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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

BOOK REVIEWS: SELF PUBLISHED AUTHORS

As a Book Reviewer, I have read all kinds of books by many wonderful writers. Many are traditional books. But many are by self-published authors. Without the benefit of an editor, a self-published author can be alone with the editing process. A really great story can get bogged down with unnecessary wording. There is also the dreaded dangling modifier. Although writing is fun, it’s also a lot of work. Sometimes an author is too close to their story. The writer forgets that a reader needs to see what the writer wants them to see. Feel what they want them to feel. The setting, time period and characters and plot need to stand out early on so that a reader gets hooked right from the beginning. A reader needs to care about the outcome – grab onto a character and stay hooked.
Recently, I had to create a few really tough book reviews. I always try to find something good in the writing. Writers can be so sensitive. I certainly don’t want to discourage anyone. And everyone can learn. Improve. I am always learning. I find that the talent is usually there, but the stories are all over the map. I often have to re-read areas to figure out what is going on. Dig. Dig. Dig. Sometimes I will have to search through the manuscript just to find out the time period. An abundance of characters can also leave me looking to grasp onto someone, anyone. The other issue is that often writers tell a story instead of showing it through their character’s points of view. This dulls the story. The reader can’t connect with the characters.
I would suggest that a writer latch onto the many resources available for writers. If you can’t afford an editor, find a trusted friend to read your book – someone who will be honest with you. Reading groups can also be helpful. Sometimes putting your book aside for a few days or weeks can help a writer look at their manuscript with fresh eyes – often finding mistakes or areas that are questionable. You will now be able to see what your reader can’t if rushing through this process. And if you can’t see it then set the book aside again until you can. There is also Natural Reader, which will read your manuscript back to you. The Internet has great resources for writers - critique groups.
Every word should count.
As a book reviewer, I love to experience the wonderful array of books that I have had the privilege to review. Each writer is special and unique. There is so much undiscovered talent. The competition is fierce. So make your efforts count.
As writer I can benefit from my own advice. I deal with the same issues and always working to improve my craft. I have some great mentors and trusted allies. This support helps me to stay focused and to grow.
Don’t ever get discouraged. Get a backbone. And whatever you do - keep writing!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thriller Thursday Guest — Author Tamera Lawrence


Today’s guest is Mystery Author Tamera Lawrence. If you love mysteries with a paranormal flair, then keep the lights on with The Pond. Trust me you won’t look at dark closets and homemade pies in the same way.

By Author Jennifer Chase
http://authorjenniferchase.com/2012/05/24/thriller-thursday-guest-author-tamera-lawrence/

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Book Synopsis:

Twenty-five years have passed since eight-year old Carl Weber drowned in Gray’s Pond, and now one member of the Adam’s family has returned to Kimberton, Pennsylvania, to reside once again in the old mansion. It is time for Mark Adam to revisit his past, and for his wife Donna and daughter, Kim, to become acquainted with their neighbors- a rather odd old couple that owns the farm across the street.


Each day, however, brings strange occurrences- increasing paranormal activity, till it becomes agonizingly clear that ghosts of the past are trying to make their presence known. As the family delves deeper into the past, the future becomes more perilous with every passing discovery.
Book purchase link: THE POND


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Jennifer Chase: If your main character was trapped in an elevator with three other people, how would your hero devise a plan to escape? Would they take any of the people with them?

Tamera Lawrence: Mike, the main character in this book, would never leave anyone behind. He would use every means necessary to make sure everyone was safe – even putting his own safety above others.

Jennifer Chase: How do you get inside your main character’s head when writing?

Tamera Lawrence: I allow the main character to rein in my thoughts sometimes for days or weeks seeing life and decisions through their eyes. I try to distance my own personal feelings and bring about my character’s unique personal traits to life.

Jennifer Chase: What’s your specific genre? If you could write in any other genre, what would it be and why?

Tamera Lawrence: I have always had a flair for writing paranormal or thrillers. When I first started writing, Romance was my first ambition. I have learned to interweave both elements to satisfy my personal tastes.

Jennifer Chase: Why should readers pick up The Pond?

Tamera Lawrence: If you like paranormal mysteries, THE POND should satisfy your appetite. It has a ghostly element and just the right amount of mystery added to the mix. I like making people squirm.

Jennifer Chase: What types of emotions will readers experience when they read your book?

Tamera Lawrence: Hopefully, anyone who reads THE POND will turn the lights up a little bit brighter…perhaps wonder more about their strange neighbors.

Jennifer Chase: Now, it’s time to play word association with your main character. Please respond with one word that comes to mind (in your main character’s voice) to the words listed below.

Tamera Lawrence:

Plot: murder

2012: Hope

Predator: Charlie

Giggles: Mikey

Rural: farm

Omnipresence: God

Thank you Author Tamera Lawrence!

Author Bio:

With a passion for writing, Award winning author Tamera Lawrence likes to entertain readers with edgy thrillers and mysteries mixed with romance. As a mother of six, Tamera draws on personal experiences to bring to life interesting characters set in today’s complex world. She loves meeting fans and writes book reviews upon request. Tamera also likes to play softball and clang out a tune or two on the piano.


Where you can find out more about Author Tamera Lawrence:

Blog:

Twitter:



Monday, May 21, 2012

Book Review of Strand of Pearls: One Woman's Journey to Light and Peace By Author Deborah Livingston

Strand of Pearls: One Woman's Journey to Light and Peace

By Author Deborah Livingston
4.0 out of 5 stars A COMPELLING READ, May 21, 2012



By
If the 1960's families stuck together even though it wasn't always for the best. Often to suffer
the consequence were the children. Deborah Livingston was one such child. Deborah's
parents were very diverse. Her father was much older than her mother and very controlling.
Her mother was young, innocent and tried to please her husband despite his violent
mood swings and drunken fits. And having unwanted children only flamed this reunion in an
ugly way - especially when sons were preferred to daughters.


As a baby, Deborah can remember breaking her mother's pearls. Her innocence faded as her father beat her. The hands that could be so gentle had turned into weapons of rage. This began a childhood of fear, confusion and pain. Being called "stupid" was a phrase often sent her way. Whippings were a common occurence. She was not the only one to suffer. Deborah's mother was another victim to her husband's violence. This woman had failed to protect Deborah in so many ways.

Emotionally scarred, Deborah grew up burying her emotions. This began a lifelong battle to control her roller coaster of feelings and learn how to accept them for what they are despite her fears of rejection. STRAND OF PEARLS is a heatfelt memoir, honest and intriguing as Deborah learns how to love, forgive and accept her fears. What a wonderful title so fitting to the emotional links in Deborah's story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this touching tale.

Nicely done.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Did you know that you do not have to own a Kindle Machine to read a book in Kindle Format"?

Well, it is true and so simple to load to any of  the various Amazon's Free Kindle Readers that they have available.

 You can load Amazon's Free Kindle Readers to any of the below progams RIGHT HERE!

  • Iphone
  • Windows PC
  • MAC
  • Blackberry
  • iPad
  • Android
  • Windows Phone 7
After you have loaded your free Kindle Reader, why not download a copy of "The Pond" by Author Tamera Lawrence for $2.99 PURCHASE HERE!


"The Pond" is also available in Paperback for $16.95 and be PURCHASED HERE!

You can also send a Kindle Formatted Book as a gift to anyone that has an email addrress!

See you learn something new everyday!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Enjoyable Read! "The Pond" by Award Winning Author Tamera Lawrence

"The Pond"



"Enjoyable Read!" *****
THE POND

Author: Tamera Lawrence

Since childhood, Mike Adams has had a guilty conscience about the accidental death of his best friend Carl. After arranging a play date with Carl at his home, Mike's family was called out of town due to a death in the family.

The Adams' servant who answered the door sent young Carl away in the middle of a raging snow storm. Carl's mom dropped Carl off on her way to an appointment, and was not scheduled to return for several hours. Carl decides to walk home. Carl takes a short cut through Fanny's Farm.. Thinking that the pond was frozen solid Carl begins to cross the pond, and the semi-frozen pond cracks. Carl goes under and drowns.

When the Adams family returns home, it several days before Mike learns of his buddy's death. Carl's death is not spoken of in the Adams' home and Mike's knowledge of what happened is limited to information garnered from conversations that overhears.

When Mike returns to the family mansion, with his own family, and begins asking questions, unexplained events begin to happen. After the occurrence of a number of inexplicable events, Mike begins to suspect that his elderly neighbors the Grays are connected to both Carl's drowning and the strange events occurring at his home.
The Pond is a rated PG tale of suspense. The lack of violence, explicit sex, and profanity makes The Pond an enjoyable read for young adults as well as mature adults.

The paranormal ending was a surprising twist. Paranormal and Fantasy are very popular among young adult readers. The author maintains suspense throughout the story by slowly doling out information.
"The Pond" available in Paperback Here and also available in Kindle Format for $2.99 Here!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Do you wait for your child to get inside the house of a friend?



Eight year old Carl was in the car with his mom on the way to visit his friend Mike. Carl enjoyed being in the company of Mike and at times that is all he would talk about. Mike this and Mike that was all his mother would hear.

Carl's mom was in a hurry for a Dr appointment and did not want to be late, so when she reached the house where Mike lived, she let Carl out of the car and told him to mind his manners and behave himself. I will be back about 6:30 to pick you up the mom stated and closed the door. In a hurry, she left Carl to knock on the door of his friend and before she could see if Carl entered the house of his friend, she left the area and headed off to her Dr appointment.

Was this the right thing for the mom to do? Did Carl get into his friends' house safely? Was anyone home at his friends' house? To find out the answers to these questions and to find out what happened to Carl you will need to read the award wining Novel "The Pond" by Author Tamera E Lawrence.

"The Pond" is available at Amazon.com in paperbook format for the price of  $16.95. Also available in Kindle Format for the price of $2.99.

"The Pond" can also be purchased at Barnesandnoble.com in paperback format for $16.95.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Book Review of "First Watch" by Author Jennifer Chase

"First Watch"


5.0 out of 5  stars GRUESOME FUN, May 9, 2012
By Tamera Lawrence "Author Tamera Lawrence" (Pennsylvania)

This review is from: First Watch (A Short Story) (Kindle Edition)

Welcome to John McGraw's nightmare, where reality meets unreality. This lonely traveler's life will be forever changed by the wail of a siren and an encounter with the undead. This spell binding tale twists and turns with a desperate need for release. Chase has a knack for setting the stage and keeps the pages turning in a frantic pace. This horrific tale delivers in both suspense and supernatural despair.

Well done and worth the read!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

"Wrecker"

In the shadow of the day, the tow man hides but at night he stalks his victims in his wrecker of death...

"Wrecker" coming soon.........................keep checking back for more updates........