book reviews |
book reviews |
Multi-volume, women’s crime fiction author, Samantha Smith introduces us to the first volume in her “Jane’s Business” series about being the daughter of a mafia boss, “Jane’s Revenge”: Jane is a young but smart, fearless, and brave woman. She was born in a wealthy, but extremely sexist family and was never included in anything related to the family business. She had always wanted to be successful and decided that she would make her own rules and wouldn’t let anyone get in her way. She never expected her dad to be the one to become an obstacle towards her success. Her father, Paul, ran one of the largest and most successful crime families on the East Coast. Her father died from an attack and her brother, Rico, saw this as the perfect chance to get control of everything. Her brother decided to kidnap her, because he saw her as an impediment to him taking the power and he didn’t want her to know what had happened to her father. After a long time of being kept hidden, she escaped. She obviously wouldn’t stay quiet and act like nothing happened, she wasn’t going to be the same. She wasn't going to let her brother step on her like that, she was going to get her revenge for everything, and she was going to become the master and everyone would have to listen to her rules and she’d be the one in control now. Great story! Jane escapes from her brother's clutches and finds a new, lifelong ally in the process. I enjoyed the dialogue so much and with lots of action the story moves forward at a good pace. Descriptions are just right, not overwhelming. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/JANES-REVENGE-Women-business-BUSINESS-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-jane-s-revenge You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/SmanthaSmith95 https://www.facebook.com/Samantha-Smith https://www.instagram.com/sama_nthasmith Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
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Multi-volume, multi-genre author Susan Sage introduces us to her latest and most personal book, a partially fictional memoir of recent ancestors from approximately 100 years ago, “Dancing in the Ring”: Detroit in the 1920s proved to be the Paris of the West for many—including Catherine McIntosh and Robert Sage. These two law school students are as passionate about each other as they are their dreams. From a poor family in the neighborhood of Corktown, Catherine learned early on, the necessity of being resilient. She becomes one of the first women in Detroit to obtain a law degree. Bob, the 'battling barrister,' boxes in order to pay for law school. Despite his gruff and tough-boy personality, he is a friend to all: judges, cops, and even a couple members of the notorious Purple Gang. The couple becomes legendary in legal circles for their commitment to social justice causes—as well as notorious in the local speakeasies and dance halls. At first, their optimism seems boundless, as it had for many following an era of trauma and challenges that included the 1918 flu pandemic. It isn't long before their passionate courtship turns into a tempestuous marriage. Then the Great Depression hits and their lives are forever changed. The author has leaped several hurdles in one bound! Not only providing an interesting and satisfying story, but she also offers a fictional memoir of some of her ancestors and insight into America a century ago! The story itself is deep with multiple currents running through it and provides insights into the lives of a variety of people. I loved this story and so will you. I give it 4.8 stars! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Ring-Susan-Sage-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-dancing-in-the-ring https://www.barnesandnoble.com/dancing-in-the-ring-susan-e-sage https://www.blackrosewriting.com/romance/dancing-in-the-ring You can follow Susan Sage: http://twitter.com/SusanSage https://www.susansage1.com https://facebook.com/Susan-SageAuthor http://www.susansage.net http://pinterest.com/zanna56 https://www.goodreads.com/author/Susan_E_Sage http://facebook.com/ssage56 http://www.facebook.com/mentorandhermuse I have also reviewed another wonderful book by the author you can find the review at https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/a-mentor-and-her-muse-by-susan-sage Tags: History, historical, fiction, family, prohibition, law, lawyer, premonition, judge, school, college, dreams, Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-genre, multi-volume author, Maurice Barkley introduces us to the second volume in the Lost and Forgotten series, “The Secret Path”: When on a mission to recover some stolen military grade hardware, retired Army Ranger, James Cagney and an elite team of FBI agents discover just how hidden, and just how shocking, the past can be. An Egyptian tomb reveals an ancient secret. A Nazi labyrinth hides a terrible power. And a quest older than civilization sends James and his team on an incredible journey to somewhere very far away. But what Mr. Cagney doesn’t know, is somebody has been there before them… What a great story of the adventures of the ever-growing Dance band! This story is so well written and the scope, indeed the series, is growing exponentially. I love science fiction and I love historical fiction, elements of the latter provide an interesting impetus and texture for the former. It is not often the two genres are combined in such an entertaining way. The author excels at dialogue and action, scene setting and description are in measured quantities that complement the story so very well. "The Secret Path" gets 4.8 stars from me. You can buy this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-secret-path https://www.barnesandnoble.com/lost-and-forgotten-the secret-path https://www.amazon.com/LOST-FORGOTTEN-Secret-Path-ebook You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/MauriceBarkley https://www.facebook.com/Maurice Barkley The author has many other books in multiple series. My review of the first book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-and-forgotten-discovery My review of the third book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/enigma My review of the fourth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/toward-the-unknown-region teleportation, galaxies, Nazis, aliens, quest, adventure, AI, artificial intelligence, science fiction Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-volume, cozy mystery author, Mary Lu Scholl introduces us to the ninth book in the Trailer Park Travails series: When newcomers arrive in the park and bring the fame and excitement of southern California with them, residents see themselves in movies, on stage, or hanging on the arm of the handsome man. Unfortunately, life doesn't always work out the way we expect. The charming actor is killed, victim of a violent rage. Was it a rival for the affections of the ladies in the park? Was it jealousy from one of his many admirers? Patty doesn't fall in either category, but somehow she is still in the thick of things. Will she solve this one, or die trying? On a good day, I am not nearly as curmudgeonly as Patty though I can be almost as rascally. I don't talk about the other days. I love how Patty has a nose for crime and manages to solve a crime with a minimum of blood and gore. I can seldom solve the crime before Patty, though I was close on this one. I like Bernie a lot, he is calm with a quirky, dry sense of humor. Just like me on a good day. I give 4.7 stars to Fatal Philandering! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/FATAL-PHILANDERING-Trailer-Park-Travails https://www.goodreads.com/-fatal-philandering-mary-scholl You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/MaryLScholl1 www.facebook.com/maryluschollauthor/ https://www.instagram.com/maryluscholl https://www.amazon.com/author/maryluscholl My review of the first book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Camper Catastrophe” can be found here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/camper-catastrophe-by-mary-lu-scholl My review of the second book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Mobile Mayhem” can be found here: Mobile Mayhem: Book Two of Trailer Park Travails by Mary Lu Scholl - Word Refiner My review of the third book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Birds, Bees and RVs” can be found here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/birds-bees-and-rvs-by-mary-lu-scholl My review of the fourth book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Trailer Trauma”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/trailer-trauma-trailer-park-travails-book-4 My review of the second volume in the Nature Coast Calamities, “Big Foot and The Bentley”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/big-foot-and-the-bentley My review of the fourth book in the Nature Coast Calamities, "Pu'ka and the Pirates": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/puka-and-the-pirates Tags: cozy, murder, mystery, Florida, pets, dog, cat, neighbors, fiction, action, Hollywood, actor, ghost Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Debut author, Helen Ferrara introduces us to her book, “Creativity Stepping Into Wholeness”: ... I'm allowing myself to transform in ways that nurture my creativity, so that in essence I'm also effortlessly and spontaneously celebrating creativity, which again brings feelings of unbidden joy. We are all inherently creative beings. From a very early age, however, we are influenced by the hierarchical values of society; we are taught to focus on following the rules and striving for success by measurable standards, with very little importance placed on creative expression. Creativity: Stepping into Wholeness sheds light on this rigid way of life. Combining personal experience with extensive scholarly research, Dr Helen Ferrara leads us away from the stifling rules of always 'colouring in within the lines' towards a reunion with our own creativity, our own unique beingness. By embracing and nurturing our innate creativity, we become truly free to lead more fulfilling, joyful lives. Celebrating creativity is when you let go of everything that's been holding you back and you start dancing again to your own inner music - the music of your heart. I learned so much about creativity that I had never thought about before. This book is refreshing about a topic that could have been dull and dry. I loved the scholarly personal narrative format. That is the key factor here and that writing style held my attention quite well. I am looking at creativity in a new way. We all are creative individuals and can express our creativity in unique ways. Creative expression is subject to many factors some of which are beyond our personal control. Creative expression can be a source of great personal satisfaction. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Stepping-Wholeness-Helen-Ferrara https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/creativity-stepping-into-wholeness-helen-ferrara https://www.goodreads.com/-creativity-stepping-into-wholeness https://www.barnesandnoble.com/creativity-stepping-into-wholeness-helen-ferrara You can follow the author: https://www.helenferrara.com https://www.facebook.com/DrHelenFerrara https://www.instagram.com/dr_helen_ferrara https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-ferrara https://twitter.com/DrHelenFerrara Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-genre, multi-volume author Paul Thornton introduces us to his third volume about cruising, “The Joy of Cruising Again”: The Joy of Cruising was published in March 2019 shortly after a wonderful family cruise over Christmas 2018 which was briefly discussed in the culminating chapter, "Holidays." However, The Joy of Cruising was not about me and my family's cruising adventures but rather is a paean to the legion of passionate ocean cruisers worldwide. It just happened to be conceived of and written coinciding with the planning of my family's Christmas reunion cruise on the Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas. Nor is it a cruising guide—rather, a compendium of fun, informative cruising narratives, and profiles of cruisers who are passionate, have interesting stories and perspectives and embody the joy of cruising. Some are well-known, even celebrities—a Grammy Winner, TV Star, UK's first non-Royal, non-star performer Cruise Ship Godmother, a Poker Hall of Fame—many are "ordinary cruisers with extraordinary stories." I long to cruise as much as these people, or to the amazing locales, or on the unique vessels as the fascinating individuals, couples, and entrepreneurs I wrote about in The Joy of Cruising. In the meantime, I got to experience cruising vicariously through them by telling their stories. I found the experience both exhilarating and humbling, and incredibly fun. Coupled with the encouragement from reader feedback, I set out to write a follow-up, More Joy of Cruising. By March 2020, interviews of another group of amazing cruisers had been done and research and writing for More Joy of Cruising was half complete when the world changed and cruising came to a virtual sudden stop. The COVID-19 pandemic was upon us, and the cruise lockdown began. Writing More Joy of Cruising was halted; joy of any kind was in short supply in early 2020 as people were stricken, and died, and COVID-19 overwhelmed healthcare systems. After several months I restarted what had been More Joy of Cruising, renaming it Cruising Interrupted. Interspersed among the stories of fascinating cruisers were a few sagas involving cruisers who were on the ocean at the time the lockdown began; their cruise ships were directly impacted by COVID-19, and their return home was long-delayed and dramatic. "A ghost ship," said one. Cruising Interrupted was published in January 2021 at the height of the global cruising lockdown. The Joy of Cruising Again celebrates the return of cruising from the brink. It is the end of a trilogy that marvels at the spirit of people worldwide who enjoy this wonderful pastime and persevered in the face of the pandemic that threatened to steal the collective joy of the cruise community. I have never been on a cruise but after reading this I am ready! Paul makes it seem so easy and fun. Though, during the Covid shutdown cruising was not happening for a long time! Paul does an excellent job of addressing the Covid-elephant in the room and how many avid cruisers and cruise employees survived as they held their collective breath during the shutdown. So many great stories, Paul has done an excellent job of translating the stories into an interesting narrative intermixed with insightful interviews with people in the industry and those who blog about cruising. The Joy of Cruising Again gets 4.8 stars. You should read this especially if you have never been on a cruise. Who knew there were so many different types of cruising? You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Cruising-Again-Paul-Thornton https://www.goodreads.com/-the-joy-of-cruising-again https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-joy-of-cruising-again-paul-c-thornton You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/joyofcruising http://www.thejoyofcruising.net http://www.facebook.com/TheJoyOfCruising/ http://www.instagram.com/thejoyofcruising/ http://www.amazon.com/author/paulthornton I reviewed the first book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-joy-of-cruising I reviewed the second book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cruising-interrupted Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Maurice Barkley introduces us to the first volume in the “Lost and Forgotten” series, “Discovery”: THE PAST IS NEVER DEAD, IT ONLY HIDES Where did it begin? Could it have been just days ago when a piece of advanced electronic equipment disappeared? Or was it in 1945 when a huge aircraft vanished, somewhere in Egypt? Or maybe the start was five thousand years ago when a great flood altered the future of an ancient society? Or possibly an event so far in the past that the only witness would have been something not quite man? And how do you pick up a trail not known to exist? Things do change quite a bit every thousand years or so. You may carefully mark a path through the deep woods, but if one of the marks disappears, as in time this surely must happen, you are in trouble. And how do you decide to set aside your daily affairs to follow you know not what to you know not where? A faint shadow that at any moment may dissolve and leave you alone in an extremely distant place. The FBI came looking, but the electronic device had vanished without a trace. Luckily someone high up remembered a man with unusual talents. Retired Army Ranger JIM CAGNEY feels stranded on the beach of retirement after his exciting career as an Army Ranger, but everything changes when two young FBI agents come looking for him. The memory and talents of this older man prove to be of great value in their search for the missing piece of sophisticated electronics. The will-o-the-wisp they chase is more the age of Mr. Cagney and is employing methods and devices of a bygone era to function and cover his tracks. For Jim it is simply a matter of perspective, experience and a penchant for puzzles. He did not hesitate and started a journey beyond his wildest dreams. I was unsure what to expect, it seemed like a time-travel story, my favorite sub-genre in science fiction. I looked forward to reading the story. I missed the hints about all of the cloak-and-dagger stuff because I was caught up in the time-travel aspects. I loved the story completely! I loved the thoughtful attitude of Jim Cagney, his words were few most of the time but very impactful. He had some decent jokes also. All of the main characters were pretty real and added a lot to my enjoyment. The foreign settings brought a nice texture to the story also. I can't say more without revealing any spoilers. I would love to see a series about Jim when he was still an Army Ranger. All in all a fun and exciting read. 4.8 stars from me! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/LOST-FORGOTTEN-Book-One-Discovery-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-discovery-lost-and-forgotten https://www.barnesandnoble.com/lost-and-forgotten-discovery-maurice-barkley You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/MauriceBarkley https://www.facebook.com/Maurice Barkley The author has many other books in multiple series. My review of the second book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-secret-path My review of the third book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/enigma My review of the fourth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/toward-the-unknown-region teleportation, galaxies, Nazis, aliens, quest, adventure, AI, artificial intelligence Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-volume, historical-fiction author B. K. Greenwood introduces us to the third volume of his wildly popular The Last Roman series, “Absolution”: Redemption and Revenge - Can they be one and the same? Marcus Sempronius Gracchus, a soldier of Rome, was cursed to walk the earth for two thousand years. But that journey may soon come to an end. He has secured the only weapon capable of stopping the ultimate evil, but is it too late? Will Thomas find the ancient seal and open the gates of hell, ushering in the end of times? Find out in the explosive finale to The Last Roman Series. I feel like Marcus and Isabella are close friends of mine and I celebrate their accomplishments and mourn their losses with them. Greenwood is quite an author who deserves all of these accolades and more. He has a wonderful balance of action, dialogue and setting throughout the series and it all fits together so well. Some authors are too heavy and detailed when it comes to action, others go overboard when describing a scene. Some write great dialogue and other books don't feel quite as natural. The Last Roman establishes a great balance and never wavers. I was on the edge of my Kindle the entire time! I can hardly wait for more! Don’t miss this series! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Roman-Absolution-B-K-Greenwood https://www.goodreads.com/-absolution-b-k-greenwood https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-last-roman-absolution-b-k-greenwood You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/bkgreenwood70 https://www.instagram.com/bkgreenwood70 https://www.facebook.com/BKGreenwood http://www.bkgreenwood.com I reviewed the first book in the series here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman I have reviewed the second book in the series here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman-abyss Christian fiction, action, adventure, spirituality, historical fiction, politics, conspiracy, prophecy Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Debut author Karl Wegener introduces us to his dramatic novel set after WW 2: Grown Men Cry Out at Night is set in 1946 and it is a story about three people whose lives are thrown together in post-war Germany as they work together to track down a Gestapo officer accused of war crimes. Caspar Lehman is a battle-weary U.S. Army Counterintelligence agent assigned to lead a counterintelligence detachment in Bremen Enclave. His service during the war has left him emotionally scarred. He suffers from what today we would call post-traumatic stress, but in 1946 was called "shell shock" or "battle fatigue." Upon his arrival at his new unit, Lehman is given orders to capture the Gestapo officer responsible for the death of thousands of POWs who worked under horrific conditions at the Valentin Bunker, a massive U-boat construction facility located in a nearby Bremen suburb. Ludmilla Haas is a Polish woman from Gdansk and former British SOE agent who is now searching for her husband, a Polish resistance fighter who was last seen being herded onto a cattle-car outside the Valentin Bunker. Haas was a hero during the war and fought to liberate not only her native Poland, but France as well. However, she has struggled to find meaning and a place for herself after the war. She is a woman who has lost everything. She's lost her husband, her family, and her country, which is now under Soviet control. Lehman discovers his own family is complicit in carrying out the war crimes he seeks to avenge. He discovers a cousin named Therese Weber who still lives in Bremen and who was the chief accountant for the civilian construction company responsible for building the bunker. Weber has the detailed knowledge necessary to help Lehman and Haas capture those responsible for the deaths of thousands and hold them accountable. She literally knows where the bodies are buried, and who buried them. The question is, will she cooperate? Historical fiction is my third favorite genre. I particularly enjoy stories with a wartime setting. This story hits my hot buttons quite well. The author wove three different storylines into one and did a masterful job considering this is his first book. I am really impressed! Cap is my favorite character because he is so methodical and egalitarian. I like Luba a great deal for her resourcefulness and quick thinking under pressure. They make a great team. Even better, there is the hint of a larger conspiracy and more to come. I certainly hope so! This story deserves to continue. I give this story 4.8 stars! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Grown-Men-Cry-Out-Night-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/grown-men-cry-out-at-night https://www.barnesandnoble.com/grown-men-cry-out-at-night-karl-wegener https://www.walmart.com/Grown-Men-Cry-Out-at-Night- You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/KWegenerAuthor https://www.instagram.com/kfwegener https://www.facebook.com/karl Wegener https://www.goodreads.com/Karl_Wegener War, combat, spies, political intrigue Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, historical-fiction author B. K. Greenwood introduces us to the second volume his wildly popular The Last Roman series, “Abyss”: The much-anticipated sequel to THE LAST ROMAN: EXILE Can all sins be forgiven? Marcus Sempronius Gracchus, a soldier of Rome, has spent two thousand years walking the earth, seeking redemption he may never find. After losing his latest confrontation with Thomas, a man he once considered his brother, Marcus is on the run and must find new allies to continue the struggle. But will that be enough? As Marcus races across the globe to find the only weapon that can stop Thomas, his old nemesis will do anything to secure an ancient artifact that could destroy humanity. Follow the story of a man who should be dead as he tries to save the world... and his soul. This is a great extension of the first book, The Last Roman: Exile. This book brings some of the plot into sharper focus. Some of the relationships fill out also. There is beauty and a rawness that has its own beauty also. I love the action as it's clear and easy to follow without having to go back to the start of a scene. I am committed to no spoilers. Let me end with there are so many reasons to read this book and the series, history, spirituality, prophecy, action, and globe-spanning adventure are a few that come to mind. Do yourself a favor and read the series! You won’t regret it. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Roman-Abyss-B-K-Greenwood-ebook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-last-roman-abyss-b-k-greenwood https://www.goodreads.com/the-last-roman-abyss You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/bkgreenwood70 https://www.instagram.com/bkgreenwood70 https://www.facebook.com/BKGreenwood http://www.bkgreenwood.com I reviewed the first book in the series here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman I reviewed the third book in the series here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-last-roman-absolution Christian fiction, action, adventure, spirituality, historical fiction, politics, conspiracy, prophecy Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Debut fantasy author Landon Freeman introduces us to “The Living Weapons”: Young, dashing, and a bit too daring, twenty-one-year-old Aldwyn Bloodworth is living his dream in the kingdom of Haven, happily following in the footsteps of his beloved mentor, the legendary and pugilistic privateer known as George the Fist. Accompanied by his beautiful young wife, Sarah, Aldwyn routinely uses his ship, The Timely Pugilist, to take the fight to many of the sea’s deadly, dastardly villains, effortlessly defeating most before taking their possessions for his own. However, Aldwyn isn’t just a privateer, and his many victories weren’t earned with bare hands. Chosen by a magical, mysterious, and strangely sentient knuckleduster, he’s also an incredibly rare living weapon wielder, permanently bonded to one of an ancient civilization’s many living weapons. Not long after meeting Mazu, a kind, loving, and desperate slave goblin, the privateering couple uncovers traces of a scheme that could potentially threaten Haven and all the world. Desperate to get to the bottom of things, Aldwyn makes it his mission to unravel the secrets of a conspiracy, ultimately leading him to the shadowy figure behind everything. But will Aldwyn prevail? Will he find out exactly what is being planned, and will he be able to stop a mastermind who’s equal to him in almost every way? This book is special to me because it has a positive angle. There are many gritty moments but they are dealt with in a heartwarming manner. The characters seem quite genuine because they are a realistic mix of good and bad. Some focus on the bad and others focus on the good. I love this world the characters live in and the idea of mixing magic and technology is very fascinating to me. There is swashbuckling aplenty and adventure for all. I hope the author writes more! You can buy this book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Weapons-Landon-Freeman-ebook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-living-weapons-landon-freeman You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/LivingWeapons https://twitter.com/Landonauthor https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Living-Weapons Tags: epic, fantasy, action, adventure Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multivolume fantasy author, M. Ainihi introduces us to the latest and fourth volume in The Blood Inheritance Quartet, “Resist”: After finding out that she and the other half-bloods were created to help bring the world to its catastrophic end, Amanda did the unthinkable. Ashamed, disfigured, and alone, she has spent weeks in the Chaos realm, determined to uncover the secrets that sleep below the gardens before she dares to return to the others. She works to blend in with the strange inhabitants that dwell nearby, but as the moon wanes and a visit from the dictatorial celestial is imminent, following their strict rules becomes impossible. Emily and Kiami push to continue the search for the final half-blood, but a remnant of an old foe resurfaces, bringing unexpected consequences and causing them to question whether they can right the wrongs of the past. After an unknown ally tips Amanda off, completing the puzzle, a bargain is struck, and it’s a race against time. Once the half-bloods are united, the celestial will come at them with everything he has… Their gifts have pushed them together and forced them to make unfathomable choices. Now, Amanda, Emily, and Kiami lead a charge against the celestial, sealing Sumir’s fate forever. I have enjoyed all of these books and this brings a fairly tidy conclusion to the storyline. I say fairly because the author has left a pretty large opening to start a new series, and I welcome that possibility. Kiami has been an intriguing character throughout as a shapeshifter with other powers. One of her other powers plays a pivotal role in the story. I am committed to not revealing spoilers so I can't say any more about it. Everything is permanent until further notice is a universal constant and certainly true in this story. I loved this book and I think you will too. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Resist-Blood-Inheritance-Novel-Ainihi-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-resist-book-4-M-Ainihi https://www.barnesandnoble.com/resist-book-4-m-ainihi You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/m_ainihi https://mainihi.wordpress.com https://ConcealedRealms.com I have reviewed the first three books in the series and a collection of short stories in the horror genre, here are the links: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/rise-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/endow-a-blood-inheritance-novel-the-blood-inheritance-quartet-book-3-by-m-ainihi www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-warning-signs-by-m-ainihi Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror Copyright © 2023 Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction What happens when you step up, lean in, make no excuses and stay in the game. Multi-volume, multi-talented author and musician, Vicki Lein introduces us to her transformative workbook, “Courage to Lead”: The world needs the best from each of us now more than ever. If you agree with the above statement then you are ready to take the four steps of leadership discussed in this book: Step up, Lean In, Make No Excuses, and Learn to Stay in the Game. Leadership isn’t just for those few at the top we can blame when we are unhappy. It is the responsibility of every person to step up and take a stand for what is important: respect, dignity, personal safety, service, and citizenship. This book will anchor you in the best of you and guide you to live as Mary Oliver described so well in her poem “The Journey: “And then you strove deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do, determined to save the only life you could save.” This is a fantastic book. It is also a roadmap for living a more authentic life. Vicki has done some remarkable work and shows us how to do our own work to reach the level of leadership we desire. This is not a cure-all, but a friendly guide to lean on during your growth process. That growth won't happen in one sitting or one week. You will get out of it what you put in. Get ready to laugh and roll up your sleeves! You can buy this book:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/vicki-hannah-lein/courage-to-lead/paperback It is also available as an e-book. You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/vickihannahlein https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-hannah-lein https://www.facebook.com/vickihannahlein http://www.findthefunnyfaster.com https://radicalkindnesswarrior.com I reviewed Vicki’s book “From Frustration to Funny in 10 Seconds Flat”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/from-frustration-to-funny I reviewed another book by Vicki, “Woman With a Voice”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/woman-with-a-voice Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Daring to Live Authentically Ever AfterMulti-volume, multi-genre, multi-format author, Vicki Lein introduces us to her inspirational and self-revealing book, “Woman With A Voice”: You have never read a book quite like this one, and you will never be the same when you finish this unique literary adventure. Woman with a Voice is a great selection for book groups; each chapter ends with a Your Turn section, giving readers a chance to put new insights into action. WARNING: You may cry as you read how Vicki stood up to her father, refusing to listen to a racist joke. You may discover you are mixed up with a soul-killing man when you read How to Spot a Real Man. You may decide you are finally going to give yourself the love you deserve when you finish the chapter on Impeccable Self Care. You may feel compelled to give this book to everyone you really care about. These little miracles are offered in a unique combination of candor and humor. Vicki Hannah Lein shares the discovery of her authentic voice as she offers help to readers who want to do the same. Through stories, poems, and song lyrics, she shares insights about growing up in a home with too much drinking and violence. At age forty-three, Vicki loses her central vision and is forced to redefine and rediscover her purpose on the planet. Part autobiographical, part self-help and spiritual growth, this book provides hours of validation and inspiration for anyone who desires to live from their deepest truth and highest calling. I hardly know where to start. This book is full of stories, poems, songs and more stories. There is anger, love, frustration and revelation. All of this is woven through the life that Vicki has lived as she grew, loved and lost most of her eyesight to a disease inherited from her mother. What do you want from life for yourself and the people you love? Honesty, love and acceptance? Be careful what you wish for as you may get it, but not without working for it. I award 4.9 stars to Woman With A Voice! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Voice-Daring-Authentically-After-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-woman-with-a-voice You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/vickihannahlein https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-hannah-lein https://www.facebook.com/vickihannahlein http://www.findthefunnyfaster.com https://radicalkindnesswarrior.com I have reviewed another book by Vicki Lein: From Frustration to Funny in Ten Seconds Flat! by Vicki Hannah Lein, MS Counseling - Word Refiner I reviewed another book by Vicki: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/courage-to-lead Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction A Pocketful of Poems by Craig Pugh Multi-volume and multi-genre poet and author Craig Pugh introduces us to a volume of his poetry, “A Pocketful of Poems”: Craig Pugh's poetry ranges from the silly to the sublime, the cosmic to the comedic, and the tragic to the absurd. His work and images never get too far away from readers because he deals with things we all see every day. This makes him accessible and comfortable to read since he doesn't deal in abstractions. So we see poems about coffee, cats and love "in all its messy glory," as the author likes to say. Incredibly, twenty-five of his poems are about poems and poets. He does adhere to rhyme and structure, but works new ground by incorporating contemporary images and situations into his poems. Mirth and intensity are two of his defining characteristics; "Sex Slave" and "A River of Stars" demonstrate this. These are poems about living. The author knows how to laugh, and he knows how to cry. He ranges so far and wide that readers of all ages will find something to chuckle at, wonder about, or just plain shake their heads at. I loved these poems! They are fun and a pleasure to read. Craig seems like the funny guy who lives just down the block and he can bring laughter and mirth to the dourest face. I enjoyed these poems so much and recommend them without reservation. 5 stars from me! You can buy this book in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Pocketful-Poems-Craig-Pugh/paperback https://www.goodreads.com/book/-a-pocketful-of-poems-by-craig-pugh/paperback https://www.barnesandnoble.com/a-pocketful-of-poems-craig-pugh/paperback https://www.bookwormomaha.com/pocketful-of-poems/paperback https://www.booksamillion.com/Pocketful-Poems/Craig-Pugh/paperback see below to follow the author Poems for Pickin’ by Craig Pugh Multi-volume and multi-genre poet and author Craig Pugh introduces us to a volume of his poetry, “Poems for Pickin’”: These pure prairie poems range from the silly to the sublime, the cosmic to the comedic, and the tragic to the absurd. The author's interests in astronomy, astrology and mythology make much of his poetry particularly colorful. While the volume starts out invoking pleasant scenes of bygone eras and neighborhood bars, it ends up with poetry on world events that is frighteningly real: January 6, guns, democracy, and dictators. And of course, Ukraine. Replete through all of these verses are deep insights into human relationships, and a quest for spirituality. Some of these poems are funny and lighthearted, while others are serious and penned with a heavy heart! There is more than one theme running across the pages, divorce, death, despondency with politics and more. Craig brings it all out for a good airing. 4.9 stars from me. You can buy this paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Poems-Pickin-Craig-Pugh/paperback https://www.goodreads.com/poems-for-pickin/paperback https://www.barnesandnoble.com/poems-for-pickin-craig-pugh/paperback https://www.bookwormomaha.com/poems-for-pickin/paperback https://www.booksamillion.com/Poems-for-Pickin/Craig-Pugh/paperback You can follow the poet/author:
https://twitter.com/craigr25 https://thewritingdog.com https://www.facebook.com/william.c.pugh Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introductions The Wayward Alliance: A Medieval Mystery (The Sir Law Kintour Series Book 1) by J. R. Tomlin1/22/2023 Multi-volume, historical-fiction author J. R. Tomlin introduces us to the first volume in “The Sir Law Kintour Series” “The Wayward Alliance”: Scotland, 1424: Sir Law, a crippled knight facing poverty and ruin, is condemned to scrabbling for survival. In desperation, he accepts the humiliating task of tracking down a nobleman's runaway wife. He soon finds that nothing and no one are what they seem. And that the job comes with a body count — one of which if he is not careful could be his... (Originally published as 'The Templar's Cross') I loved this story! The author has a beautiful command of historical Scotland and Europe at large. Her intimate knowledge of the locales, period and politics provide a fascinating backdrop for seemingly unimportant murders in medieval Perth, Scotland. Her wealth of daily minutiae makes the story come alive as we follow Sir Law Kintour, a crippled night fighting to regain a patron. I love the banter between Sir Law and Cormac, the troubadour where Law is staying. I shall not say more to avoid any spoilers. I give 4.9 stars to "The Wayward Alliance"! If you like this book, you will certainly enjoy her other books! I know that I do. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Wayward-Alliance-Medieval-Mystery-ebook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-wayward-alliance-j-r-tomlin https://www.kobo.com/the-wayward-alliance https://books.apple.com/us You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/TomlinJeanne http://www.jrtomlin.com http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com I have reviewed another wonderful book by Jeanne Tomlin: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-douglas-bastard Here is my review of another of Tomlin's books: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-lion-of-galloway Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, non-fiction author Vicki Hannah Lein introduces us to her humorous solution for dealing with frustration, “From Frustration to Funny in Ten seconds Flat!”: "Ever since I lost my central vision almost twenty years ago, I’ve had to become an expert at finding the funny instead of succumbing to heartsickness and frustration. I’m a lot funnier now than I was twenty years ago--just ask me--and life is much more joyous and rich now. You don’t have to go blind to find the funny faster, but it helps." - Vicki Life does not frustrate us. We frustrate ourselves by telling ourselves a story that invites us to feel victimized. We tell ourselves we are entitled to have whatever we want when we want it--a story guaranteed to make us miserable and insufferable. This book covers what to do to un-frustrate yourself and find the funny inside! I loved this book! I smiled and chuckled on so many pages it was a real pleasure to read. Vicki has many funny stories to share about losing your temper (thus giving your power to others). Then she comes along with sage advice about how to regain control over yourself and your life. With lots more good stories! Simple with a down-home feel, everyone should read this book and almost everyone will benefit from it. 4.9 stars from me! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Frustration-Funny-Ten-Seconds-Flat https://www.goodreads.com/from-frustration-to-funny-in-ten-seconds-flat https://www.lulu.com/shop/vicki-lein/from-frustration-to-funny-in-10-seconds-flat/paperback You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/vickihannahlein https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-hannah-lein https://www.facebook.com/vickihannahlein http://www.findthefunnyfaster.com https://radicalkindnesswarrior.com I reviewed another book by Vicki, “Woman With a Voice”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/woman-with-a-voice I reviewed Vicki’s book “From Frustration to Funny in 10 Seconds Flat”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/from-frustration-to-funny Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Award-winning, multi-volume author, Francis Williams introduces us to the third volume in Thrones of Britannia series, “The Imperative”: In the third and final book set in the world of Thrones of Britannia series, see the world through the eyes of heroes both old and new. Lord Drysten, now widely considered to be the savior of Britannia despite his past transgressions, is being tested by a new enemy he never knew he would need to face. Kingship. The mantle of responsibility was never something he thought he would bear the weight of, and his enemies, past and present, see this as well. His tragic story plays out in unexpected ways, possibly turning him from savior to villain. In addition to witnessing Drysten's trials, there is another man introduced into the series; a reluctant hero who serves the mythic lord of the Britons. His name is Peredur, but simply goes by Thatch. This refugee of Frisian raiders soon finds himself oathed to Drysten as he embarks on a journey of revenge and discovery. Thatch, as well as other characters new to the series, will soon have their hands full dealing with the full might of The Morrigan's fanatical followers, as well as older enemies that cannot be driven back. *Please Read* This novel was once titled He Hunts at Midnight before I realized the reception my past novels received. It was going to be a shorter novel centering on the lesser-known characters I wanted to introduce before the grand finale. The story of The Imperative is NOT different from He Hunts at Midnight, but I have added the book I was using as the finishing touch to Drysten's legacy. In short, this novel still has the same content as before but has been expanded to finish up the Thrones of Britannia series. What comes next will be a follow-up trilogy dubbed The Collapse of The Britons, but I don't want to spoil that too much just yet. An amazing finish to this trilogy! I love this book! It's a great story and caps the series perfectly! The author has a wonderful grasp of the period and makes you feel you are standing so close to the characters. I was on the edge of my kindle for so much of the story. If you like action, political intrigue and wild adventure then this is a great story and series for you. 4.9 stars from me! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Imperative-Historical-Fiction-Thrones-Britannia-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-imperative You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/Author_FrancisW https://www.instagram.com/iamfranciswilliams https://www.facebook.com/IamFrancisWilliams I reviewed the first book in the series here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/honor-a-dark-age-historical-fiction-novel We had a nice interview. I reviewed the second book in the series here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/usurper-thrones-and-soldiers-book-2 tags: action, adventure, ancient military, gods, God Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction The Martian Diaries: Vol. 3 Gateway To Mars (The Martian Diaries: An Alternate History and Time Travel Adventure, Continuing The War Of The Worlds)Multi-volume, science-fiction author, H. E. Wilburson introduces us to the latest volume in the Martian Diaries series, "Gateway to Mars": The War Of The Worlds Continues On The Moon And Mars! Time is running out for planet Earth. Marseria, the insidious Martian plague, has been infecting our planet for over twenty years and has resisted every human effort to eradicate it. With all life on Earth facing extinction, the only solution left is to directly access a specific piece of Martian technology. But, according to diaries left behind by Ogilvy the astronomer, the Martians have hidden it at the lake on the moon. In 1945, three rockets converted from Martian cylinders take off on the vital lunar mission, and amongst the crew is Ogilvy's nephew, Jack Stent. Will the astronauts locate the Martian shadow-weapon, thought to hold the desperately needed cure for Marseria? Can it really be used to instigate another timeline on Earth so that mankind can survive? The stakes are high and so is the risk of contact and conflict with Martians. Nearly two hundred years later, at a scientific colony on Mars, a shocking discovery is made about Jack Stent, and Ogilvy's Martian diaries are once again pivotal to human survival and the continuation of life on Earth. Gateway To Mars is the third volume of The Martian Diaries series that continues the classic H.G. Wells Mars novel in a compelling, unmissable action adventure. If you're a fan of The War Of The Worlds you won't want to miss this story of survival, despair and hope, that brings the original tale full circle. Get your copy today! I have read/listened to the first two books and this series' conclusion is shocking and satisfying on multiple levels. I won't give any spoilers, but each section of the book is well done and left me breathless. The alternate history timeline is an exciting way to move through the story and is quite relatable. If you like science fiction you will love this story and the time travel angle is not overdone in the least. This story is a worthy extension of the work of H. G. Wells, the father of science fiction and gets 5 stars from me. You can buy this book at your choice of platforms:
mybook.to/themartiandiaries You can follow the author: books.martiandiaries.com/ Here is the link for my review of the first book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-day-of-the-martians-the-martian-diaries-volume-1-by-he-wilburson-narrated-by-terry-thompson-and-harry-preston Here is the link for my review of the second book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lake-on-the-moon-the-war-of-the-worlds-audio-drama-sequel-a-new-martian-menace-invades-earth-the-martian-diaries-vol-2 Tags: sci-fi, science fiction, time travel, alternate history, historical, aliens, Mars, invasion, England, Wales, Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume historical-fantasy-thriller author, Rob Samborn introduces us to his latest book, “Painter of the Damned”, the second volume in the Painted Souls series: A soul mate trapped in purgatory. Dangerous alliances. The quest for ultimate power. After escaping Venice with their lives, Nick & Julia O'Connor have one goal: return home so they can end their nightmare vacation. But before they reach the American consulate, they're captured by Interpol and returned to Venice. Behind Nick's detention is Salvatore della Porta, the corrupt head of an ancient, enigmatic order that controls Paradise, Tintoretto's Renaissance masterpiece that's also a purgatory for thousands of souls—including Nick's soul mate from the 16th century. Della Porta believes Nick's previous life knows the location of a book lost to the ages. This mysterious manuscript will bring him world-changing power—or topple the order. As Nick's link to the past consumes him, it's up to Julia to save her husband and crush della Porta. But with friends in short supply, she must enlist Carlo Zuccaro, unaware the young artist is the order's new Painter and warden of the damned. I absolutely loved this book! I didn’t think Rob could top the first book! Boy, was I wrong! The mystery, mild horror and adventure made this story hard to put down! The writing is so good, the author has a wonderful blend of dialogue, action and description to keep the story moving at a good clip! Julia is never sure who her friends are because everyone she knows in Venice and Europe seems to have their own agendas that she can only guess at. She does a lot of guessing seeking every possible avenue to find and free her husband! You are going to love this book! A fun and exciting read with 5 stars from me! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Painter-of-the-Damned-Book-2-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-painter-of-the-damned-book-2 https://www.kobo.com/painter-of-the-damned-book-2 Here is the link to the review of the first book and interview with the author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-prisoner-of-paradise Here is the link to the review of the third book and the continued interview with the author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/master-of-the-abyss You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/RobSamborn https://robsamborn.com https://www.facebook.com/RobSambornAuthor https://www.instagram.com/robsamborn Copyright ©2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume and multi-genre authors Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton introduce us to the third volume in the The Haunted book series, “Wicked Mist”: Welcome to Wicked Mist, Book 3 (The Haunted Series) Filled with Urban legends, ghosts, haunted houses, magical realism, and supernatural themes. This year it's all about the mist! Travel the world and enjoy a collection of luxurious, award-winning, short stories with a paranormal edge from the writing desks of Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton. This 'spirited' anthology is guaranteed to give you the shivers and keep you reading late into the night with heady doses of mystery, haunted imagery and psychological suspense. Catch up and read Hearth Fires, Book 1 and Tangled Webs, Book 2 and prepare for an intense ride to places unknown. Diamonds & Ashes by Veronica Cline Barton (California Coast) The seeds of greed reap their reward... Witch by Bibiana Krall (Mackinac Island) An Island adventure in Michigan becomes an alternate history lesson, after a young woman discovers something treacherous lurking in the water… Area 58 by Veronica Cline Barton (#SomewhereInNevada) Somewhere in Nevada Everything you thinksh you knowsh ish about to changshe. Devil's Breath by Bibiana Krall (Columbia) Beware the wrath of a beautiful and mysterious woman taking over the streets of Medellin. One man at a time... Unrequited by Veronica Cline Barton (England) Don't go breakin' my heart now, boys... What does your garden grow? Ningyo by Bibiana Krall (Japan) A troubled spirit wanders beyond the forests of Mt. Fuji, hoping for their chance to avenge a brutal murder. Will good or evil prevail? Thanks so much for reading! Enjoy the bonus pages with bespoke cocktails and savory appetizers to help make this a wonderful and spooky Halloween! I love this newest book in The Haunted series. Wicked Mist keeps the reputation of these writers and series spotless. The different stories set in different cultures give us a spooky glimpse into other parts of the world. These stories are not extremely gory and I like that a lot. I have also enjoyed Barton's other writings in the cozy mystery genre. Witch by Krall was the creepiest story for me and I loved it. Area 58 by Barton gave me the most pleasure and still creeped me out. It has a sci-fi bent to it and is pretty funny also. Which story is your favorite? They are all good and not to be mist! 😉 You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Mist-Haunted-Book-3-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-wicked-mist https://www.barnesandnoble.com/wicked-mist-krall-barton Here is the review of Hearth Fires, the first book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/hearth-fires-the-haunted-book-1-by-bibiana-krall-and-veronica-cline-barton Here is the review of Tangled Webs, the second book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/tangled-webs-the-haunted-book-2 You can follow the authors: https://www.twitter.com/Bibiana1Krall https://www.bibianakrall.com https://www.amazon.com/author/bibianakrall https://www.youtube.com/channel/bookem channel https://twitter.com/VClinebarton https://www.veronicaclinebarton.com https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Cline-Barton https://www.goodreads.com/author/Veronica_Cline_Barton https://www.youtube.com/channel/#Bookem Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Sandra Sperling introduces us to her latest romantic suspense story, “The Stash”: People have fantasies about finding buried treasure, but for Sarah Altman it becomes a reality when she convinces herself that it isn't really a crime to appropriate a large stash of money hidden by a meth dealer after he has a car accident. Every dollar will likely add to the time he spends in prison, so she chooses to be a good Samaritan and relieve him of the burden. Already contemplating a divorce, Sarah realizes that the money will allow her the freedom to do so with financial security---so long as no one learns she has it. Deputy Nate Carlson has been giving protection to the dealer in exchange for a share of the profit from the meth. He's severely injured, but before he dies, he manages to tell Nate where the cash is buried. Sergeant Frank Devich, Nate's widowed brother-in-law, questions Sarah, triggering a mutual attraction. Frank doesn't recognize her as the young woman he'd left with a broken heart years ago, and he's determined to have her. Sarah, however, resists involvement. Nate soon discovers that only Frank and Sarah had easy access to the Minnesota gravel pit where the stash had been hidden. Desperate for money, he will do anything to get it This is a marvelous story! I love it. The stash is a suspenseful, romantic comedy or is it a comedic, romantic suspense story or is it a romantic, suspenseful comedy? Whatever! I can’t figure it out, but I do know this is a lot of fun to read! I loved the action and the dialogue. Sarah is strong, sassy and sharp as a tack! I wouldn’t want to have a battle of wits with her. I really like Frank also; he is steady as they come, committed to his job and he is thinking ahead. Nate is a couple of fries short of a happy meal, but he tries hard if mainly in the wrong direction. Good story and lots of fun! The Stash gets 5 stars from me! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/The-Stash-Sandra-Sperling-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-stash I reviewed another book by the author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/elisabets-will You can follow the author: Twitter: @sandysperling3 https://www.facebook.com/sisuforever http://sandrasperling.com Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-genre, multi-volume author, J. D. Edwards introduces us to his science fiction story, “The Phantom Seer”: Sam’s future lies in the past but like Sisyphus, changing history is a punishment he must continue to pay. When Sam discovers a timepod containing a cryptic note from the future, he chooses to fulfill his destiny and restore the timeline rather than allowing the government to confiscate his discovery. After failing to change the course of human events on a grand scale, Sam crisscrosses time to modify historical events on a smaller scale. Earning the moniker of “The Phantom Seer”, Sam discovers that even the smallest stone can create a broad ripple in the ocean of time. For Sam, a single choice can save the lives of millions but endanger his own. How much is a single life worth? Science fiction is my favorite genre, stories about time travel are at the top of that list also. This story was completely entertaining and dealt with historical events in a gentle manner. The author did a marvelous job of incorporating events and themes from the Bible. No spoilers from me! I give this story 4.9 stars. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Seer-J-D-Edwards-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/book/-the-phantom-seer I reviewed another book by the author: Indomitable: The Story of Eliza Harris by J. D. Edwards - Word Refiner You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/FaerieRealms https://www.facebook.com/FaerieRealms https://www.linkedin.com/in/twyrch https://www.wattpad.com/user/FaerieRealms https://www.instagram.com/twyrch https://www.pinterest.com/twyrch https://www.tiktok.com/@faerierealms Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, cozy mystery author, Mary Lu Scholl introduces us to the second book in the Nature Coast Calamities series, “Big Foot and The Bentley”: "There are more things..." Life in Citrus County Florida, on the Nature Coast has Bernie scratching his head. There's no shortage of mysteries and an occasional murder. Bernie is Irish, and the mythology seems to have followed him. With the help of his brother and friends, he encounters Big Foot. Or does he? This is a man's Cozy mystery - A Brozie - and will have you chuckling all afternoon. I have enjoyed several of Scholl's books and this is no exception. I quite like it. She has some of the people from another series in this story, yet she keeps the focus comfortably on Bernie and his brother, Ralph. They get along like most siblings. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I heard many tales about Big Foot, AKA Sasquatch. Even the few hints and incidental encounters add intrigue to this story. A Bentley is a luxurious car and the mystery surrounding it makes this story even more fun. I think you will love this story as much as I did. Enjoy! You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Foot-Bentley-Nature-Calamities-ebook You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/MaryLScholl1 https://maryluscholl.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/maryluschollauthor/ My review of the fourth book in the Nature Coast Calamities, "Pu'ka and the Pirates": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/puka-and-the-pirates My review of the first book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Camper Catastrophe”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/camper-catastrophe-by-mary-lu-scholl My review of the second book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Mobile Mayhem”: Mobile Mayhem: Book Two of Trailer Park Travails by Mary Lu Scholl - Word Refiner My review of the third book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Birds, Bees and RVs”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/birds-bees-and-rvs-by-mary-lu-scholl My review of the fourth book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Trailer Trauma”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/trailer-trauma-trailer-park-travails-book-4 My review of the ninth book of the Trailer Park Travails series, "Fatal Philandering": www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/fatal-philandering Tags: cozy, murder, mystery, Florida, pets, dog, cat, neighbors, fiction, action Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-volume, multi-genre author G. David Walker introduces us to urban, paranormal fantasy, “Three Blood Prince”: J.D. Williams’ parents have kept a secret from him and his big sister, Megan, for their entire lives. Now, that secret might just get J.D. killed. The arrival of a strange girl at his school sets J.D. on a journey which will completely change the course of his life as well as that of his sister. Together, they discover that none of the closest people in their lives, from their parents to J.D.’s best friend, are who they thought they were. Which means neither are J.D. and Megan. J.D. becomes the target of a dark Fae who believes his blood contains the key to ultimate power. She will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, sending bloodthirsty creatures of nightmares and legends in pursuit of him and his family, from their home in the Ozarks to the shores of northern Scotland. With teeth and claws potentially lurking in every shadow, the Williams need any allies they can find to keep J.D. safe from the malevolent creatures hunting him and stop their dark mistress forever. I have read two other books by Mr. Walker and he is getting better in his craft! I see improvement in his character development and dialogue. His story is not to be missed! The relationship between JD and his older sister seems very normal and there is a lot of interaction between them. The parents seem typical until they are forced to reveal the truth about their identity to their children. It gets rather complicated after that. No spoilers from me! Mr. Walker has done a marvelous job of respecting the familiar tropes of most fantasy stories and spun them into something quite good. I am fervently hoping this is merely the first volume of several. This is such a good start! If you like fast-paced action, urban fantasy and a decent dose of the paranormal you have found a home. You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Blood-Prince-David-Walker-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-three-blood-prince You can connect with the author: https://twitter.com/gdavidwalker https://gdavidwalker.com https://www.amazon.com/G.-David-Walker https://www.facebook.com/gdavidwalker https://www.instagram.com/g_david_walker This is my first review of a book by the author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/jabens-rift-by-g-david-walker This is my review of another book by the author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/redemptions-edge Tags: urban fantasy, high school, modern paranormal, dark, action, quest, family Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction |
Who am I?An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. Archives
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