Former Journalist Pens 5 Star Mystery--Humor, Too!

Coda to Murder

Author: J.Q. Rose

Author's Web Site: http://www.JQRose.com
Genre: Christian romance and mystery
ISBN 978-1-77127-274-2

Reviewer: Sue Pernz 

Reviewer's Link: http://www.sueperkinsauthor.com/

Buy Link: Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb

bn.com and major online booksellers.

 

 

Reviewed by Sue Pernz  originally published on amazon.com

5 star review

This review is from: Coda to Murder (Kindle Edition)

At first this seems like an ordinary murder with romance, but J.Q. Rose has brought in her usual (or should I say unusual) sense of humor. A cat, pig and kangaroo also take major parts in the story. Christine gets into all sorts of situations, both dangerous and funny, when she tries to solve the murder mystery.

I have read J.Q. Rose's books before and this is another good one. The author has that uncanny knack of putting together a serious situation with a touch of humor. Not too much, just enough to lighten the thread, without being insulting to the deceased. J.Q. Rose managed to make romance and murder a believable possibility and for this I commend her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which says a lot as I don't usually read inspirational books, but this is a definite "can't put it down" book. Well done Ms Rose, can't wait for the next book from your writing desk.

About J.Q. Rose

After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction writing with her first published novella, Sunshine Boulevard, released by MuseItUp Publishing in 2011. Her latest mystery, Coda to Murder, was released in February. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida with her husband allows Janet the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird. Summer finds her camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.

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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.

Bonnie Milani Combines Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Book Title: Home World

Author: Bonnie Milani
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy
WOW! Blog Tour Dates: 11/18/2013-12/23/2013
Book Hashtag: #HWorld

 

Book Summary: 

 Amid the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Waikiki, Jezekiah Van Buren thinks he’s found a way to restore Earth – Home World to the other worlds of the human Commonwealth – to her lost glory. 

Ingenious even by the standards of the genetically enhanced Great Family Van Buren, Jezekiah has achieved the impossible:  he has arranged a treaty that will convert Earth's ancient enemies, the Lupans, to her most powerful allies.  Not only will the treaty terms make  Earth rich again, it will let him escape the Ring that condemns him to be Earth's next ruler.  Best of all, the treaty leaves him free to marry Keiko Yakamoto, the Samuari-trained woman he loves.  Everything’s set.  All Jezekiah has to do is convince his xenophobic sister to accept the Lupan's alpha warlord in marriage. Before, that is, the assassin she's put on his tail succeeds in killing him.  Or the interstellar crime ring called Ho Tong succeed in raising  another rebellion.  Or before his ruling relatives on competing worlds manage to execute him for treason. 

But Jezekiah was bred for politics and trained to rule.  He’s got it all under control. Until his Lupan warlord-partner reaches Earth.  And suddenly these two most powerful men find themselves in love with the same woman.   A woman who just may be the most deadly assassin of them all.

Author Bio:

I still remember the book that made me decide I could out-write another writer: it was a junior reader's biography of Sir William Harvey, the 17th century English physician credited (in the West) with discovering how blood circulates. After about 30 pages of telling myself "I can write better than that!" So I grabbed a crayon that just happened to be blue and started editing. I was maybe 7 at the time. And unfortunately for my juvenile bottom it was a library book. I followed the dream through college and after grad school, freelancing feature articles for newpapers along the East Coast. Even wrote a cover story for Science Digest! Only life and grown up responsibilities caught up with me by my late twenties and I put writing away with too many of my other dreams while I followed a career track. Wasn't until I lost my whole family that I realized story telling wasn't something i just wanted to do - it's the gift God gave me to do. So here I am: a middle-aged pudge working on getting back into a writer's kind of real life.

Finding the author  online:

Website: www.homeworldthenovel.com 

bonnie.milani@yahoo.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.

Marcia Greer Shares Amazon Reviews Ideas

Thank you to today's guest blogger Marcia Greer. As many of my blog subscribers know, I am big on getting reviews to help market books--but not paid reviews.  You will find more on getting reviews including how to get reviewed by going through the back door of some of the big review journals in The Frugal Book Promoter. And still more information like a list of major review journals on my Web site at http://howtodoitfrugally.com/reviews_and_review_journals.htm.

How to Get Your Book Reviewed On Amazon

As an author who aspires to be successful and well known, there is no better way to gain potential readers than on Amazon. A properly reviewed book on the world's biggest online retailer will give you the publicity you need. However, it can be difficult to get your book reviewed if you’re self-published or don’t have a literary agent. Yet, if you employ the help of some useful little tips, then there is no reason why your book won’t be reviewed well by hundreds on Amazon!

Look at the Top Reviewers on Amazon
One of the best ways to get your book reviewed is to look at the list of top reviewers on the website. These consumers take their "job" very seriously, and many have reviewed upwards of seven thousand products! If you contact several and offer them a copy of your book, then they might be willing to review it. However, keep in mind that they’re not being paid, and that this is an honest program. Top reviewers are the best for a reason. Their trusted and real feedback can influence the average buyer into purchasing a book or product.

2) Contact Book Blogs
Another great way to get your book reviewed on Amazon is to contact top book blogs. You should contact blogs that fit the demographic of your intended readers. Ask the owner of the blog if they would be willing to review it on their website and on Amazon. This is a great way to get additional coverage, and a review from a trusted critic. Be prepared to ask several blogs, as many might not respond. If you’re persistent and polite, then they should eventually say yes if your book appeals to them.

Give it Away!
Why not consider giving your book away for a weekend, or even a whole week? You’ll have an increase of readers who adore finding free things. Anyone who downloads the book could be a potential reviewer. You will be opening up your book to a wider audience, and that can give you the coverage you need. If thousands of people end up positively reviewing the book, then giving it away for free during a limited time is more than worth it.

As you can see, there are several ways to get your book reviewed on Amazon. The key to success is to be creative with your approach. You want your book to be positively reviewed by many people. However, that cannot happen if nobody knows it exists. You need to create buzz if you want your book to become a best seller. Popularity isn’t difficult if you’re willing to seek it out in unexpected places, like the Amazon top reviewer list!

Marcia Greer is an English teacher and writer who writes all about literature and authordom. Her most recent work is a piece for aspiring English teachers on The 10 Best Online Masters in Education Degree Programs For 2014.

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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.

Lessons Learned from Cat Story

Title: SpecialT: Nine Lives - Nine Names

Author: S. Jenny Boyer

Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int.

ISBN Number: 978-1-61244-074-3

Genre of Book: Non-Fiction/Inspirational/Memoir

Pgs: 100

Publication Date: April 2013

Places available for sale: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Halo Publishing, and Signed copies from the author.

Author Website: http://tinyurl.com/myydudk

 

Review provided by World of Ink Network

 

 

About the Book:

Cats teach us some of life's most important lessons. After all, nine lives allow them time to get things right.

 

God, in His infinite wisdom and I imagine a chuckle or two, often uses one of His marvelous creatures get our attention. I'm convinced that SpecialT, an older, gentle, tabby cat, was divinely led to my home and into my heart because some of the principles I had previously learned about family, friendship, and God's faithfulness needed reinforcing.

All SpecialT needed to do to get his points across was to be himself. His story reveals how delightful life can end up being if we can find the path God wants for us, take it, persevere on it, and not look back. This was one of my cat's most poignant lessons. I found out after SpecialT had been with me for many years, that several of his allotted nine lives had already been spent. There is no doubt in my mind that he polished his life-lessons on his way to me.

Many cats share one or more of SpecialT's qualities, and are no doubt life-lesson teachers to some degree. Whether you read his story on a sunny beach, in front of a fireplace with a cup of tea, out loud to your children or grandchildren, or quietly to yourself, it is my hope that one of your favorite cats, past or present, will come to mind and put a smile on your face as you remember a life-lesson he or she taught to you.

 

EXCERPT: from Chapter 4,    Cat Fight, Lesson Learned

 

The night it happened was quiet and quite dark. Here in the country we have no street lights. It was the time of a new moon, so shadows were deep and night creatures were hard to see. Cats roamed the neighborhood freely then, and there were few complaints from neighbors about their night adventures while the rest of us were sleeping.

 

All at once a screech of gigantic proportions woke me from a sound sleep. I sat straight up in bed, then rushed to the window to see what was happening. There in the dark shadows of the driveway I could just make out T face-to-face with Wildcat, the next door neighbor's cat who was so jealous of T that the neighbor had returned T to live with us. The howls went back and forth on different tone levels, each escalating in sound. I grabbed my robe and slippers and literally leaped down the steps to put a stop this fracas, all the while whispering a prayer.

God, please protect T and Wildcat from each other. T is so gentle, I do not think he knows how to hold his own in a fight with Wildcat.

 

I ran out of the house through the garage just as the physical battle took place. Legs were flying in all directions, gray and orange intertwined like a pinwheel out of control, all accompanied by howls of distress and anger. I turned on the driveway lights and grabbed an old aluminum pot and a small hand rake and began beating them together with all the force I could muster as I ran towards the fur ball action At the harsh banging sounds, the entangled cats split apart, with Wildcat running home, and T lying still on the blacktop.

Oh God, let T be okay.

 

I picked up T and he looked at me with his calm golden eyes, his body limp, but breathing. I could imagine him asking me, "What just happened, Mom? Wasn't that a cat, isn't he supposed to be my friend?" I searched T's body for a puncture wound, which I knew from past experience with other cats could easily become infected, but with his long hair it was difficult to see down to T's skin. The one thing I did find was a V-shaped split in one of his ears, slightly tinged with blood.

 

Back we went to the vet when they opened the next morning. No real damage had been done, no puncture wounds to the body, but the cartilage in the ear would never heal together, and could not be stitched together, so T would always sport a natural “V” to remind us and him of his close call with danger. We called it his "victory" notch.

 

What Others are Saying:

Boyer’s book is a memoir-type book about her very special cat which she called SpecialT.  He was worldly yet very gentle. He was a wonderful companion to her.  She traces the story from when she first saw SpecialT appear on her doorstep and how she knew that this older cat would be the pet who would grace her life always. And SpecialT did grace her life for many years to come. ~Irene Roth

 

 

About the Author: 

Ms. Boyer is a retired nurse, an Infection Control Practitioner, whose world changed dramatically when she let the words swirling inside her escape to paper. Her story of her beloved cat, how he came to live with her later in his life and the lessons she learned from him, changed her life for the better. She lives in Frederick, Maryland with her husband Jim. She has three daughters and one step-daughter, and four grandchildren. Several of these family members are in her book. She continues to write about how other creatures impact her life, and the lives of others.

 

The author's desire is to inspire others to appreciate how God uses animals, sometimes very wise and wonderful ones like SpecialT, to enrich our lives if we only open our hearts and minds to the lessons they can teach us, just by being themselves.

 

ABOUT WORLD OF INK:

Virginia S Grenier 

Founder & Partner, World of Ink Network

Bringing Authors and Readers Together

http://worldofinknetwork.com

Office: 435-625-1743

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Award-winning Author & Editor

http://vsgrenier.com 

Member of League of Utah Writers/HWG chapter

http://heritagewriters.tripod.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.

Washington Post Writer Reviews Book with Mythic Theme

Book title: Antigone & Creon: Guardians of Thebes

Book authors: Victoria Grossack & Alice Underwood
Authors’ website: www.tapestryofbronze.com
Genre: Historical fiction
ISBN: 978-1482794410
Purchase on Amazon

Reviewed by  Steve Donoghue originally for Amazon

Whether you know the story of stubborn, righteous Antigone from your high school exposure to the great Sophocles play or whether you've been following the "Tapestry of Bronze" series from the beginning (wise you, if so - each book in the series is great), "Guardians of Thebes" will mightily please you! Here the age-old story - Antigone determined to honor her fallen brother, King Creon equally determined to mete out unthinkable penalties for treason - is clothed in vibrant dialogue and insightful character psychology, and the bare bones of the narrative are fleshed out with a rich supporting cast and just enough variations to keep even the most classically-minded reader wondering what might happen next. This latest volume in the "Tapestry of Bronze" series can be read independently of its predecessors - but if you're a fan of historical fiction and haven't read these books, you should treat yourself to the whole set without delay!

 

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Steve Donoghue writes regularly for The National, Kirkus Reviews, and The Washington Post, reviews frequently for Open Letters Monthly (where he’s also the Managing Editor), and is the US/Worldwide editor for the Indie branch of the Historical Novels Review.

 

----- 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.

Amazon Reviewer Gives Bonny Brooks' Memoir Enthusiastic Stars

Title: Linked Lives

 

Author: Bonny Brooks

Author's Web site links:

• www.Wizard-of-Words.com
• www.facebook.com/BonnyBrookes

Publisher: Wizard of WordsGenre or category: Memoir, Interpersonal Relationships, 

ISBN: 0-9661342-1-4
Purchase as:

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4448663
Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GDUTW82

Book Trailer (Video): http://youtu.be/wE_GNBcNCkI

 

 

 

Reviewed by Grace Marshall originally for Amazon

 

Reviewer's rating: 5-Star

Reading Linked Lives reminded me of my own dear friend Charlene who died way too soon. Like Bonny and Lori, Charlene and I had a friendship that lasted many years, through husbands, pregnancies, children, job changes, and tragedies. Bonny's book brought it all back to me, and I must admit, I grieved again for the friendship that enriched my life. Bonny Brooks wrote this book to honor her friend Lori and in doing so has reminded us all of the beauty and joy of long-term friendships. I enthusiastically give this book five stars. I finished it with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

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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.

Lynnette Phillips Reviews Women's Fiction

Relative Identity

Author: Holly Patrone
Author's Web site: http://www.hpatrone.com/
Genre: Women's Fiction
ISBN-10: 1934606413
ASIN: B00AQQDNXO
Publisher: Tag Publishing, LLC
Available in Kindle and paperback versions at Amazon

 

Reviewed by Lynnette Phillips originally for her BookWorld Blog

I’m so glad to see this award winning sequel published. Holly Patrone guarantees this to be a laugh-out-loud novel and like the first in the April Serao series it definitely does not disappoint.

 

Holly Patrone has mastered the art of seeing the laughter in any situation and is able to pass it on to her readers. If there can be an upside to losing the love of your life and going on to raise your sons without him this storyteller has found it. Or does she have to (or want to) go on without him after all?

 

April’s adventures are joined by various cohorts including her mother “the original Sicilian Guilt Trip Queen”, a tattoo artist, a new boyfriend and her sons and co-workers.

In the second in the series April is shocked to find her mailbox unexpectedly stuffed with collection notices for things she never bought, April is beginning to suspect she’s the victim of identity theft. Before she can even being to get things straightened out, her son Chris’ car is repossessed, her house is vandalized and she’s arrested for assault with deadly tweezers. Frustrated with the lack of help through official channels and angry that her life has been turned upside down by someone she doesn’t even know, April decides to track down the perpetrator herself. 

What ensues is a wacky madcap adventure as April tries to unravel the truth and still juggle her chaotic life which includes answering questions such as: 
Is there ever a good reason to purchase a feather trimmed bustier and a meat grinder at the same time? Can voodoo dolls cause collateral damage? What do Cherry Cola Red #17 hair dye and the paint for April’s car have in common? 

The escapades flow and intertwine with each other, all the time leaving you grinning from ear to ear, leading you through the bewitching page turning fun.

If you need a star rating to enjoy a book this one gets 4+ stars but I’ll just recommend you don’t miss the guffaws and fun to be had.

More About Reviewer Lynnette Phillips

BookWorldMarketing.com (Book Marketing and Promotion)

http://lynnettesbookworld.blogspot.com/ (Book Reviews, Author Spotlights and More)

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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.