The New Book Review

Showing posts with label Fiction: Young Adult. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Imaginative (and Humorous!) Young Adult Fiction Reviewed by Dr. Westley Britton

Title: Oops!: Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse

Series: Life After Life Chronicles Book 4

Author: Andy Zach

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: January 2, 2020

Publisher: Jule Inc; 1st Edition (January 2, 2020)

ASIN: B0825G9MPG

Purchase at Amazon

Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton originally for BookPleasures.com

You'd think after three oddball novels, Zombie Turkeys (How an Unknown Blogger Fought Unkillable Turkeys), My Undead Mother-In-Law (The Family Zombie with Anger Management Issues), and Paranormal Privateers, that Andy Zach would have exhausted all the comic possibilities in his world of killer zombie turkeys and superhero zombie humans.

You'd be wrong. How about flying zombie pickles? Zombie zucchini? Zombie caterpillars? (How can you tell a zombie caterpillar from a normal one? Andy Zach can tell you.)

How about being injected with zombie blood which can cure any ill, regrow any lost limb, and be quickly cured with a widely available antidote? Who needs insurance with that sort of help? How about organizing a zombie worker union at Amazon when zombies can outperform robots? And suggest the story is based on two real people, Anthony and Ravan Jones who contribute the foreword to the book? Or zombie residents of a nursing home taking over the place?

But all this silliness is just part of what Andy Zach has collected in Oops. He has included other short stories by other authors like "The Story of Sound" by Olivia Smith and his own "A Phoenix Tale" before diving into his zombie world. Then he offers a batch of stories based on his other book series featuring disabled middle-schoolers who become superheroes, the Secret Supers. Oh yea, there are the aliens who first appeared in Paranormal Privateers who are defeated by zombies working for the U.S. Government. The aliens can provide you legal assistance in the form of a sexy avatar who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe.

If you're getting the impression that one Mr. Andy Zach has a wide and wild imagination, you are on the right track. One obvious audience for his quirky tales is the YA readership, especially for all the contemporary references like video gaming and computer lingo. But even grumpy old sixty-somethings like me can have a lot of fun with Andy's characters, scenarios, and plots. I'm still laughing at the image of migrating flying zombie pickles. Hard to get more original, unique, or surprising than Zach's "Life After Life" series. Have some fun with Andy Zach in 2020!

Imaginative (and Humorous!) Young Adult Fiction Reviewed by Dr. Westley Britton

More About the Reviewer

Dr. Wesley Britton is the author of The Beta Earth Chronicles and reviews for BookPleasures.com and #TheNewBookReview. Learn more with these links:

Reviewer, BookPleasures.com

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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Social Networking Reviewer Gives Short Story Five Stars

Title: First Kisses: A Short Story

Author: Dina Littner

Genre: Literature & Fiction, 30 minutes (12-21 pages), Teen & Young Adult, Genre Fiction, Coming of Age

ASIN #: B0175KVX80

Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Where people can purchase the book

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

Rating: Five Star

What an amazingly sweet story! The innocence of youth and wonderment of what a first kiss would be like. You're nervous about it, excited, scared and filed with all sorts of anticipation. WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

Dina Littner wrote this delightful short story and did a fantastic job. She captured the feelings perfectly, blend in the trio of best friends and what better ways to have your first kiss than by one you trust?

I SO look forward to reading more of Dina's work. I actually look forward to reading more about these characters too!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dina Littner connections:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DinaLittnerAuthor/?ref=br_rs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DinaLittner

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9872204.Dina_Littner

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dina-Littner/e/B01M8PAVC4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Tracey Quintin connections:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOVEBOOKSWITHROMANCE/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReadingIsOurPas

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/19886187-tracey-quintin

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

Friday, January 5, 2018

Tracey Quintin Gives YA Novel 5 Stars

Title: The Dead of Winter

Series: Seasons of Jefferson: Book 2

Author: Julie Solano (Author),‎ Tracy Justice (Author),‎ JT Authors (Author)

Website: http://jtauthors.com/index.html

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Teens, Teen & Young Adult, Social & Family Issues, Depression & Mental Illness, Mental Illness, Personal Health, Depression

ASIN #: B018BWIDJI

Where people can purchase the book

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

Rated 5 Star

I've got to say I so love these authors! They know how to knock it out of the ballpark with their writing!

I HIGHLY recommend you read Book 1, When Fall Breaks, BEFORE reading this story so you can truly "feel" every single moment of this story.

I don't give away spoilers in my reviews so this will be SUPER hard because this story is FULL of so many things I want to mention! Thus, I'm leaving out anything pertaining to these characters I love.

I couldn't wait to read this story after I fell in complete love with When Fall Breaks and the authors writing style.

I read this story from 3 perspectives which is a first for me! I read it as if I were the characters in the story, I read it as a parent thinking of my own children and I read it as a reader, all 3 as the events of the storyline unfolded. When I finished reading that's when I fully realized I was reading this way, that's how much I was COMPLETELY absorbed into this story!

This story captivated me from page 1 all the way to the end. I had so many emotions going through my mind while reading, so many thoughts in my mind of what I THOUGHT was going to happen. The authors got me EVERY SINGLE TIME. Whatever I was thinking didn't happen and they completely surprised me every step of the way! Such an emotional roller coaster ride and SO worth all the tummy flips! I was SO on edge NEEDING to know what would happen next. These characters and events were so real to me, I could picture everything. Perfect blend of details and dialog.

This story deals with PTSD a very real serious mental health disorder that many dismiss or overlook in treating. The manner in which these authors tackle it is outstanding.

I will write this from the story because this means something so important to me:
"WORTH FIGHTING FOR...She was my last hope. My reason to move forward. I miss laughing. I miss feeling good. When was the last time I was happy? It feels like forever. "
Gaaaaaaa...that grabs my heart and squeezes tight! There are many more I've highlighted on my Kindle throughout the story.

A SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOP THAT THIS STORY IS A GRIPPING PAGE TURNER AND SO REALISTIC! AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ FOR ALL AGES.
(I can't write a review that does this story justice!)

Superb job by the authors on this brilliant read. I look forward to reading anything they ever write! They always delve into real life issues and illnesses in a manner making it possible for all to understand. Thank you for bringing attention in this story to PTSD.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHORS

JT Authors connections:

Website: http://jtauthors.com/index.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasonsofjefferson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jt_authors

Goodreads:

Julie Solano: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12336169.Julie_Solano

Tracy Justice: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12336170.Tracy_Justice

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_3?ie=UTF8&text=JT+Authors&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=JT+Authors&sort=relevancerank

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Tracey Quintin connections:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOVEBOOKSWITHROMANCE/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReadingIsOurPas

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/19886187-tracey-quintin

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Canadian Reviewer Lauds Their Women's Day and Ruth Latta's Young Adult Novel

Book Title: Grace and the Secret Vault

Author: Ruth Latta

Author Website: http://ruthlatta.blogspot.com

Genre: Young adult historical fiction

Publisher: Baico Publishing Inc. (Ottawa, Canada)

ISBN: 978-1-7721-60925

Review link: http://ruthlatta.blogspot.com

Purchase Online: info@baico.ca

Reviewed by Stephen Dale originally for Apt.613 (online magazine, Ottawa, ON)

To mark International Women’s Day in 2017, a group called Equal Voice organized an event in which young women from across Canada occupied all 338 seats in the House of Commons. The women spoke powerfully of the issues that are important to them and, in the process, made a strong symbolic statement about how politics might be different if more women were involved. With only a quarter of the seats in Parliament currently occupied by women, it’s clear that the seat of Canadian democracy remains, overwhelmingly, a boys’ club.

That the number of female Parliamentarians has increased to some extent recently is a testament to the strength of a few trailblazing women determined to defy the odds and take their place on the national political stage. One of those pioneers was Grace Woodsworth MacInnis, who served as the NDP Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway between 1966 and 1974.

Ottawa novelist Ruth Latta recalls that, as a student at Queen’s University in the early 1970s, she was fascinated with this diminutive yet dynamic women, one of the first Canadian Parliamentarians to regularly raise issues of concern to women on the floor of the Commons. Latta’s latest young adult novel, Grace and the Secret Vault, (Ottawa, Baico Publishing Inc. 2017 www.baico.ca ISBN: 978-1-77216-092-5) is a fictional account of an especially formative period in Grace’s life.

Although the book doesn’t deal directly with Grace’s work as a politician, in a subtle way it sheds light on how the future MP developed the determined outlook and fortitude of character that would be necessary to storm the bastions of male power.

The novel recreates a particularly turbulent year in Grace’s early life. Her father, J.S. Woodsworth (who would go on to lead the CCF, the forerunner of the New Democratic Party) had lost his job as a minister in an idyllic British Columbia coastal town because of his opposition to the First World War. In 1919, with the war over, Grace’s father remains unafraid of courting controversy. He travels the country speaking out for social justice, and takes a role in organizing the landmark Winnipeg General Strike.

Against the backdrop of these historic events, Grace gets an up-close lesson in courage. Her father stands tall in the face of condemnation, economic sanction, and even the threat of violence. Perhaps more importantly, Grace’s mother summons a special kind of strength: keeping the family afloat by working as a teacher, overseeing a chaotic household of high-spirited children, setting a tone of optimism and good humour.

Latta tells this story in a fluid, fast-paced and conversational way, seamlessly weaving together the daily details of life in the British Columbia of a century ago with the book’s overarching political narrative. The characters’ dialogue is conveyed convincingly in the lexicon of the day, but the emotional pull of the story is timeless. And despite its subject matter, the author avoids propagandizing. There’s also a sly twist on the idea of the “mystery” that adds some fun at the end.

Grace and the Secret Vault is a lively read and a historical tale with a clear resonance for the contemporary reader, especially for the young person who might want to grow up to change the world.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Ottawa writer Stephen Dale’s latest book is Noble Illusions: Young Canada Goes to War (Fernwood Books).

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

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

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Young Adult Novel Tackles Domestic Abuse

Title: Girl on the Brink

Author: Christina Hoag

Publisher: Fire & Ice Young Adult Books; First edition (August 30, 2016)

Publication Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: YA Fiction/Teen Romance

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Girl-Brink-Christina-Hoag/dp/168046339X

ISBN: 978-1-68046-339-2 (Paperback)

ASIN: B01K9L996A (Kindle)

Website: http://www.ChristinaHoag.com

Twitter: @ChristinaHoag

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ChristinaHoagAuthor

Reviewer, Marlan Warren
“Roadmap Girl’s Book Buzz”

Reviewed by Marlan Warren originally for R oadmap Girl's Book Buzz Blog

"I hope...he never calls me again, but he still owes me a big apology."

--Girl on the Brink

Summary: Aspiring reporter Chloe (age 17) lands a dream job as a summer intern with the local paper in her New Jersey suburb, and meets the somewhat annoying-but-cute Kieran while she is on assignment. Kieran (age 19) pounces on Chloe, who is pleased to find a creative person like herself (he's an aspiring actor), and enjoys his lavish attention as a welcome alternative to her unhappy home life due to her parents' impending divorce. Gradually, it becomes more and more apparent that Kieran is emotionally disturbed, and unable (or unwilling) to control his need to micromanage her life or his extreme jealousy. At first, she thinks "There's no point in resisting," but by the time he's repeatedly hurt her physically and mentally, Chloe knows in her head that he's abusing her, but her heart makes excuses for him. Which will win? Head or heart?

Los Angeles author Christina Hoag has crafted Girl on the Brink as a "howdunit." While it is no mystery why the vulnerable and intelligent 17-year old Chloe falls for the initial charm of a potentially lethal 19-year old young man whose avid attention leads her into a summer romance, the real mystery lies in how the heck this otherwise sharp, but troubled, teen will extricate herself from what increasingly becomes an abusive relationship.

Hoag has grounded the story in the psychological reality of how abusive relationships can occur at any age. The episodic story is told in first person from Chloe's point of view, which gives it a kind of one-sided diary quality, but its use of present tense gives it a you-are-there immediacy. It unfolds the way life--and relationships--unfold.

This is not a "sleeping with the enemy" tale. There are no real villains here. Neither the sex nor the violence is sensationalized. In fact, the tragedy and victory play out with greater impact because "domestic abuse" is sadly commonplace--even though it is almost taboo in American culture to discuss it openly, especially with young daughters and sons.

Many readers may see themselves or someone they know in these pages. And to her credit, Hoag supplies a "Resources" list in the Appendix where teens can seek help if they are in Chloe's situation.

It is a well-documented fact that a significant number of abusive relationships are inhabited by two people who say they love each other. Girl on the Brink gently explores this paradox (nothing is preachy). And when it is finally over, a wiser Chloe states:

"I know it was okay to leave Kieran, and it was okay to miss him, too."

Abusive relationships can happen throughout women's lives in repetitive patterns. Girl on the Brink serves as a beacon that shines light on how to nip potential abuse cycles in the bud, and place high priority on mutual respect in relationships.

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

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Girl Plus Book Reviews Cresecren Chronicles for YA

Title: NOVUS
Series: The Cresecren Chronicles, Book 1)
Author: Crystal Marcos
Genre: Young Adult
Honors and Awards:

~"Official Selection" Winner in the E-Book Young Adult category, 2015 New Apple Book Awards!

~Winner Best Books in the Young Adult category, 2016 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards!

ASIN: B010OI7UIM

ISBN-13: 978-0984389988

Buy Links: Amazon http://viewbook.at/AmazonNOVUS-eBook

Other options: http://crystalmarcos.com/novus/locations.html

The Cresecren Chronicles: Novus

Reviewed by Sarah originally for Girl Plus Book

“I may never know what it feels like to lose a mate. As I watched Zira rock back and forth moaning, I wondered if love was worth what she felt. “

Adventure-packed experience with a Cinder-like feel and a iRobot-like storyline. Marcos takes you into a dystopian world where humans have made a new being to aid in the survival of the human race. The Cresecrens, essentially a new race whose sole purpose is to serve humans. No rights, no freedom. Humans and Cresecrens live peacefully within their own boundaries, until one unexplainable event, all that changes.

From character development to plot twists, Marcos story comes together beautifully. There is never a slow or dull moment: conspiracy, forbidden love, hidden cities, battles, and more; you are sure to read this book in one sitting.

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

Friday, February 12, 2016

EMPOWERMENT IS JUST A WORD...UNTIL YOU LIVE I

Title: THE SKIN OF WATER
Subtitle: Defending The Dreamcatcher
By Cristina Salat
Publisher: Green Flame Omnimedia
Pub date: Feb. 14, 2016
Trade Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1518829000 ISBN-10: 1518829007Mass Market: ISBN-13: 978-1523793624 ISBN-10: 1523793627E-edition: ISBN 978-1311502605
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015957072
Purchase Links:

Available through your local library and wherever fine books are sold

Also: Amazon's Match Book program

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BI3FAI (the purchase of print edition comes with accompanying Kindle version at discount).

Signed copies available through: http://creativecornucopia.miiduu.com

Reviewed by Nikki Nigari, jorascknigari@hotmail.com

There are books you read and workshops you enjoy. And then there are books and activities that ROCK your world.

In these uncertain times my children are aware that their school, the mall, even our church is no longer necessarily a guaranteed safe zone. The complex dangers and economic hardships going on everywhere seem to be making anything truly inspiring in great demand, yet short supply.

In wanting a break from violence while not wanting to stick my head in the sand, I found an unusual new book: The Skin of Water: Defending The Dreamcatchers by Cristina Salat. It heralds a modern-day pueblo teen who winds up changing her life in ways you will not see coming that are likely to also change your own!

From the jacket copy:

"Lisel Martinez is not a rough-&-tumble kind of girl, so what is someone more interested in books and plants than in having a hot social life doing out on the most dangerous streets in San Francisco? Is there actually anything one 16-year-old without a home can do to keep herself safe in a world that seems anything but?!

From the award-winning author of books for the young and young at heart comes a contemporary quest from the mesas of New Mexico to the streets of San Francisco, as one modern-day First Nation girl searches for a life different than the one that seems destined to be her fate."

This is the kind of book that becomes a friend, no matter what age you are. The second I finished it, I started again from the beginning. Cleaning out the garage would just have to wait!

It aroused discussions between children and adults, including a teenager and her friends who don't often like to participate in family discussions about anything! One character's comment: "It's not enough to just Take Back the Night, we need to take back the world!" particularly made my daughter cheer.

Dedicated by the author to "all who are loved, and all who deserve to be," the novel champions the idea that "Empowerment is just a word...until you live it." It is an evocative, empowering gift in an age when beloved children's book authors like Judy Blume in the collection Letters To Judy: What Your Kids Wish They Could Tell You says she receives volumes of requests from children of all ages, educators, and those who work in social services imploring her to write about kids whose lives include things like: dangerous family members, unconventional living situations, and real life circumstances such as surviving on the streets long enough to escape them.

Ms. Blume's understandable response is: "no one author can write about every situation, and most of us write out of our own experiences..." but she hopes one day someone else might write just such a book...and that book is now here.

There may be no easy answers to today's pressures around giving children wings while keeping them safe, but there are fresh ideas. New possibilities.

In an age of vampire love stories, wizards, and child wars in mythical lands, there can also be Real Magic in this world, right here, right now.

The Skin of Water: Defending The Dreamcatchers made me cry and had me shouting "YES!" during the rousing self-defense scenes.

In my opinion, there is no better gift to give to someone you love and want to see safe.

The book is available in trade paperback, mass market, and E-editions.

In the spirit of community, why not give it also to someone who isn't as loved as they deserve to be, along with your local libraries and schools?

Empowerment is just a word...until we live it

The Skin of Water: Defending The Dreamcatchers by Cristina Salat.

Get it.

Experience it.

Spread the word!

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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.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Interview: RH Lewis Helps Kids with Writing After Career in Teaching, Coaching

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

So, today welcome RH Lewis.

RH Lewis, was born in a small New Jersey town. Married with two grown daughters and four grandchildren, he now resides in Florida. His life has always been dedicated to enriching lives. As a Youth pastor, teacher and coach it has always been his belief that within each person are planted the seeds of greatness and that it is his job to cultivate those seeds. Recently retired, for twenty-one years he coached winning Mathcounts teams. In all, his teams have won over 1000 awards. Mr. Lewis has been recognized as teacher of the year, Math coach of the year, Mathcounts coach of the year, and Prism teacher of the year. As a writer, he loves weaving tales of mystery, suspense, and adventure with real life. When Mr. Lewis isn’t writing or teaching he enjoys cartooning, oil painting, sculpturing and playing with his grandchildren.

Lewis’ stories give credit to the intelligence of young people and the important role education plays in life. He is the author of Secrets of Bayboro Mansion, The Shroud, Wormhole and Run For Your Life, which is based on his own life experience.

What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? YA fiction
What made you want to be a writer? The youth of America are thirsty for inspiration and motivation. As a pastor and teacher, writing allows me to weave uplifting messages into adventures and mysteries. Quenching that thirst is my ministry.
Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Frank E. Peretti
What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I see the entire story playing out in my mind before the first word is typed. However, like Steven King, I let my characters help write the story. Outlines are usually abandoned by the second chapter and linear bends by the third.
Do you write every day? How much? How long? I try to write four to five hours every day. Some days it turns into zero hours and some days when the story is in control it turns into twenty-four. I never count the pages only the time spent with my characters.
Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading what your audience is reading is crucial to creating a voice that speaks to their hearts and minds.
What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Forget about writing a perfect manuscript instead concentrate on speaking to your readers in the language they speak.
Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Find out where your audience gathers and be there.
Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? I'm new to this so I can't give a big thumbs up or down until I've been to a few.
Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? My books can be found online @ Amazon and Barnes & Noble. My next event is Southwest Middle School December 4 2015, Bayside High School January 27, and Discovery Elementary School January 28. Brevard Schools Foundation (Date not yet set). www.rhlewisbooks.weebly.com

RH Lewis, weaves tales of mystery, suspense and adventure with real life. Once you enter his books, you never leave the same. Facebook LinkedIn Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/rh-lewis/

R.H. Lewis weaving life-changing Power into adventures, mysteries, and thrillers.

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENTS

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency

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

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENTS

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

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

Monday, June 8, 2015

Roadmap Girl Buzzes About Young Adult Fiction

Title: Silence (Sequel 1 to “Hush,” Lakeview Novel Series)

Author: Stacey R. Campbell

Publisher: Green Darner Press (May 28, 2015)

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

ASIN: B00YGCAR1K

Where to buy: Amazon Kindle ($.99)

Author Website: http://www.staceyrcampbell.com

Reviewed by Marlan Warren originally for Roadmap Girl’s Book Buzz

This quick, lively and poignant read explores that special longing felt by many adopted children: to know their biological parents. In this novelette sequel to Hush, Blakely Henry is now a graduate of Lakeview Academy who juggles her new life as queen of a fictional Mediterranean country with college and her hunky fiancé. Her adoptive American parents are on hand to help out, and it's touching how supportive they are of Blakely's deep need to meet her biological father. Stacey R. Campbell has meticulously crafted characters who come to life on the page so well that you feel you know them. She keeps the tone light, and is unafraid of tackling painful memories or events that come up as Blakely's search intensifies. Details such as the excellent pasta dishes the castle cook can whip up for her pleasure enhance the pleasures of this story which has one foot in "fairy tale" and the other in "reality."

What makes this journey so much fun is how much everyone involved cares. Blakely's whole family plus her fiancé accompany her on this tough journey which leads them through some beautiful parts of France. Silence is glamorous fun (how much easier our lives would be if we all had our own "royal stylist"), and at the same time, it is down to earth about skeletons in family closets and how families choose to deal with them. It can be read as a stand-alone, although it might be fun to go back and read Hush to find out how Blakely found out that she is the only surviving blood relative of an assassinated monarchy of a country that now needs her help.

About the Author:

Stacey R. Campbell lives in the Seattle area with her husband and three daughters. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and a dyslexic writer who believes there is no such thing as a bad reader. She's also the author of the Young Adult Lakeview Novel Series (Hush, Whisper and the upcoming Scream), as well as the MG swashbuckler Arrgh! .

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

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Journalist Pens YA Novel and "Gets It Right!"

Title: Maggie Vaults Over the Moon
Author: Grant Overstake
Author's Web Site www.maggievaultsoverthemoon.com
Genre: YA Fiction, Sports
ISBN: 978-1478296874

Publisher: CreateSpace
Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars

Buy Link at Amazon.com

Reviewed by Diane Wahto for Goodreads

Grant Overstake, the author of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, has created in Maggie Steele a courageous young woman who, despite self-doubt and grief, finds wholeness in a most unusual way, through the sport of pole-vaulting.

Being non-athletic myself, I wasn't sure how I would relate to a story of a teenager who took up pole vaulting as away to connect with her brother, tragically lost in a car wreck, and a way to heal herself. This is a young adult novel. Even so, I found myself caught up in Maggie's story. I believe readers of any age would find this book worthwhile.

In some ways, I don't relate to Maggie. I grew up in town and had little interest in my aunt and uncle's farm, or farm life in general. I would never, in my wildest dreams been elected homecoming queen. However, Overstake has made Maggie into a complex character, a teenager who has to navigate the halls and perils of her small town high school, much as I did in my hometown of Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Overstake gets everything right about Kansas. The story is set near Fort Scott, a town not too far away from my home town, and it is sweet to read about a land I knew so well. He also gets the people right, people, who with all their flaws, are still good and loving. Maggie's parents are particularly well developed. They are also caught up in the grief at the loss of their son, and we see that grief played out. However, they also understand Maggie's needs and try to help her as best they can.

Overstake is a former newspaper editor and sports writer. His background ensures that he know his stuff when it comes to writing about high school athletics. He is also an excellent writer.

Maggie Vaults Over the Moon hums along like a well-oiled, wonderfully written machine.

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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.

Pages

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Journalist Pens YA Novel and "Gets It Right!"

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