Are you giving New Years gifts this year? Why not give the gift of success this year? Frugal and Focused Tweeting is for anyone in business, especially anyone who has been ignoring Twitter.
Here is a review from reviewing guru Mayra Calvani, author of the Slippery Art of Book Reviewing.
Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers isn’t only for retailers. I requested a review copy because, as an author, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to promote and market my books. I have to say, I was not disappointed with Johnson’s book.
In an engaging style and simple, straightforward language, the author explains what Twitter is all about, and how to use it effectively in a marketing campaign. There are hundreds of Twitter applications out there, and the whole thing can get pretty confusing, especially for a beginner, so what is most helpful about this book is that the author separates the essential ones from the ones that should be avoided.
From the basics of how to set up an account, to how to integrate Twitter into your other social media, to building your list of followers, to attracting new followers, to much, much more, Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers will take your Twitter marketing efforts to the next stage.
The book also includes sample Tweets and critiques, a list of applications (those that work and those that should be avoided), as well as a glossary of important technical Twitter terms.
I would recommend this book to authors who are new to Twitter, and also to those authors who, like myself, are familiar with the basics but would like to take their tweeting to a higher, more focused and effective level. If you don’t quite ‘get’ what Twitter is all about, your doubts will be clarified after reading this little crash course on the art of tweeting.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Karen DeGroot Carter Explores Tolerance, Race and Grief
Title: One Sister's Song
By Karen DeGroot Carter
Author Web Site: http://www.karendegrootcarter.com/
Mini Synopsis
Audrey Conarroe, a biracial woman, never planned to move back to her small, predominantly white, hometown in western New York. But when she was named guardian to her teenage nephew, she had no choice but to do just that. Eight months later, Audrey prepares to sell her sister’s old farmhouse when a series of discoveries forces her to rethink everything she’s ever assumed about love, race, and respect.
One Sister's Song explores challenges faced by individuals and families of mixed-race heritage as well as single parenting, grief recovery, and the Underground Railroad.
For other book and film suggestions on the topic of tolerance go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com/tolerance_and_utah_link.htm
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
By Karen DeGroot Carter
Author Web Site: http://www.karendegrootcarter.com/
Mini Synopsis
Audrey Conarroe, a biracial woman, never planned to move back to her small, predominantly white, hometown in western New York. But when she was named guardian to her teenage nephew, she had no choice but to do just that. Eight months later, Audrey prepares to sell her sister’s old farmhouse when a series of discoveries forces her to rethink everything she’s ever assumed about love, race, and respect.
One Sister's Song explores challenges faced by individuals and families of mixed-race heritage as well as single parenting, grief recovery, and the Underground Railroad.
For other book and film suggestions on the topic of tolerance go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com/tolerance_and_utah_link.htm
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Monday, December 27, 2010
Kirkus Discoveries Reviews Young Adult How-To
Title: Useful Information for Everyday Living
Subtitle: Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7380-4 (hc)
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Author: Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN
Author’s website: http://www.michelesfakianos.com/,
Genre: Young Adult Non-fiction; Self-help
Reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries
Editor Review (reviewed on November 18, 2010)
Simple, straightforward wisdom for everyday living geared toward young adults.
Sfakianos decries today's lack of basic education in helping young adults navigate and manage aspects of day-to-day life. As children grow, observing their parents performing daily chores—things such as how to do laundry, how to sew on a button and simple rules of etiquette—are usually parceled out and taught as the occasion or need arises. But this book, though certainly not comprehensive, as the author admits, goes beyond basic instruction, informing the reader on subjects such as how to rent an apartment, how to manage finances, the basics of buying a car, even tips on how to nurture a healthy relationship. The organization is simple and the writing is concise; each chapter covers a separate topic and most of the information is given in direct, unembellished, bullet points. Sfakianos shares short, personal stories that give the book a light, relatable touch. A sprinkling of humor adds much and leaves the reader wanting more; when it comes to gifts, "duct tape is not considered wrapping paper," and for closet organization, "Keep floors free of clutter. Stack items on shelves carefully...Make sure you can close the door!" Sfakianos is smart to note that her book is not intended to substitute for professional counsel and warns that some of the information may not be up-to-date. Though most of the advice is practical and doable, the reader might balk at the extensive cleaning suggestions that include "dust wall coverings every two weeks" and "wash curtains (if machine washable) once a month." Though the advice is almost always clear, there is one notable exception in a discussion involving food preparation; a chart listing safe temperature ranges for specific food items does not explain that these temperatures are not cooking temperatures, but are internal temperatures measured by using a meat thermometer.
A helpful, well-written resource and a great gift for those who have just flown the coop.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Subtitle: Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7380-4 (hc)
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Author: Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN
Author’s website: http://www.michelesfakianos.com/,
Genre: Young Adult Non-fiction; Self-help
Reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries
Editor Review (reviewed on November 18, 2010)
Simple, straightforward wisdom for everyday living geared toward young adults.
Sfakianos decries today's lack of basic education in helping young adults navigate and manage aspects of day-to-day life. As children grow, observing their parents performing daily chores—things such as how to do laundry, how to sew on a button and simple rules of etiquette—are usually parceled out and taught as the occasion or need arises. But this book, though certainly not comprehensive, as the author admits, goes beyond basic instruction, informing the reader on subjects such as how to rent an apartment, how to manage finances, the basics of buying a car, even tips on how to nurture a healthy relationship. The organization is simple and the writing is concise; each chapter covers a separate topic and most of the information is given in direct, unembellished, bullet points. Sfakianos shares short, personal stories that give the book a light, relatable touch. A sprinkling of humor adds much and leaves the reader wanting more; when it comes to gifts, "duct tape is not considered wrapping paper," and for closet organization, "Keep floors free of clutter. Stack items on shelves carefully...Make sure you can close the door!" Sfakianos is smart to note that her book is not intended to substitute for professional counsel and warns that some of the information may not be up-to-date. Though most of the advice is practical and doable, the reader might balk at the extensive cleaning suggestions that include "dust wall coverings every two weeks" and "wash curtains (if machine washable) once a month." Though the advice is almost always clear, there is one notable exception in a discussion involving food preparation; a chart listing safe temperature ranges for specific food items does not explain that these temperatures are not cooking temperatures, but are internal temperatures measured by using a meat thermometer.
A helpful, well-written resource and a great gift for those who have just flown the coop.
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Writing Columns for the Love of It or Supporting Your Habit
The Art of Column Writing
By Suzette Martinez Standring
ISBN 9781933338261
Marion Street Press
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I love writing columns. It’s one way I can share. I can’t help liking to do that. It must be the teacher in me (or vice versa) because I love teaching, too. Practically speaking though, many writers are columnists because they need to pay the bills while they write books.
Some don’t even know that’s what why they’re doing it. They came to write columns long after they started writing in other genres. Though I have heard columnists say that the paychecks aren’t big enough, I’ve never heard one of them claim that they don’t like getting paid.
Having said that, some write columns for no pay, or rather—more accurately—in trade for a byline, a good credit line that includes the writer’s Web site address, and (if they are also good negotiators) a little ad or image of their book’s cover or the logo of the writing-related service they provide that also pays the bills while they support their writing habits. Those not-quite-so lucrative writing habits may range from poetry to the writing of novels, and may well include several of those less practical pursuits all at once.
That isn’t to negate the skill it takes to write a good column. In fact, learning to write a great column can lead to better writing of about anything, to say nothing of fatter and fatter paychecks.
Therefore, I was glad to see Suzette Martinez Standring’s book The Art of Column Writing. It includes “insider secrets” from the likes of Art Buchwald, Tim Bete, and Arianna Huffington, but it also gives a writer the basics necessary to succeed.
One of my favorites is Standring’s chapter on “Elements of a Pulitzer Prize Winning Column.” As a past president of NSNC, Standring has access to the best of advice from the best of columnists, and some of the ideas in this chapter are from Keith Woods who spoke on the subject at the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Many are ideas he gleaned as he judged entries for the big “P” prize.
My very favorite chapter, though, is on copyright. I like it because my students and clients worry about it—sometimes to excess. This chapter will put many writing minds at ease, give them some guidelines so they feel more comfortable with both quotations and research. Pay special attention to her entry, number seven on page sixty-three.
So, if you are a writer without an itch to be a columnist, should you read this book? I think so . . .If you were my student, I’d want you to make a very good case why you shouldn’t. Like maybe you have already reached the top of your game. You are Dave Barry, Walter Brasch or Suzette Standring.
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Originally published at MyShelf.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
By Suzette Martinez Standring
ISBN 9781933338261
Marion Street Press
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I love writing columns. It’s one way I can share. I can’t help liking to do that. It must be the teacher in me (or vice versa) because I love teaching, too. Practically speaking though, many writers are columnists because they need to pay the bills while they write books.
Some don’t even know that’s what why they’re doing it. They came to write columns long after they started writing in other genres. Though I have heard columnists say that the paychecks aren’t big enough, I’ve never heard one of them claim that they don’t like getting paid.
Having said that, some write columns for no pay, or rather—more accurately—in trade for a byline, a good credit line that includes the writer’s Web site address, and (if they are also good negotiators) a little ad or image of their book’s cover or the logo of the writing-related service they provide that also pays the bills while they support their writing habits. Those not-quite-so lucrative writing habits may range from poetry to the writing of novels, and may well include several of those less practical pursuits all at once.
That isn’t to negate the skill it takes to write a good column. In fact, learning to write a great column can lead to better writing of about anything, to say nothing of fatter and fatter paychecks.
Therefore, I was glad to see Suzette Martinez Standring’s book The Art of Column Writing. It includes “insider secrets” from the likes of Art Buchwald, Tim Bete, and Arianna Huffington, but it also gives a writer the basics necessary to succeed.
One of my favorites is Standring’s chapter on “Elements of a Pulitzer Prize Winning Column.” As a past president of NSNC, Standring has access to the best of advice from the best of columnists, and some of the ideas in this chapter are from Keith Woods who spoke on the subject at the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Many are ideas he gleaned as he judged entries for the big “P” prize.
My very favorite chapter, though, is on copyright. I like it because my students and clients worry about it—sometimes to excess. This chapter will put many writing minds at ease, give them some guidelines so they feel more comfortable with both quotations and research. Pay special attention to her entry, number seven on page sixty-three.
So, if you are a writer without an itch to be a columnist, should you read this book? I think so . . .If you were my student, I’d want you to make a very good case why you shouldn’t. Like maybe you have already reached the top of your game. You are Dave Barry, Walter Brasch or Suzette Standring.
---
Originally published at MyShelf.com.
--------
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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Friday, December 24, 2010
Holly Weiss Garners Attention from Goodreads
Crestmont
By Holly Weiss
Author website http://www.hollyweiss.com/
Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1-935188-10-0
Reviewed by Daphne Kalotay, author of Russian Winter
Holly Weiss’s debut novel is a nostalgic take on the goings-on at a fashionable 1920s inn, where the heroine, Grace, takes refuge as a housekeeper to escape a forbidden love. A likeable all-American girl, Grace bobs her hair and changes her name to Gracie, acknowledging the transformation ahead of her.
We meet other staff members and visitors to the resort, and more heartache awaits Gracie—but when, over halfway through the book, a famed opera singer arrives, Gracie’s natural talent is allowed its due.
Weiss’s omniscient narrator gives the reader a heartfelt overview of Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania and its history; the narrative is book-ended by multiple prologues (one of them particularly inventive) and an epilogue that reveals what becomes of Gracie.
There is real nostalgia in Weiss’s writing—for a simpler time. Just as the opera singer, Rosa, advises Gracie, Weiss too has chosen to “sing” something she truly loves. This is a historical novel for those who want to retreat to a 1920s free of grit, like Weiss’s smooth, efficient prose.
The author may be contacted at http://twitter.com/HWeissauthor . Midwest review says of her book,
"Crestmont is a fine and riveting read for historical fiction fans, highly recommended." Find the reviewer at http://www.daphnekalotay.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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
By Holly Weiss
Author website http://www.hollyweiss.com/
Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1-935188-10-0
Reviewed by Daphne Kalotay, author of Russian Winter
Holly Weiss’s debut novel is a nostalgic take on the goings-on at a fashionable 1920s inn, where the heroine, Grace, takes refuge as a housekeeper to escape a forbidden love. A likeable all-American girl, Grace bobs her hair and changes her name to Gracie, acknowledging the transformation ahead of her.
We meet other staff members and visitors to the resort, and more heartache awaits Gracie—but when, over halfway through the book, a famed opera singer arrives, Gracie’s natural talent is allowed its due.
Weiss’s omniscient narrator gives the reader a heartfelt overview of Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania and its history; the narrative is book-ended by multiple prologues (one of them particularly inventive) and an epilogue that reveals what becomes of Gracie.
There is real nostalgia in Weiss’s writing—for a simpler time. Just as the opera singer, Rosa, advises Gracie, Weiss too has chosen to “sing” something she truly loves. This is a historical novel for those who want to retreat to a 1920s free of grit, like Weiss’s smooth, efficient prose.
The author may be contacted at http://twitter.com/HWeissauthor . Midwest review says of her book,
"Crestmont is a fine and riveting read for historical fiction fans, highly recommended." Find the reviewer at http://www.daphnekalotay.com/.
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
St. John of the Midfield author Garasamo Maccagnone
Book Title: St. John of the Midfield
Author: Garasamo Maccagnone
Genre: Sports Fiction - Adult
ISBN-10: 1608607925
ISBN-13: 978-1608607921
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing
Reviewed by: Irfan Faroqui, for The New Book Review
St John of the Midfield is a moving story, which plays out against the backdrop of the competitive youth soccer scene. Don't worry if you aren't a sports or soccer fan. The reader doesn't need a working knowledge of the sport to enjoy this human drama, which starts in Bulgaria and travels all the way to the soccer fields of America. Garasamo uses the intrigues generated by sports competition to ignite and fuel this engaging read.
St. John of the Midfield is above all a father's story. Mario Santini, half Sicilian, half Czech, narrates the tale and is torn between being a good father and being a good son. Mario has made a 'temporary peace' with his father Frankie's Mafia lifestyle, but balances two worlds as he tries to raise his son, Luca, on the legitimate side of the family business. Somewhere deep inside, Mario acknowledges that the differences between these worlds will have to be reconciled. In the meantime he is having a ball becoming an unintentional "soccer dad." Luca's talent as a soccer player is truly recognized by coach Bobo, a former world-class Bulgarian soccer player. The action rises with the appearance of Sonny Christopher, Bobo's former sports rival. Sonny renews his rivalry and soccer field politics become personal when he targets Luca, using malicious and dangerous tactics, in his attempts to destroy Bobo on and off the field.
This story touches everything from fatherhood, family loyalty, pride, revenge, justice, the husband and wife relationship, desires of the flesh, to questions about consequence, and personal responsibility. You will be halfway through without realizing how much time has passed. This book is riveting.
~Tomorrow, December 22, 2010, is day seven of the St. John of the Midfield virtual tour. Hosted by Lisa Jackson it is a Q&A written interview with Garasamo Maccagnone at http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/ . Follow this blogger on Twitter: @lisajjackson
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: Garasamo Maccagnone
Genre: Sports Fiction - Adult
ISBN-10: 1608607925
ISBN-13: 978-1608607921
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing
Reviewed by: Irfan Faroqui, for The New Book Review
St John of the Midfield is a moving story, which plays out against the backdrop of the competitive youth soccer scene. Don't worry if you aren't a sports or soccer fan. The reader doesn't need a working knowledge of the sport to enjoy this human drama, which starts in Bulgaria and travels all the way to the soccer fields of America. Garasamo uses the intrigues generated by sports competition to ignite and fuel this engaging read.
St. John of the Midfield is above all a father's story. Mario Santini, half Sicilian, half Czech, narrates the tale and is torn between being a good father and being a good son. Mario has made a 'temporary peace' with his father Frankie's Mafia lifestyle, but balances two worlds as he tries to raise his son, Luca, on the legitimate side of the family business. Somewhere deep inside, Mario acknowledges that the differences between these worlds will have to be reconciled. In the meantime he is having a ball becoming an unintentional "soccer dad." Luca's talent as a soccer player is truly recognized by coach Bobo, a former world-class Bulgarian soccer player. The action rises with the appearance of Sonny Christopher, Bobo's former sports rival. Sonny renews his rivalry and soccer field politics become personal when he targets Luca, using malicious and dangerous tactics, in his attempts to destroy Bobo on and off the field.
This story touches everything from fatherhood, family loyalty, pride, revenge, justice, the husband and wife relationship, desires of the flesh, to questions about consequence, and personal responsibility. You will be halfway through without realizing how much time has passed. This book is riveting.
~Tomorrow, December 22, 2010, is day seven of the St. John of the Midfield virtual tour. Hosted by Lisa Jackson it is a Q&A written interview with Garasamo Maccagnone at http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/ . Follow this blogger on Twitter: @lisajjackson
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Monday, December 20, 2010
Amazon Project Thriller Reviewed
Title: The Wilco Project
Author: Daniel Springer
Website: http://danielspringer.com/
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1453884638
Reviewer: Publishers Weekly
Note: THE WILCO PROJECT was a semi-finalist in the 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.)
"The WILCO Project combines murder mystery with elements of a technological thriller, blending the genres in a deftly written manuscript. The author provides a gripping opening with a female college student murdered while playing a mysterious campus-wide game in the woods. Readers are soon introduced to the rest of the cast of characters: Dr Steven Archer, former Internet entrepreneur turned professor, who leads a team of young computer programmers in the creation of the ultimate cell phone game; Bobbi, a school reporter, determined to find out the truth about the murder, even if it means putting her own life in jeopardy; Jonathan Holden, creator of the game and all around cad; Patricia, the angry assistant on the team who is sleeping with the head of the wireless company, Larry Hershman; and finally, Peter, a techno-geek who is invisible. After Archer discovers that the dead girl is Jonathan's ex-fiance, he realizes that the The Wilco Project is a game of hide-and-seek, in which players use the phone to locate and destroy enemies. As Archer finds himself investigating the first murder and a subsequent one, he is led down one path after another. While this plot is a new take on an old thriller genre, the author delivers a well-executed thriller." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: Daniel Springer
Website: http://danielspringer.com/
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1453884638
Reviewer: Publishers Weekly
Note: THE WILCO PROJECT was a semi-finalist in the 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.)
"The WILCO Project combines murder mystery with elements of a technological thriller, blending the genres in a deftly written manuscript. The author provides a gripping opening with a female college student murdered while playing a mysterious campus-wide game in the woods. Readers are soon introduced to the rest of the cast of characters: Dr Steven Archer, former Internet entrepreneur turned professor, who leads a team of young computer programmers in the creation of the ultimate cell phone game; Bobbi, a school reporter, determined to find out the truth about the murder, even if it means putting her own life in jeopardy; Jonathan Holden, creator of the game and all around cad; Patricia, the angry assistant on the team who is sleeping with the head of the wireless company, Larry Hershman; and finally, Peter, a techno-geek who is invisible. After Archer discovers that the dead girl is Jonathan's ex-fiance, he realizes that the The Wilco Project is a game of hide-and-seek, in which players use the phone to locate and destroy enemies. As Archer finds himself investigating the first murder and a subsequent one, he is led down one path after another. While this plot is a new take on an old thriller genre, the author delivers a well-executed thriller." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Friday, December 17, 2010
Reviewer Gives Book on Meditation Top Marks
Title: Relaxing into Meditation
Author: Ngakma Nor’dzin
Publisher: Aro Books worldwide
Date: 13th August 2010
ISBN: 978-1-898185-17-8
Web page: http://bit.ly/nrprim
Contact: arobooksworldwide@gmail.com
Reviewer: Rossinna Ippolito
Relaxing into Meditation is the best book on meditation I've ever read, and I've been browsing them since the mid-70's. I say this because of the distinction made between relaxation and meditation, and the explanation of why relaxation must happen before meditation can begin. I have never seen it spelled out so clearly before, and in such a gentle, non-didactic manner. The writing draws you in and you come to love the teacher as if you were also a member of one of her meditation groups. I love that the chapters are short and not overwhelming. The author doesn't talk down to the reader and isn't too folksy. It is simple, but not "meditation for dummies."
Some years ago I was watching a cable-access show presented by one of the guru-types that so frequently make appearances on such venues. One thing he mentioned came through loud and clear. In his discussion on meditating the guru explained that one can't just jump into meditation and expect it to "work." Rather, he said that "the secret" is that your focus should be on "becoming meditative" rather than "meditating." That is, if you stop putting the emphasis on attempting to have the perfect meditation experience and just relax by performing the preliminaries, a meditative state will come upon you in a natural, non-forced manner.
This struck me, for having read various meditation books through the years I would become motivated to practice but would stop and start, becoming bored or frustrated with my lack of "progress." Thus, hearing about the idea of not trying so hard at it, but just relaxing into "becoming meditative" was very appealing. Unfortunately, I never saw that presenter's show again so I never learned what it meant to "become meditative" - that is, until I read Relaxing into Meditation.
The beauty of the text is in the presentation of the ways of becoming meditative, i.e. through breath-work, song or movement. Each exercise is enough in itself. There is no pressure to move on to the next technique, and the benefits of each level are given respect. That is not to say one is not invited to try other meditative techniques, just that each one is whole and respected in itself.
The illustrations of the text along with the warm and friendly manner in which it is written make attempting each new meditative technique a real pleasure. This is a fabulous book for those who have been curious about meditation but were a little hesitant, feeling they didn't have "the right stuff" to be successful at it. The text is gentle and fun and calmly inspiring, and even if you have dabbled in meditation before you'll learn new ways to think about what you have been doing. Relaxing into Meditation is sure to become a classic.
~The reviewer is a freelance back-of-the book indexer whose speciality is spiritual and religious texts: http://inDocsinDexing.com
~Aro Books worldwide may be accessed at http://aro-books-worldwide.org/ . Tweeting at
http://twitter.com/arobooksworld .
----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: Ngakma Nor’dzin
Publisher: Aro Books worldwide
Date: 13th August 2010
ISBN: 978-1-898185-17-8
Web page: http://bit.ly/nrprim
Contact: arobooksworldwide@gmail.com
Reviewer: Rossinna Ippolito
Relaxing into Meditation is the best book on meditation I've ever read, and I've been browsing them since the mid-70's. I say this because of the distinction made between relaxation and meditation, and the explanation of why relaxation must happen before meditation can begin. I have never seen it spelled out so clearly before, and in such a gentle, non-didactic manner. The writing draws you in and you come to love the teacher as if you were also a member of one of her meditation groups. I love that the chapters are short and not overwhelming. The author doesn't talk down to the reader and isn't too folksy. It is simple, but not "meditation for dummies."
Some years ago I was watching a cable-access show presented by one of the guru-types that so frequently make appearances on such venues. One thing he mentioned came through loud and clear. In his discussion on meditating the guru explained that one can't just jump into meditation and expect it to "work." Rather, he said that "the secret" is that your focus should be on "becoming meditative" rather than "meditating." That is, if you stop putting the emphasis on attempting to have the perfect meditation experience and just relax by performing the preliminaries, a meditative state will come upon you in a natural, non-forced manner.
This struck me, for having read various meditation books through the years I would become motivated to practice but would stop and start, becoming bored or frustrated with my lack of "progress." Thus, hearing about the idea of not trying so hard at it, but just relaxing into "becoming meditative" was very appealing. Unfortunately, I never saw that presenter's show again so I never learned what it meant to "become meditative" - that is, until I read Relaxing into Meditation.
The beauty of the text is in the presentation of the ways of becoming meditative, i.e. through breath-work, song or movement. Each exercise is enough in itself. There is no pressure to move on to the next technique, and the benefits of each level are given respect. That is not to say one is not invited to try other meditative techniques, just that each one is whole and respected in itself.
The illustrations of the text along with the warm and friendly manner in which it is written make attempting each new meditative technique a real pleasure. This is a fabulous book for those who have been curious about meditation but were a little hesitant, feeling they didn't have "the right stuff" to be successful at it. The text is gentle and fun and calmly inspiring, and even if you have dabbled in meditation before you'll learn new ways to think about what you have been doing. Relaxing into Meditation is sure to become a classic.
~The reviewer is a freelance back-of-the book indexer whose speciality is spiritual and religious texts: http://inDocsinDexing.com
~Aro Books worldwide may be accessed at http://aro-books-worldwide.org/ . Tweeting at
http://twitter.com/arobooksworld .
----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Title: Haint Blue
Author: Carl E. Linke
Author’s website: www.carllinke.com
Fiction (Southern Literature); 306 pp (paperback)
Publisher: Philip-Forrest Publishing
Publication Date: June 2010
Paperback: $14.00
Amazon (Kindle; $4.95)
ISBN: 978-0-982-74216-7
Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland for Booksiesblog
From the first pages of Carl E. Linke's Haint Blue, the reader is transported south to Beaufort, South Carolina, and its Lowcountry heritage and traditions. Spanish moss festoons the trees in front of stately old homes. Feasts of shrimp and grits, oysters, hush puppies, sweet tea and pecan pie fight the air for dominance with magnolias and gardenias. The book's title comes from an old belief that ghosts (haints) won't cross water and painting ceilings, doors and windows haint blue protects the inhabitants from them. Church is a big priority, followed closely by the fortunes of the local high school and college football teams. Above all else is the closeness to the land and the fortunes tied to the bounty found by fishing and farming.
But there is a darker side. This is an area built on the cruelty of slave labor. The descendants of those slaves, the Gullah people, are still here, mired in poverty with few prospects for work as the old powerhouses of the economy, seafood, tobacco, textiles and furniture leaves for other areas. Outside interests want to buy up property because of its location and charm, but then build megamalls and residential subdivisions that take away the very things they chased to the area. There are still vestiges of voodoo, Tarot cards, hexes and superstition.
Kip Drummond is caught in the middle. He bought the local oyster factory six years ago, and built a life in Beaufort for his wife and stepson. Now, he is being pressured by investors to sell the property, and they are playing hardball, buying off his suppliers and giving better prices to his buyers, squeezing the life out of the company bit by bit. His wife hates the area and wants to move back to her native Charleston. But on the other side, the workers who have worked in the factory their entire lives depend on him. Without the factory, there will be nowhere for them to make a living wage. Will Kip be able to keep his head and make the right decision? He is haunted by a deep secret that influences everything he does, and along with the other pressures, it threatens to come out.
Carl Linke has written a solid debut novel. He has captured the feel of the Southern Lowcountry so well that the reader can close their eyes and be there immediately with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that seem more realistic than the room they sit in. His descriptions of tailgating parties, a typical Southern church service, the suddenness of weather changes, the aftermath of hurricanes, and the tensions between those born in the area and those moving in are spot on. The reader will want to find out what happens, and how Kip resolves his dilemma. This book is recommended for readers interested in regional writing that also hits broader themes of how the country moves forward to a new economy, and how people from different backgrounds can live together.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: Carl E. Linke
Author’s website: www.carllinke.com
Fiction (Southern Literature); 306 pp (paperback)
Publisher: Philip-Forrest Publishing
Publication Date: June 2010
Paperback: $14.00
Amazon (Kindle; $4.95)
ISBN: 978-0-982-74216-7
Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland for Booksiesblog
From the first pages of Carl E. Linke's Haint Blue, the reader is transported south to Beaufort, South Carolina, and its Lowcountry heritage and traditions. Spanish moss festoons the trees in front of stately old homes. Feasts of shrimp and grits, oysters, hush puppies, sweet tea and pecan pie fight the air for dominance with magnolias and gardenias. The book's title comes from an old belief that ghosts (haints) won't cross water and painting ceilings, doors and windows haint blue protects the inhabitants from them. Church is a big priority, followed closely by the fortunes of the local high school and college football teams. Above all else is the closeness to the land and the fortunes tied to the bounty found by fishing and farming.
But there is a darker side. This is an area built on the cruelty of slave labor. The descendants of those slaves, the Gullah people, are still here, mired in poverty with few prospects for work as the old powerhouses of the economy, seafood, tobacco, textiles and furniture leaves for other areas. Outside interests want to buy up property because of its location and charm, but then build megamalls and residential subdivisions that take away the very things they chased to the area. There are still vestiges of voodoo, Tarot cards, hexes and superstition.
Kip Drummond is caught in the middle. He bought the local oyster factory six years ago, and built a life in Beaufort for his wife and stepson. Now, he is being pressured by investors to sell the property, and they are playing hardball, buying off his suppliers and giving better prices to his buyers, squeezing the life out of the company bit by bit. His wife hates the area and wants to move back to her native Charleston. But on the other side, the workers who have worked in the factory their entire lives depend on him. Without the factory, there will be nowhere for them to make a living wage. Will Kip be able to keep his head and make the right decision? He is haunted by a deep secret that influences everything he does, and along with the other pressures, it threatens to come out.
Carl Linke has written a solid debut novel. He has captured the feel of the Southern Lowcountry so well that the reader can close their eyes and be there immediately with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that seem more realistic than the room they sit in. His descriptions of tailgating parties, a typical Southern church service, the suddenness of weather changes, the aftermath of hurricanes, and the tensions between those born in the area and those moving in are spot on. The reader will want to find out what happens, and how Kip resolves his dilemma. This book is recommended for readers interested in regional writing that also hits broader themes of how the country moves forward to a new economy, and how people from different backgrounds can live together.
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Amazon Top 500 Reviewer Weighs in on Fiction by Lantin
Title: Come Here...and I'll Show You
Kindle Edition
By Derek Lantin,
Author's blog: http://dereklantin.booksabuzz.com/
Publisher: Bangkok Books
http://www.bangkokbooks.com/php/product/product.php?product_id=001009
Reviewed by Citizen John, Top 500 Reviewer for Amazon
This is Lantin's first published book and what a story! Edwards is a former Secret War soldier and expatriate who gets enticed into returning to the lands along the Mekong River where he reconnects with former comrades to resolve an inheritance matter. This guy has no sense of political correctness which improbably makes him a magnet for dangerous women.
A lot of the action takes place in some of the countries along the Mekong including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. We get to know places where Lantin spent some of his formative post-RAF years such as Sihanoukville (literally, city of sandalwood), a port city of Cambodia and Vientiane, the capital of Laos as well as jungle highlands where remnants of the Hmong people are in hiding to this day. These are some of the places where belligerents of the Vietnam War operated in an unofficial proxy war fueled by the Cold War powers.
Edwards, like many expats, enjoys a "coupla beers" whenever the situation allows, which is quite often. He is single and has a kind of zest for life that one often finds in those that have seen their share of war like Hemingway, Dieter Dengler (Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War) and Zorba the Greek (Zorba the Greek). In short, he doesn't pass up an opportunity with beautiful local women. However, this novel is neither graphic nor filled with profanity. I found Edward's uninhibited style disarming and a great vehicle to lose myself in escapism, an experience that has become darn hard to find.
Having finished reading Come Here...and I'll Show You, I felt inspired to check out some famous scenes from Clint Eastwood movies on `Y-Tube.' I had forgotten how politically incorrect Eastwood's characters were. However, I was reminded of the magnetism they created. Such characters are far from amoral. They get into scrapes because they stand for something. That maybe why it's believable that women are attracted to them and what allows them to live in a way we can only imagine.
I couldn't easily put the book down. It's filled with information that would be helpful for one trying to survive in a jungle, in places like Laos or in cash-economy environments. Mainly it's great escapist entertainment.
~To connect with the author an Facebook go to FaceBook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Come-Here-and-Ill-Show-You/111874615543613
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Kindle Edition
By Derek Lantin,
Author's blog: http://dereklantin.booksabuzz.com/
Publisher: Bangkok Books
http://www.bangkokbooks.com/php/product/product.php?product_id=001009
Reviewed by Citizen John, Top 500 Reviewer for Amazon
This is Lantin's first published book and what a story! Edwards is a former Secret War soldier and expatriate who gets enticed into returning to the lands along the Mekong River where he reconnects with former comrades to resolve an inheritance matter. This guy has no sense of political correctness which improbably makes him a magnet for dangerous women.
A lot of the action takes place in some of the countries along the Mekong including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. We get to know places where Lantin spent some of his formative post-RAF years such as Sihanoukville (literally, city of sandalwood), a port city of Cambodia and Vientiane, the capital of Laos as well as jungle highlands where remnants of the Hmong people are in hiding to this day. These are some of the places where belligerents of the Vietnam War operated in an unofficial proxy war fueled by the Cold War powers.
Edwards, like many expats, enjoys a "coupla beers" whenever the situation allows, which is quite often. He is single and has a kind of zest for life that one often finds in those that have seen their share of war like Hemingway, Dieter Dengler (Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War) and Zorba the Greek (Zorba the Greek). In short, he doesn't pass up an opportunity with beautiful local women. However, this novel is neither graphic nor filled with profanity. I found Edward's uninhibited style disarming and a great vehicle to lose myself in escapism, an experience that has become darn hard to find.
Having finished reading Come Here...and I'll Show You, I felt inspired to check out some famous scenes from Clint Eastwood movies on `Y-Tube.' I had forgotten how politically incorrect Eastwood's characters were. However, I was reminded of the magnetism they created. Such characters are far from amoral. They get into scrapes because they stand for something. That maybe why it's believable that women are attracted to them and what allows them to live in a way we can only imagine.
I couldn't easily put the book down. It's filled with information that would be helpful for one trying to survive in a jungle, in places like Laos or in cash-economy environments. Mainly it's great escapist entertainment.
~To connect with the author an Facebook go to FaceBook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Come-Here-and-Ill-Show-You/111874615543613
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Perfect Little Gift for Writers on Your List
The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Subtitle: Everything You Need To Know To Impress a Publisher in Twenty Minutes or Less
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/great_first_impression_book_proposal.htm
A booklet in the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers
$6.95
Available on Amazon: www.budurl.com/BookProposals
Reviewed by Jennifer Akers, reviewer and editor for MyShelf
If you’re interested in writing a book, then I’ve found a great resource for you. Written by PR guru, award-winning writer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, The Great First Impression Book Proposal guides you through every step you need to know to impress a publisher.
Do you know the differences between fiction and nonfiction writers trying to sell their books? The former writes their book first and then sends a query letter, including a specific number of chapters (requested by the publisher or agent). Their book must be ready to go because the publisher may want to contract their work.
Nonfiction writers send proposals, in which they need to impress the publisher on the idea of their work. The book isn’t written. Before that sounds like the easier path of the two, it isn’t. A book proposal is well researched and formatted; the process is similar to writing a book and can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing.
To the rescue, The Great First Impression Book Proposal! In six chapters, you’ll learn how to get past gatekeepers, entice jaded gatekeepers, get an open invitation, and keep those doors open. You’ll also have a checklist to make sure your proposal is at its best. The resource section includes a basic query letter sample, suggested studies, and resources for editing, grammar, book promotion, publishing and more.
A book proposal is a mysterious beast. It’s not something you can bypass; it’s a necessary “evil” of the publishing world. To do it correctly, you need to know the guidelines. In essence, you’re proposing a business deal, but your letter shouldn’t be too formal. It needs to be friendly with eye-attracting titles without being too cozy or using over-the-top language like “amazing”. It’s a fine balance; one you’ll need to learn to be successful.
You’ll learn about the publishing industry; the correct way to research, write, and format your letter; and the steps to make yours a winning proposal. This is a jammed-packed resource, with the tag line “Everything You Need To Know To Impress A Publisher in Twenty Minutes or Less”. A quick read with everything to write a winning proposal.
Howard-Johnson writes with the experience of a professional and the candor of a best friend who doesn’t want you to fall on your face. With humor and friendliness, she offers solid, practical tips. She is one of my favorite authors, and her books always top my must-have list. This one is no exception. It’ll stay on my resource shelf.
If you’ve ever thought about being an author, you need The Great First Impression Book Proposal in your resources.
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Subtitle: Everything You Need To Know To Impress a Publisher in Twenty Minutes or Less
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/great_first_impression_book_proposal.htm
A booklet in the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers
$6.95
Available on Amazon: www.budurl.com/BookProposals
Reviewed by Jennifer Akers, reviewer and editor for MyShelf
If you’re interested in writing a book, then I’ve found a great resource for you. Written by PR guru, award-winning writer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, The Great First Impression Book Proposal guides you through every step you need to know to impress a publisher.
Do you know the differences between fiction and nonfiction writers trying to sell their books? The former writes their book first and then sends a query letter, including a specific number of chapters (requested by the publisher or agent). Their book must be ready to go because the publisher may want to contract their work.
Nonfiction writers send proposals, in which they need to impress the publisher on the idea of their work. The book isn’t written. Before that sounds like the easier path of the two, it isn’t. A book proposal is well researched and formatted; the process is similar to writing a book and can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing.
To the rescue, The Great First Impression Book Proposal! In six chapters, you’ll learn how to get past gatekeepers, entice jaded gatekeepers, get an open invitation, and keep those doors open. You’ll also have a checklist to make sure your proposal is at its best. The resource section includes a basic query letter sample, suggested studies, and resources for editing, grammar, book promotion, publishing and more.
A book proposal is a mysterious beast. It’s not something you can bypass; it’s a necessary “evil” of the publishing world. To do it correctly, you need to know the guidelines. In essence, you’re proposing a business deal, but your letter shouldn’t be too formal. It needs to be friendly with eye-attracting titles without being too cozy or using over-the-top language like “amazing”. It’s a fine balance; one you’ll need to learn to be successful.
You’ll learn about the publishing industry; the correct way to research, write, and format your letter; and the steps to make yours a winning proposal. This is a jammed-packed resource, with the tag line “Everything You Need To Know To Impress A Publisher in Twenty Minutes or Less”. A quick read with everything to write a winning proposal.
Howard-Johnson writes with the experience of a professional and the candor of a best friend who doesn’t want you to fall on your face. With humor and friendliness, she offers solid, practical tips. She is one of my favorite authors, and her books always top my must-have list. This one is no exception. It’ll stay on my resource shelf.
If you’ve ever thought about being an author, you need The Great First Impression Book Proposal in your resources.
-----
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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Humor and Romance Mix Pleases Happily Ever After Reviewer
Title: Confessions of a Liberal Lover
Author: E.M. Muller
Author's Website: http://emmuller.com/
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Mainstream Fiction: Contemporary, Chick Lit, Comedy
Reviewed by Kylie for Happily Ever After Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5 Tea Cups
E.M. Muller's Confessions of a Liberal Lover is poignantly funny from start to finish. Not just a story of finding the right guy, but of finding oneself.
After failing to live up to expectations one too many times, Maud leaves home at 19. She is thrust into the world of full time work, part time school, and one disastrous relationship after another. Which includes such enjoyable calamities as receiving a rifle instead of a ring, a delightfully disastrous wedding, and the most perfectly comical divorce. Along for the ride is Maud's pet gargoyle, who dispenses wisdom, advice, and wit, all rolled into one. Maud's gargoyle steadfastly refuses to let her give up on herself or settle for less than she deserves. Forget the fairy godmothers, ladies; what we all really need is a gargoyle.
Maud's sexual encounters run the gambit from Young Republicans, mishaps with the missionary position, to riding cowboys, and much more. From faking orgasms to fellatio, nothing is taboo. While never explicit, Muller's frank honesty and witty portrayal of sex will have you laughing with delight and cringing in understanding.
With a sassy and smart heroine, and a gargoyle that's part fairy godmother and part Jiminy Cricket, Confessions of a Liberal Lover is the perfect book for any girl who ever felt overshadowed by a sibling, misunderstood by a parent, or turned herself inside out for a guy.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: E.M. Muller
Author's Website: http://emmuller.com/
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing
Genre: Mainstream Fiction: Contemporary, Chick Lit, Comedy
Reviewed by Kylie for Happily Ever After Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5 Tea Cups
E.M. Muller's Confessions of a Liberal Lover is poignantly funny from start to finish. Not just a story of finding the right guy, but of finding oneself.
After failing to live up to expectations one too many times, Maud leaves home at 19. She is thrust into the world of full time work, part time school, and one disastrous relationship after another. Which includes such enjoyable calamities as receiving a rifle instead of a ring, a delightfully disastrous wedding, and the most perfectly comical divorce. Along for the ride is Maud's pet gargoyle, who dispenses wisdom, advice, and wit, all rolled into one. Maud's gargoyle steadfastly refuses to let her give up on herself or settle for less than she deserves. Forget the fairy godmothers, ladies; what we all really need is a gargoyle.
Maud's sexual encounters run the gambit from Young Republicans, mishaps with the missionary position, to riding cowboys, and much more. From faking orgasms to fellatio, nothing is taboo. While never explicit, Muller's frank honesty and witty portrayal of sex will have you laughing with delight and cringing in understanding.
With a sassy and smart heroine, and a gargoyle that's part fairy godmother and part Jiminy Cricket, Confessions of a Liberal Lover is the perfect book for any girl who ever felt overshadowed by a sibling, misunderstood by a parent, or turned herself inside out for a guy.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Movie-Optioned Book Reviewed by Wendy Thomas
Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever
By Judith Marshall
Author's Web site: http://www.judithmarshall.net/
Women’s Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-9825046-0-4
Reviewed By Wendy Thomas Of Bookpleasures.com
In an updated and timely story reminiscent of The Big Chill, this touching and poignant narration of mature women, friends since high school, who come together over the death of one of their group will remain with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Six young very different girls met in high school and at one birthday party decided to form a pact of “no secrets” between them. They remained friends throughout adulthood weathering the storms of divorces, abuse, financial instability, and ultimate success always with brutal honesty and love toward each other.
Liz, the narrator of the story is in turmoil. Her perfect boyfriend has taken a job and asked her to move with him from California to New York. Unwilling to leave her job in corporate Human Resources, as well as her friends, the decision of whether to commit to Sam is made even more complicated when after years of service she is laid off after her company acquires another company making her job redundant. With grown children who have left the house, Liz finds herself, for the first time in her life, anchorless and adrift with no definite destination in site.
The accidental death of Karen, the adventurous risk taker of the group takes them all by surprise as they begin to question their lives, mortality, and what is really important in life.
Skillfully written, this story moves at a steady pace slowly unfolding to give us more and more insight into these convincing and highly likeable characters. The dialog is well done and the characters utterly believable from Gidge the gum-snapping smart aleck who uses her humor as a barrier to others to Jo who through the help and support of her friends found the confidence to escape an abusive marriage.
A touching and realistic story that presents strong characters as credible, thoughtful, and at times frustrated women, this book is spot on. Anyone who has married, had children, or who has struggled with a relationship will be able to relate.
Intelligently crafted, Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever is one of those books you just want to sit down with a glass of wine and have a conversation about it with your friends.
The book was recently optioned for the big screen.
~Reviewer Wendy Thomas lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband and six children, ages 9-17 She has been published in various regional magazines and newspapers. She writes a weekly column, Simple Thrift for the Nashua Telegraph.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
By Judith Marshall
Author's Web site: http://www.judithmarshall.net/
Women’s Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-9825046-0-4
Reviewed By Wendy Thomas Of Bookpleasures.com
In an updated and timely story reminiscent of The Big Chill, this touching and poignant narration of mature women, friends since high school, who come together over the death of one of their group will remain with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Six young very different girls met in high school and at one birthday party decided to form a pact of “no secrets” between them. They remained friends throughout adulthood weathering the storms of divorces, abuse, financial instability, and ultimate success always with brutal honesty and love toward each other.
Liz, the narrator of the story is in turmoil. Her perfect boyfriend has taken a job and asked her to move with him from California to New York. Unwilling to leave her job in corporate Human Resources, as well as her friends, the decision of whether to commit to Sam is made even more complicated when after years of service she is laid off after her company acquires another company making her job redundant. With grown children who have left the house, Liz finds herself, for the first time in her life, anchorless and adrift with no definite destination in site.
The accidental death of Karen, the adventurous risk taker of the group takes them all by surprise as they begin to question their lives, mortality, and what is really important in life.
Skillfully written, this story moves at a steady pace slowly unfolding to give us more and more insight into these convincing and highly likeable characters. The dialog is well done and the characters utterly believable from Gidge the gum-snapping smart aleck who uses her humor as a barrier to others to Jo who through the help and support of her friends found the confidence to escape an abusive marriage.
A touching and realistic story that presents strong characters as credible, thoughtful, and at times frustrated women, this book is spot on. Anyone who has married, had children, or who has struggled with a relationship will be able to relate.
Intelligently crafted, Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever is one of those books you just want to sit down with a glass of wine and have a conversation about it with your friends.
The book was recently optioned for the big screen.
~Reviewer Wendy Thomas lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband and six children, ages 9-17 She has been published in various regional magazines and newspapers. She writes a weekly column, Simple Thrift for the Nashua Telegraph.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Medical Satire Available in All Formats
Title: Postmodern Medicine
Author: Trevor Price
Genre: Literature/Satire
ISBN:9781452425979
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing
http://untreedreads.com/
Publication Date: 17/08/2010
Available at Amazon.com and Borders.com in all formats.
Reviewer's Rating: Three Stars
Reviewed by Debra Martin, http://martinandsmall.com/, for Two Ends of the Pen
This quirky story opens with Yusuf duping his Turkish cousin, Mr. Mardin, into traveling to England to take a position with a fledgling company, FromBirth Ltd. Yusuf is sketchy with the details about what exactly the position will be, the pay, the accommodations and this avoidance of details sets the stage for the rest of the book.
FromBirth Ltd harvests human organs, which is not a new idea, but FromBirth Ltd takes it one step further. With the introduction of new immuno-suppressants from a partner company, they can now literally use
every part of the donor body.
Mardin is delegated to be the PR guy although he has no PR experience, and he must make a promotional video about a recent donor, Ayeshia Smith, on a shoestring budget. In fact, everything about the company
seems to be on a tight budget. Mardin finds this out first-hand when his living arrangements turn out to be a cot in his office.
Author Trevor Price speeds us along from one crazy situation to another mostly involving interviews with the recipients of the donor organs to a trip out to the Glynnebourne Organic Farm, a new “green” company.
The author has a flair for dialogue and I found myself chuckling at some of these interviews. The story is filled with an interesting cast of characters including the kind of creepy, Dr. Groome who harvests the body parts, Mr. Stewart Wymer, the business partner who makes decisions on the fly no matter what the consequences, Yusuf, the cousin who isn’t exactly helpful to Mardin, and Debbi, the overworked, moody receptionist.
Mr. Price presents us with a satirical commentary with this story, but it made me think about the state of modern medicine and perhaps that was his purpose all along or maybe it's just a dark urban fantasy after all.
Dislaimer: The reviewer received a digital copy of the book from the publisher for this review
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author: Trevor Price
Genre: Literature/Satire
ISBN:9781452425979
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing
http://untreedreads.com/
Publication Date: 17/08/2010
Available at Amazon.com and Borders.com in all formats.
Reviewer's Rating: Three Stars
Reviewed by Debra Martin, http://martinandsmall.com/, for Two Ends of the Pen
This quirky story opens with Yusuf duping his Turkish cousin, Mr. Mardin, into traveling to England to take a position with a fledgling company, FromBirth Ltd. Yusuf is sketchy with the details about what exactly the position will be, the pay, the accommodations and this avoidance of details sets the stage for the rest of the book.
FromBirth Ltd harvests human organs, which is not a new idea, but FromBirth Ltd takes it one step further. With the introduction of new immuno-suppressants from a partner company, they can now literally use
every part of the donor body.
Mardin is delegated to be the PR guy although he has no PR experience, and he must make a promotional video about a recent donor, Ayeshia Smith, on a shoestring budget. In fact, everything about the company
seems to be on a tight budget. Mardin finds this out first-hand when his living arrangements turn out to be a cot in his office.
Author Trevor Price speeds us along from one crazy situation to another mostly involving interviews with the recipients of the donor organs to a trip out to the Glynnebourne Organic Farm, a new “green” company.
The author has a flair for dialogue and I found myself chuckling at some of these interviews. The story is filled with an interesting cast of characters including the kind of creepy, Dr. Groome who harvests the body parts, Mr. Stewart Wymer, the business partner who makes decisions on the fly no matter what the consequences, Yusuf, the cousin who isn’t exactly helpful to Mardin, and Debbi, the overworked, moody receptionist.
Mr. Price presents us with a satirical commentary with this story, but it made me think about the state of modern medicine and perhaps that was his purpose all along or maybe it's just a dark urban fantasy after all.
Dislaimer: The reviewer received a digital copy of the book from the publisher for this review
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Friday, December 3, 2010
Support an Indie Author This Holiday Season and Win Something, Too!
Darcia Helle, an online friend of mine, is offering a selection of books in a kind of online holiday catalog and fun holiday party (with prizes!) for giving this season. Some are paperback and some e-books. E-books are a neat way to save on postage and still remember your special friends. Here is the link to the main event page:
http://www.quietfurybooks.com/holidayevent.html
Darcia says, “We have forty-seven authors participating and hundreds of print and e-books to give away. The event launches on December 1.
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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Spell Kissed
by Kari Thomas
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing, www.blacklyonpublishing.com
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-1-934912-28-7
Paranormal Romance
PRINT and E-book
Reviewed by Valerie for LoverRomanceandMore blog
Awarded Five Roses
Brianna Adair is a witch who is the keeper of The Sphere. Trouble is, her spells go awry when she’s in a highly emotional state. When she accidentally burns her house down, her friend, Cynthia offers her a place for the time being. Cynthia has two sons, both with the police force, Sloan and his brother, Hunter. Hunter has been asked to take some leave as he is practically on burn out and Sloan has asked him to come home and help him with a strange case. When Brianna and Hunter meet, the sexual attraction is strong. Soon, Hunter and Sloan are helping Brianna retrieve The Sphere that has been taken from her. They are fighting demons and are believing that there is more out there than the eye can see. All the while, Brianna and Hunter are discovering feelings that threaten Brianna’s spells to go completely crazy.
Kari Thomas gives her readers a wonderful story with some compelling and exciting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I love stories with witches and Brianna is a witch, although she often gets her spells wrong. This causes no end of trouble and some comical moments. Her hero, Hunter is all macho, protective, jealous, stubborn and he has sure met his match in Brianna. They are wonderful together as Brianna turns the world as he knows it upside down, and Hunter causes Brianna’s emotions to almost run out of control. Ms Thomas keeps the sexual tension on boiling point almost throughout the whole story and the reader will be simmering along right with them both. So, when they finally do the deed, the characters are not the only ones to experience the relief. There is a good, solid conflict that will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next and to see if everyone survives. Towards the end, there was a moment where I had to almost shed a tear…that always puts a book on my keeper shelf. If you haven’t yet tried a story by this author, I can highly recommend her and know that when you read one, you’ll be scrambling for her backlist!
~Kari Thomas is an asward-winning author. Learn more about her at http://www.authorkari.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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
by Kari Thomas
Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing, www.blacklyonpublishing.com
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-1-934912-28-7
Paranormal Romance
PRINT and E-book
Reviewed by Valerie for LoverRomanceandMore blog
Awarded Five Roses
Brianna Adair is a witch who is the keeper of The Sphere. Trouble is, her spells go awry when she’s in a highly emotional state. When she accidentally burns her house down, her friend, Cynthia offers her a place for the time being. Cynthia has two sons, both with the police force, Sloan and his brother, Hunter. Hunter has been asked to take some leave as he is practically on burn out and Sloan has asked him to come home and help him with a strange case. When Brianna and Hunter meet, the sexual attraction is strong. Soon, Hunter and Sloan are helping Brianna retrieve The Sphere that has been taken from her. They are fighting demons and are believing that there is more out there than the eye can see. All the while, Brianna and Hunter are discovering feelings that threaten Brianna’s spells to go completely crazy.
Kari Thomas gives her readers a wonderful story with some compelling and exciting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I love stories with witches and Brianna is a witch, although she often gets her spells wrong. This causes no end of trouble and some comical moments. Her hero, Hunter is all macho, protective, jealous, stubborn and he has sure met his match in Brianna. They are wonderful together as Brianna turns the world as he knows it upside down, and Hunter causes Brianna’s emotions to almost run out of control. Ms Thomas keeps the sexual tension on boiling point almost throughout the whole story and the reader will be simmering along right with them both. So, when they finally do the deed, the characters are not the only ones to experience the relief. There is a good, solid conflict that will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next and to see if everyone survives. Towards the end, there was a moment where I had to almost shed a tear…that always puts a book on my keeper shelf. If you haven’t yet tried a story by this author, I can highly recommend her and know that when you read one, you’ll be scrambling for her backlist!
~Kari Thomas is an asward-winning author. Learn more about her at http://www.authorkari.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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
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