Mainstream Fiction Gets Crack Review from Quilldipper

TITLE: Twelve Months
AUTHOR: Steven Manchester
AUTHOR'S WEB PAGE: http://www.StevenManchester.com 
PUBLISHER: The Story Plant
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-1611880533
GENRE: Commercial Fiction
Available on Amazon
Reviewed by Heather Froeschl originally for Quilldipper.com

 

"Life. A series of lessons for the soul? What is our purpose here on earth? That’s up to you. Life is what you make of it, or don’t make of it. For Don Dimarco, at age 57, he’s going to make the best of it. In Steven Manchester’s newest book, Twelve Months, readers will experience the hardest thing we have to face as human beings and will be grateful to the author for the reminder to live.

Don discovers that he has colon cancer. At stage four there really is nothing humane that can be done and the doctor tells him to live life to the fullest for what will be at best, twelve months longer. After the natural reaction of denial, resentment, anger, frustration and sorrow, Don gets on with the business of living. He writes a list of the top five things he’s always wanted to do and with the help of his dedicated wife, he sets out to accomplish them. What happens is more than he expected and greater than his family could have anticipated. The love between Don and his wife blossoms to the fullest capacity and through their shared adventures, readers will feel it radiating off the pages. The support and love from his family, as well as complete strangers, will bolster the reader’s feelings for humanity. Witnessing the growth of Don himself is a miraculous and amazing thing.

Facing the past, playing cowboy, declaring his love, confronting his demons, visiting paradise on earth…all are chapters in Don’s book of life and all are written with exquisite detail and deep feeling. You will experience each moment through outstandingly descriptive writing. Steven Manchester made me cry. I don’t think there is a reader who could get through this book without a tissue and a good healthy sob. What’s more important is the reminder the author gives us to live our own lives. Such a level of inspiration can be found here, such clarity of portraying the massive emotions of the characters, that one is in awe of the author’s wisdom. Steven doesn’t just write books; he authors life lesson plans.

Twelve Months is a powerful work of fiction."
~Contact the author at  http://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorStevenManchester

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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 :

Mindy Lawrence Gives Helpful Book for Emigrants Five Stars

What Foreigners Need to Know About America From A to Z

Subtitle: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More
By Lance JohnsonAuthor's Web Site Paperback available on Amazon and Amazon Spain, Germany, France, Austria, and UK
Five-Star Review

By

Mindy Lawrence "Writer, editor, publicist" (Springfield, MO USA)

This review is from: Mindy Lawrence, originally for Amazon

What Foreigners Need to Know About America from A to Z by Lance Johnson, a second generation United States citizen, has so much information in its 614 pages that anyone coming to our shores should find what they need to prevent cultural gaffs and language boo boos. They can discover ways to find jobs, open businesses and make friends in their new country, America.

Johnson is a world traveler. He knows what it's like to get along in other cultures. It was his travel, and the comments from those wanting to move to the United States, which made him notice what an important resource What Foreigners Need to Know could be. He has done the world a great service by the wonderful compilation of information he has gathered in this book to help others find their way around.

The paperback is divided into four sections:

* Section One: America's Heritage: the historical background of why America became what it is today - government, the American Dream, standard of living, etc.

* Section Two: America's Culture: How we conduct our live - etiquette, literature, movies and much more.

* Section Three: America's Business: Our business environment, customs and operations.

* Section Four: America's Language: Practical ways to improve English grammar, usage, writing, speech and communications skills. How not to embarrass yourself using an incorrect word.

Each one of these sections may be read individually or as the need arises. However, the entire book is so well thought out that I can't see why anyone would want to skip over anything Johnson has put together.

People moving to America have needed a book like this for many years. Thankfully, it has arrived.

~Learn more about the author, a world traveler, teacher, actor, and playwright. This book was adapted from a book published by Oriental Press in simplified Chinese in China by Oriental Press.  Watch for a new translation published in Brazil in Portuguese.

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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 :

Betty McMahon's A Rendevous to Die For Reviewed

A Rendezvous to Die For

By Betty McMahon
Genre: Fiction: Mystery
SBN-10: 1257931326
ISBN-13: 978-1257931323

Available on Amazon:

http://bit.ly/O0o6Y4

Reviewed by Jack Smith-St.Cyr

Combine an attractive, young photographer, a handmade throwing tomahawk buried in the skull of a news reporter for whom she has no respect, and an over-eager cop, and you have the beginning of a great mystery read. Cassandra Cassidy is forced to clear her name, but before she figures out how to do that, she discovers two more bodies. All three murders are somehow connected to the annual Prairie River Trappers' Rendezvous, a Minnesota classic, and its cast of colorful characters. The detective is more convinced than ever of Cassandra's guilt.

Making matters worse, some of her friends begin to look like possible perpetrators. Cassandra turns to her photographic expertise to find clues which lead to the killer and clears her name and reputation.

Still a creative photographer and hopefully an improved sleuth, Cassandra beckons to me to read the next mystery in Betty McMahon's promising series.

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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 :

Fiction Features Historical Characters' Take on Politics

Title: Founding Fathers Know Best:

Subtitle: Is the President Leading the Country in the Wrong Direction?

Author: Ross Edward Puskar
Website: www.foundingfathersknowbest.com
Genre: Political Fiction
ISBN-10: 1936449226

Selected Blurbs:

Founding Fathers Know Best is an engaging satire that delivers on its mission. Puskar presents an entertaining, educational and stimulating read that offers a creative and fresh way to think about the problems our country faces: how would past Presidents counsel Obama on today's issues? The spirits of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison return to the White House to offer their expertise and insights while supported by other past Presidents and the "Friends Club" (which includes colorful characters from Winston Churchill to Abigail Adams to Ben Franklin.)

FFKB is a sharp presentation of today's political issues through a fascinating historical lens. Great for those who love history - and for those who usually don't, well, you never knew history could be so fascinating! I was captivated and couldn't put it down. Puskar's passion and patriotism are infectious. As the election nears, this is a "must read."

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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 :

BestChickLit Reviewer Shares Goddess Rising

Title: Goddess Rising
Author: Melissa Bowersock
Web: www.newmoonrising.netGenre: spiritual fiction
ISBN: 1448677734


Reviewed by Elizabeth Wright originally  for BestChickLit.com

What they say:'Civilization as we know it has been destroyed, not through war or asteroid impact, but by a geologic holocaust of planetary proportions. The scattered survivors live simply, primitively, bonded to the earth and the Great Goddess. Their one hope lies in the dream-given prophecy that Greer the Sibling, a female savior, will rise and restore them to greatness.

An epic and magical story of one woman's exceptional destiny during exceptional times, Goddess Rising follows Greer's journey from simply obscurity to her prophesied reign. Acknowledged as the face of the Goddess on earth, Greer discovers the rewards of power-and the price-as she struggles through her own labyrinth of fear and desire, sexuality and sacrifice, love and death.'

What we (BestChickLit.com)  say - review by Elizabeth Wright:As spiritual fiction goes this novel does exactly what it is supposed to do. It has the reader questioning their own life, their own beliefs and wondering how it would all work if things were different. On the surface this is a good read. The narrative flows nicely and it ticks all the boxes of romance, challenge and resolution. But this is not a book to just pass the time of day with. It questions everything from a woman’s place in a work environment to the sex of a deity and everything in between.

Goddess Rising is ultimately a feminist stance on the Garden of Eden, as Bowersock recreates religion by resetting the world back to basics. To be at one with nature and have an entirely open mind is the ideal and every individual character is valued for the skill that they bring to the community. The reader is taken on the heroine’s journey, learning about the world as she does and Bowersock certainly has a knack for creating a believable fantasy. Through the trials and tribulations of our heroine, Greer, you cannot help but make comparisons with the real world. Overall this book is ideal for anyone searching for an insight into a world run by women.
~Author Melissa Bowersock also blogs at http://mjb-wordlovers.blogspot.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 :

Online Book Tour: A Sci-Fi That Will Wow by Lisa Romanek

From My Side of the Bed by Lisa Romanek

Lisa Romanek is the wife of well-known extraterrestrial abductee/contactee Stan Romanek. Lisa realized that there are two sides to every story, two sides of every bed. She has learned the importance of taking that which is personal and at times embarrassing, and turning it into that which serves the public-especially those who've walked in her same slippers as spouses of abduction. Lisa takes you on her heart-wrenching and at times hilarious journey as the wife of Stan Romanek. Her courage and integrity mix well with her Nebraska-born charm and her decades of work with the elderly-all of which is reflected through the tenderness, compassion and warmth that she embodies and carries as a spokeswoman for those who feel alone in a world of extraterrestrial chaos beyond their control. As the wife of an abductee and mother of three children, Lisa has a simple message to share: Live without fear, and love without limit.

This is the first book I have found that describes alien abductions not from the abductee's point of view, not from an interviewer's point of view, but from the point of view of the abductee's spouse. Lisa (wife of Stan Romanek) takes you on a roller coaster ride of every possible emotion that the abductee, his wife and family experience over many years. She also includes some of the many photographs and documents they have collected.

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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 :

Vine Reviewer Loves Adventure Book

A Raucus Time: The Celtic Cousins Adventures
By Julia Highes
http://www.juliahughes.co.uk/
Fiction: Action/adventure
ISBN-10: 147756909X
ISBN-13: 978-1477569092
Five-Star Review
Available for Kindle

Reviewed by Nash Black (Amazon vine voice reviewer)

There are certain ingredients a story needs to make it better than just good. If any author can gather these ingredients and blend them seamlessly together, then they are always on to a winner.

For me, this is my first step into the world created by author Julia Hughes, a world that revolves around two teenage boys - Wren, the geeky brainbox and his cousin Rhyllann, a pilot wannabe and Wren's best friend. Add to this, Crombie, the copper and oft self-appointed social worker, the lost treasure (a treasure that includes the fabled sword of Arthurian legend - Excalibur) of King John, and a gang of villains who will stop at nothing - including murder - to retrieve said treasure and you have a story that takes all of those ingredients, lovingly mixes them together and creates a wonderful story.

Most authors would have been very happy with the fact they had created a `wonderful' story. But no. Not this author. If ever writing a novel can be compared to creating a meal, then Ms. Hughes grabbed all those correct ingredients and then, when no-one was looking, slipped in an extra, secret one that a lot of other stories lack, and created something very special. That special ingredient is - for want of a better word - love. Love of the story, love of her characters. Love of her ART. Because that's what storytelling is. It's an art and Julia Hughes is one hell of an artist!

This is a story that defies genre. It cannot be labelled as simply an adventure story, or a teen angst story, a thriller or a comedy. It is all of these and more. It made me laugh out loud; it made me turn pages (well push buttons - on kindle) at speed to see what came next. There is a section of the book that in a summer (July 2012) that has had torrential rainfall here in the UK; you will feel a particular kinship with the boys. I know I did.

The author has created believable characters that you will love from the off. Her storytelling is tight and flows seamlessly from start to finish. Her descriptive style pulls your imagination along and paints the places and people so vividly, they will stay in your mind long after you have closed the book or switched off your kindle.

The good news is that there two other stories featuring the characters you meet in `Raucous Time'. `A Ripple in Time' & `An Explosive Time'. I have just started `Ripple' and can already announce that I love it.

Make a note of the name Julia Hughes because in literary terms, it's a name I'm sure we're going to hear a lot of in the future and genuinely cannot wait!!!

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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 :