Inspirational Doggy Tale Gets Five Big Stars

Title:  Through Frankie’s Eyes: One woman’s journey to her authentic self, and the dog on wheels who led the way

Author:  Barbara Techel
Web site:  www.joyfulpaws.com
Genre or category:  Inspirational memoir
ISBN:  978-0-9800052-9-5
Order Your Copy Today!
Five star review

 

Reviewed by Paulo Levi originally for Amazon

While reading Through Frankie's Eyes, I was frequently reminded of Harold Kushner's now classic essay, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Frankie the dachshund became disabled through no fault of her own, much less of her guardian Barbara Techel's. But as Kushner points out in his book, we humans seem to have a need to view such events either as punishment for something we have done (or failed to do) or as destiny's cruel way of letting us know that our faith in God and in ourselves is being tested. Although Techel experienced the full impact of these feelings at first, she was able to transcend them through her determination to help Frankie overcome her disability, and through Frankie's own example in retaining the will to live the life of a happy and loving dog no matter what. In the process of adjusting to Frankie's new circumstances and to the changes brought about by them in her own life, Barbara Techel found her own calling in helping others through her work with special needs children, the elderly and the terminally ill, always with Frankie at her side as a therapy dog.

These may sound like the ingredients for a sad story, but this is definitely not the case. In fact, Through Frankie's Eyes is a celebration of the power to overcome and of the sheer joy of being alive. Techel's heartfelt and readable prose conveys a sense of forward motion, from the uncertainties in her own life and in Frankie's initial prognosis to a newfound serenity and an enduring sense of purpose. Read this book, and you will not fail to be moved and inspired by it.

 

About the Author

Barbara Techel is an award-winning author and advocate for dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs. Her book was an Indie Excellence Finalist Award 2013!  Sign up for her newsletter and receive her e-book free:  For the Love of Animals, A Collection of Short Stories
Become a fan on Facebook of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day & help her honor and celebrate all dogs in wheelchairs and the lessons of love, hope and joy they teach us.

 

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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.

World of Ink Puts YA Adventure in Spotlight

Title of Book: Andy Smithson
Subtitle: Blast of the Dragon's Fury

Author: L.R.W. Lee

Author Website: http://www.lrwlee.com

 Twitter URL: @LRWLee

 Publisher: Createspace

ISBN: 978-1482312645
ISBN -10: 1482312646
Available in eBook and Print
Publication Date: April 2013
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure

Review provided by: World of Ink Network
 

About the Book:

 Ten-year-old Andy Smithson is magically brought to the Land of Oomaldee while he is doing dishes one night. Unbeknownst to him, he is there to break a 500-year-old curse.  Andy learns that his quest is the Dragon’s Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse - the scale from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing dragons, fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating giants and more.

EXCERPT:

 Sitting on his bed with the afternoon sun shining through the window, Andy tried to slow down his racing thoughts.  It was all so overwhelming.  It had been fun to think of himself as Chosen when that just meant he felt special.  Now, however, he wasn’t sure.  It sounded like a whole lot more than just retrieving a red dragon scale was about to happen.  The weight of it all pressed hard.  He was scared.  He felt alone.  For the first time since he had arrived in Oomaldee, he missed his home, his parents and (he couldn’t believe he was thinking this, but… yes…) even his big sister!  He punched his pillow hard once, and then again and again and again.  He stopped only when feathers began flying everywhere.

Why me?  he thought.  There’s no way I can do to this! 

“You’re right, Andy!  You can’t do this on your own. ” It was his inneru.  “You need help.”

As his inneru said this, a second amethyst-colored stone landed on his bed, barely missing his head.

“Hey, watch it!  You almost hit me in the head!” Andy said.  As soon as he had said it, he felt stupid for yelling at no one.  Where do these things keep coming from?  he wondered.  As before, he picked it up and it started pulsing. Then he heard a trumpet blast.

“Methuselah has appeared to you, Andrew Ferrin Smithson.  It is the sword of your forefathers.   You will become known by it.  It is time that evil is extinguished from the land.  This will be accomplished by your hand.”

“My forefathers? What do you mean?” Andy interrupted.  The message paused.

“Your ancestors are from the Land of Oomaldee.”

Really?  Andy thought.

“It is not I who gives Methuselah, but One far greater.  It is given and taken as the times require,” the message continued.  “You have been appointed to wield it for such a time as this.”

But I’ll screw this up. I know I will, just like I did when I almost tore the castle down. Whatever kind of evil this message is talking about sounds really bad.  There’s no way I can do this, even with this sword, Andy whined.

“Stop!” Andy’s inneru interrupted. 

Andy sat up, startled.

The message continued, “Take courage.  You do not yet see your own abilities because you have never been tested.  You have never demonstrated to yourself or anyone all that you can do.  Put your fears aside and trust that you can succeed in the challenges that lie ahead.”  The message completed and the sphere disappeared, once again, giving no indication who had sent it.

“This is not about you,” reminded the inneru. 

I know…  thought Andy.  It’s about all the people in the Land of Oomaldee.  It is about the King, Mermin, Alden, Marta, Hans and everyone I’ve come to love here.

“You don’t usually think about others first,” continued his inneru.

          Maybe this is my chance to change that, Andy thought.

 

BOOK TRAILER:

 http://youtu.be/o4hNYvvXi70

Overall Thoughts:

The story plot is simple and easy to follow. There are also lessons readers will learn as they venture with Andy and his friend Alden as they try to find a red dragon scale, easily said than done. The book is a traditional fantasy for middle grade readers. The subject matter is age appropriate and enjoyable. For advance readers, they may find the story a bit slow at times, but if they enjoyed Leven Thumbs then they will ultimately like this book series as well. There is a lot of information shared to help explain situations and story plot, but overall I found it a fun weekend read.

About the Author:  

Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a book. Fortunately or unfortunately, she required of herself that she have something significant to say; she sought to contribute to others in a way that could change their lives. Because a degree in Accounting at Cedarville University, as well as work in public and corporate accounting, did not provide riveting fodder for a best seller, she waited. Upon selling her business in early 2012, she had time to write and, more importantly, something significant to share.

L. R. W. Lee’s favorite musical is The Sound of Music. She hates scary movies, but loves piano and strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French press coffee (yes, decaf!). She also loves Ansel Adams prints and all manner of kinetic art. 

~You can find out more about L.R.W. Lee, her middle grade fantasy adventure series and her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/bnfe6ax


~To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.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.

Two Big Thumbs Up for Trisha Slay's New Book

Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away
by Trisha Slay

Trisha’s website: http://trishaslay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrishaSlayAuthor
Twitter: @SlaytheWriter Twitter hashtag: #NSLASlayPaperback: 316 pages
Publisher: Deeds Publishing (May 21, 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-1-937565-58-9
Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away is available as a print and e-book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto (originally published for Bring On Lemons Blog

 

 

 

I don’t remember watching Star Wars and I was born two months after it was released in theaters, but novelist Trisha Slay made me feel as if I had been there in the theater taking in each frame of the film. Slay’s novel, Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away was so well written that I imagined myself a troubled teenager, coming of age and being transformed during the summer months of 1977.

Erika (the lead character) is the reason I loved this book, because she is every teenager girl; awkward in her own skin and unsure of herself. Not only does she struggle for acceptance, but struggles will self-doubt. Erika doesn’t see what the rest of the town sees which makes her character so real.

Erika had been the chunky side-kick to her teen beauty queen best friend, Cassie. When Cassandra disappeared, all the attention moved to Erika who had been plotting Cassie’s escape. Each question made Erika question whether she had really known Cassie at all. Erika even had her own doubts; she wondered if Cassie had arrived safely in Hollywood to live out her dream.

The summer was dragging on for Erika, with no word from Cassie. Erika would write letters to her friend. Letters she never intended to mail, but letters that helped her feel less alone, less like an outcast. Erika felt totally misunderstood and completely alone – that was until Star Wars was released. The movie and her summer cleaning at the Bixby Theater made all the difference in the world to Erika.

Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away is filled with interesting characters and even though the majority of the novel takes place at the Bixby Theater, Slay paints a lovely picture of the world surrounding Erika. The Bixby may be crumbling, but it is a lovely historical theater filled with plenty of rooms to explore.

Sonny and Jeff are fascinating characters, but the most intriguing character in the book may be the missing teenage beauty queen Cassie. I couldn’t decide if I loved her, felt sorry for her, or hated the way she seemed to leave her supposed best friend in her shadow.

Even though the story took place before I was born, you get the idea that parts of it happen every day in schools across the nation.

If you want to find out how Erika’s life was transformed, you’ll have to read Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away for yourself. I’m hoping Slay is working on a sequel because I can’t get enough of these characters and I want to know what happens next. I would definitely recommend this book to others; I give it two thumbs up!

Submitted by:
Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
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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.

Reader Loves the Pinata-Maker's Daughter

The Pinata-Maker's Daughter
Author: Eileen Clemens Granfors
Author's Web site: htttp://www.eileengranfors.blogspot.com
Genre: Women's fiction/late YA
ISBN: 1456341219 (paperback)
5 Stars

Reviewed by Maplesyrup, a reader, originally for Amazon

I loved reading "The Pinata-Maker's Daughter" because it is about families. It is about the family of Carmen and her mother, Lucia. They are the main family since Lucia is the Pinata-Maker. Her daughter Carmen thinks she is so smart and modern and goes off to college pretty much ashamed of her hometown (San Ysidro, CA) and her mother and her old friends. She has her head in the clouds. So Carmen has a lot to learn about life that is not taught in any classroom.

She meets two young men. The one is Hispanic like her, and he tries to keep her focused on handling classes and handling work and handling her heritage. He's very serious all the time, but I could tell he was like Carmen in trying to fulfill a dream. He wants Carmen to become a voice and a role model.

The other young man is a goof off. His name is Joe. He is a fraternity guy, and most of his time is spent looking for pretty girls or practicing his sport. The thing is, even though he doesn't know much about Carmen's heritage, he connects with her by just making her laugh and not be so serious. His family, at least his mother, shows Carmen a whole new side of life.

Carmen's roommate and her roommate's friend also push her in new directions. Isn't that what college is for?

The ending of the book revealed a lot of secrets and surprised me and made me cry. I want to read more about Carmen. She's very funny even when she doesn't mean to be. One of the best things about this book is the way that the author shows young people learning that life isn't just a bowl of cherries, and it's not a pinata-party either!

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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.

No Predictable Plot in this Sexy Book

A Glittering Chaos

Author: Lisa de Nikolits
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 192670892X
Author's Web site: www.lisadenikolitswriter.com

Reviewed by Beth Tropp

A Glittering Chaos reaches out and grabs your attention with that old favorite: sex. But it quickly becomes clear that this book isn't about that. It is an exploration of many different types of relationships. Melusine, a German housewife, comes to Las Vegas on a business trip with her husband Hans. Turns out their relationship isn't what we (and Melusine) thought. Melusine falls into a one night stand with a fellow tourist. And that turns out to be more than it originally seems. All of the relationships in this book are fascinating and full of many facets, reflecting the real world. Because whose relationship is what it appears to be?

 

Too often, the plots of books are predictable. You can sort of see where you are headed. It doesn't ruin the book because you still get to enjoy the journey but, well...surprise is fun. A Glittering Chaos is one surprise after another. This plot is no straight line from Point A to Point B. The characters themselves are quite wild. Even Melusine, who starts out so conventional and familiar, transforms into someone you never would have guessed. If you want a summer read that will be memorable, something you can recommend to your friends that will stand apart from all the other books on the Summer Reading Lists, try A Glittering Chaos.

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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.

Clinical Psychologist Examines Inspirational Anthology

Title: Tales2Inspire
Subtitle: Beyond Coincidence

From (The Emerald Collection)

Authors: Lois W. Stern, Dr. Stan Cupery, Cmi Ann Hofstadter,, Erica Kosal Ph.D, Tina Chippas, Anne Knorr, James Osborne, Heidi DuPreee, donna Surface, Glenn Poveromo
Created and edited by Lois W. Stern
URL: www.tales2inspire.com
Genre: Non-fiction, inspirational

Blurb: Is there really such a thing as coincidence? Or could there be an unknown force, a higher order, taking charge? These are thoughts you are likely to question as you read this collection of inspiring stories of “six degrees of separation” true tales of happenings experienced by winning authors from across the globe. Tales2Inspire is an  “Authors Helping Authors” project/contest developed by Lois W. Stern, which provides talented writers with several excellent platform building opportunities - all for free.

Review from Karen Pirnot: Posted on Amazon.com

Do you believe there's a reason for everything? Do you think people come into our lives (and leave) for a reason? Well, if so, this book is an inspiration for you all!

Come inside and meet those who have faced life squarely and are here to share their stories - stories filled with messages of hope and inspiration. You will meet a skilled physician, unable to revive a nearly frozen newborn baby girl, who discovers a lifesaving solution during a moment of prayer. You will read about two elephants, so deeply bonded in their early years together, who display beyond human emotion when unexpectedly reunited after a separation of over 22 years. Lastly, you will marvel at the story of an orphan adopted by a family who offers him a million-to-one chance of having a fulfilling life.

These are real life stories, sometimes gut-wrenching, but always leaving the reader with a sense of newness and unwavering belief in something greater than us all. No matter your formal belief system (or not), you just can't help but come away thinking there is so much in this universe totally outside of our control and yet, something there to offer a hand-up along the way.

The tales do inspire. They bring you to your knees and then, they lift you up again. Congratulations to Lois W. Stern for bringing together ordinary people with extraordinary tales. The writers are not celebrities found in the tabloids. Rather, they are the common people who, when adversity strikes, are there to comfort and to facilitate healing.

Reviewer Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot is a Clinical Psychologist/Author, As I Am and Just a Common Lady

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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.

Author Praises New Memoir by Wooden Supporter

Wooden & Me
by Woody Woodburn
Author's Web site:

http://www.WoodyWoodburn.com

Genre: Memoir

Reviewer: Ken McAlpine

John Robert Wooden was teacher, mentor and friend to many, but few have gotten to the heart of Wooden (and, with Wooden, it’s the heart that matters) like Woody Woodburn. Woodburn’s Wooden & Me is a marriage made in writing heaven. Two men cut from the same mid-Western cloth -- woven with integrity, honesty and a need to do for others – Woodburn, a national award-winning columnist, and UCLA coaching legend Wooden forged a special bond, and a friendship that lasted over 20 years.

Woodburn first met Wooden as a youth basketball camper in 1975 and the magic begins here. But this is not a book about basketball. Wooden’s gift was to see the bigger picture, and Woodburn possesses the same gift. The end result is a book that moves and motivates and makes you care about the not-so-simple values that make this world a better place.

John Wooden’s sporting accomplishments were almost beyond belief. His won-loss record, his NCAA championship wins, we could list the numbers here, but Coach made little of these accomplishments. “What was the biggest highlight of your career?” he was once asked. “When Nellie married me,” he said. This was a man, writes Woodburn aptly, of “rare grace.” Rare grace also sums Woodburn’s prose. Wooden was larger than life because he didn’t try to be; Woodburn writes a lovely book because he has a simple, unselfish aim. “Coach helped shape my life, and grandly,” writes Woodburn. “My friendship/mentorship with him was a precious gift, one that came wrapped with a bow of responsibility to share with others the life lessons he shared with me… the best I can strive for is to pay forward in some small measure by sharing his wisdom with others…”  

That Woodburn knew Wooden doesn’t distinguish him from hundreds of others: what distinguishes Woodburn is he cares about people and good things and Wooden knew this and so the two became real friends (Woodburn has a stack of letters from Coach that he keeps in a fireproof safe along with other pen-and-paper family heirlooms). Because they were real friends, Wooden & Me touches every chamber of the heart. At times the book is funny and upbeat, at times, poignant and bittersweet. Woodburn often got through his own difficult times with help, actual and inspired, from Coach, and Woodburn returned the favor. Together they raised friendship to an art.     

The value of friendship, honesty, integrity and hard work, these are things that always merit reminding. Woodburn turns the lessons he learned from Wooden into lessons we can all use. “Remember, Woody,” Coach told him more than once, “good things take time – and good things should take time. Usually a lot of time.” 

This book is a very a good thing. 

Pre-order your copy of Wooden & Me today at http://www.woodywoodburn.com/

Author Bio

 

Woody Woodburn is a national award-winning sports columnist and currently a general interest essayist with The Ventura County Star. National recognition for Woodburn's writing includes First Place for Column Writing by the Associated Press News Executive Council; E.W. Scripps Newspapers “Columnist of the Year”; Copley News Service’s “Columnist of the Year”; and the James S. Copley “Ring of Truth” award. Woodburn's work has also appeared in The Best American Sports Writing anthology, The Sporting News, and The Los Angeles Times Op-Ed pages. In 2004 he co-authored Raising Your Child To Be A Champion In Athletics, Arts and Academics with nationally renowned speaker and coach Wayne Bryan.

 

Inspired by Coach John Wooden’s philanthropic spirit, Woodburn, 53, has held an annual Holiday Ball Drive that has collected and donated more than 6,000 sports balls to disadvantaged youth since 2001.

About the Reviewer:

 

Ken McAlpine is the author of the novels Together We

 

Jump and FOG and the nonfiction books Off Season: Discover America

 

on Winter’s Shore and Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization.

 

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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.