Book Reviews

A Pinot Noir to Die For (A Black Swann Investigation Book 2) By Wayne Kerr

5/18/2019

Multi-volume author, Wayne Kerr, introduces us to his latest mystery involving Reggie Swann, "A Pinot Noir to Die For":
Wine… Rock ‘n Roll… Murder! The morning after a huge party at his opulent Okanagan winery, legendary Rock ‘n Roll icon Milo Getz is found face down in a large tank of Zipper Ripper Red, one of his extremely popular wines. The police rule his death as accidental, but the grieving widow doesn’t agree. She believes her husband was murdered and hires Reggie Swann to investigate. Who would want to harm the successful celebrity? Reggie quickly discovers that the controversial rock star has almost as many enemies as fans. From his offensive song lyrics to the raunchy wine labels that outraged the traditional winemakers in the region, the dead singer managed to stir up contention where ever he went. Lust, hate, greed and jealousy are just some of the motives Reggie uncovers as she delves deep into the latest: Black Swann Investigation

This story and Wayne’s writing is so good! I was sorry to read the last page.
I wanted more! More of Reggie and her survival instincts, more of her growing crew that surround her with love and respect.
I wanted more of the plotting that Wayne is so good at. The scene-setting is easy to visualize, the action is clear and the dialogue is quite humorous at times. Reggie and the supporting cast come across as quite real.
This is such an enjoyable read, I award 4.9 stars to “A Pinot Noir to Die For”, the score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors I found. Those errors are corrected, your reading will be all the smoother.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Pinot-Noir-Black-Swann-Investigation
https://www.goodreads.com/-a-pinot-noir-to-die-for
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinot-Noir-Black-Swann-Investigation
You can follow Wayne:
http://waynekerrnovels.allauthor.com/
https://twitter.com/waynekerrnovels
www.facebook.com/wayne.kerr.792740
http://www.waynekerrnovels.com/

You can write Wayne: waynekerrnovels@gmail.com

I have already reviewed the first book in this series:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/framed-black-swann-investigations-book-1-by-wayne-kerr

I have reviewed another exciting book by Wayne Kerr https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/-ric-a-dam-doo-the-snow-devils-by-wayne-a-d-kerr

Tags: private investigator, woman, sleuth, mystery, procedural, police

Copyright 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

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How to Survive in an Upside Down Economy By George Newman

5/18/2019

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Multi-volume author, George Newman, introduces us to his fabulous book, “How to Survive in an Upside Down Economy”:
Every month, 1.7 million Americans lose their jobs. Although many of those jobs are replaced with new ones, most are lower-paying, often falling below the poverty line.
If you’re over 40 and finding yourself out of a job, you might very well be among the vanishing middle class and likely worrying how you’re going to keep your house and your health insurance plus make payments on your SUV.
The answer, says George Newman, author of How to Survive in an Upside Down Economy, is to hire yourself — start your own business and be your own boss. Being out of a job doesn’t mean being out of work.
You don’t need a lot of money to do this, according to Newman. In fact, almost none at all. Newman, an award-winning journalist turned small-business owner, details how to build a successful business on a shoestring.
Unemployed at the age of 50, he decided to take a chance on himself instead of searching for another job. Using no startup capital and operating with virtually no overhead, he began by providing services that are always in demand and found ways to offer them at low cost.
As he went along, Newman found that as he reduced his expenses and steadily increased his income, he discovered the critical factors needed for survival. He worked long hours, he bought only necessities and never carried a balance except for his home mortgage. His money-saving tips are included in the book.
The book also addresses the low self-esteem and sense of hopelessness and depression that often accompany being unemployed.
Choosing self-employment calls for a self-starter with above-average commitment, says Newman. It requires a major downsizing in lifestyle. It means learning how to exist and live on the cheap.
Stay focused and you can succeed, Newman says. And if you succeed, you will never again need to place your earning potential in the hands of anyone except yourself.

This book is so much more than what the title suggests! George lays out a system for anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur. While the book was written in the midst of economic upheaval, the lessons and advice apply in any economy. Websites may come and go; the advice is rock solid!
If you want to be your own boss, follow this plan, it will be hard work, there is no magic wand that George waves. Dig in and have fun.
I give “How to Survive in an Upside Down Economy” a score of 5 stars!

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Upside-Down-Economy-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30812016-how-to-survive-in-an-upside-down-economy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Upside-Down-Economy-ebook

Copyright 2019 Mark L Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

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How to Evolve During the Trump Experience Whether Humanity Joins You or Not By Scott Kalechstein Grace

5/10/2019

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Multi-volume author, Scott Grace, introduces us to his book “How to Evolve During the Trump Experience Whether Humanity Joins You or Not”:
There is a poem on the back cover that sums up what this book is about:

Donald Trump’s not a problem to be solved.
He’s an in-your-face wake-up call, a calling to evolve.
As this book assists you to do some inner work,
Trump may still be acting like an insensitive jerk;
But he won’t continue to jerk your chain
‘Cause you'll have discovered how to remain
In your peaceful, powerful, and playful center
Where love, joy, and immigrants can enter.

This book is for anyone who has been having trouble with Trump. It is for anyone feeling that your heart is aching and maybe even breaking over what’s going on in the USA, and beyond. It is for anyone who cares not just about making America great again, but about the entire world, the air, the water, and all the children on the planet that are inheriting a future here on earth.
There is wisdom here that with soothe and comfort you, and even parts that will lighten you up, bringing some humor where it is much needed.
Sometimes it will help you shed some tears that may have been waiting for permission to release. That’s a good thing, don’t you think?
It also helps dry your tears. And put a smile on your face in the very next chapter.
It contains twelve new steps of recovering your power during the Trump Experience (not at all just for twelve-steppers).
It is twelve steps to take you up the ladder of emotional well-being, not just for surviving, but thriving—that’s right, thriving through this Trump experience, using it to grow and using it to flourish.
But, a gentle warning: This book does ask of you that you do some inner work. Those twelve steps are practical practices that you are asked not just to read and enjoy, but to, well, put into practice. The book holds your hand and guides you gently through that work. It helps you reframe what’s going on out there in the world so that what’s going on in your heart and mind isn’t pain and powerlessness, but it is actual hope and optimism, trust and faith, right in the midst of the chaos.
This book will give you a faith-lift.
It is scrumptious and healthy mental food that will help you more consciously choose your mood so your daily internal attitude is not shaped by a world so crude and rude.

Scott has some good ideas for dealing with stress in your life. There are many kinds of stress: political, economic, educational, familial, relationship and many others. We all have stress in our lives.
Scott is a talented man, using music, humor and wisdom from different sources to help people regain their center and perspective. We each have to find that place from which to live our lives without being overly impacted by the circumstances we are in. Scott helps to show a path to regain your focus to live your life out loud and alive.
I give “How to Evolve During the Trump Experience Whether Humanity Joins You or Not” a score of 4.7 stars, the score would have been higher except for a couple of spelling errors. Those errors have been corrected, so your reading will be all the better.

You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/products/how-to-evolve-during-the-trump-experience-whether-humanity-joins-you-or-not-by-scott-grace
https://www.amazon.com/Evolve-During-Experience-Whether-Humanity-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-how-to-evolve-during-the-trump-experience-whether-humanity-joins-you-or-not
You can follow the author:
https://www.scottsongs.com
https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Kalechstein-Grace
https://www.facebook.com/scottkgrace

Copyright Mark Schultz 2019 except for the author’s introduction

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A King Under Siege: Book One of The Plantagenet Legacy By Mercedes Rochelle

5/4/2019

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Multi-volume author, Mercedes Rochelle, introduces us to the first volume of her series, The Plantagenet Legacy, A King Under Siege:
Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.

What a great talent author Mercedes Rochelle has! She has taken some dusty, dry old bits of history and crafted a wonderful and exciting story! I was on the edge of my seat. Such a pleasure to read.
King reads just like a modern-day, political thriller. Plots and scheming abound in the castle and in many other centers of power. Intrusions by foreign governments and secret military actions occur regularly.
Exquisite scene-setting, intricate plotting, wonderful dialogue and realistic characters at so many levels. The extensive research Mercedes has done makes this story come alive!
I give A King Under Siege a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for a small handful of spelling errors I found. The errors have been corrected, so your reading pleasure will all the better.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/King-Under-Siege-Plantagenet-Legacy-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-a-king-under-siege
https://www.amazon.co.uk/King-Under-Siege-Plantagenet-Legacy-ebook

You can follow the author:
http://www.twitter.com/AuthorRochelle
http://www.mercedesrochelle.com
http://www.mercedesrochelle.net
http://www.historicalbritainblog.com

Tags: history, biography, fiction, medieval, European, Ireland, Scotland, England, historical biographical, fictional
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

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La Petite Josette En Provence By Ashley Davidson-Fisher

4/28/2019

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Debut children’s author, Ashley Davidson-Fisher introduces us to her children’s book, La Petite Josette En Provence:
La Petite Josette loves adventures and history and she is super excited for her trip to one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, France. What will she find? A castle, knights, perhaps a "treasure" to take home? There's so much to do before the trip, but with the help of her big sister, they'll be on their way in no time. Come join La Petite Josette, her sister Anne-Laure, and their parents while they have a picnic lunch of delicious, French food, go inside a medieval toy store, and explore the village. Are you ready? Vous êtes prêts?
·        Parents and grandparents of young children will find the sweetness and gentleness of the illustrations (beautifully hand-drawn and water colored by the author's daughter), and the simple story line, will help to introduce their little ones to the French language.
·        The short words and phrases in French will engage young readers, ages 6-11, and help to pique their interest in learning a new language or reinforce a language they already have some knowledge in.
·        Children will also be introduced to one of the most beautiful and historical places in France.
·        One does not have to know French in order to read it as the book is written mostly in English with French phrases throughout.
·        French speakers looking to improve their English skills would also enjoy the book.

This is a very cute book. I love the story and everything about it. The author’s daughter did the illustrations and I love them.
Mixing in a little bit of French with the English writing comes off quite well.
Teaching children a second language when they are young is a very good idea. Their brains are very malleable and it’s relatively easy for children at a young age to learn extra languages.
If that interests you as a parent, this is a good place to start. The story flows well, the scene-setting is nice. The family dynamic is pleasant. Dialogue is lovely.
You will find this this story fun and light hearted.
I award a score of 4.9 stars! It would have been higher except for a couple of spelling errors. These errors have been fixed so you will have a 5-star read.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Petite-Josette-Provence-Childrens-Bilingual-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-la-petite-josette-en-provence
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/la-petite-josette-en-provence-ashley-davidson-fisher

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/backyardprovenc
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleydavidsonfisher
https://lapetitejosette.com
http://readingwithyourkids.com/rwyk-presents-a-bilingual-childrens-book-la-petite-josette-en-provence
https://www.instagram.com/backyardprovence

Here is a podcast:
https://creativewritingmagic.com/podcast-ep-008

Tags: Family vacation, France, historical sites, picnic, toys

Copyright 2019 by Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

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The Earl And The Enchantress: The Enchantresses Book One By Paullett Golden

4/19/2019

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Multi-volume author, Paullette Golden introduces us to her first volume in the historical romance fiction series, The Enchantresses, The Earl And The Enchantress:
Not all scars can be healed with a kiss.

Sebastian Lancaster, Earl of Roddam, harbors a family secret so dark he has forsaken marriage to hide the past. When fate introduces him to Lizbeth, he believes he has met his perfect match—a woman with whom he can share passion without commitment.

Lizbeth Trethow risks everything to follow her heart until Sebastian’s past returns to haunt them. Desperate to hide the blood on his hands, he sabotages their happiness. Everything depends on Lizbeth unraveling the truth and turning this villain into a hero.

This is the love story of Lizbeth and Sebastian as they battle metaphoric ghosts born of murder and enlightenment to be together

What a wonderful story! I have read a number of historical fiction romance stories and this is the best one so far!
Paulette does such a masterful job of weaving so many historical details into her story, it makes me think she has a time machine in her basement. She must have lived in the milieu for some time, because her knowledge of the age is encyclopedic.
With so much attention to detail, without being burdensome, her scene setting is impeccable! I feel like I was at the table with all the nobility. Her dialogue is witty and authentic. It all rings so true and natural. I laughed out loud quite a few times. The action is quite good also, even the steamy parts.
I award The Earl And The Enchantress a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher, except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The errors have been corrected, so your reading will be smoother.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Earl-Enchantress-Novel-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-earl-and-the-enchantress
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-earl-and-the-enchantress-paullett-golden
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/PaullettGolden
https://www.paullettgolden.com
https://www.facebook.com/Paullettgolden
https://www.instagram.com/paullettgolden

Tags: Regency romance, England, nobility, landed gentry, royalty

Copyright 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

76 Comments

The Void Within: The Cluster Saga Book One By Carlos Tkacz

4/12/2019

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Independent author, Carlos Tkacz, introduces us to his debut sci-fi novel, The Void Within:
The 25th century. Humanity has discovered a new form of energy, the Source, derived from the very basis of life itself. Using this power to travel instantaneously through space, humans have spread through their corner of the galaxy and coalesced into two groups: the Coalition and the Inner Cluster. They are held in an uneasy economic and cultural relationship by their reliance on each other, the Coalition with the technology of the Source and the Inner Cluster with the materials to make it a usable form of energy. When rumors of conquest, political undergrounds, and alien contact threaten this balance of powers, it falls to three individuals to find the truth of the conspiracies swirling through their governments and to stave off a disastrous war. What they find in the process will change the course of humanity forever.

What an elegant meal, Carlos serves up in this story. This galaxy-spanning saga delivers a very satisfying six-course meal. There is military action, multiple planets of diverse kind, a touch of romance between enemies, and a hard look at the nature of mankind.
I have always promised no spoilers and this will be no exception; but it will be quite difficult to keep that promise. I don’t think I have ever picked inner dialogue as my favorite aspect of a book. This time, yes. I loved the action and the scene-setting was marvelous, not too much, just the right amount. I enjoyed the dialogue also, the characters stayed true to form.
The ending was fabulous! It caught me by surprise. It has been several decades since reading Asimov’s Foundation trilogy, I was reminded of that epic story while reading this tale.
I award The Void Within 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/-the-void-within
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-the-void-within
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Void-Within-Cluster-Saga-Book-ebook
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/IWriteSciFi
https://www.facebook.com/carlosrtkacz
https://www.instagram.com/boulderbushido
https://carloswritesscifi.blogspot.com

Tags: space opera, military science fiction, metaphysical science fiction, FTL, faster than light, transhumanism

Copyright 2019 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

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Visitor’s Blood: Book one By Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden

4/6/2019

35 Comments

Debut author, Sahreth Bowden introduces us to his first novel, Visitor’s Blood: When an alien craft lands on planet Earth, Maj. John and Dr. Connie Shinn are eager to learn about its all-too-human passengers. However, when the peaceful aliens are forced into further compliance, the Earthlings are thrown into an unimaginable battle against one of the passengers...a vampire. Unwittingly, the couple find themselves aboard the spaceship with its captain, Malook, and his vampiric companion, Sulru, as they head for Galdelier where they find the beautiful foreign world on the brink of civil war between the ruling humans and the malcontent vampires, strained under decades of subjugation. But amidst struggle, the lines between friend and foe can be easily turned askew. When you begin to question everything you once thought was noble or evil, where will you find your loyalties lie?

I really enjoyed this book! Sci-fi is my favorite genre and this hits my favorites in many ways! You have UFOs landing on earth, human-like occupants, a family, and – a vampire?! What are vampires doing in space? This book answers that question and many more you may not have thought of.
This book is written in first person POV, alternating with each chapter. I happen to enjoy the intimacy of that format a great deal. There is no head hopping, something I quite detest.
Sahreth’s world building is quite good, he delivers just enough for everything to make sense. I like how he incorporates so many different aspects right down to architecture and food. One thing that comes to mind for more interest, personally, is religion. What kind of religion would the vampires have, as well as the ruling class of humans?
I enjoyed the dialogue, inner and outer, throughout. The action was good also.
I give “Visitor’s Blood” a score of 4.3, it would have been a lot higher except for the large amount of spelling errors I found. However, your reading experience will be much smoother because the author has informed me the errors have been corrected.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/-visitors-blood
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Visitors-Blood-Book-One
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-visitor-s-blood

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Baphy1428
http://baphy1428.com
https://www.facebook.com/VisitorsBloodOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/Baphy1428
https://www.instagram.com/baphy1428

Tags: dystopian fiction, abduction, aliens, first contact, invasion, slavery, rebellion
Copyright 2019 Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

35 Comments

Rise A Blood Inheritance Novel By M. Ainihi

3/30/2019

43 Comments

Multi-volume author, M. Ainihi, introduces us to the fantasy story Rise:
When Amanda Garrett stumbles across a strange artifact in the woods, she has no idea of the dangerous secret it holds. The teen soon discovers that she has unwittingly released Erol, an imprisoned jinni, and whether she likes it or not, they are bound together until death.
Amanda's life soon begins to spiral out of control and she finds herself orphaned, kidnapped, and thrust into a terrifying reality. Her captor is convinced that Erol knows the whereabouts of a powerful relic which has been hidden from him and he wants the pair to retrieve it. Still reeling from her loss, and hoping to be spared further pain, Amanda agrees.
As the pair set off on their journey and Amanda learns more about the existence of the realms and the magical beings which reside within them, the clearer it becomes that nothing is quite as it seems.
After Amanda discovers the power of the relic that her captor seeks, the only thing she knows for certain is that her true suffering has only just begun, because no matter how great the sacrifice, she can never allow the relic to fall into her captor's hands.

Rise is a fast-paced introductory novel to an alternate world where mundane humans are oblivious to the existence of the realms that separate them from other magical races.

When she feels the darkness closing in around her, Amanda is not sure if she can hold onto a single speck of light, and soon she comes to understand that some secrets are better left buried.

This is an exciting story, I really enjoyed reading it! I knew very little about jinni or genies before reading this book. Of course, I have seen Disney’s Aladdin and I recall hearing about 1001 Arabian nights, but that is about the extent of my knowledge.
The plot kept me on my toes, it was hard to put down. The dialogue was quite good, most of the time. I liked the scene-setting. The action was above average.
I give Rise a score of 4.5, it would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.

The author has chosen this as an avatar.
You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Blood-Inheritance-M-Ainihi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-rise
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Blood-Inheritance-M-Ainihi
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi
https://mainihi.wordpress.com

Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror
Copyright Mark Schultz 2019 except for the author’s introduction

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Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows By Anna Casamento Arrigo

3/23/2019

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Multi-genre, multi-volume author and poet, Anna Casamento Arrigo introduces us to her memoir, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows:
“The only mode my thoughts run in, though, is rewind. Never fast-forward and certainly never stopped. Thus the truth is my thoughts and, the facts are my experience, subjective, and still mine.”

Following the plight of a young Italian girl, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows, is more than just a memoir; this book explores the relationship between the individual and truth, the effect of the past upon the present, and conflicting representations about love.
When Anna and her family leave their homeland due to her father’s nebulous business in the United States, she leaves behind crowns weaved from flowers, handmade dresses, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Italian countryside. Once across the Atlantic, Anna realizes that life in America is about possessions; possessing things as well as memories.
Blurring the line between an older past in the meadows and villages of Sicily, and a newer past in the concrete streets of New Jersey, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows explores how a young girl learns the ways of America without letting go of Italy.
Blending the imagery of poetry with masterful prose, Weeds Beneath the Open Meadows explores the difficulties of assimilation, the loss of loved ones, and the discovery of the self.

This is a pleasant, mesmerizing memoir. Anna’s poetic vein runs deep through her story. Then something violent or unspeakable happens to her or a loved one and you are shocked awake. Actually, you could miss some of those incidents if you are not reading carefully enough, Anna doesn’t glorify them in the least.
Growing up bi-lingual because of the public-school education, she is forced to interpret for her mother at the most difficult times of life a person can expect to experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s colorful and provides many glimpses of life in a small Italian town, through the eyes of a young girl, as well as learning to cope in America.
I award this book 4.4 stars! The score would have been higher, except for the large handful of spelling errors I found.