24 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 24, 2012 1

#BookReview :: Before I Breathe by Jenelle Jack Pierre #Contemporary

From the very beginning of the story, the focus is on our protagonist Kalena Moore. She is not interested in school and just gets by it. She finds herself attracted to Isaiah, the bad boy of the school. As Isaiah also showers her with attention, she ignores the warnings from her friends and gets into a relationship with him. Things happen fast between them and soon Kalena finds out that she is pregnant.

That’s when the rollercoaster journey begins for Kalena. When she loses her temper with her parents, she moves in with Isaiah and his family. At the beginning everything seems fine, but soon Isaiah and his mother show their true colours. In the meantime, Kalena also finds herself alienated from her own family and friends…

Kalena is a typical teenager. She does not like school, is impatient and is flattered when somebody’s attention is focused on her. Isn’t that what it is like with all the teenagers?! When under pressure she makes mistakes after mistakes. It takes her time, but she finally manages to take control of her life and turn it around.

The book deals with teenage pregnancy – a major problem around the globe. The author handles it so well. It also shows the emotional pressure that a pregnant girl and those around her feel. But most of all, it teaches us a lesson that making mistakes is a part of life. What we learn from those mistakes is what matters most. Also, that it is never too late to make amends and turn your life back around.

Review Copy received from the Author

Goodreads

23 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 23, 2012 0

#BookReview :: I am Dirty: I Need Washing by Shamsud Ahmed - #Poetry

Catchy name isn’t it? I thought so too… Usually, I can guess what a book is about by its title… but in this case I started off blindly as I had no idea about what to expect.

The book contains 32 poems on different and diverse topics. From simple to complex, from abstract to intense – this one book has it all. Each explores a different avenue of love, life and loss. The title poem, “I am dirty; I need washing” reminds us that nothing is for forever – whether be it good times or the bad ones. “The Tombstone Verse” & “Epistemology” reminds us to live in the moment. My personal favourites are “Loss”, “Back Home” and “I am dirty; I need washing”.

The great thing about poetry is that it is always open to the reader’s interpretation. Everybody learns something different from one single poem. And, so maybe my interpretations of the author’s work may not be what he intended to portray and it may not be what you make out of his work. But one thing I can guarantee is that you can’t help but love his work.

Review Copy received from Author

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

21 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 21, 2012 2

#BookReview :: The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani #Mystery

What would you do if you found out that your favourite star could be a murderer? Would you report it immediately or would you try to cover it up? That’s one of the quandaries in Kat Shergill’s life, besides witnessing an 80 year old murder on film, being followed, having her apartment broken into and escaping a fierce past!

This is one of the few Suspense/Thriller books that has a leading lady and what a lady she is. She is real, she is flawed, she has ‘baggage’ of her own and she is just like you and me. She is a regular girl who needs retail therapy to cheer herself up but at the same time she also steps up and meet a challenge when she needs to.

What’s more is that the author, Melanie Surani, has managed to keep the language simple and the story gripping. The plot as a whole is fairly a good one though it could probably use a couple of more twists. Then again, I am a hardcore suspense/thriller fan for whom a couple of more twists are always welcome.

The good news is that this is just the first book in the Kat Shergill series. If this first book is any indication, I think, the books & plots are only going to get better.

Review Copy received from the Author

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

20 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 20, 2012 2

#GuestPost :: The Strong Female by Sheryl Steines

Please enjoy this guest post by Sheryl Steines, author of the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

The Strong Female

I am always amazed to hear that, in the year 2012, women are still talking about strong female characters. It’s funny that we’re always surprised when one comes along. Even in Hollywood, actresses still can’t find roles to sink their teeth into. As a reader, I look for characters that I can relate to in some way; a character who is more than a damsel in distress but less than an unfeeling, mean, witch. I’m putting it gently, but I’m looking for someone, who when facing a problem, doesn’t necessarily need a man to bail her out--a woman who can take care of herself in spite of her vulnerabilities. Because in reality, women are multi-layered and complex. We don’t fall to one end of an extreme or the other.

When I was younger, I started reading Danielle Steele, but I couldn't read her for long. Her female characters were far too needy and always put themselves in a position of requiring a savior. Even as a child, I couldn't help but wonder why these characters always needed a man to improve their lives. Why couldn’t they simply take care of themselves? It seemed as though female characters fell into two camps, and only two. They were either villains, witches, someone to be hated and despised, or they were weak, pathetic, your classic damsels in distress. Why is fiction lacking real women, women who can simply be human and celebrate all that they are?

As I got older, I found myself drawn to shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I saw in Buffy a strong character. Yes, she could kick ass, kill the vampires and fight the demons. She also had a brain, could plan, and could save the world each week. But she wasn't uni-dimensional. She also has a side that liked clothes, shoes and boys, a side that was feminine, a little vulnerable; a side that, okay, sometimes needed to be saved. She was a complex female character, real and human, a character with whom I could definitely relate. The strong female character isn’t a caricature or stereotype. She’s not a total wimp like Snow White, and she’s not a total monster like the evil queen. She falls somewhere in the middle. She’s reactive, emotional, human, sexual, confident and sometimes unsure of herself.

When I originally wrote my character Annie Pearce in The Day of First Sun, I wrote her as a no-nonsense person, strong and smart, the girl who could survive on her own. But she didn’t feel genuine. As the story unfolded and changed, I rewrote her, gave her friends and family with whom she could interact. I gave her feelings, gave her stress. I let the other characters take charge once in awhile and offer some support. I melded two halves into one woman--a strong woman, who can take care of herself and ask for help when necessary. We’re not perfect, so why should our characters be? Instead, why can’t we make them simply authentic?

Charlize Theron made a really compelling comment regarding her character in the movie Young Adult. She said, "Women are usually either really good prostitutes or really good mothers. Maybe women are finally getting the chance to play more honest characters," Theron said. "We usually don't get to play bad hookers or bad mothers -- or anything in between."

Maybe it’s time to be a little more real and a little more honest.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book. All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win! To win the prizes:

Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win: The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds.

Get it on Amazon.in * Amazon.com

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy.

Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

19 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 19, 2012 4

#BookReview :: The Voynich Cypher by Russell Blake #Thriller #Mystery

Though I have heard of him before, this was the first time that I got a chance to read Russell Blake’s work.

The story begins with a vivid description of how a scroll gets stolen. Right from the first line of the first chapter, the author manages to grab your attention. Then we move on to our protagonist, Steven Archer. We are given a glimpse into his life with Antonia and his life after her. Steven is the head of a software company and a cryptologist by hobby. He had managed to combine his business and pleasure by coming up with a software that deciphers cyphers. Soon contacted by a colleague’s daughter, Steven gets embroiled in a situation that could very well cost him his life.

What is a story without secret societies and some ruthless and powerful villains? While Steven & Natalie try to decode the seemingly impossible to break cypher, they are pursued by some powerful forces - some of who want to bury the secret of the cypher and some people who want to use the secret of the cypher to meet their own sadistic needs.

The author portrays a beautiful picture of the places in the story that makes you feel that you are there when it all happens. For the first time readers like me, the character of Steven Archer Cross develops right alongside Natalie. Their interaction and relationship development is also something that I enjoyed reading in this book.

The fact that this is also a fast paced story and zero dragging on uselessly, it will keep you hooked on from the first page till the last. A fantastic plot, great twists, detailed research and amazing narration is the USP of this book. It is literally unputdownable!

I am going to go back and read the other Russell Blake books as soon as I can get my hands on them!

Review Copy received from "World Literary Cafe"

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

17 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 17, 2012 5

#BookReview :: After the Snow Falls by Carey Jane Clark #Contemporary

The story begins with Celia working hard towards the soccer fundraiser for her son’s school. It gives us a small glimpse of the sort of life Celia & her family leads. Just an ordinary family who probably would not stand out in any crowd. But their world turned upside down in a matter of seconds when Caleb landed on his face at the shoot-out game. The chaos that followed was the chaos that remained in their lives for quite a while. As if Caleb’s condition wasn’t enough - Celia’s father, Alfie, who had abandoned them long time back, makes an appearance. This time though he has no plans of leaving. He had asked Adele to re-marry him and she had agreed. How does Celia handle it? To know, read the book!

The angst, the suffering portrayed in the book is beyond amazing. It feels so real, so authentic that it touches our heart (Yes, please keep a boxful of tissues ready at hand). The hospital scenes, the treatments, and the interactions between the characters, especially between Celia & Caleb and Celia & Alfie are so emotionally charged that it keeps the readers glued to its pages. The characters are true to life and so are the relationships portrayed. The best part of the book is the protagonist ‘Celia’. Her character is so strong yet so vulnerable. When it comes to her son, she is prepared to do anything. She is the pillar of strength and hope. But the very next moment when she faces her father, her vulnerability and insecurities are exposed.

This book has dealt with a lot of things. Starting with the methods of treatment for the same disease. Some choose to stick to generation old Chemotherapy, while some choose to try alternative treatments. Again there might be different opinions about Spirituality.

The fact that the story was written from the point of view of Celia and Alfie, two most distinguished characters, makes it even more enjoyable. Beside the plot, author’s simple language and smooth flow of writing style has kept the story interesting and gripping.

I hope that she will be back with another book soon!

Review Copy received from "World Literary Cafe"

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

15 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 15, 2012 6

#GuestPost :: Sneak Peek into The Phantom Student by Ann Swann

Yesterday I posted the book review for “The Phantom Pilot” by Ms.Ann Swann. As I have mentioned, I loved her characterisation and Ms.Swann has kindly agreed to do a guest post.

To know more about her characters and a “SNEAK PEAK” into her next book “The Phantom Student” read on….

Hello, Debdatta,

Thank you for inviting me to write a post for your blog. I also want to say how much I appreciate the honest review of The Phantom Pilot. It is very difficult to be objective about one’s own work, especially a first novel (or novella).

The character of Stevie-girl is based on myself as a child. I was the tomboy with the braid, and I had more “guy” friends than “girl” friends. Just like Stevie, I grew up in a small town with redbrick streets (though I did change the name of the town to protect the innocent). My friends and I rode our bikes everywhere. There really was a music store on the square, and a drugstore named the Dal Paso. I remember as a child how fascinated I was with the tall ceilings and huge ceiling fans. Naturally, I gave Stevie a lot of the qualities I only wish I’d possessed. I was never brave. I did love to read, though. And research things. I loved reading my history textbook in class, and I was often deep in the past when the teacher called on me to answer a question.

As for Jase, he is a combination of some of my earliest boyfriends. One was tall and sandy-haired; another was dark and played the drums. Both of them were great guys, so I put their best traits into Jase. Then I added the other things I most admired, the honesty, the altruism, even the vulnerability. I wanted the kids to be human, imperfect, but I still wanted them to be likable. In truth, I also stole some of their characteristics from students I’ve taught over the years. Which brings me to The Phantom Student, Book Two in The Phantom Series. It will be released around Halloween of this year.

In this book, a true novel length, this time, a new student moves to Crossroads. His name is Derol Pavey, and he has something called Tourette Syndrome. Again, he is based upon a combination of students I’ve had the privilege of knowing. I taught a couple of different kids with Tourette’s and Asberger’s over the years, and I have, unfortunately, witnessed many acts of teasing and bullying because of their differences. That’s where the idea for both Derol and the theme of school-bullying arose. Well, that and the strange looking little phantom in the bathroom mirror, heh heh.

As for the supernatural aspect of the books (there will be a third tale which I am working on at present), this simply stems from the fact that as a teacher, I noticed that ghost stories and gross-humor books were some of the most worn-out books in our school library, aside from non-fiction, that is. Certain kids do love their non-fiction, just like Stevie-girl. So that’s where I am right now, working on Book Three, The Phantom of Crybaby Bridge. I’m having so much fun with these characters; I hope the readers enjoy them, too.

Ann Swann

About the Author:

Ann is the author of numerous short stories, but this is her debut novella. She loves writing, reading, movies, dogs, cats, kids, and her handsome hubby, Dude. Oh, and jalapenos! She also likes all kinds of music, especially singer/songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Zac Brown, Kenny Chesney, Melissa Etheridge, the list goes on . . .

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

14 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 14, 2012 0

#BookReview :: The Phantom Pilot by Ann Swann #ChildrensBook #ShortReads

After losing both her parents and grandmother, 12 year old Stevie lives with her ‘Gramps’. To have something to write to her best friend, who recently moved away, Stevie decides to venture into the haunted Taylor house. That’s when she ‘stumbles’ across the cute boy from her class, Jase.

Jase sees Stevie walking into the Taylor house alone and follows her. He feels that Stevie was ‘very brave’ and asks her for help. Ever since a small plane had crashed into Jase’s backyard, he had been haunted by the ghost of the pilot. Jase & Stevie together with Billy Bob works toward finding out what the Phantom Pilot wants. Why does he keep haunting Jase? Why does Lady, Jase’s Shepard, always disappear with the Phantom? And, why is Stevie attacked by the ghost when he never hurts Jase?

The plot is set in the sixties and the author has done a beautiful job in setting the backdrop of the story. The characters of Jase, Stevie and Billy are lively. They are average 12 year olds – sometimes being the kids that they really are and sometimes being more matured than their age! The supporting characters of ‘Gramps’ and ‘Mr.Pearcy’ also adds something to the novel, highlighting the author’s capability of painting her characters beautifully.

Though overall I loved the story, I thought a few things didn’t really fit in. Some things like the ‘jelly rain’ or Mr. Pearcy’s response towards the end were like the dull spots in a really bright painting. However, since this is a fast paced, Novella length story, it’s a good read for your tea-break or would make a great bed-time story too!

Review Copy received from the Author

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

12 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 12, 2012 35

#BookReview :: Lionel's Grand Adventure by Paul R. Hewlett #ChildrensBook #Adventure

Lionel's Grand Adventure is a beginning chapter book for ages 7-10. It has been a long time since I last read something like this and it was quite a pleasant change. Also, this is the first time that I am reviewing a book meant for children. Thanks to the Author, for trusting me with his gem of a book.

The story begins when Lionel moves to Penobscot, Massachusetts along with his family. He is left to his own devices and so he decides to explore around his new room while “pushing his glasses back up the whole time.” That’s when he finds the foot of ‘Three-Toed -Potbellied Walbaun’. Curious about his discovery, he finds out more about the Three-Toed -Potbellied Walbaun foot from an unlikely source - the town eccentric, Mr. Jardean. Once convinced that he really had something magical, Lionel decides to try out its power and thus begins his great adventure…

It’s a charming story that is bound to capture the little hearts! (& some not so little ones - like mine!) The names that the author has come up with are also going to catch the attention of the kids who love the unique names or love to play with words. Best of all, it also teaches a lesson in guise of a story! My only regret is that I got an e-copy instead of a physical copy – I would love to see the accompanying pictures that are bound to make this book even more interesting for the kids.

Review Copy received from the Author

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

08 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 08, 2012 1

#Interview with Brian Holers, #Author of Doxology

Please enjoy this interview with Brian Holers, author of the literary novel, Doxology. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

Why did you choose to write about characters who set out to rediscover their faiths?

The characters in Doxology don’t really set out to rediscover their faiths—they simply rediscover them when everything else is lost. My two central characters, Vernon and Jody, uncle and nephew, are just living life as the story begins. Jody has a pretty good, interesting life, he has a stable job working for a nice family, he’s in love with the daughter of that family and works for the son and father. He has totally inserted himself into this family, and his life has promise. Only when he learns that his father is dying does he decide to return home, deal with things he has successfully avoided, and discover the great role faith has played in making him who he is. Vernon, conversely, is making his way through life, but just barely; the tragic loss of his son has made him a mere shell of the man he once was, and the greatest joy of his current life is his ongoing endeavor to show his disdain for God. Only when he fails in the one pitiful thing he has left, when he is broken down to absolutely nothing, is a return to faith possible. The story is entirely fabricated, without really a shred of reality, though I can recognize parts of myself in many of the characters. Particularly Jody’s girlfriend.

What was the inspiration for this book?

The inspiration for Doxology was the longstanding concept of “my brother’s keeper,” superimposed on the Jewish concept of “dayeinu”. Dayeinu is what Jews say during the Passover seder in contemplation of the many things God has done for us—the concept of “it would have been enough.” “If only God had led us out of the desert, dayeinu, it would have been enough. But no, God did something more.” In 2005, when I finally started writing, I worked on short stories and met twice a month with a group of other writers. When my wife and I decided to leave the country for a year, I figured, well I won’t be meeting with a writers’ group anymore, maybe I’ll just write a book. And I wrote the first several drafts of that book while we were traveling, from a smelly dive-shop hotel in Zanzibar, where I had to drag a rickety wooden table into our room and kick my wife and son out for the afternoon, to a beachfront room in Phuket, to the lobby of a YMCA hotel in Jerusalem, to a coffee shop with stale cookies in Malaysia, where my family and I helped build a Habitat for Humanity house during the day. And really that trip cemented for me the idea that anywhere you go, the stories are the same. We all care most about our families. There are so many good things God does for us.

What surprises did you encounter in writing Doxology?

The greatest surprise I encountered when writing Doxology was the way Vernon kept trying to take over. When the story began, it was all about Jody. The problem was, Vernon’s conflict was more immediate right from the beginning—dealing with the death of his only son, his constant drinking and self-destructive behavior. He just kept taking over—maybe Jody’s struggle was so much harder to portray, since he seems to be doing pretty well in his current life, unlike Vernon. I overcame this problem by letting go—I stopped fighting it. I let Vernon take over, and then struggled to really work my way inside Jody, which took a long time. I overcame the problem by deciding the book was going to be done when it was done, and I couldn’t rush it.

Why did you decide to become a writer?

I discovered my passion for stories at a young age—I have always been filled with stories. It took me awhile to begin to try and write them down. It also took me a few years to discover that trying to tell people the stories I imagined just made everyone think I was weird (which is a fair assessment) and that I talked too much. I’m glad it worked out this way though—if I had discovered my passion for writing at a young age, I would probably have struggled in a losing battle to make my living that way, and I’d be discouraged and burned out by now. What I discovered instead, in my twenties, is that for a guy so animated by imaginary stories, I’m surprising adept at negotiating the physical world. A dozen or so years of self employment allowed me to strip away a lot of detritus, have a lot of time alone to think. Once, a consultant I hired to help me manage my tree service told me that the world inside my head was more vivid to me than the world outside, and that’s when I decided I had to get serious about my writing.

What is the most effective resource you have found for writing?

The only effective resource I have come across to hone my craft is time. And the best advice I received is not to rush. Even when you think you’re done the first or the first several times, put the book away for awhile and come back to it. Don’t rush. I wish I had kept track of how much time I spent on this book—I would guess between 3,000 and 4,000 hours. For one little book! But the advice goes deeper—don’t rush, make a schedule and sit there and write. Give yourself the time and then sit there and do it. If you’re like most of us and have a job, don’t try to commit too much of your day to it. Give it an hour a day, two hours, whatever. Just commit to it. It’s so much easier to come home from work, have a few drinks, go to the bar, and sit and stare at the stories in your head and say “I’m a writer.” You’re only a writer if you’re writing. As for bad advice, I am totally self taught in this craft—the only bad advice I have received is regarding publishing. A lot of people told me even a year ago not to self-publish. However, I have one thing now I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t decided to self-publish, and that is a book.

What is your favorite writing ritual?

My favorite writing ritual is to go to my desk at night after my son goes to bed, have my wife put on her headset if she wants to watch TV or listen to music or whatever, just make it very quiet, and sit there until I really need to go to bed.

What do you like about writing?

My favorite part of the writing process is the feeling I get each step of the way, which comes from deciding what I can do that day is good enough. Lately I’ve been writing essays. I start with jotting down notes—I write a lot by hand, I think better that way. I’ll write down in my sloppy scratch all the ideas that come to mind on a subject. Then the next session, I’ll organize all those notes, expand a bit, put them all in order. Again, all on paper. Next time I’ll write a draft, and even as I’m writing I know there will be a lot I want to change. Then I’ll print it, make changes, and write again. But I decide each step, and each draft, is good enough for what it is. My least favorite part of writing is that it’s always late and I’m always tired and have to get through it, which I do by setting short-term goals. The greatest of which is brushing my teeth and going to sleep.

Why did you decide to self-publish Doxology?

The traditional, old-school publishing world is in total disarray, which is why writers like me have to take things into their own hands. For a lot of us, especially first time or unpublished writers, our hope to be published is simply that, hope. We look at getting a publishing contract as our best chance of being somebody. Now that I’m out here, I have a better sense of how books are sold, and I am here to tell you it is not easy. Possible, yes, but not easy. There are a zillion other forms of entertainment that require much less effort. A publisher really has to sell several thousand copies of your book before beginning to break even. And if you’re just a regular Joe like I am, and nobody’s heard of you, that’s a tall order. Then the other piece is, even if you do get published, you have to do all the work to sell the book anyway. There’s just not enough money in this equation for a publisher to do any real work for you, not until you’ve begun to prove yourself. Personally, as one with good business sense, I like this new model—there is no one between me and all my potential customers—no one saying it’s not good enough, no one saying we can release your book in 18 months.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Advice to aspiring authors—writing may well be the hardest thing you will ever do. At one time I had tons and tons of business debt, customers calling me daily, six highly-paid guys showing up at work every day looking at me for their instructions. I paid through the nose for liability insurance, workers’ comp, and every tool imaginable. Then I waited for the guys to start calling me to say why the jobs couldn’t be done, while I drove around scrambling for more work. All of that was downright easy compared to writing books. But there’s no joy like it. And while I am normal person who has made a lot of mistakes in life, I have found that the more my life is straight, the better my art. The old concept of the tortured writer or tortured artist with various addictions only goes so far. If you want to write clear, clean prose, make yourself as good a person as you can be, and the words will flow. Keep your head up. Be entertained by your writing. Rejoice in the little things. Ultimately writing should be something you enjoy, that gives you passion. I have read that 10,000 hours pursuant to any activity is required to make one an expert, and writing is no exception.

What can you say about this book that we wouldn't learn from the synopsis?

I am grateful to say, Doxology is a beautifully written book, filled with symbols and layers of meaning. It is so much more than I set out to write, and I am proud to say it is so much better than even I thought it would be. It’s not Dostoevsky or the Holy Bible, no, but it is a sweet, moving, inspiring little story of love, loss, and redemption. All told in a Southern accent so thick it just oozes out of the pages.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Doxology eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book. All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

Purchase your copy of Doxology for just 99 cents
Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win: The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: Fathers, sons and brothers reconnect over tragedy in this blue-collar Southern tale of love, loss, and the healing power of community and family.

Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author: An arborist by day and a novelist in every moment he can steal, Brian makes up stories from the treetops.

Visit Brian on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

07 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 07, 2012 33

#BookReview :: Doxology by Brian Holers #Contemporary #ChristianFiction

Have ever read a book that was so good that it left you speechless? If you have, then you know how I feel about this particular book.

The story begins when Vernon Davidson’s dying brother requests him to bring his sons home. At first Vernon seems to be an alcoholic, destructive person who simply has no faith. Slowly as the plot evolves we get to see many facets of his life that allows the readers to understand his psyche. Vernon’s nephew Jody is the second most prominent character in the novel. Though both Vernon and his nephew had their own grievances, on the surface, Jody seemed to have handled his life better. But has he? Both, uncle and nephew are forced to stop and confront the truths and lies of their own lives and how they manage and cope with it all.

Written from the point of view of both Vernon & Jody, this is a story of three generations tied together by love, loss, abuse and redemption. The blood ties depicted through the Davidson family is really amazing. Also the author has done a brilliant job in building and portraying the characters in this novel. They all seem very real instead of fictional or larger than life. Striking language of the story painted a vivid picture in my mind. It was almost like watching it all happen in front of my (mind’s) eye! Also, the author’s sense of humour has added to the flavor of the story.

But what I loved the most about this book is the Emotional quotients portrayed throughout the book. Call me a feminist, but I have never read anything so ‘emotional’ written by a man. No offense to all the other male writers, but somewhere down the line, I find that they are usually unable to tap into emotions as well as the female authors do. But Brian Holers has managed to break through that and has captured the true essence of emotional ties/bonds that make a family.

This is an amazing book! Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

P.S: I am researching ‘Southern Accent’ so that I can ‘read’ the dialogues better when I read this book a second time.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-book from Novel Publicity for review purpose. Beside that I did not receive any kind of payment or benefit from the author or the publishers for reviewing this book.

06 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 06, 2012 2

#GuestPost :: Not just for Christians by Brian Holers

Please enjoy this guest post by Brian Holers, author of the literary novel, Doxology. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

Not just for Christians

One of the beauties of self-publishing is that the gatekeeper has been fired. In this new world of books made possible by the Internet, no one is left to guard the door. To tell the reader what is what. This state of affairs may introduce an element of confusion for dogmatic readers, but the good news is, new breeds of literature are being created.

Self-publishing allows literature to cross over in new ways. Traditional Christian fiction publishers, for instance, disallow most references to sex, and even the most juvenile profanity. Self-publishing changes this. Not to suggest a writer should ever debase a genre—as writers we are obliged to choose our words carefully. But the old Christian books kept many readers away. “I’m not going to read that. That’s Christian. It’s boring.” Still, nearly every Christian I know periodically swears, fights, and even becomes amorous from time to time. Christians like good stories too, with depth of character, excitement, whimsy, action. The success of a book like The Shack shows the need for stories of real people dealing with real problems, in a faith-based context. It doesn’t even have to be good literature.

As humans, we all look for answers. Stories are stories. Conflict builds to crisis, which leads to a form of resolution. Sure, some people never doubt their faiths, even in the face of horrible tragedy. Others do. Some never ascribed to a faith in the first place, and instead spend their days casting about for a context to this condition we call humanness. The problem with much traditional Christian literature is this; when a character is pushed to a crisis, and the only change we read is “he fell on his knees, then and there, and accepted Jesus into his heart,” that incident may describe a beautiful sentiment, and may have value to a real person in real life, but as a reader, it doesn’t tell me anything. A reader wants details. He wants to see the sweat break out. She wants to hear the thoughts and words that accompany the character’s condition. Literature is literature. We want to see development. We want to get inside the characters. We want to get to know them. That’s why we care. Regardless of the genre label put on the book.

Doxology is a story in between. The book has a religious message; given its primary setting in rural north Louisiana, that message is Christian. But the characters are just people. They experience the same emotions all people do—love, joy, loss. Their conflicts grow and grow until they must be resolved. Like real people, they go astray, take paths of separation from God, or just from what is good for them. They experience desires that can never be fulfilled, want things that can never be had or even understood. They discover the traits in their lives that aren’t working, and set out to find new habits that will work. Many Christian values are universal—a belief, despite evidence to the contrary, that our lives are worthwhile. An understanding that letting go, and learning how little we are in charge, makes life more manageable. A certainty that the kindness and compassion we offer to others is returned to us a hundredfold.

Some say God. Some say the universe. But we all--when we’re honest, and when we pay attention, have a sense of something looking out for us, giving us what we need. Putting people we need into our lives. We give credit for these gifts as we see fit. Good literature promotes a point of view by showing the reader how a character’s modes of operation and beliefs work for her (or don’t). Good literature, whatever its genre, lets the reader inside. Lets the reader do part of the work. Doxology, in this vein, is a story at the crossroad of God and man. It presents God as the characters experience God, and as real people experience God, looking out for them, giving them what they need. Coming to understand how God has been there all along.

Doxology is a love story. Faith plays a role, as it helps the characters find answers and resolution, improves their lives. Like Jody and Vernon and the others, we all look for redemption from brokenness of the past. They and we find it, as people both real and imaginary alike do, in family, friends, productive work, a sense of place, a faith in something greater. Doxology is a story, first and foremost. Its characters face problems. Their conflicts grow. They look for resolutions and ultimately find them, imperfect as they are. We the readers get to know them, and we care. We sympathize. They matter.

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About the book: Fathers, sons and brothers reconnect over tragedy in this blue-collar Southern tale of love, loss, and the healing power of community and family. Get it on Amazon

About the author: An arborist by day and a novelist in every moment he can steal, Brian makes up stories from the treetops. Visit Brian on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

01 March, 2012

Debdatta Dasgupta March 01, 2012 5

#BookReview :: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen #YoungAdult #Contemporary

After two years, four towns and four schools later, McLean and her father Gus come to Lakeview. Upon her arrival, McLean plans out a new name and a new personality for their tenure at "just another stop", Lakeview. However, things get out of her control and she is stuck as McLean Sweet, even begin to form real friendships and being herself.

Mclean's parents messy divorce and the scandal of it serves as the backdrop of the story. The story then follows the life of a teenage girl coping with her life. The author portrays her anger, her frustration very well. Also, gives us an idea about why McLean felt like changing her name and a bit of her personality every time they started off somewhere new.

Then there are the characters like Dave, Riley and Deb. I couldn't but help falling in love with them. Dave is a geek with super high IQ level, who is striving to be more like a 'normal teenager'. He is understanding and fun. Riley is a good friend to both Dave and McLean. Through Deb, we realize that not all 'different' girls are abnormal. Given a chance everyone can fit in this society.

With every page, the author has revealed more about the life of each of the characters and added a bit more depth to the central characters.

Though I have quite a different life from that of McLean (definitely no divorce or custody battle), I can still identify with a lot of things from her life.