Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Two Blogger's Books

Many of you know that I am an unashamed bookoholic.

Here in the blogosphere I have found many, many talented people.  Who include authors (something which fills me with awe).  Lots of the authors here have found support and receive generous, and deserved, outpourings of bloggy love and appreciation.

The two bloggers I am featuring today seem to have slipped under the radar.  And, in addition, both of them are doing it tough at the moment and would, I am sure, appreciate a bit of love (and book purchases wouldn't go astray either).

Last year Cindi Summerlin who is one of those talented authors sent me her three books.  You can find her posts here.

You can buy it here


 The first of Cindi's books is the most directly autobiographical.  With Trooper, a rescue dog, she escaped an abusive relationship and both of them grew.  Yes, she made mistakes, but who of us can lay truthful claims to perfection.  There is laughter and there is pain in their journey.  Which sounds like life to me.  And, as a warning.  This book caused me to weep.  Several times.

Trooper is still a huge part of Cindi's life and I think it would be a very hard call to decide whether she gives him more support and love, or he gives more to her.

You can buy it here

And this one can be bought here

Trooper's Run also has an undercurrent of domestic violence, and again features Trooper (and Cindi's other animals too).  Sara Powell is running from her ex-husband Owen.  He is a truly nasty arrogant and vindictive man and is furious at her defection.  He is determined to track her down and 'make her pay'.  Sara has been forced to change her name and become Cidney and start a new life for herself  as far away from Owen as she can get.  This novel is a murder mystery, an exploration of human courage, draws skilfully on Indian mythology and includes romance and redemption for extra savour.

Eagle Visions is a sequel to Trooper's Run.  Cidney is happily married to her soul mate Dan, and has put the trauma of her relationship with Owen in the past.  If only it was that simple.
Cidney's deep spirituality and connection with the land and its protectors are pivotal to the course of yet another harrowing read which doesn't shy away from some very confronting issues.  I was intrigued at the way in which two very different, but equally believable reactions to the trauma of the 9/11 attacks were examined and explored.

The second blogger I am featuring in this post is Dana Joy Wyzard wbo blogs as Lotta Joy here.  And this is her book (and I hear she is planning a sequel).  And she better had.

You can buy it here

Another book with confronting issues.  Drugs, violence,  religion.  And an innocent caught up in it all, fighting for her life against impossible odds.  However, much to my pleasure, the innocent isn't the heroine.  That honour goes to an elderly widow, Nelda Pike, living alone in the backwoods town of Treadwell.  She is independent, capable and feisty to the max.  She is a firm believer in 'don't get mad, get even -and then keep going' and has a wonderful and lifelong friend of similar calibre.

I am tired of women who need men or youth to resolve the issues confronting them.  And this type of fatigue didn't get a look in as I read Dana's book.  I have heard a rumour that here too there is an element of autobiography.  And I am not surprised.  Grown men would certainly be wise to pull their own heads off (with apologies to Monty Python's Flying Circus) before facing Nelda in a rage - and I suspect the same is true of Dana.




98 comments:

  1. You wrote very good and interesting reviews of these books and I am sure they will inspire others to take a look. I will start with the first. I know that any book with a dog as part of the story will make me cry. I am up to it though.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: The smaller portion has instructions that if he gives me a book about animals he has to check the final pages to ensure the animal survives. I have wept over many a book. And reread them.

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    2. Not having a Smaller Portion, I must admit that I check the final pages myself to make sure the animal survives. Too many tears shed over animal stories for me. Your reviews though make me want to check out these books. You are responsible for quite a bit of my reading, EC, for which I thank you!

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    3. Carol: I hope I haven't steered you in directions you don't want to go. And yes, if I am buying a book I do the checking myself. Himself gave me rather a lot of animal books which ended badly over the years which is why I instituted the read the last pages rule. Since then, very few deaths...

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  2. I just read Treadwell and reviewed it on Amazon. I gave it five stars. I loved it also. I'll have to read Cindi's now!

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  3. I've read Treadwell...the others you mention don't appear on Kindle.

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    1. Delores: I hope you got to read the revised kindle edition of Treadwell. It seems to have been revamped, revised and repaired after its initial production. And Some of My Best Friends and Eagle Vision are on kindle. I suspect that Trooper's Run is too.

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    2. All three are on Kindle. You may have to go through the Amazon link, but they are there.

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  4. You always write excellent reviews, EC. I believe there has to be another description for these creatures who abuse women and children. They're not "men". A more suitable description would be "monster" 'or a "coward"; or a "bully". Actually, all apply.

    I think I'd find these books, no matter how good they are, too upsetting and too confronting for me to read. Unfortunately, back in the nineties, I watched the movie "Once Were Warriors". It ripped my innards out and I howled and sobbed while watching it and afterwards. It was too distressing for me.

    For a while when I was a little girl our abusive step-father was in our lives until he was run out of town by the police, told never to return (I wrote about this, not in great detail, in my blog last year). Even though many years have passed since those days in the late Forties and very early Fifties the memories remain vividly clear.

    These kinds of people have no idea how much their violent behaviour affects the children who witness their actions. The fall-out remains with those children for the rest of their lives in one form or the other.

    These monsters should never be allowed a second chance. One strike and they are out. However, like so much else in life, that is easier said than done in lots of cases.

    They put down rabid dogs or dogs and animals that attack humans....just a thought....

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    1. Lee: No arguments here. Domestic violence (and I hate that term) does my head in. It is one of the ultimate betrayals. Pain inflicted by a person who should be your biggest support. I don't understand it, I don't condone it, and it is NEVER ok. And no, I don't expect you to read books which are guaranteed to make your head and heart hurt and stir up things better left buried.

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  5. Blogging really has brought out some excellent authors. One of my favorite blogging authors is Judy Croome. I have read two of her books and they were both excellent!

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    1. Birdie: Blogging has given me so many gifts, and writing is just one of them. I am so very grateful. I will go and investigate Judy Croome. Thank you.

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  6. These all sound like good reads. I love the cover of Trooper's Run.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: Trooper's Run has some stunning artwork doesn't it?

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    2. There was actually a wolf mix that I rescued during Hurricane Ivan and who looked exactly like the cover art for Trooper's Run. He became the inspiration for a character in the book. The art work was so much like him that it was six months after the book went to print that I even realized that there was a second option for a cover to be considered. I made the choice immediately when seeing the first one.

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  7. Replies
    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. I know that books are not for you, so this is a very generous comment.

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  8. Authors need a shout out by readers who have enjoyed them!

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    1. Riot Kitty: It is a beauty isn't it? And is true here. Hairy/and or furry.

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  10. The title of the first one is great! Made you weep? Like Marley and Me? I can't even watch the movie.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Yes, Marley and Me is a weeper. And I wouldn't/couldn't watch the movie either.

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  11. Thank you for your great comments on the Kansas Time + Place site and my poem! Being on the particular site was special to me. I am glad to find another bookie here! Mind if I join up and follow along too?

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    1. Bookie: Welcome. And I would love you to join up and follow on. And I loved your poem too.

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  12. I just bought Treadwell on my Kindle. It's interesting to read your reviews, and I read the ones on Amazon before making a choice. Thanks for being such a good bloggie friend. :-)

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    1. DJan: Let me (and Dana) know what you think of it.

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  13. I love being pointed in the direction of a good read and here you have pointed me to two authors. I know you are an avid reader, so I can take you word for what is good. I will go explore their links and see about getting started on each of their books. Thanks EC, you gave me something to look forward to besides Spring which I am beginning to dread because I am thinking we are going to have some serious flooding when all of this snow melts. So glad you are back ... really missed you. Hope all is well with you and SP, who you haven't spoken of for awhile.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. Andrea: I am indeed a greedy reader, but I have fairly eclectic taste too. I hope I don't steer you to books you won't enjoy. Perhaps like DJan you would be better off reading some other reviews as well.
      We still don't have a surgical date for his high and skinniness. Which is doing my head in (further).

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  14. Wow! Lucky author. Perhaps you'd like to review mine?


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    =^..^= <3

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    1. Cloudia: I haven't read yours yet. Do you really want another review? If so, send me an email. But it won't be for a while.

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  15. Thank you for doing this. I truly appreciate you, more than you will ever know.

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    1. Letting the Words Escape: Thank you. But I am a very ordinary person.

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  16. Hi EC, these are wonderful reviews, thank you. I am always on the look out for a good book to read.

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  17. Over a period of Nine years I have sales of approx 2,600 of my Psuedo Autobiography and figures are diminishing as time grinds on.
    My past is not for the faint hearted; a trifle saucy in part(lots of parts) Not terribly well written although edited and easily read, I am not a product of a writing school, I am not seeking sales, But if you are determined I'll send one, signed for $24 Bucks in Aus.
    BTW,Treadwell is on sale at Amazon I'll presume. I'll have a go.

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    1. Vest: When next I can justify buying books again, I will come and visit. And the links under the book covers will take you to Amazon.

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  18. I've written down the books and will hop on over to Amazon soon, they sound really interesting. I'm sure I'll cry, spousal abuse is a little close to home for me, but I'm interested in reading how others coped and moved on.
    @Lee; I saw Once Were Warriors back in the 90s too, and I'm still horrified when I think of it.

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    1. River: Spousal abuse yanks my chain too. Perhaps you should check out the reviews before you commit yourself. I would hate to cause you grief. Though Cindi did escape. And grow. Just the same...

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  19. I am looking for books of a slightly different genre from those I currently read and will definitely check out these books. You are fantastic with your book reviews and I feel have the capability of doing it officially. Thank you for perhaps opening to door to new reading experiences for yours truly.

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    1. Mimsie: Thank you. My take on books is always very personal - and a professional reviewer would laugh at me.

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  20. Thanks for these reviews. What is it about some men that they must control and destroy? Is it their upbringing or their genetic makeup? I was reading a news piece in the Guardian about fundamentalist Muslims and their hatred of women - why? What do we do to deserve such horror? Do we tolerate it too much? Are we women too gentle, too forgiving, too passive?
    On another note, I received your card today of the naughty Moche jar. It made me laugh again! It's on my workroom wall - thank you, it really is cheering. And beautiful stamps, too.

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    1. lynners: On the controlling and destroying front - I wish I knew. It isn't only men who indulge themselves this way - but mostly. And fundamentalist anything scares me. An expression of power? It does my head in. And domestic violence calls are the ones I find most difficult on the crisis line. The ones that continue to haunt me...
      I am thrilled that the mice arrived. And I have a very good relationship with the women at the post office and they ensure that I get the 'best' stamps.

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  21. thank you for the reviews, S. My Best Friend Has Hairy Legs interests me!

    You are Fabulous.

    Love from Minnesota. xxoo

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  22. HI This post is excellent in reviewing these book and I have taken a note of them.

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  23. Fantastic reviews. Thank you for sharing these with us! I am bookmarking them both next time I indulge in book treats. :D

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    1. Raquel Somatra: Sadly, I give in to my book addiction often. Very often...

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  24. Hello, EC! Thanks, as always, for the reading suggestions. (And I must employ your trick of having my husband screen any animal-related books; I can't stand the ones where the animal dies at the end.)

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    1. Ms. CrankyPants: The smaller portion had given me rather a lot of books which made me weep, so he was happy to find out how to stop it. Mostly.

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  25. Thank you for referencing other blogger's books. I'm an avid reader of self-published or a blogger's book because to me, it's more "real" and raw. I appreciate this!

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    1. Deb: I am an avid (greedy) reader of just about everything.

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  26. Two intriguing authors and a fantastic comment thread too! Great reading here this morning thank you.
    I'll be checking out these on kindle.
    Spousal and child abuse is horrific and seems to be getting worse when you'd think it should be decreasing as other things progress. The scourge of our times. At least there is more highlighting of it and the commentary is getting louder and less forgiving. We MUST be able to fix this, surely. TAC-style campaigns, perhaps?

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    1. Jackie K: I do love the comments I receive. They make my posts soooo much better.
      And yes to finding a way to eradicate family violence. Soon.

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  27. Thank you so much for your review of my book. My sequel is really a PREQUEL and a lot harder than I first assumed. Back tracking to find dates, renew my knowledge of southern Indiana, etc. And, you're right. I AM NELDA. You saw through it, since I've never even hinted at it.

    I love animals to such an extent that I can't read a book unless I know ahead of time that there was no animal abuse, or a death scene....it tears me to pieces. The one reason I used to read Dean Koontz was because his dogs were never in danger.

    Spousal abuse: I've lived through. But I had a choice of sorts. Animals in those situations have no choice and would never run away from their "Master". If only they realized they could go for the bas*ards throat......but then they'd get shot.

    Her books, her titles, her cover art are spectacular!!!! She's quite the writer to pull off so many of them!

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    1. lotta joy: Sequel or prequel I am looking forward to it. And, are your sure you didn't hint about your Neldadom? I am not psychic and got it from somewhere.

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    2. Absolutely, I knew that too Dana. But I am psychic. Or is it psycho, I get the two mixed up a lot.

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    3. All Consuming: Pyschic/psycho? Some would try and tell us that there is no difference...

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  28. Thank you for these reviews and recommendations. I am always on the lookout for books. I've started reading all these books on Amazon and put 3 of them on my wishlist. I will get to them!

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    1. Carola Bartz: How nice to find so many bookaholics around.

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  29. Excellent reviews EC. I'm going to keep an eye out for these books. Although, after a very abused childhood, I'm wary of the tears reading the first books might bring. I've cried so much in my life, and books about personal and worse, animal, abuse has me heaving for hours afterwards.
    Perhaps, when I "feel brave".

    It was through your blog comments that I found Dana's blog, and I'm glad that I did. I really admire her very much. And, her book is on my wish list.

    Thank you.

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    1. Vicki: I am so glad that you also enjoy the feisty inspiration that is Dana. And I don't want you to revisit anything which will bring you pain. Your decision - but be kind to yourself.

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  30. love the reviews!! and great book recs!

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  31. What a beautiful post. I believe that this is one of the reasons why we blog. To make these connections. Thanks for introducing me to these bloggers and authors. I will be paying them a visit later.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: The rich connections are certainly part of the reason I play in the blogosphere. Education and entertainment. I am very glad that you have been inspired to visit Cindi and Dana.

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  32. Elephant's Child, you always write the best book reviews. I admit that I shamelessly troll your "Books Read..." list for inspiration.

    I've read a couple of very good books with domestic violence (don't you hate that term? It's so sanitised...) as a running theme - Roddy Doyle wrote two very gritty accounts in his two books "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" and "Paula Spencer". And then there's Jenna Brooks who wrote "October Snow" which was I admired profoundly. Some of the legalitits in the book are specific to the US, the effect the abuse has on the women in the book is, unfortunately universal.

    I will need to gird my loins to tackle the books you feature here - it's a difficult and triggering topic for me. But I shall look at them for sure.

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    1. Marie: I hate the term domestic violence. Sanitised, tamed, minimised. And will stop at that point before I climb onto my soap box.
      I am an eclectic reader, and there is probably a little of most genres in the pile. Literature and agreeable trash both have their place. Google 'A slow passion' by Ruth Brooks. I think you would enjoy it.

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  33. Very interesting books! You write critique very well!!

    Pearl

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    1. Pearl: Thank you. Though they aren't criticiques as such. Personal reactions?

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  34. Ha. I like your thought of men pulling off their own heads. I like your critiques. They make me want to read the books. Thanks so much.

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    1. Myrna R.: I wish that people who indulged in this sort of violence would pull their own heads off.

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  35. I like to come across bloggers who are authors too!! I haven't heard of these, so I am happy to hear of them now!! Thank you for sharing. :)

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    1. mail4rosey: Always happy to spread the word about books and authors. And I love that so many share my booky obsessions.

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  36. Thanks for the tips - both authors sound well worth a try!

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  37. Since my own dog Slim is my savior, I will have to head for Cindi's books first. I love to get the books to read on my Kindle but especially to eventually own the actually hard copy books of bloggers for my book shelf. A favorite is BUCKSKIN BESSIE, HER LOST LETTERS by Monica James of Changes in the Wind blog. It centers around the 101 Ranch in Ponca City, Oklahoma and is non-fiction.

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    1. Grannie Annie: Thank you. I will have a look for BUCKSKIN BESSIE. Another book to yearn after.

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  38. Thanks so much for the reviews, and I'll take a "real reader's" word over a professional reviewer any day. I bought "Treadwell" when it was first released, and tried very very hard to read it, but had to give up, because the formatting was messed up beyond all belief. I'm really glad to hear everything's been straightened out now, and Dana's getting good reviews. Maybe I'll give it another go. I'll definitely check on Cindi's books, too. Thanks! (I'm sure both ladies appreciate your shout-out.)

    Happy weekend!

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    1. Susan: I hope that both Dana and Cindi do get some more blog love. And readers.

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  39. Hi there Elephant's Child! Good to meet you!
    Wow these sound like fascinating books. I'm so in love with my dog--my best bud--that I'm sure I could relate well to the first 2. And I love the sound of the other. Thanks for featuring them. I'll check out their blogs as well. :)

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    1. Pk Hrezo: Welcome and thank you. Our furry friends (cats in my case) are an essential to a good life aren't they?

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  40. Hi Sue,

    Your personal summations of those books is most comprehensive. I think it's very good of you to bring such awareness. As for the lovable Dana aka lotta joy, delighted the mention of her book. I recall featuring her also. Since then, she's been a starstruck fine of mine. Or maybe it's Penny :)

    Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Sue.

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: We are ALL starstruck fans of yours. And Penny's.
      Have a good weekend yourself. A peaceful good weekend.

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  41. It sounds like very interesting books to read. Don't know the authors but I'll add the books to my list.
    Have a great weekend and dragon hugs!

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    1. Al Diaz: Thank you - and a great weekend to you too.

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  42. I have always seen myself as ninja woman, so I would love these.

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  43. Great post and hurrah for knowing authors personally say I! I'm here look!! *twirls around dramatically. For how long who knows gah! x

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    1. All Consuming: Great to have you back. I hope that blogger's hissy fit at you is done and dusted.

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  44. I love the photos on this blog, but have no clue about the comments on this particular post. Is this a secret society?

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    1. Anonymous: Think about it... if it was a secret society would you have been able to get in? Hmm

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  45. Anonymous got in, but clearly has no idea about the secret. Shhh... Don't tell.

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    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Anonymous seems to have slunk away to study code breaking manuals.

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    2. The Child of The Elephant and Don QuiScottie's Ghost shall rise with the full moon and the conjunction of the planets will reign as the bubbles in the cider do burst...

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    3. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Something to look forward to.

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