Goodreads Reviewer Praises First Novel

Title: Naturally Charlie
Author: S. L. ScottAuthor's Website: slscottauthor.com

Publication Date November 1, 2012

Genre FICTION/Romance/General
Paperback ISBN 13:978-1-61213-131-3
E-book ISBN 13:978-1-61213-132-0
First reviewed on Goodreads

Reviewed by BG

Naturally, Charlie is the first novel by S.L. Scott and I was honored and excited to have the opportunity to read an advance copy.

 

 

Charlie (Charles) Adams and Charlie (Charlotte) Barrow meet across a crowded subway in Manhattan. They are 20-somethings working and living in the city, each looking for something more. Charlie (Charles) comes from wealth and society but rejects that to pursue his dreams of writing. Charlie (Charlotte) works in an auction house and is recovering from recent heartbreak.

 

The couple encounters one another again by chance on a busy nhattan street and they decide to be friends. The journey of their friendship and love is the heart of this story. However, when Charlie (Charlotte) is about to declare her feelings, events from their past catch up with them and sadness ensues. Fortunately for the characters and the readers, there is a happily ever after.

 

Naturally, Charlie is a love story but it also teaches the very important lesson that you have to love yourself before you can truly love another. I must say I could not put this book down. I read it straight through in one sitting! I fell in love with the characters. I loved their banter, their games about whether words were real or not and their friendship. I laughed and cried along with them. The story is written using alternating points of view of the two Charlies, which I find a great writing technique as I always want to know how each character interprets the same situation. The backdrop of Manhattan life for 20-somethings was fun-- bars, clubs, coffee shops, offices and friends. It also enabled the reentry of the sub characters, which helped advance the story.

 

Naturally, Charlie is a well-written fast read that grabs you, takes you on a great ride, but lands you safely and happily at the end! I would recommend it as the perfect summer and vacation read. I look forward to more from S.L. Scott!

 

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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 :

Publishing Powerhouse Publishes Second Mystery in a Year

Title: Secrets of a Dangerous Woman

Author: p.m.terrell

ISBN: 978-1-935970-05-7 (paperback) 978-1-935970-06-4 (eBook)

Retail: $16.95 (paperback) $6.99 (eBook)

On Amazon (paperback)

On Amazon (e-book)

Offered on author's website: www.pmterrell.com (offering free shipping)

 

 

On his first CIA assignment, Irishman Dylan Maguire must interrogate recently captured Brenda Carnegie. But when she escapes again, it's clear she's had help from within the CIA's own ranks. Now he must find out why some in the highest government offices want her killed-and others will risk everything to help her. And when he discovers her true identity, his mission has just become very personal.

 

About the author:

p.m.terrell is the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of more than 16 books. She is also the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation, whose slogan is Buy a Book and Stop a Crook and whose mission is to raise public awareness of the link between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. The annual Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair takes place every February and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.bookemnc.org and for more information on p.m.terrell visit 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 :

Fran Lewis Offers Up Five Cocoa Stars to The Book of Mysteries

The Book of Mysteries

By Fran Orenstein
Author's Web Site: http://www.franorenstein.weebly.com/
Publisher: World Castle Publishing
ISBN # 978-1-938243585 Paperback
Available on all on-line bookstores and all ebook formats.

Reviewed by Fran Lewis

Book of Mysteries Author: Fran Orenstein Book One: The Revenge of the Wizard: Beware: You are about the enter the Book of Mysteries at your own risk: To an ordinary reader this might seem like any mystery thriller filled with action, suspense, murder and drama. But, this book is quite unique and different because the adventures that he and his friend Zack encounter, live and experience will take him back in time to where wizards existed, dragons were feared, gargoyles had evil spells placed on them, scepter were used and a stolen crystal might be the answer to stopping a war. But, first he has to find a bookstore called Beadlesberry Rare Books. Now, you’d think that this would be easy. Think again! All you should have to do is ask someone where the store might be but this is not your ordinary bookstore. This one you see, is not always there okay so it disappears once in a while. I guess only a select few are allowed to enter it. So, Tyler’s work is cut out for him as his Uncle Thaddeus has charged him with finding the store and beginning his first adventure. But, first he has to find the store and then convince his best friend Zack to some along. Now, let’s enter the world of The Book of Mysteries by author Fran Orenstein and find out just what she has in store for these two teen adventures when we read Book One: The Revenge of the Wizard. Black clouds loomed overhead, cold fingers of electric tinged the air the author writes as we begin our adventure and Tyler’s fears begin to surface even before entering the store. A wooden sign with the name of the store looms in the distance and thunder takes control of the sky. On the glass-fronted door a sign stating that they close for storms and the lights in the store were out but out of nowhere a candle flickered and the next thing they knew both boys were inside of the store. Pulled in by an ice-cold claw the door slammed shut behind them. Feel the tension, the fear, as things are about to change. Meet Bartholomew B. Beadlesberry bookseller and know it all at your service to Tyler, Zachary and all readers of this great book. Enter the world of wizards, magic and spells along with Tyler and Zack. Take hold of the Book of Mysteries and note that it has only titles and not stories within the pages. You, the reader along with these two young boys will choose your own adventure, decide where in time you want to go and hopefully have the most exciting time or journey of your life. The Wizard of Balalac is first. However, no adventure can begin without the quartz crystal, which is attached to the magic pendant. Would you believe it comes from the lost city of Atlantis? Take hold of the pendant and choose a story and say the title out loud and off you go into the story. As the story begins both Tyler and Zack wind up in Balara and are now officially Barawagans and meeting some of the residents starting with Esmara in Maidenspa. What Zack and Tyler learn is that this poor country lacks hot water and even worse the land shakes every night. They manage to stay at the Spa and also learn that in the morning the spa is hot. The poor people need to know why this is happening and if there happens to be an angry dragon somewhere. Will Zach and Tyler solve the problem? Will they ever return home? What happens when they realize who the major of this place really is? He might look familiar not only to them? Things get strange and they try to relate the events to Beadlesberry but instead he pretends to not know these two young 13 year olds who just want to go home. Finding the bubbling water, steaming clouds, dragons and many more strange things they begin to wonder who they can trust, if they will find the lost pendant and whether they will ever return home to New York again. Young warriors is what the townspeople called them hoping that would uncover who the Wizard of Balalac was and wait until you learn why this wizard was causing all of this havoc and who was creating the earthquakes. Meet Ellby, Crumble, Bramble and a host of characters that you will fall in love with and maybe even want to visit them. Just how they go after the Wizard and who else is involved you won’t get from me. Will they ever get home or will they remain there forever? Find out when you read Revenge of the Wizard and learn that things in mythical lands are not that much different than ours or are they? Enter the world of the Book of Mysteries and take the adventure along with Tyler and Zack. Fran Lewis: Reviewer The Gargoyles of Gothica Imagine meeting two identical Goth girls whose father is King and whose mother is queen. Imagine a land surrounded by gargoyles that are supposed to protect the castle. Imagine an evil queen named Maeve who wants to get the throne of Gothica for her son. Imagine Tyler and Zack going back for another adventure and this time entering the book to the land of Gargoyles of Blackthorne and meeting Ivy and Lilyrose. Lily and Ivy might be identical twins and sisters but Lily definitely is more assertive and not so nice at times. Thinking that she is next in line to be queen she seems to like to rub it into Ivy but there is much more to this story as our two young brave Squires Tyler and Zack along with Ivy and Lily and their cousin Valor have to save the Kingdom before it falls and dies. Their cousin Mordant, his father Malevil and his mother Queen Maeve had plans of their own. The only thing protecting the kingdom is the Golden Scepter, which was stolen. But, when Tyler and Zack discuss a plan to get it back to help the King someone is lurking in the background and that someone is Mordant. But, is he really on their side or is he a spy. The author tells the story behind his mother’s tragic death at the hand of his grandmother. Her imprisonment and her final moments are described, the evilness of the queen and her plans to kill the royal family. Just why you won’t believe and how they plan to get her in their clutches, get the scepter back you won’t believe as our two young brave squires come up with a plan that would not only endanger them but might cause them never to return home again. But, finding the tunnel that leads her castle, hoping to get another set of keys to allow them into the tower is just part of the plan. What happens and if they succeed you will have to learn for yourself when you enter the book, take another adventure and find out if they get the golden scepter back or will Maeve rule Gothica? An ending that will teach everyone what happens when the truth comes out and the plan is finally revealed. As kids take the lead and prove that when adults and children really listen to each other things get accomplished and the world might just be better off. The power of knowledge, listening and understanding are strong messages in this book and understanding differences to try and rid the world of evil. Fran Lewis: reviewer The Centaurs of Spyr Fran Orenstein Uncle Thaddeus returns, dinner is served and Tyler and his parents discuss the events that have taken place thus far. As Tyler reflects with his family his past adventures another storm is brewing outside and you know what is about to come. You got it! Tyler and Zack go back to the Rare Book Store to find the mysterious Bartholomew B. Beadlesberry to learn what is next. Well, they decide but the adventure has already been written in this wordless book of mysteries created by author Fran Orenstein just with titles. Now, imagine if you are an educator and you want to encourage kids to write what about creating your own book of mysteries or titles and having your students create adventures for Tyler and Zack or their own characters and sending off their writing to the author. Now, let’s get to this adventure that leads them to meeting the people of Haven, learning about the war between the griffons and the hippogriffs and the reasons behind it. Well, not the reasons but what they think caused this problem to happen and how they think our two young peacemakers can solve a problem that has festered thousands of years. Finding themselves in Haven our two young boys meet the Oak Tree who leads the way for their adventure. Now, let’s meet Kai and Cassandra two lovely young ladies that live in Haven and join our two peacemakers to solve this problem With the help of the General Elm Tree and his fleet of great and smart trees they might be able to come up with a plan to stop the war that has been brewing forever. The first step is to meet the Centaurs who are at the center of this solution. Finding their crystal might help. The sacred crystal of the centaurs needs to be returned or else there will be serious retribution. Now, the griffons live in the North Mountains and are half eagle and half lion where the hippogriffs are half eagle and half horse. The Haven lie between the North and South Mountains almost like the center of a sandwich about to be eaten first. Got it! But, first they need to find and learn about the Book of Prophesies written and created by you guessed it Bartholomew B. Beadlesberry the Mayor of every town we visit. This guy gets around. Let’s not forget the two pegasuses whose telepathic powers will come in handy to help them. But, what do they have to do? First, they have to deal with the flogs that live in the cave and have the crystal. They eat beetle bugs and unless they cut off their food supply that will not have any leverage against them. However, with the help of the young graven tree and the addicting juice that the flogs cannot resist they hope to find and take back the crystal orb that they have hidden inside the cave in the Spyr Mountains and return it to the centaurs. Meeting with Bandor the Directorion of the Centaurs he allows them to ask for his help and eventually agrees. Returning the crystal orb how does it disappear and why does he think they betrayed the centaurs? Keeping Kai and Tyler hostage and allowing the Oak Tree to explain the situation the war begins between the griffons and the hippogriffs and Haven Woods stands to lose if it is not stopped. But, with a surprise edict Bandor agrees to meet with both sides but our two young hostages remain. Without the help and guidance of the precious trees, which I love trees and wish they would never be cut down, they might succeed. But, let’s not forget the two Pegasus Mist and Cloud. What happens and if they finally get peace in Haven Woods is a secret that I promised the Centurions I would never reveal. Will they convince both sides to stop fighting or will everyone fight for the next thousand years? What happens when four brave kids decide to take matters into their own hands, speak with the Trees, talk to the leaders of all sides and what happens might enlighten our own world leaders today. What about letting teens or kids lead the way to peace? Interesting to say the least. So, will our author bring these two back for more even though they might not want to reenter the book of mysteries? That’s a mystery that has yet to be solved and only author Fran Orenstein can solve that one. Three great books with great lessons for adults, teens and young adults to learn. Understanding, love, trust, loyalty, fair play and much more are taught plus these stories are great for teaching character education, group discussions, study groups and more. Fran Lewis: Reviewer Let’s give this book: FIVE SPECIAL COCOA TREATS

About the Author:

Fran Orenstein is an author, poet, and presenter. She has written:

REFLECTIONS

A book of poetry

Sleepytown Press

GAIA'S GIFT

A contemporary novel

World Castle Publishing

THE BOOK OF MYSTERIES

YA fantasy

World Castle Publishing

THE CALLING OF THE FLUTE

YA historical novel from Sleepytown Press

THE SPICE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER

YA historical novel from Whiskey Creek Press

Tween Novels From Sleepytown Press

FAT GIRLS FROM OUTER SPACE

'tween fiction of self-image, bullying, and mastering 7th grade.

THE MYSTERY UNDER THIRD BASE

THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN GOBLIN

 

 

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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 :

Permalinks: You need them to expose what you're writing on everything from Twitter to your Website

Lots of the writers who use this alternative review blog to extend the promotional value of their reviews don't know how to use a permalink. I each of them a little tutorial on promoting their participation in this blog, and--by extension--marketing in general. But I neglected to give them this information. I'll rectify that, but in the meantime, thought I should post it here for all my New Book Review readers, reviewers, and authors.

Here's what you do to get a permalink for any post on this blog or about anything else:

·        Go to the blog www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com.

·        Find your review--the one you wrote or the one written about your book. Or a review of a book you loved reading that you'd like to spread around.

·        Click on the title.

·        Go to the top of the page where the address appears in the address window. It will be longer than the one you see above and include part of the title of your post.

·        Copy it.

·        Take it to wherever you want to keep a permanent record of your review/promotions (like your Web site, blog, etc) and paste it.

Easy as that. (-:

CHJ

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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 :

Diane Donovan Reviews Christian Nonfiction

Resurrect and Restore

By Paul Zecos
Author's Website: http//:www.lifeanew.org
ISBN: 13-978-1-62050-564-7
GENRE: Non-Fiction
Review originally published on Midwest Book Review; 5 stars
Publisher: Altrutech LLC

Review excerpts by Diane Donovan

 

"Christians with a special interest in the concept of eternal life will find Resurrect and Restore a powerful account...

Admonitions and revelations about the Holy Spirit are precise, pointed “…”

The emphasis is on personal choice and its consequences, with chapters building a Biblical foundation for their contentions, then moving into social and political arenas that link world events with Biblical insights: “….”

Building this foundation of Biblical wisdom, Paul A. Zecos provides a framework for self-assessment, social assessment, and revelation: "…"

The Biblical Foundation built here is supported by a Theory of “Dimensionality” (graphically shown as a Cross) that claims to provide a unified understanding of modern physics and of psychology.

While personal assessment is a big piece of the equation in Resurrect and Restore, there's an overriding and primary message here for politicians - which makes the title of special interest to Christian politicians and social leaders alike.

The conclusion… “…”…is a call to action."

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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 :

KA-BOOM! Makes Big Hit with World of Ink Network

Title: KA-BOOM!

Written by: Alyce Joy
Illustrated by: Diane Lucas
Author website: http://alycejoy.com
Genre of Book: Children’s Chapter Book Fantasy Adventure
Publisher: Halo Publishing Int.
ISBN-10: 161244069X
ISBN-13: 978-1612440699
Paperback: 46 pages
Date: July 2012

Review provided by World of Ink Network

KA-BOOM! is about a little fairy named Sprout that runs into trouble quite often. She has a shoe fetish, but is one of the queen’s favorites because in the end she gets the job done.

Sprout meets a little girl named Taylor after blowing up Taylor’s dollhouse. Sprout doesn’t give up trying to get Taylor to trust her. She and Taylor finally become friends after Sprout shrinks Taylor and together they have a fantastic adventure. Taylor never thought she would be talking to Sir Leapsalot, let alone ride on his back and hopping lily pads. The message? Never give up.

Besides teaching children how to deal with fear and anger, Alyce Joy does a great job showing children how we can’t judge each other from first impressions. Children also learn friendships are something that grow as we get to know each other and face what life throws at us together.

What Others Have Said About the Book:

The author introduces some really cool vocabulary words for kids like lollapalooza and cumbersome, imperative, pathetic and many more added to a glossary of Sprout’s favorite words at the end of the book. Just think how cool that will be when you go to school and the teacher asks for words that mean the same as these and you come up with gallant for courageous or even humongous for huge. ~Fran Lewis, Book Reviewer, Author and Focus on Discussion blog talk radio host

This is a charming book that incorporates a magical fairy, adventure and a great message about having a positive attitude. You will be enchanted with Taylor and her adventures with a non-traditional fairy that has a great vocabulary! This is a perfect bedtime story that is bound to be a real page turner. ~Connie Marzullo, Principal, Sharon Center Elementary School

This is a fun book. It uses fantasy to create a sense of reality for children. The characters are colorful and invite children to create their own vision of what they look like. The word dictionary, in the back of the book, will not only define some of the words, but also provide a useful skill set for the children. A very readable book! ~Michael E. Carlson, Ed.D, Former Superintendent of Highland School System

Get a sneak peek of the book at http://youtu.be/Hq9sfmzH0-w

Available wherever books are sold and online.

 

About the Author: 

 

Alyce Joy was blessed with four children for whom she composed bedtime verses every night. That inspired her to publish a children’s book of prayers, entitled, “Priceless Gems.” When her children were grown, she began to write stories for her grandchildren.

Always fascinated with arts and crafts, she taught herself the art of pyrography. This fired her imagination, and she started burning life-sized pictures of wildlife onto all the doors of her home. Her wood burnings are scattered through the U.S. and Canada.

After deciding to put away her burning tools and torches, she enrolled in, and graduated from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Alyce Joy hopes every child who reads her stories will look forward to each new adventure, as her favorite fairy becomes entangled into many, outrageous happenstances.

Follow Alyce Joy at

Website http://alycejoy.com

Publisher http://www.halopublishing.com/bookstore/Ka-Boom

 

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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 :

Holly Fox-Vellekoop Reviews Valerie Allen's Newest Book

Beyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony

By Dr. Valerie Allen
Author's Web site: www.ValerieAllenWriter.com
ISBN: 9781478146117
Genre: Nonfiction-Psychology-Self-help
Reviewed originally for Amazon
Five Stars

Synopsis:

Beyond the Inkblots : Confusion to Harmony is a book of simple truths. It opens a path to calm anxiety and find inner peace. It leads the way for personal growth, understanding, and emotional strength.

At some point, we all come face to face with life's big questions dealing with who we are and what we have become. We wonder about those dreams we had and ask where are they now.

We deal with day-to-day issues of hurt, disappointment, and betrayal. We have dark days and sad times, but remarkably, we rebound and we survive. We have accomplished things great and small. We have found success. We have sipped from the cup of love and happiness.

This book offers insight into how we arrived at our place in life. It presents an opportunity to assess the choices we made that brought us to this place at this time. It offers the promise of positive change to reach our goals, find success, and experience emotional stability.

 

To take charge and be in control of your life, go beyond the inkblots, look deeper into yourself, and move from confusion to harmony.

Reviewed by Holly Fox-Vellekoop

Reading Dr. Allen's book is much like learning from a sage and/or having coffee with a good friend who provides practical advice and a much-needed dose of reality on topics which all of us must face in life. In these changing times, many young people and adults alike have no one to turn to for the wisdom the author imparts in this book. As Dr. Allen so aptly writes in the 'Introduction,' "This book is meant as a journey with musings about life's big questions. It is a place to begin a search and rescue mission for your true self." Read it once, read it twice, then read it again and heed the advice. Be sure to buy "Beyond the Inkblots" for your siblings, grandchildren, friends and anyone else whom you believe would enjoy a good read while gaining direction and self-discovery.

 

~The author may be reached on Facebook at Facebook.com/Valerie.Allen.520 . She is the author ofBeyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony, Write Publish Sell!, Summer School for Smarties, Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends, Sins of the Father,Suffer the Little 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 :