Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

This pamphlet is only around fifty pages, but filled with an assemblage of word trippers written in a conversational style that will help writers from aspiring to seasoned with their copy.

The best way to appear amateurish as writers is to make simple word usage errors. There are homophone words that writers should know the difference, and which one of them to use in their copy. Some of the most common errors found in editing by author, and editor, Carolyn Howard-Johnson lists in “Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers.”

This reviewer found this pamphlet to be inspirational and a brush up for any writer. Any time a writer submits copy not up to professional standards there is a gatekeeper who will bounce it. Reading this pamphlet can save writers the embarrassment of receiving a rejection slip for poor writing.

“Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers” is a postscript to Carolyn’s book, “The Frugal Editor.” No writer is a consummate writer in every sentence and word choice. Writers can only strive for perfection, but not consumed by it.

This reviewer found this small pamphlet chock full of useful information for all writers. “Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers” receives a five star rating by this reviewer.

Endorsement Disclaimer: All reviews written by this reviewer are personal opinions of the book by this reviewer. The reviews are NOT paid endorsements of the book or the author. They are not advertisements. All reviews are honest, forthright and the opinion of this individual reviewer. This reviewer’s opinions are not for sale. (There is however, a small fee for some reviews, and sometimes this reviewer receives complementary copies from the author.) Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255 (http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

If you choose one book to aid in marketing your business or product, “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” needs to be the book.

Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green
By Jay Conrad Levinson and Shel Horowitz

“Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” is not your average marketing book. When reading “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” you will find stressed are ethical behavior, and reducing your businesses carbon footprint. This is actual steps your business is taking; not just saying your business is green to jump on the environmental bandwagon. This is where the ethical part comes in, ethical in dealing with your customers; also with your marketing materials if you state you rare green or whatever you are touting. You must walk the walk.

“Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” is also about marketing emphasizing ethical, frugal, and effective methods. There is also a resource section, which lists URLs for even more resources.

This reviewer enjoyed reading a section titled “A Social Movement Around Business Ethics” which contains a “Business Ethics Pledge” and an URL to the Web page to sign the pledge. This reviewer as a businessperson signed it and plans on living by it, and hopes that every business would be willing to do the same. Living ethically is good for personal peace.

“Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” also addresses subjects like social media, traditional media, turning customers, suppliers, and even competitors into an unofficial sales force, how to have acquaintances become joint-venture partners, and more.

“Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” is a book that needs to be handy for referencing as you work on your marketing plan and marketing materials. It will be a reference manual for this reviewer within arm’s reach.

If you choose one marketing book to aid in marketing your business or product, “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” needs to be the book. You will not be disappointed, and will learn a good deal about ethical, frugal marketing.

This reviewer awards a five star rating to “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green.”

This reviewer received a complimentary copy of, “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green” from Wiley upon request. There was no remuneration, and the review is this reviewer’s honest opinion of “Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green.” No reviews are ever biased. Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255

Stir, Laugh, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing in the Kitchen

By Martha A. Cheves

This is not your ordinary cookbook. This cookbook, written for those that are not familiar with working in a kitchen; or did not have the luxury of being in the kitchen with their mother; grandmother, or even their father and learned the joy of cooking from them while spending time in the kitchen.

The recipes are simple comfort food and some that you may not have heard of. The point is to try them and learn to become comfortable in the kitchen and possibly pass on the joy of cooking to your children. There is no better way to spend time and have fun with your children then to work together in the kitchen as many children did years ago.

The anecdotes along with the recipes are fun to read on their own. What a treat to read while following the easy to prepare dishes in one pot. The recipes are easy to follow and create something special for one or a family.

This reviewer, thought back to the times he spent in the kitchen helping his mother by cutting up things, getting them ready for the pot. It does make for a special bond between child and parent.

For those that are single and avoid the kitchen due to lack of confidence around a stove, think of the sense of accomplishment when you create something yourself in the kitchen. We can’t live by take-out or the microwave all the time. We should strive to eat healthy most of the time.

This reviewer enjoyed Stir, Laugh, Repeat and awards it a five star rating.

Endorsement Disclaimer: All reviews posted written by this reviewer are personal opinions of the book by this reviewer. The reviews are NOT paid endorsements of the book or the author. They are not advertisements. All reviews are honest, forthright and the opinion of this individual reviewer. This reviewer’s opinions are not for sale. (This reviewer received a complimentary copy from the author.) Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255 (http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf )

Theological Terms in Layman Language

Author: Martin Murphy

This book takes theological terms that are used and explains them in simple to understand everyday language. While reading, this reviewer exposed to an understanding of things heard without having to read passages in some confusing lexicon, concordance, or encyclopedia, of which there are many, found the definitions covered most denominations including Catholic.

With experience as a teacher and pastor for 20 years, Mr. Murphy has the knowledge and experience to explain the terms in this book. This reviewer found the reading easy and the theological terms fully explained so that anyone should be able to learn more about theology and its terms without having to spend years in the seminary or bible studies.

Mr. Murphy makes it clear with concise language what terms such as “Achilles Heel of Christianity” to “Works of Satisfaction” mean so that we all can learn and become closer to the lord.

This book is for anyone wishing to learn more about terms used in various religious denominates. In an easy to read format that does not require many other books, and hours spent searching through numerous texts hoping that you can come to some understanding of the terms we’ve been exposed to in our churches and bible study classes, or Sunday school; you will be able to find out what they mean here.
This is a wonderfully written book that explains terms is an alphabetical easy to read style, that taught me some new terms, that I found in one volume, not numerous books spread out all over tables or a desk. This reviewer could hold one book in his hands and learn in the comfort of an easy chair.

This reviewer recommends this book for anyone concerned with learning theological terms, and is awarded a four star rating.

NOTE: This is a compensated review by a professional reviewer.

This book is available at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Powell’s Books

Winning in Life Now: How to Break Through to a Happier You!

By Michelle Prince

Zig Ziglar penned the forward in this book. Michelle takes you on a trip to a purposeful life with exercises taken from real life. She has lived it and can help you become a happier you. The writing style is conversational with examples from Michelle’s life. Winning in Life Now is like having a comfortable talk with your best friend in a relaxed setting.

Reading this book, is looking at your life as it is, and seeing if you are on purpose. Most of us wonder why we are here and what we want to be when we grow up, but life has a way of interceding with what we think we will be as children. There is a career, bills, family, and more that can interrupt our plans for what it is that makes us happy.

Following along and being introspective, we can get back on purpose in our life and become happier with ourselves. If we are not happy, with whom we are; how can someone be happy with us? If we do not love ourselves, how can anyone else love us?

While this book may not help you overnight, reading it can help you take the first steps toward becoming whom you want to be which is a happier, more purpose-knowing person. Perhaps you will find the answer as to why you are here. This is not a religious book, but a spiritual one that transcends any denomination.

Winning in Life Now is a small yet powerful book that is recommended as a must read, and is awarded a four star rating from this reviewer.

Dragon Domain: Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy

By Theresa Chaze

In this book, Cheyenne and Celeste have a parting of the ways all because of the one known as Dominic. Celeste and Dominic steal from Cheyenne. More happens to darken the mood at the farm. Cheyenne must come up with money to pay the farm’s mortgage payments. She could lose the farm. Also in Dragon Domain are some old friends from Awakening the Dragon like Rachael Franklin, Kevin, Carmen, and others. There are also some new characters in Dragon Domain.

The new characters come to the aid of Cheyenne and those from the dark side. The House of Christ and its supporters are back again with their bigotry and narrow-mindedness. There are some truths that will come out, that are not been spoken of, and a few twists that no one might expect. While Dragon Domain is the continuing saga in the trilogy, it also has some new information and characters that add to the depth of the Dragon Clan Trilogy. Waiting for the third book isn’t easy. A recommendation is to find all three and read them in sequence.

What happens in the forest when the new characters end up not showing up when expected? Will things turn out as Cheyenne hopes, or will the dark one prevail? This is a story of light and dark, good and evil from a nonreligious point of view. It is from a belief system within the participants involved in the struggle and their determination and inner strengths.

The House of Christ is of little use, and is more of a hindrance, by not allowing things to run their course. There are more things that we are unaware of than things that we do understand in the world around us. Dragon Domain explores some of them. It is up to the reader to believe or not. The book is fiction, but is it really?

This reviewer awards a four star rating to Dragon Domain.

Awakening the Dragon: Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy

By Theresa Chase

Who is Rachael, and why has she come to Coyote Springs? In a town of bigotry and religious zealots, Rachael is opening the Dragon’s Den bookstore. Why at this particular time has Rachael and her cats come to Coyote Springs? What of the people at “The Farm”, as the town’s people refer to it, is there something that Rachael must do? She has more questions than answers as she begins life in Coyote Springs.

Out of town, lies a cottage that the towns’ folk want burned down, why do they want it destroyed? The owner and rather powerful person in town, Kevin, will not allow its destruction. He doesn’t want it destroyed and doesn’t want to rent it out, why? People are afraid to enter the cottage. When they enter, strange things begin to happen to them physically. No one can stay in the cottage for any length of time. Kevin even has trouble lasting in the cottage for more than a few minutes before he becomes ill.

Along comes Rachael, she talks to the previous owner who is dead and is welcomed into the cottage. Is this some supernatural ability, or is there really something within Rachael growing stronger, why Rachael, and not someone from Coyote Springs? Is there a mission for her to complete that Rachael is unaware of as to why her mentor sent her to this particular town?

Cheyenne from the farm is someone that the House of Christ is against along with Rachael Franklin. Is there a real reason or is just that the members of the House of Christ don’t like someone who is different and will not conform to what the reverend and followers believe people should think and believe.

This is only a small glimmer into the story in Awakening the Dragon. You will have to read the book to find out the intricacies of the story.

This reviewer awards a four star rating to Awakening the Dragon.