Posts

Showing posts from March, 2013

Southern Bound (Max Porter Mysteries) by Stuart Jaffe

Image
Nook, Kindle, or Paperback formats 245 pages Publisher: Stuart Jaffe (Sept. 2012) I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   It was supposed to be a new beginning - good job, good pay, and a lovely home in North Carolina. But when Max Porter discovers his office is haunted by the ghost of a 1940s detective, he is thrust neck-deep into a world of old mysteries and dangerous enemies. One in which ghosts, witches, curses, and spells exist. One in which a simple research job can turn deadly. Review: I enjoyed the book, I thought it was an interesting mystery. I also how he had the history of Winston-Salem thrown in the plot. I didn't know there were POW camps in North Carolina. However, I thought Max could have been a stronger character, like his sassy wife and Drummond. I also thought the plot was confusing at times, like there was some information missing but that could just be because I'm blonde. Overall I did have a

Accidental Deception ( Book One of the Accidental Series) by Tina Martin

Image
Kindle or Nook 251 pages Publisher: Tina Martin (March 2013) I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.   Synopsis: Accidental Deception is a story about love versus loyalty, the tug-of-war that dictates every action Carter Williams will take after he stumbles upon a homeless woman, Shayla Kline, in Uptown Charlotte. Completely out of character for the usually self-centered bachelor, he puts his life on hold to spend a few nights with the stranger in the hospital. That’s when he makes an earth shattering discovery – Shayla was the fiancée of Jacob, his estranged brother. His brother who hated him. His brother who recently committed suicide. His brother who, despite the animosity between them, wrote him a suicide note asking him to take care of Shayla. Out of guilt and fulfillment of Jacob’s final wish, he moves Shayla into his home and gives her everything she needs to start over. The more she confides in him, the deepe

Dangerous Past by A.F. Ebbers

Image
Nook, Kindle, or Hardcover formats 240 pages Publisher: Silverhawk Books (May 2007) I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Airline Captain Frank Braden is being stalked by unknown assailants who must arrange his death to look like a suicide or an accident before a specific deadline. He is given the choice of following his assassins demands or forfeiting his wife's life. Braden must choose between doing what ought to be done or keeping his family alive by allowing a murderous and powerful Washington VIP to escape his past. Review: A fast paced read, I thought the author did a good job in describing action sequences. I felt as if I was experiencing what Frank was experiencing. There were some typos, however I didn't find them distracting.   I also liked how the author weaved in historical facts in with the plot. A nice debut novel. Rating:    Author Bio: A. F. Ebbers , a journalism graduate of Ohio Univer

Dancing with the Vodka Terrorists by Rob Ferguson

Image
Kindle, Nook or Paperback formats 236 pages Publisher: Iguana Books (December 2012) I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.  Goodreads Synopsis:   When Rob Ferguson went off to the five former Soviet 'Stans of Central Asia to work on a project to save the rapidly disappearing Aral Sea, he expected to have challenges and adventures, but he didn't anticipate ending up a suspect in a brutal murder investigation. Dancing with Vodka Terrorists is a tragicomic farce and an engrossing real-life thriller told with panache and wry humour and stars a bizarre cast of corrupt apparatchiks, jolly consultants, devious autocrats and a bewitching belly-dancer who ends up gutted in a bathtub. Somehow Ferguson survives it all, wit still intact. Review: I thought the book started off slowly but the author won me over with his skewed way of looking at very serious situation. He has written an entertaining, funny thriller about murder. Which is righ

Two Reviews Today- The Mine (Northwest Passage 1) and The Journey (Northwest Passage 2) by John A. Heldt

Image
Kindle formats The Mine-285 pages Publisher: John A. Heldt (February 12, 2012) The Journey-242 pages Publisher: John A. Heldt (November 3, 2012) I received copies from the author in exchange for honest reviews Synopsis and Review of The Mine: In 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can't use, money he can't spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of Whirlaway, swing dancing, and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past o

Pursuing the Times by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Image
Kindle  or Nook edition Publisher: TKA Distribution (August 24, 2012) 257 pages  I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: Mercury Lauren ( pronounced like Bacall, not Ralph)  is a successful author of satires. However, her books are usually listed under chick-lit so poor Mercury doesn't get any respect. All she wants is a review in the New York Times. Is that too much to ask? So when she meets the editor-in-chief of the book review she makes it her mission to convince him to give her books a chance. No matter what gets in her way nothing will stop her from...Pursuing the Times. Review: Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice the author has written a delightful romantic comedy. Mercury's adventures in stalking the editor of the NYTBR are chuckle worthy and the characters trade witty banter back and forth. I especially liked the e-mail exchanges between Mercury and her stalkee. Find out more about the author here:

How To Write Good by John Vorhaus

Image
E-book format 104 pages Publisher:  Bafflegab Books (February 6, 2013) Synopsis:   The author has written a tongue-in-cheek guide on how to become a better writer.Drawing from his years of experience writing scripts and novels Vorhaus has written a short overview of the writing process, how to get the most out of it, and how to avoid it's most common mistakes. My Review: A funny, informative guide for people wanting to improve their writing skills. He offers tips in a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek style that's entertaining and informative. It's a quick to the point read. I enjoyed reading it and will put his good advice to use. Find more info on John at:   website:   www.johnvorhaus.com how to write good :   www.tinyurl.com/jv-htwg twitter @TrueFactBarFact amazon author page: amazon.com/author/jv Rating:   Buy it at: amazon  

CareGifters Book Series: Love: A Collection of Essays by Those Who Care

Image
Paperback or E-book format Publisher: caregiving.com (March 5, 2013) First Edition 46 pages * I received a complimentary copy from caregiving.com for being a contributor. Synopsis: Love, the  fifth book in the CareGifters Book Series , features the poems, essays and artwork of family caregivers who turn love into a coping strategy. These family caregivers write of their love, remembering how they fell in love years before caregiving arrived and reflecting on how they stay in love long after caregiving stays. The book features love from all perspectives—between siblings, parents and children, spouses. A granddaughter becomes the memory keeper for a grandmother she loves dearly. A grandmother finds a hero in a little boy who she treasures. Proceeds from the book go to fund the CareGifters Program, which provides a grant of $500 to help a family caregiver in need. My Review:   A book of essays and poems by caregivers writing about their loved ones. A lovely book

Jones for Catnip

Image
Pulling in at the house I saw a cat in the driver's seat of Mom's car. It asked me, "Hey wanna go to Wal-mart, I'm jonesing for some catnip?" I told it no, it was crazy there but it just said, "When you need the nip, you need the nip , man."