Well Met By Water, Another Winner by Joy V. Smith

BOOK TITLE: WELL MET BY WATER

AUTHOR OF BOOK: Joy V. Smith

GENRE: Science fiction 

ISBN: 979-8-232-59597-5

PAGE COUNT: 210

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Well+Met+by+Water&i=stripbooks&adid=082

VK13VJJCZTQYGWWCZ&campaign=211041&creative=374001&tag=x_gr_bb_

amazon-20&ref=x_gr_bb_amazon

 

THE REVIEW ITSELF:

 

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by David Jaggart for Readers’ Favorite

Joy V. Smith's WELL MET BY WATER is about a family of mermaid–human hybrids trying to live 

peacefully while protecting themselves from danger. The main character, Cathay, is a young 

woman who can breathe underwater, swim with dolphins, and move between land and sea. 

Her entire family shares this gift, although only the daughters inherit the full merfolk abilities. 

Their tranquil life suddenly changes when Cathay rescues Rand, a former thug, chained under 

a dock and left to drown. After saving Rand, Cathay encourages him to leave his criminal past 

behind and use his life for good. This incident sets off a series of events involving hardened 

criminals, polluted oceans, kidnapped merchildren, and the ongoing quest to keep the family’s 

identity a secret. Follow Cathay on this riveting journey as she protects her loved ones from 

impending danger.

WELL MET BY WATER is a captivating tale that feels a lot like stepping into two worlds at once — the human 

world and the hidden, fascinating world beneath the surface. I love how Joy V. Smith defines Cathay's family. 

Her family doesn't portray classic mermaids from traditional fantasy-based stories. They depict an authentic 

family with real concerns, disagreements, and loyalty. Their merfolk abilities add another layer to the many 

challenges they already face, especially with secrecy, safety, and identity. I deeply appreciated Rand's character 

arc. His presence brings uncertainty and hope, showing how a person with a dark past can find redemption 

when given a second chance. The environmental themes stand out, too. The author clearly cares about the 

ocean and uses the story to highlight pollution and the importance of protecting marine life in a way that feels 

natural to the plot. I enjoyed reading this intriguing tale and you will too! Highly recommended.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  

X Permission to publish the the review.

 Joy V. Smith has been writing stories since she was little and created her own little books.  Her stories and articles have been published in print magazines, ezines, and anthologies; her SF has been published in two audiobooks, including Sugar Time (also available in print). Her books include Detour Trail, a western; Strike Three; Sugar Time, Velvet of Swords; Cold New Planet; Seedlings and Crystal Quest, the sequel; a collection of her published short stories, The Doorway and Other Stories.  She lives in Florida with Samwise Gamgee, a Chihuahua cross, and Pemberley, the tortoiseshell cat

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

GREAT REVIEW FOR RON ROMAN'S BOOK, OF ASHES AND DUST

BOOK TITLE: OF ASHES AND DUST

AUTHOR OF BOOK: RON ROMAN

GENRE: THRILLER

ISBN: 978-1-59211-178-7 (hardcover); 

ISBN: 978-1-59211-240-1 (eBook)

PAGE COUNT: 260

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://a.co/d/jjafFfS

THE REVIEW ITSELF: FULL REVIEW (Permission Granted)

REVIEWER: Ramon Mesa Ledesma

5.0 out of 5 stars

 AS GOOD A STORYTELLER AS YOU'RE LIKELY TO READ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025

Format: Paperback

As if from above, I saw myself walking naked in this world and asked God to forgive me for any crimes I had committed during the war at the behest of the American Government in the name of democracy. All the shame, the guilt I carried within me for years, decades, came rushing out. I shook violently and wept uncontrollably with such intensity I could barely breathe. My tongue rolled back, and I choked on the spit and mucous pooling inside my mouth. I almost vomited in my throat. Wave after wave of remorse and penitence washed over me and then, abrupted as the convulsions had begun, they ceased.
And I was made whole

As well written as I've ever read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Associate Professor of English, ESL, and Humanities, Ron Roman taught with the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC- Asia) since 1996. He retired from full-time employ and later as adjunct during the COVID-19 crisis (2020). He has written extensive travel, academic, and political articles for regional, national, and international publications. He studied writing (both fiction and creative) for his third graduate degree (Humanities) from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.  Currently he resides in South Korea with his wife where he works on US military installations assisting US military retirees and dependents. He continues to write and has acted in numerous Korean TV dramas and motion pictures like Operation Chromite portraying Admiral Forrest Sherman opposite Liam Neeson as General Douglas MacArthur. His alternate-history apocalyptic doomsday thriller Of Ashes and Dust was a November 2022 release by Histria Books.  It was a 2023 Finalist for the Chanticleer International Book Award (CIBA) Global Thrillers category. He is the recipient of the UK’s THE POET magazine international POET OF THE MONTH award (May 2022) for his contributions.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER: Ramon Mesa Ledesma is the author of several full-length critically acclaimed books. Check out his website at migrantsun.com

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

Review of Taboo Tech - Another Winner by Joy V. Smith

BOOK TITLE: TABOO TECH

AUTHOR OF BOOK: Joy V. Smith

GENRE: Science fiction 

ISBN: 978-0-359-5167-5

PAGE COUNT: 288

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=taboo+tech+by+joy+v+smith&i=stripbooks&crid=PDR267QR8HLF&sprefix=taboo+tech+by+joy+v+smith%2Cstripbooks%2C165&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

THE REVIEW ITSELF: 

Carolyn Wilhelm's Bookshelf Taboo Tech
Joy V. Smith
Lulu Publishing
www.lulu.com
$16.95 PB, $4.99 Kindle,  www.amazon.com

This author's favorite genre is science fiction and I'm sure that helped her imagination as she wrote this book. Here is a "rule" the protagonist, Lacie, remembers when in a tight spot.

"...remember the course on Blending into Other Cultures, aka Undercover Coping. Among non-humanoids, acting lost and scared can work. On humanoid planets, find out what other humans are doing that you can do. Do it."

Lacie's parents have to leave her and she manages to cope with the help of what she learned in class and technology. Danger is close at hand many times which is often solved with brainy and complex solutions.

I found the information from classes such as Blending into Other Cultures aka Undercover Coping to be believable. The names of the ships, security characters, robots, aliens, and planets were clever and fun to read. There is a character map in the back of the book (instead of a family tree) to help keep the many characters, humanoids, princesses, miners, families, and interactive plants straight. The ships and robots 

 personalities and can adapt to changes and grow in knowledge.

Characters are suspicious of each other at first as it is difficult to tell which are trustworthy. Being safe is of utmost importance and there is cloaking and traveling and secrecy involved. An energy net pulls a damaged ship to where it can be repaired. A school is a central focus, SAKAWE, and people with criminal intent take it over for some time. Students, however, are not injured. (less)

Carolyn Wilhelm, Reviewer 

I received permission to publish this review. __X_Yes ___ No

More Words About Taboo Tech:

“…I have one piece of advice for readers. Wear a helmet. When this story gets its feet under it, it takes off.” 

Matthew Joseph Harrington, an author of Man-Kzin Wars stories 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joy V. Smith has been writing stories since she was a kid and could write; she made her own little books--with covers.  Her stories and articles, including interviews with writers, editors, and artists, have been published in print magazines, ezines, and anthologies; and her SF has been published in two audiobooks, including Sugar Time. Her books include Detour Trail; Strike Three; Sugar Time, Well Met by Water; Velvet of Swords; Cold New Planet; Pretty Pink Planet and its sequel, Hot Yellow Planet; Crystal Quest; a collection of her published short stories, The Doorway and Other Stories; and several e-books.  She lives in Florida with Samwise Gamgee, a Chihuahua cross, and Pemberley, the tortoiseshell cat, in a remodeled house. (She's been practicing building and remodeling.)MORE 

ABOUT THE BLOGGER: Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

 

 

Metropolita Opera Violinist Writes Aria for Murder

BOOK TITLE: ARIA FOR MURDER 

AUTHOR OF BOOK: ERICA MINER

GENRE: MYSTERY/THRILLER

ISBN: 1685121985

SERIES: JULIA KOGAN OPERA MYSTERIES

PAGE COUNT: 254

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Aria-Murder-Julia-Kogan-Mystery/dp/1685121985/

THE REVIEW ITSELF: By Midwest Book Review

FULL REVIEW

Excitement mounts as the moment arrives for brilliant young violinist Julia Kogan's debut in the orchestra of the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera. But the high-stakes milieu of this musical mecca is rocked to its core when, during an on-stage murder scene, Julia's mentor, a famous conductor, is assassinated on the podium.

Thrust into the investigation when her closest colleague in the orchestra is named chief suspect, Julia teams up with opera-loving NYPD detective Larry Somers to solve the murder. In the process, they are shocked to discover the venerable opera house is rife with a web of secrets, intrigue, and lethal rivalries. But all bets are off when Julia suddenly finds herself the real killer's prime target!

Critique: A cosy mystery at its very best, "Aria for Murder" is the first of novelist Erica Miner's 'A Julia Kogan Opera Mystery' trilogy from Level Best Books. A fun read from cover to cover, "Aria for Murder" deftly combines the elements of a traditional 'whodunnit' detective mystery with a memorable crafted amateur female sleuth. The stuff of which Hallmark TV mystery movies are made, "Aria for Murder" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Aria for Murder" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 Formerly a Metropolitan Opera Orchestra violinist for 21 years, Erica Miner now enjoys a multi-faceted career as an award-winning author, lecturer, screenwriter, and arts journalist. Erica's passion for Bringing Murder and Music together is embodied in her 3-part Opera Mystery novel series published by Level Best Books: "Aria for Murder" (which draws on Erica's own real-life experiences working at the New York Metropolitan Opera); “Prelude to Murder” and “Overture to Murder.”

Erica’s debut novel, “Travels with my Lovers,” won the Fiction Award in the Direct from the Book Awards. She recently received the Readers House Magazine Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence.  Erica  has given workshops for Sisters in Crime; Los Angles Creative Writing Conference; EPIC Group Writers; Write on the Sound; Fields End Writer's Community; Savvy Authors; and numerous libraries on the west coast.

NITTY GRITTY BUT IMPORTANT PUBLISHING STUFF

X Permission to publish this review. 

Author’s Website: https://www.ericaminer.com. 

Lois W. Stern is an Associate & Review Coordinator for TheNewBookReview. She is also the creator of Tales2Inspire®, an Authors Helping Authors project/contest to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. And best of all, it’s Free. Lois has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured Tales2Inspire Jewel Collection anthologies and six Tales2Inspire 2-in-1 Diamond Collection anthologies. Lois is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 

 Get a FREE Tales2Inspire book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts       

Visit her Tales2Inspire blog HERE.

For some lively conversation, join Lois on her Facebook page HERE.

Best Selling Author, James Osborne Give Kudos to the Newest Tales2Insire Diamond Collection Anthology

BOOK TITLE: Tales2Inspire ~ The Diamond Collection - Series VI

AUTHOR OF BOOK: Anthology with Lois W. Stern (Creator, Editor, Contributor): Non-fiction, Memoir

ISBN: 9798271640995

SERIES: VI

PAGE COUNT: 238

AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Tales2Inspire-Diamond-Collection-VI-ebook/dp/B0G9QF97TW/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6KyQYjQgbywfUNG2O-h0DMHydBDRtA77GqGHEhGGBYblkSJrCi-ElbClsJMRt6ktHDMQNV7vnW_Wf5R1PfiPK075y6d8udDbLOwy61fECecuQ1cTzxLX2aaL2T98Z-Blh0xzaQGPjsDt9FtdOOcRb_4a7z5m2wY37D9dhRA1vk9jIQM9jWJNl8YvNCngp_JhEvSYTrqXQRHKVNqvGAkvQqudW91S_iixvz1DTcRtE90.w8l3cRyw18qGGXb5ZRcXktXC6mfvtRwO2-vYnkwh12Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=Tales2Inspire+Collection&qid=1770913565&s=books&sr=1-3/

THE REVIEW ITSELF: 

By James Osborne,  Originally for Amazon.com

Lois Stern's series of books, Tales2Inspire, is an inspiring contribution to our world's well-being. In a global environment seemingly preoccupied with anger and strife, the stories in Tales2Inspire offer a welcome refuge from that storm. Thank you Lois for all your hard work bringing these wonderful stories to us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lois W. Stern is an Associate & Review Coordinator for TheNewBookReview. She is also the creator Tales2Inspire®, an #AuthorsHelpingAuthors project/contest to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. And best of all, it’s Free. Lois has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured Tales2Inspire Jewel Collection anthologies and six Tales2Inspire 2-in-1 Diamond Collection anthologies. As a multi award winning author, her work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 

  

Lois W. Stern. pictured above, with her complete selection of anthologies, especially designed for gifting the right inspiration for the special reader in your life.

 Get a FREE Tales2Inspire book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts       

Visit her Tales2Inspire blog HERE.

For some lively conversation, join Lois on her Facebook page HERE.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER: James Osborne’s novels and short stories have won many international awards, including an Amazon #1 bestseller rating for his thriller novel, THE ULTIMATE THREAT.  His varied career has included investigative journalist, college teacher, army officer, corporate vice president and business owner. Samples of his work can be found at www.JamesOsborneNovels.com.

X PERMISSION TO PRINT REVIEW 

Note #1: Watch for our new feature--an authormatic free contest to select a winning review from among all those with reviews published each month--a veritable zodiac of winners!  Yay! A way for us to extend one more lucky participating author’s exposure a bit farther 

and give them a chance to tout another win! 

And, I think I have talked Lois into making an award-emblem for winnersto use in their own campaigns... forever afterward!

Note #2: We accept more than a single review for any given

book, spaced at 30 days or more apart. Please send each

review separately.   

 

MORE ABOUT #TheNewBookReview ASSOCIATE  & AUTHOR ADVOCATE

Lois W. Stern is an Associate & Review Coordinator for TheNewBookReview. She is also the creator of Tales2Inspire®, an #AuthorsHelpingAuthors project/contest to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. And best of all, it’s Free. Lois has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured Tales2Inspire Jewel Collection anthologies and six Tales2Inspire 2-in-1 Diamond Collection anthologies. Lois is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 

 Get a FREE Tales2Inspire book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts       

Visit her Tales2Inspire blog HERE.

For some lively conversation, join Lois on her Facebook page HERE.

MORE ABOUT #THENEWBOOKREVIEW BLOG 

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. 

Please see submission guidelines in Lois W. Stern’s silver circle icon in the right column of this blog, in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the submission guidelines at https://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's #AuthorsHelpingAuthors service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in the right column of this blog’s home page (a silver and gold badge with three silver- circle icons beneath it. 

 Carolyn Wilhelm is our IT expert, an award-winning author and veteran educator, she also contributes reviews and posts on other topics related to books. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers.

 Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing HowToDoItFrugally https://bit.ly/ThePlacetoRecycleBookReviews.