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Cleopatra: A Life

June 10th, 2015

Cleopatra: A Life Author: Stacy Schiff Reviewed by Anne Holmes for the NABBW This is an amazing, “can’t put down” type of book. Something I’d never have anticipated, since it’s a biography of a person who lived and reigned Egypt at least thirty years BC. So huge credit goes to author Stacey Schiff, who not only did her own research for this book, but writes of Cleopatra in a very compelling way. Consider, for example, the opening paragraph to the first chapter, titled, “That Egyptian Woman:” “Among the most famous women to have lived, Cleopatra VII... Read More

The Time of My Life: A Righteous Brother’s Memoir

June 10th, 2015

The Time of My Life: A Righteous Brother’s Memoir Author: Bill Medley with Mike Marino, Foreward by Billy Joel Reviewed by Anne Holmes for the NABBW I’ll avoid the temptation to report that this is a “righteously good read,” but I will promise you that this is an incredible memoir, full of soul and inspiration. Bill Medley, obviously one half (with his late partner Bobby Hatfield) of the pioneering “blue-eyed soul” group, the Righteous Brothers, tells a story that packs a punch. It’s more than just his personal recitation of their many iconic musical hits. But... Read More

A Woman with (No) Strings Attached: A Memoir

June 10th, 2015

A Woman with (No) Strings Attached: A Memoir Author: Lucie Novak Reviewed by: Anne Holmes for the NABBW Another “slice of life” autobiographical tale, this one is an unusual and explicit memoir of one women’s journey to sexual enlightenment. Author Lucie Novak tells readers at the outset that for much of her life, she had found physical activities such as skiing (“… and I am a very good skiier.”) far more exciting than sex. In fact, she writes, at age 58, having lived with a lifetime of boring, conventional sex with her husband, she had actually convinced herself... Read More

Rainbows Over Ruins

June 10th, 2015

Rainbows Over Ruins Author: Susan Sherayko, Foreword by Noah St. John Reviewed for the NABBW by Anne Holmes This book opens with an arresting personal crisis: Author Sherayko writes of how she came home from work one evening to discover more than a mere catastrophe. What she found when she turned the key in the door of her beloved 1930s era Los Angles home – a home which was literally built into a mountain – was a literally life altering event. Her three dogs greeted her, tails wagging, and surrounded by mud, as more mud literally drooled down the stairs while water dripped from the... Read More

Baby Boomer Love (A Guide to Finding New Love After 50)

September 17th, 2014

Baby Boomer Love (A Guide to Finding New Love After 50) Author: Marion A. Eggleton Amazon Kindle Nook Reviewed for the NABBW by Anne L. Holmes As a Baby Boomer woman who has been twice married, currently for over 25 years, I have often said that should I ever become widowed, I cannot imagine that I would seek to marry again. Now don’t misunderstand me: My husband and I enjoy a very happy and supportive union. (That’s why the statement above does not entertain the options of separation or divorce. ) But now that I am in my 60s, my attitude is that should something happen to change my current... Read More

Date Me, Date My Dog: Finding Mr. Right for You and Your Pack

August 4th, 2014

Date Me, Date My Dog: Finding Mr. Right for You and Your Pack By: Leigh Anne Jasheway Kindle Nook Reviewed for the NABBW by Anne Holmes I’ve always felt that introducing my pets – or my human children – to any people I’d either recently met — or even worked with — was a perfect litmus test. Based on years of experience, I now know unerringly, that if they don’t like them, it is in my best interest to immediately dissolve the relationship. It took me a few (well, OK, quite a few) bad endings before I figured this out. Not to mention a couple of incidents that were painful at... Read More

Too Young to Be This Old: Mature Anthology

August 3rd, 2014

Too Young to Be This Old: Mature Anthology Amazon Barnes & Noble Nook Author:  Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis Reviewed by:  Anne Holmes for the NABBW This is a great read anytime, but especially wonderful for summer beach reading, or if you’re a person who likes to have a book with you at all times – something to pick up when you’ve only got at few minutes to read.  Such as during a commute to work, on a boat or plane, in the doctor’s waiting room, etc. The stories are fun and easy to read, but light enough that you won’t lose track of all that’s going on if you should happen to be... Read More

The Living Memories Project: Legacies That Last

July 18th, 2014

The Living Memories Project: Legacies That Last Amazon Barnes & Noble Authors: Meryl Ain, Arthur M. Frischman, and Stewart Ain Reviewed for the NABBW by: Anne Holmes The Living Memories Project is a collection of inspirational personal accounts from more than 30 people, each sharing their own unique stories of how they have or are carrying on the memories of someone they loved. Some of the storytellers are people whose names you will likely recognize, such as: Lynda Johnson Robb, who writes lovingly of how she keeps alive her memories of her mother, former first lady Lady Bird Johnson Jack... Read More

Project Keepsake: Everyone has a keepsake, and every keepsake has a story to tell

July 17th, 2014

Project Keepsake: Everyone has a keepsake, and every keepsake has a story to tell Amazon Barnes & Noble Kindle Nook Author: Amber Lanier Nagle and friends (Anthology)  Reviewed for the NABBW by: Anne Holmes   Amber Lanier Nagle has always been interested in keepsakes-a glass bluebird, a pocket knife, a dime-store locket, a faded fishing lure, a dented cake pan, a model train car, and so many others. “Why do you keep this?” she asks. “Where did it come from?” And then she listens as the stores and memories pour out. Project Keepsake is Nagle’s crusade to collect and publish the... Read More

Broken Petals: An Appalachian-Inspired Short Story Collection

July 15th, 2014

Broken Petals: An Appalachian-Inspired Short Story Collection Amazon Barnes & Noble Kindle Nook Author: Anthology: multiple authors including NABBW member Janie Dempsey Watts Reviewed for the NABBW by:  Anne Holmes Having read and enjoyed NABBW member Janie Dempsey Watt’s novel, “Moon Over Taylor’s Ridge,” I was anxious to read more of her work. When she told me she’d had short stories published recently in two anthologies, I jumped at the chance to read both collections. “Broken Petals” is a collection of short stories that demonstrate strength, humor, and tenacity interlaced... Read More