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Monday, September 30, 2013

Review: The Stones of Horsh by McKenzie Wagner


The Stones of Horsh (Benotripia #2) by McKenzie Wagner, YR, 2013, 144p, Rating=2.5
Source: ebook PDF review copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest review

Roseabelle's mother is off fighting the enemy in the north. But the bigger danger is on the island. The Darvonians have invaded, and they want the legendary Stones of Horsh to give them the power to defeat the Benotripians.
With her friends Jessicana and Astro by her side, Roseabelle sets out on a quest to find the stones first and destroy them. But the Darvonians always seem one step ahead of them, as they meet new dangers they’ve never seen before. Can they beat the invading force in the race for the stones?
Roseabelle's exciting new adventure is perfect for parents and children alike. The warm friendships, easy-going characters, and constant dangers will excite readers of all ages, and the magical island is sure to ignite your imagination!

I'm use to reading mature author writings so I can see a difference.  This book was certainly impressive for a twelve year old author and with further training her fanciful storyline will have more in depth descriptive flourish.  That said, I would consider this to be a solid good book for elementary kids.  Its adventures were appropriately imaginative for said age group.  The writing was simple and easy to follow.  The character personalities that Miss Wagner created complimented each other and the theme of the story.  The names however took a bit of getting use to for me ..too odd to my reading head (call me picky).  Overall, this is a series I wouldn't mind my young children reading.  I can imagine that they might find it incredible because it spoke their language level and inline with their vision.  This mama may just be too old and misplaced her kid mojo.  ;)


(my affiliate link)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Awesome Offer! 3 Books for the Price of 1!!

Actually that's 3 books for the SALE price of 1!!  Yessiree, author Mysti Parker is offering for free book #2 and #3 to her Tallenmere series when you purchase book #1, A Ranger's Tale, for the sale price of $2.99 (for Kindle or Nook).  Just email your receipt to mystiparker "at" yahoo "dot" com (trying to avoid spam, use symbols for "at", "dot" when emailing) and she will directly send you books 2 and 3 to your inbox.  Super cool!!  Hurry, offer good until this Friday!


Read my review here, 5 stars.

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...
High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls.
As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.
From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

Get the book here (thanks!):

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Books you will get free:


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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Sale and Freebie Alert: Evertaster; The Buttersmiths' Gold

Hurry, I don't know when the deals end.

99 cents!


"Wonderfully talented writing; funny." -- Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling Author of Ender's Game.
When eleven year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city, they meet a dying pastry maker who tells them of a legendary recipe called the Gastronomy of Peace -- a recipe created hundreds of years ago, shrouded in secrecy, sought after by connoisseurs everywhere and rumored to be so delicious that whoever tastes it will never want to eat anything else again.
Guster thinks this might be just what he needs -- until the ruthless Gastronimatii, a cult of armed and sinister chefs -- attack the Johnsonvilles. Guster, his sister Mariah, his mother Mabel, and his two brothers are forced to flee for their lives and set out across the world in search of the One Recipe’s ingredients. On an adventure that will take them to ancient ruins, magical beasts, faraway jungles and forgotten caves, the Johnsonvilles must unravel the mystery behind the One Recipe and discover that it will do so much more than satisfy Guster's cravings forever -- it is destined to change humanity.

FREE!


BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.
TORBJORN AND STORFJELL'S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.
Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.
Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and through, he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

Get it here (thanks!):


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Friday, September 20, 2013

Review: The Prodigal by Michael Hurley


The Prodigal by Michael Hurley, AF, 2013, 358p, Rating=5
Source: ebook provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Adult content: (minimal) language, assault
Finalist, 2013 BookBundlz Book Club Pick

Pride, betrayal, forgiveness . . . and the eternal sea. The Prodigal tells the mystical tale of four people on Ocracoke Island whose destiny is tied to an abandoned schooner, thought to have been lost at sea more than a century ago, that one day drifts ashore. Marcus O’Reilly, a renegade Catholic priest, must confront his inner demons. Ibrahim Joseph, a Bahamian fugitive, must face his past. Aidan Sharpe, a fallen lawyer, struggles with self-doubt and his growing affection for Molly McGregor, a fearless towboat captain who cannot find the courage to love. They will all be drawn into a 2,000-year-old mystery that unfolds with the reappearance of the ship.

The title says, The Prodigal, so the story of the prodigal son came to mind.  Thus, I was suspecting a religious tone but discovered that it was more.  Along with the spiritual lining, there was law, romance, fantasy, and mystery ..rolled up in one.  Just when I thought the setting was going to be courtroom drama, it moved to a beach.  So I thought, romance, yay!  Then it moved to the ocean and wow it was magical!  Before I knew it I found myself at the end of the book feeling very satisfied and happy. 

The entire read was a literary gem.  The character development was magnificent.  I found myself attached to the main characters and grew with them.  I was intrigued and engrossed in the mystique of the legend story that surrounded them.  This historic-fantasy romance with humanizing evolution was my kind of fiction.  Mr. Hurley weaved a novel that prompt me to feel the joy in reading.  I was in book paradise.  Simply majestic.  Brace your heart.

By the way, Mr. Hurley visited here last month.  Go here to find out more about him and this book.

Wow, currently on sale for 99 cents! 
Get it here.

(affiliate link)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Book Blast with $50 Giveaway: Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack

Rocky RoadRocky Road

It was supposed to be a girls’ weekend in scenic St. George, Utah that would include shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fundraiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fundraising event, a local doctor, disappeared two months ago was not supposed to be Sadie’s problem. In fact, she refuses to participate in the grassroots investigation her friend Caro, and Caro’s cousin, Tess, have put together prior to her arrival. But then she meets the ex-wife of the missing doctor. How could she not ask a few questions . . . that lead to a few more questions . . . that lead to a small town and yet even more questions. Before she knows it, Sadie is in the middle of yet another murder investigation and trying to piece together a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.


Purchase it here:

(affiliate link)

Author Josi S. Kilpack

Born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah, I met my husband in high-school--well, he wasn't my husband then, just the cute guy in weight training with the permed mullet--and we married in 1993. I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child and have gone on to publish 20 novels, the most recent being part of The Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, children, and cat.


rocky road


Culinary Mysteries by Josi Kilpack

culinary mysteries



BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/6/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Review: Shine: How To Walk the Talk by Nancy Segovia


Shine: How To Walk the Talk by Nancy Segovia, NF -Self-help, 2013, 114p, Rating=4
Source: ebook provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:16

The Bible tells us we need to "shine before men," but what does this mean and how do we do it? In Shine: How to Walk the Talk, Nancy Segovia lays out a series of simple steps you can to take to walk the talk: to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. Using parables, folk tales, and struggles from her own life, she provides uplifting insights into the Christian walk that can make your first steps easier. She examines scripture for clues on what it means to shine, how to reflect God’s love, and what to do when the muddy messes of life blot out God’s light in you. You will relate to her failings, those "Duh!" moments when spiritual understanding begins to dawn. Most important, you will learn how to apply that understanding; you will learn how to turn your talk into your walk and how to help others to do the same.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught principles that replace and transcends some aspects of the law of Moses.  This self help book focused on one of those teachings, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).  The author thus wanted to show how to "walk the talk" as the title states.  In other words, if one says he's a Christian then his actions should reflect so.  She went through this process of  practice what you preach and so she was speaking from experience.  She candidly shared personal revelations that strengthen her testimony in God that aided her in how to live according to his teachings.  Her "Duh!" moments were plenty and that made her human to me.  She made several excellent points through analogies (buttercups, cracked pot, etc) that can inspire one to understand God's love. 

I'm not one for highly preachy Christian talks or books (ones clearly giving lip service).  This one did not come off that way.  Instead it was motivated by desire to uplift.  It made for a pleasant read.  Well done, Ms Segovia!

Before I go, the author quoted Mahatma Gandhi that I thought spoke volumes about what she wanted her readers to ponder ...Gandhi was once asked about Christianity and his answer, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ".  Yikes, great reminder to shine and truly walk the talk!  Ergo, this book is a decent source to show you how.

Purchase here:

(affiliate link)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Nancy Segovia has been a professional writer for over 20 years. She has achieved publishing success in the fields of adult fiction, children’s literature, newspaper journalism, feature magazine articles and poetry. She is happily married, and has five daughters, five granddaughters and one, adorable grandson. She loves to fish and is a prize-winning cook. Her other published works include “When You Wish Upon A Star” and “Benjamin’s Pride” both of which are scheduled to be released later this year from Faith and Reason Publishing. She also has several other completed works which will also be published by Faith and Reason Publishing over the course of the next few years. Nancy Segovia has a Master of Arts Degree in Religion from Northwest Nazarene University, and a Masters of Liberal Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Denver. She currently writes and teaches college-level English classes. You can contact her at www.nancysegovia.com.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Author-Book Profile with Interview: Lightpoints by Peter Kassan

Please welcome ...
Peter Kassan

Peter Kassan has been a writer for virtually his entire life, publishing poems in literary journals and national magazines while still a teenager. In his twenties, he was a staff writer at Children's Television Workshop, where he wrote, among other things, monologues for Bill Cosby. As a technical writer in the software products industry, his work included user's manuals, marketing materials, and business plans. He is also the author of a cover article about artificial intelligence in Skeptic Magazine. Mr. Kassan currently lives and writes in Connecticut. Lightpoints is his first novel.

Which if any of the characters is a lot like you and why?
The two characters most like me are Dr. Wagner, who leads the near-death-experience support group, and Lisa’s boyfriend John, who like Lisa and Amanda also has the sense. When I wanted to express my own opinion, I’d put it in the mouth of one of them. They take a scientific and rational approach to the sense.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The plot. Working out a way for the storyline of the protagonist, the gangster Carlos Herrera, to converge with that of Amanda in a way that was plausible, convincing, and inevitable. And then figuring out a way for Amanda to extricate her from her impossible predicament at the climax of the story.

What is your favorite chapter or part and why?
I can’t single out one favorite of the entire book, but I particularly enjoyed writing the scene in which Amanda’s boyfriend Chris shows his paintings of the sense to Lisa and John. It had to work on many different levels: Chris himself describing how he executed each painting; describing each finished painting; and describing everyone’s reactions to each painting. And, since I’m writing a sense that no one really has—at least, as far as I know—there was the challenge of making it all convincing. Of course, that was the challenge throughout the book.

What has been the best part about writing this book?
The best part of writing the book was being completely absorbed in the process and forgetting about everything else in my life. I enjoy the feeling of mastery when the writing was going well. The best part of the book being published is hearing from people who enjoy and appreciate it.

Do you have a specific writing style?
My style varies with what I’m writing. In the kind of third-person narration Lightpoints is written in, I try to use an unobtrusive style. I strive for a consistent tone. Readers should be able to listen to the story being told in their heads without ever noticing the storyteller. If I do something that calls attention to itself—by being flowery or by editorializing or just by writing badly—that jostles the reader from the dream. And once you’ve been woken from a dream, it’s awfully hard to return to it.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always enjoyed the paranormal, and I wanted to create a new sort of paranormal being that didn’t involve magic or religion or other more familiar supernatural forces. I’ve coined the term “naturalistic paranormal” to characterize Lightpoints. Once readers has bought a ticket by granting me the premise in the opening scene, I hope they find everything that follows completely plausible and convincing.

How did you come up with the names of your characters?
With the exception of Amanda (I give my female protagonists names that start and end with the letter A), I determined the year they were born and then used the U.S. Census website to find names that were popular for babies then. For last names, I used a website that lists the most common names in America. For foreign names, of course, I did my research on other sites.

What advice would you give a new writer?
Everything—every word, every punctuation mark—is important, so learn the basics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Study how writers you admire handle these fundamentals. Pay attention to detail. Reread, edit, and rewrite again and again. Work hard. Have fun.

If you were stranded in an island, which book would you want there?
The unabridged Oxford English Dictionary, because it’s the longest book I can think of—thirteen folio volumes plus two supplements, if I remember correctly—and because I find the English language fascinating. You could spend a lifetime reading and studying that one book.

Can you tell us about your next book?
I’ve just started working on what I intend to be first volume of a YA paranormal trilogy. The protagonist is a seventeen-year-old girl named Alyssa living in Topanga Canyon, California. In the opening, Alyssa is surfing, all but drowns, and has a near-death-out-of-body experience. When she’s rescued and resuscitated (by a cute young lifeguard), she discovers herself to have a sense like the one in Lightpoints, although it works a little differently. The working title is The Zombie Problem, but these zombies are completely unlike any you’ve ever encountered.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Peter for visiting us today.  Interesting point about what you strive for in your writing, "Readers should be able to listen to the story being told in their heads without ever noticing the storyteller.".  Sounds difficult.  No wonder I'm not an author!!  Oh, I'm curious now why you have your female protagonist start and end with the letter A ..do tell. 

It was nice having you here.  Much success to Lightpoints and your upcoming trilogy!




What if you suddenly discovered you had a sense-and powers-that almost no one else in the world did? When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light-but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they're the happiest they've been. But not for long. All over the world, people who've been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them-some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows-and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life.


Purchase book here:

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[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Book Blast with $50 Giveaway: My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White

my ownMy Own Mr. Darcy
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.


Get it here:


karey

Author Karey White

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.


My Own Tour




BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/4/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, September 9, 2013

Review: A Matter of Temperance by Ichabod Temperance


A Matter of Temperance by Ichabod, AF -Steampunk, 2013, 262p, Rating=3.5
Source: Kindle freebie; author asked me to review this book

In a past that never was...
The year is 1869. Earth experiences the close pass of a comet never before seen. In its wake, many of Terra's inhabitants find themselves changed. Among men, prodigies rise in unprecedented numbers, while many ordinary adults suddenly find themselves possessed of preternatural genius. Likewise, non-hominid animals become self-aware and intelligent.
Fast forward to 1875. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become the world's foremost inventor. He travels to England to deliver his latest brilliant invention to a famous explorer, until Fate intervenes. Meanwhile, a lovely young Bluestocking, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death.
Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth.

This novel certainly can't be accused of lacking adventure nor acronymic gadgets.  What a ride!  Ichabod and Persephone certainly had an unusually exciting meeting and journey thereafter.  Ichabod couldn't seem to pass up saving Persephone every chance he got and there was plenty.  Plenty paranormals after Persephone so plenty of opportunities for Ichabod to practice his gentlemanliness and use of his inventions.  What an adorable couple they turned out to be.  Opposites do attract.  I wonder what they'll be up to in the next installment!

I thought I hadn't read any steampunk but I read Cassandra Clare's Clock Work Angel and enjoyed it.  A Matter of Temperance is in that same genre but this take is lighter.  There was some giggle worthy moments.  Mix that with around the world backdrop and you've got yourself a fast moving venturesome book.  As you can imagine, I enjoyed Ichabod's stop in the Philippines.  Not much was said but I like the mention nonetheless. 

My impression of the writing was fearless and dramatic.  I got a theatrical feel in the read.  Wouldn't be surprised if this gets turned into film.  Hence, a solid good book.  It just needs another editing run through to clean up some minor composing texts.

**If you recall, Mr. Temperance stopped by here for an author interview.  Go HERE to learn more about him and his book.

Purchase the series here:



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Sale Alert: A Ranger's Tale by Mysti Parker


On sale for $2.99, Kindle edition
I rated this book at 5 stars. See my review HERE.

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, an elven noblewoman longed to leave her gilded cage. A half-breed former pirate wanted nothing more than to escape his guilty past. Easier said than done...
High elf Caliphany Aranea leads an enviable life as King Leopold's niece and daughter of Sirius, Leogard's most famous wizard. Yet, being forced to follow in her father's footsteps and being betrothed to a man she doesn't even like makes her want a taste of life outside the city walls.
As a young boy, half-elf Galadin Trudeaux witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates. After being raised by those same murderers and forced to do their bidding, he escaped and now lives an honest life as a sea merchant and ranger.
When two brutes at Leogard Harbor attempt to kidnap Caliphany while she dreams of faraway lands, Galadin comes to her rescue. Impressed by his skills, she asks him to train her as a ranger. Though he is hesitant at first to train a woman of her class, Caliphany's hefty sack of gold finally persuades him. Unfortunately, her father is not amused, and the two must escape before Caliphany faces a forced marriage and Galadin faces a noose.
From that moment on she and Galadin embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Only if they can survive the trials ahead, will they find a love that stands the test of time.

$2.99


Monday, September 2, 2013

Review & Interview: The Yellow Bar by John Falch


The Yellow Bar by John Falch, AF, 2012, mobi ebook version, 241p, Rating=4.5
Source: I requested a copy from author in exchange for an honest review

If war came home and pounded on your front door, what would you do to survive?
Meet the Reynaldos, a simple country family living on their farm in 1940s American Philippines. Good luck has bounced their way and the family is climbing out of rural poverty to become successful entrepreneurs.
Meet Eric Lawson, the gay manager of the only five star hotel in town. With all the luxury and celebrity that comes with the job, what's not to love about Manila?
Meet the beautiful Pinky del Rosario, and her husband, Romeo; they're the hottest Big Band act in southeast Asia. With her voice and his talent, the sky seems to be the only limit to their ambitions.
But sweet luck turns sour when World War Two blows up explosively in their faces. The victorious Japanese Army arrives, bringing with them a new set of rules and other unpleasant surprises. For the Reynaldos, this means becoming servants in their own house. For Eric Lawson, it's fear, brutality, and the specter of starvation in a prisoner-of-war camp. And as for Pinky and Romeo, singing for the enemy puts them on a dangerous tight-wire between collaboration and sedition.
As seen through the eyes of the Reynaldo's youngest son, Pepot, The Yellow Bar delivers a close up view of the almost forgotten history of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and the horrors of the battle of Manila, telling the story of a remarkable family that struggles to survive it all through quick thinking, faith, and a pinch of dark humor.
Based on a true story.

For the several hours it took me to read this book, I was back home to my native country.  Except it wasn't in the Manila that I grew up in back in the 1970s but the Manila that suffered the brutality of World War II in the 1940s.  It wasn't pretty but the people were.  Specifically, the Reynaldo family and a few of their special friends.  Through their experiences during the heart of this Japanese occupation of the Philippines, I got to see courage, ingenuity, and resilience of the people from the country I call my first home.  It warmed my heart and made me proud to be a Filipino.

Fear not, this historical fiction wasn't all depressing because it didn't concentrate on the angle of textbook history of the war but centered its story from an intimate perspective, narrated by a ten year boy who lived through (and his family) the three critical war years.  That intimacy was the key that brought this book to life for me.  Oh, how I saw the characters in this book as my compadres.  I feared, I cried, I suffered, and I laughed along as their stories unfolded.  Typical Filipino mannerism rang true in the read.  Namely, close knit family bond, wit under stress, and old fashion humor.

Another beauty in the book was the writing.  Multiple main stories were going on simultaneously.  Examples include and not limited to: the happenings of the Reynaldo family at their Culi-Culi home under duress by Japanese army men; Aunt Pinky and husband, Romeo, doing their entertainment show in Manila; Eric and company (including U.S. General MacArthur) in the Manila Hotel; Imelda and her life with her new Japanese husband, and Chinese woman in her dealings in the parachute factory.  That was a lot to juggle but the read went smoothly and by book's end, they all tied in.  It was amazing!  A reader's dream ..all the characters were well developed, interesting, and purposeful.  I cared about them.  I tell ya, Mr. Falch is a gifted writer.  Simply well done.

With impeccable character development and great incorporation of historical facts, this novel is a fine candidate for a bestseller. 

Thank you Mel u @The Reading Life for putting this book in my radar (see his awesome review, here).  And of course, thank you Mr. Falch for accepting my request to read and review this book.  I appreciate the gift.

INTERVIEW:
Now let's get to know a little bit more about the book and its author ...

 


Tell us about yourself Twitter style, 140 word limit.
I am an American dreamer from Jacksonville, Florida who has spent over twenty years of my life in southeast Asia.

I sense you have a love for the Philippine people. If so, why?
That’s very easy to explain; I lived in Manila for about 5 years. My wife is Filipina. When I married her, I married the entire family. It was from the Reynaldos that I learned that Filipinos are the most generous and loving people on earth. I also learned that Pinoy humor is second to none.

Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
There are actually three reasons I wrote this book. First, while I was living in Manila in the 1980s, I met many older Filipinos who would tell me about how they survived the war. It was amazing and horrific stuff. I had never heard of the battle and liberation of Manila and the Philippines. (I, like most Americans, are painfully ignorant of history outside of our own.) I felt that this was a story that needed to be told.

Second, I wanted more young Filipinos to know this incredible history. I think the younger generation has no idea what their grandparents and great-grandparents went through in the 1940s. It is something to be proud of; it shouldn’t be forgotten.

Finally, The Yellow Bar is also a tribute to my mother and father-in-law: two wonderful people who treated me as one of their own, and loved me like a son.

How did you come to decide to tell the story through a young boy's point of view?
Pepot, the protagonist in The Yellow Bar, is based on my father-in-law. He was just a boy when the hostilities first came out. It was natural for me to portray the war through his young eyes. I also think that there is a simple honesty when the words come from the mouth of a child.

Was there a balance between what was true and what was fiction?
Oh yes. This much is true: My father-in-law and his family were servants for the Japanese pilots in their own house during the war. Later these pilots would become kamikaze. Also true is that my mother-in-law was forced to work in a Japanese parachute factory. And then, shortly after the war, the Reynaldos started the real Yellow Bar, which was a popular hangout for American GIs, all the way to the 1970s.

I took the basis of this family history and created a fictional story around it. I had to do this to create a larger panorama on what the war was really about.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The research on Manila and the Philippines during World War Two was long and deep. I wanted the history to be factually true. This meant I spent a lot of time reading books and doing history searches to make sure that it was accurate.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Although I love all the characters of my story, I think I’m the most pleased about Eric Lawson, the gay manager of the Manila Hotel. He was originally just supposed to be a minor character but somehow he just kept popping up in all the right places.

What would you like your readers to grasp from this book?
The Yellow Bar is an anti-war novel. I hope this comes through clearly. There is nothing glorious or intelligent about war; all it does is destroy the innocent. Also, we learn that a hero can come from anywhere, whether it be a housewife, a small child, or even a swishy queen. Bravery lives in all of us.

What did you learn from writing your book?
I learned that the liberation of the Philippines was more horrific than I had ever imagined.

If there is something you could change about this book, what would it be?
I am very satisfied with The Yellow Bar. I wrote it the best I could. However, I wrote a long prologue, which I call “Lola Suzy Tells You the History of The Philippines in Ten Minutes.” It’s about twelve pages long and was in my original manuscript. My editors told me that the story took too long to get started, so I cut it. It was a hard thing to do. Broke my heart. (If anyone would like to read it, email me.)

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Thank you Mr. Falch for taking the time to be interviewed.  It's fascinating to get your perspective on The Yellow Bar and get some insights on your journey to its development.  What a wonderful message that bravery can live in all of us.  Your characters definitely showed that!  I enjoyed the mixture of humor in the novel as well.  Lola Suzy was especially a hoot!  Bummer all her story didn't make it in the final book.  I'll definitely email you for that manuscript. :)

Only $2.99.  Definitely worth it!


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