Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: Ice Queen by: Richard S. Lucas

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if they don’t know about it? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

Ice Queen

Richard S. Lucas

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

ISBN: 9781432773045

Reviewed by: Leslie Granier for Reader Views

“Ice Queen is a fictional story about archaeologists Helen and Philip Franklin. They have a great reputation, not only as hardworking and honest people, but as scientists who can prove whether specific myths and legends were based on facts or were simply made up by people for personal gain. The Franklins are hired by Thomas Coswell to find out about a woman sketched by Coswell’s grandfather shortly before he was killed on an archaeological trip. As Helen and Philip research the Ice Queen to uncover information regarding who or what she is, where she came from, and when she existed, they find themselves in danger when one of Coswell’s business competitors strives to learn what they are trying to discover in the hopes of taking any recovered artifacts for himself.

There are many good qualities about this book. First, the main characters are very likable and the chemistry between them is apparent. Understanding who a character is makes it a lot easier for the reader to relate to him or her. Second, the subject matter is interesting and timely. The interest in learning about ancient civilizations and different legends has become quite popular over the last few years. A third asset is the amount of action and adventure. The author chose to take the reader on a journey with Helen and Philip through Samoa, Peru, and other remote locations instead of concentrating too much on researching information on a computer.

I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into the ancient times. By using this method, the author provided the reader with a feeling of seeing things as they happened all those years ago instead of just reading about what people surmised had occurred. This made me feel much more involved in the story.

Ice Queen is intended for an adult audience. Men and women will both be captivated by this book. An interest in archeology is definitely not a prerequisite for reading this story. A sense of adventure and an open mind are sufficient. This is a well-written book with a plot that has been creatively crafted. It is definitely worth investing the time to read it.”

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: Addiction by H. E. Logue, M.D.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us let the community know about a great book. So, without further adieu, here’s this week’s book review:

Addiction

H. E. Logue, M.D.

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

ISBN 9781432764807

Reviewed by: William Phenn for Reader Views

“Dr. Logue writes a very compelling book about the effects of various addictions on addicts and their families. He mentions the fact that the inspiration for the book was from actual events but, of course, the book is pure fiction. Sam Robbins is one such fictitious character. He has a wife and son and has just finished a bout with lung cancer. He is trying to quit his addiction, smoking; which brought him to this point.

The book suggests many good points on quitting and coping with the withdrawals and cravings of the addiction. There are even some very scary statistics that the doctor refers to. A few of them, such as “One out of four is a current smoker, one out of four is an ex-smoker and two out of four is or has been a smoker.” These facts and more were staggering to me as I read the stats that Dr. Logue wrote.

In the midst of Sam Robbins’ problem with his addicted nephew, the drama continues with stories of a “binge drinking alcoholic” that gets killed because of being in the wrong place and acting like a fool. Sam meets another friend and former co-worker and helps him with his drinking problem by attending AA meetings with him. All through the book, Sam partners with his psychiatrist and in the end, he gives back some of the help that he has had. His doctor sets up an addiction seminar and invites Sam and his wife to speak to the attendees.

Dr. Logue did a very good job of presenting addiction in its natural setting, portraying a typical family setting. He carried it through to show how it affects the rest of the family members and others that come in contact with the addict. I enjoyed Addiction: Yours, Mine and Ours and picked up a lot of good information, things I didn’t know about addiction and its effects. I gave it a solid A because it was similar to real life, well written and informative.”

DISCUSSION: Are you trying to obtain book reviews as part of your overall book promotion strategy?

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: Russia’s Prestige by Kashif Parvaiz

Russia’s Prestige: Historical Architecture

Kashif Parvaiz

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

ISBN 9781432766115

Reviewed by: William Phenn for Reader Views

“This is a very complete and concise volume of Russian architecture by a very talented writer. Mr. Parvaiz does more than just describe the beautiful architecture that is portrayed in the book. He goes the extra mile by giving the reader an insight into the history of the building. Beginning with Cathedral of the Dormition, to the Qolsharif Mosque, the chapters are descriptive and detailed. There is even a glossary at the end of every chapter that enlightens the reader to the terms used in that chapter.

Such amazing structures as the Catherine Palace in the Tsarskoe selo (the Tsar’s private city) are described with such detail that shows the author did his homework. He goes beyond the usual descriptions of the brick and mortar to include the reasons for its existence. It is this type of research that the author has done that makes this book stand out from the crowd of the usual architectural books.

The pictures are black and white, as would be expected in a book of architectural structures that date back as far as these do but that does not hinder the quality. The writing is top-notch and keeps the readers interest with the in-depth background and history.

The way the information is presented, with an in-depth history of the structures, makes it very interesting reading for everyone. He brought out some historical events that I had never seen or heard of in other books. It is general audience reading and full of wonderful pictures of all the old Churches and Cathedrals that are described and discussed. The cover graphics are appealing and the editing is a welcome change from most I have read recently. I enjoyed Russia’s Prestige: Historical Architecture and gave it my highest mark of an A+.”

DISCUSSION: Are you trying to obtain book reviews as part of your overall book promotion strategy?

Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: Blood Country by Dan Jewell

Blood Country

Dan Jewell

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

ISBN 9781432765835

Reviewed by: Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads

“Dan Jewell’s Blood Country: A Nashville Sideman Mystery begins in January in Nashville. Joe Rose, guitarist and private investigator, receives a call from his ex-wife Patty Hill, an Associate Math Professor at Vanderbilt. Patty had just been talking to her friend Roxanne Hamlin, a country singer, on the phone. Roxanne is trying to leave her husband Vern, also famous in the country music industry, but Vern is not allowing her to leave. Roxanne doesn’t want to involve the police so Patty thinks that Joe may be a good choice to help out.

The domestic situation actually turns into a job opportunity for Joe as he ends up being hired by Vern for a different matter. Vern had received a letter from an anonymous source regarding his father’s murder which happened twenty years prior. In the letter, it is suggested that the man who was accused of killing Vern’s father was not actually the person who committed the crime. So, Joe is sent to investigate and to try to unearth the truth as to who killed King Hamlin.

Jewell does a wonderful job with character development. The individuals we are introduced to throughout the novel are very memorable and intriguing people. The story itself is fast-paced and has many twists and turns. I recommend Blood Country: A Nashville Sideman Mystery for those who enjoy mystery and suspense, particularly those who are also fans of country music as there is quite the focus on the Nashville music scene. I am sure we will see more Nashville Sideman mysteries from Dan Jewell in the future.”

DISCUSSION: Are you trying to obtain book reviews as part of your overall book promotion strategy?

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: He Kan’t Kill Your Future by: Sharquent Webster

He Kan’t Kill Your Future

Sharquent Webster

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

ISBN 9781432764456

Reviewed by: Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views

“The author has written an excellent book that tells the journey of her life while growing up in South Central Los Angeles. This is not a story that is filled with happiness or love, but one that tells what it is like to grow up in a large family where no one really cares. It is Sharquent’s own story of being abused, neglected, beaten, and living on the streets. Many readers will never know this type of life, but for thousands this is what is normal to them. Did they choose this life? Many will prejudge and say yes. But who among us want to be unloved, neglected, abused and raped?

Sharquent’s father disappeared when she was young. She lived with her mother and nine siblings in a dilapidated house filled with strange people, an older brother who took pleasure in sexually abusing her and her sister and a mother who lived for finding things in the dumpster, including food. When someone you love or think you love leaves you suddenly it seems as if there is no hope. However, with all things that happened to Sharquent and her siblings, their mother continued to believe.

Not doing well in school or even liking it, Sharquent finds fulfillment in other areas: drugs, unsafe sex, stealing and calling jail her home. In addition, she had two children and after they were born she was ready to run back again to the streets to get her high. Even though she found Phillip who actually cared about her, the streets loved her more.

Through watching others hustle, she learned various ways to earn money to get drugs. Mind you now, she had two young children, but really they were a problem. After spending time in jail she was sent to an in-patient program to clean up and learn new skills. But often you can’t teach someone from the streets new skills; they are often very mistrustful and feel they know more than anyone else.

Finally, after many crises, mistrust and just pain, she found people who actually cared about and loved her regardless. The most important thing she found in her life was Jesus. It took some time but she finally surrendered all her anger, drug abuse and revenge and left it in his hands.

From a psychological point of view, this book is many things.

For those in the helping field it gives a clear, unbiased view of what it is like to live a life like this. She is not a flowery writer, just tells it like it is. For those who are at risk or already living this life it is a story of hope. She is my kind of woman.

This is a must read for all those who try to help others in her situation- we will never know all the details but what we do know is that it can happen. It is also for those who want to know how one gets in this type of situation and for those who feel they are better than anyone else.

I would love to use He Kan’t Kill Your Future in my Psychology college classes that I teach and have the students put themselves in the role of Sharquent and then in the role of a helper.”

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