Monday, December 28, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Robin Burcell 1/3/10



The Writer's Chatroom presents Robin Burcell.

WHEN?

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Interview with Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein - fiction for women and girls



Welcome, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, to Reviews and Interviews. It's a pleasure to chat with you.

Let's start with some introductory questions.

Where are you from? I live in New Jersey and grew up in Connecticut.

Do you write full-time? Part-time.

If you have a non-writing job, would you tell us a little bit about it? I am a psychologist in private practice.

What made you decide to tackle the genre(s) you write in? As a positive psychologist I have been focusing on helping women and girls recognize their talents, strengths and potential for years. I am truly invested in rekindling and renewing in people of all ages a sense of excitement about their lives and themselves. One day I just kind of woke up and knew that I wanted to stimulate women and girls to passionately connect with the best of themselves and that the way to do it was through a fictional girl.


Now we’ll focus a bit on your published writing.

Please tell us about your current release. The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) is a girl's fictional diary. She is 10 and 11 in the book. You never learn her name, but you identify with her instantly. She is in her heart and being one of us. She speaks for all of us, as she writes about her first crush, her upsets at school, her concerns over her parents fighting, her anxieties over moving and her efforts to find a way to hold on to the best of herself as she grows up.

What inspired you to write this book? My work with girls and women in my psychological practice. Also, my own life and the stories of my friends and relatives.

Did you enjoy the research process? What did it entail? My original research for my first book, The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy, involved case study interviews with women not in my practice. I loved doing it and compiling the research. It was that research that confirmed for me the latent talents and potential that we all have and how fragile those capacities are in terms of being wounded or dismissed.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? As far as The Truth, the hardest part was proofreading and editing.

Did you learn anything from writing your book? If so, what was it? I learned that I am a good fiction writer. That was an amazing switch for me from my earlier writings, which were often inspirational and told a story, but not designed as fiction.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Only a couple of pages which I plan to change in the new printing.

What can we expect to see from you in the future? The next book in the series is already written. I have an agent and I'm looking for a publisher. It is called Secrets and the girl is a year older in it.

What ways have you found effective for promoting your book(s)? The best is Virtual Tours and constantly talking about my book on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Also, local public speaking and Girl Scout troops.


And now for a few fun questions.

What have you read for fun lately? Actually, not much. I loved Eat, Pray, Love.

Besides writing, what do you do for fun? What are you hobbies? Walking, dancing, socializing, movies, plays, travel.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I like to write late at night.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? I wanted to be an actress, a doctor, a mother of six kids (I have raised two), I wanted to have a ton of pets, (I've had seven cats so far as a grown-up).


And to wrap up…

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the audience? My wisdom: Laugh as much as you can. Be good to people and animals. Don't make fun of others.

Do you have a website where writers can learn more about you and your writing? www.enchantedself.com, www.thetruthforgirls.com. www.positivepsychologyforwomen.com

How can people to get in touch with you? drbarbara@enchantedself.com or 732-571-1200


Thank you, Barbara, for your time in answering my questions. It's nice learning more about you and your writing.

Please feel free to leave a comment for Barbara, she'll be stopping in today to chat with visitors.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Join the staff of Writer's Chatroom for their virtual annual holiday party on 12/20/09



The Writer's Chatroom presents their virtual annual holiday party. Stop in for virtual holiday cheer!

WHEN?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Organizing and Goal Setting Chat 12/13/09



The Writer's Chatroom presents a chat on organizing and goal setting for writers.

WHEN?

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Review - The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children by Yvonne Perry



The Sid Series: A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children is a great gift to share with a child, between 2 and 5, at any time of year.

The Sid Series includes twelve individual stories focused on topics such as dealing with the death of a pet, the importance of telling the truth, respecting diversity, learning about recycling, listening to your body, and facing fear.

The author, inspired by her spiritually-gifted grandson, decided to share some of his experiences with others. Together they share stories of ghosts, the power of healing the body with herbs, the power of Mother Nature, and learning how to listen to an inner guidance. Told in a comforting and spiritual manner, the stories reach out to young and old alike.

Yvonne Perry is a graduate of American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics. Her interaction with the spirit world began as a child and has developed into a gift that blesses those seeking a better understanding of spiritual gifts.

The Sid Series is friendly, entertaining, and educational. The art work adds to each story to engage children visually as they listen to the short stories and learn about life in terms they can understand.

Stop by the Web site to read more about The Sid Series, meet Sidney, and listen to an author interview and several readings.

Title: The Sid Series: A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children
Author: Yvonne Perry
Publisher: Write On! Publishing
ISBN: 978-0982572207
Pages: 52
Price: $19.95

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Interview with Jill Nelson - biography co-author with Jennifer Sugar



[Note to readers: This interview contains adult content.]

Welcome, Jill Nelson, to Reviews and Interviews!

What made you and co-author, Jennifer Sugar, decide to tackle the biography genre?
JN: This biography is a first book for both of us. The adult entertainment industry is a field that neither one of us knew anything about prior to embarking upon co-writing. It wasn’t something that I’d initially set out to do, or was even looking for, but when Jennifer extended me the offer to collaborate with her on this project, I jumped at the opportunity, partly because I knew that it would be a fascinating and engrossing world to explore. I also thought that there was a good likelihood we might even find a publisher.

Please tell us about John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches, published by Bear Manor Media.
It is the first and definitive biography on the world’s most famous (and infamous) male porn legend and pop culture icon, John Curtis Holmes. Presented as an oral history with narrative segments interspersed throughout, our 584 page book is an in-depth, unbiased, and balanced look at the late John Holmes and his entire life.

Inches includes interview quotes from over 60 people who knew John professionally and personally. In addition to being a biography that details all facets of Holmes’ turbulent life, the book also contains three photos sections (including rare frontal nudes), a 21-page filmography, 114 feature film reviews and 86 loops synopses, all watched and written by Jennifer and myself. John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches highlights John’s difficult childhood in rural Ohio, John’s film career, his connection to one of the most gruesome multiple homicides in California history (dubbed, the “Wonderland” murders), his murder trial, his two marriages, his relationships with his many mistresses and girlfriends, his career comeback and finally, his death from AIDS.

Inches is an ideal choice for discriminating readers who enjoy biographies, true crime, retro, and erotica. It is also a chronological account of the history of the erotic film industry. Our book definitely has something for everyone, even if you are not necessarily interested in the adult film medium.

What inspired you and Jennifer to write this book?
JN: Jennifer had gone to the movie theater to watch a film in 2003, but it was sold out. The film Wonderland, starring Val Kilmer in the lead role of John Holmes, was also playing, so Jennifer decided to go and see it since she’d heard her local radio station make the joke, “Our sets are longer than John Holmes.” Understanding the intimation, she was intrigued to see the movie that actually entails a robbery that John had helped to orchestrate in 1981, which led to the brutal murders of four people. John was addicted to cocaine and freebased at this stage in his life and career and he had fallen in with some unsavory characters. Wonderland is about that very dark period in his life.

After having seen the film, Jennifer was surprised to discover that there wasn’t a biography about John, so she decided to write it herself. Both of us were interested to learn more about John, the man, in addition to finding out about the specifics of the “Wonderland” or Laurel Canyon murders.

Interestingly, two years later, in 2005, my husband and I rented the film Wonderland and afterwards, I was also very curious about John, as a person, since the film didn’t shed much light on his personal life except that it revealed that John had been married for 19 years to a registered nurse, Sharon Holmes (played by Lisa Kudrow), and that he’d had a mistress at the time of the murders, Dawn Schiller (played by Kate Bosworth). The three seemed to be quite amicable so that really piqued my attention and interest. I began to do a little research about John online and discovered a forum for the film, Wonderland, where I first connected with Jennifer. We had not known one another previously.

About a month after participating on the forum, Jennifer offered to send me some interview transcriptions she’d done that were derived from several audiotapes John had made a few years prior to his death in 1988. (He had been planning to write an autobiography but died before he had a chance to finish it. John’s widow, Laurie Holmes, later finished the book and Porn King was published in 1998.)

Privately, Jennifer disclosed to me that she was writing the first and complete book about John Holmes. We continued to communicate together through e-mail and it was about a year after that when Jennifer (a biography and math major studying at MSU at the time) realized that the project was a monumental task and asked me if I would become her co-author. From the time of the book’s official inception in August 2004, it took four years for us to complete.

Did you enjoy the research process? What did it entail?
JN: We both very much enjoyed the research process as it enabled us to meet and interview many diverse and intriguing people -- mostly veterans of the adult entertainment industry such as Ron Jeremy; Johnny Wadd, creator and director; Bob Chinn; and John’s widow, Laurie Holmes, to name only a few. Also, we interviewed two former L.A.P.D. homicide detectives, Tom Lange and Frank Tomlinson, who had been lead investigators on the Laurel Canyon murders and had actually arrested John in Florida in December of 1981, after he’d been on the lam for a period of about 5 months.

Over a four year period, Jennifer and I eventually interviewed 35 people in person, over the phone, and via e-mail, who had known John in various capacities throughout his life and career. The process meant that we needed to transcribe all of our interviews and then find a way to compile the information so that it would fit together in a compelling and concise format. We both wrote narrative segments that were incorporated into the story to help smooth out the transition between interview quotes.

In addition, because we wanted to ensure that the book would be comprehensive, between us, we watched over 200 of John’s feature films and loops, so that we could write our own reviews and synopses. We borrowed VHS tapes from directors in the industry, we watched VOD at various adult-related websites; we purchased some of John’s work on Ebay, and joined a website so that we could view a portion of John’s earlier black and white stag films, made mostly in the 1960s.

Prior to doing the research for our book, we found that John’s filmography at various websites was riddled with errors regarding years of film releases, cast lists, film titles, etc., so we worked diligently to generate the most current and up-to-date John Holmes filmography available anywhere. We accomplished this task by talking to some of the directors of the films we included in the book, but we also watched film credits to verify dates – it took some doing, but it was necessary and important to be as accurate as possible.

Jennifer and I e-mailed our chapters, our film reviews, and our filmography data back and forth, editing one another’s work until we were satisfied and knew that everything was complete. We also required permission(s) to use additional material and images in the book that were not our own. That part was a little bit stressful and took some time, but we were relieved when it all came together for us. People were absolutely wonderful -- right down the line. We are very pleased and proud of the finished product in every respect.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
JN: Probably the hardest part of writing the book was trying to separate fact from fiction, but we are confident that we were able to overcome this challenge to the best of our own or anyone else’s ability. John was notorious for spinning stories about his life and about his career and his stories generally involved numbers. He liked to embellish and inflate numbers, particularly when related to the size of his penis, the amount of films he’d made, and the number of women he’d slept with. We found that one of the key elements to creating a legend is that some stories improve with time and it isn’t always necessary or critical to try to corroborate each and every one of them, but we were pretty successful. In John’s case, he did, in fact, have an extremely large penis, he’d made over 1000 film appearances in a career that spanned 20 years, and he slept with thousands of women, so his legend has certainly outlived him and it will continue to do so for many years to come. He knew how to promote his asset by creating some of his own folklore, so it was a fun challenge to research some of the legendary tales and learn new ones along the way. We soon realized that John didn’t need to invent anything about his life, because it was already stranger and more incredible on many levels, than any fictional account could ever hope to portray.

Did you learn anything from writing your book? If so, what was it?
JN: I learned that John Holmes was a chameleon; he was a world class hustler, he was a ladies’ man and a gigolo, and he was a lot smarter than many people have probably given him credit. John was also talented artistically. He sculpted, he wrote beautiful poetry, and he liked to build and refinish furniture. He was a loving godfather to three children and he was a step-father to Laurie’s (his second wife and widow) son. He had many components to his character, but despite many of the negative things that John was involved in, mostly everyone we spoke to seemed to cherish some positive memories of John. He definitely touched and impacted several lives in own way.

I also learned that it was a very positive experience to be a co-writer of a book of this nature - a biography - because it allowed Jennifer and I to bounce ideas off of one another and also, offer support to each other when things got to be a little overwhelming or hairy. That didn’t happen often, but there were a couple of occasions when we needed to sit back and take a deep breath because there was just so much information to sift through and assimilate. Both Jennifer and I recognized, however, that we were working on something quite special and unique, so that really helped to motivate and propel us along the way.

The people we encountered throughout the process of working on this book were very helpful as they opened up their lives and memories to us. For many, their memories are bittersweet so we really appreciated their involvement and their encouragement of our project.

I’ve also learned that if a writer or an individual is passionate about an idea or a subject and believes that they can share a story with the world that is engaging, go for it and don’t let other people dissuade you from your dream or your idea.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
JN: We are currently working on interviews and research for a book that will showcase the ladies of the Golden Age of Adult films. While talking with people and conducting interviews for Inches, I had an idea that it would be interesting to learn more about the women who had decided to enter adult movies and perform in hardcore (real sex) scenes at a time when the XXX-rated industry was in its infancy stage, just after the onset of the sexual revolution during the 1960s.

We are currently talking to them about their childhoods and what had later inspired them to enter adult films, along with their years as actresses within the adult market. Also, we are learning about their lives and interests today and what they have been doing since their careers came to a close.

What ways have you found effective for promoting your book(s)?
JN: Jennifer and I have been somewhat fortunate that the adult media were interested in writing about our published work immediately after it was released. We had our book launch in Hollywood on the Sunset Strip on August 8, 2008 (John’s 64th birthday). Several people who write for adult publications were in attendance, in addition to many of the industry veterans and insiders. It was truly a great night.

I’d say that we have learned to embrace every avenue we can in order to promote our work because the media and book critics do not generally pursue published writers, unless the author is represented by a major publishing house. Then there are provisions in place for publicity and promotion built into their contracts. We have been proactive in pursuing contacts/media/reviewers that will hopefully pay attention to our work. We have done live radio interviews, blog talk radio interviews, and online interviews. We’ve done several book events and even travelled to Las Vegas to attend the Adult Entertainment Expo in January 2009, where we were at a booth talking about our book to fans of the adult genre who were in attendance at the Expo. We contact newspapers prior to our book events and request that they write a blurb, a piece or an article, and we have been fairly successful in that regard. We keep our website, our blog, our Myspace page(s) updated and also, we utilize Twitter and Facebook, to announce news and/or happenings.

Recently, we uploaded two of our live radio interviews to Youtube and set them to a montage of photos of Holmes, which has proven to be a great plug for us, because anyone who searches John Holmes on Youtube will eventually find our video-clip(s).

If a person can afford to hire a publicist, that’s always another added benefit. It’s very important to maintain the book’s profile and particularly, if you are an author of a biography, you’ve already got a built-in fan base to tap into, draw from, and build upon.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the audience?
JN: I’d like to thank anyone who has read John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches or who might consider purchasing our book after reading this interview. I’d also like to thank everyone who has favorably reviewed our bio so far – it is extremely gratifying.

I’d like to send kudos to my (extremely busy) co-author, Jennifer, for being instrumental in providing me with an opportunity to share my hobby with readers, in tandem with her talent as a writer. This experience has added a wonderful new layer to my life as we move ahead with another book in the works. At 52 years of age, I’d say that I am in the midst of a mid-life awakening. It’s fantastic.

For those of you who don’t know who John Holmes is, but would like to read a highly compelling and emotional story of the trials and tribulations of one man’s life, I’d like to encourage you to read our book. You won’t be disappointed.

Do you have a website where writers can learn more about you and your writing?
JN: At present, I don’t have my own website, but our book’s website is at: www.johnholmesinches.com where it can be purchased in addition to Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/John-Holmes-Life-Measured-Inches/dp/1593933029 or any other major online book retailer.

We have a blog for the book at: http://johnholmesinches.blogspot.com/ and we also have a myspace page for Inches at: www.myspace.com/johnholmesinches.

People can also look me up on facebook and again at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jnelson4 - where I post regular blogs that mostly pertain to our work.

How can people to get in touch with you?
People can get in touch with me or with Jennifer at sugar.and.nelson@gmail.com


Thank you for taking the time to answer my interview questions. I wish you the best with this book, and with your future projects.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Leighton Gage 12/6/09



The Writer's Chatroom presents Leighton Gage.

WHEN?

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Dr. Norman German 11/29/09



The Writer's Chatroom presents Norman German.

WHEN?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

VBT stop for Yvonne Perry for her new book The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children



Today marks the kick-off of Yvonne Perry's book tour for The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children geared toward 2-5 year olds.

What is The Sid Series about? Listen to a 30-second explanation.

Yvonne will be stopping here on Sunday, December 6 to address any comments left via the book review I will be posting. Below is her full schedule, if you'd like to follow her along her tour and see the variety of stops she has included.

•Today: Yvonne will run a media release about The Sid Series blog tour. Great information for authors who may want to do their own virtual book tour some day.

•Nov 19, Yvonne will post a video on Youtube about The Sid Series.

•Nov 20, Yvonne's article about psychic children and their imaginary friends will post to Irene Watson of Reader Views blog.

•Nov 21, WITS Blog will feature an interview with 8-year-old Sidney, the inspiration for the writing of The Sid Series. Join him as he discusses with his grandmother the books and his spiritual gifts.

•Nov 22, Janet Riehl is hosting a question and answer interview about Yvonne's process for writing, publishing, and marketing The Sid Series.

•Nov 23, Yvonne will be the radio guest of Maxine Thompson on Dr. Maxine Show. The Shift Guru, Barbara Joye, will feature part 1 of a 3-part article on how Yvonne shifted from religion to metaphysics when her grandson, Sidney, (for whom The Sid Series was written) started manifesting psychic gifts.

•Nov 24, Yvonne will also be Suzanne Lieurance's radio guest on Book Bites for Kids

•Nov 25, The Shift Guru, Barbara Joye, will feature part 2 of a 3-part article on how Yvonne shifted from religion to metaphysics when her grandson started manifesting psychic gifts.

•Nov 26, Yvonne will be visiting Karen and Robyn - Writing for Children where Karen Cioffi is the hostess. Yvonne will tell how she self-published The Sid Series.

•Nov 27, Stephanie Ward will post information about Yvonne’s book on Stark Raving Bibliophile. The Shift Guru, Barbara Joye, will feature part 2 of a 3-part article on how Yvonne shifted from religion to metaphysics when her grandson started manifesting psychic gifts.

•Nov 28, Yvonne will post a press/media release about the book's debut. This will go to multiple online sources.

•Nov 29, Amy, the owner of Equinaut and Vitesis has invited Yvonne to stop by and share an article titled, “The Writing of a Children’s Book.”

•Nov 30, Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s blog, The New Book Review, will feature a book review written by Katie Chalfont that highlights how The Sid Series has influenced her three children.

•Dec 1, Barbara Techel and Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog welcome Yvonne. You won’t want to miss this article on pet death.

•Dec 2, Shayne Packer of Grandparents TLC will host Yvonne as she offers an article about young age grandparenting.

•Dec 3, Dallas Woodburn’s Writing Life will introduce authors to Skype, an Author Network’s virtual classroom feature.

•Dec 4, Elena Dorothy Bowman will post an article titled "Why I wrote The Sid Series." This article features why Yvonne wrote the book and discusses some of the spiritual gifts Sidney manifested at an early age.

•Dec 5, Yvonne will upload to Youtube a book trailer for “A Powerful Potion,” one of the stories in The Sid Series. Jennifer Brown will post Yvonne’s “Love List”.

•Dec 6, Yvonne will be stopping here to reply to any comments left with the book review of The Sid Series!

•Dec 7, Liana Metal will host Yvonne on Art Stories with an article about how she worked with 15-year-old Hayley John to create the illustrations for The Sid Series.

•Dec 8, Hal Manogue of Short Sleeves Insight will host Yvonne on with the posting of an article about children having remembered past lives.

•Dec 9, Chelle Cordero will host a “Woman in Charge” interview of Yvonne as an author and business entrepreneur. You don’t want to miss “Combining Authorship and Free-Lance Writing Business” on Chelle Cordero’s Promo Page.

•Dec 10, Sidney’s mother, Amanda McCurley, will host Yvonne on Fashionably Late by providing a book review and her thoughts about her son being the main character and inspiration for The Sid Series.

•Dec 11, Mama Paro and her three kittens: Elina, Bibble, and Tuktuk, will write a book review for The Sid Series. You’ll get a child’s perspective of the book when you visit.

•Dec 12, Anita Revel has invited Yvonne to stop by Daily Blissings and discuss why she is thankful for the learning process of self-publishing using Lightning Source.

•Dec 13, More Than Meets the Eye will feature an article, “Out of the Mouths of Babies! Channeling 101” about how Yvonne’s grandson at age three channeled an import message from his higher self.

•Dec 14, Lillian Brummet will host Yvonne Perry as she reads “Sid’s Fairy ~ Learning About Inner Guidance.”

•Dec 15, In a radio interview, Yvonne will discuss why The Sid Series was written for her grandson, Sidney. Hot Books - Great Authors is hosted by Valerie Connelly, publisher at Nightengale Press.

•Dec 16, More Than Meets the Eye will feature a flip book version of "Puppy Love ~ Dealing with the Death of a Pet," which is one of the twelve stories in The Sid Series.

•Dec 17, Heart Song's Hymnal will post a book review for The Sid Series.

•Dec 18. WITS blog will feature a question and answer interview with Hayley John, the 15-year-old student who illustrated many of the stories and the cover for The Sid Series.

•Dec 19, stop by Dennis Martin's blog, I Write Some, and read “A Book for Kids (and Adults) Who Love Fairies” and listen to an audio of the author reading the story, “Sid’s Fairy ~ Learning About Inner Guidance.”

Monday, November 16, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Camille Kimball 11/22/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents Camille Kimball.

WHEN?

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Interview with J.M. Cornwell, fiction and non-fiction writer


Welcome, Jackie Cornwell, aka J.M. Cornwell, to Reviews and Interviews!

Let's warm up with a little introductory information.

Where are you from? That's not an easy question to answer. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but I'm from a lot of places: Germany, Panama, and 46 of the 50 states.

Do you write full-time? Yes and I also work full time.

Can you tell us a little bit about your non-writing job? I am a medical transcriptionist for a network of acute care hospitals in New York and New Jersey, which is the long version. The short version is that I type operative reports. I've been doing it for about 25 years, which sounds like a long time even to me, but, with the advent of the Internet and home computers, I am able to work at home, which gives me more time to procrastinate on writing by worrying about laundry, dishes and cleaning the house.

What made you decide to tackle the genres you write in? I started out writing nonfiction because I had, and still have, a lot of questions. It's the same reason I write fiction. I don't stick to any one genre and let the characters lead me where they want to go. I get them started and they do the rest of the work.


Now we’ll focus a bit on your published writing.

Please tell us about your current release. Past Imperfect is about a woman in a near fatal accident that required a lot of plastic surgery to her face, giving her a new identity. She decides to go back and convince her ex-boyfriend that they are right for each other, but it isn't as easy as pushing characters around in a novel; she's a writer. Her best friend, and handyman, John Logan, who knows about her plans for Adrian Cahill, decides she's making a mistake and can't see what's right in front of her so, he lets Diana Palmer know that she has another choice.

What inspired you to write this novel? I had just broken up with someone who said I wasn't his soul mate and yet when he described his soul mate it was the same way he described me. I decided to write a different ending to our story.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? It's the same message that ends The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's revelation. Sometimes your heart's desire is right in front of you.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? I chose a very narrow point of view and focused on Diana, so the only thing I'd consider changing is getting more into Adrian's and Logan's thoughts.

What kind of research do you do to make your novel(s) realistic? It depends on the novel. With Past Imperfect there wasn't much to research because I had lived and dreamed most of the book. I have flown planes and I'm a writer. I've known men like Adrian and Logan and I've been to almost all the places in the book, with the exception of Kelly's Island. For that, I did a lot of reading and looked at thousands of pictures and then talked to people who had been there. The rest of the places in the story are places I know intimately.

What can we expect to see from you in the future? I have two novels that will be published in 2010. Among Women is about a woman who is put in jail for someone else's crime and gets lost in the system for six weeks. She considers most women silly and not worth knowing and is locked in with over 50 women, so it's a nightmare from many angles. She connects with her own voice and in turns gives the women a voice.

The other novel is called Whitecastle Hearts and is a twist on Jekyll, Hyde, and Jack the Ripper. The one thing that has always been missing from the story of Jekyll and Hyde is motivation, so I provided it by finding the motivation in a woman named Delilah Makepeace and Victorian morality. The dates that Hyde appeared in the original story were almost identical to the times The Ripper killed, so it seemed like a natural connection.

I'm also working on a post-apocalyptic vampire story and more stories for the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort anthologies. So many stories and so little time.

What ways have you found effective for promoting your books? I'm a novice when it comes to promoting my books, so I hired a publicist. I know my limits and I don't have a lot of time, so I put promotions in the hands of someone who knows more than I do, Linda Barnett-Johnson.


And now for a few fun questions.

When and why did you begin writing? When I was eight years old and living in Panama. Drunk on Homer and Edgar Rice Burroughs and having an active imagination, I wanted to create my own stories and put make my dreams real. My first book was about a little girl lost in the jungle who finds a lost city.

What have you read for fun lately? I read a lot of books for reviews, but the most fun I've had is reading a story by a fellow writer, Mary Ann Peden-Coviello about a wealthy southern family who resurrected their grandmother to find out where she hid her money. The voice and the situation were wonderful even though the story was very short. Even though I had to review Green by Ted Dekker, I thoroughly enjoyed it and rushed through it as quickly as possible to find out what would happen next.

Besides writing, what do you do for fun? What are your hobbies? Well, I used to cross stitch and draw and paint portraits, but I haven't had much time for that. My favorite way to have fun is to write letters to friends, the kind with fountain pen and paper and envelopes and stamps, and to watch movies. I don't watch television and gave up cable because it took too much time away from writing, but I do love watching movies, especially those that are based on novels and short stories. Other than that, I am a licensed amateur radio operator, ham radio, and a sometime gardener.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I'm not sure how to answer that. I've been told my stories seem very real to people and they feel like they're actually there because my descriptions are so vivid. I do use all the senses when creating scenes and I love being able to tie in little tidbits of information from history and personal experience.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Do you want them in order? A writer and a ballerina at the age of eight, a Supreme Court Justice, a world traveler and a writer. Three out of five isn't bad.


And to wrap up…

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the audience? Past Imperfect was contracted by two publishers before L&L Dreamspell published it. The first publisher quit publishing three months before my novel debuted. Two weeks after the contract was signed, the second publisher decided she didn't like the book after all and wasn't going to honor the contract. Six months later I had another publisher and crossed my fingers, which makes it very difficult to type. L&L Dreamspell followed through and the proof is between the covers.

Do you have a website where writers can learn more about you and your writing? I keep a blog where I write about whatever comes into my head called Cabin Dreams at http://fixnwrtr.blogspot.com. It's a mix of personal observations, all the forbidden social subjects (sex, politics, and religion), using tarot cards to help create stories and characters, and the occasional grammar column that has moved to Suite 101.

How can people to get in touch with you? I'm easy to find through Cabin Dreams or just by emailing me at jcornwell@peoplepc.com.


Thank you for your time with this interview. It's been fun. I wish you luck with your writing endeavors. Thank you for inviting me to talk about my favorite subject. No, not me, writing.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Thomas Norman DeWolf 11/15/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents Thomas Norman DeWolf talking about Inheriting the Trade and other great stuff!

WHEN?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Review - Leviathan's Master: The Wreck of the World's Largest Sailing Ship by David M. Quinn



Captain George W. Dow knows the sea from spending most of his life on ships in all types of weather. When his seven-masted sailing ship encounters several rough ocean storms in a row, both it and the crew are left more than tattered.

Dow knew the 400-foot schooner’s history and reluctantly accepted the post to transport over two million gallons of kerosene from the U.S. to London. The T.W. Lawson started its first, and last, transatlantic crossing in late 1907 with a small, hurriedly selected crew.

The tale of the largest sailing vessel’s ocean crossing is compelling at a very human level. The author weaves the survival tale of his great, great uncle with dialogue and descriptive historical facts to create a story that ebbs and flows as waves on an ocean. It is engaging and intriguing to be brought back in time for such an event, in such a personal way.

David M. Quinn was born in Tennessee and grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. His passion for genealogy led him to uncover remarkable stories within his family history. He shares the story of his great, great uncle Michael Quinn, in the historical novel, It May Be Forever - An Irish Rebel on the American Frontier, published in 2005.

In the annual USA Book News competition, Leviathan’s Master is a 2009 Award-Winning Finalist in the Historical Fiction category of the National Best Books Awards.

Leviathan’s Master is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in seafaring tales. It is gripping.

Available through Amazon.com and other online venues.

Title: Leviathan’s Master: The Wreck of the World’s Largest Sailing Ship
Author: David M. Quinn
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-4401-5535-2
Pages: 110
Price: $10.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Monday, November 2, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Tom Piccirilli 11/8/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents Tom Piccirilli.

WHEN?

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with Elizabeth Zelvin 11/1/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents Elizabeth Zelvin.

WHEN?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with W. D. Gagliani 10/25/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents W. D. Gagliani.

WHEN?

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

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Friday, October 16, 2009

Review - A Land Beyond Ravens by Kathleen Cunningham Guler


Fifth century mastery spy, Marcus ap Iorwerth, enjoyed being the go-to man for ferreting out information. He is a master of disguise and was trusted by many for thirty years. But now he knows too much about everyone and one slip of the tongue can mean his death.

During this time if King Uther, Marcus constantly blends into the landscape to find answers to looming questions that give men power. Uther's teenaged son, Arthur, is next in line to the throne most people think will be available with Uther's pending death.

Marcus supports Arthur moving into his rightful place, however Marcus' wife's psychic visions forecast the toughest battle and not the most pleasant outcome.

Novelist Kathleen Guler presents a clear portait of this historical time period and the people who lived it. Her combination of verifiable research and use of myths from the time period are woven together to create a story from the perspective of other characters living in the time building up to King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Roundtable.

Kathleen Cunningham Guler is the author of the award-winning Macsen's Treasure series that includes Into the Path of Gods, In the Shadow of Dragons, and The Anvil Stone. She studied Celtic history and Arthurian legend for almost thirty years in the U.S. and Great Britain. She has published numerous articles, essays, reviews, short stories, and poetry.

A Land Beyond Ravens, the fourth and final book in the Macsen's Treasure series, is a recommended read for anyone interested in Arthurian legend, mystery, spy, adventure, or romance.

Title: A Land Beyond Ravens
Author: Kathleen Cunningham Guler
Publisher: Bardsong Press
ISBN: 978-0-9660371-6-6
Pages: 384
Price: $25.95


Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Review - Organ of Pain by Brad Ryder



Sometimes you just know you’re right even though everyone, including professionals, say you’re wrong. Or worse, they try to convince you that you it’s all in your mind.

Organ of Pain talks about experiences endured and lessons learned on various topics in a bold and straightforward manner. It includes Brad Ryder’s literally painful, six-year journey from finding someone who could give him an accurate diagnosis for erectile dysfunction to finding an acceptable treatment he could live with.

The book also shares experiences with family, personal, and business relationships; transitioning through several careers, and how one man continued to find the strength to persevere along unpleasant paths.

Other books may be available on the topic of erectile dysfunction; however, none are as direct and heartfelt as Organ of Pain. Ryder puts himself on the page, not to whine about his misfortune, but rather in the hope that someone else may be able to relate to some of the circumstances and take comfort in knowing someone else has been there. Life may not be perfect, but each of us has to come to terms with our circumstances in some manner.

Brad Ryder lives in Keene, New Hampshire, with his wife Joan. Organ of Pain: One Man’s Ordeal with Life, Erectile Dysfunction, and Other Ailments is his first book.

Organ of Pain is not for the faint of heart or squeamish, but I recommend it to anyone who doesn’t want to feel alone in their personal life struggles, whatever those may be.

Title: Organ of Pain: One Man’s Ordeal with Life, Erectile Dysfunction, and Other Ailments
Author: Brad Ryder
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1439244616
Pages: 340
Price: $15.99

Monday, October 12, 2009

Live Chat/Interview with John Everson 10/18/09


The Writer's Chatroom presents John Everson.

WHEN?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Zombie Cookbook, edited by Kim Richards

If you like zombies, I have a book for you! It's full of poems and short stories and, yes, zombie-based recipes.

Grab a fork, pull up a seat, and enjoy. :)

I can't unbiasedly review it since I have a poem and short story in it, but I can point you to some reviews and our (the contributing writers') website and you'll quickly see how much you want to check this book out.

After you learn about the authors and read story synopses I dare you to not want to see what is behind the cover.

We're having a Virtual Book Tour to promote The Zombie Cookbook too. Check out dates and web site locations. Come chat with us!

I'll be interviewed here and here on Oct 9th.

Other sightings throughout the month. Hope to see you!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Kudos!! Arrival by Christopher Hoare


Back in March I reviewed Christopher Hoare's newest novel, Arrival.

On Aug 15th, the novel was announced as a science fiction finalist for the 9th Annual Dream Realm Awards. Here's the link to the full listing of winners.

Congrats to Chris,and I look forward to reading more about Gisel and her travels. :)

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Review - The Road Not Taken by Goodwill U. Onwuchekwa



Falling in love is a difficult process to describe, can take many forms, and often doesn't happen when one expects it. Love is also more than just a feeling between two people and it seems hard to know whether to follow what is in your heart or what is in your head.

The Road Not Taken is a romantic adventure story about how two individuals find answers to tough questions. An impossible partnership at the start, Maggie and Emeka find their hearts wrapped together and see a future together, until a past love surfaces.

Emeka struggles between his love for two women, but eventually makes the tough choice. Maggie is overwhelmed with emotions, but chooses the road that is right for her.

Goowill Onwuchekwa's descriptive voice brings the reader into the action. He uses multiple senses in each scene to give the reader a feeling of watching a movie instead of reading text on a page. His characters are intelligent and emotional. The characters are multilayered, intersting, and unpredictable. It is great storytelling with tight prose.

Goodwill U. Onwuchekwa was educated at the Teacher's College, Azaraegbelu, in Imo State, Nigeria. He taught as a grade II teacher, and later read law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. This is his first novel.

The Road Not Taken is a great read for anyone who enjoys well-written prose.

Title: The Road Not Taken
Author: Goodwill U. Onwuchekwa
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 1-60813-751-1
Pages: 202
Price: $24.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Review - Liquid Reflections by B. M. Song



Poet B.M. Song has delivered a book of poems that encompasses many aspects of every day life. Her poems paint vivid pictures and express familiar emotions that can evoke smiles, dreams, fantasies, as well as tears and new concepts to consider.

Liquid Reflections is a collection of personal reflective poems that give the reader something to relate to. The poems are easy to relate to in that they touch on common subjects such as love, passion, grief, anger, and spirit. Each poem has a different rhythm and feeling, similar to a river that ebbs and flows, the poems move along a path that is personal to the author. The reader is along for a fluid ride of an emotional landscape.

B.M. Song writes from a part deep within herself. Each word in each poem is purposely chosen. Song has produced a work of varied poems that will touch each reader in a different way.

B.M. Song resides in Fort Worth, TX. She is the mother of a six-year-old beautiful daughter and lives with her wonderful, handsome man, Eric. She has been writing since the age of twelve when she started as a young lyricist and songwriter. She enjoys singing, dancing, writing, camping, hiking, and fishing. This is her first published work.

Liquid Reflections is a recommended read for anyone who enjoys, or is interested in, poetry that works to evoke a rainbow of emotions.

Title: Liquid Reflections: A Stream of Fluid Prose
Author: B.M. Song
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 978-1-60749-445-4
Pages: 82
Price: $14.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Review - Arrival by Christopher Hoare


Arrival
Written by: Christopher Hoare
Science fiction / Fiction / Time travel
Rated: Very Good (****)
Review by: Lisa Haselton

Gisel Matah is sixteen. She’s on a starship with her father, brother, and a small entourage of explorers no longer able to get back to their home world. Being female and the youngest on board are not complimentary attributes for this spitfire, but she has skills that no other crew member has and her importance becomes apparent to everyone.

Being on board the Iskander with supersmart engineers and scientists, Gisel is challenged to be a ‘typical teenager.’ She was brought on board as personal trainer because her father, the engineering chief, pulled strings and having high-level connections doesn’t win her any friends. She’s headstrong and persistent, and, of course, knows everything.

She finds a way to be a part of the first landing party to the planet passing below the starship, and although most of her adventure doesn’t go smoothly, the crew discovers that she is the only person able to communicate with the natives they have run into.

Iskander technology is years ahead of the planet they must rely on for survival. The crew quickly learns that no matter how advanced you are, when you only have the basics to deal with, you have to adapt or perish. Creating alliances when you don’t know if the people can be an asset to you or not is a tough political position to be in. Gisel finds herself front and center while the General of the Iskander works to create relationships with the people on the planet, and she enjoys it.

She may only be a teenager, but Gisel has an inner strength, the intelligence, and the youthful wit to survive in just about any situation she finds herself in. Sometimes survival turns out to be luck, but in a brand new world, as long as you can keep your wits about you, you have a great chance to succeed.

Arrival is fun to read. It’s interesting to see how Gisel’s start within the Iskander crew relates to the first two novels. Her energy is contagious and comes through the pages. The reader, at times, wants to reach out to protect the young girl from danger, but Gisel quickly figures out a solution so the reader can breathe a sigh of relief and continue reading.

Christopher Hoare’s third novel, Arrival, brings the reader into the past. It fills in the details of the time before Deadly Enterprise, the first book in the series featuring Gisel Matah. The story continues in The Wildcat’s Victory and now the reader can see how Gisel became a young military leader at such a young age.

I recommend reading Arrival to anyone who enjoys exploring old worlds through time travel, politics behind creating alliances, battles, strategy, survival, and a small dash of romance. Arrival is a great story that gives the reader the scoop behind Gisel’s life.

I’ve enjoyed all three novels in this series and look forward to more novels from this writer. I think any of the three novels would be great on the big screen.

Title: Arrival
Author: Christopher Hoare
Publisher: Double Dragon Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-55404-620-1
Pages: 354
Price: $16.99

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Review - Second Bloom by Anne Marie Smith & Michelle Gamble-Risley



If you are ready to put in some effort, you can learn how to break through the Big Blank in your life with the help of two women who have been-there-done-that.

Second Bloom is a collaborative effort between a pair of successful women who each reached a point in their lives where they knew they needed to follow their passions, or let their souls whither. They chose action and now share their experiences. You'll aslo read stories of other women who learned how to reinvent, rejuvenate, and realize a new life.

Anne Marie Smith and Michelle Gamble-Risley use straight talk and real life examples to show that any goal, any dream, and any desire that a person has, can be achieved with a little bit of work. They describe each of the ten steps in the process, give examples, and then send you on your way. Workspace is given within the book, and a wall chart is included in the back for a visual display of your tasks once you work them out.

Anne Marie Smith is a professional writer, successful business consultant, and entrepreneur who hit the Big Blank at forty. She devised and executed her plan, sold her business, and started doing what she loves: write. Michelle Gamble-Risley is a professional writer and marketing, and public relations expert. Her passion for life reignited after her Big Blank in her late thirties. One day, she quit her job and started her own business. Second Bloom is the amazing collaboration between these two women.

Second Bloom is a highly recommended read for anyone looking for a creative way to set goals and conquer the Big Blank.

Available through Amazon, other online venues, and www.second-bloom.com/store.html.

Title: Second Bloom
Author: Anne Marie Smith & Michelle Gamble-Risley
Publisher: Kaabrah Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9818322-0-3
Pages: 128
Price: $19.95

Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Friday, February 6, 2009

Review - The Courier by James R. Vance


Detective Inspector Massey and Detective Sergeant Turner are long-time friends and partners. They've seen a lot in their careers and need all of their combined experience to unravel the strange coincidences stemming up from a seemingly simple incident.

What starts off as a case of someone mistakenly grabbing the wrong briefcase quickly becomes the catalyst to a large and entwined web of subterfuge. Time is of the essence when the young owner of the stolen briefcase disappears. Each new piece of evidence the police finds, forces them to call for additional support in order to cover all the unexpected directions they get pulled in. They quickly learn to not interpret everything at face value.

Vance's passion for this genre is apparent with his sharp writing and solida attention to detail. His words brush the city landscape onto the page like a roadmap. By using omniscient point of view, he gives the reader insight into the characters that the protagonists don't have, which allows the reader to play investigator right along with the lead characters. Vance balances dialogue with narrative without wasting a word.

Author James R. Vance lives in southwest France. His first published novel, Killer Butterfly, was inspired from his knowledge of London and northern France. The Courier, his second novel, features the same two detectives. His third novel in the trilogy, Animal Instict, will be completed in 2009.

The Courier is a sold, well-paced, engaging crime thriller. It's a highly recommended read for lovers of the genre.

Available through Amazon.com, and other online outlets such as http://www.theebooksale.com/.


Title: The Courier
Author: James R. Vance
Publisher: RealTime Publishing
ISBN: 978-81906-806965
Pages: 396
Price: $16.95



Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Friday, January 30, 2009

Review - Matters of Faith by Kristy Kiernan


Matters of Faith
Written by: Kristy Kiernan
Fiction
Rated: Excellent (*****)
Review by: Lisa Haselton

Chloe is mom to 18-year-old Marshall and 12-year-old Meghan, and wife to Calvin. Her life is like any other with its daily challenges, but even she doesn’t know what she’ll do when her family’s cohesiveness is put to an extreme test.

The novel opens with Chloe reflecting on how having a sixth sense would be helpful in noting the small things in life that become the catalyst to a major turning point. Hindsight is always educational, isn’t it?

Marshall is coming home during college break and is bringing a girl, the first girl to meet the family. First impressions are not always the best and Chloe and Cal have different reasons for not readily accepting Ada. But Meghan and Ada become instant friends, so there’s hope.

The writing in Matters of Faith works with two distinct points of view that engage the reader in just the right way. Kiernan doesn’t waste any words. She balances narrative with dialogue so the reader feels more like a fly on the wall of a real family instead of someone flipping pages. Kiernan’s characters are unique individuals dealing with the typical daily life routine. And because of their ‘realness’, the author is able to connect with a large audience. Like having a conversation with friends, Kiernan’s writing challenges the reader to figure out what he or she would do given the same circumstances. Where many writers create characters that are black or white in their response, Kiernan’s characters are unpredictable.

Kristy was born in Tennessee and raised on the beaches of southwest Florida, where she still resides with her husband, Richard, and their dog. Her first novel, Catching Genius, was published in March of 2007 and has become a book club favorite. Matters of Faith is her second novel.

From the opening lines in Matters of Faith until the final word, the reader becomes a witness during a small portion of time in one family’s life. This novel doesn’t jump out and grab you by the throat, instead it softly winds its way into your heart so you can’t walk away. I highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in a great story.

Matters of Faith is available through: http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.bn.com/, other online outlets, and local book stores. Visit http://www.kristykiernan.com/ for more information.

Title: Matters of Faith
Author: Kristy Kiernan
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 978-0-425-22179-2
Pages: 322
Price: $14.00

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Review - Personal Notes by Emily-Jane Hills Orford


Margaret "Peggy" Murray Downer lived her life out of the spotlight, but for the family and friends who knew her, she was a grand lady whose story should be shared.

Peggy isn't sure why her granddaughter wants to know about her life, but Peggy isn't about to refuse the request. She struggles with what exactly to talk about, especially since she is in her 90s and admits that her memory isn't what it used to be. She wrote in journals every day of her life and held on to written treasures from loved ones. She loves sharing stories, but knows she'd need at least another 90 years to get all her current stories recorded and organized. She's willing to share her life with whoever is interested.

Orford uses her grandmother's early journals and tape-recorded stories to create a biography of a woman who will forever remain close to her heart. She pulls the reader in immediately with Peggy's voice in the the prologue. The engaging writing feels more like a conversation with friends than a book being read. Peggy's story is told with compassion and love and succeeds in letting a large audience get to know a wonderful human being.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford divides her time between her growing family, her music studio, and her writing. She believes in writing about ordinary people. Manay of her stories include the people who were most important and influential in her life, including her grandmother, the source of Personal Notes.

Personal Notes is a touching glimpse into the past. A great family read filled with real adventures and delicious recipes.

Title: Personal Notes
Author: Emily-Jane Hills Orford
Publisher: Moose Enterprise Book and Theatre Play Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-894650-70-0
Pages: 252
Price: $17.97


Reviewed for Allbooks Review

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Review - Killer Butterfly by James R. Vance


Petra's life is a challenging as any other fifteen-year-old with a dysfunctional family, but the choices she makes as she moves through life cross the lines of acceptable, reasonable, and sane.

Petra Rebovka feels entitled to get whatever she wants whenever she wants it. The rebellious streak she develops in order to gain attention as the middle child of three, increase in intensity as she gets older. She's always seeking something 'more'. Men are a constant disappointment, but she can't live without them. One horrific experience changes her life, and the lives of anyone she encounters, into tabloid headlines.

Vance's obvious passion for the thriller genre is apparent through his succint and descriptive writing that has the readers as involved in the story as the characters. He takes a risk letting the reader in on the antagonist's point of view, but he balances it with logical questions, answers, and assumptions the protagonist uses while working to solve the case. He balances dialogue with narrative without wasting a word.

Author James R. Vance lives in southwest France. He wrote his first crime fiction novel, The Courier, drawing inspiration from his knowledge of London and norther France for the storyline. His second novel, Killer Butterfly, features the same two detectives. His third novel in the series, Animal Instinct, will be completed in 2009.

Killer Butterfly is an engaging thriller told in a unique fashion and a recommended read for lovers of the genre.

Available through online outlets, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and http://www.theebooksale.com/.


Title: Killer Butterfly
Author: James R. Vance
Publisher:RealTime Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-90680-674-3
Pages: 280
Price:$10.95


Reviewed for Allbooks Review