nonfiction book reviews
Book Review: Free Fall by Rae Padilla Francoeur
September 10, 2010
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by Shennandoah Diaz
Title: Free Fall
Author: Rae Padilla Francoeur
Genre: Memoir/Erotica
Publisher: Seal Press
Review:
Free fall, Rae says, is a choice: Let go. Be here now. Open up to the possibilities. Stop trying to control everything.
In a word, Free Fall is beautiful. It startles with skillful prose and vivid imagery, creating a sensation that is both unexpected and eye-opening. As you read, you feel as though you have been let in on a secret, viewing every stark detail of the author’s life as she deals with stress and struggles and learns to let go and enjoy a furtive love affair.
The label of “erotic memoir” is somewhat misleading. Though there are distinct and graphic erotic passages, at its heart this book reveals a journey, an awakening after many years of strict adherence to duty as Rae stands beside a man deteriorating from mental and physical disease. The reader partakes in every sensation, every high and low, as they are surrounded by layers of textures, smells, sounds, and emotions. After experiencing her life this way, it is impossible to judge her.
This book was a joy and a welcome surprise to read. I recommend it for those looking to view the world with all of their senses, free of judgment and full of beauty, no matter where they are in life and love.
Do you have an independently published nonfiction book released in the past year that you would like reviewed? Learn more here.
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Big Bad Book Blog Book Reviews
July 28, 2010
by Shennandoah Diaz
As you may know, the Big Bad Book Blog was designed to educate and support the publishing community as a whole, without regard for the model behind an author’s work. While it’s simple enough to educate across publishing models, it’s another thing to assist in the almighty quest to have one’s work be seen. As it stands, independently published authors receive little recognition through traditional media. It’s an unfortunate but understandable reality that most promotion channels available to authors are more supportive of books published through traditional publishers—often referred to as the “Six Sisters”. And we’re all too aware that book reviews as a whole are disappearing at an alarming rate.
So, to continue our mission of educating authors and supporting new voices, we are happy to announce the addition of a new recurring feature on the Big Bad Book Blog—Big Bad Book Reviews! To be clear, we (hopefully) will not be reviewing “bad” books—nor do we pledge a series of “bad” book reviews. We do promise to be “bad” in the vein of the 1980s Michael Jackson song and our blog’s masthead by challenging the publishing status quo and giving voice to the independent author through book reviews.
Starting in August, a member of our staff will review an independently published nonfiction work on our blog each week. To be eligible, the book must follow these guidelines:
- Must be an original nonfiction piece
- Must be either published through an independent publisher or self-published (traditionally published work will not be reviewed)
- Cannot be published or distributed by Greenleaf Book Group and/or its affiliated imprints (if we represent the book, it’s a given that we love it)
- Must be published within the last year
- Must include an author bio and contact information, including an email address and links to the author’s online presence
To submit your book for review, please send your book to the following address:
Greenleaf Book Group
Attn: Big Bad Book Review
P.O. Box 91869
Austin, TX 78709
To ensure accurate and timely delivery, label your package with the address exactly as it is posted above. Once your book is received, you will be sent an email confirmation. We will review one book per week and post reviews on Fridays starting in August. If you have any questions about the process, you may contact Shennandoah at shennandoah@greenleafbookgroup.com or at 512-891-6100.
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