Sunday 24 January 2021

Book Review: Beneath a Blanket of Snow by Arlene Lomazoff-Marron

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: BENEATH A BLANKET OF SNOW

Subtitle:

Author: Arlene Lomazoff-Marron

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54670600-beneath-a-blanket-of-snow

Overall score:

I scored this book 4-5/5

Short Summary of the book:

Life as they know it slowly starts to unravel for four women in an affluent area. When Jonathan is arrested and convicted of fraud and embezzlement, his wife Meredith has to pick up the pieces and navigate her family through the storms raging around her. Her three friends avoid her and cut off all contact with her. But, one by one, their lives also start to unravel as the secrets behind their closed doors come out. How far does one have to fall before they realise it’s more important to have what you need rather than what you want?

What I liked about the book:

The book is well-written and kept me wanting to read on.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its totality.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

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

I believe this is the first book by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

I’m not sure what book to compare this with.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

If you like contemporary fiction, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Jonathan Perkins had it all: a successful business, a stunning home, a wonderful family. He was on top of the world—until he nearly threw it all away. Meredith Perkins lived a life of luxury, courtesy of her husband’s hard work and diligence, but was isolated from the realities of the working world. Her days were spent decorating their spacious home, lunching with affluent friends, practicing yoga, and shopping in boutiques… Until her husband’s crime turned her world upside down. Meredith found herself hounded by the media, deserted by friends she had counted on for support, and struggling to reconstruct a life for her and her children. … But her friends kept their own secrets... How much do you trust your spouse? Do you keep secrets from your partner?How much do you trust your friends? Is everything what it seems on the outside?

About the Author:

In December 2019 I retired from a job in the healthcare field. About a week before, a coworker commented that I should do something from my bucket list. I immediately replied that I would write a novel. I wondered why I had replied so quickly and with such conviction. I took a few writing courses in high school and considered college and a career in writing, but decided to go to nursing school instead. I hadn't thought about writing a book since my adolescence. I didn't realize writing a novel was on my bucket list.

 

I planned to try writing a novel from March through December 2020, but when COVID-19 kept me indoors, I started writing every day. Beneath A Blanket Of Snow is my first novel. I wrote it in ten weeks.

 

I live in the Philadelphia, PA area with my husband Gerry. We have a blended family of four boys and one girl, and seven grandchildren. I also enjoy bicycling, playing Mah Jongg, reading, and playing piano.

 

I am currently writing my second novel, which I hope to release in the spring of 2021. Sign up for my newsletter and get up-to-date information about its release. http://eepurl.com/hkzvMf

 

Saturday 23 January 2021

Book Review: Selfsame by Eden Wolfe

 

Book Review

 


Basic Details:

Book Title: Selfsame

Subtitle: (Lower Earth Rising #1)

Author: Eden Wolfe

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/postapocalyptic

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56130355-selfsame

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

Welcome to the world after the Mist. Only women are in power in this world. The men are not to be trusted after they brought the world close to full destruction. Aria is kept away from her mother to be trained as the next queen. At only 18-years-old, she feels ready to take on this responsibility. But what will happen when her mother needs to decide who her successor will be. Be ready for a twist towards the end of the book.

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-packed and full of twists and turns.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing to dislike. The only thing to dislike would be if this was the actual world we lived in. A world where love is not allowed.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

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

I believe this is the first in a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book breaches an entirely different kind of future. I believe the book to be rather unique.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Yes

Adult

Yes

 

If you like spy novels and intrigue, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

MEN ARE DOOMED. THE WOMEN MUST SURVIVE. BUT AT WHAT COST?

 

Four hundred years after the Final War, Earth has been reduced to a few pieces of habitable continent.

Men are dying off.

Women are genetically altered to survive.

The genetic deviants are cast away in the ghetto.

 

On Lower Earth, the largest remaining known landmass, disparate peoples fight against each other, the land, and the illnesses the war left behind.

 

Queen Maeva rules with the blood of the masses on her hands, but her ancestry and advanced human abilities mean only she can save them from destruction and colonization by the old men of Upper Earth.

18-year-old Aria was designed from the genetic sequence of the settler queens. Her whole life had been dedicated to taking over the throne and leading Lower Earth back to prosperity.

 

Just as she was poised to claim her birthright, it happened.

 

Betrayal.

 

Now Aria must face enemies from far away shores and much closer to home as she fights the very totalitarian regime she had been set to lead.

Will Aria be able to stop the reigning Queen now that she’s discarded?

About the Author:

 

Sunday 17 January 2021

Book Review: Watch Me Run by Avery Holt

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: Watch Me Run

Subtitle: (Watch Me Series Book 1)

Author: Avery Holt

Genre: Thriller

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27260886-watch-me-run

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

What has happened to Cate Bancroft? This wealthy young woman has gone missing. Cate’s father calls in the help of a former Black Ops agent to find and save her. Will he find her in time?

What I liked about the book:

The book is full of action and intrigue. Hidden secrets cause havoc and there is more to some people than initially meets the eye.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing to dislike.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

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

I believe this is the first in a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

Although completely different, it did remind me of the Jack Reacher series.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

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

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Cate Bancroft has it all—a loving husband, an extravagant home in Greenwich, Connecticut, and a fulfilling career as a restaurateur. When she goes missing, her father calls in a favor from former Black Ops agent Nick Tremaine. Nick is the owner of Phoenix, an exclusive private investigation firm that specializes in solving difficult cases for the wealthy and powerful. As Nick digs deeper into Cate’s luxurious life, he uncovers a web of secrets the Bancroft family will do anything to protect. But when Nick discovers that Cate’s disappearance is somehow tied to his own dark past, he’ll have to risk it all before time runs out for Cate and her family.

 

Look for the other books in the Watch Me Series:

Book One - WATCH ME RUN

Book Two - WATCH ME LIE

Book Three - WATCH ME KILL

Book Four - WATCH ME CRY.

About the Author:

 

Book Review: The Istanbul Affair by Robert Hrzic

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: The Istanbul Affair

Subtitle:

Author: Robert Hrzic

Genre: Spy/Mystery

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56176727-the-istanbul-affair

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells of spying and intrigue. Turkey is considered a loose cannon and NATO conspires to expel Turkey from the alliance. To further this aim, they light little fires of discontent within the borders of the country in an attempt to reveal the leader’s true nature and gain the right to expel the country. We follow friends and CIA operatives as they work together to achieve this goal. A goal which isn’t reached without losses.

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-packed and full of intrigue.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing to dislike.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

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

I believe this is a stand-alone but the book would lend itself to becoming a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

Although completely different, it did remind me of the Jack Reacher series.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

If you like spy novels and intrigue, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952. In recent years, the nation has distanced itself from the West and become a loose cannon. Calls are immediately made for Turkey’s expulsion but the alliance is unwilling to lose the Bosporus Strait. Before the North Atlantic alliance can evict Ankara, they must take something from them first.

About the Author:

 

Sunday 10 January 2021

Book Review: A Spy for Help by Diane Henders

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: A Spy For Help

Subtitle: (Never Say Spy #15)

Author: Diane Henders

Genre: Spy/Mystery

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 15

Best read after earlier books in series? Possibly as easier when you know the background story.

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53488558-a-spy-for-help

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

It’s nearly Christmas and Arnie finally has a lead on his long-lost sister. Aydan has just finished her last mission and is on medical leave until the 4th of January. When Arnie asks her to look after his cat, she decides to come with him instead to support him. However, it wouldn’t be Aydan if danger and a mission were not lurking just behind the corner.

What I liked about the book:

Just like the other books in this series, it kept me reading on. Difficult to put down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book.

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 15th book in the series. Although they can be read as stand-alones, they’re better read in order.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a series that stands on its own.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

If you like spy novels with humour and romance, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author. Can’t wait for the next in the series.

Book Description by Author:

…If a kickass middle-aged bookkeeper got sucked into a spy’s life…

 

Off-duty secret agent Aydan Kelly knows she shouldn’t interfere when her lover finally locates his long-lost sister, but she’s afraid Arnie’s too upset to stay on the right side of the law.

 

Arnie’s sister has been outed in a social media firestorm, and threats against her escalate to a violent attack. Aydan and Arnie rush to her rescue, only to discover she’s being targeted by a powerful crime lord from her unsavory past. As danger mounts, Aydan realizes Arnie will do anything to save his sister… including murder.

 

Caught between love and legality, Aydan faces an unthinkable choice: Risk her career and freedom by turning a blind eye to Arnie’s deadly plan, or save the crime lord and condemn Arnie to prison and his sister to death.

About the Author:

By profession, I’m a technical writer, computer geek, and ex-interior designer. I’m good at two out of three of these things. I had the sense to quit the one I sucked at.

 

To deal with my mid-life crisis, I also write adventure novels featuring a middle-aged female protagonist, Aydan Kelly. And I kickbox.

 

This seemed more productive than indulging in more typical mid-life crisis activities like getting a divorce, buying a Harley Crossbones, and cruising across the country picking up men in sleazy bars. Especially since it’s winter most of the months of the year here.

 

It’s much more comfortable to sit at my computer. And hell, Harleys are expensive. Come to think of it, so are beer and gasoline.

 

Oh, and I still love my husband. There’s that. I’ll stick with the writing.

Saturday 9 January 2021

Book Review: Journey Into Love by Lynn Miclea

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: Journey Into Love

Subtitle:

Author: Lynn Miclea

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50610742-journey-into-love

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

Romance starts in the office for Brianna. But then her boss sacks her and she needs to search for another job. Although this is not easy and depression lurks around the corner, Cole remains a constant support. That is, until Lacey makes an entry. Can she trust Cole? Or is Lacey’s story correct? Could Brianna be in danger?

What I liked about the book:

The bit of suspense within the romance.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The Open House they arranged.

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 a stand-alone romance story. The author has written several other books.

What books could this be compared to and why?

It is difficult to find something to compare this book to.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Possibly

Adult

Yes

 

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

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Brianna is struggling to do well at work and build a career when she finds herself very attracted to Cole, the young realtor at her new job.

 

 

However, when a woman from Cole’s past shows up, and Brianna is suddenly fired, things quickly spiral out of control. As she struggles with her shattered self-esteem, loss of her job, and possible loss of her relationship, Brianna must figure out who she can trust.

 

 

She risks losing everything, including the man she loves, as she is pushed to her limits. Threats and danger increase, forcing her to fight for her life as she struggles to figure out how to move forward.

 

 

Facing overwhelming fears, doubts, and betrayal, she must find the inner strength to break down barriers and make a life-changing decision to risk opening to real love.

 

 

 

A contemporary romance. A novella.

About the Author:

LYNN MICLEA is a writer, author, musician, Reiki master practitioner, and dog lover. Although she worked many different jobs throughout her life, she has always loved reading and writing, and one of her dreams was to become a professional writer.

 

After retiring, Lynn further pursued her passion for writing, and she is now a successful author with many books published and more on the way.

 

She has published books in many genres including thrillers, suspense, science fiction, paranormal, mystery, romance, memoirs, self-help guided imagery, and children’s stories (fun animal stories about kindness, believing in yourself, helping others, and being more than you ever thought possible).

 

She hopes that through her writing she can help empower others, stimulate people’s imagination, and open new worlds as she entertains with powerful and heartfelt stories.

 

Originally from New York, Lynn currently lives in southern California with her loving and supportive husband.

 

Please visit her website at www.lynnmiclea.com and her blog at www.lynnpuff.wordpress.com.

Book Review: Your Last Breath by Carole Parkes and Doug Lafuze

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: Your Last Breath

Subtitle:

Author: Carole Parkes and Doug Lafuze

Genre: Thriller

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28299913-your-last-breath

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

Imagine. You are desperate to write a good thriller but the inspiration is lacking. Would you resort to seeking out inspiration? Of course, you would. But would you go to the extreme measures of becoming a serial killer to achieve that goal? Raymond Lang is that author and he risks all to become the acclaimed author he dreams of. Will he succeed or will someone be able to stop him and save those he loves?

What I liked about the book:

This was a great book. The co-authorship worked quite well.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I loved the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

When Amelia becomes a hero.

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 a stand-alone thriller. The author has also written another thriller and I enjoyed that one too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

I can’t say what book to compare this to. It was original.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Maybe not

Adult

Yes

 

If you like suspense and thrillers, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

American misfit, Raymond Lang, has always dreamed of writing a suspenseful thriller. The problem is, whenever he’s tried to write about the gruesome murder scenes he needs for his book, a fog-like curtain descends in his mind preventing him from seeing the crimes clearly.

 

A chance meeting with an old flame reveals a way to solve his writer’s block. In fulfilling her astonishing request, he’s surprised to find his creativity is released and the chapters flow smoothly. It doesn’t last long though. If he wants to continue his writing, he has to unleash his dark side and kill again.

 

Now, the police are on his tail, but he won’t stop this blood-lust until his novel is completed. Can he finish and publish it before he’s caught? Even more to the point, how many victims will he have to claim to do it?

About the Author:

Carole Parkes is a wife of 51 years, a mother of three sons, and a grandmother. She first ventured into writing in 1985 when her children were still at home. She wrote a series of children's books, some short stories, and a novel 'Tissue of Lies'.

 

Much later, she became interested in her roots, so she stopped writing fiction and for many years wrote about her family's history instead.

 

Caring for her elderly parents and her husband, who had suffered a serious heart attack at the age of forty-three, took up a huge chunk of her middle years. After her parents both passed away, aged ninety-seven and ninety-four, Carole rewrote 'Tissue of Lies' to bring it up to date and self published it as an eBook on Amazon. Tissue of Lies is doing well averaging 4.3 star reviews and is due out in paperback during March 2017.

 

Now she has a second eBook, co-authored with Doug Lafuze. 'Your Last Breath' is a much darker thriller than her first one, and it has been well received with 10 out its 12 reviews attracting 5 stars on Amazon. It has just been published in paperback format, and is available now from Amazon and other major book stores.

 

Please follow Carole by copying and pasting the following addresses into your search box.

WEBSITE

http://carolec55.wordpress.com

FACEBOOK

http://fb.me/CaroleParkesAuthor

TWITTER

http://twitter.com/CaroleParkes1


Book Review: Tissue of Lies by Carole Parkes

 

Book Review



Basic Details:

Book Title: Tissue of Lies

Subtitle: Suspenseful, psychological, thriller

Author: Carole Parkes

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28363484-tissue-of-lies

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

Short Summary of the book:

Things aren’t always as they seem. This is something Julie discovers as she searches out her birth parents. Has her mum really stolen her? While Julie tries to build a relationship with her birth parents, she still does everything within her power to protect the parents who raised her. Will Julie ever find out the truth behind her origins?

What I liked about the book:

This was a nice book and I enjoyed it fully.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I loved the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

When Julie finally can put things behind her.

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 a stand-alone thriller. The author has also co-written another thriller and I can’t wait to read that one too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

I can’t say what book to compare this too. It was original.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children

No

Young Adult

Maybe

Adult

Yes

 

If you like suspense and thrillers, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Julie Simpson has the perfect life; a loving husband, beautiful twin daughters, and the kind of loving parents others can only dream about. Yet, it's true; she sometimes has a niggling suspicion that her mum and dad might not be her real parents. To her amazement and horror, Julie discovers her fears are well-founded; they are not her birth parents. Even worse, she learns they’d played a part in her abduction when she was just a baby.

 

Julie longs for the truth, but she’s reluctant to start anything which might result in her mum and dad being prosecuted for her abduction. Despite what they may have done, she can’t help remembering her wonderful, happy childhood. She still loves them and wants to protect them but, ultimately, the need to know her roots wins. Secretly, she searches for her birth parents, but digging in the past brings her unexpected danger; a real threat of harm. Will she find this out before it’s too late?

About the Author:

Carole Parkes is a wife of 51 years, a mother of three sons, and a grandmother. She first ventured into writing in 1985 when her children were still at home. She wrote a series of children's books, some short stories, and a novel 'Tissue of Lies'.

 

Much later, she became interested in her roots, so she stopped writing fiction and for many years wrote about her family's history instead.

 

Caring for her elderly parents and her husband, who had suffered a serious heart attack at the age of forty-three, took up a huge chunk of her middle years. After her parents both passed away, aged ninety-seven and ninety-four, Carole rewrote 'Tissue of Lies' to bring it up to date and self published it as an eBook on Amazon. Tissue of Lies is doing well averaging 4.3 star reviews and is due out in paperback during March 2017.

 

Now she has a second eBook, co-authored with Doug Lafuze. 'Your Last Breath' is a much darker thriller than her first one, and it has been well received with 10 out its 12 reviews attracting 5 stars on Amazon. It has just been published in paperback format, and is available now from Amazon and other major book stores.

 

Please follow Carole by copying and pasting the following addresses into your search box.

WEBSITE

http://carolec55.wordpress.com

FACEBOOK

http://fb.me/CaroleParkesAuthor

TWITTER

http://twitter.com/CaroleParkes1