AUDIO BOOK OF MEMOIRS...

Last week I posted a review for MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND by Matthew Dicks. In case you missed it, I'm posting it again below. But did you know the book is also available as an audiobook from Macmillan Audio? I had no idea until Esther Bochner, Senior Publicist for Macmillan Audio, contacted me and asked if I'd like to post a clip of the book. Of course, I would.
Here it is. I hope I've done it right. Never posted an audiobook before. I've also added my review as a reminder of the beautiful story Matthew Dicks wrote. Enjoy.

You can hear the clip at http://media.us.macmillan.com/video/olmk/macmillanaudio/MemoirsOfAnImaginaryFriend.mp3



My review:

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND (Review)

By Matthew Dicks

Many children have an imaginary friend. Whether they’re lonesome and are looking for a friend, or they’re shy and don’t relate well to others, or they’re creative and imagine a character like they read about in books, their make-believe friend is just as real to them as a flesh and blood person.

Author Matthew Dicks has written a story about Budo, who has been alive for 5 years, quite a long time for imaginary friends to exist. In MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND, Max is a child that is different to other kids. People confuse Max, so he imagines Budo. Told from Budo’s pov, he sometimes seems so real I forgot he actually was in the mind of Max. Seeing his boy, Max’s parents and teacher’s through Budo’s eyes brings a whole new perspective to the reasons a child might create a friend that only he can see, hear, and talk to. And when the unthinkable happens (no, I’m not going to give away the story) Budo’s reaction shows just how real “imaginary” can be. At least it does to me. The heartache a child who is different suffers, the friendship between Budo and Max, and the fact that what happens to Max is happening to many of our children today make this a book that every school library, public library, and even private homes will want on their shelves.

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND deals with bullying, family, friendship, and trust. It isn’t easy being an imaginary friend, knowing that someday your child will no longer need you and you’ll cease to exist. Budo almost seems human at times as he attempts to understand what’s happening around him. The author has written a story that may make you remember an imaginary friend you once had, perhaps not so long ago.

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ARC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley

Hummers

Today is a random day, where I'm talking about something other than reading and writing.The hummingbirds are keeping me entertained lately. I have three feeders set up, but for several weeks they seldom came around. I guess they had plenty of flowers for nourishment. The past couple of days they've been hovering around the feeders and also chasing each other away.

The best I can tell, we have a pair of black chin and a pair of ruby throats, and let me tell you, they do not share their food willingly. When one bird flies in to eat, another one will swoop down and run him or her off. I keep telling them there's plenty of sugar water for them all. I change it every two days to keep it fresh. They are entertaining to watch. I just wish I could find a nest. Haven't so far.

Do you have humming birds in your yard? Here are a few pictures of the wee ones. Enjoy.

I taut I taw a putty cat!

Who are you looking at?



Resting!

Have a nice weekend.

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND Review

Quote for the week:  That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.  Emily Dickinson

Did you have an imaginary friend when you were young? A lot of children do. I just finished reading a story about one special child and his imaginary friend, by Matthew Dicks, also writing as Matthew Green. Here's a little about the author from Good Reads:

My name is Matthew Dicks. I am a writer and a teacher.

In the spring of 2008, under the guidance of my remarkable agent, Taryn Fagerness, I sold my first novel, SOMETHING MISSING, to Broadway Books, an imprint of Doubleday, and thus made one of my childhood dreams come true. SOMETHING MISSING was published in August of 2009 and has since been translated into six different languages.

My career as an author was born.

One year later, in the fall of 2010, I published my second novel, UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO.

My third novel, MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND, will publish in the US in August of 2012. It can already be found in bookstores in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and has been translated into 14 languages worldwide.

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Wow! Fourteen languages. Amazing. Now, I'd like to share my thoughts on this lovely story with you.

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND (Review)

By Matthew Dicks

Many children have an imaginary friend. Whether they’re lonesome and are looking for a friend, or they’re shy and don’t relate well to others, or they’re creative and imagine a character like they read about in books, their make-believe friend is just as real to them as a flesh and blood person.

Author Matthew Dicks has written a story about Budo, who has been alive for 5 years, quite a long time for imaginary friends to exist. In MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND, Max is a child that is different to other kids. People confuse Max, so he imagines Budo. Told from Budo’s pov, he sometimes seems so real I forgot he actually was in the mind of Max. Seeing his boy, Max’s parents and teacher’s through Budo’s eyes brings a whole new perspective to the reasons a child might create a friend that only he can see, hear, and talk to. And when the unthinkable happens (no, I’m not going to give away the story) Budo’s reaction shows just how real “imaginary” can be. At least it does to me. The heartache a child who is different suffers, the friendship between Budo and Max, and the fact that what happens to Max is happening to many of our children today make this a book that every school library, public library, and even private homes will want on their shelves.

MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND deals with bullying, family, friendship, and trust. It isn’t easy being an imaginary friend, knowing that someday your child will no longer need you and you’ll cease to exist. Budo almost seems human at times as he attempts to understand what’s happening around him. The author has written a story that may make you remember an imaginary friend you once had, perhaps not so long ago.

###

ARC courtesy of St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley

Happy Reading and Writing

NEWS FLASH! UPDATE!

Sometimes I spend so much time talking about my latest book releases that I totally ignore my older novels. Then I remember them and have to apologize to my characters for neglecting them. Two more of my YA Novels are now available on the Kindle. They've been on the Nook for awhile, but I'm excited to see them on the Kindle too.

LISTEN TO THE GHOST

Kindle Link.

A girl who wants to forget her ex-boyfriend with the lying lips.
A ghost who doesn't want to be a ghost.
A one-hundred year old neighbor who talks in riddles.
And a handsome sax player who changes everything.

REBEL IN BLUE JEANS

Kindle Link

What's a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the boy on the neighboring ranch turns serious, and a handsome college guy with a bad reputation takes an interest in her?




My very first published novel is also on the Amazon German site. It's still in English.

SECRETS I HAVE KEPT

When a girl who rides a horse and plays classical music teams up with a boy who rides a Harley and writes country ballads to find her father who has been kidnapped, almost anything can happen.

Kindle Link (German)

Kindle Link (US)


There you go, my neglected characters.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.

Happy Reading

FRIDAY THE 13TH AND AWARDS

I'm way behind on posting, but today seems like the perfect day to announce the wonderful awards I've recently received.

My dear friend and awesome author, C . Lee McKenzie has honored me with the following:

Don't you just love that "for those who refuse to live in the real world?" I like to escape into my characters' world.

Now I'm supposed to list my 5 favorite books. There are so many this is impossible. I like different books for different reasons. My favorite of all times, however, is Gone With The Wind.

C. Lee also honored me with the Fabulous Blog Ribbon.

I'm to list 5 Fabulous Moments.

1. Graduation from high school and college.

2. Marriage.

3. Birth of each of my sons.

4. Birth of each of my grandchildren and great-grands.

5. When my first book was published.

5 Things I Love

1. My family

2. My God

3. A good book

4. Spring showers

5. Birds, butterflies, and most of God's creatures

5 Things I Dislike

1. Mosquitoes, flies, and scorpions

2. Arguments

3. People that harm children and animals

4. Wild fires and tornadoes

5. Sad stories

5 People Who I Want to Share These  Awards With

1. Susanne Drazic

2. Donna M. McDine

3. Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz

4. Kai Strand

5. Ruth Cox

Also the talented and dear friend Kelly Hashway was so kind as to give me these awards. (I must be doing something right to receive all this recognition.) :)

And this one:

I'm to tell you 7 things about myself. If these are repeats, remember, with age your brain cells deteriorate and you can't always remember what you said. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

1. I was born at home, instead of in the hospital.

2. I was a majorette in jr. high and high school.

3. I taught in elementary school for 22 years.

4. Taking photographs of wildlife, wildflowers, and clouds is one of my favorite things to do.



5. In my genealogy research I discovered some interesting ancestors.

6. To relax I play the piano, and Patches (cat) runs and hides.

7. I've been married for 55 years.

Now you know more about me than you ever wanted to know. Thank you, C. Lee and Kelly for being such dear friends and fabulous authors.

Have a safe Friday the 13th and a happy weekend.





HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER

Today, July 10, is my mother's 100th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER, in Heaven.

Mom is on the right, and yep, that's me she's carrying. The lady on the left was a dear friend. Years ago a photographer took pictures of you on the street. I don't know why neither of them are smiling. Perhaps they didn't want their picture snapped. Or maybe their feet hurt. She loved birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Valentine's, any day she had an excuse to celebrate and buy little gifts for her two daughters. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and rode the Orphan Train to Bowie, TX when she was 9 years old. She was a beautiful Christian woman who accepted her life and found a home with a wonderful foster family that loved her.

Hi, Mom.

Love you.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

MySpace Comments and 4th of July Comments

DREAMING

Quote of the Week:  A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. Bob Dylan

I'm happy to announce that Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is a finalist in the Readers Favorite Awards Contest. Also, my dear friend and fellow author, Darby Karchut's YA novel, Griffin's Fire, is also a finalist. Thank heavens our books are in different categories. Competing against her angel would be tough. So, I'm wishing for a big win for Griffin and a win for Lizzie. You can see all the finalists at the Readers Favorite Award Site.

Publisher (Both Books): Twilight Times Books

Cover Artist: Ardy M. Scott

I'm taking a sort of holiday during July, expecting a visit from our son and family, so will not be posting regularly this month. Just important events that occur. Have a great summer. Relax, read, and be thankful for your family. Oh, and the Dreaming from the title of the page. Dreaming of placing in the top three.