Genre: Anthology
STUDIES IN GENRE
By: Lida Quillen and L. E. Wylde
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: Pending
Publishing date: 2-25-00


  Studies in Genre is a chapbook of the early works of Lida Quillen
and L. E. Wylde which includes short stories, personal essays and poetry.

I read this anthology in one night because as a writer I was so fascinated by the way a writer's mind works. I can more than relate in every short story…every poem…every essay these two writers created from their dreams and their childhood memories, and yes even the causes we get caught up in as writers.

If you are a writer or want to be a writer and want to try and understand the way creativity works-buy this book. It's a fascinating read!
On a (1-5) scale I give this one a crystal 4!
Reviewed by Jewel Dartt: Midnight Scribe Reviews

Love Child
International Author
Author of book Pam Smithl
Genre Romance
Publisher Nitelinks, Inc. www.nitelinks.com
Publishing date January 2000
ISBN number 1-58277-038-7
Reviewed by Sharon McGinty


   Four years ago, Daniel Brodie had walked out of Kate Anders life without a word of explanation. Now he's back, and wants answers that Kate can't give.
Kate had believed that she was over Daniel, that she was happy with her life.
So why was she feeling so confused about Daniel's return. The only thing Kate knows for certain is that Daniel must not learn about her son, Jamie.
   After seeing incriminating photographs, Daniel had ended his relationship with Kate. Yet, Daniel has never been one to run from problems or difficult
questions. He's determined to settle his affair with Kate if only to feel at peace. But Daniel is unprepared to handle his reaction to Kate and her
refusal to answer his questions.
   Behind the scenes hides Daniel's personal assistant, Emma Candy. Starting with the incriminating photographs to lying through her teeth, Emma is determined to win Daniel. She would marry him, no matter how low she had to sink.
   I really enjoyed this novel. It was light refreshing read, yet did not
lack anything. From the moment, I began reading I was drawn into the story.
Laughing with the characters and hoping that everything would end happily. A
story that should not be missed, I give it 5 stars. *****

Reviewed by Sharon McGinty for Midnight Scribe reviews

Generation Oz
By Kirk B. Eggleston
Fiction
www.ebooksonthe.net
4/1/00
ISBN: Pending
Rating - 4 Star****

What would you with a 1971 Buick Electra?
Brad Cunningham had to make that decision when he inherited a 1971 Buick Electra from his Grandpa Otto, just another one of the many complications to his life after graduating from Princeton as a philosophy major.
His father wants him to follow a career in law, but that's a commitment he's reluctant to make.  Typical of his generation, Brad doesn't know what he wants from life but, with his father's money supporting him, he's in no hurry to settle down.
Brad is torn between feelings of persecution, hopelessness and the need to find the meaning of life.  The Buick is his passport to freedom, a way to get away from an uptight and commercially driven lawyer father, a girlfriend who wants him to get a job and settle down, and his own reluctance to grow up and accept responsibility.
As he drives into the sunset on a journey of self-discovery that takes him across several states, we tag along on his shoulder.  You can sympathize with him as he tangles with a Mormon family that has designs on his soul, a Klansman who targets the Buick and a gay rodeo rider with designs on Brad's body.
He targets the gambling tables at Las Vegas, wins a fortune and looses it to a gold-digger after a night of passion.
Through all his trials and tribulations Brad keeps flashing back to the words of popular songs of the Oz generation, his link with reality and the gateway between his past and future.
But does he really have a future?
You are left wondering if the young man will ever settle down, even after he returns to Garnavillo, a small Iowa town, just in time for his grandmother's funeral.
Brad moves into the family home, minus his infamous ponytail, and appears happy as he follows his own path, but will he really find happiness?   

Kirk Eggleston adopts a challenging writing style, flicking between the words of popular songs and an interestingly descriptive prose that matches the moods of the protagonists as Brad moves through the rural heartland of America's mid-western states of Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah.

Maybe some of the characters appear to be stereotypes, but this doesn't detract from the story and actually helps to build atmosphere and makes the scenes more believable for readers outside the USA.

A good read, but not one for a person who wants a book to pick up and skim through to kill time.  You will need to read the words on the page but also be prepared to think and look behind the words for an image of a restless graduate torn between wanting to make a success of his life or succumbing to the blandishments of big business and the establishment.

Reviewed By Alan Brooker
http://www.igrin.co.nz/ambro
Midnight Scribe Reviews

International Author
ADAM GRANT
by Betty Fry
Genre Romance
Publisher: Nitelinks, Inc.
ISBN number: 1-59288-029-8

Fiona Layne's life is simple.  She's just finished school and she's trying to get a job teaching French, to no avail.  Then one day, she helps rescue Vivian Castle and her two young sons, and her life hasn't been the same ever since.
While she thinks Nigel, the young man who helped her rescue Vivian, is nice, the man that intrigues her is Adam Grant.

Adam Grant is dark, foreboding. From the first day that she meets him, Fiona can't keep him out of her mind.  It doesn't help that they keep meeting up in the most unfortunate ways.  Can Fiona break through the austere exterior, and find the heart of the real man underneath?

Betty Fry has written a story with a touch of humor, suspense, and whimsy.  She's created a heroine who's spunky and someone you'd love as a best friend.  And Adam is a hero who you'll want to hold in your heart.  A wonderful story.  Four Stars****

Reviewed by Natalie Brunelle: Midnight Scribe Reviews
renaissance_writer@yahoo.com

Practical Tips for Online Authors
Author of book: Lida E. Quillen
Genre: non-fiction; on writing
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Author home page: http://www.sff.net/people/Lida.Quillen
Publishing date: May 15, 2000
ISBN number: Pending

Summary: In Practical Tips for Online Authors you'll find listings of writers' groups for support and critiques, you'll learn how to submit stories to ezines in order to polish your craft, send submissions via email and locate an e-publisher for your first novel.
After your book is published, you can obtain cyber reviews, take advantage of online promotion and find places that will sell your book for you. Info on how to do all this and more is included in these pages.

For published authors, Practical Tips... also covers more advanced publishing methods such as how to create an email newsletter or on-line magazine, how to build your own author web site from the ground up and how to self-publish your novels. This is not a detailed "how-to" manual, rather this book simply offers tips, advice and resources to help you get started on your chosen endeavors.

As a writer and author, I found myself taking notes and getting excited at the wealth of information I found in this book. Lida Quillen has done an excellent job in networking and gathering everything you would need as an online author. And the information for unpublished authors is a treasure trove…saving you countless hours of Internet time trying to network and find the sites to help you in your quest to get published.  This book is a must buy for writers!
**** Fours stars
Reviewed by Jewel Dartt:   Midnight Scribe Reviews

Ignite Your Creative Passion: 104 Insights and Ideas to Help You
Prosper as a Musician, Artist, Writer, Actor and More
Author: Bob Baker
Genre: non-fiction, small business, creativity
Length: 42 pages
Publisher: Spotlight Publications
Author home page: www.bob-baker.com

"What is it about creative career paths that cause so many people to look
upon them with such disrespect, even disdain?" asks author Bob Baker. "Let's
put an end to this craziness! There is money to be made, enjoyment to be had
and satisfaction to be derived from just about every creative path. You just
have to put a few basic principles into action on a regular basis to be
successful."

Written more like fact sheets about enhancing your creativity, marketing your talents and developing your own business, Ignite Your Creative Passion is no pot-boiler.  There are some useful ideas in here, depending on where you are in terms of your personal "business"  -- I found myself getting very excited while reading the chapter entitled "Jump-Start Your Gray Matter," which I felt was most in line with the book's main title. The subtitle, 104 Insights and Ideas to Help You Prosper as a Musician, Artist, Writer, Actor and More, is much more accurate.

Bob Baker has succinctly listed tips that any creative folk, including those that produce writing, crafts and music, can put to immediate use.  However, the majority of the tips seem to be more appropriate for those who are ready to market themselves and provide their services to customers.  Don't look to this book for exercises in expanding your brain and enhancing your art. 

The writing is accessible and friendly, and Baker, who is an author, musician, workshop leader and former music magazine publisher, provides low-cost marketing ideas for those pursuing creative fields. 

The chapters (which do add up to 104!) are:
-19 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Creativity
-Jump-Start Your Gray Matter: 15 inspiring ideas to help you uncover, develop
and stimulate your creativity
-24 Low-Cost, High-Impact Ideas to Market Your Creative Talents
-37 Direct Response Tips to Help You Turn Your Creativity Into Cash
-9 Steps to Unleashing Your Creative Brain Power

Reviewed for Midnight Scribe Review
by Tricia Gilbert
girl_nun@yahoo.com