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book reviews |
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The Walkers, Paul, Alexandra and Calvin, debut authors introduce us to their book about having a richer life by going, “UNPLUGGED”: INTELLIGENT AND FUNNY, this book is designed for teenagers; it has hundreds of fun activities that teenagers can do that don't involve a screen. Some of the ideas are free and only take a few minutes while others may cost a small fortune and take years. UNPLUGGED contains useful ideas, such as creative ways to earn money and ideas to make your parents happy. There are a number of activities teens can do with their friends or to do to make new friends. The first section includes lists of activities that people can do, from cooking to earning money. The second includes things that teens should know about, like how to avoid being poor, how to negotiate, how to tell if someone is lying, and other similar skills. The third is similar to the second, only more focused on health. Because some of the sections are simply long lists, at the bottom “activities” were added which serve as hints or jumping-off points for that particular list. ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Paul Walker is the dad. His daughter Alexandra Boyden Walker (age 13) and his son Calvin Boyden Walker (age 17) give their dad “rant scores” whenever he contributes to the book, yet it is obvious they have deep respect for him. Teens themselves, they are concerned their peers will grow up with compromised social skills because of their obsession with their devices, spending the equivalent of 136 days a year on them. So they did extensive research and created lists of healthier activities to do instead. Visit the authors on their website: http://mindfulcynic.com/.  I enjoyed this book a lot. I found it entertaining and insightful, with a healthy dose of cute. I think that everyone benefits from engaging in different activities at all ages, but especially in the school-age years. The chapter on volunteering is quite good and provides ideas for volunteering in many different areas of interest. They can also be implemented in towns of almost any size. Learning the value of serving and assisting others is an important life skill to have. Almost all nonprofit organizations would fold without any volunteers. Many of the activities are way fun! Quite a few of them can easily be leveraged into a hobby or in a few cases, a business. Lessons can be learned, while having fun, that will remain with a person all throughout life. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. It’s fun, enjoyable, helps to build a well-rounded personality through a variety of experiences. I award 5 stars to “UNPLUGGED”! Congratulations to all of the authors!  You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/unplugged-hundreds-of-activities-for-teens-to-do-without-a-screen https://www.amazon.com/UNPLUGGED-Hundreds-Activities-Without-Screen https://www.goodreads.com/-unplugged This book is available on many other platforms also. You can follow the authors: https://twitter.com/Mindful_Cynic http://mindfulcynic.com https://www.facebook.com/Mindfulcynic Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction
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Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Stanley C. Straub introduces us to his science fiction thriller, “The Terminus List”: A Science Fiction thriller filled with realistic characters, aliens, politics, romance, hi-tech Flybots, Universal Transport Machines, and multiple universes. The main character is a mother determined to save her daughter at all costs. She is helped by her right-hand man, a humanoid that is almost more human than robot. The story begins at the year-end extravaganza held in 2998, where Tom Florin became a statistic. He was terminated by liberated punctuation, a fancy, made-up term by the government for killing people to keep the population under control. Two years later, in 3000, the names of the new chosen ones were published for all to see. Whose names will be listed and who will get to go to the extravaganza parade and then be led to the glorious extermination stations during the Super Sunday halftime celebration. Barbara Freeman, age 16 was one of the "supposedly" lucky names chosen for the 3000 celebration. During the show which will be broadcast for the world to see, Barbara and several thousand more are planned to be terminated. Most of them are willing and happy to be part of the termination process, but Barbara, her boyfriend, and her folks are not. Can Barbara escape her pending fate?  Mandatory population control has been turned into halftime entertainment. This dystopian-themed story introduces some new twists to the genre with multiple universes, talented robots and democratic elections. I enjoyed this story, there was a lot of action and the dialogue kept the story moving at a good pace. Some of the technology was a lot of fun. We finally get our flying cars! Set in the year 3000, flying vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for the populous. I hope I don’t have to wait that long. I award 3.8 stars to “The Terminus List”, the score would have been higher except for a lot of spelling errors. These errors have been corrected according to the author. Your reading pleasure will be improved.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Terminus-List-Stanley-Straub-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/the-terminus-list https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-terminus-list-stanley-c-straub You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/Renownedwriter https://stanleystraubauthor.com https://writerstar.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/stanley.straub.92 https://www.facebook.com/Stan-Straub-Author https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/76655467 tags: science fiction, sci-fi, dystopian Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Accomplished authors, Bibiana and Veronica introduce us to their first collaboration, very spooky in nature, “Hearth Fires (The Haunted Book 1)”: Enjoy an eclectic, and imaginative collection of six, original, short stories that share one central theme, the mysterious Ouija board with a nod to the troubled spirits that guide The Oracle. Take a journey through the Deep South, then head to the American Northeast, Pacific Northwest and end your reading adventure with a flight on a magical witch’s broom across the glimmering pond. Halloween can’t come soon enough! Indulge your senses and drift over to the spooky side with Hearth Fires. If you adore “Night Gallery” “Dark Shadows” “Hocus Pocus” and anything Poe, Jackson or DuMaurier, this collection was written especially for you. Culinary Coterie by Veronica Cline Barton––When Sammie Atherton returns to the family home in Smoky Shoals, Louisiana, she learns of a culinary legacy that has been passed down through generations. Will she be up for the challenge of leading the town’s Culinary Coterie with their mystery ingredients? Herbs and spices will never be the same again! The Window by Bibiana Krall––Late one night in Savannah, Tabitha sees something odd in a window. A shadow? A ghost? Or is it just her imagination that something is reaching across the great divide? The risk is in finding out the truth and discovering the lengths she might be willing to go to help a stranger… Vintage Vibrations by Veronica Cline Barton––Allie Michaels’ Salem boutique offers only the second hand best to her chichi clientele. She’s always on the search for unique finds, ready to turn a profit. When an aging actress offers her a deal too good to be true, she jumps at the offer—but will the recipients of these goods live to regret their purchases? Dark Watchers by Bibiana Krall––Emily doesn’t realize that a surreal, childhood experience in the woods holds the key to a mystery that has haunted her ever since. Betrayal becomes part of a dangerous evening when peril and danger lurks behind the smile of a handsome genius. Will she leave Big Sur with her sanity and safety intact? Board Whisperers by Veronica Cline Barton—When nanny Bria McEwen takes on her latest assignment in Glasgow, she’s looking forward to a luxurious holiday excursion with a seemingly, charming family touring the Scottish Whisky Trail. When her assignment is abruptly cancelled, she has one important question. Where are the children and their parents? La Fee Vert by Bibiana Krall––A talented painter in Paris is obsessed with becoming a commercial success. Something in her soul shifts when she’s extremely close to reaching her dreams… Will Camille discover the high price of fame in The City of Lights, a glittering place paved with the broken dreams of artists long departed.  I love a scary story as much as the next person, when the goose bumps show up, I know the story is great! I don’t care for a lot of blood and gore; it takes away the fun. I get excited when righteousness and justice prevail. Everyone wants to see the bad guy get their just desserts at the end. These stories deliver plenty of the above. They are scary and creepy in turn, with a small slice of humor included. The intersection of our contemporary world with the spirit world makes for frightening encounters. The descriptions of Big Sur stimulated fond memories and enhanced my enjoyment. These stories are excellent! They are not only compact they are so well written. I received wonderful, shivery pleasure and award five stars to “Hearth Fires”!
You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Hearth-Fires-Haunted-Book-1-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/hearth-fires https://www.barnesandnoble.com/hearth-fires-bibiana-krall https://www.books2read.com/HearthFires 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 tags: horror, shorts, Copyright © Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction Multi-volume, political-thriller author, James McCrone introduces us to his newest volume of the Imogen Trager series, “Emergency Powers”: The accidental president is no accident. When the president dies in office, FBI Agent Imogen Trager knows that the conspiracy she chased down a blind alley still has life in it-and she needs to get back in the hunt. The old case may be the key to stopping a brutal, false flag terrorist attack meant to finalize the new puppet president's grip on power. Imogen doesn't know it yet, but she's running out of time. As bodies pile up and leads go cold, the main target from that old case reaches out to her. He's still at large, and now he needs protection. Imogen doesn't trust him, and it's not only because he's offering intel that sounds too good to be true. He's already tried to kill her once. Set variously in DC, Seattle and small-town America, Emergency Powers is a story of corruption and redemption, achieved at enormous personal cost, with a ripped-from-the-headlines urgency: a fractious FBI, an undermined Attorney General, powerful people using all manner of treachery to maintain their hold on power. But it's more than headlines about things people think they know. And darker.  This is such a good book! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. McCrone has a keen eye for detail, his plotting is so good! I was sorry when I reached the end of the story, it was such good reading. A very satisfying ending, I might add. All the steps necessary to uncover the plot to control the presidency are amazing. So many disparate pieces that fit together with unbelievable precision at the end. There is so much I loved about this book, the characters, even minor players come across with depth, they seemed so real. The dialogues are very organic and the characters to live and breathe. Settings and action are commendable, all of these elements working so well together adds up to a wonderful book to read. The best and worst part of this story is how real it seemed. I worry that it could come true. I give “Emergency Powers” a score of 5 stars!  You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Emergency-Powers-James-McCrone-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-emergency-powers https://www.barnesandnoble.com/emergency-powers-james-mccrone You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/jamesmccrone4 https://www.facebook.com/FaithlessElector/ http://jamesmccrone.com/ I have reviewed the previous book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/dark-network Tags: thriller, politics, political thriller, mystery, suspense, action, FBI, espionage, procedural, justice Copyright © 2020 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction Multi-volume author and renowned herbalist, Lesley Tierra introduces us to her book “A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages”: A Kid’s Herb Book makes learning about herbs and plants fun and educational for children. They follow the friendly elf, Mr. Greenleaf, through the plant “kin-dom.” They learn various uses of plants and they learn to appreciate vital things that plants provide, such as oxygen, food, soap, wood, teas, and medicines. They will discover the differences between herbs, weeds, and spices. They learn to make products from herbs, such as natural toothbrushes and homemade cough medicine. They learn about the healing properties of specific herbs. And they learn enchanting stories that can be read aloud and that awaken the imagination. A Kid’s Herb Book includes delicious recipes for such culinary delights as “Basil Pesto” and “Rose Petal Jam.” Children and their parents are encouraged to grow their own herb gardens. Simple instructions are provided for outdoor gardens (when space is available) to smaller gardens (using a window box, a basket, or even a flowerpot!). To go completely natural, readers can learn to make and use compost as well.  What a marvelous and fun book! I enjoyed this book so much. It truly is written for children of all ages. The writing style is winsome and easy to read for almost any average skill level fifth or sixth grade reader and above. The black-and-white line drawing invite you to color them in and own the book. The page layout and fonts keep the information flowing in an easy-to-understand fashion. The creation-of-the-herb stories are fun and invite discussions between parent and child about important issues and character traits. There are recipes, songs and care guides that extend the reading experience and solidify the knowledge imparted. This is such an excellent and well-written book; it easily deserves to be awarded 5 stars!  You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/a-kid-s-herb-book-for-children-of-all-ages-by-lesley-tierra https://amazon.com/Kids-Herb-Book-Children-Ages-paperback https://www.goodreads.com/A_Kid_s_Herb_Book You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/east_west_herbs https://planetherbs.com https://www.facebook.com/lesley.tierra# Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Lifelong educator and new author, Scott Douthit introduces us to his debut book, “My Dyslexic Life”: “But Mr. D, you’ve graduated from college, written plays— you’re a great teacher with all these awards. You wouldn’t know what it’s like to have people make you feel stupid for being dyslexic!” “Actually, believe it or not...” Today, researchers estimate that between five and twenty percent of the population is affected by dyslexia. This growing awareness and understanding of different learning styles has changed the lives of tens of millions of people. When Scott Douthit was growing up in the 1960s, though, no one could explain why it was so difficult for him to succeed in the one-size-fits-all schools he attended. My Deslex Dyslexic Life: A Journey Out of the Shadows, a deeply moving account of Scott’s struggles and triumphs, invites the reader to consider new ways of overcoming barriers to accomplishment and understanding, both for themselves and others. At once entertaining and touching, it offers an intimate glance into the life, mind, and heart of a courageous individual. Scott’s story serves as a reminder that the norms, standards, and expectations of society are a work in progress, and that it is within our power to make them more humane and compassionate. A staggering 5 to 15 percent of Americans—14.5 to 43.5 million children and adults—have dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it difficult to read, write, and spell, no matter how hard the person tries or how intelligent he or she is. •It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have dyslexia •Over 40 million American Adults are dyslexic - and only 2 million know it •Dyslexia is not tied to IQ - Einstein was dyslexic and had an estimated IQ of 160 •Dyslexia in not just about getting letters or numbers mixed up or out of order •80% of people associate dyslexia with some form of retardation - this is not true •Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability or disorder that includes poor word reading, word decoding, oral reading fluency and spelling •Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels •Dyslexia has nothing to do with not working hard enough •20% of school-aged children in the US are dyslexic •With appropriate teaching methods, dyslexia can learn successfully •Over 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic •Dyslexia runs in families; parents with dyslexia are very likely to have children with dyslexia •Dyslexics may struggle with organizational skills, planning and prioritizing, keeping time, concentrating with background noise. •Dyslexics may excel at connecting ideas, thinking out of the box, 3D thinking, seeing the big picture •People with dyslexia excel or even gifted in areas of art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, math, mechanics, music, physics, sales and sports •Many famous people are dyslexic including: Orlando Bloom, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Spielberg, Kiera Knightley. Albert Einstein and Patrick Dempsey  This book was an eye-opener for me! While I have never struggled with reading, quite the opposite, actually. The stories of struggling in social situations and flunking a skills test in a physical education class resonated to the core of my soul. Having a serious stammering problem caused my school years to be full of social difficulties beyond the normal teen angst. I loved the writing, it was so meaningful and using the vehicle of vignettes from the author’s life provided perfect illustrations of the struggles faced by so many. Scott brings hope and humor into difficult situations. I greatly appreciate his passion for educating everybody about different styles of learning and how to appreciate those differences. I award 5 stars to “My Dyslexic Life” by Scott Douthit!  You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/my-dyslexic-life-a-journey-out-of-the-shadows-by-scott-douthit https://smile.amazon.com/My-Dyslexic-Life-Journey-Shadows-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-my-dyslexic-life You can connect with the author: https://www.mydyslexiclife.com https://www.facebook.com/scott.douthit.1 Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Award winning, multi-volume, multi-genre author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to “The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls”: Emerging from the long shadow cast by his formidable father, Harold Godwineson showed himself to be a worthy successor to the Earldom of Wessex. In the following twelve years, he became the King's most trusted advisor, practically taking the reins of government into his own hands. And on Edward the Confessor's death, Harold Godwineson mounted the throne—the first king of England not of royal blood. Yet Harold was only a man, and his rise in fortune was not blameless. Like any person aspiring to power, he made choices he wasn't particularly proud of. Unfortunately, those closest to him sometimes paid the price of his fame. This is a story of Godwine's family as told from the viewpoint of Harold and his younger brothers. Queen Editha, known for her Vita Ædwardi Regis, originally commissioned a work to memorialize the deeds of her family, but after the Conquest historians tell us she abandoned this project and concentrated on her husband, the less dangerous subject. In THE SONS OF GODWINE and FATAL RIVALRY, I am telling the story as it might have survived had she collected and passed on the memoirs of her tragic brothers. This book is part two of The Last Great Saxon Earls series. Book one, GODWINE KINGMAKER, depicted the rise and fall of the first Earl of Wessex who came to power under Canute and rose to preeminence at the beginning of Edward the Confessor's reign. Unfortunately, Godwine's misguided efforts to champion his eldest son Swegn recoiled on the whole family, contributing to their outlawry and Queen Editha's disgrace. Their exile only lasted one year and they returned victorious to London, though it was obvious that Harold's career was just beginning as his father's journey was coming to an end. Harold's siblings were all overshadowed by their famous brother; in their memoirs we see remarks tinged sometimes with admiration, sometimes with skepticism, and in Tostig's case, with jealousy. We see a Harold who is ambitious, self-assured, sometimes egocentric, imperfect, yet heroic. His own story is all about Harold, but his brothers see things a little differently. Throughout, their observations are purely subjective, and witnessing events through their eyes gives us an insider’s perspective. Harold was his mother's favorite, confident enough to rise above petty sibling rivalry but Tostig, next in line, was not so lucky. Harold would have been surprised by Tostig's vindictiveness, if he had ever given his brother a second thought. And that was the problem. Tostig's love/hate relationship with Harold would eventually destroy everything they worked for, leaving the country open to foreign conquest. This subplot comes to a crisis in book three of the series, FATAL RIVALRY. This book has received an Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion!  What a wonderful telling of a long-lost story! The author has pulled off an exciting reconstruction of a tale filled with intrigue and menace for so many of the people involved. Mercedes uses a rotating-by-chapter, first person point of view to smoothly recreate the action and details of these events from over a thousand years ago. I love first person POV, it brings a level of familiarity that isn’t found in other point of views. Mercedes is so expert at bringing the culture and daily life of people born over a millennia ago to life. The scene setting leaves nothing to be desired, dialogue is wonderful and the characters seem so real and alive. You are going to love this book, there is action, intrigue, international politics, romance and horses. Something for almost everyone. I give “The Sons of Godwine” a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Sons-Godwine-Great-Saxon-Earls-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-sons-of-godwine https://www.amazon.co.uk/the-Sons-of-Godwine You can follow the author: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorRochelle http://www.mercedesrochelle.com http://www.mercedesrochelle.net I have reviewed other books by this author: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/godwine-kingmaker-part-one-of-the-last-great-saxon-earls-by-mercedes-rochelle https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-kings-retribution https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/a-king-under-siege-book-one-of-the-plantagenet-legacy-by-mercedes-rochelle https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/heir-to-a-prophecy-by-mercedes-rochelle-narrated-by-kevin-e-green Tags: history, biography, fiction, medieval, European, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Normandy, historical, biographical, Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Multi-volume, multi-genre author and poet, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi introduces us to his collection of short stories about men, women and relationships, “Inferno of Silence”: The first collection of short stories by this multitalented author entwines everyday events that are articulated in excellent storytelling. The title story “Inferno of Silence” portrays men’s societal challenges and the unspoken truths and burdens that men bear, while “Black lives Matter” shows the firsthand trauma of a man facing racism as a footballer plying his trade in Europe. Stories range from “Return Journey” where we encounter a techpreneur/ Poet/Serial Womanizer confronting consequences of his past actions, to “Blinded by Silence,” where a couple united by love must face a political upheaval changing their fortune. These are completed with stories of relationships: “Trouble in Umudike” – about family wealth and marriage; “Everybody don Kolomental” where the main character deals with mental health issues; and “In the Trap of Seers” when one’s life is on auto-reverse with the death of her confidante, her mother, as she takes us through her ordeal and journey to redemption. This is a broad and very inclusive collection.  Reading these stories was very interesting. I enjoyed the vicarious involvement in the lives of primarily Nigerian characters in the stories. Other than a short hop from Spain, across the Straits of Gibraltar, to a small town in Morocco, I have never been in Africa. I know that experience does not represent the entire continent in any. I was surprised and not surprised to learn men face many of the same challenges around the world. I could relate to a lot of the experiences from my own life. I enjoyed this book and recommend it as a good reading experience on multiple levels. I award 4.5 stars to “Inferno of Silence”, the score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The author assures me those have been corrected; your reading will be smoother.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Inferno-Silence-Tolu-Akinyemi-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-inferno-of-silence https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inferno-of-silence-tolu-a-akinyemi https://www.kobo.com/inferno-of-silence https://books.apple.com/inferno-of-silence You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/toluakinyemi https://www.tolutoludo.com/index.html https://www.facebook.com/ToluAAkinyemi/ https://www.instagram.com/tolutoludo/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/toluakenyemi Africa, Nigeria, Nigerian, men, women, relationships, technology, marriage, family, airplane, flying, business, religion Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Debut author, Shirley Hoisington introduces us to her book, “Beyond Despair”, a novel about romance, love and loss: Twins, sisters in love with the same man! Who will find true love in this tale of twists, turns and surprises? Jealousy... Sacrifice... Betrayal... This one has it all! Can Miranda find herself? Does Miranda choose the man of her dreams or her twin sister? Will anything be made right again…beyond despair?  This is a fun, exciting and touching story. Miranda makes important choices that put the needs of others before her own and sometimes suffers a great deal from the consequences of those choices. This story is well written and very enjoyable to read. I was able to relate to all the major characters quite significantly. That is a sign of good writing. Another sign of good writing is that the book is easy to read. Easy reading is the result of hard writing. The scene setting is excellent throughout the book, as a native Oregonian it was fun to see so many places I knew in the story. A jet boat ride on a wild river is an unforgettable experience! The dialogue was a standout for me also, very natural and suitable for the different occasions. I laughed out loud many times. The development of the characters was well done also. They seemed alive and lively to me. I award 4.6 stars to “Beyond Despair”, the score would have been higher except for the large handful of spelling errors.  You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Beyond-Despair-by-Shirley-Hoisington https://www.goodreads.com/-beyond-despair https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Despair-Shirley-Hoisington You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/ShirleyHoising2 https://shirleyhoisington.com Romance, adventure, suspense, Oregon Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction. Debut author, Morgan R. R. Haze introduces us to the first in a series of science fiction novels, “Alpha Dawn”: In the far future humanity is in a paradox. The discovery of a dynamic ore has allowed humans to prevent their own extinction by saving their dying world. However, Terra Prime is ultimately consigned to oblivion in an unforeseen cataclysm. A cataclysm which has created the Void. Rather than be curious or fearful of unexplored space, most humans simply perceive the Void at the center of the known universe as the single greatest mystery of the cosmos. While the human race is preserved, living on colonized planets in outer space, mankind has lost the sense of who they really are. Thus, their understanding of true history is deluded. Facts are viewed as myths and myths as historical events. In such strange circumstances, there are those who seek to belong somewhere more meaningful, opposed to the numerous ideologically flawed organizations, governments, and planets spread across the known universe. Prepare to go on a journey with Captain Singer and many others as their fates intertwine in various, sometimes unexpected ways. Will they prevent their past from catching up to them, while searching for a better place in this dystopian universe? Or will their past and future collide in unimaginable events?  I see this first volume as a wonderful introduction to a wide and far-ranging story about the human experience. I love the use of first-person POV. Each chapter has a different POV or location and the chapters are quite short, avoiding the dreaded head hopping that occurs in so many other stories like this. That makes for a fast-moving story and flows quite well. There are a number of characters and we meet quite a few of them, but it’s pretty easy to keep track most of the time because the chapters are not very long. I appreciate that aspect. Some of the characters are fully human and some are altered genetically or otherwise, that contributes a lot to the story. There is a lot of action and dialogue that drives the story nicely. The scene setting is okay, it could be a little bit longer, but it is adequate and I am sure it’s hard to find the right balance. I award 4.5 stars to "Alpha Dawn: Book one of the Teragene Chronicles". I really enjoyed the story, but there were a lot of spelling errors. The author assures me those errors have been corrected, therefore your reading will be smoother.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Dawn-Book-Teragene-Chronicles-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-alpha-dawn https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Dawn-Book-Teragene-Chronicles You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/Morgan_R_R_Haze https://www.instagram.com/morganrrhaze https://www.facebook.com/Morgan-RR-Haze Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction Debut author, Rose S. White, introduces us to her first book, “You: The World of Thoughts Matters”: A message from one man could change her life forever… Mei finds more solace in the world of imagination than she does in the real world. Stuck in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere, she longs for something more. When she receives a message from a man online, she begins talking to him and soon discovers exactly what she has been missing. Soon her whole world is transformed as is Mei. A story of loneliness, love and hope.  This such a cute book, it’s quite remarkable also. It’s well out of my normal reading range, but I was instantly attracted to the cover. All of those colors appearing where her head was. It made me very curious. I invented several ideas to explain the cover and decided I had to read it. The blurb does a good job of hinting at the story without giving anything away. I shall not spoil it for you either. Like the cover, this story is full of color and surprises. We are privy to all of Mei’s thoughts about everything in her life. Sometimes her thoughts are connected to her activity at the moment and other times they are elsewhere. Her thought life is quite rich. As a young, professional woman, Mei is drifting through life. She has ambition, she wants to move up the ladder, but she doesn’t have a solid anchor. So many of us don’t. She is living her life to meet general expectations that others have placed on her. Then something happens to shake her world. I award 4 stars to “You: The World of Thoughts Matters”. The score would have been higher, but I found quite a few spelling errors.  You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/You-Thoughts-Rose-S-White-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-you-world-of-thoughts-matters https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-World-of-Thoughts-Rose-S-White You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/RoseSWhite8 https://amazon.com/Rose-S-White Fantasy, romance Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction. Debut author, Bryan Genesse introduces us to his first book: “VampireS (€) X”: I Am Demon. And God. The Last Of My Kind. Read My Story At Your Own Peril... a memoir of secrets revealed. Relentless, painfully honest, thrillingly intimate and a true account of anguish and immortality told by an author in hiding who after 1000 years might still walk amongst us. A stunning tale unlike any other in the genre, for the author, promises to dispel every lie, myth and fable told in all the made-up stories ever written about vampires. Spanning across continents and centuries from New York City to Italy to North Africa and deep into jungles of the Mayan Coast, the author weaves a relentless tale of infinite love, relentless wars and dancing with madness while divulging the realities of being an immortal...whose gender and sexual appetites are the biggest enigmas of all. A tsunami of revelations leads to the unimaginable: how anyone, whether mortal or immortal, can still turn a human into a vampire. If you do not believe this journal is NonFiction as soon as you start reading you will. If you do not read this memoir in one sitting; if instead, you decide to go to sleep—Do Not Turn Off The Lights. Believe me! The author does not require an invitation to enter your home that is a myth! This is...the Truth.  This is an interesting take on the common vampire theme. Written as a supernatural memoir, it has quite a few surprising twists. I loved it. I really want to talk about some of the twists and revelations that are slowly revealed in the story. But I am committed to not revealing any spoilers. The feelings of the vampire while recording thoughts are very evident and at times elicit a great deal of sympathy, this is a big part of the author’s genius. All of the characters come through as complex and very relatable. They are real, with conflicting desires and emotions. I enjoyed the dialogue quite a bit, it was very witty at times and rather gritty sometimes. There were many locales and time periods, which was entertaining. The scene setting is done well also. The action was excellent. The author describes his novel as an adult memoir with good reason, there are a handful of fairly sexy scenes. I award “VampireS (€) X” a score of 4.5 stars. The score would have been much higher except for a large, double-handful of spelling errors I found. The author has had those corrected, so your reading will be much smoother.  You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/VampireS-E-X-Adult-Historical-Supernatural-Memoir-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/vampires-e-x https://www.amazon.co.uk/VampireS-E-X-Adult-Historical-Supernatural-Memoir-ebook You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/bryangenesse http://www.bryangenesse.com http://facebook.com/bryangenesseauthor paranormal, fantasy, romance Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Multi-genre, multi-volume author, G. David Walker introduces us to the first volume in the Far Land Trilogy, “Jaben’s Rift”: One impulsive step, and a world hangs in the balance. When an ordinary family vacation in Scotland sends Jason Bennett to Teleria, an extraordinary world of might and magic, his arrival sets the wheels in motion on events that will change that world forever. In Teleria, Jason is thought to be Jaben, a mysterious figure from an ancient prophecy who is destined to save or doom the world. Through half-truths and misunderstandings, Jason gets caught in a dangerous tug of war between the ruling Circle of Nine and one of his own ancestors from three hundred years in his past. Adding to his dilemma, he finds himself at the center of a conflict between two of the Altered, a small group of godlike beings, one of whom is secretly aiding Jason's ancestor, violating a Covenant that has kept Teleria safe from their influence for over a millennia. Unable to return home, Jason must learn to use power he isn't convinced he has, keep from triggering a war between the Altered that could devastate the planet, and most of all…survive. Not quite the summer vacation he had in mind. JABEN’S RIFT takes the reader on a journey of honor and deception, betrayal and self-sacrifice, as Jason tries to figure out who is telling him the truth and who only wants to use him, before Teleria’s fate is sealed forever.  This is a fabulous book! I was stunned by the story. Yes, this is a YA fantasy tale, but as a lifelong reader of more than 60 years I loved this story! The struggle Jason goes through of being catapulted into an unfamiliar land and dimension and having to learn to survive is a tale that has been told in many different ways. The telling is what makes the difference. This story has a richness that is not always found in your basic, swords-and-sorcery yarn. Sure, there is magic, many different kinds of magic, some are narrow and some are broad and contravene the nature of the world at times. Sure, there is a council of elders, but the Council of Nine don’t always get along or see eye to eye on important issues. There is politics, racism, discrimination and those who want to control others. There are many different races and types of creatures that don’t always get along. There is a mysterious prophecy that seems to have an unknown origin, but it is accepted by all as the gospel truth. Then there are the gods, or at least they seem like gods to the inhabitants of the land. The scene setting is marvelous, the dialogue is quite witty at times. Jason’s growth is spurred by many different problems, some he causes by speaking too quickly. I think the richest parts are the different characters the author has created. They come alive and have struggles of their own. This is such a good story, “Jaben’s Rift” gets a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for a few spelling errors I found, which have been corrected. Your reading will be smoother.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Far-Land-Jabens-Rift-Book-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-jaben-s-rift This book was originally published as “From a Far Land (Jaben’s Rift, #1)” with a slightly different cover. You can connect with the author: https://twitter.com/gdavidwalker https://gdavidwalker.com https://www.facebook.com/Far-Land-Trilogy-Jabens-Rift https://www.facebook.com/gdavidwalker https://www.goodreads.com/G_David_Walker Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. Award winning, multi-genre author, Paul C. Thornton, introduces us to his newest book, “The Joy of Cruising”: The Joy of Cruising is about passion. Award-winning author Paul C. Thornton profiles travelers from all over the world with a passion for cruising and who act on that passion in creative and fascinating ways. (Just announced as medal winner Florida Author & Publishers Association President's Book Awards!) From a Grammy award winner, Poker Hall of Famer, winner of the TV series Last Comic Standing, to "ordinary" cruisers doing extraordinary things, The Joy of Cruising will fascinate anyone who has ever cruised, aspires to take a cruise, or just loves travel. The Joy of Cruising is an anthology that takes a look at the magic of cruising from the vantage point of travelers passionate about travel--a compendium of anecdotes, stories, and profiles of cruisers who have some unique or interesting perspective. It is not cruise-line specific, nor an industry overview, cruising guide/how-to, exposé or behind the scenes. The Joy of Cruising is a positive examination of why cruisers do what they do in the pursuit of their passion.   Ready to “skydive” on Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas. I have never been on a cruise. I am now wishing that wasn’t the case. The author has a relaxed and comfortable writing style that I enjoyed a great deal. He taught me how passionate so many are about cruising. Observing their passion and enjoying their story through their eyes, has imparted a great deal to me. I didn’t understand how much fun is available on a cruise. The activities onboard and ashore are plentiful and quite exciting at times. I am that guy that loves museums and learning more about history, I like to read all the descriptions and plaques for displays. The lecture series on a cruise is right up my alley. Some of the themed cruises call to me a great deal also. Being on a cruise with a couple thousand people who share a similar enthusiasm sounds ever so interesting. A wonderful way to meet and make new friends. I award “The Joy of Cruising” 4.6 stars! The score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Joy-Cruising-Passionate-Cruisers-Fascinating-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-the-joy-of-cruising https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-joy-of-cruising-paul-c-thornton Available at many of the other major platforms also 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 Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction Honor: A Dark Age Historical Fiction Novel (Thrones and Soldiers Book 1) By Francis Williams7/18/2020 Award-winning, multi-volume author, Francis Williams, introduces us to the first volume in his Thrones and Soldiers series, “Honor”: The Romans have abandoned Britannia. It is now 425 CE, and the islands have been brutally invaded by barbarian tribes coming from all directions. These lands are now a series of lawless, squabbling kingdoms which haven’t been united since the death of High King Coel Hen roughly a decade before. Roman rule failed the Britons, and a former Roman auxiliary, Hall, has been asked to return and provide a safer future for the people of Britannia’s northmost kingdom, Ebrauc. Word has it that a Saxon warlord has united many tribesmen from Germania and Gaul as he prepares for his assault on the island’s northern territories. Simultaneously, the Pictish tribes from North of Hadrian’s Wall are now supported by an unknown Gaelic king from across the seas in the West. Many enemies, both known and unknown, will surface to prevent Hall and his son, Drysten, from giving Britannia’s people the security they have longed for. The first book of a series follows the many trials by both Hall and Drysten as they both set up Britannia for one of its greatest leaders in history.  Lovers of fantasy and historical fiction, I have a juicy one for you! This is such a good story! You are going to eat this up. It’s a wonderful meal also, it’s thick and meaty. This will last you for hours! It comes with maps also and a prologue that looks long at first, but it is well worth reading. The dark ages have always gotten a short shrift, in my opinion. I recall my history teacher telling us that there was not a lot of written material for that period; which is why it was called the dark ages. The author has taken what little he found and pulled together an exciting story! The action and dialogue are plentiful to offset the somewhat lengthy narration quite well. He has done a great job of recreating the land and the people after the Romans gave up trying to subdue the wild people of what we now know as the British Isles. I particularly enjoyed the detail that many of the Roman methods of construction were lost when they left. The greatest weapon of the Romans may well have been the formula for concrete that enabled them to build the fabulous roads and uniform architecture. With a wild bunch of characters, noble and otherwise, honorable and not, the inevitable clashes keep this story moving at a wonderful pace. I cannot imagine anyone that loves historical fiction and fantasy not deriving a lot of enjoyment from this book. I award 4.9 stars to “Honor”! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The author reports that they are fixed. Your reading pleasure will be the smoother.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Honor-Historical-Fiction-Thrones-Soldiers-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-honor-by-francis-williams You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/IamFrancisW https://www.instagram.com/iamfranciswilliams https://www.facebook.com/IamFrancisWilliams tags: action, adventure, ancient military, gods, God Copyright © 2020 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
October 2020
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