The Florida Writers Association announced that SWEET DEAL CONCEALED is a SemiFinalist in the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award for 2019. <And the crowd went WILD!>
Author: JAB
Author
I live on a farm with Farmer Man, two great dogs: TJ and Toby, and a dozen sassy chickens. I write thriller, mystery, and post-apocalyptic science fiction novels. All my books are series because even though each book solves a crime and stops a murdering criminal, there's always something more to life, isn't there? My exciting books with unusual main characters that are now readers' favorite people are for sale by your favorite bookseller for your reading pleasure!
Thou shalt not plagiarize. (See Commandment #8) But it's okay to share!
Book Table at the Ham Radio Fest
This was my second year to have a table at a local area Ham Radio “Hamfest.” As a ham radio operator, it’s a great excuse to see the electronics, antennas, and other radio equipment for sale. As an author, it’s a great opportunity to be out in my community, talking about and selling my books.
My favorite:
Ham Operator picks up DANGER IN THE CLOUDS: This book looks interesting. Does it have a ham radio operator in it?
We chat about the services ham radio operators provided during recent hurricanes.
Ham Operator reads back cover: Whoa! This is you! You’re the author! I’ve never met an actual author! If I buy the book, will you sign it?
Me: Certainly. <Squealing inside!>
** ** **
Sales were good, and the conversations were fun. Looking forward to another year!
A Poem for April, National Poetry Month
A Poem of Passion and Encouragement
When life gets you down, think of bacon.
When you’re sad, think of bacon.
When you’re at your worst, think of bacon.
When you need a hug, think of bacon.
When you need love, think of bacon.
Yes, bacon makes it better.
We all need bacon.
Source: Ralph Nelson Willett @NorthernOvation on Twitter
April is National Poetry Month
I’m sure I missed it last year, but poetry’s publicist was busier this year. I see April is National Poetry Month in the US and Canada and is being announced everywhere I read. Except on my cereal box. You still read cereal boxes too, don’t you?
Because Cheerios® has been my go-to cereal since forever, this poem is dedicated to Honey Nut Cheerios®.
When The Chicken Don’t Lay
When the chickens don’t lay
And we have no eggs,
When the north wind blows
And the storm rushes in,
When the chickens have declared
No eggs this week.
When the sun rises
And our plates are bare,
Where is our relief from hunger and defeat?
Cheerios.
~ An Original Poem by Judith A. Barrett
Thanks and a lift of the bowl to Grammarly. My favorite of all time editing software.
What Do I Read First?
I’m asked by readers new to the Judith A. Barrett books, What do I read first?
Of course, the answer is It Depends. Do you like mystery series, thrillers, or survival and conspiracy? That’s where you should start. From there, go to another book. Easy, isn’t it?
DONUT LADY MYSTERY SERIES
Buy DONUT LADY MYSTERY SERIES (2 books) on AMAZON
SWEET DEAL SEALED, BOOK 1
Buy SWEET DEAL SEALED on AMAZON
It isn’t necessary to read Book 1 before Book 2 because each book comes to closure. However, SWEET DEAL SEALED will introduce you to the DONUT LADY and her friends and to Donut Lady’s style and her sense of humor.
SWEET DEAL CONCEALED, BOOK 2
Buy SWEET DEAL CONCEALED on AMAZON
If you read Book 2 first, you may want to follow up with Book 1. In Book 2, DONUT LADY, her old friends, and her new friends become embroiled in not just one murder, but two.
BOOK 3
Book 3 is scheduled to be released in July 2019.
I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SPY
Buy I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SPY on AMAZON
A MAGGIE SLOAN THRILLER
Maggie Sloan is a librarian and self-taught spy. Her story will grab you on page one and keep you guessing to the end. Or maybe when you read the end, you’ll say Aha! I knew it all the time!
Will there be a MAGGIE SLOAN THRILLER series? Depends on you. The book after Book 3 in July could well be another MAGGIE SLOAN THRILLER.
DANGER IN THE CLOUDS
Buy DANGER IN THE CLOUDS on AMAZON
A MAJOR ELLIOTT SUSPENSE NOVEL
Major Dave Elliott, lonely widower, farmer, and retired state police officer lives with his dog, Shadow. If you love a good conspiracy and survivalist story, this is the book for you. For the conspiracy reader, it’s there. For the survivalist reader, Major gives us a handbook on how to survive off the grid. For the reader who loves stories about families, gotcha covered.
THE GIRL WHO SAW CLOUDS
Buy THE GIRL WHO SAW CLOUDS on AMAZON
The GIRL WHO SAW CLOUDS is a YA Novel, and the same story as DANGER IN THE CLOUDS told from the point of view of the teens and children.
WHICH CLOUDS BOOK SHOULD YOU READ? I recommend DANGER IN THE CLOUDS if you are older than 15 years old. If you decide to read both, please let me know which story you preferred.
LOVE A BOOK? 
Please review on Amazon or Goodreads. Amazon pays attention to reviews. The placement of the Judith A. Barrett books on Amazon depends on reviews.
Thank you!
FlatRose’s Favorite Bookshelf
Rose has read all of the Judith A. Barrett books.
She reviewed the books on Alligators Who Read Great Books*. Five stars for each one. 
*It’s imaginary. Tough guys are fond of imaginary. ~Spike
March 12 ~ A Special Day
Celebrate with Sprinkles, Kindness, and Donut Dust!
Celebrate! Take an afternoon nap! Leave work early! Buy a donut for a stranger! Spread sprinkles and Donut Dust and flick and swish Kindness!
CLOUDS – Same, But Different
What’s the same? Both books have the word “CLOUDS” in their titles, and the colors on the covers are very similar. Aimee Louise is on the cover of both books. What else is the same? The story of the US grid going down, and the farm becoming a refuge for neighbors and friends. And the villain? No change there either!
What’s different? THE GIRL WHO SAW CLOUDS is a Young Adult Novel, with a focus on Aimee Louise and the other children.
The focus of DANGER IN THE CLOUDS is on Major Elliott and the other adults.
Same story; different perspectives.
Which should you read? Depends on which perspective appeals to you.
psst. if you read both, let me know which one you prefer. And why, of course.
Spam, The Next Level
If you’ve read DANGER IN THE CLOUDS, you know SPAM ® is celebrated as a delicacy. For SPAM-aficionados, there is nothing better than a hot SPAM sandwich with mustard unless it is fried SPAM for breakfast. Or you might find SPAM on a celebratory pizza, like in DANGER IN THE CLOUDS.
But look at what I found in my local grocery store! SPAM has gone to the next level! BACON!! PURE POETRY! Don’t you know Josh would say, “This is my favorite meal.”
In case you haven’t read DANGER IN THE CLOUDS, here’s the link on Amazon. Wouldn’t want you to be left out.
DANGER IN THE CLOUDS
I Always Wanted To Be A Spy
MAGGIE SLOAN’s lifelong dream to be a spy began when she was four years old and already a focused, self-trained spy. After college, Maggie’s job searches are futile despite her willingness to consider diverse employment opportunities, until the county library system hires her as a librarian.
When Maggie’s brilliant observational talents and her potential to expose complex criminal activity draw the attention of an international ring, she becomes their target. However, a senseless murder changes her life forever, and MAGGIE transforms from prey to predator.
Will the librarian with the soul of a spy and the unusual security team stop the desperate kingpins or will she become the latest victim? It all comes down to kill or be killed.
I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SPY
REMEMBER!
If you love Maggie’s story, leave a review, especially if you are interested in reading another MAGGIE SLOAN adventure!
Judith A. Barrett - Author 