BOOK REVIEW 2015-047 - PRETTY UGLY

I received a paperback ARC copy of this book on February 6, 2015 through a giveaway on GoodReads.com and I’ve waited until today to post my honest opinion of the book.

For anyone who has watched “Family Guy” often this is something you would expect coming from the writer and producer of this show, who is also the author of this book.

To understand this book better one needs to know the highly satirical nature of the author’s Emmy nominated animated television show. There is no topic in it which hasn’t been gone after such as the American south, gross religious fanaticism, etc.

Having been raised in Kentucky, where this story takes place, the author has probably remembered the all the fuss which had occurred regarding beauty pageants as he was growing up coupled with the documentaries we’ve seen on cable, and decided to write a book about it. If one looks hard enough some of individuals in the story shared some of characteristics of those in “Family Guy.”

Satire is a highly individualistic genre of writing, while some individuals who read this book will laugh out loud, others might find the stereotypes in the book overly exaggerated and the writing at times devoid of any humor.

The title of the book, “Pretty Ugly”, is, in my opinion, the oxymoronic personification of the story itself. And given my level of satirical understanding and appreciation, I’m happy to this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B00NE06TE4

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/ebook/dp/B00NE06TE4

BOOK REVIEW 2015-046 - LEAVING MONTANA

I received a signed copy of Leaving Montana in connection with an internet giveaway, and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

As I began to read this book I became enthralled by Mr. Whaley writing which had pulled me in effortlessly to the literary fiction which the author states on GoodReads.com for the book’s description is based on a true family saga.

The author’s use of the first person throughout the book adds to all the emotions one feels Benjamin Sean Quinn is experiencing as he finds out the truth about the 40-year old secret his father had recently mention when he and Ben’s mother had been stationed in Billings, Montana.  The secret had caused his parent’s to have a tumultuous marriage which lead Ben to accumulate the anger he had towards them, and to successfully suppress and conquer the demons he had been experiencing throughout his life.

And once Ben discovers everything he needed to unravel the facts behind the secret he came to solve he leaves Montana for the first and last time, leaving everything he’d found there unscathed.

Given the way the author has described everything, especially with the fervor he has, my intuition is telling me there’s much more going on than one reads. My intuition is telling me this book might actually be a literary work of fiction disguising the personal memoir the book might actually be.

Given the expanse of the emotional values this book delivers, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MCB1HPM

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MCB1HPM

WEEKLY STATUS REPORT # 45

The good thing is, this week I’m able to post my Weekly Status Report on a timely basis; the sad thing is my OH is still in the hospital so please DON’T ASK me anything about it as it is quite depressing for me to think about it.

The books I’m winning from the giveaways I’ve entered and won are still coming in with 6 books by 5 authors yet to be received, plus 2 e-books yet to be  download to the KINDLE App on my computer.

For those who are keeping tabs, having brought my participation down on LinkedIn to the 3 groups I OWN, the 2 that I MANAGED, and the 3 Romance groups I belong to, I’ve been able to read and review an impressive total of 6 books on Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing and Shelfari, plus my 3 personal sites since my last report.

Another wonderful thing which has taken away my thoughts concerning my OH is my dream of becoming one of the TOP 10,000 reviewers on Amazon has finally been fulfilled with a current ranking of 9,722. My next dream is to hit 5,000 where I will receive a badge on my profile.

At the present time I’ve got a total of 8 books in my possession to read/review. Hopefully, with my cutting back on the number of giveaways I entering, I can be up to date with my reviews in about three weeks.

Don’t worry, I’m still planning to resume writing my WIPs, but I’m not sure when it will be now.

So THANKS for your kind support. I know your thoughts are with me.

BOOK REVIEW 2015-045 - THE CLAIMING OF SLEEPING BEAUTY

I received a copy of this copy from a GoodReads.com giveaway and the following is my honest opinion of the book.

Growing up what girl hasn’t read sleeping beauty or watch the classic Disney cartoon and dreamt of having a Prince Charming entering her life and becoming a Princess. And having grown up has realized it had merely been a fairy tale of their youth and although there are many wonderful guys in the world not one of them is truly a Prince.

I should have read the description for this book more closely otherwise I wouldn’t have entered this particular giveaway.

In this version of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty doesn’t get woken by a kiss from her Prince Charming ending her hundred year curse, instead she’s gets brought into a life of total sexual enslavement by a master who desires her beauty to solely fulfill the desires of other men. The story takes its readers through the adept writing of its author, Anne Rice, to the erotic extreme of BDSM where some women might want fantasize about, but few would desire for it to be a reality.

Beauty is repeatedly force to endure incredible erotica rituals with strangers solely to fulfill their wanton sexual desires.

As a Book Reviewer, I’ve already read several erotic novels. The author’s selection for the title of this book is totally apropos as this is what happens to Beauty at the hands of her so-called Prince Charming.

Even though this book had been a New York Times Bestseller and had been originally published in 1983 I found myself not being able to turn the pages fast enough to get to the last page; which is why I’m giving this book the lowest rating I give for any review I post of 3 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/0452281423

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0452281423

BOOK REVIEW 2015-044 - AT HIS COMMAND [Historical Romance Version]

I received an e-book copy of this “At His Command” [Historical Romance Version] through a giveaway for the 4^th anniversary of The Romance Reviews [TRR] and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

It’s quite a challenge for a romance author, or any author for that matter, to write their first novel, yet Ms. Kaufman has decided to write not one but two versions of the same story for her first endeavor; one as an historical romance and the second as an inspirational one in order to attract, in my opinion, a wider audience base for her future endeavors.

The author’s well researched endeavor added to her writing pulls its readers into the story as they, if the mood is right, begin to fantasize they’re in Lady Amice’s shoes, due to the descriptions which are provided, especially that of court life.

After the death of her husband getting Lady Amice gets emotionally attracted to Sir Nicholas, who the king had sent to protect her from undesirable suitors, but for the sake of a better word is penniless. The king and queen, on the other hand desires that she marries a highly-ranked lord, someone who is more aligned with their needs for the kingdom’s survival with his money for the treasury and connections to maintain the forces needed for the army.

To experience Lady Amice’s dilemma you’ll need to check this book out. Meanwhile, I’m giving 5 STARS for my experience.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPG52A6

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QPG52A6

BOOK REVIEW 2015-043 - SOME BOYS

This review is for one of the four signed books I’ve recently won from this author through a massive giveaway on one internet site, which had consisted of 13 individual ones, and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

To begin with, while I believe the ages of the characters in this book are that of high school students making it appropriate for the YA [Young Adult] audience; the serious topic the book deals with.

Pardon me for sounding a little prudish, but this book seem to be more appropriately classified as a book for the upper range of the NA [new adult] genre of romance as it requires a more mature audience of readers, or even perhaps as an adult romance novel.

The story is truthfully raw in its depiction of happens to an young, underage female drinker who gets drunk at a party and is taken advantage of by one of the boys there, a boy who one would never expect of being capable of committing such a heinous act.  Naturally, it is Grace who is now being looked at as the instigator for this alleged event occurring, and everyone begins to shun her. Everyone that is, except for one individual boy, Ian, who eventually sees the truth in what she’s been saying.

Ian, is the type of guy any woman would love to have in her corner, a guy who would find the truth in what she’s been saying in regards to the terrifying ordeal she had to face, and is willing to stand by her.

On the other hand, the discussion questions Ms. Blount provides at the end of book; turns this book a wonderful teaching tool in preparing young girls to face a possible reality of life no woman would ever want to happen to them. And for the educational property this book presents, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JS4J81G

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JS4J81G

BOOK REVIEW 2015-042 - EDEN FOREST

I received a signed copy of this book through a giveaway on FaceBook, and the following is my honest opinion for the book.

While the premise of parallel universes is not new, the way the author chooses to use the concept is. In the case of a Eden Forest by Aoife Marie Sheridan the parallel universe is Saskia and SaraJane is the link between it and back home on Earth.

On Earth SaraJane is a typical 21-year old. She has a job and one day after her mother disappears she gets whisked by Tristan to an unknown world where she discovers she is now a real life princess, and is the only one who can save Saskia from its fate.

Growing up on Earth SaraJane had no powers, but soon discovers she has magical ones now, like everyone else.

On Saskia she starts to discover herself through a journey which will take her through the unbelievable world she’s on now, which includes coming face to face with a father she never knew as a child.

The story which the author has written is pure fantasy, and has a romantic element in which SaraJane’s guardian has grabbed the attention of her heart.  However, there a dark element present that wants to take this away from her.

The more SaraJane learns about the powers she now possesses, the more she learns it comes with a heavy price, as she’s being continuously tested.  And she ultimately must ask herself a question no one wants to have to answer, the question concerning life and death itself, the question which deals with who will die and who will live.

The storyline, which begs the reader to read more and to turn each page to learn more, only could be present due to the skillful writing of Ms. Sheridan. 

Eden Forest is the first part of the trilogy the author has concocted of which I’d love reading. But unfortunately, being a Book Reviewer, I don’t have the time or luxury of being able to read the rest of the books in this series. With that said, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.  

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C43FKHY

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C43FKHY

BOOK REVIEW 2015-041 - BROODY NEW ENGLANDER

I received a signed copy of this book in connection with a miscellaneous internet giveaway and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

Broody New Englander is a compendium of three stories; one is a novella and the other two short stories, all of which have come from the creative mind of its author, Kenneth Weene. Mr. Weene couldn’t have picked a better adjective for his book, or for the essence which describes all, if not most, of the characters in the book.

All of the author’s characters come from the memories he had living in New England and the psychological POV he uses throughout his endeavor here stem from his work practicing psychology in New York. While some authors merely attempt this POV, Mr. Weene attempt is, due  to his background, far more realistic in giving us the insights to the human psyche of each of his characters as they deal with a broad range of emotions going from the power of rage and hate down to the more sedate one of love, as well as dealing with the oft-time related topics of disloyalty and injustice.

The almost effortless style of Mr. Weene’s writing is quite inviting, as it causes the reader to know what is on the next page. And given this, I’m giving his book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCUYK12

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QCUYK12

BOOK REVIEW 2015-040 - LIFE BEGINS AT SUNRISE

I won a copy of this book through a giveaway on FaceBook, and the following is my honest opinion for it.

Given the subject matter this book deals with, I couldn’t begin to think of a more metaphoric title than the one the author has chosen to use. 

While theoretically life begins at the moment our mother gives birth to us, it doesn’t really start until one leaves the nest and safe haven of one’s home. And for many of us, it is when we head off to college to learn what will become our livelihood.

Such is the story has we follow Vane Carlson as he leaves college to learn his heart’s desire, that of training bird dogs. As he starts to master the skills he needs to succeed, he also begins to learn what it truly means to be a man.

It is easy to relate to many of the characters in the book, as share the same weaknesses as well as their fortes. The storyline of this book deals with hard work, friendship, forgiveness as well as faith in oneself, others, and G-d. The story also deals with finding love, true love, while the norms of the day should have forbidden it.

For all the real life attributes and humanistic aspects this book beautifully contains, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

I read this book on March 20^th and I’m just getting around to posting my review now.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLM7C3U

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KLM7C3U

BOOK REVIEW 2015-039 - ANGEL OF DEATH

I received an e-book version of this novel through an internet giveaway which had been given by 4 Wills Publishing and the following is my honest opinion.

While having read a few novels for this genre since becoming a Book Reviewer about six-and-a-half months ago I find this endeavor by Jennifer Hinsman to be the quintessential example of what a real erotic novel should be like, others on the other might consider this to be pornographic. But since reviewing one which actually is porn I can tell the difference, this one at least has other elements in the storyline besides sex such as mystery, romance and a little comedy sprinkled in for good measure.

Although Tancy and Audrey, the two main characters, came from two totally different backgrounds, they bounded when they met as college roommates and they friendship grew as time went by. When Audrey learns about a murder which had occurred during Tancy’s childhood the two decided to investigate it and to attempt to find the culprit.

The writing draws the readers in, as they get absorbed into the action of the storyline and wanting to what will happen next.

And after considering all the facts, how can I not give this book 5 STARS.  

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UBI5Y

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P2UBI5Y

BOOK REVIEW 2015-038 - I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT

I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on GoodReads.com and the following review is my honest opinion for this book.

There are several important ages in a woman’s life, the first of which is the age of sixteen; the in which they go from being a girl to being a young woman.

The next is 21 where their parents can no longer legally tell them what to do. They can now legally smoke and drink to their heart’s desire. And they can have a relationship with any man they want to and how they want it.

We now come to the age of 50, the dreaded age which Annebelle Gurwitch writes about in her book. I found Ms. Gurwitch didn’t flinch in writing any of her essays when it came with the myriad of topic she discusses, whether it be about a relatively mundane topic as getting anti-aging cosmetic products at the beauty counter, to those intimate subject matters a woman might not even write about in her diary.

The author’s comedic background allows her to add a certain humorous approach to whatever the topic might be, an element which would have been lacking had someone else written the same item. Ms. Gurwitch’s essays, I feel, gives a reason for women to possibly laugh at themselves as they reach this crucial age in their lives.

For opening a new door to the world of possibilities, I’m happy to give 5 STARS for this book.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGZKKZG`

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DGZKKZG

BOOK REVIEW 2015-037 - A BIT OF HEAVEN ON EARTH

I won a e-book copy of “A Bit of Heaven on Earth” from the first week of the 4^th anniversary giveaway for “The Romance Reviews” website and the following is my honest for this book.

It takes a lot of effort for an author to write any sort of novel set in a specific historical period of time. While grammatical errors can be overlooked, those errors involving historical information aren’t so easily forgiven. Which is why of historical research which needs to be done, and verified, before an author can type that proverbial final period of their manuscript can be typed. Perhaps this is why many authors, including myself, avoid writing in this genre.

Ms. Linwood, on the other hand, has succeeded in this aspect of her book, as well as the time specific language she’s used in the dialogue. 

As for the overall story itself I found Elizabeth to be out of character for a woman of her times. Elizabeth is clearly doesn’t want to be demure like other women, she wants to have self-determination in her life.

Elizabeth is a strong heroine-headstrong, thirsting for knowledge, willing to take on challenges that would be handled by men and determined to live her own life. After successfully avoiding being betrothed, she gets married off by her father into a life without sex to over-aged Alfred. However, Alfred allows her to be educated, which is definitely not the norm for this time period.

When Gavin enters her life as a knight in her husband’s guard he lights a passion in Elizabeth’s heart where none had existed before. She longs to be with him, but after her husband’s death, fate steps in as she gets promised to another man.

Given Gavin’s financial state, how can she have any sort of forever relationship with him as she has nothing herself since women during this time period couldn’t own any property, etc.  Yet, their relationship somehow endures within the confines which exist for them.

This is the first time I’ve read a book in this sub-genre of romance and found it to be quite inviting; it’s a genre from which dreams and fantasies can be made. And as a result I’m happy to give Ms. Linwood’s endeavor here 5 STARS.
 
US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHMH0IU

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QHMH0IU

BOOK REVIEW 2015-036 - SHOCK EXCHANGE

I won a signed copy of “Shock Exchange” by Ralph W. Baker, Jr through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

Having been educated within the New York City school system, and living in the NY City metropolitan area all my life, I’ve seen education go from being equal throughout the system, in my opinion, to where inner city youth have become more and more forgotten about.

Reading the synopsis for this book, it had piqued my curiosity, and I want to learn more about program created by the author; which is why I’d entered the giveaway being offered by author.

As I read the book, I found it to be less and less to be about the program the author had created in an inner city area of Brooklyn, NY; and more and more like a wonderful, revealing memoir about an Afro-American who had been born in the rural town of Farmville, Virginia. The author writes about all the events in life which lead him to become a successful, internationally-known Wall Street individual. Given the history of this financial world, this achievement should be deemed remarkable.

Instead of writing about the “Shock Exchange,” its creation, history and successes, the author has instead told us about his childhood, education, and historical financial events which had transpired around him through the years, as well as those he’d been part of.

Apparently this author wants to shun the spotlight on himself, which is why I feel a much better title for this book would have been, “From Farmville to Wall Street – An Afro-American Male Experience.”

In the end I’m giving Mr. Baker and this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099UYBL6

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0099UYBL6

BOOK REVIEW 2015-035 - UTOPIA, IOWA

I received of copy of “Utopia, Iowa” through an internet giveaway and the following is my honest opinion of this book.

I found reading this endeavor by Brian Yansky a sheer delight to read. I love the quirky town of Utopia, Iowa; which is a real name for a settlement in Iowa. The author gives his readers of quote from Wikipedia concerning this town under the subject of utopia. If you read this you’ll find out the significance for this town having name, and for the author ultimately choosing this town for his book.

Mr. Yansky’s book has also remind me of a television/cable program I used to watch in the early 1990’s, “Eerie, Indiana.” According to IMDB.com the plot summary for this program is:

“Marshall Teller's family moves to the small country town of Eerie, Indiana (Pop. 16,661). There, Marshall discovers that Eerie, as he puts it, "is the center of weirdness for the universe". Elvis lives there, so do a pair of twins who stay young by sleeping in Tupperware, and many other strange things. Each episode, Marshall and his friend Simon collect evidence about the creepy things that happen there.”

Just as in this program’s episodes the author has given us, in his book, a wonderful blend of realism, the paranormal, with a hint of mystery; which is, in my opinion, sure to keep a reader’s interest.

This is why I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQTPCFM

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QQTPCFM

BOOK REVIEW 2015-034 - WULF

I received the KINDLE version of this book through a holiday giveaway on FaceBook, and the following is my honest opinion for this book.  I read this book between March 9 and March 10 and I’m only now getting around to posting my review for it.

Being a Book Reviewer affords one the opportunity of reading books of every genre imaginable. While I’ve already reviewed books which contain futuristic, science fiction and romantic elements, as well as a M/M short story, this is the first time I’ve read this last element in a real novel.

I like the way Ms. Allen has melded all of the various genres this book contains into a single novel. There are surprises which are continually popping up especially when you consider the relationship between Wulf and Luc, a pair of guys who previously have been adversaries. I found this book to be a page turner because of this.

Just as it takes a certain male author to be able to write a decent romance novel, regardless of the sub-genre from a woman’s POV, it takes a certain woman to be able to write a M/M romance novel well; and apparently from my limited exposure to this genre, Ms. Allen succeeded.  

If you’d like to read a different romance genre, which you’ve never read before, I’d consider reading this book.

Given the above, I’m happy to give Kayelle Allen 4 STARS for her endeavor here.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRKLUP0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HRKLUP0

STATUS REPRT # 44

With the time-consuming craziness which has occupied my life for the past several weeks finally to subsiding, I now have my OH hospitalized with a non-life threatening condition I’m now beginning to feel mentally and emotionally frazzled.

With this aside, I’d started to make progress with the books I’m reviewing. Right now I’ve got 6 reviews I still need to post here. I’ve got 6 books in my possession which I’m currently in the process of reading/reviewing.

However, the dam has burst with my having won an almost incredible amount of books in the past 10 days. I won 3 books [2 real and 1 e-book] from one giveaway; and from one massive giveaway consisting of 13 giveaways I won 6 with a total of 10 days [and swags] and 2 from yet an anniversary giveaway in two weeks.

With the 15 books I’ve won in the above, with many of them being signed and about 2 e-books, I’ll be holding back on the number of giveaways I’ll be entering for a while, until I got only a small handful of books left to do.

Meanwhile, my Amazon Reviewer Ranking as I write this post is at 10,420, my best ranking yet. This ranking changes every two days, and my dream of being one of the top ten reviewers is in reach as I just need a small handful of readers saying YES to my reviews.

I’ve also decided to reduce my involvement in the groups I belong to on LinkedIn as I don’t really participate in most of them and only concentrate on the ones I own and the ones associated with the genres I’m writing in.

My writing endeavors are still on hold until I see people buying one of my two books.

http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Leigh-Morgan/e/B00BWXT4VU

QUICK UPDATE

The chaos in my life is beginning to subside.

I've finally been able to clear up threes area of my internet life.

I've only read/reviewed one book since my last post and have only posted it on Amazon so far. While I taking about Amazon I'm amazed at my current Amazon Reviewer Ranking. Here's the link to my Amazon profile 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A19QLCLVPLZ0B

Check out the reviews I've written while you're there, perhaps there might be one you might want to buy for yourself or as a gift.

BOOK REVIEW 2015-033 - BAWB'S RAVEN FEATHERS

I feel extremely lucky to have received a signed hardcover boxset of Robert [BawB] Chomany’s “Raven Feathers” in connection with an internet giveaway. The following is my honest opinion for this series of books.

This is the first time I’ve done a review for an entire series of books at the same time.

Growing up during the 1960’s and 1970’s one of the big things people were getting involved with TM or Transcendental Meditation which basically had encouraged a restful state of mind beyond thinking which is what this series of books reminds me of.

This feeling is echoed on the author’s blog site http://www.bawbasravenfeathers.com where he writes about himself:

“One thing led to another and I eventually ambled off into the mountains, where I was introduced to myself on a spiritual level, and my spirit guide the Raven helped me find balance, we spent many a day chatting about life, living and being, he shared with me his feathers of life, I share them now with you.”

While it’s nice to have the author share we know what brought him to write this series of books, to better understand them better we need to look at the significance of the author’s decision to use the raven as part of the title for these books.

Robert Chomany aka “BawBa” writes he was born and lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This area of Canada is the home for the Inuit Eskimo peoples for which the raven plays a very important part of their culture. For them the raven is their culture hero. He is a benevolent and revered transformer figure who, just like the intent of these books, helps the people and shapes their world for them.

Mr. Chomany wrote the following description on the jacket flap of each hardcover book I received:

“Bawba’s Raven Feathers” is pure and simple. It kick starts moments pf self-reflection and inner peace by drawing on nostalgia and pushing the reader to live in the present and dream of tomorrow. Alternating brief chapters of prose with perfectly rhymic rhymes, and to write down your thoughts and inspiring ideas, this book holds appeal for the masses.”

[I used plain sheets of papers to accomplish this.]

Each volume of this series of books focuses in on different aspects of our daily lives.

VOLUME 1 = The Moment, Solitude, Simplicity, Serenity, Beauty, Time.

VOLUME 2 = Challenges, Perception, Choice, Smile, Opportunity, Being You.

VOLUME 3 = Strength, Belief, Energy, Positivity, Balance, Renewal.

VOLUME 4 = Confidence, Doubt, Success, Patience, Rest, Gratitude.

VOLUME 5 = Let Go, Journey, Be Present, Learn, Dream, Change.

Regardless of which volume you choose I believe you’ll find it a rewarding, self-reflecting experience, much in the same manner I have; which is why I’m giving all of these five books 5 STARS.

US KINDLE LINKS

VOLUME 1 = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM5ORIM

VOLUME 2 = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM5OVHO

VOLUME 3 = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM5ORO6

VOLUME 4 = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RNBUBK8

VOLUME 5 = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RM5OS0O

HARDCOVER BOXSET

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926518055

For the UK and other countries please change these links for the one appropriate for you.

BOOK REVIEW 2015-032 - THE MUSINGS OF A CAROLINA YANKEE

I received a print copy of this book from a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest review for it.

It appears I’m once again posting the first review for a book I’ve read here on Amazon which makes it clear I couldn’t be influenced by any other review.

As I read “The Musing of a Carolina Yankee” I had difficulty deciding whether the author is a guy from the northern east corner of the United States who believes is a “Good Old Southern Boy,” or a “Good Old Southern Boy” who has gotten lost up in the north and can’t for the life of him find his way back home to Carolina.

Regardless of which story I read I found a typical stereotyped good old southern boy element which added a certain charm to each one. Had the author not included this I feel the stories would be rather bland. 

The use of southern pronunciations throughout the book also added to each story’s rustic quality.

The shortness of each story makes it quite conducive to read the book when you have nothing else to do.

Without anyone hold a shotgun at my back I’m happy to give this 4 no make it 5 STARS. 

US =  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933455969

UK =  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1933455969

BOOK REVIEW 2015-031 - WHY I'M A SABBATH-KEEPING CHRISTIAN

Before I begin I must state I obtained a copy of this book through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

Unlike most individuals who might read this book I’m not a Christian, I’m Jewish [the “original” religion]. I’ve always been amazed how basically all Christians celebrate the seventh day as Sunday. And how the Roman Catholics perpetually violate the 2^nd Commandment by having Christ on the Cross in front of the church and all the statues of various saints throughout the rest of it, statues to which the parishioners pray to.

This book, written by Dan Jarrod, gives a relatively comprehensive reason for the seventh day, the Sabbath, on Saturday; which it accomplishes by citing quotations from both the Old and New Testaments, without approaching it in an overly preaching manner.

All one needs to do to have a totally non-sectarian reason for Saturday is to simply look at any calendar. All weeks start with Sunday and ends with Saturday.

In short, this book should be read by all, regardless of which Abrahamic faith [Judaism, Christianity, or Islam] one might belong to; which is why I’m giving this book 5 STARS.  

US =  http://www.amazon.com/dp/0990984605

UK = http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0990984605

BOOK REVIEW 2015-030 - THE FOOD MONOLOGUES

This is the second time I’ve been fortunate to have won a copy of this author’s plays. The first had been a collection of two one act plays in a book entitled “Spitting Daisies & Communicating through the Sunset.” The following review is my honest opinion of the book.

It appears I’m the first one to be reviewing this book and as such it’s a somewhat intimidating experience since there is no one who has come before me to influence what I’m writing for my own review.

Just as there is a different between reading prose [regular writing] and poetry, the same difference applies to reading plays. I find reading plays really forces me to use my imagination to envision what is happening on the pages I’m reading. Needless to say the stage directions given for an actual production of Ms. Kerri Kochansk’s play does help in this endeavor.

If anyone has ever read or seen the play “The Vagina Monologues” you will have a basic simplistic idea of what “The Food Monologues” is like. Both of these plays deal with issues which women deal with almost every day of their lives; while one deals openly with a sexual organ and their feelings about all the things related to it; the other deals with their love/hate relationship to food in addition to ideas regarding their own body image.

As “The Food Monologues” progresses we are witness to a series of vignettes by various women each talking about their experiences regarding eating/dieting, weight loss/gain, eating disorders, the stigma of social perception/expectations regarding women and their shapes, and of course the implication of all this on the important factor known as beauty.

I extremely doubt any woman would not be able see themselves to some extend in at least 9 to 10 of the 37 characters in this play. For having the fortitude to tell it the way it is, I can’t deny Ms. Kochanski the 5 STARS I’m giving her book.

US = http://www.amazon.com/dp/0990984605

UK = http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0990984605