Our Team
Management
Irene Watson
Managing Editor
Born in Northern Alberta in Canada, Irene's career took her from career counseling, to business ownership, to working in management for a police force, to spiritual counseling, to teaching at a college, to retreat/seminar/workshop design and facilitation to her most recent - owning/managing Reader Views. She obtained her B.S. in psychology at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX and her M. A. in psychology from Regis University in Denver, CO.
After retiring in 2003 Irene authored an award winning memoir, The Sitting Swing, which was published in October 2005. Having a hard time getting reviews for her book, she started Reader Views on a whim. Within a month it exploded to a full-time business. So much for retirement! Irene's hobbies include genealogy and reading. Her book is republished by Loving Healing Press in August 2008 with a subtile of "Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference." Her newest book is "Rewriting Life Scripts: Transformational Recovery for Familes of Addicts."
Irene lives with her husband of 44 years, Robert, near Barton Creek in Austin, Texas - the best of two worlds - she has the city out the front door and the country out the back door. They are parents of two children, Juanita and Daryn, as well as in-laws of Christine, and grandparents to Kyle, and his siblings Kaitlyn and Keifer. Her personal website is: www.irenewatson.com and her personal blog is www.irenewatsonblog.com
Susan Violante
Editorial Assistant, Reader Views, First Chapter Plus
Born and raised in Venezuela from Italian immigrants, Susan completed a BA degree in Political and Administrative Cs. before moving to the US . Although she built a career as a Business Analyst / Accountant, she also kept herself active as a Freelance writer in the US . She is currently working on her second book.
Nicolas Parke
Virtual Admin Associate
Nicolas was born just outside New York City but has lived in Austin for the past 13 years. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas, “Hook’em Horns,” in 2010. He is presently attending law school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
In his free time, Nic enjoys playing just about any sport with his friends and just enjoying his time in school.
Tyler R. Tichelaar
Associate Editor - Author Interivews, C0-host on Author's Access, Media - Press Releases
Tyler is a seventh generation resident of Marquette, Michigan. He has a Ph.D. in Literature from Western Michigan University, and Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from Northern Michigan University. He has lectured on writing and literature at Clemson University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of London. Tyler is a regular guest host of Authors Access Internet Radio, the President of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association, and our own Associate Editor here at Reader Views.
Tyler is the author of the regionally bestselling Marquette Trilogy, a family saga covering seven generations between 1849-1999 and centering on the pioneers who settled Upper Michigan. The trilogy consists of the novels: “Iron Pioneers,” “The Queen City,” and “Superior Heritage.” Tyler lives in his native Marquette where the roar of Lake Superior, mountains of snow, beautiful scenery, and sandstone architecture inspire his writing. He has just published his fourth novel, “Narrow Lives.”
Susan Sherrill Estes
Review Editing/Formatting, Virtual Assistant
Susan has been with Reader Views since September, 2006. She feels that reading all the book reviews is the next best thing to actually reading all the books. She is a native of Austin, Texas, and has resided there all but one year spent in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She has an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Austin Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin.
Jennifer Hass
Posting Reviews
I was born and raised in Hickory, NC. When I was 19 I moved to Florida where I lived for the past 10 years. I have just recently relocated to my new home here in Austin, Tx. Its a great state and very different than any place I have ever been. I love books and am very excited to bring my son into the world of books. What a great place to work to do just that! I am a single mother and I love spending time with my son. We play, sing and read books. He's such a blessing. In what very little free time that I have, I love to do Karaoke. Much more fun to do in Texas! Looking forward to going back to school soon and getting my degree.That's a little about me!
Janet Reeves
Posting Reviews
Janet was born in Akron, Ohio, and moved to the foothills of the North Carolina Mountains at 11 years old. She has two children, Jennifer and Jeramy, and a one-year old grandson, Miles. After a short lived Real Estate career in South Florida ended and being no stranger to moving, she has made Austin, Texas, her home. Since 2008 she has worked with Reader Views posting reviews. She is presently a student at St. Edwards University working on her undergraduate degree in Psychology and hanging our with her grandson. In addition to and excited to review books with Miles, Janet loves to sing in the choir and country western swing dance in her spare time!
Robert Watson
Shipping/Receiving/Inventory, Processing, Go-fer
Robert is the husband of Irene and father of Juanita, the anchors of Reader Views. The reason the family ended up in Austin was because Robert was transferred here to manage a multi-family complex for a Canadian firm. After several years, when the project was sold, Robert and Irene decided to make Austin their permanent home.
He is very active in the Founder's Lions Club in Austin, Texas, chairing projects and being a board member. He likes to golf and catch the occasional hockey game on TV. Robert's reading interests are business and real estate related.
Kim McDougall
Video Production
Kim
is an fantasy author, fiber artist and photographer. She writes children's and YA fiction under her married name, Kim Chatel. In the past 3 years, she has created over 200 book video trailers.
Victor Volkman
Audio Engineer, Kindle monkey, Cohost - Authors Access
I have an extensive background in computer programming, beginning with a bachelor's degree from Michigan Technological University back in 1986. Since then, I've written dozens of technical articles for journals such as C++ Users Journal and Windows Developer. I'm the author of two books on computer programming and editor of several books on psychology topics.
My wife's background in trauma counseling got me more interested in that field of work. I've become more involved with it each year, culminating in the founding of Loving Healing Press (LHP) in 2003. LHP is dedicated to producing books which redefine what is possible for healing mind and spirit. Specifically, this includes psychology, self-help, personal growth, trauma recovery, and living with disabilities.
Tafton
Chief of Security
I love my job! I get to pretend I’m sleeping under the chair or in the entrance to the office. Sometimes I get real lucky and am allowed to stretch out on top of my Mommie's desk, although it’s a little crowded there. I often have to squeeze my little body among the papers, stapler, files and other such things, however, I consider it a real honor to do that. I hate it when I'm told I snore. But, hey, what do you expect? I'm 16-years old! I am loosing my eye-site but I can still hear and smell.
My job is 24/7. During office hours I get to alert everyone when the mail carrier delivers the mail. Sometimes I just alert them so they know that I'm doing a good job. During the evening or weekends I get to chase the deer that come into the yard to eat everything they feel is edible. During the night, usually around 3 a.m., I get to bark when the raccoons and possums trespass on our deck. That really annoys me because I know that everyone is in a deep sleep and I have to wake them up. However, this IS my job. If it gets any busier I'll have to call on the help of my house partner, Patches. She's a typical cat and I'm not sure how cooperative she will be.
My motto: The bark starts here.
Patches
Whatever
This is MY bookshelf, and I'll sit on it when I want to. Get over it. I'll be over for a tasty treat when I'm good and ready, and it's not right now. In a moment I will curl up and go to sleep on the another shelf so don't bug me.
And, get Tafton off my case. When I am good and ready I will get off the shelf and move to another favorite place. And, no, I will not move so you can put books into this space. So, get over that too. Reader Views what? You gotta be kidin'!
I don't always have an attitude. But, the human society thinks our species do so I don't want to disappoint them. On good days I'm very affectionate and I love people. I will put my head against you and give you all kinds of lovin'. When I want to....
Precious
Retired
I'm a newcommer to Reader Views arriving in October 2010. I'm 13-years old, weigh 3 pounds, and came from a rescue group. Some kids found me and turned me in to a rabbit rescue shelter - well, duh, do I look like a rabbit? I wasn't well and they ended up having to pull out 16 teeth. Ouch. My foster mom was really nice, and looked after me for 4 months until I got better. But I needed a permanent home so here I am. I love it here! Tafton and Patches accepted me immediately. I don't think I'll be doing much as far as "work" around here like alerting and things like that - I'm going to leave that up to Tafton. I can't hear a thing and my eyesight isn't that good. Darn. My main job will be giving a lot of unconditional lovin' to everyone in the office.
LR Communication Design, Rick Ligas and Laura Ruggeri
Active Reviewers
Paige Lovitt
I was born in Long Beach, California but raised on the east coast in New Jersey. I now reside in the Imperial Valley. I have a Master of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. I teach disabled students at my local community college. I run a computer lab that has assistive software to help my students with their special needs. I love what I do! It is what keeps me living down in a place that gets over 120 degrees in the summertime. In my free time, I travel.
I am single and do not have any family where I live. I like to travel to see my family, or I like to travel to see new places. My number one hobby, of course, is reading! I love to read. My favorite genres are fiction books with a touch of the paranormal. I love fantasy books. I read self-help and spiritual types of books. Really, I will read anything. If I am stuck in your car, you can be guaranteed that I will be reading your owner's manual! I also listen to audio books. I like to walk a lot, so I have my audio books going. My other passion is martial arts. I have my black belt in Shorin Ryu karate. I have been fortunate enough to go to Okinawa to train under the grandmaster of my style. Just in case the karate doesn't work, I also enjoy target practice with my .357 magnum. In my spare time when I am not kicking or shooting things, I also like to lift weights. I walk a lot, I haven't gotten the running thing down yet, but I am working on it. I don't have any pets. I am away from home too much to give them the care that they would need. However, I do love animals.
I like to review books because it gives me an opportunity to be introduced to new authors that I might not otherwise learn about. When I receive a book to review, I know in my heart that I am holding something that is very precious to the author. I feel honored to be asked to give my opinion about a book that they have poured their heart into. I am grateful to have this opportunity.
April Sullivan
As a young girl, my mom would take my sisters and me to the downtown Houston library. I would always start at the beginning of the children’s section and sit and read one book after another until it was time to leave. I never got out of the A’s, because I would start over each trip, just in case they had added any new books.
In addition to a passion for books, I also have a passion for art. In 1996, I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Art History. My studies provided me with critical thinking skills, a career as an arts administrator, and an appreciation for folk art. As a fiber artist, I create “Yarn Paintings” depicting images from my imagination and of the world around me, using a technique similar to the traditional art of the Huichol Indians of Mexico.
Currently, I live in Austin, TX with my husband Milton and our Miniature Pinscher Bongo. Even today, walking into a library or bookstore, I am overwhelmed by the number of books on the shelf. How will I ever get to them all? Reviewing books is a great way for me to read new books that I may not get to read otherwise. Plus, when my husband says, “Sitting around reading again?” I can say, “I am doing important work over here!”
Lisa Kisner
Currently, I live in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida with my husband, our dachshund, and our cat. Growing up,and in my adult life, I have lived in several places such as Oklahoma, Chicago, Missouri, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pittsburgh, PA is where I have the most memories and consider it my hometown. I attended West Virgina University and hold a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology. I am currently taking classes to obtain an Infant-Toddler Developmental Specialist certification.
I work for the local school system as a Speech- Language Pathologist on a Pre-K Assessment Team. My hobbies include reading (of course!) all types of books and spending time in nature. I enjoy reviewing books because I am always searching for my next "favorite" book. I try to look beyond the best seller lists and find good reads I would not have enjoyed had I stuck to the mainstream
Deb Shunamon
I’m teacher by profession, an anthropologist at heart (with a half-finished MA degree packed away somewhere), a busy mom of young teenagers, and a lump on the couch with my nose in a book whenever possible. Whenever I’ve wanted to understand a people or culture I’ve always read their fiction, which has resulted in a diverse collection of books and reading experiences.
My African (black) literature sits ready to feed my sons’ curiosity about that side of their heritage; memories of living in Japan and my obsession with marital arts are squashed into a couple shelves; Chinese, Irish, Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Greek stories have their spots; British thrillers were my latest “binge” read; my Canadian KidLit and juvenile fiction are put to good use when teaching reading & writing; and I can’t think of a better way to relax than to hunker down with a good sci-fi novel. I really enjoy being able to offer my opinion for Reader Views. People who are able to complete and publish books are amazing, and I hope I’m of some help to them.
William Phenn
Born of Russian immigrant parents who struggled to give their children a happy and wholesome life. Having started writing in the fifth grade he found the beauty of expression utilizing the mighty quill. William has held many positions in life but the one of writer is cherished the most.
Writing from the heart, he expresses his feelings and thoughts (gathered from his life), in a manner that would not attract the average person. William's writing is a reflection of his inner self. All his trials, triumphs, attempts and failures are depicted in his work. He bares his soul in what he writes and intends it for the intelligent few.
Kathleen Dowdell
I live in Avon Lake, Ohio, a small city about 18 miles west of Cleveland with my husband. My three children are grown and two live near by. I am employed by Case Western Reserve University, a private college in Cleveland. I am the Administrator for the Department of Anthropology. My job on a daily basis is neither boring nor predictable. I work with a diverse faculty and students from all over the world. My job is very fun and rewarding.
I was born and raised in a suburb of Chicago and remained there until I married. I travel to Chicago every two to three months to visit my family including my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, Olivia and Kate. My other two grandchildren, Luke and Anna live nearby me. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family.
Many believe that over a lifetime people do not change. I would agree. As long as I can remember, I loved to read. I volunteered to stack books at a library when I was ten years old and got hooked on Nancy Drew. Mysteries still remain my favorite but I have branched out into reading just about anything that catches my eye. I do some guest writing for a local business and occasionally write articles for the university’s Human Resource Department. I am presently researching and writing about a historical area in Chicago. I am a preservationist and write articles on my blog http://historicchicago-kathleendowdell.blogspot.com/ about historical topics in Chicago.
Richard R Blake
During long winter evenings in a small prairie town in northern Minnesota my mother introduced my brother and me to the power of story and a love for books. During World War II we moved to St. Paul. After high school and two years of college I enlisted in the Navy for service during the Korean conflict.
After my discharge from the Navy I graduated from Armstrong College in Berkeley, California with a degree in Business Management and Accounting. During this time I met and married Thelma Barnes a student Nurse at the Samuel Merritt School of Nursing.
Highlights in my career include a position as regional controller with Boise Cascade Building Company, and Case Power and Equipment, in the San Francisco Bay area in California.
I have been active in church since childhood and have served in various Christian Education ministries. While actively serving in a lay capacity I received a Masters degree in Christian Education and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Religious Education from Golden State School of Theology in Oakland, California.
Over the years I have owned and operated a Christian book store, and became co-founder of Christian Education Resources, also in San Leandro. More recently I have been serving as Finance Director at the Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley, California an also serving in a lay capacity as Training Coordinator for Follow Up Ministries, Inc. a faith based ministry to prisoners. I am a regular contributor to the Restorative Justice News published in Huntsville, Texas and members of the Castro Valley Christian Writers Group.
My wife Thelma is a registered nurse. We are the proud parents of four adult sons. I am an avid reader; enjoy gardening, writing, and vacationing with my family.
Vicki Liston
Vicki Liston has been an avid reader for most of her life. But it was only after having her own book published did she realize how important reviews were for authors…and how difficult they can be to obtain! Since then, she’s gained an extra amount of respect for today’s new author and enjoys seeing their creativity and hard work in finished form.
Liston's book (published under the name Vicki Landes), “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” was published while living in Europe for seven years and contains over 200 pages of full-color photography. With a current list of 45 countries under her belt, she strives to find the overlooked details that make each place distinctive and unique. Her book has been featured on television, newspapers, radio, and various internet sources.
Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson
I was born in Yugoslavia - quite a while ago - and grew up in what later became the tiny independent country of Slovenia. My mom tells me I was an extremely chatty child, until I discovered books at the age of 5. Reading, along with travel and gardening, is one of the biggest joys of my life.
My professional life has always revolved about traveling and languages. I like to think of myself as a well read professional traveler, but what pays my mortgage nowadays is actually a number of diverse translating jobs. My absolutely most favorite translating job was a novel that I’ve translated a few years ago from English into Slovenian. Before moving to USA in late 1999 I worked full time as a tour manager, visiting fascinating places with groups of tourists. There are few things better in life than being paid to stay in 5-star hotels.
In late 1999 I took a trip to New Orleans, met a wonderful man, fell head over heels in love with him and we were married four months later. Life in New Orleans was fun, until a certain little storm by the name of Katrina decided that partying should be over at least for a while. Things are not back to normal there, nor are they likely to be any time in the near future, so we decided to move three hours inland, to the gorgeous Natchez, MS. Sitting on the bluffs hundreds of feet above the mighty Mississippi, Natchez is a gentler, slower and smaller version of New Orleans. Life is good again.
Leslie Granier
I have lived in southeast Louisiana my entire life so naturally I have a love of fun, music and good food. I am a Medical Laboratory Technologist at a level one trauma center. Aside from being an avid reader, I enjoy gardening (both flower and vegetable), puzzles of any kind, and doing home improvement projects.
I am a passionate fan of the Chicago Cubs and I hope to live long enough to one day see them win the World Series. I aspire to one day work as a freelance proofreader or editor and am currently seeking avenues through which I can achieve this goal.
Carol Hoyer
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas Carol has worked extensively in counseling, corrections, teaching Special Education and currently teaches college online with Galen College of Nursing and Argosy University. She received her MA in Counseling and Human Relations from Webster University and her PhD in Psychology from Capella University. For the past 25 years she has worked as a Psychologist for the Department of the Army.
In 2006 she retired from civil service to take care of her granddaughter Zoey, while her daughter taught kindergarten autistic children. She's learned to color, play Barbies and have tea-parties with the help from Zoey!
In her free time, Carol loves to read any type of book that will expand her knowledge- she often shares some of the books she reviews with her online classes as additional resources. Her favorite get-away is Myrtle Beach, SC - sitting on the beach and reading her books.
Carol is living in Newport News, VA with her husband Pete (retired military) and loves having both her children close by. Her son Chris is a freelance photographer and wrestler and Sarah, her daughter, is a Autism teacher.
Carol is currently taking courses on Gang activity and homelessness and volunteers with Concerned Citizens for the Elderly.
Tiffany Schlarman
Born in Lawrence, MA and raised in southern New Hampshire, I am an east coast girl at heart! Growing up, I spent my time reading on the beach, shopping and spending time with family which included learning to cook, bake and keep house from my Nana. After graduating from Harding University, with a BA in Marketing, my husband and I moved to Columbia, MO. The memories of being home with my mom while I was little, and then spending my summers vacations with my Nana, sparked the desire within me to stay home with my girls until they were also in school. I am a stay at home mom by day. I currently work in management for a call center of a textbook company that provides for high schools, colleges and universities around the globe.
I am an avid reader with a passion and love for books. One of the most memorable moments of my life was obtaining a library card of my own. My sisters and I used to walk to the library every two days and pick up a pile of new books! I enjoy sharing my passion of reading with my children and my friends. Writing reviews makes me feel I am helping readers to decide what book is right for them, as well as helping authors to sell or improve on their writing. I can't imagine writing a book to an audience so large, I feel reviews help authors to know the readers and what they are looking for in a book. A truly great review mimics a great book. I strive to be better with my writing in each review I complete. Most of all, I look forward to the next book! The creativity of authors amazes me.
Samantha Glaudel Smith
After spending the first twenty-two years of her life in Illinois, Sam moved to Savannah, Georgia, upon graduation from law school. She has practiced law since that time, but her true heart’s desire is to be a soap opera actress. On top of practicing law, she regularly performs in local theater productions, commercials, and films. The free time that she does have (after her daughter has gone to sleep) is spent either reading or remodeling her house.
She shares her Savannah home with her husband, her daughter, a dog, and a very mean cat.
Marty Shaw
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and now reside in the little town of Trinity – don’t bother looking for it on a map but it’s about halfway between Houston and Dallas. I’m married to a beautiful woman who thankfully loves reading as much as I do so there’s no shortage of books around here. We don’t have kids, but two Labs and a Chihuahua do a good job of keeping us busy.
I’ve always been passionate about three things: reading, writing, and sharing my opinions with others. Reviewing books turned out to be a great way to combine those passions and I love sharing news about great books with others.
Tracy Rock
I am a working mom, living in Mckinney, Texas, who spends my downtime reading as much as I can.
Marissa Libbit
Born in Virginia , my family moved to the west coast when I was in elementary school. Visiting relatives back east gave me an appreciation of the greater country in which we live. I enjoy reviewing books that have a unique setting that place the reader in an easily envisioned world, whether real or fantasy.
I was a teacher before quitting to stay home with my young daughters. When they entered school I became a freelance writer for local newspapers and magazines. Writing my own work gives me a greater appreciation for the words of another author. I understand the importance of a published book to an author, especially when it is his or her first book.
When not reading or writing, I love to garden, scrapbook, attend my children’s events, and when brave enough, ride the waves.
Joseph Yurt
Joseph is a self-educated naturalist, environmentalist , early childhood development and nature play advocate, and children’s book author writing under the name Josef Partners. An avid reader and young naturalist as a child, and all throughout his life, Yurt made “a heartfelt career change” in 1996 when he became a Naturalist Leader and, later, Youth and Public Programs Educator, at the highly regarded 14,000 acre Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Louisville.
Previously, he enjoyed careers in marketing, advertising, public relations, and corporate communications. He attributes his successes in all of his work endeavors to his early reading and childhood nature play experiences and the resulting creativity development they fostered. Yurt retired from his educator position at Bernheim in February, 2010, and assumed the volunteer position of Curator of Children’s Books for the Arboretum’s Nature Bookshop. He has also established the Children’s Nature Education Legacy Project, which documents, through books and other educational resources, the evolving approaches that have been applied by educators, parents, adult mentors and nature organizations, to early childhood nature education in America.
In November 2010, Yurt will launch childrensnatureguide.com, a web site promoting nature study, outdoor free play, nature literacy, and environmental stewardship.
Amanda Wesley
I'm a wife and mother to three amazing children. I was born in Indiana but spent some of my childhood in Oklahoma. My husband says that the southern accent comes out when I'm mad, but you can't really believe a word he says. I graduated high school, what feels like, a hundred years ago and decided to travel and explore everything that this country has to offer. After that I took a few classes and became a chef in a small time family restaurant. I have also started my own jewelry design company and tried my hand at writing. I don't believe that there is a thing as being too busy, just not enough hours in a day. I have recently hit my 30's but refuse to believe that is a bad thing. I hope to be taking my son to indie music festivals here in the next few years. I'm also planning to go back to school and get my degree in English.
I married my best friend and for that I am very lucky. He has always believed in me, even when the ideas I come up with are insane. We are goofy and crazy. Our house is loud, full of music and laughter and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Michael Philliber
Pastor Philliber spent 20 years in the U. S. Air Force, traveling all over the United States, and even spending two years in Turkey. He retired from the Air Force in 1999, finished seminary (Reformed Theological Seminary - Jackson) in 2000, and was ordained 11 February 2001, at Pickens Presbyterian Church, Pickens Mississippi.
Pastor Philliber has been married to Anna Marie (Reichert) Philliber since 6 October 1979, and has four children, one of whom is married, and three living at home.
Beverly Pechin
I live each day as it is... the PRESENT from God. Hobbies include: sports of any kind (favorites are hockey, football, rugby, lacrosse, baseball... but there's little I don't enjoy in sports); reading any and every genre; enjoying the outdoors - a real plus as I live right on Lake Erie; animals - we currently have dogs, cats, a snake, and an iguana (our personal zoo).
I became a reviewer because I had been battling cancer and the after effects of it and had way too much free time on my hands. I love to read and figured, why not get books of different genres that I otherwise wouldn't buy and see if I like it! It was a Godsend to me as not only does it help take up some time and make me forget the pain but I've found so many genres that I otherwise would have probably never really purchased. It even made Historical Fiction one of my favorites and I had never read a Historical Fiction book before this!
Steve King
Steve is an educator, writer, and book reviewer. He has contributed to magazines and reviewed books for several years. Steve combines quick wit and daring insight to masterfully and succinctly evaluate literary works.
His advanced degrees in business and education allow him to bring a balanced inspection to the books he reviews. He will review any book but prefers to read nonfiction – the most compelling works that enamor him deal with Christian nonfiction; history; biography; or a unique spin on current events.
An avid martial artist and online gaming devotee, Steve is most at home at the beach or when he has a newly acquired technical gadget.
Along with our book reviews we offer affordable services to meet the needs of our authors in the growing book publishing industry. Our service packages are budget friendly, effective, and will assist the author in showcasing their book to the reading audience.
