in this issue
	In the News & More Newsletter & Announcement tips Welcome Aboard! Book Reviews Make your Appearance a Success

Newsletter & Announcement tips

The reason we are addressing these topics is due to a sudden urge to send us these items. Newsletters: 1. If you have been communicating with a number of people then you may assume they will be apt to recieving your newsletter. If not then ensure they are willing to recieve it. 2. DO NOT assume everyone wants your newsletter! 3. Bulk mailing is ok - except your list should NOT be exposed. This leaves your subscribers vulnerable to unwanted emails (SPAM) and you may get a whole lot of opt-outs! 4. It's ok to use your book title or business as the heading - no need to include the cover of a book or washing machine - unless the sole purpose of your newsletter is to promote your book or product. 5. Collecting emails is a good thing when used properly. Send an introduction email 1st - it is more than likely that once you let the recepient know who you are they will be more receptive to any future mailings. 6. Whether weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or annually - send only 1 newsletter on selected day. We point this out because someone has sent us their newletter 3 times in less than a week! Announcements: BLP is FREE. We do not charge to add your announcements to our newsletter like others do. If sent in advance this will ensure readers are aware of any upcoming events. Send announcement ONLY once! BLP has 9 mail boxes - each box accepts specific email - review requests - press releases - publicist/publishers - etc. We don't care which mailbox you send your announcement and we will be more than happy to share your good news with our subscribers, but we would appreciate if it is only sent to one mailbox. Bombarding someone with the same announcement will only get you blocked. Be curteous - don't become a spammer!

Welcome Aboard!

First: we'd like to thank Time Warner Books for taking an interest in BLP and our newsletter. Please sit back have a cup of java and we hope you enjoy our reviews, as well as all other included tidbits. Second: everyone please give a big welcome aboard cheer to our newest review member Deven D. Vasko, who hails from Alabama.

Book Reviews

Title: A Continent Adrift Author: Vladimir Chernozemsky ISBN: 1932656006 Publisher: Triumvirate Publications; (February 2004) Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure Hardcover: 504pp Price: $24.95 Rating: Highly Recommended! May 19, 2004 What would Satan give to save the world? Centuries ago an Archangel was caste out of heaven and destined to reside in the flames of hell for all of eternity. Stripped of his wings and taking up residence upon the planet's surface, Satan evolves and reincarnates himself as necessary to survive. For a period of time, he resided in Atlantis, the continent that now exists in a quasi-dimensional state drifting beneath the ocean. He leaves Atlantis and finds himself on the planet Earth. He lives through many historical moments from the tempting of Christ to a position working closely with Adolph Hitler to the search for Osama bin Laden. He fathers many children and is mostly unaware of what they have or will become. The Earth is now threatened with annihilation caused by a shower of meteoroids that are heading towards the planet. Satan must lead a team into Atlantis, shift its position and therefore cause the position of the Earth to shift as well to avoid destruction. During this journey he questions what he has become and he begins to long for the wings that he lost so many centuries earlier. He professes his love for Christ and what he stood for and begins to accept the fact that he is becoming more "human". He considers himself to be the one assigned to do God's "dirty work" and realizes that he is a necessary entity. This book is not only impressive in appearance, it also impressive as a medium to be used to ask the hard questions about the roots of good and evil. It is written in first person and the reader is privy to private emotions and random thoughts that convey the story quite well. Like the author we wonder what Satan's true motivations are. There are so many words written about God and Christ but little written about the origin of Satan and the purpose that he serves. Could it be that Satan is simply a way to balance and regulate good and evil? Why was he caste out of heaven and does he long to return? Unfortunately, no one (that I know of) has the true and correct answer but the author spins a rather interesting tale laced with current events and bound by some historical facts and data. You will enjoy this read and your curiosity will lead you to the last page of this tale eager to find out the conclusion. Reviewed by: by Tyrone Banks purchase a copy today! Title: The Last Holiday Author: Parke Linder Publisher: Publish America (November 2003) Genre: General Fiction ISBN 1413701876 Paperback; 368pp $24.95 Rating: Highly Recommended May 20, 2004 Countdown to Disaster! This story revolves around MSK Air Service, a small airline service that shuttles passengers and packages over the Alaskan bush areas. MSK's reputation has sorely damaged by owner, Mac Stuart, whose unsavory operating practices border illegal. Despite Mac's seedy operating tactics the FAA has not been able to prove any negligence thus far. However, Mac's seemingly unscrupulous conduct has brought MSK to its financial knees and just may knock him out of the Alaskan sky. Ironically, Mac receives a call from archrival, Evan Gibbons, of North Air Charter offering him a charter flight from Grizzly Bear Tours to Nome Alaska. Mac knows that MSK's capital has dwindled to the point that he can't make payroll. Additionally, the only aircraft open at MSK is currently in maintenance getting and a past due overhaul. Mac uses all his conniving powers of persuasion to convince, threaten, and browbeat those in his employ to get the aircraft soaring by twelve noon the following day. MSK flight 76 departs Anchorage on a three-hour flight to Nome at 1:30pm. Less than twenty-four hours after take off the Alaskan airways are buzzing with news of the downed and missing charter, which carried forty souls, thirty six passengers and four crew members. Reading Ms. Parke's Vacation turned survival, I felt as if I were a passenger on that flight. This is a well-written tale, as well as an excellent read. Last Holiday, contains descriptive background that familiarizes the reader with its characters personally. This novel speaks volumes about the many aspects of human personalities in the face of danger, adversity, fear, despair, and even death. The dramatic depiction of greed, deceit, struggle, and survival, releases a plethora of emotions. Reviewed by Juanita Reynolds purchase a copy today! Title: Just Past Oysterville Author: Perry Phillip Perkins Publisher: Publish America; (February 2004) Genre: Fiction ISBN: 1413709141 Paperback: 245pp Price: $19.95 Rating: Highly Recommended! This one is destined to stand out in the literary world! May 25, 2004 I had the pleasure of reading Just Past Oysterville, a remarkable book penned by a new author named Perry Perkins. When the book arrived I was impressed with the cover first - that's simply something that I do to set the tone for my reading material. The cover bears the image of a set of bright headlights piercing through the darkness traveling a long road superimposed over a faint road map. I opened the cover and read the dedications and acknowledgements and I could determine at that point in time that this would be a good read. Cassie Belanger lost both of her parents and considered herself an orphan. She barely knew her father, being that he "abandoned" her and her mother decades ago. Her mother, with the help of her community and her church, raised her to adulthood instilling values and morals that Cassie embraced. In the blink of an eye, Cassie's mom was gone - killed by a drunk driver as she returned from work one evening. Cassie's world crashed down around her and she determined that the only way to find closure was to seek out her birth father who deserted her so many years before. Cassie's desire was to somehow make him feel the pain, anguish and rejection that enveloped her broken spirit. Cassie wanted revenge. She utilizes clues from her mother's possessions to ascertain her father's location and she begins a journey that would change her life. She meets Jack, a loner in search of peace, weighed down by burdens that drive him to the bottle in search of an escape. The two embark on a journey to a town "just past Oysterville" and form a bond with one another along the way. The two are so alike, but why? Just Past Oysterville was an excellent read. Mr. Perkins utilizes simple yet colorful dialogue that will entrance you. He pays attention to detail, quotes appropriate bible verses at appropriate moments and he will take you on an amazing journey. A journey through pain, loss, happiness and closure. This is called Shoalwater Book one, and it would be an honor to review the continuation of this series. Just when you think that you have this story figured out, Mr. Perkins will gently push you one step further and open your eyes to the possibilities that make up your destiny. Simply stated, I LOVED THIS BOOK! Reviewed by Tyrone Banks To read the interview or purchase your own copy go here Title: Meet Mushy Mouse Author: Rosalee S. Wilson Publisher: Publish America; (November 2003) Genre: Children's Fiction ISBN: 1413707149 Paperback; 27pp $14.95 Rating: Recommended Entertaining and sweet May 26, 2004 This is the story of a likable mouse, named Mushy and the way he adapts to conditions. After the loss of his parents, and at the urging of Uncle Charlie, Mushy moves to Cheese City. It takes no time for Mushy to get a job and make friends. A co-worker named, Feathertail, invites Mushy to his home in the forest. The novel's main theme seems to be the importance of family ties. The text is simple but eloquent and so are the illustrations. Illustrated in cartoon style, the book has an obvious lesson. Unfortunately, and according to the back cover's synopsis the book is incomplete. Or maybe this reviewer missed the boat; still it felt as if the story should have been a bit longer. Even with this one minor flaw, this is a good story for children to read or be read to. In this reviewer's opinion, author Rosalee Wilson has a great character in Mushy and should think about expanding this little mouse into a series. Reviewed by Betsie To read the interview or purchase your own copy go here *** Books NOt yet Released *** Title: Sam's Letters to Jennifer Author: James Patterson Publisher: Little Brown and Company (June 2004) Genre: Inspirational Romance/Fiction ISBN: 0316710571 Hardcover; 263pp $24.95 Also Available as a Time Warner AudioBook, eBook and in Large Print Edition Rating: Highly Recommended May 21, 2004 A wonderfully crafted novel! Jennifer, a workaholic and columnist for the Chicago Tribune is summoned back to the town where she grew up by an urgent phone call. Packing a duffel bag she climbs into her "96 Jaguar Vanden Plas and heads north for Lake Geneva. Upon reaching Lakeland Medical Center, Jennifer finds her grandmother has slipped into a coma and Reverend John Farley keeping watch. The Reverend hands Jennifer a key to her grandmother's house before leaving. Overwhelmed by the sight, Jennifer sits a while, conversing, and then heads for 23 Knollwood Road. Inside the house where she spent her magical summers, all remains the same. In her mind, Jennifer is home and within the room she had always occupied, finds a series of letters neatly addressed to her. Each letter, as it turns out is a piece of a story that will reveal a completely different world she thought she knew. It is also through these letters that she finds a love more powerful than she ever imagined. Only a day after her arrival, Brendan Keller, a handsome man, presents and reintroduces himself. It takes a moment for Jennifer to realize he was a childhood friend. Hesitant and guarded Jennifer turns down an invitation to dinner, yet Brendan appeals to something in her, something that hasn't been touched in over a year. I fell in love with this story and its characters. The set up for the story was great, the way the plot unfolded was absolutely AWESOME, and there just wasn't much about this book not to like! Written in first person, Sam's Letters to Jennifer is an intriguingly heartwarming romantic tale with likeable characters and a mysterious subplot that will keep readers interested from beginning to end. This inspirational story will bring a tear to the eye of even the hardest heart. Author James Patterson has created a can't-put-it- downer, a sit-here-till it's-finished! Even though it may be tempting to race to the finish, this book should be savored; readers will also have a warm feeling at the book's satisfying conclusion. Reviewed by M. Romero pre order a copy today!

Make your Appearance a Success

Unless you are a brilliant spontaneous speaker, you should practice what you're going to say before you appear at a lecture or reading. Some authors speak too long. Some deliver lengthy passages in a monotone, dulling the audience. Instead consider your audience's interests. If your book is a novel, read short segments of your text and, in between, discuss various aspects of your book's development. If your book is nonfiction, then create a short talk based on the key themes of your work. A straight reading of nonfiction almost never works. These approaches will help you connect with the audience. No matter the content you select for your appearances, remember to look up and make eye contact. Raise your voice so that the person farthest away from you will be able to hear you. Remeber that the carpeting and surrounding books can absorb or mute your voice. Relax about the prospect of bookstore appearances. Even if you are unpracticed at public speaking, you will eventually hit your stride with audiences. The old saying is true: No two audiences are alike. Each has a distinct, individual personality. The trick to managing them is to be yourself. Then there will come that magnificent moment when, as you stand in front of a room of strangers - whether a handful of people or a crowd - and as you speak about yur book, you will feel their pulse of avid interest in what you are saying. Do not be greedy and speak for too long. It is best to cut your talk a little short. Leave the audience wanting a little more, which is of course the art of the seducer - as well as the art of a successful author on tour. Apart from giving a straight talk and discussion about your book, create other types of appealing bookstore events, such as: A presentation that includes other writers in your genre - say, an evening of mysteries. A single's night, where you talk to the crowd about your book of any topic that singles might take an interest in from health and cooking to relationships and wine tasting. A networking breakfast where local businesspeople are invited to the bookstore to hear about your business book. An evening of spooky stories where you invite parents to bring their kids in pajamas for a story hour. A craft-making session. If you are an unknown author, the crowd could range anywhere from a disappointing handful to a happy group of fifteen or more. For authors who have written topical works of nonfiction, the crowd can become significantly larger. For example: Susanna Kaysen's appearances for her memoir about mental illness, Girl, Interrupted, attracted many people who identified with her experiences. At the time Kaysen was an unknown writer, but favorable review coverage and the subject matter made her bookstore events a hit. Similiarly, Mary Karr, author of a memoir called "The Liars' Club," attracted large audiences based on the terrific review coverage and her feisty and appealing perspective on her dysfuntional family. This should go without saying, but during the question- and-answer period, you should treat the audience with the greatest respect. Always. Even someone who asks a loopy and long-winded question. Remember: You need them so much more than they need you. A famous author once addressed an audience member with contempt, telling the poor man that he had obviously missed the entire point of the presentation. No one deserves that kind of treatment. Such a bully was that author, that the audience wilted and no one asked anymore questions. In this case - the author got his just reward. His nasty behavior certainly did not motivate the audience to read or buy his books.