Tag: Reader Views

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

More on Self-Published Wrongsized

Wrongsized

by Larry Solomon

We featured reviews for this self-published book yesterday.  The author sent us one more (excellent) review for the book from ReaderViews:

This has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read on one of the saddest subjects I can think of, Unemployment. What Larry Solomon did with this subject can only be compared to a Mel Brooks’ movie. From introduction to the final page, he will keep you laughing for hours with his insights into corporate America, the job market, the interview and the best one – Temp jobs.

Working hard and hoping to get that promotion that he so readily deserved, Larry describes how it happened. Instead of the promotion he was hoping for, he was presented with a pink slip.

It all began with the Harvard MBA (Efficiency Expert) that came into his office after the takeover.  Heads were starting to roll and Larry (being the good manager that he was) tried to protect the people in his department with every fiber of his being only to find himself unemployed.

His story is not any different from anyone else that has found himself in this position (present company included); the difference is; that Mr. Solomon manages to show us the ridiculous side of the situation. From interviewers that were in diapers when he got his degree to the Temp jobs he held, Larry Solomon keeps you in stitches all the way through the book.

I especially liked the descriptions of his wife and how supportive she was in his plight, right down to making him sleep on the couch. Terry was the average wife, nagging Larry to get a job and quit sitting in front of the TV. She nagged him to the point where he finally broke down and went to a Temp agency. What happens there and the many trials and tribulations of being a Temp are the icing on a ridiculously funny book.

Larry Solomon will have your belly hurting (especially if you have been laid off). I gave “Wrongsized: Become chronically unemployed in 26 easy steps” one of my rare A+ ratings and recommend it to any one and everyone, even if you haven’t been laid off.

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



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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites

The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites

by James Nicholas Logue

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviews.com:

As a psychologist and reviewer I found this book to be an incredible read. I have many friends who are clairvoyants and psychics and yet I never believed their ability. The author has reached into a world that is unknown to most.

Jeff Fitzpatrick is a young man who has a gift to see what is coming. Many will pass him off as “crazy.” There are in our world special people who can “see” what is coming. Through the help of angels and strength they learn to use this talent to help others.

Trying to fit into college and have fun with his friends, Jeff realizes that many times he sees what is going to happen. He doesn’t understand how or why, but he knows it gives him the “willies.” Yet at the same time, he knows that he must let someone know of his dreams.

He works with the FBI and has found that it is difficult to be in school, have a life and work for the FBI. Yet his dreams will not let him go. He also finds that God has a different purpose for him in life. Is he prepared for this? Is his family?

“The Student Prophet: Initiation Rites” by James Nicholas Logue is a great book that captures you from the first pages and you can’t put it down.

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


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: The Edge: How to Find and Balance Yourself in an Unbalanced World

The Edge: How to Find and Balance Yourself in an Unbalanced World

by T.D. Kruser

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviews.com:

I have had the opportunity to read and review many self-help books, but I must say that I found the author’s writing to be very informative and inspiring. He covers many topics from spirituality, to society and the world. I found his directness and honesty very sincere.

Some of the interesting points I found were his thoughts on past failures. He asks how much we need to continue delving on this. He continues to say that often we are afraid we will repeat past mistakes.He requests that we don’t let this happen and learn to take risks, from each mistake we make we learn.

In the chapter “On Other Philosophical Matters,” the author talks about people who confuse having a sense of low self-esteem with feeling out of place or just not knowing himself or herself very well. It is important that we learn to know ourselves, prioritize our goals and values. He also states that this is not uncommon- many of us do not know what we want out of life and what we should be doing.

In “Societal Matters: On Society and the World” he provides readers with “A pronounced societal trend has been an overall degradation in the amount of empathy and respect shown toward other people.” Regardless of our views of others, we should keep an open mind, and listen to what others say or believe. We as a society tend to act aggressively toward those who do not share the same beliefs we have. In addition, we are more worried about our “self” than we are for the good of the community.

Throughout the book he has placed many poems that address the issues he discusses. He also provides some blurbs or words of wisdom to make us think about who we are, what we want and how we treat others.

I enjoyed “The Edge” by T.D. Kruser very much. The author addresses many issues that we confront on a daily basis.

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



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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: The Vampires Minotaur

9781598007145_cov.inddThe Vampires Minotaur

by Levant DuPrae

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

In “The Vampires Minotaur” author Levant DuPrae takes us through his version of the story on how the Minotaur was conceived. Minos’s wife uses her cunning mind to create a way in which she can mate with the Cretan Bull who is attacking and killing people. From this mating, came the abomination of the Minotaur.

Other mythological events are described in this story, and as they are happening Naamah, who is the daughter of Lilith, watches over them. Sometimes she just watches, other times she seeks to interfere for her own gain. This usually involves her getting revenge on others. She also witnesses the intervention or sometimes interference of Gods such as Poseidon.

What makes this story so unique is that in addition to being The Fury Megaera, Naamah is also a vampire. She feeds off of the blood of others, usually the innocent. She has no morals or scruples, she operates on pure emotion. She is a very dangerous character. Having the power to transform into a shadow form allows her to secretly watch what is happening. She also can heal herself quickly. After seeing the Minotaur’s mother mate with the bull, Naamah also does so in her own manner.

“The Vampires Minotaur” by Levant DuPrae is a very complex story. I admired the author’s use of
his own creative ideas to add to the mythological stories. However, there is a reason that this book is
listed as a horror novel. Some of the events described are extremely graphic and brutal. Readers
who enjoy being shocked will definitely enjoy this unique story.

For more information or to order the book, visit the outskirtspress.com/TheVampiresMinotaur

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: Following Joe

9781432727192_cov.inddFollowing Joe

by Alvin Ureles

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

Award-winning author, Alvin Ureles, draws on the writings of biographers Richard Frothingham and John Carey in this historical novel paying tribute to the life of Joseph Warren III.

Ureles has used a unique approach in authoring “Following Joe.” He attributes the authorship of this fictional account to John Warren, Joseph’s youngest brother. The story is told using John’s voice. I soon lost sight of the fact that Ureles is the creator of this amazing account as John related background information, stimulating dialog, and a detailed description of the political unrest during the period leading up to the Revolutionary War.

After graduating from Harvard, Joseph Warren III studied medicine and soon had a successful practice in Boston. He married heiress Elizabeth Hooten. In the eighth year of their marriage Elizabeth died leaving Joseph a young widower with four motherless young children.

Warren was soon involved in Freemasonry and in politics. Among his Masonic friends were John Hancock, Samuel and John Adams, Paul Revere, James Otis, and other radical activists concerned about England’s ill treatment of the Colonies. Joseph was elected to the Provincial Congress in 1774 and was commissioned to second major-general in 1775.

Ureles brings the historical background of this period in American history to life as he carefully develops his characters, with an exciting historical plot familiar to American history enthusiasts.

The book is filled with the conflict of war, of conscious, power struggles, and greed. The chaos of the battlefield is described so masterfully that as a reader, I was interactively drawn into the conflict. I heard the cries of pain from the wounded, was sickened by the sight of blood everywhere, and devastated by the loss of a friend.

Patriotism, bravery, and loyalty were undermined by the threat of treason, the duplicity of a friend turned spy, the safety of loved ones, rumors, and covert operations. The Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s famous ride, and the battle of Bunker Hill took on new importance as Ureles’ characterizations became real to me in their struggles to help bring freedom and independence to America.

Ureles, a Medical Professional himself, expertly described details and procedures, related to caring for the injured on the battle field, and the earlier recruiting and training of these men by Joseph Warren III.

“Following Joe” by Alvin Ureles is a book that gives a fresh approach and new insights into the political climate preceding and leading up to the Revolutionary War. Patriots like Warren bravely and sacrificially led to the birthing of our nation and our freedom at a tremendous personal cost. I was awed by the sacrifice, service and virtues displayed by these dedicated patriots.

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