Mayra Calvani

I really enjoyed The Luthier’s Apprentice and I must admit I didn’t know what a Luthier was until I started reading this book.

Emma’s character was fantastic, being 16 years old I found that she was not into all that girly stuff. She played the violin most of the time practicing for a big competition. She was very brave and stood up for herself.

I also liked Corey, he was a great sidekick to the adventure and as the story went on I was amazed at how he was connected even more so than just another student violin player who wanted to find out why his violin teacher disappeared.

The book flowed at a great pace and I could not put it down.

Mayra Calvani penned a great read and I look forward to reading more from her.… (mehr)

The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing provided some sound advice, which I've subsequently been able to use in the reviews I've written.
Since I'm not new to reviewing, in some cases the book simply reinforced what I've already been doing, or reassured me that I was on the right track.
The examples provided were helpful, as were the "dos and don'ts" sections. While I realize that individual publications' requirements may vary, one aspect I would have liked to see more of (or more clearly delineated) is structural advice or templates.
The book explores sensitive questions, like how to handle writing a review for a book you thought wasn't all that well written, and addresses the difference between book reviews and book criticism.
At the end of the book, a number of review markets are suggested. Unfortunately, since the book is copyright 2008, some of these markets are no longer in existence.
My sense after reading the book is that it would be most of value to someone who is just starting out with book reviews, or has a few under their belt but would like to refine their technique or efficiency.
… (mehr)

Have you ever been frustrated by the lack of quality of book reviews on Amazon.com? So many “love it” or “hate it” comments, but so little who tell you why this book meant so much to them… I desire to change that in my writing, so I bought this book to learn to write book reviews better.

Mayra Calvani and Anne Edwards cover everything in this book – how to write an effective book review for any audience, how to avoid common pitfalls, where one might write in order to gain influence, and how to contact helpful channels to acquire (free) books to review. My copy is dog-eared in many places so that I can return for future reference.

The book is divided into many short chapters, most of which consist of only two pages, but a few of which are longer. The text reads quickly and easily. The final section contains places to submit reviews – helpful to any reviewer.

One cannot help but wonder how in-date a book published in 2008 can be, though, especially as the Internet continues to change the dynamics of the marketplace. An expanded section on blogging would update this otherwise-helpful reference work to contemporary standards.

Overall, this book is ideal for people interested in sharing what they read with others so that they, too, can benefit. I plan to refer back to its resources in the coming months.

… (mehr)

It begins as a tale of a one woman's quest to feed those hungry souls that crossed her path; be they man or beast, she saw no difference as a need was a need. I applaud her open heart and the way in which she embraced ALL those in need. Thing is...it got a little out of hand. I mean, I love our four-legged friends as much as the next person, but when you're talking about dozens, hundreds, and perhaps thousands of feline friends...it's more a community than a few frequent travelers now isn't it? When "the man" comes round after catching wind of what was happening, you can bet he wanted to put a stop to it...not because he was heartless, but because of health concerns. Surprisingly though, this kick in the proverbial skirts was exactly what she needed to discover her true passion and start the next phase of her and her husband's lives in harmony.

With colorful illustrations to capture the eye and a story that will inspire many to reach for their dreams, author Mayra Calvani has struck just the right heart strings once again for a tale worth sharing across the generations.


**ecopy received for review… (mehr)