Angel's Truck Stop --by LTC Angel Pilato, USAF. (Ret)

Nonfiction

360 pages / 101074 KB

5 Stars

This is a marvelous memoir of not just a woman in the military, but the first woman to command an Officer's Club in Thailand, during the Vietnam war. There are many photos, to help bring you, and that portion of history, ever closer.

If you were there, this book will bring back lots of memories and probably more humorous ones than not, though there will be a few sobering moments, I'm sure.

If you weren't there, it's a must read. Not only a fair description of what it was like through the eyes of a woman, but a good perspective on what war really is—and isn't.

Fighter pilots are a breed apart, and she has done a marvelous job of describing them—from their egos to their complex natures. She wrote a book about real people, in a real war, and always remembered that discretion is often the better part of valor.

Well done, Ma'am, well done!

Get it Right --by Maureen Milliken

          Right

Get it ^ Write: A cranky editor's no-frill, easy to understand tips for usage, style and

punctuation —by Maureen Milliken

Nonfiction / Grammar

64 pages

5 Stars

With great glee, I found an error. And, no, I'm not telling. With that out of the way, the only thing about this book I did not like were the narrow margins (I love writing in margins) and the too narrow gutters.

I have several books on grammar and how to write, I even own the Chicago Manuel of Style (which I do read now and then), but this book is the one that will be within arms reach on my desk versus on a bookshelf.

This book is short, sweet, and simple, and chockablock full of marvelous tips. I recommend it to all writers, and think every classroom where a teacher expects students to write, should have enough copies for each student to have her own.

I learned a lot reading this book, and chuckled often as I learned it. I loved her broken pencils of shame. And I very much appreciated her explaining the difference between the AP Style Manual and the Chicago Manual of Style and which manual should be read and used by which type of writer.

Need a handy reference guide? Need a gift for a budding writer? Search no more — it is here. Buy this book. Read this book. Review this book. Please.

Tigers: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos by Emma Child

Nonfiction

29 pages / 758 KB

5 Stars

Emma Child has done it again! In her book about tigers, she has given us fascinating information about these marvelous cats, and done so in a way easily understood by the children her book is aimed at reaching. Her writing is informal, fun, and parents who read to their children won't mind reading this one several times over.

Any child who shows an interest in the world of animals will enjoy this series of books. The whole series is fascinating, and I can't imagine anyone not enjoying these books.

I have read all but one of her books, some as free downloads, some as purchased books, and have enjoyed, and learned from, every one of them. This book was a free download.

Keep up the good, and most interesting, work, Ms. Child. Your books are delightful and, dare I say it? Educational ;-)

Cheetahs -- Not those cheesy crispy things!

Cheetahs: Amazing Animal Kingdom Series –by Emma Child

Nonfiction

26 pages  587 KB

5 Stars

It is very obvious, at least to me, that Ms Child loves writing these books.  If possible, each one gets better than the one before it.

She writes in a relaxed and fun manner, her books are easily accessible by either the young, or the adult. They are full of fun facts presented in a lighthearted way, and at the end, she has a list of 24 Fun Facts about cheetahs. Wish she'd written these books when I was still in school—what fun to read and repeat all those facts.

For instance, did you know cheetahs are terrible climbers, that they can change direction mid-air while chasing their prey, that they can't roar, but they can, and do, purr? Did you know that the Ancient Egyptians tamed them and kept them as pets and or used them while hunting?

If you have a young one you buy books for, I heartily recommend this series of books. If your youngster isn't yet reading, and you read aloud, you will enjoy this book each time you're asked to read it. You will enjoy it each and every time you read it.

Dolphins

Dolphins: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature –by Emma Child

Nonfiction

873 KB / 30 pages

5 Stars

I have read, I believe, all of Ms. Child's nature books, and while they are all very well done and interesting, for my tastes, this book is by far the best. I truly enjoyed reading about the different kinds of dolphins, and seeing the photos.

These are books for children, so they are not chockablock full of facts, but they certainly convey a great deal of information, often in a humorous fashion, geared to children—and the adults who may end up reading them to children more than once ;-)

The book is filled with fun facts that I think any budding marine biologist will love. I heartily recommend it for any child who might be interested in dolphins—and any adult who would like a quick introduction to them.

Well done, Ms. Child. Well done!

10 Keys to ebook MARKETING SUCCESS –by Karen Baney

Nonfiction

124 pages / 461 KB

10 Stars!

This book is a MUST HAVE for any author who is considering diving into the self-publishing end of the pool!

The book is presented in Keys, i.e., Key 1 – A Good Book. Many of us blithely consider a good book will be interesting, well written, and the readers will come. Not so fast, Mabel. You do need a well-written and interesting book, one free of editorial errors such as grammar glitches and poor structure. You also need a good title, and a strong cover. And you need a brand. Yes, a brand. And your brand must be consistent from book to book.

Key 2 is about identifying and knowing your target audience. Of course, we all want to sell a gazillion books, we all want our target audience to be the Pulitzer Prize Committee, but Mabel, let's get real here. Let's consider who our target audience really is, and let's consider how we are going to market to that audience.

The other keys cover everything you need to know about building an Internet Presence, how to determine Pricing, Distribution, Book Reviews, Guest Blogging, Reader Communities, Social Media, and Paid Advertising—everything you need to know but maybe didn't know you needed to know.

The book is available in ebook format, but I chose to buy the hard copy, and I'm very pleased I did. I can now keep it on my desk, within easy reach, to use as a ready reference as often as needed, and it's always charged, unlike my Kindle which does, now and then, need time at the feeding trough. (It's also easier to make margin notes on a paper copy;-)

Ms. Baney is a successful author, and shares her savvy with us all in this book. Thank you, Ms. Baney! Job well done!