Tag: book review

When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira

Title: When Life Gets in the Way
Author: Ines Vieira
Pub. Date: 1-Aug-2016
Rating: 4 Stars

When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira is the coming-of-age story of Cassandra (Cass) MacKenzie and Isaac Silva, told in alternating POVs, and how each of them struggles with adversity during those trying teenage years. It is also a sweet love story with an emphasis on family dynamics and the important of family to relationships.

Cass is totally driven. She has one goal in mind and that is getting into Berkeley. She has been planning this life since she was a young girl and she is so close to her goal she can taste it. There are only two small problems. The first is her mother who has recently been extremely depressed and then there is her unexpected and unwanted desire for Isaac whose family has recently returned to Plymouth from Arizona. Continue reading “When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira”

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Title: The Art of Hiding
Author: Amanda Prowse
Pub. Date: 18-Jul-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse is the story of how one family dealt with the devastating double whammy of losing a loved one and financial security in one fail swoop; therefore, a reverse rages to riches tale. The story is intended to remind us that family is the most important thing in our lives and we can live, rich fulfilling lives, without the “stuff” that so many individuals focus their attention and hard earned money on acquiring.

Nina McCarrick has the perfect life. Two wonderful boys, a loving husband, big house, fancy car and all the trappings that go with the wealth that her husband’s successful business allows. Yet, behind the beautiful manured lawn lies secrets that will destroy all of this and reduce it to ash as sure as any conflagration. Continue reading “The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse”

Infinity by Tabitha Lord

Title: Infinity
Author: Tabatha Lord
Pub. Date: 24-Apr-2017
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Infinity by Tabitha Lord is the second book in the Horizon Sci-Fi series. It can be read as a stand-alone, though the reader would benefit from having read the first book prior to tackling this one. The second book is the continuation of Caeli and Derek’s story as they return to Almagest in a covert attempt to overthrow the ruthless dictator Marcus.

The Alliance has discovered that Marcus is involved in human trafficking of the Novali people, who are empathic, as a means to purchase advanced technology. The planet is vulnerable to falling into the hands of the Alliance’s enemies who would love to use the Novali as a weapon in the war against the Alliance. Since Almagest is not a member planet, the Alliance is almost powerless to prevent this from happening hence the mission. Once a democratic government is installed, Almagest can then apply for membership in the Alliance. Continue reading “Infinity by Tabitha Lord”

Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land

Title: Good Me Bad Me
Author: Ali Land
Pub. Date: 12-Jan-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land is a debut novel and a gripping psychological thriller. From the first page, I was lured into the dark places of a twisted and disturbed mind. The mind of Milly, who used to be Annie, and the story of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother a serial killer of children. Milly has seen and heard what no one should have to…. especially a child.

The story opens as Annie, at the age of fifteen, finally reaches a breaking point and turns her mother into the police. She tells the detective what happens in her home. What her mother does. She gives him a bloody piece of clothing and a teddy bear. She is scared. As promised, they come in the middle of the night and arrest her mother. She is given a new name, Milly, and a great foster family. They tell her how lucky she is to have a foster father like Mike, who is a psychologist. He will help her with the trauma and prepare her for the trial against her mother where she is the key witness. Continue reading “Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land”

We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter

Author: Betsy Carter
Pub. Date: 12-Sep-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter is a poignant story about relationships and survival. Set in New York City just prior to the beginning of WWII. The nation is struggling through the depression and for those who have lost everything, family, jobs and country, it is particularly hard.

The story revolves around Egon Schneider, a Jewish ophthalmologist and recent immigrant, who fled Germany to avoid persecution by the Nazi regime.  Upon arriving in America he discovers that the land of opportunity does not have much to offer the flood of refugees exiting Europe. Where he was once a respected doctor, he is reduced to being the “Cheese Man” in a NY deli. He and his small group of German friends, including his best friend Meyer Leavitt, a once respected author, struggle with everyday life and assimilating into the culture of America. They struggle finding jobs, with the language and the prejudices and each, in their own way, attempt to bolster each other as best they can. Continue reading “We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter”

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Title: Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Author: Melissa Bashardoust
Pub. Date: 5-Sep-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

The blurb about Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust describes the book as a “reimagining” of Snow White. I say it is a modern take on Snow White. It is an immensely feminist fairy tale and the story explores the complexity of family ties especially those between mother, in this case step-mother, and daughter.

Mina is the daughter of a brilliant and powerful magician. She was gravely ill as a child and would have died if not for her father replacing her heart with one made of glass. As her father explains, while this act saved her life, it left her incapable of love and being loved. Mina desperately wants to experience love. Therefore, she contrives a plan to catch the attention of the king with her beauty. Her hope is that he will love her for her beauty. Once they are married, and she is queen, others will love her also. Continue reading “Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust”

Pursuing Dreams by M. K. Clark

Title: Pursuing Dreams
Author: M. K. Clark
Pub. date: 30-June-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Pursing Dreams by M. K. Clark is the first installment in a young adult sci-fi series that had me engaged from the very beginning. Hidden gems like this book are the reason why I accept review requests from debut and little known authors. The synopsis was enough to peak my interest and I am so very glad I choose this book to read and review.

The story is about Don O’Hara, in a lot of ways a typical sixteen year old, who just happens to be the son of a general. His father, who as a single parent, is domineering and has run Don’s life like he was one of his military subordinates. Don has always known that his father would insist that he go to Commander’s School even though all he wants is to be a Space Jumper.  Continue reading “Pursuing Dreams by M. K. Clark”

The Library of Light and Shadow by M. J. Rose

Title: The Library of Light and Shadow Author: M. J. Rose Pub. Date: 18-July-2017 Rating: 4 Stars

The Library of Light and Shadow by M. J. Rose is the third installment in the Daughters of La Lune series. The book can be read as a stand-alone and is a pleasant mix of historical fiction, romance and fantasy. The setting is during the roaring twenties, known in France as “annees folles” or crazy years. This was a time when excess was all the rage and women were just starting to redefine their role in society.

The story is about Delphine Duplessi, a gifted young artist from France living in New York City. Delphine makes her living as a party favor drawing “shadow portraits” at high society parties. The portraits reveal the darkest secrets of those she draws. While this ability is a gift, it is also a curse. It can, and did, wreak havoc in the lives of those whose shadow portraits revealed secrets not meant to be uncovered. Continue reading “The Library of Light and Shadow by M. J. Rose”

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker

Title: The Day the Angels Fell
Author: Shawn Smucker
Pub. Date: 5-Sep-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker is a story of good versus evil and how one young person struggled with the very adult question of:  Is there life after death? The story is told in the present and in the past, through the eyes of the protagonist as an old man and as a young boy.

Sam was twelve years old when it happened. The summer had been particularly bad for storms. On this day Sam’s new cat climbs the old oak tree in the front yard. When an ominous storm starts approaching Sam climbs up the branches to rescue it. Sam’s mother bargains with him, if he comes down and goes inside she will retrieve his cat. Then the lightening strikes and Sam’s mother is killed and his whole world changes. Continue reading “The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker”

The Grid by Paul Teague

Title: The Grid
Author: Paul Teague
Pub. Date: 28-Nov-2015
Rating: 3.5 Stars

The Grid by Paul Teague is a dystopian sci-fi story of a post-apocalyptic society that chills the reader. However, before you start reading this book I must forewarn you of the massive cliff hanger. Not just one small thread is left hanging for the next book. The story just stops, as if someone has taken a sword and chopped off the ending.

The plot, at its most basic, is nothing new. A few elite, wealthy individuals have easy lives, as long as they play by the rules, the vast majority are repressed and live in horrid conditions. I know, sounds just like The Hunger Games. At least the similarities, for the most part, stop there. What is different is that the characters lack the depth you find in truly great dystopian stories. Oh, the world is different; don’t misunderstand me on that point. There is lots of action too and the plot moves along rapidly, more like an action/thriller novel. Continue reading “The Grid by Paul Teague”