Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

JOURNEY AWARDS for Narrative Non-fiction FIRST PLACE Category Winners
Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the JOURNEY Awards 2014, a genre division of the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Award Writing Competitions.

The Journey Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Narrative Non-fiction. The Journey Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

First Place Category Winners for the Journey Awards are:
- Global Enlightenment: Thwarted Escape by Lopamudra Banerjee
- Personal Journey: The Breast is History, by Bronwyn Hope
- Career Experiences: Caregiving Our Loved Ones by Nanette J. Davis, Ph.D.
- An Era Memoir: Soviet Letters by Alex Posoukh
- Travelogue Experiences: Moroccan Musings by Anne B. Barriault
- True Action: Waking Reality by Donna LeClair
- How-to/Life Experiences: The Accidental Teacher: Life Lessons from my Silent Son by Annie Lubliner Lehmann
- Best Manuscript: Five Thousand Brothers in Law: Love in Angola Prison by Shannon Hager
CONGRATULATIONS!

The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the JOURNEY AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 JOURNEY category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.
- The deadline for entries into the Journey Awards 2014 was Feb. 28, 2014.
- The deadline for entries into the Journey Awards 2015 is Feb. 28, 2015.
GRAND PRIZE Overall Journey Awards Winner from 2013:

Christine Smith, More Faster, Backwards: Rebuilding David

To view the 2013 JOURNEY Award Winners, please click here.

To compete in the 2015 Journey Awards or for more information, please click here.

THE DEADLINE TO ENTER THE 2015 JOURNEY Novel Writing Competitions is February 28th, 2015.

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CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are why literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also why our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.

Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com about any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.

Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Terms and Conditions page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
February 2, 2015
A NEW YEAR, A NEW LOOK with NEW SERVICES at Chanticleer Reviews

We’ve been busy building a new website so that we can offer more to the Chanticleer Community of Authors and Readers!

IF you haven’t had a chance to visit the Chanticleer Reviews’ website recently, please do! We have added new features and services.

New! Book Clubs and Readers Community News

Now you (Chanticleer Authors) can submit your book promotion contests, sales, and deals to be posted on Chanticleer’s brand new just for Book Clubs and Readers section! Reach Readers and Book Clubs with your latest book deals and sales, author promotions and goodies, and book club special offers that are linkable right from the homepage of Chanticleer’s website!

Book Clubs can easily discover Chanticleer authors who want to engage with them. And they can enter CBR’s Book Club of the month contest for a chance to win ten free books from the featured title of the month.

Readers will be excited about new book promotions such as sales, goodies, beta reader opportunities, and reader contests.

There is nothing quite like the joy of discovering a new fav author!

Better Website Visitor Engagement

The new website platform (found at the old URL address www.ChantiReviews.com) is Mobile & Tablet friendly. Give it a try!

Chanticleer Writing Competitions Contest Winners’ Listing Now Featured on the Homepage

Booksellers, librarians, literary agents, publishing houses, and readers & book clubs can now quickly access the Chanticleer Writing Competitions Winners’ information with an easy to spot direct link on the home page (‘above the fold’)–permanently!

Newspaper Layout for Quick Access

Now you can easily scan the home page of the CBR website for: Latest Book Reviews, Contest News, Book Marketing & Promotional Tools & Tips, the Latest News from Chanticleer, Book Clubs & Readers Community News, links to the Chanticleer Reviews quarterly magazine, and Calendar of Events.

We are making our way through the entire website to better serve the Chanticleer Community of Authors and Readers. And we are working on it continuously to make it easier to navigate and adding new services. So, do check back often!

We want to thank all of the Chanticleer Community Members for a Fantastic 2014!

We wish each and every one of YOU—Authors, Publishers, and Readers—a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015 from all of us at Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media.

We love discovering TODAY’s BEST BOOKS here at Chanticleer!

January 29, 2015
CYGNUS Grand Prize Winner Lands 3-Book Contract with TITAN

Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored and proud to announce that Bennett R. Coles, CYGNUS Awards 2013 Grand Prize Winner, was contracted by Titan Books for a three book deal for his Astral Saga series.

Titan Books is known for its Doctor Who series, Gregory Benford and Larry Niven collections of Ringworld, Timescape, Shipstar fame, George R.R. Martins & Hugh Howey’s Wasteland series, William C. Dietz of Legion of the Damned series, along with other sci-fi powerhouses. And now Bennett R. Coles, Chanticleer Communty Author, SciFi !

Virtues of War debuts in the Titan Spring 2015 catalog and will be represented by Titan at all the major book trade shows.

The immensely talented Fred Gambino created the cover art for the military science fiction novel from Bennett Coles for Titan.

A sci-fi thriller of physical and psychological combat, Virtues of War sends readers hurtling through space to find that our warlike nature has survived intact into the 26th century. Click here to read the rest of the review.

We are looking forward to reviewing the second book in the Astral Saga Trilogy.

Here is the catalog copy for Virtues of War:

Lieutenant Katja Emmes is a platoon commander who was transferred last-minute to be the leader of the 10-trooper strike team carried aboard the fast-attack craft Rapier. Although fully trained, she has never led troops in real operations before, and she is haunted by the shadow of her war-hero father.

Sublieutenant Jack Mallory is fresh out of pilot school, reluctantly doing his duty in the mysterious world of extra-dimensional warfare while pining for the glamour of a fighter pilot position in the space fleet. Day-dreaming his way through life, Jack is in for a rude awakening.

Lieutenant Commander Thomas Kane is poised for promotion, and he knows that this six-month deployment in command of Rapier is the single, best chance to secure his rise to stardom within the Astral Force. He has already learned that performance alone isn’t enough and actively dabbles in the subtle politics of his professional world, but he will learn that there are far more dangerous foes than the ones he can see.

Set far enough in the future to present a society that has evolved and splintered from our own, Virtues of War is a sci fi novel that reveals the traits common in any age, and ultimately looks at the heart of what makes us human.

Ben Coles, an officer with plus 15-years experience in the Canadian Navy, demonstrates a crisp writing style, an impressive knowledge of military tactics and techno jargon, and an imagination crossed with a study of physics that has produced believable weaponry and space travel of the future. Way to go, Ben!

Here is Ben at the Chanticleer Awards Gala receiving his award. Photo courtesy of Elaine Dillon–all rights reserved.

Whose work will be awarded the next Cygnus Grand Prize Award? You can’t win if you don’t enter!

Click Here for information about the Cygnus Awards for Sci-Fi Writing Competition.

January 24, 2015
99 cents SALE on LOOK FOR ME by Janet K. Shawgo

LOOK FOR ME by Janet K. Shawgo is on sale at Amazon for 99 cents!

A reporter, a healer, and a spy. In this gripping tale of Civil War-era romance and espionage, these three lives are brought together, with consequences none of them can foresee.

Read Chanticleer’s Review of this award winning historical romance novel.

January 18, 2015
Sale on BLOOD RELATIONS by Lonna Enox

“Blood Relations” by Lonna Enox is on sale at Amazon

When Sorrel Janes, photographer, joins an old friend for a week-long birding festival at a wildlife refuge, she expects reminisces, fresh air, and good photos to sell in her gift shop. Instead, she discovers murder, mystery, terror, and family secrets which once again threaten to topple her existence. What is real? Who is genuine? With her usual tenacity, she follows the trails of deception and terror. What she discovers will change her world forever.

January 18, 2015
Book Clubs and Readers Community News from Chanticleer
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Welcome to the Book Clubs and Readers Community News

This is where special news just for Book Clubs and Readers will be featured.

Specials for Book Clubs:
- Winning ten FREE copies of an Chanticleer award winning title
- Access CBR titles that have lists of thought provoking questions tailored just for book club discussions–FREE
- Arranging for a Chanticleer author to attend and discuss her book at your book club’s meeting (find out if an author is available in your club’s location)
- Entering to win special goodies or books or give-aways for your book club
- Asking authors questions about their books and the craft of writing through online chatrooms
- Accessing special offers just for Book Clubs from Chanticleer Community Authors
If you are representing a Book Club and would like more information, please email: BookClubInfo@ChantiReviews.com.

Specials for Readers such as:
- Author promotional contests that give away prizes
- Find out if your favorite CBR author is presenting at bookstore near you
- Book Sales & Freebies & Give-aways from Chanticleer Authors
- Participate in Fun Social Media Events
- Join Chanticleer’s Online International Book Club that will feature the Chanticleer Grand Prize Winning Titles
- Become a Beta Reader for one of your favorite Chanticleer Community Authors
Please email Rainey Jordan to sign up at RJordan@ChantiReviews.com

Author Information about participating in Book Clubs Specials

If you have received a four or five star review by Chanticleer Book Reviews or if you have been awarded a FIRST in Category or a CBR Genre Grand Prize, you are eligible to have these works participate in the Book Club Community News offerings. Please email: KBrown@ChantiReviews.com

Author Information about participating in Reader Specials

All works reviewed by Chanticleer or that have been entered into a Chanticleer Writing Contest, are eligible for consideration to participate in the CBR Reader Specials. Book sales, freebies, promotional goodies, author signings, and social media events are examples of Reader Specials. Authors/publishers may submit listings to: RJordan@ChantiReviews.com

More Author Info

Also, please email us about your book deals, book sales, book signings, and book promotions that pertain to your submissions. We will try our best to publish them in the Book Club and Readers Community News column and in our social media postings.*

*Fine Print: CBR retains the right to decide which submissions, offerings, and solicitations to post to our website.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
January 18, 2015
CYGNUS AWARDS for SciFi & Speculative Fiction FIRST PLACE Category Winners
Chanticleer Book Reviews is honored to announce the First Place Category Winners for the Cygnus Awards 2014, a genre division of the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Award Writing Competitions.

The Cygnus Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Mythological, and Steampunk fiction. The Cygnus Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

First Place Category Winners for the Cygnus Awards are:
- Space Opera Sci-Fi Series: Citadel 7, Earth’s Secret: Enemy of Existence by Yuan Jur
- Military Sci-fiction: Betrayal on Triton by Ryan Henry
- Paranormal: The Unbeliever by Zachary Kitchen
- Dark Fantasy/Gamer: Mythborn: Rise of the Adepts by Vijay Lakshman
- Epic Fantasy: Dream of a Vast Blue Cavern by Selah Tay-Song
- Speculative Fiction: The Ariadne Connection by Sara Stamey
- Mythological: The Immortal Game by Joannah Miley
- Sci-Fi: Shadow of the Last Man, Book 1 by J. M. Salyards
- SciFi/Cyperpunk: Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles, Book 1 by Jesikah Sundin
- Time Travel: Timelapse by Lorrie Farrelly
- Lab Lit SciFi: The Borealis Genome by Thomas P. Wise and Nancy Wise
- New Adult Dystopian: The Cloud Seeders by Jamie Zendt
- New Adult Sci-Fi: ISO by H.G. Bleackly
- YA Dystopian: All Is Silence by Robert L. Slater
- Best SciFi Manuscript: Natural Selection by Michael Simon
CONGRATULATIONS!

The 1st Place Category Winners compete for the CYGNUS AWARDS 2014 GRAND PRIZE position. The 2014 CYGNUS category winner was announced at the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala in September 2015. See the Grand Prize Winners.
- The deadline for The Cygnus Awards 2014 was Jan. 31, 2014.
- The deadline for The Cygnus Awards 2015 is Jan. 31, 2015.
GRAND PRIZE Overall Cygnus Awards Winner from 2013:

Bennett R. Coles, Virtues of War.

Titan U.K picked up VoW for a three book deal. Check out the cover reveal from TOR here.

Tor.com is pleased to reveal Fred Gambino’s cover art for Virtues of War, a new military science fiction novel from Bennett R. Coles! Virtues of War is the first book in The Astral Saga trilogy, and will be published in June 2015 by Titan Books.

To view the 2013 CYGNUS Award Winners, please click here.

To compete in the 2015 CYGNUS Awards or for more information, please click here.

THE DEADLINE TO ENTER THE 2015 CYGNUS Novel Writing Competitions is January 31st, 2015.

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Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are why literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also why our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.

Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com about any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews international writing competitions.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
January 10, 2015
Best of the 2014 Summer Shorts & Novellas Writing Competition
Summer Shorts 2014 Overall Best Short Story/Novelette Writing Competition Official Announcement

We are pleased to announce the first place overall winner for the 2014 Summer Short Stories and Novelettes Writing Competition. The honor goes to:

The Stone God’s Wife

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Sharon E. Anderson, author

by Sharon Anderson (please click on her name to visit her website)

This short story is an exceptional example of the dark fantasy genre. Desperate to save her sister, Cilla does the unthinkable…and the unforgivable. The Stone God’s Wife is compellingly written, well characterized, fast paced, and engaging.

Sharon Anderson will be awarded a CBR Blue Ribbon and a $100 U.S.D. purse at the 2015 Chanticleer Authors Conference Awards Banquet.

We invite you to also check out the Finalists who made the short list! Click here for the list.

Congratulations to all the finalists of the 2014 Summer Short Stories and Novelettes Writing Competition!

Do you have a short story or novella that you would like to enter?

2015 Short Stories, Novellas, and Novelettes Writing Competitions offer two submission deadlines:
1. January 15, 2015 Please click on the date for more information.
2. June 15, 2015 Please click on the date for more information.
Click here for general contest information. [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
December 29, 2014
Win a Manuscript Overview for Your RAW NaNoWriMo 2014 Manuscript!
Do you have a diamond in the rough with your 2014 NaNoWriMo manuscript?

If you think that you have written a diamond in the rough during NaNoWriMo 2014: a great story, created compelling characters, or have a new twist to a classic theme (think Twilight), then consider entering the Chanticleer RAW NaNoWriMo writing competition.

This is the probably one of the few times that an author should not polish a work before submitting it to a contest. Judges are looking for raw storytelling ability and/or originality of story concept. CBR has been contacted by publishers and literary agents to hold a RAW NaNoWriMo contest to search for that next Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen or Wool by Hugh Howey.

Does your RAW work have a compelling story? Is it original? Does it have an irresistible plot arc? Will your work’s characters resonate with readers?

Here is your chance to find out!

Enter your official 2014 NaNoWriMo manuscript into the RAW NaNoWriMo 2014 competition.
- Ten genres to choose from to enter your NaNoWriMo 2014 work: SciFi, Romance, Historical, Paranormal, YA, Western, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense, Literary, and Narrative Non-Fiction
- Keep in mind that this contest is for UNEDITED works. Judges, editors, and literary agents are looking for RAW writing talent.
- The number of entries is limited to insure that each work will be seen by the panel of NaNoWriMo 2014 judges. Don’t delay, enter today!
- Each work submitted will go be seen by NaNoWriMo 2014 CBR judges.
- A maximum of 11 winners’ slots! One for each genre writing competition that CBR offers. However, winners are selected on merit and not to fill slots.
- Minimum word count: 50,000.
- You must be able to supply your 2014 NaNoWriMo Winner’s Certificate upon request.
- Authors/Publishers maintain all rights to their works submitted to the RAW NaNoWriMo contest. Simple.
RAW NaNoWriMo 2014 Prize Package

The Best NaNoWriMo 2014 entry will receive a CBR Manuscript Overview Evaluation ($395).*

1st Place Genre Winners will receive a complimentary CBR writing novel contest entry gift certificate ($45) along with a Great Beginnings entry gift certificate ($ 15) valid until Feb. 1st, 2016.

Maximum Prize Package Value upon entering the polished work in the Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Novel Writing Competitions:
- A chance to take home the $1,000 Chanticleer Blue Ribbon Grand Prize purse!
- A chance of your work being awarded One of TEN CBR Genre Grand Prize Packages valued at $750
- Or a chance at a First in Category Chanticleer Review Package!
- And, most importantly, to have your published work listed in the Chanticleer Best Book Discoveries.
Winners will be announced before May 1st, 2015. Results will be announced as they come in on Chanticleer’s social media posts. The Official RAW NaNoWriMo 2014 Winners Website Posting will be published by May 15, 2015.

Submissions will be accepted until Jan. 30th, 2015, midnight PST or until the limit of entries is met.

Enter your work into the CBR RAW NaNoWriMo 2014 competition rounds for a $35 fee. This link will take you to the submissions page.

Click here for more information.

Images courtesy of NaNoWriMo. Please click here for more information about how to participate in NaNoWriMo! By clicking this link, you will be taken directly to the Official NaNoWriMo organization’s website.

NaNoWriMo Facts and Stats

National Novel Writing Month was established in 1999. It is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes stories matter.
December 27, 2014
An Editorial Review of “Tree: One Life that Made a Difference by Norman E. Kjono

It is clear that Norman E. Kjono, author of Tree: One Life That Made a Difference, cares deeply for the interconnected nature of all living things. In his book, he takes us on a journey to a small valley in the Pacific Northwest where the “lifes” of this sacred place are in trouble—the inhabitants of this valley consider themselves to be lifes.

“In the valley they thought of themselves together as “lifes.” This preserved their individual identity yet acknowledged the plural sense of them together as more than one.”

The core message in Tree: One Life that Made a Difference, is thought provoking. That all lifes would work toward being the best they can be, and helping others without thought of reward, is ideal. This is a story that mixes form—interspersing prose, poetry and songs; the poems dispersed through the story are to be read like proverbs.

Valley culture is built on the idea that all lifes are interdependent, and that by each individual doing his or her best, the purpose of the Cosmos and Creator will be best served. Few characters in this novel are human, and a few are even inanimate, like Stream and Rock. Owls, deer, beavers, mushrooms, frogs, raccoons, and other creatures including Tree and the Ancients (redwood trees) make up the cast of characters in this inspirational work that asserts that one life can make a difference. And that difference begins with one positive act that in turn inspires another and another.

The valley thrives and draws human visitors who leave their negative energy behind when they return home. All the lifes come together to try and figure out a way to deal with the negative energy produced by visitors to the valley. A toll plan is put forth by Elizabeth Jay and Harvey Crow. At first, this seems reasonable, but soon any life that disagrees with the plan is attacked and threatened by Jay and Crow, showing their intentions to be about controlling Life rather than helping it. The lifes of the valley quickly decide the toll plan is not for them, and the rest of the book takes place largely in dialogue over the best possible way to exist.

Most of the book deals with examples of why interdependence works best. The tale that best shows this is about Randolph Raccoon, an ambitious life who almost destroyed his people and caused a war. Randolph’s tale shows how greed and the desire for power can destroy a life’s internal spirit and their community as well.

Kjono shares his core belief of interdependence based on love and compassion with more than 300 pages of philosophical debate that extends from the local lifes of the valley to Arthurian legend told to them by the Ancients to a brief introduction of other-worldly aliens to the valley lifes. What begins as an interesting thought experiment quickly becomes a homily. However, Kjono’s supposition of doing your best to support not only yourself, but others around you, without regard for how you benefit, is a noble one.

Norman E. Kjono has put forth a beautiful philosophy that if one of aspires to do what is best for one’s world, that others will follow suit. And, as Tree said, “If we start out thinking it can’t be done, the we’ve lost before we begin!”

November 12, 2014