|
January 17, 2008
Review by Tracee Gleichner
Mourning Redemption by Sharon M. Clarke
This book has done something that no other book has ever done for me, made me truly interested
in history and anxious to read more. To be perfectly honest this is a subject I am usually not very interested in. Fortunately
I was provided this book by a great publishing group -Triad. I knew that it was on my to be read pile, and because it isn't very long thought
I would pick it up and "get it over with". Wow, how judgemental can I be, right? Well, thank you Sharon M. Clarke and Vern Firestone for making me see that I literally can't judge a book by it's cover.
To say that
being a coal miner is a dangerous job would be an understatement - each year there are over 93 deaths and thousands of
injuries. Sharon M. Clarke has written a wonderful story which uses mining as a backdrop for some extraordinary characters,
and leads you on a journey that will tug on your heartstrings. It is not one you are soon to forget.
The
Evans family have nothing holding them back after Mari loses her mother, and Rhodri's job at the mine is rendered redundant.
They decide that now is as good a time as any to start over, and what better place than America. So they pack a
few items and board a ship with their 3 young boys.
Once here they decide that New York is not for them and they settle in New Salem, PA.
It is a mining town, which is ok with the Evans' as this is the life that they are accustomed to. Unfortunately, working
in the mines was similar to slavery - you arrived here with nothing and the mine set you up with a place to live and the essentials,
but you used credit that the mine set up. It became almost impossible to get ahead so you became trapped in a very dangerous
and very hard life.
The sorrow that this book exudes is overwhelming at times. I think what makes it so is the
fact that this is how people lived their lives. The author has an uncanny ability to weave historical elements into
the story, and really make you feel as if you understand what the individuals were going through. Starting with the
sinking of the Titanic and the effect that it has on Mari's neighbor and best friend Catherine, to the effects of a heartbreaking
loss due to Anthrax, and what emotions are evoked when the oldest boy enlists in the military to fight in WWI.
This
story encompasses so much history and brings it to light in such a fantastic way, it was truly a page turner. Many people
today, myself included, are not aware of the hardships that these people went through just to survive daily - the children
received a knitted scarf and an orange for Christmas gifts and were THRILLED - can you imagine that happening today?
This may be the story of just one family, but we all should be able to read this and see
what are ancestors did in order to provide us with the way of living most of us are accustomed to - I am hopeful this will
make some of us take stock in our lives and do things that will leave a lasting impact on our descendents.
I don't
give out 5 stars on a book lightly - it doesn't mean that I didn't like the book, in fact I love a lot of books that I only
give 4 stars to. It takes a special book to earn 5 stars, and this one has done it. Thanks to Sharon M. Clarke, and
hope to read more by you soon!
This book will be raffled off the first week in February. To enter this raffle just sign the
guestbook underneath any book you are interested in.
As always if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at tracee@uponfurtherreview.org
Mourning Redemption by Sharon M. Clarke
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT
|
 
January 15, 2008
Review by Tracee Gleichner
The Ghost Under Third Base by Fran Orenstein
We all know a kid like Willie. Smarter than all of the other kids, and due to this he has trouble making
friends. Perhaps other students are threatened by him. After all, he is 2 years younger than all of them, and still surpasses
most of them when it comes to intelligence. He even has a hard time at home due to his brother and sister and their constant
razzing. The only place he can go to escape and feel comfortable is an abandonded cellar just next to his property.
One
day, just after he has come out of the cellar and is laying in the grass, he meets Huby. Huby seemingly appeared out of nowhere,
but they develop a wonderful friendship, and Huby helps Willie gain the confidence he so desperately needs. Having this new
confidence even gains him a few friends at school. But there is something not quite right about Huby. Like the fact that he
seems to just disappear and appear out of thin air. And the fact that his parents have yet to see him.
The real problem,
though, is that something is in the cellar. Not something menacing, just the spirit of a boy who died tragically years earlier.
So, when Willie proposes the field where the cellar is located be turned into a baseball field, they need to make sure that
"Daniel" finds his way home.
This book was totally engaging and even though it is geared towards tweens, it held my
interest the whole way through. I am thankful that I have books like this to review, as they really open my eyes as to the
fantastic stories available for the younger crowd. There were only a few authors like this when I was growing up.
Hopefully
this is not the last we hear from Fran Orenstein!
Questions for the author:
Any chance of a sequel to this book?
A first draft of the sequel, at the request of the publisher, is complete. This will be the second in a Huby
series, as he is the continuing character. This next book, called The Goblin Murder Mystery, is a Halloween based story which
will come out next fall, in time for, guess what, Halloween (also my birthday).
In March, the next book to be published, will be the first in a fantasy series. It is called The Book of Mysteries,
The Wizard of Balalac. It's about 2 boys in New York City who are sent to a mysterious, disappearing bookstore to find The
Book of Mysteries. The Wizard of Balalac will be first, then next year it will be followed by The Gargoyles of Blackthorne
(working title).
What are you currently working on?
I am currently doing a final draft read through on The Fat Girls From Outer Space, expected out by July. It
is a contemporary Tween story of pre-teen obesity and the intolerant and cruel culture we live in. Don't worry, though, the
girls get their revenge in the end and come out shining stars.
What is your favorite book, or character?
My favorite Tween book is Holes by L. Sachar. My favorite Tween characters are Harry Potter and the gang,
expecially Hermione, who reminds me of me.
As an added bonus a copy of The Ghost Under Third Base will be raffled off. All you
need to do to enter is sign the guestbook under this book (and any other books you are interested in) . The winner will
be announced the first week in February.
The Ghost Under Third Base by Fran Orenstein
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT
|
January 13, 2008
Review by Tracee Gleichner
Returnable Girl by Pamela Lowell
I wanted to start this review by looking up the definition of the word Mother. There were multiple
definitions, but the one that I liked best was "maternal tenderness or affection". Sometimes I wonder what my life would
have been like if I had never had my children. I know that there are many people out there who would do anything to
be able to have and/or raise a child, and others who try but somehow fail - this is one of those stories.
Meet Veronica Hartman. At 13 she has been in and out of 9 foster homes, 10 if you count the time she
stayed with her Aunt and Uncle - that's where she went after her mother packed up her two brothers and fled for Alaska telling
Ronnie "I need you to listen. We can't take you with us. There's not enough room." Shaken down to her very
core, Ronnie has been trying everything in order to get reunited with her family. Riddled with behavioral problems from
lying to stealing to anger issues, her case worker has turned to Alison as a last resort. Alison is a therapist and
is willing to take Ronnie in and give her one last chance to prove that she can change her ways.
Although
Ronnie and Alison have a rocky beginning, before long Ronnie seems to be making improvements not only in her behavior, but
in her socialization skills as well. She is part of the "in" crowd at school - even though to get there she had to betray
the only true friend she had made, someone who accepted her for herself, rather than try to mold her into someone they wanted
her to be. And, even though her mother has suffered from drug and alcohol abuse in the past, it seems as if she may
have finally gotten her life back on track and will be ready to have Ronnie come and stay with her. The only question
is, is it too late?
Reading this book made me think of what it was like growing up. The teenage years
are not a pleasant experience for anyone, at least that is what I believe. I can't imagine the additional struggles
that are faced by children that are part of the "system". I loved the way the author delved into each character, and
even though some of them seemed pretty rotten, she still let you see that there was good in each of them. I think this
is very important - people normally don't do bad things on purpose, but are sometimes victims themselves. We should
all try to remember that, before we judge others too quickly.
This is a great read for anyone, not just
young adults. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity!
Questions for the author:
Do you have
any children?
Yes, I have two teen boys. I love writing and working with girls because I grew up in a very "girl" oriented
family with two sisters, no brothers, and only one male cousin--and 10 female cousins!
Now that I am the only "girl" in
my house (even our dog is a male) I tell my family that I write about and work with girls to get my "girl fix"!
I
see that you are a therapist. Have you ever taken in a foster child or did you rely on your experience to help define
your characters?
I've never taken in a foster child. But I have worked with many wonderful foster kids and families and this
experience allows me to feel very confident about character motivations and story lines. Some of the people I work with have
these very incredible things happen to them--good and bad--but I think just listening to voices of teens every week helps
to keep my character voices "real".
Are any of your characters based on "real" people or are they just a combination
of many?
Ronnie was based on a foster child I worked with many years ago. That is to say I was thinking about what
she might be like as a teenager as I wrote Returnable Girl. I met this girl when she was 6 years old, and my own son was 6, and to think about a child having to move from
place to place like she did (while my own son was snug in his own bed) was very heart-wrenching to say the least. But Ronnie's
"story" is entirely made up as are all of my characters.
Do you have any additional books in the works?
Yes! I'm currently in the process of working on SPOTTING FOR NELLIE.
A copy of Returnable Girl is going to be raffled off the first week in February. To enter please
sign the guestbook under any book you are interested in winning. Winners will be announced
at the website under Raffle Winners.
***Please note: I still have not been contacted by ANY of the January winners - please
email me your shipping information so we can get these wonderful books out to you:)
Please contact me at uponfurtherreview@gmail.com with any questions or problems!
Returnable Girl by Pamela Lowell
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT
|
 
January 10, 2008
The All-Soul's Faire by Kristy Tallman
Review by Tracee Gleichner
I was looking forward to reading The All-Soul's Faire
because even though I have read more than my fair share of horror novels, I can't remember reading one dealing with the elements
of dark magic. I am glad this was the first as I now have something to measure the others against.
Detective Cole Bryant finds himself immersed in his first homicide since
becoming a detective for the Alleghany Sheriff's Department. It is not the fact that he has a homicide to deal with that bothers
Cole, but the manner in which the body is found - partially petrified with a goat's head staring at him from within her bowels.
Lisa Hicks murder would be the first in a string of unusual homicides
- homicides which would lead Cole down a path he never expected, more bodies that were found in the same location and in a
similar state but even though they were obviously homicides the ME on the case wrote them off as suicides.
Not only do the homicides bother him, so does the reaction of the townspeople.
They seem to go on as if nothing unusual has happened and no one is willing to talk about it - questions about it are avoided
at all costs. The only thing that Cole hears are rumors surrounding the Hicks family and their bizarre lifestyle - a lifestyle
he gains firsthand knowledge of and even though he knows better has a hard time letting go of.
Let me first say that Kristy Tallman has hit a chord in me that not too many authors do. I literally let the wash
sit and the dishes go…if I didn't have 2 little ones I would not have put this down until it was finished. Look out
world, the face of horror has a new name and I for one look forward to anything this bright young author brings my way.
Thanks again Kristy for allowing my group to review your book!
Questions for the author:
1. Where did you get your inspiration for the backwoods characters that
you portray, they seem so authentic?
My family is originally from the area the book is written about and from
time spent visiting in the summers and living there for two years just watching the people you begin to almost transform into
the folks you come to love and admire for their true personalities. They seem authentic because many of them are based on
people I knew with maybe an added flare here and there.
2. What authors do you feel should get more recognition (present company
excluded)?
Wow - that's a good question and one not many have asked me or given me
the opportunity to rise to the occasion of saying so! I would have to say many of the authors in the horror industry tend
to get the cold shoulder simply because the market is saturated with other genres to the point there is little if any shelf
space provided for them in bookstores. Poets too I think truly don't get the attention they deserve but that seems to stem
from a political aspect rather than shelf space. To name a few though - Gary Frank is a very talented author as is Andrea
Dean Van Scoyoc who began her career self-published and has beat the odds. I met Gaddy Bergmann at the Denver Co, MileHiCon
and have been reading his work - outstanding point of view on an over done post apocalyptic world. His work breaks the boundaries
of Sci-Fi and runs the gamut of great literary works to be.
3. Do you have any books in the works at the moment?
I just completed Crows on the Cross and it is scheduled
to release Jan 1. There are always several books in the works for me but right now the only one I will divulge is the sequel
to The All-Soul's Faire due to be released on October 31, 2008.
4. Do you have any hobbies other than writing?
Well I enjoy bowling and hanging out with my family. When you travel so
much it tends to become a treat just to stay home and spend time with those you love. I also love riding motorcycles and listening
to blues bands on the weekends when I can. I always say though when I tire of writing or find the free time I will get back
to my art and my photography work.
A copy of The All-Soul's Faire will be raffled off to
a reader the first week of February. Please sign the guestbook under this book for your chance to win. Your name will automatically
be entered in the drawing.
Winners will be announced under Raffle Winners. Good luck and have
a great day!
As always, if you have any questions or problems, please don't hesitate
to contact me:)
The All-Soul's Faire by Kristy Tallman
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO LEFT
|
January 8, 2008
Review by Tracee Gleichner
Into the Spell by Norm Applegate
It has been a long time since I have read a book and when I was finished I wanted to pick it up and read it
all over again. I read A LOT of books, and some of them are very good. But there is something about this one that just made
me want to keep it close in case I had the chance to read it, even if it was only a few pages at a time.
Maybe it
was the fact that the heroine, Kim Bennett, is a former madam who is into S&M and domination. Even though this would normally
be enough to cause some readers to think down on her, she is someone I couldn't help but like and end up cheering on throughout
the book. She has had a rough life, and despite this has remained strong - her only weakness is to count letters whenever
she is nervous or anxious. I applaud the fact that he didn't dwell on all of the bad things in her past. Many people go through
horrible situations, but sometimes it is dwelled on to the point where it doesn't seem real anymore. She is so well developed
and is such a great character, I can't wait to read Into the Basement, and Mr. Applegate's upcoming novel Into the Haven.
Or, maybe it is Titus, the villian. He has the power of mind control (hypnosis)
and previously used it in a night club to draw in customers and make a living. This bored him though, as he knew he possessed
a power that comes around very rarely. He has moved on to bigger and better things - well, better in his mind. Even though
he is constantly warned by communication with long dead Madam Blavatsky, a world renouned psychic from the turn of the 20th
century, he decides to let his dark powers surface and take over his free will. He is the kind of murderer that is truly frightening
- after all, when you can control someone elses mind you don't really need to get blood on your hands and can continue with
wicked ways long after the supposed killer is caught. Not only does he use hypnosis for murder, no, no, no. He also has many
sexual fantasies and perversions that he likes to play out, and once again the power of hypnosis allows him to delve into
his dark mind to play out whatever he chooses at the moment.
You hear about stories that send a chill up your spine,
and only a few authors have EVER had that effect on me. I am the queen of horror/suspense books and it really does take a
lot to spook me. This book hit me on a different level. I loved how the villian was linked to a very well known serial killer
and was involved in other mind control situations that make for great material for some sequels. I know that there are skeptics
out there when it comes to psychic abilities, hypnosis, etc...but even if you don't believe (which I do), this book poses
a very haunting set of circumstances.
Questions for the author:
What made you focus on hypnosis as the skill
for the villian?
Starting back when I was 12 or 13 I purchased a Kreskin ESP kit and was drawn into the mystical world of the unexplained, that curiousity never left. Interestingly,
when I was in my thirties the opportunity presented itself to train as a hypnotist and travel throughout a number of countries.
I jumped at it. Creating the villian in "Spell," required someone that could control people's thoughts, and what a perfect
resource but my own past and knowledge of the subject. To add layers to the villian, I had Titus Constantin Gorsky talk to
the dead, H. P. Blavatsky, she's a real person with an interesting life. Then of course connecting this to the Son of Sam made sense since
David Berkowitz had always claimed it was a cult that pulled him into the crime spree we have come to know as the summer
of sam.
What books do you have in the works currently?
The third in the Kim Bennett series is called "Into the Haven," and as the title suggests it's about vampires.
As Kim Bennett would say "Don't be stupid vampires aren't real," however, like spell, she is pulled into a horror/thriller
of a story where she questions her own beliefs. The novel is at a half way point with a scheduled release for June or July
and there are lots of twists and unexpected events for poor Kim. I enjoy punishing her...
Also, I'm writing the screenplay
of my first novel "Into the Basement," with Kym Wilde, another interesting individual, and we are in discussions with an Indie
film director.
Who/What is your inspiration?
I have become friends with best selling author David Hagberg who writes CIA terrorist novels, his most recent "Dance with the Dragon," is an excellent read and I consider
him my mentor. As for inspiration, writing fills a creative desire and that animal needs to be released.
Do you have
a favorite villian from a book/movie/tv show?
Dracula, evil, erotic, powerful, and the whole blood lust thing is sexual in nature, he's the best.
To view an interview with Norm Applegate about his book "Into the Basement" click below.
Video regarding "Into the Basement".
A copy of Into the Spell will be raffled off to a reader the first week
of February. Please sign the guestbook under this book at for your chance to win. Your name will automatically
be entered in the drawing.
Winners will be announced on the website under Raffle Winners. Good luck and have a great day!
As always, if you have any questions or problems, please don't hesitate to contact me:)
Into the Spell by Norm Applegate
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT
|
January 6, 2008
There's an Angel in my Closet by Louise Aveni
Review by Tim Gleichner
As the father of 4 and 2 1/2 year old girls, I read quite a few children’s books. Most
of the reading I do with my girls is at bedtime, so I look for a few specific qualities in the books we read. "There's an
Angel in My Closet" meets all of them for me.
1. Length of story. Since I read 2-3 books an evening, stories that
aren't too long to hold my girls interest are a must.
2. The quality of the story. Even though a book may be only
a few pages long, I still look for stories that capture my girls attention. "There's an Angel in My Closet" is a delightfully
charming tale.
3. Illustrations. My girls (and myself included) love pictures. The illustrations in this book are
first rate. They are vividly colored and very engaging.
This is a wonderful children’s book that I would highly
recommend to anyone.
Questions to the author:
What inspired you to write a children's book?
When my grandson, Scott was a baby I would read stories to him and thought to myself “I
can do better than these” So it was that I began writing stories with him in mind. Scott is now sixteen, but the stories
keep coming.
Can we look forward to more children's books in the future?
Yes, actually I’ve written eight children’s stories thus far and will get them all
out as soon as I locate the perfect illustrators for them. I have been blessed as I’ve found one that has captured the
essence of a mischievous little angel bear who is the lead character in one of my story series titled “The Adventures
of Little Bear Blue” which has an accompanying song that I wrote called “If You Believe in You”. I hope
to get this released in 2008.
Just as an aside, all my children’s stories were “given” to me. By that I mean
that I’ve never sat down and thought about the story – they simply came to me in one felt swoop and I’ve
not changed one single word. Some people call it channeling, or a muse - I call it a gift…
For the older children, I am writing a story for the TWEENS called “The Prophecies of Jake
Little Feather” which should find its way into the marketplace by the end of 2008.
What other hobbies do you enjoy? I write music and love doing outdoor activities. Anything
that puts me out in nature nourishes my soul.
What is your favorite book? TV Show? Movie? I have several favorites:
Movies- E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Lake House, just to name a few.
For TV shows – I love good comedy series such as Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives
and Brothers and Sisters.
My favorite books, besides my own (I write novels – LUPO-Conversations with
an E.T. which is the first of a trilogy sequel with HYBRID-The Conversation Continues and KRYSTAL-The Final Saga), I enjoy
self-help and metaphysical writers by a variety of authors. Some of my favorites are Sheldon Nilde, Jim Sparks, Esther Hicks
(Abraham ) and of course Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Louise Aveni is part of the Triad Publishing Group - a publisher who takes self-publishing to a whole new level.
For more information, please click on their name - it is really worth
checking out if you are a writer looking for a fantastic company!
A copy of There's an Angel in my Closet will
be raffled off to a reader the first week of February. Please sign the guestbook under this book. Your name will
automatically be entered in the drawing.
Winners will be announced on the website under Raffle Winners.
Good luck and have a great day!
There's an Angel in my Closet by Louise Aveni
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE
LEFT
|
January 3, 2008
The Tea House by Paul Elwork
Review by Tim Gleichner
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave..." The first part of that quote seems quite an appropriate place to start
the review of "The Tea House" by Paul Elwork.
The story concerns a set of twins, Emily and Michael Stewart. While their family is well-to-do, their
home life is a bit mysterious and at times I sensed a bit of sadness. Emily discovers she has a unique "talent" one day, and
initially has some fun with it. But once her twin, Michael, discovers her secret, he convinces Emily to expand their performances
to include friends of theirs. Eventually, word of Emily's talent gets out, and Emily and Michael are drawn into the adult
world, where their audiences are more than curious. And when adult curiosity about Emily's talent is mixed with genuine desperation/grief,
the ending is unpredictable and shocking.
This book is extremely well written. Mr. Elwork does an excellent job of
developing the story and bringing together characters in the story and the story itself in equal portions, so that the farther
along the book goes, the more characters and circumstances fit together, giving the reader a more detailed understanding of
the story.
The characters of Emily, Michael, and Mr. Dunne are extremely well developed. The detail given to these
characters made it quite easy to conjure a picture in my mind as to what they might actually have looked like.
This
book held my interest from beginning to end. I liked the story line and the author's writing style makes this a very easy
read.
And here are answers to the author questions:
Who are you influenced by as an author?
The list is
long, as I guess it is for everyone. I love the works of Kurt Vonnegut, James Salter, Alice Munro, John Irving, F. Scott Fitzgerald,
Raymond Carver, Jhumpa Lahiri, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Flannery O'Connor, Charles Dickens... and on and on. And like any writer,
my debt to them is immeasurable.
Do you plan on writing a sequel to this book, or do you have something else in the
works?
I don't have any plans for a sequel to The Tea House, but I do have another novel in the works, this one set during
the early days of the Holocaust in Germany. I'd say more, but that would be telling.
This book was published by Casperian Books, a small, independent company that publishes fiction. It is a single-member limited liability company that publishes
fiction and operates out of a chaotic home office with some help from the other occupants of the house and a few hearty volunteers.
To view their other books, please click on the link above.
A copy of The Tea House will be raffled off to a reader the first week of February. Please sign the guestbook under this book. Your name will be entered in the drawing.
Winners will be announced on the website under Raffle Winners. Good luck and have a great day!
The Tea House by Paul Elwork
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE
LEFT
|
January 1, 2008
The Second Virginity of Suzy Green
I have never read a YA book set in Australia before, so was delighted when
I was offered the opportunity to review The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz. There has been a tragedy in the
Green family, and when Suzy's dad is offered a new job in a new location it is the perfect chance for the whole family to
try and move on and start over. Suzy has decided to stop being the "wild child", and maybe try to be a little more like her
sister Rosie. In an attempt to reinvent herself she changes her music, her clothing, and her overall appearance. It works,
as she quickly fits in in school and even begins dating one of the handsome popular boys in her class. Things are going great,
until she is invited to join the Virginity Club, one of the extracurricular activities her new friends participate in.
Apparently Virginity Clubs are the latest craze and all of the "cool" people
belong, pledging to save themselves for marriage and to refrain from any kind of inappropriate activities with the opposite
sex, including touching and kissing. Suzy doesn't see any harm in joining, even though she isn't a virgin. After all, it's
only one small little lie, and who will ever find out? That is until Ryan, her old boyfriend and the boy she lost her virginity
to, moves to town. Is this the beginning of the end for Suzy? Can she keep up the lie and try and convince Ryan to help her...or
does she even want to?
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and really made me remember what being
a teenager is like. Trying to fit in sometimes means giving up some of the things you love - Suzy finds this out the hard
way. All of the characters were so well developed, and one of my favorites was Maddie, the best friend who struggles to believe
all that Suzy is going through to impress her "new" crowd of friends. I applaud the author for encouraging teens to just be
themselves instead of trying to be something they aren't.
Questions for the author:
What hobbies do you enjoy apart from writing?
I LOVE GOING TO THE MOVIES (ESPECIALLY TEEN OR CHICK MOVIES), I ALSO DO
JIGSAWS, HAVE STARTED TO KNIT, WATCH LOADS OF TV, AND GO WALKING (PREFERABLY ALONG THE BEACH).
Did you fit in with the "in" crowd as a teen? Depending on your answer,
did it make it easier writing the book because of this?
AT SCHOOL I WAS MORE LIKE THE 'OLD' SUZY. I WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE AND SPENT
MUCH OF MY TIME DISRUPTING LESSONS (I DID REDEEM MYSELF LATER AND WENT TO UNIVERSITY). THOUGH MY FRIENDS AND I WEREN'T THE
'IN' CROWD WE DID HAVE OUR OWN GROUP AND WERE HAPPY. I THINK MY WHOLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE HELPED ME WRITE THIS BOOK. I COULD
EASILY RELATE TO OLD SUZY, AND TO NEW SUZY BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHEN I WOULD DECIDE TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AT SCHOOL
- UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T LAST LONG BECAUSE I WAS TOO EASILY DISTRACTED!!
Do you have any plans for any sequels?
NOT AT THE MOMENT, THOUGH IN THE FUTURE I'D LIKE TO DO MADDIE'S STORY. SHE
SEEMS TO BE A REAL FAVORITE WITH READERS, EVEN THOUGH SHE ONLY EVER APPEARS WHEN SHE'S TALKING ON THE PHONE TO SUZY.
Any books in the works?
I'VE JUST FINISHED A BOOK ABOUT A GIRL WHO SELLS PSYCHIC DATING ADVICE TO
STUDENTS AT HER SCHOOL, IN ORDER TO PAY OFF A HUGE
DEBT.
As an added bonus, a copy of The Second Virginity of Suzy Green
is to be raffled off to a reader. Enter by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need
to click on the View Guestbook tab.
The drawing will be held the first week in February. The winner
will be announced here under Raffle Winners.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me.
The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE
LEFT
|
December 30, 2007
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jennifer Gardiner
Review by Tracee Gleichner
When I saw the title of this book I thought this was sure to put a smile
on my face. And, although I would still classify this as a comedy, it appealed to all of my emotions and hit close to
home many times.
Claire Doolittle is a wife and mother of 5 who has NO time to herself. Between raising
kids, working part-time, running numerous errands, and keeping up the house, she struggles to fine some me time. And,
being married to Ward...I mean Jack doesn't help.
Jack Doolittle is an accomplished architect who suffers from
control issues. Throughout their marriage he has slowly lost his sense of adventure and fun and has slipped easily into
the shoes of TV icon Ward Cleaver. His ideal is when Claire completes all of the items in HIS to-do-list and the kids
are perfectly behaved - this way he can come home and relax with no interruptions. So much for being a parent.
Claire
wonders what has happened to her spontaneous, romantic, and attentive husband. She feels as if her marriage is going
downhill fast and isn't sure if she even feels bad about this. She blames Jack for the majority of the problems that
they are having. So, when Todd walks back (or emails as the case may be) into her life, she is ready for some sweet
talk, even if it is from the man who ripped out her heart years earlier, and made her question the woman she was and what
she did to make him treat her that way. She strikes up an online friendship with him, and somewhat of a flirtation.
I believe the author summed up the emotion of love (past or present) when she wrote "I think that an emotion as intense as
love shape-shifts into some other passion that encompasses love but then can be tainted by hatred, anger, or bitterness".
But, even though Claire is flirting with an old flame, when she goes to a dinner party for Jack's architecture
firm and sees Jack's new associate Julia hanging on his every word she just about explodes. Julia is young, beautiful,
has a perfect body, and is somehow able to bring out the "old" Jack - someone she hasn't seen in a long time. And he
seems totally enamored by her.
I don't want to reveal any more of the plot, but let me say that any
wife or mother should easily be able to relate to Claire in one way or another. There are days where I too wonder what
has happened to the husband I knew years ago. Changing over time is not necessarily good or bad, as long as you are
able to keep the fires of love burning and continue to work as a team. Just don't give up on each other too quickly
- look deep inside and see if there are things you both could change to bring back the relationship that once was...and maybe
never left.
Questions for the author:
I see that not only are you an author, but a photographer
as well? Do you prefer writing to photography, or are they equal passions for you?
Alas, photography sort of lapsed into oblivion once I became a mother. Long
ago, before kids, I schlepped vast amounts of photography equipment wherever we went. We traveled "light" to Africa, and honestly,
one of the many lenses I brought along was about two-feet long.
So once I had babies to tote with me and the ancillary accoutrements
one needs for small children, I sort of lost my enthusiasm for hauling all that equipment (and didn't often have a chance
to use it, although some portraits I did of my children when they were young are priceless in their hilarity!).
Plus, I was a freelance photographer, which often translated into very
last-minute shoots: "I need you at a press conference in an hour!" Which doesn't work so readily with children.
So long story short, that was the end of my photography career!
I am now a point-and-shoot digital girl and I've relegated myself to that. However, I do get a little camera-envy when I'm
around professional photographers with amazing state-of-the-art digital equipment. So I suppose my photography gene is currently
latent ;-) .
Did you enjoy working for a newspaper - do you miss it?
I worked for our college paper, Penn State's Daily Collegian, which was
(and still is) one of the top-ranked college dailies in the country. It was a lot of fun and I learned so much. But I was
studying broadcast journalism so soon found myself instead in radio/tv stations, which was also a lot of fun.
I currently have a column for our city paper, but believe it or not,
I've never stepped foot in the office, as I simply send my column in by email.
But my recollection at both newspapers and tv/radio stations is
there is a certain camaraderie there that you don't necessarily find in other jobs. Perhaps it has to do with working weird
hours and covering all sorts of crazy things, but I always had fun there!
What hobbies do you enjoy pursuing
when you aren't writing?
I LOVE to travel. And I love all things Italian and study Italian (though
I am regressing, I fear!). For a long time I was really into cooking, but don't find I have the time for that much any more,
and honestly, my family could have cared less about what I was feeding them so I've taken the hint and simplified on that
end of things! I also quilted a lot up until the past couple of years, and when I am idle, at my kids' sporting events, I'll
usually bring along some quilting or needlework to keep me occupied while I watch their games.
As an added bonus, an ARC copy of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver is to be raffled off to
a reader. Enter by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need to click on the View Guestbook
tab.
The drawing will be held the first week in February. The winner
will be announced here under Raffle Winners.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jennifer Gardiner
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE
LEFT
|
December 27, 2007
Review by Tracee Gleichner
I have always been drawn to anything involving the mind and have always
been fascinated by psychics. Having been born in the caul, and having a Great-Grandmother that read tarot cards, I was
ready to jump on board and read a book that dealt with the powers of the psyche. And I was not disappointed.
Don't Die Dragonfly is the first book in The Seer series. Sabine
Rose is sent to live with her maternal Grandmother, Nona, after a boy dies at her school. Plagued with visions, she
feels as if she let this boy down, and could have done more to prevent his death. Add a not so cooperative spirit guide
and she feels totally lost. Her mother has never been able to accept the "gift" that she was born with, and seeing as
how Nona has similar abilities, she feels that she is better suited to help raise her. Sabine has misled Nona into believing
that her powers are gone and that she is just a regular teenager, a desception that could lead to some problems in her future
(to bad she couldn't see things about herself).
Sabine was looking forward to starting a new school, and actually was
leading a pretty good life for a teenager. She was on the school newspaper and was best friends with one of the cheerleaders,
she figured that things would be great as long as no one found out that she was a psychic. Unfortunately, shortly after
she comes to live with her Grandmother she starts having visions...terrifying visions of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo.
As much as she would like to turn a blind eye, she knows that she needs to try and do better than she did at her previous
school, and vows to help save this girl. She encounters many obstacles along the way, will it be too many to stop a
tragedy, a tragedy only she knows about?
This is one of the most fantastic books that I have read, and was a
real page turner. I don't want to go into too much detail, but if you are looking for a book to grab you and make you
question what abilities might be lurking in your head, this is it.
Questions for the author:
Are
there any psychics in your family?
Not that I'm aware of -- but I strongly believe in listening to my intuition
and think it has saved me many times, like when I had a strong feeling not to go back to my car alone or when I was jogging
down a deserted street. I've learned to trust my feelings always.
Do you believe in tarot readings, mediums, etc...or was it just something
that was fun to write about?
I believe that it's more likely amazing things are possible for the simple
fact that humans are more than just the bodies we wear. I love to go to psychic fairs and I've read many books on psychics.
Although I've had no solid proof in my personal life that it's all real, I feel strongly that more things are possible than
are not. I even suspect that my character Sabine came to me in dreams as a gift for my writing.
What hobbies do you enjoy besides writing?
I collect girl series books, love reading (of course!), taking walks, going
to movies, boating, playing cards, camping, square dancing and bowling. I also love to blog and spend lots of time online.
Can we look forward to more books with Sabine et all?
There are five books in the series. #4 SWORD PLAY goes back to Sabine's
previous life and reveals secrets about a student's death. At the moment FATAL CHARM is the last book and I'm working on the
DEAD GIRL series, the first book DEAD GIRL WALKING comes out September 2008. If my Llewellyn publisher ever wants more THE
SEER books, I'd love to write them. To stay updated with my latest book news, check out www.myspace.com/LindaJoySingleton . I hope to share my next book cover soon!
As an added bonus, a copy of Don't Die Dragonfly is to be raffled off to a reader. Enter
by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need to click on the View Guestbook tab.
The drawing will be held the first week in February. The winner
will be announced here under Raffle Winners, and on the discussion group at Shelfari.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me.
Don't Die Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE
LEFT
|
December 23, 2007
Dancing with Dragonflies by Jack Gorfien
Reviewed by Tracee Gleichner
Having two small girls at home, I am always looking for something new to read to them. They are at the age
where princesses and fairy tales are their favorite thing, and if I am honest, I am also a sucker for a good fairy tale as
well. I am happy to say that Jack Gorfien has introduced a new book to our family that will remain on our bookshelves and
be read for many years to come.
Lirona is the type of princess any girl would hope to be - "She had purple eyes, soft
porcelain colored skin, and long hair made of spun platinum that felt like silk." She also was blessed with the multicolored
wings of a dragonfly that she could sprout at will. Although she loved her wings, as a child she was ridiculed because of
them and now feels very along and afraid, in search of something that will make her happy and feel whole.
Lirona continues
looking every day for the thing she is unable to put her finger on - the missing part of her life. One day she crosses the
path of some elves who enjoyed nothing more than dancing and playing music all through the night. After being invited to join
them she totally immerses herself in the beat of the music and begins to dance along with her new friends. She promises to
come back, and on one such visit encounters a knight named Zohar that has emerged from the woods. After a lifetime of battle
he too is searching for something, his way home.
As much as he wanted to find his way home, he can't help but become
enchanted not only with the music and atmosphere, by by the beautiful Lirona. They dance with each other through the night,
but as daylight approaches they part ways, still searching for the things they are missing.
In the background of the
story is Adamina, someone who is a teacher and guardian...a mother earth of sorts. She decides it's time to step in and help
these two along the path they are destined to follow.
This is not just a story for children, but adults as well as
it show us once again that happiness is right in front of us everyday, you just have to look for it. This is a wonderfully
uplifting tale and is beautifully illustrated by Grace Turman.
Questions for the Author:
Do you have any other
books in the works?
I am working on a follow up story to Dancing with Dragonflies where the characters will be further developed
and new characters introduced.
What made you write a book with dragonflies as part of the theme?
I've always been captivated by these fascinating creatures. Also, they hold some interesting symbolism that
spans many cultures. I've pointed some of them out in the introduction to the book.
Do you only write YA or children's
books?
Dancing with Dragonflies is my first published book. While it is packaged as a children's book, the messages
apply to people of all ages. I also write poetry geared towards adult readers but I have yet to publish these. As a writer,
I enjoy crossing genres even though that tends not to be what the large publishing houses are looking for.
What other
hobbies do you have besides writing?
Photography has always been a favorite past time of mine. I also collect antique photographic equipment. Beyond
that, I enjoy travel and hiking in the woods.
As an added bonus, an autographed copy of Dancing with Dragonflies is to be raffled
off to a reader. Enter by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need to click on the View Guestbook
tab.
The drawing will be held the first week in February. The winner
will be announced here under Raffle Winners, and on the discussion group at Shelfari.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me
Dancing with Dragonflies by Jack Gorfien
|
|
|
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE LEFT
|
December 20, 2007
Review by Tracee Gleichner
"Unfortunately, murder is like an onion, with layers and layers." Not only is murder like an onion,
but so are the characters and story portrayed in this wonderful book by Cyndia Depre.
I have to admit a part
of me was initially intrigued by this book because it was set in a small town in Wisconsin. Coming from a small town
in Wisconsin myself I was delighted as I read the quirks and nuances indicative of small town living, especially in the Midwest.
I must admit upon being introduced to the main character, Olivia Chatham, I was a little unsure on whether I
was going to like her. She seemed a little flighty and her grasp of colloquialisms was so muddled it was hard to catch
her meaning. But, as the book unfolded I grew to love her just as the entire town does, and her quirkiness makes her
so believable and I found myself looking forward to her being "unique in her oneness".
When Cheryl Mecklenberg
is found murdered, the whole town is buzzing with rumors. Seeing as how Olivia is so well liked, and people open up
to her, the Sheriff decides to ask her to keep him abreast of any information she comes across that may help him determine
what has happened. To Livvy, this is her chance to do something big, after all the town is counting on her. The
Sheriff on the other hand may end up regretting what he considered and innocent request.
Livvy enlists the help
of Josephine "Josie" Bookman, an ex-model and her best friend, and Tucker Monroe, the newest resident of Chatham and still
somewhat of a mystery himself. With Livvy leading the way, this trio gets information in ways that would make any detective
proud. They finally narrow their suspects down through Livvy's unique sense of logic and instinct. Even though
it seems unconventional at the time, it ends up being the same suspects the police derive using "real" police techniques.
In the end all of their hard work pays off and once again Livvy is looked upon with pride by the people of Chatham.
This
book was a delightful read with an excellent plot and characters so real and diverse you couldn't help being drawn to them.
I am thankful that the author has allowed me this opportunity as I know I will anxiously await further books.
Questions
for the author:
1. I see you live in Minnesota. Did you grow up in or live in a small town?
Is that how you created the atmosphere for your book?
I've lived in small towns, big cities, and every place in between. I went to high school in Yorkville, Illinois.
Not a big city by any stretch of the imagination. I went to NIU in DeKalb and got an accounting degree. When I was younger,
I loved cities. There was so much to do! The older I get, the more I appreciate small towns. I don't need to go out. I can
get a movie and curl up in front of the tv in my pajamas and have fun. A day on the lake, fishing from our old boat, is my
idea of heaven. I've never lived in Wisconsin, but travel through it several times a year. My family, and my husband's, live
in Illinois and we are in Minnesota. Wisconsin is a breathtakingly beautiful state. The people are so nice, with a live and
let live attitude. We always try to allow extra time for the trip, and stop for a night in Tomah. It's such a treat! We go
to a wonderful restaurant, eat good food, then go to the bar for an after dinner drink. Folks always have a smile for us,
and we end up chatting with other customers as if we've known each other for years. If we have a couple days, we go to the
Dells. We hope to retire in Wisconsin. Our needs aren't fancy. Just a nice normal house on a lake, close to a town where people
actually care for each other. Chatham, Wisconsin, is completely fictional, but it lives in my mind and that's where I want
to spend my golden years. I just need to find a place like it.
2. How did you continue to come up with
Olivia's mixed up cliche's and malapropisms (they really cracked me up)?
I thought it would be impossible to maintain Olivia's gaffes, but I was wrong. It turned out to be a snap.
I still think of them, and have a file filled with what I call 'Livvy-isms'. At the risk of sounding too artsy, I just got
into Olivia's head (which is a very happy place to be), and the mangled phrases started flying. The world can seem so scary
at times, but it's also extremely funny. It's just how you look at things. Livvy looks at events from a different perspective,
and thinking like her helped open me up to the silliness I see and hear every day.
3. Any book involving
these characters in the future (I hope, I hope)?
I have to find a place for my new 'Livvy-isms', so yes, I'm working on another. It will introduce a new
pair of protagonists, but Livvy and Tucker and Josie will be there, too. It's a murder mystery, but there is no body. Olivia
is the only one convinced someone is dead. She pays no attention to the naysayers, and sets about finding the victim and nabbing
the ne'er-do-well who committed the heinous crime.
As an added bonus, an autographed ARC copy of Oblivious is to be raffled off to a reader.
Enter by signing the guestbook below. To view other comments you just need to click on the View Guestbook tab.
The drawing will be held the first week in February. The winner
will be announced here under Raffle Winners, and on the discussion group at Shelfari.
If you run into technical trouble, or have additional questions, please
don't hesitate to contact me
To purchase a copy of Oblivious please click here!
Enter content here
|
