Author, Judy Howard’s mailing address is Sun City, California, but you will rarely find her there. Instead, you might find the top ranking Amazon author strapped in at the race track ready to check out the Mario Andretti Racing Experience or cruising down Route 66. Of one thing, you can be sure she is living up to a quote by Henry Thoreau, Howard questions, “How vain is it to sit down and write, when you have not stood up to live?”
Saturday, November 30, 2013
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!: Hello, I'm Sportster . Remember me? I have missed you all. Where have you been? I am inviting all of you to listen along ...
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!: Hello, I'm Sportster . Remember me? I have missed you all. Where have you been? I am inviting all of you to listen along ...
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW!!: Hello, I'm Sportster . Remember me? I have missed you all. Where have you been? I am inviting all of you to listen along ...
Thursday, November 28, 2013
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: SPORTSTER IS THANKFUL
THE CAT'S PERSPECTIVE OF READING, WRITING AND LIFE.: SPORTSTER IS THANKFUL: Every year at this time, alone, curled up in a drawer or snug in the recesses of the linen closet, where no one can observe, I make a grat...
THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FIVE TOP REVIEWS OF THE YEAR!
THE WRITINGS OF A WANDERING WIDOW: FIVE TOP REVIEWS OF THE YEAR!: Nick Russell writes and publishes the The Gypsy Journal RV Newspaper and is followed by thousands of RVers. His newspapers can be found ...
Sunday, November 24, 2013
FIVE TOP REVIEWS OF THE YEAR!
Nick Russell writes and publishes the The Gypsy Journal RV Newspaper and is followed by thousands of RVers. His newspapers can be found at most campgrounds with the latest travel and entertainment information. He is also a New York Times best selling author of THE BIG LAKE SERIES, THE FRUGAL RVER, and many more. Check out Nick Russell's Amazon Author Page. Follow his blog The Gypsy Journal Blog and like him on Facebook His review on Amazon warmed my heart and captured the essence of my first book COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST. Thank you Nick.
A wonderful story of travel and growth,
Amazon Verified
Purchase(What's this?)
This
review is from: COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT AND A GHOST (A CAT AND A GHOST
SERIES) (Kindle Edition)
This is an excellent story of a woman finding
herself after the death of her spouse, and the author pulls no punches when she
describes life with her late husband Jack. We learn that while he had an abusive
side, he could also be loving and tender, and even in death his opinion is still
important to her. As she makes her way across the country in her motorhome with
her cat Sportster she grows in self-confidence with every mile and realizes that
while a big part of her died with Jack, that which is left is stronger and able
to carry on alone. Life without Jack will be different. Not necessarily better
or worse than it was with him, but a life she comes to embrace as she puts the
past in her rearview mirror and looks through the windshield and into the
future. Anne Johnstonbrown is an actress, excellent narrator and and author. Check out Anne's Amazon Author's page. Anne's narration of both of my books is perfection. She captured the characters' moods and personalities and brought the stories to life. I am grateful to Anne that I can proudly offer the audio versions in time for the holidays. Read her review and then listen to the five minute excerpt. I'm sure you will agree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE1f5D1ivCg
I had the honor of producing the audio version of this book, and I have to say that Ms. Howard's writing gripped me on several levels. I usually try to "detach" when I narrate, in order to stay focused and productive. However, I found myself having to take many unscheduled breaks to compose myself. whether due to tears or laughter. Her subject matter is very relatable, but she also has a way of delivering a story that is compelling and thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book, especially the audio version (hint hint), as it will enlighten and engage any reader.
I entered
a contest offered by The Writers' Digest for self-published authors. This was the
response from one of the judges after reading COAST TO COAST WITH A CAT
AND A GHOST.
Title:Coast
To Coast With A Cat And A Ghost
Author:
Judy Howard
Judge
Number: 30
Books
were evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale is strictly to provide a point
of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking.
Structure
and Organization:4
Grammar:
4
Production
Quality and Cover Design:4
Plot (if
applicable): 5
Character
Development (if applicable): N/A
What did
you like best about this book?
The
novel is top notch from start to finish. A nice cover design and professional
presentation including excellent, attention-grabbing back cover copy. As a
judge of memoirs, I must note that it reads more like fictional”very smooth and
entertaining. I'm particularly fond of the humor within. The author has done a
great job of adding emotional depth to the storytelling. This is a well
crafted, professional read that is both humorous and full of heartache with new
beginnings looming on the horizon. It comes with a dose of therapeutic
tenderness that will twist your insides and inspire you to keep on going when
the road gets tough.
How can
the author improve this book?
As
a judge, I'm supposed to come up with one hundred words as to how the author
could improve this book but I'm finding this task a difficult one. So, my
advice here will be mostly from a marketing standpoint. The author should work
to make sure you get this book out where readers can find it. I don't believe I
would have ever stumbled across this book if I weren't a judge in this contest.
Getting this type of well-crafted novel into the hands of your target audience
(really any woman I've ever known would fall into this category) should be your
top priority.
Below is the very first review from one of the editors at Createspace -A Division of Amazon.
I am constantly asked how do you self publish. My answer always is Createspace. Everything I learned, and I knew nothing when I began this adventure three years ago, I learned here. The folks at this website will guide you through the process of publishing for free, or purchase their professional services and they will make your experience even more pleasant. Read what Jennifer wrote. I was off and running after that first shot in the arm and I haven't looked back!
Praises
for Coast To Coast With A Cat And A Ghost
“This
well written story engrosses the reader as it entertains and inspires. The
narrator navigates through difficult subjects—for example, alcoholism, cancer
and spousal abuse—with good humor and aplomb. At the manuscript’s end she
emerges victorious, both in spite of and because of her human flaws……………………”
“
The principal characters of the narrator and her husband are very well-rounded
and where
necessary, believably contradictory. …………………..”
“
Sportster is certainly an endearing and memorable companion and crucial character
to the
story….”
“The
manuscript handles flashbacks and other repeated moves from far past to near
present
remarkably well…….the dialogue was believable and varied….”
“The
style supports a tone and shifts from joy to grief and back again…….such as
where the
narrator tests her wings and crashes her Gold Wing…..”
Jennifer,
Creataspace Editor
And finally the review below is the one I cherish most. Every author has the opportunity to change people's lives by allowing the reader to see and experience life through the eyes of the characters the author has created
Nancy from Austin, Texas you have inspired me. I hope we can meet some day. Nancy wrote:
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There are many more reviews on my website Judy Howard Publishing all of which have moved me and kept me writing and studying in order to bring you the next best story ever, INVISIBLE HEROES which I hope to release summer of 2014.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Caves and Cliffs
 |
Fifty miles out of Roswell there were still signs of Aliens.
These aliens were carved out of wood. I choose the more conventional carving.
He’s going to look great on my patio.
 I
stayed in Silver City and rented a car to drive up to the Cliff Dwellings. The
first day with the car I drove to the City of Rocks, twenty miles outside of
Silver City. I would love to spend a few nights here. This is New Mexico wilderness and the night sky would have to be incredible Another come back to place. |
They were only forty-four miles away but signs were well
posted that those forty-four miles would take two hours to drive up the the
twisting, hairpin curves.
The hike up to the caves was a half a mile up
and another half mile down. It would have been a fairly easy hike if the
elevation had not been 6000 feet.
My fear of heights followed me as I made my way up the
trail. The higher I climbed , the more nervous I became, but the experience of being able to enter and explore the caves
pushed me on.
Facing fears. Well worth the effort.
Out Of This World In Roswell, New Mexico
 |
| Mac Donalds is shaped like a space ship. |
 |
| Store front of a loan company. |
 |
| Even the book store played on the Alien theme. |
 |
| A music store. |
 |
| This store was called Alien Zone. |
 |
| Can you see the Alien with the sombrero? |
I could have spent hours contemplating the state of our universe and the government's involvement. The Museum has an entire wing for their research library.
But I had to move on. By the afternoon I had added up the miles ...this time taking me closer to home. One last major sight remained on my itinerary before my to do list was completed. Stay tuned for a visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
.
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