book blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi | Of Whiskers And Words
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.
Author:Tim Miller Release Date: 8th June 2022 Series: Genre: Humour, Short Story Collection Format: E-book Pages: 177 pages Publisher: Gnatcatcher Press Blurb: Spooves is Tim Miller’s debut collection of short, humorous fiction. The subject matter includes a yoga studio on the Death Star, a cookbook for frazzled parents entitled, “Quick and Crappy,” the pseudoscience of the TB12 method, a singing, lovelorn egg pan, and more. This book is like a tube of strange goo that will make you laugh, or, at the very least, ponder the plural of “spoof.”
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
There’s something undeniably human in the way we all seek laughter, especially from the everyday oddities of life. Tim Miller’s Spooves brilliantly taps into this sentiment. In his debut collection of short, humorous fiction, it feels as if you’re conversing with an old friend who always sees the world in its quirkiest light. Imagine practising yoga on the Death Star or flipping through a cookbook titled “Quick and Crappy” after a long day of parenting. And who can resist the serenades of a lovelorn egg pan?
Miller doesn’t just aim for laughs, though they abound. He also encourages readers to pause and find humour in unexpected corners of their lives. Some stories make you laugh out loud, while others leave you smiling thoughtfully, considering life’s little ironies.
The charm of Spooves stems from its dual nature: lighthearted yet deeply reflective. Miller skillfully crafts tales that entertain and provoke thought in equal measure. If you want a hearty laugh or a fresh perspective on the world, Spooves serves as the perfect companion. Dive in, and let Miller’s whimsical world captivate you. You might even find yourself pondering the plural of “spoof” long after you turn the last page.
Author:Brian McNatt Release Date: 13th August 2022 Series: A Life Out There (Book #3) Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 351 pages Publisher: – Blurb: “There is one hope, one chance. That’s it. Do you have what it takes to save all you love one last time?” Holly LeFay – once the banished and abused Princess Candida – is a legend. To the refugees of Eishaven, she is a hero like old. To the land of Romulus and its tyrannical royal family, she is a traitor and kinslayer. When a terrible disease sweeps through her home and her family, Holly goes on a desperate quest for the only cure: the Waters of Life, holiest relic of unicornkind. To find it, she must master the magic inherited from her secret mother, the villainous Morgana le Fay. And hounding her every step: Regina, Holly’s twin, forced into their own struggle for salvation or damnation. The destiny of the Wolf-Lords stands revealed in this dark, fearsome new novel by author Brian McNatt. Some live, some die, but the story stands eternal.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Wolf-Lords by Brian McNatt is the third book in the A Life Out There Book young-adult fantasy series. You can also read my reviews of the first book, A Life Out There, and the second book, Le Fay.
Just like the first two instalments in this series, the third instalment does not disappoint. Author McNatt’s world-building is superb and gets more elaborate as the story expands and more characters are introduced in the world that he has so lovingly created. The story is impeccable and takes the reader on a ride they wouldn’t want to get away from. I loved the characters, some old and some new, and I enjoyed the side stories as well. Overall, I loved the book and hope that this series is explored by more and more readers.
Author:John K. McLaughlin Release Date: 4th April 2023 Series: Genre: Memoir | Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 237 Publisher: Lifeline Education Connection Blurb: The Victories and Challenges One Man Faced as a First-Time Teacher in the Strange World of Prison Life After devoting half of his lifetime transforming his start-up business into a multi-million dollar industry leader, author John McLaughlin set out in a new direction: to teach what he had learned to others. Due to a lack of teaching experience, his only job offer was to teach entrepreneurship to prisoners at a minimum-security camp in North Carolina. John gradually builds an effective program until a scandal involving prison officials blindsides his progress and threatens to bring his teaching career to an unceremonious end. Lifeline to a Soul takes the reader inside the fence and chronicles the victories and challenges one man faced as a first-time teacher in the strange world of prison life.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Lifeline to a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners by John K. McLaughlin is a very unique memoir that gives readers insights into the one-of-a-kind perspective of the author who had to teach entrepreneurship to prisoners in order to gain teaching experience. Put in a very difficult, awkward and un-envious spot, the author showed grit and determination and made the best out of his situation which in turn gave him the experience of a lifetime.
This book’s perspective is so unique and refreshing that it kept me engaged throughout the story. The author has done a wonderful job in narrating his adventurous and enthralling tale in a way that made it feel all the more interesting and gave it the warm quality of a story that is being told by a friend to a group of his close friends.
I would recommend this memoir to all readers as it packs a lot of details that are very interesting, unique in their own right and extremely intriguing. This book deserves to be read!
Author:Vincent Donovan Release Date: 27th January 2022 Series: Genre: Psychological Thriller | Suspense | Thriller Format: E-book Pages: 270 Publisher: Black Rose Writing Blurb: Darlene Connolly is living on the edge four years after a massive solar storm nicknamed Sun-Kissed, causes worldwide havoc. Desperate to support her ailing mother and also exact a long-planned retribution, she sets out to swindle Todd Dolan who abandoned her in high school after she became pregnant. Todd falls for the ruse out of greed and curiosity about the baby. Meanwhile, their son Cotton works on a dude ranch and “fishes” for redeemable bottles and cans to bankroll his own penance. On a trip home, he becomes entangled in his mother’s murderous fury and uncovers a shocking revelation. Pick up a copy of Donovan’s latest literary adventure and buckle yourself in for a twisted psychological tale that proves, even on a scorched planet, revenge remains a dish best served cold.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Only Dead Leaves Fall by Vincent Donovan is a revenge psychological thriller that will not let you rest until you’ve finished reading the entire book. This book legit kept me up all night and had me finish reading it in one go. It was un-put-down-able!
With brilliant characterisation, an amazing plot and a great concept that is peppered with excellent twists and turns and an unpredictable ending, this book has everything that a thriller fan can ask for (and a lot more!) I loved it and would absolutely recommend it to all psychological thriller readers as well as readers of fans of revenge dramas (fast-paced ones though) and suspense fiction readers who love mystery and intrigue laced throughout the entire story.
Author:Michael Kornbluth Release Date: – Series: Genre: Short Stories | Humour Format: E-book Pages: 299 Publisher: – Blurb: Very very short stories
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Waste of Height by Michael Kornbluth is a feel-good collection of short stories that will leave the readers craving for more (and more.) The stories are really short making them really quick to read and the best part is there are lots and lots of them, so no need to finish them in one go (unless you want to) one can read them as and when they please—something that I did.
The stories are all colourful, relatable, hilarious at places and very relatable but without getting too heavy which is always something I admire in author Kornbluth’s writing. I would recommend this book to all readers of short stories and to anyone looking for exploring fiction by new and previously undiscovered authors.
Author:Lancelot Schaubert Release Date: 25th July 2023 Series: Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Poetry | Sci Fi & Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 138 Publisher: Vale Blurb: The Greenwood Poet spent two years spelunking the archive, grounds, and barrows of Greenwood Cemetery — America’s oldest and greatest rural cemetery. While there, he uncovered stories of love and loss, stories of shipwreck and tragedy. And he met several Fae creatures who had something to say about New York city. Written mostly in heroic meter with a couple breaks for spoken word and Renaissance meters, The Greenwood Poet calls us to return to the Arcadia in our own neighborhood. And does so through poetic fictions.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The Greenwood Poet by Lancelot Schaubert is a beautiful and heart-touching poetry collection. What really made this collection special for me was that the poems in this collection are all themed beautifully, rooted in a place that holds a very special place for the author. I am a believer in certain places holding an unyielding grip on one’s heart and soul and every poem in this collection makes my belief stronger.
So I loved the entire collection and though there were a few favourites, overall this book makes for an excellent read with the bite-sized poems that are more contemplative in their content than their length.
Author:Stephen C. Pollock Release Date: 12th June 2023 Series: Genre: Poetry, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 54 Publisher: – Blurb: Every life is finite. Though circumstance and timing may vary, death remains the one inescapable attribute of the human condition. Awareness of this inevitability and recognition of the transient nature of our biological selves profoundly affect each person’s perspective on their life and its meaning. Stephen C. Pollock’s debut poetry collection nods to the literary tradition of years past while simultaneously speaking to the present moment. Multilayered and musical, the poems in Pollock’s “Exits” have drawn comparisons to the work of Eavan Boland and Seamus Heaney. With bold imagery, attention to form, and a consistent through line rooted in the theme of mortality, his collection responds to contemporary anxieties surrounding death and decay and the universal search for meaning in life’s transience.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Exits: Selected Poems by Stephen C. Pollock is a collection of beautifully written poems that evoke vivid imagery that makes one think about the meaning of not only life but also death and the afterlife. Writing on bold and dark themes, the author had done a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere for each and every poem so distinctly that you could taste it on the tip of your tongue and can distinguish them accordingly with your eyes closed.
The writing is captivating, moving and at times very strong (in a good way, of course) and makes one reminisce after each and every piece. I would definitely recommend this poetry collection to all poetry readers and even to those who don’t go for non-fiction/poetry books as their usual go-to genre, as this book has a lot to offer to its readers.
Author:Junis Sultan Release Date: 11th January 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 330 Publisher: Brandylane Publishers, Inc. Blurb: Born in Mosul, Iraq, to a wealthy intercultural family, Junis Sultan’s happy, privileged childhood is abruptly cut short by the start of the Gulf War in 1991. With their home destroyed, Junis’s family flees to Germany, settling in a small conservative town near Frankfurt. As his family struggles to adapt to their new circumstances, Junis finds himself increasingly torn between two worlds—fighting to carve out an identity for himself between his family’s expectations and a culture that demands his assimilation. After the 9/11 terror attacks, Junis begins to keep a diary, in which he reflects on questions of family, friendship, religion, and politics. These deep insights gradually expand beyond cultural borders, as Junis begins to explore the universal human needs for bonding and freedom.
Brothers and Strangers is a unique, heartfelt memoir of endurance, forgiveness, and self-actualization, offering a timely message about the importance of acting with openness and love in a global reality.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Brothers and Strangers: A German-Iraqi Memoir by Junis Sultan is a beautifully written memoir that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. This book is full of emotional ups and downs and has a great payoff in the end. The author presented a unique perspective in the book, making readers consider the era and issues raised in the book.
I would recommend this book to all readers as this is a story that EVERYONE must read.
Author:Paul Flanagan Release Date: 27th March 2023 Series: RileyMacLeod(Book #1) Genre: Humour Format: E-book Pages: 78 Publisher: – Blurb: Meet Riley MacLeod…loving husband…caring father…faithful friend…successful writer…and the world’s biggest idiot. Of course, in Riley’s insane mind he sees himself as the world’s biggest…well…hero. However, when Riley’s wife insists they take a romantic drive from Vermont to Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with her family who is far from normal themselves, the man who is hated by his neighbors and loathed by an angry tom cat, sets out to prove that he isn’t an idiot…under duress, of course.
The trip begins with Riley getting tied up by his best friend, his clothes stolen by a group of mischievous teenagers, and a tow truck driver with a happy gun finger. Determined to keep pushing forward, under duress of course, Riley continues down the road desperately trying to leave the state of Vermont only to encounter a killer truck driver, a girl with strange colored hair, and a pair of old people who turn out to be drug dealers. Yet, through it all, Riley somehow turns out to be a hero…well, kinda. Will Riley MacLeod and his wife make it to the Thanksgiving table in one piece or will they end up in a mental hospital locked away in little padded rooms?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Carving Up Riley by Paul Flanagan is the first book in the Riley MacLeod series. This book is a fantastic read and full of funny situational scenarios. The author has an impeccable sense of humour which comes out in the book well and makes the reader laugh heartily in many places (at least it made me chortle and chuckle in many instances.)
I would definitely recommend this book to all humour and comedy fiction fans and to those who are looking for a light-hearted book that they can finish within a couple of hours.
Author:Lancelot Schaubert Release Date: 24th October 2023 Series: Genre: Western Parody, Humour, Cowboy Fiction Parody, Action & Adventure Format: E-book Pages: 138 Publisher: Vale Blurb: A cowboy separated from his wife visits an ambassador’s gala above an active volcano. Magical terrorists attack. Separated from his clothes and family, he must wield a lightning wand against an invading army in hopes to set the fantastic world’s diplomats free. Will he make it out clothed, reunited, and unsinged?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Tap and Die by Lancelot Schaubert is a Western fiction parody that is both unique in its own way and entertaining as hell. This makes this book a completely polarising read—you’d either love it or not like it at all. So it’s better to know what the book is actually about before you start reading it instead of feeling let down due to unreasonable expectations (as I’ve witnessed in most reviews for this book—know your genres, people!)
Anyway, I loved it. It made me laugh more than I cared to count and it left me in comparatively good spirits when I actually began reading it so I have no reason to complain. I loved how the author referred to the “author” as God and had stuff going on for no apparent reason because that’s how most Western fiction books are; the author promised a parody, and that’s exactly what he delivered.
I would recommend this book to all the fans of Western fiction readers and Cowboy fans as they would definitely get it (no offence to the ones who didn’t :D)
Author:Lancelot Schaubert Narrator: Release Date: 14th March 2023 Genre: Historical fiction, Humour, Coming Of Age Series: Format: Audiobook Length: 7 hours Publisher: Vale Blurb: PRANKS. OIL. PROTEST. JOKES BETWEEN NEWLYWEDS. AND ONE HILARIOUS SIEGE OF A MAJOR CORPORATION. Remmy grows up with Beth in Bellhammer, Illinois as oil and coal companies rob the land of everything that made it paradise. Under his Grandad, he learns how to properly prank his neighbors, friends, and foes. Beth tries to fix Remmy by taking him to church. Under his Daddy, Remmy starts the Bell Hammer Construction Company, which depends on contracts from Texarco Oil.
And Beth argues with him about how to build a better business. Together, Remmy and Beth start to build a great neighborhood of “merry men” carpenters: a paradise of s’mores, porch furniture, newborn babies, and summer trips to Branson where their boys pop the tops off of the neighborhood’s two hundred soda bottles. Their witty banter builds a kind of castle among a growing nostalgia. Then one of Jim Johnstone’s faulty Texarco oil derricks falls down on their house and poisons their neighborhood’s well. Poisoned wells escalate to torched dog houses. Torched dog houses escalate to stolen carpentry tools and cancelled contracts. Cancelled contracts escalate to eminent domain. Sick of the attacks from Texaco Oil on his neighborhood, Remmy assembles his merry men: “We need the world’s greatest prank. One grand glorious jest that’ll bloody the nose of that tyrant. Besides, pranks and jokes don’t got no consequences, right?”
REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert is a unique combination of historical fiction that is interlaced with humor. In this book, the author shares the story of Remmy as he grows up into a man and is exposed to the true realities surrounding him. The author’s deft writing and exceptional observations lend this book an unparalleled quality that makes it both an excellent read (or listen) and a reality check of evils such as corporate corruption that plague our society.
This book is a phenomenal read, especially for anyone who grew up in the good ol’ days but because it is so relatable and mind-blowing and funny, I’d recommend it to each and every reader.
Author: Brian McNatt Release Date: 19th November 2021 Series: A Life Out There (Book #2) Genre: New Adult Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 237 Publisher: Blurb: In the cold, remote north, Eishaven waits. Home of refugees and outcasts. Home of Candida the princess-no-more, making a life on the edge of the world with Shun, her wife and fellow runaway. In the waters off the coast of Eishaven, a burning ship sinks. In its hold, Candida finds only one survivor, the bright but scared unicorn filly named Nessa. With her comes a quest . . . and a threat to shatter this newfound family. Many threats. Imperial unicorn soldiers. Gryphon renegades. Vengeful family. And at the end of the path, on the precipice of the happy ending, the nightmare of all Wolf-Lords . . . LE FAY. In this fantastical new story, following after the events of A LIFE OUT THERE, author Brian McNatt takes readers on a journey expanding the world of Heraldale—and Princess Candida’s place in it—in ways they could never imagine.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Le Fay by Brian McNatt is a new adult fantasy novel that will pull you into the world of Heraldale and won’t let you stop until you’ve finished the entire book and still leave you to read more, the next one in the series. This book is a sequel to A Life Out There and picks up directly where the book ends. So this book should ideally be read in order after the first book.
The best part about this book was the characterisation. The creatures and species that the author has introduced in this book, and the ones he has used from the last part, are simply phenomenal and well-developed. They are all a delight to read about and I am looking forward to reading the next part already!
The author’s writing is brilliant and makes the story flow very well. Overall it is a great fantasy read with amazing world-building, great characters and amazing narration so I’d recommend it to all fantasy fans and to anyone who wants to explore a new series by a new author.
Author:Lancelot Schaubert Release Date: 10th October 2023 Series: Genre: Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Dark Format: E-book Pages: 36 Publisher: — Blurb: Harry woke at night: in his doorway stood THE DANGER. Harry learns first to face and follow Danger, then to court Danger. Harry takes the Danger out for chocolate cake, for jumping over mountains, for leaping over pits of snakes. Then he wields Danger to save lives, homes, and worlds from a world ending fire. A children’s book written in the wake of the historic Joplin tornado, HARRY RIDES THE DANGER teaches the abstract concept of courage in a fun way. It will quickly become an early reader classic.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Harry Rides the Danger by Lancelot Schaubert is a dark children’s fiction graphic novel that will steal any horror lover’s heart. This book is perfect for a nice little spooky read for kids and even for adults who like adventure with a twist.
The characterisation is the heart of this book and I hope the author comes out with more books in this series so that we can read more of Harry’s adventures. This one was a perfect blend of thrills and chills and the brilliant narration and beautiful illustrations took it to an entirely different level.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all children and adult alike.
Author:L.J. Sellers Release Date: 4th May 2023 Series: Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense Format: E-book Pages: 276 Publisher: Spellbinder Press Blurb: What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind? Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her. But as she starts her new life, lightning strikes! Remi briefly loses her memory and makes one small mistake—that costs her everything. The crime-family patriarch she’s hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The psychological trauma cracks open buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her. AfterStrike blends fast-paced action with psychological suspense and unexpected romance, then ends with an explosive twist.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
AfterStrike by L.J. Sellers is a gripping thriller that will hook you right from the beginning and won’t let you put it down until the end. This book is a stunning thriller that plays out in the readers head like a movie, unfolding at each and every turn the many dark and twisted twists and turns that will keep you glued to the book.
This book had excellent characterisation, amazing pacing and tension and the writing is perfect and compliments the plot and the concept beautifully. I would highly recommend it to all thriller readers and to those who simply cannot miss a stunning suspense novel.
Author:Joesphine Walden Release Date: 20th August 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir Format: E-book Pages: 401 Publisher: – Blurb: After two major floods with their financial, physical, and emotional ramifications, a car accident, several dangerous encounters while traveling and family deaths, I spiraled down into a life-changing, nursing-career ending illness. Diagnosis: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a little understood illness at the time. A single mom, I struggled to work but the symptoms slowly overtook me: debilitating fatigue, flu-like symptoms, a pre-leukemic blood dyscrasia and a slow loss of memory. Then a beloved sister and I inherited two estates. She took care of probate. As I descended into the throes of the illness, she invited me to stay with her and her husband. While there, fun times were punctuated by unpleasant encounters and accusations of family neglect and other short comings. Unable to respond due to memory loss and slow thought processes, I kept silent. As probate progressed, my daughter began to warn me about my sister’s behavior in dealing with the probate issues. I couldn’t comprehend her concerns as I trusted my sister implicitly. I was blissfully unaware of game playing, creative manipulations, plots, thefts and acts of revenge.
Finally, there was some improvement and I returned to work. That attempt failed after only four months. With trepidation I eventually returned to my sister’s due to her persistent coaxing. While there, she did all she could to make me physically, as well as emotionally, uncomfortable. I left. Once away her behavior became overly hostile and aggressive. She seemed to be a combination of Baby Jane’s sister and Virginia Wolff! My ex-husband, a state policeman, guided me through a two-estate, nine-year ordeal. Julie’s actions would almost financially break me, deprive me of some of my inheritance and cause family members to turn against me.
Eventually I had to retain an attorney. He had been a former prosecutor and said it was the worst case he had ever handled. Finally, after trying to deal with her, the attorneys asked me to meet with her. Still ill but with some improvement I pulled myself together. My attempted intervention wasn’t successful. She was evasive, less than honest, accusatory and walked out of the meeting to avoid answering my questions. The lawyers made the decision to hold a judicial inquiry so the judge would know how to rule. Sadly, court would be the next step.
In court the findings influenced the judge to put Julie on supervision to finish the probate business and had her escorted from the parental home and out of town by a Sheriff’s Deputy. He followed her to the next town. My lawyer called it “Frontier Justice.” The home was sealed, and contents and home were sold. This final resolution brought peace and financial stability to my life. Estranged family members were reunited with me.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Ordeal by Josephine Walden is a touching memoir about the author’s story of having been betrayed by someone she held very dear to her heart and how she had to confront the hard realities of life. But thankfully, the author is later saved with the help of her own wits and her dear daughter.
This book is a memoir that deeply resonated with me even though I still cannot understand why; I think may be because it talks about the basic fear we all harbour in our deep subconscious and unconscious minds about being betrayed by the ones we love the most. This book is a very well-written account of the author’s plight and brings out all the situations she had to endure in great detail making the reader understand the situations well and in a very engrossing way.
I would strongly suggest everyone to read this book as this book is a moving story and would make you emotionally involved in it rewarding you with a great payoff too in the end.
Author:E T McNamara Release Date: 25th February 2023 Series: Genre: Criminal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Mystery Format: E-book Pages: 366 Publisher: – Blurb: Fans of romantic mysteries and suspenseful crime dramas get both in The Witness Affair, E T McNamara’s fourth novel. In New York City, an attractive young woman trying to save her Iowa home and farm from legal problems unwittingly becomes the target of an international crime ring. Having no idea why people are trying to kill her, she relies on a handsome New York City police detective to keep her safe. They become aware of the romantic chemistry between them as they try to figure out who wants her dead and why. Realizing the conspiracy is deeper than they thought, they must take drastic actions to keep each other safe. Whether it is discovering the perfect crime, its resulting treasure hunt, or the simmering romance of the two main characters, be prepared for a rollercoaster thrill ride, as a series of twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the end.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Witness Affair by E T McNamara is a romantic mystery that builds up slowly but really well. This book was very different from author McNamara’s usual style of writing, which leans more towards historical stories and style of narration. I really enjoyed this book and the think that the ending was a good payoff for the entire built-up.
The mystery devised by the author was good and the characterisation, keeping with his writing style, was spot on. I was able to connect to the characters and felt deeply for them, making this book extremely engaging.
I’d recommend this book to all mystery readers, especially to those who like a prominent romantic subplot.
Author:JoshuaCatchatoor Release Date: 3rd November 2022 Series: A Comedic Tudor Tale (Book #1) Genre: Adventure, Humor Fiction, British Humor, Novellas, Historical, and Tudor Period Format: E-book Pages: 105 Publisher: Blurb: Herein you will find a comedic romp through the English Renaissance, in which the titular Elizabethan courtier finds himself under increasing pressure to keep both himself and his country out of trouble. Great men and women have throughout the ages clung on to the swinging tailcoats of history, their deeds nonetheless holding profound significance for centuries to come. Such is the case with Lord Bolingbroke, a man able to shape the destinies of nations; the hedonistic courses of an evening at the local pub; and contemporary impressions of England’s 16th century populace. This is the first part of his grand tale.
‘A hilarious adventure guaranteed in all but actual law to have you laughing out loud, as you witness a man attempting to navigate such thrilling matters as: various heads of state (and several horses) of questionable intelligence, political conspiracy, dodgy brewing standards, zealots of diverse persuasion and shenanigans bawdy enough to make a grandmother blush. And that’s just for starters.‘
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Adventures of Lord Bolingbroke by Joshua Catchatoor is a brilliant dose of British humour, especially for those who actively seek and admire the Elizabethan era. The author’s wit is really commendable and his insertions of current events into the historical plot made the story all the more interesting. I liked the author’s writing style and his sense of humour which was neither too subtle nor too over the top.
The extremely well-done characterisation is the bane of this story and the author has done an amazing job with it. Not only the main character of Lord Bolingbroke but also the secondary characters are extremely well-developed and rounded making this book a really fun and interesting read.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all readers, no matter what genre of books they prefer to read, as this book has a lot to offer to its readers.
Author:Abigail Keam Release Date: 27th March 2023 Series: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery (Book #18) Genre: Cosy Mystery, Murder Mystery Format: E-book Pages: 210 Publisher: Worker Bee Press Blurb: Josiah is working in her honeybee yard when she hears a commotion coming from a horse pasture. She rushes toward the uproar and comes upon a huge, enraged Texas Longhorn bull. The massive beast is angrily snorting, pawing the turf, and threatening a prized Thoroughbred stallion, Comanche. Getting the bull to calm down is no small task and in the end, Josiah has a busted fence and a barn door ripped off its hinges. Once the bull is secure, Josiah hurries to confront the bull’s owner only to discover he is dead and lying in a pool of his own blood. The police naturally assume the bull is responsible for the man’s death, but Josiah has her doubts. She is convinced foul play is involved and works to save the Texas Longhorn from being “put down.” Will she solve the murder and save the Longhorn in time?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Death By Greed by Abigail Keam is the 18th book in the Josiah Reynolds Mystery series and is every bit as riveting as one can expect from an intriguing cosy mystery read. This book had a really intriguing and alluring plot. The author’s tense writing style weaved the book’s basic concept and the entire plot line so brilliantly that putting down the book got simply impossible for me and I had to read it in one go.
The book opens on a high note and right from the beginning the reader can sense that the story will only get better by the page (something that is quite important when it comes to a mystery novel, especially Cozies.) The mystery itself was very satisfying and I am planning to read the other books in this series. So yes, this book CAN also be read as a stand-alone!
I would strongly recommend this book to all mystery readers, especially readers of the cosy mystery genre.
Author:E T McNamara Release Date: 23rd May 2022 Series: Genre: Historical Romance Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 444 Publisher: – Blurb: From the author of The Puzzle Pieces and Fate’s Final Destiny comes a two-generation romantic novel set against World War 2, the Vietnam War, and America’s space race. Discovering an unmailed letter from 1944 twenty-five years later in an old Chippendale chest, Vietnam War widow Patti Kilbride embarks on a journey to find the intended recipient. Caught up in her efforts to reunite two strangers from the past, Patti is unaware of the changes her search is having in her own life. Following the lives of a WWII naval aviator and a “Rosie the Riveter” aircraft factory worker, we watch their past lives eventually catch up with Patti’s present life. If you enjoy a good love story and at the same time want to experience what American life was like generations ago, this book is for you.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Chippendale Letter by E T McNamara is a very well-written historical romance fiction novel full of highs and lows of great sentimental intensity. This is my second book by the author and as soon as I started the book, I felt as if I had been handed a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee; the author’s writing carries a certain familiar warmth that can only be felt by readers who’ve experienced a previous novel or story by an author.
The character of Patti was very well-developed, and I felt a strong connection with her that made me enjoy the book on a completely different level. The characters of George and Charlotte only added to the book’s charm and the story’s richness. The author’s writing made it an absolute delight, and he executed the entire plot perfectly blending it all seamlessly into the brilliant backdrop of World War II and the Vietnam War.
I’d strongly recommend this book to all historical romance as well as simply historical fiction readers as this story has a lot to offer to its readers.
Author: Noureddine Hifad Release Date: 4th January 2018 Series: Genre: High Fantasy Format: E-book Pages: 269 Publisher: – Blurb: Amidst a millennium of harmony and affluence, the Vargassian dynasty’s reign was abruptly extinguished with the sudden demise of its last emperor. The realm was thrown into pandemonium, with factions battling each other for control, until General Casper Leonberg seized Soliris, the imperial capital. As the political turmoil escalated, the young heir to the throne, Prince Hector, made a daring escape, determined to gather 108 righteous heroes to free the land from the Northern-Tiger’s tyranny.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Wagers of Fate: The 108 Stars by Noureddine Hifad is a high fantasy book that takes the reader on a somewhat nostalgic rollercoaster ride of emotions. Imagine a couple of your classic favourite fantasies thrown in together in an entirely new setting with new characterisation and some amazing plot twists; that’s what you get in this book!
This book is a really well-written ode to the classic hero’s journey in which you will find yourself cheering for the MC more than you’d care to admit. I particularly liked the ending of the book because most of the threads were tied and the author provided answers to almost all of my questions, though I hope we get to read more of the character’s journey in the next book (fingers crossed!)
I’d strongly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers and to all the readers who like reading about a good revenge fantasy and a well-executed hero’s journey.
Author:Clover Blaire Release Date: 19th September 2017 Series: Genre: New Adult Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 335 Publisher: Tini Tonic Books Blurb: I knew three things about Ashley Bragg. First, he was the greatest rogue alive, no matter how charming and respected he was. Second, he was too handsome and too sure of himself. Third, I was going to risk it all to have him, because he was just that alluring. Presley Ann Scots’ move to the mountain town of Darling, an elite, politically powerful town in New Hampshire, could have been the most intimidating move she ever made. What would these prestigious and powerful mountain men and their pageant queen wives say about this single Boston girl? But once Presley Ann meets the charming and well-bred Ashley Bragg, her life takes a romantic and then humiliating turn.
There are three things that Presley Ann does not know about me. First, I know who killed Boston’s mayor. Second, I know who killed New Hampshire’s governor. Third, you should be afraid of me. Up until now, Ashley Bragg, a handsome small town lawyer, has managed to maintain his lovable and upstanding image in the town he was born and raised in. But now everyone is shocked, especially his fiancé, when the new woman in town–Presley Ann–seems to have seduced him. Presley Ann and Ashley find themselves running away from love and refusing their desires, forgetting that desires do not accept refusals. Seductive and filled with deep longing, The Rise of the Royal House of New Hampshire captures the struggle between doing what people expect of us and doing what we desire. This is a love story with a twist.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Giant Men and Violent Women by Clover Blaire is an explosive new release that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is a new adult fiction novel with a huge romantic subplot but with an amazing and dark twist.
I loved the characterisation in this book and how the main characters drove the entire plot to its amazing finish, leaving the readers craving for more action, drama and romance. The story is impressive conceptually, and the plot is well-strung and pulled together tightly with neat writing and a great narrative flow.
I would strongly recommend this story to all new adult fiction readers and to romance readers who like their romantic stories with twists.
Author: Nancy Maloney-Mercado & Jackie J O’Donnell Release Date: 6th December 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Inspirational Format: E-book Pages: 166 Publisher: Sunflower Press Blurb: Are you caring for your chronically ill husband? Did you grow up with suicidal, alcoholic parents? Are you searching for a loving relationship? Have your efforts at starting a fulfilling career been thwarted by someone determined to hold you back? Maybe you’ve postponed your own dreams in order to keep from making waves with a significant other. Does your life seem to be heading a long wat from where you’d wish it to be? Any of these can steal your happiness or keep you from achieving your potential. All can crush your hopes and dreams.This is the story of a woman who grew up in a dysfunctional family, was trapped by a predator at age 8, was suffocated by an abusive marriage, grappled with being a single mother, finally found her soulmate, struggled with a blended family, juggled the incompatible roles of wife and caregiver, yet maintained her faith, at least most of the time. She did it thanks to some special women who supported her in ways she didn’t recognize until she unconsciously drew upon their influence. We hope you’ll learn to call on the influencers in our own life. Possibly you’ve drawn on them in your past and can now appreciate their impact on you.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Women in Me: How They Helped Me Survive and Thrive by Nancy Maloney-Mercado & Jackie J O’Donnell is a beautifully written inspirational memoir that is extremely thought-provoking and very emotional.
The author’s writing is very simple, yet speaks straight to the reader’s heart. The author’s struggles are extremely relatable and one cannot help but feel drawn into the book right from the beginning, finding themselves rooting for the author and even the other characters in the book.
All women should read this beautifully written work by two new authors as it strongly resonates with the problems faced by women. This book can provide equal enjoyment for men, too. I would strongly recommend it to readers of women’s fiction and to those who like reading inspirational memoirs.
Author:Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo Release Date: 19th September 2022 Series: Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 152 Publisher: Notion Press Blurb: What happens to your love when you die? Does your love end? Does your love stay in your heart or in your body? When you say, “I Love You,” what does the “I” stand for? Is it your body, mind, or soul? When you die, is your love also destroyed like your body, or is it immortal like your soul? Then the question comes, is the soul immortal? Nobody can give a perfect answer to these questions. This book has tried to find the answers to that mystery. It’s a love story between two immortal souls. Love is an endless fuel to the energy called the soul, which will keep it alive forever. Read An Imperishable Promise to find the real meaning of love. It is filled with lots of suspense and twists. What will happen to Raj and Kashish’s love when death becomes an obstacle between them? Will they overcome this false materialistic life to keep their love alive forever? Will their love survive without having a physical existence of the human body? Dive in to find all these answers.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
An Imperishable Promise: If Afterlife Is True, Will You Still Come To Me? by Sarathi Sabyasachi Sahoo is a unique love story that is narrated as a part of a flashback by a secondary yet important character and the story takes quite unexpected turns as it unfolds keeping the readers engaged at all times.
I liked the concept of the book and the storyline. The characters were good but needed a bit more development as I couldn’t feel a strong connection to them. Although their emotions did come through beautifully despite the problems with the flow of the writing, the narration delivered the emotions quite well. There was more telling than showing, but the good plot more than made up for it and the weak characterisation.
Overall, the book was unique, enjoyable and pretty thought-provoking. And I would recommend it to all contemporary romance readers.
Author:Emma Grace Release Date: 1st February 2023 Series: Genre: Dystopian Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 210 Publisher: Blurb: Katie Davis has had her whole life planned out for her since birth. She, along with every other citizen of Carcera, is predestined to marry her perfect Match. She knows that she will eventually have two children, and that none of the citizens will never leave the Border, the wall of stone encircling the city. No one could have predicted, however, the harrowing night that forces Katie and her three best friends to flee for their lives only days after their Matching Ceremony. With nowhere to go, Katie and her friends must make impossible choices at every turn. They are faced with life-altering decisions, such as whether or not to join the Underground, a resistance army dedicated to overthrowing Borders. The smaller choices seem just as unfathomable as the larger ones-what to eat for dinner, what to do in their free time, and even what to wear. When their luck begins to run out, they are left with only two options: fight, or die. Match is the first installment of The Matchbook Trilogy.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Match by Emma Grace is an action-packed dystopian novel that will take you on an adventurous and emotions rollercoaster ride. It is the first book in the Matchbook trilogy.
Author Emma Grace has done a fabulous job of creating a realistic and intricate world that pulls in the readers right from the beginning and keeps them thoroughly engaged till the very last page, ending the book on a perfect cliffhanger. This book has rich and well-developed characters and is an excellently plotted novel that is fast-paced and laced with tense and unpredictable twists and turns. Overall, the writing is good and complimented the plot very well.
I would definitely recommend this book to all dystopian fiction fans and fans of elaborate and intrinsic world-building in fantasy novels. This book is a perfect read for anyone wanting to explore a series by a talented new author.
Author:James Bright Release Date: 28th September 2022 Series: Genre: Non-Fiction, Guide, How-to Books, Gardening Format: E-book Pages: 121 Publisher: Heath Publishing Company Blurb: “If I wanted to have a happy garden, I must ally myself with my soil; study and help it to the utmost, untiringly … Always, the soil must come first. — Marion Dudley Cran, the 1st woman gardening broadcaster In Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy, garden fertility and soil science expert James R. Bright draws on many years of cultivating high-yield vegetable gardens to provide you with proven methods that anybody can use to easily set up your garden to grow healthy vegetable crops, even if you have never planted vegetables before, or have limited space and time to grow delicious vegetables, spices, and other gardens delights. As Ms. Cron said in the 1930s, the key to growing a beautiful garden anywhere in the world is maintaining fertile soil, and in this easy-to-understand gardening book, James Bright teaches all gardeners how to understand soil composition, soil testing, PH levels and acidity, soil moisture and soil microbes – and how to manage these vital soil factors each year in your garden, without buying expensive fertilizers or garden tools.
In this straightforward and practical soil maintenance and gardening book, you will learn:
In-depth explanations of all of the most important soil characteristics of high-yielding gardens… and how to optimize your home garden soil to produce the most vegetables with the fewest extra soil additives, fertilizers and chemicals.
Easy step-by-step directions for setting up amazingly productive gardens whether you have a large yard or a limited space, including inexpensive hand-made raised bed gardens and container gardens, as well as how to plant no-dig gardens, the best option for in-ground home gardens.
Seasonal soil maintenance – how to treat soil and your garden after harvest each year to improve soil conditions for the next growing season.
The perfect soil mix for raised bed gardens and container gardens to get the ideal mixture of organic matter for nutrients, moisture retention, and aeration.
Proven soil testing methods to determine the timing and amounts of organic fertilizers, lime, nitrogen, nutrients, or soil microbes to improve soil health and maximize fertility.
How to protect beneficial soil microbes, understand your soil’s ecosystem, and apply this knowledge for bountiful vegetable production.
If you have ever struggled to produce beautiful, healthy fruits and vegetables, the problem is not you – it’s poor soil… and there is a solution. It’s time to start setting up your home garden for success, and years of producing cheap, healthy vegetables, as well providing you with many hours of relaxing outdoor activity and a sense of individual accomplishment, when you save hundreds of dollars in grocery bills and grow your own organic food.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Vegetable Garden Soil Science Made Easy: Create a Soil Base for Abundant Harvests in Your Raised Bed, Container, or No-Dig Garden by James Bright is a marvellous book that teaches about the complicated yet extremely important science of soil in an extremely simple and understandable way.
This book is a practical guide for everyone who likes greenery and wants to grow a vegetable garden in their backyard in small containers, on a terrace garden, or on a farm. This book is an excellent guide for beginners, especially as the author, James Bright, break down complicated concepts into simple-to-understand, bite-sized pieces of information that are not only easily digestible but also very practical to apply and get results.
I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants to have their own vegetable garden, as this book offers a lot of knowledge on the most important element of vegetable gardening: the soil!
Author:Khalil A. Barnett Release Date: 15th November 2022 Series: Genre: High Fantasy Asian Myths & Legends, Asian Literature Format: E-book Pages: 436 Publisher: Booklocker.com Blurb: A sword & sorcery fantasy novel based on Asian myths & legends. Tulpas, otherwise known as thought-forms, spring first from the imagination, then go on to live lives independent of their creators. And sometimes, they maintain a hostile, even violent, relationship with said creators. No one knows this quite like Coletrane Marx, the only son of an eccentric billionaire archeologist, who one night as a child unwittingly created a tulpa himself; one that visited him in demon form in the middle of the night to murder his parents with a samurai sword.
Forever changed by this trauma, Coletrane grows up to inherit his father’s obsession with archeology and to discover that his unfiltered, childhood imagination created not only this mysterious, cursed samurai named Kojiro, but also an alternate feudal history wherein the strong-willed warrior has his own prophetic story in a world full of mythic creatures, powerful humanoid animal Lords, living deities, and evil Tricksters. A world, Coletrane in addition learns, that will overlap with his own in catastrophic ways if he and Kojiro do not reconcile their dark, shared past and come together as one to stop it.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Kijiro by Khalil A. Barnett is a sword & sorcery fantasy novel based on Asian myths & legends and tells the story of Kojiro, a malignant manifestation of a young child, the son of a billionaire archeologist.
This book is so different from the usual fantasy stories that one reads, especially the popular culture Fantasy books, as most of them draw heavily from Greek and/or Roman legends. But this book was a real treat for me because it is based on Asian mythology and being an Asian myself it was so gratifying to read a story about the culture I could, if not entirely being a South Asian, at least partially, relate to way more than the European fantasy plots. I could feel more connected to the story and especially the motivations of the character and the stakes in the story for them.
I loved the author’s writing style — it had a great flow, making the book seem like a lullaby, albeit dark. The pacing of the novel is spot on and the tension runs tight throughout the story, keeping the readers engaged right from the beginning to the very last page. The concept is phenomenal, the execution fantastic and the overall story extremely captivating and entertaining.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would highly recommend it to all readers, especially to all Asian readers to explore this amazing gem.
Author:M. Price Release Date: 28th May 2022 Series: Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Surreal Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 294 Publisher: – Blurb: Jhaegar Holdburn is a forlorn teenage edgelord who constantly attempts suicide and finds himself continually failing due to last second blunders. His desire for death comes from his often frazzled, often incoherent mind and how it fuels the way he’s ostracized by his peers as well as how he’s been made a pariah in the current social climate. At last the opportunity arises, Jhaegar manages to commit suicide using a foolproof method, and after years of despair he finally dies… But not quite… Jhaegar is instead resurrected…as he will always be resurrected. He finds the one thing standing in the way of sweet death is his uncanny inability to truly die and that his suicides result in increasingly stranger and psychedelic realities, irreversibly made worse by his ever deteriorating mind. He discovers the only way to break this cycle of death and rebirth is to uncover the real root of his problems and find his own personal sense of happiness, as well as to unravel the esoteric tangle of his own repressed psyche. But, with his grasp of reality slipping away by the minute, will Jhaegar have time to save himself from his own self-destruction?
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Please Feel Bad I’m Dead by M. Price is a dark contemporary take on teenage mental health issues. This book is about a teen boy whose dark thoughts, and the inhumanity of the world around him, lead his psyche to deteriorate to a point where he wants nothing but to end his life. So he commits suicide only to find that he cannot end his life. Every time he kills himself, he is resurrected.
This book chronicles his journey of trying to kill himself and then resurrecting with an even more deteriorated psyche only to conclude that he would have to face his own demons and explore the depths of his fragile mind which might hold the key for him to understand what is happening and maybe even his happiness.
This book is quite similar to Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, although much darker and with a different concept of resurrection. I would recommend this book to all mental health fiction readers and anyone wanting to explore the surrealism of being trapped in a mind that suffers from acute and clinical depression.
Although be advised this could be a strongly triggering read for people who are sensitive, especially to suicide and depression.
Author:Teri M Brown Release Date: 24th January 2023 Series: Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Generational Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 328 Publisher: Atmosphere Press Blurb: How does a man show his love – for country, for heritage, for family – during a war that sets the three at odds? What sets in motion the necessity to choose one over the other? How will this choice change everything and everyone he loves? Jacob Miller, a first-generation American, grew up in New Berlin, a small German immigrant town in Ohio where he endured the Great Depression, met his wife, and started a family. Though his early years were not easy, Jacob believes he is headed toward his ‘happily ever after’ until a friend is sent to an internment camp for enemy combatants, and the war lands resolutely on his doorstep.
In An Enemy Like Me, Teri M. Brown uses the backdrop of World War II to show the angst experienced by Jacob, his wife, and his four-year-old son as he leaves for and fights in a war he did not create. She explores the concepts of xenophobia, intrafamily dynamics, and the recognition that war is not won and lost by nations, but by ordinary men and women and the families who support them.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
An Enemy Like Me by Teri M Brown is a beautiful historical fiction novel that tells the story of Jacob Miller and how being a true patriot brings him face-to-face with a truth that can shatter anyone’s world: that he is more similar to the enemy that he’d been fighting with than the people he was fighting for. An Enemy Like Me is a beautiful exploration of 2nd, 3rd and even 4th generation immigrants who face discrimination based on their looks, family origins, accent, etc. albeit in different intensity at different times in history.
This story is about a soldier who is trying his best to fight for the country he currently lives in, yet battling emotions, imagining that his previous generations were part of the country that he was fighting with and how this has a profound impact on him. This book also explores the perspective on war from different generational views, providing readers insights into how different people, at other points in time, think about the same historic events and issues that had a great impact on their lives.
An Enemy Like Me explores a lot of themes which will resonate with most readers of historical, literary fiction and war fiction genres. So I’d like to recommend it to all the readers as this book has a lot to offer to all of its readers.
Author: Matthew Levine Release Date: 9th November 2022 Series: Genre:Children’s Humorous Literature, Short Stories collection, Children’s Humor Format: E-book Pages: 20 Publisher: – Blurb: A short story for youth of all ages with humor adults might enjoy about a clumsy Pterodactyl that befriends a sad teenage girl on a San Francisco bus. Contain discussion questions for students at the end.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
A Pterodactyl Named Kahoutek by Matthew Levine is a beautifully written book with an equally beautiful and important message that is delivered adeptly using humour and amazing imagery.
This book is a very short read, but the message it offers to its readers is way broader than the confines of this book as it applies to everyone, universally. The author had done an amazing job of sharing some very important life lessons with great moral value using simple language and a very interesting story that is brought to life with well-developed characterisation.
I would strongly recommend this book to all children and adult readers alike because it has something to offer to all its readers.
Author: John Walker Pattison Release Date: 29th October 2022 Series: Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Format: E-book Pages: 233 Publisher: – Blurb: Me and My Shadow – Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor is a brutally honest account of one teenager’s struggle to understand and deal with the most feared diagnosis known to society: cancer. At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was thrust onto a roller coaster ride of emotional turbulence – his innocence cruelly stripped from him; his fate woven into the tapestry of life. After years of failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments that ravaged his physical frame and almost destroyed his psychological stability – his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet, today, he is one of the longest surviving cancer patients in the UK.
Eight years after his unexpected recovery, the news that all parents fear, his daughter is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia. Yet like her father, she too would defy the odds and go on to become an international swimmer. Pattison turned his life full circle and became a cancer nurse specialist at the same hospital that made his diagnosis decades earlier. He prescribes chemotherapy and cares for individuals with the same cancers experienced by both him and his daughter. Throughout his journey, Pattison’s inspirations were the space rock legends, Hawkwind. He would get to play on stage with his heroes at the Donnington Festival in 2007. More significantly, he found solace throughout his cancer journey in the history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people of South Dakota. The same people who, unknowingly, supported him through life’s greatest challenge: cancer.
Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Me and My Shadow: Memoirs of a Cancer Survivor by John Walker Pattison is a gut-wrenching, eye-opening and heart-melting read from the author who shares his experience of not only living with cancer but also overcoming it, having been through seeing his daughter having it and seeing her overcome it. This book is an emotional roller-coaster of ups and downs that the author had experienced throughout his life, since his teenage years when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
This book serves as s tremendous source of information and inspiration because it has a lot to offer to all its readers. The emotional turmoil in the book conveys the hardships and predicaments that the author had to suffer many times in his life and makes the readers connect with the author on completely another level.
This book would be best for anyone suffering from cancer or any other terminal illness, a survivor of one, or the family member of anyone suffering from a terminal illness or anyone really who wants to read about how it feels to be stuck in such a situation and yet not to lose hope and in fact come out of it stronger. Really, everyone should give this book a read as there are so many takeaways for each reader in this book.
The Reading Bud 