Sage Nestler's Blog, page 17
February 6, 2020
FREE BOOK ALERT: The Imposter’s Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 3) by J.C. Fields
Over the past two days, I have introduced you to books one and two of The Sean Kruger Series by J.C. Fields. Today, J.C. Fields has made the suspenseful third book in the series, The Imposter’s Trail, FREE in ebook format on Amazon! Be sure to check out more info about the book below and snag your free copy before it expires.
Much love,
Ashley
![The Imposter's Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 3) by [Fields, J.C.]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1502131758i/23527970.jpg)
FBI PROFILER SEAN KRUGER IS BACK AND ON THE TRAIL OF A VICIOUS SERIAL KILLER
Over the Indian Ocean a Malaysia Airline jumbo jet drops from radar. Three hundred twenty-seven souls disappear with it; a woman in Rockford, Illinois is brutally murdered. Unrelated news events? Retired FBI agent Sean Kruger doesn’t think so. He suspects it’s the work of serial killer Randolph Bishop.
˃˃˃ The Only Killer To Ever Escape Him Is Back
Now a college professor, Kruger has tried to live with the mistake he made while investigating Bishop six years earlier. It looks as though the only man to elude him, in his twenty-five year tenure with the FBI, has returned to seek vengeance on those who forced the man to flee the country. With his family in danger, Kruger comes out of retirement to find Bishop’s trail. A trail that leads Sean to question his own humanity.
˃˃˃ Randolph Bishop joins the ranks of fictional serial killers such as Hannibal Lecter, Patrick Bateman and Anton Chigurh in this tale of revenge and justice. The Impostor’s Trail will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Book Review: The Spell Book for New Witches by Ambrosia Hawthorn
Rating: 5/5
Format: Paperback
Quick Take
The Spell Book for New Witches is an excellent introduction into witchcraft that debunks the myths surrounding this spiritual practice. Like all books on this subject, the information presented should be taken with a grain of salt as everybody’s practice is different.
Tell Me More
I have been a spiritual practitioner of witchcraft for some time, and I am extremely passionate about sharing the beauty of this spiritual practice with others. Witchcraft has often been seen as a “bad word” because some religions have defined it as evil; but in reality, witchcraft is the practice of connecting with the natural world and acknowledging and utilizing the energies that all living things bring into existence.
The Spell Book for New Witches is a beautiful first reader on the subject because Ambrosia Hawthorn explains some of the histories of this practice while providing a plethora of example spells that one can use to become acquainted with the practice. She also explains many of the different objects that witches use, and why they are important, without telling the reader exactly what they must do to be considered a “witch”. I wish that I had found this book when I was first exploring witchcraft because it makes the reader feel well informed and welcomed. So many other texts make the reader feel as though they have to earn the right to be considered a “witch”, but Hawthorn presents love and acceptance through her writing that creates a lovely learning and reading experience.
Whether you are interested in learning about witchcraft or are a seasoned practitioner, The Spell Book for New Witches will bring you new insight while debunking the myths surrounding this beautiful spiritual practice. I have increased my knowledge base of spells while learning new things about witchcraft through reading this book. I passionately recommend The Spell Book for New Witches to help you begin or expand your spiritual practice. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the beauty of witchcraft!
*I received a copy of this book from Callisto Publisher’s Club in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2020
FREE BOOK ALERT: The Assassin’s Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 2) by J.C. Fields
Yesterday I introduced you to The Sean Kruger Series by J.C. Fields with the first book in the series, The Fugitive’s Trail. Today I am excited to share with you the second book in the series, The Assassin’s Trail! J.C. Fields is offering the ebook of The Assassin’s Trail for FREE today only. Be sure to check out more about the book below and pick up your free copy!
Much love,
Ashley
![The Assassin's Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 2) by [Fields, J.C.]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1499642457i/23254376.jpg)
Two Assassinations That Appear To Be Linked
Homicide Detective Ryan Clark has a problem. A prominent businessman has been assassinated by a drive-by shooting. Two weeks earlier another man, in the same industry, was shot and killed. He suspects the assassinations are related and calls an old friend with the FBI. When FBI profiler Special Agent Sean Kruger arrives at the scene of the second murder, he agrees with Clark but is hesitant to get involved. After twenty-five years with the FBI, he is tired of the bureaucracy and politics of the job. His constant traveling has kept him away from the woman he loves and he is contemplating retiring to start a new life with her.
˃˃˃ The Assassin Strikes Close To Home
A week later, while home in Kansas City, the assassin strikes again, this time close to where he lives, making things personal. With the help of JR Diminski, the computer genius from The Fugitive’s Trail, Kruger identifies a suspect and travels to Alabama for the arrest.
˃˃˃ When Things Go From Bad To Worse
Politics and micromanaging complicate the situation. Kruger is ordered to wait but disobeys and proceeds with the arrest. When everything goes horribly wrong, he is suspended by the Director of the FBI. Now outside the protection of the agency, he must decide whether to walk away from his career or put his new marriage and life in danger by pursuing the assassin. An assassin whose ultimate goal is an attack in the center of the United States, an attack that will result in more innocent casualties than 9/11.
February 4, 2020
FREE BOOK ALERT: The Fugitive’s Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 1) by J.C. Fields
Today I am excited to share with you a suspense novel that is FREE for a limited time! The Fugitive’s Trail is the first in The Sean Kruger Series by J.C. Fields and is a must-read for fans of the suspense genre. Read more about the book below and be sure to snag your free e-book copy!
Much love,
Ashley
February 3, 2020
Book Review: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
Rating: 4/5
Format: Hardback
Quick Take
Before I Go to Sleep is an emotionally painful, gripping thriller that swallows the reader whole.
Tell Me More
Before picking up Before I Go to Sleep, I had not heard of the novel before, let alone the movie that is based on it. This created a blind reading experience for me, which intensified my enjoyment of the novel. Before I Go to Sleep is one of those novels that you have to be very wary of spoilers, which can be difficult when it is a bestseller and book discussion is easily accessible when going online. However, if you don’t know very much about Before I Go to Sleep, or have never heard of it, then, by all means, go pick it up now and allow it to swallow you whole the way that it did me. But if you have heard various reviews of the novel or know of its twists and turns, then it may not be worth reading for you.
Before I Go to Sleep is a novel about a woman named Christine who has amnesia. Each morning when she wakes up, she forgets the events of the day before and the memory of who she is. However, with the help of a psychiatrist, she keeps a journal that she rediscovers each day so that when she wakes up she can read it and gain some remembrance of her life. She lives with her husband, Ben, who shares with her that she was hit by a car and lost her memory through the accident. Ben takes care of Christine and reminds her of the events of her life, but as the novel continues, Christine begins to realize that Ben is keeping secrets from her. She begins to remember certain elements of her accident, and as she gains more of her memory back, Ben begins to show his true colors.
Christine is an unreliable narrator, and each chapter begins the next time she wakes up. The novel is slow at times due to the repetitive event of Christine waking up and reading through her journal in each chapter, but S.J. Watson shortens the event over time which increases the reading value. Towards the end of the novel, I began to predict the ending of the story, but Watson writes in a way that makes you question the events when new information arises so you aren’t 100% sure of what is going to happen.
Before I Go to Sleep is a quick, thrilling read that is emotionally gripping and triggering at the same time. While the story was not exactly realistic, it was entertaining, and I found it to be a valuable addition to the thriller genre.
February 2, 2020
February 1, 2020
Book Review: An Amish Love Reclaimed by Elizabeth Zook
Rating: 4/5
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Giselle M. Chatelain
Quick Take
An Amish Love Reclaimed is a heartwarming tale of rekindled romance and how hope persists through the trials of marriage.
Tell Me More
Amish romances are my guilty pleasure, and I was thrilled to receive the audiobook of An Amish Love Reclaimed for review. The story follows an Amish couple who have lost the romance in their marriage and are trying to reconnect and rediscover the passion that brought them together. Elizabeth Zook writes with empathy and knowledge of love and the work that it takes to keep love alive in a marriage. I found her story to be heartwarming and well-executed, and it found its way straight to my heart.
Unfortunately, since I am reviewing the audiobook of An Amish Love Reclaimed, I must address the narrative element. Giselle M. Chatelain narrates the novel, and I found myself distracted more often than not due to her melodramatic way of speaking. Her performance was just that, a performance, and she didn’t do Zook’s story justice by failing to capture the tone of each character’s voice and part in the story. I had to force myself to continue listening due to my distaste with the narrator, but I was dedicated to finishing the audiobook because of my honest enjoyment of the story.
An Amish Love Reclaimed is a lovely inspirational romance that is sure to touch any romance lover’s heart. However, I would suggest picking up the Kindle book rather than the audiobook for optimal enjoyment.
December 7, 2019
Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High By David Pratt
Synopsis
In the over-the-top tradition of the old-time penny dreadful, the story of crusading high schooler Todd Sweeney and smart-as-a-whip girlfriend Nellie Lovett unfolds: when vile guidance counselor Ashford Squeers wants to put Todd’s best friend, Toby, in gay conversion camp, Todd swings into action. He just swings a bit too hard. So he calls on lovely Nellie to help clean up the mess. She devises an ingenious way of making the body disappear. But, more threats arise, as they always do. Soon, the police are wondering where Fleet High’s worst are disappearing to. Our friends are on their way to a thrilling denouement that includes blackmail, abduction, nun costumes and a trip across the country before Todd and Nellie must finally leave Toby and his boyfriend to fend for themselves.
Review
3/5
I am a big fan of Sweeney Todd, so I was excited when I was granted the opportunity to review Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High. This retelling presents a teenage Todd Sweeney whose motive is avenging his gay friend, Toby. Sweeney Todd has always been a deeply political penny dreadful, and I appreciated how David Pratt honored this by considering the challenges that teenagers face in the politics of high school. Pratt took a beloved character and created a tale for him that introduces his story to a new generation, but appeals to adults as well.
David Pratt’s writing format follows the classic vein of a penny dreadful, but I did find that his dialogue could be hard to read at times. He overuses exclamation points, which detracts from the story and made it harder for me to read consistently. While I did love Pratt’s imagination and his ability to recreate a classic story in a new light, I would have liked to see more realistic punctuation to improve reading quality.
Overall, Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High is a fun, thrilling ride that appeals to both young adults and adults. David Pratt put his own spin on a classic penny dreadful while honoring the original tone and story. If you are a fan of Sweeney Todd or vengeful teenagers, then Todd Sweeney: The Fiend of Fleet High will be a treat for you.
December 2, 2019
The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal: A Creative Way to Stop Freaking Out by Tanya J. Peterson MS NCC
I hope you have had a great start to your week. I have a rather fun book review to share with you today that I am so excited to share! I recently decided to begin reviewing non-fiction books as well as fiction books to give you more variety, and I was pleasantly surprised when I received the following book from Callisto Publishers Club. If you struggle with anxiety like I do, then you are going to love this book.
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Synopsis
Write off your anxiety with fast and effective journal prompts
Do you pretend you’re not home when a delivery arrives? Are you afraid that strangers on the street are judging you? Have you spent an hour drafting an email just to make sure it sounds polite enough? The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal will help you manage those overwhelming, anxious feelings with short and funny writing prompts―so you can breathe a little easier.
Expressive writing is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. The prompts and reflections in this lighthearted, guided journal will make you laugh, and help you make room for positivity and healing. It’s a creative way to stop freaking out and put your anxiety out of your head and onto the page.
The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal offers:
Positive and inspirational―The prompts take just 5 minutes, so you’ll have no problem doing them regularly.
Whenever and wherever―The design is undated, leaving you free to fill in any of the prompts at any time.
Practicing mindfulness―The simple meditation exercises will teach you to stay centered if you start to spiral out.
You’re just 5 minutes away from the path to less anxiety.
Quick Take
The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal is an inventive book that encourages the reader to participate on each page! It provides readers with 5-minute anxiety cures through journaling, as well as mindfulness techniques to combat anxiety attacks.
Tell Me More
I struggle with extreme anxiety, and I am always looking for ways to work through it and live a fuller life. When I was given The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal to review from Callisto Publisher’s Club, I was overjoyed to find an interactive book that provides quick anxiety relief. Every page provides an activity designed to ease your anxiety quickly through the power of journaling. The author, Tanya J. Peterson MS NCC, struggles with anxiety as well, and her experience makes the book that much more personable.
Mindfulness is the core concept utilized throughout The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal, which I was happy to see. I am a mental health expert and mindfulness is one of the main concepts that I utilize in my work as well. Tanya J. Peterson MS NCC provides the reader with concepts that can be used when anxiety reaches the point of spiraling out to help the reader have more control. She also provides journal entries for each day that are undated and provide the reader with flexibility. I appreciate how this book is designed to be on-the-go to provide readers with quick relief no matter where they are.
The 5-Minute Anxiety Relief Journal is a unique resource for anxiety sufferers seeking quick relief on-the-go. Tanya J. Peterson MS NCC displays her knowledge of anxiety, while also relating to the reader by sharing her personal struggles. This book is a must-have for anyone who struggles with anxiety! It has helped me tremendously Tanya J. Peterson MS NCC and I would like to personally thank the author for creating this book.
