A Romantic E-Ticket Adventure from Carrie Lynn Lyons

Dream Pictures
Carrie Lynn Lyons
Mundania Press LLC
www.mundania.com
ISBN-10 : 1-59426-234-9

Reviewed by: Suzette Jamison

Carrie Lynn Lyons blends a unique cast of characters with a story that touches heart and soul, and takes readers on an E-ticket adventure filled with goose bump chills of something other in “Dream Pictures,” book one of the Carnival Soul Trilogy.

An isolated road, a stormy night, and a grizzly murder, all pretty cliché. But the two men who interrupt the killers and sweep young Jamie Weston and the reader into their world aren’t cliché, aren’t ordinary, and are not about to let the killers get to their last victim.

Visitors to Cavanaugh’s Carnival and its oddities show come to see its starring attractions, Cavanaugh’s Midget Hunchback and Cavanaugh’s Frankenstein. Even most in the Show see only the personas they project. Solomon and Leon Cavanaugh, the owners of Cavanaugh’s Carnivals, four of the largest traveling shows in the United States, are more, much more, and they do anything to protect the child that came so willing into their arms, including opening the closed world of the carny to outsiders.

Devastated by the death of his best friend, Paul Randolph, will use all the resources at his command as the new CEO of the multi-billion dollar Weston Corporation to find the killer and his goddaughter. When he becomes a target, too, he finds himself under the protection of Jaime’s unusual rescuers.

The foreward in this book, written by John Robinson of Sideshow World, says, “It ‘s alive on the inside,” and so it is. Well written, fast paced, alive with character, adventure, thrills and chills and heart and soul, Carrie Lynn Lyons “Dream Pictures” sweeps you away for a few hours with the carnival, the characters, and their story.
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Carrie Lynn Lyons grew up is Southern Utah as Charlene Ruesch, married, traveled around courtesy of the Airforce and landed in Nevada, where she is employed in the health care industry and busy with her grandchildren and writing.

Have You Ever Heard the Name Goody Two Shoes?

The Inspiring Story of Little Goody Two Shoes
By Michael Levy
Publisher: Point of Life Inc.
ISBN Numbers 978-0-9668069-9-1
Number of Pages 139
Paperback 6x 9
Price $12.95
Distributors: Ingram's, Baker and Taylor


Book review by author Michael Levy ... Published by Point of Life Inc.
An English Classic Book Renewed for Children of All Ages ---



Many people have heard the name Goody Two Shoes, but very few people on earth have read the book ... It was as famous as the works of William Shakespeare and Harry Potter in a bygone age and forgotten for the past 60 years until now!


The story of Little Goody Two Shoes, was one of the most famous, popular and influential children's/adults books of the eighteenth century. It was first published in 1765 and had an unparalleled status for over two hundred years. At long last, Point of Life publishing house has renewed, refreshed, revitalized and recreated the literature masterpiece.

By the inspirational pen of Michael Levy, the creative publication has been gracefully transformed, while at the same time keeping to the original text and meaning as much as possible. It is an updated, encouraging book that is required inspiring reading for all children and adults.

From humble beginnings the little orphan girl teaches children and adults to learn to read and write with wisdom. The inspirational tale follows Little Goody Two Shoes on many adventures that challenge her sanity and survival. In the second part of the story, as an adult Miss Margery, becomes headmistress of the ABC College of education. She also teaches adults how to stop quarreling and live a peaceful, wholesome life... She invents a three cornered "Pals Hat" (Peace and Love - Smile) that has thought provoking words written on each side.

The hat helps people become aware of the differences in their opinions ... It conveys messages to them that allows time to stop and think about how they can meet each other in the middle of their opinions, so that together they can embrace peace and harmony.

The new edition has been restored and revitalized to its rightful place as one of the best children's books of all time and is sure to become a best seller for the next two hundred years and beyond.

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Michael Levy is the author of eight inspirational books. Michael's poetry and essays now grace many web sites, newspapers, journals and magazines throughout the world. He is a prominent speaker on health maintenance, stress eradication, wealth development, authentic happiness and inspirational poetry.

Quote "Beginners luck can last a lifetime once we understand how lucky we are to be born" _Michael Levy

From-the-Heart Mini Review from Brand New Author

Title: The Frugal Book Promoter
Subtitle: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't
Published as a trade paperback and e-book by Star Publish

Reviewed by Alexa Wolf

I read THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER from cover to cover, marked everything till I couldn't find anything, started over, carry the book everywhere, reread it constantly. No matter what page I turn to, I learn something new... again. This book is invaluable to any writer (except maybe C. J. Rowling, who probably doesn't need it).

A Fantasy That "Rackets" Along by Jon Baxley

title: THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY
author: Jon F. Baxley
publisher: Five Star (an imprint of Thomson Gale)
Hardcover, Fantasy
445 pages including maps and annotations
E-book publisher: Twilight Times
ISBN: 978-1594144516

Reviewed by Julia Hayden for Blogger News :Julia Hayden, aka Sgt. Mom, Blogger

The Blackgloom Bounty is one of those rambling, picaresque fantasies which makes occasional hectic detours into a universe strongly resembling the 10th Century border region of present-day Northern England and Southern Scotland. The story rackets along at a tremendous pace; rather like an amusement park ride or a fiendishly complicated Dungeons and Dragons game. At the end of it, you are dumped out with a spinning head and a perhaps not-quite accurate memory of everything that went on, but in no doubt that you and everyone else had a tremendously amusing ride.

The reader remembers that there was an enormous cast of characters, rushing about, and it was all something to do with curses, stolen inheritances, a stalwart young heir hidden away, a feisty wench, brave warriors, secret tombs, ghosts, wicked noblemen, spells and shape-changing, magic stones and a treasure of wonderful wealth, a sea-monster… and then, and then and then… the review would be about as long as the book itself, if I attempted to do even a short recapitulation. And it wouldn’t be anywhere near as amusing. Just think of “The Blackgloom Bounty” as the fantasy-novel equivalent of the stateroom scene in the old Marx Brothers movie “A Night at the Opera”.

When young Daynin and his grandfather find a curiously carved stone while plowing their field, they have little idea that it is the legendary Scythian Stone… but a wandering magician named Kruzurk Makshare does… and with a few brisk preliminaries, Daynin is off and running on the adventure of his life, to find and liberate an enormous treasure, and then to keep hold of it. The author has concocted an intricate yarn, briskly paced, and in a writing style which is always workmanlike and quite frequently sparkles. He also has an ear for conversation, which also serves the story well. This is the first volume of a projected series, and a worthwhile read for any devotee of the fantasy-adventure genre.

And there is a bit with a dog, too.

“The Blackgloom Bounty” is available through Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594144516.
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Sgt. Mom is a free-lance writer to blogs at The Daily Brief. More about her own books is at www.celiahayes.com.

Every Little Girl's Dream, "Meghan Rose On Stage"

Meghan Rose On Stage!
By Lori Z. Scott
ISBN: 9780784721032. 2007
Fiction: Juvenile, Humorous, Friendship, Christian life, Talent Show
Contact Reviewer: J. M. Sample jmsample@aol.com
Publisher: Standard Publishing; $4.99
Publisher site: www.standardpub.com


Reviewed by Jewel Sample for Amazon.com

I read "Meghan Rose on Stage" to my granddaughters who are five and seven years old. My granddaughter's were so enthralled with the story we had to read the whole book in one sitting. When we would come to the "really, really cool" (as my seven year old granddaughter phrased it) illustrations by Stacy Curtis, they would peer over the pages inspecting each character and chat about what was going on.

The book was definitely a hit and they could hardly wait to make a red volcano that Scott suggests along with other activities in the back of the book. I improvised by using a empty plastic 16 ounce pop bottle. We took the creative play experience outside and I was so glad we did because the volcano did erupt. The children squealed and howled as they watched their project in action.

Another thing that made this book so special was the "Chatter Matters" discussion questions in the back of the book. One granddaughter chatted about how cool it was to know Meghan prayed when she did not know what to do next. The other granddaughter discussed that it does not matter who you are anyone can share their talent! Sharing with others makes everyone happy.

Now they have a "really cool" memory about a girl named Meghan Rose, while on one of Grandma's play dates and a new phrase definition, "bouncy kangaroo," which they practiced all over my living room. A great adventure story with "bam" (as my five year phrased it) for elementary age children and of course, this Grandma enjoyed this fun read too.
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Reviewer Jewel Sample blogs at http://jewelsamples.blogspot.com

I Need To Be Safe--Practical and Kid-Friendly

I Need to be SAFE: I’m Worth It! How to Protect Your Child from Danger
By Janet Goliger
Publisher: Class Publications
ISBN: 978-0-9768273-2-0
144 pages
Cover Price: $19.95
Children Non-Fiction
Available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and classpublications.com

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/I-Need-SAFE-Im-Worth/dp/0976827328

Janet Goliger's I Need To Be Safe is full of information that fearful parents need to teach their kids, but it is likely this is information the parents themselves need. Almost all of us know someone who has been mugged. How much better each of them would have been had they read this book, even cursorily. I can't put it down. You'll learn about awareness and exactly what to do if you're being followed by a car or on foot. You'll learn about identifying suspicious strangers. But most of all, you'll love the fully illustrated (photos) of ways to fight off an attack.

Confidence? After only leafing through this book (well, OK, after thinking I would leaf through it and spending a much longer time studying the steps of self-defense!), I feel surer that I will not be a victim myself. And I intend to spread the word to young girls and boys, other women and, yes, men, too.

Workbooks and a teacher's manual are available.
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A Well Written Insight Into Human Suffering

Title: Sleep Before Evening
Author: Magdalena Ball
ISBN: 978-1-904492-96-2
Page count: 296
Format: paperback
Release Date: 24th July 2007
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Before-Evening-Magdalena-Ball/dp/1904492967/


Review by Warren Thurston,
owner of Pentales


Sleep Before Evening is Magdalena Ball’s debut novel. It is a beautifully crafted piece dealing with rejection and betrayal. Those of us who have felt that someone we loved deeply betrayed us, will form an immediate bond with the main character.

Marianne is a vivacious nineteen year old, full of life and a brilliant scholar. She is at the peak of her powers when life decides it will test her character. Eric, her much loved grandfather and mentor, is suddenly struck down by a stroke. His death begins a series of events that takes Marianne into a world of darkness, filled with drugs and depression.

Hurting to the core about the loss of Eric, and the fact that she was denied the chance to say goodbye, Marianne hates the world. She also starts to hate herself and seeks solace in the arms of Miles. He is a struggling musician who for a time is the maestro who conducts her life.

Lily, Marianne’s mother, also has her own demons eating at her. She is so wrapped up in her struggle to find happiness and fulfillment, that she cannot see what is happening to her daughter. It is a flaw that many parents are guilty of, not through an act of selfishness, but one brought on by their own struggle to survive.

Confused and angry Marianne deteriorates to the stage where fantasy, reality and pain are so intermingled within her, that she loses contact with her real self. She was entering the stage of what the noted British psychiatrist Hall called, drifting back to the time before you are born. It is a stage along the path of mental recovery, where one’s mind is in an infantile state, as it retreats from the hurt it finds itself in. Then when it feels strong enough it comes forward again, out of the darkness and into the light. This usually brings with it a positive change in an individual, making them mentally stronger and enhancing their creativity.

This is a good story that makes the reader feel the highs and lows of Marianne as if they are their own. It reminds me of the style adopted by the Russian writer Dostoyevsky. He had the ability to get the reader to feel exactly what his characters felt; a gift Magdalena ball has too.

Sleep Before Evening is a well written insight into human suffering. The author shows an in-depth knowledge of how to hold readers attention, and make them eager to know more. This is a debut novel that shows the author has many more novels inside her, which will provoke strong emotions in readers of her work.