Photo courtesy of: Jennifer Walker

* Paperback: 240 pages
* Publisher: Windswept Destiny Publishing (January 15, 2010)
* ISBN-10: 0984209581
* ISBN-13: 978-0984209583

Bubba Goes National, the debut novel of Jennifer Walker, is a compelling story about a girl, her horse, and the journey they embark on together. Although the book is written primarily for preteen and teen readers, the storyline will appeal to horse lovers both young and old. Anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a horse or ever loved a pet, will feel an instant connection with Leslie, the main character of Bubba.

Thirteen-year-old Leslie Clark loves horses and longs for a horse of her own. Unfortunately, since the death of her mother over three years ago, Leslie and her widowed father cannot afford such luxuries. In order to feed her desire to be around horses and to continue her riding lessons, Leslie strikes a deal with the owner of Green Meadow Training Stables, Helen. She works at the stable mucking stalls, grooming horses, and generally performing many of the chores that Green Meadow’s wealthier students would not think of doing – especially the bratty Kate Wellesley. In exchange, Leslie continues to train with Helen and earns a small amount of spending cash, which she saves with the plan of some day buying her own horse.

Leslie is thrilled when her dream of showing a horse becomes a reality when Mr. and Mrs. Brown, the owners of a horse she regularly exercises at the stable, offer to let her show Charlie – and pay all of her show fees. Those hopes are soon dashed when the trouble-causing, Kate, interferes and convinces her parents to buy him out from under Leslie. She is crushed… that is, until she lays eyes on a special horse at Farmer Bob’s auction. Leslie looks beyond the less then stellar appearance of the neglected Arabian, falls instantly in love, and knows she must save him and make him her own. Imagine her delight when she wins the auction and purchases Lucky (playfully dubbed Bubba by her dad) for only $100! Will Leslie be able to train Lucky in time to compete? Will they qualify at nationals? What will happen when Leslie meets the new boy at the stables, Alex? What havoc will Kate Wellesley wreak next?

The insightful and talented Jennifer Walker manages to get inside of the mind of a 13-year-old with the skill of a seasoned professional. The result is a novel packed full of adventure, drama, interesting horse facts, important lessons, and believable characters. Through Leslie’s example, young readers are reminded that anything is possible if you want it enough and are willing to work hard for it. Jennifer cleverly weaves in accurate details about horse care and competitions, teaching young readers while telling an entertaining and realistic story. The conclusion leaves her readers wondering what will happen next and longing for more adventures with the kids at Green Stables.

Bubba Goes National is worthy of a blue ribbon in this reviewer’s winner’s circle!

About Author Jennifer Walker:

Photo courtesy of: Jennifer Walker

Jennifer is the author of Bubba Goes National and Budget Horse-Keeping for the New Horse Owner. Her work has been published in several horse magazines, including Arabian Horse World, Modern Arabian Horse and Sierra Style. Ms. Walker also has short stories that appear in the anthologies, Elements of the Soul and The Ultimate Horse Lover. She is a freelance writer and editor, who also works in a dressage barn in California and is the proud owner of two Arabian horses.

Fans will be happy to know that Jennifer is already working on two sequels to Bubba Goes National, part of the Riders of Green Meadow series. To read more about Jennifer Walker and her current projects, please visit her at Jennifer Walker Writing Services. You can also read more of what Jennifer has to say on her blog, Jennifer Gets Bloggy.

Bubba Goes National is available for purchase on Jennifer’s website. Click here to order your autographed copy from the author. Bubba can also be bought through Twin Trinity Media (Windswept Destiny is an imprint) and is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and booksamillion.com.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The book reviewer is a friend and colleague of Jennifer Walker, the author of Bubba Goes National. An author-provided copy of the book was provided for the review.

Photo courtesy of: Dr. Ingrid Schweiger

* Paperback: 132 pages
* Publisher: AuthorHouse (September 18, 2008)
* ISBN-10: 1434372251
* ISBN-13: 978-1434372253

Self-Esteem For A Lifetime: Raising A Successful Child From The Inside Out, by Dr. Ingrid Schweiger, is an excellent book choice for parents, family members and educators of children of all ages.

The self-esteem of children molds and affects every facet of their lives – how they cope socially, emotionally and mentally. Raising kids with higher self-esteem creates happier and healthier individuals and helps set them up for success in their lives. What parent or educator doesn’t wish that for the children they love?

The question for most adults isn’t whether or not they want the children in their lives to be healthy, successful and confident individuals. The true question is: How do you help them?

Fortunately, that is where Dr. Ingrid Schweiger, with her thirty years of experience as a psychotherapist, comes in to provide answers. It is also what makes Self-Esteem For A Lifetime such an invaluable resource for parents and educators.

In her book, Dr. Ingrid offers practical, easy-to-understand guidance for building the self-esteem of a child. By drawing on her own experiences as a mother and psychotherapist, as well as real families and individuals who she has worked with in her private practice and community programs, she provides an interesting and thorough guide book. The book broaches important subjects like high and low self-esteem messages children receive, true communication and listening skills, tips for dealing with anger and stress and much more. Across the pages of Self-Esteem For A Lifetime, Dr. Schweiger reiterates a simple, yet very important, message to parents – “There are no perfect parents!”

Also peppered throughout the book are carefully created journal pages and exercises for readers to personalize and apply the new-found knowledge to their own families and children. These pages help parents form a clearer picture and plan for building strong and health parent-child relationships.

Self-Esteem For A Lifetime: Raising A Successful Child From The Inside Out will prove to be a quick reference and well-used resource for families. Purchase your copy now at Amazon.com.

About Dr. Ingrid Schweiger:

Photo courtesy of: Dr. Ingrid Schweiger

Dr. Ingrid Schweiger is a respected psychotherapist who is internationally known for her work with families. She has been recognized by The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy for her family education programs used in communities throughout the world.

Dr. Schweiger maintains her private practice in New York City and facilitates seminars and teleconferences on family related subjects such as communication for couples, divorce recovery, building self-esteem, and creating a successful marriage.

Visit DrIngridSchweiger.com to read more about Dr. Ingrid Schweiger and her work or to register for an upcoming seminar.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
An author-provided copy of the book was provided for the review.

*Paperback: 260 pages
*Publisher: Twin Trinity Media; First edition (August 24, 2009)
*ISBN-10: 0984209506
*ISBN-13: 978-0984209507

Well, if a picture is really worth a thousand words, then this video made by Twin Trinity Media to promote their Elements of the Soul anthology should be worth several thousand of them! And it is – 260 pages worth of beautiful words to be exact.

The authors and poets whose works are published in Elements of the Soul all gained their spots in the anthology by competing and placing in the Accentuate Writers Short Story Anthology Contests. The authors with short stories in the book are: Steven Thor Gunnin, Jennifer Walker, Rissa Watkins, Lindsay Maddox, George Kramer, Lucinda Gunnin, Jo Brielyn, M. Lori Motley, Susan Sosbe, and Laurie Darroch-Meekis. Also included in the anthology is winning poetry from featured poet, Laurie Darroch-Meekis, as well as: Randy Barefoot, Jo Brielyn, Susan Sosbe, Angel Sharum, and Felicity Tillack.

Elements of the Soul, the first anthology in the Elements series, is available for purchase directly through Twin Trinity Media, Amazon, Books-A-Million, and Barnes & Noble. The book may also be ordered through local bookstores.

Check it out the video, and then go buy your own copy:

Listen to Jo Brielyn's interview on Will Blog for Kids tomorrow, February 7th!

As many of you may already know, I’m the host of the radio show, Will Blog for Kids on Blog Talk Radio. Tomorrow (Friday, January 7th), my lovely co-host Michelle Debenport from SomeGirlsWebsite, and I will be kicking off 2011 with a bang! For our first show in the new year we thought it’d be fun to let our listeners learn more about us, so we’ll be interviewing each other. I’ll be talking about my writing career and Creative Kids Ideas blog. I’m really excited – and a little nervous – about this and would love your support.

Here are the show details:

On the first Friday of every month at 11 am Central, experienced mommy bloggers, Jo Brielyn and Michelle Debenport, dare to delve into the world of blogging for or about children with their radio show, Will Blog for Kids. Start 2011 off by getting to know the hosts better. In January’s edition, Jo and Michelle will switch things up a little and interview each other! They will also be chatting about their new goals for their blogs, families , and lives in the New Year. And feel free to call in and share your own goals with Will Blog for Kids’ listeners!

Link to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2011/01/07/rfk–will-blog-for-kids

Date: Friday, January 6, 2011

Time: 11:00 AM Central/Noon Eastern

Show length: 1 to 1-1/2 hours

Call-in number: (646) 595-4478

*Online chat is also available during the show, so be sure to log into Blog Talk Radio before the show begins.

This should be a fun show! I’d love to see you in the chatroom. Don’t forget, call-ins are welcome too!

**This same link will work for tuning in to the live show or listening to the archived version at a later time.