How Do You Compare A Book to McDonalds?

I read alot of book reviews. They often sway my decision on a purchase by an author I haven't read before. I respect reviewers a great deal, because like this blog, reviewing books is a community service. It's something you enjoy doing, but largely it's of benefit to others. Amen.

I've seen some reviewers (not professionals mind you, like my friends at APOOO and Urban Reviews, DeltaReviewers, etc. etc. I hope I'm not getting myself into trouble leaving folks out) who have been really hard on authors and I think this is largely because they don't like the genre or the author. What I love about professional reviewers is that they have the ability to classify the work, and look at it objectively. Cecelia Dowdy posted a review of one of her books that did exactly that in a very creative way.


Reposted from This and That Other Thing


Sometimes I've wished for a restaurant review that, instead of judging all restaurants by a single standard, judged them according to what the restaurant was trying to do. The "best" restaurant in New Orleans, at least according to the average restaurant critic is Commander's Palace. I've been there a couple of times, and it is wonderful. The chairs are padded and some have arms. It is a white tablecloth place. The food is inventive, and very good. The atmosphere is lovely--it is in an old mansion. It goes without saying that it is very expensive. Given a choice between it and our local McDonalds, my four year old would pick McD in a heartbeat. It its own way though, McD's is a great restaurant. It is clean (well as clean as anyplace that has that many people in and out all day can be). The food is hot, it tastes good, it is the same every time you go, no matter which store you patronize. The staff is generally friendly and some of the restaurants even have playrooms attached. The price is reasonable too. If my little one spills something, it isn't a problem (and if the manager sees her spill it, s/he will probably replace it). Why am I writing a review of two very different restaurants in a post headed by a book link and titled My Review: John's Quest? Well, I was about to right a not-so-flattering review of the book when I realized that what I was doing was basically criticising McD's because it didn't have white tablecloths (or criticising Commanders because they did). Basically, John's Quest is the Christan version of a Harlequin Romance.


Click here for more of this very interesting review.



Learn more about John's Quest at Cecelia's Blog http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Sometimes Something Sweet is Just What the Soul Ordered

It seems African American readers sho' do like themselves some drama! My goodness. It's evident in our best sellers list. Bring the drama and keep it rolling till I close the book. I guess we like what we like, but don't we all want a little down time, a little hiatus from the roller coaster sometimes? I know I do.

I love romance. Love a good romance book and a good romantic movie. Makes me feel all good inside like I've eaten a half dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies (okay, the whole dozen, but who's counting), and I never forget the milk. Which brings me to the current book by author, Cecelia Dowdy. I love Cecelia's writing. Always have. Ever since I read one of her novels seven years ago in a collection titled Promises to Keep she sold to me at a writer/readers retreat. She's been giving me that cookies and milk feeling every time she has a new release, and on that note here's a little about my latest journey into the euphoric splendor.


Running a dairy farm is a big job, but doing it alone is almost impossible.When her dad dies, Emily must work hard to save the family farm, but she manages. Until the day the CPA pulls in her drive and announces he’s there to do an audit on the place.

Franklin Reese is appalled at the lack of interest the Cooper women have in the financial end of their livelihood, but he dives in, determined to help them learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper’s dealings, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes. Can he uncover the truth of the situation and still earn the love of the amazing Emily Cooper? Will issues in Franklin’s own life keep them apart, even after the farm is taken care of? Only God can heal hurting hearts and repair broken lives. Will these two let Him in?

Learn more about Milk Money and Cecelia's other novels at her website http://www.ceceliadowdy.com/. She also has a great blog where she gives away books every month. You can also read the first scene from Milk Money and more at http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com/2008/08/milk-money-first-scene.html

Thanks Cecelia for giving me that warm feeling without the calories.