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Linda Mayfield-Hayes is a self-published, African American poetess, and mother of one. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but currently resides in Delaware with her son and husband Ronald Salter. Linda is a graduate of Kingsborough Community College with an Associates degree in Data Processing. She is the author of, "Life is a Roller Coaster", a collection of poems depicting life's ups and downs, and "Afroetry" Afrocentric poetry that educates and motivates.
She began writing poetry in her teens, but soon gave it up. Now, over 30 years later, she has taken it up again. She has recently written her debut children's book entitled, "Grandma's First Computer".
<p>New from the author of the multiple award-winning fantasy saga, <em>The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky</em>, winner of the <strong>Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Fall 2014 - Best Book in the Category of FANTASY</strong>....</p><h1><strong><em>The Children of Darkness</em> by David Litwack</strong></h1><p>Evolved Publishing presents the first book in the new dystopian series <em>The Seekers</em>. [DRM-Free]</p><h2><strong>[Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Religion]</strong></h2><p><em>“But what are we without dreams?”</em></p><p>A thousand years ago the Darkness came—a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with “temple magic,” and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything.</p><p>Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his “teaching”—the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light—they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her.</p><p>In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people.</p><p>Yet they would also incur the Temple’s wrath as it is written: “If there comes among you a prophet saying, ‘Let us return to the darkness,’ you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light.”</p><p><strong>Be sure to read the second book in this series, <em>The Stuff of Stars</em>, due to release November 30, 2015. And don't miss David's award-winning speculative saga, <em>The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky</em></strong></p>
My retired mother used to constantly call me at work wanting me to do things for her which could easily be done from a computer. I finally convinced her to purchase her own computer, but she was having a lot of difficulty trying to figure it out. So, that summer, I sent my son over to teach her all she needed to know. This experience gave me the idea to write "Grandma's First Computer.
<p>When I saw this book posted for a review request, I knew that I wanted to read and review it. The title says it all. I immediately thought of the past several years of attempting to bring my own mother into the computer age. It has been a slow and go process and one day, she will finally give in and buy a computer. The frustrating thing is that she has taken some classes and does very well in the classes, but then when it comes time to buy, she postpones because “she needs to know more about that whole internet thing.” I haven’t given up hope.</p> <p>In the story, if you haven’t guessed it already, Grandma goes out and buys a computer. The problem is that once it has been delivered, she has absolutely no idea what to do with it. Fortunately for Grandma, her grandson Timmy shows up unexpectedly and comes to her rescue. He assists her in connecting the unit up and explaining some of the parts as he goes. This allows an opportunity for Grandma to become confused by the lingo.</p> <p><em>“Almost done,” said Timmy. “All I have to do now is connect the mouse.”<br /> “MOUSE,” shouted Grandma. “Did you see a mouse?” “Oh my,” she thought. “Kitty must not be doing her job.”</em></p> <p>The illustrations for the story, done by Acesgraphics, are darling. If Timmy were a blond, he could have passed for a cartoon version of my nephew when he was that age. <a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/4355338">Grandma’s First Computer</a> is a very short, but charming educational story which details computer components in a simple to understand manner. Linda Hayes combines the educational features with the bonding between two very different generations and does it with humor and simplicity.</p> <p>The story winds up with Timmy telling Grandma she has a lot to learn, so we may expect to see another book with Timmy and Grandma in the future. I’m not so sure that senior citizen groups will appreciate that all of the seniors in the book are depicted with canes, or that it is intimated that no senior citizen knows anything about computers, but the target audience of young children will want to read it again and again. This is a must read for the young school age.</p>