Gregory S. Lamb's Blog, page 7
February 3, 2014
Book Review: “Born on the Continent – Ubuntu” by Gertrude Matshe
Five Stars
Culture Journey
This story isn’t a typical memoir. If it was, I wouldn’t have been interested in reading it. Ms. Matshe took me on a culture journey that started in Africa – a hot dusty village in Zimbabwe would be more precise. This is the kind of non-fiction that fits square in the middle of my favorite themes of triumph over tragedy.
Matshe takes her readers on a personal journey. Her observations are presented with colorful place descriptions and her trials are full of the kind of emotion that kept me reading. I enjoyed the way she wove the textures of native language and the importance of community into each of the chronological pathways of a life full of hard work.
Generally, I’m not a fan of the memoir genre, but this one is different. Matshe must indeed be as selfless and humble as her story suggests. Having seen the ravages of a horrible epidemic, she and her husband are both committed to working toward the stamping out of HIV/AIDS. The best part of this story comes at the end. You’ll have to read it to discover the context of the quote, “The Keeper – the protector of the innocents, the giver of hope, the energizer, the motivator and the comforter of the sick and dying.”
Pick up a copy and rest assured that the royalties will go to an important cause. Thanks again Gertrude for sharing your story with us.
January 28, 2014
“Gangsters of Shanghai” A winner from Irish author, Gerry O’Sullivan
Five Stars – The Real Deal!
O’Sullivan had me at page one and then after that the hooks were set and never let go. The authenticity of the setting and the grit of the period – it was easy to imagine myself in Michael Gallagher’s shoes, patrolling the streets of Shanghai as a constable in the Shanghai Municipal Police. All Michael Gallagher wanted when he signed on for overseas duty was to make a reputation for himself so that he’d be respected among the gentry in Ireland. What he ended up with was much much more.The haunting of a boyhood love for a girl named Fiona and the sense of loss that accompanied the severing of all ties to the home of his youth in Ireland, Gallagher wrestles with his conscience with each turn of the plot.
O’Sullivan is a masterful story teller with keen insight into the gangster culture of the inter-war years of Shanghai (circa 1929-late’30s). His writing craft is top notch with place descriptions that transcend time and bring the reader close enough to the action to hear, smell and feel the tension. Written in the first person, O’Sullivan’s protagonist takes the reader on a noir style adventure. Whether with another encounter with Big Ears Lu and a foray into the House of Joy, Gallagher finds himself in the center of everything. From his early trials after meeting Mariam to his re-acquaintance with Jamie Flyte, as a war unfolds in the region, Katya enters the story and Gallagher finds himself on yet again another winding adventure, culminating in the unraveling of a mystery that leads to a most satisfying conclusion. Michael Gallagher is a character that will stay in your mind after reading the last sentence.
O’Sullivan knows his stuff and clearly has a grasp of this genre that is refreshing to read. I especially enjoyed gaining a sense of history the easy way. Through Gallagher’s eyes, I got a sense of what it would be to experience Shanghai during a pivotal period. I sure hope he has another one coming out soon!
“Gangsters of Shanghai” a winner from Irish author, Gerry O’Sullivan
Five Stars – The Real Deal!
O’Sullivan had me at page one and then after that the hooks were set and never let go. The authenticity of the setting and the grit of the period – it was easy to imagine myself in Michael Gallagher’s shoes, patrolling the streets of Shanghai as a constable in the Shanghai Municipal Police. All Michael Gallagher wanted when he signed on for overseas duty was to make a reputation for himself so that he’d be respected among the gentry in Ireland. What he ended up with was much much more.The haunting of a boyhood love for a girl named Fiona and the sense of loss that accompanied the severing of all ties to the home of his youth in Ireland, Gallagher wrestles with his conscience with each turn of the plot.
O’Sullivan is a masterful story teller with keen insight into the gangster culture of the inter-war years of Shanghai (circa 1929-late’30s). His writing craft is top notch with place descriptions that transcend time and bring the reader close enough to the action to hear, smell and feel the tension. Written in the first person, O’Sullivan’s protagonist takes the reader on a noir style adventure. Whether with another encounter with Big Ears Lu and a foray into the House of Joy, Gallagher finds himself in the center of everything. From his early trials after meeting Mariam to his re-acquaintance with Jamie Flyte, as a war unfolds in the region, Katya enters the story and Gallagher finds himself on yet again another winding adventure, culminating in the unraveling of a mystery that leads to a most satisfying conclusion. Michael Gallagher is a character that will stay in your mind after reading the last sentence.
O’Sullivan knows his stuff and clearly has a grasp of this genre that is refreshing to read. I especially enjoyed gaining a sense of history the easy way. Through Gallagher’s eyes, I got a sense of what it would be to experience Shanghai during a pivotal period. I sure hope he has another one coming out soon!
January 24, 2014
Warrior Voices – NYTimes.com
This is one of the more thought provoking article’s I’ve read in recent times. I haven’t yet digested my personal thoughts after reading it several times over, but wanted to post it here to keep the door open for dialog. Life’s experiences, no matter how they touch us, can be haunting…
January 22, 2014
The People in Between by Gregory S.Lamb | AUTHORS PROMOTION
My début novel is still selling and getting the attention I’d hoped for. Take a look at the latest review: The People in Between by Gregory S.Lamb | AUTHORS PROMOTION.
January 17, 2014
Self Aggrandizing – Can’t help it….
Anyone interested in a free copy in exchange for an honest review – this is your chance. Post your request with a comment and means of contacting you and I’ll connect you with a copy.
January 15, 2014
NSA Reportedly Can Monitor 100,000 Computers Worldwide : The Two-Way : NPR
NSA Reportedly Can Monitor 100,000 Computers Worldwide : The Two-Way : NPR.
I can’t wait for readers of my soon to be released novel, A Dangerous Element to relate to the connection in this fascinating news story (click the link above).
Sanela Ramic Jurich | Interview with Author Gregory S. Lamb
Sanela Ramic Jurich | Interview with Author Gregory S. Lamb.
Being interviewed by Ms. Jurich was a real honor. I admire and respect her work!
January 10, 2014
Interview with Lynne Cantwell, Independent Author of “Crosswind”
Today we’ll enjoy an interview with author Lynne Cantwell. I just finished reading her latest novel, Crosswind, the first of the Land, Sea Sky series. I posted a review of “Crosswind” here on this blog, but I’m sure readers would prefer to hear from Lynne regarding her work and what went into it. I say we launch into the interview and perhaps readers will have comments or questions that can be directed to Lynne via the provided contact links. There are some promotional links at the end of this interview.
Let’s get started:
Q: Would you mind giving readers a quick overview of the plot line for CROSSWIND (Land, Sea, Sky #1)?
A: Sure. The book opens ten years after the Second Coming, when Jesus returned and brought the pagan gods and goddesses with Him. They’ve all entered into a pact to make the Earth a kinder and gentler place for humanity, and they’re making good progress. But of course, the people who were running things before the gods came back – the military-industrial complex and organized religion – are scheming to seize control again. So the gods have drafted three humans to figure out these folks’ scheme and defeat them.
Q: Where and how did you decide on the theme and setting for your novel?
A: I started thinking about where the world would be, ten years after the return of the gods, and realized those who had run the place into the ground wouldn’t give up easily. With that, the setting was a given: if the “bad guys” are the power mad, then the book should be set in the seat of power – Washington, D.C.
Q: Who or What inspired you to write this book?
A: I guess I’d have to say it’s the same thing that inspired me to write the Pipe Woman Chronicles: a wish, however hopeless, for somebody with some authority to show up and force the people in charge to live by the Golden Rule, if you will.
Q: What genre would you say is a best fit for Crosswind?
A: I keep calling it urban fantasy, but there aren’t any vampires or shapeshifters in this series – just gods and goddesses.
Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A: About a month. I started it sometime in late August or early September, and finished it in the last week of September. I’ve taken to writing my first drafts in a rush, NaNoWriMo style.
Q: How did you decide on the point of view you used to present your characters?
A: The Pipe Woman Chronicles were in first person, from Naomi’s point of view. Originally, I thought Land, Sea, Sky would also be in first person, and I figured the first book would be from Tess’s point of view. But I realized as I began the planning for the book that I would need to see some scenes through other characters’ eyes, too. I dislike third person omniscient – I call it the “little did he know” point of view, because it’s so easy for the author to tell major plot points instead of letting them happen organically – so that left third person limited, which is what I settled on.
Q: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
A: Maybe Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, or some of Charles de Lint’s work, in terms of bringing pagan gods to life in modern America. But the plot of Crosswind is more like a thriller in some ways. Plus there’s a romance, which puts it in Patricia Briggs’ or Carrie Vaughn’s wheelhouses, except without shapeshifters. You begin to see my problem….
Q: Who do you think should pick up a copy? Maybe you could tell us a bit more about how you decided on your target audience.
A: You’re assuming I had a target audience in mind. I thought fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance would like my books, but I’ve been surprised by the number of men who have read and enjoyed them.
Q: I understand this is not your first published novel and your first series is in the same world. Can you tell us a little about your world building? Could you tell us a little bit about your process?
A: One of the great joys of writing urban fantasy is that the setting is our current world, which vastly simplifies world building. You know from the get-go that there will be only one moon, that kumquats will be called kumquats, and so on. The flip side is that you need to be as diligent as a writer of contemporary fiction about getting the details right. So I find myself double-checking street names and poring over photos in Google Earth. And too, inserting magic into our prosaic world, and making it believable, is another challenge.
Q: Have you ever thought about doing audio versions of your novels?
A: Yes, and I even bought a microphone last winter with that in mind. But that’s as far as I’ve gotten with it. As a former radio person, I know it’s not just a matter of sitting down and reading my work for the folks at home; multiple takes will be involved, as well as at least some production, and I just haven’t had the time to start. I could hire voice talent rather than reading the book myself, of course, but I’m cheap.
Q: Are you working with a publisher specializing in partnerships with independent authors? As an Indie, others will want to know what your publicity and marketing Strategy is.
A: My first novel, The Maidens’ War, and two of my short stories were published by Calderwood Books, but I’ve self-published everything since then. I’ve always been in charge of my own publicity, and my so-called strategy has basically been to throw stuff up against the wall and see what sticks. My smartest move, though, has been to hire the Finishing Fairies for the launch of Annealed, and again for Crosswind. Kriss and Kai are brilliant at what they do and I love them to pieces.
Lynne, I’m so glad you took time out to share what went into the writing or “Crosswind” and your personal views on the writing process and marketing strategy. I can honestly say that I think your writing craft is top drawer and that your decision to work with Kriss and Kai at Finishing Fairies will serve you well. I’m sure other readers, once they read your work, will be eager for more.
More about the author:
Lynne Cantwell has been writing fiction since the second grade, when the kid who sat in front of her showed her a book he had written, and she thought, “I could do that.” The result was Susie and the Talking Doll, a picture book, illustrated by the author, about a girl who owned a doll that not only could talk, but could carry on conversations. The book had dialogue but no paragraph breaks. Today, after a twenty-year career in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University (or perhaps despite the master’s degree), Lynne is still writing fantasy. In addition, she is a contributing author at Indies Unlimited.
GIVEAWAY is a DREAM PILLOW from the American Indian Museum store + A signed paperback, another signed paperback and a $10 Amazon GC by clicking the Rafflecopter
Fans can follow Lynne at:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOG | GOODREADS | AMAZON
GOODREADS – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/696603.Lynne_Cantwell
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynne-Cantwell/
BLOG – http://hearth-myth.blogspot.com/
TWITTER - https://twitter.com/@LynneCantwell/
Don’t forget to check out Lynne’s author page on Amazon:
AMAZON – http://www.amazon.com/Lynne-Cantwell/e/B005JTP5NE/
Indie Authors seeking publicity can contact the Finishing Fairies – See below:
Contact emails – kriss@cabingoddess.com and kai@thefinishingfairies.com
Book Review: “Crosswind” by Indie Author Lynne Cantwell
FIVE STARS - Political Satire – Mystical Fantasy in a single package
The events that Lynne Cantwell used to frame her latest novel “Cross Wind” are set in Washington D.C. in the not too distant future, less than a decade away. My take on Cantwell’s immaculately crafted satire on the contemporary political environment in our nations capital, is that this author hit the home run.
Cantwell introduces her readers to a cast of characters whom she has some insight into…maybe in the form of being a subject matter expert herself. Main character, Tess Showalter is an investigative reporter. She shares a townhouse in D.C. with a former college roomy, Sue Killeen. Together they take on a male third to split the cost of the home they live in. What happens later is extraordinary. Each represent different forces of a mystical world with goddesses and ancient spirits. There are other characters on the fringes of good that take stage. Readers will recognize them as the adversary.
Without giving away the entire plot, which by the way is plausible, the personalities of all the characters eventually collide and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion. Though this might sound like the story is formulaic, hang on to your hat, because it is anything but…
Speaking of hats, mine goes off to Cantwell. She delivered with precision writing craft, interesting and unique character development, and a contemporary and imaginative story presented in a setting where she has a great degree of credibility. Lynne, please hurry up and write another. I’m ready for it and ready for the next adventure.
Purchase your own copy:
Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ Goodreads
Amazon – http://amzn.to/1aFt70x
Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/379760
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18761555-crosswind
