Author Exposure

Book Review: "Henny on the Couch" by Rebecca Land Soodak

2012-05-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Maria Ryan

Wife, mother, and small business owner Kara Lawson lives in Manhattan with her ambitious and successful architect husband, Michael, and their three young children. Kara is living the seemingly enviable life of a wealthy and privileged urbanite that for all intent looks like she has it all together; however, beneath her polished veneer lies an extremely insecure and trite woman.

Alternating present day with flashback scenes from two distinctive phases in her life, the reader is offered background into Kara’s personality. Raised by a single alcoholic mother whose bitterness over the lost promise of a successful singing career colors her entire world and radically alters Kara’s childhood. After her mother’s death, Kara continues on to college. It is there that she meets Oliver Bellows, a moody, promising young artist. Kara falls deeply in love and spends the better part of her education trying to reconcile her feelings for him with his lack of them for her. Taking up painting for the first time in college seems to be her way of attempting to forge a stronger connection to her love while whiling away the time spent waiting for him to come around.

A chance encounter with a neighborhood art gallery showcasing the work of a now famous Oliver has Kara reassessing her life and its direction. At the same time her seven-year-old, Henny, is exhibiting concerning difficulties both at home and in school, something that Kara reluctantly attends to.

Lately, I have read a bit too much of this subset of the fiction genre featuring disillusioned and unhappy women who are years into marriage and motherhood, feeling unsettled and wondering what happened to their lives. It’s sort of like a reincarnation of Betty Friedan’s famous book The Feminine Mystique in novel form. Defined back in 1963 as the problem with no name, women’s ongoing and widespread unhappiness seems still the norm in spite of the women's movement slight evolution from that time. Are marriage and motherhood enough to fulfill any woman, especially those who are so monetarily privileged? It’s a popular notion being explored in today’s literature. Kara tries to up the ante by becoming a small business owner but it is ever apparent that this is not her career choice or even her passion. The story offers no real resolution or sense of closure. Friedan at least gave us insights backed by research including theories, stats, and personal accounts. Today, women’s narrowly defined roles and their subsequent issues are getting churned over and over in various media forms until they’re just one big pile of mush.

The caption on the cover of Henny on the Couch (March 2012) states that this is "a book for any woman who’s ever had dreams for herself or wondered what became of them.” This statement is great P.R. for the book because the fact is that so many women in our society probably feel exactly this way and would be drawn to reading about others who feel as they do. It is one thing to state an issue and quite another to follow through far enough to offer up something useful to take away. Kara offers us nothing, and remains throughout the book a whiny one-dimensional character whose back story is supposed to garner sympathy but in reality fails to do so.

This type of story fails to create the type of sisterhood where women feel less alone and more empowered. Perhaps the only point of these book types is to simply tell a story for entertainment’s sake alone or to satisfy the author’s personal agenda? I could find no pity for a woman who has to deal with life coming at her on multiple fronts because there are far too many women who can either match or top her story, lots of them without her vast wealth and resources.

In the end, I would find it difficult to recommend this book to anyone, let alone a woman going through a similar scenario in her own life. Again the reason being that I don’t find empowerment in this type of fiction. The writing, though promising in certain areas such as chapter closings, remains overall, spotty and in need of further development. Also, there seemed to be quite a few loose ends that did not work with the layout of the plot such as the final scene with Oliver and revelation of Trudy’s fate on the book’s final page. It’s as if the ending was rushed and the bits and pieces were added in later. The story line is pedestrian, at best, and if the intent is to offer women useful insight into their own lives, then more thought is needed in addressing urban women’s issues so that the issues don’t get lost in another “same ol’ story.”

Humility, Honesty, and Humor: 3 H’s of Character Development

2012-05-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Acclaimed author Jillian Medoff is known for her multilayered, powerful literary fiction. Her book, Hunger Point, not only received great reviews but was also turned into a movie for the Lifetime network. Earlier this month, Jillian's latest book hit bookstores. I Couldn't Love You More is a poignant story about a mother in crisis. Jillian was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about her new release. She also talked to us about how she uses humility, honesty, and humor in her writing. Do you have a question for Jillian? If so, be sure to post it in the comment section.

“At the beginning of my daughter’s princess party, right before Cinderella is scheduled to arrive, my sister Sylvia announces, apropos of nothing, that she is going blind.” Can you introduce us to the narrator of I Couldn't Love You More and tell us more about her dilemmas?

I Couldn’t Love You More is narrated by Eliot Gordon, a 38-year-old working mother. She is also a stepmother, sister, daughter, girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, who tries valiantly to fulfill each of these roles with perfection. That’s her first struggle—the desire to be “good,” which is, inevitably, a set up for failure. I Couldn’t Love You More explores each of these relationships, and how they bear on Eliot’s very happy but also very busy and complicated life. Eliot is initially thrown off-balance when her first boyfriend, Finn Montgomery, appears. Eliot and Finn never resolved their relationship, and his sudden reappearance sets off a series of events that culminates in a freak accident in which she’s forced to make a split-second decision: which daughters’ life will she save? Ultimately she chooses—nope, can’t tell you. You’ll just have to read the book…

This book takes place in Atlanta, a city dear to us here at Author Exposure. Atlanta is where this book blog was started. What does Atlanta mean to you? Why did you chose to set your story there?

I am the daughter of a traveling salesman, and my family moved 17 times by the time I was 17. We moved to Atlanta twice—once when I was in the second grade (shout-out to Spalding Elementary) again when I was finishing up tenth grade (shout-out to North Springs High School), and then I moved back for a five-year interlude between college and graduate school. My parents and sisters ended up staying in Atlanta for the next twenty-odd years, but I live in New York now. Still, I consider Atlanta my hometown, and try to visit whenever I can.

In crafting Eliot Gordon, I was trying to create an Everywoman—a contemporary working mother with broad appeal, who had recognizable and easily relatable qualities. Most important, I wanted her to continually overextend herself, and to be perceived as the perfect mother/stepmother because I had every intention of tearing her down. I always knew I would set I Couldn’t Love You More in Atlanta because it’s the perfect place for an Everywoman. Eliot lives north of Atlanta, beyond Alpharetta, so she’s forever in her car, which is the perfect symbol of a suburban mom. The traffic is lousy, which is relevant to the book’s plot. The people are diverse in some neighborhoods, not so much in others, but every stereotype is represented and easily exploited—the overly obsessive mothers, the wealthy private school crowd, the low-budget artist, the southern loyalist. In New York, you have similar stereotypes, but here, people can be so overbearing, they’re almost caricatures. In Atlanta, everyone is softer, more approachable, more real. I’ve lived in New York for a long time now, and my husband and I are ready to move. The question is where. My vote is Virginia Highlands, so we’ll see how that turns out.

Many critics have praised you for your ability to breathe life into your characters. Kirkus Reviews gave I Couldn't Love You More a starred review, saying "Medoff's talent for characterization is evident in her latest novel, a richly layered tale about that complicated thing called family...[Her] fully realized novel beautifully explores the most important relationships we create: as parent, as sibling, as spouse." How do you accomplish writing such three-dimensional, realistic characters? Are any of your characters based on real people?

What an excellent question! I actually wrote an essay about this very issue called “This is a True Story” that’s available in both the print and eBook versions of I Couldn’t Love You More. One point I make in the essay is that although none of the events that occur in the novel are real, everything that happens in this invented, self-contained universe is true. The same goes for the characters. As a novelist, if I have done my job correctly, every detail about these characters—the way they look, feel, act and react—will be consistent with; that is, true to the way I, the writer, envision them, and you, the reader experience them. So, they’re not real people, no—but I am obsessed with making them true-to-life.

To do this, I have to respect my characters and get to know them well. A writer is an observer but also a participant in her characters’ stories. None of them are me, but they’re all me, and I am obligated to do each of them justice on the page. Therefore, I can’t hold them at arm’s length. A good writer, an honest writer, has to get as close to the bone as possible. She can’t be afraid to go deeper, deeper still. Writing so intimately is hard to do because there’s always the risk of sentimentality or lack of credibility, but you have to try. To me, if you don’t risk something for your work—if you don’t bleed on the page—then where’s the challenge? And more important, why should a reader invest in your work if you’re taking the easy way out?

Similarly, to create living, breathing characters, you can never become too impressed with yourself as a writer. There will always be someone more talented, funnier, smarter and better-connected who will take home the big advance and the Pulitzer. To be a great writer, to truly reach beyond your grasp and write three-dimensionally, you must be humble and real as a person. By being honest with yourself, you’ll be better able to be honest on the page. Conversely, if you’re caught up in an illusion of yourself or the world—or you care too much what other people think—your work will be as false as you are.

Finally, there’s the concept of humor, which also helps characters come alive. I really didn’t start out trying to be a funny writer. In fact, I’d rather not. Over the years, I have tried very hard to write in a dark, brooding, noir-like voice, but every time I do, it sounds unnatural and simply not me. I have a predisposition to finding the absurd in the everyday, that is, looking at ordinary random moments and seeing what’s funny about them. The same is true of people—finding the humor in characters is to humanize them. We are each absurd in our own way, and to accept that—to celebrate it—is critical to our survival. Think about it: we live and then we die. How dark is that? Therefore, we absolutely must find humor—otherwise life would be too depressing and characters too boring. Of course, my philosophy doesn’t lend itself to all literary subjects. You won’t find me writing about, say, the Holocaust or missing and murdered children. But family relations, sibling rivalry, true love, the devaluation of the American dollar—all of these are perfect opportunities for humor, even in their darkest moments.

As stated on your website, you are available and always delighted to meet with book clubs. Can you share with us a little bit about your book club experiences and what it means to you to know that these discussions are taking place?

As a writer, I love book clubs. For two hours—or more, if we really get going—I am queen for a day. I get to sit in the comfortable chair, have a glass of wine, and discuss all the nuances of my novels. A dedicated audience, devoted readers, snacks—what more could a writer want? I’ve had memorable experiences at every book club I’ve visited, even when my connection to the members was tenuous or awkward, and certainly when the discussions got heated. (Full disclosure: my favorite evenings are when members get so passionate about a book, they argue. Again, what writer wouldn’t love to have their work taken so seriously?)

When my first novel, Hunger Point was published, book clubs weren’t as widespread as they are now. I did meet with a few though. My books are more literary than genre fiction, and by this I mean I work hard, as we discussed earlier, to create three-dimensional characters (often flawed, always vulnerable) and fully realized stories. I've never been afraid of taking on complex themes or risky subjects--I like to write about the things that people think but never say aloud. So my writing is very intimate, very gritty, and wholly honest. As a result, not only are most people convinced that I’m writing about myself (which I’m not) but they also feel compelled to tell me about themselves (which I love). Hunger Point was about eating disorders, dysfunctional families, sibling rivalry, suicide, food, depression, and sex, and almost every book club I visited evolved into a group therapy session with people disclosing their most intimate secrets. In those evenings, I learned more about those women and men than their therapists did. And, of course, I was thrilled. To me, one reason to read is to feel less alone in the world, and those book clubs certainly illustrated the power of fiction to bring people together over shared experiences.

Then Oprah came along with her big, bad book clubs, and people straightened up. Now there were agendas and pre-approved questions, and coordinated menus. But because I continued to write as down-and-dirty as ever, people continued to reveal themselves. I think the fact that I’m very forthcoming about my own fallibility as well as my characters’ makes people more inclined to open up. This in turn creates riveting book group discussions. The book only recently came out, but we’ve booked several clubs all across the country, and I’m curious to see what kinds of issues come up. The book is about a stepmother who is forced to decide which of her children she’ll save in a freak accident, so the possibilities are endless.

What are your specific marketing plans for I Couldn't Love You More? Will you be participating in online blog tours, book signings, or book tours?

We are doing as much as possible for I Couldn’t Love You More. This is my first novel in ten years, and during the past decade, book marketing has changed so much. I have a very extensive blog tour lined up, which I’m thrilled about. Ten years ago, there was much less connection between authors and their readers, but now, I can go to Goodreads and find out that Lucy P. from Miami is on page 46 of I Couldn’t Love You More. (I can also find out that Pat E. from upstate New York has “issues with my dirty language.”) I will be doing book signings in New York, Atlanta—I’ll be at the Georgia Center for the Book on June 5th—Hilton Head, Greenville, SC, and a few other places, and would love nothing more than to meet readers.

Ultimately, I’m very grateful for the book blogger community for supporting authors—with traditional coverage waning, it’s really the one way that non-industry people (“civilians” we call them) can find out about what’s new and what’s worth reading. So here’s a big shout-out and a big thank you to book bloggers everywhere! Also, I love hearing from readers—even you, Pat E.!—so please drop me a line at jillianmedoff@gmail.com, and we’ll talk.

********************
Want to learn more about Jillian and her books? Check out the links below:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Debut to Emerging! AE when it matters.

Book Review: "Dark Moon" by Maggie Tideswell

2012-05-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Libby

“A spellbinding novel of love, murder, and the supernatural.”

Just as the back cover synopsis says, Dark Moon (September 2011) has elements of romance, thriller, and fantasy genres in it. However, they are not all created equal. In my opinion, this book is mostly a supernatural romance—complete with love triangles and magic.

Storm, Elle, Trevor, and Jarred are connected to one another in many ways. Storm is in a relationship with Trevor, but infatuated with Jarred. Elle loves Jarred, but his heart belongs to Storm. Trevor, Elle’s brother, wants to marry Storm. The siblings, Elle and Trevor, both possess magical powers. While Elle worships the Goddess and practices good magic, Trevor serves the Lord of the Underworld. Using mind control along with his dark powers, Trevor manipulates his relationship with Storm. Most notably, the battle between light/good and dark/evil magic is a running theme throughout this book.

As I mentioned earlier, Dark Moon does have a bit of mystery in it. Someone is killing women in the area where Storm, Elle, Trevor, and Jarred live. Elle is the eighth victim of this Cape Town killer, but the only one to survive. She asks Storm, a psychologist, to develop a criminal profile. The ongoing investigation of these murders remains in the background of this novel and affects all of the main characters.

The multiple storylines running through this book were confusing at first. All of the characters were introduced in the beginning and the plot was slow to build up. However, eventually everything comes together in an ending that does not disappoint.

The final scene leaves room for a sequel. Along with some plot holes, it wouldn’t surprise me if the author has plans for making Dark Moon the first in a series of books. Would I read a follow-up novel? Probably not. While I enjoyed parts of this novel, I didn’t love it enough to read a sequel.

Book Review: "American Gangbang" by Sam Benjamin

2012-05-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Maria Ryan

Sam Benjamin’s foray into the world of pornography in the early 2000s, when he was just twenty-two years old, sets the stage for this candid memoir. Newly graduated from Brown and wanting to make his mark on the world by becoming a serious film artist, Sam decides to move from his home in New York to California. While making his new home in Santa Cruz, Sam has an encounter with porn that leads to a light bulb going off in his head. What if he literally turned the porn industry on its head by turning it into an art form and offering something it’s never seen before? Chasing both money and his dream, Sam begins his journey first in Santa Cruz and then later in Los Angeles and finally ends up in a million dollar compound in Malibu. Sam starts out working every aspect of porn from acting to directing and producing. Along the way, however, he discovers that this industry is taking more than it is giving back. He begins to realize that perhaps what he originally envisioned as his life’s work is not what it’s cracked up to be. As Sam finds living a normal life increasingly difficult to maintain and also begins to discover things about himself that are out of sync with his relationships outside the industry, he makes a bold decision.

Sam’s refreshing honesty and talent as a writer make American Gangbang (October 2011) a worthwhile book to read. His story and the way he presented it made this one of the best memoirs I have ever read. His writing style is both candid and expansive. There is a lot of content in this book that would be considered objectionable and it is certainly not a book for everyone, but in looking past the descriptive sleaziness of the industries and the genres in which he worked (Sam specialized in certain types of pornography) we see a courageous young man willing to bare his soul and speak out with honesty, no matter the cost. This book is recommended for an open-minded, adult audience.

To be clear, this is not a story about porn or even the porn industry, though there is plenty in the book pertaining to that. It is the story of one man’s journey through the many disappointments and disillusions of life. In coming to face them, he discovers more insights about himself.

PREPUB Book Review: "The Infinite Tides" by Christian Kiefer

2012-05-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Libby

Breathtaking, stunning, and brilliant. These three words are what come to mind when I think about The Infinite Tides by Christian Kiefer. Thanks to NetGalley, I had the pleasure of reading an advance electronic copy of this book. Mark your calendars so you can run to the bookstore on June 19th and get a copy.

Captain Keith Corcoran has worked hard all his life to become the astronaut, engineer, and mathematician he is today. He is at the pinnacle of his career with NASA, deployed into space to work on the International Space Station, when tragedy strikes on Earth. His 16-year-old daughter, Quinn, is in a fatal car accident and his wife, Barb, wants a divorce. When Keith finally returns from space, he finds a long abandoned, empty house that is no longer a home. Grief-stricken and forlorn, he wonders if it ever really was a home.

Kiefer writes with such clarity and poignancy. One of my favorite passages is near the end of chapter three when Keith is in his private quarters after hearing the news about Quinn and Barb, looking at the wallpaper on his laptop—an image of his family, smiling.

“…His eyes blurred and when they refocused a point of light drifted in the air before him, a faint luminescence like a distant star. Like a diamond. His first thought was fascination. Then confusion. Then he recognized it at last as a drop of fluid, a liquid of some kind suspended in the recycled oxygen of the compartment. Then he could see another and then another, as if a collection of tiny stars were forming in the air a few scant inches from his face, a new and unknown constellation which he watched with curiosity as if the individual points of light had originated from some other source. Not from him. Not from the tears that floated out and away from him as if drawn toward the image on the screen." (loc 655-660 of 4485)

Keith’s bereavement is written so elegantly and lyrically, it’s no surprise that Kiefer is both a poet and songwriter.

Beautiful writing along with exquisite character development are what make this debut so exceptional. There are only a handful of main characters in this novel, but each is complex and integral to the storyline. Peter and Luda, Keith’s neighbors, are two of my favorite characters. This couple immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine to give their children more opportunities. They play an important role in Keith’s bereavement, through his loss and his ultimate redemption.

This book is an amazing feat by a debut author. I cannot recommend it enough. Christian Kiefer is definitely an author to watch.

Book Review: "The Whisperer" by Donato Carrisi

2012-05-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Jennifer Shaw

Carrisi's The Whisperer (January 2012) has to be my most favorite adult debut novel in years. I have always found crime novels, both true and fiction, to be extremely fascinating. The mystery behind the actions within the story, and what makes the killer in this case tick, is utterly enthralling. It's hard to resist a thrilling read that leads you in one direction, only to turn everything upside down and sideways, throwing your "who-dun-it" guess out the window like yesterday's garbage. That's exactly what Carrisi does in The Whisperer.

The characters are amongst the most detailed I've come across. As you encounter each of the characters, you immediately feel as though you know them personally. It's as if they are inspired by individuals Carrisi actually knows. These qualities of the characters made the plot feel more realistic, as if a news broadcast was unfolding right before my eyes. I'm sure that Carrisi's background in law and criminology helped in not only the development of his characters, but also in adding to the intensity of the plot.

The mystery of The Whisperer is brilliantly constructed. I was expecting one intense case but found multiple cases woven together in the most intriguing way. From the very first page, you are filled with shocking details and disturbing events. All of this brings you to a moment that will surely make your heart stop beating—if only for a second.

I highly recommend The Whisperer to readers that enjoy a thrilling read that will keep them on the edge of their seats, begging for more when the final page is turned. You won't regret giving this masterpiece a try.

NYT Bestselling Author Takes the Online Campaign

2012-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Lou Aronica is a successful editor, publisher, and New York Times bestselling co-author. He recently collaborated with Julian Iragorri on his latest novel, Differential Equations. Although I haven't read this book yet, it is on my TBR list . Last year I had the opportunity to read and review Aronica's Blue. Click here to read my review of this compelling book. Lou was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about his new release, his thoughts on e-books, and his writing career. Do you have a question for Lou? Be sure to leave it in the comment box at the end of this interview.

Differential Equations is an inspiring novel about a successful New York businessman who is in crisis. Can you introduce us to your main character, Alex Soberano, and tell us more about his dilemmas?

Alex is a rock star in the financial world. He's built a tremendously successful business, and the financial media love him. However, as successful as he is in his professional life, he's equally unsuccessful in his personal life. He's going through a bitter divorce, he's unable to commit to the woman he loves, and the only meaningful relationship he is capable of maintaining is with his little niece. As the novel opens, Alex feels his personal failings beginning to overwhelm him and he decides to take a break from his life in an effort to find peace. He has no idea at this point that three people from the past are going to aid him on this journey.

You have been in the book business for quite some time--as a publisher, novelist, co-author, and editor. So much has changed in this industry. What are your thoughts on the surge in the popularity of electronic books and its affect on writers and readers? Do you find marketing an e-book to be easier or more complex than hand selling an actual book?

Overall, I am tremendously enthusiastic about the growth of e-books. So many of the problems that were constraining the book business – specifically the cost of manufacturing, the cost of returns (for those who don't know, retailers can return physical books to the publisher at the publisher's expense), the cost of distribution, warehousing, and fulfillment, and the associated cost of selling the books to booksellers – go away with e-books. I also think the lower price of e-books makes it much easier for dedicated readers to read as much as they want. However, e-books are not nearly as discoverable as physical books are. Online bookstores aren't even remotely as browsable as physical bookstores are. This means that publishers need to direct readers specifically to their titles, and this has never been a strength of publishers in the past. We've always focused our energies on getting booksellers excited about our books, and then relying on display and bookseller recommendations to sell the books to consumers. We're all scrambling to come up with the right tools. One thing that's clear is that bloggers will play an extremely important role in this. To my mind, the blogger is the equivalent to the independent bookseller in an online world – she or he becomes the trusted source that readers turn to for suggestions.

Magical realism is a major element in your novels. What is it about this style of fiction that appeals to you?

I love the idea of using fantasy as a metaphor. When I employ fantasy, as I did in my novel Blue and as Julian and I did in Differential Equations, the goal is to use it to say something about our lives. There's a strong metaphysical component to Differential Equations, but it's not there as a special effect. It's there to show people trying to understand what their lives are about. The magic in this novel moves the characters toward their futures.

You've published solo projects as well as collaborative ones. Differential Equations is co-wrtten by Julian Iragorri. What is it like writing with someone else?

I did a piece about this recently on the Fiction Studio Books blog. I love collaborating with other writers because it causes me to write from perspectives I might not have considered otherwise. Julian brought most of the story components to this novel and it was endlessly interesting for me to mesh my voice with his. The collaboration worked because we both cared deeply about the topics. I've wanted to write a novel in the tradition of the South American writers I've admired since I was a teen, but I probably never would have done so if Julian hadn't come to me with his ideas.

What are your specific marketing plans for Differential Equations? Will you be participating in online blog tours, book signings, or book tours?

We're focusing all of our marketing efforts online. We have a publicist working with us in this regard, and we're doing some online advertising as well. To me, this is where the bulk of the readers are now, so it makes complete sense to put all of our efforts there.

Debut to Emerging! AE when it matters.

Book Review: "The Book of Madness and Cures" by Regina O'Melveny

2012-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Jennifer Shaw

O'Melveny's The Book of Madness and Cures (April 2012) is set in the 16th century and follows Gabriella Mondini, a woman that practices medicine during a time that women were forbidden to do so. This is what initially intrigued me about this novel. I had hoped that my interest in the medical field would increase my enjoyment of the story, and while it did to some degree, I quickly found that it lost its luster. The historical qualities O'Melveny brought to the forefront of the novel were wonderful. You can see that she did a great deal of research in preparation for The Book of Madness and Cures but it honestly wasn't enough to make me fall head-over-heels in love with her work.

In the beginning, Gabriella was the shining star of the novel, helping me to continue reading, but I just couldn't continue to read a book that I so obviously wasn't enjoying. Life is just too darn short to force yourself to read something that doesn't captivate you. There were moments that I enjoyed Gabriella as a person, understood her strength and desire to be a respected female doctor, but those moments were followed by the childish actions/thoughts that didn't really fit.

The historical aspects of the story were grand but in the end that's all they were--just a bunch of beautiful organized words describing a time that eludes us. I felt as though the historical quality of the book was a little on the dry side for me.

What Are the Celebrities Reading?

2012-05-06T06:30:00.000-04:00

If you watched The View this week, the hosts along with special co-host, Eden Sher, took time out to make a few book recommendations.

Honestly, this is a feature I would like to see regularly on that show. They have the medium why not use it for books! The interviews are fine but a quick recommendation of more than one title is cool and there's nothing like a personal recommendation. The audience likes to know that you've read it because of interest and enjoyment and not necessarily for promotional purposes all the time.

Whoopi recommends Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Joy recommends Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Sherry's choice was Lightning by Dean Koontz

Elizabeth names Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Eden Sher

Special Co-Host, Eden Sher, recommends Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti

Book Review: "A Watershed Year" by Susan Schoenberger

2012-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Maria Ryan

Lucy McVie is a single, 38-year-old, non-tenured college professor living in campus housing when she is confronted with the death of Harlan, her best friend and unrequited love interest. Harlan, suffering from terminal cancer, makes a radical decision in forgoing his cancer treatment. After Harlan’s death, Lucy must come to terms with not only losing Harlan but with the way he chose to die sooner than expected. Harlan manages to keep communicating with Lucy after his death by rigging an email program to deliver to her one email per month in the form of a letter. It is through these letters that Lucy learns about the Harlan she never knew once cancer claimed his existence. So begins Lucy’s watershed year, or rather a year of Lucy arguably wandering around in a fog and making a majority of unsound decisions.

A meeting with Harlan’s former drycleaner has Lucy for the first time in her life considering adoption. She contacts a Russian agency run by a woman named Yulia who brokers adoptions in a part of Russia called Murmansk. Yulia convinces Lucy to consider adopting a 4-year-old boy instead of the infant she planned to adopt. The boy living in an orphanage is named Azamat. This boy has lost his mother in a car accident and although his father is still living, he works long hours and cannot provide care for his own child. Lucy barrels ahead with plans for adoption and soon discovers an unsavory side to the way Yulia conducts her business along with Yulia’s ulterior motives behind this particular adoption.

Though dialogue in A Watershed Year (March 2011) is well written, with adequate section breaks and decent pacing, Lucy herself is somewhat of a flat character. For me, she was difficult to root for mainly due to the way she went about radically altering her life with seemingly very little thought for future consequences. It was hard to buy that she went from working diligently to further her career to just about throwing it away while she suddenly became so singularly focused on and consumed by the adoption. If she were to get fired, how was she planning to support this child? Perhaps the adoption was born out of her grief over losing Harlan and her refusal to state how she truly felt about him while she had the chance. Perhaps she felt it was time to make a bold statement or maybe she needed a diversion so she could continue in denial over the real issues she needed to confront in her own life? The scenes involving Azamat’s father were fraught with overly dramatic and ludicrous reactions from Lucy, her family, and friends. The only thing I took away from these scenes was disgust for the lack of an adequately researched and planned for adoption.

Read more>>>>

Book Review: "A Good and Useful Hurt" by Aric Davis

2012-05-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Libby

A Good and Useful Hurt (February 2012) is not a book that would normally catch my eye. After reading the premise of the story on the back cover, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was certainly intrigued. Set in Michigan, this book is about a tattoo shop that specializes in tattooing ashes of dead people into their customers. This parlor happens to be located in a city terrorized by a serial killer. Also thrown into the mix is a love story. How would these multi-genre storylines come together? Well, the storylines do collide and as the synopsis says, this is "one of the most imaginative, haunting thrillers in recent memory."

While the writing isn't exactly top-notch, the characters certainly are. I really enjoyed getting to know the tattoo shop owner, his employees, and their customers. Each person was quirky and in their own right. I learned a lot about what goes on in a tattoo parlor and developed a new appreciation for the art. The author, Aric Davis, is a professional body piercer who clearly knows his trade.

If I could divide this book in fourths, I would say I enjoyed three-quarters of it. The characters came alive in the first quarter and I really enjoyed getting to know them. The second quarter is where the book lost me. It was during this part where the love story developed but then fell to the wayside. I felt like it was a distraction to the main thriller storyline. The remaining half of the book was brilliant.

I would recommend A Good and Useful Hurt to readers who enjoy reading suspenseful books with elements of the supernatural. This raw, edgy book does not disappoint. I look forward to reading more of Davis’s work.

The BookClubbin' Booster

2012-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Author,

Welcome to the start of a newsletter and radio show designed for you!

The BookClubbin' Booster- an exclusive newsletter for authors who want to know how to build author platforms through book clubs.

Look beyond the Q&A book club meeting. Extract what you need to know from the book clubs while you are speaking with them. Get to know them a little before the call. Start to build a bridge of loyal consumers after the call. Learn this and more when you follow .......

BOOKCLUBBIN' BOOSTER

What is that word (or phrase) that describes you when you're new to something? Is it debut, newbie, first-timer, or 'wet behind the ears'? Whatever it is, rest assured that it's all part of your initiation on the journey to becoming an author. So, how long is the initiation period? Well, it starts at least halfway through the writing process. Why halfway? Because that is when the onset of guilt occurs at frequent intervals for not having finished the manuscript. The good news is that the initiation ends at the point where you are able to reach a measurable audience with your second book or beyond that brings you happiness - one step beyond satisfaction. When you have reached happiness, you have reached your expectations.

Wait, did you catch that? That's right, I skipped over the probable success of your first book. You have to look at your first book like a pilot sitcom. It may garner interest. Then again, it may not even turn a head, let alone a page. During a pilot, the audience is looking for some type of familiarity. They are asking -who are these new actors or actresses? The same concept applies to your book. Who are these new characters? Can I picture them? Can I relate to their issues and their way of thinking? Typically at the onset of a finished first book, you'll get a pile of hard knock lessons from agents, family, friends, and, hopefully, a few consumer or editorial book reviewers. But you are missing one important group and that is book clubs. If you make the time and dialogue with book clubs, you can begin to gather market research and a tighter framework for your author platform.

Most of the time when you hear about market research in publishing there is often a swift reference to nonfiction. However, market research can be done for fiction writing through book clubs. If you did not do the market research before you wrote the book, then you're sure to do it after it is published. So, why not change your approach? I am going to show you how to develop market research from a simple book club meeting.

What can a book club tell you about your book? What have you learned that you did not translate into market research? What did you fail to ask during the book club meeting? What action step have you given to the book club in order to stay connected after the meeting? Where should you focus - online clubs or local?

Book clubs can tell you whether or not your characters are well developed and whether or not your setting provided any significance to the story. They can tell you what you're demographics are if you ask the right questions, listen to what was memorable, and apply consumerism and take action. I will teach you how to do that through this newsletter.

News Knobbin' BS This Monday

2012-04-30T06:30:00.000-04:00

THE CONSUMER PIT STOP ON THE WAY TO RATIONAL..ANYTHING GOES!

We interrupt your book review obsession with some links of literary news around the world.....

Check out the B&N NEW E-Reader Review at CNN Tech. Lengthy but it has a point.

Bloomberg Businessweek is following up on the battle between Amazon & The Publishers. What round is this?

HuffBooks fearless book club lead toggles with the idea of Facebook buying the Nook.

PCMag talks taboo when he enters the Sorry State of Digital Books and he's not lying!

No Pulitzer for fiction? GalleyCat says it didn't hurt sales! Things that make you go hmm..

Book Review: "The Healing" by Jonathan Odell

2012-04-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever found yourself thinking about certain characters after finishing a book? This is what happened to me after reading Jonathan Odell’s The Healing (Feburary 2012). I absolutely fell in love with the characters. The Healing is a powerful, superbly written, character-driven novel about slavery in the South.

It takes place just before the Civil War in Mississippi on a plantation of 4,000 acres run by over 300 slaves. Although The Healing has many well-developed characters, both major and minor, it focuses mainly on two women. The narrator, Granada, was born on this plantation and (for reasons revealed in the story) raised by the Master’s wife. She doesn’t know who her birth mother is and sees herself as a motherless child with dark skin living alongside the well-to-do white Master’s family. Granada's struggles with knowing where she belongs are further complicated when a witch doctor, Polly, arrives. A widespread illness has crippled the plantation and the Master is willing to do whatever it takes to save his slaves—including honoring Polly’s request to release Granada into her care. Granada joins Polly and begins her journey of self-discovery and healing.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The Healing is such a rich novel—in character development, writing, wisdom, and storytelling. Jonathan Odell is a very gifted writer. Every word is written intentionally and with purpose. His poetric prose grabs you and doesn’t let go. For example, here is an excerpt from when Granada first sees Polly:

“The stranger was reddish brown with pointed cheekbones and amber eyes. Bird feathers stuck out of her braids this way and that, and around her neck she wore a ponderous necklace made of gleaming white shells. She was as skinny as a river bird, and draped over her shoulders was a mangy wrap made from the fur of some animal Granada imagined being too ugly to ever have lived." (69)

I couldn’t wait to finish this book but I didn’t want it to end. If you are looking for a good spring or summer read, be sure to get a copy of The Healing. Granada, Polly, and the many other characters are sure to remain in your heart as they have in mine.

Captain Obvious Discovers Bad Mexican & Gay Bookstore

2012-04-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Consumers Flight on Literary Life

It was a Tuesday afternoon and my friend and I decided to take a mini-trip downtown to the Reading Terminal Market, a hot lunch spot for the business casuals and not to mention a Philadelphia tourist attraction. We stopped for some lunch and my friend casually ordered a nice, soft, sweet, delicious pretzel and a fresh lemonade from the Amish stand. I ordered a not so Mexican-flavored chicken fajita salad from a different vendor. My first hint should have been the Italian guy at the register and the African-American cook but I was desperate to have the one thing I had not eaten in over a year. Several bites in and my eating pace slowed, my appetite diminished and I started to see pictures of a yucked-face mini-George Lopez on my shoulder asking,"you gonna keep eating that? For real?" I was half way through the salad when this delusion occurred and I tossed the rest into the trash. George was right. I know better, I've had better.

We left the Reading Terminal Market and walked down 11th street heading toward South Philadelphia. Taking in the scores of new sidewalk cafes and the accompanying rising glass windows. I was feverishly jotting down areas that would make great settings for writers who wanted to base their stories out of Philadelphia. When an author visits Philadelphia, I wanted to be able to take them to places that inspire but are not necessarily popular and distracting. My friend and I were approaching the corner of 12th and Pine Streets and I saw it. A bookstore! Finally something I could sink my teeth into for a while. So, I said to my friend, "We have to go in!" We scuttle past another outdoor cafe, step inside and echo a hello to the man behind the register. This bookstore clearly reflected the advantage of having a prime real estate corner property with its' open space and wide sections. Like any other bookstore, I attempt to make a b-line straight to the mystery section but I had difficulty finding it. Fiction was all around me but I couldn't quite figure out the layout. Since some of the books that were facing out didn't necessarily faze me, I went upstairs to the nonfiction section and that is when I realized where I was. Typically in the nonfiction section you get the truth and that is what I got. Cover to cover and shelf to shelf it became obvious that this bookstore had its' own niche and I was standing right in the middle of it. Memoirs, history for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender folks and I was not one of them.

I have a rule when I walk into bookstores, I buy a book. I never walk out without one even at full price. But what the hell can I buy that I'm actually going to read? I had to really look hard and descend down the steps back to the fiction section. I refuse to buy something I wasn't going to read. Alas, I discovered a seasoned author Isabel Allende. Her latest novel, Island Beneath the Sea was a great book club recommendation.

I walked out of the bookstore, Giovanni's Room, and immediately starting having flashbacks like Poppy Montgomery's character in the CBS drama Unforgettable. I realized that the signs when I walked in - The Attitude magazine. In the fiction section, there were labels that I glazed over that said Lesbian. The fiction was actually divided up in a way I had not experienced or expected and that was ok. Because it seems that even in the most niched bookstores, there is still something for everyone.

Although I didn't notice anything at first sight that whole day, I adapted to my new nickname - Captain Obvious, for failing too see what was right in front of me even though it was obvious to others. If nothing else, my friend laughed all day and I'm ok with that too.
____________________________
Why The Aerator?

Google the word 'aerator' and you will see that it is defined as an apparatus for exposing something to the air. We're taking the same book news you can get anywhere on the web and adding a consumer flair to it. How else are you going to relate to it? Big news becomes local no matter where you are because of the effect it has on you - the consumer. There are times when the news isn't seen anywhere but here! This is what The Aerator is all about! Keeping you informed, charging your brain and bringing conversations to you!

Book Review: "Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar" by Michelle O'Neil

2012-04-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Maria Ryan

Michelle O’Neil’s story of her own coming-of-age in the midst of a severely dysfunctional upbringing will have readers alternately laughing and crying. Raised in the 70s and 80s by a severely co-dependent mother and an alcoholic father, Michelle is the second daughter of five siblings struggling for survival inside a home where no child should bear witness.

O’Neil writes through the eyes of a young girl named Janie who continually tries to make sense of her chaotic and inconsistent lifestyle. She manages to capture so well the thoughts and feelings of a girl between the ages of eight and twenty-two years of age. Janie is smart and possesses a spark that often sees her through some of her most difficult times. She is an extremely likable character, all the more so as she shares her countless vulnerabilities in the face of utter turmoil. In spite of her situation and well against the odds, Janie finds her own way and discovers not only who she is but also how worthy she is. As she grows into a young woman she realizes perhaps for the first time where her many strengths and talents lie and forges a path for herself, this time on her terms.

Listening to O’Neil’s story I felt a mixture of sadness, sympathy, nostalgia, and, finally, triumph. Since she grew up during the same time I did, I delighted over her references to favorite TV shows like Laverne and Shirley (also a favorite of mine) and her mention of sitting in the “way back” in her grandparents Suburban. I didn’t realize that others outside my own family used that term as well.

I can completely understand the rationale for O’Neil putting into words her story and imagine her many reasons for doing so. I commend her bravery and courage and continually cheered her on throughout the book. Her effective use of humor without ever closing herself off from her feelings belies a kind heart. Though at times her story is heartbreaking to read, the reader will feel Janie’s triumph over her past as she states her desire for a loving family of her own. I found myself wishing the same for her.

While reading Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar (October 2011), I was struck with the sense of knowing girls just like Janie growing up without ever realizing it at the time. O’Neil mentions often the lengths she would go to not have anyone find out what her family was about. The reaction on my part was the result of something stirred up while reading this story and a credit to O’Neil’s talent as a writer. Initially feeling as though her father was getting way more attention than he deserved, I quickly came to realize that this book was not about him nor about any one of the people who should have loved and protected her so much better than their weaknesses and dysfunctions allowed. It is a story about forgiveness.

I recommend this book to anyone who has lived through a similar experience, to those who have had a hand in turning a nightmare into a reality for their loved ones, and to any of us needing a reminder of the strength of an indomitable spirit. Daughter of the Drunk at the Bar will deliver.

Survival of the Fittest? Indie Bookstore Hosts Its' Own Festival

2012-04-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

The Consumers Flight on Literary Life

Last Sunday, I took my daughter to the Kids' Literary Festival in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. The festival was hosted by Blue Marble Bookstore, an independent bookstore that's easy to find with GPS but hard to find if you're just riding by. There was a huge tree blocking the building but in any case just trust the GPS, park the car and walk back to the area where the GPS guy said, "your destination is on the right".

We walked in to what could easily be identified as a converted row home. When you open the door the smell of new books lured you in. I was practically smacked in the face with a new release from one of my favorite authors, Erik Larson. I had been focusing so much on debuts that I didn't even realize he released a new title, In The Garden of Beasts. That was the start of a series of books to be held in my hands that afternoon. I should also note that I walked in with my NOOK so that I could easily reference books from my wishlist. When I was faced with the challenge of whether or not to buy the (cheaper) book online or not, the bookstore clerk mentioned their new frequent buyer initiative. Once you purchase $150 worth of books, you get 20% off of future purchases up to $150. So, I made my mark with $138.00 and I intend to go back. After all, I am a known book addict.

I will openly admit that we did not show up until the last day of the festival. We arrived in time to hear the end of the Little Dog Lost story and participate in the craft with Monica Carnesi. It was highly attended (for the space allowed) by folks under 6 and their doting parents. It was a nice way to spend a quiet Sunday. But while I was there, I took notice of the things that seem to pop out the most and it all involved book clubs. Colorful book club selections identified by the staff, a place where bookstores could meet and a cafe serving soothing tea.

The festival was in its' sixth year and although this was my first experience and a very partial one. I will go back to the bookstore simply because the people were nice and helpful. I love a store that has staff picks, recommendations for book clubs and space to hold a book club meeting. I especially love a bookstore that supports local authors. I was able to pick up a signed copy of The Wolves of Fairmount Park by Dennis Tafoya. The store promotes gatherings, community and it stays alive in a community full of residences, a small cafe, pet store and a few other niche small businesses.

What are some of the unique elements your local bookstore brings to you - the consumer? Share them below!
_______________________
Why The Aerator?
Google the word 'aerator' and you will see that it is defined as an apparatus for exposing something to the air. We're taking the same book news you can get anywhere on the web and adding a consumer flair to it. How else are you going to relate to it? Big news becomes local no matter where you are because of the effect it has on you - the consumer. There are times when the news isn't seen anywhere but here! This is what The Aerator is all about! Keeping you informed, charging your brain and bringing conversations to you!

Book Review: "Loud in the House by Myself" by Stacy Pershall

2012-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Joan Hanna

“You give your feeling melodramatic names, grandiose status, because melodramatic and grandiose are how you're feeling. You're the most depressed person EVER, or, on the rare good days, the happiest—no, not the happy, ECSTATIC. There is no gray, there is only the blackest black and shimmering white. The white, for which you live, is like being illuminated by a God in whom you have long since stopped believing. The black is what you more often get.” (7)

Loud in the House of Myself: Memoir of a Strange Girl (January 2012) by Stacy Pershall is one of those rare gems of a memoir that reaches out with brutal honesty about the struggles of living with an either undiagnosed or under diagnosed mental health issue. If you've ever wrestled with anything in your life, even if it's not to the extent of the author, you will find something to identify with in this book. Many times in memoir we can stand next to, in front of, or sometimes even above the narrator. This is not one of those books. This narrator will get inside of you. This voice trying to understand a mental health problem will ring so true you will not be able to put this book down.

There are so many things in Loud in the House of Myself that fascinated me. But I think the thing that rang true for me the most, was the bare honesty with which it was told. Pershall did not pretty herself up to write this book. She did not blame everyone around her for her mental health issues. She sat herself smack in the middle of her cutting, her bulimia, and her desperate attempts to self medicate her undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder. This to me, but not only this, was one of the most endearing aspects of this book. I didn't want to save her, help her, tell her what she needed to know or what to do; I just simply wanted to take this journey in her shoes, and through her words, to see where it would take her. This is a rare gift in a writer; the ability to pull someone so completely into their story that the reader just wants to hear the writer's voice.

The other thing that I loved about this book is that it isn't pretty. It's strong. It's in your face. It doesn't try to whitewash anything and it's well written. If you have had experiences in your life with people suffering from bulimia or Borderline Personality Disorder you will be able to bring something with you into this journey. If you have never had an experience with someone learning to live their lives while struggling with any type of disorder you won't need anything but this book to understand a little better the frustration and the utter devastation of living your life trying to understand something that grabs a hold of you which you can't control.

Loud in the House of Myself is a memoir that will take you inside Pershall’s journey. There is so much more to this book than I can even say here. The language is beautifully crafted. The dark episodes are written so well you will feel them on your skin. In her epilogue Pershall states: “I was the girl in whom most saw nothing and some saw everything (228).” I believe that Pershall has shown us everything in this book. Read it with an open mind. Read it with an open heart. But more importantly, pass this book on to someone you know who needs to hear the truth.

PREPUB Book Review: "Helen Keller in Love" by Rosie Sultan

2012-04-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Reviewed by Libby

Although much of Helen Keller’s life is documented in books, letters, and newspapers, not everything is disclosed. It is a little known fact that Helen Keller had a romantic relationship with her assistant, Peter Fagan. Author Rosie Sultan takes this nugget of information and builds a beautiful story about Helen Keller and her lover.

“Thirty-seven years old. Deaf, blind, mute. I have taken a lover, and I am in love. I can’t publicly marry because my teacher and my mother forbid it—it is their only hope of keeping me close. But I defied them.” (1)

So begins Helen Keller in Love (April 2012). When Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller’s longtime teacher and assistant, falls ill she can no longer give the support Helen requires. Helen reaches out to Anne’s estranged husband for help. He sends a Boston Herald reporter named Peter Fagan to be her secretary. When Peter arrives, the smell of cigarettes and muskrat waken something inside Helen—a desire she can’t ignore. The two become infatuated with each other. Unbeknownst to her family, Helen and Peter apply for a marriage license. Their plan to runaway falters, but their determination to be together does not.

The amount of research that went into creating this book is obvious. The author breathes life into Helen Keller’s words, weaving material from historical documents into the storyline and dialogue. Sultan’s portrayal of Helen is well-developed and engaging. Writing in the voice of a historical figure who is also mute, blind, and deaf is a challenge. I applaud Sultan for all that she accomplished in writing this novel.

Helen Keller in Love is a noteworthy debut and does not disappoint. I recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction or stories with a strong female lead.

From Poet to Novelist - An O'Melveny Giveaway

2012-04-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today we continue our celebration of National Poetry Month and welcome poet Regina O'Melveny to Author Exposure. Her award-winning poetry has appeared in anthologies and literary magazines. This month she is celebrating the release of her first novel, The Book of Madness and Cures. Regina was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. If you have a question for Ms. O'Melveny, please feel free to post it in the comment section. This month the author is offering a hardback copy of her new book to one lucky winner. You don't want to miss this great opportunity!

The Book of Madness and Cures is about a doctor in 16th century Venice who is searching for her father. Can you introduce us to your main character, Gabriella Mondini, and tell us more about her dilemmas?

Gabriella Silvana Mondini is a rarity in the late Renaissance: a woman who practices

medicine. Her father, a renowned physician, has mentored and inspired her to a shared mission to understand the secrets of the human body, its maladies and cures, the balance of the humors. Together they are working on a great encyclopedia, The Book of Diseases. When her father disappears after undertaking a journey of several years to further their research, Gabriella faces a crisis. She is no longer permitted to treat her patients, women who need her desperately, without her father’s patronage. She sets out across Europe to find where—and why—he has gone. Following clues from his enigmatic letters, Gabriella crosses Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands entering strange and forbidding cities. She travels to Scotland, France and finally to Morocco. In each new land she probes the mystery of her father’s passage and opens new mysteries of her own, with regards to ailments and treatments. She must also face the dilemma of whether or not to abandon the quest and begin her own vocation and life in earnest, to accept the love and counsel that is offered by a friend.

The Book of Madness and Cures is your first novel. As an accomplished poet, what challenges did you face in writing a novel? What did you learn about yourself as a writer?

The task of completing a full novel has been both exhilarating and daunting. I like to circle an image, the way my dog goes round and round her space before she lies down, but the novel was more like a wide open romp through the countryside and a keen tracking of characters. I had to learn momentum, pacing, and meaning as a kind of scent. I loved exploring the broader field, but I also had to tame my tangents and distractions. Thankfully I had help from my characters, who demanded movement, challenge and change. I learned long distance endurance with subject matter and a real appreciation of the devotion and time it takes for such work.

Your book takes place in Renaissance Italy. What sources did you use to better understand the time period? What was one of the most surprising things you learned in your research?

One of my first and primary sources was memory, the afternoon hours of my childhood spent in my mother’s painting studio that was filled with Renaissance and Medieval art books, and in particular gorgeous copies of Vesalius’s De Humani Corporis Fabrica and Dante’s La Divina Commedia. Naturally I was transfixed by Inferno and my mother often read to me from Dante, in Italian. I also returned to the memory of my father who mentored my studies in literature and natural history until he disappeared. I didn’t know what had happened to him for many years. But he had given me a great gift of scientific curiosity and observation that has served me well.

I found that along with memory to tap the undercurrents of the story, immersion in the arts of the Renaissance proved a great source for me. I read poems by the Venetian poet Veronica Franco, letters and essays of the time, pored over Mercator maps and paintings by Tiziano, Giorgione, Giotto, Durer and Brueghel. I listened to early music recordings of Monteverdi, Gesualdo, Morley, Gabrieli, and Holborne. My travels over a period of years, took me to nearly every place on Gabriella’s journey, where I had the wonderful opportunity to observe the architecture of the old cities, walking the streets she walked, visiting the anatomy theaters in Padua and Leiden she frequented. Present day scholarship on specific subjects such as women’s roles in the Renaissance were also invaluable, among them Nancy G. Sirasi’s Medieval and Early Renaissance Medicine, Carlo Ginzberg’s The Night Battles, Elizabeth Brooke’s Women Healers, Portraits of Herbalists, Physicians and Midwives, and Robin Briggs’s Witches and Neighbors. One of the most surprising things I discovered was the great variance in attitudes towards women doctors and healers, throughout Europe, especially between urban centers and the countryside.

The Book of Madness and Cures is on the Indie Next Great Read list for the month of April. How does it feel to have independent booksellers and reviewers alike all abuzz about your book? How would you describe your journey as a writer up until this point?

Ever since my Italian grandmother sent me a small cloth journal with a golden lock, when I was a girl of ten, I’ve loved to write. I could step through words into other worlds, and be startled, challenged, amazed and changed. That holds true today. Story draws me into the unknown, where strangely I also recognize what I know and then go further. Characters call out to me, the muses of beauty and terror call, and small details such as vials of herbs or the arrangement of ligaments in the hand call to me. And I’m grateful (even if fearful sometimes) to listen, take up the task and the journey.

What are your specific marketing plans for? Will you be participating in online blog tours, book signings, or book tours?

Little, Brown and Company has been really wonderful in implementing the marketing plans for the novel, including a five city pre-sell book tour, west coast author events and book signings as well as publicity including features, reviews, book video, interactive reading group guide, downloadable excerpts and a national media campaign with print, radio and online interviews. There is online advertising on Goodreads, Shelf Awareness and PW Daily. I have a website with excerpts and inspirations for The Book of Madness and Cures at www.reginaomelveny.com. I’ll also be available for book club call-ins, visits in my area, and e-mail responses to book club questions. I look forward to hearing from my readers!

**********************

Thanks for joining us today! Regina would like to offer a copy of The Book of Madness and Cures to ONE lucky winner. Interested in entering this giveaway? Please read the following rules:

1. You must be a fan, follower, or subscriber to Author Exposure (thanks for your support!)
2. You must be a resident of US or Canada
3. Comment on this post and don't forget to include your email address--that's your ticket to this giveaway...no email address, no entry

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON APRIL 20th. THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL.

Debut to Emerging! AE when it matters.

Book Review: "Commune of Women" by Suzan Still

2012-04-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Reviewed by Maria Ryan

In Commune of Women (July 2011), six unsuspecting women converge upon LAX airport on an ordinary morning and are suddenly and forcibly thrust upon each other as they flee a terrorist attack. Each seeks refuge in the same airport employee lounge to escape the chaos and spraying bullets. Sophia, a natural leader of Amazonian proportions, easily takes the lead as she proves her mettle by tending to the lone gunshot victim in the group. Erika, a corporate executive on her way to a business meeting overseas, suffers a bullet wound and must put her life in the hands of strangers under extreme stress. Pearl, a homeless woman, has a rough and gritty exterior that gives way to boundless wisdom and inner strength. Heddi, a Jungian analyst from an obscenely wealthy family, harbors dark secrets as she rallies her skills to try and help the others. Betty, a grossly overweight housewife, suffers from her family’s recent splintering. Finally, there is Ondine, a self absorbed artist who has suffered a terrible loss and lacks the ability to connect to her life. Both Betty and Ondine are Heddi’s patients.

This story focuses mainly on women: the various female archetypes, their complexities, their complicated relationships, and the transcendence of womanhood itself. The way Still chose to explore the intertwining lives of these women is reminiscent of No Exit, the existentialist French play by Jean-Paul Sartre, in terms of hell being other people and having to face this against will and in such close proximity. Still mentions that the idea for her novel came from Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet, an examination of four perspectives on a single event. In Commune of Women, Still adds the element of various perspectives being formed right before our eyes as the main event is taking place.

Read more>>>>

Book Review: "The Dark Rose" by Erin Kelly

2012-04-10T06:00:00.009-04:00

Reviewed by Jennifer Shaw

Erin Kelly’s The Dark Rose (February 2012) follows the stories of Paul and Louisa via a series of flashbacks as they painstakingly work to restore a garden. The garden restoration project is a safe haven for each of them, and for very different reasons. When Louisa meets Paul, she is shocked at how much Paul favors her childhood boyfriend, Adam. As time goes on, Louisa and Paul let down their walls and reveal their pasts to one another.

The Dark Rose is a thrilling read, and Kelly holds nothing back as she delves deep into Paul and Louisa’s past and present. The flashbacks and mystery definitely keep the novel speeding forward at a thrilling pace. I was impressed by how well Kelly switched back and forth between the characters throughout the novel. The transition was smooth, allowing the reader to enjoy the individual stories, as well as the novel in its entirety.

Kelly is a fantastic writer with a beautiful writing style. I highly recommend The Dark Rose to readers that enjoy a thrilling mystery with realistic characters that captivate you.

Tweet @ authorexposure if you added this psychological thriller to your TBR pile after reading this review

Book Review: "Bedbugs" by Ben H. Winters

2012-04-06T06:00:00.004-04:00

Reviewed by Traci Green

Susan works at home on her paintings while Alex works on his small business as a gem photographer. Until one day when Susan walks into a room to touch up the painting of a woman and discovers bite marks on her arms. She doesn't tell Alex about the painting but her silence starts a whirlpool of endless bedbugs.

But are they really bedbugs? Are they really there? According to the local newspaper, it’s a phenomenon throughout the city. But what if only one person sees them? That’s the case with Susan. She not only sees them but she feels them crawling on her and experiences their bite. She learns when they will come to feed on her and when she can rest. Susan’s doctor seems to think she is suffering from Ekbom syndrome also known as delusional parasitosis. Alex believes the doctor—after all he hasn’t seen a bedbug and the exterminator didn’t find any either. As the story unfolds, Susan learns of the previous tenants and then what’s real becomes real and what’s false is nonexistent. This story tells of domestic unrest in many ways. If it were on DVD, it could have multiple endings but Winters tells only one.

Bedbugs (September 2011) will keep you in suspense, make you itch, a little anxious and a bit smarter towards the end. The beginning of the story reminds me of riding a roller coaster ride but only as it travels up the steep incline. Filled with anxiety of what’s to come, it is during this incline that Winters introduces the reader to the Brooklyn culture and the normal routines of the characters. I got to know the characters before the drama. I was able to understand what was important to them, how simple life was for them, and how they handled complexities. If you don’t recognize yourself in this book, you will know a couple like Susan and Alex at some point in your life.

I am not a fan of the term “prequel” but Bedbugs needs one! This book was optioned for film and I would love to see it come to life. This book is a thriller, a supernatural thriller. When you mix the supernatural, psychological effects, and verified facts you get a possible realty that’s all too creepy. Read it during the day (and quickly) or you’ll experience it at night.

Tweet @ authorexposure if you looked in bed or itched during or after reading this book

Book Review: "Fat Is the New 30" by Jill Conner Browne

2012-04-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed by Libby

If you haven’t heard of the New York Times bestselling Sweet Potato Queen series, you’ll want to check out the latest book called Fat Is the New 30 (March 2011). Before receiving this book for review, I had not heard of Jill Conner Browne or her series. Having read and enjoyed this book, I am definitely looking forward to reading the other books in the Sweet Potato Queen series.

Fat Is the New 30 is a hilarious guidebook about how to survive and thrive in middle age. Browne covers a range of topics including parenthood, home improvements, cooking (including some tried and true recipes), and money. The way the author writes is quite engaging—it’s as though she is having a conversation with an old friend. Her delightful southernisms, funny anecdotes, and insights make for some great stories.

One of my favorites is from a chapter called, “Pleasant Diversion for a Late Summer’s Eve.” Every year, the state of Mississippi holds a lottery to issue permits to those interested in hunting during the alligator season. Browne shares some private journal excerpts in this chapter describing how she and some friends went hunting for alligators. Why on earth did she do this? Browne writes, “In trying times…one wants a distraction from one’s troubles, and I find it most helpful to plan and engage in a pleasant outing or two with close and like-minded friends” (49).This is just one of the many humorous stories in this book.

I would recommend Fat Is the New 30 to readers looking for a good laugh. This collection of essays does not disappoint.

News Knobbin' BS

2012-04-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

We interrupt your book review obsession with some links of literary news around the world.....

The consumer pit-stop on the way to rational...anything goes!

The case of the gender wars broke out over there at the NY Times Sunday Book Review.

An author has complex feelings about meeting with book clubs over at Huffington Post Books.

BookSlut shows a resembling photo to that of its site logo with an article that looks at the value of art through theft.

Book Beast knaws on what makes a good bestseller.

Book Bench is showing 2 sides of bitch on racism for THE HUNGER GAMES.

What do you think BS stands for in our title?