Thursday, February 24, 2011

REVIEW - Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera

Date:                         2/24/11
Title:                          Everything I Never Wanted to Be
Author:                     Dina Kucera
ISBN 10:                  
ISBN 13:                   978-0-9825794-3-5
Pages:                       206
Publisher:                Dream of Things
Cover:                       Paperback
Reviewer:                Yolanda M. Johnson-BryantLiterary Wonders!  
Rating:                      5 Stars

Everything I Never Wanted to Be is the debut novel by comedienne, mother, wife, daughter, sister-in-law and Grandmother Dina Kucera.

Everything I Never Wanted to Be is the most fun a reader can have with a dysfunctional family. Although this must read autobiography underlines a serious addiction, abuse and mental illness, Mrs. Kucera manages to use her humorous prowess to cope as she takes us through the ups and downs and the challenges of her life.

With one daughter that is lesbian, another a prescription pill user and yet another an alcoholic, as well as her other functionally, dysfunctional family, Dina manages to stay afloat the ship called life when at times all she wants to do disappear; literally.

Everything I Never Wanted to Be kept me laughing throughout the entire story as there were times that I actually pictured myself in scenes watching the mentally unstable banter between these family members.

In the end this newcomer shows that though we may face hard times, though there are times that we may want to just lay down and die, God allows us to go through things so that we may learn life’s wonderful lessons. Unfortunately many of us never get what we are supposed to learn from those lessons and then there are some of us that do.

At the beginning of this witty, but true story, the author’s faith in God is all but secure, but by the end of the story, the main character starts to get the hang of this thing we call life.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author and look forward to seeing her perform stand-up. God knows she has tons of material. 

REVIEW: The Magic Pencil by Karen Dabney

Date:                         2/24/11
Title:                          The Magic Pencil
Author:                     Karen Dabney
ISBN 10:                   Digital/E-book
ISBN 13:                  
Pages:                       Unknown (Kindle)
Publisher:                Dabbs & Company
Cover:                       Digital/E-book
Reviewer:                Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                      3 Stars


             
The Magic Pencil is a young adult title by Karen E. Dabney. The story is narrated by a smart kid by the name of Malcolm. Although, the story emphasizes Malcolm’s intelligence, the young lad tells his story using Ebonics.

In reading the narrative in Ebonics, I found it very hard to follow this story. What should have, could have been a very easy read, was somewhat complicated. It is my opinion that with Malcolm’s intelligence, he should have narrated the book in his normal English “speak” and used his Ebonics between the “parenthesis” so to make the story flow more smoothly.

It was not until the last chapter, or rather the epilogue that I understood the author’s reason for writing the book the way she did. It was a shame however, that I had to find out at the very end because I almost did not finish the story due to the narration.

With this aside, Malcolm is a smart kid and has dreams of making a difference when he grows up. Malcolm’s life changes when he and the new girl at school, Nia, hit it off. Malcolm knows Nia holds some magical power, but doesn’t realize the extent.

What I did like about the book was the message that Nia relayed to Malcolm and her other classmates at the end of the book. At the end of the book is also when I realized that Malcolm is actually telling his brother and others about a dream that he had. I feel had I known this perhaps in some way at the beginning of the book, I would have been able to swallow it better.

Although I am not a fan of switching “speak”, I, now, understand the author’s message or messages, as there was more than one. I also understand that in life, everyone will not agree with you in everything and this is no different. I am however, curious to see what the author will come up with next.

There are very few books for children of color that aren’t riddled with, drugs, sex, money and rappers, so it is for that reason I commend Ms. Dabney for writing this book. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

REVIEW: Running Scared by Robert Leon Davis

Date:             2/21/11                
Title:             RUNNING SCARED               
Author:          ROBERT LEON DAVIS                  
ISBN 10:        978 1 85424 993 7
ISBN 13:              
Pages:            190               
Publisher:       MONARCH BOOKS                
Cover:            Paperback             
Reviewer:       Tamarra Bryant – Literary Wonders! (www.literarywonders)
Rating:             5     

RUNNING SCARED by Robert Leon Davis encompasses the human experience and the spiritual essence in a profound way.  The author tells a story of the complicated characteristics of being human and how the pitfalls that occur, through living life, can cause a straight path to veer off onto a dangerous and devastating one.     

Robert Leon Davis is able to capture his life with a raw interpretation that is clear, precise, and easy to understand. Some of his adventures seem to be farfetched at times, but his writing style enables one to picture the situation that he describes. He is able to keep the reader interested in what happens next and wonder what he will do.

RUNNING SCARED is a story of sinful acts and the consequences that the innocent are subjected to when sin is overwhelming.  The book details how opening one up to the path of sin can be ongoing if the sinner does not reach out to God for help. Robert Leon Davis uses his spiritual gift of witnessing on the evils of sin through his messages to different groups and gives simple advice on how to turn sin into triumph if one just has faith in God and keeps God in their life.  This novel is highly recommended reading and will keep you interested to the end. 

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! Blog Tour with Stephanie McKenny

Clutch Your Pearls, Girl!




About the Author

Stephanie McKenny
Stephanie McKenny is a licensed minister who resides in South Carolina. She has written one novel and three non-fiction books. She facilities a yearly women’s retreat (dates for 2011 are May 19-21, 2011) and has recently started her own self-publishing company (J & J Publishing). Visit her website at: www.stephaniemckenny.com for more information.

About the Book

Is Mr. Right…Really Right? Some women are caught off guard when they finally find out Mr. Right isn’t so right after all. By then, their heart, mind, and body are already ensnared by an unhealthy relationship.
Relationships are what keep us all connected. Every woman wants a man of her own whether she wants to admit to it or not. We all have an innate desire to love and be loved. However, there are some relationships we should never entertain. Every man that comes into your life doesn’t necessarily deserve access to your heart.
This book is filled with sister wisdom that brings awareness to healthy and unhealthy relations, exposing unhealthy characteristics in men and pointers on helping you become the woman God intended for you to be.














Stephanie McKenny’s Podcasts

About the Book


For Readers


Excerpt



Book Review

Date:                        February 13, 2011                       
Title:                         Clutch Your Pearls, Girl!            
Author:                     Stephanie L. McKenny               
ISBN 10:                  
ISBN 13:                   978-0870500830 
Pages:                      144                
Publisher:                J&J Publishing Company
Cover:                      Electronic   
Reviewer:                Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                  5 Stars

I recommend Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! by Stephanie L. McKenny to any woman who has been broken and is looking to heal and discover or rediscover her self-worth.

I also recommend this book to any man or woman who has a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter or any other female in their lives that range from ages 9-years-old to 25-years-old. Although this book is for any woman of any age, statistic shows that our young girls are falling prey to the forces of domestic violence and abuse.

Each chapter of Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! is reinforced by Pearls of Wisdom and affirmed with scripture.

Ms. McKenny uses pearls and their richness and value as an analogy of how women should view themselves, as this is how they are viewed by God.

I enjoyed this book and will be purchasing a copy for each of the young women in my life. I would venture to challenge men, especially young men, to read this book too. Many you men, don’t have positive examples of how to treat women, this book can explain to them how women are to be treated.

Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! re-sparked my desire to mentor young women. I can’t wait to read Ms. McKenny’s next inspirational title.

For More Information


Visit the author online at:

View the blog tour schedule at: 

Monday, February 14, 2011

Submission Call for the 2011 Spring Literary Showcase

It’s that time again ladies and gentlemen. As many of you know, Literary Wonders! hosts a Literary Showcase every quarter (March, June, September and December), from the 1st – the 30th of the month. Your showcase will be featured on The Author’s Hideaway (www.lwtheauthorshideaway.blogspot.com) and the Literary Wonders! website (www.literarywonders.com). The link to your showcase will be shared on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. If you have a specific location where you would like the link shared, please include that with your entry.
The deadline to send your information is the 30th day of the previous month. (Example: for the Fall/September Showcase, the deadline for entries will be August 30th).
Keep in mind when sending content, that the showcase has national exposure and this is another venue to showcase you and your work, so keep it professional and classy at all times.
If you’d like to participate in the showcase, please forward information to info@literarywonders.com.  Please keep in mind that entries MUST be sent to this info@literarywonders.com. Entries sent via Twitter or Facebook will not be accepted, nor will you receive a response.
Please make sure that any document(s) file that you send are formatted in MICROSOFT WORD and that photos are JPG format. Please do not imbed photos or text into an email.
I have been asked several times what we are looking for. I hope that this will help:
·         Authors
o   Author Photo (jpg)
o   Photos of your book covers (jp) The limit is 5
o   Future literary events (taking place after September 1st)
o   Author bio (Microsoft Word ONLY)
o   Contact information
o   Website(s)
o   Links
·         Writers
o   Samples of your work that you want readers to see (Microsoft Word ONLY)
o   Author photos (JPG ONLY)
o   Links
o   Writer bio (Microsoft Word ONLY)
o   Website(s)
·         Poets
o   Author Photo (JPG ONLY)
o   Poems (Microsoft Word ONLY)
o   Future literary events (taking place after the 1st of the Showcase month)
o   Website(s)
·         Literary Services
o   Type of Service
o   Business Logo (JPG ONLY)
o   Company synopsis (Microsoft Word ONLY)
o   Contact Info
o   Website
o   Links
Please keep in mind that this is just an outline of things we are looking for. If you have anything else you’d like us to consider, please send it to us and we’ll decide whether the entry qualifies.
Literary Wonders! welcomes all genres but will utilize its right to decline offensive material.
When submitting information to the Literary Showcase, you give Literary Wonders! (a parent company of LW Media) to use your work in the Showcase.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

REVIEW: Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! by Stephanie

Date:                         February 13, 2011                       
Title:                          Clutch Your Pearls, Girl!            
Author:                     Stephanie L. McKenny               
ISBN 10:                  
ISBN 13:                   978-0870500830 
Pages:                       144                
Publisher:                J&J Publishing Company
Cover:                       Electronic   
Reviewer:                Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                      5 Stars

I recommend Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! by Stephanie L. McKenny to any woman who has been broken and is looking to heal and discover or rediscover her self-worth.

I also recommend this book to any man or woman who has a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter or any other female in their lives that range from ages 9-years-old to 25-years-old. Although this book is for any woman of any age, statistic shows that our young girls are falling prey to the forces of domestic violence and abuse.

Each chapter of Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! is reinforced by Pearls of Wisdom and affirmed with scripture.

Ms. McKenny uses pearls and their richness and value as an analogy of how women should view themselves, as this is how they are viewed by God.

I enjoyed this book and will be purchasing a copy for each of the young women in my life. I would venture to challenge men, especially young men, to read this book too. Many you men, don’t have positive examples of how to treat women, this book can explain to them how women are to be treated.

Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! re-sparked my desire to mentor young women. I can’t wait to read Ms. McKenny’s next inspirational title.
*******************************************

The Author's Hideaway will be hosting the Clutch Your Pearls, Girl! Blog Tour on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. 

A Vid-view is soon to follow. 

REVIEW: Black Business Secrets by Dante Lee

Date:                         February 13, 2011                       
Title:                          Black Business Secrets: 500 Tips, Strategies, and Resources for the African American Entrepreneur            
Author:                     Dante Lee               
ISBN 10:                  
ISBN 13:                   978-4019-2954-1             
Pages:                       291                
Publisher:                SmileyBooks          
Cover:                       Paperback   
Reviewer:                Gregory W. Bryant Sr. Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                      5 Stars

In Black Business Secrets, author Dante Lee has really hit a homerun. I found this book to be an informative resource on how to start and maintain a business.

The author gives a little background on blacks in American business. Mr. Lee highlights struggles of successful entrepreneurs like Madame C.J. Walker.

Black Business Secrets gives poignant information regarding the importance of African Americans owning their own business. Mr. Lee has placed a quiz that challenges you to ask yourself your purpose for starting a business and find out if starting a business is really for you.

This title gives examples, using flow charts, which are very important to organizing your business for success. Necessary information is given, such as, how to obtain start up money, media marketing and realistic goals for your business. 

I found the interviews with successful entrepreneurs very interesting and useful.
I sincerely recommend this book to all African Americans who inspire to own their own business.  Make Mr. Lee’s book, Black Business Secrets, a major tool towards your success.  Great job Mr. Dante Lee!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Love & Forgiveness Blog Tour with LaShawnda Jones



About the Author

LaShawnda Jones is currently living and thriving in New York City. Her prior work includes an autobiographical devotional, My God and Me: Listening, Learning and Growing on My Journey and an autobiographical volume of poetry, Cliches: A Life in Verse. LaShawnda’s writing and publishing work ranges from poetry, to blogging, to designing an annual full-figured fashion calendar. She was a contributor to a daily political blog during the last presidential election and an anthology of letters addressed to First Lady Michelle Obama.


LaShawnda’s current work is a series of short books, focusing on foundational Biblical principles. The series is called the MeatyWord series. The first volume, The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness, will be available January 2011.


LaShawnda’s life is an illustration of transition – constant movement and growth from one point to another. She is ecstatic about moving forward on her journey with the LORD. She continues to grow stronger in her faith, wiser in her knowledge and more loving to people as she seeks to mirror exactly the Christ in her.


To keep up with LaShawnda’s journey, subscribe to her blog at www.mygodandme.info/blog.



About the Book

Love & Forgiveness is the first of a six volume pocket book series called the MeatyWord Series. Each volume of the series will focus on a very essential Biblical principle and its application in our daily lives.


In Love & Forgiveness, love and forgiveness are defined Biblically and then contrasted with worldly use. The book explores what love is, what love does, how love feels, the importance of repentance and forgiveness and the benefits of both.



Purchase the Book Online at:




PODCAST 1


About the Book





PODCAST 2


For Readers




PODCAST 3

Excerpt




Book Review

Date:             2/7/11          
Title:             Love & Forgiveness       
Author:          LaShawnda Jones         
ISBN 10:       
ISBN 13:        978-0-9776179-9-9      
Pages:           209 
Publisher:      Jazzy Media LLC           
Cover:           Electronic - PDF
Reviewer:      Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant– Literary Wonders! 
Rating:          3.5
      

Love and Forgiveness, by LaShawnda Jones is a biblically based instruction manual that combines scripture and pop culture to relay messages of love, hope, repentance and forgiveness.

In the beginning the author uses the popular 80’s hit, I Want to Know What Love Is, by the rock band Foreigner. The author is clever in using verses of the song to relate to them various stages, of love and heartache.

This book is for believers and non-believers alike, with instruction for believers to renew their biblical love affair and steps for non-believers to follow to find spiritual love. The biblical reference is a handy tool to correlate the teachings in Love & Forgiveness with scriptures in the bible.

Author Q&A

Q&A on The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness
By LaShawnda Jones
www.facebook.com/mygodandme


The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness is essentially a Bible study of the principle concepts of love, repentance, and forgiveness. The book further explores the importance of communication and the oneness of giving and receiving. The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness is the first book of a Bible study series written by LaShawnda Jones, titled The MeatyWord. Stays tuned for more from this promising young author, but for now, learn more about her current work, The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness.


Q. What led you to create this book now?
I’ve been studying the Bible for some time now. And I’ve been sharing my writings about my spiritual evolution for nearly four years. In my studies and my compositions, I’ve come to recognize that there is a lot of misinformation being spread about the gospel. Misinformation coupled with the waywardness of popular culture keeps us all headed in the wrong direction. The desire to write about foundational Biblical principles came into my heart and I decided to follow the prompting. I rely heavily on the Word of God and illustrate sparingly from my own experiences to paint as much of 365° picture of what God is expressing in His Word.


Q. Who should read this book and why?
My introduction in Love & Forgiveness is all about this question. I asked myself, “Am I writing to the people who love, or to the people who are loved? Am I addressing the repentant at heart, or the unrepentant? Should I focus on those who have forgiven, or those who have received forgiveness? Is this work ultimately for people who believe in God, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit, or for those who don’t believe at all?

The answer that came back to me was, “Everyone represents, has represented or will represent each of those characteristics at any given point of their life. This book is a tool to be used in working out love, repentance and forgiveness issues in human relationships through the examples God has provided. Those relationships could be with parents, siblings, spouses, other family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors or community members. There are many relationships during the course of our lives through which we have to navigate our way. Some of those relationships fail and die because one or both parties involved are unfamiliar with the process of love, repentance and forgiveness. This book is for them.

Q. What impact will this book have on the community?
I think this book will bring people closer to their true selves. It will encourage a personal honesty and transparency. When we are able to be more truly ourselves, we are able to be more present in our relationships. Better relationships improve our quality of life.

Q: What issues in today's society have you addressed in the book?
Popular culture is covered briefly, primarily from the view of media and celebrity. In particular, there is a focus on idolization of people and things and how such behavior inadvertently condemns a person with the sin of idolatry.
 
Q: Who did you write this book for? Why?
At a very basic level, I wrote this book for myself…and for my husband (when he comes) and our relationship (when we begin building). I wrote this book to improve my life and my understanding of what’s required of me and my partner so we can successfully build, maintain and sustain a thriving and loving marital relationship.

Q: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp and share?
We each have a responsibility to communicate where we are in our relationships. We are responsible for speaking of our hurts and our joys; of encouraging and correcting how we are being treated by others. We are as much responsible for showing love, repenting and offering forgiveness as we are for receiving love, accepting repentance and accepting and receiving forgiveness. The reciprocation creates a unity of oneness that’s difficult to separate within a relationship.

Q: What was the most powerful chapter or scene in the book for you?
Repentance. The section on repentance is the most powerful for me. I didn’t quite understand it or the importance and necessity for repentance until I studied to write about it. As a matter of fact, repentance was not part of my outline. I had only planned on writing about love and forgiveness (and how to communicate them), but the book didn’t come together until I added repentance.
 
Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
It’s not mine to change. I realized early on that I am a vessel and I am quite awed by the message that has been delivered through me.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Write. Get critiques. Re-write. Improve. Follow your dreams. If your dreams don’t fall in line, create opportunities to bring them to fruition.

Q:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. Also share with us your online contact information.
The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness ($12.00USD) will be available on www.bn.com and www.amazon.com in early February 2011. My autobiographical devotional, My God and Me: Listening, Learning and Growing on My Journey ($15.00USD) is currently available on www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. I maintain a blog at www.mygodandme.info/blog. Active subscribers are welcome! I am actively seeking events to participate in and invitations to read and discuss my book at your special function. I also facilitate self-esteem workshops, incorporating anecdotes from My God and Me. 




For More Information

Visit the author online at:


View the blog tour schedule at :