Gargoyle's Tears
by J V Harlee
Published by Tarbutton Press
http://www.tarbuttonpress.com
ISBN 0-9714086-5-3

The second hardest thing in writing is to review a book written by someone you know--or in this case, two someones. You're relieved when the book is a page turner. Number one is to write a negative review when the bad does not outweigh the good.

Gargoyle's Tears begins with a three page, non-fiction treatise on exactly what a gargoyle is. It's rather dry, and the reader might be tempted to skip it. Go ahead. Just read the three lines at the end. They tell you pretty much everything you need to know: a gargoyle is a grotesque figure that forms the body of a rain spout. Not a gripping way to begin a novel, even for someone surrounded by an extensive collection of gargoyles and grotesques. The first third of the actual story, sets us in the modern day with a device faintly reminiscent of Interview With a Vampire-- a wet-behind-the-ears journalist interviews a famous lady author. He finds her mansion filled with creepy grotesques. There is also a definite attraction, but you keep expecting something awful to happen. It does, right on cue. The prose is fairly smooth. With some polishing, it could have been impressive. It needed a great editor.

The latter two-thirds of the book jumps forward fifteen years to tell (and I do mean tell, there is no showing) the story of young Ethan, son of the author and the journalist from the frame story, in a pseudo-supernatural-murder-non-mystery. Non-mystery, because there was nothing mysterious about the way the story unfolds. It lacks tension so you can't call it suspense. Likewise, it isn't at all romantic, even though Ethan falls in love.
This part was obviously not written by the person who wrote the first third. While the first section builds, fore-shadowing the eventual horror with some skill, the second section stumbles along fraught with head-hopping, grammatical errors, and odd word choices. The characters stretch paper thin and the page-turner becomes a farce with one inexplicable event after another. The climax, which drags on for chapters, speeds from one scene to another in a breathless haste--a headlong rush mistaken for suspenseful pacing. It was heartbreaking to begin Gargoyle's Tears with such delight, only to have to force myself through the last pages, feeling gyped. The idea of a world where gargoyles walked was so charming--it could have been a tremendous ride through gothic fantasy. The idea was sound, even creative and certainly piqued my interest. As it is, Gargoyle's Tears belongs in the critique group, not on the book shelf. It is the kind of poorly executed manuscript that gives micro-publishing editorial staffs a bad name. A wild
gargoyle-inhabited alter-reality, just can't survive the weak writing and poor story telling that bedevils Gargoyle's Tears.
 

Mary E. Tyler is the author of On the Edge. For more information visit http://www.skatefic.com/PIshop/OTE_order.php3.

NOTES ON THE WINDOWSILL
By Jennifer L. B. Leese
Published by Zumaya Publications
http://www.zumayapublictions.com
ISBN: 1-894869-61-3

"Dreams are a gift from God. and they usually give us small glimpses into our future."

So said Jorie's Mama, and Jennifer LB Leese has achieved one of hers in writing this book.

"Notes on the Windowsill," is a paranormal love story that tells of Jorie's journey to happiness, her life from the death of her first boyfriend, Martin, to her meeting the second man in her life, Kelly.

Jennifer has her finger on the pulse of each character. "Notes on the Windowsill" is filled with wonderful descriptions, believable settings and snappy dialogue.

Ms. Leese has chosen to write from the first person - a difficult prospect even for the experienced writer. There are portions of the story that struggle due to this. In addition, there are places in which the grammar could be improved to better the flow of the story.

But, while Ms. Leese still has room for improvement, I'm sure her next offering, and her next, will be just as compelling.
 

Check out L. LaRae Brim at www.catklaw.com. Want to get your Claws in Creativity?
Check out www.clawsincreativity.com  The eZine for the creative spirit.
 

Housebreaking a Husband
Lori Soard
Five Star 2002
Hardback, First Edition
ISBN: 0786245786

Well-Known Web Teacher and Author Publishes Romance

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place" and "Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered"

This is a story as light as whipped cream and as quick as the proverbial brown fox. Author Lori Soard sets the pace for "Housebreaking a Husband" with a humorous, romantic and action-packed beginning

A young woman with a scarred past meets a man with heavenly green eyes on the beach behind her home-or rather she entangles that man with a dog, leash, the arms and legs of children and some of her own body parts.

It turns out this man with whom Sarah has become entwined has some scars of his own. He is about to lose custody of twin toddlers and, excepting for the deep love he feels for them, is determined to be emotionally unavailable to all others.

The romance is titillating but is also so free from explicit sex that it would be suitable for most 14 year olds. Like most families, Sarah's is slightly dysfunctional and quirky and absolutely lovable. it appears that Soard is incapable of formulating a cookie-cutter character. They all have a reality quotient of 10.

This is a story about how love can be corrupted by a lack of communication and by unaddressed fears. There is much more to it than a quick, romantic read.


Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, "This is the Place," has won eight awards. Her newly released "Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remember" has won two. Learn more at: http://carolynhowardjohnson.com.

 

The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life
Written by Noah Lukeman
Paperback: 240 pages
Size (in inches): 0.66 x 7.16 x 5.08
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; (June 2003)
ISBN: 0312309287

Reviewed by Rebecca Rohan

As a writer, you have characters milling around in your head, waiting to be released onto a page so they can come to life. However, while you may know your characters inside and out, it can be tricky to translate that knowledge into print well enough for your readers to believe in them.

Fiction writing doesn't have to be tricky anymore. Whether you are an experienced fiction writer or a novice, The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life by Noah Lukeman will open up new doors in your writing mind and add a new dimension to any of your works in progress.

Lukeman, a New York literary agent, provides writers with a coherent, comprehensive guide to improving their writing through richer characterization, clear motivation, finely tuned suspense and conflict, and relevant context. By leading writers to think, in great detail, about the internal and external lives of their characters, Lukeman helps them to create a fully realized world in which characters can live, breathe and develop. He also demystifies the process of structuring a novel, showing how structure flows from well-planned character development.

This may sound like pretty heavy stuff, but Lukeman's own writing style is so effortless, he makes it all sound easy. Trust him, and he will lead you through a process that will make your book come alive.

In the first three chapters, Lukeman presents various exercises that will help you flesh out fictional characters' appearances, covering everything from physical traits to clothing styles, from their upbringing to their family relationships, and from what they do to where they live. He requires you to devote just as much thought to your characters' inner lives, assessing their beliefs, ethics, skills, quirks and vices. Lukeman will ask questions that you probably never considered, and your characters will become multi-dimensional as you record your answers. He also asks you to consider whether a character is
major or minor, how your characters relate to each other, and even how frequently they will appear in the story. Finally, he offers advice on how to reveal your characters little by little, through actions, words and thoughts -- not just through a one-time description.

Once your characters are fully formed, you still have to plan the story in which you will introduce them to the rest of the world. If you've done your homework in the first three chapters, the rest of the process follows almost organically.

In Chapters Four through Six, Lukeman leads you with a gentle hand through the major structural elements of your book. By answering his questions, you will map out your characters' life journeys, which will then allow them to guide you in telling their stories. He also explains how to create and prolong suspense, keeping readers involved and interested in what happens to your characters. Finally, he outlines thirteen basic forms of conflict, the impetus behind the events that will shape your story, crystallize your characterizations, and lead you to a resolution that will satisfy your readers.

Even if you only read up to Chapter Six, your work will be greatly improved, but to take it to the next level, read the last two chapters on Context and Transcendency. Designed to give your work more resonance, these are the toughest chapters, more mentally challenging than the previous six. Through some mental exercises, Lukeman shows you how to take a "birds-eye view" of your finished book, assessing it for repetition, pacing, progression and perspective, among other elements. Finally, he asks you to ponder the greater themes in your work, including your motivation in creating it.

The wonderful thing about this book is that it can teach you to be a better writer without really teaching you. It simply shows you that you have the gifts and the tools necessary to write a successful novel, if you give it enough thought, and if you trust in your abilities and in your characters.

Rebecca Rohan is a freelance writer currently based in Buffalo, New York. As the mother of two preschoolers, she is always striving to learn how to write better and more quickly. Learn more about Rebecca at http://www.rebeccarohan.com 

ONE TO TEN…AND HOME AGAIN
Written by Heather Haapoja
Illustrated by Anita J. Pauza
Distributed by Heather Haapoja at http://www.heatherhaapoja.com 
ESBN# 99145-021008-210847-18

It’s not often that I get a chance to review a truly special e-Book for children. I admit I am not a fan of e-books but when I come across one like One to Ten…and Home Again my faith in the medium is bolstered. 

Heather Haapoja’s verse is fresh and moves at a wonderful pace. The illustrations are beautiful. My children helped with this review and the illustrations were talked about long after the story ended. Haapoja doesn’t stop there, with each number counted there is a sound that relates to the story, and they are a fantastic addition for younger readers. 

My daughters highly recommend the book. “What I liked best about the book were the butterflies and the cat at the end.” Says my six-year-old. 

“I liked the pictures and the way the sounds went with the pictures.” Says my ten year-old. 

Following my children’s lead, what I liked best was the author took her time to write a terrific story and has world-class illustrations that enhance the story.  I highly recommend this book and what a way to introduce a child to the world of e-Books.  

Review by Linda S. Dupie 

Read Heather Haapoja’s interview with Linda here.

Animal Sneezes
Author: John Roy Bennett
Illustrator: David Wysokski
ISBN: 1-89422-44-x
Publisher: Lobster Press, Canada
Review by Chitra Soundar ( http://chitrasoundar.netfirms.com )

A sneeze in today's SARS-beware world would invite looks of concern and a pack of tissues. Sneeze - sometimes a feeling of discomfort, but mostly it brings a great sense of release, relief and a comforting tickle.

But what would you say, if your little one asked you about whether animals sneeze too? A trip to the zoo would go waste, if you wanted to wait for one of the big jumbos or the naughty chimps to sneeze in front of you. You could manage your inquisitive 4-year-old that animals don't sneeze in public; they are well mannered.

However if you want to engage your curious toddler, in a tale of animal sneezes, you have come to the right place. Animal sneezes is a book of verse from John Roy Bennett bringing to life, the animal sneezes and consequences.

David Wysokski has illustrated the hurricane of a hose from an elephant's sneeze to the blast of a bellow from a bear fellow with comic reality. John has put to verse, 10 animals he loves, when they are in one of their sneeze-relief moment that causes panic and discomfort to their friends next to them.

If your little one wants to find out what happens when a skunk or a porcupine sneezes, this is the book you want to read, with rhyme and rhythm, the perfect bedtime treat.


Yours truly Goldilocks
Publisher: Atheneum books for young readers
Author: Alma Flor Ada
Illustrator: Leslie Tryon
ISBN: 0689816081 / 0689844522
Review by Chitra Soundar ( http://chitrasoundar.netfirms.com )

From the title you must have guessed one thing at least. The book is about a letter and from Goldilocks. However, when you turn the pages of this enchanting book, beautifully illustrated, you understand the silent making of a modern fairy tale.

Goldilocks, the pigs, the three bears, Peter Rabbit, Red riding hood, her grandma and the wolves all in one fairy tale. What a treat for the little ones who love these characters. Not only that, the story is told in a unique fashion - through letters that go back and forth between these characters.

What is house warming? And how do the bears get to celebrate the house warming of their new house? Who are the uninvited guests and how did the party go? The party itself is laid out in 2 two-page spreads without words and the letters continue between the various characters. References to their actual stories and a hint of what to come in the future; add great colour and mystery to the story even as it ends.

Alma Flor Ada, has sure managed to entertain not just the children, who love these fairy tale characters, but also adults who read to their children. The letters in some primal way, encourage the reader to pick up a pen and dash a nice letter to an aunt or a grandma at once. What a great way to teach children the power of letter writing.

One last word, don't miss the meaning of house warming, which Goldilocks learns from this party.
 

DAY TRIPPING
By Teri Brown
Publisher Champion Press LTD.
ISBN 189140041X
Genre: Education/Family Travel
Review by Linda S. Dupie

Read Teri's interview with Linda here

When I sat down to read Day Tripping for this review I was unprepared for the excitement author Teri Brown would evoke. From page one Brown's humor and obvious family field trip experience had me thinking and planning places to go before I reached part two.

The conversational tone of the book made me feel as if I was discussing field trips with a good friend. Although the book is short (165 pages); Brown packs it full of quality information.

Part one of the book covers the do's and don'ts, planning, creating a field trip group and cold weather trips. Packed with suggestions for different trips, part two has something for everyone. Each chapter has a theme, Chapter 11 "Lovely, Lovely Literature: Field Trips with a Literacy Theme" is a family favorite in my house. Brown writes of her family's experience visiting the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Portland, Oregon. Since that is not a day trip for my family, we planned a trip to the Baltimore, MD home of Edgar Allen Poe.

Planning the trip was easy using the sample template provided in the book. We spent a few days before the trip researching and reading Poe on the Internet and when it came time for our trip we had a fantastic time together as a family, the learning was the bonus.

Everything a parent or educator needs to know from choosing to planning a field trip is right inside the pages of "Day Tripping" all you need to add is fun!