Book Review: Breaking the Code
October 22, 2011 by Lillie
Breaking the Code: A Father’s Secret, a Daughter’s Journey, and the Question That Changed Everything
Karen Fisher-Alaniz
Sourcebooks
November 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1402261121
Paperback, 336 pages, $10.19; also available in Kindle edition, $9.99
Nonfiction/Memoir
The cover of the book calls it a memoir, but it is much more than that.
It is a story about relationships—the relationship of a father and daughter, the relationships of a man at war and his far-away family, the relationship of two sailors who knew little about each other but who were tied by a bond stronger than time.
The book is also a revealing picture of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a relentless and unpredictable enemy of warriors in conflicts past and present. The disorder may show itself immediately after a traumatic event, or it may stay hidden for fifty years, as it did in the case of Karen’s father, Murray Fisher.
Although not written as history, Breaking the Code puts the reader in World War II from a perspective that most of today’s generation have never experienced.
The story reads like a novel as the author tries to unravel the mystery of her father’s past and the secrets he has kept for half a century.
Breaking the Code is a quick and easy read, but the author’s dedication to helping her father, her father’s service to his country, and her mother’s love and faith will touch readers’ hearts
I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about family and relationships, people interested in World War II history, those wanting to know more about PTSD, and readers who enjoy mysteries.
Be sure to come back on Veterans’ Day for an interview with the author.
Disclosure: I received an electronic copy of the book from the publisher. I have not accepted any compensation for this review and made no commitment to give a favorable review. The links to Amazon.com are affiliate links.
Book Review: Crossing the Scriptures by Debra Chapoton
October 5, 2011 by Lillie
Crossing the Scriptures: The Amazing Bible Study by Debra Chapoton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Christians sometimes wonder if there is any value to studying the Old Testament, with its genealogies, strange laws, violence, and vengeance. The author shows how the entire Bible ties together in a beautiful tapestry of God’s truth.
In the Introduction, she writes, “The Old Testament is 39 books that tell of mankind vacillating between worshiping and obeying God and then turning away from Him and being idolatrous and immoral. Man‘s behavior requires judgment. The New Testament is 27 books declaring a message of hope: Christ has taken on our punishment (death) and paid for our sins. If we accept that he has done this, then hooray, we get out of the punishment, but if we don‘t accept it then we‘re on our own and the judgment is eternal separation from God, i.e. hell.”
There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and each of those letters is associated with three books of the Bible, books that are evenly spaced 22 books apart from each other. Chapoton shows how words and themes connect each of the three books associated with each letter in perfect symmetry. She also points out many other instances of symmetry and inter-relatedness among the books of the Bible.
Although I read the book straight through, I think it would be even more effective as a Bible study, spending more time on each Hebrew letter and the relationships among the three associated books.
Whether you’re new to Bible study or consider yourself knowledgeable about Scripture, you will likely learn many things you didn’t know. You will also come away with a greater understanding and respect for the remarkable way that God structured the Bible.
Disclosure: I received an electronic advance reading copy of the book from the author. I have not accepted any compensation for this review and made no commitment to give a favorable review. The link to Amazon.com is an affiliate link.
Great Books Week and National Book Month
October 3, 2011 by Lillie
The first full week of October is Great Books Week, a time to celebrate “great books.” When we think of great books, we generally think of the classics, books that have been read for generations. Longevity is certainly an indication that a book is great—people would not continue to read it for decades or hundreds of year if it didn’t have value. But I think great books are being written today, as well.
In my mind, a great book engages the reader both intellectually and emotionally. It entertains as well as provokes thought. It teaches without preaching and leaves us a little better than we were before we read it.
What do you think makes a book great? What is your favorite great book?
October is National Book Month. In January, I wrote that I found several sources that said January was National Book Month, but I couldn’t find any details. Recently, a reader left a comment on that post pointing me to the National Book Foundation, which celebrates National Book Month in October. As a booklover, I don’t mind celebrating books two months out of the year!
So, in honor of Great Books Week and National Book Month, go read a great book!
Interview: Michielle DJ Beck
September 14, 2011 by Lillie
My guest today is Michielle DJ Beck, author of the book, Sorry, I Thought I Loved You
Lillie: Welcome to A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye, Michi. Although we’ve never met in person, we’ve known each other in the virtual world for more than a decade. I’m excited about the release of your book and delighted to introduce you to my readers.
Michi: Thank you, Lillie. I’m excited to be here.
Lillie: Please tell us a little about your book.
Michi: My book was written from personal experience. I had been through so much in my life, and I realized that I wanted to share that with others in the hope that it might actually help someone. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has struggled with codependency, and with trying to please everyone else, so much that you lose who you are. With my codependent childhood and my multiple marriages and divorces, I finally came to the point that something had to change. I had to learn to live for me—and it’s a process that’s ongoing. I’ve already had a few people talk about how much the book meant to them and how they saw themselves in so much of what I was writing about, so that’s very encouraging to me.
Lillie: The book has an interesting format. In each chapter, you relate your personal experiences, then you reflect on what you did wrong and what someone who may have a relationship addiction should look for. Finally the therapist, Marcus A. Lindemann, MSW, gives his advice. How did the collaboration with the therapist come about and how did you come up the format for the book?
Michi: I actually met Marcus through mutual friends, and when I realized that the book needed to be more than a memoir, he was a natural choice to assist. He’s given me a great deal of informal therapy throughout this process. The format was partially my own doing, and partially the suggestion of a fellow writer who took a look at what I had written. He recommended that I bring in a professional and give people something to think about after each chapter. I think it really worked out well, overall.
Lillie: To introduce my next question, I need to give my readers a little background. When I was editor-in-chief for the now-defunct company Your Information Center, Michi was a writer, editor, and member of the editorial board. The company published short, how-to guides, and all writing was work-for-hire, with payment for writing and editing only in royalties. Unfortunately, sales were negligible and so were royalties. In spite of the fact that the only compensation she was getting was the hope of future royalties, I could always count on Michi to volunteer whenever I needed help. She was a competent writer and editor, but I most appreciated her initiative and cooperative attitude. Now for the question: In your book, you say that during this time, you did only enough work to get by. When we were working together, you told me you sometimes had panic attacks and there were a few occasions when you were a little late on a project. You also told me you were getting married then that the wedding was called off, but I had no idea of everything you were going through. I’m amazed at the differences between our perceptions of your performance. I don’t know if you did such a good job of hiding your problems or if I was just not very observant. Should friends and associates be able to recognize if someone may have a relationship addition problem, and, if so, is there anything they can do to help?
Michi: I don’t think it’s that you weren’t observant. It’s just that it’s much easier to hide things over the Internet and through email. If you’d have been around me face-to-face, I’m sure you would have seen the problems. Friends and associates that have real-world interaction with a codependent person would probably notice that something was “off.” Some of my family members, for example, got tired of being invited to my weddings, because they just kept happening. A few friends started distancing themselves. My parents didn’t really know what to say, but I’m sure they saw the problems, too. They were probably confused about what to do—and I wondered if they thought it was their fault. I think everyone really just wanted to see me happy, but if you see problems in someone you love, you need to speak up! No one should be so coddled and socially restricted and sheltered that they have absolutely no idea how to live on their own when they turn 18. No one should get married and divorced 5 times in 17 years. It’s not healthy to do those things—and I know other people around me had to realize that. Encouraging someone to get help, and supporting their efforts to get better, is something everyone should be doing for friends or associates or family members who have any kind of addiction.
Lillie: You are very open about your experiences and mistakes you have made. I know it couldn’t have been easy to write the book. What motivated you to share your experiences in this book?
Michi: I knew, if I was going to write the book, that I had to do it honestly. I couldn’t paint myself to be so perfect and everyone else to be so flawed. It was, honestly, terribly painful and embarrassing to share my serious, repeated mistakes with the world. But, you know what? It was also cathartic and healing. I feel better about my past because I’m using it to help other people have a better future. That’s worth something.
Lillie: It’s wonderful that you could help yourself and help others, too. What is the most important thing relationship addicts and codependents should know?
Michi: They aren’t alone. They can get help. They know, deep down, that something’s wrong, but fear—or shame—may keep them from admitting it and taking that first step toward doing something about it. They are valuable human beings who are worth the effort, and they need to get that belief into their heads and hearts and souls, so they can see hope and peace and joy again.
Lillie: Will you tell us how music made such a big difference in your life?
Michi: It was the only thing that brought me joy when I had reached a time in my life that I thought I really wasn’t going to be able to recover. I guess I thought I had to live my life the same way I had been, over and over and over again, and it was getting worse with every marriage and repeated mistake. I wish I could explain why music affected me that way, but I really can’t. It’s just one of those things that affect you so deeply…maybe it comes at just the right time in your life or it hits you just a certain way…and you’re never, ever the same. I don’t think music would do that for everyone, but there’s something out there that will. When they find it, they’ll know—and they need to keep looking until they find it, because it could be the start of a life-changing transformation.
Lillie: In the book, you talk about how spirituality has affected your life and your recovery, and you have the title Reverend, followed by the initials RM. Share with us, please, about your credentials—what does RM mean?—and ministry.
Michi: I am now, and have always been, a Christian. Specifically, a Lutheran. I make no effort to hide that and have no desire to change it. I became a Reverend because I have a deep reverence for God and what He’s created, and I wanted to honor that. I’m not planning on starting up a church or anything along those lines, but I would enjoy being able to help and counsel people who are struggling with the same kinds of problems I’ve been through. The RM stands for Reiki Master, which is a designation that is given to energy healers that have been certified in Reiki. Some people have trouble with that because they feel that concepts such as Reiki conflict with Christianity. After much study of the matter and a lot of thought and prayer, I decided that I don’t see a conflict in the two beliefs for me personally. I became certified in both Tibetan and Usui Reiki in 2008. Spirituality and religion are very personal, and I tried to convey in the book that you don’t have to share my beliefs, or even agree with them, to get benefit from my story. People with relationship addiction and codependency problems come from all spiritual, religious, financial, and educational backgrounds. Addiction doesn’t discriminate.
Lillie: I know you have written other books besides this one and that you are represented by a literary agent. What other books can we look for in the future?
Michi: I’m working on fiction at the moment, and hope to have at least four books to my literary agent by the end of the year. They’re nearing completion, so I should be able to make that a reality. Two are horror novels—but not your typical ghost stories, one is a Christian book with a bit of a unique twist, and the other is a love story of a very different kind. I hope they’re well-received, because I’m excited about all of them. I also have 22 short ebooks available. They were too short for literary representation and traditional publishing, so I self-published them. They’re under “Michi Beck” and can be found on Amazon. All of those are non-fiction, and the topics are really varied—everything from budgeting to horses to travel. I hope to have at least two more of those available by the end of the year, as well.
Lillie: Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
Michi: They can find me on my blog, and they can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, and many other sites. The publisher’s site—Chipmunka Publishing—also has the book listed for sale.
Lillie: Is there anything I’ve failed to ask that you would like to share with my readers?
Michi: I can’t think of anything you’ve failed to ask, and I really appreciate the interview.
Lillie: Thank you so much for stopping by and telling us about your book and your experiences. Readers will probably have more questions for you. Will you check in during the day to respond to comments and answer questions?
Michi: Absolutely. I’ll be checking in periodically—and thank you for inviting me. It’s been really enjoyable, and I hope your readers will check out my work and let me know what they think. Feedback is always appreciated.
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Bio: Michielle DJ “Michi” Beck is an accomplished writer of print books, e-books, articles, essays, ghostwritten research, opinion pieces, and white papers. A prolific writer, Beck has produced thousands of short pieces in addition to her longer works, creating quality content under her own name and as a ghostwriter for others.
As an editor, she has worked with ebooks and print books, as well as articles, essays, white papers, and dissertations, in copy editing and substantive editing roles.
Her full-length books—both fiction and non-fiction—are represented by The Swetky Literary Agency and published through traditional channels as “Michielle DJ Beck.” She also publishes online articles and blogs, as well as ebooks that are too short for literary representation and traditional publication, under the name “Michi Beck.”
Ms. Beck is the author of Sorry, I Thought I Loved You
Review: Sorry I Thought I Loved You
September 9, 2011 by Lillie
Sorry, I Thought I Loved You
Michielle DJ Beck (author) and Marcus A. Lindemann (contributor)
Chipmunkapublishing
June 10, 2011
ISBN: 978-1849915168
Paperback, 286 pages, $21.00; also Kindle edition, $9.00
Nonfiction
This is not an easy book to read, but it is a worthwhile one for anyone who knows or suspects he or she is a relationship addict or codependent. The author is very open and honest in sharing her experiences with relationship addiction and codependency. The book is filled with agonizing emotion. Perhaps I felt the pain more strongly because I have known the author professionally online for almost a decade, although we have never met in person. We were working together during some of the time period covered in the book, and I had no idea what she was going through. I was surprised to read that she did the least amount of work she could to get by, because that contradicts my perception that she showed initiative in her work. You may know someone who suffers from relationship addiction and codependency and not recognize it.
Each chapter begins with Michi talking about her own experiences, followed by her reflections and the advice of the therapist. Michi’s story makes the information very real to the reader, and I believe someone with similar problems will be able to recognize themselves in her descriptions. While the book will be most useful to individuals who suspect or know they have the problems the author addresses, it will also be helpful to their loved ones and acquaintances to better understand behavior that may seem strange or even bizarre.
Be sure to come back next Wednesday, September 14 for my interview with the author.
Disclosure: I received an electronic copy of the book from the author, but I had no obligation to write a favorable review. The review reflects my honest opinion of the book.
New Voices Contest for Young Writers
September 7, 2011 by Lillie
The EPIC New Voices Young Writers Competition™ is open for submissions through October 31, 2011. Students in public, private, or home schools between the ages of 11 and 18 are eligible to enter in the categories of short story, essay, and poetry.
The contest was designed
- To encourage reading and writing in middle school and high school students—giving them an opportunity to showcase their work and receive feedback from professionals in the industry;
- To promote e-book literacy in public, private, and home schools.
This competition has a special place in my heart because another EPIC member, my friend Billie Houston aka Barri Bryan, and I started the contest in 2006, and I have been involved in a variety of roles ever since. Now, all I do is judge, which includes reading and scoring the entries and writing my comments, especially positive encouragement.
New Voices is a wonderful opportunity for young writers to get feedback from professionals and, if they are finalists, to be published in an anthology. If you know junior high and high school students who like to write, please direct them to the New Voices brochure and encourage them to enter.
Congratulations to the Winners of the Global eBook Awards!
August 21, 2011 by Lillie
I am so excited! Both of my clients who made the finals in the Global eBook Awards won their categories.
Nancy Nicholson—who happens to be my “baby” sister, so I’m doubly proud!—for Help! What Do I Do Now? Caring for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s in the Parenting/Family — Non-Fiction category
Aggie Villanueva for The Rewritten Word: How to Sculpt Literary Art no Matter the Genre in the Writing/Publishing — Non-Fiction category
Mega congratulations to Nancy and Aggie. I am so proud of both of them.
Here is the slideshow announcing the winners. The first slide of each category lists all the finalists, and the second slide shows the winner.
Help! What Do I Do Now? ebook at Smashwords
The Rewritten Word ebook at Smashwords
Global eBook Awards Finalists Announced
August 19, 2011 by Lillie
The finalists in the Global eBook Awards have been announced. Books by several of my clients were nominated for awards, as was my novel Dream or Destiny.
I’m pleased and excited to congratulate two of my clients who made the finals:
- Aggie Villanueva for The Rewritten Word: How to Sculpt Literary Art no Matter the Genre in the Writing/Publishing — Non-Fiction category
- Nancy Nicholson—who happens to be my “baby” sister, so I’m doubly proud!—for Help! What Do I Do Now? Caring for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s in the Parenting/Family — Non-Fiction category
Congratulations to Aggie and Nancy. I hope both of you go from finalist to winner!
The Rewritten Word ebook at Smashwords
Help! What Do I Do Now? ebook at Smashwords
World eBook Fair: Last Day to Download Free eBooks
August 4, 2011 by Lillie
The World eBook Fair almost slipped past me this year. It started July 4 and ends today.
According to the event website:
Our goal is to provide Free public access for a month to 6.5 Million eBooks (7/4/11 to 8/4/11).
World eBook Fair is sponsored by the World eBook Library, Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, MyeBook, and Wattpad. Many of these sources offer free ebooks all the time, so even if you miss the World eBook Fair, this page is a good source of finding free ebooks.
Review: A Self-Publisher’s Companion by Joel Friedlander
July 27, 2011 by Lillie
A Self-Publisher’s Companion by Joel Friedlander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Joel Friedlander for a long time. As a long-time reader of his blog, The Book Designer, I had read most of the articles in this book, which is a compilation of blog posts organized and edited into a cohesive whole. Even so, I found the re-reading worthwhile.
If you’re looking for nuts and bolts details on self-publishing, this is not the book for you. You won’t find advice on choosing the best font (something Joel is expert at and covers thoroughly on his blog) or on what software to use to layout the interior. What you will find is encouragement, information on what self-publishing is and how it and the perception of it have changed in recent years, advice on why self-publishing might be a good choice for you and your book, and suggestions on marketing your book.
While much of the book is primarily aimed at nonfiction authors, anyone considering self-publishing fiction or nonfiction would benefit from reading it. Anyone who is already self-publishing will likely find encouragement and words of wisdom that will help them become more effective as a self-publisher.
Disclosure: I purchased this book because I am a fan of the author and his blog. I have had some discussion with Joel regarding a guest post from him, and I hope that happens in the future, but that did not influence my review.
