READER REVIEW: "Laurie King's Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes series was one of my favorites, especially the early books but I have to say this interpretation is smashing. Anna Kronberg is a kick-butt heroine and a clear match for the "tall thin man with piercing gray eyes". The Reader finds all of the usual Holmesean suspects in "The Devils Grin" but a sinister new cast is so skillfully inserted into the late 19th century classic I would have sworn that they must have been in the original stories. I could almost smell the stench of London. Wendeberg's seamless addition of a completely new character, Anna, enhances Conan Doyle's work.

Once or twice the writer got in the way of the story, a few very short scenes/visions or dreams (not sure which) that were confusing but the writer was so well informed about the medical and historic details the plot was built around, it was a thrill to feel that "the game was afoot". Suspenseful, authentic yet innovative and faithful to the original Sherlock Holmes character--can't wish for a better combination.

This is a skillful writer and a thinking one, no easy outs and no lazy solutions."  --Merik Berghs

Kindle: 99 cents
Paperback: $10.00
Smashwords (all e-formats): $3.99


                                                    THE BOOK


In Victorian London's cesspool of crime and disease, a series of murders remains undiscovered until a cholera victim is found floating in the city's drinking water supply. Dr Anton Kronberg, England's best bacteriologist, is called upon to investigate and finds evidence of abduction and medical maltreatment. While Scotland Yard has little interest in pursuing the case, Kronberg pushes on and crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes. The detective immediately discovers Kronberg's secret - a woman masquerading as a man in order to practice medicine - a criminal deed that could land her in prison for years to come. But both must join forces to stop a crime so monstrous, it outshines Jack the Ripper's deeds in brutality and cold-bloodedness.

Annelie Wendeberg holds an adjunct professorship at the Uppsala University in Sweden while working at the UFZ in Germany. Her job as a scientist has washed her onto many shores, such as the famous Caltech or the middle of the North Atlanic during rough autumn storms.
She lives in a small village near Leipzig, together with her husband, two small kids, several ferocious chickens, a border collie, and a calico cat from the dump. Their greatest adventure thus far (besides giving birth at home) was to buy a 500-year old school and restore its historic charm (work in progress).
Occasionally, she works as a science adivsor for authors and film makers. She runs two science blogs: An English one (www.sciencezest.com) and one for a large German newspaper (http://blog.lvz-online.de/microblog/).

In a world where so many put themselves forward by shoving someone else out of the way, we’re heartened by stories of unselfish giving. It’s an inspiring theme that always emerges in the glow and remembrance of Christmas.

But any time of year, stories both true and fictional help us balance our ambitions, become less selfish, and strive to be better people. Not stories featuring superheroes, obviously. Much as we enjoy characters whose special powers enable them to topple the bad guys and avert catastrophic events, superhero characters don’t inspire or give hope.

The most inspiring stories feature people we all could be—those with no special gifts, ordinary people, poor people, compassionate people. I appreciate realistic fiction that expands my view of the world and gives hope for problems that seem to go on without relief.

One of my favorites is Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance. Set in India in the 1970s, the story gives us characters who endure poverty, frustration, corruption and prejudice with moral courage. Beautifully written, it ends in an unforgettable way, not happily-ever-after, but with the power of love.

I’m inspired by stories of faithfulness, even silly ones like Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hatches the Egg. Horton the elephant is an unlikely egg-sitter, but when the lazy bird Mayzie leaves him in the lurch, he sits and he sits, because “an elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent.”

Maybe the bird in this children’s story was not simply lazy. Maybe she did not know about love and faithfulness, qualities learned by example. I thought about the importance of a loving environment as I watched Anderson Cooper interview Shin Dong-hyuk, a young man born and raised in a cruel North Korean concentration camp. Until he was about 23, starvation and brutality kept Shin from experiencing any human kindness. He told Cooper he didn’t cry much when his mother and brother were executed for trying to escape the camp, because he thought they’d gotten what they deserved. Later Shin revealed he was the one who informed on them. At the time, he thought it was the right thing to do, because they’d broken the rules.

Now 30 and free, Shin said he still doesn’t know what love is, but he feels bad about what he did, and cries more than he ever did in camp. He’s becoming learning to be human. Writer Blaine Hardin tells Shin’s story in his book, Escape from Camp 14.

In 2005, 100 writers (“leading lights of British letters”) were asked to name their favorite fictional characters. As you might imagine, literary characters were cited for being unique or entertaining, stoic, independent, despicable (but so well drawn), or compassionate. Author Maeve Binchey chose one of my favorites, Joe Gargery of Dickens’ Great Expectations. Joe, a father figure to young Pip, is the humble character whose love and compassion make him a contrast to the haughty and vindictive Miss Havisham. Though Pip is awed by Miss Havisham and made rich by the bequest of a convict, Joe’s influence is most important to his life.

Compassion makes us human, and compassion helps us endure. Compassionate characters, like people in real life, show how an ordinary person can make a small corner of his world better.

Here’s where you can find the books mentioned above:

Great Expectations (free) http://amzn.to/Y7Hy9s

Horton Hatches the Egg http://amzn.to/TUACq3

Escape from Camp 14 http://amzn.to/Rxg0Zq

A Fine Balance http://amzn.to/R0EVmG

And my historical novel, also a story with characters who care: The Girl on the Mountain. The Kindle book is FREE for Christmas (Dec. 25 and 26). http://amzn.to/Qty8Tm

Every small act of kindness spreads hope. Keep Christmas with you.

--Carol Ervin

8 HOT PICKS! Fill That New Kindle!

Are you trying to figure out what to give those special someones for Christmas? or maybe for a birthday during this holiday season? Do you know someone who loves reading? Do YOU love to read?

Give or enjoy for yourself the gift of FANTASY, ROMANCE, ADVENTURE, MYSTERY AND SO MUCH MORE with A GREAT BOOK!


Each week I'll be featuring GREAT READS for the holiday season from every genre. Take a look and grab a few for yourself or for that special reader in your life. Here are this week's picks:

CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW ON AMAZON US

Win a signed paperback copy of Megan's Way, by international bestseller Melissa Foster!


Contest from 12/22 - 12/29.  Scroll below to read about the book and enter. 


                     About the Book:

What would you give up for the people you love?

When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she'll be faced with the most difficult decision she's ever had to make. She'll endure an emotional journey, questioning her own moral and ethical values, and the decisions she'd made long ago. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends, will be stretched and frayed.

Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia's world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there's nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, her life will hang in the balance.

Megan's closest friends are caught in a tangled web of deceit. Each must figure out how, and if, they can expose their secrets, or forever be haunted by their pasts.



                                                                         About the Author

"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge

Melissa Foster is the bestselling, award-winning author of three novels, Megan's Way, Chasing Amanda, and Come Back to Me. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women's Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Cafe, and Fostering Success. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, she's written for Calgary's Child Magazine and Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel, and lives in Maryland with her family. Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping women see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest or her personal website.

Awards: 

Megan's Way

2011 Beach Book Award Winner (Spirituality)
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, Winner (Fiction/Drama), Finalist (Women's Fiction) 
2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Finalist (Spirituality)
2011 New England Book Festival, Honorable Mention (Spirituality)

ENDORSEMENT: "A haunting, briskly-paced page turner that explores the darkest recesses of the human psyche while propelling the reader through an intricate series of hair-raising twists and turns. Nobody Has to Know is a masterfully written tale that is expertly told. Frank Nappi knows how to entertain the reader from start to finish." -- #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Nelson DeMille


Kindle: $3.99
Paperback: $9.79


                    THE BOOK

Nobody Has To Know, Frank Nappi's dark and daring new thriller, tells the story of Cameron Baldridge, a popular high school teacher whose relationship with one of his students leads him down an unfortunate and self-destructive path. Stalked through text-messages, Baldridge fights for his life against a terrifying extortion plot and the forces that threaten to expose him. Nobody Has To Know is a sobering look into a world of secrets, lies, and shocking revelations, and will leave the reader wondering many things, including whether or not you can ever really know the person you love.

Frank Nappi has taught high school English and Creative Writing for over twenty years. His debut novel, Echoes From The Infantry, received national attention, including MWSA's silver medal for outstanding fiction. His follow-up novel, The Legend of Mickey Tussler, garnered rave reviews as well, including a movie adaptation of the touching story "A Mile in His Shoes" starring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder. Frank continues to produce quality work, including Sophomore Campaign, the intriguing sequel to the much heralded original story and the just released thriller, NOBODY HAS TO KNOW, which received an endorsement from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille. Frank is presently at work on a third installment of his Mickey Tussler series and his next thriller. He lives on Long Island with his wife Julia and their two sons, Nicholas and Anthony.

--Rachelle Ayala

Goodness gracious me! It’s one week to Christmas, and I have not done a lick of Christmas shopping. I’ve been bombarded by ads and flyers, promotions and sales, all calling me to the store to buy, buy, buy. In Christmas’s past, I would have been one of those last minute shoppers, picking over stocking stuffers and digging through the bargain book bin. Christmas Eve meant ripping wrapping paper and hastily scrawling last minute Christmas cards that won’t grace the recipient’s mailbox until the following year.

But, all this has changed with our new, virtual, and fast-paced world. My gift list is taken care of with a few mouse clicks and a credit card number. Everyone’s happy with their iTunes cards, their Amazon gift cards, or Paypal cash. With a single Facebook update, I can greet all my friends “Merry Christmas” in five different languages. And forget the bargain book bin, free ebooks proliferate faster than the nuclear arm’s race.

The fast paced world has made the holidays easier and less stressful. But what hasn’t changed is the meaning of Christmas, of family and giving, and helping the less fortunate. On Christmas Day, I challenge you to turn off your electronic devices, get off the Internet, and put away the video games. Sit around the kitchen table and let everyone have a chance to talk about anything they want. With the family gathered around, it is the perfect time to pass down the stories that tie us together. Read a real physical book to your children and let them touch the pages and look at the pictures. Gather around the piano and sing Christmas carols.

No matter how fast we move and how many gadgets we own, this Christmas, take the time to enjoy the sights, smells, sounds, taste and touch of the holidays by being present with the people you’re gathered with. So wherever you are, go for a walk, take a big breath, and enjoy your holidays at a slower pace.

Rachelle Ayala was a software engineer until she discovered storytelling works better in fiction than real code. She has over thirty years of writing experience and has always lived in a multi-cultural environment.

Rachelle is an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has three children and has taught violin and made mountain dulcimers.

Visit her at: http://www.rachelleayala.com or follow @AyalaRachelle on Twitter.

Stalk the Author

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READER REVIEW: "Music, family, romance and intrigue, just a few of the elements incorporated into A Song Apart, a contemporary love story. Penned by first time novelist Jeffrey H. Baer, it offers the reader insight into the hearts, thoughts and lives of two New York City kids, Shannon Kistler and Kevin Derow."  --HeyLiveMusic


Kindle: 99 cents
Nook: 99 cents
Paperback: $14.99

Rating: 4.9 stars




                   THE BOOK

Rising pop singer Shannon Kistler never expected to see college student Kevin Derow on a Manhattan street wearing her concert shirt. But she offers gratitude in her own way, leaving her biggest fan in shock. When the two teenagers meet again six days later, Shannon slips Kevin her phone number, and the unlikely romance begins.

Soon they find they have several things in common: lonely childhoods, a passion for music, and making unpopular choices about their own lives. The public cannot take Shannon seriously as a teenaged recording artist, but she risks her sudden success by making some public mistakes after breaking into a soulless music industry with unusual ease. Meanwhile Kevin loses the respect of family, friends and coworkers over the girl he idolizes-and unwittingly blows the lid off a payola scheme devised by Shannon's record label, threatening her career and possibly his own freedom.

A Song Apart revolves around two young people from distinct backgrounds who choose to follow their hearts rather than their peers and find a greater reward at the end of their paths.

I was born on January 21, 1969 to Robert and Susan Baer in Brooklyn, NY. My dad served in Vietnam and was stationed in Fort Huachuca, AZ upon his return stateside. So I was an army brat without realizing it.

My childhood was like a lot of other childhoods--difficult. I was quite advanced for my age, as everyone discovered when I was able to read the Times Square message boards at age two--out loud, no less. My grandparents told me how surprised the pedestrians were to see me read; I was too engaged to notice, or else I'd pass the hat around.

Unfortunately, the other kids weren't surprised. In fact, they were downright offended and often reminded me as much. The worst of it came in junior high school, when the entire grade hated my guts without knowing why. Looking back on it, though, I should've thanked those kids for giving me all that attention.

I realized I could write in seventh grade when out English teacher asked us to write an essay about a famous woman. Since I loved pop music, I chose Roberta Flack as my essay subject, but I was out sick the day after I handed it in. When I went back the following Monday, a girl in my class said "Gee, thanks, Jeff. We all really wanted to hear about Roberta Flack." It seemed the teacher was so impressed with my essay, he read it to the class, and my classmates had yet another reason to consider me persona non grata.

My so-called "bad reputation" followed me to high school. Suffice it to say I was never happier in my life than I was at graduation.

I entered Baruch College in 1987 to study accounting, but a few years later I realized I had no idea how to crunch numbers the way they should be crunched. I detoured into journalism for a year, but my heart wasn't in it, so I took some time off to sort out my career goals. At the same time, I worked as a receivables manager for Mill Hollow Corp., a trade magazine publisher in Manhattan. It was the worst job I ever held, as I coped with office politics and the nastiest, most manipulative boss I ever worked for. The good news is I was able to get a novel out of the experience (more on that later).

My next job was at a list management company in a similar capacity, but after several months I managed to alienate the #3 officer. To make a long story short, she had me fired after a pair of misunderstandings between myself and two other companies. As a result I haven't had steady work for the last fourteen years.

In April 2002 I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, which is high-functioning autism that affects social skills. It explained why I was socially inept as a child as well as why I couldn't find and keep jobs on my own. No big deal--the diagnosis helped me accept myself as I am. There's no cure or treatment for AS, but I find Paxil frees up the rigid thinking that comes with autism--and I'm a more well-rounded person for it.

I live in Coney Island with my wonderful girlfriend Karen, whom I've known for 22 years. We would be married and parents by now if not for this ludicrous job search, but I'm sure we're not the only ones in the same situation. I spend my time at home, either on the computer or watching TV, but I try not to slip into anything resembling a vegetative state.

I am the author of A SONG APART, the story of Shannon Kistler, a rising pop singer, and Kevin Derow, the college student who idolizes her--a relationship that dismays many people, and yet the two teenagers aren't the least bit fazed. I was inspired to write this novel after seeing a brief interview with Chuck D, leader of the rap group Public Enemy, on MTV. When asked about meeting fans on the street, he replied "For us is thirty seconds, for them it's a lifetime." So I thought, "Hmm...what if it were more than 'thirty seconds for us'?" And thus A SONG APART was born. Right now I'm fixing up THE STRICKLAND FILE, a novel about office politics and alienation inspired by my five years at the aforementioned trade magazine publisher. I actually began writing it in 1996, but after putting it aside to work on the other novel, I went back to it and realized it needed more editing than I ever imagined. I'll most likely publish it via CreateSpace, but first things first.

If you stuck with my bio this far, I'm extremely grateful. I hope you'll give A SONG APART a look-see on the web; it's available on Amazon as a book and a Kindle download, and on Smashwords.com for all other e-readers.

This Weeks Picks!

Are you trying to figure out what to give those special someones for Christmas? or maybe for a birthday during this holiday season? Do you know someone who loves reading? Do YOU love to read?

Give or enjoy for yourself the gift of FANTASY, ROMANCE, ADVENTURE, MYSTERY AND SO MUCH MORE with A GREAT BOOK!


Each week I'll be featuring GREAT READS for the holiday season from every genre. Take a look and grab a few for yourself or for that special reader in your life. Here are this week's picks:

CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW ON AMAZON US