Digital Books

Full disclosure - I worked for Backbeat Books when they published Robin Meloy Goldsby's wonderful memoir, Piano Girl, and am fortunate to have read Rhythm in its entirety. Re-reading this excerpt just now put me right back into Jane Bowman's world, where her seemingly perfect life is marred by a tragedy perhaps too great to bear. Rhythm is the pulse behind the prose, and the affirming yet mysterious life-force that brings people together when it seems they need each other most. I rooted for Jane the entire way, inspired by her resiliance, warmed by her friendships, distressed when her obstacles felt too real, and richly rewarded for persevering with her through it all. Drum roll please....this one's a winner. Brava!

Robin Goldsby has created characters in her novel that come alive as you read about them and envision them in your mind. This is a novel that both musicians and non-musicians will enjoy reading. Robin, a musician herself, shows her insights into life, passion for music and the characters she has brought to life on her pages. I couldn't stop reading until I finished and now I am waiting for publication so I can find out what happens. Bravo Robin! This deserves to be in the finals. I can't wait to see what Ms. Goldsby will write next.

Having absolutely no musical background, I was mesmerized by the reminiscences of a daughter for her mother and the memories evoked, especially the sound memories. How many of us remember sounds? The bittersweet descriptions were priceless without being maudlin and certainly draw the reader tightly, and immediately, into the story. The idea of having a kickass percussionist for a mother is excellent and unique and something I would enjoy reading in long form. Most of us more modern types of girls would give anything to have that background. The general writing is fluid and easily descriptive, the dialogue just right, and the images clear and sometimes haunting. I especially liked the idea of hiring a maid for the maid. The voice of this writer is amazingly good, especially for a first fiction attempt. This entry has my vote.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R21G6I168MF78D In this short video, I talk about my new novel, Rhythm (Official ABNA Entrant). I reveal some of the stories behind Rhythm and read a short excerpt. You can also find out more about my first book, Piano Girl: A Memoir, (Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review), and my solo piano CDs, Twilight, Somewhere In Time, and Songs from the Castle. Thanks for watching and listening!

I love when novels take me on an insider's tour of a new world, and "Rhythms" is one of those great reads that opens up the world of professional musicians in a way I've never seen before. It also reimagines the traditional musical "Bildungsroman" as a girl's story--something my teenage daughter and I can groove on. Go Piano Girl!

Having traveled the Mediterranean, lived in Worcester County where the first human was cloned (and then promptly destroyed), contributed to the research of The Shroud, and strolled through Central Park, I was amazed that so gifted an author could integrate reflections of all of these life experiences into a few action trilled pages that go way beyond my own life experiences. I am excitedly awaiting the rest of the novel.

There's some good writing here but it is spoiled by a lack of depth in the characters and the plot. Maybe this should have been designated a "Thriller" as it is more genre than General Fiction or General Literature. Basic stuff: the author shouldn't assume that a cloned Jesus would be a problem, just because he's a Jesus doesn't make him a Christ. Or tell us why, even quickly, round things out. Very early on the story becomes only about greed and malevolence, without exploring the complex side of religious passion that can lead to doctrinaire institutions, and greed and malevolence. The doctor praying over the patient is too subtle to balance things, so we get another whack at religion without giving us understanding about why people practice religion. e.g. Da Vinci Code had the strange fellow who whipped himself to remind us of the foundational spiritual fervor. There's some good vignettes and interactions though.

The last time I felt this way, craving the rest of the story, was when Stephen King released The Green Mile in 6 sections, each one several months apart. Or when waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out. Lankford's sequel to the page-turner The Jesus Thief appears to be just as captivating, entertaining, and expertly crafted as the original. Please don't tease us too much longer! I might have to go back and reread The Jesus Thief to get my fix of these lifelike characters and their amazing story, while waiting for the rest of the sequel!

It's not often that we are educated as we are entertained, but after reading this excerpt, I'm assured that's just what this author does, and with great style. I was swept into the story by skillful scene-setting of New York as the author begins to reveal characters one at a time and the plot begins to open up. A clone of Jesus? Not implausible in today's world. The idea is at once scary and exciting, and I can imagine that the same controversy surrounding The Da Vinci Code will exist for this author's work, created by religious entities who feel the subject matter is sacro sanct, while those of us who are willing to let our minds be stretched might very well believe there could be a true story behind this work of fiction. The excerpt whetted my appetite to read the complete novel.

I was excited to hear there was a sequel to The Jesus Thief. After reading the exerpt, I know I will not be disappointed. I have one suggestion for both of the books, MAKE A MOVIE.

It just gets better and better as it goes. The characters are very real and you can quickly get a feel for who they are. I had a very good sense of what life must have been like in a small town in the late 60's. Can wait to read more!

It has been a very enjoyable read thus far. I look forward to seeing more from Mr. Bischane in the future.

I was captivated from the very start. The writing style is rich in descriptiveness, yet not at all tedious. I feel intimate with the characters already, and am totally drawn-in to wanting to follow them on their journey. The magnetic attraction of nostalgia notwithstanding, i find the obvious groundwork being laid in the first pages to be quite compelling. A great read, and thought provoking at the same time -- right up my alley!

Nice, literary title. Derived, I believe, from a poem by Tennyson. Am I right, Mr. Bischane? And as an epigraph lover and published novelist, I like the Joyce quote as well (though there is no apostrophe in Finnegans Wake). All in all, a splendid effort: nerve, verve, edginess, and entertaining asides ('What's IT all about, Reverend?'). The characters force themselves noisily, ironically, and sarcastically into life. I haven't seen Proust here yet but Kerouac and Balzac and even a bit of Henderson the Rain King come to mind. Not a bad mix for anyone at any time. Myron makes it look easy but it ain't. Five stars.

There cannot possibly be a grimmer beginning than locking a bunch of thugs in a diner, unless it's burying your father in his own backyard, (which is probably illegal) . The stage is set, and I'm looking forward to following this extraordinary crew of kids as they move up and out. The language is vivid and the attention to detail remarkable. Clearly this book will take the reader around the world once or twice and in the company of richly drawn characeters who will have a great deal to say about their changing times.

In his short excerpt, the author grabbed his readers' attention by introducing two very intriguing characters (Badar & Sarge). Both characters strive to win, one has an individualistic approach and the other one values his team. I can't wait to see which one will make the deadly mistake.

Even a "non-techie" can follow and appreciate Mr. Perry's writing. I will definitely read this.

Enjoyed the read! If you've ever read and enjoyed the works of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, this author (in my mind) will certainly entertain you. The writing is very descriptive, without falling into the trap of being so overly descriptive and full of figurative language that lulls you to sleep, or causes you to lose track of what is happening.

I look forward to reading the complete story sometime soon.

Hey that was a great short script of "Deadly Mistake". Excellent writting, clever characters, thrilling and action packed. So where can I get the rest? What happened at the end of the fight? See...you left me hanging...doh!

This excerpt is written so well that it suspends time and took me at the place and time. I like how the author described the actions and I was curious to find out how Sarge was going to cope with the lost of a couple of his team. The writing of this excerpt is excellent, the premise in intriguing that I want to keep turning the page. The only disapointment was that it ended so quickly.

Two primary protagonists introduced in two entirely different ways, both fabulously executed and both guaranteed to have the readers drooling for more! What a great start!

In a textbook example of a "show, don't tell" writing style, Sergeant Curtis Jackson is introduced as the leader of an elite hand-picked special forces style military unit in the middle of an undercover insertion in war torn Beirut, Lebanon. High speed action and thrills ensue as SNAFUs of a magnitude that could only be achieved by the juxtaposition of high-tech computerized technology with the military entirely foul up a precisely planned commando style operation. Suffering casualties, the team is forced to retreat and the reader is left hanging high and dry wondering whether a secondary extraction point will prove successful.

Badar Baqai, on the other hand, is introduced in a quiet family setting ... enjoying a breakfast, reading the newspaper and interacting with his son. But what we see in these casual daily events is a ruthless, A-type personality who plays every game to win, someone who does not suffer fools gladly and will tolerate no less than 100% effort in every endeavour. That Badar Baqai will at some point meet Curtis Jackson is never stated. But I'll put $100 on the table now against any odds that says they'll confront one another at some point in the full flowering of this novel.

I'm hooked! Let me have the whole enchilada! Clearly, Douglas Perry can write "quiet", he can write "loud"; he can write "fast", he can write "slow"; he can write "character", he can write "action"! That's a helluva lot to achieve in the space of a 5000 word excerpt to a new novel.

Great introduction, Mr Perry! Count on me to buy the final product when you're published.

I developed an interest in the characters immediately which makes me care about the outcome. Would like to read more....
Writing is easy, flowing...reads quickly.

Following Tuna is convincing: The setting is authentic--clearly the author knows Flagstaff and environs. The main character, Dixie, is believable and engaging, well enough drawn so that the reader cares about her and her partner-in-adventure, Scott. The dialogue is convincing, capturing how real people talk. And the author knows the world of climbing--the kind of situations climbers find themselves in, the kinds of crazy things they do--and probably the world of touring bands too. This is a book worth reading.

The author pulled me in right away. I love Dixie, the quirky main character, and I can't wait to read on and see where her adventures will take us.

I'm not a climber or a writer, but i found myself drawn in very quickly to this story. Can't wait to read the rest.

I'm hooked on the adventures of Dixie & Scott. This story excerpt has done a great job in wanting me to know what happens next. Mark Aiken has written a good beginning to capture the readers interest to continue wanting to 'follow tuna'.

I was drawn right in to this book. Growing up in a large Catholic family with the last name of Bauer, I was able to immediately relate to the story. I can't wait to read more!

The opening of Paula Younger's novel is deceptive--the family gathers for a wedding, and as they gather it's apparent they have their fond rituals, and they're a close-knit family bound by faith and a tradition of sturdy togetherness. But things aren't what they seem. Even when the narrative is funny, it's clear that soon this family will come apart at the seams. I look forward to what's to come, even while I'm not at all sure where I'm headed. Younger pulls this off brilliantly.

The writing here is detailed and delicate, with wonderful descriptions of flowers, family memories, and the setting. The dialogue is realistic and effective in characterizing Celia and other family members.

A good balance of present tense and flashback to fill in backstory is difficult to achieve, but Ms. Younger accomplishes that well in this excerpt. Convincing, deep, moving, sympathetic. Look forward to seeing more!

Most novels tend to introduce real tension much later on than by the first chapter but here, we get a strong sense that trouble is brewing: a Roman Catholic family is preparing for a wedding, which is to take place in Missouri, and clearly not everyone is pleased. We learn this by listening to Celia, a young girl, who helps her grandmother with preparations in the opening scene. The dialogue scenes between the two, and our narrator's thoughts over what she learns (or tries to discover) are tightly-written and very believable. The overall result is a narrative that moves forward at a lively pace and a prose ladden with mystery, especially when we get to meet the grandfather and Celia's mother. Obviously, disturbing secrets are being kept; I want to know about those of course, but I'm even more curious about when they'll be revealed. For me, there's no doubt that the world is this story is very much alive.

Celia Marie Cooper's twelve at the beginning of this excerpt. She's visiting her grandparents so she and her Mom can take part in her Aunt Joan's wedding.

At the beginning of the excerpt, Celia's helping her grandma trim the roses in her garden. It's an orderly and beautiful place with only the privileged climbing roses allowed to be errant. Celia's 'adventuring' among the climbers reminds me of my own childhood in my Great-Grandma's garden:

"I liked to step among the climbers and disappear between their thickets."

There's enough good lines here to make up a couple of 'bouquets', though. Here's some elegant foreshadowing here where Celia talks of her illusions of her grandmother:

"Seven years later, when tending to Grandma on her deathbed, she would tell me her secret and the truth about herself, more than I would ever want to know. But of course I didn't know this then."

Turns out, on this trip, Celia learns a secret. Grandma isn't her natural grandmother. Her biological grandma is named Grandma Lucy, but Grandpa doesn't talk much about her because it hurts Grandma's feelings. Celia has her Grandma Lucy's green eyes--that you cannot lie to.

Lovely lines, elegant foreshadowing, and and finely painted detail with both color and scent. This excerpt is flawless--or if there are any, I cannot find them.

Who'd have thought I'd like women's fiction? If Gae Polisner hadn't sealed the deal, Paula Younger would have. Congratulations, Paula, and thank you for inviting me to read this lovely excerpt. I'd continue on with this story for sure.

How does one approach the topic of Jonestown? Its very name conjures up too much drama, too much tragedy. Its an almost intolerable subject. Yet, Annie Dawid has found an approach that places it under a microscope one can bear to peer through. The reporter's voice supplies a kind of distance, a kind of protective lens for the reader. We all saw the pictures, heard the news reports, now we get to hear the intimate experiences, but through a scrim of journalistic control and time. We're not voyeurs. We're seekers. I was immediately engaged by this piece. For one thing, Ms. Dawid knows her craft. The writing is extremely fine -- the characters presenced, the voices authentic, and the material under control. And for another, I applaud the way she has conceived the book. I read the Publisher's Weekly review which found the story wanting because of the omission of the Jim Jones character. But I don't agree with Publisher's Weekly. Biography would be be the smarter venue for presenting Jim Jones. In fiction, where the story must be told 'slant', attempting to present such an enigma could simply be folly. It's not Jim Jones we're necessarily after. It's the mystery of those who were attracted by him. Why did they allow their lives to be so altered and ultimately consumed? The voices of many individuals talking about a shared experience is often the only way to come to some sort of actual understanding of that experience. I think Annie Dawid understands that, and I highly commend her for her writing and her presentation.

I was captivated by the beginning of Annie Dawid's novel. Her character, Watts Freeman, is so real that I found myself believing her first chapter was the actual transcript of an interview with a Jonestown survivor. I know little about Jim Jones and even less about the individuals who followed him to Guyana. I suspect that many of those individuals are not so different from me. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of this book.

This narrative was very engaging. It was an unexpected start to a novel. I had to keep reminding myself that it was historical fiction.

Paradise Undone by A. Dawid addresses the Jonestown massacre as it reaches its 30th anniversary.

While this entire story gets its input from four points of view, this excerpt focuses on that of a fictional character, Watts Freeman. The delivery of Watts' tale through the premise of a radio interview allows for plenty of extra detail that might otherwise have felt too cumbersome in traditional story writing narrative. Watts himself is a very credible character, though at times comments on how not-smart he is, but then surprises me with some of the things he knows.

While I was reading the excerpt I alternated with refreshing my memory of Jonestown on-line. This left me with pause to wonder if this portion of the tale might be too thinly guised as someone's actual personal account. I understand it's supposed to be a composite of actual survivors but maybe the transition of information into Watts' character wasn't entirely complete. I'm sorry that I can't put my finger on it exactly.

Nonetheless, this is a naturally compelling story and this semi-fictionalized account seems like it will make for a terribly fascinating read. Just watch for the 'feel' of authenticity with the fictionalized components. If they are too close to the 'real' thing, then it might leave one wondering, why not simply use the real thing?

The excerpt opens with an interview of Jonestown survivor, Watts Freeman. Freeman was one of the lucky ones to have escaped. His wife and child were not so lucky. Earlene and his baby were among the first to die--Earlene surrendered their child to Jones to keep it "from the enemy."

What's so compelling is Freeman's assertion is that until Jones ordered his followers to die, they were better off than they were in the US. In many ways, he was right:

"So living in Jonestown not so bad compared to the States; for some, it was better. Way better. No crime. No worrying about not having enough cash for groceries or what to cook for the next meal. No dog food for dinner. No being afraid of not going to the doctor or the dentist 'cause you didn't have money. Everything taken care of."

What went wrong? Forensic scientists don't agree. Ms. Dawid's historical posit promises to be fascinating if her attention to detail and thorough research is as good in the whole manuscript as what this excerpt presents.

So far, the characterization is interesting. Presenting a survivor's description first is chancy, but the interview style is so engaging and well-depicted, you can almost hear Watt's voice.

To my knowledge, no one's undertaken a significant work of fiction covering the Jonestown Massacre. Thirty years have passed and I still remember hearing the initial report and the growing horror as more of the story unfolded. Ms. Dawid is a courageous author to conceive and research such an ambitious topic.

I understand Ms. Dawid already has a book of short stories published. I'm planning on searching out her work. If this excerpt is any indication, it will be stellar. Thank you, Ms. Dawid, for sharing this excellent excerpt with us and much success to you.

Amazing book very easy to read, follow along, comprend, and a must have for quick fun beginners guide. Provides refrences to other helpful software and throughly explained how-to's.

I have never felt compelled to write a review for any product I've ever purchased, but this is different!! I've been a home recording artist since the mid-eighties. Started with a Tascam 4 track cassette recorder, then to their 8 track version and then to Yamaha's AW4416 DAW. So I have a basic understanding for recording, but was never a techie at it. All I wanted was to lay my tracks and sound down.

I recently purchased Pro Tools Mbox2. For two straight weeks I muddled through what the hell all of the drop downs boxes, buttons and options meant. The manual explains each function in technical terms, but not how each is used in the context of recording and the big picture. I wanted to return the dam thing!!

I then began looking into different books and saw the positive reviews that "Pro Tools for Musicians and Songwriters" had and thought I'd give it a try... THIS BOOK IS FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!!! I felt like the author was sitting right there with me showing me exactly what all of the features were for and how to use them. Right from the very beginning of laying your tracks down to the finish product and a whole bunch of everything else in the middle!!!

DigiDesign, should include this book with every sales of Pro Tools. It's just that good!!!! ...and now I love Pro Tools!!!

I had a difficult time understanding how to begin working with ProTools until I bought this book. It's a great step by step tutorial that works through all the basic concepts and produces a finished music composition as an end result. I refer to it often as I write and record. Now when I refer to the ProTools manual for detailed info, I have a much better grasp on what I'm reading.

I needed a book to get more out of Pro Tools; I don't want to be an engineer savant - just record my guitar and vocal tracks and add a touch of MIDI here and there.

Some books were terribly daunting, some so simple that they were of no use.

It's true - this book is laid out to work as lessons with tracks that can be downloaded from a website. But even if you're working on your own projects - the explanations here are simple enough, you should be able to apply them to your needs. Or heck, go through the lessons - if you wanna learn, put in the time.

Even without yet going through all the lessons, I've found two or three great tips that have made my mixes (and CPU usage) much improved; and for that alone it was worth the money I paid. Big clear pictures, the Table of Contents takes you where you need to go, and the author even makes herself available via her web blog, if you have a question.

A friend who has ProTools sat at my house and picked up the book and just flipped through some chapters and saw some relevant tips he took home with him to California (I'm in Utah). I'd bet he's bought a copy by now.

Will it detail every configuration of every plug-in - no. Is it "For Dummies" - no.

This is a five-star reviewed book - it's not for everybody, but if you're starting out and need some good clean answers, start here!

This is a book of examples and exercises so don't expect to look up a particular function or problem that you are having, the Table on Contents is not up to that job. Again this is a book of simple examples and exercises directed to beginners that need to be lead completely from scratch but I found the text too drawn out and confusing with such items as references to a real bus to illustrate a mixer. The items that I was interested in were noted in the text that they would be covered later but no reference as to where in the text they would be covered. Obviously not a book for me, I have read and seen better.

As I read the first page of this excerpt, I felt that I had plunged into 1930's Berlin. The author does an excellent job setting the stage with her descriptive prose. Each character captured my interest as the story begins to unfold and I read of the characters' current predicament and am given just a hint of the broader issues that brought them to this time and a glimpse of their future struggles. Through the personal strife of the characters, the story explores the effect of the Nazi occupation on the artistic expression of the people of Germany. The author has done an excellent job of allowing the reader to connect with the characters and leaves us wanting to read more as we root for these unexplored victims.

"It's not the external that's important; life is what matters". I'm blown away by the intelligence, creativity, sensitivity and pure talent of this writer! Ms. Reish is truly blessed and so are those fortunate enough to read her work. If you are interested in the history of Nazi-era Germany (1930's) plus enjoy a romantic sub-plot combined with intrigue don't pass this up. This novel has obviously been meticulously researched down to the last detail. It draws you in from the very start into the worlds and minds of very bright, sensitive characters (Johannes, Britte, Mies) wrapped up in the modern art world of Nazi Germany. My only disappointment is that there isn't more to read! I can't wait to read the whole novel! Fabulous job Ms. Reish! :)

This excerpt promises a great read. Set in the era of the rise of Hitler in Germany, the novel features a young architecture student, Johannes Schroeding, who is arrested on the close of the Bauhaus modern art school. Each character is richly portrayed with great sensitivity. Every scene reveals how the Nazis cultural oppression affects the lives of these ordinary people and how they cope, some by hiding their true feelings behind a facade of acceptance. Ms. Reish has written a compelling, artistic, and powerful first novel.

CBR has managed to slide in between the terrifying images of the Nazis in control and the formal schooling of archtecture, to peer into the minds of the people who actually had to find a way to try to live semi-normal lives during this time period. One tends to forget that careers,marraiges and lives continued. Did all of these people follow along blindly? What were they thinking of the way their freedom of choice was being so strictly controlled? It will be interesting to follow these fascinating characters to see what becomes of them and their ideals.

What an opening. Black uniformed Nazis are coming to close the legendary Bauhaus Art School in Berlin down. They're demanding identification and when Johannes can find none, he's forced onto a truck. Britte must watch and it is here they realize they love each other. He's freed by the Nazis only to look for Britte and discover she's disappeared--again.

Meanwhile, Mies, the director of the Bauhaus struggles to reopen the school. The Nazis found no evidence of Communist support of the Bauhaus, but they will not allow the school to re-open, either. They toy with flying the Nazi flag, but cannot.

This excerpt is fascinating and beautifully written. There's a strong sense of both place and people here. The foreshadowing of the war, the camps is everywhere--the students taken away on the truck wonder if they'll be freed, some people just 'disappear.'

Outside of this context, I have read very little fiction about World War II, the hard facts are bad enough. This excerpt is compelling enough to make me wish for the rest of the story. Christine Beth Reish has done a wonderful job re-creating a time and people we can care about. Best of luck to her--and congratulations on her ABNA Top 100 position. This excerpt well deserves its place in the competition.

After reading the first few chapters of Jenner's "A Great Undoing", I'm hooked! What intriguing characters and the story....I can't wait to read more! This is good stuff Jenner.

I don't usually find grown-up fiction that has a lot to say about romance,
relationships, marriage, children and family, AND is hard to put down to boot! A
GREAT UNDOING gives the reader plenty of food for thought, as well as the
intense pleasure of recognizing bits of ourselves in the narrator's stalled
life. Jenner's book leaves us with insightful thoughts, surprising moments, and
so much more -- I wish her tremendous luck with it!

A GREAT UNDOING is a near-miraculous combination of smarts and style and substance! The prose is lean and flawless, the passages clip ahead at just the right pace, and when the characters throw words around at each other, you feel like you're eavesdropping in the best sense of the word.
Great job, Jenner -- I look forward to reading more!

A GREAT UNDOING shows a lot of promise -- it has an interesting setting (1960s Montauk), complex characters, a captivating narrator/heroine, and fun dialogue that always pushes the action ahead.
I really hope this book makes the Amazon Top 100 Finals -- I can't wait to read more!

Wow, it has been a while since a piece of writing has kept me distracted. I started to read the excerpt and was called away and begrudgingly had to put it down. When I was able to continue reading I was left with that same feeling as I reached the end of the first chapter. It is nice to read something that was deliberated and didn't come across like an author that was meeting a contractual agreement with their publisher. Jenner - keep up the great mind provoking writing style it is a pleasure to read. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of the entire book!