Free Christmas E-Book for Thoughtful E-Greetings

Blooming Red
Subtitle: Christmas Poetry for the Rational
Authors: Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Awards from USA Best Books and Military Writers Society of America
ISBN: 9781449948245
Free copy available at http://amzn.to/BloomingRedKindle
Dates Freebie is Available: Dec. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

 

 

Multi award-winning poets Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball figure nothing is more meaningful at any holiday than a poem—a real poem, not sing-songy impersonal verse from the shelves of card shops. They also noticed that many folks remember many people they forgot when it may be too late.

 Ta Da! We have are offering you our "rational" Christmas chapbook to procrastinators free. Enter the KDP Select free e-book feature. All you do is go to http://amzn.to/BloomingRedKind on Dec. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 and click.

 

Anyone can send it free to anyone they'd like to have a thoughtful—and fast—Christmas gift with a click of a mouse (no not the same mouse that's in "The Night Before Christmas" poem!). The booklet Blooming Red: Christmas Poetry for the Rational was honored by the Military Writers Society of America and USA Book News award.

 

It's a mini gift and greeting card in one!

 

Blooming Red includes Maggie’s science-inspired and Carolyn’s nostalgic poetry. It also includes some humorous poems for fair measure.

 

Magdalena Ball runs the highly respected CompulsiveReader.com review site.  She is the author of the poetry book Repulsion Thrust, which was published to unanimous 5-star reviews.  Her novel Sleep Before Evening was a Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist and she just released a new novel set in Australia. It is Black Cow.  

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's poetry appears frequently in review journals. She is listed in Poets & Writers and her chapbook of poetry, Tracings (www.budurl.com/CarolynsTracings ), was given the Award of Excellence by the Military Writers Society of America and She Wore Emerald Then won its highest honor of gold. One of her poems recently won the Franklin Christoph Poetry Prize. She is also an award-winning novelist and short story writer and instructor for UCLA Extension Writers' Program.

For more information on any of the chapbooks in the Celebration series, contact either of the authors, or visit media rooms at www.howtodoitfrugally.com or  www.magdalenaball.com. To learn more about artist Vicki Thomas and to see her selections of her work, go to http://www.vickithomasartist.com .

 

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Please pass this offer on to your friends. Support material available electronically or by post on request from Magdalena Ball maggieball@compulsivereader.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.

Veteran Crime Writers Releases Funny New Novel

Title: Who’s Got the Money?

Authors: Morgan St. James and Meredith Holland
Genre: Funny Crime Caper
ISBN  978-1610091190
Available in Paperback and Kindle in all Amazon markets, most online booksellers or order from your favorite bookstore.
AmazonUSA
AmazonUK

 

Fun, fast mystery about three women who uncover a massive government embezzlement scheme

 

With $800 Million worth of products produced in federal prisons every year, the opportunity to embezzle millions was ripe. By the way, Federal prison factories really do produce that much each year, and about $600 Million is furniture.

Authors Morgan St. James and Meredith Holland both know first-hand. They were marketing reps for the real government corporation that maintains manufacturing plants on the grounds of nearly one-hundred Federal prisons across the country . During Morgan’s last year with them, she sold Eight Million Dollars worth of furniture to the Federal government, and Meredith sold slightly less. Their experiences and escapades during a four-year period inspired this comical fictional plot.

By the way, Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, a former FBI undercover agent and Best-Selling New York Times author, said their plot really could have worked. He added, “Good thing they’re not crooks.” Other reviewers commented on the clever use of this little-known industry that most people don’t know exists.

After losing her job and all her money, this fast-paced caper finds Jennifer Hayes accepting a job as the Controller for the furniture manufacturing division of Federal Association of Correctional Reform which is actually the fictional Federal prison system.

After several months, substantial bonus checks are due but when the time comes to be paid there is one excuse after another and none of them make sense. Jennifer and her new friends, marketing representatives Kate Mills and Cameron Harsen, suspect something is afoot. They are angry and determined to find out what happened to missing bonus money. Like amateur Charlie’s Angels they plunge in their own ambitious undercover investigation fraught with backfires and near-misses.

However, despite the challenges, what they discover is shocking evidence of something so much bigger than missing bonus checks—a  clever multimillion dollar embezzlement plot right under the Feds noses. Who masterminded the scam and how did they do it?

 

Every time you think you’ve figured it out, something else pops up. This funny crime caper will keep you on your toes as you navigate the twists and turns.

The companion piece is the Kindle only prequel, novelette Getting Even. How did Jennifer get even with the young lover who stole her heart and her money? His betrayal was one of the factors that pushed her into accepting a job with the prison system and you don’t want to tangle with a scorned “cougar.”Amazon

Review:

4 Star  WELL WORTH THE MONEY  S. Carpenter

Jennifer Hayes finds herself up to her pretty neck in danger and intrigue when she discovers fraud running rampant in her new job. She and her girlfriends start sleuthing undercover to get the goods on the crooks in this clever, light-hearted romp. St. James and Holland spin a witty tale full of sexy guys, great food, chocolate, and a scheme to steal millions. Here's hoping for another caper with Jennifer and her resourceful gal pals.

 

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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 :

Author Daniel Friedmann Compares Religion and Science

Title: The Genesis One Code
Publisher: Park East Press
Author: Daniel Friedmann
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-One-Code-Daniel-Friedmann/dp/1935764276/
Website: http://danielfriedmannbooks.com/
ISBN: 978-1935764274
Genre: Nonfiction Science/Religion

 

Most of us have pondered our origins at some point in our lives. I am no different, except perhaps that I have both a strong scientific and a religious background. Thus, when I ponder our origins I not only have to contend with two seemingly very different accounts of our universe; but with the knowledge that both are accurate, at least in terms of what happened and when it happened.

I began with knowledge gained from a basic religious upbringing and a high school science education. Both bodies of knowledge were fascinating, yet appeared incompatible. As I proceeded to obtain a scientific education, I initially came to think that science books answered everything. Yet, by my fourth year at university, some fundamental questions concerning our origins began to re-appear. In science texts, some answers were not available, some answers were strange, and some answers were so metaphysical they looked like religious answers. So, I went back to study religion, this time also studying the mystical component of religion so as to find deeper inner meaning rather than the simple interpretation. Answers began to appear.

So what did I find? The Bible and science agree on what happened and when it happened with respect to the development of the universe and the appearance of life on earth. Not just roughly but precisely. That’s right! Documents at least 800 years old contain what science has discovered in the past 50 years!

This was so exciting I decided to share my findings in a book, The Genesis One Code was borne.

Canada’s leading newspaper describes the book as follows:

The book is engrossing. In it, Friedmann lays down an inter-twining of facts, equations and resultant theories. His presentation is persuasive and devoid of insistence. In essence, he argues that, just as a blueprint provides a scale reference to the finished building, there is a mathematical scale that reconciles the events of Genesis to the findings of science.

While the book was originally intended for those 12 to 30 years of age that are or have gone through a school system that portrays science against religion, it has been well received by all ages. Readers with a knowledge-craving, open mind will thoroughly enjoy this read and be delighted by its many elements and propositions.


About Daniel Friedmann

Daniel Friedmann is CEO of MDA Corp., specializing in robotics. He has a master's in engineering physics and 30 years' experience in the space industry. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers on space industry topics. He is also a longtime student of cosmology and religion. The Genesis One Code is available onhref
=” http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-One-Code-Daniel-Friedmann/dp/1935764276/ “>Amazon.com and at http://danielfriedmannbooks.com/.


~Part of a book tour powered by Yvonne Wu, Internet Publicist | Author & Speaker Assistant. The YP Publishing, Canada: 905-341-0997, USA: 1-347-674-9951
http://theyppublishing.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 :

Hellandback Is Award-Winning Book for Kids

Title: Hellandback Kids
Subtitle: Be Careful What You Wish For
By LL Helland
ISBN 978-1534852187
Genre: Children's/Middle Grade
Available on Amazon at http://dld.bz.bRffR
Winner of The Pinnacle Book Achievement Award,
The Mom's Choice Award,
Royal Dragonfly Award

Reviewed by Krista originally for  Cubicle Blindness

 

When the four Hellandback kids visit their great-grandmother in a strange Scottish hospital, they unknowingly fall into a series of bizarre adventures in an alternate reality. With only their own ingenuity, the Hellandback kids must rely on help from a mystic guide, unearthly creatures, and talking animals as they encounter the black plague, deformed beings, a life sucking immortal, and a long trek from exile. Throughout their adventures, the Hellandback kids learn valuable life lessons, and of course, to be careful what they wish for.

Summer vacation is coming to an end, and the Hellandback kids are off to Scotland. After finding a very long and curious toenail in Chris' room, his father decides it's time they should go get acquainted with their great grandmother.
Upon arriving they discover that she is living in an old Hospital and she's not alone. Each child is eventually sent to separate points in time where the only way to return home is to overcome their own weaknesses and overpower the creatures they come across.

With the combination of a mythical guide and several variations of beings to help or deter their way. The Hellandback kids have to become stronger and bolder if they want to survive and return home again.

Each of the Hellandback kids have very different personalities and their trials use those to both support and hinder the struggles they have to endure. At first I was unsure if the story was going to take a more humorous turn or horror story. There were definitely moments of fun, both in dialogue and imaginative creatures. But there are some really tough situations and scary beings that come into play also. If your picking a book for a younger reader make sure they can handle that.

The fact that the children have to learn about life lessons and each experience their own array of battles. The reader can gain a lot of insight from these adventures as well, no matter the age. There are some pretty intense moments, but also those that made me smile and laugh a bit. My favorite character was Brittany, although they all will eventually show very caring and daring sides. Each have their own distinct personalities and their own battles to fight.

This read was definitely something different and unexpected. It makes you think and very enjoyable as well. It gives a whole new meaning to "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Learn more with these two Youtube videos: Kids

http://youtu.be/OpAsC2Pig7k

http://youtu.be/KiNnrSzhO4I

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 :

Romantic Reading Escapes Reviewer Gives Novel a WOW!

Title: Loving David
Author: Gina Hummer
Books website link: www.lovingdavidnovel.com
Genre: Contemporary / Romance
ISBN: 1466343303
Name of Reviewer: Kathryn Hamilton
Reviewers link: romanticreadingescapes.com
Reviewers rating 4.5

Reviewed by Kathryn Hamilton

WOW! I am one big blubbering mess right now. From laughter to tears SOBS, this book raised every possible emotion to the surface. I had read somewhere that the author, Gina Hummer, has been compared to Nicholas Sparks in her writing...well, let me assure you that it is my belief that Nicholas Sparks must be channeling his inner Gina Hummer when he writes, not the other way around, because she is the queen at eliciting that WOW response from me.

David King, a well known British Hollywood actor in his early 30's, is trying to enjoy a private vacation in Southern California away from the hustle and bustle of L.A. When a fan catches a glimpse of him, David is forced to hide away in the most convenient place he can find at the time....the back floorboard of Charlotte's jeep. Charlotte is a romance writer in her mid 40's and is on a writer's retreat with her divorcee and widowed fellow writer friends. Before David has a chance to escape the uncomfortable floorboard, Charlotte takes off down the highway, almost wrecking her jeep when she notices a pair of piercing emerald eyes staring at her through the rear view mirror. After getting past the point of almost macing David to blindness, a beautiful friendship develops. Don't be misled by thinking this is just another Hollywood celebrity focus...it definitely is not. As a matter of fact, David's celebrity status is rarely touched...the focus remains on Charlotte and "Loving David."

"Loving David was the easiest thing I've ever done. It was effortless. I fell more in love with him every day to the point where I thought I would burst."

I love the slow-building relationship between Charlotte and David that Gina Hummer gave me. She allowed me, the reader, to really develop a strong connection with the main characters and envelope them in such a way as to invoke in me every smile, tingle, pain, and angst that Charlotte felt when interacting with David. Charlotte is a very strong woman who has experienced love and loss of love in life before. However, Charlotte didn't let her circumstance break her. She has such compassion for those whom others would spit on had they experienced the betrayal Charlotte experienced in life. But, she tends to make lemonade out of lemons and moves on in life....enter David, the sexy and handsome Brit who can have any blonde bombshell he wants, but he just wants to find someone to love him for who he is and not for his high celebrity status. He is what I would call a hot and sexy hometown boy with love for his family and strong roots to keep him grounded. He is definitely a swoon-worthy hero. He is perfect for Charlotte, no matter the age difference.

The secondary characters in the novel are stellar as well:

Emma - the near 80 year old widowed writer with a libido made me laugh out loud with her first impressions of David and her flirtatious banter.

"Nice huh?" Emma said. "I may have a whole new reason to change my Depends today," she said as she nudged Karen, who shrieked.

Karen and Hendra - the straight-laced, no nonsense, 'play by our ya ya sisterhood rules' women whose strength and resolve melts when exposed to David's natural charms. They are complete busy-bodies when it comes to Charlotte, but completely acting - and advising - out of love and in Charlotte's best interest.

"It's not like you're gonna have some great romance with him. Have a fling with him. A little sex never hurt anybody." Karen paused. "I mean safe sex."

Olivia - the selfish *bleep* I really enjoyed hating. She is a blonde Barbie-doll who will stop at nothing to manipulate and use others in the name of love, but with her, there is a fine line between love and revenge for not loving her back. She is completely hate-worthy.

This book is chocked full of love, romance, angst, heartache, and sadness. I don't normally comment on a book cover or title, but both, in this case, are so significant to the story of Charlotte and David, they are perfect. The 'happily ever after' in this book is in the eye of the reader. Gina Hummer brings to the table a big-screen worthy novel that is touching and sensitive to anyone with compassion and feeling. The writing is smooth and fluent, making it a fast read. But, don't mistake this novel for being just another romance; it contains its share of steamy sex, angst, heartbreak, and hurt to keep this story with you a long time after finishing. I give this book 4.5 stars and recommend it to all the Tissue-Owner's Book Clubs with a hankering for that next great 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 :

Reviewer Loves New Mystery

Title: Special Interest

Author: Aaron

Genre: Cozy Mystery/humor

SBN-13: 978-1460972335 
ISBN-10: 1460972333

Published by CreateSpace

Review Originally published on  A Cozy Readers Corner

Imagine a quiet world free of fossil fuel polution. Clean air to breathe. No noise from automobiles or factories. An atruistic scientist imagined it and made it his life’s work to find a replacement for fossil fuels. When he discovers an inexhaustable source of electric power he is murdered by a special interest group trying to find the formula. 

As a precaution he has hidden the formula in four parts in places around the world. Only one person will know how to find the four pieces to the formula. A wild and often hilarious pursuit ensues as the energy industires scramble to possess the prize.

 

Megan's Review: A Cozy Readers Corner

Joe has just relocated after having a broken engagement and being forced out of his accounting job. Everything appears to be getting along nicely with his new life until his flowerbed reveals a mysterious clue to a murder. Soon Joe is involved in a risky operation involving a new energy source that could change how the world operates. Joe soon finds out that there are limited people that he can trust and many special interest groups are after the clues to this energy source and will stop at nothing to obtain the information, not even murder. Joe doesn't want to be involved in this scheme but soon a love interest and his best friend are entangled as well and he finds that he has no choice but to help solve the puzzle. 

 Overall I thought the author had a creative idea and I was captivated and wanted to know how the story would end. The characters' motives were hidden well until the end of the book when the author did finally start to place doubt in your mind about who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. The science behind the energy source was unique too - would be nice if such a thing existed!

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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 :

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 :