Book Review: Abandoned Trust by S.T. Collins

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Abandoned Trust

Subtitle: (Light of Hope #2)

Author: S.T. Collins

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31918208-abandoned-trust

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

At the end of the first book, Vikki is brutally attacked and raped by her ex-husband, who is subsequently shot by her boyfriend Robert. This book follows on with what happens next to Vikki and her circle of friends and family.

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-filled and fast-paced.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book is written cleverly to mirror the mind of state Vikki is in and at times confuses the reader as much as she would have been.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The ending because the ending was left open and made me wish I had the next book already.

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

This is the second book I’ve read by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

The book details the journey of a woman who suffered domestic abuse. Although there are other books in this genre, it stands on its own.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably not
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read mystery and romance with some dark subjects, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Abandoned Trust is the second book of the series trilogy entitled: Light of Hope by S. T. Collins. Abandoned Trust explains what happens to the lead character, Vikki Nelson, after the tragic cliffhanger ending of Light of Hope by S. T. Collins. Will Vikki Nelson, a social services case manager at Light of Hope social service agency, find everlasting love with her boss, Robert Cuccio? Or, does Vikki's first marriage taint her aspirations to become emotionally and professionally fulfilled? Abandoned Trust details Vikki's failed first marriage, offering the reader reasons for the divorce, in addition to how Vikki Nelson's past victimization sets the stage for her uncertain future.

About the Author:

Book Review: The Pearl of the Pirate's Heart by Shelly M. Neinast

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Pearl of the Pirates Heart

Subtitle: (The Twelve Gems of Murder #2)

Author: Shelly M. Neinast

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes, but can be read as stand-alone

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60232704-the-pearl-of-the-pirates-heart

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

When Amelia and Robert are on their honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean, they come across another murder. This murder holds similarities to a cold case Amelia is investigating. Will her investigations put her life at risk?

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-filled and fast-paced.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

How Amelia learns to use her tattoo to help her investigations.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was a good read.

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

This is the second book I’ve read by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

The book is different to most others I’ve read. A mixture of crime, cold cases and the paranormal.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read mystery and romance, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Murder in the Caribbean

 

When Amelia Albert and her new detective husband, Robert Flatterly go off on their much needed 7-day honeymoon to the Caribbean, Amelia thought she could kill two birds with one stone. They would have their honeymoon and she could investigate a new cold case just put on her desk that morning. The crime happened two years prior by supposedly murdered by a female pirate who lived in 1726.

What she didn't know, was that while they were on their cruise, two other murders occurred in the Caribbean on two different islands that appear to tie into her cold case from home that have the same M.O.s.

As she continues to investigate the crimes, she soon learns someone in a pirate outfit is following her throughout the cruise and someone wants her dead. On the return trip from the other islands, her cold case from home turns even hotter as she delves deeper into the cases and discovers that a priceless antique book with a white heart-shaped pearl nestled deep inside the book is the motive behind the murders.

Will Amelia and her new husband return home from their honeymoon cruise before they become the next victims?

About the Author:

I started writing at age 15 from extensive traveling when I was young. I went to college and received a BA in History and minors in Anthropology and Archeology. There, they introduced me to the cultural and mythological world, creating my desire to write in the supernatural and mystery genres.

 

In my spare time I also write folklore short stories, historical and romance time travel genres.

 

I have published book 1 The Curse of the Ruby Eyes, and have book 2 The Pearl of the Pirate Heart of the Twelve Gems of Murder series also on Amazon available now.

Book Review: The Curse of the Ruby Eyes by Shelly M. Neinast

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Curse of the Ruby Eyes

Subtitle: (The Twelve Gems of Murder #1)

Author: Shelly M. Neinast

Genre: Mystery/Romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59464866-the-curse-of-the-ruby-eyes

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Amelia Albert comes from a long line of archaeologists. Although she is interested in the field, her chosen career lies in the solving of crimes, especially cold cases. In this first book in the series, she attempts to solve the murder of some archaeologists and also of her great-grandfather. She did not expect to find romance and the paranormal.

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-filled and fast-paced.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

How Amelia accepts what few other people would.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was a good read.

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

This is the first book I’ve read by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

The book is different to most others I’ve read. A mixture of crime, cold cases and the paranormal.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read fairy stories and horror, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Dark secrets lurk in Amelia Albert's family history, and the murder of her great grandfather spurs her to become a detective investigator. However, what she was about to discover was more than what she'd ever expected to find.

Amelia didn't believe in curses or the supernatural kind until she saw her first homicide case. They found a pile of ash on the ground, along with a small stone dragon at the scene, and a Burmese curse written on the wall reminded her of notes she had read from her great grandfather's unsolved murder in 1938.

Amelia partners with her boss, Detective Robert Flatterly, to work the case, and Amelia's ancestry becomes the focal point of the case. She discovers the roots go much deeper into the past than she thought. Seven hundred years in the past, to be exact.

She uncovers that a tattoo she received along with her best friend Serafina, when they were younger, was created with ink made by Serafina's grandma who practiced voodoo. When Amelia unknowingly rubs on her tattoo, it transported her to the past, giving Amelia a different perspective on the crimes committed.

After solving her first supernatural crime, Amelia decides to open a new secret department within her cold case department called, The Department of Investigations of Supernatural Crimes (D. I. S, C) at the Rose Arbor Island Police Department.

Can Amelia and Detective Flatterly find the scroll that can extinguish the curse and send the Naga Dragon back to the Netherworld permanently? Or will they become ash like the other victims?

About the Author:

I started writing at age 15 from extensive traveling when I was young. I went to college and received a BA in History and minors in Anthropology and Archeology. There, they introduced me to the cultural and mythological world, creating my desire to write in the supernatural and mystery genres.

 

In my spare time I also write folklore short stories, historical and romance time travel genres.

 

I have published book 1 The Curse of the Ruby Eyes, and have book 2 The Pearl of the Pirate Heart of the Twelve Gems of Murder series also on Amazon available now.

Book Review: Never Let Them Kiss You by C.A. Powell

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Never Let Them Kiss You.

Subtitle: (A Dark Fairy Tale)

Author: C.A. Powell

Genre: Fairytale, horror

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56306926-never-let-them-kiss-you

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Do you believe in fairies and sprites? No? Perhaps you will after reading this book.

When Mr Ballantyne dies, new people buy his home. For years, he believed in fairies and warned not to allow them to kiss you or you’ll be forever smitten. Two local would-be Wiccans humoured the old man and Abi cooked up some spells for him, believing in the possible placebo effect. But were they more than that?

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-filled and has horror characteristics throughout.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

Where Abi finds out her spells may be more real than she thought they were.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was a good read.

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

This is the first book I’ve read by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is different to other fairy stories I’ve read in the past.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Probably
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read fairy stories and horror, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

It is winter and England's New Forest is in the grip of a vigorous blizzard.

Why do summer flowers quickly grow and radiantly bloom for mere seconds during a winter blizzard?

Why do the same flowers quickly wither and die with equal speed?

Why did the late Mr. Ballantyne continuously speak of such radiance caused by the presence of strange little fairy folk?

Why did no one believe him?

About the Author:

C.A. Powell (Colin Alan Powell)

Born 1961 in Bow district of London. Now lives in Fenland of Cambridgeshire. Loves reading and writing.

 

When I read and do reviews, I always categorise the type of book in my own mind and think of the particular audience that might enjoy. It does not matter if it is classic, pulp, indie, sci-fi etc. It is all a personal reflection from my own bubble of thought. I always seem to take something from every book I read.

Book Review: Emi by Ian Primeaux

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Emi

Subtitle:

Author: Ian Primeaux

Genre: Adventure

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56642961-emi

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

The book tells the fairytale-like story of a young girl, who follows her curiosity to discover her attic. However, when her teddy falls into a trunk and she tries to recover it, she instead ends up in a different world.

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-filled.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

Where Emi learns you don’t have to be big to be courageous or strong.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was a good read.

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

This is the first in the series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is reminiscent of other books describing a parallel universe.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Yes
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read adventure stories, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

One night while waiting for her father to get home, ten year old Emi wanders around her home when she accidentally drops her teddy bear into a mysterious chest. Anxiously going in after it, Emi falls into the chest and is teleported to a strange new world. Not long after waking up in this new world she is saved by her teddy bear who has come to life and grown several times her size. During her journey to find a way back home Emi meets several new friends including a royal guard, a scientist, and many others. Her focus changes from looking for a way home once she begins uncovering clues that her father may actually be in the strange land also! With the help of her new friends Emi embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.

About the Author:

.

Book Review: Light of Hope by S.T. Collins

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Light of Hope

Subtitle:

Author: S.T. Collins

Genre: Fiction

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28424045-light-of-hope

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is not a story for the fainthearted. We follow Vikki Nelson as she rebuilds her life following a divorce from an emotionally abusive husband. Will she be able to find someone she can trust or are all men untrustworthy? While she is rebuilding her life she also seeks to support other women in similar situations in rebuilding their life.

What I liked about the book:

It was a good story, although sometimes a little confusing.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was a good read.

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

This is the first in the series, and it was obvious from the ending of the book, it could not yet be the end.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is another book discussing domestic abuse and that this does not need to be the end. It doesn’t shy away from a difficult subject.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Maybe
Adult	Yes

 

If you like to read more about the life of people suffering domestic abuse while rebuilding their life in a fiction book, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Light of Hope, by S. T. Collins, introduces us to Vikki Nelson, a young divorcée who is determined to make a difference in her work—by becoming a social worker. She works hard and finally lands a job at the Light of Hope, a women’s shelter in her area.

 

Although her main focus in life has always been to help others, Vikki can’t help it when she falls for her boss, Robert Cuccio. Their relationship is passionate and forbidden, but it fills a void in Vikki’s heart; Robert is so unlike Vikki’s abusive ex-husband. Has she finally found the man to make all of her dreams come true?.

About the Author:

S. T. Collins is a single parent of a daughter who is now grown, married, and starting a family of her own. The majority of Collins’ career was working as a teacher in various educational settings, most recently as an instructor within a proprietary school setting teaching adults. The best part of her job, she says, is being able to see her students achieve success in their lives when many of them are faced with great obstacles to overcome. Currently, Collins is writing the sequel to Light of Hope, which is called Abandoned Trust. She believes there will be a third and final book in the series that ties all three books together.

 

Collins’ childhood upbringing was very nurturing and loving. She was raised by her mother, maternal grandmother, and great aunt. Her biological father abandoned her and her two sisters when they were toddlers. He was abusive to her mother and also an alcoholic. She is the first person in her family to earn a bachelor's degree.

 

Eventually Collins would love to further her education in the field of psychology to become a psychologist who operates her own social service agency.

Book Review: Tall Corn State by Thomas Leverett

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Tall Corn State

Subtitle: An Iowa Story

Author: Thomas Leverett

Genre: Fiction

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57255547-tall-corn-state

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

A young man spends his life hiking around the country until he settles in Iowa and enrols into university to please his parents. His student days are short-lived, and he spends his time with like-minded people, working in a cooperative.

What I liked about the book:

It was a nice story with character. Although confusing in places, that was partly the charm of the book.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was confusing in places.

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

I’m not aware of any other books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

I haven’t read any similar books so far.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Perhaps not
Adult	Yes

 

If you like laid back action, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Among Actualist poets and vegetarian restaurant/bakery workers, there isn't much serious crime, but there's plenty in the college town around them. This novel puts you in 1975, when Iowa City was home to several movements at the same time, and when that guy with the pitchfork in American Gothic gave everybody a hard look because of all the things they were doing.

About the Author:

Thomas Leverett's writing is influenced partly by a 48-state, 4-country hitchhiking journey, and partly by a 30-year career as a university ESL teacher. The e pluribus haiku poetry series reflects intimate knowledge of every corner of the US, while his short stories focus on the nature of people and their failings. He is now working on a novel, and his stories are being made into audiobooks.

Book Review: Ways of War by Jhon S. Souza

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: Ways of War

Subtitle:

Author: Jhon S. Souza

Genre: Dystopian

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59627011-ways-of-war

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 3.5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

War-torn Syria. Two boys are taken from their home with the blessing of their father to join Islamic State against their will. Their little sister is threatened if they will not go.

Soon after they leave, Hana is raped and ends up in hospital. The boys are trained to become fighters in a war they don’t want. Can they survive and find a better life?

What I liked about the book:

The story was good.

What I didn’t like about the book:

The writing style could be improved. Perhaps this is because English isn’t the author’s first language.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed all the suspense and action within the book.

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’m not aware of any other books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

Although the book has some similarities to Entangled Lives, the writing style is different.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Perhaps not
Adult	Yes

 

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

Book Description by Author:

Ways of War tells the story of some young people who, since they were just children, have witnessed up close the terrible evils of war. Four main characters who at all times seek a way around all the adversities that appear along the way in a dramatic scenario that the Middle East lives.

The trajectory of Kaled, Aziz and Zayn begins in a camp after being forced to be part of a jihadist group called Islamic State, where they are indoctrinated and molded to extremism; although they have been taught to kill mercilessly for the sake of religion, they all have the same goal, to find peace within themselves and escape from that place, which will be a huge challenge for them. In another scenario, Hana, sister of Kaled and Aziz, orphan of the war, goes through all sorts of difficulties, since she was taken from her family, life has taught her to become a woman even as a child, and now she seeks a way to reunite with her brothers who were kidnapped at a very young age, facing barriers to empower herself in a sexist world.

Terrorism, murder, revenge, torture, love, betrayal, suffering and happiness are some of the stages they will have to go through, and on their way, life will bring them unforgettable moments that will help them to improve as people and to deal with the frustrating reality.

About the Author:

Book Review: False Blood by Jack King

 Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: False Blood

Subtitle: (A Detective Cliff Husto Thriller Book 3)

Author: Jack King

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 3

Best read after earlier books in series? Can be read as stand-alone

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60239825-false-blood

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Cliff has his case cut out for him in this book. First a fire, then the murder of an employee at an equestrian outfitter. The murder of an expected terrorist after a girl is kidnapped muddies the water further. And his best friend is killed in action too. Was it a set-up?

What I liked about the book:

It was action-filled with twists and turns.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I loved the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed 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 author has written several books in this genre. It is the second in the series, and I enjoyed the first in the series too.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is a thriller and quite enjoyable. It can benefit from some further editing as there are occasional typos.

Recommendation:

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

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Maybe
Adult	Yes

 

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

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

Book Description by Author:

Husto faced the most baffling, seemingly unsolvable case of his twenty-year career.

 

The deliberate arson of a well-known saddlery & equestrian outfitter’s store. A string of perplexing murders. Including that of a suspected terrorist. The kidnapping of an innocent young girl. The wanton slaying of her beautiful mare Cappuccino.

 

And the apparent planned assassination of his good friend, Narcotics Detective Lieutenant Nandy Perez. Was there a turf war going on? Or something more secretive? The incidents all seemed to be heading in the same deadly direction.

About the Author:

Born in Tennessee to a military family, Jack King grew up crisscrossing the USA, twice living on the west and east coasts, and several states in between. Upon obtaining graduate degrees in both business and history, Mr. King began a successful sales and marketing career, working for Fortune 500, mid-sized, and start-up firms along the way.

 

After years of moving place to place, King settled in Plano, Texas where he lives with his wife and six dachshunds: parents Barney & Truffles, and their puppies Streak, Cherry, Princess, and Boy Dog.

 

King weaves common themes into his stories, using historical adventure and danger, exotic or unusual locales and time periods, seasoned with bits of stirring romance.

 

Mr. King writes novels for young adults as well as for grown-ups.