Susanna Mahoney's Blog, page 15

Crescent Bound by Karli Rush

PreviewWitching TreatMidnight Promotion6pm-12amAugust 3, 2012@
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Messag...
Just like the author's page below or link above and your name will be added to the cauldron 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cresce...




It is the first words in the introduction was the spark that compelled me to continue to read it. The beginning of chapter one the author have me, I was hooked with the plot and its possibilities.

It opens with the main character as a little girl, Alyssa dreaming as her father tells her a supernatural tale of their long ago family history about two young people destined to be together but the male character Donovan has to be recognized and accepted by the council to be able to request for the maiden's hand in marriage.

He sets off on a journey to seek the most precious treasure he can find and bring back to the village to prove his worth. Along the way he trips over another supernatural creature trapped in the roots of a tree.

In repayment of being rescued, the stranger gave Donovan what he was looking for and he brings it back to the council. The question after the quest is finished do the young couple lives happily ever after or not? And how does a missing 8th witch coven have to do with a young teenager life, 800 years later?

The plot goes on with the main character as a high school student and living the daily grind and events- of an extraordinary human, for she is a witch and needs to stay cloak in the human realm to not alert the humans to her abilities. Her only release is her two best friends to practice witchcraft with, try not to get into mischief and stay under the radar

As the story continues she describes the life she lives, drag racing, her fear to not become involved with a human as a mate. She is trying to obey the laws of the coven for they only believe in life matches of witches for life.

The way the author writes the plot it is easy to get involved as if you are part of the book.
It is written with easy conversational humanistic comments that kept this reader attentive to the details of the story.

The witches are divided in to the elements group and depending upon their element, they are given certain powers, the main character's is fire, when she is under stress and cannot contain her emotions she sparks and can burn someone if not careful, like when she is thinking about her first break up with her ex, David or the cute guy Marc who is hitting on her, not accepting no when he asks her for a date;

Events arise in the plot and she has to gain control repeating to self "He is not a witch" and gradually wants to let him down gently yet cannot stop thinking about him, gorgeous Marc.

She speaks to her dad when he arrives home from his trip, about her conflicting emotions. Only To discover a dark secret and is given the responsibility of getting closer to the dreamy guy, who will not leave her alone. She decides to have a relationship with him, and as the story gets more exciting she starts to unravel the clues about the mysterious cute guy and her destiny.

Meanwhile she continues on with her secret life as a teen witch, enjoying drag racing with her dad, partying with her friends and guarding her heart from her first love that broke it. He, David wants her back and pulls out all his charms to win her back she is flatter but confused by his attention.

The plot continues with hints of intimacy; written as very delightful descriptive scenes full of romantic attention which would make any female swoon over his masculine approach to win her back.

Yet Marc is also competing for her attention; she is in the midst of a trio, her ex - David and the new guy Marc, it becomes quite intense at times. This story is a mystery, supernatural and a battle of light and good which are all factors to make it stimulating to the reader at the same time and turning pages to see what will happen next, so many events and conflicts.

In the author's words;

"We walk to my car after school; Kelly's car is next to his, so that gives her an excuse to be standing by his car. I was taught that we don't go looking for trouble, the whole do no harm oath. I will say this, witches don't like confrontations, but we will protect ourselves and the ones we love."

I open my car door and say "I will see you tonight. Just follow those directions and meet me by the office about 7:30."

"I will definitely be there." He says as he walks to his car.

I start my car up and think what am I doing? Bringing a human to "hang out" with witches? Have I completely lost my mind, I know dad has good intentions. I just hope this is not a mistake and the night doesn't turn out to be a complete disaster."

The author has the creative insight of including witches spells and traditions though out the story, using all the items, the candles, the magic and the chants.

It is white magic witches powers, the light of goodness, to not harm another but to protect their loved ones in case of danger.

This phase caught this reader's attention:

"Element of water, I call on thee, bring forth your energy. By the powers of three purify the mind, body and spirit within me, element of water, bringer of life; wash away the negative energies and strife. Seal the purity of only love and light in this blessing.

Goddess, hear me, so mote it be."

The plot continues with a macho fight between the ex-David and Marc; this reader was rallying for one of them; the question will be will the loser have to have his memories wipe with a erase memory spell or will he blend into the hidden world of witches and her the royal covens?.

You will have to read this YA and adult story about this young witch and her destiny and what mysteries lies ahead for her and her friends. As a reader I have not found a refreshing book about witches, and their secretive lives written so intensely. This enchanting story is entertaining, it is a light and dark story, full, with action and twists as two forces battled each other and the witches struggle through the darkness and explore their destinies and what is meant to be. "So mote it be."

recommend for 18+ for graphic content.

This review was given in exchange for a free honest review.


More information will be available at 6 pm on above page link; will on the look out, for the witches are planning a good luck or hex spell upon all who enter the promotion, lol

Message to My Children 2 Fantasy Escapism

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A Hardboiled Murder: An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann Hollstein

This is a story with Aggie Underhill, One would described as an Agatha Christie character, an elder Brit woman with her off colour humor and her passion to solved mysteries, introducing Mrs. Aggie Underhill  who can't keep herself from not getting  involved with a mystery where ever she goes and she becomes so entrenched in it she puts herself in to dangerous and witty dilemmas. 
It opens with a young couple celebrating their first year anniversary of adultery in the scenic hills of California. On a date of a romantic dinner, the female character has to tell her lover a secret not sure how he will respond to it. Her secret did not go well, and now she is suffering the scary consequences.
Chapter two opens with the main character, Aggie Underhill she is a widower and has a discipline in her manners, except on a spur of a moment dare from a dear friend she purchases a sports car and enjoys the freedom it give her. She relocated from Britain to be near her daughter and family. She lives in Palm Springs and her close friend of twenty years Betty lives next door.
She is reminiscing about her deceased husband and his note and necklace he left behind, leaving her, her own mystery to solve but she is not ready to face the tumult of going through his personal items. Meanwhile she is late for a coffee engagement, not a date with the handsome police officer and is being followed and trying to compete for a parking space with a blue hair lady who looks like Marge Simpson.
As the plot continues the mystery girlfriend is back in the story. Mixing in dysfunctional family dynamics and the book club fiasco, this reader wants to thank the author for writing hilarious scenarios; this book will definitely lift one’s spirits. And wait there is still the other mystery to solve of the young greedy married man who is cheating on his rich wife and the mysterious girlfriend and the threat of sabotage and murder lurking around every corner. Of course the characters will all crossed paths which give Mrs. Underhill the advantage to unravel the clues of the suspicion events.
In the midst the author adds family gatherings and antics which delights the reader for each character has their own colorful personality, especially Mrs. Underhill, entertaining this reader with her brazen confrontations with others.
There is karma floating throughout the plot, it is good to see the bad guys get their dues when they commit acts of spite against another, a good hot coffee spilling in the lap, yeah karma.
Betty, Aggie's best friend too gets involved not by her own will just being in the Wrong place, at the wrong time, put all the characters together and you have a comedic and suspenseful story in the makings.  The competition between the mature ladies over the handsome police officer is a riot. Reading along and bang an event and this reader's pulse went racing not expecting that twist.
The suspects are leaving clues, two dead bodies, was it intentional or accidental, what about a ransacked home, missing jewelry and cherished jewelry all lead to an adventure with so many twists it hard to keep track but entertaining too. So many occurrences and this reader's mind was racing wondering who are the suspects? And what is one's motive to invaded someone boundaries, the question, what were they looking for?
In the author's words:
"My word," Betty said. "It has Alexander Dominsky's name scribbled on it."Aggie nodded. "That's Lionel's handwriting." "It doesn't make sense. Why would Lionel have Alexander Dominsky's  name written down? Unless... maybe it's just a fluke. Maybe he liked his books."
"Maybe," Aggie muttered. "But I doubt it. Someone ransacked my home the same day Dominsky was found dead. There's something more going on here."
"I don't know, Aggie." Betty shook her head. "I think you might be looking too deep."
“Aggie held up the key dangling from her necklace. "This means something, Betty. You said so yourself. I say we go over to the Sinclair's. At the book club, Esmerelda Sinclair announced that Alexander Dominsky was staying in her guesthouse and that he was a good friend. What are the odds that she died the same day, too?"
As this reader read the plot it turned out to be an intriguing investigator’s mystery with the ring of an British Agatha Christine flowing through the pages and continues with excitement and humor all the way to the conclusion with some very strange and complex events; plus there is a hint of conspiracy mixed in too. I highly recommend readers who like little daring middle age ladies who view everything with a Brit’s perspective about life, that in itself is entertainment,  If so,  you will enjoy this and the other mysteries in this series written by this author.  Plus there is a You Tube video to give you a glimpse of this talented author’s style, just goggle book title and author’s name and be amazed. . ..
http://www.amazon.com/Hardboiled-Murder-Underhill-Mystery-ebook/dp/B002QHWOEU
http://youtu.be/86uAdeQSK1E

Journey to Terreldor: A Tale of Growth and Adventure by Chris M. Hibbard (Volume 1) [Paperback] Chris M. Hibbard

Supernatural and Fantasy together, the best of the two worlds

In the author's words;
"His next words are burnt clearly into my memory, though they meant nothing to me as he first spoke them. Certain I'd misunderstood, I repeated them over in my mind several times as the head councilman waited patiently. Though they sound like nonsense, I'll produce these words of his exactly as I remember them".

"You traveled to our world through the Path. Our worlds exist in different dimensions, or at least very far apart in space--we cannot know for sure. The Path is a link between them, and it is unstable. The last time we know the link to our world was open, it was about a century ago from our perspective, and, judging by your appearances, won't open on your end for another five or ten years in your future".

This is a story about two brothers somehow entered into a mysterious land where a princess and the royal guard are held hostage by trolls and the two brothers helped them escape. The princess is grateful and wants to introduce the boys to her father and kingdom.

This king is a wise man and he has laws and morals that all should obey. His Captain is very knowledgeable and thinks through every situation before acting. The younger brother Mark shows promised to be enlisted into the secret knighthood but he has to be tested first in the morals and temptations the world live by. He is tested their incidents and events from fighting trolls to protecting the Captain of the Royal Guards against the foes.

On their journey to the healing mineral waters the Captain is responsible to tutor Mark in their ways and show him teaching him which was the right choice to be decided in times of need. There is a lot of adventure as the characters fight off their enemies as they cross the lands to their destiny.

The author is writing in a style of a fantasy and supernatural weaving tales, fables and prophesy together to entertain the reader with the possibilities of what if. Maturity is a growing process and without the right mentors and wisdom some individuals become lost and trapped in immaturity and develop false hoods to believe in never reaching their fullest potential. This is a story about two brothers struggling in a foreign land and learning to become leaders and scouts preparing to fight against the enemy, the duke who conspired against the wise king and created a military of troll rebels who hatred the human race and wanted them to be extinguished. This tale threads with the values of compassionate, humility and forgiveness.

It has a strategic agenda of governmental laws and using the secrets tables of wisdom and values that all should live by to grow into respectful individuals. The two boys are faced with many dilemmas and need to think of their next action and the consequences of their decisions. This is a delight tale with messages of wisdom thread through out and should be placed on the reading list for others, especially young children and teenagers to read and discuss.

The author concludes it was an undiscovered manuscript written by a father whose family was not aware he was creating a masterpiece and teaching book in a C.S. Lewis style. A lost land full with mystery and adventure that takes the reader on a thrilling ride into maturity while having fun sharing with others and the possibility of a continuing series about the two boys journey to become warriors and defeat the trolls or bring the human and trolls into an unity to live as one in the land of Terreldor. Highly recommend this book to let your imagination go on a new journey of suspense and have an adventure while growing into the knowledge of maturity.



http://terreldor.net/ to find out more about this author and his amazing adventures.

Legends of the Lake by Philip Nork

This a quaint story about a family, the Krons, and their generational memories starting with the great grandparents to the last generation's character, beginning in the earlier 1900’s and concluding in 1984,  describing their colorful life details and  traditions, ending with the character coming back on his 50th birthday to relish the lasting memories of his past.
It opens with Great Grandpa Kron and his dream to purchase a cottage. It is a warm story about a generational family history starting out in the early 1900's and begins with the great grandfather's travels from Chicago to Wisconsin. It describes his accomplishments along the way for himself and his family’s future success, such as leaving behind a property for others to benefit from...  The great grandfather was presented with a deal from a land broker to buy land to build a house upon and he purchases it to begin his new life. 
The story continues in a comforting style about the great grandfather and the next in line visiting the cottage and creating memories. It starts with Eddie and his wife Connie planning their lives and how they purchased the cottage and how it was built. The obstacles they faced preparing to relocate from Chicago to Wisconsin and set up a family summer retreat, later it became their retirement paradise.
As a reader I would describe this as a quaint story about one family's life and their traditions of one family’s memories of gathering together every summer to enjoy each other’s company. It continues with glimpses of each character’s memories throughout the timeline of the early 1900’s to the late 1980's. It speaks of speakeasy and prohibition, the baseball teams, the depression and other events that took place during the 20th century.
The author writes details about getting their first car, building and enjoying the cottage, the three children and their children and so on. It explores the ideal country life they lived and continues with the next generation’s events and etc. He tells about the progression of the growth of the community and outlines interesting historical facts of events that may have changed the course of history.
The author in his unique style describes vivid scenes of the Wisconsin countryside, the smell of fresh cut grass, the old fashioned traditions of sitting on the porch drinking lemonade with a mint leaf and the summer antics of a large family gathered in one place. Also speaks of the daily interaction between members sharing their times of maturity and life lessons. The story continues into the 1940's to the 1950's describing the family and their events as they gather together for family outings. In the author's words
"This was how the summer weekends were spent in Wisconsin throughout the years of the early 1950’s. But later in the decade, something would happen which would change the Kron family forever."The story continues that a great business opportunity was lost, then there was the family argument that separate three cousins and changed the family traditions at the cottage for a while.
The author touches upon historical discoveries and facts the family members experienced in their maturing years and explores taboo subjects.
This reader would describe this book as a lazy Sunday drive through time, involving generational memories and  shares the joy and sorrows of the legends of the lake, until the late 1980's when the last of the family lineage passed on and the family decided to sell the cottage.
In a summary this is a gentleman's flashback of his past and  how much one takes everyday rituals for granted and then when everyone passes on, all they have are the memories to draw upon. He describes subconsciously, the mind is like a camera and the photos of life flash through, stored deep in the cervices to keep one warm and peaceful.  Also to appreciate every moment, to live it to the fullest, for life is too short and one should appreciate their loved ones and create memories to wrap around one in their later years while sitting on a porch drinking cold lemonade and watched the sun set setting over the countryside.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006K67PWO/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Michelle Matkins Books, Videos and Sweet Scents Enjoy

Promoting an Author, a business woman and a mother, Hi all, this gracious author and mother gave this blogger a creative spark, to post book videos with of course the author's authorization and permission, and to display her book links and videos here on MTMC2 Book Reviews, also has a side business of selling scents. This is a pleasurable way to spend a few minutes to decide to review her books and Facebook page about wonderful sensational Scents  products.       https://www.facebook.com/groups/330484953666796/       
Michelle'sSensational Scents  Page

http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Ann-Hollstein/e/B004FSAF7Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1  author page for her books to go along with the videos below. 
39 minutes ahttp://astore.amazon.com/messtomychil...http://astore.amazon.com/messtomychil2-20
Message to My Children 2 Associate Store - Virtue A Fairy Tale astore.amazon.com

http://lifeachangesorg.blogspot.com/2...  http://lifeachangesorg.blogspot.com/2012/07/somethings-fishy-in-palm-springs-aggie.html
MTMC2 Book Reviews: : Something's Fishy in Palm Springs: An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann lifeachangesorg.blogspot.com


http://youtu.be/gJocmcnsT5Ihttp://youtu.be/gJocmcnsT5I
Something's Fishy in Palm Springs, book trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
Book trailer for Something's Fishy in Palm Springs, An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann Hollstein.


http://youtu.be/bRvHOyUEd6Yhttp://youtu.be/bRvHOyUEd6Y
A Prickly Situation by Michelle Ann Hollstein www.youtube.com
A book trailer for A Prickly Situation, An Aggie Underhill Mystery





http://youtu.be/lKtPxzn4pRYhttp://youtu.be/lKtPxzn4pRY
Awakened Within, A Lost Souls Novel www.youtube.com
Book Trailer for Awakened Within, by Michelle Matkins


http://youtu.be/AYzbF_Jbopchttp://youtu.be/AYzbF_Jbopc
One Hell of a Cruise Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
A book trailer for One Hell of a Cruise by Michelle Ann Hollstein


http://youtu.be/86uAdeQSK1Ehttp://youtu.be/86uAdeQSK1E
A Hardboiled Murder Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
Book trailer for A Hardboiled Murder by Michelle Ann Hollstein


http://youtu.be/yBjTAlZ1QD8http://youtu.be/yBjTAlZ1QD8
Maid in Heaven Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
A book trailer for Maid in Heaven, An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann Hollstein

http://youtu.be/z_9UzAgqCdc http://youtu.be/z_9UzAgqCdc
Deadly Withdrawal Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
Book trailer for Deadly Withdrawal, An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann Hollstein.


http://youtu.be/7RQtUnr-kUAhttp://youtu.be/7RQtUnr-kUA
Ashes to Diamonds Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
Book trailer for Ashes to Diamonds by Michelle Ann Hollstein


http://youtu.be/sm968vYzzYYhttp://youtu.be/sm968vYzzYY
Niberia Trailer (Niberia Chronicles).wmv www.youtube.com
Trailer for Niberia by Michelle Ann Hollstein


http://youtu.be/_my7-tCHgS8http://youtu.be/_my7-tCHgS8
Hidden Identity (Niberia Chronicles) Trailer.wmv www.youtube.com
Book Trailer for Hidden Identity by Michelle Ann Hollste

Something's Fishy in Palm Springs: An Aggie Underhill Mystery by Michelle Ann Hollstein (Author)

This is A Who done it Mystery story with many twists and intrigue. It starts off with character Tiffany having a nightmare awakening to find that her nightmare came true and what she fear the most happen. She is an owner of a dating service with a reputation of matching couples together by creating personal profiles of common interest and brings them together. She herself dabbles with a stranger who was vague and cancelled meeting her, so after a two year Internet relationship she broke it off. He was not a happy camper and became a stalker planning to captive his love and have her married him, and eliminating the competition.
In the mix is a shady gangster, drug lord who has motives of his own and sends his scared employee to the USA to track down the purchaser of a rare fish and he will do anything have this most cherished prize, a specialized import rare fish which is declare to bring luck to their owner. It is one of its own kind and is an important element to the plot; thus the name of the book.

Roger a home designer and the owner of the rare fish also used the internet to connect with a long lost relative, Betty who resided in England and lives with her close friend, Aggie. Betty connects with him and they arranged for the two charming Brits ladies to come to America for a vacation and visit family. These two lovely ladies are entertaining as they travelled from England to California and become involved in the investigation; Betty helping Roger deal with his crisis's and still holds the best party to show off his talents. He is a nervous wreck when his fish goes missing, finding the surprise in his pool and other details that keep the reader compelled to turn the pages.

While Aggie acts like an undercover sleuth following the clues. This is where the fun begins and twists occur like in a complex Agatha Christie's type mystery or Aggie Underhill mystery. Odd incidents and events occurred and lead Aggie, a persistent and curious investigator to desire to unravel the clues to the strange occurrences. She is determined to solve the mystery of the missing Tiffany, the missing fish and the attempted murderous plot on Lance. There is suspense, drama and even humor in this intense mystery as the seasoned investigator gets herself in some tricky situations, that makes the reader ponder if she will be caught or escape before the kidnapper realizes she is snooping in places she should not be in.

The best part of the plot is the author taunts the reader to the end trying to guess who done it, asking self is there more than one person. Also was asking self if someone was a Dr. Jekyll or Dr. Hyde for a moment. Characters who are suspects, is it Roger, Lance, Jeff, or the two women and how are they all are participants of this intriguing plot?.

Off course there is the bonus of a fluffy white dog and the mysticism wolves that were there to eat or protect Tiffany that was a delight. Any story with humans and animals are always entertaining.

In the author's words:

Aggie scooped up the squirming little fluff ball from Shawn's arms and rushed through the living room, dining room and entered the eating area, to the sliding glass doors that were somewhat hidden behind a white drape.

Just then a shrill scream could be heard over the conversating crowd as the back sliding glass door slid open and Linda entered, her checks streaked with tears.

It's horrible! Just horrible! she cried hysterically.

Instinctively Aggie put her free arm around Linda's shoulders. The dog was wiggling miserably in her other arm.

Now, now dear, Aggie said softly. "What is it?"

You can find this delightful short read and other books by this author at her
Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Somethings-Fishy-Palm-Springs-ebook/dp/B002NX0GJC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital- text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341786035&sr=1-1&keywords=something+fishy+in+Palm+Springs%3A+An+aggie+Underhill
http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Ann-Hollstein/e/B004FSAF7Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

http://youtu.be/gJocmcnsT5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJocmcnsT5I&feature=youtu.be

WISHBONE by Brooklyn Hudson,

Ms. Hudson's Book, Wishbone can only be described with the famous seven words of the English language, eight actually, phenomenal and seven words that starts with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is what I have to express about this wicked plot, that knocks off your socks one moment and then has you shaking in your boots the next. It is a suspenseful thriller with twists you did not see coming. Definitely in my top list for a memorable book and recommend horror readers to keep tabs on this amazing author who I would not be surprised to see her name on the NY Times Best Seller's List in the near future. Now this reader is off to finished my delicious chicken and make a wish with the bone; reading this book is my wish come true. 5+ stars.


http://www.amazon.com/WISHBONE-ebook/dp/B007C7BR1K/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

You’re Never Alone, A Child of Divorce Searches for Happiness by Philip Nork, Jr.

 This is the author's description of his book Never Alone:


"Growing up is difficult. It can be a lonely and frightening experience if you let it. It’s even harder if your parents are divorced and you think you have no one to talk to, no one who cares and no one who even knows you’re alive. And although there are times when you’ll do things you know aren’t correct, remember you’re never alone. In life each of us is on a journey. It’s filled with questions and answers, rights and wrongs; choices and lessons. It often goes by the name “self discovery.” No two lives can ever be totally the same, nor are any two journeys; like fingerprints, yours is totally unique to you. But there is one common bond in all of our paths and that is the presence of other people. How you decide to perceive, interact with, and learn from them greatly shapes the true you that will emerge."


This is a personal biography of a young boy growing into a happy adjusted child until the tragedy hits, his parent decided to get divorce, the happy go lucky extrovert child loses all senses of himself and where he belong in the world. He had mentors and loving grandparents but when his family is torn apart so is his reality. To add the importance of this book; as a reader I am aware there are statistics about divorce families,about the negative consequences; it is usually is about the female child and the negative effects that occurs to her; she becomes the daughter of separate parents and becomes lost. Looking for security and trying to find her lost self that has been stripped her she usually goes towards the addictions of a party life, alcohol, drug and sexual intimacy to fill in the missing parent. Looking for a father replacement  in all the wrong places, and has regrets about her impulsive actions. Some lost children find their way  back home and others become lost in the darkness.


This author has written a sentimental poignant story from a male child's point of observation. He decided he is not going to be like the other dysfunctional males in his life, the one who treated women with no respect  uses and discards them. He values his grandmother's advice and his beliefs in his faith and starts a journey to be a better man and a loving man.


 Beginning his journey to  discover what is his purpose in life is and discovers it is to share his insights  with every woman he meets from child to adulthood. Giving the reader a glimpse of the ones he meets along the way and what each share to become better individuals. He thought he was teaching them a lesson, but in return they were teaching  him life lessons about values, humility, compassion, respect, trust and other vital integrity elements all men need to attain to become well developed individuals. In his book he outlines his theories and rules how one can become a compassionate individual through life stories. Explaining on his journey of self exploration he discovers how to divide himself from how society’s sees him and what he wanted to mature into and desires to share the discoveries with others. 


In this emotional observation each encounter he has with a female, be a stranger,friend and/or lover of diversity, he extracts the positive qualities from each and creates a lesson and rule about how to be a complete male not afraid of his feminine side, the yin and the yang of all babies when they are born. The male and female personality which society dictates for each gender creating confusion and the opposite sex but  to be deny their opposite traits of their gender identification, and stay with the sex stereotype view they were born as. Females are to be all sweet and sugar, or males, rough and tumble. As a survivor of a broken relationship  from my spouse, I was reminder of my middle son's personality transformation, when he was younger he had those feminine traits and I thought he will be a sweet, romantic and sensitive boyfriend and husband for he understood what a woman needed, to be treated with respect and a relationship is a two way connection. But as time passed and he matured the peer pressure he experienced, made him deny those traits and turned towards the male perspective of society, hiding that yin of his existence, and  I cried silently but let him go to be his own person with the muscularity traits as his own, once in awhile I see the sweetness that is hidden behind that rough man exterior.   


The author explores these qualities and on his journey discovers the truths and incorporates them into his personality. Explaining his theories of how unity helps a relationship to blossom, like a gardener tending to his flower, with tender care and respect. If there were more people like him and parents and society did not deny but allowed the yin (female) and yang (male) traits to be accepted in each gender then there would be less domestic violence, less divorce and more loving balance in the dynamics of the family unit. 


As a reader one can observed this author during his growing challenges was able to keep his yin and yang traits of his personality intact and write a story about his experiences and his insight about how each person that walked in and out of his life added a special contribution to his life and the meaning of the exchange he had with them; His purpose was to help each one developed into a more confident individual and not be afraid to explore the positive and negatives of finding their own identity during personal storms such as divorce and other circumstances. 


He also touched lightly upon his faith and insecurities all young people faced when they are navigating through the trials of what one calls life. This is a very insightful, emotional and educational story about the lessons one learns in their journey to self-discovery. This could be a study aid for parents and young people to explore together. A start to have an open discussion about the insecurities one faces when they are travelling on the road of discovering themselves, others and what each person needs to absorb into the consciousness awareness to be able to attain compassion and insight in human nature . The most valuable lesson; to accept the yin and yang traits on becoming a whole person  and have respect for one another and bring harmony, not dysfunctional attitudes to the forefront of humanity's existence . 


You can find this and other thoughtful insight books about life's challenges at this link http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Never-Alone-Searches-Happiness/dp/1467928461/ref=cm_rdp_product_img


I was given this eBook in exchange for honest review from the author.


4 Stars

Past of a Marked Man by Jennifer Hirtler

In the author's words:

"They hated me for the crime of another. They ran out of fear for a spectre. They betrayed me for a mark on my skin. They had nothing to fear from me, but I decided that I would see that fear be put to use. If I could not live my life honorably without being reviled, then I would not. If they feared me, I decided, they should have a reason. No ghost, no spectre, no name was going to be the cause of their hatred for me. I would give them something to fear that had a name. I would give substance to that spectre. I would give fangs to the monster they perceived. I knew at that moment that I must avenge my parents, but furthermore, I knew I must avenge myself. To achieve these goals I would do what I had been putting off for a long, long time. I would become the thing I hated most of all. I discarded the name Herod on that day. I was no longer Herod Basiv.  I was, and I am, Kagnos".

The above paragraph is from the book; this is a great story, it is so active with imagination and captures the reader's attention. The saga of the assassin's  life,  Kagnos and the High Priest's Zunna and  Mitchell the Priest who is given the assignment of being a recorder sent to record the story of a the most fearful man in the land, The highest assassin that ever lived. He was rumor to be a murderer with no soul or consciousness, and lived in the most abomination of a city full with thieves and murderers who were society’s throw always.  No one in regular society would acknowledge this man and the residents, he and they were considered the scum of the land and were fear.

As commander of this city, he lived his evil reputation but there was a thread of consciousness and compassion underneath his tough exterior and only a few selected know the real man and warrior.
In the story the Priest Mitchell was assigned as a recorder of the assassin's life and has to unraveled the skeletons in this man’s closet. On the journey across harsh lands and friendly places he slowly comes to the truth of discovered the true skeletons in this killer's closet, some dead and some still living and he is stunned by the truths that are unveiled in the darkness. 
He is on a mission for the high Priest and Goddess and no obstacle from thieves, no shelter, to his friend almost losing his life unless they locate a true healer with the right portion in time and other exciting adventures will not stop this undefeatable young warrior to complete his assignment.

On his assignment he discovers Kagnos was hiding for he was a wounded child of parents murdered by assassins and he was marked with their symbol and was the last one surviving the brutal execution; Society shunned and fear these marked individuals and ostracizes them with disgust and hatred; The only one was willing to accept the marked abandon child and rise him in the sanctuary was the high Priest Zunna .  He was hidden and protected and at a restless age decides to venture incognito into society but his secret was manipulative out of him by the charms of a wicked woman.

Kagnos realizes the secret will be unveil and he has to run for his life to protect himself and the ones he loves from the assassins hunting for him and all that surround him, to not be executed brutally too.
On his journey, events and incidents occur that sours Kagnos against humanity and he in defeat he decides to live his life as he was labeled as a wicked individual, later to rise as a ruthless leader with laws for his kingdom. He had his heart broken and turns towards the darkness to escape but with the plot of revenge boiling behind his hatred towards the murderers of his parents and many others.

There is such depth and insight in this story. This author weaves in Greek mythology and the Goddess and Gods as the powerful beings guided and leading the characters’ lives and beliefs.  She speaks of conscious and unconscious themes that all humanity lives by, sometimes in the darkness and other in the light. The choices one makes to decide which path they are to journey and what decisions need to make which affects not just themselves but many others. This reader believes forgiveness is the theme running throughout the pages. This is a very entertaining story of fantasy and adventure. .

If you as a reader enjoy Greek mythology plot with murdering assassins and skeletons in the closet that need to be taken out of the dark and brought forth into the light then this tale is calling for you to open the cover and become lost in an amazing world of betrayal and forgiveness.