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Free Book Reviews Free Book Reviews: March 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

Book Review: Driving Me Nuts! by PJ Jones



Description From Amazon

Driving Me Nuts! Three mental patients, two loaded guns, one stolen car, and a whole lot of trouble.

Every Friday night Ruckus and his roommate Fred sneak out of Shady Grove Home for the Mentally Insane for a ride in their orderly’s convertible. A trip to the used book store and the Dairy Queen is Ruckus’s one little routine among the chaos of pissing all over the lunch trays.

There is nothing routine about Apple, another Shady Grove resident who wants to go joyriding with the boys. It quickly becomes obvious she has bigger plans than getting an ice cream cone— plans that could land them in jail or even worse.

When their lives are threatened by three angry ex-cons and a crooked cop, it’s up to Ruckus to get his friends back to Shady Grove in one piece. But first, they all need to face reality and confront their tragic pasts. It doesn’t take long for Ruckus to realize that if Apple doesn’t drive him totally nuts, she just may be the one to help restore his sanity.

Reviews

Overall Feedback: I picked up this book expecting a hilarious and hectic ride in one of PJ's great parodies. What I found was a serious story with real emotion and compelling characters interspersed with great and well timed humor. I was drawn to the characters and felt as if I were experiencing their lives with them. If you want entertainment with purpose then here it is staring you in the face.

Point of View: A little bit of everything is thrown at the reader as far as point of view but you will spend most of the book looking through the eyes of Ruckus.

Voice: Just because life does not care does not mean you have to give up.

Character Development: Well rounded, fully developed and entertaining to the last drop.

Plot: A serious ride through hilarity that we, as readers, should have no problem imagining happening somewhere at sometime in someplace.

Dialogue: This is where the wit of Jones shines the most.

Pacing: You will find yourself on the last page not believing the day is done.

Setting: This is happening somewhere, sometime and someplace.

Continuity: The only thing I found as a possible issue here is that the action comes at the reader later in the book after an abundance of humor. This could possibly put some readers off but if they stick with it they will understand the whole.

Where to Find
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Author Interview: Boyd Lemon author of Digging Deep: A Writer Uncovers His Marriages



About your Book: Digging Deep

Three Marriages-Three Divorces.
Did I Just Marry the Wrong Women?

Eleven years after my last divorce I moved to Boston at age 66, after a lifetime in California, to live platonically with a 23-year-old female college student. I still thought my marriages failed because I had married the wrong women--crazy women. Finally, I realized that I must have had some role in destroying these marriages. Encouraged by my roommate, I embark on a journey to uncover my role. My attitudes about marriage had been profoundly influenced by my place on the cusp between the moralistic generation of the 1930%u2019s and %u201840%u2019s and the next generation that embraced "sex, drugs and rock %u2018n roll" and greater independence and equality for women. I was also deeply troubled by my choice of a career that seemed only to help the rich get richer. These issues propelled me to avoid dealing with my marriages. My memoir is a story of these marriages and divorces and uncovering my role through intense introspection and the writing process.

Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?

Boyd Lemon
The brutal honesty in which my story is told.

Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?

Boyd Lemon
When I finished the first draft, my writing mentor told me to throw it away and start over. I did, and I hasten to add that the final version bares little resemblance to the fist draft.

Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?

Boyd Lemon
Absolutely. It healed me from the trauma and guilt of three divorces and brought me a peace that I had not known.

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What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?

Boyd Lemon
That it keeps readers wanting to know what happens next and that they learned a lot from reading it.

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Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?

Boyd Lemon
Why did it take me [and others] three marriages and 27 years to understand that marriage requires constant work and paying attention to your spouse and his, or her needs and wants?

Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?

Boyd Lemon
Write reviews (even short ones) on Amazon, BarnsandNoble, Goodreads and Smashwords; and, of course, tell their friends, preferably on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

About You: Boyd Lemon

I am a 70 year-old retired lawyer who re-invented himself as a writer in 2006. I live in Ventura, California now, but lived in Boston and Paris before that and wrote my memoir in those two beautiful cities. Most of my life I have lived in Southern California. I have also written a collection of short stories and published it in a book titled, "Unexpected Love and Other Stories." It is also available on Amazon, Barns and Noble and Smashwords. Currently, I am writing a book on how to lead a fulfilling life in retirement. I look forward after that to writing a novel.

Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?

Boyd Lemon
Because I have to.

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What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Boyd Lemon
Clear, powerful prose.

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What quality do you most value in yourself?

Boyd Lemon
Honesty.

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In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?

Boyd Lemon
Travel, reading and food and wine.

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What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Boyd Lemon
Writing my memoir.

Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?

Boyd Lemon
Rossanne Dingli, who writes amazingly well written mysteries that I cannot put down, even though I don't normally read mysteries. She recently published "According To Luke," a mystery along the lines of Dan Brown's books, but, in my opinion, hers is better written.

Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to Boyd's website or find his book at the following:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Author Interview: Ami Blackwelder author of The Mers, a YA Mermaid Dystopian (Mer Chronicles Book #1)



About Your Book: The Mers

What lies beneath the surface?

One hundred years from now, the world has changed and brought with it, new forms of life.

Who are the Mers? Who is Mira?

Mira always knew she was different. Growing up with Mers, she never quite fit in. When Mira breaks the rules and takes Niren with her, across the border dividing Elise Island and New Jersey, the border dividing two vastly different worlds, she thought the journey to find out who she really is would be an easy one.

But as the world in Jersey proves to be a convoluted mix of aristocrats who hate the Mers, pirates who want to sell them, and magi who want to use them...finding her true identity will be a challenge, especially when her best friend Niren is a Mer willing to fight to the death.

Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?

Ami Blackwelder
This is a unique twist on mermaids, really a mermaid dystopian. Lovers of paranormal romance and mermaids will enjoy this, but also those who like a hint of suspense, and thrill.

Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?

Ami Blackwelder
I have traveled and lived in Asia for eight years, so a lot of many thinking has changed from that, but each book does have a special place. This book, The Mers made me really think about what we as humans would do if faced with a dying Earth, running out of land, and if jealousy for those who could adapt would play a part.

Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?

Ami Blackwelder
That this is a unique paranormal ride that you don't want to miss. It will make you think while being entertained. Something typical of most my books.

Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?

Ami Blackwelder
If I were a Mer what would I do?

Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?

Ami Blackwelder
They can twitter, facebook, blog about it and they can buy it and tell friends about it.

About You: Ami Blackwelder

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She traveled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com

Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?

Ami Blackwelder
My first passion has always been writing, stories swim in my head all the time...

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What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Ami Blackwelder
Unique concept. I often have twists readers never saw coming, unpredictability. I also have strong characters readers fall in love with and plots that weave in and out --

Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?

Ami Blackwelder
My adamant will. I don't give up.

Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?

Ami Blackwelder
Teaching. I am a Montessori teacher. I love to read. I like to swim and have massages.

Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Ami Blackwelder
I have taught eight years in Asia, and helped build a classroom from nothing over six years in Thailand. I won Best Fiction at my university in '97 and got into Semi-Finals in the Laurel Hemingway contest of that year. I have independently published a number of books, both non-fiction and fiction.

Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?

Ami Blackwelder
I honestly think I do. I don't know if we are allowed to say that;) But my books are very well crafted and most everyone who reads the whole book loves them. I see a lot on tv, movies, and in book stores nowadays that doesn't even measure up to what I write.

Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to Ami's Blog or find her book at the following places:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon DE

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Help Publish The Last Witch Series by Elizabeth J Kolodziej



A little about me and a lot about this project

My name is Elizabeth J Kolodziej and I have been writing about the paranormal all my life (cliche, I know) however, I didn't know until my early twenties that my writing might be something other people want to read too! Go figure. Writing is my passion and I found that I also love the marketing, publishing and everything that goes into the process of getting a book printed. It's said that most indie authors won't sell more than a 100 copies of there book. In one year I sold, not gave away, but sold over 1,000 copies of Vampyre Kisses.

I was very lucky to have a family that believed in me and sponsored me when I needed it. Sadly, March 22nd 2012 will be the one year anniversary of my father, David Kolodziej, death. Without him in my life I have had to fight and work long hours to get the money for my books to be printed. Now, it is getting to the point where I'm running out of ways to get the money for publishing and marketing Witch Devotions, the third book in the Last Witch Series. Because it is the third I want to be able to give this book everything it deserves. A terrific cover (with a live model), creame paper, advertising on websites and much more.

Details of the Plan

Witch Devotions is done and just about ready for print. I have already put together the marketing plan for Witch Devotions, which will entail:

Button advertising on five big sites that are book blogs or book related sites.

Setting up a blog hop AND a blog tour

Blog radio spots during the month of release

Book reviews from places like RT BookLovers, Kirkus, Amazon Vine, Apex, Reader Views, etc.

Making a book trailer

Release "party" on bittenbybooks.com

And much more. I have never done something as big as this for a marketing plan since I have never had enough money to do it. Most of my marketing for my series was free. I know this series is great though and with the third book out it will get so many more readers. That is if I can get your help.

Synopsis for Vampyre Kisses

Vampyre Kisses is an enthralling story about a young woman named Faith, who was content with her life, but deep down craved more excitement. Then a mysterious man named Trent enters her life and everything changes. Surprising to Faith, Trent is a green-eyed vampire from Ireland. She is even more surprised to find out that she is a witch, and the last of her kind.

Faith finds out that she is destined to restore her witch line and becomes more powerful as she gains confidence and knowledge, but danger lurks everywhere. Especially when unknown assailants steal the most important gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty.

Now surrounded by a world full of mystifying vampires and werewolves, can Faith gain enough power to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems?

Synopsis for Werewolf Descent

Last witch in the world, Faith Scott, and her Irish vampire boyfriend Trent have just come back from fighting for their lives to recover the Vampiric Blood gem and Werewolf Moon gem. Thinking they could finally relax and work on the romance growing between them, they now meet a mysterious psychic vampire named Vincent who has his heart set on being with Faith.

Soon bizarre killings of Zou Tai’s werewolf pack begin, with rumors of an alchemist possessing the famed philosophers stone being the assailant; which, causes Faith to turn to Vincent for help in figuring out why the werewolves are being murdered.

It isn’t long before all those around them test Trent and Faith’s love, along with their abilities, once again. It is all Trent can do to keep Faith safe by his side while both go up against a deadly alchemist, deceptive gods, and having to rescue the werewolf prince; yet, after a deal with the God of Werewolves will Trent be able to save himself too?

Working synopsis for Witch Devotions:

With Trent gone, Faith feels that she can not go on without him. The pain grows so intense that she even shuts out her friends and loved ones to be alone; unsure of what to think about the supernatural world anymore. However, on a trip to see Gordon she realizes what she can do to make the pain go away. A spell.

The spell ends up back firing and Faith, last witch in the world, has now forgotten the past six months. All the memories of vampires, werewolves, and guardians have vanished. And the first to find her is Louis, her mother’s close friend and slayer.

With webs of lies and deceit falling upon her ears, Faith doesn’t know what is up and down. Then Louis gives her the option to become a slayer and she takes it, thinking vampires are evil. Along with the Goddess Circe interfering, Lilith still missing and Faith unable to remember Trent no one knows what will happen next!

Then walks in Patrick who has a secret about him that he doesn’t even realize. Through him Morgan finds out where Faith is and fly’s to Vegas to save her, but Faith is more untrusting that a rabid wolf.

Are these vampires and werewolves telling her the truth? Is she a witch in love with a vampire? Or will she proceed with being a slayer? The coin is still up in the air…and Faith doesn’t know where her devotions lie.

Along with this series, I write short stories and novellas under my own company name and other publishers. To learn more about me, my books, and see reviews please go to www.vampyrekisses.com

What about money left over?

I'll be amazed if there is BUT for such an occasion know that the money will go into the next book in the series and getting it published.

I hope you will contribute!

<3's and fangs, Liz ^_^ If you would like to assist Liz please follow this link: Kickstarter.com

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Read an Ebook Week is Back Again


So here we are again with Read an Ebook Week upon us. I simply got really busy and did not plan for the week to come so fast. So I must ask for assistance. If you are an Indie Author and participating in a promotion for the week please leave a comment about your promotion and a link of where we can find the promotion. If you are a reader please grab a copy of any ebook, read it and then leave a review on any review site. That is all for now so please go back to writing or reading.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One by Arshad Ahsanuddin

Description from Amazon

Book One of the gay vampire saga Pact Arcanum.

With millennia-old magic, emerging romance, and ever-shifting allegiances, this inventive new series unveils a scintillating, homoerotic world of Nightwalkers, Daywalkers, Sentinels, and Humans, who battle for world dominance in the not-too-distant future.

Overview:
Los Angeles, 2040. The terrorist Medusa and her followers threaten to destroy the metropolis with a nuclear bomb. One individual, the vampire Nicholas Jameson, comes forward to oppose them. As Nick takes on the terrorists, the fragile peace between the races hangs perilously in the balance as the supernatural peoples are exposed.

Arshad Ahsanuddin is a hematopathologist. The irony of a physician who specializes in blood disease writing a series of vampire novels is not lost upon him.

For more details about Arshad, check out the author's website at pactarcanum.com.

Search on "Pact Arcanum" to find all the books in the series.

Review

Overall Feedback: One of the best written vampire novels I have read in quite a while. Ahsanuddin has created his own world in an overused genre without the reader feeling like they are reading an overused genre. This "first" in the series jumps right into this world feet first and never lets up on the reader.

Point of View: For the most part you get to traverse the world through the eyes of "Nick" but it feels more like the mind of the author.

Voice: The voice was hard to put a finger on as it was a little all over the place. I however feel that the true sentiment of the story was to entertain rather than teach, but overall I would say bravery is the path to peace.

Character Development: Although Ahsanuddin writes intelligently, he forgets to get the reader emotionally attached to his characters. This does not harm the story but it also does not help.

Plot: We all know the typical vampire story, the live, we know not, their war rages on, their war spills into our reality, we have the "holy crap" moment and move on. Well be prepared for some surprises in this one.

Dialogue: To say anything other than "perfection" would be a lie.

Pacing: Let me say that you will read this straight through from beginning to end without pause.

Setting: Get prepared for 2033.

Continuity: Flawless writing equals flawless reading plus flawless plot times intriguing storyline.

Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
iTunes

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