Jude’s Blog

Quirky. In her debut novel Addition, author Toni Jordan presents enjoyable women’s fiction melded with an exploration of obsession and compulsion.

Narrator and protagonist Grace Lisa Vandenburg is a single woman in her thirties who has a peculiar appreciation of numbers. She believes it is numbers that hold the world together and that if she stops counting, her world and the worlds of the people she loves will fall apart. Her obsessive compulsive behaviour is to such an extreme that she counts the number of bristles on her toothbrush and has a formula for the number of bites she must take when eating a piece of food. The reader is introduced to Grace at a point in her life when her obsession has become debilitating in the eyes of the broader community, leaving her unable to hold down a job and living as a recluse.

Where is the enjoyable women’s fiction read amongst this sad state of affairs you might ask? First of all, Grace herself does not believe she is the one that has a problem and she is forthright in expressing her confidence in the value of her beliefs. Then, enter from stage left the quintessential love interest Seamus Joseph O’Reilly. What ensues is a battle of sorts in the mind of Grace – a battle between her love of numbers and her love for Seamus.

This novel does not necessarily fit in the dark humour genre, but as a reader I was at times thrown off guard by the humour gained from the protagonist’s thoughts and behaviour that were fuelled by her obsessive compulsive disorder. But I enjoy a novel that keeps me on my toes, and that certainly made it an enjoyable audio book to listen to (narration by Caroline Lee). Jordan has boldly presented a different slant on mental illness and poses the question, at what point does uniqueness become an illness? At the same time, this dark exploration is wrapped up in what is essentially a very sweet love story that explores the classic questions of how much must one compromise ones individuality to form a lasting relationship and can the benefits of a relationship outweigh the independence lost?

The Author:
Australian author Toni Jordan came to writing later in life. Jordan first gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and worked as a research assistant, molecular biologist and quality control chemist before at the age of 38 changing her career path and beginning to study professional writing full time in 2004. Her first novel Addition has been published in Australia, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. She has also written articles for newspapers The Guardian, The Courier-Mail and The Age.

This review, along with many others, appears on my Booklover Book Reviews website (http://www.bookloverbookreviews.com). I read a wide range of fiction genre, from literature and the classics, through to mystery thrillers and chick lit. My reviews convey my honest and frank opinions and do not contain spoilers.

Author: Joanne P
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low cost, quick-turn PCB

I just finished the first chapter of my newest book, which I’ve titled Sierra Sky.    To keep me motivated and to let my readers know the progress, I have posted a word meter (scribometer) in the left column of this blog.  I will update it as I complete more pages.  I am currently 5% finished, so I have a long way to go.

Keep visiting to watch that progress bar move to the right.    Be sure to visit the forum to read an excerpt.

Please welcome guest blogger, Selena Blake, an erotic author with Changeling Press:

What is your favorite genre to write and why?

SB: I love, love, love paranormal romance. From lightly paranormal to hardcore world building, there’s so much variety, so much passion in paranormal romance. I love the suspense, the allure of paranormal characters, the trials that come with long life and lost love, the angst. I love how at any given moment the world could be destroyed or saved by a gallant hero.

Who is your favorite hero in one of your books? Why?

SB: Don’t tell the others but I really love Andre. He’s so brooding and Alpha. He’s very self assured and I find that so sexy. He’s the type of guy that would have you tripping over yourself to do anything he asked. And he has a heart of gold. When he loves, it’s all consuming. Did I mention that he’s passionate and sinfully handsome with an accent that will make you melt?

What is the heat level of your books?

SB: My books are all very erotic and usually explicit, some more than others. My changeling books might singe your hair. LOL

Where can readers find your books?

SB: My Deep Space Encounters series is available on ChangelingPress.com and other retailers like Are. My other books are available via Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and assorted other retailers.

Tell us a bit about your newest book. What’s it called?

SB: It’s called Seduced by a Cajun Werewolf and here is a blurb:

Ultra sexy werewolf Laurent Deveraux thinks that Violet, the love of his life, died two hundred years ago until she shows up in New Orleans looking for him.

Violet, now a vampire, thinks she’s someone else. Her powerful and dangerous sire has bound her memories, taught her how to kill and Laurent is her next target.

Laurent is determined to awaken her memories and her undying passion before danger steals her away again.

To read an excerpt, be sure to visit Selena’s Website. Thanks for stopping by Selena. Good luck with your books.

Dear John

By Norma L. Betz

AuthorHouse

ISBN: 978-1-4343-1071-2

With a deep sigh, I closed Norma L. Betz’s first book, Dear John, having read it that day! What a delightful, satisfying read!

Actually, you might say that Dear John has a book within the book, for it includes many original letters from Abigail Smith Adams to her husband, who was then the second president of the United States, John Adams. What a wonderful way to share part of America’s history with readers!

The main thrust of the book is a love story, but not necessarily the usual one! Let me tell you a little about Susanna and Quincy… Susanna Smith is a professional woman who has created a rather insular life for herself…and her companion, Quincy. As an administrator at a college, she well knows that she should have already taken time off to attend to the estate of her late aunt, for whom she was named-Susanna Abigail Smith. But, in doing so, she would have to admit that she had trouble with delegation and had procrastinated leaving, even though she well knew that her staff could handle her department during her absence.

When Quincy realized that she was pulling her luggage out and getting ready to leave, he was quite concerned that he might be left behind. However, when his favorite blanket was placed by the door, he felt it best to stay right there and ensure he went with her! No, Quincy is not her pet. He is her only real companion and much of Susanna’s dialogue is directed to Quincy! It’s a fun relationship and readers will enjoy their sharing. As Susanna laments not having visited her aunt more often and not even knowing about her death until after her burial, it is Quincy with whom she shares her turmoil. It is he that gives her his unconditional love and support when she begins to realize that she has shut herself off from her family and even other friends.

Susanna’s arrival at her aunt’s home brings back many wonderful memories. But it is when she starts hearing the praises of her aunt from her lawyer, who had been in love with her, from his son and her co-worker that her pain and loss grows even worse. And when her aunt has left her a letter, along with the letters of her famous ancestor, she becomes enthralled with reading them even to the point of going to the library to read and research what was historically happening about which her aunt was writing.

The movement back and forth between the life of Abigail Smith Adams, through her letters, and Susanna’s is very well done and adds tension to the reading of both. Susanna reads of what Abigail is facing as the Revolutionary War is fought and then learns more about what was actually happening through visits to the library where her aunt was once the librarian.

At the same time, much is happening in Susanna’s life as she meets her own “John” and begins to care for him. Her life is turned upside down and is placed in danger because of what she finds there in her aunt’s historical home. The reader’s interest is sustained throughout as both the War is fought in 1775 and Susanna’s own internal struggles for her life begins.

Quincy hooked me in, the historical letters caught my interest, and the drama of Susanna’s new life turned each page. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to especially those interested in historical romance (although this isn’t a historical romance book). Once you start reading the letters from Abigail to John Adams you’ll understand this reference! By the way, the book includes footnotes and an extensive bibliography for the true historian.

Enjoy this one-I did!

G. A. Bixler is co-owner of an online review site of Independent Professional Book Reviewers. She has over 40 years experience in educational administration and publishing. New or well-known, self-published, or small press authors are all welcomed! Compare our prices to other professional book review sites!

http://www.Bookreviewers.org

Author: Glenda Bixler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low Cost, Quick Turn PCB Prototype

I finally figured out how to get my new menu bar on the blog. The answer was right in front of me, but it took this long to get it right! LOL At least it’s finally on there and looks great!

After quite a bit of hard work and tweeking, I think I have just about finished the site upgrades. I really like how great Drew looks on my site. Don’t you? I had just been waiting for the perfect photo, and then I got it! Thanks again, Jason!

If anyone finds something that looks a bit odd, please contact me and let me know. I’ve stumbled upon a few problems on my own and fixed them, but I’m sure there are still more out there! I want this site to be as perfect as I can get it!