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.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara 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. 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.


Clare O'Beara
Print Length: 222 pages
ASIN: B00MW8IQXG

As we know from book one, the protagonists, Donal and Myron, are modest journalists and avid reader heroes who live in London. Myron reviews adult entertainment and Donal reviews restaurants. They use coded words to protect their information when speaking in public. In book one, they introduced the Ambassador of the Mercurian people to their news editor. They have many friends from other plants and enjoy ethnic restaurants. The book has information about London and its history, which is revealed as the journalists work through a wide variety of issues. There are moments of learning as well as laughter for the reader. As the book is written in British English, there is a glossary of London/Cockney terms at the end of the book for those not familiar with such.

Please see also the reviews for book 1book 3, and book 4.

The story begins with New Year’s Eve and a party including Antigrav barges and fireworks. Donal, being hypersensitive, has to look away from the lights from time to time. One of the snacks of this future life is soup cups that are self-heating and recyclable. Scents are rolled over the crowd, as do waves of heat during the celebration. We find out why Donal was adopted in this book, as well.

I like the focus on climate change which is mentioned during the story, and it is well explained. The author is a tree surgeon in real-life and has expertise in this area. The Thames has barriers which are raised during times of high water. Much of the country is underwater in this future setting. Other scientific information is discussed, as well. I learned a thing or two by reading this text.

Donal and Myron befriend Neptunian divers and kept in touch, which proves beneficial later in the story. Fashion is another thread so clothing is described, and knowing the fashion editor helps them understand a few things. 

Donal uses futuristic technology to try to track a girl who has red hair like him. We know the girl is not from Saturn because she has ears. When Donal meets the red-head girl, Tania, things become interesting, and the mystery begins. She earns a living by running a mushroom farm. A friend of Donal's wants to date Tania, Donal helps them meet, and Zeke and Tania begin to date. This becomes fateful for Zeke.

Book titles are mentioned by the characters, and one book I had not heard of was Penguins Stopped Play. I looked it up, it is a real book as are the others mentioned, and it looks interesting.

Donal and Myron notice employment violations, are able to meet sources for stories, and help some situations with immigrants. Issues of overcrowding, new immigrants, unfair wages, racism, and poverty are all story threads. Tania’s underground mushroom farm figures into these problems as the mystery is solved by the end of the story. The journalists work carefully with zine news rules and editors to be able to write their award-winning stories.

Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara Review

Clare reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com. Her energies are focused on volunteering at WorldCon during August, 2019. She is a Facilities staff person and the MacGuyver for the Hugo Awards. 
Check out her books and sign up to her quarterly newsletter on:

I will be writing reviews of the other two books in this series this summer. See the post about book one in this series at this link.

dining-out-around-the-solar-system-book-2-dining-out-with-gas-giants-book-review

Thank you for reading,
Carolyn Wilhelm
Wise Owl Factory

You might also like the review of book one in this series:

   Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 2 by Clare O'Beara Review


Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Green Book Movie and Original 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups

This is a second in #TheNewBookReview's new series of discussion questions on books and book-related movies from a great supporter of this blog, Carolyn Wilhelm. (She's the one who makes our fun badges for authors who participate by submitting their fave reviews!). It seems a great service for #teachers, #parents, #bookclubs, and more. Carolyn is a great resource for similar aids on Pinterest where some of her products are absolutely free! As is this one!

Green Book Movie and 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups



ISBN-10: 1949996034

ISBN-13: 978-1949996036




The movie, The Green Book, took place in 1962. Have you seen it? It is similar to but so different from Driving Miss Daisy, as a white man chauffeurs a gifted black pianist to concerts in the south. As it was Jim Crow times and they cross the Mason-Dixon line, their many encounters and experiences change the white driver’s thinking about the difficulty of being black (even if well to do) at that time. Sometimes the characters could not stay in the same hotel or eat in the same restaurant. This movie shows a change of heart as it teaches about those times. Did you know the movie is from the real-life experiences of African American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley and Italian American bouncer Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga. I didn’t realize one the screenwriter was one of Tony’s children. The script was based on letters written at the time, and also interviews. Of course, artistic license was taken in a few cases, and there is a little controversy about a few points.

During the same year the movie represents, my family drove from Minnesota to Arkansas to attend a grandmother’s funeral. Closer to the south, my sisters and I were hungry, and there were few places to eat along the way. We spotted a restaurant, and my father got out of the car. He didn’t park up close to the door, which I still remember as being somewhat odd. He walked over, turned around, got back in the car and drove away. “Why,” we asked, almost in tears. He told us they only served white people and we were not eating there.


My whole family was white. Maybe we needed a Green Book for our trip. I’m sure my father used the AAA Travel service, but they probably didn’t think to advise him the same what they advised black people at the time. The books sounds nice until it becomes apparent they are very short.


That was the summer I learned about Jim Crow as it was in the south up close and personal, which left a lasting influence on my life. Of course, Jim Crow was everywhere in different forms. At the time, I did not know The Negro Motorist Green-Book. I’m glad to learn of it later in my life so people could avoid awkward or humiliating experiences. It was written each year with the hope it would become unnecessary. Victor H. Green (1892 – 1960) was a postal carrier living in Harlem when he created the first of his annual Green Books in 1936. The last edition was in 1967, two years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law.


Did you know you can download copies to read for yourself, as well as purchase a 1940 Facsimile Edition on Amazon? Fifty-three whole pages for traveling the entire nation. Hmmm. I did buy that one on Amazon as well as review several free downloads. Here is what I found.


The Smithsonian Digital Volunteers Transcription Center has one year of the book published in the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a free download. Links to other placed it may be viewed and downloaded are also listed on the page.


The University of South Carolina also has a free download for the 1956 Green Book at this link. Both sites have viewers, and I’m aware of other sites that offer viewing or downloads as well.
The book as a primary source document is in many lessons for secondary schools. It is not a book to sit and read, though, it is a book to ponder and realize what was going on in plain sight that many people didn’t understand.

The Negro Motorist Green-Book
Discussion Questions to Consider

1.  Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?   
2.  What are the fewest services for a state listed? Discuss the ramifications of traveling through such a state.  Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?
3. Is every state included in the lists? What are your thoughts on why or why not?
4.     What is the most popular category in the book: restaurants, gas stations, recreation parks, taverns, liquor stores, garages (service stations), barber shops, hotels, nightclubs, road houses, country clubs, taxis, drugstores, and beauty shops? Why is that the most popular category?
5.     What kind of advertising does the Green Book have?
6.     There is information on how to send a story about using the Green Book for possible publication and five dollars. Describe the story requirements.
7.     What do you notice about the text travel guide pages? What kinds of things are described that might not be in other travel guides?
8.     How do you think this would compare to other travel guides?
9.     What cities have the most services? And even includes things like dance halls, tailors, millinery, and maybe a haberdasher?
10.      Why is a key to Manhattan street numbers included?  
11.      Why do you think there are no maps?
12.      Ferry and Tunnel rates for passenger cards are listed. Why would this information be needed ahead of time?
13. Points of interest in New York City are listed. What is the possible implication of including this list?
14. How do the different editions for the different years compare?
15. What did you learn or realize from looking through this book? 

The Green Book Movie Discussion Questions

1. What is the year of the movie setting?
2. How do the two main characters differ?
3. Although Don Shirley did not personally know Tony Vallelonga, he hired him anyway. Why?
4. What did you think of Shirley asking Tony’s wife for permission to take him on tour?
5. Do you feel the events in the story are true to life, and why?
6. Who is holding the Green Book copy of the paperback in the film? Why?
7. Do you think perhaps other groups had similar travel guides then and perhaps now? Do you know of any such guides?
8. Did you previously know about sundown towns?
9. How do they deal with different rules when they both cannot eat or sleep in the same location?
10. Do you think Jim Crow was worse in the south than elsewhere? Do you think Jim Crow was actually everywhere and still is in many ways, or do you think society has improved?
11. The Green Book is based on interviews as well as letters written during the tour. Did you realize the movie was based on real-life before or after viewing? How does knowing it is a true story affect your feelings about the film?
12. There is some controversy surrounding the film. Many films based on true life have to be adjusted for the story to be conveyed through sight and sound. Did you feel it represented the actual truth? Do you think it deserved the many awards it won?  
13. Why do you think Don Shirley wanted it released after his death?
14. How does Tony help Don in some specific situations? Do you think the tour would have been successful without Tony? Do you think without calling Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy the story would have turned out the same way?
15. Tony gets home for Christmas but not because he can finish the drive through the snow. How does the film end?
16. Don Shirley’s degrees in real life were honorary. Do you think in another era they would have been earned?
17. The film is said to show a white savior. Do you feel that is true or do you believe the two men became friends? The family says they had a professional relationship only, but there are videos revealing friendship. Either way, is it important to the film?
18. Would you recommend the film to others? Why or why not?


Green Book Movie and 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups

Green Book Movie and Original 1940 Book Discussion Questions for Book Groups


MORE ABOUT THIS BLOG AND GETTING REVIEWS AND ANOTHER FREEBIE


 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 ) It has 325 jam-packed pages covering everything 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 shoutout praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines in the left column of this page or in the tab at the top of the home 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.



Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at: cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 1 by Clare O'Beara 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. 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.

Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 1 by Clare O'Beara Review

Introduction: There are four books in this series and I enjoyed them so much I read them all in quick succession. The topics include prejudice, climate change, relocating for employment, problems getting work after college, women's rights, immigration, and poverty. They are set in the future with people from other planets in our solar system now living on Earth. Many of the modern problems of society are interwoven in the texts. There are two protagonists who are book nerds — one is from Ireland (and hypersensitive) and one is multiracial. They are modest heroes. Clare O'Beara has also written many mysteries. The books are somewhat informational, and I would say they are multi-genre nonfiction and science fiction. 

Dining Out Around The Solar System Part One 


Clare O'Beara

Kindle Edition


Book 1

  • ASIN: B00E4N30XS


This book has it all as far as I am concerned! I like science and science fiction. 
Please see also the reviews for book 2book 3, and book 4.

The protagonists, Donal and Myron, are modest observant heroes who live in London and write reviews for the zine news and later London’s Eye. Donal is Irish, hypersensitive, and a food critic. Myron, with Jamaican grandparents, reviews adult entertainment which is referenced mostly in passing throughout the books. What they wear and what they notice about fashion is mentioned throughout the story. How they take care to protect their reputations as reporters and personal identity is explained. They have new editors and other reporters to deal with, as well as sci-fi computers built into glass desks. The office building has an antigrav lift. The cutting-edge electronics are well described.

Many of the restaurants Donal reviews are run by people from elsewhere in our solar system, such as Mercury or Venus. Each review enlightens us a little more about life and culture in London in this future setting. "Food of Love,” for instance, is a review about a Venusian place with all the tables set for couples. The restaurant has trouble arranging seating a few more people for a small office party.

I like the descriptions such as these few lines from this particular review:

“The staff keep hovering gently in the background here, but never intruding, allowing one to focus on one’s company. Pricey location for an office party, but the bright young things at the other tables certainly appeared to find it romantic.”

Another food review is of "Pluto’s Mr. Frosty Van." Donal realizes the Plutonians didn’t know about ice-cream when they landed but have now mastered the art. Ice cream becomes important in a later book for people from a different planet.

Workers who take six-month jobs in space may arrive home with shuttle flu, which is also contagious to those living on earth. The workers also have physical ailments from living in space that last about six months. Weil’s disease is new and colds are not usually mild anymore. Futuristic illnesses impact the lives of the characters.

Donal figures out a way to earn college credits which gives him more credibility as a reporter. That he figures out a clever way to do this without having much money shows he is ingenious. 

I love it that all through all four books, Donal and Myron are “book nerds” and refer to other books by title, fitting the situations at hand. They make humorous statements which are enjoyable. They solve parts of mysteries with hacking but only for good intentions, always carefully covering their tracks.


Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 1 by Clare O'Beara Review

Clare reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com, and has a website at:

Clare blogs and answers questions on her Goodreads page. 



I will be writing reviews of the other three books in this series this summer. 


Thank you for reading, 

Carolyn Wilhelm

   Dining Out Around the Solar System Book 1 by Clare O'Beara Review

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Mystery Writer Brian O'Hare Shares Readers Favorite Review



Title:  The Dark Web Murders
Author:  Brian O'Hare
Book Genre:  Mystery Thriller
ISBN-10: 168160664X
ISBN -13978-1681606644
Publisher: Crimson Cloak Publishing
Book's Amazon Link:  https://tinyurl.com/yxhzlpmq



Official Review by Divine Zape for READERS FAVOURITE.com
Review Rating:  5 Stars   

The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare follows an intelligent and ruthless serial killer who is as elusive as he is provocative. He calls himself Nemein and claims to be a nemesis, the one who metes out punishments. But he says he is not a killer, that he is detached from his killings. Now he taunts Inspector Sheehan, an intelligent and highly skilled detective, using a series of blog posts as the body count of victims rises. The killer seems to know Sheehan and knows just how to make him suffer. Follow the detective and his team as they trawl alleys that lead to dead ends. Will they ever come close to catching the elusive serial killer or will they watch helplessly as more victims are killed every day?

Brian O'Hare has a refreshing voice in the crime and mystery genres, a clear and enjoyable one. The author plunges readers into the mindset of a serial killer and forces them to navigate the darkness that inhabits the killer's soul. From the beginning, the reader is gripped by curiosity and wants to discover more about the villain, but they quickly discover that the darkness is addictive, nourished by a grim, pervasive form of humor that rubs off on the reader. The author explores the darkest instincts of humanity and creates characters that are sophisticated and real. The novel is ingeniously plotted and the online presence of the killer gives the feeling of one who is everywhere and yet nowhere. The Dark Web Murders is suspenseful, psychologically disturbing, and emotionally engaging. An expertly written crime novel that leaves you with nightmares.

Mystery Writer Brian O'Hare Shares Readers Favorite Review

MORE ABOUT REVIEWS AND ACCESS TO THIS BLOG



 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 everything 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.



Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Another Review Resource for The New Book Review Blog Visitors

I rarely do this, but I didn't know about GoDaddy's support for what they call testimonials; testimonials are closely related to getting review and I sometimes substitute a few testimonials for authors who as yet have no review to submit to this blog (see the tab for submission as the top of this blog post). So, here is the link to their updated post.  In my How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically,  I call  reviews (and yes related excepts like testimonials, blurbs, etc), "forever reviews" because they are one of my favorite marketing tools.

Here is the link:
how-to-ask-for-testimonials-and-reviews-from-your-clients

I hope to hear from authors, readers, reviewers, or publishers with your favorite review--maybe with something GoDaddy.com helped you acquire.  Be sure to follow the submission guidelines, though!

Best,
Carolyn


MORE ABOUT REVIEWS AND ACCESS TO THIS BLOG



 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 everything 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.



Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too! 

Friday, May 24, 2019

Lois W. Stern Offers a Path to a Free and Ethical Reviews

Lois W. Stern, an author advocate and former educator, is a frequent contributor to this blog and she now offers readers of #TheNewBookReview a path to getting free and ethical reviews for their books. No kidding!  She explains how to do it below and you'll learn more about her other projects that help writers in her biography below that. Please feel free to let those in the publishing industry know about this service.

Lois W. Stern Helps Authors Get Ethical Review--FREE!




Marketing is a huge part of a book's success, and getting reviews is a huge part of marketing a book or any other business. If you don't believe it, ask a plumber who has had poor reviews on Yelp!~ excerpt from page 18 of How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
__________________________________

Get your review request listed here on The New Book Review blog (no charge). Send Lois the elevator pitch describing one of your books and asking for a reviewer for it. The pitch should be no longer than 50 words. Follow the format below and send your request and description to tales2Inspire@optimum.net with REVIEW WANTED in the subject line. Make sure the book is already listed at Amazon.com. 

Author or Publisher Responsibilities: 
Authors or publishers must be willing to send a book (in whatever format(s) you list in your application as outlined below as well as promotional materials to anyone who contacts you. 
Please note: Those who offer paper copies of their book are more likely to attract a reviewer.

Reviewer Responsibilities: 
Reviewer must :
  • Commit to writing a review within 30 days.
  • Post it on the author's Amazon buy page.
  • Give the author permission to post it on The New Book Review blog.
  • Follow submission guidelines outlined in  the left column of this blog.
______________

KINDLY USE THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:

TITLE:
SUBTITLE (If any):
GENRE:
DESCRIPTION: (Your elevator pitch - (Maximum 75 words)
AUTHOR'S NAME:
E-MAIL:
NUMBER OF PAGES:
FORMATS YOU ARE OFFERING FOR REVIEW: (PDF, E-BOOK, PAPERBACK or HARDCOVER BOOKS)
AGE/INTEREST LEVEL:
AMAZON URL: 
___________________________________________________________________

SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW REQUEST TO LOIS AT: tales2inspire@optimum.net

PUT TNBR Review Request IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
_____________________________________

It really works folks! 
I posted a Review Request notice on the New Review Blog Spot for the newest book in my Tales2Inspire Collection, and got this fabulous review . What makes it even more special is that this reviewer,  an author herself, comes all the way from South Africa!

She began with the heading:.  

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would.

and continued with the words:

If you want to be inspired about our future on this planet, and if you need some perking up about the condition of the next generation, please read this book. You will be well-rewarded with good, good news about young children  teenagers and (young) adults who are sincerely making a positive difference in our world." ~ Terry Atkinson - South African author of A Love Story from the Heart and Bob and the Bully
__________________________________________________________________________

In the tradition (and memory) of our beloved friend and author advocate, Dan Poynter,
The New Book Review wants to help our readers get credible reviews,
so continue to send us your REVIEW WANTED requests as outlined above.
__________________________

ABOUT LOIS W  STERN

   


MORE ABOUT YOUR TRUSTED REVIEW COORDINATOR


Tales2inspire was a kernel of an idea Lois W. Stern started in 2012. It has grown to proportions she didn’t dare to envision. Lois's 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 her 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 Lois spreads  the word about the winners and their stories on her blog, in her monthly newsletter, and on her social networks. Free to enter, this competition is open to talented newbies and seasoned authors alike. 

Lois is a multi award-winning author whose work has been featured in The New York Times, on Local Access TV, and in live presentations in many varied venues. She has now published eight Tales2Inspire books 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/gift  and to learn more about entering the next Tales2Inspire contest at: www.tales2inspire.com/contest. She is also a regular contributor to this blog. Learn more about her at:

__________________________

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.