This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Big Game is a collection of poetry written by Bethany James. The poet includes romantic lyrics, poetic recipes, and sports-inspired verses in this collection of mostly free-verse poems. Her dessert recipes are decadent and luscious-sounding, and her cooking instructions are lyrical, romantic, and sensual. Her Rapateria selections have powerful rhythms and sound-sense patterning that seem designed to be spoken aloud. James uses alliteration, repetition, and slight alterations of sounds to manipulate her message and present it fully to the reader. Her messages are often profound and powerful as in her work, Abstinence: Still I Wait and We Found Love at the Big Game. Wedding Night is lyrical and passionate, and it mingles emotional and sensual highs.
Bethany James’ collection of poetry, The Big Game, had me enthralled at times, ready to whip out my mixer and start making a cake at others, and smiling with delight throughout. Her recipes are marvelous, and her passion for cooking echoes the enthusiasm, expertise, and ebullience of James Beard and Julia Child, two of my all-time favorites. She definitely gets the love that’s poured into every cake batter and whipped into every light and airy frosting. Her free verse is thought-provoking and designed to have the listener interact with her. James eschews a passive audience for one that connects even as she tosses around provocation and challenges preconceived notions. Abstinence: Still I Wait is the most eloquent argument against premarital sex that I’ve come across, and it’s a resonant and beautiful thing. Wedding Night is a superb effort that pairs so well with Abstinence. Interracial Dating is captivating and lyrical, repetitions imposing a rhythm that’s quite irresistible. After finishing this short, sensual, and stunning sampler of Bethany James’ work, I know I'll be seeing more of her work in the future, but, for now, I'm planning on making her Berries Bliss Trifle. The Big Game is most highly recommended.