Emporia, Kansas, Book Signing Update

Over on my The Homeplace Series Blog, I have recorded some comments and a couple of photos from the neat book signing in Emporia, Kansas, yesterday.

If you haven't done so, already, I also encourage you to become a follower, so you can keep up with the latest on my "Homeplace" series - the second book is The Homeplace Revisited,  you can see the cover in the right sidebar, will be out in a few months. Most Wednesdays, I record a Homeplace recipe, most Fridays I post a Flora and Fauna item, and on some Surname Saturdays,  you get some family genealogy, family history, or just some tidbits on the fictional family of the series. I want you to get to know them well. I hope you will buy the first book, as well as the second, and read them.

Thanks, Happy Reading,

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Help settle a bet... ok?

My novel, "Back to the Homeplace," is currently ranked: #1,802,557 in Books on Amazon. I bet my friend 10 bucks that if I sold 5 copies of the book, today, on Amazon, the ranking would go up over 800,000 places. What do you think? Can it make that much difference, or is that crazy?

Will you help? If you've been meaning to buy it, anyway, one day... please do it today. I just need FIVE people to order it, TODAY, to win the bet. THANKS!  

Happy Reading!  ;-)

Dr. Bill  ;-)

Next Book Giveaway and Book Signing

My next Book Giveaway Contest will take place in about a month, during the last ten days or so in July. Please check back then, if not before.

In the meantime, you might give "Back to the Homeplace" a read. I'll be doing in Book Signing in Emporia, Kansas, this weekend:

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith will be signing his novel, "Back to the Homeplace," and his latest non-fiction book, "13 Ways to Tell Your Ancestor Stories," at the:

4th Annual Author Extravaganza at the Town Crier in Emporia Kansas

Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 716 Commerical in Emporia.

See details at: http://www.towncrierbookstore.com/ 

Happy Summer reading!

Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? An Artist in Treason

It's Monday, What are You Reading? An Artist in Treason

This is the eleventh entry for this meme, suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books.


My latest read is An Artist in Treason by Andro Linklater with a subtitle that may set a modern day record: The Extraordinary Double Life of General James Wilkinson, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army and Agent 13 in the Spanish Secret Service.

The subtitle really tells it all. Though he betreayed (some of) America's strategic secrets, sought to keep the new country from expanding beyond the Mississippi, and almost delivered Lewis and Clark's expedition into Spanish hands, four presidents {some might say the most important four, since they were the first four} - Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison - all turned a blind eye to his treachery. In the end, in the crucial test in 1806, Wilkinson did, at the last minute, turn the army against Aaron Burr and foiled his conspiracy to break up the Union.

Linklater adds documentation from Spanish archives unseen by prior historians further illuminate this distinctive character in American history.

Happy Reading!  ;-)

Bill  ;-)

Congratulations, Barry

Very proud of my brother, Barry Smith, on the success of his distinctive novel, Only Milo.

See photo and really good story in Ames, Iowa, newspaper:

http://amestrib.com/articles/2010/06/12/boone/news/doc4c123f52b99cd489041776.txt

Happy Reading,

Dr. Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Revolutionary Paul Revere

It's Monday, What are You Reading? The Revolutionary Paul Revere

This is the tenth entry for this meme, suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books.

I am now reading "The Revolutionary Paul Revere" by Joel J. Miller

From the back cover of this trade paperback book:

He's famous for his ride.
He's essential for so much more.

The story of Paul Revere is the story of the American Revolution. Always smack dab in the thick of things, he was an ordinary citizen living in extraordinary turbulent times. Revere played key roles in colonial tax fights and riots, the infamous Boston Massacre, the Tea Party, the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and even the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this fast-paced, dramatic account, Paul Revere's life pulses with energy as author Joel J. Miller explores his family and church life along with his revolutionary contribution as a spy, entrepreneur, express rider, freemason, and commercial visionary.

The first few chapters have been an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the rest of it.


Happy Reading!  ;-)

Bill  ;-)

It's Monday, What are You Reading? Mom Still Likes You Best

This is the ninth entry for this meme, suggested by Sheila@ One Persons Journey Through A World of Books.


I am currently reading "Mom Still Likes You Best: The Unfinished Business Betwen Siblings" by Jane Isay

From a series of fairly heavy reading books, I have shifted to some lighter reading, partly as background research for my fiction writing, a family saga series.

Jane Isay is the author of the earlier "Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children" and has been an editor for over forty years.



Happy Reading!  ;-)

Bill  ;-)

Beautiful Blogger Award

Thank you, Esther of Esther's Blog for awarding me the Beautiful Blogger Award.

In a bit, I'll follow the rest of the award process. Thank you, again.

Happy Reading,

Dr. Bill  ;-)