Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri -- A Book Review

Five children from various cities disappear one night only to reappear years later in New York City. They are part of the Faust family. Each has their own desires for what they feel is success. The events that led the children to reach out to the governess in the first place are directly related to the ideas of success that each desires. In order for them to achieve their "success" they make deals with their governess for gifts/abilities.

There are prices for receiving these gifts. As each desires more, there are more questions about the motives of the governess. What is she really trying to accomplish? What is in it for her?

The authors paint a great picture of the flaws in desiring superficial accolades to heal an emotional hurt. As each character develops, their fragile natures are explored. As much as this is a modern view of the Faustian bargain, it is a close tale of the pressures many teenagers will face today.

The authors are able to use not only spoken language but thoughts to truly convey what is happening for each character. You feel the pressures, insecurities, drives, and desires of them. The reader will not just be told what is happening. They will become part of the world created. Readers will relate to and enjoy reading this book.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Undone By Karin Slaughter -- A Book Review

A victim of a vicious torturer escapes and ends up in an emergency room in Atlanta. It is here that three characters from previous Karin Slaughter works cross paths. Sara Linton from Faithless plus Will Trent and Faith Mitchell from Fractured each take a distinct path in helping this woman known only as Anna.

As the characters relate memories from their past to the case, conflict and new relationships arise. As a new deadline looms the characters are forced to work through their personal issues and catch the culprit before more women are seriously injured or tortured.

Tensions rise with each dead end. The suspense builds within the reader as each suspect manages to be cleared only to be brought back into the light. Slaughter is able to truly make this a mystery.

In the end the reader will enjoy this mystery and may be surprised at the final climatic scenes. The detail Slaughter uses pulls the reader into the horrifying crimes. A sense of dread creeps up on the characters and readers with each new development of the case.

It was hard to put down this book because the action was non-stop. The depth of the characters was a welcome surprise. This reader was left wanting more of the characters and is hoping for another book where these three reunite.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe -- A Book Review

Connie Goodwin leaves her post-graduate studies at Harvard University to assist in cleaning up and selling her Granna's house. She does this as a begrudging favor to her mother with whom she has had strained relationship due to their similarly opposing personalities.

As the summer progresses Connie finds herself seeking not only a primary source for her PhD dissertation but the history of a woman that has captured her imagination. Along the way Connie begins to open her mind to things about herself and the history she studied all these years.

Connie soon finds herself having visions of history that are too real to explain through logic. As her relationship with a steeplejack Sam progresses, her life soon begins to mirror that of the woman in the family tree she is researching.

Katherine Howe has produced an intriguing character that complements the factual and fictional history within her book. Connie lives both in her today and other people's yesterdays. This dynamic is beautifully built into the character that develops. Howe has truly blended the plot with the character in this book.

The use of various languages throughout the book takes the reader back to the time of Deliverance Dane and the Salem witch trials. The images invoked by Howe's descriptors is magnificent and allows the reader to be alongside the characters' journeys. This is sure to be on the must-read lists of tomorrow.

I highly recommend this book to all readers.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Sandra Krajewski - There Are No Lighthouses In Kentucky -- An Author Interview

It was a hectic Thursday when Sandra met with me at the Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA. She took time from her teaching position to speak with me about her books and future projects.

She arrived early and enjoyed a bite from the café with me. It was during the first few moments that her warm, engaging personality became evident. She spoke openly about her current job, writing goals, and publishing experiences.

Sandra’s first book There Are No Lighthouses In Kentucky was written in four months. The story is about a woman, Dee, who is in an abusive relationship. She can only escape by giving up her children. When she returns to Kentucky, the process of rebuilding her life begins. This book has a deep connection for Ms. Krajewski. As she spoke about the plot, her demeanor shifted.

Sandra stressed with great passion that psychological and physical abuse go hand-in-hand and it was the less discussed psychological abuse that spurred her to write the book. She said that one “doesn’t have to see abuse to see hurt.”

Her hope was to create awareness for her audience. Most people may not understand that the situation is surreal for someone experiencing abuse. They don’t know how they got there but realize it is most dangerous when they threaten to leave.

Sandra hopes to create the audio version of this book so that the audience can further get into the characters. This next step would be in line with her role as an advocate for education on the mental side of abuse.

As the topic became too close to her heart, we adjusted the conversation to her children’s books. She wrote six in two years. One of which, Numbers With Attitude won her the Author of the Year for Children’s Book from her publishing company. She was flown to Seattle in November 2008 for the award ceremony. Her son-in-law, Frantz Augustin, did the illustrations which also won an award.

Her hometown honored her with a community day. The town is small enough to make it personal for her. It was a proud moment for her. It helped her realize she was ready for a new challenge.

As an African-American writer her characters have shared in this ethnicity. One of her new projects titled Familiar has two Caucasian main characters. She feels this is a stretch for her as a writer. The story is about two people that fall in love and the various events that happen to them individually and as a couple. Sandra’s focus for this story is not on the love story but the role of fate. She believes that fate plays a role in all of our lives.

As the interview began its conclusion she noted that she “wants to write something that means something to someone, an important book.” If she continues to write about subjects she is passionate about, this interviewer, after meeting her, feels she will attain this goal.

You can find her books online or in stores. Look for more from her soon.

Mark Stang - Phillies Photos: 100 Years of Philadelphia Phillies Images -- An Author Interview

I met Mark as he was signing copies of his book Phillies Photos: 100 Years of Philadelphia Phillies Images at the front entrance of the Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting PA. He was smiling at each customer that entered or left the store.

He stood to introduce himself and had a firm handshake. He was prepared for the interview with promotional information on his books. He has written eight - all are about baseball. This dedication to one subject made me ponder - why baseball?

Mark spoke of his father’s coaching varsity baseball during his childhood. His father put him to work. He spent many hours working on the field, hauling equipment, and interacting with players.

As Mark went away to college his focus shifted on other areas but was drawn back to the game in the early 1980’s. He was so dedicated to this sport that he joined the Society for American Baseball Research.

His first large project, researching uniform numbers, was a first taste into a literary career. He self-published the seven pound, 1152 page book. Eventually a publisher took the pitch and it was published as a reference book titled Baseball By The Numbers by Scarecrow Press in 1996.

Mark had moved to Cincinnati and found someone who did book imprinting, Greg Rhodes. Together they did the first photo history book. Mark learned quite a bit from Greg and after the success of this first project, Mark asked Greg to work on another book with him. After Greg declined, Mark moved to the Cleveland Indians alone.

Over the years Mark moved to various metropolitan areas and became a fan of that city’s baseball team. Many diehard fans would say this is not the action of a true fan, I disagree. Mark is a fan of the game and when you look at and read any of his books, you will notice this also.

He wants to give memories to his audience. The reader can use the book to show reasons they are a fan of their team. They can bond with their parents, siblings, friends, etc. by having a photograph trigger a story. Mark noted that many people do not realize the history that is also written in his books when they first glance through due to the wonderful pictures.

As the conversation concluded I had to know if there were any teams Mark disliked. The answer is yes. For information on his books, please visit his website: www.markstangbaseballbooks.com.

Whacked by Jules Asner -- A Book Review

Dani is a writer on a TV crime drama Flesh and Bones. She is intrigued by forensics and all things murder. Her interest in finding clues and reasons for crimes takes her into morally-questionable situations. As her relationship with long-time boyfriend, Dave, hits bumps her activities become more whacked.

Dani is clearly flawed and not an easy person to root for. Jules Asner brilliantly created a character that draws the reader into her world as it turns upside down after her break-up. The blind dates that range from good to bizarre help further highlight Dani's craziness. The obstacles and traumatic events that feed Dani's craziness build in frequency and intensity in her mind. The outcome of all these lead to a climax that is a natural progression for the character.

The plot is well-written and fast-paced. This is a book readers will not want to put down. Asner portrays a side of LA that seems completely alien to what many perceive, yet it is believable enough for the reader to feel like a voyeur.

Feeling dubious about this book initially, this reader can say all doubts were baseless. Asner is a talented author whose debut book is engaging and a captivating must-read for summer.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Catching Boo by Joanne Rowlinson with illustrations by Mari Brown -- A Book Review

Based on the true story of a runaway dog, this story capture's the owners' view of events. After adopting Boo, Joanne Rowlinson realized Boo was unhappy and she soon went missing. For months the owners searched for and tried to recapture Boo. Without giving away the happy ending, this book is meant to pull at the heart strings.

The author decided to use controlled rhymes which makes the story flow poorly. Not all of the rhymes are pure which causes them to be difficult to read aloud. Emotions are lost due to this rigid approach. The execution of this heart-warming tale falls short of engaging the reader.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal with illustrations by Scott Magoon -- A Book Review

This children's tale begins with Spoon being envious of the jobs and abilities of other pieces of silverware. In the end Spoon might just realize what a good job and life he has. The uses of common utensils is discussed along the way. Amy Krouse Rosenthal mixes this educational thread with the moral lesson.

The wording and flow are wonderful. It is an entertaining read for all ages. The illustrations compliment nicely. Overall a great new book that the whole family can enjoy and be able to take away a renewed sense of self.

This promotional copy was received during BookExpo America 2009 as a free marketing tool by either the publisher or author and was given to many attendees. It was not given to me to review. I did not receive any compensation from the publisher or author for this review.