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Sal And Sally - Jay Miller
Sal And Sally
Jay Miller
ISBN: 9781935028130
Gather Community Press
Reviewed By Rhonda Carver
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Sal and Sally are two small fish just hanging out in the waters of the big blue sea. They soon grow bored, though, so, to amuse herself, Sally starts to blow bubbles. Fascinated by the practice, Sal begs Sally to teach him how to do the same, and the two of them then proceed to have a ball, blowing bubbles and swimming around in the sea.
Nellie The Octopus soon arrives, and, upon seeing the fun that Sal and Sally are having, she asks them to teach her how to blow bubbles, too. They happily oblige, and Nellie then proceeds to blow a gigantic bubble – so big, in fact, that it accidentally traps Sal and Sally inside. While they’re trying to figure out how to get out of the bubble, Nasty Nick, the Texas Long Nose Cowboy Shark, sidles up to the trio. Initially, he masks his malicious intentions, but once Sal and Sally catch on to the true purpose of his visit, they implore Nellie to join them in the bubble in order to save herself from getting eaten by him. She quickly does, and, despite his best efforts, Nasty Nick is unable to burst the bubble and get to his prey, so he slithers off.
Safe once again, Sal, Sally, and Nellie then figure out a way to get out of the bubble – but, once they’re free, Nasty Nick makes a quick return to finish what he started…can the three friends find a way to avoid becoming a tasty snack for a sneaky, hungry shark?
Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy Sal And Sally. In it, author Jay Miller does a commendable job of highlighting the advantages of getting along and working together, outlining just how beneficial the principles of teamwork, sharing, and selflessness are when put into real practice. The collective strength that can be manifested through genuine bonding is a lesson that it’s never too late to learn.
Miller also places special emphasis on the importance of changing one’s ways in order to gain the trust of others. The power of redemption is a universal theme that never gets old, and, as he depicts in the decisions that Nasty Nick ultimately makes, Miller does an effective job of showing the reader just how advantageous it can be to seek to make amends for past wrongs.
Kudos to Jay Miller for creating an engaging tale, both enlightening and entertaining and sure to become a permanent addition to personal libraries everywhere. Highly recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Jay Miller (Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear, Sal and Sally)
Apex Reviews: Jay, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your books.
Jay Miller: Thank you for this opportunity to speak about them. Thank you especially for the wonderful and professional review Apex performed as well. I am very pleased that the books were found to be worthy of such a high rating.
AR: It’s our pleasure. What exactly makes Bingo so musically inclined?
JM: Honey, I think! Most bears, after a good afternoon snack, the honey bees always seem to sting them in their rear end as they run away. They’ll spend hours afterwards shaking their bottoms, which makes them appear to be dancing. Bingo comes from a long line of “Dancing Bears.”
AR: Out of all the instruments that he could choose from, what is it about the banjo that captivates Bingo's interest?
JM: It’s that Hillbilly picking sound that goes with the dance; it’s got that certain swing to it. It could just as easily have been a fiddle, except he liked the banjo picking sound better. Besides, Grandpa said fiddling can sometimes get you in trouble.
AR: Why is his relationship with his Grandpa so special?
JM: All Grandpas are special! They always have time to take you fishing and do lots of other fun things. Naturally, if you can keep their attention, then you’ll be their favorite. Then, they’ll teach you lots of important things you wouldn’t normally get to know.
AR: In Sal and Sally, what inspired you to use sea creatures as the main characters for the story?
JM: It follows along the lines of my All God’s Critters novel as story # 2. That story is about two fish named Sal and Sally, only the story is different. It begins with the thrilling excitement of actually experiencing the fish eggs being laid and what happens from there (you’d have to read the book to experience that first hand to believe it). Toddlers wouldn’t understand it, so I decided to let them blow some bubbles instead. I figured the kids would like that.
AR: Is there really such a thing as a Texas Long Nose Cowboy Shark?
JM: Several locals claim to have spotted them along the Texas coastline. Some were claimed to have longer noses than others, but they all appeared to be wearing red Cowboy hats.
AR: What is the main message that you'd like readers to take away from Sal and Sally?
JM: Making friends and learning to get along with everyone. Also, understanding how to try and turn a bad situation into something good.
AR: What draws you to Christian fiction?
JM: I knew many years ago that I wanted to write, but I thought it would be mystery novels. When the time came to get started, something led me in this direction instead. I believe that something was God.
AR: What inspired you to create and develop the "All God's Critters" series?
JM: Again, that’s where God led me to start writing. I find it easy to tell the stories using various critters in each. I think people will relate more closely with them. I like to bring them to life as much as possible, yet leaving them in their natural surroundings.
AR: Have you shared the books in the series with churches, bible camps, or other religious institutions?
JM: That is my next step. I’ve been waiting to get the first three books completed in the series to introduce them. Having good professional review ratings now will make that task much easier.
AR: The illustrations in your books are outstanding. Who did them?
JM: Bingo was done professionally by Bobbi Switzer through Outskirts Press. Sal and Sally was done professionally by Jessica Ball (my niece). Opal, Herby, and Squeaky was done professionally by Lee Qualls (my granddaughter). I was extremely pleased with each.
AR: We noticed that you published Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear through Outskirts Press. What was your experience like with them?
JM: I found their service to be outstanding. They were very helpful and professional in every detail. I would highly recommend them, and I plan to use their service again.
AR: You published Sal and Sally through Gather Community Press. Please share more with our readers about them.
JM: Gather Community Press operates through AuthorHouse Publishing. It’s a means for special benefits for members of the Gather Community site to have access to self publishing. My book was the first book to be published through them. Again, as with Outskirts Press, I was pleased with their service.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
JM: I plan on trudging ahead. Unless, by some miracle, I get an offer from a traditional publisher, I’ll be self publishing my books. I have faith in what God wants me to do (I have not submitted any books for consideration).
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your efforts?
JM: They may visit my website, called All God’s Critters, at http://mybingobooks.com. I am also engaged with many writing and social groups where I have support and encouragement from many friends.
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
JM: jmdls@charter.net.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
JM: Bringing happiness to children and bringing them closer to God is the goal I have set. This is what God wants me to do. I want to wish everyone a very Happy and Prosperous New Year! Remember everyday to thank God for another beautiful day…it’s all about Him. Thank you for the outstanding service, the wonderful reviews, and this professional interview. You have made me feel right at home.
AR: Thanks again, Jay, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
JM: Thank You!
Jay Miller
ISBN: 9781935028130
Gather Community Press
Reviewed By Rhonda Carver
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Sal and Sally are two small fish just hanging out in the waters of the big blue sea. They soon grow bored, though, so, to amuse herself, Sally starts to blow bubbles. Fascinated by the practice, Sal begs Sally to teach him how to do the same, and the two of them then proceed to have a ball, blowing bubbles and swimming around in the sea.
Nellie The Octopus soon arrives, and, upon seeing the fun that Sal and Sally are having, she asks them to teach her how to blow bubbles, too. They happily oblige, and Nellie then proceeds to blow a gigantic bubble – so big, in fact, that it accidentally traps Sal and Sally inside. While they’re trying to figure out how to get out of the bubble, Nasty Nick, the Texas Long Nose Cowboy Shark, sidles up to the trio. Initially, he masks his malicious intentions, but once Sal and Sally catch on to the true purpose of his visit, they implore Nellie to join them in the bubble in order to save herself from getting eaten by him. She quickly does, and, despite his best efforts, Nasty Nick is unable to burst the bubble and get to his prey, so he slithers off.
Safe once again, Sal, Sally, and Nellie then figure out a way to get out of the bubble – but, once they’re free, Nasty Nick makes a quick return to finish what he started…can the three friends find a way to avoid becoming a tasty snack for a sneaky, hungry shark?
Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy Sal And Sally. In it, author Jay Miller does a commendable job of highlighting the advantages of getting along and working together, outlining just how beneficial the principles of teamwork, sharing, and selflessness are when put into real practice. The collective strength that can be manifested through genuine bonding is a lesson that it’s never too late to learn.
Miller also places special emphasis on the importance of changing one’s ways in order to gain the trust of others. The power of redemption is a universal theme that never gets old, and, as he depicts in the decisions that Nasty Nick ultimately makes, Miller does an effective job of showing the reader just how advantageous it can be to seek to make amends for past wrongs.
Kudos to Jay Miller for creating an engaging tale, both enlightening and entertaining and sure to become a permanent addition to personal libraries everywhere. Highly recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Jay Miller (Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear, Sal and Sally)
Apex Reviews: Jay, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your books.
Jay Miller: Thank you for this opportunity to speak about them. Thank you especially for the wonderful and professional review Apex performed as well. I am very pleased that the books were found to be worthy of such a high rating.
AR: It’s our pleasure. What exactly makes Bingo so musically inclined?
JM: Honey, I think! Most bears, after a good afternoon snack, the honey bees always seem to sting them in their rear end as they run away. They’ll spend hours afterwards shaking their bottoms, which makes them appear to be dancing. Bingo comes from a long line of “Dancing Bears.”
AR: Out of all the instruments that he could choose from, what is it about the banjo that captivates Bingo's interest?
JM: It’s that Hillbilly picking sound that goes with the dance; it’s got that certain swing to it. It could just as easily have been a fiddle, except he liked the banjo picking sound better. Besides, Grandpa said fiddling can sometimes get you in trouble.
AR: Why is his relationship with his Grandpa so special?
JM: All Grandpas are special! They always have time to take you fishing and do lots of other fun things. Naturally, if you can keep their attention, then you’ll be their favorite. Then, they’ll teach you lots of important things you wouldn’t normally get to know.
AR: In Sal and Sally, what inspired you to use sea creatures as the main characters for the story?
JM: It follows along the lines of my All God’s Critters novel as story # 2. That story is about two fish named Sal and Sally, only the story is different. It begins with the thrilling excitement of actually experiencing the fish eggs being laid and what happens from there (you’d have to read the book to experience that first hand to believe it). Toddlers wouldn’t understand it, so I decided to let them blow some bubbles instead. I figured the kids would like that.
AR: Is there really such a thing as a Texas Long Nose Cowboy Shark?
JM: Several locals claim to have spotted them along the Texas coastline. Some were claimed to have longer noses than others, but they all appeared to be wearing red Cowboy hats.
AR: What is the main message that you'd like readers to take away from Sal and Sally?
JM: Making friends and learning to get along with everyone. Also, understanding how to try and turn a bad situation into something good.
AR: What draws you to Christian fiction?
JM: I knew many years ago that I wanted to write, but I thought it would be mystery novels. When the time came to get started, something led me in this direction instead. I believe that something was God.
AR: What inspired you to create and develop the "All God's Critters" series?
JM: Again, that’s where God led me to start writing. I find it easy to tell the stories using various critters in each. I think people will relate more closely with them. I like to bring them to life as much as possible, yet leaving them in their natural surroundings.
AR: Have you shared the books in the series with churches, bible camps, or other religious institutions?
JM: That is my next step. I’ve been waiting to get the first three books completed in the series to introduce them. Having good professional review ratings now will make that task much easier.
AR: The illustrations in your books are outstanding. Who did them?
JM: Bingo was done professionally by Bobbi Switzer through Outskirts Press. Sal and Sally was done professionally by Jessica Ball (my niece). Opal, Herby, and Squeaky was done professionally by Lee Qualls (my granddaughter). I was extremely pleased with each.
AR: We noticed that you published Bingo the Banjo Picking Bear through Outskirts Press. What was your experience like with them?
JM: I found their service to be outstanding. They were very helpful and professional in every detail. I would highly recommend them, and I plan to use their service again.
AR: You published Sal and Sally through Gather Community Press. Please share more with our readers about them.
JM: Gather Community Press operates through AuthorHouse Publishing. It’s a means for special benefits for members of the Gather Community site to have access to self publishing. My book was the first book to be published through them. Again, as with Outskirts Press, I was pleased with their service.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
JM: I plan on trudging ahead. Unless, by some miracle, I get an offer from a traditional publisher, I’ll be self publishing my books. I have faith in what God wants me to do (I have not submitted any books for consideration).
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your efforts?
JM: They may visit my website, called All God’s Critters, at http://mybingobooks.com. I am also engaged with many writing and social groups where I have support and encouragement from many friends.
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
JM: jmdls@charter.net.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
JM: Bringing happiness to children and bringing them closer to God is the goal I have set. This is what God wants me to do. I want to wish everyone a very Happy and Prosperous New Year! Remember everyday to thank God for another beautiful day…it’s all about Him. Thank you for the outstanding service, the wonderful reviews, and this professional interview. You have made me feel right at home.
AR: Thanks again, Jay, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
JM: Thank You!