As you know, on Fridays I bring you guest authors and new books. Today, I have the chance of doing both. Through another friend, blogger and writer, Jo Robinson (yes, she’s visited us before) I became aware of the book launch of writer Bette Stevens, and on reading about her book and realising she hadn’t visited us yet, I could not resist, so this is Dog Bone Soup (of course, the title also helped my decision).
DOG BONE SOUP
is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….
Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga. Available now at “YOUR AMAZON”
From the Reviewers
“Dog Bone Soup is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when most others were on the crest of a wave. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. But most of all it will make you glad you read it.” ~ Charlie Bray, founder of the Indietribe
“In Dog Bone Soup, Bette Stevens captures the feeling and images of growing up in hardscrabble times perfectly.” ~ John Clark, librarian and author
DOG BONE SOUP
READ the opening Excerpt from Chapter One right here…
The postcard arrived four days before my eighteenth birthday. All I had to do now was sign the final papers and light out for basic training. I could hardly wait to leave this place behind.
There were six of us ready to become soldiers. The other five guys were headed to Fort Dix. Soon as we were inducted, the sergeant who swore us in started calling us a bunch of lily-assed bastards and worse. When the jerk marched the other five guys off, I was happy as hell I wasn’t one of them.
Lieutenant Richards called me into his office. “You’ll be heading out tomorrow, Private Daniels. Here are your tickets.”
We sat in his office and talked about my future with the U.S. Army. Then he handed me a schedule for the next day’s journey and we went over every detail.
“Now let’s get you home so you can get a good night’s sleep before you fly off to serve Uncle Sam, soldier.”
“Good luck Private,” the lieutenant said when he dropped me off at the house. We saluted and I stood there watching until his car disappeared over the hill.
I’d always liked army people. They called me Mr. Daniels and even sir sometimes. Now I was officially a private in the U.S. Army and I was ready to start a new life. I pictured myself in an officer’s uniform one day—a lieutenant, a captain, maybe even a general.
Mum and I didn’t get much more than a few winks of sleep that night. I don’t know how many pots of coffee she perked while we sat at the kitchen table and talked the night away. Of course, it was Mum did most of the talking. Once she opened her picture books, I felt like I was drinking in the life I wanted to leave.
Mum took all of those pictures with her Brownie—that camera was her pride and joy. None of us kids was allowed to touch it unless she supervised a picture taking every now and then. If Dad wasn’t around, it was me peeking through the lens. Mum was fussy about taking pictures just so.
Five books were piled on the table and we went through them one page at a time. Mum had a story for every snap shot. Some made me laugh so hard that I doubled over.
It was two minutes shy of three when she closed the last album.
“Thanks for staying up. I’ve got the alarm set for six and I know that won’t give us much sleep.” Mum pulled out her hanky, sniffled and hugged me before we turned in. My leaving would to be hard on her.
Willie was snoring away, likely dreaming about cars. I slipped in next to him and pulled away some puffs and huddled under them.
The minute I closed my eyes I started dreaming about my new life. No more freezing to death up north. I was headed for southern sunshine and I saw myself soaking it all in.
Bzzzzzzz. I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, grabbed the suitcase and headed for the kitchen. Mum already had breakfast on the stove, so I ran outside to do my business and came back in to grab a hot biscuit and down it with a cup of steaming coffee.
I was half frozen and snow was whipping around me in circles when I headed out on the three-mile walk into town to catch that bus.
I shook flakes big as quarters from my jacket when I climbed the steps of the Greyhound. Two hours and I’d be boarding a plane headed to Fort Jackson. South Carolina was sure the place to be, especially in February.
### end of excerpt
- Read all of Chapter One
- OR Grab your own copy of DOG BONE SOUP here at “YOUR AMAZON” and dive right in!
About the author
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to DOG BONE SOUP.
Find out more about the author and her books right here on “YOUR AMAZON”
- Bette’s WEBSITE/BLOG
- Find Bette on FACEBOOK
- Follow Bette on TWITTER
- Author Bette A. Stevens at “YOUR AMAZON”
Thanks to Bette Stevens for visiting our blog and bringing us her new book, thanks to you all for writing and you know what to do, like, comment, share, and CLICK!
36 replies on “Book Launch. ‘Dog Bone Soup’ by Bette A. Stevens”
It really is a great title, Olga. It just has to be interesting. Huge hugs. 😀
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I agree, Teagan. I know one shouldn’t judge a book by its title, or its cover alone, but when somebody can come up with such a title, and on top of that it is related to the content, it has to be a good read. Have a lovely Friday!
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Looks very good. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about Bette. Putting this on my tbr pile 🙂
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Thanks Christoph. It does sound like a book in a million and Better also sounds like an amazing lady. I hope the book does well. I follow your blog so I’m sure I’ll read your review! 🙂
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Love the title and the subject matter of the book….Once again thank you for introducing me to a new author. Janet.
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Thanks Janet for keeping the magic alive and for your kind words. I’m sure Bette will be very please.
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I’ve read Pure Trash and Bette certainly shows poverty in its true light. A good short read.
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Thanks Laurie. Must check out both books. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks Olga, I will.
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🙂
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Thanks, Laurie. Appreciate your thoughtful comments. Have a great week!
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You’re welcome Bette. Will do.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Bette A Stevens Blog tour for her new book Dog Bone Soup continues on Olga Nunez Miret’s terrific site today. Please pop over and support the tour…
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Thanks Sally!
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Sounds fabulous. I a.l.w.a.y.s. judge a book by its cover and the title generally intrigues me. Great review, Olga.
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Thanks Tess! I agree!
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😀 😀 Sometimes one catches my eye from across the store. THAT is magic.
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I’m trying not to sing South Pacific or West Side Story. It’s both magic and love! Have a great weekend Tess.
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Magic and l.o.v.e. ❤
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♥
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Sounds interesting! How do I get all this reading done??? 🙂
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If I find the App to lengthen the days to over 24 hours I’ll share, Billy Ray. That would surely be a best-seller! Have a great weekend!
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Thank you so much for featuring me on your lovely blog. Thanks also to you and your wonderful guests for the support and encouraging comments. I’ve met and made so many new friends along the tour. Hugs to everyone! Bette
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Thanks Bette! It was a pleasure having you and please keep us posted on any novelties.I hope it all goes great for you and Dog Bone Soup!
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I’m adding this to my list of books to read, Olga. I loved the beginning. 🙂
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Delightful to be here, Olga. And thanks for your kind words, Suzanne!
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Enjoy the rest of the weekend Bette!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Thanks, Suzanne. Appreciate your comment and intro read. Have a great weekend! 🙂
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Thanks Suzanne! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Have a great weekend
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Hello Olga! I enjoyed Bette A. Stevens’ book excerpt and the title is intriguing. I’m also curious about the prequel Pure Trash. I think I’ll read that first. Thanks for introducing Bette and Dog Bone Soup to us Olga. 😀
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Thanks Vashti. She definitely has a talent for titles and the feedback on the books is great too. Good plan! Enjoy!
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Hi, Vashti, Olga and all… Just a quick note to let you know that two of my books (Award-winning children’s book, AMAZING MATILDA and the short-story prequel to DOG BONE SOUP, PURE TRASH) will be FREE kindle downloads FEB 12th-15th to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Hope you’ll check them out and pick them up. Would love to know what you think. Have a great weekend! Bette
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Thanks for letting us know Bette. I’ll be sure to check it out! Good luck and Happy Valentine!
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Thank you, Viv! 🙂
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