Book Review - A Secret Woman

A Secret Woman

By: Rose Solari
Publisher: Alan Squire Publishing
Publication Date: June 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9826251-9-4
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: September 2, 2014

Rose Solari’s latest novel, A Secret Woman, addresses the perplexing premise of just how well one truly knows the most important woman in his or her life: mother.
Thirty-seven-year old Louise Terry has made her mark in the art world. She is accomplished and well-known among those critics who count. Granted, her love life could use a makeover, but that’s not her current dilemma. As she continues her drive down the single-lane dirt road of rural Maryland, she begins to doubt her directions. Had she already passed the sign Brother Paul explicitly mentioned—the sign by the road where she was supposed to make her last turn to get to the Catholic monastery? Beyond frustrated and ready to end the ridiculous exercise in futility, Louise slips into thought. Aside from her mother Margaret’s funeral, she hadn’t been in a church in more than twenty years. If it weren’t for Brother Paul’s insistence she meet him at this obscure place, it would most likely have been another twenty...

What could possibly have been so important that her estranged mother left the matter with Brother Paul and why was it specifically intended for Louise? When Louise’s journey finally deposits her at the monastery, the first of many mysteries to come is solved. Brother Paul has the box Louise made for her mother many years before—a painted box covered with delicate flowers and soft hues. It contained documents, photos and journals and once Louise has time to cull through its contents in greater depth, secrets are uncovered—secrets of a mother who was a completely different woman and far from the person who raised her daughter Louise. The journey, however, was just beginning and it would take Louise far from her American home and across the Atlantic where she would meet her mother’s former lover Lawrence Ware.

Fictitious character Louise Terry and author Rose Solari are a lot alike. Louise Terry paints brilliant and coveted visions upon canvass and Ms. Solari is a real life force to reckon with given her ability to paint an intriguing and entertaining story with her words. Within the first handful of pages, I was hooked and feel confident in saying most readers will find they are able to gain an instant connection with Solari’s characters. There is an anchored balance between believable and unforced dialogues and scenes that set a fluid tone in support of a solid plot. Ms. Solari has measured control in her delivery in that she carefully guides her reader across the pages while creating consistent desire for the reader to find out what lurks beyond the next page to be turned. Her characters are rich and believable. They are all connected with the common link of the world of the arts, yet they have plausible and unique identities that work well together in making this a solid and enjoyable read. I applaud Ms.Solari with the many seeds of wonder she planted in the readers mind toward how well one person truly knows another—particularly if that one person was the one who brought you into the world. Simply put, this was a captivating read and it was effortless to turn each page from beginning to end. Thank you Ms. Solari! I look forward to your next book.

Quill says: A Secret Woman is a story that truly does encourage a thought provoking question: How well do we really know those we love the most?

Book Review - Rags Hero Dog of WWI

Rags Hero Dog of WWI: A True Story

By: Margot Theis Raven
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Publication Date: August 2014
ISBN: 978-1585362585
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: August 30, 2014

Mon dieu! The little white dog was nothing but a nuisance. No one on earth could ever love a dog that lurked in alleyways overturning garbage. In the dark of one Paris night sirens were heard and people escaped into hiding “so they wouldn’t be seen by enemy planes.” Private James Donovan, an American soldier, accidentally stumbled upon the mutt as he too hid in a doorway in the dark. Even soldiers weren’t supposed to be roaming the streets, but when a policeman demanded his pass, James made up a tale. “Sir, this dog is our division mascot,” he began. “I ran off base to find him when he went missing.” Ah, yes, the little dirty dog was indeed a lucky one, perhaps luckier than anyone could have ever guessed.

First Division Rags became his new name, Rags for short. Donovan and Rags were now on the move, heading to the battlefront. The trenches whirled with activity when Rags chased off the mice. He alerted the men when he “heard the buzz of incoming shells before the soldiers did.” Rags was Donovan’s right-hand man and worked hard to win the war. Even shells exploding around him didn’t keep him from his job as he delivered messages. One day the men found themselves trapped in a whirl of fog in the midst of a major battle in the Argonne Forest. “Go find,” Donovan said to Rags, but then the shells began to hit. Would Rags be able to save the First Division or would they all die in the trenches?

This is the amazing tale of Rags, an unusual hero of WWI that young readers will love. The tale is a bit fictionalized, but Rags was indeed a real dog who was an unexpected hero. The tale is prefaced by a brief overview of the war dogs that were used during WWI. It swings quickly into the tale of one little dog who wasn’t trained for the part, but rather stumbled into it by a chance meeting with a soldier who would take him into battle. The artwork is beautifully rendered in slightly darkened tones, indicative of dark times long ago. Young readers will definitely fall in love with Rags and just may become interested in researching the unsung heroes of war ... dogs. In the back of the book is more information about the fate of Donovan and his very devoted sidekick, Rags.

Quill says: Young readers will be wowed by the heroism of a small dog that no one really wanted!

Feathered Quill Awards 'Early Bird' Discount Expires Soon!

Our annual book award program is in full swing.  To start each year, we offer a special, reduced 'early bird' discount nomination fee - it encourages early entries so our judges can start reading.  This special fee of just $50 ($35 for each additional category) expires this Sunday, August 31.  If you plan on nominating your book, do it now!

Just follow this link! Feathered Quill Book Awards

Interview with Author S.S. Segran

Today we're talking with S.S. Segran, author of Aegis Rising

FQ: Does the word 'Aegis' have a special meaning?

SEGRAN: 'Aegis' is the name of the shield that the Greek god Zeus uses to protect himself. I used it to symbolically portray the five protagonists as they eventually assume the role of ‘protectors of the world’ as the planet descends into chaos.

FQ: Were there any stories or legends about the Pacific Northwest that assisted in sparking the inspiration for this story?

SEGRAN: Not particularly, but when I was younger I was fascinated with Native American culture, especially their connection with nature and wildlife. I find that there is something almost mystical about that connection. Our ancestors lived directly off the earth and had a special connection with it. They nurtured it as it nurtured them. There was no technology back then, no gizmos that pulled us into a virtual plane. I'm certainly not complaining about technology - I'm quite a frequent user of it! But that idea of going back to the roots of our humanity, if you will, to what surrounds us, is what intrigues me and prompted me to use it as a main setting for Aegis Rising.

FQ: The maps at each part of the book provided a great visual. Was this something you planned to include from the beginning?

SEGRAN: I did intend to include maps, yes. A few novels that I've read had maps to help the reader navigate through various locations in a particular story, and I found it very helpful. Having understood the scope of the story in Aegis Rising. I figured that maps would be beneficial to my readers as well and from the feedback I've received so far, it seems that integrating them was a good idea!

FQ: What do you see as the benefits of writing a story with many perspectives as you did with Aegis Rising?

SEGRAN: The way I imagined it, the main benefit would be getting into the thoughts and actions of different characters in a given scene or a sequence with certain clarity and uniqueness. I was hoping that it would give readers a rich variation in perspectives and show that, just as in real life, there are many angles to a story and there may be a number of conclusions that people can draw from a situation. I also hoped that it will allow readers to connect with the characters in way that is real as opposed to simply following one character's thoughts or point-of-view and possibly relegating the other four protagonists to the background.

FQ: What places have you traveled to in the Pacific Northwest that inspired the setting for this book?

SEGRAN: I live in British Columbia, Canada, so I'm very lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous bodies of water and forests with tall, ancient trees. There are mountains, waterfalls and great wildlife, and it all combines to spur my imagination. Just by looking out most of the windows in my house I can see beautiful trees and mountains in the distance. I have also travelled by road and air across BC, as well as by boat into enchanting inlets and bays along its coast. It's very inspiring!

FQ: In many books the elder characters are distant but with your story they are actually quite relatable and approachable. Was this how you intended the elders to be?

SEGRAN: I did! I find that for novels which contain a mentor-apprentice theme, there's sometimes just too much of a barrier between the mentors and the pupils. For the Elders, I didn't want them to be aloof or distant from the teenagers. They needed to be seen as human beings who genuinely care for these five youths who were unexpectedly dropped into their lives. A struggle also had to be shown depicting how they felt knowing that they had to assign these kids a huge responsibility that the five never asked for. I wanted it to vaguely resemble a parent-child kind of relationship.

FQ: The character Hutar was shown to be given a second chance, could this possibly lead to a more positive role for him in future novels?

SEGRAN: Love the question! However, I am unable to say too much for now except yes, Hutar will return. I've always wanted him to stick around with the story for a while plus, I can also say this, he will have a significant role in the future. I certainly didn't want to him to be a one-time character that disappears after the first book. In short, he will return, though whether for good or bad will have to remain a secret for now ?

FQ: Living a simple, purpose driven life is something that can be hard to find in today’s society. Is this what helped to prompt you to write about a community that strives to do just that?

SEGRAN: It's exactly that. Thanks to my parents, this was the kind of ideal that I grew up with - there's no real need for fame or excessiveness. I believe that helping one another and doing the right thing is what betters us as human beings, and that in turn would create a much happier and safer world. The Dema-Ki community in the story strives to do just that. Yet, they are realist who will use their special abilities if the need arises to maintain peace and the well-being of their people and the valley.

To learn more about Aegis Rising, please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

Book Review - The Wishing Tide

The Wishing Tide

By: Barbara Davis
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication Date: September 2014
ISBN: 978-0-451-41878-4
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: August 27, 2014

Barbara Davis uses the allure of the sea and the pristine North Carolina Outer Banks as her backdrop to tell her captivating tale in her latest novel, The Wishing Tide.

Tropical Storm Penny is making her steady progress toward the small Outer Banks community. The summer season is over and the last of the tourists have all but gone. The quaint bed and breakfast, Cloister House, has survived a storm or two in her sands of time. Lane Kramer watches the progress of the storm as she thinks about her departure from her native Chicago. The devastation of her miscarriage and the end of her marriage is in its wake. As she continues to watch the storm’s progress from her favorite room—her writing room, it is difficult to believe she has been here for five years. She could see the storm clouds circling Starry Point in the distance. The last of her guests were leaving today and so another season would come to its end. Lane would settle into the solitude of her winter months—writing articles of things she knew nothing about for the many magazines she equally knew nothing about...

As the last of her guests leave, Lane is surprised by the sudden knock on the door. When she opens it to find Michael Forrester standing on its other side, her first reaction is to advise him Cloister House was officially closed for the season. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Penny had other plans—particularly now that she was gaining strength. It would seem a rather large tree had fallen across the only point of access in and out of the small community. For the time being, it looks like Lane’s season isn’t quite over after all. When Lane agreed to provide shelter from the storm for Forrester, little did she know her comfortable and predictable life as she knew it would be put to a battery of tests and choices that would change course for ever more...

Barbara Davis anchors her story with the splendor of the Outer Banks as she sets scene and tone early on. Her detailed description of the beauty along with the threat of a formidable storm bearing down at season’s end manages to capture the reader’s interest to read on. Her characters are believable in that their moods are solidly defined—Michael Forrester: handsome and mysterious with a moody edge. Lane Kramer is a woman of substance and has managed to reinvent her life by making a drastic change of scenery from her native Chicago. Even Bag Lady Mary’s role of roaming the desolate dunes daily beckons more than a curiosity from Davis’ audience. Davis has clear tone and voice throughout as she strategically plants the necessary seeds to build her sound plot. She further enhances the plot with the suggestion of the important connection the ‘haunted house’ across the street from Cloister House plays in this story. The dialogue is strong and the story moves forward at a comfortable pace. This book has all the makings and merits of a good read to take along on summer vacation. It has just the right amount of intrigue and flow to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Quill says: The Wishing Tide is the perfect addition to a tall glass of sweet tea, a gentle summer breeze and a schedule with nothing more to do than 'be.'

Book Review - Visions: A Cainsville Novel

Visions: A Cainsville Novel

By: Kelley Armstrong
Illustrated By: Tony Mauro
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: August 2014
ISBN: 978-0-525-95305-0
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: August 27, 2014

After discovering that she could not only read but also understand omens, Olivia Taylor-Jones is not surprised that she finds herself comfortable in the small town of Cainsville, as this town is far from ordinary. Even though Olivia cannot place her finger on why this town is so different, she can sense from the elders that she is wanted here.

After finding out her parents are convicted serial killers there are two things on Olivia’s mind; the first is to work with her parents' lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, to drop two charges of murder because they had already found that they were not committed by her parents. The second thing Olivia wants to do is to get back to a somewhat normal life on her own. This was the first time Olivia was truly on her own and she wanted to prove to herself more than anyone that she could make it without help.

However, when Olivia finds the body of a dead girl in her car dressed to look like her things change quickly. There are a few possible reasons why the victim is dressed like Olivia - either someone is threatening her or warning her of her own impending death. Of course the first thing she does is call Gabriel, but when he makes it to the house the body has vanished; was this another omen Olivia just saw in her head or is someone playing with her? Well so much for living that normal life she wanted as Olivia throws herself into researching the identity of this murdered girl and what it has to do with her own life. On top of that Gabriel begins to become overly obsessive about her safety, her ex-fiancé James insists on reconciliation, and a certain handsome young man named Ricky Gallagher is constantly catching her eye. Whether finding this body was an omen or a warning planted by someone, Olivia knows there she has little time to find out how all of this relates to her before someone may try to kill her.

Even though I have not read the first book in this series, Omens, I had no trouble getting into this story. The writing of Armstrong is raw enough to keep the book intense but also subtle enough to let the reader know the intricate details of the characters. It was brilliant in my mind to include small chapters from some of the other characters' points of view as the author gave me enough insight to relate to each of these characters yet still held something back to keep them intriguing as well. That is a tough balance to accomplish but Armstrong does this amazingly well in addition to creating a strong character in Olivia. As soon as I started the first page there was no putting this book down - I stayed up late reading just to see where the story was going and what dangers would be com in

Quill says: A gripping story that will have the reader wishing for their own foresight just to know what’s going to happen next.

Interview with Author Sherry L. Meinberg

Today we're talking with Sherry L. Meinberg, author of The Cockroach Invasion

FQ: In your years of teaching, did you just teach third grade, or other grades as well?

MEINBERG: Although my favorite grade to teach was the third grade, in my 50 years as an educator (teaching in public schools for 34 years, and later as a core university adjunct professor for 16 years), I taught all grade levels. For instance, during a number of semesters, I taught elementary school in the daytime, and high school at night (for previous drop outs, or for those students who had been expelled, and wanted to return and finish their education). After retiring for the second time, I began teaching creative writing to senior citizens. So I have taught all age groups.

FQ: How did you decide what facts to put in your book, so it could be understood by young children, but also interesting for adults?

MEINBERG: Since this story actually happened in my third grade classroom, years ago, I tried to record what I remembered, as close as possible. For those older students and adults who might want to explore more information, I included two sections at the tail end of the book: More Interesting Facts About Cockroaches, and What’s Good About Cockroaches. Although I found some scientist’s experiments very interesting, I didn’t include them, because the book would have been way too long.

FQ: Was including the diagrams and sketches by the students something you intended from the beginning?

Author Sherry L. Meinberg

MEINBERG: Absolutely not! When adult professional artists refused to draw cockroaches, I assured them that only a few cockroach sketches were needed, and the rest of the sketches would be other images (a ship, a grasshopper, a dinosaur, etc.), but no one wanted to be involved with cockroaches. It was very frustrating! At long last, I finally conducted an art contest for third and fourth graders, and was so pleased with the result. The 16 winners of the contest are from different schools in different cities. I think the book is much better with the children’s sketches, even though it took eight more weeks to get all of the parental signatures on permission slips. Some parents didn’t believe their children, when they said they won an art contest. “Okay. Yeah. Sure,” they responded, and thought their kids were making up wild stories. The crushed and wrinkled pages were finally found squished in the bottom of the children’s backpacks, which were then hastily signed and returned.

FQ: Pictures and diagrams are always a great way to grab children’s attention, but what do you do to get them to pay attention to the written word as well?

MEINBERG: I just wrote the story in the exciting way in which it happened. The subject matter is what holds the readers’ focus. Oddly, a couple of adults suggested that I should add or omit certain items, which I refused to do. They didn’t get the message that the book is nonfiction.

FQ: What have you found that children most enjoyed about your books?

MEINBERG: One father told me that his soon-to-be 4th grade daughter wouldn’t put the book down, until she read it clear through, cover to cover! (Bedtime had to wait.) That’s what I like to hear! A woman told me that after her 3rd grade granddaughter read the book to herself, she wanted to read it aloud, to her. She began by leaning over and patting her grandmother’s arm, and said, “You will have questions, Grandma, but don’t worry. I have all the answers!” (Wow! A budding teacher in the works!) I think the yuck factor is what interests children the most. Many young readers saw themselves interacting in Room 8. Others wished they could have actually been in Room 8, when they were in the third grade. One letter from Hawaii said that the writer had always been afraid of cockroaches, but now she had a newfound respect for them. A letter from California said: “If I had discovered such a book when I was nine, perhaps my motto would not be: If a bug comes into my house, it gets zapped!” Those are the kind of responses I was hoping for: a change of attitude toward the “unhuggable” and “unlovable” critters of our world. Young readers seem more accepting of all living creatures, which is what I was aiming for.

FQ: Reactions of both boys and girls were included, but have you found that one gender is more attracted to your book than the other, or is it about the same?

MEINBERG: At this point, I don’t see a clear division. Readers seem to be of both genders equally, as they all have had cockroach experiences of their own, and can relate. The great thing for me to see is that many reluctant readers find the topic fascinating enough for them to want to read the book.

FQ: The character of Diego presented a shy personality. Was he based on an actual student of yours?

MEINBERG: Yes, but his shyness was more from a language barrier. Once Diego felt he had a handle on his new language skills, his true personality shone through. For example, I once had a second grade girl, who checked into school late in the year. She relied on her body language, nodding her head, and pointing with her fingers, and such, while listening intently to conversations. She was extremely quiet, seemingly fading into the woodwork, just observing. It later became clear that she understood much more than she let on, but she was simply unsure of using the new vocabulary. I’m sure that she didn’t want to be laughed at. She spent that year soaking up the language sounds and meaning. In the third grade, she felt comfortable and confident with English, and was a total and constant chatterbox. Her conversations, comments, and whispered asides, just wouldn’t stop! She was a waterfall of words. The change was simply amazing.

FQ: Do you have plans to continue writing these books?

MEINBERG: I could definitely have a Room 8 series. On page 116 of The Cockroach Invasion, I ask the readers to choose the next book that they would like to read. I have listed seven other titles, of unusual and unexpected oddball experiences, that actually happened in my third grade classroom. But if children show no further interest, then I will return focus again on adult nonfiction books.

To learn more about The Cockroach Invasion please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.