Birth of the Half Elves by H. L. Watson

May 12th, 2012

This high fantasy tale is creative. Though elves are in it, it isn’t a copy of Lord of the Rings by any means. It is a fresh point of view about a race that is a favorite of many. This fantasy will take the reader to a new land where you will find battles, loyalty, traditions, and love. Read the rest of this entry »

Omnigon: Book One the Mage of Gryphon Peak by C. E. Francies

May 5th, 2012

Book one by C.E. Francies is a beautifully crafted story with a pallet of words worthy of the masters. I love the vivid descriptions that make me visualize the places it describes. The story is good yet the way it is delivered isn’t the best to show off its beauty.  Read the rest of this entry »

Runaway Robot a DJ Benson Adventure by JA Davies readersfavorite.com

April 28th, 2012

This is an excellent story for kids from eight to twelve years old that others will enjoy, too. It is easy to read and a great mix of an old-fashioned country family and a robot. Read the rest of this entry »

Guardian of My Heart by J. Adams

April 21st, 2012

This is a most exquisite romance between a woman and a semi-God. Wow, I love the tale. Read the rest of this entry »

Florida Gardens Gone Wild by Lucy Beebe Tobias

April 14th, 2012

A review for ReadersFavorite.com

This is an impressive book with pictures and stories of people who change their ways and become native plant growers. Their beautiful wild gardens surround their homes and grace their communities with new life at every turn. Without being preachy or forceful, the author gives the reader a great point of view on a social problem and provides many examples of how to make your own wild sanctuaries to help resolve it. Read the rest of this entry »

Imperial Hostage Book 1 of the Destruction Trilogy by Phil Cantrill

April 7th, 2012

This is a good story that will be liked by older teens and adults. It has its share of mythological creatures like birdmen, centaurs, giant poisonous hounds and more along with all the human races in the tale. It is a great book to learn about friendship, loyalty, and what the power of knowledge can bring to a child until he turns into a man.

Erech is the prince of Pelasgoi and the next king of his people. As such he is taken from his home when he is ten years old to be trained in the customs of other kingdoms within the Temple of Bal. Many hardships come to him there, none less than the time he was naked, being readied for sacrifice in the Temple of Bal. Read the rest of this entry »

The Blight of Mages by Karen Miller

March 31st, 2012

This is a great book on tape that is not only entertaining, but also a well-done audiotape. The voice is pleasant to the ears, well defined and enjoyable. Read the rest of this entry »

Dispirited by Luisa Perkins, published March 17, 2012

March 24th, 2012

Today we have Luisa Perkins who will tell us about her new book “Dispirited” published by Zarahemla Books.

First of all, what’s Dispirited about?

A boy named Blake teaches himself how to get out of his body in order to go looking for the spirit of his dead mother. One night when he comes home, he finds that another being has taken over his body in his absence. Read the rest of this entry »

Through The Glass Darkly “A Dragon Tale” by M. L. Canales

March 17th, 2012

This is a great high fantasy novel with many fun and fantastic creatures, which will please many ages and likes. There is magic, time traveling, quest, and heroes to make it all happen. In short it has all the necessary elements to make this book a fantastic read.

The story starts when five young adults meet before they start their special training in an elite academy for magic. These four young men and a girl were brought together by chance, or so it seems until the schoolmaster has a dream. They are destined to free all the fantastic creatures and the three Gods that mankind has been trying to dismiss from their lives for the past 300 years. Read the rest of this entry »

ANWA Conference Report on Linda Mullineaux’s class by Author Betsy Love: http://ning.it/AvQuXZ

March 10th, 2012

Today we have Betsy love as our guest. Welcome to my blog…

The Critical Skill of Self Editing-Focusing on what agents and editors really care about.

Even though I’m published, I have so much to learn, and attending Linda’s class was informative and fun. Here is what her class was all about:

First of all, Linda says, “Take time writing your book; make it as perfect as you can.” She says it’s important to know your target audience, know your word count, and know what your publisher/agent accepts. Read the rest of this entry »

An Award! Why thank you

March 3rd, 2012

Shaunna Gonzales, a great writer, has bestowed upon me what is called the “Liebster Blog Award.”

What is the Liebster Blog Award?

Legend has it that The Liebster Blog Award originated in Germany. Liebster means dearest or beloved, and Liebe is love. The award is meant to encourage readership of small, lovable blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

In accepting the Liebster Blog Award, the recipient (me) agrees to thank the person who gave them the award, link back to that person’s blog, and reveal five (5) snippets about themselves that readers may not know.

Award Read the rest of this entry »

FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences by GAIL M BAUGNIET

February 25th, 2012

This is a great story about health policies and an insurance adjuster who investigates the people who submit claims. The story is not new, but the twists shown by Gail take a refreshing point of view. The tale is well presented and the writing is easy to follow. I would have to say it is pleasantly done, clean, and intriguing.

This book relates the story of Pepper Bibeau, a war veteran become insurance adjuster. She has seen first hand what war can do to young men’s lives and has dealt with her own war scars. She is sent to Chicago to investigate a possible fraud involving a doctor and the policy of a family he has treated. Pepper also needs to look into the background of the Tuarence couple. It is a case where the woman was killed by her husband and drugs may have played a big role. Read the rest of this entry »

The Sweetest Kiss Book One of the brothers of Worthington series. A Regency-set Romance By: Marie Higgins

February 18th, 2012

Judith Faraday’s parents die in an accident without her having the chance to tell them about her engagement to an army officer. Now she has to go live with the Dowager Duchess of Kenbridge and her horrible son. She remembers well the times she spent there while growing up and how Lord Trey tortured her with his harmful pranks. She loathes him and now she was to travel with him to her new prison. Read the rest of this entry »

Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani

February 11th, 2012

This tale is a very good portrayal of a boy who can travel between two worlds to be able to protect one of his relatives. It is written in the first person, is light, and develops with a good pace. He is also witty and easy to like, as are the other characters in this book.

The protagonist, a fifteen-year-old young man named Ash, has to survive for at least one more day the threat of an evil shadow and the mysterious book he received for his birthday. He has a repetitious dream Read the rest of this entry »

Dangerous Game by Keith Morris

February 4th, 2012

We find in Dangerous Game a thrilling book about terrorists and the Olympic games that come to Utah for the second time. This story is well done, clean and has characters who are Mormons. I recommended it to all who enjoy thrillers, detectives and don’t mind a sprinkle of Mormonism here and there. It isn’t preachy at all, nor is it a conversion tool. What it is, though, is a great reading for all readers from pre-teens to adults.

It all starts when Peter is asked by the FBI to investigate a murder in rural Utah. This results in contingency with his job as a security officer for the LDS church. He not only meets the deceased man, but also the police woman who will become his partner in this bizarre case.

Why would anyone kill a God-fearing man and call the police to tell them where his body is? Just a few days later, Peter and his partner find that that there have been other cases like this one. All the bodies had been bitten before they were killed. Are they dealing with a serial killer, or some other type of villain who doesn’t care for human life?

Friday’s Highlight: “Life, the Universe, & Everything” Symposium by Diana Ault

January 28th, 2012

Today we have Diana Ault for a visit on my blog. She will tell us all about LTUE http://ning.it/xoTnKL

     Named after the clever sci-fi book by Douglas Adams, the Marion K. “Doc” Smith,  “Life, the Universe, & Everything” Science Fiction and Fantasy Symposium is in its 30th year, making it one of the largest and longest-running symposiums of its kind. (The whole title is probably the biggest mouthful too so let’s just call it LTUE.)

     What began as a small meeting of Brigham Young University speculative fiction enthusiasts in 1982, is now a full-on, three day, academic symposium for amateur and professional writers and artists.
Traditionally held on BYU campus, this year the symposium will be held at the Utah Valley UniversitySorensen Student Center Feb. 9 – 11, 2012.

For more information on the history of LTUE, please clickhere and here. Read the rest of this entry »

Stone in the Meadow By Karleen Bradford

January 21st, 2012

This time travel story is one of the best I have seen for awhile. An exiting and well developed tale that will spellbind you from beginning to end. It is well written, with great descriptions and likable characters.

Jenifer is visiting her uncle for the first time at a hundred year old family home in England. While exploring the county side she found a tall, lone and dark stone Read the rest of this entry »

Bad Island by Doug Tennapel

January 14th, 2012

For readersfavorite.com reviews

This book is done in the good old comic book fashion. It is full of pictures that tell the story more than the words do. It includes the Wow! Screech! Huff! and Wham! that are so fun and expected in this kind of book. The style of drawing is simple and effective, mostly black and white, with some color in it.

The story is that of a typical family with a teen boy named Reese who feels misunderstood by his parents. He has a much younger sister Janie. The sister is very fond of her pet snake; even after the pet is dead she continues carrying it around. Read the rest of this entry »

Animaia by Lee Rogers

January 7th, 2012

For readersfavorite.com

This book contains a very new concept for a story: certain people talk with animals by means of special telekinesis powers. This power sets them apart from the majority of the citizens who don’t have this power. As always, the different guy becomes the heart or the hero of the story and in this case so it is with Arno. Read the rest of this entry »

Chop, Chop by Leeann Cronk

December 31st, 2011

For readersfavorite.com

This is a great book for teens and young adults alike. It portrays a coming of age saga for young men. Girls will enjoy getting into the minds of the opposite gender. It is a well-written book with not only insights to what motivates a boy, but also the pain of great loss and how our human mind works. Read the rest of this entry »