The Kari AnnAlysis

Posts Tagged ‘Bart Harper’

In honor of the Christmas spirit, author Bart Harper and I are holding a book giveaway.

Bart’s new book Pet Peeves will be available around Christmas, so we’ll have the contest end on Christmas day.

What drives you absolutely up the wall? Makes you cringe? Makes your toes curl? Well, there’s a good chance Bart covers it in his latest book.

Here’s are a couple of Bart’s pet peeves:

Razor Burn!  Okay, so I suffered through my Acne stage from ages 15 thru 25 and when it was over, I was a happy man!  But from time to time, I am reminded of the dreaded pizza face syndrome by my trusty razor.  Not sure what causes it but the little read bumps dominate and I am once again humiliated!  So I resort to the unthinkable, my wife’s Covergirl.  Sometimes people notice and I say “Don’t hate me cause I’m beautiful!”

People at Yard Sales!  “Hmm those candle holders are too much.  I’ll give you $1.75,” the lady claims.  This coming from a woman who is driving a Mercedes and carrying a Coach purse!   The original price was only $2.00, so the lady has now shamed herself in my eyes!  (Guess that is how she affords the car)  She did make Bob Barker proud by so bluntly stating “Thats too much!”

To enter this contest, leave a comment with your email address. Simple right?? Well for an extra entry, leave us one of your pet peeves in the comment.

Bart always signs his books, so you can expect this will be a signed copy. Oh and did I mention Bart wrote this on Facebook? He entered a pet peeve into his status every day and the compiled them for the book. Very cool way of writing! So…. have at it. We’ll name a winner the day after Christmas!

This is Bart’s 3rd book. Check out my reviews on his other books:
Adventures of a Fat Kid
The Gentleman in Room 205

Congratulations Jennifer for winning a signed copy of Bart Harper’s The Gentleman in Room 205. I will be contacting you to get your address so we can get your book to you!

Thanks for playing!

That’s right! Today is the last day for The Gentleman in Room 205 giveaway. You have until midnight Wednesday to get your final requests in. If your new and haven’t checked out the giveaway, click here. The author will be signing and sending out a copy of the book. I loved it. Plus, he’s a West Virginia guy. Who doesn’t love to support local authors??

This is another book by local author Bart Harper. I took this book with me to the pool and spent the day working on my tan while learning maybe a little too much about Bart’s past.

This book is a compilation of short stories about Bart’s childhood. He shares everything from his first kiss, to a criminal Christmas to his dad’s different way of bringing in the New Year.

It’s a very cute book. He did a great job with the writing. There are many things he talks about that remind me of my own childhood. And he does a good job of mentioning shows, movies, songs etc. that he remembers from that time in his life. I really liked this because I would think back to what all of those meant to me. And it’s a nice easy read. That’s always a plus for me! Oh, not to mention, it made me laugh! I’m a big fan of books that make me laugh.

I do have a downfall for this book, and it’s a bit of a big one. While I really enjoyed most of the stories, there were some that I had a hard time getting through. Let me warn you, some of the stories push the limits. The Dump, The School Bus, The First Kiss, The Dirty Movies were cute stories, but definitely not for those who take offense to poo and, well to say it nicely, boners. I think for a man reading this book, they’d all be able to relate and it would be funny. But for me, it was a little too personal for something I’ve never really experienced. I don’t consider myself a prude, but at times, I blushed. I suggest if you read this book, but want to skip the embarrassing parts, read all of the stories except those I listed. Or, some of you may even want to just read those. And that’s fine too!

The Deadly Day, The Christmas Thief, The Prankster, The Faker … I can’t decide which is my favorite. These stories are all great and SUPER cute. If I have to choose though, I think the Christmas Thief tops the list. 1. I love Christmas. 2. I love the writing. It is prefaced with a poem. 3. Yes, he spent all of his money to buy a Farrah Fawcett poster and some other things which I’d rather not think about, but he REALLY wanted to buy presents for his family.

I am going to give Adventures of a Fat Kid 3 bookmarks. Very cute, but also a little too personal into the puberty time for my interest.

Another reason I love Twitter, it has introduced me to some really cool people. And without Twitter, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon Bart Harper and his books.

I had Bart send me both books, Adventures of a Fat Kid and The Gentleman in Room 205. I probably should have read the Fat Kid first, since it was his first book, but I grabbed the other one instead. I normally try to read a light book then a serious book and continue that pattern to switch it up.

Within the first page and a half of this book, I was wiping my eyes. I knew this book was based on the death of Bart’s father, which shows he is family man (it takes a lot to write about your family and a hard experience) but you don’t realize who someone is until you see how they feel about their family. Just in the prologue, I saw how much Bart’s dad meant to him and that set the stage for the rest of the book.

I am also automatically connected to this book because Bart’s dad had a stroke. Last Christmas, my Grandma had a stroke, so I definitely understand his pain from the beginning and I think that actually the connection intrigues me to keep reading.

And even though I knew this had a sci-fi twist, it wasn’t what I expected. It turned out to be much more. This is a great book. It’s a page turner, very creative and just the right length. Every chapter is a great addition to the book. There are many that by the time I’m done, I realize I could have cut the book in half. Not this one. Any longer and it may not have had the same effect on me.

I sent the author some questions. It’s nice to be able to chat with someone and get the answers to all of the burning questions that come up when you’re reading.

INTERVIEW WITH BART HARPER: **SPOILER ALERT**

1. How much of this book is based on real life events?

-my father fell ill from a second stroke in 2007, we were in a nursing home for a year before he passed. He did have 17 brothers/sisters, grew up poor, was a football star, …..dad would have these breathing fits and was ventilated several times til i finally let him go one night when he coded, held his hand as he went, still having problems with that…don’t think it will ever go away….. There was a Lena (not blonde and beautiful tho lol, but very helpful) … max was based on my son Trey who went with me to visit grandpa. Mrs. Kessler, Mr. Pyle, and Mr. Rent were made up characters. Dad did want me to play football, and i was good, but I preferred basketball. He was a very caring father and put me first. Of course, my grandmother did not have an affair with superman lol……..

2. Did the idea for this book just hit you, or was it a work in progress deal? It had some twists and turns all through out it. Were those things you know you wanted to do, or did they come as you were writing (I want to write a book, these are things I think about when reading).

-to tell you the truth, i just typed and things popped in my head. No outline really! I typed the book in a little over a couple weeks. It was lacking, so i added the characters Max and Mr. Pyle, the demon. I can’t remember when i decided to make Mr. Rent an aging superhero, but like i said…i just let it flow. Most authors do a detailed outline, I just go with what pops in my head.

3. What is your favorite part of the book?

-Gee, I really love the part where Mr. Rent rises from the chair to go into the burning building and picks the cop up lol ( i get choked up when reading that part)….. I also like the part where the young man tackles the demon and flashes back to when he used to hit the old tackling dummy “Unleash it, let it go!” got choked up there too. And I like the ending where the young man realizes he has the powers too (Mr. Pyle shoots him)

4. Is there anything you’d change?

-MMMM there is always room for improvement. I wish I could have made the book longer. It seemed a little rushed, perhaps added more about when the father and son were younger! I had several people proofread it, and some didn’t get that Mr. Rent was a superhero, so I added more hints to the epilogue. I have some good reviews. My mother didn’t really get it. lol

5. What are you working on now?

-My next book will be called Pet Peeves. This will be like the first book “Fat Kid” ….comedy…….. this will also be the first book that i know of that is being written completely on facebook. Should be out in October 2009.

Most importantly: Where can people get your book????

-amazon, barnes and noble, target.com.. but for a better price and signed copies www.authorbartharper.com

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read, but it was very creative and a great story. Plus, who doesn’t love a book by a local author? Drum roll please, I give The Gentleman in Room 205 4 bookmarks!

CLICK HERE TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK!