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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Robert Medak Reviews "The Frugal Editor"
The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Froward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Red Engine Press
ISBN 9780978515874
Reviewed by editor and author Robert Medak
The Frugal Editor is a book that belongs on the desk of anyone that is either an author, or an aspiring author. This book contains a wealth of information about what it takes to have your manuscript pass the mark toward publication.
This book gives writers needed information on how to create queries, cover letters, book proposals, and manuscripts that are not sloppy which will get you into the round file. Reading this book will assist you in why you need an editor or at least two other sets of eyes for you writing.
If you use Word, the de facto standard, there is information in this book about using the Tracking feature and more to help you with your writing and editing with easy and practical steps.
The Frugal Editor applies to all types of writing. Even those that write business letters, e-mails, and more can gain a unique insight into making them better. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone putting words on paper or a computer screen.
The book is conversational in tone as if talking to a fiend that is imparting their secrets and tips to make your writing more professional and your manuscript pass muster with agents or in-house editors. No one wants to submit something that is not their best, which is why writers need a copy of The Frugal Editor.
Do yourself a favor, and find a copy of this book for your reference; you will appreciate it.
This reviewer gives a five star rating to The Frugal Editor.
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Endorsement Disclaimer from the reviewer: All reviews written by this reviewer are personal opinions of the book by this reviewer. The reviews are NOT paid endorsements of the book or the author. They are not advertisements. All reviews are honest, forthright, and the opinion of this individual reviewer. This reviewer’s opinions are not for sale. (There is however, a small fee for some reviews, and sometimes this reviewer receives complementary copies from the author.) Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255 (http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)
The reviewer,Robert Medak, is a freelance writer and editor.
http://www.stormywriter.com/
"The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say."
- Mark Twain's Notebook, 1902-1903
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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
For Writers Tax Season Lasts All Year!
The Write Life
By Sylvia McClain
ISBN Print: 978-0-974264-39-3
E-book: 978-0-974264-30-X
Usually I run reviews on this blog, today I am taking the liberty of using an excerpt because I know it will help both the working reviewers who have published their reviews here and the authors who have had reviews of their books run here! It is from Sylvia McClain's The Write Life.
Did You Know the Tax Season Isn't Over: For Writers it Last all Year?
You got paid for a story you wrote. Congratulations! You’ve become a recognized and published writer.
Now you have to ask yourself this question. Am I now self employed?
Contrary to public thought, there is an easy answer to it. If you write continuously and regularly with the activity being your primary source of income or profit, then it is a business and you are self employed. If your writing is a sporadic activity or a hobby, it is not a business. Whether you are self-employed or not, all earned income of $400 or more must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Money earned from a sporadic activity is easily reported on a 1040 tax form. There is another side to reporting your income as a sole proprietor of a business. To be self-employed means there is not an employer to withhold monies from your pay to meet your tax obligations. It’s now your responsibility and you can accomplish this new task.
First, let me help you understand the basics of the tax structure for the self-employed. Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business and Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax must be filed with your 1040 form. Schedule C calculates the amount of money you made or lost writing and Schedule SE determines taxes owed, if any.
The secret to overcoming a large tax bite is keeping good records of money spent to make money. In other words, knowing what you can deduct as an expense against your profits will help lower your tax liability. This will lower the amount that will appear on Schedule SE’s net income to be taxed. The lower the amount, the less you will have to pay in taxes. So what are the business expenses that a writer can apply against his or her profits? Any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred to operate your business. An ordinary expense is an expense that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is appropriate and helpful for your business. Advertising, educational cost, computer paper and postage are a few tax deductible writer expenses. Publication 535, Business Expenses from the IRS can assist you with definitions of other types of business expenses.
If you don’t feel tax savvy, there are preparers to do your taxes for you. You must keep good records of your expenses and income. Also, check to make sure the preparer is familiar with, and an expert in the field of writing. Not all preparers specialize in the writing profession. Preparers sometimes depend on the computer programs to guide them.
Now go on, don’t be afraid to continue doing what you love to do. Write. Before you know it, you could just make a very good living doing it. A tax bite can be turned into just a little pinch.
Author Biography:
Sylvia McClain blogs at http://sylviaspeaks.blogspot.com and is a book reviewer in her own right at MyShelf.com and Atlantic Publishing Company. The Write Life is now available in its 2nd edition.
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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
By Sylvia McClain
ISBN Print: 978-0-974264-39-3
E-book: 978-0-974264-30-X
Usually I run reviews on this blog, today I am taking the liberty of using an excerpt because I know it will help both the working reviewers who have published their reviews here and the authors who have had reviews of their books run here! It is from Sylvia McClain's The Write Life.
Did You Know the Tax Season Isn't Over: For Writers it Last all Year?
You got paid for a story you wrote. Congratulations! You’ve become a recognized and published writer.
Now you have to ask yourself this question. Am I now self employed?
Contrary to public thought, there is an easy answer to it. If you write continuously and regularly with the activity being your primary source of income or profit, then it is a business and you are self employed. If your writing is a sporadic activity or a hobby, it is not a business. Whether you are self-employed or not, all earned income of $400 or more must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Money earned from a sporadic activity is easily reported on a 1040 tax form. There is another side to reporting your income as a sole proprietor of a business. To be self-employed means there is not an employer to withhold monies from your pay to meet your tax obligations. It’s now your responsibility and you can accomplish this new task.
First, let me help you understand the basics of the tax structure for the self-employed. Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business and Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax must be filed with your 1040 form. Schedule C calculates the amount of money you made or lost writing and Schedule SE determines taxes owed, if any.
The secret to overcoming a large tax bite is keeping good records of money spent to make money. In other words, knowing what you can deduct as an expense against your profits will help lower your tax liability. This will lower the amount that will appear on Schedule SE’s net income to be taxed. The lower the amount, the less you will have to pay in taxes. So what are the business expenses that a writer can apply against his or her profits? Any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred to operate your business. An ordinary expense is an expense that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is appropriate and helpful for your business. Advertising, educational cost, computer paper and postage are a few tax deductible writer expenses. Publication 535, Business Expenses from the IRS can assist you with definitions of other types of business expenses.
If you don’t feel tax savvy, there are preparers to do your taxes for you. You must keep good records of your expenses and income. Also, check to make sure the preparer is familiar with, and an expert in the field of writing. Not all preparers specialize in the writing profession. Preparers sometimes depend on the computer programs to guide them.
Now go on, don’t be afraid to continue doing what you love to do. Write. Before you know it, you could just make a very good living doing it. A tax bite can be turned into just a little pinch.
Author Biography:
Sylvia McClain blogs at http://sylviaspeaks.blogspot.com and is a book reviewer in her own right at MyShelf.com and Atlantic Publishing Company. The Write Life is now available in its 2nd edition.
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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Being a Believer and Finding a Partner
Title: Finding The Right Man For You: Dating Advice For Women
Author: Lawrence J. Danks
Publisher: Helpful Media (HelpfulMedia@yahoo.com)
ISBN: 978-0-578-04809-3
Binding: Perfect Paperback
Pages: 245
Retail Price: $13.95 (Often discounted)
Publication Date: June 2010
Contents: 28 chapters. 245 pages
Distribution to the Trade: Lightning Source
Summary:
Dating is never easy, no matter what someone’s age — and it only gets more difficult after thirty. Finding The Right Man For You can help women meet more men, guard against men who lie, date more effectively after divorce or the death of a partner, overcome fear and self-doubt, and help a woman know when she’s found the right man. It offers excellent insights on intimacy and sex, dating tips, dating for women who have children and work pressures, personal and financial safety, making a decision about a man, and finding happiness with or without one.
Review by Author:
Finding The Right Man For You: Dating Advice For Women suggests a more organized approach to dating and finding the right man with an objective toward making the process more efficient and effective. I was fortunate to have the assistance of a number of women who read various parts of the book and offered many good suggestions. They shared some personal experiences, too, which have enabled me to offer even better advice on the many topics the book contains. It is supportive, motivational, inspirational, and respectful to women. It also contains many distillations of wisdom in its instructive quotations from many recognized dating and happiness experts, and others noted for their wisdom.
There is a separate chapter on "Finding Happiness With or Without A Man." It's important to make the most of every day, whether we have a partner or not. Sometimes just leading our everyday life is when we find what we least expect. The book emphasizes being a believer. If someone believes that they are not going to meet someone, they are probably going to be right. Consistent application to a good search can produce a good result.
Some might think that this is a strange book for a management professor to be writing, but I felt that more organization and some encouragement to believe in the future could help make a difference in the lives of some women by combating loneliness and potentially leading them to increased happiness and personal fulfillment. As far as rating the book, it would be inappropriate to rate my own book. I'll leave that to the readers. Best wishes to everyone.
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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Author: Lawrence J. Danks
Publisher: Helpful Media (HelpfulMedia@yahoo.com)
ISBN: 978-0-578-04809-3
Binding: Perfect Paperback
Pages: 245
Retail Price: $13.95 (Often discounted)
Publication Date: June 2010
Contents: 28 chapters. 245 pages
Distribution to the Trade: Lightning Source
Summary:
Dating is never easy, no matter what someone’s age — and it only gets more difficult after thirty. Finding The Right Man For You can help women meet more men, guard against men who lie, date more effectively after divorce or the death of a partner, overcome fear and self-doubt, and help a woman know when she’s found the right man. It offers excellent insights on intimacy and sex, dating tips, dating for women who have children and work pressures, personal and financial safety, making a decision about a man, and finding happiness with or without one.
Review by Author:
Finding The Right Man For You: Dating Advice For Women suggests a more organized approach to dating and finding the right man with an objective toward making the process more efficient and effective. I was fortunate to have the assistance of a number of women who read various parts of the book and offered many good suggestions. They shared some personal experiences, too, which have enabled me to offer even better advice on the many topics the book contains. It is supportive, motivational, inspirational, and respectful to women. It also contains many distillations of wisdom in its instructive quotations from many recognized dating and happiness experts, and others noted for their wisdom.
There is a separate chapter on "Finding Happiness With or Without A Man." It's important to make the most of every day, whether we have a partner or not. Sometimes just leading our everyday life is when we find what we least expect. The book emphasizes being a believer. If someone believes that they are not going to meet someone, they are probably going to be right. Consistent application to a good search can produce a good result.
Some might think that this is a strange book for a management professor to be writing, but I felt that more organization and some encouragement to believe in the future could help make a difference in the lives of some women by combating loneliness and potentially leading them to increased happiness and personal fulfillment. As far as rating the book, it would be inappropriate to rate my own book. I'll leave that to the readers. Best wishes to everyone.
-----
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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Monday, May 10, 2010
Raja N. Krishnan Reviews Novel Set in Ancient Roma
Book Title: Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome
Author: Steven Saylor
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publisher's Address: 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-0312377625
List Price: $15.95
Reviewed by Raja N. Krishnan
“Legend is Historical Just as History is Legendary.”
What a phrase…..and it’s the opening quote in Steven Saylor’s latest production on the Roman Republic, titled Roma. Mr. Saylor has stepped away from his acclaimed mystery based series with Gordianus the Finder to present a unique and fresh perspective on the ancient republic.
Mr. Saylor produces a nice effort to highlight the major events of the Roman Republic from pre-Roma days through the founding of Roma to the days of Julius Ceasar. The story that evolves through the generations of one family, with the Roman history in the backdrop, focuses more on the legends, spirituality, and cultural aspects of the Roman Republic. The author easily weaves the story of this family into the fabric of the history of the Roman Republic. This epic story shows the struggle between the lower class, plebians, and the upper class, patricians, through the generations of the Roman Republic. It also depicts the power and ego of successful political men who tried to reach the status of King, but could not stay in that position for long.
As each chapter goes by the author fast forwards in time to the next major or controversial event in the republic’s history. This might first appear as though he is skipping events, but the author does a nice job of tieing chapters together and summarizing events that happened in the timeline. Although not a detailed account of the Roman Republic government, that not being the intent of the book, the book does convey how the government transformed through the generations with the rise and fall of the republic.
As I was reading this book I found myself excited about the possibilities of a second trip to Rome to visit the historical sites that I missed the first time, armed with this new knowledge of the legends of Rome. I would highly recommend this book for fans of Roman History, furthermore it would be worth a read if you plan to travel the historical sights in Italy.
The author is also the author of The Triumph of Caesar: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Roma Sub Rosa)
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Reach the reviewer at raja_krishnan1975@hotmail.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Author: Steven Saylor
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publisher's Address: 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-0312377625
List Price: $15.95
Reviewed by Raja N. Krishnan
“Legend is Historical Just as History is Legendary.”
What a phrase…..and it’s the opening quote in Steven Saylor’s latest production on the Roman Republic, titled Roma. Mr. Saylor has stepped away from his acclaimed mystery based series with Gordianus the Finder to present a unique and fresh perspective on the ancient republic.
Mr. Saylor produces a nice effort to highlight the major events of the Roman Republic from pre-Roma days through the founding of Roma to the days of Julius Ceasar. The story that evolves through the generations of one family, with the Roman history in the backdrop, focuses more on the legends, spirituality, and cultural aspects of the Roman Republic. The author easily weaves the story of this family into the fabric of the history of the Roman Republic. This epic story shows the struggle between the lower class, plebians, and the upper class, patricians, through the generations of the Roman Republic. It also depicts the power and ego of successful political men who tried to reach the status of King, but could not stay in that position for long.
As each chapter goes by the author fast forwards in time to the next major or controversial event in the republic’s history. This might first appear as though he is skipping events, but the author does a nice job of tieing chapters together and summarizing events that happened in the timeline. Although not a detailed account of the Roman Republic government, that not being the intent of the book, the book does convey how the government transformed through the generations with the rise and fall of the republic.
As I was reading this book I found myself excited about the possibilities of a second trip to Rome to visit the historical sites that I missed the first time, armed with this new knowledge of the legends of Rome. I would highly recommend this book for fans of Roman History, furthermore it would be worth a read if you plan to travel the historical sights in Italy.
The author is also the author of The Triumph of Caesar: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Roma Sub Rosa)
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Reach the reviewer at raja_krishnan1975@hotmail.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Opal, Herby, And Squeaky
Author: Jay Miller
Genre: childrens book
ISBN: 9781438918082
AuthorHouse
Reviewed By Rhonda Carver for Apex Reviews
Rating: 5
Opal is an adorable little kitten, but she’s homeless, and when a kindhearted woman offers to adopt her one day, Opal is elated. Her new owner’s offer, though, is based on one condition: that Opal catch a little gray mouse running free in her house, to which Opal gladly agrees.
Upon arriving at her new home, Opal becomes fast friends with Herby, her
owner’s lovable little wiener dog, who soon lets her know exactly why the rouge mouse, Squeaky, is such a problem: every night after Herby goes to sleep,Squeaky sneaks out of his hole in the wall and steals all of the food out of Herby’s bowl. Herby then goes hungry all of the next day because he has no food to eat.
After learning of Herby’s ongoing plight, Opal commits herself to putting a
stop to Squeaky’s hijinks once and for all – but she soon finds that her task isn’t as easy as it sounds. However, rather than allow herself to grow frustrated, she asks God for His help in figuring out precisely how to catch Squeaky in the act – and ultimately have the little critter for her own dinner.
God then gives Opal the answer – but on one condition: that Opal give Squeaky the chance to repent once he’s been caught, and, if he does so, Opal must allow him to go free.
Soon thereafter, Opal finally catches Squeaky, but she stays true to her
promise to God and gives him the chance to repent – and, little does Squeaky know, his ultimate decision will prove much more consequential than he realizes…
Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a delightful children’s tale by Christian
Fiction author Jay Miller. In it, Miller skillfully spurs original thought in the minds of young readers, helping them realize that for every action there is a consequence – be it good or bad – and that each decision we make must be preceded by careful, deliberate forethought. By doing so, we can prevent ourselves from falling into the pratfalls that often accompany the folly of diving head-first into situations whose virtue is superficial at best.
Miller also does a commendable job of displaying the transcendent power
of forgiveness, particularly the second chances with which it provides us all. As we are all human, we are all prone to making mistakes, but the importance of patience and understanding in the face of common error is not often stressed enough – a point that Miller makes in compelling fashion.
Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a welcome literary treat with a powerful,
inviting message. Highly recommended.
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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Author: Jay Miller
Genre: childrens book
ISBN: 9781438918082
AuthorHouse
Reviewed By Rhonda Carver for Apex Reviews
Rating: 5
Opal is an adorable little kitten, but she’s homeless, and when a kindhearted woman offers to adopt her one day, Opal is elated. Her new owner’s offer, though, is based on one condition: that Opal catch a little gray mouse running free in her house, to which Opal gladly agrees.
Upon arriving at her new home, Opal becomes fast friends with Herby, her
owner’s lovable little wiener dog, who soon lets her know exactly why the rouge mouse, Squeaky, is such a problem: every night after Herby goes to sleep,Squeaky sneaks out of his hole in the wall and steals all of the food out of Herby’s bowl. Herby then goes hungry all of the next day because he has no food to eat.
After learning of Herby’s ongoing plight, Opal commits herself to putting a
stop to Squeaky’s hijinks once and for all – but she soon finds that her task isn’t as easy as it sounds. However, rather than allow herself to grow frustrated, she asks God for His help in figuring out precisely how to catch Squeaky in the act – and ultimately have the little critter for her own dinner.
God then gives Opal the answer – but on one condition: that Opal give Squeaky the chance to repent once he’s been caught, and, if he does so, Opal must allow him to go free.
Soon thereafter, Opal finally catches Squeaky, but she stays true to her
promise to God and gives him the chance to repent – and, little does Squeaky know, his ultimate decision will prove much more consequential than he realizes…
Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a delightful children’s tale by Christian
Fiction author Jay Miller. In it, Miller skillfully spurs original thought in the minds of young readers, helping them realize that for every action there is a consequence – be it good or bad – and that each decision we make must be preceded by careful, deliberate forethought. By doing so, we can prevent ourselves from falling into the pratfalls that often accompany the folly of diving head-first into situations whose virtue is superficial at best.
Miller also does a commendable job of displaying the transcendent power
of forgiveness, particularly the second chances with which it provides us all. As we are all human, we are all prone to making mistakes, but the importance of patience and understanding in the face of common error is not often stressed enough – a point that Miller makes in compelling fashion.
Opal, Herby, And Squeaky is a welcome literary treat with a powerful,
inviting message. Highly recommended.
-----
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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Kelly Klepfer Reviews Women's Literature
Crossing Oceans
Gina Holmes
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414333056
Women's Fiction
Book Description:
Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.
Reviewed by Kelly Klepfer for Amazon
I am always hesitant to review a book written by a friend. Can you imagine how much more apprehensive I was reading the debut novel from not only a friend but a critique partner? A critique partner lives to rip and shred work to point out what's wrong and what needs to be changed to make the work readable.
Though I've critiqued Gina Holmes for years, I had just glimpses into Crossing Oceans and I knew it was a very different style from her previous suspense novels. Her suspense is strong. But how well would her voice translate to women's fiction?
Once I opened her book and began to read I can say that her voice translates with a poignant grace that is rare in a debut novelist. And Crossing Oceans is a story that Holmes was meant to tell.
Holmes tackles a heavy story line with a touch of whimsy and deep, deep melancholy, sometimes in the same paragraph. A young mother, emotionally orphaned when her mother died and father cocooned himself in a cloak of angry grief, finds herself forced to return to the home she had escaped. Jenny has Stage IV metastatic cancer and must reunite with the family she fled for the sake of her little girl's very near future need. With less than a year to repair and restore relationships Jenny tackles the past and the future, the present and the pain, all while attempting to give her daughter, Isabella, memories and love and what life she has available to give.
This is a novel that quickly overcame the author and my relationship with her. The story told itself in a realistic and three-dimensional tale of life and death, sorrow and fear, choices and consequences, pain and beauty, loss and hope. Holmes voice is similar to some of my favorite authors in the Christian fiction genre, Siri Mitchell, Charles Martin, Susan Meissner, Claudia Mair Burney, Lisa Samson and Bonnie Groves.
Crossing Oceans is not an easy read. It is haunting and beautiful and raw. Expect to cry and expect to remember this family long after you turn the last page.
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Reviewer Kelly Klepfer reviews at http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/ 101 Best Websites for Writers - Writers Digest, 2010. Learn more about her at http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Gina Holmes
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414333056
Women's Fiction
Book Description:
Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.
Reviewed by Kelly Klepfer for Amazon
I am always hesitant to review a book written by a friend. Can you imagine how much more apprehensive I was reading the debut novel from not only a friend but a critique partner? A critique partner lives to rip and shred work to point out what's wrong and what needs to be changed to make the work readable.
Though I've critiqued Gina Holmes for years, I had just glimpses into Crossing Oceans and I knew it was a very different style from her previous suspense novels. Her suspense is strong. But how well would her voice translate to women's fiction?
Once I opened her book and began to read I can say that her voice translates with a poignant grace that is rare in a debut novelist. And Crossing Oceans is a story that Holmes was meant to tell.
Holmes tackles a heavy story line with a touch of whimsy and deep, deep melancholy, sometimes in the same paragraph. A young mother, emotionally orphaned when her mother died and father cocooned himself in a cloak of angry grief, finds herself forced to return to the home she had escaped. Jenny has Stage IV metastatic cancer and must reunite with the family she fled for the sake of her little girl's very near future need. With less than a year to repair and restore relationships Jenny tackles the past and the future, the present and the pain, all while attempting to give her daughter, Isabella, memories and love and what life she has available to give.
This is a novel that quickly overcame the author and my relationship with her. The story told itself in a realistic and three-dimensional tale of life and death, sorrow and fear, choices and consequences, pain and beauty, loss and hope. Holmes voice is similar to some of my favorite authors in the Christian fiction genre, Siri Mitchell, Charles Martin, Susan Meissner, Claudia Mair Burney, Lisa Samson and Bonnie Groves.
Crossing Oceans is not an easy read. It is haunting and beautiful and raw. Expect to cry and expect to remember this family long after you turn the last page.
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Reviewer Kelly Klepfer reviews at http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/ 101 Best Websites for Writers - Writers Digest, 2010. Learn more about her at http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Speed-b-b-bumps
By Darrell House
Spoken word CD
27:15 min.
Prod. by Maggie Music.
ISBN 978-0-615-31853-0
$16.95.
South Florida children’s author and musician Darrell House has just earned a Parents’ Choice Gold Award for his newest release, a spoken word CD collection of mostly humorous poems for kids and families titled Speed-b-b-b-bumps. The material was written to entertain his daughters when they were young, and it reflects interests and ideas with which children easily identify.
Parents' Choice says:
"Parents seem to enjoy [House's] music and stories too."
MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY and reviewer for the Library Journal says, "House’s enjoyment is contagious, and listeners will be smiling, laughing, and asking for more."
Author Bio:
Children’s author, poet, storyteller, singer/songwriter Darrell House
wears a lot of hats. Described as Grizzly Adams meets Key West, he has a magnetic personality and is a powerful performer. Having presented in more than 60 schools and a hundred libraries, he is also a regular performer at Reading Festivals and Early Childhood Education Conferences. Miller the Green Caterpillar, his children’s picture book, is an inspirational story of setting goals, and his two CDs of original music, Underneath the Cushions on the Couch and Makes Me Feel Like Singing are full of original songs. His most recent release, Speed-b-b-b-bumps, a spoken word CD collection of mostly humorous poems, has just earned a
Parents’ Choice Gold Award. He blogs as Suburbanhobo at www.bolognabrain.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
By Darrell House
Spoken word CD
27:15 min.
Prod. by Maggie Music.
ISBN 978-0-615-31853-0
$16.95.
South Florida children’s author and musician Darrell House has just earned a Parents’ Choice Gold Award for his newest release, a spoken word CD collection of mostly humorous poems for kids and families titled Speed-b-b-b-bumps. The material was written to entertain his daughters when they were young, and it reflects interests and ideas with which children easily identify.
Parents' Choice says:
"Parents seem to enjoy [House's] music and stories too."
MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY and reviewer for the Library Journal says, "House’s enjoyment is contagious, and listeners will be smiling, laughing, and asking for more."
Author Bio:
Children’s author, poet, storyteller, singer/songwriter Darrell House
wears a lot of hats. Described as Grizzly Adams meets Key West, he has a magnetic personality and is a powerful performer. Having presented in more than 60 schools and a hundred libraries, he is also a regular performer at Reading Festivals and Early Childhood Education Conferences. Miller the Green Caterpillar, his children’s picture book, is an inspirational story of setting goals, and his two CDs of original music, Underneath the Cushions on the Couch and Makes Me Feel Like Singing are full of original songs. His most recent release, Speed-b-b-b-bumps, a spoken word CD collection of mostly humorous poems, has just earned a
Parents’ Choice Gold Award. He blogs as Suburbanhobo at www.bolognabrain.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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
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