All You Need Is Love ... and a Cat - A Review

I love the idea of adult coloring books but was always a little apprehensive about purchasing one and jumping in … I know its supposed to be relaxing but I’ve seen some pretty complicated pictures that I think (for me) would be more frustrating than relaxing.  When I came across this book it was enough to make me change my mind.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE … AND A CAT by Samantha Snyder

This adult coloring book is very generous with its 50 pages of cat “doodle art” complete with a wide variety of quotes and saying by everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Abraham Lincoln accompanying each picture.  Each page was nice and big and the pictures not too intricate, hence not leaning toward the frustrating.

I’m no expert by any means but I thought the pages were of good quality with the bonus of only being printed on one side, so if one wanted to use markers the next picture would not be damaged by bleeding through.

The only reason I have not gone a full 5 Stars on this book is that not every page had a cat included in the picture; sometimes it was just a paw print and sometimes only the words of the saying with some florals or doodles around the edges.  The cats that were included were charming and whimsical often reminiscent of folk art so I’m sure this would appeal to cat lovers.

So, did I find it relaxing or frustrating? 

I can’t answer that question. 

I had scrounged out the package of pencil crayons I had in my desk from a previous (unrelated to coloring) project and had gotten about halfway through the picture I chose to start with when a friend of mine popped in for a visit.  She is an avid coloring book enthusiast – some of her completed works are amazing – and she quickly commandeered my book.  She is definitely enjoying it!

I’d like to thank Wordslinger and the author for providing me with a review copy of this book at no charge with the hope of receiving an unbiased review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her Amazon Page) 

Samantha Snyder has been doodling her whole life. While teaching elementary school, she often drew up coloring pages and printables for her students and fellow teachers. She decided to start sharing her creations and in 2008, Doodle Art Alley was founded.

Doodle Art Alley is dedicated to giving those squiggly lines the proper credit they deserve. Who would have thought that such a small and simple idea could possess so much potential? There are lots of fun art activities, tips and information to read through and enjoy at Doodle-Art-Alley.com, along with hundreds of free coloring pages and printables.

Gallery Pieces - A Review

GALLERY PIECES by Larry Witham

A former Navy Intelligence officer now working for Medici Studios in New York Julian Peale is entering the art world as an attempt at a new start in life.  Russian art smugglers are wreaking havoc on the New York art scene and Julian is tasked to run a sting operation in cooperation with NYPD.  The sting does not quite go as planned but an interesting clue emerges in the form of an art catalogue with some graffiti type markings on various pages.  When Julian begins to investigate the markings it takes him on somewhat of a wild goose chase as he learns about art auctions, street and performance artists as well as the seedier side of the art world including forgery and organized crime.  Coincidentally it also leads him down an unexpected path allowing him to try and resolve some ugly family history.  Julian never believed the accusations of stealing works of art made against his grandfather when he was involved with WWII’s “monuments men”.

Always intrigued by books dealing with the art world the book description caught my attention right away.  I must admit that I was also quite captivated by the cover image, although the book has nothing to do with the infamous art theft in Boston, it did bring to mind the empty frames hanging in the Gardner.

This book is well written, filled with interesting insights into the art world (and it’s underworld) yet not bogged down with facts.  Mr. Witham weaves his research and knowledge expertly into the story so it never feels like a lesson in art history.  I did enjoy the chase of the bad guys, the insight into the inner workings of the art auctions and the under story involving organized crime and forgery, but the part of the book that really took off for me was the part tying in the “monuments men” and the looting after WWII.

Julian Peal is an interesting character and Mr. Witham included just enough of his personal life to keep me invested in what happens to him during the book.  An obviously well thought out plot, the ending leading right back to the beginning, rounds out the rest of the book nicely.  Well-done Mr. Witham.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who, like me, enjoys a fast paced mystery set against a backdrop of the art world.

Thank you to WordSlinger for sending me a copy of this book 

in exchange for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his website)

Larry Alan Witham is a veteran journalist and author in the Washington D.C. area who has covered current events, history, religion and society, science, philosophy, and the visual arts. He is currently exploring new writing and visual arts projects, following a decade of full-time writing and editing of books. He is the author of fifteen books, editor of a ten-book series, and in 2007 served as editor of the bimonthly magazine Science & Spirit. His latest three books have been on the visual arts and art history. From 2011 through 2012 he wrote a weekly art blog, "Artschooled."

A native of Los Altos, Calif. (born June 1952), Witham earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from San Jose State University (1974). He and his wife, Kazui Yamamoto, live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C.

An artist by avocation (painting and drawing), Witham's artworks may be seen at: www.larrywithamart.blogspot.com.

"After college, class of 74, I detoured from my training in the visual arts. Now I am finding time to return to that lifelong interest. I enjoy using traditional mediums and, at times, copying from traditional works, all part of a learning process as I form my own topics, voice, and techniques. For the past thirty-four years, I have been in the writing business. This has probably given me an overly literal view of the world—and of art. With me the art of painting or drawing is about observing nature, objects, or society, and enhancing that with human invention."

Galloping to Freedom - A Review

GALLOPING TO FREEDOM – SAVING THE ADOBE TOWN APPALOOSAS by Carol J. Walker.

Sitting at my keyboard contemplating this review I already know that my vocabulary is too limited so I am going to run out of adjectives to describe how AMAZING this rescue effort was and how absolutely BEAUTIFUL and STUNNING Ms. Walker’s photography is in retelling the adventure.

This book is both a tribute and a fund-raiser to help save America’s wild horses.  When I requested this book it was because I wanted to enjoy the photographs included – and believe me – they are INCREDIBLE!  There is no doubt as to Ms. Walker’s talent as a wildlife photographer.

More importantly she gives the reader a touching and often heart wrenching saga of the “wild and beautiful horses whose spirit and grace touched her so deeply”.  Witnessing first hand through the lens of her cameras the ongoing round-ups of these horses made her wonder about the justification of “herd management”; taking these beautiful wild horses away from the habitat, often separating family groupings – was this really in their best interest?  Her recollection of witnessing “Rocky” (so name because of his ability to elude capture even when helicopters were involved) as he managed to escape yet, thereby, loosing his “family” begins this book and was the catalyst in her decision to do something to try to help these horses maintain their habitat or move to a safer one rather than be rounded up, sold and often killed in the process.

The contrast in her photographs of the horses running wild and then the same horses corralled is heart stopping.  Happily, some of the older horses (10+) were eligible to go to the Black Hills Sanctuary and because Ms. Walker’s scrupulously catalogues her  photographs some family groups of the horses were able to stay together.  A success, albeit a minor one.  The first transfer of horses from the corrals to the sanctuary was a success.

The horses remaining were beginning to endure some difficult conditions including mares birthing in crowded pens, where there was not only the imminent danger of the foals being hurt but as each foal was born it meant that mother and foal needed to wait until being able to be moved.  Sadly, not all the foals survived.

Of course, as the horses were set free at the sanctuary it presented Ms. Walker with so many more photo opportunities and I must say seeing these horses behave as they would in the wild through her pictures was a real treat.  The pictures of the horses posturing and challenging for dominance in their new home were AMAZING!

The sanctuary consisted of hundreds of acres of wild open pasture.  There the horses would be protected and yet still be “free”.  As some of the horses were scheduled to be moved to the “rescue pasture” - the first step in their transition to living permanently in the sanctuary - a very happy event occurred ... a new foal was born. 

As Ms. Walker describes it, “I climbed up onto to the flat part of the truck so that I could take photos without disrupting the group, and watched as the other sanctuary horses in the pasture next door came running down the hill and over to the fence to see the new arrival.  They seemed fascinated by the new baby.  A while later, Sid, a rescued horse with a big personality, came loping up to the fence to join the others, as if to say, ‘No one told me about the baby!’”

It seemed an apt christening and a sort of blessing for the endeavor.  It was a girl.

This book is nothing short of beautiful from the story to the publication (coffee table size and format, high quality glossy pages) and of course, the photography.  If you or anyone you know has a soft spot in their heart for the majesty of horses you or they will adore this book, plus it helps a good cause.  Win/win as far as I’m concerned.

Although these horses were successfully moved and are now protected in their freedom many more wild horses are facing roundups.  I was not aware of this issue and in Ms. Walker’s afterword she clarifies it in glaring terms. “In September and October of 2014, the Bureau of Land management removed 1263 wild horses from the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek and Adobe Town Herd Management Areas.  This action was motivated by a lawsuit instigated by the influential Rock Springs Grazing Association whose goal is to eradicate wild horses from both private and public land in Wyoming.  This group’s pressure on the BLM is unrelenting.”

In the back of the book is a list of organizations on the front lines of the campaigns to save wild horses and burros.  To find out more about these wild horses you can visit www.wildhoofbeats.com and even show your support by putting their badge on your blog or website.

* I received this book at no charge from the author

via Wordslinger in exchange for an honest review *

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from amazon.com)

Carol's passion for photography started at an early age, with animals as her favorite subjects. She studied literature and photography as an undergraduate at Smith College, and continued her education in photography after graduating, studying portraiture and nature photography. She has traveled all over the world photographing wildlife for the past 30 years. In 2000, Carol started her business Living Images by Carol Walker, specializing in photographing horses. Carol's images illuminate the relationship between horses and their people, as well showcase the beauty of horses with her stunning images of horses at liberty. She teaches workshops for amateur photographers on equine photography. She markets her fine art prints from her Living Images website as well as in several locations on the Front Range of Colorado and has won numerous awards with her artwork. 

Eleven years ago, Carol began photographing wild horses. As she followed several herds in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, she became aware of how precarious their situation on public lands has become. Since then, she has dedicated herself to educating people with her photographs and stories about the wild horses. She is one of the leading advocates working to keep America's wild horses wild and free on our public lands. Her award-winning book Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses The book was released winter of 2008 and is currently in its third printing. Carol's second book, Horse Photography: The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers is in its second printing. Carol's third book, Mustangs: Wild Horses at the Heart of the American Legend was published in October 2014 in France.

Proceeds from the sales of Carol's artwork and books fund her work to keep America's wild horses wild and free. For the last seven years, Carol has produced a calendar of her images each year to benefit first the Cloud Foundation and now for Wild Horse Freedom Federation. Carol is the Director of Field Documentation and on the Board of Directors for Wild Horse Freedom Federation, which is dedicated to stopping the roundups and keeping our wild horses wild and free.

Stop the Diet, I Want to Get Off! - A Review

This seemed like a good book to review after hitting "publish" on my Christmas Baking Post - just to remind myself why those cookies should get put in the freezer ASAP!

STOP THE DIET, I WANT TO GET OFF by Lisa Tillinger Johansen, MS, RD

Who hasn’t been on a diet?  As Ms. Tillinger-Johansen states in this book it is probably easier to count who has not been on a diet than tally those who have.  The word “diet” itself does not denote the desire to lose weight – diet simply refers to what we eat and drink every day.  A specialized eating plan can be made up to help attain certain goals achieved through what we eat – a healthier lifestyle, prevention of diabetes or high blood pressure and, yes, weight loss.

I have been a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group leader for a number of years and I enjoy my group but sometimes I find it difficult to come up with an interesting meeting topic to discuss each week; a topic that will not only be interesting for my members but that will also keep them (and me) motivated until next week’s trip to the scale.  I requested this book hoping it would give me some ideas.  Well, if you are looking for a common sense, easy to read, packed full of information and often amusing book about dieting this is certainly one to pick up.  Having read through this book I feel quite certain there is not one aspect of sensibly eating (diet, if you must) that this book does not touch upon.  Ms. Tillinger-Johansen includes obesity statistics from other countries (staggering!), she discusses fact versus fiction when it comes to dieting and touches on the plethora of diets out there (many some of which can do more harm than good both for your health and your waistline).  There is even a diet that promotes eating baby food … I’m pretty sure I didn’t even want to eat baby food when I was a baby!

What would a diet book be without discussing the evils of distorted body image brought on by Hollywood, advertising, beauty pageants and even Dr. Oz.  Personally, don’t even get me started on him.

All the important subjects are covered including protein, starches, fibre, WATER, fats, fruits and vegetables, vitamins and portion size.  Have a question about their importance and the answer can be found in this book.

On the back cover of this book it states “We’re caught in a never-ending merry-go-round of weight loss plans, fueled by celebrity endorsers, TV doctors and companies angling for a piece of a $60 billion industry.  But do these diets really work?  And how healthy are they?”  If you want to get off that merry-go-round and start eating for your health this book is an excellent resource on how to do that … and most importantly … it does that without being preachy or weighing you down (pun totally intended) with guilt.

I still find this book, packed full of solid information, an excellent resource to use for my TOPS group. 

* I received this book at no charge from the author via WordSlinger

 in exchange for an honest review *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the book jacket)

Lisa Tillinger Johansen is a registered dietician who counsels clients on a wide range of health issues.  Her debut nutrition book, “Fast Food Vindication”, received the Discovery Award (sponsored by USA Today, The Huffington Post and Kirkus).

She lives in Southern California.

From her website www.stopthediet.com

REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS

Lisa helps her patients clients find a realistic plan that works for them. In this fast-paced world, it isn’t always easy to prepare home-cooked meals. Lisa helps her clients devise nutrition strategies for eating on the go, whether at sit-down restaurants or even fast-food establishments.

REACHING OUT AROUND THE WORLD

Now, through this website, fastfoodvindication.com and consultthedietitan.com, Lisa answers nutritional questions, gives helpful tips, and creates exclusive videos designed to promote a fun and more healthy lifestyle.

25/30

Attractive? Unattrative? Opinions on Americans - A Review

ATTRACTIVE, UNATTRACTIVE AMERICANS: HOW THE WORLD SEES AMERICA by Rene Zografos

I cannot really explain why this book appealed to me when it blipped on my radar.  Of course, I have my own opinions of the U.S. (really, who doesn’t?) … and living in America’s neighbor to the North (Canada) … and having family and friends in/from Europe I could have compiled my own list of people’s opinions about the U.S. and it’s residents.  Still, it was interesting to read what a wider circle of people felt about the U.S.  Sometimes those interviewed had been to the U.S. and others formed opinions based only on television, music, movies and what they hear of the politics.  I can only say that uniformly – the opinions were diverse.

Part of the book description reads, “In ATTRACTIVE UNATTRACTIVE AMERICANS, Zografos - an award-winning Norwegian-Greek author of eight books and veteran journalist - brings together the voices of thousands of people from around the world to highlight their opinions of Americans and the country they live in. From Mexico-born 'Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan and a Bangkok-based tailor named Marco, to American girl-obsessed Italian teenagers and Swedish ex-pats living in the U.S.A., Attractive Unattractive Americans is chock-full of hundreds of unexpected insights, opinions, compliments and criticisms about the so-called "greatest country on earth.”

When I started this book I was expecting a sort of “Man on the Street” (maybe think Rick Mercer) type listing of quotes from people in different countries.  Maybe, sorted by country or topic.  Yes, there were quotes scattered throughout the book and they exhibited rather extreme differences in people’s conception of "American".  Yes, Mr. Zografos did interview international celebrities, authors and people on the street.  I have no complaint with that as he did give a very wide variety of people a voice.  Although Mr. Zografos spent seven years researching this book, unless much of what he compiled was not included, I suggest that the description of “thousands of people” a bit of an overstatement. 

What Mr. Zografos actually did was intersperse quotes between his own feelings and opinions about the U.S.  Not that what he had to say was not enlightening – it was, nor was he wrong in some of his observations – he was not – but, oh my goodness, his Norwegian heritage comes through loud and clear.  However, that was not what I was expecting when I requested this book.  In that respect the book, while still interesting, let me down a little bit.

The one thing that really led to this book’s 3 star rating was the fact that it was a bit of a hodge-podge in how it was put together.  Some sort of order would have been appreciated as the topics, whether Mr. Zolgrafos’ essays or the “people on the street” quotes were not in any specific order.  I would be reading about music, jump to economics/politics with maybe a few quotes about appearance thrown in here and there and then I was back to music again.  Since Mr. Zografos wanted to include his personal (pages long) opinions I would have liked to see chapters organized by topics, the quotes at the beginning of the chapter and then Mr. Zografos’ thoughts.

Overall, I am glad I read this book.  Did I learn anything?  Yes, there were some very solid arguments in this book about health, healthcare and the possible future of the U.S. in world economics.  Did it change my personal opinions about my neighbors to the south?  Not really.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his Amazon Author page)

René Zografos is an award winning Norwegian author of fiction- and non-fiction books.  René Zografos's books and stories have won the hearts of thousands of readers since his first book release.

Renés backgorund is journalism and photography. After years of education, René started to work in the largest woman- fashion- and feature magazine in Norway. Since then he has worked for several magazines and newspapers, as well as for artist, designers, publishing houses and many other customers around the world. René has also invented family-boardgames.

* I received this book at no charge via Wordslinger in exchange for an honest review *

12/30

A Very Short "Short Story"

DONALD TRUMP: ZOMBIE HUNTER by Jon Davidson

“… the world has improved since the day he was sworn into office.”

“… managed to wipe out national debt and create a budget surplus by the end of his first term as commander-in-chief.”

“ … Southern borders have finally been sealed off and jobs were no longer being outsourced to China …”

“ … even Putin himself spoke highly if his inherent awesomeness on a number of occasions.”

He moved with “ninja stealth”.

He “utilized his ultra-keen hearing powers”.

When you come to realize that in this story all of the above sentences apply to “The Donald” during his first term in office as President you have to think I was reading urban fantasy.

Actually this is a very amusing parody.  Mr. Davidson has taken an alternate reality and made “The Donald” the very successful president of the United States.  Then he brings truth to the saying “be careful what you wish for” because as “The Donald” is lying in bed one night with “The Hot Wife” he feels “empty inside” wishing for something else exciting to happen; some new adversity he could overcome … when suddenly zombies attack.  When his personal bodyguard, Jesse Ventura succumbs to the zombies “The Donald” knows he himself is the only hope.  Funnily enough all the zombies resemble Donald Trump’s political opponents and nay-sayers.

Written by Jon Davidson, DONALD TRUMP: ZOMBIE HUNTER is a very short story – 8 pages in PDF format – and it is very well written.  If you have even an inkling of a sense of humor you will find this story funny.  It reads like a “Saturday Night Live” script.  I did notice the author had an alarmingly astounding aptitude for alliteration, which under ordinary circumstance might become annoying, but in this case just added to my amusement. 

Well-done Mr. Davidson.

* I received this short story at no charge from the author via “WordSlinger” in exchange for an honest (and optional) review. *

.

The Amazon.com link is HERE

I Feel Righteously Pissed Off!

THE BABY by Sylvia Norman

Those of you who have read my reviews know I don’t often write scathing, negative reviews so be warned – this is my version of a “scathing, negative review”.  This review might make you wonder if I don’t have a split personality.  And, I’m going to do things a little out of my usual order.  I want to say something positive (before I get into my rant) so I’ll start with the basics.

The premise of this book had a lot of promise towards being a really good horror story.  I understand that this was a “novelette”; by its very description, short by design, but the parts of the story that were to be the horror element had little to no suspense leading up to them.  They sort of struck you in the face … and rather than be shocking they just left me feeling rather flat.  A little bit of lead-in and emotion goes a long way into making a scene terrifying.  The writing was passable for, what I understand, is a first effort by Ms. Norman.  A good editor would have been able to pare down a sentence such as “As I got closer to the lady, I looked over her shoulder and saw she was holding a bloody baby that was bleeding profusely.”

Despite all that I was quite prepared to give this book a 2 ½ to 3-star rating because of Ms. Norman’s premise and her effort, which I still think are pretty strong.

Now?

I’m so pissed off I don’t even know because I cannot avoid my personal feelings getting in the way of an honest rating based on the book itself.  The last time I had such a strong negative reaction to a piece of creative endeavor was at a modern art exhibit when I came across a snow shovel hanging on a wall with a title card next to it reading: "Prelude To A Broken Arm".  The shovel still had a home hardware price sticker on it.  I think I started to hyperventilate.

From the book description:

“Patricia and William can’t wait to have children, but as soon as she gives birth, things seem to change.  First, although she doesn’t remember it, Patricia apparently tried to commit suicide in the hospital room.  The doctors write it off as postpartum depression, but Patricia has the oddest feeling her baby, Bernard, had something to do with it.

William tries to be supportive of his recovering wife.  He is careful and loving with their son, but she seems almost afraid of little Bernard.  She doesn’t treat him as a mother would – with love, compassion, and patience.  To Patricia, Bernard is some kind of monster, and sometimes, she swears he looks like an old man … and talks like one too.

Is Bernard the evil creature she suspects, or is the horror just part of Patricia’s twisted imagination.  William fears for his family, but he’s not sure where to turn.  He hates to think his wife is mad, yet her behavior gives him little choice.  Patricia, however, feels she has a purpose; destroy the child she brought into the world before

he hurts others, William included.”

Sounds creepy, right?

Then there’s the book cover … looks pretty creepy too... black and white, single doll in a peeling, possibly bloody crib.  Just the kind of book I would be drawn to.

In "The Baby" there comes a definite point in the story where the reader thinks they are going to find out if Patricia is insane or if Bernard truly is evil and that’s where it totally went off the rails for me.

And just so you know I am NOT including any spoiler alerts here because I do not think the story deserves the courtesy … readers need to know what they are getting into.

The story makes a 180-degree turn and the reader finds out that early in her marriage Patricia made the choice to terminate a pregnancy.  Whether it was her guilty conscience or whether that baby was truly back to haunt her is neither here nor there in my opinion … the author’s views on the subject are made very clear in her dialogue and descriptions.  There was no warning anywhere on the book that this was going to preach a “Right to Life” point of view in such graphic terms.  If at some point I had had to make such a decision and then found myself reading this book … with NO WARNING … I would have thrown-up at the very least or been tempted to throw myself in front of a bus just because of the thick layer of guilt Ms. Norman lays on the reader.  If some poor woman had recently had to make such an agonizing decision (and YES I do believe, for most, it is a decision not made lightly) she would probably not pick up a book about evil babies … but we’re all readers here, used to suspending reality … if she did pick up this book IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING!

My personal thoughts on lifestyle issues do not matter here; I am not trying to start a debate and, I like to think I am not an overly sensitive reader but I do feel I have the right to full disclosure about certain aspects and subject matter of the book.  Most books give you an idea … “Christian fiction”, “LGBT fiction”, “Erotica” even a little “This book may contain…” or “This book may be offensive if …” – just give me the choice to pick it up or not!

Readers, especially those willing to try Indie authors and/or plug their way through self published work are often not sure where a story is going to lead (and may I say are often pleasantly surprised) … but if there is going to be some (a lot) of personal preaching done by the author in the guise of a story line … let me know ahead of time.

This novelette received nothing but five-star ratings and gushing, glowing reviews on Amazon.  On Goodreads.com it has two five-star reviews and one two-star review.  Am I (self deleted cuss word) missing some element of this book?  Somehow, I suspect there will be no requests forthcoming to post my review on either site.

Okay, I’m done now.

*I received this book at no charge from the author

via Wordslinger in exchange for an honest review.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from an insert included with the book)

“I was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  I reside in Lithonia, Georgia with my two sons.  “The Baby” is my first publication.  I am a horror and suspense fan.  My style of writing as the feel of the Twilight Zone, Night Gallery and the movie 1408.  I’m working on part two of “The Baby” and a new novel, “Family Portrait.”