The Great Brownie Bake-off

Here is the next book I read and reviewed. This one is by an author who has been writing since she could grasp a crayon in kindergarten. It was a fun easy read.


                                                                

The Great Brownie Taste-off was exactly what I expected—a sweet (pardon the pun) and easy read.

Yolanda Cater works at the Crown Street Cat Shelter but wants to own a bakery one day. She loves to bake and make other people happy. When her friend tells Yolanda she has a job for her that pays $900 a night Yolanda has to check it out. Of course it is in a strip club but the owner doesn’t think Yolanda can cut it as a stripper … either does she. He offers her a job as a secretary but when she sees the first letter is about closing the cat shelter Yolanda turns it down. Instead she challenges the man to a brownie bakeoff. If he wins his other company, a premade brownie giant, can have the building. If she wins, the cat shelter stays.

There is so much to this story than that. The subplot is really interesting and fun. I won’t go into it all as I don’t want to spoil the story for you, the reader. Just know what you see isn’t all there is.

There was just one small complaint I had as a reader, not one that ruined the book but did make it hard reading in some places. The author uses a lot of description, especially when it comes to clothing. Every time a character reenters the story we get to hear about how they are dressed. It did take a bit from the story and had me skipping some parts of it.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from the author.

Author Philip Nork is also doing reviews for Indie authors

It's been a while since I posted. It is because I now have 8 published books to my credit. The last one, This House is a Home, was published a few weeks ago. Since then I have found that the voices in my head have stopped talking to me. So I will be helping get the word out on new Indie authors by reading and reviewing their books here for a while. I will also post the reviews on Amazon for them.

This all came about when I was approached about doing reviews for another blog. I did two and got great feedback from the authors and the owner of that blog. The third review I submitted was turned down because the owner said I was rude to the author for my comments. After discussing it with her and MANY other authors on some of the groups I am in on Facebook, I decided not to work for that particular blog any more. Now I will read and write HONEST reviews on my own.

Here is the review that got rejected.

Hold the Jerky is one of those books you love and hate at the same time. It is also hard to write a review of.

Trixie is a young bisexual female who has had one too many bad relationships with other women. She decides to take a break from all relationships until she gets the urge. You know the sexual urge. To satisfy it she pairs up with a man she meets in the bar that is located below her apartment. According to Trixie herself, "It is not a gay bar, but most of the customers are in fact gay." 

All Trixie wants is a one night stand but the man in question wants more. After their rendezvous Trixie is swayed by the looks of another girl. One who she sees almost every morning at the coffee shop she stops in on her way to work. While debating what she should do and who she should see, the author does a great job of describing Trixie’s feelings toward both of her would be suitors. The reader begins to form a friendship with all the characters and really wants to know what the outcome will be.

Here is where it gets hard to review. I was just getting into the plot and the characters and developing feelings for what I think will happen … when the story ends. No mention of the man, the woman, Trixie’s decision or what happens next. It just ends. I know this is book 1 of a series but I wonder if it is really book 1or just half a story to get the reader to buy Book 2. 

I would like to give this a 4 star rating. I really enjoyed reading it. However because of how it ends so suddenly with no closure, I want to give it a 2 star review. I will compromise and give it 3 stars. Great writing, great storyline, but please next time have an ending that satisfies the reader.

So what do you think? Is there anything wrong with this review? The many Indie authors who have read it and commented see nothing wrong and actually like the feedback I gave. If you think it was a helpful review please come to the book page and click on the 'this review was helpful button.' 

I will be here often. Not only after I read any new titles but also to add in some of my older reviews. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is getting close once again. If you don't feel like buying one of my books for your Valentine, feel free to check out these specials from Amazon. Like most authors I need multiple lines of incoming cash, so I am also an Amazon Associate and love sharing the deals they have to offer.



They are offering things for men and women Valentines. I bet you can find products for children too. Just click on the heart above and search until you heart is content.

Whether you buy one of my books, something from the link above or nothing at all, I still appreciate all of your support on my journey. Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

It's 2014 and I'm checking in

Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I've visited. I have been extremely busy with my writing. Here is a quick update.
I write what I call 'real-life fiction.' I take pieces of my life and that of others and then add in some fiction that results in a realistic sounding fiction tale that most will relate to.
In 2012 my 2009 self-published book, Sensitivity 101 ... the Search for Acceptance, was picked up a publisher after selling over 3000 copies. They changed the title to Misguided Sensitivity and developed a new cover for it. It is also available as an audiobook and E-book now too. Here it is ...

To refresh your memory it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery that a young boy of divorce takes while searching for acceptance and happiness.
The same publisher also produced my second book, Life Is a Balance, in early 2013. This is the second leg of the journey from Misguided Sensitivity. It also is available as an audiobook and E-book.
Both of these books were awarded The Gold Standard of Literary Excellence by The Princeton Review.
Here is the cover.

I then took up the production of my own books and covers. I was able to release 4 more titles. All have a common theme of divorce and how it affects those involved, expecially the children.
Here are their covers and a brief description.
First I was told by many reviewers that Misguided Sensitivity could be used as a training manual for teenage boys to learn how to treat females if it was 'cleaned up' a bit. So I did and released it as You're Never Alone. It is a YA version of the same story told by a teenager about his so-called life.

Then came my story about how great-grandparents can influence a young boy's life. Legends of the Lake tells the stroy of a far-away retreat where that young boy learns many life lessons from the people around him every summer as he grows up.

A romance novel inspired by how the people from your past can help you when you're down and out, even when you don't remember them at first, allowed Amore & More in Albuquerque to be written.

Finally, another real-life fiction novel. This one is about how a young teenager who goes thorugh his parent's divorce turns to horse racing as an escape only to find out what really can happen if you're not careful. The Other Side of Horse Racing chronicles his adventures.

 I am working on my 5th self piublished book right now. It is tentatively titled, The Sengers Of Stiritz, and is a fictional account of a family history of coal mining back in the early days of Williamson County Illinois. I am hoping for a July release date.
If you'd like to see reviews of all these books please check out my website, www.PhilipNork.com
Hopefully I will be able to visit more often.