Creative Ink, Flashy Fiction: Flash Fiction Anthology Review

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 the 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.

Title: Creative Ink, Flashy Fiction: Flash Fiction Anthology
Subtitle: Book 3 (Flash Fiction Anthologies) (Volume 3)
Series: Flashy Fiction Anthologies
Authors: Theodore Jerome Cohen (Author), Alyssa Devine(Author)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Language: English
Paperback ISBN-10: 1981157905 (April 5, 2018)
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1981157907
eBook ASIN: B079NL2S68
Genre: Flash Fiction

Amazon review by Carolyn Wilhelm, reprinted with permission.

5 out of 5 stars

More Fabulous Flash Fiction Tantalizing Tales

April 6, 2018 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I waited for this new book and am not disappointed with the variety and cleverness of the writing pieces. The author easily sets the stories in scenes from long ago to the modern day from multiple ethnicities and viewpoints. The stories span a wide range of emotion and perspectives. Some will tug at my heart a long time, such as the one set in an orphanage.

There are serious military stories interspersed with humorous animal ones such as Photobomb. All reveal human truths. Most were inspired by interesting or unusual photographs found on the Internet.

My grandmother’s first American words were, “Vel, vel.” She always pronounced them that way and some of the characters did too. I liked that! I am impressed by the ability of the author to authentically represent so many situations with such a deep understanding of human nature. Every story ends with a zinger. I will be thinking about this book for some time to come.

Theodore Jerome Cohen is an Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Star, and a NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner for Winter 2018: Best Book in the Anthology category. "Alyssa Devine" is a pen name he uses when he writes Young Adult (YA) novels.

Dr. Cohen says: As in Books 1 and 2 of Creative Ink, Flashy Fiction, the contents of this third anthology, each story 250 words or less in length, are best compared to a handful of peanuts or M&M's. Which is to say, they're tiny, bite-sized morsels that won't let you stop with one! A few of the stories found here were entered into Flash Fiction Challenges managed by the Website Indies Unlimited.

Leslie C. Halpern Reviews How-To Book for Writers

Title: How to Get Great Reviews Frugally and Ethically

Subtitle: The Ins and Outs of Using Free Reviews to Build and Sustain a Writing Career

Series: HowtoDoItFrugally Series for Writers, Volume 3

Author: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Publisher: Createspace 

ISBN: 9781536948370 (Oct. 2016)

Genre: Nonfiction/How-To/Writing

Reviewed by Leslie C. Halpern originally for MyShelf.com

Many writers possess only a vague idea of how reviews sell books or establish an author’s brand. Former marketer/publicist Carolyn Howard-Johnson provides a definitive 340-page guide explaining why authors need reviews, how to find reviewers, sending books out for review, Amazon.com’s role in reviews, building a platform based on reviews, writing reviews, planning a media kit, and other essential tools for successfully launching a book and enjoying future sales.

Divided into six sections and 15 chapters – plus appendices with resources and sample letters – the text allows for skipping around from chapter to chapter. Anywhere in the writing process, from idea development to years after publication, authors can find advice for acquiring or using reviews to help promote sales. For instance, Howard-Johnson recommends organizing a list of potential reviewers long before publication, and assigning codes to them. “NAT for national media; LOC for local; LIB for libraries; BKST for bookstores; CAT for catalogs; BLOG for bloggers; and, of course, BIG REV for the prestigious, sought-after journals (the ones with firm deadlines and submission guidelines); and RDR REV for readers, bloggers, and others who are more interested in the content of a book than the press it’s printed on or the year of the copyright.”

She suggests different ideas for renewing interest in titles long after publication. One of these ideas involves contacting reviewers who wrote about previous books when a new book is about to be released. Remind these reviewers what they wrote before and suggest they review the upcoming book. This practice not only helps the author secure more reviews, but shows the reviewer their work is valued and appreciated. She also recommends sending thank you notes and/or gifts to reviewers afterward (but never before, as it would look like a bribe).

There’s also a chapter on writing reviews, because authors are often called upon to reciprocate. This chapter includes information on writing professional reviews, writing for online bookstores, and writing ten-best reads lists. Novice authors should read the entire book in the order it was written, but experienced authors may prefer to pick and choose specific areas where they lack knowledge or previous success. Whatever the level of experience, however, anyone who plans to write a book can benefit.

  
MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Leslie C. Halpern is a poet, author, and essayist with more than 4,000 published articles and ten published books. Her most recent book release is titled "Scantily Clad Truths" (2018) and contains a collection of personal essays. Her other recent titles include “200 Love Lessons from the Movies" and the children's book "Silly Sleepytime Poems." Winner of the Grand Prize for Essay Writing from Mentor & Protege and the Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association Editor’s Award for Poetry, her poems have appeared in numerous anthologies including Encore Prize Poems 2018, The Journal of Graduate Liberal Studies, Revelry, and Other Orlandos. As an entertainment journalist, she wrote for The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, and Orlando Sentinel, and currently writes a blog called “Seen It, Done It, Reviewed It,” located on her website at www.LeslieHalpern.com. 

Get to know Leslie's books and networks:

https://www.amazon.com/Scantily-Clad-Truths-without-Clothes-ebook/dp/B07FB66B59/

https://www.amazon.com/200-Love-Lessons-Movies-Moonstruck/dp/1630761370/

https://www.amazon.com/Silly-Sleepytime-Poems-Leslie-Halpern/dp/0999376306/

https://www.facebook.com/LeslieCHalpern

http://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliechalpern

https://www.amazon.com/Leslie-C.-Halpern/e/B001H9PJT0

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.

Dr. Bob Rich Calls New Salk Book "Inspirational."

Title: A New Reality

Authors: Jonas and Jonathan Salk

Publisher: City Point Press (June 26, 2018)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1947951041

ISBN-13: 9782947951044

Purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Reviewed by Dr. Bob Rich

This is an important and though-provoking book. It sets out a rationale for the kind of life I have advocated for during the past 45 years: cooperative; in dynamic, sustainable balance with the environment; seeking win-win solutions through consensus; valuing wellbeing.

I think the concepts of A New Reality need to be understood by the decision-makers of our times, including politicians and the heads of large corporations.

A particularly valuable aspect is that our current world of conflict is explained. We need to understand it in order to transform society.

At the same time, I find it to be completely unrealistic. Like almost all projections from the past to the future, it fails to take into account the fact that we are past the tipping point. The actions that lead to catastrophe are in our past, and we are seeing their consequences unfold, right now.

Current estimates of extinction rates are 1000 times the “background rate.” If Salk and Salk are right and there is a distant future for humanity, their archeologists will probably consider us to be the plasticoferous era. We live on Poison Planet, which is driving a wide range of illnesses, and increases death and suffering.

I wish I could share the authors’ hope. I read the book wishing they could convince me. But certainly while the rulers of humanity are those most to gain from using the rules of the past, there will be great difficulty in transitioning to the rules necessary to have a future.

However, I return to the start. This is a wonderful book, inspirational, simple and logical. It should be necessary reading for everyone.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Dr. Bob Rich has studied futurology (predictions based on current trends) since 1972. He started because he had young children at the time, and wanted to see the world waiting for them. The results were horrifying: he predicted today’s world. If you are interested about out future, check out his blog, Bobbing Around https://bobrich18.wordpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @bobswriting. His mottoes are "Commit random acts of kindness" and "live simply so you may simply live." 

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog 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.

Midwest's Diane Donovan Reviews Jendi Reiter's "Wishes."

Title: An Incomplete List of My Wishes

Author: Jendi Reiter

Genre: Literary Fiction - Short Story Collection

Link to purchase: https://www.sunshots.org/an-incomplete-list-of-my-wishes

Author website: http://www.jendireiter.com/

ISBN: 9781944977207

Reviewed by Diane Donovan originally for Midwest Book Review

An Incomplete List of My Wishes provides social inspections in short stories that are astute windows into society's secrets, prejudices, double standards, and individual purpose. In the course of short pieces that examine relationships and reactions to life's biggest challenges, these works offer tightly-written, engrossing inspections that are as diverse in nature as they are connected by the unifying theme of plucking elements of humanity from inhuman conditions and fiery reactions. 

Many of these works have won prizes and publication by prestigious literary journals. Their stand-alone nature lends nicely to this pursuit, but when compiled as a whole under one cover, their impact is even greater. 

Take the short story 'Five Assignments and a Mistake', for example. The piece opens with a bang ("The day begins with a dead baby.") that makes it impossible to put down, but events turn far from the compelling opener as readers learn about a college psychology student's assignment to watch a child being wrested from its mother as she pursues a degree in social work. 

The protocols she's absorbing to handle clinical emergencies are actually the same lessons Laura Sue will need to make it through life, ministering to people who could turn violent, bleed, or bite. Riding shotgun with a woman from the city's Child Protection Department provides Laura Sue with a perspective that uniquely defines the world and sets the path for her involvement in it: one that deftly contrasts reality with the possibility of a different kind of discovery about life forces ("The day begins with dark hands...in her sleep, alone, she can lift off again into the oh of discovery: how the buzzing in her limbs subsided, for the first time ever, and she was vast and powerful as a sheet. She was wind. She could lie on the ocean and nothing would stir."). 

Laura Sue has evolved to be a student, a thief, a sexual tease to her boyfriend, and a mama's girl who has learned her lessons far too well. She sports a diamond engagement ring, but the engagement dialogue in her heart is another matter. 

Like the other observational vignettes in this collection, Jendi Reiter offers no easy conclusion. The "incomplete list" slices pieces from lives that, themselves, are works in progress as yet purposeful and undeveloped, offering inspections that cement the notion of lives led in a whirlwind of self-inspection and social challenge. 

The result is a vivid literary and psychological collection especially recommended for those who like their stories passionate yet observational, their psychological depths presented in sips rather than explosions of flavor, and their stories nicely imbedded with social and spiritual reflection alike. 

An Incomplete List of My Wishes offers the kinds of inspections that leave readers thinking far beyond the curtain call of quiet dramas in lives lived on the edge of self-realization and social engagement. 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jendi Reiter is author of the novel Two Natures (Saddle Road Press), a Rainbow Award winner and finalists at Book Excellence Award and National Indie. See the book trailer at http://bit.ly/twonaturestrailer. Midwest Book Reviews called it "Intense revelations about what it means to be both Christian and gay...a powerful saga"  Jendi is also editor of WinningWriters.com, a Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers. "

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise."  Surangama Sutra

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog 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.

Theodore Cohen Reviews Memoir "Bus to Brookhaven"

Bus to Brookhaven: and Other Recollections

Genre: Memoir 

AMAZON review and self-published book listing

https://www.amazon.com/Bus-Brookhaven-Recollections-John-Haven/dp/0692995315

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: John De Haven (August 4, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0692995315
• ISBN-13: 978-0692995310
• Five-Star Review

Reviewed by Theodore J. Cohen Originally for Amazon

De Haven has magically captured stories starting from when he was a very young man living in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, through early adulthood, and beyond, in ways that are so enchanting you almost wish you were listening to him read them to you as an audio book. Particularly poignant are his memories of growing up in the Kenilworth Corridor near his boyhood home, near the train bridge that is so much in contention today. (As an aside, and as someone who is a few years De Haven's senior, I have to agree with his observation: how, indeed, did we ever manage to survive to adulthood, much less to our teenage years, being allowed to roam our neighborhoods unsupervised at all hours, given the many dangers presented by traffic, vermin, and other "threats"???! It could never happen in today culture, where parents hover like Black Hawks on the battlefield.)

In any event, in one story after another--all told in his unique, gentle manner--De Haven holds us spellbound as he reveals how he came of age, growing up particularly fast on an unaccompanied bus trip to Brookhaven, Mississippi, when he ends up, accidentally, in what then was a Colored-Only restaurant of the bus station in Memphis. What happened, and its impact on De Haven, say a lot about the boy, then, and the man, now.

This is a book you will enjoy reading, perhaps event twice. It is, in a word, a literary treasure.

Five STARS all the way!

SUBMITTED WITH PERMISSION BY

Carolyn Wilhelm Curriculum Writer and Blogger, Wise Owl Factory cwilhelm@thewiseowlfactory.com The Wise Owl Factory | Reminiscing Writers

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog 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.

Carolyn Wilhelm Reviews Entire Charlene Tess Series of Mysteries

Reviewer Carolyn Wilhelm makes it easy on those who love mystery series by submitting all three in the Chance O'Brien Suspense Trilogy written by Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson under the penance of Tess Thompson.  Learn more at Tess's blog, http://simplestepstosentencesense.blogspot.com/. 

Book One: 

When an Angel Whispers (A Chance O'Brien Mystery Book 1)

• ISBN-10: 1985725029
• ISBN-13: 978-1985725027
• 346 pages
• Available on Amazon
• 
  
• This is a compelling read I couldn't put down. There is a serial killer on the loose, and that is one scary thread throughout the book. Then the sparks are flying towards the end with a few situations, and only one ends badly. I so like a book with a satisfying ending and this has one (although I thought it would from the author's previous books). Chance's grandmother although dying in the hospital reveals information to a few of the characters that help them through the mystery. Chance (the hero) is a great guy and loves his family and is respected by coworkers. In the beginning it looks as though he may remain single and he does for many years, and of course I worried about that when the perfect girl left for another city. Although I figured out early on who the bad guy was, I couldn't see how it would be revealed or how there could possibly be an ending I would like---the twists and turns of the stories within the story were surprising, which I like in a book. I couldn't imagine all that happened and I liked that it was partly predictable and yet was amazing because I couldn't see how it would all resolve. When I thought I had it figured out there were unexpected events that kept me on the edge of my seat. Great read!
  
  Oh, and with the flooding in Houston and seeing the bayous on TV recently, it was all the more vivid! 

Book Two:

Student Body (Chance O'Brien Mystery Series) (Volume 2)

• ISBN-10: 1985724839
• ISBN-13: 978-1985724839

348 pages

Purchase on Amazon 

I like it that Chance O'Brian and his wife are back! I like to read a mystery series.
From page one the gripping beginning of the mystery draws the reader in and you won't want to put this book down. I like the Chance O'Brian mysteries as they have familiar characters in new situations so the reader feels like an insider to the details of the case. I like the restaurant and bakery scenes, too, mmmmmmm. Until the surprising end of the book, the twists and turns are clever and appreciated as they keep the reader engaged. The family loss(es) will tug at your heartstrings. The school microphone announcement of a homicide will also cause you to recall recent news events and worries, and as a teacher I can imagine the reaction of students and people in the school. Keeps you guessing! 

Book Three: 

The Devil Makes the Rules: A Chance O'Brien Mystery (Chance O'Brien Mystery Series Book 3)

• ISBN-10: 1985277441
• ISBN-13: 978-1985277441

236 pages

Purchase on Amazon

This is book 3 in the Chance O'Brien mystery series and the plots and characters are getting more and more interesting and complex. I recommend reading books 1 and 2 before 3 as the story is a continuation of life events, personalities, and the interwoven story threads. I thought I had the ending figured out only to be surprised a few times toward the end. I read this in one sitting and stayed up late to finish the story as I just had to read it through to completion.

We learn more about the reasons the characters behave the way they do and also understand why events evolve as they do. There are points in the story where characters have conversations and reveal their motivations and reasons for their behavior. Every time the scene changed I wasn't quite ready. I think these books should be made into movies! Very interesting. I do not know how the authors figured all this out and wrote it so well. 

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER 

Carolyn Wilhelm Curriculum Writer and Blogger, Wise Owl Factory cwilhelm@thewiseowlfactory.com The Wise Owl Factory | Reminiscing Writers

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog 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.

                  

A Symphony of Rivals Review from Kirkus Reviews

A Symphony of Rivals

Author: Roma Calatayud-Stocks

Historical Fiction

ISBN: 978-0-9987319-3-3

Ebook and Hardcover available at Amazon

 Printed with permission of Kirkus Reviews

“A Suspenseful bridge to the final volume to a historical fiction series. Alejandra Stanford Morrison is a strong-willed woman with ambitions to become a symphony conductor, though it defies the gender expectations of the 1930s. When she learns of her acceptance into a prestigious conservatory in Berlin, her ecstasy is met with reluctance from her husband, Richard. Part One chronicles their travels and musical training amid increasing political tensions in Germany and Austria. Calatayud-Stocks portrays her characters clearly, each with a unique voice and agenda. The novel raises stimulating questions regarding work-life balance and the entwinement of art and politics.  The momentum accelerates with the emergence of more serious conflicts, leaving readers with a cliffhanger that should entice them to pick up the next volume. And for culture enthusiasts, the author once again offers musical selections corresponding to each chapter. 

MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog 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.