The New Book Review

Thursday, May 8, 2014

David M. Barker Pens Nonfiction Book on Religion and Science

Title: Science and Religion: Reconciling the ConflictsAuthor: David M. Barker
Author's website: www.davidmckaybarker.com
Genre: Non-fiction (religion and science)
ISBN: 9781625103796

Originally published: Amazon.com

Reviewed by Ted Cox originally for Amazon

Review:
Best read for me so far regarding the apparent conflicts between scriptural stories and science - terrific book! I consider myself "well read" when it comes to books trying to reconcile religion and science -- this is the best one I have read by far. Well documented and researched, the author clearly explains how "apparent" differences between science and the stories of the Bible can be reconciled by understanding well documented research and theories that demonstrate how the scriptural accounts can also be supported by scientific application. I never realized how many theories regarding geology, carbon dating, archaeology and so forth that are accepted by the scientific community and the general public as "undeniable truth" are in fact based on assumptions that have yet to be proved. I recommend you read this book and decide for yourself. You will find this book well written, enlightening and thought provoking.
Reviewer rating: ***** (5-stars)

Purchasing links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

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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.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Editor Review O'Callan's Third Book

Title – "Other People"

Author – Kelly O’Callan
Author's website link - http://www.facebook.com/kelly.ocallan?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Publisher: Kelly O'Callan; First edition (April 11, 2014)
Genre or category - Contemporary Fiction
ISBN-10: 1496095537
ISBN-13: 978-1496095534
Links to purchase

Reviewer: Nina Meditz, Editor

I am Nina Meditz, editor and friend of the author, Kelly O'Callan. Her first and second books, "Breaking Limbo” and “The Cardholder,” were published just a few months ago. Both books are doing very well and getting great reviews from readers on Amazon and Good Reads. Now, Kelly has just released her third novel, “Other People,” which promises to be just as successful as the others. As the editor, I have had to read “Other People” several times in the process of getting it ready for publication. I can honestly say that I never tire of the story and characters and find I get more out of the book with each reading. Kelly’s captivating writing style holds a reader’s interest and leaves them wanting more.

Other People is about a young woman, named Ginny Hughes, who suffers from a mental condition called borderline personality disorder. She desperately tries to fit in with "other people,' but her disorder prevents this from happening. Her fragile mental state leaves her very vulnerable, afraid and insecure in the world. She is easily hurt and driven to suicidal thoughts. Through her interaction with her neighbors, Vance, Nina and Jim we get a an in depth look at Ginny's daily internal, chaotic dialogue and her struggle. The characters are well developed and the story is full of the unexpected twists and turns typical of Kelly's work.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly’s love affair with novel writing began with an English class in college, when she penned her first contemporary fiction novel, “Other People”. Shortly afterwards, she wrote the suspense-filled psychological thriller, “The Cardholder”. Feeling she had a wonderful gift to share – storytelling fused with fruitful life lessons for mankind- she became a member of the Bucks County Writers Room and attended several Philadelphia Writers Conferences.

Kelly’s pursuit of publication was put on hold when she suffered two disabling car accidents in less than a year, requiring over twenty surgeries within a six year period. In the meantime, she married and is raising two boys in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. After a ten year hiatus, she published her first book, “Breaking Limbo”, a paranormal psychological thriller, in September, 2013 and her second book, The Cardholder, a psychological suspense thriller, in November, 2013. Her third book, Other People, is now available for sale on Amazon.

You can read my review of Kelly's first novel, "Breaking Limbo" at http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/09/editor-is-fan-and-reviewer-for-new.html and my review of her second novel, "The Cardholder" at http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/11/editor-reviews-authors-second-suspense.html

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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.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

New Mystery at Right Price!

Title: Dismantling Vindictiveness

Author: Lillian R. Melendez

ASIN: B00FUB0A8Q

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Format, page count: e-book, 164 Pages

Genre: Mystery

Release date: 2013, Price: $3.99

Reviewed by Patricia K. Batta originally for Amazon

Christopher has made many enemies in his life, and one of them owns a competing architectural firm that is in financial trouble. Oscar lets Christopher buy a half share of his firm because he can see no other way out of his difficulties, but everyone warns him that Christopher will only hurt him again.

Then, as things start improving in Oscar’s firm, they start going wrong in Christopher’s; someone is tampering with the retirement funds. The financial troubles are followed by a hit-and-run murder and then other attacks on people close to Christopher. While dealing with these things and being confronted with people who resent his past actions and suspect he may be causing the new problems himself, he struggles to keep his heart condition hidden and under control.

The steps that Christopher takes to try and right the wrongs he has done in the past make all the difference. Some of the people who had the most reason to hate him end up being the ones who help bring the culprit to justice.

Settle yourself down for a nice afternoon read with this short novel. The twists and turns will keep you involved. You may guess who the bad guy is, but the ending will be a complete surprise.

MOE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

PJ Nunn
Author of Angel Killer
www.pjnunn.com
http://breakthroughpromotions.net
http://bookbrowsing.wordpress.com

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Quick Little Mother's Day Gift--Electronic or Paper

Deeper Into the Pond
By Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Genre: Poetry chapbook/women/Women'sDay/feminism/Mother's Day
ISBN: 9781461159384
Publisher: The Compulsive Reader
Available on Amazon Kindle and Amazon (as paperback)
$6.95

From Gilda Evans' blog Girl Talk

I am honored to have as a guest on my blog the very talented Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Her books have earned her multiple awards, including the Best Book Award from USA Book News, the Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts from the city of Glendale and Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment from the California State Legislature. She imparts her wisdom in many formats – I am pleased to present one of her poems from her collection titled “Deeper in the Pond: A Celebration of Femininity.”

Enjoy the reflections and humor of my esteemed guest, Carolyn!

Breakthrough for a Sexagenarian
In my Tangee years, Seventeen advised I apply makeup
with an upward motion, toil fingers from chin
to cheekbone. We likely didn’t know the word collagen.

Gravity
we had known since Newton. That it would work
its weighty purpose on me, well, no one bothered
to tell me . . .

I, about 30, surprised that an elder-friend
had not shampooed for a week. Another friend
elbows my ribs, gives me a look.
Later says (hushed at the secret), Didn’t you know
that old peoples’ scalps dry up. No, no one ever bothered to tell me . . .

That was scalps. This is jowls. Now on the origami
packet in my Estée Lauder box of rejuvenating cream,
the same directional arrows Seventeen espoused,
(much too late for the anti part of anti-aging cream)
fingers massaging up, up to keep time
in its place.

I’m told fingers are more sensitive than other body
parts, still doubt magic fingerlifts vanish crows’ feet, wonder, though, if they could—would—work on drying labial petals.
No one ever said that, but I’ve learned if I don’t figure
it out for myself, no one will ever
tell me.

In my acne days, lotions pooled in oily
patches I cottoned away.

In the Pond’s Cold Cream
decade when, to combat drying affects,
I left grease shiny—thick enough to slick
my pillow cases.

There a hint.

That and fallen leaves skittering across my lawn,
so dry they sing a song before they crumble into sand. Very nearly too late to do much with this new-found wisdom—this trifle: If there is something I need to know (but really don’t want to know), no one can tell me
one damn thing.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Deeper in the Pond” is available on Amazon at http://budurl.com/DeeperPond

Carolyn can be reached at -
The Frugal Book Promoter: http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo
/ Web site: http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
/ E-mail: CarolynHowardJ@AOL.com
/ Facebook: http://Facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson
/ Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FrugalBookPromo
/ Pinterest: http://Pinterest.com/chowardjohnson

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

A Rare Note on Reviews from the Blogger

I am your The New Book Review blogger and thought I'd weigh in on the state of reviews these days. I hope it will benefit both authors and readers.

Recently someone on one of the forums I frequent expressed the idea that readers are impressed by any review--good or bad. I responded to the audience of writers, but it behooves readers to understand the review process better, too. Just like advertising, reviews can be manipulated to put them in the best light. A note here to readers: If you decide to write a review of a book, be fair. Try to temper a critical review with constructive criticism and a rave review with, yes, constructive criticism.

Anyway, here's what I told authors about the state of review in this Internetted world:

I've seen some authors weigh in on positive reviews with negative comments because they're sure the reviewer has an agenda (And that's a really stupid approach to marketing, if I do say so). I've also seen them dispute negative reviews and that isn't a much better tactic in terms of public relations.

I’ve also seen them pay for reviews, apparently unaware that librarians and bookstore buyers don't give either paid-for review or Amazon reviews much—if any--weight. They may also be unaware that there are other ways to get reviews. Namely by asking their readers for them. Or asking bloggers for them. Or using alternative online review sites like this one where you’ll find guidelines for submission in the left column).

That said, we all need good reviews and we can even make the bad ones work for us. We should keep the gems in any review to use in media kits, on our Web sites, etc. Yes, even negative reviews can sometimes be excerpted to find little jewel soundbites.

And as long as we're on the subject, I've heard that a good review on Amazon can up sales by 10%. I don't remember the source. I suspect that reviews also help with Amazon's logarithms and whatever formula Amazon uses takes hold, they start sending out your book in their mass e-mails for suggested reading--obviously a very targeted advertising campaign we should all aim to be part of.

I also encourage authors to post reviews of others’ books on Amazon. It’s a lovely gift for a fellow writer in 2014.

Here’s a real upside to reviews. Since they have (mostly) moved from the pages of literary journals into the hands of amateur reviewers (meaning—sadly—readers!), we authors have more power over getting reviews for our books. We also can more easily determine how effectively good reviews can be used. There is always a risk factor with reviews, but even ones we might consider bad can be learning tools.

One technique I like is picking up little positive soundbites from a review. Say even a bad reviewer says the characters are dazzling. The author can then quote that one little tidbit in their media kit, their newsletter, their Website. It would look like this:

"...dazzling..." ~ Kirkus Review

The ads for movies do this all the time. You can, too.

So have at making the most of reviews. Just don’t pay for them.

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From your New Book Review blogger. Learn more about the review process in the Writers Resource section of my HowToDoItFrugally Web site, http://howtodoitfrugally.com/reviews_and_review_journals.htm.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Poet J. R. McRae Urges Celebration of Earth Day with Poetry

Sublime Planet: Celebrating Earth Day and the Universe
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball
ISBN 9781482054705
Publisher: Compulsive Reader
Available as paperback or for e-readers on Amazon
"I recommend Sublime Planet particularly to those individuals who reside on this planet." ~ Suzanne Lummis, UCLA poetry instructor

Reviewed by J. R. McRae

SUBLIME PLANET, includes a section called Sacred Lessons, Poems by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and one called Tipping Point with poems by Magdalena Ball .

Two very different poets, very different styles of writing, have produced a collection united by their passion for environment, for the world that touches their skin and imbues them with its presence with every breath they take.

This collection, is their tribute to their world, both physical and mental, our world.

It is replete with flashes of insight,

forcing myself to see
all these stories
left to grow
viral in rubbish

[from Toxic by Magdalena]

memorable lines that linger in the soul.

Writing in my sleep, metaphors that sit on the bridge
of my nose.

[from My Favorite Things by Carolyn]

The collection is sprinkled liberally with stunning images that catch and hold the eye –

Van Gogh brushed sea

marked with freighters,
lights twinkling.
smudged parentheses afar,
looming presences up close.

[From Malacca Strait by Carolyn]

grain of sand in your speculation oyster

truth taken for granted

[From Walking Into Eternity by Magdalena]

Acerbic or more subtly needling, comments, hit home –

Forgotten history meets trashtree

another landfill specimen
pink, fragrant, invasive
easing pangs

you wear like designer clothes.

[From Trashtree by Magdalena]

He unaware
he is endangered,
I unaware he might
be dangerous.

[From The Giraffe by Carolyn]

This is a collection to be savoured in quiet moments, in those reflective times with wine or coffee in a comfy couch.

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ABOUT THE REVIEWER

J.R.McRae once worked in a circus, as a Rare-Books Librarian, as a book-reviewer, as assessment package writer and Associate Lecturer, English Expression, for international postgraduates, University of Queensland. Her short stories and award winning poetry are in anthologies and journals, like Basics of Life, 100 Stories for Queensland, Stories for Sendai, The Spirit of Poe, Trust and Treachery, Poe-it, Quadrant, Long and Winding Road, Bound by the Secrets We Hide, Antipodes, Social Alternatives. Her Artwork/photography features in Ripples, ABC Pool, The Mozzie and Vine Leaves. As awarded children’s/education writer, J.R.Poulter, she has thirteen books, eleven digital and more coming 2013/14/15. Websites: http://www.jrmcrae_subversive.weebly.com,

http://www.jenniferrpoulter.weebly.com/

Friday, April 18, 2014

Nina Amir and Writer's Digest Pair for Must-Have Reference for Writers

The Author Training Manual:

SUBTITLE: Develop Marketable Ideas, Craft Books That Sell,
Become the Author Publishers Want, and Self-Publish Effectively
By Nina Amir
Foreword by James Scott BellAuthors Website: www.ninaamir.com
Category: Authorship
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (March 18, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599631458
ISBN-13: 978-1599631455
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

By Brian Felsen, President, BookBaby www.bookbaby.com

Among the myriad of books written about the business of writing and publishing, Nina Amir's The Author Training Manual is the first I've seen which combines all of the elements necessary to learn how to be an actual (rather than "aspiring") writer. What makes this book special is its focus on how authors can view themselves and their art from a third person perspective to evaluate why someone might want to purchase or publish a book. She recommends an analysis of the true size and demographics of a book's potential market, and she shows how to take the point of view of readers and publishers to assess how well a book's purpose matches the needs of its prospective audience. With this foundation in place, the reader can begin an examination of how to sharpen a book's focus; how to structure a work so the content will match the excitement of the description; and how to write a proposal and build a platform. The Author Training Manual presents a complete package which, if followed, will serve writers well with their professional careers and with their craft.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nina Amir 
Inspiration-to-Creation Coach
With Nina you... Achieve More Inspired Results
www.ninaamir.com

 
Author of these books for writers:
How to Blog a Book, 
How to Write, Publish and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time 
(Writer's Digest Books)
The Author Training Manual: 
Develop Marketable Ideas, Craft Books That Sell, 
Become the Author Publishers Want, and Self-Publish Effectively 
(Writer's Digest Books)
10 Day and 10 Ways to Return to Your Best Self 
(Pure Spirit Creations)

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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.

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