This is why we love to use hyperbole. Thanks, WP, for the post!
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Forever Thirteen giveaway – last chance!
I’ll have a review of Crissi Langwell’s A SYMPHONY OF CICADAS up soon. In the mean time you may want to check into her books. In this “reblog” of her book give-away, you may win a copy of one of her novels. Good reading to you!
Have you entered my Rafflecopter giveaway yet? You could win an advance copy of Forever Thirteen, as well as a $20 gift card to Starbucks, and a copy of the first book in the series, A Symphony of Cicadas. But if you wait to enter, you may miss your chance. I’m picking winners on Monday, March 3. So go enter today!
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Some Trashy Novel
Hmmm, we just experienced another Valentines Day. Perhaps your love life is less than stellar? I predict that Arlene Miller’s (aka JoJo Baker) story Trashy Novel, may be the chuckle you need.
I favor short book reviews. (Have you guessed I appreciate brevity in reviews?) To give the reader more information about the same books I have read, I often add a review written by someone else, with their permission of course. Below I’ve included a review written by my daughter about Trashy Novel by JoJo Baker. Thanks, Kathy, for letting me borrow your review:
Loved everything about this book! Could not and did not put it down. Well written, attention keeping for every line, humorous, witty and fun. Would give more than 5 stars if possible! Ready for more please, JoJo Baker!–Kathleen A. Moore
And my review:
TRASHY NOVEL by JoJo Baker is a fun, quirky read. Strictly for entertainment, it tells 
the often crazy sounding year of four college freshmen girls through the eyes of the protagonist, Kate. How could a story turn out any more bizarre?–Robin Moore
JoJo Baker is the pen name of author Arlene Miller when she writes fiction. She is well known for her simple-to-use grammar books: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Little-Grammar-BookEver/ http://www.amazon.com/Correct-Me-If-Wrong-Punctuation/
You may want to check out her blog: http://bigwords101.com/2014/blog/some-quotes-on-words-grammar-and-such/
The Good Old Boys
Author Elmer Kelton started writing The Good Old Boys while his father was still able to retell the stories from his former ranching and cowboy days. Those stories inspired Kelton to write The Good Old Boys. He created the character Hewey Calloway who epitomizes the wandering happy-go-lucky cowboy who’s out looking for the next round-up. Hewey owns nothing but his horse, Biscuit, and his saddle. He calls in at his brother Walter’s ranch, and as usual the welcome from his sister-in-law Eve is chilly. She thinks Hewey ought to be settling down and starting his own spread. Eve goes so far as to try to set him up with the local school teacher. Through an ill-timed accident Walter’s leg is broken. Hewey feels responsible, so he stays around to work Walter’s farming & ranching spread so that the bank can’t call in the mortgage in the fall. One of Walter’s sons adores Hewey and his tales; the other son doesn’t have much use for him, as he’s come to realize so many of Hewey’s stories are blown up `bull-oney.’ Well, I won’t tell you any more of the plot. I will tell you though there’s no murder, serious violence or gun battles. The Good Old Boys is the tale of cowboys feeling the cinch being tightened as the wild west Hewey & Walter knew it, has been roped & corralled. Through it all a passel of humor helps them through the trials.
There’s a movie version of The Good Old Boys staring Tommy Lee Jones as Hewey. You’ll also enjoy it if you’re lucky enough to find a copy on DVD or video. —Robin Moore http://www.amazon.com/The-Good-Boys-Hewey-Calloway/
Don’t have a photo of Hewey and Biscuit, but here’s one of Gracie and me. I am grateful to own her.
There are two more books about Hewey Calloway by Kelton including The Smiling Country http://www.amazon.com/The-Smiling-Country-Hewey-Calloway/
and Six Bits a Day: http://www.amazon.com/Six-Bits-Day-Hewey-Calloway-Kelton
Posted in authors, Horses, reading, Reviews, Writers
Tagged book reviews, books, horseback riding, stories, writers
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The Abominable Demons
Once again, C.T. Markee delivers an action-packed story that appeals to pre-teen and teen boys with his book DEMON INVASION, second of the Otherworld Tales. While boys, especially, will enjoy this snowboarding adventure, girls will like it too for the loyalty portrayed by the main characters. On the steep slopes of Mt. Shasta, Irish and his buddy Streak, along with cousin Frost, slip into the icy otherworld when they search for their missing friend Huff. Bundle up for a ripping good read while they battle truly abominable demons.
It’s really too bad that reading isn’t an Olympic sport. Just think of the possibilities….In the mean time, try Markee’s book.
Posted in authors, California Writers Club, Kids' stories, reading, Reviews
Tagged book reviews, books, kids' stories, reading, writers
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Social Media Sense
Social Media Just For Writers is a superb book for any author or poet interested in promoting their books. Author Frances Caballo gifts the readers with many creative ideas on ways we may promote our own work. If you haven’t taken a look at this excellent book, it may be time you treated yourself. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Just-Writers-Marketing/
http://www.amazon.com/Blogging-Just-Writers-Frances-Caballo-ebook/
Posted in authors, California Writers Club, marketing, reading, Writers
Tagged book reviews, books, California Writers Club, poets, reading, reviews, writers
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Meany Mrs. Feeney
Mrs. Feeney and the Grubby Garden Gang written by Sandy Baker is an excellent picture book for children, ages six to nine
years. The story enlightens the reader with the way a neighborhood problem is solved by working together. The result is a beautiful garden for them all to enjoy while the children continue their shortcut through Mrs. Feeney’s garden. The children gain pride in having helped plant the garden and come to realize Mrs. Feeney is nice after all.
Gorgeous artwork by Jim DeWitt bursts forth to portray Mrs. Feeney’s colorful garden. Author Sandy Baker writes a series of fiction books in which children may learn gardening techniques. She has also written a gardening coloring book for kids, with both English and Spanish editions. A Master Gardener for Sonoma County, Sandy Baker has vast experience in educating gardeners. —Robin Moore
Here are the links for just two of her kids’ gardening books. http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Feeny-Grubby-Garden-Gang/
http://www.amazon.com/Color-My-Garden-Butterflies-Coloring/
With author Tom Reed she also co-wrote the thriller The Tehran Triangle http://www.amazon.com/The-Tehran-Triangle-Tom-Reed/
Her blog: http://writersandy.wordpress.com/
Posted in authors, California Writers Club, Kids' stories, reading, Writers
Tagged books, California Writers Club, kids' stories, reading, writers
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Dual Review of Horse Stalker
I’ve posted two reviews here of Robert Digitale’s first novel, Horse Stalker, subtitled The Root of Glory: Book One. Charles Markee wrote an insightful review, and I’ve listed my own review too. I’m sure you’ll find the horse details accurate and intriguing.
If you find fantasy books the next best thing to horses, this series may gallop away with your imagination as you follow the adventures of Rog, the Horse Stalker. Track Rog as he seeks the great spotted stallion in The Root of Glory, the first of Robert Digitale’s rousing new fantasy book series. —Robin Moore
This well crafted story takes you on a mythical journey in a fiercely tribal world with Roj on his quest to capture the spotted stallion and then find the mysterious and powerful Root of Glory. Accompanied by his brother-in-law, Noli, he meets the beautiful Healdin who wields the deadly power of Mara the Vine. Dangerous conflicts between clans endanger Roj and Noli as they are followed by Bibbibib and Weakling, two vicious and evil warriors–casual murderers, who are intent on acquiring the Great Valuable for themselves.
This is a dark tale of adventure and danger with many fascinating, well-drawn characters and the tension of the hunt as Roj, on his hero’s journey, seeks personal fulfillment. Digitale’s writing is superb, as he weaves this tale of intrigue and betrayal in an environment with few protections and manifold fears. I recommend you read this on your Kindle while you keep your lights on. —Charles Markee http://www.charlesmarkee.com/
Posted in authors, California Writers Club, Horses, reading, Writers
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So you’ve written a book. Now what?
Wise words from Crissi Langwell:
This week alone, I’ve been approached by a half dozen people who were curious about writing books – from the actual writing of the story, to how to get it into the hands of readers. To have people look at me for these answers is kind of incredible. I mean, I remember a year ago, gearing up to publish my first book, and being totally lost in what I was supposed to be doing. I couldn’t wait to get that book onto Amazon and be a real live published author. But, then what? I looked up to those local authors I knew that were publishing books right and left, and I began following them via social media to see what they were doing right. And I began listening to the Self Publishing Podcast (who now have an incredible book out chock full of information called “Write. Publish. Repeat.
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Sizzle With Scorpio
A guest post by Author Charles Markee
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
On the fictional island of Thisby, an annual race takes place in which men ride the capall uisce, mythical water horses. Unlike the horses that you and I know, these are animals of great beauty, power, speed and danger; carnivores that can turn on their riders or other horses, and kill them. Such is the backdrop for the story related by seventeen-year-old Kate (Puck) Connolly.
Thisby Island is basically a rock protruding from the North Atlantic into a dystopian environment of fierce, ragged and unfriendly weather. Puck and her brothers, Gabe and Finn are orphaned and live there in abject poverty. About to be evicted, her only chance for keeping their home and remaining on the island is to ride and win the Scorpio Race, in which no female has ever been allowed. Moreover, she’d have to beat her friend and romantic interest, Sean, the current champion.
Sean is a stable hand for the wealthy Malverns, who own him and almost everything else on the island. Their son, Mutt, hates Sean, who has won the race the last four years. Since the horse he rides, Corr, is owned by the Malverns, Sean receives a pittance of the purse. However, it’s Sean’s special ability with the mystical horses as well as everyone’s acceptance of the capall uisce as normal that makes this story more magical realism than fantasy.
Stiefvater paints every scene with wonderful figurative language. The rural community on Thisby comes alive under her pen. Her language is a joy to read. Also, the story is crafted so that its characters develop naturally. However, as well as this is written, I found the voice of the two main characters, Sean and Puck, so similar that I often confused them and had to return to the chapter title, to know what character I was reading. Regardless, I highly recommend this as a great read for adults or young adults.–CM
Thank you to author Charles Markee for allowing me to post his review of The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater. Charles is also a gifted writer of novels for students. His series OTHERWORLD TALES feature the novels IRISH THE DEMON SLAYER and DEMON INVASION, both of which grab the middle grades boys’ attention in their quest for adventure.
http://blog.charlesmarkee.com/2013/11/25/the-scorpio-races-by-maggie-stiefvater/
Posted in authors, California Writers Club, Horses, reading, Writers
Tagged books, California Writers Club, reading, stories, writers
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Robin of Rockridge's Blog 