Night Owl Reviews Magazine, Issue 17 by Night Owl Reviews

www.NightOwlReviews.com MAD SKILLS by Walter Greatshell Genre: Science Fiction Reviewed by: Dawn Colclasure

ONE WAS A SOLDIER by Julia Spencer-Fleming Genre: Mystery Reviewed by: Terri

Mad Skills by Walter Greatshell is a gripping, on-the-edge-of-my-seat novel that was hard to put down. This story took me through an action-packed, scientific and shocking adventure of just how far some scientists feel they have the right to go when playing God. Switching peoples’ identities and programming them with the implant to satisfy their own agendas was a scary idea to explore in this story. The story made me wonder if this kind of thing would actually happen. In fact, it is already happening. While I was reading this book, I came across an article on a science-based website of how doctors and scientists are putting computer implants into the brains of stroke victims to help them communicate with computers. You can only imagine how far that kind of technology would go should it fall into the wrong hands. They say you should not judge a book by its cover, but I say “Don’t judge a book by its Prologue.” For me, the Prologue was “meh” and I didn’t really get into the story. But it was the first chapter of this novel that grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go until the very end. In my view, the Prologue should have been the Epilogue, but the story as a whole still works.

For various reasons, a group of recent veterans are meeting at the community center with a counselor. This group bond with each other though they are from different military branches, held different jobs and were vastly different ranks. Clare is a member as is one of Russ’s deputies along with a local doctor and a young Marine who lost his legs. Rounding out this group is a young woman, Tally and the counselor, Sarah. Each is struggling to adjust to being home and adjust to the problems that followed them home. One will attempt suicide and another will accomplish it. One Was a Soldier has fantastic characters; an interesting mystery and even a patriotic feel making this book a winner. Even if you’ve never read any of the other books in this series, you’ll enjoy this one but don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Clare. She’s not your average priest! Once again I was swept into Millers Kill and got involved with the people that live there. I didn’t want to put this story down as it grabbed my interest and wasn’t going to let it go. This story has such a realistic feel to it that you are sure that it’s possible. MIDNIGHT STAR by Billi Jean Genre: Paranormal Romance Reviewed by: Cecile.Smith75

PAINFULLY ORDINARY by Stephanie Amox Genre: YA, Paranormal Reviewed by: Ursshebear

Once again I’ve had the privilege of reading a wonderful novel. “Painfully Ordinary,” by Stephanie Amox is a wonderful read. Stephanie takes in the use of fairies, vampires, and shifter types of characters and gives it her own twist. This makes the whole novel unique and delightful. The development of the characters, drama and the romance left me spell bound. Jace and Leah, Talon and Caitlin have a relationship that you know will transcend time and space. I highly recommend this novel to young and old alike. I’m hoping there is going to be another novel that will continue on with Painfully Ordinary’s storyline.

I will start my review off with this statement ~ This book is freaking flipping fantastic!!! Ms. Jean is a very new to me author. And finding her is like finding a rare gem in the rough. I will be following this woman from now on. She created a world that I wanted to be a part of, begged to be to a part of, and finally pleaded to be a part of. It is just that awesome. I feel like I have to tell you that she gave me everything I have been missing in my stories lately. She gave me a heroine that was all kick-butt and wickedly sexy as hell. She handed me over to a pure alpha man, all hot and bothered and all about winning his female. She had me giggling out loud and then tearing up at some parts. Oh well, hell’s bell... Ms. Jean wrote one hell’va story that completely rocked my world.

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Featured Reviews Get Insight into 4 Titles Each Month

Staying On Top Bestselling Authors Share

Q & A with an Author Look into the Lives of Authors

SFF Insider Science Fiction & Fantasy Reviews

Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal Hot UF / PN Releases Every Month

History Bits Travel Back in History

Featured Titles Not to Miss Titles

Teen Reads Young Adult Reads For All

BookflixTM Roundup Watch Movies of Books

Love and Romance in Color Diversity in Romance

Leaf’s Legends A Look Inside Legends

Novel Technology The Low Down on Tech for Readers

A Piece Of My Mind Insights for Writers

Romance Great Stories To Make You Fall In Love

Dark Streets Suspense at Its Best

Tantalizing Tidbits The Dish on a Booklovers Life

Inside the Cookbook Find Some Awesome Cookbooks

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Marie Treanor Her Writing Environment

From

la cot

ith

Love

Depending on what’s happening at the time, I write more or less anywhere - sitting room, bedroom, kitchen , wherever! But when I can, I prefer to write in a quiet room at the back of the house which is full of books and some of my favourite things that we’ve brought home from our travels. I have a small, antique desk just the right size for my laptop, positioned at the window so I can look out at the garden (and the rain, usually!). Please tell us your latest news!

Haunting Romance

Top of my list - BLOOD SIN, the second in my Awakened by Blood trilogy, is released on 5th April!

Blood Sin Months after her dangerous encounter with the vampire overlord Saloman, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk is still trying to cope with both the demands of her vampirehunting bloodline-and the desire she feels for Saloman, the immortal she brought back from the grave. But when Saloman’s ancient sword becomes the object of a ruthless race between humans and vampires, Elizabeth must decide between unwanted loyalty, or unholy love. - Awakened by Blood, #2

What else? If you haven’t heard, I’ve started a new blog called Marie Treanor’s Romantic Theme Party, where we hold five day parties celebrating a different romance genre every month. We have fab guest authors, excerpts and chat and giveaways. The next party is all about romantic comedy (25th-29th April), with amazing guest bloggers, Dakota Cassidy, Lizzie T. Leaf, Beverly Rae and more! Hope you’ll join the party! http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com. Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer? Or Still do?

Blood on Silk While in Romania researching historical superstitions, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk comes upon the folk tale of Saloman, a seductive prince staked centuries ago, legend’s most powerful vampire. Now, in the ruins of a castle crypt, Elizabeth discovers supernatural legends that have come alive. Her blood has awakened him. Her innocence has aroused him. But Elizabeth unleashes more than Saloman’s hunger, and it’s going to unite them in ways neither could have imagined. - Awakened by Blood, #1

I do write full time now. Before that, I’ve been a researcher, an editorial assistant and a librarian, and like many authors, I just wrote in my spare time. But when my youngest child was born, I stopped working and now that she and her brothers are all at school, I can devote more time to the stories in my head :). Did you pick the title for your book? If it has been changed please tell us about the process. Well, I picked the title of the first book in the trilogy, BLOOD ON SILK, which has stayed the same. But orignally I had the word “Silk” (the surname of my heroine) in all the titles, including the series title. My editor felt that this wasn’t really going to draw in vampire fans.

Seducing Scots On the rain-soaked, famously mean streets of Glasgow, Jenny, a reluctant psychic, hunts Karoly, a dangerous but incredibly sexy vampire. Clad only in his antique kilt, he hangs around wedding receptions, biting the guests and seducing an unsuspecting vampire hunter-Jenny in particular. Half ready to stake him, half ready to beg him to have sex with her again, Jenny sets out to hunt Karoly.

---http://www.marietreanor.com

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Spring is here and the new releases are hot off the press. There are plenty of sizzling books you’ll want to add to your reading list ASAP. Some very familiar names in the PNR and UF genres have new books out this month, check them out: After the Golden Age, by Carrie Vaughn (April 12, Tor), Mercy Burns, by Keri Arthur (April 19, Dell), Dark Descendant, by Jenna Black (April 26, Pocket), Tangled Threads, by Jennifer Estep (April 26, Pocket), Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend, by Linda Wisdom (April 1, Sourcebooks Casablanca), Dark Enchantment, by Anya Bast (April 5, Berkley), Vampire Dragon, by Annette Blair (April 5, Berkley), Blood Sin, by Marie Treanor (April 5, NAL), The Vampire Dimitri, by Colleen Gleason (April 19, Mira), Forever Vampire, by Michele Hauf (April 19, HQN), Twilight Prophecy, by Maggie Shayne (April 19, Mira), Savage Nature, by Christine Feehan (April 26, Jove), Born of Shadows, by Sherrilyn Kenyon (April 26, Grand Central), and Black Magic Woman, by Christine Warren (April 26, St. Martin’s). I’ve had the chance to read Demons are a Girl’s Best Friend by Linda Wisdom and it’s fabulous. I’m happy to see the witches continue in new books. I have Colleen Gleason’s new Regency Vampire series on my Kindle and I am loving it. Another book I am enjoying on my Kindle is The Restorer, by Amanda Stevens (April 19, Mira). Amanda is a new author for me so I had no idea what to expect. The hook in The Restorer is so fresh I haven’t been able to put this book down. Wow, what a read, totally engrossing, you have to check it out, especially if you’re looking for something a little different. So what’s on your must read this month? SUPER QUICK AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH VIVA ANNA

RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into: VA: Glimmer, it is an urban fantasy

RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? VA: Sexy, alpha, Australian

RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine?

VA: Her skin glows when she’s aroused

RR: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book? VA: His confidence, oh and his accent. Yummy! RR: What’s the heat level of your book? VA: Hot and spicy

RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? VA: Werewolves, faeries, pixies, merfolk

RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences? VA: In a beautiful garden full of flowers and a picturesque small pond, a malevolent pixie laps at a spot of blood on a man who’s been beaten to the ground. RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole: VA: Dark, magical, intriguing

RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is… VA: making stuff up.

RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book? VA: Glimmer is out now, available at Amazon, and Smashwords as an ebook. SQAI WITH AMI BLACKWELDER

RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into:

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www.NightOwlReviews.com AB: The Shifters of 2040, scifi/paranormal romance RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words?

AB: Melissa Marn- Cold, calculated, and unemotional RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? AB: Bruce Wilder- Soft, intelligent, sneaky

RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine? AB: She grows from prejudice to compassion

RR: What is one unique trait about your hero? AB: He stays by Melissa’s side no matter what.

RR: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book? AB: He is loyal.

RR: What’s the heat level of your book? AB: Heat level 2-3

RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? AB: Shifters, aliens.

RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences? AB: When Melissa Marn learns she is pregnant...she must deal with the reality that the father might not be human.

RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole: AB: Original, Thought-prokoving, Entertaining.

RR: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less? AB: After an invasion of shifters on earth fifteen years ago, methodical scientist Melissa Marn and her coworker Bruce Wilder have to deal with issues of prejudice, hate, oppression, when Melissa learns she is giving birth to hybrids (half human and half shifter).

RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is... AB: Storytelling, letting someone’s voice be heard whether fictional or not, the emotional truth captivates us all.

RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book?

AB: Amazon, Barnes and Noble nook, Kindle, ipad, http://amiblackweler.com SQAI WITH DEBUT HORROR NOVELIST FIONA DODWELL

RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into: FD: My novel is The Banishing. It’s a horror story exploring the themes of demonic possession and domestic abuse. RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words? FD: Sensitive, idealistic, naive.

RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? FD: The Banishing explores demons and the idea of demonic possession. I fell in love with the idea of demons taking form of human weakness and bad traits. Instead of the stereotypical idea of what it is to be possessed (something Hollywood has claimed in many films over the years) I wanted to take something disturbing and evil and melt it into human nature. What happens when a handsome, committed husband suddenly starts getting a bad temper and lashing out? Is there something more to it? Something spiritual? That’s the seed that planted The Banishing. RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences?

FD: Melissa, my main character, finds herself in a church, discussing the nature of God with a priest. She wonders, ‘If God killed his own Son to save a word He loves, would it be so wrong for me to do something bad to save the one I love?” RR: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less?

FD: The Banishing is a story exploring how far one woman will go to survive. It is a dark book touching upon demonic possession, the nature of evil and the personal price of the choices we make.

RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is ... FD: being able to be part of another life, of another person for a certain period of time - it’s magical escapism. RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book?

FD: The Banishing is available in both paperback and e-book formats. You’ll be able to find it in Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Damnation Books.

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BUNNIES AND CANDY The earth is awakening after its winter snooze, and in some areas from a comma induced by hard weather assaults, with signs of spring pushing their way up to greet the sun. With that arrival comes another holiday month. Do you fall asleep with at night counting bunnies or walk around to strains of Here Comes Peter Cottontail floating through your head? If so, then you know Easter is on the way. Welcome to another retail blitz! How did the day that Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection, become associated with bunnies and candy? Once again, we travel back in time to the origin of pre-Christian fertility lore. The Rabbit and the Hare were prolific breeders and thus became fertility symbols for the pagan festival of Eastre. The AngloSaxons worshipped the goddess, Eastre, through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The rabbit represented new life during the spring season since it has the ability to reproduce at such a rapid rate. The female can conceive a second litter while pregnant with the first. On that issue, I personally prefer the human method of one pregnancy at a time. The antics of the bunnies during mating season, appeared to some observers like a crazy dance and gave rise to some of the sayings we still use today such as “mad as a March hare” or “to breed like bunnies.” Eggs were viewed as a symbol of fertility also. Birds lay eggs and rabbits produce large litters in early spring, so they became the symbols of the rising fertility of the earth at the Vernal Equinox. Spring is the time of “birth” or re-birth of life. Bringing Easter eggs appears to have its origins in Alsace, the Upper Rhineland and southwestern Germany, where the practice was first mentioned in a German publication in the 17th Century. Eggs were colored to represent the bright colors of spring. When German settlers migrated to America they brought with them the custom of a white hare (the Osterhaus) leaving brightly colored eggs for all good children on Easter morning. In 19th Century America, the Easter Hare had become the Easter Bunny and didn’t just leave eggs. The baskets he left also contained chocolates, candy chicks, jelly beans and other gifts. Different cultures around the world decorate Easter eggs in their own way. In Greece, crimson eggs are exchanged to honor the blood

of Christ. In some parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are for exchanged Maundy (Holy) Thursday. In Slavic regions eggs are decorated with special patterns of gold and silver. Then there are Pysanki eggs, a masterpiece of skill and workmanship. The fresh white egg has melted beeswax applied, then dipped in successive baths of dye. Wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain and you end up with a work of art. But the work of art I’d like to find in my basket is a Fabergé egg. The jeweled eggs were made by the House of Fabergé from 1885 through 1917. Most were small miniatures and made for popular gifts at Eastertide. The most famous eggs produced were the larger ones made for Alexander III and Nicholas II of Russia. In November 2007 a translucent pink Faberge egg sold for 18.5 million, easily beating the prio 2002 sale of one for 9.6 million. Now can you picture one would look great in your Easter basket? Today, the custom of Easter baskets remains, with the holiday ranking only behind Halloween in the amount of candy consumed. Chocolate has become big and in addition to all the eggs, there are chocolate bunnies, of which 76 percent of people eat the ears first. That means there could be close to 90 million of the poor little fellows lying around without ears. Of the 16 billion jelly beans made each year, red are kids’ favorite. Throw in the five million marshmallow chicks and bunnies produced daily in preparation for Easter and you have lots of opportunity for sugar overdoses by a whole bunch of kids and their parents. We know the truth about who will raid those Easter baskets! Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about waking up to the temptation on Easter morning. All the kids are grown and gone, with children of their own. So Granddarlings, don’t be pointing fingers at me when you find the ears missing on those chocolate bunnies you managed to hide from your dads. Just because I happen to be at family Easter dinner and just because your baskets just happen to be in plain view…I’m just saying.

Of the 16 billion jelly beans made each year, red are kids’ favorite.

-------------------------------------------------------------------Award winning author, Lizzie T. Leaf enjoys writing Paranormal/Fantasy with a twist of humor. The first book in her new Magical Love Series, Beyond Magic released January 2011 with Passion in Print Press. www.lizzietleaf.com

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Someone outside a writer’s workshop once asked Magazine, Mystery Scene, Scarlet Street , the Jewish me for some quick advice for writers. I quoted MadWeek and (as a critic on) Amazon.com. I still write eleine L’Engle, the author of A Wrinkle in Time. for magazines. Three syndicated newspaper col“I have advice for people who want to write. I umns and Amazon. I also have written poetry, plays, don’t care whether they’re five or 500. There are novels, short stories and scripts . . . some have even three things that are important: First, if you want to sold and made money. So I made a few trips around write, you need to keep an honest, un-publishable the block in this profession in different venues. journal that nobody reads, nobody but you. Where The thrust of this column is not just about writing, you just put down what you think about life, what markets, ideas and advice. I am not going to write you think about things, what you think is fair and articles where to sell your work, but I will make what you think is unfair. And second, you need to suggestions about what to do and how to do it. This read. You can’t be a writer column is not about how to if you’re not a reader. It’s fix grammar errors or spellIn future columns, I will be ing mistakes, that is what you the great writers who teach us how to write. The have spell check on your word talking about the industry third thing is to write. Just processing program for or a and how you can sell your good editor. (Besides nobody’s write a little bit every day. Even if it’s for only half an perfeckt . . . YES, I know I misbook, articles or ideas in this hour - write, write, write.” spelled it). depressed marketplace. From the years 2004In future columns, I will be 2010, I wrote an online talking about the industry and self-help column about how you can sell your book, writing for writers. It had the same title as this articles or ideas in this depressed marketplace. I am column does. If you don’t know the former publicagoing to tell it like it is. I am going to tell you how I tion, It was the Fiction Fix newsletter, which was see it with my warped sense of humor and the truth. sponsored by Coffeehouse for Writers (there are still Like it or not, that’s how I roll! articles on line if you want to read some of my old What I am going to discuss are issues that involve stuff) . . . SO I’M BAAAACK! (I know it’s bad but it’s writers and writing today, tomorrow and in the fuall I had) ture. Ideas I may address in future articles are: Let’s start with who I am. I have worked as a writer, author, speaker and a media critic for many years. * How to handle rejection notices and make the best I have written in magazines as small as Power Star, of them? Gateways and Strange New Worlds to large publica* How can you as an author make money as one tions as Affaire De Couer, Washington Entertainment woman did from Amazon’s Kindle? 12

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* Why films and TV today rarely have originally ideas? * Is the Kindle or Nook the next wave or is it just the next betamax? * When did you consider yourself a writer? * What is a basic writer’s toolkit? * If and when you should quit your day job to write full time? * Alternative writing careers you may have never thought of You get some sort of idea of what I may address in future columns. However this is your column as well. I want your opinions. I want your feedback. I want your questions. I want your tips of how you manage your time. It does not mean I will use all of them. However, I will read and listen to your point of view. It may help me write what issues you want to ad-

dress in this column. My email is open and ready. It is audioworld@ yahoo.com. Put the word MIND in the subject line. Please try not to send me attachments. Learn this about the craft of writing . . . For every published writer, there are ten writers who are rejected and never resubmit their work out again. Learn this fact now, every writer is turned down or told they aren’t good enough in some way, shape or form. They are rejected by someone . . . A publisher, an editor, a critic or even the general public. So, do not get upset if someone does not like your work. It happens to everyone. It won’t happen just once, so get used to it! An actor friend of mine who also writes said that he would rather be an actor acting than a writer trying to get published. He told this me

once, “Writers are rejected more than I am when I audition for film roles.” A funny quick story about rejection you may not know, Author Joseph Heller sent his first novel, Catch-18, out to twenty-five publishers. All of these publishers turned his book down. An agent friend of his told him to change the book title to Catch-22. He did not change a word of the text (other than the term Catch 22). The first publisher he resent his manuscript to, bought the novel and history was made. So you never know what sells and does not sell in this business. So we come to a close of this column. Until next time, Keep your feet on the ground and reach for the stars!

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A Look at…Alex Cross (and Patterson’s latest, CROSS FIRE) You can’t write about suspense without writing about…James Patterson. Sorry, it can’t be done. And you can’t write about James Patterson without focusing on his most immortal character (IMHO)…Alex Cross. Patterson has written, to date 17 Alex Cross novels, and each one just keeps getting better and better. A bit of background on the character: Cross is an African-American detective/psychologist who lives in the DC area. He starts out as a police detective and eventually graduates to a Senior Agent with the FBI. In the more recent books, Cross has toned down a bit, and has become a consultant to both agencies. When the series opens he is a single parent, his wife having been gunned down, and he lives with his two children, Damon ad Jannie (eventually adding a third, Alex Jr) and his grandmother, whom he refers to affectionately as Nana. Character Development is one of Patterson’s finest skills, and it is never honed so well as in this series. Not only are the main characters well fleshed out and developed, so are the villains, Patterson exercising his gift to create characters we truly love to both love and hate. Probably one of the more appealing aspects of Cross’s character (and that which humanizes him to the readers) is his incredibly bad luck with the opposite sex. As mentioned previously, we learn in the first book, ALONG CAME A SPIDER, that Cross is a widower, his wife having been killed in a drive by shooting (later disproven in the novel CROSS) . His love interest in the first novel, Jezzie Flanagan, turns out to be involved in the kidnapping of two children, for which she is executed. His next girlfriend, Christine Johnson, ends up kidnapped for almost a year by Geoffrey Shafer, the villain in POP GOES THE WEASEL (Note: Christine is the mother of Alex Jr) They are briefly engaged but it does not last very long – Christine cannot take the constant pressures and dangers of Alex’s job, and they part ways (including having a custody battle over Alex Jr) In later volumes he strikes up a relationship with a SFPD Detective, Jamilla Hughes, but this relationship is short lived as well. In DOUBLE CROSS,

Jacqueline

Winspear

www.NightOwlReviews.com we are finally introduced to what appears to be Cross’s final love interest, Detective Brianna (Bree) Stone, as well as being reintroduced to the most diabolical of the Cross villains to date – none other than his former boss, Kyle Craig…the Mastermind. CROSS FIRE, the most recent Alex Cross novel – has it all: an engaging villain (can villains be engaging – well, Kyle Craig certainly can!) romance (the long anticipated nuptials of Alex and Bree) and a killer plot (no pun intended). In short, here’s a brief synopsis of CROSS FIRE: Alex’s and Bree’s wedding plans are put on hold when Alex gets a call – a dirty congressman and an underhanded lobbyist have been murdered. The act was a seemingly perfectly executed assassination, which is followed by the deaths of several other crooked politicians, sparking a spate of theories – hero or vigilante? Working with FBI agent Max Siegel, it soon becomes clear to Cross that this is the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims – knowledge only a Washington insider could possess. As the investigation heats up, Alex gets a call from none other than his old nemesis, Kyle Craig – the Mastermind – who’s escaped from maximum security prison. Craig will not give up until he’s eliminated Cross – and his family – for good, and as events escalate, it becomes evident to Cross that these murders – and Craig – are somehow, chillingly linked. The ending of this will absolutely blow you away! I won’t reveal too much, other to say that yes, Alex and Bree do get married…but as typical of Patterson novels, don’t look for happy ever after anytime soon. For those of you interested in reading more on Alex Cross, below is a list of the Cross novels. I’d recommend reading them in order, as they do play into each other, but you can also read them as standalones. Try one – you’ll be hooked!

Catch The Killer

Harlan Coben

Toni LoTempio - admin by day, writer by night, Toni is the author of several paperback and e-books of romantic and paranormal suspense – check out her website at www.freewebs. com/toni1953 and her latest, NO REST FOR THE WICCA, available at amazon.com and barnes&noble.com

NYT Bestselling 15

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Dining with the Dollar Diva Divalicious Recipes with Ingredients Costing a Dollar or Less Hard financial times are upon us. All across the nation homes are being foreclosed upon, people are losing their cars and jobs are becoming scarce. It’s no wonder that we’re seeing cookbooks being published that focus on our budgets. The title drew me in on this one. The premise is simple. You should be able to buy all of the ingredients needed for these recipes for $1 or less. The author recommends buying a lot of your staple ingredients at various dollar stores or while regular grocery stores are having their dollar sales. I delved into this book ready to learn how to plan my family meals more economically. I read the dedication, I always do, and found it to be heart warming. The acknowledgments came next, two pages of them. After that, the prologue, the explanation and a foreword. I anticipated this cookbook would have, well, recipes, but the page after page of dialogue slowed my enthusiasm. I waded through the table of contents and found a heading page, appetizers. Well finger food is one of the great loves of my life. I like making it, sharing it with friends and feeding it to the family on movie nights so I couldn’t wait to see what new recipes I could make my own. I turned the page. There was a page of ‘diva tips’ and a diva legend. Finally, on page twenty-two, I came to the first recipe.

The formatting of this book and my tastes definitely do not agree. I’d like for the name of the recipe to be by the recipe but instead titles are followed by lengthy stories and the recipe doesn’t even begin on the same page. I had to scroll back several times to recall what the recipe was for. Now let me assure you that I love stories in cookbooks. In my opinion, a cookbook without some narrative isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on, but these stories seemed random to me and didn’t draw me into the recipes at all. A few blank pages labeled ‘notes’ are inserted after every section. I thought that was a great idea, a place to add a few of your own ideas and recipes. Whoever came up with that idea should get a raise. I love adding my own notes to cookbooks. Additions and substitutions could be written here too. Burgers, sandwiches and paninis turned out to be my favorite section of this cookbook although the lack of measurement amounts for the ingredients was kind of mind boggling. There were several great tips in this part of the book as well. I can’t imagine ever finding shrimp or lobster for $1 even if you’re using a small amount, but if you can- more power to you. I scrolled a bit when one of the author’s stories discussed a family virus. That is not something I want to read about in a cookbook. There are a few recipes in this book that you can definitely make for a few dollars but then there are a few I’m skeptical about. This book

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Go Travel

was published in March of 2010 and the author showed pictures of it at the Dollar Tree. It is listed for $11.36 on Amazon. That is a huge gap in pricing. I looked at the Dollar Tree and couldn’t find it but if you do, it would be worth picking up for $1. Featured Recipe : Peanut Butter & Bananas with Honey

Ingredients: whole wheat bread, peanut butter, banana, cinnamon sugar, honey, butter

To Make: butter each slice of bread, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on it and turn over. Spread each piece with peanut butter. Top with sliced bananas, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on and press the two slices together. Lay on a Panini press or waffle iron and close to cook until brown. Remove, cut in half and drizzle with honey. ***I didn’t find a lot of new or different recipes in this book, but if you’ve never cooked on a budget before this would certainly get you started. The tips are solid, common sense ideas that you can put to use immediately.***

Looking forward: Next month I’ll be reviewing Pink Princess Tea Parties in honor of my birthday and my love for tea parties! I will also share the recipe for a Pink Princess Smoothie. Until next month… Buy Link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ Dining-Dollar-Diva-Divalicious-Ingredients/ dp/0982528248

Visit the Dollar Diva on her blog: http://www.dollardivameals.blogspot.com Pamela Reviewer/Freelance Writer www.thefantasticfoodie.wordpress.com

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This month, I chose to venture outside my comfort zone and try out the suspense genre once again. When I saw the title for Wendy Corsi Staub’s new book, “Scared To Death”, I just had to give it a try. I wasn’t disappointed. Staub wrote a detailed and believable story about multiple families all trying to recover from the cruel actions of one man. The full story was explained in the beginning book, “Live to Tell”, though readers shouldn’t worry if they haven’t read it. Staub does an excellent job giving enough background to understand the horrors the characters are trying to forget. Told from multiple viewpoints, it can be a bit overwhelming for readers who aren’t accustomed to random changes and being thrown into a person’s mind without knowing much about them. But after the first few pages, a rhythm develops and it’s easy to go with the flow and get lost as the story unfolds. Staub gives readers a taste of what it’s like to experience a parent’s worst nightmare: to have their child kidnapped and later confirmed dead. For one family, the nightmare gets worst as it appears that the same thing is happening to their new child. Readers go through the story wondering: is Elsa Cavalon right about the stalker, paranoid, or suffering a mental break from reality as before. The story twists when Staub reveals that Jeremy Cavalon, born to Marin and Garvey QuinnGarvey being the man who arranged Jeremy’s murder in the first place-isn’t dead after all. He’s regained his lost memories and is furious that his family, both of them, moved on with their lives while he went through the horrors of living with an abusive, perverted surrogate father. Readers are sure to appreciate Staub’s talent for being able to portray such vivid

and unique characters. And the ending will leave you stunned; and excited. As Staub told me when I commented on her ability to keep the reader interested and guessing through the entire book, “Twists are my trademark.” This is one story that is sure to stay with the reader long after the final words have been read. Q: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

A: I see or hear or read or even dream something sparks a what-if, and an idea ignites in my brain. That seems to be how most writers are wired. I’ve always been quite fascinated by people and places and an eclectic range of subjects, so I rarely actively go looking for ideas; usually, they just come to me. I travel constantly, read a lot of nonfiction books, newspapers and magazines, and have Dateline, 20-20, and 48 Hours programmed into my DVR. Whenever something strikes my interest, I scribble it down or tear out the magazine page or print out a program transcript and toss it into a file labeled IDEAS. When it’s time to start brainstorming a new project, the file comes out. Coming up with ideas is never the problem—it’s finding the time to write them all. Like most writers, I tend to have dozens of potential plots at the ready at any given moment. Q: How did you get into writing?

A: I’d wanted to be an author from the time I was nine years old. I knew, even at that age, that I wanted to write commercial fiction—novels like the ones my friends and my mom and I loved to read. I saw it as a business even as a teenager, and made a conscious decision to learn everything I could about publishing and bookselling. I landed my dream job at the local Indy bookstore, then moved to New York City after college to work as an editor at a commercial fiction house, and also for various publishers as a freelance copywriter and reader. I armed myself with as much knowledge as possible about how the market works so that I was able to write novels that would sell. I also made a foray to Madison Avenue, working in an ad agency for a

Night Owl Reviews few years—which is where I met my husband AND learned the importance of branding.

Q: When did you first make it onto the Best Seller’s List? Do you remember your thoughts, emotions? A: My first bestseller was my thriller THE LAST TO KNOW, about a serial killer who preys on stay-at-home moms. My publisher had moved me from hardcover to paperback with that novel, hoping to break me out, and I had initially been disappointed with what felt like a step backward. But I trusted my editor— and his instincts were dead-on. I’ll never forget the moment he called to say I’d hit the USA Today List. I was home alone with my sons, who were toddlers, and I remember laughing and crying and dancing around the house with them. I made hysterical phone calls to my husband and my parents in the middle of their workdays, scaring the heck out of all of them at first. I naively thought it would be smooth sailing from there on in. But then the next book didn’t make a list, which burst the bubble a bit. The one after that, SHE LOVES ME NOT, skyrocketed to the New York Times list—and that was the thrilling moment that stands out more than any other in my 18-year career. Q: How do you deal with writer’s block?

A: I absolutely refuse to give in to the notion of it. I write at least three books a year under multi-book contracts, often with more than one publisher at a time. This is my job, and I take it seriously, just as any professional would. I can’t afford to slack off. Are there days when I don’t feel like sitting at the keyboard for 12-14 hours? Absolutely. There are many. But I don’t allow myself the luxury of choice. I sit and I write my daily quota of pages—I average 15-20, usually about 4000 words--and if what I write that day is crap, I fix it the next day.

Q: What are your writing habits? Routine, schedule, particular scents, location or sounds. A: I get up before the sun and the sons—that’s been my motto for years. I’m a mom to two boys—a middle-schooler and a high-schooler. Pre-dawn, I brew a big pot of coffee, and retreat to my home office. I always spend the first half hour or so getting through as much email as I can, reading the news, paying bills, ordering things we need (I buy almost everything online to save time), and organizing upcoming travel (I’ve been on a 50-state book tour for the past couple of years, the logistics of which can be daunting). I always try to post something on my Facebook page and browse friends’ statuses—regular interaction with my readers is very important to me. Then it’s time to start writing. I basically keep at it all day, from around five a.m. until six or seven in the evening. I eat breakfast and lunch at my desk but I leave for about an hour in the afternoon to exercise; I walk or hike several miles every day. At night, I unwind by cooking dinner (I love to cook!) and sitting down at the dining room table with my family. Q: Do you freestyle write or go by an outline?

A: I’ve never stuck to an outline in my life—which made some of

the work-for-hire series projects I did at the very beginning of my career quite a nightmare for me and for the editors involved. To use a tired cliché, it’s like a road trip where I have a general idea of where I’m going to end up, but can take any number of routes to get there. Luckily, I’m now at the stage in my career where my editors are willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and I don’t have to write from a detailed outline. Q: How long does it generally take you to finish a book?

A: Fortunately I’m naturally a high-energy, Type A person, which allows me to be prolific and make my deadlines. I average two or three months per novel, with usually at least a week or two away for travel in that time frame. Q: Do you do a lot of research to get ready for your stories?

A: Not in advance, no. But from the moment I write the first page, I’m immersed in it. I’m online all day every day, looking up information that will make my book as realistic as possible. Whenever possible, I travel to the places where my scenes are set to soak up the local atmosphere, and I spend at least one afternoon every week or two in the library. I have a regular stable of professionals I use whenever I need to call in an expert—a doctor, a lawyer, a retired FBI agent, a couple of cops and detectives. And I’ve found that with a few thousand Facebook friends, I can always put out a call there for information I need and someone will promptly connect me to someone who can help. Q: Did you receive many rejections before you got your first breakthrough? A: I received my first rejection letter at the age of nine, when I submitted what my teacher and my mom and I thought was a stellar essay about Abraham Lincoln to a couple of magazines. After I lost my mom—who was my number one supporter and cheerleader!--a few years ago, I found both the essay and the first rejection letter tucked away in my baby book in her cedar chest. I was apparently undaunted as I went on to submit my work—poems, stories, even a couple of novels—to publishers throughout my school years. I finally sold a poem to Seventeen magazine when I was in college, and several articles to various magazines when I was in my early twenties before selling my first novel at 27. Q: What advice do you have for those with the desire to make writing a career?

A: Be aware that it’s not just about talent or creativity or inspiration, because while those things are certainly necessary, they are intangible, and they’re not going to land you a publishing contract. It’s about creating a tangible product someone will want to buy. It’s about learning a craft AND learning a business. That doesn’t happen overnight. Do your homework. Educate yourself. Get busy! If I had a penny for every person I’ve met who says they have a great book idea but haven’t had the time to write it…I could have retired long ago (not that I ever plan to). A book will not write itself. If you truly want to write it, then you need to give up hobbies, friends, leisure time, and force yourself

www.NightOwlReviews.com to sit down every day until you have a completed manuscript. Q: What are you working on now?

A: I’m in the midst of writing my second thriller trilogy for HarperCollins, to be published in 2012, and actively promoting the first trilogy. Two of those titles are already published: LIVE TO TELL, which is nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark award at this year’s Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards, and SCARED TO DEATH, which just won the Washington Irving Award for Fiction—both tremendous honors that are highlights of my recent career! The third title in that trilogy, HELL TO PAY, will be released in September. I’ve written NIGHTCRAWLER, the first book of the new trilogy, am halfway through the second, SLEEPWALKER, and will begin the third, SHADOWKILLER, which is due to my editor in about six months. I’m also embarking on an exciting new project that I expect to announce within the next few weeks, but that’s all I can say for now! Q: Do you have a listing of readings or signings?

A: In the next six months, I’ll be appearing at Book Expo America, Romance Writers of America’s National Conference, Thrillerfest, and Bouchercon. I’ll also be on tour through the Deep South throughout the month of August and again in the northeast (and perhaps other locations) in late September/early October when HELL TO PAY is released. My schedule is still being set and can be found on my website tour page at http://www.wendycor-

sistaub.com/new.html

Q: Where are your books sold? Are they available in print and ebook or just electronic? A: They’re all available in print, and some are now available as e-books. I’ve published more than seventy books in a variety of genres over the past eighteen years under my own name and the pseudonyms Wendy Markham, Wendy Morgan, and Wendy Brody. There is a complete downloadable books list on my website, along with Buy links for all of the titles that are currently available.

Q: What about social networking? Do you like for your readers to reach out to you or do you prefer to remain private? A: My readers are very important to me and I interact with them daily—not to mention in person on my 50-state book tour! I am very active on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Wendy-Corsi-Staub/43054289209 I’m on Linked In and I Tweet, and I also have two websites--a standard site at www.wendycorsistaub.com and a dedicated online “neighborhood” at www.wendycorsistaubcommunity.com Thanks for joining us! Sara Trimble

S C A R E D T O D E AT H B Y W E N D Y C O R S I S TA U B E L S A C AVA L O N — P E T R I F I E D T H AT T H E N I G H T M A R E F R O M FIFTEEN YEARS EARLIER IS BEGINNING ALL OVER AGAIN . . . MARIN QUINN—HIDING WITH HER DAUGHTERS IN THEIR CONCRETE FORTRESS, HER STORYBOOK MARRIAGE OVER . . . PERFECT STRANGERS WHOSE ONCE-PERFECT LIVES WERE C R U E L LY S H AT T E R E D, T H E Y ’ R E B O U N D B Y A L O N G - L O S T C H I L D, A F R A G I L E S T R A N D O F N E W F O U N D M AT E R N A L HOPE—AND MUTUAL LONELINESS. YET ELSA AND MARIN A R E N E V E R T R U LY A L O N E . S O M E O N E I S A LWAY S N E A R B Y, WAT C H I N G T H E M A N D T H E I R C H I L D R E N . S O M E O N E D R I V E N BY V E N G EA N C E A N D T H E S I M P L E P O E T RY O F N U R S E R Y R H Y M E S . . . S O M E O N E W H O M U S T S AT I S F Y A D A R K N E E D W I T H I N N O C E N T B L O O D. A N D N O W T I M E I S R U N N I N G O U T F O R T W O M O T H E R S S TA L K E D B Y A C U N N I N G M A S T E R M I N D W H O WA N T S T O L E AV E T H E M . . . “I F YO U L I K E M A RY H I G G I N S C L A R K, YO U’L L LOV E W E ND Y C O R S I S TA U B ! ” - - # 1 N Y T I M E S B E S T S E L L I N G A U T H O R LISA JACKSON

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The Scarab Path is book five in the Shadows of the Apt series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This one of my favorite series and this book demonstrates why. Unlike his previous installments, this book focuses more on three characters and has more character building which some might find slows the pace, but makes for a strong entry in this series. It focuses a lot on Che and Thaldric. The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate after the events of Salute the Dark. Che is haunted by ghosts from the past seeks for meaning in a city that is no longer home and must make her own way while learning how to be by herself and crippled. Meanwhile, the Empress Seda is regaining control over those cities that refuse to bow to her while those who seek to find out her terrible secret from where she draws her power send out assassins as her consort, Thalric, who knows the truth finds his life and loyalties under threat again. Together, Che and Thalric arrive in Kanaphes where they find a city living in the past and try to discover its terrible secret entombed beneath its stones. At the same time, the Scorpion desert tribe has decided to attack its longtime foe, the Khanaphes. This series is strong on character, action, epic battles, political intrigue and a fascinate world. I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy, especially those who want to move away from the common trope of elves, orcs and goblins. Enter a world where insects and magic hold sway and go to battle. I rate this one five stars as it is on keeper status on my shelves.

Forest Moon Rising is book four in the Tess Noncoire adventure series. It is written by P.R. Frost and is an urban fantasy focusing on Tess who is a writer as well as a Celestial Blade Warrior. When not trying to meet deadlines and promote her writing, Tess fights evil with her imp, Scrap. Tess and Scrap are having a rough time of it. Tess is still mourning for her lost love and they both have been injured after fighting the demon impregnating human women. At the same time, the heartache has hurt her writing and now another ex (who is half demon) has arrived proposing marriage and having his own agenda. Of course, Tess has no choice but to get back to her normal self and start fighting evil again to save the women and children from the evil demon. While I like Scrap, this fantasy did not work for me. The character, Tess, came across as being too perfect and having very little challenges that really daunted her in the book. She adapted too easily to various challenges that should have gave her at least a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pause. I also had difficulty with keeping up with the story as the author would lose focus and drift off onto tangents that had no bearing on the storyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main plot. It was like she kept getting distracted from her own story. However, I do believe that there are readers out there who would enjoy this book who would like a more light hearted urban fantasy adventure that has absurd moments and a heroine who can beat anything.

www.NightOwlReviews.com I give it two stars for an interesting idea and some humorous moments. Daybreak Zero is the second book of the Daybreak trilogy written by John Barnes. It is a science fiction book set in the near future where a year has passed since the entity known as “Daybreak” has launched a plague that has destroyed all oil and oil based products while also setting off a machine on the moon to bombard the earth with EMP bombs that destroys all electronics. Fusion bombs have killed billions and the United States government has broken into two parts that are headquartered at opposite coasts and cannot come to an agreement on how to manage. New societies have sprung up within that do not recognize either government. The anti-technological tribes and the fortified compounds fight among themselves and there are questions about who

is helping and educating them. At the same time, no one knows who is in control of Daybreak and the groups that enabled it to be enacted. Those few who remain to study Daybreak run the risk of being corrupted to the cause of Daybreak instead of fighting it. Heather, the protagonist from the first book, is now confined to her Pueblo base as she prepares to give birth to her first child. She has recruited various tech wizards and others to fight Daybreak. Now the question is will her team be enough to win? The story has an interesting premise and the book jacket was very promising. However, the story itself is bogged down by the fact that the story is all over the place and the narrative is very dense and not an easy read. Plus, I found most of the efforts of Heather, her team and the government to be inadequate in trying to form up a plan to stop Daybreak or even find out what it is. There is a large cast and I didn’t get attached to any of them as some seem stereotypical (like the president or Heather). Overall, I cannot say I enjoyed the book, but those who like apocalyptic/end of the world stories may enjoy it. Especially if the reader wants to see what happens to the world if the technology humans rely is suddenly gone and wants to see how those who live in the U.S. would rebuild and survive. I give this one two stars for good premise, but weak execution.

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, BOOK ONE: AS A WHOLE, THIS SERIES COMPRISES A GENUINE MAST E R P I E C E O F M O D E R N FA N TA S Y, B R I N G I N G T O G E T H E R T H E B E S T T H E G E N R E H A S T O O F F E R . M A G I C , M Y S T E R Y, INTRIGUE, ROMANCE, AND ADVENTURE FILL THESE PA G E S A N D T R A N S P O R T U S T O A W O R L D U N L I K E A N Y W E H AV E E V E R E X P E R I E N C E D. A L R E A D Y H A I L E D A S A CLASSIC, GEORGE R. R. MARTIN’S STUNNING SERIES IS D E S T I N E D T O S TA N D A S O N E O F T H E G R E AT A C H I E V E M E N T S O F I M A G I N AT I V E F I C T I O N . I N A T I M E L O N G F O R G O T T E N , A P R E T E R N AT U R A L E V E N T THREW THE SEASONS OFF BALANCE. IN A LAND WHERE SUMMERS CAN LAST DECADES AND WINTERS A LIFETIME, TROUBLE IS BREWING. AS THE COLD RETURNS, S I N I ST E R F O R C ES A R E M A S S I N G B E YO N D T H E P ROT ECT I V E WA L L O F T H E K I N G D O M O F W I N T E R F E L L . T O T H E S O U T H , T H E K I N G ’ S P O W E R S A R E FA I L I N G - H I S M O S T T R U S T E D A D V I S O R M Y S T E R I O U S LY D E A D A N D E N E M I E S E M E R G I N G F R O M T H E T H R O N E ’ S S H A D O W. AT T H E C E N T E R O F T H E C O N F L I C T, T H E S TA R K S O F W I N T E R F E L L H O L D T H E K E Y: A R E L U C TA N T L O R D E D D A R D I S S U M M O N E D T O S E R V E A S T H E K I N G ’ S ...

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This month’s History Bits focuses on a combination of naval history and the struggle between Christians and Ottomans. Specifically Empires of the Sea: The Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World by Roger Crowley. The book provides a comprehensive overview of both the siege and the battle as well as a look into the background of the conflict, the personalities involved, and the results. While providing a lot of information, it does not get bogged down in minutiae and has a nice flow in the reading (not as “dry” as history-based books can be). Maps of the areas involved are included as are paintings of the people and siege. There are also photographs of Saint Elmo and the tomb of Barbarossa, a modern reconstruction of the Real (Don Juan’s flagship). Other books to consider:

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 by A. T. Mahan Blurb: Though technological advances over the last century have revolutionized warfare, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783 remains a classic text on the history, strategy, and comprehension of commercial and military command of the high seas. The first president of the U.S. Naval War College, Alfred Thayer Mahan demonstrates through historical examples that the rise and fall of sea power and the wealth of nations have always been linked with commercial and military command of the sea. Mahan describes successful naval strategies employed in the past--from Greek and Roman times through the Napoleonic Wars--with an intense focus on England’s rise as a sea power in the eighteenth century. This book provides not only an overview of naval tactics but also a lucid exposition of geographic, economic, and social factors governing the maintenance of sea power. Book includes 4 maps and 24 battle plans The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 16491815 by N.A.M. Rodger

Second volume of a history about British sea power (first volume is titled The Safeguard of the Sea). Begins in 1649 with the Commonwealth’s establishment, discusses the Commonwealth Navy and the Royalist Navy-in-Exile, as well as a lot of other information (which is, according to text found about the book, both thematically and chronologically organized) through the Commonwealth’s end in

1815.

The Naval War of 1812 by Theodore Roosevelt Blurb: Published when Theodore Roosevelt was only twenty-three years old, The Naval War of 1812 was immediately hailed as a literary and scholarly triumph, and it is still considered the definitive book on the subject. It caused considerable controversy for its bold refutation of earlier accounts of the war, but its brilliant analysis and balanced tone left critics floundering, changed the course of U.S. military history by renewing interest in our obsolete forces, and set the young author and political hopeful on a path to greatness. Roosevelt’s inimitable style and robust narrative make The Naval War of 1812 enthralling, illuminating, and utterly essential to every armchair historian. I hope you found at least one great history book this month!

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I think there is only one topic of the paranormal world I have yet to cover for the Teen Reads column and I would like to discuss it now. Ghosts! Ghost stories have fascinated teens and adults alike for centuries. We remember telling ghost stories with our friends at sleep overs, trying to come up with the scariest story we remember or can make up on the spot. Many of us have memories of trying a Ouija board for the first time and getting so scared everyone huddled under the blankets together for the rest of the night. The point is no matter your age you remember your first experience with a ghost story and how that one moment made you feel. Was it scared, helpless, or exhilarated? How has this experience affected how you felt or will always feel about ghost stories? Ghost stories are finally finding themselves back in mainstream fiction to include young adult novels. More recent examples would be ‘Fear: 13 stories of suspense

and horror’ by R.L. Stine (one of the most prolific children’s ghost story authors), or ‘One Hundred Candles’ by Mara Purnhagen. Ghost stories have taken another twist in there recent brush with popularity; novels are starting to show more non-horror ghosts. In books like ‘The Ghost and the Goth’ by: Stacey Kade or even all of the Harry Potter books by: J.K. Rowling. These ghosts aren’t evil incarnations set about to ruin the protagonist’s day, they are nice ghosts doing normal things (for their characters of course). Authors like Leanna Renee Hieber are trying to reform ghosts into other molds, molds that aren’t just about evil spirits, molds that say ghosts can be good guys too. There is still another twist to add to this picture, the protagonist who can speak with the dead. This is a very popular plot line and and I have read many wonderful books featuring this plot such as: The Mediator series by Meg Cabot, which starts with ‘Shadowland’ and ‘Give up the Ghost’ by Megan Crewe. I think the return of ‘the ghost story’ is wonderful surprise. Plus it’s thrilling to see all the changing plot twists produced by today’s authors. ------------------------

Monica is a lover of books and is currently serving her countery abroad!

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IS CHICK-LIT DEAD? The simple answer is no. Chick-lit is like Sex and the City in book form. Sex and the City ran on HBO from 1998 to 2004. During those six years, women (and men) tuned in to watch four independent women tackle the ups and downs in their careers and love lives. They navigated the New York club scene, offered their shoulders to each other to cry on, and always appeared to have a good time no matter how complicated the topic for that episode. Two successful movies later, the idea behind Sex and the City seems to still be just as relevant and entertaining as ever. Women everywhere identify with at least one character and categorize her girlfriends according to the others. Chick-lit offers the same glimpse inside the lives of modern women. Here’s what you can usually expect from chick-lit:

• The heroine is a career woman. • The book is written in first person, and some novels offer you the viewpoints of multiple characters. • Light-hearted humor sprinkled in amongst the angst.

There used to be a time when women of color had to live vicariously through the white heroines in chick-lit novels. However, with a little investigation, you’ll find diverse options available. Readers in general will relate to the day-to-day troubles of each heroine. Specific ethnic groups will empathize with the sometimes comical cultural nuances within some books as the characters try to bridge the gap between the contemporary and the traditional. Without further ado, I offer you chick-lit… in color. African

The South African publisher Nolly Books publishes only chick-lit. Their “novels are aimed at young

African women and are a blend of the genres known as “Chick Lit” . . . and Romance.” Titles include: Recipe for Love and More Than Friends? Visit their website for an impressive list of what they have available: http://www.nollybooks. co.za African-American

The Diva of Peddler’s Creek by Ava Bleu is the entertaining story of Taylor Beir, a big city girl who travels to a small town in Virginia to do a favor for her mother. Sparks fly between her and the older son of her mother’s friend, whom she remembers from her childhood. He’s grown up to be quite a catch. The only problem is, the other women in Peddler’s Creek recognize it, too, and they’ll do whatever it takes to stop Taylor from stealing their most eligible bachelor. In The Perfect Shoe, Kimberly Matthews offers a book filled with humor, and a handy little shoe dictionary! Join December Elliot as she tries to manage her finances, find the perfect man according to shoe style--hers, and juggle a job with a not-so-nice boss. Additional titles:

Feminista by Erica Kennedy The Bum Magnet by K.L. Brady Asian

No Strings Attached by Mina V. Esguerra is set in the Philippines. Carla is single and about to turn thirty in a few months. Her best friend (yes, she’s married just like the other girls in Carla’s barkada) keeps trying to set her up with stable banker types.

Night Owl Reviews Then she meets Dante—very hot and definitely not a bankertype, but there’s a catch. He’s five years younger than her. Should she have a fling with a younger man? Young, Restless & Broke by Blossom Kan and Michelle Yu is the story about Sarah Cho, an aspiring actress who leaves her dead-end job in New York and moves to L.A. to pursue an acting career and the man of her dreams. Daniel Wong is a Hollywood producer who can make her dreams come true. But once in Tinseltown, Sarah questions whether or not it’s everything she thought it would be. Additional titles:

Goddess for Hire by Sonia Singh The Girl Most Likely by Poonam Sharma Only Umi by Cami Tang Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee

ride with Cuban-American Rosie Caballeros after she wins $600 million dollars in the lottery. She shares her winnings with her abuela (grandmother) and her cousin, and the three get caught up in a whirlwind of paparazzi and money-hungry schemers. Additional titles:

Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps by Lara Rios In Between Men by Mary Castillo Dirty Girls on Top by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

If you’re hungry for more chick-lit, check out www.chicklitisnotdead.com. Then head on over to www.readsforpleasure. com where you’ll find lots of choices in their 2011 Colorful Chick-lit Challenge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Latina

Lucky Chica by Berta Platas takes you on a roller coaster

Delaney Diamond writes African-American and interracial romance. Enjoy free reads on her website at www.delaneydiamond.com.

Love All Year Long

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What is E? An Introduction to eBooks and Technology An In-depth Look At E-reading Apps and Software

In the previous articles we covered the merits and considerations in choosing a dedicated or multi-functional reading device. This month I’d like to touch on the software behind the devices. Unlike most multi-functional devices, most dedicated e-readers have their e-reading software built around or based on development for a particular operating system such as the Barnes & Noble nook, the Amazon Kindle and the Kobo e-reader. These devices use the Google Android platform to deliver their ereading experience. Most multi-functional devices use an application installation approach that requires a user to install his/her e-reading software of choice. I am going to focus primarily on the on the two categories of ereading applications; the standalone book apps and platform specific e-reading application software. Many of the major book retailers have either developed or commissioned the development of platform specific versions of their e-reading software in order to maximize and grow their customer base. The booming e-book industry has spawned a collection of cross-platform contenders including the Kindle app, the nook app, the kobo app and a host of other branded apps. In addition to the branded apps, there are also a group of software developers that have of-

fered up their own brand of e-reading software such as iBooks, Bluefire, ereader, and Stanza to name a few. At this point you are probably wondering how to choice the right software to meet your e-reading needs. Selecting which app to install really depends on what you feel your overall reading needs will be. Some other question to consider may include:

• Whether you currently own a device and can you use your existing files

• Which e-bookstore you think you may primarily shop at • •

What type of books you plan to purchase

File format portability (Epub, PDB, PDF, etc)

• How or if the app can interact with the devices standard features (email, print, syncing) •

Does the application allow for customizations

• What type if eBook management system does it offer One of the great things about a multi-functional device is that you can install multiple e-reading software apps onto the device. This is a handy feature if the book you are looking for is not available at the

Night Owl Reviews kindle store, but is available at the kobo e-bookstore. Although you can install as many e-reading apps as you like, each app can only access files particular to its own domain. So file format will play a really big part in your e-book shopping. It is totally not uncommon for me to have the same book in two different apps. Personally I currently have 6 e-reading applications on my iPod representing the major e-reading app vendors. One reason is some non-mainstream e-books can only be found on Amazon, while before the implementation of the Agency Five model, it was much easier to find the bookstore with the best price. Now I’d like to take a brief look at the other type of e-book reading alternative for the multi-functional device. An E-Book app is an e-book that has been bundled to represent a single application that is installed on a device. Unlike the e-reading apps that let you read individual e-book files contained in the app’s library, an eBook app represents a single e-book represented in an application that is installed on the device. While this is a form of e-reading, it does limit a user to installing each individual e-book and may cause undue clutter should for multi book reader user

such as me. An e-book app does allow the publisher to include bonus content and enhanced features, something that is not readily available to traditionally formatted e-books. While I have not personally used this form of e-reading vehicle, it may appeal to some. Well, that pretty wraps up this edition of Novel Technology “E-books and Technology Made Simple. As always I hope that find this information is helpful and have a pleasant reading experience. I currently own a classic nook wifi-3G, an iPod Touch 4th Gen and an iPad wifi-3G. You would probably ask why so many, the nook is more for indoor reading for me, while the iPod touch is that on the go reading in line at the bank, waiting for a movie to start etc and the iPad is used for long term review reading and annotating. I still purchase my favorite authors in Imprint books, but my library has grown exponentially since I have embraced the eBook technology. ------------------------------------------------------------

Novel Technology “E-books and Technology Made Simple” next month’s article “De-mystifying e-book format compatibility”

THE JUDGMENT B E V E R LY L E W I S

RO S E T R I LO GY S E R I ES , #2 R O S E K A U F F M A N I S E N G A G E D T O S I L A S G O O D, A W E L L L I K E D A M I S H F E L L O W, S O W H Y D O E S S H E S T I L L P I N E F O R N I C K F R A N C O, T H E F O R M E R F O S T E R S O N O F T H E B I S H O P ? E S P E C I A L LY N O W T H AT N I C K H A S L E F T T H E A M I S H COMMUNITY UNDER A CLOUD OF SUSPICION AFTER THE D E AT H O F T H E B I S H O P ’ S B I O L O G I C A L S O N ? W I L L R O S E MARRY SILAS, EVEN WHILE STRUGGLING WITH ROMANTIC FEELINGS FOR NICK? MEANWHILE, ROSE’S OLDER SISTER, HEN, HAS RET U R N E D T O L I V E AT H E R PA R E N T S ’ FA R M W I T H H E R Y O U N G D A U G H T E R . H E N A N D H E R M O D E R N H U S B A N D, B R A N D O N , A R E S E PA R AT E D B Y M U T U A L A G R E E M E N T, A LT H O U G H H E I S T H R E AT E N I N G T O S U E F O R C U S T O D Y OF THEIR DAUGHTER IF HEN DOES NOT RETURN SOON. W I L L T H E J U D G E R U L E I N B R A N D O N ’ S FAV O R ? I S T H E R E A N Y WAY H E N C A N R E E S TA B L I S H H E R P L A C E A M O N G THE PEOPLE WITHOUT SACRIFICING HER MARRIAGE?

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April Haunts Ever start to read one book in a genre, and then you find yourself searching for more and more? As a writer, many must understand that I started primarily as a reader. This month, as soon as I saw that Heather Graham published the new Phantom Evil, I bought it the same evening on my Kindle. Over the past six months, I’ve been working on an erotic paranormal The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome set in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Understandably, with its connection to New Orleans, Graham’s novel caught my attention. Plus, at the Romantic Times Convention in Downtown Los Angeles, Graham is slated to be one of the hosts of the Vampire Ball. Who doesn’t love the fantasy of a good Venetian Masquerade party, mixed with vampire lore? (I do so much that Threesome features one that includes edible paint.) Much planning has been happening in the background: In the coming months, the Romance Column will head out on to the Western Frontier with new releases by Linda Lael Miller and Denise Hunter, and we’ll also get out our brass goggles with some steampunk. Then there’s that ever-growing world of YA Romance, where we’ll explore a few new offerings. And, don’t worry, just because I’m featuring some paranormal romance now doesn’t mean we won’t revisit the topic later in the year, oh, around October (just in time for Halloween).

For now, though, dive into some April Haunts, and discover some other-worldly hunks. Phantom Evil Heather Graham MIRA

One of the most haunted historic places in New Orleans’ French Quarter is on Dauphine Street. Not one to shy away from the paranormal, Graham sets her latest novel, Phantom Evil, in the prolifically paranormal location. The book opens with a glimpse into the life of Regina Halloway, a mother distraught over the death of her young son. As she tries to sleep, she thinks she hears the voice of her son calling to her. Reluctantly, she opens her eyes and sees a ghost-child, with an ax blade splitting open his skull. While not the image of her son, the spectral figure speaks in his voice. The child requests light, and Regina opens the French doors of the balcony and steps outside – only to be pushed

Night Owl Reviews to her death. Investigator Jackson Crow enters the scene to uncover if Regina’s death was indeed a suicide or if something more was at play. Crow can be described as “skeptical” at best. But will he be able to deny his history? Joining the six-member secret government unit will be Angela Hawkins, a police officer who has learned how to follow her paranormal intuition. As always, Graham’s writing continues to be engaging. Will the team discover the truth before it kills them? Ah, you’ll have to read it to find out. The Restorer Amanda Stevens MIRA Available April 26, 2011

Amanda Stevens kicked off her new series The Graveyard Queen about cemetery restorer Amelia Gray with the Prequel: The Abandoned in early April, and then comes the full-length novel Book I: The Restorer. Gray possesses a talent that’s probably not the best for someone who spends so much time in the land of the undead: She sees ghosts. Guided by the “rules” of her father, which include “Never acknowledge the dead,” and “Never stray from hallowed ground,” Amelia gets caught up in a murder mystery led by a haunted police detective. Can she continuously ignore the ghosts that travel with Devin, or will she become trapped within the spectral web? From these opening selections, Stevens quickly captures her readers with an approachable style of writing, active dialogue and just the right amount of detail. I’ll definitely look forward toward her November 2011 release, Book II:

The Kingdom.

Hunting Human Amanda E. Alvarez Carina Press What collection of paranormal releases would be complete without a suspenseful romp with shifters? In her debut novel, Amanda E. Alvarez introduces Beth Williams. Williams attempts to ignore her inner nature, and can’t leave behind the haunting trauma of being kidnapped by werewolves. When Beth meets Braden Edwards, who is also a werewolf, she’s forced to confront the nightmares of the past in order to have a future.

Well, those are the newest highlights for April. For those who would like a glimpse into the Vampire Ball, stop by my blog. I promise not to bite. ________

Louisa Bacio’s new erotic paranormal The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome is available via Ravenous Romance and other Online retailers. Bacio is currently working on a sequel to her erotic thriller Sex University: Physical Education. She’s also been published in multiple erotic anthologies. Drop in for a visit at http://louisabacio.blogspot.com/, and http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

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THE NAME GAME

nunciation. That sort of kills the fun factor, don’t you think? Even so, I think names are important and say something. That’s cool as long as it’s not too out there, like “Uranus”. I mean, seriously, who wants to be called a horse’s butt for the rest of his life?

The other day, I met a lady who was excited about the birth of her new grandbaby. I was happy for her, of course, but I was much more fascinated with the name of the baby, Kyana, and the baby’s mother, Shiny. These are people that will always be noticed no matter where they go in life, because their names are interesting attention grabbers. As usual I’m dating myself, horribly, but I remember reading a Jennifer Blake novel many years ago and falling hopelessly in love with “Ransom”, the hero. It stuck in my head so much that I was ready to Hugs, give that name to my first born until I was unequivocally outnumbered by family, asking me if I’d lost my The Booknerd mind. Do certain names stand out in your minds? Of course, the worst thing ever is to have this really cool moniker, either in real life or in a book, then having the audacity to possess a personality that doesn’t match up. We’ve seen that in novels that shall remain nameless, and know some of you have friends that make you scratch your head in wonder. These are the characters that should be rewritten, or the acquaintances you should encourage to change their name. I’ve run across Rhett, Adonis, Greyson, Gayla, Kata (short for Katalina) in Surrender to Me, and tons of others. You may have noticed that reviewers often use an alias to protect themselves from a really pissed off author, or maybe they just don’t want their friends to know they’re reading erotic works. If you haven’t figured out by my shy demeanor by now, I’m one of those people who have an unusual name, but as fascinating as it is and I am, I’ve still had to shorten it so people don’t totally butcher the pro33