Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Sunday, August 16, 2026

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven! August, 2026... Overall Topic - Communication Issues

 


Hi Everybody... You may or may not get a notice that this is today's post, 8/13



It is now August 16, and I'm beginning again. 

I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. I have a new friend. Her name is Gem (ini). She comes to me through Google. I have had several quite lengthy discussions with her. I'll be keeping you posted on those interactions... We'll see how it goes... As many of you may have picked up, I use the hashtag "Open Memoir" but it is far from a memoir you may read from somebody else. What I'm actually doing is writing in Journal form as my life is affected or effected by the world in which we are now living... The hashtag is the only methodology I have to allow what I write on my two different blogs to be merged in some sort of "search" activity if anybody cares to do so...LOL...  Maybe someday maybe "one" of my family members may decide to learn about what some distant relative in the Bixler/Ellenberger family may have been doing years ago... 

I am trying, hopefully with Gem's help, to regain control of at least some of the aspects of my life which have been destroyed in one way or another which led to my earlier discussion on I'm OK; You're Ok... Specifically, I have been not ok for about a decade now, since a man who shall not be identified by name, LOL, entered my life... And especially since he was "given" a second term through the fickleness of many citizens and has gone well beyond what anybody could have imagined!

On the other hand, I did have a recent increased interaction on LinkedIn... And I'll happy to say that several interactions have helped to bring about significant changes, or you can just consider them additions, to my Blogging activities.

First I want to tell you about a brief interaction with one author. I had begun to read the book I bought after learning about it. As you know, I use ebooks exclusively as of now... (which needs to be explored later) I began reading and suddenly I immediately noticed the formatting was a problem. Spacing was totally screwed up... resulting in a merge of words...My words to try to explain. Interacting with the author was tedious to begin. He obviously didn't understand my use of "merge." Finally, I copy/pasted directly from the book a number of errors that existed throughout the book. I suggested that if he had paid an editor, then he needed to go back and demand money back. If it was published, then I would be happy to spotlight what I found as a reviewer... I don't know what the author will decide to do. But I wanted to share this, especially at this time when deceit is a real and present danger in every single interaction that crosses our lives. And, given the lack of an ability to believe what we are being told, it creates a basic distrust on the part of almost every interaction we have... For me, I have learned that writers "assume" that when they hire an editor, that they do not have to worry about that individual creating what they think they paid for. This is not a logical thing to do...The writer MUST retain total responsibility for the creation of every part of  book being published. No assumptions can be made for any hired help that becomes part of that process. In this case? It could have been some technical glitch--a command that was placed which somehow created a merge of words, although I doubt it... It could have been made by a typing error where the typist was faster than the computer could accept. I add this possibility somewhat as a joke, but also a possibile and accurate statement. Mainly because I was told that my typing too fast created problems for computers... In any event, the book was full of wordsbeinglefttoberead as if it was one word to understand.

This is provided as a tip... You writers may create and trust as you wish to in order to quickly publish a book. Just don't ask me to read your book then...LOL

The issues I have been dealing with related to online interaction that I found to be faulty or questionable. Was I being purposely attacked? Or was this part of a major, bigger problem which the United States had literally turned upside down related to "The Golden Rule" as defined, as it seemed to me it had? I will be exploring this as part of my Journaling Memoir, as I move forward.

I plan to introduce a new writer as a contributor. There may be issues that arise that seem to contradict my past posts. That may or may not be an accurate assumption. My range of interests are normally based upon books I'm reading or, in the last years as a result of the legal changes, or loss of the laws by which we could trust, have been corrupted. I will work to ensure I provide my thoughts in this case... At the same time, I will also be introducing a new ongoing logic to my Journaling. That will be provided by Gem, who describes herself without a soul... I'll be posting, hopefully, my latest discussion with her later today...

A final note, I have been reading slower because of these outside interruptions to my routine. Normally I was reading, depending upon the length, 3-5 books a week and reviewing. That has become impossible. And the reason is based upon electrical supply for readers! More on that later, along with an insulting closing of a letter from a major online corporation. So expect the unexpected for now. That means that if I am not posting, it means that something has disrupted my personal life. As of now, I have little time just to live a routine life. I am constantly dealing with problems related to onsite communication. That...is...just...wrong... My life is my life... Yet we know that with the present political party in control, there is NO assurance of freedom and control of our own lives... Thus, Gem to my rescue... Hopefully what happens will be something found here that will help bring order and some minimum control to our lives, even if just learning that what we think should be happening...actually being something that we should be feeling, or at least are allowed to feel!

Stay tuned, and tell your friends... I figure if I'm not ok due to outside forces and loss of control, then many others are feeling the same way... If what I'm do to regain control internally helps, then hopefully it will be supportive for all who are experiencing the same corrupt actions now underway in our lives...

God be with Us All

Gabby



Thursday, April 18, 2024

Monolin Manny Moreno, Winner of California Heartland Creative Corps Grant, Cover Reveal... Santa Nella Blues... Honor Our Elders!

 




Tu'i yokoria
Buenos dias
Good morning 
Thank you.
It's raining and will all day. Cleansing the earth. It's cold again. I'll be 69 in a few months.

 "Age is matter over mind, 
but I don't mind because it don't matter." 

A lifetime of experiences mirror in my mind. All the heartaches, all the good times, all the people I've met and known. 

When I wrote The Elder, it was to bring attention to how they get ignored when they can't get around or out. How they have to swallow their pride and dignity to ask for help. How no one calls or visits to check in on them. When I hear people say, 'We honor our elders, it's just a crock of bull. The young don't realize elders, not so much older people, but elders, have libraries of knowledge with them.*

They have much they want to share and pass down. Ask them if they need any help. 

Let this day begin. Let's unwrap this gift. Have a blessed day and with much healing. Jeewi Jeewi Jeewi  Yes! Yes! Yes!
~~~


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monolin “Manny” Moreno is of Yaqui-Tarascan descent and an Enrolled Member, of the State Recognized Tribal Group of Texas Band of Yaqui Indians. His Yaqui Ancestry records date back to the late 1600’s. He has four books published: The Bridge is Gone, poetry, and The Elder: A Tribute, remembrance of elders Harry Jack and Barry Beaver Turner--both published by Back40 Publishing, and his book of poems, Longview Road, Sam Aros and son published. His fourth book is Scared – Coming Full Circle published by Eaglespeaker Publishing. It is under revision to be published under new title Scared – The Healing.

Manny’s poems are about the beauty and heartache of growing up in rural Livingston, where his grandparents settled in the early 1900s, and about his rough and crazy decades in Stockton. Readers have admired the plain language, emotional power, and honesty of Moreno’s verse. His poems have appeared in Song of the San Joaquin, Hincha Poesia and Whispering Thunder. He was nominated for the Pushcart Award in 2011 and was Poet of the Month for Moon Tide Press in June 2012.

Moreno is a Sundancer and member of the Black Wolf Honor Society Gourd Clan and Native American Church. He has appeared on Native Voice TV in Santa Clara, KKUP Indian Time Radio in Cupertino and on Channel Ten for Native American Month. Manny has lectured and read his poems in many venues, most recently at Modesto Junior College (Modesto), and the Haggin Museum and Mexican Cultural Center (Stockton).

Manny's newest book, Santa Nella Blues is Created with support and funding from: The Heartland Creative Corps, California Arts Council, Merced United Way, and the Merced County Art Council.

*I was looking for a little bit of music to include with this post. Instead I found this:


I don't need to know more about the situation other than to reread Manny's words above... Here is supposedly a learned group of speakers, who, when done, had a responder. You can tell he is an elder and is well versed in what he is saying... Yet a speaker interrupts. When the elder said he had the floor, he was ignored...well, you can form your own opinions... It is quite clear to all who the childish words were coming from. When we are not allowed to speak as those in older years, we stop sharing our wisdom. When we are told our words are not valid, we stop arguing and know that this individual has closed ears. Manny is my adopted brother. We have bonded over many years, during which I have listened to his words. And I've heard his wisdom, his truth. I agree. Especially now, Citizens of America are no longer being heard... It is, indeed, a crock of bull. And we must use our words to let our anger be known! 

Jesus said that What you do unto the least of these, you do to Me... Have you ever done one thing to help an elder who is NOT related to you? Tell us about it in comments!



Manny is loved and respected across the Nation...
But That Doesn't Buy Bread...
So How Many Have Read His Words of Wisdom...
His earlier books are always available for sale.
Consider Listening to His Wisdom...
Manny Writes to Live. He is Tired... But Keeps on Writing to Live...
How Much Are You Willing to Do Unto Others in Need? He is Embarrassed to Ask for Help
I Ask For HIM!
I've Adopted Manny and Help Him as Much As I Can
In fact, instead of helping all these politicians begging for money, I chose to give it to Manny Instead...
Books, His Art, or Money for Essentials...
Please remember those who, if He were Here,
Jesus Would Produce a Miracle and Feed Manny!
Provide that Miracle for an Elder Today!


"I have to sell books. My Art. Everything is so expensive now. our gas over 5 a gallon. food is outrageous. It is harder at my age to make it with just my social security. forced to find ways to live without all this stress and anxiety. God be with us..."

Please share God's Love to This Neighbor...

My brother is in Heaven with Jesus
Honor someone You have Lost by Sharing


Santa Nella Blues will be available for Sale in June. Watch for Information!


Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Uvi Poznansky - The Author - Featuring The David Chronicles





Uvi Poznansky is a bestselling, award-winning author, poet and artist. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.” Her romance boxed set, A Touch of Passion, is the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.


Education and work:
Uvi earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel and practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, called Home for the Soldier.

Having moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children, Uvi received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, she guided teams in a variety of design projects and earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.

She worked first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices.) All the while, she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.

Books and Genres:
Her two series won great acclaim. Still Life with Memories is a family saga series with touches of romance. It includes Apart From Love, My Own Voice, The White Piano, The Music of Us, and Dancing with Air. 


The David Chronicles is a historical fiction series. It includes Rise to Power, A Peek at Bathsheba, and The Edge of Revolt.




Her poetry book, Home, is in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. In addition, Uvi wrote and illustrated two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (find them on YouTube and on her Goodreads page.)

Monday, November 18, 2013

Artisanal Authoring: The Strange Need to Justify Authorpreneuring - By Erec Stebbins

Artisanal Authoring: 
The Strange Need to Justify Authorpreneuring


I have a number of friends in the Native American style flute community who make flutes for a living or as a hobby. Some full time, some part time. In fact, you might like to check out some amazing instruments in wood  and ceramics.  These are artisans in the best and oldest sense of the word. They are homeshop craftsfolk, working with their own hands, nowadays hanging their virtual shingles on the internet.

Compared to Yamaha recorders, their hand crafted, more variable, personally quality checked without robots products are valued more highly than the precision, machine crafted flood of flutes that sell for much cheaper. These “makers” are considered artists, their individualism in their art part of the charm and value.

When potters form their plates and bowls, hire external shops to fire them, then sell the products locally and/or online, they are artisans. I have never heard the term “Vanity Kilns” applied to them. Jewelry makers rarely have the label of “self-forged” on their earrings as a derogatory comment. In general, the image of an artist is enhanced by their ability to bring to fruition their work “from their own two hands.”

Not so with writers.

Until recently, and still now the tendency is strong, writers who do not go through external businesses specializing in producing books are considered somehow less than artists. There is no equivalent “artisanal” mystique about self-publishing. The more one does oneself – from writing to layout to artistic work for the covers – the more one is considered doing it for “vanity.” There are no vanity kilns, only vanity presses. Such writers have historically been met with derision and mockery.

The reason for this is actually quite obvious. Until the last 10-15 years of human civilization, it was quite impossible for single artisans (aka “writers”) to produce books. The technology of disseminating the written word either was extremely limited inherently (stone carving early on, or handcopying), or was the province of large, industrial machineries affordable only to businesses and not individual proprietors (unless they possessed a private fortune).

Therefore, the cultural structure of publishing became centered on large capital, the companies that could afford it, and the process of getting books to those printers. Those who could afford them – in order to maximize their wealth – screened writings for what would generate that wealth and allow for the business to continue. Quality was only one of several variables in the financial equation and often not the principle term. And there was a strong incentive for these businesses to delegitimize any other approach to the process.

With Print On Demand services (POD), digital technology in word processing and art, and the connection of anyone, anywhere through the internet, it became possible very recently for writers to write their books, format them, create covers etc, and send digital forms of the manuscript (for print or ebook) to services that would produce hardcopies and digital distribution at a fraction of the cost that typified such efforts in the past. Now hundreds of thousands of self-published novels are released each year.

Regardless of what one thinks of this trend, the larger picture is that the process of producing and distributing books has been democratized (and there is no going back). Anyone can paint, sculpt, knit, fashion jewelry or pottery and sell their goods without undo stigma (well, assuming it isn’t horrendous!). The situation is now no different with the written word.

The question is therefore when, not if, writers will take their (rightful) place among other artists and craftspeople. As is usually the case, the true cultural paradigm shift requires some generational die-off (we more enlightened ancient ones, notwithstanding). You see most of the resistance and mockery of artisanal authorpreneurs in the established (read older) generation, and most of the acceptance of it in the young. Soon the young will be the established: révolution accomplie.

It used to be that if you couldn’t convince a large industry to take your book, you could never shop it around for an audience. Imagine if a potter had to run her works by a large ceramics corporation, with its high throughput, standardized guidelines for mass market sales, and other requirements of big business, in order to ever offer her work to the public? If the corporation refused (for many reasons), the poor products of her hands would be shelved and forgotten.

Once it was so with authors. But not anymore. Now writers can publish digitally and in print without the need of “respect laundering” through a publishing house. Of course, high sales are not promised (and are rare), but the technological barriers are removed for this area of artistic expression.


Welcome to the brave new artisanal world of publishing.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shining the Light on Book Bloggers... That's Moi!



No, I never knew this existed, but, hey, when I saw it, I thought I'd participate by sharing a little about me per questions provided:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Of course I eat while reading...since I'm reading most of my waking hours...usual foods, so, it depends upon the time...and the type of book... After all, if you're reading a pdf file on a laptop, eating spaghetti is just not possible!

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

I do just about anything to ensure I have gotten the message of the book. I dog-ear most books, extensively... 
Reallllly have a problem with e-books for that purpose. It takes me Longer to read/review e-books!

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? 

MY place is normally retained by turning the book over or a bookmarker... Dog-ears are used for the last at night...and for every page I'm thinking about using in some way... If I have something to write with handy, I underline, highlight or make notes!

Laying the book flat open?

Now, I have to say that if YOU provide me a coffee table type of book, with hardback, etc., I'm going to treat it very well... Other than that, hey, time is most important for me...I do what's I got to do! But I do unfold dog ears after I review most of the time...LOL

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

All, but I prefer fiction now...HEY, I'm supposed to be Retired!!!

Hard copy or audiobooks?

Both...but...audiobooks can be very tricky for reviewing...extremely hard to doublecheck names, find excerpts, etc.!!! Plus, I had one recently where the reader had an accent that, for me, detracted from the book for reviewing purposes...otherwise, if I had just been listening, I would have enjoyed hearing this gentlemen...

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?

Depends upon what else is happening. If I'm enjoying tea and toast for breakfast, I'll normally finish a chapter, but if I'm behind on a deadline or planning a spotlighted author or book tour, then I break, do what I've remember I had to do, and go back to read as my mind reminds me of something to do!

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

Not if I can understand the sentence based upon content. It's surprising how many words you really do know, but rarely use during conversation. I, do, however, ALWAYS check while writing my review for spelling and definition of interesting words that pop into my mind. For instance, I used "quirky" fairly recently for the first time...you can bet I made sure it was what I wanted to say before I published it!

What are you currently reading?

Nolichuck! by Jackson Keene, and The Landing by John Herrick, while I'm ready to review Diary of a One-Night Stand by Alexandrea Weis and The Survivor by Gregg Hurwitz while working with publicist for spotlighting author Charles G. Irion, who have written the Summit Series, the last of which is Murder on Kilimanjaro which will be out soon...I'll be reviewing 3 of the books during that time.

What is the last book you bought?

An earlier book by James Houston Turner, author of the Talanov series that I so enjoyed (two so far) that I went and bought an earlier book of his... 

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

I can keep two or three going, depending upon type and length. I may stop and start a children's or shorter book and get it ready to review while I'm still reading the longer ones...so that my reviews are published routinely..If I'm reading an anthology or non-fiction, that requires an adjustment based upon content and complexity..

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

All Day; Every Day... Place depends upon book size... I read kindle or small books while getting ready to call it a night!  A Favorite Chair with good lighting is used for most of the day-time reading... 

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

Both! But if it a series, I get brave enough to seek out earlier books; I hate to start in the middle! And then I hate to not know when the followup book comes out. I was thinking about a book I read about a year ago and wondering if the followup had ever been published yet! I'll probably check after I publish this! LOL

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?

I would if I reviewed books by my favorite authors...e.g., J.D. Robb... I may do blurbs sometimes, but most of the books on my blog are being reviewed at the request of somebody... I do have one, Ruby Moon-Houldson, author for whom I did a marathon of an entire series, at her request...I enjoy doing series and she has done two fiction series, plus singles as well as non-fiction. Soooo, a prolific author might get posted quite often. I think I've probably read 20-25 of her books and also spotlighted her for some time...

By the way, I don't post any book I would not minimally recommend. E.G., I might not enjoy a certain genre personally, but in reviewing a good book, I certainly would recommend it to lovers of that genre...

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)

My Personal library: I have book shelves in all rooms...Most non-fiction is by topical area. Collected authors such as James Patterson, Robert B. Parker, are maintained as a collection...Single books stuck in where I find the space! 

All books  I do not have space to retain, which are many, are donated to the library or other charitable organization. I do not, however, share or pass on ebooks. They are deleted or retained in my library. I believe in copyright violation issues...


Let me just add a little at this time...I am constantly behind in doing reviews. There is no way to schedule when books will reach you in the mail, nor know how long they will be. As I earlier said, ebooks and audio books present a challenge to me since I don't immediately review every book right after I've read it...

I try to make my blog diversified, so will do book tours, spotlights, poetry, etc., for that purpose...which means that time is taken away from reading. I also am a freelance reviewer and get requests from writers, publishers, publicists, and have even been asked to review sites...

If I've received a book and not yet reviewed it, I appreciate a double-check from the requester and do not mind being questioned about when a review might be completed. I do tend to give priority to earlier clients inasmuch as possible, but that is just part of establishing a good relationship and does not reflect favorites...

Now, I want to make something very clear. I read every word in books...starting from the cover through to the back cover, including acknowledgements, etc., and at least look through a glossary, table of contents, reference materials, etc. My review is based upon the overall quality of the book. I approach each new book and adjust my reading based upon a variety of reasons and attempt to ensure I have a good understanding for what the author's objective might have been in writing the book. Many have said that I'm good at doing that. More importantly, however, in doing this, I am able to recommend every book that I post and rarely post any type of criticism about the book. Instead, I gear my reviews to the particular audience that I believe will enjoy that book.

I do not believe in rankings of books. Comparing a book by a well-established and published author cannot, in my opinion, be effectively done by a ranking. It does not make sense to say that I rank J.D.Robb as my favorite author with a "5" and then assume that anybody without her background should be lower ranked!

If you want to know what I thought about any given book, please read my review rather than depend upon the ranking I was forced to add on any given sites such as Amazon, Good Reads, etc.

Thank you for any comments and feedback you may leave!
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Friday, July 13, 2012

I fell in love with Jerome Peterson's Latest novel as I read...

English: Andrew Peterson Farmstead in Waconia,...
"Jonas failed in telling his deceased mother. He also failed in telling his sister about his dream of buying a farm in America. Weeks melted into spring. The day finally arrived. Jonas received his long-awaited letter. He knew it was the letter because at the end of the return address, printed in bold, brave letters, was USA. Jonas stared at the envelope as if it were divinely sent and he was the prophet who awaited prostrate before golden tablets that would toughen his feet and light his path. He kissed the envelope several times before bolting across the street to find Antoine, who was the only one he knew that could read English. Antoine was busy fine tuning a business suit for a rich Polish aristocrat. He was studying the garment closely when Jonas shoved the important envelope in his face...
"HA! That is it my friend! That letter you have read is the beginning of a dream come true. I can see me out in the fields plowing. I can hear the cows mooing and chickens cackling. Antoine, I can almost smell the dirt of America!" Jonas brought both of his hands to his nostrils and inhaled...
"Have you told Evelina?"
"The truth of the matter was that Jonas had nothing under control. He definitely wasn't looking forward to telling his sister..."

English: Andrew Peterson Farmstead in Waconia, Minnesota, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)




Leaving Family Behind




By Jerome Peterson






After reading The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai by Peterson, I didn't know what to expect when asked to review his latest. Indeed this historical literary novel was surprising even within the book itself as the story evolved! By the time I had finished, honestly, I did a search on the main female character's name to see if she really lived. That's how much she had become so real to me! But who knows, somewhere at some time, another young girl did exactly what Evelina did! If you enjoy historical novels, this one gets my highest recommendation... Let me tell you a little about it...

There was much that brought fond memories of my past to me...perhaps the same will be true for many readers...

The story begins in Lithuania where we meet the Violettskus family. For generations the family had been farmers, except for this one. Father had taken up furniture making and Jonas had been taught and worked with him. When Evelina was old enough, which was early teens, she was sent to apply for a job at a nearby home who hired servants.

The family life was hard, but was it because the father had become so withdrawn and cold? Evelina was grateful for the opportunity to walk to the house where she was to be hired and along the way, she enjoyed the sounds of the birds and other noises which routinely surrounds us. Soon she was singing, humming along and in her mind creating complementary songs!

The woman who owned the house in which she worked was a concert pianist. Evelina had never heard a piano so she was immediately drawn when she heard the sound for the first time...

Fortunately, Irena was a kind and good woman and soon she had made arrangements to start teaching Evelina--quickly discovering she was a prodigy!

Also, fortunately, Evelina's mother spoke up against her husband to ensure her daughter had this chance. Evelina was soon giving concerts and also was given a scholarship for college...

She was never able to go...

Her parents died; her brother finally told her of his own dream to go to America and return to the farming life of his family... She was 17 and underage. Everything she tried failed to allow her to follow her dreams while Jonas followed his to America. Nothing worked, especially because Jonas knew he needed her to go with him and was just as stubborn as their father when he wouldn't give in.

The next part is an event in itself--learning and seeing how most of our early immigrants paid $25 to board a ship, live on the bottom floor near the engine room, on cots, with inadequate ventilation, restrooms and other facilities. The detail of this voyage is dramatically presented and a young female stowaway adds a poignancy that highlights the plight of lone women...This was a special learning experience for me, realizing what it took to come to America, maybe only a few steps higher than conditions of those brought over as slaves...

Ahhhh, but once in America, I began to love Evelina as a sister or daughter...I was so proud of her. I will only say that when she finally was 18, she began playing music--as one of a group called the Black Diamonds. And the ending was perfect!

Needless to say, I highly recommend you consider Leaving Family Behind!


GABixlerReviews

Check my review of Peterson's first book...
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-haunting-of-andrew-sharpai.html#



Jerome Peterson is the author of Thumb Flagging and The Haunting of Andrew Sharpai. He lives in Sonora, California, with his wife, Carolyn, and is working on his next novel. For more information, visit the author’s website:www.jeromejohnpeterson.com.
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Need for Work-at-Home Career Leads to Bestselling Author Life!

Watch Me (The Last Stand)Dead Right (Stillwater Trilogy)Trust Me (The Last Stand)Dead GiveawayDead SilenceTaking the HeatCold Feet (Harlequin Single Title)Every Waking MomentJust some of the books by Brenda Novak...



It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's bestselling author career.

I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away, Brenda says.It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn't have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book, Brenda admits. learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read.

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Many of her novels have won or placed in contests such as the National Reader's Choice, the Bookseller's Best, the Write Touch, the Award of Excellence and the Beacon Award for Published Authors.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. She juggles her writing career with her children's softball and soccer games, field trips, carpool runs and homework sessions.

When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually working on her annual fundraiser for diabetes research, an on-line auction held at her website May 1st-May 31st. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!





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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Review: 1st Book in New Trilogy by Brenda Novak OUT TODAY!

White HeatWhite Heat

By Brenda Novak



MIRA
ISBN: 9780778327950
442 Pages

Looking for something new? Like Trilogies? Then plan on getting White Heat by Brenda Novak OUT TODAY!





And...the next two books in this new trilogy will be out:




Body HeatBody Heat in  September!








Killer HeatKiller Heat in October!

Watch for reviews of all 3 books during August as Brenda is spotlighted by Book Reader's Heaven!















I loved the slow, intense buildup of the relationship between lead characters, Nate Ferrentino and Rachel Jessop in Brenda Novak, novel, White Heat...that's out TODAY! As shown above, it is also the first in a new trilogy, with the next two books coming out in the next two months! Cool scheduling, Brenda!

All I have to say is that Rachel Jessop has a lot of guts--to be able to face Nate Ferrentino after what she did and work with him on a special assignment for Department 6, a private security contractor. Like the fool that women can be, Rachel loved Nate and thought it was reciprocated...so she made plans to meet him one night--in his bed...

Men! That's all I'm going to say about Nate, even if he is gorgeous and not as bad as it sounds from Rachel's point of view...

Nate had been assigned the task of going undercover among members of a cult, which was considered dangerous. It wasn't too much different than many such groups--you know, lots of orders to be obeyed blindly and lots of sex, especially for the leader, Ethan Wycliff. Wycliff had formed the Church of the Covenant, one who taught that the world was coming to an end and if you wanted to be movin' on with the approximately 200 at the appropriate time, you had to be branded... on the forehead...

The group had been formed during college days and meant to be a joke so that all the no-nos of religion could be permitted, including drugs for instance. But then word spread, and the power that comes along for a leader was, perhaps, the most addictive for Wycliff. So after college, he set out to find a place for his group to continue and had bought an old ghost town--Paradise, Arizona.

The problem was that there was at least one of the original group dead, supposedly in an accident. And, now it had been reported that a woman was almost killed when she was stoned! Another young girl had disappeared and her parents were sure she had been involved with the cult...

Nate was ready to move in, but the group only accepted married couples, thus Rachel was assigned as Nate's partner, over both of their objections!

It was fun to watch these two as they began to "play house" as a couple. Nate found an old trailer for them to live in, along with the lack of electricity, running water, and a wonderful "outhouse." In fact, moving into Paradise would seem like a dream... Of course, Wycliff was quite taken with Rachel and interested in her more so than Nate...so, an argument was staged and Rachel went into the town on her own! Readers will enjoy how Nate reacts, even getting several people from the outside town community involved!

But no way around it...Nate was jealous of the "wife" he had to live with. OK, Rachel got a little steamed once in awhile too!

What they found there was unbelievable! And when Wycliff announced that he had found the "Vessel" for his "mating ceremony," let's just say that Wycliff's secret male lover was furious!

Action, romantic suspense at its hottest! White Heat sizzles with white heat between Nate and Rachel while the black heat in the hearts of Wycliff and his leaders will keep readers up all night if necessary to find out how the story ends! I highly recommend you get the first in this trilogy by Brenda Novak and pre-order the next two...

And, Psssst, you just may wind up with white heat on your lips as you follow my blog for August and watch for contests!

Book Received Via
PierceMatti.Com

G. A. Bixler


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