Book Review: A day with Granny Nelly by Linda Matesa

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: A Day with Granny Nelly

Subtitle: Bedtime story

Author: Linda Mateša

Genre: Children

Part of a series?

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56877189-a-day-with-granny-nelly

Overall score:

I scored this book 3.5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is a sweet little book for young children. Granny Nelly is a silly, distracted, clumsy, and forgetful lady. Her grandson stays with her. But who looks after who? The images are lovely.

What I liked about the book:

The lovely images. The concept was good.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The writing could be improved.

My favourite bits in the book:

How the young grandson is the more responsible person.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There are none.

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

I am not aware of any other books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a book for young readers. It is sweet but the writing could be improved. At times it was difficult to see what the order of the text was.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	Yes
Young Adult	No
Adult	No

 

If you like children’s books, this book may be the book for you.

I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Who said grandmothers are old and boring?

 

Granny Nelly is the funniest Granny in the whole world. Why is that so? Granny Nelly always gets into some fun trouble. Fortunately, a loving grandson is by her side - things always turn out well.

 

Are you, as a parent, struggling to put your toddler to bed? Ask help Granny Nelly through this wonderful picture book! For Granny Nelly, challenges are a trifle!

 

"A Day with Granny Nelly" is a heartfelt and humorous BEDTIME story (for ages 0-6) about an unbreakable bond between a GRANDMOTHER and her GRANDSON.

About the Author:

Son, sun and dreams. Staring at mountain lakes forever. Coffee. The air after heavy thunderstorms smells wonderful. The best season is when magnolias blossom, tulips wake up and trees become green again. To eat five-leaf flower from the lilac shrub that does not grow close by but it will one day. Sadness and pain are creative. Crying too much, where a smile is essential. Negatively positive. Low self-esteem should be forbidden. If you don’t follow your dream someone else will. Compassion is painful. Š is annoying letter. Talking too much. Writing fits more - to erase redundant. Teleportation - seeing every corner of the world. To stay if must go. Chronically distrusting. Summer songbirds remind of visiting grandmother. Seven baskets of tomatoes can come from five seedlings. Silence is killing. Washing hair is a torment. Rarely agreeing. The Grinch and Christmas. Control freak. Snow, where are you?

Book Review: The Dream Factory by John Simes

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Dream Factory

Subtitle:

Author: John Simes

Genre: Fiction/thriller

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45022049-the-dream-factory

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Imagine…

Your parents are violently abducted and you narrowly escape capture yourself. Life continues, but a count now lives in your home and the locks are changed. Your ‘Om’ keeps you in touch with your parents, a futuristic device invented by your parents. Only through Om does Peter know his parents are still alive.

To survive and escape capture, Peter goes to the Dream Factory, a place his parents built. Here he lives with his friends while the count conspires to capture and kill him.

What I liked about the book:

I loved the entire book. It was fast-paced, and action-packed.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing to dislike about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

Where Peter meets Navinda in the Dream Factory.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There are none.

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

This is the first book in the series and I look forward to reading more.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book combines thriller with futuristic devices, spy-action and romance. It sits on the boundary between young adult and adult reading.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like thrillers, spy novels or science fiction, this book may be the book for you.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

After the violent abduction of his parents by the criminal ‘Golden Hand’, 16 year-old Peter Young and his brilliant friend, Navinda Eman, flee to the Dream Factory - a stone hut on a deserted beach. Peter has a precious secret that he must protect, but someone in the village is determined to find them and destroy the Dream Factory.

 

The Dream Factory is a surreal comic thriller that will be enjoyed by adults and young adults. It is a coming-of-age story that employs vivid characterisation and humour to navigate the reader through the twisting plot. Within the seemingly peaceful village of Dingwell we find a gun-toting spinster engaged in espionage, a French criminal mastermind, murder most foul, and a nervous vicar with a secret past.

 

The love story of Peter and Navinda unfolds in a world that is a maelstrom of deadly secrets, paranormal events and fear. The Dream Factory is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that will be enjoyed by young adults. This book delves into the issues of identity and how young people connect with the world – everyone has their secret ‘dream factory’. Developed with teachers and young adult readers, The Dream Factory is a thrilling, dark, funny and inspiring read.

About the Author:

After his career as a teacher and school leader, John Simes founded Collingwood Learning – a consultancy for school improvement. In 2013 he established Collingwood Publishing Limited.

 

John lives with his family in South Devon, England, where he grapples with his addictions to cricket, poetry, and the stunning local landscape, as well as his continuing enthusiasm for education.

 

A Game of Chess is his second novel and is the sequel to The Dream Factory.

Book Review: Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Cruel Summer

Subtitle:

Author: Bernard Jan

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57070478-cruel-summer

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is another great book by this author.

In the book, we meet Michael, a young man who recently lost his mother and lives with his stepdad. His sister spends the summer with their grandparents while Michael spends his days skating with friends.

But all is not as it seems. Although the book is quite dark and broaches the subject of child abuse and sexual exploitation, there are a lot of positive things along the way to give us hope. Definitely a book worth reading.

What I liked about the book:

Bernard Jan has a great style of writing and I couldn’t put the book down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I really loved the book. Even the dark scenes did not distract from the great story. Indeed, they were an integral part of it.

My favourite bits in the book:

The support Michael receives from his friends.

My least favourite bits in the book:

To tell you, would give away an important detail of the book. I’m afraid you’ll have to read it yourself and suspect you will feel the same.

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

This author has written a few other books, which are also very much worth a read. I enjoyed them all.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a great book that doesn’t shy away from some difficult topics in society. I can’t say I have read any other books doing exactly the same, although the other books by this author also touch on some important subjects.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like your books dark, but full of hope for the future, this young adult book may be the book for you.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

All he wants to do is skate. But they have other plans for him.

 

Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.

 

Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.

 

The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.

 

When there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.

About the Author:

"There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it." - Bernard Jan

 

Bernard Jan is an award-winning novelist and a poet from Croatia, and he has released four books in English.

 

Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist 2020

Readers' Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019

 

A World Without Color is a true story of the last three days he spent with his cat, while Look for Me Under the Rainbow in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. January River is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret. Cruel Summer is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him.

 

His first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when he wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. He has published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of his books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.

 

His passion for music and entertainment resulted in his becoming a partner of Tom's Music Place, which was established in 2009 by his friend Thomas Carley Jr., whose objective was to raise the respect of music.

 

His desire to help others came to the fore during his years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. He did volunteering work for the refugees, because suffering does not know any borders. When it comes within your reach in your home, you simply have to do something. As part of his animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate "Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust" by Charles Patterson into Croatian.

 

Bernard Jan on Amazon

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Bernard Jan on YouTube

Finally! Back to editing "Wake-Up Call"

 Finally!

Life has been really busy, and I've had little to no time to spend on my writing.

Today, for the first time in months, I have managed to edit a chapter of "Wake-Up Call". It really was time I got back to that book. With a little luck, I should be able to find a few minutes a day to continue editing.

After all, "Diary of a Female GP" was published in August, and it is about time another book sees the light of day and gets published.

However, between a job taking over 50 hours a week, a family of 6 and the promoting of my books, there is little time left over to also write and edit.

Want a taster? I'll get you one, but, remember, this is only a first edit and the book needs some serious improvements still.

*******

Alicia still didn’t react to my words or touch. She continued to cry and scream at times, shaking the ‘me’ on the bed intermittently.

“Why are you so cold? Wake up!” Alicia placed her head on the chest, “I can’t hear your heart.” Again she shook the body on the bed. “Come on, stop hurting me! Wake up! Wake up!” Tears ran down her beautiful face.

Things were getting stranger. Alicia could not hear my heart? Still, my heart beat in my ears and I felt it thumping in my chest. A lump settled in my throat. What did this mean? Why did Alicia not pick up my heartbeat? What was going on? Something appeared very wrong.

“Why are you punishing me? What have I done wrong? Wake up! Please, I’ll do anything you want, but please wake up!” Alicia’s voice became softer, and it dropped to a whisper.

“I can’t do this without you. Please, Daryll, I love you so much. Please, wake up and take me in your arms. What will I tell the kids? Don’t do this to me. Nooo!”

Again I looked at the ‘me’ on the bed. I was lying so still, so pale, and the eyes stared into nothing. What did this mean? What was going on?

If you saw this in the movies, this was a dead body. Was that what I was now? Was I dead? No, this couldn’t be. There was still so much I needed to do. So much I still wanted to do. And how about that weekend I had planned today? The romantic family weekend we so desperately needed as a family?

******

Enjoy Valentines Day!

Book Review: Life Through a Mirror - When Murder Calls by Caesar Rondina

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Life Through a Mirror: When Murder Calls

Subtitle:

Author: Caesar Rondina

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 3

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44000225-life-through-a-mirror---the-battle-rages-on?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=17leibnp4d&rank=3

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Allie and David’s careers are taking over their personal life and they decide to take some more time out for themselves. But when an old friend of David’s appears on the scene, things start to get complicated. Will their relationship be able to survive?

What I liked about the book:

This book carries a great story and is difficult to put down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The writing style has improved from the previous books, but could be improved further.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book was easy to read and had me hooked.

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 book is the second in a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is reminiscent of other suspense novels, although the writing style is rather unpolished.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Life through a Mirror: When Murder Calls is book 3 and the conclusion to the Life through a Mirror romantic murder mystery trilogy. It revolves around suspense, murder, romance, and family. In this series, Allie and David lose a close friend. They become trapped in another web of suspense and murder, as they work with the FBI to find the killers. From the first book, they were two different people that came from two different worlds who finally found each other. Follow them through this series, you read as the lives of the characters evolved. In this exciting conclusion, they try to save themselves and their family in a world that seems to be constantly trying to shatter their lives. In Life through a Mirror: When Murder Calls, the reader will have developed a deeper attachment to Allie and David.

About the Author:

 

With over 35 years of working experience within the public health care system, Caesar Rondina has interacted with over 76,000 medical patients from different walks of life, running a range of cultures, races, and creeds. These encounters were often amplified by the intensity of a life-or-death medical situation. All things combined, Caesar Rondina’s real-life experiences along with education, have provided insight about the world we live in and how we choose to live in it.

Caesar Rondina is a Best-Selling Author, Public Speaker, and Spokesperson. As a businessperson and an educator, he produces educational video tutorials on writing that are published on udemy.com. He also holds a valid United States Coast Guard Master Boat Captain license. Caesar Rondina was born, raised, and resides in New England. He has three adult children. He has attended universities in the fields of Education and Business Management. Caesar Rondina has completed extended studies in the fields of electronics, medicine, and boating. Caesar Rondina is a licensed paramedic and pre-hospital medical practitioner and educator.

As a public speaker, he engages people. Caesar Rondina speaks at book clubs, school events, and community service events, in addition to professional speaking engagements. Caesar Rondina is involved with supporting youth groups and various other organizations. He was a business owner for 17 years before becoming a career firefighter and paramedic.

Book Review: Life Through a Mirror - the Battle Rages On by Caesar Rondina

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Life Through a Mirror - the Battle Rages On

Subtitle:

Author: Caesar Rondina

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44000225-life-through-a-mirror---the-battle-rages-on?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=17leibnp4d&rank=3

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Just when Allie and David think they are getting their life together, trouble finds them again. This time, David ends up in jail accused of a murder he didn’t commit. Will they get their life back again?

What I liked about the book:

This book carries a great story and is difficult to put down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The writing style has improved from the previous book, but could be improved further.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book was easy to read and had me hooked.

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 book is the second in a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is reminiscent of other suspense novels, although the writing style is rather unpolished.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Life Through A Mirror - The Battle Rages OnCaesar Rondina

 

"Life Through A Mirror, The Battle Rages On" is the second in the three-part murder mystery series Life Through A Mirror. This romantic murder mystery revolves around suspense, murder, romance, and family. Allie and David continue to become trapped in a web of suspense and murder that will captivate your mind and steal your heart. They continue to try to save themselves and their family. Follow Allie and David as they attempt to save what they have in a world that seems to be constantly trying to shatter their lives, hopes, and dreams. Caesar Rondina demonstrates in "Life Through A Mirror, The Battle Rages On," you will develop a deeper attachment to Allie and David as you walk down the path with them.

About the Author:

 

With over 35 years of working experience within the public health care system, Caesar Rondina has interacted with over 76,000 medical patients from different walks of life, running a range of cultures, races, and creeds. These encounters were often amplified by the intensity of a life-or-death medical situation. All things combined, Caesar Rondina’s real-life experiences along with education, have provided insight about the world we live in and how we choose to live in it.

Caesar Rondina is a Best-Selling Author, Public Speaker, and Spokesperson. As a businessperson and an educator, he produces educational video tutorials on writing that are published on udemy.com. He also holds a valid United States Coast Guard Master Boat Captain license. Caesar Rondina was born, raised, and resides in New England. He has three adult children. He has attended universities in the fields of Education and Business Management. Caesar Rondina has completed extended studies in the fields of electronics, medicine, and boating. Caesar Rondina is a licensed paramedic and pre-hospital medical practitioner and educator.

As a public speaker, he engages people. Caesar Rondina speaks at book clubs, school events, and community service events, in addition to professional speaking engagements. Caesar Rondina is involved with supporting youth groups and various other organizations. He was a business owner for 17 years before becoming a career firefighter and paramedic.

Book Review: Life Through a Mirror by Caesar Rondina

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Life Through a Mirror

Subtitle:

Author: Caesar Rondina

Genre: Thriller/Suspense

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41873309-life-through-a-mirror

Overall score:

I scored this book 3/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

We follow Allie and David as they find their lives at a low level. Both want to start their life anew. And as they walk on the road to a new life, they find themselves collecting more problems, intrigue and the danger of spending life in jail for a crime not committed.

What I liked about the book:

This book carries a great story and is difficult to put down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The writing style could be improved.

My favourite bits in the book:

The entire book was easy to read and had me hooked.

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 book is the first in a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is reminiscent of other suspense novels, although the writing style is rather unpolished.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you enjoy suspenseful thrillers, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Allie came from a small New England town. David also came from the same area, but a few towns over. Growing up they never met. He loved the fast-paced life of the city. After college he moved to the big city. Two different ways of life. Both living and trying to survive in different environments. They both had a past. A past that followed them into their present, which was affecting their individual futures. No matter what they tried to do, their past was always there to haunt them. Two people hundreds of miles away and worlds apart. Could they ever meet? Will they ever meet? Will their paths ever cross?

About the Author:

 

With over 35 years of working experience within the public health care system, Caesar Rondina has interacted with over 76,000 medical patients from different walks of life, running a range of cultures, races, and creeds. These encounters were often amplified by the intensity of a life-or-death medical situation. All things combined, Caesar Rondina’s real-life experiences along with education, have provided insight about the world we live in and how we choose to live in it.

Caesar Rondina is a Best-Selling Author, Public Speaker, and Spokesperson. As a businessperson and an educator, he produces educational video tutorials on writing that are published on udemy.com. He also holds a valid United States Coast Guard Master Boat Captain license. Caesar Rondina was born, raised, and resides in New England. He has three adult children. He has attended universities in the fields of Education and Business Management. Caesar Rondina has completed extended studies in the fields of electronics, medicine, and boating. Caesar Rondina is a licensed paramedic and pre-hospital medical practitioner and educator.

As a public speaker, he engages people. Caesar Rondina speaks at book clubs, school events, and community service events, in addition to professional speaking engagements. Caesar Rondina is involved with supporting youth groups and various other organizations. He was a business owner for 17 years before becoming a career firefighter and paramedic.

Book Review: Culling by Eden Wolfe

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Culling

Subtitle: (Lower Earth Rising #2)

Author: Eden Wolfe

Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/postapocalyptic

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes

Available:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56130370-culling

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Queen Ariane reigns with a strict hand over Lower Earth. In Aria’s childhood home, Gana, her best friend Leadon feels she will now be able to help them. But what will she find when she observes the queen from a distance? And what will happen to the Queen mother, Maeva? Will Ariane’s paranoia lead to destruction of most of the country?

What I liked about the book:

The book is, like the first in the series, 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 second 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:

Thousands of innocent genetic deviants. One Queen who wants them dead.

 

Can a feared woman win the trust of her enemies to save Lower Earth from its own depravity?

 

Food is even more scarce as "crop killers" become commonplace. The former Queen, Maeva, is reduced to disregarded advisor, and the researchers of Central Tower are forced to pick their loyalty: to Queen or to scientific truth.

 

Standing tall and at last self-confident, Leadon learns the hard way that Lower Earth is not the promised land of her childhood dreams.

 

When she takes over leadership of the original peoples of Lower Earth, she's stunned to learn that humanity is being stripped away right from the top of their society.

 

Queen Ariane is not who she pretends to be.

 

Where her mother had ruled with the blood of her enemies on her hands, Ariane is not so specific.

 

If she deems a people worthy, they will flourish.

 

But if she deems them useless to Lower Earth, she will have them eliminated.

 

Leadon witnesses the Queen’s evil when the lives of thousands of children are suddenly in the balance. Considered "too far along to save", a generation of incubates aren't worthy to live, or so says Queen Ariane.

 

Leadon is torn: she is desperate to redeem the Ganese people, indigenous to the land and systematically reduced to prisoners of a contained region of the country. But Leadon has enemies. The Ganese warrior priestesses have a reputation for ruthlessness, generations old mistrust lives among those who fear their attack.

 

Now, with the imminent death of innocent thousands and panic infused as a tool of control, Leadon will have to convince those who'd sooner string her up that they must combine forces.

 

Otherwise the very humanity that kept Lower Earth alive in the wake of the Final War risks dying in the hands of lies, propaganda, and an army of Guards who do the Queen's bloody bidding.

 

And through it all, the birth of a single child holds the promise of a future… which is why he must be shut away in the back alleys of Cork Town…

 

In Selfsame, Lower Earth had to look itself in the eye. In Culling, Lower Earth must run from its own reflection.

 

Buy Culling, Book 2 in Lower Earth Rising, today!

About the Author: