American Books

Burt's writing is magical. Do you want to know more about the marketing of this book?

Here's what I wrote about Burt in my book, Book Marketing DeMystified: Enjoy Discovering the Optimal Way to Sell Your Self-Published Book, Practical advice from the inventor of print-on-demand (POD) publishing --

Burt S. levy, who wrote and self-published the acclaimed auto racing
novel The Last Open Road [isbn 096421072X], is another master at
event selling.

"My experience is that exhibitions are alternatives for book sales,"
says Burt. "Not so much instead of the traditional bookstore market,
but in addition to it. And once again, it comes down to identifying and
focusing in on your core market and figuring out where and how you
can access them. In our case, we did far better with gift shops and souvenir
stands at racetracks and museums, doing book
signings at major races, auctions and car nut events,
and getting featured in specialty catalogues that sold
everything from car polish to brake linings. In most
cases, we were the only book featured. or at least the
only novel. But it sold copies, spread the word, and
most importantly, made money for our retailers as well
as ourselves. That's key, because they're not going to want you around if
you're not ringing the old cash register."

The Last Open Road is now, 13 years after its launch, still finding
new readers worldwide and is heading into its 7th printing with over
40,000 copies sold. It has also evolved into a four novel series (plus a
short story anthology) with total sales in excess of $1 million.

Burt's books continue to sell well at racetracks. As he proclaims on
his [...] website, "Burt will be shamelessly hawking
and signing books at:" and then he lists upcoming racetrack events he'll
be attending. Burt delightfully admits to a passion for `mooching' rides in the fastest race cars. There is no doubt this author is having fun while
being very successful with his writing.

I have been a sports car enthusiast for almost 50 years. While my life doesn't parallel Buddy Polumbo's, I can relate to his coming of age in and around foreign sports cars. Although fiction, many of the locations that Buddy travels to are real tracks and small towns that I frequented in my youth. The same with the bars and restaurants. The variety of characters belonging to the SCCA (SCCM) and participating in these sports car events are people that I was able to relate to. Perhaps they were the very same individuals. The sports car community was a small group of colorful enthusiasts, all motivated to be involved for different reasons, but the sport was fueled by those with the money to support the racing habit. For those of us that can relate that past era, The Last Open Road is great read. I cannot wait to start Burt Levy's other books.

The Last Open Road
This story starts off with a young man that is called Buddy Palumbo. He has a friend that he trusts very well and no one else would listen to him the same way. Something vey bad happens to him and he got handed some of his responsibilities at the Sinclair. He never actually got hired when he started working there. They just started to pay him. His dad did not want him to grow up and be a grease monkey he told him to work with the Union. A very rich man that owns oil rigs all over the United States. He owns some of the very nicest cars that included Cadillac's and Jaguar. No one has ever seen or heard of them. Buddy got the opportunity to work on them and soon after he figured them out he was the only mechanic allowed to work on them.
I liked this book because I am interested in driving and racing cars. It was fun to read because it was so realistic and talks about real cars and real mechanical problems they have. I can relate to the people in this book because I race and I understand their family problems. You will figure out what I am talking about when you read this book.

mid-prairie teen

B.S. Levy's The Last Open Road is a great read for anyone who is interested in wrenching on cars, particularly classics. I'm college age and I can relate to Buddy Palumbo in a lot of cases. If you're familiar with older British cars, there's some unique humor there as well. Great read.

This is a well-written and enjoyable book that elicits images that are very familiar to folks who were teen-agers during the wonderful 1950's. It is almost as though I know the characters and can easily apply familiar names of real people in my past to them. Highly recommended reading, especially for car enthusiasts!

this book covers everything about aba even bob costas said this book has it all so he wont write on about his time in the aba. 2 chapters on wackiest team ever spirits of st louis and tells of the greatest money deal ever by the silnas that will go on for ever. have read over and over and still enjoy can pick up book any chapter and start reading fun to read and very interesting

Thanks to other reviewers here, I discovered this book. They made it sound worth buying, sight-unseen, as it certainly was that. This book is extremely entertaining. It's a fast read and a very funny book. It was tough to put down each night.

I knew the ABA had some great players but I didn't know much background on them or some of their feats because very few ABA games were televised. After reading this book, I really feel I missed some incredible basketball by some very exciting players. It was a crime the nation missed seeing many of these cagers in their early days or in their prime.

You get fascinating portraits - good and bad - of some wonderful guys and some real jerks, both on the court and in the front office as this upstart pro basketball league tries to compete and survive against the established NBA. You read about the stars and some of the wackos on the bench.

Kudos to author Terry Pluto for picking out some incredible stories. I was actually sad when I came to the end of this book. It had entertained me all week as I savored it, chapter by chapter. In each chapter, we hear accounts of a certain subject from different people. For instance, a young "Bobby Costas," in his first job as an announcer (for the St. Louis Spirits), gives us some hilarious accounts, as do others.

When I was finished I was so impressed, I ordered through Amazon two more sports books by Pluto.

I rank this book right up there with "The Bronx Zoo" and "Thin Ice - A Season in Hell with the NY Rangers." It is a captivating book that is very difficult to put down once you begin reading it. A++++!!!!

If you were a fan of the ABA growing up this is the book for you. For some reason I just loved the ABA. To read about the beginning of the league and all the trials and tribulations the league went through is funny. Players I remember as a kid come to life. The Doctor, Lou Dampier, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, Laverne Tart. They are all here. The only challenge is that the book is narrated by many former participants and at times it is hard to remember who each person was. However, this is a minor criticism. This was a great book to read and brought back a lot of memories.

If Amazon was really on the ball, they would pair this book together with "Going Long," the book about the old AFL - both are entertaining, hilarious at times, and just great reads - you start to see a connection between the leagues in a way, the startup antics, the dubious franchises, and the hilarious happenings. If you are a sports fan or not, you have to get this book - it is hilarious and an absolute joy to read!

I have just finished 'The Master of Verona' and I must say I've a sort of bittersweet taste in my mouth.
First things first: I am a Veronese and for us tales of Cangrande e Dante are the stories we grew up with, almost every corner of the old town is linked to them in some way, so I'm a bit sensitive about a novel featuring both of them.

I like history and I like historical novels, and I realize that novels take liberties with history to tell a good story, and The Master of Verona *is* a good story, but, there are a few things that marred my enjoyment.

The use of Italian in the novel is often awkward,for instance no one would say 'Signore Montecchio' in addressing another, it would be either 'Signor Montecchio' (rater modern-sounding) or, in the old way, 'Messer Montecchio'. It probably doesn't mean much for the average reader in English, but for someone who knows Italian this sort of repeated little mistakes is comparable to the irritation of driving over a bumpy road.

In chapter 17 (page 218 of the trade paperback ) at the beginning of the horse Palio, a rider utters, in Italian, what is defined immediately after as a 'joyful curse'. I believe Mr. Blixt was somehow misled, since what the character says is, in fact, a very strong blasphemy. I do not object to strong language when it has a reason to be there, and mr. Blixt's use of it is definitely not gratuitous, so this faux-pas (I don't think it was intentional)definitely stands out.

I like many characters in the book and I feel their relations and their development are well done, Pietro is a likeable protagonist, young Cesco is intriguing, Immanuel Ben Solomon and Gemma Donati have interesting cameos, Cangrande is the Cangrande we in Verona are proud of...up to the last 20 pages.
I felt that I was led to like Cangrande, almost revere him, until the final dialogue with Katarina. In a way I think I felt just like Pietro did: betrayed, if this was mr. Blixt's aim no doubt he succeded, but that's not really how I like to feel at the end of a book.

A last note to those who wonder after reading 'The Master of Verona'. Scholars have debated for centuries about the real meaning of the 'Veltro' prophecy in Dante's Inferno, lots of interpretations have been proposed, there isn't and never has been a consensus, Dante's other writings don't shed any light on the matter.

This book is like watching the play of Romeo and Juliet with DVD commentary. This supposition of the origin of literature's most famous feud is well paced, well thought out, and gripping. Delightful characters abound. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Read it, read it, read it.

Rich, real characters to FANTASTICALLY-imagined landscapes to a true and heart-wrenching love story epic in its scope, and powerfully sound in its execution---- This book has got it ALL!!!

When I started reading this book, two things were apparent from the get go: the author of this book knows what he is talking about and this will be a book I will not want to put down! I have been a historical fiction reader since the second grade and have read many complex and heavy plots in this genre since that time. I think that any reader of historical fiction knows how hard it can be to keep names straight and battle scenes are often next to impossible to understand--I often skip them. While the plot of this book is complex, the names are foreign and numerous, and there are many battle scenes, the book is always clearly written and easy to follow. Reading this book is like watching it being performed before your eyes. The images are clear and exciting, and I missed the characters when I had to put the book down even for a second. The research that went into this book must have been extensive. This book will make you learn, it will make you think, it will surprise you in the end, and it is all wrapped in a fast paced, enjoyable package. The book is long, but when I was through reading it, I wished that it was longer.

When I first began this book, I thought I may have trouble keeping the characters and locations straight. However, within the first few pages, I was completely engrossed in the story and the lives of those portrayed. Blixt cleverly includes maps and a "cheat sheet" which describes the characters' relationships to one another, as well as which ones appear in history and in Shakespeare. The book is well-researched and the attention to detail makes it all the more interesting. I can't wait to read more!

I could relate to the little mole in the sense my fiancee is 1500 miles from me currently and everyday is a battle to be with her. Fortunately I will get my chance in the next 3 months to be with her but until then I can relate with the mole 100%. Truly a book that may be Fantasy but lives to real human heart.

A very nice book. It has a great philosophy about love. I enhance other people to read it.

I found this little book by accident, visiting somewhere, and read it only because I had nothing else to do at that moment. I don't normally even read much fiction anymore and am not given to sappy love stories.

Yet this book reached in and grabbed my heart like nothing I've ever read. It's the kind of soul-level writing that once in a great while an author is a conduit for... I'm not sure writing at this level is really a brain thing of the person, more an internal thing of the spirit. I can't talk about the plot or the information or things I would normally review in a book. It is just a story; it is a story for a person of any age; it is a better story for those who have ever known love, or known longing, or found themselves the outcast, or found inside themselves the powerful dharma of being what one is as "I AM"... in this case, he was in love.

Not only did the book hold me in a poet/dreamer thrall throughout, and make me cry in sadness and joy, and laugh out loud at many small insights or comments, but hours and even days later, my whole interpretation of my world had more... poetry to it. More color, more eloquence; as if for a time, that love and energy gave ME more poetry; a new way of looking at all things with love. (I know. This is embarrassing. But read in the right state of mind, it's a very cool book.)

I'm buying the book now so I'll have my own copy. I want to suggest to people that I love that they read it. It's like a gift I want to give. I recommend the book very much.

This book must be in every house, in every hotel, restaurant, kitchen, bathroom, on the street, school, bus... all over the world. It's a book that goes so near to the heart that I'm smiling and crying together.

In a highly conforming and rule-blound world that we live in, people become more and more indifferent. People are caught up with their everyday routines, keeping busy schedules, having little time to what some would say "live". This book is not only about the power of faithful love, but it taught me just how important it is to make decisions that will make us happy and will show what we truly believe in. For those people who believe they have wasted too much of their lives following rules and being afraid of becoming different, for those people who believe that they are capable of a greater love than they can imagine, for those people who believe that they should start "living their lives", then here is a book that sings your song.

To anyone who has a dog, read this book, share with your family and friends. The story of loyalty in this book explains the love a boy and his dog share.

If you have a young reader in mind, give it to him or her. You will be glad you did.

This is a wonderful and touching story. It is a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who has ever had a pet. I especially like that it has a jack russell in the story.

This book is the story of Willie Morris' childhood companion, a dog named Skip. Willie recounts his adolescent years and all the fond memories of his dog and friends as they grew up together in small town Mississippi. The story is heartwarming and the author paints a very clear picture of all the shenanigans, good times and bad that he and his dog had together over the years. I liked this book; but I think a male reader would appreciate the bond between a boy and his dog more than I can.

This was a great book! It was so touching and heartfelt. I love dogs and this book is an example of someone who loves dogs like me so I can connect! Greatly recomended!

Willie Morris was a truly great author! This story of his childhood with his dog was really heartwarming. It is so simple and warm and humorous, you will just love it. Warning: you will cry your eyes out at the end, but it's worth the pain. One of the best animal stories ever, I hope many kids read this in school. If you loved the movie "A Christmas Story" you will love this book. The movie version of "My Dog Skip" is also quite good, though it is kind of upsetting that in order to create drama the wonderful father of the book is kind of nasty in the movie. Willie Morris was a great author who also wrote a cat book entitled "My Cat Spit McGee" and several books about his life that remind me a little of Russel Baker's memoirs. One is entitled "North Toward Home", another "Good Old Boy" and one is about life in New York City.

My goodness if you don't read the "Hideaway" series in order you are lost. So far I've read "Stranger In My Arms" and now "No Compromise", trying to keep track of whom is married to whom....the Kirklands/Coles/Delgados/Lassiters and so on is a major headache but so far I love Michael and Jolene's story. I don't know maybe I read it wrong but in "Stranger In My Arms", isn't Emily and Sara sisters? Anyway the love scenes between Michael and Jolene are HOT, the storyline involving April and Stanley was disturbing, and how Michael and Jolene met was touching. Ms. Alers can sure tell a story even if it's alittle confusing.

I waited for this book for so long and was not disappointed. I love the story of Michael and Jolene just as much as the rest of the Cole, Kirkland, Sterling and Delgado family stories. Rochelle writes some of the best love stories that I have read and I can't wait for her nest book.

Rochelle Allers creates the perfect alpha male characters. What woman wouldn't want a man who is protective, with a little possessiveness (in a sexy way)and is willing to give you anything your heart desires. Michael is mysteriously sexy and owns up to what belongs to him. Oh yeah, he is a great cook too! The love scenes were steamy and the story line was great with the suspence. This book was a great page turner.

Although this series has been out awhile, I am just now finding the time to read. I really enjoyed this book. All of the men of Cole-Diz, etc. are magnificent! They are tough and also tender. As with the other stories, this one had lots of romance with just a touch of intrigue. For all the romance lovers, if you haven't read this book or any of the others, I strongly advise that you do!

This seventh book in the Hideaway series is a great read and stands on its own. A good mixture of romance and intrigue and covers a real harsh subject domestic, drug and political abuse. Michael Kirkland is a real hero, and really knows how to look out for his lady- every woman should have one. Good to catch up on the other family members.

I was very pleased with the depth of this book. The amount of work and research that was done is obvious. This book is intense, with an active imagination you can almost feel the pain and horror this child endured. Excellent job of writing with a presentation that is unique. (Special note to Eric) Thank you for writing this book. Sylvia Baker, CRNI

The book Out Of The Darkness is an awesome book. It shows the hard time that a little girl named Mary Ellen had to go threw. She has such a hard life, but in the end everything work out. I recommend this book for everybody. This is an outstanding book, everybody should read it.

This book is a book that anyone who is considering a career in any type of child services needs to read. I myself am going into social services and this book made me realize what I will be seeing on a daily basis. Mary Ellen was such a brave little girl and I applaud her for surviving her early life!

I'm Eric Shelman, co-author of Out of the Darkness. I just wanted to ask that if you buy this book, come on back and write a review of it when you're done. I've never had anything but positive feedback about it, but others can use YOUR personal experience with it to better judge it prior to purchasing. I thank all of you who have read and commented on our book.

The authors of this book have created a wonderful window of understanding how child abuse/neglect has evolved over the years. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the human service field. Through the heart-felt story of Mary Ellen, we can see why there is such a strong need to protect children and continue to evolve for many more years. Thank you to Shelman & Lazoritz for telling such an important story.

This was one of the best book I have read in a long time. I even convinced my husband to read it and he couldn't put it down. A good mix of love, faith, and true Redemption. It showed how making one wrong choice can change both your life and the lives of those around you. It also forces you to look at your own life and see what things in your life could prompt you to take a life altering step in the wrong direction.

The author, Jacquelin Thomas, uses the relationship of Reverend Warner Brice and his wife, Marin to place major emphasis on two distinctive points of the novel: (1) to forgive others in the same manner as our God offers us His divine forgiveness, and (2) to love others as our God loves us. Reverend Brice tells his congregation, "Once we fully forgive, our minds are released from the bondage of anger, bitterness, and resentment". Warner also asked his congregation to follow God's example of love. This would be displaying a love that always protects, always trust, always hopes, and always perseveres.

This book was so refreshing, inspirational, and moving. I absolutely Loved it and would reccommend it to All. This was my first time reading your work Mrs. Thomas but it will certainly not be the last. Thank You for enlightening me. This book has really helped me with a lot of things going on in my life.

I ordered this book after reading Jezebel (by Jacquelin Thomas) and seeing all the glowing reviews for this book. This book was slow. The first 150 pages were just about Marin and her husband going to dinner parties and their children. The next half of the book was about Marin's use of drugs and her husband being upset with her. This book had no excitement whatsoever. I can't fathom all these 5* reviews.

**Summary**
Marin, an actress, meets Warner, a pastor, at a religious conference. Warner was 30 something and previously engaged to a woman who died of ovarian cancer. Warner stated that God told him that he and Marin were meant to be together. Marin felt the same way.

After a few months, the two married. Initially, Marin wanted to focus on her career, but when she got pregnant by mistake, Marin was so happy that she decided to put her career on hold. After 4 years and 2 children (Rylan and Gabriel), Marin decided to return to her career.

Marin had a hard time getting acting jobs. She was finally offered a Lifetime job playing a drug addict. Marin decided to try cocaine to get ready for the role. Marin got hooked immediately because she always was told she was a screw up by her mother, felt abandoned by her mother and father, and didn't feel like she was good enough to be a preacher's wife.

Warner found out about Marin's drug use and convinced her to go into rehab. Marin stayed clean for a few months, but then started her drug use again. When Marin left the house to do drugs, Warner cut off all her credit cards, bank accounts, and so forth. Marin ended up prostituting herself and was raped.

After a while, Marin moved to NY (she was originally living in California) with Tisha and another drug buddy. When Tisha and the guy got arrested, Marin went to rehab. While in Rehab, Marin found out she was pregnant.

Eventually, Marin turned to Warner and the two reconciled.

Pros: EXCELLENT writing! easy to read
Cons: Boring, nothing exciting happened in the story; the names in the storyline were pretty bad (Dru, Warner, Marin, Shirley, Garfield)--what kind of names are those for black people??

My main issue was Geneva though. She, being a single woman, pushes up on the pastor and this is Christian behavior? Whatever! Also, it appears that all Jacquelin Thomas' characters suffer the same fate. It kind of makes it pointless to read her books now.

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I highly recommend you read this book. It is definetly a tear jerker and is an item that belongs in every married African American woman's bookshelf.

This book was so good, after reading this book I went on to reading more of Ashley & Jaquavis's books, read it you will not be sorry.

What can I say ANOTHER URBAN NOVEL churned out. Predictable, poorly written. All around bad.

This book had you wanting to know what was going to happen next. I must say when you thought things were going to turn out one way, you will drop your jaw at what really happen.It was a good read.

Not only does this book answer questions to some of the characters in Diary of a street Diva, it introduces you to the SUPREME CLIENTELE the biggest drug lords accross the world! THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THAT I READ IN 2007

This book was a page turner. Ashley and Jaquavis have done it again. I loved how it intertwined with Dirty Money. Don't sleep on this book or the authors. I just ordered The Trophy Wife, I already know I will not be disappointed.

I read this book, probably 24 years ago, so this one, I purchased for a friend, but this book had a radical impact upon my life and I'm forever grateful for the life and ministry of Elizabeth Elliot. Dian

This is an incredible story about following Jesus and seeking to reach tribal people for Him. This book contains extensive journal entries from the five men involved, so provides a rich amount of detail. Most of the book is comprised of these entries, with Elliot mostly providing background information and transitions between entires. She doesn't fully express herself until the Epilogues, which are very powerful. This book is sure to have a profound impact on all who read it. Highly recommended.

I loved this book, it is definitely one to keep in my collection. Although I noticed that the type is very small and therefore a bit difficult to read ( and I have good eyesight ). Also I think something should be mentioned co: the pictures in the book, I knew it was tribal but I was not aware that there were photos. I still would have bought the book but I would definitely give it a PG rating.

If you are a Christian - this is a must read. If you are not a Christian - this is a must read.

Great book. Poor presentation in this current printing. Words and pictures are small. Paper and physical book itself is low quality.