Book Review: "Binding Us Together" By Alvin Brooks

 

A wonderful and engaging read that focuses on not just a life well lived but a life well forged.

As an empath I enjoy a level of reading that encompasses not just compassion but dignity, morals combined with values, integrity and humility.

Alvin Brooks embodies all of what it means to succeed in life by living your life the way your Mamma would want, the way God intended, the way you were meant to have lived.

Your legacy is more than just what's written as it incorporates how well you lived, how you assisted in helping those in need, how you gave as much of yourself to those around you.
"If I can help somebody-my life has not been in vain."

It most certainly has not . and having listened to this fab audio with Mr. Alvin Brooks doing much of the narration has resulted in an enormous amount of blessings.

We see today -a broken world-a world full of con artists, narcissists, and toxic individuals who are so full of hate and not love. The empathy, compassion, and love for our fellow friends -our brothers- our sisters- our community at large has long been lost.

I surely hope books like this will help us to find our way again.

Thank you to Alvin Brooks as his life was and is an incredible journey at the young age of 88 years.

It was a true pleasure to have become acquainted with a man of such stature, character, and grace.

God bless

Book Review: "Float Plan" By Trish Doller

I'm in the minority on this one as the overall theme of Ben -the fiance- committing suicide didn't sit well with me -right from the start.

Float Plan sounds like an adventure, and in some ways I suppose it was for Anna, an adventure in discovering oneself after grief while struggling for independence.
Surely, Keane -the night in shining armor- and ship expert-sounds like what we need! For me, it was more of what we didn't need.

Struggles with life, love, loss and then travelling around the world proclaiming glory just was too far fetched.

The other item that rubbed me wrong, was the fact that everything was being compared back to Ben and Anna's former relationship with him.

So, it felt like going two steps forward and four backwards in time.

Moving on is hard to do especially on the circumstances surrounding this plot but the growth didn't seem to mature for me.

Thank you to Trish Doller, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "All Girls" By Emily Layden

 For the life of me I couldn't get interested in this whatsoever!

While I made an effort because the subject matter was important -the way in which it came up-via emails and articles wasn't quite hitting the mark.

Rape is important, allegations of rape is equally important, the cover up with the school while having a teacher continue to maintain rank and file after twenty years was important, the girls who accused said teacher of misconduct was vital- yet, it was plenty of fluff, plenty of sexual escapades in corn fields, plenty of sexual gender identity and teen drama but not much in terms of concrete examination of facts or rendering of the complaint at hand.

While, a settlement was ultimately reached in this matter-the end result was much like we see today-resignations, retirements, and pensions still being paid out without remorse, accountability, or even justice.

This book was too all over the place with the constant bombardment of new characters, new scenes, new dramas and felt like nothing was ever solved or dealt with in the manner it should've been for all parties involved.

I just had no interest in this one and sadly can't say much beyond what's here before you today. The fact that a now 38 year old woman named Karen Mirro had to endure such trauma was sickening. The fact, very few even wanted to address the issue and support her is also in play. 

The other characters like Bella, Chloe, Caroline/Sloane, Abby, Emma, Olivia, Patricia Brodie (head of the school -retired) and more served little to add to the central focus.

Thank you to Emily, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Oslo, Maine" By Marcia Butler

Music is the power of the mind, soul, and body. It's the connector when the world goes astray. It's the missing piece that connects us all!

Remember this: memory fades. Memory is based on recollection. Memories can be either comforting or harmful.
Now, folks this is brutish. It's grotesque -sorry, Moose! It's downright not funny in any sense of the word.

If you're looking for happy, relatable, love, and romance this isn't the book for you. If you're looking to find something that's a bit off center, a piece of fiction, a work that will have you thinking long after it's over -than YES! Get a copy and sit for a few hours if by audio and enjoy!

This was a good audio narration for me and nothing was lost in the listening department.
As for the plot and the setting they were both fine for me. The plot was slow to start but the ending is were the meat and bones was for me. The connector pieces and the finale was just perfect.

Nobody knows what life will bring us. A pregnant moose and a memory loss incident is probably not on anyone's radar. That's not the point. So, do yourself a favor and think outside the box behind the true meaning of it all.

For we all have problems. People try to fit everyone in a box. Labels are tossed. Assumptions are made.

What I can tell you is that Luc didn't know who his blood relatives were but he would uncover the truth in some simple blood donations to help out Pierre.

Pierre was treated as an outcast. Yet, the boy picked up a violin and learned how to play with the help of a neighbor-Sandra- seeking music as her own escape from life outside the grid.
Claude is a tough cookie with a hard shell. Acceptance and acknowledgement of facts isn't his thing. Yet, you can't deny -cold-hard-facts.

Celine the mother of the kids isn't off her rocker. She is recovering and off the pills-slipping only twice. Sadly, she's no longer with us. Passing on from heart disease at an early age.
The tremors continue long after the incident with the moose for Pierre but nothing stops his love of teaching -right?! Mr. Bow Arm Fixer??

Yes, and the entire premise is best known by the fact that we must stay present, stay authentic, and stay in the here and now. The beauty of the NOW!

Got it, now- go get it, see ya!

Book Review: "The Pretty One" By Clare Boyd

"Take one for the team."

My word! This is bizarre to say the least.
A family is on the verge of disaster with twisted games, modeling contracts, and a mess of selfish ways.

I can't imagine this mother Anna and what she's thinking but how on Earth does nobody notice a thing for years when that thing scars a young lady internally during what's known simply as a "patient game."

Sure, many of us have played similar games, dressing up, having fun, pretended to be anything from a doctor to a cowboy or police officer, but this was unnerving and deliberate-willful and malicious.

YIKES!

I'm not sure I could say much more on the topic of Bay and Nell's relationship other than to say it's quite toxic and in need of major repair by a family that seems more concerned over appearances externally than internal harm.

Thank you to Clare, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The River" By Helen Bryan

Several generations discuss the most important aspects of the mother daughter relationships, furthering education, and independence with numerous and varied details thrown in between that are equally alarming and shocking.

Things aren't trivial but downright disturbing in discussing the earlier times of the 1800's when slaves were accused of raping landowners daughters or having affairs out in the open. It was a time of racial segregation and the lack of equality that forced many to flee underground. Good luck with women's suffrage was also in the thick of it all as we go back and forth between dulling time slots.

Once things startled to settle we learn of several individual family members passing away and one in particular in a pool of water while driving only to be found later dead in the car.

How could anyone not be disturbed by all of this is beyond me but it really was a difficult read not just because of the subject matter but also the manner in which it was portrayed without much thought or deliberation and thrown together near the end as if the puzzle then became whole.

It drives me crazy when books jump around especially with such wholesome characters because it takes away their appeal to me as a reader.

All in all this was a good read especially the origin of Calvert and Bella till sadly she also passed away while he was at war.

The mistreatment of a young gal named Katie who wanted to marry a man named Will (who needed assistance) was disgraceful and inhumane in my view. I have numerous relatives who married outside our race and they're are welcome to our family tree.

When the background to her family history is laid off for Katie it feels like a sucker-punch and it comes with great emotion in being deemed an orphan by a process of sexual abuse. All while, Aunt Polly tells her to leave things be and just go away. 

Harsh is an understatement of the day.

In addition, as noted earlier the manner in which this one ended seemed abrupt and cruel.

Just my thoughts for what they're worth but I would be cautious for anyone who is easily triggered.

Thank you to Helen Bryan, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The Little French Bridal Shop" By Jennifer Dupee

 Absolutely fell in love with this one!

It begins and ends with an air of romance and quickly sweeps one off their feet.

The hard edge of Jake and his separation from his wife Holly and their boys was devastating but the placement of the feet in always moving forward is what I was most interested in.

Growth, if you will- is not measured by staying stationary.

If I must be honest the fact that this novel started with such devastation in both Larissa and Jake's lives followed with the side players like Brent and Holly just added to the mix.

All the gal wants is to be happy and in love. To marry in a beautiful dress. Aunt Ursula would be so proud of her achievements. 

So what, that she has no groom for this little white lie of a wedding she's got in the works. Who cares her life is a mess. Her budding romance with her current boyfriend is on the rocks. Her flower arrangement is ready. Her conservatory is lovely. Her caretaker is off in the distance -might even be on his way for all I know.

What matters is that you can share this moment with those you love. Your parents. Your friends. Your favorite once a year blooming flower-Rosa Rugosa- and the memories- they'll be plentiful.

This is what we all strive to achieve -is it not?! Happiness, joy, & love! After all, love springs eternal.

It's so sad to note the death of one of these characters but equally important to note the life of the parents as Clark plays a particular frequent supportive role in his daughters life.

I couldn't help but fall to pieces over this entire work.

Thank you to Jennifer Dupee, the publisher, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Maggie Finds Her Muse" By Dee Ernst

The City Of Lights is always the best place to be regardless what time of year!

Writers block may not put a damper on anyone's parade but when your entire career is on the line, your past relationships are on the back burner, and your adult children and ex-spouse are all in one central location- you pull the plug and go for GOLD!

This is the story of an overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated writer who wants to live the dream of publishing and writing in a way that earns a living and not just sells books.

Romance isn't easy but hell when you have a muse like Max the story practically writes itself even if you stumble for the words to paper.

Imagine if you will the most romantic setting, add in a mother, a guy named Lee, a dog named Jules and a bundle of nerves and you have yourself the perfect backdrop for this novel.

The setting was elegant with all that Paris has to offer. The characters were equally relatable and divine. Juicy and yet not too sizzling to be out there in left field. 

The fact that Alan her former spouse is even on the radar is mind blowing as the past should be left in the past but with Nicole (their daughter) and her new boyfriend it's probably good to stay kosher but I'd never get back with my ex-husband even if he delivered the goods on a silver plate.

As for the fact that this story goes back and forth between these two male candidates was fun yet excruciating as readers were pondering who Maggie would fall in love with and more importantly why?

I couldn't help but to fall in love with this one from start to finish and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity for this early read.

Thank you to Dee Ernst, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Crimson Lake Road" By Victor Methos

 

One last case and it's a big one- involving a person known merely as, "The Executioner."

Not quite, the legal case one would hope to become involved with seeing that the prosecutor-Jessica Yardley-is all set for retirement with a new location and all.

However, the body count rises and the ladies are being mutilated with nothing more than a portrait left as a calling card.

Ironically, all this happens at a cabin on Crimson Lake Road-ergo the title for this second in the series by Victor Methos.

In fact, it's a re-enactment from these paintings that the killer is conducting and nobody wants to wait until all scenes have been completed because a second kill has just been found.

Luckily, the second victim survives as Jessica visits her in the hospital to find answers and eventually the friendship turns sour upon noting the gal's boyfriend may be our killer.

Talk about bizarre but as we venture further out we learn there's more than one possible suspect with a possible motive here.

This just meandered around and lost its way too many times for me and I couldn't catch it and bring it back.

While at times it was rock solid there was simply too many other times when it just totally fell apart and I lost interest.

Thank you to Victor, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The Therapist" By B.A. Paris

First and foremost I must say, "Thank you" to BA Paris, St. Martin's Press, and all those who played a role in providing me this widget for review.

I must also note I'm not just a fan but a friend of B.A. Paris and waited since our last book discussion group in which she mentioned this upcoming read during that skype interview at midnight her time and 6pm EST for us here in the states. Which goes to show this lovely woman's demeanor, character, and fan appeal, but most importantly friendship.

I still don't know how she does it all married with multiple kids as I have three teens and I'm exhausted without having a full time career but rather a full time job freelance blogging.
I'm also an avid reader of her work having been provided gifted copies many of which were sent airmail, signed, and have been a treasured item that I will forever have in my possession.

This new work entitled, "The Therapist" was a good reminder of why we should never trust anyone just based on a label alone.

In this day and age it's easy to miss the warning signs as we're all busy leading our lives but in this case Alice and Leo are renovating a home when they come across some deeply troubling news.

The Circle is a close knit community but now it's also the place of something deeply disturbing and troubling from two years prior.

In fact, I'd dare say it's not just one person that's bothersome but actually more than one that brings this to fruition causing panic, anxiety, and terror among the remaining residents.
So much so, that a private investigator is hired to uncover the truth about Nina the prior resident of this home.

Could this newly hired investigator get to the bottom of things? Well, glad you asked because the answer is most certainly, YES! However, it's with some yellow caution tape and a whole host of lies.

Now, not to frighten or alarm but there's something off here and these neighbors are just the beginning of this trail of destruction.

You know -Bernadette- this reminds me- when we had that interview via skype - I remember thinking to myself and I believe I even mentioned to you -how your books always hit a trigger for me regardless of the storyline. This one is no different for one main reason-con artist- are able to blend in -alter their surroundings-say and do all the right things to fly under the radar- appearing as malignant narcissists so often do as nothing more than a nice law abiding citizen. A truly great person. Yet, from your own previous books -Behind Closed Doors- for example -we know these monsters are anything but nice.

This reminded me of all that and then some in fact it also reminded me of how we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. We cannot let our guards done. We must remain vigilante.

All this from one book which is saying plenty because I don't steer anyone astray in reviews. I will tell it like it is and in fact, for this one it is much different than what I've become accustomed too but successful in a different light.

I've noticed the past few books have a different appeal with less scary, fight of flight, traumatized triggers and more of your thrill and chill type work.
Which is alright but for me my personal favorites are still her earlier works because that's what I've been accustomed to reading in this genre. This is on a much lighter, airy, and less frantic style that still has suspense, mystery, and intrigue but not quite the same strong hold draw.

Well, for now what I can tell you is this much - even those closest to you- should be on the radar. As there's Oliver being accused, a woman being silenced and forced to go along, another three women gone, and a host of information that is about to be exposed by an unlikely source.

I will say this the person responsible will not appear as a monster.

While, initially I'm sure the group was glad to have a PI on the scene, I wonder if that view changed as the evidence came out piece by piece.

In fact, the initial passport information is the turning point and after that it appears things really began to take shape with many people playing various roles to conceal.

John, Thomas, Tim, --whatever! You are someone who wears many hats.

In the end, there's questions of infidelity, death, missing individuals, and so much more that you'll want to be on guard and reading with the lights on.

Much love and success to my friends across the pond! 

Book Review: "The Charmed Wife" By Olga Grushin

Cinderella has her work cut out for her with the Prince Roland (no longer so charming) cheat!

Thirteen and a half years and still she expects something more from this failed marriage of convenience.

Oh, I didn't mention the reasoning behind the quick consumption of love bombings but look we all know that toxicity breeds contempt and preys upon the hopeful, the love induced, the wanna be charmed individuals.

We all want to love and be loved but this new take on an old fairy tale will have you second guessing why women and men are viewed so differently and what would've happened if that long ago Cinderella and Prince Charming had married, had two kids, and then became disillusioned with each other and sought divorce. What would happen with shared custody, support, child arrangements, marital equity and fair distribution of assets, and so much more.
Those what ifs is what this book centers upon while addressing the handicaps both personally and professionally of each character with specific focus on the Prince and his snappy negative commentary and bed slinging ways.

Nora plays the role of Cinderella with a gusty performance of full on splendor, vigor, and vitality.

She's multi-dimensional, intelligent, and tenacious with both brains and brawn combined.
The way in which women were viewed in the past hasn't seemed to change. "Men had souls, of course, no one debated that- but not women, they said, for women were more like beasts of burden, good for some things, rather useful, in fact, but not endowed with higher sensibilities.

June Cleaver types beware as this is the 21st century and we need to dispell these myths and misconceptions and get on with reality.

The discussion of whether or not either loved one another is another hard fought battle. The commentary that followed brought me back to my own failed marriage from that lasted 11 years with not two but three kids and a similar unhappy ending.

The provider meets the taker, the gold digger meets the man of your dreams, the hard worker that meets the stay at home mom - type of scenarios - that make a woman want to vomit in her mouth - as not all men will ever truly understand how complex mothers/wives lives are with children, careers, and the like.

"But here we are, and this is how it is, how it will be, from now till the end, and I will have my little diversions to which you will kindly close your eyes."

Go along to get along, be silent, lose your sense of wonder and happiness. NO THANK YOU!
Ladies, this is the reminder, the warning sign, the wake- up call to not give away your power. Your light. Your sword nor pen. Re-write your own story in all your beauty and shine on!
These toxic individuals cannot take away from you if you don't give it away yourself. Don't settle for less.

Don't go to the divorce knowing your rights but hurrying to sign away those rights to make peace.

"And all the years I spent sifting through, shaping, reshaping the past, trying to pinpoint the exact moment at which our marital happiness dimmed, embroidering upon the myth of our perfect romantic beginnings..."

Those darn papers, the writing was already on the wall long before you arrived, the ownership had already existed.

"Law is not strictly a science, it's more of an art."

"Divorce is akin to insanity, so perhaps all these other truths I now remember are only stories I once told myself to keep sane, to mask the crude ugliness of things ending, to transform the chaos of pain into some semblance of order, of higher sense."

So, Ladies and Gents your definition of a fairy tale is varied, forged, and confirmed to your long held ideals and truths that are attempted to be dreamed away.
You cannot excuse, deny, mitigate, or alter those truths.

Live and be Authentically YOU!

Much love!

Book Review: "Six Weeks To Live" By Catherine McKenzie

First and foremost I must say, " Thank you" to Catherine McKenzie for going out of her way to provide me this ARC Widget from her publicist in record speed.

I was a bit anxious to read this having heard so much on the social media sites about this newest creation.

Upon reading this I got the sense that something was off not just with the characters but with the entire piece. It was a slow melting simmer until slightly after the midway point when things started to creep back towards a thrill.

It begins with a 48 year old mother of adult female triplets and two grandsons. If this wasn't enough on her plate, she's also in the midst of divorce from her husband Jake while processing the news that she only has a few weeks to live after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Well, I'll be damned that's quite a full ball of mess but nobody seemed to really give a rat's bum what happened to this mother. 

Everyone in this novel was stand-off-ish and drama filled to the point it began to rub me the wrong way. It's as if the mother was invisible and who dare say perhaps even making up her story for nothing more than sympathy, empathy, and compassion.

But, why would her soon to be ex-husband go to such great lengths to do her in and why is her bloodwork coming back with high levels of lead.

For the love of God - the adults are in the medical and science field so they should have some clue or inkling about how this is all going down right? They're her children why aren't they up to par on these events happening in their lives?

As if this wasn't enough to upset the conundrum we then realize that their may be a 'staging' of sorts and you'll never believe whose behind the issues at hand.

I mean how could the mother be so ill that she's on the verge of dying and the adult kids seem fine. I know in my case - I not only had what my parents suffered from but twice as bad and at a much earlier age. Perhaps not everyone's DNA takes a hit but in this case these are her biological kids so you'd think some part of genetics would be troublesome for them at their ages.

But, wait...there's more!

This mother named Jennifer is now claiming she's been poisoned! Oh, if only the shoes were turned. You know that old saying- Walk a mile in her shoes.... Why is that coming to mind.

Oh, forget about it as this continues to snowball out of control, the finger pointing begins, the drama heightens, the fury escalates, and the temper tantrums go full steam ahead.

Who has the problems here...Is the better question. 

As many of us have come to learn sometimes it's not you that has the problem but the Ass-Hats you surround yourself with as stress, trauma, anxiety, etc. can wreak havoc on a body.

What if Jennifer isn't the one with the issues in the medical department? What if someone else is behind it all.

Or, think it this way-What if there's a mental/cognitive problem that went unnoticed all these years? Could that be possible? Can you raise kids to this level, with solid foundations in place, and still be deemed insane?

Well, folks that's enough of my teasers for now, but stay tuned for more reviews coming your way.

Thank you to Catherine McKenzie, Atria Publicist, NetGalley, and the all important Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I hope you give this one a try as it was a good, solid, piece of work.

Book Review: "Just One Look" By Lindsay Cameron

HOT DAMN! This was so darn explosive!! A few clicks is all it takes!!

Cassie Woodson is a girl not to be messed with but as the story goes, "You're the type of girl who must make your parents very proud, Cassie.

Oh, cancer is so destructive but in this case the cancer is affecting more than just Cassie's father's life. As he once noted, " Don't let the cancer take your life too."

Well, she sure as hell listened because she's doing things -HER WAY without regret, without remorse, and without looking back.

You see this story is twisty but it all starts with these emails that were intercepted by Cassie from forest Watts to his wife Annabelle. Seemed innocent and harmless enough. Who hasn't snooped from time to time?

Oh, my ...

Forest Watts seems to be a many of many talents and legal advise isn't one of his best suits but perhaps fraud, conspiracy, and falsehoods would be more appropriate?

Actually Woodson and Watts may be two -of -a kind for those who play poker and we wouldn't want to ruin a career over false representations.

Selling property is a quick way to flip and make some extra cash but a lover's quarrel turned into a fight club audition isn't quite what any reader wants to hear...or do they?

Con artists are great swindlers who always want to make a quick buck at the expense of others but what if getting above fair market value is the playbook specialty?

Keep in mind ," Your baggage belongs on an airplane, not the Internet." No worries- Annabelle has got you covered. 

Cassandra aka Cassie also knows how to cover herself. Damn girl...I see you Meghan Smith. You are quite the newcomer on scene over there in Seattle. New job. New look. New you. Wow! You go with your hot-to-trot Adam. 

Just don't Google yourself and if you do -cover your tracks.

As for Dalton- well folks- he had the short end of this deal. His mother doesn't believe he committed suicide by jumping off the building . Could he have been pushed?

Such disgrace, such irreparable harm, so much destruction and for what?

This story was like a well oiled machine. It began like an ordinary drive down the road and ended up in the ditch in a good way. This was the epic train wreck that you never saw coming.

At first I nearly lost interest as it pitter-pattered back and forth midstream but then just as I was about to say WTF it came to life and the connections began to play out.

It was like that Oprah moment, the lightbulb goes off, the deer in the headlight appears, and the road is no longer foggy up ahead.

This was so wrapped up with precise news announcements that the ending was like a gavel being swung down with force. You could hear a pin drop, you could feel the tension, you could see the real time shaftings taking place right before your very eyes.

Sweet melodies this gem had it all!

Thank you to Lindsay Cameron, the pub for this granted wish, Netgalley, and Amazon Kindle. I jumped at the chance to get an early review in upon receiving this earlier today and I'm so glad I didn't wait not one second more.

Book Review: "The Girl From Berlin" By Kate Hewitt

"Sometimes people need someone to hate."

No truer words spoken from both the perspective of history past, present, and future.
This book was on my radar for some time and I'm blessed to have received this ARC which will be out tomorrow.

It's very well written, easily relatable, and splendidly crafted with characters that possess not just a tough outer core but an inner soul albeit one in particular is quite the hardened criminal in my eyes and that of his own family.

Rosa and Anna Liesel were extraordinary in their own right. When Rosa noted, “I just want to be free,” Rosa said quietly, “Even if only for a few minutes. It might be the last chance I have.”

The uncertainties that surrounded this group during the later part of 1900's and into the late 40's was tremendous. The concentration camps, the Red Soldiers, the Nazi's, the emigration concerns back to America, the resettling and liquidation of the Jews, the gas chambers and working factories, even the selling of the Jews most cherished and valuable assets was appalling. Sadly, the Poles, Czechs, Slavs, Jews were all sent to these camps. Starving, Hungry, Sick, and Deprived of Basic Human Rights.

The Gestapo took it all.

Yet, there's a slimmer of hope. A dim light. A beacon of salvation.

It all takes place in 1936-Berlin- when we find Liesel Scholz living a life of privilege with her dad's new government position.

However, it's the quick meeting with Rosa that separates truth from fiction -setting the wheels into motion about the government's role and the harsh, dangerous, and disturbing new details that are eroding the fabric around them.

Frankfurt in 1936 was the second half of this story in which we uncover the truths about Anna, Sam, and the connection between past, present, and their future together.
Speaking of which that proposal was very weighted and wasn't the norm one comes to expect but in love and war things were quite different.

Can you imagine being given an ultimatum to marry?

Courage, Love, Betrayal, and Dangerous Activity is upon them all...with Camp King seemingly at the center of it all!

There's some troubling information in this one pertaining to sexual abuse, liquidation of bodies, etc. so please -if you're easily triggered- be it known -that this exist.

Thank you to Kate, the publisher, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The Sculptress" By V.S. Alexander

How does an artist get noticed for her talent when there's so many other artists in the world? How does a woman make a name for herself when she's attached to a doctor who appears worthy of higher accolades? How does a woman not in love with her spouse find true love?

Geez! This is a whirlwind of emotions because upon reading other fellow reviewers opinions,

I feel a disconnect. I've long learned to never judge a book by its cover which also includes the intricate details that you may not agree with but are written with such vigor that you can't help but count them on the premise of how they made you feel.

This is the point for me as a reviewer, because if the author made me think even about something like abortion, virginity, infidelity, sexual gender, stereotypes, war and famine, soldiers being deformed and brutally scarred, then , the author in my opinion has done his/her job remarkably well.

In this case we have an artist in her own right. A woman trying to get notoriety and fame. Yet, we also have a war going on and men are being sent off to fight and returning her traumatized and severely wounded and or dead.

The fact that the main character was able to withhold so much love in her heart for multiple individuals who came across her path during such strenuous times was to me a sign of deep devotion and empathy.

When her husband, Dr. Thomas Swan, made the ultimate decision to go assist soldiers during WWI, it was a shock as well as a detriment to their already failing marriage. This action is probably the sole reason for the split as well as the pending divorce.

In terms, of those the doctor assisted there's a remarkable pathway to Emma his wife because it's during this time she decides to assist these soldiers in sculpting masks out of clay, giving these men a sense of hope and purpose in forging ahead.

Emma is a tough cookie but also a woman torn. She has her own battle scars that run deep but not from war. These scars are emotional, physical, and momentous from a time of past relationships including the one involving a young man named- Kurt.

He's captured her heart, her mind, her body and more but his love was not eternal. Nor, was the budding romance with Linton - the model- and best friend of Alex. As it turns out he's homosexual or if you will note, "opportunist" as the saying goes in the book.

The real eye opening and harrowing scenes for me began with the Private Darser who was gravely wounded. He notes," You are the sculptress and you may mold me as you wish."
Talk about a tear jerker, Ladies and Gents!!

I melted upon this one line.

As for the remainder of this wonderful gem of a book, I can only say it swept me off my feet. From the moment of her newfound revelation concerning her body, her past, her history, and her new life moving forward it was all just beautifully arranged and meticulously crafted.
Fear of a broken reputation, fear of the unknown, fear of the past and the future is all at stake in this one.

I've enjoyed this immensely and I hope this review finds you well, and allows you to gracefully open your heart, mind, and soul to the differences in our lives.

Thank you to V.S. Alexander, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "It's Been A Pleasure, Noni Blake" By Claire Christian

 

Imagine this...A bi-sexual, 36 yo, school teacher, with a pleasure seeking list.

Noni Blake- is a woman on a mission to do what she can with those on her -F-It-List!
As we learn about her escapades we imagine a mid 30's woman chasing everyone and everything with no end in sight and being completely off the mark on almost every adventure.
In fact, she's had a one night stand with a female firefighter just after her longtime romance with female partner -Joan.

This seems never ending as she heads to Europe on a sabbatical and what we'll call some good times lined up.

Her gay friend - Lindell-recommends she go after the past, so she heads to France, and her past girlfriend, only to learn that girl has been taken by another girl, and she's furious.
My word, get your act together-Girlfriend!

It's a back and forth for some time until the Viking steps in and swoops her up.
The writing was fantastic, with blended harmony, and joyous reverberations all throughout the constant flowing plot.

Thank you to Claire, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Crimson Phoenix" By John Gilstrap

Shocking! Riveting! Disturbing! Powerful! Deeply Emotional & Completely Engaging! Armageddon style Apocalyptic Thriller!

As a fan of John Gilstrap's I've come to expect a certain level of engagement and precision but this went above and beyond even my own expectations for this man who never quit his day job.

As a writer, he's worn the hat of many trades, yet writing is where he belongs as this work will clearly make a topic for discussion all around the world.

The topic is brutal. Wars, riots, looting, mobs, gangs, and lynchings. Flogging, slapping, beatings, and more.

Those who are sensitive may want to be cautious in proceeding but my intention is not to alarm but inform. It's a rough and tumble situation with shoot-outs, rabbit hunting (for the animal lovers), and thievery. Stealing wasn't uncommon nor was murder.

The U.S. is on the verge of war. No worries, we have Victoria on our side (West Virginia -House of Representatives). Just one thing, she's a mother of three boys, and when you mention Crimson Phoenix, she knows that means WAR! She gathers her belongings, preps her family, and gets moving to the nearest bunker.

It's in these travels that this novel really takes hold and refuses to sit down. The inner fighting, the outward social acceptances, the grilling of the characters morals and values, the fragile state of the world and the traps and pitballs become evident as we witness with out own eyes the value of a life.

"The world went to war last night." It never was the same...

"The forest had fallen silent" so too did those defending their land, their opportunities, their threats to their own salvation.

Kyle and Caine Foster were two identical twin boys that were crafted with care and built with tough love. They are only 16 years old when they experience the Life of Hard Knocks.
It's the sentencing of one man - Brandon Lee- for the death of a trucker named Ryan Hamilton that was totally debilitating and chillingly destructive. The sentencing was one of Not Guilty but with Not Innocent as a tag line. While the evidence may not have proved his guilt it did showcase that he's responsible and should be held accountable.

That accountability came with a huge price to pay and it was the father of the boy Mr. Jeff Grubson who seems to want to take matters a bit further.

It was difficult to process, harder to comprehend, but history sadly has been written, and it's unfortunate that not only have many endured such horrific acts but that sadly it continues to this day.

When I first began this ARC I wasn't fully prepared for all it entailed as it left me gasping in horror, and wondering how and why this could be the end result, yet, it was so vividly clear that this is America.

In the end, the jobs weren't what to me was the most important nor was the acceptance of peers or even family.

The way in which others were inhumanely treated is something that's a take-away that resides in memory long after the last page was read.

Thank you to John Gilstrap, Kensington Books (Pre-Approval NetGalley), NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This is one I won't surely forget.

I hope you find this review well and I hope it entices you to pick this one up as it was a keeper!