News

Blog Tours Announcement!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

Virtualbookworm Publishing is pleased to announce the Virtualbookworm Book Blog Tours. This February and March, some of our recently published books are being passed around the blogosphere to be reviewed by a few notable and well-read bloggers. With February almost gone, the tour is well underway and Dirty Rice, The Elementals, and Journey of Voices have already received several wonderful reviews. Charlene of Literary R&R called Dirty Rice "captivating" and gave the book 5 out of 5 stars. Katie of Doing Dewey remarked that The Elementals was "enjoyably complex" and that she "couldn't put it down" for the "grand climactic ending." Dad of Divas found Journey of Dreams "impressively detailed" and voiced that fans of historical nonfiction "will be drawn in and love this book from beginning to end." Feel free to click through and browse the book reviews for these three books (linked above) and look out for these next two titles, coming to a blog near you in March!"      

Posted in Book Reviews

New Book Unearths a Lost Civilization

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

A team of archaeologists are called upon to unearth a lost civilization on the southern Arabian peninsula in the new book Eyes of the Sage, by Peter J. Ochs II.   An MIT astrophysicist is contacted to continue the investigation of a lost civilization after the unfortunate and untimely death of the expedition’s lead archeologist. Just why an astronomer is called upon a situation where he is evidently “a fish out of water” is not exactly clear, but his involvement is not accidental and his role becomes pivotal.   The ancient civilization, led by an enigmatic leader who makes a habit of disappearing and reappearing throughout history at will, was believed to have settled over 3000 years ago. As sites are revealed and artifacts are recovered, the astronomer is drawn into a complex scenario where his very actions will trigger the story’s climatic events and reveal the identity of the settlement’s mentor.   Peter J. Ochs II went to the Sultanate of Oman in 1991 to work in the Ministry of Water Resources. After two years, after collecting research about this small Arabian country, he decided to publicize Oman through writing, photography, and artwork. In 1998, Ochs lived in Oman, working in inbound tourism, but returned to America shortly after 9/11, where he currently acts as a tour guide in Yellowstone National Park.   Eyes of the Sage is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-210-3) at Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. The books can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom. More information can be found at the author’s website, ochsbooks.com.

Posted in Authors and the Media, Press Releases

“Faith Stories”: A New View of the Church Seen Through the Eyes of a Lifelong Catholic

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

“Faith Stories of One Good Catholic Girl”, by Diana Milesko, provides a wry and thoughtful rendering of what it's like to be Catholic today.   It moves from the author's sometimes amusing experiences as a young Catholic, through frustration and disappointment with Church hierarchy, to a thoughtful look at the challenges and possibilities in the Church.   Anecdotes from her childhood in Chicago, IL and Carbondale, PA reveal how faith grows in the embrace and care of others, and from stories about one's ancestors, family, and God.   Readers will relate to droll accounts of hanging tinsel on the Christmas tree; and be enlightened by compelling stories such as how, after a TWA airplane fell on her teenage boyfriend's house in Chicago in 1959, she coped with guilt about attending his funeral in a Protestant Church.   Ms. Milesko examines teachings about statues, indulgences and other accoutrements, and delivers a fascinating account of how the Catholic Church became an absolute monarchy accountable to no one. She treats contemporary scandals with compassion and honesty, and notes that a renewed Church must be inclusive and transparent in all of its dealings.   A thought provoking tale that is ultimately satisfying, this stimulating book gives readers insight, comfort and hope. It offers possibilities for Catholics in the 21st century and inspires readers to find the true meaning of spirituality.   Diana Milesko earned her bachelors degree at the University of Illinois, masters at Loyola University Chicago, and doctorate at Global Ministries University. A Catholic all her life, she has been a Church cantor, communion minister, and organist in several states.   Faith Stories of One Good Catholic Girl is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-197-7) and eBook (ISBN 978-1-62137-198-4) from Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. This book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom. More information can be found at the author’s website, dianamilesko.com.

Posted in Authors and the Media, Press Releases

Alphie Introduces Young Readers to Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

Left behind by his pack, a wolf pup is forced to experience his first year alone in Yellowstone National Park in Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup, by Brian A. Connolly.
When three-month-old Alphie of the Lamar Pack woke up from a long nap, he discovered he was alone. His pack had moved to their high country rendezvous at Opal Creek, accidentally leaving him behind to face the wild valley on his own. After facing many dangers, Alphie is rescued by an old wolf returning to the pack. Grandfather becomes Alphie’s protector and teacher, marking the beginning of a long friendship.
Alphie is a verbal map of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. The story introduces young readers to this special wilderness and wild places in general. Wandering the Lamar Valley, with book in hand, a reader should be able to locate Druid Peak, the Ledge Trail, the rendezvous site, Jasper Beach, Chalcedony Creek, as well as other landmarks in Alphie’s territory.
Brian A. Connolly’s Wolf Journal was an Oregon Book Award Finalist. His second novel, Hawk, is the sequel to Wolf Journal. Connolly writes in Yellowstone and at home in Bend, Oregon.
George Bumann, the illustrator of Alphie, is a professional artist and educator in Yellowstone National Park. He lives at the park’s entrance with his wife, son and two Labradors. His art resides in collections across the U.S. including the Charles Russell Museum in Great Falls, MT and National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY.
Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-200-4), hardcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-201-1) and eBook (ISBN 978-1-62137-202-8) from Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. This book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom. More information can be found at the author’s website, bconnollybooks.com.

Posted in Authors and the Media, Press Releases

New Book Helps Answer the Question “What’s Next in Parenting?”

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 1 Comment

How to Hold a Glue Stick by Froukje Matthews is an innovative guide to parenting for those who have completed the initial stages of a baby’s life and are wondering where to go from there.

This guide deals with ten topics every parent will face after the preliminary nurturing stages of development. These include routines, obedience, attention, language development, and tantrums just to name a few. Froukje uses a mixture of real life experiences, analyzing of these situations, and ideas to strengthen a parent’s confidence in dealing with these events throughout the course of her guide.   We act with good intentions, we do our best and yet the outcome is not as desired. Why is that so? This book will attempt to demonstrate how better results can be achieved by explaining what it looks like from the child’s point of view.

Froukje Matthews studied for and trained as a primary school teacher in her native Holland, obtained Montessori teaching qualifications (3-6 and 6-9 cycles) in Australia as well as a post-grad Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the QUT (Brisbane, Queensland). She taught Kumon Math to all ages, worked as and ESL teacher in Spain and has run her own Montessori Playgroup and preschool for over twenty years. She speaks five languages and has lived in a number of countries.

How to Hold a Glue Stick and Other Clues to Parenting is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-195-3) and ebook (9-781-62137-196-0) from Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. This book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom. More information can be found at the official website for the book, www.cluestoparenting.com.

Posted in Authors and the Media, Press Releases

"Alphie" Introduces Young Readers to Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Posted on February 07, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

Left behind by his pack, a wolf pup is forced to experience his first year alone in Yellowstone Park in Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup, by Brian A. Connolly.   When three month old Alphie, a wolf pup of the Lamar Pack, woke up from a long nap, he discovered that he was alone. His pack had moved to their high country rendezvous at Opal Creek, accidentally leaving him behind to face the wild valley on his own. After facing many dangers, Alphie is rescued by an old wolf returning to the pack. Grandfather becomes Alphie’s protector and teacher, marking the beginning of a long friendship.   Alphie is a verbal map of the northern range of Yellowstone National Park. The story introduces young readers to this special wilderness and wild places in general. Wandering the Lamar Valley, with book in hand, a reader should be able to locate Druid Peak, the Ledge Trail, the rendezvous site, Jasper Beach, Chalcedony Creek, as well as other landmarks in Alphie’s territory.   Brian A. Connolly’s Wolf Journal was an Oregon Book Award Finalist. His second novel, Hawk, is the sequel to Wolf Journal. Mr. Connolly writes in Yellowstone and at home in Bend, Oregon.   George Bumann, the illustrator of Alphie, is a professional artist and educator in Yellowstone National Park. He lives at the park’s entrance with his wife, son and two Labradors. His art resides in collections across the U.S. including the Charles Russell Museum in Great Falls, MT and National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY.   Alphie, a Yellowstone wolf pup is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-200-4), hardcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-201-1) and eBook (ISBN 978-1-62137-202-8) from Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. This book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom. More information can be found at the author’s website, bconnollybooks.com.

New Book Shows Rich Florida History through Church Windows

Posted on February 06, 2013 by Bobby Bernshausen | 0 Comments

Joyce A. Fletcher Menard’s new pictorial book “Windows, Memorials and More” shows the contemporary stained-glass windows and other memorials depicting the lives of worshipers at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach, Florida.   Dedicated in 1899, All Saint’s Episcopal Church still serves a worshiping congregation. The church stands as a testimony to the life and times of local families from the 1890s to the 21^st century. Antique stained-glass windows and memorials tell the beautiful legacy shared by all and are represented through photographs and testimonies to the families throughout Menard’s book. This is an extremely rare depiction of Florida history in an inspirational, church setting.   Raised in Jensen Beach, Florida, Joyce A. Fletcher Menard attended All Saint’s Episcopal Church from the age of two until 1977. This fifth generation Episcopalian has served in Episcopal churches throughout the U.S. and Germany in leadership roles at the parish, regional, and national levels.

“The pioneering families named in the windows peaked my curiosity,” Joyce admits, “so I began to research the history and the people of my spiritual home.” In 2006, Joyce returned to All Saints, became active in a variety of ministries, and was welcomed home.

Windows, Memorials, and More is available in softcover (ISBN 978-1-62137-181-6) and eBook (ISBN 978-1-62137-182-3) from Virtualbookworm.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. This book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States and United Kingdom.

Posted in Authors and the Media, Press Releases