books

Over You – Christine Kersey

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This was a fun, quick read that I really enjoyed. Labeled as a romance/suspense novel, it delivered as promised.

Over You cover image

Jessica Stevens has just broken up with her boyfriend Alex, after he was seen out to dinner and kissing another woman. Needing to get away, she goes and stays at her favorite Aunt’s house. Running into Kyle, her ex-fiancé, was the last thing she had expected, or wanted. Having him remodeling her Aunt’s house had her seeing him much more than she wanted to.

Kyle seems to have a girlfriend, and Alex can’t stay away from Jessica. He knows he made a mistake, and wants to make it right. Not being able to figure out her own personal life and feelings, Jessica begins investigating a mystery that seems to have taken place in her Aunt’s house. 50 year old love letters start Jessica on a hunt for answers that may come with a price she doesn’t want to pay.

I do not want to give away any spoilers to this story, but I certainly recommend you read this if you like romance or suspenseful stories. Free of profanity and sexual content, there are no worries here about having to struggle through awkward sex scenes that seem to be very difficult for anyone to get right.

There is a sequel to this story, called Second Chances. which I have purchased. Over You is free where e-books are sold. I am currently reading another story, and have another one I will be starting today as well. The review for second chances will be posted in the near future.

Second Chances cover image

Have you read Christine Kersey before? Let me know what you thought. She has several novels and I will be choosing some of her other works as well.

For more information on Christine and purchasing her books, please visit her website here: http://christinekersey.com/

The Life & Times of an Incorrigible – G.M. Roberts

Angela14 Comments

GM Roberts Cover ImageG.M. Roberts tells a straight-forward story of his life, in the first-person, from his birth, his lack of enthusiasm for learning, school, or being to what to do, to his Military career, his marriage, and what he did after he was once again a civilian.

I’ve not heard very many people say they wanted to go to Vietnam during the war. Okay, I have never heard of anyone saying that. G.M. was most comfortable in the Military. He may not have always been able to have the job or position he wanted, but it was certainly the career he was meant to have.

Civilian life was not all it is cracked up to be for G.M. He had a career, and people contacting him to work and teach for them, but after losing his Emy to cancer, nothing was important anymore.

This story had me laughing out loud, and feeling great sadness. The story about the sloth still has me cracking a smile. The descriptions of the rappel demonstrations will not soon be forgotten. G.M. certainly knew how to have fun no matter what he was required to do.

Life lessons are shared throughout the story, and are lessons that can fit anyone, in any situation. They are not cliché, or redundant, or untimely. They are important. G.M. questions the influence he had on the many troops who he trained, mentored, taught, and watched both come and go in the Army. I think it is safe to say he likely influenced and helped more people than he could ever realize.

This was a very smooth, easy read for me. It was like talking to a relative, and listening to their stories of what their life was like, the things they experienced, and how it helped shape their life. I highly recommend this story, especially if you are a veteran, currently serve in the Military, or are somehow connected to someone who is.

No, I Do Not JUST Read Books!

Angela6 Comments

books and opinions quote 4-25-15

It is so much more than that. I learn things, and I share the things I learn with others.

I get to experience places and things that otherwise would be off limits to me.

I get to encourage and support new authors, when they feel like giving up, and setting their work on fire.

I get to edit books, and help authors present their best work possible.

There is no such thing as too many books, or reading too much.

If you believe there is, you will never understand what you are missing.

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Start With Me (A Modern Parable) – Michael Seaton & John Blase

Angela2 Comments

Start With Me Coer Image

This is a fast read that involves many different characters, all at different points in their lives, but also all connected in one way or another. A middle-aged married couple who have everything they ever wanted, and feel like “Is this it?” A young widow who lost her husband in Iraq, and is raising two young sons. A new pastor in town who is getting the feel for the members of the church. Another married couple who have never been able to have children, and are now looking to adopt.

The whole idea of Start With Me is right on the back cover: “In a hurting, broken world, one person can make a difference!”

As each of these people go on with their busy lives, along with other characters in the story, they slowly see opportunities to help someone in need. Or someone with a need who can not see it themselves. The smallest kindness, gesture, or even a few words, really can change a person’s day. It can also change their outlook, their attitude, and the way they view the world.

One person really can make a difference. And if many persons make those small differences, just imagine how much more wonderful things could be in your neighborhood, your town, your state, the world? I often feel like there is something I should be doing to help others, more than donating time and money. I pray about it daily, that I will see the opportunity or calling when it is presented to me.

If you are in need of a powerful, uplifting read, this is a book you will be glad you spent a quiet afternoon with.

Why You Have To Finish Your Book!

Angela6 Comments

Dawn of Desire – Joyce Verette

Say it isn’t so! I am posting a review of a “romantic-possibly-sex-laden-book” that is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Dawn of Desire book cover image

So there is a back story to this book. By the time I was 12, I was reading at least one book a day, and when I made my weekly visit to my Grandma’s, I found this book. It was obvious that she hadn’t been reading it, so I “borrowed” it. And when you are 12 years old, anything and everything are possible. But even more than that, this story is GOOD. An arranged marriage, hoping for the best, and expecting the worst, murder, treason, and suspense. Two different nations, trying to unite to avoid a war.

Princess Nefrytaten and Prince Ameni are trying to save Egypt, and build it to what it should be. This story is seriously so good, that there is even more to how I lost the copy I “borrowed”, and found it again.

When I first read this book, I read it again as soon as I finished it. It was always in my bookcase. I always had it near me, until I had to move and all of my books got packed up.

I knew they were safe with my parents, until my Dad called to tell me the basement flooded or some other tragedy, and he threw all of my wet books out.

“WHAT?” You threw my books out? Who throws away books; wet or not? I knew this book was lost to me, and as much as I loved it, I could not remember the author.

I literally searched online for this book every single year until I finally found it on Amazon a couple years ago. I bought it, and the 2 following books in the series.

Is there a moral to the story?

Yes, there is.

Never doubt your writing ability. Write your book, and fight to get it published. Because that book is going to change a reader’s life forever.

I promise!

Sweet Water – Christina Baker Kline

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After becoming the owner of a house and 60 acres willed to her after her Grandfather’s death, Cassie Simon decides this is just the change she needs. Having lived in the city for the majority of her life, she was not exactly sure what she was looking for, but that this was her chance to do something different.

image from: http://christinabakerkline.com/novels/sweet-water/
image from: http://christinabakerkline.com/novels/sweet-water/

Her long-lost family, who have not seen her since she and her father moved away after her mother was killed, are skeptical about why she would come back. Why would she decide to live in a house that has been empty for so long? Would she be capable of even taking care of herself, or would she expect her new-found family to help her out?

Cassie does her best to fit in, and get her new home in tip-top shape. Her relationship with her grandmother, whom everyone calls “Clyde”, is tense for reasons she does not understand and can’t seem to figure out.

This story is told from two different viewpoints: Cassie’s, and Clyde’s. This story drew me in right from the beginning, and I was anxious, and sad, and angry right along with Cassie as she learns more and more about her family, this new town, and what really, truly happened to her mother. The biggest question is, when she learns the truth, will she have any forgiveness left in her?

This is my first read of Ms. Kline, and I was not disappointed. She his highly reviewed, and highly rated. I happened to stumble on this book while browsing through others, not knowing what exactly I was looking for, but that I would know it when I saw it. And I did.

You can find out more about this book, and Ms. Kline, here: http://christinabakerkline.com/novels/sweet-water/

If you have read any of her stories, including this one, I would love to hear what you thought of it!

I Didn’t Realize How Much This Happens…Please Do Not EVER Pay Someone To Review Your Book

Angela41 Comments

I have randomly seen here-and-there that someone would say they paid to have their book reviewed. I have also randomly seen someone post that they would review books; for a fee.

So I figured I needed to look into this, and find out exactly what was going on. I mean, really, I have been reviewing books for new authors for quite some time, so how much money could I have made? (Sarcasm)

I found a man who made over $10,000.00 in a month doing this. WHAT? He was caught soon enough; a writer called him out 🙂 He tried to change his name so he wouldn’t come up in search engines, but the last thing I read was that he was now selling real estate.

So without getting too technical and looking up my blog post from the beginning of January (Yes, I am tired, it has been a long day, and I kind of remember), I read and reviewed books in numbers of upwards of 40. I know around September, I asked for new authors to let me review their books. And boy did I get the response! Out of all the books that I bought or were sent to me (Yes, I bought several of them, and many were sent free of charge), there was only one that I did not post the review to. It was terrible, and I had no worries about anyone else buying this book, so I did not post the review. I got harassed, threatened a bit, and stalked, but I think they finally went away.

Who knew that the reading and writing business was so cut-throat?

So I guess I still just don’t understand the need to pay for a review. If I charged people for reviews, no one would ever trust a single review I spent the time to compose. I understand that new authors are anxious to get their work out there, and be recognized for the hard work they have invested.

But do not EVER compromise that hard work. Because as soon as any reader, such as me, finds out you were paying for reviews, they will never pick up one of your books.

I am looking forward to getting feedback from both authors, readers, and reviewers. Did you pay for a review? I am not calling you out; but I am certainly curious if it helped you at all.

God Forbid – Alyssa Rabil

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I love reading books about religion. Factual, fiction, speculative, and pretty much everything in between. This is the first in a two-book series. This story is unlike any religious stories I have read so far.

God Forbid Image

Completely fictional, this story focuses on the major players in the religious stories you are likely familiar with; Jesus, Lucifer, Gabriel, and other key players.

This story moves between Nabil and Albert and the people they interact with. Nabil seems to be stalked non-stop by Cannon, with some friends, or maybe they aren’t friends, who seem overly interested in his every move.

Albert has made a name for himself due to his numerous, up-to-this-point-unsuccessful, suicide attempts. Known as Suicide Man, he has managed to gain quite a following of people, his own website, and numerous viral videos.

So how would Jesus, and Lucifer, function living in our world today? A more important question is how would they function when they are not 100% aware of who exactly they are, and their importance to life for millions of people.

I am looking forward to the release of this second novel, and you can find more information on Alyssa’s website, found here: http://captainlilybob.com/books/