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​book reviews

Lost: A Blood Inheritance Novel By M. Ainihi

1/31/2020

1 Comment

 

(The Blood Inheritance Quartet Book 2) ​

Multi-volume, fantasy author, M. Ainihi introduces us to her latest book in the Blood Inheritance series:
In this sequel to Rise, Amanda searches for the link between herself and the visions that afflict her. Unsure if the people she observes are the cause or the cure of all her troubles, she focuses on the two she feels the deepest connection with the shy healer Emily and the brave Kiami, who can control humans with her song. For years, Emily has endured her parents’ harsh treatment without her curse showing itself, but when her best friend has an accident, she cannot ignore the compulsion to save her. She’s afraid to return home, and the wisps, glowing beings of light, seem to be her only allies as trouble and magic follow her everywhere she goes. Before Amanda knew about the seven realms, she longed to know her mother. Now her inherited gift is the very thing she fears most, and even as she fights to keep her shadow magic at bay, she can feel it growing inside her. Plagued by nightmares and haunted by a new vision of Emily, a cryptic accusation may just send her tumbling over the edge. Kiami’s magical abilities have always been nurtured by her guardians, but when she suddenly finds herself abandoned, she becomes desperate to find anyone that’s immune to her song. So when Amanda and her jinn companion seek her out for help, she agrees. As their paths intertwine, the world around them becomes increasingly dangerous. There is a dark power determined to prevent them from understanding the truth, and as the teens get closer to unraveling the mystery, it becomes clear that they will have to work together if they want to survive long enough to figure it out.
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This story is getting more and more interesting as a continuation of “Rise”. The stakes are rising, and the risk is for Amanda is growing. The tale is getting quite good. We learn more about many of the characters and they endure trials of various kinds. If anything, the scene-setting is lusher than the first book. The action and dialogues are improved also. I particularly enjoyed the variety of realms the author has created. Such a good story, easy to get lost in.
I award a score of 4.6 stars.
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                        The author has chosen this avatar to represent her.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Blood-Inheritance-Novel 
https://www.goodreads.com/-lost-by-m-ainihi 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/lost-m-ainihi 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi 
https://mainihi.wordpress.com 
 
I have reviewed the other books by this author and interviewed her in each one, here are the links:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/rise-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi 
 www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/endow-a-blood-inheritance-novel-the-blood-inheritance-quartet-book-3-by-m-ainihi 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-warning-signs-by-m-ainihi 

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

Brain Storm An Electrifying Journey  By Kate Recore

1/25/2020

1 Comment

 
Debut author, Kate Recore, introduces us to her shocking memoir, “Brain Storm”, about being misdiagnosed as an adult-onset epileptic:
“The most difficult thing about being misdiagnosed with a mental illness is the more you fight it, the crazier you seem.”

At the age of twenty-three, Kate Recore began to suffer from a common brain disease. Although signs pointed directly at epilepsy, her neurologists misdiagnosed her with mental illness. For almost a year, Kate struggled against her worsening mind-altering seizures without any medical help. She lost her memory of the past, and her dreams for the future.
After finally being tested and properly diagnosed, her journey through epilepsy began. Many years of failed drug therapies stretched before her. She battled against doctors who refused to consider the importance of their patient's quality of life, never changing course to help her manage her disease.
Finally finding a true caregiver, Kate became well again. With a new drug and a new place to call home, she learned to let go of who she was, and love who she is.
Misdiagnosis affects over twelve million people in the United State every year, and is considered the country's third-leading cause of death. While told against the backdrop of one patient's life, Brain Storm: An Electrifying Journey resonates with anyone fighting the overpriced, inadequate American healthcare system. By fearlessly adding her voice to the demand for better care, Kate Recore hopes to blaze a trail for all patients calling for help, and needing to be heard.

“It seems inappropriate to call an autobiographical account of epilepsy and medical malfunction a page turner but, in fact, that is what BRAIN STORM is—a story that keeps you turning the pages. Kate Recore educates us on the reality of health insurance, doctoring, diagnosis, functional brain damage, epilepsy, and familial influence without losing the thread of her plot, a plot created from lived experience. You will read because it is interesting. You will learn because it is unavoidable. You will be inspired because you will be awakened. Don’t miss this one.”
~Dr. Lynette Louise (The Brain Broad – www.lynettelouise.com) award-winning neurotherapist, humanitarian, director, speaker, writer, brain-change expert, author of MIRACLES ARE MADE: A Real-Life Guide to Autism
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​I thank Kate for her bravery to reveal so much of what she went through and for sharing how to live a life without most of her memories from the past.
I can’t argue with Lynette, this story kept me on the edge of my seat, just like a medical thriller! The scariest part is it’s true! Kate was on the verge of losing control of her life for so long.
The fact that she was able to leverage a couple of lucky breaks provides welcome relief from the suspense of her memoir. Besides being betrayed by her brain and her body, some of the medical “professionals” were of little help, not listening to the patient. One more indictment of our healthcare system, seeking to maximize profits and minimize expenses can leave the patient hanging out in the cold.
The people who were closest to her were great assets in her life. Each had an important role to play.
One of the smoothest reading books I have read in a long time, I award five stars to “Brain Storm”!
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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/products/brain-storm-an-electrifying-journey-by-kate-recore 
https://smile.amazon.com/brain-storm-kate-recore 
https://www.goodreads.com/-brain-storm-kate-recore 

You can follow the author:
http://www.recoreink.com/recoreink 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-recore 
https://www.facebook.com/kate.recore 
https://twitter.com/recoreink 
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
1 Comment

In the Image of Man

1/18/2020

72 Comments

 

A small god, a handful of followers and the end of the world
​(The godling series Book 1)  by Mark Long

​Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Mark Long introduces us to the first in a series, “In the Image of Man”:
Would you know if a small god paid you a visit?

Would you trust in the least of miracles or believe in the messages that appear out of the blue on your computer screen? What would it take to make you believe?

As the story unfolds, there is an ancient godling adrift in the Universe and he is desperate for believers. This tiny god, who comes to be known as Bob, is small, powerless and unseen. Drifting through the ages he is brought to consciousness following a tragedy but, he must gain followers, as without true believers, there is no capacity for miracles. Worse, without them, he will cease to exist.

So, Bob goes to work, invisible and inexperienced, silently watching and hoping for people to love him. He learns all about vending machines and then computers and quickly grasps the human concept of spending money. As the days pass into mundane routine, his energy increases as his unknowing colleagues mutter… “Oh God.”

But modern life takes its toll, even on a higher deity.
Bob needs a sacrifice……not any old sacrifice, no blood or guts or murder and mayhem, just a chocolate bar given freely.

Ray Charles and Mary Callahan had no idea that their lives were going to be changed forever when a very weak but desperate god introduces himself. Ray’s anger over his wrecked car tyre draws Bob like a beacon to him. Mary’s emotional turmoil teaches Bob all about love and betrayal. He watches over her but not even a god is safe from making serious mistakes.

Soon, a psychiatrist, the Police and even the Pope are brought into the confusion. But then, Bob finds that he needs a far bigger audience if he is going to save the world from impending doom. Can he do it?

The first in a new humorous fiction series and written in a tongue-in-cheek style by author Mark Long, this story is both thought-provoking and funny. It’s guaranteed to make you smile.
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This was such a delightful story to read. The originality of the premise caught my eye in the beginning. A small god that needed followers to have an existence.
The tone of the book was very enjoyable, it was mild and unassuming for the most part as the small god, Bob, struggled to help his two followers in a meaningful way.
I loved the plotting and characterizations; the dialogue was most interesting as Bob sought ways to make his presence known to his followers. I chuckled many times. The scene setting left little to be desired. There was a nice balance throughout the book.
The conclusion of the book was very satisfying and I look forward to the sequel.
I award 4.9 stars to “In the Image of Man”! 
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You can buy this book and you should:
https://smile.amazon.com/image-Man-handful-followers-godling-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-in-the-image-of-man 
https://www.kobo.com/in-the-image-of-man 

You can follow the author:
http://intheimageofman.com 
https://www.facebook.com/InTheImageOfMan 
https://www.marklongauthor.co.uk 
https://twitter.com/BluesScale 

​Tags: Religious humor, science fiction, satire, British humor, metaphysical, fantasy
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
72 Comments

Heir to a Prophecy  By Mercedes Rochelle Narrated by Kevin E. Green

1/11/2020

99 Comments

 
​Multi-genre multi-volume author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to her newest historical fiction story, “Heir to a Prophecy”:
Shakespeare's Witches tell Banquo, "Thou Shalt 'Get Kings Though Thou Be None". Though Banquo is murdered, his son Fleance gets away. What happened to Fleance? What Kings?

The road to kingship had a most inauspicious beginning, and we follow Fleance into exile and death, passing the Witches' prophecy to his son Walter. Born on the wrong side of the blanket and raised in disgrace, Walter was caught inside of a destiny he barely understood. In an effort to untangle Banquo's murder and honor his lineage, Walter moved through events that shaped the course of England and Scotland. His relationships with the great men of his time drove his destiny: Harold Godwineson, Alain of Brittany and finally Malcolm III. After a long and treacherous journey through Wales, England, and France, Walter fulfilled the witches’ prophecy as the first Steward of Scotland and ancestor of James I—for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
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This is an amazing story! I enjoyed the world building and the characters really come to life. An audiobook is a great way to enjoy a marvelous tale.
I have read other books by this author and have derived many hours of pleasure from the experience. Listening to the audiobook was so different, I am really glad I used my ears for the story, instead of my eyes. The narrator made a big difference, he performed multiple voices flawlessly.
The author’s research is phenomenal, it brings a wonderful foundation to the story. I felt like I was walking with the main character throughout. The heartbreak, joy and anger were easily felt and helped make the story so good! Everything felt so authentic and organic.
I award “Heir to a Prophecy” five stars! Such a fabulous experience in the audiobook and a wonderful story overall!
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You can buy this book:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Heir-to-a-Prophecy-Audiobook 
https://smile.amazon.com/Heir-Prophecy-Mercedes-Rochelle-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-heir-to-a-prophecy 
 
You can follow the author:
http://www.twitter.com/AuthorRochelle 
http://www.mercedesrochelle.com 
http://www.mercedesrochelle.net 
http://www.historicalbritainblog.com 
 
I have reviewed two other books by the 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/the-kings-retribution 

https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-usurper-king 

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-sons-of-godwine 


https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/fatal-rivalry-by-mercedes-rochelle 

https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-accursed-king 

Tags: Medieval, Britain, Scotland, Wales, historical, history, king, queen,          royalty, fiction
​Copyright © 2020 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction 
99 Comments

Camper Catastrophe By Mary Lu Scholl

1/4/2020

75 Comments

 
​Multi-genre, multi-volume author, Mary Scholl introduces us to her latest cozy murder book, “Camper Catastrophe”:
Nothing is easy, nothing works out the way you expect. These are lessons learned by Patty Decker when she finds herself living in a travel trailer in a park in Florida. With a bit of a chip on her shoulder she winds up solving the mystery of her neighbor's murder. She liked him a lot better after he was dead...
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I love to read and this story reinforced my love of reading quite a bit. Patty Decker is a wonderful, crotchety, old woman who has recently undergone more than one upheaval in her life.
I love the realistic attitude that Patty has, the first person POV writing is wonderful and brings me completely into the story. The author has a delightful knack for describing an elderly woman’s train of thought. The scene setting is perfect for me, the trailer park feels right at home and I have never lived in one.
The characters in the story were very vivid, even the recently deceased Albert, as a new ghost. I loved how forthright the deputy was, he brought a welcome balance into the situation. Even the cats and dogs had their parts to play in the story.
I award 4.9 stars to “Camper Catastrophe”! 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/camper-catastrophe-mary-scholl 
https://www.goodreads.com/-camper-catastrophe 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camper-Catastrophe-Trailer-Travails-Book 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/MaryLScholl1 
https://maryluscholl.blogspot.com 
www.facebook.com/maryluschollauthor/ 

I have also reviewed the second book in the series:               
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mobile-mayhem 
My review of the third book in the series is here:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/birds-bees-and-rvs-by-mary-lu-scholl
My review of the fourth book is here: 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/trailer-trauma-trailer-park-travails-book-4 
My review of the second volume in the Nature Coast Calamities, “Big Foot and The Bentley”: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/big-foot-and-the-bentley ​
Tags: cozy, murder, mystery, Florida, pets, dog, cat, neighbors, fiction, action 
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
75 Comments

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