Category: Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

We post a weekly book review of a self-published book (submitted by the author). To submit your review, please send it to selfpublishingadvice@gmail.com with a .jpg image of your cover. Self Publishing Advice will post your review and cover image on our blog.

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: BOLIVIA

frontcoverBolivia
by Ron Dubin

Ron Dubin is a master photographer and frequent commenter on asian ramblings. It’s a pleasure to announce the publication of his new book.

Ron Dubin wanted to get away. He’d had a trying year: Moving across country, from Los Angeles to Florida, coupled with the illness and death of his mother, Dubin was ready for something else.

“(If I had been offered) an assignment in Pompeii the day before it got buried I would have asked if I needed a visa,” says Dubin in the forward of his book, Bolivia, A Journey.

Ron is a man of many photographic talents. Over the last four years, his images have been featured in food and travel publications, regionally, nationally, and online. Dubin has also shot in Peru, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and extensively in the U.S.

Dubin’s book, 86 pages of extraordinary photographs and the stories behind them, offers readers a look into Bolivia’s diverse scenery and people. His landscape images are striking: Bold mountains under remarkable skies. The local creatures, llamas, snakes, and flamingos, have also been photographically captured in their native habitats.

The photographs of the people, going about their daily lives, give readers a revealing look into Bolivian life. The images document small-town residents going about their daily routine. These images, captured by an impartial observer, offer a glance into another place and culture.

Dubin’s image, The Sisters, captures two siblings at Isla del Sol. According to Ron, they were the most frightening thing about the town. The encounter resulted in him purchasing two palm fronds from the pair.

“She kicked my butt… There are three-card Monte dealers in New York that could learn a thing or two from them,” he says.

The architecture: Basilicas, moments, and ruins, were not overlooked by Dubin’s lens. The buildings, combined with the wide blue sky, are a visual pleasure to view. The images of the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, near the banks of Lake Titicaca, illustrate the sacredness of the site to both the indigenous and Catholic people.

Built in the 16th century, Dubin explains, “It is a popular custom to get your car blessed in front of the church which considering the roads, couldn’t possibly hurt.”

Dubin admits to knowing little about Bolivia before setting out on his expedition. “What I did know couldn’t fill up a trivial pursuit card,” he says. He did know about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. One of the final images in the book is of Ron brandishing the famous outlaws’ pistols.

Bolivia, A Journey can be purchased at Blurb. Ron Dubin maintains a photo blog at blog.rtd13.com

For more information or to order copies, visit the author’s web site: www.rondubinphotography.com

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: Who’s Steering?

Who’s Steering?
by George A. Eddy

For many years, George Eddy lived and breathed sailing at every level.
Once I started reading his book, I couldn’t stop!
~ From Gary Jobson, tactician for Ted Turner when they won the America’s Cup, and winner of the Hall of Fame regatta among many others

Helping George recover from capsizes then learn to race E Scows and go on to share his adventures in far-flung scenarios was flat out entertaining.
~ Buddy Melges, winner of two Olympic medals, and twice world Champion in the Star class

For more information or to order copies, visit the author’s web site: www.outskirtspress.com/whossteering

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog
by Barbara Techel

What a delightful story! Barbara Techel has written a children’s book about her very special dachshund, Frankie, from Frankie’s point of view. This energetic little tweenie weinie (an overly large miniature dachshund ) tells her story, beginning at the time she came into Barbara’s life. She describes her daily life, her friends, her training issues and activities in a way that will make adults smile, especially dog lovers, and children giggle. Believe me, anyone who owns a dachshund, as I do, will appreciate the personality quirks of these unique and lovable mini dogs. Sadly, Frankie has an accident, one that leaves her unable to walk. This is the fear of every dachshund owner, because the long spine of dachshunds leave them prone to serious injury. But, Frankie works hard with help from her mom, her auntie, the veterinarians and physiotherapists, to heal and regain her ability to walk. Though this does not happen as planned, her mom, Barbara finds a way to help and Frankie digs right in with fierce determination, a well known trait of dachshunds.

Author, Barbara Techel, who has written a popular monthly column known as “For the Love of Animals”, has taken inspiration from her much loved pets and believes that her dogs have taught her the “valuable lesson” of finding “the blessing in every situation.” Techel states that she is a much better person because of her dogs. Her first children’s book, Frankie, the Walk ‘n Roll Dog, definitely bears the love and determinations she finds in her dogs, and the beautiful illustrations allow us to see Frankie, as we travel with her through her story.

Barbara Techel has given us a truly inspirational story that has an important message for children and adults alike. Life does not always go as we plan. When adversity strikes, we can overcome it if we use the strength within ourselves and the help of others. Frankie’s story will also help children and adults alike, see the need to have compassion for those with special needs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr
Allbooks Reviews
www.allbookreviews.com

For more information or to order copies, visit the author’s web site and/or blog

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: The Daughter-in-Law Rules

The Daughter-in-Law Rules
by Sally Shields

The DIL and MIL relationship whether perceived, imagined or real is the holocaust that has besieged relationships even from pre-historic times especially in Africa where the Extended Family System is very much part of our ‘vocabulary’. Though the language of this book is universal, I would love to view it from the eyes of an African woman.

The African tradition believes very much in the Extended Family system such that it is even recognized by our law, thus making it a MUST to be married literally to every member of our husband’s family.

In Africa and indeed the whole world, mothers tend to wield a lot of influence on their sons and that makes it a bit difficult for the woman since you would have to manage your MIL or else stand the risk of being ‘thrown out’ of your matrimonial home.

For a society that encourages polygamy, women are faced with a lot of challenges ranging from childlessness and/or the issue of not having a male child which automatically threatens your position as a wife.

However, I have good news for the very many women out there going through the DIL – MIL challenges that finally, this problem has been diagnosed and a therapy found for it. And that’s the book you’re holding right in your hands – the DIL RULES; 101 surefire ways of managing and (making friends) with your MIL.

This simple yet thought provoking book will make you laugh and give you a new perspective. It shines a light on little known facts on DIL – MIL relationships. This is one book that shows you how to get your MIL to be your greatest fan.

Sally walks you through her thinking as you skip through the pages, infact I can’t think of any ‘how – to’ book on relationship that has been so vividly rendered.

The traditional myths and legends about the DIL – MIL issues appears to have been broken!

It’s a kind of a spiritual uplifter unlike any I have ever read! It lightens your heart and gives you hope. This is to me by far, the most positive book ever written and you’ll feel like you’re doing yourself a favour every time you read it.

The DIL Rules is a page turner of positive energy from start to finish. Even when it brought tears to my eyes, those tears were followed by a smile.

This step by step manual of how to make friends with your MIL is truly a classic. Within these pages, you’ll discover your communication ‘style’ so you can more easily recognize the words, thoughts and feelings of your MIL and would also help you engage in clear and understandable conversations with your MIL. It’s indeed uplifting and very well explained.

I love it so much and for everyone who wants to explore the marital world safely, I would recommend to read it. Though a complete work from the Author’s experience, I still feel as if this is a MUST read for everyone. I truly believe in the Author’s experiences which led her in her journey to write this Literary Masterpiece. No one (in my opinion) can write such a beautiful book without a divine hand of guidance.

I applaud Sally Shields for giving readers such hope in the form of this Fun-read. With the world of ‘darkness’ and ‘uncertainty’ that surrounds us (women) in our matrimonial homes as a result of unpleasant relationship with our MILs, more books such as this, are desperately needed.

It will make for an incredible gift to someone you truly care about.

The DIL Rules entertains, heals and changes lives. It is something ‘to do’ for those who are hurting, grieving or confused about their lives as a result of their relationship with their MIL.

In fact, when you wish you could do more ….. The DIL Rules is what ‘you can do’. As a gift, it’s a treasure.   

Yetunde Okafor
Coordinator, African Women’s Business Network

For more information about The Daughter-in-Law Rules, visit the author’s website: www.thedilrules.com

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE

EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE
by Deborah Eades

Review by Robert J. Mccarty “Barking Planet” (Marblehead and Helsinki, Finland)

I entered another world when I read Deborah Eades heart warming book.
I had no idea that so many dogs were not wanted. I didn’t realize how much dogs were suffering because of cruelty and neglect.

And I didn’t know that there are networks of dog lovers across the country who save and transport dogs to a new lives where they will be loved and cared for.

With words and pictures, I was transported into the personal experiences of this dog loving author — and her family — on the Dog Rescue “Railroad.” The dogs breeds vary,as do the personal stories of their rescue. What is constant is the loving satisfaction that Deborah Eades shares with all readers in her touching, heart warming book.

For more information about EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE, visit the author’s website: everyrescueddog.homestead.com