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.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

p.m. terrell's Newest Suspense Novel Reviewed

Vicki's Key
By p.m.terrel
Author's Web Site: www.pmterrell.com
Genre: Suspense
ISBN 978-1-935970-03-3

 

Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of Tallent & Lowery, originally for Suspense Magazine


Terrell has certainly proven that she knows the ingredients to creating a mystery that's filled to the brim with seduction and intensity. And, if possible, she's getting better with each and every novel she creates.

Vicki Boyd is the most capable woman working for her boss, Sam, at the CIA. In fact, she has a gift that no other agent will ever know. She can, quite literally, fly inside her own mind to places never before seen to uncover everything from drug schemes to political plots. She can find these locales like the best GPS on the planet, and provide latitudes, longitudes, even speak about the clothing of the people who live there. Unfortunately, her gift brings her to witness a terrible crime and she leaves the CIA in order to achieve a stress-free life.

Taking a job as an assistant to an elderly woman who spends her time breeding tropical fish, Vicki finds herself in a brand new location--a quiet one, but one that will turn out even more frightening than her last CIA mission.

Upon arrival at the Maguire's house, she finds that her new employer has had a stroke and is confined to her bedroom. She meets her nephew, Dylan, and is charmed by his Irish accent. Dylan, with the help of the slightly angry housekeeper, shows Vicki around, but the woman who hired her remains a mystery.

When her CIA boss suddenly arrives back in her life and on the Maguire's porch, Vicki finds herself dragged into yet another perilous journey in her own mind, stumbling across the fact that she's stuck in a truly frightening situation with no way out.

Parts of this story will make the reader feel as if they are the ones walking up that flight of stairs leading to Mrs. Bates' door in Psycho. The obsessive romance, the dark recesses of Vicki's mind, and the trouble that's been brewing in the Black Swamp area will come to life in rapid succession, forming a truly riveting read!

~Author p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than fourteen books. She is also the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation whose slogan is Buy a Book and Stop a Crook and the co-chair for Book 'Em North Carolina, an annual event that raises awareness of the link that exists between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. More about Book 'Em's next event can be found at www.bookemnc.net. Learn more about p.m.terrell at www.pmterrell.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 :

Monday, September 3, 2012

Amazon Top Ten Reviewer Gives Book a Great Shoutout!


Title - Return to the Aegean
Author - E.J. Russell
Literary Fiction – mystery/romance
ISBN-10: 1467935255
ISBN-13: 978-1467935258
Available as Kindle


Reviewed by Eleni Ergina, a top 100 reviewer for Amazon.UK
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT !!! 21 April 2012


Thalia, a successful deep sea diver, travels around the world, trying to escape the ghosts of her past and the tragedy that struck her family thirteen years ago, until finally she decides to return to the Greek island of her childhood, to discover the truth about the loss of her mother and her twin brother. In the Greek island Katafigio, after a long quest, Thalia discovers the truth, but most importantly she discovers herself, finds solace in the love and care of old friends and reclaims something she thought she had lost for ever; the sanctuary of her childhood.

The excellently written book is a story of self discovery as much as it is a mystery. In modern day Greece, Thalia investigates her brother's case, rekindles old relationships and reestablishes her roots in the beautiful island of Cyclades by the fictional name of Katafigio. Throughout the story, brief flashbacks masterfully unfold the history of her family, without interrupting present events. The story is gripping, well paced and wonderfully immerses the reader into Thalia's world.

The characters are very well developed, realistic, and although not always likable, drawn with great insight and humor. However, the greatest quality of this book is the beautiful atmosphere. I cannot praise enough the brilliant use of imagery, the amazing descriptions of Greek nature, and the detailed accounts of the island's customs and everyday life. It is truly a love letter to the island and its people.

I was given a free copy by the author, but that did not influence my opinion in any way.
 


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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, September 2, 2012

Reviewer Promises Book Will Put Imagination in High Gear

"Fred"    
By Aaron T Knight

ISBN: 13: 978-1463653002
Humor/fantasy
Create Space
Available on Amazon and Kindle

 

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto originally for Readers Favorites

“Fred” by Aaron Knight will make you smile. It is a funny book. Astro Robo Servant, Inc. has created the perfect six-armed robot that will clean your house, entertain you, cook for you and have a personality that matches your own. The robots cost thousands of dollars but they are designed to suit the wants and desires of each elite customer. These robots are a dream come true – that is until “Fred”. An angry employee has tinkered with “Fred” and programmed him to be antisocial and very shrewd. Sam Bass, aka SB, the founder of Astro Robo, is furious when he discovers that “Fred” is loose somewhere in New York City. SB sends Stanley, his not too favorite son-in-law/unsuccessful salesman to locate and unprogram the rebellious robot. Stanley’s wife, John and some Russian programmers also join in the escapades of locating “Fred”. The adventure that ensues will make you cheer on ‘Poor Stanley’ and laugh at ‘Crazy Fred’. Fred manages to escape each time his capture is near by disguising himself in costumes of Groucho Marx, an old-time gangster and Santa Claus that he has cleverly stolen.

Aaron Knight will put your imagination into high gear with this book. “Fred” offers the reader humor, romance, suspense and a lot of originality. “Fred” is a great book for all ages and all who enjoy a very funny look into the future world of living with robots. I really enjoyed reading this book and was sorry to turn the last page. It is a winner.

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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 :

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Reviewer Calls "Seismic Influences" Great Read

Novel Title: Seismic InfluencesAuthor: Priscilla Audette
Author website: http://www.priscillaaudette.com
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 147520180X

 

Reviewed by Dakota Jean originally for Amazon 

 
Be prepared to not be able to put this book down. It started as if it was a murder mystery, but it is way more than that. Joy finds a body, but the story is really about her transformation from a clueless 19-year-old college drop-out waitress to someone who has experienced life on many levels. I found myself thinking more about philosophy of life after reading this novel, than after reading non-fiction books written for that purpose. Along the way, there was humor, lots of sex and romance, and a cast of characters that you both loved and despised (some at the same time). The writing is smooth--and sassy! As a retired librarian, it almost makes me want to go to work again so I can recommend this to library readers.

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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, August 31, 2012

Military Writers Society of America Reviews Angel of Bataan

Title: Marcia Gates: Angel of Bataan
Author: Melissa Bowersock
Web: www.newmoonrising.net
Genre: non-fiction, biography, historical
ISBN: 1460973194
Book Trailer:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym4AmLynvfo&feature=g-upl

Reviewed by Edward Kelly for Military Writers Society of America's Dispatches E-Zine


Author's SummaryMarcia Gates was an Army nurse and prisoner of war during WWll. As an "Angel of Bataan," she spent three years in a Japanese internment camp in the Philippines. This is her story, told through her letters and the newspaper clippings, photos and letters collected by her mother. Melissa Bowersock is the niece of Marcia Gates.


MWSA ReviewThis is the true story of a nurse, Marcia Gates, during World War II and her experiences during the battle of Bataan and three years as a prisoner of war. But it is more than that because this story also relates how the families at home were feeling- frustrated and concerned about their lack of information about Marcia and her safety.

This book is easy to read and many will find it difficult to put down as one wants to know- does Marcia make it home? The format is also augmented by actual letters written by Marcia, other nurses and from family members to Marcia. It may be difficult for some who are so used to the modern e-mail system to even imagine the problems of letters not arriving home for months and how that effected the family who used every resource they could to get any information they could of their daughter. The author uses these letters to carefully weave a true account of what was happening on both sides of the world.

I found the story excited, surprised by some of the descriptions of conditions and wondered why I hadn’t heard this story before. The author has brought out one of the untold stories of World War II- about a nurse. I believe this book will have wide appeal to many audiences including: medical personnel, historians, veterans and anyone interested in good story with a happening ending.


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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, August 30, 2012

Literary Lady Reviews YA Fiction by Book 'Em Pariticpant

 


Title: The Cadence of Gypsies
Author: Barbara Casey
Website Link: www.barbaracaseyagency.com 
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN-10: 0982081286; ISBN-13: 978-0982081280
Review published: Amazon.com
Review Rating: 5 stars
Publisher: Gauthier Publications

 Reviewed by Literary Lady Patricia Daly-Lipe, www.literarylady.com

The Cadence of Gypsies was written for young adults. However, this old adult loved it. To me, the book has rhyme and cadence like a song being interwoven, its parts coming from seemingly unintended attributes. Yes, a Deceptive cadence which does not resolve itself until the end. Or perhaps the analogy would be Scrabble. Author Barbara Casey has truly fitted parts in a way that challenge the reader. Plus she uses her writing skill to entice and elicit inquiry and research. "Why?" you question as you hurry to turn the page only to be presented with another "Why?" Little by little, the parts fit. The diagram takes shape. While all the intrigue is going on, the reader is loving (or loathing) the characters, sympathizing, recognizing, or qualifying each person as he and she is presented.


To the delight of this reader, in addition to the construction, this wonderful book incorporates places, names and facts. The Voynich Manuscript is real. The famous vineyards and territory of Frascati and the historic Villa Mondragone are beautifully and well depicted. The story evolves while being nourished by historical and relevant data including musical, mathematical, and artistic references thanks to the three FIGS (females of intellectual genius).

Yes, The Cadence of Gypsies is a book to share with all members of the family and one to add to the Classics in our libraries. Thank you, Barbara Casey.


More about BARBARA CASEY

Barbara Casey is the author of eight award-winning novels, written for both adults and young adults, and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Literary Agency which she established in 1995. She makes frequent guest appearances at universities and writers’ conferences across the country, and will be guest speaker at Book’Em NC in February 2013 held in Lumberton, North Carolina. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband and Benton, a hound-mix who adopted her.
 
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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, August 29, 2012

Horror Novel Gets Great Kirkus Comment

Title: One Blood
Author: Qwantu Amaru
Author's website: http://www.qwantuamaru.com
Genre: Horror
ISBN: 978-0982719367
Rating: Kirkus Star: A novel of remarkable merit

One BloodKirkus Book review calls One Blood, "A novel of remarkable merit that blazes trails, plotted at breakneck speed that won't let up."

Learn more about the author:
Qwantu Amaru
Author of the Award-WInning Supernatural Thriller, One Blood
On Sale NOW Everywhere books are sold
www.qwantuamaru.com
www.facebook.com/onebloodbook
www.facebook.com/qwantuspeaks
www.pantheoncollective.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 :