Lisa Yarde Reviews Historical Fiction

Title: The Unhewn Stone

Author: Wendy Laharnar
Author's Web site link: http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-927085-45-5
Available on Amazon
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Reviewed by Lisa J. Yarde originally for Amazon
Reviewer's rating: 5 out of 5

On the eve of his eighteenth birthday, Stefan Gessler waited in his attic room, poised for some momentous change in his otherwise uneventful life. He got more than he bargained for. He learns of an ancient manuscript, which his ancestors have protected for generations. With the aid of an ancient orb, Stefan transports into the past to change his family's destiny by trying to stop the legend of Wilhelm Tell.

His abrupt arrival in the fourteenth century is as disconcerting for him as his ancestral relations. Only one among them, the proud governor's son Rolf Gessler is unwilling to dismiss Stefan's claims about his journey to the past. While Stefan gains friends, he also makes dangerous enemies. When the governor unexpectedly dies, a corrupted knight accuses Stefan and Rolf of the murder, and punishes them for the crime. An ancient and eternal witch, who once divided the Gessler family, also knows the true origin of Stefan's orb. She will do anything to get it back.

This is Wendy Laharnar's debut fantasy novel. She has created a magical world, where an ordinary hero faces extraordinary odds in his quest. The author's attention to historical detail immerses the reader in the medieval period, while the fantasy element invites readers to escape with her characters to the past. Her hero Stefan is the honored guardian of his family's secret; often uncertain of his destiny, he remains courageous and willing to right the wrongs of the past. In perfect contrast to the hero, the unrepentant villain's only motivation is greed and ambition, making him the perfect nemesis. With such memorable characters and a unique setting, The Unhewn Stone is a wonderful read.

 Learn more about the reviewer:

Historical Fiction: On Falcon's Wings, Sultana, Sultana’s Legacy

Contemporary Novellas: Long Way Home
Website
Blog
Blogging at Historical Novel Review
Moderating at Unusual Historicals
Find her on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter

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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 :

A Review of Novel Based On Pearl Harbor Events

Title: Eyes Behind Belligerence

Author: K.P. Kollenborn
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1470168162
eBook ISBN 978-1-4524-7114-3

Reviewed by Lynn at Miss Lynn's Books & More

 

Written in five parts, this book is an epic tale of how the Japanese living in America on Bainbridge Island, Washington suffered undue humility and harassment when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The main story centers around two boys Jim and Russell, their families and how the Japanese community is affected by the war.

The novel begins with Jim trying to deal with the suicide of his older brother and years after still blames his father, Jim is more the quite type while Russell is more outgoing. As they say opposites attract each other and no matter what Jim and Russell always seem to connect in one way or another. With the advent of the war, the families start to suffer persecution. Their stores are vandalized, they have to turn over anything that could harm or incriminate them in any way, weapons, knives and down to even including 2 way radios. Now they have arrested all the men and the rest of their families are being transported off the island leaving their homes, bank accounts and belongings behind for looters to take advantage of.

As they are all transferred to a relocation camp, that could be in all reality a lesser form of a concentration camp, this is where they will being till the war ends. Here is where Jim and Russell and their families are now living along with about 10,000 other Japanese families. With a watchtower at either end there is no chance for escape as they have to deal with the sand, the heat, meager meals, no privacy and a guard that would just as soon shoot them all as to have to look at them. As with any form of camp, problems arise, families go against families, gangs form, friendships either part or strengthen and romance can blossom. So goes the lives of Jim and Russell as they both manage to keep their friendship throughout.

A year after the advent of Pearl Harbor, the camp is showing signs of political unrest. There are riots, people accusing each other of wrong doings. Americans against each other. Those for and those against. As the military sets into to recruit members for a segregated combat unit, Jim and Russell both enlist, Russell to prove his loyalty to America. As he fights against his own country , Jim being disloyal is sent to a different camp .Hopefully this will help him to grown up and become a loyal American.With the end of the war and families returning back to Bainbridge Island, Jim and Russell vow to remain friends. While Russell goes off to college, Jim has finally learned to forgive his father for his brothers suicide and decides to remain in Bainbridge. Now is the time to start their lives over and try to regain back the respect from the community that they had lost years earlier.

This is a long book but a very interesting novel. For those that lived back in that time and read this book it will bring back memories, memories of hating and being hated. For the younger generation they can read but really not understand what it was like. I have to say the author did a wonderful job on researching the book before writing it.I just touch on a bit of the subject contained in this book. There is much more that one needs to read to reach the full impact of the novel. Recommended for all who like to read factual books based on actual events. Whould make a great movie.

----- 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 :

Tibor Jones Prize Shortlist Novel Reviewed

Title: Tell A Thousand Lies
Author: Rasana Atreya
Author's website: http://rasanaatreya.com
Genre: Popular Fiction
Where it was published: Amazon (http://ow.ly/9DdxZ)
Available from Kindle

Shortlisted for the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia prize.
"We also particularly enjoyed the work of Rasana Atreya, [one of] our [two] runners up." ~ The Writing Room Bursary Competition 2011

Reviewed by Holly J Michael (Kansas City, MO USA)

 

Tell a Thousand Lies is an engaging novel that draws you into the heart and days of Pullamma's India where superstitions, the wrong color skin, and dirty politicians can determine a women's fate.

Raised by her grandmother, after her mother dies in childbirth and her father deserts the family, Pullamma lets go of the comfort of childhood innocence, fun and closeness of her best friend Chinni, to face woman-hood in a peculiar situation she lands in.

We travel with Pullamma and all of her hardships as she goes from a young girl in rural mid-1980s India hoping for a municipal water connection and a good husband--in spite of her dark skin and insufficient dowry--through her years of forced Goddesshood and difficulties and betrayals that take her into her adult years.

Tell a Thousand Lies is a moving comedic story about a woman's survival within societal and familial expectations. It allows us to become a part of the life of an endearing girl who makes the most out of difficult situations. It's a story about bonds of friendships, broken and restored, and love. I couldn't put the book down through Pullamma's travels and trials in India.

Pullamma's determination to overcome so many odds kept me breathlessly turning the pages to see how she would get out of the next pickle, and I don't mean her homemade pickle that became a source of income and a catalyst for female bonding and new friendships. I cheered when Pullamma triumphed under the most difficult situations and bit my nails when she had to face the evil politician's mischief.

Atreya's eloquent writing and detailed observations of life for women in India as well as the beauty and historical charm of India come through beautifully in this novel. I enjoy books filled with cultural richness that enlighten and entertain and Rasana Atreya pulls this off beautifully in her debut novel.

Having traveled throughout India several times and having relatives who live in India, I appreciated the spot-on struggles Indian women faced in the past and continue to face even today.

Tell A Thousand Lies is an emotional rollercoaster ride that makes you keep rooting for Pullamma as Atreya delightfully and hilariously infuses issues of class, religion, work, education, sexual roles, and the ties between women.

This is a very descriptive, well written story that draws you into the lives and emotions of the characters. A very good, humorous, poignant and heartwarming read.

 ~ Learn more about Rasana Atreya at  http://rasanaatreya.com and
http://rasanaatreya.wordpress.com . Her Tell A Thousand Lies is shortlisted for the TiborJones South Asia prize.

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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 :

Book of Modern Fiction Reviewed

Title: An Artist of the Floating World
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Modern fiction
ISBN: 0679722661

Reviewed by Amy at book musings

Set in postwar Japan, Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World is the story of an artist, now elderly, coming to terms with his decision to use his art in support of the militaristic regime coming into power in the decades leading up to the war. The phrase "floating world" refers traditionally to Japan's pleasure districts--neighborhoods of restaurants, bars, theaters, and brothels. Much of the artist's remembered past takes place in the bars of the floating world, drinking, arguing, and discussing art with his mentors, his peers, and later with his students. His art, and that of his contemporaries, focused on depicting the people of this floating world.

This is a very subtle and unusual story. The first thing we learn about the artist is that he gained his house as a result of his good character and reputation. He treats his family well and is respected and admired. That there is something wrong with his past we only learn gradually and indirectly. His younger daughter's marriage negotiations end abruptly when the other family suddenly and inexplicably pulls out. A new suitor appears, and his elder daughter suggests delicately that he visit certain old associates to make sure that they do not tell the suitor's family anything "unfortunate." The oblique Japanese style of discourse, in which nothing is stated baldly, but only approached in stages, makes a wonderful mirror for the artist's thought processes. The impression is that he would prefer not to name, even in his own mind, the deed of which he is ashamed.

The central portion of the book is taken up with these visits to former associates and students. With each conversation, the picture of the past becomes a little more detailed. We come to understand that the artist, gradually becoming enamored of the belligerent, militaristic mood of the new regime in the prewar years, changed his style of painting and began producing propaganda art. In the process he alienated some people, including his beloved teacher, and influenced others to join him.

Eventually, the artist calls on a man who refuses to see him. This man and his refusal are the link to the deed that the artist has not named. When he names it, and we learn it, the story has gone from vague and indirect to, finally, direct and specific. 

There are no shocks here, really. This isn't a suspense story in which the point is to find out what the terrible act was. Rather, it's a man's process of facing his past actions from the vantage point of a now very different (floating?) world, and the good and bad effects of that confrontation, delicately and subtly told.

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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 :

Cary Pepper Crime Novel Called "Great Read"

Reel Life Crime
Author: Cary Pepper
Author’s Website: www.carypepper.comGenre: Fiction/Detective/Crime
ISBN: 978-1-4658-4263-3

Reviewed by esmeowl12 originally for ReaderJots
Five-Star Review

I was intrigued by Reel Life Crime by Cary Pepper when I was approached to review it.

Private detective Ed Sampas is approached by an “odd couple” for an interesting case. Aristocratic Thelonius Noble and 300 pound Pago Mundy have a problem. Their authentic movie prop (one of only two that exist), the Maltese falcon, has been stolen and they want it back. The recovery must be done quickly and quietly. No police involvement.

Complicating matters are Sampas’ two totally different friends. McNulty, an up-and-up cop, is on the law side and Hank, the gay antiquities dealer, sometimes operates on the other side. Both become intricately meshed in the case.

Comic relief comes with two doped up computer geeks, a beautiful young photographer named Phoebe and Sampas’ nephew Ralph. There is mystery, plot twists and turns, revenge and near-death experiences. The ending is not what one would expect.

I thought this was a great read and highly recommend it. I enjoyed the suspense and the characters were believable and likable. I have never read The Maltese Falcon or seen the movie but I will now.

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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 :

Learn to Be Successful

360 Degrees of Influence: 
Subtitle: Get Everyone to Follow Your Lead on Your Way to the Top

By NYT Bestselling author Harrison Monarth
Nonfiction: Self-Help

What is
“360 Degree Influence”?

“360 Degree Influence” is Harrison Monarth’s term for the ability to influence those above
you, around
you, and beneath
you. No matter what your role is in this world, this influence powerfully
determines what you accomplish with your life.

With the possible exception of the U.S. president, every one of us has people “above”
us in power. How do you gain their confidence and respect, to give you more
responsibility, or money, or love, or whatever it is you seek?

Then there are those around you. People at your general level of power. Your peers in business, your spouse or significant other, your friends.

Finally, there are those “beneath” you. Not, of course, in their value as human beings,
but in authority. Perhaps they work for you, or serve on a committee under you.
You can even put your KIDS in this category. How do you become someone they
really listen
to? 

ANYONE can benefit from 360 Degree Influence . . . whether you are:

•
In a work environment with people above and beneath you

•
Someone who wants more influence among friends or social group

•
A member of a committee, charity, PTA or other group

•
An entrepreneur, building or running a business

•
A mom or dad wanting respect from kids, spouse and relatives

Can
you really learn
to be influential?

You’ve known them yourself: people who can walk into a room and command the attention and respect of others. Here’s the strange part: it’s not always that they’re
rich, powerful or great-looking. It’s the way they speak, move, interact with
people.

Believe it or not, you can LEARN to have this sort of influence. And once you do, there
is nothing you cannot achieve!

“No longer limited to the sphere of superheroes and CEOs, the extraordinary power of
influence is now within everyone’s reach . . . all can benefit from Monarth’s
simple steps for getting everyone to follow your lead.”

Marshall Goldsmith, million-selling author of the New York Times Bestsellers  “MOJO” and
“What Got You Here Won't Get You There”

You’ll learn to:

•
Assess your current influencing power

•
Address your weak spots in communicating with authority

•
Overcome resistance to your ideas

•
“Read” other people – so you always know the right approach

•
Make your opinions heard and respected

•
Project authority and power to those around you

Please
click on this link for more information, ordering and free gifts!

  CHECK IT OUT
HERE!

From
Gandhi, to FDR, to Henry Ford!

Think of people throughout history who impress you with their power to influence
others, to lead, to make things happen.

You’ll  notice one thing they all have in common. They were able to win the respect of
those above and around them as they rose to prominence, and the power to lead
those beneath them once they got there. Perfect examples of 360 Degree
Influence!

This principle remains true whether you are talking about business, political or
religious leaders, or “regular folks” who just want to get ahead at work or in
their social circle. There is no such thing as a person who doesn’t somehow
benefit from learning the secret of 360 Degree Influence!

These
principles even apply to love and friendship

Yes, the principles of 360 Degree Influence even work for relationships.
Like it or not, there’s a subtle power structure in every relationship, whether
well-established or brand new. The same influence that makes a boss or employee
respect you can be applied to a new love interest or friend. People
are magnetically attracted to confidence and social
intelligence.

About
Harrison Monarth

Harrison Monarth is a leader in the field of persuasive communication. He is the founder and
president of GuruMaker, an internationally-respected communications consulting
firm that coaches Fortune 500 executives, international politicians and other
high-level professionals at such organizations as Intel, the American Heart
Association, Cisco Systems, Merrill Lynch, NASA and the U.S. Congress.
Harrison’s first book, “The Confident Speaker,” was a New York Times Bestseller.
In March 2011, Harrison joined the faculty of the prestigious Institute for
Management Studies, Chicago, where he instructs Fortune 500
executives.

With this new book, Harrison brings his principles of powerfully influencing others
to everyone from executives, to entrepreneurs, to charity volunteers, to
students, to stay-at-home moms!


PS. The book will be available to the general public later for the same price,
but without the free gifts. So I urge you to order it today!

Please
click on this link for more information, ordering and free bonuses!

  CHECK IT OUT
HERE!

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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 :

Universal Sales Techniques Lauded by Publisher/Reviewer

Title: Seven Secrets of Superselling

Author- Michael B. Hickland

Author’s Website link-http://michaelbhickland.blogspot.com/

Genre or Category-Business, Nonfiction

ISBN 9781620952863

Originally reviewed by Gary Anderson for Amazon.com

Seven Secrets of Superselling

Michael B. Hickland

As a former retail salesperson, real estate professional, and now owner of my own editing firm and publishing company, I found Michael Hickland’s ebook Seven Secrets of Superselling both informative and inspiring, because I know from my own experience that he is right on the money in every case.

If you want a leg up on your competition, all you have to do is read and absorb the information in this ebook and then diligently put the seven secrets to work in your own career—no matter what field of sales you might be in. The techniques are universal and will work in any field. The steps Michael describes are things I used throughout in my own long career, so I know firsthand that they’ll help you succeed, as well.

There is no professional that is paid more handsomely than a highly effective salesperson. Only skilled surgeons make more worldwide—and they have to go to school for at least eight years before they can even hang out their shingles. Every business in the world relies on great salespeople—so the opportunities are limitless. Michael Hickland’s Seven Secrets of Superselling is a perfect no-frills guide for learning how to become a Superseller yourself!

~Learn more about reviewer Gary Anderson at www.abciowa.com, www.ParadiseCreekBooks.com

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