Tag: Reader Views

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized

Self Publishing Book Review of the Week: The Gift of Schizophrenia by DJ Cushing

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 book marketing efforts, 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. So, without further adieu, here’s this week’s book review:

The Gift of Schizophrenia book cover

The Gift of Schizophrenia: A Testimony

DJ Cushing

Outskirts Press (2010)

ISBN 9781432763565

Reviewed by: Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (2/11)

From a psychological viewpoint, Schizophrenia is misunderstood and often treatment by non-educated therapists provides more crises for their patients. Author DJ Cushing describes his own journey through discovering his life falling apart, being diagnosed with Schizophrenia, and how others viewed him.

One theme that I noticed throughout the book was that doctors or therapists first hospitalize then they try to diagnose and help. As the author states, many times the information received is hard to understand, much less try to overcome. When one is hospitalized for psychiatric reasons they lose their identity-they become a label and have to follow everyone else’s rules.

Cushing’s journey is well written, easy to follow and understand. His writing gives readers an opportunity to get into the mind of those who are diagnosed with mental illness. His honesty is truly a gift to see what individuals experience every day. Sometimes these individuals are never given any hope of recovery and this adds to their stress and anxiety.

There needs to be more educational awareness on Schizophrenia. Individuals with this diagnosis, as with other mental health diagnoses, do not have a tail and two horns; they are not dangerous when on medication. Before we judge we need to learn the facts. DJ Cushing has provided us with his personal story in The Gift of Schizophrenia: A Testimony.

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: The Soldiers of the Cross

The Soldiers of the Cross

by J. Laurence Stillwell

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

I have to admit, I took a personal interest in reading this volume. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I was intrigued to read what this Vietnam vet had to say and how he said it. Mr. Stillwell writes a very good book of poetic verse, he writes what he lived. As a veteran, he was there, to see the carnage, to feel and hear the terrible things he has scribed in this book.

He states “Nature itself seemed to be at war, as the thunder crashed like waves. Over the hills and valleys by the score, over the mountains and in the caves.” I could feel the pain and the fright he felt. I could feel his anguish, the heartfelt expression of his feelings poured out with such bravado.

Page after page, Mr. Stillwell’s poetry spoke out about the war between good and evil – this struggle that plagued man from the dawn of time. Using many references to scripture, he assimilates war, with the struggles of good and evil, God and the Devil.

Unique in its presentation, “The Soldiers of the Cross” by J. Laurence Stillwell was entertaining and well written. I was absorbed in it from the first page to the last. It is a general audience volume that is well worth the price and I gave it a well-deserved A. Entertaining, interesting and thought provoking, I would recommend it as an addition to any library.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/thesoldiersofthecross



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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Through the Triangle

Through the Triangle

by C.P Stewart

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

August 13, 2005, started off promising for Jake Myers. He and his teenage son Nathan would be deep-sea fishing on a charter boat in the Atlantic Ocean. However, unbeknown to him, a fellow passenger has a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it from being discovered.

To make matters worse, a bad storm arises and after it passes, the crew has no idea where they presently are located. After exploring the seemingly deserted land, they discover they have been transported to nearly three-hundred years in the future. They befriend several other people who have “disappeared” in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. However, they also encounter the Azujos who are a race of hooded warriors who patrol the streets and are unfriendly to humans.

This work of science fiction will appeal to all adults. The author demonstrates an impressive imagination through his ideas of incredible futuristic technology. He foresees laser weapons, underground travel by automobile, and food preparation at the touch of a button. He also includes genetic experimentation as well as many other scientific principles to try to explain time travel. I love the science lessons but I was disappointed at the minimum amount of discussion about the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. In fact, most of the characters on the charter seemed to have never heard of the lore.

“Through the Triangle” contains several different elements to keep the story interesting. There is the aforementioned scientific aspect. There is a lot of suspense as they struggle to remain safe from the Azujos. There is an emotional side as the characters realize everyone they knew before they left on their trip have long since died and never found out what happened to their loved ones. It was emotional as they searched the news archives and learned of the events that occurred in the three-hundred years they missed. Sprinkled within the plot is also a bit of romance.

“Through the Triangle” by C.P. Stewart is a novel that will challenge the reader to think about the possibilities for the future. I enjoyed the subject matter and plan to do further research about the Bermuda Triangle and its mysteries.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/throughthetriangle


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Aurora of the Northern Lights

Aurora of the Northern Lights

by Holly Hardin

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views Kids:

“Aurora of the Northern Lights” is the story of a young girl named Aurora. Aurora’s parents meet in the cold lands of the Northern Fey.

Grace: “It’s cold and snowy here, do you think this is where the Northern Fey live Mom?”

Ella: “Maybe they live in the North Cold (what Ella calls the North Pole).”

Aurora’s father, William, becomes sick in the cold so her mother, Mistletoe, agrees to move to a farm where the weather wasn’t so cold.

Ella: “We moved but it’s still cold here, just like in Manitowoc.”

Mistletoe and William are thrilled with the birth of their daughter Aurora, and for seven years everything is wonderful. But, then all three of them get sick and Aurora’s parents don’t survive.

Grace: “That is so sad. That’s why we get shots, so we don’t get sick, right Mom? Are her Mom and Dad in Heaven now?”

Aurora feels lost, and when she wanders into town the people of the town shun her. She doesn’t know what to do when suddenly a witch gives her a charm to protect her from harm, and tells her that this is not her true home, she needs to head to the forest.

Ella: “What a pretty necklace!”

She does head to the forest, where she does meet some Fey. But, these are not her people and they too tell her to move on. But, their queen provides her with a nice wool cloak and oak staff for her journey.

Grace: “At least she’ll be nice and warm.”

After traveling through the bitter cold, Aurora is about to give up when she comes upon a castle. When she knocks, the door is opened by Santa Claus.

Grace: “Look Mom, Santa! I can’t wait until he comes!”

Ella: “Don’t forget to put a cotton ball on my calendar so I know how many more days.”

Santa invites Aurora in where she is welcomed by all, but she then sees a woman who looks like her. This woman is so happy to see her, because she is her Grandmother.

Overall I thought that “Aurora of the Northern Lights” by Holly Hardin was a well-written book; the only issue I had was that little Aurora was only seven when her parents died, and she was on her own and shunned by adults. But, it does show children that life isn’t always easy, and even if you are different you can always find people who will love you no matter what.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/hollyhardin



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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Embellish

Embellish

by R.L. Sloan

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

This book is a fun addition to the vampire romance novels in circulation. The book begins with a frightening description of a distressing event in the main character Solis Burkes’ life. This event would determine the rest of her life. Her past is known by her family and a secret admirer. The premise is that a group of very evil people have begun to take control of the town and threaten to influence everyone with their dark magic and voodoo. Solis Burkes decides that she will exact revenge on these evil people. She joins forces with a man who has been watching over her for many years. She wants revenge, and she gets it. Her family and friends are all in danger with her involvement in revenge against the evil doers. Solis must make a decision to save her family and friends or continue with her revenge.

Overall, this is a great book and the most unique part is the addition of such a young character’s voice. She is funny and brave, and her inner thoughts are fun to read. I thought the author did a good job capturing a young teen’s voice. For example, Sloan writes: “I once again slammed the phone down as hard as I could. It felt good to do that! It might have been childish for me to do, but I was beginning to feel a newfound confidence that was starting to make me feel alive. It made me want to start regarding myself with some value, and not be pushed around or taken for granted anymore.” The characters are very interesting to read about, a protective grandmother, a nice teen with a big heart and a sad past, and a secret admirer, are all well developed. It is a very good read, both fast-paced and thrilling.

I think anyone would enjoy this book, especially if you like romance and the paranormal. It is the first book in a series, but is very worthwhile to read. R. L. Sloan is a good writer; she captures a youthful voice perfectly and she makes it fun to read about Solis and find out what will happen to her next. The dialogue between the characters is very interesting because she uses New Orleans colloquialisms and the characters’ names are very unique, for example Childress, Olvignia, and Erland. “Embellish” is simply a good book, and hopefully the sequel will come out soon!

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/Embellish

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