Title: Save Send Delete
Author: Danusha V. Goska
Author's Web site link: http://save-send-delete.blogspot.com/
Genre or category: Memoir
ISBN ISBN-10: 1846949866
Reviewed by Kincaide originally for Amazon.
Publisher and reviewer's rating: Five stars
Happened upon this book quite by accident. A fortuitous one at that.
It's been too long since I've read a non-formulaic, original work, let
alone one that openly bares the soul of the author and makes you
respect them for honestly portraying life as filled with shades of
grey instead of being just black or white. Perhaps it was David Eggers
"Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" that last moved me this way.
Ms. Goska's intelligent and eloquent use of the English language
vividly and realistically conveys a broad range of human emotions,
including, wonder, inquisitiveness, love, lust, anxiety, exhilaration,
disappointment, anger, loneliness, fear and hope. Mira, who represents
Ms. Goska in this story, is the protagonist. She invites us along on a
private journey of discovery as her act of reaching out to a stranger,
a famous academic, takes her on a long road of self exploration,
winding down many paths. Ultimately, breaking from the day to day
correspondence, the book fast-forwards several years into the future
with Mira reflecting back on their intense relationship.
Told in the form of a series of first person emails, we are allowed to
see only Mira's side of the correspondence with the academic, Lord
Randolph Court-Wright. In this book, Lord Court-Wright is a famous
atheist. Mira, on the other hand, is a devoutly Catholic professor,
who lives modestly in relative obscurity. Although their discussion
initially begins as a heated debate over the existence of God, it
quickly goes well beyond that, and shows how individuals relate,
interact, fight, fall in love and seek meaning through themselves and
through others. Since readers only see only Mira's correspondence,
Lord Court-Wright is viewed through her reaction to his emails. Each
passage is time stamped. At the end of each missive are ubiquitous
"Save Send Delete" choices that modern-day readers used to email for
daily communication find comfortably familiar. Cleverly, Ms. Goska
shows hesitation, doubt and clarification through both the time of the
communication and Mira's choice of whether a particular email is
saved, sent or deleted.
Ms. Goska inserts one other active character into the story, Amanda, a
friend from a completely different background. Amanda is famous in her
own right, but shares a special connection with Mira. Correspondence
between Amanda and Mira is visible to the reader, allowing Ms. Goska
to flesh out the Lord Court-Wright character. When Amanda asks
questions about him, Mira dutifully answers in her own quirky way -
revealing insight about both Mira and Lord Court-Wright. Since the
book is ascribed to true events, I assumed while reading it that
Amanda is a real person. In retrospect, I'm not sure if she is real,
or whether she is a plot device to more fully embellish the atheist
Lord Court-Wright, referenced, but otherwise unseen.
Readers are bound to walk away from this book with many different and
perhaps conflicting perceptions of the message. I grew up Catholic,
converted to the Episcopal Church as an adult, and am now agnostic.
The debates over the existence or non-existence of a supreme deity
mirror the questioning that I personally struggle with when thinking
about one all-knowing being. Having never knowingly experienced the
tangible physical manifestation of a divine force, I don't have the
same perception that Mira describes in her emails with Lord
Court-Wright. However given the vastness of the universe, I find it
arrogant to think that there is not some force that had a hand in
bringing our small little corner of the universe into creation. Ms.
Goska allows and acknowledges doubt, debating respectfully, but still
forcefully arguing through Mira, that god exists. There are moments
when certain passages drag on, belaboring theological points that that
can be made in a more succinct manner. Ms. Goska can be forgiven this
infrequent tendency towards elongating certain sections (or perhaps I
should be chastised for a short attention span) because when viewed as
a whole, the book is a gem.
The undercurrent of the book is the budding love story and saga of two
incredibly talented individuals that are unexpectedly brought
together, and that support, challenge, chide and at their core, care
for each other. This particularly struck home for me, as I have also
experienced a deeply moving, intellectual and emotional relationship
with an unattainable member of the opposite sex. Readers don't need to
personally experience this however, as the message however of finding
meaning and purpose by and through interaction with others is
universal.
"Save, Send, Delete" is a highly intelligent, thought-provoking book
that keeps the reader engaged and rooting for a happy ending until the
very last page. Such a richly nuanced portrayal of a deeply moving,
human story deserves to catapult Ms. Goska out of obscurity and into
the limelight as one of the most powerfully authentic authors of our
time.
-----
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 :
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
THE Title for Those Suffering from Stress
Living Consciously In An Ego Driven Society
Karen Monteverdi
Genre: Nonfiction: Self-Help/Health and Healing
Genre: Nonfiction: Self-Help/Health and Healing
Submitted by Denise Cassino
I just found a book that aligns with my thinking and I wanted to share it with you. There are a few of books out there that talk about this subject, but none so easy to understand, and simple to use. In writing Living Consciously In An Ego Driven Society, Karen Monteverdi, is offering a shortcut, a possibility… you won’t have to wait years to “get it”!
WHAT IS "IT"?
A life that you LOVE living.
A life that you can’t wait to get into each day.
A life that calls forth YOUR unique expression.
Karen Monteverdi sets the stage for a new way to look at health, a new way to express ourselves. We call the complex system the Total Holistic Integrated System, and we see it as a expression of how you experience life. You can change your mind, heart, spiritual awareness, become emotionally intelligent and improve your body awareness to create a positive experience of life, letting go of the distress. http://bit.ly/NJBrjT
Living Consciously in an Ego Driven Society is a guide to understand what that means, how different aspects of “Self” being expressed can affect our quality of life. When we live in ego, we may create unwanted symptoms in our mind/body/spirit and emotional body. The "Ego Driven Society" is a "Stress Full Society!"
What are stress driven illnesses? (According to the AMA & Natural Healing Communities)
Individuals who have frequent moments of stress and do not take steps to manage their stress are prone to developing stress induced illnesses. Here are some stress-related diseases.
Physical Disorders Related to Stress
• Coronary
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Ulcers
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Rheumatism, arthritis
• Colitis
• Chronic bronchitis
• Sinus problems
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Hyperactivity – Bi-Polar Disorders
• Depression – Social Disorders including Agoraphobia
• Suicide
• Violent anger – Irrational thinking
• Nervous System & Brain Disorders e.g. PTSD
And here's the best part, when you buy the book, you can download dozens of similar bonuses that will help you with your own growth. Enjoy! http://bit.ly/NJBrjT
~Submitted by Denise Cassino, publicist and book marketing specialist. Learn more about her at: www.BestsellerServices.com
www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com
www.mybestsellerlaunch.com
Follow her on Twitter @DeniseCassino
Friend her on Facebook Denise.Cassino
----- www.spiritoftheseasoncatalog.com
www.mybestsellerlaunch.com
Follow her on Twitter @DeniseCassino
Friend her on Facebook Denise.Cassino
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 :
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Wisconsin Tale Impresses Reviewer
Legends of the Lake
By Philip Nork
Author's Website: www.PhilipNork.com
Link to buy: www.createspace.com/3742301
ISBN: 978-146804369
Also available for Kindle
Review: Originally posted on www.AngieMangino.com by Angie Mangino
Rated 4 of 5 starsIn Legends of the Lake, Nork has shared a unique look at four generations of family in a backdrop of Chicago, and most especially, a lake in Wisconsin, spanning the years from 1910 into the 1980’s.
Central to the story is Eddie and Connie Kron, the narrator’s great-grandparents, who bought the cabin by the lake. Readers venture into this summer cottage from the start, watching it change and develop as the family grows and changes. The cottage on the lake is the visual constant that reflects the roots of this family.
In the true definite of legends, the family story credits Eddie and Connie as the inspiration for many a unique well-known invention and neighbors with an infamous man. These add a perfect balance of levity to bring a chuckle to readers, while leaving the rare possibility that some of it may actually be true.
What is most important, however, and is the true strength of this work, is the family dynamic. This is a family to which readers can relate, with real dialogue and characterization that truly brings this family to life.
Connie’s favorite quote was, “If it makes you happy, that’s just fine with me.” This reviewer can almost hear her saying that to readers today who will be happy reading Legends of the Lake.
About the Author: Phil Nork, author of Misguided Sensitivity, Legends of the Lake, You're Never Alone and coming soon Life Is a Balance ... It's Not Only About You. www.philipnork.com
Follow him on facebook at www.facebook.com/authorPhilipNork
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 :
Monday, 18 June 2012
Jo Linsdell's Zoo Book Given Five Stars
Title: Out and About at the Zoo
Author: Jo Linsdell
Author's Web site link: www.JoLinsdell.com
Genre or category: Children's picture book- Juvenile Fiction / Stories in Verse
ISBN/EAN13: 1477446591 / 9781477446591
Reviewed by Virginia L. Jennings originally for Amazon
"Out And About At The Zoo is a cute book that describes a child's memory filled trip to the zoo. Are you heading to the zoo and you would like to tell your kids what animals they will see there and what they might be doing? Then Out And About At The Zoo would be a great choice. Easy to understand and easy for children to read along with. It is filled with simple yet colorful pictures that even held my one year old's attention!
Would also make a good gift for young readers who are just beginning to read!"
Would also make a good gift for young readers who are just beginning to read!"
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 :
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Honoring Father/Daughter Writing Team Today
Note from Carolyn (your New Book Review blogger): This review is specially posted today to honor fathers and daughters everywhere, but especially father and daughter writing teams. I don't know many of them. Deacon Steve Lumbert and Karina Fabian are father and daughter who came to their faith in different ways. Karina was raised in it, while Steve discovered his calling later in life. Steve is a Deacon and parish administrator in Pueblo, CO. Karina is a writer, military wife, and mother of four.
~ Karina just wants to add that her "dad is everything Elizabeth says and more, and working on the book with him was one of the highlights of her writing career-----
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 :
Title: Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life
Author: Karina Fabian and Deacon Steve Lumbert
Category: Christian, devotionals, spirituality
ISBN: 9780982256534
Available from: Publisher (Tribute Books)
or Amazon or other online dealers
or Amazon or other online dealers
For More Info: http://whygodmatters.com
Reviewed by Elizabeth Weidner originally for A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars
Fathers are so cool, they can be the best person in a child's life....or the worse. It's their choice. Much of it depends on their own bringing up, how they interpret the role of parenthood, especially the role of being the father. Fathers balance the family scales with mothers, giving the children in the nest two places to rely on. From the dawn of history, mothers were the nurturers, consolers, and source of gentle loving confidence. Fathers, on the other hand, provided the means to which the family survived, food, money, shelter, and protection from the outside.
Children, therefore, saw in a father the strength of one beyond their own capacity. The automatic dependence was a source of security that only in the strength of the father could a child even think of venturing outside the cocoon of the mother's nest.
The father's dependence on the mother was also a sign of strength to the children. His love and devotion to their mother impressed upon their children that strength is a sign of wisdom when it can bow down to dependence and devotion to another.
In August (2010), at the Catholic Media Network and Catholic Writer's Conference Live event in Philly, I was able to meet just such a father in Deacon Steve. He and his daughter, Karina, wrote a book together sharing their history and growth in their belief and dependence in God. "Why God Matters," is a compilation of experiences and life lessons that both brought them closer together and instilled in them that God is there for them at each and every corner of their lives. Both are a complete delight and without saying a word are beacons of hope for those around them in God. Just by their actions, you can tell they have joy in their hearts and hope on their sleeves. They know God and God knows them.
Meeting them both, I can see that Karina is the person she is because of her father's role in her life. Deacon Steve has truly been a devoted father to both his daughters and completely devoted to their mother. Yes, trials followed him throughout their family life, but it never dimmed their love for God, on the contrary, it strengthened their awareness of His presence.
The stories in their book will make you laugh, cry, and even give you an "Ah ha" moment through their life lessons section following each chapter. I loved the book and went away from reading it with the wide-open message that fatherhood is so imperative to a child's psyche and security. Karina is blessed and Deacon Steve is a blessing.
Children, therefore, saw in a father the strength of one beyond their own capacity. The automatic dependence was a source of security that only in the strength of the father could a child even think of venturing outside the cocoon of the mother's nest.
The father's dependence on the mother was also a sign of strength to the children. His love and devotion to their mother impressed upon their children that strength is a sign of wisdom when it can bow down to dependence and devotion to another.
In August (2010), at the Catholic Media Network and Catholic Writer's Conference Live event in Philly, I was able to meet just such a father in Deacon Steve. He and his daughter, Karina, wrote a book together sharing their history and growth in their belief and dependence in God. "Why God Matters," is a compilation of experiences and life lessons that both brought them closer together and instilled in them that God is there for them at each and every corner of their lives. Both are a complete delight and without saying a word are beacons of hope for those around them in God. Just by their actions, you can tell they have joy in their hearts and hope on their sleeves. They know God and God knows them.
Meeting them both, I can see that Karina is the person she is because of her father's role in her life. Deacon Steve has truly been a devoted father to both his daughters and completely devoted to their mother. Yes, trials followed him throughout their family life, but it never dimmed their love for God, on the contrary, it strengthened their awareness of His presence.
The stories in their book will make you laugh, cry, and even give you an "Ah ha" moment through their life lessons section following each chapter. I loved the book and went away from reading it with the wide-open message that fatherhood is so imperative to a child's psyche and security. Karina is blessed and Deacon Steve is a blessing.
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 :
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Reviewer Lauds Author's Debut Thriller
Title: The Gizeh Scrolls
Author: Charles Yockelson
Author's Web-site Link: http://www.wix.com/charlieyo/gizeh1
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
ISBN: 9781475173451
Reviewed by Eve Anderson originally for Amazon
Reviewer's Rating: 5 stars
Charles Yockelson has produced an excellently crafted storyline of international intrigue mixed with historic content. I was not expecting such a page turner plot and, once started, I could not stop reading the book. His descriptions of historic landmarks in many countries are so well constructed that you feel as if you are walking alongside the book's characters and experiencing the same breezes and seeing the same views as they.
The book was obviously very well researched and the author intertwined fact and fiction so well that the telling of the story could easily be mistaken for nonfiction instead of a novel.
It is hard to believe this is Yockelson's first book. I sincerely hope there are more to come.
Yvonne Perry's Consciousness Tour Stops at New Book Review
Title: Shifting into Purer Consciousness
Subtitle: Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience
Author: Yvonne PerryAuthor's Web site:http://shiftingintopurerconsciousness.com.
ISBN-13: 978-0-9825722-9-0
Publisher: Write On!, May 2012 Reviewer: Carl David (Philadelphia, PA USA) May 11, 2012
If you only read one book in your search for answers as to who we are, why we are here and where we are going, then this is your guide to the Universe. This work is the ultimate handbook to life as it spells out very clearly all aspects of life as we know it and what lies beyond as the evolution of our soul’s progress. Every question is addressed in detail leaving no stone unturned. The ascension has begun and we are all in it together. The end of the world is mere fearmongering out of ignorance and ego. We are on the edge of a magnificent energy increase as the Universe graces us with its benevolence. Fabulous events for humanity are in the works like never before.
If you are fortunate enough to get a copy of this incredible compendium of knowledge you will never look at life in the same way. You will have a sense of peace without worry. No longer will fear of the unknown be part of your vision, you will embrace the present and the future as they merge tenses before your very eyes. Any and all of your questions will gain clarity as we move together into the tide of rising consciousness.
Yvonne has done it again with this extraordinary book of knowledge which she so freely imparts to us. I have had the distinct pleasure of reading Yvonne's other books and like the others, this one is a jewel! My best advice, get it now; don't wait another minute. You will never regret it.
Today is the first day of Yvonne’s tour! Tomorrow the tour will be at Jacqueline Stone’s blog, On the Journey and I invite you to visit that site to learn more about the spiritual transition we are currently in. See the full tour schedule at http://dld.bz/byrF7.
Friday, 15 June 2012
New E-Book Helps Authors Shoot Their Books to Amazon Bestseller Lists
Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers: But That's Not All They Do by Aggie Villanueva
ISBN 13: 978-0-9825914-4-4
Genre: Non-fiction, How-toISBN 13: 978-0-9825914-4-4
Category: Writing, Publishing
Author's Web site
Purchase Link
Book Trailer
Press Page
E-Book
This book was an immediate bestseller in multiple categories and that status for the first seven weeks of publication, which attests to the effectiveness of this book.
Synopsis:
This e-book is the most comprehensive help you'll find in using the simple techniques offered through Amazon's category choices, leading to your book to not only become a category bestseller but also make many of Amazon's other top-100 lists.
Further, this book discusses background Amazon strategies and controversy affecting authors while attempting to understand and utilize it on many levels. A fellow author's probe into the machinations of Amazon's mega-publicity engine. It attempts to understand Amazon Book Store's multi-leveled promotional core with no legal lingo, no geek speak."
Amazon created an ingenious marketing engine that drills through several layers of free and automated publicity, each layer completely unique, and each layer reaching millions of readers every minute of every day.
They have wisely structured their site for auto-promotion, promotion and more promotion applied to each book without bias. But few authors are aware of the tendrils of opportunity extending from your sales page to your target audience. And those lead to more and those lead to more and...
Even lesser known is that it all starts with categories.
Categories are the inverted pyramid point from which nearly every top-100 list is drawn. Mess up your categories and you'll never rank in most of Amazon's lists, including bestselling.
What people are saying:
"This book is a little jewel. Aggie Villanueva changes your perspective of Amazon from that of an online book store to that of an author publicity machine. Amazon.com like its namesake - is a large, unfathomable, murky river with many secrets and many treasures. This book shines a light on one such secret - using the categories function on Amazon to create best sellers. This little book is essential reading for authors ... even those who hate Amazon!"
Vikram Narayan, CEO BookBuzzr.com.
Vikram Narayan, CEO BookBuzzr.com.
“I’ve been in the kindle ebook publishing game for a number of years now, have learned a lot, but after reading this Kindle book, it made me realize there is still tons of stuff I don’t know – and need to know. I also already had a basic understanding about Amazon categories – but Villanueva has obviously been combing through Amazons methods and policies – analyzing everything in critical detail, and what she has discovered is significant and important.”
Ken Korczak, Reviewer.
Ken Korczak, Reviewer.
About the Author:
 | Aggie Villanueva is a Bestselling, Award-winning Author & Marketing Specialist, and owner of Promotion a la Carte author marketing services. She also owns My Book Marketing Systems where authors get their mobile app affordably. |
Aggie Villanueva 575.268.6095 aggie@promotionalacarte.com Skype: myaggie2
Promotion a la Carte, Promotional Menu of Choice: Promoting Authors & Celebrating Books
My Book Marketing Systems: Learn why you need your own author app
SUBSCRIBE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT BOOK PROMOTION & OUR PROMOTIONAL SERVICES
SUBSCRIBE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT BOOK PROMOTION & OUR PROMOTIONAL SERVICES
-----
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
A Gift for Mother and Other Women In Your Life
She Wore Emerald Then
Subtitle: Reflections on Motherhood
By Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Photography by May Lattanzio
Number one in the Celebration Series of chapbooks
Author's Web site: www.howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm
Amazon Link: www.budurl.com/motherchapbook
ISBN: 978-1438263793
Also available for Kindle
Reviewed originally for Amazon by Zoe Potok, Czech Republic
-----
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 :
Subtitle: Reflections on Motherhood
By Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Photography by May Lattanzio
Number one in the Celebration Series of chapbooks
Author's Web site: www.howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm
Amazon Link: www.budurl.com/motherchapbook
ISBN: 978-1438263793
Also available for Kindle
Reviewed originally for Amazon by Zoe Potok, Czech Republic
REVIEW
She Wore Emerald Then
I read this collection of thirty poems slowly, allowing myself only a few at a time usually before I went to bed. The poems deserve such an approach, they need to settle in the mind and soul, to be savoured like a good wine.
The description (on the Amazon.com site only) says "Moods of Motherhood" but it is more than that. At its heart it is about a grown-up child reflecting on the elderly and dying mother and on earlier days when the mother was the strong adult and other. Maybe it is because I am at that stage of life (with a grown-up son and a frail mother) that the poems meant so much to me. The description also suggests that it would make the ideal Mother's Day gift, I'm not so sure about that, I certainly wouldn't give it to my mother, too close to home.
The two poets come at the subject from different points: Magdalena Ball talks about the cosmos before focusing in on the personal with her late poems, Carolyn Howard-Johnson starts with and continues with the personal. And it is the personal that catches the reader in the throat:
We all forget names, I say as numb
moves from hand to heart
because it is my name she has forgotten.
~More on the reviewer: Zoe Brooks (Potok) is a poet and writer. She is the author of Fool’s Paradise a long poem for voices http://www.amazon.com/Fools-Paradise-ebook/dp/B0087EB5KA/
She blogs at http://zoebrooks.blogspot.com/-----
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 :
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Poetry Market Ezine Reviewer Weighs in on Chapbook
LIBRETTI LUMI
By Roy Anthony Shabla
poetry
ISBN: 978-1-105-18751-3
royanthonyshabla.com
http://royanthonyshabla.com/books.html
Review by LB Sedlacek, originally for the "The Poetry Market Ezine" - March 2012
Roy Anthony Shabla gets an "A" in visual
presentation for his new poetry book,
"Libretti Lumi." Even the envelope it
arrived in had a poem by Shabla stamped
on the outside -- a clever way to further
share his poetry.
"Libretti Luma" is divided into two sections:
"Air Play" "Cantata Aria" and "Word Play"
"lingua recitativa." Poems aren't titled --
they are numbered making the book more like
how an epic poem might be presented.
Poem III in the "Air Play" section is a
wonderful and somewhat playful romp through
the ups and downs of love in a relationship.
It explores appreciation of the earth, sky,
the breeze, etc. "Air Play" contains
grounded poems that reach into the
every day but also encompass the universe.
Poem IV in the "Word Play" section deals
with the end of everything: "the city is
gone./Maybe it never existed./the streets
go nowhere,/come from nowhere,/are nowhere./
the buildings are merely a trick of the light,/
a glimmer in the wasteland ...." In this
same poem, though, Shabla still presents a
glimmer of hope including lines such as
"I sing./I sing./O you may not think of
my song as singing,/but I sing ..." and
"I love you/you know this/I do not think."
The last poem (V in the "Word Play"
section) is a fitting end to the book:
"We say words/to each other//we say them/
like they mean something...."
There is an overall sense of sureness and
calmness in the poems presented in this
book. The subjects and symbollism are
sharp, but yet they exude a relaxed state.
I'm glad I opened the cover and dived on
in -- this is a poetry book I would read
again and again.
-----
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 :
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Medical Fiction From India Grabs New Book Review Spotlight
Title: Mahashweta
Author: Sudha Murthy.
Genre: Indian fiction, medical fiction.Originally published at Book Reviews Galore
Step into the world of leukoderma and understand it complexity, problem and the various Indian superstitions revolving around it. Before you groan and go away, let me tell you that this isn't a book a la 'Emperor Of Maladies'(though I am told it is a fascinating book) but rather a fictional story of the struggles that a woman suffering leukoderma faces. 'Mahashweta' by Sudha Murthy, from the synopsis at the back and the glittering praise from well established newspapers, promises to be a unique read that delves into the suffering of a disease that afflicts many but doesn't find its way in the stories. Unfortunately, the novel fails to live up to those promises for which there are many reasons to which we will get back to later on.
'Mahashweta' is aptly dedicated to women suffering from leukoderma and urges them to fight and not be oppressed by their disease. The story begins on a congratulatory note with the birth of a girl child which is a means to establish the single status of Dr. Anand-the successful, handsome and rich doctor- who helped give birth to the baby girl. Later while at his work, Anand is coaxed into buying a Rs. 1000 ticker for a play he has no idea about by the 'incomparable' Anupama. The play is a love story between Mahashweta and Pundalik and is part of the book 'Kadambari' written by Bhana Bhatta. Anupama plays the heroine and as expected Dr. Anand is mesmerized by her beauty and acting skills. After a few irrelevant incidents, they both get married(how predictable!) despite the difference in their economic status. It is only after marriage that Anupama develops a white patch and it begins to spread despite her clandestine treatment. When her mother-in-law realises this, all hell breaks loose. She accuses Anupama of having tricked her son into marrying him and begins to consider her inauspicious because of leukoderma. She eventually returns to her father's house, disgraced. Her evil stepmother's taunts and ill treatment just worsens the situation. To top it all, Dr. Anand- being a doctor at least should know that leukoderma is nothing but a disease and not something that turns a person inauspicious-also does not support Anupama and abandons her when she needed him the most. Anupama, however, does not let the circumstances get the better of her. She bravely decides to go to Mumbai, away from her callous family and in-laws, to eke out a living and carve a place of her own free from any pain, stigma and stereotypes. She is quite successful is achieving her dreams and standing proudly on her own two feet.
'Mahashweta' is a conventional story of the suffering bravely overcoming their difficult trials and tribulations. The only redeeming aspect of the story comes at the end when Anupama decides to remain her own master and be economically independent rather than being bound by someone else's rules and regulations. Other than this, the novel as a whole is marred by a fragmented narrative, dollops of stereotypes, amateurish writing, no smooth narration and a very soap operatic treatment of the entire story. In fact, I wouldn't be wrong in saying that 'Mahashweta' is a soap opera in prose style as it has all the prerequisites of one-the constant preoccupation with marriage, the evil mother-in-law and sister-in-law twist, the evil stepmother convention, the too good to be true daughter-in-law who suffers silently, the narrow minded and religious focus of the story at time and the list is endless.
While Sudha Murthy does take up a relatively lesser known disease to tell her story, she does not break any new ground on it as the entire novel is steeped in too many stereotypes particularly about girls and marriage. For eg, on the first page itself, the nurse who assisted in the birth of the girl ponders over how the female child is stronger at birth than the male but later on becomes the one who suffers. The nurse attributes this as being 'a fact of life' which is not really true because being feminine or masculine is not a fact of life but rather a cultural construct. The system of patriarchy conditions women to expect suffering in their life. Anything that is exploited or oppressed is associated with the female sex. For eg. it is 'mother' earth and never 'father' earth. The novel is replete with such redundant stereotypes. Murthy may have wished to challenge them but she does not do a good job as she merely states them with no attempts at challenging them much like any commonplace Indian soap opera.
Moreover,her writing does not have the emotional depth that is perhaps required in such a sensitive story. Most of her attempts at philosophy(through Anupama) are also blunt and shallow.
Although, 'Mahashweta' educates the reader about leukoderma and the debilitating superstitions that even 'educated' Indians follow, the novel becomes a drag to read. It reveals the hypocrisy of the Indian society in their attitudes to leukoderma but does not do so in a profound, erudite and personal manner.
Final Verdict: It is best to skip 'Mahashweta' altogether. If you really want to know more about leukoderma, then contact you nearest dermatologist. Or if you don't have the time, then just click here to know more!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 :
Friday, 8 June 2012
Sigmarie Soto Reviews Thriller
Title: Q: Awakening
Author: G.M. Lawrence
Author's Website: http://www.gmlawrence.com/
Genre: Fiction/Philo-Thriller
ISBN: 9781935142539
Variance Publishing
Reviewed by Sigmarie Soto originally for ZiggySoto
G.M. Lawrence’s career as an author can only excel from here given the sophistication of his first novel. Q: Awakening focuses on the quest of conflicted hero, Dr. Declan Stewart, in not only searching for an ancient manuscript (“quelles”), a lost gospel believed to be written by Christ, but also regaining his faith in people and God after years of hiding.
The writing in Q: Awakening is elegant and clever, providing multiple layers and insight into a variety of complex cultural, political, and religious components. While this is an action-packed, save-the-world adventure, there is significantly more depth due to the philosophical aspects and the conflicts among and within the characters as well as the motives driving each of them. And all of this can draw a variety of audiences ranging from diehard adventure/thriller fans to those interested in modern philosophical fiction.
The read is captivating and enjoyably consuming in everything from character development to the vivid settings covering anything from New Zealand to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. While most plots have one villain, Q: Awakening has multiple villains with multiple agendas. Some want to profit from Q while others want to destroy it.
Beyond struggling with accepting that Q is his destiny and obsession, Declan is also interesting because of his struggle with moving forward after already having lost so much during his prior search for Q. As with any good and believable hero, Declan is flawed and even mysterious. His constantly weighed conscience forces him to accept his mission despite the fact he insists he doesn’t believe it is the salvation of the human race.
The quality of writing and imagination mixed with the detail and realness of the characters and places is quite refreshing. Since Q: Awakening is the first in Lawrence’s trilogy, the remaining novels have quite a bit to live up to as well as a lot of questions to answer. Given the complexity and adventure in this novel, a screen adaptation would also be successful and well-received.
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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 :
Author: G.M. Lawrence
Author's Website: http://www.gmlawrence.com/
Genre: Fiction/Philo-Thriller
ISBN: 9781935142539
Variance Publishing
Reviewed by Sigmarie Soto originally for ZiggySoto
G.M. Lawrence’s career as an author can only excel from here given the sophistication of his first novel. Q: Awakening focuses on the quest of conflicted hero, Dr. Declan Stewart, in not only searching for an ancient manuscript (“quelles”), a lost gospel believed to be written by Christ, but also regaining his faith in people and God after years of hiding.
The writing in Q: Awakening is elegant and clever, providing multiple layers and insight into a variety of complex cultural, political, and religious components. While this is an action-packed, save-the-world adventure, there is significantly more depth due to the philosophical aspects and the conflicts among and within the characters as well as the motives driving each of them. And all of this can draw a variety of audiences ranging from diehard adventure/thriller fans to those interested in modern philosophical fiction.
The read is captivating and enjoyably consuming in everything from character development to the vivid settings covering anything from New Zealand to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. While most plots have one villain, Q: Awakening has multiple villains with multiple agendas. Some want to profit from Q while others want to destroy it.
Beyond struggling with accepting that Q is his destiny and obsession, Declan is also interesting because of his struggle with moving forward after already having lost so much during his prior search for Q. As with any good and believable hero, Declan is flawed and even mysterious. His constantly weighed conscience forces him to accept his mission despite the fact he insists he doesn’t believe it is the salvation of the human race.
The quality of writing and imagination mixed with the detail and realness of the characters and places is quite refreshing. Since Q: Awakening is the first in Lawrence’s trilogy, the remaining novels have quite a bit to live up to as well as a lot of questions to answer. Given the complexity and adventure in this novel, a screen adaptation would also be successful and well-received.
-----
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 :
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Women's Nonfiction Reviewed by Book Club
Title: My Pilgrim's Heart
Subtitle: A woman's journey through marriage and other foreign lands
By Stephanie DaleSubtitle: A woman's journey through marriage and other foreign lands
Author's Web site: www.stephaniedale.net
Genre: Travel memoir
ISBN: 978 09821 40765
Reviewed by Chocolate Amethyst (chocolateamethyst) originally for Talk the Talk Women's Book Club
“You won't find Stephanie Dale in My Pilgrim's
Heart, you will find yourself. What you will find is Stephanie Dale right beside you." Stephanie - thank you. Every time you comment, My Pilgrim’s Heart comes alive in a different “light”. I would like to thank you for for creating a “atomosphere” of sincerity, truthfulness, and “tough love”. This blog page has allowed the TTT Ladies a precious opportunity to be “real”. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment and answer each question. I did my final post on 6 May 2012, and honestly I have been on a “journey” of self reflection. Your book My Pilgrim's Heart has opened up the flood gates to my soul and mind. I did not realize how much “tension” that is in my spirit. I have set some new goals for myself, and I have a plan to be proactive with each one. Your Journey is full of wisdom, and your insight is limitless. TTT Ladies I really hope that other book clubs take this journey with Stephanie Dale and My Pilgrim’s Heart. They will discover the” journey” in their heart, Stephanie you are a ‘rare jewel’, and I have the upmost respect for you.”
Heart, you will find yourself. What you will find is Stephanie Dale right beside you." Stephanie - thank you. Every time you comment, My Pilgrim’s Heart comes alive in a different “light”. I would like to thank you for for creating a “atomosphere” of sincerity, truthfulness, and “tough love”. This blog page has allowed the TTT Ladies a precious opportunity to be “real”. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment and answer each question. I did my final post on 6 May 2012, and honestly I have been on a “journey” of self reflection. Your book My Pilgrim's Heart has opened up the flood gates to my soul and mind. I did not realize how much “tension” that is in my spirit. I have set some new goals for myself, and I have a plan to be proactive with each one. Your Journey is full of wisdom, and your insight is limitless. TTT Ladies I really hope that other book clubs take this journey with Stephanie Dale and My Pilgrim’s Heart. They will discover the” journey” in their heart, Stephanie you are a ‘rare jewel’, and I have the upmost respect for you.”
Stephanie Dale
Traveling writer
Twitter: @stephaniedale22
'A lover is a fighter who believes
her desires are shared by all the world' Harriet Rubin
----- her desires are shared by all the world' Harriet Rubin
Monday, 4 June 2012
Tim Ward Gives Karina Fabian's Fantast a Five!
Title: Mind Over Mind
Author: Karina Fabian
Category: fantasy/science fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1897942369 (print)
1897942362 (e-book)
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2011
Pages: 314
Price: $19.95 US (print) $2.99 (e-book)
Available from: DragonMoon Press, http://dragonmoonpress.com
More Info: www.fabianspace.com
Reviewed by Tim Ward, originally for Amazon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I heard that the main character, Ydrel, was a telepath empowered by an alien only he can see and hear, I had to buy it. I am writing a book with telepaths and so I came at this book from a researcher’s perspective. What Karina gave me was more than I anticipated. Here’s a rapid-fire list of what this book offers:
*Solid, clear-cut writing. She keeps it fresh, insightful, emotional, fun, and rewarding.
*Three point-of-view characters with emotional investment and story lines that keep you engaged to the end.
*A fascinating idea about an alien world contacting a young boy from two different angles. One source trains him to kill, and then makes him pay when he refuses. The other needs help to prevent her people from being wiped out in war. The images, conflict, and threats that this side of the novel presents offer a grand scale for the rest of the series. I can’t wait to find out what happens.
*When not set in a fantastical alien world, Karina explores the carefully hidden secrets that could thrive in a mental health facility when you have a telepath and a manipulative chief psychiatrist. Joshua, the young intern who walks into this snake pit, must deal with this psychiatrist, while also gaining Ydrel’s trust so that he can help him escape. Sound research makes this setting real, and you trust the author to tell it how it is, even if that makes things more difficult for the heroes.
*Finally, from a research standpoint, this book offered a ton of inspiration for writing my telepath characters. The best part was, I didn’t feel like I was researching. I came for the story, and was pleasantly surprised to find a new author and series to follow.
~ Learn more about Karina Fabian at http://fabianspace.com Books to challenge the mind, touch the heart, and tickle the funny bone.
----
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 :
Author: Karina Fabian
Category: fantasy/science fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1897942369 (print)
1897942362 (e-book)
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2011
Pages: 314
Price: $19.95 US (print) $2.99 (e-book)
Available from: DragonMoon Press, http://dragonmoonpress.com
More Info: www.fabianspace.com
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I heard that the main character, Ydrel, was a telepath empowered by an alien only he can see and hear, I had to buy it. I am writing a book with telepaths and so I came at this book from a researcher’s perspective. What Karina gave me was more than I anticipated. Here’s a rapid-fire list of what this book offers:
*Solid, clear-cut writing. She keeps it fresh, insightful, emotional, fun, and rewarding.
*Three point-of-view characters with emotional investment and story lines that keep you engaged to the end.
*A fascinating idea about an alien world contacting a young boy from two different angles. One source trains him to kill, and then makes him pay when he refuses. The other needs help to prevent her people from being wiped out in war. The images, conflict, and threats that this side of the novel presents offer a grand scale for the rest of the series. I can’t wait to find out what happens.
*When not set in a fantastical alien world, Karina explores the carefully hidden secrets that could thrive in a mental health facility when you have a telepath and a manipulative chief psychiatrist. Joshua, the young intern who walks into this snake pit, must deal with this psychiatrist, while also gaining Ydrel’s trust so that he can help him escape. Sound research makes this setting real, and you trust the author to tell it how it is, even if that makes things more difficult for the heroes.
*Finally, from a research standpoint, this book offered a ton of inspiration for writing my telepath characters. The best part was, I didn’t feel like I was researching. I came for the story, and was pleasantly surprised to find a new author and series to follow.
----
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 :
Saturday, 2 June 2012
How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time
How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time
By Nina Amir
- Paperback: 168 pages
- Publisher: Writers Digest Books (May 21, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1599635402
- ISBN-13: 978-1599635408
- Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
Reviewed by Deborah Carney, originally for Amazon.com
Excellent book for blog authors or authors who blog, May 5, 2012This book very clearly lays out what, how and why you would want to blog a book. From making you accountable to an audience that wants you to keep writing, to establishing good writing habits, to actually writing a business plan about what you want the blog and book to accomplish. Easy to read, easy to understand and easy to implement, must read for bloggers and authors both.
Learn more about the author Nina Amir:
http://www.ninaamir.com
http://www.copywrightcommunications.com
http://www.howtoblogabook.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 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 :
