Susanna Mahoney's Blog, page 14

One Hell of a Cruise. by Michelle Ann Hollstein- Preview of Friday Promotion at MTMC2FE

This description is what compelled this reader to pick this book to read next, plus I was in a mood for a fantasy cruise, a boat, colourful characters, zany humour and events that are suspenseful and now I was becoming familiar with the main character Aggie Underhill, I enjoyed the series more. Aggie is a mid aged woman with a off colour sense of humour, a nose that can not keep out of trouble and a curiosity that would kill the cat gets herself into tricky situations as she and all the memorable characters, her dear friend Betty, Betty's cousin Roger, Aggie's daughter and her family, plus the overbearing mother-in-law who has a bitter tongue keep the reader interested to conclude the story. this and other stories in the series will keep the sleuth in you entertain. She is comparable to Agatha Christie, with a Britain's humour

In the author's words "With bleach blonde hair piled on top, an oversized pocketbook to match every outfit and an insatiable appetite for snooping, the ever curious Ms. Aggie Underhill and her friends embark on an eight day cruise to the Mexican Riviera."

Review

This author took her colorful characters, Mrs. Aggie Underhill, private sleuth, her friends Betty and Roger, and placed them into a tricky, complex, and entertaining plot of enjoying a cruise to the Riviera of Mexico. She adds in colorful scenery and other details which also invite the reader to imagine what is like to travel to Mexico, and see the wonders through the characters’ eyes as they witness all the beauty and entertainment one enjoys when on a cruise ship getaway.
Except in this book she takes her characters and places them into tricky and awkward positions. Betty is attracted to the tall man Brice who is attracted to her camera. His younger brother, Jack the loser, is to track Pablo, who is in trouble and is looking for help. Roger, not being sensible yet wanting to get his money's worth from the thieves of the shipping industry, thinks of ways to ripped off the cruise ship merchants, and he is enjoying himself immensely with that game. Anita, the mother-in-law, is driving poor Mrs. Aggie to want do a naughty actions against her, but she has to be the mature one. If Anita says one more tsk, Mrs. Aggie will go over the edge.
Then there is the waitress, the stalker, the grumpy old man with his wife, and the married couple who desired more than what each is receiving from one another. All these characters come together and create a delightful tale of mystery and suspense.
Meanwhile, on this trip the author introduces two shady characters and other possible suspects. Mrs. Aggie Underhill, private sleuth, smells trouble and starts to track the shady characters and finds clues to verify what she thinks is the case, but she herself was also surprised with the outcome as they all become enmeshed in a messy situation. There are hints of adultery, back stabbing, and secrets waiting to be discovered in the darkness of the starry twinkling diamond skies.
In this comparable but hilarious plot of an Agatha Christie mystery, there is suspense and so many twists the reader had to take notes in her head to figure out the case before the conclusion of the story. It was an enjoyable lite read, and for readers who like Whodunit Mysteries with hilarious antics and tying up the case in a nice little bundle, this and other stories written by the author are available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Ann-Hollstein/e/B004FSAF7Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1and as of Friday, August 17th One Hell of a Cruise will be free for the weekend on Amazon Kindle. (hint, hint) go check it out and see if this reader was correct in her choice, this is an excellent read and 5 stars.
In the author's words
"After that, she settled down in bed to read the latest book in her favorite mystery series. It was an in-between the numbers book. She couldn’t wait to see what kind of mess the protagonist happened to get herself into. A couple of chapters into the book, her eyes began to burn, the lids feeling heavy. She reached over to switch the lamp off on the nightstand next to her bed and finally gave into sleep. She’d just have to wait until another time to find out how her favorite nosy literary character would get out of her recent ordeal." "She herself was a tall woman of 5’10 with a fairly large build. She was by no means fat, just a good-sized woman. And Anita, well, she was barely 5’1 with a teeny tiny frame and not to mention a killer metabolism. Aggie figured that she had probably gained five pounds just from watching Anita inhale all those desserts at the lunch buffet. And she wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Anita ended up losing weight by the end of the trip.
“Urrrr….” Aggie growled."
"Difficult, especially since she couldn’t tell them what she was up to in case Betty accidentally spilt the beans to Brice.
And that poor boy, Pablo, he needed her help. She had to do something to help that unfortunate boy.Betty slumped her shoulders and scowled. She looked over at Aggie and groaned. Aggie knew why she was sulking. It was because Brice ignored her all evening. And even worse than that, Anita never asked for her camera back before Brice excused himself from the dining room."
This reader highly recommends this author and her many books in this Mrs. Aggie Underhill series; reminds this reader of the younger years reading the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries and others like it. It was fun to find a series to read which made one laugh yet able to use the dominant brain cells to figure out the case. As a bonus she also is familiar with Gluten diet and Celiac Disease is offering her readers’ recipes to create and enjoy with this and her other books and keep their bodies feeling well. Two deals for the price of one.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/One-Hell-Cruise-Underhill-ebook/dp/B00418448Q/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344968379&sr=1-5
Website link: www.MichelleAnnHollstein.com

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/AYzbF_Jbopc

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ms-Aggie-Underhill-Mysteries/172084432819333?ref=hl

Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/Mhollstein

One Hell of a Cruise: An Aggie Underhill Mystery (Ms. Aggie Underhill Mysteries) www.amazon.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYzbF_Jbopc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Message-To-My-Children-2-Fantasy-Escapism/103661739691732?ref=stream

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Published on August 14, 2012 18:15

The Campaign of the Gods by Mike Evers

In the author’s words:
“What the policemen couldn’t possibly know was that these ferocious-looking men were part of the Viking Great Heathen Army, and they’d been randomly transported to the woods less than an hour earlier. Like most of the Ivar’s forces, they had arrived lost and confused and were doing their best to get their bearings. Quite a difficult task in the circumstances, bearing in mind they had recently inhabited another place, well over a thousand years earlier. What’s more, these Vikings had had the misfortune to find themselves in the same general whereabouts that Fenrir’s dark forces were appearing and had been attacked by a group of dire wolves within minutes of arriving. After a short and savage skirmish, they had managed to see off the wolf pack, having lost three men and killing five beasts in the process. It was as they were making their way down a path hoping to link up with other Vikings that they chanced upon an odd discovery: In front of them was a man dressed in strange attire, sitting in a large metal and glass box.”
“His fellow god was mortified at what was happening, especially since it seemed to be actually happening in the realm of Midgard - a place Thor was sworn to protect. And, to make matters worse, Tyr was playing with the dark forces of Fenrir – his very nemesis, the creature that had relieved him of his hand with those terrible jaws.”
“Týr just hoped Thor would start to roll sixes. They were going to need all the luck they could get...”
This author has created another reality and historical tale, this time it is about the Great Vikings, Thor, God of Thunder and Tyr, God of Battle who in their dimension are playing a magical board game with runes…and Tyr tired of being scam by Thor and losing as the dice rolled in favor of Thor, he decides to have the game investigated and un-hex by the old hag, powerful witch. He is uneasy about the theft and having her work her magic on the game but ignores his insight and continues to have her use her magic and leaves her hut, goes home waiting for the next day to sneak the game back into Thor’s Castle.
When with the hag, the trickiest Loki play a dangerous prank that was about to get more dangerous as the game continues and the Vikings are ordered to located the Hopfield Stone in the earthly realm and about to face the enemies who are preparing to hunt their prey, humanity.
The two Gods sit to continue the game and Tyr is thinking this time he will not lose anymore territories and property; lady luck will be on his side this time. Except when Thor throws the dice he has the selection of the next card, the old Hag tricked the Gods and added in a hideous creature in to the mix; the Fenrir a supernatural creature everyone fears. He is pure evil and gathers troops together to plunder and kill his victims. This spell caused an incident to occur and now the creatures are roaming and hunting the earthly realm and the Vikings seeking a treasure discover the creatures and now have to defend the weak humans come through the portal to hunt for the treasure and battle the preying foes.
Then there is the reality of the Brit policeman with the pregnant wife and his partner PC Walker’s and his passion is the historical re-enactment society he of course is involved in the Viking’s play acting performances and has a passion for it; He is missing on this deathful day, has not reported to duty; and when he does he is the savior for he is knowledgably familiar with the Norse language and traditions is able to assist the heroes.
The author has added his colorful witty humor in the midst of the final battle the policeman’s wife is pregnant and about to give birth in the midst of the final battle. This is a suspenseful intense comedy, horror and fable story mixed together with a zany short plot.
This author has taken the Viking Tales of Thor and his men protecting humanity and blended them into a fictional story that attracts the reader and delights in the memories and language of the Viking’s literature and then go back to the present to the policeman and his partner and their interaction with the Vikings and the foes, he has a hostage, this reader off to finished this delightful tale of the Campaign of the Gods. The Fin and no more description except to give this tale 5 star and ask the readers to click the link below and enjoy this author’s book coming soon and others one
http://www.amazon.com/The-Spirit-Archer-Mike-Evers/dp/1475050429/ref=la_B007LI8WR2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342383277&sr=1-1
The one above The Spirit Archer is favorite fables of Robin Hood with a witty conclusion see reviews.
The other http://www.amazon.com/The-Chaosifier-ebook/dp/B007RGPMPS/ref=la_B007LI8WR2_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342383277&sr=1-2
This author took this ideal concept and plotted an entertaining story about good guardians, the bifurs and the bad guardians, Mountain Lord John mystic gone bad, in the midst of this conflict is a divine machine which was stolen and being manipulative in to a tool of chaos.
This is his author page http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Evers/e/B007LI8WR2
This is a free review in exchange for reading his books, psst, a secret, he is turning into one of this reader’s top ten authors from West Yorkshire, across the ocean, Cheers

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Published on August 11, 2012 09:40

Before You go by James Preller

As declared on the Amazon page for this remarkable exceptional emotional packed story this is from "Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel that will grip readers from the book's dramatic first few pages to its emotional end."

This is the actual statement about this poignant story.

It starts off with a warm introduction into the young lives of teenagers on the brink of finding themselves and developing their independence by describing a typical teenager's life with learning about responsibilities, finding summer employment and planning for their futures.

It's setting is Jones Beach in Long Island, NY this exploration in the way the author wrote about the scenery and the exploration of real life was so gripping; it was like being a teenager again experiencing through their eyes. Then there is the fear of the unknown, the mysteries of the first romance and how to attract the girl, the roller coaster of emotional storms such as the deep bond of the loyal friendships between Jude and Corey and the impacting tragedies that change the course of everyone's lives.

The spiritual tone of why good people are taken too early and the pondering of the truth of it all touched this reader's core; the message about how life and it's trails can be tide waves drowning, giving up or fight to swim out from the under the undertow and live for another day. Parts of the story, made this reader reminisced about the past, laugh with the antics of the typical teenagers, gasp at the foolish theory that we, as young people we all think we are invisible and experienced our own emotional turmoil we all in one way or another experienced the feelings of the highs and lows as the characters did in one way or another.

This reader's heart was breaking and the tears were flowing sympathizes with the young brave characters and their dilemmas. This author has a writing style to have the reader sympathize with the characters trials as each one encouraged themselves and others to break out of the darkness to find the light of strength, hope, faith and love.

The conclusion was heart wrenching and It was refreshing like a double rainbow, coming out of nowhere. You want to flash back about your teenager memories or to explore your inner strength then this story is for you.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312561075/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_img

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Published on August 10, 2012 18:54

The-Revelation-Love- by Gideon-Cecil

This author is a male from Guyana that has desired to capture many feelings and encapsulated them into a sentimental book of poetry. In his Amazon bio the reviewer had declared his writing to be complete with emotional depth and sophistication from the beginning to the end each poem inspired a deep and personal emotion in me. He has written praise to the Almighty, about forbidden love to what politic, literature and what he loves about his native Guyana and other topics.
This reader felt the struggles this poet was expressing as he tries to pen indescribable human vocabulary into the language of the heart and soul, which is an impossible except for the rare few who has experienced life's joy and sorrows and absorbed them into their psychic and human core. This author has created a book with messages of hope and salvation. His plead for humanity to accept love as easily as some accept hate and anger. Expressing insight that Love is a forbidden sensation in our world of today and some writers frustrated with the wick root of evil invading society have desired to turn the tide.
This author has attained this achievement in some of his poems in this collection.
This book should be introduced to students, and all in need of teaching and inspiration.
If one poem does not touch your heart, this reader would guarantee there is another that will for this author explores all topics from A to Z and invites the reader to experience the collection through their own eyes and imagination.
His works have won several literary awards at home and abroad.
Here is a copied verse from the poem of
My Love for Literature;
"Predicting the future for our freedom. Creating books of eternal value to read Sustaining young minds to blossom like a rose. The wisdom of poetry is from great literature, Building hopes upon dreams of treasure. Words created the universe above Controlling our hearts to fall in love. Clouds will ride upon the wings of the skies, Mankind in miseries until they die. Books are gold in the image of our spirit, Directing our souls to live for merit. The memory of literature will last forever," and continues...This one touched this reader's heart and presented knowledge to me to ponder about. This is from another that give me thought to digest upon
Politics
Politics- a game that fluctuates in our intellects Fooling the conscience of a whole nation. Selling souls to make a false name, Corruption is the name of the game.
My Smiling Muse
"My divine muse hides her face in the eyes of the moon,And watches my soul from afar as my guardian angel.Who invokes my spirit to write I cannot tell,Of the unknown lines she writes in my hands so soon.Oh divine muse! Thou art the inventor of my rhyme,For I know not myself in the wisdom of my poetry," continues
This reader gave these three samples to see for you, there is talent here, some poems are magnificent and others did not stir a movement in me.
The ones that did this book is worth reviewing and is located on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/The-Revelation-Love-Gideon-Cecil/dp/1598007106?_encoding=UTF8&al_rs=#al_rp
Poetry also enlightens the mind and stimulates the endorphins, the happy genes creating natural Euphoria and a poetry reader can never have enough poetry books in their libraries.

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Published on August 10, 2012 18:31

Seducing a Mermaid by Karli Rush

Preview for Midnight Promotion August 10, 2012 at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Message-To-My-Children-2-Fantasy-Escapism/103661739691732

Okay this blogger found a treasure in the buried internet, every mermaid picture on this page from tonight to the strike of midnight tomorrow is artwork from Flynn-The-Cat, she has phenomenal artwork, and I would like to share it and play with all as Our precious gracious author the Bewitching Karli Rush is hosting once again.

Yes she is make a second appearance, two in a row, introducing her newest book, Seducing A Mermaid, the secret it is free on Smashwords, only 38 pages of intense supernatural, paranormal and fairy tale of an artist and a mermaid. Go to Smashwords.com like and download and read it, I will add clips from the book with each mermaid picture, and there will be may be a surprise from under the ocean for some come and find out. This is the preview for Friday Midnight Promotion, August 10, 2102 of the Siren song of Karli's Rush. Do not forget to look for the shooting stars after midnight on Saturday. A siren' song introducing link to book: please leave comments.Like · · Share

Message To My Children 2 Fantasy Escapism https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212326

Seducing a Mermaid, an Ebook by Karli Rush www.smashwords.comSam Vanikey is under tremendous pressure. His new gallery opens in less than a m...11 minutes ago · Like ·

Review
Wow is what this reader can say about this short novella, no more like a teaser. It is breath taking written portrait with human language, description of poetic justice. It is about a painter and his object of delight, a mermaid, they become so immensely enmeshed emotionally, physically and spiritually with each, he can no longer tell the difference between reality and fantasy.

Questioning if she a figment of his imagination, yet there is evidence he is not going insane, the kitchen floor is wet with her dripping watery substance and the unforgotten vague sense of her feminine existence surrounds him and pours into his pores and is taunting him every living moment they are apart.

He is so caught in the siren's beauty and song, he becomes obsessed with her and feels completely lost when she disappears without a word. He is attracted to her, first as a subject for his desire to paint alluring pieces for his uprising art gallery opening and then as an urgency that he feels lost and abandoned and has to be with her to breath, or suffocate in the despondency of losing her forever. .

He tries to separate from his eternal goddess of a woman from his delusion by leaving the cursed house by the sea for a brunch with his sister. He hears and senses the desperate longing for her and no other woman will take place of his fantasy. He decides to not stay with sister but to go back to the house by the sea. Everyone is afraid for him and declares for him not to go cross the waters in the stormy weather.

The thunder and lightning of the darkening skies only compelled him more than ever to return back to the Island by the sea and be with his reality or fantasy dream.

The skies are blackening quickly, the thunder is loud and the transport vessel with the old wise coot is not dependable, it is thrown around in the water like a toy boat. The character Sam desires her touch then to live without her it burns his soul to the depths of indescribable longing and he yearns to touch her once more.

The twist at the end was so enriching and the story ended too quickly.

This is a literary masterpiece with an artistic touch of delightful humanistic insight and written as a supernatural story. It had my Irish roots singing as it reached into the depth of this reader's soul in the midst of a thunderstorm and a drinking a glass of wine. This reader was taken away for too brief of a time for a wonderful escape of a gifted writer's mind and will be looking for other works by this insightful and tender but amazing writer.

This honest review was given in exchange for a free book which was recommended to read by a friend. I am an avid reader and this teaser was definitely entertaining and grammatically acceptable. This author also has other books available to be purchased. You can go to her Amazon Page by following the link: http://www.amazon.com/Karli-Rush/e/B007DJNOMW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

This book Seducing a Mermaid is free at Smashwords.comhttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212326

Amazon.com: Karli Rush: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle www.amazon.com
Visit Amazon.com's Karli Rush Page and shop for all Karli Rush books and other Karli Rush related products (DVD, CDs, Apparel). Check out pictures, bibliography, biography and community discussions about Karli Rush

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798359-seducing-a-mermaid

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Published on August 09, 2012 16:05

A Gift For My Sister by Ann Pearlman

This is an intense emotional descriptive story of human existence and the trials one faces and how they deal with their raging inner conflicts and emotions from trust to betrayal, jealous to acceptance, intolerance to tolerance, experiencing the sweet intimacy of loving one so deep it jars the soul to the core. And whatever comes along, to not give up and learn to accept life as its come with the joys and sorrow and everything in-between with everyone you meet along the way, be it family or friends and not judge them by their race, gender or beliefs. When someone is hurting and raging through their agony of grief to stand quietly by and help them recover from the assault on their soul, love them unconditional and be your own person living life to the fullest, no matter how many lightning bolts decide to strike.

This reader desires to include some writing of this insightful life tapestry of the two half-sisters and had their struggles and acceptance was a gift to a sister.
"I consider the luck of simply being born, of being plucked out of the cosmos and bestowed with eyes to see, and nerves to feel, and ears to hear. Our senses. Our speech. Our breath. How crucial and insistent our ceaseless moving lungs from our first cry to our last."
This book is about life's hardships and two half-sisters, Sky, a lawyer and Tara, a rap star who were estrange until the lighting of tragedy strikes one and they both come together in grief to rebuild their broken relationship and to remember all they lost to come to know each other deeply and repair their broken bond and find their role in their large and extended family.
During the roller coaster ride they call life there were lost and found and learn lessons and gain a deep bond of insight and understanding about each other, their past and what to enjoy in their future as they An event that crushes Sky’s world has Tara deciding to put the bitterness aside to come to a compromise and step up to be a caretaker to her sister Sky, yet the jealous, resentment and anger lies under the surface under the surface, like a volcano and is about to explode.
For the two step sisters are walking a fragile line of caring or distancing from each other due to conflicts they can't not get pass. The tension in the plot, between the two you could cut with a knife. To add to the mix, Tara is traveling with her homies her band, and they are like family to her and now her sister and Rachael are accepted and shower with unconditional love as the clouds are threatening everything she believes in.
They travelled across the states to arrive at their next schedule show, in between stopping at tourist sites and other places of interest which all contribute to the rumbling volcano waiting for a release valve.
The author adds expressive details and speaks of the characters as they were her actual family and friends, he chapters about the younger sister Tara and her husband Aaron and their baby Levy is written with intensity and depth of poetic language of the deepest emotions of what ones hides but does not voiced out loud about fear, jealous and other sensitive topics. Tara and her family give the reader a glimpse in the highs and lows about the rise to fame as rap singers, the divorce of her mom and husband and the abandonment she felt when her dad walked out on the family and the resentment she held for Sky the apple of mom’s eye.
The author is able to switch between characters, from the two sisters, the men in their lives, and others with an easy reading flow. This story touches and expands on many topics from love, fear, jealous, discrimination, racism, acceptance and forgiveness and all that is between. It is an intense human experience and this reader was glad to open the cover and join this creative writer on her journey to explore what one defines as existing in a crazy mixed up world and jump the hurdles with other’ support and unconditional love to awaken the next morning and see their blessings in the midst of the pain one experiences and continue forth to live another day.
The story is about wounded individuals lost in the darkness and in their journey at first they were divided then come together to heal as sisters and re-join a complete extended family in their paths of self-discovery and grief and forgiveness.
There is a longer version on my other blog; http://mtmc2.blogspot.com/
http://agiftformysister.blogspot.com/2012/08/reviewers-rock-review-gift-for-my.html to find out more about the book and another promotion for reviewers go to link above.

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Published on August 08, 2012 09:33

https:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FOSf......

https:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FOSf...

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Published on August 06, 2012 23:06

Day 4 No, Day 5 of the Blogfest Frustration

FRUSTRATION

Is when working on a project and cannot quite get the right be it words, paint, or cooking or any other passion. When expectations are shattered and darkness closes in and the people you thought care, disappear into the vapour of the thin air.
Deleting you from their lives with no explanation and keeping the skeletons in the closet. Using silence as their weapon of spite and jealous or of fear of the unknown?
Frustration is to not able to make your dreams come true. A writer with a blank piece of paper and a mind racing a mile a minute yet no words can be release by the muse until the broken heart is heal.It will take time, is frustration. Words trapped and looking for a release.Forgiveness is the balm of all healing.

http://terriglong.com/blog/2012/08/blogflash2012-day-five-frustration/

Is when working on a project and cannot quite get the right be it words, paint, or cooking or any other passion. When expectations are shattered and darkness closes in and the people you thought care, disappear into the vapour of the thin air.
Deleting you from their lives with no explanation and keeping the skeletons in the closet. Using silence as their weapon of spite and jealous or of fear of the unknown?
Frustration is to not able to make your dreams come true. A writer with a blank piece of paper and a mind racing a mile a minute yet no words can be release by the muse until the broken heart is heal.It will take time, is frustration. Words trapped and looking for a release.Forgiveness is the balm of all healing.