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​book reviews

The Terminus List by Stanley C. Straub

10/17/2020

85 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Stanley C. Straub introduces us to his science fiction thriller, “The Terminus List”:
A Science Fiction thriller filled with realistic characters, aliens, politics, romance, hi-tech Flybots, Universal Transport Machines, and multiple universes. The main character is a mother determined to save her daughter at all costs.  She is helped by her right-hand man, a humanoid that is almost more human than robot. The story begins at the year-end extravaganza held in 2998, where Tom Florin became a statistic. He was terminated by liberated punctuation, a fancy, made-up term by the government for killing people to keep the population under control. Two years later, in 3000, the names of the new chosen ones were published for all to see. Whose names will be listed and who will get to go to the extravaganza parade and then be led to the glorious extermination stations during the Super Sunday halftime celebration. Barbara Freeman, age 16 was one of the "supposedly" lucky names chosen for the 3000 celebration. During the show which will be broadcast for the world to see, Barbara and several thousand more are planned to be terminated. Most of them are willing and happy to be part of the termination process, but Barbara, her boyfriend, and her folks are not. Can Barbara escape her pending fate?

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Mandatory population control has been turned into halftime entertainment. This dystopian-themed story introduces some new twists to the genre with multiple universes, talented robots and democratic elections.
I enjoyed this story, there was a lot of action and the dialogue kept the story moving at a good pace. Some of the technology was a lot of fun.
We finally get our flying cars! Set in the year 3000, flying vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for the populous. I hope I don’t have to wait that long.
I award 3.8 stars to “The Terminus List”, the score would have been higher except for a lot of spelling errors. These errors have been corrected according to the author. Your reading pleasure will be improved.

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Terminus-List-Stanley-Straub-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/the-terminus-list
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-terminus-list-stanley-c-straub
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Renownedwriter
https://stanleystraubauthor.com
https://writerstar.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/stanley.straub.92
https://www.facebook.com/Stan-Straub-Author
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/76655467

tags: science fiction, sci-fi, dystopian
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
85 Comments

Hearth Fires (The Haunted Book 1) By Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton

10/10/2020

104 Comments

 
Accomplished authors, Bibiana and Veronica introduce us to their first collaboration, very spooky in nature, “Hearth Fires (The Haunted Book 1)”:
Enjoy an eclectic, and imaginative collection of six, original, short stories that share one central theme, the mysterious Ouija board with a nod to the troubled spirits that guide The Oracle. Take a journey through the Deep South, then head to the American Northeast, Pacific Northwest and end your reading adventure with a flight on a magical witch’s broom across the glimmering pond.

Halloween can’t come soon enough! Indulge your senses and drift over to the spooky side with Hearth Fires. If you adore “Night Gallery” “Dark Shadows” “Hocus Pocus” and anything Poe, Jackson or DuMaurier, this collection was written especially for you.

Culinary Coterie by Veronica Cline Barton––When Sammie Atherton returns to the family home in Smoky Shoals, Louisiana, she learns of a culinary legacy that has been passed down through generations. Will she be up for the challenge of leading the town’s Culinary Coterie with their mystery ingredients? Herbs and spices will never be the same again!

The Window by Bibiana Krall––Late one night in Savannah, Tabitha sees something odd in a window. A shadow? A ghost? Or is it just her imagination that something is reaching across the great divide? The risk is in finding out the truth and discovering the lengths she might be willing to go to help a stranger…

Vintage Vibrations by Veronica Cline Barton––Allie Michaels’ Salem boutique offers only the second hand best to her chichi clientele. She’s always on the search for unique finds, ready to turn a profit. When an aging actress offers her a deal too good to be true, she jumps at the offer—but will the recipients of these goods live to regret their purchases?

Dark Watchers by Bibiana Krall––Emily doesn’t realize that a surreal, childhood experience in the woods holds the key to a mystery that has haunted her ever since. Betrayal becomes part of a dangerous evening when peril and danger lurks behind the smile of a handsome genius. Will she leave Big Sur with her sanity and safety intact?

Board Whisperers by Veronica Cline Barton—When nanny Bria McEwen takes on her latest assignment in Glasgow, she’s looking forward to a luxurious holiday excursion with a seemingly, charming family touring the Scottish Whisky Trail. When her assignment is abruptly cancelled, she has one important question. Where are the children and their parents?

La Fee Vert by Bibiana Krall––A talented painter in Paris is obsessed with becoming a commercial success. Something in her soul shifts when she’s extremely close to reaching her dreams… Will Camille discover the high price of fame in The City of Lights, a glittering place paved with the broken dreams of artists long departed.

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I love a scary story as much as the next person, when the goose bumps show up, I know the story is great! I don’t care for a lot of blood and gore; it takes away the fun. I get excited when righteousness and justice prevail. Everyone wants to see the bad guy get their just desserts at the end.
These stories deliver plenty of the above. They are scary and creepy in turn, with a small slice of humor included. The intersection of our contemporary world with the spirit world makes for frightening encounters.
The descriptions of Big Sur stimulated fond memories and enhanced my enjoyment.
These stories are excellent! They are not only compact they are so well written. I received wonderful, shivery pleasure and award five stars to “Hearth Fires”! 

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Bibiana Krall 
Veronica Cline Barton 
You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Hearth-Fires-Haunted-Book-1-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/hearth-fires
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/hearth-fires-bibiana-krall
https://www.books2read.com/HearthFires

Here is the review of the next book, Tangled Webs:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/tangled-webs-the-haunted-book-2 

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
 tags: horror, shorts, 
Copyright © Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction 
104 Comments

Emergency Powers by James McCrone

10/3/2020

49 Comments

 
Multi-volume, political-thriller author, James McCrone introduces us to his newest volume of the Imogen Trager series, “Emergency Powers”:
The accidental president is no accident.

When the president dies in office, FBI Agent Imogen Trager knows that the conspiracy she chased down a blind alley still has life in it-and she needs to get back in the hunt. The old case may be the key to stopping a brutal, false flag terrorist attack meant to finalize the new puppet president's grip on power. Imogen doesn't know it yet, but she's running out of time.

As bodies pile up and leads go cold, the main target from that old case reaches out to her. He's still at large, and now he needs protection. Imogen doesn't trust him, and it's not only because he's offering intel that sounds too good to be true. He's already tried to kill her once.

Set variously in DC, Seattle and small-town America, Emergency Powers is a story of corruption and redemption, achieved at enormous personal cost, with a ripped-from-the-headlines urgency: a fractious FBI, an undermined Attorney General, powerful people using all manner of treachery to maintain their hold on power. But it's more than headlines about things people think they know. And darker.

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This is such a good book! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
McCrone has a keen eye for detail, his plotting is so good! I was sorry when I reached the end of the story, it was such good reading. A very satisfying ending, I might add.
All the steps necessary to uncover the plot to control the presidency are amazing. So many disparate pieces that fit together with unbelievable precision at the end.  
There is so much I loved about this book, the characters, even minor players come across with depth, they seemed so real. The dialogues are very organic and the characters to live and breathe. Settings and action are commendable, all of these elements working so well together adds up to a wonderful book to read.
The best and worst part of this story is how real it seemed. I worry that it could come true.
I give “Emergency Powers” a score of 5 stars! 

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You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Emergency-Powers-James-McCrone-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-emergency-powers
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/emergency-powers-james-mccrone
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/jamesmccrone4
https://www.facebook.com/FaithlessElector/
http://jamesmccrone.com/
 
I have reviewed the previous book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/dark-network

Tags:
thriller, politics, political thriller, mystery, suspense, action, FBI, espionage, procedural, justice
Copyright © 2020 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

49 Comments

A Kid's Herb Book: For Children of All Ages       By Lesley Tierra

9/26/2020

62 Comments

 
Multi-volume author and renowned herbalist, Lesley Tierra introduces us to her book “A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages”:
 A Kid’s Herb Book makes learning about herbs and plants fun and educational for children. They follow the friendly elf, Mr. Greenleaf, through the plant “kin-dom.” They learn various uses of plants and they learn to appreciate vital things that plants provide, such as oxygen, food, soap, wood, teas, and medicines. They will discover the differences between herbs, weeds, and spices. They learn to make products from herbs, such as natural toothbrushes and homemade cough medicine. They learn about the healing properties of specific herbs. And they learn enchanting stories that can be read aloud and that awaken the imagination.
 A Kid’s Herb Book includes delicious recipes for such culinary delights as “Basil Pesto” and “Rose Petal Jam.” Children and their parents are encouraged to grow their own herb gardens. Simple instructions are provided for outdoor gardens (when space is available) to smaller gardens (using a window box, a basket, or even a flowerpot!). To go completely natural, readers can learn to make and use compost as well.

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What a marvelous and fun book! I enjoyed this book so much. It truly is written for children of all ages. The writing style is winsome and easy to read for almost any average skill level fifth or sixth grade reader and above.
The black-and-white line drawing invite you to color them in and own the book. The page layout and fonts keep the information flowing in an easy-to-understand fashion. The creation-of-the-herb stories are fun and invite discussions between parent and child about important issues and character traits. There are recipes, songs and care guides that extend the reading experience and solidify the knowledge imparted.
This is such an excellent and well-written book; it easily deserves to be awarded 5 stars!
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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/a-kid-s-herb-book-for-children-of-all-ages-by-lesley-tierra
https://amazon.com/Kids-Herb-Book-Children-Ages-paperback
https://www.goodreads.com/A_Kid_s_Herb_Book
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/east_west_herbs
https://planetherbs.com
https://www.facebook.com/lesley.tierra#
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction. 

62 Comments

My Dyslexic Life: A Journey Out of the Shadows by Scott Douthit

9/19/2020

85 Comments

 
Lifelong educator and new author, Scott Douthit introduces us to his debut book, “My Dyslexic Life”:
“But Mr. D, you’ve graduated from college, written plays— you’re a great teacher with all these awards. You wouldn’t know what it’s like to have people make you feel stupid for being dyslexic!” “Actually, believe it or not...”
Today, researchers estimate that between five and twenty percent of the population is affected by dyslexia. This growing awareness and understanding of different learning styles has changed the lives of tens of millions of people. When Scott Douthit was growing up in the 1960s, though, no one could explain why it was so difficult for him to succeed in the one-size-fits-all schools he attended.
My Deslex Dyslexic Life: A Journey Out of the Shadows, a deeply moving account of Scott’s struggles and triumphs, invites the reader to consider new ways of overcoming barriers to accomplishment and understanding, both for themselves and others. At once entertaining and touching, it offers an intimate glance into the life, mind, and heart of a courageous individual. Scott’s story serves as a reminder that the norms, standards, and expectations of society are a work in progress, and that it is within our power to make them more humane and compassionate.
A staggering 5 to 15 percent of Americans—14.5 to 43.5 million children and adults—have dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it difficult to read, write, and spell, no matter how hard the person tries or how intelligent he or she is.

•It is estimated that 1 in 10 people have dyslexia
•Over 40 million American Adults are dyslexic - and only 2 million know it
•Dyslexia is not tied to IQ - Einstein was dyslexic and had an estimated IQ of 160
•Dyslexia in not just about getting letters or numbers mixed up or out of order
•80% of people associate dyslexia with some form of retardation - this is not true
•Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability or disorder that includes poor word reading, word decoding, oral reading fluency and spelling
•Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels
•Dyslexia has nothing to do with not working hard enough
•20% of school-aged children in the US are dyslexic
•With appropriate teaching methods, dyslexia can learn successfully
•Over 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic
•Dyslexia runs in families; parents with dyslexia are very likely to have children with dyslexia
•Dyslexics may struggle with organizational skills, planning and prioritizing, keeping time, concentrating with background noise.
•Dyslexics may excel at connecting ideas, thinking out of the box, 3D thinking, seeing the big picture
•People with dyslexia excel or even gifted in areas of art, computer science, design, drama, electronics, math, mechanics, music, physics, sales and sports
•Many famous people are dyslexic including: Orlando Bloom, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Spielberg, Kiera Knightley. Albert Einstein and Patrick Dempsey

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This book was an eye-opener for me! While I have never struggled with reading, quite the opposite, actually. The stories of struggling in social situations and flunking a skills test in a physical education class resonated to the core of my soul. Having a serious stammering problem caused my school years to be full of social difficulties beyond the normal teen angst.
I loved the writing, it was so meaningful and using the vehicle of vignettes from the author’s life provided perfect illustrations of the struggles faced by so many. Scott brings hope and humor into difficult situations. I greatly appreciate his passion for educating everybody about different styles of learning and how to appreciate those differences.
I award 5 stars to “My Dyslexic Life” by Scott Douthit!

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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/my-dyslexic-life-a-journey-out-of-the-shadows-by-scott-douthit
https://smile.amazon.com/My-Dyslexic-Life-Journey-Shadows-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-my-dyslexic-life
You can connect with the author:
https://www.mydyslexiclife.com
https://www.facebook.com/scott.douthit.1
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

85 Comments

The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls  By Mercedes Rochelle

9/12/2020

73 Comments

 
Award winning, multi-volume, multi-genre author, Mercedes Rochelle introduces us to “The Sons of Godwine: Part Two of The Last Great Saxon Earls”:
Emerging from the long shadow cast by his formidable father, Harold Godwineson showed himself to be a worthy successor to the Earldom of Wessex. In the following twelve years, he became the King's most trusted advisor, practically taking the reins of government into his own hands. And on Edward the Confessor's death, Harold Godwineson mounted the throne—the first king of England not of royal blood. Yet Harold was only a man, and his rise in fortune was not blameless. Like any person aspiring to power, he made choices he wasn't particularly proud of. Unfortunately, those closest to him sometimes paid the price of his fame.

This is a story of Godwine's family as told from the viewpoint of Harold and his younger brothers. Queen Editha, known for her Vita Ædwardi Regis, originally commissioned a work to memorialize the deeds of her family, but after the Conquest historians tell us she abandoned this project and concentrated on her husband, the less dangerous subject. In THE SONS OF GODWINE and FATAL RIVALRY, I am telling the story as it might have survived had she collected and passed on the memoirs of her tragic brothers.

This book is part two of The Last Great Saxon Earls series. Book one, GODWINE KINGMAKER, depicted the rise and fall of the first Earl of Wessex who came to power under Canute and rose to preeminence at the beginning of Edward the Confessor's reign. Unfortunately, Godwine's misguided efforts to champion his eldest son Swegn recoiled on the whole family, contributing to their outlawry and Queen Editha's disgrace. Their exile only lasted one year and they returned victorious to London, though it was obvious that Harold's career was just beginning as his father's journey was coming to an end.

Harold's siblings were all overshadowed by their famous brother; in their memoirs we see remarks tinged sometimes with admiration, sometimes with skepticism, and in Tostig's case, with jealousy. We see a Harold who is ambitious, self-assured, sometimes egocentric, imperfect, yet heroic. His own story is all about Harold, but his brothers see things a little differently. Throughout, their observations are purely subjective, and witnessing events through their eyes gives us an insider’s perspective.

Harold was his mother's favorite, confident enough to rise above petty sibling rivalry but Tostig, next in line, was not so lucky. Harold would have been surprised by Tostig's vindictiveness, if he had ever given his brother a second thought. And that was the problem. Tostig's love/hate relationship with Harold would eventually destroy everything they worked for, leaving the country open to foreign conquest. This subplot comes to a crisis in book three of the series, FATAL RIVALRY.
This book has received an Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion!

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What a wonderful telling of a long-lost story! The author has pulled off an exciting reconstruction of a tale filled with intrigue and menace for so many of the people involved. Mercedes uses a rotating-by-chapter, first person point of view to smoothly recreate the action and details of these events from over a thousand years ago.
I love first person POV, it brings a level of familiarity that isn’t found in other point of views.
Mercedes is so expert at bringing the culture and daily life of people born over a millennia ago to life. The scene setting leaves nothing to be desired, dialogue is wonderful and the characters seem so real and alive.
You are going to love this book, there is action, intrigue, international politics, romance and horses. Something for almost everyone.
I give “The Sons of Godwine” a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Sons-Godwine-Great-Saxon-Earls-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-sons-of-godwine
https://www.amazon.co.uk/the-Sons-of-Godwine
 
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/godwine-kingmaker-part-one-of-the-last-great-saxon-earls-by-mercedes-rochelle​ 

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


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/heir-to-a-prophecy-by-mercedes-rochelle-narrated-by-kevin-e-green

Tags: history, biography, fiction, medieval, European, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Normandy, historical, biographical,  
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
73 Comments

Inferno of Silence by Tolu’ A. Akinyemi

9/5/2020

43 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-genre author and poet, Tolu’ A. Akinyemi introduces us to his collection of short stories about men, women and relationships, “Inferno of Silence”:
The first collection of short stories by this multitalented author entwines everyday events that are articulated in excellent storytelling.

The title story “Inferno of Silence” portrays men’s societal challenges and the unspoken truths and burdens that men bear, while “Black lives Matter” shows the firsthand trauma of a man facing racism as a footballer plying his trade in Europe.

Stories range from “Return Journey” where we encounter a techpreneur/ Poet/Serial Womanizer confronting consequences of his past actions, to “Blinded by Silence,” where a couple united by love must face a political upheaval changing their fortune.

These are completed with stories of relationships: “Trouble in Umudike” – about family wealth and marriage; “Everybody don Kolomental” where the main character deals with mental health issues; and “In the Trap of Seers” when one’s life is on auto-reverse with the death of her confidante, her mother, as she takes us through her ordeal and journey to redemption. This is a broad and very inclusive collection.

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Reading these stories was very interesting. I enjoyed the vicarious involvement in the lives of primarily Nigerian characters in the stories. Other than a short hop from Spain, across the Straits of Gibraltar, to a small town in Morocco, I have never been in Africa. I know that experience does not represent the entire continent in any.
I was surprised and not surprised to learn men face many of the same challenges around the world. I could relate to a lot of the experiences from my own life.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it as a good reading experience on multiple levels.
I award 4.5 stars to “Inferno of Silence”, the score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The author assures me those have been corrected; your reading will be smoother. 

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Inferno-Silence-Tolu-Akinyemi-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-inferno-of-silence
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inferno-of-silence-tolu-a-akinyemi
https://www.kobo.com/inferno-of-silence
https://books.apple.com/inferno-of-silence
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/toluakinyemi
https://www.tolutoludo.com/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/ToluAAkinyemi/
https://www.instagram.com/tolutoludo/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/toluakenyemi
Africa, Nigeria, Nigerian, men, women, relationships, technology, marriage, family, airplane, flying, business, religion
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 

43 Comments

Beyond Despair by Shirley Hoisington

8/29/2020

63 Comments

 
Debut author, Shirley Hoisington introduces us to her book, “Beyond Despair”, a novel about romance, love and loss:
Twins, sisters in love with the same man! Who will find true love in this tale of twists, turns and surprises? Jealousy... Sacrifice... Betrayal... This one has it all! Can Miranda find herself? Does Miranda choose the man of her dreams or her twin sister? Will anything be made right again…beyond despair?

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This is a fun, exciting and touching story. Miranda makes important choices that put the needs of others before her own and sometimes suffers a great deal from the consequences of those choices.
This story is well written and very enjoyable to read. I was able to relate to all the major characters quite significantly. That is a sign of good writing. Another sign of good writing is that the book is easy to read. Easy reading is the result of hard writing.
The scene setting is excellent throughout the book, as a native Oregonian it was fun to see so many places I knew in the story. A jet boat ride on a wild river is an unforgettable experience!
The dialogue was a standout for me also, very natural and suitable for the different occasions. I laughed out loud many times.
The development of the characters was well done also. They seemed alive and lively to me.
I award 4.6 stars to “Beyond Despair”, the score would have been higher except for the large handful of spelling errors. 
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You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/Beyond-Despair-by-Shirley-Hoisington
https://www.goodreads.com/-beyond-despair
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Despair-Shirley-Hoisington
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/ShirleyHoising2 
https://shirleyhoisington.com 
 
Romance, adventure, suspense, Oregon 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction. 
63 Comments

Alpha Dawn: Book one of the Teragene Chronicles By Morgan R. R. Haze

8/22/2020

73 Comments

 
Debut author, Morgan R. R. Haze introduces us to the first in a series of science fiction novels, “Alpha Dawn”:
In the far future humanity is in a paradox. The discovery of a dynamic ore has allowed humans to prevent their own extinction by saving their dying world. However, Terra Prime is ultimately consigned to oblivion in an unforeseen cataclysm. A cataclysm which has created the Void. Rather than be curious or fearful of unexplored space, most humans simply perceive the Void at the center of the known universe as the single greatest mystery of the cosmos.
While the human race is preserved, living on colonized planets in outer space, mankind has lost the sense of who they really are. Thus, their understanding of true history is deluded. Facts are viewed as myths and myths as historical events. In such strange circumstances, there are those who seek to belong somewhere more meaningful, opposed to the numerous ideologically flawed organizations, governments, and planets spread across the known universe.
Prepare to go on a journey with Captain Singer and many others as their fates intertwine in various, sometimes unexpected ways. Will they prevent their past from catching up to them, while searching for a better place in this dystopian universe? Or will their past and future collide in unimaginable events?

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I see this first volume as a wonderful introduction to a wide and far-ranging story about the human experience.
I love the use of first-person POV. Each chapter has a different POV or location and the chapters are quite short, avoiding the dreaded head hopping that occurs in so many other stories like this. That makes for a fast-moving story and flows quite well.
There are a number of characters and we meet quite a few of them, but it’s pretty easy to keep track most of the time because the chapters are not very long. I appreciate that aspect. Some of the characters are fully human and some are altered genetically or otherwise, that contributes a lot to the story.
There is a lot of action and dialogue that drives the story nicely. The scene setting is okay, it could be a little bit longer, but it is adequate and I am sure it’s hard to find the right balance.
I award 4.5 stars to "Alpha Dawn: Book one of the Teragene Chronicles". I really enjoyed the story, but there were a lot of spelling errors. The author assures me those errors have been corrected, therefore your reading will be smoother.
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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Dawn-Book-Teragene-Chronicles-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-alpha-dawn
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Dawn-Book-Teragene-Chronicles
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Morgan_R_R_Haze
https://www.instagram.com/morganrrhaze
https://www.facebook.com/Morgan-RR-Haze 
Here is the review of the next volume in the series, "Alpha Convergence":www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/alpha-convergence-book-two-of-the-teragene-chronicles-by-morgan-r-r-haze 
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction
73 Comments

You: The World of Thoughts Matters By Rose S. White

8/15/2020

25 Comments

 
Debut author, Rose S. White, introduces us to her first book, “You: The World of Thoughts Matters”:
A message from one man could change her life forever…
Mei finds more solace in the world of imagination than she does in the real world. Stuck in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere, she longs for something more. When she receives a message from a man online, she begins talking to him and soon discovers exactly what she has been missing. Soon her whole world is transformed as is Mei.
A story of loneliness, love and hope.

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This such a cute book, it’s quite remarkable also. It’s well out of my normal reading range, but I was instantly attracted to the cover. All of those colors appearing where her head was. It made me very curious. I invented several ideas to explain the cover and decided I had to read it.
The blurb does a good job of hinting at the story without giving anything away. I shall not spoil it for you either.
Like the cover, this story is full of color and surprises. We are privy to all of Mei’s thoughts about everything in her life. Sometimes her thoughts are connected to her activity at the moment and other times they are elsewhere. Her thought life is quite rich.
As a young, professional woman, Mei is drifting through life. She has ambition, she wants to move up the ladder, but she doesn’t have a solid anchor. So many of us don’t. She is living her life to meet general expectations that others have placed on her. Then something happens to shake her world.
I award 4 stars to “You: The World of Thoughts Matters”. The score would have been higher, but I found quite a few spelling errors. 

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You can buy this book:
https://amazon.com/You-Thoughts-Rose-S-White-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-you-world-of-thoughts-matters
https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-World-of-Thoughts-Rose-S-White
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/RoseSWhite8
https://amazon.com/Rose-S-White
Fantasy, romance
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction.
25 Comments

VampireS (€) X: An Adult Historical Supernatural Memoir By Bryan Genesse

8/8/2020

57 Comments

 
Debut author, Bryan Genesse introduces us to his first book:
​“VampireS (€) X”:
I Am Demon. And God. The Last Of My Kind. Read My Story At Your Own Peril... a memoir of secrets revealed. Relentless, painfully honest, thrillingly intimate and a true account of anguish and immortality told by an author in hiding who after 1000 years might still walk amongst us. A stunning tale unlike any other in the genre, for the author, promises to dispel every lie, myth and fable told in all the made-up stories ever written about vampires. Spanning across continents and centuries from New York City to Italy to North Africa and deep into jungles of the Mayan Coast, the author weaves a relentless tale of infinite love, relentless wars and dancing with madness while divulging the realities of being an immortal...whose gender and sexual appetites are the biggest enigmas of all. A tsunami of revelations leads to the unimaginable: how anyone, whether mortal or immortal, can still turn a human into a vampire. If you do not believe this journal is NonFiction as soon as you start reading you will. If you do not read this memoir in one sitting; if instead, you decide to go to sleep—Do Not Turn Off The Lights. Believe me! The author does not require an invitation to enter your home that is a myth! This is...the Truth.

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This is an interesting take on the common vampire theme. Written as a supernatural memoir, it has quite a few surprising twists. I loved it.
I really want to talk about some of the twists and revelations that are slowly revealed in the story. But I am committed to not revealing any spoilers.
The feelings of the vampire while recording thoughts are very evident and at times elicit a great deal of sympathy, this is a big part of the author’s genius. All of the characters come through as complex and very relatable. They are real, with conflicting desires and emotions.
I enjoyed the dialogue quite a bit, it was very witty at times and rather gritty sometimes.
There were many locales and time periods, which was entertaining. The scene setting is done well also.
The action was excellent.
The author describes his novel as an adult memoir with good reason, there are a handful of fairly sexy scenes.
I award “VampireS (€) X” a score of 4.5 stars. The score would have been much higher except for a large, double-handful of spelling errors I found. The author has had those corrected, so your reading will be much smoother. 

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/VampireS-E-X-Adult-Historical-Supernatural-Memoir-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/vampires-e-x
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VampireS-E-X-Adult-Historical-Supernatural-Memoir-ebook
You can follow the author:
 https://twitter.com/bryangenesse
http://www.bryangenesse.com
http://facebook.com/bryangenesseauthor
paranormal, fantasy, romance
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 

57 Comments

Jaben's Rift (Far Land Trilogy Book 1) by G. David Walker

8/1/2020

92 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume author, G. David Walker introduces us to the first volume in the Far Land Trilogy, “Jaben’s Rift”:
One impulsive step, and a world hangs in the balance.

When an ordinary family vacation in Scotland sends Jason Bennett to Teleria, an extraordinary world of might and magic, his arrival sets the wheels in motion on events that will change that world forever.
In Teleria, Jason is thought to be Jaben, a mysterious figure from an ancient prophecy who is destined to save or doom the world. Through half-truths and misunderstandings, Jason gets caught in a dangerous tug of war between the ruling Circle of Nine and one of his own ancestors from three hundred years in his past. Adding to his dilemma, he finds himself at the center of a conflict between two of the Altered, a small group of godlike beings, one of whom is secretly aiding Jason's ancestor, violating a Covenant that has kept Teleria safe from their influence for over a millennia.

Unable to return home, Jason must learn to use power he isn't convinced he has, keep from triggering a war between the Altered that could devastate the planet, and most of all…survive.

Not quite the summer vacation he had in mind.

JABEN’S RIFT takes the reader on a journey of honor and deception, betrayal and self-sacrifice, as Jason tries to figure out who is telling him the truth and who only wants to use him, before Teleria’s fate is sealed forever.

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This is a fabulous book! I was stunned by the story. Yes, this is a YA fantasy tale, but as a lifelong reader of more than 60 years I loved this story!
The struggle Jason goes through of being catapulted into an unfamiliar land and dimension and having to learn to survive is a tale that has been told in many different ways. The telling is what makes the difference.
This story has a richness that is not always found in your basic, swords-and-sorcery yarn. Sure, there is magic, many different kinds of magic, some are narrow and some are broad and contravene the nature of the world at times. Sure, there is a council of elders, but the Council of Nine don’t always get along or see eye to eye on important issues.
There is politics, racism, discrimination and those who want to control others. There are many different races and types of creatures that don’t always get along. There is a mysterious prophecy that seems to have an unknown origin, but it is accepted by all as the gospel truth.
Then there are the gods, or at least they seem like gods to the inhabitants of the land.
The scene setting is marvelous, the dialogue is quite witty at times. Jason’s growth is spurred by many different problems, some he causes by speaking too quickly. I think the richest parts are the different characters the author has created. They come alive and have struggles of their own.
This is such a good story, “Jaben’s Rift” gets a score of 4.9 stars! 
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Far-Land-Jabens-Rift-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-jaben-s-rift
This book was originally published as “From a Far Land (Jaben’s Rift, #1)” with a slightly different cover.
I have reviewed another book by the author, "Redemption's Edge". You can see it here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/redemptions-edge 
You can follow the author: 
https://twitter.com/gdavidwalker 
https://gdavidwalker.com 
https://www.facebook.com/Far-Land-Trilogy-Jabens-Rift 
https://www.facebook.com/gdavidwalker 
https://www.goodreads.com/G_David_Walker 
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
92 Comments

The Joy of Cruising: Passionate Cruisers, Fascinating Stories By Paul C. Thornton

7/25/2020

33 Comments

 
Award winning, multi-genre author, Paul C. Thornton, introduces us to his newest book, “The Joy of Cruising”:
The Joy of Cruising is about passion. Award-winning author Paul C. Thornton profiles travelers from all over the world with a passion for cruising and who act on that passion in creative and fascinating ways. (Just announced as medal winner Florida Author & Publishers Association President's Book Awards!) From a Grammy award winner, Poker Hall of Famer, winner of the TV series Last Comic Standing, to "ordinary" cruisers doing extraordinary things, The Joy of Cruising will fascinate anyone who has ever cruised, aspires to take a cruise, or just loves travel. The Joy of Cruising is an anthology that takes a look at the magic of cruising from the vantage point of travelers passionate about travel--a compendium of anecdotes, stories, and profiles of cruisers who have some unique or interesting perspective. It is not cruise-line specific, nor an industry overview, cruising guide/how-to, exposé or behind the scenes. The Joy of Cruising is a positive examination of why cruisers do what they do in the pursuit of their passion.

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Ready to “skydive” on Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas.
I have never been on a cruise. I am now wishing that wasn’t the case. The author has a relaxed and comfortable writing style that I enjoyed a great deal. He taught me how passionate so many are about cruising. Observing their passion and enjoying their story through their eyes, has imparted a great deal to me.
I didn’t understand how much fun is available on a cruise. The activities onboard and ashore are plentiful and quite exciting at times. I am that guy that loves museums and learning more about history, I like to read all the descriptions and plaques for displays. The lecture series on a cruise is right up my alley. Some of the themed cruises call to me a great deal also. Being on a cruise with a couple thousand people who share a similar enthusiasm sounds ever so interesting. A wonderful way to meet and make new friends.
I award “The Joy of Cruising” 4.6 stars! The score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors. 

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Joy-Cruising-Passionate-Cruisers-Fascinating-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-joy-of-cruising
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-joy-of-cruising-paul-c-thornton
Available at many of the other major platforms also
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/joyofcruising
http://www.thejoyofcruising.net
http://www.facebook.com/TheJoyOfCruising 
http://www.instagram.com/thejoyofcruising 
http://www.amazon.com/author/paulthornton
I have reviewed the second book here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cruising-interrupted 
​

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

Honor: A Dark Age Historical Fiction Novel  (Thrones and Soldiers Book 1) By Francis Williams

7/18/2020

83 Comments

 
Award-winning, multi-volume author, Francis Williams, introduces us to the first volume in his Thrones and Soldiers series, “Honor”:
The Romans have abandoned Britannia. It is now 425 CE, and the islands have been brutally invaded by barbarian tribes coming from all directions.

These lands are now a series of lawless, squabbling kingdoms which haven’t been united since the death of High King Coel Hen roughly a decade before. Roman rule failed the Britons, and a former Roman auxiliary, Hall, has been asked to return and provide a safer future for the people of Britannia’s northmost kingdom, Ebrauc.

Word has it that a Saxon warlord has united many tribesmen from Germania and Gaul as he prepares for his assault on the island’s northern territories. Simultaneously, the Pictish tribes from North of Hadrian’s Wall are now supported by an unknown Gaelic king from across the seas in the West.

Many enemies, both known and unknown, will surface to prevent Hall and his son, Drysten, from giving Britannia’s people the security they have longed for.

The first book of a series follows the many trials by both Hall and Drysten as they both set up Britannia for one of its greatest leaders in history.

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Lovers of fantasy and historical fiction, I have a juicy one for you! This is such a good story! You are going to eat this up. It’s a wonderful meal also, it’s thick and meaty. This will last you for hours!
It comes with maps also and a prologue that looks long at first, but it is well worth reading.
The dark ages have always gotten a short shrift, in my opinion. I recall my history teacher telling us that there was not a lot of written material for that period; which is why it was called the dark ages. The author has taken what little he found and pulled together an exciting story! The action and dialogue are plentiful to offset the somewhat lengthy narration quite well. He has done a great job of recreating the land and the people after the Romans gave up trying to subdue the wild people of what we now know as the British Isles. I particularly enjoyed the detail that many of the Roman methods of construction were lost when they left. The greatest weapon of the Romans may well have been the formula for concrete that enabled them to build the fabulous roads and uniform architecture.
With a wild bunch of characters, noble and otherwise, honorable and not, the inevitable clashes keep this story moving at a wonderful pace. I cannot imagine anyone that loves historical fiction and fantasy not deriving a lot of enjoyment from this book.
I award 4.9 stars to “Honor”! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found. The author reports that they are fixed. Your reading pleasure will be the smoother.

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Honor-Historical-Fiction-Thrones-Soldiers-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-honor-by-francis-williams
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/IamFrancisW
https://www.instagram.com/iamfranciswilliams
https://www.facebook.com/IamFrancisWilliams

I have reviewed the second book in the series here:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/usurper-thrones-and-soldiers-book-2 

tags: action, adventure, ancient military, gods, God

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

The King's Retribution: Book Two of The Plantagenet Legacy By Mercedes Rochelle

7/11/2020

75 Comments

 
Multi-volume, multi-series, fiction and non-fiction author, Mercedes Rochelle, introduces us to the second volume in the series about Plantagenet kings, “The King’s Retribution”:
If you read A KING UNDER SIEGE, you might remember that we left off just as Richard declared his majority at age 22. He was able to rise above the humiliation inflicted on him during the Merciless Parliament, but the fear that it could happen again haunted him the rest of his life. Ten years was a long time to wait before taking revenge on your enemies, but King Richard II was a patient man. Hiding his antagonism toward the Lords Appellant, once he felt strong enough to wreak his revenge he was swift and merciless. Alas for Richard, he went too far, and in his eagerness to protect his crown Richard underestimated the very man who would take it from him: Henry Bolingbroke.

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Quite an amazing story! Happily, the wait for the sequel to “A King Under Siege” is over.
I really enjoyed this story. The author has a knack for research and taking in the arid, dusty facts from hundreds of years ago and bringing those dry bones back to life! The historical figures really do come alive under the author’s pen.
The scene setting is wonderful, Mercedes includes lots of bits of information from the time period, food, furnishings and clothing that contribute so much to the story.
The political intrigue and backroom dealings make this such a fascinating story. People have not changed hardly at all. Then, as now, everyone is looking out for themselves, even while professing love and faithfulness. It really is lonely at the top.
Mercedes used a little bit of the vernacular of the time and it gave a nice texture. I like interesting and unusual words.
I award a score of 4.9 stars to “The King’s Retribution”! The score would have been higher except for a few spelling errors.
The author assures me the errors have been fixed. 

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/The-Kings-Retribution-Book-2-Plantagenet-Legacy
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-king's-retribution
https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-King's-Retribution
 
You can follow the author:
http://www.twitter.com/authorrochelle
http://www.mercedesrochelle.com
http://www.mercedesrochelle.net
 
I have reviewed other books by this author:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/a-king-under-siege-book-one-of-the-plantagenet-legacy-by-mercedes-rochelle 

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

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, Normandy, historical, biographical,  
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.
75 Comments

Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor by Veronica Cline Barton

7/4/2020

53 Comments

 

(My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series Book 5)

Multi-volume, award-winning author, Veronica Cline Barton introduces us to her newest volume in the series, “Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor”:
American Marchioness and mummy-to-be Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams is up to her maternity toes with the soon to be completed renovations at Cherrywood Hall and the planning for the Prince of Kingwood Ball, a royal, society event. The startling find of a skeleton in the construction zone brings renovations to a grinding halt. History is about to get a big royal wake-up call with this ghoulish find, as scandals from the past are revealed.

Gemma’s college friend, interior designer extraordinaire, Rikkhe St. Claire has an eye for clues and a nose for trouble, helping Gemma uncover deadly details from years gone by. A new nanny’s in the halls of Cherrywood—will Figgy McEwen’s psychic conversations with the ghost whisperers from the past lead Scotland Yard to discover fiends most foul? Chaos on the film set of the Castlewood Manor movie lead to more than one deadly demise—are they accidents? Or pre-meditated?

Royal diaries, international intrigue, a film’s future, and meddling friends and family bring these scandalous happenings to a head. Gemma, hunky-dunky, hubby Kyle, and new doggie of the manor, Teddy are definitely in for double trouble in this almost-royal who dun nit like no other. 

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I love this book and the entire series! I feel right at home with all the characters. Veronica has such a wonderful, deft touch with dialogue and action in her books. She keeps the pace flowing so smoothly. Her description of the foods makes my mouth water at times. The dialogue is so witty at times, I chuckle or laugh on almost every page. With an account of the apparel of the characters is sterling and helps me to see the characters in my mind. My favorite new character is a certain Scottish nanny, Figgy; she nearly charmed the socks off me. Sorry, Pippa. No hard feelings, I hope. 
With nothing but praise for this book, I award an easy five stars to “Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor”! Thank you so much for the hours of reading pleasure!
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Double-Trouble-Showtime-Castlewood-Almost-Royal 
https://www.goodreads.com/-double-trouble 

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/double-trouble-showtime-at-castlewood-manor 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-trouble-veronica-cline-barton/1137291338 
https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1522093241​
 

You can follow Veronica Cline Barton:
https://twitter.com/VClinebarton
https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries
https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Cline-Barton
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Veronica_Cline_Barton
https://www.youtube.com/channel/#Bookem

Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy, castle, dog, cuisine, culinary, pregnancy, twins

Here is the interview with the author and the review of the first book:            https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the interview with the author and the review of the second book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cast-crew-and-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-my-american-almost-royal-cousin-series-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the interview with the author and the review of the third book:   https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/deadly-receptions-the-debut-of-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton
Here is the review of the fourth book:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mistletoe-and-mayhem-yuletide-at-castlewood-manor 
​
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction 
53 Comments

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. The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found. Those errors have been corrected, so your reading will be better.

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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” The score would have been higher except for a couple of spelling errors. 

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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”! The score would have been higher except for the handful of spelling errors I found.
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.
The author has told me the spelling errors are corrected.

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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

Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption                      By Garry J. Peterson

5/30/2020

88 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume author, Garry J. Peterson introduces us to the first two books in the Stargate Earth series, Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption:
The existence of alien life on planet Earth has been discussed and argued for centuries. The ancient alien theory phenomenon is now well established as one of the fiercest debates, and the complex issues of “are there or aren’t there…were there or weren’t there” cannot be answered in a simple yes or no.
In book one, SHATTERED TRUTH, ancient-alien hunter Pete Stevenson was the family generational pioneer in the search for the truth that was out there. In what could only be called a “bittersweet” journey, Pete found such evidence, including encounters with friendly temporal aliens, and paid the ultimate price with his life.
Pete’s granddaughter Sara Steele had an intense need to either prove or disprove Grandad Pete’s alien theories; and as her vision became clear, she established and directed the Extraterrestrial Research Team, or ETRT, and her similarly-wired associates became our world’s best shot at understanding alien presence and even determining planet Earth’s survival.
In SHATTERED TRUTH, Sara’s team was introduced to the same friendly temporal aliens that her grandad had met, but this time the alien encounters prevailed in real life-and-death circumstances. Sara had been given the ultimate gift of alien resources and the penultimate truth that she was Earth’s Chosen One.
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Shattered Truth is the first of five volumes and a hefty part of the beginning of the book is setting the stage for the action and events to follow. It seems like a slow start in the beginning, because of that. However, there is a fair amount of dialogue and action, and the scenes are pretty well described. If you are intensely interested in the idea of aliens or just want an overview of the ideas and theories, then this is a great book to read.
There were a number of ‘wow’ moments and some funny parts also. I enjoyed the story quite a bit, despite the slow start.
There were quite a few spelling errors, they have been corrected in the e-book, so your reading will be smoother. I award a score of 4 stars to “Shattered Truth”.


You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/shattered-truth-a-sara-steele-novel
https://smile.amazon.com/SHATTERED-TRUTH-Stargate-Earth-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/shattered-truth



In book two, ALIEN DISRUPTION, Sara Steele becomes the absolute leader of a multi-talented and intensely focused group of determined disruptors—fighting crime, tyranny, secret societies, suppressed technology, climate change, and even evil aliens. Having been physically rebuilt and now possessing superhuman strength, Sara’s capabilities are taken to the limit.
ALIEN DISRUPTION is a visionary novel giving the reader an alarming apocalyptic glimpse of the future. Then, the reader gets to play, despite the evil aliens, a constructive part in a creative process promoting a unified advance of our human species through a holistic transformation of Spaceship Earth and the people on board for this incredible journey.
The most dynamic relationship storyline in ALIEN DISRUPTION becomes the intense, mutually beneficial, and effective relationship between Sara and the female alien leader, Echo, as well as Sara’s strong physical, mental, and emotional bond with alien warrior Pulse.
Humor, storytelling, and the several flawed but well-intentioned characters give the reader a sense that this story is as much about people, family, and what we all struggle with day after day, as it is about science fiction. Leadership and a strong moral and spiritual fabric are the pillars that define bad behavior and drive good behavior.
The ending of ALIEN DISRUPTION will provide a multi-faceted cliffhanger that will tie books three, four, and five remarkably into the STARGATE EARTH SERIES, and leave the reader anxious and excited to read book three, WARRIORS OF THE GALAXY.


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I enjoyed this story quite a bit. Garry covers a lot of ground, many different topics that affect the lives of people on Earth. Aliens, ancient aliens, artificial intelligence, climate change and terrorism, to name a few.
The ETRT group is front and center of the action and strategy to deal with multiple issues, their expansion of the research of Sara’s grandfather has earthshaking consequences.
No spoilers from me. There are fascinating plot twists in the story, the action is detailed and appropriate for a five-volume set. I found the dialogue to be a lot of fun at times, there is a wonderful collection of characters and they come across as quite alive.
The stakes are climbing for the research group, and the inhabitants of Earth.
I award a score of 4.3 stars to “Alien Disruption”, the score would have been higher except for a large number of spelling errors. Those errors have been corrected; your reading experience will be the better.

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You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/products/alien-disruption
https://smile.amazon.com/ALIEN-DISRUPTION-Steele-Novel-Stargate-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-alien-disruption

You can follow the author:
https://www.garryjpeterson.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-peterson
https://www.facebook.com/garry.peterson
https://twitter.com/GarryPeterson

Tags: science fiction, sci-fi, pyramids, stone henge, Easter Island, time travel, action, adventure, thriller, space, spacecraft, stargate
I have also reviewed Garry's book about business practices:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/who-put-me-in-charge
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introductions.

88 Comments

Unwanted Discovery - Book One                              By Sandra Denbo and Tamarine Vilar

5/23/2020

69 Comments

 
Multi-volume authors, Sandra Denbo and Tamarine Vilar introduce us to the first volume of The Unwanted Series, “Unwanted Discovery”:
Sharon Cooper and her daughter, Callie, nearly bit off more than they could chew when they started to inventory Sharon’s mother’s estate. A series of unwanted discoveries begins when they find old letters in the attic. Hidden and locked away throughout the mansion are more secrets about Sharon’s family than she ever imagined. How could Sharon have grown up here and not be aware of the mystery, intrigue and scandal within these walls?
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This complex mystery is a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. Since it’s the start of a series, the authors have provided a longer-than-normal opportunity to get to know the full cast of characters.
The surprises and plot twists keep showing up and that was one thing I really liked. The shocking events more than made up for the slightly slower pace. This pace allowed for fuller development of the characters which is quite nice. They come across as quite real for me.
The scene setting is very thorough and lends a lot to the enjoyment. The dialogue is quite funny at times and so delightful. The action keeps the story flowing as well as the dialogue.
Overall, this book is a lot of fun to read and I highly recommend it! I award a score of 4.9 stars! The score would have been higher except for a few spelling errors. The authors have assured me the errors are corrected; your reading experience will be better.
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Unwanted-Discovery-Book-Sandra-Denbo-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-unwanted-discovery---book-one
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/unwanted-discovery-sandra-denbo
You can follow the authors:
https://twitter.com/SeriesUnwanted
http://theunwantedseries.net
https://www.facebook.com/TheUnwantedSeries
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the authors’ introduction
69 Comments

The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2                By MK Schultz

5/16/2020

85 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, MK Schultz introduces us to the second volume in his Kassius Kanex series:
The lives of five fishermen are forever altered when they embark on a fishing trip together. The trip brings forth an evil that beckons them to the fulfillment of their destinies. When an evil cult attempts to use the fishermen to their own means, a powerful time traveler comes to the rescue, but only after they are first led through a trial of great suffering and despair.
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The first book, Kassius Kanex, was a pretty wild ride with a secret organization that was set up to protect the world and bring justice to evil doers when the regular channels failed.
This book delves deeply into the origins of The Organization and the ability of the leader to travel through time and teleport things also. It’s hard to not give any spoilers, but I am trying.
This is an interesting book on many levels, it feels like it came out of the golden age of science fiction, it is focused on men and masculinity. Women are not ignored by any stretch of the imagination. Women are treated with respect and honor.
The story has a lot of action and some of the dialogue is very funny. Scene setting is done well without going overboard. The characters are well developed and easy to follow.
Some of the plot twists are surprising and a lot of fun.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this story and its uniqueness. I award “The Fishing Trip: Kassius Kanex, Book 2” five stars!
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Fishing-Trip-Kassius-Kanex-Book-ebook
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-fishing-trip-mk-schultz
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-fishing-trip
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Makemali
https://www.mkschultz.com

I reviewed the first book here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/kassius-kanex-by-mk-schultz
I reviewed the third book here: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/equilibrium 

Tags: science fiction, action, adventure, time travel, suspense
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
85 Comments

A Bloody Hot Summer by Trevor D’Silva

5/8/2020

62 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, Trevor D’Silva, introduces us to his latest novel, a wonderful, murder mystery set in England in the early 20th century, “A Bloody Hot Summer”:
It’s 1927 and Great Britain is sweltering in an unprecedented heatwave. On the morning after her eightieth birthday party, Lady Fitzhugh is discovered bound and butchered in her bed, with her family and staff the prime suspects...
Whilst holidaying at nearby Meadowford Village, Detective Dermot Carlyle is asked to help investigate the brutal murder. The clues all point to a robbery gone wrong, but Dermot suspects that there is more to the horrific crime. The Fitzhughs’ secrets take Dermot along a path linking some of the biggest events of the British Colonial Empire – from India to Africa, to the dark days of the Great War itself.
As more murders take place, Dermot is racing against time to discover the killer’s identity. What are the family hiding, why did Lady Fitzhugh have to die, and what horror was committed in the colonies that led to this trail of death and deceit?
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This story is such a delight! An English murder-mystery in the tradition of one of the finest authors in the genre. I can’t imagine any person who enjoys this type of reading being disappointed in some way.
The author has proven he is a journeyman writer in all accounts. His handling of important aspects such as plotting, action and dialogue are masterful. His scene-setting and narration is elegant. I find nothing to complain about. Not even a single spelling error popped up to irritate me as I read.
I award 5 stars to “A Bloody Hot Summer”! Well done, Mr. D'Silva, well done!

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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Bloody-Hot-Summer-Trevor-DSilva-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-a-bloody-hot-summer
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/a-bloody-hot-summer-trevor-dsilva
You can follow the author: 
http://trevordsilva.com 
https://twitter.com/TrevorDAuthor 
https://www.instagram.com/trevordauthor 
https://www.pinterest.com/trevor_dsilva 
mailto:trevordsilvaauthor@gmail.com 
https://www.facebook.com/Trevordsilvaauthor/​
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-d-silva
 
I reviewed Trevor’s other book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/fateful-decisions-by-trevor-dsilva
Tags: British fiction, murder, mystery, international, the Great War, Boer War, South Africa, crime, action, detective, Scotland
 
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

62 Comments

The Death Doll By K. D. Carter

5/2/2020

5 Comments

 
Multi-volume author, K. D. Carter introduces us to her historical fiction book, set in the American colonies, “The Death Doll”:
In the summer of 1692, the infamous Salem witch trials were underway in Massachusetts Colony, North America. Meanwhile, a new Governor was appointed over New Hampshire colony, but his only interest was the land he felt entitled to. Citizens of Durham, New Hampshire, were losing property they’d farmed for years. It was a dangerous time to come to the Colonies, but Kate Tremont had no choice. Having lost her father and her home in Kingston, Jamaica, she sailed to Durham, New Hampshire to stay with her only living relative – William Stoddard, a farmer and devout Puritan. William demands obedience and conformity if Kate wants to stay, but that’s not the worst of it. Kate finds that enemies are easier to make than friends when she gives a doll to a child. When her act of kindness is twisted and used against her, Kate learns that evil happens when good people get angry!

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Katie Tremont makes a logical choice, but she winds up jumping from the frying pan into the fire. What a long and difficult jump that turns out to be.
Author Carter has written a wonderful book. I love historical fiction and this genre is my third favorite to read. I really enjoy learning what life was like in other times and places. I think that partially stems from my trip to Europe in my college years. I know that people are basically the same no matter when or where you go.
Carter excels at painting a realistic picture of daily living, the scenes and dialogue ring with authenticity. The characters are easily distinguishable and very much alive.
This is an excellent read and quite enjoyable. I give “The Death Doll” a score of 4.9 stars, the score would have been higher except for the small handful of spelling errors I found.
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You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Death-Doll-K-D-Carter-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-death-doll
You can follow the author:
https://kdcarterbooks.wordpress.com
https://twitter.com/CarterbooksD
 
Tags: hist-fic, fiction, suspense, mystery, thriller
Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

5 Comments
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