Thursday, February 4, 2016
Image Ads for Award Winning Books #bookawards
All the books that have won awards in the 2016 Feathered Quill Book Awards program get a free two-week ad on the main page of our site, Feathered Quill Book Reviews. Here are the first ads to come in/get posted. Check them out!
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Award Winners Posted to Pinterest
Just posted all the winning books (if they're available from Amazon -
several are not) to our Pinterest page. A good chance to see all the
book covers in one place. Check them out!
Monday, February 1, 2016
List of Feathered Quill Award Winners #bookawards
Just uploaded to our site - the list of 2016 award winners. Congratulations to all our winners!!!! We had an AMAZING selection of books nominated this year. Scores of just a few points separated so many of the books. Here's the link to the list of winners: Feathered Quill Book Awards 2016. (This is a temporary link - we'll be uploading a final document in a few days that includes all the 'special' awards.)
Books In For Review
Here's the latest batch of books to arrive for review. Check them out!
The House on Primrose Pond by Yona Zeldis McDonough After suffering a sudden, traumatic loss, historical novelist Susannah Gilmore decides to uproot her life—and the lives of her two children—and leave their beloved Brooklyn for the little town of Eastwood, New Hampshire. While the trio adjusts to their new surroundings, Susannah is captivated by an unexpected find in her late parents’ home: an unsigned love note addressed to her mother, in handwriting that is most definitely not her father’s. Reeling from the thought that she never really knew her mother, Susannah finds mysteries everywhere she looks: in her daughter’s friendship with an older neighbor, in a charismatic local man to whom she’s powerfully drawn, and in an eighteenth century crime she’s researching for her next book. Compelled to dig into her mother’s past, Susannah discovers even more secrets, ones that surpass any fiction she could ever put to paper...
Everything's Relative by Jenna McCarthy When their mother dies, sisters Jules, Brooke, and Lexi breathe a collective sigh of relief. Their days of being hurt and controlled by Juliana Alexander are over. It turns out, Juliana isn’t about to let a little detail like death stop her. The three estranged sisters—one control freak, one peacekeeper and one red hot mess—are shocked to discover that their mother was hiding a massive fortune, one that promises to completely transform all of their lives. But in classic Juliana fashion, there’s a catch. Three of them, to be exact. Now Jules, Brooke, and Lexi find themselves forced to rely on one another in order to become the women their mother wanted them to be. With millions of dollars on the line and as many obstacles in the way, the sisters embark on a hilarious journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the real meaning of wealth.
The Dutch Girl: Renegades of the American Revolution by Donna Thorland Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters...Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers by Kim Kavin The Dog Merchants is the first book to explain the complex and often surprisingly similar business practices that extend from the American Kennel Club to local shelters, from Westminster champions to dog auctions. Without judging dog lovers of any stripe, The Dog Merchants makes it clear that money spent among these dog merchants has real-world effects on people and canines. Kavin reveals how dog merchants create markets for dogs, often in defiance of the usual rules of supply and demand. She takes an investigative approach and meets breeders and rescuers at all levels, shedding much-needed light on an industry that most people don't even realize is an industry. Kavin’s goal is to advance the conversation about how all dogs are treated, from puppy mills to high-kill shelters. She shows that a great deal can be improved by understanding the business practices behind selling dogs of all kinds. Instead of pitting rescue and purebred people against each other, The Dog Merchants shows how all dog lovers can come together, with one voice as consumers, on behalf of all our beloved companions.
Soda Springs by Carolyn Steele When Tessa Darrow discovers her father burning his Civil War uniform, she has no idea how his secret will devastate their family and drive them from their home in North Carolina. The family journeys along the Oregon Trail until tragedy strikes, leaving Tessa and her father to build a new life in Soda Springs, Idaho. This sweeping story illuminates an oft-forgotten era in LDS Church history. Filled with life and passion, it's a thrilling read for history buffs and romantics alike.
Shadows of Angels by L.G. Rollins After the forest dwellers destroy her home and kill her father, Aerbrin sets off on a journey to find the truth about her people, her kingdom, and the mysterious Zaad stone that contains a power she never imagined. Magic and mystery join forces in this intriguing fantasy world. Full of shifting alliances and twists you won't see coming, it's a can't-miss read.
The Last Thousand: One School's Promise in a Nation at War by Jeffrey Stern Under the protection of foreign forces, a special place has flourished in Afghanistan. The Marefat School is an award-winning institution in the Western slums of Kabul, built by one of the country's most vulnerable minority groups, the Hazara. Marefat educates both girls and boys, embraces the arts, and teaches students to question the world around them, interrogate their leaders, and be active citizens in their quickly-changing country. As the United States withdraws from Afghanistan, this community is left behind, unprotected. Acclaimed journalist Jeffrey E. Stern explores the stakes of war through the eyes of those touched by Marefat: Aziz Royesh, the school's daring founder and leader; a mother of five who finds freedom in literacy; a clever mechanic; a self-taught astronomer; the school's security director; and several intrepid students who carry Marefat's mission to the streets. We see how Marefat has embraced the U.S. and blossomed under its presence; and how much it stands to lose when that protection disappears. The Last Thousand tells the story of what we leave behind when our foreign wars end, presenting the promise, as well as the peril, of our military adventure abroad. Stern presents a nuanced and fascinating portrait of the complex history of Afghanistan, American occupation, and the ways in which one community rallies together in compelling, heartbreaking, and inspiring detail.
The House on Primrose Pond by Yona Zeldis McDonough After suffering a sudden, traumatic loss, historical novelist Susannah Gilmore decides to uproot her life—and the lives of her two children—and leave their beloved Brooklyn for the little town of Eastwood, New Hampshire. While the trio adjusts to their new surroundings, Susannah is captivated by an unexpected find in her late parents’ home: an unsigned love note addressed to her mother, in handwriting that is most definitely not her father’s. Reeling from the thought that she never really knew her mother, Susannah finds mysteries everywhere she looks: in her daughter’s friendship with an older neighbor, in a charismatic local man to whom she’s powerfully drawn, and in an eighteenth century crime she’s researching for her next book. Compelled to dig into her mother’s past, Susannah discovers even more secrets, ones that surpass any fiction she could ever put to paper...
Everything's Relative by Jenna McCarthy When their mother dies, sisters Jules, Brooke, and Lexi breathe a collective sigh of relief. Their days of being hurt and controlled by Juliana Alexander are over. It turns out, Juliana isn’t about to let a little detail like death stop her. The three estranged sisters—one control freak, one peacekeeper and one red hot mess—are shocked to discover that their mother was hiding a massive fortune, one that promises to completely transform all of their lives. But in classic Juliana fashion, there’s a catch. Three of them, to be exact. Now Jules, Brooke, and Lexi find themselves forced to rely on one another in order to become the women their mother wanted them to be. With millions of dollars on the line and as many obstacles in the way, the sisters embark on a hilarious journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the real meaning of wealth.
The Dutch Girl: Renegades of the American Revolution by Donna Thorland Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters...Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers by Kim Kavin The Dog Merchants is the first book to explain the complex and often surprisingly similar business practices that extend from the American Kennel Club to local shelters, from Westminster champions to dog auctions. Without judging dog lovers of any stripe, The Dog Merchants makes it clear that money spent among these dog merchants has real-world effects on people and canines. Kavin reveals how dog merchants create markets for dogs, often in defiance of the usual rules of supply and demand. She takes an investigative approach and meets breeders and rescuers at all levels, shedding much-needed light on an industry that most people don't even realize is an industry. Kavin’s goal is to advance the conversation about how all dogs are treated, from puppy mills to high-kill shelters. She shows that a great deal can be improved by understanding the business practices behind selling dogs of all kinds. Instead of pitting rescue and purebred people against each other, The Dog Merchants shows how all dog lovers can come together, with one voice as consumers, on behalf of all our beloved companions.
Soda Springs by Carolyn Steele When Tessa Darrow discovers her father burning his Civil War uniform, she has no idea how his secret will devastate their family and drive them from their home in North Carolina. The family journeys along the Oregon Trail until tragedy strikes, leaving Tessa and her father to build a new life in Soda Springs, Idaho. This sweeping story illuminates an oft-forgotten era in LDS Church history. Filled with life and passion, it's a thrilling read for history buffs and romantics alike.
Shadows of Angels by L.G. Rollins After the forest dwellers destroy her home and kill her father, Aerbrin sets off on a journey to find the truth about her people, her kingdom, and the mysterious Zaad stone that contains a power she never imagined. Magic and mystery join forces in this intriguing fantasy world. Full of shifting alliances and twists you won't see coming, it's a can't-miss read.
The Last Thousand: One School's Promise in a Nation at War by Jeffrey Stern Under the protection of foreign forces, a special place has flourished in Afghanistan. The Marefat School is an award-winning institution in the Western slums of Kabul, built by one of the country's most vulnerable minority groups, the Hazara. Marefat educates both girls and boys, embraces the arts, and teaches students to question the world around them, interrogate their leaders, and be active citizens in their quickly-changing country. As the United States withdraws from Afghanistan, this community is left behind, unprotected. Acclaimed journalist Jeffrey E. Stern explores the stakes of war through the eyes of those touched by Marefat: Aziz Royesh, the school's daring founder and leader; a mother of five who finds freedom in literacy; a clever mechanic; a self-taught astronomer; the school's security director; and several intrepid students who carry Marefat's mission to the streets. We see how Marefat has embraced the U.S. and blossomed under its presence; and how much it stands to lose when that protection disappears. The Last Thousand tells the story of what we leave behind when our foreign wars end, presenting the promise, as well as the peril, of our military adventure abroad. Stern presents a nuanced and fascinating portrait of the complex history of Afghanistan, American occupation, and the ways in which one community rallies together in compelling, heartbreaking, and inspiring detail.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Award Winning Books
All winners of the 2016 Feathered Quill Book Awards have been notified (by email). We're now working on spreading the word about all these fantastic books via social media, press releases, our Pinterest board as well as our Amazon linked book store. For those books that are available through Amazon, they've just been added to our Award Winning Books Book Store. Check them out!
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Book Review - Karma's a Killer
Karma's a Killer (A Downward Dog Mystery)
By: Tracy Weber
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Publication Date: January 2016
ISBN: 978-0738742106
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: January 27, 2016
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Publication Date: January 2016
ISBN: 978-0738742106
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: January 27, 2016
Karma’s a Killer opens with Kate surrounded by a tangle of dogs, all eager and in various forms of excitement or displeasure as they and their owners prepare for the fund-raising dog walk. Kate manages to get away from the mayhem and makes her way down to the dock along the lake. There she inadvertently stumbles upon two women arguing. Their argument about protesting the shelter confuses Kate as Dogma, the shelter, is a no-kill shelter and certainly not deserving of protests. What should Kate do? Go to her boyfriend Michael? The shelter owner? Or maybe the police? With little time to think, Kate decides to get ready for her class that will be starting soon. Hopefully she’ll see somebody who she can tell about the impending protest.
When a somewhat eccentric older woman, and large donor to the shelter, decides to bring her rabbit to the doga class, Kate nicely tries to convince the woman to leave. Meeting with a stern refusal from the woman, Kate’s inner senses tell her the class will not end well. Of course, she’s correct when the rabbit decides all the dogs are a bit menacing and makes a run for it, and the dogs decide the rabbit looks like lunch. While everybody is running around, somebody, perhaps one of the protesters, sets a nearby dumpster on fire (or was it an accident?). Chaos ensues and Kate can’t wait to get home to her own dog Bella. However, the next morning a body is found floating in the lake where the event was held, and it just happens to be one of the woman Kate saw arguing. Then, as if things couldn’t get worse, the other woman who was seen arguing is arrested, and then gets in touch with Kate to tell her that she’s Kate’s long estranged mother. Yikes!
Karma's a Killer sucked me into its pages quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. Kate is a very likable character, albeit with some 'issues' that can get in the way, and the supporting cast was quite believable and helped move the story along. For animal lovers, there are numerous feathered or four-legged creatures to cheer for, my favorite being Blackie the crow as well as some interesting information about shelters and rescues. The dialogue was crisp and flowed nicely, and the mystery kept me guessing as suspects were eliminated one by one. My one disappointment was that once the murderer was revealed, that person was much too willing to tell his/her whole story. Other than that small issue, Karma's a Killer was a winner.
Quill says: A light-hearted mystery that will have you cheering for a yoga teaching, animal loving sleuth and her pack of odd-ball friends.
Book Review - The Cheese Lover's Cookbook
The Cheese Lover's Cookbook
By: Emily Chambers and Whitney Lindsley
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN: 978-1462115907
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2016
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN: 978-1462115907
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2016
Even though I don’t do spices well, I do have some family members who love anything spicy. Vegans need not apply here, but rather they’ll head to books such as the Artisan Vegan Cheese. Needless to say, I do own that book and adore cheese. It provides that much needed dollop of protein with a mega-dollop of taste. This is a slim book packed with a nice variety of recipes that can be whipped up in as little as five minutes. There are no prep times given, so consider this one of those leisurely cookbooks. For example, I got that wedge salad up and running quite quickly.
The “Iceberg Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing” is an easy one to prep and delicious. I’d stay away from President feta cheese on this one and head right for the nice fresh blue cheese crumbles in the deli section of your favorite store. The dressing is simple, but delicious, calling for those crumbles, mayo, Greek yogurt, and milk. The full-page, full color photographs that accompany many of the recipes are scrumptious looking, adding a lot of appeal to the book. Not all of the recipes are as simple as the wedge, but run to the more involved Stromboli and “Baked Ribbon Blade.”
One good to know section in the front of the book included a sidebar on types of cheeses: Soft, Semisoft, and Semi-Hard / Hard as well as a list of Fruit or Spreads for a fruit and cheese plate. I have yet to put together a platter, but definitely appreciated the inclusion of this information. Each recipe has a colorful sidebar that includes the number of servings as well as the ingredients that will be needed. The directions are in the main text as well as an interesting vignette about the recipe. For example when I read about the “Dubliner Puff Pastry Bites” I learned that it is an “Irish cheese named after the city Dublin” and is a “hard yellow cheese that is somewhere between Swiss and Parmesan in flavor.”
There are several places to pick up cheeses, but this time around I went to Trader Joe’s for ingredients for several recipes. I recently acquired a pizza stone and took several suggestions from the “Easy Marherita” pizza. Substitutions can be made and instead of the recommended buffalo mozzarella, I picked up a package of Trader Joe’s shredded mozzarella. Delicious! Most of us don’t keep a wide variety of cheeses on hand so this cookbook, for the most part, has recipes that will need to be planned. The ones I tried I loved, but do have my eye on several like the “Seafood Mac & Cheese” and “Romano-Crusted Eggplant.” Yep, this is definitely a cookbook for the cheese lover like me!
Quill says: If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll definitely find a great variety of cheese recipes for everything from the simple appetizer to a side dish or a full meal!
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