Secondary Teacher Recommends "Kellcey" for Her Twelfth Graders

Title of the book: Kellcey

Author: Kacey Kells

Author's website: https://kaceykells.wixsite.com/kellcey

Genre: memoir

ISBN: 978-1-84897-895-9

Amazon link where blog visitors can buy the book

Reviewed by J. G. MacLeod originally for Amazon

Rating: 5 stars

Review: "I just finished reading Kellcey, by Kacey Kells. This book is an important contribution to the MeToo movement and should be required reading for every high school senior or college freshman.

Kells describes an idyllic childhood transformed by tragedy that affects each family member in profound ways. Filled with loneliness and often isolated, Kellcey turns to a relationship with an older boy of whom her mother approves. Unfortunately, Ben’s friend, John, makes crude remarks around Kellcey and Ben has to step in to prevent him from acting on his unwanted advances. This early glimpse into a culture that objectifies women at extremely young ages and teaches boys that this form of toxic masculinity is normal, is difficult to read emotionally as it is so relatable to many women.

I could also relate to much of the landscape in this book, as I have visited the locations where Kellcey lives and travels. Tofino, with its magnificent trees and parks, brought back many fond memories for me, yet set against this backdrop of natural beauty is an escalation of misogyny that will make readers feel incensed once again. Alcohol is often used as an excuse for the mistreatment of women, including name-calling and sexual assault. Unfortunately, none of these events are unrealistic for our everyday interactions. They are all too common and Kells does an excellent job of detailing them using imagery that makes the reader recoil with disgust.

Without inserting too many plot spoilers, Kellcey not only bears witness to what countless other women have gone through, but also offers a message of hope. Kells is clear when she characterizes Kellcey as a resilient young woman who is brave enough to speak her truth, face it, and work to heal. I applaud the author for her courage to write such an honest story and look forward to reading her future publications.
A definite 5-stars from me!"

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

J. G. MacLeod, an author and secondary teacher and says , " I even . . . [use "Kellcey]" in my classroom and encourage my grade 12 students to read it." Learn more about her on twitter @jgmacleodauthor , her website,  jgmacleod.com, and Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2479609695.

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS AND ANOTHER FREEBIE

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

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

Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Editor Reviews LB Sedlacek New Poetry Book

Words and Bones

By LB Sedlacek

Published 2018

Finishing Line Press

Genre: Poetry

42 pages

ISBN-10:  1635346320

ISBN-13:  978-1635346329

www.lbsedlacek.com

Reviewed by Cristina M.R. Norcross

In L.B. Sedlacek’s collection, Words and Bones, we see the wonder of every day miracles presented to us using spare, but precise language, and imagery that opens up the sky and earth in unique ways. If we follow the thread of words in these engaging poems, we not only find our way out of the forest of life, we emerge with a deeper understanding of human connection, ways of seeing, and inner knowing. These are poems to be savored and sipped. These words and bones shed light on the mysterious world around us and skillfully offer a poetic guide map.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Cristina M. R. Norcross, Editor of Blue Heron Review; author of Beauty in the Broken Places and other titles.

MORE ABOUT THE POET

L.B. Sedlacek’s poetry has appeared in publications such as "Pure Francis," "The Broad River Review," "The Broken Plate," "I-70 Review,"  "Third Wednesday," "Mastodon Dentist," "Big Pulp," and others.  Her latest poetry book, "The Architect of French Fries" was recently published by Presa Press.  She also teaches poetry at local elementary and middle schools, publishes a free resource for poets "The Poetry Market Ezine," and was a Poetry Editor for "ESC! Magazine."  In her free time, LB enjoys swimming, reading, and volunteering for her local humane society.  Find out more:  www.lbsedlacek.com

Subscribe to her newsletter at 

The Poetry Market Ezine

www.thepoetrymarket.com

Follow her on Twitter
http://twitter.com/frugalpoet

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG
 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. 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.

Winning Writers Announces Winners for Their North Street Book Prize!

Lots of my SharingwithWriters and TheNewBookReview subscribers and visitors know that I believe in contests, but more importantly, I believe in choosing contests that offer more than a flashy logo to use on their books and in their social networking (though those are nice, too!).  Many contests are expensive, but some--even some of the expensive ones are worth the money if they offer benefits.  One of the ones I support--avidly--is #NorthStreetBookPrize from the Writer's Digest acclaimed WinningWriters.com! They just announced their winners who received the traditional logo/sticker, of course, but also a gift certificate from Bookbaby.com and an hour's consultation from me!  So here is some great reading and networking possibilities for NewBookReview readers, reviewers, publishers, authors, and publicists!

Here are the North Street Book Prize winners.  Read and enjoy! Look them up! And check the #NorthStreetBookPrize coming for 2019 at https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/north-street-book-prize. 

North Street Book Prize 2018 Winners List

Grand Prize

Emily Bracale, Our Last Six Months (1124720) (graphic memoir)

emilybracale@gmail.com

Memoir

1st:

Francesco Granieri, Pavarotti and Pancakes (1124997)

granieri.fcg@gmail.com

Genre Fiction

1st:

Carol DeMent, Saving Nary (1125055) (recategorize)

caroldement@comcast.net

Literary Fiction

1st:

Angela Carole Brown, Trading Fours (1125260)

acb3000@juno.com

Poetry

1st:

William Rodriguez, From the Banks of Brook Avenue (1124865)

wrrodriguez@tds.net

Children's Picture Book

1st:

Jeannine Bernardi, A Friendship Forever (1125054)

jeannine@fivepathspublishing.com

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS AND ANOTHER FREEBIE

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

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

Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Five of Five Shocking Stars for "Deadly Passion"

Title: Deadly Passion

Author: Joe Congel

Author Website: amazon.com/author/joecongel

Genre: Mystery/Private Detective

Ebook ASIN: B07C29GK9R 

Paperback ASIN: 1718805594

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1718805590

Paperback ISBN-10: 1718805594

Reviewers Rating: 5 stars out of 5 

Click here to purchase book: https://www.amazon.com/DEADLY-PASSION-Razzolito-Story-Razzman-ebook/dp/B07C29GK9R/

Reviewed by Leonard Tillerman originally for Leonardtillerman.com

What ultimately drives one human being to murder another?  To take away everything they are and will ever be.  To snuff out a life which once shone bright with hope and dreams.  In the majority of cases it has to do with some form of emotional investment.  The power of emotions such as love and hate can be exceptionally strong.  Be that as it may, it is a cruel and evil deed which society has no mercy for.  The powers that be will hunt down such vicious killers with every resource they have at their disposal.  However, what happens when that is not enough?  When a murderer evades capture and punishment for their crime and continues to kill?  This is the point in time when the best of the best become involved…and ensure justice is served.  In the novel Deadly Passion by author Joe Congel, we get to see this very same scenario unfold.  If you like your murder mysteries peppered with intense human emotions, betrayal and ingenious sleuths… then this novel will provide what you seek!

The story revolves around the brutal slaying of two women.  They were both butchered in exactly the same fashion- stabbed to death with their hearts cut out from their body.  The puzzling matter however is that the two murders happened 20 years apart from one another. The first case was never solved.  Could a sadistic killer who escaped justice the first time around be back in business?  Enter Private Investigator Tony Razzolito.  He is the cream of the crop when it comes to gumshoe detectives, and has been brought onboard for this case by the police brass themselves.  Of course, this does not sit well with the original homicide detective who was unable to solve this senseless murder decades ago.  Forced to work together, the two must put their differences aside and stop a sadistic killer before they strike again.

To write out the plot for a great detective/murder mystery is no easy feat.  It must contain a number of key elements to be believable and thus successful.  For instance, there have to be victims, suspects, puzzles, clues and a number of breathtaking twists and turns.  All of this needs to be presented in a way in which the reader becomes a virtual participant in the process.  They are solving the crime alongside their favorite detective!  When this all comes together you end up with true reader engagement.  This is exactly the case with Deadly Passion.  The theme of love and revenge is brilliantly supported by exciting and edge-of-your seat story events.  The reader becomes emotionally involved in the process which in turn is exceptionally powerful in creating a captivated reading audience.

While the plot of this novel is beautifully written, I do believe it essentially remains a character-driven story.  There are a number of significant players in this tale who develop and grow in great detail.  From Razzolito and Scott to Cahill and Havens.  We get to learn more about the variety of characters, and what drives them, with each passing page.  Once again the reader becomes emotionally invested and interconnected with them and their particular plight.  What’s more, by utilizing his unique writing style and point of view, the author allows us insight into the minds of victims and villain.  Engagement at its best!

Overall, I loved this novel.  While the story events are intelligent and intricate, it remains easy to read.  This is due to the smooth writing and crisp dialogue which seamlessly flows from page to page.  If you are in the mood for a classic and enthralling murder mystery… this is the book for you!  Undeniably a true page turner.

5 out of 5 Shocking Stars for this one!  *****

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joe Congel grew up in Central New York. After thirty-five years of braving long winters enhanced by lake effect snow, and ridiculously short summers, he made his way below the Mason-Dixon Line to beautiful Charlotte, NC.

He spent the last twenty plus years helping to raise two wonderful kids into adulthood and now spends his time enjoying his grandchildren, baseball, playing guitar, reading, and of course, writing stories that he hopes people will want to read. 

You can find Joe’s books at: https://www.amazon.com/Joe-Congel/e/B072Q1XWB1

and www.books2read.com/razzman1

 Follow Joe on Twitter at: @JoeCongelAuthor  

Visit Joe’s blog at: https://joecongelfictionstories.blogspot.com/ 

Visit Joe on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JoeCongelAuthor/ 

You can reach Joe via email at jc.razzman@gmail.com

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

My name is Leonard Tillerman and I am an educator and writer.  I have spent the last 25 years as an English teacher and school Principal.  I also have over 20 years of experience as a blogger and freelance writer offering my services to various publications.   I am passionate about the written word.

While I am extremely passionate about writing…the same can absolutely be said about reading!  There is nothing I like to do more than sit by the fire and read a great book.  In fact, I have read so many books in my lifetime that I lost count a long time ago.  That brings me to this point.  I would like to help readers and authors find one another.  In particular, I strive to help Indy Authors reach a larger audience by providing honest and comprehensive reviews of their work. So many great writers and authors are just not having their voices heard. My Grandfather was an amazing writer who wrote 5 amazing books.  They were never published as it was such a difficult market to break into.  I want to help people like him.  

There is nothing in this for me other than satisfaction.  I never charge for reviews and will never offer a review to someone I know personally.  I do not think I would be able to write an honest review if that was the case.  In return for my book reviews I achieve satisfaction as great writers get exposure, as well as visitors to my website who will look around and explore the pages.  That is all I get or want.  

Blog: http://www.leonardtillerman.com   Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LeonardTillerman

Twitter: @mywritersnook   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeonardTillerman1

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS AND ANOTHER FREEBIE

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

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

Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Mother/Daughter Writing Team Dedicate Book to Adopted Children Everywhere

Title: A Mom
Authors: Daughter and Mother team, Betsy and Carolyn Wilhelm
Genre: Children's Picture Book, Children's Literature
Illustrator: Pieter Els
ISBN: 978-0-9997766-5-0
Dedicated to adopted children everywhere

As an educator holding a masters degree in gifted education, Carolyn Wilhelm's books for children are filled with subtle lessons with an emphasis on the word "subtle." That the protagonist in this book shares what she thinks a "mother" does is Asian and the mother is Caucasian is a subtext. The story is really about a mother and daughter relationship and love. The underlying message is discernible through the lovely, simple illustrations by Pieter Els and a gentle allusion to "color" in the text that the reader might easily miss. Which is how it should be. After all, that is the point of this lovely little eighteen-page booklet which is just the right size for a just-one-more-story at bedtime.

MORE ABOUT THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WRITING TEAM

I. Reid is the pen name of the daughter of this team, who happens to be adopted and look quite different from her mother.  Carolyn Wilhelm is the other half of the team who, as an educator, recognized the need for gentle stories about adoption and about interracial adoption in particular. This book is dedicated to "All adopted children everywhere." You can find Reid blogging at https://www.thewiseowlfactory.com/guest-posts-by-i-reid/. Find Wilhelm's teaching aids for teachers and parents at The Wise Owl Factory on Pinterest and she tweets @WiseOwlFactory.

MORE ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Pieter Else has a long list of experience from thirty years plus studying and working in graphic design and educational technology.  Find his clip art at http://surferkiddies.com and reach him by e-mail at surferkidsclipart@gmail.com.

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW BLOG

 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.