Book Reviews Rock - Plus Hint #Eleven for Getting Them

BOOK REVIEWS ROCK, PLUS HINT # ELEVEN

Hint Number Eleven for Getting them

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Hint # Eleven

(When asking for reviews)"Don't overlook staff members at bookstores where you have given presentations. A large percentage are avid readers, and many are fellow writers. Some do reviews for the store's newsletter. Your personal thank you to them should be a signed copy of your book."

Page 105: How to Get Great Book Reviews

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One thing I know for sure . . .  Authors are a wonderful group of people, and by and large so willing to help one another. 

It's just that life has a way of keeping us all so busy. 

________________________________

 BRIGHT IDEA

SO HERE'S MY BRIGHT IDEA FOR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM:

 1. CHOOSE ONE BOOK  FROM THE LIST BELOW THAT INTERESTS YOU.

 2. ASK THAT AUTHOR TO SUGGEST JUST 50 PAGES TO GIVE YOU ITS FLAVOR.

 3. READ THOSE FEW PAGES.

 4. THEN WRITE YOUR AMAZON REVIEW, POSTING IT WITHIN 30 DAYS.

*** USE YOUR REVIEW TO HELP PROMOTE YOURSELF AS WELL. ***

HOW? 

JUST END IT WITH THE WORDS: AUTHOR OF (YOUR BOOK TITLE)  

________________________________________

TITLE: SOLAR DIVIDENDS: How Solar Energy Can Generate a Basic Income for Everyone on Earth

NUMBER OF PAGES: 144

DESCRIPTION: puts forth a bold original plan for solving global poverty and global warming with a single program. In brief: we set up every person on the planet with a big section of solar panels, sell the electricity the panels generate, and deliver the money as solar dividends to the person as their basic income, for the rest of their life. The book provides compelling reasons and a detailed blueprint for this inspiring program.

AUTHOR'S NAME: Robert Stayton

E-MAIL: stayton.robert@gmail.com

FORMAT: paperback, PDF, Kindle, or Epub

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Adult

AMAZON URL: https://tinyurl.com/wlaeydr

                                          ________________________________________

TITLE: NOVEMBER TO JULY

NUMBER OF PAGES: 282

DESCRIPTION: Eleanor Simons has been serving as a nurse in the Great War. When the fighting stops, she faces bleak prospects. Her fiancé, a fighter pilot, is dead. In Paris, where she now lives, a conference of delegates from around the globe is meeting to remake the maps of Europe, Asia and Africa. Their effort to create a peaceful world is doomed; but through it, Eleanor faces the challenge of shaping a better future for herself.

AUTHOR'S NAME: Marilyn Oser

E-MAIL: marilynoser@gmail.com

FORMAT: PDF, E-BOOK, TRADE PAPERBACK 

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: adult 

AMAZON URL: https://tinyurl.com/tk5n62y

                                         ________________________________________

TITLE: ONCE UPON AND EVER AFTER

NUMBER OF PAGES: 15 ebook, 32 paperback

DESCRIPTION:  After years of training the prince is finally ready for his quest to rescue a princess.  But can h e find a princess who needs to be rescued and what happens if he can't?

AUTHOR'S NAME: Caroline L Thornton

E-MAIL: carolinelthornton@outlook.com

FORMAT:  Mobi

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Up to 8

AMAZON URL:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZG2WNXL

                                         ________________________________________

TITLE: NUMBER EIGHT CRISPY CHICKEN

NUMBER OF PAGES: 232

DESCRIPTION: Immigration minister, Peter Ruddick, is enroute to remote Pulcherrima, the site of his latest privately-run, fast-food chain-inspired detention centre. But chaos ensues when Peter misses his connecting flight and finds himself confined to Turgrael airport, without a lounge in sight. Stranded with nothing but crispy chicken burgers to eat and nobody but a bleeding-heart liberal for company, Peter’s misunderstandings of Turgistani language and culture 

AUTHOR'S NAME: Sarah Neofield

E-MAIL: sarahneofield@gmail.com

FORMAT: (PDF, E-BOOK)

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Mainstream adult fiction

AMAZON URL: https://tinyurl.com/NumberEightCrispyChicken

                                         ________________________________________

TITLE: TALES2INSPIRE ~ THE OPAL COLLECTION

NUMBER OF PAGES: 125

DESCRIPTION:  A collection of 16 non-fiction short stories by contest winning authors participating in the 2019 Tales2Inspire® contest. The theme for this Opal Collection, Stronger Today Because, is portrayed in both words and original photographs reflecting the true experiences of these authors. 

AUTHOR'S NAME: Lois W. Stern

E-MAIL: tales2Inspire@optimum.net

FORMAT: 5 Paperbacks, PDF, Epub

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young adult and adult

AMAZON URL: http://tiny.cc/po1ahz

                                         ________________________________________

TITLE: I AM ME: Teen Artists and Writers Speak Out On Being Yourself 

NUMBER OF PAGES: 104 (a quick read)

DESCRIPTION: This book pairs award winning poetry and art to empower young teens to shake off the negative power of the media and peers to realize it is okay to be themselves.  This anthology is a fresh voice that lets teens know that you don’t have to achieve “perfection" to be “perfect.” Created from over 100,000 submissions of art and poetry.

AUTHOR'S NAME: Tom Worthen, Ph.D.

E-MAIL: tiffani@poeticpower.com

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL:   Teens – 12-18

AMAZON URL:  TinyURL.com/rhjdyt4

                                         ________________________________________

TITLE: WOULD YOU RATHER BE IN THE COFFIN THAN GIVE THE EULOGY? - how to take the terror out of public speaking: A PRACTICAL guide for all types of speeches

DESCRIPTION: Your career prospects may depend on your ability to speak in public. Authors, sports stars, actors and business people may also be asked to ‘give a talk’ about their success, which can be an intimidating prospect. This step-by-step guide gives you practical advice for giving many types of speeches, with examples that show you what to do, what not to do - and what can go hilariously wrong! (Some things are only learned by experience).

AUTHOR: jannev@mweb.co.za

FORMAT: (PDF, E-BOOK)

AGE/INTEREST LEVEL:  High school age and upwards

AMAZON URL: https://amzn.to/2KpE4w8

                                         ________________________________________

ABOUT YOUR TRUSTED BLOGGER, LOIS W. STERN

http://www.tales2inspire.com

        Tales2inspire was a kernel of an idea I started in 2012. It has grown to proportions even I didn’t dare to envision. My innate curiosity about potentially fascinating human interest stories was the spark that ignited this idea, but it was the confused state of traditional publishing that propelled me forward. Tales2inspire delivers exactly what it promises as both an authors-helping-authors project and a contest. Winners get their stories published in print, e-book, and some even in video formats, with their names, headshot photos, and mini-autobiographies. Then I spread the word about the winners and their stories on my blog, my monthly newsletter, and on several select social networks. Free to enter, this competition is open to talented newbies and seasoned authors alike. 

Learn more about me and the Tales2Inspire project at: www.tales2Inspire.com

and get a FREE sampler filled with six published T2I stories at: www.tales2inspire.com/gift

Lois is also a regular contributor to this blog.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tales2inspire2

_______________________________

                       

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. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. 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 and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. 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. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Book Lover and Blogger Gives Mainstream Novel Kudos

--Title: Wander Home

--Author: Karen A. Wyle
--Author’s web site: http://www.KarenAWyle.net
--Genre or category: Fiction: Mainstream with mystery elements
--Reviewer: Jill Elizabeth
--Reviewer’s rating: Amazon five stars

Reviewed by Jill Elizabeth for her blog and for Amazon

Oh do I have a treat for you today! Today I am proud to bring you the latest from author Karen A. Wyle – and you’re going to LOVE IT.

I first met Karen almost a year ago, through Book Blogs. She was looking for reviewers for her sci-fi novel Twin-Bred (review available here), I responded with interest, and then after reading the book, responded with even more interest. Karen knows how to tell a great and original story, and I can say with absolute conviction that I will read any- and everything she writes from here on out…

Her latest, Wander Home, is not only a lovely tale about the after-life and after-world, but also a lovely vision of what I hope that life/world looks like. The book came to me at a particularly auspicious time – a wonderful, kind, generous man, one whose children I have babysat and who I’ve also had the privilege to toss back a beer or two with over the years, passed away recently (we miss you Marty S, and always will). Reading a book about untimely death and its aftermath was a little bittersweet, to say the least. But hopefully Karen Wyle knows something the rest of us don’t, because reading her imagining of what happens after we pass made things a little more poignant and left me a little more hopeful.

Let me explain.

To begin my explanation, I’m going to give you the synopsis of the book. First, because it’s easier and more concise than my retelling it, and second because I want to focus this review on my reactions and the writing, rather than on a recitation of the plot. From Karen:

Death is what you make it. . . .

Eleanor never wanted to leave the daughter she loved so much. The overpowering urge to wander — to search, without knowing what she sought — drove her away. She left little Cassidy in her family’s loving care. But Cassidy and the others died in an accident before Eleanor could find her way home.

Cassidy has her grandparents, and her Great-Grandma. And all of them have what may be eternity. Memories can be relived, or shared. The wonders of the world they left behind are only a thought away. The one-way tyranny of aging is no more — a white-haired and stooped great-grandmother one moment can be a laughing young playmate the next. But nothing can ease Cassidy’s longing for her mother; and Eleanor’s parents know better than to hope that Eleanor’s life has been a happy one.

Now, they are all reunited, with the chance to understand and heal. But the restlessness that shaped Eleanor’s life still haunts her in death. Somehow, she must solve the mystery of her life — or none of them will be at peace.

There’s a lot in that summary, so read it again. I’ll wait.

Okay, now that you’ve read it twice, think past what it says a little. This is the story of an after-life in which we are whatever age we want to be, surrounded by whatever people we want around us. It is a story about how death, even untimely death, doesn’t have to be the end of everything. It is a story about the consequences of the choices we make, and the difficulty even we can have in understanding – and living with – the reach of those consequences. Wyle’s isn’t the first vision of the afterlife that addresses these concepts (Richard Matheson’sWhat Dreams May Come springs to mind), but it is one of the loveliest.

Eleanor’s life is tragic and heart-breaking; not only for the things she lost, but for the things she spent so long trying to find. There is a nice twist hidden in the layers of family drama, redemption, and the quest for understanding, and it’s handled deftly and with a unique spin that keeps it from feeling in any respect derivative, even if it’s not a brand-new construct. (Sorry that is so obtuse, but I don’t want to give spoilers!) Wyle has a lovely way with language, weaving characters and setting together into a seamless tapestry of an after-life that I personally hope bears more than a passing resemblance to what’s really out there.

I started the book in the morning, on a sick day. I read through until it was finished, that evening. Even with my cold medicine-addled brain and eyes I could barely keep open, I couldn’t put it down. Don’t miss this one. It’s a beautiful story, well-written and smoothly paced with characters you can’t help but fall in love with (especially Cassidy and Great Grandma Amanda). Thanks for another great novel Karen – I can’t wait for the next one!

----- 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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

New Mainstream Novel Also a Bit of a Mystery

Title: Marta's Place
Author: C. M. Albrecht
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Reviewed by Anne K. Edwards for Mystery Fiction


If you've ever been out of work and send on interviews for menial jobs, you will both sympathize with Hal and understand his letting life happen when it points to a way out of his present situation. He is sent to a small restaurant called Marta's Place and his luck seems to turn.

Marta is a older woman making a small success of her restaurant located in a changing neighborhood with a limited customer base. Luckily, she is a good cook and willing to give unskilled help a chance. As time passes, Hal becomes more than a helper.

But even as things are looking up for him, Hal takes chances that could ruin everything. Then he is accused of murdering a woman he knew. This is a blow that threatens his new security at a time when Marta is making big plans. His only hope is that he can keep her from finding out.

Talented author Carl M. Albrecht has crafted an interesting study of life and how one can go from rags to riches with just a little luck and lots of hard work. Mr. Albrecht has a thorough understanding of human desires and what motivates a young man who has been drifting through life on the bottom of society. You'll want to know if he can attain a better position in life and keep it.

I'm pleased to recommend Marta's Place as well worth the time. A well told tale with lots of emotions and interesting characters. You may recognize them as people you know or have met. I did.

Enjoy. I did.

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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 loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index 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.
And while you're at it, as a courtesy to the author, please retweet this post:

Tales2Inspire ~ The Ruby Collection - Created by Lois W. Stern

Tales2Inspire ~ The Ruby Collection (Gifts of Compassion):

ISBN-10: 149594008X

ISBN-13: 978-1495940088

Genre:

Inspirational, Motivational, Non-fiction, Short Story Collection

EXPANDED AND REVISED 2018

_________________________________________

REVIEWS

True Stories of Inspiration, Compassion and Love

By Gail Sobotkin

 Happyboomernurse 

I have read each story and can honestly say I don't have a favorite. Each and every story touched my heart deeply. If you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where people and animals are treated with compassion, kindness and love, where the human spirit rises up again and again to meet seemingly impossible challenges, where faith triumphs over despair, where young children and abused animals teach adult humans life lessons, where the homeless are treated with respect and compassion, you must read The Ruby Collection, an amazing anthology of 14 true stories that will inspire you to live your own life with an open heart--- despite, or perhaps because of, whatever difficulties you may face.

Compassion is a gift that keeps on giving; it changes the giver, recipient, and all those who witness the compassionate act. It makes the world a better, kinder place and when delivered with love, has the power to transform the globe one person, one animal at a time.

The Ruby Collection makes a great gift for children and adults. Treat yourself to a copy and buy one for your friends, colleagues and relatives. Ask them to read the book then pass it on to an institution such as a library, hospital or school so that the stories will be spread far and wide, planting seeds of inspiration, compassion and love.

Inspiring 

By Shauna L Bowling

Freelance Writer/Copy Editor

. . . a book of inspiration that uplifts the reader with each story. From human/animal spiritual connections to human/human connections, these true stories of courage, love, and strength are proof that good exists in the world. We can and do overcome the odds each and every day. If you have any doubts about the power of love, read this book. All it takes is one person to reach out to make positive changes in someone's life.

I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. It just may change your life!

Another Chicken Soup for the Soul

Warmly recommended, By Bani Sodermark

Reviewer for Book Pleasures and Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer

This is a feel good book documenting a collection of true stories that involve genuine empathy and kindness to other living beings including oneself. It arose out of a writing contest by an organization called "Authors Helping Author" and includes the best contributions that were submitted. The result is a very readable and well written book enshrined in the symbol of the ruby which stands for kindness and compassion.

That which is most appealing about this collection of stories is that the kindness shown at one instance of time is nearly always repaid in some way or other, forging deep and lasting bonds as the protagonists walk their life paths in tandem with one another. In some cases, they may experience a total reversal of a bodily malfunction as in the case of the first story, in which a man took care of a wounded eagle, unable to fly and nursed it to wellness. Later on, he was afflicted with cancer and he is convinced that dream conversations with his pet eagle, supplemented with chemo, was the cause of his total recovery.

A second story documents the success of a program called "Labs`n Life" in which dysfunctional children with learning and other problems are made to train Labradors. The interaction with these intelligent and loving animals, miraculously opens up these children and helps them integrate into the mainstream.

The theme of working with animals continues with the rehabilitation stories of Dusty the horse and Rae the dog who are restored to their playful selves and fulfil memorable relationships with their caregivers.

A few of the stories will touch you deep down inside. There is the erstwhile convict, Ray, who after years of confrontation with the bullying and sadistic warden of the penitentiary that he had occupied since his late teens, helped set fire to it. The warden was changed to one who had a record of successfully rehabilitating dreaded inmates and the whole atmosphere of the place changed as the convicts applied their energies to study and vocational training. There were no more incidents of arson or otherwise and our friend, Ray, after he was released was able to successfully land a job, get married and raise a family.

There is the holocaust survivor, who neutralized the actions of local politicians by going out with his own message of peaceful coexistence, ultimately reaching out to millions.

Another story that I will find difficult to forget is the story of a young African American black belt karate champion on the karate circuit, who it seems always acted rough if he or his team lost. It turned out that he had dedicated his life to saving children in the roughest quarters of Miami from a life of crime, by loading as many as possible into a van that was to take them to the tournament. If he did not win, he would have to borrow the money for the gas home.

There is the story of a former citizen of Rwanda, who returned to his homeland after the genocide and helped many people work their way out of poverty using his engineering skills and thus finding the way to his true calling. . . . 

Other inspiring stories include that of a young woman who appeared in the Guinness Book of Records after running seven marathons in seven continents. There is also the unusual story of window cleaners outside a hospital dressing up as children's heroes, e.g. Batman to cheer up children suffering from debilitating diseases.

The length of the manuscript is optimal, not too long, not too short.

This book, in my opinion, the best so far, in the Tales 2 Inspire series, created by Editor, Lois W. Stern. The storytelling is chiseled and evocative. . . .  One can never read too many of such stories, of seeing the way love and spirit redefine priorities and guide the human race out of black holes of its own making.

We Need More Love and Kindness

By Mommy to Twins

      Today, the news is full of negative stories. We need more positivity and compassion in our lives. In fact, the research supports that "extending compassion toward others biases the brain to glean more positive information from the world, something called the 'carryover effect.' And compassionate action--such as giving some of one's own earnings to charity--also activates pleasure circuits, which some people call 'the warm glow.'

These heartfelt stories of compassion, love, and kindness, help us to know that there are good people in the world who live their life with an open heart. They provide the necessary inspiration we need to live our own lives more compassionately. It reminds us that it really takes just one person to make a real difference in the life of another. These are stories that should be shared with everyone.

Warm Feeling

by Rod DiGruttolo
Published author, Group Leader for the Sarasota Writers Group 

       Tales of compassionate souls are always heartfelt even if they are something we do not see often enough. The Ruby Collection of Tales2Inspire presents a group of such stories that keep warm feelings bubbling in your heart for months to come.

From abused animals to frightened children, the gifts of human and animal alike jump off the page and embrace the reader. From the furthest corners of the world, injured eagles; horses destined for the slaughterhouse; a family dealing with the death of a wife and mother; children in hospital frightened while dealing with terrible pain and patients facing their fears, feel the compassion of people and creatures around them.

Fourteen stories of courage, compassion and love grace the pages of this wonderful tome. A must read for all.

Gifts of Compassion

By Michael Monji 

     Tree Whisperer, Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer

On a scale of 1 to 5, this series of Tales2Inspire books is a whopping TEN! This particular book will inspire you to never give up. The courage that these people showed is unbelievable. When you think time are tough for you, then you need to read this book. Your problems and worries will fade away. Now go out an buy all four books.

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POPULAR LINKS

Tales2Inspire website

Facebook Author page

Twitter

Amazon author page

BUY HERE

___________________________

----- 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.

Caffeinated Book Reviewer Had Five Cups of Coffee Over This One!

The Secret of Lies

By Barbara Forte Abate

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

Genre: Mainstream Literary Fiction

ISBN: 978-160844-418-2

Reviewed by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

The Secret of Lies, by Barbara Forte Abate

Propelled by an insurmountable sense of desperation, Stevie Burke is recklessly abandoning home, husband, and outwardly contented life under cover of night; at last resigned to defeat in her long battle against the tortured memories of her past. Days later, lost and floundering in a dreary motel room without plan or destination, it is a long ago song playing on the radio that gently tugs Stevie back through the dust of remembrance. 1957 - The last summer spent at the ancient house overlooking the North Atlantic. A season which had unfolded with abundant promise, but then spiraled horribly out of control - torn apart by a shattering tragedy that remains splintered in fragments upon her soul. And it is only now, when Stevie at last lifts her eyes to stare deep into the heart of her long sequestered memories, that the long held secrets of past and future are at last unveiled. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate has to be one of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. I was shocked to learn this is Abate’s first published work. Her writing style brings to mind such authors as Harper Lee and John Steinbeck. She writes with such detail, bringing images to life with the stroke of her pen. In her debut novel, she delivers a touching tale about, love, innocence, betrayal, loss and lies.

Secret of Lies reflects back on events that occurred off the Atlantic coast during the summer of 1957. The story unfolds through the voice of protagonist Stevie Burke. When the tale begins, Stevie is sneaking out of her home and leaving her husband. She is driving aimlessly and ends up in a dark musty hotel room three days later. We can tell that she is deeply troubled by something. It is here, as an Elvis song plays on the radio, that she reflects back on the summers, she and her sister spent at the shore home of their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal.

Abate writes with a paint brush, bringing the seaside, storms, and fields to life. I could feel the wind and smell the sea air. She has a gift for beautifully expressing the emotions and feelings of a first kiss, a betrayal and loss. She unfolds the tale allowing the reader to put the pieces together before Stevie, giving us a sense of foreboding. While the subject matter is dark, Abate also shows us the light. We experience the joy of first love, childhood, and innocence.

Abates creates characters that you will love, pity and loathe. The character of Stevie is beautifully portrayed and you cannot help but like her. The way in which Abate shows the interaction between Stevie and her sister Eleanor reminded me of my own childhood. After the tragedy of 1957, we see firsthand how this affects Stevie. She struggles with the secrets and her memories. Years later,she meets Ash Waterman; through him she may finally find peace and happiness. I found myself rooting for this young man as he struggles to understand Stevie. The romance that develops between them is sweet, witty and romantic.

The story, the circumstances, and the impact it has on the characters is believable and touching. The events that occurred in the summer of '57 could have happened to any family. The ending is not wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but instead allows the reader to determine the outcome. While some may not like it, I feel it was appropriate. After all, life and family drama, do not come in neat little boxes.

I highly recommend this novel to everyone, but particularly those who enjoy books based on family, tragedy and human emotion. This would make a wonderful book club read. I have added Barbara Forte Abate to my list of must read authors and look forward to her next book.

I want to thank the author for providing this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this book 5 coffee cups out of 5.

Buy here: B&N or here: Amazon

Author's website: Barbara Forte Abate

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Learn more about the author Barbara Forte Abate:

Award Winning Author: The Secret of Lies
http://www.barbaraforteabate.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaCPx-tKeW0&feature=channelhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-of-Lies-Novel/195421757151252

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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. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :

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More About #TheNewBookReview Blog The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. 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 and love. Please see submission guidelines in a tab at the top of this blog's home page or go directly to the form at https://www.bit.ly/FinishedReviewSubmissions. Authors and publishers who do not yet have reviews or want more may use Lois W. Stern's "Authors Helping Authors" service for requesting reviews. Find her guidelines in a tab at the top of the home page, too. And know that Carolyn Wilhelm, our IT expert, award-winning author, and veteran educator, makes an award image especially for those who volunteer to write reviews from Lois's review-request list and post them in the spirit of her "Authors Helping Authors" project. Reviews, interviews, and articles on this blog are indexed by genre, reviewers' names, and review sites so #TheNewBookReview may be used as a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. As an example, writers will find this blog's 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. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing