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: Synesthesia (The Senses #4) by K.M. Aul

Categories Church fiction, Combination, K.M. AulLeave a Comment on Book Review: Synesthesia (The Senses #4) by K.M. Aul

Author:  K.M. Aul
Release Date: 31st December 2016
Genre: Christian Fiction, Fantasy
Edition: E-book
Pages: 482
Publisher: Self-Published

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

The Best Selling Christian Fiction/Fantasy Series Continues!

Time has run out. The world as we know it is coming to an end and a handful of heroes are all that stand in the way of the final darkness.

Born in an age of brutality and miracles, Eli was raised from the dead to start a new life unlike any other. His touch can heal; his pain can destroy. He has not only seen the rise and fall of civilizations, his power has been the cause of them. Prepare yourself for an adventure through time, prepare to face the greatest challenge humankind has ever known.

Review

Synesthesia by K.M. Aul is a one of a kind book which is as entertaining as it is insightful.

In spite of not being a Christian, I enjoyed reading about this story. It was intense and quite well-written. The flow of the writing was the one thing I admired the most in this book because it made the reading very easy and smooth.

Though it did take some time for me to get into the story at first, once I started to get into the flow, it was not easy to put it down. Its uniqueness is one of the biggest plus points of the book. You hardly ever get to see Christian fiction told in fantasy settings with modern characters.

I’d recommend this book to everyone interested in trying new well-written genre combinations.

More from the author:
- Author Interview
- Guest Post: God, Myth and Mystery

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Start Winning With Money by Donnie Masters

Categories Donnie Masters, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Start Winning With Money by Donnie Masters

Author: Donnie Masters
Release Date: 18th July 2017
Genre: Non-Fiction
Edition: E-book
Pages: –
Publisher: Masters Investment Group LLC

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

If you are looking to make millions of dollars while sitting in your pajamas, then this book is not for you!
Start Winning With Money is financial book that offers high impact, real world solutions for life’s many money questions.
Want to better your personal finances?
Want to open your own successful business?
Would you like some real clarity on the cost of higher education?
Want to address the issue of debt in your life?
All of that and more is available to you.
Start Winning With Money will teach you:
Why your current income has nothing to do with obtaining wealth
Challenge the popular belief that all debt is bad
Address the issues with public education and why you were taught to fail with money
Define a proper budget
Why good debt can help you grow wealthy
Explain the importance of money in achieving financial freedom
Redefine true wealth

Review

Start Winning With Money by Donnie Masters is an insightful book that has a lot to offer in terms of financial ideas, monetary strategies and capital management.

It’s not been long that I’ve started reading non-fiction, but so far I’ve read some books that shed light on some very important topics that help a person in their day to day life. One such topic is money and money management. Everyone has ideas about gaining and maintaining wealth, but often we find ourselves in tight-spots where we fail and have to face consequences. This is why I was really interested in reading this book. And to my delight, Start Winning With Money was a great read and it went a long way in decoding some of the longest standing myths about money and all the related problems.

As a newbie to business, I found this book very helpful and even quite encouraging. I found the tactics described by the author very clear, concise and practical. The methods listed in this book are not only simple and easy to follow but also seem very effective.

Another thing that I really liked about this book was that each and every chapter in this book was organised nicely and was divided into sections that made a lot of sense and also made it easy to keep a track of things. The format of the book makes it very easy to not only read but also remember the points of note.

I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn not only how to get better financially, but also how to prepare practical strategies to maintain one’s wealth.

More from the author: 
- Author Interview
- Guest Post - The 4 Biggest Financial Lies Being Taught To Americans Right Now by Donnie Masters
- Book Excerpt

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Playing To Win by Ashlie Knapp

Categories Ashlie Knapp, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Playing To Win by Ashlie Knapp

Author: Ashlie Knapp
Release Date: 12th June 2016
Genre: Romance, Sports
Edition: E-book
Pages: 225
Publisher: –

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

Spunky, quick-witted twenty-one year old Callie Thompson is a University of Oklahoma journalism student by day and Oklahoma City Thunder dancer by night. Callie hopes her connections with the franchise might get her foot in the door for a sports broadcasting job when she graduates. She just has one rule: never date the players.

Kyle Kelly is the deadly handsome and charmingly Southern Thunder man of the hour. All the twenty-six year old is looking for is an NBA championship to call his own. An unexpected meeting with an opinionated, feisty Callie, however, who is very unimpressed with his celebrity status, sets his sights toward winning two things: her heart AND the championship.

Review

Playing To Win by Ashlie Knapp is a beautifully written romance novel that’ll steal your heart.

It is an enjoyable book with a very interesting plotline. The story managed to keep me glued to the book right till the very end.
The writing was good, quite descriptive in fact, and the imagery was very vivid. The smooth flow of the writing made it a light and breezy read. As this is the first book in the series, I’m sure that I’ll be looking out for the next books as they come out.

The lead characters, Callie Thompson and Kyle Kelly, are well-developed and beautifully used throughout the story adding depth to the plot. I loved them both and was able to relate to both of them. I’ve always been a fan of Southern male leads in romantic novels (there’s just something very gentlemanly about them and their manners) and this book had exactly that, a charming southern guy as the male lead. Additionally, it was quite interesting to read about Callie, the female lead, who wants to be a sports journalist. The insights into the background were quite interesting.

The beginning and ending were perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

I’d recommend this book to all the genre lovers who love reading romance novels with good plotlines and even better characters.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXpyd99DhSK/?taken-by=thereadingbud

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: A Burning In The Darkness by A.P. McGrath

Categories AP McGrath, Romance, Thriller2 Comments on Book Review: A Burning In The Darkness by A.P. McGrath

Author: A P McGrath
Release Date: 12th April 2017
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Romance, Spiritual
Edition: E-book
Pages: 253
Publisher: Troubador

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

A murder at one of the world’s busiest airports opens this simmering crime story where a good man’s loyalty is tested to its limits. Michael Kieh is a full time faith representative serving the needs of some of the 80 million passengers, but circumstance and evidence point to his guilt. His struggle to prove his innocence leads him on a charged journey that pitches love against revenge.
Michael’s loneliness was eased by a series of brief encounters with a soul mate. When she confides a dark secret, he is motivated to redress a heart-breaking injustice. Together they must battle against powerful forces as they edge dangerously close to unmasking a past crime. But Michael faces defeat when he chooses to protect a young witness, leaving him a burning spirit in the darkness.
Michael’s commitment to helping those in need was forged in the brutality of the Liberian civil war. Protected by a kind guardian, he too was a young witness to an atrocity that has left a haunting legacy of stolen justice and a lingering need for revenge. More poignantly there is a first love cruelly left behind in Africa because of the impossible choices of war. When Michael and his former lover find each other once again they become formidable allies in proving his innocence and rediscovering their lost love.

Review

A Burning In The Darkness by A.P. McGrath is an exciting crime mystery with an intelligent plot and a cast of life-like characters.

This book is an electric mix of mystery, romance, and spiritual fiction. The plot was fresh, well-built and very engaging. I was pulled into the story right from the first chapter till the very end.

The writing was good considering the fact that the prose was written phonetically from the point of view of the lead, Michael Kieh who was born and spent a considerable time of his childhood in Liberia. It added a realistic touch to the story bringing the readers closer to the protagonist in a very clever way.

The characters were all carefully constructed and relatable. I liked the character of Miachel Kieh, the protagonist and found his background very, very interesting. Even though Michael was too good to be real, the internal conflicts coupled with his personality made him a compelling lead.
I was able to relate to almost every other secondary character as well, which was a bonus.

The mystery itself was well thought out and carefully plotted. I must admit that I wasn’t able to put together all the pieces (though, I came quite close.) The author has done a good job at creating an intricate web of various twists and turns, making the ending unpredictable.

I’d recommend this book to crime and mystery lovers and to anyone who doesn’t mind reading spiritual fiction intelligently weaved into a mystery read.

More from the author: 
Author Interview: A.P. McGrath
Book Excerpt: A Burning In The Darkness by A.P. McGrath
Guest Post: A Sense of Place by A.P. McGrath

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWzicYbjPnU/

Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian

Categories Aaron Poochigian, HumorLeave a Comment on Book Review: Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian

Author: Jon Budd
Release Date: 10th October 2017
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Poetry, Humour
Edition: E-book
Pages: 184
Publisher: Etruscan Press

Rating: ★★★★+1/2

Blurb:

Aaron Poochigian’s Mr. Either/Or is an ingenious debut, a verse novel melding American mythology, noir thriller, and classical epic into gritty rhythms, foreboding overtones, and groovy jams surrounding the reader in a surreal atmosphere. Imagine Byron’s Don Juan on a high-stakes romp through a Raymond Chandler novel. Think Hamlet in Manhattan with a license to kill.

Review

Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian is a remarkably unique book that will simply blow your mind!

Initially, when I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, but as I read a few pages and started getting in the flow of the writing I knew I was in for good. In spite of being written in the form of poetry, this book has all the elements that make is a complete fiction in every sense. It has a beautiful characterization adorning a dramatic storyline which is further complimented by humorous connotations,  along with some, as unusual it may seem, science-fiction details. As I said, it is a remarkably unique book.

The book is well written in the form of poetry with deliciously rhyming words and perfectly clear imagery. Moreover, beautiful characterization adorns the dramatic storyline which is further complimented by humorous connotations,  along with some, as unusual as it may seem, science-fiction details. As I said, it is a remarkably unique book.

I liked the lead characters, Zack Berzinski and Li-Ling, very much and enjoyed reading about them as well as other secondary characters as well.

Reading this book was a very enjoyable experience and I’d recommend this book to each and every reader who doesn’t want to miss out on an exceptional new book.

More from the author: Author Interview: Aaron Poochigian

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXN6i4GDcrb/?taken-by=thereadingbud

Goodreads and Amazon
(not yet available on Amazon)

Book Review: The Legend of the Washo Gold by Jon Budd

Categories  Jon Budd, Historical1 Comment on Book Review: The Legend of the Washo Gold by Jon Budd

Author: Jon Budd
Release Date: 17th October 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: The Vince Davis Trilogy
Edition: E-book
Pages: 177
Publisher: Jonathan H Budd Publishing

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

To prevent a repeat of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, Hank, a modern day Native American Indian, overcomes his doubts about his tribe’s ancient religion and leads a war party to recover a cursed Indian treasure.
Succumbing to the genocide brought down upon them during the infamous 1849 California Gold Rush, the Washo Indians were teetering on the brink of extinction. With the help of a mysterious stranger, they devised an ingenious plan to survive. Many years later, when the secret of their survival is threatened, the tribe appoints a modern day warrior to lead a war party to San Francisco to recover stolen Indian treasure and secure the secret of the Washo Gold.
This novel enables the reader to experience the infamous 1849 California Gold Rush from the perspective of a tribe of Native American Indians who lived through it.

Review

The Legend Of The Washo Gold by Jon Budd is a very interesting and engrossing read.

This book is one of those rare reads that make you realise how the world can be a very difficult place to live in. That minorities are not always treated right and sometimes they have to go for extreme means to sustain and survive the cruel world that’s nothing more than an enemy to them. This book does exactly this and so much more.

The story was really good and gave a unique perspective of a small Native American Indian tribe that was not treated well and had to take up extreme measures for their survival. The writing is good and makes the reading of the book easy and smooth. The imagery was good and the overall the story was full of internal as well as external conflicts.

The characterization was good and though not every character was memorable, the important characters stood out, albeit a bit slowly. I enjoyed reading about them and that was more than enough to keep me glued to the book right until the end.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes reading historical fiction and won’t mind the tribals’ point of view.

More from the author: Author Interview: Jon Budd

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXIshB9jxSs/







Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Dream, Recurring by Marc Canniff
		

			Categories Mark Canniff, Paranormal4 Comments on Book Review: Dream, Recurring by Marc Canniff		

	


	

		
Author: Mark Canniff

Release Date: 30th August 2016

Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Edition: E-book

Pages: 288

Publisher: Self Published


Rating: ★★★


Blurb:


Can there be a mystery that goes back over a hundred years, that only the dead can reveal?

Lucy has been having a recurring dream. Night after night she finds herself driving on a winding road with her best friend Sam. She feels lost as this path seems to lead to nowhere. That is until she discovers a house. Curious, she goes up to investigate, discovering that the place is empty.

The mystery of the dream deepens when she realizes that she’s being haunted by an entity. Why is it attached to her?

Both Sam and her uncover a piece of history that only those that have passed on have kept secret. Why is it so important and does it have anything to do with the dark being?

It suddenly becomes a race against time as they grasp that their very lives might be at stake.

Can they uncover what is really going on in time, before it’s too late?

Is there a connection between the house, the uncovered past and the evil entity?


Review


Dream, Recurring by Mark Canniff is a cosy paranormal book with a strong plot that’ll pull you in right from the start.


I liked reading this book most of all for the strong and well built-up plotline. The concept was not only unique but also quite smart. I liked the idea of ghosts and spirits doing something other than avenging.


The writing was good but because of not being an edited version the writing fell flat on its face throughout the book (more on this below.


As for the characters, I didn’t particularly find the lead characters, Lucy and Sam, relatable, but they did manage to make me like them enough to keep on going with the book. The character arc was missing and I wasn’t able to feel an emotional connection with either of the leads. The characterization, for me, is one of the 2 main flaws in this book. The 2nd one being the editing (or the lack of it.)


This book would be a much better read after it gets edited thoroughly. The typos and the grammatical errors were disturbing the flow of the reading to an extent that after a while it started to feel like a burden. I’m sure that if this book would have been editing properly, my rating would have been a clean 4 stars, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.


So all in all, this book is good for anyone who enjoys reading Paranormal Fiction and won’t mind the errors and the mistakes in the writing.


More from the author: Author Interview: Mark Canniff




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Graphic Novel Review: i, Holmes by Michael Lent
		

			Categories Graphic-Novel, Michael Lent4 Comments on Graphic Novel Review: i, Holmes by Michael Lent		

	


	

		
Author: Michael Lent 

Illustrator: Marc Rene

Release Date: 217th May 2017

Genre: Illustrated, Graphic Novella

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 80

Publisher: Alterna Comics


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Everyone has a secret. Hers can get her killed and she doesn’t even know what it is.


She was born with no parents and no name. Fighting to survive in a world of danger and intrigue is nothing new to i Rose who lives by her wits on the streets of New York, but after discovering that she’s being targeted as the descendant of someone world famous who she’s never met, i Rose realizes that life is about to become even more complicated.


Review


i, Holmes by Michael Lent is a one of a kind new graphic novel that is not only a quick read with some really good illustrations but one that also packs a punch.


When I started with this book, initially I had a few reservations as the story started out with a page that made very little sense to me with a Unicorn-looking mask worn by a man blasting a tunnel or something, but as the story progressed, it all started making sense and once I got the basic set-up, I was in for good.


The writing is good, though the dialogues were confusing at times. Still, I liked the overall construction of the story and the plot progression. The characters were also good and I’m glad that I read this book.


This book is good for anyone looking for a quick action-packed story and graphic novel readers. I’d also recommend it to mystery lovers as this book is one heck of a read.


More from the author: Author Interview: Michael Lent













Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Unpacked Sparkle by Patrick A. Roland
		

			Categories Non-Fiction, Patrick A. Roland1 Comment on Book Review: Unpacked Sparkle by Patrick A. Roland		

	


	

		
Author: Patrick A. Roland 

Release Date: 7th  November 2016

Genre:  Non-Fiction, Memoir

Edition: E-book

Pages: 163

Publisher: Wallace Publishing


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Over a year ago, I left a Mariah Carey concert in Las Vegas after six songs. I had gone on the trip as a present to myself for turning forty. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I was high on multiple drugs, but mostly crystal meth, and extremely drunk. I had been this way the majority of the year and a half since my partner Pack had suddenly passed away.

I found him dead on the bathroom floor one January morning while I was getting ready for work. The police told me I had no rights in my own home and asked me to leave. This was before gay marriage became legal. Life as I knew it changed instantly.

His family pretended I didn’t exist. They mauled our home the day he died, leaving it a ravaged mess. I was kicked out of that home. I was also disinvited to his funeral. In eight days I lost everything that mattered. Not even the law protected me from this.

So I got high in an effort to shoulder the pain. It didn’t work. I carried the heavy weight of unresolved complicated grief and addiction on my back. It was like an elephant. A large, unwieldy elephant that wanted me to die.

No longer able to participate in anything that mattered and unwilling to bear this burden anymore, I went back to my hotel room on the twenty-sixth floor of a casino and looked out on the sparkly lights below. I wanted to be in the light. So I opened the window and decided to jump.

But God intervened. My mother had somehow found me. Help came and I surrendered to the powerlessness of my situation. I asked God to help me. I stayed and I fought and I learned how to love myself. I put on a pair of sparkly shoes I had bought for that barely attended concert and I walked in to the rooms of Crystal Meth Anonymous. I had bought the sparkly shoes hoping Mariah would see me in the audience. Though she didn’t get the chance, you did. You all embraced me and my sparkly shoes. They have become my calling card of experience, strength, and hope.


Review


Unpacked Sparkle by Patrick A. Roland is a story about grief, addiction, recovery and everything that entails. It is a heart-touching book that’ll make the reader experience the tragedies the author went through first hand.


It is not just another memoir, but it is one to be remembered for a long time. There is so much pain and desperation in the author’s voice that I felt a deep connection not only to the story but also to the writing. This is a very well written book and it has a lot in store for each and everyone who reads it.


More from the author: Author Interview: Patrick A. Roland and Guest Post: Why I Write By Patrick A. Roland




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Child’s Play by Merry Jones
		

			Categories Merry Jones, ThrillerLeave a Comment on Book Review: Child’s Play by Merry Jones		

	


	

		
Author: Merry Jones

Release Date: 3rd January 2017

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Edition: E-book

Pages: 320

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing


Rating: ★★★


Blurb:


Since her husband’s murder two years earlier, life hasn’t been easy for Elle Harrison. Now, at the start of a new school year, the second grade teacher is determined to move on. She’s selling her house and delving into new experiences―like learning trapeze.

Just before the first day of school, Elle learns that a former student, Ty Evans, has been released from juvenile detention where he served time for killing his abusive father. Within days of his release, Elle’s school principal, who’d tormented Ty as a child, is brutally murdered. So is a teacher at the school. And Ty’s former girlfriend. All the victims have links to Ty.

Ty’s younger brother, Seth, is in Elle’s class. When Seth shows up at school beaten and bruised, Elle reports the abuse, and authorities remove Seth and his older sister, Katie, from their home. Is Ty the abuser?

Ty seeks Elle out, confiding that she’s the only adult he’s ever trusted. She tries to be open-minded, even wonders if he’s been wrongly condemned. But when she’s assaulted in the night, she suspects that Ty is her attacker. Is he a serial killer? Is she his next intended victim?

Before Elle discovers the truth, she’s caught in a deadly trap that challenges her deepest convictions about guilt and innocence, childhood and family. Pushed to her limits, she’s forced to face her fears and apply new skills in a deadly fight to survive.


Review


Child’s Play by Mary Jones is a thriller and suspense read with a strong plot and great build-up.


The plotline of this book was really good and the pacing was great, but the suspense was quite predictable. There were a lot of red-herrings, and I did like them, but certain situations gave away the main culprit a bit too early for my taste. This is one book I have mixed feeling for because in spite of enjoying the read overall there were a couple fo things that bothered me. For example, when the murderer was revealed at quite-not-the-end, for some reason, it just felt anti-climactic and the reveal’s beauty, even though being predictable, was ruined.


The build-up was good and the writing was good too. They both accented the story really well and even though the main character was built nicely and I could clearly see the efforts that were put into the main as well as the secondary characters, I was not able to feel a connection with the lead, and hence, found the overall reading experience dimmed by the very fact.


I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick suspense and thriller read not minding the predictability.




Goodreads, NetGalley, and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Something Needs Bleeding: The Final Novel by Thomas Singer by Christopher Long
		

			Categories Christopher Long, Dark Fiction, HorrorLeave a Comment on Book Review: Something Needs Bleeding: The Final Novel by Thomas Singer by Christopher Long		

	


	

		
Author: Christopher Long

Release Date: 28th September 2015

Genre: Horror, Dark

Edition: E-book

Pages: 334

Publisher: Wallace Publishing


Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


Kensington Gore is a man on a mission. He always aims to give his readers something fresh from the world of horror. Only this time he is offering you something a little different. This time he is offering you a piece of horror history to call your very own. Collected in this volume are the final works of one of the great unsung heroes of horror, Thomas Singer. Singer was a man who truly knew how to terrify his readers with his strange, nightmarish tales. Sadly, though, he never received the acclaim in life he so rightly deserved. Following the mysterious death of the reclusive writer earlier this year, Kensington Gore Publishing author Christopher Long was invited to help edit Singer’s final five bone chilling tales and introduce them to the world. There are many rumours and theories about what secrets these stories may hold. Singer himself selected them from his extensive back catalogue and held them back to be released only after his death. So read Something Needs Bleeding, if you dare. See what you can find hidden in the final pages Thomas Singer had to offer the world. Just be careful you don’t come away with blood all over you.


Review


Something Needs Bleeding by Christopher Long is a compilation of horror stories by  Thomas Singer, a talented but recluse author and wanted who wanted these stories to be published and read by his readers only after his death.


The fact that this book has stories by a dead author who wanted them published only after his death is disquieting in itself. I did feel a queer feeling when I finished reading the introduction and started reading the first story and once I got started there was no turning back. The uncertainty that these stories could very well have been real experiences of the author made my nerves stand on end throughout the book.


I liked the introductions by Christopher Long, mostly because they added a layer of intrigue and uneasiness to the stories that followed. They were also quite informative, as not having known Thomas Singer at all, they helped me know a lot about him and hence, develop a connection with the stories. They added a layer of intimacy between the stories and the reader and it felt like I’ve known Singer all my life.


The stories… well, they were all masterpieces. And I say this being a horror author myself. They weren’t outrageously spooky or even scary, but they were quite firm in holding the reader’s attention and the detailing and the easy flow of the writing and the beautiful progression of each and every story was spot on and more than enough for me to give this book a full 5/5 rating.


In fact, I’m going to dig up other books by Thomas Singer and read them all because his writing deserves to be read and relished. I’m sure he’s smiling from up there reading this review and I hope that he did not meet his end in the way one of his stories end (Something Needs Bleeding – 3rd incision.)


I found each and every story to be a work of genius. I loved each and every single story and I found myself completely losing in them and losing the track of time. The narration (and the first person POVs) were written in such a way that it made me feel as if I was right there and it was all happening right in front of me. The imagery (the proper term for what I just said) was superb!


I’d recommend this book to all the horror readers and to those who won’t mind reading dark and creepy stuff. If you love the horror genre, then you simply can’t afford to miss this one.


More from the author: Author Interview: Christopher Long




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Peanut Butter Principles by Eric Franklin
		

			Categories Eric Franklin, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Peanut Butter Principles by Eric Franklin		

	


	

		
Author: Eric Franklin 

Release Date: 20th November 2013

Genre: Non-Fiction

Edition: E-book

Pages: 230

Publisher: Everilis Books


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Great leaders aren’t born. They’re nurtured.

In Peanut Butter Principles: 47 Leadership Lessons Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids, entrepreneur, speaker, author, management consultant and parent Eric Franklin has assembled a wealth of wisdom that has stuck with him like peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth gleaned from his parents, extended family; and the many other influential people in his life.

Organized by topics, including The Super Self, Making Wishes Come True and The School of Life, Franklin explains how simple concepts can have lasting power to develop young leaders, including:

Be thankful you don’t get everything you ask for.

The difference between a goal and a dream is a deadline.

Your accomplishments should speak for themselves. Don’t interrupt.

If you don t make your own decision, someone else will make it for you.

Count your blessings, not your problems.

One by one, you can serve up spoonfuls of Peanut Butter Principles to the youth in your life and make a profound impact to help them grow into confident, intelligent, and successful adults and leaders who make good choices, build healthy relationships, and cultivate another generation of leaders.


Review


Peanut Butter Principles is a motivating read that’ll furnish you with knowledge that is regarded common yet ignored quite often.


First of all, I’d like to confess that I love the name of this book. It’s smart, well thought out and very impressive.


Moving further, I had one hell of a time reading this book as I enjoyed learning each and every single one of the 47 lessons the author of this book, Eric Franklin, has to offer. These are the most common things that a person seems to forget in crisis, and as a result suffers invariably. These are the things that one would expect the parents to teach their children but are often neglected mostly because the parents themselves don’t follow them. The underlying point of this book is to be aware and make decisions wisely and, as a result, live a comfortable and stressless life.


Most of the times the main reason of our stress is our own selves – our bad choices, wrong decisions, and ill-considered judgments, and in this book the author makes us come face to face with all these things. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge that’ll not only make one’s life easier and happier but also very fulfilling and productive.


I liked the flow and easiness of the narration and was able to read this book in less than 2 hours. It felt like the book was narrated by a close friend who’s out to give you some really wise advice, which goes a long way in saying how good the author’s writing is. I’d recommend this book to all the adults as we all can learn so much from this beautifully insightful book.


I’d recommend this book to all the adults as we all can learn so much from this remarkably insightful book.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Jane Jordan
		

			Categories Historical, Jane Jordan2 Comments on Book Review: The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Jane Jordan		

	


	

		
Author: Jane Jordan  

Release Date: 26th November 2016

Genre: Dark Thriller, Historical

Edition: E-book

Pages: 

Publisher: Black Opal Books


Rating: ★★★


Blurb:


Annabel Taylor, a beekeeper’s daughter, grows up wild and carefree on the moors of England in the late 1860s, following in the footsteps of her mother, a beautiful witch. Annabel’s closest friend is Jevan Wenham. The son of the blacksmith, he lives his life on the verge of destruction. His devotion to Annabel is full of twists and turns as brutality melds with deepest desire. But when Jevan is forced to travel to London to receive an education, Annabel is devastated.

Then Alex—heir to the Saltonstall legacy and son of Cerberus Saltonstall, the wealthy landowner of the foreboding Gothelstone Manor—comes into her life. Alex is arrogant and self-assured, but he cannot stop thinking about the outspoken girl he encounters on the road to Gothelstone. Not only is he bewitched by Annabel’s beauty, he feels drawn to her by something he can’t explain. Alex and Annabel are socially worlds apart, but that doesn’t stop him from demanding her hand in marriage. When Annabel refuses, she is forced into an impossible situation. Jevan believes she has betrayed him, regardless of the fact that her decision saves him from the hangman’s noose.

As a devastating love triangle unfolds, disturbing revelations thrust Annabel into a startling reality, where nothing is as it seems. Now both her life and Jevan’s are in danger, and her fledging powers may not be enough to save them…




Review


The Beekeeper’s Daughter by Jane Jordan is a historical book that was a bit of a heavy read, at least for me.


I did have a lot of expectations from the book, but when I started reading the book the writing itself failed to pull me in and this happens very rarely with me. Needless to say, it proved to be a hard read for me and in spite of trying my best, I was not able to connect to the lead the way I should have and, as a result, the rest of the book obviously started to feel like a drag.


Though I must say that the story is unique, in spite of the cliched love triangle. I really wish I was able to connect to the lead because then it would have been a much pleasant read.


This book has a lot fo positive reviews, so I’m sure that Historical Fiction lovers might actually like this book. But it wasn’t for me.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: I Came, I Saw, I Coffeed by Bruce Miller
		

			Categories Bruce Miller, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: I Came, I Saw, I Coffeed by Bruce Miller		

	


	

		
Author: Bruce Miller

Release Date: 16th September 2017

Genre: Non-Fiction

Edition: E-book

Pages: 156

Publisher: Pacific Trust Holdings NZ Ltd


Rating: ★★★


Blurb:


I Came, I Saw, I Coffeed Online Dating: Why Didn’t He Call Me Back? What Goes Through a Man’s Mind on the First Meet? Impressions from a Man Who Had Over 350 First Meetups. Have you ever wondered what goes through a man’s mind when you first meet? “Why didn’t he ask me out again? What did he think of me?” “Did I say the wrong thing?” I was newly singled after an unwanted divorce and retired early, so I had time on my hands to find a girlfriend. I didn’t want to be alone, and hadn’t dated in years. I was eager to meet a woman, and became discouraged trying to find someone to be your love, your best trusted friend, a confidant and companion — a very difficult task. Seeing my low spirits to get on with searching to find a woman, a good friend simply told me dating is “Just a game of numbers — the more ladies you meet, the better decision you’ll make.” So, I ventured into the field of online dating and over three years met over 350 ladies. Many women asked me what goes through a man’s mind when he meets a woman. In this book I spell out my thoughts about the women I met, her walk, her appearance, demeanor, clothes, habits, figure, etc. in detail.


Review


I Came, I Saw, I Coffeed by Brian Miller basically is more like a report of the author’s real-life online dating experiences.


This book is unique, to put it mildly, and quite amusing, to be very honest. It was interesting to read about the author’s observations about what women want and how they behave, but it did feel unusual to be reading about them, especially in the starting. But once the tone was set, it got quite interesting.


I liked the plain writing as this book was more about its content than the writing itself and enjoyed reading it.


I’d recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of online dating as this book is a fun, light and a very quick read.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Graphic Novel Review: Nina The Neighborhood Ninja by Sonia Panigrahy
		

			Categories Children's Fiction, Sonia PanigrahyLeave a Comment on Graphic Novel Review: Nina The Neighborhood Ninja by Sonia Panigrahy		

	


	

		
Author: Sonia Panigrahy 

Illustrator: Hazel Quintanilla

Release Date: 2nd November 2016

Genre: Children’s Book | Illustrated | Graphic Novella

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 44

Publisher: –


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Nina’s a girl who takes charge. She uses her brain and her muscles to complete rescue missions. She doesn’t mind getting dirty and climbing trees. It’s all part of the life of the everyday girl superhero. Young readers are encouraged to recognize that the traits of being smart, strong, and speedy exist within themselves. Young girls will find this book to be a positive affirmation that they too can be superheroes.


Review


Nina The Neighborhood Ninja by Sonia Panigrahy is a delightful read that teaches young children, especially girls, to be a super-hero in their own worlds in their own way.


I rarely read children’s books, but when I was asked to review this title, I simply couldn’t say no. Look at the cover, who can say no to that cute face?!


The book is so adorable that it stole my heart right from the first page and made me smile with each and every turn of the page. Nina is a normal kid who does extraordinary things and has super powers, the best one being her kindness. She teaches kids to be their best self and to do their best to help others in whatever little way they can.


The illustrations are equally beautiful and I’m sure that this book will be quite visually appealing to children.


I’d recommend this book to all the parents who have young children, especially for their little girls. Nina is one superhero you wouldn’t want your child to miss.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: After Life by Mathew O’Neil
		

			Categories Mathew O'Neil, Non-Fiction3 Comments on Book Review: After Life by Mathew O’Neil		

	


	

		
Author: Matthew O’Neil

Release Date: 4th May 2016

Genre: Non-Fiction

Edition: E-book

Pages: 275

Publisher: Ockham Publishing


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


What happens to us when we die? It’s a question that has been debated for centuries, moulded through time to fit our ever changing views.

Many religions teach that how we act in our life will determine where we will end up after life. If you follow religious teachings and adhere to their ethical standards, you will be rewarded and spend an eternity in heaven. If not, you will be punished and forced to spend forever in hell.

Modern science, however, will tell you a completely different story: fanciful, hopeful tales of an afterlife are both rationally explainable and lacking in evidence.

Theologian Matthew O’Neil demonstrates that the contemporary religious view of the afterlife is far from what our ancestors envisioned. Subjecting both original Scripture and contemporary faith to the rigours of modern science and rational philosophy, he seeks to answer one of humanities most famous puzzles: what happens After Life?


Review


After Life by Mathew O’Neil is an extensively researched and a gracefully written book that proved to be a highly insightful read.


I’m officially a convert and have recently started reading non-fiction titles, but I know a well-written book when I read one, and this is definitely it. I started reading this book with a mind buzzing with curiosity as, like everyone else, I’ve always wondered about what really happens when a person dies.


I’m not a Christian, I’m a Hindu, but even in our mythology and religious texts we have a lot of similar concepts like burning in the fire of the hell and such, and I’ve always been curious about whether these things were true or just stories. In spite of belonging to a different religion, I loved reading about the comprehensive cultural references about Christianity, Hebrew, and Jew cultures and their various respective Bible quotations and references.


This book answers, or to be more specific explores, these questions and a lot more. Author Mathew has done a great job in not only researching but also in putting across his views supported by this extensive research. I liked the writing style of the author and it made reading this intriguing book a very pleasant experience.


I’d recommend this book to anyone and everyone who’s ever asked or wondered about the ultimate existential question – What happens after we die?




Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: Follow Me Home by Jen Benjamin
		

			Categories Contemporary Fiction, Jen Benjamin, Romance2 Comments on Book Review: Follow Me Home by Jen Benjamin		

	


	

		
25592056-2Author: Jen Benjamin

Release Date: 25th March 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Edition: E-book

Pages: 176

Publisher: Wallace Publishing


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


When writer Katie Kendall moves to LA to turn her best-selling novel into a film, she is pretty sure it should be the happiest time of her life. But with an unsupportive husband who suddenly files for divorce, the paparazzi assuming she’s having a fling with the leading actor, and her friends left miles away in her old hometown, she begins to think she’s made a big mistake.

Can her new crowd of friends help her through these times? And could those paparazzi snappers have a point about that leading actor…?

This witty romantic comedic debut novel by Jen Benjamin is a tour de force that will have you coming home to it again and again.


Review


Follow Me Home by Jen Benjamin is a light and enjoyable Contemporary Romance read that’ll win your heart in a blink.


I get extremely choosy when it comes to Romance genre, therefore I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. But fortunately, this book turned out to be a really pleasant and a light-hearted read. I liked the premise of the story as it was unique and was impressed by the execution and the balance of the emotions the author was able to maintain throughout the book. Romance is a very tricky genre because there needs to be a very strict balance otherwise, the story may either be lifeless or too cheesy and as far as I’ve seen only a few authors can do it correctly. And I’m glad to say that author Benjamin was able to pull off this balance quite well.


I liked the characters and was able to connect to the leading lady as I’m a writer myself (I’m pretty sure that if you want to be a writer or if you are one already, you’ll love this book simply because of its story and theme.) I liked the other secondary characters as well and found the writing pleasant and simple.


I’d recommend this book to all the Romance fans and also to those who’re looking for a light-hearted, breezy quick read to read this summer.


More from the author: Author Interview: Jen Benjamin




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Novella Review: Nika: A Seychatka Novella by D.H. Gibbs
		

			Categories D.H. Gibbs, Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult1 Comment on Novella Review: Nika: A Seychatka Novella by D.H. Gibbs		

	


	

		
29380359Author:  D.H. Gibbs 

Release Date: 1st March 2016

Series: –

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Edition: E-book

Pages: 96

Publisher: Sandphics Creations


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Taken off the streets Nika is thrown into an unknown world where she’s held captive. As an orphan, she has been on the run and must find her way out before they discover her secret. But these people held the knowledge of her family and who she is. Will she be able to find out before her secret is revealed? After hundreds of years, Demyan has finally found the rightful ruler of his race. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know who she is and is doing everything in her power to escape him. Time is running out and Demyan has to convince Nika to take her rightful place otherwise the battle will be lost and his race extinguished.




Review


Nika by D.H.Gibbs is a Young-Adult Fantasy read that is sure to capture your attention right from the start till the very end.


This book is a real example of how really powerful novellas can be. This is, of course, the first book in a series, but I definitely loved it and will be keeping an eye out for the other parts in this series.


The main character was likable and relatable and the other secondary characters were also good. I liked the writing of the author as its simplicity made this book a very easy and a quick read.

I liked the basic concept of the story about how Nika was the long lost heir of her family, which she was completely unaware of. And I especially liked how she was made aware of everything and how well she adapted to her new surroundings. I see a lot of potential in this series and can’t wait to read the next part!


I liked this book quite a bit and would recommend it to all the YA and Fantasy lovers.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Graphic Novel Review: Suicide Squad Vol.1 – The Black Vault
		

			Categories Book Reviews (by Genre), Graphic-Novel, Supernatural2 Comments on Graphic Novel Review: Suicide Squad Vol.1 – The Black Vault		

	


	

		
32993892Author: Rob Williams

Illustrator: Jim Lee

Release Date: 7th March 2017

Series: Suicide Squad (Vol.1)

Genre: Supernatural, Graphic Novel, Sequential Art

Edition: E-book

Pages: 160

Publisher: DC

Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


A part of DC Rebirth!

From writer Rob Williams, superstar artist Jim Lee and Philip Tan comes the new Suicide Squad!

The government has once again handpicked the worst of the worst for its Task Force X. Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Katana and Killer Croc. All deadly criminals sent on the most dangerous missions possible by a governement that wants them killed. But their newest challenge? A teammate so powerful that even this group of murderers and thieves can’t control.

Behind the pencils of Jim Lee and Philip Tan, as well as the pen of writer Rob Williams comes SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1! Collects issues #1-6 and SUICIDE SQUAD: REBIRTH #1.

Rebirth honors the richest history in comics, while continuing to look towards the future. These are the most innovative and modern stories featuring the world’s greatest superheroes, told by some of the finest storytellers in the business.

Honoring the past, protecting our present, and looking towards the future. This is the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the DC Universe.  The legacy continues.


Review


This book was pretty awesome and I loved the illustrations! The story was pretty good too and I liked the part where all the backgrounds were given. It helped me connect to all the characters as I didn’t know about half of their pasts.


The dialogues were good too and overall I think this is one of the best graphic novels that I’ve read in the recent years. The female characters were neither over-dramatically sexy or muscle-ly or gay. They were really awesome and bad-ass and I really liked Harley Quinn and Katana.

I loved Deadshot and Colonel Rick Flag and even Croc, but Boomerang was just… meh.. though his background story was cleverly told.


All in all, I liked this book better than any other that had Harley Quinn in it and hence, I’ll be giving it an extra star.













Goodreads and NetGalley

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: The Man You Scripted by Calvin Honors
		

			Categories Calvin Honors, Drama, DystopianLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Man You Scripted by Calvin Honors		

	


	

		
 


32032973Author: Calvin Honors

Release Date: 4th September 2016

Series: –

Genre: Dystopian, Psychological Drama

Edition: E-book

Pages: 129

Publisher: Self-Published


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


2115 London

The city is overrun by organ traders in truck size hearses trawling the streets in the aftermath of the Hemo plague. Writer James Nolte meets Laila an X1 cyborg sent to scan humans for signs of Hemo.

Modern Day New York City

Internal Affairs agent John Azolo connects the dots from an unfinished manuscript to unravel a mystery surrounding his friend’s suicide. Detective Laila Carter, whom John audits, might just hold the key to both stories.


Review


The Man You Scripted by Calvin Honors is a Psychological Dystopian Drama based on a remarkably unique futuristic concept.


The fast paced book offers a lot for the genre lovers. It explores a unique writing style of combining two parallel, seemingly unrelated stories and then bringing them together to a great climax. The characterization was god and all the characters were relatable.


The writing style had a nice flow and made this book an easy and quick read.


I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to al the Dystopian and Speculative fiction buffs. This is one book you wouldn’t want to miss.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: How Will I Know You by Jessica Treadway
		

			Categories Jessica Treadway, Mystery, SuspenseLeave a Comment on Book Review: How Will I Know You by Jessica Treadway		

	


	

		
32489596Author: Jessica Treadway  

Release Date: 6th December 2016

Series: –

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Edition: E-book

Pages: 416

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


A page-turner about the murder of a teenage girl, from the author of Lacy Eye.


On a cold December day in northern upstate New York, the body of high school senior Joy Enright is discovered in the woods at the edge of a pond. She had been presumed drowned, but an autopsy shows that she was, in fact, strangled. As the investigation unfolds, four characters tell the story from widely divergent perspectives: Susanne, Joy’s mother and a professor at the local art college; Martin, a black graduate student suspected of the murder; Harper, Joy’s best friend and a potential eyewitness; and Tom, a rescue diver and son-in-law of the town’s police chief. As a web of small-town secrets comes to light, a dramatic conclusion reveals the truth about Joy’s death.


Review


How Will I Know You by Jessica Treadway is a compelling read that will leave you with so many thoughts that you’d be thinking about this book for days even after it is over.


When I started reading this book I had this idea that this book will revolve around a murder and then it’ll turn out to be a fast-paced who-dun-it kind, but as I got into the book I realized that I completely started forgetting about the actual murder as the story focused on the people and the relations Joy was surrounded with when she was alive. This book shows so transparently the truth about how exactly the things would be like if a murder of this kind happens in real life of a normal teenager.


This book shouldn’t be misinterpreted as a Thriller, but it is a realistic approach of the author towards the situation on the whole. After reading this book (actually, while reading this book) I realized how easily we form an opinion about someone whom we’ve never really known. How easy it is for everyone, including the parents and the best of friends, to misinterpret the actions of someone and come up with their own theories about how things would have played out and what might have happened and how they start believing and, in a way, living in those theories. Human nature is such a tricky and immensely complex thing that you never know what might happen in the next few minutes.


The writing was really good and had an easy flow to it that made reading this book a good experience and the slow-to-medium pace of the story was completely in sync with the story itself.


The characters were so real and full of life that I was able to connect with each and every single one of them. And I’m really thankful for it because this book is, in all respects, a character-driven story and these strong characters served the purpose perfectly well.


The beginning was great and I was pulled into the story right from the first chapter. The ending doesn’t fail to tell the readers about what really happened on the day of the murder and who did it, so in a way it served as a beautiful closure because otherwise, I’m sure it would have been a really gut-wrenching read.


I’d recommend this book to all the mystery and suspense lovers and also to all those readers who don’t mind reading about dark subjects such as depression and coping with the loss of a loved one.




Goodreads, NetGalley, and Amazon

	

	

			






	

	
	


	

		
Book Review: The Little Yarmouth Abduction by Tim Van Minton
		

			Categories Tim Van Minton, Young Adult3 Comments on Book Review: The Little Yarmouth Abduction by Tim Van Minton		

	


	

		
31355126Author: Tim Van Minton 

Release Date: 1st August 2016

Series: –

Genre: YA, Mystery, Suspense

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 204

Publisher: CreateSpace


Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


Falsely accused of murder, twelve-year-old Evan Peregrine battles through a raging storm to get home to the island of Little Yarnmouth, only to find it deserted. Searching for explanations he is soon plunged into the savage world of the Conkwoyoto, an Arctic tribe that turned to piracy after the polar ice cap broke apart. But there is something strangely familiar about these fearsome men and their tattooed faces, and memories of the day he lost his leg and his mother in a collision with an iceberg come flooding back. Now Evan must avoid being captured by the police and the Conkwoyoto while trying to track down the missing islanders, prove his innocence in a murder, and uncover the mystery of the Arctic tribe that’s traveled thousands of miles to Little Yarnmouth Island.


Review


The Little Yarnmouth Abduction by Tim Van Minton is a delightful Young Adult read that will capture your heart and leave you smiling in its wake.


I’ve been reviewing books for almost 3 whole years now and sometimes I come across a book that makes me realize again just why I keep on reading self-published books and reviewing them month after month. Ever so often I come across books that completely steal my heart and leave a long lasting impression on me, sometimes so strong that I have to read those books again, and again, to relive their brilliance. The Little Yarnmouth Abduction is exactly that kind of a book (and so much more, if I am being truly honest.)


Recently, there has been a steady stream of hit YA books that are making big bucks all around the world. Some are good and some are, well, not so good, but when I read this book they all paled in comparison. I honestly don’t know where to begin praising this book, and even how to do it. This book is a delightful, delightful read. I savored reading each and every single page of it and, in fact, looked forward to reading the entire book again as soon as I finished it.giphy-4


The storyline was well thought out and, for me, simply astonishing. I have never heard of mass island kidnapping or anything close, so I thoroughly enjoyed the story all the way through. It was a marvelously brilliant and an extremely clever plot and I loved the pacing and tension that the author cleverly practiced.


The characterization was so brilliant that I’m pretty sure I fell in love with Evan the moment he got up groggily from his sleep on the first-second page and innocently attached his leg to his knee. He is sure to stay with me forever as one of my favorite (and awfully adorable) characters. The cast of secondary characters was equally brilliant and I loved each and every single one of them.


giphy-14


The ending was absolutely smashing as it gave me hopes that there’s a second part on the way (or at least I hope that it is.) The writing was clever and smooth and the light and witty tone of narration was a perfect fit for this story.


I would recommend this book to each and every person who loves reading a good book with impressive characters. I am very sure that this book will definitely win your heart in the first chapter itself.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: Truth According To Michael by Stevan V. Nikolic
		

			Categories Stevan V. Nikolic, True StoryLeave a Comment on Book Review: Truth According To Michael by Stevan V. Nikolic		

	


	

		
31568408Author: Stevan V. Nikolic 

Release Date: 21st September 2016

Series: –

Genre: True Story

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 448

Publisher: Istina Group DBA, New York


Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


“Truth and reality are just our personal perceptions of the things and conditions we see, hear, or feel.”


A novel about the man addicted to love. Based on the true story, it follows thirty-three years in the life of Michael Nicolau. The story takes us on the long path of Michael’s soul-searching and understanding of circumstances that brought him to become a homeless man living in the Bowery Mission, a New York City shelter. Eager to vindicate himself and his actions, he speaks about his life, for hours, day after day, to a social worker in the Bowery Mission. At the same time comic and tragic, villain and hero, Michael is wrestling with the concepts of truth, reality, hope, faith, love, and honor.


Review


In the beginning, the title of the book made me curious, as I am a person that searches the truth in many aspects of life but the most important the personal truth.


Then I started reading and in the first chapter, Michael was in deep trouble, no money, no friends, no home. Then he accepts to make part of a program, the Bowery Mission, a shelter created to rehabilitate homeless people.


Michael is not a classic drug addicted homeless and that’s why his story is more interesting. Every chapter describes a part of his life in the program and a part of his past. Gradually we find out everything about him. His purpose, his problems, his thoughts.

This character is a contradiction. He is intelligent and hardworking but he keeps ending in the same situation of having nothing, but a dream. He keeps searching a woman, an obsession that nobody accepts.


The ending surprised me. Finally, Michael found a way of doing things his way, living as he wanted to, not the way everybody told him to. He finally understands the purpose of his life.


Today’s philosophical questions are illustrated in beautifully in this well-written book. Success, money, business, love, God, religion, freemasonry is all mixed up in a story that kept me tuned.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem
		

			Categories Chick-Lit, Claire Gem, Romance1 Comment on Book Review: The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem		

	


	

		
32313788Author: Claire Gem

Release Date: 29th September 2016

Series: –

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 267

Publisher: Erato Publishing


Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


Rock Star Contemporary Romance

Turning forty rocks a research technician’s world. Her husband leaves her, and then she’s bitten by a mouse at work. She snaps, taking off to chase after her old dream of a music career and her new crush: a rock band drummer.

Turning forty, for Lannie Marvin, is rough. It’s the day she discovers her marriage has been over for awhile. . .she just never got the memo. At work, a crazed lab mouse brutally bites her–one being treated with a libido-enhancing drug. Lannie snaps and takes off for a wild weekend.

Allard, drummer & songwriter for a metal band, lost his wife and muse to breast cancer five years ago. So when the sexually charged Lannie literally plows into him at the backstage reception, Tristan is ready to learn more about her–and her long-buried interest in musical composition.

But their frenzied affair can’t last. Tristan is headed to the UK to audition his next album. And Lannie soon learns an elevated libido isn’t the only effect of that experimental drug.

The treated mice have gone deaf.


Review


The Phoenix Syndrome by Claire Gem is a fun and light romantic comedy that is a highly pleasant read.


The book started out at a steady pace, but before I knew it I was so engrossed in the plot that I found it difficult to put it down even to make a cup of coffee! This book is one of those books that gives you a feel-good feeling about the story and makes the time go by in the blink of an eye. I enjoyed reading this book thoroughly and found myself chuckling quite often owing to the author’s witty, sarcastic and intelligent\remarks.

I’ve previously read Hearts Unloched by the author and loved her writing style, but this book was even better and I found the writing style even more engrossing. I’m really looking forward to reading her next releases.


I loved the characterization and was able to connect to the main character, Lannie. Even though I rarely read books about characters above 30 years of age, this book proved to be a pleasant experience. I also loved the other secondary characters and enjoyed the background stories of them all. The ending of the story was perfect too.


I’d recommend this book to all the romance and chick-lit lovers and also to those who won’t mind reading a warm funny read.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: Tears Of The Ancient And Other Stories by Jason R. Koivu
		

			Categories Fantasy, Jason R. Koivu, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: Tears Of The Ancient And Other Stories by Jason R. Koivu		

	


	

		
30374957Author:  Jason R. Koivu

Release Date: 7th June 2016

Series: –

Genre: Fantasy, Short Stories

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 128

Publisher: C Street


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Travel to new lands and visit old souls in Tears of the Ancient and Other Stories, a collection of short stories filled with demons and dragons*, betrayal and tomfoolery, a whipsmart goblin and a comedic mushroom!


**It’s more like an oversized lizard, if we’re being honest.


Review


Tears Of The Ancient And Other Stories by Jason R. Koivu is a collection of Fantasy short stories that turned out to be a really pleasant book.


As a fantasy lover, I absolutely adore reading about different creatures, worlds and concepts and this book gave me exactly that. I loved the first story; it was about a human-obsessed goblin who was really smart but was not liked by his fellow goblins. I felt so bad for him that by the end I forgot that I was reading a short story. I could have read a full-length novel on just this story. Another one of my favorites was the title story, Tears Of The Ancient. It had a beautiful concept and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.


I liked the writing style as it had an easy flow to it that made reading this book a pleasant experience. Author Jason did a wonderful job in crafting each and every story with beautiful detailing work and perfectly setting the tone for each and every story.


I enjoyed most of the stories, and the only complaint I have is that there were not enough stories for a fantasy lover like me. So I  hope that the author comes up with another such beautiful book soon.


I’d recommend this book to all the Fantasy lovers and to everyone who likes reading short stories.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Graphic Novel Review: Siberia 56 (Volume #1-3) by Christophe Beck & Alexis Sentenac
		

			Categories Christophe Bec, Graphic-Novel, Science-Fiction, Translated WorksLeave a Comment on Graphic Novel Review: Siberia 56 (Volume #1-3) by Christophe Beck & Alexis Sentenac		

	


	

		
29430580Author: Christophe Bec

Illustrator: Alexis Sentenac

Release Date: 14th March 2017

Series: Serbia 56 (Volumes 1-3)

Genre: Science-Fiction, Space Exploration, Graphic Novel, Sequential Art

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 156

Publisher: Insight Comics


Rating: ★★★


Blurb:


Trapped on a planet millions of light years away from Earth, five scientists must survive sub-zero temperatures and horrific alien creatures as they make their way across the dead, frozen landscape to their base in this action-packed graphic novel.

It is the age of space exploration, and five scientists travel 80 million light years from home to study the planet of Siberia, the location of Earth’s 56th colony. Completely covered with dense snow and steep mountains, Siberia’s poles reach temperatures of -300° F with icy winds of close to 200 mph.

After their shuttle crashes, the surviving scientists must walk across hundreds of miles of frozen wasteland to find the terrain basecamp. Between the biting cold, devastating snow storms, and horrific alien creatures, their chances of survival are close to absolute zero. In Siberia 56, author Christophe Bec imagines a hostile and fascinating world that harkens to the very best of the science fiction and horror genres. Superbly illustrated by Alexis Sentenac, this stunning work offers a chilling tale of survival in the vast recesses of a dying planet.


Review


The concept was pretty awesome and the graphics were really impressive too, but after the first 20 pages, the story started to feel uninteresting, flat and even predictable. At times it also felt like a slog as I did not like the main character at all.

Overall, the concept was really, really good and I was genuinely looking forward to reading this book as it had some pretty good theme going on, but unfortunately the characterization and the pacing and tension of the story ruined it.

I had problems with some of the dialogues too, but that’s okay given that the ebook is a translated edition.

I wish this book had a dynamic cast of characters and that at least the main character was likable, as it would have been a really strong read then. But alas, it was what it was.




Goodreads and NetGalley

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: Deadly Hearts by Priscila Santa Rosa
		

			Categories Post Apocalypse, Priscila Santa Rosa, RomanceLeave a Comment on Book Review: Deadly Hearts by Priscila Santa Rosa		

	


	

		
33851874Author: Priscila Santa Rosa

Release Date: 17th January 2017

Series: –

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Romance

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 205

Publisher: –


Rating: ★★★★★


Blurb:


 


After a deadly disease devastates her country and robs her of everything she has ever known, Isabel cares only about one thing: keeping her infected mother safe.

When rumors of a cure reach her desperate ears, Isabel will do anything to have it. Even if that means getting into bed with Diego, the charming leader of the Vargas drug cartel. Figuratively speaking, that is. Once her initial plan of stealing the cure from his grasp fails, she sees herself at the mercy of one of the most powerful men left in their country. But instead of killing her, an intrigued Diego proposes a dangerous deal. One she cannot refuse.


She will take him to the quarantined island of Bonita, a place that still haunts her nightmares, or she’ll lose her only chance of having the cure.

With no other choice, Isabel embarks on a journey deep into the jungle with Diego—a man she doesn’t trust but who holds the key to her salvation. And maybe, if she lets him, her heart


Review


Deadly Hearts by Priscila Santa Rosa is a smashing post-apocalyptic romance novel.


This novel made me realize one thing for sure, that a romantic story set in a post-apocalyptic setting can be as real and as deadly as any other post-apocalyptic survival story.


Incredibly, author Priscila maintained the level of subtlety and elegance throughout the story for which I am really thankful because nowadays that’s the one thing that’s missing from most of the books in Romance genre. This story had just the right balance of romance, conflicts, drama, action, struggle and the underlying emotion for the desperate need for survival. The number of kills and the disorder made the plot feel extremely real as per the settings throughout the book never making me feel overwhelmed by either of them.


I loved both the main characters, Isabel and Vargas, and their love story was so sweet and real that I found myself cheering for the both of them to fall in love. Their struggles, their emotions, and their desperate motives made both of them exceptionally strong characters.  I loved all the secondary characters as well, especially each and everyone’s highly credible background stories.


Priscila’s writing is one of my favorites when it comes to apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic novels (and talking about the genre, you’ve got to check out Those Who Remain trilogy by her!) The writing is so fluid that it makes the story shine and makes the reader want to go on reading her books without putting them down before finishing with them. And that is what I loved the most about this book as well.


If you love reading romance and/or post-apocalyptic (or even dystopian) fiction, then this book is definitely for you. Even if you’re not into romance you wouldn’t want to miss out on this one as it is a really beautiful story.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: We Are Going To A Wedding by Robert Davies Higgins
		

			Categories Chick-Lit, Romance, SprkItLeave a Comment on Book Review: We Are Going To A Wedding by Robert Davies Higgins		

	


	

		
32964848-2Author: Robert Davies Higgins

Release Date: 10 November 2016

Series: –

Genre: Chick-Lit, Romance

Edition: Ebook

Pages: 150

Publisher: AG Books


Rating: ★★


Blurb:


Veronica and her best friend and business partner Elizabeth work long hard hours preparing to open a high class art and gift shop in the English Lake District. With the work completed, they decide to take a short break before the grand opening, and they go to a beautiful country hotel for a few days to chill out.

They befriend a young Australian waitress, who has a bubbly fun filled personality. When a huge old American Cadillac drives into the parking lot, a competition between the three of them ensues as to what the handsome driver does for a living, and who is going to win his heart!

Great fun, and exciting adventures follow, but who indeed will win the heart of the tall handsome stranger?


Review


We Are Going To A Wedding by Robert Davies Higgins was, unfortunately, not for me.


First off the blurb of this book is actually the synopsis of only the first two chapters and after that, the story seems to stretch all the way to the uneventful ending. The story didn’t make any sense for me.


Apart from the story, the dialogues were unreal too. They were awkward and I really think that this book needs another round or two of revising and a good professional developmental as well as line editing.


The characters felt flat and one-dimensional and the story just didn’t make any sense. Veronica was at least tolerable, but the character of Elizabeth was so weird that I had a hard time reading the book whenever she started talking or making pervert snide remarks (which was quite a lot.)


I hate posting negative reviews, but there’s nothing really positive I can say about this book as the writing itself had flaws. I had a hard time focusing on the story with abrupt head hoping and change of POVs without any break or warnings. There were11 chapters in total, but I feel that the story should have been divided into at least 20 chapters giving space for individual POV chapters that could have made the reading experience better.


Unfortunately, I did not like this book and as an author myself I feel like it will be wrong to not point out the flaws, hence the detailed dissection.

Even though I might not recommend this book to anyone, I have a feeling that chick-lit readers might find it interesting enough to enjoy it (or maybe not.) And I do think that if this book gets edited properly and the typesetting is improved then it might make for a pleasant read for the genre lovers.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: Esper Files by Egan Brass
		

			Categories Egan Brass, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, SupernaturalLeave a Comment on Book Review: Esper Files by Egan Brass		

	


	

		
32493342Author: Egan Brass  

Release Date: 26 October 2016

Series: Esper Files

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy, Steampunk, Supernatural, Paranormal

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 

Publisher: Inkitt


Rating: ★★★★


Blurb:


Set in London during the latter part of the 19th century. An experiment goes wrong at The Oxford Academy of Science, giving certain people extraordinary powers which turns them into ‘Espers’. An institute is set up to teach Espers how to control these power, and stop corrupt Espers from abusing theirs. Nathan and James, two agents from the Institute team up with Freya, a young Esper whose brother (gifted with the strange ability to manipulate emotions) is abducted by a ruthless Baron. The group has to fight against a dark threat to protect the fragile peace of Victorian London… And the rest of the world.


Review


Esper Files by Egan Brass is the first book in the series of the same name and is an enjoyable supernatural fantasy read.


I had no idea what to expect from this book when I was first asked to review it, but when I started reading it and was only a few pages in, I knew it for fact that I was in for a fun ride. And as it turned out, I wasn’t wrong.


Even though the entire concept was quite similar to the X-men team – Professor X, Logan, and Magneto, still I was able to enjoy the new take on the whole “being different” thing.


The writing was captivating and the story was really engrossing. The concept was not unique but it was definitely good. The story progression was really good and I really liked reading this book. I was pulled into the story from the very start right till the end. It was a fast-paced read which proved to be a quick one (another plus for me.)


In this book, I liked the story better than the characters. I won’t say the characters were completely one-dimensional because I liked them, but I wasn’t able to feel a striking connection with any one of them. It was one of those books that made me take enough interest in the characters to want to know what happens in the end and also what happens after it. So I’ll be definitely looking forward to reading the sequel (hoping that now that I know the characters well, I might feel a connection with them.)


I’d recommend this book to fantasy lovers and to anyone who is looking for a light and quick supernatural series to read.




Goodreads and Amazon

	

	

			






	
	

		
Book Review: From The Earth To The Moon by Jules Verne
		

			Categories Classics, Jules Verne, Scottish-Fiction1 Comment on Book Review: From The Earth To The Moon by Jules Verne		

	


	

		
32827Author: Jules Verne 

Release Date: 1865

Series: 

Genre: Classic Science Fiction

Edition: Paperback (part of The Collector’s Book Of Science Fiction)

Pages: 136

Publisher: Aegypan


Rating: ★★


Blurb:


Verne’s 1865 tale of a trip to the moon is (as you’d expect from Verne) great fun, even if bits of it now seem, in retrospect, a little strange. Our rocket ship gets shot out of a cannon? To the moon? Goodness! But in other ways it’s full of eerie bits of business that turned out to be very near reality: he had the cost, when you adjust for inflation, almost exactly right. There are other similarities, too. Verne’s cannon was named the Columbiad; the Apollo 11 command module was named Columbia. Apollo 11 had a three-person crew, just as Verne’s did; and both blasted off from the American state of Florida. Even the return to earth happened in more-or-less the same place. Coincidence — or fact!? We say you’ll have to read this story yourself to judge.


Review


I’m not a fan of Jules Verne’s writing, hence it was a bit difficult for me to complete this book. I’m just glad that somehow I did. Though there was a fair bit of skimming involved (like pages at times.)


There are a lot of good things I can say about this book like the entire concept of the Gun Club and the mission to send a projectile to Moon, some really sharp sarcastic observations that made me giggle every time I recalled them later on, a decent story overall and the feel-good factor. But there was the inescapable Verne writing that I have now come to dread that literally haunted me through the entire book, the excruciatingly slow pace of the story progression and the crazy level of Science involved for such a short read. Though the Science bit was actually quite impressive, I did not enjoy it at all.


I was hoping to finish this book in a few hours, but it took me more than 3 days to finish it. So you can guess why I gave this book a 2-star rating.


I’d recommend this book only to the hardcore fans of author Jules Verne and to no one else.




Goodreads