Book Presents from Santa

Well, Christmas is over. Aren't we all glad we spent weeks preparing just so it can be over in the blink of an eye? LOL! I met nearly all of my Christmas goals. The only one I didn't get to was baking for a few friends.

Was Santa good to you, fellow book lovers? I certainly hope so. He brought me this fabulous resource:

Craft an Engaging Plot

How does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course?

With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and endsEasy-to-understand plotting diagrams and chartsBrainstorming techniques for original plot ideasThought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapterStory structure models and methods for all genresTips and tools for correcting common plot problems

Filled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure gives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.

I'm glad he stuck to a writing craft book this year, because I have fiction coming out of my ears.

I also gifted myself with some recent Kindle freebies.

I also purchased this one with a promotional credit.

What are some books you received this holiday season? Have you chosen one to be your first book of 2019?

Book Preview: To America by Stephen E. Ambrose

I borrowed this book from the library recently because I am researching the Reconstruction Era of America and Chapter Five from To America by the late Stephen E. Ambrose focuses on General Ulysses S. Grant and Reconstruction. I've also requested one of historian Eric Foner's books on the subject.


BLURB: In To America, Stephen E. Ambrose, one of the country's most influential historians, reflects on his long career as an American historian and explains what an historian's job is all about. He celebrates America's spirit, which has carried us so far. He confronts its failures and struggles. As always in his much acclaimed work, Ambrose brings alive the men and women, famous and not, who have peopled our history and made the United States a model for the world.

Taking a few swings at today's political correctness, as well as his own early biases, Ambrose grapples with the country's historic sins of racism, its neglect and ill treatment of Native Americans, and its tragic errors (such as the war in Vietnam, which he ardently opposed on campus, where he was a professor). He reflects on some of the country's early founders who were progressive thinkers while living a contradiction as slaveholders, great men such as Washington and Jefferson. He contemplates the genius of Andrew Jackson's defeat of a vastly superior British force with a ragtag army in the War of 1812. He describes the grueling journey that Lewis and Clark made to open up the country, and the building of the railroad that joined it and produced great riches for a few barons.

Ambrose explains the misunderstood presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, records the country's assumption of world power under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, and extols its heroic victory of World War II. He writes about women's rights and civil rights and immigration, founding museums, and nation- building. He contrasts the presidencies of Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout, Ambrose celebrates the unflappable American spirit.

Most important, Ambrose writes about writing history. "The last five letters of the word 'history' tell us that it is an account of the past that is about people and what they did, which is what makes it the most fascinating of subjects."

To America is an instant classic for all those interested in history, patriotism, and the love of writing.

This book covers numerous topics from the Founding Fathers to Indian Country to World War II to Vietnam to women's rights and more. It is available in numerous formats, including digital and audio.

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 7, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743252128
ISBN-13: 978-0743252126

Book Preview: Amanda Weds a Good Man by Naomi King

Amanda Lambright loves Wyman Brubaker, and after four years as a single mother, she is grateful for his support and for this new chance at happiness as his wife. She’s confident that their children will get along just fine. But once Amanda’s clan moves into Wyman’s home, the tight quarters and Wyman’s reluctance to make changes to accommodate Amanda cause friction. The older kids are squabbling. The little ones are frequently in tears. Tiny Alice Ann isn’t speaking at all. Amanda and Wyman can’t find any privacy. And Amanda wonders if she’ll ever have a chance to pursue the pottery making that means so much to her.

Amanda believes that family lies at the center of any well-lived Amish life. Can she find the wisdom to guide the reluctant members of her new extended family toward the love that will bind them together?

Purchase at Amazon or Barnes and Noble!

I'm not quite done with this book yet, so I'll give you a little preview of what it's like so far.

The main story is the blending of Amanda Lambright's family with the family of Wyman Brubaker. A widow, Amanda lives with her three girls, her elderly mother-in-law, and her nephew, who she has cared for since he was orphaned. Wyman is a widower with three boys and two girls of his own. Are you humming the tune to The Brady Bunch yet?

Amanda and Wyman are very much in love, but that doesn't mean blending their families will be easy. Amanda's mother-in-law, Jemima, is cantankerous and outspoken. Wyman's youngest boy, Simon, tends to leap before he looks, creating all kinds of mischief. Wyman is pressuring his oldest daughter, Vera, to set her sights on marriage instead of making wind chimes to sell. Though it means a much better life financially for Amanda's family, she is the one who must decide what she can bring into her new home and what must be left behind; and is also the one coming into a home that is filled with memories of Wyman's first wife.

One Big Happy Family is a subseries of King's Home at Cedar Creek series. Like her other books, a strong sense of community runs through this novel. Amanda Weds a Good Man features characters that readers of the first series will be familiar with. After helping with three weddings in a row, Abby Lambright is wondering if James Graber will finally ask for her hand. Emma Graber is concerned she'll never catch the attention of any young man. Even newlyweds Matt and Rosemary Lambright make an appearance.

If you've enjoyed the Cedar Creek series, and if you like wonderfully told Amish stories, you'll want to check out Amanda Weds a Good Man. My full review will follow soon.


Series: One Big Happy Family (Book 1)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (November 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451417879
ISBN-13: 978-0451417879

I received a free copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Preview: The Last Confederate Battle by John Cline

History records that the last battle of the Civil War was fought on the red clay soil of the Rio Grande River at Palmito Ranch, near Brownsville, Texas. That battle took place in mid-May 1865, more than a month following General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. There are factual accounts of skirmishes that took place long after Lee’s surrender. The historical attention to detail is highly accurate giving the reader a front row seat to life before, during and after the Civil War.
The Last Confederate Battle brings to light the perspectives from both sides, revealing the positive and negative natures of men. Conflict within our own country is remarkably described through the writings of John Cline; the main characters of this multifaceted story come to life as real historical experiences are interwoven into each page.

Originally, my review of The Last Confederate Battle by John Cline was scheduled for today. I did not have time to complete the book yet, as during that week I lost power, I had very little reading time. Here I am going to provide my thoughts on what I have read so far, and then my full review will appear on December 22nd, hopefully earlier, if I get caught up on my reading.

The book opens with a Prologue that takes place in July 1865. After four years of war, Captain Andrew Jefferson Davis returns to Georgia to the land which once housed the Davis plantation. Foraging Union soldiers had set fire to the plantation's barns and fields, and tortured and killed Andy's wife and son. The book then travels back in time to when Andy was growing up with his brothers, Dwayne and Everett, before moving forward to the spring of 1857, then through the years of the Civil War and beyond.

I've enjoyed what I've read so far. The author is taking his time developing the characters, especially Andy. The cover art captures your attention with the prominent flag. I look forward  to reading more.

Following a twenty five year career in both the enlisted and officer corps’, John Cline retired from the U.S. Navy as a Limited Duty Officer (Mustang) in July 1993 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was the director of the Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services until he retired in 2005.


He has a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Workforce Education and Curriculum Development from Southern Illinois University, and a Master of Art degree (M.A.) in National Security Studies; Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (140th Session), and was nationally certified by the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management and the International Association of Emergency Managers. He is an avid Amateur Radio Operator with the call sign W5USN. John and his wife Pat have three children and four grandchildren. 

Book Preview: All's Fair in Love and Law by K.M. Daughters

Coming in December 2010, the Sullivans return in the fourth installment of The Sullivan Boys series by writing team K.M. Daughters!

The senseless death of their brother-in-law, Mike Lynch, has left the Sullivan boys reeling. Still coping with the death of their brother, Jimmy, they are pulling together to help their sister Kay deal with the loss of her husband as she slips into depression.

During an outing with Kay's twin girls, Patrick Sullivan, a new captain at the Chicago Police Department, comes face-to-face with a woman who gets his body tingling all over. Little does he know he'll see this woman again all too soon--in the courtroom.

C.J. Demarco, also known as, Charlie, is a shining star of a defense attorney at Schotz, Pearson and Freemont. When she gets a perp off on a technicality, Patrick's department isn't looking too good and he has to answer for it to the media. But he has much bigger issues to deal with. Someone is brutally killing prostitutes and dumping them in the trash in the city's alleys. The Garbage Man Murderer case is going  to take all of Pat's limited resources to nail; not an easy task considering the recent budget cuts.

Despite working on seemingly opposite sides of the law, Charlie and Pat can't deny their attraction to each other. When Charlie is set to defend a high-profile case, Pat can't believe she would be involved in trying to get such a creep off. But Charlie isn't about to reveal why she does the type of work she does or the reason getting too involved with Pat scares the hell out of her. Their budding romance is threatened. And for Charlie, one mistake, could be a fatal one.

In one word, this book is, "Awesome!" I have loved this series from the get-go and each book keeps drawing me in. The Sullivan Boys series blends intriguing plots, complex characters, and loads of conflict to keep you turning page after page.

In All's Fair in Love and Law, a new Sullivan brother takes the spotlight. Patrick is definitely the type of hero every woman has been waiting for. Strong, sexy, and with a deep sense of right and wrong, Pat isn't the kind of guy to abuse the law. He hasn't exactly been looking for the perfect woman, but she finds him, and he's totally captivated by the alluring defense attorney who is part teddy bear, part barracuda.

K.M. Daughters proves over and again that they have mastered the art of storytelling. I can't put one of their books down, despite the late hour, despite the fact that I'm facing an early morning with my kids, despite knowing I'll be sitting at my desk gulping caffeinated soda the next day just to stay awake at my PC.

The cover art on this one isn't my favorite, but I'm willing to forgive that because the story is superb.

The perfect blend of romance and suspense is what you'll find in All's Fair in Love and Law!


Title:  All's Fair in Love and Law
Authors:  K. M. Daughters
Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press
ISBN:  Not yet available

Keep an eye on the K.M. Daughters' website for information on this book's release. The final installment is on its way too. I'll be sad when this series is over, but I would read them again in a heartbeat.

Book Preview: Harvest Moon by Krista D. Ball

An engaging paranormal fantasy story that will leave you wanting more is what you'll find in Harvest Moon by Krista D. Ball.

Dancing Cat has been shunned by her tribe and is now known only as Cursed One. Once a messenger, she is treated with disrespect by everyone and not allowed to ride; even her own mother and grandmother curse her existence. If not for her sympathetic brother, who secretly provides crumbs and castoff clothes, she would starve or freeze to death.

Despondent, Dancing Cat wishes to escape into death and be free. Looking for a sign, she steals the sacred bundle, which leads to an amazing transformation not even she could have foreseen.

Injured and now in a man's body, she is befriended by Bearclaw who is on a spirit quest. He shows her a kindness she had long ago stopped hoping for from anyone. Knowing she must return home to face additional punishment, she struggles with her growing friendship with Bearclaw and her new identity.

In this short, yet, splendid paranormal fantasy eBook, readers enjoy a unique story with a magical twist that changes the life of its main character. While I am not a huge fan of the fantasy genre, the tribal and mystical elements intrigued me, which is why I asked to review it. After watching Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and reading Marilyn Meredith's Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, I am eager to read more books containing these elements.

Ball develops her characters nicely, making you sympathize with Dancing Cat's plight. That she finds what she was looking for in a member of a rival tribe, and that Bearclaw discovers friendship with her while on his spirit quest, makes for a touching story. As they share their secrets, they attempt to forge a friendship despite the obstacles that stand in their way. Ball certainly knows how to use conflict to move the story along.

Harvest Moon by Krista D. Ball is just one of the debut releases coming from MuseItUp Publishing in October 2010. It is certainly one you'll want to take the time to read over and again.

Title: Harvest Moon
Author: Krista D. Ball
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
eBook ISBN: 978-0-9865875-0-4
Reviewer's note: Slight hint of bisexuality

Read more about author Krista Ball at http://kristadball.com/. Check out other titles from MuseItUpPublishing here.

Book Preview: Warrior Women: Book Three of the Bowdancer Saga by Janie Franz

I had the opportunity to read Warrior Women: Book Three of the Bowdancer Saga by Janie Franz while I was on vacation. I haven't read the first two books in this series, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Warrior Women is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and courage during trying times.

Jan-nell, who is nearing the end of her pregnancy, leaves her village with her young daughter, Mira-nell. Tired of her husband's extra-marital trysts and armed with the knowledge that Mira-nell was miserable, Jan-nell heads up the mountain searching for the legendary warrior women. Perhaps she and her daughter can find a place among them. Jan-nell's gift as a healer might be helpful to the warrior women, and Mira-nell has spent her life learning from her mother, the bowdancer.

When Jan-nell goes into labor during the journey, she receives help from one of the mysterious warrior women, who halts her labor with herbs and brings her back to the village. Here, Jan-nell and Mira-nell are allowed to stay until the birth of the baby. The warrior women have no use for lazy boy babes, and if Jan-nell gives birth to a son she will have a tough decision to make: say goodbye to her newborn so she can stay with her companions, or leave the warrior women behind to start over again.

Warrior Women is a well-written, beautiful story of friendship and love. Finding acceptance with the warrior women allows Mira-nell to grow and further develop her abilities, while also giving her mother a chance to show the warrior women new ways. These are well drawn characters the reader will care for, and despite the fact that I did not read the first two books in the series, I never felt lost. Warrior Women is the perfect stand-alone novel, as Franz sprinkled in enough backstory to help them see Jan-nell's development.

Breathless Press will release this novel on November 5th with a Heat Level Rating of 1(F/F). The story includes a tastefully written female and female love scene.

Warrior Women is one woman's journey toward acceptance and love. You shouldn't miss this one!

To find out more about the Bowdancer Saga, please visit http://thebowdancersaga.wordpress.com/