Small Blessings is NOW Available!

Martha Woodroof's first novel is set to be released tomorrow. Don't forget to pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order it from Amazon.com and read it on your handheld device. However, you choose to read it, just be sure you READ IT!

                                                                          

            ISBN-13: 9781250040527                       

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication date: 8/12/2014

Edition description: First Edition

Pages: 320

Middle-aged Tom Putman had resigned himself to a life of teaching, caring for his emotionally absent wife Marjorie and living a rather passionless life. All that changes when Rose Callahan an intriguing wallflower of a woman begins work at the university bookstore. She revives a complacent Tom at first sight. The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service.  Yet, it was not only Professor Tom Putman that felt an immediate connection toward Rose but also his wife Marjorie. Up to the moment Rose Callahan came into their lives, Marjory lived a painful existence, complete with weekly visits to a therapist and cutting and pasting an array of photographs from magazines to help deal with her issues. Tom’s infidelity nearly ten years prior only added more tragedy to the already mentally and emotionally frail Marjory.  With this realization the character of Tom is made; he is loyal, longsuffering, a man with integrity and convictions, committed to stand by his wife for better or worse and this natural disposition of Tom’s being is what initially draws Rose to him.                                  

                                         First time novelist Martha Woodroof writes a compelling intelligent tale of life in academia, complete with characters so real they at times irked me, intrigued me and made me smile with their real-life character flaws. Russell Jacobs a fellow professor and friend of Tom Putman is the least likable character. Russell is conniving, entitled and has no saving grace about him other than the fact that he is Tom’s friend. Tom the ever kind tolerant man is only lifted more into sainthood as he continually stands by his friend as he unravels and then slowly helps him regain his dignity.  

                                           There is another train wreck of a woman by the name of Iris. I loved her. Her character in all her pushy glory, and messing demeanor made me smile. She was so flawed and destructive yet her quirkiness carried redeeming qualities. Again, as with Tom and Russ, Rose’s blossoming friendship with Iris during Iris’s battle with alcoholism highlights the great soul that Rose Callahan is. Woodroof really shocked me in some areas. Just when I figured, okay, I see where this is going- kaboom, change of scenery, a death  occurs, then the appearance of Tom Putman’s son from his affair, and we are off on a new path. Woodroof’s unpredictable scenes kept me in deep anticipation at the turning of each page. It is just a delightful read, it is heartwarming, it creates real life scenarios,  I am sure of it, of addiction and illness and then delicately woven in the seams of academic life is an emerging love between Tom, Rose and ten-year old Henry that makes one appreciate life’s Small Blessings.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book, for my honest review! 

Happy Reading!

By Francine

I see Stars in the future

I have decided that I will now rate what I read with a star system. I have been fortunate enough to now receive books prior to publication. I want to honor you readers with more informative views on what the book is about. I aim to only get better.

I believe that art is really subjective and what may not be my preferred cup of tea, may in fact be yours. So do not pass up a novel based solely on my judgment, buy the book find out for yourself if it is good or not.

I have such respect for writers that put themselves out there, toiling, writing away, pouring their hearts on paper and then placing it out for the world to read and critique. As a writer myself, I know the pain of rejection all to well and of acceptance. We all hope for the latter. Nevertheless, as writers, we do not write for others. We write for ourselves because creativity burns within us, because a warm, sunny day and a bus stop or the movement of one's mouth as he or she chomps down on food,(or however your stories originate) evoke memories that allow our minds to tell stories and sometimes they start from the simplicity of small moments as these.

I have never started a book, whether I liked it or not, that I did not finish. I plan to continue this tradition. I am currently reading three books right now. Reviews coming soon.

So I hope you all keep writing and I will keep writing, reading and reviewing because to do without would be detrimental. So get out there, create, live, and take it all in-whether it be one star or five!


So here is my star rating system. A little thing I put together.

Anthem Book Review– Star Rating
5: Gold: Phenomenal. In a class by itself. Top shelf! 
4: Compelling. Wonderful. Bookshelf worthy!
3: Enjoyable. Pleasant. A must read!
2: Good. You might like it.
1: Ya, I read it.

 

 

 

Happy Reading!

 

by Francine

 

Free Kindle Books

Yes, you read correctly. Kindle does offer free e-books.  I have a few. But have I read them all yet, no; I have not. I just clicked on the free downlaod because, well they were free. One of the e-books is called "How to make iced coffee drinks- 25 best iced coffee recipes to enjoy" and although I have yet to read it I look forward to testing out a recipe or two very soon.

I have read two books from the under $5 bucks section that I purchased. Purchasing anything for under five dollars is like a big deal to me. I love a good deal.

The first book I purchased was "Bill and Hedda-The story of a mother and her son" by Jim Davidson. Hedda was married to Wolfie Hopper who was a lot older than Hedda and together they had a son named William. The Hopper's were and are a prominent Hollywood family, think Dennis Hopper.

The book is about the turbulent relationship of a famous mother and son. It was okay. I enjoy reading relationship books between children and mothers. This relationship can be at times complicated but the love that connects mother and child is a treasure and no matter what the problem, it is this same priceless jewel of love that always keeps them united.

The second book I read was Natalie Martin's "together apart". This book is a relationship book about a couple from London. Well... it was such a familiar tale of silly love. The cliche I love you but I gotta secret and if I tell you, you might run away and leave me forever but in reality- love story-fantasy world you instead find the secret out and only love me all the more for my extreme bravery-the end-happily ever after-the end.

On a happy note; I also grabbed a few great ebook versions of the Iliad and Dorian Gray. I mean they were free. How exciting,  right? Book V. of the Iliad I can read over and over, best fight scenes ever. So poetically gorgeous it makes fighting an act of love.

There are a ton of other books that are free or under five bucks that are worth looking into.  I just downloaded "Mother-Daughter Memories:Love Revealed" edited by Dana Clayton. I have not yet finished it but do read a story here or there and I have found it truly heartwarming.

I really have been tainted by the last book I read by Tim Winton. I mean that book is so perfect from the characters to the plot that everything I have and continue to read falls short. Winton is a master writer and I miss his words.  But I will carry on reading anything and everything because literature is life.

Happy Reading!

FRANCINE

Summer Reading List

What will you be reading this summer? I have a list of books I am aiming to read this month and am expecting a nice little package of books from Amazon.com as well as a few publishing houses that send me books to review, but I will keep those books a secret since they have not been released yet, but I am so amped up to read them (smiles).

For now I will share with you the books I plan to read this month.  If you would like to read along I welcome it. I will be reading the classic "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez passed away this year and I am honored to be able to finally read this book. I have never read this, but have heard great things about it. My mentor and friend Mr. Markovitz adds this book amongst his favorites.

 

My second choice is Daniel Chacon's "Unending Rooms". Chacon is a Fresno Native and I say this proudly.

The book I am currently reading is Tim Winton's "Eyrie". Let me say I have never read a book by an Australian author before and am surprised by how much I love this book. I started reading it a few days ago and struggled through the first chapter, I don't want to give to much away but will say this, last night I stayed up reading this book to 3:58am. I did not want to put it down. It grabbed me and refused to let me go, as I refused, fighting off sleep and my own exhaustion just to keep reading. It is wonderful. I am so looking forward to getting home tonight just to read and finish this book.

 If you are interested in reading the above books along with me email me and lets share our thoughts. If you have your own set of Summer July reads share your picks with me. Let's talk books!

Happy Reading !

by Francine

Rob the Mob

Love, Crime, the Mafia & Christmas in New York!

It is not often that I watch a movie that totally moves me. In all honestly I did not think that a movie with a title like, Rob the Mob, would be one I found myself being moved by. Yet, I was wrong, as I have so often been in the past. I’ve never heard of this film or its director Ralph De Felitta and writer Jonathan Fernandez. The movie is based on a true story (I did not know of this prior to watching the film) of a couple that robs the mob during the highly publicized trial of mafia boss John Gotti. I was one of those kids growing up that read all the mobster books and watched any movie about it. Oddly, my brother, mother and I would often share mobster books like Henry Hill’s WiseGuys; we would each take turns reading chapters and passing it on to one another. Certainly, I would have imagined this tale of lovebird criminals that were labeled by media as “Bonnie & Clyde” would have made headlines past New York, but I guess not.

Anyhow, one of the reason I really enjoyed this movie is that it reminded me of another film I watched when I was a high school punk/mod kid so much that I memorized the lines, that movie being -“Sid & Nancy”.  Rob the Mob and "Sid and Nancy” both tell the tale of two lovesick lovebirds, filled with irrational passion and they break laws, do drugs, are abhorred by family, friends and find themselves each other’s saviors. Just as sick puppies the only thing that makes their souls thrive is being together in twisted young love. And just as "Sid and Nancy’s" love ends tragically, Rosie and Tommy follow suit.

Rob the Mob is great. I mean the love story that Fernandez and De Felitta create is gorgeous, you cannot help but love Tommy & Rosie right back. Nina Arianda plays Rosie and she even looks a little like Nancy from Sid and Nancy, she is blond, puffy faced and with an annoying screeching voice but she is charming on screen and she just follows Michael Pitt’s character Tommy around like he is a Zeus himself. Tommy also resembles Sid Vicious a little. He has dark unkempt hair, pale white skin, a lanky disposition and a vulnerable bad boy quality that is addictive.

Rob the Mob is not only a love story. It is also a bit of Mafia history because of Tommy & Rosie how the FBI views the mafia will never be the same again. Tommy & Rosie's crazy love and crime spree changes everything. Andy Garcia plays Big Al and he is phenomenal. Garcia is such a great actor and in this movie he is perfect. Ray Romano also, wow, he just wowed me. Who would have thought that the guy from “Everybody loves Raymond” could pull this part off, but he did, boy did he.

If you haven’t watched this movie, watch it. It is worth the time. The only flaw I found in the movie is the music. The story is such a beautiful tale, so honest and interesting, everything was filmed on the streets of New York for that reason it needed a better soundtrack, better music. The entire movie is so good I didn’t get up once. I sipped on tea and snacked on raisins but never budged from my seat. When the ending rolled around, I only wished I could have watched the last three minutes over and over again. It was like a beautiful symphony. I didn’t want it to end and neither will you.

~ Reviewed by Francine

Anthem Book Review

Fresno, CA   

What is the What

"and someday you will find your own jailer's daughter, and in her you will bring light." ~Father Matong

 

I am the jailer’s daughter. I have become her. Valentino Achak Deng’s words providing me a sight I never knew existed. My vision was dimmed to parts of the world. But Achak’s memories and words gently formed by Eggers, granted me light.  From this light I have learned a valuable lesson. This was a prophesy spoke to Achak by Father Matong while at a refugee camp in Ethiopia. And I believe it came to pass while reading What is the What and I believe anyone that reads this book the same shall happen to them. I just completed this book today. I stayed up late last night and spent a good part of my early morning reading What is the What. It seemed to take me forever to read this book. It is long 532 pages to be exact, but with an increased font size of one point it would have easily doubled to 1064 pages, nevertheless; it was well worth it.

We in America are such a privileged people. Even our poorest and lost have options and opportunities readily available. In Sudan they have no such assistance. I don’t think our western minds could bare such destruction in life, both to property and to life. Reading firsthand what occurred in Sudan during a war that lasted over 20 years is baffling. It seemed unbelievable. There were times I had to stop reading. I often shook my head in disbelief and sighed in horror. Yet, I did not skip a word. I did not skim a sentence. I did not speed-read through one paragraph. I wanted, needed to take it all in. In doing so, I have been changed. The atrocities that happen against human rights in Sudan must be stopped. Although this book was written in 2006 the injustice against Sudanese still exists.

Saturday morning as I was enjoying my early morning cup of coffee, sitting on the leather recliner with books, a newspaper and my Kindle surrounding me, the windows open allowing the sun to light my home, the cool morning air entering, I was comforted in the stability provided; comforted by the privilege freedom and a stable government brings me. I began to read the BBC news and to my astonishment read that a multitude of women in Southern Sudan had been raped, that over 50,000 children face the possibility of death because of wide spread famine and diseases. I thought to myself, is this not what I am reading in What is the What, could it be that the same conditions that Achak speaks of in his book still remain in Sudan. How is one to hear of such horror and think we in America have it bad? Nothing can compare to what Sudanese bare everyday of their lives. This book has changed me. I hope that if you have not yet read this book, you will. What is the What should be required reading for every human on earth. It is too powerful to not be read. It will shed light on a dark place of the world and scream for you to do something., to help.

I will review this book next.  I encourage you to read it. I encourage you to visit Achak’s website and become familiar with his cause.  Again, Dave Eggers does not disappoint. I swear Eggers can do no wrong. He is easily one of the best, if not the best writers of our time.

Valentino Achak Deng Foundation

www.vadfoundation.org

~Francine

Wow! Who is BJ Ward???

Wow! Who is BJ Ward? I halted sleep an extra hour for him, read his poem "Resurrection" twice in silence, then again out loud.

In the current issue of "The Normal School" Fresno's best literary mag I came across his poem tucked in the corner of page #51. It took my breath away, far away and my slumber too. So moved by this work of art, I woke in urgency and had to blog to tell readers YOU MUST BUY THIS MAGAZINE...YOU MUST READ... YOU MUST DISCOVER BJ WARD THE POET.

I Googled him. I love poetry.  I have now found a new favorite modern-day poet. ahhhh poetry truly makes my heart beat a new rhythm.  It has saved me time and time again. Tonight this... BJ Ward and his words will send me to sleep in peace.

-did Eve turn to Adam knowing the globe had him......pause, then whisper........ "bite the apple.We'll construct a chapel--"? - BJ Ward

Such lovely words to a lovely poem.  So glad I stayed up a tad later than usual to read The Normal School.

Happy Reading!

Francine ♥