Book Review: Revimore by Ciel Dexter

Book Details:

Author: Ciel Dexter
Release Date: 
14th September 2022
Series:
Genre: Speculative Fiction, Feminist Literature
Format: E-book 
Pages: 160 pages
Publisher: Pink Narcissus Press
Blurb:
“At Revimore we do not pretend to take away your grief. Death is a natural part of life. But what if you were able to continue to share your life with your loved one? To begin and end each day knowing that you never need to be alone again?”
Told through the voices of women touched by loss, this thought-provoking work examines the nature of grief, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in Revimore, a company that creates artificially intelligent replicants to replace loved ones after death.

“Dexter raises all the standard questions about AI rights, sentience, and ethics, but the close, personal lens on the issue provided by her three captivating heroines adds depth and nuance to these themes. It’s a well-done meditation on humanity, companionship, and grief.”

Publishers Weekly

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Revimore by Ciel Dexter is a work of speculative feminist literature that explores the technological responses to grief by three different women in three different parts of this short story.

I loved reading this book because provided such a unique perspective on technology on the whole and grief as a specific theme. The writing is very smooth and fluid and made reading this book a fantastically quick affair, which I always appreciate. I liked how the author put her ideas and thoughts forward without them being overbearing at any point in the entire story, which is a difficult feat to achieve in feminist literature and I’d like to commend the author on executing the concept in such an interesting yet non-provocative way.

I’d strongly recommend this book to all speculative readers and to feminist ideologists and readers of related literature. Though even if you are not a feminist, this book could simply be enjoyed as a work of speculative fiction alone.


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Book Review: Enhanced: Book One of The Terrian Trilogy by Jenny Benjamin

Book Details:

Author: Jenny Benjamin
Release Date: 
1st October 2021
Series: The Terrian Trilogy (Book #1)
Genre: Young-Adult, Science-Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 260 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Jesse Woods – drum line maestro, track star, honors student – is a standout as one of the only Black students at a suburban Chicago high school. His well-organized world is thrown into chaos when his school is attacked by an alien species, Terrians, who have been playing gods throughout human history. Jesse and two others from the drumline, Kate and Hayden, are pulled into an epic alien conspiracy and forced on a quest to retrieve an ancient artifact that will help decide the victory in the battle for planet Earth. The three teenagers will face impossible odds and fight the powerful enemies, as well as their own demons, to protect their loved ones and save the world they know.
Yeah, right, what else, locusts? Dragons in the sky? Alien ships? War between worlds? Armageddon? Yes. Maybe. Only Jesse and his friends can stop it.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Enhanced by Jenny Benjamin is the first book in the new young-adult sci-fi-fantasy Terrain trilogy. This book marked an excellent beginning of what could be a potentially amazing trilogy. This book had everything that I had expected and SO MUCH MORE!

The concept is brilliant setting a strong foundation not only for this book but for the next two books as well and the author’s writing kept the flow of the story very fluid and smooth making it a flawless experience. The characters were well-built and the world-building was up to the mark, the creatures/monsters were terrific and the detailing in the book was commendable. Overall this book made for a fantastically engrossing read and had me hooked right from the beginning till the very end, making me want to jump into the next book right away (which, of course, I did!)

I would strongly recommend this book to all science-fiction readers and to high-fantasy enthusiasts who love reading well-developed and realistic young-adult characters.


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Book Review: Driveway Detailing Warrior: DIY Money-Saving Guide to Sports Car Detailing at Home on a Budget by S.L. Lucas

Book Details:

Author: S.L. Lucas
Release Date: 
11th August 2022
Series:
Genre: How-To Guide, Non-Fiction, Instructional
Format: E-book 
Pages: 260 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Psst, did you know that a filthy car could be a disaster for your love life?
It’s true; a survey revealed that 51% of those polled would end the first date early if their date showed up in a dirty car, and 23% have finished a relationship because of their partner’s filthy ride!
Tragic!
In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, S.L. Lucas serves up ten inspirational in-depth chapters full of sage advice, money-saving DIY detailing projects, the odd heart-warming story and occasional fruity language.
TO HELP YOU:
Understand why you need not pay sky-high pro detailer’s prices to bring out your motor’s beauty and how to keep her in stunning tip-top condition at a fraction of the pro detailer’s cost.

Learn the pro hacks and techniques on a journey of discovery where you’re empowered with the know-how to bring your beast back to her former glory with the power of home detailing on a budget.
Transform your Sports Car back to her former alluring beauty yourself, turning her into the glorious envy of friends and neighbours.
From the book’s beginning you’ll understand why you need to embrace the Driveway Warrior spirit. You’ll learn how to DIY detail your ride Driveway Warrior style and how to use the power of home detailing on a budget to thrive in your endeavour to create the ultimate DIY detailed street weapon…

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Driveway Detailing Warrior: DIY Money-Saving Guide to Sports Car Detailing at Home on a Budget by S.L. Lucas is an amazing book that will provide its readers with an in-depth insight into home detailing on a budget, something that would save you a LOT of money and would provide you with the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

This book talks about the Driveway Warrior spirit which to me seemed like a great concept and almost like an ideology. Through ten chapters, the author takes the readers through a rigorous procedure of how to not only take care of the care but also how to maintain it. This book is every car lover and owner’s dream come true!

I would recommend this book to all car owners, car lovers and enthusiasts.


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Book Review: The Billionaire’s Conspiracy (Janusz Soltani #3) by M.J. Javani

Book Details:

Author: M.J. Javani
Release Date: 
28th March 2022
Series: Janusz Soltani (Book #3)
Genre: Espionage, Action Thriller, Suspense, Mystery
Format: E-book 
Pages: 307 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
TO PROTECT EVERYTHING HE LOVES, HE MUST DEFEND TRUTH
The time is the present. A group of anarchists is planning to attack the White House. They are supported by a rapacious billionaire with a secret agenda. Across the Potomac River, someone is systematically killing members of a private intelligence company. Known as Unit 81, this group is not subject to the debilitating political correctness that shackles the federal bureaucracy.

A trusted liaison points the finger at the Russians. But all is not as it seems. When the Unit’s top operative, Janusz Soltani, discovers the truth about their enemies, his wife is mysteriously kidnapped. Time is running out to rescue her from a horrible end.
Fans of Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, and Brad Thor will enjoy this action-packed series.

Author MJ Javani has created a compelling conspiracy thriller that becomes more engrossing with each chapter.”

BestThrillers.com

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Murder, mystery, mayhem… this book has it all!

The Billionaire’s Conspiracy by M.J. Javani is the third instalment in the Janusz Soltani series. It is an action-packed thriller that leaves the reader at the edge of their seat for most of the book and throws them completely off-guard right towards the end, reeling them back with a twist in the gut – well, at least that’s how I really felt!

This book is a complete package for espionage thriller lovers and occasional readers of the genre, such as myself, as it has so much to offer right from an elaborate conspiracy to well-built characters walking a tight rope full of tension and suspense. The thrill seeker in me relished the action sequences and the out of the box twists that the author had in store around every bend throughout the novel.

I enjoyed reading this book thoroughly and would recommend it to all thriller, mystery and espionage fiction readers. And also to those readers who are looking for a new series and/or a new author to explore.


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Book Review: Hip Set by Michael Fertik

Book Details:

Author: Michael Fertik
Release Date: 
19th September 2019
Series:
Genre: Noir Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Format: E-book 
Pages: 200 pages
Publisher: Skiddaw Books
Blurb:
Oscar Orleans is a Congolese refugee in Israel. He’s also the only Hebrew-speaking liaison to the African refugee community living in Tel Aviv’s worst slums. When his old friend Inspector Kobi Sambinsky of the Asylum Unit calls him early on Shabbat morning, he knows something is wrong. A young South Sudanese immigrant has been found murdered in the city’s most iconic waterfront building and no-one can quite place his origins.

The only clue is his unusual name, Kinga, which he shared with another refugee from eight years earlier, and a controversial political figure in South Sudan’s most dangerous warring faction. Kobi and Oscar must venture into the heart of Tel Aviv’s Sudanese underground, Israel’s hyper-violent Russian mafia, and a mystery that has been dormant for years near the shores of the Dead Sea.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Hip Set by Michael Fertik, the New York Times best-selling author, is a smashing new noir thriller that would take you on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and fast-paced action through the rich settings of Tel Aviv and would leave you wanting more.

I loved this book because the writing flowed so well and had such an amazing literary quality that it did not feel like the author’s first noir thriller but more like a nuanced piece of work by an expert. The characterisation was rich, relatable and realistic – the three Rs that made this book a complete package for me.

Other things that I appreciated in this book are the vivid settings of Tel Aviv that transported me right in the middle of a place I’ve never been to (and would most definitely like to visit someday, especially after having read this book), the African refugee situation that the author has explored in this book and thus provided a very different side of Israel to the readers and, last but not least, the amazing concept of the book (which was totally mind-blowing!)

I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller and mystery readers and to those readers who like reading about different cultures, places and settings. This book delivers on so many fronts that I am sure it will have something or the other to offer to all its readers.


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Book Review: Love The Dark Days by Ira Mathur

Book Details:

Author: Ira Mathur
Release Date: 
1st September 2022
Series:
Genre: Memoir
Format: E-book 
Pages: 232 pages
Publisher: Peepal Tree Press Ltd.
Blurb:
This frank, fearless and multi-layered debut centres on a privileged but dysfunctional Indian family, with themes of empire, migration, race, and gender. The Victorian India elephant in the room in Ira Mathur’s silk-swathed memoir Love The Dark Days is in chains. By the time calypso replaces the Raj in post-colonial Trinidad, the chains are off three generations of daughters and mothers in a family in their New World exile. But they are still stuck in place and enduring insecurity and threats, seen and unseen.

Set in India, England, Trinidad and a weekend in St Lucia, with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott Love the Dark Days (Peepal Tree Press) follows the story of a girl, Poppet, of mixed middle-class Hindu and Elite Muslim parentage from post-independent India to her family’s migration to post-colonial Trinidad.
Profoundly raw, unflinching, layered, but not without threads of humour and perceived absurdity, Love the Dark Days reassembles the story of a disintegrating Empire.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Love The Dark Days by Ira Mathur is an emotionally gripping, complex, hard-hitting yet beautiful and creatively written memoir exploring familial ties in a dysfunctional setting. In this remarkable book, the author also explores the labyrinthine effects of migration and racism as the main story unfolds making it a remarkably complex, and thus, a very engaging read.

I loved reading this book because it had so much to offer to its reader in terms of emotional depth, varied perspectives on the problems that are faced by many and, in the end, a ray of hope, that we all are unwittingly looking for.

I’d strongly recommend this book to all memoir readers because this book is one of a kind and the writing is absolutely brilliant.


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Book Review: The Young by Nicholas John Powter

Book Details:

Author: Nicholas John Powter
Release Date: 
28th May 2020
Series:
Genre: Fantasy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 128 pages
Publisher: Balboa Press Au 
Blurb:
A father and his son home has been attacked by a mysterious man, an omen a sinister presence has come about the lands of “The Deluge”, the great sun gods know as the Phrazon mur guide and protect the inhabitants who are awake during the day while the evil creatures and man alike come to fruition during the night. For that where the great evil moon gods come up out of hiding. A Religious cult known as the “Spawn” and their most prestigious leader Roland seek to extract the power of the moon gods and destroy the sun gods and plummet the world into but darkness and sorrow. Out two unlikely protagonist must go on a journey to stop them and free their lands from both the gods and the cults grasp. As somewhat reluctant they may be, they will set out on a task of many dangers and one most foreign to them. A journey of family, love loss violence and devastation, divinity and faith.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Young by Nicholas John Powter is a unique fantasy novel that will take you on a rollercoaster of a magical emotional ride.

One of the reasons why I really liked this book is because of the unique and very rarely used concept of the sun and moon gods going against each other. And the second reason for having really liked this book is the tricky and complex relationship between a father and son that the author has explored in this book. Both these things set The Young apart from other fantasy novels. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded and how different sub-plots and side characters and their stories and conflicts kept the momentum of the story building, while the relationship between Sven and Fren sees its fair share of ups and downs and well… we get to see an apt demonstration of a realistic development that can only be experienced as the story unfolds.

I’d recommend this book to all fantasy lovers who want to explore a book on a new concept and to those readers who want to explore a title by a new author, especially about the dynamic between a father and a son.


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Book Review: A Reservoir Man by L.J. Ambrosio 

Book Details:

Author: L.J. Ambrosio
Release Date: 
6th July 2022
Series:
Genre: Coming-Of-Age Fictional Memoir
Format: E-book 
Pages: 238 pages
Publisher: Film Valor
Blurb:
A Reservoir Mancritics have hailed this explosive and timely work as “a must-read coming-of-age story of 2022.” Twists and turns further pull the reader in to Michael’s action-packed tale, with powerful themes, from betrayal and family to secrets and identity. “Be sure not to blink because you just might miss a pivotal moment in Michael’s rousing, larger-than-life story.” –R.C. Gibson, Indiestoday.com. “This book is a dream, a gamble, a utopia, even.” — Kalyan Panja, Bookmarkks.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A Reservoir Man by L.J. Ambrosio is a brilliantly written coming-of-age fictional memoir that is sure to steal your heart and leave you craving for more.

This book had nearly everything that makes it a perfect read – good writing coupled with great plotting and exceptional pacing, strong characterisation, a lot of tension in the right places and a complex yet identifiable and relatable concept. I enjoyed reading this book because of the amazing and realistic characters that were incredibly relatable and made me want to “know more and more” about them, even the secondary characters.

I’d highly recommend this book to all readers of memoir and fictional memoir genres as this book has a lot to offer all its readers.


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Book Review: Harvey’s Hutch by Phillip Dodd

Book Details:

Author: Philip Dodd
Release Date: 
11th August 2022
Series:
Genre: Memoir
Format: E-book 
Pages: 228 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
‘Many children have terrible childhoods. But in mine there is a hole…”
The gaping rent that four-year-old Philip Dodd found one morning in the wire mesh of the hutch which had housed Harvey, his pet rabbit, became a metaphorical one which, along with Harvey’s disappearance, has haunted his thoughts throughout his life. In this sensitive, beautifully told memoir, Dodd ( ‘ a small boy with more air in my brain than knowledge ‘) finds himself, if not Harvey, and learns to become at peace with the unknowable and the forces of darkness. ‘The horns of Elfland are still blowing, as Alfred Lord Tennyson once heard them, and preserved them in his lines, and somewhere beyond the border stones, through the mist on the moors, strange folk ride, as they ever did, in the shadow of the dark tower,’

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Harvey’s Hutch by Philip Dodd is a beautiful, lyrical, sentimental, philosophical memoir about coming to terms with what life throws your way and making the best of it – the classic lemon and lemonade situation but written with a lot of poise, sophistication and reverence of one’s own surroundings and people.

Harvey’s Hutch is a beautifully written book that takes the readers through the author’s life, step-by-step, year-by-year giving it a very familial coming-of-age feel making it an instantly relatable tale that is hard not to feel a connection to. It is written in very thoughtful and engaging prose that delivers the author’s sentiments in a beautiful litany of introspective thoughts and exposition that I found extremely easy to read, because of the great narrative flow, and was able to connect to.

I would strongly recommend this book to all non-fiction readers and memoir enthusiasts as I am sure there is much to be gleaned for each reader from such an emotionally complex and rich piece of writing.


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Book Review: Tricky by Ron Dakron

Book Details:

Author: Ron Dakron
Release Date: 
12nd March 2022
Series:
Genre: Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 152 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
A certain, um, body part runs away from his owner. Wearing a hot-dog toy disguise, he clashes with warrior pigeons, suicidal hummingbirds, and griping squirrels. He is soon imprisoned in Male Re-education Kamp, wars with cynical plums, woos amorous cardiac valves, livers, and cupcakes, joins forces with hyper-testosterone Komodo Dragons, and is shanghaied by a femme pirate crew to help harpoon Mobo, the 90-foot moray eel who is the font of worldwide testosterone. Tricky is a savagely-funny trip into male delusion, sneaky body parts, repression, amorality and – what the hey – gigantor moray eels that stream flaming jizz.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Trial Show: Resistance Rises by Konstantina P. is an engaging and heady dystopian read that will pull you in right from the very beginning and keep you guessing until the end.

This book had so many interesting and unpredictable twists and turns that it kept me engaged the entire time! I loved the story as it was weaved intricately and plotted with an exceptional deftness that is rare to find in books these days. The characterization was very well done and made this book a very complex read. I loved the characters, especially those of Trent and Ava, and wanted to know everything about them and their lives in this amazingly crafted dystopian world.

The writing style of the author was good as it had a very nice flow. It made reading this book both a pleasant as well as a very quick experience for me, as a reader, and I always appreciate it. I would strongly recommend this book to all dystopian readers.


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ARC Review: Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt

Book Details:

Author: Vivi Anne Hunt
Release Date: 
13th September 2022
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+
Format: E-book 
Pages: 201 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Silas is mourning the loss of his wife. Every day, he is going through the motions and barely managing to keep the excruciating pain from overtaking his life. There is precisely one ray of sunshine in his days — Kai — the smiley, awkward barista at Starbucks. For some reason, Silas finds comfort being around Kai and soaks up as much light as this sweet boy could give him.

For the short time Kai has worked at Starbucks, he has secretly watched one man from afar, hoping that one day he would notice him back. He looks all mature, business-like, and always sad. One day Kai finally gets the chance to speak to him. And this is where their story begins.
Will Silas be able to let go of the past and start fresh? And will Kai be able to heal the gloomy man with his smiles?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Kai’s Healing Smiles by Vivi Anne Hunt is a heart-warming romantic story that is full of emotional depth as well as character.

I liked this book from the start because, in spite of having started on a glum note, the author’s writing made this book an easy read and the character development kept me engaged. The plot kept developing well and soon I found myself not wanting to be pulled away from the story.

I liked the plot, the basic concept as well as its execution, the simple yet effective writing and the ups and downs the pacing added to the tension in the book. Overall, it is a lovely romance novel that I’d recommend to all romance genre fans especially readers who enjoy reading LGBTQ+ romance stories.


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ARC Review: Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy

Book Details:

Author: Laura F. Murphy 
Release Date: 
5th September 2022
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 271 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Igor Fenenko, a former research scientist, is a scary, scary man. Not only is he a massive bodybuilder with a spider tattooed on his face, he has also been infected with Pestis Manducans — viral cannibalism. Igor tried to resist indulging, but his research specimens smelled so delicious. Who did it hurt, really, to nibble a corpse?
Caught, disgraced, and sent to a ‘rehabilitation’ center, Igor is now forced to live in a government-mandated Containment Center. He spends his days pressing wildflowers, growing blueberries, and doing his best to avoid human meat. More than anything, he wants a cure for the virus
that has ruined his life.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy is a beautifully written contemporary fiction novel about relationships and a person’s journey to come to terms with their own self.

This book had an exceptionally well-written story and was full of emotionally complex as well as mature characters that were multi-layered. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the protagonist, Max’s, journey to find herself through the curve balls that life throws at her. Another thing that I really liked in this book was the cultural background of the main lead and its significance in the story in forming her character’s belief system and decision-making.

Overall I was really impressed with the depth and the emotional maturity that was explored in this book and would strongly recommend it to all women literature and contemporary fiction readers.


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ARC Review: The Cannibal’s Guide to Fasting by Dana Hammer

Book Details:

Author: Dana Hammer
Release Date: 
6th September 2022
Series: The Resistance Rises
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense
Format: E-book 
Pages: 321 pages
Publisher: Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC 
Blurb:
Igor Fenenko, a former research scientist, is a scary, scary man. Not only is he a massive bodybuilder with a spider tattooed on his face, he has also been infected with Pestis Manducans — viral cannibalism. Igor tried to resist indulging, but his research specimens smelled so delicious. Who did it hurt, really, to nibble a corpse?
Caught, disgraced, and sent to a ‘rehabilitation’ center, Igor is now forced to live in a government-mandated Containment Center. He spends his days pressing wildflowers, growing blueberries, and doing his best to avoid human meat. More than anything, he wants a cure for the virus
that has ruined his life.

With Parker and Jay temporarily out of the picture, double-agent Trent Reese is left responsible for leading the Resistance. Trent is willing to adapt his moral code to any situation, but what—or whom—does he believe in? As for innocent Ava, who’s plagued by unsettling visions, it’s becoming clear that everyone she loves is in peril. Given, however, that Parker is concealing a mighty gift of his own, one that could change the entire course of the rebellion, the future of the all-seeing state is on the line too.
When the web of secrets is untangled, who will survive?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Cannibal’s Guide To Fasting by Dana Hammer is a new sci-fi dystopian suspense novel with high-octane action interlaced with romance and humour.

I loved the characterisation because it was very well-developed and I was able to relate to the character of Igor on such a deep level that it made reading this book an extraordinary experience. I also liked reading about the other characters such as Esteban and Dr Tran. The characterisation in this book was done so well that it took this book to an entirely different level!

I was impressed by the author’s writing. The prose was very well written and the overall concept had a surprising level of moral complexity that I had not expected. In spite of the main theme of the book being dark and ominous, the author has done a great job of interlacing it with sophisticated humour and making light of some of the situations which could have otherwise weighted too heavy on the readers.

I would strongly recommend this book to all dystopian and speculative fiction readers.


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Book Review: The Trial Show: The Resistance Rises by Konstantina P.

Book Details:

Author: Konstantina P.
Release Date: 
12nd March 2022
Series: The Resistance Rises
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspence
Format: E-book 
Pages: 287 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
Forced into the shadows while waging war on an oppressive regime intent on controlling those born with unnatural powers, the Resistance feels like a family. And although all families harbour secrets, theirs are world-shattering.
When Ava Moore foresees the death of her sister Brooklyn and Resistance leader Parker Quinn is forced to appear in a televised trial accused of murder, the web of lies begins to unravel. For not only is Resistance’s second-in-command, Jay Frazer, fighting a guerrilla battle with deadly consequences, he’s also trying to bury his deep-seated love for Parker.

With Parker and Jay temporarily out of the picture, double-agent Trent Reese is left responsible for leading the Resistance. Trent is willing to adapt his moral code to any situation, but what—or whom—does he believe in? As for innocent Ava, who’s plagued by unsettling visions, it’s becoming clear that everyone she loves is in peril. Given, however, that Parker is concealing a mighty gift of his own, one that could change the entire course of the rebellion, the future of the all-seeing state is on the line too.
When the web of secrets is untangled, who will survive?

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The Trial Show: Resistance Rises by Konstantina P. is an engaging and heady dystopian read that will pull you in right from the very beginning and keep you guessing until the end.

This book had so many interesting and unpredictable twists and turns that it kept me engaged the entire time! I loved the story as it was weaved intricately and plotted with an exceptional deftness that is rare to find in books these days. The characterization was very well done and made this book a very complex read. I loved the characters, especially those of Trent and Ava, and wanted to know everything about them and their lives in this amazingly crafted dystopian world.

The writing style of the author was good as it had a very nice flow. It made reading this book both a pleasant as well as a very quick experience for me, as a reader, and I always appreciate it. I would strongly recommend this book to all dystopian readers.


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Book Review: Neighborhood Watch by Kevin Patrick Kenealy

Book Details:

Author: Kevin Patrick Kenealy
Release Date: 
10th March 2022
Series:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Format: E-book 
Pages: 415 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
When the Caseys move into affluent Ridgeport, Ill, searching for a better life for their newborn Scott, they are surprised to find a book entitled Ridgeport Welcomes You: Procedures and Guidelines for Happy Living. The book contains rules and ordinances that citizens must abide by to live in happy neighborhoods. Although mom Loretta Casey is hesitant to live by Ridgeport’s strict rules, all that changes when she meets her neighbor Sue Ellen Norris.
Sue Ellen serves on the Neighborhood Watch Committee, overseeing the town’s safety, and Loretta becomes engrossed in Sue Ellen’s addictive personality. But as Loretta’s son Scott and Sue Ellen’s son Matt grow, they discover that Ridgeport is not as perfect as their moms make it out to be. As Scott and Matt form their band of friends, their journeys into the neighborhood woods prove to be much more than just a place of refuge.

Kevin Patrick Kenealy is in his eighth year teaching AP Literature, English, and journalism high school students. Before that, he wrote for Chicagoland newspapers, where he had the privilege to interview several famous people, including Barack Obama, former Illinois governors Jim Edgar, Rod Blagojevich, and Pat Quinn. He has also published two poetry books, 20 Something and Faith Journey, and the horror novel Life and Death.

“Superb characters headline this chilling, slow-burn crime tale.”
Kirkus Reviews

“Thoroughly enjoyable with just the right amount of suspense.”
Readers Favorite

“This gripping story of a sinister small-town secret will keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s completely unforgettable.”
Reedsy

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Neighborhood Watch by Kevin Patrick Kenealy is a thoroughly entertaining and suspenseful new read that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat till the very last page!

I loved reading this book because it had so many dark and delicious twists and turns that it kept me guessing the entire time. the writing was good and flowed very smoothly throughout the book making it a surprisingly quick read (especially given the length of the novel.) The characterization was good too and very well developed and I was able to relate to almost all the characters, primary and secondary alike.

I’d strongly recommend this book to all suspense and thriller fiction fans as it has a lot to offer to its readers.


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Book Review: H2LiftShips: Bosons Wave by Bob Freeman

Book Details:

Author: Bob Freeman
Release Date: 
3rd August 2022
Series: H2LiftShips (Book #3)
Genre: Science-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 326 pages
Publisher: Indies United Publishing House, LLC
Blurb:
We’ve tried to make a nice, friendly Space Opera.
Sure it has passive-aggressive families, gambling, cheating, and double-dealing, but nice. Still, watch your back.
SolarSail Cargo ships travel between the populated asteroids and Goldilocks Core.
And now HiveMother at the Heliopause and the HiveSisters in the Heliotail are fighting.
It may turn into a full-fledged bioGel War.

The Solar Sail crew of BosonsWave and Captain Herb, an Eastern mountain gorilla in the Heliospheric Navy, are fighting the algae rocket ships for control of the bioGels.
On one side, we have tools and weapons invented by the sentients after eons of development: bioGel laser rifles, HAM radios, ship-to-ship bolas, nuclear bombs, biological weapons, and a tomato surprise.
On the other side, accumulations of brainless algae have joined with angry bioGel computers calling the shots.
Captain Graciela, her crew, and the Heliospheric Navy have a battle on their hands.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

H2LiftShip: Bosons Wave by Bob Freeman is the third book in the H2LiftShip series and a sequel to H2LiftShips: A Back Story. In this part, the last part of the trilogy, most of everything comes together providing the readers with a coherent and a much-needed respite-full ending.

The writing was much better in this book and the world-building went up a notch as did the characterisation as well as pretty much every other aspect. I am now really looking forward to exploring other titles by the author in the near future.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and this series, on the whole too, and would definitely recommend it to all science-fiction readers and to sci-fi-fantasy readers too.


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Book Review: Iberian Claim by Vincent Casciani

Book Details:

Author: Vincent Casciani 
Release Date: 
23rd August 2021
Series:
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Critique, Spanish Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 196 pages
Publisher: New Degree Press
Blurb:
“I put down the pen and set aside the paper. I have served my time.”
The Spanish Empire’s conquest is marked by blood and gold. Alvar Núñez, soldier-turned-administrator, knows little else, and finds himself dissatisfied by the trappings of an ordinary life. When the opportunity comes to seek gold and glory in the New World, he jumps at the chance to revive his old passions.
It’s a shame, then, that his eight-year journey through the Gulf Region reduces him to a meager shell of a man. He must adapt and find compassion for the natives around him or die.
Iberian Claim, Vincent Casciani’s breakout novel, details the grueling account of Alvar Núñez’ interaction with the various Native American tribes inhabiting La Florida. His conviction is degraded, his worldview is overturned, and his belief in Spanish superiority is tested at every turn.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Iberian Claim by Vincent Casciani is a historical fiction critique of Spanish colonialism. This book was impressively educational and provided a (much-needed) fresh perspective on Spanish colonialism, a subject that, in my opinion, is not much discussed, at least in the British colonised countries like India as we spend an awful lot of time only studying and educating ourselves and the future generations about the British colonisation and that’s it! Most of our history books are only full of the valors of the British and the ones who supported them but not about any other colonies or how they came to be and what happened to them.

So reading about Spanish colonisation has always been a subject of interest to me and this book came as a breath of fresh air with its unique perspective and a comprehensive narrative on the subject. Reading The Iberian Claim has clarified many doubts I’ve harboured over the years and many questions I’ve carried in my mind regarding Spanish colonialism and the Spanish Empire’s way of conduct on the whole.

The prose in the book is very neat, crisp and smooth and had a nice flow that made reading it a very smooth experience making it a very quick and enjoyable read. I’d strongly recommend this book to all history buffs, especially to readers who take an interest in Spanish colonialism.


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Book Review: A Council Of Ghosts by Ryan Harper Jones

Book Details:

Author: Ryan Harper Jones
Release Date: 
1st November 2021
Series:
Genre: Children’s Fantasy, Adventure Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery
Format: E-book 
Pages: 222 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
When a sorcerer arrives in Edgings Burrow, Saul, Ruby, and Henry don’t realise the turmoil their lives are about to encounter. Transported into a strange world of sorcerers, vampires, and ghosts, the three children endure a desperate race to return home which takes them to the edge of war, through the clutches of slave traders and kidnappers, before they discover a deep dark secret.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

A Council Of Ghosts by Ryan Harper Jones is a brilliant new fantasy adventure book full of fast-paced twists and turns that’ll keep the reader on the edge of their seats from the beginning of the book right down to the very end. This book was an emotional philosophical rollercoaster ride that left me wanting more!

I absolutely loved the writing as it had a great flow and, at times, showcased a beautiful lyrical quality, especially in the descriptions that helped elevate the narrative to an entirely different level. The characterisation was the best part of the book and I was able to relate to not only the main characters of Saul, Ruby and Henry but also to the secondary characters.

I would strongly recommend this book to all fantasy readers, especially children’s fantasy and adventure lovers because it has a lot to offer to everyone.


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Book Review: H2LiftShips: A Back Story by Bob Freeman

Book Details:

Author: Bob Freeman
Release Date: 
21st February 2021
Series: H2LiftShips (Book #2)
Genre: Science-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 325 pages
Publisher: Indies United Publishing House
Blurb:
Trading and dealing for a living is just what the LunaCola’s crew is doing to get by. But everybody (or octopus) has a backstory, and the members of the crew have more than enough to reminisce. There’s nothing quite like sitting down to play cards, celebrating a job well done, and recollecting the past but there’s still plenty that still has to come to light.
The big questions, such as how in the galaxy did the born-and-bred asteroid citizen learn to drive sports cars on Earth? Are the bioGels Sentient? The even bigger question is, are they plotting against their owners? And what dark secrets is Jack harboring behind his fears of prison? Those answers and more. Plus: Do octopuses really think that they are better than the terrestrials? (spoiler, yes they do, and there’s a story there as well.)

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

H2LiftShip: A Back Story by Bob Freeman is the second book in the series and a sequel to Beyond Luna. After the first book, which was written in a very unique was more like a technical manual than a straight story, this book had a more coherent storyline that was easier to follow making this book a tad better than the first one (though I did like the first one too, it’s just the flow that I am referring to here in terms of being better.)

This book had a lot of interesting insights, more side-plots and character development and helped the overall world-building for the entire series to a great extent so I really liked this book too. Now I am looking forward to finishing the last book in this series (which I have already started!)

Again, I’d recommend this book to anyone who has read the first book in this series and anyone wanting to explore a new sci-fi series or a sci-fi author.


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Book Review: Beyond Luna (H2LiftShips #1) by Bob Freeman

Book Details:

Author: Bob Freeman
Release Date: 
24th March 2021
Series: H2LiftShips (Book #1)
Genre: Science-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 338 pages
Publisher: Indies United Publishing House
Blurb:
H2LiftShips, a tech manual for a futureImagine a world, exactly like ours, but differentPart Road-Trip, part solar sailing, always with food, gambling, jail, and pirates, not necessarily in that order No: Aliens, Monsters, blasters, pyrotechnic computers, or Anti-Grav powered rockets. Yes: Lasers, Primates, Canines, Octopus, Space Travel via Solar Sails, and the rare Rocket Ship.No violence, except for the spinning meat bolas and asteroid pebbles coming to the defense of their home rock.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Beyond Luna is the first book in the H2LiftShip science-fiction series by author Bob Freeman. This book was so wildly adventurous that I could not stop myself from starting to read the next book in the series right after I was done reading this book. But first things first, this book had an amazing plot, excellent execution of that plot, good writing to bring it to life and well-built characters to bring it all together.

It was an immensely immersive read and the world-building was simply out of the world (pud definitely intended 😉
I liked the authors writing and the new creatures in the book were definitely created with a lot of careful consideration. I enjoyed reading about them and cared enough about their character development to read the entire book and was left wanting to read more.

I would definitely suggest this book to all science-fiction readers who are looking for a new series to start.


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Book Review: Mahatmas and Monsters by Kim Idynne

Book Details:

Author: Kim Idynne
Release Date: 
15th February 2022
Series:
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Fantasy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 180 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
When nineteen-year-old vampire Elias Hellström reunites with Aarya, his childhood love, she sets him on a strange and terrifying path to becoming human again. Confronting his own demons is challenging enough, but Elias must also contend with the monsters he has gathered around him: monsters who prey on humans, and who respond to his transformation with varying degrees of hunger, envy, and wrath.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Mahatmas and Monsters by Kim Idynne is a new adult paranormal fantasy read that proved to be a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster ride. This book started out on a high note and pulled me in right from the beginning. For the length of the book, I was impressed with the number of details it packed and the profiling of the characters.

The writing was good and made this book an even quicker read, which is always a big plus for me. I liked the characters and cared for them enough to know what would happen to them throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author.

This book would be a perfect fit for paranormal and new adult genre readers.


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Book Review: The Study of Sentient Things by Trevor McCall

Book Details:

Author: Trevor McCall
Release Date: 
30th May 2022
Series:
Genre: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Horror, Short Stories
Format: E-book 
Pages: 367 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
The first four stories in this collection are adapted straight from works by EDGAR ALLAN POE. You will read updated and expanded versions of The Tell-Tale Heart, Poe’s poem The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Black Cat. They’ve each been given new twists that will intrigue your imagination while maintaining the spirit of the originals. The final story in this collection, Broken Vessels, when reviewed as a standalone novel by Kirkus, received a STARRED review:

“Powered by razor-focused writing, relentless pacing, and a masterfully intricate storyline that includes references to Freud, Descartes, and Edvard Munch, this tightly woven novel reads like a Ray Bradbury short story—especially the brass knuckle thematic impact of the conclusion.
While somewhat uncategorizable, this dark gem of a novel is supremely gratifying.”

– Kirkus Starred Review
All five stories are connected by their dark and powerful imagery, and each features an immurement motif. If you’ve ever enjoyed one of Poe’s stories, you will love these five tales.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The Study Of Sentient Things And Other Stories by Trevor McCall is a collection of short stories that will definitely keep you up at night. I loved reading this book because, a) I am a Poe fan and, b) these stories were indeed very well written! I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every story and was impressed by the author’s take on some of Poe’s legendary tales. Although I love the original, these adapted stories were great too.

The writing of the author is quite impressive and I did feel like I was reading Edgar Allen Poe’s work itself. It wasn’t an imitation of writing style though, the originality of the author’s style did not fail to shine through, especially in gritty scenes. The flow of the stories was really lucid and smooth and I was able to read this book in just one sitting – I simply could not put it down!

I’d highly recommend this book to all horror readers and fans of surreal fiction. I strongly believe this book has a lot to offer to readers of dark fiction in general.


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Book Review: I AM NOT GOD: How Far Can a Reality Show Go by Joshua Veridical

Book Details:

Author: Joshua Veridical
Release Date: 
1st Febrauary 2022
Series:
Genre: Spiritualism, Philosophy
Format: E-book 
Pages: 152 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
In the Rush of living our life, it is true that we forget Purpose of life. Religion keeps us disciplined and shows us the path to find that purpose. There are many monks, Spiritual Leaders and Priests who guide us to maintain stability in life and help our soul grow. This book takes you in the unusual journey of Spiritualism where the purpose of life is found by our main protagonist but in a very unusual way.

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I Am Not God by Joshua Veridical is a book based on the spiritual journey of the main protagonist that tackles many philosophical questions about life and its meaning in general. Overall the book is a decent read and proved to be a quick read. The main character, although not extremely relatable, was likeable enough for me to be able to read the entire book to learn more about his journey.

I did feel that the book needed more polishing as the writing felt a bit rough and could have been better, but of course, that is my personal opinion and being an editor myself I do have tough standards when it comes to writing style, especially in Indian literature.

This book would be perfect for readers of philosophical books and spiritual enthusiasts.


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Book Review: Meta (Game On #1.0) by Xander Black

Book Details:

Author: Xander Black
Release Date: 
14th March 2022
Series: Game On (Book #1)
Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Adventure, Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 445 pages
Publisher: BC BOOKS
Blurb:
WELCOME TO THE METAVERSE
2065: the streets are abandoned, shops are empty, parks are silent. But is that really much of a surprise when you can connect to the Cybernet?
Everyone can turn on, log in and drop out.
Cyrus, a failed physicist, and drop-out game designer Everett are on the cusp of their big breakthrough into the meta ranks of Neverborn, the world’s most popular game.

But when several high-profile avatars disappear, and their human counterparts are found dead, Cyrus and Everett find themselves under suspicion. They must clear their names and unravel the deeper mysteries of Brith and the Neverborn. In doing so, they will uncover a dark secret, that threatens not only the game-world but the safety of their physical realm.

Satire, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery combine in an epic adventure where no one ever leaves home, perfect for fans of Ready Player One and Douglas Adams. 

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Meta by Xander Black is a new science-fiction fantasy adventure novel based on the concept of MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) in a PSW (a persistent state world) where millions of players can develop their characters in virtual reality. In simple terms, this book is based on a future where people spend most of their lives in virtual reality instead of living a normal life in the real world.

This book was a decent read though it did remind me too much of Ready Player One (which I thoroughly loved.) At some point, it got a bit overwhelming and I wanted to quit reading it, though knowing better, and trying not to draw comparisons between the two books because of their common concept, I kept reading and finished the book in the hopes that it would be different and I’m glad that I did because this book proved to be a good read with a nice ending.

I liked the writing because it had a good flow but the efforts of the author to try and sound like Douglas Adam-ish felt pretty annoying and seemed to have killed the author’s natural writing style. I found the satire a bit forced and not correctly executed. Also, the book felt to have been lacking decent editing, it may be because I was sent a review copy and not the final book, but the copy if the copy I have and the final book are the same then the book obviously has editing issues. If the book’s final version is well-edited, it should make for a better read. Apart from these issues, as I previously said, the book was a decent read and would be a great fit for sci-fi and adventure genre readers.


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Book Review: STAR ~ Personality Styles (Complete Vol. 1 & 2): RATS ~ Grow up or be Left Behind by R Luciani 

Book Details:

Author: R Luciani
Release Date: 
4th October 2021
Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #2)
Genre: Christian Non Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 400 pages
Publisher: KoHoE Publishing
Blurb:
Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part.
Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage.
“STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible, but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.

STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships.
STAR Personality Styles Complete (Volumes 1 & 2) contains both Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) and Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) in a single book. If you (the reader) are interested in both Personality Styles and Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, the Complete version (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-0-1 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
STAR Personality Styles Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) explains the different Personality Styles: Positive (STAR) and Negative (RATS) and answers how and why the differences can cause unhappy relationships. If you (the reader) are only interested in Personality Styles, Volume 1 (ISBN-13 978-1-7778566-1-8 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
STAR Personality Styles Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) explains how to establish and nourish Love, Joy, Peace, and Harmony in your relationships with different personality styles – of course, success depends on your commitment to the relationship. If you (the reader) are only interested in Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, Volume 2 (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-2-5 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

STAR Personality Styles (Vol.1 & 2) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behind by R. Luciani combined book with two volumes: STAR ~ Personality Styles (Volume 1 STAR and RATS): RATS ~ Grow up or be left Behind and STAR ~ Personality Styles (Volume 2 Tools & Rules): RATS ~ Grow up or be left Behind.

This book is a complete package with the first volume providing insights to the readers about the relationship mechanisms and context into how exactly people’s minds work while being in relationships and dealing with them and the second book giving a detailed look into conflict resolution and various solutions related to relationship problems. The author uses examples, anecdotes and teachings from the Bible in order to present his ideas but he has done so in such a way that even if you are not a Christian and have not read the Bible it’ll all make perfect sense to you.

The author’s writing has a beautiful flow and the style of writing resonated with me. I was able to read this book very easily and without any difficulty related to the pacing of the prose.

This combined book is great for anyone looking to understand the “why” behind human psychology of relationships and also the “what to do” in case they find themselves facing a related problem.


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Book Review: Your Sleep Map: Navigating Your Own Path to Relief from Insomnia by Thad R. Harshbarger

Book Details:

Author: Thad R Harshbarger
Release Date: 
5th April 2022
Series:
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 332 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
If you have insomnia, you want relief as soon as possible, and you need a path to your own answer. Your Sleep Map will help you link together a series of decisions and actions to identify the sources of your insomnia, and once you do that, you will be better able to make changes to relieve it.
The book begins where you are, with symptoms and a history. It moves forward by posing questions about your insomnia. Your answers to those questions will define a path that leads to suggestions for treatment.

Each chapter-map is initiated by a flow chart that organizes its component sections of text. You follow the flow chart, and when you need more information, you read the associated section of text. In that way, you individualize the text to suit your own needs. You actually only read a part of the book – the part that matters to you.
This form of organization emphasizes the choices you need to make in order to get better sleep. It fits the book to you, and not you to the book. You use a method or technique that you have chosen because it suits your needs and issues, and you eliminate a lot of techniques that are interesting but irrelevant.
For more, look at the Overview, pages 3 to 5, to see how the book is organized. The first map begins on page 6.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Your Sleep Map: Navigating Your Own Path to Relief from Insomnia by Dr. Thad R. Harshbarger is an extensively insightful and practical book that would help the readers not only to explore their insomnia or sleep-related issues in general but also find an effective solution for it. The book is written well with the author using simplified language and explaining difficult technical terms for the reader’s understanding which made reading this book smooth-sailing.

As the author claims in the blurb, this book really is a tailor-made kind of read thanks to its various extensively researched and meticulously figured out flow charts making it a really special and personalised read. I found a lot of helpful information in this book which I am planning to implement in my routine as well as add to my habits in order to improve my sleeping schedule. This book has loads of useful and practical information and I’m glad that I read it!

I would highly recommend this book to everyone as most people suffer from some sort of sleep-related issues, if not exactly insomnia, and this book could actually help you.


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Book Review: STAR ~ Personality Styles (Volume 2 Tools & Rules): RATS ~ Grow up or be left Behind by R Luciani 

Book Details:

Author: R Luciani
Release Date: 
4th October 2021
Series: Star Personality Styles (Vol #2)
Genre: Christian Non Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 270 pages
Publisher: KoHoE Publishing
Blurb:
Everyone marries with the hope of feeling wedding bliss “until death do us part”. At the time of writing this book, several sources reported that 60% to 85% of marriages are unhappy, and the Divorce Rate (in Canada) is around 38%; this means that 22% to 47% of married couples remain in unhappy marriages until death do they part.
Only 7% of conflicts are due to the words of the message; 93% of conflicts are due to the delivery of the message (quality of voice and body language); it is my intent to help people comprehend and resolve conflicts that are due to a simple misunderstanding of different personality styles – before conflict escalation. With the right rules and the right tools, wedding bliss “until death do us part” is possible for every marriage.
“STAR Personality Styles” is based on principles from the Holy Bible, but don’t let the source of information turn you away. Almost everyone (Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religions, and even atheists) with whom I have shared the information directly (one-on-one, couples, or small groups) has reported to me that they have benefited from the information contained in this book.

STAR Personality Styles uses principles from the Holy Bible to explain: (1) the Negative, as well as the Positive, Personality Styles; (2) how to deal with people who have Negative Personality Styles; (3) how to overcome Negative Personality Styles within ourselves; (4) Safe, Effective, and Calm Conflict Resolution; (5) a comprehensive set of rules to promote the most satisfying relationship for all Interpersonal Relationships.
STAR Personality Styles Complete (Volumes 1 & 2) contains both Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) and Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) in a single book. If you (the reader) are interested in both Personality Styles and Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, the Complete version (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-0-1 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
STAR Personality Styles Volume 1 (STAR and RATS) explains the different Personality Styles: Positive (STAR) and Negative (RATS) and answers how and why the differences can cause unhappy relationships. If you (the reader) are only interested in Personality Styles, Volume 1 (ISBN-13 978-1-7778566-1-8 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.
STAR Personality Styles Volume 2 (Tools and Rules) explains how to establish and nourish Love, Joy, Peace, and Harmony in your relationships with different personality styles – of course, success depends on your commitment to the relationship. If you (the reader) are only interested in Conflict Resolution with Relationship Rules from the Holy Bible, Volume 2 (ISBN-13: 978-1-7778566-2-5 available through AMAZON) is the book for you.

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

STAR Personality Styles (Vol.2: TOOLS & RULES) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behind by R. Luciani is the second volume to STAR Personality Styles (Vol.1: STARS & RATS) RATS: Grow Up Or Be Left Behind. This book goes further in exploring the relationship dynamics between two people and explains ways to effectively resolve conflicts.

Author R. Luciani again draws largely from the Holy Bible to explain and describe ways in which relationship conflicts can be easily resolved with a little patience and understanding. I found the concepts explained in his book very helpful and feel positive that they would help others greatly too.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is going through a difficult time in their relationship and needs help, advice or is seeking direction in general.


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Book Review: The Playful Mind: How to Restore the Happiness We Experienced as Children by Paul Daniel

Book Details:

Author: Paul Daniel
Release Date: 
14th July 2022
Series:
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 269 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
As children, we were often so happy because it was easy for us to enter the playful mind. The “playful mind” is the mentality of being receptive to engagement with the present moment. As we got older, this playful mind became interfered with, making it more difficult for us to enter this mental state. If we are not mentally receptive to the present moment, it becomes harder for us to engage with it and produce feelings of happiness.

In this book, Paul Daniel identifies what is interfering with the playful mind and how to remove them. Primarily, there are mental frameworks we’ve adopted growing up that inhibit our satisfaction and cause us suffering. Such mental frameworks today preoccupy our thoughts and keep us from engaging with what is happening right in front of us. By dismantling these mental frameworks and removing other sources of interference, we can more easily enter the playful mind again – even as adults. With easier access to the playful mind, you will be able to experience more happiness in each moment.

Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

The Playful Mind: How to Restore the Happiness We Experienced as Children by Paul Daniel is a very informative book about understanding how the mind works and how we can choose to be more present in the present moment (something like mindfulness but not exactly like it) and be more happy and assertive as a result.

I liked reading this book because it had a lot of information on self-growth and self-development and I found most of it easily understandable and applicable in daily life which I really appreciate. The book is written well and has a good flow. I was able to finish the book pretty quickly so for me it fit in well with my schedule and busy work life.

I’d recommend this book to everyone who likes reading self-development books, especially the ones focused on how the mind works and the various practices that help one achieve better and stress-free living.


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Book Review: 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer

Book Details:

Author: Poppy Mortimer
Release Date: 
10th May 2022
Series:
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 276 pages
Publisher: Poppy Mortimer
Blurb:
Poppy Mortimer is hungry for love. Will she find The One, or lose her appetite for men, forever?
Smart, attractive, and fueled by wide-eyed optimism, Poppy Mortimer leaves rainy England to start a new life-and find the perfect man-in exotic Australia. Surely somewhere out there, a Chris Hemsworth impersonator is just waiting to whisk her off her feet and show her the real charms of ‘Down Under’.
But as Poppy launches into 28 dates, ranging from the outright hysterical to borderline traumatic, it becomes clear she’s going to have to kiss a few frogs-assuming she doesn’t croak first. From the seven-foot giant with a disturbing workout practice, to the exclusive party that turns out to be a lot more than just cocktails and canapes, Poppy starts to wonder if she should sue Disney for giving her false hope.

With gusto, humour, and a lot of heart, Poppy digs deep into her past as a child of divorce, and her ongoing journey as a modern woman and devoted romantic. Through laughter, tears, and characters that are truly stranger than fiction, Poppy won’t stop until she finds true love-or something even greater.
Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Sex and the City (or any person who wants to feel better about their own dating life) will love this book.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer is a funny account of the author’s troubled yet exciting and often amusing love life. In this book, the author pens down her disastrous dates, the things she learned from each of them, and how she went on to the next, thinking she won’t be making the same mistakes but ending up somehow on another disastrous first date.

I liked how the author used her sense of humour to keep the tone of the book light and made it funny and thus more relatable as well as easily palatable for the readers. The author’s writing style is good and the writing had a good flow which made this book a really easy and fast read.

I’d recommend this book to all readers of humorous non-fiction as I’m sure this book has a lot to offer to all its readers whether they are men or women.


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Book Review: Whispers Of Innocence by Natasha Simmons

Book Details:

Author: Natasha Simmons
Release Date: 
7th June 2022
Series:
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Thriller, Suspense
Format: E-book 
Pages: 272 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
The baby is quiet. Too quiet.
When Madeline checks on her seven-month-old daughter, she discovers the reason for the baby’s silence. Abigail is dead. Madeline is soon living every mother’s worst nightmare among a cacophony of sirens and police interrogations.
Accusations and old resentments can’t stay contained under the pressure of guilt, tears, and the horror of picking out a baby-sized coffin. A line is drawn through Madeline and Brian’s marriage, and a battle begins.
But defining heroes and villains is as difficult as untangling the truth from the impossible web Madeline and Brian have created to protect themselves. Abigail’s killer isn’t the only monster hiding in the shadows. And among the dark secrets, everyone will crumble under the consequences.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Whispers Of Innocence by Natasha Simmons is a very well-written psychological thriller that will make it impossible for you to put down the book for even a second.

As much as this book was emotionally taxing, I loved reading it. The tension throughout the book, right from the first chapter, was wound so tight, that it was impossible to put it aside and do anything else. And that is the best way any author can write a psychological thriller novel, so I am really glad that I read this book. The writing was good, the concept was brilliant, the characterisation was very well developed and the tension and pacing were completely on point.

The story did have its dark moments, but it was to be expected given that the author had been honest about a child’s death in the blurb itself. So be prepared for some reader’s emotional damage (as I like to call it) but unless it is a trigger for you, you shouldn’t worry about it because the book after all is a dark psychological thriller.

I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller readers, especially all dark psychological thriller readers and fans of the genre.


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