Marie Lavender's Writing in the Modern Age: What Does 'Inspiring' Mean to You? by Lois W. Ster...: What Does 'Inspiring' Mean to You? by Lois W. Stern Recently I received a question from one viewer asking, What do you mean...
----- 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.
This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Morgan St. James Reviews Her Oft-Referenced Book on Book Promotion
The Frugal Book Promoter:
Subtitle: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or partnering with your
publisher
(Second Edition)
From the
HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers
First Edition Awards: Winner USA Book
News, coveted Irwin Award
Award for Second Edition: USA Book News
winner, silver medal from Military Writers Society of America, e-book honored by Global
Ebook Awards
Five or five stars
IF YOU
DON'T ALREADY HAVE THIS BOOK, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GET IT
By Morgan
St James "MYSTERY LOVER" (California) originally for Amazon.
This review is from: The
Frugal Book Promoter: Second Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your
own or by partnering with your publisher. (How to Do It Frugally)
(Paperback)
Carolyn Howard-Johnson should be called the "Guru of Frugal
Promotion." Her ideas, suggestions and references are absolutely spot-on. I've
been referring to this book for promotion of my books ever since I got it. With
my 11th book. "La Bella Mafia" due to come out, once again I thumbed through it
to find the most important things to put in the Media Kit because promotion for
this book will be going to several major outlets in TV, radio and newspapers.
You would think by Book #11, including my own book about writing, I'd have it
down pat, but every time I refer to "The Frugal Book Promoter" I find new things
that will save me money and make my books more visible.
MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Morgan St. James is the author of
Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction
La Bella Mafia
MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Morgan St. James is the author of
Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction
La Bella Mafia
-----
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, April 6, 2015
LA Now and Then Reviewer Hopes for Film
Title:
The Necessary Bride
Author:
Patsy FrostWhere to buy the book Genre: Historical Romantic Women’s Fiction
ISBN-13:
978-1501069628
Publisher: Createspace
Reviewed by Marlan Warren. Originally published in her L.A. Now and Then blog
“Can a lady like you watch livestock and people fall down and die of thirst in the desert, the flies swarming on the sun-bloated carcasses and smell the stench of ‘em after they bust open?”—Rape, forced marriage, death by childbirth and the repressive status of women in Early America take center stage in Patsy Frost’s historical romantic masterpiece, The Necessary Bride. As the saga draws to a close, its heroine proclaims that if she had not run away to seek her fortune in California, her life as a Maryland “lady” would have been “proper” and “dull” (in between those times when the vicious Baltimore males would not be treating her like chattel). Frost puts a fresh spin on a story about wagon train travel in the Old West by letting us view it through this adventurous young woman’s eyes—urging us to feel what she feels in her heart as she gradually builds a new life that is built on trust and mutual respect with a man who is not of her culture or race.
This painstakingly crafted tale brings the smells and tastes
and emotions of that time into bold relief through meticulously detailed scenes
of pioneer life. The author also deftly manages multiple points of view to
provide character insights that keep even the villains from coming off as
one-dimensional.
Frost subtly alters reader perceptions by loosening the
writing style from narration-heavy, archaic language to a looser, more
contemporary tone when this bold young seeker finally reaches her destination
and her destiny. Did the pioneers have oral sex? Read and find
out!
Seamless lively action carries the story, making it a fun page turner. The last line portends a sequel. One can only hope there is one soon, and also a film.
------
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, April 4, 2015
LA Reviewer Craves More in Contemporary Fiction Series
Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged
[All’s Not Fair in Love or War]
Author: Marlan Warren
Where to buy (Kindle E-Book Only):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG
Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications
Reviewed by Barbara Tira originally for
L.A. Now and Then blog
When I found "Roadmaps," I put down the
best-seller-turned-movie I was reading at the time, so I could savor Ms.
Warren's story until the very end. As a longtime Los Angeleno, I was immediately
drawn back into the lifestyle, loves, and struggles in the expansive, diverse,
and incomparable Los Angeles of 20 years ago, the likes of which is just a
memory today. But whose emotions, challenges, and successes remain
Universal.
This novel/memoir is for anyone who has
ever known the epitome of joy and the profound depths of despair. For those who
have loved passionately, and for those whose hearts have been trampled to
shreds. For those who have found, or for those who are still seeking the
strength and spirit to rise again.
I eagerly await the sequel! I want
more!!!!!
-----
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Amazon Reviewer Samara Calls Jukebox Astonishingly Good!
Title : Jukebox
Genre : Crime Satire Literary Fiction Contemporary
ISBN-13: 978-1508460053
ASIN: B00TISPEJ2
Available for Kindle
Author's Website
originally for Amazon
It's been a long time since I picked up
a book and was knocked off balance by a writer who is so talented that she takes
your breath away. In the first few opening lines Viola punches you in the face
with her unabashed and swaggering prose; this is a writer who is so fresh she
feels like an adrenaline injection.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it's a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker... Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.
The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.
Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.
Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it's a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.
I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.
Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.
Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker... Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
-----
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, March 30, 2015
Jodi Webb Gleans New Ideas from Book Proposal Demystified
Title:The Nonfiction Book Proposal Demystified: An Easy-Schmeasy Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Your BookAuthor: Nina AmirPublisher: Pure Spirit CreationsPublication Date: July 9, 2014
E Book: 46 pagesAISN: B00LNR8HKOTo buy the book:At Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/456487THE NONFICTION BOOK PROPOSAL DEMYSTIFIEDAfter reading The Nonfiction Book Proposal Demystified, I'm looking at book proposals in a whole new way. In the past they seemed like a chore to do before sending your book out to an agents or publisher. Nina makes you see that, aside from being a helpful tool for agents and publishers, a book proposal can be a helpful tool for YOU, the writer. Do you have a dozen book ideas rattling around in your brain? Which one to work on first...how will you decide? It's easy. Writing book proposals will help you judge the marketability of your ideas as well as strengthen any weaknesses you may find in your idea BEFORE you begin writing.The Nonfiction Book Proposal Demystified breaks the book proposal down by section telling you what should be in each section and helpful tips like how long each section should be, what you shouldn't be saying and how the agent/publisher will be looking at each section. The book also recommends several other books that cover book proposals. This is short book that provides step by step instructions and makes an overwhelming job manageable.More about the Author:
Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina's clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers' University.More about WOW Mini-Review Blog Tours:WOW-Women on Writing organizes WOW Blog Tours of all lengths and types: everything from blog tours featuring interviews, guest posts, review and giveaways to social media reviews to tweet tours. We're also always open to new creations if you have something special in mind to promote your book. Nina is on one of our latest offerings, the WOW Mini Review Tour. The WOW Mini Review Tour launches with a review and giveaway on WOW's blog The Muffin http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2015/02/authorpreneur-how-to-build-business.html then moves on to at least six other blogs that feature a review as well as reposts of the review on spots such as Amazon, Goodreads, Pinterest, B&N and Powell's. To learn more about WOW Blog Tours contact us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com
More About The Reviewer
Additional book reviews by Jodi Webb can also be found at Words by Webb (http://jodiwebb.com) and Building Bookshelves (http://blogs.republicanherald.com/bookshelves/)
-----
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, March 27, 2015
Woman of La Mancha Great Companion to Man of La Mancha
Title: The Woman of La Mancha
Paperback: 354 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Fleur-de-Lis Press (May 5, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0965252043
ISBN-13: 978-0965252041
Author's Web site. http://www.karenmannwrites.com
Buy the book at Amazon
Review by Renee Roberson for WOW Blog Tours
The Woman of La Mancha is an epic historical adventure
that spans ten years and follows the lives of Don Christopher, a noble knight of
Spain’s King Philip, and the girl from a local wealthy family he is betrothed to
from the moment she is born, Luscinda. Christopher is six years older than
Luscinda, but they share a very special friendship as children and always knew
they were destined to marry. Unfortunately, this plan goes awry when Luscinda
mysteriously goes missing when she is 11 years old.
The story is told from the viewpoints of the two main
characters—Christopher, and that of a young girl who wakes up in the back of a
cart in 1583 with absolutely no memory of who she is. Christopher is heartbroken
and spends more than a year searching the nearby towns and countryside for his
beloved Luscinda, while the young girl with no memory is adopted by a peasant
family and begins a new way of life, with the name Aldonza.
You will want to read this book for many reasons. The amount
of research into this time period that went into into writing this is almost
astounding. Details of how peasants and nobility lived, dressed, ate, hunted,
spent their pastimes, etc. are all included in the novel. The reader also gets a
firsthand look into the seedy underbelly of wants and desires of those who lived
in 15th-century Spain, as the mysterious girl ends up living and
working in a high-end brothel as part of her journey.
Over the course of the book both Christopher and Luscinda
(who also takes on the names of Aldonza and Dulcinea at different times) are
faced with many challenges and must look deep within their hearts and their
faith to overcome them. They learn what they must do to survive, and are
assisted by a cast of colorful characters and villains. I can honestly say that
I was surprised by the mystery behind what caused Luscinda to disappear in the
first place, and I could not put the book down because I wanted to know if
Christopher and Luscinda would eventually find their way back to each other.
The book was written as a companion book to Don
Quixote, as it tells the story of a woman named Dulcinea whom Don Quixote
loved from afar, but readers do not need to be familiar with it to enjoy this
book.
About Karen Mann:
Karen Mann is the Administrative Director of the
brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program at Spalding University in
Louisville (spalding.edu/mfa) of which she is also the
co-founder. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in various anthologies. Her
second book, The Saved Man: The First Century, is available as an ebook
on Amazon. After having lived in Indiana most of her life, she now lives in
California. Connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenmannwrites
-----
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.
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