By Bonnie Bartel Latino

Many out of town artists and photographers are coming to town for ARtmore: A Gallery Event in Downtown Atmore (AL) on May 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.

I’m really excited to be included and I’ll have signed copies of “Your Gift to Me” available for sale. I’ll be sharing space in a booth, which will be located near Country Charms, with my friend and Atmore native, Marlene Nall Johnt. We’re both grateful to James Ezell Amerson for conceiving ARtmore and allowing us and other Atmore creative types to participate. We’re also grateful to Wind Creek for their sponsorship of ARtmore. We all hope it will become an annual event.

Marlene lives with her husband in Gulf Shores, AL, where she paints, writes, and creates stunning jewelry. On Saturday Marlene will be showing her one-of-a-kind custom-made Maggie Marlene shell jewelry that comes from its natural habitat–the Alabama Gulf Coast. The concept for her necklaces, barrettes, and pins is to show the weathered beauty of Mobile Bay oyster, clam, and hermit crab shells.

Marlene explains, “Just as we’ve weathered hurricanes and hard times, so have our shells …The time consuming pieces end up as delicate little sculptures meant to be worn. They are unique and thoroughly coastal Alabama in attitude and materials.”

I was among the first Atmoreans to buy one of Marlene’s pieces. I fell in love with Marlene’s jewelry last year when I wrote an article for “atmore” magazine prior to Williams Station Day. Marlene sent pictures to include with my story. Her promotional photos convinced me I ‘needed’ a Maggie Marlene original! Not only is my necklace pretty. I love the idea that each eco-friendly piece is different and recycled from Mobile Bay.

Marlene adds unexpected bits to her shells. That might be a piece of driftwood, sea glass, or some other unexpected surprise from the sea.

Marlene explains, “Some of my shell necklaces have tiny bits of 500-year old Indian pottery shards tucked into them.  This pottery, made by the Mississippian Indian culture, is refuse from their cooking areas. Bits of it float on the tide line and is found in coastal bays from Texas to Florida.”

I think there is probably another Maggie Marlene necklace or two in my near future! Marlene’s jewelry is also reasonably priced—especially considering each necklace comes with its own gold or silver tone wire collar or, sometimes, a leather cord. The lengths vary because Marlene says the necklace has to flatter the design. Every piece comes in a blue velvet bag with Maggie Marlene’s signature in gold lettering.”

Please see Marlene’s artworks, other than jewelry, at http://www.marlenenalljohnt.artspan.com.

Marlene, who is also the author of “A Retired Art Teacher Tells All,” is also a fan of “Your Gift to Me,” the military love story and mystery I have co-authored with my friend, Bob Vale, a New Jersey writer and graphic designer. Our story is about a young woman from Williams Station, Alabama, and her near-life experience after her husband dies in a fiery helicopter crash during the Gulf War. The fact that our female protagonist is from Williams Station, Atmore’s original name, becomes pivotal to our story.

Bob and I are astounded and thrilled that, based on over 185 reader reviews for quality, “Your Gift to Me” has a 4.9-star average out of five. This has helped our novel achieve: Amazon’s #1 Top Rated War Fiction–since last July;  #1Top Rated Military Romance; #1 Top Rated Contemporary Romance; and #1 Romance (all genres) on Amazon – 500,000+ eBooks.

Over 185 readers have reviewed “Your Gift to Me” on Amazon, giving it a 4.9-star average out of 5-stars. One of those reviewers was Marlene Nall Johnt, who wrote “. . . I adore this book. I have no background with military life, but for the first time, I now understand what that life is all about, and I am richer for knowing this. All of it feels real, true, authentic, and without a hit of phoniness. I enjoyed hearing the wars in this couples’ heads as they bravely find creative ways to allow themselves to deeply fall in love within the complicated world of military etiquette and unspoken expectations. Yes, there is lots of military action in “Your Gift to Me” as well as intrigue. But, a special ‘gift’ is that of giving the heartbroken of this world a healthy model to reflect upon.”

I used my former professional and personal backgrounds as a columnist for Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe, and my 30-year experience as a military wife to help create the story with my co-author. Bob and I are also excited that “Your Gift to Me” has won two national book awards–a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America and a Silver Medal for Inspirational/Healing, announced during Veterans Week celebrations in Stars and Flags Book Awards, Branson, Mo.

Marlene says she’s looking forward to Saturday and hopes many old friends stop by our booth. We both look forward to visiting with other participating Atmore artists and meeting out of town vendors and visitors.

If you happen to be near SW Alabama or NW Florida on May 18, stop by. Look for Marlene and me near Rachel and Joe Brown’s darling shop, Country Charms located at 111 W. Ridgeley Street.

By Bonnie Bartel Latino

Many out of town artists and photographers are coming to town for ARtmore: A Gallery Event in Downtown Atmore (AL) on May 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.

I’m really excited to be included and I’ll have signed copies of “Your Gift to Me” available for sale. I’ll be sharing space in a booth, which will be located near Country Charms, with my friend and Atmore native, Marlene Nall Johnt. We’re both grateful to James Ezell Amerson for conceiving ARtmore and allowing us and other Atmore creative types to participate. We’re also grateful to Wind Creek for their sponsorship of ARtmore. We all hope it will become an annual event.

Marlene lives with her husband in Gulf Shores, AL, where she paints, writes, and creates stunning jewelry. On Saturday Marlene will be showing her one-of-a-kind custom-made Maggie Marlene shell jewelry that comes from its natural habitat–the Alabama Gulf Coast. The concept for her necklaces, barrettes, and pins is to show the weathered beauty of Mobile Bay oyster, clam, and hermit crab shells.

Marlene explains, “Just as we’ve weathered hurricanes and hard times, so have our shells …The time consuming pieces end up as delicate little sculptures meant to be worn. They are unique and thoroughly coastal Alabama in attitude and materials.”

I was among the first Atmoreans to buy one of Marlene’s pieces. I fell in love with Marlene’s jewelry last year when I wrote an article for “atmore” magazine prior to Williams Station Day. Marlene sent pictures to include with my story. Her promotional photos convinced me I ‘needed’ a Maggie Marlene original! Not only is my necklace pretty. I love the idea that each eco-friendly piece is different and recycled from Mobile Bay.

Marlene adds unexpected bits to her shells. That might be a piece of driftwood, sea glass, or some other unexpected surprise from the sea.

Marlene explains, “Some of my shell necklaces have tiny bits of 500-year old Indian pottery shards tucked into them.  This pottery, made by the Mississippian Indian culture, is refuse from their cooking areas. Bits of it float on the tide line and is found in coastal bays from Texas to Florida.”

I think there is probably another Maggie Marlene necklace or two in my near future! Marlene’s jewelry is also reasonably priced—especially considering each necklace comes with its own gold or silver tone wire collar or, sometimes, a leather cord. The lengths vary because Marlene says the necklace has to flatter the design. Every piece comes in a blue velvet bag with Maggie Marlene’s signature in gold lettering.”

Marlene, who is also the author of “A Retired Art Teacher Tells All,” is also a fan of “Your Gift to Me,” the military love story and mystery I have co-authored with my friend, Bob Vale, a New Jersey writer and graphic designer. Our story is about a young woman from Williams Station, Alabama, and her near-life experience after her husband dies in a fiery helicopter crash during the Gulf War. The fact that our female protagonist is from Williams Station, Atmore’s original name, becomes pivotal to our story.

Bob and I are astounded and thrilled that, based on reader reviews for quality, “Your Gift to Me” has been Amazon’s #1 Top Rated War Fiction–since last July. The novel is also Amazon’s current #1Top Rated Military Romance. It has previously achieved the #1 Top Rated Contemporary Romance and #1 Romance (all genres) on Amazon – 500,000+ books.

Over 185 readers have reviewed “Your Gift to Me” on Amazon, giving it a 4.9-star average out of 5-stars. One of those reviewers was Marlene Nall Johnt, who wrote “. . . I adore this book. I have no background with military life, but for the first time, I now understand what that life is all about, and I am richer for knowing this. All of it feels real, true, authentic, and without a hit of phoniness. I enjoyed hearing the wars in this couples’ heads as they bravely find creative ways to allow themselves to deeply fall in love within the complicated world of military etiquette and unspoken expectations. Yes, there is lots of military action in “Your Gift to Me” as well as intrigue. But, a special ‘gift’ is that of giving the heartbroken of this world a healthy model to reflect upon.”

I used my former professional and personal backgrounds as a columnist for Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe, and my 30-year experience as a military wife to help create the story with my co-author. Bob and I are also excited that “Your Gift to Me” has won two national book awards–a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America and a Silver Medal for Inspirational/Healing, announced during Veterans Week celebrations in Stars and Flags Book Awards, Branson, Mo.

Marlene says she’s looking forward to Saturday and hopes many old friends stop by our booth. We both look forward to visiting with other participating Atmore artists and meeting out of town vendors and visitors.

If you happen to be near SW Alabama or NW Florida on May 18, stop by. Look for Marlene and me near Rachel and Joe Brown’s darling shop, Country Charms located at 111 W. Ridgeley Street.

I’m excited to be a guest TODAY with Sandra and Robin on MILITARY MOM TALK RADIO at 5 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME (4 PM CENTRAL).

I’ll be talking about “Your Gift to Me,” the awards it has won — and its message of hope for those who grieve . . .

To listen live via computer, go to: http://toginet.com/shows/militarymomtalkradio

I’ll post a link later for the podcast if you’d like to hear it but are unable to tune in today.

YGTM’S RECOMMENDED READ OF THE DAY

              Patriotic … Pro-Military … Spiritual … Deliciously Southern

            “IMPORTANT STORY, IMPORTANT BOOK … What if Stephen Ambrose, Patricia Cornwell, and Max Lucado teamed up to create a story? The result, I suspect, would turn out to be something very close to the compelling narrative found in        YOUR GIFT TO ME.”   ~ Andy Andrews, New York Times best-selling author

“Your Gift to Me” shares the same subtle, but central, theme of the healing powers of love and laughter to triumph over grief found in “Top Gun” and “Steel Magnolias.”

–Winner of a 2012 Gold Medal Award for Military Romance from the Military Writers Society of America, Dayton, Ohio.

– Winner Silver Medal for Inspirational/Healing Fiction from Stars & Flags Book Awards, Branson, Missouri

– Selected by the Atmore, AL Public Library as the community’s 2012 Reading Initiative.

– Achieved  Amazon’s #1 Top Rated War Fiction; #1 Top Rated Contemporary Romance and #1 Top Rated Romance in 2012.

– Appeals to male and female readers who require entertainment and substance in their leisure reading,

– Set primarily in Hawaii, the story begins with the 1991 Gulf War and concludes at Hurlburt Field, Florida, home of Air Force Special Operations Command, which is featured prominently throughout the novel

“Your Gift to Me” has received praise in reviews published in The Tampa Tribune, The Midwest Book Review, and The Baytown (TX) Sun.

The novel, which crosses genres and touches hearts, is available from Amazon.com in paperback and eBook formats. http://tinyurl.com/

[ABC File Photo]

Bob Vale and I thought hard and long about what the first words of our military novel, “Your Gift to Me,” should be. To us, every first page is like a promise to prospective readers: THIS is what our book is about.

And so, we began with the quote that launched the 1991 Gulf War.

“Your Gift to Me”

By Bonnie Bartel Latino & Bob Vale

THE PROLOGUE

“ . . . My confidence in you is total. Our cause is just! Now you must be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm. May God be with you, your loved ones at home, and our country.” ~ General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA Commander-in-Chief U.S. Central Command, in a message to the command, 16 January, 1991

My co-author and I wanted our next words, our original words, to reinforce our promise to readers, so we wrote: Major Gary Meade loved America and the U. S. Air Force as if they were his blood relatives. Alone in his Pave Hawk helicopter parked near the Saudi Arabian town of Khafji on the Kuwait border, he was a long way from the comforts of either country or family. . .

Six months after its publication, “Your Gift to Me,” remains Amazon’s #1 Top Rated War Fiction and #2 Top Rated Contemporary Romance. It has won two national book awards, a Gold Medal for Military Romance from the Military Writers Society of America and a Silver Medal for Inspirational/Healing Fiction from the Stars and Flags Book Awards, Branson, MO.

In retrospect, I realize that Bob Vale and I owe General Schwarzkopf our gratitude for setting the tone of our novel. May this magnificent warrior, this “soldier’s soldier,” rest in peace; may his family find the strength and courage they will need to get through the coming days, weeks, and months.

Bonnie Bartel Latino
Co-author, Your Gift to Me

[Bonnie Bartel Latino is a former freelance columnist for Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe. She lives with her husband, retired Air Force Colonel Tom Latino in Alabama. She and her co-author, Bob Vale, met online in 1996 in CompuServe's Military Forum. They have never met in person. Bob and his wife Janice live in New Jersey. They are the parents of two adult sons, Nicholas and Bryan.]

Sincere thanks to Michael Gallagher at Free Kindle Books and Tips for announcing that “Your Gift to Me” is free today in honor of Veterans Day.

It is an exquisite feature on his site!

When you stop by, be sure to scan all the other great “bargins” on offer today — and grab a few, or more! His site is: www.fkbooksandtips.com

The feature on “Your Gift to Me” may be read at: http://wp.me/p2b82w-3zE

When we began writing this novel many years ago, we never dreamed that men would love it as much as women seem to. Nor could we have imagined that “Your Gift to Me” would win a Gold Medal Award from the Military Writers Society of America within a few months of being published in 2012.

“Your Gift to Me” is actually the second novel we’ve written–more or less on the same subject with most of the same characters. The first book was a much “lighter” read. There was no sub-plot. Ted Foley had a teenage daughter. Bonnie tried to give Ted Foley a dog, too, but Bob Vale put his literary foot down, saying, “I am not going to have to walk that dog every few pages. Bonnie couldn’t argue with her co-author’s always brilliant logic.

In the first version, called “Forever E-mail,” Ted Foley assumed another identity–online. While he went back and forth between Japan and Hawaii, Emily was slowly falling in love with him. However, with Ted assuming a fake identity as civilian Stephen Stuart, Emily tumbled heart over head for her mysterious online suitor. When she went to Hurlburt for the memorial service, Col.Ted Foley showed up to support her. Later, at Hurlburt’s Soundside Club, Ted said words to her that ONLY Stephen Stuart could have known….and instantly she realized the two men were the same–Colonel Ted Foley.

The reason that book was never published was because Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan hit big in “You’ve Got Mail.” While that movie was about book stores, it was the same plot line that we had created in “Forever E-mail.” About that time, Bonnie went to Kentucky to study writing at the Green River Writers Conference with author Bill Cobb. His 1990′s “A Walk Through Fire” was nominated for a Pulitzer. He convinced her that the book she’d written with Bob had to be changed — extensively. Otherwise, everyone would think they had just copied, “You’ve Got Mail.”

As a result of that disaster, the book became much more meaningful, and the title changed to “Your Gift to Me.” While there are two other books on Amazon by that name (titles can’t be copyrighted), we ultimately decided that there could be no other name for this story. Although we did toy for awhile with the title, “A Way of Love,” a take off on the military being a way of life that can’t be fully understood except by those who have lived it.

At the time we had to start over on the book, Bob’s business, Graphic Word, a full-service creative agency on the East Coast, was extremely busy. He opted at that time, to distance himself from the book, giving Bonnie permission to use anything he had written. While the two continued writing together professionally, “Your Gift to Me” became Bonnie’s driving life force. She felt called to write the book. There is no other word.

Eventually, when a top literary agent became interested in the manuscript, Bonnie invited Bob to come back as co-author, which he did. Ultimately Bonnie and Bob published via Amazon as an equal partnership. Bob’s graphic design and layout/formatting skills were invaluable in creating products (paperback and eBook) of which both authors are proud.

Today, although the road was long, winding, hit a dead end, etc., etc. the co-authors are very glad the book turned into what it has, an instrument of entertainment . . . and healing . . . for those who need it.

Bob Vale is a private and gentle man. He is also a gentleman. Bonnie is a cross between N’awlins and Emily. Probably in equal parts. She loves talking about the book as much as she enjoyed writing it. She never speaks at libraries or civic clubs without asking those in attendance to visualize a glass of champagne or apple cider in their hands. She offers a toast to the co-authors’ spouses– Janice Vale and Tom Latino. Had either of them said, “You are not writing a book with someone you met online,” YOUR GIFT TO ME would never have been written.

What a shame that would have been. . . it surely, surely would.

Hello, friends and avid readers! Since the Alabama game isn’t on TV today, I decided to get some reviews of some good books/eBooks posted at www.askdavid.com.

If you are a reader or an author and haven’t found this site, PLEASE CHECK IT OUT! If you are an author be sure to sign up for a FREE promotional page on the site. You’ll find all the details on the home page if you go to any of the links below.

Without further ado, I hope you’ll check out these four books when you have time:

“The Final Salute – Together We Live on (Valor in Combat)” by Kathleen M. Rodgers at http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/military/2193

The second is: “Top Tips for How to Market on the Internet With Pictures – Action Steps You Can Do Immediately Whether …” by Phyllis Zimbler Miller
at: http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/online-marketing/2190

The third is Jerrye Forte Sumrall’s “The Secret Graveyard” at: http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/mystery/2194

And the last is Neil White’s stupendous: “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts” at:

http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/memoir/2195

Bonnie Bartel Latino is the co-author (with Bob vale) of “Your Gift to Me,” a military love story currently Amazon’s #1 Top Rated War Fiction and #2 Top Rated Romance. bit.ly/QYb6Bl

[Graphic from the FB wall of NetGallery]