Kindle Book Review: "Cry Dance" Winner of the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards

“What if there is no death?” That is the question asked on the cover of “Cry Dance,” a novel by Helen Bonner.

It’s a deep question, and indeed, this is a deep book. It is a love story, but it is also much, much more. It is a tale of life, death, and life beyond death.

The story begins with Lorinda, the heroine, facing murder accusations. All the evidences point to her, but she says she did not do it. Of course. That’s what they all say.

But in Lorinda’s case, that’s all she would say. She wouldn’t explain how it happened that she had a knife in her hand and the dead man in the same room. Why did she stay in the room with him? Why did she bathe him? Why were there flowers around his face? Was she in love with him? But he was not her boyfriend, and she was definitely in love with her boyfriend. Did he try to attack her? Was it self-defense? What really happened that night? She would not say. They would not understand, she kept thinking to herself.

Personally, that intro alone was enough to hook me. I had to find out what happened.

Reading the book felt like running downstairs to meet your date – it was easy and exciting, and the ending was as wonderful as the beginning.

“Cry Dance” is the winner of the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Award in the General Fiction category.

Amazon is Buying Goodreads, "Kindle" Mentioned Almost Same Number of Times as "Books" in the Official Press Release

Goodreads CEO / co-founder Otis Chandler.   

Amazon announced that it plans to buy the San Francisco based Goodreads, the vertical social network for book lovers for an undisclosed price. Goodreads is a social network where members share reviews, ratings and reading list with their friends and participate in book and author related discussions. Goodreads also has a recommendation tool based on what the member has read in the past. 

Seattle based Amazon.com started as an online book seller in 1995. While it has has successfully diversified from selling books   into selling a diverse set of products ranging from DVDs, CDs, electronics, toys/ games  to apparel and accessories,  sporting goods  and even esoteric categories such as industrial and scientific supplies, people still strongly associate the brand with books.  The  brand affiliation of the Amazon brand with books was made stronger by cutting edge innovations such as "Search Inside the book" and the Kindle series of e-Book Reading devices. 

The Chief "Goodreader",  Otis Chandler posted an announcement in the goodreads feedback group starting with "Today is a very big day for all of us at Goodreads. As you may have seen on our blog, we are joining the Amazon family. Our blog post has the official press release and some more background on this, but I wanted to post here for two reasons" 

He then went on to say that Goodreads has always appreciate the feedback from its members  and assured the members that there were no plans to change the Goodreads experience and Goodreads will continue to be the wonderful community "we all cherish". He also referred to Amazon acquisition as "partnership" claiming that it will help Goodreads focus on making it in an even better place for readers. 

However, despite his assurances, the reaction from the members ranged from under-enthusiastic to negative.  The concerns raised by the goodread community members included questions about ownership of reviews - the member claimed that Reviews posted on Goodreads are owned by the members, whereas reviews posted at Amazon become Amazon's property. Also, there were concerns about Amazon reproducing the reviews on its website, the issues about the integrity of the book database, linking of Amazon accounts to goodread accounts, etc. A one sentence post by someone named "Nikki" summarizes  these concerns well "I have so many concerns about this I don't know where to start." 

The official press release from Amazon included a quote from  Russ Grandinetti, Vice President of Kindle Content  at Amazon that mentioned how Amazon and Goodreads have a shared passion for "reinventing reading”, elaborating that while Goodreads has helped in the way book lovers discuss discover and discuss books, Amazon Kindle has expanded reading around the world. He also mentioned how both platforms have helped independent authors reach readers and make a better living.  

Interestingly, the official press release from Amazon mentioned the word "Kindle" 10 times, almost the same number of times it mentioned the word "books" (mentioned 13 times). 

Kindle e-Fiction Allows the Reality Behind Secret Military Missions to be Revealed to General Public

“It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense."  Mark Twain

When it comes to the behind the scenes undercover operations of our military’s secret missions the reality is—we may not know the whole truth.  This could be for safety and security reasons, but could it also be to mask internal injustices?  We have hear it said time and time again, you don’t really know until you have walked a mile in someone else’s shoes.  Too often we get so focused on the outcome of newsworthy military event, but it is rare that we are given or even ask for an accurate understanding of the chain of events that lead to the event.

This is why fictional moves like Argo and Zero Dark Thirty have had such monumental success.  The general public, who has not walked in a military operatives highly exalted shoes, has no bearing on the outlaying circumstances that leads to the specialized missions that we hear so few details of, not to mention the ones we know exist in an undercover state. 

Some viewers protest that movies like Argo and Zero Dark Thirty are exaggerated and too “Hollywood”, while others say they are a realistic portrayal of the secret operations that exist within our military forces.  Whichever view point you take, movies of this nature show that it is possible to have many sides to the same story and how easy it is to conveniently leave the details out when reporting to the general public.

If you find the secret lives of the inner circle behind covert military operations compelling, you may enjoy the latest fictional work, The Eagle’s Plume by author Gerard de Marigny.  Gerard is no stranger when it comes to creating captivating pieces about the world of secret military operations as he previously produced the #1 Amazon-Bestselling Counter-terrorism & Geopolitical CRIS DE NIRO Thriller series.

His latest work The Eagle’s Plume is a thriller about an ex Delta Force operative Scipio, who accepts a position in Afghanistan as a US military consultant.  His job entails advising the military on security protocols in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.  To his surprise he uncovers a well hidden conspiracy masked as a terrorist attack.  The clock is ticking and things are snowballing while Scipio figures out what move to make next. This inexpensive thriller is available for download at all Kindle stores, including the Kindle store at United States, United Kingdom and Canada. 

New Kindle Romance Series "Private Emotions" To be Released by Young New British Author

Elize Amornette, a young new author from United Kingdom, plans to release her sensual romance series “Private Emotions” on Amazon Kindle next month. The eBook edition of her series will be available at Kindle stores at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and other regional Amazon site on May 16th. 

The first book in the series, called “Appointments”, explores the sensual awakening of the young Emily Harris, the main character of the series. When Emily meets her best friend for coffee, she had no idea it would spark a chain of events that would lead her to the one and only Ethan Sterling. Emily’s trust in Ethan finally gives her the opportunity to explore her sensual self. 

"My writing has been my constant companion throughout the years and it continues to be my best friend,” Said Elize Amornette, author of the “Private Emotions” series. “I believe my readers will find the escapism of the romantic interlude provided by "Private Emotions" to be exciting, adventurous and calming all at the same time, like I did while writing it."  

Read the complete announcement here.

Kindle Book Review: "The Obsidian Pebble" Winner of the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards

“The Obsidian Pebble,” by Rhys A. Jones, is the Sharp Writ Book Awards 2012 winner in the Young Adult category. It is the story of Oz Chambers, a boy who one day discovers that the house he and his mother are living in is haunted. Far from being intimidated, Oz is fascinated by the house and grows determined to discover its secrets.

But Oz is not the only one who is interested in the house’s mysteries, and once the secret is uncovered, Oz’s world is completely changed.

This book is a prime example of how spooky tales for children should look like. The characters are scary but the story is humorous and fun. Jones is a masterful storyteller who is able to make his characters come to life while he pulls his reader right into the story. It’s a story you can read to your kids and enjoy yourself.

DESPERATE MEASURES

“Desperate Measures,” by Cindy Huefner Cromer, is the winner of the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards for the Mystery/Thriller category.

In this fast-moving thriller, protagonist Caitlin Martel is the recipient of a cryptic message that she initially dismisses as a misdirected threat. But when she finds her house vandalized and a blood-inked message left in her kitchen, she quickly realizes that the threat was not misdirected after all. She really is a target.

She then remembers a secret that her father revealed to her nearly two decades ago. But the secret was incomplete. Now the secret is exploding piece by piece as the threat to Caitlin’s life slowly catches up with her.

The plot twists and turns, keeping you at the edge of your seat trying to discover who the real villain is. And just when you thought you’ve got it all figured out, the next page will prove you wrong, until the climactic ending uncovers a strange alliance between two mortal foes.

The only thing certain in this book is that you’ll keep turning the pages, glued to your seat until the very end. It’s definitely one of the scariest, most thrilling stories we’ve read in 2012.

this book won the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Award in the Mystery/ Thriller category.

(Review by Beatrice Adams)

REALLY ENOUGH: A TRUE STORY OF TYRANNY, COURAGE AND COMEDY

“Really Enough,” by Margaret Zhao and Kathleen Martens, is a riveting memoir about Zhao’s childhood in mainland China, during the Chinese revolution.

In this brilliant autobiography, we witness the story of an innocent young girl whose familial wealth and scholarly ancestry makes her and her family “Enemies of the State” and a target for persecution from Mao Zedong’s followers.

Instead of submitting to the powers that be, the spirited young Zhao struggles against shocking oppression and poverty to preserve her family’s honorable legacy, follow her own dreams, and on top of all that, fight for her forbidden romance with a “foreign devil.” Through it all, she preserves her humor, courage, and hope – a seemingly impossible feat.

This is a story that will make the reader laugh, cry, shudder, and sigh. And when you close the cover, you will find yourself a more compassionate, more grateful, more hopeful person, thanks to the amazing true tale that you had just read.

the book won the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Award in the memoir category.

Kindle eBook Review: Assassin Hunter - A True-to-Life Peek at the Undercover Agent's World

The world of the undercover agent is certainly a fascinating one, no matter what point of view you take. So it shouldn't come as a surprise when a book that reveals the undercover agent’s world turns out to be a real page-turner – which is what “Assassin Hunter” is.

This story is written in the first person, which works extraordinarily well for the author, August Palumbo, because with his background as a homicide detective and a retired special agent, he is able to enter the story so well that he inevitably pulls the reader right into the story with him.

The protagonist is a federal agent assigned to go undercover to find and capture a paid assassin. His mission takes us into the heart of the criminal world and reveals to us some of the federal agents’ tricks-of-the-trade.

Palumbo discloses that the novel is not fictitious; it is based on a true-to-life criminal case.

If only for the peek at this normally hidden world of organized crime and undercover work, this book is well worth the read. The story is filled with painstaking detail that highlights the author’s deep familiarity with the setting of his novel.

“Assassin Hunter” is a very highly rated book on both Goodreads.com and Amazon.com. It was also a runner-up at the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards, in the General Non-Fiction category.

Boston Bombing Suspect - a US citizen of Chechen origin, in custody after standoff in Watertown; Older Brother Killed in Shoot out with authorities

Residents who fled the area where Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev is believed to be in hiding were comforted . Photo Credit: Boston Globe

Boston, MA — National Media has reported that Boston police has apprehended the 19 year young man who is accused of placing the bombs that caused the explosions near the finish line of Boston Marathon on April 15th. The explosions caused death of three people and serious injuries to more than 100 people, including loss of limbs for several. 

The accused, 19 year old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was caught in Watertown, a small community outside Boston shortly before 9 p.m.

In a news conference, Governor Deval Patrick was quoted as saying "“It’s a night where I think we’re all going to rest easy”.   Colonel Timothy Alben, commander of the Massachusetts' Police force expressed his gratitude for getting the suspect in custody. 

The Washington Post carried a detailed profile of the brothers suspected in the Boston Bombing.  It described the brothers - Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev - as "ordinary American boys" who went around the neighborhood in baseball hats and sauntering gaits.  However, unlike other US residents, they carried the wounds of the age old Chechen conflicts in their souls. 

    The twenty-six year old Tamerlan was a heavyweight   boxer. He even represented New England in national level boxing championships and dreamed of representing United States in international tournaments but  instead, ended up  dead after a shoot out with the police because reportedly, he recently gained interest in radical Islam thinking. At the time of his death in the shoot out, he was reportedly  rigged with bombs.   He was granted US  residency in in 2007 and became a US citizen in 2011.  He was a former student of Bunker Hill College, a local community college in Boston area where he is reported to have studied accounting.  He is reported to be married with one child. 

The younger brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, loved skateboarding and listening to music. 

However, this "kid" described as easy going by friends and other young people in his neighborhood is accused of putting down the second bomb hidden in a backpack near the Marathon finish line on Monday. 

 He was reportedly born in Kyrgyzstan and left the country at age 8, recently becoming a citizen of the United States. He has been a student of University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Like his brother, he has interest in sports as well , and was captain of the wrestling team at his high school.  He also served as a lifeguard 

  The Tsarnaev family is of Chechen origin. They are reportedly from Tokmok, a small town in Kyrgyzstan from where they moved to Dagestan. Located in the North Caucasus region,  Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia. In August 1999, three years before the Tsarnaev family moved to the US, Dagestan was invaded by the IIB, an Islamist militia based in neighboring Chechnya  in support of the Dagestan separatist movement. Within few weeks, the Dagestan invasion led to the 2nd Chechen war by Russia. Because the invasion of Dagestan resulted  in Russia declaring the Second Chechen War and attacking loations inside Chechnya, some claim that the Dagestan invasion was orchestrated by the Russian Government, who conspired with the Chechnyan warlords to  topple Maskhadov, the separatist president of Chechnya. 

Dagestan's capital Makhachkala, located on the shores of Caspian Sea is also its largest city. 

The Tsarnaev family moved to the United States and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts which is known around the world as the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two of the world's most prominent universities. 

The Wedding Shroud: A Tale of Ancient Rome

It is not every day that we see a romance novel set in the ancient Etruscan society. That alone makes “The Wedding Shroud” stand out from the rest. This piece of historical literature gives us a rare glimpse into this not-so-famous part of history. It’s almost like history class, with a spoonful of sugar. (The author, Elisabeth Storrs, attests that it took her ten years to research and write the story.)

But “spoonful of sugar” does not do the story justice, for even without the history lesson, the novel has enough merits to stand on its own.

The heroine, Caesilia Aemilius, was born in a Rome at a time when Rome was not yet the grand and powerful empire that we often see in our mind’s eye. It was not yet a Rome that simply conquered all its neighbors and enemies. It was a Rome that had “negotiation” in its vocabulary.

And negotiate it did. Wanting a truce with Etruria, Rome sends Caecilia to be married to Etruscan nobleman to seal the deal. Thus the young girl, born and raised in a staid and virtuous society, is suddenly thrown into a world where pleasure is the ultimate good. How long will she be able to resist this new world’s temptations? And when her new home comes under attack, to whom will she give her loyalty?

The story that unfolds is a well-written heart-fluttering romance, with an ending most readers will love.

“The Wedding Shroud: A Tale of Ancient Rome,” by Elisabeth Storrs, is a General Fiction category runner-up in the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards.

Amazon Caves In, Supports Endangered Cornish Language on Kindle by Publishing First Ever Cornish eBook

Amazon.com is not exactly one of the names you would think of when making a list of “companies working to preserve endangered languages.” After all, the company makes money through sheer sales volume, and a Kindle book written in an endangered language would translate to a very small market.

Recently, though, after catching a slew of unexpected bad press, Amazon caved in to incessant pressure from media and the public, and decided to publish a bilingual Kindle book, “Matthew and the Wellington Boots,” with its Cornish translation, “Matthew ha’n Eskisyow Glaw.”

Cornish, in case you did not know, is a minority language in the UK and is the primary language of just around 500 people in 2011. It is one of the 7,000 languages labeled “endangered” on the Catalogue of Endangered Languages. Certainly, it is not included in the very short list of languages supported by Amazon.com’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform.

But Diglot Books, which published the bilingual children’s story, argued that the book was not written solely in Cornish anyway. “Our title was actually bilingual, and … the alphabet was the same as English, so there were no extra characters needed,” said Diglot director Alison O’Dornan.

Dornan also added that the Cornish translation of the book had been vetted for correctness by the Cornish Language Board.

Still, Amazon.com was not immediately convinced. It took the full force of social media, whose power Diglot harnessed, to compel the e-commerce giant to rethink its decision.

For O’Dornan, this victory is an important step in restoring some life into the dying Cornish language. “The key to truly reviving the language is clearly with the younger generation, and bilingual books are a fantastic way to achieve this as they are easily accessible to both parents and children alike,” she said.

Currently, “Matthew and the Wellington Boots” is available for download through iTunes and Kindle Store. At Amazon.com, two people have already given the Kindle book five-star reviews. Both reviews were written in Cornish, with English translations.

Boston Bombing Classified as a Terrorist Attack, 3 Dead, 100s inured

Monday, April 15th. Boston Marathon was disrupted by a terrorist attack when two bombs went off within 15 seconds near the finish line at 3 PM US Eastern Time earlier today. Three people have already died and at least a dozen people are in critical condition, with more than a hundred people being treated for injuries in local hospitals, including 8 children. At least 10 people were crippled by their injuries, losing their hands, arms or legs. Apparently, the bombs had shrapnel in / around them and the explosion propelled them into the victims' bodies. 

The blasts were on a 100 yard stretch of the marathon course where spectators had gathered to cheer participants.  A witness told CNN that the explosion felt like a huge cannon."  another witness,a doctor who was present at the time of explosion and later provided medical treatment to people saw six to several people fell down, with one lady expiring from the impact and a man losing his legs. 

According to the news, some of the people rushed to local hospitals succumbed to their injuries while others had injuries severe enough to requiring amputation. 

Feds have rushed in, with FBI taking over the investigation. The incident has been categorized as a domestic or foreign terrorist attack. 

  President Barack Obama called for a special conference in which asserted that the  individuals or groups responsible for the bombing will feel the full weight of justice. He said that "Boston is a tough and resilient town," and added that Americans will stand by Bostonians "every single step of the way." 

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