The New Book Review

Monday, January 16, 2012

Reviewer Suggests Sex and the City Fans Read This One

Title: California Girl Chronicles: Brea & the City of Plastic

Author: Michelle Gamble-Risley
Author’s Website Link: http://www.3lpublishing.com
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
ISBN: 978-0-615-55787-8
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/California-Girl-Chronicles-Brea-Plastic/dp/0615557872

Reviewed by Sigmarie Soto originally for ZiggySoto

Book 1 of Michelle Gamble-Risley’s California Girl Chronicles is not what you’d expect—it sure wasn’t what I expected anyway. And I’ll admit I wasn’t disappointed at all. Everyone loves an entertaining, escape-for-awhile novel, and that is exactly what Brea & the City of Plastic is. Book 1 takes us through Brea Harper’s journey of moving to Los Angeles to make it as a screenwriter, while going through some fun, sexy, humiliating, and heartbreaking moments along the way. In a world where business and professional lines are blurred, this novel is more than appropriately titled, and there’s never a dull moment.

While Brea may be a born-and-raised Cali girl, women everywhere can relate to her on some level. She is genuine, unpredictable, good-hearted, at times fickle, and well-aware of her flaws, which makes her all the more likable. There are moments where she is vulnerable and other moments where she is strong. Who can’t relate to that? I found myself having shake-my-head moments when Brea knowingly makes mistakes as well as ha-take-that moments when she triumphs.

The characters Brea meets along the way are as equally intriguing and multi-dimensional as Brea, with some you will love to hate, others you will hate to love, and everything in between. While I was rooting for Brea every step of the way, I also couldn’t get enough of Brea’s love interests, especially Kale, the successful, sexy, almost too-good-to-be-true movie producer who is head over heels for her. And add into the mix Brea’s new and old friends, including Kale’s Latina housekeeper, Maya, and Brea’s straightforward roommate, Denise.

Michelle’s first novel is refreshingly honest. With Brea, we see and experience things that most women think but rarely admit. The narration is playful and humorous, though we can easily feel Brea’s conflict and dilemmas at the right moments. The dialogue is enticing yet real, which Michelle uses to bring more depth to her characters than initially meets the eye. Since Book 1 is such a fun read, I can’t wait to see what new adventure Brea will take in Book 2. I think I may like this even more than Sex and the City.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Father and Daughter Team Share Devotionals

Title: Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life

Author: Karina Fabian and Deacon Steve Lumbert
Category: Christian, devotionals, spiritualityISBN: 9780982256534Available from: Publisher (Tribute Books)
or Amazon or other online dealersFor More Info: http://whygodmatters.com
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/dI7jbp

Reviewed by Cheryl Malandrinos originally for The Book Connection

For an easy to digest look into how God touches us daily, pick up a copy of Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life by Karina Lumbert Fabian and Deacon Steven Lumbert.

In this short book, authors Fabian and Lumbert invite readers along on a journey to discover through their experiences how God can be seen in our daily lives. From Deacon Steve's story of being a reluctant convert to Fabian's story of how she stopped being a martyr for the trivial, each chapter brings the reader that much closer to seeing how God impacts our lives, as seen through the eyes of two devoted Catholics.

Before I go further with my review, I feel the need to impart a bit of information to my readers. I spent thirty years in the Catholic Church. I was baptized into it, forced to attend Mass unless I was on my death bed, attended a Catholic school for eight years, taught religious education for 10 years and directed an elementary religious education program for 5 years. My decision to leave the Catholic Church was forced by my pastor explaining to me that after all those years, if I decided to marry the Greek Orthodox man I was engaged to, and didn't do it in the Catholic Church, I could no longer practice my faith: accept the sacrament of Holy Communion. To say the Catholic Church and I parted in not a good way, would be an understatement.

Books such as these are of interest to me because I'm always searching for that nugget of faith in God that surpasses the theology and catechism to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. Why God Matters is definitely one of those books.

Each story included in this short book displays God's work in our lives. They reach beyond the rules and touch the heart. They discuss what it is like to have a relationship with God that allows us to come to Him in our times of need, knowing He will always be there. While books that discuss the Catholic faith often provide readers with dry theology, they don't allow the average person--especially one not familiar with the Catholic Church--a way to understand God and our relationship with him. Why God Matters changes that. It's written by a lay person and a deacon, both devoted to their faith, but in many ways able to express what that type of faith can mean to an individual better than straight theology or dogma.

I must point out a couple of stories that touched my heart. Chapter Five is titled, "Out of the Depths of Despair". Deacon Steve shares his dilemma as a father to be, when he prayed for someone to help him decide on whether to sign papers to allow doctors to perform an emergency cesarean section on his wife. The help God sent came from an unexpected person. Also, Chapter 14, "Influence", in which Fabian shares her husband's conversion to the Catholic faith and their son's decision not to believe. As she explains it, "...I trust in God that he will eventually find his way." Being in the same situation with my son, I understand where she is coming from.

Every chapter includes quotations, a Life Lesson, and a Bible verse. This helps to make this book a nice devotional. The book has also garnered the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval.

While this book is targeted to a Catholic audience, I feel other denominations will gain something from reading this book as well. I know I certainly enjoyed it, and look forward to more collaborations between Fabian and her father.

Author bios:

Deacon Steve Lumbert and Karina Fabian are father and daughter who came to their faith in different ways. Karina was raised in it, while Steve discovered his calling later in life. Steve is a Deacon and parish administrator in Pueblo, CO. Karina is a writer, military wife, and mother of four.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

An Art BooK: Coloring for Everyone

Title: Joel's GeoJumble Twist & Tumble Coloring Book, No.1
Paperback: 128 pages
Author: Joel David Waldrep
Publisher: Volar Media llc
URL: http://www.geojumble.com
ISBN-10: 0984686002
ISBN-13: 978-0984686001

Reviewed by Mary Robertson originally for Amazon.com

This is an amazing coloring book, packed with challenging geometric abstract designs. Each page is dedicated to one design, printed on one side, so you wont have to make any sacrifices while using markers that may bleed through to the next page. Bright white paper with a smooth texture. All of the designs fit together very nicely too, without there being any repetition. I'm impressed every time I open it, just to look through it and choose my next coloring activity. For me, coloring is a meditative and relaxing process, and this book is perfect for that. Do use sharp colored pencils, and fine point markers. I really like the effect of opaque gel pens on top of markers. Sharpie markers are excellent, but use an extra sheet of paper between designs, just in case you're heavy handed like I am, and tend to color hard. This book is a must have for any coloring enthusiast looking for fresh designs and a challenge.

Mary Robertson is a watercolor artist residing in the desert Southwest. She holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of New Mexico. Mary's talents range from large scale abstract oil paintings, watercolor fantasy landscapes and more. She maintains an extensive collection of sketch books of ink drawings as an "idea bank" for future works of art. Mary's artwork is on display at the Wooden Cow Gallery, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Examples of original artwork can be seen at www.maryrobertson.us

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Lois Stern Brings Readers More Beauty Secrets Again

Title: Tick Tock, Stop the Clock
Subtite: Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour

Author: Lois W. Stern

URL: WWW.TICKTOCKSTOPTHECLOCK.COM ISBN-10: 0741453592
ISBN-13: 978-0741453594

Reviewed by Jerry Simmons originally for Amazon.com

“Congratulations to Lois W. Stern for following up her fabulous book Sex Lies and Cosmetic Surgery with an equally informative one. Tick Tock Stop the Clock is well written and filled with incredible information from renowned experts in the health and beauty field. This book is for anyone serious about affordable ways to enhance their appearance.”

~ Review Jerry Simmons is an author and executive with The Time Warner Book Group (Vice-president, Director of Field Sales for over 20 years. He is also creator and publisher of Nothing Binding, a community built to: “Inspire, Educate and Unite Writers, Authors and Readers Across the Globe”

Sunday, January 1, 2012

First Lady of First Ladies Lauds Frugal Book Promoter for All Authors

The Frugal Book Promoter
Subtitle: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher
ISBN: 9781463743291
Available for Kindle
Amazon paperback: http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo
Author's blog: www.ShasringwithWriters.Blogspot.com
Author's Web site: www.howtodoitfrugally.com
Cover design by Chaz DeSimone, www.chazdesimone.com

Reviewed by Feather Schwartz Foster originally for Suite 101

The first lady of first ladies reviewed the new (expanded and updated!) Frugal Book Promoter on Suite 101.

She says, "Written with humor and style, it is also laid out in such a way that it is easy to follow, and easy to understand. Every chapter is filled with insights and how-tos and a whole bunch of where-to-finds!"

Read more at Suite101: The Frugal Book Promoter - A Book Review | Suite101.com http://feather-schwartz-foster.suite101.com/the-frugal-book-promoter---a-book-review-a390639#ixzz1ZB1bQdhC

~ The reviewer, Feather Schwartz Foster, is an independent historian-lecturer, who focuses on the "old" First Ladies - Martha Washington to Mamie Eisenhower, to be specific. She teaches for the Christopher Wren Association, affiliated with the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. She has written four books: "LADIES: A Conjecture of Personalities," (historical fiction); "Garfield's Train", historical fiction, "T: An Auto-Biography," (children) and most recently, "The First Ladies," (nonfiction).
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Children's Lit Reviewed by Moira Shepard

Wings - The Journey Home
by Elizabeth & William Hicks
Book Web site: www.wingsthejourneyhome.com
Fiction: Children's
ISBN: 9780615420714

Reviewer: Moira Shepard, Author of "Another Day, Another Miracle"Originally published on Amazon.com
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Title of Review: Unexpectedly touching and inspiring, June 25, 2011

I found "Wings" to be a well-written novelette that will be easy for
youngsters and young adults to read and understand. The authors draw
you in with touches of suspense, warmth and humor that keep you
turning the pages. Once I started reading, I didn't stop until it was
done.

Some of the "lesson" portions of the story seemed a bit obvious; but
then, I've been studying metaphysics for years. The lessons may be new
to younger readers. Even so, the wisdom of "Wings" is undeniable, and
spoke to my heart. I was surprised to find myself shedding tears at
some of the more moving portions of the story.

This could well become a classic along the lines of "The Little
Prince." I agree with the reviewer who found the writing cinematic -
"Wings" definitely has potential as a story for the screen.

Congratulations on a job well done, Elise and William Hicks!

~~~

Find Elise & William Hicks at http://www.facebook.com/WingsTheJourneyHome
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

Monday, December 26, 2011

Poignant, Timely Novel from Joplin Independent

CHAIN GANG ELEMENTARY

A Novel by Jonathan Grant
Thornbriar Press
ISBN 978-0-9834921-0-8
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Literature
Book Web site: www.chaingangelemetnary.com

Permission granted to reprint from the Joplin Independent
Reviewer’s rating: A

When Fact and Fiction Tell the Whole Story …

By Jack L. Kennedy (former president, Education Writers Association)

Joplin Independent

Try wrapping teaching, testing, tutoring, sex, attempted murder, egos, child abuse and discrimination into one book. At times, Chain Gang Elementary (Thornbriar Press) does read like an improbable, overdone soap opera. But it is not often that a born newspaperman turns out a fiction piece that becomes a searing commentary on education’s strengths and failings, while throwing in an extramarital affair and other inducements. Chain Gang is a well-crafted depiction of hero Richard’s attempt to keep the local school going and its parent organization alive while combating bad teaching, obtuse administration, racism and other issues that might have been torn from the headlines today.

Author Jonathan Grant has his roots usually in non-fiction newspapering. He served as a school parent association president, and with his dad, wrote the acclaimed book The Way it Was in the South: The Black Experience in Georgia. Coincidence? Others have called Chain Gang autobiographical; Grant claims it is not.

The human condition often takes a beating in the book. Good teachers and administrators seem scarce as the book’s protagonist and father, Richard, agrees to become head of the Malliford Elementary parent organization. It is not officially a national parent/teacher association unit. The national group dropped it when a previous treasurer ran off with the treasury and other hanky-panky took place.

Richard’s efforts to tutor non-Caucasian students new to the school, start teacher in-service training or replace an art teacher sound like current themes chronicled in Education Week or some other pedagogical publication. Through all of the hassles and hurdles, however, some good teachers remain, like Mrs. Little, who cares for kids in and out of her class. Yes, skeptics, such souls do exist.

Mrs. Little, Richard and others fight for fairness, an end to intolerance and obscurity whether for the person who is the white son of the parent organization president or talented Antonio from “those apartments” just redistricted into Malliford Elementary. There is hope in the book for a rebirth of common sense and better communication in many ways—not bad goals for anyone any time.

The book flows well, with often sharp word choices, crisp scene-setting, rhythm and humor. Although at times a bit overdone for dramatic effect (after all, it is fiction), Chain Gang does repeatedly emphasize the importance of individual responsibility and caring and parents working with, not just against, educators. It criticizes education rendered through policy, prescription and one-size-fits-all mentality.

Revealing the ending or even specific plot twists would spoil the reader’s fun. Those who have written education columns for newspapers, survivors of parent/teacher organizations as well as many others will find that Grant has done an exceptional job of weaving educational fact and enticing fiction together. For that, he deserves an “A.”

For more information about the author go to his blog here.

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