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book reviews |
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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
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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 Multi-volume, multi-series, fiction and non-fiction author, Mercedes Rochelle, introduces us to the second volume in the series about Plantagenet kings, “The King’s Retribution”: If you read A KING UNDER SIEGE, you might remember that we left off just as Richard declared his majority at age 22. He was able to rise above the humiliation inflicted on him during the Merciless Parliament, but the fear that it could happen again haunted him the rest of his life. Ten years was a long time to wait before taking revenge on your enemies, but King Richard II was a patient man. Hiding his antagonism toward the Lords Appellant, once he felt strong enough to wreak his revenge he was swift and merciless. Alas for Richard, he went too far, and in his eagerness to protect his crown Richard underestimated the very man who would take it from him: Henry Bolingbroke.  Quite an amazing story! Happily, the wait for the sequel to “A King Under Siege” is over. I really enjoyed this story. The author has a knack for research and taking in the arid, dusty facts from hundreds of years ago and bringing those dry bones back to life! The historical figures really do come alive under the author’s pen. The scene setting is wonderful, Mercedes includes lots of bits of information from the time period, food, furnishings and clothing that contribute so much to the story. The political intrigue and backroom dealings make this such a fascinating story. People have not changed hardly at all. Then, as now, everyone is looking out for themselves, even while professing love and faithfulness. It really is lonely at the top. Mercedes used a little bit of the vernacular of the time and it gave a nice texture. I like interesting and unusual words. I award a score of 4.9 stars to “The King’s Retribution”! The score would have been higher except for a few spelling errors. The author assures me the errors have been fixed.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/The-Kings-Retribution-Book-2-Plantagenet-Legacy https://www.goodreads.com/-the-king's-retribution https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-King's-Retribution 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/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 https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/godwine-kingmaker-part-one-of-the-last-great-saxon-earls-by-mercedes-rochelle 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. (My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series Book 5)Multi-volume, award-winning author, Veronica Cline Barton introduces us to her newest volume in the series, “Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor”: American Marchioness and mummy-to-be Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams is up to her maternity toes with the soon to be completed renovations at Cherrywood Hall and the planning for the Prince of Kingwood Ball, a royal, society event. The startling find of a skeleton in the construction zone brings renovations to a grinding halt. History is about to get a big royal wake-up call with this ghoulish find, as scandals from the past are revealed. Gemma’s college friend, interior designer extraordinaire, Rikkhe St. Claire has an eye for clues and a nose for trouble, helping Gemma uncover deadly details from years gone by. A new nanny’s in the halls of Cherrywood—will Figgy McEwen’s psychic conversations with the ghost whisperers from the past lead Scotland Yard to discover fiends most foul? Chaos on the film set of the Castlewood Manor movie lead to more than one deadly demise—are they accidents? Or pre-meditated? Royal diaries, international intrigue, a film’s future, and meddling friends and family bring these scandalous happenings to a head. Gemma, hunky-dunky, hubby Kyle, and new doggie of the manor, Teddy are definitely in for double trouble in this almost-royal who dun nit like no other.  I love this book and the entire series! I feel right at home with all the characters. Veronica has such a wonderful, deft touch with dialogue and action in her books. She keeps the pace flowing so smoothly. Her description of the foods makes my mouth water at times. The dialogue is so witty at times, I chuckle or laugh on almost every page. With an account of the apparel of the characters is sterling and helps me to see the characters in my mind. My favorite new character is a certain Scottish nanny, Figgy; she nearly charmed the socks off me. Sorry, Pippa. No hard feelings, I hope. With nothing but praise for this book, I award an easy five stars to “Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor”! Thank you so much for the hours of reading pleasure!  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Double-Trouble-Showtime-Castlewood-Almost-Royal https://www.goodreads.com/-double-trouble https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/double-trouble-showtime-at-castlewood-manor https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-trouble-veronica-cline-barton/1137291338 https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1522093241 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.youtube.com/channel/#Bookem Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy, castle, dog, cuisine, culinary, pregnancy, twins Here is the interview with the author and the review of the first book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton Here is the interview with the author and the review of the second book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cast-crew-and-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-my-american-almost-royal-cousin-series-by-veronica-cline-barton Here is the interview with the author and the review of the third book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/deadly-receptions-the-debut-of-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton Here is the review of the fourth book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mistletoe-and-mayhem-yuletide-at-castlewood-manor Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction A Single Mom's Thoughts On Raising Children |
Who am I?An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. Archives
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