If You Like Philip Marlow or Mad Max...

Title: TWIST
Author: Myron Night
Author's Web site link: www.MyronNight.com
Genre or category: hard-boiled detective novel, dystopian futureISBN-10: 1935961845
Name of reviewer: Beth Bacon (aka Beth A B)
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Reviewed by Beth Bacon (aka Beth A B) originally for Amazon.com
Review:

If you like Philip Marlow and / or Mad Max...
...You'll love Adam Twist, hardscrabble detective in the year 2075. He's living in a bleak, tough world where resources are scarce--and so is justice. Here's the story: The czar-like head of the INside world hires Adam to go OUTside to find his 20-year-old daughter, Dora. She ran away from her life of comfort to, she believes, help orphans. What I loved about Twist are the characters. Even the smallest roles have punch and life and spirit. No one is purely good or evil, though some are pretty close to evil. Myron Night's descriptions are gripping and full of vivid imagery. This is a fun, escapist read for those who get their kicks escaping to a world where environmental destruction has blighted the continent. It's a world where justice and liberty, like a huge tornado, have blown away leaving nothing but devastation in its wake. Adam Twist manages to find a rag-tag team of cohorts to help him fight the powers that be. I enjoyed the "twisted" and strangely whimsical references to the Wizard of Oz. I won't give away the ending, but Dora doesn't end up like Dorothy, and the OUTside is nowhere like Oz
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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.

Teresa Morrow Reviews Inspirational Book

Title: Awakening the New You
Author: Ricky Roberts III
Website: http://rickyrobertsiii.com
Publisher: Tate Publishing
ASIN: B00B2AX7QQ
Reviewed by Teresa Morrow http://teresamorrow.com originally for Amazon

Just like all his other books, Ricky Roberts III, does not disappoint with
his latest book, Awakening the New You. He offers his personal experiences
layered with his insight of how we all can live a life where we know we
are valued. Ricky always strives to bring the reader along for this
journey called life and wants each of us to know the value we can hold and
do hold in this world. He offers the message of peace, love and beauty
that no only surrounds us but also lives within us.

About the Author:

Ricky Roberts III lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.  He is the founder of
You Are Valued, a nonprofit organization that creates positive change by
embracing the value of every man, woman, boy and girl through community
involvement, outreach, discussion and inspiration.  This is Ricky's fourth
book, proceeded by:  You, What Really Matters, and Where did the Gift GO.
When he's not writing, Ricky is a speaker and youth advocate. You can read
more about Ricky and his book on his website at
http://rickyrobertsiii.com.

Review link:  Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-the-New-You-ebook/dp/B00B2AX7QQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374089153&sr=1-1&keywords=ricky+roberts+iii


Submitted by:

Teresa Morrow, aka The Author's Cheerleader
Promotion Manager for Spiritual Authors & Speakers and Inspirational Author/Poet/Coach. She is the author of
Life Lessons from the Heart (2012 Smashwords) and
DISOWNED: A Journey of Transformation from Abandonment to Healing (2013 Amazon Kindle). Learn more about her at  http://www.teresamorrow.com and Facebook: @teresamorrow

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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.

Glen Aaron Reviews Historical Fiction

 

Title: The Middle of Nowhere

Author: Paula Duncan McDonald
Web link: www.pauladuncanmcdonald
ISBN: 978-1-62141-695-1
Publisher: BookLocker.com
Category: Historical FictionReview link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16209701-the-middle-of-nowhere
Rating: Four-point-three Stars

Reviewed by Glen Aaron, originally for MIDLAND REPORTER-TELEGRAM and Goodreads 

When an author brings you to the feeling of a character in her book without telling you how the character feels; when an author makes you either love or hate the protagonist without telling you to do so; when nature descriptions live by their own vitality, you know you are reading a novel written by a gifted author.

THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE by Paula Duncan McDonald begins west of the Pecos when Apaches had been cleared of the area and free land was being offered for settlement. It was “the middle of nowhere.: But the story quickly evolves from the settler family to the tale of their daughter, Skitchy, the second generation. It becomes her story of life and love, identity and survival, during the desperate years of the Great Depression in West Texas when severe drought and relentless dust storms wracked the land.

The history of the Pecos area as well as the landscape are woven into lives filled with authentic details. . . . Skitchy’s deeply personal and wrenching story took place then, but with little effort of focus by the reader, we quickly see it is our time as well.

The book quickly draws West Texans in with shared knowledge as it begins: “There are place on earth where life has to work harder to survive, and only the hardy, the most adaptable and resilient, thrive. The northern edge of the Chihuhuan Desert west of the Pecos River was such a place.”

It is no wonder that Paula Duncan McDonald can make us feel so intensely as she creates and relates this epic story. She draws her knowledge from [her own family] as well as solid historical research, as she takes off into “the middle of nowhere.”

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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.

Goodeads Reviewer Rates Cyber Thriller Excellent

Title:    A BORN VICTIM
Author:  R P Rochford
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
ISBN: 9781300850519
ASIN: B00BWYJ0BS
Publisher: Self-published
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-P-Rochford/263101677168540
Twitter: @R_P_Rochford
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=253852626&trk=hb_tab_pro_top


Reviewed by Sophie Bristow Harris originally for Goodreads
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Debut Cyber~Thriller

This review is from: A Born Victim (Kindle Edition)

I came across Richard Rochford's debut novel quite by chance and I'm so glad I did!

It started quite slowly, introducing the main character before leaving her behind for a bit whilst the story built up to bring her storming back in.
The book covers bullying at work, cyber violence that spilled into real life, sexual violence, verbal bullying and murder in the most horrible detail ~ I loved it!!
There was also simmering romance running through the book, some ended happily others never took off...
There were twists and turns galore. Just when I thought I knew who the perpetrators were I was cleverly (and I was happy it wasn't who I thought they were!) shown who they really were.

I really liked the way the main characters were all linked together and thought their personalities were well developed and on the whole very likable. The bad guys were described in a way that made me want to reach through the pages and cause them pain and fear like they did to their innocent victims.

I received this excellent novel from the author himself, Richard Rochford, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank You Richard, a well researched debut and I very much look forward to reading your future books.


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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.

Eric Trant's Tours Thriller

Title: Wink (#WINK)
by Eric W. Trant

Author Web site: www.EricTrant.com

Author blog: http://diggingwiththeworms.blogspot.com/
Author's  Facebook page
Paperback: 275 pages
Publisher: WiDo Publishing (April 16, 2013)
ASIN: B00CE4OP1K
Twitter hashtag: #WINKWink is available as a print and e- book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

 

SYNOPSIS

A moving, fast-paced and incredibly emotional story about love, friendship and transformation.

In this thriller set in a rural Gulf Coast town, Marty Jameson finds refuge in the attic from his mother's abusive rages. But only during the day. At night the attic holds terrors even beyond what he witnesses in his home. With a family made up of a psychotic mother, a drug-dealing father and a comatose older brother withering away in the spare bedroom, Marty feels trapped.

Next door, wheel-chair bound Sadie Marsh obsessively watches Marty's comings and goings from her bedroom window, despite her mother's warning about the evil in that house. Evil which appears to Sadie as huge black-winged creatures.

Marty, emotionally torn by the violence and dysfunction in his family, is drawn to Sadie and her kindly mother. But if he is to save his new friend from the supernatural horror threatening them all, Marty must transform himself from victim to hero. And to do so, he must first confront what lurks hidden in the shadows of his attic.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

Eric W. Trant is the author of several short stories and the novels Out of the Great Black Nothing and Wink from WiDo Publishing. He is an advocate for organ donation and lost his 18 month old son in May of 2012. Eric and his wife courageously donated their son’s heart, kidneys, and liver. The couple went on to begin  a foundation to support organ donor families. Eric speaks openly about this emotional journey on his blog and the topic of organ donation is very close to his heart.

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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.

Engaging, Character-Driven, Dystopian for Your Summer Reading List

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Title: Pipe Dreams
Author: Destiny Allison
Author’s Website: http://shapingdestinythebook.com/
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopia
ISBN-10 0615823742 (Kindle)
ISBN-13 978-0615823744 (Paperback)
5 Stars

Reviewed by Robyn Chausse


Due to bio warfare we are now under military control—a scary, yet common, dystopian scenario. But add some genetic engineering, an organized “underground”, spice it up with potential romance and stir with the manipulator of all manipulators and you have a novel that keeps the pages turning.

What I love about Pipe Dreams, and what frightens me the most, is the believable plot that could very well happen tomorrow. The story centers around current research into behavioral genetics, the identification of gene markers that scientists hope will help control or modify negative behavioral traits.

Allison keeps up the pace with plenty of plot twists and engaging dialog. She offers us a diverse cast of characters each with their own convictions and strives to illustrate “how our individual pursuit of dreams affects our collective reality.” She pulls us into the story with visually descriptive scenes conveying her character’s emotions as in this example where the main character encounters one of society’s outcasts:

“Something brushed her ankle. Jerking her leg away from whatever slithering thing had braved the morning, she slapped the pavement with her purse. Nothing moved and she dared a glance beneath her. Amidst dead and rotting leaves, an arm was barely visible. Vanessa startled, but did not scream. She didn’t need to rouse the callers from their dirty sleep. She just needed to leave. As she began to walk away, a tiny voice scratched out a noise that sounded horribly like, “Please.” Vanessa froze. In the silence that followed, there was no voice, no wind, no movement. The hushed world waited, as if everything would take its cue from her.”

Although listed as dystopian/science fiction, the current day placement of the story and character-driven focus makes this novel attractive to a broader range of readers.

This is Destiny Allison’s first novel, but it is her second book. Shaping Destiny, her memoir, was published in March of 2012.

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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.

Nine Fold Heaven: New Historial Fiction on Tour

Title – Nine Fold Heaven       

Author – Mingmei Yip

Author's website link – http://www.mingmeiyip.com  

Genre or category – Suspense, historic fiction

ISBN – 978-0758273543

  

In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draw readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women and into the lives of the unforgettable singer-spy Camilla, the magician Shadow, and the gossip columnist Rainbow Chang.


The Nine Fold Heaven is the story of an ex spy and nightclub singer who undertakes an emotional and dangerous journey to reunite with her lost lovers and the baby she was told was stillborn, and to discover the secret of her parents’ murder. 


Click here to read the prologue and first chapter:

About Mingmei Yip

Mingmei Yip has been writing and publishing since she was fourteen years old and now she has twelve books to her credit. Her five novels are published by Kensington Books and her two children’s books are published by Tuttle Publishing.

 
Mingmei’s new novel is The Nine Fold Heaven (2013), the story of an ex spy and nightclub singer who undertakes an emotional and dangerous journey to reunite with her lost lover and the baby she was told was stillborn, and to discover the secret of her parents’ murder.

 
Mingmei’s fourth novel is Skeleton Women (2012), a story about a singer spy, a magician, and a gossip columnist scheming to survive the gang wars in lawless 1930ies Shanghai.


Her other four novels are equally exciting:

 
Song of the Silk Road, (2011) is a romantic adventure on China’s legendary ancient trade route with the lure of a three million dollar reward.


Petals from the Sky, (2010) is a Buddhist love story about a woman who tries to escape her dysfunctional family only to find she’s been running away from her heart.

 
Peach Blossom Pavilion (2008) her first novel, is the story of the last prestitous musician-courtesan of China, received numerous favorable reviews and is now in its fifth printing.

 
Mingmei is also the author and illustrator of Chinese Children’s Favorite Stories (2005) and Grandma Panda’s China Storybook, (2013).

 
Mingmei is also a renowned qin (ancient string instrument) musician, calligrapher and painter. In Hong Kong, she was a columnist for seven major newspapers. She has appeared on over sixty TV and radio programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and the US.

Visit Mingmei at: www.mingmeiyip.com

 
Comments about Nine Fold Heaven from Amazon –

 The latest book from author Mingmei Yip takes the reader on an epic journey -- both emotional and geographically. The Nine Fold Heaven is the story of a young Chinese woman, Camilla who is taken from an orphanage at the age of four, and forced to work for one of the worst gangs in Shanghai. Not that she has a bad life with them. In exchange for her various "services" to the gang, from sexual favors to singing entertainment to assassinations, she is well taken care of, as least in material objects. Her emotional life however, has been completely deprived and suffocated.

~*~

The prose and the description of the setting lends an authenticity to the story that made it feel like a real history to me. I was intrigued by the comparisons between Chinese culture and American culture (although this was in the 30s) and there are both positives and negatives to both in my opinion. The clashes between opposing viewpoints in politics and religion gave more dimension to the characters and created a thought-provoking larger conflict than just what Camilla was going through. But the most important thing, especially in historical fiction, is for the setting to feel realistic and I felt like the streets of Thirties Hong Kong and Shanghai were brought to life in this book.

~*~

Camilla is a noir heroine who readers will love to hate or hate to love. The author makes it clear she's a product of her environment and never apologizes for her behavior which she shouldn't. The narrative is colorful and an exotic mix of cultures and traditions and will bring the sounds and flavors of a troubled lawless past society to life. 

 Reviews for Mingmei Yip books -  

 Skeleton Women  “A guilty pleasure....enjoy the exotic location and characters.... This is a large, luscious box of chocolates. Go on. You know you want to." -- RTBook 4 star Review

Song of the Silk Road  “Lively…fascinating…filled with unique companions, unforeseen dangers, unexpected joys, and bitter sorrows…” -- Publisher’s Weekly

Petals from the Sky  “Strong…powerful…emotional…vivid…poignant…” -- Coffee Time Romamce

 
Peach Blossom Pavilion “Engrossing…atmospheric tale…fantastical escape!” – Honolulu Advertiser

 If you like strong women in exotic locations and like to learn about new people, places and times – Nine Fold Heaven is a must read.

 
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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.

Reader Calls Novel Glittering Masterpiece

Title: A Glittering Chaos

Author: Lisa de Nikolits

Author's Web site link: www.lisadenikolitswriter.com

Genre, Literary Fiction

ISBN: 192670892X

 

Reviewed by Brittany Clayton

 

 

Lisa de Nikolits does it again with this lip-biting, on the edge-of-your-seat-tale that takes you on a spiritual journey with Melusine through heartache, tears and the unexpected.

Expect late sleepless nights as you endevour on this journey with Melusine and experience the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book certainly goes against everything you've heard about Vegas… what happens in Vegas did NOT stay in Vegas this time!

A recommended read for anyone and everyone who enjoys a read that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions!

 

 

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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.

Netherlands Reviewer Loves Native American Fiction

Title: Where The Rain Is Made
By Keta Diablo
Keta's Keep Blog: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Genre: Historical/Paranormal/Native American
Nominated for Bookie Award by Authors After Dark
Available at http://www.amazon.com/Keta-Diablo/e/B002BODURI
ASIN on Amazon: B00771XAUW
Five Stars

Reviewed by Bersaba originally for Amazon 

I absolutely loved this story. It paints a rich and vivid picture of the Dog Soldiers and their way of life, fitting this history into the story in such a way you learn a lot about the Dog Soldiers without being lectured. I really liked how Diablo doesn't try to turn the Cheyenne into 'noble savages' as sometimes happens in romance, but how she writes them with both their good and bad sides, making them more real and recognisable this way.

The romance and action in this story are well balanced and fit together perfectly, weaving a bittersweet lovestory that's not just about Cesca and Meko, but about a whole way of life. The one thing I could say against this story is that I would have loved to read more from Meko/Ethan's point of view as he's a very cool and intriguing character and I'd have loved to read a bit more about what makes him tick. I really hope Diablo decides to continue this series as I for one will surely read any sequel.

 

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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.

Peek at Broad Cultural Climate in Which People of Color LIve

Title: Godless Americana: Race and Religious Rebels
Author: Sikivu Hutchinson
Web link: www.sikivuhutchinson.com
ISBN: 9780615586106
Publisher: Infidel Books
Category: Non-fiction
Review link: Amazon
Rating: Five Stars


Reviewed by Diane Arellano originally for Amazon

Sikivu Hutchinson's Godless Americana will have you musing at the space contemporary cultural characters like Honey Boo Boo occupy and in the next breath, have you ponder the true intentions and operative strategies of political heavy weights such as Newt Gingrich.

Godless Americana is a thoughtful and beautifully written book on the broader cultural climate people of color live in. It is also, at the same time, the lens from which people of color see through. This book is the articulation of complicated daily negotiations and all too common clashes/ indignities people of color are subject to as citizens that are pathologized and marginalized by the dominant culture. Sikivu's book premieres on the heels of a sixteen year-old African-American girl who has been charged with two felonies for conducting science experiments where no one was hurt and no property damage occurred.

Sikivu: Thank you for taking the time to include the often overlooked experiences of Latinos in United States. I really appreciated the connections you illustrate between Black and Brown communities.

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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.

Amy Peterson Pens Humorous Memoir

Title: Something Furry Underfoot,
By  Amy Peterson
Web site:  http://amylpetrerson.com
 ISBN 9780615842493
Genre: Memoir/Humor/Animals/
Available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com
 

 Reviewed by Bob Tarte, author of Enslaved by Ducks, Kitty Cornered and Fowl Weather

“Want to know what it’s like living with a houseful of pets while still holding onto your sanity? Then you’ve got to read Something Furry Underfoot, Amy Peterson’s warm and funny book about her experiences coping with and caring for all manner of animals. Not only will you get a lot of laughs but you’ll also pick up some valuable tips about co-existing with your own critters!”

 

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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.

Self-Help Awareness Guidebook Offered by Janet Nestor

Title:  Nurturing Wellness through Radical Self Care: A Living in Balance
Guide and Workbook
Author:  Janet Nestor
Author Website: http://mindfulpathways.com
Publisher: Balboa Press (November 29, 2012)
Twitter: @janetnestor
ISBN/ASIN: B00AIO3JFG
Genre: Self help/wellness

Reviewed by Teresa Morrow originally for Amazon


In this book, author Janet Nestor brings to the reader a simple overall and balanced approach to the subjects of wellness and self care. Having been through some trying and overwhelming times in the past couple of years (and I'm sure I'm not the only one)I learned the hard way about the true important of self care and wellness for ourselves. It's truly hard to help a loved one when you don't take care of what your own mind body and spirit need. In her book, Janet offers a guidebook that takes the reader though different things that can help you incorporate self care and wellness into your life.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet's career has been varied, yet all aspects seem to complement each other. She first studied sociology and psychology with the intent of becoming a LCSW working with troubled, institutionalized teens. Instead, to complete her undergraduate internship, she began to teach special needs elementary students, and then continued doing so for the next several years. Janet worked as a graduate assistant at James Madison University while she studied Diagnostic Prescriptive education and then spent several years in public school resource rooms and later independent schools for autistic like, behaviorally challenged adolescents. Janet worked at Wake Forest University in Athletic Academic Counseling as a support professional and learning specialist, a job she truly enjoyed.  While working at Wake Forest University, she began part-time work at Prodigals Community, a residential program for chronic addiction recovery.  Janet directed their GED program for residents completing their high school requirements and also directed their family support programming. During these busy years she became a reiki master teacher and etheric healer. Her heart was already leading her in another direction and soon after leaving Prodigals Community she began graduate school (again), this time in mental health counseling. The rest is history. In 1999 she began her private counseling practice and continued with clients until February 2012 when she moved to Missouri and
then to Annapolis, Maryland.  Today her career is divided between writing, workshops, and the wonderful people who work with her via Skype and telephone. She has clients from all over the United States, concentrating on personal empowerment and positive living via various Energy Psychology techniques, Mindful Lifestyle Training, Soul Detective work, energy healing and cognitive and insight oriented discussions. As a therapist she specializes in Trauma, Mood Disorders, Anxiety and Panic Disorder, Women’s Issues, Stress Reduction, and Chronic Physical Illness. Janet also has spent two wonderful years writing articles for Sibyl E-zine for women and currently contributes to Aspire magazine; Flourish Over 50, a website for women; Self-Growth.com as an expert in Positive Psychology; and beginning a relationship with IBoomer, a website for baby boomers.


SUBMITTED BY

Teresa Morrow is also known as The Author's Cheerleader, Promotion Manager for Spiritual Authors & Speakers and author of Life Lessons from the Heart available on Smashwords and  DISOWNED: A Journey of Transformation from Abandonment to Healing, available as an e-book on Amazon. Learn more about her at http://www.teresamorrow.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.

Perfect Book for Learning to Tie a Tie

 

 

Title of Book: Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox
Author: Sybrina Durant
Illustrator:  Donna Marie Naval
Author Website: http://www.sybrina.com and http://pinterest.com/sybrinad/learn-to-tie-a-tie-with-the-rabbit-and-the-fox/
Youtube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyIoftP2yg
ISBN: 978-0-9729372-1-4
Formats Available: Soft Cover Print and Ebook
Price: $14.95
Publication Date:  2012
Genre of Book:  Children’s Fiction – 5 to 10 Age Group

Reviewed by Michael Luchies  originally for his blog.

“Why Knot?  Benefits of Teaching A Child How To Tie A Tie”. 

As someone who attends countless conferences, seminars, and business related meetings, I am expected to dress professionally while representing my company and myself with class and style. With over 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship and the corporate world, I somehow have still not mastered the skill of tying my own tie.

 Whether from the frustration of failing over and over or laziness of learning a new skill because I am dependent on technology and other people to fix all of my problems, my lack of being able to tie my own tie is quite embarrassing. I can write a 50 page business plan, deliver an hour long presentation, and write in-depth articles, but cannot master a piece of fancy fabric.

After watching an endless supply of YouTube instructional videos and trying to read how-to blog posts on tying ties, I have decided to turn to a children’s book to gain another skill and finally relieve myself of the worries that come from asking my wife to tie my ties for me before every conference and meeting I attend.

 I am turning to the book ‘Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox.’ I must be honest, although I am not ashamed to learn from children’s books because they explain how to accomplish things in a language that anyone can understand and follow along with – this is a skill that I want to learn not just for myself, but to pass down to my future children.

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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.

One Gay American Gets World of Ink Review

Title of Book: One Gay American

Author: Dennis Milam Bensie

Author Website: http://dennismilambensie.com

 Publisher: CoffeeTown Press

ISBN-10: 1603811532
ISBN-13: 978-1603811538
Price $13.95

Publication Date: September 2012

Genre of Book: Memoir

Heat Level: LGBT

 

Review provided by: World of Ink Network

 

 

 

About the Book:

 

Dennis Milam Bensie is One Gay American. Born in the 1960s and raised with traditional values in Robinson, Illinois, Bensie desperately wanted romance, a beautiful wedding, and a baby to carry on the family name. He denied his sexuality and married a woman at nineteen years old, but fantasized of weddings where he could be the bride. The newlyweds "adopted" a Cabbage Patch Doll and ironically witnessed a Cabbage Patch Doll wedding (a successful fundraiser staged by a local women's club) where the dolls were granted the type of grand ceremony off-limits to gay couples.

In search of his identity as a gay man, Bensie divorced his wife and stumbled through missteps and lessons that still sting his generation: defending against bullies, "disappointing" his parents, and looking for love in gay bars, bath houses and restrooms. He helped his straight friends plan their dream weddings and mourned his gay friends dying of AIDS.

Although true love has not yet come his way, Bensie has learned to love himself. Bensie is the author of the much-lauded memoir, Shorn: Toys to Men, which recounts his battle with paraphilia. One Gay American tells the rest of his story and draws parallels to gay history, decade by decade, with newspaper headlines and quotations. Bensie is the gay neighbor that you either love or hate. Either way, he's got a lot to say and says it with no apologies.

 

EXCERPT:

My first real kiss from a man was from a stranger in the library restroom. As we stood in the bathroom stall, the handsome, dark-haired guy looked me in the eyes, cupped

my face in his hands and softly kissed me. He was much taller and more muscular

than I. We were the only men in the room and he picked me up in a big bear hug and

lifted me until my feet were actually dangling off the floor. He kissed me again and

looked at me. No one else in the bathroom had ever really looked at me.

I felt love for the first time. Real love … ever so brief. The stranger made me feel whole.

All the other guys I had seen in the restroom were focused on genitalia, but this man

saw me as a man with a face and a heart. I had waited my whole life to be

romantically kissed by a man. In that moment my life changed. I could finally be who I

wanted to be. It was such a significant event in my life, and I was sad that it had taken place in sucha depressing place.Was this the best I could do? My first romantic kiss in a seedy public restroom? I didn’teven know the guy’s name.

Most of these guys were just looking for quick sex. If I wanted a partner, where would

I find him? Carbondale wasn’t exactly a Mecca for secure gay men.

I just had to have faith in myself and be patient. I was twenty-two, in my sexual prime.

Did I have to wait for love to come to me? Shouldn’t I go out and look for it?

I knew I probably wouldn’t find it in the library restroom or the gay bar. However, it

would only take one guy just like me. If he existed in Carbondale, then surely we would

find each other in the only gay spots in town.

While I was being hugged and kissed, we both heard the sound of Keys entering the

restroom. My kisser released me and fled. My feet were back on the ground. I

remained in my door-less stall. Keys walked by, as I had seen him do dozens of times,

and took his place in the stall next to mine.

I never saw my kisser again.

I left the library bathroom not knowing if Keys had ruined the opportunity of a lifetime

or saved me from myself.

 

BOOK TRAILER:

 http://youtu.be/MdE8s4mMnP0

About the Book:

An honest tell all story about looking for love, wanting a family and coming out as America discovered its own Gay community throughout the last 40 years. Dennis not only shares about the struggles he faces as a Gay American, but also the heartache, struggles and joys of all those who are Gay Americans as they come out to not only family and friends but to their country. Dennis highlights each chapter with the different headlines or political highlights of the Gay Community in American helping us all realize every American has rights and should be treated equal no matter their race, religion or sexual lifestyle.

 

About the Author: 

Dennis Milam Bensie grew up in Robinson, Illinois where his interest in the arts began in high school participating in various community theatre productions. Bensie’s first book,  Shorn: Toys to Men was nominated for the Stonewall Book Award, sponsored by the American Library Association. It was also a pick in the International gay magazine The Advocate as “One of the Best Overlooked Books of 2011″. The author’s short stories have been published by Bay Laurel, Everyday Fiction, and This Zine Will Change Your Lifeand he has also been a feature contributor for The Good Men Project. One Gay American is his second book with Coffeetown Press and it was chosen as a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Indie Excellence Book Awards. He was a presenter at the 2013 Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans. Dennis lives in Seattle with his three dogs.

You can find out more about Dennis Milam Bensie, his memoirs and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/lhtvxyt

 

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.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.

Kirkus Indie Reviews Memoir

Title of Book: Betty's Child
Author: Donald R. Dempsey
Author Website: http://bettyschild.com
Genre: Personal Memoir
ISBN: 9780988439016
Formats: Trade paperback and e-book
Reviewer's Link: http://tinyurl.com/qy5uho9

 

Reviewed by Kirkus Indie

 

A highly visual debut memoir from Don Dempsey spanning his pre- to early adolescent years in urban Ohio

Dempsey illuminates the steep uphill scramble he had as a young man in a bad neighborhood. The memoir opens cinematically on a night of petty stealing, which escalated to the sort of theft that exposed young Donny to violent retribution. Donny attempted to guard himself, his younger brothers and his canine companion, Benji, from the string of hothead men his mother—the eponymous Betty—welcomed into the family’s rotating rental houses. In addition to fending off soul savers from the church Betty attended in order to run her scams, Donny turned down invitations to participate in crime more difficult than theft. Most of the book’s sequences—a teacher’s good-hearted but ultimately futile efforts to defend Donny from a bully—efficiently reveal the wit and determination, not to mention anger, that helped Donny survive.

Neither alarmist nor self-pitying, the memoir sees Donny through mounting losses of his sense of safety, his friends, his sanity-saving dog and his proximity to his brothers. While this account certainly couldn’t be called feel-good, it also isn’t altogether bleak. Early in the book, Donny poses a question to himself: “Would I wind up toothless, clueless and broke because of heredity—or because of where and how we lived?” Determined not to consider either factor an excuse, as a preteen boy he decided that, despite his abuse and neglect, he would choose better for himself.

 

By turns heartrending and humorous, the book’s main events are accompanied by resonant dialogue that reveals the speakers’ natures. Distinguishing his from similar accounts, Dempsey’s discipline as a writer lends the real-life tale the feel of a fictional page-turner. In scene after vivid scene, Dempsey presents his inspiring true story with accomplished style.

 

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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.