Writers Books

I enjoyed this book and was very informed by it. I doubt you can find more detailed background data about Lucille Ball's work (from the beginning of her career to the end, from stage to the big and small screens) and her (lesser known) co-stars and co-workers anywhere else. The problem is, I'm a new fan to Lucy and I wanted to read about her life in a more conventional way (where she was born, raised, her influences, her marriage, children, etc). Those types of books got such mixed reviews from fans that I thought I'd start with this one, which had only positive reviews. There is some basic bio in this book, but it assumes you know that type of information about Lucy. So I would just say: make sure you don't start with this book if you're a new fan. It's like getting to know her backwards (everyone around her instead of the star herself). This is definitely a book for seasoned fans who want to know "more."

Great format, easy to read. Every coffee table must have one!!

A thoroughly enjoyable read on Lucy. Learned some things I never knew - and loved that way you could navigate from one section to another.

This new paperback biography of Lucille Ball is something different, an "A to Z" run through her life, sprinkled with the author's opinions. I actually agreed with most of them, and the breezy style and content is the perfect antidote for a depressing day. Read it and love Lucy all over again.

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I couldn't put it down. I loved the format, the authors perspective and views were interesting and unique and you could tell he was a real Lucy fan (who isn't). Add this book to your cart and you won't be disappointed. You can read it again and again because of the unique way it is written. A must for Lucy fans. Enjoy!

I love this book. I teach high school and I was never able to find creative and concrete ways to teach grammar concepts. Anderson takes the best of what we know about how to teach grammar (that is should be taught in the context of a student's own writing, that it should be active, that is should be scaffolded, etc.) and really focuses on how to make that happen. Look at his "sentence smack-down" and the "express lane editing" to really change how you look at teaching grammar. My kids loved it and I really felt like they were getting it and would use it again. The book is teacher-friendly and activity-based and includes copies of handouts.

This was a great read packed with real classroom experiences, creative learning activities, and terrific, easy-to-understand explanations of grammar and how to teach it.

Jeff Anderson presents a dynamic workshop on how to liven up a Language Arts classroom, and his book further describes how LA teachers can make learning fun, enjoyable, and effective.

I first came across this book at the library and found that I was constently writing down ideas from the book. I returned the book and decided to buy my own copy! Great resource book for Language Arts teachers! I highly recommend it.

In MECHANICALLY INCLINED, Jeff Anderson tackles the issue of grammarphobia and edit-phobia head on. You know the diseases. They are endemic in English classrooms everywhere.

Anderson advocates using "mentor" sentences and paragraphs taken from books that interest students. He also details how to set up a writer's notebook where kids can write freely without fear of the Red Pen (which, to them, is like an invader from the Red Planet, as narrated by Orson Welles). The notebook includes sections for creativity, exploration, modeling, and copying well-written sentences and paragraphs.

I especially like Anderson's idea for the Editing Checkout, where students "scan" work looking for specific skills, then create a "receipt" of their findings. NATIONAL ENQUIRERS are not necessary for this activity. The kids will get a kick out of it and (not too loud, now) will learn something about editing (with one pen, two pens, red pens, or blue pens) while they're at it. What more could a teacher ask for? (OK, don't answer that...)

As a former law enforcement officer who served with a crime scene unit, an avid reader and contributing editor to a national law enforcement magazine, I am too frequently disappointed when a perfectly well told story falters over details of events,actions or other descriptions that are blatantly inaccurate. "Murder and Mayhem" is an excellenct source for writers who wish to avoid these mistakes.

Dr. Lyle not only provides answers to questions posed by writers accurately, his answers are presented in a manner that laymen (and espeically their prospective readers) can understand. The books added value is that the examples he uses are geared to specific literary situations.

This is a 'must have' addition to any mystery or cirme writer's reference shelf.

This volume contains detailed description of the why and wherefore of injury suffered to the human body. It covers injuries both traumatic and violent or otherwise... and treatments for. Highly recommended reading for the serious writer and the curious reader alike.

I've used this book as a reference while writing my first novel. Its very helpful. I'll use it again on my next. Cold Eyes

I have used this book numerous times since I purchased it new a year ago. If the answer I'm searching for isn't in this book, Lyle gives enough general information that I know what questions to ask my medical contacts when I touch base with them.

Definately worth full price, this book is packed with timely and detailed information mystery and crime writers need today.

Angela Wilson
Author

This guy is the best. Whenever I have a question about anything medical for one of my stories, be it the history of mental health treatment or hypothermia, Dr. Lyle has my back. But don't think this is dry, academic stuff. His gift is taking the realities of medicine and forensics and fitting them into the fiction writer's framework. He keeps us all honest!

Lorrieann Russell researched her personal family tree all the way back to 1600 Scotland and discovered a character with nothing more than a footnote by his name. With this little spark of inspiration, she wove a fascinating tale of fiction laced with reality surrounding William Fylbrigge, the adopted son of Edward, Duke of Stonehaven. Most of the action of the story takes place in the village of Stonehaven, near the city of Aberdeen, in the early 1600's. The book opens with William about to marry the duke's daughter. The grisly witch trials of Europe are still ruining lives in isolated towns such as Stonehaven. As an up and coming young lord, William seeks to lead the town's rulers out of the madness and into the light. The plot thickens....

My Brother's Keeper is not just your average first novel. It is a true spellbinder of exquisite dialog and fascinating characters. The author takes the reader down the halls and through the kitchen of Drumoak Castle, while speaking personally with the castle staff along the way. You root for the intelligent kitchen staff who have been enlightened by their associations with William. You will never forget the character called the little mouse by the residents of Drumoak. The villains are somewhat predictable, but threatening nonetheless. The black-hooded, arrogant, self-righteous witch hunters will get under your skin as you realize their similarity to our current neocon theocracy.

Try to ignore the typos: they are the single bit of negativity you will find in this review. The proofreader is no longer working on Ms. Russell's books, so don't let this issue stop you from buying In the Wake of Ashes. The reviews of the sequel seem to be at least as glowing as the ones for this first book by a new author.

My Brother's Keeper deserves whatever accolades you wish to throw at it. This is an outstanding first novel by a new author. Yes, I know the book is six years old, but this is a good time to start reading. You don't have very long to get through the 1100 pages of My Brother's Keeper and In the Wake of Ashes before the third book comes out!

The characters in this book are so well drawn, you almost feel as if you know Will and Ian and Laurel and Mehlyndia as well as you know your family. Very few books have the distinction of drawing me so far into the plot and causing me to so love the characters that I actually cried while reading it. This book has such a distinction. It provides a chilling picture of the times, but it is not without William's hope for an improved world. Highly recommended!

"When I open a book, I am no longer of this time. I want to read a book into which I can become totally absorbed. This process was immediate with My Brother's Keeper. Historical writings (fiction or research) are my passion, and Miss Russell did an outstanding job, allowing me to experience the depth of her complex characters, the brutality of "Churchianity" in this historical period, and to appreciate the power of the human struggle against such adverse conditions. Her descriptive talents allowed me to envision the torments, suffering, fears, and reality of William Fylbrigge without the graphic horror of it all. One's imagination is always more powerful. I must believe that, in the long run, right will always prevail. I could not put this one down!!! Have the sequel, In the Wake of Ashes, readily available.

I have closed my eyes and relieved this story many times. Her words stimulate you to feel, to hear, to smell, to see, and to taste. Put the time aside and experience historical fiction at its finest.

Lorrieann Russell wrote a compassionate and exciting book about medieval England. She captured not only the history of the period but the flavor as well! Russell's words take you to the castles and the events as if you are there watching it as it unfolds.

Her grasp of these people is wonderfully rich and true. You picture each and every person she writes about. Russell uses not only the rich history, but also the color of that period. Her book is rich in pathoes and humor, terror and joy. She brings the reader along with her on her roller coaster ride through the pages, and like the roller coaster, the ride is much too short.

The book leaves the reader begging for more! The last chapter with its diary-like entries make you wanting more. This book is a must for those that love this period in time. It makes for a wonderful summer's reading and I recommend it to anyone! Like all great books and fine meals, it leaves you begging for more...

Take a trip to early 1600's Scotland via the mind of Lorrieann Russell. Meet William Fylbrigge, heir to the Duke of Stonehaven. Remember the difficult past that he has experienced through his flashbacks; and adventure along with the strong, capable man that he has become. While reading this novel, you will get to know each character intimately, as they are completely "fleshed out." Ms. Russell does not hesitate to describe each character's strong and weak points so that the reader feels that they are dealing with true flesh and blood people. No one is too good to be true, yet there are certain characters that will win your heart and stay in your mind forever. The descriptions in this novel will employ all of your senses. You will see the beauty of Drumoak, smell the horrors of a prison, taste Elinor's delicious recipes, hear the horses in hot pursuit of their masters' prey, feel the joy as William and Mehlyndia are reunited and prepare for their wedding; and truly experience pain, both emotional and physical, as you delve further into William's life. Be sure to set aside some time to take this journey with Ms. Russell because once you begin, you won't want it to end - even when you've reached the last page!

I loved this little book so much. Of course having a golden retriever is what made me purchase the book and it shows what a great love and bond that can form between a Golden Retriever and it's human family. My retriever "Einstein" is a blessing in a beautiful gold fur coat that I just love with all my heart. His precious nose is always at my finger tips when I'm walking around at home and his big beautiful brown eyes are filled with so much love it makes my heart swell. A golden gives so much unconditional love and all they want in return is as much love as the give. This books tells that story over and over again. I never get tired of hearing it.

I felt so honored when asked to provide my Golden story for this book, and when it arrived I let it sit for a few days. I was worried that some of the stories would be sad and open old wounds for me. One day I sat down and read it cover to cover and am a better person for doing so. Author Margo gently nudged each and every one of her authors to speak from their hearts in their own voices and each tale is utterly unique and beautiful. This book pays a fitting homage to the most loving and companionable breed of all time, the Golden Retriever. It is a wonderful testimony to what adopting a rescued Golden can do to enrich the lives of the adopter and adoptee.

My Golden Frosty's story in in Margo's book. I read it first when I bought it, I was so proud. Then I started reading each of the other wonderful stories and was feeling every emotion, from tears to happiness and whatever lies in between. Each and every story brought such emotion to me. There are so many out there who love Goldens so much they devote their lives to them. I am very proud to be included in this wonderful book and to have been owned by such a wonderful dog.

In her book, Margo McHann proves that whatever you put into a dog, you get back with interest! The forward to this book couldn't encapsulate it any better: rescued dogs are not second-hand throw aways! Hopefully this book will convince many people why they should adopt from breed rescue groups.

Kudos to Margo McHann for putting together such a wonderful book, that will tug at the hearts of all Golden Retriever lovers everywhere! This is a must for anyone who loves or has been loved by one of these wonderful dogs. My own little girl is featured in this book and it will forever be a very special book to me! Thanks Margo, for opening the eyes of the world to "Rescue" and what it is all about!

This was a great book...I loved it...wonderful character definition...plot twists...great ending...I wanted more!

What a wonderful story! One of the finesest books I've ever read! Can't wait to read the next one!

I really loved this book! Everyone should read it! I could not put it down, and only did when I had to. It is excellent. I can't wait until the next one.

Very Interesting...stayed up all night reading it...can't wait until the sequel!

"My Second Heart" is simply a great book! This is without question one of the finest books I have ever ead. I just couldn't put it dwon - I read it in only two days. The ending was very touching and left me waiting for the second book. Great job, Frank! We knew you had it in you!

Victoria Nelson's "On Writer's Block" covers the entire territory of writing process, not just the silences inherent in that process.

It's filled with marvelous quotations and wonderful tips. One I loved was: write your own review before the critics to so you'll have something solid to lean against.

This book belongs in every writer's bedside library.

Janet Riehl, author Sightlines: A Poet's Diary

If you are SERIOUS about becoming unblocked as
a writer, then this is the only book you will
ever need. What I most enjoyed about the book is
Nelson's simple methods for helping the writers.
She does not try to belittle the writer and she
writes in a fluid, flowing manner that makes the
book enjoyable and an easy read. Have a
highlighter read because you will mark up this book!


I wish I could give this book six stars!

I have never looked at Writer's Block the same way again after reading this book. She shares wonderful stories of other creative artists, defines a number of common blocks, and best of all, ways out.

It has a very psychological approach to the creative spirit.

The title really doesn't do the scope of this book justice. I picked up this book because I was having some problems with a novel in progress. Then I read it and just sighed....clear insight into the writing process, the good, and useless, habits we form and their impact on our productivity. The book addresses a wide spectrum, such as: "Beginner's Block", Procrastination, Perfectionism, Obsessive Rewriting, and Success. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, this book should be part of your toolbox. It will get you writing....happily.

When I am completely stymied as to why I can't write creatively, I reach for the books at my bedside - The Holy Bible and this treasured paperback - to place me squarely back on track. Ms. Nelson has the uncanny ability to get me to cast away my inner slave driver who ruthlessly tries to force fame and fortune out of every sentence I write. She reminds me that I am a human being in need of TLC and a change in expectations without using cloying, "self-help" speak. I am forever indebted to her for writing such a wise book that comes across like loving advice from a trusted, experienced mentor every time I read a few chapters. My wish is that other frustrated writers come to know her intelligent solace so they can face the blank page truthfully, in peace and with joy. Thank you, Ms. Nelson, for being such a cherished lifesaver.

This book lets us in on the secret that it is in our darkest times that the light comes through. I recommend it highly.

The "One-legged Cricket" is a book that needs to be in everyone's library. No, it is not a children's book; it is for adults of all ages and that includes teenagers and seniors. It is a story of true romance, a disastrous loss, uncontrollable grief and the best kind of encouragement. Some may call it a fantasy because a one-legged cricket give advice and teaches us how to live. To me, the cricket is not a fantasy, but rather a metaphor for our subconscious mind, or our spiritual side that lets us (and the heroine, Julie) listen to God when we face unbelievable problems, a heavy depression or insuppressible grief. Of course there are many books written to help us face such problems. Unfortunately, most are like medicine, hard to get down and easy to forget. C.J. MacGenn has a combination of intelligence, imagination and artistry to make this book a fast enjoyable read. It really is a page-turner and a conversation-starter. More importantly, you taste only the sweetness of the sugar, none of the medicine. I highly recommend this book to all.

Lee Ellis, retired editor, narrator, and journalist.

I couldn't put this book down. It made me laugh and cry. It is inspiring and it fills your heart with hope. Whimsical. Enchanting. Possible. It leaves you with a smile. Thank you C.J. Macgenn, for writing this endearing, empowering story.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who has lost someone and found new life in the search for healing. It is a tale about a one legged cricket and how it helps teach healing and renewal to a woman who has lost her way after the death of her spouse. It is told in a very upbeat metaphoric way that is a wonderful afternnon's read. The author also has an email address where you can share your thoughts with her and she responds. I really found this book a wonderful story with terrific healing thoughts.

I have read 'Cricket' twice now and it was even more moving and insightful the second time. The heavy, irrepairable weight of the loss of a loved one paralyzes us but to share someone's difficult journey to recovery shows us that it is possible for all of us to go on,in fact, to become stronger. Who is Ulysses? It's not really important - it only matters that he was her guide back to life when it threatened to squash her mind and her spirit. A One-Legged Cricket maps one woman's discovery of her inner strength. In time, each of us will need to find our own Ulysess. This book should be kept within easy reach to be read over and over again.

I found this book by accident while looking at publishers for my own novel, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The plot is very well developed as are the characters, and they are very interesting and captivating. I read the first three books all in a row, and was very impressed. I can't wait to read the fourth one, and I definitely recommend these books to anyone who is looking for something new and original and interesting.

In the land of Madryn, the four races are forced to work together to defeat the evil Darklord Lorthas. The elves, the humans and the Garan'ah fought courageously at the final battle when the mages erected the Barrier to contain Lorthas. The Barrier is a magical mountain range with only one entrance, a portal guarded by a garrison of troops.

A millennium later, the segregated races keep totally to themselves distrusting one another. Young orphan Jeran lives on a farm near the Boundary; he befriends a runaway slave Dahr. The twosome share many happy times together before two outlaws thought to have been exiled inside the barrier attack their homestead. Jeran's uncle sends him to warn King Mathis that the Barrier is weakening. Accompanied by Dahr, Jeran meets allies and enemies in their quest to see the king; even after their message is delivered, the adventures of Jeran and Dahr are just beginning as the monarch has plans for his youthful messengers.

PATH OF GLORY is epic fantasy in the tradition of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the SHANNARA series. The protagonists are two young people who must learn about their different heritages if they hope to understand what is happening and being able to help when the seemingly inevitable war begins. No one will be in a funk after reading this fine coming of age novel except those who fail to read the next tale, SWORD OF HONOR, in the Boundary Fall series.

Harriet Klausner

Book One of Bret M. Funk's "Boundary's Fall" series, Path Of Glory is a high fantasy about Jeran (an orphan raised by his uncle on a farm near the Boundary) and Dahr (an outcast hiding from his past), two men who find that they must brave a perilous and uncertain journey in order to warn their king of an impending darkness, as the boundary that has sealed the imprisoned Darklord gradually weakens. The four major races of the world, once in alliance, are now squabbling, and new enemies seek to exacerbate the chaos to their own ends and benefits. Path Of Glory is an entertaining epic and a deftly written saga of hope, determination, and courage.

I enjoyed Path of Glory very much. It was little slow getting started as the author had to set up the world, characters and story, but a few chapters into the book it got very interesting. I found the characters so believable I feel as if I know them. The description was so well written, that I could have actually visited the places. The story gets a hold on you and you can't put it down. I can't wait for the next book. I think that is book is a definite must read. If you like books like the Wheel of time by Robert Jordan, you will love Path of Glory.

Path of Glory, by Bret M. Funk, has all the clichés: reclusive Elves, powerful magicians, and
long-forgotten evil in a pre-industrial society. But if you thought the classic fantasy novel had
nothing left to offer, think again. Told mainly from the intimate perspective of two intriguing,
three-dimensional characters, Funk puts a realistic and thought-provoking spin on the typical
sword-and-sorcery tale. This first book in the Boundary's Fall series combines modern prose and

sensibilities with the epic storylines of Tolkienesque fantasy.

The story follows Jeran, a farm boy living with his uncle, and Dahr, an escaped slave whom
Jeran's family befriends and unofficially adopts. When two former warlords escape from a
magical prison, Jeran and Dahr find themselves saddled with the duty of reporting the news to
the king. They are aided by two Magi, who help Jeran discover his illustrious family roots and
his own magical abilities.

Jeran's ambivalence regarding his magical "gift" is one of many double-edged topics in Path of
Glory, and it adds a degree of thought and relevance that few fantasy writers even consider.
Magi are responsible for most of the civilization's greatest accomplishments, yet they are
resented for their power and have been hunted nearly to extinction. The mysterious Elves, while
revered as wise and nearly immortal, have both helped humanity and enslaved them at various
times in their history. The king of Jeran's land must cope with bickering politicians before he
can worry about the decay of a millennia-old magical Boundary. Not many fantasy novels
discuss the economic disadvantages of tariffs, but Funk avoids Star Trek preachiness by
introducing questions, not answers, and leaving the reader to draw his own conclusions.

In fact, just as with real bureaucracy, years pass before the various countries and races gear up
for the impending war reported by Jeran and Dahr. The story rejoins the boys, now young men,
as they embark on a diplomatic mission to the Elves-the first Elf-Human encounter in over a
century. The friendship is shared by a third, the young prince Martyn, who hasn't quite figured
out the balance between authority and responsibility. The journey along the title Path serves as a
test of strength and loyalty, especially when Dahr is forced to choose between his sworn duty
and his lifelong hatred of slavery. The book ends just as the party enters the Elves' domain,
leaving the rest of the story maddeningly untold until the next installment is published.

This novel is a character-centered work; events unfold in an episodic fashion, but the main
storyline barely gets beyond setup in this first entry of the series. Instead, we experience the
characters' everyday life. Dahr's knack with animals and Martyn's addiction to flirtation are
demonstrated in numerous character-building scenes. The writing is not nearly as concise as one
expects; scenes can exist simply for atmosphere and entertainment, but the witty dialogue among
Jeran, Martyn, and Dahr keeps boredom from setting in. The writing style wavers somewhat
between archaic formalism and modern slang, but taken as a whole it's a fast read and doesn't get
bogged down in purple prose. The whole novel has a warmth to it that is atypical of story-driven
fantasy and Sci-Fi; characters don't just exist to fill a plot point, they have their good and bad
points that grow on you over time. The strength of Funk's writing is his ability to evoke
sympathy for the characters; you are drawn in to their struggles without really noticing, and
putting the book down becomes more difficult each time.

However, there's more to Path of Glory than guilty pleasure. The author has taken great pains to
weave a history of his world; the tales of warriors and noble sacrifices will satiate even the most
hard-core fantasy reader. The descriptions of controlling and using magic are creative and
evocative on their own, but the passages truly come alive in the context of Jeran's experiences.
The bond between the reader and the characters heightens the drama of every situation, holding
the reader's interest throughout every extraordinary revelation.

Path of Glory makes the classic fantasy approachable for every reader, even those turned off by
fantasy series in the past. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in seeing down-to-earth
characters coping with larger-than-life events.

This is an incredible book, which features many of Updike's earlier stories. The title story is amazing in its meaning and moral complexity. FIVE STARS!!!

Good short stories from thr great Updike. Each one uniqely different.

If there is, you have my attention. Maybe Isaac Babel's Collected Stories or Fitzgerald's Selected Stories. I've been writing for 27 years; I may have written three sentences that compare with the average in an Updike story. In "Flight" he captures in several sentences more about family than I've discovered through an entire life. Sorry for being self-referential; it's a measure of my awe. Updike's magic is that he can tell a story in a single sentence. If you only know Updike through his novels, you're in for a treat. By my lights, this is the greatest living story writer and this is the book that made that clear.

There is little, if anything, one is able to say that can possibly capture the beauty or majesty of a great Updike story. The gentle yet exact measure of his sentences, the bewilderingly complex yet infinitely fluid (and eventually near-epiphanic) weaving of narratives, his control of internal characterization--few are masters in the manner that John Updike is a master.

And this volume contains his greatest story--possibly what I feel to be the greatest piece of literature in all of latter-half 20th century American literature (and we're including it all here, not just short stories). The last story of the volume: Packed Dirt, Churchgoing, A Dying Car, A Traded Car.

Enough with the theoretics and generalities here. This story can change your life. Or, at the very least, it can alter the way in which you interact with literature--what you can expect out of literature.

One piece of advice, though: read it in one sitting.
Seriously.
Don't get up, even just for a little while to fix something to eat. Don't read it bit by bit (it's long, so you may be tempted). And, whatever you do, don't look at the last page before it's time.

It may seem disjointed. It may seem an odd accumulation of narratives. Don't stop reading.

Two years, and a hundred readings later, I still haven't gotten over that first experience. What I wouldn't give to have it again...

I'm a budding short story writer, myself; and no course, no workshop, no amount of instruction can subsitute for the lessons one learns leafing through and ingesting these exquisite paragraphs of John Updike. I find myself, in this volume, more than other Updike works, reading and re-reading the prose, even emailing sections to friends. Like a fine restaurant I want to tell people about, like a band that plays exceptionally well live which you get to catch on a great night, Updike, here, is "on"; he is at the absolute peak of his craft. I only wish there were more collections of short stories written as well as these.