Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: Books I Love That Became Films or TV Shows

 

The Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is hosted by Long and Short Reviews. They offer this blog hop as a weekly prompt to help you gain new friends and visitors. You don't have to participate every week, but if you decide to post and join the blog hop for a week, Long and Short Reviews asks that you share your link on their weekly post on their website (it will be the top post on the home page each Wednesday morning). The link list remains open for new links for 48 hours. Visit the other bloggers participating to see what they are talking about that week. Comments are appreciated. 

How is it Wednesday again? I still haven't caught up on Tuesday's blog visits, but I hope today is an easier day. Today, we are talking about favorite books that became films or TV Shows. Since I spoke about Little House on the Prairie, I won't go there. I won't even mention Anne of Green Gables. Here are a few others worth sharing. 

The 1993 movie, Gettysburg, was based on the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, which tells a fictionalized version of the three days of fighting at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War. This novel is part of a series that Sharra wrote with his father. 

Before Nicholas Cage starred as Rayford Steele in Left Behind, based upon the Left Behind novels by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins, that role was played by the late Brad Johnson, with Kirk Cameron playing another major character, Buck Williams. This is the last series I recall eagerly awaiting the arrival of each new book. 

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough was brought to the small screen in the early 80s, with Richard Chamberlain playing ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart alongside Rachel Ward's Meggie Cleary. 

In 1994, The Stand by Stephen King was brought to television as a mini-series starring many well-known actors like Richard Thomas, Molly Ringwald, Gary Sinise, and Rob Lowe. 

On Strike for Christmas was the first book I ever read by Sheila Roberts. It's how I came to love her work. In 2010, Lifetime Television brought it to the small screen. I've never seen it, but I really want to one day. 

What can anyone say about the Harry Potter series except that it is amazing? I held off on reading it for years because I don't read overly popular books. Once I indulged myself, I was hooked, though I don't think I've seen a single movie all the way through. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Ways in Which My Blogging/Review Style Has Changed Over Time

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.    

Welcome back to Tuesday. Hope you are having a nice week. This week's topic, suggested by Susan at Bloggin' 'bout Books, asks us to share ways our blogging/review style has changed over time. I'm not quite sure I can think of ten, but I will give it a whirl. If not, I will add in some ways that it has stayed the same throughout the years.

Top Eight Ways in Which My Blogging/Review

Style Has Changed Over Time

I am okay with not finishing a book.

Initially, I read every book I accepted, even if I didn't really enjoy it. With such limited reading time now, I'm okay with saying a book was not for me and donating it. 

I started a spreadsheet to organize my TBR pile.

When requests poured in faster than I could read, I had to find a way to keep track of incoming books and review dates. My handy Excel spreadsheet has been keeping me organized since 2009.

I turn down requests to review. 

While I still struggle with this, I have to be realistic. There are so many requests, and not all of them can be accommodated. 

Adding the First Chapter Review made spreading the book love easier.

Especially when I piled up Kindle freebies, the guilt in owning hundreds of books I wasn't reading gnawed at me. That's why I started the First Chapter Review feature. I read the first chapter, share my thoughts on the cover, share what the first chapter is about, and discuss why I would keep reading or not keep reading. This also allowed me to eliminate books from the TBR pile if they didn't capture me in the first chapter. 

I stopped participating in most reading challenges. 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I just don't follow crowds very well. The only reading challenge I can seem to come close to winning or win regularly is the Goodreads challenge, and I think that's because I don't have to read specific books for it. I just plain old read. Can't tell you how much I admire all of you who can complete book challenges, but it is not for me. 

I stopped checking my stats. 

When I started The Book Connection, it was to gain followers. I stressed over not having enough followers. My goal was to create a following for myself while sharing books by others. Would I like more followers? Sure. Who wouldn't? I just don't focus on it anymore. 

Short reviews are okay.

Only so many hours in the day. A shorter review is better than no review. 

Checking in with other bloggers is much more fun these days.

Because I've been at this for so long, I've virtually connected with a lot of bloggers. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the readers here, and some of you I feel like I've really gotten to know as a result of checking in with you weekly. Because I was so focused on building a following in those early days, it seemed more like work. Now, it's simply a joy to see what you all have been up to lately. 

Two Ways in Which My Blogging/Review Style

Has Stayed the Same Over Time

I search for at least something good to say, even if I don't enjoy a book. 

While my reviews are always reader-focused and honest, it rarely happens that I can't find one good thing to say about every book I read. 

I strive to expand my reading horizons.

Every year, I promise to read at least one book in a genre I don't regularly read. I've discovered a love for some dystopian fiction and young adult fantasy as a result. While my overall tastes haven't changed much, I still like stretching beyond my comfort zone to read outside of my typical genres. 

Not too bad of a list. How did you do? I look forward to visiting your blogs today. Thanks for your loyal readership. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - May 12

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.   

Welcome back to Monday! Hope all you mothers and mother figures who celebrated Mother's Day yesterday had a nice day. My hearts go out to all of those missing their moms and other special people on that day. 

I was blessed with a lovely weekend. My sister and I attended The SpongeBob Musical at Exit 7 Players over the weekend. We were supposed to go the previous weekend, but when things developed with the cat, we delayed our outing. It was another amazing show. The actors captured the characters in Bikini Bottom so well. 

On Sunday, four of us got together for brunch. I plan to head to North Carolina this coming Sunday to see the Lil' Princess.

Brunch at Evan's Egg House: Husband, Lil' Diva, and John Boy

Spinach and feta scramble with home fries and toast

With so much real estate work happening, it's been impossible to read. I also have a manuscript I am beta reading, and a manuscript I am editing for a client. The only thing I accomplished is to read this NetGalley download. So much fun!

Haven't touched this one in weeks, but it is on my list. 

These are next, along with a few First Chapter Reviews coming up. You can see upcoming events below. 

I would also love it if you would answer this short survey for bloggers. You can find it here.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

This has not been published yet, but I downloaded it from NetGalley. Look for my review coming soon. 

A book for the coolest grandpas and grandmas everywhere!

Grandparents love to rock every way they can—whether it's by singing out loud, dancing to a song in their hearts, or just living their best lives! 

From the musical team of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo comes a lyrical read-aloud that celebrates all kinds of grandparents from all walks of life—from plumbers to yoga instructors to…rock stars!

Upcoming Events

• Cayman Conundrum by Stacy Wilder - June 11 (First Chapter Review)
• Freedom Drop & Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman - June 18 (Showcase)
• Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman - June 21 (First Chapter Review)
• Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman - June 22 (First Chapter Review)
• To Murder a Marquis by Arabella Sheraton - June 27 - (Review)

Nothing new at Christmas Year Round, because I took the weekend off. 

Nothing new at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. Hope to post there this week.  

Check out my analysis of On the Banks of Plum Creek versus Season 1 of Little House on the Prairie at Laura's Little Houses. You will find it here. 

Looking forward to visiting your blogs today. Might not be until later since I am heading out on the road today, and then I have a media interview. Enjoy your day!

Interview with Robert Bruce Adolph, Author of Surviving the United Nations (Giveaway)

 

Robert Bruce Adolph is a retired UN Chief Security Advisor & US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel.  He holds master’s degrees in both International Affairs (Middle East Studies) from American University’s School of International Service and National Security Studies and Strategy from the US Army’s Command and General Staff College.  

Adolph served nearly 26 years in multiple Special Forces, Counterterrorism, Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs, Foreign Area Officer, and Military Intelligence command and staff assignments in the US and overseas. He also volunteered to serve on UN peacekeeping missions in Egypt, Israel, Cambodia, Iraq and Kuwait. 

After he retired from active military service in 1997, he began a second career as a senior UN Security Advisor. Among his positions he served as the Chief of the Middle East and North Africa in the UN Department of Safety and Security. 

Website: https://robertbruceadolph.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-bruce-adolph-904597a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.adolph

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in Massachusetts, but because my dad was in the military, I was raised all over the US - the eldest of nine children. At last count, and due to my Army and United Nations assignments, I have lived and worked in 17 different countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, many of which were in crisis. These varied assignments inform much of my writing. I think it is fair to say that my perspective might not be mainstream.

When did you begin writing? 

I published my first article while serving in the Army as a young captain of military intelligence. I wrote that piece because I had never done so before. Trying new things is something of a passion for me. I liked the responses to my first article, so I wrote another, and another, and I am still at it over four decades later. At last count, I have published over three hundred articles, commentaries, and book reviews. My works have appeared in over fifty newspapers, magazines, and journals, in the US, Europe, and Asia.

What is this book about? 

It’s the true story of my experiences in my humanitarian and peacekeeping missions for the United Nations. I had to deal with child-soldiers, blood diamonds, a double hostage-taking, an invasion by brutal guerrillas, an emergency aerial evacuation, a desperate hostage recovery mission, tribal gunfights, refugee camp violence, suicide bombings, and institutional corruption. My UN career brought me face to face with the best and worst of human nature, and I share it all in this book.

What inspired you to write it? 

I was deeply angry and hurt. There were twenty-two dead and over one hundred and fifty wounded in a jihadist vehicular suicide attack in Baghdad. The people who were to blame never faced accountability for their lack of action. I had to set the record straight by telling the truth, no matter the personal cost. I felt the call to action because nobody else would. I had never felt so alone and utterly vulnerable in my life.

How is it similar to other books in its genre? 

There are a lot of great books, like James Taub’s The Best Intentions and Jan Egeland’s A Billion Lives that give you an inside view of how the UN operates and its impact on the different countries it works in.

How is it different? 

As a senior United Nations Security Chief, I had a unique perspective, having previously served three volunteer uniformed tours of duty in United Nations peacekeeping in Egypt & Israel, Cambodia, and Iraq & Kuwait. It helped me understand why corruption isn’t always seen as corruption. My distinctive view of the events I experienced makes my book different from all the others.

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

I believe that what may make my book a page-turner is that every word is real. Every emotion is raw. Every mistake has consequences. Contrary to popular belief, death seldom has meaning. Violence is often proven stupid. And, finally, justice is not always served. Reality, when reading it, cannot be denied and is recognized by readers. The lessons learned are invaluable.

What is up next for you? Is there anything you would like to add?

My current project is a book for people who may be interested in improving themselves via writing. Writing is now and has always been the most rigorous form of thought. There is no better exercise for the mind than writing. If your readers hope to be one day better, they should write. If they hope to influence others, they should write. If your readers hope one day to build a legacy, they should write. Bottom line – of all the things that I have accomplished in my many years, and aside from saving lives, I am most proud of my writing history.

Read an Excerpt!

I had accomplished an area study on the country before departing Sarajevo—an old habit instilled in me by military training. You see, if time permits prior to the deployment of a Special Forces team on mission, the unit would enter isolation for as much as a week prior in preparation. During that period an area study would be developed among the twelve members of the team. Essentially, an area study examines all aspects of a country or region that might impact mission accomplishment. Knowing the history of a country is often key to understanding its future. 

Sierra Leone had been established on the west coast of the African continent in 1787 by Great Britain as a home for freed slaves. It is about half the size of the American state of Illinois and became a crown colony in 1808. From that time until 1961, when it became an independent nation-state, the country was ruled by the British. In retrospect, the native population was not well prepared for self-rule. 

There was a succession of coups. Government changed hands several times. In 1991, Corporal Foday Sankoh, a former soldier of the Sierra Leone Army, began a military campaign (insurgency) against the national warlord of the moment, Major General Saidu Momoh. Sankoh led what came to be known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF generally focused its attentions on the inland—controlling diamond-producing areas, and the Sierra Leone/Liberia border area in the east and south.

Purchase here!

Robert Bruce Adolph will be awarding

 a $25 Amazon/BN GC to

a randomly drawn winner. 

 

Book Blast & Giveaway: In Search of Recognition by Jim McAllister

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jim McAllister will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In Search of Recognition: The Story of Search and Rescue in British Columbia provides background on why and how organized volunteer search and rescue became a reality in the province, and how search and rescue evolved over many years to meet the increasing demands of finding lost people and rescuing those injured outdoors. The primary focus of the thousands of volunteers is to save the lives of persons lost or injured outdoors; training and fundraising for equipment and other costs also require time and energy. Through personal involvement and references, the author provides insights into how funding and other support for the volunteer service was achieved, through government, responsible agencies, organizations and individuals working together to find ways to assist those who strive "so others may live."

Read an Excerpt

Civil defence continued to be the focus of all levels of government in BC during the 1960s. The cold war standoff between the Soviet Union and the United States and its allies continued to escalate as nuclear capabilities grew. Air raid siren tests were common along with drills in schools in BC. Citizens in Comox were treated to the sights and sounds of Voodoo fighter jets launching to intercept Russian long-distance bombers. The RCAF remained the lead for air and marine search and rescue, from their base on Sea Island. Searches for missing aircraft and vessels in distress were numerous, as technology such as tracking and alerting systems were yet to be developed or in their infancy.

About the Author: Jim McAllister has been involved in search and rescue for over 45 years, starting as a volunteer member in the Rocky Mountains in 1977 with Golden and District SAR and then Cranbrook SAR. He became the SAR specialist for the Province of B.C. in 2002. In 2008, Jim retired from the provincial government as a director with Emergency Management British Columbia and became a volunteer director for special projects with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Jim has been involved with many major projects: the establishment of Avalanche Canada, the updating of volunteer reimbursement rates, the establishment of health and safety guidelines, the formation of a joint health and safety committee, Swiftwater Rescue standards, sustainable funding for search and rescue and the establishment of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial. Jim wrote a book on the last project, titled A Monument to Remember, and one on incidents, titled One Week in August: Stories from Search and Rescue in British Columbia.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779627394
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519145.Jim_McAllister

Jim McAllister will be awarding a

$10 Amazon/BN gift card to

a randomly drawn winner.

Interview with Judy Serrano, Author of Unorganized Crime & Unorganized Secrets

 

Judy Serrano graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with a master’s degree in English. She is the owner of Make Cents Editing Services and is an English teacher at a local high school. Judy writes romantic suspense, Mafia romance, and paranormal romance. She is the author of The Easter's Lilly Series, The Linked Series, Ivy Vines, Visions and the Unorganized Crime series. Although originally from New York, Judy resides in Texas with her husband and six cats.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ www.judyserrano.com 

Twitter ➜ http://www.twitter.com/AuthorJSerrano 

Facebook ➜  https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor/

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792103.Judy_Serrano

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a suburb of New York called Monsey. I was brought up to say what you mean and to mean what you say.

When did you begin writing?

I started writing poems, songs, and books at the ripe old age of 12. That being said, my first book was published in 2010, so I was clearly much older.

What is this book about? Unorganized Crime:

As Jazz finds herself falling from a helicopter, Gage St. Claire comes to her rescue. Organized crime is once again the culprit of her parents’ situation, and as usual, she is caught in the crossfire. Gage pulls her out of the water and helps her escape to safety. The love between them is undiscovered as he tries to leave her behind in an attempt to keep her safe and move forward with his black ops pursuit. Jazz becomes an undercover cop with wiping out organized crime forever as her goal. After Jazz exposes one of the largest crime families in the country, quite by accident, she is hired to expose crime syndicate leader Michael Giambetti Jr., otherwise known as Achilles. Achilles earned his nickname because he has no weaknesses. He has no weaknesses, that is until he meets Jazz. Achilles has been untouchable, and if she were to break this case, she could finally prove herself as a serious undercover officer. Her job is not an easy one, and people around her are not who they appear to be. Will Gage come back for Jazz, or will he be lost to her forever? Will she crack the case on her own? Read as this courageous upstart stumbles through another adventure.

Unorganized Secrets:

With Achilles still on the run, Gage and Hawk do what they can to protect their own. Gage and Jazz make their relationship official, while Hawk decides it's time to do the same. When Hawk shows up at Elizabeth's doorstep, she is gone, and his son, whom he has never met, is also missing. The mystery surrounding Elizabeth takes Hawk to a dark place. When he opens the door to Elizabeth's past, who will he find behind it?

What inspired you to write them?

Sometimes I will have a dream about a new storyline and just run with it. I think that is how I initially got the idea. I will admit that quite a few characters came from Easter’s Lilly, my first series. I think sometimes I get too attached to my characters. 

 

How are they similar to other books in their genre? How are they different?

They are similar due to the POV. Most of the books I have seen in this particular genre are in the first person. The books are different because no matter how tough and unstoppable my heroes are, they are as gentle as a lamb with their women. I don’t always see that in what I read.

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

Readers will learn from my books that good always triumphs over evil.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

http://www.JudySerrano.com

http://amazon.com

 

What is up next for you?

I am working on a new book. I haven’t decided if I am going to make it crime fiction or supernatural yet. It depends on how my characters are feeling when I start typing.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today. If any of your readers pick up one of my books, I promise, they won’t be able to put it down.

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: Favorite TV Shows and Why

 

The Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is hosted by Long and Short Reviews. They offer this blog hop as a weekly prompt to help you gain new friends and visitors. You don't have to participate every week, but if you decide to post and join the blog hop for a week, Long and Short Reviews asks that you share your link on their weekly post on their website (it will be the top post on the home page each Wednesday morning). The link list remains open for new links for 48 hours. Visit the other bloggers participating to see what they are talking about that week. Comments are appreciated. 

Wednesday has come around again, so it's time for this week's weekly blogging challenge. We are talking about favorite TV shows. For this one, I am going to need to look into my past. I don't watch any current shows.

Little House on the Prairie topping my list should shock no one. We only had one TV in our home growing up, and this show was on from 8 - 9 pm on Wednesdays (originally) and then Mondays. My father must have liked it, too, because he never willingly gave up the television set once he arrived home for the night. Good thing they moved to Mondays, because my father watched Charlie's Angels, which eventually ended up on 8 pm on Wednesdays. 

LHOP helped me endure parts of my childhood. I wanted a father like Charles and a mother like Caroline, and I hoped for all issues to be wrapped up easily and quickly. Real life never worked out that way, but I could pretend. I had a huge crush on Dean Butler, who arrived in season 6, as Almanzo Wilder. He was not, however, my first TV crush.

That honor belonged to Randolph Mantooth, who played John Gage on Emergency. This show was a spin-off of Adam-12, which I also enjoyed. Can't really say why I loved Emergency as much as I did, but it had a lot of humor and drama. 

Though I don't consider myself a huge paranormal fan, I really loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. The earlier and later seasons of Buffy were better than Seasons 4 and 5 when she was dating Riley. I always wished Angel had a longer run. 

I found Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in syndication and instantly loved it. I like strong female leads, and Joe Lando sure was easy on the eyes. This is another series that I would have loved to see have a longer run, even if it was just one more season before the final movies. 

From the moment Downton Abbey arrived on PBS, I was hooked. As you can tell, I enjoy historical drama. The on-again, off-again romance between Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley was great. I wish Dan Stevens had stayed with the show, but I also feel like Lady Mary's character grew in a different direction as a result of Matthew's death. I'm eagerly anticipating the final movie.

That's my list. Do we share any of the same shows? Are there some of my list that you didn't enjoy? I look forward to visiting your blogs.