissler's young adult coming of age novel, The Boy Next Door: Falling for You, Book 1, is a relatively short novel that wraps the reader up in a warm and quite irresistible tale of first kisses and best friends exploring new emotions and feelings for each other. Within the first few pages, I found myself happily immersed in Keri and Payton's world. Zwissler admits in her introduction that there was never a boy next door in her life, since she grew up in the country miles from the nearest neighbor, but despite that fact, she gets it. Her plot is fresh and authentic. The juxtaposing of Keri's home life and school experiences is deftly handled in this finely plotted and beautifully written book. While this book is geared toward a young adult audience, I wouldn't hesitate to also recommend it to those very fortunate adult readers who have remained young at heart. The Boy Next Door: Falling for You, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
*****By Robyn on February 17, 2016
"The Boy Next
Door" is a cute novella written by the very talented queen of romance, the
lovely Danielle Lee Zwissler.
The first book of the trilogy introduces the readers to Keri and Payton and their struggle to transform their friendship into a relationship. Even though they have been best friends until now, it quickly turns out it's not an easy transition from friendship to love and it does require new skills the main characters have to learn; dealing with distance, yearning, learning to trust each other, patience, and so on, and so forth... And all this in the shadow of Keri's personal drama, which initiates the whole story.
I must admit that even though I do not read this genre on a regular basis, I always find Danielle's work charming, cute, and straightforward. I enjoyed "The Boy Next Door" and I am waiting for parts 2 and 3. :-)
The first book of the trilogy introduces the readers to Keri and Payton and their struggle to transform their friendship into a relationship. Even though they have been best friends until now, it quickly turns out it's not an easy transition from friendship to love and it does require new skills the main characters have to learn; dealing with distance, yearning, learning to trust each other, patience, and so on, and so forth... And all this in the shadow of Keri's personal drama, which initiates the whole story.
I must admit that even though I do not read this genre on a regular basis, I always find Danielle's work charming, cute, and straightforward. I enjoyed "The Boy Next Door" and I am waiting for parts 2 and 3. :-)
*****By Roni Kimberland on June 30, 2015
Format: Kindle
Edition Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful
story of young love. Danielle perfectly captured Keri's innocent approach to
life, love, and loss that is certain to stir up nostalgic feelings about it's
reader's own " boy next door". I am looking forward to the next
installment in July of 2015!
*****By tascha deets on April 19, 2016
I couldn't put it down! Loved every moment of
the book. Now I can't wait to start the next book I'm so excited. Amazing job
Danielle!!!
** By Amazon Customer --This
isn't a whole book. There's a beginning and a middle, but it abruptly cuts off
without an end, expecting you to move on to book 2. The writing was cute,
Peyton was great.
By tascha deets on April 19, 2016
I couldn't put it
down! Loved every moment of the book. Now I can't wait to start the next book
I'm so excited. Amazing job Danielle!!!
ByKindle Customeron February 28, 2016
Very sweet story
The
Boy I Love –
"Even better than the first
installment!" - That Look of Love Romance Review
*****By Robyn on February 17, 2016
Format: Kindle
Edition Verified Purchase
The second part of the
trilogy starts exactly where the first volume ends and gives us more details
about Keri and Payton's uneasy, but passionate relationship. They need to deal
with new challenges, big changes in their lives, and find a way compromise
between their feelings and the uneasy conditions under which their love is
shyly blossoming.
Once again Danielle Lee Zwissler takes her readers to the wonderful world of love, drama, and passion, in the way only she can do it.
I cannot wait to see how the whole story wraps up in the upcoming third book.
Once again Danielle Lee Zwissler takes her readers to the wonderful world of love, drama, and passion, in the way only she can do it.
I cannot wait to see how the whole story wraps up in the upcoming third book.
*****By tascha deets on April 28, 2016
Absolutely loved it! Inching closer to the
edge of my seat reading these books. I can't wait to start the third book, it
has been so up and down it’s exciting to see what happens next. Love your work
Danielle!!
The
Man I’ll Marry-
*****By Robyn on May 1, 2016
Format: Kindle
Edition Verified Purchase
The third book in the
series takes off at exactly the same place where book two finished with Keri
and Payton relationship, due to countless misunderstanding and wrong decisions,
shattered Keri comes back home and faces the consequences of her mistakes; the
tree house is gone and Payton is a new relationship and doesn't want to know
her.
Book three is, in my opinion, the best one in the series. It deals with growing up, maturing, with realizing what a person really wants and needs. It's a cute young adult romance novel which is fun to read and makes you want to cross your fingers for book four to hopefully one day be written and published. 😊
Book three is, in my opinion, the best one in the series. It deals with growing up, maturing, with realizing what a person really wants and needs. It's a cute young adult romance novel which is fun to read and makes you want to cross your fingers for book four to hopefully one day be written and published. 😊
*****By tascha deets on May 2, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I loved the emotional
ups and downs in this book. The love and passion that they shared you could
feel throughout each of your books. A job well accomplished Danielle. If you
want a good book series to read I would advise hitting the buy button on this
one and the other two!
*****By Jennifer on May 2, 2016
I read all 3!! Fell in love with them! Loved
the bonus too... Can't wait to read more
The Boy Next Door
From
Amazon Bestselling Author, Danielle Lee Zwissler
Another Must Read Romance!
Another Must Read Romance!
The Boy Next Door
When Keri Richards comes home from college to
mourn her father's death, Payton, her fun-loving, next door neighbor is there,
as usual, ready to share his tree fort. It isn't until she is back in school
again that she realizes that there may be more to their friendship. Who
knows...it may even be love!
Love
Friendship
Fun
A Summer Romance to sink your teeth into- The Bookaholics
A Must Read! - Youth Books and More
A Series That you will FALL IN LOVE with
The Boy Next Door- Book I
The Boy I Love- Book II
The Man I'll Marry
Fun
A Summer Romance to sink your teeth into- The Bookaholics
A Must Read! - Youth Books and More
A Series That you will FALL IN LOVE with
The Boy Next Door- Book I
The Boy I Love- Book II
The Man I'll Marry
Just as Keri finally decides to take the "big
step", her mom calls for her, and everything is put off, and then she has
to fly back to Ohio until Christmas break!
If only they could get a few minutes alone!
Payton is busy with work, and Keri gets a job, and can't come home as much as she wants... What will happen when the fairytale is over?
Falling for him was easy, keeping him was a whole other problem.
If only they could get a few minutes alone!
Payton is busy with work, and Keri gets a job, and can't come home as much as she wants... What will happen when the fairytale is over?
Falling for him was easy, keeping him was a whole other problem.
The Man I’ll Marry:
When Keri finally makes it home after a devastating
discovery, she sees the much-loved tree fort in shambles. After talking with
her mom, Alexis and Todd, Keri decides she's going to need all the help she can
get in figuring out a way to win back Payton's love... But how will she do all
that and go to school, graduate, and stay sane? And what will Payton's family
have to say about her change of heart?
Keri soon finds out that the promise of love can help you accomplish anything...
Keri soon finds out that the promise of love can help you accomplish anything...
The Wedding: A Falling for You short
What people are saying…
Review by: Linda Winey on May 07, 2016 :
Enjoyed this short read. Reminded me of the nervous jitters I had on my wedding day!
Enjoyed this short read. Reminded me of the nervous jitters I had on my wedding day!
About Me:
Danielle
Lee Zwissler is from a small town
in Ohio, and enjoys reading about cowboys, writing about cowboys and looking at
them. (Do you see a theme here?) She loves Harry Potter, Sam Smith's music, and
Caramel Macchiato creamer in her coffee. She has two wonderful children, a sexy
husband, two guinea pigs—Pudding Cup and Flower, a turtle named Lilly and a
minivan filled with books and kid stuff. She loves to hear from people that
actually read her books, and she will be forever grateful if you mention her
books to anyone...
If you'd like a signed copy of any of her books, please email her at: danielleleezwissler@shewritesromance.com
or you can find her on Facebook at: facebook.com/danielleleezwissler or on
twitter: twitter.com/danielleleezwis She can also be found signing books around
the US at several different comic cons. All author visits will be posted on her
Amazon page or on her homepage at: www.shewritesromance.com
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/danielleleezwis
Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/danielleleezwissler
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleleezwissler/
Follow me on Google+:
Follow me on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/impossibleheartcollection
Follow me on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/danielleleezwissler
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR
DANIELLE LEE ZWISSLER:
When did you first realize you
wanted to be a writer?
In 2004 when I started writing IRIS with my husband.
How long does it take you to write
a book?
It all depends really. Some of my novellas only took a day—18
hours for The Boy Next Door, and it’s one of my more popular books. 6 hours for
“The Cowboy’s Bride” … 6 months for IRIS (Fantasy Novel) and 3 days for “Her
Last Chance” …
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
My
schedule is nuts when I’m writing. I get into the zone, and don’t do much else.
I usually brew a pot of coffee and sit down in my chair for hours on end. I
just recently bought a treadmill that my husband built a desk for, and now I
walk and type with my laptop, and sit and type on my desktop. The best of both
worlds.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t
think I do anything too interesting. L I like to listen to music while writing, but that’s
normal for anyone.
How do your books get published?
Both
Traditionally and Self…
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Anywhere
and everywhere. A lot of my ideas come from listening to music and looking
through the pictures in magazines.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Hmmm… 25.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Hang out
with my kids, watch baseball, and read.
What does your family think of your writing?
My husband
and kids are awesome about it. I don’t think anyone else in my family really
cares all that much. I’ve had maybe three other (family members) read a book of
mine.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I guess the most surprising thing that I’ve learned is how
therapeutic it can be to get your feelings out on paper. As you may have
guessed, I have been more than one of my characters.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
57 books
now. Not all of them are published, though. My favorite is The Long Ride Home.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Read. That’s about it. If you want to write, you need to
read. All the rules are there, all the great ideas are out there ready to be
plucked and placed, all you need to know how to do is form sentences and take
time out of your day to write them down.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yeah I’d say a few times a week in email, and several times
a day on my Facebook page. My Facebook page has been a miracle to me. Some of my fans will ask when the next book
is out, others will tell me how much they’ve liked something, and a few have
sent me snail mail. J
Do you like to create books for
adults?
Yes, I absolutely love my job.
What do you think makes a good story?
What do you think makes a good story?
Love everlasting, believable characters, and reality.
As a child, what did you want to do
when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a lawyer, as a teen I wanted to
be a band director, and now I’m a writer. I have a degree in Music Education
and am still working toward my Masters in English. I’m nearly done.
ENTER
THE GIVEAWAY BY COMMENTING BELOW ON THIS BLOG!
PRIZES:
Will Be Drawn by Random.org for all entrants.
One winner for each prize shown.
1.)
A Danielle Le Zwissler
Book Charm Bracelet
2.)
All of the books above
on ebook – three copies a piece
Bonus for those that sign up for my newsletter...
The Wedding! Falling for You Short Story
Danielle Lee Zwissler is Proudly Promoted by:
The Owl Branch Book Promotions.
Friday, May 20, 2016
MCP Riverside Fellowship Gardens Orchid Show
Mill Creek Park's Riverside Fellowship Gardens recently held their annual orchid show, Jewels of Winter. It was truly spectacular! Orchids of every shape and size and color adorned the hallways. Each plant was in great condition.
We noticed the temperature was cool inside to accommodate the orchids as we entered the Davis Center of MCP's Riverside Fellowship Gardens to hear Dave Miller, president of the Greater Akron Orchid Society speak on growing orchids.
"Orchids are the jewels of theplant world. Let them dazzle you with their brilliance and splendor. During the heart of winter, find the spirit of the tropics here at the Davis Center as you observe these exotic beauties on display. Bring your camera, as there will be plenty of amazing flowers to photo-graph."
-from the Davis Special
Events brochure
Orchid roots will die if they don't get enough air. That's why orchid pots have holes in them. These exotic beauties grow best in a non-soil potting medium, not packed tightly, and with very good drainage.
Orchids hate a stale, stagnant environment. They also will not tolerate drafts, so be cautious placing them near a drafty window. They like bright light, but not full sun beating down on them.
Don't be afraid to try your hand at growing an orchid. They can be a little fussy, but they are worth the extra effort. If I can grow beautiful orchids that bloom like crazy from February until late April, so can you!
Hugs,
Carol
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Guest Post by Kathy Bryson
Dear Gentle Readers,There's a big treat in store for you today! Kathy Bryson, author of my favorite leprechaun romance novels, like Feeling Lucky and Restless Spirit, has a new and very different short story out. Oh, here, I'll let her tell you all about it...
The Unexpected
Pleasure of the Undead

Thank you, Carol, for having me back on Vision and Verse. I’m always happy to read about people’s creativity here and I’m excited to share my new project. Some were surprised that I’ve switched to zombies because earlier I wrote leprechaun love stories, but actually it’s been a fun transition.
I didn’t deliberately choose a currently popular motif; I just have a co-worker who loves zombie TV. I pointed out the plot was implausible and didn’t adhere to the original mythology, and he said, “Do better!”
Then
a student who knew about my fantasy romances decided to tease the science tutor
saying he needed romance because he was feeling discouraged about applying to
med school. The science tutor laughed and said, “Make it a zombie story.”

All my coworkers weighed in on Giovanni Goes To Med School, offering suggestions and critiques, not to mention proofreading for biological accuracy. Sometimes writing feels very alone, but with my coworkers pushing me on, I didn’t have to fight for time or for that 1st notice when the book launched. Writing this was a blast!

All my coworkers weighed in on Giovanni Goes To Med School, offering suggestions and critiques, not to mention proofreading for biological accuracy. Sometimes writing feels very alone, but with my coworkers pushing me on, I didn’t have to fight for time or for that 1st notice when the book launched. Writing this was a blast!
So
here’s a look inside the 1st of a new novella series that examines
B-movie monsters in the real world alongside jobs, school, and the pressing
need for good coffee. Hope you enjoy
reading it as much as I did putting it together!
About Giovanni Goes To Med School –
You don’t
have to be a medical student to know the dead do not get up and walk around.
Anyone who’s buried a pet in the backyard knows the dead don’t walk. They don’t
even lurch.
The
night-shift in the morgue was supposed to be a chance to study in quiet and
off-set ridiculous student loans. Giovanni is stunned when his patient sits up
and starts scolding. Now he’s got to convince an unbelieving medical community
to take action, so he can get back to learning about the dead – not the undead!
Excerpt –
“New, huh?” Fred scrawled something across
the bottom of the page and handed it back to Giovanni. “Don’t worry about it.
Everybody freaks out at first, but you get used to it.” He waved vaguely at the
back wall with its row after row of file drawers that didn’t hold paper.
“C’mon, I’ll help you put her away this time.”
More grateful than he could ever express,
Giovanni helped Fred maneuver the recalcitrant gurney over to the back wall and
nervously unlocked and opened a square metal door. What looked like a file
drawer was actually one part of a self-contained refrigeration unit. This was a
small morgue according to the manual. Everyone got his or her own drawer, but
shared a central cooling and back up system unlike the county facility where
everyone shared shelf space in a refrigerated room.
Fred had no nervous qualms and instead had
the white cloth whipped off the gurney and the drawer’s metal tray pulled out
in one smooth move. “Okay, you lift the feet and I’ll get the head.”
Giovanni looked down and was surprised. The
white swathed figure on the gurney looked like a load of laundry more than
anything. “It’s so small.”
“Yeah.” Fred carefully angled himself in
between the wall and the head of the gurney.
He gently slid both hands under the figure’s shoulders so its head
rested on his forearms. “Most of the elderly are by the time they pass. Just
wasted away. It’s the fat bastards who die of heart attacks that are a pain. On
the count of three, lift.”
Giovanni hurried to slide his hands under the
figure’s legs and lifted. The body shifted easily to the sliding tray. Fred
stepped back and reaching for the white cloth, began folding it. “Shame
really,” he said, regarding the body solemnly and shaking his head. “Mrs.
Harris was a real nice lady.”
“Wait? Mrs. Harris?” Giovanni’s glance darted
between the still figure and the clipboard of papers he held in one hand. “I
know her. She was in the ER this morning.”
Fred nodded. “Regular customer. Guess this
was her last trip.” He squinted at Giovanni as he put the folded cloth down.
“You okay, son?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course,’ Giovanni pulled
himself together. “I just thought she’d made it. She had a dislocated elbow.”
His mind skittered away from the memory of Mrs. Harris not breathing as she lay
in the ER exam room.
“Well, it happens.” Fred eyed him from
underneath lowered brows, and then shrugged. Apparently he wasn’t going to
concern himself any further as he proceeded to wrestle and curse his gurney
back into the freight elevator. He didn’t even look back or wave as he pressed
the button for an upper floor.
Giovanni did wave, but absently, and hurried
back to the morgue as soon as the freight elevator doors closed. He flipped
urgently through the paperwork on his clipboard, but there were no patient
records included, just blank forms waiting for the morgue manager's signature
to ensure the right body was handed off to the right funeral home. At her age
and in her physical condition, Mrs. Harris wouldn’t merit any attention from
the medical examiner. She was simply an old lady who had passed as everyone did
eventually.
Giovanni sighed and put down the paperwork.
He didn’t see where he could do anything more for Mrs. Harris and the hope that
maybe he’d done enough started to creep up on him. After all, the other, fully
qualified doctors had administered the actual anesthetic. He was probably just
feeling indoctrinated guilt from being raised in a large Catholic, Italian
family.
Dimly in the background, he heard a mournful
howl. Rufus, he thought with an inward eye roll and it didn’t even occur to him
how eerily appropriate it was for the dog to howl just then. Instead, he
reached for a pen and the toe tag on the bundle in front of him, determined to
ensure that Mrs. Harris reached her final rest without mistake.
The toe tag pulled away. Frowning, Giovanni
reached again. The toe tag slid away from him and he watched horrified as the
swathed figure writhed, then sat up. From somewhere behind him, he could hear
frantic barking and a high-pitched wail. When he gasped for breath, he realized
the wail came from him even as the cocooned corpse bent forward and mumbled,
“Sonny, you scream like a girl.”
Giovanni Goes
To Med School is
available on:
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/giovanni-goes-to-med-school-kathy-bryson/1123562758
YouTube trailer - https://youtu.be/PXn4_yzjmxc
About the
Author –
Kathy Bryson knew she wanted to be a writer when she
finished reading through her school and local children’s libraries. She honed
her writing skills on marketing brochures, websites, and several unfinished
manuscripts before going into teaching. Now she happily skews convention while
finishing award-winning books and catering to the whims of spoiled cats.
Author Links –
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kathybryson22
Twitter - https://twitter.com/kathybryson2
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