The New Book Review

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Romantic Stories Perfect Gift

Letterbox Love Stories

Authors: Jenny Twist, Lindsay Townsend, Cara Marsi, Marie Laval, Gemma Juliana, Helena Fairfax, Denyse Bridger, Rose Anderson, and Lynn Crain.

Authors' Web site: http://worldromancewriters.blogspot.com.es/

Jenny Twist's Web site: https://sites.google.com/site/jennytwistauthor/home

Genre: Romance, anthology

ASIN: B01HJ41MKQ

Buy Link: myBook.to/LLS

Reviewed by Lynnette Sofras for Manic Scribbler

Since I was already familiar with some of the authors featured in this anthology, I knew I could look forward to an entertaining read when I received this book, and I’m glad to say I wasn’t wrong. It’s a diverse collection of stories ranging across genres, place and time and thematically linked by the arrival of a letter bringing unexpected news and adventures – what a great idea.

There are too many to mention in one review, so I’ll just select the three most memorable. Madeline Archer is a new author to me and her sweet historical fantasy ‘More than Wishes’ immediately transported me back to the childhood delights of first discovering the stories of the Arabian Nights. I found this story of sibling love and rivalry between twin Djin princes nothing short of enchanting.

Lindsay Townsend writes the most convincing and delightful historical fiction I’ve read in many years and her story set in mediaeval England, did not let me down. This author has an assured sense of time and place and creates highly believable characters with very real struggles. ‘Plain Harry’ is a compelling love story – faultless, different, and very satisfying.

Jenny Twist is one of my favourite modern authors, so I’m always eager to read anything new from her and ‘Minstrel Boy’ is one of the most powerfully evocative short stories I’ve read from her. It concerns an idealistic young soldier-musician who goes off to fight for Spain in the Civil War, and the rather wonderful, feisty Rosa – a young Spanish woman who saves his life and steals his heart. Beautifully told. I want to read Rosa’s story and hope Ms Twist decides to write it.

I could say much more about these stories. They all demonstrate a very high standard of craftsmanship and I defy any reader not to find something they will love in this collection. Each one is a substantial read, making the collection excellent value, and one I highly recommend.

ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

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, October 30, 2016

Author Reviews Author's New Book on Getting Reviews!

So, you know as blogger of The New Book Review, I occasionally publish reviews of my own books, but this time I'm leading you directly to the review because I don't want you to miss the chance to win an e-book copy of How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically from Dr. Bob Rich. he published both a review and an interview in his Bobbin’ Around newsletter (and lots of other places!)

He says,

“I hadn't heard from Carolyn for some months, and wrote her a "how are you" email. The result is both a review and an interview I posted at http://wp.me/p3Xihq-Nt.

“This was a real interview, although by email: I responded to each of her answers with a new question, rather than sending her a list of questions to answer. I think the result is entertaining, and useful to any writer. Have a read, leave a comment and let us know.

“One commenter won a free e-book copy of her How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically which you can learn about on Carolyn's site or http://bit.ly/HowToGetReviews on Amzaon at http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews.

"I am privileged to be the first person Carolyn shared the cover with. She wants to acknowledge the designer, http://desimonedesign.com/."

Bob
Dr Bob Rich
Web site: http://bobswriting.com
Bobbing Around newsletter: http://wp.me/P3Xihq-1
MY BEST BOOK: http://bobswriting.com/ascending.html

Commit random acts of kindness

Live simply so you may simply live

So, won't you make this your pass it forward for authors everywhere and the publishing world in general. Your good deed. And in Karma-like fashion, you'll be put in touch with Bob, his writing and the good he does for authors.

PS: How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically is now available on Amazon in paperback!

MORE ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW

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.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Children's Author: Definitely a Readers' Favorite!

A Turtle's Magical Adventure

by Wanda Luthman

www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com

Children's Chapter Book (ages 6-10)

ISBN 153083256X

Given a 5 star review (highest review available)

May purchase as e-book, audio, or paper on Amazon.

(Free on Kindle Unlimited or .99 ebook for a limited time)

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Turtle's Magical Adventure by Wanda Luthman is an adorable storybook for children with an excellent message; that of accepting their flaws and loving themselves, and turning their negatives into positives. Tad the turtle loves swimming, but he was curious to know why turtles are slow on land. He meets a few people who give him different responses, but he still wants to become fast. Steve the snake advises him to meet a wizard who lives deep in Timberwood Forest and Tad decides to listen to him. Will the wizard be able to guide Tad and make him faster on land? Or will Tad the turtle accept himself and be happy?

The story is whimsical and has good life lessons for children. The message of accepting oneself is encouraging for a lot of children, especially those who are unhappy with themselves. It's a good story for interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries and also makes a good bedtime storybook. The illustrations are vivid and lively, and they give a good pace and movement to the story. They succeed in making the scenes and characters tangible to young readers.

Children understand a concept, moral, and message with clarity when these are conveyed with the help of a story and illustrations. Tad the turtle and the rest of the characters in Timberwood Forest are magical and will enthrall young readers till the very end.

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/a-turtles-magical-adventure

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wanda Luthman is the author of The Lilac Princess, A Turtle's Magical Adventure, and Little Birdie Grows Up. She blogs at www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com.

Learn more about her here:

Twitter--@wandalu64

Facebook--www.facebook.com/wluthman

YouTube--www.youtube.com/c/WandaLuthman

Instagram--www.instagram.com/wandalu64

Google+--https://plus.google.com/+WandaLuthman

Goodreads--https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14469611.Wanda_Luthman

LinkedIn:--https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-luthman-37b836117

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Award-Winning Novel Given Midwest Book Review Nod

Title: SARA BAREFIELD

Author: Marian D. Schwartz

Gristmill Publishing, L.L.C.

GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

ISBNS: 978-0-9886076-7-5, 978-0-9886076-8-2

Purchase on Amazon

Reviewed by Paul Black originally for the Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice

The heroine of the novel named for her, Sara Barefield was born into a poor white Southern family. Ashamed of her family name and embarrassed by her poverty, she had two dreams when she was growing up: to go to college to become a teacher and to marry Tully Rutland. College was impossible financially, but making a life with Tully, the only man she ever loved, would have been a reality if he hadn't come back from Vietnam with PTSD. At the age of forty, she has accepted the loss of her dreams and is satisfied that she has at least lifted herself out of poverty with a nice apartment and a good job as a school secretary.

Tully commits suicide before Sara tells him that she's pregnant. Devastated, she realizes that her only choice is to move out of town if she wants to raise her baby without the interference of the Rutlands, who have never approved of her. She knows she'll need public assistance, but she believes it will only be temporary. She had climbed out of poverty once and is sure she can do it again.

Reality hits Sara when she goes to rent an apartment in a new town with the meager amount of money she can afford to pay. She must apply for food stamps and WIC to survive; she gets medical care at a public clinic. Her interview by a caseworker to obtain welfare is eye-opening. She begins to measure her experiences by degrees of humiliation. After the birth of the baby she can no longer afford to pay her rent, and she is threatened with eviction from her apartment. "I kept thinking that this was all a bad dream, that until a few weeks ago I was a hard-working, tax-paying citizen, that Adam and I couldn't end up living on the street, not us, not here in America. Certainly the system I had contributed to all my life would come to my rescue."

Sara isn't a quitter. She does what is necessary to survive, and the reader goes on this incredible journey with her, accompanying a decent, determined woman as she wends her way through the underside of American life, fighting to achieve her dreams. You'll cheer her on as she tells you her compelling story.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Massachusetts Newspaper Reviews Jendi Reiter's Debut Novel

TITLE: Two Natures

AUTHOR: Jendi Reiter

PUBLISHER: Saddle Road Press

WEBSITE: www.jendireiter.com

GENRE: Fiction (Gay/Lesbian)

ISBN: 978-0-9969074-2-2

REVIEWER: Tinky Weisblat

PUBLICATION: The Recorder (Greenfield, MA newspaper)

http://www.recorder.com/Tinky-Weisblat-5348397

Reviewed by Tinky Weisblat originally for The Recorder in Greenfield, MA

REVIEW TEXT:

“Two Natures” is an unconventional but sweet romance set in an era that is at once far from us and very near indeed.

This engrossing debut novel by poet Jendi Reiter of Northampton tells the story of Julian Selkirk. A Georgia boy from a conservative, religious family, Julian arrives in New York in the early 1990s. He hopes to break into two often related worlds: fashion photography and gay culture.

He makes friends quickly, but it takes him years to find the true love for whom he longs.

Julian enjoys the sense of belonging that being gay in New York in the 1990s gives him. Although his siblings have guessed at his sexual orientation and his parents may know about it at a subliminal level, he was never able to come out back home in Georgia. In the city he can at last be himself.

Nevertheless, life in New York is far from perfect. Added to the difficulties all young people face in growing into their best selves and finding romance, Julian must face the promiscuity that is part of gay culture at the time.

He is thrilled to be able to enjoy sex at last and openly. Although he longs for exclusivity, he fears asking for it, however — and fears mentioning love to the object of his affection.

In addition, Julian and all of his friends must deal with the threat of AIDS, then at its height in this country.

And although they live from day to day in a subculture in which their sexuality is accepted and even often celebrated, they still come into contact with the larger society. There, being gay is viewed as an aberration by most and a sin by many.

When AIDS strikes close to home, they realize that the legal system offers them few protections from discrimination.

Julian is an engaging protagonist. His friends are varied and often funny, and Reiter’s careful, evocative prose brings the reader vividly into his life and world.

Julian’s struggles to establish a career, find a home and connect with someone with whom he can share his life will ring true to anyone who has ever been a young person trying to become established in the big city.

Jendi Reiter will read from “Two Natures” and sign copies of her book on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield. Food will be served. Reiter will also appear at the Broadside Bookshop in Northampton on Wednesday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jendi Reiter is the author of the newly released novel Two Natures (Saddle Road Press)

See the book trailer at http://bit.ly/twonaturestrailer

She is also an award-winning poet and editor of WinningWriters.com , named to Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers." Midwest Book Review says "Intense revelations about what it means to be both Christian and gay...a powerful saga,:

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG

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, October 9, 2016

Relationship Aid Offered by Cupids Bow Technique

Title: The Cupids Bow Technique

Sub Title: From Casual To Committed Using The Power Of Polarisation

Author Name: Lyn Smith – The Queen of HEARTS

Author's Web site: http://www.HunkyCaveman.com

Genre: Self Help – Relationships

Link to buy in the USA.

Link to buy in the UK.

SYNOPSIS
The Cupids Bow Technique - From Casual To Committed Using The Power Of Polarisation

This book is for women who are unsatisfied with their current relationship status either because you’re unhappy being single or are currently in an unfulfilling relationship.

The Cupids Bow Technique is step by step guide to attracting / creating a healthy committed relationship with the love of your life, with all the intimacy, passion and peace you could ever want.

I Answer All Your Questions:

How The Cupids Bow Technique uses the principles of polarisation to enable you to step into your natural feminine power

Why stepping into your feminine power brings out the natural strong masculine male inside him.

What is polarisation, why it is important? How you can create it and use it effectively by implementing The Cupids Bow Technique and be a moving target that his love arrow wants to passionately hit

How To Be A Moving Target - In The Dance of Love

What men really think about a woman who pursues them and why you would never want to be that woman. Why chasing a man will make him want to pull back. The importance of being a moving target and letting him run towards you How to deal with men when they connect one moment but then are distant the next How to use disinterest and detachment as your aces in the deck! Why men thrive on the chase and why the chase has to be as challenging as an obstacle course.

If you want more information on why men thrive on the chase and more guidance on how to be pursued by your man then - The Cupids Bow Technique - is a must read and do.

Men love it when they’ve had to earn the right to execute Cupids love arrow passionately into your heart.

Some women aren’t aware that they’ve got any negative baggage and conditioning that affect their relationship status. The Cupids Bow Technique will ensure you get lasting successful results rather than a temporary quick fix because I’ve included exercises at the start that will build a solid foundation of - healthy positive mind-set and emotional well-being states - as a strong platform for progression.

Be the woman other women admire and secretly envy for having the healthy committed

soul mate relationship that they can only dream of.

I’ll hold your hand and guide you through the process of The Cupids Bow Technique you deserve to know how to access your inner feminine power and have the love life you crave.

When you’ve practised these principles, you’ll feel really happy, alive and fulfilled in your intimate relationship

I’m really excited for you to get your hands on The Cupids Bow Technique and welcome you to our wise woman’s confidential club

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lyn Smith spent most of her life growing up and living in England and currently lives in Spain. As a teenager, she was subjected to several traumatic experiences that went on to impact her ability to trust, love & enjoy relationships with men, this went on for decades.

As a result she felt driven to heal herself and discover how to form healthy relationships

Over the past 30 years based upon her personal research & training with the world’s leading industry experts, plus her vast experiential learning, she has subsequently designed & presented her own course programmes to share these break-through relationship techniques with women across the globe.

Lyn, The Queen of HEARTS has a proven track record as an International Relationship Coach and Inspirational Speaker.

The Cupids Bow Technique is her first book on relationships – How to go

From Casual To Committed Using The Power Of Polarisation

Understanding the polarisation of masculine & feminine energy resulted in her creating massive attraction and a passionate committed relationship – enabling her to not only feel secure and protected but also to feel alive, fulfilled and finally at peace.

Lyn makes a difference by helping you make a difference

Lyn’s Mission is to empower you to reach your full potential in attracting / creating the ultimate intimate, committed relationship and to have a positive impact in reducing divorce, domestic violence & suicide. Her vision is to achieve our mission globally, through world-class coaching and training.

To contribute by creating a lasting legacy of safety, dignity and opportunity for children and women who have survived rape, abuse and severe trauma as a result of war crimes and sex trafficking – through the setting up of worldwide – ‘you can heal your life’ centres / retreats

Friday, October 7, 2016

Dr. Bob Rich Falls in Love "Beautiful Hero"

Title: Beautiful Hero: How We Survived the Khmer Rouge

Author Name: Jennifer H. Lau

Author's Web site: http://JenniferLau.net

ISBN: 978-0-9980798-0-6
Genre: Biographies and Memoirs
Link to buy in the USA.

Link to buy in Australia

Reviewed by Dr. Bob Rich originally for his Bobbin' Around Newsletter

Beautiful Hero, by Jennifer Lau

You’d expect a book with the subtitle “How we survived the Khmer Rouge” to be grim, and it is. At the same time, it is utterly gripping. I was racing through it with a sort of a morbid fascination. Surely, no one could survive this! But, obviously, the author had.

However, the unremitting parade of horrors, hardship, deprivation, death and disease did get to me, and after awhile I didn’t want to read on. I wanted to run away, to escape the story -- but it had caught me. I needed to find out how she’d managed to survive, and to become a highly functioning professional in America. So, I read on, and it gripped me, wouldn’t let me go, to the very end. No, I’ve finished, and it’s still gripping me now.

The story is told by an adult, much later, but there is an immediacy of the small girl as the witness, written in clear, plain language. She takes us into the horror with a matter-of-factness that makes me admire her all the more.

I always enjoy learning about cultures strange to me. From the first pages, Jennifer Lau intrigued me with things taken for granted among ethnically Chinese people in Cambodia, which I considered odd, quaint, ingenious -- or sometimes disgusting. Without info dumps or lecturing, always from within that little girl’s point of view, she taught me about beliefs and practices I hadn’t even imagined.

If you have ever felt sorry for yourself, reading this book will set you right. The worst you have experienced is nothing compared to what this family survived. And what distresses me is that, right now, there are other people suffering as badly, in the same way. They come from Syria, or are Rohingya from Myanmar, or Hazara from Afghanistan, or survivors of one of the many African conflicts... that matters not, nor does their religion, or skin colour. Like Jennifer’s family, they are people with feelings, thoughts and sense of pain just like you have.

And, if given a chance, they will contribute to a society that adopts them in the exemplary way Jennifer’s family has.

There is an interesting observation on page 27; one I wish today’s decision makers would note. Cambodia was a peaceful country. Then the Americans decided to cut off supplies to North Vietnam by dropping more bombs in Cambodia than all those in Europe and Japan during World War 2. Half a million people in a neutral country were killed. As a direct result, the terrible Khmer Rouge was born. This is what has been going on in Israel/Palestine from 1948 to the present. It’s what created the tragedy of Syria. The way to induce people to hate you is to attack them. Hate only leads to hate. Love is the only thing that can defeat hate.

One note of warning. Only read this book if you have a strong stomach, or, like me, the Buddhist skill to accept. Reading “Beautiful Hero” hasn’t given me nightmares, but it could well have.

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Dr Bob Rich is a multiple award-winning writer, professional editor, and professional grandfather. His Bobbing Around blog will inform, interest, inspire or outrage you — but never bore you.

ABOUT THE NEW BOOK REVIEW BLOGGER

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.

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