BOOK REVIEW 2015-046 – LEAVING MONTANA

I received a signed copy of Leaving Montana in connection with an internet giveaway, and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

As I began to read this book I became enthralled by Mr. Whaley writing which had pulled me in effortlessly to the literary fiction which the author states on GoodReads.com for the book’s description is based on a true family saga.

The author’s use of the first person throughout the book adds to all the emotions one feels Benjamin Sean Quinn is experiencing as he finds out the truth about the 40-year old secret his father had recently mention when he and Ben’s mother had been stationed in Billings, Montana.  The secret had caused his parent’s to have a tumultuous marriage which lead Ben to accumulate the anger he had towards them, and to successfully suppress and conquer the demons he had been experiencing throughout his life.

And once Ben discovers everything he needed to unravel the facts behind the secret he came to solve he leaves Montana for the first and last time, leaving everything he’d found there unscathed.

Given the way the author has described everything, especially with the fervor he has, my intuition is telling me there’s much more going on than one reads. My intuition is telling me this book might actually be a literary work of fiction disguising the personal memoir the book might actually be.

Given the expanse of the emotional values this book delivers, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MCB1HPM

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MCB1HPM

If you liked the review and are considering buying a copy, please say YES to the review on Amazon.

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WEEKLY STATUS REPORT # 45

The good thing is, this week I’m able to post my Weekly Status Report on a timely basis; the sad thing is my OH is still in the hospital so please DON’T ASK me anything about it as it is quite depressing for me to think about it.

The books I’m winning from the giveaways I’ve entered and won are still coming in with 6 books by 5 authors yet to be received, plus 2 e-books yet to be  download to the KINDLE App on my computer.

For those who are keeping tabs, having brought my participation down on LinkedIn to the 3 groups I OWN, the 2 that I MANAGED, and the 3 Romance groups I belong to, I’ve been able to read and review an impressive total of 6 books on Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing and Shelfari, plus my 3 personal sites since my last report.

Another wonderful thing which has taken away my thoughts concerning my OH is my dream of becoming one of the TOP 10,000 reviewers on Amazon has finally been fulfilled with a current ranking of 9,722. My next dream is to hit 5,000 where I will receive a badge on my profile.

At the present time I’ve got a total of 8 books in my possession to read/review. Hopefully, with my cutting back on the number of giveaways I entering, I can be up to date with my reviews in about three weeks.

Don’t worry, I’m still planning to resume writing my WIPs, but I’m not sure when it will be now.

So THANKS for your kind support. I know your thoughts are with me.

BOOK REVIEW 2015-045 – THE CLAIMING OF SLEEPING BEAUTY

I received a copy of this copy from a GoodReads.com giveaway and the following is my honest opinion of the book.

Growing up what girl hasn’t read sleeping beauty or watch the classic Disney cartoon and dreamt of having a Prince Charming entering her life and becoming a Princess. And having grown up has realized it had merely been a fairy tale of their youth and although there are many wonderful guys in the world not one of them is truly a Prince.

I should have read the description for this book more closely otherwise I wouldn’t have entered this particular giveaway.

In this version of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty doesn’t get woken by a kiss from her Prince Charming ending her hundred year curse, instead she’s gets brought into a life of total sexual enslavement by a master who desires her beauty to solely fulfill the desires of other men. The story takes its readers through the adept writing of its author, Anne Rice, to the erotic extreme of BDSM where some women might want fantasize about, but few would desire for it to be a reality.

Beauty is repeatedly force to endure incredible erotica rituals with strangers solely to fulfill their wanton sexual desires.

As a Book Reviewer, I’ve already read several erotic novels. The author’s selection for the title of this book is totally apropos as this is what happens to Beauty at the hands of her so-called Prince Charming.

Even though this book had been a New York Times Bestseller and had been originally published in 1983 I found myself not being able to turn the pages fast enough to get to the last page; which is why I’m giving this book the lowest rating I give for any review I post of 3 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/0452281423

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0452281423

BOOK REVIEW 2015-044 – AT HIS COMMAND [Historical Romance Version]

I received an e-book copy of this “At His Command” [Historical Romance Version] through a giveaway for the 4^th anniversary of The Romance Reviews [TRR] and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

It’s quite a challenge for a romance author, or any author for that matter, to write their first novel, yet Ms. Kaufman has decided to write not one but two versions of the same story for her first endeavor; one as an historical romance and the second as an inspirational one in order to attract, in my opinion, a wider audience base for her future endeavors.

The author’s well researched endeavor added to her writing pulls its readers into the story as they, if the mood is right, begin to fantasize they’re in Lady Amice’s shoes, due to the descriptions which are provided, especially that of court life.

After the death of her husband getting Lady Amice gets emotionally attracted to Sir Nicholas, who the king had sent to protect her from undesirable suitors, but for the sake of a better word is penniless. The king and queen, on the other hand desires that she marries a highly-ranked lord, someone who is more aligned with their needs for the kingdom’s survival with his money for the treasury and connections to maintain the forces needed for the army.

To experience Lady Amice’s dilemma you’ll need to check this book out. Meanwhile, I’m giving 5 STARS for my experience.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPG52A6

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QPG52A6

BOOK REVIEW 2015-043 – SOME BOYS

This review is for one of the four signed books I’ve recently won from this author through a massive giveaway on one internet site, which had consisted of 13 individual ones, and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

To begin with, while I believe the ages of the characters in this book are that of high school students making it appropriate for the YA [Young Adult] audience; the serious topic the book deals with.

Pardon me for sounding a little prudish, but this book seem to be more appropriately classified as a book for the upper range of the NA [new adult] genre of romance as it requires a more mature audience of readers, or even perhaps as an adult romance novel.

The story is truthfully raw in its depiction of happens to an young, underage female drinker who gets drunk at a party and is taken advantage of by one of the boys there, a boy who one would never expect of being capable of committing such a heinous act.  Naturally, it is Grace who is now being looked at as the instigator for this alleged event occurring, and everyone begins to shun her. Everyone that is, except for one individual boy, Ian, who eventually sees the truth in what she’s been saying.

Ian, is the type of guy any woman would love to have in her corner, a guy who would find the truth in what she’s been saying in regards to the terrifying ordeal she had to face, and is willing to stand by her.

On the other hand, the discussion questions Ms. Blount provides at the end of book; turns this book a wonderful teaching tool in preparing young girls to face a possible reality of life no woman would ever want to happen to them. And for the educational property this book presents, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JS4J81G

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JS4J81G

BOOK REVIEW 2015-042 – EDEN FOREST

I received a signed copy of this book through a giveaway on FaceBook, and the following is my honest opinion for the book.

While the premise of parallel universes is not new, the way the author chooses to use the concept is. In the case of a Eden Forest by Aoife Marie Sheridan the parallel universe is Saskia and SaraJane is the link between it and back home on Earth.

On Earth SaraJane is a typical 21-year old. She has a job and one day after her mother disappears she gets whisked by Tristan to an unknown world where she discovers she is now a real life princess, and is the only one who can save Saskia from its fate.

Growing up on Earth SaraJane had no powers, but soon discovers she has magical ones now, like everyone else.

On Saskia she starts to discover herself through a journey which will take her through the unbelievable world she’s on now, which includes coming face to face with a father she never knew as a child.

The story which the author has written is pure fantasy, and has a romantic element in which SaraJane’s guardian has grabbed the attention of her heart.  However, there a dark element present that wants to take this away from her.

The more SaraJane learns about the powers she now possesses, the more she learns it comes with a heavy price, as she’s being continuously tested.  And she ultimately must ask herself a question no one wants to have to answer, the question concerning life and death itself, the question which deals with who will die and who will live.

The storyline, which begs the reader to read more and to turn each page to learn more, only could be present due to the skillful writing of Ms. Sheridan. 

Eden Forest is the first part of the trilogy the author has concocted of which I’d love reading. But unfortunately, being a Book Reviewer, I don’t have the time or luxury of being able to read the rest of the books in this series. With that said, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.  

US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C43FKHY

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C43FKHY

BOOK REVIEW 2015-041 – BROODY NEW ENGLANDER

I received a signed copy of this book in connection with a miscellaneous internet giveaway and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

Broody New Englander is a compendium of three stories; one is a novella and the other two short stories, all of which have come from the creative mind of its author, Kenneth Weene. Mr. Weene couldn’t have picked a better adjective for his book, or for the essence which describes all, if not most, of the characters in the book.

All of the author’s characters come from the memories he had living in New England and the psychological POV he uses throughout his endeavor here stem from his work practicing psychology in New York. While some authors merely attempt this POV, Mr. Weene attempt is, due  to his background, far more realistic in giving us the insights to the human psyche of each of his characters as they deal with a broad range of emotions going from the power of rage and hate down to the more sedate one of love, as well as dealing with the oft-time related topics of disloyalty and injustice.

The almost effortless style of Mr. Weene’s writing is quite inviting, as it causes the reader to know what is on the next page. And given this, I’m giving his book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCUYK12

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QCUYK12

BOOK REVIEW 2015-040 – LIFE BEGINS AT SUNRISE

I won a copy of this book through a giveaway on FaceBook, and the following is my honest opinion for it.

Given the subject matter this book deals with, I couldn’t begin to think of a more metaphoric title than the one the author has chosen to use.  While theoretically life begins at the moment our mother gives birth to us, it doesn’t really start until one leaves the nest and safe haven of one’s home. And for many of us, it is when we head off to college to learn what will become our livelihood.

Such is the story has we follow Vane Carlson as he leaves college to learn his heart’s desire, that of training bird dogs. As he starts to master the skills he needs to succeed, he also begins to learn what it truly means to be a man.

It is easy to relate to many of the characters in the book, as share the same weaknesses as well as their fortes. The storyline of this book deals with hard work, friendship, forgiveness as well as faith in oneself, others, and G-d. The story also deals with finding love, true love, while the norms of the day should have forbidden it.

For all the real life attributes and humanistic aspects this book beautifully contains, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

I read this book on March 20^th and I’m just getting around to posting my review now.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLM7C3U

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KLM7C3U

BOOK REVIEW 2015-039 – ANGEL OF DEATH

I received an e-book version of this novel through an internet giveaway which had been given by 4 Wills Publishing and the following is my honest opinion.

While having read a few novels for this genre since becoming a Book Reviewer about six-and-a-half months ago I find this endeavor by Jennifer Hinsman to be the quintessential example of what a real erotic novel should be like, others on the other might consider this to be pornographic. But since reviewing one which actually is porn I can tell the difference, this one at least has other elements in the storyline besides sex such as mystery, romance and a little comedy sprinkled in for good measure.

Although Tancy and Audrey, the two main characters, came from two totally different backgrounds, they bounded when they met as college roommates and they friendship grew as time went by. When Audrey learns about a murder which had occurred during Tancy’s childhood the two decided to investigate it and to attempt to find the culprit.

The writing draws the readers in, as they get absorbed into the action of the storyline and wanting to what will happen next.

And after considering all the facts, how can I not give this book 5 STARS.  

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UBI5Y

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P2UBI5Y

BOOK REVIEW 2015-038 – I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT

I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on GoodReads.com and the following review is my honest opinion for this book.

There are several important ages in a woman’s life, the first of which is the age of sixteen; the in which they go from being a girl to being a young woman.

The next is 21 where their parents can no longer legally tell them what to do. They can now legally smoke and drink to their heart’s desire. And they can have a relationship with any man they want to and how they want it.

We now come to the age of 50, the dreaded age which Annebelle Gurwitch writes about in her book. I found Ms. Gurwitch didn’t flinch in writing any of her essays when it came with the myriad of topic she discusses, whether it be about a relatively mundane topic as getting anti-aging cosmetic products at the beauty counter, to those intimate subject matters a woman might not even write about in her diary.

The author’s comedic background allows her to add a certain humorous approach to whatever the topic might be, an element which would have been lacking had someone else written the same item. Ms. Gurwitch’s essays, I feel, gives a reason for women to possibly laugh at themselves as they reach this crucial age in their lives.

For opening a new door to the world of possibilities, I’m happy to give 5 STARS for this book.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGZKKZG`

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DGZKKZG