Deb's Book Nook

Chill Wind

2012-02-12T15:27:00.000-05:00

TITLE: Chill Run (December 1, 2011)

AUTHOR: Russell Brooks

PUBLISHER: Russell Brooks

FORMATS: Paperback, kindle

PAGES: 242

FILE SIZE: 447 KB

PRICE: Paperback $9.97 (US), CDN$ 10.08 (CA), unavailable (UK)

Kindle $.99 (US), £0.77 (UK)

ISBN-10: 0986751340

ISBN-13: 9780986751349

ASIN:B006GIYK42

All Eddie Barrow, Jr. wanted to do was to write his book but his father constantly harassed him by saying things like, “get a real job and stop this foolishness.” His parents never encouraged Eddie to follow his dreams. In fact, they never showed an interest in his writing at all!

After an evening of arguing with his family, Eddie had enough. He was going to do his own thing no matter what the cost. It turns out that the cost is pretty high in this mystery. Eddie slams the door and walks back to his run - down apartment where he and his roommate/best friend, Corey can hardly make the rent or the bills. To, make matters worse, Eddie just lost his job. Now, what?

To make ends meet Eddie takes on a pretty cheesy job and witnesses a murder of a high ranking official. Then Eddie finds out that he and his best friend are framed for that murder. The race to try to clear themselves is on with the killers dogging their every move.

I loved this book and fully recommend it to any mystery lovers. In this fast paced page turner, Russell Brooks keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout the book. At every turn of the page there is a new twist. Even though Chill Run is an intriguing mystery, it shows you not to give up on your dreams no matter what hardships you have to go through. It teaches you that it will all pay off in the end. Personally, I’d like to read more of this talented author’s books!

To find out more about Russell Brooks and Chill Run just visit his website at: http://www.russellparkway.com.

You can purchase Chill Run at http://www.amazon.com (US). The paperback format is available at http://www.amazon.ca (CA) and Chill Run is only available in the kindle format at http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK). If you prefer, Chill Run is available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com. You can order this in paperback for $8.97 or download this great mystery onto your Nook for $.99!

The Golden Pathway

2012-02-06T07:46:00.000-05:00

TITLE: The Golden Pathway

AUTHOR: Donna M. McDine

ILLUSTRATOR: K.C. Snider http://www.kcsniderart.com

PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com

FORMATS: Hardcover, kindle

PAGES: 26

PRICE: Hardcover $19.95 (US), £12.58 (UK), CDN$ 19.95 (CA)

Paperback $9.95 (US)

Kindle $5.00 (US), £3.20 (UK), CDN$ 5.00 (CA)

FILE SIZE: 744 KB

ISBN-10: 1616330813

ISBN-13: 9781616330811

ASIN: B005313N6W

Nearly every day, David hears the screams coming from the barn as his pa beats his sixteen – year – old slave, Jenkins. He knows this is wrong and wants to help Jenkins but all he can do is to sneak out of his bedroom window when the screams stop. He then hides in the shadows, goes to the barn to clean Jenkins wounds…again. But is this all he can do?

The Golden Pathway is a story of courage, determination and inner strength. It is also a story of compassion and doing the right thing when wrong is being done all around you. This is also a story of the darkest times in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten.

I highly recommend this picture book. The Golden Pathway shows that anyone can help someone else out of a bad situation in spite of the consequences to themselves.

The watercolor illustrations in The Golden Pathway are brilliantly drawn by K.C. Snider. They add to the action in this book. They also add to the atmosphere. If you would like to see more of her work just visit her webpage at: http://www.kcsniderart.com.

If you would like to learn more about Donna M. McDine, visit her website at: http://www.donnamcdine.com. You can also order The Golden Pathway there too.

The Golden Pathway is also available at http://www.amazon.com (US), http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK) and http://www.amazon.ca (CA). You’ll be pleased to find Donna McDine’s book available at these places both in print and kindle versions. You can also order this page turner in the hardcover format at: http://www.barnesandnoble.com for $19.35.

An Interview With Joni B. Cole

2011-12-22T17:03:00.012-05:00

Today we are chatting with author Joni B. Cole about her book Another Bad Dog Book: Tales Of Life, Love and Neurotic Human Behavior. Welcome to Deb's Book Nook, Joni!

1. I know, from reading your forward, how you got the idea for writing the title essay of Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love & Neurotic Human Behavior, but the readers of Deb’s Book Blog don’t. Will you tell them how you got the idea?

About a week after a publisher had rejected my partially finished collection of essays (at the time, I’d written twenty of the twenty-eight stories in the book), I happened to go to a bookstore. There, on the most prominent display table, were the new releases, including the usual assortment of books about vampires, Jane Austen, and bad-dogs. My recent rejection had left me blue and bitter, and I thought with resentment, I should write a stupid bad-dog book, given that publishers and readers can’t seem to get enough of this sort of thing. And then it occurred to me, I really should write a bad dog story since my own Chihuahua mutt is as naughty as all those other best-selling dogs. And so I bought a notebook and started writing in the bookstore. And this became the story that eventually framed my collection, earned me my book contract, and became my title essay. Of course, the piece is only marginally about my dog—it’s really about a mid-life crisis and wanting unconditional love.

2. Where did you ever get the idea for the Evil Rescue - Dog Volunteer? That whole scenario of trying to adopt Pie - Pie (Eli) was a hilarious!

The title essay actually contains a story within a story within a story, with one of those elements being a comic book takeoff about me (as Super Joni) facing off an evil rescue-dog volunteer who is trying to steal back my beloved dog Eli (whose name I always baby-fy to E-Pie-Pie). This actually happened in real life—when the rescue organization almost took back Eli because I hadn’t filled out the proper paperwork after we brought him home. When I thought we were going to lose this little dog I’d already bonded with, I really did have fantasies about being a superhero and running away with the dog so no one could take him from me.

3. This book is so personal but so outrageously funny. You seemed to bare your soul in some chapters. When you started writing Another Bad Dog book did you intend to write a memoir – type book or did it just work out that way?

I intended to write personal essays, so there was no getting around the fact that the material needed to be, well, personal. I want to add that I had no desire to simply write funny, light stories. In fact it actually surprised me when the reviews started coming in and everyone was describing the book as laugh–out-loud funny. That humor is simply an extension of how I think, my internal commentary, and of course I don’t go around thinking I’m such a hilarious person. In addition, these stories are about serious subjects—personal and professional insecurities and losses. That said, life is always a mix of serious and funny, so no wonder those two emotions are completely intertwined in a book of personal experiences.

5. The chapter that takes you back to your teens is so, so relatable! It was funny as well as a bit sad as to how teen girls see their crushes. Did the boy in question ever notice you?

That essay (The Boy of Summer) centers around my teenage heart-throb, a high school crush who was a year older than me, and probably didn’t even know my name. Still, I was obsessed with him, and romanticized his memory for years, the way people do sometimes with teenage crushes. Then, after about three decades, I actually connected with him on Facebook! But let’s just say, the reality of the man was a far cry from my teenage fantasy. It’s a funny story, but also speaks to the divisiveness in our country between people with different politics and sensibilities; even people (like me) who are vested in trying to stay connected.

6. Your memories of visiting your dad in the nursing home brought back so many memories of visiting my mom in one. It made me both laugh and head for the Kleenex. Those times are deeply personal. Were they hard for you to write these chapters or was it cathartic for you?

It was very difficult to write those stories about my parents. For an essay to have power you need to recreate the emotional impact of experience. You need to bring life to life. And the only way to do that is to re-immerse yourself in that life event. So confronting the reality of my parents aging and becoming infirm during the writing process was not fun. But yes, in a way it was cathartic.

7. Where can we purchase Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love & Neurotic Behavior?

You can pick up my book wherever books are sold in stores or online. (If your local store hasn’t stocked it, you may need to ask them to order it at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

I’d love for you to visit my website and learn more about myself and my book! You can find me here: http://www.jonibcole.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY REVIEW FOR ANOTHER BAD DOG BOOK: TALES OF LIFE, LOVE and NEUROTIC HUMAN BEHAVIOR

TITLE: Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love And Other Neurotic Human

Behavior (October 11, 2011)

AUTHOR: Joni B. Cole

PUBLISHER: Publishing Works http://www.publishingworks.com

FORMATS: Paperback, e-book

PAGES: 214

PRICE: Paperback $14.95, Kindle $7.19, Nook $9.99 (US), £8.99 (UK)

ISBN-10: 1935557165

ISBN-13: 9781935557166

When you sit down to read Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love And Other Neurotic Human Behavior, you can’t help but feel that you’re talking with your best friend.

In her memoir, Joni B. Cole covers several different subjects with sensitivity and humor. You’ll laugh out loud (at least I did) through the chapter that contains the story of the evil rescue worker and her chapter about spray tans gone bad. You’ll both laugh and cry when she tells you about her parents. Remember your high school love? Joni does. She bares her soul telling you about him. You’ll remember those days and then you’ll think, “What was I thinking?” In short, Another Bad Dog Book: Tales of Life, Love And Other Neurotic Human Behavior will make you feel like Joni was in your life.

I highly recommend reading this easy read since everyone (mainly women) can relate to these stories. They make you laugh out loud and in my case, one chapter had me running for the box of tissues. As I stated above, Another Bad Dog Book: Tales Of Life, Love and Neurotic Human Behavior will take you through a range of emotions that make you think, “Hey, I’m not the only one who did things like that!” Another Bad Dog Book: Tales Of Life, Love and Neurotic Human Behavior will make a great gift for any mother, sister or aunt!

To purchase Another Bad Dog Book: Tales Of Life, Love and Neurotic Human Behavior just surf to http://www.amazon.com (US), http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK) or http://www.barnesandnoble.com. If you don’t want to pick up Joni’s book in print, it’s available in the United States in both kindle and nook formats too!

If you would like to learn more about Joni B. Cole and her book just visit her website at http://www.jonibcole.com.

A Chat With Author Wayne Zurl

2011-12-09T08:03:00.000-05:00

Hi today on Deb's Book Nook we're talking with Wayne Zurl author of A New Prospect. Welcome, Wayne!

1. Where did you get the idea for A New Prospect?

The basic idea came at the confluence of two occasions. I had been writing non-fiction magazine articles for ten years and, based on other things in my life, I know that’s about as long as my attention span lasts on a single interest. So, when writing about Colonial American history and the fiction of James Fenimore Cooper lost its luster, I decided to try writing fiction of my own. The second event contributing to the birth of the Sam Jenkins mysteries came during the used book sale at our local library when I picked up a copy of Robert B. Parker’s first Jesse Stone novel, NIGHT PASSAGE. I liked everything Parker had written and the idea of his new character started me thinking. Stone was an ex-LAPD detective who took a job as chief in a small Massachusetts police department. That premise opened up a world of possibilities, an important one being two diverse personalities, Jesse and the town, clashing over ideology. I thought Parker had never been a cop and I had. Why couldn’t I write about a former New York detective who retired to Tennessee and during his middle-age took a job as chief of a small PD? I moved from New York to Tennessee. I knew all about culture shock in a totally different environment. I could cover the professional angle and technicalities and the colorful venue of the Great Smoky Mountains. How hard could it be?

2. I hope I don't give anything away, but was Sam Jenkins really a Vietnam veteran?

The idea of Sam being a Vietnam War veteran has more of a subliminal importance than one that becomes apparent in all the books and stories. It’s not like we see him hanging out at the VFW or belonging to another vet’s organization. He’s having a bit of a mid-life crisis when he reluctantly takes the job at Prospect PD, and after getting a messy homicide case dropped on his shoulders, we watch him experience trouble sleeping. As the story progresses, that problem increases as the tension of the investigation heightens and aspects of the pressure he’s getting from these external forces manifest themselves in his dreams. And that tells the reader a lot about Sam. Often the dreams he recounts in the series take him back to Vietnam or other places he served as a soldier. The symbolism of the dreams is more important than the setting. But if you want to know what’s really going on inside Sam’s head, pay attention to the dreams.

In the way of fill-in biography and back-story perhaps not covered in A NEW PROSPECT, Sam’s college days were interrupted in 1967 by a letter from the draft board. Our boy ended up serving on active duty for five years, much more than the obligatory two years demanded by the Selective Service System. After separation, he continued on for another sixteen years in the reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. All this information and other past police department facts comes out during subsequent stories.

3. Why was Sam given evidence about the murder by the F.B.I.?

As Special Agent Ralph Oliveri says, he heard about the Cecil Lovejoy murder by reading the Sunday newspaper. Had he not, but rather read the daily bulletins law enforcement agencies receive from a nationwide network, he would have seen that Sam’s murder victim was the same subject who surfaced in his unrelated FBI investigation. Even though communications between federal and local agencies aren’t always as coherent as they should be, there would have been some liaison work between the feds and Prospect PD. In this case, ex-New Yorker Oliver hears about ex-New Yorker Jenkins being the new chief in town and called to pass on information of mutual interest. In reality, Ralph would have been obligated to share what he had. On Television, we often see the FBI investigate incidents with no federal interest such as this local murder. There are no interstate implications yet so, in reality, the feds would not interfere with a local investigation. I had Sam and Ralph begin their friendship here. The bond I show between cop and fed is fairly unusual in law enforcement circles. Subsequently, we learn how Sam, something of a user, perpetuates the relationship by constantly tapping Ralph for favors easily obtained through the larger agency’s resources.

4. I liked the character of Betty Lambert. She's a good wife and mother. She's both feminine and strong. Can you tell us more about Bettye and did you base her character on anyone you know?

She’s a composite of two people I knew from my New York police days. A secretary I once worked with covers her administrative abilities and a female police officer accounts for her law enforcement savvy. The unconventional spelling of her name gives the reader something to remember. That comes from a woman I met in Tennessee.

Her biography comes out early in the book when Sam takes command at Prospect PD and he meets his admin officer. As is traditional with cops, the “new guy,” Sam, buys lunch and during their conversation, we learn about Bettye. She began her professional life with the city of Prospect as a court officer After her first husband, a Prospect policeman, was killed by a drunk driver, she asked to fill his spot at the PD because she needed the extra salary to bring up her two daughters. Later, she marries electrical contractor Donnie Lambert and they have a son together.

It’s easy to see that Bettye is going to be a sharp piece of work and a perfect chce for the human check valve I wanted Sam to have at work. She had to be intelligent to get his respect and competent in her job to be trusted. She’s able to communicate with him on a cop’s level and it quickly gets to a point where he allows her to influence his decisions.

During the retirement party scene, the outgoing chief says, “This little lady jest about runs the department.” That’s true. Bettye is capable of keeping PPD running smoothly through the daily obligations. Administratively, she’s as good as Sam and more genteel in her approach to other people in the city government. Her ability allows Sam to go off and play detective with a clear conscience—the office is being well cared for.

During my time as a cop, I knew a few unsung heroes like Bettye who never got the recognition they deserved for doing a job at least as worthy of commendation as the flashy work that usually gets a street cop all the medals. Sam has big plans for his new partner. A NEW PROSPECT just scratches the surface of their professional relationship.

5. You are a former police officer. Is the Sam Jenkins character based on yourself?

I’d be dishonest saying there wasn’t a bit of me in Sam. Actually, you might infer that he trudged alongside me in the Army, sat across the aisle from me in the police academy, and took the same promotional tests. But I didn’t mean these stories to be autobiographical. They’re fiction, based on what I know about being a cop. I made my writing life easier by allowing Sam to do what I would have done faced with the same professional problems or situations and let him have the same thoughts common to me or another cop. Giving him a sarcastic sense of humor was of paramount importance. I saw that a lot in the officers I worked with and certainly in me. I always believed that I (we—all cops) owed the public 100% effort, ability, and professionalism, but if we took ourselves or our professional lives too seriously, a rubber room might be in our futures. A number of reviewers seem to like Sam’s sense of humor and irony.

The dialogue in these stories has also brought a few kind words from reviewers. Having Sam speak as I would, allows me to make his dialogue natural and easy to write. That lets me focus more on developing voices for the supporting characters, which I base on people I know. With actual people I can envision cast in these fictional roles, I can “hear” how they speak and act and create a unique voice for the character the reader meets. That especially works well when writing dialogue for females.

6. Is A New Prospect based on any of your experiences when you were a police officer?

We’re into another composite of experiences with A NEW PROSPECT. Most of what I write is based on cases I worked, supervised, or just knew a lot about. The turmoil with the car club’s past president was one separate element. The sex based murder was another. I tossed in the Minton Brothers because I see them here in Tennessee occasionally. The fatal motor vehicle accident scene which gave Sam an introduction to a character, who reappears later in the story, actually happened after I retired. The bar fight and all the political pressure during the investigation, came from other New York incidents.

I’ve read all of what Joseph Wambaugh has written over the years and like how he melds together numerous police incidents to build one story. He’s a great study for anyone who writes police procedural-style mysteries. I tried to do something similar with A NEW PROSPECT.

7. Sam's wife, Katherine, played a small but important role in A New Prospect. Can you tell us about her?

Kate Jenkins is an important character in this and all the Sam Jenkins mysteries. Before we get into Kate herself, let’s take a look at their marriage. The book takes place in 2006. Kate and Sam have been married for thirty-nine years. These numbers are huge in the statistics of police marriages. He’s lucky that she remained with him after all the years of tension, long hours away from home, and in Sam’s case, the lack of detailed information he gave Kate about his days on the job; he never brought the job home with him.

She’s lucky that, unlike some cops out there, Sam came home after each tour rather than spending another “tour” in one of the cop bars prevalent in every precinct. Historically, Sam played his games of cops and robbers, but always seemed to think more of his wife than his partner. Kate acts as Sam’s advisor and Doctor Watson, since she often comes up with a good idea to help in his investigations. They also spend a lot of time together cooking.

Kate suggested that Sam apply for the Prospect chief’s job to give him a new purpose in life. With that new life, her husband ends up with a dozen new sons (the Prospect officers,) a workplace spouse in Bettye Lambert, his new “goombah,” Ralph Oliveri, and another uncommon friend for a cop in TV reporter Rachel Williamson. But the beautiful and intelligent Kate looks like she’s up to sharing her husband with all the newly acquired people in his life.

Thank you, Wayne, for talking with us today!

MY REVIEW FOR A NEW PROSPECT

TITLE: A New Prospect

AUTHOR: Wayne Zurl

PUBLISHER: Black Rose Publishing http://www.blackrosewriting.com

FORMATS: Paperback, Kindle

PAGES: 276

PRICE: Paperback-$14.03 (US), £10.81 (UK), Kindle-$1.99 (US), £5.60

ISBN-10: 1935605720

ISBN-13: 9781935605720

Sam Jenkins thought he was retired from the police force. After all, twenty years on the beat was enough. He’s ready for the quiet life and move to a quiet little town in Tennessee. Crimes of any kind hardly ever happen here and murder never does.

What does Sam do after a few years of living the quiet life? He steps in to fill Prospect’s opening of police chief. In no time at all, he finds himself embroiled in mystery, mayhem…and murder! Someone is murdered in a place where murder never happens. Almost everyone in this quiet little town is suspect since nobody liked the murder victim.

I thoroughly enjoyed A New Prospect and highly recommend it. This fast paced mystery is full of twists, turns and humor. Mr. Zurl paints pictures with his words so that we can actually see all the suspects, the town and the Great Smoky Mountains. A New Prospect is very easy reading that never loses the folksiness and southern charm that the citizens of New Prospect have.

For more information about Mr. Zurl please visit his website at: http://www.waynezurlbook.net. If you would like to purchase A New Prospect you can buy it for your kindle or get it in print at: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.co.uk. You can even pick this mystery up at: http://www.barnesandnoble.com either in print or for your nook or you can pick it up at http://www.smashwords.com. A New Prospect will make a great gift for that mystery lover on your list!

A Virtual Book Tour For A New Prospect

2011-11-20T14:13:00.001-05:00

Hi,
This is just a short note to let you know that the virtual book tour for A New Prospect by Wayne Zurl begins tomorrow!

If you would like to follow Wayne on this VBT, just click on the banner for A New Prospect in the upper right hand corner of this page. There, you'll see the whole schedule.

According to the schedule you'll notice that Wayne will talk to us at Deb's Book Nook on December 9th. I'll also give my review of this murder mystery that day. I hope to see you then!

A Woman's Worst Cancer

2011-10-25T08:20:00.000-04:00

I know that this is a book review blog and that you were expecting one but there’s something very important that needs to be discussed. This subject is ovarian cancer.

I realize that this is breast cancer month but do you realize that this form of cancer strikes women when they least expect it? In fact some women don’t even realize they have it or that they are at risk of developing it!

There are so many forms of cancer but only a few have real awareness brought to them like breast, colon and stomach cancer. Ovarian cancer is almost unheard of. Are all the different forms of cancer in a popularity contest and breast cancer is coming out ahead? No. It’s the public relations people that bring this awareness to us. These people have done an excellent job on bringing breast cancer to the forefront.

I recently lost my sister – in – law to ovarian cancer. Now, I realize that there has to be more awareness made about this silent killer.

Here are some facts I’ve gathered about ovarian cancer. It’s the fifth leading cause of death of women in the United States. Imagine, it’s the fifth leading cause of death of women in the United States but we don’t know about it!

Ovarian cancer isn’t uncommon it’s quite the opposite, it’s just not publicized as much as other forms of cancer. Hence, this article to attempt to bring awareness to ovarian cancer. Right now, 50% of women diagnosed with it die from the disease within five years but this doesn’t have to happen. It’s estimated that over 90% of women will survive longer than those five years when ovarian cancer is detected early. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to diagnose this form of cancer.

There are four stages of this killer disease:

1. In this early stage both ovaries are affected by ovarian cancer.
2. At this point the cancer is in not only in both ovaries but it’s spread to different parts of the pelvis.
3. Now, ovarian cancer has spread through the stomach or to the lymph nodes.
4. This is the last stage. The cancer has spread throughout the body and the cancer patient is really suffering.

Who can get ovarian cancer? Any woman of any age can get this silent killer. If a woman has a family history of other types of cancer, she can get it. Even women who haven’t given birth are at risk. But the majority of women who get ovarian cancer have NO KNOWN RISK FACTORS.

So, what can you do to hopefully save your mother, sister, daughter or even yourself? Start a conversation about it with your family doctor or your gynecologist. Let them know if you have a family history of cancer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or take notes. If it’s your wife, girlfriend or daughter you’re concerned about, convince them to see their gynecologist and for them to do the same.

For more information, symptoms and current treatments visit the Responsible Ovarian Awareness Required (R.O.A.R.) site at http://www.ovarianhope.org.

The Story Of Don Luis

2011-10-21T17:44:00.000-04:00

TITLE: The Story Of Don Luis
AUTHOR: Stuart G. Yates
PUBLISHER: Triskaideka Books http://www.triskaidekabooks.co.nz
FILE SIZE: 280 KB
FORMAT: Ebook
PRICE: $2.99 (US), £2.14 (UK),
ASIN: B00584P5MG

Fourteen – year - old Luis has so many problems in his young life. His father marched off to war only to be murdered. Luis is left as the man of the house caring for his sick mother and younger sister. Each day, he rises earlier than anyone else in his household to go to his job of delivering bread to people that can afford it. Upon returning home, Luis feeds his family breakfast of bread and some water that he carries from the village well each day. But Luis has the determination not to live in poverty for the rest of his life. So, Luis is being educated by Senor Martinez. Everyday, he’s bullied on his way to Senor Martinez’ house by the other boys in his village.

This reviewer liked The Story Of Don Luis and would recommend it to any young adult who’s interested in history. Even though this is fiction, this is a well – written ebook. It’s very detailed and shows what life is like in a small Spanish village in the 1600’s. It shows the everyday struggles and prejudices that people faced everyday back then.The author created characters so well that I could see them in my minds’ eye. He paints pictures with his words so that you can see the furniture, houses and even the kitchen utensils! I have reviewed the author before and this was a very different kind of book than he usually writes. He usually writes historical paranormal mysteries for young adults which are historical but much more action – packed and mysterious. Personally, I like his historical paranormal mysteries better but that’s just my own taste.

If you would like to find out more about Mr. Yates just surf to http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/stuartgyates. Maybe you would like to read more about The Story Of Don Luis. If you do, please visit http://donluisbystuartgyates.weebly.com/index.html. If you would like to buy this ebook, you can pick it up at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.co.uk. Or if you prefer you can go to http://www.smashwords.com to pick up The Story Of Don Luis.

inSyte

2011-09-23T08:26:00.000-04:00

TITLE: inSyte
AUTHOR: Greg Kiser
PUBLISHER: inSyte (May 13, 2011)
PRICE: Kindle $.99, paperback $11.63
PAGES: 390
ISBN-10: 0615484875
ISBN-13: 9780615484877
ASIN: B004YWKIB6

In the very near future things will be very different for we humans. No longer will we use money for anything at all. We’ll all use ‘micros’ and poverty will be at an all time high. In fact, in this future the homeless will be treated like garbage to be discarded and forgotten about. There are no homeless shelters or food banks. America is known by a different name in this future. Oh, one more thing: the internet will have a different name. It will be called the grid and we will be able to apply it to our finger tips.

Ex-Navy Seal, Mitch Downing wants to take the grid a step further and integrate it to his own biological system. He does manage this but hasn’t mastered turning the grid off so he can get some sleep. This is one thing that hasn’t changed with humanity. We do need our sleep! Mitch even meets the girl of his dreams and captures her heart with the grid. He is able to answer all of her questions quickly and accurately by pulling up the grid by using his mind. This is all without her knowledge.

Then you have the mayor. He wants to spend billions of dollars to improve the grid for everyone. But there’s a hitch: there’s also a cheaper grid system that will do exactly the same thing. All the while, the mayor is hiding behind his religion. Never mind about the thousands of homeless people in the city. Mitch suspects that there’s something very odd about the mayor. Has the mayor been bought off to push the more expensive grid system through. The mayor says that God told him to spend all that money.

Life is so complicated for Mitch and it’s getting more so by the minute. He is trying hard to please his new girlfriend and say just the right things. He can’t sleep since he can’t turn the grid off. People are going missing everyday and that troubles Mitch. Now, the mayor wants to spend needless tax payer dollars. With all of the knowledge Mitch learned while serving with the Seals and his deductive reasoning, he knows something is fishy with the mayor’s reasoning. Was the mayor bought off to bring the more expensive grid system into Miami? Does God really speak to the mayor and want the system brought in? What about all the homeless? To make matters worse, the mayor’s daughter is his new girlfriend. What about the strange man with the black eyes that just came to town? Will Mitch be able to get to the bottom of all of this without losing his new girl?

I’m don’t usually enjoy this kind of story but this is so action – packed it was hard to put down. Mr. Kiser was able to hold the level of suspense perfectly. He was also able to weave in the paranormal aspect of the story so well that it kind of crept up on me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery!

To find more about Greg Kiser just visit his website at http://www.gkiser.com.

There are several ways to purchase this book. Download it to your kindle in the U.S. or the http://www.amazon.com in the U.S. or http://www.amazon.co.uk in the U.K. It’s even available as a Nookbook at http://www.barnesandnoble.com in the U.S. Would you prefer it in print? You can order it that way either from Amazon or Barnes and Noble that way too.

Nettie Parker's Backyard

2011-09-20T14:41:00.000-04:00

Thank you for joining us today at The Bumpy Road. We’re all anxious to hear you talk about Nettie Parker’s Backyard!

1. Tell us about your book.

Nettie Parker’s Backyard is the story of a mystical, wonderful African-American Gullah woman and the supernatural signs she receives, which guide her to care for eight Jewish child refugees in WWII London. The special bonds they form are so strong, nothing can break them; neither time nor distance proving that love is the greatest force in a surprise twist ending. Important themes of anti-bullying and tolerance toward all regardless of race, religion or physical challenges are woven into this historical-fiction mystery and contains something to which every child, ages nine to thirteen, can relate.

2. Where did you get the idea for Nettie Parker’s Backyard?

The idea for Nettie Parker’s Backyard came to me in a very vivid dream and whereas most of my dreams go unremembered, this one was definitely unique. Its’ powerful detail and message ended in a revelation that has affected my own personal beliefs. My research took me down some fascinating avenues as I discovered such things as the Gullah language in the Sea Islands, the Kindertransport, sand fly fever and the role African-American soldiers played in WWII. Nettie’s character was based on that of my granddaughters; thus some of her best virtues are those of trust, love and friendship.

3. Nettie Parker sounds like a fun person who accepts life as it is. She sounds like
someone I’d like to know! Can you tell us where you got the idea for her personality?

I wanted Nettie to be the kind of person that everyone “wants on their team”…someone who’s everyone’s friend because she is such a good friend to everyone. Nettie is always a champion for the underdog, often having been in that position herself due to her race and physical challenge. She is generous, caring; mature, fun – loving, protective…I guess in general, she exemplifies the best qualities the best qualities in all of us.

4. The character Jonas is such an easy going and laid back person but emotionally strong like Nettie. He deals with each situation as it comes. Where did you get idea to make him so easy going?

I patterned Jonas after my husband, who is also strong emotionally, however, maybe not quite as “laid back” as Jonas. Nettie faces many challenges in her life, and as Jonas loves her completely and unconditionally, he knows he must remain strong to help her ‘stay the course.’ It is her gift, her destiny and her family legacy to help others in life, and thus it is Jonas’ role to help her achieve this. Jonas firmly believes that a calm head in a crisis can surmount anything.

5. Is it a touch of the paranormal when statues of these children start turning up
in her backyard in South Carolina years later?

Yes. Nettie has no idea who is sending her the statues, why they are being sent to her or what their meaning is. They just seem to pop up out of nowhere in particular, with no apparent rhyme or reason. She can’t even trace where they’re coming from, as they have no markings, no model numbers, no manicuring dates on them---nothing! Of course there are no sender cards or delivery paperwork either.

6. I loved how you wove so many historical facts into the story. You teach us about slavery, prejudice and teach us a new language in one story! Was it hard to include all of those facts?

I have been an educator for almost 30 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District and I wrote this novel hoping to illustrate to children that bullying and intolerance toward race, religion or the physically challenged have no place in our world. Certainly, with tools such as the internet, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks the world is becoming a smaller in so many ways. So, the ill-effects of prejudice are felt even more strongly today than in the past. I think we must all learn to accept each other and celebrate our differences rather than let them separate us. I further believe that more must be done to inhibit bullying for any reason; not doing so enables the passing of prejudice from one generation to the next. It was with this goal in mind that I stayed true to my dream which first gave me the idea to write this book that is of Nettie being African-American. Being such, I made sure she came from the Southern part of the United States so I could discuss the history of racial prejudice against slavery of Nettie’s ancestors 500 years before in Africa. Making the children Jewish refugees in Europe during WWII gave me the opportunity to discuss the genocidal Holocaust and the unforgivable and unforgettable happenings then, almost wiping out tonally that religion from the continent. I had to do a lot of research and it was difficult but it was very important to me to bring these themes of anti-prejudice and anti – bullying to my audience. Especially today with bullying and hate crimes statistically on the rise worldwide.

7. Halley seems like a character with compassion for others that is beyond her years. Tell us about Halley.

Halley is a great deal like Nettie in that she’s kind, sensitive, caring and friendly. She too sees no barriers between people and judges them by what’s within their hearts. She loves Nettie so much as her tutor, mentor and friend. She would do anything for Nettie, and actually does as she helps her to figure out the books mysteries, where are the statues coming from, who is sending them and why they are being sent to Nettie. She also realizes the reason behind Nettie’s supernatural signs and the purpose for Nettie’s strange family legacy.

8. Do you have a website, fan page or blog where people can learn more about you?

Yes. I’ve just recently re-designed the books’ website where you can learn more about me and how I came to write Nettie Parker’s Backyard. You can read a more detailed synopsis and find many five-star reviews of the book by children as well as adults. There is even a radio interview with Judith Piazza from SOP radio. My website is at: http://www.nettieparkersbackyard.com.

9. Where can we get a copy of Nettie Parker’s Backyard? Is it available in both ebook & print?

Nettie Parker’s Backyard is available in both paperback and kindle formats at amazon.com in both paperback and kindle. You can find it in also in paperback at Barnes and Noble.

Thank you for joining us today and telling us about Nettie Parker’s Backyard!

MY REVIEW

TITLE: Nettie Parker’s Backyard (June 14, 2011)

AUTHOR: C.V. Smith

PUBLISHER: Avid Reader Publishing Group http://avidreaderspg.com

PAGES: 180

FORMATS: Paperback, ebook

PRICE: $2.99 for ebook, $7.95 for paperback (US)

£2.13 for kindle edition, £6.92 for paperback (UK)

ISBN – 10: 161286032X

ISBN – 13: 9781612860329

Nettie Parker’s Backyard is a gentle yet action packed and war – torn story. It’s the story of Nettie’s life which is full of prejudice and bullying. Early in her life she starts seeing and hearing signs. What do these signs mean? Are they magical? Only Nettie can find that out.

When Nettie is nineteen-years-old, she travels to London, England to study to be a nurse. Upon her arrival, the nursing administrator is very nice to her but soon she is met with more prejudice from others. Is this because of her physical challenge or because of her race?

Nettie meets two young boys one day when their ball flies across the fence and into the Charring Cross Hospital grounds. The boys don’t think they’ll ever get their ball back and are very hestitant to talk ask for it. Nettie’s caring and compassionate nature can’t understand this but she soon will. She talks with the boys for awhile and is surprised to learn that the boys were sent to London by their parents to escape the horrors of World War II. Kind, compassionate Nettie doesn’t think there’s enough hate or fear in the world to make parents and children separate! She soon finds out differently!

It was very hard for this reviewer to put this book down. Throughout this well written account of Nettie Parker, not only do you learn about her ancestry and her adventures in London but you learn a secret language too!

I highly recommend Nettie Parker’s Backyard. Although the historical fiction is written for children, adults will thoroughly enjoy this magical book too!

To learn more about C.V. Smith and Nettie Parker’s Backyard visit her author’s website at: http://www.nettieparkersbackyard.com.

If you would like to purchase this magical and fact-filled story, you can find it several ways. You can find it in kindle edition at http://www.amazon.com or as a nook book at http://www.barnesandnoble.com. If you prefer a print edition, that can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

ABOUT C.V.SMITH

C.V. Smith has been a teacher and para-educator for over thirty years. Most of this time was spent in the classroom where students were just beginning to think for and about themselves.

Nettie Parker’s Backyard is written for ages nine to thirteen, the time when youth questions everything.

Adolescence is just starting and many children feel insecure about themselves, relationships with peers, their families and home life. These insecurities manifest themselves in various behaviors. Some children withdraw into themselves while others overcompensate for their fears by bullying others. Ms. Smith has witnessed that when bullying begins, even innocently with an off-handed word or two, prejudice often follows. The author wrote this novel hoping to illustrate to children that bullying and prejudice towards race, religion or the physically challenged have no place in our world.

Certainly, with tools such as the internet, Facebook, Twitter and other social sites the world is becoming smaller in many ways so the ill-effects of prejudice are felt even more strongly today than in the past. We must all learn to accept one another and celebrate our differences rather than let them separate us. Ms. Smith also believes that more must be done to inhibit bullying; not doing so only enables the passing of prejudice from one generation to the next.

Nate Rocks The World

2011-09-05T15:14:00.002-04:00

TITLE: Nate Rocks The World
AUTHOR: Karen P. Toz
PUBLISHER: CreateSpace http://www.createspace.com
FORMAT: Ebook, paperback
PRICE: Paperback $6.99, ebook $2.99 (US)
Paperback £3.03, ebook £2.13 (UK)
PAGES: 136
ISBN-10: 1463510829
ISBN-13: 9781463510824

It’s so tough to be ten-years-old. Nobody knows this better than Nate. He has to put up with his bossy big sister and listening to his father’s never – ending stories about when he was growing up. Not only this, but his mother doesn’t know how to cook. She thinks she does and even makes meals for Nate and his family. The problem is, all the meals taste like cardboard! To make matters even worse, the teacher pairs him up to do a science project with a (ugh!) girl.

On Christmas morning, Nate’s world seems to look up when he and his sister get a small package. The family is going on a trip. Is his bossy sister happy about this? No. She whines and complains how she has nothing to wear on the trip and has to work on her tan before they hit the beach.

So, how does Nate escape the atrocities of his life? Drawing! Give Nate a sketch pad, pencils, crayons and Nate’s imagination can take him anywhere, do anything and most importantly, do it his way. In practically every chapter Nate’s imagination takes him on another adventure. He also has a way to get out of eating his mom’s cooking. The problem is that this only works some of the time. Nate plays with his best friend and hopes he is invited for dinner.

I just loved this book! Karen P. Toz shows all of the trials and imaginative solutions of a ten-year-old boy perfectly.

To learn more about Karen, just surf over to her website at: http://karentoz.com. You can also join her fan page for Nate Rocks The World at: http://www.facebook.com/karenptoz.

Nate Rocks The World can be purchased in several places in either print or ebook formats. Some of the places you can get it are: http://www.barnesandnoble.com either in print or as a nook book, and http://www.amazon.com either in print or kindle in the United States. In the United Kingdom you can pick up Nate in either format at: http://www.amazon.co.uk.

Whichever way you prefer to buy this book, Nate Rocks!

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Walking Through Walls

2011-08-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

TITLE: Walking Through Walls
AUTHOR: Karen Cioffi
PUBLISHER: 4RV Publishing http://4rvpublishingllc.com
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 61
PRICE: $14.99 (US)
ISBN-13: 9780982659472
ILLUSTRATOR: WillowRaven http://WillowRaven.weebly.com

Twelve-year-old Wang wants a different life than his father has. His father spends his days toiling in the hot sun gathering wheat. No, he doesn’t want a farmer’s life at all. It’s too hard and back breaking! Wang wants to learn magic and to be an Eternal so he can be rich and powerful. Then he could get everything he wants. Or can he?

Wang had to find out where the Eternals live. First he asked the mayor if he knew where the Eternals lived. The Mayor had no idea and sent him to the town’s doctor but he doesn’t know either. At last, he has another idea about who to ask. Will this person know? Will Wang find the Eternals and learn the magic that he desperately wants?

In this magical children’s book, Karen Cioffi takes us along on Wangs’ journey to learn magic. During this journey, Wang finds out that he can only use the Eternal’s magic for good. Will he become rich and powerful this way?

After the story, Ms. Cioffi includes some questions and activities for the reader. She also describes a bit of the Chinese culture for us and tells us what a Chinese dragon is said to look like. I found this very interesting!

I highly recommend this entertaining and magical book. Not only is Walking Through Walls a fun book to read but in the words of Mr. Bill Cosby, “be careful or you just might learn something!”

To learn more about Walking Through Walls just surf to the book’s blog at: http://walkingthroughwalls-kcioffi.blogspot.com.

You can order Walking Through Walls by going to the publishers website at: http://www.4rvpublishing.yolasite.com/mg-ya-page-2.php. Karen’s book is on sale at http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karen Cioffi is an author and ghostwriter. Her new MG/YA fantasy book, Walking Through Walls is based on an ancient Chinese tale. To find out more about Karen and her books visit: http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/p/karens-books.html. If you’d like to learn more about Walking Through Walls and check out some reviews visit: http://walkingthroughwalls-kcioffi.blogspot.com.

1106 Grand Boulevard

2011-08-10T17:52:00.000-04:00

TITLE: 1106 Grand Boulevard
AUTHOR: Betty Dravis
PUBLISHER: Canterbury House Publishing, Ltd.
http://www.canterburyhousepublishing.com
FORMATS: Ebook
PRICE: Kindle $4.99 (US), £3.58
ASIN: B00564TQ28

Let’s travel back in time to the 1930’s. It’s evening and an argument has just broken and Billie Jean accidentally gets shot in the shoulder by her husband, Cal. Running for her life she hides from her husband in the bushes. Naturally, she goes back to her childhood home…1106 Grand Boulevard. This is one woman’s story of her search for true love during and after the turbulent World War II years.

At her childhood home, she is welcomed with open arms by her family. Naturally, her parents admit her to the hospital where the doctors repair her shoulder.

Now that sixteen-year-old Billie Jean is married, can she stay at her childhood home or will her stern mother make her go back to her manic husband?

Aunt Tommie enters the story here. She believes in marrying rich and having the best of everything. She takes Billie Jean to Arizona to live with her and her uncle. Billie Jean is schooled in the proper way to get a rich husband. Aunt Tommie teaches her how to walk, talk and behave like a lady around the ‘right’ people. At her coming out party, Billie meets a handsome man in his twenties named Jackson. Of course, Jackson is struck by Billie Jean’s beauty and wants to marry her.

By this time, Billie Jean is used to the high life and the attention shown to her by men. She flits from man to man searching for someone who can take Cal’s place. She marries several of these men. Each time she marries, Billie Jean is sure she is in love. But is she?

Seven times she goes home to 1106 Grand Boulevard where her sister helps her drown her sorrows by going shopping. She goes back to 1106 Grand Boulevard each time a husband dies or when Billie Jean goes through a divorce. Once she went back when her then husband went off to fight in World War II. Will there be a seventh homecoming for Billie? Will Billie Jean ever find true love or will she keep flitting from man to man like a bee flits from flower to flower?

There are a couple of ways to find out more about the author of this love story. You can go to Ms. Dravis’ website at: http://www.bettydravis.com and click on the ‘Bio’ tab. You can also surf here to read more about her: http://kindlenationdaily.com/2011/08/who-is-betty-dravis.

You can find out more about 1106 Grand Boulevard by going to her website at: http://www.bettydravis.com. Just click on the ‘Books and Stories’ tab.

You can pick up this excellent ebook at several places. Among them are Amazon (US) http://www.amazon.com and Amazon (UK) http://www.amazon.co.uk. Go to the kindle store at Amazon to find this story of life during the World War II era. You can also find it at Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com and at Barnes & Noble for the Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

Deb's Book Nook

2011-08-07T17:52:00.000-04:00

Hi! Deb's Book Reviews has been under construction lately. What have I done, you ask? Well, Deb's Book Reviews now has a new name. This little corner of the internet is now called Deb's Book Nook. I now include interviews with authors as well as book reviews. I had to knock out a few walls for this expansion!

We also have a brand new look. Leave a comment telling me if you like this or not.

2011-07-28T15:46:00.000-04:00

TITLE: Quirky Kids Zoo
AUTHOR: Pat Brannon
PUBLISHER: Wandering Sage Publications http://www.wanderingsagepublications.com
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 32
PRICE: $11.99 (US), £7.46 (UK), CDN$ 11.39 (CA)
ILLUSTRATOR: Jimena Pinto-Kroujiline http://www.amelia2.blogspot.com
ISBN – 10: 1933300833
ISBN – 13: 9781933300832

Hi! Welcome to a different kind of zoo. We’re going to see some strange sights. What’s that you say? What kind of strange sights? Well never fear, there’s nothing scary here.

Do you have you camera ready? You can take pictures of different things here. What’s different here? Look over there; did you ever see porcupines with fur so soft? Let’s walk down this walk. Look over there. See the elephants playing leapfrog with the ants? See the gorillas roller skating? There’s a lot to take pictures of in this quirky zoo!

Children and adults both will love this book by Pat Brannon. Children will love laugh at the quirky kids’ zoo’s inhabitants. They will love the fact that they can help read the book by counting. Adults will love the rhyming story because it teaches kids to count from one to twenty five. Both parents and children will love the imaginative and silly antics (like gardening kangaroos) of the inhabitants. This interactive book makes reading time fun!

The brightly painted illustrations by Jimena Pinto-Kroujiline brings this delightful rhyming story to life.

I loved reviewing this children’s book and highly recommend it. It’s so imaginative and just a pleasure to read. From beginning to end, the Quirky Kids Zoo kept a smile on my face!

To learn more about Pat Brannon, just visit her website. You’ll find it at: http://www.patbrannon.com. While you’re visiting websites, you can visit Jimena Pinto-Kroujiline’s website at: http://www.amelia2.blogspot.com.

You can purchase Quirky Kids Zoo for your children or grandchildren at a variety of places. Among them are: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com in the United States. In Canada you can go to http://www.amazon.ca or pick it up in the United Kingdom at: http://www.amazon.co.uk.

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The Pumpkin Field

2011-07-19T08:08:00.000-04:00

TITLE: The Pumpkin Field

AUTHOR: Linda Nance
PUBLISHER: Create Space http://www.createspace.com/
PAGES: 40
PRICE: $10.95 (US), £6.62 (UK), CDN$ 10.80 (CA)
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1461044812
ISBN-13: 9781461044819

Strange things happen on Halloween night or do they? In this picture book it is a chilly and misty night. It’s a perfect night for spooky things to happen. It’s a perfect night to be full of fright!

Do scarecrows jump from their posts and dance around on Halloween? Do pumpkins dance from their pumpkin patch? Or is it just shadows in the misty night air?

What was that flying through the air? Was it a bird?

In this delightful children’s book, we find out just what the answers are to these questions and more. Linda’s watercolor illustrations really bring the story to life!

A child will love this book. It explains the spooky things you see and the creepy sounds you hear. Adults will enjoy reading this to their children as it brings back memories of their own Halloween celebrations.

To learn more about Linda Nance, you can go to a couple of different places. You can go to Linda’s fan page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Nance-Fan-Page/162224753802546. You can also learn more about The Pumpkin Field and Linda Nance at: http://linda-nance.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-pumpkin-field.html.

This entertaining book is sold in several places. You can pick The Pumpkin Field up at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ in the US, at http://www.amazon.ca/ in Canada or http://www.amazon.co.uk/ in the United Kingdom. You can also purchase this directly from the publisher at https://www.createspace.com/3588264.

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The Pea In The Peanut Butter

2011-06-29T08:24:00.000-04:00

TITLE: The Pea In The Peanut Butter
AUTHOR: Allyn M. Stotz
PUBLISHER: Future Word Publishing (May 1, 2011)
http://www.futureword.net

FORMAT: Paperback
PRICE: $11.95
PAGES: 36
ILLUSTRATOR: Valerie Bouthyette http://www.vbouthyette.com
ISBN – 10: 0984589058
ISBN – 13: 9780984589050

Kailee’s belly wakes her up one night making all kinds of growling noises. Maybe she’s hungry. She goes downstairs to ask Mommy for something to eat and Mommy says she can get herself a fruit roll-up. Does she herself a fruit roll – up? No. Kailee reaches for the jar of peanut butter! She loves peanut butter! She hates that yucky green stuff that Mommy’s always trying to get her to eat.

As she’s reaching for the jar of peanut butter, the door slams shut. Who slammed the door shut? Why did the door slam shut?

Magically, the cans in the pantry come to life talking and singing to Kailee. In the cans’ own way they show Kailee that different colors of food can taste good!

Will Kailee learn to like different kinds of foods?

Children will love Pea In The Peanut Butter by Allyn Stotz. In this colorful picture book, children learn from Ms. Stotz that it’s not the color of the food that make it taste good. It’s the food itself.

The colorful illustrations by Valerie Bouthyette are done in all primary colors and bring the story to life. This includes a mystery for Kailee’s mommy to figure out. Why is there a pea in the peanut butter?

I highly recommend this delightful book. Parents will love it for showing their picky eaters that other foods are good too. Children will love it for it’s magical and entertaining story.

If you would like to learn more about Allyn, please visit her blog at: http://allynstotz.blogspot.com. To purchase The Pea In The Peanut Butter for your children visit http://www.amazon.com.

Life Goes On

2011-06-06T08:06:00.003-04:00

TITLE: Life Goes On
AUTHOR: Linda Nance
PUBLISHER: Createspace (October 5, 2000)
FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
PAGES: 256
PRICE: $12.99 – Paperback, $4.95 – Kindle, C$12.64 (CA), £8.19
ISBN – 10: 1453780130
ISBN – 13: 9781453780138

John and Becky had a wonderful life until one day disaster struck. John was laid off at the factory and they all had to move into a rundown apartment building in a very bad neighborhood. Unknown to their children, John and Becky have received an eviction notice to vacate the apartment in ten days.

Their two oldest children were caught up in the neighborhoods activities. Bobby was learning the tricks of the trade of running drugs with the gang he considered his family. The oldest daughter, teenaged Donna, was caught up in the wrong type of crowd constantly partying, doing drugs and drinking. The youngest child, Stacy, was still a good kid but was beginning to following in her older sibling’s footsteps.

It looks like all hope is gone for the family. Ah, but John has a plan. He secretly contacts a relative for help. The relative is more than helpful and offers John more than he could ever hope for.

Neither John nor Becky wanted runaway kids on their hands. They love their children too much and knew the life their kids would be running too. But John and his relative have a plan already in motion to prevent that.

I have to admit that at first I didn’t like Life Goes On since there’s so much attitude and disrespect from the kids. Although this is very realistic, it doesn’t make a relaxing read for me. So, I started it over and was pleasantly surprised after I read on just why Linda Nance started the book the way she did. Soon, I couldn’t put Life Goes On down.

I highly recommend action packed story for both adults and young adults. Life Goes On is a story about what real families can do in the toughest times. Even if the families are separated by states!

You can learn more about Linda Nance by visiting her blog at: http://linda-nance.blogspot.com. You can also find out about Linda at her Amazon Page at: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nance.

To purchase this page turner just go to Amazon.com, Amazon.com (the Kindle store), Amazon.ca, or Amazon.co.uk. You can also buy Life Goes On directly from the publisher at http://www.createspace.com/3478911.

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Ferry Tales

2011-04-13T08:12:00.000-04:00

TITLE: Ferry Tales
AUTHOR: Brendan Gisby
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
PAGES: 100
PRICE: Paperback: $9.34 (US), £6.29 (UK), CND$ 10.16 (CA). Kindle: $6.99 (US), £4.99 (U.K.)
ISBN-10: 190740712X
ISBN-13: 9781907407123

Brendan Gisby has done it again! In this touching memoir, we’re transported back to 1950/60’s Scotland where the author grew up and are given a glimpse of his childhood.

I highly recommend this collection of short stories for anyone who enjoys travelling back to a simpler time. Both adults and young adults will like this humorous, sometimes sad but very relatable memoir.

In this collection of short stories, we meet his family and his friends and know everybody. If we don’t know them personally, we’re close to people very much like them. We suffer the hardships he and his family (and so many other families at the time) had to endure. We go on childhood adventures with him. We work alongside Mr. Gisby and his father. We even take his Dad’s place at work at one point in the book.

While this reviewer was reading Ferry Tales, she couldn’t help but think things like: “You’d think he’s talking about my sister.” Or, “I had a friend just like that.” There were several times throughout the book when I’d think, “I used to do things like that!” What is best about this book is that you don’t have to be from Scotland to relate to these stories or the cast of characters. Ferry Tales shows you throughout the book that people are the same the world over. Like Mr. Gisby’s other books, the characters and places are painted so realistically that we can reach out and touch them.

If you would like to learn more about Mr. Gisby and his works just visit his website at: http://www.brendangisby.com/. He also has two Facebook pages! Just sign in at http://www.facebook.com/ and search for either Brendan Gisby, Scottish Author or Brendan Gisby.

Ferry Tales by Brendan Gisby is available in both paperback and Kindle formats. You can purchase Ferry Tales in several places. It can be found at http://www.amazon.com/(US), http://www.amazon.co.uk/(UK), http://www.amazon.ca/(CA). While you’re at Amazon, why don’t you pick it up to download for your Kindle? Ferry Tales can also be found for sale at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.

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The Pawnbroker

2011-03-21T08:03:00.000-04:00

TITLE: The Pawnbroker

AUTHOR: Glenn Stuart

PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.blogspot.comPAGES: 180

PRICE: $11.04 (US), CDN$ 11.39 (CA), £7.99 (UK)

FORMAT: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1907407324

ISBN-13: 9781907407321

Imagine. You and your friend are riding your bikes and come upon a dilapidated old mansion. Naturally, you and he go into the old house to explore. Suddenly, you can’t find your friend. When you come out, you start having weird dreams about two boys in another time. This is what happens to Jamie after leaving that old house. Why did Jamie start having these dreams and where did his friend go?

Night after night, Jamie has these dreams but they aren’t always the same dream. They’ve always been about the two boys being told to steal from innocent people but now its worse. Now, Jamie witnesses a murder. What do these dreams mean and why is he having them?

Jamie and another friend, Sarah, visit the library to investigate. By reading old newspapers, going through city directories and indexes they find that all Jamie’s dreams actually happened. The jewels that Jamie dreamt that Bert found in the mansion about are real. Even the murder really happened!

In this paranormal story about traveling through time in dreams, Jamie is terrified. The evil Pawnbroker crosses time and will stop at nothing to get the jewels for himself. Even if it means murdering more people!

Will Jamie be able to solve this paranormal mystery? Can he escape The Pawnbroker?

Please visit Glenn Stuart’s website to learn more about this master of mystery and his books at: http://www.horroronthecosta.com. Another way to follow this master of paranormal mystery is to go to his page at Facebook and ‘like’ him. Just sign in to Facebook and search for Glenn Stuart. Even another way to keep up with Mr. Stuart is to follow him on his blog at: http://glennstuartauthor.blogspot.com.

If you would like to purchase The Pawnbroker you can do that at several places too. You can purchase it The Pawnbroker at http://www.amazon.com (US), http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK), http://www.amazon.ca (CA) or http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

The Olive Branch

2011-02-28T07:33:00.001-05:00

TITLE: The Olive Branch
AUTHOR: Brendan Gisby
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/
PAGES: 282
PRICE: Kindle $6.99 (US), £4.99 (UK), Paperback $11.69 (US), £8.99
ISBN-10: 1907407111
ISBN-13: 9781907407116

Completely startled, his mouth still agape, Jeff glanced quickly along the coastline, trying to pinpoint the origin of the explosions. His eyes finally came to rest at a point on the far left of his vision and opened in utter horror and disbelief as they watched the giant superstructure of the Forth Rail Bridge sink slowly and gracefully into a steaming sea; large orange flames licked around those parts not yet submerged. ~excerpt from The Olive Branch.

The communists have joined forces and are taking over Eastern Europe. Will they succeed? The Olive Branch has all the emotion, suffering and drama that come with war. Once again master storyteller, Brendan Gisby, brings us another amazing story in The Olive Branch. With the author’s talents for weaving a good story we feel despair and love. We feel the defiance of patriotism and the pain of torture. The reader can actually hear the pounding, crashing and the shrill squeal of bombs as they fly through the air. We watch through the eyes of Jeff, as the world he knows and loves, crumbles around him. We witness the horror of sexual abuse at any evil soldiers’ whim. What did Eastern Europe do to deserve such treatment?

In an attempt to save the peaceful world they know, small bands of resistance groups are springing up. Will they manage to do this?

I’m not fond of war stories but I highly recommend The Olive Branch. Through Brendan Gisby’s descriptive talents, he takes you through the range of emotions the characters feel. You actually experience what they experience. The characters are just ordinary people in an extra-ordinary position. They’re so relatable that I actually felt like I knew the characters!

What was best about The Olive Branch is the fact that Mr. Gisby shows us that something good can even come out of something bad. In the book we witness true love blossom and develop.

If you would like to learn more about Brendan Gisby, there are a few places to learn about him. One is at his website at: http://www.brendangisby.com/. You can also visit with him on either of his Facebook pages. After you sign in to Facebook, just search Brendan Gisby, Scottish Author or go to his personal page by searching Brendan Gisby.

The Olive Branch is available for purchase either in Kindle or print formats at http://www.amazon.com/or http://www.amazon.co.uk/. You can also buy this page turner at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/.

Loki: Why I Started At The End

2011-02-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

TITLE: Loki: Why I Began At The End

PUBLISHER: Agora International eBooks http://www.internationalagora.com
AUTHOR: Maia Jacomus
FORMAT: eBook
FILE SIZE: 215 KB
PRICE: $3.00 for Kindle and Nook (US), £2.23 for Kindle (UK)
ASIN: BOO47742TW

Okay, yes, you’re right. It’s time I told you more about how I came to be strapped down with a serpent leaking venom on my face. I didn’t want to tell you before, because not only did it mean telling a rather long story, but it means revisiting the deception, anger, and pain of those years. Still, you’re right; you’ve helped me all these years without truly understanding my situation-catching the venom in that bowl, never leaving my side. So, I’ll tell you thoroughly and from the very beginning. I owe you at least that much. I’ll start with…Yes. I would have to start with Odin. ~ from Loki: Why I Began At The End.

This tale centers on the Nordic gods and is told through Loki’s eyes. Loki tells how he first meets the god Odin hanging upside down inside the trunk of a tree. Odin first tricks the trickster by befriending Loki and taking him across the rainbow bridge, to Asland. Why has such a powerful god befriended Loki? After all, Loki is a half giant from Jotunheim. The Jotuns and Aesir are enemies.

Loki: Why I Began At The End is a hard to put down story that leaves you thinking, “Just one more chapter. Just one more.”

While Loki is living in Asland, we are introduced to the rest of the Norse deities.

Loki feels so honored to be a friend to the god, that he is completely taken in. In time, Odin asks to meet his children. So, he takes Odin to Johentheim where he is forced to watch his trusted friend condemn two of his monster-children to live in the far reaches of the earth. Ferrir, Loki’s third son gets the worst deal of all when Odin asks Loki to bring him back to Asland. There, Ferrir is tricked and is doomed to spend the rest of his days chained in a dungeon in Asland. Since Loki now lives in Asland with the Aesir, he watches his son suffer day, by day.

Loki: Why I Began At The End is available in ebook form both on Kindle and on Nook. You can purchase this interesting story in Kindle format at: http://www.amazon.com (US) and http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK). You can also purchase this fine ebook in Nook format at: http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

To learn more about the author please visit her website at: http://maiajacomus.webs.com or directly from the publisher at http://www.internationalagora.com.

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Coming Up For Air

2011-01-17T07:14:00.011-05:00

TITLE: Coming Up For Air
AUTHOR: Rose Mary Boehm
PUBLISHER: The Black Leaf Publishing Group http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
PAGES: 346
FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
PRICE: Paperback: $18.71 (US), £14.24 (UK), Kindle: $9.99 (US), £7.46 (UK)
ISBN-10: 1907407073
ISBN-13: 9781907407079

This is the story of Anne Marie Becker who grew up during World War II. She was only two-years-old when the bombs started falling. As the author states, part of this novel is fiction, part fact and part autobiographical. In any case, Coming Up For Air is a hard book to put down.

Through her excellent writing, Ms. Boehm transports us right into the war and shows us all the horrors and atrocities that happened then. As we watch Anne Marie grow up we experience her first love and then date rape. When she is old enough to get a job, older men have some particular ideas. Rose Mary doesn’t just describe to us what happens; she shows us in such detail that we experience everything that Anne Marie goes through!

This page turner just isn’t a story of growing up through that terrible war either. It’s a story of growing up fast and finding your own freedom. It’s about shaking off the chains of a previously rigid existence, coming up for air, taking a deep breath and finding your own life.

This reviewer was transported back to live through that terrible time. I highly recommend Coming Up For Air to all young adults and adults.

Ms. Boehm was born in Duisburg, Germany and is a German born UK national. She now resides in Lima, Peru but she’s more than a writer! Rose Mary is also a photographer, painter and a copywriter.

If you would like to learn more about Rose Mary Boehm, please visit her book blog at: http://www.coming-up-for-air.com. If you would like to read the first 24 pages of Coming Up For Air please follow this link: http://bit.ly/aFdnzA.

You can purchase Coming Up For Air either in Kindle format or in paperback at http://www.amazon.com (US) or http://www.amazon.co.uk (UK). You can also purchase this fantastic book at Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

The following is the book trailer for Coming Up For Air. I think you’ll enjoy this.

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2010-12-27T07:55:00.007-05:00

TITLE: Leaving England
AUTHOR: Carole Hart
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing Group http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/
FORMAT: Paperback (May 14, 2010)
PAGES: 302
PRICE: $11.69 (US), £5.84 (UK)
ISBN-10: 1907407197
ISBN-13: 9781907407192

What would you do if you could do what you’ve always dreamed about? That’s what happens in Leaving England by Carole Hart.

In this well written and often humorous memoir, Carole Hart and her husband are finally free of their everyday obligations. We travel with the Hart’s as they make their way to start a new life in Cornwall.

They arrive with their cat, Norman; they settle in the town of St. Columb and buy a house to start their dream job. They seem to have taken a step back in time. When they finally find a house to buy, whatever can go wrong, does go wrong. While Carole and her husband are busy trying to get their new house repaired and in order, they decide that they have to meet the people of the town. After all, if they are going to start a business they should make themselves known. Right? The people they encounter are quirky characters and Ms. Hart paints each one with humor and gives them their own distinctive color and personalities.

When Carole and her husband finally open their business, they are host to some very quirky visitors from all over the world. Each visitor has his or her own idiosyncrasies that drive the Hart’s to learn more patience.

I highly recommend Leaving England. This memoir is filled with a gentleness that isn’t normally found in today’s world. That’s because this reviewer has learned that Cornwall has held on to its old traditions. I have also learned that even though Cornwall is a part of England, the residents don’t quite think they are. So, make yourself a cup of tea, curl up in your favorite chair and read Leaving England. The only thing that could make this easy reading book better would be a cozy afghan along with a hot cup of tea!

You can purchase your own copy of Leaving England at Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/, Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or the publisher’s bookstore: http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/shop.htm.

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Tomorrow's Children Legends of the Ells

2010-08-20T09:31:00.009-04:00

TITLE: Tomorrow’s Children Legend of the Ells
AUTHOR: J.T. Wheeling
PUBLISHER: The Black Leaf Publishing Group http://www.blackleafpublishing.com November 2, 2009
COPYRIGHT: 2009, The Black Leaf Publishing Group
PAGES: 204
PRICE: $13.75 (US), £10.60 (UK)
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1907407022
ISBN-13: 9781907407024

“Go on, Marc, get him before he runs. Let’s strip him and throw him in the dung heap, that’s where dirty Ells belong.” Marc, a full head taller than Yani, reached out to grab Yani’s hair.

Last night the dream message had changed. “Today is your fourteenth birthday, now your powers awaken and you can begin to fight.” ~ excerpt from Tomorrow’s Children Legend of the Ells by J.T. Wheeling.

We meet Yani on his fourteenth birthday and his life changes that day. First, his good friend Mika dies. Then, he begins a journey with his faithful dog, Bob, across 25th century Spain. Not only that, but Yani discovers that he can somehow make fire fly out of a broomhandle!

Along Yani’s journey, he makes the first friends his own age. He’s never had a friend his own age before. Yani has been a stable boy his whole life and has only known bullies. He tells his new friends about his life. He also tells them how he was forced to work for the town bullies and was constantly called a ‘dirty Ell.’ But he doesn’t know what an Ell is. He is convinced that it’s something bad. Will his new friends tell him what an Ell is?

His friends are heading for a town called Altania. They tell Yani that he will find out everything he wants to know. But they have no idea who they have just befriended or of the adventures they’re in for!

When Yani and his friends reach Altania, he is sent to The Tower. He is told that he must go now. There’s no time to lose! What is The Tower and what happens there? Is it some sort of punishment for running away from the bullies he worked for?

When the evil Count Aranda learns of Yani, Lord Zandor disappears along with one of Yani’s new friends.

Their dangerous adventures never stop! They escape many more cruel bullies on their journey. Yani and his friends even have to battle raging rivers, fight gorrats with his staff and even rescue a damsel in distress!

One question remains for Yani. Who is he?

Tomorrow’s Children The Legends of the Ells is the first book of a trilogy. I highly recommend this science fiction/fantasy. This page turner had me this reviewer enthralled. There are so many twists and turns I found this book so hard to put down. I can’t wait to read the next book!

To learn more about the author please visit his website at: http://jtwheeling.com/page_id=2. You can purchase your copy of Tomorrow’s Children Legend of the Ells at the author’s website or at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.co.uk.

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The Accursed Dawn

2010-07-19T20:37:00.013-04:00

TITLE: The Accursed Dawn
AUTHOR: Glenn Stuart
COPYRIGHT: 2009, Glenn Stuart
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/ April 19, 2010
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 300
PRICE: $11.86 (US), £8.96 (UK)
ISBN-10: 1907407138
ISBN-13: 9781907407130

Fifteen-year-old Max is moving to an island away from the mainland of England. Max is amazed at what he sees when his family arrives. His new home is a series of large buildings.

Max walks in and checks out his bedroom. It’s bigger than his whole apartment was at home! Leaning against a wall he looks around and sees a chest-of-drawers sitting against one of the walls. Max gets a strange feeling that something isn’t right with this place. He looks toward the chest-of-drawers and a drawer slowly opens but there’s no-one there…

While Max is putting his clothes away in the chest-of-drawers, he finds a note and reads it:

My good friend,
‘Now that I have your attention perhaps you would be so good as to lend
me your services. We have so much to do; do not waiver. As you discover
the truth, do not dismiss, do not shirk. The truth will out. Find
the cellar, my good friend, and begin to put things right the wrongs which
have been done.’ ~ excerpt from The Accursed Dawn.

Who opened the drawer and who wrote this note? No-one has been in his new home except for the caretaker.

Max and his friend, Stan, look for the cellar trying to find out what the note means. Once the cellar is found, his adventure begins. He also starts hearing unseen voices. What are these voices and why are they urging him on?

Max turns to his friends to ask them for help. After all, what are friends for? They suggest going into town and visit the island’s mysterious historian. But why are people on the island dying? It’s up to Max to solve this mystery. Little does he know, this is an adventure of a lifetime. It’s also an adventure he’d rather forget.

This paranormal mystery takes you from the present back to a horrific time in the world’s history. This page turner will have up all night!

The Accursed Dawn is brilliantly written and isn’t just another paranormal story. It’s a well written mystery about young love, lost love, lies, deceit and revenge! You’ll definitely have trouble putting this book down.

To learn more about Glenn Stuart please visit his website at: http://www.horroronthecosta.com/. You can purchase The Accursed Dawn at: http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.amazon.co.uk/. Purchasing The Accursed Dawn is an action you won’t regret at all!

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Feisty Family Values

2010-07-05T07:21:00.014-04:00

TITLE: Feisty Family Values
AUTHOR: B.D. Tharp
PUBLISHER: Five Star (ME), http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar
February 17, 2010
FORMAT: Hardcover
PRICE: $25.95
PAGES: 271
ISBN-10: 159414849X
ISBN-13: 9781594148491

A cab stops in front of the Victorian mansion in a well-to-do neighborhood in Wichita, Kansas. The passenger fumbles through her wallet for the correct fare. Finding everything but thirty cents, she dives into her cracked vinyl purse in search of it. The passenger walks up the steps of the mansion to see if her cousin, Regina, will take her in. But why is she here?

Regina, a bitter lady, a snob and born with a silver spoon in her mouth, hesitantly lets her poor relation in. After all, Annabelle is family. Regina is sure that her cousin’s stay will only be temporary. It has to be temporary! What will the neighbors think and how did Annabelle get that black eye? Tillie joins Regina at the door and makes up Regina’s mind for her.

Tillie is Regina’s best friend. She also lives in the old Victorian. Tillie is the total opposite of Regina. She’s full of life, accepts people for who they are, never hesitates to tell Regina what she thinks and is also a gourmet cook. In short, she’s one feisty lady!

Annabelle is different from either Regina or Tillie. Life has made her a timid creature so she doesn’t really speak up much. She is so eager to please her cousin that she’s even willing to learn to cook the way Tillie does! Will Annabelle overcome her shyness?

Will these three women be able to live together as a family unit? After all, each lady is in her 60’s and life has made each totally different from the other.

What’s happening to Regina’s perfect life? Now, there’s a cat in the house not to mention the chaos of Annabelle’s three grandchildren that are there periodically. What has made Regina so bitter? We don’t find this out until the end of the book. To complicate matters even more, a hunk of a man moves in right across the street from the ladies. All three ladies fall for their handsome neighbor. Will he fall for one of them?

I highly recommend Feisty Family Values. This is a very compelling and relatable tale that I had trouble putting down. Everyone knows people like Regina, Tillie and Annabelle.

B.D. Tharp’s book deals with cancer, parental abuse, child abuse, love in your 60’s and more. Not only did she touch on some very real issues in her book but she wrote a very entertaining one. Feisty Family Values keeps you turning the pages!

If you’d like to learn more about the author please visit her website at: http://bdtharp.com/. To purchase Feisty Family Values visit: http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.amazon.co.uk/.

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The Island of Whispers

2010-06-15T07:15:00.009-04:00

TITLE: The Island of Whispers
AUTHOR: Brendan Gisby
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing (June 12, 2009) http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
PRICE: $12.67, £7.35
PAGES: 236
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1907407103
ISBN-13: 9781907407109

Twisted Foot, a Watcher, is a black rat who lives in an abandoned monastery on Inchgarvie Island. As Twisted Foot stands watch in the Upperworld, he realizes how cruel his home in the Underworld is.

He also considers what happened during the Selection. Broken Tail, the Chief Protector sniffed out the deformed and weaker of the newborn rats. He would swipe each across the snout marking them for destruction. Then, the newborns would be herded and guarded by the Protectors for food for the Rulers. Twisted Foot remembers that he had lost a couple of children this way.

He reminds himself they were broken up into different classes of rats. There were the Rulers who depend on the rat colony for substance and everything else for that matter. Next in the pecking order are the Inner Circle. These few advised the Rulers. There were the Hunters. The Hunters held a position of honor since they hunt each night to provide food for the rat colony. Of course, the Rulers get the best pieces of food. Next, come the Protectors. These bullies think that they can torture, kill and rape anyone in a lower class than they are. The ones the Protectors usually attacked were the Watchers and the Slave-rats. Not to mention the she-rats and their young. What to do about such cruelty? Was there a world beyond the Upperworld?

When Twisted Foot was on Watcher duty, he could see another land beyond the water. Was there a colony there too? Could they make a bid for freedom and escape?

You cheer as Twisted Foot, his friends, their mates and youngsters as they make their escape. The author holds you in suspense as they climb the Giant’s Foot to crawl across it. Will Twisted Foot and his friends find a place where they can start their own society of equality?

I fully recommend this book! This reviewer had to start WhThe Island of Whispers several times. This is mainly because I can’t stand rats. The Island of Whispers is a ‘stick with it book.’ It is an engrossing tale from start to finish about breaking away from cruelty and dictatorship. The Island of Whispers is a fascinating and suspenseful story. The Mr. Gisby holds you in suspense from the beginning to the last page! His powers of description will have you both cringing and enthralled.

If you wish to learn more about the author, Brendan Gisby, visit his website at: http://www.brendangisby.com. You can purchase The Island of Whispers at: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.co.uk.

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Werelove: Dusk Conspiracy

2010-06-07T07:46:00.008-04:00

TITLE: Werelove: Dusk Conspiracy
AUTHOR: Lakisha Spletzer
PUBLISHER: Create Space http://www.createspace.com
COPYRIGHT: 2010 Lakisha Spletzer (April 30, 2010)
FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
PRICE: Paperback $15.99, Kindle $5.99
ILLUSTRATOR: J.D. Hollyfield http://www.jdhollyfield.com
ISBN-10: 1449900879
ISBN-13: 9781449900878

Beautiful Laylah LeCroix has everything a teenager could want. She has a nice house, nice clothes and servants, someone to drive her to school every day and a loving family. Or does she?

The seventeen-year-old is bullied constantly at academy not to mention at home too. Her father is constantly working and never has time for her. He finds all kinds of things to ground her over. So much so, that Laylah has never been to her best friends’ parties! All she can do at home is be obedient and hope that her father won’t find anything to ground her for…again.

One day something goes wrong at school and her father goes ballistic to the point of giving her a smack. Laylah has never been smacked in her life and runs out the back door only to be kidnapped. Or is she? Laylah runs for her life into the forest as she is chased by Zina’s weres. Does she have the smarts to escape the weres?

In WERELOVE: DUSK CONSPIRACY we meet Donil Silentshadow who falls in love with Laylah. He even says that she is his mate in life. There is a problem with Laylah and Donil getting together since Henry hates the whole Silentshadow family! Will Laylah ever be able to return Donil’s love or will Mr. Le Croix find a way to keep them apart?

Meanwhile, while Laylah is falling in love with Donil, Zina McFin is trying to take over the were’s world. In order to do that she has to kill Laylah LeCroix! When she takes the were’s world over, she’ll be ‘the’ alpha but why kill an innocent young woman?

I highly recommend this 384 page science fiction/fantasy. This book is full of the supernatural, romance and action. There is a new twist on every page! Also, at the end of the book is a glossary that explains each term. WERELOVE: DUSK CONSPIRACY will keep you telling yourself, “just one more chapter, just one more.”

To learn about the author, Lakisha Spletzer, visit her website at http://www.kishazworld.com. You can also purchase WERELOVE: DUSK CONSPIRACY at her website or visit http://www.amazon.com. You won’t be disappointed!

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The Guardsman of Murray Hill

2010-05-13T16:28:00.005-04:00

TITLE: The Guardsman of Murray Hill
AUTHOR: Paul Lanier and R.M. Gibson
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
(June 15, 2009)
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 154
PRICE: $10.19 (US), £7.99
ISBN-10: 0955990327
ISBN-13: 9780955990328

“All saloons have bars in them, but not all bars are saloons.”-Paul Lanier.

The Guardsman of Murray Hill is mostly a fictional account of the happenings in a saloon.

In this sentimental collection of short stories the author takes us into The Guardsman, a saloon in New York. He introduces us to the bartenders along with the other patrons. He also takes us along with him to the weddings of the many patrons of The Guardsman. We witness the divorces and funerals throughout the years. Not to mention the business deals made in The Guardsman!

The collection of stories in The Guardsman of Murray Hill are very easy reading. They are well written angering and frustrating us. These stories will raise your spirits and make you laugh! Each chapter is a different story or memory making this book very easy to put down at will.

I recommend The Guardsman of Murray Hill for older people who have spent time in a saloon or pub since they have many of the same memories.

To learn more about R.M. Gibson go to: http://www.rmgibson.com. You can purchase The Guardsman of Murray Hill at: http://www,amazon.com, http://www.amazon.co.uk or purchase it from R.M. Gibson’s website.

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Choices Meant For Kings

2010-05-04T08:12:00.009-04:00

TITLE: Choices Meant For Kings
AUTHOR: Sandy Lender
PUBLISHER: ArcheBooks Publishing http://www.archebooks.com
August 14, 2009
PAGES: 408
FORMAT: Hardback, Kindle
PRICE: Hardback $29.99, Kindle $9.99
ISBN-10: 1595072195
ISBN-13: 9781595072191

As the two moons rise over Arcana, Chariss has many questions on her mind: What’s Nigel Taiman hiding from me? Why is Julette trying to stop the Taiman line? On the other hand, Chariss is keeping a secret from her fiancé’ as well. A dragon flies to her bedroom chamber balcony every night and Chariss tells it everything that’s bothering her. Why has the dragon befriended her? Dragons don’t befriend people. It’s just not done! Who is the dragon?

Could it be that he’s the evil goddess, Julette, who walks the world of Onweald now in a dragon’s body? Maybe she turned one of her soldiers into a dragon to spy on her. Julette will stop at nothing to over throw Onweald & stop the Taiman line. If the line ends, it means the end of geasa.

Since the youngest Taiman brother married, Chariss and all of the gods and goddesses of Arcana have lost their geasa. Now, they have to battle the evil goddess Julette to get it back.

The Goddess of War, looks out of her bed chamber window to view her army on the front lawn below. We can handle anything Julette hands us. Little does she know that Julette has placed spies among them!

To add to Chariss’ problems, she finds that she is also The Masters Protector. The Master is Rohn, God of Onweald. He seems to think that he can do just about anything he did before. He does realize that he’s lost his geasa like the other gods and goddesses. Chariss has her hands full protecting him. Her problems don’t stop with the god Rohn, however.

The evil wizard, Drake who is also Julette’s puppet, has been chasing Chariss down since she was little. He wants her for his own evil purposes.

I highly recommend this fantasy! This isn’t just your regular romance but it’s also a war story with a high body count.

The author takes us into the world of Onweald with ease making us feel like we’re fighting right alongside Chariss and her loyal followers!

If you would like to learn more about fantasy author Sandy Lender and her books please visit: http://www.authorsandylender.com. If you would like to purchase Choices Meant For Kings go to http://www.amazon.com.

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Three Time's a Charm

2010-04-20T07:32:00.008-04:00

TITLE: Third Time’s a Charm: A Novel
AUTHOR: Virginia Smith
FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
PAGES: 327
PRICE: $10.19 (print), $9.99 (kindle)
ISBN-10: 0800732340
ISBN-13: 9780800732349

Tori Sanderson is the youngest of the three Sanderson sisters. She loves to shop for designer clothes and shoes.

Her two older sisters fix her up with Ryan, a farm boy from her hometown. Over time Tori slowly falls in love with Ryan, much to her two older sisters’ delight. Unfortunately, Ryan’s busybody sister-in-law interferes way too much, showing up at their first date with her two sons. The two older Sanderson sisters are also not quite as bad at interfering but they do invade their sister’s love life asking Ryan for details after each date. In fact, they go as far as to show up at the hardware store where Ryan works!

Tori works at a very high pressure job in a nearby town and has a boss that expects her to work 24/7. She’s also up for a promotion along with her coworker, Mitch. If Mitch gets the promotion, Tori would work for him so the competition between the two is fierce!

Mitch also has his eye on Tori and can’t figure out what she sees in Ryan.

Tori’s possible promotion adds further complications to their relationship since she has to work harder than ever hardly leaving her time to breathe much less date. She has to do her regular job as well as garner experience and get a presentation together for the owners of a restaurant. Whoever has the best presentation and wins the restaurant owners over, gets the promotion. So, the competition between Tori and Mitch is fierce!

I truly enjoyed this easy to read book but was a bit disappointed in the beginning. Tori is at the mall buying a gift for her sister, Joan’s, wedding shower present. While she’s in the mall she sees a pair of designer shoes that she thinks she has to have. This makes her late for Joan’s wedding shower! How can you be late for one of your sisters’ biggest events in her life? From there on the book got much better.

This is the last book in the Sister-to-Sister series. As a sister myself, I could relate to the three sisters. I’ve never read a book from this trilogy before but after reading this book, I would like to read the other two books. This Christian romance is easy to read without being ‘preachy’. This book has to be in any church library and in your own personal library!

To learn more about the author please visit: http://www.virginiasmith.org/ or if you would like to purchase this charming book visit: http://www.amazon.com/. You will find the link to the book in Kindle form on this same page.

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Touch Of Cancer

2010-03-22T07:16:00.008-04:00

TITLE: Touch Of Cancer
AUTHOR: Jean Charity
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
(October 5, 2009)
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 68
PRICE: $11.01 (US), £6.95
ISBN-10: 1907407006
ISBN-13: 9781907407000

Does your hair fall out after a few chemotherapy sessions? You might choose to wear wigs. Well, this is an excuse to go shopping! You just might choose to wear fashionable turbans, hats or outlandish scarves. Or you just might choose to go without a head covering. This is another excuse to go shopping. Buy yourself some big hoop earrings (or the style you prefer). You have the perfect excuse to go against fashion and just do what makes you feel better!

Touch Of Cancer is a personal story and is written that way. Jean Charity, being a cancer survivor herself, the author gives us all a glimpse of what it’s like being a woman with the disease. This book isn’t only a personal story; it’s a sensitive, touching and sometimes a lighthearted look at cancer from a woman’s point of view.

The author delves into issues with a gentle understanding that only another cancer patient can do. She delves into issues such as hair loss, humiliation, sex, self-esteem and many more subjects that only a woman can understand. Ms. Charity also goes into the embarrassing moments of the side effects of medicines.

Touch Of Cancer has had an effect on this reviewer. It reminded me that no matter what problem you have, someone always has it worse. It also reminded me that no-one is alone no matter what the problem may be. It also reminded me that your family and your true friends will always be there for you!

I fully recommend Touch Of Cancer. In this must-read book the author let’s you know that you aren’t alone in your battle. Ms. Charity also reminds us to count your blessings.

Touch Of Cancer would be a good gift for not only the cancer patient but for anyone who knows someone who has the disease. It gives the friend or relative insight of what the cancer patient is going through.

To learn more about the author, please visit her website at: http://www.jeancharity.com. Touch Of Cancer is available for purchase at: http://www.amazon.com or at http://www.amazon.co.uk.

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Evensong

2010-03-04T07:36:00.037-05:00

TITLE: Evensong

AUTHOR: M.L. St. Sure

PUBLISHER: Booksurge Publishing (August 14, 2007)

http://www.booksurge.com/

FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle

PRICE: $14.99

KINDLE PRICE: $9.99

PAGES: 226

ISBN-10: 1419668242

ISBN-13: 9781419668241

After Word War I, Mr. and Mrs. Cross move from Europe to a little farm in Missouri where Christina, her brother and sister are born. Christina has an ideal life on the farm. Why did her parents give up such a good life of parties and nice clothes for farming? All Mr. Cross says is life is better for them. Mrs. Cross is bitter and won't say anything on the subject.

One day, the unthinkable visits the Cross'. Mr. Cross has an unfortunate accident and dies. Even though Christina's father's death is just an accident, her mother blames her for it and kicks her out of the house.

In this engrossing historical romance, we walk miles with Christina, under the Missouri sun, to town where she finds work in a local hotel.

After a Missouri senator hears Christina singing as she goes about cleaning in the hotel, he sends her to Paris to study opera. Christina readily agrees to this dream of a better life but before she goes she visits the family farm once more. There she finds that her mother has turned into a drunk. She also finds that her brother, Marcel, has turned mean and abusive, beating all the farm cats to death. On seeing this, Christina leaves for Paris with her neglected little sister, Nicolette. They stay with their Uncle Phillippe, the Premier of France.

Upon Christina's arrival in Paris World War II erupts. Uncle Phillipe is convinced that Hitler doesn't mean any real harm and everything in France will stay the same. Little does he know just how wrong he is!

Soon, Christina meets and falls in love with Laurent, the leader of the French underground, who convinces her to attend an underground meeting. There, she hears a speech that tells of the real horrors they're facing. She never lets Uncle Phillippe know that she attended this meeting.

Still convinced that nothing will change in France, Uncle Phillippe orders Christina to sing for Hitler and his officers. She refuses. This sends Hitler into a rage! Christina and Nicolette have to run for their lives with Laurent tracking them the whole way.

Eventually, the girls are captured. The Germans separate the girls. Christina is sent to one camp where she is handed over to a sadistic officer who takes pleasure in torturing her. The officer tries different ways of torture to get her to sing. Nicolette is sent to the dreaded kinder camp for children, where unspeakable horrors await her.

Will Laurent find them and get them to saftey? Will Christina be forced to sing for the Germans?

You can purchase this suspenseful romance at: http://www.amazon.com/. Evensong is also available for download to your Kindle at Amazon. To learn more about M.L. St. Sure, please visit her authors page at Author's Den at: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=94596.

Writings Of A Wretch

2010-02-15T15:47:00.008-05:00

TITLE: Writings of a Wretch
AUTHOR: Marko Vignjevic'
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
COPYRIGHT: 2009 Black Leaf Publishing Group (June 8, 2009)
PRICE: $11.95 (US), 7.99 (UK)
PAGES: 134
ISBN-10: 0955990335
ISBN-13: 9780955990335

Like many before me, I've always asked myself: What is life? I will tell you the answer to which I came: Life is the happiness of others. Once I was a different point of view. That was a time when I, truly, without any exagerration, showed a lot of promise. I even graduated from University; I have a diploma-if you don't believe me visit the Kalenich market and ask around, I have a booth there where I sell telephone cords, extension cords, light bulbs manufactured in the Tesla factory in Panchevo, electrical outlets and all other kinds of nonsense to which I gave no thought during my studies, after which I immediately applied to the unemployment office, like a sheep for shearing. ~ from Writings of a Wretch by Marko Vignjevic', page 6, paragraph 2.

Imagine...you've been to University but your job is selling at the Kalenich market. It's a meager living but an honest one. Does the wretch see that? Not really. He's very dissatisfied with his life. He sees his life as one failure after another.

Translated into English from the original Serbian, Writings of a Wretch is a uniquely original book completely written in the first person and takes us into the innermost thoughts of the wretch's daily life. This is a very well written book and one that makes you think about your own situation.

As you read this book, you see the wretch make his daily trudge to the market to sell his wares. Little does he know, he really has an important job. Everyone in Belgrade shops at the market. Where else can they get their electrical supplies? Slowly, he begins to lift himself out of his depression and accept life for what it is. He even raises his self-esteem enough to ask a girl to go to the movies with him! But his self-esteem fails him and he ruins the date. Throughout the book the wretch asks himself very philosophical questions including the most important: What is my purpose in life?

As you continue reading, you find it hard to put this book down and go through several emotions. At times, you want to yell at the wretch to consider himself lucky he has food in his stomach and a roof over his head. Then, you feel frustration that the wretch feels his whole life is a failure and he'll never do anything right. You're relieved when, finally, he realizes his life isn't so bad at all. Finally, you'll feel like cheering when, at last, he accepts his life and learns to be happy in it.

To purchase Writings of a Wretch, please visit Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com or Amazon UK at http://www.amazon.co.uk.

Guardian

2010-02-01T16:17:00.011-05:00

TITLE: Guardian
AUTHOR: Katie Hines
PUBLISHER: 4RV Publishing (January 21, 2010) http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 172
PRICE: $15.50
ISBN-10: 0984070885
ISBN-13: 9780984070886

“Promise me you’ll find the journal and search for the treasure,” gasped Drew’s dying mother. “It’s your destiny.” ~from Guardian by Katie Hines.

Three months later, three teenagers sat around a campfire roasting marshmallows. Drew Newman is just about to tell his friends a secret when a man steps out of the darkness. The man carries an old fashioned sword and wears a long hooded cloak. “Where is it,” the man asks. “Where is the book?” Who is this man and what does he want?

Is the man talking about the book Drew touched when he was a kid? The book was leather bound with gold and silver threads embossed on it. The threads form a tree and its root system. When he touched the book magical things happened. Is this the mysterious book the man wants? Does this have anything to do with the promise he made to his dying mother?

Drew’s adventures start that night and continue when he travels to Nova Scotia where his grandparents live. Grandpa Ian tells him a story that involves Christ’s crucifixion, ancient magic and secret societies.

When Drew is kidnapped, he meets a mysterious woman. She tells him a very different story than his grandfather did! Only then, does he begin to learn what his adventure means.

In this middle grade urban fantasy, Ms. Hines combines Christianity and fantasy making ‘Guardian’ a must read! This fast paced book is filled with twists, turns, mystery, magic and danger!

To find out more about the author and ‘Guardian’ visit her website at: http://katiehines.blogspot.com/. You can purchase ‘Guardian’ for your library directly from the publisher at: http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/ or at http://www.amazon.com/.

Hell Swamp

2010-01-18T16:52:00.012-05:00

TITLE: Hell Swamp
AUTHOR: Susan Whitfield
PUBLISHER: L&L Dreamspell
FORMAT: Paperback, Kindle
GENRE: Mystery
PAGES: 196
PRICE: $12.44
KINDLE PRICE: $4.79
ISBN-10: 160318094X
ISBN-13: 9781603180948
ASIN: B001SK4JUI

Deep in the mountains of North Carolina, near the Black River, lives a woman who is an avid animal rights activist. She lets the residents of her small town know just how disgusted she is and that she doesn't care if they're hunting for sport or food!

The local sheriff is called in when she is found dead in her home. She's gutted like a deer and left hanging from a garret on her chandelier. Who would do such a despicable thing? The sheriff's office can't figure it out so they call in the S.B.I. A beautiful agent named Logan Hunter is assigned to the case.

Logan decides to talk to some of the residents for leads but is stonewalled. They won't answer her questions but she is determined to solve the grizzly murder and to do that, she has to get somebody to talk to her. Slowly she makes friends with some of the residents and she quickly finds out that they live by their own rules! Along the way, she gathers a lot of information and learns that the list of suspects is long.

Soon, small dogs and cats are found dead. Is this related to the murder? Will Logan find some kind of cult?

This book is a page turner! Each time Logan seems to have closed in on the killer, there's a twist and she's pointed in a different direction. Believe me; if you like curling up with a good mystery, you'll definitely like this.

This is Ms. Whitfield's third novel in the Logan Hunter series. Her colorful description of the region and the residents put you into the book.

To learn more about Susan Whitfield and Hell Swamp, visit her website at: http://www.susanwhitfieldonline.com/. You can purchase Hell Swamp from the author's website (above) or at http://www.amazon.com/. You can also purchase this as an ebook in Amazon's Kindle store.

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Emerald Ace

2010-01-07T17:06:00.011-05:00

TITLE: Emerald Ace
AUTHOR: David Falash
PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com
COPYRIGHT: 2009 The Black Leaf Publishing Group
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 351
PRICE: $15.56 (US), £12.50 (UK)
ISBN-10: 0955990319
ISBN-13: 9780955990311

Fifteen-year-old Mick Gallagher has a dream. All he wants is to become a fighter pilot and help free Ireland. Little does Mick know his dream of flying will come true sooner than he thinks! But how long will it be before Mick can help free Ireland?

Mick is in awe when he witnesses a dogfight in the sky above Aunt Patti’s farm. The fight between a British pilot and a German pilot is a harrowing one. With guns blazing the German pilot shoots the British pilot down. However, the German soldier is injured and crash lands almost hitting Aunt Patti’s house!

Before he realizes it, Mick travels to France where he is given flying lessons. While staying at the French chateau of his instructor, Mick meets Michelle Guerintaux. A romance soon blossoms between Mick and Michelle.

Set in the backdrop of World War I, Mick finds himself flying and fighting with the Red Baron himself! Mick is honored as he is to be part of Richthofen’s Flying Circus but one thing bothers him. When can he fly to Ireland to help free them from the British?

I usually don’t enjoy a war story but I did enjoy this one. I found it to be a real page-turner from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book and I hope to read more by Mr. Falash!

To learn more about the author please visit his website at: http://www.davidfalash.com

There are a few places to purchase Emerald Ace. You can purchase it from the author’s website listed above. You can also purchase this action packed story at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.co.uk.

Chronicles Of The Undead

2009-12-22T07:38:00.018-05:00

TITLE: Chronicles Of The Undead
AUTHOR: A.F. Stewart
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 168
GENRE: Fiction
PRICE: $16.85
KINDLE PRICE: $3.49
ISBN-10: 0557026709
ISBN-13: 9780557026708

'The Chronicles Of The Undead' is a cleverly written book that covers three generations. It is set in Victorian England and consists of three journals spanning thirty three years. The author quickly involves us into the Harrington family's life.

The first journal begins in 1793 and is written by Samuel Harrington. It starts out innocently enough with the arrival of new neighbors. It describes Samuel's dislike of them and his wife's excitement of getting to know them. We are the observers as we watch Samuel's slow descent into evil, madness and finally into the world of darkness.

Next we read the journal of his son, Edmund Harrinton, which begins in 1795. This journal shows Edmund's struggle to fight the supernatural when he learns what his father has done.

The final journal is written by Edmund's daughter, Charlotte Harrington and begins in 1825. At first, she finds it hard to believe what she reads in her father's and grandfather's journals and goes on a quest to find out if it is true. She tracks down one her father's old friends tells him her tale and finds that the journals are true. Will he believe her? Will he help her? Will she rid her family of the evil that is attacking her family?

To find out more about A.F. Stewart visit her website at :http://afallon.bravehost.com.

You can purchase this intriguing book by visiting: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com.

Moms Story; A Child Learns About MS

2009-12-07T06:50:00.017-05:00

TITLE: Mom's Story; A Child Learns About MS
AUTHOR: Mary Jo Nickum
PUBLISHER: Chalet Publishers LLC http://www.chaletpublishers.com/
PAGES: 80
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Children
PRICE: $9.95
ISBN-10: 0984083650
ISBN-13: 978984083657
LCCN: 2009939664

Eight-year-old Amy is practicing the piano when she hears a loud thump. Running into the kitchen she finds her mother sitting on the floor.

Why did Amy's mom fall? Amy starts to worry since Mom never falls. Then, Mom starts dropping things. One day, Mom almost goes blind in one eye. Dad takes her to the emergency room where some tests are run. Mom is also given an appointment at the Specialty Clinic. Thus, starts Amy and her family's journey to learn about Multiple Sclerosis.

Amy's big sister, Kelly, goes to the library and borrows several items about the disease. Dad, Mom and Amy turn to the internet and look up the website for the National MS Society. Through Amy's journey she learns what she can do to help Mom. She also learns that MS is nothing to be ashamed of. Her big brother, Tony, is in denial and still has to learn this.

We follow Amy as she learns about the disease. She's very sad and turns to her best friend, Kayla. It turns out that Kayla's aunt has MS too.

As a fellow MSer, I highly recommend this book since so many children have a friend or family member suffering from this disease. This is an easy to read and understand book explaining MS to children. Not only does Ms. Nickum insert the pronunciation of the medical terms of MS but there is also a glossary in the back of the book where she explains them.

Also, in the back of the book the author lists several resources that will help you on your journey to learn about this complex and heart wrenching disease.

You can purchase "Mom's Story; A Child Learns About MS" in several places. Among them: http://www.amazon.com/Moms-Story-Mary-Jo-Nickum/dp/0984083650, http://barnesandnoble.com or at the author's website at: http://www.marynickum.com.

The House of Malgriata (Welcome to Scheol)

2009-11-11T07:34:00.023-05:00

TITLE: The House of Malgriata (Welcome To Scheol)

AUTHOR: Emmanuel Richard Tchami

PUBLISHER: Black Leaf Publishing http://www.blackleafpublishing.com

FORMAT: Paperback

GENRE: Fiction

PAGES: 133

PRICE: $11.95 (US), 7.95 (UK)

ISBN-10: 0955990343

ISBN-13: 978095599342

Unwelcome sounds were streaming in through her windows. She could hear a lady's voice calling, saying something obscure. Then suddenly, the griffin on the wall transformed into a mischevious hag in white linen. She was wrapped head-to-toe with only her face exposed. Her face was pale and deformed by wrinkles of many years. Her eyes were large and very white, with no sign of life in them. And she was approaching Jessie's bed. Jessie was thrown into a state of fear or desperation, yet she was defenseless. She tried to shout, but realized that she had no voice. She tried to kick or move her body, but all her efforts went in vain. She just kept watching the old vampire, or whatever it was, as it spread its arms and came closer and closer toward her bed. Then, as the hag opened her mouth Jessie could see that her incisors were long and pointed. And she was repeating one word...Malgriata, Malgriata, Malgriata...as she bent forward to stifle her. ~Excerpt from The House of Malgriata (Welcome to Scheol) pages 19-20

All he wanted to do was take his family on vacation. He wanted to get them out of the city for a while. Where should he take his family?

They board a small boat to visit Cawthorn. On the way there, however, their craft is sunk and the little family is shipwrecked on the eerie island of Broghoc.

He looks around the desolate island for some sign of life but all Crim sees are plants scattered around. He also spots a dilapidated house. He decides that they need someplace to stay until they're rescued and that creepy looking house is better than nothing. They get to the abandoned house and are just starting to get settled when a knocking sound is heard at the front door. It's a strange man with wolf like eyes...

When Crim's young niece decides to retire for the night, a strange women in white appears to her but she isn't able to resist. The young girl isn't seen anymore. Where did she go?

In this tale, the author takes us on a terrifying journey of one family's struggles with the supernatural. The Normanti family finds terror at the turn of every page!

To purchase this thriller, please go to: http://www.blackleafpublishing.com/shop.htm. Or you can visit: http://www.amazon.com.

The Trojan Project

2009-10-26T16:02:00.016-04:00

TITLE: The Trojan Project

AUTHOR: Eileen Thornton

PUBLISHER: Austin and Macauley http://www.austinmacauley.com

FORMAT: Paperback

PAGES: 292

PRICE: $12.99 (US), 8.99 (UK)

ISBN-10: 1905609094

ISBN-13: 9781905609093

Imagine...you're waiting for your husband to come home from tending the sheep. Out of nowhere appears a green flash in the night sky. It is followed by a green mist. Your hear your friends and neighbors in the valley screaming with fear. Then there is total silence. You feel so helpless since you don't know what's happening.

Imagine...waking up with death all around you. What were green fields are now burned but there wasn't any fire. What would you do? You gather your children and family dog and leave to let someone know what's happened. Why was your house and family spared from this tragedy? Where is your husband?

What would you do? Would you travel to the police station to let the authorities know what's happened? Yes. That's a good idea. Along the way, you find a man lying, almost dead, in the middle of the road. His flesh is melting away but he manages to speak in a whisper, "he's dead."

You finally arrive at the Wooler police station to tell them your unbelievable tale. After you finish speaking, the unbelievable happens. The military raids the police station! Why? As soon as the police station is raideded you know that you have to get to your parents house in London. Your father has a high position. He'll know what to do. At the same time, a young constable finally believes your story. He drives you and your children to London.

The family, dog and the young constable quickly get under way only to find the military hunting them the whole way! They take every back road and farm lane they can think of to get to their destination.

What would you do in this situation? You're the only one who can save your little family. You're also the only one who can let the people of England know what happened. Or are you?

This fast-paced book is packed with twists and military roadblocks at the intersection of every road. It also has deception, lies, revenge and a government cover-up. This taught thriller will make every reader wonder the same question. What is really going on?

To find out more about the author or to order The Trojan Project, please visit her website at: http://www.eileenthornton.co.uk.

The DeMarco Empire

2009-09-15T08:51:00.022-04:00

TITLE: The DeMarco Empire
AUTHOR: J. Lou McCartney
PUBLISHER: Pegasus Publishing, May 27, 2008
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Adult
PAGES: 346
PRICE: $17.98
ISBN-10: 1843864398
ISBN-13: 9781843864394

Life for Katie and her best friend, Lucy is rosy. They've just finished college and Katie is engaged to Lucy's brother, Matt, a budding lawyer. All the girls want to do is go to a nice club to celebrate Lucy's twentieth birthday!

When they arrive at Club La Pregheirra, the line to get in is long. The girls don't want to wait in line and try to get croupier jobs. They'll still be in the club, right? They're hired as waitresses instead of croupiers as they had hoped.

Shortly after they begin their jobs, Katie briefly meets the owner, handsome Antonio DeMarco, and his fiance', Sasha. Little does Katie realize that Antonio decides immediately that she's the girl he's going to marry. In a few days, Katie has fallen completely under Antonio's spell and the spell from the glamour the club offers.

It's said around London that Antonio DeMarco and his brother, Gianni, have the touch. These brothers have the touch alright. Everyone who crosses them or disagrees with them seem to turn up dead! If the don't turn up dead they're talked into doing what the DeMarco brothers want.

Antonio and Gianni have left their home in Italy. Antonio wants to leave all the con jobs and murders behind them. This doesn't matter much to Gianni.

It doesn't matter to Gianni if Veronica has a prostitution ring as a side line at the club. As long as he gets his cut it's fine with him! It doesn't matter to Gianni that the manager of their club in northern England has started dealing drugs. However, the manager mysteriously turns up dead. In the antiques business the DeMarcos are involved in, the owner disagrees with them. He turns up dead. The police say that he died from an accident but.... The trail of blood goes on and on. It even afftects Katie and Lucy! When Lucy accidentally overhears something she shouldn't, she turns up dead.

It doesn't matter a bit to Antonio that Katie is engaged to Matt. Not at all.

Antonio's 'friends' pay Matt a call telling him to stay away from Katie. They rough him up to get Antonio's point across. Antonio always has a way of getting what he wants.

Katie still doesn't know what her fiance' is really like. She has totally fallen under his charming ways and thinks he can do no wrong. Will she ever find out before she marries him?

This mafia style book is a fast paced book full of twists, turns, dirty deals, sex, drugs and murder. It's also a page turner! The DeMarco Empire has a lot of cursing in it but the language fits and adds reality to this story. I fully recommend The DeMarco Empire!

To find out more about the author, just visit her website at: http://www.jloumccartney.co.uk. If you would like to purchase The DeMarco Empire go to the publishers website at: http://pegasuspublishers.com/product_info.php?products_id=443. You can also purchase it at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com

The Comfort Of Holding Your Hand

2009-08-27T16:52:00.021-04:00

TITLE: The Comfort Of Holding Your Hand

AUTHOR: Mare R.

PUBLISHER: Mare R. Publications, Decenber 4, 2008

PAGES: 116

FORMAT: Paperback

GENRE: Memoir

PRICE: $9.95

ISBN-10: 0615265340

ISBN-13: 9780615265346

In this touching memoir, the author recounts her life with her step-father.

She takes us through her teenage years and into her marriage to a soldier. We're intoduced to her three children. Her dad is always with her, especially through the rough patches.

There were several times in reading this book that I wished I had a tissue close by since a few parts hit close to home!

I laughed with the author as she adjusted to having her friends' Uncle Sam as her step-father. Her mother and step-fathers' honeymoon sounded like something out of an old sitcom!

Through nostalgic stories of Dad, Mare R. remembers him as she recounts the messes they made while cooking, decorating for the holidays and more. We witness her childhood, adolescence and adulthood with Dad beside her the whole time. Through her life with Dad, she learns that it's okay for a girl to like woodshop and mechanics classes. Dad turns out to be her biggest supporter in this. Then, we witness the authors' marriage and becoming a mother. We laugh with Mare as she is taught how to oil Dad's artificial leg. After this, the book decidedly takes a twist from her happy, carefree days to caring for her terminally ill Dad.

Through Mare, we learn that Dad is sick with cancer. We go through the struggles of helping her mother take care of him. When Dad is put on oxygen, Mare learns how to adjust the air tanks.

Anyone who has lost a loved one will be able to relate to this touching memoir.

For information on purchasing 'The Comfort Of Holding Your Hand' please visit: http://www.amazon.com. To purchase this memoir from the publisher visit: http://mysite.verizon.net/vzenxk3j

Angeline Jellybean

2009-07-22T09:36:00.007-04:00

Angeline Jellybean is a delightful new picture book by Crystalee Calderwood.

Angeline Jellybean is handled nicely by Crystalee. She takes us into Angeline's world by allowing us to spend a year with her. We see Angeline ask for jellybeans during the three big holidays in her world. All she wants are jellybeans! The fact is, Angeline doesn't want to eat anything else! All the while Angeline's mother tries to get her to eat healthy snacks. Will Angeline ever get her jellybeans? Will her mother ever get Angeline to eat healthy?

Stephen Macquignon illustrated Angeline Jellybean's world perfectly. He colored it all in the color of...jellybeans!

To find out more about Crytalee Calderwood and Angeline Jellybean visit Crytalee's blog. To get your copy of Angeline Jellybean you can order it from amazon.com or from 4RV Publishing.

CONTEST: HELP ANGELINE SEE THE WORLD!!

Angeline has informed Crystalee that she's tired of living on the farm and wants to see the world! She's said that she's heard that Ocean City, Maryland has great salt water taffy, Hershey, Pennylvania has the best chocolate, and she can't wait to get her hands on some Turkish delight!

For full details visit Crystalee's contest blog.

All The Stillness Of The Wind

2009-07-14T16:35:00.019-04:00

TITLE: All The Stillness Of The Wind

AUTHOR: Donald James Parker

PUBLISHER: Sword Of The Spirit Publishing

FORMAT: Paperback

GENRE: Young adult, religion

PAGES: 212

PRICE: $10.00

ISBN-10: 061520810x

ISBN-13: 9780615208107

Eighteen-year-old Jeremy is on a journey but it's not a road trip. He's been attending church lately with his girlfriend, Maria and wonders about the different religions in this world. He also questions which is the true religion. Thus begins Jeremy and Maria's quest.

Through reading both the internet, the many books on religions and with Maria's help, Jeremy discovers that Christianity is the one true religion. Now, Jeremy is faced with another question. Which denomination is true to Christianity? After all, there are so many!

Jeremy turns again to the internet and more books for answers. Confusion sets in when Jeremy finds there are ministers who have turned their backs on God and are now atheists.

Jeremy and Maria spend New Years Eve at church with their youth group so they can ring in the New Year with their friends. After midnight, the youth group decides to attend a New Years' after-party. Little do Jeremy and Maria know but their year is going to start out with a bang! Along the way to the party, they're in a terrible car crash that leaves Maria in a coma.

Why did God let this happen? Jeremy's question is answered when Maria has a miraculous recovery just days after the accident. The doctors have no explanation how Maria emerged from the coma,unscathed, after the condition she was in. Their only explanation is that it was a miracle!

At first, I was a little put off by the links to Christian websites throughout the book. After wondering "why", the answer slowly dawned on me. They're there for any reader who has the same questions that Jeremy does. These links give the reader a starting point for his journey.

I loved this book! 'All The Stillness Of The Wind' should not only be in every church library but in every personal library as well.

To learn more about Mr. Parker, visit his website at: http://www.donaldjamesparker.com/. If you would like to purchase this book, visit: http://www.donaldjamesparker.com/sOSProducts.aspx.

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Dirty Little Angels

2009-06-30T15:00:00.011-04:00

TITLE: Dirty Little Angels
AUTHOR: Chris Tusa
PUBLISHER: Livingston Press
GENRE: Southern Gothic
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 147
PRICE: $10.85
ISBN-10: 1604890304
ISBN-13: 9781604890303

Mom's had a stillborn child and is flat on her back in bed for awhile. After she can get out of bed, she won't. It seems that she's turned her back on life itself. Dad's down at the pool hall drinking his life away and shooting pool. Velma hears that WalMart is hiring but Dad won't apply for the job. Why? He won't take charity from anyone. So, who's taking care of the rest of the family?

In this gritty, southern gothic we meet sixteen-year-old Hailey and her older brother, Cyrus. Hailey is definitely to 'Dirty Little Angels' what Scout was in 'To Kill A Mockingbird.' She goes on to introduce us to Cyrus. Cyrus has already been to jail, is into booze, drugs, sex and who knows what else!

Hailey tries hard to hold what's left of her family together. After trying everything else, she turns to religion and hopes for a miracle. The preacher she turns to, Moses, is a friend of Cyrus' and an ex-con who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Moses has a very twisted view of religion and interprets the Bible to suit him. He's trying to turn a deserted bank into a drive through church and he, along with Cyrus, are in the process of decorating it. It's no matter that the statues used to decorate are stolen from a local cemetery.

I was intrigued by this heart wrenching tale. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop even when I wanted to look away. Mr. Tusa does a very good job of showing us the stark reality of life in the slums.

This book isn't a book that you sit down and forget your troubles with. It stays with you, making you open your eyes. I hope to read more from Mr. Tusa!

To learn more about Chris Tusa visit his web site at: http://christophertusa.com. For purchasing information go to: http://christophertusa.com/blog/?page_id=724

Life Is A Game

2009-06-23T09:10:00.007-04:00

TITLE: Life Is A Game

AUTHOR: Jim Copeland

GENRE: Inspirational

FORMAT: Paperback

ISBN: 9780981453279

"Your dreams will never be greater than your reach." -From Life Is A Game.

Written in down to earth language 'Life Is A Game' inspires a person (young or old) to follow their dreams and use their God given talents.

Each chapter is a step on the path to a career you love. Throughout, the author uses himself as an example. Mr. Copeland shows us how, early on, he found his God given gifts. First, he found he had the gift for communicating with other people. Then he discovered the the gift of helping people and enjoyed it!

In the book Mr. Copeland teaches us how to lay out a plan for ourselves. He shows us all of our inward conflicts (but what if I fail?) and our outward battles. He uses his own job as a special education teacher in a prison to demonstrate what he means.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is just starting on their career path. I also recommend this for someone who has lost the passion for their chosen career.

So, how do you play the game?

For more information about the author go to http://www.jimcopleland.org/index.html. To purchase this fine book go to http://store.livingwaterpc./lifeisagame.

Ghost For Rent

2009-06-05T07:28:00.007-04:00

TITLE: Ghost For Rent
AUTHOR: Penny Lockwood
PRICE: $4.50
PAGES: 65
FORMAT: Paperback and ebook
GENRE: Middle grade paranormal
PUBLISHER: Hard Shell Word Factory
ISBN: 0759903409 (paperback)
0759903379 (ebook)

Eleven-year-old Wendy Wiles is moving from her apartment. The apartment has an exercise room, a pool and even a doorman. What makes this moving thing so bad is that Mrs. Wiles is moving her to a farm in a town that she’s never heard of. Wendy wants no part of this move. She wants to stay in her cozy apartment and with her friends.

There’s no way Wendy can talk her mom out of making this move. Mr. and Mrs. Wiles just a big fight and Mr. Wiles left. Her parents are even talking about a divorce. This forces Mrs. Wiles to find something cheaper to live.

Things get both brighter and mysterious on moving day. On the bright side Wendy meets her new best friend, Jennifer at her new home on the farm. On the mysterious side of things, Jennifer tells her something. Wendy’s house is haunted.

At first, Wendy is hesitant to believe her friend. After all, doesn’t her mom always say that there’s no such thing as ghosts? But Wendy sees two ghostly forms dancing. When she goes into her new bedroom she sees a ghostly face in the mirror! Then she hears a piano playing in the middle of the night! What’s next?

To rid her new home of the ghosts Wendy has to do three things. She has to find out who the ghosts are and solve their murders. Only then can the ghosts rest in peace.

There are several ways to purchase this ghostly mystery. Here are just a few: http://store.fictionwise.com/servlet/mw?t=book&bi=8656&si=42
http://ebookmall.com/ebook/114776-ebook.htm
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/penny-lockwood/ghost-for-rent/_/R-000000000000000123759

Troy The Boy Dachshund

2009-06-03T15:30:00.004-04:00

TITLE: Troy The Boy Dachshund
AUTHOR: Vanessa Seddon
ILLUSTRATOR: Riann Nel
PAGES: 40
PRICE: $8.99
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Children
PUBLISHER: Marcom cc
ISBN-10: 0620416521
ISBN-13: 9780620416528

This is an adorable story of Troy, a black dachshund puppy. It comes to us from first time author, Vanessa Seddon. Ms. Seddon has written Troy The Boy Dachshund as if Troy himself is speaking to us!

Troy tells us what it was like being adopted by those big humans from the animal shelter. He also describes them taking him home and being a gift for another big human. Through Troy’s eyes, we meet his new brothers and sisters. His big sister, Simba, shows him all the bugs in the back yard and Troy gets very excited! There is so much to do in his new home!

Troy likes his new big sister, Simba. She’s a dog like he is. Then he meets his other brothers and sisters…the cats. Troy just can’t help himself. He has to chase them! What else is he supposed to do?

Why does Troy have to go outside to pee or poo? Troy says that his humans call him a naughty boy when he doesn’t go outside. He also tells us how he was a naughty boy when he chewed those fun toys called shoes but he sure has fun chewing them! What’s a puppy supposed to do to stay out of trouble?

We all cheer with Troy when he finally learns how to be a good boy.

Troy The Boy Dachshund is written as if he is actually talking to you. In this story, you will find out that puppies, kittens and other animals have to learn to behave just like you do!

You can find out more about Troy, meet his brothers and sisters or purchase his book by visiting his website at: http://www.troytheboy.com/. You can also purchase Troy The Boy Dachsund at: http://www.amazon.com/.

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We Rage, We Weep

2009-05-20T14:35:00.004-04:00

TITLE: We Rage, We Weep
AUTHOR: June Fuller Moulton
COPYRIGHT: 2000 by June Fuller Moulton
PRICE: $12.98
PAGES: 118
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Adult
PUBLISHER: June Fuller Moulton
ISBN-10: 0968099734
ISBN-13: 9780968099735

This is an insight of what the caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient goes through. In the book, Ms. Moulton states that there aren’t any books out there for the caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient. She right. There’s not. There are many books about the disease but none for the caregiver answering the “what can I do” questions.

Living on a ranch, Ms. Moulton shows us the day-by-day trials trying to keep life as normal as possible for her beloved husband, Rusty. She leads us through the heartbreak and the frustration of Rusty’s confusion of not knowing his own family. We feel the heartbreak of his arguments about trivial thing and his frustration over forgetting and so much more! Ms. Moulton finally and secretly makes the decision to move Rusty closer to town where they can get help quicker.

This is a book I highly recommend! Anyone caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease will relate to this book and realize that they aren’t alone.

For more information about the author and to purchase this book go to: http://cottonwoodgrove.angelfire.com

WILLY'S VALENTINE

2009-05-05T16:22:00.004-04:00

TITLE: Willy’s Valentine
AUTHOR: Rita Hestand
COPYRIGHT: 2001 by Rita Hestand
ILLUSTRATOR: Deborah Pottle
FORMAT: Ebook
GENRE: Juvenile
PAGES: 27
PRICE: $3.00
ISBN: 1876962933
PUBLISHER: Writers Exchange E-Publishing http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing

It’s fall and other ducks fly to the barnyard pond to swim. Willy watches the other ducks when suddenly he spots a duck that looks a lot like him! Unlike Willy, she has a patch of white feathers on her head. Willy swims up to her. Will she be friends with him?

She tells Willy that her name is Waddles but Willy constantly calls her Waffles! They spend many days swimming and playing in the pond. Why does it seem that Waddles is angry at Willy?

Mother Hen confronts a teary-eyed Willy in the barnyard. She finds out why Waddles seems angry. Willy never told Waddles that he’s hard of hearing. She doesn’t know!

In this delightful story of Willy, the hard of hearing duck, the author shows children why they should tell their friends when they have a handicap.

To purchase WILLY’S VALENTINE and to learn more about the author go to: http://www.readerseden.com/product.php?productid=251&cat=0&page=1.

An Interview With Karina Fabian

2009-04-21T07:20:00.039-04:00

Welcome, Karina! Your book is a laugh out loud book. Where did you get the idea for Magic, Mensa and Mayhem?

I'd already been writing DragonEye, PI, stories and I needed a translation for "Amateurs." A friend directed me to Shirley Starke, a mensan and editor of the ND Mensa Magazine, The Prairie Dawg. She gave me the translation and I gave her the story. She wanted to print it in The Prairie Dawg, but I'd already promised it to someone else. So we decided to do a funny long-running serial about Vern and Grace at a Mensa Convention. I decided it'd be fun and easy to novelize, and I'm really happy with the results. Incidentally, "World Gathering" has taken a different direction from Magic, Mensa and Mayhem, so you're getting two stories.

"Amateurs" was published in The Sword Review, and I'm offering it free to anyone who signs up on the DragonEye, PI, website in April. Go to http://www.dragoneyepi.net. This also gets you a free subscription to A Dragon's Eye View, Vern's and my newsletter.

Why did you decide to write a book mixing fantasy, mystery and Christianity? This is a humorous, magical book which has been a long time coming in my opinion!

Thanks! Actually, it wasn't intentional. I wanted to give Vern a reason to be cynical and down on his luck, and St. George was the obvious fall guy. Of course, if you have a saint, you have to have a Church. That got me thinking about how having magic as a natural force as well as a supernatural gift (Divine or evil) would affect the world. I decided that in order to combat evil, the Church would have to be united and organized. It's close to the Catholicism of our world, but with a lot of twists. I'm going to explore those in later stories.

Tell us a little bit about Magic, Mensa and Mayhem.

Vern and Grace get "volunteered" by their bishop to chaperone the Faerie at a Mensa convention in Mundane Florida. (As Vern will tell you, "I didn't make up the terms. I just use them.") It should be a cushy job, but pixies start pranking, Valkyrie start vamping, the dwarf gets arrested at Billy Beaver's Fantasyland, brownies go on a hotel-wide spree of random acts of cleaness.... To make it worse, Vern has to deal with tourists who think he's an amusement park ride, environmentalists who protest his "disrupting the ecosystem," a visit from Gater Louie (think "Crocodile Hunter" of the bayou)...to top it off, the elves get high on soda (artificial flavorings--what a rush!) and declare war on Florida. On the cover of the book, Vern is holding a sign, "I'm not getting paid enough." He really isn't. I promised him some of the royalties.

I love the main character, Vern the dragon private invesigator. Where did you get the idea for him?

Michele Acker and Kirk Dougal put together an anthology called Firestorm of Dragons (Dragon Moon Press). I really wanted a story in that anthology, but I was having a terrible time coming up with a unique twist on dragons. (Read the anthology--it has some incredible stories I could never dream up!) Anyway, while mulling over this, the kids asked to watch the comedy improv show, Who's Line Is It, Anyway? They were doing a skit in film noir style and we were laughing so hard! I realized that I could do that with a dragon! Vern, the down-and-out dragon detective living on the wrong side of the Interdimensional Gap and eeking out a living as a private problem solver for hire, was born.

"Dragon Eye, PI" made it into Firestorm of Dragons. Vern has also written an article on common scams based on fairy tales for their next anthology, Mother Goose Is Dead.

I compare Vern's partner, Grace, to a guardian angel since she always has his back no matter what. She's also very concerned about others (well, so is Vern) & helps them constantly. Did you base her on a guardian angel or a real person?

I didn't base her on anyone, really. She just sort of appeared in the stories when I needed a partner for Vern. In some ways, she's the kind of person I'd like to be--but I don't want to go through the things she's had to go through! She's been a gentling influence on Vern. I have a few stories of him pre-Grace, and he's a rough character. Vern has helped her a lot, too. She'd come to the Mundane world because she was having problems that affected her ability to control her magic. (That story, "Mishmash," appears out in Tentacles from Samsdot in 2010.) They've been together almost 20 years when Magic, Mensa and Mayhem takes place, and they've been very good for each other.

Can you tell us where we can purchase Magic, Mensa and Mayhem?

You can get it directly from the publisher, Swimming Kangaroo: http://www.swimmingkangaroo.com/44mmm.html. It's also available on Amazon.com, of course, you can order it from your favorite bookstore. In fact, I'd love to have people from all over the country go to Barnes and Noble and ask for my book! Right now, they won't stock it; I'd like to change there minds.

Willy And The Spider

2009-04-02T07:47:00.002-04:00

TITLE: Willy And The Spider
AUTHOR: Rita Hestand
ILLUSTRATOR: Bonnie Everett-Hawkes
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Rita Hestand
GENRE: Children’s
FORMAT: e-book
PAGES: 32
PRICE: $4.00
PUBLISHER: Writer’s Exchange E-Publishing

ISBN: 9781921314889

Are you afraid of things that are different? Willy isn’t. He loves to swim in the pond. In fact, he would like to swim more than anything in the world!

One hot day, Willie waddled down to the pond. Something was wrong! None of the other farm animals came with him. The other farm animals say there is a big, black monster at the pond! In fact, some warned Willy not to go to the pond. Willy doesn’t hear the warnings. Why? Willy is hard of hearing.

Everything looks so different at the pond that day. Even Slimy Fish is staying in the shallow water. He is usually in the deep water.

At the pond, Willy meets the big, black monster and finds out that it’s nothing to be afraid of. They even become friends!

This adorable story brought to us from Rita Hestand, shows even the youngest readers that people who are a little ‘different’ from themselves can be good friends.

To find out more about the author and for purchasing information, visit her website at: http://ritahestand.com. You can also find purchashing information at the publishers website at: http://www.readerseden.com.

2009-03-30T08:53:00.003-04:00

TITLE: Thicker Than Water
AUTHOR: D.C. Jennings
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Dawn C. Jennings
GENRE: Family
PAGES: 291
PRICE: $13.56
PUBLISHER: Dawn C. Jennings
ISBN-10: 1440411166
ISBN-13: 9781440411168

Clayton Ryan thought he had the world by the tail. Or did he? He had a beautiful wife, a son and a ranch in Missouri. To add to all this he was rodeo roping champion.

After fifteen years of marriage, the Ryan’s’ separate and divorce. They have a ten-year-old son at that time. Over the span of those fifteen years he is only permitted to see his son, Cody, occasionally. During this time, Cody is led to believe that Clay walked out abandoning his wife and son. Will Cody ever find out what really happened?

Fifteen years later Clay returns to Poplar Bluff, Missouri to try to reconcile with his family. He isn’t greeted with open arms. He meets betrayal, lies and just plain stubbornness at every turn. To make matters worse, he finds out that his own parents lied to him by not telling him about his wife’s’ illness. Clay never knew about his wife’s illness before he left.

Cecily, at last, tells Cody the truth about his father’s leaving. Filled with fifteen years of bitterness and hatred against his father, Cody doesn’t know what to believe. He suddenly turns all of his hatred and anger on his mother and turns to his father.

Clay stays at his parents’ house while trying to reconcile with his wife and son. There, he opens a gift from his mother. Through this gift he comes to the realization that even his parents have lied to him!

Throughout the story, D.C. Jennings takes us through the story so we can witness the tears, trials, lies and misunderstandings like we were there. She tells the story so vividly that the reader can feel the anger, desperation and bitterness.

If you want an exciting, easy to read book that shows people in all their complexity, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this!

To learn more about the author and to order THICKER THAN WATER, please visit the authors’ website at: http://www.dawnjennings.com.

2009-03-17T16:08:00.001-04:00

TITLE: Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing In The Kitchen
AUTHOR: Martha A. Cheves
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Martha A. Cheves
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Cookbook
PAGES: 154
PRICE: $12.99
PUBLISHER: Tate Publishing & Enterprises
ISBN-13: 9781604628180

Move over Rachel. Move over Paula. Make room for Martha Cheves! In her new cookbook, ‘Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing In The Kitchen’ there are easy meals for everybody and every tastebud.

In each recipe you’ll find helpful tips plus stories about Martha’s family, food testers and about Martha herself. Because of these humorous stories and kitchen tips, not only is ‘Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing In The Kitchen’ is also a great book to read!

All of Martha’s recipes can be converted to any kind of diet that you might be on easily. I even found some that look like they would work in my crockpot. This cookbook is a must-have for anyone who either likes to cook or just eat!

To find out more about Martha, visit her website at: http://www.marthaskitchenkorner.com/index.html. You can order ‘Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing In The Kitchen’ there. If you prefer, you can go directly to the publisher’s website at: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-818-0.

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Mighte's Quest

2009-03-11T15:51:00.004-04:00

TITLE: Mighte’s Quest
AUTHOR: Lookman
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Lugman R. Whittinger
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Juvenile
PAGES: 190
PRICE: $10.99 (U.S.), £5:99 (U.K.)
PUBLISHER: Pen Press Publishers Ltd.
ISBN-13: 9781906206833

Little do Jack, Jamie and suspicious Ellie know they are in for adventures most people only dream about!

Jamie, Jack and Ellie’s mother is a drug addict spending time with her latest boyfriend. The children are sent to live with their father and his new family when Social Services discover the children living by themselves. At their fathers’ home they finally get good food and a good nights’ sleep.

The next day, Jack and Jamie find two old dinghies in the shed in their fathers back garden. They decide to blow them up and go rowing on Grave Brook. Of course, Ellie insists on going along. A swan swims up beside them, topples the dinghy and pushes Jack underwater. In fact, the swan sits on Jack to make sure he stays underwater. Is this the end for Jack? What will happen to Jamie and Ellie? He wakes up in a strange land and to his surprise; Jamie and Ellie are with him. Where are they? Wet, and cold, the children are made to appear before the Gnome King where they are made to work in his hot kitchens!
One day, Jamie is told about a way to escape the cruel gnomes. The three children make a break for it that night.

Jamie, Jack and Ellie wander into a barren wasteland and soon meet the mysterious Hadi. Who is Hadi and what does he want with them? Hadi is very kind to the children but insists on taking them to the Oracle. He also says that it will be a long hard journey.

They travel for days and finally meet the Oracle. The Oracle sends them on a mission to free the Swan Princess. He says that will make everything right again.

Along the way, they meet giants, fairies, elves, flying horses and a lot more! Will Jamie, Jack, Ellie and their new friends free the Swan Princess?

Lookman leads us step by step through this magical world and is right beside us through all of Jamie, Jack and Ellie’s adventures. This is a book that fantasy lovers everywhere will want to read!

To find out more out the author and to find where to buy Mighte’s Quest, visit: http://www.lookman.co.uk. You can also find out how to buy this book at: http://www.penpress.net.

Fresh Frozen

2009-03-07T14:46:00.001-05:00

TITLE: Fresh Frozen
AUTHOR: Darden North, M.D.
COPYRIGHT: 2008 Darden North, M.D.
FORMAT: Hardback
GENRE: Mystery
PUBLISHER: Ponder House Press, Jackson, MS
PRICE: $17.79
PAGES: 297 pages
ISBN-10: 0977112632
ISBN-13: 97809772630

Want to read a different kind of mystery? If you like you mysteries loaded down with description then this is the book for you! This story is based in and around an in vitro fertilization clinic in Mississippi.

The author takes us through page after page of description when finally, we meet somebody.

We meet Officer Saybeck and his wife, both of whom want a baby in the worst way. When we meet the Saybecks, Mrs. Saybeck is being rushed to the hospital emergency room for internal bleeding. The last Officer Saybeck sees his wife she is being rushed into the operating room with blood transfusions dripping into both arms.

After the operation, the doctor speaks to worried Officer Saybeck. Does the doctor inform him that his wife is alive and recovering? No. The good doctor isn’t that compassionate. Instead, he drums up business for his in vitro fertilization clinic. I think this doctor needs to learn some people skills.

After we leave the good doctor and the Saybecks, we go back to pages and pages of description again. It goes on like this throughout the book. In fact, you don’t find a dead body until you’re half way through the book! It’s very rare that I read a book that I can’t wait to put down but this is one of them.

I don’t recommend this book at all.

Henri and The Alien

2009-02-23T07:48:00.004-05:00

TITLE: Henri and The Alien
AUTHOR: Lookman
PUBLISHER: Pen Press Publishers Ltd.
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Lookman
GENRE: Juvenile
FORMAT: Paperback
PAGES: 154
PRICE: $10.04 (US) or £5.99 (UK)
ISBN: 9781906710071

Henrietta, who likes to be called Henri, can’t do after school activities like other eleven-year-olds can. She cleans, cooks, does the laundry and serves Mr. & Mrs. Fitzgrumpy in every way. On top of all this, she has to do her homework!

Why is Henri’s life different for her classmates? She wonders about why she can’t play games with her classmates after school. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgrumpy only let her eat ‘special food for kids’. There are no hamburgers or pizzas for her!

One night, Henri overhears her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Fitzgrumpy, talking. It turns out that after all the she’s done that she’s not the Fitzgrumpy’s daughter. Henrietta was found one morning on Mr. & Mrs. Fitzgrumpy’s doorstep. She had a mysterious note pinned to her coat that said, “Please take care of her and you will be rewarded.” Naturally, she flops down on her bed crying.

Eanie Meanie and his computer SNOT hear her crying and locate Henri. Who is Eanie Meanie or should I ask what is Eanie Meanie? Eanie Meanie looks at the coat that Henri wore as a baby and doesn’t know what it is or how to wear it. She puts the coat to demonstrate for Eanie Meanie how coats are worn. When she puts the coat on, there is a bright flash and Henrietta disappears! Why is it that Henrietta’s baby coat still fits her at age eleven? Where did Henri disappear to? She finds herself in a strange world that’s nothing like her own.

In this strange new world, Henri meets a mysterious man in a green tunic. He carries a violin and says that he has to take Henri to the Netherworld. Why does the mysterious man ask for her coat repeatedly. What’s even stranger is the fact that it is the very same coat Henri had on when Mr. & Mrs. Fitzgrumpy found her on their doorstep.

In this imaginative and magical tale, Lookman skillfully takes you into two fantasy worlds in this wonderful story. ‘Henri and The Alien’ will unleash your imagination taking you with Henri on her adventures to find her real parents.

If you would like to find out more about Lookman and ‘Henri and The Alien’ visit his website at: http://www.lookman.co.uk/.

You can purchase Henri and The Alien from the publisher at: http://www.penpress.co.uk/. Don’t forget to click on the ‘order’ link when you get there!

by
Deborah Hockenberry

Piggis Play Games

2009-02-18T07:41:00.006-05:00

TITLE: Piggis Play Games
AUTHOR: Dave Donicci
COPYRIGHT: 2008 by Dave Donicci
FORMAT: Online, downloadable story
GENRE: Juvenile
PUBLISHER: http://www.PiggiTales.com
PRICE: Free
PAGES: 7

What do you do on summer vacation?

One summer day six piglets are doing their own separate activities. PiggiPirate suggests playing team games with the girls playing against the boys. He even suggests a game his favorite game and one he is very good at!

PiggiPeaches doesn’t want to do this. She tells her brother that it’s not fair. Boy’s always win at games!

The piglets play two different games. Will the girls win or will the boys win?

This adorable tale was written by author, Dave Donicci. This is an inspiring story that tells the youngest readers the girls can win!

There are color illustrations throughout this online story. The illustrations take us into the piglets world and show them at play.

You can find this empowering story at: http://www.PiggiTales.com

by
Deborah Hockenberry

Son of My Soul

2009-02-14T20:13:00.004-05:00

TITLE: Son Of My Soul
AUTHOR: Debra Shiveley Welch
COPYRIGHT: 2007 by Debra Shiveley Welch
PUBLISHER: Saga Books
GENRE: Autobiography
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN: 9781894936934
PAGES: 140
PRICE: $13.95
FAMILY PHOTOS: by Debra Shiveley Welch

Can you imagine growing up with poverty, neglect, drunkenness and molestation? Author Debra Shiveley Welch can. In this poignant autobiography the author recounts how she overcomes these things and more. She relates her story in poems, essays and narration.

The author is a born storyteller. She takes you by the hand and leads you through her sad childhood. You experience with her the days when both of her parents are gone for days at a time, leaving the small Debra to care for her younger half brother and half sister. She cares for the children with no electricity, water or heat in the house. Through these heartbreaking years it is only her faith that gets her through.

You count the years, months and days until her graduation when she is seventeen-years-old. It is then that she can move out of the house. It is then that her life starts to improve and she lands her first job and friends. You rejoice with her when she finally meets ‘the one’. You cry tears of happiness with her when her adopted son, Christopher, arrives at the age of seven days old.

In this inspirational autobiography, the reader worries with her, cries with her and prays with her through all of Christopher’s many surgeries.

To find out more about Debra Shiveley Welch just visit her website at: http://www.debrashiveleywelch.net.

You can find ‘Son of My Soul’ for sale from the publisher at: http://www.SagaBooks.net.

By
Deborah Hockenberry
Saturday, February 14, 2009

The Misadventures Of Mighty Mutt

2009-02-05T07:24:00.007-05:00

TITLE: The Misadventures of Mighty Mutt
AUTHOR: June Fuller Moulton
PUBLISHER: 1996 by June Fuller Moulton Publishing
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Juvenile
PAGES: 141
PRICE: $10.00
ISBN: 096809970X
ARTWORK BY: Bonny Remple

Imagine if you could travel in time. Mighty Mutt can! Each time it storms the little dog is sent hurdling through space and time.

It storms and BOOM! The Yorkshire terrier is a circus performer. It storms again and Mighty Mutt is working with Florence Nightingale. BOOM! Now, he’s on a pirating adventure. Where will Mighty Mutt wind up next?

Author June Fuller Moulton has expertly combined science fiction with history in this entertaining and educational book. Be careful or you might learn something! June has prepared a Teachers’ Study Guide which is now available from the author.

Find out more about Ms. Moulton and order your copy from her at: http://cottonwoodcove.angelfire.com. Or if you prefer, you can order it from http:// www.amazon.com.

By
Deborah Hockenberry
Independent Reviewer

A Very Special Child

2009-01-30T10:35:00.001-05:00

TITLE: A Very Special Child
AUTHOR: Debra Shiveley Welch
COPYRIGHT: 2005 Debra Shiveley Welch
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Children’s book
PUBLISHED BY: Saga Books
ISBN: #1894936426

This inspirational children’s book is the story of the adoption of a very special child.

This tender story begins with the future parents deep in prayer for a child. At the same time, we meet a frightened young pregnant girl. She wonders how she is going to care for her child when she has no money and is still in school.

God hears the couples’ prayer. He realizes they have been praying for a baby for several years and decides to grant them a child. He visits the pregnant girl in a dream and tells her to give love and courage to the child.

Ms. Welch then shows us God picking all the elements that He is going to put into the newborn’s nature and personality.

After the story, there are several poems and essays written by the author and her mother. They all carry the same theme of the thrill of motherhood and the miracle that is a child.

This book is a ‘must have’ for every adopted child, their parents or any parent at all. It is full of emotion and is punctuated by the parents love for the adopted child. This book would also make a wonderful gift for the adopted child or for the adoptive parents.

To purchase your copy of ‘A Very Special Child’ go to: http://www.amazon.com/Special-Child-Debra-Shiveley-Welch/dp/1894936426/ref=Sr_1_1?i.e.=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232920059&Sr=8-1.

Or if you prefer to purchase from the publisher, go to: http://www.SagaBooks.net.

By
Deborah Hockenberry