Shmuel's Bridge: Following the Tracks to Auschwitz with My Survivor Father by Jason Sommer

  Jay is ninety eight years old and extremely accomplished. He speaks ten languages,  taught gymnastics and dance. He was awarded New York's teacher of the year and the national teacher of the year . Jay was also a Holocaust survivor. He told Jason, his son, many memories of his horrific experience. The memories were getting harder for Jay to recall and so Jason decided they needed to visit the places in his memories.

  You are going to love this book. It tells you and takes you to some of the most horrific places. It's very well written and should be in your must read pile. You will experience the Holocaust first hand in this book. Mr. Sommer's tells the story in such clear and haunting terms you'll feel like you are there. I love that Jay and his son went back to the places he spent time in. As Mr. Sommers relives those memories you get a first hand "look" at Auschwitz.

   I did find one issue. The book's title is about Jay's brother yet he isn't mentioned much at all. I feel to be true to the title, prying the information about Shmuel from family members memories.

 I gave this one 5 cheers because I enjoyed the book so much. You will as well so get your copy today.

Update

 Hello All,

  I am hanging in there and reading when I can. Somedays my eyes just won't clear and focus like they should.  

  My eye specialist says I have to have three more surgeries before all is hopefully clear. I appreciate everyone who follows me anywhere and for those who stop by here.  It's frustrating to me that I am unable to read as I once did. I feel like a turtle reading right now.  I am following doctor's orders and doing the steps they suggested.

  Thanks again for hanging in there with me. Hopefully I'll get back to reading  my way, very soon.

Hugs and Keep writing!!!

                                                                                                MELANIE

Mistletoe in the City: A Steamy New Adult Holiday Romance by Amber Daulton

      Not everyone gets to attend college and go on to a great career. There are times when life intrudes. Derek Weston's life was changed when his father had a stroke. Derek had to quit college and head home to help his parents. He took over as the maintenance guy for apartments his parents owned. He just hoped nothing else changed. Boy, is he in for a wild Christmas!

  What a wonderful story! While the story is set at Christmas, it fits any time of the year. Beautifully written and with fantastic detail, you'll want to add this one to your TBR list. The characters are well fleshed out and are people you'll recognize in your own life. I found this book to be a quick read simply because you won't want to put it down. The book is perfect for yourself or as a gift for a friend. Get it!

  I found no issues in this one.

  I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it shows life can be beautiful with or without college.

  

BOOK BEDS

 

Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies Monica Burns

      The last thing Amalie Rockwood wants to do is get married. She tells her parents she'll be happier at their home in Scotland. Though not happy about this turn of events, her parents accept it. It takes only one night for Amalie's life to change completely. The Earl of Sommerville is furious with Amalie. He also had no plans to marry. When she turns up in his rooms at her parents home, the Earl knows marriage is inevitable. 

   This book is captivating from the first page to the last. I applaud the unique storylines in this book. I thought they were handled in a brilliant way. Rarely do you see books with this combination. I enjoyed it immensely.  The book is well written with a keen eye to details. The characters are extremely well defined. You can't go wrong with this book. Get it now and add it to your TBR pile.

   I found it a bit long. It seems in spots Ms. Burns spreads the story a bit thin.

   I gave this one 5 cheers out 5 because even with the issue I found, it's a phenomenal book.

Catching Rose Virginia Barlow

    May 1, 1872. This was to have been Rose's wedding day. The problem is the groom is a no show. Though family and friends try to console Rose, she is convinced he didn't want to marry her.  The guests are still milling around and family are making sure everyone is taken care of. Rose can't wipe the thoughts from her mind. Where could he be?

     Ms. Barlow created characters for this book that are so life-like it's easy to picture them in your mind. Then she wove a story around them with intrigue, love, and excitement. I really enjoyed this book and have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was taken on a journey I hadn't expected. The spunk and determination of these characters is something to see. Get this book!

     About three-fourths of the way in, the book does slow down some. It relaxes the pace too much. In this same area, there is some repetitive passages.

      I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because of the issues listed above.

How Authors Can Take a Great Head Shot Your Headshot Can Help Cinch a Media Interview and Establish Credibility

 

By Scott Lorenz

Westwind Book Marketing

I’ve worked with some of the best photographers in the USA. I’ve been in dozens of studios all over the country and have been privy to their backstage techniques. These photographers have photographed Miss America contestants, professional hockey and baseball players as well as CEOs, authors, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. I got the skinny directly from them on their tips for getting the best head shot possible.

While the written word is powerful in landing a media placement, as a book publicist I know that a great photo can cinch a media opportunity just as well and sometimes even faster. How? It’s simple. The photo immediately tells the reporter if the author looks credible and it tells a TV producer if the person is going to look good on a TV interview. If you don’t think they care, think again. It also declares race, sex and sometimes creed. It all matters, and don’t assume it’s a negative thing as it helps news producers provide a balanced newscast so that all voices can be heard. It’s the same with print or broadcast media.

To be sure you convey your message in your headshot and to put your best face forward you’ll want to hear some tips on How to take a great headshot.

First let’s talk about the use of the head shot and its purpose as that dictates the style.

Author Headshots will be used on a book cover and press materials, website and social media. You want multiple variations as the thumbnail close up on Amazon will be different from the one you use on LinkedIn, Amazon and your book flap. Is this a serious book? If so then you should look professional. If it’s a cookbook then look like a cook in proper attire in the kitchen. If you are a doctor then look like one!

Renowned photographer Sam T’ang of Sam T’ang Production Studios, who regularly photographs Miss America and Miss USA contestants, says planning ahead is critical and offers these tips:

1. Get a good night’s sleep and rest the day before your shoot. (You don’t want wrinkles or baggie eyes for your shoot).
2. A good headshot should focus just on your face. Clothing should be complementary & should have contrast, IE, someone with lighter color hair should have darker tops or suits, someone with darker hair should have lighter colored tops or suits.
3. Clothing/wardrobe should not be busy or have patterns. Always bring several different outfits if possible. It is always better to have too much than only one outfit to work with.
4. Backgrounds should be clean, un-cluttered and should not have a pattern (unless it’s an environmental portrait).
5. Accessories (Women). Jewelry should be subtle and not overpowering (again, the main focus is on the face).
6. MAKEUP/HAIR (Women & Men). If it is possible to have a makeup artist/hair stylist, hire one! Makeup is not only important, but makeup looks COMPLETELY different on camera than in real life and the camera PICKS UP EVERYTHING. Everyday makeup under professional photography lighting and strobes will look like you have no makeup at all. A professional makeup artist is well worth the investment!
7. Lighting. A professional photographer should understand lighting conditions whether it’s natural light or strobes (flash). Good lighting makes a huge difference in your photos. Be aware that shooting under fluorescent lights will cast a green tint to your photos.
8. Photographers. There are many talented photographers out there, but only a few who actually specialize and can take a GREAT HEADSHOT. A good photographer should make you feel comfortable and be able to communicate and direct you, thus making your shots look natural and relaxed instead of stiff or too posed and awkward.
9. Retouching. Almost all images are retouched and edited. One caveat, just don't have your photographer OVER RETOUCH your photo or use FILTERS that make you look too plastic and not real (unless that is the look you want).

Jack Kenny whose photography book CUBA is filled with photos of the people of Cuba says he likes shooting outdoors in available light. Natural light outside can be beautiful. I like to shoot in doorways or windows or under overpasses, keeping the subject just out of the direct light.

For headshots, says Kenny, “I like to work both in the studio and in natural light. Sometimes I use a combination of the two where the natural light isn’t sufficient to “fill” the subject. For males I prefer to use a single light source (in varying sizes depending on the drama desired). The light is placed at a 30 to 90-degree angle from the subject and sometimes I use an edge light on the opposite side or a reflector to fill in the shadows. For women I tend to use a softer light – usually two front lights – one weaker than the other, and I keep the light sources closer to the camera.”

According to Steve Kovich who shot for the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers, Lions and is currently the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer, “You want to create depth and mood. Lighting a subject from high above and off to the side is what I like to do. This lighting style is commonly referred to as “Rembrandt” lighting as this is the way the light came into his studio.”

“On the creative end, it’s the ability to evoke or more likely to capture emotion. Whether it be happy, sad, or otherwise,” says Kovich.

In the end, says Jack Kenny, almost any light can be used depending on the effects desired, but a true headshot should emphasize the subject and not the photographer.

About Sam T’ang

Based in Detroit and Miami, Sam T’ang is a national and international published photographer specializing in Beauty, Glamour, Fashion and Swimwear. Sam’s work has appeared in advertisements, calendars, magazines and posters: MAXIM, STUFF, PLAYBOY, FHM, COSMOPOLITAN, GLAMOUR, TEEN, YOUNG MISS, PERFECT 10, OCEAN DRIVE, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, VENUS SWIMWEAR, FITNESS USA, AUTORAMA, and many others.

Sam has photographed headshots for the Miss America, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Venus Swimwear, Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant contestants, the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings players headshots/promos as well as thousands of models, actors and celebrities. (www.SamTang.com) 248-845-8274 and 305-502-1354.

About Jack Kenny

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kenny specializes in headshots and has photographed dozens of CEOs, doctors, lawyers, authors and entrepreneurs. Kenny is also author/publisher of Cuba where he takes readers on a photographic journey through modern day Cuba. www.kennyphoto.com  (734) 395-1265

About Steven Kovich

Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Kovich has photographed celebrities such as Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon and Hulk Hogan as well as hundreds of sports figures including Derek Jeter and Red Wing hockey great Steve Yzerman. He’s also the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer. His list of corporate clients includes Hyatt, Ameritech, AT&T, CBS, Coke, Chrysler, Domino’s Pizza, Detroit Symphony, ESPN, Ford, Dupont, General Motors, Getty Images, Proctor & Gamble, Pulte Homes, American Red Cross and the US Postal Service. Kovich’s web site has few words as he lets his photos speak for themselves. www.kovich.com  727-452-2349.

The Bottom Line: Your headshot is one of the most important elements in your book promotion. Get a professional to shoot it. Don’t skimp out and use a cropped shot from your summer vacation!

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com  or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net