April 2015 - Library of Clean Reads

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon - Power Pack Edition by Penny C. Sansevieri (Review & Giveaway)

How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon - Power Pack Edition by Penny C. Sansevieri
Createspace
ISBN: 978-1508563365
Published; March 3, 2015
Trade paperback, 158 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The first time I learned of marketing expert and guru Penny C. Sansevieri was when I was a new author in 2008 and was doing research on how to promote my own book. I then read Penny's Red Hot Internet Publicity which taught me so much about book marketing, tons actually. I simply loved it!

That book had been eye-opening for me. This time, I've dug into her revised edition and power pack bundled books on how to get sales and reviews on Amazon. And this time, she demystified Amazon for me, its algorithm and how to find the right keywords and categories for a book.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-1401690618
Published April 7, 2015
Trade paperback, 368 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Last year I read The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron which left an impression on me. I was eager to read the second book in the Hidden Masterpiece series, which I also enjoyed very much. This book can be read as a stand-alone. As in the first book, there is a dual timeline. In present day, we are once again introduced to Sera and William who are getting married, and Sera is moving her art gallery from New York to California.

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

Mailbox Monday and The Sunday Post April 26 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

My house needs spring cleaning real bad. So bad I just want to bury my nose in a good book. Anyone in the same boat?

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Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Vagabond Vicar by Charlotte Brentwood

The Vagabond Vicar by Charlotte Brentwood
ISBN: 9780473302696
Published: Oct 15, 2014

Kindle edition

My Review
Reviewed by Sandra

It’s 1805 London. William Brook, a young vicar wants to serve humanity by going to far-flung lands. What he actually gets is a “living” in the English countryside at a village called Amberley. He quickly becomes a person of interest to the local mothers looking for an eligible man for their unmarried daughters. He’s not interested, but somehow Cecilia, a pretty young woman keeps catching his eye, although she herself is not looking for a husband. Her mother, however, has other plans, wanting a secure future for her daughter, preferably to a man from a rich, prominent family. A vicar will never do. It’s a pure Jane Austen feeling.

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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Shelf Life by Christina George (Audiobook Review and $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!)

Shelf Life (The Publicist Book 2) by Christina George
Audible
Released Jan 21, 2015
Narrator: Lisa Cordileone
Length: 8 hours 36 minutes
Unabridged

My Review

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

A few months back I reviewed The Publicist (Book One) by Christina George, a book that has become popular among bloggers because of its inside view on the publishing industry.

I was looking forward to Shelf Life (Book 2) because the first book left some unanswered questions and I wanted to know where Kate's life was headed. Well, I can say that Shelf Life was even better than the first book. The characters were more fully developed, the publishing schemes more devastating and the romantic tangle more intense and emotional. Unlike with the first book, I was more emotionally invested with the characters' lives this time.

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Monday, April 20, 2015

The Artisan's Star by Gabriella Contestabile (Review and Giveaway)

The Artisan's Star by Gabriella Contestabile
Stelle Publications
ISBN: 978-0996058506
Published: Aug 24, 2014
Trade paperback, 308 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Gabriella Contestabile has written a novel that truly captures the essence of perfumery and Florence. The story revolves around Elio, an artisan who lives with the regret of his unlived dream to create his special perfume. He's had the gift of smell since he was a child, and he studied two years in France as a youth but returned to Florence disillusioned.

The story begins with Elio as a man in his sixties but goes back and forth in time to his youth and we learn about the women in his past who influenced him in various ways: Elena, his Greek mother, who recognized his gift but left him with his father to return to Greece when he was only ten. As a mother, I could not understand this and I felt for Elio as a child. Then there was Palma, his teacher and French lover, who pushed him to learn but also exploited Elio's gift and naivete. Marina, feisty and unconventional was his first love and in some ways replaced the love he craved from an absent mother.

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Sunday, April 19, 2015

Mailbox Monday and The Sunday Post, April 19 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Looks like Spring is finally here! The sun has been shining all week. Yes, all week! I'm reading some great books and have more on the way. Hope you all do too. :-)

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Bridges of Paris by Michael Saint James (Review and Giveaway!)

Bridges of Paris by Michael Saint James
Citron Bay Press
Published May 15, 2015
Hardcover, 280 pages

Our Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani and family

The day I received the large package that contained this gorgeous coffee table book, I had Debra, who blogs at Girl With Camera at my house. We oohed and aahed the minute we opened the package and began looking through this impressive book. The 14 X 9.5 inch book is large, heavy, and filled with 355 original stunning photographs of the 37 bridges of Paris from different positions and times of day. All the photos are in full color. If you've never been to Paris before, like me, you are going to want to hop on a plane after reading this book and enjoying these photos.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Her Lost Love (Amelia Moore Detective Series, Book 5) by Linda Weaver Clarke

Her Lost Love (Amelia Moore Detective Series – Volume 5) by Linda Weaver Clarke
Red Mountain Shadows Publishing
ISBN: 9781508468608
Published: May 2015
Kindle edition: 212 pages

My Review

Reviewed by Sandra

Successful, unmarried, 40-something lawyer Julie Anderson hires Amelia to find her childhood sweetheart, Joseph Yancey Witherbee, who disappeared 24-years previously under suspicious circumstances. So that’s basically the story – finding Joseph.

In the previous novels in this series there are “goons” following Amelia and Rick as they go about solving the mystery, but this time the author mixes it up a bit. I like it.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack

A Heart Revealed by Josi S. Kilpack
Shadow Mountain
ISBN: 978-1609079901
Published: April 7, 2015
Paperback, 336 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

It's been awhile since I read a good Regency Romance and I was looking forward to digging into this one. It was even better than I had anticipated! So far, all the novels in the Proper Romance division sent to me by Shadow Mountain have been great.

This story is so much more than a romance. It is about a young self-absorbed debutante discovering and becoming her true self when faced with adversity and a rare medical condition. Amber is a beautiful woman of high social status who has her pick of men who have a title and fortune, but all of that is threatened when she suffers a public humiliation. Her future looks bleak and she wonders if she will be alone for the rest of her life.

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Monday, April 13, 2015

Do You Have The Courage to Be You? by Jenny Williamson (Review and Giveaway)

Do You Have The Courage to Be You? by Jenny Williamson
Next Century Publishing
ISBN: 978-1629038339
Published April 7, 2015
Hardcover, 256 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I love reading about women who are change makers. These women are empowering, selfless and brave. In 2013 I read However Long the Night by Aimee Molloy about the incredible story of Molly Melching, founder of Tostan. In 2014, I read Who Knows Tomorrow, the memoir of Lisa Lovatt-Smith who founded OAfrica. This past week I read Do You Have the Courage to be You? by Jenny Williamson, founder of Courage Worldwide, an organization that builds homes and restores lives for victims of sex trafficking.

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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Mailbox Monday April 13 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.

Went sugaring off today with a whole bunch of family members! The weather was great, warm and sunny and the food authentic French Canadian cuisine. The maple syrup taffy on ice was delicious. We have some of the best maple syrup in Quebec. The air smelled like Spring today. Can you tell I'm glad our wretched winter is over?

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Saturday, April 11, 2015

Upcoming Events for Death Logs In Release with Author E.J. Simon

Hey Everyone!

I had the privilege of organizing a book tour for E.J. Simon's new release Death Logs In. And I wanted to share some of his book signings with you. He'll also be at Book Expo America. I look forward to meeting him!

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Friday, April 10, 2015

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman
BethanyHouse
ISBN: 978-0764213120
Published
Trade paperback, pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

There aren't many YA historical novels and it's a genre I truly enjoy reading, which is one of the reasons I decided to read and review Dauntless. Besides, the Robin Hood offshoot storyline was too good to pass up.

Lady Merry Ellison finds herself orphaned and an enemy of the king after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. She hides in the forest with a group of orphaned children from her village which was destroyed by the king's men. Because she is nobility, she takes the lead and feels responsible for these children even though she is but a teen herself. Together, Lady Merry with her band of teen village boys, learn how to survive in the forest by stealing from the rich. They become notorious as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest".

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Donkey's Kite by Liana-Melissa Allen (Review & Giveaway)

Donkey's Kite: A Horse Valley Adventure by Liana-Melissa Allen
Createspace
ISBN: 978-1505604610
Published January 2015
Softcover, 44 pages

Our Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani & Son

Last week my son and I read and reviewed The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey, the first book in the Horse Valley Adventure series by Liana-Melissa Allen, a young and talented author who also illustrates her own books.

This time we read the second book in the series titled Donkey's Kite. We enjoyed the first book but we enjoyed this one even more. This time the story revolves around Donkey who cannot get his kite to fly. It's a story that deals with not giving up, working together, and helping others. All these valuable lessons were wrapped up in a story with humorous situations and delightful illustrations.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Visiting the Sins by Melanie Denman (Review and Giveaway!)

Visiting the Sins by Melanie Denman
Word Association Publishers
ISBN: 978-1595719263
Published January 2015 (second edition)
Trade paperback, 244 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

When I first started reading this book, I didn't quite know what to expect. What I didn't expect was a book that entertained and caught my attention so vividly. I LOVED reading this book. It was told from the point of view of three generation of women, mostly from the Wheeler family. These characters jumped right off the page they were so real and well-developed.

Visiting the Sins explores so many family issues: keeping secrets, mother and daughter relationships, coping with the loss of a parent and a child, coming-of-age, societal expectations versus doing what is right. It seems like this book had it all and yet the author managed to keep it entertaining and made the storytelling so good. There was never a boring moment.

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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Guy Erma and The Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia (Review & Giveaway!)

Guy Erma and The Son of Empire by Sally Ann Melia
Dickson House
ISBN: 978-1500951993
Published Nov 2014
Trade paperback, 440 pages

My Review
Reviewed by Fil Piccolo

Guy Erma and The Son of Empire is a well-written YA sci-fi thriller that revolves around two boys whose stories merge in unexpected ways.

Matriarch Sayginn has succeeded to rule Freyne and grooms her son Teodor to becomes king. But her enemies strike an unexpected blow. Karl Valvanchi is a career military officer who will stop at nothing to get back a planet killer plague that escaped from under his supervision. And he knows where to find it. Planet Freyne.

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Book Spotlight: FLORENCE: A Travel Guide to Fabrics, Frames, Jewelry, Leather Goods, Maiolica, Paper, Woodcrafts & More and ARTISANS OF FLORENCE: A Shopper's Companion - Laura Morelli's Authentic Arts Series (plus Giveaway!)

Hi Everyone! If you like to travel, especially to Italy...and especially to Florence, then you have to take a look at Laura Morelli's new Authentic Arts series. Today, I am spotlighting the second set of books in this series.

"Laura Morelli has set out to make you an expert in handmade crafts." --American Style Magazine

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey by Liana-Melissa Allen (Review & Giveaway)

The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey by Liana-Melissa Allen
Createspace
ISBN: 978-1475109771
Published May 3, 2012
Softcover, 36 pages

Our Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani & Son

My 11 year-old son, who has been reviewing children's books with me since he was five, can tell a good book at a glance. If he doesn't show interest or start reading a book the minute I show it to him, I know he doesn't think it's going to be good.

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

Vostok by Steve Alten (Review and Giveaway)

Vostok by Steve Alten
Rebel Press
ISBN: 978-1681020006
Published Feb 17, 2015
Hardcover, 416 pages

My Review:
Reviewed by Fil Piccolo

Vostok by Steve Alten is a sci-fi thriller that brings us two and a half miles below the Antarctic to explore Vostok, a lake believed to be frozen in time. Marine Biologist Zachary Wallace is one of three selected to journey to Vostok. But Wallace soon realizes that the journey he enlisted for may be a one-way ticket down.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first half of Vostok, where the excitement of the expedition and the suspense of discovery was well written. Alten knows how to create believable and likable characters whose dialogue was entertaining. I found myself chucking several times throughout this first part.

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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau (Review & Giveaway)

The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau

ISBN: 978-1476756370

Touchstone Publishing

Published: March 24, 2015
UK Publication Date: April 24, 2015

Hardcover, 390 pages

Review
Reviewed by Sandra

Is it possible that this third book in the Joanna Stafford series of fantastic historical fiction is the best yet? If you have read The Chalice and The Crown you may wonder how it could get any better, but it has.

Joanna Stafford, former Dominican novice, is pursuing a quiet life of weaving tapestries for a living in her beloved Dartford, England circa 1540 when a summons arrives from her distant cousin, King Henry VIII to appear at court. Henry offers her a commission to weave a custom tapestry for him, as well as become Tapestry Mistress, ie, oversee, maintain, and add to Henry’s 200-odd tapestry collection. When she finds out that the face of her friend, Catherine Howard is to feature in the tapestry, Joanna has a sinking feeling that 19-year-old Catherine is the 57-year-old King’s next conquest/wife. Enter Thomas Culpepper and the rest is history, as they say. This novel traces the events that swirl around this couple, set against a backdrop of religious intolerance in all its forms, political intrigue, and social unrest.

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