Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Vanguard Press; 1 edition (November 8, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1593156847 ISBN-13: 978-1593156848	Order book here:
		Order E-book here:

Characters

AJ Palladino – Environmental Activist
David Palladino – AJ’s Son, 9 Years Old with Cererbral Palsy
Ty Stillwater – Sheriff’s Deputy
Elizabeth Hardy – AJ’s Lawyer/Business Partner
Owen Grandel – Power Plant Executive

Review

Erin Brockovich is famous for her role as an environmental activist. In this, her second novel co-writter with thriller writer CJ Lyons, they again tackle environmental issues. The issue this time is one of a nuclear power plant. While the plant may seem perfect on the surface, there are underlying facts that AJ Palladino uncovers. She’s originally brought in as a consultant, with the idea that her okay would carry a lot of weight. But other forces have a different idea.

In a secondary subplot, her late husband’s father is making a custody grab for her 9 year old son David. He is willing to go to any measures to have David live with him. Is there a line though he won’t cross? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I thought it was a very well written story. The chracters were likeable and you really got involved in their lives. While it was my first introduction to the characters, I found myself hoping for them to come through at the end. I’d definitely recommend this to all the thriller fans out there, and to those who have an interest in environmental issues.

About the Author

Erin Brockovich-Ellis (born June 22, 1960) is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993. Since the release of the film that shares her story and name, she has hosted Challenge America with Erin Brockovich on ABC and Final Justice on Zone Reality. She is the president of Brockovich Research & Consulting, a consulting firm. She is currently working as a consultant for Girardi & Keese, the New York law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, which has a focus on personal injury claims for asbestos exposure, and Shine Lawyers in Australia.

As a pediatric ER doctor, New York Times Bestseller CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

CJ has been called a “master within the genre” (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as “breathtakingly fast-paced” and “riveting” (Publishers Weekly) with “characters with beating hearts and three dimensions” (Newsday).

Her newest project is as co-author of a new suspense series with Erin Brockovich. Learn more about CJ’s Thrillers with Heart at http://www.cjlyons.net

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to LeYane at FSB Associates for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Paperback: 26 pages Publisher: CreateSpace (October 8, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1466394609 ISBN-13: 978-1466394605	Order book here:

Characters

Drake – The big Dog
Zoe – The Old Dog

Synopsis:

Drake is a dog afraid of Halloween. Zoe introduces him to a game, telling him that when something scares him to turn it into something funny.
Review

This book was a fun story. Much of it was told in a rhyming prose. I could see the ideas it presented a being helpful to children in coping with their fears, or even adults. The advice is pretty simple. For those with children, I’m sure fears of everything from the monster under the bed to the boogeyman in the closet are a struggle to deal with. But the idea in this book is to turn them into something funny. Have the child imagine that boogeyman in spiderman underwear. While banishing their fear, this book also enhances their creativity, which according to the author was one of the main objectives of the book.

I would recommend this for all parents who struggle with their child and fear.

Please see our interview with Ms. Howell here.

Ms. Howell is on a virtual tour for BK Walker Books. Here is her tour schedule.

Schedule

December 22 – Kick Off at VBT Cafe’ Blog
December 27 – Review at Loves To Read
December 29 – Guest Blogging at AZ Publishing Services
December 29 – Interviewed at KWOD Radio 7:30pm EST
January 2 – Review & Interviewed at Rhodes Review
January 4 – Reviewed at Sacred Legacy Reviews
January 7 – Reviewed at From The TBR Pile
January 9 – Guest Blogging at BK Walker Books Etc
January 11 – Interviewed at Reviews & Interviews
January 17 – Interviewed at BK Media Entertainment
January 19 – Interviewed at Writing Innovations
January 24 – Guest Blogging with Louise James
January 26 – Review & Guest Blogging at Mad Moose Mama

About the Author

Ever since she was young, Kiki Howell loved to listen to a well-woven tale with real characters, inspired plots, and delightful resolutions. Kiki could spend hours lost in a book, and soon she knew that creating lives, loves, and losses with just words had to be the greatest thing that she could do. To that end, she pursued her study of literature and writing, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She then followed in a Master’s program in Creative Writing.

“After a long break having my boys, I finally just had to write again. And, as soon as I gave the stories the space, they entered it. It’s both awesome and humbling to find the words in my mind become characters on a page and create their lives.”

Kiki resides in the Midwest with her incredibly handsome and talented, singer/songwriter husband and two children. When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family, reading, baking or knitting.

Her biggest dream is to have a novel she writes be made into a movie that her husband creates the soundtrack for, and then cruise to Alaska with her family on the money they make.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Brandi at BK Walker books for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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Today we are pleased to have visit with us Kiki Howell, author of What are you afraid of?

Rhodes Review: What inspired you to write What are you afraid of?

 Kiki Howell: Actually, it was a lot of little things that came together from the need to write a book dealing with kids fears (having been a fearful child myself), to research my husband was doing finding a link between creativity and compassion (knowing we often damage the creative mind when dealing with fears), to  noticing my hundred pound dog was afraid of children in costumes…it just all came together finally to form my story.

 Rhodes Review:When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

 Kiki Howell:Not sure really, but I was really young. I realized early on that when I didn’t like a story that I re-wrote it in my head the way I wanted it to go. LOL

 Rhodes Review:How did you start writing?

 Kiki Howell:I have written since I could put pen to paper really, but off and on as life allowed.

 Rhodes Review:What would your ideal career be, if you couldn’t be a writer?

 Kiki Howell:Hmmm, not sure really. I have often joked about not knowing what I want to be when I grow up. I have a degree to teach Secondary English Education, but can’t imagine going back into a classroom now. I am crafty and I love helping others, but not sure what career would let me do both!

 Rhodes Review:How long does it take you to write a book?

 Kiki Howell:A few months usually at novel length, but only because I become obsessed until it is done  

 Rhodes Review:What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

 Kiki Howell:I write from the time my kids get on the bus till the time they get off the bus, roughly seven to three each day. I always say I am going to take an hour to exercise, but often write right through it

 Rhodes Review:What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Kiki Howell:I spend way too much time staring at a sentence sometimes just playing with the words until I think they fall together just right. 

Rhodes Review:What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Kiki Howell:Spend time with my family, knitting, drawing, etc.

Rhodes Review:What are your favorite authors/books?

Kiki Howell:Wow, couldn’t possibly say. I read in as many, if not more genres than I write in *giggles*

Rhodes Review:If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Kiki Howell:Jane Austen. Preferably, I would like to go back in a time machine and have that meal in Regency England as well! 

Rhodes Review o you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

 Kiki Howell:Only to stay true to your story. Don’t question it. Don’t write it wondering what others will think.

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	Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (December 8, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0316021849 ISBN-13: 978-0316021845	Order book here:
		Order E-book here:

Review

This book is not only a Memoir of Donna Britt’s life, but a beautiful tribute to her brother Darrell.  Darrell Britt was killed in 1977 by two police officers.  His only crime it seems from this book was asking someone for a ride.  However, the story goes deeper than that.  Ms. Britt covers a lifelong habit she has had of giving to all the men in her life, sometimes at the sacrifice of her own desires and needs. 

The book can be brutal at times, like when she discusses how she lost her virginity to date rape.  Throughout the story though, you get a great sense in her inner strength.  I’d not heard of Ms. Britt prior to reading this book, but I find her quite admirable as a woman.

The book was a very interesting and heart wrenching memoir.  I managed to complete it in 2 days, so it’s also very compelling.  At the end you feel like you’ve gotten to know her and her siblings, particularly her brother Darrell.  But more importantly, I think, you get to understand women better, and black women it seems in particular. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are always giving and not getting any appreciation back.  I think it’s probably geared towards those women.  Anyone else who enjoys a good memoir I think would also find something to appreciate within the pages of this book.

About the Author:

Donna Britt is a former syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, writing on issues both topical and personal. She has won awards from the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the National Association of Black Journalists, and other organizations, and has been featured on Oprah, C-Span, and NPR. She lives in Maryland with her husband, youngest son, and male dog.

Be sure and enter our contest to win a copy here.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Anna at Hachette Book Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book group I”m able to offer my readers 3 copies of this book. To enter, follow these simple rules:

1) One Entry if you’re a follower [You can follow through Google Friend connect to the right, you can also sign up to follow through Twitter or Facebook].
2) An Additonal Entry if you blog about this contest.
3) An Additonal Entry if you’re a new follower.
4) One entry each for posting on facebook and/or twitter.
5) Must leave a comment letting me know how you follow me, blog link to this post, facebook/twitter link, etc.
6) Contest will continue until 12/24/2011.
7) This giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada. No PO Box addresses (street mailing only).

See our review here.

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	Paperback: 300 pages Publisher: Tyrus Books; NONE edition (July 26, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1935562533 ISBN-13: 978-1935562535	Order book here:
		Order E-book here:

Characters

Michael DeCastro – Public Defender
Wen-Ling- Female Crime Boss
Tuki Aparecio - Michael’s Love Interest. 
Caesar DeCastro – Michael’s Father

Review

Tuki Aparecio is hiding a secret. The secret is the location of a gem. A gem that’s important enough for someone to want to kill. When Tuki is kidnapped by Wen-Ling, a female vietnamese crime boss, Michael DeCastro and his father Caesar must do everything possible to rescue her. Their journey will take them all over Vietnam in pursuit of Wen-Ling.

I liked the story to this. The author gives you a good look at the criminal world of post Vietnam War Vietnam. The characters were interesting, and Tuki in particular was an interesting character. There is quite a bit of violence, but it’s necessary to the story.

I liked the book and would recommend it, but at the same time I felt like I came in to the story late, possibly because this is 6th in a series. I think I’d have had a bigger connection to the characters if I’d been with them from the beginning.

However, I would recommend it for fans of mysteries, and especially for those who like mysteries set in exotic locales.

About the Author

Randall Peffer is an instructor at Philips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He is the author of the Cape Islands Mystery Series, including Killling Neptune’s Daughter, Provincetown Follies/Bangkok Blues, Old School Bones, and Bangkok Dragons/Cape Cod Tears. He is also the author of Southern Seahawk. His nonfiction books include Logs of the Dead Pirate Society and Watermen.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to LeYane at FSB Associates for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: Readers Digest (June 9, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1606522450 ISBN-13: 978-1606522455	Order book here:
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Review

This is another in the Reader’s Digest Blackboard Series of books.  Like all the other, I really enjoyed this and managed to learn a lot from it.  This one concentrated on Geography.  The contents went from continent to continent detailing the enviroment, weather patterns, layouts, and the countries lying within each continent.

For the things you might not remember from school, or just as a reference book on specific subjects, I find these books very worthwhile.  Like the rest in the series, this one is no exception, and I’d recommend it for either your own knowledge or as a gift.  With the Christmas season coming up, it would also make a great stocking stuffer. 

About the Author

Born twenty-five yards from the Marston Brewery in Burton upon Trent, Will Williams always knew that places would be important in his life. After a good state school education at King Edward’s, Lichfield, he went on to Hertford College, Oxford, where he read Geography. Though secretly harboring a desire to be a stuntman, he is currently entrenched as the Head of Geography at St Paul’s School, London. The place he calls home, though, is near the banks of the Garonne in South West France, with his wife Christelle and daughter Fleuve.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Anna at FSB Associates for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Hardcover: 448 pages Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; November 7, 2011 Language: English ISBN-10: 0316129399 ISBN-13: 978-0316129398	Order book here:
		Order E-book here:

Review

This book was different. I’m more used to books that tell a linear story. Rather than do that, Mr. Orner has chosen to present the fictional character through what seems to be a series of essays and letters. It has a tendency to jump around in time which can be a bit distracting. I liked the characters, and found their lives to be interesting. I can definitely see why this book has earned the literary praise it has, it is well written.

For those reader who enjoy the more literary type novels, I think this would probably be a great choice. I’m not sure it would be everyone’s taste in books, due to the fact that it tends to jump around and doesn’t seem to have an overall story.

I’d recommend it as being good, but I’m not really sure that it was my style of book. For that I’d recommend caution to the average reader.

About the Author:

Peter Orner was born in Chicago and is the author of two widely praised books, Esther Stories and The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo. Orner is also the editor of two books of nonfiction, Underground America and Hope Deferred: Narratives of Zimbabwean Lives. His work has appeared in the Atlantic Monthly and The Best American Short Stories, and has been awarded two Pushcart Prizes. A 2006 Guggenheim Fellow, Orner has taught at the University of Montana and the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa and is a faculty member at San Francisco State University. He lives in San Francisco.

Be sure and enter our contest to win a copy here.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Anna at Hachette Book Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book group I”m able to offer my readers 2 copies of this book. To enter, follow these simple rules:

1) One Entry if you’re a follower [You can follow through Google Friend connect to the right, you can also sign up to follow through Twitter or Facebook].
2) An Additonal Entry if you blog about this contest.
3) An Additonal Entry if you’re a new follower.
4) One entry each for posting on facebook and/or twitter.
5) Must leave a comment letting me know how you follow me, blog link to this post, facebook/twitter link, etc.
6) Contest will continue until 12/21/2011.
7) This giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada. No PO Box addresses (street mailing only).

See our review here.

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My friend Ramon Terrell is celebrating the release of his second novel Legends of a Shattered Age next week. To celebrate this, he’s offering a free electonic copy of the first novel in the series, Echoes of a Shattered Age. if you are into fantasy novels and sword and sorcery epic tales, then run and grab your copy. The coupon code is: BV86C.  The link to the book is here

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