Pulchritude: A Review

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Pulchritude is an archaic word meaning beauty.

We all know the story of Beauty and the Beast. With her novel, Pulchritude, Ana Mardoll recreates the fairy tale in novel form. She adds some twists and turns not found in the original. She tells the story from multiple perspectives, each character getting his or her own telling of events. Mardoll does a good job of creating vivid imagery and lively, believable dialogue. There is tension between the characters, especially between Bella and her father, whom she feels has betrayed her... because he has.

We all know the Disney version of the story. This isn't it. In this version of Beauty and the Beast, the father is a selfish person. He sacrifices his daughter to save his own life. He is despicably selfish. Bella feels resentful, betrayed and abandoned.

These are not feelings normally explored in fairy tale. The facts are laid out, but the feelings are not explored. The reader can see very clearly that a betrayal of some sort has occurred, but the characters of the story don't have room in the format of the short tale to develop fully, their thoughts and inner experiences.

Fairy tales are raw plot. The format doesn't lend itself to the complexity of the relationships, the introspection of each character, yet the plot of the fairy tale nearly screams for such a narrative. So kudos to Ana Mardoll for taking on the struggle of turning a fairy tale into a novel.

It is not an easy task. You must imagine details, and create worlds from the old timeless classics without being cliche. But it is a good idea to do an exercise like this. You don't have to create the tension, it is already there in the story. You don't have to invent the plot. This frees you up to examine other aspects of writing. It allows you to immerse yourself in solid, time tested examples of great story telling. It forces you to deal with the tension and discomfort that conflict creates, and should create, in a story.

Amateur writers shy away from tension. Fairy tales force you to deal with tension. Fairy tales are nothing but tension. No fairy tale drones on and on without a central conflict, usually a betrayal of some sort. I cannot think of a better way for a writer to improve than to do what Ana Mardoll has done, and done very well, than to take on the challenge of turning a fairy tale into a novel.

Ana Mardoll is one of the top reviewers on Amazon. As such, she has been deciphering good writing from bad and has obviously learned a great deal about what makes a story work, and what leaves the reader unsatisfied. What the average reader is looking for is high dramatic tension and conflict. And the fairy tale is a perfect place for a writer to get his training wheels. Of course you don't have to stick to the story either, nor the time frame.

You could take the story and tell it in a modern setting, disguising the fairy tale underneath. In fact if you look at many great and famous love stories you will find the Cinderella story, Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince or some other basic fairy tale structure at their core.

In some ways writing a story with the fairy tale structure beneath the surface might be easier than what Mardoll did in her book Pulchritude. She brought a timeless classic to life in something close to the original version (although there are usually many versions of a fairy tale) with some new twists. She played with the storyline and used creative license to give Beauty and the Beast a new look. A face lift, if you will.

Pulchritude is available for free if you want a pdf file, or you can get it for $2.99 on Amazon kindle. For the free PDF file find Ana Mardoll on Goodreads or Amazon and ask her to send you one.

Anthea Carson is the author of "How to Play Chess Like an Animal," an illustrated chess book for children, "Ainsworth," a YA fiction and "The Dark Lake," a novel of obsession and madness.

Anthea has been writing, coaching chess and playing tournament chess since the 1990's. She is in the top 100 chess females in the US, and one time winner of the US Game 60 female chess championship. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She currently lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two children.

http://www.thedarklake.com/

Dan Brown's Lost Symbol in the US Capitol

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When author Dan Brown spoke about the underlying messages encrypted in the architecture of the US Capitol building in his novel The Lost Symbol, he wasn't kidding. Many of his descriptions including the layout of the Capitol Building are accurate and more than a figment of Brown's imagination. Public and private tours of the US Capitol bring this to light and give Lost Symbols a sense of reality.

On private tours with a Congressman's aide, visitors are taken downstairs to the basement where George Washington's tomb is encased. It is not really where the first President of the United States is buried but the tomb is meant to be a symbol of the cornerstone of the nation's Capitol. References to the tomb are pertinent to Brown's story. From the outside, the Capitol building may seem like a rectangular structure with a cone on top of it, but it's actually built on a vertical line that runs from Washington's tomb in the basement straight up to the Statute of Freedom on the top of the Capitol's dome. This continuous line is reflective of a needle that threads through the center of the building. The invisible obelisk extends from Washington's tomb in the basement to the Rotunda on the main floor, which again has pertinence to Brown's story, and right up to the Statue of Freedom on the Capitol's dome.

Branching off from the obelisk are the four quadrants of the Capitol, which is significant to the plot in Brown's novel. Of course, before visitors can enter the Capitol building they must go through the metal detectors at the opening of the Visitor's Center, which Brown provides a terse description of in his novel. The novel's nemesis, Mal'akh, doesn't take off his jacket before going through the metal detectors. It's a minor flaw in the book, but Brown does accurately portray the roominess and lure of the Visitor's Center's atrium with its glass paneled skylight in Emancipation Hall allowing visitors a unique view of the Capitol building as they look up at the building. The Visitor's Center is heavily lit, which Brown is not remiss is detailing. Its d?cor pervades a subtle extravagance with museum-like statues and thick neoclassical columns. The atrium is flanked by Emancipation Hall and Exhibition Hall. The exhibits in these halls contain a wide breadth of documents signed by past presidents, in addition to glass-encased models displaying the construction of the US Capitol along its gradual stages.

In the novel, Brown quickly moves from the Visitor's Center to the National Statuary Hall, which is located on the main floor of the Capitol Building and separated from the Rotunda by a corridor that connects the two. The National Statuary Hall is where Brown's main character, Robert Langdon, is deceived into thinking that he is scheduled to speak at a lecture. The hall is structured like an amphitheatre that harks back to the 1800's. The chamber was once the meeting place for the members of the House of Representatives where they participated in deliberations. The dome-shaped ceiling affected the acoustics in the room so someone on one end of the chamber could hear the party on the corresponding side. Thus making the hearsay story about John Quincy Adams plausible as the dome ceiling enabled him to eavesdrop on the opposing party's conversations while sitting on the opposite side of the chamber. Where Adams' desk was situated is a plague that marks the spot where he listened in on his opponents conversations. Today, the chamber is no longer used by members of Congress but houses sculptures of important American figures, some of whom include Samuel Adams, Sequoyah, and Robert Fulton.

Following Brown's novel, he takes his character Robert Langdon from the National Statuary Hall to the most publicized part of the Capitol Building, the Rotunda. The mammoth sized dome ceiling is overwhelming as well as the humongous eight oil paintings that decorate the walls of the chamber. Brown briefly mentions the oil paintings which portray eight significant events that formed America. The earliest ones being: The Baptism Of Pocahontas by John Gadsby Chapman with Pocahontas garbed in a white gown and being the only woman visible in the eight paintings, Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in The Landing of Columbus by John Vanderlyn, The Embarkation of the Pilgrims by Robert Walter Weir displaying the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth, and John Trumbull's representation of the Continental Congress in the Declaration of Independence. The figures in the paintings are all shown in action and dominated by earthy tones.

A significant aspect about the Rotunda which Brown doesn't mention in his novel are the 19 panels that adorn the middle rim of the dome entitled the Frieze of American History, and the parapet which allows people to walk along the perimeter of the dome. It's an arena that is only accessible by special invitation. The panels lead up to the gigantic fresco The Apotheosis of Washington made by Constantino Brumidi. It is situated at the apex of the dome in the Rotunda. This artwork is central to Brown's novel whose main character, Robert Langdon discovers his friend's severed hand in the Rotunda with the index finger positioned upward towards The Apotheosis of Washington. Langdon must decipher the riddles behind the fresco in order to figure out what his nemesis Mal'akh wants from him. The fresco is an allegory that depicts George Washington as a god-like figure flanked by the Roman goddesses of Victory and Liberty. From the floor of the Rotunda, the images on the fresco are very difficult to make out, but it still stimulates the mind nonetheless with its swirling colors and striking frame.

In The Lost Symbol, Brown broaches the secret chambers entombed in the basement of the US Capitol designated for the individual members of Congress. Although tours are not permitted into the subterranean level of the building, the history behind the upper floors are immortalized in Brown's book including the Old Supreme Court Chamber and the present-day chamber for the House of Representatives. Brown mentions the House of Representatives chamber where C-Span cameras are located on the upper tier to tape the convening committees. There are doors on both sides of the dais where representatives are interviewed by members of the media in an anteroom.

Brown's novel touches on the impressiveness of the US Capitol Building as every aspect of the structure reveals a historical fact about America, many of which have been buried over the years and have been exhumed in Dan Brown's book. Walking along the Capitol's invisible obelisk allows visitors to enter the mindset of the building's architects and make connections that can only be awakened by experiencing the US Capitol Building for oneself. Brown's The Lost Symbol inspires readers to find symbols that are right in front of them, displayed in the entails of the US Capitol.

What Is Fitzgerald Trying to Say About the American Dream in 'The Great Gatsby'?

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The American dream is such a major theme in The Great Gatsby that whether you are studying it was just reading it for fun you must be wondering what Fitzgerald is trying to say about. Some people argue the book of the criticism of the American dream, some people think Fitzgerald is trying to say the American dream is dead, others think the criticism is solely of Gatsby who paid the price of living too long with a single dream. Let's have a look at some quotes from the Great Gatsby.

Gaby's dream is the most prominent of the book. It is all encompassing, it has taken over his life completely. He thought he loved Daisy, but when he finally met her after all these years he found that he still wanted more. He wanted her to say that she never loved another man. He couldn't be happy with what he had, he has to be perfect. He is an example of people who abuse the American dream.

Character's like Myrtle and Wilson look up and Daisy and Tom. They want what they have, they think that they have achieved the American Dream. The reader knows different thought, we can see exactly how happy Daisy and Tom are. Behind the fa?ade of perfection they present, their perfect marriage, in their lovely house with their beautiful daughter, they are both bored and unhappy. With no job and no purpose in life they have grown 'restless.' Both of them have affairs and neither seems to care about there child. Fitzgerald is trying to say that life isn't what you imagine at the top.

It is obvious that, at least in the world of the Great Gatsby, money doesn't buy you happiness. Unfortunately it is just as clear that the lower classes are obsessed with money and view it as their ticket to living the dream. When you only look at their bank balances Gatsby and Tom are both wildly successful and that is all the lower classes see.

The photograph that Gatsby's father carries around with him becomes the symbol of this obsession of the lower classes. Instead of carrying a picture of his son he carries a a picture of his house, a symbol of his wealth, and what proves he is a success. Just as Gatsby was lured by Dan Cody's expensive yacht, so the next generation will look at this photo and think that if they work hard enough they can come from nothing like Gatsby and be as happy as him. The sad fact is we know Gatsby was never happy and when he died no one came to his funeral.

What can we draw from this then, does Fitzgerald think the American dream is dead. On the contrary I believe that he thinks it will continue perpetually, the people always look at the rich and wish they could be like them. And so the book is not telling you the American dream is dead is telling you that it will always live on and be wary of its promises.

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Mayor of the Dog Park, By: Anne Gilbert

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Intelligently written and as fast as a Greyhound chasing Rusty, the electronic pace-rabbit at the Kennel Club Dog Track, author Anne Gilbert takes her readers by the collar and pulls them quickly into a story of retribution, revenge and reprisal in her novelette, Mayor of the Dog Park.

A vacant lot reclaimed by a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, the dog park named "Faux Paws" became a daily routine for designer dogs, pedigrees, hounds, mutts and their owners of various "human-breeds" as well. Animally bonded, the K-9s and their respective 401K owners all seem to be appropriately matched in temperament, personality and intelligence. With names like Moe & Lucky, Gimp & Muffle, Ramon & Lolita, and of course the mayor Eddie, and his dog won from a church prize, Bingo, these duos split each afternoon to go to their separate respective areas within Faux Paws; some go to the big dog area, others to the small dog section, while the owners pack in to a gazebo to talk.

I must admit, as a disclaimer, I am a dog lover extraordinaire, so reading this book was like rolling on my back having my tummy scratched. As much as I have come to love and understand the wonders of "Man's best friend," I too become emotionally outraged when hearing about animal cruelty; especially when intentionally done. Therefore I could relate to the emotions and motivations of the human characters in Mayor of the Dog Park; to me the events seem as logical as a border collie retrieving a tennis ball. However for the sake of maintaining the impact of this story, I shall not tell any more about the circumstances that reveal themselves in Chapter 3.

There is a clever foreshadowing with respect to Eddie's house, being a lavishly designed home built by one of South Florida's prominent architects. "The three story great room was dominated by a massive Gothic style fireplace and walnut paneling. Probably its most interesting aspect was the ceiling with a myriad of stars painted on the ceiling," author Anne Gilbert wrote. The room was specified by Eddie's recollection of, when on a trip to London, he saw a drawing of the actual "Star Chamber" used in 15th Century England.

The Mayor of the Dog Park is a mature reading escape, enabling for quick character development of the "Snow-bird" community of transplants from Chicago and other Northern cities of the US, as they conspire to do what every dog lover thinks of doing regarding animal abuse. Anne Gilbert is obviously a dog owner and judging by her writing quickness, agility, discombobulated machinations at times, and sense of humor, I'd bet she owns a type of terrier, like maybe a Jack Russell. Whatever breed she owns, her dog has found a human that can be trained, that's for sure, trained to write.

Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review

http://www.pacificbookreview.com/

Sexual Relations Fifty Years On - Girl With Green Eyes by Edna O'Brien

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It has been fifty years since Edna O'Brien published Girl With Green Eyes. It is conventional nowadays to regard the late 1950s and early 1960s as an era when sexual liberation was beginning. This may be accurate. Certainly the men in Edna O'Brien's novel seem to bear no little responsibility for any of their sexual activity, whilst the women, who are usually willing partners, take all the risks and bear all the responsibilities.

The girl with green eyes uses several versions of her name. They appear to be applied randomly. She is whoever circumstance demands. She is Cait, Caithleen, or even Kate, depending on who is speaking, or where and when the action happens. Cait was previously one of the girls who were Country Girls and the Girl With Green Eyes forms the second part of a trilogy following these young women's progress from rural assumptions to urban freedom, of sorts. In Girl With Green Eyes the young women have moved to Dublin. Events take Cait, just twenty-one, and a mere student in today's paradigm, back home to the country and then back to town again.

She has taken up with Eugene. He is older than her and, God forbid, married - even with a child. The wife lives in America - where else for the separated? - but she always seems close at hand and something of a threat. Cait has completely fallen for her male elect and news gets out. A rescue party from the country arrives to whisk her off back to the protection of home in the west, where alcoholism and threats of violence keep the peace. Her father drinks all day, but then he's a provincial sort. He may be excused, since he rules his fiefdom. He will hit anyone to protect what needs protecting and daughters are usually top of the list.

Cait describes most of her experiences in the first person. Her friend gets pregnant and has to deal with the consequences. Despite all such practices being utterly illegal at the time, everyone seems to know where to go, how to secure the service and what it costs. In general, the women involved seem utterly dependent on securing a man to provide for them, and seem to live at least half in fear of the urges that propel them. There is this ambivalence within all the relationships. The men are keen to go where they want, but generally do not negotiate on the destinations. The women seem keen to explore, but never journey on their own terms, apparently preferring to be taken along with the ride.

By the end of the book, there have been changes in Cait's life. It seems that these changes anticipate the changes that will begin for women in wider society, but in Girl With Green Eyes such progress has achieved only limited changes in women's expectations of life. The novel thus subtly mirrors what we must assume prevailed in wider society at the time. It thus presents a contemporary reader with a historical perspective that its author perhaps did not consciously consider at the time. It is surely a richer experience for this added dimension.

Philip Spires

Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya

http://www.philipspires.co.uk/

Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globalized world in which they live.

Book Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

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The year is 1931. The Great Depression is in full swing. Jacob Jankowski is twenty-three and finishing up his last semester at Cornell Veterinary School when the tragedy strikes: both of his parents are killed in an automobile accident and on top of that he loses the family house because his parents had mortgaged it to pay for his tuition. Left without anyone and anything, he fails to take his final exam and simply wanders off. As fate would have it, he winds up on a rickety train that is home to the Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth -- a second rate traveling circus.

Second rate or not, a circus is still a circus and there are always animals in need of professional veterinary care, so Jacob is hired to tend to the outfit's menagerie. His very first task is to examine a lame horse -- and that's how he meets Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star. To say that Jacob is enchanted by Marlena would be a gross understatement, but any thoughts of romantic nature he might be entertaining are squashed right off: she is married, and not to just anyone; her husband August is the animal trainer -- pardon, equestrian director and superintendent of animals -- essentially the circus' number two man.

August is all charm and friendliness on the surface, however, as Jacob finds out soon enough, he is also prone to unpredictable lapses into madness which inevitably end up in outbursts of violence directed against anything that happens to stand in his path. Be that animals, his subordinates, or his own wife. Jacob finds himself at the receiving end of it on more than one occasion himself as he tries to protect the animals from abuse -- especially when it comes to Rosie.

Rosie, a fifty-three-year-old elephant, is the latest addition to the circus' menagerie and everyone is pinning their hopes on her and this new act that is supposed to lift the show to new heights, to bring in the crowds. But even though Rosie is said to be properly trained, August is not able to do anything with her. She doesn't seem to understand even the simplest commands, which unavoidably sends the animal trainer into a fit of rage as he lets her experience the end of his cane, declaring her stupid.

But Jacob is not so sure about that. In fact, observing the elephant when not under duress, he has noticed signs of superb intelligence. He knows Rosie can deliver. He knows there has to be a reason why she isn't performing. And he has to find out what it is before the mad man kills her in one of his bouts of fury.

At the same time he needs to be very careful. His growing affection for Marlena seems not to be a one way affair after all, and, while August may be crazy, he is certainly not blind...

Visit JustGoodFiction.com for more best seller reviews.

The Winter War by Jason Garrett Will Take You on a Journey of Good Versus Evil

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Get ready for a wild, bumpy and sometimes chilling ride through the unknown with The Winter War, by Jason Garrett. The latest in a long running saga of Bishop's Island, this work chronicles some of the events of demon-hunter turned preacher, Eric Kade.

The fictitious world of Bishop's Island draws you in and holds fast with a cold, iron grip. Although not clear where geographically on the earth it may reside, you'll be reminded of perhaps a Northeastern and historically rich state like Maine. It may also make you think of quaint and rural towns in England that adorn the rocky coasts near the frigid ocean waters where fishermen risk their lives to make a living. The place has its own and unique culture as well as a complicated history of both the men and supernatural forces that have fought to control the lives of those who choose to live there.

It is on this island where readers sometimes feel a bit trapped--especially at night, when the snow is falling and you're on the edge of a forest. In the distance, one hears the waves crash hard against the rocky cliffs and danger is somewhere near. As potential peril lurks around every corner, we follow seasoned hunters as they seek to confront that which most of us would flee from. Using sight, smell, tracking skills, medieval-type weaponry, some supernatural powers, but mostly instinct, our hunters and huntresses confront the worst in both the seen and unseen realms.

The hunters, trained to kill while mere children, are at the top of their game and already have much experience in their late twenties and early thirties. But their objectives and motives are fueled by so much more than just the need to eliminate evil from the world. Weaving a complex storyline of love, family, and betrayal, Garrett pulls from his imagination plots that cut deep into the hearts and souls of his both human and inhuman characters.

Our main character, Eric Kade, is a man who has made tough decisions and commitments, and he clings ruthlessly to them, and his faith, against everything trying to stop him. In the face of total abandonment and treachery by people he used to love and was loyal to, he trusts in his God and moves forward. To further escalate the difficulty of his situation, he also finds himself in the position of protecting innocents who are being used and manipulated by evil that seeks revenge and ultimately the destruction of our hero. To avoid further mistakes as well as make amends, Kade must make some of the most difficult choices of his life.

Alongside Kade in this war are a diverse group of individuals. One of his best friends, a hunter who is a superior tracker and fighter in some ways, betrays himself and succumbs to retaliation and evil. A huntress turned witch joins our group and bravely confronts evil to help her friend. Also against Kade, among many others, is a highly skilled huntress who has sold her soul to the obsession of revenge as well as the worst kind of malicious evil.

The Winter War is a continuing account of many intertwined lives and the challenges they face. And unlike some other novels of Jason Garrett, it has a highly mysterious and cliffhanger ending. If you get absorbed into the story as much as I was, you'll look forward to the continuing plight of our characters and the ever shadowy and surreptitious events of a place called Bishop's Island.

Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Anne and two sons.

Visit http://www.libatique.com/ or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com

Lust, Money, and Murder, by Mike Wells Is a Fast-Self-paced Thriller

Do you like stories about deception, mystery, international espionage, and the lengths to which men will go in the name of power and greed? If so, then Lust, Money, and Murder, by Mike Wells may be a book for you.

Lust, Money, and Murder was the first novel I've read by Mike Wells, and I'm glad I did for several reasons. Mr. Wells writes in a style that grabs ahold of the reader and does not easily let go. Without a lot of emphasis is unnecessary details, the story hits you like a passenger jet landing on the tarmac. You're off and running and not going to stop or get bored until it's finished. And even after the long ????????????????, it's not quite over yet, and I'll explain that shortly.

While the title, Lust, Money, and Murder may seem stereotypical of books you've read or movies you've seen, this story has some unique components. It starts off very mysteriously, an older sugar daddy with a young woman, and they're traveling around Europe, having one big party. But there's something going on, an undercurrent beneath the charade of cordial and passionate behavior that's impossible to put a finger on. This short story comes to an abrupt end, but we find out that the theme of this little introduction is actually the main thrust behind the novel's storyline.

The narrative focuses on a young girl who grows up under very challenging circumstances. Without a mother, she copes as well as can be expected. Her father wants the best for her, but is doing things they shouldn't be to help her get not only the things she wants, but the best education. Trying to grow up quickly and find herself, she makes a terrible mistake and inadvertently pulls her father into it. One thing after another goes wrong, and we find ourselves watching this girl set out on a lifelong mission of revenge. Sound Celine yet?

One of the main components to this story is the counterfeit money. Before reading this book, I had no idea what was the intaglio printing. But by the time I was finished, I knew quite a bit about it and the process by which official currency is printed.

True to its title, ' Lust, Money, and Murder, "at its core, is about characters and motivating behavior. And this is really what keeps you going-for-seeing who is going to what next, as well as who is hiding what. Again, the story moves fast, and along the way there are many unexpected twists. Just when you think you've got things figured out, the story takes a sharp turn and sends you down another path. This makes it a swift page turner of a novel.

Warning to potential readers--it all ends in a huge cliffhanger. If you poke around and see what else Mike Wells has written, you'll see that one of the things he does is write the series. You can acquire several of the "Book 1 's" for free for your Kindle or Nook or whatever you like to read the free eBooks. But at the end of the story, you'll want to find out how things go and you just may purchase Book 2. It's up to you. But whatever you do, know that you may find yourself so wrapped up in Lust, Money, and Murder, you'll probably be looking for more.

Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He holds a master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Anne, and two sons.

Visit http://www.libatique.com/or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com

Young Blood - Crime Never Pays

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Title: Young Blood

Publisher: Kwela Books

Year: 2010

Young Blood is a crime fiction novel. It is about a young man named Sipho. He is caught up in the world of easy money, booze, dagga, and greed. He lives in the sprawling township of Umlazi, south of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. In the geography of crime in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), Umlazi criminals specialise in car hijackings and in Kwa-Mashu is murder.

The story of Young Blood begins with Sipho dropping out of school. He dropped out of school thirteen days before he turned seventeen years old. He started helping his mechanic Dad doing odd jobs underneath the bonnets of wrecked cars. But, that did not provide the lifestyle his long-time school friend Musa had - BMW's, designer clothes, and beautiful girls always hanging on his arms. In no particular order and for no other reason except for Sipho's love for fast cars; he soon found himself engrossed in stealing cars, hijackings, drugs, booze, girls and dagga.

Sipho started by fixing or should it read dismantling stolen cars for parts, and graduated to driving gateway cars, buying stolen cars, murder, hijackings, selling mandrax, and bribing cops to avoid jail time. During his crime excursion, members of his gang were found dead after a robbery gone wrong. Sipho's child hood friend also died in the hail of bullets from the rival gang, the Cold Hearts. Sipho's mandrax supplier and buyer of stolen cars left town after he survived the violent clash with the Cold Hearts. These events had a profound impact on Sipho's outlook of life. He reconnected with his family, registered in a technical college and turned his life around.

Author Sifiso Mzobe offers a detailed account of thug life in South Africa. Young Blood is a universal story of out of school, and out of work youth lifestyle in South Africa. Mzobe tells a story vividly and honestly as if he was the main protagonist. It reads like memoirs of a well heeled thug. However, beneath beautiful prose lies the real South African story - social problems occasioned by urban decay, dysfunctional education system, unemployment, absent and inadequate parents amongst others. Because Mzobe is not JM Coetzee, he believes in humanity's capacity for redemption, he allowed our protagonist Sipho to mend his evil ways. This is the most comforting part of the book.

It is no wonder; Young Blood won the 2011 Sunday Times Alan Paton award for best fiction writing.

Bhekisisa Mncube is a specialist web-content writer, media relations specialist and managing director of B74 Media Lab. He is also a columnist at the Witness Newspaper as well as a Media/Political Commentator at the Gagasi99.5 FM. He is a member of the Book Review Panel at the New Agenda academic journal in South Africa. Mncube has been a writer for 12 years. He is a widely published in newspapers, magazines, websites and academic journals. You can network with Bhekisisa through LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook or write to info@b74.co.za.

Book Review: Prairie Dog Blues

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Fiction
Prairie Dog Blues
Mark Conkling
2011
Sunstone Press
230 pages

In his first novel, Prairie Dog Blues, writer Mark Conkling tells the complicated story of the Corley family. With each member of the clan struggling with their own problems, the Corleys decide to sell part of the family land. The hope of the family's matriarch, Mom Corley, is that the money will improve their lives individually and bring all of them closer together. As it turns out, prairie dogs elevate the family beyond their personal concerns to fulfill Mom's dreams of a strong, unified clan.

Mom and Pop Corley (their given names are Janice and Roy, but everyone in the community calls them Mom and Pop) attend the final signing for the sale of fifteen acres of their property in Albuquerque, New Mexico with their three children, Jeff, Ida, and Junior. The goal of the sale is to fund Mom and Pop's retirement and to provide each of their troubled children with seed money that will allow them to restructure their lives. Jeff, the oldest, is a dentist with a gambling problem and all of the debt that goes with that lifestyle. The middle child, Ida, is a nurse who, when not dreaming of earning a master's degree, uses her looks to attract the wrong kind of attention from men. Junior is the youngest and the most troubled with a nearly debilitating drinking problem. Mom believes the multi-million dollar sale of the property to a developer will solve all of their problems. But that dream is threatened by a new city ordinance that will restrict development on properties where prairie dogs live. This news halts the sale and heightens the level of desperation for each of the Corleys.

The initial attempts Pop and Junior make to remove the prairie dogs are awkward and violent. News of the city ordinance and the delayed sale of the Corleys' fifteen acres draws protestors from the Forest Guardians, a group of environmental activists. The Forest Guardians, led by Donald Pressman, fight the Corleys' efforts to remove the prairie dogs by taking legal action and bringing in a prairie dog expert to bolster their cause.

This is a story that takes several unexpected turns, which is fantastic for holding the reader's attention. As each attempt to salvage the sale of the property is initiated, the author reveals more of the inner workings of the main characters. Conkling shares the struggles of each member of the Corley family and the steps they take to save their lives from destruction. While Mom holds on to the hope she believes the money will bring until the very end, her husband and children ultimately find their way to better lives and a renewed sense of family as a result of the crisis the prairie dogs' presence causes.

This is a delightful story. It is well written and ambitious in its display of the human condition. Conkling, a former professor of psychology and philosophy, skillfully applies his knowledge of human behavior to create multidimensional characters that conjure up an array of emotions in the reader.

Prairie Dog Blues is a dynamic read; brilliant. I highly recommended it.

Melissa Brown Levine
for
Independent Professional Book Reviewers

Melissa Brown Levine is a writer, book reviewer and manuscript consultant. She is the author of "I Need to Make Promises: A Novella and Stories." Read an excerpt at http://www.melissabrownlevine.com/.

Perspectives on History - A Division Of The Spoils by Paul Scott

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AppId is over the quota

Start with two major religions, Islam and Hinduism. To a history of one ruling the other, add the complication of a determinedly, in part evangelical Christian colonial administration that lords it over both and in recent memory has massacred innocents. Calls for independence are frequent, but the detail of "from what" remains negotiable. There is civil disobedience in a state whose imperial government can only function by virtue of local cooperation. But should independence lead to a unitary state, religiously mixed, or should it divide along ethnic lines in an attempt to avoid conflict of interest?

Then there's a World War against an invading Japanese army to be coped with. And when a new kind of independence is called for, one that not only politically rejects the colonial masters but also wages war against them, new complications emerge. Those who deserted to fight alongside the enemy risk courts-martial and death sentences for treason, despite their being viewed locally as freedom fighters by those who desire independence at any cost, whilst remaining traitors in the eyes of anyone seeking any form of accommodation with the status quo.

This is India in the 1940s, and as yet there has been no mention yet of the princely states, each with its Nawab or Maharajah at its head, ostensibly independent but land-locked in their geographical and political dependency, surrounded by colonialism that, if anything, has nurtured them. Which way would these august gentlemen lean?

A Division Of The Spoils by Paul Scott is the last novel in his Raj Quartet. It is set against this backdrop of complex social, political, military, even geo-political considerations, all of which interact and thus influence one another. The novel's story features a group of British colonials, perhaps locked in time, adherents of assumptions that no longer apply, who have to cope not only with all the complications of war and changing India, but also of their own lives, their forcibly limited aspirations and their enforced change of identity.

A Division Of The Spoils is such a vast project that a reader might suspect that the pace might flag somewhere within its six hundred or so pages. The reader would be wrong. By shifting the focus from one character to another, by changing the narrative's point of view, the book not only enthrals from first to last, it also brings to life the dilemmas that face these people, often tragically, but never without compassion or empathy.

Paul Scott has not written a novel that reaches, or even tries to offer solutions or analyses. The only end products are history, itself, and the deaths of some of the characters, whom, when deceased, we realise we may not have known very well at any time. Perhaps they themselves did not really know who they were, why they were playing the role of the ruler, acting out superiority whenever a suitable minion or perhaps target might be identified. They might have been sure what disgusted them, but they were never sure of their own motives, or their motivations, even when these ran to an overtly paternalistic, perhaps patronising attitude towards the ruled.

Yet, through all the confusion of politics, war and change, people must live their lives. Hopefully, they are the subjects of this change because, if they are its objects, they are in danger. Just ask Ahmed Kasim, who was never very political, or even very Islamic. Ask Susan Layton, then Bingham, then Merrick. Ask those who stay on or those who leave, those who sign away their independence and power, or those who manipulate events to their advantage. And finally, if you ask me, I would conclude that The Division Of The Spoils, and the Raj Quartet as a whole, represent an achievement in writing through the medium of fiction that has certainly never been surpassed. When piles appear, look for this one at the top.

Philip Spires Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya http://www.philipspires.co.uk/ Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globaised world in which they live.

A Higher Court, by John L Betcher, Is a Gripping Intellectual and Spiritual Journey

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AppId is over the quota

Bravo to writer John L. Betcher for his outstanding achievement with A Higher Court. Once started, I had a hard time putting it down. After two and a half days pouring through this work, I felt like I had taken an intellectual and spiritual journey from the beginning of creation to where I am today, and even beyond.

Set as a "trial" in a surreal court room with almost thirty jurors, this book puts you in a sort of Twilight Zone, where time and space are put on hold. As a reader, you become one of the jurors in this altered reality. Our judge is unusual, not what one would expect, but he has complete authority and command.

The trial we're all partaking in deals with the question of whether or not God exists. You may be thinking, I've heard this before. Well, most of us have, but probably not like this. Reading this was like watching a full-length and unrestrained conversation at a round table--Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens on one side, William Lane Craig and Ravi Zacharias on the other. The dialog was fascinating and it covered just about every subject and approach. Mr. Betcher's research is quite thorough and he covers not just the old contentions of this subject, but everything that is at the vanguard of today's science and thinking.

As we go through this trial, there is a counsel for the existence of God and a counsel for the repudiation of God. Each counsel is given the opportunity to present witnesses, ask questions, and then cross-examine. The witnesses are experts in their various fields and a wide variety of subjects are covered--theology, cosmetology, astronomy, philosophy and even psychology. If you're curious what the latest arguments are for how this universe came to be and how life started and evolved on planet earth, you'll be educated and enlightened with this work.

After a couple witnesses or testimonies, the jurors would gather in small groups and deliberate. I have to give kudos to Mr. Betcher for his balanced approach to this. Among the jurors at this trial we have a Native American, a Muslim, an agnostic, and of course an atheist. These different people give their perspectives on who and what God is to them based their upbringing and experiences. As a whole though, the focus is on the Judeo-Christian faith. Later, the reader will find out why Christianity is very much different from all other faiths.

As comprehensive as it all was, there is one element I thought was missing. At one point in the trial, witnesses came forward and gave their testimonies as to why they chose not to believe in God. Later, more witnesses came forward to tell why they do believe in God. There were two powerful and moving testimonies for each side, and each one dealt heavily on various forms of suffering. As we all know, pain either drives a person away from God in anger, or drives a person to God for comfort. But the testimony that was missing was the one of a totally changed life for the positive. I personally know people who in literally one instant, were radically transformed and healed of everything from substance abuse to physical and emotional trauma. Science will never explain that. It would have been nice to have added this component to the story. I do understand though why the problem of pain was focused on as this is a huge issue with so many.

As the story winds down, we are presented with a nice summary of issues that have plagued the human race and why the dilemma over the existence of God continues. It may surprise you how the trial ends and what it was really all about. There is also a huge and unexpected twist, one that really makes a person think. I highly recommend A Higher Court and wish all readers well on their own journey to finding our Creator.

Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Anne and two sons.

Visit http://www.libatique.com/ or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com

Deepti Naval - An Indian Author

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AppId is over the quota

Deepti Naval is an avant-garde actor, director, poet, painter and writer. Born on February 3, 1957 in Amritsar, she moved to the United States and studied at the City University of New York. She specialized in Fine Arts and received her degree from the Hunter College at Manhattan. She made her debut in Bollywood with Ek Baar Phir in 1979. Since then she has worked in more than 70 movies! She is famous for the versatile roles that she has played in parallel cinema. She has earned a lot of accolade for her roles in films such as Chashmebaddoor, Kamla, Mirch Masala, Ankahi, Main Zinda Hoon, Panchvati, Leela and Freaky Chakra. In the recent past, her role in Leela was widely appreciated; in 2002, it was screened at the IAAC IFA, Commonwealth IFA in Manchester and Reel World IFA, Toronto. It won the Special Jury Award at the Reel World IFA. In 2007, she was acknowledged as the Tribute Honoree of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. She had also taken a break from films as a result of her dissatisfaction of the film offers she received.

Deepti Naval wrote Thodasa Aasman and directed it as a television series. It is a women-centric drama. Lamha Lamha is her anthology of poems that was published in 1983. Recently, she published another anthology titled 'Black Wind and Other Poems'. She also brought out the book, The Mad Tibetan - stories then and now. She is also an avid trekker and she is known for trekking across the Himachal and Laddakh. The television show The Path Less Traveled has been produced by her. Some of her well-known series and collections of fine art have been the Kumaon Series, Landscapes, Nuns, and Reflections. She has also worked on photography. Some of the best collections are: In Search of Another Sky, Shades of Red, Himalayan Road Builders and Images of a Frozen River.

Deepti Naval is also working on cinematic projects directing Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish starring Manisha Koirala and Sanaj Naval. It has not been publicly released as yet. It is a Bollywood film and it was screened at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival. It is expected to be released on March 8, 2012 in India. It was recognized as the 2009 Best Feature Film at the Indian Film Festival of Houston, 2010 Best Screenplay at the New York Indian Film Festival (MIAAC) and in 2010, Rajit Kapoor won the Best Actor Award at ImagineIndia.

Anju K Batra is a writer based in India. She like to write on Social and cultural subjects. She has written lots of Articles on the subject of Deepti Naval, Deepti Naval Books.

Underworld Journey: Comparative Study Between Aristophanes' The Frogs and Virgil's Aeneid (Book VI)

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AppId is over the quota

The descent to the underworld is a mytheme of comparative mythology found in a diverse number of religions from around the world, including Christianity. The hero or upper-world deity journeys to the underworld or to the land of the dead and returns, often with a quest-object or a loved one, or with heightened knowledge. The ability to enter the realm of the dead while still alive, and to return, is a proof of the classical hero's exceptional status as more than mortal.

Virgil, the greatest of all Roman poets, modeled his masterpiece, The Aeneid (30-19 BC), on the ancient Greek epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, written by Homer. On the other hand Aristophanes (448-385 BC), Athenian playwright, is considered one of the greatest writers of comedy in literary history. The Frogs is one of his masterpieces. The ingenuity of the plot, incidental extravagances, the fresh and sparkling wit, the delicate literary criticism, the sweet bursts of lyric song, and the unrivalled snatches of parody make Aristophanes' The Frogs the greatest literary satire in any language. The Aeneid is divided into different books. Of them, Book VI is very significant because it gives an account of underworld which is visited and experienced by Aeneas, the Trojan hero after the fall of troy. However, the story of Aristophanes' The Frogs can be related to that of Virgil's The Aeneid (Book VI) regarding journey to the underworld especially regarding theme, characters, places, description of the underworld etc.

The beginning part of these two journeys can be compared. Before starting the journey to the Underworld, Aeneas, the Trojan hero visited Cumaean Sibyl. She in her prophetic vision told Aeneas that very soon he would have fight in a battle in Latium. It was Sibyl who instructed Aeneas to pluck the Golden Bough. Aeneas was escorted by her to Hades through the cave of Avernus. They reached the river Styx, on the one side of which they could see the ghosts of the unburied dead. In The Frogs we see that Dionysus, the patron god of Drama as the hero of the play starts journey to Underworld accompanying with his slave Xanthias. Unsure about the best way to break into the Underworld and ever unsteady in his valor, he devises an ingenious plan. He will put on the disguise of Heracles who in the last and most spectacular of his famous labors forced his way into Hades' realm and stole the watchdog of Hell, the three headed hound Cerberus. Dionysus figures that, if Hades' guards see "Heracles" coming again, they will all run away and let him enter without a fight. However, dressing himself up lion's skin and club complete, as Heracles and accompanied by his slave Xanthias with the baggage, he starts on his perilous journey. If we compare The Frogs with The Aeneid, we see that Dionysus acts as a hero in The Frogs who actually is a god (god of drama) while Aeneas; a human being acts the role of a hero in The Aeneid. The Golden Bough which has a magical effect for rescuing oneself from any danger can be compared to the dress of lion's skin wore by Dionysus.

The main purpose of their underworld journey is to get instruction of building (Aeneid) or saving country (The Frogs) from the dead who were great in their lifetime. We can see that in both journeys there is presence of Charon who is the aged boatman who ferried the souls of the dead across a river separating the world of the living from the world of the dead and brought them to the gates of the underworld. In both pieces protagonists have to request Charon to carry them throughout the river Styx (Aeneid) which is also called the lake Acheron (The Frogs) and the river is same to both journeys though in different names. In Aeneid we can see that Aeneid is suggested about the precondition and procedures of the journey by Helenus. Similarly, Dionysus is suggested by Heracles who is his semi brother.

In both journeys protagonists meets many souls, phantoms, ugly cretures. Cerberus, a monstrous dog is found in both journey. Cerberus, a three-headed, dragon-tailed dog that guards the entrance to the lower world, or Hades. The monster permitted all spirits to enter Hades, but would allow none to leave. Sibyl who gives the guideline and stays with Aeneas as a companion in the journey can be compared to both Heracles (from whom Dionysus gives suggestion before starting journey) and Xanthias. Xanthias is a comic figure who works as a servant of Dionysus. Sibyl is a female prophet who guided the Trojan prince Aeneas through the underworld to visit his father Anchises and her role in the journey was very noteworthy because without her prophecy and assistance.

The experiences Aeneas and Dionysus gathered in their journey to the hell is not same. But in both The Frogs and The Aeneid Hell is described as dark and muddy, ugly and full of dangerous creatures ever seen. Aeneas' experience in the journey is bitterer than Dionysus' experience. In the epic Aeneid the underworld journey performs serious purpose and in the other writing we can find that throughout the comedy seriousness is absent and it is replaced by humor, irony and witty remarks. There can be found many comic incidents throughout the journey made by Dionysus like Dionysus' disguising himself as a slave and Xanthius' disguise as a master which is made because of the fear of Dionysus of Empusa.

We can see that in Aeneid the hero Aeneas acts bravely and remains determined and confident throughout the Journey. On the other hand in The Frogs the hero Dionysus is found coward, self-seeking, carnal, unmanly person and in throughout the journey to the Hades. In Frogs we observe chorus is present throughout the journey and in The Aeneid there is no chorus. We can find that Aeneas is prophesized to establish roman empire and to descend to the Hades to meet his dead father Anchises to get suggestions about what to be done. But in the case of the frogs there is no existence of prophecy about Dionysuss' underworld journey.

A striking difference between the journeys of these two pieces is the difference of the treatment of nature in the description of two journeys. In the Aeneid we can find an elaborate description of the environment and natural scenery of the Hades. For example there is a description of Dis with shadow and light like a wood land in a moonlit night. On the other hand there is no such description in the frogs of the journey made by Dionysus.Another important dissimilarity is that in the description of journey made by Aeneis there is elaborate description of the creatures faced by Aeneas. I Aeneid Charon is described as old man having the vigor of ever young with beard of fiery red color. We can find the presence of song and dance in the journey of Dionysus in the frogs but there is no such item in the journey made by Aeneas in the Aeneid.

Although The Frogs and Aeneid are different type of literary work a number of some similarities between this two pieces regarding journey to the Underworld are noticeable. In The Frogs the situation was very much funny and satirical but in The Aeneid it was serious. Indeed, it is Patriotic zeal which is common similarity in both pieces.

The Time Travel Journals: Shipbuilder by Marlene Dotterer Is a Spellbinding Voyage Through Time

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AppId is over the quota

The Time Travel Journals: Shipbuilder, by Marlene Dotterer, is an entertaining and fascinating voyage through time and beyond.

In this novel, Ms. Dotterer creates a storyline that uses as its pinnacle one of the most famous incidents in history--the sinking of the RMS Titanic. In fact, the story builds itself up to this event with nice suspense. But if you're thinking, I've already seen the movie, know that this book really isn't about that. It's about people, society, and the choices we make.

Set in Belfast, Ireland, our two main characters are an odd couple: an aging male scientist and a young female college student. Quite inadvertently, the two find themselves suddenly picked up and placed backward in time one hundred years.

This work deals with a dilemma of time-travel that story tellers have tinkered with for ages. The quandary and question to unravel is, what would happen if one were to go back in time with full knowledge of certain events that were to occur, but then attempt to make changes? And this raises more questions. How would one's presence in and of itself affect a timeline that has already happened? Does it create more parallel timelines? This subject has been played out in many ways in movies and books but often with the theme of characters scheming to get rich. For example, if one could go back, one could commit robberies where it was known money or gold would be. One could make a fortune making predictions. The list goes on.

But Ms. Dotterer goes about it differently. The main character attempts to make changes motivated first and foremost by love. As soon as we are thrust back in time, things move very quickly as our characters struggle first just to survive, then later to adjust and fit in. Without spoiling it for the potential reader, one of our characters falls in a love with a well-known figure of that day and time. Unfortunately, this person is doomed to perish with the Titanic. But even with this foreknowledge, the two move forward into marriage and starting a family. One result of this is that many elements of a romance novel come to the surface and are woven into the narrative. The other character, who acts often as a voice of reason in various situations, is motivated by the desire to improve the world and help people.

As the story moves along, we're given many lessons in history and it's apparent that Ms. Dotterer has done her research. What makes this book particularly interesting is how real history is combined with fictitious events and decisions as a result of interjected future knowledge. It really does make a person think.

There is one caveat though. This work is also a social statement against the more rigid societal standards of early nineteenth century Ireland, particularly in terms of religion and certain communal issues. One of our main characters is openly atheist, a standing that is almost criminal in this society at this time. While most readers of a God-fearing nature would probably not be offended, you'll notice the Hollywood-like stereotype of a particularly repugnant character who represents religious fanaticism. This character is not only scheming, manipulative and cruel, he's also a bit of a pervert, not to mention a blatant law-breaker. It's unfortunate that characters who represent conservative religious thinking are often portrayed this way.

Some readers may also find it regrettable that little positive credit is given to the moral compass and good standards that religion provides to early twentieth century Ireland, or any given culture. Statistically, after all, it has been the secular movements that have killed countless more people and have done more damage. It focuses only on the negative, and in those days and for many years to come, there was a lot of negative events surrounding religious differences. Proof positive that even with an attempt at maintaining firm standards of behavior, man's wicked nature comes through. The fight against sexism and for equal privileges--another significant element to this story--is far more understandable.

But the work is balanced. Our atheist and socially liberal main character is eventually accepted and loved by a family she marries into who, while religious in nature, are in no way fanatical. As a whole, they are good people with every good intention. Also, there are other nefarious characters in this story that plot evil, but without any religious motivation guiding them. Our other main character is neither religious nor anti-religion, and may even be agnostic.

All in all, The Time Travel Journals: Shipbuilder is an enjoyable read with a lot of interesting ideas to ponder. It will definitely get the mind going on the What if? questions. Even if you're not a history buff, I think you'll enjoy this work. It may even get you thinking about the choices you're making now, and how those choices could affect many generations to come.

Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He holds a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Anne and two sons.

Visit http://www.libatique.com/ or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com

The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen: A Review

The Secrets of Mary Bowser is a historical novel set in our darkest hour that packs a punch nation's featuring a slave-turned spy, heroine.

Mary Bowser spends her youth as a house slave in one of the grandest antebellum homes in Richmond. Richmond was "in the north of the south." That meant escape from slavery was possible, but dangerous because of the Fugitive Slave Act; mandating free states to return runaway slaves to the south. A precocious child, Mary grabs any opportunity to expand her knowledge. Visitors to the Richmond house bring a valuable commodity-information. Even so, at age eleven she says, "A slave to the best keep her talents hidden, feigned ignorance being the greatest intelligence in the topsy turvy, the house of bondage."

Outspoken abolitionist, Bet Van Lew, no-nonsense daughter of the deceased slaveholder, encourages Mary to go north to get an education. Mary's forward-thinking mother agrees, noting that Mary has a special calling in life. Mary Bowser takes a train to the free state of Philadelphia a decade before the Civil War begins. After experiencing an unsettling form of prejudice while in Philadelphia, she returns home to be part of a Union spy ring in Richmond. Her courage, resilience, and determination to make a difference are masterfully portrayed. (A) the master of stealth, Mary chooses to do what is right, rather than what is easy.

Author Lois Leveen holds a Ph.D in English from UCLA with a specialty in African American Literature. She came across Mary Bowser's espionage while reading a woman's history book. She gifts us a story about a real woman about whom little is known. The Secrets of Mary Bowser answers these questions:

? Why would anyone leave the North and sacrifice freedom?
? Does Mary choose freedom or her family?
? How did it feel to be educated, but spend her days with people who considered her ignorant?
? Does she have the courage to do what is ethical conduct at the expense of her personal safety?

The book focuses on the urban (as opposed to field) slavery and free black life in Philadelphia. This high intensity historical fiction novel brings to light an important, but yet untold story of slavery. Narrated by Mary, the dialogue rings true to slave culture of the nineteenth century. In a recently researched, the book is full of newspaper Notification Randomizer, the correspondence, the real historical figures, the Underground Railroad stories, and secret codes. This book has the "best seller" written all over it. The Secrets of Mary Bowser is not only fascinating reading, but also historical fiction of the highest caliber.

Harper Collins graciously provided the review copy for my unbiased opinion.

Article originally published by Holly Weiss is a http://www.blogcritics.org/.

Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. http://www.hollyweiss.com/.

Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.

Book Review of The Topsail Accord by Jt Kalnay

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AppId is over the quota

Joe, a coffee shop owner, and Shannon, a geologist, agree to see each other four times a year. Joe agrees to ask no questions of this very private woman. The story is told from each persons point of view in alternating sequences. It is easy to follow, and written in a Hemmingway-esque style of simplicity.

The vivid imagery sticks with you; the colors of the sunset on the beach where they walk, holding hands in a loose relationship in which lack of commitment, rather than commitment, is the glue that holds them together.

It is not because they do not care about each other. Quite the opposite, although the reader sometimes experiences the same anxiety that the characters feel about that very question. It is frustrating of course, to be with someone whose only promise is not to promise anything, and whose only request is not to request anything. But you get to watch the challenges from an intimate view that beset this couple. You experience the same tension they do. You watch them learn and grow from this rather unusual agreement that they have formed.

Both characters have a past, of course. They both have relationships which have left them scarred. These are not young lovers, they are mid-lifers who are world wary, and wounded. Shannon had been in a marriage that demanded more of her than she was able to give, no matter how she tried. The damage from that stays with her. Joe lost his only child to cancer, and feels the guilt and frustration of having done too little to save her. His wife, who had prevented him from getting their daughter the medical treatment she needed due to her fundamentalist religious beliefs, committed suicide from the guilt of that. Joe, of course, is scarred and wounded due to all of this.

Perhaps in a metaphorical way this is why he walks with a limp. Shannon sees him on the beach and notices him walking, or jogging as best he can and something touches her about him. Perhaps it is this very woundedness that makes her trust him somehow.

Shannon is as interesting and intriguing, meanwhile, as a beautiful, exotic butterfly. Joe notices her, as do many who see her, and sits mesmerized to just watch. She is a powerful female, as well. No shrinking violet. She is fabulously wealthy due to her discovery of oil, which her career as a geologist has allowed her to perceive. She is perceptive, a risk taker, and brave enough to believe in her contrary views. She knew there was oil when the others did not, and was willing to place her bets on it. So she got rich where they did not.

It is this strength of her own convictions in her non-traditional views that make her willing to set the terms of this relationship in which they will only see each other for a month in January, a month in July and two short vacations in spring and summer. It is Joe's own self-assuredness and compassion that allows him to accept her terms. He respects her boundaries, and seems to know intuitively what those boundaries are without her having to spell each and every one of them out to him. She appreciates this in him.

Not all relationships have to follow some orthodoxy. Our culture sets these arbitrary rules for couples to follow, these invisible yet highly controlling rules. When we choose as individuals or as couples to follow our own path and set our own guidelines, we might raise the eyebrows of our neighbors, or family, our friends. But the special rules we choose to follow may work out best for us. This book, The Topsail Accord, might serve as a template for some, or perhaps just free up the space in your mind to create your own template.

The leisurely pace of this book, and the restful tour of not only their relationship, but the places they chose to visit gave me the vicarious experience of their travels. When I had finished I felt as if I had taken a vacation. I was sorry to see the book end, and definitely plan to read other books by this talented author.

Anthea Carson is the author of The Dark Lake, an ebook available on Amazon Kindle. The Dark Lake is the story of obsession and madness. A woman haunted by her past cannot come to terms with the memories she's spent a life-time learning to repress. Anthea Carson is a tournament chess player, chess coach, and author. She is frequently listed in the USCF chess federation's list of the top 100 female chess players in the U.S. She has two other books, one young adult fiction called "Ainsworth" and one children's illustrated chess book called "How to Play Chess like an Animal." Anthea likes to read and review books by indie authors.
http://www.thedarklake.com/

Toughski Shitski

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AppId is over the quota

Moffie has written a great comedic story. He applies wit to situational tensions from the 1950 Cold War policies of Russia and America and leaves laughter. Moffie's style seems to be to split scenes in time and space while relentlessly bringing the two plots together into a single and inevitable conclusion.

"Toughski shitski" is the coined phrase in this delightful tale of the Cold War. When Stalin dies suddenly, coitus interruptus, three men are given a mission. To kill John Wayne, the Duke, and fulfill Stalin's final request. The American scenes focus around Dick Powell, Hollywood producer, Howard Hughes, eccentric billionaire and RKO Pictures owner, and the production of "The Conqueror." The Russian scenes focus on conditions and problems in 1950s Russia for the citizens until the assassins are dispatched to America.

Ivan, Boris, and Alexei are the hapless assassin team sent to kill the Duke. They are tragically comic throughout the tale and seek to find their places in the life that has been dealt them. Through a series of mishaps and misadventures, ultimately, they are in the wrong/right place at the wrong/right time. From that point on they travel from one near-disaster to another seeking to accomplish their mission. Although they always seem to come out alive and well, while avoiding the seemingly indiscriminate slaughter of people by the Communist leadership, a secret is discovered.

Dick Powell, Howard Hughes, and the other characters involved are portrayed well, historical to a fine degree and still very full and rich. Many "secrets" about the lives and antics of 1950s Hollywood are revealed as well as truly insightful depths into many of the myths of the same era. Through these "real life" events, Moffie's polemic is proven about the deception of America and some of America's biggest icons by the Cold War Warriors (CWW) in power in the 1950s.

Moffie seems to be true to the character and personality of each real life person portrayed here. Dick Powell is the friendly and creative producer of myth and legend. Howard Hughes is the eccentric but troubled billionaire duped by the American government into the premise of the tale. John Wayne is almost reverently true to legend and all the more iconic because of it. The foibles of the other players and their individual contributions to the story and to the legends dealt with are realistic and lightly presented in a sense of play and enjoyment in the midst of the hard work of movie production.

The appendix, titled "The Body Count," is a true to life representation of the Russian and American lives affected or possibly affected by the deceptions of the CWW. They are chronicled leaving a lasting impression of the loss due to the fear of the Cold War arms race.

Well written and placed smoothly in the ambience of the era, Moffie's book has created a comedic-tragedy that can open the eyes and the mind of the reader. His characterization talent and his research into the time and the people shows on almost every page. Even with the tragedy of the endings, there is throughout a light-heart fatalistic perspective, thus, "toughski shitski" comes into the language of people looking back through Moffie's tale of the Cold War.

Published by CreateSpace ($12.98 USD SRP/Amazon $12.98 USD) Reviewer received book from author.

Hunger Games Symbols

In this article we will take a look at a number of symbols used in the book The Hunger Games and discuss their meanings. The Hunger Games, like many good fiction stories that came before it, has something to say about our present day and age.

The Mockingjay: The mockingjay is a prominent and powerful symbol used in the book. Each contestant in the game is allowed to take something that is a reminder of their district. Katniss chooses to carry the mockingjay pin. The mockingjay is a real bird in the book, and is a species that resulted from the interbreeding of the jabberjays and mockingbirds. Jabberjays were created by the Capitol by genetic engineering. (A) in the case of jabberjay was a bird that had the purpose of spying on the rebellion and reporting back to the Capitol. Once the rebels figured this out, they began to give the jabberjays false information and so the jabberjays became useless to the Capitol. The jabberjay was also a way for the Capitol to prove that they could literally control every living thing under their dominion. The mockingjay therefore becomes a symbol of something that the Capitol creates that escapes their control and ultimately becomes a free entity.

Bread: the Bread is the name of the place that was once North America. It has thirteen districts under the dominion of the Capitol. This symbolism sets up an expectation of a revolution since America began as thirteen colonies ruled despotically by (a) the ruler off in the distance; England.

The Tracker Jacker: Again, this is a genetically engineered creature, created by the Capitol. This again demonstrates the power and will to control all living creatures and bend them to their purposes and will.

Reality T.V.: That the games are broadcast and cast as a sort of reality program brings up a number of other ideas. Studies have shown that the average person is much more likely to cause suffering to another, when told to do so, if they can somehow keep an impersonal barrier up, such as if the victim is wearing a hood. Even though it is called "reality television," the fact that people are in the media makes them less real to the viewers and so they don't mind seeing them suffer, unlike the if they were personally involved with the people. During the Viet Nam War, the news broadcast daily statistics about casualties but viewers just became numb to the fact that real people were dying because they were just numbers.

Dandelions: These flowers symbolize hope in the story because Katniss saw them right after Peeta showed compassion by giving her food one day.

Hugh Friedmann is a contributing author for Hunger Games Friends and author of Hunger Games Symbols

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