Anything - Review by Kelsey G.

Anything

By: Michael Baron

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About the book:

With Anything Michael Baron again draws readers into a world of deep emotion, compelling relationships, and heartfelt humor, and this time he adds a touch of fantasy. Ken and Melissa are at the dawn of a magnificent life together. A passionate romance has led them to the doorstep of marriage. While searching for the perfect wedding present for Melissa, Ken stumbles into a mysterious shop. There, he is given an extraordinary opportunity- to look in on Melissa when she was a girl. Ken has always wished he could have known Melissa from the day she was born and this seems like an incredible blessing. Until he discovers a terrible secret ion Melissa's past, one so awful she has found it impossible to mention to him.

Now Ken has another extraordinary opportunity. He can go back in time and change the horrible event that has left an indelible mark on Melissa. HE can free her of this burden - but doing so could change things so completely that they might never meet. Ken has repeatedly told Melissa he would do anything for her. But would he truly do anything?

Review by Kelsey G.

I'm going to just deal with the creepiness factor right up front. Yes. It is kind of skin-crawley for a grown man's fervent wish to be witnessing his wife's childhood. There is a strange moment where grown man Ken kisses three year old Melissa, his future lover and fiancee, on the cheek after a tricycle accident. However, this book is not intended to be creepy, and when Ken says he feels "diminished" by not knowing Melissa for the first thirty years of his life, the reader is meant to suspend their disbelief and just say "aw". If you can do that, this book becomes a fantastically entertaining escapade through time travel, romance, and the consequences of good intentions. The writing is fresh and true and feels more like a conversation with the author than actual prose. I recommend this book to anyone who can set aside their preconceptions and the jaded effect reality has on us and enjoy a tale of true, rare love and how much it changes us.

INTERVIEW - Nicole Langan of Tribute Books

Between The Pages is happy to introduce Nicole Langan of Tribute Books. Those of you who are interested in writing for the YA audience will want to check out the submission information contained in the interview below. And those who just love to read will want to keep track of this new exclusive e-book publisher of YA literature. Why don't we let Nicole tell us a little about Tribute Books.

Beginning in 2012, Tribute Books will become solely an ebook publisher of young adult titles.

We're looking to work with authors who are savvy with social media - those who blog, tweet and update their Facebook status on a daily basis.

Our preference is for authors who already have a book(s) published through a royalty-paying press. We want to work with those who are familiar with the ins and outs of the publishing process. We seek those who have experience having their work edited and know the effort required for successful book promotion.

1.  Why the change into e-books for young adults?
Our main reason is the explosion in popularity of e-readers such as the Kindle, Nook and iPad. Over the course of 2011, we've watched our ebook sales outpace our print sales by 2 to 1. The under $5 price point of most of our titles and the ease of purchase and delivery are surely contributing factors. No one age group integrates technology into their daily lifestyles like teenagers. They are constantly plugged in and connected 24/7 either by smart phone, electronic tablet, laptop, etc. They "get" ebooks.

2.  How are you taking submissions?
We're accepting submissions via email.  Our email address is: info@tribute-books.com

3.  What are the requirements for submission?
We're looking for Microsoft Word documents with a maximum of 350 pages of text with no photos, charts, illustrations, graphs, etc. Manuscripts that have already been professionally edited will receive greater consideration. Our preference is to work with authors who have already been published through a royalty-paying press and who know the ins and outs of book promotion. An established social media platform is a must, and we will not consider writers who do not have a well-followed blog, Facebook page or Twitter account.

4.  What kinds of young adult titles are you interested in?
Our preference is for damn good writing, the particular topic is secondary in importance. However, books written with a series in mind or those that delve into the paranormal will have a slight edge.

5.  Where will these ebooks be available?
The ebooks will be available through Kindle, Nook, iPad, Smashwords and as PDF downloads through Tribute-Books.com.

Review - Because of You by Cathy Maxwell

November 2011 – Re-Issue | Avon Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-380-79710-3 | ISBN: 0-380-79710-0

About The Book:


Is a reckless rogue worthy of the love of an innocent enchantress?

Pretty Samantha Northrup knows it is her duty to marry—but the chaste English vicar’s daughter secretly desires to be swept off her feet by a man whose kisses leave her breathless. And when a seductive stranger arrives at her door one stormy night, Samantha’s neat and orderly life is turned upside down—especially when she finds herself in a most compromising position . . . and is forced to marry a man she barely knows!
Samantha is unaware that her mystery bridegroom is Yale Carderock, the dashing, disinherited rakehell son of a duke, banished by his father years before. Now Lord Yale has returned—wealthier but only somewhat reformed—and he is bewitched by his lovely new bride’s awakening sensuality and innocent fire. But can this marriage of convenience be something more . . . and can a confirmed cad and society outcast truly change his ways enough to merit the lady’s tender love?

Review by Lynda:
Typical romance with some fresh twists.  If you like reading about star-crossed lovers, you'll love this retelling of BECAUSE OF YOU  by Cathy Maxwell. Intimacy occurs after the wedding, which is a plus for many readers. The characters of Samantha Northrup and Yale Carderock are colorfully defined. Different in every way, these two people will entertain you through the highs and lows of their discovery of each other.

Review - The Haunting of Twenthieth-Century America by William J. Birnes and Joel Martin

Review by Lynda:
Where do I begin? My mother used to tell me that if I didn't have anything good to say, not to say anything at all...

However, that's not an option, since I received this book from the publisher in expectation of an honest review. Maybe I presumed too much in my expectations. Nothing about this collection of disparate subjects, which read like essays, would warrant the given title of this book. I'm confused as to the purpose, or what conclusion the authors intended their readers to achieve.

In all fairness, even though I didn't enjoy this read, the mechanics and style are good and it does contain loads of information that would take hours to research and compile on your own. So, I'm going to leave the value and rating of this book up to those who might have a better perspective.

Review - Wild Thing by Robin Kaye

Wild Thing
By Robin Kaye

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About the Book:
In my new book Wild Thing, Whitewater-rafting guide Hunter Kincaid lands his dream job–guiding sportswear models through Idaho's rugged wilderness for a week-long photo shoot. When he meets Toni Russo, the goth New York manager of Action Models, there are enough sparks to set the forest ablaze.

When Hunter finds Toni's book on how to marry the man of your choice, he studies it as a joke. Before long Hunter realizes he's never cared enough for a woman to bother working this hard to get her. But the last man in the world this city girl wants is a Survivor Man wannabe...

Review by Lynda:
Combining oil and water is about as impossible a task as pairing the two characters in Wild Thing, Hunter Kincaid and Toni Russo. But author Robin Kaye gives it her best effort and the result is a story that is pure contemporary romance. Wild Thing is book five in Robin Kaye's "Domestic Gods" series, but reads well as a stand-alone.

Universe in Words: Review: 'Bending the Boyne' by J.S. Dunn

Universe in Words: Review: 'Bending the Boyne' by J.S. Dunn: Bending the Boyne was sent to me last month by Seriously Good Books , which is a publisher of historical fiction. It has won the 2011 Next ...

Bibliophile's Corner: Review: The Secret In Their Eyes by Eduardo Sacher...

Bibliophile's Corner: Review: The Secret In Their Eyes by Eduardo Sacher...: Benjamín Chaparro is a retired detective who is writing a book about a murder case he worked on years ago, and as he revisits the details of...

Review - The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes

The Virtuoso

By Grace Burrowes

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About The Book:
Ellen Markham tells herself she's happy raising flowers and living in near penury in the Oxfordshire countryside, but when Valentine Windham moves in just on the other side of the wood, Ellen's longing for things she can never have threatens to overcome her good sense. Valentine's artistic soul, tender loving, and ducal determination tempt Ellen to trust and confide in a man who can only be endangered, should he learn of her past. For Valentine, regaining his musical skill becomes far less urgent than winning Ellen's heart.

Review by Lynda:
Valentine Windham is a hero that will steal your heart with his sensitive and complex personality. He's handsome, rich, well-connected, and privileged, but he's also a descent human being with tragic circumstances. Author Grace Burrowes does a great job with this story, and I especially liked that the world of music is threaded throughout. Ellen Markham is a heroine with beauty and depth of character. She may not be the perfect match for Valentine, but she may be his only hope!

Review - The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

The Queen of Last Hopes

By Susan Higginbotham

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About The Book:

When fifteen-year-old Margaret of Anjou journeys from France to marry England’s Henry VI, she hopes that her wedding will mean a lasting peace between England and France. Instead, England’s losses of French territory infuriate the people, resulting in the horrific murder
of Margaret’s first friend in England, William de la Pole.

Pregnant at last after eight years of marriage, Margaret places her hopes in her coming child. Then the worst happens: the gentle, ineffectual Henry suddenly goes mad and cannot even recognize his longed-for son. As feuding nobles rush to exploit the situation, Margaret determines to protect the rights of her husband and her child.

Undaunted by exile, poverty, danger, and the slanders of her enemies, Margaret remains loyal to her cause even as those around her falter in their allegiances. For the man and the boy she loves best, she will risk everything—her reputation, her safety, and the future of England itself.

Review by Lynda:
As told primarily through the eyes of Margaret of Anjou and other key characters, this first-person account of the War of the Roses is thoroughly historical and is delivered with wonderful story-telling technique by it's author, Susan Higginbotham.This is the other-side-of-the-coin, as it were, in the recounting of this historical account.

A political marriage lands her in England, a hot bed of conniving and treachery. To survive in the struggle between the Houses of Lancaster and York, and their constant bid for power, this new queen fights for the tenuous rights of herself and her son. In this book, author Susan Higgenbotham gives us spectacles of a different color, so-to-speak. They may not be exactly 'Rosy' but they do allow us to see and observe these characters from a different angle than most historical accounts, and that is what I found most refreshing and interesting about this book. Definitely a good read for all those who enjoy historical sagas.

Review - Donations to Clarity by Noah Baird

Donations to Clarity
By Noah Baird


Noah Baird is touring in November & December 2011 with his humor book, Donations to Clarity!

About The Book:

The plan was simple: hoax bigfoot, then sell tours to bigfoot enthusiasts. The plan wasn’t brilliant, and neither were Harry, Earl, and Patch. The three chemical-abusing friends only wanted to avoid the 9 to 5 rat race, but their antics attract the attention of a real bigfoot. When the misogynistic Earl is mistaken for a female bigfoot by the nearsighted creature and captured; it is just the beginning of their problems.

The U.S. Government has a plan to naturalize the mythical creatures living within the U.S. borders.  The problem is the plan needs to be carried out carefully.  You can’t just drop little green men and Sasquatch in the middle of Walmart without warning Ma and Pa Taxpayer. The naturalization program is not ready to be set into motion, and the rogue bigfoot is bringing too much attention to itself, including a feisty investigative reporter who uncovers the truth of the government conspiracy and two bigfoot researchers. No longer able to contain the situation, government agents are tasked with eliminating the bigfoot and all witnesses.

Between bong hits and water balloon fights, Harry and Patch come up with a plan to save Earl and the lovestruck bigfoot. Where do you hide a giant, mythical creature? In an insane asylum, because who is going to listen to them?
Along the way, the three friends learn Star Wars was a government training film for children, the truth behind Elvis meeting President Nixon, and the significance of the weight of the human turd.

You can visit his website at www.noahbaird.com.

Review by Lynda: 
Hilariously irreverent and enlightening! Imagine putting together the most disparate topics, revealing their insanity, cloaking them in a somewhat believable absurdity, then observing what happens. This book is insanely funny throughout the entire reading. To be sure, the humor is probably better appreciated by the males of our species, but even the ladies will chuckle behind their well manicured hands at what the so-called stronger of the two sexes get up too in this story. Great quips centered around musical lyrics, imaginative descriptions, and a twisty plot will keep you reading. I'm not sure I'd want to meet the author in person because after reading this book, I suspect he's an escapee of some state mental hospital with alien connections. LOL- NOT REALLY - I'd love to meet Mr. Baird.