She was impressed with the cover and asked me if it meant anything. Yes, it does. The book is about the relation between nature and our home interiors. Human beings are not islands of their own, people are connected to other people and in turn, we are all connected to the universe. The universe is made of vegetation and creatures that sustain our life and planets that sustain our emotions. Building a square, rectangular, or round home is not only about the functionality of the geometry, but it is also very much about how a home communicates with nature, the natural light that infuses a home, the exposure to wind and sun, the outdoor colors that will determine the indoor colors, the vibrational energy of colors and much more.
In my book cover, I wanted to combine an architectural feature and an element of nature.
The book could have not come at a more appropriate time than this lockdown time.
We have been forced to stay home for a year now. Before the lockdown, some people usually didn’t even spend more than 30 minutes a day in their homes and now they are forced to like their sofas, their kitchen, and unfortunately their staycation. Before lockdown, life was hectic and most of us were always on the run, trying to pack as many activities or appointments as possible in one day basically leaving the home for just the necessary activities, washing, sleeping, washing clothes, and preparing kids for next day school. Due to the constrictions of social distancing and businesses being temporarily closed or partly closed, people now feel confined and are feeling their home as a prison.
With my book, I wanted to give people a new outlook on the home by turning to nature for new solutions. I wanted people to see the home, maybe, as they have never seen it before, as a warm cocoon, from which to grow personally as a single entity or together with family and nurture those dreams that have not yet come to a realization. We must stay home, might as well, make some improvements that will allow a renewal of vital forces.
Back to the meaning of my cover. The flowerpot is like the person growing, blossoming, or transforming into a new self, and that new self is resting on a large, bold architectural capital, a feature representing the foundation of the house, large enough to support all emotions, unexpected changes, dreams, development, and everything that can happen to our lives in this ghastly time
Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion designer, author of 6 published books, a storyteller, and a blogger of many years. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking, and travel. She never gives up trying new things and doesn’t fear failure. Some years ago, Valentina became a TV producer/host producing shows under her label: Valentina Design Universe. The goal of her shows is to entertain, inspire and inform, while she is living her passion. Get a copy of her books here: Amazon and Barnes&Noble
Welcome to a new book launch by Author James Cudney IV, Hiding Cracked Glass. This is the second book of the Series Name: Perceptions of Glass.
Hiding Cracked Glass
About the Book An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for?
In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?
Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light.
Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.
About The Author Background James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, a historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business, and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote some short stories, poems and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career in technology and business that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I refocused some of my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing and publishing.
Author Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind and my body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full-length novels and stories. My current focus is family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels and suspense thrillers. I think of characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.
Author James Cudney IV
Reader & Reviewer Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever-present in my day. I read 2 books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review and post it on all my sites and platforms.
Blogger & Thinker I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.
Genealogist & Researcher I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others; and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.
My reviewon Hiding Cracked Glass Surprise letters always frighten me, it has been my experience they never carry good news, otherwise, why would they keep secrets? Hiding Cracked Glass is made of many characters, all members, one way or another of the wealthy Glass family and every one holds a secret. In the beginning, I felt a bit overwhelmed keeping up with all the personages and all their secrets, but author James Cudney IV, makes them real, their turmoil and family drama are not too far from what people experience in real life. I sympathized with Diane, Olivia Glass’s sister. She helps Olivia overcoming the death of her husband by stirring memories of a trip made to Italy together.
Diane sounds much like all my 5 loved aunts, always very supportive, always ready to help out in moments of needs, always generous with their time, their love, and little less generous with their money. My aunts were the glue that kept the family together, very much like Diane does in the Glass family. She also holds a secret. I have enjoyed reading about this character.
The twists and turns of the Glass Family’s vicissitudes are interesting and mysterious enough to keep the readers turning to the next page and find out what happens. I felt I was there, in that house, with all the members. The author did a great job to keep me reading all the way to the end. I am a practical person, who doesn’t read many family dramas, therefore the author succeeded. His writing is clear and his voice strong. If this is going to be a sequel, I look forward to the next story. I recommend this book, it’s a true gem. So glad you crossed my path James.
People come into our life for a reason I met Author James Cudney IV, a year ago, over the internet when I was doing the launch of my fourth book. We connected immediately and became friends. James is an accomplished writer, he wrote nine novels in three years, some of his work has been translated in Portuguese, Spanish, German, and Italian. In 2021 he will release a new book co-authored with a “surprise” writer (TBD). On his blog https://thisismytruthnow.com, he has reviewed over 1,000 books; he shares several fun features, including the Book Bucket List, Tips & Advice, Author Spotlights & Book Alerts, and the 365 Daily Challenge, where he posts a word each day that has some meaning to him, then converse with everyone about life.
James Cudney’sGenres, Formats & Languages I write in the family drama and mystery genres. My first two books are Watching Glass Shatter (2017) and Father Figure (2018). Both are contemporary fiction and focus on the dynamics between parents and children and between siblings. I’m currently writing the sequel to Watching Glass Shatter. I also have a light mystery series called the Braxton Campus Mysteries with six books available. All my books come in multiple formats (Kindle, physical print, large print paperback, and audiobook) and some are also translated into foreign languages such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German.
Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion designer, author of 5 published books, a storyteller, and a blogger of many years. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking, and travel. She never gives up trying new things and doesn’t fear failure. Some years ago, Valentina became a TV producer/host producing shows under her label: Valentina Design Universe. The goal of her shows is to entertain, inspire, and inform, while she is living her passion. Amazon and Barnes&Noble Goodreads Amazon Author’s Page
It’s COVER REVEAL day.
I am pleased to announce a cover reveal for my friend and author’s next book, Hiding Cracked Glass, by James J. Cudney IV, which is the sequel to the debut, Watching Glass Shatter. He says: “I still can’t believe it’s my ninth book in three years…” Believe it, it’s real. You are so prolific.😊❤️ https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/102837542/posts/2837888769
Book Cover – Hiding Cracked Glass – by James Cudney IV
In the words of the author:
“This contemporary fiction family drama is the sequel to Watching Glass Shatter and part of the Perceptions of Glass series.
An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for?
In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?
Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light.
Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.
Hiding Cracked Glass will be available for pre-sale very soon. It will officially be published on October 8th, 2020, which is the three year anniversary of Watching Glass Shatter, my debut novel. If you’ve never read that book, now’s your chance to catch up!”
Ad Maiora, James, your book will be a success. Valentina
Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion designer, author, and a blogger of many years. She has conceived a few new books of various subjects to which she is working simultaneously. Her books are non-fictional practical ideas to apply in the home, fashion, cooking, and travel. Some years ago, Valentina became a TV producer/host producing shows under her label: Valentina Design Universe. Find her books on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Goodreads.
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