THE BELIEF in Angels

"Last night I dreamt Moses and I were rowing underwater.

We could breathe and talk to one another.

We rowed past schools of fish

and sea anemones and Moses named them for me."

--Jules Finn (heroine)

In Yates’ debut novel, a woman growing up in a dysfunctional family and her Holocaust-survivor grandfather are shaped by their experiences of surviving pain through moments of grace. Alternating sections from [her two protagonists'] points of view follow their emotional journeys, Yates shows much skill in description, characterization and dialogue, and she’s insightful about the mental state of abused children . . . Yates vividly evokes time and place. Well-written. ~ Kirkus Reviews

THE BELIEF IN Angels by J. Dylan Yates (Guest Article)

Growing up in her parents’ crazy hippie household on a tiny island off the coast of Boston, Jules’s imaginative sense of humor is the weapon she wields to dodge household chaos. But somewhere between routine discipline with horsewhips, gun-waving gambling debt collectors, and LSD-laced breakfast cereal adventures, tragedy strikes with the death of her younger brother—a blow from which Jules may never fully recover.

Jules’ story alternates with that of her Grandfather Samuel, a man with a sad story of his own. Samuel, once called Szaja, is an orthodox Jew who lived through the murderous Ukrainian pogroms of the 1920s and the Majdanek Death Camp—but whose survival came at a price that’s haunted him for years.

Winner of a 2014 USA BEST BOOKS award, THE BELIEF IN Angels, is a gripping, heart-rending family saga that explores the darkest side of human nature— and the incontrovertible, uplifting power of hope, spans more than fifty years, from the Ukrainian pogroms in the 1920's to a chaotic Hippie Household in the late 1970's. Vividly drawn, breathtakingly insightful, beautiful and heartbreaking!

Author J. Dylan Yates

From J. Dylan Yates ~ Amazon Author Page:

THE BELIEF IN Angels, Dylan's debut novel, was written over the course of many years while she attempted a number of BFA-related jobs, including: waitressing, teaching, corporate training, real estate, nursing, interior design, directing, acting, producing, parenting, library science and reluctant housewifery.

Prior to publication, THE BELIEF IN ANGELS won the Alexis Masters Scholarship Award at the February 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference as well as a Los Angeles Book Festival Award.
Stay in touch via her webpage: www.jdylanyates.com

THE BELIEF IN Angels is available on Amazon!

Last Light Falling

Last Light Falling: The Covenant, Book I

Guest post by J. E. Plemons

Last Light Falling - The covenant, is the first of a four book series where tragedy meets destiny. This graphic and raw character driven story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Arena and Gabriel power, twins born into a world of cruel and relentless tragedy where nations have fallen, economies have collapsed, and half the world's population has been wiped from the earth.

Arena and Gabe struggle to find any hope in their future after losing their parents when they were nine, but living with a loving foster family has eased some of that pain. It's not until they receive a special letter on their fifteenth birthday, that history will forever change. They will soon discover the secrets behind their destiny from a priest, who has vowed to protect them since birth, and sending them on an improbable journey that will most likely end in death.

The prophecy of the end is near and it's up to Gabriel and Arena to help prepare the world's demise by the wrath of God. Souls will rest in the providence of these ordinary twins put in an extraordinary situation, but when fate chooses them, they will have to accept their destiny changing their lives forever.

 

5* reviews
"Not since Stephen King’s "The Stand" has such an enthralling apocalyptic thriller with a good versus evil theme graced the bookstores. J.E. Plemons introduces us to Arena Power, a fifteen year-old orphan who braves a harsh, new world in this first installment of what promises to be an addictive new series. Best of all, this is a full-length novel rather than the 40-page snippet that some authors try to pass of as a "book" in a series. Not only was I entertained with a rich and imaginative story that showcased top-notch writing, I did not feel cheated when I finished." - Christopher Gill

"The details included in so many different events takes incredible research or a very expansive background on the author’s part. Due to the brilliant realistic events that unfold, this story has a tendency of staying in your mind long after you finish it, which is a good thing."
- Scintilate

"Plemons dynamic representation of end times is captivating and thrilling. The characters are fully developed with fragilities and strengths. Their dialogue is natural and flowing drawing you deep into their thoughts and personalities. The scenery builds up around you allowing for full immersion into the story. The mystery, suspense, faith, hope, war and love build to an unforgettable climax. I cannot wait for more. I highly recommend it!" - Ally McMahon

"As a life-time reader you go through a great number of books, even from a very early age. Over the years you start to develop unique tastes and cravings that not every author can provide. You also learn many common threads (some people call them tropes or clichés) that the vast majority of authors repeat. And then... then you have books like this one, that surpass your every expectation." - Mo Birch

Last Light Falling: The Covenant, Book I

Available on Amazon

Book II is available now - Last Light Falling: Into The Darkness: Book II - see posting.

Broken

Broken by Candace Campbell – FREE Novella! (For Adult audiences)

Note: FREE on Smashwords!

Book Description: 

“Sometimes in life there are only two options, and in Veronica case, both options had unfortunate endings.”

Now that her father is dead and he can't hurt her any more doesn't mean that the skeletons in his closet can't get her. Veronica wants to protect her sisters from everyone finding out their family's dark secrets. She decides to run from the cops. Leaving her sisters to fend for themselves. She sets out on a journey of self-discovery and creates a new identity. On her adventure she meets dark and mysterious Edwin a lonely traveler with some dark secrets of his own. She tries to resist his charm but she can't help being drawn to him. Could it be fate? Can they overcome their dark secrets?

“I'm still confident that you’re going to run away with me and we are going to have an incredible romance.”

Broken by Candace Campbell – FREE Novella! (For Adult audiences)

Open Your Heart to Your Children

 

The Best Book for Fathers ~ Review by Justin M. Sachs

“A Fathers New Beginning is one of the best parenting books for single dad's to rekindle their relationship with their children. He covers the challenges facing parents today and provides support and guidance to parents in their biggest challenges.”

A New Beginning

At some stage in life, many of us are challenged with the need to create a new beginning. It may be a more personal challenge, such as to lose weight or stop smoking. It may be professional in regard to a job or career change. Whatever the new beginning may entail, eventually we all find that its part of the journey we call life.

If you’re a father and you aspire to be more, do more and create more in 2014, I’d like to suggest that you start at home with your children. My new beginning in life started abruptly back in 1995, when I suddenly lost my wife and the mother of my two daughters, Lauren and Julia. As a result of becoming a single dad literally over night, I learned that there’s no greater way to give back and make a difference in the world then through our children.

By being more than just a parent, an “emotional mentor,” you can make one of the greatest contributions possible in your lifetime. As fathers, many of us are already faced with numerous challenges in this day and age. We’re responsible for holding down a job, developing our careers, paying the bills, supporting our spouse and children, as well as projects around the house. I was in that same space and it wasn’t until I became a single dad that I realized how much more I could do.

Tragic events seem to either bring out the best or the worst in us as we journey through life. I am grateful that I found the spiritual strength, courage and fortitude to guide my daughters to be the best that they could be, despite the loss of their mother.

Emotional mentors lead by example; they realize that a parent is basically a teacher and a coach; you’re just not in a classroom or on the playing field. Being a parent is not about rules, control and authority it’s about love, guidance and developing a meaningful relationship. Being a good father or single parent is about always being available emotionally and being of service to your children.

Your children are the most precious gifts that you will experience in your lifetime. Teaching them how to love and live life with worthwhile values, principles and dignity are the attributes a child requires on the road of life. If you want to be a successful father, open your heart to your children, don’t be a stranger and show them by example what love is all about.

Guest Article by:

Lawrence Agresto (Author & Speaker)

To learn more about Lawrence Agresto visit his website http://www.singledadswithheart.com/our-story/

A Fathers New Beginning is available on Amazon!