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.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Two Hot Novels Reviewed by World of Ink Network

Title: Virginia Templeton Mini Romance Novel Series
Author: Madison Montgomery
Author Website: http://booksbymadisonmontgomery.blogspot.com/

Genre: Hot Romance
Publisher: FIDELI
ASIN Number: B008969S2S – Every Man Wants Her
ASIN Number: B0096DX1U8 – It’s Never Enough
Publication Date: 2012
 
 
Reviewer: World of Ink Network

About the Mini Novels:
 
Every Man Wants Her - Virginia Templeton can turn heads in any room and get the attention of any man she wants. She’s married to a rich, powerful businessman, but she wants a divorce. She owns a luxurious condo building, complete with a dashing man to enjoy on the side, but he wants another woman. Who is the winner or is there one?
It’s Never Enough – Virginia Templeton finds sometimes what you want in life and have is never enough. This very sexy woman who uses her good looks and dirty tricks to manipulate people is out to take advantage…Beware!

Overall Thoughts:

These mini novels are sexy fast-paced lunchtime stories. Both mini novels are loaded with lots of hot bed scenes (prepare to blush) and strong characters. Madison Montgomery does a wonderful job of really letting you into the mind of the main character Virginia Templeton. You find out this very sexy woman is more than she seems to be as you read the series. Virginia is not only interested in men and how they can please her in and out of the bed, she is also very successful and smart.
 
I must note there is a lot of adult content, but if you liked Fifty Shades of Gray or don't mind a steamy read, I highly suggest reading the Virginia Templeton mini novel series by Madison Montgomery.


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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, November 1, 2012

Tonawanda News Writer Calls Book A Must Read


Title: Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety
Author: Daniel Smith
Author Website: http://monkeymindchronicles.com
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: Simon &  Schuster
ISBN: 978-1-4391-7730-3
Grade: 4/5 stars

 
Review by Jessica Brant, Blog Writer and Freelance Writer for the Tonawanda News


‘Monkey Mind’ author proves that through self-deprecating humor and with a little bit of faith, anxiety is manageable
 
If the American Psychiatric Association ever decided to conduct a search for the new face of anxiety, then Daniel Smith could be their poster child.
The author of ‘Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety’ details every pang of anxiety ever felt throughout his young adult life. During the most arbitrary of day-to-day decision-making, such as what condiments to put on his roast beef sandwich, to more high-risk situations such as when he lost his virginity and left for college in Boston, Smith describes each instance with great finesse, prescribing the reader with just the right dosage of research and wit.
According to Smith, there are two types of anxiety sufferers in the world: stiflers and chaotics. A stifler will throw a smile to the public, but throw back a bottle of gin in private. As a chaotic anxiety sufferer desperately trying to remain a stifler, however, Smith operates by throwing everything onto the table: emotion, sometimes in the form of physical discomfort and outbursts, and also his sanity.
It is his candidness and willingness to tell-all that makes Smith an easy character to sympathize with. His explanation of the term “monkey mind,” whose origins lie in the practice of Buddhism, offers insight into the inner workings of many anxiety sufferers’ minds. An individual with a “monkey mind” has an uncontrollable consciousness, where thoughts jump, flip, and swing in every direction. Buddhist practices, Smith writes, are designed to tame these “monkeys of the mind.”
Throughout the novel, Smith discovers the triggers of his anxiety, such as the implications that the freedom of choice brings. Another is his mother, “Hurricane Marilyn,” who, ironically, is a psychotherapist suffering from anxiety herself, whose cliental consists mainly of individuals suffering from it too. As a young Smith presses one ear to the central-air vent in his parents’ bedroom listening in on his mother’s sessions, he realizes that the mother who raised him was not the unafflicted woman he heard in that room, who was able to turn her anxiety off for the time-being. Smith only wished he had that much control.
Quirky characters provide Smith’s story with life. The reader encounters Esther, the curvaceous, provocative twenty-something-year-old who worked with Smith at a bookstore when he was 15 and took his virginity by engaging him in a ménage a trois. And Joanna, Smith’s first love, the woman who made him realize that he hit rock-bottom. The reader finally meets Brian near the end of his story, the no-nonsense therapist who forced him to get a grip. 
 
Although Smith’s life is, for the most part, muddled by fear and doubt, his writing has not been. Bold comparisons and attempts at self-mockery turn woes into comic relief—like when he describes his awkward nail biting habit and extreme armpit sweating dilemma--and make his venting sessions entertaining—like when he comically discusses his fear of contracting HIV on his way to a therapy session. The book is sure to put a smile on more than one face.


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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, October 31, 2012

Award-Winning Author Pens Cozy Mystery

Hot Chocolate
Genre: Cozy mystery novel
By Dawn Greenfield Ireland, award-winning author
Book launch/tour



 

I recently read a great book I just had to share with you. If you like Grandma Mazur in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, you'll love Hot Chocolate. The characters are all quirky and funny, and, when you aren't laughing out loud, you'll be smiling! It’s a hilarious cozy mystery novel set in the very wealthy Houston suburb of River Oaks. Filled with quirky, eccentric characters involved in murder and chocolate, this book is like watching a Woody Allen movie - even the minor characters are quirky and wonderful.

Here’s the plot: The middle-aged Alcott sisters, heiresses to the Alcott chocolate fortune--Madge, Lila Mae and Dorothea--are fit to be tied. In the midst of busy lives, they must deal with their ninety-two year old father, Bernie, who has become quite the handful. His nurse Bambi, is another kind of handful, but when they decide they must move Bernie to an assisted living facility, the generous severance package they offer to Bambi is not enough to ward off a lawsuit brought by Bambi's husband, Jimmy Ray Chaline. Luckily, the Alcotts, very wealthy and well-known in Houston society, have a great lawyer. Chances are good that the suit will be dismissed as frivolous.

Hot Chocolate is a captivating tale with vivid and fun characters. I could almost visualize myself socializing with them, and I definitely enjoyed their interactions with one another. They felt like real sisters, albeit high-society ones. Dorothea is typically the "baby" of the family, and definitely likes being the center of attention. Lila Mae relies on astrology and believes that proper Feng Shui arrangements in a room can make all the difference. Madge, as the oldest, has some unusual habits. Even the peripheral characters, like the staff at each of their homes, as well as Lila Mae's astrologer, felt like important pieces of the production. I also enjoyed close-ups of the relationship between Chance (a detective with the police force) and Lila Mae, not a typical pairing.

 
Anyway, I know you will love this book, so grab a copy and you’ll also get about 60 bonuses including a preview of many other new and exciting novels along with terrific self-help tools. ENJOY! http://bit.ly/HtChoc
 
Submitted by Denise Cassino
http://www.bestsellerservices.com/
"Make your book an Amazon #1 Bestseller"
Publicist & Book Marketing Specialist

303 838 3399
skype: denise.cassino
www.BestsellerServices.com
www.mybestsellerlaunch.com
http://www.facebook.com/denise.cassinohttp://www.twitter.com/denisecassino

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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 :

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Ralph Zernoff Writes Self-Empowering Novel


Title: All-That-Is
Author: Raphael Zernoff
Genre: Inspirational/Self-Empowering Novel
ISBN 978-1-291-09787-0
KINDLE USA: http://www.amazon.com/ALL-THAT-IS-ebook/dp/B009M5OXBG
PAPERBACK: http://www.lulu.com/shop/raphael-zernoff/all-that-is/paperback/product-20443930.html

 
Synopsis 

The book presents a story of a young man Tnesdog (god-sent, spelling in reverse) who belongs to an ancient family, who treasures a secret knowledge about humanity.

The world is not what most of us have been taught about it, according to the storyline. In ancient times, there were many powerful and highly developed civilisations who emerged and disappeared leaving various pieces of information for posterity. The remote past of humanity explains where we come from, and what we are capable of.

Anaid (Diana in reverse) a descendent from the forgotten continent of Mu, and later Atlantis, identifies Tnesdog as the one who will embrace the knowledge of Ra and then hand it down to his fellow humans, who prefer to live in a new reality free of fear and limitation. While assimilating the information in the form of energy that expands one's consciousness, his life radically transforms from an average jaded life to an explosion of synchronicity surrounded by wealth and self-acceptance.

The approach to the crossing of the threshold of 2012 creates a perfect opportunity to share the knowledge of all-that-is with others. Tnesdog learns that it is the time of a splitting-prism. It means that now all human desires and preferences are being magnified. Hence, those embracing more joy in free expression, and other creative means, will experience even more of the same. Conversely, those who choose to stay in the lower energy will experience the passage of time in a magnified lower energy manner. Tensdog learns that everyone may choose in what fashion they prefer to cross the threshold year.

What the reader can find in this book is a point of view that emerges from a diverse myriad of other points of view. This is the royal way to illumination. Namely, the understanding that everything is a part of one the same existence. Therefore, all points of view are valid and once you know it, you may choose what you prefer without invalidating other perspectives that are not compatible with your preference in any given moment. The author encourages the reader not to believe in, and blindly accept anything that he says, or you might learn from the protagonist. Readers are encouraged to observe what works for Tnesdog, and to then see what works for them. If it brings bliss, happiness, wealth and an exciting adventure, it may be a good idea to follow it, if this is what one prefers. At the same time if the recipients feel that they are not ready for change, and they prefer to continue their lives full of suffering, problems and self-devaluation, it would not be taken away from them, because it is an equal choice they have made. It is up to them how they want to lead their lives.

ALL-THAT-IS by Raphael Zernoff, a new inspirational novel available on paperback&ebook
KINDLE UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ALL-THAT-IS-ebook/dp/B009M5OXBG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349535075&sr=1-1


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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 : Publisher: R.Z.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Book and Songs Reviewed with Five Stars

Title: Wondertown
Author: Mac Fallows
Authors website: www.wondertownproject.com
Genre: Fantasy
General: eBook with 12 embedded songs sung by characters
Format: eBook
Available on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars for both book and music on Wondertownproject.com

 
Reviewed by Tom Nevin, AKA Greg Turkstra originally for Wondertown Project
 
Incredible Journey

I have to admit, from the beginning of the grandmother's story, I was pretty much in. The characters are deep, complicated and mysterious and the whole thing is made better by the awesome illustrations and the music. The songs really add something to the character development. It's pretty rare to read a good book that has a collection of world class songs inside it but that's what this is. The ending was especially cool the way it tied into the song. Overall, a big thumbs up. I'm really looking forward to the next installment. Anyone know where I can find some other stuff by Mac Fallows?

Short Bio of Author:

Reclusive writer and composer Mac Fallows first began pitching the idea of a musical book for teens and adults to music and book publishers in the late eighties. But without the technology to support his vision, he didn’t get far.

So instead, he set out to travel the world in search of new challenges . . . and stories. He went on to write and produce over 100 songs in a dozen languages in places including Dakar, Mumbai, Prague, and Santiago for singers including Youssou N’dour, Shankar Mahadevan, Pape and Cheikh, and Kavita Krishnamoorthy.


Along the way he lived with taxi drivers and their families, camped in farmers’ fields, butchered bulls, sold tea, raised chickens, translated travel contracts, worked as a session musician, a construction worker, a teacher, and toured the biggest festivals in Europe as a member of one of Africa’s most celebrated bands.​


Wondertown is the first true musical story he's published. It includes a full-length fantasy novel, 12 related songs and 17 illustrations.

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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, October 26, 2012

Sonia Korn-Grimani Memoir Gets Goodreads Rave

Title: Sonia's Song
Author: Sonia Korn-Grimani

Memoir
Published by Clay Grouse Press
ISBN-10: 0984555838 ISBN-13: 978-0984555833
Chynna gave the book 4 stars

 
 
 

Reviewed by Cynna Laird on originally for Goodreands.com


Review:
"I have read many books about the Holocaust, and Sonia's Song has to be one of the most touching and inspirational of those.

Sonia told this story beautifully, very much what I imagine it must be like having her sit with you telling her history over tea. She gave such an open and honest account of what it was really like to be a Jewish child doing everything in her small power to live. All of the things we take for granted--the right to an education, to live without fear, to practice our religion with pride, to be proud of who we are and our heritage, even just to walk down the street--were all taken away from her.

What I was most impressed with in this story is that Sonia didn't complain or lay blame. Yes, she expressed her anger but the story didn't stem from that. She showed us how people can go through the greatest devestation and turn to the gifts they have to help pull them through. It was beautiful to see that with all she went through, she grew into a beautiful, happy and successful woman. And I was especially drawn to how she turned to music for comfort, as I have always done.

Sonia's Song is a powerful story of survival, strength and perserverance. I loved every page. This story is as important a read for learning about the Jewish people during the Holocaust as The Diary of Anne Frank. Thank you, Sonia, for sharing your incredible story. "
 

More on the Reviewer:
 


CHYNNA LAIRD – is a freelance writer and award-winning author. Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder and other special needs. She’s authored a children’s book, two memoirs, a Young Adult novella, a YA paranormal/suspense novel and an adult Suspense/Thriller.
Special needs blog: www.seethewhiteelephants.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, October 24, 2012

Reviewer Calls Reality of the Virtual a Must-Read

Title: The Reality of The Virtual
Sub-title: Presage
ISBN: 978-9881675118
Format: E-book and paperback
Publisher: Pebbles Publications
Publication/: End December, 2012
Launch Distribution: Amazon, Ingram, Lulu
Category: Alternative History/Sci-fi Novel
Author:Betsy Cheung
Amazon : http://tinyurl.com/9gyv2rf   
Review:
‘The Reality of The virtual’ is an edge-of the-seat-saga, which takes place between the real and the virtual. Cheung’s debut novel is packed with thrilling ideas about near-future technology. It has a balance of the believable and unbelievable that makes the plot seem very real. What’s more, it touches upon existential issues of human existence in the virtual.

The year is 2018. Nothing is what it seems and mis-information rules the Media. People are livid and riots abound surrounding a controversial new class system. Hugh van Santen is the Editor in Chief of a major newspaper reporting on the social turmoil. While governments go bankrupt, the grass roots are geared up to do community work and replace social welfare. Meanwhile Hugh relies on scoops to keep his newspaper afloat and recruits rogue reporter Sophie Chantal for his most ambitious and outrageous scoop to date. Sophie’s first assignment is to write a feature on the bicentennial birthday of a persona non gratis whose past doings wrecked havoc and caused the Cold War. She solicits the help of Sam, a computer scientist, who creates accurate simulations of humans down to their thoughts. Even before publication, the story is leaked and Sophie’s
feature becomes breaking news with explosive effect on the world and an
implosive effect on the news paper itself. It also alerts the CIA, who is after Sam’s simulation technology at all cost. To distract them, Sam designs a game called ‘Presage’ in which gamers and intelligence agents begin their race to find Sam’s secret in the reality of the virtual.

A crucial idea of this exciting boo is the conflict between the world, i.e. the totality of things work and the individual. The notion that the collective interest and wellbeing is suppressive of the individual interest and wellbeing is the same notion of why evolution and 'survival of the fittest' is necessary, but causes suffering and sacrifice of the individual animals and why the ‘have-nots’ suffer in a capitalist system. This book depicts what happens when a few individuals combine aspects of capitalism, collectivism, social media and technology to a new system and try to make the shortcomings of the previous systems right. The
problem they encounter is an old one: Although this new system makes a lot of sense to people, It is the human consciousness and the fundamental way in which it is taught to work when we are ‘socialized’ which prevent people from seeing the bigger picture in their actual life and stops them from walking the talk. With
intelligence and crazy imagination, the same idea and theme are reflected and reinforced in the sub plots.

The book is rich with intriguing, deep, believable characters, who reflect the different ways individuals are wired to be in or out of tune with the world. Some are totally stuck in their own way of looking at things like Mick Fallon, the spy. Some understand this and manipulate this to their own advantage like Otto Chantal, the CEO, Hugh can Santen, the editor in chief and Jim Hershel, the media baron. Some manipulate it to the advantage of society like Hal, a new breed of union leader while at the opposite ends of the spectrum you have idealists willing to sacrifice themselves like Thomas Pierson, the chairman of the

Alpha Federation and Sam Sheppard, the main protagonist and creator of the game Presage and Mindroids. And then, you have people, who study this phenomenon and find it all mighty interesting for a social-anthropological reason like the character of Dominique Sagresse, the Elvis among philosophers.

This book delves into the ethics and effects of a changed semi-virtual society in the near future. It gives us a fresh perspective upon the unrelenting human struggle in our continued attempts to wrench ourselves out of Sisyphus’ myth. Highlighting that our greatest enemy—the one, who causes the rock to tumble back to the bottom of the hill each and every time— is ourselves, this book revamps our hope that one day we may succeed. Don't miss this book if you like your mind and imagination challenged! This is truly a MUST READ!

~Author Jerry McGregor is an English teacher living in South-Asia who dapples in creative writing and loves books. His favorite writers are Fyodor Dostoevsky and Knut Hamsun, David Sedaris, Salman Rusdie.
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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 :