Thursday, December 10, 2015

A 5 Star Book Review for Eve's Amulet Book 1 by Carole Avila.....

5 Stars for Eve's Amulet Book 1 by Carole Avila....

Front Cover.
Book Synopsis:
A psychic leaves her a present—but is it a blessing or a curse? When Mandy Ruhe receives a sacred amulet from a mysterious woman she’s never met, she is suddenly swept back in time to Texas 1845 and wakes up in the body of Carmena Luebber, owner of the Holiday Ranch. Until she can return to her own time, Mandy must assume Carmena’s role. As she endeavors to discover why she was sent into the past, Mandy is caught up in the lives of the people who work for Carmena—their struggles, hopes, and dreams—and ends up torn between the two men in love with the woman she portrays. But Mandy is forced to admit that she can’t have either one of them, no matter how much her heart wishes otherwise. Trapped in the past, she must complete an unknown task and return to the present—before she screws up the future. 

My Review:
First, I must say that I’m not a big fan of romance. The story has to interest me, first and foremost. Once I begin reading it has to hold my interest, or I just skip the end just to see how it finishes. Such was not the case with Eve’s Amulet. Carole Avila knows how to weave a story. She also knows how to do research and it all shows in the pages of this book. The story overflows with historical details that set the time and place. This is a fascinating read complete with romance, time travel, and historical fiction.
The pages turned quickly in this one for me and I think everyone that reads it will also find it an enjoyable, quick read. Two men, a new life and a trip 165 years in the past.
Looking for a good read? Like romances with a twist? How about a time travel romance with historical accuracy that takes place in 1845 Texas? May I recommend Eve’s Amulet Book 1?
Overall, Eve’s Amulet Book 1 is a satisfying read, it is able to hold the reader’s interest while taking one through twists and turns until it gets to the finish and then, it leaves an opening that leads to book 2.  I don’t know about you, but I’m anxiously waiting for that next book.


Back Cover.

 About the Author:
"When I was 3 years old I knew after reading Go, dog. Go! that I would become a writer. My writing sometimes reflects facets of myself or people I know, both good and not so good. It's great to be able to use the written word as a form of creative self-expression. I don't want to limit myself to one genre, and many of my books that are yet to be published are cross-genre."

Carole Avila, author
 
Carole Avila has won awards for her short stories, memoirs, and poetry, and has had a play produced. In addition to her love of writing, Carole is a fan of reading, playing scrabble, drawing, painting, and walking on natural trails. She loves spending time with her children, grandsons, and her two loyal dogs.
Carole says, "There's nothing better than a 5-star book and a hot chai latte."
Don't you agree? I sure do.






Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Released from Black Opal Books Oct. 24th, 2015 and available at all on-line retailers and indie booksellers.




My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
 
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Good Reads:       http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8423986.S_J_Francis


 
And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one. 



 


Friday, November 27, 2015

A 5 Star Book Review for Dogtology by Jeff Lazarus....

A 5 Star Book Review for Dogtology by Jeff Lazarus... 

Synopsis:
Dog·tol·o·gy
noun
 1. The belief in Dog.
 2. The system of rituals, practices, and behaviors engaged in by Dogtologists. 

Chew on this. As humans, we have a deep need to believe . . . a need to relate to something greater and more ideal than ourselves. Perhaps that's why so many millions believe in Dog. Man's devotion to Dog has come to rival the great -isms and -ologies of the world. This has gone way beyond a hobby. We may not literally worship Dogs, but we come pawfully close. This rabid reverence for Rover has a name: It's called Dogtology. Dogtology is for the dog lover who has bailed on a date because they didn't want Twinkles to be left home alone, for the human whose dog owns a more festive holiday wardrobe than they do, those whose pups dine on free-range bison burgers while they live off ramen, or whose smartphones have more photos of their dog than of the humans in their family.
Live. Bark. Believe. Dogtology is a humorous exploration of man's fanatical devotion to Dog. In this book, Lazarus makes the case that Dogtology has become a bone-a-fide belief system on par with the world's great philosophies and religions. 

My review:
Love dogs? So do I and I love this book! This is a wonderful book for dog lovers with beautiful illustrations.  At just 192 pages it is a quick read and you’ll find yourself easily flipping through the pages. Author Jeff Lazarus has a great way with words in this book. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll also find yourself nodding, smiling and agreeing at the author’s written words here. I am proud to call myself a dogtologist and after you read this book, you will be proud to call yourself one, too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book without hesitation to anyone that loves dogs, owns dogs or is just curious about the relationship between dogs and their owners. Hands down: I love this book! Live. Bark. Believe, and do it all over again.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-book copy from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

 About the Author:


One night while out to dinner on a first date, the author was asked, ''What's your religion?'' Without thinking, he blurted out jokingly, ''Dogtology.'' As he later thought about his response, he realized there was more truth to it than he'd intended--he didn't just love dogs, he adored them. All his life, he has been a dog advocate, dog rescuer, and dog whisperee. That's right; dogs talk to him. (In fact, Dog told him to write this book.)
 


Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Released from Black Opal Books Oct. 24th, 2015 and available at all on-line retailers and indie booksellers.   
     "Some secrets should remain that way."

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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

5 Out of 5 Stars for SAS Survival Handbook...

5 Out of 5 Stars for SAS Survival Handbook-Revised Edition-by John 'Lofty' Wiseman-paperback-March 3, 2009
 Front Cover.

My Review:

Prepare for the worst! Being Forewarned is being forearmed. Always be prepared!
Wow! This book astonished me: from the honesty to its intensity, this is an in-depth look at how to survive any situation in any climate. Though, I don't think I could kill my own game to eat; I'd probably revert to being a vegan, the information from how to trap to how to prep it is in there. And should I need to eat weeds and nuts, there are full color photos on the safe ones to eat and those to avoid, including those dangerous bugs and reptiles to avoid.
He provides you with information on how to put together a survival kit and a survival pouch. With these few items one puts together, one can surive anywhere, anytime.
It is a thick book and I'm still working my way through it, but I highly recommend it for reference. I sincerely hope I nor anyone else never needs to rely on it, but in these days of the increasing frequency and strength of natural and man-made disasters, one never knows.


      From Amazon.com:

For Any Climate, in Any Situation.
Newly updated to reflect the latest in survival knowledge and technology, the internationally bestselling SAS Survival Handbook is the definitive resource for all campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. From basic campcraft and navigation to fear management and strategies for coping with any type of disaster, this complete course includes:
Being prepared: Understanding basic survival needs and preparing essentials, such as a pocket survival kit.
Making camp: Finding the best location, constructing the appropriate shelter, organizing camp, and creating tools.
Food: What to eat, what to avoid, where to find it, and how to prepare it.
First aid: A comprehensive course in emergency/wilderness medicine, including how to maximize survival in any climate or when injured.
Disaster survival: How to react in the face of increasingly frequent natural disasters and hostile situations—and how to survive at home if all services and supplies are cut off.

 Back Cover.


      About the Author:

John 'Lofty' Wiseman served for 26 years with the Special Air Service and was their Chief Survival Instructor. He remains the foremost authority on SAS training techniques for civilians.


Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Released from Black Opal Books Oct. 24th, 2015 and available at all on-line retailers and indie booksellers.   
    'Some secrets should remain that way.".

My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com

 
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j


 
And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

 
 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Meow! Purrrr! Love Cats? Have I got a book review for you? Read on..

Fe-Lines French Cat Poems through the Ages   by Norman R Shapiro

Description:
The French have long had a love affair with the cat, expressed through centuries of poetry portraying the animal's wit and wonder. Norman R. Shapiro lionizes the felines' limitless allure in this one-of-a-kind collection. Spanning centuries and styles, he draws on she-cats and toms, and an honor roll of French poets, well known and lesser known, who have served as their devoted champions. He reveals the remarkable range of French cat poems, with most works presented here for the first time in English translation. Scrupulously devoted to evoking the meaning and music of the originals, Shapiro also respects the works' formal structures. Pairing his translations with Olga Pastuchiv's elegant illustrations, Fe-Lines guides the reader through the marvels and inscrutabilities of the Mystique feline.
 
My review:
The French aren’t the only ones that love cats, but this book shows how much their love affair with the cat is. I love cats and poetry. Hence, this was a natural read for me. I love this book and highly recommend it. Author Norman Shapiro translates the poems, and then provides the originals in the back of the book, making this volume ideal for those who read either or both English and French. Of course, this book is all about cats. The poems cover the modern and classic.
Overall, for anyone that adores poetry and/or cats, I highly recommend this book for you. 
 
About the author:
Norman R. Shapiro, translator of French poetry and theater, is Distinguished Professor of Literary Translation at Wesleyan University. As Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République Française and member of the Academy of American Poets, he has published numerous award-winning collections, including The Complete Fables of Jean de La Fontaine. Olga Pastuchiv's art enlivens a number of volumes, among them her children's picture book Minas and the Fish.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-book copy from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review. 


Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Now available from Black Opal Books at all on-line retailers and independent bookstores.
            My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j

 
 
 
 


And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

5 Stars for Beautiful Old Dogs by Garry Gross...A Wonderful, beautiful book of senior dogs.

5 Stars for Beautiful Old Dogs by Garry Gross... A Wonderful, beautiful book of senior dogs.


 Front Cover.


Gandhi once wisely said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way that its animals are treated.” True, and if you look around the United States or any other country, you quickly see that no country is truly great since they treat their animals so poorly.

 Front Page.


Warning: If you cry easily, be prepared to read this book slowly. I had to because some of the stories are sad, while others are so beautiful they made me cry too, which made it difficult to read all in one sitting.

        First Photo.

    This compilation of color photos of beautiful old dogs and selection of essays written by different dog owners is a heartwarming and heart wrenching read. Essays were contributed by Anna Quidlen, Doris Day, Ally Sheedy, Dean Koontz and more. Garry Gross, a noted fashion photographer and the photographer of this book believed in senior dogs and wanted to focus his photography skills on them bringing awareness to these patient and loving, loyal animals that are often overlooked at shelters in favor of younger dogs. They’re often abandoned by their families in favor of a younger dog. Shameful and terrible but sadly true. Mr. Gross did a wonderful job here. If you’re a fan of photography in general, a dog lover, a senior dog lover, you will love this book. Beautiful Old Dogs is “A Loving Tribute to Our Senior Best Friends.”
 Another Photo.

I currently have five pet children, three of which are seniors, two are dogs. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of caring for many senior animals until death did us part. I once adopted a six month old full grown puppy over a dozen tiny newborn pups because she was it for me. I once adopted a seven year old huskie/shepherd mix that had spent most of his life in the shelter. I love older dogs and I truly believe that senior pets are to be admired, not discarded like an old shoe. Older dogs are mature, loyal, patient and full of wisdom that is to be admired. And the photos in this book bring that out in each dog.
                                 Back Cover.
About the Author:
DAVID TABATSKY is a writer, editor, teacher and performing artist. He is the also the founder of Write for Life, dedicated to presenting writing and communication workshops in cancer centers around the country for patients, caregivers and medical staff. He teaches writing at The Cooper Union and circus arts and theatre in New York City public schools.  Garry Gross (1937-2010) was a professional photographer, well-known for his portraits of dogs.
Inside Cover.
 
Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.

            My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j

 
 
 
 


 
 
 

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Are You Ready for An Edge of Your Seat Non-Fiction Suspense Book? Check out this one....

Avenue of Spies: A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and One American Family's Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris
 

Amazon.com synopsis:
The best-selling author of The Liberator brings to life the incredible true story of an American doctor in Paris, and his heroic espionage efforts during World War II.
The leafy Avenue Foch, one of the most exclusive residential streets in Nazi-occupied France, was Paris's hotbed of daring spies, murderous secret police, amoral informers, and Vichy collaborators. So when American physician Sumner Jackson, who lived with his wife and young son Phillip at Number 11, found himself drawn into the Liberation network of the French resistance, he knew the stakes were impossibly high. Just down the road at Number 31 was the "mad sadist" Theodor Dannecker, an Eichmann protégé charged with deporting French Jews to concentration camps. And Number 84 housed the Parisian headquarters of the Gestapo, run by the most effective spy hunter in Nazi Germany.
From his office at the American Hospital, itself an epicenter of Allied and Axis intrigue, Jackson smuggled fallen Allied fighter pilots safely out of France, a job complicated by the hospital director's close ties to collaborationist Vichy. After witnessing the brutal round-up of his Jewish friends, Jackson invited Liberation to officially operate out of his home at Number 11--but the noose soon began to tighten. When his secret life was discovered by his Nazi neighbors, he and his family were forced to undertake a journey into the dark heart of the war-torn continent from which there was little chance of return.
Drawing upon a wealth of primary source material and extensive interviews with Phillip Jackson, Alex Kershaw recreates the City of Light during its darkest days. The untold story of the Jackson family anchors the suspenseful narrative, and Kershaw dazzles readers with the vivid immediacy of the best spy thrillers. Awash with the tense atmosphere of World War II's Europe, Avenue of Spies introduces us to the brave doctor who risked everything to defy Hitler. 

About the Author:
ALEX KERSHAW is the New York Times bestselling author of several books on World War II, including The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter. He lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts. 

My review:    

WWII was a scary time, especially for those countries in the midst of it. Imagine being in the midst of it all. It being in your neighborhood, on your street. That is what happens to the Jackson family during WWII. Paris’s exclusive Avenue Foch was a “hotbed of daring spies”, and in the midst of it lived an American physician Sumner Jackson, his Swiss born Wife and their son Phillip. “There was no more dangerous place in all of occupied Europe than their street.” (From the cover leaf).

From the opening chapter to the end this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and you’ll want to read more until you finally finish it. In the opening chapter, brilliant surgeon Sumner Jackson fights to save lives, while amputating limbs in the dimmest light while bodies continue to pile up. This book isn’t for the faint of heart, but the heart is a mighty strong muscle as evidenced by the Jackson family. While French Jews around them are rounded up by their Nazi neighbors, the Jackson family do what they can to defy Hitler and his German rule

This is a true story. This is a human story. This is a story that I highly recommend to others without hesitation. Avenue of Spies is a scary read because it could happen anywhere at any time. In this case, it happened at the most volatile time in our history. As this book shows, heroes are ordinary people in the wrong place at the right time.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-book copy from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Available now from Black Opal Books at on-line retailers and independent booksellers.
            My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j

 
 
 
 


And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

A 5 star Review for The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly: A Physician's First Year by Matt McCarthy...


Every Doctor and Patient Should Read this One…..My 5 star review....

Book Synopsis:

In medical school, Matt McCarthy dreamed of being a different kind of doctor—the sort of mythical, unflappable physician who could reach unreachable patients. But when a new admission to the critical care unit almost died his first night on call, he found himself scrambling. Visions of mastery quickly gave way to hopes of simply surviving hospital life, where confidence was hard to come by and no amount of med school training could dispel the terror of facing actual patients.
This funny, candid memoir of McCarthy’s intern year at a New York hospital provides a scorchingly frank look at how doctors are made, taking readers into patients’ rooms and doctors’ conferences to witness a physician's journey from ineptitude to competence. McCarthy's one stroke of luck paired him with a brilliant second-year adviser he called “Baio” (owing to his resemblance to the Charles in Charge star), who proved to be a remarkable teacher with a wicked sense of humor. McCarthy would learn even more from the people he cared for, including a man named Benny, who was living in the hospital for months at a time awaiting a heart transplant. But no teacher could help McCarthy when an accident put his own health at risk, and showed him all too painfully the thin line between doctor and patient.
The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly offers a window on to hospital life that dispenses with sanctimony and self-seriousness while emphasizing the black-comic paradox of becoming a doctor: How do you learn to save lives in a job where there is no practice?

                                                        
My Book Review:
   If you’ve ever wondered why your physician lacks a good bedside manner, behaves as if he was God, or is the most pleasant doctor you ever met, read this book and you’ll soon find out why. Future doctors receive no training in medical school in how to become a doctor. That sort of training comes after graduation from medical school and is learned in on the job training. From the doctors that they work with, train under, from the patients they tend to, these new doctors as interns are molded into the doctor you see now. In the Real Doctor Will See You Shortly, idealistic recent medical school graduate Dr. Matt McCarthy takes us through his first year of his internship, his on-the-job training. During this first year, he endured thirty hour shifts, and worked in every area of medicine to help him determine what kind of medicine he will eventually practice. At one point, he says it best, “Learning medicine was about being thrown into the fire, learning on the fly….” Can you imagine saying awake for thirty hours straight, full of donuts and coffee and be expected to make an accurate diagnosis of a patient? Crazy huh? Unbelievable? Absolutely. These young doctors have no clue on how to take blood, read X-rays or other elated tasks until now, while they’re interns. “So many things go into being a doctor,” he said. “connecting with patients, medical knowledge, performing procedures-on any given day you can consider yourself a failure at one of them. Or all of them. You can beat yourself up to the point that you’re ready to quit. But on the other hand…at any moment you can look around and say, ‘I’m better than that guy. I’m a better doctor that her.”    

     Told through his eager, enthusiastic eyes with humor, his book is harrowing, uplifting, scary and hilarious. This book covers everything you ever wanted to know about what it takes in becoming a doctor. Whether you’re interested in becoming a doctor, or wish to know what training your doctor had that made him/her a good or bad doctor, this is the book to read. In fact, I’d like to hand out a copy to every patient in order to tell them that their doctor isn’t God. Like us he/she is just a human and they can’t perform miracles. I’d also like to give every doctor a copy in order to remind them of the same. This was an excellent, informative and enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. 
 

About the Author:

MATT MCCARTHY is an assistant professor of medicine at Cornell and a staff physician at Weill Cornell Medical Center. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Slate, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Deadspin, where he writes the Medspin column. His first book, Odd Man Out, was a New York Times bestseller.
 
Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchanged for a fair and honest review.
 
 

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.

My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
My web page: http://sjfranciswriter.com
 
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
 
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
 
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j


 
And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
 
 

 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

5 Out of 5 Stars for Book of North American Birds by Reader's Digest....

5 Out of 5 stars for this Terrific book:
 Front Cover.

My Review:

This truly is a beautiful book; full of colorful illustrations. Any bird lover will enjoy this book. I know I do.  I've already referred to it a half a dozen times in the few weeks I've owned it. Love birds? You'll love this book.
 
 
About the Book from amazon.com:
 
This attractive and informative book of 600 species includes a "special collection" of more than 100 species that are rare. Each portrait includes full-color original artwork; details on identification, habitat, nesting, and food; and a color-coded range map.

From Library Journal

This attractive book, the product of 16 writers and 22 artists, consists of over 450 page-length species accounts which feature a high-quality color painting, a half-page anecdotal narrative essay, a range map, a drawing, plus small sections detailing the bird's identification, habitat, and food. Smaller accounts (three per page) for 117 scarcer birds follow the full-page ones. Appended is a 40-page section with thumbnail sketches of the best birding areas in the United States and Canada. This is not a reference book for seasoned birders, but will serve admirably as an informal source of selected, basic information on 600 species, the ones most likely to be seen in North America. Recommended for public libraries.
- Henry T. Armistead, Thomas Jefferson Univ. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,

S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
View My ShoutOut:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
My Blogs: sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com 
A Book Review 4 U: abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: aconsumersview.blogspot.com
OnefortheAnimals:    onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
 
 

Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j




And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

4 Out of 5 Stars for Ruby by Cynthia Bond.....

Ruby by Cynthia Bond is a harrowing read & sad tale. Not for faint of heart.
My Review:
Ruby is a harrowing, difficult read because of both the sad story and the period dialogue, but it touches the reader deeply in some places the reader may not dare go. The subject matter is profound with no holds barred. At times, I could cry while reading it. At other times, I wanted to cheer Ephram and Ruby on. I won’t say anymore. I don’t want to give anything away. It’s a story you won’t read about every day. I wouldn’t advise it for the faint of heart.

Unfortunately, at times, the writer lost me without clear drawn lines between the present and flashbacks, which caused me to go back and re-read portions here and there to ensure what timeframe the characters were in.

Overall, this books is beautifully written despite the horrible subject matter, though some of the writing seemed forced and superfluous.  For me, I prefer books that entertain and make me laugh. I hate depressing tales like this that force me to go on, but I have no regrets over reading Ruby. It’s a touching story that continually pulls at the heartstrings. I applaud the author for giving an ending instead of letting the reader guess for his/her self how it ended. Ruby is distressing, but well worth a read.
 
From amazon.com:                      
 
The newest Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection
The epic, unforgettable story of a man determined to protect the woman he loves from the town desperate to destroy her, this beautiful and devastating debut heralds the arrival of a major new voice in fiction.

Synopsis:
Ephram Jennings has never forgotten the beautiful girl with the long braids running through the piney woods of Liberty, their small East Texas town. Young Ruby Bell, “the kind of pretty it hurt to look at,” has suffered beyond imagining, so as soon as she can, she flees suffocating Liberty for the bright pull of 1950s New York. Ruby quickly winds her way into the ripe center of the city—the darkened piano bars and hidden alleyways of the Village—all the while hoping for a glimpse of the red hair and green eyes of her mother. When a telegram from her cousin forces her to return home, thirty-year-old Ruby finds herself reliving the devastating violence of her girlhood. With the terrifying realization that she might not be strong enough to fight her way back out again, Ruby struggles to survive her memories of the town’s dark past. Meanwhile, Ephram must choose between loyalty to the sister who raised him and the chance for a life with the woman he has loved since he was a boy.

Full of life, exquisitely written, and suffused with the pastoral beauty of the rural South, Ruby is a transcendent novel of passion and courage. This wondrous page-turner rushes through the red dust and gossip of Main Street, to the pit fire where men swill bootleg outside Bloom’s Juke, to Celia Jennings’s kitchen, where a cake is being made, yolk by yolk, that Ephram will use to try to begin again with Ruby. Utterly transfixing, with unforgettable characters, riveting suspense, and breathtaking, luminous prose, Ruby offers an unflinching portrait of man’s dark acts and the promise of the redemptive power of love.
 
About the author:
Writer and educator Cynthia Bond has taught writing to homeless and at-risk youth throughout Los Angeles for over fifteen years. Cynthia attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, then moved to New York and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Cynthia acted for many years in New York with the Negro Ensemble Company. A PEN Rosenthal Fellow, Cynthia founded the Blackbird Writing Collective in 2011. At present, Bond teaches therapeutic writing at Paradigm Malibu Adolescent Treatment Center. Her novel RUBY is published by Hogarth Press, a division of Random House in April 2014. A native of East Texas, she lives in Los Angeles with her daughter.
 
Until next review, stay safe. Smile! Show compassion to others. Be nice to one another. Read a book and pass it on. Review it. Cheers!
Regards,
S.J. Francis

In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming in 2015 from Black Opal Books.
 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
 
 

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.