Category: Reviews



How to Write a Novel: Advice and Tips from a Full-Time NovelistHow to Write a Novel: Advice and Tips from a Full-Time Novelist by Simon Haynes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was quite informative and not only ways to help write a novel more efficiently, but also great hints on how to use yWriter better.

It is fun to hear Simon Hayes’s voice. After reading a lot of his Hal Spacejock stories and enjoying them to the max, it is fun to hear the rhythm of how he speaks matches the cadence of his fiction.

I have written quite a few novels myself, mostly for NaNoWriMo (17?) so I highly recommend Simon’s methods to write. I am learning some things from this book, that I wish I could have had in my writing wheelhouse all along. It is a very helpful book.

I plan to buy the Kindle and perhaps paper version too so I can refer back to the books often. I highly recommend this book!

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DreamsnakeDreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was fortunate to find the audio version on Overdrive through my library. I enjoyed what my friend, Cheryl said about the book.

The narrator, Anna Fields, seems to have a raspy voice that is a little offputting at first. Then that voice becomes the healer. She can act out the other characters in a believable way.

The story is a little hard to follow at first. One wonders what tribe or group of people this person is from. When you give up trying to identify, the story feels more natural.

Since I read at night before bed, I was worried I’d have snake dreams. But not a one. Yet, it is a warning to watch for. There are snakes all through the book if you have a bit of phobia.

Like Cheryl, I wanted more from this story. Much of the action feels vague to me, and I felt lost. I love the little girl and wished there was more of the healer and her adopted daughter. But I guess that wasn’t the mission of this book. It was more about the healer and her travels.

It is worth the read. I may try it again sometime.

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Acorna's People (Acorna, #3)Acorna’s People by Anne McCaffrey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About a decade ago I was lucky to get first editions of a lot of Anne McCaffrey books. I think I’ve read all the dragon books. Now I am trying to get through the Acorna series.

As much as I love McCaffrey’s writing and imagination, I find I am not as excited about this series. I feel let down as the title seems to be that the story should center around the Unicorn Girl. But it seems to be about the bad guys and some of her people. I felt nothing of her or for her. I did like the salvage guy and his cat but that’s all.

Okay, maybe it was because it took me so long to read. My eyes have a hard time with printed material. I can do a little at a time. A page or two. And so it has taken me more than a year and a half to get through it. Still, because I own it and I love the author I kept at it until I actually finished.

I see that other fans loved this series so I blame my eyes. And I have ordered the next in the series so I can collect the whole series.

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Holly and Ivy: A Lesbian Holiday RomanceHolly and Ivy: A Lesbian Holiday Romance by T.B. Markinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was cute. I think it is a nod to Nottinghill. It is rom-com with an LGBT leaning. There is a fun holiday feeling to it like Nottinghill. I don’t want to give a lot away. But if you like this kind of story it is fun.

I do love how T.B. Markinson writes. Her characters feel real. I’m not so sure about the millionaire. I’ve not been one nor do I know any personally, but it was Ms. Markinson’s story so it was where her characters led her.

I just didn’t want to finish with her world when I finished her combination book. So this filled the bill.

I can’t wait to read more from her.

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A Woman Lost Box Set: Books 3-5A Woman Lost Box Set: Books 3-5 by T.B. Markinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun bunch of books. The characters, especially the main character, Lizzie, seemed realistic. I am grateful I didn’t have her family. Whew, what a mess! But, even so, it was fun to watch the development of each of the characters. And to watch the Twinkies go from zygotes to toddlers.

I like reading books in a combo like this but it makes me mad that I don’t get the credit for three books, even if I put a small review on each book. That messes with my reading goals. But that is a GoodReads problem.

I was lucky to find these on Kindle Unlimited so it was a ‘free’ read. I love this author and am glad she has a few listed on KU. I’m reading Holly and Ivy as I didn’t want to leave T.B. Markinson’s world. It too is a KU.

It is nice to see educated, strong women in books dealing with problems and not going crazy. Sure they have their own emotional issues but they grow and learn. And the romance isn’t so gushy and angsty as many other romance novels. I can’t wait to read more by Ms. Markinson.

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We Witches Three Books 7-10 Bundle (We Witches Three Bundles Book 2)We Witches Three Books 7-10 Bundle by Starla Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m so sad about this series. The first no-no in my world is a cliff-hanger in the book before this one. Each of these books has about four novels. So they take forever to read. The other irritation for me is the angsty romance stuff. People can love many people. Look at families and friends and all. We love. Why set it up that a witch should be guilty for loving a Vampire and another witch? All the wasted romance is so boring to me. So I put my text-to-speech on speed two so as to get done faster.

The saving grace for this set of books is the gargoyle. Especially the pet who takes care of the female Howard. But that isn’t enough for me to find the next big book. It just is too much human angst for something that is a fantasy. Hopefully, others will like this and the books will do okay.

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Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2)Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If my mind has not been very focused. This book may be the cause. Lack of sleep. Not because of worries. Nope, I just couldn’t stop reading/listening to the book.

I had the Audible Whispersynched with the Kindle version. Davina Porter did a marvelous job of narrating the story. Hers is not the sweet voice of the actress who played Claire Randall in the TV series. But Ms. Porter has the versatility to play all the characters perfectly.

The show did a good job following the books. The only thing I miss in the reading is the music.
That’s okay. I can Sing Me A Song of a Lass That Has Gone…

This story is captivating either way. I love getting involved in the history presented. I wish I were better versed in world history, especially France, and the British Isles. I know the next book will bring me into the founding of the United States of America. So that gives me a timeline I know, somewhat.

Since I read the book after watching the show, I wish I could have read it first. Not that the show is missing anything. I just like visualizing the story for myself. Now the people and places are fixed by the show.

At any rate, it is a good read, even if you’ve seen the show. It will keep you engaged in the story. I can’t wait until I can afford book three.

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Sock Loom BasicsSock Loom Basics by Leisure Arts Inc.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I haven’t read every single pattern in this book, I can’t actually judge in entirety. Still, I did find it easy to follow in a couple of patterns I did use. The illustrations are far better than most of the loom knitting books. I do plan to keep it as a reference. There are still a couple of the socks I want to try.

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Crochet for Beginners: Crochet & Circular Needles - How to Knit Circular Needles Like a Guru: (Crochet, Crochet for Beginners, How to Crochet, Crochet Patterns, Crochet Projects)Crochet for Beginners: Crochet & Circular Needles – How to Knit Circular Needles Like a Guru: by Kelly Austin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmm. Yeah, I’m not a lawyer or editor, so I can’t conclusively say anything. I can only point out that the second part of this two-part book looks and sound a lot like the book I just read by Emily Haschig the vaguely written book about Circular Knitting.

One the other hand, the first part about Crochet was fairly well written. I may have to go back and try the pattern that was presented. I don’t crochet much anymore as the process hurts my hands now. But sometimes I can’t resist. So if you get this book, you might get something about crocheting.

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Circular Knitting: The Most Effective Method to Knit on Circular Needles: (Knitting, Knitting for Beginners, Knitting Patterns, Knitting Projects, Knitting Socks, Knitting Gloves, Knitting Scarves)Circular Knitting: The Most Effective Method to Knit on Circular Needles: by Emily Haschig
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Words count. If you sell a book in America, especially a how-to, the verbiage should be in American English. I wanted to understand how to use my circular knitting needles better. I saw the title and thought it would help. Step-by-step, with illustrations so I could see if I was doing it right or wrong.

Just now, after reading the whole book, I read the blurb on GoodReads. Here is the copy and pasted blurb.
Circular Knitting: The Most Effective Method to Knit on Circular Needles
***
“The Most Effective Methods to Knit on Using Circular Needles
If you want to know how to crochet or would want to enhance your crochet skill this is the best book for you. This book will guide you from crocheting basic stitches to joining pieces together. It is the best guide to learning the efficient way to knit using circular needle. It displays easy-to-follow guide that will make you enjoy your crochet venture even more.
Find your creative potential in crochet with this thorough book from basic steps to precise and complicated stitches. All essentials of crochet are listed with clear directions, graphs and photos. When you’ve got to grips with your hook, you’ll be treated with a variety of patterns to work for. It will motivate you to continue learning, testing and create wonderful crochet pieces.

5 Reasons to buy this book

1. The book features designs that range from traditional patterns to original themes
2. Crocheters of every level will get helpful information and inspiration on each page.
3. Each design features a photograph, a diagram displaying every single stitch and its
placement.
4. It provides easy to follow instructions
5. It provides a lot of helpful tips on changing hues and increasing shape to your projects.”
***

I wish I would have read the blurb. Do you see how often the word ‘crochet’ comes up? Intersperse that word with weave and sew, and you will see that this book teaches very little about knitting at all. Even though the pictures show knitting, they do not help prove the written instructions at all. It could very well be a language problem. Is the author British, or is this from another language and translated? I don’t know. All I know is I didn’t understand any of the instructions. It wasn’t a lack of vocabulary. I could define all the words I read. They didn’t address what I wanted from the title. I’m going back to YouTube where they don’t even need to talk. No need for a specialized lingo just how to do the hobby presented in the title.

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