Creative Reviews discussion
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Hi Stephanie. I'm new to the group, I have a book-blog too, a few more followers than you, but precious few comments. I'll happily follow if you'll return the compliment? Same for anyone else here - follow me and I'll follow you!
http://mayapanika.wordpress.com/

Hello everyone.
I wonder if someone could be interested to have a look at Memoria. A Corporation of Lies, a science fiction thriller:
About me in my blog http://boblak.blogspot.com/ or on GR page here.



(goodness, I'm getting a bit behind with this thread!!)
If you have a book that needs reviewing, do add a thread in the relevant folder and (if you'll take my advice) read down the "Looking to REview" threads and send queries to anyone who looks relevant. Actual requests to bloggers will get you a lot further than a general appeal.
If you have a blog and would like to review, do add your thread to the "Looking to review" folder and put your tin hat on as in recent times this has resulted in an avalanche of requests!! I have been offline for a bit though, so if we've gone a bit quiet over the summer, do check out our author threads. most of them (me included) are generally game to swap a review copy for an honest review.
And now I'm going to see what's going on in the other threads! but any questions, do give me a shout and there are usually a couple of others generally hanging around who can help.
It's a pretty good, helpful group, so have a flick through the threads and don't be afraid to ask questions!
JAC


If anyone would like to review it, I have a PDF file that I can send you! Thanks so much and looking forward to being a part of a great group!
Melissa :)
Hi everybody! I'm newbie here, I don't even remember how I discovered this group but I'd really like to be part of it.
My name is Natalia and I'm from Argentina, I'm studying English and just finished Level Senior 5 (PET level) at the AACI Institute, my average is 90/100 and at first it was difficult for me to read entire books or novels in another language, but now after 4 months of reading a lot of different books in english I find it easier.
I will love to improve my review's skills because I suck at it! Well, maybe I'm exagerating but I'd love to be a better reviewer, honestly I started reviewing books 2 or 3 months ago, I'm new at Goodreads too, and I'm excited because I found a whole new world of bookworms just like me! I'd like to learn how to review properly and I'm doing my best to not make grammar or spelling mistakes, but I'm still learning so sometimes I don't know how to explain things or thoughts. I hope to get books to review and I hope even more that the authors will be patient and understand that I'm from a different country, speaking another language and doing my best with all my heart, actually I'm not reading books in spanish anymore if I can read them in english, I like a lot more the vocabulary, the slangs, metaphores, the "wordplays", their almost whole meaning changes with the translations, even though it is more difficult for me to read in english.
I read a lot, maybe not as much as another goodreads's users, but I read in every free moment I have. My life is divided between my job (sometimes I read at my office but ssshhh!), studying, my two lovely cats, my precious daughter and my patient/lovely/understandable/ husband. My goal in life is becoming an english/spanish translator and editor and read for a living ;)
Being all said I really hope to get to know all of you soon.
Peace!
Naty.
My name is Natalia and I'm from Argentina, I'm studying English and just finished Level Senior 5 (PET level) at the AACI Institute, my average is 90/100 and at first it was difficult for me to read entire books or novels in another language, but now after 4 months of reading a lot of different books in english I find it easier.
I will love to improve my review's skills because I suck at it! Well, maybe I'm exagerating but I'd love to be a better reviewer, honestly I started reviewing books 2 or 3 months ago, I'm new at Goodreads too, and I'm excited because I found a whole new world of bookworms just like me! I'd like to learn how to review properly and I'm doing my best to not make grammar or spelling mistakes, but I'm still learning so sometimes I don't know how to explain things or thoughts. I hope to get books to review and I hope even more that the authors will be patient and understand that I'm from a different country, speaking another language and doing my best with all my heart, actually I'm not reading books in spanish anymore if I can read them in english, I like a lot more the vocabulary, the slangs, metaphores, the "wordplays", their almost whole meaning changes with the translations, even though it is more difficult for me to read in english.
I read a lot, maybe not as much as another goodreads's users, but I read in every free moment I have. My life is divided between my job (sometimes I read at my office but ssshhh!), studying, my two lovely cats, my precious daughter and my patient/lovely/understandable/ husband. My goal in life is becoming an english/spanish translator and editor and read for a living ;)
Being all said I really hope to get to know all of you soon.
Peace!
Naty.

(Uh, the reviews, that is--not bad books, though I'm also a writer who hopes to one day actually finish writing something!)
Let me know if I get things wrong--I've started off with the eminently easy target of Hush, Hush, for those of you who can't get enough of that one :)

I'm an author and it looks like this is the intro thread. I'll look around and figure out the relevant place to give info on my books. I write BDSM Romance, which is kind of a specialized niche :)


Hi Angie,
What type of books do you like to read? I have a fiction novel, Cat's Eye Marble, that I am looking to have reviewed. You can read the synopsis and email me at catseyemarble@yahoo.com if you are interested. http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Eye-Marble...

Do the books you review have to be ebooks or would you be willing to review a PDF.
If you would do PDF, I am looking for reviews for my book, Mortal Realm Witch: Learning About Magic, as well as reviewer suggestions on how to improve the next books in the series.

I think most of the problems the few people who have currently told me about the book, are fixed in the next ones, but basically all the ones who have said anything negative about the book basically said there wasn't enough action, they were looking for more of a plot,whichalthough there is a main one throughout the series that becomes clearer in between books 2-3, and 5, the first book is made up of 6 short stories. Each of which continue a larger story, but set up more for the later books, which is another problem people have said there were too many details. This is why, I would like some people to give book one some good reviews, but I am looking for reviewers opinions to tell me what they think such as, where book one lacks action the most and maybe gets a little boring, and what details are too many. I think the details thing is because I created the first book so that each story could be read individually and because of this each one catches up on details from the last as if they are seperate short books in the series rather than part of one full book.
So, if you would be willing to review it let me know by emailing me at: comboj2@yahoo.com

Lovely to finally meet like minded people to discuss book reviews. I too have started recently a blog on book reviews . Currently I am reviewing only on the romance genre but would branch out soon. Would love it if you all could stop by my blog and leave a comment or suggestion.
http://rubinaramesh.blogspot.com/

http://huesofasoul.wordpress.com/cate...
You guys can see my reviews here.
Anant

I'm Myra. I'm so happy to have found this group.. I have a blog but it's not that grand and I just started posting for like 3 times..
I love reviewing and reading books: paranormal romance, historical romance, contemporary romance, NA, YA, and others... But most likely my favorite type of books are romance type.. But sometimes, I do read non-romance and non-fictional books.. =)

I'm Ana, and I love to read (does this sound too much as an AA introduction?...)
Being a real bookworm, I read pretty much any genre and usually at least 2-3 books a week, more if work is slow.
I don't have any blog and I confess I very rarely took the time to actually write a review but I'd love to help as a beta reader. I'm a translator/proofreader so you may expect a special focus on spelling and grammar. I do NOT expect any financial or monetary compensation for my help other than a free copy of the book.

Happy Reading. ;o)


When Evan Jordan's 14-year old daughter dies of cancer, he goes on a quest to find a place where children don't die, and where life is still good. The search is inspired by an interest his dying daughter expressed in the Garden of Eden. Could it be that such a place still exists somewhere? Using a small inheritance, he goes searching for that garden, hoping thereby to rediscover the goodness and innocence he lost with the young girl's death. Evan's story intersects with those of a beautiful divorced archaeologist, a 14-year old Hispanic prostitute, and an Iranian woman who killed her rapist; all of whom join Evan in his quest. The journey brings together Christians and Jews, Muslims and skeptics, all looking to recover a sense of goodness at the heart of life and human relationship.
Evan and friends travel through Iran and Iraq, and even to the Island of Bahrain, looking for clues to the Garden's reality, and whether it might still be found. They dig in ancient cemeteries, climb ziggurats, race through war zones and examine bizarre art carved into human skulls; all the time seeking the secret to humanity's foundational story. In the process of searching they run afoul of the Iranian government for getting too close to nuclear sites, they battle militants, and they have to decide who to trust in a very dangerous part of the world. Will what they find make it worth the risk?
Reviews
" I consider myself pretty traditional when it comes to reading books the old-fashioned way, but just having finished Searching for Eden by Keith Madsen in e-book format I may just have to leap into the new millennium… Madsen does a splendid job of weaving tension, politics, romance, theology and history into an excellent story, and if you are at all interested in any of these subjects, I recommend Searching for Eden highly!" Kelly Davis, bookideas.com
"A classic hero's journey... The archaeological information as is well-researched as anything found in James Michener's The Source, and includes fascinating theories about where academics believe the historical Eden may have been, and why…Highly recommended." Terence Ward, Allbooks Review
Debbie, if you want to review this book I will have my publisher send you a free copy.

When Evan Jordan's 14-year old daughter dies of cancer, he goes on a quest to find a place where children don't die, and where life is still good. The search is inspired by an interest his dying daughter expressed in the Garden of Eden. Could it be that such a place still exists somewhere? Using a small inheritance, he goes searching for that garden, hoping thereby to rediscover the goodness and innocence he lost with the young girl's death. Evan's story intersects with those of a beautiful divorced archaeologist, a 14-year old Hispanic prostitute, and an Iranian woman who killed her rapist; all of whom join Evan in his quest. The journey brings together Christians and Jews, Muslims and skeptics, all looking to recover a sense of goodness at the heart of life and human relationship.
Evan and friends travel through Iran and Iraq, and even to the Island of Bahrain, looking for clues to the Garden's reality, and whether it might still be found. They dig in ancient cemeteries, climb ziggurats, race through war zones and examine bizarre art carved into human skulls; all the time seeking the secret to humanity's foundational story. In the process of searching they run afoul of the Iranian government for getting too close to nuclear sites, they battle militants, and they have to decide who to trust in a very dangerous part of the world. Will what they find make it worth the risk?
Reviews
" I consider myself pretty traditional when it comes to reading books the old-fashioned way, but just having finished Searching for Eden by Keith Madsen in e-book format I may just have to leap into the new millennium… Madsen does a splendid job of weaving tension, politics, romance, theology and history into an excellent story, and if you are at all interested in any of these subjects, I recommend Searching for Eden highly!" Kelly Davis, bookideas.com
"A classic hero's journey... The archaeological information as is well-researched as anything found in James Michener's The Source, and includes fascinating theories about where academics believe the historical Eden may have been, and why…Highly recommended." Terence Ward, Allbooks Review
Patricia, if you want to review this book I will have my publisher send you a free copy.


When Evan Jordan's 14-year old daughter dies of cancer, he goes on a quest to find a place where children don't die, and where life is still good. The search is inspired by an interest his dying daughter expressed in the Garden of Eden. Could it be that such a place still exists somewhere? Using a small inheritance, he goes searching for that garden, hoping thereby to rediscover the goodness and innocence he lost with the young girl's death. Evan's story intersects with those of a beautiful divorced archaeologist, a 14-year old Hispanic prostitute, and an Iranian woman who killed her rapist; all of whom join Evan in his quest. The journey brings together Christians and Jews, Muslims and skeptics, all looking to recover a sense of goodness at the heart of life and human relationship.
Evan and friends travel through Iran and Iraq, and even to the Island of Bahrain, looking for clues to the Garden's reality, and whether it might still be found. They dig in ancient cemeteries, climb ziggurats, race through war zones and examine bizarre art carved into human skulls; all the time seeking the secret to humanity's foundational story. In the process of searching they run afoul of the Iranian government for getting too close to nuclear sites, they battle militants, and they have to decide who to trust in a very dangerous part of the world. Will what they find make it worth the risk?
Reviews
" I consider myself pretty traditional when it comes to reading books the old-fashioned way, but just having finished Searching for Eden by Keith Madsen in e-book format I may just have to leap into the new millennium… Madsen does a splendid job of weaving tension, politics, romance, theology and history into an excellent story, and if you are at all interested in any of these subjects, I recommend Searching for Eden highly!" Kelly Davis, bookideas.com
"A classic hero's journey... The archaeological information as is well-researched as anything found in James Michener's The Source, and includes fascinating theories about where academics believe the historical Eden may have been, and why…Highly recommended." Terence Ward, Allbooks Review
Deborah, if you want to review this book I will have my publisher send you a free copy.

I like chatting about books so I plan to be active here. I'll be looking at what is offered for review and looking at author posts to see what catches my eye for my wishlist.
My book blog is new and promotes Indie authors with new releases, reviews, news, Featured Authors, events etc. I also have a book group that tries to do the same. It would be nice if a few more people could visit both.
Here is my blog: http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.co.uk/
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Hey Chuckles, I'd be happy to send you an e-book copy of "Night of the Chupacabra" for your review.
For more info: Night of the Chupacabra
Feel free to contact me at info@michaelhebler.com
Cheers!

Thanks for having me!
http://authorjodiwoody.com/

If you're interested, come say hi over on http://takeawalkonthewriteside.blogsp....
I'm looking forward to meeting everyone :)

http://wormingthebooks.wordpress.com/
If anyone's interested.
I'll be checking your blogs!

I'm always looking for reviews on "False Security", but I'll really be seeking reviews of "Conduit" in about few weeks. I'm hoping I can find others in the group who are interested!
As a reviewer, I have a review policy on my website: www.angiemartinbooks.com. I post reviews there, as well as Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and wherever else the author requests. If someone asks me to post on 15 sites, I will...I'm an author, I understand the need for publicity. Plus books I really like also get a spot on my "Other Authors" page on my website.
I only review books I'm interested in, so I usually check out the "Look Inside" on Amazon or ask for the first couple chapters. I review almost every genre, and my review policy lists the genres I prefer. I also review comic books and graphic novels...I'm a bit of a geek like that. :) I am currently booked until the beginning of April, but if you can wait that long, use the form on my website or send me an email here so I can take a look at your book and get you added to my list!
I'm really looking forward to getting to know other authors, as well as readers!

I'm not new but rather a returning member. I took a break from this group for several months due to inactivity and to pursue other groups. However, after lacking interest in the other groups, I decided to come back to this one which has always been good to me.
Glad to be back to Creative Reviews! :)



I was browsing through the group's threads and I must say there are some passionate group members here! It's great to see a group where people CARE about things so much [even if it gets testy sometimes]. Sounds like FUN! :)

Have a look at the first few chapters. If you're interested in YA that centers in bullying and finding oneself thrown into the human predicament, you may like the story.
Thanks for your interest.



So true Madelon. Thanks for the feedback. However, my professor wants us to read and write our notes first then write our papers from our notes. This is a different perspective on writing; never have I done notes in this manner before. What you say is exactly how I have written all of my papers in the past; this is so different.

I have always found that learning is a very personal endeavor. I used to write papers by reading the subject matter pertinent to what I was writing, then pretty much put the books away and start to write.
I will say, the most difficult paper I ever had to write was about Tolstoy and Zola where I had to write about each of these writers and then compare them. This was for a history class, so the slant had to be historical rather than literary, and the big catch was that the paper could be no more than 10 pages, double spaced, including the bibliography. I discovered it is really easy to write a long paper, but to get everything said succinctly and not leave anything out in a limited space was really tough.
I mention this because the paper I handed in was to spec. The paper I started out with was probably more like 25 or 30 pages. So once you get the paper out of your system, you can then focus on the requirements set forth, no matter how strange or difficult they may seem.


Back in the day, you could fudge the length of a paper only by making the paper's margins smaller. No changing the size of type on an old fashioned typewriter. Today, you could pick a narrow font and use careful line spacing to give yourself a bit of an edge.
Other than that, I still say, write your paper. Make is as long, and as detailed as your brain would like to to be. Embellish the hell out of it. That may take away the writer's block. Be sure to save a copy of the long one. Then, read it and see how much you can remove without losing the essence of what you have to say,
I read for an author out in California. He is under appreciated, and I truly love his stuff. He sent me a short story, not long ago, that I read and offered up my opinions and even suggested a title. The next day, he wrote to me frantic that he had misread the specs for the story and had to cut 8,000 words. That's a lot of words. I told him to send me the shortened version. I was amazed that the story itself suffered not at all from this drastic edit. In fact, it was tighter and still conveyed everything that the longer version had.
Let your inner voice dictate how your first write goes and then proceed to polishing and fitting your work to the spec.


Hey Madelon, I took your advice and I wrote that paper. It truly was maddening; still confused about CMS. But the monster is finished!!! It's only 6 sorry pages long, but I do need to practice writing my paper at the same time as creating notes so I can write my comments at the same time as creating my citations with keywords, etc. Geeze! Headache! I am going to friend you for myself and invite you to the group I created. Check it out and tell me what you think. Thank you again for you assistance.

Hey Madelon, I took your advice and I wrote that paper. It truly was maddening; still confused about CMS. But the monster i..."
Oh, P.S., I can't get off the writing band wagon now and I still have to study for an exam this Thursday. Oh, boy.
Books mentioned in this topic
Captured With Love (other topics)The Last Priestess: Book 2 in The Scion of Two Pantheons (other topics)
Scion of Two Pantheons (other topics)
THE BIRD'S NEST: HOW I LEARNED CHINESE: A Memoir (other topics)
Night of the Chupacabra (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nadia Scrieva (other topics)Kasi Blake (other topics)
Kenya D. Williamson (other topics)
Arshad Ahsanuddin (other topics)
Charlie Courtland (other topics)
JAC"
Thank you. :) Will do.