Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis
By Amy Ferris
ISBN-10: 1580052975
ISBN-13: 978-1580052979
Reviewed by Katherine H. Hughes
I just finished Amy's book which came highly recommended by Carolyn Howard-Johnson due to her unique style of voice. That is an understatement for Amy...she writes how she thinks alright, but she is more than unique, which we are all scared to do.
I related to her voice because I sometimes slip and say a "f-word" as well. It was something I was worried about in some of my writing...should I take it out/ leave it in....I liked it in her book it was so funny(to me). It seemed true to her actual thoughts. Loved it even though it was on a mid-life crisis, I felt as though I am going through some of the things she went through in her life!
I have never laughed so hard I had to take a break from reading, only because I found myself relating to every thought, comment or the outfit memory in her closet. I have to say I did not expect the book to have the book have a sensitive side after all the humor in the book. It added another dynamic that hit close to home for me. My grandmother fought the same battle Amy’s mom did with Dementia. Growing up I saw how my mother had to be strong and preserver though the same thing Amy went through. I pray and prepare myself for the same battle hoping to absorb every memory I can along the way with my mother.
I have passed my copy along to my Mom. My mother is in a book club in AL so maybe they will read it...they read some of everything. I also have different friends who read ALOT more than I do(not that I don't want to) that I suggested they go and buy it. It would make great beach or summer reading for all. I laughed through the whole thing I have never done that in a book before, so she must be some kind of writer.
I guess this year here in Canada has allowed me to mediate get my thoughts together. I am amazed at how much I actually figured out: personal and professional. Both before and after reading Amy's book. I am just starting my writing journey as I have kept notes of my travels, work and personal experiences over the last several years. I look forward to perusing my own voice and staying true to myself as well. I have been working in the outdoor industry(in Wyoming, Africa, and now Canada) since I graduated from college in the South; it has been wonderful journey, but I see many crossroads in the future. May I take the high road and the road less traveled and have a unforeseen writing career. That is what life is all about, enjoy it!!
Author Bio:
Ferris is also the author of a young adult novel. A Greater Goode.
-----
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:
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.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Something Different This Year: Poetry Chapbooks for Father's Day
Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions
Series: Celebration Series
By Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
ISBN: 144997774X
Chapbook: 37 pages
Genre: Poetry
How about literature for Father’s Day instead of ties or dinner?
We know ties are a cliché and in a few years, Dad won’t remember one Father’s Day dinner from another. Let’s face it, not all literature is created equal, thus some books are just as fleeting, though most would be a step up from a gift certificate and certainly would help support the industry that we believe important for the future.
I’m proposing—selfishly—poetry. Frugally!
First, you may have never given your father, grandfather, or a favorite father figure in your life a book of poetry. Thus, it will be memorable.
A small book of poetry will also be flattering. He will appreciate being treated tenderly. In fact, present a small chapbook with a single rose or gladiolus spray. Who says that only women want romance and tenderness in their lives!
Some of the readers of this blog could easily write a poem—even if they don’t think poetry their forte. Print it out on some lineny paper and present it with any other gift you may be giving.
You might choose to tuck it inside the cover of the Chapbook Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions that Magdalena Ball and I wrote for our Celebration Series of chapbooks. Our idea for this series is to have small books written for those who prefer something a little a little more literary than the typical greeting card, but still accessible for those who didn’t study literature in school. And at an affordable price. With cover art (and sometimes interior art) chosen from among our circle of talented writing and artist friends.
Most of our booklets are $6.95. We now have one for mothers (She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook), one that says love (Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry, www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse) and one for men and fathers (Imagining the Future, www.budurl.com/Imagining). We’re working on one for Christmas (not the holidays, but Christmas). It will be called Blooming Red.
Think of your poetry presentation to Dad as a Father’s Day card; it costs little more than a really nice one. Or think of it as a tuck-in gift or a tie-on as part of the wrap. Any poetry book you choose can be made more personal if you tie in a little grosgrain or satin ribbon inside the crease of the book to be used as a bookmark.
And don’t forget the hug.
Here is a sample poem from Imagining the Future (www.budurl.com/Imagining) : It was originally published by Dash, a literary journal.
Long Before They Shut the Napster Down
my father collected blursounds
get out of town
downloaded into the night soft jazzy
lights, sweet pink smoke
the smell of Jack Daniel's hot
satin doll
to real applause, nothing canned
found in the night a voice
like a staccato bass Wes Bowen
at KSL croons ella and shearing
at midnight to benefit a crowd
of one, alone at the wheel
make believe
marimbas, smooth
lullaby of birdland
sweet humanbaby-whine of clarinets
and a moon
no electronic nothing
humthrum of base, brushswish metal on cymbals
tell you what it's all about
lucky to get it before they shut the music down
smokey joe's
dispenser of joy, free of charge
cut me a rose
Happy Father's Day!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
www.howtodoitfrugally.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:
Series: Celebration Series
By Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
ISBN: 144997774X
Chapbook: 37 pages
Genre: Poetry
How about literature for Father’s Day instead of ties or dinner?
We know ties are a cliché and in a few years, Dad won’t remember one Father’s Day dinner from another. Let’s face it, not all literature is created equal, thus some books are just as fleeting, though most would be a step up from a gift certificate and certainly would help support the industry that we believe important for the future.
I’m proposing—selfishly—poetry. Frugally!
First, you may have never given your father, grandfather, or a favorite father figure in your life a book of poetry. Thus, it will be memorable.
A small book of poetry will also be flattering. He will appreciate being treated tenderly. In fact, present a small chapbook with a single rose or gladiolus spray. Who says that only women want romance and tenderness in their lives!
Some of the readers of this blog could easily write a poem—even if they don’t think poetry their forte. Print it out on some lineny paper and present it with any other gift you may be giving.
You might choose to tuck it inside the cover of the Chapbook Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions that Magdalena Ball and I wrote for our Celebration Series of chapbooks. Our idea for this series is to have small books written for those who prefer something a little a little more literary than the typical greeting card, but still accessible for those who didn’t study literature in school. And at an affordable price. With cover art (and sometimes interior art) chosen from among our circle of talented writing and artist friends.
Most of our booklets are $6.95. We now have one for mothers (She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook), one that says love (Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry, www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse) and one for men and fathers (Imagining the Future, www.budurl.com/Imagining). We’re working on one for Christmas (not the holidays, but Christmas). It will be called Blooming Red.
Think of your poetry presentation to Dad as a Father’s Day card; it costs little more than a really nice one. Or think of it as a tuck-in gift or a tie-on as part of the wrap. Any poetry book you choose can be made more personal if you tie in a little grosgrain or satin ribbon inside the crease of the book to be used as a bookmark.
And don’t forget the hug.
Here is a sample poem from Imagining the Future (www.budurl.com/Imagining) : It was originally published by Dash, a literary journal.
Long Before They Shut the Napster Down
my father collected blursounds
get out of town
downloaded into the night soft jazzy
lights, sweet pink smoke
the smell of Jack Daniel's hot
satin doll
to real applause, nothing canned
found in the night a voice
like a staccato bass Wes Bowen
at KSL croons ella and shearing
at midnight to benefit a crowd
of one, alone at the wheel
make believe
marimbas, smooth
lullaby of birdland
sweet humanbaby-whine of clarinets
and a moon
no electronic nothing
humthrum of base, brushswish metal on cymbals
tell you what it's all about
lucky to get it before they shut the music down
smokey joe's
dispenser of joy, free of charge
cut me a rose
Happy Father's Day!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
www.howtodoitfrugally.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:
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Well-Known Media Trainer Tells How To Do It
Title – Keeping the Wolves at Bay – Media Training
Author – Jonathan Bernstein
Crisis Management Blog: http://bernsteincrisismanagement.blogspot.com
Genre or category - Business
ISBN – 978-1450582209
About Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training
Anyone who has achieved some degree of success in business, government work, helping run a non-profit organization, or any other field may be interviewed by the news media. This is a rich opportunity to gain positive publicity, but you can also find yourself in a position where you look bad. Jonathan L. Bernstein, president of Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc., has varied professional experiences, including public relations, crisis management, journalism, and covert military intelligence operations. Bernstein is a regular guest commentator and expert source for national media outlets and PR Week described him as one of 22 individuals nationwide "who should be on the speed dial in a crisis."
Joan Stewart, AKA The Publicity Hound, says, "Even if you think you’ll never, ever be interviewed by the media, buy this book and read it cover to cover. It isn’t a substitute for media training. But it will give you the tools and confidence to go head to head–—and possibly even defang—rabid reporters, blood-thirsty bloggers and social networking buffoons who are out to besmirch your good name."
Keeping the Wolves at Bay — Media Training is the definitive “how to” guide for anyone who may have to deal with the media – live, by phone or online – whether they want to or not. It brings readers the best of Jonathan Bernstein’s nearly three decades of crisis management and media training experience, written in a style that’s both entertaining and informative. The material in the book, in various earlier incarnations, passed the test of real crises for many years.
Bernstein takes the readers on a journey that starts “Inside the Minds of Journalists,” moving on to “Getting Ready to be Interviewed” and then segueing to “Media Tactics – Dancing the Dance.” He then provides detailed information on “Media Logistics” for all forms of interviews, and goes on to address some unusual situations – e.g., “Media Training the Untrainable” – in a section called “Special Circumstances.” Finally, he provides readers with bonus materials that they will be able to use, hands-on, right away.
While the author’s focus is on the crisis-related applications of media training, he notes that his clients, have found the teachings to have improved their ability to communicate with many different types of audiences, from town hall meetings to public hearings to investor events and more. His international training experience have demonstrated that the principles espoused in Keeping the Wolves at Bay – Media Training are truly universal.
When you get well known for what you do, the media will want to interview you, which is a good way to get your message out or alternatively, to look really bad. You need to be prepared for interviewers who might tell your story straight — or who might do the opposite. I’ve found that Jonathan Bernstein’s book and training are real-life preparation for whatever can happen, and they’ve helped me get the real stuff out there, and helped keep me out of trouble! ~ Craig Newmark, Founder, craigslist
About Jonathan Bernstein
Bernstein has written an accessible, enjoyable book for anyone who may have to deal with the media, whether face-to-face, by phone, or online. Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training brings readers the best of Bernstein's nearly three decades of crisis management and media training experience, written in a style that's both entertaining and informative.
-----
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 – Jonathan Bernstein
Crisis Management Blog: http://bernsteincrisismanagement.blogspot.com
Genre or category - Business
ISBN – 978-1450582209
About Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training
Anyone who has achieved some degree of success in business, government work, helping run a non-profit organization, or any other field may be interviewed by the news media. This is a rich opportunity to gain positive publicity, but you can also find yourself in a position where you look bad. Jonathan L. Bernstein, president of Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc., has varied professional experiences, including public relations, crisis management, journalism, and covert military intelligence operations. Bernstein is a regular guest commentator and expert source for national media outlets and PR Week described him as one of 22 individuals nationwide "who should be on the speed dial in a crisis."
Joan Stewart, AKA The Publicity Hound, says, "Even if you think you’ll never, ever be interviewed by the media, buy this book and read it cover to cover. It isn’t a substitute for media training. But it will give you the tools and confidence to go head to head–—and possibly even defang—rabid reporters, blood-thirsty bloggers and social networking buffoons who are out to besmirch your good name."
Keeping the Wolves at Bay — Media Training is the definitive “how to” guide for anyone who may have to deal with the media – live, by phone or online – whether they want to or not. It brings readers the best of Jonathan Bernstein’s nearly three decades of crisis management and media training experience, written in a style that’s both entertaining and informative. The material in the book, in various earlier incarnations, passed the test of real crises for many years.
Bernstein takes the readers on a journey that starts “Inside the Minds of Journalists,” moving on to “Getting Ready to be Interviewed” and then segueing to “Media Tactics – Dancing the Dance.” He then provides detailed information on “Media Logistics” for all forms of interviews, and goes on to address some unusual situations – e.g., “Media Training the Untrainable” – in a section called “Special Circumstances.” Finally, he provides readers with bonus materials that they will be able to use, hands-on, right away.
While the author’s focus is on the crisis-related applications of media training, he notes that his clients, have found the teachings to have improved their ability to communicate with many different types of audiences, from town hall meetings to public hearings to investor events and more. His international training experience have demonstrated that the principles espoused in Keeping the Wolves at Bay – Media Training are truly universal.
When you get well known for what you do, the media will want to interview you, which is a good way to get your message out or alternatively, to look really bad. You need to be prepared for interviewers who might tell your story straight — or who might do the opposite. I’ve found that Jonathan Bernstein’s book and training are real-life preparation for whatever can happen, and they’ve helped me get the real stuff out there, and helped keep me out of trouble! ~ Craig Newmark, Founder, craigslist
About Jonathan Bernstein
Bernstein has written an accessible, enjoyable book for anyone who may have to deal with the media, whether face-to-face, by phone, or online. Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training brings readers the best of Bernstein's nearly three decades of crisis management and media training experience, written in a style that's both entertaining and informative.
-----
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, June 8, 2010
Aggie Villaneuva Reviews Romance Set in New Mexico
Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico
by Lena Nelson Dooley
$12.99 Paperback
349 pages
Also available in Kindle Format
Summerside Press, Spring, 2010, ISBN 978-1-935416-74-6
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Reviewed by Aggie Villanueva
I was first drawn to Lena Nelson Dooley’s new book, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, because I once lived in the (no longer) ghost town of Madrid, right next to Golden, and spent much time also in Cerrillos, where some major scenes take place, and all along the beautiful Turquoise Trail that her characters bounced over by wagon.
Though her hungry characters never got to dine there as planned, the writer brought back fond memories of fabulous New Mexican cuisine and Sunday morning brunches as she described the only restaurant in Cerrilos where the train used to stop, and across the town square from Mary’s Bar, the old Saloon. This restaurant is still operating, though the train isn’t.
Ms. Dooley keeps us mindful of the historical setting in the early 1800s. Having lived next door, I know that you can now drive through Golden without knowing you have. But Dooley early on registers the fact with readers that in 1830 it was the bustling home of the first gold strike west of the Mississippi, predating both the Colorado and California gold strike by several years.
Her thorough research is as constant throughout the story as is the continual thumping of the gold stamping machine that backdropped each day of life in Golden. But its Ms. Dooley’s characters and unfolding suspense that drew me into the story, beyond just the familiar places she researched so well.
Boston’s elite, Madeline Mercer, is suddenly penniless after her seemingly healthy and definitely wealthy father dropped dead at his business. And then on top of that Horace Johnstone, longtime employee of her father’s, shows up claiming he is not only a full partner in the business but that Maddy’s father promised her to him in marriage should anything ever happen to him. He threateningly gave her a two-week deadline until their wedding day.
I in the process of checking out Mr. Johnstone Frank Sneed, one of only two servants she could keep, found a ray of hope – a mail order bride ad in the Boston newspaper. The advertiser was a miner in Golden, New Mexico.
If it weren’t for her only remaining servants, Sarah and Frank Sneed, more like Godparents than servants, she could have never escaped into the night to reluctantly answer that ad, toting the orphaned baby its mother had begged her to raise as her own.
The trials of the overland train ride and acquaintance of the advertiser, Phillip Smith, a Godly but aging wealthy miner, were behind her. Their friendship established and growing, Maddy looked forward to being like a daughter to Smith, who was already a grandfather to her baby. But she hadn’t factored in Smith’s best friend, the young Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, sure Maddy was after the old man’s money, set the Sheriff to investigating her. When a wanted poster with Maddy’s face on it arrived in Golden, along with the enraged Horace Johnstone, her world, once more, turned tragic just when Maddy (and readers) thought things were turning out well for her.
If you love inspirational romances, suspense to the end, and characters you care about then you’ll love Lena Nelson Dooley’s newest book. And you’ll anxiously look forward to her next.
-----
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 Lena Nelson Dooley
$12.99 Paperback
349 pages
Also available in Kindle Format
Summerside Press, Spring, 2010, ISBN 978-1-935416-74-6
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Reviewed by Aggie Villanueva
I was first drawn to Lena Nelson Dooley’s new book, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, because I once lived in the (no longer) ghost town of Madrid, right next to Golden, and spent much time also in Cerrillos, where some major scenes take place, and all along the beautiful Turquoise Trail that her characters bounced over by wagon.
Though her hungry characters never got to dine there as planned, the writer brought back fond memories of fabulous New Mexican cuisine and Sunday morning brunches as she described the only restaurant in Cerrilos where the train used to stop, and across the town square from Mary’s Bar, the old Saloon. This restaurant is still operating, though the train isn’t.
Ms. Dooley keeps us mindful of the historical setting in the early 1800s. Having lived next door, I know that you can now drive through Golden without knowing you have. But Dooley early on registers the fact with readers that in 1830 it was the bustling home of the first gold strike west of the Mississippi, predating both the Colorado and California gold strike by several years.
Her thorough research is as constant throughout the story as is the continual thumping of the gold stamping machine that backdropped each day of life in Golden. But its Ms. Dooley’s characters and unfolding suspense that drew me into the story, beyond just the familiar places she researched so well.
Boston’s elite, Madeline Mercer, is suddenly penniless after her seemingly healthy and definitely wealthy father dropped dead at his business. And then on top of that Horace Johnstone, longtime employee of her father’s, shows up claiming he is not only a full partner in the business but that Maddy’s father promised her to him in marriage should anything ever happen to him. He threateningly gave her a two-week deadline until their wedding day.
I in the process of checking out Mr. Johnstone Frank Sneed, one of only two servants she could keep, found a ray of hope – a mail order bride ad in the Boston newspaper. The advertiser was a miner in Golden, New Mexico.
If it weren’t for her only remaining servants, Sarah and Frank Sneed, more like Godparents than servants, she could have never escaped into the night to reluctantly answer that ad, toting the orphaned baby its mother had begged her to raise as her own.
The trials of the overland train ride and acquaintance of the advertiser, Phillip Smith, a Godly but aging wealthy miner, were behind her. Their friendship established and growing, Maddy looked forward to being like a daughter to Smith, who was already a grandfather to her baby. But she hadn’t factored in Smith’s best friend, the young Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, sure Maddy was after the old man’s money, set the Sheriff to investigating her. When a wanted poster with Maddy’s face on it arrived in Golden, along with the enraged Horace Johnstone, her world, once more, turned tragic just when Maddy (and readers) thought things were turning out well for her.
If you love inspirational romances, suspense to the end, and characters you care about then you’ll love Lena Nelson Dooley’s newest book. And you’ll anxiously look forward to her next.
-----
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, June 7, 2010
Poetry, Myth and Vampires
Title: Crow/Woman and MudGirl
Author: VictoriaSelene SkyeDeme
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 978-1424122240
Reviewer's name: Erin O'Riordan for Amazon
VictoriaSelene Skye Deme is, I believe, the illegitimate love child of Sylvia Plath, Barbara G. Walker (who wrote the wonderful Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets) and American Indian writer Louise Erdrich.
CrowWoman and Mudgirl is an all-too-brief collection of poems steeped in myth and folklore. The theme, generally, is the reconciliation of the age-old dichotomy of feminine archetypes: is a woman a sweet-faced angel, or a raging she-wolf goddess? In Skye Deme's poems, she is daughter, lover, monster, and more. These are big poems for such a tiny book, and deeply satisfying. My personal favorite is "Dreary Summer Day." What sounds like something perfectly mundane is actually a beautifully spun vampire tale.
-----
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: VictoriaSelene SkyeDeme
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 978-1424122240
Reviewer's name: Erin O'Riordan for Amazon
VictoriaSelene Skye Deme is, I believe, the illegitimate love child of Sylvia Plath, Barbara G. Walker (who wrote the wonderful Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets) and American Indian writer Louise Erdrich.
CrowWoman and Mudgirl is an all-too-brief collection of poems steeped in myth and folklore. The theme, generally, is the reconciliation of the age-old dichotomy of feminine archetypes: is a woman a sweet-faced angel, or a raging she-wolf goddess? In Skye Deme's poems, she is daughter, lover, monster, and more. These are big poems for such a tiny book, and deeply satisfying. My personal favorite is "Dreary Summer Day." What sounds like something perfectly mundane is actually a beautifully spun vampire tale.
-----
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, June 5, 2010
Billie A. Williams Pens Another Myster, This with a Christmas Backdrop
The Capricorn Goat
by Billie A. Williams
Mystery
ISBN: 1-60813-090-8
Publisher: Publish America
Reviewed by J Gayle Kelly, author of Watermelon Patch and other novels
Mystery writer, Billie A. Williams, publishes mysteries as fast as a missile streaks across an ocean. The Capricorn Goat, one of her fairly recent releases, does not disappoint. She has assembled a book full of entertaining characters, as usual, who excite the reader and move the story forward. For the most part, these characters with such "fun" names, are intelligent, and especially, very human.
Williams’ protagonist, January Flannel, is a mystery author who finds herself immersed in an intriguing mystery which is far too real for comfort. Her good friend Sasha "Echo" Folio is accused of murder and although she entangles herself in the same danger Echo is in, January does not back away. A quote from The Capricorn Goat gives the reader a sense of January’s loyalty to a friend and a peek into her experience as an author: "As a writer, her mind puts the pieces of the mysterious murder together in a puzzle, all the clues interlocking."
Williams stealthily cuts a slice of political intrigue into the mix. How can she explain to her teenage daughter, Taylor, why her father who suddenly disappeared many years before, has suddenly resurfaced in such a profound circumstance? The story centers on the characters and their relationships with each other and the men that complicate their lives; the threats that curse their every day. January is run down by a "hit and run" driver which nearly takes her life, and puts her in a wheelchair. An intruder bullies his way into her house; shots are fired, bullets find their mark. A local teenager is kidnapped. All this at Christmastime when parties are planned and shoppers fill January’s gift shop, The Capricorn Goat.
The climax will keep the reader on the edge of his seat, and all the pieces of the puzzle finally slide into place and click at the end. I promise you, The Capricorn Goat, will make you glad you sat in a cozy chair with your favorite cup of tea and submerged yourself in Billie A. Williams’ gift for writing.
Find the author, Billie A. Williams, at http://writingwide.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:
by Billie A. Williams
Mystery
ISBN: 1-60813-090-8
Publisher: Publish America
Reviewed by J Gayle Kelly, author of Watermelon Patch and other novels
Mystery writer, Billie A. Williams, publishes mysteries as fast as a missile streaks across an ocean. The Capricorn Goat, one of her fairly recent releases, does not disappoint. She has assembled a book full of entertaining characters, as usual, who excite the reader and move the story forward. For the most part, these characters with such "fun" names, are intelligent, and especially, very human.
Williams’ protagonist, January Flannel, is a mystery author who finds herself immersed in an intriguing mystery which is far too real for comfort. Her good friend Sasha "Echo" Folio is accused of murder and although she entangles herself in the same danger Echo is in, January does not back away. A quote from The Capricorn Goat gives the reader a sense of January’s loyalty to a friend and a peek into her experience as an author: "As a writer, her mind puts the pieces of the mysterious murder together in a puzzle, all the clues interlocking."
Williams stealthily cuts a slice of political intrigue into the mix. How can she explain to her teenage daughter, Taylor, why her father who suddenly disappeared many years before, has suddenly resurfaced in such a profound circumstance? The story centers on the characters and their relationships with each other and the men that complicate their lives; the threats that curse their every day. January is run down by a "hit and run" driver which nearly takes her life, and puts her in a wheelchair. An intruder bullies his way into her house; shots are fired, bullets find their mark. A local teenager is kidnapped. All this at Christmastime when parties are planned and shoppers fill January’s gift shop, The Capricorn Goat.
The climax will keep the reader on the edge of his seat, and all the pieces of the puzzle finally slide into place and click at the end. I promise you, The Capricorn Goat, will make you glad you sat in a cozy chair with your favorite cup of tea and submerged yourself in Billie A. Williams’ gift for writing.
Find the author, Billie A. Williams, at http://writingwide.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:
Friday, June 4, 2010
Historical Novel Inspired by Historical Crestmont Inn
Crestmont
by Holly Weiss
Historical Fiction ISBN 978-1-935188-10-0
StarPublish LLC
Plot synopsis
“A dream, after all, needn’t be fueled by particulars, only by desire.”
So notes main character, Gracie Antes, in CRESTMONT, a historical fiction gem set in the 1920s.
Determined to take control of her life, sheltered Gracie Antes leaves her unhappy home in 1925 to pursue her dream of a singing career. On her way to the big city, she accepts a job as a housemaid at the bustling Crestmont Inn. Once there, Gracie finds a life-changing encounter with opera singer Rosa Ponselle, family she never imagined could be hers, and a man with a mysterious past. Relive the 1920s with a colorful cast of characters. Discover with Gracie that sometimes we must trade loss for happiness.
Set in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, the story is interwoven with details about the town, the rich history of The Crestmont Inn, and the family who passed ownership from one generation to the next. Many attempts have been made to explain how the mountaintop lake nestled in this tiny town came to be. Crestmont gives a new twist to an old Native American legend, setting the tone of grace around which the story is built.
Let the period of the Roaring Twenties spark your interest with its unique social mores, fashion, jazz, and yes, a little bootlegging thrown in for pizzazz.
Review
Reviewed by Holly Connors for Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“Have you ever wished for a comfy, old-fashioned inn where the staff attends to your every need, there’s a nearby lake where eagles soar, and each night there’s a fabulous home cooked meal waiting for you? That special place is within the pages of Crestmont, the debut novel of Holly Weiss.
In the Author’s Note, Weiss acknowledges that she was inspired to write this book after staying at the real Crestmont Inn in 2006. Many of the characters are based on real people, although their “…characterizations…are wholly the author’s creation.”
With extensive attention to detail, the author creates a beautifully realistic world of the hustle and bustle at a busy inn in the 1920s. There is plenty within the pages of Crestmont to keep the reader interested. Indeed, by the end of the book, Gracie, Mrs. Cunningham, PT and the others are like family members and the reader will want to see what happens to each. Crestmont is a study of relationships...it’s a story of intersecting lives.
Quill says: "Reading Crestmont is like staying at a quaint old inn, curling up next to the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and an old friend and catching up on the day’s events.”
—
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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 Holly Weiss
Historical Fiction ISBN 978-1-935188-10-0
StarPublish LLC
Plot synopsis
“A dream, after all, needn’t be fueled by particulars, only by desire.”
So notes main character, Gracie Antes, in CRESTMONT, a historical fiction gem set in the 1920s.
Determined to take control of her life, sheltered Gracie Antes leaves her unhappy home in 1925 to pursue her dream of a singing career. On her way to the big city, she accepts a job as a housemaid at the bustling Crestmont Inn. Once there, Gracie finds a life-changing encounter with opera singer Rosa Ponselle, family she never imagined could be hers, and a man with a mysterious past. Relive the 1920s with a colorful cast of characters. Discover with Gracie that sometimes we must trade loss for happiness.
Set in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, the story is interwoven with details about the town, the rich history of The Crestmont Inn, and the family who passed ownership from one generation to the next. Many attempts have been made to explain how the mountaintop lake nestled in this tiny town came to be. Crestmont gives a new twist to an old Native American legend, setting the tone of grace around which the story is built.
Let the period of the Roaring Twenties spark your interest with its unique social mores, fashion, jazz, and yes, a little bootlegging thrown in for pizzazz.
Review
Reviewed by Holly Connors for Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“Have you ever wished for a comfy, old-fashioned inn where the staff attends to your every need, there’s a nearby lake where eagles soar, and each night there’s a fabulous home cooked meal waiting for you? That special place is within the pages of Crestmont, the debut novel of Holly Weiss.
In the Author’s Note, Weiss acknowledges that she was inspired to write this book after staying at the real Crestmont Inn in 2006. Many of the characters are based on real people, although their “…characterizations…are wholly the author’s creation.”
With extensive attention to detail, the author creates a beautifully realistic world of the hustle and bustle at a busy inn in the 1920s. There is plenty within the pages of Crestmont to keep the reader interested. Indeed, by the end of the book, Gracie, Mrs. Cunningham, PT and the others are like family members and the reader will want to see what happens to each. Crestmont is a study of relationships...it’s a story of intersecting lives.
Quill says: "Reading Crestmont is like staying at a quaint old inn, curling up next to the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and an old friend and catching up on the day’s events.”
—
-----
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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