Kathy Steinemann

***This book was reviewed independently

As a writer myself, both poet and author, I’m always on the lookout for new words, and new ways of playing with them. Reading writingcraft books inevitably sparks a flurry of writing or editing, and this book was no exception. I managed to get quite a bit done!

I adore thesauri. They are a writer's best friend, especially ones that help with body language. The first half of this nifty tome is stuffed with thesaurus lists to help tighten writing, focusing on key words that tend to be overused. There is a section on unusual punctuation that tends to be overused, like ellipses or exclamations. Another section looks at supposed writing taboos such as using cursing, working with 'have’ and 'to be’ and how to work with or around them. The final sections are thesauri for incorporating sensory words to strengthen your writing.

I love learning new tidbits too. I wasn't aware of how hyphenated adjectives work if they come before or after that which they describe. And I learned a new word! Grawlix! Who knew?

📚📚📚📚📚 This book is a marvelous addition to any writer’s writingcraft shelf.… (mere)

This was not like a lot of the books I read. This book was told through diary or journal entries. Hope, the main character is a victim of rape by her father. This causes her to have difficulty with relationships within her own family and friends. She is married to Peter, a doctor. Thinking he doesn’t love her, she is drawn to a former slave. While her husband is away the two have an affair and she ends up pregnant. She and her husband work things out. In the meantime the Sapphire Brigade goes about exacting justice upon those who prey upon women and young girls. There seemed to be several storylines going through this at one time. After Hope’s husband dies she marries once again. The ending left an opening for the second book in the series. I really wanted to like this a lot. It is not that it was a bad book, far from it. It was just not something I really enjoyed for personal reasons. I am sure there are many out there who would enjoy this book and I recommend they give it a try.
I received a copy for review from the author. The opinions expressed here are my own.… (mere)