Monday, March 27, 2023

"Save My Soul" by K.S. Haigwood

Kendra died on the operating table after a rappelling accident. But a guardian angel tricks her into agreeing to help save the soul of her doctor, but he forgot to mention that she only has 1 week, and failure will cost her her soul as well as his. How do you convince someone with every reason to distrust God to return to believing in Him?

This was an interesting story. I found the idea that everyone has a guardian angel as well as a guardian demon trying to influence them quite interesting, and plausible. It really makes you think not only about how your decisions affected not just yourself, but those around you. And it also would certainly seem to explain a lot of the way we see others behaving to see it as them listening to the inner voice of either their angel or demon.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I'm not normally all that interested in books with a major religious theme, but this one did not only catch my interest, but it held it despite the religious theme inherent in a book about fighting to save someone's soul from Hell. I think this book would appeal to most anyone, regardless of whether or not you are a believer. It was an interesting story with an interesting perspective


This book is also available from other retailers. To see where, simply follow the link below.

https://books2read.com/u/bzK2M9

Monday, March 20, 2023

"Charms and Firearms" by Trixie Silvertale

After hosting a fundraising auction in her bookstore to raise money for the animal hospital, Mitzi is invited on a ski trip with the handsome Rory Bombay. On that trip, while learning to ski, Mitzi winds up falling onto a dead body.  And once again, she finds herself in the middle of trying to solve another murder mystery.

I enjoyed reading this one. I am still working on reading these earlier books in the Mitzi Moon series as I wound up reading the series out of order. If you can, I would recommend trying to read this series in order. If you don't, some of the later books might make you feel like you missed a few things. But even if you wind up missing a few books along the way, this is still an entertaining story with fun characters. 


I have been enjoying this series and plan on reading my way through the rest of the books that I appear to have previously skipped. If you like cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist then I believe you will enjoy this book.


This book is also available through other retailers. Simply click on the following link to see where. https://books2read.com/u/m0qAQW


Monday, March 13, 2023

"The Mussorgsky Riddle" by Darin Kennedy

Mira Tejedor is a psychic who often uses her talents consulting for those who need her help. Sometimes it is to locate a missing person, but this time it is to help a young boy who has withdrawn so far within himself that he is almost comatose. But what happened to send him into such a state? Mira has been hired to try and reach the boy, hopefully helping to bring him back to himself and his family.

This was the first book in the Fugue and Fable series. And I enjoyed reading it a great deal. The author did a wonderful job of describing the internal world that Anthony had created in order to protect himself, and watching the tale unfold as it was accompanied by pieces of classical music was a very imaginative way to tie the whole story together. The ending of this book almost came as a complete surprise to me, having not noticed some of the clues hidden throughout the story. (And that made the whole thing that much more enjoyable for me, as often I find that I've spotted a big clue to the ending of a book well before the book ended. But this one I almost didn't see coming at all.)


If you enjoy mysteries with a hint of the fantastical, stories where music and art play a large role, or are just looking for something a little different, give this book a try. I think you'll be enjoying it as much as I did. And I'll be keeping my eyes open for book two in this series. I really want to know what adventure is next in store for Mira.


This book is also available at other retailers. Simply click on the following link to view where: https://books2read.com/u/49VXjp

Monday, March 6, 2023

"The Definition of Luck:
The Post-Modern Prometheus"
by Steven Paul Leiva

Khadambi Kinyanjui is a very tall Kenyan who was raised in London. Joe Smith is a much shorter red-headed orphan boy who grew up in the California desert, raised by his aunt. When the two scientists meet at University, they appear to be exact opposites. But the two of them find more in common between them than most people would think possible. Soon the two become the best of friends, closer even than brothers. (No, there is nothing romantic or sexual between them, this is not that kind of story.) 

This is the story of their friendship. One that spans a lifetime and beyond. It is the story of what they will do for each other when a life-changing tragedy strikes, and how that tragedy may wind up changing the course of their lives, as well as potentially the lives of a great number of other people. This is also a story about humanity, and what it means to be human. One big question explored by these two characters is... can one be considered human if they can no longer live in the physical world?


I love reading Mr. Leiva's books a great deal. His stories always leave me highly entertained, but more than that, they make me really think about the story and the characters. His stories are never ones that I read and then soon forget about as I begin reading another book. No, his stories really make me think about the meaning behind the story. And they stick with me long after having read them. (And for someone who reads a lot of books, that means something to me.)


I would highly recommend this book. It is a very complex tale, but one that I think anyone would enjoy, especially if you like books that will really make you think.


This book is also available through other retailers Simply click on this link to see them: https://books2read.com/u/bzK279


Monday, February 27, 2023

The Doctor's Western Bride"
by Florence Linnington

Before Mabel's father died, he asked her to find her half-brother Collin and deliver his inheritance. She has never met Collin, but her father had told her about what a wonderful man he was, and promised that Collin would take care of her. Unfortunately, when she arrived at his home, she met a drunken, angry, and violent man. He only agrees to allow her to stay because of the money that her father had sent. And given how much he drinks, that money isn't likely to last very long.

Thomas is the town's doctor. He lost his wife and child during childbirth and has been alone and still grieving two years later, believing that he can't face falling in love & losing anyone else the same way.


I enjoyed reading about these two lost and lonely souls finding each other and finding love and a family despite the obstacles they face. (If you've read any of her other mail order bride tales, then my telling you that this book has a happy ending shouldn't spoil any of the book's surprises for you. I love reading Ms. Linnington's well-crafted tales. And even knowing there is always a happy ending, it is the way that the characters get to that happy ending that I enjoy.


If you enjoy maul order bride tales, stories about finding love despite hardships and other obstacles, or have enjoyed any of Ms. Linnington's other books, then you should enjoy this book.


If you would prefer to purchase this book from a retailer other than Amazon:

https://books2read.com/u/4ENLXY

Monday, February 20, 2023

"Making Monsters: Dark Origins"
by AJ Parnell

Born to poverty and living in a South African shanty town, Vander may be small for his age, but is also smart enough to be able survive the dangerous life he is stuck in, hiding his supernatural gifts from those who wouldn't understand. When he meets and befriends a wealthy English gentleman, his life will never again be the same, uf he can survive the dangers in front of him long enough to find a way out.

I read an Advanced Review Copy of this book and greatly enjoyed it. It held me captivated from beginning to end as I tried to figure out who the serial killer was. (All I will say on that part is that the ending both did and did not surprise me.) I am very definitely looking forward to reading book two in this series.  The author did a fantastic job of leaving me a lot to consider as I was reading. And honestly, I'm still not entirely sure who the worst monster of the story was. But I am looking forward to seeing where the author is going to take the story from here.


I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark and gritty urban fiction stories. Especially if you enjoy ones with just a touch of horror and a fair amount of suspense. But be warned, this book does contain instances of sexual assault and abuse. It is, unfortunately, a part of the plot that cannot be removed from the story, so if this is something that you might find triggering, then this may not be the book for you.


This book is also available through:


https://books2read.com/makingmonsters01



Monday, February 13, 2023

"I'm in Love with Mothman"

Heather was a video influencer who needed a break from all the negative comments about herself and her channel. But it's the personal attacks that have been getting to her the most. So what does she do? She sells everything and buys a small isolated cabin in the woods. The locals warned her about the dangerous winged monster that lives out there, but who would really believe such stories? At least not until he shows up and catches her as she falls out of a tree?


I received an Advance Review Copy of this book and really enjoyed it. The title caught my attention as there is a Mothman museum & statue in my state. My family and I have been to see both. So how could I not want to read this book? The story was a fun romance with two people from very different worlds, but who find more in common than one might at first think possible. This is an adult romance, so is definitely not a book meant for younger readers. It is the first book in a series, and I am very much looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.


If you enjoy somewhat unusual romances, paranormal romances, are at all familiar with Mothman, or fantasy novels, then I think you might enjoy this book just as I did.


If you would prefer to buy this book from a retailer other than Amazon, just follow the link below:


https://books2read.com/ILoveMothman01


"Save My Soul" by K.S. Haigwood

Kendra died on the operating table after a rappelling accident. But a guardian angel tricks her into agreeing to help save the soul of her d...