Review ~ "Protect and Defend" by Vince Flynn

Vince Flynn does it again with Protect and Defend. I like the series of books dealing with main character, Mitch Rapp. This one was so well written that it could just as easily be a true story. With a sunken Iranian ship, possible spies, and the destruction of a secret nuclear facility, this book is going to be a favorite of all time.

Review ~ "Where is God, Grandfather?" by Candy O'Donnell

Though I reviewed this book, Where is God, Grandfather?, about two weeks ago, the publisher requested that I hold the review for the first week of release. Since that time, my daughter has read the book no less than three times, which speaks volumes.

Candy O'Donnell did an awesome job with the symbolism in nature to show the characteristics and loving nature of God. As the grandfather takes up special time with his grand-daughter, he teaches her the most important lesson - God is everywhere. As His children, we don't have to search for Him because He's is everywhere we are. Great job on a vital topic.

Review ~ "My First 24 Hours in Hell" by V.K. Sansone

I came very close to skipping this book because I absolutely hate the cover. However, after the first page, I had to go on. V.K. Sansone painted a picture so vivid and realistic that it gave me chills. The screams, pain, mental anguish and physical torment she described made me shed a few tears. My First 24 Hours in Hell is part story, part fantasy, but all horror!

I loved the book, but I quickly passed it on to a few friends who needed it. It's the kind of book to buy and give to family members who take religion for granted and God lightly.

If Your Gramma is Bad

There are some people who cannot put a decent sentence together. They are either too wordy or too choppy with their sentence structure. I've seen paragraph long sentences. I've seen ten to twelve consecutive two, three and four word sentences. Both are bad.

Here's my advice to writers and editors (since writing editors often need editors as bad as other writers) - if your grammar is bad, keep your sentences simple. Hopefully, all authors understand nouns and verbs connect to make a sentence.

EX: Peter ran. Sally walked. Sue climbed.

The problem with that is most readers want more details. Where did Peter run? Where did Sally walk? What did Sue climb? That's when you have to use prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs, etc.

EX: Peter ran to the store. Sally walked home. Sue climbed the tree.
EX: Peter ran quickly. Sally walked slowly.

Those are simple sentences. However, simple and correct is much better than complex and wrong. I will soon post on descriptive words. Writing is supposed to paint a picture.

Review ~ "Fairy Dreams" by Brenna Lyons

Here's a book all about dreaming. Mollie is filled with them. She dreams about so much, but is any of it possible? There's a thin line between dream world and reality in Brenna Lyons' book, Fairy Dreams. Cadal is real, as real as anything. Are the fairies real?

I got lost during one portion of the book, but the ending saved it for me. While this is not one of her best works, it is definitely worth a read. For those who love fantasy, you'll find yourself in love with Mollie. This fantasy, romance, adventure is a mixture of worlds and genres, which Ms. Lyons did to perfection.

Review ~ "The Lace Reader" by Brunonia Barry

The Lace Reader, a novel about lace-making women who can see the future in the lace they make, is like a story spun around the strange happenings of past and contemporary Salem, Massachusetts.

In this book, Towner Whitney, one of the lace-making Whitney women, comes back home, but not under the best circumstances. Soon, her aunt drowns and the only person she can imagine would be responsible is the local preacher who hates witches, fortune tellers and mind readers.

Towner is a very troubled young woman, but it's up to her to figure out yet another puzzle in her life. There's not many allies in this. The ending was genius. I'm keeping this book as part of my library. Brunonia Barry hit the jackpot with this thrilling storyline!

Review Copies: Print or Digital

There is a reason most reviewers require a print file. Most of us don't want to sit in front of the computer while trying to enjoy a book. Reading from a computer screen is a lot harder on the eyes and I don't plan to ever review digital files.

There are others who don't mind reviewing digital files because they prefer ebooks and readers that are a bit easier on their sight. It's important to know what your reviewer requires. When in doubt, send a print file.

Make the Best of Book Reviews

I've been reviewing books for nearly 6 years. In that time, I've reviewed over 500 books. Very few of them have been something I hated, or just wouldn't recommend. So, most of those 500 books received positive reviews. However, many of the authors had no idea how to maximize the reviews.

I worked hard to build a name for myself in reviews and editing, but if the authors have no idea how to utilize what I give, for them, it is all in vain. Therefore, I have two primary tips to help even a novice make use of good reviews:

1. Print it out and make copies on really great paper. Make it look like it came from a New York Times reviewer. Appearance means a lot. Send them out to your mailing list, to libraries, to bookstores and gift shops. You'll be amazed at how much you'll make.
2. Utilize the web fully. Send it out to all your online friends. I mean everyone in your address book and on your social networks. Put the review in a special press release and use the free press release distribution services. Keep it up. Persistence is key.

Don't make the mistake of assuming once will do it. I've seen instances that authors had to wait until the tenth time for something big to happen. Remember, J.K. Rowling didn't have major marketing bucks in the beginning. All she had was persistence and luck. Anyone can have that!

Review ~ "8 Sandpiper Way" by Debbie Macomber

8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber, coming in September, is a story to be reckoned with.

Macomber puts moral clarity in question with her latest book. How do you deal with a husband, a pastor, cheating on his wife? It may be something Emily Flemming has to learn to deal with soon. How else can you explain late nights, expensive earrings, rejection and vague excuses? One top of that, there is a small chance that her pastor/husband is a thief. Good grief.

With a couple new additions and updates on some of the older characters in our favorite little town, this book is in keeping with all the other great Macomber books in the series. Let me warn you now. The end of this book is anything but what you'll expect, which makes this one of my favorite books.

Learning to Do Reviews

I've seen a lot of reviews over the years. Unfortunately, some of them are not worth the time you spend reading them. There are no details to prove the reviewer ever actually read the book. There is nothing that shows their true emotion about the book. This is why many small time reviewers are losing their authority to sell a book.

The first part of doing a review is to actually read the entire book. Make notes of what you dislike and like about the book. This has to happen. Otherwise, the review has no authority and no appeal.

I personally believe all reviewers should be good and speed reading if they want to finish the books in a timely fashion. Also, a reviewer must have an eye for details, understanding content flow, grammar, plotting, etc. Otherwise, your reputation can be gone in a matter of moments over a couple of bad reviews.

Review ~ "The Right Man" by Joe Key

The Right Man starts off without any particular hint as to where it's going, which is rare. Mr. Key successful carried on several pages before letting on that his book was Christian fantasy and that it'd end with a huge transformation.

What I really like about this book is the intrigue each character has. All of them are fully developed with just a hint of mystery like most people are in real life. All of them had more than one thing going on, which opens this book to at least one sequel. While there are no holes in the plot, I did notice that there were some areas that could have been better developed to make this book more than good, but spectacular. Overall, it was a good read and one of the books I plan to keep for a re-read one of these days.

Review ~ "The 19th Wife" by David Ebershoff

This new release from David Ebershoff, The 19th Wife, was a great book. I almost passed on it when I found it in the mail. The cover was so bland and old, but the title was intriguing enough for me to try it out. I finished this book in a couple days. I couldn't put it down and the 500 plus pages seemed to fly by.

Mormonism is the topic of this book, though Mr. Ebershoff mixes fictional characters into the storyline, the basic components of the book are based upon some truths.

Normally, a book like this is meant to question faith, but this author successful left the essential idea of faith in tact while causing us to question what we have faith in.

Ann Eliza Young, a real woman, is resurrected in this book, as is her memoir from 1875. It will make you want to dig that book up and read it because of the complicated plotting and powerful emotional pull of Mr. Ebershoff's rendition of her life. She was Wife No. 19.

Review ~ "Diagnosis: Lupus" by Marilyn Celeste Morris

Normally, I stay away from books that deal with any kind of illness because even when they aren't well written, I find it difficult to give it a shaky review. However, Diagnosis: Lupus was well worth the read. Marilyn Morris did a fantastic job with details and emotions, blending them together to create a spectacular journal.

I never fully understood Lupus, though I have several family members who have been affected by it. This book gave me thorough insight into the personal lives of victims. I saw the tired spells, the dizziness, the drained feeling, the depression that tries to creep in. It was a very enlightening book. I highly recommend it.

Review ~ "The Rape of Innocence" by Lacresha Hayes

The Rape of Innocence is a hard book, written from a upfront and in-your-face POV. It lays out a lifestyle that most of society are happy to forget exists.

Mrs. Hayes, minister and activist, put her very career on the line by writing in this style, yet somehow it worked well for the composition of the book.

The book begins with Lacresha's struggles as a child without a parent and ends with her victory over sexual assault by a traveling minister. In the in-between, she marries three times, nearly kills her first husband, commits adultery, turns to Christ and away again, and all that before finally coming to terms with who she was created to be.

I have to say, while I fully support this book and the message, it was so graphic that you have to prepare yourself before reading. I didn't do that because I had no idea what I would be in for. If you try to jump right into this book like a novel, the descriptive language will disturb you emotionally. In fact, this is the most haunting book I've ever read.

Review ~ "Fast Track" by Fern Michaels

Fern Michaels, bestselling author, exceeds my expectations in this fast paced book, Fast Track.

The Sisterhood, a secret band of women who exact justice on criminals who appear to be above the law, are nearly caught in this book. But, as usual, they escape with a huge payday and closer than ever.

Seems Fern keeps leaving certain openings in her plots to make room for something more heinous in the future. There's an undeveloped relationship that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The characters are super close, but then she leaves a gap just big enough for one of them to turn on each other one day in a last book.

Getting Reviews

Book reviews are very important for sales. They are basically independent opinion about your book. The more people who sing the praises of your book, the better your sales will be. Therefore, focus on getting those all important book reviews.

NEVER turn a reviewer down for a free copy of your book. That makes no sense and could cost you sales.

From Wordpress to Blogger

For a little while, as most of you know, I had my blog on Wordpress. It became increasing difficult to do all that I wanted to do, so here I am on Blogger. Please be patient. I will transfer all previous reviews here.

Thank you!