Tuesday, April 30, 2013

#Book #Review Link-up Party Starts Now!



$15Amazon
CymLowell

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!
4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!




-CYM

Monday, April 29, 2013

Out of Range by Hank Steinberg #bookreview @WmMorrowBks




Out of Range 
by Hank Steinberg 
(Wm Morrow 2013)

In your life, have you become a stranger to someone who you love and have shared a joyful life? Have you lost track of her/his interests, emotions, state of mind? And the other person as to you?

Let’s say you have lost touch with your partner’s emotions and feelings, frankly taking for granted that they were as you had thought last time you checked-in. How would you react if she lied to you in a manner indicating an affair with an old flame in a world you had both lived in years earlier? What if she disappeared? Would you sit by hoping for the best? Or take action?

If you have interest in any of these emotions, enjoy jumping into thrillers that have interesting storylines and emotional content as well, you will love Out of Range.

Charlie and Julie have such a relationship. She has disappeared, even leaving her young children in a car in a cul-de-sac. The man is devastated, wondering how he could have become so isolated from his love to not understand the depths of her unhappiness. An affair with her old flame, now a dangerous political power in a Eastern European country dominated by a dictator supported by the West?

Charlie jumps in. A journalist, not a warrior, he discerns how Julie was extracted from the U.S. and taken to that country. He has many dated contacts there, who turn on him. Alone, he must devise a plan. Step-by-step he proceeds up a twisted ladder. 

Julie has been tortured in every manner imaginable. The bad guy has planted dirty bombs throughout the world at locations to maximize death and disruption. The fuse is lit. 

Will Charlie get there in time? Will their children be orphans? Will the world be rocked by the first wave of nuclear explosions that disrupt vital markets amidst hordes of charred corpses?

Hank Steinberg is a new novelist. He is a fine storyteller. It is a rare occasion when I read thrillers that actually have a soul. Out of Range is such a story, a fine ride.

It begins with believable characters enmeshed in an emotionally thought-provoking conundrum. “Is this true in my life?” you will wonder. As the fast-paced story unfolds, you will find answer for Julie and Charlie. You will also think about your own life. Turning the last page, you will smile. “Great story. I wonder what happens when they go home? Is there such a problem in my life?”

Keep your eye on Hank Steinberg. There is a niche in the thriller world, where emotion is explored, that needs to be filled. He may be the one.

Warms-
CYM


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Wednesday's Book Review Winner & a Donation Made in Honor of my Readers

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *


$15

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...
(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)


Congratulations to Buckling Bookshelves!!

Screen Shot 2013-04-28 at 6.50.52 PM

Be sure to check out Buckling Bookshelves and leave a comment!


Email me your email address.

Warms-
CYM


In honor of you, my blog readers, I made a donation to Ben's Recovery Fund. Thank you.

Friday, April 26, 2013

The Creative Penn on "Creating Your Author Press Kit"



Do you read The Creative Penn? I do.

It is always at the top of my feed. I always try to highlight & share some of my favorite articles. Here is one in particular you might find worth your time if you are an author...


Book Marketing: Creating Your Author Press Kit

by JOANNA PENN on APRIL 23, 2013


This site focuses a lot on online promotion, but PR and traditional media can still be a great way to get name recognition in the market.
newsHaving a press kit is a great way to prepare yourself for a foray into that style of marketing and in today’s post, Tolulope Popoola explains more about it.
As a new author and publisher, I had to learn the ropes about publishing and book publicity pretty quickly. Of course websites and blogs like The Creative Penn and The Book Designer have been a tremendous help.
Read the rest of the article here.

Warms-
CYM





Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Book Review Link Up Starts NOW! Win $15 Amazon eGC & help #benfarland #helpwolverton


This week is a little different. I will still be giving away a $15 gift card but I will also be donating a dollar for every book review link to the Ben's Recovery Fund. You can read more about Ben here. Get the word out...twitter, Facebook, bookblogs....let's help the Wolverton Family!
One review link per blog/person.

$15Amazon
CymLowell

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!
4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!




-CYM

Monday, April 22, 2013

What Happened to Ben? And How You Can Help. #benfarland #helpwolverton



Ben Wolverton, age 16, was in a tragic long-boarding accident on Wednesday the 4th, 2013. He suffers from severe brain trauma, a cracked skull, broken pelvis and tail bone, burnt knees, bruised lungs, broken ear drums, road rash, pneumonia, and is currently in a coma.

His family has no insurance. Ben is the son of author David Farland, whose books have won multiple awards, and who is widely known as a mentor to many prominent authors, such as Brandon Sanderson, Stephenie Meyer, and Brandon Mull.

Ben's treatment are expected to rise above $1,000,0000. To help raise money for Ben, we are having a book bomb (focused on Nightingale and Million Dollar Outlines) on behalf of Ben. Information on the book bomb is found here: http://www.helpwolverton.com/p/books-for-book-bomb.html Or simply donate to the Wolverton family here: http://www.gofundme.com/BensRecovery

I WANT TO HELP BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY!

The best way you can help is by spreading the word of Ben’s donation page, and/or this book bomb. Share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, your blog—anywhere you can. Invite others to the event.

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP!
For this week's Wednesday Book Review Link-up, I will be donating a dollar to Ben's Recovery Fund for every book review that links up to the party (Starting Tuesday Night 4-23-13). So, get the word out.  One book review per person.*

TELL ME MORE ABOUT BEN. WILL HE BE OKAY?

David Farland has been keeping everyone posted on Facebook. Subscribe or friend him to get up-to-date information: https://www.facebook.com/david.farland1. At the moment, Ben is stable and appears to be improving.

Thank you! Ben and his family greatly appreciate your support, and so do all who love and care about them.

Warms-
CYM

*not to exceed $100

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Wednesday's Book Review Winner!

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *


$15

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...
(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)


Congratulations to Edgy Inspirational Romance!!

Screen Shot 2013-04-21 at 2.58.59 PM

Be sure to check out Edgy Inspirational Romance and leave a comment!


Email me your email address.

Warms-
CYM

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

#Book #Review Link-Up Party Starts NOW!



$15Amazon
CymLowell

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!
4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!




-CYM

Monday, April 15, 2013

Where to go to drink & write...#Thriller13



15 Amazing Book-Filled Bars Where We’d Like to Drink 
By Emily Temple on FLAVORWIRE

librarynyc
The Library Bar in NYC ~source~

From FLAVORWIRE  "You know what’s better than a night out? A night out with a book. Or, in the case of many of these fine establishments, a whole wall of books. After all, when else will you feel as inspired to pull down a favorite tome and do a dramatic reading than when you’re on your second cocktail?...





Sunday, April 14, 2013

Wednesday's Book Review WINNER!

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *


$15

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...
(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)


Congratulations to Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews!!

Screen Shot 2013-04-14 at 2.39.23 PM

Be sure to check out Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews and leave a comment!


Email me your email address.

Warms-
CYM

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

#Book #Review Link-Up Party Starts NOW!



$15Amazon
CymLowell

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!
4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!




-CYM

Monday, April 8, 2013

Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream by Doris Kearns Goodwin #book #review





Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream 
by Doris Kearns Goodwin 
(1976, 1991 St. martin’s Press)

What makes you who you are? Have you ever thought about that question?

President Lyndon Johnson played an important part in my life. Doubtlessly, something to do with who and what I am. Why, you ask? Because I served in Vietnam. In a war that ultimately crashed the legacy and self-respect of LBJ.

This excellent biography by one of the top historians of our generation explores those questions about President Johnson. I had never thought of reading his biography until a Japanese friend wanted to visit the Johnson Library in Austin. My friend makes a hobby of visiting these American institutions. 

As I walked around the LBJ Library with him, I was surprise to see so little about Vietnam. So I bought the book. Now I understand.

I went to Vietnam in 1964, which means LBJ had been President for almost a year at the time. The war did not really commence in earnest until January 1966.

Doris Kearns Goodwin puts it all into perspective. LBJ was the product of an inner world of turmoil, undependable love, and a need. He turned for satisfaction and fulfillment to an external world in which he needed constant reaffirmation. The more he achieved, the more he needed, and so on.

And achieve he did. LBJ was an immense success at every step of the government ladder. As Majority Leader in the Senate he had more power than anyone in Washington, an immense ability to get things done in that inner sanctum. He failed as a Presidential candidate, only to be selected as Vice President by John F. Kennedy. Upon the latter’s assassination, LBJ became President.

His social achievements are appropriately legendary. Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Great Society and so on. He won election on his own in 1964 by the largest majority in history. He withdrew from re-election, not exactly resigning, in disgrace in 1968. Why? Because he lied to the American people about the extent of our involvement in Vietnam and lost the very reaffirmation that he so desperately needed. LBJ then faded into insignificance on his ranch raising cattle. He declared to Ms. Goodwin that he had been always  been very lonely. Indeed! What an amazing thing for someone with the skill and power of LBJ to have to admit in his fading years. 

If you have ever thought of those questions at the beginning of this review, you might want to think about reading Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream. It certainly helped me think through those very questions.

Warms, Cym

AMAZON

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Winner of Wednesday's Book Review Link-Up ($15 Amazon GC)

     *all winners are selected by Random Number Generator *


$15

And the winner of the Amazon Gift Card ($15 value) from Wednesday's Review Party is...
(**Drums Rolling in the Background**)


Congratulations to Book Reviews by Sus!!

Screen Shot 2013-04-06 at 9.10.03 PM

Be sure to check out Book Reviews by Sus and leave a comment!


Email me your email address.

Warms-
CYM

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Book Review Link-Up Party Starts NOW! Come link-up...



$15Amazon
CymLowell

Welcome to Book Review Party Wednesday.

It is real simple. Link up any (old or new, any genre) book review that you have
written to the below MckLinky.

A couple of things to remember while you're linking.

1. Add a permalink to your specific post, not the main page of your blog (only one review per blog will be included in the giveaway). Permalinks from Amazon & other Book Review Sites are permitted.
2. Add my Book Review Wednesday Badge or a simple link-back to the party at the end of your review post.
3. List the name of your blog, Title of Book or Genre. Be sure to use spaces and limit characters to 50. For example: The Lost Symbol, thriller - or whatever you want to say!
4. Visit the other linked up reviews and leave comments....it's a party, have fun!
5. I will announce the winner in a weekend post. The winner is chosen from the linked up reviewers using Random Number Generator. All included.

I am so excited to be reading all the reviews! This is always so much fun and gives me the opportunity to add new books to my list. Last week's winner will be announced this weekend!




-CYM