Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Guestpost: Good advice and why I don’t always take it by Michael Johnston


Good advice and why I don’t always take it
by Michael Johnston

     Like you, I’m sure, I have friends, relatives and acquaintances who seem to be listening attentively as I tell a colourful story about one of my many exciting experiences but, too late, I realise they are simply waiting and watching for me to draw breath, at which point they will pile in about their own even more colourful and very much more self-centred experiences and, somehow, no matter how closely I listen and watch, they never seem to need to draw breath or pause for dramatic effect.

     Well-meant advice from my talented and experienced father seemed to be rejected even faster than any publisher has ever rejected a manuscript. It simply made me want to do the opposite and then, a week later perhaps, I would find I was doing what he had advised, thinking it was my own idea, until the penny dropped, or my father said something that would send me off into a fit of sulks.

     However, if you get hold of a book which was published in 1934, is still in print and offers advice for beginning and sustaining any writing enterprise, you will never think about writing in the same way again. The book is Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande (1898-1948) which is still in print. Brande deals with two aspects of writing: the physical and the mental. Physically, she believes that it is only by making oneself write a certain number of words every day, ideally at the same time of day, that one becomes, like an athlete, tuned up to achieve the level of performance a serious writer needs. Accountants, remember, do not put off their work until inspiration strikes and neither should serious writers. Once you have become fit as a writer, then you need to develop your imagination in the same way as you have developed your writing muscles. This is not a review of Becoming a Writer but, if you’ll take my advice, now is the time to buy a copy and get started.

     Incidentally, while checking my facts about Dorothea, I found out that she also wrote Wake Up and Live, published in 1936, and which sold over two million copies. It was even made into a musical by Twentieth Century Fox. I know nothing about it but the title isn’t a bad bit of advice so I shall look it up when I’ve posted this blog.

     Another bit of advice was handed out by a speaker at the Writers’ Circle I took part in while living in Harrogate. Looking us in the eye, she said very matter-of-factly, “A writer is someone who writes”. Maybe it’s true that everybody has at least one novel in them but, thankfully for the rest of us, few of these ever get written because the hard work involved in writing a book puts most people off. I think this is simply another way of expressing what Dorothea Brande says in her book. Unless you find you are writing something every day, you are probably not a writer and might find it better to stick to your knitting, or whatever you find you really like to do. After all, we writers (I flatter myself) need readers and there are no barriers to entry to that honourable profession. And no writer worth his or her salt is not an avid reader!

     So, you write daily; you have a vivid imagination; you read until you fall asleep; what’s next? Choose your subject and, ignoring as far as possible, all other claims on your time, just get on with it: and I shall look out for the results in my bookshop. 
(Originally posted at: My Reading Table)

About the Book:

     Ambitious art historian Bill Maguire searches Paris for a subject for his doctoral thesis and follows up faint clues about once famous abstract painter Alexander Golden. He finds himself in Carmel listening to the death-bed confessions of Joe Rembrandt, an art forger on an industrial scale, and meets beautiful Anna Glover whose life seems somehow connected with the dying man.

     But when Anna’s lawyer boss completely debunks Rembrandt’s story, he decides it’s time to get out and write his thesis. Unable, however, to get out of his mind Joe’s assertion that he found where Golden disappeared to with his mistress and a cache of his never-before-seen canvases that could be worth millions, Bill searches around Arles for Golden’s farmhouse hideaway that probably never existed outside Rembrandt’s imagination.

     He finds Anna there before him and hears yet another version of Joe’s story. Together, they make the discovery that adds love, greed, insanity, academic dishonesty and very likely murder into the mix before leading to a completely unforeseen outcome.

About the Author:

     Michael Johnston was born in Leith in 1936 and grew up in the Scottish Borders. At school he was bookish and not keen on rugby. In 1950, he auditioned for the BBC and read a story on Children’s Hour. Leaving school he studied Textile Design but, in 1953, he also auditioned for the BBC Younger Generation programmes and for the next five years worked as an occasional freelance interviewer, presenter and question panel member.

     In 1955, he spent a summer working in France. He used his BBC experience to arrange an interview with Françoise Sagan, then a teenage French novelist, which was part of a radio documentary he recorded, wrote and presented. He went on to write several radio documentaries for the BBC including one about the relatively unknown romance between Lord Thomson, Secretary of State for Air in Ramsay MacDonald’s cabinet and the Rumanian novelist, Princess Marthe Bibesco, in which the actress Janet Suzman played the leading role.

     In 2001, he embarked on his too long postponed ‘career’ as a novelist and a programme of study with the Open University culminating in a first class BA (Honours) in Literature.

     In 2009, Michael was awarded an MA (with Distinction) in Modern and Contemporary Literature by Birkbeck College, University of London. His dissertation was on the impact of Margaret Thatcher on contemporary fiction.

     His latest novel Rembrandt Sings is available in print or on Kindle and has received excellent reviews. To find out more about Michael and his book visit his website at www.akanos.co.uk



Tour Schedule

Monday, February 18


Tuesday, February 19

First Chapter Reveal at Carol’s Notebook

Wednesday, February 20


Thursday, February 21

Guest blogging at My Reading Table

Monday, February 25

Interviewed at Confessions of a Reader

Tuesday, February 26

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Monday, March 4

Guest blogging at Confessions of a Reader

Tuesday, March 5

First Chapter Review at Alive on the Shelves

Wednesday, March 6

Guest blogging at Bookingly Yours

Thursday, March 7

First Chapter Reveal at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, March 8

First Chapter Reveal at My Cozie Corner

Book reviewed at Bless Their Hearts Mom

Monday, March 11

Guest blogging at My Addiction and More

Tuesday, March 12

Book reviewed at My Addiction and More

Thursday, March 14


Friday, March 15

Book reviewed at The Self-Taught Cook

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Spotlight: Why Qualified People Don't Get Hired or Stay With the Company by Molita Powell


About the Book:

     Why do you think the younger folks get hired over someone with experience? They are more eager to learn and adapt to a career change, and come cheaper.

     It’s good to have transferrable skills, but do not put yourself in a financial bind where you regress in your career. Too often we see career-focused, qualified individuals in new careers and work in jobs that are out of character for them. These are the same ones who were always sharply dressed in the latest trends, and the proud owners of the newest electronic toys.

     The problem is, while they were busy working, they were not managing their own finances. When the regular paychecks stopped, they found themselves scrambling to pay for even their basic expenses. In order to not lose the things they’ve accumulated, they were forced to accept the first job they were offered. This is a job and pay they would not have otherwise taken.

     This is yet another reason why we see companies not hiring qualified individuals who carry a large amount of debt. They may also not hire young people for high salary positions. Companies are looking for qualified and financially responsible workers who they can trust, train and promote to leadership positions to make financial decisions on their behalf.

     Financial responsibility is an actual requirement for church members wanting to become Deacons. Financial institutions use this to fill positions that involve the handling of money.

     If individuals are not able to manage their own personal finances, would you want them to handle yours? Glenn Shepard said it best, ‘Don’t take financial advice from people who are broke.’


About the Author: 

     This is the first book for Molita Powell. Her career has taken her from San Diego, California to Dallas, Texas. She has worked in small, medium and large companies across several industries and witnessed the growth, re-organization and demise of some of those companies. Others are struggling to keep up with competition and with the changing tides of the economy.


Tour Schedule

Thursday, February 7

Book spotlight at Jody’s Book Reviews

Monday, February 11

Interviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, February 14


Friday, February 15

Book spotlight at Inspired by Savannah

Tuesday, February 19

Interviewed at Digital Journal

Wednesday, February 20

Book reviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, February 21

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Friday, February 22

Book spotlight at My Devotional Thoughts

Monday, February 25

Book review and first chapter reveal at My Book Addiction and More

Tuesday, February 26

Book reviewed at Tiffany Talks Books

Wednesday, February 27

Interviewed at Examiner

Thursday, February 28

Book reviewed and guest blogging at Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Spotlight: The Bachelor Farmers by Brenda Sorrels

About the Book:
(from book jacket)
     Set in northern Minnesota in the winter of 1919, The Bachelor Farmers tells a story of two Norwegian brothers who learn the meaning of love from a most unlikely source. 
     Hans and Jon, the youngest of four immigrant brothers, have just inherited land from their recently deceased father and set out to develop it, thus perpetuating the family dream of success in America. When Jon learns that the husband of Mahal, a beautiful Ojibwa woman, has been injured on their property and cannot work, he hires her to be their personal cook. 
     Under the eye of his disapproving brother, Jon finds himself falling in love, but when a terrible blizzard blows into town without warning, the three of them must deal with the consequences and make decisions that will ultimately reshape their lives in profound and unimaginable ways. 
     The Bachelor Farmers takes us into a world where true meaning and healing are found in the complexity of human relationships and in the choices that are made in the face of adversity.

About Brenda Sorrels:
(from www.brendasorrels.com)

     I grew up in Fargo, N.D., then headed east to Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. Most of my life has been spent living in Connecticut, but in 2000 I married my college boyfriend, Barry Sorrels, and moved to Dallas where two lovely step-daughters and a new life awaited me.

     Although I've been writing for years, it was returning north for summers, during those lazy country afternoons, when I began to get serious. After numerous workshops and writing courses, I developed a series of short stories, ironically, all set in the Midwest. Working with my college roommate, Margaret Doud, as my editor, in time I expanded one of these stories into The Bachelor Farmers - my first novel.

     I haven’t stopped since, and I’m happy to report that I’m well on my way with another book. The Way Back ‘Round, will be coming out in the fall of 2012. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of my latest book and let me know what you think. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you a little better.


About the Tour:

13th 
14th 
Bette @ 4writersandreaders (interview)
15th 
16th 
17th 
Anita @ Anita Books
18th 
Patricia Ch @ The First link
19th 
Khamneithang @ huithiang
19th 
20th 
21st 
22nd 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Guestpost: Release Your Fears by Shawn & Ron Kilgarlin

Release Your Fears
by Shawn & Ron Kilgarlin

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear.
~ H.P. Lovecraft

     I have never been one to let my fears get in the way of my dreams. I was the first one in my family to graduate college. I was scared, because I didn't think I was as smart as others, but I preserved and graduated.

     I opened my business, and was eventually very successful. Along the way, sometimes I feared I wouldn't make payroll. I stressed about employee functions and many other things that small business owners go through every day. I did a lot of fervent praying in those days.

     It wasn't until the writing of this book, however, that my faith was tested. I was very fearful that it wouldn't get published and that my work would be just thrown away.

     Then one night, I opened my Bible and some highlighted scripture caught my attention. I realized that my book and these writings came from love, written from a pure mind and heart. This work is from the Lord and he inspires me. I knew it would be published, so I pressed forward, faced my fears, and you are reading this book today.

Whatever you do in life, let go of your fears and give your life to the Lord; he will direct your path. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

(2 Timothy 1:7, New American Bible)

Courage

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.”
~ Mary Ann Radmacher
Guideposts, June 2005

Feelings are not supposed to be logical. Dangerous is the man who has rationalized his emotions.
~David Borenstein

     We all have thoughts that produce emotions, and emotion produces feelings. The more emotional we become, the more thoughts and feelings we have. If these thoughts are negative in nature, this can produce a horrible feeling of anxiety. If these negative thoughts persist, you may have to locate what in your childhood has caused this. It can be fear of abandonment, for example. This is very common for children from abusive, divorced families, where the father or mother were the abuser.

     Many fears we experience include fear of abandonment, fear of loss, and we also pull back from social connections. The solution is to seek counseling, or talk with a trusted parent so as to get logical ways to deal with your anxiety. Repeat your concerns or thoughts that are causing anxiety to your trusted person of choice.

     You may need medication, and that’s okay. Go and see a psychiatrist. He or she can do a mental evaluation to determine any disorder and needed medication. Sometimes this has to be done, so don’t be afraid, just do it. The psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor and will try different medications until they get the correct therapy for you.

     Write a journal every morning about how you feel and how you will conquer your anxiety. Write in your journal, “God grant me the serenity to change the things I can change, accept the things I can’t and have the wisdom to understand the difference between the two.” Also write, “I fear no man, only God, because God grants me life, not man.” And “I will conquer these fears; I expect to conquer my fears.”

~ Ron Kilgarlin
Let Go, Let God

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11, New American Bible)

     I had a friend who told me, “Shawn, I want to get involved in the church, and I want to know God, but I prayed and prayed for a situation in my life not to happen, my pastor prayed, my friends and family prayed, and the situation did happen. Why did it happen? This horrible situation, where I cannot see any good ever coming from it? How am I supposed to put it all in God’s hands, which seems easy for you to say?”
     My response to her is that God has a unique plan for each and every one of us. You can’t expect to go to him on a conditional basis. You can’t go to him only when you need something, I told her. You have to be dedicated to him every day. Ask him to forgive your sins, if you haven’t already. You need to pray every day. Every time something good happens to you, you need to thank him, not just ask for your needs. That was my response to my friend, and my advice to you.

     We all have storms in our lives. They will come. It’s just a matter of when. They are unexpected. They are meant to bring us closer to God. Sometimes these tragedies happen because we make bad decisions. However,, storms can make us more compassionate and help us grow spiritually. God will protect you…if you only trust!

     Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.
(Isaiah 41:10, New American Bible)

About the Book:

Stress Relief is right here, in your hands.

     Are you tense and need a break? You will love this book! Open it to any page on any day. You'll find guidance and useful tips that are positive, fun, light-hearted and profound so you can get the peace of mind you really need - right now. Whenever you feel bothered and annoyed, fearful, insecure, angry or frustrated, it is probably from on of these:

  • Daily Hassles - traffic jams, lost keys, bills to pay, unruly children
  • Workplace - office politics, lack of respect, unemployment, helplessness
  • Environmental - noise, pollution, harsh lighting, crowds
  • Life Changes - college, marriage, divorce, aging, emergencies, grieving
  • General Anxiety - holidays, peer pressure, addictions, feeling inadequate
     Don't worry, we have you covered. Designed for easy reading and fast relief, Past Tense gives you 365 engaging "page-a-day" stories to put your stress to rest. Each one brings you a healthy does of feeling better every day of the year. Sprinkled with inspiring quotes, thoughtful sayings and profound wisdom from the world's great philosophers, modern thinkers, and major religions, Past Tense give soothing, down-to-earth advice for people of all ages. Use it to get "past tense" right away - and stay that way for life!
Work Stress. Management Stress. Money Stress. Life Stress!

They're All Part of Everyday Life, BUT...

There are practical solutions and secrets that you can start using right away:
Fundamental understanding and management of stress is within your grasp.

     With its 365 engaging, "page-a-day" stories, Past Tense offers a healthy dose of stress relief for every day of the year. The book covers every stress-generating scenario imaginable while teaching: the full impact of stress on your life; how to react to any crisis with composure; ways to read the warning signs of stress burnout; and tips on becoming a master of new behavioral patterns that help you live a highly stress-reduced life.

     Past Tense is guaranteed to provide guidelines for creative problem solving while giving you positive-habit-forming techniques for tackling difficult situations. In its alternately fun, light-hearted, yet profound pages, you'll discover ways to reduce harmful stress and increase productivity across the spectrum in areas including:

  • Daily challenges (traffic, lost keys, workplace woes)
  • Workplace pressures (office politics, lack of control, job loss)
  • Environmental stressors (noise, pollution, harsh lighting, crowds)
  • Life changes (college, marriage, divorce, aging, grieving)
  • Stresses related to family, holidays, peer pressure, addiction, and much more
     Sprinkled with quotes, sayings, and profound wisdom from ancient philosophers, modern thinkers, and the world's major religions, Past Tense offers down-to-earth, common sense advice that speaks powerfully to readers of all ages and cultures. Use this lively stress-handling encyclopedia to get "past tense" and stay that way - for life!

About the Author:

     Shawn V. Kilgarlin is a writer, speaker, and Chief Operating Officer of Louisiana-based American Screening Corporation (ASC), a nationwide leader in drug testing products since 1999. In 2011, she was named a Cambridge Who's Who Professional of the Year in Health Care Support. Ms. Kilgarlin's husband (and co-author), Ron Kilgarlin is ASC's CEO and an internationally recognized sales expert. Their company has helped over a million people deal with the plague of substance abuse. While unusually active in her industry and community, Ms. Kilgarlin's true passions are writing and helping those in need. She is the author of the book God's Love Letters: Overcoming Adversity. Past Tense is her second book.




Tour Schedule

Tuesday, February 5

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Wednesday, February 6

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, February 7

Book trailer reveal at Bookingly Yours

Monday, February 11

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, February 13


Thursday, February 14

Interviewed at Digital Journal

Monday, February 18

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Tuesday, February 19

Interviewed at Yahoo News

Wednesday, February 20

Book reviewed at Reviews from the Heart

Thursday, February 21

Book trailer reveal at Pump Up Your Book

Monday, February 25

Book reviewed at Teena in Toronto

Tuesday, February 26

Interviewed at Examiner

Wednesday, February 27

Book reviewed at Review From Here

Thursday, February 28

Book spotlight at Crazy Book Fairy

Monday, February 11, 2013

Guestpost: Ta'Mara Hanscom on The Truth: Salvatore's Revenge

Guestpost: 
Ta'Mara Hanscom on The Truth: Salvatore's Revenge

     Thank you for your interest in The Caselli Family Series. My prayer is, that as you read through these volumes, your thinking and your faith will be transformed. “That you would abound in knowledge and all discernment, so that you approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense until the Day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11) And that family will become a priority, and that words and actions would be thought through with intensity before put into motion.

     My Jean-Marc’s uncle was married to an English woman, and she told us once, a very long time ago, that in this world there are men of two kinds. The one, the knight, is the man possessing only strength and quality of moral character. He will never ask a lady to compromise her honor for less than a vow, and never,ever will he consider another once he has captured her heart. A knight keeps his vow, even when it hurts, and the honor of a knight is a thing a country is built upon. A knight comes along only seldom these days.

     Now, a blackguard (pronounced: blaggard) is a man who can be found quite easily, for it is an easy thing to be a blackguard. He attempts to trick the young ladies into taking him home and caring for him, making them believe their honor can be given away as a mere trifle, offering no vow, and making only human demands. The blackguard is to be avoided at all costs, for to settle for someone like him is to settle for something less than ideal.

And only the most perfect of knights knows a blackguard in disguise.

The Truth: Salvatore's Revenge
Virtual Book Tour February 4 - February 28

About the Book:

    In this world there are men of two kinds. The one, the knight, is the man possessing only strength and quality of moral character. He will never ask a lady to compromise her honor for less than a vow, and never, ever will he consider another once he has captured her heart. A knight keeps his vow, even when it hurts...But a blackguard is a man who...attempts to trick the young ladies into taking him home and caring for him, making them believe their honor can be given away as a mere trifle...The blackguard is to be avoided at all costs, for to settle for someone like him, is to settle for something less than ideal..."

     Epic romance, global adventure, ethnic passion, and Christian values inspire this new series. From the beauty of South Dakota's Black Hills, to the breathtaking shores of Como Lake, Italy, follow the Christ-loving lives of the Casellis. Learn with them, grow with them, be inspired by them.

About the Author:

     Having experienced the healing work of the Lord in their own marriage, Ta`Mara and her husband, Jim, are strong promoters of a healthy marriage through obedience to Christ. Ta`Mara shares a testimony of deliverance and healing for hurting marriages, as well as messages on other topics. References can be provided.

     It is Ta`Mara’s prayer that, as the readers explore the truths in these volumes, they will come away with a new perspective on love, obedience, and God’s plan for marriage.

     Ta`Mara Hanscom has worked on The Caselli Family Series since 1996. Within three weeks she had created a 900 page rough draft of what would become a five- novel series of the epic love story of Tillie Caselli and Noah Hansen.

     Loving all things Italian, Ta`Mara created the Caselli family true to their ethnic name. Born and raised in South Dakota, she brings this traditional family alive on the Great Plains where she has spent the entirety of her life.You can visit Ta'Mara Hanscom's website at www.tamarahanscom.com.

The Truth banner

Tour Schedule

Monday, February 4

Book excerpt at Between the Covers

Tuesday, February 5

Book spotlight at The Book Connection

Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Wednesday, February 6

Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Thursday, February 7

First Chapter Reveal at Literal Exposure

Friday, February 8

Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking

Monday, February 11

Guest blogging at The Paperback Pursuer

Tuesday, February 12

Guest blogging at Allvoices

Wednesday, February 13

Book spotlight at Lena Sledge’s Blog

Thursday, February 14

Interviewed at Review From Here

Friday, February 15

Interviewed at Digital Journal

Monday, February 18

Book spotlight at Splashes of Joy

Tuesday, February 19

Book review and First Chapter Reveal at My Book Addiction and More

Wednesday, February 20

Interviewed at Book Lover Stop

Thursday, February 21

Book review and interviewed at My Seasons of Opportunities

Friday, February 22

Book spotlight at My Devotional Thoughts

Monday, February 25

Guest blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Tuesday, February 26

Interviewed at The Writer’s Life

Wednesday, February 27


Thursday, February 28

Interviewed at Yahoo News

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Review Review # 274: The Möbius Strip of Ifs by Mathias B. Freese


Description: (from book-jacket)
     In this impressive and varied collection of creative essays, Mathias B. Freese jousts with American culture. A mixture of the author's reminiscences, insights, observations, and criticism, the book examines the use and misuse of psychotherapy, childhood trauma, complicated family relationships, his frustration as a teacher, and the enduring value of tenaciously writing through it all. 
     Freese scathingly describes the conditioning society imposes upon artists and awakened souls. Whether writing about the spiritual teacher, Krishnamurti, poet and novelist, Nikos Kazantzakis, or film giants such as Orson Welles and Buster Keaton, the author skewers where he can and applauds those who refuse to compromise and conform... 
     At the core of these essays is the author's struggle to authentically express his unique perspective, to unflinchingly reveal a profound visceral truth, along with a passionate desire to be completely alive and aware. 
Review:

     First question: What is a Möbius Strip? I knew that the front cover had a picture of one, but I still wasn't exactly sure, so I looked up the definition: "A one-sided surface that is constructed from a rectangle by holding one end fixed, rotating the opposite end through 180 degrees, and joining it to the first end..." (merriam-webster.com).
http://mathforum.org/mathimages/index.php/Topology_Glossary
Unfortunately, I still wasn't sure why it was the tile of the book, until I found this definition: "a Möbius strip only has one side and one edge, so ants would be able to walk on the Möbius strip on a single surface indefinitely since there is no edge in the direction of their movement." (physlink.com). So I finally came to the conclusion that the Möbius strip, (in the book's case), might represent the disorienting structure/cycle of life; things look one way, but end up another.
    
      I was genuinely surprised when I started reading Mathias Freese's essays, they were very rich and profound, his outlook on several topics showcasing a range of unyielding emotions - frustration, anger, discontent, depression, doubt, renewal, hope, etc...  I was not ready for such a mind-altering read - one that left me in a state of contemplative hibernation. Each essay, especially "Untidy Lives, I Say to Myself", "Personal Posturings: Yahoos as Bloggers", "I Had A Daughter Once", "On the Holocaust", and "Babbling Books and Motion Pictures", resonated with me, some for obvious reasons, others because they were so eerily personal. The author's thoughts were well organized and brutally honest, his no-holds-barred writing style pushing me into debate with myself over my own preconceived ideas and beliefs on certain topics. Even the most simple essays conveyed unfathomable depth, there is no way a reader could put the book down and not linger on the wisdom the author had offered. After reading, I must admit that I feel like everyone has their own Möbius strip - a life full of actions, ideas, stories, regrets, loves, miscommunications, etc, and Mathias Freese has made that point very visual to me. I really enjoyed the book overall, the essay size and formatting were very accessible - I read the essays in order, but it is very easy to pick-and-choose which order a reader prefers. The Möbius Strip of Ifs is not a book to be read quickly or taken lightly - but it will stay with readers for a long time after it has been experienced. Highly recommended to adult readers looking for a refreshing, emotion/thought-fueled read; not for the faint of heart.

Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Review # 273: Radio Iris by Anne-Marie Kinney

Description: (from Amazon)
     Radio Iris follows Iris Finch, a twentysomething socially awkward daydreamer and receptionist at Larmax, Inc., a company whose true function she doesn’t understand (though she’s heard her boss refer to himself as “a businessman”).

     Gradually, her boss’ erratic behavior becomes even more erratic, her coworkers begin disappearing, the phone stops ringing, making her role at Larmax moot, and a mysterious man appears to be living in the office suite next door... an appropriate allegory for our modern recession.
Review:

      I actually don't know how I feel about Radio Iris. I loved Anne-Marie Kinney's word-craft, her descriptions were eloquent and full of life; I only wish that Iris's character had held the same skin-prickling spark. I enjoy words - how they look, how they sound, how they come together to create, or recreate, a scene or feeling, etcetera - and Kinney's writing style is the quintessence of sensory. For example: "...The sun, a runny yolk in the sky, dripping onto red dirt, little by little until there is nothing left of it, the sky extinguished as the last drop hits..." and "...She feels his eyes searching, imagines them like small rays of light trawling across her skin...". I could see and feel every vivid detail while I read, unfortunately these beautiful phrases seemed to circle around a plot-less gray drain. Iris and her brother Neil are very different from the characters I usually read about. Each conversation seemed to lead them nowhere, a sense of utter alienation and unconcern surrounding every action. Iris was a very sundry character, she didn't seem to fit in anywhere, (which I guess was the point), her interactions were boring, even for her. Socially awkward didn't even begin to cover her personality.  I went though at least half the 209 page book thinking that maybe Iris had autism or another social disorder. I was not invested in any of the characters because they just "existed" - there was no real story to follow. This was probably intentional as well, but the lack of plot-line and pace didn't work for me, nor did the omniscient narrator. I believe that the author's style was quite unique - poetic, surreal and sometimes unsettling, however, I couldn't help but want something more from such an obviously talented writer. The ending was interesting, but I still don't completely understand it, although there is a hint of allegory there. Recommended to readers in the mood for something a little different.

Rating: DNR (2.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Review # 272: The Who's Who Caper - Double Take Book 1 by Lee Duran

Description: (from GoodReads)


Everybody has a double somewhere, according to Mother. 
But what happens when doubles meet?

     Samantha Smith is a gorgeous and classy con artist who's trying to reform. Unfortunately, the straight and narrow path has more twists and turns than a fortune cookie. Jayne Roberts, Sam's mousy lookalike, is a presidential archivist and "good girl" who longs to go bad - or at least go to bed with Sam's hunky husband.

     The lookalikes - and so different in personality that they might be from different planets--meet by chance in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport during the snowstorm of the century. Each is faced with a task she dreads. While on terminal layover, they agree to trade places with disastrous results. Pursued by someone they know not why, they're just a mistaken identity away from love, lust, danger and other natural disasters.


And they don't even like each other! Much.

Review:

     After reading fifteen straight nonfiction titles, I was definitely in the mood for something funny and fictitious, and The Who's Who Caper: Double Take fit the bill! This witty laugh-out-loud mystery held my attention with its bright and well-developed cast of characters, as well as a top-notch plot full of topsy-turvy twists. I loved Jayne, the stereotypical mousy librarian who longed for a story-book romance; I identified with her character the most, but I enjoyed look-alike Samantha's wild-side con-artist persona too! As different as they both were, their opposing personalities meshed perfectly. Switching lives caused them to deviate, in thoughts and actions, from their norm - with hilarious, and sometimes deadly, consequences. Lee Duran wove a fast-paced and original plot-line ripe with finespun humor! I liked the balanced mixture of laughs, danger, awkwardness and romance, all leading to to an ending that left me wanting more!!! (No spoilers!). Well-written and laugh-packed, The Who's Who Caper: Double Take and its characters have what today's mystery readers crave - spunk! Recommended for all adult mystery lovers, especially fans of Janet Evanovich, M.C. Beaton and Stephanie Bond !

Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Q&A: The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff

Q&A:
The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff

1. Who or what inspires your writing?


     My writing is largely inspired by my years living in Europe. I spent a few years working for the State Department in Poland on Holocaust issues, and that period inspires my books set during the Second World War, like The Kommandant’s Girl. The Ambassador’s Daughter, which is a prequel to The Kommandant’s Girl, was inspired by the master’s thesis I wrote at Cambridge on events related to the Paris Peace Conference.

2. How long did it take you to write your first novel?


     I honestly don’t remember. I started writing in late 2001 and it was on the shelves in March 2007. Definitely several years and then there was the process of trying to find an agent, the 39 publisher rejections, and all of the editing. It felt like a long road (though short, I know, compared to some!)

3. Do you have any writing rituals?


     One writing ritual I find tremendously helpful is reading something inspiring, either a research book or something on writing craft, and taking notes in the evening. They serve as writing prompts the next morning. So when I am bleary eyed at five a.m., I don’t have to work about jumpstarting my creativity or generating ideas – I just go.

     Another ritual is that every time I am about to finish writing a book, I go away for the weekend to this tiny beachside motel. It is offseason, usually May, and I am alone with the manuscript, which I attempt to beat into submission.

4. Who are your favorite authors?

     This is tough! I adore Tracy Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring) Anita Shreve (The Pilot’s Wife), Laura Lippman (What the Dead Know), and Kate Atkinson (Case Histories). And since I’ve only listed four authors, I’m going to step out of line for the fifth and mention some single titles I love: Air and Angels by Susan Hill (some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read); A Soldier of The Great War by Mark Helperin (I remember being stuck during a rail strike in a train station in Lille, France, completely oblivious because I was lost in this wonderful tale); Away by Amy Bloom (incredibly moving); and People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (it is the thinking Jewish woman’s Da Vinci Code.) For recent books, I’m evangelical about Anna Funder’s All That I Am and The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.

5. What is the hardest part about writing for you?

     I am not great at scenic detail and internal monologue. I write a lot of dialogue and plot up front and my agent and editor then push me to deepen it. Also I have a tendency to overuse the word “suddenly.”

About the Book

     When Margot Rosenthal’s diplomat father is summoned to Paris in 1919 as a German delegate to help rebuild a new world from the ashes of the Great War, Margot is eager to accompany him and delay her return to Berlin and her wounded fiancé, Stefan, who now feels like a stranger to her.

     Although Margot spends her days frustrated by the overcrowded streets of Paris and her nights bored at her father’s dreary political functions, she nevertheless relishes what little freedom she has left before her impending marriage. But Margot’s entire world is suddenly turned upside down when she strikes up new alliances with two separate people, each as different as night and day, but to both of whom Margot is drawn as strongly as a moth to a flame.

     As Margot fights to suppress her burgeoning new desires, dark forces are at play, seeking to manipulate her for their own nefarious purposes. With the fate of the world looming, Margot finds herself being used as a pawn in a political chess match played by people who are willing to sacrifice the lives of everyone she holds dear to achieve their goals. For a girl who has never had freedom of choice before, suddenly Margot has too many choices to make, each more harrowing than the last.


About the Author

     Pam Jenoff is the author of several novels, including The Kommandant's Girl, which received widespread acclaim, earned her a nomination for a Quill Award and became an international bestseller. She previously served as a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. State Department in Europe, as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army at the Pentagon and as a practicing attorney. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree in history from Cambridge University and her bachelor’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University. Pam Jenoff lives with her husband and three children near Philadelphia where, in addition to writing, she teaches law school.


Review Coming Soon!!!