In our effort to help facilitate the discovery of hot new titles that might interest overseas publishers for rights deals, we offer the occasional selection of “starred” reviews from BlueInk reviews, a service which reviews self-published books. These are all books that BlueInk Review feels “merit your attention,” and “are of exceptional quality and particularly worthy of representation.”
THRILLER/SUSPENSE
Almost Armageddon by Neil Pollack: Anyone who loves a good mystery or political thriller in the tradition of John le Carre or Barry Eisler will devour this story revolving around a Russian-born man who stumbles onto a mystery involving a seductive female assassin and a plot to kill President Mikhail Gorbachev that could change the course of world politics. Pollack’s story unfolds with skill, cunning and elegant writing. Read review.
These books did not receive Stars, but were very well reviewed:
FICTION
THRILLER/SUSPENSE
The Promethean File by Ron Edwards: With a background that includes a stint in the military working in the super-secret bowels of Colorado’s Cheyenne Mountain for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a career as a pilot and time spent as a journalist, Edwards is particularly well-suited to tell the story of a dogged investigative reporter who thinks he’s found the next big scoop when he learns of a rash of bizarre suicides that the coroner is convinced were, in fact, murders. To top it off, all the dead were employed by a top-secret defense contractor with ties to the CIA. Fast-paced and compelling, Edwards’ story is particularly worthy of poolside reading. Read review.
YOUNG ADULT
A Rainy Day Soccer Romance by Del Nett: When Stacy leaves the girl’s soccer league to play for the boy’s league, she goes from being the best player on her team to one of the worst and faces the unexpected prejudice of her coach because she’s a girl — not to mention her confusing feelings for the coach’s son and her fellow teammate. As she struggles to prove her ability, Nett’s novel offers noble themes about loyalty and hard work, and Stacy makes a fine role model for teenage girls. Read review.
Haunted Life by Sarah M. Summers: In this witty novel by college student Summers, a teenage girl tracks down a serial killer with the help of a geeky friend, a ghost sidekick and a werespider. Summers has a gift for dialogue, especially teen banter, and her story is tight, fast-paced and engaging. Read review.
CHILDREN
My Cat by Barbara Peer Lutz; illustrated by Dennis G. Lutz: Nicely designed and illustrated, My Cat introduces readers to a little girl and her much-loved pet cat. The simple illustrations and text, with just a single sentence per page, show the many things a good-natured cat loves to do and demonstrate everything a cat needs in order to be happy: a gentle tickle on the belly, a nap someplace comfortable and a gentle hug at the end of the day. This is a loving introduction to the joy of pets for the very youngest children. Read review.
NON FICTION
MEMOIR
I Can Always Sleep Tomorrow: Real Life Stories of Love and Larceny, Adventure and Awakening by Everett Elting: This slim collection of mostly autobiographical tales, fashioned much like fictional short stories, details the author’s travels around the world and the people he meets. Often humorous, sometimes bittersweet, the stories will appeal to anyone who likes to learn about the world at large and the people who venture out to experience it. Read review.
SELF-HELP
From Foster Care to Fabulous: An Imperative Movement by Capri C. Cruz: An expert on the psychology of emotional healing, Cruz tells of her own harrowing, trial-by-fire childhood in the foster care system and counsels others on how to overcome such adversity. She shares her practical strategies with enthusiasm, compassion and a generous spirit. Read review.
SPIRITUAL
When the Time is Right: A Spiritual Quest by Rosemary Dan: A cross between Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love and Carlos Castenada’s cult classic, The Teachings of Don Juan, Dan’s memoir takes her from Patagonia and the Andes mountains to the vastness of Australia and the metaphysical trenches of India’s seeming chaos. Along the way, she introduces a medicine woman who leads her to unravel her past lives and her “true essence” as a natural healer and psychic; Aborigines and their dream landscapes; and an Indian man who becomes her ultimate spiritual guide. Her wisdom will resonate with readers interested in tackling the bigger meaning of life. Read review.
POETRY
hands on the hips by Jhon Z Baker: Many of the pieces in this fine book of poems would fit nicely into The American Bible of Outlaw Poetry, that huge 1999 compendium of Beat, Renegade and generally bad-mannered writing from the likes of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and others. Tough, laconic, streetwise, and full of hard luck and even harder living, Baker’s works reveal a poet to watch. Read review.
BlueInk Reviews is founded by Patti Thorn, former books editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and Patricia Moosbrugger, literary agent and subsidiary rights specialist. We offer serious, unbiased reviews of self-published books. Our reviews are penned by writers drawn from major mainstream publications, such as The New York Times and Washington Post, and editors of respected traditional publishing houses.
If you are interested in receiving notices in your email inbox of other notable titles, please sign up for our mailing list. We also invite you to visit our website: www.blueinkreview.com