July 2014 Review Issue
Table Of
Contents
Biography
& Autobiography
Don't
Hit Me!
Vanessa de Largie
Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B00JPYD02W $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Hit-Me-fragmented-domestic-ebook/dp/B00JPYD02W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1401551735&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+hit+me+de+largie
Don't Hit Me!: A Fragmented Journey Through Domestic Violence presents its disclaimer right in its first sentence: "If you're looking to read a conventionally written book about domestic violence then this book is NOT for you. This book is untraditional and unconventional: it's a true diarised account of my time living with an abusive man from 2001 to 2003. It does not unfold as a normal story would instead it unfolds as a real story did."
And so the tale begins, made all the more touching and realistic because (it should be noted) this is not a grammatically polished, cleaned-up or sterile presentation but a vivid collection of the author's journals kept as one of her survival mechanisms during this period of brutality. As such, they represent source materials documenting the daily sadness and trails that make up domestic violence scenarios.
Because domestic violence is erratic and journal entries varied, it's not necessary to follow Don't Hit Me! like a typical book: just open it anywhere and read. That's one of the attractions of a format that will especially appeal to readers who eschew the usual storybook 'beginning-middle-end' organization, and who want a breezier way of absorbing the story. And what better design for this than the journal, which excels in vignettes and scenes independent of one another, yet connected in theme and experience?
Another notable difference: each vignette is labeled with a heading of just a single or a few words that depict feeling and experience - so readers flipping through Don't Hit Me! will readily be able to choose between such accounts as 'Controlled', 'Repetition', 'Dream', 'Denial', or 'Lost'.
Expect an emotionally-charged set of digestible, vivid reflections and scenes that ultimately capture the thoughts, hopes, dreams, and devastation of a woman who daily faces domestic battery under her own roof.
No other book on the subject captures the bare-bones process of survival as does Don't Hit Me!: hopefully readers in similar circumstances will not only recognize the pain, fear and anger, but will come to understand the process that ultimately led Vanessa de Largie to become a survivor instead of a statistic.
Highly recommended for any who would delve into the often-hidden thoughts and world of the chronically abused.
Vanessa de Largie
Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B00JPYD02W $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Hit-Me-fragmented-domestic-ebook/dp/B00JPYD02W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1401551735&sr=1-1&keywords=don%27t+hit+me+de+largie
Don't Hit Me!: A Fragmented Journey Through Domestic Violence presents its disclaimer right in its first sentence: "If you're looking to read a conventionally written book about domestic violence then this book is NOT for you. This book is untraditional and unconventional: it's a true diarised account of my time living with an abusive man from 2001 to 2003. It does not unfold as a normal story would instead it unfolds as a real story did."
And so the tale begins, made all the more touching and realistic because (it should be noted) this is not a grammatically polished, cleaned-up or sterile presentation but a vivid collection of the author's journals kept as one of her survival mechanisms during this period of brutality. As such, they represent source materials documenting the daily sadness and trails that make up domestic violence scenarios.
Because domestic violence is erratic and journal entries varied, it's not necessary to follow Don't Hit Me! like a typical book: just open it anywhere and read. That's one of the attractions of a format that will especially appeal to readers who eschew the usual storybook 'beginning-middle-end' organization, and who want a breezier way of absorbing the story. And what better design for this than the journal, which excels in vignettes and scenes independent of one another, yet connected in theme and experience?
Another notable difference: each vignette is labeled with a heading of just a single or a few words that depict feeling and experience - so readers flipping through Don't Hit Me! will readily be able to choose between such accounts as 'Controlled', 'Repetition', 'Dream', 'Denial', or 'Lost'.
Expect an emotionally-charged set of digestible, vivid reflections and scenes that ultimately capture the thoughts, hopes, dreams, and devastation of a woman who daily faces domestic battery under her own roof.
No other book on the subject captures the bare-bones process of survival as does Don't Hit Me!: hopefully readers in similar circumstances will not only recognize the pain, fear and anger, but will come to understand the process that ultimately led Vanessa de Largie to become a survivor instead of a statistic.
Highly recommended for any who would delve into the often-hidden thoughts and world of the chronically abused.
Married
with Luggage: What We Learned About Love by Traveling the World
Warren and Betsy Talbot
ES Scott Publishing
1230000232745 $7.99
Book website: http://www.MarriedwithLuggage.com/thebook
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JRUYXGG/
Married with Luggage: What We Learned About Love by Traveling the World isn't what you think, from its title: just one more reason why you should never judge a book from its cover alone.
Yes, it's about travel; but it's also about packing (and unpacking) emotional baggage en route, and it follows the emotional ups and downs of a relationship as much as the physical journey of discovery.
Another surprise: when the authors embarked on their trip, they were about ready to give up on their marriage, too: not your usual time to plan a year-long sojourn. They were uncertain not only about each other, but about whether they could fix all the things that were wrong between them.
So, anticipate not your usual "went there/did this" type of travelogue, but a richer examination of a relationship gone awry and repaired by the process of travel and new discoveries experienced in the first year of a long journey.
Married with Luggage is divided into three sections: an introduction to the authors and their marriage struggles, a second section focusing on travel experiences, and a closing section on the 'life lessons' of love and relationships that were the side benefit of travel. As such, it's as much a love story as a travelogue, and charts turbulent journeys on all levels.
There're a lot of intimate revelations involved in such an endeavor, so anticipate a story replete with candid personal insights and emotionally-charged scenes. To make the whole process easier, it comes from the observations of Betsy Talbot alone.
One outstanding virtue of Married with Luggage is its ability to segue neatly between travel adventure and relationship insights so that readers of either self-help or travelogues will find it equally satisfying: no mean fête, given these audiences are usually quite different!
The atmosphere incorporating discovery on many levels is always involving: "We woke up in the middle of the night covered in a layer of grit. I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to orient myself. Then I remembered: we were camping on the southern coast of Turkey. My next thought: "Is the air this salty near the Mediterranean Sea?" It took only a second more to realize the grit wasn’t salt but sand."
And that's the greatest strength of Married with Luggage: Talbot's ability to involve readers in a multi-leveled journey that integrates life-changing exploration on more than one level: "As the sun set, we talked about our hike, our life, and the grand adventures we’d have before it was over. Little did we know the adventure would escalate that night. At 1:30 in the morning, we began discussing our situation, neither one wanting to express just how scared we were. It was like two strangers making small talk about the weather in an elevator. Can you believe this storm? Yeah, crazy isn’t it."
It's almost as if the reader is packed into the luggage along with the writers, following their progress and coming full-circle to a place where individuals and their dreams are valued as much as the relationship between them.
Anticipate a vigorous examination of journeys, ideals, and lifestyles in a world exploration that helped the authors re-assess themselves, their relationship, and their ultimate goals in life: an inspirational and exciting read indeed!
Warren and Betsy Talbot
ES Scott Publishing
1230000232745 $7.99
Book website: http://www.MarriedwithLuggage.com/thebook
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JRUYXGG/
Married with Luggage: What We Learned About Love by Traveling the World isn't what you think, from its title: just one more reason why you should never judge a book from its cover alone.
Yes, it's about travel; but it's also about packing (and unpacking) emotional baggage en route, and it follows the emotional ups and downs of a relationship as much as the physical journey of discovery.
Another surprise: when the authors embarked on their trip, they were about ready to give up on their marriage, too: not your usual time to plan a year-long sojourn. They were uncertain not only about each other, but about whether they could fix all the things that were wrong between them.
So, anticipate not your usual "went there/did this" type of travelogue, but a richer examination of a relationship gone awry and repaired by the process of travel and new discoveries experienced in the first year of a long journey.
Married with Luggage is divided into three sections: an introduction to the authors and their marriage struggles, a second section focusing on travel experiences, and a closing section on the 'life lessons' of love and relationships that were the side benefit of travel. As such, it's as much a love story as a travelogue, and charts turbulent journeys on all levels.
There're a lot of intimate revelations involved in such an endeavor, so anticipate a story replete with candid personal insights and emotionally-charged scenes. To make the whole process easier, it comes from the observations of Betsy Talbot alone.
One outstanding virtue of Married with Luggage is its ability to segue neatly between travel adventure and relationship insights so that readers of either self-help or travelogues will find it equally satisfying: no mean fête, given these audiences are usually quite different!
The atmosphere incorporating discovery on many levels is always involving: "We woke up in the middle of the night covered in a layer of grit. I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to orient myself. Then I remembered: we were camping on the southern coast of Turkey. My next thought: "Is the air this salty near the Mediterranean Sea?" It took only a second more to realize the grit wasn’t salt but sand."
And that's the greatest strength of Married with Luggage: Talbot's ability to involve readers in a multi-leveled journey that integrates life-changing exploration on more than one level: "As the sun set, we talked about our hike, our life, and the grand adventures we’d have before it was over. Little did we know the adventure would escalate that night. At 1:30 in the morning, we began discussing our situation, neither one wanting to express just how scared we were. It was like two strangers making small talk about the weather in an elevator. Can you believe this storm? Yeah, crazy isn’t it."
It's almost as if the reader is packed into the luggage along with the writers, following their progress and coming full-circle to a place where individuals and their dreams are valued as much as the relationship between them.
Anticipate a vigorous examination of journeys, ideals, and lifestyles in a world exploration that helped the authors re-assess themselves, their relationship, and their ultimate goals in life: an inspirational and exciting read indeed!
Tomi's
Time
Tom Zarzaca
BookLogix
978-1-61005-471-3 $9.95
www.Tomi-Chan.org
Tomi's Time: In Love and Loss And Rebirth from Bacterial Meningitis is about a baby that contracted bacterial meningitis (the author's son), and follows the highs and low of a family faced not only with their baby's life-threatening illness, but with the disabilities accompanying a partial recovery.
Here's where Tomi's Time departs from other accounts of illness and recovery: it's centered on family dynamics during the recovery process, and how delight in their child's evolving senses (seeing, hearing, touch, taste) turns to horror as their child spikes a fever at daycare and becomes seriously ill over the next few days.
What the author didn't know was that Tomi had meningitis and that a critical 24-hour window for treating his type of meningitis was closing even as they were advised by healthcare professionals to simply "watch and wait". Even ER hospital staff weren't aware of what was going on; and this is one of the messages of Tomi's Time: that when a child falls ill, there are more warning signs than a fever's progression alone. Lethargy and numerous infections were among the indicators that more was going on than a singular event.
But nobody knew, at the time, what little Tomi's fever portended: not until a critical 24 hours had passed and Tomi had gone from sick to critically ill. There were thousands of seizures, a constant battle to keep Tomi alive, and the helplessness and desperation that comes from watching your child battle for his life.
So when recovery was evident and things turned around, the worried parents began to relax until they realized that full recovery was not an option, and that Tomi would live with the disabilities from his meningitis for the rest of his life.
Tomi's Time is as much about adjusting to these disabilities as it is about the initial life-threatening condition Tomi survived. It considers the definition of "recovery" in such a case: "…recovery is what we call this even though it's life-long and ever-changing, for this is recovery in Tomi's time."
Perhaps most important of all, Tomi's Time is all about how to delight in a child's small progresses and return to life, how a family moves forward from this chain of events, and what support resources are available in medical and educational systems.
Any parent who has faced the specter of a child's disability will find Tomi's Time engrossing, pairing the story of one child's sudden changes with his family's recovery process. Decisions made cannot be unmade with a bit of hindsight; but what can evolve is a new appreciation of life and its diversity…and surprising new beginnings that stem from what seems like complete disaster.
The author's ability to maintain hope and belief in the face of all obstacles makes this a winning and inspirational read that will elevate and soothe any parent facing their own child's disability.
Tom Zarzaca
BookLogix
978-1-61005-471-3 $9.95
www.Tomi-Chan.org
Tomi's Time: In Love and Loss And Rebirth from Bacterial Meningitis is about a baby that contracted bacterial meningitis (the author's son), and follows the highs and low of a family faced not only with their baby's life-threatening illness, but with the disabilities accompanying a partial recovery.
Here's where Tomi's Time departs from other accounts of illness and recovery: it's centered on family dynamics during the recovery process, and how delight in their child's evolving senses (seeing, hearing, touch, taste) turns to horror as their child spikes a fever at daycare and becomes seriously ill over the next few days.
What the author didn't know was that Tomi had meningitis and that a critical 24-hour window for treating his type of meningitis was closing even as they were advised by healthcare professionals to simply "watch and wait". Even ER hospital staff weren't aware of what was going on; and this is one of the messages of Tomi's Time: that when a child falls ill, there are more warning signs than a fever's progression alone. Lethargy and numerous infections were among the indicators that more was going on than a singular event.
But nobody knew, at the time, what little Tomi's fever portended: not until a critical 24 hours had passed and Tomi had gone from sick to critically ill. There were thousands of seizures, a constant battle to keep Tomi alive, and the helplessness and desperation that comes from watching your child battle for his life.
So when recovery was evident and things turned around, the worried parents began to relax until they realized that full recovery was not an option, and that Tomi would live with the disabilities from his meningitis for the rest of his life.
Tomi's Time is as much about adjusting to these disabilities as it is about the initial life-threatening condition Tomi survived. It considers the definition of "recovery" in such a case: "…recovery is what we call this even though it's life-long and ever-changing, for this is recovery in Tomi's time."
Perhaps most important of all, Tomi's Time is all about how to delight in a child's small progresses and return to life, how a family moves forward from this chain of events, and what support resources are available in medical and educational systems.
Any parent who has faced the specter of a child's disability will find Tomi's Time engrossing, pairing the story of one child's sudden changes with his family's recovery process. Decisions made cannot be unmade with a bit of hindsight; but what can evolve is a new appreciation of life and its diversity…and surprising new beginnings that stem from what seems like complete disaster.
The author's ability to maintain hope and belief in the face of all obstacles makes this a winning and inspirational read that will elevate and soothe any parent facing their own child's disability.
Childrens/YA
Breezy
Bunnies
Margie Blumberg
MB Publishing, LLC
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
978-0-9913646-1-9 $11.95 32 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/breezy-bunnies.html
Kids with rudimentary reading skills who have moved beyond reading single words or sentences per page (but are not yet ready for multiple paragraphs) will love the simple structure and plot of Breezy Bunnies, which is set in springtime in Carrot Cake Park, where young bunnies play.
A rollicking rhyme lends to Breezy Bunnies' strength as a read-aloud pick for parents, while June Goulding's simple, appealing rabbit drawings will engage young readers and parents alike.
As rabbit parents sew and mow, the younger bunnies are hopping outdoors to check on what spring brings to the park, which includes ducklings, picnics, and gardening. But spring also brings rain, which threatens all festivities.
Luckily, a savvy sister has the answer even to a stormy day.
The tone of the story is light, sweet, and engaging. Even parents familiar with tales about seasonal change will find Breezy Bunnies moves in some directions that are satisfyingly unexpected.
With its fun drawings and breezy tone, beginning readers will find it a thoroughly engaging, fun picture book read.
Margie Blumberg
MB Publishing, LLC
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
978-0-9913646-1-9 $11.95 32 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/breezy-bunnies.html
Kids with rudimentary reading skills who have moved beyond reading single words or sentences per page (but are not yet ready for multiple paragraphs) will love the simple structure and plot of Breezy Bunnies, which is set in springtime in Carrot Cake Park, where young bunnies play.
A rollicking rhyme lends to Breezy Bunnies' strength as a read-aloud pick for parents, while June Goulding's simple, appealing rabbit drawings will engage young readers and parents alike.
As rabbit parents sew and mow, the younger bunnies are hopping outdoors to check on what spring brings to the park, which includes ducklings, picnics, and gardening. But spring also brings rain, which threatens all festivities.
Luckily, a savvy sister has the answer even to a stormy day.
The tone of the story is light, sweet, and engaging. Even parents familiar with tales about seasonal change will find Breezy Bunnies moves in some directions that are satisfyingly unexpected.
With its fun drawings and breezy tone, beginning readers will find it a thoroughly engaging, fun picture book read.
Claimed
P. J. O’Dwyer
Black Siren Books
ISBN: 978-0-9848997-6-0 (trade cover)
ISBN: 978-0-9848997-7-7 (e-book)
eBook – $.99 Trade Cover – $14.99
Website(s) www.blacksirenbooks.com
www.pjodwyer.com
Claimed is Book One in the Hunter's Moon series and provides young adult readers with a moving story that brings to life the struggles of homeless children and families.
At the heart of this saga is fourteen-year-old Mackenzie Lynn Stonebreaker who is volunteering on a horse ranch after being in juvenile detention—and who is making plans to steal money.
Her entire life has revolved around moving in and out of Colorado's justice system and a series of failed institutions and children's homes, so her impulse to steal comes from an inherent desire for self-determination and survival fueled by the fact that when she's of age (in a few short years), she will be both independent (a coveted goal) and possibly homeless.
So why steal? It's not for kicks, and not even to run away or make a new start. It's to jumpstart a journey into her past to probe the questions at the heart of why she is unclaimed and unloved.
All of this information is deftly imparted in the first chapter—which also provides the winning setting of a horse ranch and a girl under pressure to make changes in her life—seemingly setting the stage for what is to come.
Life takes an unexpected turn, however, when Mac is called upon not to answer for missing money but to be a “horse whisperer” in a dire emergency—something she's never done before. This is one of many satisfying twists and proof of P. J. O’Dwyer’s ability to lead readers down a seemingly predictable road and then change the goal or destination last-minute.
Why Mac? Because apparently her private conversations with the horses she cares about have been overheard—and because she's formed a special bond with them, having always wanted a sense of family and place in a life fraught with chaos and loneliness.
Now, it would have been too easy to build the rest of the story around the evolution of a teen horse whisperer--Claimed is so much more—and when Mac makes her escape into the greater world with the goal of probing her past, it's with a sense of purpose, adventure, and, fear, cemented with a feeling that her goals are unstoppable.
Having built the protagonist's personality and concerns in the first chapter, O’Dwyer then tells of a desperate road trip that promises opportunities, challenges, and changes that will ultimately transform not only Mac's perception of her past but her struggles with her present situation.
Teen readers will be captivated by Mac's strong personality and realistic world as she searches for her place in life and will find she continually comes full-circle to the horses she loves and the blossoming idea of the kind of life she really wants to live.
And while horses are an intrinsic thread of activity throughout the story, to call Claimed a “horse novel” would be to do it an injustice. There's much more going on in this coming-of-age saga that leads Mac to confront her demons with no clear indication of whether they have her best or worst interests in mind: "He’d known who she was all this time and never told her. She was so confused. Was he good or bad?"
As the conflicts continue, threats to Mac's well-being come from many different (often unexpected) places, and Claimed evolves from a horse story to something much more. In the end Mac may reject the very thing she's longed for all her life (family) and opt for something resembling a healthy environment for her future.
There's everything here that a young adult reader could want: a winning, spunky protagonist facing great changes in her world, chase scenes, court appearances, horses….
It's all about finding love and a sense of place. Add equines into the mix and you have a truly different horse of another color in Claimed, which ultimately revolves around the rescue of not only Mac, but the world she comes to cherish.
P. J. O’Dwyer
Black Siren Books
ISBN: 978-0-9848997-6-0 (trade cover)
ISBN: 978-0-9848997-7-7 (e-book)
eBook – $.99 Trade Cover – $14.99
Website(s) www.blacksirenbooks.com
www.pjodwyer.com
Claimed is Book One in the Hunter's Moon series and provides young adult readers with a moving story that brings to life the struggles of homeless children and families.
At the heart of this saga is fourteen-year-old Mackenzie Lynn Stonebreaker who is volunteering on a horse ranch after being in juvenile detention—and who is making plans to steal money.
Her entire life has revolved around moving in and out of Colorado's justice system and a series of failed institutions and children's homes, so her impulse to steal comes from an inherent desire for self-determination and survival fueled by the fact that when she's of age (in a few short years), she will be both independent (a coveted goal) and possibly homeless.
So why steal? It's not for kicks, and not even to run away or make a new start. It's to jumpstart a journey into her past to probe the questions at the heart of why she is unclaimed and unloved.
All of this information is deftly imparted in the first chapter—which also provides the winning setting of a horse ranch and a girl under pressure to make changes in her life—seemingly setting the stage for what is to come.
Life takes an unexpected turn, however, when Mac is called upon not to answer for missing money but to be a “horse whisperer” in a dire emergency—something she's never done before. This is one of many satisfying twists and proof of P. J. O’Dwyer’s ability to lead readers down a seemingly predictable road and then change the goal or destination last-minute.
Why Mac? Because apparently her private conversations with the horses she cares about have been overheard—and because she's formed a special bond with them, having always wanted a sense of family and place in a life fraught with chaos and loneliness.
Now, it would have been too easy to build the rest of the story around the evolution of a teen horse whisperer--Claimed is so much more—and when Mac makes her escape into the greater world with the goal of probing her past, it's with a sense of purpose, adventure, and, fear, cemented with a feeling that her goals are unstoppable.
Having built the protagonist's personality and concerns in the first chapter, O’Dwyer then tells of a desperate road trip that promises opportunities, challenges, and changes that will ultimately transform not only Mac's perception of her past but her struggles with her present situation.
Teen readers will be captivated by Mac's strong personality and realistic world as she searches for her place in life and will find she continually comes full-circle to the horses she loves and the blossoming idea of the kind of life she really wants to live.
And while horses are an intrinsic thread of activity throughout the story, to call Claimed a “horse novel” would be to do it an injustice. There's much more going on in this coming-of-age saga that leads Mac to confront her demons with no clear indication of whether they have her best or worst interests in mind: "He’d known who she was all this time and never told her. She was so confused. Was he good or bad?"
As the conflicts continue, threats to Mac's well-being come from many different (often unexpected) places, and Claimed evolves from a horse story to something much more. In the end Mac may reject the very thing she's longed for all her life (family) and opt for something resembling a healthy environment for her future.
There's everything here that a young adult reader could want: a winning, spunky protagonist facing great changes in her world, chase scenes, court appearances, horses….
It's all about finding love and a sense of place. Add equines into the mix and you have a truly different horse of another color in Claimed, which ultimately revolves around the rescue of not only Mac, but the world she comes to cherish.
Laura's
Journey to the Stars
Klaus Baumgart
Bastei Entertainment
No ISBN $2.99
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.luebbe.laurassternenreise
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lauras-journey-to-stars-interactive/id850225326?mt=8
Young story listeners will find appealing Laura's Journey to the Stars, a semi-animated story of Laura's appreciation of stars and their fantastic potential for adventure, while parents will appreciate having a narration which allows them to listen to the story, as well.
This format features no accompanying words for young readers (it's all narrated) but does include forward, back and pause buttons keyed to one's Android or Apple device, plus the added bonus of mini-games. Over 80 lightly animated scenes are geared to youngsters and include buttons that make it easy for young fingers to scroll through the story.
Laura's decision to build a rocket and fly to the stars to find a dog star for her little brother provides a fun fantasy for young listeners, who will find this adventure whimsical and entertaining.
A 'protect me' dog toy discovers a universe of bone-shaped 'dog stars' while the two children have fun playing. But Tommy wonders how to get back home, and when they fall asleep in their rocket ship on the journey home, Mom finds them in a playbox and thinks they must have just had a beautiful dream when they try to explain their adventure.
"Sometimes mothers really have no clue," Laura comments - and they plan their next trip: a journey to look for a teddy-bear star.
Youngsters ages 2-5 are the perfect choice for this gentle short story, with interactive animations that include sound effects and a story line (available in English, Mandarin and German) that's easy to follow.
This is designed to support the popular picturebook series by Klaus Baumgart and adds a new story that will entice youngsters to turn to the picturebooks for early reading experiences.
It's about friendship, love, exploration, and seeing possibilities in a new way, and this app makes for a perfect beginner's guide to the journeys that Baumgart has created with his Laura picturebook series, promising to attract kids to the adventure of reading.
Klaus Baumgart
Bastei Entertainment
No ISBN $2.99
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.luebbe.laurassternenreise
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lauras-journey-to-stars-interactive/id850225326?mt=8
Young story listeners will find appealing Laura's Journey to the Stars, a semi-animated story of Laura's appreciation of stars and their fantastic potential for adventure, while parents will appreciate having a narration which allows them to listen to the story, as well.
This format features no accompanying words for young readers (it's all narrated) but does include forward, back and pause buttons keyed to one's Android or Apple device, plus the added bonus of mini-games. Over 80 lightly animated scenes are geared to youngsters and include buttons that make it easy for young fingers to scroll through the story.
Laura's decision to build a rocket and fly to the stars to find a dog star for her little brother provides a fun fantasy for young listeners, who will find this adventure whimsical and entertaining.
A 'protect me' dog toy discovers a universe of bone-shaped 'dog stars' while the two children have fun playing. But Tommy wonders how to get back home, and when they fall asleep in their rocket ship on the journey home, Mom finds them in a playbox and thinks they must have just had a beautiful dream when they try to explain their adventure.
"Sometimes mothers really have no clue," Laura comments - and they plan their next trip: a journey to look for a teddy-bear star.
Youngsters ages 2-5 are the perfect choice for this gentle short story, with interactive animations that include sound effects and a story line (available in English, Mandarin and German) that's easy to follow.
This is designed to support the popular picturebook series by Klaus Baumgart and adds a new story that will entice youngsters to turn to the picturebooks for early reading experiences.
It's about friendship, love, exploration, and seeing possibilities in a new way, and this app makes for a perfect beginner's guide to the journeys that Baumgart has created with his Laura picturebook series, promising to attract kids to the adventure of reading.
Mousenapped
Jinjer Stanton
Great Bear Press
4316 31st Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406
Publisher’s email: jinjer@usiwireless.com
978-1495402241 Pages: 172 Price: $7.99
Mousenapped comes from a mouse's perspective on life and opens with the fall of darkness: the perfect time for protagonist mouse Roland to embark on his usual insect hunt.
Middle school readers who love animal protagonists will find Mousenapped offers a unique series of encounters between a grasshopper mouse, a house mouse, a devout Christian mother, a relative who's an herbalist, and a child (Sara) who views her world through the lens of both human and mouse experience.
The stage is set for a read which offers many unexpected moments that will engross middle school kids with some surprising descriptions, as with encounters between two very different mice: "Roland bit the head off his cockroach and savored the crunch. "Did I mention there's a smallsized human just outside my mom's nest?" He always talks with his mouth full. I don't know whether it's bad manners or just the way grasshopper mice are. "This makes twelve times tonight. It's not like I can do anything about it." I never eat while Roland does; it spoils my appetite. Cheese and cracker crumbs are more my style. "I thought maybe your human could do something about it," he said, taking another hearty bite. Fluids oozed out."
From a child who sees too much and defies the perceptions and anticipations of adults in her world to mice who have a vested interest in preserving their unusual friendship against all odds, Mousenapped is anything but predictable with its vivid story of protagonists who hold special abilities and form special bonds.
One thing to note about Mousenapped is that it doesn't 'talk down' to young readers. There are some challenging concepts here which aren't sugar-coated for preteen minds: the snap and crunch of insects, quoted above, is just one of these unexpected moments.
Notions of choice and new age thinking also weave into the story: "Maybe it would help if you could think of your mom as a choice you made before you were born. And she chose you too. You chose each other for the lessons you could learn from each other." Sara tilted her head to one side as though thinking. "Do people really do that?" "I believe we do, yes. But we forget on purpose."
So those looking for your usual light adventure story will find far more here, in a format that challenges young minds to think about different worldviews.
Sometimes the changing perspectives (between mouse and human) are confusing with alternating chapters that move back and forth between the two; but any confusion is usually momentary and once the reader absorbs the chapter switch-offs between protagonists (and begins to watch for this device), the reading flows and becomes relatively smooth.
So if it's something different you're looking for in middle school reading - something that incorporates new age philosophy and different perceptions into its story - then Mousenapped is the item of choice. It's highly recommended for its more complex, bigger picture of the world and the beliefs of those who inhabit it … whether they be mouse or woman.
Jinjer Stanton
Great Bear Press
4316 31st Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406
Publisher’s email: jinjer@usiwireless.com
978-1495402241 Pages: 172 Price: $7.99
Mousenapped comes from a mouse's perspective on life and opens with the fall of darkness: the perfect time for protagonist mouse Roland to embark on his usual insect hunt.
Middle school readers who love animal protagonists will find Mousenapped offers a unique series of encounters between a grasshopper mouse, a house mouse, a devout Christian mother, a relative who's an herbalist, and a child (Sara) who views her world through the lens of both human and mouse experience.
The stage is set for a read which offers many unexpected moments that will engross middle school kids with some surprising descriptions, as with encounters between two very different mice: "Roland bit the head off his cockroach and savored the crunch. "Did I mention there's a smallsized human just outside my mom's nest?" He always talks with his mouth full. I don't know whether it's bad manners or just the way grasshopper mice are. "This makes twelve times tonight. It's not like I can do anything about it." I never eat while Roland does; it spoils my appetite. Cheese and cracker crumbs are more my style. "I thought maybe your human could do something about it," he said, taking another hearty bite. Fluids oozed out."
From a child who sees too much and defies the perceptions and anticipations of adults in her world to mice who have a vested interest in preserving their unusual friendship against all odds, Mousenapped is anything but predictable with its vivid story of protagonists who hold special abilities and form special bonds.
One thing to note about Mousenapped is that it doesn't 'talk down' to young readers. There are some challenging concepts here which aren't sugar-coated for preteen minds: the snap and crunch of insects, quoted above, is just one of these unexpected moments.
Notions of choice and new age thinking also weave into the story: "Maybe it would help if you could think of your mom as a choice you made before you were born. And she chose you too. You chose each other for the lessons you could learn from each other." Sara tilted her head to one side as though thinking. "Do people really do that?" "I believe we do, yes. But we forget on purpose."
So those looking for your usual light adventure story will find far more here, in a format that challenges young minds to think about different worldviews.
Sometimes the changing perspectives (between mouse and human) are confusing with alternating chapters that move back and forth between the two; but any confusion is usually momentary and once the reader absorbs the chapter switch-offs between protagonists (and begins to watch for this device), the reading flows and becomes relatively smooth.
So if it's something different you're looking for in middle school reading - something that incorporates new age philosophy and different perceptions into its story - then Mousenapped is the item of choice. It's highly recommended for its more complex, bigger picture of the world and the beliefs of those who inhabit it … whether they be mouse or woman.
Paris
Hop
Margie Blumberg
MB Publishing LLC
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
978-0-9913646-9-5 $11.95 32 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/paris-hop.html
Paris Hop pairs fun drawings (by Renee Andriani) with a story of Paris (will Grandma and her granddaughter make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower in time to see Paris sparkle in the sun?) which mixes French words with a lively rhyme to invite young readers to tour Paris and understand the rudiments of another language.
Now, this is an intriguing change for the picture book format, where bilingual approaches tend to be few and far between. Paris Hop works especially well because it pairs its appealing drawings with words for parents to read aloud, inviting kids to draw connections between very common French phrases and their meaning: "Oui-oui, s’il vous plait,/ Non-non, we can’t stay — / We haven’t time to putter!"
The introductory glossary of terms includes pronunciations as well as definitions, so parents needn't already know the language. In this way adults completely new to French receive a fine story that will also educate them with a few basic French words.
With its whirlwind tour of the City of Light, Paris Hop succeeds in capturing the culture, scenery, sights and sounds of the city while absorbing the cases where French words (such as 'critique') have become part of the American language.
From art galleries to cafés and puppet shows, adults reading aloud to young learners will find this a lively, accurate portrait of Paris; all packaged in an accessible and involving format perfect for any age of newcomers to the language!
Margie Blumberg
MB Publishing LLC
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
978-0-9913646-9-5 $11.95 32 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/paris-hop.html
Paris Hop pairs fun drawings (by Renee Andriani) with a story of Paris (will Grandma and her granddaughter make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower in time to see Paris sparkle in the sun?) which mixes French words with a lively rhyme to invite young readers to tour Paris and understand the rudiments of another language.
Now, this is an intriguing change for the picture book format, where bilingual approaches tend to be few and far between. Paris Hop works especially well because it pairs its appealing drawings with words for parents to read aloud, inviting kids to draw connections between very common French phrases and their meaning: "Oui-oui, s’il vous plait,/ Non-non, we can’t stay — / We haven’t time to putter!"
The introductory glossary of terms includes pronunciations as well as definitions, so parents needn't already know the language. In this way adults completely new to French receive a fine story that will also educate them with a few basic French words.
With its whirlwind tour of the City of Light, Paris Hop succeeds in capturing the culture, scenery, sights and sounds of the city while absorbing the cases where French words (such as 'critique') have become part of the American language.
From art galleries to cafés and puppet shows, adults reading aloud to young learners will find this a lively, accurate portrait of Paris; all packaged in an accessible and involving format perfect for any age of newcomers to the language!
Secret
at Haney Field: A Baseball Mystery
R.M. Clark
MB Publishing
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
Softcover: 978-0-9913646-2-6
Epub: 978-0-9913646-3-3
Kindle: 978-0-9913646-4-0
Paperback: $9.95; Ebook: $4.99; 134 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/the-secret-at-haney-field.html
It's summertime and twelve-year-old April O’Day is doing a terrific job as the new bat retriever for the Harpoons, a minor-league baseball team in her small town. She shines in her other roles as well—giving advice to players and coaches alike—but ghosts on the field are pulling her deeper and deeper into a decades-old mystery involving the Negro Leagues.
April is a great bat retriever, and her skills for sleuthing, as it turns out, are just as terrific. But a mystery as important as this one requires teamwork. That’s where her best friend and fellow baseball geek, Darren Plummer, comes in. With his assistance, and with the help of the shadow ball that April finds after one of their home games that allows her to visit the games from decades ago, new friends will be made and past wrongs will be made right.
This is a baseball mystery (it's hard to forget: the entire story centers around the game),so naturally, the chapters are filled with enlightening details. A handy glossary introduces the story so that non-baseball fans can easily absorb the jargon used throughout. But even more important than the details and the jargon is the reason for the time-traveling ghost players’ existence in the first place.
Told in first person by April, her experiences are an inviting read. The discoveries and the reflections of this feisty protagonist, who loves the sport and whose curiosity leads her to investigate the Negro Leagues, baseball history, and even issues of discrimination, are what makes this story so enjoyable: "…the world of baseball changed forever. It was April 15, 1947, and Jackie Robinson shattered the color barrier by taking the field that day with the Brooklyn Dodgers,” he said. “We all figured it would just be a matter of time before the best of us made it in as well.” He shook his head. “Some did, but too many didn’t. Ten years after Jackie, only a dozen or so other players had joined him: Doby, Thompson, Banks . . . the other teams were slow to follow. It was a darn shame."
Middle school readers ages 8-12 (especially those with an affection for both baseball and mysteries) will find The Secret at Haney Field an engrossing, involving read. Nothing is predictable, everything is tinged with baseball lore, and middle school readers will be more than drawn in by the combination of alluring storyline and protagonists who are realistic and compelling.
R.M. Clark
MB Publishing
9722 Whitley Park Place, Bethesda, MD 20814
Publisher email: margieblumberg@mbpublishing.com
Softcover: 978-0-9913646-2-6
Epub: 978-0-9913646-3-3
Kindle: 978-0-9913646-4-0
Paperback: $9.95; Ebook: $4.99; 134 pages
http://www.mbpublishing.com/the-secret-at-haney-field.html
It's summertime and twelve-year-old April O’Day is doing a terrific job as the new bat retriever for the Harpoons, a minor-league baseball team in her small town. She shines in her other roles as well—giving advice to players and coaches alike—but ghosts on the field are pulling her deeper and deeper into a decades-old mystery involving the Negro Leagues.
April is a great bat retriever, and her skills for sleuthing, as it turns out, are just as terrific. But a mystery as important as this one requires teamwork. That’s where her best friend and fellow baseball geek, Darren Plummer, comes in. With his assistance, and with the help of the shadow ball that April finds after one of their home games that allows her to visit the games from decades ago, new friends will be made and past wrongs will be made right.
This is a baseball mystery (it's hard to forget: the entire story centers around the game),so naturally, the chapters are filled with enlightening details. A handy glossary introduces the story so that non-baseball fans can easily absorb the jargon used throughout. But even more important than the details and the jargon is the reason for the time-traveling ghost players’ existence in the first place.
Told in first person by April, her experiences are an inviting read. The discoveries and the reflections of this feisty protagonist, who loves the sport and whose curiosity leads her to investigate the Negro Leagues, baseball history, and even issues of discrimination, are what makes this story so enjoyable: "…the world of baseball changed forever. It was April 15, 1947, and Jackie Robinson shattered the color barrier by taking the field that day with the Brooklyn Dodgers,” he said. “We all figured it would just be a matter of time before the best of us made it in as well.” He shook his head. “Some did, but too many didn’t. Ten years after Jackie, only a dozen or so other players had joined him: Doby, Thompson, Banks . . . the other teams were slow to follow. It was a darn shame."
Middle school readers ages 8-12 (especially those with an affection for both baseball and mysteries) will find The Secret at Haney Field an engrossing, involving read. Nothing is predictable, everything is tinged with baseball lore, and middle school readers will be more than drawn in by the combination of alluring storyline and protagonists who are realistic and compelling.
Fantasy
& Sci Fi
The
Trader - Man With No Face
R.K. Mann
Shia Press LLC
978-0-9915942-0-7 $7.99
http://rkmannbooks.com
http://www.amazon.com/Trader-Man-No-Face-ebook/dp/B00IXX9QHY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399837257&sr=1-1&keywords=the+trader+r.k.+mann
If it's a vivid science fiction read you're seeking, that opens with the bang of a man who awakens to discover essential body parts have gone missing - then you'll find yourself hooked from the first few paragraphs of The Trader - Man With No Face: "His hands fumbled over his face. His eyes and ears were gone. Of his mouth and nose, only holes remained on the flat plain of what was left of his face."
There are actually two central characters in this absorbing story: the now-faceless trader and Maranth, a healer-slave who began her career as a healer in the mining colony of Addeht, but who is enslaved and charged with caring for her captors on Afthar, the slavers' colony.
When the faceless man appears among them, she's ordered to care for him too, and an unusual bond develops between them fostered by their shared mutual goal of escape.
Expect a book which holds mystery, action, romance and intrigue; all set against a backdrop of complex protagonists and situations.
As the faceless (and nameless) man and Maranth find their ways in this strange world, so readers follow their evolution and encounters. But this is no light adventure story: R.K. Mann devotes quite a bit of attention to fully describing aliens, technology, and the trappings of a very different world, and this attention to detail pays off with scenes that are unusually sharp and realistic: "The man gingerly lay down and watched anxiously as Doc swept him with an eyelike, blinking device, bathing him in blue light. The diagnostic light was silently accompanied by a highly sensitive ultrasound scan and, most importantly, an extremely sensitive sniffing intake that let Doc detect a myriad of illnesses by sampling the molecules coming off the patient."
Maranth's skills and feisty personality allow her to escape some of the worst horrors of enslavement, including rape; but she's ever at risk in her position and so she's highly motivated to join forces with this new stranger to make her getaway.
As the two realize both shared goals and some real differences, they also probe the deeper meaning of life beyond simple survival and escape plans: "The only center of balance in this great and terrible life lies inside — here." He lightly tapped her chest." The connections forged from adversity will last over the years and even beyond their separation; and both will be reborn by their experiences on Afthar, in a manner that will lead them on separate journeys toward meaningful lives.
Most stories end with escape from adversity. The fact that The Trader - Man With No Face continues its saga beyond escape and into the wider-ranging process of recovery sets it apart from other science fiction stories.
Add depth of character, vivid descriptions of place, and the meeting of two diverse protagonists and cultures makes for an engrossing read that's hard to put down and that offers no easy, predictable route along its trail of adventure.
R.K. Mann
Shia Press LLC
978-0-9915942-0-7 $7.99
http://rkmannbooks.com
http://www.amazon.com/Trader-Man-No-Face-ebook/dp/B00IXX9QHY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399837257&sr=1-1&keywords=the+trader+r.k.+mann
If it's a vivid science fiction read you're seeking, that opens with the bang of a man who awakens to discover essential body parts have gone missing - then you'll find yourself hooked from the first few paragraphs of The Trader - Man With No Face: "His hands fumbled over his face. His eyes and ears were gone. Of his mouth and nose, only holes remained on the flat plain of what was left of his face."
There are actually two central characters in this absorbing story: the now-faceless trader and Maranth, a healer-slave who began her career as a healer in the mining colony of Addeht, but who is enslaved and charged with caring for her captors on Afthar, the slavers' colony.
When the faceless man appears among them, she's ordered to care for him too, and an unusual bond develops between them fostered by their shared mutual goal of escape.
Expect a book which holds mystery, action, romance and intrigue; all set against a backdrop of complex protagonists and situations.
As the faceless (and nameless) man and Maranth find their ways in this strange world, so readers follow their evolution and encounters. But this is no light adventure story: R.K. Mann devotes quite a bit of attention to fully describing aliens, technology, and the trappings of a very different world, and this attention to detail pays off with scenes that are unusually sharp and realistic: "The man gingerly lay down and watched anxiously as Doc swept him with an eyelike, blinking device, bathing him in blue light. The diagnostic light was silently accompanied by a highly sensitive ultrasound scan and, most importantly, an extremely sensitive sniffing intake that let Doc detect a myriad of illnesses by sampling the molecules coming off the patient."
Maranth's skills and feisty personality allow her to escape some of the worst horrors of enslavement, including rape; but she's ever at risk in her position and so she's highly motivated to join forces with this new stranger to make her getaway.
As the two realize both shared goals and some real differences, they also probe the deeper meaning of life beyond simple survival and escape plans: "The only center of balance in this great and terrible life lies inside — here." He lightly tapped her chest." The connections forged from adversity will last over the years and even beyond their separation; and both will be reborn by their experiences on Afthar, in a manner that will lead them on separate journeys toward meaningful lives.
Most stories end with escape from adversity. The fact that The Trader - Man With No Face continues its saga beyond escape and into the wider-ranging process of recovery sets it apart from other science fiction stories.
Add depth of character, vivid descriptions of place, and the meeting of two diverse protagonists and cultures makes for an engrossing read that's hard to put down and that offers no easy, predictable route along its trail of adventure.
The
Universe Builders
Steve LeBel
Argon Press
ISBN-13 (ebook edition): 978-0-9910554-1-8 $5.99
ISBN-13 (print edition): 978-0-9910554-0-1 $16.95
www.TheUniverseBuilders.com
It's not often that fantasy combines with side-splitting humor, but this is present, in abundance, in The Universe Builders, which is based on the premise that there are 'many universes' run by a variety of gods with different personalities and purposes.
Now, this whimsical idea may offend the deeply religious: but after all, The Universe Builders is meant to be a humorous spoof, not serious reading! And with this focus in mind, readers are introduced to the newest graduate of God School, Bernie, perceived by his instructors as lacking appropriate purpose. Despite his failings Bernie is given his first job (building a sun with three planets to manage) - and this is where things get dicey.
There's a demanding overseer god, Shemal, there's school rival Billy, who plans to destroy Bernie's creation with volcanoes and asteroids, and there's an entire god-centered industry based on The Business of building universes. Of course, there are rewards for excellent universe-building (the Annual Universe Awards) and young god Bernie is a new graduate, hoping to achieve success in his first real job outside of God School.
Do gods fall in love? Graduate? Face obstacles from other Gods? Absolutely! And how does a God do his job well, against all odds? Passages are hilarious and involve readers in a seemingly-impossible series of tasks that become more complicated at every turn: "Bernie sat in stunned silence. He’d done everything right. These volcanoes should not be here. He’d done nothing to make them happen. Even if he had, they would have shown up when he did his time check. Yet, here they were, and they had destroyed his plant life and poisoned his world."
The fact that Bernie is still testing the waters of Universe Creation makes for a vivid, moving story packed with fun and which will especially appeal to teens and adult fantasy readers who enjoy entertaining action, vivid protagonists, and clearly-defined purposes: "As Bernie considered the problem, he thought back to his dad’s universes. Simeon hadn’t created companion creatures. He said in his book he didn’t want any distractions for his primary life forms. That didn’t feel right to Bernie. Shouldn’t there be a higher purpose than just looking good? Isn’t it important for creations to enjoy living? Shouldn’t they have meaning in their lives? Some sort of purpose? What else was living for? He knew most gods would laugh at him for wasting time on such questions. But still, the questions troubled him. He wanted his world to make sense. He wanted his people to understand their place and to live happy lives, content knowing they are fulfilling some higher purpose. He spent the morning thinking about higher purposes and companion animals. By lunch, he had no answers, but he was confident he was asking the right questions. As long as he did that, the answers would come."
What’s better than one universe? Two! Bernie faces many obstacles as he plans his worlds and his future as a god; in the process honing not only his own abilities, but his capacity to inject intelligence and safety into his universes. And when he decides to break the rules, Bernie faces the specter never achieving what his goals, let alone creating an award-winner.
The result is a powerful, amusing story of overcoming impossible obstacles, facing down bullies, and building worlds: a top pick for teens and adults interested in not just straight fantasy, but unique stories filled with unpredictable action!
Steve LeBel
Argon Press
ISBN-13 (ebook edition): 978-0-9910554-1-8 $5.99
ISBN-13 (print edition): 978-0-9910554-0-1 $16.95
www.TheUniverseBuilders.com
It's not often that fantasy combines with side-splitting humor, but this is present, in abundance, in The Universe Builders, which is based on the premise that there are 'many universes' run by a variety of gods with different personalities and purposes.
Now, this whimsical idea may offend the deeply religious: but after all, The Universe Builders is meant to be a humorous spoof, not serious reading! And with this focus in mind, readers are introduced to the newest graduate of God School, Bernie, perceived by his instructors as lacking appropriate purpose. Despite his failings Bernie is given his first job (building a sun with three planets to manage) - and this is where things get dicey.
There's a demanding overseer god, Shemal, there's school rival Billy, who plans to destroy Bernie's creation with volcanoes and asteroids, and there's an entire god-centered industry based on The Business of building universes. Of course, there are rewards for excellent universe-building (the Annual Universe Awards) and young god Bernie is a new graduate, hoping to achieve success in his first real job outside of God School.
Do gods fall in love? Graduate? Face obstacles from other Gods? Absolutely! And how does a God do his job well, against all odds? Passages are hilarious and involve readers in a seemingly-impossible series of tasks that become more complicated at every turn: "Bernie sat in stunned silence. He’d done everything right. These volcanoes should not be here. He’d done nothing to make them happen. Even if he had, they would have shown up when he did his time check. Yet, here they were, and they had destroyed his plant life and poisoned his world."
The fact that Bernie is still testing the waters of Universe Creation makes for a vivid, moving story packed with fun and which will especially appeal to teens and adult fantasy readers who enjoy entertaining action, vivid protagonists, and clearly-defined purposes: "As Bernie considered the problem, he thought back to his dad’s universes. Simeon hadn’t created companion creatures. He said in his book he didn’t want any distractions for his primary life forms. That didn’t feel right to Bernie. Shouldn’t there be a higher purpose than just looking good? Isn’t it important for creations to enjoy living? Shouldn’t they have meaning in their lives? Some sort of purpose? What else was living for? He knew most gods would laugh at him for wasting time on such questions. But still, the questions troubled him. He wanted his world to make sense. He wanted his people to understand their place and to live happy lives, content knowing they are fulfilling some higher purpose. He spent the morning thinking about higher purposes and companion animals. By lunch, he had no answers, but he was confident he was asking the right questions. As long as he did that, the answers would come."
What’s better than one universe? Two! Bernie faces many obstacles as he plans his worlds and his future as a god; in the process honing not only his own abilities, but his capacity to inject intelligence and safety into his universes. And when he decides to break the rules, Bernie faces the specter never achieving what his goals, let alone creating an award-winner.
The result is a powerful, amusing story of overcoming impossible obstacles, facing down bullies, and building worlds: a top pick for teens and adults interested in not just straight fantasy, but unique stories filled with unpredictable action!
The
WishKeeper
Maximilian Timm
Lost King Entertainment
978-0-9910632-0-8 $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/WishKeeper-Paragonia-Chronicles-Maximilian-Timm-ebook/dp/B00G08T7P0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1401639051
Readers of fantasy who appreciate multi-volume sagas will want to dip into Volume One of 'The Paragonia Chronicles', The WishKeeper, while keeping in mind that the action and story is just beginning, and to be continued.
Now, everyone knows the teen years are a time of rebellion: but what if you're a teenage fairy always searching for adventure? What if you've already spent nine years wishing for something exciting to happen? And what if, in a land of wishes and WishKeepers, your wings, your dreams, and your mother have all been torn from you?
That's the opening situation of The WishKeeper, recommended for young adult to adult fantasy readers and chronicling the coming of age and dilemmas of Shea, who has learned to live with crushing disappointments at an early age, and who recalls, all too vividly, heartbreaks of the past: "There are signposts to every memory; checkpoints that Shea forced herself to remember so that the in-betweens of that particular night were never forgotten. The bleeding red of her father’s tunic as he said goodbye to his wife just before she destroyed the True Love Wish."
Ten years later Shea is still broken, both in spirit and in her non-working wings - and has become a handicapped daughter who struggles with memories of violence and limitations in her present life: "She rarely looked up at the sky anymore, and thus embraced what the ground had to offer, taking solace in how little it changed. It was nice to see things that didn’t judge her or force her to change or remember a birthday she hated to remember."
All this is about to change, and in more ways than one. Shea gets her wishes: some from unexpected places. That's the wellspring of The WishKeeper, which centers on how Shea finds her heart's desire and develops newfound purpose to her life.
The WishKeeper begins with a focus on lost love, dreams torn asunder, and rebellion; but evolves into a satisfying fantasy adventure as Shea confronts a series of obstacles well outside her comfort zone and becomes involved in battles, confrontations with traitors, and dangers from the past which wing their way towards her once again: "Goren and Foster were fighting the fierce storm, hovering with their wands held high. The one thing she had avoided with every bit of pained effort for the past ten years was the memory of Erebus and his torture, but there he was, in all his blackened glory."
Soon Shea is immersed in a battle that moves far beyond her personal concerns (and the world she knows so well) to spill into the politics and very existence of her kingdom. At the heart of it all lays a demented, dangerous WishingKing, a broken bond between vanished mother and daughter, and a journey towards apology, reconciliation and healing.
All of these personal elements weave together to create an engrossing plot packed with action and, more importantly, strong protagonists who each face their own broken dreams with an eye to fixing what is wrong.
And that's the unifying force and strength behind The WishKeeper: a series of adventures and encounters that allows characters room to develop into living, breathing protagonists the reader will care about.
As with any series title, its conclusion is uncertain, leaving the door wide open for the next book. Unlike many series titles, however, there's enough resolution to allow The WishKeeper to stand well on its own; and that's a huge 'plus' in the genre of series fantasy novels, making it a fine recommendation for young adult to adult readers who want their fantasy stories packed with ripping action and memorable moments.
Maximilian Timm
Lost King Entertainment
978-0-9910632-0-8 $2.99
http://www.amazon.com/WishKeeper-Paragonia-Chronicles-Maximilian-Timm-ebook/dp/B00G08T7P0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1401639051
Readers of fantasy who appreciate multi-volume sagas will want to dip into Volume One of 'The Paragonia Chronicles', The WishKeeper, while keeping in mind that the action and story is just beginning, and to be continued.
Now, everyone knows the teen years are a time of rebellion: but what if you're a teenage fairy always searching for adventure? What if you've already spent nine years wishing for something exciting to happen? And what if, in a land of wishes and WishKeepers, your wings, your dreams, and your mother have all been torn from you?
That's the opening situation of The WishKeeper, recommended for young adult to adult fantasy readers and chronicling the coming of age and dilemmas of Shea, who has learned to live with crushing disappointments at an early age, and who recalls, all too vividly, heartbreaks of the past: "There are signposts to every memory; checkpoints that Shea forced herself to remember so that the in-betweens of that particular night were never forgotten. The bleeding red of her father’s tunic as he said goodbye to his wife just before she destroyed the True Love Wish."
Ten years later Shea is still broken, both in spirit and in her non-working wings - and has become a handicapped daughter who struggles with memories of violence and limitations in her present life: "She rarely looked up at the sky anymore, and thus embraced what the ground had to offer, taking solace in how little it changed. It was nice to see things that didn’t judge her or force her to change or remember a birthday she hated to remember."
All this is about to change, and in more ways than one. Shea gets her wishes: some from unexpected places. That's the wellspring of The WishKeeper, which centers on how Shea finds her heart's desire and develops newfound purpose to her life.
The WishKeeper begins with a focus on lost love, dreams torn asunder, and rebellion; but evolves into a satisfying fantasy adventure as Shea confronts a series of obstacles well outside her comfort zone and becomes involved in battles, confrontations with traitors, and dangers from the past which wing their way towards her once again: "Goren and Foster were fighting the fierce storm, hovering with their wands held high. The one thing she had avoided with every bit of pained effort for the past ten years was the memory of Erebus and his torture, but there he was, in all his blackened glory."
Soon Shea is immersed in a battle that moves far beyond her personal concerns (and the world she knows so well) to spill into the politics and very existence of her kingdom. At the heart of it all lays a demented, dangerous WishingKing, a broken bond between vanished mother and daughter, and a journey towards apology, reconciliation and healing.
All of these personal elements weave together to create an engrossing plot packed with action and, more importantly, strong protagonists who each face their own broken dreams with an eye to fixing what is wrong.
And that's the unifying force and strength behind The WishKeeper: a series of adventures and encounters that allows characters room to develop into living, breathing protagonists the reader will care about.
As with any series title, its conclusion is uncertain, leaving the door wide open for the next book. Unlike many series titles, however, there's enough resolution to allow The WishKeeper to stand well on its own; and that's a huge 'plus' in the genre of series fantasy novels, making it a fine recommendation for young adult to adult readers who want their fantasy stories packed with ripping action and memorable moments.
Health
Mental
Mastery of
Chemotherapy
David R. Nethero
BookLogix
978-1-61005-474-4 $12.95
www.YourMentalMastery.com
Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy: A Guide to Meditation and Positive Mental Imagery is written by a cancer patient who successfully used and developed visualization and meditation techniques to combat the side effects of chemo over a period of six months, and is especially recommended for cancer patients new to meditation.
Coming from a survivor, the account carries with it the authority of one who tried numerous approaches to cancer and pain management before successfully handling the effects of chemotherapy.
Now, one might not believe meditation and mental imagery could make much of a difference to chemo's side effects. And that's part of the problem: without an understanding of how this works (and at least some confidence that it will work), much of the beneficial possibilities of meditation can be lost in uncertainty.
So, ideally, Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy should be consulted early in the process for maximum benefit.
And lest you think this is only a subjective story, be advised that David Nethero includes contributions by psychologist Dr. George Pratt, who lends his expertise in mind/body techniques to supplement the story of how Nethero maintained a positive, effective mindset during the battle against his cancer.
Introductory chapters consist of autobiographical reflections on Nethero's life (both pre-cancer and after diagnosis); but readers will be especially interested to learn that 'nuts and bolts' guidance is intrinsic even in these chapters, which move quickly into how to work with doctors and segue neatly into later chapters covering Nethero's introduction to meditation, its applications and discoveries, and how meditation actually affects the entire body and mind.
To this end chapters juxtapose Nethero's insights with blank lines and direction inviting reader reflection and self-inspection, encouraging readers to analyze their own feelings surrounding the process of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Because the chapter covering 'My Meditation' is deemed the most critical part of his book, a YouTube link to a video is also included to visually supplement the written word. Here are actual exercises personally tested by Nethero that blend positive mental images with advice on how to 'customize' the process. Thus, readers almost receive personal one-on-one instruction in tailoring techniques for their unique needs and personalities.
Central to this approach is the fill-in blanks (titled 'Self-Reflection') throughout each chapter. Be advised: if you don't intend on considering this read an interactive experience, you should look elsewhere: its primary value lies not just in providing information (other books already cover these basics), but in developing an approach that leads cancer patients to create their own successful meditation and visualization routines.
In this, Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy excels, creating a set of customizable, tested exercises that any reader can easily absorb and apply to their own unique experiences and needs.
No health collection should be without this practical, accessible key to gaining control over what might seem an uncontrollable situation!
David R. Nethero
BookLogix
978-1-61005-474-4 $12.95
www.YourMentalMastery.com
Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy: A Guide to Meditation and Positive Mental Imagery is written by a cancer patient who successfully used and developed visualization and meditation techniques to combat the side effects of chemo over a period of six months, and is especially recommended for cancer patients new to meditation.
Coming from a survivor, the account carries with it the authority of one who tried numerous approaches to cancer and pain management before successfully handling the effects of chemotherapy.
Now, one might not believe meditation and mental imagery could make much of a difference to chemo's side effects. And that's part of the problem: without an understanding of how this works (and at least some confidence that it will work), much of the beneficial possibilities of meditation can be lost in uncertainty.
So, ideally, Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy should be consulted early in the process for maximum benefit.
And lest you think this is only a subjective story, be advised that David Nethero includes contributions by psychologist Dr. George Pratt, who lends his expertise in mind/body techniques to supplement the story of how Nethero maintained a positive, effective mindset during the battle against his cancer.
Introductory chapters consist of autobiographical reflections on Nethero's life (both pre-cancer and after diagnosis); but readers will be especially interested to learn that 'nuts and bolts' guidance is intrinsic even in these chapters, which move quickly into how to work with doctors and segue neatly into later chapters covering Nethero's introduction to meditation, its applications and discoveries, and how meditation actually affects the entire body and mind.
To this end chapters juxtapose Nethero's insights with blank lines and direction inviting reader reflection and self-inspection, encouraging readers to analyze their own feelings surrounding the process of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Because the chapter covering 'My Meditation' is deemed the most critical part of his book, a YouTube link to a video is also included to visually supplement the written word. Here are actual exercises personally tested by Nethero that blend positive mental images with advice on how to 'customize' the process. Thus, readers almost receive personal one-on-one instruction in tailoring techniques for their unique needs and personalities.
Central to this approach is the fill-in blanks (titled 'Self-Reflection') throughout each chapter. Be advised: if you don't intend on considering this read an interactive experience, you should look elsewhere: its primary value lies not just in providing information (other books already cover these basics), but in developing an approach that leads cancer patients to create their own successful meditation and visualization routines.
In this, Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy excels, creating a set of customizable, tested exercises that any reader can easily absorb and apply to their own unique experiences and needs.
No health collection should be without this practical, accessible key to gaining control over what might seem an uncontrollable situation!
My
Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS
Rebecca Richmond
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-0-9572372-1-6 $9.35
http://www.amazon.com/My-Guide-Manage-Fibromyalgia-CFS-ebook/dp/B00F3CPUZU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1-catcorr&qid=1400951111
My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS is both an autobiography of the author's struggles with fibromyalgia and an overview of the condition, and is a recommended guide for any who suspect they might have fibromyalgia.
Now, most books on the subject adopt a medical focus; identifying symptoms, discussing the condition, and offering a few keys to its management. In contrast, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS offers a LOT of keys to its management after introductory insights on its medical progression, making this book a 'must' for any who would take a more active role in successfully handling fibromyalgia's challenges.
Chapters focus on recovery and managing everyday life, and offer a range of techniques the author found successful in her own life. These vary from meditation and visualization routines to nutrition, linking diet and mental health to fibro's progression and offering hands-on hope for readers who have struggled (with few results) with traditional medicine.
Breathing exercises, TAP applications, handling sleep difficulties, and addressing flare-up symptoms after exercise are just some of the fibro-specific practices readers can employ to make their lives easier.
Each discussion is cemented by the author's own experience, and each offers a combination of medical overview and specific answers on why a management approach or technique works.
Chronic illness (especially one as misunderstood as fibromyalgia) can be challenging to manage and at times a feeling of hopelessness adds to the suffering: by personalizing the management process with tested routines proven successful in the author's own life, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS goes far beyond discussions by medical professionals and those without personal experience.
One particularly startling revelation is key to the idea: "Do You Really Want to Recover? This might sound like a strange question and I guess just the fact that you are reading this book means that you do want to recover. So it might surprise you to discover that not all sufferers will want to recover. This does not make them crazy or bad in any way – it is simply that fibromyalgia/CFS has become such a big, important part of their life that it is now meeting one or more of their emotional needs."
As a starting point for understanding fibro and its control, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS should be at the top of any self-help program and is recommended for any who want to manage (and, ultimately, recover from) its debilitating effects.
Rebecca Richmond
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-0-9572372-1-6 $9.35
http://www.amazon.com/My-Guide-Manage-Fibromyalgia-CFS-ebook/dp/B00F3CPUZU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1-catcorr&qid=1400951111
My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS is both an autobiography of the author's struggles with fibromyalgia and an overview of the condition, and is a recommended guide for any who suspect they might have fibromyalgia.
Now, most books on the subject adopt a medical focus; identifying symptoms, discussing the condition, and offering a few keys to its management. In contrast, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS offers a LOT of keys to its management after introductory insights on its medical progression, making this book a 'must' for any who would take a more active role in successfully handling fibromyalgia's challenges.
Chapters focus on recovery and managing everyday life, and offer a range of techniques the author found successful in her own life. These vary from meditation and visualization routines to nutrition, linking diet and mental health to fibro's progression and offering hands-on hope for readers who have struggled (with few results) with traditional medicine.
Breathing exercises, TAP applications, handling sleep difficulties, and addressing flare-up symptoms after exercise are just some of the fibro-specific practices readers can employ to make their lives easier.
Each discussion is cemented by the author's own experience, and each offers a combination of medical overview and specific answers on why a management approach or technique works.
Chronic illness (especially one as misunderstood as fibromyalgia) can be challenging to manage and at times a feeling of hopelessness adds to the suffering: by personalizing the management process with tested routines proven successful in the author's own life, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS goes far beyond discussions by medical professionals and those without personal experience.
One particularly startling revelation is key to the idea: "Do You Really Want to Recover? This might sound like a strange question and I guess just the fact that you are reading this book means that you do want to recover. So it might surprise you to discover that not all sufferers will want to recover. This does not make them crazy or bad in any way – it is simply that fibromyalgia/CFS has become such a big, important part of their life that it is now meeting one or more of their emotional needs."
As a starting point for understanding fibro and its control, My Guide: Manage Fibromyalgia/CFS should be at the top of any self-help program and is recommended for any who want to manage (and, ultimately, recover from) its debilitating effects.
How To
Crushing
Low Stakes
Poker: How to Make $1,000s Playing Low Stakes Sit 'n Gos, Volume 1:
Strategy
Mike Turner
Sit ’n Go Publishing
978-1499168785 $4.97 (Kindle) / $9.97 (paperback)
Amazon URLs: www.amazon.com/Crushing-Low-Stakes-Poker-ebook/dp/B00ABKUHD4 (Kindle) and http://www.amazon.com/Crushing-Low-Stakes-Poker-Strategy/dp/1499168780/ (paperback)
Volume 1 of a poker how-to guide, Crushing Low Stakes Poker: How to Make $1,000s Playing Low Stakes Sit 'n Gos, will appeal to any poker player who has some playing time under his belt but who wants a specific, strategy-oriented guide to this particular style of poker playing.
It's not for the casual once-in-a-while player, but for the serious poker enthusiast interested in improving his game and making some equally-serious side income. Beginning to intermediate players with this goal in mind will relish the instruction in Crushing Low Stakes Poker.
Now, there are plenty of poker books on the market; plenty of guides on how to play the game … so it's surprising to note that most gloss over the topic of low stakes poker playing, which makes Mike Turner's guide a key acquisition for any poker player.
Don't expect a quick read here (as the title should tell you): this is simply the first volume in a series, and as such, it offers a narrowed focus on Sit 'n Gos: profitable single-table tournaments that begin as soon as enough players are at the table. Because Sit 'n Gos are flexible, easier to play than the bigger multi-table tournaments, and rely on a strategy that is fairly straightforward, they are the ideal starting place for poker newcomers.
That's not to say you can sit down and win: not without understanding the game; and that's where it pays to have read Crushing Low Stakes Poker from cover to cover. The book shares Mike Turner's secrets and proven-successful strategies and begins with an overview of basic poker concepts that are an intrinsic key to understanding the game.
As chapters move from discussions for bare-bones beginners to explanations of general strategy approaches and specifics for Sit 'n Go players, readers receive support that ranges from written explanation to a review of websites and tools for further research, plus three low-stakes strategy training videos that use slides to help explain plays.
From terminology to the basics of strategy, nothing is assumed and nothing is left to guesswork. With this book under their belts, novices can dive right in and absorb the game, while those with poker-playing experience can benefit from its focus on Sit 'n Go particulars and how to profit from game plans.
Mike Turner's tone and approach to plays is revealing and specific: "It may seem a bit silly to over-shove 1,390 chips into a 370 chips pot, but when you’re convinced your opponent is not capable of folding trips when he thinks he is slowplaying a monster, you just have to go for it: play the hand fast and ship it in."
And his approach to resources goes beyond your usual bibliography to assess the value of specific tools and where it lies: "Probably the best feature of this type of software, however, is that you can use a Heads Up Display or HUD. A HUD is an overlay of on-screen statistics, providing you with a detailed insight into the playing style and tendencies of your opponents while you play. This makes it a lot easier to pinpoint and exploit the leaks in your opponents’ game. A HUD is especially useful if you’re multi-tabling, in which case you don’t have the opportunity to get a lot of reads on the other players."
The chapters on progressive learning, improvements, and winning poker plays make for a lively read packed with detail. All the strategy and theory necessary to make a success of playing Sit 'n Gos is here: the only thing up to the reader, after absorbing these guidelines, is to take all this valuable information and just play!
Mike Turner
Sit ’n Go Publishing
978-1499168785 $4.97 (Kindle) / $9.97 (paperback)
Amazon URLs: www.amazon.com/Crushing-Low-Stakes-Poker-ebook/dp/B00ABKUHD4 (Kindle) and http://www.amazon.com/Crushing-Low-Stakes-Poker-Strategy/dp/1499168780/ (paperback)
Volume 1 of a poker how-to guide, Crushing Low Stakes Poker: How to Make $1,000s Playing Low Stakes Sit 'n Gos, will appeal to any poker player who has some playing time under his belt but who wants a specific, strategy-oriented guide to this particular style of poker playing.
It's not for the casual once-in-a-while player, but for the serious poker enthusiast interested in improving his game and making some equally-serious side income. Beginning to intermediate players with this goal in mind will relish the instruction in Crushing Low Stakes Poker.
Now, there are plenty of poker books on the market; plenty of guides on how to play the game … so it's surprising to note that most gloss over the topic of low stakes poker playing, which makes Mike Turner's guide a key acquisition for any poker player.
Don't expect a quick read here (as the title should tell you): this is simply the first volume in a series, and as such, it offers a narrowed focus on Sit 'n Gos: profitable single-table tournaments that begin as soon as enough players are at the table. Because Sit 'n Gos are flexible, easier to play than the bigger multi-table tournaments, and rely on a strategy that is fairly straightforward, they are the ideal starting place for poker newcomers.
That's not to say you can sit down and win: not without understanding the game; and that's where it pays to have read Crushing Low Stakes Poker from cover to cover. The book shares Mike Turner's secrets and proven-successful strategies and begins with an overview of basic poker concepts that are an intrinsic key to understanding the game.
As chapters move from discussions for bare-bones beginners to explanations of general strategy approaches and specifics for Sit 'n Go players, readers receive support that ranges from written explanation to a review of websites and tools for further research, plus three low-stakes strategy training videos that use slides to help explain plays.
From terminology to the basics of strategy, nothing is assumed and nothing is left to guesswork. With this book under their belts, novices can dive right in and absorb the game, while those with poker-playing experience can benefit from its focus on Sit 'n Go particulars and how to profit from game plans.
Mike Turner's tone and approach to plays is revealing and specific: "It may seem a bit silly to over-shove 1,390 chips into a 370 chips pot, but when you’re convinced your opponent is not capable of folding trips when he thinks he is slowplaying a monster, you just have to go for it: play the hand fast and ship it in."
And his approach to resources goes beyond your usual bibliography to assess the value of specific tools and where it lies: "Probably the best feature of this type of software, however, is that you can use a Heads Up Display or HUD. A HUD is an overlay of on-screen statistics, providing you with a detailed insight into the playing style and tendencies of your opponents while you play. This makes it a lot easier to pinpoint and exploit the leaks in your opponents’ game. A HUD is especially useful if you’re multi-tabling, in which case you don’t have the opportunity to get a lot of reads on the other players."
The chapters on progressive learning, improvements, and winning poker plays make for a lively read packed with detail. All the strategy and theory necessary to make a success of playing Sit 'n Gos is here: the only thing up to the reader, after absorbing these guidelines, is to take all this valuable information and just play!
Global
Cultural Trivia
Ramona Moreno Winner
BrainStorm 3000
9780965117487 $8.00
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/global-cultural-trivia/id791794849?mt=11
Educators, parents, and kids in grades 7-12 will find something different in the ibook-only presentation Global Cultural Trivia: it's an ebook publishing format which stands out from the crowd not just because it's ONLY available in ibook format, but because it's highly interactive. Translate this to mean highly entertaining and accessible, especially for normally-reluctant readers who are captivated by screens!
The first thing to note about Global Cultural Trivia is that it focuses on daily cultural encounters most Americans don't fully understand or appreciate, and it encourages acceptance and celebration of these cultural differences by linking history with popular interactive images.
The opening chapter 'The Hamburger', for example, holds a map of Mongolia and China that can be blown up to full-size color with just a tap of the finger while accompanying history explains the hamburger's unexpected connection to Mongolia as well as its better-known German connection.
Various popular American food groups are all pursued, from tacos and pasta to French fries, with colorful maps pairing such diverse connections as international trade routes from 1400-1800 with appealing, colorful food images.
There are chapter 'fact checks' and easy reviews, a bibliography of references which are all hyperlinked to websites for further information, and many cultural insights from around the world.
The second chapter, for example, covers Oral Hygiene - quite a leap from food - and considers the history of tooth cleaning around the world. Students can research different roots, barks and dental aids common in different cultures and will learn about the cultural differences in current oral hygiene. From the earliest recorded toothbrush in China to a fun interactive section on boar bristles featuring wild boar facts and the opportunity for close-up examination of said bristles, this delightful format keeps on surprising.
Perhaps that's the greatest strength of Global Cultural Trivia: by choosing an interactive format, it mimics the Internet's ability to take advantage of the brain's capability of 'jumping' from topic to topic without the usual linear progression of more limited book/paper formats.
This, in turn, encourages excitement and involvement on quite a different level, taking full advantage of all the tools of the Internet and expanding the subjects and references to a truly global platform.
Wedding Traditions, Birthday Celebrations, even Name Origins and the Origins of Mathematics: it's all here, in a format that clearly states lesson objectives and applications so that teachers and homeschoolers can not only easily grasp but can teach students about cultural influences in modern American culture.
The result: an interactive teaching tool that is vibrant, rich in content, backed fully by and integrated into the power of the Internet, and highly recommended for any educator pursuing global cultural studies at this level!
Ramona Moreno Winner
BrainStorm 3000
9780965117487 $8.00
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/global-cultural-trivia/id791794849?mt=11
Educators, parents, and kids in grades 7-12 will find something different in the ibook-only presentation Global Cultural Trivia: it's an ebook publishing format which stands out from the crowd not just because it's ONLY available in ibook format, but because it's highly interactive. Translate this to mean highly entertaining and accessible, especially for normally-reluctant readers who are captivated by screens!
The first thing to note about Global Cultural Trivia is that it focuses on daily cultural encounters most Americans don't fully understand or appreciate, and it encourages acceptance and celebration of these cultural differences by linking history with popular interactive images.
The opening chapter 'The Hamburger', for example, holds a map of Mongolia and China that can be blown up to full-size color with just a tap of the finger while accompanying history explains the hamburger's unexpected connection to Mongolia as well as its better-known German connection.
Various popular American food groups are all pursued, from tacos and pasta to French fries, with colorful maps pairing such diverse connections as international trade routes from 1400-1800 with appealing, colorful food images.
There are chapter 'fact checks' and easy reviews, a bibliography of references which are all hyperlinked to websites for further information, and many cultural insights from around the world.
The second chapter, for example, covers Oral Hygiene - quite a leap from food - and considers the history of tooth cleaning around the world. Students can research different roots, barks and dental aids common in different cultures and will learn about the cultural differences in current oral hygiene. From the earliest recorded toothbrush in China to a fun interactive section on boar bristles featuring wild boar facts and the opportunity for close-up examination of said bristles, this delightful format keeps on surprising.
Perhaps that's the greatest strength of Global Cultural Trivia: by choosing an interactive format, it mimics the Internet's ability to take advantage of the brain's capability of 'jumping' from topic to topic without the usual linear progression of more limited book/paper formats.
This, in turn, encourages excitement and involvement on quite a different level, taking full advantage of all the tools of the Internet and expanding the subjects and references to a truly global platform.
Wedding Traditions, Birthday Celebrations, even Name Origins and the Origins of Mathematics: it's all here, in a format that clearly states lesson objectives and applications so that teachers and homeschoolers can not only easily grasp but can teach students about cultural influences in modern American culture.
The result: an interactive teaching tool that is vibrant, rich in content, backed fully by and integrated into the power of the Internet, and highly recommended for any educator pursuing global cultural studies at this level!
Market
and Sell Books: A My Guide
Rebecca Richmond
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-1-910141-01-4 $1.65
http://www.amazon.com/Market-Sell-Books-My-Guide-ebook/dp/B00JF98H9I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1400949889&sr=1-1-catcorr
Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is the next phase of 'how to write a novel': perhaps the most important one, as writers who neglect to market their book (or who fail to understand the process) will only see their title fade into obscurity.
From the first chapter, writers receive specifics that distinguish this guide from more general 'how to market a book' titles. These specifics differentiate the processes of marketing novels versus non-fiction, identifying the successes and pitfalls of social media and online marketing efforts and proffering a specific set of strategies for identifying one's readership and then marketing and selling books to that audience.
No prior marketing experience is assumed; which is perfect, given that book writers generally know little about the marketing end of the publishing business. Chapters thus offer all the basics; from preparing a press release and sending it to the right audience to developing publicity goals, understanding distribution markets, and creating different kinds of accounts for these efforts.
All this is provided in user-friendly chapters that break down the marketing process into a logical sequence of events and enable writers (who are not intrinsically marketers) to enter the world of publicity.
Why is this important? Because there are many more opportunities for self-publishing than in the past, and because self-published authors need to take charge of something usually outside their comfort zone: the selling process.
While Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is most likely to appeal to writers who already have a book in print, it shouldn't be neglected by those who are at the beginning stage of writing a book, whether it is in the idea development stage or nearly done. Writers will find plenty of specifics on how to determine if their book is marketable in the first place and, if not, how to tailor their book for success: invaluable information for those not yet in the publication phase.
Perhaps this is the best audience for Market and Sell Books: A My Guide: pre-publication, while there's still room for change and tweaking. In reading about the marketing and sales process, writers can quickly determine the best approach for creating a marketable result from their efforts, and will learn how to avoid common pitfalls along the way.
Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is perhaps the most important place to begin learning about the process, and is a highly recommended pick for any who would go beyond publishing a book to insure it's ultimately a success. In fact, it's not a bad idea to begin here, even before the 'how to write' book is absorbed. The guidelines provided in Market and Sell Books are intrinsic to the process of creating not just a published novel, but a success!
Rebecca Richmond
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-1-910141-01-4 $1.65
http://www.amazon.com/Market-Sell-Books-My-Guide-ebook/dp/B00JF98H9I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1400949889&sr=1-1-catcorr
Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is the next phase of 'how to write a novel': perhaps the most important one, as writers who neglect to market their book (or who fail to understand the process) will only see their title fade into obscurity.
From the first chapter, writers receive specifics that distinguish this guide from more general 'how to market a book' titles. These specifics differentiate the processes of marketing novels versus non-fiction, identifying the successes and pitfalls of social media and online marketing efforts and proffering a specific set of strategies for identifying one's readership and then marketing and selling books to that audience.
No prior marketing experience is assumed; which is perfect, given that book writers generally know little about the marketing end of the publishing business. Chapters thus offer all the basics; from preparing a press release and sending it to the right audience to developing publicity goals, understanding distribution markets, and creating different kinds of accounts for these efforts.
All this is provided in user-friendly chapters that break down the marketing process into a logical sequence of events and enable writers (who are not intrinsically marketers) to enter the world of publicity.
Why is this important? Because there are many more opportunities for self-publishing than in the past, and because self-published authors need to take charge of something usually outside their comfort zone: the selling process.
While Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is most likely to appeal to writers who already have a book in print, it shouldn't be neglected by those who are at the beginning stage of writing a book, whether it is in the idea development stage or nearly done. Writers will find plenty of specifics on how to determine if their book is marketable in the first place and, if not, how to tailor their book for success: invaluable information for those not yet in the publication phase.
Perhaps this is the best audience for Market and Sell Books: A My Guide: pre-publication, while there's still room for change and tweaking. In reading about the marketing and sales process, writers can quickly determine the best approach for creating a marketable result from their efforts, and will learn how to avoid common pitfalls along the way.
Market and Sell Books: A My Guide is perhaps the most important place to begin learning about the process, and is a highly recommended pick for any who would go beyond publishing a book to insure it's ultimately a success. In fact, it's not a bad idea to begin here, even before the 'how to write' book is absorbed. The guidelines provided in Market and Sell Books are intrinsic to the process of creating not just a published novel, but a success!
Mommy
A to Z: An Encyclopedia of the Joys, Wonders, and Absurdities of
Motherhood
Meredith Peters Hale
Meredith Peters Hale, Publisher
No ISBN $5.99
www.MommyAtoZ.com
Mommy A to Z sports a cover that looks like a children's book and an A-Z format reminiscent of a child's primer; but that's where its similarity to a children's book ends, for this is directed to mothers, not their kids.
It comes from an author who always dreamed that her first book would be a novel and a literary masterpiece. Reality often takes different directions, however, and motherhood led Meredith Peters Hale to write about the process she knows best: being a parent.
There are an overwhelming number of books already on the market covering parenting techniques and 'how-to' advisories for first-time Moms; so what's special about Mommy A to Z?
For one thing, it condenses and presents its information in a format very accessible to overwhelmed, harried new Moms. And, most importantly, it is intended not as the usual advice guide, but as a hilarious look at the ironies and inconsistencies of motherhood itself. And in this arena, it's truly a masterpiece that stands out from the crowds of moms writing about the parenting process, capturing the extraordinary moments of motherhood in succinct chapters.
Short entries are designed to neatly fit into a busy mom's limited attention and time span for reading, while A-Z chapters and their subtitles make it a snap to flip pages and pick up the book for a quick dive into leisure reading ("K is for Kids' Clothing", "V is for Vacations", "Q is for Questions, Quiet").
As for the writing itself: a dip into 'C for Conception' captures the gist of Meredith Peters Hale's fun approach to all her topics - even the most serious: "…while trying to conceive may offer its fair share of tender moments and risqué midday romps, it also involves a certain amount of calculation and perseverance. So, the next time you are interrupted mid-act by a screaming baby who can’t find his binky, or a toddler in hysterics because his nightlight has burned out, and you wistfully yearn for those wild and crazy trysts you had trying to conceive your first beloved offspring, know that, in reality, your love life changed the moment you even thought about having kids."
There are fun, real moments from a real-life family's child-rearing and there are simply hilarious moments that point out the underlying joys and fun of encountering small hearts and minds.
And, there are sage observations about the effects of culture on the parenting process: "…I have to admit that movies have provided entry to some difficult concepts in our house. As much as I hated the Mufasa conversation, whenever my daughter has subsequently encountered death—whether in real life or in fiction—I’ve explained that the deceased is “in the stars with Mufasa.” Somehow this has allowed my daughter to vaguely grasp a concept that otherwise would have been explained by Mommy as “umm.” And I guess that’s what these movies do. They make difficult situations a little less scary, gradually introducing kids to ideas that might otherwise overwhelm them."
Anticipate a fun read that doesn't overwhelm but does provide thought-provoking reflections along with insights, all presented in an inviting, accessible format to invite parents to look to Mommy A to Z for a bit of battery-recharging fun.
Meredith Peters Hale
Meredith Peters Hale, Publisher
No ISBN $5.99
www.MommyAtoZ.com
Mommy A to Z sports a cover that looks like a children's book and an A-Z format reminiscent of a child's primer; but that's where its similarity to a children's book ends, for this is directed to mothers, not their kids.
It comes from an author who always dreamed that her first book would be a novel and a literary masterpiece. Reality often takes different directions, however, and motherhood led Meredith Peters Hale to write about the process she knows best: being a parent.
There are an overwhelming number of books already on the market covering parenting techniques and 'how-to' advisories for first-time Moms; so what's special about Mommy A to Z?
For one thing, it condenses and presents its information in a format very accessible to overwhelmed, harried new Moms. And, most importantly, it is intended not as the usual advice guide, but as a hilarious look at the ironies and inconsistencies of motherhood itself. And in this arena, it's truly a masterpiece that stands out from the crowds of moms writing about the parenting process, capturing the extraordinary moments of motherhood in succinct chapters.
Short entries are designed to neatly fit into a busy mom's limited attention and time span for reading, while A-Z chapters and their subtitles make it a snap to flip pages and pick up the book for a quick dive into leisure reading ("K is for Kids' Clothing", "V is for Vacations", "Q is for Questions, Quiet").
As for the writing itself: a dip into 'C for Conception' captures the gist of Meredith Peters Hale's fun approach to all her topics - even the most serious: "…while trying to conceive may offer its fair share of tender moments and risqué midday romps, it also involves a certain amount of calculation and perseverance. So, the next time you are interrupted mid-act by a screaming baby who can’t find his binky, or a toddler in hysterics because his nightlight has burned out, and you wistfully yearn for those wild and crazy trysts you had trying to conceive your first beloved offspring, know that, in reality, your love life changed the moment you even thought about having kids."
There are fun, real moments from a real-life family's child-rearing and there are simply hilarious moments that point out the underlying joys and fun of encountering small hearts and minds.
And, there are sage observations about the effects of culture on the parenting process: "…I have to admit that movies have provided entry to some difficult concepts in our house. As much as I hated the Mufasa conversation, whenever my daughter has subsequently encountered death—whether in real life or in fiction—I’ve explained that the deceased is “in the stars with Mufasa.” Somehow this has allowed my daughter to vaguely grasp a concept that otherwise would have been explained by Mommy as “umm.” And I guess that’s what these movies do. They make difficult situations a little less scary, gradually introducing kids to ideas that might otherwise overwhelm them."
Anticipate a fun read that doesn't overwhelm but does provide thought-provoking reflections along with insights, all presented in an inviting, accessible format to invite parents to look to Mommy A to Z for a bit of battery-recharging fun.
My
Guide: How to Write a Novel
Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-0957237209 $8.35
www.richmondpickering.co.uk
www.writershouse.co.uk
http://www.amazon.com/My-Guide-How-Write-Novel-ebook/dp/B007MNZ1NE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
My Guide: How to Write a Novel is the first place a writer should turn to uncover the basics of not just writing a novel, but publishing it. In a nutshell: yes, what you get here, under one cover, is information covered elsewhere … but in expensive seminars that will far exceed the price of this primer, making My Guide a bargain in comparison. So if you want to write a novel but have no idea where to begin … begin here.
What, exactly, is covered?
First of all, the basics of inspiration are considered in depth; from an introductory history of the book format to the fundamentals of cultivating a book idea from nugget to germination. Nothing is left to assumption: there's no prior knowledge base taken for granted, and so those who have never written a novel before (but who do have a dream or idea) will receive encouragement that doesn't presume previous experience in either writing or publishing.
First, a caveat: for all its accessibility and lively manner, My Guide: How to Write a Novel is no light treatment of its subject: it packs in eleven chapters, includes a bibliography and an index, and assumes its reader is passionate about the idea of writing, publishing and marketing a novel. So don't expect a 'quick and dirty' overview: chapters move logically and quickly to cover the nuts and bolts, offering specifics and details novel writers must know to see their book in print and develop a readership.
One of the best features of My Guide: How to Write a Novel: its ability to link the writing process to exercises reinforcing basic grammar, punctuation, plot development, characterization, and beyond. This all sounds dry, but it's not: producing a novel that captivates readers is all about providing sequences of events that are alluring and readable; and if grammar is poor, punctuation is off, or action lacking, one's novel will (ultimately) fail.
Chapters move in quick sequence from how to turn initial inspiration into a logical storyline to handling subplots, foreshadowing (providing clues to future events), creating consistent, believable protagonists, and understanding which elements create a page-turner versus a mundane read.
Examples and quotes from successful writings are provided at each step of the process, while concluding chapter exercises encourage readers to produce their own dialogue, scenes and characters reflecting the principles of what they've just learned. These exercises do more than reinforce chapter teachings: they succeed in setting the stage for the next lesson, offering inspiration and successful outcomes to fuel a novice writer's passion for the written word.
What is presented here is a logical system of sequential events that need to take place to produce a successful result - but it's a system couched in creative, inspirational choices rather than dry rote learning.
And by focusing on novel production rather than general writing, Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering are able to be specific about the novel's particular elements of (and requirements for) success.
You won't get as much depth and instruction from anything other than a seminar, which not only costs much more than this book, but often packs too much material into a limited time frame.
The advantage of My Guide: How to Write a Novel is that it's available to consult time and again, making it an encouraging, inspirational 'must have' recommendation for any would-be writer who would create their first novel and make it a high-quality achievement.
Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering
Richmond Pickering Ltd.
978-0957237209 $8.35
www.richmondpickering.co.uk
www.writershouse.co.uk
http://www.amazon.com/My-Guide-How-Write-Novel-ebook/dp/B007MNZ1NE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
My Guide: How to Write a Novel is the first place a writer should turn to uncover the basics of not just writing a novel, but publishing it. In a nutshell: yes, what you get here, under one cover, is information covered elsewhere … but in expensive seminars that will far exceed the price of this primer, making My Guide a bargain in comparison. So if you want to write a novel but have no idea where to begin … begin here.
What, exactly, is covered?
First of all, the basics of inspiration are considered in depth; from an introductory history of the book format to the fundamentals of cultivating a book idea from nugget to germination. Nothing is left to assumption: there's no prior knowledge base taken for granted, and so those who have never written a novel before (but who do have a dream or idea) will receive encouragement that doesn't presume previous experience in either writing or publishing.
First, a caveat: for all its accessibility and lively manner, My Guide: How to Write a Novel is no light treatment of its subject: it packs in eleven chapters, includes a bibliography and an index, and assumes its reader is passionate about the idea of writing, publishing and marketing a novel. So don't expect a 'quick and dirty' overview: chapters move logically and quickly to cover the nuts and bolts, offering specifics and details novel writers must know to see their book in print and develop a readership.
One of the best features of My Guide: How to Write a Novel: its ability to link the writing process to exercises reinforcing basic grammar, punctuation, plot development, characterization, and beyond. This all sounds dry, but it's not: producing a novel that captivates readers is all about providing sequences of events that are alluring and readable; and if grammar is poor, punctuation is off, or action lacking, one's novel will (ultimately) fail.
Chapters move in quick sequence from how to turn initial inspiration into a logical storyline to handling subplots, foreshadowing (providing clues to future events), creating consistent, believable protagonists, and understanding which elements create a page-turner versus a mundane read.
Examples and quotes from successful writings are provided at each step of the process, while concluding chapter exercises encourage readers to produce their own dialogue, scenes and characters reflecting the principles of what they've just learned. These exercises do more than reinforce chapter teachings: they succeed in setting the stage for the next lesson, offering inspiration and successful outcomes to fuel a novice writer's passion for the written word.
What is presented here is a logical system of sequential events that need to take place to produce a successful result - but it's a system couched in creative, inspirational choices rather than dry rote learning.
And by focusing on novel production rather than general writing, Rebecca Richmond and Claire Pickering are able to be specific about the novel's particular elements of (and requirements for) success.
You won't get as much depth and instruction from anything other than a seminar, which not only costs much more than this book, but often packs too much material into a limited time frame.
The advantage of My Guide: How to Write a Novel is that it's available to consult time and again, making it an encouraging, inspirational 'must have' recommendation for any would-be writer who would create their first novel and make it a high-quality achievement.
Music
Guitar
Odyssey
Michael Rays
Smashwords
9781311993670 $4.99
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/405297
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Odyssey-journal-musical-growth-ebook/dp/B00JO5CP7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398187752&sr=1-1&keywords=guitar+odyssey
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Guitar-Odyssey/book-8ANlwFmw-kuYIpPNSBz1JQ/page1.html?s=By1G64-kTUaDj1Vy1-hiCw&r=1
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/guitar-odyssey/id815238028?mt=11
http://www.scribd.com/search?query=guitar+odyssey
GUITAR ODYSSEY: A JOURNAL OF MUSICAL GROWTH represents Michael Rays's personal journey as he evolves from an amateur guitarist with the passionate goal of learning to play Deep Purple’s “Highway Star" to a real guitar player: a project that would take an unexpected two years of hard work and musical evolution.
There are many, many books on the market seemingly covering all aspects of guitar-playing, from how to choose an instrument to workbooks for chords and playing. Guitar Odyssey is a horse of another color, however, offering a rare glimpse into the efforts and frustrations of a would-be musician who had only some basic playing under his belt before attempting what turned out to be a formidable challenge: "I am going to learn the guitar solo from Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” even if it kills me. I have played guitar since 1989. It’s the end of 2011, and I’m tired of not having anything in my bag of tricks with a serious “wow” factor. That is going to change. Just as mountain climbers go up Everest because it is there, so will I learn every note of Ritchie Blackmore’s masterpiece—because it is there, and because it is awesome."
Anticipate a journal filled with candid, revealing specifics throughout this learning curve: "I’m starting to wonder, though, if the toughest thing about this solo is actually the string bending. Going up a full step using just your pinky is no cakewalk."
That Michael Rays actually kept a session-by-session journal outlining his progress through the years is a tribute to not only his tenacity, but his ability to document, step-by-step, the entire process of learning to master a challenging piece of music.
With its narrowed, specific focus on “Highway Star", fellow guitar players receive exact insights on the special requirements of learning a complex piece: "I did several full-speed run-throughs with the CD today. I’m starting to pay attention to subtle things like right-hand picking technique (straight up and down vs. slightly angled, which seems to produce more of the smooth, legato feel I’m after) as well as my left-hand thumb position atop the neck as I play the string bending section. If I consciously move my thumb up the neck (to the right) just a bit, I seem to have an easier time getting the string bends just right. But it’s delicate: too far up the neck (we’re talking a quarter inch or so) and all kinds of sloppy mistakes start happening."
From false summits where the author seemingly reaches a breakthrough (then becomes 'stuck') to revelations and small successes, Rays creates a chronicle of growth that will immerse and inspire fellow guitar players who have their own 'impossible' playing goals and aspirations: "Overall, the solid efforts continue. There has been no magical “Aha!” moment; rather, the mistakes and the sloppiness are melting away bit by bit. Note of interest: After almost twenty-one months, tonight I finally realized this solo only uses strings 1-4!"
The result details the intimate moments - the successes, the revelations, the failures, the breakthroughs and stagnant moments - of one guitar player whose journal serves as a testimony highly recommended for other aspiring guitarists who yearn to break away from amateur status to achieve excellence.
Michael Rays
Smashwords
9781311993670 $4.99
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/405297
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Odyssey-journal-musical-growth-ebook/dp/B00JO5CP7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398187752&sr=1-1&keywords=guitar+odyssey
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Guitar-Odyssey/book-8ANlwFmw-kuYIpPNSBz1JQ/page1.html?s=By1G64-kTUaDj1Vy1-hiCw&r=1
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/guitar-odyssey/id815238028?mt=11
http://www.scribd.com/search?query=guitar+odyssey
GUITAR ODYSSEY: A JOURNAL OF MUSICAL GROWTH represents Michael Rays's personal journey as he evolves from an amateur guitarist with the passionate goal of learning to play Deep Purple’s “Highway Star" to a real guitar player: a project that would take an unexpected two years of hard work and musical evolution.
There are many, many books on the market seemingly covering all aspects of guitar-playing, from how to choose an instrument to workbooks for chords and playing. Guitar Odyssey is a horse of another color, however, offering a rare glimpse into the efforts and frustrations of a would-be musician who had only some basic playing under his belt before attempting what turned out to be a formidable challenge: "I am going to learn the guitar solo from Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” even if it kills me. I have played guitar since 1989. It’s the end of 2011, and I’m tired of not having anything in my bag of tricks with a serious “wow” factor. That is going to change. Just as mountain climbers go up Everest because it is there, so will I learn every note of Ritchie Blackmore’s masterpiece—because it is there, and because it is awesome."
Anticipate a journal filled with candid, revealing specifics throughout this learning curve: "I’m starting to wonder, though, if the toughest thing about this solo is actually the string bending. Going up a full step using just your pinky is no cakewalk."
That Michael Rays actually kept a session-by-session journal outlining his progress through the years is a tribute to not only his tenacity, but his ability to document, step-by-step, the entire process of learning to master a challenging piece of music.
With its narrowed, specific focus on “Highway Star", fellow guitar players receive exact insights on the special requirements of learning a complex piece: "I did several full-speed run-throughs with the CD today. I’m starting to pay attention to subtle things like right-hand picking technique (straight up and down vs. slightly angled, which seems to produce more of the smooth, legato feel I’m after) as well as my left-hand thumb position atop the neck as I play the string bending section. If I consciously move my thumb up the neck (to the right) just a bit, I seem to have an easier time getting the string bends just right. But it’s delicate: too far up the neck (we’re talking a quarter inch or so) and all kinds of sloppy mistakes start happening."
From false summits where the author seemingly reaches a breakthrough (then becomes 'stuck') to revelations and small successes, Rays creates a chronicle of growth that will immerse and inspire fellow guitar players who have their own 'impossible' playing goals and aspirations: "Overall, the solid efforts continue. There has been no magical “Aha!” moment; rather, the mistakes and the sloppiness are melting away bit by bit. Note of interest: After almost twenty-one months, tonight I finally realized this solo only uses strings 1-4!"
The result details the intimate moments - the successes, the revelations, the failures, the breakthroughs and stagnant moments - of one guitar player whose journal serves as a testimony highly recommended for other aspiring guitarists who yearn to break away from amateur status to achieve excellence.
Mystery
& Thrillers
The
Containment Zone
Danielle Singleton
Danielle Singleton, Publisher
1499204434 Price: $2.99 (ebook); $10.99 (paperback)
Website: www.daniellesingleton.com
Ordering links:
iBookstore: http://tinyurl.com/kkq5r5r
Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/mc63fgo
NOOK: http://tinyurl.com/mr3gphe
Paperback: http://amzn.com/1499204434
Smashwords: http://tinyurl.com/lucnt72
The scenario is very familiar for an apocalyptic novel: a mysterious epidemic sweeps the U.S., nearly 90 percent of the population dies off, and the U.S. closes its borders: nobody is allowed to enter or exit the country.
And that's just the opening of The Containment Zone: for what happens within the borders of a closed land is really the heart of the story; and within this heart lies a cast of survivors determined to arrive at the truth of what has happened and why.
Where other doomsday stories would focus on events leading up to the containment, this one moves quite quickly through disease symptoms, early warnings that it's a fast-moving problem, and the rapid spread of a disease from one school worker through an entire town and beyond. It's a wildfire that can't be contained: a disease that offers not a single clue to its origins, and which brings down otherwise-healthy people within four days of infection.
But how does one create and manage a containment zone the size of Europe? Singleton's focus on both the human and political aspect of such a project makes for a gripping narrative that presents two simultaneous stories: that of individuals struggling to get a handle on a disease that could eliminate humans from the planet, and that of politicians directing one of the most massive survival efforts in history.
It's hard to say which thread is more engrossing: together the two streams of action keep readers immersed in a series of plausible scenarios cemented by a logical progression of plot and thought processes that ultimately involve everyday people in extraordinary measures.
Individuals who survive find themselves changed by life-threatening events and extreme efforts ("The news broadcasts typically concluded with some sort of human interest story. Earlier, before the Shorewood outbreak, they were Ricardo’s favorite part of the program. A handicapped little boy who won a sporting contest or a young mother finding a creative way to bring about a better life for herself and her children. But now, ever since the pandemic began, Dr. Capello didn’t like the human interest stories. And yet, the interviews with people who escaped the US or still had family members there inspired him to keep working hard to find an answer for the deadly disease.") and it's this attention to small details that make The Containment Zone a such a vivid account.
More so than other apocalyptic novels of rampaging disease, this story's human and political aspects collide in a satisfying saga of struggle, creating scenarios in which survival often ultimately, tentatively emerges in spite of as much as because of the radical containment measures in place.
While the overall plot has been done time and again, it's these subplots covering individual and political processes that make The Containment Zone unique, compelling, and hard to put down - and highly recommended even for those genre fans who might believe they'll all too easily predict the chain of events stemming from a USA-wide wildfire disease. Be forewarned: you won't. And it's the surprising twists that make this novel stand out, placing it high in the genre of apocalyptic fiction.
Danielle Singleton
Danielle Singleton, Publisher
1499204434 Price: $2.99 (ebook); $10.99 (paperback)
Website: www.daniellesingleton.com
Ordering links:
iBookstore: http://tinyurl.com/kkq5r5r
Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/mc63fgo
NOOK: http://tinyurl.com/mr3gphe
Paperback: http://amzn.com/1499204434
Smashwords: http://tinyurl.com/lucnt72
The scenario is very familiar for an apocalyptic novel: a mysterious epidemic sweeps the U.S., nearly 90 percent of the population dies off, and the U.S. closes its borders: nobody is allowed to enter or exit the country.
And that's just the opening of The Containment Zone: for what happens within the borders of a closed land is really the heart of the story; and within this heart lies a cast of survivors determined to arrive at the truth of what has happened and why.
Where other doomsday stories would focus on events leading up to the containment, this one moves quite quickly through disease symptoms, early warnings that it's a fast-moving problem, and the rapid spread of a disease from one school worker through an entire town and beyond. It's a wildfire that can't be contained: a disease that offers not a single clue to its origins, and which brings down otherwise-healthy people within four days of infection.
But how does one create and manage a containment zone the size of Europe? Singleton's focus on both the human and political aspect of such a project makes for a gripping narrative that presents two simultaneous stories: that of individuals struggling to get a handle on a disease that could eliminate humans from the planet, and that of politicians directing one of the most massive survival efforts in history.
It's hard to say which thread is more engrossing: together the two streams of action keep readers immersed in a series of plausible scenarios cemented by a logical progression of plot and thought processes that ultimately involve everyday people in extraordinary measures.
Individuals who survive find themselves changed by life-threatening events and extreme efforts ("The news broadcasts typically concluded with some sort of human interest story. Earlier, before the Shorewood outbreak, they were Ricardo’s favorite part of the program. A handicapped little boy who won a sporting contest or a young mother finding a creative way to bring about a better life for herself and her children. But now, ever since the pandemic began, Dr. Capello didn’t like the human interest stories. And yet, the interviews with people who escaped the US or still had family members there inspired him to keep working hard to find an answer for the deadly disease.") and it's this attention to small details that make The Containment Zone a such a vivid account.
More so than other apocalyptic novels of rampaging disease, this story's human and political aspects collide in a satisfying saga of struggle, creating scenarios in which survival often ultimately, tentatively emerges in spite of as much as because of the radical containment measures in place.
While the overall plot has been done time and again, it's these subplots covering individual and political processes that make The Containment Zone unique, compelling, and hard to put down - and highly recommended even for those genre fans who might believe they'll all too easily predict the chain of events stemming from a USA-wide wildfire disease. Be forewarned: you won't. And it's the surprising twists that make this novel stand out, placing it high in the genre of apocalyptic fiction.
Murder
on the Hoof
Gayle Carline
Dancing Corgi Press
0985506083 14.99 (paperback), $3.99 (Kindle)
http://gaylecarline.com/murder-on-the-hoof
If it's a horse story combined with a romance that jazzes you, then Murder on the Hoof promises to trot away with your heart, and is the item of choice for any who want a steamy love story and murder mystery, served up equestrian-style.
Willie Adams is a young widow out shopping not for a man, but for a horse; so it seems inevitable that she'd encounter a catch in both, with a handsome horse trainer helping overcome her reluctance to the notion of dating again.
There's no time for romance to bud, however, when she finds another potential suitor (who has been less than pleasant) dead in her tack room, sparking an investigation that draws Willie into a battle to protect her reputation and her business.
Add an attraction to the detective investigating the case and a series of seemingly-chance discoveries that seem to point to her as the perp and you have a fast-paced story indeed.
Now, blending romance and mystery to cross genres and reach both audiences is not an unusual approach. What is unusual here is the equestrian atmosphere combined with not just one romance, but overlapping layers of attraction between various protagonists - all centered around the uncertain Willie, who is entering the dating scene after a long hiatus, and only just beginning to realize the emptiness of her life without a mate: "Hank had been gone for three years now, leaving her a widow at barely thirty. The good news was there were no children to raise without him. The bad news was she would have adored raising his children. Photographs and videos couldn’t be hugged in the middle of a bad night, and her memories of their carefree marriage did not feel like much of a legacy."
Gayle Carline creates scenes that are high-charged and appealing, including the insights of male protagonists as well as the central female figure: something that rounds out the action and special interests quite well: "Her breath was a soft breeze in his ear as she confessed her innocence, and he could almost feel the strength of her heartbeat, pounding like a horse’s hooves. In that moment, he could have easily wrapped his arms around her and never let her go."
It's refreshing to note that the horse scenes are just as well detailed as the romance: "Willie pressed Chester and started him jogging, too. Most horses were bumpy at the jog, but Chester was like riding a Cadillac with really good shocks. She could feel his back end rise and fall, but his flat knee action kept him floating instead of ramming each foot into the ground. After her recent injuries, she was especially thankful." It's this attention to detail that round out the mystery/romance plot with a believable setting and additional insights: much needed devices too often lacking in the romance genre, but more than present in Murder on the Hoof, where equine experiences are a strong emphasis. It's obvious Carline knows her horses!
Life's ironies and changes are well presented in the story of a young widow who thinks she's going to a horse show to buy a horse, but who buys romance and danger instead. Readers seeking more than one-dimensional descriptions of on-and-off passions will find Murder on the Hoof just the ticket, steeped in the ironies, twists, and multi-layered emotions that make for a realistic, absorbing read.
Gayle Carline
Dancing Corgi Press
0985506083 14.99 (paperback), $3.99 (Kindle)
http://gaylecarline.com/murder-on-the-hoof
If it's a horse story combined with a romance that jazzes you, then Murder on the Hoof promises to trot away with your heart, and is the item of choice for any who want a steamy love story and murder mystery, served up equestrian-style.
Willie Adams is a young widow out shopping not for a man, but for a horse; so it seems inevitable that she'd encounter a catch in both, with a handsome horse trainer helping overcome her reluctance to the notion of dating again.
There's no time for romance to bud, however, when she finds another potential suitor (who has been less than pleasant) dead in her tack room, sparking an investigation that draws Willie into a battle to protect her reputation and her business.
Add an attraction to the detective investigating the case and a series of seemingly-chance discoveries that seem to point to her as the perp and you have a fast-paced story indeed.
Now, blending romance and mystery to cross genres and reach both audiences is not an unusual approach. What is unusual here is the equestrian atmosphere combined with not just one romance, but overlapping layers of attraction between various protagonists - all centered around the uncertain Willie, who is entering the dating scene after a long hiatus, and only just beginning to realize the emptiness of her life without a mate: "Hank had been gone for three years now, leaving her a widow at barely thirty. The good news was there were no children to raise without him. The bad news was she would have adored raising his children. Photographs and videos couldn’t be hugged in the middle of a bad night, and her memories of their carefree marriage did not feel like much of a legacy."
Gayle Carline creates scenes that are high-charged and appealing, including the insights of male protagonists as well as the central female figure: something that rounds out the action and special interests quite well: "Her breath was a soft breeze in his ear as she confessed her innocence, and he could almost feel the strength of her heartbeat, pounding like a horse’s hooves. In that moment, he could have easily wrapped his arms around her and never let her go."
It's refreshing to note that the horse scenes are just as well detailed as the romance: "Willie pressed Chester and started him jogging, too. Most horses were bumpy at the jog, but Chester was like riding a Cadillac with really good shocks. She could feel his back end rise and fall, but his flat knee action kept him floating instead of ramming each foot into the ground. After her recent injuries, she was especially thankful." It's this attention to detail that round out the mystery/romance plot with a believable setting and additional insights: much needed devices too often lacking in the romance genre, but more than present in Murder on the Hoof, where equine experiences are a strong emphasis. It's obvious Carline knows her horses!
Life's ironies and changes are well presented in the story of a young widow who thinks she's going to a horse show to buy a horse, but who buys romance and danger instead. Readers seeking more than one-dimensional descriptions of on-and-off passions will find Murder on the Hoof just the ticket, steeped in the ironies, twists, and multi-layered emotions that make for a realistic, absorbing read.
The
Taste of Murder
Trisha Sugarek
No publisher, price
978-1497590854
The Taste of Murder is Book 5 in Sugarek's 'The World of Murder' series (previously acclaimed by this reviewer as a tight, compelling series that builds powerful scenarios and believable protagonists) and is especially recommended for prior fans of the books who want a continuation of the same successful devices employed in the previous titles: emotion-driven protagonists and a whodunit scenario that puzzles readers as much as the characters doing the investigating.
With its dash of romance, culinary-based intrigue, and a New York City setting, The Taste of Murder is as riveting as its predecessors and offers much to newcomers as well as prior fans.
And having the subject be a culinary competition mystery is perfect timing, by the way, given current TV viewer interest in cooking show competitions (which are proliferating - sans murder scenarios, of course!)
The story opens on the set of a cooking show competition where four chefs are charged with using ingredients from three mystery shopping bags. All is progressing smoothly … until a world-renowned chef/judge keels over dead.
Cut!
The next scene takes place at the police station, where O'Roarke and his partner Stella Garcia have just been handed the cold case of Chef Jeff's death from 2011. But the duo doesn't do cold cases, so why has this one landed on their desk with special direction by their Captain? It seems politics is involved; but when O'Roarke and Garcia do some sleuthing, much more is at stake than the wishes of a new mayor to see closure on an unsolved mystery.
As their probe into an old case turns up more and more suspects and possibilities, so they find themselves probing film directing, culinary cook-offs, and long-dead motives for murder that return to life during the course of their investigations.
From a gay lover to a jealous wife, there's lots of motivation for murder and emotions run high: it's up to Garcia and O'Roarke to sort through the maze of connections and angst to sort out the identity of the real murderer.
Fans of mysteries in general will find The Taste of Murder holds all the trappings of a good yarn, tightly bound with the personalities and motivations of the two investigators themselves. While old fans will find O'Roarke and Garcia's methods familiar (and just as engrossing as in prior books), newcomers will find this book also stands well alone and assumes no prior knowledge of protagonists and past events to prove a satisfying, compelling mystery read.
Trisha Sugarek
No publisher, price
978-1497590854
The Taste of Murder is Book 5 in Sugarek's 'The World of Murder' series (previously acclaimed by this reviewer as a tight, compelling series that builds powerful scenarios and believable protagonists) and is especially recommended for prior fans of the books who want a continuation of the same successful devices employed in the previous titles: emotion-driven protagonists and a whodunit scenario that puzzles readers as much as the characters doing the investigating.
With its dash of romance, culinary-based intrigue, and a New York City setting, The Taste of Murder is as riveting as its predecessors and offers much to newcomers as well as prior fans.
And having the subject be a culinary competition mystery is perfect timing, by the way, given current TV viewer interest in cooking show competitions (which are proliferating - sans murder scenarios, of course!)
The story opens on the set of a cooking show competition where four chefs are charged with using ingredients from three mystery shopping bags. All is progressing smoothly … until a world-renowned chef/judge keels over dead.
Cut!
The next scene takes place at the police station, where O'Roarke and his partner Stella Garcia have just been handed the cold case of Chef Jeff's death from 2011. But the duo doesn't do cold cases, so why has this one landed on their desk with special direction by their Captain? It seems politics is involved; but when O'Roarke and Garcia do some sleuthing, much more is at stake than the wishes of a new mayor to see closure on an unsolved mystery.
As their probe into an old case turns up more and more suspects and possibilities, so they find themselves probing film directing, culinary cook-offs, and long-dead motives for murder that return to life during the course of their investigations.
From a gay lover to a jealous wife, there's lots of motivation for murder and emotions run high: it's up to Garcia and O'Roarke to sort through the maze of connections and angst to sort out the identity of the real murderer.
Fans of mysteries in general will find The Taste of Murder holds all the trappings of a good yarn, tightly bound with the personalities and motivations of the two investigators themselves. While old fans will find O'Roarke and Garcia's methods familiar (and just as engrossing as in prior books), newcomers will find this book also stands well alone and assumes no prior knowledge of protagonists and past events to prove a satisfying, compelling mystery read.
Novels
Before
Summer
H. Arlo Nimmo
Prairie Avenue Productions
9781493637614 $16.00
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Summer-H-Arlo-Nimmo/dp/1493637614/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402151017&sr=1-1&keywords=9781493637614
Before Summer is an excellent collection of coming-of-age short stories that adopts an unusual format in describing the life of one Lachlan McLennan, beginning in 1940 when he is seven years old and ending in 1956 with his college graduation.
Lach grows up in a small Iowa farming community (Tools Rock) and his world and experiences come to life as he slowly grows to understand and accept his homosexuality and what it will mean for his life and his standing in the community.
Each story stands well alone but adds to the overall profile of Lach - which is one of the delights of H. Arlo Nimmo's book. It's rare to see the short story format used so deftly: the strength of the short story to build up not only the protagonist's profile but the lives and concerns of those close to him makes for a rare opportunity to delve into the psyches of all concerned; not just the protagonist's viewpoint.
What this means is that the stories center as much upon those who influence and touch his life as upon the evolution of Lach himself as he becomes not just a 'gay person' but a gentle man.
Now, readers used to an undercurrent of high drama in accounts of gay lives may be disappointed here: there's more of a placid path chosen than high adventure or rampaging emotions; and that's just one of the strengths of the collection.
By eschewing emotional drama in favor of mild evolutionary processes, H. Arlo Nimmo provides a moving series of explorations and encounters which (taken individually) fill in the daily nuances of people's lives and which (taken together) create an overall portrait not just of Lach's growth, but of the community's interactions as a whole.
Understanding is promoted as much as adversity; resolution is highlighted as much as strife. And so the short stories evolve themselves as Lach ages from boy to man, focusing on the daily lives of ordinary people as they all struggle to understand their choices and paths in life: "When children come along that makes a difference. For a while anyway. They provide diversion. But when they're gone, the husband and wife are stuck with each other. They spend the rest of their lives looking across the breakfast table wondering who will die first so the other can have some freedom."
There's irony (as in the elderly, friendly Miss Cotter's unexpected action and fragile friendship with Lach), there are deaths and births, and there are all the small interactions of ordinary folk who each give Lach a piece of wisdom with which to consider his own world.
The result doesn't hold the powerful 'bang' of many coming-of-age or gay novels, but offers a slow buildup of character and setting, each story contributing to the overall buildup until the exquisite tension and real-world culture and perspectives of small-town Iowans comes to life.
In the end it's not only Lach that evolves; it's the reader. All achieved here, in Before Summer, with deft, accomplished creations of plot and character that make the short story format (like a well-done painting that looks simple but layers complexity into its subject) simply shine.
H. Arlo Nimmo
Prairie Avenue Productions
9781493637614 $16.00
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Summer-H-Arlo-Nimmo/dp/1493637614/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402151017&sr=1-1&keywords=9781493637614
Before Summer is an excellent collection of coming-of-age short stories that adopts an unusual format in describing the life of one Lachlan McLennan, beginning in 1940 when he is seven years old and ending in 1956 with his college graduation.
Lach grows up in a small Iowa farming community (Tools Rock) and his world and experiences come to life as he slowly grows to understand and accept his homosexuality and what it will mean for his life and his standing in the community.
Each story stands well alone but adds to the overall profile of Lach - which is one of the delights of H. Arlo Nimmo's book. It's rare to see the short story format used so deftly: the strength of the short story to build up not only the protagonist's profile but the lives and concerns of those close to him makes for a rare opportunity to delve into the psyches of all concerned; not just the protagonist's viewpoint.
What this means is that the stories center as much upon those who influence and touch his life as upon the evolution of Lach himself as he becomes not just a 'gay person' but a gentle man.
Now, readers used to an undercurrent of high drama in accounts of gay lives may be disappointed here: there's more of a placid path chosen than high adventure or rampaging emotions; and that's just one of the strengths of the collection.
By eschewing emotional drama in favor of mild evolutionary processes, H. Arlo Nimmo provides a moving series of explorations and encounters which (taken individually) fill in the daily nuances of people's lives and which (taken together) create an overall portrait not just of Lach's growth, but of the community's interactions as a whole.
Understanding is promoted as much as adversity; resolution is highlighted as much as strife. And so the short stories evolve themselves as Lach ages from boy to man, focusing on the daily lives of ordinary people as they all struggle to understand their choices and paths in life: "When children come along that makes a difference. For a while anyway. They provide diversion. But when they're gone, the husband and wife are stuck with each other. They spend the rest of their lives looking across the breakfast table wondering who will die first so the other can have some freedom."
There's irony (as in the elderly, friendly Miss Cotter's unexpected action and fragile friendship with Lach), there are deaths and births, and there are all the small interactions of ordinary folk who each give Lach a piece of wisdom with which to consider his own world.
The result doesn't hold the powerful 'bang' of many coming-of-age or gay novels, but offers a slow buildup of character and setting, each story contributing to the overall buildup until the exquisite tension and real-world culture and perspectives of small-town Iowans comes to life.
In the end it's not only Lach that evolves; it's the reader. All achieved here, in Before Summer, with deft, accomplished creations of plot and character that make the short story format (like a well-done painting that looks simple but layers complexity into its subject) simply shine.
Childhood
Games
J.M. Roach
Roach City Publishing
$6.99 (ebook) / $16.99 (Print) / $21.99 (Large Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1499309089 (Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1499314083 (Large Print)
ISBN: 9781311014412 (Smashwords ebook)
ASIN - B00K1LMWUO (kindle ebook)
AMAZON - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1LMWUO/
iTUNES - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/childhood-games/id873454999
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/childhood-games-jm-roach/1119459292
SMASHWORDS - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/434364
http://www.roachcity.com/
Can a girl be raised to become a killing machine, operated by a remote control device much like a television set? Childhood Games poses an intriguing question centering on the roots of humanity itself as it presents such a scenario with an institutionalized eight-year-old who answers to the name ‘Blackjack’ and calls her keeper 'Father'. It’s clear that her spirit has been broken in the process of his experiments upon her.
The next chapter jumps sixteen years ahead to the present day. From this moment forward, the story shifts to the first person reflections of a 24 year old investigator, named Samantha Black, who faces the drudgery of her job and life ("I'm still adjusting to this life. A life where the vast majority of my time is spent in front of a computer. I do exciting things like attempting to find the hidden assets of a cheating husband. Or performing background checks. Or playing with angry birds. Every once in a while I'll be assigned a job that requires actual field work, but not today."). It soon becomes apparent that Samantha is in fact the adult version of that institutionalized girl. She no longer uses the name ‘Blackjack’, but the effects of her upbringing still linger inside of her.
Despite this, Samantha has managed to build a familial relationship among her co-workers at the small PI firm where she works. Her boss’s fourteen year daughter has even become a sort of adopted sister to her.
Next thing Samantha knows, she is waking in a hospital bed suffering from a variety of injuries. She has no memory of how she got there, but soon discovers that an attack and massacre on her workplace has destroyed the only family she's ever known. Her boss and co-workers have been murdered and her adopted sister has been kidnapped.
With the absorbing contentions and characters in Childhood Games, by the third chapter events have created an engrossing thriller revolving around a powerful girl whose special abilities are uncontrolled ... and the reader is hooked.
When Father tells Blackjack of his plans for the future and his twisted ideals, she rebels; and the voice of long-suppressed Samantha emerges into her consciousness and lends her a mutinous strength to defy her manipulator's orders.
Blackjack was supposed to be the first in a series of military ace-in-the-holes, she discovers: "While our best and brightest head off to university, we beg the leftovers to accept our call. Men and women... adults... People whose personalities, belief systems, and work ethics have already been formed through years of the laziness that is civilian life. We take these men and women, and place the security of our nation into their incapable hands. They will fail." "So what is the answer?" Blackjack asks. "You are," he says. Soldiers, raised in the art of their chosen field of battle. Trained in the use of technology for a greater purpose, not a social one. The art of deception."
As Samantha searches for her lost sister Lindsay (and faces the possibility that Lindsay has fallen prey to the same evil objectives as she), Sam also begins a search to re-establish her own humanity despite years of psychological manipulation and experiments.
Childhood Games is all about becoming something greater than your experience - and listening to one's inner voice. Expect a healthy dose of violent confrontation, military perspectives, social issues such as human trafficking, and much more in a tense thriller that weaves its web of intrigue around a believable, feisty protagonist struggling for more than the return of her life.
It's gripping, it's seat-of-your-pants unrelenting action, and it's high adventure that offers different, unpredictable twists to any who would look for a superior, engrossing thriller.
J.M. Roach
Roach City Publishing
$6.99 (ebook) / $16.99 (Print) / $21.99 (Large Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1499309089 (Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1499314083 (Large Print)
ISBN: 9781311014412 (Smashwords ebook)
ASIN - B00K1LMWUO (kindle ebook)
AMAZON - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1LMWUO/
iTUNES - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/childhood-games/id873454999
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/childhood-games-jm-roach/1119459292
SMASHWORDS - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/434364
http://www.roachcity.com/
Can a girl be raised to become a killing machine, operated by a remote control device much like a television set? Childhood Games poses an intriguing question centering on the roots of humanity itself as it presents such a scenario with an institutionalized eight-year-old who answers to the name ‘Blackjack’ and calls her keeper 'Father'. It’s clear that her spirit has been broken in the process of his experiments upon her.
The next chapter jumps sixteen years ahead to the present day. From this moment forward, the story shifts to the first person reflections of a 24 year old investigator, named Samantha Black, who faces the drudgery of her job and life ("I'm still adjusting to this life. A life where the vast majority of my time is spent in front of a computer. I do exciting things like attempting to find the hidden assets of a cheating husband. Or performing background checks. Or playing with angry birds. Every once in a while I'll be assigned a job that requires actual field work, but not today."). It soon becomes apparent that Samantha is in fact the adult version of that institutionalized girl. She no longer uses the name ‘Blackjack’, but the effects of her upbringing still linger inside of her.
Despite this, Samantha has managed to build a familial relationship among her co-workers at the small PI firm where she works. Her boss’s fourteen year daughter has even become a sort of adopted sister to her.
Next thing Samantha knows, she is waking in a hospital bed suffering from a variety of injuries. She has no memory of how she got there, but soon discovers that an attack and massacre on her workplace has destroyed the only family she's ever known. Her boss and co-workers have been murdered and her adopted sister has been kidnapped.
With the absorbing contentions and characters in Childhood Games, by the third chapter events have created an engrossing thriller revolving around a powerful girl whose special abilities are uncontrolled ... and the reader is hooked.
When Father tells Blackjack of his plans for the future and his twisted ideals, she rebels; and the voice of long-suppressed Samantha emerges into her consciousness and lends her a mutinous strength to defy her manipulator's orders.
Blackjack was supposed to be the first in a series of military ace-in-the-holes, she discovers: "While our best and brightest head off to university, we beg the leftovers to accept our call. Men and women... adults... People whose personalities, belief systems, and work ethics have already been formed through years of the laziness that is civilian life. We take these men and women, and place the security of our nation into their incapable hands. They will fail." "So what is the answer?" Blackjack asks. "You are," he says. Soldiers, raised in the art of their chosen field of battle. Trained in the use of technology for a greater purpose, not a social one. The art of deception."
As Samantha searches for her lost sister Lindsay (and faces the possibility that Lindsay has fallen prey to the same evil objectives as she), Sam also begins a search to re-establish her own humanity despite years of psychological manipulation and experiments.
Childhood Games is all about becoming something greater than your experience - and listening to one's inner voice. Expect a healthy dose of violent confrontation, military perspectives, social issues such as human trafficking, and much more in a tense thriller that weaves its web of intrigue around a believable, feisty protagonist struggling for more than the return of her life.
It's gripping, it's seat-of-your-pants unrelenting action, and it's high adventure that offers different, unpredictable twists to any who would look for a superior, engrossing thriller.
Land
of the Free
Woodrow Landfair
Harbinger Book Group
ISBN: 978-1-940500-35-5; eISBN: 978-1-940500-11-9
$24.95
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Free-Woodrow-Landfair/dp/1940500354/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401466787&sr=1-1&keywords=land+of+the+free+woodrow+landfair
Land of the Free is a different kind of novel, and will pique the imaginations of any who want a candid shot of American culture as seen through the eyes of a nameless (yes, I said nameless) protagonist who leads a nomadic lifestyle.
Now, plenty of novels have presented the story of a protagonist who embarks on a journey across America: one of the most notable being Jack Kerouac's On the Road. What differentiates Land of the Free from many of its competitors is that its story is based on author Woodrow Landfair's real-life experiences: thus, the scenarios and encounters assume a realistic tone that many such stories just can't match.
Land of the Free is as much autobiography as it is a novel: it's travel adventure at its best, it's introspection at its deepest level, and it's as much the story of American culture and evolution as it is about the protagonist/author's explorations.
But wait, there's more: the protagonist harbors the ability to fib his way into just about any profession. Thus, his entry into the world of a traveling road show leads to his rapid advancement up the rungs of a ladder of lies and into the spotlight of national television - and it's here that the story really shines.
Having built such an elaborate web of lies and a persona that doesn't really exist, our hero finds himself caught in a spider's web of complexity, and when he attempts to flee his fabricated life it's not to become a hero, but a wanted criminal.
Add a coast-to-coast chase, encounters with a myriad number of characters who each foster their own illusions and lies, and an evolving search for the truth about America and self and you have a read which is thoroughly engrossing in spite (or, perhaps because) of featuring a nameless protagonist.
Writing is tight, dramatic, and involving and deftly narrates the dilemma of a character caught in his own trap: "For publicity, for money, for fame, for the inflation of my ego, for the advancement of my dreams and my dreams for others, I turned my life into the ridiculous stack of pages in my hands. None of this ever really bothered me before, but as I stare into the mirror, I can’t recognize my face. I can’t remember my past."
There's equal emphasis on the stories and lies (some big, some little) of others he encounters, with a measure of humor thrown in for good measure: "In the back room, Manuel filled the Grey Goose bottles with discount vodka. Roberto set mousetraps in the pantry. The hostess did her little dance with the customers: “We bake all of our own bread, and our dessert chef makes a wonderful tiramisu from scratch.” She referred to the supply closet by a much grander name: “Let me call back and see if we have that year in the wine cellar.”
From little discrepancies come great lies - and from great lies greater evils emerge in the world of America and the protagonist. Under such circumstances the finer lines between hero and villain, between truth and reality, and between illusion and fact create a confusing vortex that swirls around a small-time adventurer who inadvertently becomes a personality to be reckoned with.
The protagonist's journeys and dreams are vivid touchstones reflecting the uncertainties of the nation and individuals alike: perhaps this is why the writing is so compelling, holding the ability to spark reader self-reflection in turn: "In my mind I see an aerial image of the planet, with a zoom lens gradually gaining focus on the Northern Hemisphere and getting ever closer. I see the United States of America. I see the northeast. I see Maine. I see the coast. I see myself. I see myself."
If you're expecting a standard story of cross-country travel, think again. Land of the Free is so much more; and its ability to involve readers in a quest for personal AND national understanding makes it a top recommendation for any who want an engrossing, unique perspective.
Woodrow Landfair
Harbinger Book Group
ISBN: 978-1-940500-35-5; eISBN: 978-1-940500-11-9
$24.95
http://www.amazon.com/Land-Free-Woodrow-Landfair/dp/1940500354/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401466787&sr=1-1&keywords=land+of+the+free+woodrow+landfair
Land of the Free is a different kind of novel, and will pique the imaginations of any who want a candid shot of American culture as seen through the eyes of a nameless (yes, I said nameless) protagonist who leads a nomadic lifestyle.
Now, plenty of novels have presented the story of a protagonist who embarks on a journey across America: one of the most notable being Jack Kerouac's On the Road. What differentiates Land of the Free from many of its competitors is that its story is based on author Woodrow Landfair's real-life experiences: thus, the scenarios and encounters assume a realistic tone that many such stories just can't match.
Land of the Free is as much autobiography as it is a novel: it's travel adventure at its best, it's introspection at its deepest level, and it's as much the story of American culture and evolution as it is about the protagonist/author's explorations.
But wait, there's more: the protagonist harbors the ability to fib his way into just about any profession. Thus, his entry into the world of a traveling road show leads to his rapid advancement up the rungs of a ladder of lies and into the spotlight of national television - and it's here that the story really shines.
Having built such an elaborate web of lies and a persona that doesn't really exist, our hero finds himself caught in a spider's web of complexity, and when he attempts to flee his fabricated life it's not to become a hero, but a wanted criminal.
Add a coast-to-coast chase, encounters with a myriad number of characters who each foster their own illusions and lies, and an evolving search for the truth about America and self and you have a read which is thoroughly engrossing in spite (or, perhaps because) of featuring a nameless protagonist.
Writing is tight, dramatic, and involving and deftly narrates the dilemma of a character caught in his own trap: "For publicity, for money, for fame, for the inflation of my ego, for the advancement of my dreams and my dreams for others, I turned my life into the ridiculous stack of pages in my hands. None of this ever really bothered me before, but as I stare into the mirror, I can’t recognize my face. I can’t remember my past."
There's equal emphasis on the stories and lies (some big, some little) of others he encounters, with a measure of humor thrown in for good measure: "In the back room, Manuel filled the Grey Goose bottles with discount vodka. Roberto set mousetraps in the pantry. The hostess did her little dance with the customers: “We bake all of our own bread, and our dessert chef makes a wonderful tiramisu from scratch.” She referred to the supply closet by a much grander name: “Let me call back and see if we have that year in the wine cellar.”
From little discrepancies come great lies - and from great lies greater evils emerge in the world of America and the protagonist. Under such circumstances the finer lines between hero and villain, between truth and reality, and between illusion and fact create a confusing vortex that swirls around a small-time adventurer who inadvertently becomes a personality to be reckoned with.
The protagonist's journeys and dreams are vivid touchstones reflecting the uncertainties of the nation and individuals alike: perhaps this is why the writing is so compelling, holding the ability to spark reader self-reflection in turn: "In my mind I see an aerial image of the planet, with a zoom lens gradually gaining focus on the Northern Hemisphere and getting ever closer. I see the United States of America. I see the northeast. I see Maine. I see the coast. I see myself. I see myself."
If you're expecting a standard story of cross-country travel, think again. Land of the Free is so much more; and its ability to involve readers in a quest for personal AND national understanding makes it a top recommendation for any who want an engrossing, unique perspective.
Short Story
41
Strange
Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam
Amazon Digital Services
978-0-615-97935-9 $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/41-Strange-Diane-Doniol-Valcroze-ebook/dp/B00JMJ32Q4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401637934&sr=1-1&keywords=9780615979359
If the short-short story format (and by this, I mean 3-4 pages of reading) is an attraction and diverse plots and subjects are of interest, then take a look at 41 Strange: it excels in vivid opening lines and peculiar dilemmas, and packs a lot of punch into a very few pages.
This is the mark of the superior short story; but the goal too often falls short in this format, which only has a few pages to pack in plot, character, and meaning. And if you think this an easy task, think again: read through 41 Strange and then take a look at some of its competitors.
While you'd think it would be easy to build a setting and memorable character with a few quick strokes of the pen - it's actually not. Having a very limited amount of words in which to build a memorable story with beginning, middle and end, a strong protagonist, and enough meat to make the reading memorable is a big challenge: one more than well met in 41 Strange.
The opening act, 'Staircase Man', sets the stage for what promises (and delivers) a powerful set of vignettes: it's about a peeping Tom - but actually is so much more.
The descriptions, for one, are spot-on and engrossing: "At night, with the aid of a flashlight and magnifying glass,
scanning the tread and rise of the steps for hours, I could not detect the hairline seams that distinguished his wedged-in body from the real steps. That’s how insidiously disguised he was. How seamlessly he fit interlocked into the “stairwell jigsaw puzzle.”
As the protagonist struggles with a threat that plagues him (which other building tenants can't see), readers are treated to exquisite tension that is expertly depicted in just a few words: "One cold November, I resolved to kill the staircase spawn…"
Lest you think this opening gem is a singular occurrence, look at any of the other stories in 41 Strange - say, 'Cut It Short', in which a door-to-door salesman peddles something nobody else has … a customizable calendar. Much like Ray Bradbury's famous 'The Illustrated Man', his calendars tell a story and entwine their readers in terrible tales which grab victims such as innocent Betty, who normally has a routine to dissuade all salespeople who come to her door.
Macabre, engrossing, and well-done: if you like the ironies and drama of 'The Twilight Zone' and appreciate the short-short story form with a literary focus that excels in unexpected concluding twists of tale, 41 Strange is very highly recommended!
Diane Doniol-Valcroze & Arthur K. Flam
Amazon Digital Services
978-0-615-97935-9 $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/41-Strange-Diane-Doniol-Valcroze-ebook/dp/B00JMJ32Q4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401637934&sr=1-1&keywords=9780615979359
If the short-short story format (and by this, I mean 3-4 pages of reading) is an attraction and diverse plots and subjects are of interest, then take a look at 41 Strange: it excels in vivid opening lines and peculiar dilemmas, and packs a lot of punch into a very few pages.
This is the mark of the superior short story; but the goal too often falls short in this format, which only has a few pages to pack in plot, character, and meaning. And if you think this an easy task, think again: read through 41 Strange and then take a look at some of its competitors.
While you'd think it would be easy to build a setting and memorable character with a few quick strokes of the pen - it's actually not. Having a very limited amount of words in which to build a memorable story with beginning, middle and end, a strong protagonist, and enough meat to make the reading memorable is a big challenge: one more than well met in 41 Strange.
The opening act, 'Staircase Man', sets the stage for what promises (and delivers) a powerful set of vignettes: it's about a peeping Tom - but actually is so much more.
The descriptions, for one, are spot-on and engrossing: "At night, with the aid of a flashlight and magnifying glass,
scanning the tread and rise of the steps for hours, I could not detect the hairline seams that distinguished his wedged-in body from the real steps. That’s how insidiously disguised he was. How seamlessly he fit interlocked into the “stairwell jigsaw puzzle.”
As the protagonist struggles with a threat that plagues him (which other building tenants can't see), readers are treated to exquisite tension that is expertly depicted in just a few words: "One cold November, I resolved to kill the staircase spawn…"
Lest you think this opening gem is a singular occurrence, look at any of the other stories in 41 Strange - say, 'Cut It Short', in which a door-to-door salesman peddles something nobody else has … a customizable calendar. Much like Ray Bradbury's famous 'The Illustrated Man', his calendars tell a story and entwine their readers in terrible tales which grab victims such as innocent Betty, who normally has a routine to dissuade all salespeople who come to her door.
Macabre, engrossing, and well-done: if you like the ironies and drama of 'The Twilight Zone' and appreciate the short-short story form with a literary focus that excels in unexpected concluding twists of tale, 41 Strange is very highly recommended!
Spirituality
The
Historical Jesus,
My Gnostic God and Me
John Turnbull, J. D.
978-4675-7984-1
No Publisher, price, website
The Historical Jesus, My Gnostic God And Me: A Labor of Love is collaborative nonfiction in the loosest sense of the term, in that the Holy Spirit led John Turnbull to write this book (basically a survey of Jesus' history within and outside Biblical reference). Any Christian reader or historian with an interest in Bible-based historical record will find it a well-researched consideration worthy of attention.
Years of intense study have gone into this effort, as his son attests to in the opening introduction. It should also be said that the book invites readers to analyze text and confirm the author's own sources and conclusions; not just blindly follow his logic.
And his research points to a complex fact, indeed: "…these sources, taken together, contain evidence, or clues, supporting a conclusion that there were opposing groups whose diverse ideologies were used to create a Jesus who would urge the members of these groups to both obey and disobey the commandments set forth in Judaism’s Holy Scriptures, the Torah. The evidence also supports a conclusion that Luke, the accepted author of the third gospel and the Book of Acts, recognized this diversity and tried to resolve it by making the members of these diverse groups’ believers in the Gospels’ Jesus and members of a Christian Church in Jerusalem. If my construction of the historical record is valid, Luke’s effort constituted a perversion of history that Christian scholars have swallowed hook, line, and sinker. "
With this introduction in mind, scholars and Bible students should anticipate chapters supporting these contentions; presenting Biblical references that dispute other scholarly contentions about specific religious groups, that help readers "logically question" the ideas of 'experts', and that offer many eye-opening statements and with backing evidence: "Luke’s Acts of the Apostles distorted history by having Judaism betray its God and his Torah."
Those who would obey without thinking, who would accept any historical contention without question, and who would be fooled by dogma and ritual with no need to question authority, should look elsewhere.
John Turnbull, J. D.'s The Historical Jesus is as much about cultivating and fine-tuning the questioning and examination process as it is about re-creating a different version of Jesus than is commonly portrayed… and here is where his analysis shines.
Chapter after chapter summarizes history using not only Biblical background, but references outside the Bible, spiced by the author's own insights and (more importantly) keys to how he arrived at his conclusions: "The struggle is between the two spiritual beings, the Prince of Light and the Angel of Darkness, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil. Since this is a Zoroastrian belief and is not reflected in Biblical Judaism, I submit that it was among the hidden mysteries revealed to the Interpreter who belonged to a group of Jews whose ancestors had been influenced by the Zoroastrian religion while under Persian rule."
From circumstances and promises surrounding the Day of Visitation to how competing (and sometimes seemingly- opposite) ideals and visions have a place in history ("There can be no doubt that both the Teacher and the priesthood considered Barabba/Jesus to be one who had lead all Israel astray and labeled him a liar and deceiver, but he did not see it this way. He allegedly believed that it was possible for the two concepts to live side by side (Matt.13:52)."), Turnbull time and again supports his contentions with Biblical passages and the historical analysis of other scholars through the ages.
It should be evident by now that although The Historical Jesus is accessible to lay readers, it is by no means a 'light read'. Quotes are numerous, the cultural, social and historical events surrounding Jesus are accompanied by numerous in-depth references, and any who anticipate a light or quick read should look elsewhere.
This is serious scholarship at its best: often-radical contentions thoroughly supported by a combination of source materials, Biblical reference, and personal insight: "I see these two passages as another example of Luke’s effort to have the Way of the sect and its Mashiyach be the same as the Way of Paul and his Jesus Christ. As noted, I cannot see how Apollos and his brothers could be so knowledgeable about the preaching of a John the Baptist around 32 CE and not have heard of the life of the Jesus whom John allegedly had baptized in the Jordan River. This is especially so if, as all four of the later Gospels maintain, Jesus had on that occasion been anointed by the Holy Spirit and declared by a voice from heaven to be the son in whom God was well pleased. Had there been a historical John, who had become less so that Jesus might become more, I doubt that his experiences in Judea would have been carried to Alexandria unaccompanied by the story of Jesus’ miracles, together with the belief that he was the Son of God and had fulfilled messianic prophecy. But most scholars have no difficulty accepting it as historical fact."
So if it's a scholarly, in-depth analysis that is sought, filled with passionate attention to historical detail and spiced with the author's own conclusions - all supported by referenced materials in an extensive bibliography broken down by 'Gnosticism', 'The New Testament', and more - then consider The Historical Jesus a treasure trove of research that offers more than a plateful of food for thought. In actuality it's an entire supper, rich in specific details and well-supported content and highly recommended for any interested in the life and purposes of Jesus.
John Turnbull, J. D.
978-4675-7984-1
No Publisher, price, website
The Historical Jesus, My Gnostic God And Me: A Labor of Love is collaborative nonfiction in the loosest sense of the term, in that the Holy Spirit led John Turnbull to write this book (basically a survey of Jesus' history within and outside Biblical reference). Any Christian reader or historian with an interest in Bible-based historical record will find it a well-researched consideration worthy of attention.
Years of intense study have gone into this effort, as his son attests to in the opening introduction. It should also be said that the book invites readers to analyze text and confirm the author's own sources and conclusions; not just blindly follow his logic.
And his research points to a complex fact, indeed: "…these sources, taken together, contain evidence, or clues, supporting a conclusion that there were opposing groups whose diverse ideologies were used to create a Jesus who would urge the members of these groups to both obey and disobey the commandments set forth in Judaism’s Holy Scriptures, the Torah. The evidence also supports a conclusion that Luke, the accepted author of the third gospel and the Book of Acts, recognized this diversity and tried to resolve it by making the members of these diverse groups’ believers in the Gospels’ Jesus and members of a Christian Church in Jerusalem. If my construction of the historical record is valid, Luke’s effort constituted a perversion of history that Christian scholars have swallowed hook, line, and sinker. "
With this introduction in mind, scholars and Bible students should anticipate chapters supporting these contentions; presenting Biblical references that dispute other scholarly contentions about specific religious groups, that help readers "logically question" the ideas of 'experts', and that offer many eye-opening statements and with backing evidence: "Luke’s Acts of the Apostles distorted history by having Judaism betray its God and his Torah."
Those who would obey without thinking, who would accept any historical contention without question, and who would be fooled by dogma and ritual with no need to question authority, should look elsewhere.
John Turnbull, J. D.'s The Historical Jesus is as much about cultivating and fine-tuning the questioning and examination process as it is about re-creating a different version of Jesus than is commonly portrayed… and here is where his analysis shines.
Chapter after chapter summarizes history using not only Biblical background, but references outside the Bible, spiced by the author's own insights and (more importantly) keys to how he arrived at his conclusions: "The struggle is between the two spiritual beings, the Prince of Light and the Angel of Darkness, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil. Since this is a Zoroastrian belief and is not reflected in Biblical Judaism, I submit that it was among the hidden mysteries revealed to the Interpreter who belonged to a group of Jews whose ancestors had been influenced by the Zoroastrian religion while under Persian rule."
From circumstances and promises surrounding the Day of Visitation to how competing (and sometimes seemingly- opposite) ideals and visions have a place in history ("There can be no doubt that both the Teacher and the priesthood considered Barabba/Jesus to be one who had lead all Israel astray and labeled him a liar and deceiver, but he did not see it this way. He allegedly believed that it was possible for the two concepts to live side by side (Matt.13:52)."), Turnbull time and again supports his contentions with Biblical passages and the historical analysis of other scholars through the ages.
It should be evident by now that although The Historical Jesus is accessible to lay readers, it is by no means a 'light read'. Quotes are numerous, the cultural, social and historical events surrounding Jesus are accompanied by numerous in-depth references, and any who anticipate a light or quick read should look elsewhere.
This is serious scholarship at its best: often-radical contentions thoroughly supported by a combination of source materials, Biblical reference, and personal insight: "I see these two passages as another example of Luke’s effort to have the Way of the sect and its Mashiyach be the same as the Way of Paul and his Jesus Christ. As noted, I cannot see how Apollos and his brothers could be so knowledgeable about the preaching of a John the Baptist around 32 CE and not have heard of the life of the Jesus whom John allegedly had baptized in the Jordan River. This is especially so if, as all four of the later Gospels maintain, Jesus had on that occasion been anointed by the Holy Spirit and declared by a voice from heaven to be the son in whom God was well pleased. Had there been a historical John, who had become less so that Jesus might become more, I doubt that his experiences in Judea would have been carried to Alexandria unaccompanied by the story of Jesus’ miracles, together with the belief that he was the Son of God and had fulfilled messianic prophecy. But most scholars have no difficulty accepting it as historical fact."
So if it's a scholarly, in-depth analysis that is sought, filled with passionate attention to historical detail and spiced with the author's own conclusions - all supported by referenced materials in an extensive bibliography broken down by 'Gnosticism', 'The New Testament', and more - then consider The Historical Jesus a treasure trove of research that offers more than a plateful of food for thought. In actuality it's an entire supper, rich in specific details and well-supported content and highly recommended for any interested in the life and purposes of Jesus.