The Best Place – The First Book Review

I was thrilled to receive my first book review for my new book The Best Place, and from one of my favorite U.P. authors, Jenifer Brady, author of the Abby’s Camp Days series. You can check out Jenifer’s books at her website: www.JeniferBrady.com

I can’t tell you how much it means to an author to receive a good book review, and they are harder and harder to get these days since newspapers and other publications have largely quit printing them. If you like a book, the best way you can say thank you to the author besides telling everyone you know about the book is to write a book review. It doesn’t need to be long. Just a few sentences at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or on your blog or Facebook page will do the job. I encourage you all to support U.P. authors and any other favorite authors you have by writing them honest reviews of their books.

With Jenifer Brady’s permission, I am reprinting the review she wrote for me at Amazon below:

I think I’ve read every one of Tyler Tichelaar’s books set in Marquette, MI, and this one was my favorite so far, in large part because of the narrator, Lyla Hopewell. The book is told through the viewpoint of this feisty, hilarious 77-year-old lady, and she’s just a riot–very entertaining to read. I found myself laughing quite a bit as I read, not because of the subjects this novel tackles (some were quite heart-wrenching like feelings of abandonment, orphanage life, and family strife) but because Lyla has this way of speaking her mind throughout the narration that draws you in and makes you chuckle no matter what topic she is talking about. She pretty much says what you’re thinking about certain subjects but are too polite to point out yourself.

I’m always impressed when an author can write a viewpoint that is vastly different from their own, and as I was reading, I had to keep reminding myself that this book wasn’t actually written by an elderly lady.

I also enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters from previous books. I like when authors continue on with their characters because when I close a book, I always wonder what happens after “The End.” I liked getting to see John, the hero from the third Marquette Trilogy book, and his young family, as well as Sibyl from Spirit of the North. There are even a few surprises from old characters that I didn’t see coming.

I had read about Lyla in other Marquette books, but I didn’t really get to know her until this one. She might appear to be a bit gruff on the surface, but once you get to know her, you’ll see that she exemplifies the heart and Sisu of a true Yooper!

 

First Annual U.P. Authors Day and Book Fair to Be Held

Twenty-One Upper Michigan authors from all ends of the peninsula will gather on July 6, 2013 for the first annual U.P. Authors Day Book Fair at the Westwood Mall in Marquette.

Marquette, MI, July 1, 2013—Upper Michigan authors will gather to meet their current and future readers at the first annual U.P. Authors Day event and book fair at the Westwood Mall in Marquette on July 6, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

U.P. Authors Day is an event intended to raise awareness of the rich tradition of writing about Upper Michigan and introduce readers to local authors. The event is the brainchild of Lon Emerick, award-winning author of such favorites as “The Superior Peninsula” and “Paradise, North” and is being organized by members of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) in coordination with the Westwood Mall.

President of UPPAA, Tyler R. Tichelaar, author of The Marquette Trilogy, said that he believes the event is the largest single gathering of U.P. authors ever held. Gretchen Preston, author of the Valley Cats children’s book series and one of the organizers of the event stated, “I continue to be amazed by how many authors are writing about Upper Michigan and Upper Michigan subjects, as well as non-U.P. related subjects who live here. We will have everything from U.P. history books to romance novels, mysteries, children’s books, poetry, and a host of nonfiction titles.” Ellen Sargent, manager of the Westwood Mall, adds, “The Westwood Mall is excited to be hosting this event. We know both our local customers and area visitors will really enjoy getting to meet the authors. I think people might be surprised by the wide variety of works available!”

Besides selling and signing books, several authors will be holding drawings for a chance to win one of their books. Authors in attendance will be: Milly Balzarini, Karl Bohnak, Robert Cook, James Dunn, Debbie Frontiera, Sydney Gionevico, Jerry Harju, Sherri Kauppi, Kevin Kluck, Kathy Kuczek, Corey LaBissioniere, Mel Laurila, Joe Massie, Ida Nord, Gretchen Preston, Richard Smith, Mary Soper, Tyler Tichelaar, M.C. Tillson, Lloyd Westcoat, and Donna Winters.

Come out and meet the authors who write about the place where you live!

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