Barbara Youree

Scheduling / Calendar

sudanfaces — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:34:01 +0000

Barbara Youree, one of the authors of COURAGEOUS JOURNEY, is available to speak at Writers’ conferences, civic groups, schools, churches, libraries, and other venues.

As a writers’ conference speaker, her topics include:

—Writing narrative nonfiction
—Historical fiction
—Historical romance
—Appealing to young people
—Strategies for building suspense in any genre
—Writing for the religious market
—Writing another person’s story

Or you may request a program related to COURAGEOUS JOURNEY, Walking the Lost Boys Path from the Sudan to America by Barbara Youree, Ayuel Leek Deng, and Beny Ngor Chol. One, two, or all three of the authors may be available.

Email: byouree1@cox.net

CALENDAR of EVENTS for Courageous Journey

2008

Sept. 13. Ozark Writers Live! 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, at Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Barbara Youree speaks on Courageous Journey at 10:00 am as part of an all-day event for readers and writers. Copies available for purchase and signing. Go to www.ozarkwriterslive.org for details on other speakers.

Oct. 9. Nightbird Bookstore. 6:30 pm. Reading, Q & A. with Barbara Youree. Go to nightbirdbooks.com

Nov. 15. (private event)

Nov. 16. Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch. 2:30 pm. Begins with the 60-Minute video with Bill Simon. At 3:00 Program on Courageous Journey, an interview with all 3 authors. Copies available for purchase and signing before and after program. Go to www.kansascitypubliclibrary.org.

Dec. 6. Kirksey event for teens at Barnes & Noble, Rogers, AR.

2009

Jan. 8. Tyson Foods. Noon. Springdale, AR

Jan. 15. Saline County Library, Benton, AR

Feb. 9. Highlands Methodist Church. 8 am. Bella Vista, AR

Mar. 15. Unity Women’s Group. Unity Church in Overland Park, KS

Writers’ Conference Speaker

sudanfaces — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:26:43 +0000

Need a speaker?

Barbara Youree, one of the authors of Courageous Journey, is available to speak at Writers’ conferences, civic groups, schools, churches, libraries, and other venues.

As a writers’ conference speaker, her topics include:

You may request a program related to COURAGEOUS JOURNEY, Walking the Lost Boys Path from the Sudan to America by Ayuel Leek Deng, Beny Ngor Chol, and Barbara Youree. One, two, or all three of the authors may be available.

Email: Barbara Youree

Leave a comment in the Comment Box below. Be sure to offer at least two possible dates.

See biography of Barbara Youree on Front Page and under PUBLISHED BOOKS.

May I say?

sudanfaces — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:48:38 +0000

Hello! Thanks for coming to my site. I’m new to blogging, but this is the space I plan to use from time to time to talk about what’s on my mind. Most of it has to do with what I’m writing about on my computer, so that explains the picture. My writing bio is found on the Front Page and my published books can be found under, what else? PUBLISHED BOOKS.

Please send me your comments, but be advised that I’ll be picky about which ones I publish. I especially will be interested in hearing from those who have read any of my posted books and wish to make comments.

OLYMPICS – CHINA – GENOCIDE

The Olympics are over and I’m left with the same ambiguous emotions I’ve had since being in Olympia, Greece, for the lighting of the flame that multiple runners carried around the world. I sat in that ancient stadium and heard the leaders of Greece and China speak in their native languages while their national flags rose behind them. Jacques Rogge, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, spoke in English, even though he is from Belgium. The Olympia flag rose. I watched the first runner sprint across the ancient tract. What a thrill!

Only one incident gave me pause. During the speech by the head of China’s Communist Party and Chairman of the Olympics in Beijing, one sole protester held up a FREE TIBET sign. He was quickly whisked away and the program continued. As the torch made it’s way around the world, huge protests and demonstrations against China’s poor human rights record, cruelty against Tibetan monks, and China’s support of the oppressive regime of President al-Bashir’s in Sudan followed.

Therein lies my dilemma. China put on a spectacular show. The athletic events were riveting. The documentaries about the Great Wall and the Forbidden City mixed with modern restaurants and foot rubs were highly entertaining. But I also knew about the torture of political prisoners, the lack of even minimal freedoms, extreme poverty, etc. lurking behind the grand façade.

How does one process these extremes and reconcile these two realities?

One World, One Dream

Two individuals still stand out in my mind. One, a Chinese young man, wearing the red “One World, One Dream” tee-shirt. He was with a large group of similarly-attired young people (athletes?) in front of the Press Office in Olympia on March 25, for the flame lighting. An equal number of Greek young people faced them in their blue and white tee-shirts with the message printed in Greek. Both groups held small flags of both countries. I watched the two groups come together, shaking hands or hugging. Words were not necessary. Harmony personified. I wrapped my arm around this young Chinese and my friend took our picture. I won’t publish it, but here’s the back of the tee-shirt. He then took a picture of the two of us. We smiled at each other and parted.

The other individual I saw only on TV: Lopez Lomong—a member of the U.S. Olympic team and now a U.S. citizen—carrying the American flag in the opening ceremony in Beijing. As one of the Lost Boys of Sudan he is president and co-founder of a different sort of team: Team Darfur. The organization is an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about and bringing an end to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Lopez Lomong has learned to reconcile these two realities about China.

* * *

- COURAGEOUS JOURNEY -

My most serious book will be out in September, Courageous Journey, Walking the Lost Boys Path from the Sudan to America. My co-authors are Ayuel Leek Deng and Beny Ngor Chol.

This narrative non-fiction book is set in the context of the civil war in Sudan, which ended in 2005. Ayuel and Beny tell their own experiences fleeing their burned villages and making their exodus along with thousands of other displaced children who had lost their families.

Ayuel

They walked for months across barren land, menaced by starvation, disease, wild animals, and shrapnel from helicopter fire. The story follows the evolution of their thinking from revenge to peaceful solutions as they spend fourteen years in refugee camps. The Arab Islamic government of Sudan wished to impose their strict sharia laws on the black Christian and

Beny

Animist south and claim the newly discovered oil reserves.

News coverage has been sketchy of this conflict—which preceded the present Darfur crisis. During a 20-year period, the war took the lives of over two million southern Sudanese. Thousands more were tortured, displaced or sold into slavery. The two heroes of the story, Ayuel Leek and Beny Ngor, now enrolled in U. S. colleges, are working diligently to set up a non-profit organization to help improve conditions for the people still living in Sudan and to support the refugees—especially other Lost Boys and Girls—in the United States.

This human-interest story coupled with the timeliness of many issues facing the world today—terrorism by radical Islamic groups, ethnic hatred, religious conflict, control of limited oil reserves, immigration problems, and reference to the 9/11 attack on the United States make this a fascinating read.

This 330-page, hardcover book from New Horizon Press is available now at the pre-publication price of $16.47 on Amazon.com. (regular price $24.95).

PUBLISHED BOOKS

sudanfaces — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:41:27 +0000

Barbara Youree: Published Books

Renaissance Brides is a collection of four novellas, combined under one cover.

Follow family lines through historical sixteenth and seventeenth-century Italy as the couples find love amidst the most trying battles. Françoise Chaplain is wounded almost too deeply to grasp the proposed love of Stefano Marinelli. Bianca Marinelli, his daughter, seeks unorthodox apprenticeship in a male-dominated culture of Italian arts, just as love comes to the studio by equally unusual circumstances. Costanza Biliverti, noble widow, faces fire, theft, revolt and her own daughter Anabella kidnapped, but finds love again in a traveling merchant. Anabella and Albret suffer their own pride and honor as good intentions and misunderstandings hinge the fate of their love on a duel.

The four Christian romance novels in Renaissance Brides are described in more detail below:

Silent Heart

In sixteenth-century Europe, Francoise Chaplain is mourning the loss of her fiance and close family members. She, her mother, and one surviving brother find refuge on a farm in France, but they must escape war and sickness, and seek safety at a villa in Milan, Italy. There she encounters the attentions of the grand duke and the ravages of the plague – and more tragedy. Her only hope is in her relationship with God and the kindness of the man who loves her. Stefano Marinelli is at once taken with the beautiful Francoise, but he sees deep hurt in her eyes. He professes his love for her and asks her to become his wife. Could any man win Francoise’s silent heart?

Both Sides of the Easel

The cultured city of Rome during the seventeenth century embraces almost any artist of emerging talent—unless that artist is a woman. Bianca Marinelli’s ambition to become an accomplished artist blinds her to the realities of her day and sends her on a quest to be apprenticed by the famous artist Caravaggio. Marco Biliverti’s castle and lands were confiscated by his evil half-brother. Until Marco can prove he is the rightful heir to his father’s estate, he is forced to work as a stonemason. Because he also supports his widowed mother and sister, he agrees to sit as a model for Caravaggio to supplement his worker’s income. Marco is captivated by the intelligence and charm of the lovely Bianca. But bereft of his wealth, Marco cannot hope to pursue the woman of his dreams. Can they ever overcome the barriers that separate them from a growing love?

Forever Is Not Long Enough

Costanza, a noble widow, lives on a vast seventeenth-century estate in Terni, Italy, north of Rome. While her adult son is away at the university, she and her teenage daughter, Anabella, are confronted with challenges of the estate. There is a fire in the vineyards, cattle are stolen, disputes arise among the servants, and unexpected visitors arrive. When Anabella is kidnapped by those who seek to claim to her dowry, Costanza must accept help from a handsome and wealthy merchant. When Antonio encounters Costanza, he is drawn to her family and faith. Assuming it should be easy to get what he wants, he proposes… but is rejected. Costanza would rather remain a widow than have a husband who is rarely home. She is enjoying her independent role of estate manager and will marry for no less than the deepest of love. Can Antonio persuade her that he can offer what she desires?

Duel Love

Proud Albret Maseo believes honor must precede love. Although he loves Anabella Biliverti with all his heart, his peasant status spurs him to earn the affection of this noble-blooded lady. Caught up in a peasant revolt, Albret knows he must release Anabella from any obligation toward him until he has proven his worth in her eyes—and his own. Anabella has loved Albret a long while, and he’s never been anything but dignified in her eyes. Her heart is confused and broken at his declaration—freeing her to love another. Vexed, she finds entertainment and comfort in the social life of Florence. When wounded honor calls for a duel, love’s strength and valor is tested.

YOU MAY ORDER any of the above romances from Heartsong Presents by going to heartsongpresents.com and downloading an order form or by calling 740-922-7280

___________________________________

Courageous Journey,

Walking the Lost Boys Path from the Sudan to America

Ayuel Leek Deng, Beny Ngor Chol and Barbara Youree

Courageous Journey has just been published by New Horizon Press (September 2008). For more information, click on May I Say? or go to www.sudanfaces.wordpress.com/

This 330-page, hardcover book is available now in most bookstores or go to Amazon.com.

About

sudanfaces — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:29:43 +0000

Barbara Youree at Coffee Break Book Store

This blog is about the works of Barbara Youree. You will find her biography, information about the 12 books she has written and, in the future, progress on the one she is currently writing—Race to Glory.

And just for fun, a page called May I say? with comments of all sorts.

Also, coming soon, will be a schedule of programs, presentations, and book signings. The photo at the left shows the author at a book signing, celebrating the First Anniversay of The Coffee Break Book Store, owned by Joe and Erin Buss, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, August 1, 2008.