PW Select February 2015

February 2015
Designing Indie
Romance Covers
From Wattpad to the
Bestseller List
Top Five Resource Books
for Self-Publishers
Reviews Roundup
58 New Titles Listed
SELFPUBLISHED ROMANCE
Forget Fabio: DIY Covers

By Jennifer McCartney
Todays indie romance cover art reveals

a new kind of sexiness
he rapid embrace of self-publishing over the past

decade has increased the competition among indie romance authors to put out professional,
memorable cover designs that fit within the
genre and adhere to current trends, but that stand
out in a crowded market. And while the cover design process at
a major publisher may involve the art department, editorial,
sales and marketing, and publicity, indie authors must go it
alone. We talked to a variety of authors and designers in the
industry who shared their advice and observations about whats
hot for romance covers in 2015.
Industry Overview
Before the now-iconic monochromatic Fifty Shades of Grey cover

design, the romance industry was perhaps best known for its
Harlequin clinch covers of the 80s and 90s, usually featuring
the bare-chested model Fabio Lanzoni embracing a busty maiden. A clinch covera couple engaged in an embrace, sometimes wildly passionate, sometimes sweeteris a romance classic, says Romance Writers of America board member and New
York Times bestselling author Leslie Kelly. Its something she
predicts will never go out of style. (The clinch was so popular it
was even used in the original cover design for Marian Engels
controversial 1976 novel Beara romance between a lonely
librarian and a brown bear.)
Despite the enduring popularity of the classic clinch, Kelly
says shes seen a lot of changes in cover trends during her years
in the romance writing industry. She points out that just
as genres and subgenres become popular, so do cover designsciting the Fifty Shades of Grey erotic romance
frenzy as well as the vampire craze. Early in my career, I
remember seeing the start of the very faddish cartoon
cover for contemporary romances. They were all you saw
for a while, then died out as the market became so glutted
with them readers could no longer tell them apart, she
says. Even covers featuring dogs popped up for a while,
Kelly remembers.
But, while self-published and traditional romance covers often follow the same trends, she says that indie covers
tend to skew hotter. While traditionally published books are
still trying to grab the passerby at Walmart or in a brick-andmortar store, [self-]published books are typically targeted toward
electronic readers, she says, which allows readers to choose a
32 P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
book with a sexy cover and still read it in public without fear of
being judged.
This leads us to back to the basics of cover design: where do
designers get these sexy photos that grace the covers of our favorite titles, and what goes into selecting them?
The Problem with Stock Images
Faced with the challenge of creating a memorable book cover

on a shoestring budget, many indie authors and their freelance
designers turn to stock photo sites for the images they need.
Sites like Shutterstock or iStock offer users a massive selection
of photos that can be downloaded for as little as $12 and as much
as a few hundred dollars. But, while these sites are indispensable
for authors and designers creating covers on a budget, their
popularity also causes some problems.
I think the biggest challenge is avoiding the overuse of certain stock images, indie author and graphic designer Rachel
Carrington says. You dont want a couple on the cover that is
on four other covers. To remedy this, she says she searches
specifically for images that dont have a high volume of downloadssomething that can be tough if a designer is looking to
keep up with current trends.
The problem with stock images is that many of us authors
end up using the same photographs for our covers, says Katana
Collins, a freelance photographer and author of the paranormal
Soul Stripper trilogy. Since the beginning of 2015, she says shes
found the stock image used for her current indie cover, Capturing You, on two other books. For this reason,
she says she plans to photograph the images for
her next covers herselfthereby ensuring that
theyre unique.
Courtney Milan, a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance and a freelance
cover designer, points out that the stock image
problem is exacerbated when it comes to books
featuring minorities. She says there are very
little decent, usable stock photos of people of
color for covers. Milan found, for example,
that of the 107,151 results for bride on a
popular stock photo site, fewer than 723 of the results featured
black women. Thats 0.7% of all the available photos, she notes.
In addition to what Milan points out is a troubling imbalance,
this lack of images featuring people of color also makes a de-
SELFPUBLISHED ROMANCE
signers job much more difficult.
Whats usually a two- to three-hour
process searching for the right stock
image can become a much more laborintensive process. For her next book,
Hold Me, (which features a tattooed
Thai man in the lead role), she decided
to sidestep the stock photo issue and
arrange a photo shoot on her own. MiCourtney Milan
lan says that, with just one model and
no elaborate costumes, it was
a relatively simple shoot at a reasonable price. Its
more than stock photos would be, she acknowledges,
but I can specify pose and costuming, and I can get
someone who looks something like the person inside
the book.
Despite the issues presented by stock photo sites,
Collins notes that, ultimately, its the skill of the designer that will transform a single stock image into a
professionally designed coverwhich means the difference between an image with some words on top
[and] a beautiful, well-designed professional cover,
she says.
Less Is More
There really is only one big challenge in cover design, Milan

says. The indie author who is choosing graphic artists, stock
photos, etc., needs to either have decent taste that aligns with
current marketing, or [she] needs to have friends who do [and]
who will tell her honestly if what she has works.
In terms of whats working in the industry today, the authors
and designers we talked to are in agreement: I think simplicity
does it now; it used to be that the fancier covers were the ones
that really got the attention, says Carrington, who adds that her
recent clients are asking for uncluttered covers. Nowadays, its
cleaner lines and unique colors. Her favorite at the moment are
the monochrome covers with color used only in the title or on a
part of the image. It really draws your eye, she says. Collins
also says that, as an author and a reader,
she is drawn to simple covers using a
single symbolic image.
Graphic designer Hafsah Faizal says
she tries to steer her clients toward simpler covers. I think the minimalistic
covers stand out the most, and I try to
keep my covers minimalistic as much
as possible, she says. Using her cover
design for The Body Electric by Beth
Revis as an example, Faizal adds, If the
book allows it, Ill use colors that arent
the norm. The novel, which she describes as science fiction
with a touch of romance features a neon green cover with
a hand-lettered font. I also try to use fonts that arent
regularly used, but its not always possible,

Faizal says. She points to typography-driven
cover designs that turn the title into a work of
art, citing the YA titles Shadow and the Bone, by Leigh Bardugo, and The Winners Curse, by Marie Rutkoski, as successful
indie examples of this trend.
In another nod to the use of color and a typography-focused
design, romance author L.H. Cosways latest cover (for a romance set in a traveling circus with a fire-breathing hero) is
inspired by old vaudeville circus posters. It was originally supposed to feature a fire-breather, but she says that
in the end I decided to go back to basics and
simply showcase the title. While it doesnt look
like a traditional romance cover, the simple design, the innovative use of color, and the typography focus are all in keeping with the on-trend
elements cited by other authors and designers we
spoke with.
Though she admits shes not an expert, Cosway
points to the surge in originality that has taken
place in indie covers recently: authors are making
an effort to be different. Of course, she adds,
sexy topless men on covers probably arent going away anytime
soon, but I like to see authors who push the boat out and do
something new.
What Sells in 2015?

While the design elements that help a book cover stand out are
varied and often subtle, the cover image is queenwhether it
was Fabio in the 80s, a high-heeled shoe in the 90s, or a pair
of cuff links in 2012. When I look at the bestseller lists for
romance right now, three things really pop out, Leslie Kelly
says. The mans naked torso, the timeless clinch, and the warm
and romantic setting. She notes that the naked torso covers
are everywhere across all genres, in both self- and traditional
publishing. They usually show the guy from the jaw down,
because most readers want to fill-in-the-blank in their mind
with the heros face. But a hot body will always catch a readers
eye, she says.
Kelly also points to the continued success of object covers.
There will be a beach, maybe a couples feet, maybe a swing on
a porch, maybe the front of a yarn shop, Kelly says. The covers
immediately convey the idea that this is contemporary romance
thats going to skew toward the sweeter rather than the sexier
side.
And, while no one can really predict whats next for the romance industry, Kelly notes that once it hits, it hits big. Once
theres a pair of mens cuff links, or a grey tie looped on a bedpost
and that book is selling millions of copiesyou can bet youre
going to see a lot more monochrome covers with masculine
objects on them, she says. And when the market becomes so
flooded readers begin to get bored, something else will come
along to take its place.
W W W . P U B L I S H E R S W E E K LY. C O M
33
INDIE SUCCESS
Revenge Romance a Hit

An indie author leaps from Wattpad to Smashwordstaking her
fanbase along for the ride
By Jennifer McCartney
uring the day, indie

author Jerilee Kaye,
who was born in the
Philippines but now
lives in Dubai, manages a portfolio of suppliers for one of the
biggest port operators in the world. At
night, shes a writer, interacting with
fans of her self-published novel Knight in
Shining Suitone of the top-selling romance on Smashwords and one of the
sites 25 bestselling titles of all time.
Whats unusual about Kayes success is
that more than 10 million people had
already read her novelfor free, on
Wattpadbefore she self-published it.
In fact, Knight in Shining Suit topped
Wattpads most-read chart multiple
times in the chick lit and romance categories. Much of the book is still there for
anyone that wants to read it. But that
hasnt stopped sales of the self-published
edition, priced at $2.99 in digital, from
taking off.
We talked to Kaye about her success
on both platforms, her decision to monetize her content, and what its like to
navigate the self-publishing industry
from abroad.
Finding a Platform
I was a closet writer for a long time,
Kaye says. In fact, some of my closest
friends didnt know I could write until I
started posting on Wattpad. Until
then, shed only shared what shed written with her friends and family, and
while her sisters encouraged her, she admits that she assumed they were just being nice. Her journey from a closet
writer to a public one came as

she was doing research for a
story. As the plot involved a romance between step-siblings,
she was nervous about the content and how it might be perceived, and went online to find
similar stories to see how other
authors had dealt with the sensitive subject matter. A link on
a Wattpad story came up and
thats how I discovered how
Wattpad provides an avenue for
writers to share their work and
actually get good and honest
feedback from readers of different ages, genders, and nationalities, she says. The platforms
social aspectit allows readers
to comment, follow, and vote on
storiesalso appealed to her. I
wanted honest comments from
readers who didnt know me and had
probably read thousands of stories in the
same genre as mine, and Wattpad was
the perfect platform for that, Kaye says.
She decided to try the site for her next
novel, Knight in Shining Suit a story
inspired by a friends recent breakup
with her cheating boyfriend. The book
soon became a hit.
When I first started posting on Wattpad, I was ecstatic to get my first thousand reads. I was even happier when I
reached a thousand followers, Kaye says.
But then, people started getting into
the story and started tweeting about it
and sharing it with their friends and getting others to read it, too. The book now
has 10.6 million reads, 128,000 votes,
Jerilee Kaye
and 11,000 comments from fans who
want more.
Kaye says that the comments she received from readers were invaluableespecially when it came to pointing out
inconsistencies with the books American
setting. Since the author doesnt live in
the U.S., she found the feedback helpful
in ensuring that the narrative was accurate. Readers who came from the same
country or city as your characters will
give you immediate comments if something you wrote seems off, she says,
like the minimum age for driving in a
particular state, or the minimum age for
drinking. Her readers were also quick to
point out other errors. For example, one
reader saw the phrase, He whispered in
INDIE SUCCESS
my ears, and wrote to Kaye, noting,
You cant whisper in both ears unless
you say the same thing twicein one ear
after the other.
Kayes book eventually topped Wattpads romance charts and attracted the
attention of some traditional publishers.
She says she was also courted by companies that wanted her to use their platforms to self-publish. I didnt have an
agent, I didnt know how to get in touch
with one, she says, so she was left to research the inquiries on her own. When a
large publishing firm in Asia approached
her about publishing her book, it asked
for three-year exclusivity on her next
workssomething Kaye wasnt interesting in granting. I was okay with one
book, but I wouldnt know what I would
do or where I would be in three years so
I didnt feel comfortable with that. After a bit of research, she also discovered
that the company doesnt offer its books
in a trade paperback format and that its
distribution is online only, mainly
through Amazonall of which made her
hesitate. And while the publisher did offer an advance as well as royalties in the
10%20% range, she eventually declined the offer. Ultimately, she decided
that self-publishing was her best bet.
Monetizing Content
On Feb. 24, 2014, Kaye published Knight
in Shining Suit on Smashwords, and took
down much of the book from Wattpad,
leaving just 10 chapters out of 39 as a
sample for readers, which also ensured
that the comments on her story, and the
impressive stats, remained on the site.
I read around the Net to see how I
could get my book the widest distribution and exposure, Kaye says. Smashwords is quite aggressive in marketing
and promoting self-published authors,
she notes. She also felt that its wide distribution via sites like Apple, Barnes &
Noble, and Kobo was an important consideration. Simplicity was also important
to her, she says. Though I wanted a wide
distribution, I also needed to be able to
handle everything with minimum effort
since I have a very demanding day job,
and an even more demanding full-time

family routine. For her trade paperback
edition she used CreateSpace. A paperback edition is a must, not just for me,
but for many of the books Wattpad followers, she says. I gave CreateSpace a
try because that almost instantly lists
your book in Amazon. I was very pleased
with the professional quality of the paperback, and I found the prices to be
quite reasonable.
Another challenge Kaye encountered
had to do with receiving payments from
the U.S. while publishing abroad. Amazon will only pay by check to authors
residing outside of territories that have a
direct bank transfer facility with them,
she says. Where I am, it takes 45 days for
me to clear international checks, which,
she says, is less than ideal. Kaye says she
found a solution with Smashwords,
which can transfer funds in a matter of
days using PayPal.
Crash Course in
Publicity
Despite her success on Wattpad, Kaye
says she was a novice when it came to
promoting her work. I was not aware of
every trick and tip. As a result, I did a lot
of publicity only after the release date.
In retrospect, Kaye realized that networking with bloggers before the publication date and organizing a blog tour is
crucial to building buzz

something she didnt do
before the release. She
now uses a site called Book Blogs to network with other authors, reviewers, and
bloggers and to share resources. I just
recently joined them and found that there
are members there who could help you
out, like authors who could provide a
good review of your book, or bloggers
who could feature your book on their
sites, she says. She also uses Goodreads,
where she paid for an ad campaign to get
the word out about her book. Its good
to get your book cover to be shown randomly throughout the day on the site,
Kaye says. I also did paperback giveaways through Goodreads, as well as
limited-time discount coupons, which I
gave to my Wattpad followers.
Additionally, Kaye learned to interact
with her readers, something she says she
enjoys a lot. Youll find that many of
your readers not only want to know
about your book, they may also what to
know about what you are like in person,
she says. She also learned that promoting
her book didnt necessarily mean posting
about her book. Tweeting about stuff
other than your book helps. It gives your
followers a glimpse of who you are, what
inspires you, and what drives you.
Kaye also found that posting new stories on Wattpad garnered new readers for
herreaders who then discovered the
sample chapters for Knight in Shining
Suit. Different stories appeal to different
groups of readers and thats how you
widen your reach, she says. Sometimes,
I post a new story on Wattpad or engage
in another book that is completely different from the book I have on sale.
Ten years ago, I would probably not
have sold a single book unless I got a
publishing contract, Kaye says, looking back on her self-publishing experience. But things are evolving now.
There are plenty of tools, plenty of ways,
and platforms to do it independently.
Kayes latest title, Intertwined, was released via Smashwords on January 31
and so far it has nearly 10 million reads
on Wattpad.
35
BOOKWORKS COLUMN
Top Five Resource

Books for Indie Authors
By Betty Kelly Sargent
hether you are a seasoned self-publisher or

youve just decided that it might be a
good idea, for example, to release your
book about growing up in Michigan
yourself, you are probably going to need
some advice from the pros. And, because things change so
quickly in the indie author arena these days, any guide to selfpublishing more than two years old is likely to be out of date.
With this in mind, we checked in with a few thought leaders
and have come up with a short list of what we agree are the top
general-overview books on the ever-changing world of selfpublishing. All are recently published or updated, packed with
essential information for indie authors, and lively, clear, and, for
the most part, entertaining. Here they are:
1. Lets Get Digital: How to Self-Publish, and Why You Should
(updated second edition), by David Gaughran
This clear, concise guide is divided into three parts: the
first is an overview of the rapidly changing publishing
business; the second lays out the nuts and bolts of the
digital publishing world, including pointers on finding
professional help, marketing tips, and social media and
blogging advice; and the third shares the inspiring stories
of 30 bestselling self-publishers told in their own words.
The detailed appendix alone is worth the price of the book.
2. Write. Publish. Repeat.: The No-Luck-Required Guide to SelfPublishing Success, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant, with
David Wright
This book is the written version of our Self-Publishing
Podcast, which we record every week and which goes out to
thousands of writers who often send us beautiful emails
about getting unstuck, fighting past their fear, publishing
their best work, and starting a journey toward living their
dreams, the authors write in the books introduction. In
their frank, friendly, funny prose, they cover all the bases,
including how to create an effective marketing funnel, an
attention-getting call to action, and a unique selling proposition. Heres their philosophy as described in the books
second part: There is almost a direct line between how
hard you work (intelligently) and how much success you

have.... You can outwork luck. This is a must-read for indie
authors who are just starting out.
3. Publishing 101: A First-Time Authors Guide to Getting Published, Marketing and Promoting Your Book, and Building a
Successful Career, by Jane Friedman
This cut-to-the-chase, no-nonsense overview of traditional
publishing and self-publishing is fresh, original, and scrupulously honest. Friedman, a writer, author, teacher, and
publishing guru, answers many essential questions: How
important is it for authors to have their own blogs or websites? What can an author expect and not expect from her
traditional publisher? What marketing tactics should be
avoided on Facebook? And whats the secret to finding the
time to write, market, promote, and still have a life? This
balanced, realistic, and encouraging book is filled with
insights you wont find anywhere elsea valuable addition
to any self-publishers bookshelf.
4. Business for Authors: How to Be an Author Entrepreneur, by
Joanna Penn
My aim is to take the result of your creativity into the
realm of actually paying the bills. To take you from being
an author to running a business as an author, Penn writes,
and that is exactly what she does. She explains what all
businesses have in common and then walks the author/
reader through all aspects of these business essentials. If
you want to be the master of your brand, this book will be
a big help.
5. Self-Publishers Legal Handbook, by Helen Sedwick
Sedwick, a California business lawyer for over 30 years,
covers everything from how to select an effective imprint
name to ISBNs, EINs, and SSL Certificates. This is a real
eye-opener for anyone involved in self-publishingeasy
to read, clear, friendly, and non-intimidatinganother
essential title in every indie authors library.

Betty Kelly Sargent is the founder of BookWorks and coauthor of The
Self-Publishers Ultimate Resource Guide.
SELFPUBLISHED LISTINGS
New Titles from Self-Publishers

Booksellers, publishers, and agents are encouraged to take a look at the 58 self-published
books listed below. Some of these authors are waiting to be discovered; others have a track
record and a following and are doing it on their own.
FICTION
Anna:
A Doctors Quest into the Unknown
Michael Derechin. iUniverse. $12.95
paper (166p), ISBN 978-1-4917-2788-1;
$3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-4917-2789-8
Amazon, BN.com,
iUniverse
A disillusioned doctor
struggles to regain his
humanity as he attempts to
save a girl from the ravages
of cancer in 1973.
Kiddieland and Other Misfortunes
Tim Chapman. Thrilling Tales. $11.99
paper (232p), ISBN 978-0-9862862-0-9;
$4.99 e-book, ISBN 978-0-9862862-1-6
Abebooks, Amazon, BN.com,
Bookdepository.com, Kobo
In his first short story collection, which is about
family, class, crime, and love,
Chapman explores behaviors
that are at once familiar and
bizarre, while introducing
an odd assemblage of characters.
A Kind of Solace
A.G. Ryan. Dorrance
Publishing Co. $17 paper
(222p), ISBN 978-14809-1045-4
Dorrancebookstore.com
This layered novel follows a successful writer as she explores an
impending loss in her new work. How can
she write a happy ending when her own
world is crumbling?
Lover in the Nobody
Jonathan Harnisch. CreateSpace. $9.99
paper (160p), ISBN 978-1-5055-6246-0;

$9.99 e-book, ASIN B00RN8IL80
Amazon
Ben Schreiber explores
his alter ego, Georgie,
who, like Ben, depends on
wealthy parents, enabling
Georgie to explore kinky
sex with Claudia, succumbing to a love only his mind could produce.
The Music Makers
Shirley Russak Wachtel.
CreateSpace. $16 paper
(352p), ISBN 978-15007-8552-9
Amazon, BN.com
An exploration of the
struggles of five individuals living in
upstate New York, united by a mysterious
young boy.
Spider Womans Loom
Lorie Adair. Foreverland Press. $5.99
e-book, ASIN B00OYFRWXU
Foreverlandpress.com, Amazon
When Shiyazhi returns
home pregnant and alone,
Noni Lee relives her own
traumas. Weaving a Navajo
rug to reconstruct their history, she shares Spider
Womans gifts of creation
and resiliency.
Such a Good Boy
Josh Olsen. CreateSpace.
$5.99 paper (98p), ISBN
978-1-4953-1164-2
Amazon, Apple iBooks,
Audible
Olsens sophomore effort is a grab bag of

candid flash fiction, self-deprecating personal essays, and subversive pop culture
musings.
The Syrian Virgin:
A Young Womans Journey from War
in Syria to Love in New York
Zack Love. Zack Love.
$2.99 e-book, ASIN
B00PCTY5N2
Zacklove.com, Amazon
Anissa narrowly escapes
an Islamist massacre in
Syria. Alone, she restarts
her life in New York and is eventually
drawn to two men: a Syrian-Christian
activist and her billionaire college professor.
Traveling Light
Jeff Tompkins. Jeff Tompkins. $2.99
e-book, ASIN B00RD43Q52
Amazon, Apple iBooks, BN.com, Kobo,
Smashwords
A young womans carefully planned future is
upended by her impulse
buy of a used car and a
chance meeting with
another young woman.
This novel features two women protagonists and a setting that readers dont often
encounter in contemporary fictionthe
unique American subculture that is
highway I-95.
The Woman in the Movie Star Dress
Praveen Asthana. Doublewood Press.
$3.99 e-book, ASIN B00R9WTCD8
Amazon
What if the clothes you wore carried
37
ghostly fragments of your
soul, and somehow those
fragments got transferred
to one who wore those
clothes next?
MYSTERY/THRILLER
Due Diligence
Owen Parr. CreateSpace. $10.95 paper
(284p), ISBN 978-1-5076-6647-0;
$3.99 e-book, ASIN B00SXL55CG
Owenparr.net, Amazon,
BN.com
A romantic thriller
featuring intrigue,
double crosses, corporate takeovers, money
laundering, assassinations, and a sinful love affair. The Cuban
government attempts to launder its illicit
gains of over 40 years, utilizing Wall
Street.
The Next Target

Marcel Trigueiro.
CreateSpace. $4.99
e-book, ASIN
B00IU1R73O
Amazon
Death warnings reach
hundreds of thousands of people. A few get
killed. Millions become scared. The computer forensics specialist in charge will
discover, the hard way, that no ones safe.
Spectre Rising
C.W. Lemoine.
CreateSpace. $14.99
paper (392p), ISBN 9781-4910-8181-5
Cwlemoine.com,
Amazon, BN.com
A former fighter pilot risks it all after his
F-16 pilot fiance goes missing during a
routine training mission.
Duplicitys Child
F.J. Harmon. CreateSpace. $14.95 paper
(325p), ISBN 978-1-5024-4883-5;
$2.99 e-book, ASIN B00NQEZXBI
Amazon, Kobo, BN.com
Mace Franklyn, physiologically scarred but determined to prove himself, is
mired in a battle with the
narcissistic head of the
Michigan Bureau of Investigation as he pursues a serial killer.
The Twin: Jack Owens Series

Wayne Lasner. Wayne Lasner. $2.99
e-book, ASIN B00HRKV6O0
Amazon
The U.S. is threatened
with the most covert kind
of terrorism. Imposters,
twins, will replace political
leaders and government
officials in an attempt to
destroy the country. One young CIA agent
will uncover the plot, saving the U.S. from
an unfathomable outcome.
Long Hill Home

Kathryn Pincus. Koehler Books. $17.95
paper (260p), ISBN 978-1-940192-84-0
Amazon, BN.com, BooksA-Million
The lives of three
strangers collide in the
aftermath of a crime. The
victim, a Good Samaritan
who is falsely accused and
wrongfully imprisoned, and a reluctant
witness all suffer tremendous adversity in
the wake of the crime, and they ultimately
discover that their lives and their fates are
inextricably and permanently connected.
Who Is Malcolm Black?

Marcus T. Naef. Eloquent Books. $31
hardcover (464p), ISBN 978-1-60860876-8; $9.99 e-book, ISBN 978-162516-686-9
Amazon, BN.com
Betrayed by his longtime partner, Malcolm
Black is forced to flee
Miami. He becomes the
ruthless leader of a drug
cartel and plots revenge
on his former associate. Years later, his
return to the U.S. strikes down the existing
drug syndicate along with his ex-partner.
SF/FANTASY/HORROR
American Badass
Jeff Chacon. Wooden Stake Press. $12.95
paper (250p), ISBN 978-1-940936-04-8;
$4.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-940936-05-5
Amazon, BN.com, Tattered Cover
Ron Watson, Last Zombie Standing,
heads to Las Vegas to fit in
and to get his undead head
straightand finds himself accidentally trending
on social media while
dodging bullets and getting drunk, laid, and fed.
A Door to Truth
J.S. Johnson. Amazon. 99 e-book,
ASIN B00KFX48R8
Amazon
After accidentally discovering a planet similar to
Earth, an international
team of specialists scrambles to launch a ship to investigate. The
truth is beyond value, but is passing through
the Door worth the price?
The Last Giant: Transgression, Part 1
J.R. Hardesty. Golden Cocker Press.
$16.95 paper (396p),
ISBN 978-0-9907264-0-1; $2.99
e-book, ISBN 978-0-9907264-4-9
Amazon, BN.com
Honor his duty to his
guild or to his loved ones?
Facing sorcerers, mad
queens, and violent death,
the young Giant
Menannon must answer a
vexing question: Where lies loyalty?
Rebels of Jupiter
Russell Beideman. Smashwords. $3.99
e-book, ISBN 978-1-311-76932-9
Amazon, Apple iBooks, Baker & Taylor,
BN.com, Kobo, Page Foundry,
Smashwords
The colonies orbiting
Jupiter are in open rebellion against the Earth
Commonwealth. After
finding those responsible
for the chaos, Detective
Darvin must decide which is more importanthumanity or revenge.
Red Sulphur:
The Greatest Mystery in Alchemy
Robert Bosnak. Red Sulphur Publications.
$13.13 paper (468p), ISBN 978-09909321-2-3
Amazon, BN.com
Inspired by true events,
this is 17th-century science
fiction about the Philosophers Stone, the ultimate
power of creation. A triangular love thriller and
adventure set in a time when great scientists were also alchemists.
A Secret Tale:
Requiem for Deliverance
Lee Crawford. Dorrance Publishing Co.
$15 paper (164p), ISBN 978-1-43491477-4
Lee has fallen in love
with the enigmatic Osaris.
But he knows he will never
impress this intelligent
and beautiful woman.
Driven on a quest through a magical land,
Lee must dig deep in order to become the
best man he can be.
ROMANCE/EROTICA
Ancient Guardians, Book 1:
The Legacy of the Key
S.L. Morgan. Pasidian Press. Free e-book,
ASIN B00ARK6SUO
Smashwords
College student Reece
Bryant is focused on medical school. Unbeknownst
to her, Levi Oxley has the
enormous responsibility
of her safeguarding. When
Reece is pulled into Levis domain, Pemdas,
through a hidden vortex, she finds herself
in an enchanted land much like 17th-century Earth. With her very existence paramount to the delicate balance of the universes order, Reece must wait in this
dimension until it is safe for her to return
to her life on Earth. She and Levi must draw

on each others strengths in order to save
themselves and all of Pemdas from an eternity of despair. First book in a series for
young adults ages 13 and up. The second
installment, Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited, is available now.
Angels Awakening
Akaria Gale. Akaria Gale. $6.99 paper
(182p), ISBN 978-1-5033-1952-3;
$3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-5022-9829-4
All Romance, Amazon, BN.com
A race to prevent the
apocalypse forces Charouth and Azazel into an
unlikely partnership. Will
love blossom again for the
celestial ex-lovers, or will
ancient allegiances tear
them apart forever?
Him, Her, and Paris
Heather Starnes. Story Gazer
Publishing. $11.99 paper (322p),
ISBN 978-0-615-67040-9; $2.99
e-book, ASIN B00RNKYM36
Amazon, BN.com
Guy, girl, and Paris
equals love, romance, and
a d v e n t u r e . Wr o n g .
Exchange student Abby
Rodgers moves to Paris for
an opportunity at an
internship at a fashion house. Its a chance
to put her life back on track and escape
memories of her brothers death. Undercover FBI agent Ethan Gray is in Paris,
finalizing a match-fixing case against a
tennis star. A conviction is his ticket to
promotion, but when Abby becomes
involved with his main suspect, Ethan must
choose between love and the FBI, the only
true family he has ever known. Choose loyalty, choose safety, choose wealth, or choose
love. Choosing doesnt always mean losing.
Inner Beast (Master
Series, Book 30)
Justus Roux. Erotictales
Publications. $4 e-book,
ASIN B00S9RBBFY
All Romance, Amazon,
Apple iBooks, BN.com,

Smashwords
Master Xanthoss BDSM community is
about to be shaken to its very core when
Master Xanthos finds out Master Dimitris
secret.
Miss Ivys Tea Room
Marlene Rose-Clarke. LifeRich
Publishing. $19.99 paper (250p),
ISBN 978-1-4897-0008-7
Amazon, BN.com
The patrons of Miss Ivys Tea Room find
comfort at the local hot spot. Proprietor
Julia Horne is a Jamaican immigrant and
former corporate executive pursuing her
American dream of entrepreneurship. Her
daughter, Victoria, is determined to pursue
her own idea of the American dream. At the tearoom, Julia meets new and
fascinating people and
forms friendships. The one
thing she and Victoria
never expected to find
there is love. Enter Charles Blackman, a
former pro basketball player turned entrepreneur, and Mason Green, a famous
Broadway and television actor. Each
embraces the unexpected possibility of true
love during turning points in their lives.
Current social issues weave through the
interactions of the customers, which allow
the reader to relate to their experiences.
Reclaim My Heart
Donna Fasano. Montlake Romance.
$12.95 paper (282p),
ISBN 978-1-47781798-8; $3.99 e-book,
ASIN B00FAH87JO
Amazon, BN.com
Sixteen years ago, Tyne
left town, pregnant and
ashamed. Now her 15-year-old son is in
trouble with the law. Desperate for help,
she contacts her sons father.
Seven Days and
Six Worst-Case Scenarios:
A Humorous Romantic Mystery
Leslie Huggans. Leslie Huggans. $2.99
e-book, ASIN B00OGWETM8
39
Amazon
Mix dry wit
with a juicy corpse and let
simmer over a hot romance
to serve up a wicked comedy
bursting with murder, narcotics, and one gorgeous
piece of man-flesh.
Starblind: The Jane Sevis Chronicles
D.T. Dyllin. Tik Tok Press. $2.99 e-book,
ASIN B00Q6BNH8Y
Amazon, Apple iBooks, BN.com, Kobo
Owner of the Chimaygrade starship dubbed the
Pittsburgh, Captain Jane
Sevis is one of the best
bounty hunters in the
galaxy. When a particularly slippery target reveals
the real reason for being in her database, her
world is turned upside down in more ways
than one. Will she follow her gut and look
the other way for the man she may be
falling for? Or will their love fall prey to her
mercenary heart before it gets a real chance
to ignite?
Taylor, the Journey Home
Harold J. Fischel. Harold J. Fischel.
$14.95 paper (411p), ISBN 978-0-69234181-0
Amazon, BN.com
Taylor Marx has it all
hes a popular high school
quarterback, a huge hit
with the ladies, and his
family employs most of the
town they live in. But
before Taylor is through,
hell go on a globe-spanning journey to
reunite with Maria, the only girl hes ever
truly loved. When his spiteful grandfather
has Marias parents deported back to
Argentina, it sets in motion a chain of
events no one could have predicted. Taylor
ends up on the run, until being in the
wrong place at the wrong time sees him
convicted for a crime he didnt commit.
Will Taylor ever see the outside of a cell
again? If so, will Maria still be waiting for
him?
Too Close
Elizabeth Krall. Elizabeth Krall. $9.99
paper (259p), ISBN 978-1-4820-9792-4;
$3.99 e-book, ASIN B00B6AE1E4
Smashwords
Three weeks before their
wedding, Nicola and Greg
discover they may have the
same mother. Will they
break societys rules and
fight for love, or break their
hearts and part?
Virgin Quest
Mark Radford. CreateSpace. $7.95 paper
(106p), ISBN 978-1-5059-1518-1;
$2.99 e-book, ASIN
B00SIC8QN0
Amazon, BN.com
Tom Webber was ready
for the race of a lifetime
the Virgin Quest, where
moral values is the key to
winning the heart of a decent woman,
among chaotic temptations.
INSPIRATIONAL
Healing Rain: The Rain King
F.L. Raynaud. Dream Weaver Publishing.
$14.99 paper (296p),
ISBN 978-0-99059594-6; $7.99 e-book, ASIN
B00RQNN48Y
Fredraynaud.us, Amazon
An epic journey of faith,
seen though the life of
John Parker. How one person can open the
floodgates of heaven and bring rain upon a
dry and weary land.
My Dog Gets It:
11 Reflections of Humbleness
G.E. Williams. Tate Publishing &
Enterprises. $10.99 paper (92p),
ISBN 978-1-63063-207-6; $9.99
e-book, ISBN 978-163268-576-6
BN.com, Books-A-Million, Tate Publishing
Develop your relationship with Christ, as
reflected in your relationship with your dog.

What Brings You JOY?
Carol Miller Fradkin. CreateSpace.
$14.95 paper (258p), ISBN 978-1-49966335-8
Amazon, BN.com
A collection of more than
350 responses to the question
What brings you joy? from
people ages six to 97, representing a wide variety of geographical locations, backgrounds, personal challenges, and occupations.
Whose Apple Is It, Anyway!
Empowering Purpose to Achieve
Your God-Ordained Destiny
Linda F. Williams. Whose Apple Press.
$9.99 e-book, ISBN 978-0-615-73863-5
Amazon
Williams aims to equip readers with two
powerful weapons to sidestep enemy mindfields, reclaim enemy territory, and leverage purpose so
they can realign themselves
with destiny. She says the
book contains real talk for
real people in a real world.
Readers will discover why
what we have been taught about our flesh
is off-focus, why the soul is the prime
target, and why the mind is the battlefield.
Williams tells a story of emotional and
physical abuse, rape, divorce, and a 17-year
marriage to a man who was later convicted
as a sexual predator. Readers will learn to
wield the weapon theyve had all along and
gain the skill to leverage it to navigate
enemy mind-fields devised to redirect focus
and sidetrack purpose.
NONFICTION
Hearts Beneath the Badge
Karen Solomon. Missing Niche
Publishing. $12.99 paper
(247p), ISBN 978-09863221-0-5
BN.com, Lulu.com
Interviews with men and
women in law enforcement
Taps the experience, integrity and authority

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INDIE
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AUTHORS
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booklife.com
across the U.S. reveal good
deeds and broken heartsthe
ultimate in irony. They might buy cookies
for a child and be gunned down moments
later just for wearing a badge.
May Day, May We
Claire Taft Sherman.
Dorrance Publishing Co. $11 paper (92p),
ISBN 978-1-4809-1033-1
With humor and common sense, Sherman
approaches the problems most
in need of solving. She covers
nutrition, human relationships, politics, and the creation of a tax system based on
the most just of all people:
mothers. This book encourages the reader to take a fresh and logical
look at the world.
Wynwood: Street Art of Miami
David Bethune. David Bethune. $100
hardcover (50p),
ISBN 978-0-9864252-0-2
Amazon
Bethunes homage to
the incredible murals of
Miamis Wynwood district, the largest collection of street art in the
U.S., is a unique exploration in multiple exposure photography.
BIO/AUTOBIO
From King to Obama:
Witness to a Turbulent History
Earl Ofari Hutchinson. Middle Passage
Press. $12.95 paper (244p),
ISBN 978-0-692-37071-1
Amazon
This book seeks to convey the exhilaration the author feels at having walked in
the shadow of history of a Dr. King, a Miles
Davis, a John Lennon, a Bob Marley, and
many otherspeople
whose monumental accomplishments affected the
lives of millions over a half
century from the mid1960s to the first decade of
the 21st century.
Inside the Founding of Newsweek:

How a Hot-Tempered, One-Legged
RAF Pilot Launched an American
Media Giant
Thomas J.C. Martyn. Purple Plum Press.
$9.99 paper (220p),
ISBN 978-0-9852380-2-5
Amazon, Google Play, Kobo
Martyn had a vision: to
establish a weekly news
magazine that would rival
Time. His memoir reveals the
struggles and triumphs of
launching Newsweek during
the Great Depression.
Not in the Pink
Tina Martel. Tina Martel. $30 paper (194p),
ISBN 978-0-9939548-0-1
Notinthepink.ca
An illustrated graphic
narrative of artist Martels
journey through Stage 2B
breast cancer.
Ride the White Horse:
A Checkered Jockeys Story of Racing,
Rage and Redemption
Eddie Donnally. Shine Publishing.
$14.95 paper (338p),
ISBN 978-0-9891366-0-0
Amazon, Ingram, BN.com
A sexual abuse victim falls from grace as
a thoroughbred jockey and
newspaper writer. He
becomes addicted to crack
cocaine and same-sex
encounters, only to find
redemption in a jail cell.
Waiter to the Rich and Shameless:
Confessions of a Five-Star Beverly
Hills Server
Paul Hartford. Hillhurst Literary. $3.99
e-book, ASIN B00QXA0TX4
Amazon, Apple iBooks, BN.com,
Smashwords
A down-and-out musician chops off his hair to
become a server at the top of
the Hollywood food chain
and discovers a cloistered
world of money, fame, bad
behavior, and intrigue.
BUSINESS/
PERSONAL FINANCE
Escaping Condo Jail: The Keys to
Navigating Risks & Surviving Perils of
the Carefree Community Lifestyle
Sara E. Benson and Don DeBat, illus. by
John Michael Downs. CreateSpace.
$24.95 paper (623p),
ISBN 978-1-5005-7260-0
Amazon, BN.com,
Book Daily
A comprehensive yet witty encyclopedia for anyone involved in
real estate in any way. Problems are exposed, and valuable
instruction is given to provide
rock-solid strategies and workable solutions.
SCIENCE
Are the Androids Dreaming Yet?
Amazing Brain. Human Communication,
Creativity & Free Will
James Tagg. Hurst Farm Books. $30
hardcover (436p),
ISBN 978-1-910464-00-7
Amazon, Apple iBooks, Ingram, BN.com
Many scientists think its just a matter of
time before computers become smarter than
us, and then what? This book charts a journey
through the science of information, from the
origins of language and logic
to the frontiers of modern
physics, from Lewis Carrolls
logic puzzles through Alan
Turing and his work on
Enigma and the imitation
g a m e , t o J o h n B e l l s
inequality, and finally the Conway-Kochen
Free Will Theorem. How do the laws of
physics give us our creativity, our rich experience of communication, and especially, our
free will?
The Dance of the Moon
Pari Spolter. Orb Publishing Co. $42.75
hardcover (202p),
ISBN 978-0-9638107-8-6
Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Ingram
Spolter provides an explanation of the
complex motion of the moon. Instead of a
long series of advanced
mathematical equations,
and theories or assumptions, there are many easyto-understand graphs based
on the latest ephemerides of
unprecedented accuracy.
SELFHELP
Trance Formed Body:
Use Self-Hypnosis to Control Your
Weight, Size, and Shape
Robert DeGroot. Doctor Hypnosis.
$19.95 paper (256p),
ISBN 978-0-9864058-0-8
Amazon, Ingram
Using dialogue, this book tells the story of
two couples as they work with a hypnotherapist to use self-hypnosis to trance-form their
bodies. You can read along and go into trance
to learn how to use self-hypnosis to get the
body you want. Or you may
read the scripts to go into and
out of trance with your eyes
open. Change your body image
from what youve got to what
you want. Minimize stresscaused belly fat with effective
coping strategies. Make the right choices by
transforming motivators into attitudes.
Replace obsolete blocker beliefs with new
supportive beliefs. Redirect the power of your
fear center to protect the body you want.
Access your internal resources to keep your
trance-formed body. Win the mental game of
weight control at the subconscious level.
CHILDRENS FICTION
Archies First Adventure
Katherine Kleymenova. Cedar Alley
Publishing. $17.95 hardcover (42p),
ISBN 978-0-9939841-0-5
Amazon, BN.com
Archie the mouse, who lives in a little
house under the big cedars roots in the
forest, has never been farther than Calm
Creek. But when he receives a letter from
his friend Bruno, inviting
him to visit for Christmas,
Archie realizes its time to
do something very
unusualhave a real
adventure.
The Atlantis Rain: Rain Fields

Dionne L. Fields. Dionne L. Fields.
$14.99 paper (80p),
ISBN 978-1-5058-5332-2
Amazon, BN.com, Books-A-Million,
Google Play
A fairy tale about a little
boy just seven years old and
a second-grader in Mrs.
Brantleys class who finds
learning to be a fun adventure.
Be Proud: Talking with Trees, Book 1
Colleen Doyle Bryant, illus. by Manuela
Soriani. LoveWell Press. $9.99 paper
(24p), ISBN 978-1-4679-2190-9; $1.99
e-book, ISBN 978-0-9849056-0-7
Amazon, Baker & Taylor, BN.com, Ingram
A wise old tree helps a
boy learn, Oh no! I have a
conscience! in this tale
about honesty and making
choices you can be proud
of.
Ella Mae the Courageous Cheerleader
Stephanie Cameron. Tate Publishing &
Enterprises. $18.99 hardcover (28p),
ISBN 978-1-62854-600-2; $9.99 paper
(28p), ISBN 978-1-62024-830-0
Ellamaebooks.com, Amazon, BN.com
A picture book
written in rhyme,
sharing a personal story of
facing bullies
with confidence
and faith. Each book comes with a free
audiobook download.
Gabbie Flowers:
And the Key to the Universe
Dianne Caplin. Balboa Press. $12.99
paper (154p), ISBN 978-1-4525-2142-8;
$3.99 e-book, ISBN 978-1-4525-2141-1
Amazon, Balboa Press,
BN.com
An invisible boy and a
magic bubble help defeat
the bully in the classroom.
Lexi Goes on Vacation to

the Outer Banks
Janice Wills Kingsbury. CreateSpace.
$11.99 paper (46p),
ISBN 978-1-5001-0326-2
Outerbooks.com, Amazon, BN.com
Ms. Janice and Mr. Rob have vacationed
in the seashore town of
Duck, N.C., for 10
years. Duck is a friendly
place with sandy beaches
where children and dogs
romp to their hearts
content. This year Lexi, a new addition to
their dog family, will come too. But this
vacation will be like no other, and as the
sun sets on the beach, it promises to be a
long nightone the family will never
forget.
Nickerbacher, the Funniest Dragon
Terry John Barto, illus. by Kim
Sponaugle. AuthorHouse. $15.95 paper
(34p), ISBN 978-1-4969-5454-1; $3.99
e-book, ASIN B00SKKX2AW
Amazon, BN.com,
Books-A-Million,
IndieBound
Nickerbacher wants to
be a stand-up comedian.
His papa wants him to
guard princesses, because
that is whats expected of dragons.
CHILDRENS
SF/FANTASY/HORROR
Against Her Gentle Sword:
Fighting for Love and Freedom in a
Womans World
Alan Stroe. Tiberian Press. $9.99 paper
(144p), ISBN 978-1-5052-3129-8;
$2.99 e-book, ASIN B00NNZRGBU
Amazon, BN.com
On an island ruled by women, a boy
yearning for freedom is selected to duel in
front of the girl he loves. All of his opponents outmatch him physically, and they include
some of his closest friends.
A former ally hijacks his
revolutionary plans,
turning them into an evil
power grab.
43
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Be Sure to Join PW on Social Media
Reviews Roundup
In the last month, weve reviewed 37 books submitted via BookLife, PWs website dedicated
to indie authors. Among the standouts were three titles that received starred reviews: Ginnah
Howards short story collection Rope & Bone; The Way into Chaos, Harry Connollys epic fantasy
trilogy launch; and Work, Pump, Repeat: How to Survive Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work,
Jessica Shortalls guide for new mothers.
Fiction
A Valediction
The Retail
Ellis Friedman. Friesen Press, $21.99 trade paper (432p)

ISBN 978-1-4602-1053-6
Joshua Danker-Dake. CreateSpace, $11.99 trade paper (320p)

ISBN 978-1-5002-2695-4
The Blue Folio
Santa Rita Stories
Matt McMahon. Black Ostrich, $15.99 (230p) ISBN 978-0-9907103-0-1
Andrew J. Rodriguez. Outskirts Press, $17.95 trade paper (320p)

ISBN 978-1-4787-3698-1
The Darkest Side of Saturn:

Odyssey of a Reluctant Prophet of Doom
Tony Taylor. iUniverse, $25.95 trade paper (492p) ISBN 978-1-4917-3421-6
The Earl of Brass

Kara Jorgenson. Fox Collie, $14.99 ISBN 978-0-9905022-0-3
Fade to Black
Sue Duff. CrossWinds, $17.50 trade paper (458p) ISBN 978-0-9905628-0-1
The Fight for Immortality

Peter Arthur. CreateSpace, $16.95 trade paper (576p)
ISBN 978-1-4826-4535-4
The Kizuna Coast

Sujata Massey. Ikat, $16 trade paper (372p) ISBN 978-0-983661-05-4
The List of Dead Smiths

D.L. Williams. Create Space, $15 trade paper (322p)
ISBN 978-1-502917-42-3
My Soul Immortal
Jen Printy. Red Adept, $14.99 trade paper (310p) ISBN 978-1-940215-25-9
One Hundred Miles from Manhattan

Chris Orcutt. Have Pen, Will Travel, $12.95 trade paper (254p)
ISBN 978-0-615-99983-8
Rescued
Rope & Bone
Ginnah Howard. Illume, $15 trade paper (426p) ISBN 978-15003-3894-7
oward weaves together a

number of short stories (some
previously published) to
create this brutal, powerful
novel, the final piece in a trilogy
(after Night Navigation and Doing
Time Outside) about two very different
women and the children upon whom
their accidental sins are visited.
Though separated by age, education, and circumstance,
Del Merrick and Carla Morletti lead parallel lives in
a grim upstate New York hamlet, both struggling to
gain a toehold in their worsening marriages while helplessly watching their children slip away. When the two
become friends after a chance meeting, Del and Carlas
families are irrevocably linked, and, as their entwined
stories begin to unfold, both women make decisions
that reverberate far into everyones future. Spanning
19461993, the book lays bare Del and Carlas lives
with quiet compassion, wit, and an unhurried anticipation. Stunning in its simplicity, Howards lean prose belies the detail and richness of the characters she conveys.
Linda Rettstatt. CreateSpace, $11.99 trade paper (226p)

ISBN 978-1-50035-652-1
45
REVIEWS ROUNDUP
The Six-Degree Conspiracy, Vol. 1:

A Jackson Guild Novel
Work, Pump, Repeat:
Jeff Shear. BlackRack, $12.95 trade paper (313p) ISBN 978-1-477626-56-6
How to Survive Breastfeeding

and Going Back to Work
Scars: Totem, Book 1
Jessica Shortall. Otet Press, $15.99

ISBN 978-0-9909192-0-9
C. Michael Lorion. CML, $3 e-book (303p) ASIN B00JJ4D8NY
Jeremy Bates. Ghillinnein, $4.99 e-book (420p) ISBN 978-0-9937646-2-2
The Years of Zero:

Coming of Age Under the
Khmer Rouge
The Wanderers Children
Seng Ty. Create Space, $17 trade paper (240p)

ISBN 978-1-4922-8673-8
Suicide Forest
Liz Gelb OConnor. Collins-Young Publishing, $19.95 trade paper (416p)

ISBN 978-0-9907381-0-7
The Way into Chaos
Childrens/YA
Harry Connolly. Radar Avenue, $15.99 trade

paper (364p)
ISBN 978-0-9898284-2-0
Chronicles from Chteau Moines
Nonfiction
Dragonbride
The Accidental Caregiver
Faery Swap
Gregor Collins. Bloch-Bauer Books, $9.99

(378p) ASIN B0092GS96K
Susan Kaye Quinn. CreateSpace, $12.99 paper (280p)

ISBN 978-1-4942-2767-8
Breast Cancer at 35: A Memoir
Glasses
Amy Burns. Fighting Fish, $9.95 (74p) ISBN 978-0-9906427-5-6
Ann Gwinn Zawistoski, photos by Heidi M. Woodworth. Peeps Eyewear,

$11.95 (12p) ISBN 978-0-9910701-1-4
Clash of the Couples:

A Humorous Collection of Completely Absurd
Lovers Squabbles and Relationship Spats
Edited by Crystal Ponti. Blue Lobster Book Co., $12.95 (322p)
ISBN 978-0-9899553-3-1
Confessions of an E-book Virgin:

What Everyone Should Know Before They Publish
on the Internet
Laura Shabott. Long Point Press, $9.99 trade paper (112p)
ISBN 978-0-9888979-7-7
Cousin Bella: The Whore of Minsk

Sherman Yellen. Moreclacke, $8.95 trade paper (118p)
ISBN 978-1-4952-9043-5
In Search of the Dark Watchers:

Landscapes and Lore of Big Sur
Thomas Steinbeck, illus. by Benjamin Brode. Steinbeck Press, $40
trade paper (64p) ISBN 978-0-9906637-0-6
Stuffology 101: Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter

Brenda Avadian and Eric Riddle. North Star, $14.95 (175p)
ISBN 978-0-9632752-5-7
Evelyne Holingue. Burel Press, $11.95 paper (320p) ISBN 978-09883905-1-5
Raani York. CreateSpace, $14.99 paper (424p) ISBN 978-1-5002-3210-8
The Last Generation

Ben Robertson. Menadena Publishing, $16.95 paper (390p)
ISBN 978-0-9835268-0-3
Ninja Mouse: Haiku

J.C. Thomas. SuperUltraGo! Press, $7.95 paper (40p)
ISBN 978-0-9913240-3-3
Reindeer Dust
Kate Dwyer, illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Reindeer Dust Inc., $17.95
(32p) ISBN 978-0-9893176-0-3
Thorny
Lelia Eye. One Good Sonnet Publishing, $2.99 e-book (214p)
ISBN 978-0-9937977-1-2
Poetry
Journey Through Lifes War of the Heart
Brittaney Stewart. Xlibris, $3.99 e-book (212p)
ISBN 978-1-4990-5893-2
Reviews
Fiction
A Valediction
Ellis Friedman. Friesen Press, $21.99 trade
paper (432p) ISBN 978-1-4602-1053-6
Friedmans bittersweet novel eloquently

explores the complexities of relationships
and human desire. Despite his desolation
following the end of his 15-year marriage,
Toby tries to rebound from lonelinessand
at the same time gives his ex-wife a whatforby dating the much-younger July.
July, who has no idea what she wants to do
after graduation, lets Toby whisk her away
to Florence in celebration of his divorce and
the holidays. But the trip is not at all the
romantic getaway that was promised,
despite a ton of gelato. Tobys past haunts
him and he becomes aloof and bitter, especially when he learns his ex-wife is getting
married again. Meanwhile, Julys confusion
and indecision toward Toby become more
persistent when she meets the charming
and young Italian Massimo. Although Toby
and Julys relationship is ultimately
doomed, both try to hold on rather than face
uncertainty,
which proves to
be disastrous in
the slightly
rushed ending
chapters. The gist
of this story is by
no means new,
but Friedmans
strong writing
makes this a novel
worth reading.
The story gracefully moves between
descriptions of the beauty and people of
Florence, the wonders of fine foods, and the
uncertainty and pain of heartbreak.
The Blue Folio

Matt McMahon. Black Ostrich, $15.99 (230p)
ISBN 978-0-9907103-0-1
What if the American public rebels at

business as usual in Washington, D.C.?
Thats the interesting question at the heart
of McMahons so-so near-future political

thriller. The narrative alternates between
2059, when President Beth Roche-Suarez
faces a treason charge, and 2037, when delegates gather in Philadelphia to draft an
entirely new constitution. The Second
Constitutional Convention creates a provision that makes it an act of high treason for
pre side nts to
veto legislation
they have previously supported.
During her campaign for president, RocheSuarez advocated
for the South
American Free
Trade Act. Now
shes against it,
and the penalty is death if shes convicted.
McMahon doesnt make that premise more
palatable with plausible supporting details.
In 2059, for example, federal judges and the
U.S. attorney general are elected, putting
those officials, who are supposed to be nonpartisan, directly into the political fray.
Even those disgusted with governmental
gridlock may find the central concept too
over the top.
The Darkest Side of Saturn:

Odyssey of a Reluctant Prophet
of Doom
Tony Taylor. iUniverse, $25.95 trade paper
(492p) ISBN 978-1-4917-3421-6
Taylor (Counters) starts this near-future

novel strongly with well-rendered protagonists, but the story soon falters and collapses. Dreamer spacecraft engineer Harris
Mitchel and driven astronomer Diana
Muse-Jones discover an asteroid that, unbeknownst to them, is on a possible collision
course with Earth. Soon the intrigue of
astronomical discovery gives way to a hackneyed critique of religion, personified by
Rev. Ernest Farnsworth, an evangelical
leader who vilifies Harris in a last-ditch
attempt to keep his congregation going.
The inciting plot point, the asteroids path,
46a P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
isnt revealed
until halfway
through the
overlong slog
and is buried in a
mess of romantic
affairs both real
and speculated.
Layered characterizations
become flat
archetypes, and
the womenincluding, most disappointingly, Dianabecome either leering seductresses or angelic stay-at-home wives and
mothers. The books unfocused attempts at
humor sometimes succeed but mostly fail.
The Earl of Brass

Kara Jorgenson. Fox Collie, $14.99 ISBN 978-09905022-0-3
Jorgenson launches the Ingenious

Mechanical Devices series with this slightly
discontinuous romantic steampunk adventure. Eilian Sorrell, eldest son of the Earl of
Dorset, refuses to give up his archeological
travels even after he loses an arm in a dirigible accident. Hadley Fenice is a prosthesis
maker seeking a willing surgical recipient
for a battery-operated limb designed by her
late brother. After the new arm is grafted
onto Eilians stump, he and Hadley join
Eilians friends on a dig in the Negev
Desert, with
Hadley disguised
as the dandy
Henry Fox to get
around sexist
strictures. But
the story falters
when they discover people
living in an
underground cave
who enjoy classless gender equality and same-sex relationships, work according to individual passions, and learn language instantly via
crystals. These utopians are embraced by
Elian and Hadley but exploited by their
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unenlightened British colleagues. After

this clunky venture into modern cultural
polemic, the couples return to London
restores the atmosphere of romance and
delight. If Jorgenson can avoid the urge to
moralize, future installments should be
entirely entertaining.
Fade to Black
Sue Duff. CrossWinds, $17.50 trade paper
(458p) ISBN 978-0-9905628-0-1
Ian Black is only 19, but the weight of the

modern world rests on his shoulders in the
form of his magical heritage. Ian is also the
star of his own stage show, using his secret
powers to supplement his tricks and illusions, and a bit of a vigilante, sniffing out
danger among members of his audience and
rushing to defend them against the forces of
evil. When he saves Rayne Bevan, a local
college student
bent on investigative reporting,
he becomes the
subject of her
professional
interest, and soon
she leads Ians
enemies straight
t o h i s d o o r.
Danger abounds
for Ian and his
friends, but the tension and suspense simply
dont hold up, and Duffs writing often feels
clunky. Her characters are all technically
adults, but they react and behave like
younger teenagers. Even undemanding
readers will struggle to appreciate the slowmoving story and its immature characters.
The Fight for Immortality

Peter Arthur. CreateSpace, $16.95 trade paper (576p) ISBN 978-1-4826-4535-4
Jack Cousins, a teen with almost superhuman physical abilities, becomes the classic
one-man-against-the-aliens hero in an action
story that mixes brains and brawn. Jack tries
to stay out of the spotlight and live a normal
life, but after the otherworldly origins of
powerful tech company Directory Electronics
are revealed, he feels a mysterious compulsion to fight them. When the aliens trick his
girlfriend, Wendy, into agreeing to leave
Earth forever, he decides he must use his
wondrous abilities to take the battle to the
enemyfirst by
joining gladiatorial games whose
winners are made
immortal. Jack is
a capable hero,
though his successes are often
due to the aliens
incompetence.
Debut author
Arthur occasionally stumbles over the pacing of story piled
on story, but he touches on enough of SFs
most enduring tropes to appeal to fans of
classic space-adventure novels.
The Kizuna Coast

Sujata Massey. Ikat, $16 trade paper (372p)
ISBN 978-0-983661-05-4
The earthquake and tsunami that devastated Honshu, Japan, in 2011 kick-starts
Agatha-winner Masseys moving 11th Rei
Shimura mystery (after 2008s Shimura
Trouble). Rei, a Japanese-American antiques
dealer, and her new husband, Michael
Hendricks, a former spy now working for a
think tank on Pacific Rim issues, are
playing mah-jongg at home in Hawaii
when they hear the devastating news. Rei
ascertains that her
family escaped
serious harm, but
it takes a bit
longer for her to
discover the fate of
her mentor in the
antiquing busin e s s , Ya s u s h i
Ishida. To her
relief, Yasushi survived as well,
although he suffered a serious head injury.
When Yashushi asks her to come to Japan
to help him, she agrees immediately, to
Michaels dismay. The books most effective

portions deal with Reis role in the relief
efforts. The whodunit takes a while to manifest itself and could have been dispensed
with without loss.
The List of Dead Smiths

D.L. Williams. CreateSpace, $15 trade paper
(322p) ISBN 978-1-502917-42-3
Williamss bizarre novel, set in a near

future in which President Hillary Clintons
vice president is Judge Judy, opens with a
chapter in which Sheldon Shelly Smith,
the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, is
crushed to death by two obese prostitutes
in a sordid hotel room outside Mexico City.
Shelly maintains a bemused, detached tone
throughout his ordeal. (Had he foreseen
this outcomehis naked body trapped
beneath seven hundred pounds of beautiful,
naked Asian hookerhe might not have
taken the allexpense paid trip
which mysteriously arrived at
his door.) Shelly
proves to be but
one member of
his family to die
under odd circumstances.
Capt. America
Oceanus Smith
detonates a nuclear bomb he installed on his
yacht for emergencies, and Lura Lee
Smith is carried off to be eaten either by a
Himalayan golden eagle or a pterodactyl.
Lura Lees cousin, Sydney, hires PI Tate
Pendergast to investigate. Readers uncomfortable with explicit sexor toilet
scenesshould steer clear.
My Soul Immortal
Jen Printy. Red Adept, $14.99 trade paper
(310p) ISBN 978-1-940215-25-9
Printys paranormal romance series

launch is hamstrung from the start by the
first-person present-tense narration. Jack
Hammond has spent most of his life trying
to die, haunted by the mystery of his
W W W . P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y . C O M 46b
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immortality. Hes also spent 170 years

relentlessly pining for his lost soul mate,
Lydia. When he bumps into Leah, who
greatly resembles
Lydia, he transfers
his obsession to
her. Then an ominous man offers
some of the
answers Jack
seeks, but with
that knowledge
c o m e s d a n g e r.
Unfortunately,
Jack isnt strong or
interesting enough to carry the story; his
development (and the plots advancement)
relies heavily on info-heavy conversations
rather than organic revelations. In most
paranormal romance titles, the romance
provides motivation and the paranormal
provides conflict, but each misses the mark
in this one, and the two sides are barely
blended. The storys style and substance are
both too weak to sweep readers off their feet.
One Hundred Miles from

Manhattan
Chris Orcutt. Have Pen, Will Travel, $12.95
In the rarified town of Wellington, N.Y.,

the absurdly wealthy ride horses, live
well, and turn to the communitys less
affluent for diversion and recreation.
Journalist turned novelist Orcutt (the
Dakota Stevens series) gives nine
Wellington residentsplus one visitor
each their own chapter in this novel, which
reads more like a collection of short stories.
Insulated by their wealth, these idle rich
knowingly embrace the all-too-foreseeable
consequences of
their actions,
revealing a town
where selfishness
is a way of life.
Orcutt has a good
grasp of his characters, but several of
them are almost
interchangeable:
men and women
who drift into
affairs just to pass the time. A few stand out,

such as Victoria, a working single mother
eager to find a new partner, and Holbrook,
who cant wait to find someone with whom
to share his recently acquired millions.
Reappearing characters drift in and out of
these events, but Wellington itself is ultimately the strongest character in the book.
Rescued
Linda Rettstatt. CreateSpace, $11.99 trade
paper (226p) ISBN 978-1-50035-652-1
Rettstatts subtle contemporary will

appeal to animal lovers everywhere. Alex
Ramsey, first abandoned by her mother and
then jilted by her fianc, decides that animals are much more trustworthy than
people. She splits her time between running
a no-kill animal
shelter and
working for her
Uncle Jack at his
restaurant in
C a d e s P o i n t ,
Miss. When chef
Evan Whiting
moves to town
after the twin failures of his marriage and his New
York restaurant, he decides to start his life
over. Though Alex and Evan are initially at
odds, their sparks of anger evolve into
mutual attraction. But Evans ex-wife unexpectedly comes to visit, and Alex doesnt
open up easily. Sweet but not syrupy with
plenty of charming side characters, this fastpaced read will appeal to those who favor
mildly sexy smalltown romance.
The Retail
Joshua Danker-Dake. CreateSpace, $11.99
Danker-Dake incorporates humor, emotion, and social commentary into his debut
novel, which reads like the script for a smart
comedy film. Self-deprecating narrator
Penn Reynard is a young, aspiring writer
making ends meet by working behind the
returns desk at the House Station, a fictional big-box store in Leetown, Mo., modeled after Home Depot and Lowes. Hes also
a virgin, saving himself for marriage. In the
46c P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
Paint department, he meets Chloe van

Caneghem, a sweet girl with like-minded
morals, and their evolving relationship is at
the heart of this dialogue-rich story. The
couples sidekick is service-desk commander Angry
Petea shrillvoiced young
man whose mind
and mouth are
constantly
moving. DankerDakes blunt and
brief portrayals
of clueless customers add to the
books charm, as
do the outrageous names he assigns to characters: Promilla, Kord, Osric, Thoth, and
Fielding. At times, the book satirizes the
retail world, portraying high-level personnel at the House Station as despicable
automatons who refuse to acknowledge the
toll employees pay for working for a soulless
corporation. With many scenes occurring
inside the store, in a booth at the local
IHOP, or at Penns apartment, the plot
doesnt take many significant turns. That
readers wont care speaks volumes about
Danker-Dakes ability to propel a characterdriven narrative. Heres to a sequel.
Rope & Bone

Ginnah Howard. Illume, $15 trade paper
(426p) ISBN 978-1-5003-3894-7
Howard weaves together a number of

short stories (some previously published) to
create this brutal, powerful novel, the final
piece in a trilogy (after Night Navigation and
Doing Time Outside) about two very different
women and the children upon whom their
accidental sins
are visited.
Though separated by age,
education, and
circumstance,
Del Merrick and
Carla Morletti
lead parallel
lives in a grim
upstate New
York hamlet,
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both struggling to gain a toehold in their

worsening marriages while helplessly
watching their children slip away. When
the two become friends after a chance
meeting, Del and Carlas families are irrevocably linked, and as their entwined stories begin to unfold, both women make
decisions that reverberate far into everyones
future. Spanning 19461993, the book lays
bare Del and Carlas lives with quiet compassion, wit, and an unhurried anticipation.
Stunning in its simplicity, Howards lean
prose belies the detail and richness of the
characters she conveys.
Santa Rita Stories

Andrew J. Rodriguez. Outskirts Press, $17.95
Set on the docks of the fishing town Santa

Rita, Cuba, in the 1950s, Rodriguezs novel
follows Carlos, an adolescent who has cultivated a friendship with Pedro, an old man
who lives on the docks. Pedro teaches Carlos
about life through telling him stories of the
Santa Rita paststories of Nazi spies,
Ernest Hemingway, how to charm girls, and
many other important life lessons.
The more Carlos
hears, the more he
yearns to break free
of Santa Rita and
go to Havana, even
as Pedros stories
about the villages
past cement him to
his birthplace.
Rodriguez captures Cuba with affection and longing.
Though the stories themselves feature commonplace plots, readers will find the relationship between Carlos and Pedro suffused
with warmth, enough to make up for the
minor frustrations with pacing.
The Six-Degree Conspiracy, Vol. 1:

A Jackson Guild Novel
Jeff Shear. BlackRack, $12.95 trade paper
(313p) ISBN 978-1-477626-56-6
Trying to forestall an act of nuclear terror

on U.S. soil should make a suspense novel
thrilling, but several digressions into the
leads sex life dilute the impact of the main
plot line of Shears series kickoff. In

September 2009, Jack Guild, the press
officer for the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, which helps run the world,
has discovered and processed some essential
intel: that crooked financier Manny Granov
is not just a more-successful Bernie Madoff
but the clandestine loan shark of industry,
defense and international affairs. Twenty
years after Granov backed the buy of
Soviet-era atomic bombs, Jack has learned
that one of the WMDs is back in play and
going to be used
against a significant American
target. From the
start, Granov is
improbably
larger than life
his schemes
amassed him $65
billionan
impediment to
suspending disbelief. The ending is certainly surprising,
but not necessarily in a good way.
Scars: Totem, Book 1

C. Michael Lorion. CML, $3 e-book (303p)
ASIN B00JJ4D8NY
Debut author Lorion mixes up an unsettling tale of time travel, betrayal, murder,
and dark magic that never really gels.
Centuries-old Native American twins
arrive in a Massachusetts town in 1978; one
of them is in service of an ancient evil spirit,
the other desperate to stop the spirits
scheming. Two other teenagers, reeling
from family issues and romantic troubles,
are roped into a plot to unleash supernatural
revenge on the town. As the magical nightmare slowly
unfolds, several
intersecting
affairs among
middle-aged married couples lead
to bloodshed.
These stories
mostly get in the
way of the supposed main plot,
and the teen and
adult voices sound much the same. So many

side characters are introduced in such a
short time that its hard to feel empathy for
anyone at all. Theres also very little space
to explore the magic system, which is ostensibly based on indigenous cultures but so
generalized as to be vaguely offensive. With
so little worldbuilding and so many tangled
threads of story, its hard to imagine where
the series might go from here.
Suicide Forest
Jeremy Bates. Ghillinnein, $4.99 e-book
(420p) ISBN 978-0-9937646-2-2
Batess so-so supernatural thriller has several folks camping in Japans famed
Aokigahara Jukai, or suicide forestdubbed
a perfect place to die. Ethan, the lead, and
his fellow campers are mostly typesthe
girlfriend, the rival, the potential love
interest, the coworker, and the Japanese guy
who speaks bad English. Like unsympathetic
souls in a B-grade
horror movie,
they choose
dumb adventure
over common
sense and start to
get picked off one
by one. When the
bodies start
piling up, Bates
(White Lies) raises
questions about
why people kill themselves or contemplate
suicide, but he provides facile responses. Hes
better at discussing how people cope with
death. His descriptions of the forest, however, arent particularly atmospheric, and his
efforts to invoke the supernaturalfrom
swinging crucifixes to disorienting
dreamsfall flat long before things spiral
into a silly last act. What should be a juicy,
genre read is pretty toothless.
The Wanderers Children

Liz Gelb OConnor. Collins-Young Publishing,
$19.95 trade paper (416p) ISBN 978-09907381-0-7
The uneven second installment of

OConnors sprawling series (after Trinity
Stones) continues the story of Cara Collinss
initiation into the fight between angels and
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demons. As Cara prepares for her wedding to

her angelic soul mate, Simon, she adjusts to
the side effects of the vaccine used to save her
life. Growth spurts make dress fitting difficult, and her
increase in appetites
of all sorts causes
friction with her
insecure wet
blanket of a fianc.
The book begins
well but soon drags
as Caras friends
gather for a weekend
of partying and
romantic entanglement. While steamy romance abounds, the
sheer quantity of jealousy and misunderstanding becomes wearing, especially when
the book resolves with revelations as clichd
as they were obvious. Readers can begin the
series here, but they may not feel compelled
to continue it.
The Way into Chaos

Harry Connolly. Radar Avenue, $15.99 trade
paper (364p) ISBN 978-0-9898284-2-0
Connolly (the Twenty Palaces urban fantasy series) makes his first foray into crowdfunded self-publishing with this immersive,
thrilling, and elf-free epic fantasy trilogy
launch. Peradain is the capital of a loosely
held feudal empire where the rulers hold a
monopoly on magic and back it up with
steel. On the day of a major festival, the city
is invaded and overrun with monsters that
rapidly spread across the country in a
destructive wave. As the empire begins to
falter, a small band of loyalists seeks a new
spell that will defeat the beasts and restore
the crown. The tightly written story alternately follows
Tejohn Treygar, a
senior warrior
guarding the
king, and Cazia
Freewell, a
15-year-old student of magic.
Connolly deftly
moves the action
across the countryside and
explores the changing lives of soldiers,

slaves, nobles, and nomads without being
bogged down by politics. The high body
count is unsurprising for the genre; less
typical, and very welcome, are the egalitarian treatment of gender and the lack of
sexual violence. This twisty, subversive
novel will win Connolly a whole new set of
fans.
Nonfiction
The Accidental Caregiver
Gregor Collins. Bloch-Bauer Books, $9.99
(378p) ASIN B0092GS96K
Collins, a struggling actor in Los

Angeles, interviewed for a caretaker role
and was immediately taken by Maria, the
woman he would be caring for. As he
recounts in this sweet memoir, Maria was a
Holocaust survivor, descended from a
wealthy Austrian family, who successfully
sued the Austrian government for the
return of her Klimt paintings. The sale of
those paintings made her family extremely
wealthy. Collins and Maria form a strong,
near-instant bond, transcending their age
difference. Collins learns how to love from
his connection to Maria, and Marias last
years are made far more wonderful by
Collinss presence. After she passes, he tours
Europe reflecting on the places she told him
to see and the
experiences she
hoped he would
have. Collinss
affection for
Maria comes out
on every page
variously reverent, poignant,
awestruck, and
romantic. Readers
may sometimes
find the age difference peculiar or discomfiting, but Collins precludes that, in part
with his admitted emotionally stunted
nature with women. The book does suffer
from repetitiveness. Readers who want to
get a larger idea of Marias life story, in a
more organized chronological manner, will
not find it here, forced instead to eke out
46e P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
the whole story from bits scattered all over

Collinss tale. But what they will definitely
seeand feel at a visceral levelis a celebration of a life and a recognition that it is
coming to a close.
Breast Cancer at 35: A Memoir

Amy Burns. Fighting Fish, $9.95 (74p) ISBN
978-0-9906427-5-6
At 35, Burns, a high school literature

teacher and mother of a one-year-old son,
discovers a lump in her breast that turns out
to be cancerous. Unsure of whether her story
is worth telling, she decides to share her
experiences, letting women know that there
are many possible scenarios for a breast
cancer diagnosis. Burns undergoes a
lumpectomy and
radiation, and
she is spared chemotherapy due
to a favorably
low Oncotype
score (the result
of a test that
helps determine
treatment).
Sandwiched
between her
introduction and afterword, both of which
are prose, are a series of poems that describe
her first visit with the oncologist, The
Nurse, Appointment Radiation
Treatments, and glimpses of everyday life,
such as playing with her son while trying
to put worry about her future on hold.
Burnss observation that time is more inestimable, more ours will ring true to those
who have faced the life-changing nature of
this disease; the challenges of learning to
accept, to relinquish control, and to value
and enjoy the everyday moments are also
explored. And though fear is a constant
companion, Burns writes in Anthem of
Hope that acceptance heals. The work
reflects the authors sense of hope, and her
realization that though she cant control
cancer, she can control her response to the
life I have and all it brings. Readers who
are facing (or who have survived) breast
cancer and their families will find inspiration in this cancer journey via poetry.
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Clash of the Couples:

A Humorous Collection of Completely Absurd Lovers Squabbles
and Relationship Spats
Edited by Crystal Ponti. Blue Lobster Book
Co., $12.95 (322p) ISBN 978-0-9899553-3-1
Editor and contributor Ponti offers a collection of 46 brief essays from mommy (and
occasionally daddy) as a sequel to an earlier
anthology she also edited, The Mother of All
Meltdowns. Most selections are from writers
who have recently been married and had children, and will be enjoyed most by that peer
group. Ponti kicks things off by recounting
a memorable fight she and her husband had
after the search term college boobs
appeared in their computers browsing history. One essay explores how the writers
arguments with his
wife have changed
over the years.
Another highlights a fight that
culminated in
divorce. By the
end, readers will
have learned that
couples can apparently fight over
almost anything
food, thermostat settings, car care. Many end
with valuable advice or lessons learned (some
of them sweet). One essayist, unfortunately,
cant resist the opportunity to also promote
her personal line of jewelry. As a whole, however, the book is full of short, lightly entertaining accountssome of the stronger
being The Cake Heard Around the World,
And the Boob Wins, and Escape of the
Chocolate Placentathat may serve as
reminders that, whatever argument readers
are currently embroiled in, empirical evidence exists that other couples have equally
stupid fights.
Confessions of an Ebook Virgin:

What Everyone Should Know
Before They Publish on the Internet
Laura Shabott. Long Point Press, $9.99 trade
paper (112p) ISBN 978-0-9888979-7-7
Writer and self-publishing evangelist

Shabott puts pen to paper for a likable but
insubstantial stab at helping fellow authors
make their books available through Kindle,

Nook, and other digital platforms. Her
manifesto is designed to appeal to writers
who havent had
much luck publishing through
traditional publishers: Within
this amazing new
paradigm, no
writer has to
follow the traditional, often
fruitless, path of
finding an agent,
who then hunts for a publishera journey
that can take yearsand might never
happen. A slim manual clocking in at a
little more than 100 pages, the book covers
the practicalities of self-publishing: hiring
an editor, design[ing] the right package,
getting reviewed prior to publication, creating e-books, and advertising yourself and
your book. All these items are summed up
in a concluding checklist, which represents
Shabottss most valuable offering. The
chapters, on the other hand, are chatty and
encouraging, but lack the substance to back
up their suggestions. Without more concrete information, advice such as Everyone
is different, so discover what works for you
and stick with it, seems unlikely to provide
aspiring authors with the key to success.
Cousin Bella: The Whore of Minsk

Sherman Yellen. Moreclacke, $8.95 trade paper (118p) ISBN 978-1-4952-9043-5
Playwright and screenwriter Yellen

shares the story of his elderly relative, the
titular Cousin Bella, who grew up in czarist
Russia. Once Bellas father died, her stepmother sold her to a brothel, from which
she was rescued by the authors grandmother. The family moved to America, and
Bella met up with a former client,
who married her. They are happy
together at first, except for their
inability to have children. When a
lodger in Bellas apartment leaves
her daughter behind, Bella falls in
love with the child and takes her as
her own, eventually lying to the
mother and feigning the babys
death in order to keep her. However, that

act has tragic consequences, as the lodgers
son comes to ask questions about his
mother, and then falls in love with his sister,
finally marrying her. Bella is forced to reveal
her deception and in the process loses her
relationship with her adoptive daughter.
Yellens family story is incredible, and the
reader is drawn in almost at once. Bellas
story is told in a
matter-of-fact
manner,
enhancing the
believability but
making readers
wish for a richer
storytelling
experience to
dramatize all the
facts. That said,
readers who want
to learn more about the New York City of
the early 20th century will find this to be a
compelling and intriguing read.
In Search of the Dark Watchers:

Landscapes and Lore of Big Sur
Thomas Steinbeck, illus. by Benjamin Brode.
Steinbeck Press, $40 trade paper (64p) ISBN 9780-9906637-0-6
This odd picture book slyly introduces to

the general public a little-known and evenless-seen community of mysterious, elusive
diminutive hominids who, according to the
authors, were known by both Native
Americans and Spanish settlers to inhabit the
mountains, canyons, and wild coasts of the
Big Sur. Steinbeck, a novelist and son of
author John Steinbeck, describes these socalled Dark Watchers and their distinctive
habits in a brief narrative variously anthropological, mythical, and tongue-in-cheek,
including the authors own family folklore
recounting the interaction between these
invisible watchers
and Steinbecks
no-nonsense
grandmother
Olive, who left
them baskets of
fruit, walnuts,
and flowers and
received feathers,
W W W . P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y . C O M 46f
REVIEWS
seashells, and pine nuts in return. Steinbecks

stories of these little people inspired Brode, a
painter living in California, to set off to Big
Sur armed with colored pencils, searching for
the Dark Watchers and making some
sketches. Many of these drawings appear
opposite Brodes impressionistic painted
landscapes, which constitute most of the
book, charmingly juxtaposing original
sketches with finished paintings and beautifully evoking that distinctive region of the
California coast. The stories and pictures
promise strong regional appeal; unfortunately, Steinbecks quaintly archaic language,
more suggestive of the mists of Ireland than
the fogs of California, undermines the atmosphere and the books conceit.
Stuffology 101:
Get Your Mind Out of the Clutter
Brenda Avadian and Eric Riddle. North Star,
$14.95 (175p) ISBN 978-0-9632752-5-7
Self-proclaimed stuffologists Avadian

and Riddle have spent a lifetime dealing
with hoardings little sister, STUFFitis,
the plague of accumulated clutter diverting
us from our lifes purpose and what we
deserve. Using their combined knowledge,
they provide tips on de-cluttering your
physical space, hard drive, and even your
frenzied mind. On the digital front, they
recommend organizing files into folders by
content and date for easy access. As for the
tangible, the authors suggest devoting manageable blocks of time for sorting through
the debris, concentrating on one project at
a time, and assigning one location for all of
your paperwork and incoming mail. Further,
one can overcome the force of ownership
by assessing an objects importance versus
the value of a clutter-free space. Avadian and
Riddle prove sympathetic guides,
revealing personal
stories about a
soup spoon representing fond memories of Avadians
mother and the
sci-fi toys that
made up Riddles
prized collection.
To demonstrate de-
clutterings benefits, Avadian recalls

cleaning out her fathers home and finding
$28,000 in savings bondsand the ability
to feel the flow of life once more. Though
theres nothing particularly groundbreaking
here, anyone suffering from CHAOS (cant
have anybody over syndrome) may find this
guide a step in the right direction.
Work, Pump, Repeat:
How to Survive Breastfeeding

and Going Back to Work
Jessica Shortall. Otet Press, $15.99 ISBN 9780-9909192-0-9
Debut author Shortall strikes the perfect

note for an advice book on what some
readers might see as a niche topic
pumping and storing milk while at work
skipping past the breastfeeding basics
addressed elsewhere to dive straight into
logistics. Shortall repeatedly assures her
peers (high-powered career women) that
your worth as a mother is not measured in
ounces and takes a casual, keeping-it-real
tone toward everything from porn-star
boobs to pumping during conference
calls. Topics include calculating the stash
you need to keep your baby fed during the
day, negotiating
pumping time
and space with
your company,
washing your
pump in shared
spaces with minimal embarrassment, traveling
without your
milk spoiling or
being confiscated by the TSA, and, when it just isnt
working for you, weaning. Its the kind of
information an intimate, chatty friend
whos done it all could share in a few lunchtimes and a session on the couchdid you
know you can sterilize coffee cups in the
microwave and pump milk into them?
except that not every mom has those kinds
of friends. Having such helpful tips and
tricks in print will be a godsend to the
back-to-work mom who doesnt have time
for everything to go any less than smoothly.
46g P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
The Years of Zero: Coming of Age

Under the Khmer Rouge
Seng Ty. CreateSpace, $17 trade paper
(240p) ISBN 978-1-4922-8673-8
With remarkable passion and courage,

Ty, a survivor of the murderous Khmer
Rouge regime, recounts the pastoral days
of his middle-class Cambodian childhood,
under the loving care of his physician father
and devoted mother before a time of widespread destruction and death. The author
does not mince words when he lists a series
of heart-stopping tragedies beginning with
his fathers death at the hands of the sadistic
Pol Pots soldiers, his mothers haunting
demise from starvation in a labor camp, and
his eldest brothers fatal torture in a secret
prison. There were brutal mass killings
throughout the stark landscape, and Ty
writes of the constant surveillance by fellow
citizens and the regime, his lone-survivor
existence running just one step ahead of
death, until he found the welcoming shelter
of a Thai refugee camp. The book is a stunning tribute to
Tys resilience
and determination, qualities
that help him
emerge from the
experience somewhat wholehe
would eventually
be featured in a
Time magazine
article, adopted
by a middle-class family in Amherst, Mass.,
and given a chance to live the American
dream. With equal measures of humor and
menace, Tys chronicle of endurance and
flexibility allows us to cry and cheer for a
war orphan who refused to quit life.
Childrens/YA
Glasses
Ann Gwinn Zawistoski, photos by Heidi M.
Woodworth. Peeps Eyewear, $11.95 (12p)
ISBN 978-0-9910701-1-4
Published by a company that sells childrens eyewear and related accessories, this
board book uses upbeat rhymes and clear
REVIEWS
full-bleed
photographs
of bespectacled kids to
encourage
children who
need glasses
to wear them
and remind
them why they are important. Glasses on
boys/ Glasses on girls/ With your glasses on
you see the world! reads a typical passage,
as cheerful children play and show off their
brightly colored frames. Parents of children
who are resistant to wearing their glasses may
find this a helpful teaching tool. All ages.
Dragonbride
Raani York. CreateSpace, $14.99 paper
(424p) ISBN 978-1-5002-3210-8
First in the planned Dragon Chronicles

trilogy, Yorks fantasy has its merits but
doesnt entirely hit its mark. Raised as the only
magician in the world, a 16-year-old named
Shalima learns that she must fulfill an ancient
prophecy and become the bride of the Golden
Dragon, the king of all dragons and protector
of good in the world. Shalima quickly comes
to love Dragan, the Golden Dragons human
form, but their wedded bliss is interrupted by
the arrival of the Kalman, the Golden
Dragons evil counterpart. Yorks worldbuilding is rich in detail, and her cast of characters is widely diverse, but meandering
writing (As a Princess, my position definitely
was higher than theirs, but this was not a
matter of rank. They were close friends and
very brave, but I
needed space)
and a lack of character development overshadow
these strengths.
Unfortunately,
the characters
struggle to defeat
the Kalman
amounts to an
exercise in being
in the right place at the right time and deciphering prophecies that spell out exactly
whats going to happen. Ages 14up.
The Last Generation

Ben Robertson. Menadena Publishing,
$16.95 paper (390p) ISBN 978-0-9835268-0-3
In this historical coming-of-age story,

Robertson spins a tale regarding the last
generation of Viking-descended
Greenlanders, those who vanished around
the start of the 16th century. In 1501,
17-year-old Bridget Thorsdottir is one of
those eking out an existence in an increasingly hostile, resource-starved region, as the
ice gradually spreads to cover the Eastern
Colony. When Bridget learns that her people
are to travel to the New World to establish a
fishing colony in Newfoundland, Bridgets
father refuses to go, but Bridget sees opportunity. She strikes out on her own with her
stepbrother,
Bjorn, but when
their father is
arrested for supposed sorcery,
they turn back to
rescue him, little
realizing that
theyll have to
fight for their
lives. Robertson
writes with a keen
eye for atmosphere and a knack for historical
research and description, and his story skillfully plays against the conflict between
Christian and pagan beliefs, as well as the
ethnic clash between Norse and Inuit peoples. However, the narrative suffers from
repetitive, stilted dialogue and a meandering
plot; Robertsons prose doesnt always match
up to his worldbuilding. Ages 12up.
Thorny
Lelia Eye. One Good Sonnet Publishing, $2.99
e-book (214p) ISBN 978-0-9937977-1-2
In this reimagining of Beauty and the

Beast, first in the Smothered Rose trilogy,
Eye explores the beasts perspective, providing a window into the thoughts and fears
of the wolflike protagonist. The story follows a boy of noble birth forced to live
among commoners as a shepherd before
being bewitched to inhabit an enchanted
castle in the body of a beast. In Eyes version,
the beast gets more of a backstory, lending
a deeper look at his inner turmoil and moti-
vations, including the primal and sometimes desperate drive to be near the woman
he loves. The story is peppered with sly
references to other fairy tales, including
some slated for
the spotlight as
the trilogy progresses. Beauty
(here, called
Labelle) and the
protagonist are
locked in a
guessing game
over his name
for much of the
book, la Rumpelstiltskin; Beautys long
golden locks require a servant to carry them,
evoking a free-roaming Rapunzel; and
Labelles stepmother is so wicked her father
would rather she lived with a beast, crossing
into Cinderella territory. Eye weaves a fun
tale as she pieces together several well-loved
fairy tales. Ages 12up.
Ninja Mouse: Haiku

J.C. Thomas. SuperUltraGo! Press, $7.95 paper (40p) ISBN 978-0-9913240-3-3
Dramatic haikus pair with striking illustrations as Thomas, in his first childrens
book, introduces the eponymous martial
artist, whose gray ears and tail poke out
from his sleek black suit, twin swords
strapped to his back. Digitally constructed
panel sequences show Ninja Mouse posed
against rocky escarpments beneath sunsethued skies, spindly
branches lit by the
moons glow, and
changing seasonal
backdrops, highlighting the characters
communion with
nature. The spare
verses (also translated
into Japanese) emphasize Ninja Mouses
creed of mindfulness and honor, and his vow
to protect the weak: Ninja Mouse knows
peace/ shuns negativity and/ drinks the universe. When a giant serpent threatens a
tiny mouse, Ninja Mouse descends, first
with a peace offering for the beasta bowl
of rice (Bending to conflict/ paths of resisW W W . P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y . C O M 46h
REVIEWS
tance are/ always the first choice)followed by a necessary use of force. Its the sole
action sequence in a book otherwise devoted
to moments of quiet contemplation.
Valorous yet humble, Ninja Mouse is a force
to be reckoned with, and his creator is a
talent to watch. Ages 9up.
Chronicles from Chteau Moines

Evelyne Holingue. Burel Press, $11.95 paper
(320p) ISBN 978-0-9883905-1-5
French native Holingue stages this

charming novel in a small village in
Normandy in the early 1970s, braiding
together American and French cultures via
the alternating narratives of 12-year-old
classmates Scott and Sylvie. Following the
death of his French mother, Scott, a musiclover and budding political activist, has
moved from Santa Monica, Calif., to
Normandy with his sister and father. While
Scott is flattered to
discover that his
American accent
and blue eyes make
him swoonworthy
among the girls at
his school, he has
more pressing concerns as he continues to mourn his
mother, feels disconnected from the
antiwar movement in California, and adjusts
to a life in the insulated community. As Scott
spends more time with Sylvie, who is trying
to build her courage as a songwriter, cultural
and linguistic barriers begin to fall away.
Though the dramatic conflicts are largely
quiet and interpersonal, Holingue creates a
vivid, multigenerational cast of provincial
characters, addressing the simmering antiimmigrant sentiments within the village
while evoking the larger political and social
climate of the stormy era. Ages 812.
Faery Swap
Susan Kaye Quinn. CreateSpace, $12.99 paper (280p) ISBN 978-1-4942-2767-8
Quinn (the Mindjack trilogy) introduces

Finn, a bullied 14-year-old new to England,
who is intent on keeping himself and his
younger sister out of foster care, due to an
absentminded father. Complications arise

when Zaneyr, a faery prince from the
Otherworld, swaps souls with Finn as a way
to escape his dangerous father, king of the
Otherworld. Finn soon realizes that the only
way to retrieve his soul before the solstice is
to help Zaneyr in
his plot to overthrow the king
before a rift opens
between the
human and
Otherworld,
leading to mass
destruction.
Surprised by the
knowledge that
Finns father is a
long-lost brother to Zaneyrmaking Finn
part faery himselfFinn relies on his own
abilities to win dissenting faeries to his side
and entrap the king. Quinns elaborate novel,
which shifts focus between Finn and Zaneyr,
teems with action and suspense. Yet the logic
of the magic used and its relationship to
mathematics can be confusing, and characters
are often forgotten or dropped, detracting
from an otherwise promising tale. Ages 812.
Reindeer Dust
Kate Dwyer, illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
Reindeer Dust, Inc., $17.95 (32p) ISBN 978-09893176-0-3
In an upbeat Christmas story from firsttime author Dwyer, minor kerfuffles threaten
to interfere with Santas successful delivery of
presents. With no time to feed the reindeer,
they are looking particularly droopy, and the
fog is so thick that Santa cant see the houses
below. Luckily, a resourceful boy named
William, who has been keeping an eye on the
weather, concocts a plan to light the way for
Santa and his reindeer by creating a sparkly
dust from oats, bran, and brown sugar:
Circling above, the reindeer were relieved to
find/ the shimmering dust as it glistened and
shined. Lew-Vriethoffs (Peace, Baby) lithe
reindeer bring dashes of humor to this
Christmas Eve scramble, but the polish of the
artwork doesnt entirely extend to Dwyers
rhymes, which can be hiccupy and overworked (The stockings overflowed with
scrumptious treats,/ and the sight of their
46i P U B L I S H E R S W E E K L Y F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
toys made their

little hearts beat).
Dwyer concludes
with a recipe and a
poem for families
who wish to incorporate some
Reindeer Dust into
their holiday traditions. Ages 48.
Poetry
Journey Through
Lifes War of the Heart
Brittaney Stewart. Xlibris, $3.99 e-book
(212p) ISBN 978-1-4990-5893-2
Stewart calls poetry her emotional diary,

and in this warm and intimate collection she
exudes a quiet and heightened sensitivity to
the world around her. The diaristic feel is
evident and her writing is strongest when she
detaches herself from the speaker of the poem,
as in Heart of Gold, where she writes,
Love. It takes but she cant take it,/ Dont
they know even gold bends. Her examination of love is steeped in a soft and delicate
understanding of its complexities. At times,
however, Stewarts writing veers into clichs,
as when she describes New Yorks skyscrapers
as defying gravity, or when she states that
[t]ime changes everything. Such sentiments may be true, but they lack the subtlety
and nuance associated with contemporary poetry
and
sound
unimaginative.
Yet while some
poems falter in
their technique,
or adopt a didactic
tone, many beam
with passion. In
one of the books
most vivid moments, in the poem
Damaged, she explores violence using color
as a metaphor and employs repetition to
create a sense of urgency. Stewart writes, I
want them to say that it is okay for me to feel
as much as I do, and though there are formal
missteps, her poetry is full with feeling.
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February 2015

Forget Fabio: DIY Covers

Todays indie romance cover art reveals

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The Blue Folio

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The Darkest Side of Saturn:

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Ginnah Howard. Illume, $15 trade paper (426p) ISBN 978-15003-3894-7

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The Six-Degree Conspiracy, Vol. 1:

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Jeff Shear. BlackRack, $12.95 trade paper (313p) ISBN 978-1-477626-56-6

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Jessica Shortall. Otet Press, $15.99

C. Michael Lorion. CML, $3 e-book (303p) ASIN B00JJ4D8NY

Jeremy Bates. Ghillinnein, $4.99 e-book (420p) ISBN 978-0-9937646-2-2