Author: Colleen Chesebro

Colleen M. Chesebro hails from the heartland of the Midwestern United States. After graduating, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, launching a lifelong journey of self-exploration. Following a successful career in accounting, Colleen returned to her creative roots, reigniting her love for poetry. Today, she enjoys crafting poetry, flash fiction, and both creative and nonfiction works. Explore her writing world at Colleen Writes & Publishes at www.colleenchesebro.org. In addition to her poetry books, Colleen has contributed to numerous anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She actively supports her writing community on tankatuesday.com, by hosting a community syllabic poetry challenge called Tanka Tuesday, and by co-editing the Sunflower Tanka Anthology with Robbie Cheadle. This annual syllabic poetry anthology celebrates tanka, tanka prose, and other experimental tanka forms. Residing in her dream home in mid-Michigan, Colleen enjoys the beauty of the Great Lakes with her husband and their two (unicorn) cats, Chloe and Sophie. You can find her at The Evergreen Hedge on www.colleenchesebro.org and Tanka Tuesday on www.tankatuesday.com.

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Truth She Knew,” BY AUTHOR @JAOWENBY

The Truth She Knew

  • Title:  The Truth She Knew
  • Author: J. A. Owenby
  • Print Length: 238 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  • Publication Date: September 18, 2016
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1533660549
  • ISBN-13: 9781533660541
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Drama

In the Author’s words:

“A bittersweet story of young love independence, and soul-crushing manipulation. J.A. Owenby shines a light on the impact that mental illness can have on a family.” —Dr. Sheri Kaye Hoff, Ph.D., Professional Life Coach

Mama didn’t want me. In fact, she would’ve traded my soul back for someone different if God would’ve let her, but he didn’t, so she was stuck with me.

For eighteen-year-old Lacey, life at home is a rollercoaster. She doesn’t think she’ll ever be good enough to truly deserve Mama’s love.

But when Lacey enters college and meets Walker, everything starts to change. Suddenly, Lacey is face to face with the realization that maybe what she’s always seen as normal really isn’t. Her entire life—and everything she’s ever believed about herself and her family—is abruptly hanging in midair.

Lacey is left facing two paths, and she has to make a choice. The first means walking away from everything she’s ever known. The other means never really knowing the truth.

The Truth She Knew offers an honest and powerful glimpse into mental illness, the meaning of true love, and the psychological waltz that a daughter dances as she endures her mother’s unpredictable emotions, manipulation, and abuse.”

My Recommendation:

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

Eighteen-year-old Lacey has reached the point in her life where she is ready to strike out on her own. The stars are shining down upon her and independence is within reach. She is a beautiful girl with a job and friends that mean the world to her. Her life is wide open. That is, except for her family.

Lacey belongs to a family where she is an outcast. Her overbearing mother reminds her on a daily basis that she wishes she had never been born. To Lacey, this is the normality of her life. She has learned to watch for the subtle signals from her mother that alert her to the changes in her personality. Always on the lookout for acceptance from her mother, but seldom finding it, Lacey finds it is easier to hide in the sanctuary of her room when the tirades begin. She lives a lonely existence.

One night, after she sneaked away to attend a friend’s party, Lacey has a chance encounter with a handsome guy named, Walker. There is an immediate attraction between the two of them. Once the sparks begin to fly, Lacey knows she is falling in love. Their resulting affair left me breathless! Beware. There is sex in this novel, however, I found it to be realistic and between two loving individuals.

As Lacey’s family life becomes more violent, she revels in the strong arms of Walker. His belief in her leads her to the safety she seeks. It is through his love that Lacey starts to learn that her life is not normal. Finally, things spiral out of control when her mother interferes in her life one last time, endangering her relationship with Walker.

I read and reviewed the short story called Tears in the Sun, also penned by J. A. Owenby, which was the basis for this novel. Click here to read my review.

Just so you know… I could not put this novel down! Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster ride and have the box of tissues handy. J. A. Owenby depicts Lacey as someone you want to help and protect. I cried at the horrors she was forced to endure. Mental illness figures predominantly in the writing, exposing the reader to a world filled with dread. Lacey haunted my dreams for a few nights after I finished the book.

This is the first book in the series and it does end on a bit of cliff-hanger. The Truth She Knew has not been released yet. It has an expected publication date of September 16, 2016.

I also know the author is working on the second novel, so there should not be a long wait in between publication.

Do you like the kind of novels that lead you on a journey of self-discovery, recovery, and independence? If so, this is the book for you. I loved it and I know you will too! I look forward to finding how Lacey copes with her dysfunctional family.

back to reality

I have a book hangover! It’s time to get back to reality!

MY Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

062316_2044_BOOKREVIEWB3.jpg

J.A. OwenbyAuthor, J. A. Owenby

About J. A. Owenby:

J.A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two cats.

She’s a published author of six short stories, and she is currently working on her second full-length novel. She also runs her own business as a professional resume writer and interview coach—she helps people find jobs they love.

J.A. is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult, and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and good wine. And call her crazy, but she loves the rainy Pacific Northwest; she gets her best story ideas while listening to the rain pattering against the windows in front of the fireplace.

You can follow the progress of her upcoming novel on Twitter @jaowenby and Facebook at Author J. A. Owenby

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

 

 

 

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#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Iron Pendulum,” BY AUTHOR @MELLO_ELO

The Iron Pendulum

  • Title:  The Iron Pendulum
  • Author: Eloise De Sousa
  • File Size:
  • Print Length: 156 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: Lulu.com
  • Publication Date: June 26, 2016
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1326689983
  • ISBN-13: 9781326689988
  • ASIN: B01HYFLBII
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Murder Mystery

In the Author’s Words:

“Julia Webster and Hugo del Fuego are missing from their third-floor apartment in Bagley. The grisly display discovered in their home leaves Detectives Perkins and Jones with little evidence to follow and, as more remains turn up, the pressure mounts to find the killer. Time is the key element in solving a case riddled with dead ends and a strange family hiding its true evil behind the façade of money and power. Can they unravel the secrets hidden behind the closed doors and will it be enough to solve the case and rescue the couple in time?”

My Recommendation:

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

Answering a missing person call, Detective Inspectors, Bob Jones and James Perkins enter a flat in Bagley and are greeted by a grisly sight. Large silver hooks are  suspended above their heads fastened to the ceiling; the kind used for hanging freshly slaughtered livestock. Pieces of flesh, still dripping blood, are attached to the hooks. By the looks of the flesh, it could be animal or human… However, all they find inside the flat is an orange and green parrot screaming and screeching inside a cupboard.

If you aren’t creeped out yet, hang on! The occupants of the flat are missing. Julia Webster and Hugo Del Fuego, both in their early twenties have disappeared into thin air. The couple has rented the flat for the past three years and always were seen as dependable. Where could they be?

With little evidence to go on the detectives are thrown head first into one of the most bizarre missing person cases I have ever read. Author, Eloise De Sousa adeptly strings the reader along revealing more grisly discoveries along the way. There is an extraordinary family history intertwined within the story that propels you forward to the shocking conclusion.

For me, the story was all about the detectives. Both were interesting characters, deeply haunted by the inexplicable events. True to British murder mysteries, the author wove  the detective’s own stories into the sequence of events, giving the story a realistic quality. I loved these detectives! They played off of one another’s strengths and weakness perfectly.

If you love a good murder mystery and don’t get squeamish reading about blood and murder, then this book is for you. I did get pretty creeped out, I won’t deny that. No matter. I could not put this book down! I had to find out the truth of what happened. There is quite the shock factor when you reach the end… Remember, I warned you!

Gulps

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

5gold-star3

 

 

 

Eloise De Sousa 2Author, Eloise De Sousa

About Eloise De Sousa:

For many years Eloise has been writing stories to entertain children and adults alike.
Her new book, The Iron Pendulum, is a fictional thriller with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end and her romance thriller, Deception, has the passion and drive to transport you back to Zimbabwe, where her book is based.

Not satisfied with just writing adult fiction, she has recently released a new book in the Spoilt Miranda series, this time tackling the terrible trio, Cecil, Bertha and Thomas in her book Cecil The Bully. Lots of slapstick comedy and of course, some serious lessons can be learned through Eloise’s children’s books which deal with everyday bullying in schools.

For more information on her work and weekly updates, follow her blog at www.eloisedesousa.wordpress.com and at www.facebook.com/eloisebookcorner.

A full list of Eloise De Sousa’s books and ebooks can be found at www.eloiseds.com.

You can find Eloise on Twitter @mello_elo.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Mankind Limited,” BY AUTHOR @HOUSEOFBAILEY

Mankindd Limited

  • Title:  Mankind Limited
  • Author: Scott Bailey
  • File Size: 958 KB
  • Print Length: 376 pages
  • Publisher: Scott Bailey
  • Publication Date: August 19, 2013
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00EOA1RW2
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Dystopian Fantasy

In the Author’s Words:

“Trapped. In a world where everything is measured and control pervades every area of life, four people begin to break down. Instead, they break through the walls of deceit and propaganda and into a world of revolution. 

Each, in their way, vow to overthrow the established order. They embark on a journey against the forces arraigned against them, forces of the state and self-doubt.

Ultimately their paths converge on a dangerous road and the discovery of an ancient secret.

Four people, four rebels. Four journeys of self-doubt and discovery that converge on the road to revolution and the discovery of an ancient secret.”

My Recommendation:

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

I have never been a fan of dystopian novels. For me, they were always too dark and miserable, filled with human misery and oppression. You can imagine my joy then when I dug into Mankind Limited to find a book filled with characters who were well-rounded and human, flaws and all. I even found an element of hope buried within the pages that drew me further into the story.

In a time, possibly not too far in our future, the MOD has assumed complete control of the government. Nobody crosses them or even attempts to. People become automatons, there but for one reason – to earn money. Individuality is frowned upon. All you are allowed to do is work.

If you lose your job, which is considered a public failure, you are allowed to stay on welfare for only a very short time. The possibility of getting another job after that would be slim to none. Once an individual falls off the bottom of the Personal League Tables, they become illegals, forced to live on the street. Tens of thousands of illegals are shot in the act of criminal activity each year, simply trying to survive.

The government has found a way to manipulate and drug people so they can control them. The MOD believes a docile employee will work hard and earn more money. One such man, Marc, finds himself struggling to survive in this world. It is as if he cannot adapt. Eventually, he loses his job and his wife. He finds himself part of a fringe group of illegals hunting for information about a MOD program called Noah’s Ark.

Richard and Jane, brother and sister, along with their friend, William, welcome Marc into their group of illegals. One day, during a reconnaissance mission to a laboratory high in the mountains, the group comes upon a secret so deadly, it could spell the end of the world for them all. Evidence must be destroyed, so the group plants a bomb to insure the secrets are never used against humans.

As they make their escape, they discover the President is on his way to the facilities for a briefing. The bomb blows the research laboratory and the President to smithereens, branding the illegals as murderers on the run.

Now, this is where I found the story got really interesting. This series of events leads the foursome on an adventure of self-discovery. Each person deals with the trauma from their life decisions, leading the reader to a culmination of events at the explosive ending where the secret is finally revealed.

The plot and characters were superb. The only thing I found I had to get used to was the way the author switched scenes and characters within the same chapter. This was done, I am sure, for perspective and as a way to show what was happening to each character all at the same time.

I must admit, I was surprised by the ending. Scott Bailey skillfully wove a tale of intrigue and suspense with just the right amount of dystopian dread. Bravo!

thumbs up

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 4
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 4
Overall Rate: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Author, Scott Bailey

About Scott Bailey:

Scott Bailey is a freelance writer, author, and blogger. His works include the dystopian novel “Mankind Limited” and “A Spring of Dreams” collection of poetry. His blogging ranges across family articles, poetry and short stories and even the odd book or movie review.

Make certain to connect with (author) through his Twitter @houseofbailey, and Facebook atScott Andrew Bailey. You can also find Scott on his author blog: Scott Andrew Bailey
and his personal blog, House of Bailey.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Dolan Girls,” BY AUTHOR @SarahMallery1

The Dolan Girls

  • Title:  The Dolan Girls
  • Author: S. R. Mallery
  • File Size: 1022 KB
  • Print Length: 212 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication Date: December 3, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B018Y063XA
  • ISBN-10: 1519695241
  • ISBN-13:  978-1519695246
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Western,

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

In the Author’s Words:

“The Dolan Girls by S. R. Mallery has it all. Set in Nebraska during the 1800s, whorehouse madams, ladies of the night, a schoolmarm, a Pinkerton detective, a Shakespeare-quoting old coot, brutal outlaws, and a horse-wrangler fill out the cast of characters. Added to the mix are colorful descriptions of an 1856 land rush, Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show, Annie Oakley, bank/train robberies, small town local politics, and of course, romance. Two, in fact!”

My Recommendation:

Close your eyes for a minute. Let’s slip back into time. Just breathe…

It’s the late 1880’s, and we’ve stepped into the wild, wild, West in the American Southwest. Listen… You can hear the wind blow and taste the dust on your tongue. Under the hot shimmering sun, you meet the Dolan girls. Cora and Minnie Dolan are two young women, who along with their parents, have traveled from Ireland to settle in the rugged Nebraska Territories, with the hope of winning land in the famous land lottery.

When tragedy strikes, the two women, struggling to survive, take up residence at Madam Ana’s brothel. In no time, Madam Ana adopts the girls as her daughters, all the while protecting them from the men who frequent her business. Eventually, when illness strikes, she leaves her flourishing business to the sisters. When Cora falls in love with the handsome Thomas Garrett, her life changes forever.

Then, brutally raped by a worthless cowboy looking for a good time, Cora is forced to grapple with an interesting situation. The fact that she is Irish, and now an unwed mother who along with her sister owns a brothel; she finds herself shunned by the good folk of the town. Her pregnancy results in a daughter, Ellie, who once she is old enough, is quickly sent away to be educated back East. Cora always worries about appearances. Her goal is to be recognized for the successful businesswoman she has become.

It is when Ellie returns to her mother and aunt as a school teacher for the local school that fate intervenes to change the direction of Cora, Minnie’s and Ellie’s lives forever. Throw in some excitement with Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, and a Pinkerton investigator, and you have the makings for an exciting read.

I LOVE westerns and always have. Maybe it is the magic and allure of the old West; but for me, these historical romance adventures always ensnare me. Just like the rest of her books, Sarah Mallery skillfully weaves a tale that is believable and historically accurate by using authentic language and vivid descriptions of a time now lost to history. Most importantly, this book is entertaining and a joy to read. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down!

What really caught my attention was how Sarah set up her Pinterest account full of fascinating history, vintage clothing, and old flicks; all from the old west. If you love westerns check out her Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahmallery1/.

AND, The Dolan Girls are featured on Amazon & Bookbub on July 8th through July 12th as a FREE book!

Yee Haw

So… What are you waiting for? Have a read! I only hope there is another mysterious adventure for this strong bunch of women to solve!

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

5gold-star3

 

 

Sarah Mallery

About Sarah Mallery:

S.R. Mallery has been labeled nothing short of ‘eclectic’. She has been a singer, a calligrapher, a quilt designer, and an ESL teacher.
As a writer, History is her focus and is woven into her stories with a delicate thread. When people talk about the news of the day or listen to music, Sarah’s imagination likens the story to a similar kind of news in the past and is conjuring up scenes between characters she has yet to meet.

Sarah loves to hear from fans and readers. Click the links below and stop in for a chat!

Sarah Mallery books
Find Sarah on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1abYVyP, and don’t forget to visit her on www.srmallery.com
Follow Sarah and other award-winning authors on http://enovelauthorsatwork.com

You can also find Sarah on Twitter: @SarahMallery1

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Szen Zone, BY AUTHOR @GARYSZENDERSKI

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  • Title:  Szen Zone – Reaching a State of Positive Change
  • Author: Gary Szenderski
  • File Size: 644 KB
  • Print Length: 203 Pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: Finger Touch Books
  • Publication Date: December 16, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN:  B019H83NUE
  • ISBN-10: 1500514977
  • ISBN-13: 9781500514976
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Motivational, Teen & Young Adult, Self Help

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

In the author’s words:

“From the author of Book of Szen, Stories and Inspiration for a Changing World. Whereas ZEN is of the moment and what is, SZEN celebrates what could be. The SZEN ZONE – Reaching a State of Positive Change contains lighthearted and positive narrative on life and its possibilities, with stories that cover the gamut from interesting to profound. The general overarching theme is on change and all of the aspects of it – Creating, surviving and managing change with the goal to recognize the power we have to become what we choose, both when we’re feeling in control and how to manage when we’re not in control.

The SZEN ZONE focuses on identifying the lift-off point for creating positive change. Although everyone is different and it’s a very individual and sometimes internalized process, the principles in this book can help you establish the context and right frame of mind to embrace and manage change. After many years of professionally helping individuals and companies navigate change, I’ve observed how some changes seem to take forever while unforeseen change can come right at you and in an instant move your world.”

Recommendation:

The Szen Zone is a collection of life lessons interwoven into short stories which lead the reader into the possibilities of change, and how making changes can open the doors to further growth. A self-help book in nature, it is written in a down to earth style that everyone can relate to.

The book is split into topics which then flow into each short story. At the end of each story, the author follows with his points to ponder. He then ends with a “Szenippit,” a clever play on words with his last name. Each Szenippit is a quote that really hits home with the subject discussed.

For example, Chapter Four is called, “Living in the Present.” One of my favorite quotes from the book is this:

“There is no perfect time, there is only this time, your best first chance. You know that you’re as ready as you will ever become.”

Each chapter and topic are geared at empowering us as individuals to create positive change in our lives. A detailed description of the five essential elements necessary to create positive changes is shared. They are, self-exploration; perspective; imagination; now and energy. The words create the acronym, S.P.I.N.E. which is a handy way to remember that it takes character to change and succeed in life.

It took me a couple of weeks to read the book because the subject matter really made me think about my own goals and ability to change. I weighed the possibilities and not only lived in the now, I also thought about what some of these positive changes could bring to me at this stage in my life.

It would be easy to read the book in its entirety, or split it into a topic at a time. I found myself highlighting and bookmarking many passages that spoke to me. This is the kind of book that I will refer to often. I liked the author’s message of setting goals and allowing myself the freedom to make changes that will facilitate me reaching the completion of my goals.

Are you looking at making some positive changes in your life? Don’t do it alone. Let the Szen Zone guide you down the path of self-discovery. Remember:

“Achievement is not only about reaching the goal; it’s about setting the right goal to reach. We’ll know we’ve set the right one when we can’t wait to get there.”

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 4
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

 

 

Gary Szenderski

About Gary Szenderski:

Gary Szenderski is an author, speaker, teacher, and branding specialist internationally acclaimed as an expert on the subject. He specializes in helping people and organizations to navigate change and frequently speaks and writes on the topic of emerging brands, personal branding and companies in transition. Gary is an award-winning writer, author of the Book of Szen and SZEN ZONE. He’s an often quoted marketing expert and recipient of the Distinguished Instructor Award from the University of California at Irvine where he teaches branding. He resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments. Email him at gary@bookofszen.com.

To watch an interview with Gary Szenderski, please click the link below.

Make certain to connect with Gary through Twitter @GarySzenderski

Facebook: Books of Szen

Author blog: Szenzone.com

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Pearseus, Schism” BY AUTHOR @NICHOLAS_ROSSIS

Pearseus Schism

  • Title:  Pearseus – Schism Rise of the Prince
  • Author: Nicholas C. Rossis
  • File Size: 1314 KB
  • Print Length: 60 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  • Publication Date: January 23, 2014
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B00FXOJQA8
  • Formats: Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction-Fantasy

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

FROM THE AUTHOR:

Humanity starts over. Again.

It’s New Year’s Eve, the year of 2099, but the distinguished guests aboard the Pearseus won’t get to countdown seconds; soon they’ll be counting bodies and survivors after the spaceship’s crash landing on another planet.

The good news? The planet is seemingly hospitable both in resources and in terms of the natives’ attitude towards earthlings.

The bad news? They might have come on this planet bare of possessions, but what they haven’t been able to shed are the shortcomings of their human nature. Will that be the sole threat to a unified future, or is the new land and its first inhabitants not as innocent as they look?

Schism is the prequel to the Amazon best-selling series, Pearseus.

Recommendation:

I don’t know how I did it, but it appears that after reading the Pearseus series, I neglected to read the very first book, a prequel novel, you could say. Without further ado, I contacted the author, Nicholas Rossis, and he kindly provided me with a copy. And… let me tell you! I was glad I did!

To read my reviews of Pearseus, Books 1 – 3: Rise of the Prince, Mad Water, and Vigil, click here.

Just to be sure that I understood what I was reading, I looked up the word “Schism.” Dictionary.com explains that a schism means “a division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.” I don’t think the author could have chosen a better word for the title of his book.

Schism begins when the “Pearseus,” a spaceship, crashes on an unknown planet due to the negligence of one of its top officers. Chaos ensues and the survivors have nothing left to do but to create a new civilization in order to survive. Much in the same way man has conquered the continents on earth, the survivors drive the natural inhabitants of the planet to a remote area far away leaving the survivors to rule the area they have settled.

However, factions within the surviving party have a different agenda. True to human nature, corruption within the rank and file causes some of the survivors to scheme on their own. A darkness creeps into the group of a kind that mankind has never seen before. The civilization known as Pearseus begins to fall apart. The schism is now complete and the stage is set for the Pearseus series.

I am so happy that I had the opportunity to read this first book. Although Nicholas Rossis does a superb job at keeping you abreast of the happenings in each book, this first book gives you a glimpse into the personalities of the crew and the catalyst that set the whole series into motion. You won’t want to leave this book out!

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

5gold-star3

 

 

 

Nicholas Rossis

Author, Nicholas Rossis

About Nicholas Rossis:

Nicholas Rossis lives to write and does so from his cottage on the edge of a magical forest in Athens, Greece. When not composing epic fantasies or short sci-fi stories, he chats with fans and colleagues, writes blog posts, walks his dog, and enjoys the antics of two silly cats, one of whom claims his lap as home. His children’s book, Runaway Smile, earned a finalist slot in the 2015 International Book Awards.

What readers are saying about Nick’s fantasies:

“Most avid readers still have books from their childhood which they read over and over again. ‘Runaway Smile’ has joined the list.”

“From the very first sentence I realized I was not reading a book, I was going on an adventure.”

For more on Nick or just to chat, visit him on:

Blog: http://bit.ly/1G79bQS
eNovel Authors: http://bit.ly/1JZEQct
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/18lyLr5
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1dKgsPT
Google+ : http://bit.ly/1IkzR22 

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Lady of the Pier – The Storm,” BY AUTHOR @FrostieMoss

Lady of the Pier, storm 533X800

  • Title:  The Lady of the Pier – The Storm
  • Author: Effrosyni Moschoudi
  • File Size: 2050 KB
  • Print Length: 302 Pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication Date: December 11, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services, LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B018O5OTHW
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Historical Fiction

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

FROM THE AUTHOR:

“When Sofia falls in love, a mourning spirit begins to haunt her… The Storm is the concluding part of the trilogy where the two stories of Sofia and Laura merge into one and redemption seems finally possible…

BRIGHTON 1988
Sofia does her best to get over Danny, but The Lady won’t leave her in peace. The spirit guides her to meet more people who knew Laura and now begins to haunt Danny as well. What will happen when he wears Christian’s scarf? And who is the third person being haunted, and why?

BRIGHTON 1940
Laura is relieved to hear about Christian’s narrow escape from Dunkirk, despite his serious injury. Things at home are as harrowing as ever, but she holds on to a glimmer of hope. When he discovers an old secret, Christian returns to Brighton. Will the old sweethearts find happiness at last or will Charles never allow it?”

My Recommendation:

“The Lady of the Pier – The Storm,” is the third installment in the exciting and mysterious paranormal romance called the Lady of the Pier Trilogy. To read my review of the first book, The Lady of the Pier – The Ebb, click here. To read my review of the second book, The Lady of the Pier – The Flow, click here.

The Lady of the Pier trilogy leads you on a supernatural trip between two time periods. The story fluctuates between Laura and Christian in Brighton in 1940 and Sofia and Danny in Brighton in 1988.

At the heart of the two intertwining love stories are the piers – one in Brighton, and the other in Corfu, Greece. Sofia and Laura are connected through haunting dreams, even though they are separated by fifty years.

I absolutely loved the way these two stories twisted together supported by an enigmatic thread of paranormal activity that let the reader know there is more going on here than meets the eye. It appeared to me that both Sofia and Laura must learn about love the hard way, through their own choices. I was not far off in this assumption.

For me, the Brighton Pier was the symbolic element that acted as the bridge between both eras and both women. In the second book, I felt the tightening of the plot drawing both women along on a path to a destiny that must intersect in the last novel. In the first novel, there were two piers, one in Corfu and one in Brighton. In the second part of the series the two piers have merged into just one, the Brighton Pier where the stories of both women unfold.

By the time I reached the last book, The Storm, I was dying to understand the mystery of the Lady of the Pier, which linked these two couples together between the two intertwining stories. The writing stage had been skillfully set by Effrosyni Moschoudi and I was not disappointed in the revelations. The mystery had deepened to such an extreme I could not put this third book down. I literally finished the book in two nights!

In the final book, time and space merge in a reincarnation of the two time periods and the two couples. By the end of the book, I had stumbled upon the solution to the paranormal connection between the two couples. I was surprised by the depth and clarity of the characters and how neatly the story fit together. Some of the admissions from the characters caught me totally by surprise!

Once again, as with the previous two novels, the characters found a place in my heart. I was emotionally vested in the story. I literally shed tears at the explosive ending! In fact, I was sad to leave these characters behind. I finally understood them and learned that true love has no boundaries.

Of the three books in the Lady of the Pier series, I found The Storm to be the most satisfying. If you love a story that weaves supernatural events into a romantic storyline you will be thrilled with The Lady of the Pier, books one – three. This is one series I will read again and again when I want to be reminded of the power of everlasting love.

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

5gold-star3

 

 

 

Effrosnyi Moushidi

About Effrosyni Moschoudi:

Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. As a child, she loved to sit alone in her garden scribbling rhymes about flowers, butterflies, and ants. Today, she writes novels with Greek lovers in mind. Her idea of a perfect day involves her three favorite things: books, movies, and the beach. She lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with her husband Andy and a naughty cat called Felix, but her mind forever drifts to her beloved island of Corfu.

Effrosyni’s #1 Amazon bestseller, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, features an adorable Corfiot lady inspired by her grandmother. In her award-winning novel, The Ebb, she records several real memories from 1980s Corfu.

Effrosyni is a proud member of the writer’s groups, eNovel Authors at Work, ASMSG, and the Fantasy & SciFi Network.

**Visit her website for free excerpts, book trailers, a guide to Corfu, and to discover many other writers who set their books in Greece: http://www.effrosyniwrites.com

**Visit her food blog for delicious Greek recipes: http://bit.ly/1L9GuKu

**Sign up for her newsletter to be notified first about her special offers (very sparse emails):
http://effrosyniwrites.com/newsletter/

**Like her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni

**Follow her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/frostiemoss

**Find her on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7362780.Effrosyni_Moschoudi

To watch a trailer for The Lady of the Pier – The Storm click the link below.

 Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

 

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Freedom Fighter, Solar Wind 3,” BY AUTHOR @LYZRUSSO

Freedom Fighter Solar Wind 3

  • Title:  Freedom Fighter, Solar Wind 3
  • Author: Lyz Russo
  • File Size: 1324 KB
  • Print Length: 556 pages
  • Publisher: P’kaboo Publishers
  • Publication Date: October 10, 2012
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B00ELJ4OYY
  • ISBN-10:
  • ISBN-13:
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy

From the Author: 

“Keep an eye on them, Federi!”

Captain Rushka Donegal on the bridge! But the young girl doesn’t feel up to running a ship full of unruly young crew. And then they come across disaster…

So it falls to Federi to pick up the pieces while his Captain is not aboard. And while he rolls his dramatic eyes and gets things done, Paean Donegal arms up and signs on for the Fight for Freedom.

Recommendation:

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

“Freedom Fighter,” is the third installment in the intriguing Solar Wind series. To read my review of the first book, The Mystery of the Solar Wind, click here. To read my review of the second book, The Assassin, click here.

I have to tell you all, I am hopelessly in love with this series. The characters have found their way into my heart. I feel pained every time I come to the end of another exciting installment because I want to know more! I think I must have some gypsy blood running through my veins!

What

What happens next? I’m dying to find out!

Freedom Fighter finds Captain Radomir Lascek up to his neck in negotiations with the Unicate and other warring factions as he tries to carve out a peaceful treaty to the new world order that has taken over the earth. So much so, that he has no choice but to make his daughter, Rushka Donegal, the captain of the Solar Wind.

Rushka, married to Paean Donegal’s brother, finds herself in quite the predicament. Pregnant with twins and suffering from horrible bouts of morning sickness, Rushka is forced to count on the experience and expertise from Federi, the gypsy, when it comes to the obstacles the Solar Wind is forced to endure. This causes a rift between Rushka and her husband, as he is the second mate on the ship, even though he does not possess the experience needed to man the craft alone.

Meanwhile, Paean has her own problems dealing with her gypsy husband. Still a teenager, she grapples with the feelings of love she has for Federi. She knows there is a physical part of loving her gypsy but understands that she is not ready for that step. Federi pulls away from Paean trying to respect her age. He is willing to wait until she is older to consummate their marriage. Paean believes the gypsy is reconsidering his marriage to her. A genius at manipulating cells, Paean brews a love potion sure to win over Federi’s heart, with disastrous results!

Nevertheless, their bond is strong as Paean becomes Federi’s backup in the war against the Unicate. In no time, Paean proves to be quite the pugilist and earns the recognition from the captain as “The Captain’s Little Freedom Fighter.” Federi is consumed with jealousy and reminds Paean that she belongs only to him.

This novel takes on a more mysterious and sinister air than the previous two installments. Something is happening to the sea life in the oceans. It is up to Federi and Paean to solve this mystery.

However, I find there are still many unanswered questions. Why is the Unicate hunting down the Donegal Troubles? Why did the Unicate want the Donegal’s mother dead? Lyz Russo skillfully drops hints that Paean is the key to the whole mystery…

Now, I can’t wait to read Solar Wind Book 4, Raiders! If you love science fiction with a pirate twist you will love the Solar Wind series. Freedom Fighter deals with the theme of relationships. Love, lust, desire, and greed! Throw in some gypsy magic to keep things real and you are ready for another great adventure.

Pirate Silver Yar Matties

Yarrr! What are you waiting for me maties?

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Lyz Russo

About Lyz Russo:

I’m a South African writer and musician. Between running a violin studio and raising 3 beautiful children, and writing through nights, I also run a maverick indie publishing house in South Africa called P’kaboo Publishers.

P'kaboo PublishingHave a look: www.pkaboo.net.

You can catch me on my blogs: The Red Ant atskrikvirniks.wordpress.com and Violin Tricks atviolintrix.wordpress.com. On WordPress, I’m “gipsika”.

You can find me on Twitter @lyzrusso and also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Lyz-Russo
and www.facebook.com/pkaboo.net

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “WILLAKAVILLE,” BY AUTHOR BALD GUY @WILLAKAVILLE

Willakaville

  • Title:  Willakaville
  • Author: Mathew Heinecke (aka Bald Guy)
  • Product dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Print Length: 216 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication Date: January 7, 2015
  • Sold by: Amazon
  •  Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1507585462
  • ISBN-13: 978-1507585467
  • Formats: Paperback
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Children’s Books (ages 6 – 14), Literature, Fiction, Short Story Collections

**The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows**

In the Author’s Words:

“Why is all the toilet paper disappearing? Will Kyle escape the banana warriors? Can Marty save everyone from the mushroom zombies? Find the answers inside Willakaville: Amazing Adventures of Astronomical Awesomeness. Follow intelligent children as they solve supernatural issues and find out about themselves along the way.  The book is full to the brim with time machines, magic, mayhem, aliens, cats, mystery, secrets, strange lands, rockets, evil villains, and a pencil. If you are into action, adventure and awesomeness, this is the book for you!”

My Recommendation:

My secret is out! I love children’s books and this was one of the cutest kid’s books I have read in a long time. I only wish my own grandchildren were still young enough to enjoy this collection!

The stories are set in the mysterious town of Willakaville. Each tale is filled with humor and descriptions that will have your child hooting with laughter! (I did). While reading, I could imagine myself sitting with my own children and grandchildren on my lap as we read the stories out loud together. I really got the sense the book was meant to be shared as a family. I know it would encourage many family discussions. Anytime you can get your children to talk to you and read at the same time is a plus in my book!

Mathew Heinecke has struck the mother lode in children’s storytelling by writing with a combination of imagination and exciting life lessons skillfully woven into each yarn. I really liked the idea that there was a problem presented within each storyline and the characters had to figure out how to solve the issue. This is a great way to introduce problem-solving skills to young children.

I especially loved the inclusion of numerous poems that I thought would be fun and entertaining to read to a younger child. What a great way to encourage the love of poetry at an early age.

Since the release of the first volume of Willakaville, Mathew Heinecke has written Willakaville: Baffling Ballads of Boisterous Braveness (Volume 2) and Willakaville: Cataclysmic Chronicles of Caustic Calamity (Volume 3).

Now, if I can figure out some children to buy these books for…

bitmoji-20160519142508

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Mathew Heinecke

About Mathew Heinecke:

Mathew Heinecke is an emerging author of children’s books. He enjoys making up wacky science fiction stories and poems for his children. His Willakaville series books have put these in print for others to enjoy with the goal of tackling the many different issues children will face. (He wants to ensure he is using the full spectrum of his imagination)

As a graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, he has worked for many years as a mechanical engineer in both the aerospace and transportation industries. This coincides with his passion for learning about new technologies and innovations. (He really wants to be a galactic space fighter)

Mathew grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where he enjoyed visiting the nearby Rocky Mountains and the colorful landscapes of southern Utah. As a child, he played several sports such as; football, soccer, rugby, basketball, snowboarding, skiing, hiking, fishing mountain biking, golf, and tennis. Now he just plays a little golf and tennis (and has a small protrusion of his belly to show for it) He continues to enjoy sports and time outdoors with his wife, children, and friends.

Some of Mathew’s hobbies include illustration, painting, t-shirt and logo design, gardening, and movies. (He likes to keep busy) His favorite movies are Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings.

You can find Mathew (aka Bald Guy) at Willakaville Facebook, Willakaville Twitter, Willakaville Tumbler, and on his blog Willakaville Blog.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Escaping Psychiatry – Beginnings: Escaping Psychiatry Prequel” BY AUTHOR @OLGANM7

Escaping Psychiarity Beginnings

  • Title:  Escaping Psychiatry – Beginnings: Escaping Psychiatry Prequel
  • Author: Olga Núñez Miret
  • File Size: 2356 KB
  • Print Length: 81 pages
  • Publisher: Just Olga Books
  • Publication Date: February 1, 2016
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B01BDG102Q
  • Formats:  Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Legal Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

In the Author’s Own Words:

“How far would a writer go for a killer story?”

“This is the question psychiatrist Mary Miller must answer to solve the first mystery/thriller of her career. You can get to know the main characters of this psychological thriller series for FREE and test your own acumen and intuition in this novella about the price of ambition.
Escaping Psychiatry. Beginnings is the prequel to Escaping Psychiatry a volume collecting three stories where Mary and her psychiatric expertise are called to help in a variety of cases, from religious and race affairs, to the murder of a policeman, and in the last case, she gets closer than ever to a serial killer.
If you enjoy this novella, don’t forget to check Mary’s further adventures. And there are more to come.”

My Recommendation:

I don’t know about you but I love a good mystery. If you do too, get comfy in your easy chair and pour a cup of tea! Escaping Psychiatry – the Beginning is a prequel to a trilogy called Escaping Psychiatry, which includes three books: Cannon Fodder – book 1, Team Work – book 2, and Memory – book 3.

This prequel introduces you to the cast of characters in Escaping Psychiatry. Dr. Mary Miller, the psychiatrist seems to be at a crossroads in her career. When her friend Phil, a criminal lawyer from New York invites her to consult on an interesting new case, Mary jumps at the chance.

The accused is a writer who has made a fortune writing a best-selling novel. He is suspected of assaulting a man who claims the writer stole his story. The author further claims the man was stalking him. He asserts that he was provoked by the stalking and that the attack was done purely in self-defense. Things get really interesting when the man suddenly dies.

Author, Olga Núñez Miret, gives you just enough of the facts to whet your appetite into wanting more of this exciting mystery. I thought it was brilliant to offer the prequel as a FREE purchase. I am intrigued by Mary’s character and look forward to reading the rest of the series!

I CAN’T WAIT TO FIND OUT –

what happened

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Olga NM

About Olga Núñez Miret:

My name is Olga Núñez Miret and I’m a writer. I also do translations of other author’s work. What else? I was born in Barcelona, Spain, but have lived in the UK for a long time. Over the years I’ve done many things and had other lives but however far I wander I keep coming back to books and stories, my two earliest loves.

When reading was no longer enough, I started writing. My first book was published in 2012 and my publications span different genres, from literary fiction to romance, Young Adult, and psychological thrillers. I plan on writing more novels in the same genres and if my imagination so dictates, I will explore others.

I love to connect with readers, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. If you want to keep informed of all my news, offers, and promos, you can sign up for my e-mail list here: http://eepurl.com/bAUc0v. You can also find me in the usual places and I always include links to my books. Don’t forget to check my website and my blog. There are always surprises.
You can find Olga Núñez Miret on Twitter @OlgaNM7, on Facebook at Olga Núñez Miret, Writer, and her blog authortranslatorolga.com.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “THE ASSASSIN,” BY AUTHOR @LYZRUSSO

The Assasin

  • Title:  The Assassin – (The Solar Wind Book 2)
  • Author: Lyz Russo
  • File Size: 1322 KB
  • Print Length: 556 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: P’kaboo Publishers (E Rossouw Trading As)
  • Publication Date: February 19, 2011
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN:  B009H42UWG
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Smashwords
  • Genres: Fiction, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Suspense, Science Fiction, Romance

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

In the Author’s own words:

“Remember who you are!”

“His sister died with those words on her lips. Something sinister lurks in his psyche. Something that loves killing. Can he complete his mission without selling out to this entity? The voyage of the Solar Wind continues… Two data capsules tell an evil story. Both the Unicate and the Rebellion want those capsules – but they are in the possession of Radomir Lascek of the Solar Wind. Hunted by both these forces, Lascek scrambles to keep his Solar Wind alive. But things explode in his face, and he is forced to move. Shattered, Lascek launches his own Master Plan – too early.”

My Recommendation:

“The Assassin,” is the second installment in the suspenseful Solar Wind series. To read my review of the first book, The Mystery of the Solar Wind, click here.

Captain Radomir Lascek and his band of unruly pirates, sailing upon his ship, the Solar Wind, continue to hide from the Unicate and their evil associates. However, there is more at stake now. Two data capsules in the Captain’s possession explain that the Rebellion is on a similar path as the Unicate, and both forces could spell the end of the world if the Captain doesn’t act soon.

When the Captain’s secret station in Antarctica is attacked, he is forced to take matters into his own hands. He employs Federi, the part-time gypsy chef/master assassin and Paean, a ship’s musician and budding genetic scientist to embark on a mission to assassinate as many of the top Unicate Officials as they can. Reluctantly, Federi teaches Paean the art of killing, something the fifteen-year-old finds to be a necessary evil in this futuristic world they are forced to survive in.

Struggling to deal with the burgeoning feelings he has for Paean, Federi confronts the “killing animal” that dwells within his heart. He knows he has the soul of an assassin. His greatest fear is that he will lose the love and admiration from the young girl, a certain loss he knows he could not endure.

As the story unfolds the reader discovers Federi and Paean share a type of gypsy intuition, a mystical connection that belongs only to them. This psychic ability blossoms into a deep love between the two, even though Federi is much older than Paean. This is gypsy love at its finest, and I was bewitched by the touching love story that drew me deeper into the adventure.

The book is long but filled with so much intrigue and suspense you gladly read on to unravel the various mysteries that are part of the whole adventure aboard the Solar Wind. For me, this book delves deeper into the characters and gives you a glimpse into the mechanics of their personalities. I like these pirates. Their humanity speaks to me. I can’t wait to dive into the third book in the series, Freedom Fighter. Stay tuned…

Pirate Silver Savvy

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars



Lyz Russo

About Lyz Russo:

I’m a South African writer and musician. Between running a violin studio and raising 3 beautiful children, and writing through nights, I also run a maverick indie publishing house in South Africa called P’kaboo Publishers. P'kaboo Publishing
Have a look: www.pkaboo.net.

You can catch me on my blogs: The Red Ant at skrikvirniks.wordpress.com and Violin Tricks at violintrix.wordpress.com. On WordPress, I’m “gipsika”.

You can find me on Twitter @lyzrusso and also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Lyz-Russo and www.facebook.com/pkaboo.net

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

 

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “THE EIGHT,” BY KATHERINE NEVILLE @KNEVILLE2015

The Eight

  • Title:  The Eight
  • Author: Katherine Neville
  • File Size: 4321 KB
  • Print Length: 610 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller
  • Publication Date: July 21, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services, LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B00YTFTCGK
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

In the author’s words:

“The riveting #1 international bestselling novel about the quest across centuries by two intrepid women in different eras to reunite the pieces of a powerful, ancient chess set.”

“A fabulous, bejeweled chess set that belonged to Charlemagne has been buried in a Pyrenees abbey for a thousand years. As the bloody French Revolution rages in Paris, the nuns dig it up and scatter its pieces across the globe because, when united, the set contains a secret power that could topple civilizations. To keep the set from falling into the wrong hands, two novices, Valentine, and Mireille, embark on an adventure that begins in the streets of Paris and leads to Russia, Egypt, Corsica, and into the heart of the Algerian Sahara.

Two hundred years later, while on assignment in Algeria, computer expert Catherine Velis finds herself drawn unwillingly into the deadly “Game” still swirling around the legendary chess set—a game that will require her to risk her life and match wits with diabolical forces.”

The Eight paperback

(Paperback cover)

My Recommendation:

Follow the History-

“The Eight,” sweeps you along on a fantastic journey through history beginning with the French Revolution in France, to Catherine the Great in Russia, to Corsica, onward to the enigmatic Sahara, and finally ending in the United States in the late 1970’s. History is a predominant theme which lends credibility to the plot. I was intrigued by the sheer number of historical figures and events that climaxed my reading journey. I was virtually swept off my feet!

At the center of the plot is a mystical chess set once owned by Charlemagne. An ancient myth has shrouded the actual purpose of the Montglane Chess Set. It is believed that an otherworldly power and a secret so great that it could destroy civilization as we know it, is contained within the ancient relics.  Anyone who possesses the entire set will have a power that is unsurpassed in the world. The secret is kept with mystical codes and symbols. Only the stories of the ancients can reveal its true purpose.

Travel through Time-

The chronicle is woven between two different time periods, with Mireille, the novice nun, during the French Revolution and then with Catherine, a computer programmer in late 1970’s America. The detail is impeccable. For me, Mireille’s story was the most exciting and the most thought provoking. Mireille’s quest to unravel the secret of the Montglance Chess Set becomes her life mission which sets the “game” in motion for centuries to come. It is Catherine’s mission hundreds of years later to be one of the players in this transcendent chess game of life.

I knew next to nothing about the “game” of chess. What I did come to understand through my reading of “The Eight,” is the psychological aspect of the game itself. If you love chess, you will enjoy this book. Throw in the Fibonacci Code, the Free Masons, alchemy, mathematical codes, and the ancient mysteries of the universe, and I was hooked.

The novel is long. However, the reward is in discovering the true purpose of the Montglane Chess Set. The ending is spectacular and worth the wait. Catherine Neville skillfully weaves a tale filled with suspense and intrigue that will keep you up reading into the wee hours of the night to find out what happens next!

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 4
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars
Katherine Neville

About Katherine Neville:

Born in 1945, Katherine Neville has had an extraordinary life, living in almost every state in North America. Aside from her work as an international bestselling author, she has worked as an international computer executive, a painter, photographer, and a waitress. Katherine lives in Virginia, Washington and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Watch this video as Katherine Neville discusses her novel, “The Eight.” 

Please connect with Katherine Neville through Twitter @KNeville2015, and Facebook at Katherine Neville, Author. You can also find her at her author website: katherineneville.com and on YouTube.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 5.3.16

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Life, Sex, and Death – A Poetry Collection,” BY AUTHOR @TooFullToWrite

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  • Title:  Life, Sex, and Death – A Poetry Collection (Vol 1)
  • Author: David Ellis
  • File Size: 421 KB
  • Print Length: 198 pages
  • Publisher: Self-Published by author
  • Publication Date: January 30, 2016
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B01BB8XMW2
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Literature & Fiction, Poetry, Love Poems

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in return for an unbiased review which follows*

In the words of the Author:

“A collection of poetry spanning a variety of themes, with the dominant ones being Love & Romance, Inspiration and Philosophical musings.

Life, Sex & Death represents David’s first full-length collection of emotional contemporary poetry that celebrates time-honored themes and finds new and interesting ways to present them.

His work is uplifting, sensual and at times tries to connect on some base instinct level with the reader.

His style is distinctly his own yet in these pieces David evokes and echoes the playful spirit of his poetic heroes such as Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, Leonard Cohen, Cecil Day-Lewis and modern musical contemporaries such as Nick Cave, The Kills, Chris Cornell, Katy Perry and even Weird Al Yankovic (yes, really!) to name but a few all feed the elective vision and vibes of his work.

He aims for Life, Sex & Death to be a trilogy and a triumph for modern poetry, accessible to a large number of age groups and one worthy of taking pride of place on any bookshelf.

Find your favourite poem today, be it filled with seriousness or off-beat humour.”

My Recommendation:

This collection of poems is one man’s written philosophical journey through life. The book is divided into three sections – Love/Romance, Philosophical, and Inspirational. I could not help wondering if this was the way the author’s own life meandered on a path to wisdom and understanding. Each poem contained a story that seemed to capture a life moment and hold it in suspension as if waiting for us to read and share in the experience for the first time.

Life lessons abound in this collection of prose filled with poetic visions and worldly advice. One of my favorite poems was called, “Pride can be a Sword.” The words extol a virtue of forgiveness and confidence in your own life path. Most meaningful to me were these words, “…The lives touched now have purpose – face your fears…”

This is just one example of how David Ellis’ words reach out and grab you. His writing is down to earth and sometimes raw, exposing some welcome philosophical meanderings of my own.

Another favorite was called, “Modern Ragnarok.” For whatever reason this poem spoke and awakened something in the deep dark recesses of my mind. David Ellis writes:

“…Only the strongest tales survive

Built from foundations of flesh and bone

Azure oceans froth and writhe

Crashing wildly into the unknown

Bestowing a name to our pain

Ancient myths and prophecies

Retreating off this terrain

Fighting against past mistakes…”

Poetry and prose have a way of speaking to your heart and this is certainly the case with this collection. Sound and inflection are used to show a change in mood and to bring emphasis to meaning. It is the sound of the words, the alliteration, that always draws me in.

Of particular interest to me was the author’s love of acrostic poetry. This is where the first, last or other letters in a stanza spell out a particular word or phrase. David Ellis has created his own form which he lovingly calls his, “Acrostalyptica style,” which is evident in many of his works.

They say writing poetry frees your mind, and as a poet, you possess the creative ability to share your world reflections in a different light. This is what David Ellis’ style does. It leads the reader along as if telling a tale when in reality it is asking you to embrace your own experiences right along beside him.

The poetry of David Ellis is filled with empathy and compassion, wisdom and experience, all conspiring with your own emotions to bring you an insight you never had before. However, I also drew comfort, knowing David Ellis’ words shared in the joy and despair of life that we all experience. At times, I wondered if he read my mind.

I read these poems in a series of weeks, a few each night. The words are written to ponder and enjoy. Take your time and wander through life with David Ellis. I enjoyed the ride!

David Ellis

Author, David Ellis

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

 

About David Ellis:

I’ve collaborated with poets internationally and edited poetry for a variety of people who constantly praise me for helping them to improve the flow and rhythm of their pieces.

My weapon of choice is humour and I use it as often as possible, as it gets me out of trouble. Think of me like the thriller genre in that I am fast paced, relentless and impossible to put down! I reside in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in the UK.

My website http://toofulltowrite.com contains creative advice for budding novelists and writers.

Make certain to connect with David through his Twitter @TooFullToWrite and Facebook at David Ellis (Toofulltowrite)

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “TEARS IN THE SUN,” BY AUTHOR @JAOWENBY

Tears in the Sun

  • Title:  Tears in the Sun, A Short Story
  • Author: J. A. Owenby
  • File Size: 439 KB
  • Print Length: 16 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: J. A. Owenby
  • Publication Date: December 25, 2013
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B00HBZOKY4
  • Formats:  Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Drama, Teen & Young Adult, Parenting & Relationships

*The author gifted me a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review which follows*

From the Author, J. A. Owenby:

“A Short Story – Lacey, a senior in high school, has never heard of borderline personality disorder yet she lives with it every day. As she begins realizing her family isn’t as normal as she thought, she searches for help and answers. Those answers turn her world upside down, and she is left with making life changing decisions for not only herself but her mentally ill mother who she loves more than anything.”

Recommendation:

This is an entertaining short read that really takes your breath away. Mental Illness can be debilitating to a family’s structure and Lacey’s family is no exception. I won’t kid you, there are some scenes in this story that will affect you deeply.

I found the characters to be well thought out and totally realistic. I felt great empathy with Lacey as a teenager trying to cope with her mother’s religious obsessions which she forced on everyone, near and far, all symptoms of a deepening mental illness burgeoning out of control.

The one salvation for Lacey was Patsy, her mother’s lover who had bought the house with her mother years ago. Their relationship hints at a deep friendship and emotional alliance against the shame and humiliation forced upon them from the ravages of the mother’s mental illness.

All books start somewhere and J. A. Owenby shared with me that she wrote this short story in 2011. She worked with an editor from Writer’s Digest and decided to put it on Amazon a few years later. Jen said that after her short story was published she had many people reach out and ask for a full novel, so she finally wrote it.

Her novel will be released later this year and called, “The Truth She Knew.” The book will include Lacey, Mama, and Patsy from the short story, and additional characters. Jen adds that she addresses issues in the novel including mental illness, mental/physical abuse, and religious manipulation. Lacy falls in love for the first time in the novel and is able to summon all her strength to make some very difficult decisions.

As of the date of this review, Jen was not sure of a publication date for the novel. I understand it is in the hands of her editor. However, I am sure if you connect with her on her blog or social media you will be able to follow the novel’s progress.

This is one you won’t want to miss!

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars
J.A. Owenby

About J. A. Owenby:

J. A. (Jen) Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two cats.

She’s a published author of six short stories and is beginning her first full-length novel. J.A. doesn’t mess around when it comes to working with a professional team in order to present her best writing.

She also runs her own business and helps people find jobs they love as a professional resume writer.

She is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and pop tarts. Her downtime consists of a beautiful summer evening, snuggling with her hubby outside underneath the stars. If it’s winter, listening to the rain and watching NFL football.

You can follow the events of her upcoming novel on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JAOwenby, and on Twitter at J A Owenby, Author at https://twitter.com/JAOwenby. Look for J. A. Owenby on her blog at Jen’s Thoughts https://jenowenby.wordpress.com/.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “The Hunter’s Moon,” BY AUTHOR @BETHTRISSEL

The Hunters Moon

  • Title:  The Hunter’s Moon, Book One of the “Secret Warrior Series”
  • Author: Beth Trissel
  • File Size: 420 KB
  • Print Length: 133 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
  • Publication Date: December 14, 2015
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B017OCROM8
  • Formats:  Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for a candid review which follows*

Running for their Lives!

Sixteen-year-old Morgan Daniel and her younger brother Jimmy are forced into hiding as members in a witness protection program while concealing themselves from a gang called the Panteras. Witnesses to a gang-style murder, Morgan and Jimmy attempt to live under the radar with the help of their aunt.

When the Panteras hunt them down once again, Morgan and Jimmy flee while Morgan drives her decrepit vehicle into the mountains of Virginia. Following the detailed instructions their aunt has given them in the event they are forced to run once again, their escape route leads them into unknown territory.

Desperate to survive and protect Jimmy, Morgan feels an overpowering urge to pull off the road at a specific gap in the forest even though the Panteras are in hot pursuit. Morgan crashes her ancient vehicle as the Panteras give chase with assault rifles at the ready. The kids run from their burning vehicle and hide in the woods.

Morgan Meets her True Destiny

Suddenly a black wolf emerges from the trees. Soon, another wolf appears. Morgan and Jimmy hear the sounds of fighting deep in the woods. Finally, all is silent.

When a young Native American man named Jackson appears, Morgan and Jimmy are plunged into solving the mystery surrounding an ancient prophecy that Morgan finds she is bound to. Her destiny is clear. On her seventeenth birthday, Morgan is forced to come to grips with her ancient blood curse as a she-werewolf!

Recommendation:

If you love fantasy and paranormal activity this book has it all. Mysterious ghostly beings, shape-shifters, witchcraft, ancient Native American creatures, including aliens from other planets all coalesce around a story steeped in age-old American history and primeval folklore. I was in reading heaven!

I am a huge fan of stories about werewolves and this was by far one of the best written and most interesting young adult tales I have ever read. The writing was sharp and clear with descriptions that you could see and feel.

Be prepared to slip into another world as you are introduced to the Warrior Clan of the Wapicoli, a group of Native American shape-shifters who live under the control of an old warrior and mystical being called Okema. It is then that Morgan learns the Wapicoli have a special connection to wolves. I especially loved the blending of Native American lore and mythology which was liberally sprinkled throughout the novel which gave the story a distinct link to the past.

I enjoyed all of the characters and could envision Morgan grappling with the reality of her blood heritage. The little brother Jimmy is a fascinating study of a young boy. Jimmy is in many ways gifted in all the things that Morgan is not. At times, I wondered if he was taking care of his sister instead of the other way around. Morgan is the typical teenage girl who is forced to accept her destiny. I loved the banter between the siblings.

All in all, this was a page-turner I did not want to end. Beth Trissel weaves her love of history, paranormal activity, and YA fantasy into a storyline that will haunt your thoughts every full moon. From what I could tell, I found a bit of the author between these pages as she shares her knowledge of gardening and her love for animals which she skillfully wove between the pages of this book.

For Beth Trissel, The Hunter’s Moon is the first in her series of YA paranormal suspense thrillers under the subtitle of the “Secret Warrior Series.” The next in the series is called, “Curse of the Moon,” which has a publication date of May 4, 2016. The book is available for pre-order now. It’s not quick enough for me!

Curse of the Hunter's Moon

Sorry, I have to run! These pre-order copies run out fast! There’s no time to lose!

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4.5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars
Beth Tissel

Meet Beth Trissel:

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work.

The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles, YA fantasy romance, and nonfiction about gardening, herbal lore, and country life.

From the Author:

“The Secret Warrior Series was inspired by my love of history, fantasy, and fascination with the mountain people and Native Americans.  Living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by mountains veiled in mist and mystery lends itself well to creating the characters and setting for The Hunter’s Moon, and the stories that will follow as the series unfolds. Some of the characters and creatures are based on lore I’ve learned over the years. Others appeared to me, as characters have a way of doing.  A great deal of research and intuition went into writing The Hunter’s Moon. I hope you will enjoy it and the stories yet to come. Next in the series, Curse of the Moon.”

My blog is the happening place at https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/ or her author website at BethTrissel.com

You can find Beth through her Twitter @BethTrissel or on Facebook at Author Beth Trissel.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Maelstrom,” BY AUTHOR @FRANCISGUENETTE

Maelstrom

  • Title:  Maelstrom
  • Author: Frances Guenette
  • File Size: 1746 KB
  • Print Length: 469 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0994066414
  •  Publisher: Huckleberry Haven Publishing
  • Publication Date: November 2, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN:  B017JFV7EQ
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Literature, Fiction, Romance

*The author gifted me a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review which follows*

In the Author’s Words:

“A shot is fired into the still night air and a young woman dies on Suicide Ridge. A dangerous game has begun. Over the course of one blistering, hot week, winds of change sweep through an isolated valley in small town America.

Sheriff Bert Calder, with the help of Mayor Amos Thatcher, has held the town of Haddon under his thumb for twenty-five years. As things spin out of control, Calder works the angles, ensuring he can make the most of the upheaval that is to come.

Rafael Destino, facing his own mortality, races against time to gain control of the railroad – a lifeline essential to the town’s survival. His goal – to financially destroy Thatcher, the man he believes responsible for the death of his beloved sister. His tool – adopted son Myhetta. But how far down the road of revenge will Rafael push the young man who owes him everything?

Myhetta is poised on the edge of controlling Destino Enterprises, the job he has been groomed for. While money, power, and influence are his to command, the past continues to torment him.

In a clash of powerful men, with fathers pitted against sons, no one will be left unscathed. Maelstrom is a page turner that speeds along like a runaway train.”

My Recommendation:

“Maelstrom,” is a novel rich with multidimensional characters who grapple with the turbulence of power, evil, and control in the small town of Haddon, somewhere in North American. Fear controls everyone in this novel to some degree with a darkness that I found intriguing. This is one of those novels that sucks you into the whirlwind of events from page one onward! I literally could not put this book down. The characters got into my head!

Sheriff Bert Calder is the consummate study of evil and the detrimental effects of an out of control ego and an overabundance of power. His character was one of the cruelest and most demented I have read in a long while. The wickedness of the man was just mind boggling. Calder had no scruples. Rules did not bind him to family or to those of his elected office. At times, he came across to me as an omnipotent being which made for an even more exciting read. Calder is simply sinfully wicked.

In fact, all of the characters seemed to possess a multifaceted humanness which blurred the lines between good and evil. The protagonist, Myhetta fights the demons of his blood inheritance right along with the good fortune he inherited from his adopted father. Myhetta’s entire life balances between good and evil as he struggles with his past and his future. It is this deep struggle to find a balance within his own family that made me like Myhetta so much.

Myhetta’s half brother, Casey possesses a supernatural ability to feel and see what his brother experiences. A trait that ran through the Destino family once again emphasizes the strong connection to family and blood that remains as the central theme to this novel. To me, Francis Guenette is a master at depicting “family intrigue.” All the novels she has penned, that I have read, always have strong family connections portrayed by her characters.

It was no great surprise then when I learned that this story was the original creation of her mother, June Guenette. After her mother passed away in 1997, the unfinished manuscript disappeared within the confines of Francis’ family, remaining as only typewritten notes, and passages. Once rediscovered, the manuscript began a maelstrom transformation of its own with Francis reconstructing the story. I think June Guenette would have loved the resulting collaboration between mother and daughter sharing another link in the family chain.

If you are looking for a book that will take your breath away and leave you on the edge of your seat, look no further! Maelstrom will propel you into a vortex filled with hate and prejudices where the only way out is to find trust and love within your own family.

My Rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

5gold-star3
Frances Guenette

About Francis Guenette:

Francis Guenette has spent most of her life on the west coast of British Columbia. She finds inspiration for writing in the beauty and drama of a lakeshore cabin and garden on the Northern end of Vancouver Island. She shares an off-the-grid home that employs a combination of micro-hydro and solar power with her husband Bruce.

Between May and September, Billy Bob the Bear drops over to graze and eat huckleberries and salal. Now and then cougar tracks are spotted meandering across the property. Life is good in the hinterlands, but Francis warns – you have to keep your eyes open and know where you are.

Francis has a daughter and a son – both happily married and pursuing interesting careers. She also has two beautiful and wildly funny granddaughters who provide her with inspiration for writing and living.

For most of her working life, Francis has been an educator. She has worked with special needs children and youth and taught at the undergrad level at the University of Victoria. She has a graduate degree in counseling psychology and very nearly completed her Ph.D. There was that pesky matter of the doctoral dissertation, but enough said on that score! She has worked as a trauma counselor, a researcher, and a graduate student supervisor.

During her academic life Francis published (on her own and with others) several articles that were accepted to peer-reviewed journals as well as contributing to chapters in two published books.

Disappearing in Plain Sight is her first novel. She has recently published a sequel (in what she is calling the Crater Lake Series) entitled The Light Never Lies.

Visit her blog, disappearinginplainsight.com to learn all you would ever want to know about Francis and her writing life. There you can say hello, connect with her through her Twitter @FrancisGuenette, and Facebook at francisguenette/author.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “NO MORE MULBERRIES,” BY AUTHOR @MARYSMITHWRITER

No More Mulberries

  • Title:  No More Mulberries
  • Author: Mary Smith
  • File Size: 735 KB
  • Print Length: 262 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: King Street Press; 2 edition
  • Publication Date: October 1, 2011
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B005RRDZ12
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Romance, World Literature

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

It all begins in Scotland –

While in college studying midwifery in her native Scotland, Margaret meets the dashing and mysterious Jawad, an Afghan engineering student. There is an immediate connection between the two and Margaret follows her heart falling head over heels in love with Jawad. They visit Afghanistan together and Margaret fearing she will lose Jawad to his homeland, proposes to him knowing the cultural roadblocks that lay ahead for the two of them. Jawad’s parents do not approve of the marriage. They finally agree that if the two can be separated for one year and still feel the same about each other they will give their permission for the couple to marry.

Meanwhile, back in Scotland, Margaret changes her name to Miriam and converts to Islam. For Miriam, this is a decision that immerses her into the Muslim culture of her future husband. After a year, Miriam and Jawad are reunited and married. Eventually, Jawad and Miriam have a son together named, Farid. Life is challenging for Miriam as she struggles to learn the language and customs of her new homeland but her love for Jawad is unwavering.

And ends far from home…

When Miriam’s father becomes ill, she takes Farid and heads back to Scotland so her father can meet his grandson. Upon her return, traveling through Pakistan on her way back to Afghanistan, Jawad’s brother informs her that Jawad has been killed. Miriam knows none of the details of Jawad’s death. All she knows is that the love of her life and her son’s father is gone. Broken by the news, Miriam knows she can’t go back to the home that Jawad and she shared as a single woman with a child. Cultural norms won’t allow it.

It is during this time in Pakistan that Miriam meets Iqbal, a doctor who is in need of a wife in order to go back to his home in Afghanistan. Culturally, it is imperative that men of Iqbal’s age be married, especially since he is a doctor/paramedic. The two enter into an arranged marriage of sorts, although they share a deep love for Afghanistan and its people. Miriam longs to stay in Afghanistan to raise Farid in his native land and marrying Iqbal seems to be the logical way to stay in the county.

What transpires is a love story steeped in the cultural differences of strict Islamic traditions, customs, and beliefs which lead Miriam and Iqbal on a mission of self-discovery to find themselves and their own true love and happiness.

Recommendation:

I was excited to read this book because I have a close friend serving overseas in Afghanistan. Culturally, I knew nothing of the country or the traditions. I only had a fundamental knowledge of Islam so I knew this was going to be a book like no other I had ever read. My assumptions were correct and I was immediately immersed into Miriam’s world. I cried with her, laughed with her, and at times tasted the grit of blowing sand feeling as if I was walking in her footsteps.

As I began reading this novel, I realized that I had to set aside my own belief system and embrace those of the people of Afghanistan. Many of the characters struggled with this same dilemma. When Miriam attended a school to brush up on medical training she met a female German doctor who was amazed at the way the Afghani women were treated by their husbands and even their own families. It was a hard lesson to learn that some things are so deeply rooted in tradition they cannot be changed. After traveling the world a bit myself; I realized that we all have cultural differences so it was not a stretch for me to embrace the people of Afghanistan.

This novel is written from the unique perspective of the author, Mary Smith, using her own observations and experiences while living and working in Afghanistan in the 1990’s. The sights and sounds of the bazaars came alive for me through powerful descriptions that made me feel like I was right there bartering for goods beside Miriam.  I longed to try some of the foods and would have loved to have experienced the rich tea that was served several times a day.

The book is written from the perspective of Miriam and then of Iqbal in alternating chapters. I believe this gives the reader a chance to delve into the personalities of the pair as separate people who are also a couple. It is a deep character study of the choices people make in life and the consequences of their choices. I found that I could relate to Miriam’s and Iqbal’s experiences in many ways in my own life.

For those of you who follow my reviews, you know how emotionally vested I get in characters who come across as real individuals. These characters leaped from the pages of the book into my heart. Remember, deep down this is the story of renewal and of finding true love, which just goes to show you that true love has no cultural boundaries.

Mary Smith

Author, Mary Smith

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4.5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

 

About Mary Smith:

Mary Smith has always loved writing. As a child, she wrote stories in homemade books made from wallpaper trimmings – but she never thought people could grow up and become real writers. She spent a year working in a bank, which she hated – all numbers, very few words – ten years with Oxfam in the UK, followed by ten years working in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She longed to allow others to share her amazing, life-changing experiences so she wrote about them – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and journalism. And she discovered the little girl who wrote stories had become a real writer after all. Drunk Chickens and Burnt Macaroni: Real Stories of Afghan Women is an account of her time in Afghanistan and her debut novel No More Mulberries is also set in Afghanistan.

Mary lives in beautiful southwest Scotland and is currently working, with award-winning photographer Phil McMenemy, on an illustrated book on the town of Dumfries.

Make certain to connect with Mary through her Twitter @marysmithwriter and Facebook at Mary Smith. You can find her on her blogs too, at http://novelpointsofview.blogspot.co.uk and http://marysmith57.wordpress.com/2014/07.
Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Goddess,” BY AUTHOR @KELLEEMORRIS

Goddess

  • Title:  Goddess
  • Author: Kelee Morris
  • File Size: 3808 KB
  • Print Length: 232 Pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: Kelee Morris
  •  Publication Date: November 1, 2015
  • Sold by  Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B015JVAF54
  • ISBN-10:
  • ISBN-13:
  • Formats: Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Erotica, Literature and Fiction

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review which follows*

Wife, Mother, PTA President…

Julia Nelson is your typical wife, mother, and President of the PTA at her children’s school. Years ago, in a rebellious stage during her late teenage years, she got a tattoo on her ankle inspired by a dream that stoked the fires of her imagination with a passion that was yet to be realized.

Many years later, a chance encounter with one of Dr. Ashland Stewart’s archeology team members at a PTA meeting gives new meaning to Julia’s faded tattoo. She discovers the tattoo she was sure she had designed from her dreams is, in fact, a sacred emblem of an ancient goddess culture.

Goddess?

When Julia meets the renowned archeologist, Dr. Ashland Stewart their attraction is immediate and sexually charged. Dr. Stewart is convinced that Julia’s tattoo and the ancient symbol he discovered in Magoa are part of an ancient culture that thrived during the Three Kingdoms period. Magoa was a matriarchy and its leader was considered a goddess. Somehow, it appears that Julia and the goddess are linked through her sensual dreams of a time long ago.

Julia feels the mysterious pull of this ancient goddess and embarks on a sexual awakening with Dr. Steward as he frees her inner goddess. Julia has everything to lose as she undertakes this quest to come to grips with the deity she is linked to. Will she give up her family and comfortable life to embrace her new found love with Dr. Stewart?

Recommendation:

I must say that I really enjoyed this story! Kelee Morris created a woman who was at the crossroads of her life with the character of Judith Nelson.

This was the kind of story that most women can relate to. Judith is in her early 40’s and suddenly realizes she has given up most of her adult life to a husband that travels for work and who has become emotionally distant. The rest of her time is spent raising her three daughters who are at various stages in their own lives. There has been little time to nurture or expand “Judith the woman,” sexually or intellectually.

Dr. Stewart offers Judith the chance to translate the writings of a priest that once visited the Magoan settlement. It is the goddess symbol that signifies a sexual enlightenment to Judith represented by the tattoo she possesses. It is the mystical link to Judith and this actual goddess that moves the story along bringing you to the fork in her life journey where real life intrudes upon her desires and responsibilities.

In erotic literature the true test for me is if you remove the sexual content, is there still a story? I can say for a fact that in this book what remains is an excellent story line.

Judith is really the study of a woman awakening her inner goddess and embracing her own sexuality. The theme of marital infidelity is essential to the plot and becomes the trigger that causes emotional growth.

The book ends with a cliffhanger of epic proportions! I understand that this is Kelee Morris’ debut novel and she is writing the sequel. I hope so. This was a well thought out novel heavy in character development. I can’t wait to find out what happens next to Judith and her quest to find her true inner goddess.

Kelee Morris

Author, Kelee Morris

Character Believability: 4.5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars
About Kelee Morris:

Growing up restless and bored in Terre Haute, Indiana, Kelee Morris first discovered romance when she was swept away by Thomas Hardy’s “Far From A Madding Crowd.” After earning degrees in Comparative Literature and Film, Morris pursued screenwriter, winning numerous awards and coming tantalizingly close to catching Hollywood’s brass ring.

Tired of high-concept plots and rigid, three-act structure, Morris awoke one morning with Julia Nelson’s duel life of the suburban mother and illicit lover fully formed in her mind. Her first novel “Goddess” is the result.

Morris now lives in Chicago, where she is rarely bored thanks to her family and too many pets to count.

~*~

You can find Kelee Morris on Twitter @KeleeMorris and on Facebook at Kelee Morris romance author, and on her Author Blog, KeleeMorris.wordpress.com

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

#BOOK REVIEW BY @COLLEENCHESEBRO OF “Silent Cats – Deadly Dance,” BY AUTHOR @THESILENTCATS

Silent Cats Deadly Dance

  • Title:  Silent Cats – Deadly Dance
  • Author: J. D. Wallace
  • File Size: 1143 KB
  • Print Length: 501 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  •  Publisher: Short on Time Books
  • Publication Date: October 19, 2015
  • Sold by Amazon Digital Services LLC
  •  Language: English
  • ASIN: B0153POH9Q
  • ISBN-10:
  • ISBN-13:
  • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
  • Goodreads
  • Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Spies, Politics, Romance

*The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which follows.*

From the Future…

Enjoying the day in Tel Aviv, Kat, a known Mossad assassin, and her two young daughters are brutally killed by a car bomb placed there by an unknown assassin. Kat’s husband, Pantera, identifies the bodies of his wife and daughters. Vowing revenge on the killers, Pantera takes you on a journey back in time to when he first met Kat in 1989. Hang on to your hat! It’s about to get good!

…And Into the Past

This story tells the tale of a tragic romance between Kat and Pantera that is filled with necessary lies wrapped in half-truths and subterfuge. At the first meeting, Pantera and Kat do not know the shadowy truth of each other’s employers. Kat pretends to be a model while Pantera’s cover is that of a medic in the Special UN Forces. Nothing could be further from the truth.

JD. Wallace, the author says,

“Deadly Dance is based on the life of the youngest Kidon Katsa agent in the history of Mossad and her husband, the fabled Chief Black Site Interrogator, who worked under such special access programs as the Operation Copper Green (created under Donald Rumsfeld), the United Nations Security Council – Special Operations Group (UN-SOG), and Task Forces 88 and 121.”

Recommendation:

This is the perfect book for men and women! It offers a deep relationship type romance for the ladies and enough mystery and suspense to satisfy the men in your life. I was hooked from the first chapter! It was a longer read than my usual fare which I am glad to say transported me into a world of which I had no true knowledge of. Talk about exciting! Wait until you read it!

The characters are written with such a depth of understanding and knowledge that you simply realize the author had to be involved in military special forces himself or served with one of our own spy agencies. This background knowledge propels the story along taking the reader on a rollercoaster of events, romantic interludes, torture, combat, and death. Some of these scenes will boggle your mind. Some will make you question your own core beliefs.

It is worth mentioning that there are sexual and violent scenes. In other words, this is not a book for children or teenagers.

I really loved the idea that neither character really knew what the other was doing as their true profession but accepted their love for each for what it was – a gift. Rarely, do you read about the lives of those serving in the capacity of assassins or interrogators where they seem like real human beings with wants and needs just like everyone else. The fact that this story is based on real-life events and people heightened my enjoyment even more.

However, Kat is a genius, the product of a genetic program in Israel while Pantera is a sociopath who says he cannot feel empathy for his fellow man. His flaws make him a skillful interrogator. It was striking then that he held such a deep love for Kat and their children. I liked the fact that he wasn’t perfect, it made him seem more lifelike and real.

J. D. Wallace employs a unique storytelling technique in this tale. He takes the time for the characters to speak to one another but allows them to share their feelings and emotional reactions to the other character’s words. The reader gets to see and feel first hand with the characters.

For a debut novel, I would say J. D. Wallace has the makings for an excellent series. If you are looking for excitement on a dull evening at home, step into the world of Kat and Pantera. I know I can hardly wait to find out what happens next since this first book seems to be in large part dedicated to Kat and her life with Pantera. From what I now know of Pantera, his revenge should know no bounds!

My rating:

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars

 

 

j. d. wallace

Author, J. D. Wallace

About J. D. Wallace:

After spending the first ten years of his career with a US-based intelligence agency, Mr. Wallace went on to work for foreign intelligence agencies, law firms, political figures, royals, sovereigns and private corporations for the next twenty years.

He is considered one of the top corporate infiltrators in the world.

Between various spy contracts, JD became a student of Robert McKee (Story) and has spent nearly a decade working as a subject matter expert (SME) and technical advisor (TA) for several large movie and TV production companies (several Oscar and Emmy winners). He has also had the pleasure of functioning as a Script Reader, Script Synopsis Writer (aka, Coverage) and Consulting Writer under a number of aliases.

Mr. Wallace holds bachelor’s degrees in Mammalian Physiology and Environmental Chemistry, a master’s degree in Physiology/Biochemical Nutrition and an MBA in Finance. Currently, the widower and his Welsh Border Collie, Kelly, split time between San Diego, California,  and Montreux, Switzerland.

SILENT CATS: Deadly Dance is his first novel of a possible six book series. Book two is currently under construction. Stay tuned.

Make certain to connect with J. D. Wallace through Twitter @thesilentcats, and Facebook at The Silent Cats. Find him on his blog at silentcats.com.

Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of silverthreading.com

Colleen 1122016

Analysis of a Book Reviewer

Did you ever wonder what it was like to write about other people’s writing? That is the job of a book reviewer. I always wanted to be a freelance writer, and for me reviewing books is a perfect example of what a freelance writer does. I write book reviews as a public service to readers and authors alike, sharing my opinions of what I read.

Book reviewers are a valuable asset to all writers. I believe all serious writers should write reviews on other author’s books. The lessons learned are invaluable and will benefit your own writing. This process works for me. I see a marked improvement in my own writing skills since I began reading and sharing other writer’s work.

I follow a format designed to bring out the best aspects of any author’s work. The idea is to express my thoughts about a book in as honest a way, as possible. This is not as easy as you think. I want to be fair to the author and the reader. Sometimes book reviewing is a real balancing act of words and emotions. Bottom line, I always follow my gut, and say what I think. The author needs to know how their writing affects readers. I accept that task.

There are certain things I look for in the review process when I first begin reading a book. First impressions are always something I take seriously. Typo’s, or misspelled words, sentences missing words, are the kinds of things that detract from a book’s meaning, which all cause confusion to the reader. I believe the more mistakes a reader spots, the less confidence a reader has in your ability as a writer.

How a book makes me feel is another aspect that is an integral part of the reading/reviewing experience. I like to employ the Ethos, Logos, and Pathos rules to my reviewing. Is the story believable? Do the series of events make sense to the reader? Can I understand the terminology the author uses? Does the story flow?

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(Image credit: TeachersPayTeachers offers this poster as a free-download)

So what is a good book? To me, a good book allows me to see a series of events and descriptions through the author’s eyes. Good books are those where I can feel the internal conflicts of the characters, which gives me an emotional connection. If you form that bond with me as a reader, I have a favorable memory of the story. I will remember the way you made me feel with your words.

One thing, I believe a book reviewer should never do is to impose their own personal belief system on an author. If you are reading a book that upsets your take on the world that much, keep your thoughts to yourself. Send an apology email to the author explaining why you have decided not to review their book. Do not destroy the author’s hard work because you do not hold the same values.

I prefer to be open minded to the possibilities of literature. I like the journey and the review process is part of it. Book reviewing can be one of the most daunting tasks you will ever undertake if you let it. Instead, I find it to be one of the most fulfilling writing tasks I have ever experienced because it lets me share in the joy of writing and reading.

Indie Authors depend on us to share their work. Read a book, and write a review! It’s the best way to thank an author for their hard work.

Colleen 12.22.15

 

 

 

 

 

@ColleenChesebro

www.SilverThreading.com