​Multi-volume author, Linda Lingle, introduces us to the second volume in her series, Sweet Heart:
Heartbroken and resentful, Lee has a difficult time adjusting to his life without Deirdre and struggles to settle into his new surroundings. Knowing he made the only decision a father could make does little to lessen Lee’s profound sense of loss. Although he tries to be upbeat and optimistic for the sake of his daughters, in the dark and quiet of his lonely nights, Lee relives the fifteen heady months that he spent with Deirdre and gives free rein to the anguish and bitterness he feels because he was forced to leave her. Then, his youngest daughter enlists Lee to help her find an elusive Christmas gift for her favorite teacher and everything changes.

As if guided by fate, Lee stumbles across a poignant reminder of his time with Deirdre and sets in motion the 38-year ritual that eased his heartbreak and sustained his hope for the future.

In this companion book to Dear Heart, Lee describes the bittersweet lifetime he lives without Deirdre, introduces us to the people who populate his world, and reveals the shocking secret he promised never to reveal.

I enjoyed this story so much! When reading a sequel, I am always concerned that the book will not be as good as the first. In this case, it’s not a follow-up story, it is a parallel or companion story and it’s just as good as the first book!
The writing in “Sweet Heart” is the equal of Linda’s first book, “Dear Heart”; dialogue, scene-setting and action are just as charming! This first-person POV is just as entertaining as the first and is told from the man’s perspective.
While not providing any spoilers, I was particularly entranced by the ending of the story, it was so appropriate!
I am giving “Sweet Heart” a score of 5.0 stars! I found 1 spelling error, but the story is such a pleasure to read. 
​

​Award-winning, multi-volume author, Veronica Cline Barton, introduces us to the third volume in the “My American Almost Royal Cousin Series”, Deadly Receptions:
The stakes have never been higher for American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, now firmly ensconced as both resident and employee of her ancestral estate, Cherrywood Hall. Together with her cousin Evan, 8th Marquess of Kentshire, and her boyfriend Kyle, the estate manager, Gemma wants nothing more than to pull off the royal wedding of the season while planning the premiere and U.S. tour for the period drama series, Castlewood Manor, and attending the Telly Tiara awards show. But an ex-love threatens Gemma's and Kyle's relationship, while the reveal of explosive secrets has the potential to shatter Gemma's relationship with her cousin and her future at Cherrywood Hall.

Jealousy and revenge mix with royal drama, power plays and scandal as the Tellys grow closer—with deadly results. Will Gemma, with the help of Scotland Yard, be able to put a stop to the mayhem? Or will the wedding, the tour, the Tellys—and Gemma's life—be ruined?

The story of the transformation of Cherrywood Hall into a highly popular British period drama, ala Downton Abbey, continues. The first season of the television series is completed and there are hints of awards being won in many categories.
Now, Gemma, Sir Kyle and potential award winners relocate 1/3 the way around the world for pre-award shows and celebrations.
I love the way Veronica weaves so many different elements into her stories. She is a star in her dialogues, the settings are marvelous and the action is easily visualized. I am enjoying her costuming and menus more and more. She makes me hungry at times.
The non-stop cross-country train trip was a lot of fun. The perfect setting for dastardly deeds, as used by another female writer in the past. The tension of traveling with an unknown killer was tantalizing!
I loved the story and the writing. “Deadly Receptions” gets 4.9 stars, the score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors.
​

You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp-deadly-receptions
https://www.goodreads.com/-deadly-receptions
https://www.bookbub.com/books/deadly-receptions-by-veronica-cline-barton
 
You can follow Veronica Cline Barton:
https://twitter.com/VClinebarton
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.bookbub.com/authors/veronica-cline-barton
 
Here is the review of the first book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the review of the second book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cast-crew-and-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-my-american-almost-royal-cousin-series-by-veronica-cline-barton
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Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy, murder, castle
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz not including the author's blurb
​

Multi-volume author Jeff Stookey introduces us to the third volume, in his series “Medicine for the Blues, “Dangerous Medicine”:
In a time when homosexuals had to hide their identity, Dr. Carl Holman’s status with the respected clinic where he works is imperiled by pressures from the Ku Klux Klan, societal expectations to marry, and other forces beyond his control. As compassion impels him to treat unorthodox cases involving addiction, birth control, and child abuse, he must make difficult decisions about his professional and domestic affairs. Can Carl and those he loves find a way to live authentic lives in a hostile world?​

​Debut author, Aimee Cabo Nikolov, introduces us to her memoir of growing up in the midst of severe dysfunction:
“Love is the Answer, God is the Cure” is the story of Aimee Cabo, who was in the Miami news for almost five years from 1989 to 1994 in a case the media named “The Case from Hell.” This sexual abuse case pitted her and her sister against her parents who denied all culpability. As she fought court battles, poverty, abuse, and addiction, Aimee always turned to love and to God. Another near tragedy struck when her daughter was almost murdered by a tenant she found in Craig's list. This is the story of a woman who had all the odds against her and how she persevered to find true love and form a family that could withstand anything.

​                                                                       Goodreads cover
While reading this book, I was quite astonished by the abuse Aimee suffered at the hands of the people she should have been able to trust the most. When Aimee gained her independence, she went down the all-too-familiar deadly spiral of involvement in the sex trade and drug addiction.
The story of how she found her way out is nothing less than a miracle.
The reading is riveting at times and expresses great tenderness of the heart at other moments in the story. You will have a hard time laying this book down until you finish reading.
I give “Love is the Answer, God is the Cure” 4.9 stars, the score would have been higher except for a few spelling errors that broke the spell for me. Those errors will have been corrected by the time you get your Kindle copy.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Answer-God-Cure-Unconditional-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-love-is-the-answer-god-is-the-cure
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/godisthecure1
http://www.godisthecure.com
http://www.facebook.com/godisthecure1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAyZyt-QXskkzEKGnSc_YqQ

Tags: child abuse, sex abuse, dysfunctional family, love and romance
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Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz ​

​Well respected high school educator and football coach, Ken LaVigne introduces us to his story of working with high school students and athletes, Coach the Soul:
Today’s children, especially teenagers, live in a world that is much different than the one that existed just twenty years ago. A drastically changed family dynamic and the advent of social media have forced young people to grow up in a more fragile environment, one without the stability they need and with the constant pressure of scrutiny from peers and others they don’t even know. The effects of these factors have led to suicide becoming the second leading cause of death in teenagers in America! Circumstance has deprived these kids of the stability and perspective that they so desperately need. This is a crossroads moment.
 Coach the Soul is the first book that addresses these issues with real answers. It was born in Ken LaVigne’s classroom and on the football field during over thirty years as a high school teacher and coach. Its epiphany is just as unexpected as the dire circumstances in the lives of so many students. Coach the Soul sheds light on what today’s young people really need.
(Ken LaVigne)

​This is an amazing book on multiple levels. I don’t pretend to be qualified to analyze Ken’s writing from all angles. That being said, I loved this book! Inspirational stories about helping teens overcome difficult circumstances hits a lot of my hot buttons. Most of the chapters focus on a student’s experience in Ken’s class or as their football coach. These chapters also highlight a particular virtue or trait of personality. There are so many ways that children suffer as a result of the choices parents and others make. The destruction of the family unit has been going on for a long time and there is no easy answer. But Ken, and educators like him, demonstrate a method that works and helps these kids get on the right track. It takes a lot of work and that builds character for those who complete the plan Ken lays out.
I award 5 stars for “Coach the Soul”!

​You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/products/coach-the-soul-by-ken-lavigne
https://www.amazon.com/Coach-Soul-Ken-LaVigne
https://www.goodreads.com/-coach-the-soul
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/coachthesoul
http://www.coachthesoul.net
https://www.facebook.com/coachthesoul
Tags: teaching, counseling, at-risk, memoir, biography
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz