Beach City Indigo by Ruth Francisco

This is literature that has gone to the dogs. Oddly enough that is a good thing. This is a cute story about land development running amuck, political chicanery and man’s best friend. Find out what happens when a crooked politician runs into a stout hearted dog.

Ms. Francisco portrays dog and man living in harmony until disrupted by cruelty and greed. Although it had shades of Cruella De Vil meets Lady and the Tramp, Ms. Francisco creates her own solid but quirky characters. Kids will enjoy this as well as the die hard dog lovers. The story shows how cooperation and good will can overcome greed and avarice. Colorful and entertaining, I can only hope this gets published on paper as well as the Kindle. Kids will enjoy curling up with it.
I recommend the book.

Body of work of Ruth Francisco

Beautiful Dead, Jonas Book 1 by Eden Maguire

Jonas Book 1 of the Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire

Four inexplicable deaths in one high school sets the scene for this novel. Darina has lost Phoenix, the love of her young life. She stumbles upon Phoenix and other newly dead and discovers their secret need for redemption and closure.

This is not a stumbling, drooling zombie story. Ms. Maguire put the least offensive face on zombies I have ever encountered. The angst of a teen losing her love was portrayed with empathy and passion. She made a surprisingly believable pack of zombies. I thought her solution to past evil was realistic even if it would have been illegal and probably immoral. The book is the first in a series. I think it will be a huge hit with teen girls and teen guys who aren’t afraid of reading a book about love.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Eden Maguire

Web Site: none found

Writers Conference At the Pearl S. Buck House IN 1 DAY!!!!

Be there or  be square!

‘HOW-TO-WRITE’ PRESENTATIONS
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010

At the PEARL S. BUCK HOUSE, A National Historic Landmark®

I'll be there with my books!

Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov

Pehov may be well known in his native Russia but I had never heard of him until I read this book. I think the quality of this book will insure that Pehov will be known far and wide as well as in Russia. Shadow Harold, a master thief, finds himself enmeshed with the establishment to save the world as they know it.

Shadow Harold is an enjoyable rogue. Harold is a master thief of exceptional skill and a healthy interest in avoiding heroics. Pulled into quest to avoid the doom precipitated by The Nameless One, Harold finds himself surrounded by highly unlikely allies. The interplay between the allies, their likes, dislikes and individual peccadilloes provides both amusement and tension. Pehov provides suitable mystery and excellent action.

I highly recommend the book and am looking forward to the sequel.

Body of work of Alexey Pehov

Web site:

Writers Conference At the Pearl S. Buck House in One Month

Put it on your calendar!

‘HOW-TO-WRITE’ PRESENTATIONS
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010

At the PEARL S. BUCK HOUSE, A National Historic Landmark®

I'll be there with my books!

Celebrating Strong Women, International Woman’s Day, March 8, 2010

On this International Woman’s Day, I would like to celebrate the strength of women. Sadly there still are too many of my gender, who feels deep down in their heart of hearts, grossly threatened by accomplished women. That is a mystery to me.

If a person is accomplished, how can their gender diminish that accomplishment? I’m 6’2’’ and 220 pounds. The love of my life is a foot shorter and well over 100 pounds lighter than I am. Yet this diminutive dynamo kicks my butt on the golf course. She is more skilled, has greater consistency and is just better. I’m not keen on being beaten in anything by anyone. I am sadly aware that size and strength pale in comparison to skill in golf. So what if it is a tiny terror of feminine pulchritude, she beats me, gender has nothing to do with it.

Strength is not just measured by breadth of bicep or endurance; it is measured in character, dedication and perseverance. My personal life has been enormously enhanced by the strength of many of the women around me. Daughters, by law not birth, have honored me with their love and overwhelmed me with their skills. These women are mothers, wives, professionals and yet they have time and strength to show their father by law how incredibly wonderful it is to have daughters.

I feel a deep sadness for those of you too narrow minded or insecure to recognize the benefits of having women as equal partners in your life. For those of you in relationships or nations that are blind to the enormous wealth women can bring to life, open your eyes and see, second class citizens add little value. Equal partners double your worth. Look at the women around you and celebrate their existence on this International Woman’s Day!

Teen Tech Week by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Assoc.)

This sounds pretty cool. “Teen Tech Week 2010 is March 7-13!
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, librarians, educators, parents, and other concerned adults meant to encourage teens to take advantage of libraries' nonprint resources. The 2010 theme — Learn Create Share @ your library — fosters teen creativity and positions the library as a physical and virtual place for safe exploration of the many types of technology available at libraries, including DVDs, music, gaming, video production, online homework help, social networking, tech workshops, audiobooks and more.” (Direct from the YALSA Site)

Sourcebooks, one of the companies that provide me with books to review has jumped on Teen Tech Week to also promote teens reading. Their site has a bunch of very cool things going on to coincide with Teen Tech Week.

TeenFire is a social networking site that promotes the titles that Sourcebooks represents but it also promotes reading in general. Check out TeenFire and Teen Tech Week. The more kids we can get to read, the less we have to worry about their future!