Hey Everyone!
I’m on YouTube today talking about what’s changed in my book review style. It’s a quick video so I hope you have time to take a look!
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Reading update – catching up on reviews
I don’t know what happened, but I’ve let my book reviews slip and now I’ve read three books without properly reviewing them. So, to get back on schedule, here are quick reviews of books I’ve recently enjoyed:
Hidden in Snow by Viveca Sten
This was a free book on Amazon Prime. I’d never heard of Viveca Sten, but I like Swedish authors and decided to give it a try. Sten is the author of the #1 internationally bestselling Sandhamn Murders series, and her books have sold more than 7.5 million copies. Interestingly, Hidden in Snow was translated by Marlaine Delargy, the same woman who translated An Elderly Lady Is up to No Good by Helene Tursten. (I highly recommend that one, watch my YouTube review here.) Hidden in Snow is a crime novel set in Stockholm and Swedish ski resort Åre. When Hanna Ahlander, a Stocklholm City Police officer whose love life and career are off the rails, retreats to her highly successful sister’s vacation home in Åre, she finds herself in the middle of a case. Amanda Halvorssen, a high school senior, has disappeared after a party. One of the only clues is a scarf found by the side of the road. Hanna is desperate to redeem herself as a police detective and talks the local police department into a job. Readers learn about Amanda’s friends, the party scene, her parents, and questionable relationships, as well as witness her family disintegrate as the hours and days pass. I was totally engrossed in this book and the character development. It’s not too violent or gritty either. I seem to always compare Swedish books to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, which is much more violent and disturbing. This is the first book in the Åre series and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum
I enjoyed this light and sarcastic look at the nonsense and buzz words and phrases that have infiltrated the corporate world. This story is all about the highly-paid executives of Aurora, an ad-tech company on the verge of being purchased at a whopping price. CEO John Shiller has gathered his executives for a special retreat, including the newly-hired Caitlin Levy who will lead the company in a new series of meta events. No one really understands what that is, but rumors of a $3 million salary have created a lot of problems among her new coworkers. Set in swishy and swanky Miami, the group attends a string of team-building events, while readers learn about individual affairs, beefs, and lives at home. When one of the executives disappears, Shiller and his group carry on, worried that any scandal will get out and cancel the sale. I laughed at all the events and the characters’ ridiculous and inflated corporate roles. I got this book as an ARC from Edelweiss and the book is due for publication on May 14. Rosenblum also wrote Bad Summer People, so it seems this is her niche. Although silly and without much character development, I’d recommend it to readers who want to read something light and fast.
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
If you’re a Louise Penny fan, you will like this story, set in her idyllic village of Three Pines, Québec. This is Book 18 of the Inspector Gamache series. I’ve read two others in this series, A Rule Against Murder and A Great Reckoning and enjoyed them. I read this for my mystery book club and the one thing I will say is that everyone agreed, if you haven’t read a lot, or all her books, this one did not provide as much back story as the others. Several people in my group have read all of them and a few had not read any. With only a couple under my belt, I had a little trouble ramping up, however, once I did, I thought it was a great story. In the present, Gamache is head of homicide for the Sûreté du Quebec and his younger partner, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, also his son-in-law, to solve the mystery of a secret room that has been bricked up since 1862. Additionally, we meet the adult siblings of a woman who was murdered ten years earlier and revisit the case that brought Gamache and the young and inexperienced Beauvoir together. In that case, the daughter, Fiona, then thirteen, was convicted of killing their mother and has just been released from prison. In the present, Gamache and Beauvoir of strongly different opinions of the brother and sister. Gamache thinks the younger brother, Sam is a psychopath and that he played a bigger part in the murder. He’s taken Fiona under his wing and now Fiona is staying with Gamache and his wife. Beauvoir, however, formed a special connection with Sam and defends him to this day. When Sam appears in Three Pines, readers will have to decide for themselves. Is the mystery of the secret room somehow connected? There is a lot more going on!
On to the next book!
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On YouTube: Talking honestly about blogging
Hi Everyone,
I’m over on YouTube talking honestly about blogging. I hope you’ll have the chance to stop by!
What’s going on with my blog? What’s it like after blogging for almost 11 years? Blog slumps, blog stats, blogging friends, making time for life, hobbies, work, and everything else.
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Who’s That Indie Author? John Howell
Name: John W. Howell
Book Title: The Last Drive
Genre: Religious fiction
Tell us about yourself: I have been working in organized commerce for 45 years. I retired in 2012 to begin writing. I am married and live in Texas with my wife and rescue French Bulldog Twiggy.
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I tried writing while I was working but it didn’t go well so I waited until I retired to take up writing. That was in 2012.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I write full-time but do have to pay attention to my wife and bulldog.
Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. I think all my characters have a bit of me in them. It may not be a physical or mental attribute. It just might be a secret or not so secret desire, dream, or goal. I tend not to describe my character’s physical attributes since I would rather the reader conger up what the characters look like. So most of the characters that are based on me share some of my philosophies and beliefs rather than foot size.
Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal. I have a book that one of the characters is based on a friend. It so happened that my friend died prior to the book being published so any complex navigation of the portrayal was not necessary. Also, the character was disguised in such a way that the only thing recognizable about him was he was also dead. To the core though the character behaved very much like my friend would have under the circumstances. Of course my subterfuge was completely blown since I dedicated the book to him.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I do write what are called Johnkus every week. The reason they are not called Haiku’s is I don’t confine the subject material to natural phenomenon. What moves me is a story about someone doing a good thing for others. Most of my JohnKus are devoted to asking the question, “Why isn’t more being done?”
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I do several edits of my books then send the pile to a professional editor. I would advise every author to do the same. Nothing screams unprofessional like a story mistakes and typos. My publishing experience is I was once with a traditional publisher and then went to Indy. I was unhappy with not being in control of when books were published. As an Independent, I publish under my own imprint and do all the formatting and design work myself.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. Kurt Vonnegut – I loved his way of writing his stories and he inspired me to try writing. Buddy Holly – He woke up my love for music and became an Icon for living your life on your own terms. Edwin Polk – He was my shop teacher and Boy Scout leader. He taught that you could do or be anything with effort and perseverance.
What event(s) in your life have influenced you as a writer? The first event was my father dying when I was ten years old. I’ve spent the last 73 years living the code that he taught. And the last ten writing it. The second is my good friend Charlie Gruner passing away in 2011. His death caused me to think more about the possibility of an afterlife which is reflected in my books. The third is a near fatal car accident which put me in the hospital for seventy days. The principal of living a day to the maximum became very clear.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. My favorite child’s book was Babar the Elephant. The adventures of Babar caught my imagination and the idea of living the life of luxury that Babar as king of elephants was very appealing to me.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? I believe the most difficult thing about being a writer is struggling to get more people to read the work. Gaining reader attention is a difficult task that if one had tons of money would be made easier. Finding the best way to reach readers is an elusive goal.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? What works best for me is to work on my current novel before I tackle any other chore. My day starts with a cup of delicious coffee and conversation with my wife. Next is exercise on my street bike or an elliptical at the gym. Once back at the house, showered, and after breakfast I do 500 words of my manuscript. I used to do a thousand, but age has determined 500 to be more reasonable. Once the word goal is complete, I write a blog post and then do some e-mails. I usually have a chore around the house to do and get that done before returning to e-mails. The day wraps about five o’clock and since I love to cook, I am usually preparing the evening meal.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? Coffee is my go-to wake up drink. I can’t drink it all day or I would be spending the night wide awake. I keep hydrated with water throughout the day and then wine with dinner.
What do you do to relax? I read to relax. We have several periodicals that are delivered so I enjoy those as well as novels.
What are you reading right now? I am finishing a collection of short stories by Geoff Le Pard
Please share your website and social media links:
Blog Fiction Favorites: johnwhowell.com
Facebook: john.howell
Twitter: @HowellWave
Goodreads: John_W_Howell
Amazon Author page: johnwhowell
BookBub: john-w-howell
Are you an indie or self-published author? Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!
Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.
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I traveled 3,877 miles for my Author Chat with Darlene Foster!
Hi Everyone,
Today on YouTube I’m talking to Darlene Foster, author of the middle-grade Amanda Travels series. We’re talking about writing, travel, growing up on a prairie and lots more! I hope you’ll stop by to learn more about her books!
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It’s time for this year’s reading assessment! How well read are you? Re-take this quiz, or take it for the first time!
Here’s a link to a quiz that tells you how well read you are. I’ve taken it every year for the past four years and have shared it on my blog. I thought I had saved my scores from previous years, but now I can’t find them. I think I did a little better this year.
It’s an interesting mix of books and each time I look at it, I’m reminded of ones I want to read but haven’t gotten to. There are also books I have no interest in reading, but I guess if I want to do better I should expand my list!
https://www.listchallenges.com/if-youve-read-10-of-these-books-youre-very
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Book Review: Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
by
Anthony Bourdain
Although I’d been wanting to read Kitchen Confidential for a while, I also felt a little hesitant. First published in 2000, it’s both memoir and a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant business and Bourdain’s experiences, from cook at a seafood restaurant in Provincetown, Massachusetts to executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, in Manhattan. Later in his career, Bourdain hosted several travel and food shows, beginning with A Cook’s Tour on the Food Network. He moved to the Travel Channel for Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, The Layover, and The Taste, and eventually moved to CNN to host Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Bourdain died by suicide in 2018, while filming an episode of Parts Unknown.
Bourdain wrote the book thinking his audience would be people in the restaurant business, but it quickly became a bestseller. Reading a bestseller when it’s first published is different from reading it almost twenty-five years later and in this case, the experience is shadowed by Bourdain’s personal demons. I questioned whether I was reading it because of this aspect or whether I really wanted to know about the restaurant business. Or maybe I just wanted to understand the man who became a wildly popular celebrity chef.
I’m glad I read it! Bourdain was a very good writer. His book is both entertaining and insightful. It’s also irreverent and often crude, but you always get the feeling that he’s in there with everyone, slinging food and talking trash like the best of them.
Bourdain was tough in the kitchen, and with vendors and suppliers. He demanded perfection, but understood that excellence often came from line cooks and bakers whose lives were full of drama, and worse. He wasn’t afraid of that. My impression is that he thrived on the chaos and drama.
I didn’t follow his celebrity chef career when he was alive, except for a few episodes of Parts Unknown, including one where he meets up with President Barack Obama in Hanoi, Vietnam and they share Bún chả, a meal of grilled pork and noodles. I thought that was cool.
We like to think that we know celebrities because of what we see, but we’re wrong. Despite looking cool and laid-back on-screen, living what many deemed a perfect life, Bourdain was actually uncomfortable with his celebrity chef image and life. He was much more of an in-the-kitchen-with-the crew kind of guy. It’s a good reminder that there’s a lot behind the person on the screen.
I enjoyed Kitchen Confidential very much. I have no idea if the restaurant business is the same as it was in the 80s and 90s, or even if his experience was the same as others during that time. I was left feeling that Bourdain was an unusual combination of humility, arrogance, humor, and energy.
Check out this review by Austin Vitelli, who first told me about the book and made me want to read it!
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The eternal appeal of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
I’ve been thinking about re-reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. What a classic! The last time I read it was in 2014, when one of my kids had to read it for a high school class. I was happy to read it again because I got so much more out of it than the first time.
I went on a bit of a Jane Eyre craze in 2014. In addition to my 5-star review (read it here), I hosted Charlotte Porter of Momaste (a Brontë mega fan) and her review the 2006 Mini-Series from the BBC. Check it out here.
One thing that struck me was Brontë’s impressive vocabulary, so I made a list while I read:
Jane Eyre vocabulary for the dear reader!
I also made this Who’s Who chart of Jane’s family. Pretty over the top, but if you really want to see a crazy chart, check out the one I made when I read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.
If you’re a big Jane Eyre fan, you might want to take a look at these popular retellings. There are many more, but this will get you started.
Five Jane Eyre Retellings
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost by Lindsay Marcott
Have you read Jane Eyre? If so, how many times? If not, do you think you will give it a try? Leave a comment.
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I recently went down the rabbit hole and found these Needlework Cozy Mysteries!
We all know about mysteries and you’ve probably heard about cozy mysteries, but what are they exactly? Cozy mysteries are a sub-genre of crime fiction with the following defining features.
- They are a softer stories, without explicit sex or violence and only mild profanity.
- You might describe them as cute.
- They take place in a small community.
- The detective is usually an amateur and is often a woman.
- The murderer is usually arrested without incident, often explaining their motive.
- Food is an important element.
- Supporting characters are often quirky, entertaining, and likable.
- They move quickly, include a good number of twists and turns, and focus on character development.
- They are often part of a series.
In one of my recent trips down the rabbit hole, I discovered a cozy mystery sub-genre: Needlework Cozy Mysteries! Here are eight selected series – there are many more!
Crewel World by Monica Ferris – Book 1 of 19 in the Needlecraft Mysteries
Murder She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart – Book 1 of 10 in the Knit and Nibble Mysteries
Twisted Threads by Lea Wait – Book 1 of 9 in the Mainely Needlepoint Mysteries
While My Pretty One Knits by Anne Canadeo – Book 1 of 8 in the Black Sheet Knitting Mysteries
On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter – Book 1 of 3 in the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries
Yarned and Dangerous by Sadie Hartwell – Book 1 of 2 in the Tangled Web Mysteries
Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman – Book 1 of 15 in the Crochet Mysteries
Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton – Book 1 of 16 in the Knitting Mysteries
Don’t you love these titles and covers? So amusing!
For more information about cozy mysteries, you can check out these sites:
cozy-mystery.com/definition-of-a-cozy-mystery
bookishbrews.com/diverse-cozy-mystery-books
wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozy_mystery
Are you a cozy mystery reader? Have you read any needlework cozies. Leave a comment and your recommendations!
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Who’s That Indie Author? Jeanne “J.” Elmore
Name: Jeanne “J.” Elmore
Book Titles: The Devil Drives a Black Volga, My Very Own Renaissance (in progress)
Genre: Gothic Poetry and Short Fiction
Tell us about yourself: Aside from writing, I love cooking, learning languages, and exploring the city. I speak English, Russian, and Mandarin somewhat fluently, and I am studying Korean and Portuguese. I have a bearded dragon who goes by Stan only because my family can’t pronounce Konstantin Velikiy Lorenushkovich (meaning, “Constantine the Great, Son of Lauren”).
Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I have been writing my whole life, but my career began when I was a sophomore in high school. It was 2020, and I challenged myself to write a 20-stanza poem while isolated in my bedroom. That is how “The Iconoclasm of the Aeolist” came to be. I enjoyed it, and decided to keep producing tidbits of writing until I had a book.
Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I am a full-time student at Georgia State University studying International Economics and Modern Language with a focus in Chinese. I am also a Resident Assistant.
Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. Not really. I have based some characters on experiences I’ve had or things I’ve felt, but I have yet to create a character I can fully relate to.
Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal. Yes! My poem, “Ode to the Dragon King” is about Stan! In my upcoming book, I have a poem about my dad and a few poems about my mom. All of the above were quite positive and sentimental portrayals, so I didn’t have much trouble navigating that at all.
How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I do like to fill little notebooks with ideas and rough drafts. However, I most frequently use my phone’s notes app to type things up as soon as they come to mind.
For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I think there’s one main thing that drives me to write a poem versus a short story on a topic. If I know a lot of things about a topic, I’ll make it a short story. But if I feel a lot of things about a topic, I cannot just assign characters and a plot to it and place myself in the role of narrator. The only way I feel I can do it justice is by turning it into a poem. My poetry is where I feel I am most honest.
Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I have loved using Kindle Direct Publishing for my books. I have an indie author friend who sat with me while I edited my first book and helped me learn all the formatting hacks. I tried using Atticus at first to get everything how it needs to be, but I quickly learned it’s only helpful for fiction and not poetry. Additionally, it isn’t compatible with Russian or Chinese characters.
Do you belong to a writer’s group? I am in the Atlanta Writers Club, and I love it! We meet monthly and have writing contests at every meeting. Their writing prompts have been the motivator behind a few of the poems in my upcoming book. I really love meeting other writers and sharing ideas, which is extremely helpful when trying to write while being a full-time student.
Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. Like almost any woman who writes, I would say my mother is first. I wrote The Devil Drives a Black Volga while I was navigating my confusion and fear surrounding her cancer diagnosis while I was in high school. My upcoming book follows the stages of healing I’ve gone through since she passed away. Second, I had a teacher in high school who sat with me once a week to read my work. The Devil Drives a Black Volga would likely not exist without her. Lastly, I have my dad to thank as well for introducing me to quality writers like Bob Dylan and Lennon-McCartney, which I think was my first introduction to poetry in any form. I would give the title of “honorable mention” to the two mystery men who haunt my upcoming book, but I’ll talk about all of that when it’s time.
What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? My mother’s passing, first and foremost, which many of my works deal with, but also my religious upbringing (and my continued religious state of being), and my move to Atlanta, which helped me remove myself from my trauma and become involved with the writing community.
Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan, and I still am. I had almost all the books, played the video games, watched the TV show from the 70s, and had a Nancy Drew themed birthday party at one point. I think she became not only my foundation for spooky writing, but also my love for vintage fashion.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? Getting your work “out there.” You can post on social media all you want, but it’s all in the hands of the algorithm. Especially when you’re self-published, it is so hard to find your audience and market yourself.
Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I often have trouble finding time to write, but I do best when I just drop everything and start writing as soon as inspiration strikes. I love writing on MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation) and while I’m bored in class. I mainly use my computer and notes app.
What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? I am a root beer addict and connoisseur, and I love an iced coffee, but energy drinks make me most productive. I like Nos, Monster Ultra Rosa, the pink Monster Juice, Red Bull, and the yellow Tropical Red Bull.
What do you do to relax? I watch K-Dramas while crocheting! I am currently watching “May I Help You?”- a drama about a mortician.
What are you reading right now? Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman.
Links: The website is still in the works, but I am @jelmore.books on Instagram and @j.elmore on TikTok.
Are you an indie or self-published author? Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!
Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.
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