MyShelf.com's Top Ten Reads Are Up!

My annual Top 10 list of books is at http://www.myshelf.com/toptenreads.html. Thought readers who frequent The New Book Review would want to see it. You'll need to scroll down a bit to see mine but there is a list there for every taste.

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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.
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Author: Zane Smith
Title: Retreads
Publisher: Real Time Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-84961-034-6
Genre: Business novel

Reviewed by Terrence Ward for Allbooks Review


Retreads is a business novel about an up-and-coming predatory industry in the wake of the Great Recession: career marketing companies. Author Zane Smith introduces us to a cast of mostly unlikeable characters – unlikeable not because they aren't realistic, but because they are. The amoral attitudes and soulless closing techniques will be chillingly familiar to anyone who's had a brush with a professional scammer.

Set in the offices of fictional Executive Careers International in bustling Atlanta, Retreads takes the reader into the lives of some of the slickest operators and “bunko artists” in the career marketing industry and shows how they take advantage of people down on their luck and desperate enough to fork over what little money they have left to get back on their feet. Written as an illustration of how these operations are different than legitimate career counseling firms, the vibrant characters and very real conflicts left this reviewer feeling tense and genuinely interested about what would come next – pretty impressive for business fiction. A great read for someone looking for gripping slice-of-life fiction, and required reading for anyone who's been pounding the pavement looking for an executive position.

Terence Ward, Allbooks Review. www.allbookreviews.com
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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.
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Chiron Book Series Is Winner According to Midwest Book Review

The Taker and the Keeper
By Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin
Genre: Fantasy for preteens
ISBN: 978-1935178033
Publisher: Chiron Books


This review was originally on Children's Bookwatch at Midwest Book Review

The Taker and the Keeper is a Red Monocle series paperback that features middle-school protagonists and reluctant heroes Gregory Guest and Yolanda Torres. Through use of the red monocle, Gregory and Yolanda travel through time into the legendary court of King Arthur of Camelot, where with the help of Merlin an his apprentice they must outwit the enchantress Morgan le Fay to rescue parallel worlds, ancient and modern. Written to appeal to an audience age 8 and up, The Taker and the Keeper is part of an award -winning group of juvenile literature that promises to continue educating and enchanting young readers. The plot is tight, the writing is fluid, the action is packed, the suspense is palpable, and the novel ends with the three magic words "to be continued..." Three cheers and a heads up for the talented authors of the Red Monocle Series!

Find the video trailer.

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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.
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Tons of Tips, Advice and Ideas for Authors Who Want Their Books to Succeed

Reviewed by Tony Eldridge

The Frugal Book Promoter is a solid source for any author who finds out the cold, hard truth that most of the publicity for their book is up to them. It covers book promotion from the time before the book is out to well into its publication. While it mentions traditional book promotion activities that can cost thousands of dollars, it is true to its title by providing more frugal tips, ideas and guidance than one author could possibly use.

Most authors have little knowledge or experience with book promotion. This book will help them look at things that often go overlooked. For example, the book discusses marketing aspects of blurbs, cover design and even author photos. It also gives suggestions on how to approach and communicate with people who can help you promote your book. This just scratches the surface of the tips found in this book.

Book promotion can be overwhelming to many authors, but The Frugal Book Promoter has so many great ideas in it that keeping it at arm’s reach will definitely pay off for the author with a new or upcoming book.

Tony Eldridge
Blogging at Marketing Tips For Authors
Author: The Samson Effect
"1st rate thriller brimming with intrigue and adventure"- Clive Cussler
Read Now online at BookBuzzr.com


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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.
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Imaginiation on Board Author Reviews Elizabeth Fackler's "My Eyes Have a Cold Nose"

My Eyes Have a Cold Nose
Elizabeth Fackler
Sunstone Press
Box 2321, Santa Fe, NM
87504-2321
(800) 243-5644
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0865346992
ISBN-13: 978-0865346994
$17.95 Amazon


Elizabeth Fackler’s My Eyes Have a Cold Nose, published by Sunstone Press is a great example of how an author can blend history, mystery, and fiction. Ms. Fackler begins with a historically accurate character, Elizabeth “Gigi” Garrett, daughter of sheriff Pat Garrett. Gigi Garrett lost her sight as a baby, but with her father’s encouragement, did the things a normal child would: went to school, climbed trees, rode horses, studied music and became a nationally known concert pianist.

My Eyes Have a Cold Nose opens during the Depression. Now in her mid-fifties, Ms. Garrett has retired from the concert stage and gives music lessons to the children in the New Mexico town where she has settled with her seeing-eye dog Teenie. The town and the dog are real. Ms. Fackler once lived in the house owned by Ms. Garrett. Discovery ot Teenie’s grave in the backyard led to the author’s interest in Gigi.

From the truth of Gigi Garrett’s life, Elizabeth Fackler develops a fictional mystery. Chauncy, an orphan who has spent his childhood shuttling between foster families, stands accused of murdering Gigi’s down-the-street neighbor, 15 year-old Eleanor Fielding. Gigi does not believe Chauncy to be guilty. Using her sharpened senses of touch, smell, taste, and hearing, she guides the local sheriff, Sly Rendt, through a maze of clues and possible suspects.

In the process, truth weaves back into fiction. The real Ms. Garrett somehow learned to identify color by odor, an ability which may have combined with faint visual memories since she was not born blind. She could also estimate accurately size, weight, position, and gender of a person by listening to movement.

Using this information, Ms. Fackler creates superb suspense in My Eyes Have a Cold Nose. This suspense is unlike any found in mysteries featuring sighted detective heroes. To explain just why would spoil the fun of My Eyes Have a Cold Nose. Suffice to say that Ms. Fackler uses Gigi’s abilities to create moments that tie a reader’s insides into knots, particularly when an intruder creeps into her house assuming she will not know anyone is there; or when Teenie bolts from Gigi’s, stranding her in the middle of a hostile crowd.


Between the heart pounding moments, Ms. Fackler describes the relationship between a blind person and a seeing, eye dog as a blind person would experience it. Teenie curls her body around Gigi to warn her of steps or rough sidewalks. Gigi can feel changes in the dog’s mood and focus by touching her harness.

Without one visual image, Ms. Fackler conveys a sense of the unnamed town where Gigi lives simply by describing what she feels as she walks the streets, hears traffic, and listens to the comings and goings of others.

As My Eyes Have a Cold Nose’s plot develops, the author sprinkles in Ms. Garrett’s reflections on life with her father: things he used to do, favorite sayings, tidbits he shared about law enforcement, and paternal advice. All the memories come from documented sources concerning Ms. Garrett and her family.

No piece of information is wasted or gratuitous. Throughout My Eyes Have a Cold Nose, fact drives plot and develops character to create fine fiction, a deep understanding of how blind people function, and a strong sense of New Mexico as a particular place in a particular time.

Reviewer Connie Gotsch is the author of A Mouth Full of Shell and Snap Me a Future. Her quote if featured featured in "The Complete Writer's Journal" --www.redenginepress.com
Learn more at www.conniegotsch.com

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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.
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Forced to Become Wealthy

Book Name: You Will Be Forced To Become Wealthy
Book Author: Finifid
Website: www.AgeOfLogic.com
Genre: Adult

Reviewed by Sophia Ofshtein


When I first got this book, I was positive it would be just another "get-rich scheme" but to my pleasant surprise, only it's underlying message was that. The bulk of the book was so much more. So much of the book is dedicated to discussing those questions we all always wonder about, especially today, in a day when there are so many more people questioning religion and faith.

Some of the content discusses a theory (which has me convinced) about our origins on this planet, and has me re-thinking some of my previous beliefs. The book definitely provides one with a ton to think about, but as you read on, you get more and more into the ideas, and really start to see the light, so to speak. It's difficult to really tell about the content, because some of the ideas are expressed so perfectly by the author, I wouldn't know how to reproduce them. Definitely not an easyread, but absolutely worth it. I'm pretty sure this book changed my life, and now I just need to get around to reading it again!

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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.
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E. Joyce Moore's Poetry Reviewed

Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought
Author: E. Joyce Moore
Author's Site: www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 0-9822056-2-7
ISBN13: 978-0-9822056-2-4
Publisher: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43348745
five star rating



Originally Reviewed by Timothy Stelly Sr. for Useless-Knowledge



E. Joyce Moore is one of my favorite writers, from essays to poetry, her missives tend to be heartfelt, yet analytical. Her poetry Ramblings Through The Attic Of Thought, is no exception. This a poignant potpourri of poetic style and musings, from haiku to hip-hop; covering subjects ranging from broken hearts to the state of black America . Moore fires at the reader from point-blank range.

2009 SORMAG Poetry Book of the Year

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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.
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Soccer Lovers Alert! New Book for You

Book Title: The Game of Their Lives: The Untold Story of the World Cup's Biggest Upset
Author: Geoffrey Douglas
Publisher: It Books
Publisher's Address: New York, NY
ISBN: 978-0060758776
List Price: $13.99

Reviewed by Raja N. Krishnan for Amazon


I grew up watching soccer. I enjoyed playing soccer with friends and then later for my high school team. In this country soccer is considered to be mostly enjoyed by kids. It is growing in popularity; it just has not crossed that threshold or the tipping point to take it into the mainstream. After watching the U.S. Soccer team’s great run in the Confederation Cup this past summer culminating in the loss to Brazil, the most feared team of this time, I was inspired to find a book written about the game of soccer. I came across a book titled The Game of their Lives authored by Geoffrey Douglas and this is the subject of this review.

The setting of the book is about a famous soccer match between the United States and England, the most feared team of that time, in the 1950 World Cup. Although at times in the beginning of the story the detailed play by play account of the soccer match can seem to be tedious reading, the author does convey the beauty of the game of soccer in a concise manner and also providing some history throughout the book. The author provides some of the best descriptions of the game of soccer in small doses throughout the book. At one point in the beginning of the book, the author goes on a smooth ride describing the gorgeous game of soccer. The following is an example from the book comparing the sport of soccer to other sports:

“The rhythms of most sports rely on stop-and-start devisements: four downs, nine innings, eighteen holes-and play is halted, breaths are caught, adrenaline depletes. In soccer, where play is continuous-there are no huddles, inning changes, set pieces, or lulls between tackles or points-the rhythms determine themselves.”

Throughout the book the author appropriately conveys the reason why soccer is an exciting game. Having stated that, this book is not only about soccer, it’s about the lives of the players that were on that famous 1950 US soccer national team. The book gives a glimpse about how it was like growing up in America during the depression of the 1930’s.

Furthermore it’s also about the life of immigrant families during that time and also the family life. As the author indicates he was sharing the living history of these soccer players. Living history……..yeah I think that’s what a good historian does. I thought that at times the back and forth transitions between the soccer match and the history of the players on the team seemed to not flow smoothly and also diminished the building suspense of the soccer match, I think with some patient reading Douglas does communicate this living history. It is a challenging task to merge two different aspects, such as a description of the game of soccer with a history of the players; in this case I thought it was a valiant effort and with some patient reading Douglas does communicate this living history.

I would recommend this book for those young soccer players, and also for those that are interested in the account of this 1950 United States vs England World Cup Match. This is an apt book to consider reading ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa. Also, this would be an interesting reading for those that are interested in history, particular the history of immigrant families in the United States. The book gives a nice perspective on the life of immigrant families.

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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.
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Michael J. Sullivan Gets Enthusiastic Review from Nerds Review Site

Title: The Crown Conspiracy
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 0980003431/978-0980003437
Publisher: Asipirations Media, Inc.
Pages: 310
List Price: $11.99
Name of reviewer:Mike Ferrante


Reviewed by Mike Ferrante for Nerds Review Nerds Review Site

Yes, I am still working on Open Your Eyes, for all its scant 152 pages it is a surprisingly dense book. In the meantime I flew through Sullivan’s The Crown Conspiracy in just about a day. Perhaps the best compliment I can pay the book and its author is that immediately upon arriving at work I went and grabbed its sequel, Avempartha off the new book shelf. It is my understanding that The Crown Conspiracy is a debut novel and, that being the case, it is a surprisingly mature one with relatively few new-author stumbles. Part of that maturity is likely a result of the fact that the entire series of books was written before The Crown Conspiracy went to press.

With it’s main duo, a pair of thieves named Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater The Crown Conspiracy will likely draw comparisons to Fritz Leiber’s similarly employed duo. However, other than the professional and physical similarities between the characters (quick small thief, big brawny fighter) it is there any overlap ends. Royce and Hadrian are two well-developed characters shrouded in mystery and written with a delightful dry wit that few veteran authors could emulate. You get hints about the duo’s past, but they are surprisingly small tidbits and yet they are strangely satisfying. Perhaps it is simply that the characters’ presence in the here and now is so fully-realized that everything else is merely secondary; regardless I’m excited to learn more rather than disappointed that I learned so little.

The plot revolves around our two thieves, or independent contractors if you prefer, who take on just about any job (with sufficient notice) for just about anyone as long as the price is right. In what could easily be shown as a throwaway introduction (it isn’t) to what is our two “heroes” do Sullivan deftly captures not only their skill, but their character as well. That same introduction shifts quickly though naturally into the novel’s main plot and it isn’t long before we find Royce and Hadrian in chains and accused of regicide. I don’t want to delve into deeply into things after that, lest I ruin it for you, but from there readers are taken on a twisting plot full of political machinations, the crushing weight of history, a surprising wit (Hadrien’s remarks while hanging in the castle dungeon’s actually elicited a genuine laugh out loud moment), and plenty of action. It is an extraordinarily tale told with a mature voice that would be impressive from a veteran and is even more so from a new author.

The Crown Conspiracy, despite being the opening act to a new multi-book saga called the The Riyria Revelation, is refreshingly self-contained. According to Sullivan’s webpage each of the novels will be self-contained though part of a greater whole. How that will work in later books, as the weight of back story grows stronger, remains to be seen but here at least the start to finish story is a welcome thing. Looking at Sullivan’s webpage there is also this quote:

The series is intentionally written with a “light hand” avoiding long-winded descriptions of unfamiliar names in order to keep the pace rolling. The result is a story that creates depth though the plot, characters, action and dialog, rather than narration.

To which I respond: Amen! This is certainly true in The Crown Conspiracy and all the narrative force is funneled to drive the plot forward. That doesn’t mean that their aren’t moments full of evocatively described scenes but those moments arise with a very natural flair directed not so much at the reader but from character to character. The description of magical prison was particularly impressive though the attempt to enter the prison was very reminiscent of the Fellowship’s attempts to gain access to Moira. However, this is seems an entirely intentional as Royce quips, more than once, about the stupidity of magic words to lock a door. Earlier in the book I found myself especially moved by the description and story of “the Squirrel Tree.” It is a surprisingly quiet moment and it expertly gives the reader insight into the speaker’s mind but at the same time hammers home just how nasty the villains are.

Late 2008 and 2009 have thus far been very good for the speculative fiction market. I have no idea how the actual numbers look in terms of sales but the quality of new fiction I’ve read over the last several months has been impressive to say the least. With the “big” publishers putting out any number of quality titles it is far too easy for independently published titles like The Crown Conspiracy to get lost in the shuffle. Aspirations Media Inc. (AMI) seems to have had some problems of late (http://www.librarything.com/topic/63671&work=6204998, see Message 7) and Sullivan managed to negotiate a deal to get Avempartha out, as I understand it, pretty much on his own. There isn’t a massive marketing push. The Crown Conspiracy and it’s sequel Avempartha are out there and garnering attention thanks mainly to Sullivan’s own work and word of mouth. It is a work and series that deserves attention. Simply put, I couldn’t put this book down and, when I did, I went and picked up the sequel right after. So if you’re at all interested in new and excellent fiction head over to your local bookseller of choice (who usually take special orders), or Amazon, or Sullivan’s own website and pick up the The Crown Conspiracy you won’t regret it.
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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:

Essential, Literate, Academic: Essays for the Serious Writer

The Essential Don Murray
Subtitle: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher
Edited by Thomas Newkirk and Lisa C. Miller
Afterword by Chip Scanlan
Boynton/Cook Publishers
ISBN: 9780867096002
Nonfiction/How-To/Writers
Contact Reviewer: hojoreviews@aol.com
Publisher's Site: www.boyntoncook.com






Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This Is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, and the author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers.

The miracle of books from an author's point of view: They live beyond the author's last breath. Of course, it is really the sharing of that breath, the soul, that they care about. Thanks to Boynton/Cook Books, Thomas Newkirk and Lisa C. Miller have been allowed to resurrect Don Murray's essential wisdom for writers several years after his demise.

Don Murray, a popular columnist, journalist and writer, died in 2006. And though this book definitely celebrates Murray as a writer in his own right, it is—at its root—Murray the teacher of writingthat has been brought to life in these pages.

This is important because Murray's emphasis on creativity and the writing process as opposed to the stress so many teachers and writers' programs put on product and genre is fit so well with my own teaching philosophy. I love them because they are similar to mine and, sure. It feels like validation in a writing world become more commercial and less author-centered as time goes on.

But I'm recommending this book comes because I think that Murray's techniques may very well eradicate the disease known as writer's block and do very much the same for joyless writing. It may even do that for writers who are completely comfortable with product-oriented writing.

Murray's message should definitely be heard by all writers--especially beginning writers. Having said that, I think this book holds more value for teachers of writing. For one thing, there is a distinctly academic quality about many of the essays chosen by the editors and about the foreword, too.

With that in mind, I advise new writers to skip the foreword and go to some of the middle chapters that reproduce some of Murray's methods. His keeping of a day book, his note making, his process of drawing inspiration and even his sketches. It is in those chapters one will get an idea of the man and what made him a formidable writer in many genres. It is in those chapters he does his best job as teacher, too.

It is in those chapters that Murray is allowed to teach by example. At one point he talks about the importance of a teacher sharing his or her own work with students, that this sharing is vital to the teaching process. I suspect it is those middle chapters he wouldn't have wanted his students to miss. It is in those middle chapters, the teacher is intent on sharing what brought him joy, the wonderful exuberance of discovery in writing.

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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:

Dark Diva Reviews Western Romance

Emma the Outlaw
Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Historical/American Western/romance
By Laura Hogg
ISBN: 1449584586


Reviewed by Tammy for Dark Diva Reviews


A bit about the story:

Emma looks down at the crowd from a hanging platform.

Her father was framed, and she took the blame for the crime to save him from
execution. Where is her beloved husband, Nate? She looks around and sees her
husband on a horse, guns blazing. In a whirlwind rescue, she hops on the
back of his horse, and they're off, realizing that they will spend the rest
of their lives as outlaws.

They capture a wanted man and leave him at the doorstep of the sheriff's
office. The sheriff finds Emma and Nate and makes an interesting deal with
them: they will capture the bad guys behind the scenes and allow him to take
all the credit…this in turn for not being run in. For this couple, ahead
lies a life of excitement and passionate love.

Tammy’s Review:

Emma the Outlaw by Laura Hogg is a good book. The love that
Emma and Nate share is shown in various ways throughout the book. Emma the
Outlaw will hold the reader with everything from love, suspense, and family
loyalty.

Emma and Nate are very likable characters with a great sense of the law and
family loyalty. Some of the choices made in the story line may not be the
right ones, but Emma and Nate find a way to correct their mistakes.

The story lines follow closely with the western outlook from the old west.
Laura Hogg has written a very good story, from the laws to the towns. The
ending was finished, but with just enough of a twist that the author could
write a second book. I would love to read this author again.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Tammy!


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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:

Greg Mortenson Offers Biography of Peace

Stones Into Schools--Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Author: Greg Mortenson
Genre: History/Biography
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st edition (December 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670021156
ISBN-13: 978-0670021154



Reviewed by Donna A. Syed, Co-founder, Aslam Educational Support Foundation (www.AslamFoundation.org)


In his latest book, Greg Mortenson hosts the reader as a valuable and welcomed traveling companion as he retraces his steps through the most remote areas of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier areas and the formidable terrain of Afghanistan holding a mirror to our humanity. Mortenson introduces us to his trusted companions turned employees of Central Asia Institute, the so-called "Dirty Dozen", who truly embody the virtues of goodwill and perseverance in the name of literacy and, of course, God.

In short, Greg Mortenson's work makes Anthony Bordain's exotic travel look like a visit to Epcot Center.

Mortenson's commitment to cross-cultural understanding beyond the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan is rivaled only by his determination to educate the under-served girls in the most remote areas of these countries. Stones Into Schools is a suspenseful, heart-breaking as it is heart-warming, true account of a life well lived and a people well-served. Mortenson is an honor to the human race and diplomat for world peace. About now, Greg Mortenson would do well to take his own advice and sit for a month under a walnut tree to recuperate.


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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.
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Review Blog Benefits Writers and Readers

It's amazing how one learns about wonderful new places that can make a difference for writers and readers. "Never proprietary" is my marketing manta (see the list of other spots for reviews by scrolling to the bottom of this blog), and I just learned about this one:
http://newbook-releases.blogspot.com/

I know many subscribers to this blog are past participants as well as readers who will want to follow the books featured there.

Again: http://newbook-releases.blogspot.com/ Go for it!

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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:

Harvard Business School Confidential

Title: Harvard Business School – Confidential
Author: Emily Chan
Genre: Nonfiction: Business
ISBN: 978-0-470-82239-5

Reviewed by Greg Saunders for Allbooks Review

One of the toughest things about business school was the books. Dry application of theory presented in clinical absolutes that, like battle plans, failed at the first contact with the enemy. That is why, as a businessman, I found Emily Chan’s presentation of practical and useful business wisdom and strategies so refreshing. Harvard Business School Confidential is a field guide and whether you are CEO of a multinational corporation or job searching, she presents the, yes; theory, but more importantly, real life experience, relevant case scenarios and the secrets of making it all work.

Personal, Operations and Strategy. These are the broad categories Chan uses; she then breaks each one down into easy to assimilate chapters with titles like, “Plans Are Nothing, Planning Is Everything”. Each chapter giving the reader ideas to contemplate or new approaches to old problems. Consider the issues we all face in business and how they apply to the categories above; planning, promotion, communications, placement, process and control, among just a few. Chan presents them, explains them and offers solutions, incite and strategy that makes real-world sense. I found the writing compelling, the layout logical and professional and, most importantly, the message pertinent and compelling.

I highly recommend Harvard Business School Confidential to anyone in business, interested in business or contemplating attending business school. In fact, I would recommend this as a prerequisite for first year business school candidates. It would help make the theory make sense.

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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:

Fictionalized Biography of Hatshepsut Wins Nod from Egypt Then and Now

Title: Truth is the Soul of the Sun - A Biographical Novel of Hatshepsut-MaatkareAuthor: Maria Isabel Pita
Genre:Historical Fiction
Isbn:1448652685
Reviewer: Ben Morales-Correa

Reviewed by Ben Morales-Correa for EGYPT THEN & NOW



Historical objectivity and sensuality of expression interweave across the entire span of Truth is the Soul of the Sun, Maria Isabel Pita’s new biographical novel of Hatshepsut, arguably the most powerful woman of all time. We can tell that Pita worked tirelessly and with the same level of passion with which she communicates human emotion in her erotic literature to construe how a woman was able to break the long line of male kings and wear the double crown of the Two Lands as Maatkare, hence the title.

Granted, Truth is the Soul of the Sun is a chronological narrative of love and power with little suspense, but this is more than compensated by the parallel metaphysical world that Pita evokes with her magnificent and prolific use of imagery. The queen who would be king might be the main official character, but it is Maat, the spirit of beauty and order, a transcendent creative power breathing life, that is the true catalyst for the author’s inspiration. Thus, the novel demands a slower pace of reading, heightening our senses as we turn every page and imbue ourselves in the realm of beauty and spirituality of 18th dynasty Egypt.

Paradoxically, Maatkare Hatshepsut’s unique achievement of becoming a female Horus did not lead to any further break of tradition. In fact, once pharaoh, Hatshepsut limited herself to preserve Maat, exercise sekhem and perform heka and did not do anything different from previous rulers. Her greatness is inextricably attached to the support of two loyal and powerful male characters, whose relationship with the female king allows us to experience her womanhood.

Pity that these two men, important figures in the novel, one a commoner who rises to the highest positions on account of his intelligence and creativity, the other a direct descendant of ancient aristocracy, do not engage in a conflict of ideas leading to explore opposing views of ancient Egyptian social and political structure. We only encounter them together for a brief moment when they are involved in nedjemit with the female king.

To truly appreciate Truth is the Soul of the Sun, the reader must have a reasonable knowledge of Egyptology, as Pita thoroughly explains the symbolism and the neteru (she prefers to use neters) of Ancient Egypt, and names the cities and villages in the original Egyptian language. However, the publication includes references and more than a hundred footnotes.

In conclusion, Truth is the Soul of the Sun is a fascinating, well-researched and richly narrated biography in the historical fiction genre recommended for anyone interested in strong women in history.

Purchase this book at Amazon.

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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: