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​book reviews

You Can't Love Your Children Too Much              by Janet M. Nast

6/26/2020

27 Comments

 

A Single Mom's Thoughts On Raising Children
​(A Live, Love, Learn Series)

Multi-volume, multi-genre, non-fiction author, Janet M. Nast introduces us to her book about raising children, “You Can’t Love Your Children Too Much”:
With the humor and insight that can only come from the experience of raising two children on my own, I’m happy to share with you all of my simple, low-cost and unpopular opinions. Parenting is not about money nor is it a popularity contest; it’s about growing amazing, successful adults. Every child and every family is different, so take what works for you and ditch the rest. I won’t be offended, I promise.
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The title says it all--You Can’t Love Your Children Too Much. We raised our three kids and now are reaping the joys of grandkids.
Some might think that this is how kids are spoiled, it’s simply not true if a parent loves their children like the author describes. The children will grow up and become responsible adults.
While much of this advice is available in many different places, this is the only place where it’s shared with such humor and honesty. I love the pictures in the book, I bought the hardback. I was reminded of many of the pictures we took of our kids as they were growing up. Can I show you pictures of my gorgeous grandkids?
The illustrative stories are told with a candor and wit that I love. This is a book for parents and grandparents. After you have raised your own some of the early lessons fade away, so this book provides a nice refresher course and it’s so easy to read.
I give this wonderful book 4.7 stars. 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/You-Cant-Love-Your-Children-Too-Much
https://www.goodreads.com/-you-can-t-love-your-children-too-much
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/janetmnast 
https://janetmnast.com 
livelovelearnwithJanet.com 
http://www.instagram.com/janetmnast 
https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessofLife 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetmnastcarter 
https://www.youtube.com/janetmnast 
Tags: Children, raising kids, parenting, single parent, life tips
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz 
27 Comments

Reborn by Jenna Greene

6/20/2020

2 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author Jenna Greene introduces us to her dystopian thriller, “Reborn”:
Those who bear marks on their skin are doomed to a life of slavery. Lexil has seven. 
Sold into servitude, Lexil must deal with brutal punishments, back-breaking labor, and the loss of every freedom. When a young child she has befriended faces a horrible fate, Lexil must intervene to protect her, no matter what the risk. 
With the help of a boy named Finn, the trio flee into the Wastelands. There, they must evade those who hunt them while trying to survive a barren landscape. Lexil must face challenges she's never imagined existed, all while learning what it means to truly be reborn. 
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I enjoyed this tale; it is quite interesting and rings with a lot of truth. People fear those that are different. We all have our tribe of those that are similar to us, and we are very comfortable with them. Freckles. How do they make us so different from others without freckles? Of course, there is no difference, except a little bit of color on the skin.
The story moves along at a good pace, the action and the dialogue are handled quite well. I laughed in a number of places. The story flows pretty smoothly. The scenes including violence are few and not too graphic. The scene setting and descriptions are almost too sparse in a few places. There are a few slight touches of fantasy also. Overall, I like it a great deal.
The protagonist’s true nature is slowly revealed in a very delicious way. The next book is going to be very exciting. I wish I could read it now.
I award 4.7 stars to “Reborn”. 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Reborn-Jenna-Greene-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-reborn
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/jgreenewrites
http://www.jennagreene.ca/
http://www.facebook.com/jennabutrenchukgreene
Tags: fiction, dystopian fiction, young adult, YA, action thriller
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

2 Comments

The Life and Times of Clyde Kennard By Derek R. King

6/13/2020

49 Comments

 
Award winning, multi-volume, multi-genre author Derek R. King introduces us to his amazing book about a man, an era and a crusade, “The Life and Times of Clyde Kennard”:
In 1955, Clyde Kennard, a decorated army veteran, was forced to cut short the final year of his studies at the University of Chicago and return home to Mississippi due to family circumstances, where Kennard made the decision to complete his education. Yet still on the eve of the civil rights movement in America, Kennard’s decision would be one of the first serious attempts to integrate any public school at the college level in the state. The Life and Times of Clyde Kennard tells the true story of Kennard’s efforts to complete his further education at Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) against the backdrop of the institutionalized social order of the times and the prevailing winds of change attempting to blow that social order away. As Meredith’s admission to "Ole Miss" became more widely known at the time, Kennard became the forgotten man. Author Derek R. King shares his extensive research into Kennard’s life, and touches on key events that shaped those times.
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What an amazing book! Starting from the earliest days of slavery in the new world, Derek takes us through the significant events in American history that led to the Civil Rights Movement in the middle of the twentieth century.
It came down to the decision of Clyde Kennard to leave college and return to the family farm in Mississippi, so he could care for his mother and keep the farm going. His decision and that of others to want to finish their education in a good college, that they were barred from attending by state law and practice is the crux of the matter.
The events that have unfolded for Clyde and many others since that time, more than 50 years ago, have led to unprecedented changes in our society. We have outlawed racism in as many forms as possible and continue to seek expanded opportunities for all people. We haven’t reached the finish line yet, but knowing how far we have come as a society since Clyde’s life ended is a great encouragement. We can feel strengthened to continue the course and root out this pernicious evil wherever it may be found.
Derek uses a plethora of source material from both sides of the issue to weave a coherent and understandable story. All sides are well represented at all levels of government.
This is a book well worth reading. It is hard to put down at times and it is hard to read at times about the abuse that these Americans endured simply because of their skin color. Even though I found a small handful of spelling errors, I am going to award 5 stars to “The Life and Times of Clyde Kinnard”! Thank you, Mr. King, for giving 10 years of your life to bring this story to light.
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You can buy this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-life-and-times-of-clyde-kennard
https://www.lulu.com/derek-r-king/the-life-and-times-of-clyde-kennard
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Times-Clyde-Kennard
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-life-and-times-of-clyde-kennard
https://books.apple.com/the-life-and-times-of-clyde-kennard
https://play.google.comThe_Life_and_Times_of_Clyde_Kennard
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/DerekRKing2
https://www.clydekennardlifeandtimesof.com

Tags: civil rights, civil disobedience, movement, history, slavery, slaves, Africa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, Emmett Till,


​Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz Except the author's introduction 
49 Comments

Death at the Dakota: A Trudy Genova Manhattan Mystery Book 2  By M. K. Graff

6/6/2020

69 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, M. K. Graff, introduces us to the second volume of her cozy murder series, Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries, Book 2, Death at the Dakota:
Nurse Trudy Genova is making plans to take her relationship with NYPD detective Ned O'Malley to the next level when she lands a gig as medical consultant on a film shoot at the famed Dakota apartment building in Manhattan, which John Lennon once called home. Then star Monica Kiley goes missing, a cast member turns up dead, and it appears Trudy might be next. Meanwhile Ned tackles a mysterious murder case in which the victim is burned beyond recognition. When his investigations lead him back to the Dakota, Trudy finds herself wondering: how can she fall in love if she can't even survive?
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Cozy murder mysteries are climbing up my list of favorite genres, definitely in the top ten, maybe one of the top five. This book is one of the reasons for that change.
“Death at the Dakota” is such a fun book to read, using first person point of view for the protagonist, Trudy Genova, nurse and third person POV for her detective boyfriend, the story is revealed clue by clue.
The author has a nice touch with word choice, her descriptions are just right, not too long and not too short. Scene setting is very good also, she has a good eye for architectural details and the makeup of a room. Action is delightful also, benefiting from an economy of words, the story moves along at a good pace.
All of that contributes so much to excellent reading. But the thing that really makes this story shine for me is the dialogue. I laughed and giggled so much, the conversations were appropriate and contributed a great deal to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I award a score of 4.8 stars to “Death at the Dakota”! 
Here is a nice touch. If you buy the book from Bridle Path Press you can request an autographed copy of the book. The link is below. 

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You can buy this book:
http://www.bridlepathpress.com/Store/Books/Death-at-the-Dakota 
https://smile.amazon.com/Death-Dakota-Manhattan-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-death-at-the-dakota 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/GraffMarni 
http://www.auntiemwrites.com 
http://facebook.com/bluevirginmysteries 

Tags: amateur sleuth, police procedural, women sleuths, cat, action, mystery, murder

I have reviewed another book from a different series written by Marni Graff "The Golden Hour", here is the link: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-golden-hour-by-marni-graff 
I have reviewed "The Evening's Amethyst" also: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-evenings-amethyst ​

Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction


69 Comments

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