Pump Up Your Book Promotion Galleria of Books

Moving to a New Site

2010-01-11T08:58:00.001-08:00

Pump Up Your Book Promotion would like to thank the readers of this blog for their continued loyalty. The pat two years saw tremendous growth at Pump Up, a trend we would like to see continue in 2010. As to that end, we have put together a new virtual book tour site that houses virtual book tour information, author interviews, book reviews, and a list of titles available for review.

The site will no longer be updated. Please visit us on our new site, found at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/.

Happy New Year! Thank you for your support.

The River, By Moonlight By Camille Marchetta

2008-05-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

There are times as a reviewer that I feel inadequate. That no matter how eloquently I string together words, they fail to convey all that I found within the pages of a book. Such is the case with The River, By Moonlight by Camille Marchetta.

On a rainy, gloomy night in April 1917, young artist Lily Canning falls to her death, drowning in New York City's Hudson River. The vagrant who jumped in to try and save her tells police he doesn't think it was an accident. As Lily's family and friends try to come to terms with her death, they question why she would consider suicide at a time when her life was finally coming together. Having lived through the loss of her beloved father and a short, but horrific marriage, Lily's first art show was coming up soon. It seems incomprehensible that she would choose to end it all now. But could she have done it? And what would this sudden loss mean to those who were left behind to go on living without her?

The River, By Moonlight is one of the finest pieces of literary work I have read in years. Told from the perspectives of family, friends, and the men who loved her--and there are many of those--the complex person who was Lily Canning unfolds like a blooming rose, starting off small, until it fully opens to reveal all its hidden treasures.

This story invokes strong emotions from the reader: the sense of loss felt by those left behind, the angst felt by the men who loved Lily--feelings she did not return, except once (and that ended terribly for both Lily and the man), the anger and confusion from those who suspected what Lily might have done, the constant torment Lily always dealt with until she was finally at peace, and the uncertainty of a country on the brink of entering World War I.

In an ingenious move, the last chapter is told from Lily's perspective. Up to this point, the reader has only experienced Lily's life secondhand. Now, they get to hear Lily's story and understand the decisions she made and the mistakes she had come to live with.

What will make this story a winner with readers is the thorough development of the characters. Henrietta (Etta), Lily's heartbroken mother, Edmund, the despised husband, Louis, the cousin secretly in love with Lily, Nuala, the servant girl and friend, and many others who allow the reader to experience the full gamut of emotions as Lily's tale unfolds.

The River, By Moonlight is a powerful, gripping story. Exquisitely written, filled with diverse, well developed characters, and brimming with rich descriptions, Lily's story is one that you will never forget.

Title: The River, By Moonlight
Author: Camille Marchetta
Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-60264-017-7 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-60264-018-4 (Hardcover)
U.S. Price: $14.95 (Paperback)
U.S. Price: $21.95 (Hardcover)

You'll find Camille's thoughts about New York and why it plays a role in almost all her books here.

Emotionless Souls by David Grant

2008-05-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

In this book about jerk offs, ex cons, new cons, pranksters, one hit wonders, and homeless entrepreneurs, you'll find twenty stories that are sure to leave you wondering about the hope for society in general. Emotionless Souls by David Grant takes ordinary people and places them into the strangest of circumstances--circumstances that are probably all too real.

There's Mervin who stages emergencies so that he can be a hero. Earvin who likes to play pranks at the office. Of course, those pranks end up in one guy getting fired, then blaming some innocent party with fatal results. But what the hell...that's all in a day's work.

Hansel spends his time at the Christmas party searching for his lost bag of coke. And then there's the nameless guy who finds out exactly what it means to officially become a member of the team.

Grant has a fresh voice and unique style. I polished off this 100-page collection in one evening, as the stories flowed smoothly one to another. And while each offering fit in perfectly with the theme, each story was diverse in its approach and circumstances.

I can't say this is a book I would read over again. I'm much more partial to a happy, feel good story--of which there are none. But there are moments when you must laugh at the plight of these characters...like the time where Karina tosses a cup of coffee all over Bernie's shirt so that she can be the one giving a presentation or when Jake and Pete are discussing what girl would cause the biggest stir if she were to appear in a porn movie.

Emotionless Souls by David Grant is a truly fresh and unique work of literature.

Title: Emotionless Souls
Author: David Grant
Publisher: Brown Paper Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-43484-828-4
U.S. Price: $13.00

Letter of Love from China by Bonnie Cuzzolino

2008-04-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Letter of Love from China by Bonnie Cuzzolino has to be one of the most touching children's stories I've read in a long time.

A birth mother from China writes a letter to her daughter who has been adopted by a family from another country. This mother describes why she was forced to give her child up for adoption, tells her child all about the village she was born in, the pain this mother felt at having to let her go, and of the day her adoptive family came to China to bring her home. Lastly, it reminds this child how much she is still loved by her birth family.

I could not get through this book without crying. As the mother of three children, I know I could never stand to be parted with one of my own. The courage and the strength of this unnamed mother shines through in every word she has tenderly written to her daughter.

The illustrations by Jax Bennett are as stunningly beautiful as the prose. My favorite illustration is the cover art, which also happens to appear on the last page of the book where this mother has told her daughter to "look to the light of the moon that sets over the world in the night sky" to see her face, which is reflected in the child's beautiful face, if she ever starts wondering about her birth mother.

Letter of Love from China will touch the hearts of all adoptive families. This book is truly a must read!

Title: Love Letter from China
Author: Bonnie Cuzzolino
Publisher: Plum Blossom Books
ISBN: 1-4243-0236-6
U.S. Price: $17.95

Crash! by Mayra Calvani

2008-04-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Children will love reading about Marcelo and his new puppy in Crash! by Mayra Calvani.

Marcelo's parents surprise him on his fifth birthday with a golden retriever puppy--the one thing he wanted more than anything in the world. Thrilled beyond all belief, Marcelo must now learn how to take care of his new puppy: feeding him, walking him, playing with him. But all that is easy compared to finding a name for him.

Crash! is a charming story about a boy and his dog and the special relationship that develops between a child and his pet. Author Mayra Calvani shows off her storytelling talents once again, as she did with The Magic Violin. Calvani has a way of getting right to the heart of children with her touching stories.

Kudos go out to young illustrator, Anna Pylypchuk, whose beautifully drawn illustrations bring Calvani's story to life. My children each had their favorites drawings from the story.

I can't wait to see what Mayra Calvani's next children's book is all about!

Title: Crash!
Author: Mayra Calvani
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-54-2 (Print)
ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-71-9 (eBook)
U.S. Price: $10.95 (Print)

THE AUTHOR IS DONATING 50% OF HER ROYALTIES TO ALMOST HEAVEN GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE AND SANCTUARY, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. ALMOST HEAVEN-GOLDEN-RETRIEVER-RESCUE.ORG

The Poetry of Murder by Bernadette Steele

2008-04-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

The Poetry of Murder is a tale of lies, secrets, and revenge that will find you weaving through twists and turns every step of the way.

Aspiring African American poet, Geneva Anderson finds her aunt, Victoria Franklin murdered in her office at International House. She is stunned once more when she discovers that she has inherited her aunt's estate that is worth millions.

After the inheritance leads to Geneva becoming the prime suspect, she is arrested for her aunt's murder. To clear her name, she decides to search out the real killer on her own, despite the advice of many friends. The more she discovers about Victoria's past, the more Geneva fears her aunt might not be who she thought she was. As lies are uncovered and long-held secrets revealed, Geneva is forced to learn The Poetry of Murder.

I was thrilled with this cozy murder mystery from debut author, Bernadette Steele. She drops the reader right into the action and it never stops until the murderer is revealed. Geneva Anderson makes the perfect amateur sleuth because she truly learns as she goes, using only past experience and common sense to move her investigation along.

There were so many twists and turns to this novel I almost got dizzy and I honestly had no idea who the real killer was until I read it. Steele wove a great plot, included a well-developed set of characters, and plenty of mystery and suspense to come up with an outstanding first novel.

The cover didn't do much for me. I liked the black, red, and white print on a yellow background, but the black and white photo of International House wasn't what I would like to see on such a page turner. And having seen the video trailer for this novel at YouTube, I feel there is so much more that could have been done to design an attention-getting cover.

All lovers of cozy murder mysteries will want to pick up The Poetry of Murder by Bernadette Steele. I look forward to the next book in this series starring amateur sleuth, Geneva Anderson.

Title: The Poetry of Murder
Author: Bernadette Steele
Publisher: Oak Tree Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-892343-08-6
ISBN-10: 1-892343-08-8
U.S. Price: $12.95

The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

2008-04-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

Funny, thought-provoking, and inspiring, The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is sure to be a hit with young girls ages 8 to 14.

Based upon Dr. Holstein's women's self-help book, The Truth (I'm 10, I'm smart and I know everything), the girl's version has a hip new cover, new introduction, and new discussion questions.

The format remains the same: a series of diary entries from a young girl who shares everything she thinks and feels about life at home and at school, her dreams for the future, and her knowledge of The Truth. Young girls will follow along as this girl talks about how her parents' fighting makes her feel. They'll witness her fall in love. They'll even get to be with her as her body begins to change. And as young girls move along through two years in this young journalist's life, they will be reminded of their inner strength, their talents, and their future potential.

The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) is a book that girls and their mothers can read together. It will also make a meaningful gift for any young girl age 8 to 14.

Once again, Positive Psychologist and Happiness Coach Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein teaches her readers how to learn about themselves in positive ways.

Read my 2007 interview with Dr. Holstein here

Title: The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything)
Author: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Publisher: Enchanted Self Press
ISBN: 978-0-9798952-0-3
U.S. Price: $6.95

Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors

2008-04-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well-drawn characters, gripping storylines, and rich descriptions fill the pages of debut author Catherine Delors's Mistress of the Revolution.

Set during the years leading up to and through the French Revolution, this epic novel finds young noblewoman Gabrielle de Montserrat falling in love with commoner Pierre-Andre Coffinhal. Her brother forbids their union and forces her into a marriage to an aging and wealthy cousin who mistreats her.

After the sudden and unexpected death of her abusive husband, Gabrielle goes to Paris to make a life for her and her young daughter, Aimee. As the threat of revolution hangs overhead, Gabrielle becomes a kept woman and a lady in the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. When Gabrielle is faced with the guillotine, she reaches out to Pierre-Andre, who had fled to Paris to become a lawyer when he was denied her hand in marriage. The two lovers search for a way to hold onto each other, as violence swirls around them; pulling everyone and everything into its grasp.

Every so often I pick up a book whose hook has such dramatic impact that I must read it again. Such is the case with Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors. Many years in the future, the narrator, Gabrielle tells of the exhuming of the bodies of the late King and Queen of France, thereby setting the scene for all that will unfold in subsequent pages.

While a first person narrative often distances the reader from the story, Gabrielle never once distracted me from all that was happening in and around France in the late 1700's. A tremendous amount goes on within the 450 pages of this fascinating and captivating novel. Fully explored were the relationships between Gabrielle and her family, Pierre-Andre, her lover Villers, Aimee, and the friendships she maintained and lost through the years. Rich and vivid details flowed throughout, drawing the reader deeper and deeper into a story that realistically portrayed the plight of the late 18th century woman and the tragic events that unfolded in France during the reign of King Louis XVI and beyond.

Mistress of the Revolution is a story of impossible love pitted against the most tumultuous time period in France's history. It is a novel that will reward the reader in every aspect and leave her desiring to read it again as soon as the last word is read. I eagerly look forward to the next book by talented newcomer Catherine Delors.

Title: Mistress of the Revolution
Author: Catherine Delors
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin Group)
ISBN: 978-0-525-95054-7
U.S. Price: $25.95

Sermonsnacks by Don Collette

2008-02-23T12:32:00.002-08:00

If you're looking for help, if you're looking for hope, if you're looking for encouragement, look no further than Sermonsnacks. This powerful devotional will inspire you along life's journey and make the ordinary seem extraordinary.

Donald Collette chose the best Scriptures and perfectly matched them with thought-provoking comments to put together a devotional that is powerful, yet easy to read. Using Scriptures from both The Message and the New International Version, Sermonsnacks offers help, hope, and encouragement for every facet of your life: to build your faith, for the times when you are in pain or suffering, for the times when you're lonely, and for help with work and your finances. When you seek help, hope, and encouragement in your family life, in your marriage, and in your senior years, Sermonsnacks will be there with words of Biblical wisdom and insightful, inspirational commentary.

I will keep Sermonsnacks by my bedside and read it every day as part of my morning and evening prayer ritual.

For more information about Sermonsnacks go to http://www.sermonsnacks.com/

Title: Sermonsnacks: Help...Hope...and Encouragement for today...
Author: Donald Collette
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4251-4539-2
U.S. Price: $15.99

Choices: My Secrets by Thomas Wade Bounds

2008-02-23T12:24:00.001-08:00

Don't you wish there was an easier way to start parent/teen discussions with your child? Now there is!

Thomas Wade Bounds' new series for teens, Choices, gives parents a way to jumpstart conversations about the important choices facing our young people today. In the first book, My Secrets, released by Xulon Press, young Rachel gets pregnant after one night of passion shared with her boyfriend Gary. She doesn't find out until after Gary leaves for college and he never returns any of her messages. Left alone to decide what she will do, Rachel believes abortion is the only way. As a frightened Rachel waits for the doctor to come in and perform the procedure, she passes out and has dreams of her unborn child, which make her realize she might have another choice.

My Secrets delivers a powerful message, but it is a bit heavy handed for my liking. The book would be better with the help of an editor, but it was still a quick and easy read--which can be important when trying to spur those parent/teen discussions. It will be interesting to see how this series of books develops and what topics will be discussed next.

For more information about Choices and Thomas Wade Bounds please visit Heritage Values

Title: Choices: My Secrets
Author: Thomas Wade Bounds
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 978-1-60477-369-9
U.S. Price: $9.99

The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson

2008-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

A powerful, gripping story of betrayal and forgiveness, The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson is truly unforgettable.

Five years ago, Francine Amen renounced her family and friends to follow Bishop Payne's ministry. That decision would leave her questioning her faith and would cost Francine her best friend, Toni. After three years in a mental institution to help Francine deal with her guilt over Toni's suicide, her sister, Dawn brings her back home to the place where it all began, to help her rebuild her life and make amends.

As Francine deals with the repercussions of being led astray by a false man of God, Dawn is dealing with her own form of betrayal. Dawn's husband, Sylvester--Francine's ex-fiance--had an extramarital affair. Already insecure that Sylvester really loved her, Dawn struggles to forgive his transgression and work towards healing their marriage.

Can the Amen sisters get past the betrayals and grasp the power of forgiveness to move on with their lives? Will Francine ever be accepted by the family and friends she turned away from? Can Dawn ever forget that Sylvester found love in the arms of another woman? And will Dawn and Francine allow God to help show them the way?

I had never read one of Angela Benson's novels before The Amen Sisters. Now, I want to own all of them. No wonder she has been called, "One of the most talented writers of fiction."

This story drew me in right away with its well-developed characters and its all too realistic storyline. Benson is a master storyteller who creates, with The Amen Sisters, two women you sympathize with and whose strength you admire.

A tale of unforgettable characters, love, forgiveness, and faith, The Amen Sisters is an inspiring story of hope that all readers will enjoy.

Title: The Amen Sisters
Author: Angela Benson
Publisher: Walk Worthy Press
ISBN: 0-446-53153-7
U.S. Price: $13.99

St. John of the Midfield by Garasamo Maccagnone

2008-01-28T07:48:00.001-08:00

Powerful, thought-provoking, and filled with the love of the game, St. John of the Midfield by Garasamo Maccagnone is a literary fiction lover's dream.

Told entirely as a flashback, Mario Santini begins by retelling the story of the night Bulgarian soccer great Georgi "Bobo" Stoikov shared with him how he and his brother Jordan, jumped from a speeding train to escape from Communist Bulgaria in the hopes of living the American Dream. All is lost when Jordan and Bobo are injured during the escape, but Bobo satisfies his love of the game by teaching youth soccer to travel teams. When Mario's son Luca joins Bobo's team, it sets in motion an intense one-sided rivalry between Bobo and a man from his past, which ultimately leads to Bobo's death.

As a parent to a son who played youth sports, I can attest to the realism found within the pages of St. John of the Midfield--when the desire to win is so strong, that people do unspeakable things all in the name of victory. Opening the story with Bobo telling the story of his defection to Mario is pure genius, as it immediately draws the reader in and makes Bobo a sympathetic character. And the challenges Mario deals with as he tries to be a good man despite the ties to his Sicilian crime family, speak eloquently to the struggles all people deal with as they move through life. While a little heavy on the similies for my taste, this is an excellent read.

In St. John of the Midfield Garasamo Maccagnone combines youth soccer, the Sicilian mob, and the frailities of the human condition to create an entertaining and all too realistic portrait of youth sports that all adults will enjoy.

Title: St. John of the Midfield
Author: Garasamo Maccagnone
Publisher: Booksurge
ISBN-10: 1-4196-7879-5
ISBN-13: 13-9781419678790
U.S. Price: $14.95

The life of Frank Cullotta makes for a great read in CULLOTTA by Dennis Griffin

2008-01-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

Intense, graphic, and action-packed, CULLOTTA by Dennis N. Griffin is a must read for all fans of true crime.

In this no-holds barred biography of Chicago criminal and Las Vegas Mobster Frank Cullotta, Dennis Griffin delivers a powerful and detailed account of Cullotta's life. From his early days when he meets the man who would become known as Tony the Ant Spilotro, through his many years as a Chicago criminal and Las Vegas Mobster, and the events that led to Cullota's decision to become a government witness, CULLOTTA brings the reader into the inner core of The Outfit and the life of organized crime through the eyes of a man whose life was connected to and revolved around many of the important Outfit players.

CULLOTTA is a first for me because I've never read any true crime books, nevermind a comprehensive biography of someone with ties to organized crime. I approached CULLOTTA with a fair amount of trepidation. Could I enjoy a book I assumed would discuss in detail the activities of mobsters and career criminals? I couldn't even sit through one of the Godfather movies. But after reading the foreword by screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, who consulted with Frank Cullotta for the Martin Scorsese film, Casino, I had to know more about a man who could talk about murdering Jerry Lisner with about as much emotion as he would have if he were ordering his meal from a fast food joint.

The amount of research Dennis Griffin did for this biography and all the interviews he performed, in addition to, Frank Cullotta's contributions to the project made CULLOTTA the excellent book it is. I'm ready to go out and purchase Griffin's other books on crime and law enforcement in Las Vegas so I can know more about the other players involved.

CULLOTTA delivers a chilling and exciting glimpse into the life of Frank Cullotta. And despite all of the crimes that Frank committed over the years, the reader finds herself rooting for Frank's life on the straight and narrow to succeed.

Title: CULLOTTA: The Life of a Chicago Criminial, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness
Author: Dennis N. Griffin and Frank Cullotta
Publisher: Huntington Press
ISBN-10: 0-929712-45-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-929712-45-1
U.S. Price: $19.95

Dark Lullaby by Mayra Calvani

2008-01-07T06:26:00.001-08:00

Dark, exotic, and filled with chilling twists and turns, Dark Lullaby by Marya Calvani is horror story that grabs you right away and doesn't release its grip until the final word is read.

Astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz believes in the higher good and that everything can be explained by science and logic. One night in a tavern, a mysterious and intriguing woman captivates his body and soul. After spending the next several days with the mysterious Kamilah, Gabriel is convinced to join her in Turkey to visit her family's cottage, even though he can't push away the nightmares of his sister Elena's unborn child.

Plagued by a strange illness that leaves him weakened and sore, Gabriel begins to wonder who or what Kamilah really is. With the help of a village merchant and a one-eyed witch, Gabriel makes a startling discovery, calling into question all he believes in and forcing him to come to terms with his past so he can save Elena's baby.

Equally scary and beautiful, Mayra Calvani has drawn the beauty of Turkey into a chilling paranormal tale unlike any I've ever read. The descriptions throughout this book were stunning. I walked along the hike up a Turkish mountainside, lived inside Gabriel's head during his disturbing dreams, and stood beside him as he looked into the strangely carved trees in the forest leading up to Kamilah's cottage.

A master storyteller, Calvani hooked me from the first moment in the tavern to the very last page. This is truly a unique story that I look forward to reading again.

Dark Lullaby will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages.

Title: Dark Lullaby
Author: Mayra Calvani
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-59374-908-8
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59374-907-1
U.S. Price: $5.99 (eBook)
U.S. Price: $13.95 (Trade Paperback)

The Last Jew Standing by Michael Simon

2008-01-05T21:32:00.000-08:00

Gritty, tough, and full of suspense The Last Jew Standing by Michael Simon is a sure winner for crime fiction fans.

This fourth installment of Simon's Detective Dan Reles series finds Dan with a new home, a new wife, a son, and far removed from the life he once had in New York. But there is no way that Dan will ever escape his past...especially when it shows up on his doorstep.

Dan's father, Abe has been on the run from the Mafia for twenty-five years, and when he shows up at Dan's new house with a Russian prostitute on his arm, Dan--who still blames his father for his mother abandoning them--can't imagine what he wants.

But he knows it isn't good.

When a former employee of Mafia boss, Sam Zelig turns up dead, Dan is even more concerned about his father's arrival in Austin. And when Sam Zelig and his goons make it personal, Dan is forced to make some tough decisions...never knowing if he's right or wrong.

Michael Simon gets the award for drawing me into a book with the very first sentence. Late nights, skipped meals, and falling into bed with my clothes on were all well worth it, just to read a bit more of this oustanding novel. The danger, the suspense, the raw hatred and violence that poured forth from this crime thriller, leaves the reader clamoring for Simon's next book. The Last Jew Standing is one of the best examples I've read of pushing a character so far into desperation that even the reader can't guess what he'll do next.

If all of Michael Simon's books are as thrilling and intense as this one, Simon has just gained a life-long fan.

Title: The Last Jew Standing
Author: Michael Simon
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 978-0-670-06324-6
U.S. Price: $25.95
Canadian Price: $32.50

To read my interview with Michael Simon go to http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/11/meet-author-michael-simon.html

Delight by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

2008-01-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

More than just a collection of stories celebrating Jewish traditions. More than the personal reflections of a woman seeking to fill a void. Delight is a journey to enlightenment that you'll never forget.

In this book by Positive Psychologist Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, women can find a way to celebrate life in a meaningful way. Holstein takes readers along on a journey from her lack of involvement in the Jewish faith to her complete commitment as a member of the Judaic tribe, sharing with readers the delight she discovered in the revelation that we are all connected. And at the end of a story, Holstein draws readers into her discovery by providing them musings, ponderings, and reflections on how they, too, can discover delight.

When I read the back cover of this book I immediately grew concerned. What did a book about Jewish traditions have to do with me? Could a woman with little knowledge of Judaism and its traditions relate to any experience within its pages?

Delight had everything to do with me. And yes, I could relate--totally.

Dr. Holstein speaks with candor about what set her upon this journey, her fears, her insecurities, and how these experiences helped her to understand about the connection we have to each other. The ponderings, musings, and reflections after these stories allow the reader to fully grasp the message being relayed and provide an opportunity for her to practice learning how to find delight.

If you are seeking a way to find joy like you've never known, you must read Delight. It will help nourish your mind, body, and spirit in ways you might not expect.

Title: Delight
Author: Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1-4208-2554-2 (sc)
U.S. Price: $11.95

If you liked reading about this title, you might enjoy my review of another book by Dr. Barbara, The Truth, My Secret Diary, I'm Ten, I'm Smart, And I Know Everything, which can be found at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/08/truth-by-dr-barbara-becker-holstein.html

The Jaguar Legacy by Maureen Fisher

2007-12-01T21:33:00.001-08:00

The Jaguar Legacy is an outstanding, gripping, and suspense-filled novel by first time author, Maureen Fisher.

Charley Underhill's journalism career has been put on hold thanks to a series of strange panic attacks. Searching to get back on track, Charley travels to a Mexican archaelogical dig hoping to grab a great story, which will resuscitate her career and give her enough money to put her alcoholic mother into rehab.

When Charley arrives unannounced, Dr. Alistair Kincaid is less than thrilled. His reputation has been ruined once before, and the last thing he needs is some nosey reporter poking around. But the next plane won't arrive for a week, so they are stuck with each other.

The plane also left behind another package--Kincaid's ex-wife, Leila. He's even less happy to see her, especially after the way she betrayed him. But Leila thinks it might be time for a reconciliation.

Kincaid's reputation as a ladies man makes Charley want to keep him at bay, but she can't deny her attraction to him. After Kincaid and Charley negotiate terms on an interview, he turns on the charm, hoping the feisty, beautiful Charley will keep his bed warm for the next week.

Dangers at the dig site erupt as Kincaid and his team get ever closer to uncovering an ancient Olmec city, and Charley's panic attacks kick into overdrive, leading her to wonder what connection the attacks have to the site. As Kincaid's field director warns him that disturbing the site could put them all at risk, Leila's late night walks through the jungle leave Charley concerned about what she might be up to. And as Charley's attraction to Kincaid grows, she wonders if she can do what is necessary to save her career and her mother from certain death.

Outstanding and Powerful! The Jaguar Legacy by Maureen Fisher had me hooked from the first word to the last. Fisher has woven ancient mysteries, past lives, and pure evil, into a story that left me begging for more. These characters were so well-developed, the storyline so well-written, the setting so perfectly described, that I felt I knew these people and followed them along their journey into darkness.

I eagerly await Maureen Fisher's next release.

Title: The Jaguar Legacy
Author: Maureen Fisher
Publisher: Lachesis Publishing
ISBN-10 (Paperback): 1-897370-04-0
ISBN (eBook): 1-897370-05-09
US Price: $17.95

Enthralled by Nadia Aidan

2007-11-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Smart, sexy, and strong characters battling a war against age-old traditions in the hopes of bringing peace to their planets is what you will find in Nadia Aidan's Enthralled.

Candace, the Queen of the Amazonian planet Kish, is as head-strong as she is beautiful. When the new King of Akkadia requests a meeting with Candace to share his plan to bring peace to their warring planets, she is not sure that Ares is sincere, but Candace cannot deny how attractive Ares is. They agree that they will be joined--it really is just a matter of business. Or is it?

Candace and Ares are unable to deny their growing feelings for one another, but neither of them is used to surrendering their will or their hearts. Problems arise for Candace and Ares, as they do their best to mix their drastically different cultures and maintain the peace that their joining has brought to Kish and Akkadia. But there are those who do not accept their joining, and Candace and Ares find themselves falling even more in love with each other as the danger increases.

With Enthralled, Nadia Aidan has created a spicy, romantic story filled with well-developed characters. Combining strength and beauty, Candace and Ares are the perfect romantic leads. It would be so easy in a story such as this to create flawless characters, but Aidan has gone to great lengths to display the strengths and weaknesses of all her characters. The reader gets a strong sense of the Amazonian and Akkadian cultures and how their pasts are a large obstacle for Candace and Ares to conquer, but the backstory never threatens to overwhelm the present day action.

The only challenge I found while reading Enthralled was the prolific use of the "F-word" and vulgar terms to describe certain body parts, which tends to define this genre. These words were scattered throughout this short novel and distracted me from the storyline at times. Overall, Enthralled is a great read for those who enjoy strong, sexy characters thrust into difficult situations, whose ultimate reward is the love that conquers all.

Title: Enthralled
Author: Nadia Aidan
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-0-595-46267-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-595-90564-5 (ebk)
US Price: $10.95

Note: Look for Cheryl's interview with Nadia Aidan at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/10/meet-author-nadia-aidan.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson

2007-11-10T21:47:00.001-08:00

Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson is shocking, gripping, and horrific, but it’s a book you must read.

In Bad Girls Club we follow the story of Destiny and Cassidy, two girls traumatized by abusive and neglectful parents. The story opens with Destiny begging her father to get a summer job so she can buy a car, which he will not allow her to do because she must help her mother, June. That’s all Destiny’s life has really been about--helping her mother, taking care of her younger sister, Cassidy, and keeping the house running because her father can’t handle life. She would love to take Cassidy and run away from the freak show known as her family, but she is trapped and it seems like there will never be any way out.

If only Destiny could find the way to fix her mother--bring her back to the person she was before Crater Lake, then things would be better. But Destiny doesn’t even know if that way exists, as she watches her mother spiral ever downward into the depths of mental illness. Her father, long ago, stopped trying to make things work; to find a solution to the family’s problems. It’s all up to Destiny to figure out how to save Cassidy from the mother who hates her, while trying to find a way to save herself from the abuse her parents dish out.

As things go from bad to worse, Destiny even distances herself from her friends. How long can she continue to try and hold her family together? What will it take for her father to admit that her mother wants to hurt Cassidy? How will she ever find a way out? And will she find it before or after her mother has destroyed her life and Cassidy’s?

Bad Girls Club has to be one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read, but I couldn’t put it down. Judy Gregerson has created a gut-wrenching story of a family torn apart by mental illness. Told from Destiny’s present day point of view, Bad Girls Club will make you want to turn the other way, while at the same time compelling you to read more. Destiny’s personal struggle between wanting to help her mother while also desiring to run away reminds you of the strong bond between mother and child. And it tears you up as you watch Destiny pull away from even her closest of friends so she can deal with her mother’s ever worsening condition.

With characters so well-developed and real, you would swear you had met them, Judy Gregerson holds nothing back in sharing Destiny’s and Cassidy’s story. I applaud Gregerson for tackling such a weighty issue and for going all the way in depicting the realities of child abuse.

Compelling and disconcerting, Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson is one book you will never forget.

Title: Bad Girls Club
Author: Judy Gregerson
Publisher: Blooming Tree Press
ISBN-10: 1-933831-01-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-933831-01-5
Price in US Dollars: $17.95

Judgment Fire by Marilyn Meredith

2007-09-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Mystery, murder, and mayhem--you'll find it all in Marilyn Meredith's latest installment in the Tempe Crabtree mystery series, Judgment Fire.

Deputy Tempe Crabtree continues to watch over the residents of Bear Creek and expand her knowledge of her Yanduchi Indian heritage. The warning of a shaman leaves Tempe with more questions than answers. Used to the dangerous situations her job constantly puts her in, Tempe pushes aside Dorothea's warning. But when a battered wife is murdered, and Tempe begins to receive threatening phone messages as she tries to uncover the killer, Tempe is drawn once again to the shaman and her Yanduchi heritage to try and make sense of the flashes of her past which keep appearing in her mind.

Tempe feverishly works to eliminate suspects, but the list of possible killers continues to grow; the newly uncovered facts and unrest amongst Jackie's neighbors--some who may have wanted her or her husband dead--force Tempe to consider every possible suspect. And as the threatening phone calls increase, Tempe's family is scared for her safety.

And when it's all over, Tempe discovers how much the past can influence the present.

With Judgment Fire, Marilyn Meredith pulled me into the story in such a way that I must own the rest of the books in this fascinating series. I wasn't just reading the story; I was part of it. I drove in Tempe's Blazer as she traveled along the road and spotted Dorothea in her vehicle off to the side; I was inside Dorothea's burning van, gripping the steering wheel; I was part of Tempe's and Dorothea's conversations.

What a powerful talent it takes to make a reader so much a part of what is happening in a work of fiction.

As suspects were added to the list, then eliminated, and then added back to the list, each twist and turn left me eager for more. Meredith added just enough backstory to allow me to get to know Tempe, without adding so much that faithful readers of the Tempe Crabtree mystery series would be flipping through pages to get back to the present day's action.

Gripping, suspense-filled, and character driven, Judgment Fire by Marilyn Meredith should be on every mystery reader's wish list.

Judgment Fire
Published by Mundania Press LLC
Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-59426-484-9
eBook ISBN 978-1-59426-483-2
U.S. Price $10.00

Check out our interviews with Marilyn Meredith at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/08/meet-author-marilyn-meredith.html and http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=marilyn+meredith

You Are More Than Enough Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion & Power by Judi Moreo

2007-09-18T08:21:00.001-07:00

Phenomenal! Outstanding! Fascinating! You Are More Than Enough Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion and Power by Judi Moreo is the one book that every woman must read!

If you are tired of just making it in this world; if you have ever desired to achieve success; if you have ever wanted to feel good about yourself every day of your life, then you have to read this book.

Motivational speaker and life coach, Judi Moreo, has put together an amazing self-help book for women that can change their lives. Filled with motivational quotes, powerful affirmations, easy to follow exercises, and a tremendous amount of sound advice, You Are More Than Enough gives women the power to make the changes they have always wanted to make, but were too afraid to try. In this book, Moreo shows readers how they can choose their future by ridding themselves of negative feelings, fear of failure, and self-doubt.

I’ve never put much stock in self-help books. A few weeks before Moreo’s book arrived in my mailbox, a friend asked me if I could recommend any good self-help books for women and I scoffed at her. I don’t read that drivel.

But Judi Moreo has made a believer out of me. Within just a few weeks, I can already see the positive changes taking place in my life. By reciting daily affirmations and performing the exercises found after each chapter, I have a much happier view of my life, I am confident I have what it takes to be successful, and the way I see the world has changed dramatically.

If you could only afford to buy one book this year, it should be You Are More Than Enough Every Woman’s Guide to Power, Passion and Purpose. The power to change your life is in your hands. Let Judi Moreo be the one to show you how to make it happen.

You Are More Than Enough Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion & Power
Published by Stephens Press
ISBN-10: 1932173722
ISBN-13: 978-1932173727
U.S. Price $24.95

Check out our interviews with Judi Moreo at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/08/meet-motivational-speaker-and-author.html and http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=july+3%2C+2007

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations by Dr. Susan Gregg

2007-09-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a way to improve the quality of your life through quieting the mind, then I have found the book for you. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations by Dr. Susan Gregg will help you learn how to quiet your mind and soothe your soul so that you can experience a life full of peace and happiness.

Divided into four parts, this book is not something you read once and put on the shelf. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations is a book you need to keep on the nightstand next to your bed, beside your favorite comfy chair, or anywhere else where you will have a few moments to concentrate on these fabulous and simple guided meditations.

Dr. Gregg begins by telling the reader how the brains works and how he/she can use short meditations to bring about desired changes in his/her life. The next two parts provide step-by-step exercises to ease the reader into the meditations. And the last part of the book shows the reader how to apply the techniques he/she has learned.

Anyone can use The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations. You don't need to have prior experience using mental imagery, but I did find it helpful in allowing me to clear my mind and concentrate on the meditations. This was the first time I ever used guided meditations, and with Dr. Gregg's book I could focus entirely on what I wanted to change about my life.

Included in this book are quotes from many famous people, like Picasso, Martin Luther King, and Albert Einstein, which allow the reader to reflect upon the purpose of the book and inspire him/her to continue along the path to inner peace and happiness.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations by Dr. Susan Gregg will make you aware that you don't need to suffer through life, filled with stress over everything that could and does go wrong. Dr. Gregg and this powerful book will help you unlock the window to a brighter and more peaceful future for you, where you can enjoy life to its fullest...the way it was meant to be.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Short Meditations
Published by the Penguin Group
ISBN 978-1-59257-614-2
U.S. Price $12.95

Check out our interviews with Dr. Susan Gregg at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/07/meet-dr-susan-gregg-hypnotherapist-and.html and http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=susan+gregg.

THE TRUTH by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

2007-09-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

THE TRUTH, My Secret Diary, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is the charming tale of one girl's view of life starting from age ten until right before her twelfth birthday. Told as a series of diary entries, the reader follows this young girl as she falls in love for the first time, deals with troubles at home, attempts to fit in with her peers, and watches her body begin to change.

Woven into these humorous and sometimes angst-filled snippets of life is a powerful message Dr. Holstein calls, THE TRUTH. As young girls we once knew all about our strengths, our talents, and our future potential. But along life's journey women have forgetten this TRUTH and replaced it with self-doubt, concentrating on where we don't measure up and putting aside the dreams we once held so dear.

Dr. Holstein helps women rediscover what they've lost in less than 100 pages of delightful diary entries from a girl who has yet to be tainted by an adult world. Immature, but wise beyond her years, this girl will wiggle her way into your heart and remind you of what it was like to be so sure of yourself.

The book also includes a set of 18 questions for discussion, making it the perfect read for any book club discussion.

Every woman needs to read THE TRUTH. It will remind you of who you once were, who you always wanted to be, and who you can be once again! And it is such a short an easy read you will want to pick it up over and over to reaffirm what you already know is THE TRUTH!

The TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart, And I Know Everything
Publisher: LadybugPress; 1 edition
ISBN-10: 1889409359
ISBN-13: 978-1889409351
U.S. Price $ 12.95

Check out our interviews with Dr. Barbara at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/08/meet-positive-psychologist-and-author.html and http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=dr.+barbara

The Ghost Mirror by Jamieson Wolf

2007-09-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I would read stories by Stephen King. The thrill of knowing I would be creeped out was always worth the read, no matter how short or long the story was. At some point, I drifted away from all that stuff. Being wigged out didn't tickle my fancy as much as it used to.

But...

Jamieson Wolf sent me a copy of his eBook The Ghost Mirror and I was thrilled to be creeped out all over again.

Mave Mallory is neglected and ignored by her parents, but more than that, they seem to be afraid of their red haired, black eyed daughter. Taking pity on Mave, her grandmother Mona brings her home to live with her.

Living at grandmother's house is much more fun than living with her parents. In the attic Mave can see and play with ghosts to pass the time. And in the attic a mysterious mirror seems to whisper and wink at Mave; a mirror her grandmother warns her never to touch. But when the ghost girl that Mave has befriend disappears into the mirror, Mave reaches out to touch the mirror's surface and is pulled into another world.

In this world, people are afraid of Mave--just like her parents. With the help of her one friend, Euwan, Mave finds out more about her family's past and who she really is--the last witch.

Within this world, is a chilling character, Mr. Lavender, who eats the souls of children. Their souls give him power and if he can gain the soul of the last witch, he will become more powerful than ever.

It is up to Mave to trust the magic inside her, so she can defeat Mr. Lavender and find her way back home.

This is the kind of book you only read with all the lights on. The ghosts are playful enough, but that Mr. Lavender guy could give you nightmares for three weeks after you've fnished reading the book.

Jamieson Wolf shows once again just how talented he is. The descriptions of the town of Element--the world Mave slips into--made me feel like I was walking right alongside her. The careful selection of words as the reader watches Mr. Lavender devour his victims, makes the hair on the back of your neck tingle with fear...as if he could come right out of the book and eat you too.

Wolf wastes no time in plowing right into the story. Whatever backstory is necessary is slipped in so perfectly it doesn't have time to pull the reader away from the action. And while this story is creepy, it isn't gory. There is no spilling of blood, just for the sake of grossing you out.

The Ghost Mirror is a well-written, scary thrill of a read that will leave you begging for the quick release of its sequel.

The Ghost Mirror
Published by eTreasures Publishing
ISBN-10: 0974053775
ISBN-13: 978-0974053776
U.S. Price $7.99

Check out our interviews with Jamieson Wolf at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/07/haunted-walk-tour-comes-to-book.html and http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=AUTHOR+INTERVIEW%3A+Multi-faceted+Jamieson+Wolf%2C+Author+of+THE+GHOST+MIRROR+

Trust in the Wind by Vicki M. Taylor

2007-09-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you put together a young single mother and a widowed deputy sheriff? A touching love story that you’ll want to read again and again. Vicki M. Taylor’s latest release, Trust in the Wind draws together two people who have sworn off love and makes them believe in its power.

Joanne Malone lost all she had when she went against her parents’ wishes to become a single mother to her son, Joey. Living in an apartment complex in an undesirable area of town, Joanne and her friend Sheila are accosted on their way back from the community laundry room by a group of drunken hooligans. In walks Roy Bonham, a deputy sheriff for Hillsborough County. He is instantly taken with the much younger Joanne, but the loss of his wife and child in a burglary a few years back has left him with a huge hurt and he has vowed he will never love again.

Roy keeps coming back to the apartment complex where Joanne and Joey live not knowing why he feels the need to stay in contact with them. Joanne’s and Roy’s friends discourage any type of involvement between the two. Roy is much older and has a dangerous occupation, Sheila warns her. And Roy’s best friend Tony questions whether it’s a good idea for him to get tied up with a young girl and her kid.

But the more time they spend together, the harder it is for Joanne and Roy to deny their deepening feelings.

Taylor weaves a group of unforgettable characters and real life issues into a story you won’t be able to put down. As you watch Joanne and Roy’s relationship unfold, you’ll laugh with them, cry with them, and cheer when true love conquers all. This is one novel that should be on everyone’s bookshelf, but it will never be there long, because you’ll be dying to read it again as soon as you’re done.

Trust in the Wind
Published by Mudania Press, LLC
ISBN-10: 1594262047
ISBN-13: 978-1594262043
U.S. Price $11.00

Check out our interviews with Vicki at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/07/meet-author-vicki-m-taylor.html and
http://thewriterslife.blogspot.com/search?q=vicki+m+taylor

HOW TO SUBMIT

2007-07-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pump Up Your Book Promotion's Galleria of Books! We review all genres, but if it is not a book that catches our fancy, we reserve the right to turn it down. If you would like us to review your book, please answer the questions below and send them to us at thewriterslife(at)yahoo.com.

1. Name of Book
2. Author's Name
3. Publisher
4. Date of Release
5. ISBN
6. Link to purchase page (preferably Amazon)

After we receive your email, we will evaluate your book's potential for a review and will contact you within two (2) business days.

Only print books will be considered at this time.

Thank you!