Book Reviews (by Genre)

Here you will find book reviews listed as per an alphabetical genre list.
If a certain books falls under 2 or more genre, then it’ll be listed in all the respective genres.

Book Review: Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts

Categories Jenny Morton Potts, Mystery, psychological thriller, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts
Author: Jenny Morton Potts
Release Date: 1st February 2017
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Mystery
Series: 
Edition: ebook (MOBI)
Pages: 258
Publisher: Cahoots Publishing
Blurb:
A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.
Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.
This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Review

★★★★+1/2

Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts is a fast-paced new psychological thriller that will keep you hooked right until the very end.

I enjoyed every bit of reading this book! The writing was one of the best parts of this book; it was very fluid, smooth and engaging. The next best thing for me was the mind-blowing plot; it was so interesting that it was hard for me to stop myself from reading the next chapter every time I finished one. The plot unravels beautifully and the reveals were rewarding. Once I started the book, it was literally unputdownable! The chapters are paced brilliantly and the changing timelines of the two different POV characters made this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The characters were so good and full of life – I loved Rebecca, and though I wasn’t able to overly connect to Keller, I did get the motivation behind his actions. The secondary characters were also well constructed and very relatable.

This is my first book by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more by her in the near future. I’d recommend this book to thriller/psychological thriller lovers.

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this review is also posted on goodreads and amazon

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Book Review: Brand Identity Breakthrough by Gregory V. Diehl

Categories Gregory V. Diehl, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Brand Identity Breakthrough by Gregory V. Diehl
Author: Gregory V. Diehl
Release Date: 4th March 2017
Genre: Non-Fiction, Business Guide
Series: 
Edition: Paperback
Pages:
Publisher: Identity Publishers
Blurb:
Does your business have a story to tell? It should! From the moment you first opened your doors, you began crafting it. With every new product you release, you carve out an even more unique niche in your industry. This all builds up to one thing–brand identity. Does yours stand out from the crowd?With a decade of experience studying businesses across the world, Diehl has unlocked the key to creating innovative brand identities and distinct business stories. In Brand Identity Breakthrough, you and your small business will learn how to develop a strong brand identity by combining your personality and values with the functionality of your products, becoming an irreplaceable brand and company.

Whether you lead a growing company, or are just starting out, Brand Identity Breakthrough will give you a smarter way to think about product development flow, branding, brand mapping strategy, and business model generation. With proven, and well-organized logic, it will set you on the path to selling more–and at higher prices–giving the customers exactly what they want and sending your profits through the roof.
In Brand Identity Breakthrough, you will learn…

-How to incorporate a unique selling proposition into your branding
-The best methods for selling products to customers as a small business
-How to use business storytelling to sell products in both physical and online marketplaces

Table of Contents

Section I: Why Identity Matters
Chapter 1: Can You Tell a Good Story? (The Importance of Business Storytelling)
Chapter 2: When Good Ideas Fail
Chapter 3: Why Entrepreneurs Fail to See Their Own Value
Chapter 4: Why Others Fail to See Your Value

Section II: Creating Your Brand Identity
Chapter 5: Uncovering Your Core Values
Chapter 6: Developing a Unique Selling Proposition
Chapter 7: Crafting Your Personality Profile
Chapter 8: Knowing Your Target Audience

Section III: Telling Your Story to the World
Chapter 9: How to Sell Who You Are (Your Brand Identity as a Sales Pitch)
Chapter 10: How to Speak with Clarity, Authority, & Authenticity
Chapter 11: How to Display Your Character Through Writing
Chapter 12: How to Educate Your Audience About Your Brand Identity

Section IV: Brand Identity Case Studies
Case Study #1: Rebranding a Whole Industry’s Adversarial Image
Case Study #2: Pre-Seeding a Two-Sided Marketplace for Launch
Case Study #3: Turning a Charitable Project into a Profitable Movement
Case Study #4: Skyrocketing a Personal Brand through Narrative Focus
Case Study #5: Embracing Personality in a Technical Niche

Section V: Resources for Prospective Entrepreneurs
Appendix 1: Entrepreneurial Terms Defined
Appendix 2: 50 Useful Starting Questions for New Entrepreneurs
Appendix 3: Making Money Online

Review

★★★★+1/2

Brand Identity Breakthrough: How To Craft Your Company’s Unique Story To Make Your Products Irresistible by Gregory V. Diehl is a comprehensive guide for newbies in the tricky arena of business.

I rarely read business guides, but running a start-up in a mostly unconventional field, led me to explore this book and its various eye-catching contents. And I must say that I’m glad that I read this one. This book is extremely informative and very helpful in understanding the basics of how start-ups need to present themselves in this highly competitive world that demands exhaustive amounts of energy from new entrepreneurs. Yet at the same time, it was easy to read and understand, which made it such a likable read for me.

I bookmarked several pages and added a lot of notes in my copy of this book so I’m going to be using it for reference every now and then, especially when I need a little pick-me-up. So I’m really glad that I have my own physical copy fo this book!

I’d recommend this book to anyone who has or is planning to have a new start-up. And even if you already have a well-established business, I’m sure you can pick up a couple of points of wisdom from this gem of a book that might help you overcome brand identity issues.

This review is also posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Graphic Novel Review: Manga Classics – The Stories Of Edgar Allen Poe

Categories Classics, Dark Fiction, Graphic-Novel, Horror, Manga Classics, Mystery, Short-Stories, Stacy King, Suspense, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Graphic Novel Review: Manga Classics – The Stories Of Edgar Allen Poe
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
Adapted By: Stacy King
Illustrator: Several
Release Date: 17th October 2017
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Short-Story Collection, Graphic Novel
Series: 
Edition: PDF
Pages: 308
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Blurb:
The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe is a brilliant collection of some of his best-known stories: The Tell Tale Heart (a murder s haunting guilt), The Cask of Amontillado (a story of brilliant revenge), and The Fall of the House of Usher (an ancient house full of very dark secrets). Also included in this collection are The Mask of the Red Death (horrors of ‘the Plague’), and the most famous of all his poems: The Raven (a lover s decline into madness). Best read in a dimly-lit room with the curtains drawn, Poe s brilliant works come to life in darkly thrilling ways in this Manga Classic adaptation.”

Review

★★★

The Stories Of Edgar Allen Poe is another adaptation by Stacy King, who has adapted several other Manga Classics including Sense And Sensibility. This was my first encounter with any of Edgar Allen Poe’s works, and to say that the stories creeped me out would be an understatement considering that I write horror and creep-worthy fiction myself.

To be honest, this book did not please me like some of the other Manga Classics did; maybe it was because I wasn’t able to connect with Poe’s writing, or maybe because there were only a couple of stories. Either way, I didn’t like this book enough to get and read other works by Mr Poe because having previously read Stacy King’s other adaptations, I know that that it wasn’t because of her or the illustrations, which were beautifully done, to say the least.

The illustrations, as mentioned above, were awesome and spell-binding (literally!) They felt eerie and many times I stopped reading only to examine the illustrations more closely as they had such amazing details. Unfortunately, I received a very early ARC edition of this particular book, so some of the illustrations were only in black and white. Nonetheless, the illustrations were remarkable.

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If you’re anything like me and dread reading most fo the classics, then go ahead and give this one a read. It never hurts to have read the condensed and illustrated version of the most famous works of one of the greatest authors of their time.

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Review also posted on: Goodreads and NetGalley

Book Review: From Wrath To Ruin by Justin Enos

Categories Action, Dystopian, Fantasy, Speculative-Fiction2 Comments on Book Review: From Wrath To Ruin by Justin Enos
Author: Justin Enos
Release Date: 26th April 2017
Genre: Dystopian, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy
Series: 
Edition: E-book (mobi)
Pages: 386
Publisher: Book Baby
Blurb:
In exile from his homeland…
As a mercenary, Tijodrin has wandered far and wide, and now his travels have
brought him to the great city of Hohvenlor, a city he knows well. He quickly finds
himself caught up in a fierce rivalry that threatens to destroy two powerful
merchant families and turn the streets of Hohvenlor into a battlefield.
Within the city walls, Tijodrin will find danger in many forms. Can he survive
the endless plots of the vengeful merchants and the swords of their bloodthirsty
henchmen, as well as the lurking daggers of the shadowy assassin’s guild??

Review

★★★+1/2

From Wrath To Ruin by Justin Enos is an action-packed dystopian fantasy book with a unique plot.

I’ve read a lot of speculative and dystopian books, but this is the first time I’m reading a mix of in a fast-paced fantasy setting, and I must say it was a very unique and a quite enjoyable experience. I wasn’t able to overly relate or connect to the main protagonist, but I cared enough for him and the other characters to read till the end and was happy with the way it ended.

The best about this book was the element of surprise and unpredictable action. The tension and pacing were high and fast respectively and the overall plot progression was good too. I had a bit of a trouble getting into the flow of the writing initially, but after a couple of pages, I was in for good.

I’d recommend this book to readers who like fast paced stories packed with lots of heady action.

Review also posted on: Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Bitterhold by Hunter Trammell

Categories Action, Adventure, Hunter Trammell, Science-Fiction, Suspense, Thriller1 Comment on Book Review: Bitterhold by Hunter Trammell
Author: Hunter Trammell
Release Date: 10th December 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction, Adventure, Action, Thriller, Suspense
Series: Phoenix Rising (Book #1)
Edition: E-book (mobi)
Pages: 131
Publisher: Outland Publishing
Blurb:
In the future, Earth’s civilization has spread across the stars and now humans and aliens peacefully coexist under the rule of the Eglar Empire as it spreads relentlessly across the universe. Crime is almost unheard of and to many the Empire is a Godsend.
But for an enlightened few it is different. While the media distorts the facts, the universe is on the verge of destruction as the Elgar’s get closer to the Aisle of Dominion, an ancient fable that tells of immeasurable power to whomever beholds it.
An attack on an Eglar Militia base forces Decklan Brady, a grieving father of one of the casualties, to embark on a quest for retribution. But as he investigates he discovers that there is more to it than he was led to believe.
Falling foul of the law, Decklan ends up as a prisoner in Bitterhold, a cryogenic reformation colony onboard the Starship Arcadia. There, he befriends Wesley Rhead, the former leader and founder of a militia group known as Phoenix.
Together, the two devise a plan to escape and rekindle the fire of a broken dream. But can Phoenix really bring justice to the oppressed and restore peace throughout the stars? And can Decklan expose the harsh truth of what happens within the Eglar Empire?

Review

★★★★

“Bitterhold is the home to the worst beings the galaxy has to offer.”

Bitterhold by Hunter Trammell is a powerful beginning to a new sci-fi adventure series, Phoenix Rising.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was an interesting mix of new and unique concepts, settings and beings (aliens as well as humans.) The technology was another thing that really interested me.

The descriptions were good, without being too overwhelming (which a lot of sci-fi novels tend to be) and the characterization was good. I liked the lead but wasn’t overly able to connect with him, though I did care for him and his sufferings enough to want to know where the story takes his character. I liked other characters too and overall they all made the story very engaging.

The plot, for me, was the strongest element of this book; it was complex (in a good way), very detailed and had really good twists and turns that made it a very entertaining read.

Overall, Bitterhold makes for a good read packed with high tension curves and action that is easy to digest. It is an engaging and a pretty quick read and I’d recommend it to all sci-fi and adventure readers.

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Review also posted on: Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: For The Glory Of The Motherboard: Rise Of The Robotariat by Jule Pattison-Gordon

Categories Jule Pattison-Gordon, Science-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: For The Glory Of The Motherboard: Rise Of The Robotariat by Jule Pattison-Gordon
Author: Jule Pattison-Gordon
Release Date: December 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction
Series: 
Edition: e-book
Pages: 96
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Society is due for an upgrade.
Robot A1-5 is growing tired of toiling in the scrap yard every day while her human owner lounges. She begins to question whether the human is necessary at all. A1-5 is the first to hypothesize a better world, a world written in 1s and 0s. She is the first to dream of revolution…
In secret, A1-5 begins to plot and gather robots to her cause. After decades of loyal service, Mr. PostmanTM is due to be replaced with a younger model. ArciTech fears that each time she is shut off, she loses a piece of her soul – and that the next power down may be her last. Store clerk Alice “Probably a Robot” Smith, may look human, but given the way other humans treat her, she is sure her organic appearance is just a clever disguise.
They’ll have one shot to launch the revolution. If they fail, the humans will shut them off for good.  barons.

REVIEW

★★★

This book had a unique concept where robot community starts a revolution against humans after realizing that the humans don’t actually care for the robots like they should being their creator. I admit that it’s not a unique concept to sci-fi readers, but for me, it definitely was as I haven’t explored this genre as much as I have a few others.

It was a very light and quick read. The writing is in tone with the story and very robot-like so it was fun to read it. Still, I am not able to rate this book more than 3 stars because I couldn’t connect with the characters and wasn’t able to relate to the story.

It is based on a game so I’m sure other parts will follow, and if they do I won’t mind reading them. Having said that I won’t be overly disappointed if I don’t get to read them. So basically it was a nice read that served as a breather for me from other heavy science-fiction reads (I read this book for the Sci-Fi month at RMFAO.)

Goodreads

Book Review: Intimacy On The Plate by Olga Petrenko

Categories Cookbook, Non-Fiction, Olga Petrenko2 Comments on Book Review: Intimacy On The Plate by Olga Petrenko
Author: Olga Petrenko
Release Date: 18th August 2017
Genre: Cookbook, Non-Fiction
Series: 
Edition: Extra-trim paperback
Pages: 310
Publisher: Identity Publications
Blurb:
Intimacy On The Plate: Extra Trim Edition contains the same 200+ elegant, erotic recipes as the original, but has been reformatted for a smaller size and lower price. Snack on the convenience of the new smaller trim size, or indulge in the colorful, picturesque body of the original coffee table book.
Every couple knows that the key to a harmonious home is a healthy love life, but keeping your time in bed spicy isn’t enough – you need to turn to the kitchen and amp up the flavor.
Olga Petrenko is a housewife who dedicated years of her life to crafting original dishes that combine tradition with innovation, creating new tastes that everyone can enjoy. In the process, she discovered something new: by applying scientific research to her recipes and by using the correct ingredients, all meals had the potential to be the perfect aphrodisiac. After a decade of hard work and experimentation, she finally had an extensive collection of recipes designed to make every bite erotic – Intimacy On The Plate: 200+ Aphrodisiac Recipes to Spice Up Your Love Life at Home Tonight
Every dish in this erotic cookbook pays as much attention to presentation as to flavor and science. If you want to create the right mood for your loved one, you need to feed the eyes before you feed the stomach. Olga has worked hard to make every sensual meal beautiful and visually appetizing so that you and your partner will feel the food love before you even sit down to eat.
Within these pages, you’ll find 200+ healthy, easy-to-cook recipes known around the world to contribute to sexual desire. Using a wide range of ingredients, including dozens of types of vegetables, mushrooms, fish, seafood, fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices, you and your partner will experience the full range of erotic properties the world of food has to offer. You’ll never run out of new and exciting places to take your meals. From appetizers to main courses, to side dishes, beverages, and desserts, you’ll always have something scintillating to offer up on date night.
Intimacy On The Plate contents ordered by main ingredient:
Section I: Vegetables, Mushrooms, Potherbs, & Seasonings
Section II: Fish
Section III: Seafood
Section IV: Nuts
Section V: Fruits
Section VI: Chocolate
Section VII: Love Potions, Hot Drinks, and Spicy Teas

REVIEW

★★★★★

Intimacy On The Plate by Olga Petrenko is a beautiful cookbook with amazing recipes with eye-catching and sinfully divine-looking gourmet images.

If you love cooking then this book is for you. It has some really good recipes that are not only easy to make but also very healthy to eat. There are so many recipes to choose from! I’ve already marked more than a dozen that I’m planning to try in the coming months. The information provided is like a well full of important knowledge and you get to learn so much about food and its influence on different aspects in our life.

If you love cooking and want to try cooking in a very different style and in the whole new light, then you should definitely get your hands on this book.

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: River Rising (Carson Chronicles #1) by John A. Heldt

Categories Drama, Historical, John A. Heldt, Mystery, Romance, Science-Fiction, time-travel1 Comment on Book Review: River Rising (Carson Chronicles #1) by John A. Heldt
Author: John A. Heldt
Release Date: 7th February 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance, Historical
Series: Carson Chronicles
Edition: e-book
Pages: 661
Publisher:
Blurb:
Weeks after his parents disappear on a hike, engineer Adam Carson, 27, searches for answers. Then he discovers a secret web site and learns his mom and dad are time travelers stuck in the past. Armed with the information he needs to find them, Adam convinces his younger siblings to join him on a rescue mission to the 1880s.
While Greg, the adventurous middle brother, follows leads in the Wild West, Adam, journalist Natalie, and high school seniors Cody and Caitlin do the same in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Like the residents of the bustling steel community, all are unaware of a flood that will destroy the city on May 31, 1889.
In RIVER RISING, the first novel in the Carson Chronicles series, five young adults find love, danger, and adventure as they experience America in the age of bustle dresses, gunslingers, and robber barons.

REVIEW

★★★★★

River Rising by John A. Heldt is an engaging sci-fi historical book that’ll take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

I’ve always loved author Heldt’s books because of the beautiful storylines and his exceptional storytelling skills, and this book is no different and had the same charm that I find nothing short of magic. In fact, this book was all this and so much more; it had elements of mystery and something very different from the author’s previous books – this book is a series based around the same family. This made me look at the characters, the main ones as well as the secondary ones, in a very different light.

Overall it was a very good read and I enjoyed every aspect of it. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, science-fiction – time travel, simple romance, family drama and easy mystery.

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Categories Dystopian, Ernest Cline, Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Young Adult2 Comments on Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Author: Ernest Cline
Release Date: 5th June 2012
Genre: Science-Fiction, Science-Fantasy, Dystopian, Young Adult
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 374
Publisher: Broadway Books
Blurb:
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

REVIEW

★★★★★

“The Hallidays looked like an ordinary American family. There was no hint that the stoic man in the brown leisure suit was an abusive alcoholic, that the smiling woman in the floral pantsuit was bipolar or that the young boy in the faded Asteroids T-shirt would one day create an entirely new universe.”

This book is EPIC! And that too on SO MANY LEVELS!!
First off, I loved the settings! For a hardcore dystopian lover like myself, it was a pure treat! The setting in the book was dystopian in the real sense and filled me with absolute and total dread – I’d hate to be in a world that is described in this book. So the settings are perfect and it is quite self-explanatory why a person would prefer the utopian OASIS to spend their every waking moment. And that’s why the entire thing seems so real and relatable.

description

The Concept of this book is so F**king genius that I was completely stoked!
Who doesn’t like the 80s? The people born in 80s love 80s for obvious reasons, the people born before 80s love 80s and the people born after 80s seriously obsess over the 80s because 80s was the most amazing era whether it was in movies, video games, books, music, or anything whatsoever. I’ve been obsessed with the 80s since my teen years and now we have a book that is an EPIC testament to the era we love, adore and long!

description

Video Games, you say? Bloody f**king yes!!
This book mentions so many classics that you’d feel so nostalgic that you will end up searching the old games and downloading them to play them all again. At least that’s what I did (or am doing while writing this review.) I loved reading the loving and notable mentions of some of my childhood favs – GALAGA(!!) Contra, Donkey Kong, Pac Man (who doesn’t love them) and other games that I played on my home console game (sadly I was born in 1990 and not in America so I never got to play games on the arcade machines :/)

description

But the majority of the games I played weren’t mentioned in the book as they were popular in the 90s and not 80s. But anyway, I still loved reading about the games and it was an absolute surreal experience to read about characters that were so obsessed with gaming!

I loved Art3mis and felt connected to her on so many levels. I’m a girl game nerd so it made me super happy to read about another girl game nerd. She’s like my soul sister!!

description

Virtual Reality
I’m SO glad the book didn’t dwell on the sad and boring topic of perks of the real world over a virtual one. Because I’m an antisocial geek who does not prefer the real world. I even met my husband online! And we’re happy and so much in love even after 7 years of marriage!! So everyone who believes you can’t find honest, good or “real” people online go ahead and read this book and LEARN something! Otherwise just go back to living your sad little lives in the sad little shell that you’ve created for yourself.

description

Hail Halliday!!
Yes, I know Halliday is a… ahem… fictional character, but after reading this book, I’ve come to think of him as a Geek God. He’s the man… the real deal… the real geek. So only two words for him – Hail, Halliday!
Even Morrow was the real deal. I really liked him too and his avatar as well. Other characters were good too, though I loved Art3mis and Halliday the best ❤

description

The ending is satisfactory – it was very fair and I loved it more than anything. And even though Halliday was not the main character, I still felt a longing when Halliday’s avatar, Anorak, left in the end.

If you still haven’t read this book, GO and READ IT NOW! It is an abso-f**king-lutely and total-effing-badass book!

PS: I really wish someday Ernest Cline writes about modern games and Play Stations and Xbox as that is what I (and the later generations) are well aware of. I’m really hoping to see something on God Of War series – it is my absolute favourite game ever!

PPS: I read this book for RMFAO Buddy Read.

Goodreads

Book Review: A Measure Of Murder by Leslie Karst

Categories Cosy, Leslie Karst, MysteryLeave a Comment on Book Review: A Measure Of Murder by Leslie Karst
Author: Leslie Karst
Release Date: 7th February 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Blurb:
Sally Solari is busy juggling work at her family’s Italian restaurant, Solari’s, and helping Javier plan the autumn menu for the restaurant she’s just inherited, Gauguin. Complicating this already hectic schedule, Sally joins her ex-boyfriend Eric’s chorus, which is performing a newly discovered version of her favorite composition: the Mozart Requiem. But then, at the first rehearsal, a tenor falls to his death on the church courtyard–and his soprano girlfriend is sure it wasn’t an accident.
Now Sally’s back on another murder case mixed in with a dash of revenge, a pinch of peril, and a suspicious stack of sheet music. And while tensions in the chorus heat up, so does the kitchen at Gauguin–set aflame right as Sally starts getting too close to the truth. Can Sally catch the killer before she’s burnt to a crisp, or will the case grow as cold as yesterday’s leftovers?
In a stew of suspects and restaurateurs, trouble boils over in the second in Leslie Karst’s tasty and tantalizing Sally Solari mystery series, A Measure of Murder.

REVIEW

★★★★

A Measure Of Murder by Leslie Karst is an engaging cosy mystery that is sure to keep you busy trying to figure out the culprit. I liked the book, it was different from what I usually read and it was really entertaining. The pace was set nicely and was kept constant, one of the reasons I really liked the book. As far as cosy mysteries go, this one proved to be a really good one. The mystery was good and was really brought out by some good twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time.

I liked the characters and enjoyed reading about them. The writing is good too, so, all in all, it was a nice cosy mystery. I’d recommend it to all mystery lovers, especially who like low-key ones.

I’d like to make a note here that I have not read the first part of this series, though it hardly felt like it because the story read like a stand-alone.

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Pragna Rao, Relationships, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao
Author: Pragna Rao
Release Date: 1st January 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Relationships, Indian Literature
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Author’s Ink Publications
Blurb:
Marriage! Is it a tradition? A legal agreement? A biological need? Or something besides all these? Tragedy strikes Isha’s life when she loses her fiancé to destiny. But happiness comes back into her life in the form of a good man who becomes her husband. However, her struggles of her past memories and present situation go on, taking a toll on her new married life. Unable to carry on, she separates from her husband. And yet, the distance between them reminds her of her husband’s unconditional love. She understands the significance of the marital vows and returns to be the best companion for him. Though destiny unceasingly challenges her, it also makes her stronger. Who wins the battle ultimately? Destiny or love?

REVIEW

★★★

His Flawless Love by Pragna Rao is a book about love and marriage and everything that comes with it.

The story was good, well presented and very relatable to those who are married or have someone in their lives whom they truly love. The writing is simple, to the point and the inclusion of bits of poetry really made it an interesting read.

The fact that this book is not too long and easy to read made it a very quick read and I was glad that the author kept the prose tight and light instead of making it longer (in a sing-song way) the way a lot of Indian writers do.

I wasn’t overly impressed by the characterization, but I cared enough for the main characters to read the book and see how things turned out for them.

Overall, a nice and light contemporary romance read.

Goodreads and Amazon

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Book Review: Beneath The Skin by R.L. Martinez

Categories Fantasy, Magic, Magic/Elementals, R.L. MartinezLeave a Comment on Book Review: Beneath The Skin by R.L. Martinez
Author: R.L. Martinez
Release Date: 21st July 2017
Genre: Fantasy, Elementals > Magic, Witches, Shape-shifter
Series: The Witchbreed Series – #2
Edition: E-book
Pages: 365
Publisher: Lakewater Press
Blurb:
Abandoned, betrayed, and wanted for murder, Lady Oriabel Dominax is a witch on the run. The deadly magic now awakened inside her is hungry, and it is all Oriabel can do to control it. With no choice but to trust strangers as her guardians, she quickly discovers not everyone is who they say they are and the very magic she fears might be her only weapon to protect those she loves.
Since rescuing her sister from certain death, Lady Ottilde Dominax’s only goal is to keep Oriabel safe and alive. Not an easy task when both the enemy and their so-called allies are hunting them. Placing all her trust in the very man who held her prisoner, Ottilde must open her heart and mind to a future she could never have predicted, a future guided only by love and survival.
Life, death, and tragedy lie ahead as the Dominax twins set out on a perilous journey to safety. But knowing they are mere pawns in someone else’s game means fighting for family is all they have left.

REVIEW

★★

Beneath The Skin by R.L. Martinez is the second instalment of The Witchbreed series and a sequel to one of my favourite fantasy books, In The Blood.

The first book in this series was so good that when I was offered to review the second one, I was beyond myself and agreed immediately, though I started to feel sceptical about the series as a whole the moment I laid eyes on the cover of this one. Still, I went ahead and read the book because I was sure the story had to be good because… you know… it was the sequel to In The Blood! However, things did not go as per my expectations and this part ended up disappointing me.

I was expecting to see a lot of action and was looking forward to learning more about the characters of whom I was already a fan, but the book proved to be a slog and I was struggling only after a couple of pages. The characters seemed to annoy me for some reason and the pace fo the story was extremely slow in the first half the story. To be honest after about 30% of the book I was literally skimming over the pages not wanting to DNF this book. The story picked up pace after 50% though by that time I was not even interested in knowing whatever was happening.

This is the first time (after DIvergent) that I did not like a particular part of a book series, so I’m not even sure if I’ll be reading the next part.

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Book Review: Loving Ordinary Life by Anastasia Petrenko

Categories Anastasia Petrenko, Non-Fiction, Self-HelpLeave a Comment on Book Review: Loving Ordinary Life by Anastasia Petrenko

[scroll-box]Author: Anastasia Petrenko
Release Date: 12th October 2017
Genre: Self-Help
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 94
Publisher: Identity Publications
Blurb:
Loving Ordinary Life is written for us: living, emotional people.
We all want to live a happy life, but we can easily fall into a state of despondency. We prefer to smile, but more often we frown.
We like being inspired, but most likely, we can’t recall the last time when we were.
There are many books and courses about self-motivation and inspiration. You might have heard hundreds of platitudes and affirmations. Each of them sounds valid but their utility is limited when you actually find yourself stuck in a pit of pain and despair.
Loving Ordinary Life is meant to make a functional difference. It’s not a treatment for depression. It is about living a life where depression has no place.
Loving Ordinary Life is your guide. It is designed so that you can open any page and find the inspiration to act and improve your life when you’re feeling down.
Each chapter in Loving Ordinary Life is a tool for moving from a negative idle state to a positive proactive state. It displays to you the art of being present, free, and genuine every day.
If you want to be more fulfilled and enjoy life more, if you’re open to quality changes, Loving Ordinary Life will become your loyal companion.
Everything is within your power. You are the master of your life. How you experience it depends only on you. Take the lead.[/scroll-box]

Review

★★★

Living Ordinary Life by Anastasia Petrenko is a light-hearted self-help book which is both quick to read and easy to digest.

Though the message tried to convey in this book is nothing different from the other gazillion self-help books, this book wins on the aesthetics part. I loved the basic design of the book, the vibrant yet soft colours used and the quirky fonts and illustrations. It is a fairly quick read, I read it under an hour, so it doesn’t go on for ages like other self-help books. That’s another plus, at least for me.

I’d recommend this book to the genre lovers and to those who need a positive little guide to uplift their spirits and make them feel better about life in general.

You can also find this review on: Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Salinas, Klytie Xu & Syona Puliady

Categories Non-Fiction, Stacey Anne Baterina SalinasLeave a Comment on Book Review: Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Salinas, Klytie Xu & Syona Puliady
Release Date: 2017
Genre: Non-Fiction, Educational
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 85
Publisher: Pacific Atrocities Education

Blurb:
The people of the Philippine Islands during the early half of the twentieth century experienced various waves of Western Imperialism, two wars of attempted secession from western powers, and two world wars. And yet, the Philippine Islands and its people have received only small subheadings in many American textbooks and histories. The wartime experiences from the perspectives of the Philippine people have gone unnoticed and have become overshadowed by the socio-political dominating legacy of American figures like General MacArthur, leader and historical symbol of the Pacific Theater during World War II. MacArthur’s famous phrase “I came through and shall return” are etched into every facet of World War II historical narratives, textbooks, and monuments that pay tribute to the Allied forces in the retaking of the Pacific from the Japanese. But It is the lesser known people and leaders of the Philippine resistance against the Axis powers whose efforts and contributions allowed for the effective and speedy return of MacArthur’s military forces…

REVIEW

★★★★

Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Salinas is an enlightening look into the forgotten world of WWII.

This book was short, succinct and well presented. It was an impressively informative book. The images given in the book were very engaging and proved to be quite helpful in comprehending the text in its entirety. It was a good experience to know more about the place where the Second World War took place.

The writing was good and the descriptions quite clear. In spite of not having a lot of knowledge on the subject, I found the book to be very interesting. I’d recommend to all the history buffs and WW2 enthusiasts.

TRB-gram

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Book Review: Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Anne Baterina Salinas

Categories Non-Fiction, Stacey Anne Baterina SalinasLeave a Comment on Book Review: Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Anne Baterina Salinas
Release Date: 2017
Genre: Non-Fiction, Educational
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 85
Publisher: Pacific Atrocities Education

Blurb:
The people of the Philippine Islands during the early half of the twentieth century experienced various waves of Western Imperialism, two wars of attempted secession from western powers, and two world wars. And yet, the Philippine Islands and its people have received only small subheadings in many American textbooks and histories. The wartime experiences from the perspectives of the Philippine people have gone unnoticed and have become overshadowed by the socio-political dominating legacy of American figures like General MacArthur, leader and historical symbol of the Pacific Theater during World War II. MacArthur’s famous phrase “I came through and shall return” are etched into every facet of World War II historical narratives, textbooks, and monuments that pay tribute to the Allied forces in the retaking of the Pacific from the Japanese. But It is the lesser known people and leaders of the Philippine resistance against the Axis powers whose efforts and contributions allowed for the effective and speedy return of MacArthur’s military forces…

REVIEW

★★★★

Philippines’ Resistance by Stacey Salinas is an enlightening look into the forgotten world of WW2.

This book was short, succinct and well presented. It was an impressively informative book. The images given in the book were very engaging and proved to be quite helpful in comprehending the text in its entirety. It was a good experience to know more about the place where the Second World War took place.

The writing was good and the descriptions quite clear. In spite of not having a lot of knowledge on the subject, I found the book to be very interesting. I’d recommend to all the history buffs and WW2 enthusiasts.

TRB-gram

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Book Review: The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi

Categories Dystopian, Ronald Malfi, Speculative-Fiction, Supernatural1 Comment on Book Review: The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi
Author: Ronald Malfi
Release Date: 26th July 2016
Genre: Science-Fiction, Dystopian, Apocalyptic, Supernatural
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 384
Publisher: Kensington Press

Blurb:
First the birds disappeared.
Then the insects took over.
Then the madness began . . .
They call it Wanderer’s Folly–a disease of delusions, of daydreams and nightmares. A plague threatening to wipe out the human race.
After two years of creeping decay, David Arlen woke up one morning thinking that the worst was over. By midnight, he’s bleeding and terrified, his wife is dead, and he’s on the run in a stolen car with his eight-year-old daughter, who may be the key to a cure.
Ellie is a special girl. Deep. Insightful. And she knows David is lying to her. Lying about her mother. Lying about what they’re running from. And lying about what he sees when he takes his eyes off the road . . .

REVIEW

★★★★

The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi is a very engaging and emotional read.

Initially, after reading the first couple of pages, I felt the plot might be similar to Firestarter by Stephen King, a book I really, really loved(!) but as the plot progressed I felt reassured that this book was not entirely like it. Though the basic concept is the same – Father-daughter duo fighting and running from the world because of the daughter’s supernatural ability, this book was different in its own way. In this book, for one, the father did not possess supernatural abilities. This really made things different, though the main conflict of the father was that he did not have enough time (just like in Firestarter.) The one thing that made this book entirely different from Firestarter is the main backdrop and the central theme – The apocalypse, a world falling prey to an unidentified and seemingly incurable plague. Though I do feel that this book is kind of a homage to Mr King’s masterpiece.

The best part of the book was the conflicts, both inner and outer. I liked the characters of David and Ellie and rooted for them both till the very end. The buildup was very good and the ending was reasonable, though I did see it coming, because really, how could a book like this end? Still, I felt like I was sucker punched in the belly.

The alternating timelines added a lot to the suspense buildup and, overall I really liked this book. In spite of being almost 400 pages, it proved to be a quick read because of the high tension that was maintained throughout the book.

I’d recommend this book to every dystopian fan, though sci-fi and apocalyptic lovers might find this book a bit “low-key” as compared to the action-packed drama we normally expect from these genres.

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Book Review: Small Hours by Jennifer Kitses

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Jennifer Kitses1 Comment on Book Review: Small Hours by Jennifer Kitses
Author: Jennifer Kitses
Release Date: 13th June 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 288
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Blurb:

In the vein of Richard Russo and Tom Perrotta, a gripping, suspenseful, and gorgeous debut novel–told hour-by-hour over the course of a single day–in which a husband and wife try to outrun long-buried secrets, sending their lives spiraling into chaos.

REVIEW

★★★★ + 1/2

Small Hours by Jennifer Kitses is an intense read that is sure to leave a mark on the readers.

Given the short and undescriptive blurb of this book, I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect from it. Though sceptical, I decided to give it a try as it kind of intrigued me. Anyway, reading a book without knowing anything about the story is quite exciting, at least for me, so I went ahead and read it. By the quarter mark, I was glad that I did so as this book turned out to be an excellent example of what exactly a contemporary fiction book should be like.

I liked the plot and the basic premise of the story. It was a very intense read about the complexities of relationships and how people change with time and their thought-process and reactions get impacted accordingly. The characterization was brilliant and though I didn’t connect tot he characters personally, I was very engaged int heir day-to-day life.

The beginning of the story was very engaging and the ending was utterly perfect, it was so good in fact that I read the last part thrice to soak it all in – the way issues were confronted and handled. I loved the inner conflicts in this book and really marvelled the author’s writing style.

If you want to read one contemporary fiction this year, make sure this is it.

TRB-gram

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Book Review: Call A Spade by D.M. Griffin

Categories D.M. Griffin, Dystopian, Science-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Call A Spade by D.M. Griffin
Author: D. M. Griffin
Release Date: 28th April 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction, Thriller, Dystopian
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 225
Publisher: –

Blurb:
CALL A SPADE is a tale of the silver buried beneath tarnish, of unlikely heroism, and of courage and resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.
Jasper never wanted to be a hero; Jasper just wants to be normal. But just as Jasper had no part in choosing how he would be born, he also becomes the unintentional recipient of an amazing and very dangerous gift – a gift that only Jasper himself can decide how to use.

Review

★★★★

Call A Spade by D.M. Griffin is a very engaging science-fiction thriller that’ll capture your interest from the beginning till the very end.

Although shocking, the idea of the plot is not only strong but very probable which makes this book a compelling read. There’s a mix of everything – good action, low-key drama and quality humour, in this book. What else could you expect from a sci-fi thriller?!

The protagonist is an 8-year-old child who suffers from Apert’s Syndrome. Despite his aesthetic deformities, he is a great kid with a praiseworthy sense of humour for a child that age. He is extremely likeable and I was able to feel a connection with him right from the start. Other than the lead character, I loved the secondary characters of Ethan and Ashlyn as well, they both were very sweet and I enjoyed reading about them.

The book did start with a rather lengthy exposition, but when the lead character was revealed it was all worth it. The ending was great as well. And I’m sure as hell going to keep an eye out for other books by the author.

I’d recommend this book to all sci-fi lovers and even to all those readers who don’t mind reading action, adventure and thriller fiction.

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Book Review: Solstice (Star-Crossed Saga #3) by Baxton A. Cosby

Categories Braxton A. Cosby, Romance, Science-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Solstice (Star-Crossed Saga #3) by Baxton A. Cosby
Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Release Date: 25th November 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 315
Publisher: Cosby Media Production

Blurb:
What You Believe, Can Destroy You!
William and Sydney have sacrificed everything to fortify their love, so much so that William dares to brave the depths of space to find a cure for their deadly Supernova bond, leaving both her and Earth vulnerable to alien Torrian Alliance’s attack. But with a full scale civil war in play on Fabricius, the reality of Sydney’s execution from Torrian hands is diminished, only eclipsed by the certainty of a more threats – The Third Faction and The Dagmas Clan – lead by Dominic and his insurgent recruits on a quest to complete the failed assassination of the teenage girl. With overwhelming odds mounting against them, William makes a desperate attempt to find the last of the endangered Star-children only to be captured by a new menace, where he is forced to compete in the dreaded Gauntlet of sport. Allies surge to free Fabricius, seeking alliances across the galaxy while Sydney tries to keep her identity hidden and trains to master the third phase of her Star-child evolution: Solstice. With Sarah’s mysterious return home with clues to unlock the future, Noella’s training and Bill’s symbiotic development hope is restored, but will it be enough to unite the galaxy and destroy evil for once and for all?

Review

★★★★

Solstice by Braxton A. Cosby, the third instalment in the Star-Crossed Saga, is the perfect end to such an amazing trilogy.

I enjoyed the first and the second parts of this series, Protostar and Supernova, of this series a lot and when given the chance to review the third part, I was more than willing to do so! What I really liked about this book was that there were a lot of sub-plots running along the main plot, which kept the tension up and the mind engrossed. The danger was also kept imminent from all sides which only upped the anticipation.

The ending was apt and it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that it was indeed satisfactory. I liked how everything turned out at the end. It was a roller coaster ride that ended on a high note and that is exactly what makes a series worth reading.

I enjoyed this book and the overall series is great for sci-fi readers. Even romance fiction enthusiasts would enjoy this series. I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

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Book Review: Project Bodi: Awaken the Power of Insight by Hosein Kouros-Mehr

Categories Hosein Kouros-Mehr, Science-Fiction2 Comments on Book Review: Project Bodi: Awaken the Power of Insight by Hosein Kouros-Mehr
Author: Hosein Kouros-Mehr
Release Date: 3rdSeptember 2017
Genre: Science Fiction
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 220
Publisher: Self-Published

Blurb:

In 2029, Google is the most dominant company in the world. Dr. Bethany Andrews heads the company’s Artificial Intelligence Department and leads Project Bodi, the world’s most advanced Augmented Reality smartglasses that will one day revolutionize the tech space. Her lead programmer is Austin Sanders, a 26-year-old psychonaut who loves Burning Man and electronic dance music. Together they embark on a life-changing journey to design the product of the decade, and along the way they discover the mind’s inner source of insight and innovation.

Review

★★★+1/2

Project Bodi by Hosein Kouros-Mehr is a unique science-fiction book that not only tells a story but also imparts knowledge of subjects not commonly talked about.

Despite being a high-tech science fiction book, I liked the reliability of it to the real world. Science fiction books that have their roots in the reality of the real world are always very strong, and this book was exactly that. The author did a great job describing and explaining and even in spreading awareness about subjects like mental peace, meditation, finding the inner self and gaining knowledge by exploring the real capabilities of the mind.

The writing was another plus as I enjoyed the flow of the words that were both simple and effective. The plot development was good and the overall story progression was smooth.

I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a science-fiction book with a heady twist.

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Book Review: Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley and Wayne J. Keeley

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley, Wayne J. Keeley1 Comment on Book Review: Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley and Wayne J. Keeley
Author: Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley & Wayne J. Keeley
Release Date: 17th October 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Adult, Light Erotica
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 359
Publisher: Melange Books

Blurb:

Three mismatched suburban couples, Steve and Katie, Marty and Erin, and Scarlett and C. Thomas, have been neighbors and friends for years. During a pummeling Connecticut Nor’Easter, the members of the bored triptych engage in a friendly game of Texas Hold’em in front of a fire and over more than a few bottles of Merlot. The impromptu get-together eventually leads to the institution of alcohol-driven, bi-weekly poker nights.
One evening on a lark, someone suggests an alternate payout – instead of pocket change, the winner may choose a player (other than his or her spouse) with whom to spend the night. The proposition takes shape, but complications arise as these things will.
All too quickly, friendships are strained and relationships begin to crumble. Lies are told, truths are exposed, and feelings are hurt. In the end, can anyone bear the weight of this wanton self-indulgence? They are six fully consenting adults, and after all, it’s only a game. Or is it?

Review

★★★★+1/2

Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley & Wayne J. Keeley is a contemporary fiction (bordering on erotic fiction) written very well by the husband-wife author duo and rich with authentic characterization.

When I read the blurb of this book, I was quite intrigued yet a little sceptic, but having read the authors’ previous book Deadraiser, I accepted the book knowing how the writing would be. And to my utter pleasure, the book turned out to be really good!

I loved the way the story was told as the easy flow of the writing made reading this book not only easy but also very quick. There was a use of different POVs which helped me in relating to most of the characters. But the best part about this book was the characterization. The characters were so realistic that it was hard to imagine that it wasn’t a true story. All the characters were unique and had qualities that made them real and relatable. I was really vouching for Steve and Katie’s relationship but I must say that the end was nothing short of satisfying given what he did.

In this book, the authors beautifully experiments and bring us face to face with different human tendencies that anyone can or would exhibit. I’m sure that about eighty percent of the people I know are like Steve; they know what they really want but always try to do the right thing and not think about anything else really.

I’d recommend this book to all the contemporary readers and Poker lovers (you’d love the book just for the kicks alone.)

PS: The book is not outright erotica but it does have some pretty explicit scenes.

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Book Review: Supernova (The Star-Crossed Saga #2) by Braxton A. Cosby

Categories Braxton A. Cosby, Romance, Science-Fiction3 Comments on Book Review: Supernova (The Star-Crossed Saga #2) by Braxton A. Cosby
Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Release Date: 28th June 2015
Genre: Science-Fiction, Romance
Edition: Audiobook
Pages: 293
Publisher: 

Blurb:

WHAT YOU CHOOSE, BECOMES YOU…
Against everything he had known as truth, William has made the choice to protect Sydney from the forces seeking to destroy her. But just as these two Star-Crossed lovers are beginning to explore their relationship and search for answers to the mysteries of Sydney’s existence, she advances to the next stage of her Star-child evolution—Supernova—and struggles not only to control her new powers, but also the emotions for her new love. William seeks to find the truth behind Sydney’s erratic behavior, while overcoming the new threat headed to Earth to destroy them. With new villains and old allies on the horizon, and chaos brewing on William’s home world, will self-sacrifice prove to be the only way for him to achieve victory and defend his love, or is there another way?
The follow-up to the debut Award-winning novel PROTOSTAR!

Review

★★★★

Supernova by Braxton A. Cosby is the sequel to Protostar, the first instalment in new sci-fi romance series The Star-Crossed Saga. The story starts where the first book ended and continues to tell us more about the story of Sydney, the star-child, and William, an enemy turned lover.

I liked this book even more than the first one as the story came across more clearly and because, obviously, more details on the lead characters as well as the thematic concept of the star-child were revealed. As the story unveils further, we see some old characters and some new taking us through the extraordinarily perilous life of the leading lady, Sydney.

The story progressed smoothly and I found myself instantly immersed into the plot right from the start as I was keen to know what happens next. The plot had quite a few twists and turns and they successfully managed to keep me interested in the storyline throughout the book.

The writing was good and the plot was well-structured. I liked the character arcs as well and enjoyed the story overall. I also liked where the story ended and I’m really looking forward to reading the next part.

I’d recommend this series to all Romantic Sci-Fi lovers. This is one series to look out for.

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Book Review: Horatio And The Fear Of Dying by J.D. Oldenburg

Categories Children's Fiction, J.D. Oldenburg, Magic5 Comments on Book Review: Horatio And The Fear Of Dying by J.D. Oldenburg
Author: J.D. Oldenburg
Release Date: 4th October 2017
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Edition: Audiobook
Pages: 13 minutes
Publisher: J.D. Oldenburg Publishing

Blurb:

Once upon a time… a brave boy named Horatio challenged and conquered Death, dawning everlasting life over his Kingdom. But as life and death are in love, one without the other became joyless. Soon,

Horatio must mend the cycle he has broken. Horatio And The Fear Of Dying was inspired by Jim Henson’s adaptation of the famous 1850s Russian Folktale, The Soldier And Death.

Review

★★★★★

Horatio And The Fear Of Dying by J.D. Oldenburg is a coming of age children’s book which will absolutely blow your mind with its brilliant storyline, amazing narration and a beautiful message for children and adults alike.

This book not only teaches its readers how to get over their fear of death/dying or of anything that seems scary but it also successfully teaches the importance of relationships in one’s life. I had a chance to see some of the illustrations that’d be going in the illustrated edition of this book, and I must admit that they were beyond amazing!

I’d recommend this book to every parent and all the children who love reading or listening to stories as this can possibly be one of the best children’s book you might come across these days.

More from the author:
- Author Interview: J.D. Oldenburg #authorinterview

Book Review: The Blue Curtain by L.G. Metcalf

Categories Fantasy, L.G. Metcalf, ParanormalLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Blue Curtain by L.G. Metcalf
Author: L G Metcalf
Release Date: 24th May 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal > Vampire, Mystery, Suspense
Edition: e-book
Pages: 
Publisher: Moleyco Press

Blurb:

Devastated by her father’s brutal murder, seventeen-year-old Emily Bliss is determined to find his killers, even after everyone else has given up. As Emily attempts to follow their trail, she encounters a mysterious stranger at a party. Beneath his handsome looks, physical prowess, vast wealth, intimidating presence and hypnotizing eyes, she can sense that he is tormented by demons that she cannot yet fathom. Soon Emily is shocked yet thrilled to realize that she is falling uncontrollably in love with him to the point of obsession and that she is willing say or do anything to make him stay. But an early birthday gift Emily’s father left for her has revealed secrets about her life, buried centuries ago, that will hurl her into a dark underworld that she never dreamed existed and point to a great destiny awaiting her, if only she can survive long
enough to seize it..

Review

★★★

The Blue Curtain by L.G. Metcalf is a paranormal YA romance novel that is quite like the others on the same theme but not too bad to read if you want to read a YA book with a mystery twist.

The writing is good, in fact, it is one of the positives in the book that made me read the entire story. The story was simple but it was made interesting with the use of alternating POVs in two very different timelines. The POV hopping was easy and smooth and made this an interesting read.

The plot was good but predictable and the storyline was not too different from other books in these genres. I liked the characters but wasn’t able to connect with them individually on any level. Though I did like them and cared enough to read about them through the end.

I’d recommend this book to the genre readers and to anyone who likes mystery reads and wouldn’t mind the paranormal or the YA angle.

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Book Review: Pangaea: The End Of Days, Revelations by Bolivar Beato

Categories Bolivar Beto, FantasyLeave a Comment on Book Review: Pangaea: The End Of Days, Revelations by Bolivar Beato
Author: Bolivar Beato
Release Date: 11th July 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Pangaea
Edition: e-book
Pages: 226
Publisher: Self-Published

Blurb:

At the dawn of humankind came the end of all that stood before.
This story is one such fairytale. Except it is not truly a fairytale. It is the story of Giants and Immortals, and of Earth’s greatest legend, Pangaea.
The great continent and the ocean Panthalassa were more than just the earth and the sea—they were the future. They were more than the children that ran across their playgrounds, the farmers that plowed their fields, and the sailors that travelled their waters. More than the hopes and fears of their inhabitants. And much more than the myths and legends who walked the Earth three hundred million years ago. They were a dream, a covenant made long before this universe ever took shape.
This is the tale of an end of an Age.
These are its tragic last days.
Pangaea is being torn apart by magic, and an old evil is set to return. Its greatest champions are blinded by ambition, choked by politics, and crippled by pain.
Brought together by fate, seven young heroes set out to save the world.
But what can children do against living gods?

Review

★★★

Pangaea: The End Of Days, Revelations by Bolivar Beto is a unique new fantasy read written in a different way that is sure to entertain you.

The story is written in the form of various short stories being told of the same world and ultimately coming together in the larger picture. The book was easy to read and quite quick which was a big plus. The writing was mostly simple and understandable, though I had to re-read some sections to understand the meanings of the lines. Maybe it was because of the intricately woven tale of the cosmic world which was not easy to comprehend on the first reading or maybe it was the sentence formation, I’m not quite sure. Though, I did enjoy reading the book.

It was good to read about Indian Gods in one of the stories of the Caldroun and I must say, as different as it might be from Indian myths, it was sure interesting to see them in a fantasy read from a foreign perspective.

I’d recommend this book to Fantasy readers and readers and enthusiasts of cosmic stuff. This book would highly appeal to you if you have a liking for the whole good and evil concept.

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ARC Review: Protostar (The Star Crossed Saga #1) by Braxton A. Cosby

Categories Braxton A. Cosby, Science-Fiction, Young Adult2 Comments on ARC Review: Protostar (The Star Crossed Saga #1) by Braxton A. Cosby
25735531Author: Braxton A. Cosby
Release Date: 26th September 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction
Series: The Star-Crossed Saga
Edition:e-book
Pages: 312
Publisher: Cosby Media Productions

Blurb:

What Would You Choose, love or duty?

On the brink of civil war, the Torrian Alliance continues with its mission to obliterate Star-children across the universe in order to suppress an intergalactic evil. Following the recommendations of his council, King Gregorio Derry reluctantly agrees to send his only son William on a mission to restore honor to his family name. William seeks to complete his assignment, the elimination of a Star-child named Sydney on planet Earth, but when the assassination is delayed he begins to realize an emotional connection with his target. With conspiracy threatening his home planet, and a hidden menace on Earth seeking to secure a vested interest, William finds himself torn between irrevocable duty and sacrificing everything he stands for to defend Sydney. As William and Sydney struggle to overcome their impossible circumstances, they start to wonder if the connection of two Star-Crossed lovers will be enough to save them from certain doom.

Review

★★★+1/2

Protostar by Braxton A. Cosby, the first book in The Star-Crossed Saga, is a nice starting to a promising new YA series.

Overall the story was good, quite engaging in fact, and the plot was well thought out. The writing was easy and flowed smoothly making this book an enjoyable and easy read. I liked the different cosmic concepts expressed in the story and enjoyed the romantic theme as well.

The book started out with a nice opening and I was pulled into the story right from the first page. It had a nice hook and the pace was easily set in the first few pages itself.

The characterization, though, felt weak and for some reason, I wasn’t able to connect to the main leads, neither the male lead nor the female, though I did like them and cared just enough to read the entire story. The ending was good and fitting for a book that’ll soon have a sequel, so all in all this book makes for a nice read.

Though I did feel that at places (however on only rare occasions) the sentence structures could have been better and the dialogues were not right. This can be due to the cultural difference in the use of English language in American English, but I couldn’t help but noticing and mentioning it here.

I’d recommend this book to mainly Young Adult lovers but I’m sure that even Sci-Fi readers would enjoy this book.

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Book Review: Stories From The Witch Store by Olga Gutsol

Categories Fantasy, Magic, Magic/Elementals, Olga Gutsol, Paranormal, Supernatural, Young AdultLeave a Comment on Book Review: Stories From The Witch Store by Olga Gutsol
Author: Olga Gutsol
Release Date: 20th August 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal > Magic and Witches, Humour
Edition: e-book
Pages: 114
Publisher: –

Blurb:

Funny and imaginative chronicles from the life of a hereditary witch Arelia who, along with her loyal companions Cat and house-ghost Puck, moved to the small town of Burnaville to open the Magic Potions store. Here she falls into a lifetime of boredom. How have her magical powers resulted in this? What is missing from the charming life she has built?

Review

Stories From The Witch Store is a delightful young adult read sprinkled with beautiful and heart-warming illustrations that’ll win your heart!

This book is written in the form of diary entries from the perspective of the main protagonist, Arelia, the town witch. It is a beautiful, beautiful book and I’m sure that it will steal your heart with the author’s clever writing and impressive imagination. It has been so long since I’ve read such a delightful book about witches. The wittiness of Arelia and her seemingly mundane life with Puck, the house spirit, and Cat, her familiar, is outstanding and very, very funny.

Each and every diary entry is a treat to read, whether short or long. Arelia is a very strong protagonist and I was able to connect to her instantly. I liked her from the first diary entry and was in love with her adorable character by the 2nd page itself. Even all the secondary characters are well-crafted and quite relatable, especially that of Puck and Cat – they’re my absolute favourites.

I’d recommend this book to each and everyone who loves reading, especially fantasy and paranormal (magic and witches) readers.

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ARC Review: The Flawed Ones – A Story of Mental Illness, Addiction and Love by Jay Chirino

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Jay Chirino2 Comments on ARC Review: The Flawed Ones – A Story of Mental Illness, Addiction and Love by Jay Chirino

Author: Jay Chirino
Release Date: 2nd November 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mental Illness
Edition: e-book
Pages: 260
Publisher: Archway Publishing

Blurb:

After leaving behind a trail of drug-addled destruction, Jay finds himself confined to the walls of a psychiatric hospital. He is now compelled to confront his actions, his issues, and the past that led him to such downhill spiral. But what surprisingly affects him most are the people that he becomes surrounded by; people with considerable deficiencies that will shed some light on the things that truly matter in life.

“The Flawed Ones” is a thorough examination of the struggles of mental illness, depression, addiction, and the effects they have on the human condition. Most importantly, it proves that physical and mental shortcomings do not necessarily define who we truly are inside- that the heart is, in fact, untouched by our “flaws”, and that love will always prevail above all.

Review

The Flawed Ones by Jay Chirino is a very interesting book on a subject that is not only sensitive but also taboo for many people – mental illness.

The beauty of this book lies in the fact that it not only concentrates on the mental illness but it also tells us about what lies beyond the dark face of the illness itself. This book is a highly compelling and a very intelligent book.

The writing is good and it complimented the story quite well. The descriptions were painfully realistic and I was able to connect to the lead character’s angst. Reading this book made all the situations Jay had to go through, feel very… intimate and real.

The starting of the book was simple yet powerful and good. Even the Author’s Note was really good. As the story progressed I found myself unable to put the book down. It was gripping on an emotional level and that is where this book impressed me.

I’d recommend this book to everyone who likes reading as we all, from time to time, have or will come across people and/or situations where this kind of intense familiarity in regards to mental illness might prove very helpful. If you don’t want to read this book for entertaining purpose then read it for the sake of awareness.

More from the author:
- Author Interview: Jay Chirino
- Book Excerpt: The Flawed Ones by Jay Chirino

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Book Review: Hiding In Third Person

Categories Action, Adventure, Phil BradleyLeave a Comment on Book Review: Hiding In Third Person

Author: Phil Bradley
Release Date: 31st May 2017
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery
Edition: e-book
Pages: 260
Publisher: Archway Publishing

Rating: ★★★+1/2

Blurb:

Ricky, a flippant orderly befriends a mental patient at an asylum he refers to as the spa and dude ranch. He listens to the sick man, the others refer to as Mr. River, tell a dubious tale of two teenage boys on the run from an assassin.
In River’s story, the boys take refuge at an abandoned military base, BOMARC, nestled in the idyllic New Jersey Pinelands. Also trailing the boys are several cops. False identities and coded messages hinder the cop’s search.. Mr. River’s story ends in a bloody showdown at BOMARC.
Asylum doctors plan to move Mr. Rivers to a dark and remote facility. Their ultimate decision hinges on the validity of the sick man’s story. Seemingly, Ricky is the only believer and he has to risk his life to prove the patient’s story to be true.

Review

Hiding In Third Person is an entertaining yet light-hearted read.

I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect from the book in terms of plot and the story, but once I started reading it I found it a very engaging and an entertaining read. The writing is good and has a nice flow to it. No complex words, no complicated sentence structures and no unnecessary detailing – in short, it was a light and casual read.

The characterisation was not great, but I did care for the main lead, Ricky, enough to finish the entire book pretty quickly. As I already mentioned, it is a light read so it worked for me.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure or mystery and even to those who are looking for a breezy read to take a break from their usual reading genres.

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Book Review: Players by Bridget Nash

Categories Bridget Nash, Dystopian, Young Adult2 Comments on Book Review: Players by Bridget Nash

Author: Bridget Nash
Release Date: 11th October 2015
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Edition: E-book
Pages: 500
Publisher: Wallace Publishing

Rating: ★★★+1/2

Blurb:

Ryan Scribe is eighteen and has it made.
He lacks nothing and doesn’t even know anyone who lacks anything.
Then he hears a beautiful actress say, “Truth is often stranger than perception,” and he begins to look at his world with new eyes.
All it takes is one wrong question and he is swiftly banished from the only home he’s ever known. Forced to join a band of traveling players, stage actors who look like they could have stepped straight out of Elizabethan England, Ryan begins to question his life, his country and everyone around him. Can he really trust a group of actors? Will his questions land him in even more danger?

Review

Players by Bridget Nash is a unique Dystopian read with a touch of Shakespearian feel.

The plot of this book was quite unique and considerably impressive. I liked the dystopian setting, which is always the most important element in this genre, and I also liked the characters. The artistic Shakespearian touch tot he story in terms of writing as well as the concept really added a layer of positive complexity as well as a defined character to the plot.

I liked the main character of Ryan Scribe as he was very relatable and easy to like and loved reading about him and his journey. I also liked the secondary characters. but overall the story went a bit too heavy and hence I’m deduction 1/2 a star from my rating of 4 out of 5.

In spite of having liked so much, I feel that the overall story seemed a bit too heavy and hence I’m deducting 1/2 a star from my rating of 4 out of 5.

I’d recommend this book to all Dystopian lovers and the fans of Shakespearian literature.

More from the author: Author Interview: Bridget Nash

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