Sunday 29 November 2020

Book Review: The Intuition-Led Business by Christie Turley

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: The Intuition-Led Business

Subtitle: Navigating Business in Uncharted Waters

Author: Christie Turley

Genre: Business/Management Skills

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55960526-the-intuition-led-business

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 3/5

Short Summary of the book:

What I expected was a book able to improve my management skills. And this might be what it is. The only problem being it is a very dry textbook and has a strong emphasis of religion/belief systems. This unfortunately put me off from the start and I had to force myself to read the book.

I believe the book will provide great support and advice to some people, unfortunately it was no for me.

What I liked about the book:

The aim of the book to help others in becoming better managers.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The dryness of the text book and the strong emphasis on meditating, religion and beliefs.

My favourite bits in the book:

The charts

My least favourite bits in the book:

Repetition of some lists.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I believe this is a stand-alone book and I am not aware there are currently any further books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is similar to dry textbooks with one difference. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of religion and belief systems in this book.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

No

Adult

Yes

 

If you like to find out more about management and the role of meditation and belief systems within that, this book may be the book for you.

 

Book Description by Author:

I wrote this book to create an easy-to-understand process for opening up one’s intuition in the shortest amount of time possible, so that entrepreneurs who want to make a bold impact in the world can do that— and fast.Intuition is that secret weapon that propels business success even faster than one can imagine. This book will spark inside you the ability to: • Open up and strengthen your intuition • Expand your spiritual gifts • See, feel and receive truth • Discern truth at a greater level • Lead your life and business in a way that you may never have before • Live in alignment with your soul purpose with love, courage and joy • More quickly manifest your desires • See the clearest path to achieve a personal or professional goal • Get clarity on a solution to a challenge • Align yourself with your most authentic self • Make better decisions • Feel more peaceful and positive • Overcome uncertainty • Shape your ideal life • Have confidence in the daily steps of life • Receive new inspiration and ideas for new abundance to enter your life Join me as we journey together to open up the greatest depths of yourself, your most innovative business plans and a renewed enthusiasm for your life and business.

About the Author:

Book Review: Flawed by D H Rosenberg

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: FLAWED

Subtitle: FIRST GENESIS

Author: D.H. Rosenberg

Genre: Science Fiction/Post-apocalyptic

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53574063-flawed?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=9UwKgzl5j2&rank=1

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

This is the first book in a series. We are following Leonardo, a human engineered to have the perfect geneset. Not created as we are all used to but artificially instead. He has lived for several centuries and heals quickly. But then a fatal flaw in his design is discovered. The only way to preserve his brilliant brain and intellect for future generations is to put him into a dream state and upload all his memories and knowledge to a computer. This book, tells us the contents of his first dream. Will he survive long enough to make the upload successful?

What I liked about the book:

The story was fast-paced and interesting. Leonardo has many adventures in his dreams and tries to make sense of them. Even during the dream, he is aware of the fact it is a dream and his actual body is still in a hospital bed, dying.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There were areas in the book where it became confusing and I didn’t know where I was. This was only at the start of the book when it was unclear we were actually in the dream before Leonardo joined this.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was an enjoyable read in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. He knows how to weave an interesting story.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is different from other post-apocalyptic books in that it shows us an insight of the situation before and I suspect we will see Leonardo in books to come trying to stop the events from taking place.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

If you like science fiction or post-apocalyptic stories, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by these authors.

Book Description by Author:

Flawed is an epic Science Fiction work that has been described as a meld of Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings and Dune. It is a large scale fantasy, backed by hard science that will take you on an epic journey into fantastical lands inhabited by complex characters that are flawed by the common imperfections of humanity. This is an adult read that does not hold back on the reality of the human condition.

This is an adult read that contains scenes of a violent nature and may produce images of a sexual nature in some readers.

The first book of this epic trilogy begins with Leonardo Khalid's discovery that he has a terminal illness. Leonardo is one of the first generation of genetically enhanced humans; he has used his superior intelligence to bring about a great stability to the world and is on the verge of making a major scientific breakthrough. His partner, Sahara, desperate to preserve Leonardo’s mind, persuades him undergo an uploading of his mind.

The process involves the administering of powerful neurological-stimulating drugs that cause Leonardo to enter an intense dream state. Leonardo awakens in his first dream in a surreal land filled with predatory creatures and a huge black wall. He is rescued by a group of travelers whose leader, Abrihim, believes he is the Great Saviour. It is Abrihim’s intention to take Leonardo to the Great Lord but an attack by a swarm of deadly creatures forces the group to take a detour through the black wall. They are captured by one of the Kingdoms on the other side of the wall and have to negotiate with the tyrannical leader.

Leonardo allows the dream to flow, taking advantage of the situation to satiate the primeval desires that flood his mind in his dream state. As the complexities of the society they are held prisoner in evolve, Leonardo plays a dangerous game with his antagonist, Calopius. With each discovery Leonardo makes, he finds his dream becoming ever more anchored in a connected reality to his real world. The emergence of a dreadful truth unfolds.

About the Author:

Monday 23 November 2020

Book Review: Butterfly Bats by Electric Eclectic Authors

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: ButterflyBats

Subtitle:

Author: Electric Eclectic Authors

Genre: Eclectic

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50402722-butterflybats

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

This is a compilation of short eclectic stories by multiple authors. There certainly will be something for everyone. Whether you like to read about a dog who is rehomed or about something else, the stories are endearing and likely to delight you.

What I liked about the book:

Even if you don’t like one of the stories, there are always other stories to enjoy.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book contained several short stories, which meant you could read the entire story even if you had little time to read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

The authors have worked together in other collections of stories.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book has several stories contained within it and as such is comparable to other compilation books.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Yes

Adult

Yes

 

If you like eclectic stories, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by these authors.

Book Description by Author:

Six eclectic tales from the Electric Eclectic Authors.

 

A mixutre of styles and genres that will blow your mind and introduce you to new authors.

About the Author:

Book Review: Ghostly Romance Anthology by multiple authors

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: Ghostly Romance Anthology

Subtitle: Volume One

Author: Multiple authors

Genre: Ghostly romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50825689-ghostly-romance-anthology---volume-one

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

This is a compilation of short romantic ghost stories by multiple authors. Although Halloween has passed, they are still very enjoyable to read and several have that feel-good factor.

What I liked about the book:

Even if you don’t like one of the stories, there are always other stories to enjoy.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book contained several short stories, which meant you could read the entire story even if you had little time to read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

The title of the book suggests there are more to follow.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book has several stories contained within it and as such is comparable to other compilation books.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Yes

Adult

Yes

 

If you like romance and ghost stories, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by these authors.

Book Description by Author:

Have you lost a loved one? Do you see or hear them? This Anthology gives you a selection of Short Stories plus two poems about the ghosts who can't move on, be it due to love or hate.

 

From the Highlands of Scotland to Wales, England, the USA & Canada, you will find something which suits you.

Thanks to participants the world over. M J Mallon, Cathy-Lee Chopping, Mara Reitsma, Karen J Mossman, C A Keith, C L Williams, Claire Plaisted, Dan McAteer & Michael Lynes

 

PLEASE NOTE THE ENGLISH SPELLING AND GRAMMAR OF FROM THE ORIGIN OF WHERE THE AUTHOR LIVES.

About the Author:

Book Review: Provocative Pleasures by Viki Dumee

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: Provocative Pleasures

Subtitle: An Erotic Investigation Part One

Author: Viki Dumee

Genre: Erotic fantasy

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49369711-provocative-pleasures

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 3/5

Short Summary of the book:

Meet Mike Petty, private investigator. His new client is gorgeous and wants him to follow her husband who she feels is unfaithful. She seduces Mike and an erotic story evolves.

What I liked about the book:

The story was okay in itself.

What I didn’t like about the book:

This book appears to have been written rather quickly and could benefit from further editing.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was a fast read.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This author has written several erotic adventures. All I’ve read so far could benefit from some further editing.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is similar to a lot of other erotic short reads on the market. It focusses on the erotic scenes but there could be more back story to make it more interesting.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

No

Adult

Yes

 

If you like erotica, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Mike Petty is a small town private eye that believes every woman that smiles at him wants to be with him. His gorgeous new client, Vanessa hires him to tail her husband who she suspects is cheating on her with his sexy, young paralegal. What happens next surprises Mike as the case unfolds. A sexy and sultry tale. An introduction experiment of crime fiction mixed with erotica. Readers must be 18 and over to read please. Thank you.

About the Author:

Book Review: Dealing with Early Onset Alzheimer's by Sonia Discher

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: Dealing with Early Onset Alzheimer's

Subtitle: Love, Laughter & Tears

Author: Sonia Discher

Genre: Memoir

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54613491-dealing-with-early-onset-alzheimer-s

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

This book follows the author and her family as they come to terms with the unexpected diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia. A harrowing diagnosis for all those affected by it, whether as a sufferer or loved one. The author describes the good days and the bad and also includes some tips for those who have to go through the same trials and tribulations. Although the outcome is known, all journeys to the endpoint are different and personal. The author describes this journey in a relatable and uplifting manner. That doesn’t mean there were no tears shed while reading the book.

What I liked about the book:

The positive position the author and her family took throughout the journey. Always looking at a positive and make every day count and as enjoyable as possible.

What I didn’t like about the book:

Initially the book was somewhat distant and only relating what they went through in a factual manner. This was only at the start though.

My favourite bits in the book:

The positive ways in which the author continued to communicate with her husband. Give something a slightly different interpretation and the problem is manageable.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was interesting in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I believe this is a stand-alone book.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is partially a memoire and partially a self-help book. It gives some valuable tips to people going through a similar situation.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Maybe

Adult

Yes

 

If you like memoires, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Dealing with Early Onset Alzheimer's: Love, Laughter & Tears is Sonia Discher's heartbreaking but empowering story of caring for her husband, Steve. The story follows Steve's diagnosis with Early Onset Alzheimer's at age 50 through treatment, care and his passing. Sonia provides a look behind the curtain of this terrible sickness to reveal a treasure trove of tips and tricks she did to understand the disease, advocate for her husband, care for her family and preserve her sanity throughout a confusing and sad time.

 

Functional, day-to-day tips about early warning signs, medication levels, and how to address doctors, nurses and other professional caregivers (among many other areas such as long-term care and hospital stays) are some of the valuable examples included in this personal story.

 

Minimize the fear of caring for someone with dementia. Preserve the caregiver’s sanity with personal, functional tips to understand and cope with the disease.

 

 

From our family to yours.

God bless you in your journey, knowing you aren't alone.

About the Author:

Sonia moved from England to Canada in 1969. After schooling, she spent the majority of her career working as a Project Control Coordinator, scheduling and monitoring the engineering jobs across the site at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories.

 

When her husband was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, Sonia dedicated her time trying to find a way to keep him alive and give him the best quality of life possible. Steve passed away in 2017.

 

Based on the struggles and challenges they faced during his illness, Sonia decided to write her first book “Dealing with Early Onset Alzheimer’s; Love, Laughter & Tears”.

 

CONNECT WITH SONIA ON

Facebook & Instagram

Sunday 22 November 2020

Book Review: Dark Little Women by R.L. Wood

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: Dark Little Women

Subtitle: Girl Power!

Author: R.L. Wood

Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural/Horror

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54486417-dark-little-women

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

Imagine, you’ve made a deal with the devil and are now immortal and young forever. However, you regret all your bad deeds and want to save as many souls as you can from getting in the devil’s grubby hands. Enter Dorian and her rag-tag band of friends who set up rehab for the immortals. Will they succeed?

What I liked about the book:

This book was fast-paced and showed the eternal fight of good against evil. It also shows the strength of friendship.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

Where all the friends are willing to sacrifice themselves for each other. Does that not show sufficient redemption?

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I believe this is a stand-alone book, although it could easily form the basis of a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is tackling a subject not often tackled in this way. It is unique in the interpretation and viewpoint.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Maybe

Adult

Yes

 

If you like horror, supernatural stories, and the paranormal, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

This supernatural-horror mash-up is a reinvention of classic horror story characters who have been predominantly male in the past and now presents women as the main characters. Featuring Dorian Gray as housemother and Doctor Jekyll as the in house physician to a group of blood-thirsty young women in need of rehab. The goal? To conquer their innate urges and be free of their curse so they can live out the rest of their lives as mortals. Strong female characters include vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more. It contains some romance and a touch of humor, and it's a wicked, fast paced-read everyone will enjoy.

 

In a previous life, Dorian made a deal with the devil to become immortal. The Dark one attached her life to a portrait of herself painted centuries ago. As long as the portrait exists so does Dorian. One day, after a lot of evil deeds and a feeling of emptiness, she decides she wants to become mortal again, so she strikes a new deal with the Dark One.

 

Now, Dorian must rehabilitate as many immortal souls as she can to atone for the sins of her past and deliver 100 immortal souls, who could not make the cut, to the devil's earthly army as payment. The rehabilitated immortals become mortal again and are free to live out their lives with a clean slate.

 

An old friend, Doctor Henrietta Jekyll, is a timid scientist who, many years ago, was attempting to create a youth serum that worked, but she also ended up creating an alternate personality, Ada Hyde, who turns evil and tries to take over Doctor Jekyll's life. As Doctor Jekyll, she joins Dorian's quest, hoping to rid herself of Hyde’s evil influence.

 

But Dorian finds herself doing everything she can to keep from full-filling the bargain with the devil as she nears the end of the 100 immortal rippers who could not rehabilitate, all so she can save as many immortal girls as she can.

 

Drink from the ancient Chalice of Redemption to be free from your curse,

It will bind you to the oath you are about to take,

Reform and become mortal, living out the rest of your days free of your curse or…

Live forever as a servant to the Dark One’s Earthly Army,

In the end, one must be saved,

And one must be taken…

About the Author:

Saturday 21 November 2020

NaNoWriMo, just a gimmick or does it work?

 NaNoWriMo may not work for everyone, but it does for me. Once a year, I take out time to focus on writing more than I do the rest of the year. The entire month of November, the National Novel Writing Month, I commit to writing at least a few words every day. And often this is more than a few words. 

The challenge is to write the first draft of your next novel within the 30 days of November. In October you are meant to work out your book and do any pre-planning you might want to do. And then, on the 1st of November, you start writing your book. The target is to reach at least 50000 words by the end of November, but some people may set that target higher or lower.





My first NaNoWriMo was in 2018 and that brought me 91784 words for "Diary of a Female GP". That year I was a free agent, recently retired, but returned to full-time work mid-November. The book is now published and bringing in several ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews. You can find it here: http://books2read.com/u/m0VOVM


The second NaNoWriMo in 2019 was during a time I also had to contend with a full-time job. Time was limited and the chances of getting to 50000 words appeared not as easy. I wrote 58247 words for "Wake-Up Call".  I' m still editing this book at the moment.


And this year is my 3rd NaNoWriMo. Today is day 21 of the 30 and the first draft is not finished yet. So far, I have 60773 words and there are more to follow. The book I'm writing this year is called "Watching You From a Dark Corner". This year I was very close to not even attempting to take part and I'm so very glad I did. Time is no longer a given. Where many people involuntarily gained more free time during Covid, my free time became even more sparse than it already was. One of the drawbacks of working in healthcare during a pandemic. 


And then, just before NaNoWriMo started, eleven members of our staff went into self-isolation due to two separate cases of Covid. That last week of October I had planned to do the prepping for NaNoWriMo. It was not to be. Instead, I had to give up some of my days of annual leave to jump in as emergency receptionist. And the self-isolation continued during the first week of November, when I was due to start NaNoWriMo.

Even with the barriers thrown in my way, I forced myself to take a few hours out every night to write. And now I'm so glad I did. I surpassed the target of 50000 and a new book is waiting to be completed, edited and published.

And then earlier this week, something amazing happened. I was just about to start writing the next scene in the book and had worked it all out in my mind while preparing tea. 

The baddie was going to be called back home and would leave Lizzy alone locked in the bedroom. His ex had again entered his apartment without his permission. Something she had been doing a lot of lately, despite having been told she couldn't and having been thrown out several times too. Of course, he exploded and ordered his second in command to capture her, and hold her captive. Then he would return to the apartment to check everything was still as it should have been and she had indeed left.

And at that exact moment, the radio started playing "I don't believe you" by Pink. Of all the times to do that, it did while I was thinking out the exact scene. This song was the perfect thing to add to the story. So, now he enters his apartment to find the loudspeakers blaring out that song. Ana, has put the song on repeat to annoy him. Her favourite song, but definitely not his.

And when Demitrius steps into his apartment, it is at the exact moment Pink sings:

No, I don't believe you

When you say, "Don't come around here no more"

I won't remind you

You said we wouldn't be apart

No, I don't believe you

When you say you don't need me anymore

So don't pretend to

Not love me at all

What could be more perfect than that? Thank you Sky Radio for playing that song at that exact time. It just fitted in with the scene so well I had to use it.

Today, I will be writing a few more scenes, it's getting near to the end of the book now. And then, over the next few days, I will put some more detail in some of the scenes where I realised I left things out I had meant to add. 

By the end of November, I should have the draft of "Watching You From a Dark Corner" finished. And then there will be two books awaiting editing. Just like I had after last year's NaNoWriMo.

So, does NaNoWriMo work? Well, for me it seems to.


Joni,

Friday 20 November 2020

Book Review: In The Beginning by John J Higgins

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: In the Beginning

Subtitle: (The Archangel Jarahmael and the War to Conquer Heaven #1)

Author: John J. Higgins

Genre: Religion/Mythical/Fantasy

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17558692-in-the-beginning

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

This is an alternative telling of Genesis, the first book in the Christian bible. We all know about the “In the beginning” and follow as the heavens, the universe and earth are created. In the book, we read about the archangels and other angels and how they came to be. Dinosaurs are also mentioned and, of course, Adam and Eve. Oh, don’t forget Lillith. Lucipherius, the first archangel plays an important role too in this book.

What I liked about the book:

Even though many people will have heard the story of how life came to be, this was an alternative way of looking at it and described the story from the point of view of the angels.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The first few chapters were a slow start, however, about halfway through the book, the pace increased and attention was easier kept.

My favourite bits in the book:

Jarahmael never seems to lose the kindness we all expect angels to possess.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book told the first book of the bible in an alternative way.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I understand this is the first book in a 3-part series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is tackling a subject not often tackled in this way. It is unique in the interpretation and viewpoint.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Maybe

Adult

Yes

 

If you like to look at the story of Genesis in a different way, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Even a match made in Heaven can go awry. THE ARCHANGEL JARAHMAEL AND THE WAR TO CONQUER HEAVEN is the epic three-part story of the Creation of the Universe, told from the perspective of the Angels themselves. The first book of the trilogy, IN THE BEGINNING describes the initial creation and the establishment of the Seven Heavens and the Nine Orders of Angels, but it also tells of the first Humans, Lillith and Adam. Although they are quite literally a match made in Heaven, free will wreaks havoc with destiny when Lillith falls in love with the Archangel Jarahmael. Can love, as the very essence of the Almighty's Universe, survive free will? Or will love, when exposed to an untethered will, rip the Universe apart, pitting Good against Evil in a battle for all?

About the Author:

John J. Higgins is an attorney and former statewide prosecutor who has had a multi-faceted career and life. He has worked on farms, performed firearm repairs, and refinished and sold antiques, all before he finished high school. In between pursuing his college studies, he supervised industrial finishing operations and assisted in developing a powder coating system. After college, he worked fulltime and attended law school at night. He also filmed rock stars and celebrities for public service announcements and produced and emceed a play that performed before audiences that totaled over 170,000. In his career as an attorney, he researched and wrote policy papers for governmental committees, drafted legislation, and revised statutes. In his role as a statewide prosecutor he was involved in some of the highest profile cases in his state, from prosecuting multiple and complex crime rings to homicides, including those committed by a serial killer. Among other things he does in his private life, he can scuba dive and pilot an airplane. An avid student of history and spiritual development, he lives in New Jersey in an old Victorian train station he converted into his residence.

He can be reached at his website: john-j-higgins.com