Tag Archive | reading

Book Review: “The Return Of Catesby” By Bob O’Connor

It isn’t every day that I come across a book that inspires me on several levels. The Return Of Catesby by Bob O’Connor did just that. The rest of my review will explain how and why. If you enjoy historical fiction, I can’t recommend The Return Of Catesby enough.

Over the last few days I’ve spent some time thinking about how The Return Of Catesby inspired me. First, I have to admit the style in which the book is written is one of my favorites. I love journals and believe this technique is particularly suited for this type of historical fiction. As a reader, I am always looking for my next book. After learning a little about Bob O’Connor’s work, I knew I wanted to read more. The Return Of Catesby serves well as a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness To Civil War, as well as a stand-alone read. While I don’t feel the need to read Catesby: Eyewitness To Civil War to fully appreciate The Return Of Catesby, I am now compelled to read the first book due to Catesby’s experiences discussed in the sequel. All other content aside, the topic, genre, and organization of the book would’ve been enough to draw me in. But there is so much more. I simply don’t remember the last time I read a work of historical fiction with such heart.

Why The Return Of Catesby inspires me is an easy question to answer. There is, of course, the character of Catesby himself, a fictionalized version of a real blacksmith who lived during the Civil War era. In the book, he comes across as the most authentic, inspiring teacher imaginable, despite having never stepped foot in a classroom prior to his first day of teaching. His wife, Marcia, truly comes into her own at the end of the book and is Catesby’s constant helpmate in every sense of the word. Perhaps most inspiring of all is the insatiable appetite for learning exhibited by some of Catesby’s students. They simply couldn’t get enough, despite the fact that the town of Harpers Ferry wasn’t exactly welcoming. I envy the community created around the school. They truly cared for one another and even sought to learn the history of the tension between the community of Harpers Ferry and the school.

Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

The Return Of Catesby by Bob O’Connor will stay with me for some time. I am honored to have hosted an interview with him and to have had the opportunity to review the book today. If you have any interest in historical fiction at all, I highly recommend The Return Of Catesby. Do not be surprised if I review more of Bob O’Connor’s work in the future.

Antietam National Batllefield

Author Interview: Bob O’Connor, Author Of “The Return Of The Catesby” (russelllindsey.wordpress.com)
March 2013 Roundup: Historical Fiction (australianwomenwriters.com)

Author Interview: Bob O’Connor, Author Of “The Return Of Catesby”

Apr19

Today we learn a little more about Bob O’Connor, author of The Return of Catesby, in this author interview. Bob is currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and pick up your copy of the book at
http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-8206-1
.

How did you get started on your writing career?

My writing career officially started in 7^th grade when an article I wrote got published in the Illinois Historical Society’s student magazine.

If you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be? Focused, determined, believable, creative, imaginative.

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction to read? To write?

I read both. I write both. But I prefer to write historical fiction because I can be much more creative.

How do you build your character world?

I keep a notebook. I observe people in the grocery store, in church, etc, and try to pick up interesting behaviors I can incorporate into a character.

Tell us about your favorite character you have written and why.

Catesby is by far my favorite character and is the subject of two of my books. He is a fighter, having overcome so many troubles to find freedom. I admire his courage and “stick-to-it” spirit, his observations and his “never give up” attitude.

Do you think that the future is ebook or print?

Obviously the trend is e-books. But the industry encourages us “little guys” to give away our e-books in hope that people will buy or next one. I am not convinced that is a good idea. I actually think people who give away thousands of e-books will find that the person reading them will seek someone else’s free e-book the next day. It is also discouraging that although we (authors) make 70 percent on e-book sales, the price of e-books keeps going downward. I hope they never figure out how authors can autograph e-books. I am a HUGE fan of books that are printed and hope they never go away.

Where have you had the most success in selling your work?

It is always easier to sell books when I have given a talk. But I am also successful anywhere there are large crowds of people including at fairs, festivals, Civil War reenactments and the like.

Tell us about your book.

My book is the continuing story of Catesby – a real colored blacksmith who lived originally in Charlestown, VA as a slave to Colonel Lewis Washington, a descendant of George Washington. In the first book Catesby struggles to find his freedom. He runs away from the operation of a blacksmith shop under a cruel owner who permanently cripples him. He flees on the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania.

This book follows Catesby’s new adventures leading up to his teaching position at Storer College, a new school to teach newly freed blacks to become teachers. Ironically, the students’ first day in the classroom was Catesby’s first day too, because he had been taught at home by his mother. Catesby’s vast experience is helpful in encouraging his students and helping them believe that if Catesby, a man with a bad leg who had been a slave could accomplish greatness, they could too.

Where can we find out more about you and buy your book? On my website at
http://boboconnorbooks.com/synopsis.cfm#Return

Interested readers may purchase the book here.

Spin The Plate On Tour With Walker Author Tours: An Interview With Donna Anastasi

Feb28

Today we have an author interview with Donna Anastasi, author of Spin the Plate, who is currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Spin the Plate!

What are your habits when you sit down to create? Do you have to be in a certain room? outside? Music playing? The inspiration part happens when I’m driving or walking and my mind is relaxed and wandering. The ideas happen at random moments so I’ve always carried a small notebook. More recently I’ve been using the notebook or recorder feature on my iphone. The writing part happens when I’m alone and things are quiet. Any place will do. I usually write an hour at a time between other obligations. But when I’m just starting to pull it together or getting near the end, I’ll go away by myself and hole up for a day or weekend for concentrated writing.

Where do you find inspiration for your books? The inspiration for me for fiction work finds me and demands to be written. For non-fiction it is more a intellectual decision to write about something that I’m an expert on that doesn’t have good or detailed enough coverage.

Do movies inspire you and if so, which ones? Yes! I am a movie-aholic. I had one job where I took a bus into Boston everyday and watched 3-4 movies a week. I love movies that are a bit off beat, have characters with great chemistry that aren’t perfect but that you bond with anyways, are intelligent or clever, and teach or remind you of important truths that perhaps help you be a bit of a better person. Just a few of my recently watched favorites are Les Mis, About a Boy, I Am, Catfish, Death to Smoochy. Primal Fear is my most watched movie. Silver Lining Playbook is my newest favorite. I also loved 50-50.

I write reviews and make listmania lists on Amazon of films and books that I like. If you share my tastes you can check these out here:

REVIEWS:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3OXW1R2RMDXBX?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_dp_pdp

LISTS:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3OXW1R2RMDXBX?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_dp_pdp

Have you ever had a moment that you felt like quitting writing? Why? No, because I don’t do it professionally which gives me the luxury to pick it up and put it down as I want. I do have different feelings toward my novel at different times and these feelings run the full gamut.

Do you think that the future is ebook or print? ebook. Books are going to go the way of the newspaper. That makes me sad. Nothing like the smell and feel of a “real” book in your hands.

Tell us about your book.

This book is not your usual bodice-ripper romance where an unnaturally gorgeous heroine meets a buff, alpha-male for hot nasty sex.

Not even close.

Jo is a survivor of a bleak and abusive childhood. She channels her pain and rage into weight training and roams the city streets at night as a powerful vigilante. While she is more than capable of defending herself against physical danger, she is defenseless against the memories of the past that torment her.

Francis is a mysterious man she meets on the subway train. He doesn’t have a regular job and is still living at home. But he is gentle, likeable, friendly, intelligent, sensitive, respectful, generous, patient, and understanding. Just what a brave, but damaged soul like Jo needs.

In this story, the average-guy hero battles to win the battered heart of the wary, edgy, less-than-perfect heroine.

“Spin the Plate is a fast-paced, edgy, darkly comic tale of resilience, romance, and redemption that breaks over you in waves. All you can do is gasp, stay afloat, and enjoy the ride.”
– Holly Robinson, author of The Wishing Hill and Sleeping Tigers

Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?

The novel is offered as a free ebook from Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, and is a 99 cent kindle ebook. It is available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Make sure to get the January 2013 (full length novel) version titled “Spin the Plate: A Novel.” More information about me and the book can be found at www.spintheplate.com.

Why I Write: Every Life Has A Story

Jan29

Let’s start at the very beginning: Why Write At All? « The Collaborative Writer

As of late I’ve come across some great material that got me thinking about why I write in the first place. The article above from The Collaborative Writer gets it exactly right. I admit it: I am my own worst enemy. I tend to over-think everything and spend too much time planning what I’d like to do when I really should be writing. I. Just. Need. To. Write. Why is that so difficult in practice?

The thing is that I truly believe everyone has a story. No one has a perfect life. Everyone is struggling with something and conflict is the heart of any great story. Not only does that simple premise – everyone has a story – get to the heart of why I write, it is also the reason why I love to read. I am drawn to biographies and autobiographies or any good plot driven by realistic conflicts dealt with by well-rounded characters.

Again, I keep going back to asking myself why it has to be so hard. I love to create. I know what I like to write. I always feel more myself when I write. Why don’t I write more? I think we all need to ditch the excuses.

The video included below I came across as part of training for my position as a clerk. I love the message of the video. It is all too easy to forget that everyone is struggling with something.

Let’s start at the very beginning: Why Write At All? (collaborativewriter.wordpress.com)
Writing Challenge: Character Development (theevolvingdad.wordpress.com)
7 Easy RulesTo Write Your Best Chapter. (Rule 1: Write Your Worst Chapter.) (thebestchapter.com)
Writing Thoughts on Compositions as a Whole (crampedwriting.com)
Writer Interview: The Lovely Monique McDonell Talks About Her Writing And Creative Process (pamelacook.wordpress.com)

I’m In Love

Jan2

I am in love. I’m in love with the Kindle Fire I received from my parents for my birthday. Earlier this fall, I came up with the crazy idea that I’d love a Kindle Fire for my birthday. The idea seemed crazy at first because I received a Nook Color last year. The thing is that I love my Nook so much I wanted to compare the Kindle Fire, discuss various features, and share everything with all of you. So, here it goes:

So why do I love my Kindle Fire so much?

The experience of setting up the Kindle Fire blew me away. All of a sudden I had access to my Amazon.com MP3 collection, which I’d largely forgotten, right on my Kindle Fire. Free apps such as Kindle Buffet have already helped me create huge library of great books to discover, largely for free. I also discovered a great, free YouTube video downloader. All of that is just the beginning.

I have to admit, I haven’t exactly been fair to my Nook Color. I’m going to have to spend some time exploring some of its capabilities. Over the last year I largely used it as an e-reader and to play a few games (Words with Friends, etc.). I’ll do a direct comparison of both devices soon. I will say this though: It is hard to compete with Amazon’s selection and service. I’ve been nothing but happy so far.

How does the Amazon Kindle Fire Measure Up to the Nook? (epicagear.com)
Amazon, Barnes & Noble go tit for tat in tablet wars (reviews.cnet.com)

The Reader’s Nook

Sep2

The Reader’s Nook

3 Books That Will Help You Become A Better Reader – The Reader’s Nook

Today I’d like to introduce a wonderful resource for all you readers out there: The Reader’s Nook. The post I included above is a great example of the type of post that I personally love. Then again, I’m always on the lookout for a great book.

Report: new Nook coming this spring (reviews.cnet.com)
Overview of Barnes & Noble Nook for Web (teleread.com)
What’s missing from the Kindle and Nook? Support for printed books (reviews.cnet.com)

Summer Reading/Summer Blogging

Jul22

English: Photo of Bonnie Jo Campbell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As usual, I’m not sure where to begin. This summer has personally held some nasty surprises for what passes for my life. Then again, I suppose I have to start somewhere if I am going to achieve anything at all. I’ll spare everyone the details for now, so I’ll get right to the point.

Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde has unfortunately suffered as a result. I’m trying to get things back on track. It just may take a while. I’ve sorely neglected the feature that inspired so much this year: My Life In Pop Culture. I’ve also neglected to do my part for two new blogging award nominations I received as of late. Blogging awards are a wonderful way to show appreciation to those bloggers nearest and dearest to your heart. I’m honored to have received them. Thank you for the nominations! I’m looking forward to correcting this error on my part as soon as possible. Also, I’ve been haphazard in sharing some of my favorite bloggers here. I’m finding it difficult to balance my own blog posts with reblogging wonderful posts from the likes of Childhood Relived. I somehow have to strike a balance. I love creating my own content, of course; at the same time, I come across so many wonderful/funny/inspiring posts, I instinctively want to share it with the most wonderful audience of all: my readers. When I reblog, I do it out of sheer admiration. I just want everyone, readers and bloggers alike, to realize that fact.

And then there are books. I’m not sure if many of you’ve paid attention to my running reading list stuck to the top of my blog, but I’ve had my nose stuck in various books for the last two months. It can be blamed on learning how to borrow e-books for my Nook Color from the Bay County Library System. I’m getting a lot of mileage out of my Nook Color. I love it to the point where I’m seriously considering asking for a Kindle Fire for Christmas and/or my birthday. I love to compare/contrast. It isn’t that I favor e-books over hardcovers or well-loved paperbacks – nothing will ever replace the feel and heft of a physical book – I just read that much more with an e-reader. My next experiment: Audio books on my laptop and/or Nook Color. This may sound stupid, but at times I wish I could commute via Metro instead of having to personally drive 40 minutes each way to work every day. Think of the reading time I could get in if I lived in a large city! Ah well.

The books I’ve read so far this summer will have a lasting impact on me, my writing, everything. I love them that much! Each one deserves its own post and review. The problem is that I never feel I do a book justice when I review it. I always seem to leave something important unsaid – and that infuriates me. Just don’t be surprised if I finally establish a series of book reviews here.

I hope to soon create a flexible schedule/outline for content. Stay tuned, as always. I still plan a series on Linda McCartney’s photography, Paul McCartney himself, and more. That, of course, doesn’t even begin to cover politics. I also, regrettably, haven’t written a personal post about Turner Syndrome, outlined my thoughts on reproductive rights, and so much more. I just need to get organized and go for it. What saddens me is that people are clicking on those links to Turner Syndrome and Reproductive Rights only to find nothing there.

By the way, I’m well on the way to achieving my reading goals for the year. I’ve read 17 of the 25+ e-books I pledged to read in 2012. I’ve read a total of 28 books, both traditional and e-books, out of the 60 I hope to read in 2012. With five months to go, my goals are in sight! That is a wonderful feeling after coming so close to my goal of 48 in 2011. Oh, and congrats to Bonnie Jo Campbell, one my favorite Michigan authors and the author of one of my favorite books, Once Upon A River. Once Upon A River was selected as a 2012 Michigan Notable Book! Well deserved. I discuss Once Upon A River here.

Barnes & Noble launches Nook for Web (ubergizmo.com)

Blog Tour: Book Review “Pulse Of Heroes” By A. Jacob Sweeny

May27

Michelle, ma belle
Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble
Tres bien ensemble

I love you, I love you, I love you

That’s all I want to say
Until I find a way
I will say the only words I know that
You’ll understand

“Michelle” - Lennon/McCartney 1967 Rubber Soul

Before I begin my review of Pulse Of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny, there are a couple of things I need to say. First, I have to confess that this review should have appeared as part of a much larger blog tour on Friday, May 25, 2012. I am truly sorry for the delay. Sometimes it is all worth the wait. Second, despite the fact that I agreed to review the book months ago, “paranormal” romance, and I use the term loosely in this case, isn’t a genre that I’m very familiar with at all. That is part of the reason I decided to review the book. I’m very glad I did. Twilight this is not.

The first third of the novel is almost exclusively dedicated to Michelle’s rather ordinary high school life in suburban California, near Napa Valley to be exact, and a series of chance meetings that alter her life in a series of surprising ways. Sweeny certainly knows how to write the inner life of a teenage girl authentically. Michelle is perhaps the most well-developed teenage female protagonist I’ve ever come across. If I ever chose to write fiction featuring a strong teenage female voice, I will reread Pulse Of Heroes. Michelle’s voice was so authentic I found myself empathizing with her several times, remembering I felt much the same way throughout high school, despite never having failed Italian. At times it became almost painful reliving high school memories through Michelle’s experiences.

While the first third of the novel discusses Michelle’s high school life, it also sets the scene for her increasing entanglement with Elliot, Rion, Xander, and everyone else at the new school in Michelle’s neighborhood, the Hekademos Learning Center. Elliot is every bit as much of a well-developed character as Michelle. Michelle and Elliot may not recognize in the beginning just how much they love each other, but every small step in their relationship is riveting. Their tension alone drives the novel, despite all the complications, hurt, and jealousies featured in the second half of the book.

While I don’t want to give away any of the plot twists in the novel, I do have to mention a few other relationships in the book. Michelle’s entire experience with Haden while in Europe is harrowing. I love how Sweeny uses that particular relationship to discuss Michelle’s sexuality in depth, without resorting to clichés or sex itself. In fact, Michelle’s self-respect is refreshing, as is Elliot’s entire relationship with her. My favorite scene comes towards the end of the novel when Elliot and Michelle finally come to terms with their relationship. It is only then they truly come to any full understanding of their true feelings for one another.

Michelle’s relationship with Francesca is sweet, uncomplicated, and adds to the complexity of Michelle’s characters. I truly loved seeing a deep friendship between a teenager and senior citizen in the novel. Their affection is palpable. Throughout the novel Michelle and Elliot discover just how many people love them, and how much they love each other.

If you are looking for a unique young adult series, this just might be it. There is a depth underpinning the entire novel that isn’t easy to come by. All of the relationships ring true and set the stage nicely for the next books in the series. I am eager to continue the series and can’t recommend Pulse Of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny enough.

The Pulse Myths series – A time sweeping YA/ crossover paranromal novel of love and loss and so much more

Five Question Friday: Attractive Qualities of Friendship, Lessons from Grandparents and Fiction vs. Non-Fiction (theinsufficientfare.com)

Falling In Love All Over Again

May15

It’s been a while since I’ve really written here. So here it goes. I want to personally thank all of my wonderful readers out there who stuck with me throughout the April 2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge. I can’t imagine having any interest in my blog at all throughout April if not a Beatles fan. It did take over a bit, but the entire experience was well worth it. It reignited my love for the Beatles. As reluctant as I am to admit this, their catalog deeply inspires me and probably always will. By the way, I am not the only one who blogged the Beatles all month long, check out the link below.

A to Z Summary and Reflection « Sundry Sumthins

This spring hasn’t exactly gone as planned. I was supposed to take a week’s vacation back in April, but that didn’t work out. Instead I have this week off. While my week off hasn’t exactly started off on the right foot, I am hoping to finally get back on track blogging. There is a lot coming up. The problem is this: I started organizing and planning much of the new features of Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde, which are still to come and in the planning stages, a few weeks before the blogging challenge started. Add in work drama in my off-line life and you have a recipe for nothing getting done. Fortunately I’ve already hit the books again (more on that in a minute – and more posts to come) and hope to get things organized before heading back to work next Monday.

Now on to one of my other favorite topics, books! Ah…. I was frustrated for a little bit. My original intent, way back in February or March, was to reread Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen before reading Death Comes To Pemberley by P.D. James, which was a Christmas gift. By April, I was still very much within the first 100 pages or so of Pride And Prejudice. There was too much going on and the beginning was just too slow for me at that particular time. Well, I finally decided to turn my original plan on its head and read Death Comes To Pemberley first.

What a great book! It had the right pacing to get me back into Pride And Prejudice, which I will soon finish. Finally. I’m at the point where I am once again in love with Mr. Darcy. I now remember why he is my favorite male literary character and why I think Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the luckiest of female literary protagonists despite her crazy Mom and silly sisters. One of my favorite parts of the novel is when Lizzy finally comes to her senses and realizes she does love Mr. Darcy, but fears it is too late thanks to her thoughtless sister Lydia. Please keep in mind that in my mind, Colin Firth is and always will be the character of Mr. Darcy, whether in Pride And Prejudice or Bridget Jones’s Diary. I can’t help it. If you watch the videos below, you’ll understand why.

Bridget Jones’ Diary/Sunday Morning

It’s been interesting rereading Pride And Prejudice as a proper adult who has actually been in love. At 17, while I absolutely loved the book, I really didn’t appreciate just how perfect a romance the entire novel is. I’ve always appreciated the fact that Mr. Darcy told Elizabeth Bennet his true thoughts and feelings, good and bad, in the eye-opening letter he gave her right before leaving Roslings. That letter took some serious guts. I love how completely honest they are with each other. Then I started to think about my relationship with Brian. That is precisely why our relationship works. We are completely honest with each other, warts and all, and implicitly trust each other to continue to be so.

Oh, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to add these Beatle videos. They date from 1995 and make me want to dig out all three parts of the Anthology. I can’t imagine what it took for them to put together that entire project without John. Enjoy.

Fictitious Crushes (asolitaryramble.wordpress.com)
{Book Review} Me and Mr. Darcy (thecodenameblue.wordpress.com)
Pride and Prejudice Review/ Analysis (gentelmansblog.wordpress.com)
The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery, by Regina Jeffers – A Review (austenprose.com)
Pride and Prejudice Review (jdhhomeschool.wordpress.com)
More Pride & Prejudice (aerykah.wordpress.com)
Pride and Prejudice: A Book Review. (nuelenegallos.wordpress.com)

Back To Basics: Reading And Writing

Mar30

I’ve been spending some time rethinking my reading and writing goals. I still haven’t picked up a book as of late, and I really need to get going. There are so many wonderful books out there. My problem is that I’ve currently concentrated on my blog. It’s paid off too. After all these years of writing for myself, I am finally beginning to create an audience, which I enjoy and is wonderful. It is just the beginning. Somehow I have to get organized and find balance between reading and writing, between planning and execution. I know I can do this. I’m just frustrated that everything is taking so much longer than I’d like.

Below are some great writing – and reading – posts I’ve been meaning to discuss.

Why It’s Important To Take Your Reader Into Account | The Collaborative Writer

Knowing You’re A Writer From An Early Age | The Collaborative Writer

I love the Collaborative Writer. As you can see from the titles above, she tackles subjects other writers don’t want to discuss or subjects that may seem obvious at first. I particularly liked her discussion of the trials and tribulations of Knowing You’re A Writer From An Early Age. I think most writers can relate at some level.

Writer Unboxed » The Long Distance Landscape of a Writing Career

Writer Unboxed » (A Writer’s) Age Is Just A Number

Both of the posts above from Writer Unboxed inspire me. I take a very long-term view of what I want to accomplish with my writing, blogging or otherwise. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’m just getting warmed up. The same goes for reading.

Speaking of which… below is a series of posts discussing the importance of reading purposely to inform your writing. This is precisely why I began keeping lists of books I want to read and books I already read, as well as where I got the book – own versus library. This series takes it to a whole new level. I’ve read this advice other places as well. I’m going to have to carefully consider it. I’m not doing enough to record my thoughts on what I read. Wonderful stuff if you are serious about reading and writing.

Life is Short. Read with Purpose. « DIY MFA

3 Steps to Reading With Purpose « DIY MFA

Prompt: Make a Reading Plan « DIY MFA

DIY MFA