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, April 10, 2015

Spicy Reads Loves Contemporary Romance

Title: One to Save
Author: Tia Louise
Author's Web site link: http://www.AuthorTiaLouise.com
Genre or category: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1508738503
Reviewer's rating: 5 Stars
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTSA
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/OTSi
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/OTSG
Nook: http://smarturl.it/OTSN
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/OTSK
ARe: http://smarturl.it/OTSAR
Paperbacks on
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/OTSAp
CreateSpace: http://smarturl.it/OTSC    

Reviewed by  Shayna Renee originally for her Spicy Reads blog

ONE TO SAVE was a sizzling, suspenseful romance that took me to another place. I completely lost myself in this book! Derek and Melissa are characters that stuck with me from the beginning and embedded themselves in my heart. I felt the complete and undeniable love they they feel towards each other, and I felt the utter gut wrenching heartache that they went through in this book. I absolutely LOVE each installment of the ONE TO HOLD series, but this book, this incredible book, left me a blubbering mess and pulled emotions out of me left and right. Tia Louise is a genius at setting the scene, giving her readers a vivid, beautiful depiction of all that is going on, transporting us to this lovely world with ease. Tia Louise fans will fall in love with the latest ONE TO HOLD novel! 

And ladies...get ready to SWOON your panties off, because DEREK ALEXANDER is BACK!

Derek and Melissa have come so far. But secrets, lies, and deceptions prevent them from having the happily ever after they both deserve. Melissa knows what it's like to be in a relationship full of lies, and she WILL NOT go through that again. When Melissa pushes Derek away, he is devastated and broken. He knows he was in the wrong, protecting her but not communicating with her. He is determined to make things right. He will stop at nothing to see her smile once again. But what if it's too late? Fool me once and all that. 

ONE TO SAVE was one helluva page-turner. Steamy, action packed, and heartwarming, I can never get enough of this series. A story about finding your light in the darkness and never letting it go, Derek and Melissa's love story will be one to remember, one to cherish, and one to learn from. I know this was the happily ever after I always wanted for these two, but I hope that it isn't the last we hear from them. #DerekAndMelissaForever

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tia Louise is the author of sexy books with a twist.
* * *  One to Hold   * * *  One to Keep  * * *  One to Protect  * * * One to Love  * * *  One to Leave * * * One to Save

 




 
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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, April 7, 2015

Tales2Inspire ~ The Topaz Collection (Personal Awakenings stories)

TALES2INSPIRE ~ THE TOPAZ COLLECTION

        Stories of Personal Awakenings




 
Title: Tales2Inspire ~ The Topaz Collection

Subtitle: Personal Awakenings

Publisher: Lois W. Stern for Tales2Inspire®

Authors: Lois W. Stern plus the following contest winning authors: Charles Musgrave Ph.D.,Luke Potter, Susan C. Haley, Cecile Bell, Melissa Dallago, Charlotte Snead, Melanie Sue Bowles, Micki Peluso, Jessica Marie, Ian Schagen, Ph.D. ,

Karen Pirnot, Ph.D. , Adrienne Drake, M.D.


Genre: Anthology of inspiring true stories

ISBN-13: 978-1492252054
ISBN-10: 1492252050
ASIN: B00GNL1W5C

Page count: 123
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REVIEWS 

5

Gems of Inspiration,
       I find it inconceivable that any title other than Tales2Inspire could possibly be assigned to Lois Stern’s Topaz Collection. Lois‘ compilation of inspiring stories is a powerful and touching tribute to the inherent qualities of compassion and strength of the human spirit. Each story touches the reader’s emotions and offers inspiration in a different, yet similar way. From the journey of Gabriel Cordell in Roll of a Lifetime, to the adventurous spirit of Luke Potter and his family in New Life in the Country, to the deep compassion and understanding of Dr. Pirnot in As I Am, the human spirit is highlighted and will move your soul in a very deep and powerful way. In a world that is seemingly dominated by the prominence of the media’s negative “News,” Tales2Inspire is a refreshing tribute to the kind and compassionate deeds that exist everywhere in our global society. I highly recommend the Topaz Collection to anyone seeking to witness the human spirit at its best.
Glenn Poveromo, Award winner speaker and Author of: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, Learn to Live Your Best Life Possible and Simple thoughts About Life and Living

Tales2Inspire by Lois W. Stern is a collection of 13 non-fiction short inspirational stories. Though my goal with the book was entertainment many of the stories teach powerful lessons that can only be taught through the prospective of someone living a very different life than mine.
There were lines that stopped me in my tracks. For instance, a high achieving diabetic high school admonishing his over-protective mother with, "Mom, do you own this disease or do I?" Another was an adopted girls realization about true happiness. Or, the incredible bond between a Dr. and her 7- year quadriplegic patient.
Many stories seek to teach us about the power of the mind, but this story may be the best illustration I've read. The first exchange between Dr. and patient was the child saying he had a "really bad tummy ache." The Dr. took that as a "clue to the healing of the soul because he could feel nothing below his neck." Then she induces him into a state of hypnosis and an amazing story begins and brings an enjoyable and enlightening book to an end.
John Graden 
Author of Near Death Experiences-Doctors and Scientists Go On The Record About God, Heaven, and the Afterlife

This book would be a wonderful gift for a friend who just might need a ...
Lois Stern has created a true gift with her Tales2Inspire anthology collection. I am proud to be a published author in the Topaz Collection of this series. The Topaz Collection is filled with heartwarming stories of personnel transformation, as daily events subtly and consistently reveal to each author new aspects of living a more full and rewarding life. The depth of the messages in each story is in contrast to the simplicity of the tales. This makes one realize that these gentle moments of awakening are available not only to the lucky few; they are available to all, especially to those who look, and, with the help of these insightful stories, see with newly opened eyes. This book would be a wonderful gift for a friend who just might need a little inspiration. There is plenty of that here for everyone!!
byAdrienne A. Drake, M.D.

Collection of the best entertaining, Inspirational short stories
Lois W. Stern, creator of "The Topaz Collection," one of the books in a series of inspirational books in the "Tales2Inspire" series, presents stories that teach, charm and warm the heart. Each story is unique yet shares a bond of uplifting and gratifying life experiences told through the words of writers like Susan C. Haley. She brings a large baby calf into the world when its mother runs into life-threatening problems trying to deliver it. The bond between Haley and and the surviving calf prevails as he grows to become a 2000 pound white bull.
Author Lois W. Stern relates how she overcame her fear of public speaking when she was a shy first grade student, by standing in front of her classmates and amusing them with an account of how she found an opossum in her garage. Their response, so excited and intrigued, gave Lois a life lesson that would bring her success later in her endeavors.
Writer Karen Pirnot, PHD, in her story, shows how she helps a quadriplegic young boy to learn to use his mental imagery to 'touch and feel' things that he can't in reality. Garret grows up to lead a fuller life due to this practice and becomes a role model for others in his situation. These are just three of thirteen exceptional works.
"Tales2Inspire" and "The Topaz Collection" has inspired new and seasoned writers to achieve success while improving their innate skills and then sharing their award winning stories; reflecting the miracles of life happening all around us. This is a book to be read and reread, learning something new each time.
Those enjoying these fascinating and sometimes humorous tales will want to move on to read other accounts of the strength and faith of ordinary and extraordinary people, in "The Emerald Collection" and in the upcoming "Sapphire" and "Ruby" collections. Each book is named for a specific gem because each story is a sparkling jewel to be read and treasured.
Micki Peluso, journalist and author of . . . And the Whippoorwill Sang

This story tells of the love of family and commitment to a couple's dreams and ...
The Topaz Collection is filled with stories that are heartwarming and inspiring. Dan, the trumpet player who battles serious medical issues ends up in a coma, on hospice care. While still unconscious he started to move his fingers up and down as we would if he was playing the trumpet and shortly after he woke up from his coma. He regained his strength and a few months later was discharged from Hospice Care. He continued to improve with the help of the loving care of his wife of many years. Another heartwarming story is of the family that moves to the Australian countryside from suburbia, with no more than a tin caravan and a shack to call home. This story tells of the love of family and commitment to a couple's dreams and how these helped them meet the many challenges facing them as they moved back to the country. This book is filled with stories in which a person realizes something that can affect their life or achieves a goal that often seems insurmountable. I think the Tales2Inspire are interesting in many different ways and encourage readers to try one. You will most likely want to get another one soon after.
by an Amazon Customer

A Treasure Chest of Possibilities
The Topaz is the birthstone gem that symbolizes energy and truth seeking.
All thirteen inspirational tales in The Topaz Collection add a distinctive and clarifying facet to this gem of a book.
Charles Musgrave's "And the Music Plays On", teaches a lesson to even the most cynical of us that 'modern day miracles' indeed occur. This story gives a message of hope, despite many obstacles, and demonstrates the power of our inner strength and determination.
In "Proof of Life", Melissa Dallago explains how death taught her about life. This story is an inspiration to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. It is relatable, thought provoking and tender from start to finish.
This is a timeless book for all ages - the perfect gift for the reader in your life who needs an infusion of possibilities, positive energy and hope.
Maria Couchara- Jordan, MSN, RN
Author of 'Kylie's Blossoms'; Nurse Instructor

Tales2Inspire ~ The Topaz Collection: Awakenings & Aha Moments
Each story in this book is a winner from the annual Tales2Inspire international competition, anonymously selected by a jury of accomplished authors. You will read a 'baker's dozen' amazing stories, including stories about a man who rolls across America in his non-motorized wheelchair, a new horse owner tho learns how to communicate with her recalcitrant horse while observing other horses in pasture, a trumpet that literally saves the life of one musician . . .
This is just a sampling of the thirteen inspiring stories you will find within the pages of this book.

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POPULAR LINKS





BUY HERE


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MORE ABOUT THIIS AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

Lois is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in many varied venues. She has now published ten Tales2Inspire® treasured anthologies of her contest winners' stories. Fans of Chicken Soup for the Soul are particularly enamored of Tales2Inspire® books, because aside from their inspirational themes, they are filled with original photos to enhance the power of each story. Lois invites interested readers to get a FREE Tales2Inspire® sampler book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts and to learn more about entering the next Tales2Inspire contest at: tales2inspire.com/contest. Guess what? It’s free - No entrance fees!

Visit Lois at these Media Marketing sites to learn more about her and her Tales2Inspire® Authors Helping Authors project/contest at: 

Website: http://www.tales2Inspire.com 


Spend some media marketing time with Lois at: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tales2inspire2


Marie Lavender's Writing in the Modern Age: What Does 'Inspiring' Mean to You? by Lois W. Ster...

Marie Lavender's Writing in the Modern Age: What Does 'Inspiring' Mean to You? by Lois W. Ster...: What Does 'Inspiring' Mean to You? by Lois W. Stern Recently I received a question from one viewer asking, What do you mean...

----- 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.

Morgan St. James Reviews Her Oft-Referenced Book on Book Promotion

The Frugal Book Promoter:
Subtitle: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or partnering with your publisher
(Second Edition)
From the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers
First Edition Awards: Winner USA Book News, coveted Irwin Award
Award for Second Edition: USA Book News winner, silver medal from Military Writers Society of America, e-book honored by Global Ebook Awards
ISBN: 9781463743291
To order paperback or e-book: http://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromo 
Five or five stars
 
IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE THIS BOOK, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GET IT

By Morgan St James "MYSTERY LOVER" (California) originally for Amazon.

This review is from: The Frugal Book Promoter: Second Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher. (How to Do It Frugally) (Paperback)

Carolyn Howard-Johnson should be called the "Guru of Frugal Promotion." Her ideas, suggestions and references are absolutely spot-on. I've been referring to this book for promotion of my books ever since I got it. With my 11th book. "La Bella Mafia" due to come out, once again I thumbed through it to find the most important things to put in the Media Kit because promotion for this book will be going to several major outlets in TV, radio and newspapers. You would think by Book #11, including my own book about writing, I'd have it down pat, but every time I refer to "The Frugal Book Promoter" I find new things that will save me money and make my books more visible.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Morgan St. James is the author of
Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction
La Bella Mafia

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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.

Monday, April 6, 2015

LA Now and Then Reviewer Hopes for Film


Title: The Necessary Bride
Author: Patsy Frost
Where to buy the book
Genre: Historical Romantic Women’s Fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1501069628

Publisher: Createspace

 
 

Reviewed by Marlan Warren. Originally published in her L.A. Now and Then blog 

  
“Can a lady like you watch livestock and people fall down and die of thirst in the desert, the flies swarming on the sun-bloated carcasses and smell the stench of ‘em after they bust open?”—Rape, forced marriage, death by childbirth and the repressive status of women in Early America take center stage in Patsy Frost’s historical romantic masterpiece, The Necessary Bride. As the saga draws to a close, its heroine proclaims that if she had not run away to seek her fortune in California, her life as a Maryland “lady” would have been “proper” and “dull” (in between those times when the vicious Baltimore males would not be treating her like chattel). Frost puts a fresh spin on a story about wagon train travel in the Old West by letting us view it through this adventurous young woman’s eyes—urging us to feel what she feels in her heart as she gradually builds a new life that is built on trust and mutual respect with a man who is not of her culture or race.


This painstakingly crafted tale brings the smells and tastes and emotions of that time into bold relief through meticulously detailed scenes of pioneer life. The author also deftly manages multiple points of view to provide character insights that keep even the villains from coming off as one-dimensional. 
 

Frost subtly alters reader perceptions by loosening the writing style from narration-heavy, archaic language to a looser, more contemporary tone when this bold young seeker finally reaches her destination and her destiny. Did the pioneers have oral sex? Read and find out!
 
Seamless lively action carries the story, making it a fun page turner. The last line portends a sequel. One can only hope there is one soon, and also a film.
 
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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.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

LA Reviewer Craves More in Contemporary Fiction Series

Title: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not Fair in Love or War]
Author: Marlan Warren
Where to buy (Kindle E-Book Only): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TYKV5ZG
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
ASIN: B00TYKV5ZG
Publisher: Roadmap Girl Publications
 
Reviewed by Barbara Tira originally for L.A. Now and Then blog
 
When I found "Roadmaps," I put down the best-seller-turned-movie I was reading at the time, so I could savor Ms. Warren's story until the very end. As a longtime Los Angeleno, I was immediately drawn back into the lifestyle, loves, and struggles in the expansive, diverse, and incomparable Los Angeles of 20 years ago, the likes of which is just a memory today. But whose emotions, challenges, and successes remain Universal.
 
This novel/memoir is for anyone who has ever known the epitome of joy and the profound depths of despair. For those who have loved passionately, and for those whose hearts have been trampled to shreds. For those who have found, or for those who are still seeking the strength and spirit to rise again.
 
I eagerly await the sequel!  I want more!!!!!

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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.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Amazon Reviewer Samara Calls Jukebox Astonishingly Good!


Title : Jukebox
Author : Saira Viola
Genre : Crime Satire Literary Fiction Contemporary
ISBN-13: 978-1508460053
ASIN: B00TISPEJ2
Available for Kindle
Author's Website


Reviewed by

originally for Amazon
 
It's been a long time since I picked up a book and was knocked off balance by a writer who is so talented that she takes your breath away. In the first few opening lines Viola punches you in the face with her unabashed and swaggering prose; this is a writer who is so fresh she feels like an adrenaline injection.

There is something exciting about her writing style, direct, fast and street style sassy! Jukebox gripped me from the very beginning; I loved every minute of reading about these people who in turn sicken me with their vile behaviours yet still manage to engage my imagination and delight me with voyeuristic pleasure.

The attention to detail is stunning; she has succeeded in making her all of her characters ridiculous yet real at the same time. The accuracy is not only with the way she dresses and describes them; it is present in their diction and turn of phrase.

Benjamin Zephaniah describes her as having a beautiful and twisted imagination; she is also a proficient story teller and like Zephaniah her writing is gritty, realistic and unafraid.

Now and again fiction comes along that is not just a book; it's a text, a little piece of history reflecting the society from which it was produced. Jukebox is about a city of players from all walks of life, self-obsessed, greedy and manipulative, a satirical viewpoint of our own selfish, social media obsessed society.

I can remember the first time I read Toni Morrison and Arundhati Roy, that feeling that you are in the presence of genius, a writer who is magnificently gifted and no matter how hard you tried you would never even come close to being able to write like this. I already know this is a book I will return to and read again.

Ultimately Viola has created a satire that is so bloody British you expect Vinnie Jones to appear in the pages, if it were a film it would be directed by Guy Ritchie and would be set to a John Murphy soundtrack.

Expect to hear good things about Saira Viola; Jukebox is a work that will be talked about, a contender for the Booker... Absolutely! Although I suspect with Saira Viola the best is yet to come.
 
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author's Website
 
 
 
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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.