The New Book Review

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.

Sunday, July 1, 2012


Time Machine Troopers
By Hal Colebatch
Sequel to H. G. Wells' The Time Machine.
Genre: Science fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4475-6091-3
Originally reviewed on Amazon
5 stars out of 5
Publisher: Acashic (2011)
Review
Time Machine Troopers by Hal Colebatch


I enjoyed Time Machine Troopers. It took up where H. G. Wells' book, The Time Mchine, left off. Actually, it delved deeper into the hero's mind as he worked his way through the despair of losing Weena and deciding to do something about the Morlocks and the Eloi. Choosing a companion was an interesting process as he considered such possibilites as Churchill, General Gordon, and even Wells. Major-General Baden-Powell, the Hero of Mafeking, was perfect. (He accomplished a lot later in his life also.) And deciding what supplies, including weapons, to take--being limited in space--was challenging. Baden-Powell helped a lot with that--and other things.

This story is a rousing adventure, while at the same time taking a look at history and choices with fascinating background and literary references. Fighting Morlocks and training Eloi wasn't easy. It's a good thing he had back-up. And some assumptions he had made turned out to be wrong... I can't say more and spoil your enjoyment of the story, but it is imaginative, well-written, full of twists and turns and setbacks and the carnage of war. Highly recommended. This is a classic. And one of the best sequels to any story I've ever read.

Check it out at:
 
Joy V. Smith loves and writes science fiction. Some of her stories are collected in her latest e-book, The Doorway and Other Stories, available from Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SV1FB2 . However, her upcoming novel, Detour Trail, is a story of the settling of the western frontier.



----- 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 :

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Sara Brooke's New Horror Novel Called Gripping

Title - Still Lake
Author -  Sara Brooke
Website link - www.sarabrooke.com
Genre - Horror
ASIN: B0086608EI
Available for Kindle


Reviewed by Mallory originally for Mallory Heart's Reviews


With a gripping reader's hook as powerful as a grappling hook-violent, graphic, and enticing-this novel is taut, well-plotted, and well-characterised. The backstory is interwoven subtly, never detracting nor distracting from the "current" events of the novel: rather, it adds to the escalating suspense and the reader will be wondering, "what's happening now?" I was enraptured and raced through the pages, simply to find out the answers to that question! At the end, also, I was left pondering: what if these events could occur in actuality? That's not an unlikely possibility, and it is one that makes this novel very "current" and very frightening.


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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, June 28, 2012

MS Management from Personal Experience

Title: Managing MS
Subtitle: Straight Talk From a Thirty-One-Year-Survivor
By Debbie Petrina
Publisher: iUniverse, 12/28/2011
Genre: Self-help/Motivational/Inspirational
ISBN: 978-1-46207-051-0 Hardcover $24.95
978-1-46207-052-7 Softcover $14.95
978-1-46207-050-3 eBook & $7.99
Order online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iUniverse; www.DebbieMS.com
Review by Sharon Baldacci, Author of A Sundog Moment www.sharonbaldacci.com

When I was asked to review Debbie Petrina’s new book, Managing MS: Straight Talk From a Thirty-One-Year Survivor, I had to chuckle. I too have lived with this illness just as long and didn’t think it was possible to learn anything new.
Boy, was I wrong. This small, easy to read book is a wealth of matter-of- fact information interspersed with her memories that add credibility. I learned more about spasticity here than I knew and also the word `clonus’ that describes exactly what my weaker leg does sometimes. She adds practical tips for dealing with so many of the symptoms, and side effects of medications. The chapters are broken down into advice for the newly diagnosed, symptoms, grieving, heat, and what you can do about the variety of problems that come with MS. There are chapters about dealing with people (and how they deal with us) as well as what she calls the elephant in the closet - suicide.
She also makes it clear that it is the person with MS that is in charge of all decision-making, not the doctors. The doctors are there to give all the information needed for decision-making. She explains clearly why and how she made difficult decisions for her and her family and how it has worked out all for the best. She strongly encourages everyone to do the same. This is an empowering book that doesn’t sugar coat anything but makes the endless details manageable - from her 31-one years of experience. I felt like I was learning from an old friend over a cup of tea.
This should be required reading for doctors, health professionals, MS patients and their families.


About the Author: 
 
During the years Debbie Petrina lived with MS, she has spoken to thousands of persons affected by MS as a 15-year volunteer with the National MS Society and on her own. Currently she resides in Glendale, AZ with her husband of 34 years, Dennis, and her faithful companion Bear. An avid reader, volunteer, and swimmer, Debbie’s ability to effectively manage her MS enables her to enjoy travelling with her husband and Bear in their accessible RV. Debbie continues to build her website with videos, blog articles, and other information to offer help/solutions for persons dealing with MS.
~Sharon Baldacci, the reviewer, is author of A Sundog Moment.
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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, June 27, 2012


An "Authors Helping Authors" Project





ERICA KOSAL A Plain Manila Gift
"What an inspiring and beautifully written story. You, your husband, and your friend Dan are models of resilience, and your story shows the power of sharing care and compassion. I can’t wait to read your book! " 
Janet McAdams, author of The Island of Lost Luggage which received an American Book Award

"I love this Erica.  God says His Word never goes out void – even when we think we don’t see the benefit. what’s so great is both you and Dan listened to God’s quiet voice when you needed to and were able to receive. You are a testament to the scripture ‘be thankful in all things’. "
Patrick Beggs
TINA CHIPPAS  A Profile in Courage

"Thanks for a great story, and one that has me thinking of heroes that have influenced my life, both past and present. Well written and an interesting, serendipitous conclusion, (hinted at in the beginning of the story)."
Luke Potter
Tales2Inspire author of: A New Life in the Country  

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

World of Ink Book Tour Features Religious Memoir

Title: In All Things
Subtitle: Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost
By Laura Smith
Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int
Genre: Memoir/Inspirational/Religious
ISBN: 978-1612440408
Price: $12.99 print
$4.99 eBook
Signed copy available at Halo Publishing
Also available on Amazon

Reviewed by World of Ink Network (VS Grenier)


About the Book: In All Thing: Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost is Smith’s spiritual journey through, divorce, single parenting, raising a bipolar child, desiring a baby so desperately and then after being told it wasn’t possible, becoming pregnant and then losing her miracle through miscarriage. Smith shares the most intimate and painful moments through those experiences and the amazing vision the Lord gave her when she was at the deepest part of despair, which she says instantly healed her broken heart and gave Smith hope and a purpose to live again. It’s about a faith so strong it caused instant healing and allowed Smith to be hopeful in all things life throws at her.

 
Experience an incredible journey that will make you laugh out loud and cry tears of joy and sorrow. Learn how one miraculous encounter with God created an unshakeable faith that would later give Laura Smith the strength to face the near death of her oldest daughter. Her book is touching and Smith opening shares about a faith so strong it caused instant healing and allowed her to be hopeful in all things life throws at her.
Get a YouTube sneak peek of the book. 

One moment in HEAVEN
A life time of THANKSGIVING
An encounter for HEALING
About the Author:
Laura Smith works as a medical coding and reimbursement specialist in Northern Minnesota. She spent her youth on a small dairy farm in Northeast Minnesota. She was married two weeks after her high school graduation. Three years and two children later, she was facing divorce and single parenthood. She moved to a college town in north central MN where she hoped to earn a degree and make a life for her and her two young daughters. There she met and married the love of her life. Together they embarked on a life together as a ready-made family facing all the challenges that comes with it. They had no idea that the life experiences they walked through early on and one life altering event would prepare them for the ultimate challenge, the possible death of their daughter.

Halo Publishing and the World of Ink Network will be touring author Laura Smith’s, In All Things: Giving Thanks When Hope Seems Lost published by Halo Publishing Int. throughout the month of June. You can find out more about Laura Smiths’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/77nwvdt

You can also follow any other events and upcoming books on Laura Smith’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

~Submitted by VS Grenier - Founder, Stories for Children Publishing, LLC
http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com
. She is an award-winning author and editor (http://vsgrenier.com) and owns  World of Ink Author/Book Tours(http://worldofinknetwork.com). She also edits SFC Newsletter for Writers, named a 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest. http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sfcpublishing

Member of League of Utah Writers/HWG chapter, SCBWI and Musing Our Children
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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, June 22, 2012

First Book, A Romance, Praised by Goodreads Reviewer

Title: Burning Embers
Author: Hannah Fielding
Genre: Romance

Reviewed by Beth originally for Goodreads.com

Hannah Fielding's first book Burning Embers takes you on an unforgettable journey to Africa in the 1970s. Her vivid descriptions of Africa and beautiful love story will take you away. The story is about a very immature and sheltered young woman, Coral Sinclair, who returns to Africa following her father's death. there she meets Rafe de Monfort, a mysterious neighbor to whom she is attracted. They are drawn to each other but Rafe must face his demons and Coral must mature. The descriptions in this book are pictures painted with words. The love story is sensual without being crude. The characters well developed and the book totally enjoyable. If the sign of a good book is that it transports you to another place this book is it. It is a book that I would re-read and one that I will share with my friends.

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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, June 21, 2012

Author and Blog Reviewer Loves Sci-Fi


Man-Kzin Wars XIII 
Man-Kzin Wars series
By Larry Niven
Note: The authors vary in each anthology
Available on Amazon  
Genre: Science fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4516-3816-5
Publisher: Baen (2012)

Reviewed by Joy V. Smith, originally for Amazon
5 stars out of 5



I liked all the stories, but Bound for the Promised Land, Tomcat Tactics, Pick of the Litter, and Misunderstanding (the quirkiest) were my favorites. This anthology is highly recommended. (It's rare when all the stories in an anthology are this good.)

Misunderstanding by Hal Colebatch & Jessica Q Fox is a fun story where the Kzin are befuddled by some strangely different aliens.
Two Types of Teeth by Jane Lindskold: I enjoy stories where Kzin and human work together to confound other Kzin or humans.
Pick of the Litter by Charles E. Gannon: Humans attempt to capture and raise and socialize Kzin kits... This premise caught my attention right away. Well executed.
Tomcat Tactics by Charles E. Gannon: A Wunderland (the planet) story. Humans fight back against Kzin occupying their planet. Another good premise, and I was happy to see another Wunderland story.
At the Gates by Alex Hernandez: Humans and Kzin inhabit a lost colony of Earth when a damaged Kzin ship appears above the planet. Suspenseful with a good payoff. (Hmm. I could have added this to my favorites, but I didn't want to include them all!)
Zeno's Roulette by David Bartell: A story involving the Puppeteers and a secret they use humans to retrieve. The Puppeteers aren't my favorite characters, but it was interesting to see them included in another anthology--and it was a puzzling mystery.
Bound for the Promised Land by Alex Hernandez: Bobcat, a tailess Kzin telepath, comes across an opportunity to escape his ship with a telepathic ARM agent hot on his trail.
About the reviewer: Joy V. Smith loves and writes science fiction. Some of her stories are collected in her latest e-book, The Doorway and Other Stories (available from Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SV1FB2). However, her upcoming novel, Detour Trail, is a story of the settling of the western frontier.


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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 :