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The Eye of Nefertiti-A Pharaoh’s Cat Novel-Review

The Eye of Nefertiti-A Pharaoh’s Cat Novel by Maria Luisa Lang

Genre: Currently #1791 in Books, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Historical, Fantasy

Publisher: Maria Luisa Lang

Publication Date: November 2016

Submitted by author for review

The Eye of Nefertiti – Cover could be darker

WOW! Where do I begin with “The Eye of Nefertiti-A Pharaoh’s Cat Novel” by Maria Luisa Lang? This book is a complete conundrum–a plot that’s unique and a story line that keeps you curious as to where the author could be going with it–but includes typos that signal perhaps it was not quite ready for prime time. You know you are in for something different from the first sentence of the first chapter. This novel was out of my normal genre, totally out of the box, but one with a premise I couldn’t overlook. How do you write a first person story when the first person is a cat? Yes, the protagonist is a cat–but not your ordinary cat.

How do you pick up modern times in a family with a baby and switch to ancient Egypt seamlessly? How is this cat distinctly feline as well as human? Wrappa-Hamen is a cat like no other and, for the most part, fleshed out well, albeit the switch had me confused at times as to whether we were still talking more human than feline, especially near the end of the book. Granted, the cat could actually walk (on two legs), talk, drink (not always lap), and eat foods that might otherwise be very deleterious for a feline, while still dealing with paws (no opposable thumbs). So, here’s how I laid it out: Continue reading “The Eye of Nefertiti-A Pharaoh’s Cat Novel-Review”

When Critical Reviews are the Best Kind

I love Kristen Twardowski’s view regarding the book industry, reviews, and trends and have followed her for some time, always enjoying her latest thoughts. This one is so right on, I couldn’t resist reblogging for you to enjoy here, unless you are also one of her subscribers as well. Enjoy! Then go check out some of her posts!

Kristen Twardowski

Sometimes I read a review that expresses such passionate hatred for a book that I can’t help but want to read more. Perhaps I am alone in that response.

Now, I enjoy literary novels – I read a lot of folks like Margaret Atwood and Alan Moore – but occasionally my mind requires a different sort of reading material. Sometimes I want to read a book that is a little wild, a little crazy, a little less good.

The Outliers.jpg

Luckily The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight has come to my rescue. The Outliers follows the story of Wylie, a girl who is investigating her best friend’s disappearance. Though the plot summary seems normal enough, I stumbled across a veritable treasure trove of scalding reviews on the book’s Goodreads page when doing research on novels being adapted into films. Readers were saying things like:

“…the only way it could be more insane…

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TGIF -Freaky Friday Feature

If TGIF resounds with you, as it used to do with me when I was still in the work force, then you will be celebrating today as the end of your work week and looking forward to the weekend. Of course, Dr. Eldon Taylor, who wrote the book I just reviewed on this blog, Choices and Illusions, said that embracing the TGIF mentality means you hate your job. True–either that or you have plans for the weekend you just flat can’t do during a work day!

For me, Friday is a mini-celebration, and as I’ve noted before on this Freaky Friday Feature, time to kick back, have some laughs, and hopefully enjoy a few of the fotos and funnies I’ve gleaned lately. Somehow, the puppy pictures always catch my eye!

One of my blog buddies, Rob Moses of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a photographer who has a phenomenal eye and posted this one he called, “Mustachio.” Looks like he was having a GOOD Friday!

Another of my buddies sends me great little ditties from time to time and I thought it was time to share a couple of those as well. Freaky, huh? Happy Friday–have a safe, warm, and dry weekend! ©2017 Virginia Williams

Choices and Illusions – Review

Choices and Illusions by Eldon Taylor — **Sept 2014 Cover**

Choices and Illusions-How Did I Get Where I am, and How Do I Get Where I Want to Be? By Eldon Taylor

Genre: Currently #1367 in Best Sellers Ranking for Books, Religion & Spirituality, New Age & Spirituality, New Thought (#5004 in Books, Self-Help, Motivational, and #7925 in Books, Self-Help, Personal Transformation)

Publisher: Hay House, Inc.

Publication Date: Revised Edition: September 2014

Submitted by author’s publicist for review

Choices and Illusions-How Did I Get Where I am, and How Do I Get Where I Want to Be?

From the hype promoted for “Choices and Illusions-How Did I Get Where I Am, and How Do I Get Where I Want to Be?” I guess I expected some innovative breakthrough, or influential psychological studies that would drive home a solution, albeit not without real conscious or subconscious work on the behalf of the reader.

This entire book, however, could basically be summed up in two words: “Own it.” Taking responsibility for yourself is a strong mantra repeated throughout, and probably learned by most who delved into self-help books beginning 20 years ago. It’s a close companion to “forgive and forget”, and ergo always more difficult that those simple words would divine. It begins with the basic tenet–we have all been imprinted–and I’ll buy that. Whether or not by accident or design, that imprint creates the composite of who we are. Continue reading “Choices and Illusions – Review”

Seven Major Sources of Book Reviewers

According to The Huffington Post, who cited Bowker numbers, the number of new books published each day in the US is now up to 3,500. That’s 3,500 Each Day!

This, according to Bowker, who issues ISBN numbers, does not include eBooks that are published without benefit of an ISBN number. Holy cow! Can it really be more than 1.2 million per year? Last I read somewhere, the count was 750,000/yr and I thought that was staggering! If you are a newly published author, how do you even begin to compete with those numbers? Everyone points to getting book reviews. I’ve covered that topic before–it’s still relevant.

And according to the Huffington Post, Amazon calls the reviews “Social Proof.” Maybe so, but you can buy reviews, and I’m not talking about the reputable sites that receives a submission and returns an “unbiased” opinion–such as Kirkus. Kirkus is well known and wields some influence, often turning a five-star rating into gold. Still, whether the source is Amazon or Goodreads, I am getting a lot of review requests, many of which have obviously not scanned my Submission Guide. Continue reading “Seven Major Sources of Book Reviewers”

Suggestions for Snow Festivals, Ice Palaces, and Winter Carnivals

Today begins the world’s largest ice sculpture festival and you’ll still have plenty of time to get to China. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival lasts one month, weather permitting, and is erected throughout the city. There are two main exhibition areas, Sun Island and Ice and Snow World, which is open at night and features full scale buildings made from 2-3′ blocks of ice. The average temperature in that area of northeast China runs approximately 1.8 degrees. You’ll have to dress warm!

Another giant snow festival occurs in Sapporo, Japan, where the festival dates are early February. More than two million people view more than 400 snow statues and ice sculptures at the Odori Park and Susukino sites. The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950, but was actually started by high school boys before the war.

Of course, you don’t have to fly across the pond to view an ice festival as there are an abundance of them held yearly in any north area region that receives more than two feet of snow, and no doubt includes one close to you. In North America, Montreal was the first large city to create an “ice palace.” However, the event moved to St. Paul following a smallpox epidemic in 1885. St. Paul held their first Ice Palace exhibition in 1886 and was illuminated with electric lights at night, making this one of their first buildings to have electric lighting.

Much closer to home back in Idaho, McCall will be celebrating their 52nd anniversary at the 2017 McCall Winter Carnival. There are snow sculptures situated throughout the area, some of which may exceed 20′. Food vendors, parades, opening and closing fireworks and other special events are attended by thousands enjoying the snowy event.

Our family enjoyed the festival that ran from the end of January into the first weekend of February, 2011. If you are not a skier, snowboarder, ice fisherman, or any of the many other activities associated with winter, you can still get out and enjoy the season. These sculptures are amazing! Let me know if you have a suggestion for a great winter venue! ©2017 Virginia Williams

Burke’s War – Review

Burke’s War by William F. Brown

Genre: Currently #27 in Kindle Store, Prime Reading, Literature & Fiction, Action and Adventure

Publisher: William F Brown

Publication Date: February 2015

Submitted by author for review

Burke’s War by William F Brown

Having read and enjoyed Winner Lose All by William F. Brown, I was certainly prepared to enjoy Burke’s War. I really was, but first…

It was necessary to suspend disbelief to think that a passenger on a jet landing into O’Hare in Chicago could not only see a murder taking place on the roof of a three-story building, but look into and lock eyes with both the murderer and the victim. (Shaking my head–can’t buy the initial premise.)

The plot has the protagonist Bob Burke returning from Washington DC after a failed attempt to renew an important contract for his telecommunications company. After he witnesses and reports the murder, he discovers local police are less than interested and extremely skeptical of his being capable of seeing such an event from that vantage point. The one officer who believes his account may be able to lend some help, but otherwise Burke is at a loss to decipher those who are corrupt from those he can trust. Continue reading “Burke’s War – Review”

Penny Stocks–Road to Boom or Bust?

I’ll bet investing in penny stocks is not one of your New Year’s Resolutions. Should you reconsider?

When I published “Hot Air Promotions” for my grandfather, I had the mistaken idea that penny stocks went out with the thirties when it is believed he wrote the book. To say the man was bitter would be an understatement; after all, he didn’t call it Hot Air Promotions for nothing! Stanley McShane, however, was investing wholly in penny mining stocks. His rancor rose to new heights tucked within his poems. For him, unquestionably, it was bust–not boom.

The new year, 2017, is particularly notable, of course, as it will see the first term of a newly elected president, albeit one without heavy previous political experience. The man has already created waves in Wall Street pushing the Dow to within 1% of 20,000 for several days. Some say it may exceed 22,000.