Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Scarred by Michael Kenneth SmithScarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


Thanks to Rick Summie of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity LLC, I am giving away two print copies of Scarred by Michael Kenneth Smith.

Description of Scarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


After fatally wounding the Confederate sharpshooter who killed his best friend, Zach Harkin’s sense of revenge shifts to deep remorse when he views the dead man’s diary and finds a treasured family photo in his pocket. Haunted by what he’s seen and unable to continue to fight, he is mustered out of service and begins an epic journey in search of the dead man’s family. Captured, imprisoned, tortured and thoroughly tested as a human being, Zach is keenly aware escape is his only hope—but he never expects love to be his soul’s redemption.

SCARRED is a touching, gripping sequel certain to satisfy fans of HOME AGAIN and an equally confident stand-alone sure to create new fans for the writing of Michael Kenneth Smith.

Praise for Scarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


“Michael Kenneth Smith’s absorbing historical novel explores the violence and moral dilemmas endured by civilians, prisoners, and soldiers alike during the bloody Civil War….Harkin is a vibrant protagonist who grows increasingly sympathetic throughout. Meanwhile, Scarred’s pace is nearly cinematic… This, however, isn’t a war novel; it’s the story of Harkin’s quest for redemption and closure. Historical fiction and Civil War buffs will wish Scarred were closer to the epic length of Gone with the Wind, simply because the subject never grows tiresome….an engrossing, moving read.”–BLUEINK REVIEW

“This lean Civil War sequel packs in more history and raw emotion than a 600-page epic….Smith writes wonderfully and realistically, and one can hear the pacing and menace:… Smith knows the Civil War in his bones, and his novel will leave readers emotionally drained but grateful.”–Kirkus Reviews

“SCARRED is an eloquent tale told through vividly fleshed-out characters…and is enjoyable historical fiction with a romantic twist.”—Foreword Clarion Reviews

About Michael Kenneth SmithScarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


Michael Kenneth Smith trained as a mechanical engineer and began a successful auto parts business in the early 1980’s. He sold his business in 2000 and retired. Since then, he fished, golfed, cooked, played bridge, became an oenophile, socialized, and even edited a local newspaper. Throughout his journey, Mike had one thing that always came easy to him; telling stories. In 2013, he published his first novel, “Home Again”, an award winning Civil War saga. “Scarred” is his second novel.

Please visit Michael Kenneth Smith online at the following places:

http://www.michaelkennethsmith.com/

https://twitter.com/AuthorMikeSmith

https://www.facebook.com/Michael-K-Smith-446349665500089/?ref=hl

https://www.pinterest.com/authorMikeSmith/

Buy Scarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


Amazon

Giveaway of Scarred by Michael Kenneth Smith


This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S and ends on September 16, 2016 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. GaarBoss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar


Thanks to Steve Roth of Quarto Publishing Group, I am giving away one print copy of Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar

Description of Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar


Find out how legendary musician Bruce Springsteen earned his moniker. There’s only one Boss; his story is revealed here.

Bruce Springsteen is a platinum-shifting, stadium-filling rock star, but he is also more nuanced than that. He is a man of the people, making conventional-and-proud-of-it rock music aimed at the American working class.

A supreme songwriter, Springsteen is a rock ‘n’ roll legend, and this lavishly illustrated book is an examination of his life and music. A comprehensive overview of a fascinating and unique artist, Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – The Illustrated History is a tribute to Springsteen’s body of work, from the rock anthem Born to Run to his sepia-toned analysis of working-class misery, The River. There’s Springsteen’s gnarly, Bonnie and Clyde-style tableaux Atlantic City, as well as his debunking of guys’ yearnings for youthful Glory Days. Throughout it all, Springsteen has demonstrated that he knows how to create a classic track. Find out once and for all why his nickname is The Boss.

My Thoughts Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar


I have been a fan of Bruce Springsteen for as long as I remember.  Okay, that’s not quite true, please don’t judge me on this, but it was actually David Cassidy first.  LOL!  I think I was about 5 years old then.

Bruce has go the perfect package for me.  He is a poet, musician, and wordsmith.  His songs resonate with me.  He writes and sings about the downtrodden and disenfranchised.  He in part, is why I became a social worker. 

Boss is a great collection of photos.  Even if you weren’t to read the heavy book, it would make a great coffee table book but it should be read.  Gillian G. Gaar writes a beautiful biography on Springsteen, including his entire life and career.

I love that she reports on Springsteen, rather than judge him.  I have read other biographies about musicians that come off as judgemental.  I would rather know the person’s life and background and perhaps, form my own opinion.  Perhaps part of it is I don’t want my lifelong opinion, tarnished.

The only negative I have with the book is the cover.  There are so many great photos within the book, I have to wonder who made to use the one for the cover.  In my opinion, it was a poor choice.  Other than that small criticism,  I highly recommend Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar for any Bruce Springsteen fan.  It would equally make an excellent gift.

4.5/5

I received this book for my honest review.

About Gillian G. GaarBoss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar


Gillian G. Gaar has written thirteen books, including The Doors: The Illustrated HistoryShe’s A Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll, Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana, and Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback. She was a contributor to Voyageur Press’ Nirvana: The Complete Illustrated History and has also written for numerous publications, including MojoRolling Stone, and Goldmine. She lives and writes in Seattle.

Giveaway of Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band by Gillian G. Gaar


This giveaway open to Canada and the U.S. only and ends on September 9, 2016 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Floating Phrase by Trent PortigalA Floating Phrase by Trent Portigal


Thanks to Maria Moloney of  Roundfire Books, I am giving away one print copy of A Floating Phrase by Trent Portigal.

Description of A Floating Phrase by Trent Portigal


A Floating Phrase explores the nature of art, fear and snow puddles through the experiences of Cesarine, a stop-motion animator caught up in the intrigues of international diplomacy in 1970s continental Europe. 

At that time, national delegations for international conferences on European issues, such as those leading up to the Helsinki Accords, typically included defectors from the other side of the Iron Curtain. This led to scientists and artists with little experience in diplomacy being involved in high-level politics.

About Trent PortigalA Floating Phrase by Trent Portigal


Trent Portigal is a writer of political tales and urban anecdotes. He spends his days planning cities on the Canadian prairies.

Giveaway of A Floating Phrase by Trent Portigal


This giveaway open to Canada, Europe, and the U.S. only and ends on September 9, 2016 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway