Book Reviewers

NEW BOOK BY MORGAN MANDEL !!!!
Here is another great book by Morgan Mandel. It is called Girl Of My Dreams! Light, romantic and easy to fall in love with, Mandel did a great job of developing and connecting the characters. This would make an awesome gift for Valentine's Day!

Here is the information you need to get one for yourself, or to let someone know exactly what you want.
Title: Girl of My Dreams
Author: Morgan Mandel
ISBN# 9780759947009
Hard Shell Word Factory, www.hardshell.com

Title: Two Wrongs by Morgan Mandel
ISBN: 0-7599-4062-2
Publisher: Hard Shell Word factory
Publish Year: 2006
Review By: Patti McQuillen

This book is an awesome page turner! Once I began reading, I did not want to stop. In the first sitting, I read seventeen chapters! The cover is dark, and shows what you believe is a naked woman lying on the ground, From this, you know it is a murder mystery. The title gives you a clue as well: somebody did something, presumably involving the woman on the cover, and revenge followed.

The story begins with the horrific rape and murder of a young woman named Mary Alice. From there, I discovered a plot that progresses in a logical style. It is easy to follow the story as details of her traumatic death unfold, and the Callaways – especially their son, Danny – fight for the conviction who they believe is the killer.

The interaction between the characters, on both sides of the case, provides deep insight into their hopes, fears, feelings and hearts. They are convincing as the story continues along at a pleasant rate, never plodding. What happens at the trial of Kevin Green, the accused, sets the story in a motion and kept me connected and interested until the final line of the book.

Morgan Mandel, the writer, does a magnificent job of using situations and scenarios in a realistic way thus helping me to feel empathy for each character, even Green who eventually leaves prison. I easily followed his movements as he sought revenge, and his personality deepened. Mandel describes the settings in a creative, yet clear manner and I found it easy to visualize each location.

I originally wanted to read this book because I felt intrigued by the plot, from a communications perspective. From the perspective of Green, Calloway ruined his life, yet it is Green himself that causes the most pervasive damage. The perceptions of the characters have a tremendous amount of power and truly make this book a must read. Plus, if you seek out books that make you think about choices and consequences in life, communication or even life in general, this book is for you.

While I am not a huge fan of mysteries, I do recommend this one because it is more than murder. It pulls together life, perception, choices, consequences and communication. Look for it by visiting Morgan Mandel’s site and clicking on the navigation button to the left, the one that reads Two Wrongs. This will lead you to her page about the book and if you scroll down to the bottom, you will see the link for Hard Shell Word Factory. There, I spotted a price of $5.00. It is worth every penny, and more!



Title: The Elements of Style
Author: William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
Published by: Allyn & Bacon/Longman Publishers, Fourth Edition

Review by: Al Rickert

I am an avid reader, and when the desire to write grabs me, I know what is needed first – a definitive guide to correct grammar and word composition. Other writers and teachers quickly informed me that Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style is the book I need. This “little” book sells for $7.95 at most all booksellers. It has a grey cover with bold red, aqua and black printing with the ISBN number 10-205-30902-X. It is a fact and example based guide to all elements in writing that successful authors consider a “must have.”

The Elements of Style clearly and authoritatively combines all the elements for writing: rules of usage, principles of composition, form, misused words and expressions, and approach to style. Each section gives examples of incorrect and correct usage I find both common and understandable.

Rules of usage cover punctuation, singular and possessive noun forms, placement of commas, the proper use of pronouns, and basic sentence structure. The principles of composition include: using an active voice, using specific language, needless words, the use of emphatic words, and maintaining one tense.

In the final section, An Approach To Style, the authors present a list of quality reminders to make your writing stand out: do not overwrite, avoid fancy words, and use figures of speech sparingly, to name a few.

William Strunk Jr. wrote The Elements of Style in 1919. In 1957, Macmillan commissioned E. B. White to revise and edit the book. The second edition appeared in 1972 and the third in 1979. Today’s fourth edition remains the standard for the rules and principles of English literature.




Title: Handbook of Magazine Article Writing
Author: Edited by Michelle Ruberg
Published by: Writer’s Digest Books 2005, 2nd Edition

Review by: Al Rickert

Before I begin my full review I am offering you the basic information. I was motivated to read this book, found in Writer’s Digest magazine, because I may attempt to enter the essay and magazine article writing market. I felt it made sense and seemed logical, and offered more than an overview – it thoroughly dug into the material.

You can purchase a copy for $11.65, from Amazon. They also offer a used version from $9.50. The 10 digit ISBN number is 1-58297-334-2. The 13 digit ISBN is 978-1582973340. The cover is all in yellow and white print, on a background of brown and reddish-brown color.

Now for the more in – depth review. If your dream or goal is to be a freelance writer, this book will get you started on the right path. It combines the knowledge and experience of both writers and editors who present their information in a logical, straight-foreword, understandable way.

Talent, desire and presentation are the keys to successful freelance writing. This handbook will hone your talent, streamline your style, and focus your desire. Even more, this book will teach you how to market your talent with the correct and desired presentation format.

This book alone will not make you a great writer, What it will do is make you aware of both the pitfalls and opportunities of writing, and give you the tools to overcome the former and take advantage of the latter. This knowledge, in turn, will put you on the road to greater success.

As Kristin D. Godsey, editor of Writer’s Digest magazine advised, “Read this book, find your voice, then get out there and start pitching.”

Group leader's note - Amazon's site explains that 73% of the people looking at the book, on their site, buy it. It has a five - star rating.