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  • “Rain Shine Secrets” by Alice T. Robb awarded a 1st Place Blue Ribbon in INDIE Manuscripts Division, Women’s Fiction

    “Rain Shine Secrets” by Alice T. Robb awarded a 1st Place Blue Ribbon in INDIE Manuscripts Division, Women’s Fiction

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is pleased to announce that Rain Shine Secrets by Alice T. Robb  has won 1st place in the INDIE Manuscript Awards Division,  Mainstream category (INDIE is a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

    Rain Shine Secrets by Alice T. Robb

    [Editor’s Note: Rain Shine Secrets is a brilliant work of fiction that reflects our contemporary society.  Robb masterfully intertwines the past and present, streams of consciousness, and the lives of Rain Shine Secrets  vivid characters. ]

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the INDIE Awards First Place Blue Ribbon winning manuscripts and their authors.

    Each winning INDIE  manuscript was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    The INDIE  Writing Competition Prizes – Unpublished & Manuscripts Division

    First Place Winners in each category will win a Chanticleer Manuscript Overview Package (valued at $ 325.00) .  All first place winners will be automatically entered into the CBR Grand Prize Writing Competition for CBR’s Best Manuscripts of 2013.  All winners’ works will be considered by Cloudberry Press (with author’s approval, of course) for publication.

    Or winning authors may elect to have their works reviewed when it is published in galley form (pre-press) or after publication.Published manuscripts winners are welcome to enter any CBR Published Novels Division contests upon publication.

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.

  • “Murder Strikes a Pose” by Tracy Weber awarded a 1st Place Blue Ribbon in INDIE Manuscripts Division, Cozy Mystery

    “Murder Strikes a Pose” by Tracy Weber awarded a 1st Place Blue Ribbon in INDIE Manuscripts Division, Cozy Mystery

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

    Tasha & Tracy Weber

    Chanticleer Book Reviews is pleased to announce that Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber  has won 1st place in the INDIE Manuscript Awards,  Cozy Mystery Category (INDIE is a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

    Murder Strikes a Pose, a Downward Dog Mystery by Tracy Weber

    [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Editor’s Note: We hope to see more Downward Dog Mysteries. Our judges thoroughly enjoyed reading this murder/mystery/suspense manuscript. The writing is fresh, the story is relevant on several levels, and the suspense keeps the pages turning. A hands down winner!]

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the INDIE Awards First Place Blue Ribbon winning manuscripts and their authors.

    Each winning INDIE  manuscript was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    The INDIE  Writing Competition Prizes – Unpublished & Manuscripts Division

    First Place Winners in each category will win a Chanticleer Manuscript Overview Package (valued at $ 325.00) .  All first place winners will be automatically entered into the CBR Grand Prize Writing Competition for CBR’s Best Manuscripts of 2013.  All winners’ works will be considered by Cloudberry Press (with author’s approval, of course) for publication.

    Or winning authors may elect to have their works reviewed when it is published in galley form (pre-press) or after publication.Published manuscripts winners are welcome to enter any CBR Published Novels Division contests upon publication.

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.

     [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Maiden’s Veil by Lisa Costantino awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon Awards, Women’s Fiction

    Maiden’s Veil by Lisa Costantino awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon Awards, Women’s Fiction

    Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media is pleased to announce that Maiden’s Veil, by Lisa Costantino, has won 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Women’s  Fiction Category (INDIE is a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

     Maiden’s Veil by Lisa Costantino

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Editor’s Note: This love story is written with lyrical prose that intertwines  history with a modern story-line. A beautiful read with twists and turns. Look for our review.]

     

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the INDIE Awards First Place Blue Ribbon winning novels and their authors.

    Each winning INDIE  novel was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    INDIE CBR Blue Ribbon Award 1st Place category winning authors will be awarded:

    • Award winning books will be placed on the Chanticleer Book Shelves (which sell and promote the winning titles). Our CBR Book Shelves are located in participating Independent Book Stores across the U.S.
    • A coveted Chanticleer Book Review
    • A CBR Blue Ribbon embossed with the Contest Name, Author Name, and Book Title to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals
    • Digital award stickers for on-line promotion
    • Adhesive book stickers
    • Shelf-talkers and other promotional items
    • Promotion in print and on-line media
    • Review of book distributed to on-line sites and printed media publications
    • Review, cover art, and author synopsis listed in CBR’s newsletter
    And the 1st Place Award winners will automatically be entered into the GRAND PRIZE AWARD for title of  The Best of the CBR Award Winning Books of 2013!

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.

     [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • redirect: Young Adult Novels Writing Competition-2013

  • Picking Up the Pieces by Wendy Dewars Hughes awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Inspirational Romantic/Suspense Category

    Picking Up the Pieces by Wendy Dewars Hughes awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Inspirational Romantic/Suspense Category

    Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media is pleased to announce that Wendy Dewars Hughes has won 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Inspirational Romantic/Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

    Picking Up the Pieces by Wendy Dewars Hughes

     [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Editor’s Note: This gripping novel is well-crafted, well-plotted and  suspenseful. It is not your typical “inspirational” novel. Hughes successfully blurs  genres with her well-honed story telling abilities. ]

     

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the INDIE Awards First Place Blue Ribbon winning novels and their authors.

    Each winning INDIE  novel was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    CBR Blue Ribbon Award 1st Place category winners, Self-published Novels Division, will be awarded:

    • a CBR 1st Place Blue Ribbon embossed with the winning title’s name, author’s name and category
    • a Chanticleer Book Review Package
    • Digital CBR Blue Ribbons to use in online promotion
    Book Sticker
    • 1st Place CBR adhesive stickers to use on books and in promotion
    • Goodies and promotional opportunities for the winning title and author
    • Automatically entered in CBR’s GRAND PRIZE annual awards contest 2013

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • “Deadly Addiction” by Kristine Cayne awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Romantic/Suspense Category

    “Deadly Addiction” by Kristine Cayne awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Romantic/Suspense Category

    Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media is pleased to announce that Kristine Cayne has won 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Romantic Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

    Deadly Addiction by Kristine Cayne, 2nd in the Deadly Vices series.

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Editor’s Note: Be prepared to read this gripping novel in one sitting–this is not your typical “romantic suspense story.”]

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the 1st Place winners of the  INDIE Awards for Self-published Novels.

    Each winning INDIE novel was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    CBR Blue Ribbon Award 1st Place category winners, Self-published Novels Division, will be awarded:

    • a CBR 1st Place Blue Ribbon embossed with the winning title’s name, author’s name and category
    • a Chanticleer Book Review Package
    • Digital CBR Blue Ribbons to use in online promotion
    Book Sticker
    • 1st Place CBR adhesive stickers to use on books and in promotion
    • Goodies and promotional opportunities for the winning title and author
    • Automatically entered in CBR’s GRAND PRIZE annual awards contest 2013

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • “The Grave Blogger” by Donna D. Fontenot awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Murder/Suspense Category

    “The Grave Blogger” by Donna D. Fontenot awarded an INDIE 1st Place Blue Ribbon – Murder/Suspense Category

    Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media is pleased to announce that Donna D. Fontenot has won 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Murder/Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

     

    The Grave Blogger by Donna D. Fontenot

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Editor’s Note: Nothing like a murder mystery story set in a small town in the Deep South. Find yourself transported.]

    Chanticleer Book Review Blue Ribbon Awards Writing  Contests recognize outstanding books and manuscripts.

    We are honored to announce the INDIE Awards First Place Blue Ribbon Award winning novels and their authors.

    Each winning INDIE novel was judged for the following qualities:

    • Compelling-ness of story
    • Professionalism of editing & formatting
    • Characterization
    • Continuity of story-line
    • Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
    • Intriguing opening
    • Uniqueness of story
    • Writing craft

    CBR Blue Ribbon Award 1st Place category winners, Self-published Novels Division, will be awarded:

    • a CBR 1st Place Blue Ribbon embossed with the winning title’s name, author’s name and category
    • a Chanticleer Book Review Package
    • Digital CBR Blue Ribbons to use in online promotion
    • Book Sticker

      1st Place CBR adhesive stickers to use on books and in promotion

    • Goodies and promotional opportunities for the winning title and author
    • Automatically entered in CBR’s GRAND PRIZE annual awards contest 2013

    For a full list of all winners, visit Chanticleer Book Reviews website at chantireviews.com.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Cathy Greenfeder, author of “Sacred Fires”

    “I was thrilled to receive my 1st Place Blue Ribbon for my book, Sacred Fires.”

    “Wow! I greatly appreciate the review and the award.”

  • Saving Hope by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

    Saving Hope by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

    It is a frigid night in Siberia in the year 2000. In their small apartment, Alexandra Pavlova is jerked awake by the sound of her small daughter’s struggled breathing. The mother’s tender caress of her forehead reveals a raging fever. Quickly Alexandra wakes her husband Yuri, and the parents bundle up Nadezhda for the drive from their city, bearing the Soviet-style name of Stop-100, to the regional hospital, 100 kilometers away.

    With expensive medicines that her parents must buy, Nadezhda (Hope, in Russian) recovers from this bout, but the doctor tells them that the girl desperately needs surgery in one of Moscow’s major hospitals. The loving mother is a lioness in her fierce determination to do whatever it takes to help her child, born with a heart condition that leaves her vulnerable to life-threatening infections. She guiltily fears that her earlier employment as a microbiologist in a Soviet biological warfare institute may have led to Nadezhda’s condition. Now she vows to save her life.

    Vladimir, a friend of both Yuri and Alexandra since childhood, willingly provides money for the trip to Moscow, and Yuri begins selling car parts to earn extra money. Alexandra gratefully accepts the secretarial job offered by Vladimir, who eventually confesses his lifelong love for her and his pain and even jealousy when she married Yuri.

    It is hard to see how this story is to evolve into the exciting spy novel that Saving Hope has promised to be, but author Sherwood-Fabre isn’t about to disappoint her readers. She comes through with flying colors, creating her cliffhanging thriller not only with literary skill and authenticity regarding life, crime, and medicine in Russia (Sherwood-Fabre lived and worked there), but also with great emotion and story-telling ability.

    We learn that the hard-working father and the generous friend have hidden their true characters—not only from us, but also from Alexandra, and even from each other. Even Alexandra, an unemployed microbiologist, is drawn into the nefarious Russian underworld that entices her with offers of a high salary and good medical care for Nadezhda.

    These activities do not go unnoticed by the Russian Federation’s intelligence arm, the FSB (successor to the former Soviet KGB). Agent Sergei Borisov tries to recruit Alexandra to help in his investigation by telling her how she has been betrayed. She is devastated as well as desperate, feeling there is no one she can trust. She is soon to discover that her fears—not just for herself and Nadezhda, but for the safety of the world—are well grounded. The deadly race is on.

    This reviewer’s heart was pounding as the final pages of this book flew under her fingers at 2:30 in the morning. Surely the evil that is encompassing her life and threatening the world must not reach fruition unchallenged, but what or who is going to stop it? Saving Hope is a great read, and not just to find out how it ends. There are sub-stories and sub-sub stories, built around characters I didn’t even mention in this review, that add depth and texture to this spy novel.

    Saving Hope by Liese Sherwood-Fabre is the Chanticleer Book Reviews 1st Place Blue Ribbon Award winner for the Suspense/Thriller category, Published Novels division.

  • Virtues of War by Bennett R. Coles

    Virtues of War by Bennett R. Coles

    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. This is no Star Trek mission of exploration, and there are no aliens: only long-established colonies in the Centauri system rebelling against Terran rule. Humankind’s technological evolution may have continued at breakneck speed, but social evolution has yet to catch up.

    Lt. Katja Emmes, fast-attack strike leader of the small but pivotal warship Rapier, leads her troops into a hot zone on Cerberus—a minor operation to target a Centauri spy. It’s her first mission, and it leads to her first kill. It also leads to a full-on war between Terran Astral Forces and Centauri’s colonies which, despite an outwardly peaceful existence, have developed robotic killing machines far beyond Terran expectations.

    Thus begins a narrative of nonstop action, swift pacing, and near-constant tension. Drops from space through planetary atmosphere are vicarious thrill rides that get the reader’s heart pumping, and battle scenes are wrought with suspense.

    The author, Bennett R. 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.

    Although action is clearly his strong suit, Coles has created an engaging set of characters. Katja Emmes has a chip on her shoulder placed by a cold-hearted father, and she’s constantly trying to prove herself against his Army bias. Lt. Cdr. Thomas Kane, Rapier’s captain, has a big heart, but he’s easily swayed by the promise of promotion and even more so by the scheming, power-hungry Lt. Charity “Breeze” Brisebois, a vixen of a villain. And sub-lieutenant Jack Mallory, whose disfigurement early on fails to dampen his sunny optimism, enjoys a steady climb in respect as his superior intellect transcends his boyish charm.

    The Astral Forces are filled with assorted men and women at every level of rank, and each, though briefly drawn, are clear individuals. War may still be ever-present in a society that is now intergalactic, but at least equality between the sexes has been achieved.

    Well into the story, exemplary soldier Katja ponders the incredible civilian death toll and the necessity of war. It is a potential turning point, and she nearly takes the next step into a desire for peace that one hopes could resound throughout humankind. But, luckily for Virtues of War readers, this is the first in a series, and such a step will take many more battles—both military and societal—before that possibility can be achieved.

    Virtues of War has earned the Cygnus Awards 2013 GRAND 2013-CygnusPRIZE for SciFi and Speculative Fiction Category,  a division of the Chanticleer Book Reviews Novel Competitions.

Chanticleer Book Reviews