The New Book Review

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Showing posts with label Fiction: Suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction: Suspense. Show all posts

Friday, January 28, 2022

Reviewer Jack Evans Weighs in on Joy Lynn Goddard's Contemporary Women's Fiction

TitleThe Keepers
Author: Joy Lynn Goddard 
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction (multi-genre: mystery, romance, suspense)
Age/ Interest Level: 30+ Given the main characters, the book 
       especially appeals to middle-aged and senior readers.
Page #: 388
Awards: Canada Book Award
Publisher: Joy Lynn Goddard
Ebook Purchase link (paperback version available too): 


Reviewed by Jack Evans originally for The Belleville Intelligencer

Review: 

The Quinte area has enjoyed a generous share of talented and successful writers, both fiction and non-fiction.  A name that should be added to that growing list is Joy Lynn Goddard, a Picton-raised girl, who has been making a success with her books in partnership with her husband, Dan Pike. Their latest book, now available, is called “The Keepers,” set in a fictional winery and tourist accommodation operation in Prince Edward County. 

The Keepers-by-Joy-Lynn-Goddard-reviewer-jack-evans-weighs-in

Goddard thoroughly paints a cast of characters involved in a gripping story which includes a brutal murder, marital stress and breakup, a troubled teenage boy as a result, illicit drugs and wild beach parties, troubles with neighbours and budding new romances.

Richard, a successful writer, finds he is drying up and abandons his estranged wife to recover in the quietude of a summer let house at the winery. He soon gets involved with single mom Beth, the do-it-yourself and competent owner and her family and neighbours. 

Alexandre, Beth’s son, is a diamond in the rough teenager seemingly bent on a troubled life, getting involved with irresponsible friends and wild partyers. When a troublesome neighbour is found murdered in a shed at the winery, Beth quickly becomes the prime suspect and Richard pitches in to help clear her.

Lots of tense moments in this gripping story, with a suitably happy ending, and a recognition of the real problems some people have to face, often alone. This is a book for Adult Fiction fans. Exciting, enjoyable and beautifully portrayed.


More About the Reviewer

 Jack Evans is freelance writer and reviewer.

More About the Author

Joy Lynn Goddard teamed up with her husband, Daniel Pike, to write contemporary adult fiction. Both their novels, Moonshadow and The Keepers, have global appeal and won Canada Book Awards. Besides novels, they wrote Buyers, Liars, Sellers and Yellers, a collection of humorous short stories about the real estate industry. Although she is well known for her young adult and junior fiction—starting with the award-winning Daredevils and including Hello, my name is EmilyCharlie's SongJazzWhen Pigs Fly, and Mrs. Maloney's Garden—her adult novels are attracting wide-ranging attention, each crisscrossing romance, mystery, and suspense genres.

Joy and Dan divide their time between Guelph and Belleville, Ontario, where they spend time with a growing family when not working on their next book.


More About #TheNewBookReview Blog

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the submission guidelines at http://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews or to the guideline tab at the top of the home page of this blog. Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's "Authors Helping Authors" service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in a tab at the top of the home page, too. Carolyn Wilhelm is our IT expert, an award-winning author, a veteran educator and also contributes reviews and posts on other topics related to books. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Mini Review Gives Top Ratings to New Suspenseful Romance








TITLE: A Killer Among Us
AUTHOR: Deborah Byington, 
GENRE: Romantic Suspense

Reviewed by Rrclark originally for Amazon


I very much enjoyed this story and I am anxiously awaiting the next segment of this trilogy. I 
might have lost a lot of sleep trying to read during my down time but it was well worth it! 
I highly recommend to everyone the suspense, mystery, and a little romance keeps you 
begging for more from this author.


MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ). This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Interview: Author's Admiration of McCarthy and Honoring Mother Inspire Writing Career

Hi! I am Carolyn Howard Johnson, your trusty New Book Review blogger and author of the multi award-winning HowTo Do It Frugally Series of books for writers. This blog has heretofore been exclusive for reviews but I thought I’d do a special series of interviews after I chatted with Jeanie Loiacono, President of Loiacono Literary Agency – Where ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary! I thought sharing the interviews would help the many subscribers and visitors to this New Book Review blog, including authors, reviewers, and, of course, readers who just might find a new favorite author among the featured books and authors.

So, today welcome Chuck Walsh.

Chuck Walsh, author of Shadows On Iron MountainBackwoods JusticeA Month of TomorrowsA Passage Back and A Splintered Dream is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, and discovered a passion for writing in 2004. Since then, he has written human-interest articles for a dozen publications. He also co-authored Faces of Freedom (featured on Sean Hannity’s book list), a book that recognizes the noble lives of U.S. soldiers who died while fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

ENDORSEMENTS

“Chuck Walsh is one of the most committed, passionate, and talented writers I’ve had the pleasure of working with and reading in a long time. [He] constantly seeks new ways to refine his already solid work. Chuck Walsh is one of the best. He writes, not for himself, but for his readers.”
—Thomas Smith, Jr. author, Encyclopedia of the Central Intelligence Agency                     

“Chuck Walsh is a master storyteller, a writer of extraordinary sensitivity and craftsmanship. Walsh’s fiction shows an uncommon understanding of his characters and their relationships. His writing is both dynamic and economical, with a special energy in dialogue that keeps the reader turning pages.”
— Charles Israel, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of English

What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Fiction – historical, murder/suspense, literary fiction

      What made you want to be a writer? My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago, and I wanted to write something to show how much she meant to me. And I decided to write A Passage Back, which is about a man who has an accident after the death of his mother and goes back in time to his childhood. As I began writing the book, something sparked to life within me, making me feel as though my life’s calling had been unveiled.


Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Cormac McCarthy--no one else comes close. McCarthy is the best fiction writer, in my opinion, of all time. His ability to create stories that pit battles between good and evil, God and Satan, heaven and hell, is beyond anything I’ve ever read. Before I work on my novels, I will pick up one of his books, read about fifteen pages or so, and it inspires me to be the absolute best writer I can be.


What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I would describe myself as a storyteller. I truly try to create characters that readers will feel they know intimately, and I want those characters immersed in compelling situations. Most of these characters are based on people I have a strong connection to which fuels a great passion to fully reveal the desires of their hearts, their joy, their pain, and their fear. The settings of my books are integral and I love to paint the picture, whether it’s the deep backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, or the simplicity of a baseball field on a summer afternoon. I do not outline. Each book begins as an idea and it develops on its own. It becomes an entity, growing slowly, and I just try to find the words to put it in print.


Do you write every day? How much? How long? Working full time, it’s impossible for me to write every day. By the time I get home, my mind is so frazzled, there is no creativity left. Therefore I write on weekends and holidays, beginning early where I spend hour after hour getting into the character’s minds, and into the setting. I can go 10 to 12 hours once I begin.


Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? I think reading is vital for an author. It opens him to worlds he might not have ever known, and it inspires, and often teaches, the writer how to develop a story. Not in the sense he can copy or mimic, because I think every writer’s mind works differently, and that they can only write what they know; what their mind creates.


What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Write about people and places that will fuel a passion within you. If you have a connection to the characters and the setting, it will make you want to expend full effort to make the readers develop a passion for them too.

      Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Work as hard as you can to make the book the best it can possibly be. Believe in yourself. To me, the most successful venues are book signings that I set up. I solicit help from people in that area who I know that will help spread the word. Have signings at places that are fun for the readers. I’ve had signings at restaurants, at sports bars, minor league ballparks (for my baseball-themed novel, A Splintered Dream). If you go in blindly to a location and have to count on strangers to “stumble” upon you, the odds of them buying your book(s) are slim. Be choosy in the literary festivals you attend. It’s tough to sell books, at least that’s my experience, at places where they have no idea who you are. I will sell 5 times more books at a two-hour signing that I have organized and orchestrated, than I can attending a day long festival.

Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? I think for those starting out conferences are beneficial in networking and getting yourself in front of agents and publishers and other writers. Once you have established yourself with an agent, and your books are being published, then you can use online tools to learn ways to help promote your books.

Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? You can find me at www.chuckwalshwriter.com Chuck Walsh Events Facebook Twitter Goodreads Amazon Author Page  My books are available on Amazon B&N Fish Pond Book Depository BAM Waterstones IndieBound Google Play Kobo Powell's Books Wheeler's Books Book World Angus & Robertson Copia Scribd Shelfari                            The Book Depository Waterstones WH Smith  Wheelers GoodReads My first book, A Month of Tomorrows, is available also on audible.com.

My next event will be at Columbia College in late January and I will be appearing at two book club gatherings in February. Visit my website for exact dates.
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/chuck-walsh/

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT
Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency
A facilitator of dreams, Jeanie Loiacono represents over eighty authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her authors succeed.
“There is nothing more rewarding than to hold one of my author’s books and know I helped bring it to fruition. I am so blessed and privileged to be able to work with some of the most talented writers in the world.” Jeanie.L@llallc.net www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERVIEWS--TO FIND GREAT READING OR TO NETWORK WITH AUTHORS--PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. YOU ARE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THIS FAMILY WHO LOVES BOOKS! YOU'LL FIND A WINDOW TO DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG PAGE.



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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Quintin Loves Erotic Page Turner in Spite of Herself

Title:  Pierced (Lucian & Lia Book 1)
Author: Sydney Landon
Genre:  Literature & Fiction, Erotica, Suspense, Romantic Erotica
ISBN #:   B00LH9NI0C
Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads


Let me preface by saying to me this book is erotic and I am not an erotic book reader and many scenes were out of my comfort zone in reading but I KNOW Sydney Landon delivers so I put those uncomfortable thoughts aside to read and get wrapped up in the story unfolding. Now having said that, I couldn't put the book down!

YOWZA! I fell for Luc and Lia! I found myself rooting for these 2 in this remarkable story and kept thinking as I was reading these 2 NEED each other, they complete each other far beyond the physical aspect.

What a page turner and emotional read. I had some laughs but also some sadness and happiness in reading this journey. A couple shockers as well.

I can't wait for the next book as I must see this journey through.

Well done Sydney! I knew without a doubt you'd deliver and you did!
Highly recommend you read this exciting book!!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sydney Landon connections:

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Tracey Quintin connections:

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Interview: John House Lets Characters Drive Novels

Hi! I am Carolyn Howard Johnson, your trusty New Book Review blogger and author of the multi award-winning HowTo Do It Frugally Series of books for writers. This blog has heretofore been exclusive for reviews but I thought I’d do a special series of interviews after I chatted with Jeanie Loiacono, President of Loiacono Literary Agency – Where ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary!  I thought sharing the interviews would help the many subscribers and visitors to this New Book Review blog, including authors, reviewers, and, of course, readers who just might find a new favorite author among the featured books and authors.

So, today welcome John House, MD.

John House, MD creates his novels from his vast and varied experiences in life. He is actively involved in family medicine and previously spent time in sports, prison and urgent care medicine. He has traveled extensively, including mission trips to Belize, and has sailed and been scuba diving in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Belize.

To relieve the stress of a busy medical practice, he spent weekends hiking in the Appalachian Mountains with ‘Tall Guy,’ a companion well versed in nature.

Prior to becoming a novelist, John published poetry and he also won prizes for short fiction. His first two novels So Shall You Reap and Choices were written with locations based in Northern and Coastal Georgia. His third novel Trail of Deceit is based on his knowledge and love of nature.

A native Georgian, John received his BS from North Georgia College, his MD from the Medical College of Georgia and completed further training at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia.

John served four years in the US Army, including a tour in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division.

John and his wife, Pam, live on the Southeast Coast of Georgia. All his creative works involve the richness of the Southern culture.

1. What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Romantic Suspense/Fiction
2. What made you want to be a writer? Desire to write entertaining stories from my vivid imagination
3. Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Alistair MacLean
4. What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I do not outline. I develop characters first and then let them develop the story
5. Do you write every day? How much? How long? Yes. At least two hours a day and sometimes as much as 8-10 hours
6. Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading is extremely important to develop new ideas, learn new vocabulary and to review the pace of other authors.
7. What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Develop personal library of books of instruction on various aspects of writing—characters, plot, point of view, description—and educate yourself by reading works of successful writers.
8. Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Work as hard on the cover and back page of your novel as you do what's inside. The reader can be captured by well-coined words.
9. Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? Face-to-face contacts and instructions remain with you. Take copious notes. Network and make friends. Writers do help other writers. My favorite conference is Southeastern Writers Association held on St Simons Island, Georgia every June.
10. Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? Website: www.johnhouseauthor.com. Books/Kindle available online at Amazon, B&N, and other book stores. Facebook  LinkedIn A House of Short Stories
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency
A facilitator of dreams, Jeanie Loiacono represents over eighty authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her authors succeed.

“There is nothing more rewarding than to hold one of my author’s books and know I helped bring it to fruition. I am so blessed and privileged to be able to work with some of the most talented writers in the world.” Jeanie.L@llallc.net  www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERVIEWS--TO FIND GREAT READING OR TO NETWORK WITH AUTHORS--PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. YOU ARE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THIS FAMILY WHO LOVES BOOKS! YOU'LL FIND A WINDOW TO DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG PAGE.


----- 

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Great Read Comes with Reviewer's Warning

Title:  Colour My Ugly (Colour Series) (Volume 2)
Author: A. Giannoccaro
Genre:  Literature & Fiction, Erotica, Romantic Suspense, Mystery & Suspense
ISBN #:   B0148UU1ZQ
Reviewer's Rating: 5 star



Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads


This story was my first dark romance read and I have to warn you if you've never read a dark romance, this is INTENSE, DARK and NOT for folks who don't want to read a story that contains rape, murder or abuse.

It took me a few days once I finished reading to get beyond the WOW, MAN THAT WAS INTENSE to be able to write my review. As I said, this was my first read of this genre.

It also took me some time to read because of the intensity. I really LOVED the storyline, most of the characters, with the exception of the character that calls Lauri "little one." I don't even want to give his name because he was pure "evil."

All the characters in this story are damaged, tortured souls, either from their upbringing or from what life has dealt them.

I don't give the story away in my reviews but let me say this:
Lauri, what a beautiful woman. She was sheltered from her roots for many years then after being damaged in every possible way for many years becomes a strong, loving, capable and confident woman.

Rowan, what a beautiful man. He grew up thinking he was a "bad" man, knowing full well his roots and what he was meant to do in life. Little did he know that he had the capacity to love someone. For that matter neither did Lauri.

Callum, a man who knows his roots, is a "brother by heart" to Rowan and clearly is in over his head in "bad" situations yet his friends can't help him.

Robin and Amya, each with their own and combined sadness and past.

Robin is a brilliant tattoo artist who is able to skillfully draw and color over the outside "ugly" of Lauri and Rowan (they think, I think they are beautiful) and as they are inked, make them feel the pain as the needle pierces their skin. The intricate details of his work are so vividly in my mind.
Lauri and Rowan melted a piece of my heart. They belong together, they understand each other, they are destined for each other. They fit together.

Ashleigh Giannoccaro paints a careful visual of each character mentioned above as well as a gripping, page turning story that will stay in your mind. I highlighted so many parts that touched me.

At the start of each chapter, Ms. Giannoccaro has a quote so befitting the chapter. These quotes are outstanding.

"I don't want anyone to suffer the darkness of another." sticks in my mind when thinking of this story.

I very highly recommend this read to all who can handle it. Well done Ms. Giannoccaro!

***Lastly, I MUST make mention that the version of this book that I downloaded had an INCREDIBLE amount of editing errors. I personally focus on the storyline in reading and reviewing. I'm hopeful that a re-edited version will be uploaded because I don't want folks to focus on these errors and miss out on a remarkable read!***

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashleigh Giannocarro connections:


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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Thriller Recommended by US Review of Books

Four Pieces For Power
Book one in the Vendicatori Series
Author: Marc Estes
Author's Web site: marcestes.net
Publisher: Trafford
Genre: mystery/suspense/thriller
ISBN: 1490727140
Buy Book Link: getbook.at/vendicatori

Reviewed by Anita Lock originally for US Review of Books
 

"Both shared in the amazement of how two complete strangers could become such bitter enemies without even a single exchange of words."
 
Andrew Correo learns the truth about his deceased grandfather and the involvement he had with the Vendicatori, a powerful organization developed to protect the Correo family's fortune. But in order for Andrew to claim his inheritance as the next Correo heir, he must compete in a challenge against Robert Stavero, an unknown contender and master of disguises. The object of the challenge is for the winner to procure all four pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the "final destination, and the largest prize in the world." Questions remain whether or not Andrew can keep this perilous competition a secret from his sister and mother, as well as outwit his maleficent opponent.
 
Awarding winning writer Marc Estes has produced a suspenseful story that has a James Bond feel to it. The first in a series of Vendicatori novels, Estes' third person narrative is a rapidly paced page-turner filled with unhackneyed character scenes between his sister's upcoming wedding; the contest and Andrew's nerve-racking encounters with Robert, his maniacal antagonist; a bit of romance; and other supporting characters—a few that may seem harmless now but could easily turn into future villains in subsequent sequels. Aside of the constant influx of juxtaposed scenes, Estes not only draws readers into the plot's action, but also into the lives of a well-developed cast that goes beyond Andrew, Estes' principal character. Good examples are Brad whose mother and sister were brutally murdered and Jenna who has a thing for Andrew. Estes' thriller closes with a mind-boggling cliffhanger. Earmarked to be a best-seller, there is no doubt that Four Pieces For Power will keep readers on edge till the very end.

 
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Debut Novel of Suspense and Romance Tours Blog

Danger In Her Words
Author:  Barbara Barth
Publisher: Gilbert Street Press 
ISBN-13: 978-0983171539
Romance/Suspense
Available on Amazon and Kindle   Link to buy:  http://amzn.com/098317153X

 

 

Synopsis:

What if writing a book brought a serial killer to your back door and you had no one to call for help.

A TV sitcom pitch gone wrong at a writers’ convention turns dog-column writer Susan Meyers in a tailspin. Sex Sells was the topic of the day. Worried her writing style had become stale, Susan decided to try something new. A steamy romantic novel seemed just the answer to bring in a new audience.

Susan, a widow who had not dated in three years, was out of practice with men and sex. She turned to an online dating site to find inspiration for her book and unleashed a predator with the words she wrote. Tucked an hour away from her friends in a small town where she kept to herself, with only her tiny dog for company, Susan felt safe from the world. Little did she know her life was about to change.

Danger In Her Words is a book within a book. There is Susan’s story and the book she is writing, where you meet Jamie, a widow like Susan who has also been out of the dating scene. Your character takes you on your journey. Susan heard that about writing fiction and quickly discovers it is true. Jamie has a mind of her own and Susan is dismayed as her novel takes some surprising turns. Jamie knows she wants a relationship, Susan still has that to learn about herself. Both find themselves in harm’s way as romance comes close.

Set against the background of a fictional country town an hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Danger In Her Words is full of farmhouses, antiques, girl-talk, a touch of murder, a sprinkle of suspense, a bit of naughty fun, and a dog that will steal your heart.

Two widows looking for love in all the wrong places might still get it right if they live long enough.


About the Author:

Barbara Barth is the author of The Unfaithful Widow, a memoir on the first year on her own. It placed as a finalist in the 2011 USA Best Book Awards. Her work has appeared in On Purpose Woman Magazine and on many on-line sites, including The Balancing Act with Lifetime TV, Skirt.com, Silver & Grace, and The Red Room.

Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, and dog whisperer, although some days she has to bark to be heard at home. She lives in the metro Atlanta area with six dogs from local animal shelters.

Danger In Her Words is her first work of fiction. Visit the author’s website at www.barbarabarthwriter.com

 

 

 

 
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  The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Review of Novel Inspired by Music Greats

Title: Saving The Innocents
Author: Randall Kenneth Drake
Author’s Web site : http://rkdrake.com
Genre/category: Mystery/Suspense/Action
ISBN: 0-9747161-0-3
Only $5.99 only at author's Web site

Reviewed by Dianne Donovan originally for Midwest Book Review


Saving the Innocents is all about courage, strength, and personal effort;
and as it chronicles the life and efforts of one Mary Jane Chevalier (an
'everywoman' who feels powerless but in fact is powerful), it also reflects
modern society's milieu - and thus will resonate with readers looking for
positive stories about courage and determination in the face of impossible
odds.

But Saving the Innocents isn't a story without violence: indeed, the first
paragraph has Mary Jane facing death with little more than the snap of her
gum as a response: "She thought it funny . . . what went through her mind
while waiting for the bullet. Time slowed down in that moment. Several
thoughts and feelings flashed - alternating waves. Her body felt relaxed at
first, as though relief had finally come. Freedom. And she welcomed it."

The first striking thing to note about Saving the Innocents is its attention
to detail and description, which capture powerful images with a pen finely
honed by the moment: "The sound was like a bumblebee as it split the
smoke-filled air. She swung her body around with a gathering force, and
brought the cue from behind her like a broadsword - the way a Viking
marauder would in the long ago of Scotland. The wooden blade made a
thunderous crack into the side of the big man's knee, the cue splitting
apart."

Mary's passion for finding her father is only equaled by her determination
to save the weak who, much like herself, have limited choices when facing
violence. And so her very nature inevitably becomes linked to two very
special people who enter her life on the run and who create a double mystery
for her to pursue. True to her helpful nature, Mary Jane feels compelled to
assist; and that action in turn will transform her own life as she becomes
absorbed in a deadly manhunt,  determined to save the innocents she's
stumbled upon and, ultimately, herself.

Mary Jane feels like an unknown: while she makes efforts in life, she
largely feels her achievements are too little . or so her conscious says.
Her decision to search out an absent father who changed her life through his
actions is what results in the unexpected: the discovery of a man and a
little girl hiding out because they have seen too much.

Now, some notes on this novel's unusual roots: they were inspired by the
author's infatuation with movies and with the songs of Sarah McLachlan,
Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. Parts of this story actually came to him
in a series of flashback-like scenes which he dutifully penned as they came;
but it was McLachlan's music that prompted a flood of inspiration prompted
by a realization that each line of one of her songs described one of the
scenes Randall Kenneth Drake was already writing.

And it was Morisette's song 'Mary Jane' and 'You Learn' combined with Crow's
lyrics in 'Am I Getting Through' which both contributed to the character of
Mary Jane Chevalier. Listen to this music for further insights into that
protagonist and her origins - at the risk of gaining advance insights into
where the plot is going. In fact - listening to the music of all three as
background to reading provides a kind of multimedia experience that any
singular song, artist or the book alone couldn't impart.

The scenes originated with a story Drake stumbled upon in a bar, of an
abandoned child left by her mother in front of the 'best house she would
like to live in'. And so psychological and physical abandonment are one
element in a novel that weaves a complicated story line powered by a woman
who is strong, but believes herself to be weak. It's unusual to find a
strong female heroine in a novel but Mary Jane IS that heroine, fighting for
the weak and making a difference not just in her world, but in the worlds of
others.

To add a dose of complexity, the protagonists all hold names indicative of
their underlying roles in the story line: thus Delphia acts as an oracle and
seer, Chevalier is actually a knight in disguise, and Mary Jane (much to the
reader's surprise) embodies ALL these qualities, exhibited during the course
of her quest.

It's all about a quest involving 'finding an angel', fantasies designed to
cope with soul-threatening encounters, issues of death and values in life,
and an epic quest disguised as a search for meaning. In this case not only
does Mary Jane find her cause and meaning from life, but events come full
circle in posing an angelic presence for Sera, the little girl who needs
rescuing.

Saving the Innocents is also about preparing for battle, caring for self and
strangers alike, and what motivates the deepest of emotions: "All her life
she had wanted to be noticed - to love and be loved - to be someone's
champion. The answers had come from the most unexpected sources. Nick,
Delphia, Jack, and Sera. An ex-fireman, a crippled, blind woman . . . an
odd, devoted, loyal man - and a little girl."

As protagonists join the story and begin their dance of interaction and
influence, readers are treated to much more than a mystery or crime story:
it's a story of courage, survival against all odds, and revelations that
change everyone involved. The heart and soul of Saving the Innocents lies in
Mary Jane's choices and determination which create a true heroine's journey
in which Mary Jane's emotions and observations act as a driving force behind
an epic quest for salvation that spills from the personal to (ultimately) an
entire circle of characters.

Any looking for a novel that wraps its reader in a cloak of complexity and
warmth will find Saving the Innocents filled with satisfying twists, turns,
and protagonist interactions that create scenarios of understanding,
connection and, ultimately, redemption.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Editor Reviews Author's Second Suspense Thriller and Cries for More

Title – "The Cardholder"
Author – Kelly O’Callan
Author's Web site 
Publisher: Kelly O'Callan; First edition (November 8, 2013)
Genre or category – Fiction, suspense, 
ISBN/EAN13:
 149352173X / 9781493521739

 
 
Available on Amazon
Kindle ASIN: B00GDQD4SK
Link to purchase on Nook 
 
 
Reviewed by Nina Meditz, Editor

I am Nina Meditz, editor and friend of the author, Kelly O'Callan. Her first book, Breaking Limbo, was published just two months ago. Kelly has just released her second book, The Cardholder. To say that I am even more enthusiastic about this book is an understatement. So far I have read it four times and am so excited that it is finally ready for the public. To be honest, not only could I not put this book down, but I asked Kelly to please consider following it up with a sequel, it's that good!


The Cardholder is a psychological suspense book. Psychologist, Maggie Simmons, is a marriage/couples therapist who has been rated number one in her city of Philadelphia. She is happily married with one son, and it seems her life is perfect. Then one day a new patient, Mickey Dillon, arrives in her office with an unusual request for help. At first Maggie hesitates, but her ego will not allow her to refuse the challenge before her. Maggie agrees to help Mickey, but in order to ensure success, she violates some serious ethical practices, including involving her sister, Annie. The more she crosses professional lines, the deeper in trouble she gets. Until one day her whole world, as she knew it, falls totally apart and she loses everything. 

The story has an unusual twist and surprise ending that you will never expect! It leaves the reader wanting more.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly’s love affair with novel writing began with an English class in college, when she penned her first contemporary fiction novel, “Other People”. Shortly afterwards, she wrote the suspense-filled psychological thriller,“The Cardholder”. Feeling she had a wonderful gift to share – storytelling fused with fruitful life lessons for mankind- she became a member of the Bucks County Writers Room and attended several Philadelphia Writers Conferences.
Kelly’s pursuit of publication was put on hold when she suffered two disabling car accidents in less than a year, requiring over twenty surgeries within a six year period. In the meantime, she married and is raising two boys in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. After a ten year hiatus, she published her first book, “Breaking Limbo”, a paranormal psychological thriller, in September, 2013. Now, after many years of sitting on the shelf, "The Cardholder," is finally making it's debut! And, Kelly is working on getting "Other People" ready for publication for the spring of 2014.
You can read my review of Kelly's first novel, "Breaking Limbo" at http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/09/editor-is-fan-and-reviewer-for-new.html
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Editor Is Fan and Reviewer for New Thriller

Title – "Breaking Limbo"
Author – Kelly O’Callan
Publisher: Kelly O'Callan; First edition (September 1, 2013)
Genre or category – mystery & thrillers, suspense, paranormal
ISBN-10: 1490484744
ISBN-13: 978-1490484747
Available on Amazon
Kindle ASIN: B00EXBVFCE
Reviewer: Nina Meditz

I am Nina Meditz, editor and friend of the author, Kelly O'CallanI have known Kelly a couple of years and had the privilege of reading some of her earlier work, which I loved. When she told me she needed an editor for her new book, Breaking Limbo, I immediately volunteered to help her with the process. To say that I am a fan of her work would be an understatement.

Breaking Limbo is unlike any book I have ever read before. Kelly tackles the unspeakable subject of teen suicide, an issue that is all too relevant in today’s world, from the perspective of eleven teens. These young souls have all taken their lives due to extremely difficult personal problems and end up together in a limbo-like, supernatural realm called Destaris. There they are introduced to Maree, a spiritual guide, whose mission it is to help them learn the lessons needed to leave this realm and move on to the next world. Maree, however, has her own reasons for wanting them to succeed. In order for her to be freed from this realm and reunited with her own soul mate, all eleven souls must leave Destaris. 

Kelly does a wonderful job of creating each of the characters with detailed background stories. The reader is allowed into the minds and personal circumstances of the teens and Maree prior to their arrival in Destaris. Her vivid description of this unusual realm makes all the supernatural events easy to visualize and quite believable. The element of surprise and constant unpredictability of the story keep the reader engaged page after page, chapter after chapter. The bottom line is that this is a unique and riveting story which makes it difficult to put down once you start reading it.

You can find Kelly’s book, Breaking Limbo, on Amazon in Kindle (currently being offered for free) and print format at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=breaking%20limbo%20kelly%20o'callan
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.