The New Book Review

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Amazon Top Reviewer Gives Romantic Comedy Five Stars

Title: Lucky Dawg Meets Lucky Lucy
Author: Edward Fox
Author's Blog: https://egfoxbooks.wordpress.com
Genre: Romantic Comedy with some Paranormal
Reviewer: cc2015 (Verified Purchaser) Gave this book a 5 Star Rating

Reviewer's Rating on Amazon: Top 1000 Reviewer
e-Book & AudioBook can be purchased at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014RU6S7W

Story Published on Amazon, part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

By cc2015 TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Romance readers are in for a real treat with this book! Lucky Dawg Meets Lucky Lucy is a fun, yet sexy romance read intended for adult readers. I found Lucky Dawg's narration to be very fun and interesting, from when he was explaining the origin to his name to how he's lucky--he's definitely got a lot of personality and I found that to be very unique about this book! Also, though this is part of a series, there's no cliff hanger at the end--though I DO want more from Lucky Dawg and Lucky Lucy, it's a very satisfying read. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a hot romance read.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edward G. Fox (Ed) may be found at http://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardgfox
https://www.amazon.com/author/edwardfoxhttps://egfoxbooks.wordpress.com/https://twitter.com/egfox123

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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.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Interview: John House Lets Characters Drive Novels

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 John House, MD.

John House, MD creates his novels from his vast and varied experiences in life. He is actively involved in family medicine and previously spent time in sports, prison and urgent care medicine. He has traveled extensively, including mission trips to Belize, and has sailed and been scuba diving in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Belize.

To relieve the stress of a busy medical practice, he spent weekends hiking in the Appalachian Mountains with ‘Tall Guy,’ a companion well versed in nature.

Prior to becoming a novelist, John published poetry and he also won prizes for short fiction. His first two novels So Shall You Reap and Choices were written with locations based in Northern and Coastal Georgia. His third novel Trail of Deceit is based on his knowledge and love of nature.

A native Georgian, John received his BS from North Georgia College, his MD from the Medical College of Georgia and completed further training at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia.

John served four years in the US Army, including a tour in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division.

John and his wife, Pam, live on the Southeast Coast of Georgia. All his creative works involve the richness of the Southern culture.

1. What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Romantic Suspense/Fiction

2. What made you want to be a writer? Desire to write entertaining stories from my vivid imagination

3. Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Alistair MacLean

4. What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I do not outline. I develop characters first and then let them develop the story

5. Do you write every day? How much? How long? Yes. At least two hours a day and sometimes as much as 8-10 hours

6. Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading is extremely important to develop new ideas, learn new vocabulary and to review the pace of other authors.

7. What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Develop personal library of books of instruction on various aspects of writing—characters, plot, point of view, description—and educate yourself by reading works of successful writers.

8. Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Work as hard on the cover and back page of your novel as you do what's inside. The reader can be captured by well-coined words.

9. Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? Face-to-face contacts and instructions remain with you. Take copious notes. Network and make friends. Writers do help other writers. My favorite conference is Southeastern Writers Association held on St Simons Island, Georgia every June.

10. Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? Website: www.johnhouseauthor.com. Books/Kindle available online at Amazon, B&N, and other book stores. Facebook LinkedIn A House of Short Stories

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

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

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.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Saga Intrigues Reviewer's First Read of Book by Maeve Christopher

Title: Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series Book 1)

Author: Maeve Christopher

Website: http://www.maevechristopher.com

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Fiction, Sagas

ISBN #: B00A3HTO02

Reviewer's Rating: 4 star

Where people can purchase the book: http://www.amazon.com/Maeve-Christopher/e/B00AAJCEAK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1448387397&sr=1-2-ent

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

This was my the first book I read written by Maeve Christopher and one I enjoyed very much!

This story involves around more characters I've ever read in a book before and each unique in their own way. The story contains romance, love, mystery, suspense and even spiritual awareness. First time I've read that in a romance book and I have to say I liked it! It also covers a disease I've not read about in a book before.

Really enjoyed the main characters, Debbie and David. Loved his protectiveness towards her, warmed my heart. The other cast of characters were intriguing as well.

The only thing that would catch me up was my having to refer back a few pages to recall who was "speaking " and being introduced to so many characters, trying to remember who was who.

Definitely worth reading! I know I'll be reading the rest of this series because I'm hoping to get to know them all even more!!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maeve Christopher connections:

Website: http://www.maevechristopher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaeveChristopher/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaeveChristophe

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581925.Maeve_Christopher?from_search=true&search_version=service

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Maeve-Christopher/e/B00AAJCEAK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1448387397&sr=1-2-ent

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

Friday, December 11, 2015

Eleanor Gamarsh: Poet Speaks for Everyman

Title: Imperfect Echoes

Subtitle: Writing Truth and Justice with Capital Letters, lie and oppression with Small

Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 148

Available as paperback and e-book on Amazon

Published by HowToDoItFrugally, LA

Reviewed by Eleanor F. J. Gamarsh

I read poetry occasionally. I have written a few poems spontaneously. As I have begun to write regularly, I thought I ought to learn more about that genre. I believed I could do that by reading current poets’ writing. I chose to read the collections recently published by Carolyn Howard-Johnson title Imperfect Echoes.

By the time I had read less than half the pages, I felt that Carolyn had spoken for Everyman. Sometimes subtle, sometimes brutal imagery and metaphor brought truth to light. Every word on page after page disrupted my thoughts and tugged at my heart. It appeared to me that she laid the thoughts of anyone and everyone who cares about our human condition on each page. Thoughts that either we don’t want to speak or can’t because they are unspeakable for most.

Her recollections may tear at your heart and mind until you come upon a poem about the improbabilities and uniqueness of America. When I read “The Story of My Missed Connection in Minneola,” I burst out laughing. This was pure comic relief amidst pathos.

I read one poem after another because I could not do otherwise. If nothing else, it was my curiosity about what would be next stirring my emotions but being enlightened, also. Up? Down? All around and back again? Then, turning the next page, my funny bone was tickled once more.

As for learning about writing poetry, Imperfect Echoes gave me more than I was looking for.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

After a lifetime of creative work including designing and handcrafting greeting cards and needlework of all kinds, Eleanor Gamarsh recently took up writing in several genres, primarily memoir.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Accepted for inclusion in Poets & Writers prestigious list of published poets, multi award-winning novelist and poet Carolyn Howard-Johnson is widely published in journals and anthologies. She is the recipient of the California Legislature’s Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community’s Character and Ethics award for her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly’s list “Fourteen San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen” and was given her community’s Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts. One of her poems won the Franklin Christoph poetry prize. She was an instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program for nearly a decade. She has written six poetry chapbook in the Celebration Series with Magdalena Ball, several of them award-winners. Learn more about all her books at http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile or http://howtodoitfrugally.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.

Interview: Award-Winning Journalist Covers Fiction, Too!

So, today welcome Ginny Fite.

Ginny Fite is an award-winning journalist who has covered crime, politics, government, healthcare, art and all things human. She has been a spokesperson for a governor, member of Congress, a few colleges and universities, and a robotics R&D company. She has degrees from Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University and studied at the School for Women Healers and the Maryland Poetry Therapy Institute. She is the author of I Should Be Dead by Now, a collection of humorous lamentations about aging, three books of poetry: The Last Thousand Years, The Pearl Fisher, Throwing Caution; and a short story collection, What Goes Around. Cromwell’s Folly is her first novel. Its sequel, No Good Deed Left Undone is due for release in 2016 She resides in Harpers Ferry, WV.

What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Fiction/murder mysteries
What made you want to be a writer? I like to read.
Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Alexander Dumas and Jane Austen as a teenager; right now Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See. Each writer teaches me something new about how to tell a story.
What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I'm a hybrid seat-of-the-pants planner. I begin where the story tells me to, typing as fast as I can to keep up, and when the plot gets complicated, I start making a timeline that spans the entire framework of the novel. The timeline isn't a cage. The story can escape from it at any time, but it does help me to see where I'm going.
Do you write every day? How much? How long? I write every day, including weekends; in the morning for as long as it's productive, so sometimes for four hours, sometimes longer. I don't count words or pages.
Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? Reading is critical to good writing. The more you read, the more you discover about your craft. But it's also simply pleasurable. Good brain food.
What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Read everything. Write down lines when they come. A good line can zoom by like a ping pong ball in a vacuum. Don't be in a hurry; writing is a long process and it's okay if your first draft is a mess. Get in a writers group that meets weekly and let other writers hold you accountable.
Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? I'm still praying for a book maven to promote my novel so I can reach that all-critical tipping point!
Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? Sometimes conferences are beneficial, depending on who is speaking. I recently went to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Writers Conference in October and was inspired by the presenters; two of whom were Pulitzer Prize winners.
Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? My novel, Cromwell's Folly, is on Amazon, B&N, and wherever books are sold. In my local indie book store, Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, it is one of the store's "best sellers" and shares a shelf with The Martian and All the Light We Cannot See, to my knee-buckling astonishment. My next signing event is on Dec. 12th at the Christmas Market in Charles Town, WV from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.ginnyfite.com Fite Events Facebook Different Strokes for Different Folks Blog Talk Radio Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/ginny-fite/

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Interview: Vet Pens Historical Fiction

So, today welcome Thomas E. Simmons.

Simmons grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, attended Marion Military Institute, the U. S. Naval Academy, the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Alabama. Tom was once the commercial captain of a seventy foot sailing vessel, has been a pilot since the age of sixteen, (3000 plus hours in the air), has flown professionally and participated in air shows flying aerobatics in open-cockpit bi-planes. In the late 1950s he served as an artillery officer in Korea. He is the author of three nonfictions: The Man Called Brown Condor (Skyhorse, 2013), Forgotten Heroes of World War II: Personal Accounts of Ordinary Soldiers Land, Sea and Air (Taylor Trade, 2014), Escape from Archangel (University of Mississippi Press); and two historical fictions: By Accident of Birth (TouchPoint Press, 2015) and The Last Quinn Standing (TouchPoint Press, 2016). He has also written numerous magazine articles, an example of which, “Growing Up With Mr. Faulkner,” was published in The Oxford American, a literary magazine founded by John Grisham.

What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? Both historical fiction and nonfiction.
What made you want to be a writer? My love of books, and the fact, as with most writers, I write because I am driven to.
Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? Too many to list.
What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Linearly. Why? It is the way my brain works. Nonfiction should flow as the history of your subject to make it easier for the reader to follow and understand. I write fiction linearly for it wouldn’t be fun if I knew how my story will end. I want it to be as big a surprise to me as for the reader.
Do you write every day? How much? How long? When working on a project I write a little almost daily. If my muse is flowing, I may write late into the night when all is quiet and there are no interruptions.
Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Absolutely. Why? It presents a study of sentence structure, new ways of looking at specific words, different story or fact presentation, implants the desire to do better; all, of course, if you read quality work.
What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Perseverance, dedication, courage, research, research, research until you know your subject, character, setting, facts…never get caught stating facts or details that are wrong; revise, revise, revise; develop a thick hide to handle criticism, rejection slips, and disappointment, and work hard to get an agent (mine is Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com ) in the field of which you are writing. If you can’t get an agent, rework the piece and try again. Remember, John Gresham (with his book The Firm ) was turned down by some thirty-nine or more agents.
Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Work with your publisher, work with independent book stores in your area, use any contacts you have with radio stations, TV stations, newspapers in your local/regional area, volunteer to make talks and book signings, use social media. Friends will spread the word, and last but not least, read Carolyn Howard Johnson’s book The Frugal Book Promoter.
Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? Yes, they are beneficial. Only been to one and that is where I met my agent. There is much you can learn at conferences about writing, publishing, and marketing.

Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? You can find me at my web site www.thomasesimmons.net; at my E-mail tesim@bellsouth.net. I have a new novel, By Accident of Birth, which has just been released, with launch at Barnes and Nobel 15246 Crossroads Parkway, Gulfport, MS 39503, and a second printing of The Man Called Brown Condor (which won the Gold Medal for Biography from the Military Writers Society of America) this time in soft cover due out in January 2016; its launch at Barnes and Nobel 15246 Crossroads Parkway, Gulfport, MS 39503.

Three books of mine are currently in print and can be obtained at any book store, Barnes and Nobel, Amazon, Kindle, and one as an audio book. Nonfiction: Escape from Archangel; Forgotten Heroes of World War II: Personal Accounts of Ordinary Soldiers Land, Sea and Air and The Man Called Brown Condor, hard cover and soon in soft cover. Fiction: By Accident of Birth just released. www.thomasesimmons.net Amazon Author Central

Facebook LinkedIn Tom Simmons interview about the Lighthouse

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/thomas-e-simmons

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Reviewer Loves Hot Paranormal Romance

Title: Fashionably Dead
Series: Hot Damned Series, Book 1

Author: Robyn Peterman

Website: http://www.robynpeterman.com

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Demons & Devils, Humor & Satire, General Humor

ISBN #: B00EYMXM2I

Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Where people can purchase the book: http://www.amazon.com/Robyn-Peterman/e/B00A7D7DPA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1448994614&sr=1-2-ent

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

ONLY Robyn Peterman could pull off writing a romantically fun suspense-fully witty book such as Fashionably Dead where you find you can't put the book down!

You are brought into a magical world where vampires, faeries, angels and demons exist and YOU find yourself wanting to be part of a super cool dominion. Heck who wouldn't want a HOT HOT HOT looking Prince Vamp in their life who runs this dominion, where you are gorgeous and wear Prada! How can that be? Because Robyn is able to make it believable in her way of words that draw you in!

Robyn provides you with some zany and whacky zingers that crack you up, plus words I've never heard before AND IT WORKS! She's outrageously witty and brilliant in being able to write a book you think is going to be off the wall but makes you fall in love and wanting more, you don't want the book to end!!!

I SO want to be in the main character, Astrid's place to experience ALL the things she not only endures but to be with the other vamps, demons, faeries and angels! WOW!!

Yet another brilliant book Robyn! Bring it on girl because I want to read more!!!

I should mention that this book is for adults and contains sex, violence, and profane language. I don't mind reading books with this content as long as it fits the story. In this book it absolutely fits.

Very highly recommend this book. It's a must read!!! BRAVO Robyn!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robyn Peterman connections:

Website: http://www.robynpeterman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Robyn-Peterman-418985661472374/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/robynpeterman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545317.Robyn_Peterman?from_search=true&search_version=service

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Robyn-Peterman/e/B00A7D7DPA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1448994614&sr=1-2-ent

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Tracey Quintin connections:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReadingIsOurPas