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Author JF Collen |
Thursday, May 19, 2022
#AuthorInterview with JF Collen, author of Pioneer Passage
#BookReview - Toby, Toby, Worry Free by Lucinda Grapenthin
#BookReview - Holding Superman's Hand by Amy Katherine
Holding Superman's Hand
By: Amy Katherine
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Publication Date: May 20, 2022
ISBN: 978-1639883431
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: May 18, 2022
Right off the bat, I must say, this author declares herself to be both an artist and a writer...which is exactly what she is. To clarify: the scenes, the locations, the characters – every aspect of the book feels as if it’s being painted right before the reader’s eyes. I was mesmerized. This amazes me, because to get to the “mesmerized” level takes quite a bit for me, considering how many books I read each week.
The main character I felt at home with; her name is Amy Emerson, and she’s at that point in life we all look back on and (hopefully) remember fondly. It’s the time of our first slice of freedom. Amy’s world is going well. Not only has she received a scholarship and had the collegiate doors open for her so she can start diving in and learning in this, her first semester, but she has also won out over many in the Lone Star State. You see, there is a much-wanted job opening in Austin, Texas – being a bartender at a highly awesome local – and Amy has landed it and is now wearing that highly-desired hat. Now, all of this sounds like a niche that everyone would die for, especially at her age; however, there’s another aspect to Amy’s life that brings darkness along with all this newfound success.
We segue to Matthew...here, readers meet Mr. Matt Abernathy; some will like him, while others will dislike his self-appreciation and somewhat self-importance that exudes from his words and actions. He has the perfect job — as a bouncer, Mat can use his gift of intimidation quite often. As the author “paints” his portrait, we are met with this Texas Hill Country graduate student’s stunning good looks that, quite literally, makes him Superman’s stand-in: he’s that pretty. Oddly, he laughs like the very jovial Santa, yet he also seems to despise greatly anything, anyone, or any moment in time that he feels is simply wrong and goes against his own morals and honorable standards that he holds upon a pedestal.
Readers will be drawn to this coming-of-age story simply because there are twists and turns in this one that come out of nowhere. Amy, at the age of 17, is staring at a future paved in gold, yet her emotions for Matt are strong and readers will watch and wonder whether or not Amy can somehow find a way to disengage from what looks to be a relationship headed for total disaster.
Yet another upside comes from the fact that this is said to be a new series, which means I’m hooking my wagon to this train ASAP. The author had me at the beginning, and watching Amy’s courage grow and Matt’s story unfold made for a powerful tale. Every word spoken by these characters leads me to believe this author has a whole lot more to say, and has shown already that she has the creativity and talented voice to build a huge audience—sooner rather than later.
Quill says: Holding Superman's Hand is a fantastic read that is mysterious, romantic, dramatic, and memorable; this title completely earns the “5-stars” rating.
For more information on Holding Superman's Hand, please visit the author's website at: holdingsupermanshand.com
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
#AuthorInterview with Nancie Wiseman Attwater, author of A Caregiver's Love Story and Reference Guide
Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Barbara Bamberger Scott is talking with Nancie Wiseman Attwater, author of A Caregiver's Love Story and Reference Guide.
FQ: How did you organize your time and energy to write this memoir/guide, given what must be a very busy life as described in it?
ATTWATER: I am an early riser. The dog wakes me up around 6am to be fed and I then manage to get a lot of things done before Bill wakes up. When I am writing a book, I reserve a few hours every morning for writing, proofreading and organizing. It has worked well for me for several books, so I just kept up the routine. I enjoy writing, and don’t consider it work so it feels good to sit down in the same place every day at my desk and continue my stories.
FQ: Does positing and writing about these facts give you, overall, a sense of hope?
ATTWATER: I wouldn’t say it gives me “hope.” What it gives me is a chance to get all my feelings out of my head and down on paper where I don’t seem to worry about them as much. I am very organized and can get a lot done when necessary. Writing is a type of stress reduction for me. Bill’s illness is terminal. I watch him decline a little more every day. We now have a hospice nurse that comes to see him twice a week and a nurse to help bathe him. It is an ongoing battle, so to speak, but we keep moving and trying to get the most out of the time we have left. I haven’t been writing much lately, I’m thinking I need to get back to it.
FQ: Do you see positive changes emerging in medical care/facilities that could make a difference in the future for those like yourself as a home-based caregiver and for those like Bill needing almost constant oversight?

ATTWATER: I can see that there are more caregiver provider companies now, but the problem is they don’t seem to give a lot of thought to who they hire. Because they cannot do “medical” things, just about anyone can have the job. Right now, we have a young gal who is only 18, but does a wonderful job taking care of Bill. Cooks for him, does laundry, etc. I have a list of duties for the caregivers, and I will say that many days it gets ignored when the TV is on, and their cell phone is in their hands.
It is thought to be best for a person to stay in their own home, if possible, instead of going to a facility. The care is supposed to be better in one’s home, but what they don’t seem to mention is the toll that takes on the caregiver. I’m a trained nurse and can handle emergencies and come up with ideas to take better care of Bill. But I get so tired, and my temper gets a little short that some days I feel I’m not doing him any favors by keeping him home. His dementia is becoming more of a problem, and he needs me to fill in the gaps for him. A medical assistant in a facility wouldn’t be able to do that. He will always say “Get Nancie, she’ll take care of it.” He knows I will do this no matter the toll on me.
FQ: Apart from caregiving, is writing now your primary avocation or will you continue to explore other avenues of creativity?
ATTWATER: I am a quilter, knitter and needleworker and I get to explore a lot of creative outlets with those three hobbies. Time is an issue as they all require attention to detail and some spare hours. Some days, I tell myself to sit down and sew, or knit for the day, like I used to be able to. It never happens. But it’s nice to think I will someday again. I have always enjoyed watching TV and doing needlework while Bill rested. Lately I’ve been in bed fast asleep by 7pm. I know I will get back to all these avocations eventually, but then again that means I will be living alone to do it.
FQ: Could you envision a documentary illustrating your own life experience and development of your methods of dealing with sickness and impending sorrow?
ATTWATER: Well, I could see that of course. My best friend in Utah will always ask me “Who is going to play you in the movie?” when I send her a new book to read. It seems like a playful statement, but I believe the information would be valuable to anyone who is faced with the illness of a loved one. It’s doesn’t need to be a spouse. It could be a parent, sibling, close relative or even a child.
Dealing with impending sorrow is another issue I deal with every day. I try not to cry about this, but I was reading my book to Bill because he can’t read it now and I can’t get through a chapter without the tears falling.
FQ: What is your best memory of life together with Bill since he has become an invalid?
ATTWATER: Our life remains full of love despite the obstacles. Our early days of travel are fond memories, and we speak of them often and look at the photo albums of those happy days as a reminder. Bill remains very pleasant even on his worst days and he doesn’t remember the good times as much as I do. It’s easy to remind him and try to keep his spirits up with the memories of when he was up and about, doing the cooking that he loved and taking care of everything in the house.
FQ: Have you considered speaking about/organizing workshops based on these important topics?
ATTWATER: I am doing a lecture to a group here where I live in June. I would love to do more. I think that organizing this information into a workshop with a discussion of other people’s needs when it comes to caregiving would be wonderful.
FQ: What would be your strongest recommendation to the typical reader of this work – someone facing similar dilemmas, with or without a medical background?
ATTWATER: Read everything you can find. Look up diagnoses on the internet. Be sure you understand everything. Learn about all the medications you are giving to your loved one. When going to the doctor take notes; do not rely on your memory. If you have access to your doctor via their website read all the after-visit notes and be sure you understand them. Be a loud voice, be annoying if you must because your understanding of the medical issues is imperative to the care of your loved one. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Even more than one time if necessary.
There are times that even with my medical background I forget what the doctor said or recommended. I was always in the mode of getting Bill in and out of the doctor, making sure he had oxygen and was comfortable in the wheelchair. This sometimes got in the way of the doctor visit. I had too much going on to remember it all. Get help if you can, involve family if they are willing and be careful of your own needs as well.
Monday, May 16, 2022
#BookReview of Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert
Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert
Written and photographed by: Carol J. Walker
Publisher: Living Images by Carol Walker, LLC
Publication Date: March 30, 2022
ISBN: 978-0578350943
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: May 13, 2022
Carol Walker, animal lover and advocate for America’s wild horses, offers her latest work, Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert, that will educate readers about the plight of these majestic animals, as well as bring tears to one's eyes.
Blue Zeus is the fascinating story of a wild stallion that stole Carol’s heart the day she first laid eyes on him. A beautiful blue roan, with numerous battle scars that told the story of fights he’d had with other stallions, the horse stoically guarded his small band as Carol photographed him, as well as his mares and foals.
Carol set to work photographing this mesmerizing band of horses and the pages of Blue Zeus are loaded with great photographs of them. Images of the mares peacefully grazing, Blue Zeus standing guard, and even a young filly “clacking” in submission to the herd sire, engage the reader and brings them into the world of wild horses. The author has done a fantastic job of capturing the life of a herd of wild horses.
About half the book is devoted to the daily life of Blue Zeus’s herd but then the narrative switches to recounting the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) roundups and removal of wild horses. Carol describes the heartbreaking sight of the roundup of wild horses by helicopter, as well as sharing photographs of the event. Terrified horses, mares and foals, confused and panicked, being herded into trap sites from which there is no escape. “It is the harsh reality of seeing wild horses that you know and love,” recounts Carol, “running for their lives from helicopters...It is a horrible feeling of helplessness…as I see a horse go down or rider roping a foal and dragging it in.” (pg. 79)
I first became acquainted with the artistry of Carol Walker when I discovered her book Horse Photography: The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers. She then wrote two books dedicated to wild horses, Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses and Galloping to Freedom: Saving the Adobe Town Appaloosas. All three are excellent, “not to be missed” books that feature Carol’s beautiful photographs to help tell the stories, particularly about America’s wild horses. The author has made it her mission to help save our nation’s vanishing wild horses and her books, including Blue Zeus will undoubtedly help bring attention to the cause. She does an excellent job of telling the herd’s story and gets the reader to care about their plight. Her recounting of the incredible frustration of dealing with government officials as she tries to save Blue Zeus and his herd from a very bad situation is enough to anger all readers. Let’s hope that this book will help bring much needed attention, and indeed change, to help these majestic animals live out their lives in the wild as they were meant to. Kudos to author Carol J. Walker for helping to bring the fight to the attention of so many through her beautiful book Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert.
Quill says: Stunning photographs and a compelling and fascinating story combine to make Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert a book that every horse lover, and indeed, every animal lover needs to read.
For more information on Blue Zeus: Legend of the Red Desert, please visit WildHoofbeats.com