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  • Start Here
  • Word Refining
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  • Books I Have Refined
  • Promote Your Book
  • Acclaim from Authors
  • Book Reviews
  • Previous Book Reviews
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​book reviews

The Douglas Bastard by J. R. Tomlin

6/4/2022

75 Comments

 

A sequel to The Black Douglas Trilogy

Multi-volume, multi-genre author introduces us to her latest work of historical fiction, “The Douglas Bastard” is the sequel to the Black Douglas trilogy:
King Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas are dead — and Scots once more must fight for their freedom.

Young Archibald, the Black Douglas's bastard son, returns from exile to a Scotland ravaged by war. With treachery and danger on every side, he must learn to sleep with a claymore in his hand and one eye open because even his closest friend may betray him...

Content warning: violence against a child 

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This is a marvelous book! I love historical fiction it’s my third favorite genre. Books centered on the United Kingdom are particularly attractive to me because much of my heritage comes from there.
The author has taken a minor figure and walked with him through the major events he would have faced and been involved in. She did a great job!
I love how she wove so many minor details of daily life into the story. I felt I was right there with Archibald. His struggles with being the bastard son of a noble included repeated bullying by his peers. He held his own with even odds.
The fights, jousts and war scenes were brutal like daily life for most people. The dialogue came across quite real.
This is a great read and I award 4.9 stars.

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Bastard-Sequel-Black-Trilogy-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-douglas-bastard 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-douglas-bastard 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/TomlinJeanne 
http://www.jrtomlin.com 
http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com 

I have reviewed another book by the author: 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-wayward-alliance 

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
75 Comments

At the Edge of the Jordan: What Waits for Us After This Life and Why It Matters                        by Leah Chrest

5/28/2022

52 Comments

 
Debut author, Leah Chrest introduces us to her fiction story about the afterlife:
What waits for us when we die? How can the truth of heaven revolutionize our faith?

In this unique work, Leah Chrest, a lifelong Christian, draws from both hundreds of near-death experiences and the Bible to create a captivating tale of faith and personal transformation. Based on the NDEs of Nancy Rynes, Rev. Howard Storm, Dr. Eben Alexander, Mary C. Neal, George Ritchie, and dozens more, Aislinn's story will answer your heart's deepest questions and inspire you to live a more peaceful, inspired, faith-filled life.

Journey with Aislinn, a young woman who is no stranger to grief, having lost her sister and grandparents in the span of just a few years. On her honeymoon, Aislinn drowns in a freak surfing accident. Her soul leaves her body and enters heaven, where she meets with Jesus and has the innermost questions of her soul answered:
  • What is the purpose of our life on Earth?
  • Why do good people suffer?
  • Do we have guardian angels? How can we feel their presence?
  • Is hell real?
  • What happens to our loved ones when we are separated by death?
  • What is life like in heaven?
  • What is the future of the Earth?
  • How can we live in connection to the Holy Spirit, as Jesus did?

If you have always wondered about near-death experiences, this well-researched narrative account will warm your heart and inspire you to live with deeper purpose and meaning.

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A fascinating story with tantalizing glimpses of what heaven and hell might be like. It’s an emotional rollercoaster at times with the death of loved ones and suffering being part of the story. Those darker moments are balanced with healings and connecting again with family members.
I found the footnotes to be interesting and they add a welcome depth to the story. I enjoyed them as an information junkie. However, you can enjoy the story quite well without reading any of the footnotes. The story easily stands on its own.
I give “At the Edge of the Jordan” 4.8 stars.

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/At-Edge-Jordan-Waits-Matters-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-at-the-edge-of-the-jordan
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/ChristianMedit2
http://thecontemplativechristian.com
https://www.instagram.com/christianmedit2/
https://www.youtube.com/c/christianmeditation
https://www.facebook.com/christianmedit2
 
Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 

52 Comments

The Tales of Mr. Mouse and Friends                       by Jacqueline Mead

5/21/2022

3 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Jacqueline Mead introduces us to her children’s book, “The Tales of Mr. Mouse and Friends”:
Join Mr. Mouse as he tends to his award-winning garden, makes friendships, meets Hilda his future wife, all the while drinking lots of tea and eating lots of cake. Mr. Mouse is a popular character whose door is always open, who is on hand to help anyone who needs assistance, who will rally around a worthwhile cause and who is highly thought of throughout the woodland community. Each chapter is a short story of its own and set in a season, there are twelve chapters following Mr. Mouse over three years. Read about the woodlands during a harsh winter when the woodlands are covered in six-foot snow drifts, during spring when the season is changing from winter, summer when Mr. Mouse’s award-winning gardens are at their best and autumn when the trees and plants are losing their leaves.
Mr. Mouse with a house on the River Louse will become a favourite bedtime story for your children.

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I enjoyed this book a lot. My two granddaughters did also. The casual rhyming was clever and the character names were pleasing.
I loved the illustrations also, they are soft, the pastels are easy on the eyes. Each chapter has a full-page illustration. They look nice even on my Kindle.
Each chapter is its own story. That makes for a pleasantly short read for bedtime, leaving time to answer questions a child might have.
The overarching theme of the book is that family and friends are important and worthy of attention. Another wonderful theme is caring for your surroundings and environment.
You are going to enjoy this peaceful visit to the river and woods where Mr. Mouse and his friends live.
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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mr-Mouse-Friends-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-tales-of-mr-mouse-and-friends
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tales-of-mr-mouse-and-friends-jacqueline-mead
 
You can follow the author:
@Jackiem158 
http://www.jacquelinemead.com 


Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
3 Comments

Even Blue Birds Sing

5/14/2022

41 Comments

 

A Battered Mother’s Message to Her Son
by Karen Buyno, as told by Lisa Kobayashi 

Debut Amazon author, Karen Buyno introduces us to “Even Blue Birds Sing”:
Moved by newspaper reports of a family’s tragic plight, a prominent couple donated $50,000 to a Maine Family Crisis Services center. Even Blue Birds Sing recounts the true events behind those media reports, details that were not reported until the publication of this book, events that will cause you to question everything you thought you knew about domestic violence, the protection of children, and justice in America.
Lisa is a mother and the wife of a man who wants to kill her. She escapes through the assistance of an underground railroad of sorts, but what she doesn’t count on is a twist the law takes in declaring her one of America’s Most Wanted. Now she must evade not only the man who wants her dead, but also a justice system intent on sending her to prison.
This is a tale of a mother who sacrifices everything to ensure her son’s happiness. She wants to tell him what happened, if only she could….

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I wish this story was fiction. It is so gut wrenching and painful. It is true. Not just for Lisa but for many others.
The author did an amazing job of writing this story. It is clear and unflinching in describing the events that Lisa had to live through even from her early years as a child.
I can’t recommend this book enough, everyone in law enforcement, the justice system and first responders should read this book.
I award 5 stars to “Even Blue Birds Sing”.

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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/even-blue-birds-sing-by-karen-buyno
https://www.amazon.com/Even-Blue-Birds-Sing-Battered-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-even-blue-birds-sing 

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 

41 Comments

Travelling Without Moving by Nathan Jones

4/30/2022

34 Comments

 
A POST-APOCALYPTIC, CLOCKPUNK, DYSTOPIAN MYSTERY SCI-FI HOT FEVER DREAM TYPE-THING
Debut author, Nathan Jones introduces us to his mind-bending story, “Travelling without Moving”:
In a clockwork future, a skeptical young man challenges the very concept of reality.
Spurred on by visions of "reality", Napalm Carton creates a multiplayer game called Tickets, with the intention of opening a door to the next level of existence.
Earth is in ruins, uninhabitable, and the remaining population lives in bio-domes. Napalm, born into the Kaputt bio-dome, believes life in the clockwork habitat is a lie. Post-apocalyptic existence makes no sense to him, and all he wants to do is escape. Travelling Without Moving puts the punk ethos back into the punk genre; non-conformity and a do-it-yourself ethic.
A spellbinding punk adventure through a colourful world of exhaustive inventiveness.
Fear and Loathing in Wonderland. The Discworld meets Dr Who meets Naked Lunch

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Travelling Without Moving is quite an experience! The characters are so artfully brought to life in this drug-fueled story. The clockwork setting is consistent throughout the story and seems very natural after several chapters. Life for different nations/people groups is very different under a huge dome.
Some of the dialogue is quite funny and kept the story moving along at a good pace.
Napalm is determined to escape the dome to find the truth. He keeps finding clues that lead him to think their life in the dome is a lie and he wants the truth.
I enjoyed this story a lot and give 4.6 stars to Travelling Without Moving!

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/TRAVELLING-WITHOUT-MOVING-POST-APOCALYPTIC-TYPE-THING-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-travelling-without-moving

​You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/NathanJonesBook
https://theroadtonathan.com
 
Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 

34 Comments

Faith: Stories From The All by Shane Scott

4/9/2022

39 Comments

 
Multi-volume science fiction author, Shane Scott introduces us to his second book, “Faith: Stories From The All”:
In the year 3221, humanity teeters on the edge of annihilation. Devastated by religious crusades, evil government agencies, and disease, the world is populated with illiterate, superstitious people.

In a tiny country, agent Heather Marks fights for survival. Assisted by a strange AI salvaged a decade before, she is prepared and waiting for the apocalypse.

Brain rot arrives, and Heather rescues eight-year-old Sarah. That changes everything. A child was never part of the plan.

Can Heather overcome her own sense of self-preservation and take on a role she never prepared for? Or will everything crumble to dust at her feet?

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I loved this book!
This is a great story set in a post-apocalyptic world. I really like the protagonist, Heather, who is a woman. She rescues a child who may or may not be carrying a deadly disease. Heather alters her plans to survive the destruction of her society to include the child.
Heather is so resourceful, and she gets a lot of help from an extremely advanced AI.
There is cute dialogue and excellent action, enough to provide a great balance with the narration.
You are going to love this book! 

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Stories-All-Shane-Scott-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-faith-stories-from-the-ALL 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faith-Stories-All-Shane-Scott-ebook 

I also reviewed Shane’s first book, here is the review: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-all-god-of-nothing 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/TheALLwriter 
https://www.facebook.com/TheALLwriter 

Copyright ©Mark L. Schultz 2022 except for the author’s introduction
39 Comments

Demons Hidden Within: Lifelong Impact of Child Sexual Abuse by Susan Montgomery

4/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Debut Amazon author, Susan Montgomery introduces us to her book, “Demons Hidden Within”:
This is Susan Montgomery’s true story of trauma, sexual abuse, abduction, an affair, and suicide. It is also a love story.
At age eleven, she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father. With virtually no resources available, she buried the memory, which seemed moderately successful in that she finished college, has been married to her childhood sweetheart for over 60 years, and had three wonderful children.
But as a young adult, her behavior began exhibiting self-destructive tendencies, the first being a life-threatening loss of weight down to 89 pounds. If queried, she would have been unable to explain this or her other aberrant behaviors.
Devastated by the suicide of her 16-year-old son, she sought psychotherapy, where she began to better understand the underpinnings of her bizarre behavior.
This quest became the basis of "Demons Hidden Within." A memoir written as an academic analysis of her life, Susan Montgomery cites 85 references from psychological literature to clearly link her strange behavior to the underlying but unrecognized effects of the sexual abuse.
In Susan’s true story, she bravely tells all and holds nothing back, including running away with her three children, a scary sudden abduction off the streets of Chicago, a non-romantic sexual affair with a friend, delivering two of her children at home — all of this in addition to her bout with anorexia and quest to heal from the sexual abuse and her son’s suicide.

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This story is not extremely graphic or descriptive in detail and I am thankful for that. It is horrendous enough to know that it is true and the effects are devastating enough. The author’s life was almost destroyed at several junctures due to her careless actions. It seems an internal switch can be flipped and common sense leaves the area. How else can one explain the nonsensical and self-destructive actions the author engaged in? She certainly was unable to offer any reasonable reasons. That is one of the big clues to DID, Dissociative Identity Disorder, the author points out herself. DID is seldom expressed the same way by any two individuals. It is frequently accompanied by unexplainable behavior and sometimes the person blacks out for periods of time.
As unsettling as it is, this memoir gets 5 stars from me for honesty and candor. 

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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/demons-hidden-within-lifelong-impact-of-child-sexual-abuse 
https://www.amazon.com/Demons-Hidden-Within 
https://www.goodreads.com/-demons-hidden-within 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demons-hidden-within-susan-montgomery 

Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author's introduction 

0 Comments

Elisabet’s Will by Sandra Sperling

3/25/2022

73 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Sandra Sperling introduces us to her latest book, “Elisabet’s Will”:
The few relatives who are still friendly to Lisbet spend the summer at her northern Minnesota home. Determined to discover the reason why the rest of the family has shunned her since she was a child, she confronts Evelyn, her estranged uncle's wife. This action exposes her and her loved ones to danger and thrusts Greta, her beloved 5-year-old granddaughter, into deadly peril. 

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Oh, Mylanta! This is an amazing story about several generations of one family in Minnesota.
The story had a slow start for me. But I am so glad I kept reading. The author weaves a startling and clear tapestry about the depths of depravity some people in a family can sink to while other members of the same family remain normal. There are a lot of people in this family, many of them play an important part and all wonder what happened to the will of the matriarch, Elisabet.
This story has a delightful texture! The author has woven so many details about their daily lives and activities into the story that I feel like I know them all very closely. The intimacy is extraordinary and brilliantly portrayed.
I love this story about family life and you will too. "Elisabet's Will" gets five stars from me! 

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Elisabets-Will-Sandra-Sperling-ebook 
It is also in Kindle Unlimited at this time, so it is not available on any other platform as of this date March 25, 2022.

I have reviewed another book by the author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-stash 

You can follow the author:
@sandysperling3 
https://www.facebook.com/sisuforever 
http://sandrasperling.com 


 Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
73 Comments

Trailer Trauma: Trailer Park Travails Book 4 by Mary Lu Scholl

3/12/2022

51 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Mary Lu Scholl introduces us to the fourth book in her Trailer Park Travails series, “Trailer Trauma”: Life in an over 55 Trailer Park in Florida can be murder. Patty Decker, a socially awkward widow moved in, and her neighbors keep leaving, the hard way. A misunderstood hussy dies and practically everyone has a motive... Patty has solved all the unexpected deaths in her park so far; but there WERE no unexpected deaths before she moved in! She closes in on her suspect, who has no choice but to "remove" Patty from the investigation. Will she live to sleuth again?
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I enjoy the author's writing style. This book, and the others in her series, are set in a 55+ trailer park in Florida. I am 55+ and now I live in Florida, but not in a trailer park hopefully anytime soon. I can relate to a lot of what Patty says or thinks, though my filter works a bit better than hers. Her conniving and hijinks make me laugh a lot. Sometimes I want to say what is on my mind just like Patty. Written as a cozy murder, all of Mary's books are fun to read!
​I award 4.7 stars!
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You can buy this book: 
https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Trauma-Mary-Scholl-ebookhttps://www.goodreads.com/-trailer-traumahttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Trailer-Trauma-Mary-Scholl-ebook 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/MaryLScholl1 
https://maryluscholl.blogspot.com 
www.facebook.com/maryluschollauthor/ 

My review of the first 
book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Camper Catastrophe” can be found here:  https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/camper-catastrophe-by-mary-lu-scholl 
My review of the second book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Mobile Mayhem” can be found here:
Mobile Mayhem: Book Two of Trailer Park Travails by Mary Lu Scholl - Word Refiner 

My review of the third book of the Trailer Park Travails series, “Birds, Bees and RVs” can be found here:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/birds-bees-and-rvs-by-mary-lu-scholl

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 © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
51 Comments

Indomitable: The Story of Eliza Harris by J. D. Edwards

3/5/2022

80 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, J. D. Edwards introduces us to his latest book of historical fiction, “Indomitable”:
When Black voices are stifled, the reality is transformed into fiction, history is twisted into folklore, and heroes are turned into myths. Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom's Cabin, holding a brief account of Eliza Harris, in 1853. Now, 170 years later, learn the actual tale of Eliza's harrowing escape from slavery and her unwavering bravery to live a life of freedom. Eliza risked everything to cross the semi-frozen Ohio River in the dead of night and save her baby from a slave's life.
Indomitable is a work of historical fiction based on real events and Eliza's firsthand narrative. While one branch of the author's family owned Eliza, the other branch risked their lives to rescue her. We cannot undo the past, but we can recount the tales of those who fought for liberty and assure that their sacrifice was not in vain.
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Based on a true story? Yes. More loosely based on thousands of true stories? Yes. Worthy of being on the reading list of every person interested in American or Canadian history.
Slavery has been a blot on humanity for many thousands of years. Slavery has existed in one form or another in almost every society on earth and continues right up to this day.
This story might make you angry and shake your soul. If it does, good. This story might make you marvel at the determination of one person to create a new life for herself and her son. That I-will-do-whatever-it-takes attitude is no less astounding than it was so long ago.
I loved this book, its story and its writing. Both are utterly fabulous! Mr. Edwards is one heck of a writer!
Be prepared to be shocked, enlightened and entertained. I certainly was. 5 stars for “Indomitable”!

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Indomitable-Harris-J-D-Edwards-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-indomitable 
www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/indomitable-the-story-of-eliza-harris 

​I reviewed another book by the author: The Phantom Seer by J. D. Edwards - Word Refiner 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/FaerieRealms 
https://www.facebook.com/FaerieRealms 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/twyrch 
https://www.wattpad.com/user/FaerieRealms 
https://www.instagram.com/twyrch 
https://www.pinterest.com/twyrch 
https://www.tiktok.com/@faerierealms 
 
Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
80 Comments

The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn

2/19/2022

54 Comments

 
Amazon debut author, Rob Samborn introduces us to his first book, “The Prisoner of Paradise”:
A 400-year-old murder. A disembodied whisper: "Amore mio." My love.

Nick and Julia O'Connor's dream trip to Venice collapses when a haunting voice reaches out to Nick from Tintoretto's Paradise, the world's largest oil painting. 

Though Julia worries her husband suffers from a delusion, Nick is adamant the voice belongs to a woman from the 16th century—his soul mate from a previous life. He discovers a religious order that has developed a method of extracting people's souls, which they imprison in Paradise. Over the centuries, they've judged thousands of souls and sentenced them to eternal purgatory.

As infatuation with the past clouds his commitment to a present-day wife, Nick must right an age-old wrong—destroy the painting and liberate his soul mate. But freeing her would allow all the souls to be reborn. 

The order will never let that happen. 
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Such an amazing and intense story! I have read a lot of time travel stories. This is not that. It is a past-life story. Is that a spoiler? I hope not, I try not to let spoilers leak out in my reviews.
When Nick and Julia land in Venice, on a dream vacation, they have no idea that they are on a collision course with the past! This fast-paced adventure begins to pick up steam when they visit a renowned art museum in Venice. Nick thinks he is losing his mind when he hears a voice calling to him from a famous painting that is several hundred years old. His wife, Julia, doesn't know what to think. Things go from bad to worse as a centuries-old conspiracy is slowly revealed and the married couple does not know who they can trust. The Order seems to be everywhere all the time.
A rollicking ride that veers from the present into the past over and over. You are going to love this book! It is so hard to put down!
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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-Paradise-Book-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-prisoner-of-paradise 
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-prisoner-of-paradise-1 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/RobSamborn 
https://robsamborn.com 
https://www.facebook.com/RobSambornAuthor 
https://www.instagram.com/robsamborn 

Here is the link to the review of the second book and the interview continues there also: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/painter-of-the-damned 
 
Copyright ©2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
54 Comments

The Caduca by Elaine Graham-Leigh

2/5/2022

76 Comments

 
Multi-volume, fiction and non-fiction author, Elaine Graham-Leigh introduces us to her latest science fiction novel “The Caduca”:
The planet of Benan Ty is just another poor and violent ex-Terran colony. Now the Chi!me, the major power in the galaxy, are coming to broker a peace deal between guerrilla group ViaVera and the government.
For Quila, a rising figure in the Chi!me diplomatic service, the posting to Benan Ty could be the making of her career. Meanwhile Terise, one of ViaVera's inner circle, is just trying to get her lover out with his life. But in a conflict where no side's motivations are pure, they are both about to discover how much they have to lose.
Set in a future where humanity has gone to the stars, but taken exploitation and oppression with them, this is a story of imperialism, resistance, friendship and ultimately, liberation.

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This story was a true pleasure to read. While there was quite a bit of narration each chapter was devoted to one or two main characters so the point of view kept changing and that increased my interest factor. Each person thought they were the hero in the story they were telling.
The story explored contrasting concepts such as loyalty and betrayal, love and loss, greed and benevolence. So many broad experiences are well represented in this story.
With many actors, this story is full of the human condition and is an excellent read!
I award 4.6 stars to "The Caduca".

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Caduca-Elaine-Graham-Leigh-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-caduca
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-caduca-elaine-graham-leigh
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/egrahamleigh
https://redpuffin.net
 
Copyright © 2022 Mark Schultz except for the author’s introduction

76 Comments

Domestic Violence: Tragedy and Hope by Frances T. Pilch (ed)

1/8/2022

2 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume author Frances T. Pilch introduces us to her latest book, “Domestic Violence: Tragedy and Hope”:
Beginning with a discussion of the magnitude of the problem of domestic violence, the authors present a fictional narrative of "Suzanne," whose relationship with her intimate partner dissolves into abuse and violence, both physical and emotional. What follows is expert commentary on her story by law enforcement, a judge and former district attorney, victim advocate, therapist, and survivor, which provide a unique exploration of the tragedy of abuse and potential means by which it can be addressed. The main theme of the book is the tendency to "blame the victim" for staying in an abusive relationship and the need to understand why leaving can be so difficult and dangerous.

“This book, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Tragedy and Hope, starts with a compelling domestic violence story. This book provides an analysis of the story by experienced and expert professionals from all the relevant fields to help us learn from the powerful story. I was especially interested in the law enforcement professional who said when police take a DV call the alleged abuser almost always lies. This interested me because family court professionals do not know what police experts know and so keep forcing children to live with abusers.”
~ Barry Goldstein, Author of The Quincy Solution: Stop Domestic Violence and save $500 Billion
and Scared to Leave, Afraid to Stay: Paths from Family Violence to Safety

“Professor Pilch and her collaborators capture the dynamics of domestic violence by presenting “Suzanne’s” case history, a composite, and then offering commentaries from the perspectives of psychology, law enforcement, victims’ advocacy, and the courts. The result is a heightened appreciation of the complexity of this “pandemic.... raging in our country” alongside COVID-19 and of how diverse causes and potential interventions intersect. Clearly written with minimal jargon, the book offers valuable insights both to professionals and to the broader public.”
~ David Price, U. S. House of Representatives (D – NC)

“This book is hard to read. That is why we must read it and seek to understand. Years ago, I rode wearing a bulletproof vest with the DVERT group described in these pages to observe the innovative multi-disciplinary teamwork in use to address this unbelievable problem of abuse and violence. The experience changed me. I hope this book will change you if you are not familiar with the gravity of domestic violence and the hope we can bring with understanding and action. This book will make you think, offer hope, and hopefully drive action. Supporting action to combat this insidious violence is one of the most important things we individually and collectively can do. I commend the authors and recommend their work to you.”
~ Pam Shockley-Zalabak, Ph.D., Chancellor Emerita, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and President, CommuniCon, Inc.
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Almost all of us know someone who has experienced domestic violence in one form or another. I do. The impact on the abused and the abuser can last for generations and frequently does. This book highlights that issue and many other related problems.
I am glad the story of Suzanne and Rob is fiction. Yes, it was hard to read but it resonated with a lot of truth. The dysfunctions of their relationship were many and serious, as the dissection of the issues and events carefully points out.
This book needs to be read by everyone, especially the few who have not encountered or know anyone affected by domestic violence. Awareness of the issues and likely outcomes should make everyone vigilant for their friends and loved ones. The abusers need serious help but the abused need even more help to survive.
Domestic violence is a sad fact of our world. It’s pervasive and easily transmitted from generation to generation. Tremendous resources must be expended to prevent the occurrence of domestic violence, more to recover from it.
This book gets 5 stars from me for not only the detailed story but for the multi-disciplinary viewpoints expressed in the latter half of the book.
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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/domestic-violence-tragedy-and-hope-by-fran-pilch
https://www.amazon.com/Domestic-Violence-Tragedy-Frances-Pilch
https://www.goodreads.com/domestic-violence-tragedy-and-hope
 
You can follow the author:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-pilch
https://www.facebook.com/fran.pilch.1
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Frances-T-Pilch
 
Here is another book by the author:
https://rdrpublishers.com/collections/memoirs-true-stories-from-the-heart/products/invisible-surviving-the-cambodian-genocide-by-frances-t-pilch
 
Copyright © 2022 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
2 Comments

Anxiety Quick Wins by Vince Stevenson

12/30/2021

0 Comments

 
Multi-volume, non-fiction author, Vince Stevenson introduces us to his book, “Anxiety Quick Wins” about how to thrive in anxiety-filled circumstances:
ANXIETY QUICK WINS is an essential guide to health and well-being. Anxiety steals your sense of purpose and turns your focus inwards. It shuts down the neocortex, the logical side of your brain, and takes you hostage. Anxiety manifests in many forms, unique in each case. The best medicine is preventative medicine.
Mental health issues now affect 20–25% of the population and with the news that these issues can reduce life expectancy by 15–20 years, it’s a major concern for every individual, family and community. But it’s also a national crisis. In 2019, the Centre for Mental Health indicated that absenteeism cost the economy £35 billion. In the US, 40 million people, 18% of the population, suffer from anxiety.
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted underlying health issues in socio-economic groups in both the UK and the US. These vulnerable groups bear the brunt of societal inequalities in terms of income, housing, opportunity and occupation.
My suggestion is that whatever group you’re from, making yourself bulletproof should begin straightaway. By that, I mean building your physical strength through nutrition and exercise, as well as introducing mindful activities into your daily life and building resilience. If you need a diagnosis and therapeutic assistance, it may be several months away due to the mental health postcode lottery. Delayed diagnosis exacerbates an already fraught situation, particularly in the young.
When the pandemic struck, the first issue in lockdown was making provision for nutrition. The supermarket shelves were emptied day after day. Panic buying left health workers empty-handed and feeling betrayed. For some, this was an assault on their mental health. If you’re going through hard times, it’s sensible to take precautionary measures now. It’s never too late to respect and rebuild your body and begin the healing process that your mental health depends upon.
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I wasn’t paying close attention. I expected a self-help book filled with encouraging quotes and familiar platitudes like so many others before.
This BOOK is filled with much better stuff. Using the example of climbing to the peak of a mountain, the first section deals with practical and foundational concepts for building personal health. Vince is clear that there are no overnight fixes when a person has not taken care of their physical or mental health. He does offer many suggestions to reach the goal. Start small and build upon success with each step.
The second section of the book includes a wealth of ideas and anecdotes for inspiration to continue the journey. There is lots of encouragement to be found in these stories.
Vince has a great deal of insight that he freely shares from his personal and professional life. I have utilized many of these suggestions to my personal benefit. You will find them useful also.
I award 5 stars to “Anxiety Quick Wins”!
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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/ANXIETY-QUICK-WINS-Vince-Stevenson-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-anxiety-quick-wins
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/vincestev
https://twitter.com/ttruck1995
https://www.facebook.com/vince.stevenson.5
https://www.linkedin.com/in/collegeofpublicspeaking
 
I reviewed another book by Vince and we had a great interview, here is the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-fear-doctor
 
Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
0 Comments

Redemption’s Edge by G. David Walker

12/11/2021

2 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author G. David Walker introduces us to his latest story in the fantasy genre:
The most unrelenting evil of all is the one which believes itself good.

An unintended evil stalks the land, gathering countless victims to itself as it extends its reach; an evil born of the noblest intentions gone horribly awry. After it claims his only remaining family, young Kelwyn vows to track it down and end it, no matter the personal cost. With little more than hope and a promise, he sets out on a journey whose end lies shrouded in uncertainty. He knows he cannot win, but he will not, cannot stop. Before his journey is over, he will discover places he’s only heard of from rumor and legend, and face terrors from the past he once thought long gone. From mountain holds to arid deserts, his vow drives him inexorably toward the final confrontation to save his family.

But in the end, will the cost be too high?
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I loved this story all the way to the end and the ending surprised me.
Kelwyn's journey was epic and kept me entranced for the entire length of the book. His desire to save his brothers kept him moving forward all the time through a lot of brutal training and traveling through many different dangers towards his goal. I found myself agreeing with many of Kelwyn's decisions and drive AKA stubbornness.
I enjoyed the sidekicks' obstacles and opportunities they provided.
I award 4.9 stars to Redemption's Edge!
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I reviewed another book by the author and we had a great interview, here is the link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/jabens-rift-by-g-david-walker
You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Redemptions-Edge-G-David-Walker-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/ebook/-redemption-s-edge
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redemptions-edge-g-david-walker
 
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 

My first review of a book by this author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/jabens-rift-by-g-david-walker 
My third review of a book by this author: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/three-blood-prince 
  
Fantasy, dark, swords, sorcery, action, quest, family, slavery 
​
Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
2 Comments

The Warning Signs: Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy by M. Ainihi

12/4/2021

2 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, M. Ainihi introduces us to her volume of short stories in the dark fantasy and horror genres, “The Warning Signs”:
Don’t ignore…
…the warning signs
Something lurks beneath the waves on an island where the sun never sets; a ghost tries to stop an up-and-coming serial killer; a heartless sorceress is thrilled when she finds access to the human realm; a boy tries to win his crush’s heart by challenging a horrifying local legend.
Delve deep into the shadowy, unexplored territories of the imagination with these short stories that are sure to frighten and enchant.
From misunderstood spirits to encounters with mythical creatures, these twisted tales include run-ins with ghosts, mermaids, werewolves, sorceresses, vampires, murderers, and their victims.

(Includes three short stories from the world of Sumir - The Blood Inheritance Quartet)

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I really enjoyed these stories. I found them to be intriguing and entertaining. I am not a fan of horror and gore, the more gore the less I enjoy it, a good scare is fun, like a ride on a wild rollercoaster.
These tales approach some traditional topics from an unusual perspective which enchanted me quite a bit. There is a werewolf, a vampire, ghosts, sea monsters and more. Some will be familiar and some will not be familiar.
I think any fan of horror will enjoy this collection.
I award "The Warning Signs" a score of 4.8 stars.

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This is the author's avatar


​You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Warning-Signs-Tales-Horror-Fantasy-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-warning-signs
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-warning-signs-m-ainihi
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi 
https://mainihi.wordpress.com 

I have reviewed three other books in a series by this author, here are the links:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/rise-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi 
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi 
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/endow-a-blood-inheritance-novel-the-blood-inheritance-quartet-book-3-by-m-ainihi 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/resist 

Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror

Copyright © Mark Schultz 2021 except for the author’s introduction
2 Comments

Stolen by KA Woodford

11/13/2021

30 Comments

 
Debut author, KA Woodford introduces us to her psychological thriller, “Stolen”:
Jenna Brandt can't stay out of trouble for five minutes. When she sees one of her friends about to be abducted, she launches into action not thinking of the consequences. Detective Sergeant David Sawran doesn't know what to think; troublemaker or daredevil. The vehicle she stole has evidence from a cold case fifteen years and fifteen hundred miles away causing Sawran and the original detective to team up hoping they can catch a killer before he finds Jenna.

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This was an interesting read! Yes, it was a little gory in places. How could it not be when the story is about the hunt for a serial killer. This hunt stretched over a couple of decades, hundreds of miles and there were lots of missing girls.
All the steps the police had to go through to eliminate suspects to find the killer was quite fascinating. I really do enjoy police-procedural stories.
There was a little bit of jumping around in the timeline. There was also changing first-person point of view, that was not clearly defined sometimes. I do like the intimacy of first-person POV, however.
Excellent closure at the end of major plot points.
I award 4.5 stars to "Stolen".

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-KA-Woodford-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-stolen
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/woodfordauthor
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ka-woodford

Psychological fiction, crime, thriller, police, kidnap, murder, killer

Copyright ©2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
30 Comments

Kuimba by Priscilla B. Shuler

11/7/2021

49 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Priscilla B. Shuler introduces us to her story, “Kuimba” set in the American South a little over 100 years ago:
South Carolina, 1914. Ophelia Smith’s life changed completely when she heard his beautiful singing. After hours of hard labor, the first-time mother feels blessed when the blue-eyed baby comes out of the womb making sweet music instead of cries. Naming him Kuimba for his enthralling voice, she proudly shares him with others who become enamored with the newborn… unaware of an older boy whose eyes are filled with hate.
Over the years, Ophelia watches in awe as her child grows up healing people through his touch and being visited by holy beings. But she struggles to protect him from the brutal attacks of a savagely jealous young man whenever he’s out of her sight. And when angels warn her that God has one more task for the youth before calling him back to Heaven, she fears the looming fate that threatens to take him away forever.
Will Ophelia’s magnificent son achieve his destiny and bring light into the world?
KUIMBA is a spellbinding standalone historical fiction novel. If you like captivating characters, spiritual wonders, and divine fate, then you’ll love Priscilla B Shuler’s religious southern tale.

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This story is set in the American South 1900s and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The title character is most unusual because he sings throughout the book. That is far from the most unusual thing about Kuimba.
Much of the dialogue is heavily accented and that worked well for me because I have heard many southern accents. There is a lot of regional flavors, descriptions of the times, and mores of people who lived then.
The other characters play very important parts also. I like the level-headed attitude that so many of them have. I also like how many of them experience drastic changes for the better as a direct result of knowing Kuimba.
I award 4.8 stars to "Kuimba"!

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Kuimba-Priscilla-Shuler-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-kuimba
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/kuimba-priscilla-b-shuler
 
You can follow the author:
twitter.com/ShulerPriscilla 
https://priscillabshulerartistauthor.com
https://www.amazon.com/Priscilla-B.-Shuler 
www.facebook.com/priscilla.shuler.33 

I have reviewed another book by Priscilla that I enjoyed quite a bit:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/favored 

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
49 Comments

The Evening’s Amethyst A Nora Tierney English Mystery #5 By M K Graff

10/30/2021

39 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-series, mystery author, Marni Graff introduces us to the fifth volume in The Nora Tierney English Mysteries series, “The Evening’s Amethyst”:
Who is Verity? That becomes the central question for American writer Nora Tierney, who has moved to her new Oxford home with her fiancé, DI Declan Barnes, and her young son. Declan's new case at Exeter College coincides with a frantic call from Nora's stepsister, Claire Scott: a fellow graduate student has died in a fall, and Claire begs Nora to help her prove her friend didn't commit suicide. The sisters conduct their own snooping, while Declan and his tam juggle this death with a cold case that proves to be more surprising than Declan could ever imagine.

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I love Nora, don’t tell my wife or Declan. Her supporting cast adds so much depth to the story. Her life seems to be on the upswing in many ways.
The author is very talented in weaving multiple stories into a cohesive and interesting plot! I was on the edge of my Kindle much of the way.
The characters seem alive and quite three-dimensional. They struggle with everyday stresses and have worries just like us. Even the minor characters seem very organic in the story. A lot of the dialogue is witty and sometimes it is heartbreaking. The investigation proceeds at a reasonable pace and every step is realistic.
I award 5 stars to "The Evening's Amethyst"!

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Evenings-Amethyst-Tierney-English-Mysteries-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-evening-s-amethyst
 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/GraffMarni
http://www.auntiemwrites.com
http://facebook.com/bluevirginmysteries

Tags: amateur sleuth, police procedural, women sleuths, dogs, toddler, action, mystery, suicide or murder, England, Oxford
 
I reviewed other books by Marni:
“Death at the Dakota” and interviewed her beneath that review: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/death-at-the-dakota-a-trudy-genova-manhattan-mystery-book-2-by-m-k-graff
“The Golden Hour” we had an interview there also:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-golden-hour-by-marni-graff

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
39 Comments

The Usurper King (The Plantagenet Legacy Book 3) By Mercedes Rochelle

10/23/2021

65 Comments

 
Award-winning, multi-volume author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to her third volume in The Plantagenet Legacy, “The Usurper King”:
From Outlaw to Usurper, Henry Bolingbroke fought one rebellion after another.
First, he led his own uprising. Then he captured a forsaken king. Henry had no intention of taking the crown for himself; it was given to him by popular acclaim. Alas, it didn't take long to realize that that having the kingship was much less rewarding than striving for it. Only three months after his coronation, Henry IV had to face a rebellion led by Richard's disgruntled favorites. Repressive measures led to more discontent. His own supporters turned against him, demanding more than he could give. The haughty Percies precipitated the Battle of Shrewsbury which nearly cost him the throne—and his life.
To make matters worse, even after Richard II's funeral, the deposed monarch was rumored to be in Scotland, planning his return. The king just wouldn't stay down and malcontents wanted him back.

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I have enjoyed this series so much! Mercedes takes a dusty and dry part of history makes pure entertainment out of it! I think she has a time machine because the actions and conversations seem so real, the people are real, whole and so organic. The things they do and say make a lot of sense. This is how people are, they worry first about their own well being and then they look to the welfare of those they love the most and the circle slowly expands. People today are the same as people back then.
The writing is so good, Mercedes truly understands these people. Her powers of description provide the perfect balance with dialogue and action. There is lots of action also, love, bravery, murder and intrigue at all levels.
I award 5 stars to “The Usurper King”! Considering all of the books Mercedes has written, this is the best!

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Usurper-King-Plantagenet-Legacy-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/the-usurper-king
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Usurper-King-Plantagenet-Legacy-Book-ebook
 
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/the-kings-retribution 

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​ 

https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-sons-of-godwine 

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

Tags: history, biography, fiction, medieval, European, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, historical, biographical,
 
Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
65 Comments

Tangled Webs (The Haunted Book 2)                      By Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton

10/10/2021

74 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume co-authors Krall and Barton introduce us to their collection of tales for the fall season:
Travel the world and enjoy a collection of luxurious short stories with a paranormal edge from the writing desks of Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton. This 'spirited' anthology is guaranteed to give you the shivers and keep you reading late into the night with heady doses of mystery, haunted imagery and psychological suspense. Catch up and read Hearth Fires (Book #1) and get ready for an intense ride to places unknown.

HVISKE (Norway)

Here in the fjordic crags, each of us can be the victim of ourselves, the frozen death within waiting to be unleashed. I hear their silent whispers cry… ‘meg, meg, meg’. Most I choose to ignore, letting karma’s destiny of actions unfold. For those I extricate, the journey into the Northern Light or depth of darkness is swift.

Choose wisely, hviske within.

WIDOW’S WALK (Falmouth)
After inheriting a historic mansion on the shores of Cape Cod. Abigail is consumed by grief for the loss of an incredible woman, and tormented by a childhood ghost that does everything possible to scare her out of her wits.

When the troubling entity makes physical contact, it’s clear that Abby is in danger. Does the mysterious phantom want her dead?

SCULPTURE OF THE DEAD (Aspen)
I touch the cold, Colorado marble with my hands, running my fingers over the veins. I know when the stone matches the traits of the departed. Sculptural portraits, masks of the dead, fragments of limbs…the living think they want to remember their dearly departed with my creations.
Sometimes it’s better to forget.

SPIRIT ISLAND (Jasper)
Seychelle is a free spirit, taking one day at a time and doing her best to help her family. When she accepts a creative assignment and experiences something, haunting and otherworldly in the wilderness… will it help her understand her own life better or carry her down a crooked and violent path she cannot return from?

The past is alive.

MODE de VEUVE NOIRE (Quebec City)
Selfie, pose, look at me, I’m the fashion influencer you want to be.
Follow, buy, so yesterday, darling--opinions, trends my ultimate worth. When wannabe, legend in her own mind Monique hits the streets of Quebec with an antique camera once owned by the famed Madame Coco, the photos she takes provide a stroke of famed acclaim, or dismal despair to those she hoped to install in her style hall of shame. The camera never lies, Madame.

Click. Click. Click.

RAGNO DAZANTE (Italy)
Itsy, bitsy spider, dance, twirl and spin that tangled web. What waits for us on the other end of the cosmic red string? Aurelia has it all, a lush life in Italy, and fierce looks to match, yet she uses her power to dominate, mistreat and humiliate another woman.

When Pietra finally embraces her dark birthright, the wicked game is afoot.

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Hoo, boy! I love these stories! I can’t decide which is my favorite. but I do know which one creeped me out the most. Spirit Island takes that top slot, followed closely by Ragno Dazante. RD thoroughly surprised me with the ending. I didn’t see that coming. Mode de Veuve Noir had an unexpected climax also. Hviske was quite surprising as well. I guess my favorite is between Widow’s Walk and Sculpture of the Dead. Anything that makes me laugh as much as those two stories did lands at the top of my list for humor.
This is a perfect offering for the fall season we are in now. What is left unsaid is almost as important as the writing. Extrapolation is a mark of good writing!
5 stars from me! 

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Webs-Haunted-Book-2-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-tangled-webs
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/tangled-webs
 
Here is the review of Hearth Fires, book 1 in the series:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/hearth-fires-the-haunted-book-1-by-bibiana-krall-and-veronica-cline-barton 
Here is the review of Wicked Mist, book 3 in the series: 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/wicked-mist 

You can follow the authors:
https://www.twitter.com/Bibiana1Krall 
https://www.bibianakrall.com 
https://www.amazon.com/author/bibianakrall 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/bookem channel 
https://twitter.com/VClinebarton 
https://www.veronicaclinebarton.com 
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 
 
Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction 
74 Comments

Time Trap and Time trap 2  by Richard Smith

9/27/2021

101 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, Richard Smith introduces us to his MG stories of time travel, "Time Trap" and "Time Trap 2": 
Time Trap
Who was the mysterious Hector Lightfoot? What was he up to when he disappeared, and who were the two ghosts once seen in his house? School friends Jamie and Todd are destined to find out when they go to London to spend a weekend with Jamie's Uncle Simon, who now lives in that very house. Soon after they arrive, Jamie has a frightening encounter with the two ghosts. Hector, a veteran from the First Afghan War, joined a covert expedition to China, and afterwards worked on a secret Government project in an underground lab at the British Museum. He vanished suddenly, and was never heard from again. Simon takes the boys to the lab, where they find a strange contraption - which, unknown to any of them, is a time-travel device. When the building is struck by lightning, the device is energised, and sends the boys back in time to the year 1862. There, surrounded by danger and exposed to disease, they are sucked into a life of crime in order to survive. Only if they can find Hector will they have any chance of getting home again. But why has he gone into hiding? Who is the man after him and what does he want? As the boys struggle to escape back to their own time, Jamie becomes convinced that the two ghosts he saw earlier are following them...
Time Trap 2
​Jamie and Todd are horrified to learn that the Grand Plan, which they thought had been defeated, is about to be implemented in 1775, America. Hector and Catherine have to go back in time and thwart Travis - an agent of the Grand Plan - who is hell bent on world domination.

Jamie and Todd go with Hector and Catherine on a mission to 1775, to prevent a super gun from being used in the Battle of Bunker Hill, during the American War of Independence, but only have days to stop history from being altered.
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​Time Trap is a wonderful adventure story for middle grade children and above. The story clearly depicts how brutal life was in Victorian England if you didn’t have any money.
The author is smart by not explaining how the time travel mechanism actually works. We see it all from the perspective of the two teenage boys. They are unexpectedly thrust backwards in time and struggle to locate the people who might be able to help them return to their time.
I enjoyed the accents as portrayed by the people who live in Victorian England. The use of the environment as an important aspect of the experience the two boys had is quite good. The action is excellent and very important to the story.
I award 4.8 stars to Time Trap.
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​Time trap 2 is a fun extension of the story from Time Trap. Instead of Jamie and Todd being trapped in Victorian London, their scientist friends, Hector and Catherine, from that period appear in modern London. Hector and his wife are chasing another time traveler, Travis, who is seeking to further the goal of world domination by a shadowy organization. Travis has obtained an early model of the Gatling gun from the 1860s and is taking it to the American Colonies in the 1770s. If he is not stopped, Western History will be radically changed. 
More great writing in a very exciting story!
I give Time Trap 2 a score of 4.9 stars. 
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You can buy these books:
https://smile.amazon.com/Time-Trap-Richard-Smith-ebook
https://smile.amazon.com/Time-Trap-Two-Richard-Smith-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-time-trap

You can follow Richard Smith:
https://twitter.com/RichardSmithTT
https://www.facebook.com/Time-Trap-1862-360641754046977/
http://www.timetrap.co.uk/ 

I promoted his first book here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-darziods-stone

Copyright © 2021 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introductions 
101 Comments

Equilibrium by MK Schultz

9/11/2021

63 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, MK Schultz introduces us to his latest in his science fiction series, “Equilibrium”:
Experience Kassius Kanex like never before in the epic conclusion.

In anticipation of the arrival of an evil that could rob Kassius Kanex of his power, he must go off-grid, in search of the only hope there is to defeat it.

With the help of his larger-than-life, best friend Rock, the engineers, his faithful pod keepers, a secret-keeping crow and a time-travel-enabling octopus, Kassius Kanex must expand his organization to levels even he did not dream to be possible.

Can the world survive the evil long enough for Kassius to find the only thing powerful enough to stop it? The whole of humanity depends on one thing: EQUILIBRIUM.
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This has been an interesting and exciting journey in this series! The plots and subplots weave around each other quite well. Some of the events depicting the incarnate evil are somewhat horrific and bloody. Be warned.
This style of writing reminds me of the golden age of science fiction and brings back fond memories of some great stories.
The ending was very shocking also. I enjoyed the story a lot.
The ending leaves room for the series to continue, I hope it does. 

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Equilibrium-Kassius-Kanex-Book-3-ebook 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/equilibrium-mk-schultz 
https://www.iuniverse.com/-equilibrium 

https://www.goodreads.com/-equilibrium 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Makemali 
https://www.mkschultz.com 
https://www.instagram.com/mkschultzauthor 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/MK_Schultz 

I reviewed the first book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kassius-kanex-by-mk-schultz 
I reviewed the second book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-fishing-trip-kassius-kanex-book-2-by-m-k-schultz 

Tags: science fiction, action, adventure, time travel, suspense, dystopian

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
63 Comments

SWAN LESSONS: A Bereaved Mother's Story of Courage and Discovery By Joyce A. Harvey

9/4/2021

50 Comments

 
Debut author, Joyce A. Harvey introduces us to her memoir about the loss of her daughter, “Swan Lessons”:
Swan Lessons: A Bereaved Mother’s Story of Courage and Discovery by Joyce A. Harvey is an account of military harassment, a series of poor decisions, and the desperate suicide of a young Lance Corporal. It describes the daunting challenge of a bereaved mother attempting to proceed with a public career in the midst of profound grief. It is also an amazing story of ongoing communication with the spirit of her daughter Jennifer, through dreams, signs, and spiritual mediums, including George Anderson. The author tackles tough subjects such as whether to pursue a wrongful death suit with the military. She also takes on clichés that are typically said to the grief-stricken and helps readers understand why they are better left unsaid. She shares dreams where she was “warned” that she might lose Jennifer and dreams in which Jennifer “visits” following her death. Ms. Harvey tells readers early in the book about her association of Jennifer’s death with the song “Vincent,” which refers to Vincent van Gogh’s suicide. Could the seemingly “coincidental” appearances of the song and references to Van Gogh be vehicles Jennifer uses to communicate with her mother from the afterlife? There are individual books on grief, suicide, dream work, after-death communication, spirituality, and abuse of power in the military. However, the author hasn’t found any examples written by a bereaved parent that combine all of these subjects into one book, as Swan Lessons does, helping readers to put it all together. As the book winds its way through the canyons of grief, it offers glimpses of hope, moments of utter astonishment, and examples of courage. The author skillfully weaves journal entries, as well as letters to and from Jennifer, to tell the story of a mother-daughter bond even death cannot sever.

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A powerful and well-written book!
Though she describes it quite well, I find it very hard to imagine the grief that Joyce experienced. Isn’t that one of a parent’s worst nightmares? We, as parents, expect to pass on before our children. It seems the ordinary order of events. I have no reservation, in my mind, her pain was far worse than what she described.
What she discovered after her daughter’s death is very fascinating. The communications from across the divide were extraordinary!
I appreciate that she shared the good and the bad support she received from different people. Her extended family really stepped up to the plate.
I award 4.9 stars to “Swan Lessons”.

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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/swan-lessons-a-bereaved-mothers-story-of-courage-and-discovery
https://www.amazon.com/SWAN-LESSONS-Bereaved-Mothers-Discovery-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-swan-lessons
 
You can follow the author:
https://joyceanneharvey.com
https://www.facebook.com/joyceanneharvey
grief, bereavement, death, heaven, Catholic church, suicide, dreams, signs, workplace abuse, military, marines
Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

50 Comments

The Edge of Fear by Maura Beth Brennan

8/22/2021

37 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Maura Beth Brennan introduces us to her latest domestic thriller, “The Edge of Fear”:
When you have everything you always wanted, you have everything to lose.

After years of struggling to overcome her tragic childhood, Hattie has the life of her dreams--her adored husband, Eli, her precious little daughter, Lilly, a beautiful home, and more money than she ever dreamed possible. But lately, a feeling nags at her, a sense of something not quite right. Is this just her imagination? Hattie's family and her best friend, Celine, keep telling her that it is.

Meanwhile Hattie's ex-husband, Frank, has learned of Hattie's good fortune and it's eating away at him. He comes up with a plan to get some of Hattie's windfall for himself--a plan that will shatter Hattie's life and bring about her worst nightmare. That's when Hattie notices odd things happening. Small things at first--but the incidents escalate, until finally the unthinkable happens.

Hattie does everything the police advise her to do. But as time passes and her life crumbles around her, it seems everyone fails her--law enforcement, a private detective, even her husband. Why has Eli suddenly gone off and left her to struggle with this alone?

Desperate but determined, Hattie decides to take matters into her own hands. Aided by her best friend, Celine, she sets out on a mission. Will she be able to take back what is hers? Or will she lose it all?

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I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a mother fighting to regain her daughter and life.
The story is told in the first person and I love that for the intimacy it provides. The action builds up slowly as the ex-husband gets his plan rolling. The current husband is working his angle as well.
I enjoyed the dialogue and the plotting quite a bit.
The ending is so exciting! No spoilers from me! I was on the edge of my Kindle through much of the book.
Get it! Read it! You will be glad you did!
I award 5 stars to “Edge of Fear”!

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Fear-Maura-Beth-Brennan
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-edge-of-fear
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/maurabeth2014

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
Tags: mystery, thriller, police, family, child, kidnapping, gang, ransom, bestie, girlfriend, rescue

37 Comments
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