Reviews by K.T.

Looking for Material

2011-01-11T22:43:00.003-06:00

I am looking for new authors and books to feature here. If you're interested, please send a three paragraph article or review for your book and a photo of yourself and your book cover for this blog to me at blessed2writewell@gmail.com

Thank you.

Chrishawn Simpson's Breakthrough Novel, Broken Spirit

2010-08-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

I recently met and fell in love with the author behind Broken Spirit. So when asked by Savvy Market Masters to feature the book on my blog, I gladly agreed. After all, what's not to love about this powerful, tear-jerking, soul-stirring novel about abuse and recovery.

Chrishawn Simpson tells the story in a kind of living it and in your face way as she tackles the tough subject of child abuse. This novel isn't too lengthy and not too short, but just right to have you begging for more as the author completes the other books in this trilogy to be. For more information, please visit Chrishawn's website where you may also purchase the book. Follow the links and connect with the author.

Review~ Symmetry by Joyce Scarbrough

2010-08-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

If you loved Jaycee in Different Roads, you'll come to adore Jessica Cassady in this book, Symmetry, as she struggles through a rocky road of marriage and "the one" who got away. She has a medical condition, a nerve problem, and apparently a lack of confidence in her decision-making abilities. She has controlling family and in my opinion, only wants to be loved and accepted for who she is how she is. This is definitely a heroine with a lot going on but yet somehow she gets it together. I won't ruin the book for you but I will say this is one you won't want to put down until you've finished it.

For more information on Joyce Scarbrough and to connect with her, or purchase the book, use the links above. Spectacular four star book!

Who Are Savvy Market Masters?

2010-08-19T20:09:00.003-05:00

As a cohort of sorts with Savvy Market Masters, I thought it'd be fantastic to feature the company here and tell authors a bit more about what SMM can do and is doing.

Savvy Market Masters, started by Lacresha Hayes, is a book marketing firm that specializes in bringing visibility to great books. They are structured from a reader's perspective so that their marketing techniques are more effective. Lacresha, being an author herself, has tested the bounds of marketing both on and offline and now is sharing her expertise and contacts to build other authors.

Savvy Market Masters provides everything from media kits to newsletters, blog book tours, radio and library bookings and more. With their newswire service and library/bookstore mailings, they have the ability to put your book in front of tens of thousands of people in a short period of time. Will this guarantee more sales? No. No one can do that unless they purchase your book themselves. But, it will certainly increase visibility for your book and that cannot hurt. For more information, click the links above. Let's get marketing!

Lanico Media House

2010-08-09T08:53:00.000-05:00

Another publisher has stepped on the scene, Lanico Media House. With the turmoil of the book industry, it was a wonder that anyone would open another publishing house, but this house is poised to take advantage of all the new technology to benefit its authors and impact book sales.

There's no secret that ebooks are here to stay. I prefer print, but even I own a Kindle and read some stuff from my phone. Lanico is both a print and digital book publishing house that has eliminated the more expensive aspects of publishing. After thoroughly researching them and speaking with the owners, I'm convinced they'll be a name associate with bestseller lists of the future. Click the links to connect with this media giant to be, Lanico Media House.

Say What You Mean by JoJo Tabares

2010-07-09T07:47:00.000-05:00

It's not often that I read self-help books lately because I've been inundated with fiction, which is alright by me. Still, when I came across JoJo Tabares' book, I was moved beyond words. Partially it was because of her candid look at shyness and what normally lies behind it (freeing me) and partially because of the easy advice she gave.

If you or someone you know suffers from being non-confrontational and fearful of honest interaction, please recommend this book with the whimsical cover. They will be changed forever. Visit her website for more information on the book and to order your copy.

More Reviews

2010-05-05T18:05:00.001-05:00

I know I keep saying I'm going to get the reviews up and I have. I have at least one review scheduled to post every day next week. I'll keep doing my posts a few days ahead of time so that my followers and readers get the most out of this blog.

"Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing" by Claire Cook

2010-05-04T12:08:00.000-05:00

Claire Cook surprised me with this book, Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing. I've actually read it three times and have had to purchase it four times (one of the reasons I seldomly lend out books). So of course I believe as a writer or even a writing editor, this book should be a part of your collection.

Line by Line is different in that it combines the textbook style grammar lessons with real life usage examples. Whether you are a skilled, multi-published author or a new writer, a columnist or a reporter, this book has something that you are sure to be able to apply to your writing. For sure it is worth the small investment you'll make.

If you write for a living, this book should be a huge part of your reference library. Even after all these years, it is still not outdated. The information is just as relevant today as when the author first penned the manuscript. Get your copy today at Amazon.

"Instant Marketing for Almost Free" by Susan Benjamin

2010-05-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

Susan Benjamin hit the jackpot in her marketing masterpiece, Instant Marketing for Almost Free. She examined the most common marketing material and how it can be utilized in new ways to increase business revenue. She also introduced new ideas.

This book is a necessity for small business owners who are struggling to get the word out about their business offerings. From internet marketing to street outreach, this business shows you the best way to keep your marketing budget in check.

Get your copy now at Amazon.

Business Book Reviews

2010-05-02T12:09:00.002-05:00

Over the next few weeks, I'll include some reviews of business books. You don't see them discussed on blogs as frequently as novels, but it is helpful for those trying to figure out which are the best books to invest in. Stay tuned.

Cannot Do It

2010-04-16T15:53:00.002-05:00

Here's a quick tip for authors:

When you are writing, can't doesn't stand out. Can't is used in just a regular sentence and doesn't mean anything special. But when you want to stress that can't, you need to write it as cannot. Why? Because there's a bigger emphasis put on the word, though they mean the same thing. Read these sentences.

I can't do it, Joe.

I cannot do it, Joe. (This sentence is the equivalent to using italics.)

I can't find anything today.

I cannot find anything today. (There it is again.)

Ebonics in Writing

2010-04-01T09:07:00.000-05:00

As the number of black authors and writers increase, creative stories feature what many people today call ebonics, which is a form of broken language used frequently, especially in the south.

As this happens, editors, you need to familiarize yourself with usage. But, don't allow authors to use that as an excuse for lazy, thoughtless and unintelligible writing either.

Stephanie Meyer, My Thoughts

2010-01-06T12:51:00.000-06:00

Everyone has heard of the Twilight series of books. Many have watched the movie. In truth, I can see how it caught on. She wrote and marketed her stuff from a niche, a very targeted group and it expanded from there.

If she was judged on her creative writing skills alone, she'd suffer poorly. But as many authors are finding out, some of the bestsellers are not well-written. They are written with a specific group in mind and master marketed to that group. That is how an author finds success.

REVIVAL TIME

2009-11-16T15:50:00.000-06:00

No, I'm not talking about church. I'm talking about my blog. I want to make it more fun, more exciting. I'm looking for a new template. In the meantime, get ready to have fun discussing books and authors with me.

I'll Be Away for Awhile

2009-03-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

I may be inactive for two weeks. But, keep checking back because I have hundreds more reviews to add right here on Reviews by K.T.

Review - "What's the Problem with Jesus" by John Hyde

2009-03-06T09:29:00.000-06:00

John Hyde, an freshman author, made a grand debut with this title. His writing is clean and crisp. While there isn't a lot of imagination between the covers, there is a lot of information. This book made me rethink many of my positions on social issues today. I've always considered myself a dedicated Christian, faithfully supporting my church. The message in this book challenged my beliefs.

I'd give the message a five out of five. I'd give the writing a three and a half out of five. Altogether, I'd give this book 4 stars. This book is available at Amazon, BN, Books-a-Million, and all other major retailers.

Publishing Matters ~ My Recommendations

2009-02-20T18:29:00.000-06:00

One of my friends, Janice, has just finished her book. It's been edited four times. She's had two rewrites and I'm very proud of her patience. Now she's searching for an inspirational publisher.

First things are first. Are agents necessary? Of course not. While they may make your job easier, they take a sizable cut of your money too. If you're not afraid of elbow grease and endless Google search nights, then you can do their job yourself and keep your profits.

In publishing, nothing is quick, fast and in a hurry. It's more like hurry up and wait. In most of the big houses, your manuscript can languish for up to two years before they publish... that's assuming they don't change their minds and simply return your rights. It's happened before. There's rarely any that publish in less than 12 months, but there are a few for those of you who have time sensitive information you need published in less than a year. One of them for adults is Living Waters Publishing Company. If it is children's material, you should try Guardian Angel Publishing or Writer's Exchange. All three of these publishers move faster than most of the others in the business. For those who want a bigger house without an extended wait, try Bethany House. My friend has submitted to Bethany House. Pray for her, please!

Several Issues New Writers Face

2009-02-19T15:44:00.000-06:00

I am often approached about reviewing books by new writers. About half of them aren't even worth a read. Many are self-published or subsidy published. Some are actually traditionally published and still not worth reading. About 10% or less of them are good reads.

There are three things I notice in new authors. Usually, the plot is underdeveloped, the writing is choppy, or the theme isn't clearly defined and adhered to. Please be careful of these things. Don't be in a hurry to publish. Rather be thorough in your writing, editing and rewriting. That makes all the difference in the world.

Review ~ "Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal" by Lacresha and Lensey Hayes

2009-02-01T08:38:00.000-06:00

During times of recession, you can look for divorce rates to spike. I believe the release of this book was timely because of the information it contains. The Hayes wrote an excellent manual on perfecting marriage.

Clearly, there is not one solution that will work for every marriage and that is the mistake most authors make. However, this book lays out advice in a way that can be adapted to suit each couple individually. Each chapter has stories of real couples and real struggles. They all end with a solution, which will presumably help couples find their own area of struggle and overcome it together.

Truth and Intimacy is a marriage counselor's friend and any married couple's companion. I enjoyed the entirety of the book. If there is one criticism I'd have, it would be the scriptural references which can alienate couples that are not of the Christian faith. Otherwise, this book is an excellent read!

My New Review Logo

2009-01-23T15:48:00.002-06:00

I have a new review logo, designed by Hayes Design and Editorial Service. I'm very proud of it. Chris caught my vision and did exactly what I wanted for a very small fee.

Review ~ "What the Heart Wants" by Linda Rucker

2008-12-14T17:13:00.000-06:00

I just happened upon this book through a friend. Needless to say, I really enjoyed reading my first Linda Rucker work.

What the Heart Wants is a story that deals with bonds that cannot be broken, not by loss or pain. Though this book is not widely available anymore, it is a passionate read for those who can find it.

Extraordinary Author ~ Brenna Lyons

2008-11-30T09:03:00.000-06:00

For the past six months, I've been following and collecting books by Brenna Lyons. Very rarely do I focus on authors, but this woman is the real deal. She's not family, or even a personal acquaintance, though I wish she was. She's some wonderful author out there banging out amazing books that do not get enough exposure.

If you ever get the opportunity to purchase or win a Brenna Lyons book, do it because it's worth the money.

Books include:

Fairy Dreams ~ by far, my favorite
Conquest
Naughty Nursery Rhymes
Mythos
Enslaved

Book Reviews - Are they Unfair?

2008-11-10T10:57:00.000-06:00

I recently did a book review for a local paper. While the review was the truth of my opinion, which is all any review is, it wasn't in favor of the author. I received probably eight letters from the author stating that she felt I'd given her an unfair review. This makes me question - is any review ever fair?

If a reviewer loves a book, then sales happen. However, not everyone who follows the advice of the reviewer is going to love the book. In fact, they can feel deceived if they purchase a four star rated book and hate it. On the other hand, a reviewer can hate a book. The world may love it.

Please understand what a book review is and what it is not. It isn't a factual, rock solid assessment of a book. It isn't the be all and end all of the author's worth or talent. What it is, though, is simply one person's opinion of the storyline and the writing of a particular author.

Review ~ "The Sleeping Doll" by Jeffery Deaver

2008-10-10T17:03:00.000-05:00

Jeffery Deaver has always been a favorite for my husband. I've never been a fan personally, but this cover to The Sleeping Doll attracted me so I read it. I'm actually very glad I did.

This book is my first ever Kathryn Dance novel but not my last. In this book, the usual cat and mouse crime/mystery is there, but with so many twists and turns that it will leave you panting for more. This book is so reminisence of the Mansion murders that it's creepy. I was weirded out, but hooked. My husband and I have more in common that I thought.

Available now everywhere books are sold.

Review ~ "Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader" by Joe Hilley

2008-10-08T09:56:00.000-05:00

Sarah Palin is making waves everywhere. I decided to stock up on a few books about her and do some research. This book stood out to me most out of the three that I've read so far. Joe Hilley produced a wonderful portrait of a wonderful woman who is imperfect, yet very approachable and real. After all my research and books, it really helped me feel better about her as McCain's choice.

This book shows America that dreams live and never die. Definite must-read! Get it now at Amazon or BN.

Hot Preview ~ "Gilda Can't Gallop" by Susan K. Schank

2008-09-23T13:17:00.001-05:00

Last week while visiting with a friend, I noticed these vivid children's book covers on her screen. This one stood out and caught my eye.

What makes this little story, Gilda Can't Gallop, special is the notion that dreams still come true. Gilda, which means golden, is a beautiful golden horse who can't gallop like the others. She wants to run and play, frollick and leap like the others, but it seems it may never happen for her. Without giving away any of the book, your child is going to love how Gilda overcame her problem.

This book will open the door for parents to discuss overcoming hardships or handicaps with their children and for that, I think this book and its author, Susan Schank, desire a FIVE STARFISH RATING!

Wealth of Information

2008-09-12T17:24:00.004-05:00

The internet has a wealth of information, though some of the best takes more digging than the worst of it. In my efforts to maximize the benefits of this blog, I've been searching and researching blogs similar to my own. It's a great way to find out what works and what doesn't work. I found far too many good blogs to list them all here, but here are some that I believe should be marked by authors and visited frequently:

Blog Book Tours, which has many ideas for building the value of your blog so that you can host tours. Authors can learn how to make their sites go viral and attract more comments.

The Book Views, which posts reviews, interviews and previews of upcoming works. I like that there is a loose flow to the site. It isn't as structured as mine, which is a good thing. I found several books on this blog that I have reviewed myself. That's always good. I can compare my thoughts to another reviewer's thoughts.

Books and Authors, which features some of the longest, but most interesting interviews I've read yet. This blogger also features book reviews.

Urban Christian Fiction, which features great books others probably overlook. I've purchased four books since I first visited her site. Normally, I don't get into AA Fiction for obvious reasons, but sometimes I think whites overlook the beauty and culture found in AA books.

Bibliophile's Retreat, which has massive amounts of info just there for the asking. Books galore that I'd never even heard of. I'm afraid I picked up a few books from what I read on this list too.

Review ~ "Dare to Dream" by Carol Jones

2008-09-10T19:03:00.004-05:00

Carol Jones tells her story in her freshman work, Dare to Dream. In the first three chapters, I tried to figured out how all those hardships related to dreaming. That made me reconsider the cover. I'd just gotten it, but my friend asked me to give her a rush review. It took until chapter six to finally get the significance of darkness into wide open space, something that signifies freedom. Then, it all made since.

If you can hang on past the rather run-of-the-mill issues of life, you'll get a real treat. Her topic was great, as was the whole moral of the story. It wasn't a full length read, and as part of the Living Waters mini-motivational line, it is the perfect size to provide reading entertainment on a trip or to wind down after a long day of work.

What Makes an Author Stand Out

2008-09-07T00:56:00.002-05:00

Authors are both born and made. Some people are writing as soon as they can hold a pencil and never stop. Some people just fall into writing as a way of dealing with an issue, or as a result of their primary profession. Either way, no one writes to be mediocre. A real author wants to be great. What author hasn't dreamed of a Pulitzer or other prestigious writing awards?

This profession is filled to rim with mediocre writers. Just because you may have a million people competing against you doesn't really mean that your competition is a million people. Your competition is yourself and all those who strive for excellence and greatness in writing. Believe me, that may be 5 percent, and I'm being generous. My point is you have to strive to stand out from the pack.

Standing out isn't hard. First, care about what you're doing. If you care, it will show in all that you do. That is a life lesson, a lot of which I've been learning from a dear friend, Lacresha Hayes. Secondly, give. Most people's eyes are so full of dollar signs that they are paralyzed when you tell them to give something away. Lend your expertise. Give your readers a real piece of yourself. Lastly, connect with your followers. Books are great, but you won't find people just picking up your books for the hell of it. Something has to draw them. Your publisher can't do it. Your publicist can't do it. YOU have to do it.

Review ~ "I Romanced the Stone" by Marvin Wilson

2008-09-03T17:09:00.000-05:00

At first glance at the cover, I thought this book was about a man ready to kill himself. Then I noticed the hand in the clouds and figured he'd gotten saved. After some thought, I figured it out before opening the book, always a good thing.

In this true story, Marvin Wilson details his life as a druggie and hippie, two words that nearly became synonymous in the 60's and 70's. He talks about the ups and downs of street life and the dangers that lie within when you live the fast life.

Wilson also talks about his transformation in Jesus Christ in no uncertain details. The way he talks about the struggles of life without Christ, and the struggles of life when you first meet Christ was one of the most realistic accountants of salvation I've read in ages. I love the detail, the sarcastic humor, and the warnings that exist page after page. Good book and one that will go into my personal library.

Review ~ "Protect and Defend" by Vince Flynn

2008-08-26T12:26:00.001-05:00

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

2008-08-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-23T12:34:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-21T12:25:00.001-05:00

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

2008-08-20T13:49:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-18T07:17:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-17T16:32:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-16T12:51:00.000-05:00

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:

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.
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

2008-08-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-13T13:50:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-12T14:16:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-11T10:39:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-06T09:18:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-04T11:07:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-02T16:32:00.000-05:00

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

2008-08-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

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!