Great review by author Diane Rapp

Every review is a gift and extremely helpful, but a review like this by another author is truly wonderful.

By Diane Rapp "Author" (Trinity, Texas) -


This review is from: Currents Deep and Deadly (Kindle Edition)

As an author of a cruise ship mystery series Murder Caribbean-Style (High Seas Mystery (Book 1)) I was intrigued to read this book. I actually learned more about cruising and even some facts about ports I covered in my book. The characters are well written, have flaws and self doubts including secrets that the author reveals during the story. The plot is complex but strangely believable by the end of the book when all the puzzle pieces were assembled. This book is enjoyable but it's not a fluff piece with a Hollywood ending. The author explores spiritual ideas in the narrative and the characters still have relationship conflicts that are not tied up in a neat bow. I'll be interested to see how the characters resolve their relationships during the rest of the series. Good job! You've snagged me as a reader.

Soup, Um um good!

I found these recipes for hearty soups and thought I'd pass them along. With the effects of chemo, I find that soups are something I can usually enjoy and they are so healthy.  That goes for all of us if the soups are made with fresh wholesome ingredients. Canned soups, of course, are way too high in sodium and the taste is not even close to homemade. Another thing about soup is that most recipes are very easy.  Check these out.  http://www.food52.com/recipes/search/dish_type/soups

But, even without a recipe, I make lots of soups using whatever vegetables, rice, dried peas, lentils, barley, beans, etc. and broth that I happen to have on hand. Low fat and low sodium canned chicken or vegetable broth is great for a base, and the key to tasty soup is herbs, such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil.  I've found it's really hard to go wrong if you just season to taste. For optimum nutrition and to hold as many vitamins as possible, simmer soup on low heat for only about 30 minutes.

On another note, I'll follow up on my last blog regarding the NY trip and author pitch fest. I am so thrilled to report that despite my misgivings about the quality of my pitch, three of the Hollywood studios requested copies of Currents Deep and Deadly. This doesn't necessarily mean something will come of it, but at least they want to read the book to see if it would be suitable for a movie or TV series, so who knows?

By the way, here is the book trailer for Currents of Vengeance, the second Darcy Farthing adventure.

New York Author Pitch Fest A Little Pitchy

Well, I made it through the Hollywood producers author pitch fest event as planned, but I was truly exhausted when it was over. After an intense day of workshops and practice, each of the 150 authors sat down with each of ten producers for exactly two minutes to give their pitch saying why their story would make a great movie or TV show.  The biggest thing I learned from this is that I am not my normal competent self when it comes to a presentation like this.

The chemo is having an effect.  One gal who was pitching a book she wrote about her breast cancer treatment told me, "Oh yeah, chemo brain.  I still can't memorize things after a year from treatment." Oh great! Another factor about this I hadn't really realized.  I actually had difficulty memorizing the short pitch, even though the subject was so familiar to me.  It was a very strange sensation . . . sort of like brain damage I suspect.

Anyway, it was hard to tell whether the reactions were positive or just benign.  Over the next few weeks the studios will get back to our publishers with any books they want to follow up with.  Whatever happens, it really was a great opportunity.  It is sort of a foot in the door, in that these studio executives now know my name and book titles. We were told that a long time can go by and then a studio will suddenly pull out an idea they heard at one of these events and follow up on it. The next pitch is in six months in Vegas. Tempting, but I don't think I'll be going.

An Epiphany of Sorts

A number of friends and readers have asked me whether I plan to keep a journal of my experience with breast cancer treatment and write about it.  I answered that I didn't want to think that much about having cancer and would rather concentrate on writing fun fiction.  Well, I've had an epiphany of sorts--not about writing about my experience--but rather talking about it.

I recently read a tweet suggesting that authors should get out more and engage in public speaking.  In her blog, the writer pointed out that most authors are solitary by nature and must push themselves to speak in public.  After all, for many fear of public speaking is right up there with fear of death.  Suddenly the light went on for me, duh!  I spent many years teaching people how to prepare and present public speeches and I am very comfortable doing so myself.  Why hadn't I thought of this before?

Book signing on Royal Caribbean ship, Mariner of the Seas

So, I have added a blurb on http://www.aalleman.com/ inviting organizations and clubs to contact me if they would like me to show up and talk about my fulfillment of a life-long dream (the writing) and the ins and outs of becoming an author, my experiences coping with breast cancer, the fun and inspiration gained from travel, and bringing comfort and synergy to one's life.  Now I realize I have been overlooking a whole facet of my experiences that, quite frankly, could also help my book marketing efforts.

I don't think I'm alone.  I have the feeling that many of us overlook an ability, talent, or valuable experience, that we think of as being in the past, we have taken for granted, or just tucked away for later.  As I realize more than ever, later might never arrive and we must grasp every opportunity to be the best we can be and use our gifts ASAP.

Goin to New York City!

Hubby, Tim, on cruise ship rock wall

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to hear from you.  I hate to come across as needy, but if you've read either of my Darcy Farthing cruise adventure novels, I'd love to hear ideas about the most important aspect of the stories for a movie format.  There's the cruise ship crime, the murder/mystery, the interperonal relationships and Darcy's struggle with her past and finding her daughter, the recurring theme of how life's currents flow and intersect.  I need to focus because I get 2 to 3 minutes one-on-one with each producer to explain why my series would make a great movie.  I'll be competing with 149 other independently published authors.

Meanwhile, here's a fabulous offer.  Through September 20, if you contact me and let me know, I'll email a copy of either book in ebook format for FREE.  No kidding! You just need to download the free adobe digital reader, if you don't have it already.

Back to Writing

Well, you know I'm thrilled to have Currents of Vengeance out and available.  So many folks have asked when it will be published because they want to know what happens to Darcy, Mick, Tom, and the rest of the quirky cast.  Since, I'll be "land-locked" for the next year, I've decided they will too.  So, the third book, Current Assets, will follow their antics and problems down in Florida near Mick's home on Marco Island.  I'm planning more twisty plots and dillemas for them and I'm researching and writing now.  My husband, Tim, will be a source of information and inspiration, since I'll draw on some of his U.S. Marshal experience.

My publisher has built a new website for my books.  It's pretty cool at http://www.arleenalleman.com/
You've probably seen the book trailer for Currents Deep and Deadly, but if not, here it is.

As I've said, my new motto is "You're healthy until you're not."  By this I mean that although a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, and exercise are the way to go to help achieve a long life, we cannot control everything.  As frustrating as it is, genetics and environment can conspire against us in complicated ways that are not understood by anyone.  So, the best we can do is our best, so that if we encounter a serious health issue we can accept that it is part of life and know we did not knowingly bring it upon ourselves.  If nothing else, this is good motivation to be as healthy as possible . . . and hope it is for life.

AGAIN! Back to basics

My son, Shayne, and me at A Basin

There is nothing simpler and yet apparently more difficult than maintaining a healthy eating life-style.  Why our society has so many problems with the age-old basic concepts is an interesting topic.  As the last couple of generations have been presented with so many easy, tasty, nutrient-deficient foods, we seem to have lost our way . . . and unfortunately our health.  I'm reprinting these steps from UC Berkeley Foundations of Wellness newsletter.  This is a perfect blueprint for eating right and if you're not already doing so,  I hope you take these steps to heart.
Steps 9, 11, and 12 are particularly insightful.  Happy eating and healthy living!

1  Eat plenty of high-fiber foods—that is, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. These are the "good" carbohydrates—nutritious, filling, and relatively low in calories. They should supply the 20 to 30 grams of dietary fiber you need each day, which slows the absorption of carbohydrates, so there’s less effect on insulin and blood sugar, and provides other health benefits as well. Such foods also provide important vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (plant chemicals essential to good health).

2  Make sure to include green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables—such as broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits. The antioxidants and other nutrients in these foods may help protect against developing certain types of cancer and other diseases. Eat five or more servings a day.

3  Limit your intake of sugary foods, refined-grain products such as white bread, and salty snack foods. Sugar, our No.1 additive, is added to a vast array of foods. Just one daily 12-ounce can of soda (160 calories) can add up to 16 pounds over the course of a year. Many sugary foods are also high in fat, so they’re calorie-dense.

4  Cut down on animal fat. It’s rich in saturated fat, which boosts blood cholesterol levels and has other adverse health effects. Choose lean meats, skinless poultry, and nonfat or low-fat or nonfat dairy products.

5  Cut way down on trans fats, supplied by hydrogenated vegetable oils used in most processed foods in the supermarket and in many fast foods.

6  Eat more fish and nuts, which contain healthy unsaturated fats. Substitute olive or canola oil for butter or stick margarine.

7  Keep portions moderate, especially of high-calorie foods. In recent years serving sizes have ballooned, particularly in restaurants. Choose a starter instead of an entrée, split a dish with a friend, and don’t order supersized anything.

8  Keep your cholesterol intake below 300 milligrams per day. Cholesterol is found only in animal products, such as meats, poultry, dairy products, and egg yolks.

9  Eat a variety of foods. Don't try to fill your nutrient requirements by eating the same foods day in, day out. It is possible that not every essential nutrient has been identified, and so eating a wide assortment of foods helps to ensure that you will get all the necessary nutrients. In addition, this will limit your exposure to any pesticides or toxic substances that may be present in one particular food.

10  Maintain an adequate calcium intake. Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth. Get your calcium from low-fat sources, such as skim milk and low-fat yogurt. If you can't get the optimal amount from foods, take supplements.

11  Try to get your vitamins and minerals from foods, not from supplements. Supplements cannot substitute for a healthy diet, which supplies nutrients and other compounds besides vitamins and minerals. Foods also provide the "synergy" that many nutrients require to be efficiently used in the body.

12  Maintain a desirable weight. Balance energy (calorie) intake with energy output. Exercise and other physical activity are essential.

13  If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. That is one drink a day for women, two a day for men. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Excess alcohol consumption leads to a variety of health problems. And alcoholic beverages can add many calories to your diet without supplying nutrients.
From: http://www.wellnessletter.com/html/fw/fwNut01HealthyDiet.html