Showing posts with label Kindle ebooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindle ebooks. Show all posts

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Book Review: Mill People by Alle Wells

Hi all,

I am a big fan of author Alle Wells. She writes superb historical fiction novels with intriguing characters and realistic settings. Alle's latest novel, Mill People was recently released, so I had to read it. Below is a description of this new novel of hers and my five star review.

Mill People
Alle Wells

Book Description:

Jesse Finney's story captures the life of a Southern mill town from the late 1800s to the mid-twentieth century. The mill town disappears, but the love of family and community lives on in Jesse's heart and this story.

Buy on Amazon Kindle $0.99



My 5 Star Review:

"We are mill people." This is the Finney family motto and they have all worked at the cotton mill for generations in the small southern town of Whispering Falls. When young Jesse Finney turns sixteen in 1975, she also follows the family tradition of going to work at the mill.

Mill People shares fascinating insights into one family's life surviving generations in a small town due to the prosperity of the mill. Author Alle Wells creates realistic and interesting characters that portray a convincing view of life in a small southern town. From the time period after WWII to the late 1970s, many people in small town America depended upon the mills and factories to provide good paying jobs. By the 1980s, many of these jobs faded away as big business moved out of country for cheaper labor. Alle reflects how this affected the mill families in this small town and the resilience of Americans to find a way to go on when everything else falls down around them.

I love how Alle writes, bringing you back in time and making you feel as if you are really there. I highly recommend Mill People to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.


Be sure to read my review of Alle's other novels:

Leaving Serenity

Railroad Man

Lame Excuses


Cheers,
Deanna

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Author Interview: Andrea Buginsky

Hi all,

Today we are talking to Andrea Buginsky, who writes fantasy novels for the middle-grade/young adult audience. Here she shares more about herself and her books.

Andrea Buginsky, Author

My name is Andrea Buginsky, and I’m a freelance writer and author. I write fantasy for young adults, though my stories are also good for middle-grade readers. I’ve just released my third book, “Nature’s Unbalance,” which is the second book in my YA fantasy series, THE CHOSEN.
I’ve been traveling around the blogosphere for the past couple of weeks introducing “Nature’s Unbalance,” and Deanna was kind enough to let me finish my tour on her blog. I’d like to thank Deanna for her hospitality, and take this opportunity to introduce myself to her followers.

When did you start writing?

I’ve been writing all of my life, but I turned it into a career in my sophomore year of college, when I decided to major in journalism. I’ve been freelance writing for years, and decided that I also wanted to try to write a book. After several attempts at other genres, I wrote “The Chosen,” my first YA fantasy, about five years ago. It took me a couple of years to write my first book, and another to find a publisher. Now, I have two other books published with Solstice Publishing, along with “The Chosen,” and I am loving being a published author!

What is your favorite writing style?
I am absolutely in love with YA fantasy. I love to create my own world where anything I can imagine is possible. There is no box I have to stay inside of. I can be as creative and outrageous as I want to be. I love creating the characters that live in that world, and adventures for them to go on.

Where do you get your ideas?
I watch a lot of TV and movies, and I love to read. My ideas come from a mixture of all three. Anytime I’m exposed to a storyline I like, especially in a fantasy surrounding, I can start thinking about how I would put my own spin on it, and start creating a new story based on my ideas.

The idea for THE CHOSEN series actually came from a role-playing game I played with my family several years ago. I decided to expand on our characters, and write adventures for them to go on. I created a world for them, called Phantasma, and have been adding to that world with each subsequent book in the series.

What’s the best thing about writing?

Immersing myself in my own little world, which is something I do on a regular basis, whether I’m writing or not. But while I’m writing, I get to really get into that world, and create it in full.

What’s the worst thing about writing?
Feeling stuck. I can get to a point of the book where I just don’t know what comes next. I’ll sit there trying to figure it out, waiting for my characters to tell me where they’re going next, and what they’re about to do. But sometimes, they’re a little too quiet…

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I watch a lot of TV (probably too much) and I also like to watch movies. I like to read too.

Do you like reading?
Yes, I love to read a variety of genres, but mostly YA fantasy. Some of my favorite authors are J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Danielle Steel, and Nicholas Sparks.

What are you reading right now?

“Daughter of Hauck” by Kate Marie Collins.

So, now you know a little more about me. I hope you will take a look at THE CHOSEN and see if it’s a series you’d like for yourself:

The Chosen

Halli is a shy, young dwarf who has no idea of her true calling. When the evil Prince Gastle sets out to destroy the world of Phantasma, Queen Laurali of the Elves comes to tell Halli she's a Holy Paladin with the power to heal, and will join The Chosen, a group of brave warriors being sent to defeat the evil beast and save Phantasma. Will Halli be accepted by her group, and be able to keep them alive through their adventures? Will the evil Prince Gastle be defeated, freeing Phantasma from his destruction? Only time will tell.
Amazon Kindle

Paperback



Nature's Unbalance (The Chosen)

During a time of celebration for The Chosen, a mysterious force appears on Phantasma, threatening to destroy Nature and all of her creatures.
Will The Chosen find and defeat this force, and save Nature before it's too late?



About the Author:
Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. “The Chosen” was her first book, and was followed by “My Open Heart,” an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second story in THE CHOSEN series. Andrea plans to write more in the series. She’s already done with the first draft of book 3 and has a concept for book 4. You can find Andrea on her website, Andi’s Realm. Her books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Author Interview: Alle Wells

Hi all,

Today I'm talking with Alle Wells, an independent author who writes Southern/Historical Fiction. I've reviewed Alle's books on this blog and I have to say, she is one of my favorite indie authors! To find out how to buy Alle's books or where you can find her online, follow the links at the end of the interview.

An Interview with
Author Alle Wells

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in the coastal region of North Carolina. After living in several southern states, I settled down in a historic town near Charlotte, North Carolina. Most of my time during the summer months is consumed with preserving vegetables to sustain my organic vegetarian lifestyle. In addition to cooking, I enjoy bird watching at a local preserve and practicing yoga.

Briefly describe the novels you have written and the genre(s) that you write in. 

All of my books are Southern Fiction. They are also historical, depicting life during the 20th century. My stories have a common thread. Each story tells the story of one life and the role that the times, the environment, and the decisions they make play in the character’s life.  

My first novel, Lame Excuses, is the story of a woman who grew up in a fast food restaurant in the 1960’s that initiated her love for food. Railroad Man is my second novel, the story of a handsome railroad engineer in the 1930’s whose love for women ruled his life. The most recent, Leaving Serenity, is about a girl who seeks freedom from the confines of a small, close-knit community during the 1970’s. 

What inspired you to write your first novel and/or become a novelist?

I’ve always loved reading and writing. Compiling and recording historical data and publishing newsletters for non-profit organizations has been a big part of my career. One day, I read an article in the Charlotte Observer about self-publishing. I started writing Lame Excuses that afternoon.

What made you choose to self-publish?

When I started writing my first novel, I looked into a few small publishing companies. As a new novelist, I can’t justify the fees that most small publishers charge.

When naming your characters, do you choose names at random or does each character's name have a meaning to the story?

I choose names that fit my character’s demographic setting. One day I took a snapshot of names on a war memorial in a park to get ideas from that community during a specific time.

How much does your upbringing and/or lifestyle today influence your writing?

Lame Excuses is a good example. I grew up in a fast food restaurant just like Emily. Today, I see so many people in the South, young and old, who have debilitating food addictions. That is what inspired me to write Lame Excuses. 

How long does it usually take you to write a novel?

Three months.

Do you schedule your writing time or write at random times?

I started out writing randomly, when I heard the words in my head. Recently, I’ve found that I need to schedule a day for writing. At the moment, that day is Sunday. Any time I find to write in addition to that is a bonus!

Which of your novels are you the most proud of, and why?

I am most proud of Railroad Man because it appeals to both men and women, and I’ve never had a bad review!

If a mainstream publisher offered you a publishing contract, would you want it?

My stories are very personal to me. I doubt that I could agree to the cookie cutter image that mainstream publishers require.

Are there any self-published authors whose books you enjoy reading?

Deanna Sletten, of course! There are so many talented Indie Authors in every genre. I read and review Indie books for my book blog, Alle’s 5-Star Reviews.  I try to stay neutral and not choose one author over the other. 

Books by Alle Wells







Railroad Man follows the life of handsome railroad engineer, Mick MacDonald, from 1929 to 1978. Mick looks back on a fulfilling career and a turbulent private life. His career moves the reader from the steam engines of the Great Depression into the diesel age. Mick looks through the lens of history at his relationships with his mother, sisters, cousin, and wife. As he guides us through the vast changes during his lifetime, one constant remains...Mick's love for women.






Based on the life of Annette Bevels, "Leaving Serenity" takes the reader back to the quaint atmosphere of main street America in the 1960's where everyone speaks the same language and success is measured by conformity. At sixteen, she falls in love with Jack Harris, a romantic hippie with an unsavory past. Leaving Serenity, Annette creates a new identity and becomes the master of her own destiny. Her journey to success is inspiring and empowering.

(Read my review)


Forty-year-old Emily Halley sits in a wheelchair, reflecting on her life that began in a short-order café in the early 1960's. She shares her love for the café that provided everything she needed and demanded nothing from her. A misdiagnosed and ignored medical condition leads her to a tragic and unsatisfied end.


You can find Alle online:


Website: Alle Wells





I hope you all will try one or all of Alle's books. She truly is a talented writer.

Cheers,
Deanna












Sunday, June 3, 2012

Book Review: Dunaway's Crossing by Nancy Brandon

Hi all,

I picked up Dunaway's Crossing by Nancy Brandon in early May when she was offering this book for free. I enjoy reading historical fiction so after reading the description of this book, I decided it sounded interesting. Am I ever glad that I downloaded it. If you love historical fiction, be sure to pick up a copy. Here is a description of the book via Amazon and my 5 star review.


Dunaway's Crossing

Nancy Brandon

Book Description:

One rural town paralyzed by disease,
Two women secluded in a remote cabin.
Only one man stands between them and death.

One reader describes Dunaway's Crossing as "a little like The Help but much better" and a cross between "James Lee Burke and Laura Ingalls Wilder...with a little Fried Green Tomatoes mixed in."

It's 1918, and Bea Dot Ferguson thinks she's coming to Pineview, Georgia to visit her pregnant cousin, Netta. But upon arrival, she learns the town has been infected with Spanish influenza. With the help of Great War veteran Will Dunaway, they retreat to the country to avoid contagion, but find themselves confronting obstacles along the way. Together the three struggle to survive in the Georgia back woods to avoid the deadliest virus the world has ever known.

If you liked the drama of The Color Purple and the setting of Wickett's Remedy, you'll love Dunaway's Crossing.


Amazon Kindle Edition


My 5 Star Review:


Beatrice Dorothy Ferguson (Bea Dot) is the victim of an abusive husband and harbors the secret of an abusive past which she does not want her family and friends to discover. The time period is 1918, the setting, Savannah and rural Georgia. WWI is nearing an end and a deadly influenza outbreak is terrorizing the country, killing people from all walks of life. Bea Dot leaves Savannah to visit her cousin who lives in a small town in rural Georgia. Her cousin, Nettie, is married to the town's doctor and is expecting their first child. When the influenza starts spreading throughout their small town, Nettie's husband sends the two women out of town to live with Will Dunaway, a close family friend, who has just opened a small country store. Bea Dot soon finds she is falling in love with Will, and thus begins one of the many stories immersed in this historical romance/drama.


Dunaway's Crossing is more than just a romance – it is a historical piece which clearly paints a realistic picture of a time period when women had no rights, segregation between blacks and whites was the norm and death was a sad but common reality. It also shows how resilient people can be when times are tough. Author Nancy Brandon is able to bring the reader back to this time period and immerse them into the lives of these characters, breathing life into them on each page. The characters and situations hold the reader's attention and after the first few pages, you just don't want to put the book down. This story is a testimony to Ms. Brandon's research of the time period and the 1918 influenza breakout and I applaud her for hard work. If you are looking for a light, fun summer beach romance, then this is not the book for you. However, if you enjoy a historical novel with both a good story and depth, you will enjoy Dunaway's Crossing.   

I hope you get a chance to read this book and enjoy it. Currently, I am reading Railroad Man by Alle Wells. I am certain this book will be a winner!

Cheers,
Deanna

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Review: Stay Close, Novac! by Jan Romes

Hi all,

I learned about this book through my book cover designer (Tugboat Design) and decided to buy it and give it a try. Am I glad I did. This novel by Jan Romes was fun to read and would make the perfect vacation or beach read. And it's only $1.99 on Amazon! Here is a description of the book and my 5 Star review!


Book Description:

Jessi Novac leads the quiet life of a romance author until someone leaves a series of explicit notes under her windshield wipers and heavy breathing on her answering machine.

Until NYPD can track down the culprit who's trying to scare the bejesus out of her, Jessi hides out at her grandmother's beach house in Myrtle Beach where she hopes to get her bearings. Instead, her life takes an even bigger tilt toward crazy when she meets her clumsy neighbor. She's suspicious of Ian Alexander, and attracted to him at the same time. Their relationship becomes a calamity of errors until strange things start happening at the beach house. Jessi clings to Ian for protection, but soon discovers her heart may be in more danger than her life.



My 5 Star Review

Jessi Novac is a romance author whose life is recently in turmoil. She is being stalked, so she decides to hide out in her grandmother's Myrtle Beach home until the police can find out who is following her. She needs peace and quiet to finish writing her latest novel on time, but instead is sidetracked by the handsome handyman next door. Her life becomes a succession of adventures and misadventures as she realizes she's still being followed and as she also finds she is falling in love with her handyman hero.



Stay Close, Novac! is a fun, witty and face-paced romance novel. The author, Jan Romes, writes in a way that reminds me of Janet Evanovich with her charm and wit. Even though this is a short novel, the story is quite full and you walk away feeling like you have read a book twice its size. I really enjoyed reading Stay Close, Novac! and will definitely read more of Ms. Romes novels.

Currently Reading

I am currently reading Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim. I have hardly been able to put it down - it has been that good! I'll write a review when I'm done!

Cheers,
Deanna 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Book Reviews: The Big 5-OH! & On Deadly Tides

Hi all,

As I've said before, I love reading and ever since I purchased my Kindle months ago, I've been finding new and interesting authors to read. Here are two books I've read in the past few weeks that I'd like to share with you.

The Big 5-OH!
Sandra D. Bricker

I downloaded The Big 5-OH! when the book was having a free day. It sounded like a light, fun novel and I thought it might be fun to read. I wasn't disappointed. Before downloading it, I read some of the Amazon reviews and was surprised at the many negative reviews for this book. Instead of turning me away, however, the negative reviews made me want to read it and decide for myself. From what I could tell from the reviews, people either completely loved or hated this book. It thought that was an odd reaction for a light romance novel. Also, this is a Christian Romance, which caused some of the complaints from readers because it wasn't clearly stated as being one. That didn't make a difference to me though, it was still a good story. Here is a description of the book and my review.

Book Description:

Olivia Wallace has a birthday curse . . . or so she thinks. It was a broken heart on her 16th, a car accident on her 21st, pneumonia on her 30th, and a fall down a flight of stairs on her 35th. There were Ohio blizzards on her 38th, 39th, and 40th; and six days before her 45th, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Numbing grief stole that birthday and a couple more to follow and, on the morning of her 48th birthday, she received the call she’d dreaded ever since losing her mom so many years ago…she was diagnosed with stage-3 ovarian cancer. The doctors didn’t hold out a lot of hope, but Liv survived and maintained her faith. Months of surgeries and chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed.

But now, as her 50th birthday creeps up the icy Ohio path toward her, her hair has grown back, her energy level is up, and she is officially cancer free. It makes her nervous. After everything she’s gone through, Liv hates the idea of driving on icy roads and returning to work as an O.R. nurse in a local Cincinnati hospital.

Her best friend Hallie knows just the thing to break Liv out of the winter doldrums, while providing a safe haven of warmth, sunshine, and a time to regroup: a holiday in the Florida sunshine!


$9.99 on Amazon Kindle

My 5 Star Review:

Olivia Wallace has had a rough few years losing her husband and then fighting cancer. She's lost her joy for life. On top of that, she is turning 50 and is fearful of her "birthday curse" because many terrible things have happened on her birthday through the years. Her best friend insists she take a vacation to Florida so she can relax, get some sun and feel refreshed. When Olivia meets a handsome doctor in Florida, her outlook does get brighter and that's when the fun begins!

The Big Five-OH! is a fun romance novel and a lighthearted read. If you enjoy a good, clean romance novel, this is the book for you. This is also a Christian novel, so don't be surprised when a few prayers pop up. Overall, I enjoyed this book and think it would be the perfect book to take along on vacation or to the beach.


On Deadly Tides (A Wendover House Mystery Book 3)
Melanie Jackson

I've been reading this series by Melanie Jackson and have enjoyed it very much. Her mystery books are fun, light and entertaining, not deep, dark mysteries that are hard to solve. That's why I enjoy them, they are just fun to read and Ms. Jackson has a beautiful writing style that is just enjoyable to read. Oh - and I loved the book cover for this one! Be sure to read The Secret Staircase and Twelfth Night, book 1 & 2, before reading this one so you will understand what is going on. Here is a description of the book and my review.

Book Description:

A body has washed up on the beach and the past which was buried once is now a present danger to Tess MacKay and others in the islands. Questions about the corpse's identity lead to an exhumation of an empty grave and further queries about a supposed accidental death that might be a ritual murder. Unwilling to believe claims of a family bane that kills Wendovers every third generation, Tess sets out to find her missing great-grandfather-- dead or alive.


$3.99 on Amazon Kindle


My 5 Star Review:

Another winner by Melanie Jackson. On Deadly Tides continues the Wendover House Mystery series when a body washes up on the island and it looks surprisingly like Tess' great-grandfather who is already supposed to be dead and buried. From there, Tess begins to investigate and learns even more island secrets. This is a short novel and a quick read, but well worth it if you've been following this series. Ms. Jackson has a beautiful way with words that makes reading her novels a joy. Can't wait for Book 4!

What I'm Currently Reading

Currently I am reading a fun romance novel by Jan Romes called Stay Close, Novac! Can't wait to share the review with you on this one. I also love the cover on this book too - although I am biased - Tugboat Design, the designer who created my book covers, also created the one for this book. :)

Why Do I Give Every Book I Review 5 Stars?

In truth, I only write reviews for books I read, enjoy and feel deserves 5 stars. I read a lot of other books too, ones that I would rate much lower - like 2 or 3 stars - but I don't bother to write reviews for those books. Not all books are for all people - we all know that. If I read a book that doesn't interest me or that I don't like, it isn't always because the author isn't a good writer - it may be because I just don't like the story or I don't like their writing style. So, does that author deserve a low rating because I personally didn't like it? Of course not. So you will only see reviews of books that I did like. I'll leave it for other people to speak their mind about books they don't like. Personally, it isn't worth my time to write a negative review of someone's book.

Cheers,

Deanna

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Two Indie Author Books I Enjoyed Reading

Hi all,

In 2011 I bought my first Kindle and since then a whole new world of writers have opened up to me in the form of Indie Authors! Since then, I have read many new authors and enjoyed their novels. I'd like to share three of them with you and the reviews I gave them.

The Secrets They Kept by Joanne Tombrakos

The Secrets They Kept is currently only $0.99 cents for a limited time on Amazon Kindle.

This was one of the first indie author books that I read and I was so impressed by it. I think most women who enjoy reading will enjoy this book.

Book Description:

Every family has its secrets. Elena Poulous knew that. As an attorney she witnessed such deception every day. But she never thought her Greek-American family was like everybody else’s, not until the Saturday morning, the police knock on the door of her New York City apartment and inform her of the death of Yannis Poulous, a man she had never heard of, a man who has listed her as his next of kin.

A box of old letters she unearths in his Brooklyn apartment help to unravel the mystery of who he is. But the biggest part of the puzzle - why everyone in her family, especially her mother Kristina refuses to talk about him - proves the most difficult to discover.

The Secrets They Kept is a multi-generational story, of cultural and religious influences, of secrets kept and discovered, all in the name of love and of family.

My 5 Star Review:

This is Joanne Tombrakos' first novel and she did an excellent job with it! I really enjoyed this family drama - the characters were well fleshed out and the storyline stayed consistant. In a book such as this, where there are flashbacks, it can become confusing if not written properly, but Tombrakos had no problem doing this. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fiction family drama. 

The Darkening Dream by Andy Gavin

The Darkening Dream is currently $4.99 on Amazon Kindle.

I have to admit that I bought this book because of the cover and that it is set in the 1913. I expected a book about witches because of Salem - but it is so much more. I really did enjoy this story.

Book Description:

The Darkening Dream is the chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter.

Even as the modern world pushes the supernatural aside in favor of science and steel, the old ways remain. God, demon, monster, and sorcerer alike plot to regain what was theirs.

1913, Salem, Massachusetts – Sarah Engelmann’s life is full of friends, books, and avoiding the pressure to choose a husband, until an ominous vision and the haunting call of an otherworldly trumpet shake her. When she stumbles across a gruesome corpse, she fears that her vision was more of a premonition. And when she sees the murdered boy moving through the crowd at an amusement park, Sarah is thrust into a dark battle she does not understand.

With the help of Alex, an attractive Greek immigrant who knows a startling amount about the undead, Sarah sets out to uncover the truth. Their quest takes them to the factory mills of Salem, on a midnight boat ride to spy on an eerie coastal lair, and back, unexpectedly, to their own homes. What can Alex’s elderly, vampire-hunting grandfather and Sarah’s own rabbi father tell them? And what do Sarah’s continuing visions reveal?

No less than Gabriel’s Trumpet, the tool that will announce the End of Days, is at stake, and the forces that have banded to recover it include a 900 year-old vampire, a trio of disgruntled Egyptian gods, and a demon-loving Puritan minister. At the center of this swirling cast is Sarah, who must fight a millennia-old battle against unspeakable forces, knowing the ultimate prize might be herself.

My 5 Star Review:

I swore I was through with the whole vampire fad in books but I was drawn to reading this book by both the amazing cover and the storyline. I was not disappointed. I liked that it was set in the early 1900s instead of being contemporary. The characters were well-written and likable, so you did care what happened to them. There was also the right amount of suspense and mystery to keep the story interesting. I do have to say, I didn't like the ending but it made me think there is a sequel in the works. This book is well worth the read and I look forward to more books by this author.

Currently I am reading ON DEADLY TIDES by Melanie Jackson and then I plan to read CHEMS by Ann Swann. I'll share my views of these books in my next Indie Author post.

Cheers,
Deanna