Saturday, May 26, 2012

Carol Upton Reviews and Reveals A Quarter Horse Love Story

Horse at the Corner Post:

Our Divine Journey

By Denise Lee Branco

Strolling Hills Publishing

Soft Cover, 2010, $17.95 U.S.

ISBN: 879-0-9845888-0-0

Available at http://www.horseatthecornerpost.com

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton – www.dreamsaloud.ca

I have been blessed with many animal friends in my life, but you were unique. I had a connection with you since your wobbly foal legs held you up and until your aged arthritic legs no longer allowed you to stand. ~ Denise Lee Branco

In the award-winning Horse at the Corner Post, Denise Lee Branco writes straight from the heart about her deep, lifelong connection to her quarter horse, Freedom.

At an outsider’s first glance, there may have been nothing special about this particular foal. Yet, Branco and Freedom connected almost immediately, soul to soul. Sharing hugs, playing racing games alongside the fence, and winning 2^nd Place in a Kindergarten Western Pleasure Class, the two youngsters formed a powerful relationship. All that changed as Branco neared college age and her uncle took a fancy to the horse. Thinking Freedom would have a great temporary home, Branco let him go, only to discover some years later that he had been sold.

What ultimately takes place is an astonishing tribute, not only to the profound relationship between a girl and her horse, but also to the deep support of a family that understood this bond and cared enough to see it through.

The strength of this book lies in Branco’s skilled and honest storytelling. The reader is there every step of the way, reminded of the animals that may have graced their own life.

Branco’s hope in writing about Freedom is that it will encourage animal adoption. This inspired family reading achieves all of that and more.

~ About the author: Denise Lee Branco spent her childhood on a California ranch, befriending all the furry and feathered residents there. From reading horse books to competing in western shows and gymkhanas, Denise has always felt horses are a part of her identity. Visit her at:

http://www.horseatthecornerpost.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 :

Friday, May 25, 2012

Title: The Otherworld
Author: Margo Martin Benning
Publisher: Advocate House,
An imprint of A Cappela Publishing, Sarasota, FL
ISBN: 978-0-9846177-8-4 (Adult Fiction/Fantasy)

Reviewed by Jodi Grant

Ever wished you could leave your life behind and find happiness and romance in another world? So did Jenny McQueen, sixty year old widow and former shop owner who found no sparkle to her life in Omniville, Ohio – when suddenly her damned cell phone rang yet again as she battled rain, traffic, telemarketers, and hidden keys in her effort to reach a dental appointment she was late for. This was not the usual tin can ring. It was harp music. She answered irritably, only to hear a wise wizardly voice invite her to The Otherworld.

In Jenny’s many trips to this magical kingdom she encounters mythical animals, fairy-tale people, and her own personal dragons. And, of course, Jenny ends up living happily ever after.

This wise, witty Jungian tale of rebirth and rediscovery is truly a tale of enchantment for the disenchanted.

Publisher: Advocate House, an imprint of A Cappela Publishing, Inc Sarasota, FL

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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, May 24, 2012

Women's Health Issue Book Tours Online

Title – The Moon She Rocks You

Author – Gurutej Khalsa

Author's website link - http://gurutej.com/store/11-moon-centers

Genre or category – Alternative Health/Women’s Health/Self Help

ISBN-10: 0615621678

ISBN-13: 978-0615621678

The Moon She Rocks You by Gurutej Khalsa

Imagine you could feel on top of your emotions, on top of your world on a regular basis. Would that be something that would interest you? Does it make you exhale a big Ahhh if only?

I’m Gurutej what I’m about to reveal to you could change your life FOREVER. I am a world acclaimed teacher, leader and spiritual teacher. Building communities, businesses, teaching through many mediums for over 40 years.

I am introducing these previously secret teachings so you can profit and create better relationships which is the basis of all joy and balance.

I have not always been calm, centered. I, like you, was reactive, judgmental, stressed and overwhelmed and enslaved by my emotional reactions. I have to share the secrets of the moon centers with you because they were a great road map for me to be the me I wanted to be. Not the slave to my emotions.

I have helped 100’s if not 1000’s of women and men to understand and utilize this wonderful formula that will put you in the driver’s seat of your life.

What are Moon Center cycles and why should we as women care about them? Because these cycles have a direct and deep effects on us. Have you noticed that some days you feel strong and powerful and can take on the entire universe and other days someone looks at you cross-eyed and you want to find a bathroom to hide in? Why is that? This theory of Moon centers will shed some light on all this. This is not a shield to hide behind but information to make us more aware, informed complete with support tools that will make you more powerful.

Moon Centers Unveiling the hidden secrets to the inner workings of women. This is the next biggest leap after Men are from Mars Women are from Venus. Do you want to understand yourself as a women in your many aspects? Men do you want to be able to see and chart the emotional and devotional landscape of the women in your life? You will know when and how to support yourself and your women and when to move away from the firing line. Priceless information.

Moon Centers is a secret and sacred science: Do you want Greater harmony in your life? If yes then skip the text and just say yes buy it now. If you need more information carry on. If only all women and men for that matter could learn of these moon centers in their teens what a wonderful world it would be. This is an ancient secret science unveiled, how the moon affects women each day.

This is the secret code to women’s inner states. The positive, challenged and neutral aspects within each center, within each women. The moon moves into a different part of a women’s body every 2.25 days. Learn how to utilize the gifts of each center and recognize the moods that come from the challenged aspects ahead of time. Then turn them into harmony. Utilize the gifts of each center. All this can be yours.

What People Are Saying

“Gurutej is a true gift to the yoga world. She is able to communicate the

living ancient wisdom of Kundalini yoga through her natural and practical

teaching on the Moon Centers which vibrates with flowing

consciousness. Gurutej awakens through her love of sharing the secrets

of women from within, and her teachings in her book which will resonate

with women and men at all levels of experience on the spiritual path.”

—Lisa Scanandolri, co-founder of Lisa’s Yoga

“Had I known how revealing this was and what great solutions for my

problems, I would have willingly paid you almost anything.”

J. Toronto

“I studied the Moon Centers in Yogi Bhajan’s class. Gurutej explains

them in such depth, it is astounding. She makes them easy, accessible

, and fun. This is not just for women. My husband has been taking an

interest in this and that has made life so much better. You need this.

Don’t wait.”

—Siri Bandhu, preventative medicine business planner

About Gurutej

Gurutej has known since she was six years old that she wanted to lead

others to their greatness. She is a born leader, a creational genius, and

a visionary thought leader. Her energy brightens your day, and her gift

for lightness, comedy, and humor radiates with every breath and every

word of her powerful message. A founding practitioner of Kundalini,

Gurutej Khalsa is one of a handful of Kundalini Yoga Masters in the

world. She has taught people for over 40 years to connect to their

higher consciousness through healing, meditation, yoga, and chanting.

She lives and breathes the meaning of her Sikh name, “the one who

brings you from darkness into light at the speed of light.” Gurutej has

created yoga centers throughout the United States and Canada. Her

commitment to community outreach, philanthropy, the homeless,

children, alternative education, and conscious living is tireless.

~This review is part of the author's book tour handled by Social Media Promotional Services - www.bookpromotionservices.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 :

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mumbai Blogger Reviews P. D. James

Title: Devices And Desires

Author: P.D. James
Genre: Detective/Thriller/Crime
This post was published on my blog:

From Aakanksha Singh, originally for Book Reviews Galore

P.D James' bestseller, Devices and Desires'is unlike any detective/thriller I have read. It is a completely atypical crime story that breaks away from tried and tested detective story conventions. Yet James manages to create an equally thrilling and compelling read.

: Taken from filmizer.com

At the core of the story is a creepy serial woman killer who goes by the name of Whistler. The killings have rocked the fictional Norfolk coast and have scared the women from venturing alone at night. Then the killer strikes at Larkosen- a picturesque town of Norfolk-with one of the female workers at the Larkosen Nuclear Power Station murdered. Adam Dalgliesh of the New Scotland Yard was on a holiday at Larkosen to settle all the affairs of his aunt's death-including blowing her ashes and taking care of the the fortune and the windmill she bequeathed him. He invariably gets enmeshed in the murders despite Norfolk not being his patch. When a 2nd murder hits Larkosen, the mystery deepens and fresh troubles surface for Terry Rickards, the Chief Inspector of Norfolk in charge of solving the case, who is desperate to find the elusive killer at all costs.

The plot of Devices and Desires sounds like the countless detective stories that come packaged in cheap paperbacks. Yet it is vastly different. Firstly, the pace is much gradual. James takes her own sweet time to build the story, to create tension and take it to a thrilling climax. She is as interested in the characters and setting as the plot itself which is why the reader peruses pages devoted to establishing the desolate, wild yet beautiful atmosphere of the Norfolk coast in general and Larkosen in particular and to fleshing out characters who are not merely stock characters but individuals with their own unique viewpoint and thoughtful insights.For ex. Dalgliesh is often depicted as pondering over his melancholic and contradictory thoughts about his aunt. The novel is thus very descriptive which burdens it and thus tends to slow down the story's pace. This may not be appealing to all kinds of readers especially those who are used to their weekly doses of fast paced thrillers. Nonetheless, the novel is still worth the shot because James makes sure that the reader is both aesthetically as well as sensationally pleased with her descriptions and intricate plot.The depth in characterization and the landscape gives this genre fiction novel a literary touch (which is heightened by several references to works of literature such as 'Dover Beach', a poem by Matthew Arnold.

James also creates skillful contrasting moods. One moment the reader is plunged into an anxiety ridden chapter of the Whistler's to-be-victims' thoughts and in the next the reader dives into the cool, organized thoughts of Dalgliesh or the thoughts of the other numerous inhabitants of Larkosen. James skillfully depicts the gruesome and horrifying aspects of murder and violence as well as manifests the vicious desires and passions of ordinary humans. She has a deft writing touch that marvelously depicts both with a talented ease.

What is jarring is the sudden burst of fast paced and unexpected thrill close to the end that awakens the reader from the stupor brought on by the book's lulled pace itself. Here James style of alternating moods begins to fail. Its as if she has realised that she needs to quickly finish the story and reveal the murderer and not go on rambling about Larkosen's beauty or its inhabitants' idiosyncrasies. The continuation of the same smooth and lulling pace as the whole story would have been more appropriate rather than thrusting the reader into action and more murders that seem blatantly out of place. They seem to be there only to shock the reader or to create the conventional twists in the story.

Yet, apart from these few unexpected jolts, the actual unraveling does happen in a controlled, casual way almost as if a picnic was being discussed and not a murderer's confession. 'Devices and Desires' is still a good, the narrative powerful and stimulating enough to hook all detective fiction lovers and fans.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Folkheart Press Book Lauded by Reviewer

Title: Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing

Author: J. Dietrich Stroeh

ISBN: # 978-0-9822888-5-6

Website: www.threemonthsbook.com

Genre: Nonfiction First Person Narrative

Reviewer: Caitlin Haley

There are few books today that allow a personal insight into death. Most of today's popular reading material focuses on finding romantic love or overcoming challenges that are far-removed from death. The vast majority are humorous like Nicholas Sparks' popular novels or Chelsea Handler's comic novels such as Are you there Vodka? It's me, Chelsea. Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (FolkHeart Press 2012), on the other hand, focuses on author's J. Dietrich Stroeh's first-hand and first-time experience with being a caregiver for his wife of 20 years, Margaret. She was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer and three months later was gone. About her diagnosis, he wrote, "When the doctor told my wife and I that my wife had pancreatic cancer, we both knew enough about that form of cancer to know it was quite serious. But neither of us knew what the treatment options were, nor did we have a firm grasp of how her treatment would turn our world upside down."

Along the way, they did manage to understand and accept their situation. The poignancy of their time together is succinctly captured in this easy-to-read 108 page paperback book written three years after the author's wife died. Their personal story is interspersed with useful tips and practical resources that Stroeh believed would be useful for all caregivers.

Throughout the first-person narrative, the author's voice is both powerful and moving. So are the challenges that arise almost daily. A successful business man who is used to running an engineering firm that builds efficient and effective structures, he found himself facing the most difficult task of his life. He had to learn to take care of his wife as best as he could knowing that in the end he would still have to say good bye. The book's tenderness is marked by tears, frustration, and unplanned moments of laughter that kept his relationship with his wife vibrant. The key to their success was the realization that life is a gift no one gets to keep forever.

Overall, despite the sadness and grief that come with the death of a loved one, Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing is uplifting and motivational. The most fascinating parts of the manuscript were the retelling of their actual love story and the author's ability to survive the grief. " As I write this, it has been almost three years since I lost my wife Margaret to pancreatic cancer, and in some ways, it still seems fresh. At the same time, change has been an important part of the healing process. Until you have gone through the kind of loss that breaks your heart and tries to break your spirit, you can't know what gets you through it. "

The author had to abruptly relinquish control and revisit his expectations. Rather than looking forward to years with Margaret, he found he had only hours and months. A pragmatist as well as a romantic, he was forced to come to terms with life's final passage. It is non-negotiable and, yet, can still be met with dignity and humanity.

The book itself grew out of the author's need to keep busy. He compiled the "can do" tips and suggestions while learning how to wait for endless doctor appointment and test results. Thinking about how he could help himself and others in a similar situation, he began to research what options there are for caregivers to get the support and help they need to be able to handle the tasks that lay ahead of them. Along the way, his notes helped him get through some very rough patches.

Stroeh is an engineer by profession. This is his second book. His first published manuscript, The Man Who Made It Rain, chronicles his experience as water district director during an unexpected and tough drought in fertile Marin County, California.

Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing is available at Amazon (Amazon.com), Barnes and Noble (BarnesandNoble.com) and at FolkHeart Press (FolkHeartpress.com). FolkHeart Press, a boutique publisher located in Northern California, specializes in personal narratives and original folklore material. For more information: www.threemonthsbook.com.

~Reviewer Caitlin Haley recently graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in communications.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Fantasy: One Even the Mature Reader Will Love

Title: The Otherworld

Author: Margo Martin Benning
Publisher: Advocate House,
An imprint of A Cappela Publishing, Sarasota, FL
ISBN: 978-0-9846177-8-4
$12.99

Reviewed by: Jodi Grant

Ever wished you could leave your life behind and find happiness and romance in another world? So did Jenny McQueen, 60 year old widow and former shop owner who found no sparkle to her life in Omniville, Ohio – when suddenly her damned cell phone rang yet again as she battled rain, traffic, telemarketers, and hidden keys in her effort to reach a dental appointment she was late for. This was not the usual tin can ring. It was harp music. She answered irritably, only to hear a wise wizardly voice invite her to The Otherworld.

In Jenny’s many trips to this magical kingdom she encounters mythical animals, fairy-tale people, and her own personal dragons. And, of course, Jenny ends up living happily ever after.

This wise, witty Jungian tale of rebirth and rediscovery is truly a tale of enchantment for the disenchanted.

Available through your favorite bookstore or at www.jennymcqueensotherworld.com

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~Learn more about the author: Margo Martin Benning grew up in Connecticut in a house with a library filled with a fantasy of illustrated books. Encouraged by her bibliophile father and her artist mother, the world of legends and fairy tales became her otherworld.

Much later, when she moved to Sarasota, Florida, she opened a small gift shop called Unicorn Crossing and subsequently several similar stores, in Sarasota and on Siesta Key. Books, mostly metaphysical, were added along with twinkling lights and ethereal music. Margo was still searching for her otherworld.

When her last shops, Daystar and Moonflowers, closed, Margo turned to some of the educational programs for retirees. She was especially interested in the work of psychologist Carl Jung, which opened up new ways of understanding the otherworld as a mirror of our own psyche.

And besides, it can be lots of fun to hang out with wizards, talking horses and techie leprechauns

Friday, May 18, 2012

Nicole Zoltack Lauds Satisfying Sci-Fi Ending

Title: Mind Over Mind Author: Karina Fabian
Category: fantasy/science fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1897942369 (print) 1897942362 (e-book)
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2011
Pages: 314
Price: $19.95 US (print) $2.99 (e-book)
Available from: DragonMoon Press, http://dragonmoonpress.com
More Info: www.fabianspace.com

Reviewed by Nicole Zoltack for her blog.

This book was a refreshing read, both fantasy and science fiction or science fantasy. The blending of the two genres was well done, but the best part for me was the character Deryl Stephens. Strong yet unsure, Deryl learns not only how to control his powers, he also learns who exactly he is. Mind Over Mind is the first in a trilogy and a lot of times, the first book tends to just stop and not have a real ending. Mind Over Mind has a satisfying conclusion as it sets up the second book. Thank you, Karina, for a worthwhile and entertaining read.

~Learn more about the author at http://fabianspace.com, Books to challenge the mind, touch the heart, and tickle the funny bone.She also wrote Live and Let Fly! Dragons, demigods and super-spies in a spoof that will make you laugh out loud! http://tinyurl.com/amazonllf.

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