Stay connected and inspired by their recent book updates, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes looks at their writing journeys!
Alexandra Labrie
What’s more exciting on vacation than diving into a good book? Tellwell author Alexandra Labrie shares a snapshot from her recent getaway on her Instagram, featuring her book The Shadow of Her!
Karen Harmon
Tellwell author Karen Harmon just shared on her Instagram reel that she has officially submitted her new book manuscript titled Class of ’56!
Exploring New Horizons: Karen Harmon’s Growth From Memoirs and Biographies to Fiction
With joy comes pain, and with humour comes tears. Life is hard, but it can be equally, if not more, lovely. Communication is the key, and trying to find the silver lining is a tremendous asset toward making a difference in your overall well-being.
Karen Harmon
Karen on Midday Show
Karen Harmon began her writing journey with memoirs and biographies before venturing into fiction. Her work, including the Book Excellence Award Finalist Looking for Normal, delves deeply into personal and family struggles. A sought-after guest on prominent media platforms, like CBC Daybreak with Shelley Joyce and the CFJC Midday Show with Tanya Cronin, Karen shares insights on her inspiration, the transition between genres, and advice for aspiring authors. Her experiences highlight the joy of exploring new creative paths and the importance of relatability and authenticity in writing. Stay tuned for her upcoming release, Class of ’56, a prequel to her successful novel Class of ’78.
Looking for Normal was a Book Excellence Award Finalist. Can you share what inspired you to write this memoir and how it felt to receive such recognition on such a personal story?
Karen with her books
I wrote Looking for Normal because both of my parents had passed away. My children never got to meet my father, and yet they had beautiful memories of my mother. When my son was 13, I used to tell him stories about my father riding the rails during the Depression at the age of 13. My dad’s life had been one adventure after the next, so my son kept telling me I should write a book. So I did. I was nervous and apprehensive, but I knew my parents’ story would be relatable to so many. When I received recognition in the category of Women’s Health, I was surprised and pleased. My mother struggled with mental health issues during a time when such topics were hush-hush and swept under the carpet. I know my parents would be very proud of me, and now my children have our family’s legacy.
From unboxing their new books to sharing personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their writing journey, stay connected and inspired by their creative adventures!
Joseph P Camel
Joseph Camel just shared his new book, The L.A. Adventure, on Instagram! Check out his latest post to get a glimpse of this heartwarming story about Little Joe and his Chihuahua’s Hollywood adventure.
My latest book, The L.A. Adventure, is dedicated to my dogs. In this book Little Joe finds a homeless Chihuahua on the streets of Hollywood and decides to take him on his journey around L.A.
Joseph Camel in his Instagram post
Kristyn Jewell
“POV: You get to hold your book for the first time.” Kristyn Jewell captures the magic of this moment in her latest book unboxing video on Instagram.
It’s International Women’s History Month, and we’re raising a toast to our incredible women and their herstories!
Let’s take a moment to shine the spotlight to the remarkable achievements of our talented women authors who continue to inspire us with their incredible stories.
Blaise Hunter
Blaise is a writer, multi-award-winning humanitarian, international speaker, fertility expert, certified human rights advocate, Mother of Purpose, and Breaker of Chains. Her mission is to heal with her humanity.
Every day we experience assumptions, conflict, triggers, and disconnect, but we never really hone our communication skills. Blaise Hunter, the author of Heroine: Embrace Your Flaws & Own Your Awesome, takes you on a journey of becoming a Captain Communicator.
Rita Kakati-Shah
Rita is a three-time winner of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the recipient of multiple international awards in recognition of advancing gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and empowering women, girls, and youth around the world.
The Goddess of Go-Getting tells the compelling story of Rita’s journey with candor and authority as she calls for policy and societal changes that support the backbone of the economy.
Adding an extra sprinkle of sweetness to your February with Tellwell’s book giveaways!
Packed with great stories and exciting adventures, let our literary fest be your go-to adventure this month.
Your next favourite transformational read!
Jose and Lourdes Amoloria’s book, One of the Most Expensive, Iconic and Kinetic Maps of Australia in the World, will make you rethink how adversity, grief, and loss can cause so much pain, and yet these life challenges can facilitate creativity, and be transformed into gifts and blessings for a meaningful and productive existence.
Dream without fear. When dreams are nourished with faith and actions, dreams bloom into realities.
Jose, a self-taught artist, had no formal training in art, no scholastic qualifications and had very challenging life experiences as an international sailor, chef, watchmaker and stone mason. How can one be multi-skilled and pass international standards without proper educational training?
Get inspired by faith and determination that changed the course of life, and be entertained by the unconventional ways Jose educated and equipped himself with skills to achieve dreams and goals. The one-of-a-kind masterpieces in this book and Jose’s life are testimonials that creativity can really transform lives. Miracles do happen, and anyone can manifest miracles if they sincerely believe in themselves and in the intervention of the unseen power of the Supreme Creator.
Carleen Dehaney takes us to a fun adventure with her book, Toothbrush Animal Hunt!
Embark on a delightful adventure with Toothbrush Animal Hunt, the perfect children’s book to encourage daily toothbrushing habits in a playful and enjoyable way.
From a clapping sea lion at the beach to a cheeky squirrel in the forest, children will be fascinated as they learn about toothbrushing through the actions and antics of these charming creatures. And don’t forget to spot the toothbrushes hidden throughout the pages, making this hunt, a delightful game of discovery.
Say goodbye to toothbrushing struggles and let the adventure begin!
Another month, another celebration of authors’ success stories!
We are putting the spotlight on our authors who continue to make waves in the literary world. From book reviews to public recognitions and awards, we applaud these remarkable achievements. We share a toast to these authors and their masterpieces as we celebrate their literary triumphs!
Awards
Tellwell author Monique Britten has recently received the Silver Litarary Titan Award for her book, The Day Before Tomorrow.
A glowing five-star review from Reader Views was given to Dr. Mark Burns’ book, A Light Amongst the Stars.
Dr. Mark W. Burns writes a concise biography of Amelia’s beginnings and family history with the gift. He describes the inner workings of Amelia’s service to individuals who come to her for readings and enables the reader to get inside the mind of a psychic medium to learn how she deals with clients, divine and dark energies, and messages from beyond the grave.
Reader Views Book Review
A must-read you don’t want to miss! Get your copy of A Light Amongst the Stars by Dr. Mark Burns here!
Don Hackett, author of the book A Lesser God, also received an insightful review from IndieReader!
The patient reader will be rewarded by Don Hackett’s A LESSER GOD (Reason Else Demise), a thought-provoking and philosophical novel that is more interested in posing challenging questions than giving easy answers.
IndieReader Book Review
A fascinating narrative that will keep you turning pages. Grab your copy of A Lesser Godhere!
IndieReader gave another review to Keith Hamilton’s book, Desperation Island.
Keith A. Hamilton’s solidly-written DESPERATION ISLAND (21st Century Pirates in the Caribbean) is an enjoyable, if slightly simplistic, maritime thriller with plenty of drama.
IndieReader Book Review
Don’t miss out this masterpiece by Keith Hamilton. Get your copy of Desperation Islandhere!
Tellwell author Elaine Kozak also received an incredible review by IndieReader for her book Rhapsody in a Minor Mode.
A touching, heartfelt character study, Elaine Kozak’s RHAPSODY IN A MINOR MODE resonates with family drama, vibrant characters, and uptempo melodies.
IndieReader Book Review
A heartwarming literary gem you’ll want to get lost in. Grab your copy of Elaine Kozak’smasterpiece here.
Publicity
We are thrilled to present a retired Olympic rower and one of Tellwell’s incredible authors who recently graced the pages of the Times Colonist with his book, I Hate Bouillabaisse!
The protagonist of I Hate Bouillabaisse! is named after Vandor’s daughter, Sophie. It is about a girl whose imagination scares her before she learns how to harness it positively.
Time Colonist with author Douglas Vandor
An entertaining must-read packed with valuable lessons for kids! Grab your copy of I Hate Bouillabaisse!here.
Tellwell author Dewalt du Plessis was featured in an exclusive interview with Reader Views for his book, Ash Moonlight.
The primary inspiration was some song lyrics I was working on years ago, and I thought to myself this could be an interesting story, and so it just went on from there.
Dewalt du PlessisAuthor Interview with Reader Views
Ash Moonlight takes you to a journey that will have you flipping pages! Grab your copy here.
The author behind the book Badger and Turtle Face the Storm, Daniel McMillan, was also recently featured in an exclusive interview with Reader Views.
“Badger and Turtle Face the Storm” is about a pair of friends who learn to work together under stress. This book is meant not only for children to enjoy, but as a tool for families to better understand a common, hurtful pattern that can occur, particularly between parents.
Daniel McMillan,Author Interview with Reader Views
We have an extensive assortment of author successes to celebrate this October. Join us as we round up 5-star reviews, new chart-toppers, and award-winners!
Publicity
Parimalasri Docktor reached #1 on the Hot New Release charts in Children’s Reptile and Amphibian Books with Tortoise Goes to the Vet. In addition to soaring on the charts, Parimalasri Docktor and her book have been featured on CBS News!
Daniel McMillan was recently featured on the Inside Scoop Live! podcast discussing his book Badger and Turtle Face the Storm. His book follows a pair of friends who learn to work together under stress. This book is meant for not only children to enjoy, but as a tool for families to better understand a common, hurtful pattern that can occur, particularly between parents.
Brother Bo recently scored a #1 hit on two charts with his book on sacred masculinity, The Father’s Seeds. Learn more about this chart-topper.
Welcome to yet another month of celebration as we honour talented Tellwell authors! Let’s come together to celebrate their remarkable achievements and delve into the magic of their literary works.
Awards
Welcome to the world of Mystical Force: Shadows and Darkness and meet talented Tellwell author Craig Weidhuner, whose remarkable work has recently been featured in Literary Titan. Prepare to be captivated by the fifth volume in a series filled with magical beings and extraordinary powers, as you embark on an exciting adventure through this fantastical world.
Grab a copy of Mystical Force: Shadows and Darknesshere!
Let’s celebrate another achievement, this time from Tellwell author Arwinder Kaur. Her book, Living While Human, has recently received the Silver Winner title at the Nautilus Book Awards!
Don’t forget to grab your copy here, and find out for yourself why Living While Human is one of the best in its genre.
We’re proud to share that Indigo Johnson’s book, The Kindness Quilt, received an honourable mention in the Picture Books 6 & Older category at the 2023 Purple Dragonfly Awards. Check out the official winners and mention list here!
Don’t missed out on getting a copy of The Kindness Quilt. It’s available on Amazon!
Rainbow of Glowing Hearts is a wonderful, mindful read that will give children the same rejuvenated feeling and reset as meditation.
Book review by Louise Jane, CEO THE GOLDEN WIZARD BOOK PRIZE
Grab your copy of Rainbow of Glowing Hearts on Amazon.
Reviews
Author/coach Tim Burris was recently featured by IndieReader and received a glowing 5-star review for his book, Signed: Ironwill Football’s Recruiting Guide for Canadian High School Football Players.
A clear, concise, and well-organized book offering expert guidance, Signed by Coach Tim Burris should be on the reading list for any young Canadian student who wishes to continue playing football after high school.
IndieReader Book Review
You can purchase this interesting read by Coach Tim Burris here!
Check out this glowing review of Kelly Lang’s book, Who’s at the Door? Who’s at the Door? in KidlioMag!
This book is a great way to encourage conversation with children at home or even in a classroom. This book will help to spark wonderful imagination and learning through repetition and colors.
Kidliomag Book Review
Don’t missed out in getting your own copy of Who’s at the Door? Who’s at the Door? here!
Publicity
Author Zara Merzaei was recently featured in KidlioMag for her amazing book, ZeeZee the Bee: A Tale of a Magical Friendship. Learn more about Zara and her book here!
ZeeZee the Bee is an empowering tale of friendship that empowers children to love themselves and encourages them to be proud of their uniqueness and other physical differences.
Kidliomag Book Review
Join ZeeZee the Bee and her friends in an exciting adventure. Click here to get a copy of your own!
Events
Lisa Bournelis, the author of Louie and the Dictator, recently had her first school author visit, and it was a heartwarming success! She shared some photos on Instagram from her fun book event.
To all my fellow #author friends and #writingcommunity who published during the pandemic and had nowhere to go, how awesome is it to FINALLY meet your readers?! I could do this all day! Grateful to L’s school and the wonderful librarian and teachers for having me. Also to the kids for their awesome engagement and questions. I actually feel like a bonafide author now!
Ginette Valiquette, the author of Eli Finds His Zen, recently had a delightful story time reading at the Bruce Mines and Plummer Additional Public Union Library with Central Algoma CAPC Early ON Child & Family Centre. Check out this adorable photo from her Instagram!
Join the joy of story time with Eli Finds His Zen and get your copy now on Amazon!
Sharon Bruce, the talented author of Shoebox Baby recently hosted a successful book signing event at the park and even made it into the local paper.
Explore the captivating journey of Sue and her family in Shoebox Baby, a creative non-fiction story filled with joy, sorrow, laughter, and courage. Grab your copy now on Amazon!
New month, more moments to celebrate! We’re shining the spotlight on authors who have reached new heights in their careers. From book events to public recognition and earning top reviews with their incredible books, we’ll be celebrating their journey and sharing their insights and inspiration. So grab a cup of coffee and join us as we toast the hardworking and talented authors out there!
Events
To kickstart the exciting events, Tellwell author Marielle de Vassoigne recently had her book launch for her book Choosing Love Over Pride.
It’s a rollercoaster of emotions! Grab your copy of Choosing Love Over Pridehere.
Unleash your imagination at another book launch with Barry Fellinger with his book The Not So True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adam.
A hilarious and occasionally serious story of past, present, and future antics, based on some of the three cousins’ escapades in real life! Sounds like a fun read, doesn’t it? Wait no more and grab your copy of The Not So True Adventures of Brandon, Josh, and Adamhere.
Step into the pages of another new release as Tellwell author Diane Martin launches her book When Time Stands Still.
A wonderful book full of mystery and adventure you don’t want to miss! Grab your copy of When Time Stands Stillhere.
Here’s another book to get lost in, as Mick Burke launches his page-turner, The Blue Mask.
Get ready to experience a range of emotions with this unforgettable read. Grab your copy of The Blue Maskhere.
Reviews
To start the top reviewed books, Tellwell author Colleen Millsteed received a glowing five-star review from Reader Views for her book Battle Angel.
This book should be shared with all the women in your life. So often, women feel alone—wallowing in self-loathing, heartbreak, and feeling defeated. These poems create a sense of solidarity. What could be better than a collection of poems to ignite your soul and fill you with hope? This book may be what you need to get started. Read this five-star-worthy book and prepare to be inspired.
Reader Views Book Review
Find the inspiration and power you need from the poetry written in every page of this book. Grab your copy of Battle Angel here.
Jayda Addleston’s masterpiece, Unspoken Emotions, also earned a five-star review from Reader Views Book Review!
The poet is honest and genuine as she explores various incidences in her life, the result being a personable gala of 5-star poetry collections that are pushed on by the essence of hope and healing.
Reader Views Book Review
Get lost in this must-read poetry! Grab your copy of Unspoken Emotions here.
Dr. Sarah Zadek, the author of It Takes Two… And A Uterus, also earned an outstanding review from Reader Views Book Review!
A holistic approach to answering a wider range of questions than an OB or other targeted specialist may have.
Reader Views Book Review
Understand the science behind fertility with Sarah Zadek. Grab your copy of It Takes Two… And a Uterus: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding and Enhancing Your Fertilityhere.
Another glowing review from Reader’s Favorite for Indigo Johnson for her book, The Kindness Quilt.
Indigo Johnson writes this children’s book with a poignant simplicity. She captures a whimsical quality throughout the story with colorful illustrations.
Reader’s Favorite Book Review
It’s a heartwarming and adventurous read will surely enjoy! Grab your copy of The Kindness Quilthere.
Publicity
Dennis and Jenny D’Alessandro, authors of the book Chantry Island, have graced the pages of The Hamilton Spectator!
Dennis and Jenny describe it as an adult novel, mature in its content and style, meaning that “Chantry Island” deals frankly with men-women issues, sexuality and the pressures of life, morality and larger social and even political dynamics.
The Hamilton Spectator
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with every page! Grab your copy of Chantry Island here.
From humble beginnings to making headlines, Yvonne Van Lankveld was recently featured on PelhamToday.ca with her remarkable book The Part Street Secrets.
The central themes of Van Lankveld’s novels deal mostly with real-life experiences like betrayal, reconciling relationships after they end, finding a new purpose in a life that’s somehow been messed up, and the need for human connection.
PelhamToday.ca
Get lost in this read and uncover the mystery of The Park Street Secrets! Grab your copy here.
The power of social media combined with the relentless devotion of a mother’s love has brought tremendous success to Heather Shtuka’s Missing From Me
Heather Shtuka penned her #1 bestseller, Missing From Me, after her son Ryan went missing. In this insightful interview, she opens up about her grief, her son’s legacy, the power of social media for community-building, and how her story has gone on to support other families who have missing loved ones through her organization, the Free Bird Project.
I will never understand the concept that there is a reason this has happened. There can be no reason that makes sense that my son is not here living the life of his choosing. But I believe strongly there can be a purpose.
To get started, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Heather Shtuka. I was born in Comox, BC, where I lived with my father, mother, and older brother for the first six years of my life. My father was in the air force, and when I finished kindergarten, we made the first of many moves to Trenton, Ontario. A far cry from the ocean waters and rainy weather I was used to, but still, I loved living in small-town Ontario. Despite a brief move to Ottawa, it was in Trenton that I graduated high school. Soon after, my dad made his final move with the air force and chose Edmonton, AB, for his retirement. Feeling the need for a change and wanting to remain close to my parents, I followed soon after. Even the chilly winters here could not mask the warmth and genuineness that I felt from the people living in this province. One of them became my husband, Scott. We met, fell in love, and married in seven short months. Looking back now, I can only imagine the fear our parents felt at the rush in which we began our relationship. But I knew that in Scott I had found a kindred soul. Twenty-eight years later, I still marvel at my good fortune.
I have held many titles that describe me as daughter, sister, friend, and wife. But my favourite and perhaps most fulfilling has always been a mom. I have been blessed to have had three imperfectly perfect children, Ryan John Marcus, Jordyn Delaney, and Julianna Michelle. I was a stay-at-home mom for most of Ryan and Jordyn’s childhood. During that time, I did carpools, hot-lunch programs and countless volunteer hours at their schools. Then, three years after the birth of our third baby, I ventured back into the workforce, accepting a position with WestJet Airlines. I loved the hustle and bustle of the airport and the people I worked with. I honestly never thought I would leave. I did not anticipate the loss of my son would lead me to other less tangible yet still significant holes that would never be filled. But perhaps the adage that when one door closes, another opens is correct. I completed my degree in public relations in the years since Ryan’s disappearance and embarked on a career in communications and advocacy. I also wrote my book, Missing From Me.
