Book Review: "Running Against The Devil" By Rick Wilson

"Get to work on issues that matter" this was the slogan at the end of a television ad against Matt Cartwright Congressman of the 8th Congressional District here in Luzerne County by the Republicans.. 

We can start right here! 

The district, was numbered 17th district from 2013-2019 and contains a huge chunk of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Or this next line found in 'Running Against the Devil'...

"They were politicians; he was a performer. They were driven by policy; he was driven by celebrity. They came with jokes written by speech writers; he came to mercilessly destroy them."

“The Party of Lincoln is now the Party of Trump, a weak, cowardly, amoral, and faithless husk of a once-great party of ideas and leadership. They’ll follow him into a political graveyard, red hats, tawdry nationalism, dumb policies, cruel tweets, and all. Their cult-like obedience to him has consumed their honor, and their souls.” —

These quotes in and of itself should not be a shocker having witnessed the obvious play out! This is our new norm and it has to be held accountable.

"If you cut the hog, you better finish the job."

Folks, if we want answers we have to change our ways and not be half - ass in our thought process.

We cannot win in blue waves if we keep professing policy and putting people to sleep on our campaign trails.

Those on the front lines, those working for peanuts, those families in need of support and living wages, those struggling daily need answers and they need them now.
This is what DT has addressed and spoken too and his voice sparked embers that ignited across the land.

He knows how to sell himself. He knows how to entice voters to listen. He knows how to work the crowd and energize his base of supporters.

I've attended his campaigns here in Luzerne County PA - the state that pulled him through in his election- and I can tell you he was electric.

He came across as genuine, likeable, and credible and well groomed. He was the answer to many who needed solutions not policies.

Democrats have got to wake up and fight fire with fire and stop lying low.

Here in Wilkes Barre/Scranton Area ( NEPA) I've not seen any Democrat adds to call Republicans and tell them to vote him out like a did on the opposite side of the fence in stopping the support of impeachment.

I've not seen the OFFENSE period!

You cannot win anything if you don't excite your own base. My word the Democrats seem sluggish and unworthy of accomplishing anything at this point.

Dems have to be strong. Go deep. Fight hard. Use all resources and media outlets.

I divorced a malignant narcissist and I'll tell you his record spoke volumes.

There's a plethora of material there use it!!
What has he done for you lately should be central to the advancements.

Don't sell policy sell reality.

You can't make the crap up that DT has placed right in front of you. He's practically mocking you to use it.

Be like Obama- firebrand, technocrat, cool to a degree, and hell talk the talk folks and be like a TED X superstar!
Don't normalize the abnormal -showcase it!

Don't just seek women voters- in Bucks County you must be canvassing the joint and surrounding suburbs.

Advertisements? Where the hell are they? Sure it's expensive but if you want to win -get the donors moving.
Political rhetoric-sure-SELL, SELL< SELL!
ERODE THE BASE!

Use his appearance against him. Hell watch an episode of Stephen Colbert for crying out loud.

Get creative.

Speak to Americans using American appeal.

Address the trade war and the need to support the farmers left behind.

Address socialism and the need to not win or lose but be there for all Americans to help them grow and prosper their own businesses.

Address the need for highly qualified appointed judges.
If you continue to be weak and hide in silence he'll take the lead.

Don't let Nancy and others try to make this a Dem or Rep event but rather you got to hit 'em twice as hard.

We need grit and we need someone with determination, with ambition, with ideas and not just policy movements.

Good grief...LETS GO!

Book Review: A Very Stable Genius By Philip Rucker

Is there a method to the madness> Is there a calm before the storm>Will we ever survive?

Well, folks if you're living under a rock you may not have noticed the current state of constant chaos, fear, intimidation, bullying, intimidation, manipulation, and corruption using non stop threats and legal ramifications.
I really don't like repeating ad nauseum but based on the Goldwater Rule many professionals psychologist and therapist cannot diagnose from afar so safe to say I'll go with what I know from first hand 'general' terms in having divorced one.

I read some of the reviews and I noticed this commentary and I quote, " a man out of his depth, ignorance, bully, 'chews out staffers,' There is very little of Melania in the book and only a few mentions of his children."

Folks, hello! These are your warning signs.

Look, we've all probably been duped at one point and it's not easy to admit we've been conned.

Professional con artists, Don Juans, and chameleons are able to sell themselves and are easily able to adapt to changing environments.

The reason you see very little interaction or unconditional love or connections w family and or friends is because they truly are isolated and alone in their frequent outbursts, anger, rage, and mood swings.

Narcissists; like my own malignant variety, are not fond of romance, swooning, or even responsibility.

They will ride the coat tails of others, appear for the credit and attention, seek benefits, and will work for loyalty and leadership.

They are in essence dictators who will stop at nothing to see the enemy destroyed and that enemy is anyone who questions their actions, who examines and fact checks their replies, who seeks normality in their abnormal lives.
The fact that most survivors live on eggshells, exhausted, and ill shouldn't surprise anyone.

It's pure and utter madness much like the hamster on the wheel as it's a constant flow of hatred and bigotry.

The grandiose ego and the need for the spotlight can take many forms including publicity stunts, negative attention through media, or even a simple reaction from a competitor.
This fuels that ego, that superiority, that god like quality that they truly feel they are above the law and in full control holding all the power.

The ONE is someone who believes they can do no wrong.
Lies, fallacies, legal and false accusations, witness intimidation, jury tampering, blackmail, threats, manipulation, brain washing, gaslighting, love bombing, triangulation, mirroring, projection, word salad....it's all in there.

Or let DT describe it in his own words," I'm a total act and I don't understand why people don't get it."

No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant- Thank you Sen. John McCain!

"Trump the Grump"

"There's a new ethos. This is a presidency of one. It's Trump unleashed, unchained, unhinged."

What he sells the public is the need to please. He understands the economy is in shambles so he promises to fix it.

He knows people are suffering so he offers tax breaks for the wealthy one percent.

He knows farmers need help so he cuts a trade deal that hurts them even more...

I think you get the point - whatever you want he will mirror and repeat back to you. This is called selling himself and my own malignant narc told me it's all you have to do is be able to sell yourself.

The empty promises, the broken dreams, the legal ramifications, the bankruptcies, the trail of destruction both personally and professionally should speak volumes.
However, many live their lives in a bubble. People inherently want to believe in the goodness of others.
They want to believe he's credible and believable. They want to believe he's a leader not an authoritarian figure.
They want to hope and pray for our country and the sake of our allies.

Yet, just open one if not two eyes and see the writing on the wall.

I know survivors who've spent years in a state of fog. The iceberg is only just the tip of what they allow you to see (so much more lies hidden below.)

It's not that others want to see him fail -it's that others have lived it - have felt the wrath- have survived the rage!
We are the ones they fear because we know the truth and have exposed the lies!

Staying silent, remaining isolated, being closed off and withdrawn through smear campaigns is the only agenda to keeping the enemy down.

You cannot fight fire with fire.

Often, I tell the survivors the best is to walk away but here we cannot as he holds the highest office in the land.
Clearly, "The White House is broken."

The high turnovers, the lack of transparency, the remedial education and intellect, the lack of supervision and the lack of after thought should scare anyone who knows this person can bring our country to war and has the secret codes to our national security and safety.

The lack of filled positions, the lack of skilled labor force in his cabinet and beyond, the lack of an open dialogue and a give and take reciprocated process should worry us all.

Having been left bankrupt and homeless by a toxic individual who also worked a block from the W.H. in the OBP division - I know the end result and I know how dangerous these men in suits and ties can become.

Monsters come in all shapes and sizes and do not have horns!

This is the new norm of fake news, or division, of sowing doubt in the minds of voters.

Don't hate ! Educate! Learn the warning signs of NPD
(Narcissistic Personality Trait Disorders) Know the truth! Keep protective boundaries and find supportive groups.
For those in this constant state of depression seek help and do not feed the narcs.

Family is viewed as nothing more than a source of supply. They are unknowingly portraying the narc in a certain acceptable light. Yet, behind closed doors the mask does fall.

These malignant narcs operate from a false sense of self so nothing they say can be taken literally or figuratively as it holds zero value.

Please vote them out and save our nation, our environment, our citizens, our allies who have mocked us for allowing this insanity to continue w/o ramifications or reprimands.
Nobody is above the law. Not even one that holds the highest office in the land.

See something say something. Our nation is under attack from within and we must not continue to wish it away or hope for a new norm to arrive.

We can't live in a fact check world. We can't live on edge. We can't become the breeding ground of hostilities against one another.

We cannot make excuses for behavior that is obviously blatant.

We can't find answers as to the why it's happening but we must find answers as to how to hold it accountable and responsible to those they were sworn in upon the bible to serve.

God bless the USA!

Book Review: Robinson's Dream by Mark Lages

"Doesn't every author write about life?"

Shouldn't you simply do what you think is right?

After all what's tough love or even love in general?

What's a life worth living mean to you?

What's unconditional love to you especially if you're a parent?

Can you have responsibility and accountability and can you allow room in your heart for errors?

Would you be authentic if you knew nobody was watching?

How do you address human error? Do you falter? Do you dust off and go again? Do you wallow in pity and stay in depressive states?

The mind is an amazing part of the human body ...

The soul is a beautiful ongoing part of one's body...

Perfectly and undeniably flawed!

We live in a world in which there's so much pressure and stress to not only perform but to be successful.

Whether we are discussing life in general or educational and or professional goals that need to succeed is relevant.

Sometimes we need to separate ourselves for a second and just learn to live, be in the moment, feel the emotions, allow ourselves to be inherently flawed, and see the good in others.

In this newest work by Mark Lages we uncover all that's good in the world but yet the rough outer edges that make us question everything we've known and loved both in the past and in the present.

What if you're on your death bed and you began to dream....

What would your dreams entail?

Would they be like Robinson a married father, husband, son who had always wondered if his writing was good enough. Was he a good enough father and husband?

What about his past relationships? Would you alter your course if you could change the past?

What about historical moments- would you find fault with those who put you in harms way?

Would you seek peace for all of humanity and the world at large?

Many who returned from war will never be the same. What they encountered, the PTSD and trauma will live on long after the trauma has suspended, the nightly terrors reign supreme in their dreams.

Speaking of dreams this is the point of the entire story.

You can truly learn a lot about oneself from simply a dream.

Count your blessings!

"There are many people who despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach."

Are you one of them?

Is your worth tied to the labels attached to you?

Would you work if you were paid less>Do you love your job?

As they say, "The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend."
No truer words ever spoken right there!!!

Do you live your life aiming to please others-Are you a people pleaser by nature?

Do you questions God's existence? Do you wonder about heaven and hell?
Do you believe in the other world upon your death?

What will be your lasting legacy?

Are you content with what you've achieved to date?

Could Robinson -our main character- be exhausted and overwhelmed and in delusion over the state of his parental skills? Is his son Robert just a mere 'THIEF' after stealing coins from his boss, or is he still a good son with son slight personal issues>shall we ask SATAN for the answer?

Wow!!!

After all it's but a dream...REMEMBER as you read on....

Please don't get yourself flustered over the references as it's but only a dream.
For example, The bad things in life make us appreciate the good>TRUE?!
Love and Hate
War and Peace
Poverty and Wealth
Famine and Feast

You get the idea...

So, it brings us to this: What makes a man unique?

Surely, without the experience of pain comfort means nothing...Correct!
Lets face facts, our time here on Earth is limited.

So, why not live in the moment?

Perhaps you disagree; but Famous Clowns are all around us...
Now here's the danger zone: George Bush, Bill Clinton, DT, Dr. Phil McGraw (perhaps you missed the pics of his home)...
No, really this has quite a few heavy topics so be on guard: rape, c-sections, death, heaven/her, Satan, political references, infidelity, etc...but keep in mind it's a dream. Robinson's dream.

"It's one thing to dream up a story and another thing to sit at your desk and write it."

But, still the question is asked," Why do you write?"

Are you not merely a peddler of fiction, a story teller, or are you providing insight into the truth?

I suppose in the end everyone has the cup of tea and the variety they have chosen to accept...

I for one love everything this author has written and enjoy the inspiration, the empathy, the compassion, the soul.

As an empath all my life with some high energy -I'm often misunderstood- and as a scapegoat I've been often excluded.

The inclusion, the awareness, the insightful dialogue is absolutely welcomed!
I do hope you enjoy this as much as I did as the creative juices are what's worth more then the gold coins...

The writing...in the end it's about helping one another.
The diversity should be felt not excluded.

The love should be freely given but compromised by hate.
The emotions should be expressed not kept hidden.

Ride on my friends...Ride on!

Thank you to Mark for this fab copy!

Book Review: "King Clown" by Mark Lages

One of the greatest joys is to not worry, not stress, not be concerned about what anyone else thinks of you but to stay in your lane and do your own thing.

Be authentically you and don't apologize for it.
Can you think of how many King Clowns we've all come across in our daily lives as we hustle and bustle to make a life?

In fact, as I was reading this, I received a tweet from a young man who asked about whether or not I liked this book as I had noted I was 200 pages finished.

I mentioned to this new follower that I loved all Mark's books because of his raw honesty, empathy, compassion, and the human element of dignity and respect.

This person noted how his other book Arcadia; which dealt with heavy topics like suicide and depression, had triggered him so he paused in reading. So, I asked he revisit it when he was ready because it did end on a good note and I believe he would find it helpful.

As I looked back I noticed another reviewer only gave Arcadia 2 stars while many if not all awarded 5 star reviews. Upon reading this one reviewer notes - she noted how she couldn't get into this author's sense of humor and or passing judgement which I must've missed.
I read the same book and loved it. In fact the reason many don't like me is for the same reason they dislike this author-raw honesty.

You see that's the exact point this author is making. We need to calm down. We need to stop being so hysterical and anxiety stricken. We need to take things with a grain a salt and know that the sun will again rise and set. We need to breathe and let life and the chips fall where they may fall.

Why are we all so darn uptight? It's like people forgot how to not take everything so critically and they cannot wrap their minds around the pleasure of simply reading.
So many of us live our lives attached to the tv for our worth. So many view politics as life and death. So many of us take everything literally and want to rush to judgement even those that accuse others of the exact same.

This is the point the author is making- slow it down. Enjoy and love life. Stop the political right and left and find one politician that simply makes one smile and laugh.
Return to basics and stop the hate.

We live in a world where everyone has an opinion. A world in which we lost contact with our fellow man. We forgot how to communicate without being loud, rude, and crude.

What happened to that simpler more dignified way of life>the life in which you weren't competing to be the richest, the best, the most productive, the most energetic, the most accomplished?

Why must we be so competitive?

Why can't we just learn to live?

For those who still don't get this author's talent please read all his work before passing judgement on one book and I think you'll get the point.

What I love about this author is not only his work which is well written but his style and his back to basics approach in life.

This book in particular was so family oriented, career oriented, and added the element of hindsight in living and not just surviving.

I believe we owe it to ourselves to live our best life. Not rest on our laurels. To be self sufficient without entitlements. To be real and deeply inspired by the world around us and not so brainwashed by the media's objective to sway opinions and make profits in a profit making business.

We need to just STOP....and engage, react, and interact and do so in a way that makes us all smile.

Book Review: In The Lion's Den By Barbara Taylor Bradford

When even the most prestigious and charmed life can be riddled with imperfections and flaws!

James Falconer is probably the envy of most men. He seems to get any women he wants. The women become romantically involved. They assist in raising his kids and create new family dynamics.

However, that balance of work/career and family/relationships is equally addictive and enticing.

With one comes another you shall say but in this case he was never informed of the ramifications of the initial results.

The characters in this were so dynamic, illustrative, and powerful; each in their own rights.

By rights I mean inheritances, career fulfillment, and leadership skills.

Take the bull by the horn is a common phrase I often encountered growing up and James is a Falconer through and through who goes above and beyond to show he's not afraid to be strict and stern in sailing his own ship.

Can James be the master he's always desired to be in directing his own fate?

Will he be happy and content in love and life?

Can he truly have it all as a Falconer?

This is the second in the series of the House of Falconer and it is SUPERB!

I cannot imagine when one enter's the lion's den they must be strong, courageous, and face any obstacle without fear and without limitations.

James has faced many obstacles with the fire at his shop but he's always found success by moving up to become head of the most prestigious shipping company run by the Malvern's in all of London.

The setting brings us to the early to late 1890's with all the craftsmanship and tenacity one could afford to include in this novel.

The ability to transport a reader in losing all track of time is something I admire in writers and BTB has this quality and more.

What a beautiful combo of history, romance, and fiction all tied together in one gorgeous series.

I can't wait for the third in the series to arrive and can only hope I'm able to secure an ARC when it does because it's such an adventure!

Thank you to Barbara, the publisher, and Goodreads for this exclusive giveaway ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Concussion Rescue" By Dr. Karbran Chapek

Informative! Enlightening! Hopeful!

For those of us who have suffered brain injuries, blood disorders, genetic complications, sporting injuries and the like; we know the value of such a book with regards to TBI and concussion.

As someone who councils others with PTSD and personality trait disorders I found this book fascinating and very insightful.

The author brings to light many common factors and ailments that can be a cause for headaches, dizziness, lightheadness, and more.

Anything from hormone imbalance, to diet, to lack of vitamins in general can all be common causes to current issues involving the brain.

As we age many concerns arise over taking sleeping pills, over dementia concerns, alzheimers and the various cognitive memory impairments.

It's reassuring to know that this doctor at least understands however those of us like self on medicaid know the money is the power.

In that I mean that doctors time is money. Many are quick to rush to judgements and give inadequate diagnosis without a full scale evaluation including past history, family history, medical history.

Many aren't even aware that they had a brain injury (even if the slightest) and only learn of such upon an MRI or CAT scan.

It's amazing how the money can recover from a simple shift in healing, meditation, diet, increased sleep, additional vitamins, more sunlight (D) and more.

A powerful book full of fab resources and research.

Thank you to Kabran Chapek, the pub, the goodreads giveaway for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Sealed" By Naomi Booth

“I’ve been watching him for any signs that he’s still upset. I know he was scared by what he saw in town, I saw it in his face. But as he tidied up the living-room, set out the camping chairs, opened another beer, there was no sign of any fear left. He started whistling and put some music on. It’s gone: the anxiety has passed through him quick as clouds across a blue, wind-blown sky.”

Can you imagine having zero voice in terms of your rights to your own body, your own environment, and your own reality? What if the government sent you off to displacement camps for speaking out?

Well, this seems to play off of the current state of affairs; as women we don't have to look far to imagine this new dystopian format.

While this plays like a far off novel in the time of Armageddon it's actually occurring all around the world.

The Australian language and slang may be offsetting to the locals in this one.
However, the overall social commentary by the author seemed to jive with the prose and flowed freely throughout the book.

For me, the toxic smoke, the ecological hazards, the raging forest fires, and the skin disease was just a part of the future which isn't really futuristic but reality.
The idea that you can run to a safer location like Australia when in fact Australia recently suffered these horrendous wildfires is not the future but reality.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/australia-wildfires-contribute-big-rise-013000908.html

As humans inhabiting the planet we must all do our part and stop passing the buck.

Hopefully, the more one educates the more answers and solutions may be sought and performed to change the course for our future children.

We cannot continue on this path of destruction as the new ones such as for Alice and Pete need our love, our safety, our protection.

What is our lasting legacy>Is it a dirty filthy planet?

I guess it's food for thought since nothing is being done to rectify the current state of affairs.

Global warming to climate change and everything in between with air pollutants to toxins in our water supply and beyond...we must find alternatives and solutions today.

I hope this might be used as a plea for more work to be done and more concern about the unborn and the future for our children.

Book Review: The Missing Season

Impending doom! Madman named 'The Mumbler'! Mysterious deaths of kids during Halloween!

Holy smokes! Can this small New England town get any worse?
Well, yesSSSSS!

It turns out that Clara and her family move quite often for her father's construction jobs. However, what she never expected was to make friends with Bree and Sage.

The fact that they want to spend time with one another is comforting until you learn about the marsh lands, the kids deaths, the mysterious man in the woods, and all the stories surrounding it all.

It's scary out there.

"Fear him"

"He's watching you"

No really, HE IS!

Can this legend be true?

What's up with this Kinkaid dude who swoops into these girls hearts and wins them over?
Perhaps his situation might be helped with the other relationships but will these relationships grow?

Can anything good come out of any of this?

For me while the imagination went wild with darkness around every corner; the wording seemed disjointed and off setting for me.

The conclusion left me wondering that perhaps some closure was awarded to one gender but not the other.

All in all not a bad read.

Hope you enjoy...

Book Review: "The Phantom Prince" By Elizabeth Kendall

Survivors must break their silence and speak out!

So, first and foremost, thank you for speaking out not only openly but honestly and for speaking truths.

Many may question but many have not lived in your shoes.

I know this heartbreak well perhaps not to the same level in terms of a serial killer but in terms of the cycle of abuse, the denial, the gaslighting, the lovebombing, the need to please.

Women are often seen as 'empaths' who are 'nurturing' by nature.

They want to be the 'fixers' in relationships and often even with the warning signs in place we ignore them in hopes for a brighter future.

Yet, we must understand that 'gut instinct' is our 'alert' system. That's our inner workings telling us something is off and not normal.

Liz noted," I wasn't about to give him up over this."
I think this comment alone spoke volumes of the quick consummation and need to be right and be heard and not feel dooped by love.

Hindsight is twenty twenty yet sometimes it's hurtful to acknowledge the truths.

We can hope it away. We can make excuses. We can accept 1/2 truths.

However, in the end the one who pays is us!

Ladies, these men have had years of experience in being con artist. They are chameleons able to adapt, survive, and thrive in changing environments.

They can as noted here go from a murder to a memorable dinner all in one day within hours of one another.

I know because mine was also a womanizer, who was abusive, who couldn't care less about my kids and I after an 11 yr. marriage.

The similarities are alarming.

The isolation, the lies, the denials, the love bombing, triangulation, the smooth and charming ways, the grandiose ego, the obsessive nature, and yes the empty promises and broken dreams.

These men prey upon the weak, the vulnerable, the isolated, the abused.

The comment near the end of this book also took me by surprise and it was straight from Ted's mouth in which he noted that the women would show him their weaknesses and what they feared would happen often did because they disclosed so much.

"My time was being used to make my life look normal."
In the end it's about a source of benefit, supply, and the needs of the ONE.

It's about losing a sense of self by emptying all of yourself into the relationship for one.

The need to be approved and belong was apparent as they will lie, cheat, steal and do just about anything to appear NORMAL.

This is fact!

Yes, even to the extent of forming relationships, getting married, having kids (so sad with Liz's abortion) and more.
It's all for show, for appearance, for acceptance.

The warning signs are there but often those in these quickly consummated relationships feel on cloud nine and are in a state of fog.

They want to believe this individual is not toxic and that they are not being played.

Sadly, it's all a game. A vicious cycle. A trail of destruction.
A past full of broken relationships, empty promises, cancelled dreams.

Nothing you do or so will change this person as they are suffering from a personality trait disorder not a behavioral issue.

I do hope this is a learning experience to others and pray nobody especially the children experience such abuse.
It's gaslighting, brain washing, manipulation, threats, fear, intimidation and it plays on one's psyche.

It's a life built on fear and terror. A life full of rage and deception. A life based on a 'false sense of self.'

Life is not meant to be lived on 'eggshells'. It's not meant to be lived in a constant state of chaos.

Those who stay for the sake of the kids are doing a great disservice because as Molly pointed out she experienced more than she can dare admit. I'm so proud of her for speaking out about the "innocently hurting me" actions of Ted Bundy. Yes, they seem insignificant until the totality of the circumstances come into play and it all fits together as one big puzzle. I know what you speak as I used to call it a 'coy' 'shy' 'cunning' demeanor that appears innocent and is written off....

The kids see it , experience it, and live it right alongside you.

Please get out safely. Please seek help. Please don't ever settle for less than one deserves.

Life is short.

Live it fully.

Book Review: "Hindsight" By Iris Johansen

You just never know in hindsight what could've been...

This is an amazing array of characters not unknown to fans in which we have our main character on a mission to uncover the killer of two employees for the academy (her former school before surgery restored her sight).

What is most intriguing is the relationship not only between the characters but between the outer perimeters that utilize the senses as well as the assistance of a trained dog named Harley.

It was quite the dialogue with an ever thickening plot that seemed to never quit along a well paced display that allowed readers to move along nicely.

The drug cartel, the love relationships, the mystery, and the distractions including some rather unusual issues with the special assistance dog, all played very important roles in the development of the story line.

The tension originated with Kendra being kicked out of Afghanistan because of Lynch yet the ending between the two was electric as always!

A well played round here...

Look forward to more from these powerful duo authors.

Book Review: "The River Murders" By James Patterson

A Navy seal dropout. More than a few men on the run or shall we say in 'hiding.' A young cousin MIA!

Well, if not for plenty of action I would be at a loss here on this one.
It started off ok with Mitchum's 14 yo cousin going missing and his brother 'Natty' being subjected to questioning as a 'shady drug dealer.'

If that wasn't enough we jump to Mitchum's current job as a PI investigating a few other cases.

While on the run you can say he decides to head out of the country to track down a suspect.

I suppose staging his family members fueled his desire to seek justice but the ending was offensive and the plot wasn't fulfilling as hoped.

All in all not bad but the whole plot with Afghanistan and the adventure there along with those locked up and left behind in 'hidden' locations wasn't really cutting it for me.

I won't go into much else but suffice to say, "good" not "great."

Book Review: "The Book Of Lost Friends" By Lisa Wingate

This deals with a historical time period after the Civil war in which slaves were freed and seeking their lost loves who had sadly been sold off.

It's not an easy situation to address but was down in a two part timeline in which multiple characters come to light.

During 1875 three young women head westward with varying reasons each with their own private wounds.

Some sought financial freedoms while others went in search of finding family members lost in the limitless frontiers of Texas.

So, we find in 1987 a woman who is just beginning her life as a teacher but ironically one book and three women from long ago may change the trajectory of her lives and countless others.

An amazing read with an interesting historical setting.

Book Review: "The Absolution" By Yrsa Sigurdardottir

When current events and social media outlets become part of the criminal enterprise...

This is one such case in which we have bodies being unearthed and placed upon Snapchat with a numbered system of victims.

Unfortunately, the system is flawed as the first victim is missing?!

The teens are not perfect by any means in this case but what's mind blowing is the fact that the killer may not be done yet and in fact may only have only just begun.

This was precision in writing both literally and figuratively that made readers feel every human and raw emotion surface with each new twist and turn that presented itself.

The angles this one took was superb as even the investigator and child psychologist were stumped as they tried to move the case forward.

With so many splendid and lively characters it's anyone's guess as to who is the criminal, the killer, the motivator, and perhaps even the leader.

What's important to note is that cases like this involve(s) someone close to the victim(s) so could this be the case?

Are the victims being targeted?

Are these teens out of control and in need of supervision?

Could there be another motivator in all of this dark and disturbing sequence of events?

Bullying, sexual orientation, and murder are just some of the heavy topics being addressed for those who are squeamish.

This was one heck of a thriller that I'd highly recommend with an ending that was quite elusive yet draining on the psyche. 

Magical all around!!

Loved it!

Thank you to YRSA and her publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The Vacation" By T.M. Logan

I'm just going to say this: Have you ever gone on a vacay and wish you could've stayed forever?

How about have you ever been in paradise but it turned out to be 'hell'?

My word hold on a sec....there's a newsflash with breaking news here!!

Trouble in Paradise?!

What could go wrong with 4 besties with their family on a 40th birthday celebration in Provence?
Well, glad you asked...

Plenty if you consider Kate suspects her husband Sean of having an affair!

However, which one of the 4 is suspect?

Again, the proof is in the pudding as they soon and it's thick as thieves!

Now if you were to ask me my favorite part of this showdown it would be everything!
From start to finish this was fast paced, colorful, vivid and lively characters, with a plot that refused to quit.

Perhaps a smoke screen is in order but look when the cat's away the mice will play and why should this be any different.

The interaction between the group was great, the conversations robust, and the tension was suspenseful!

It was a masterful and splendid rendition of what a thriller should be in all its facets.
I guess one parting word of advice: Don't jump to conclusion. First impressions may be everything but you must stay with the truth.

Follow your heart and stay authentic and you won't be led astray.

Oh, and not everything is as it appears because sometimes people lie or shall we say tell fabrications to cover up the mounting evidence against them.

I guess in the end you probably couldn't blame anyone because everyone seemed to be jumping the gun and going off emotions that ran high.

So grab on and hold on tight -you're in for a hell of a ride both literally and figuratively!
WOW!

This may not end well but it was certainly worth the read!

Highly recommend!

Book Review: "Witness Protection Widow" By Debra Webb

"Can the witness protection program keep her identity secret?"

What an amazing set of characters with such an intriguing plot to this wonderful new romantic thriller by Debra Webb.

It all starts with Allison James who was involved with a toxic spouse who was ultimately killed by someone close to him.

As it turns out his family is more than just powerful as they are actually criminal with many connections in the dark world and beyond.

What a scary set of circumstances to be living on eggshells while under the witness protection program not knowing if or when someone may strike out against you.

Could her husband have been involved in such criminal actions?
What happens if her ex-boyfriend and US Marshall Jaxson Stevens, can't protect her as promised?

Who will take the fall if the fall must be taken?
OMG!

This was something to read as the in-laws aren't the type you necessarily invite to dinner but rather hide from in seclusion.

WOW!

A great read all around!

Thank You to Harlequin Intrigue for this early read for the Winter 2020 blog tour going off today on my twitter page.

Book Review: "The Closer You Get" By Mary Torjussen

Tangled webs woven through each individual marriage that are suffocating those from within!

Wow!

Folks, I don't know whether to laugh or cry as this one was gut wrenching in drama, explosive action, affairs beyond words..

The aftermath was more like a bomb went off and in the end there's a death with one question yet to be answered.

Was it deliberate or accidental that one spouse is now dead?

Perhaps we should backtrack because it seems that there's way too much going on here, and way too many skeletons in these closets.

After all, why would anyone deliberately attempt to bring a child or children into a toxic environment? 

Why would anyone think the grass is greener after such destructive ways are exhibited?

What makes one think 'playing house' is the only answer....

Much less do so under the guise of friendship and love?

Perhaps losing one's job and having nasty texts and threats wasn't planned or was it ? Makes you wonder if Karma is involved?

Perhaps the final nail in the coffin was the truth...the 18 months of self indulgences you shall say.

So many years dedicated, devoted, and absolutely stolen away...
Ahhh so goes life -the good-the bad-the ugly!

Enjoy!

This was splendid!

Book Review: "The Heirloom Garden" By Viola Shipman

.."The simplest things in life – family, friends, faith, fun, love, and a passion for what you do – are truly the grandest gifts. My fiction is meant to honor the elders in our lives whose sacrifices and journeys helped make us who we are today. I couldn’t be prouder of my novels, which I hope reconnect you to your own family’s stories, heirlooms, histories and traditions." Wade -Pen Name Viola Shipman

Absolutely adore this back to basics read in which we honor those long ago memories we all hold so near and dear to our hearts.
The 'stop and smell the roses' feel in which if you're like me you still have that 'thorny' but oh so fragrant red rose bush in your own garden; with a scent so strong it reminds you of the older ladies in their Sunday 'best' attire.

The Heirloom Garden takes us into the lives of two women, separated by a generation scarred by war, who find friendship among the pain.

"You have to live in the moment."
"You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, But the scent of the roses will hang round it still." - Thomas Moore

When Iris's husband passed from war she lost more than just memories she lost her soul mate.
When Abby uncovered her husband's PTSD from war she nearly lost the man she loved and admired.
Together these neighbors and renters learned to lean upon one another for comfort and love.
Rather than ask why me they often found themselves seeking value in the smallest things.
Lilacs meant breathe.

Roses meant beauty is all around even among the thorns.

While hybrid versions may exists there's nothing like those thorns that catch, snag, and hurt like heck but carry so many glorious memories and such perfect beautifully fragrant buds annually.

The warmth, the compassion, the empathy, the soul is in the words of every piece of writing here.
What a glorious, lovely, adored piece that will be cherished for years to come.

In fact, just days prior to reading this I was constantly bombarded by the strong scent of roses with no idea why as I have none in my home. The smell so strong they reminded me of my grandmother's red thorny roses that bloom every spring/summer on the side of my home.

After googling I learned about being blessed by the Virgin Mary, or perhaps a loss was inevitable, or just god's way of showing you are loved.

Upon speaking with my elderly parents I learned a close family member had past on my father's side.
I suppose you can say life is short and to take the time to enjoy it ...

Much love for Wade aka Viola because it's always such a blessing to be able to secure an early read.
Thank you for this honor in providing a review in exchange for an ARC.

A must read for 2020