Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Nov 17

22

Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 22, 2017
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2017  | Tagged With: , , , | 2 Comments

Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. BondBarbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.


Publisher: Bancroft Press (Oct 1, 2017)
Category: Literary Fiction, Celebrities, Barbra Streisand
Tour dates: Oct/Nov, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-61088-211-8
Available in Print, 308 pages

We all know Barbra, the star, but how well do we know Barbra, the woman? In the latest installment of my On the Couch series, Dr. Darcy Dale, a renowned, pioneering Manhattan psychiatrist, is confronted by Barbra, who is dismayed after thirty years of minimally successful therapy. Over the course of a year, Dr. Dale conducts an intimate psychoanalysis, breaking through Barbra’s defense mechanisms and repressions to delve deep into the heart and mind of one of America’s last remaining superstars.

Published at the same time as Streisand’s own, long awaited memoir, Barbra Streisand: On the Couch is an essential companion, a sensitive, objective, pitch-perfect opportunity to look behind the voice and image, and to understand and fully appreciate Barbra Streisand, the human being.

My Thoughts Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.


I grew up watching Barbara Steisand films on television.  For a long time, we only had one TV in our house and my parents controlled it so we watched what they wanted to watch.  It didn’t matter how many times we saw ‘Funny Girl’, we saw it every time it was on.

I did get tired of ‘Funny Girl’ due to the number of times we saw it but I did like Barbra Streisand’s acting.  My uncle was the first in our family to get a cassette player in his car.  He was better off than my parents, financially.  I remember riding in his car and listening to Streisand sing.  He played her over and over.  I thought she was good but preferred the Beatles, of course.

Over the years I have kept up on Barbara Streisand as an actress.  I remember Googling her when the internet started.  I was curious about her real life.  I didn’t find out much except that her father died when she was just a girl.  I thought that must have affected her entire life.  How could it not?

Then I found out about ‘Barbra Streisand: on the Couch’ by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D. and knew I had to read it.  It is a work of fiction but does give much more of a glimpse into Streisand.  I could tell from reading it that Ms. Bond did through research on her subject.  She crafted a well written fictional account that is hard to put down.  She handled her subject with respect and dignity.  She did not stoop to sensationalism as many have.

If you are a fan or just curious about Barbra Streisand, you need this book.  If you are looking for the perfect gift for a fan, this book would be perfect.  I highly recommend it.

5/5

I was sent the ebook for my honest opinion.

About Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond


Award winning author, Alma Halbert Bond received her Ph.D. from Columbia University, and became a highly successful psychoanalyst in private practice for 37 years in New York City. She “retired” to become a full-time writer. Barbra Streisand: On the Couch is currently in production with Bancroft Press, who publish the On the Couch series.

Hillary Clinton: On the Couch was published a few months ago, and received a Best Books Award Finalist book award. Jackie O: On the Couch, the first of her On the Couch series to be published by Bancroft Press, was published on August 15, 2011, and received a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Best Books Award Finalist USA Book News, and International Book Awards Finalist. . Margaret Mahler, a Biography of the Psychoanalyst was published by McFarland Press in 2008. It received two awards, Best Books Award Finalist USA Book News and Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.

Michelle Obama, a Biography, was recently published by Greenwood Press. Dr. Bond has had 20 other books published.

Among other organizations, Dr. Bond is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Dramatists Guild, PEN, the International Psychoanalytic Association, and the American Psychological Association. She taught psychoanalysis at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, where she is a fellow, and also has been a faculty member of WritersSchool, where she taught Psychology and Literature.

Website is http://almabondauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlmaHBond
Twitter: https://twitter.com/almabond

Buy Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.


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Giveaway Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.


This giveaway is for the choice of print or ebook however, print is available to the U.S. Only and ebook is open worldwide.  This giveaway ends on November 30, 2017 midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Katy Amazon Review Nov 5 Review

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Barbra Streisand: on the Couch by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D.

Nov 17

10

Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 10, 2017
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2017  | Tagged With: , , | 1 Comment

Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.


Publisher: White Whisker Books (Sept 30, 2017)
Category: Military Fiction, Literary Fiction, Music Fiction
Tour dates: Oct-Nov, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9863265-2-3
Available in Print & ebook, 275 pages
Chords of War

The Chords of War is the tale of punk rock teenager Max Rivera from Florida, who seeks purpose as he tries to understand why his life always teeters between music and mayhem. After he’s kicked out of his band on tour, he joins the Army to change his life.

It’s after 9/11, and he finds himself under fire in Iraq, part of the surge in Baquabah. In order to deal with his teen angst and raging hormones among daily patrols, coordinated battles, and women fighting alongside him, Max creates a new band with soldiers. Will Max and his friends survive? How did he get to this point in his life?

The novel was inspired by the true-life Iraq adventures of Samuel Gonzalez, Jr. His life, and this book, reflects the story of a punk rocker who, after being kicked out of his Florida band, joins the Army and experiences the surge in Iraq in 2007.

Rutgers University professor Peter Molin, who teaches contemporary war fiction, has read an advanced copy of the novel. He writes, “The Chords of War breaks clean of Vietnam and World War II war-writing traditions by incisively portraying the war experience of millennial-era men and women agonizingly stalled between adolescence and adulthood.”

My Thoughts Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.


Max Rivera doesn’t know what to do with his life.  He lives in Florida and was just thrown out of his punk rock band.  His parents are divorced and he doesn’t feel a part of either of their lives any more even though he is still young enough that they should be helping him more. 

Without know what direction to turn, he decides to join the army.  Perhaps he will do some growing up and figure out what he wants to do with his life once he gets discarded.  However, when he goes to the recruitment center, he finds out it is not that easy to join.  Not only does he have drugs in his system that would show up in a test, he is not in good enough physical shape to be accepted.

He finally turns to his mother who, though reluctant to see him join the military, puts him on a diet and exercise program.  After a few months he goes back to the recruitment center and is accepted. 

 In basic training he makes some really good friend and they end up being sent to Iraq together.  Through his time in service he learns some tough lessons, losses friends and girlfriends. He forms a band on base with friends and they take part in a talent show.  That leads to them playing at other bases, besides their regular duties.  Max also discovers that he wants to be a film maker and decides that he will go to college when he gets out, if he gets out alive.

Though ‘The Chords of War’ is a work of fiction, it is based on the true story of co-writer, Sam Gonzalez Jr.  He met Christopher Meeks at college when he took a writing course and Meeks was his professor.  They later became friends and Sam asked Meeks to write his story.  I think it is because of that, the book reads much like a memoir, a very entertaining and thought provoking one.

I have been a fan of Christopher Meeks for a long time and as an expert storyteller, Sam made the right choice!  The descriptions of boot camp, the base in Iraq, and the action in Iraq made me feel like I was there experiencing what Max was experiencing.  I totally got lost in the book and even forgot I was reading a book. 

The characters were expertly written as well.  ‘The Chords of War’ is not just a book, it is an experience!  Currently Sam Gonzalez Jr. is working on making his story into a miniseries.  I think it will make for an excellent miniseries and can hardly wait for it to come out!  I don’t often read military fiction, or at least modern day military fiction but this is a book I will certainly read again.  I didn’t want it to end.  I highly recommend it and would give it more than 5 stars if that were possible!

5/5

I received the ebook for my honest opinion.

About Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.


Sam Gonzalez Jr.

Chris and Sam at Barnes and Noble

Award winning author, Christopher Meeks has had stories published in several literary journals, and he has two collections of stories, Months and Seasons and The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea. His novel The Brightest Moon of the Century made the list of three book critics’ Ten Best Books of 2009. His novel Love at Absolute Zero, also made three Best Books lists of 2011, as well as earning a ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Finalist award.

His two crime novels, Blood Drama and A Death in Vegas have earned much praise. He has had three full-length plays mounted, and one, Who Lives? had been nominated for five Ovation Awards, Los Angeles’ top theatre prize. Mr. Meeks teaches English and fiction writing at Santa Monica College, and Children’s Literature at the Art Center College of Design. To read more of his books.

Website at: www.chrismeeks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christopher-Meeks-212382392140974/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.meeks1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeeksChris

Samuel Gonzalez Jr. is an Emmy nominated and award winning filmmaker who was born in the Bronx NY and raised in South Florida. He joined the United States Army in 2006 and was quickly deployed overseas during the height of the Iraq War as a military police officer. While there, in response to the stop-loss, he formed a punk rock band at Camp Warhorse, who then played several shows that raised morale for their fellow soldiers during the time of the surge.

In 2007, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for combat heroism. Since his return to the States, Gonzalez has received his B.F.A in Film from the prestigious Art Center College of Design and his Master’s Degree in Screenwriting from the New York Film Academy.

His feature film directorial debut Railway Spine, a coming-of-age period war and crime drama about the real psychological disease that is PTSD won the Golden Eagle Award for “Best Military Film” at the 2016 San Diego International Film Festival and several other awards including “Best Screenplay”. He lives in Los Angeles where he is currently in development on The Chords of War as an eight-part television mini-series. To see more of his work visit www.vimeo.com/samuelgonz alezjr.

Buy Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.


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Giveaway Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.


This giveaway is for the choice of print or ebook however, print is available to the U.S. Only and ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on November 30, 2017 midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Sam Gonzalez Jr.

Nov 17

4

Hendrix: Illustrated Story- Review & Giveaway

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on November 4, 2017
Posted in Books Read in 2017 • Music • My Past Giveaways  | Tagged With: , , | 4 Comments

Hendrix: Illustrated Story by Gillian G. Gaar Hendrix: Illustrated Story by Gillian G. Gaar 

Description Hendrix: Illustrated Story Gillian G. Gaar 


JIMI HENDRIX would have been 75-years old this November 27th

This (incredibly) is the first full-blown illustrated gift book exploring the life and career of the man most consider the greatest rock guitarist of all time.

Hendrix enjoyed the international limelight for less than four years, but his innovative and imaginative interpretations of blues and rock continue to inspire guitarists and music lovers across ages and genre.

Inside, Seattle-based music journalist Gillian Gaar examines the guitarist’s upbringing, his service as an Army paratrooper, his role as a sideman on the chitlin’ circuit, his exile in the UK, and his eventual reemergence in the US and the fame that followed until his untimely death in 1970.

Featuring design as lavish as Hendrix’s music and carefully curated photography, posters, picture sleeves, and other assorted memorabilia, this is the ultimate Hendrix book experience.

My Thoughts Hendrix: Illustrated Story Gillian G. Gaar 


Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing Gillian G. Gaar’s, Boss:Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  I saw then that she has a wonderful way of capturing her subjects, this book is no exception!

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and have always been especially drawn to the music of those two decades.  Gaar is a great addition to my music, documentary, and book collections from the period.

I was only 7 when Jimi Hendrix died.  My siblings are 9, 8, and 6 years older than me and I always liked the music they listed to more than what my friends listed to. I had a steady diet of Beatles, Monkeys, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and many more. That included Jimi Hendrix.

 I don’t think I realized who he was at the time but I know I heard his music before he passed. I later learned about him and have seen many of his performance on TV, VHS, and DVD. There is a outdoor shrine, here in Vancouver for Hendrix and I have visited it many times.

 Many have said he was a genius with a guitar and I have to agree.  He was left handed (like me) and played upside-down.  He played behind his back, and even with his teeth!  All thought while sounding amazing!

Gillian Gaar has done an excellent job illustrating Hendrix legacy in words and photos.  I love the velvet cover!  It is a perfect touch for the period.

I highly recommend this book for music lovers of the period and Hendrix fans.  It would make an incredible gift; in fact, we already know what were buying my dear brother in-law for Christmas.  Hendrix: The Illustrated Story has earned a place on our coffee table.  I know I will pick it up many times over the years.

5/5

I received a hard copy for my honest review.

About Gillian G. Gaar Hendrix: Illustrated Story Gillian G. Gaar


Gillian G. Gaar has written for numerous publications, including Mojo, Rolling Stone, and Goldmine. Her previous books include She’s A Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll, Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana,Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback, and The Doors: The Complete Illustrated History, and Boss: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — The Illustrated History. She lives in Seattle.

Giveaway Hendrix: Illustrated Story Gillian G. Gaar 


Thanks to Steve Roth of The Quarto Group, I am giving away one print copy of Jimi Hendrix: Illustrated Story Gillian G. Gaar.   This giveaway is open to Canada & the U.S. only and ends on November 17, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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