Amazing Women by Dr. C. Margerison

Genre: Non-Fiction/Inspirational/History
Title: Amazing Women
Author: Dr. Charles Margerison
Let’s face it. Women have come a long way, but we still have quite a distance to go before we are considered on equal footing with men. One way to further this progress is to inspire women, young and old, to reach for the stars and fulfill their dreams, and what better way to inspire than a book that focuses on the accomplishments of famous women in history. Amazing Women by Dr. Charles Margerison fits the bill perfectly.
Amazing Women is part of a series of BioViews, a form of literature created by Dr. Margerison to resemble autobiographies of famous people as if they were alive today and either writing their stories themselves or relaying them to an interviewer. Each story in Amazing Women revolves around a woman in history, who took the bull by the horns and let nothing stop her from reaching her goals. Each account is short and sweet and to the point. They give the essence of each person – what made them tick, what was important to them, and how they achieved their goals. Granted, some liberties have probably been taken in the interpretations of these women’s lives, but the author makes a point to also list the historical facts at the end of the book, as well as each woman’s known contributions to history.
In this collection, among many others, we meet Elizabeth Blackwell, who tirelessly fought the prejudice over women in medicine and became the first woman to qualify as a medical doctor in the United States, even though no hospitals would hire her. She believed in educating, not just doctoring, and fought to convince people that social conditions were the cause of much disease. She even opened a clinic in the slums where the most help was needed. We also meet Marie Curie, who helped to discover ways to cure illness with radiotherapy treatments, and was the only woman to win two Nobel Peace Prizes, and Elizabeth Macarthur, one of the founding mothers of Australia, who helped develop the colony and established agriculture and commerce there. Readers will be in awe of Irene Sendler, who risked her life on numerous occasions to smuggle children out of the ghetto in Warsaw where the Jews were held, and Mother Teresa, who lived among the poor and devoted her life to helping those in need. The list goes on and on, but one common thread emerges. Each woman was a trailblazer who led by being a pioneer and paved the way for future changes in the world. For each of them, the cause was always worth the trials and tribulations, and they were all incredibly tough, resilient, and determined. Most of them lived in a time where women were still expected to get married and stay at home and have babies and education was not an option, but they refused to accept this. They wanted to make a difference in the world and all thrived on challenge, and so somehow they balanced their personal lives and work lives and still made huge impacts on the world. Some had the support and encouragement of family and/or friends while others had to go against family to achieve their goals. Although I was familiar with some of the names in this book, I found it amazing how many women were behind great ideas in history but were left virtually unknown. It is wonderful to see them recognized.
What is truly beautiful about this book is that Margerison is a natural storyteller who doesn’t bog the reader down with unnecessary details but provides a neat summary of the accomplishments of each of these incredible women in flowing story format. There are some people who enjoy losing themselves in a lengthy history tome, but the average person just becomes bored by drawn-out accounts of history. Therefore, Amazing Women provides an effective tool for people to learn without feeling overwhelmed. What a wonderful inspiration to women of all ages everywhere in the world but especially to the up and coming female success stories. Anyone lacking in confidence, but especially females, can read this book and come away with the knowledge that any dream is possible. I would love to see this book in the school systems to be utilized as a tool to encourage girls who don’t have the courage to chase their dreams. Turning the last page of this book, I was left with the knowledge that the battle was worth it and must continue!
Dr. Charles Margerison is a Chartered Psychologist and a member of the Royal Institution and the Royal Literature Society. He is Chairman of Viewpoint Resources Ltd. and was previously Professor of Management at the Universities of Cranfield (UK) and Queensland, Australia. He was also a co-founder of Emerald, the world’s leading publisher of management journals and databases.


Reviewer: Cindy Taylor, www.allbooksreviewint.com
Title: Amazing Women
Author: Dr. Charles Margerison
Format: ebook
Publisher: Amazing People Club
July, 2011

Review of Her Dear and Loving Husband by Meridith Allard

Sarah Alexander, divorced and looking for a fresh start, accepts a position in the Humanities department, at Salem State College. Her friend and boss, Jennifer, introduces Sarah to Professor James Wentworth. She settles in to her new life in Salem with her new friends.
Wanting to find information on a relative that she believes was killed during the Salem Witch hunts in the 1600’s, Sarah visits the many Salem sites of the hangings, tortures and incarcerations of the witches. Professor Wentworth is happy to be her guide, but Sarah begins to want more from the Professor. Unfortunately, James Wentworth is still in love with his dead wife. Is Sarah falling for him? Does he feel the same?
James Wentworth is hiding a secret, a deep dark secret that only a few people such as Jennifer, know. When a news reporter, Mr. Hempel of the Salem News begins to investigate James, things start to take on a different energy. One that Sarah finds hard to define, but that seems to be drawing her into things she doesn’t understand.
Author Meredith Allard is a true master of the written word. The characters are realistic and easy to know. The descriptions are vivid and enriching. She received a B.A and M.A in English from California State University and teaches writing to students of all ages. Watch for the sequel, Her Loving Husband’s Curse.
An excellent read that will keep you involved until the final page, most enjoyable.

Highly recommended by Shirley A. Roe, Allbooks Review, www.allbooksreviewint.com


Title: Her Dear and Loving Husband
Author: Meredith Allard
Publisher: Copperfield Press
Pages:262
Date: July 2011
For more info: http://meredithallard.com

Review of This Mobius Strip of Ifs by Matt Freese

Before I begin, I will state that I am a huge fan of Mathius Freese. His novel, The “i” Tetrology still sits in a place of honor on my bookshelf as one of the books I shall never forget. This Mobius Strip of Ifs is a collection of essays written by the author over a long period of time and finally brought together in a fascinating work of literary genius. I sit and read the essays and sometimes I find myself in a place of deep soul searching and discovery, other times I am simply entertained, but never disappointed.
Each essay has something truly unique and heart wrenching. The following quote is only a small part of the therapist’s relationship with the client. However, as you read, it permeates your core as very sound advice for any relationship.
Therapist as Artist: “Some comments about the relationship with the client. As you fade, the client becomes clearer. Think of yourself as the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.
Use yourself as an instrument. Use images, analogies, metaphors; be nimble on your feet. Use words gracefully, cunningly, but never deceitfully. Be multiplex. Think and be in large, not small, measures. Give and ye shall receive twice-fold.
As you feel, sense and intuit the client, feel his impact upon yourself. Think of meteors raining down upon the moonscape and the lunar quakes that ensue and seismic waves that are issued deep down to its core. Engage and motivate.” Truly thought provoking!
To quote Jane Freese, who puts it beautifully in the introduction, “A Möbius strip is essentially a ribbon with a twist. A mathematical model, it is used as a metaphor by physicists to describe why we, living within four dimensions, are unable to perceive other dimensions outside of the single boundary of time. “ The collection covers religion, the Holocaust, publishing, writing, movies, actors, therapy and life in general, from the author’s point of view. Readers will be entertained, challenged, and yes, shocked by some of the writings. Another winner from Matt Freese that I have thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and I am sure will return to often in the future.

Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreviewint.com


Title: This Mobius Strip of Ifs Essays
Author: Mathias Freese
Publisher: Red Willow Digital Press
Pages: pre pub
ISBN:
For more information:

July. 2011

Review of An Unusual Journey Through Royal History by Victoria Martinez

Have you ever wondered about the basic hygiene of your favourite royal? Or, how about their body-piercings? Not to mention their bloodline, which, at one point, royals claimed came directly from Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. Certainly their insistence in the past, for royals to only marry royals, has created a long line of royal successions for each and every monarchy. Did you know, for example, that Queen Elizabeth II is indirectly, or directly, depending on how you look at it, in line of succession to a whole list of other monarchies? If any, or indeed all, of these monarchies were to suddenly run out of hundreds of eligible candidates, Britain’s Queen could step up and take these thrones. It makes you wonder what her ancestor, Queen Victoria, would think; perhaps another British Royal Empire in the making? Queen Victoria would certainly think that it was about time, being one who, with great dignity, believed that her ancestry, and that of her descendents, dated back to Israel’s ancient monarchy, in particular, King David. In fact, there are those who believe that the British people were descended from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. That probably explains the royal obsession with the Jewish ritual of circumcision.
An Unusual Journey Through Royal History is exactly what its title suggests. It is a compilation of historical royal trivia: noteworthy, perhaps, definitely rare and, at times, inconceivable. It certainly makes the study of royal history an interesting quagmire, a Pandora’s Box, of the strange, the unusual and, perhaps, sometimes the sordid anomalies of very public lives.
Victoria Martinez is a royalist. More important, though, she is an historian of royalty. Her freelance public relations employment allows her to travel extensively and to research the history that fascinates her: royal history. She is a regular columnist for the online site, Unofficial Royalty (http://www.unofficialroyalty.com) and Time Travel-Britain.com. Her articles also appear in print journals such as The European Royal History Journal, Royalty Digest Quarterly and The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Society Quarterly. An Unusual Journey Through Royal History is a compilation of Martinez’s essays and articles, which have appeared in various online and print publications.
Martinez writes in an inviting style, with interesting descriptions and commentary, coupled with lots of well-researched historical facts. An Unusual Journey Through Royal History is a fascinating collection of royal trivia, well written, well researched and well presented. Well done! An Unusual Journey Through Royal History is highly recommended by award-winning author and Allbooks reviewer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

Available at: Amazon
Title: An Unusual Journey Through Royal History
Author: Victoria Martinez
Publisher: Who Dares Wins Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-935712-45-9
Pages: 82 pages
Price: $2.99 (ebook)
For more info: http://www.victoriahill.com and http://www.arbitraryhistory.com,
July 2011

Review of The Tree Singer by Danny Fahey

“How we act. The choices we make. The loyalties we keep.” Pg. 317

In this fantasy of faith, healing, love, loss and betrayal, a young man dreams his future. Jacob is destined to leave his destitute fishing village to become a prosperous, if not famous, flute maker.
His Mother, Juliana had been well known for her sharp tongue, but since her husband’s death, she had become a bitter, angry woman. She had even accused Jacob of having something to do with his father’s death. Life would never be the same as he remembered it.
The town’s fishing industry was dormant, trying to farm the boulder- laden land proved futile. The sickness that had spread through the town left the villagers sapped of life and hope.
There was little laughter now as they merely eked out an existence.
Simon, the ‘Healer’ strolled leisurely into their lives. His origin or future was unknown. For now he had been sent to the village with his powerful healing hands and teaching skills.
Juliana and Jacob welcomed him into their home where he begins his healing. Over the course of time the village prospers, becoming alive again with the salt lake full of fish and the land bearing food. Miracles seemed to happen every day with Simon around.
Simon nurtures Jacob’s dream of becoming a flute maker, teaching him worldly, as well as magical skills, such as learning to ‘sing wood from trees.’ Harrod, the carpenter patiently teaches Jacob how to carve, drill and care for the wood as he makes his first flutes. His daughter, Maddie’s tortured mind has been released by Simon, and the bond between Jacob and Maddie grows into love. The outside world becomes aware of the location of the ‘Healer’ and Jacob sees the toll that healing is having on Simon.
Years pass before the day when Simon announces he must be on his way. “Life moves forward, always forward.” Pg .225
At twenty-three, Jacob and Maddie decide he should go to the city called Cathel before they marry. He hopes to see Simon again and has an appointment to show a famous musician his talent for flute making. Amazing experiences come to Jacob, and he becomes well known for the lost art of ‘tree singing.’
This story is well laid out, easy to follow and an enjoyable read. The author, Danny Fahey magically has the reader feeling the intense emotions throughout the novel.
Reviewer: Cheryl Heinrichs, Allbooks Review @ www.allbookreviewsint.com

Title: The Tree Singer
Author: Danny Fahey
Publisher: Dragonfall Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-9806341-5-0
Pages: 362
Price: $19.95 June 2011
For more info: www.dragonfallpress.com

Review of Get Er Done: The Green Beret Guide to Productivity

Author: Michael Matel

A business productivity book that models itself after the Green Berets? That's definitely going to be all about shouting, punishing people harshly for getting out of line, and forcing individuals into the same mold, right?

Think again.

Martel's purpose isn't to bully people like a stereotypical drill sergeant. That's basic training you're thinking of. Instead, he's offering much more advanced military tactics, like goal-setting, maintaining focus, and building a support team. “Green Berets do not have superpowers,” he says; what they do have is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances without losing sight of the original goal.

Each chapter walks the reader through a concept with at least one Green Beret anecdote and several examples of how and why the tactic is useful in civilian life. Each concludes with a “mission” to follow through on the information.

For example, chapter six talks about the “point of no return,” literally the moment at which it's easier to follow through with a commitment rather than give up. Martel explains how the idea relates to C-130 troop transport planes, and then ties it in to the competing commitments we each have in our daily lives. He offers up a mission to help maintain focus on a recent commitment, rather than get sidetracked by focusing on what could go wrong.

The layout makes it easy to scan for the key points, and makes this 98-page volume an even easier read than its length suggests. A rare treat is that the breakout text – those little driblets of wisdom found in many business books – don't actually repeat any of the text on the page. I can't recall the last time I read a book where those space-hogging snippets added any value whatsoever.

From organizing a multinational company to simply achieving personal goals, this book provides clear, specific tactics to “get er done,” without making you feel like you're trapped in boot camp.

Recommended by Terence P Ward, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreviewint.com

Title: Get Er Done: The Green Beret Guide to Productivity

Author: Michael Martel

Publisher: PCG Business

ISBN: 978-1-936417-17-9

For more info: http://www.mikemartel.com

June 2011

Allbooks Review December 2011 Newsletter

Check out our ongoing blog Allbooks VS Amazon

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Writing Great Blurbs by Mayra Calvani

A great blurb can make the difference between a customer taking out his/her wallet to buy your book or putting the book back on the shelf. Great blurbs sell books.

But what is a blurb, exactly?

A blurb is the copy on the back cover of your book. After the cover, the blurb is the first thing a customer will check when considering to buy a book. It should hook, intrigue and grab the reader right away.

“Book blurbs are eye candy to the consumer,” says publicist Penny Sansevieri, founder of Author Marketing Experts.

Not only to customers. A great blurb can help you find a publisher or an agent, too.

A few years ago, I sent dozens of query letters in my search for an agent. As you probably know, most query letters are composed of a blurb of the book (the hook), some info about the book (genre, word count, etc), and a short author bio or list of qualifications. The agents who responded said “No, thanks.” I’m not surprised. The blurb was as flat as a French crepe. One of these agents wrote to say she wasn’t particularly excited about my book, but asked if I had something else to show her. By this time I had improved my blurb and had a completely new version. I mentioned this to her and asked her to consider my edited blurb, which she did. Her response was “Well, I have to admit this is a pretty convincing blurb.” She requested the first three chapters. To make a long story short, she took me in based on the strength of those three chapters. In this case, my blurb was the key factor in getting the agent’s attention.

This is the blurb I first included in my query letter:

Can a good man be persuaded into committing murder and still retain his goodness?

Lullaby is about the restless soul of an aborted infant who, in order to become powerful enough to be reborn, must tempt humans into committing evil acts. Having temporarily acquired the form of a beautiful woman, this being plays mind games with the protagonist, bringing back memories of his tragic childhood. As deeply buried feelings of hate and revenge spring to the surface, the protagonist must struggle with his conscience to do the right thing. But will he, when his own ideas about justice and the higher good tell him it is right to kill?

Now compare it to the second one which got the agent’s attention:

At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated out of his senses by her physical perfection as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. After a while, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her—her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.

The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.

But nothing, not even the stunning beauty of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…

Here are some guidelines to help you create great blurbs:

*Keep it short (100-250 words). The aim is to convey what makes the book unique in a small amount of space.

*In it set the mood, the scene, and the conflict or enigma.

*It should have mounting tension. The beginning should have a “hint” of the conflict or threat, yet remain pretty innocuous (look at my blurb number two: boy meets girl in a tavern). By the end of the blurb, the conflict or threat should be imminent (protagonist must save his sister’s unborn child and his own soul).

*Think of the best angle to approach your story. Both of my blurbs describe what happens in my novel, yet the second one sounds much more exciting.

*As with a good book review, never put “spoilers” in the blurb. You can do this in a book summary or synopsis, but never in a blurb. (Look again at my blurb number one. In it I make the big mistake of revealing the nature of my “evil” female protagonist—she is the soul of an aborted infant. In blurb number two, you suspect there’s something wrong with her, but you don’t know what. You’re left wondering).

*Think about what makes your book different.

*Question marks can be used to leave the reader intrigued.

*Often ellipsis are used at the end to leave reader asking questions.

*Keep adverbs and adjectives to a minimum and use action verbs.

*Needless to say, make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.

*If your book is non-fiction, does it have special features like pictures or diagrams? What is the aim of the book? What are you trying to accomplish? Does it teach anything? How is this book different from others in the field?

*Remember that blurbs are not summaries! Don’t tell the whole story—only the exciting part of it so that the reader will want to know more.

*Don’t exaggerate or sugar coat it. Be professional.

*Study the blurbs from your book shelves, paying special attention to their style, language, and content.

*Write and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Then show it to people who can offer honest feedback.

One last tip:

Do you know that powerful, dramatic voice that you hear in the cinemas during movie trailers? That alluring voice, often exaggerated, that describes the movies? Well, read your own blurb with this voice in your mind, matching its tone and pitch. You’ll be surprised to find out how much that helps!

About the author:

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. A reviewer for over a decade, she now offers online reviewing workshops. She also offers workshops on the art of children’s picture book writing. When she’s not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com, join her mailing list, and automatically receive the free ebook, Reviewers Talk about Their Craft and the first lesson from her Slippery Art of Book Reviewing Workshop.

To receive two free lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow, a Fiction Picture Book Workshop, visit www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com.