Sage Nestler's Blog, page 24
March 13, 2018
Book Review: Dining and Driving with Cats by Pat Patterson
Author: Pat Patterson
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Dining and Driving With Cats – Alice Unplugged is a heartwarming and beguiling adventure of a couple who shares a love that most of us only imagine. Pat Patterson is a born storyteller and makes readers feel as if they are part of the road trip. This book is as much a story of sweet devotion as it is an exquisite example of discovering life’s hidden joys in the smallest of everyday experiences. Not since Michael Ondaatje’s hypnotic voice in The English Patient has a book spoken with such an allure for the reader. You might even spot a bit of Irish in the author and his spouse’s detailed arguments comparing a dish from one restaurant to the same of another restaurant.
They, along with the cats, dine frequently during a sometimes hilarious but always romantic auto trip across the South. As the miles flip the odometer, we are given insight into how this unusual relationship between the couple came to be, evolved, and gradually, at the end revealed in a secret, you didn’t see coming. What, you say? There is a twist in a dining dialogue? Yes! And you’ll just have to read it for yourself–no spoilers here. Dialogue is so natural between the two; you’ll swear he recorded the entire trip. Alice is revealed in the first pages as a real-life brainy, successful businesswoman enjoying life in San Miguel de Allende a small cathedral town high in the Central Mexican foothills. For over thirty years she lived in Washington D.C. When she was fresh out of grad school and managing her firm’s D.C. office she captured the heart of a young man who came in from the rain. He fell hard. He pursued her. She said no –she told him she had cats. What she didn’t tell him was that she also had a secret. Over thirty years have passed since Alice revealed her secret. The young man is no longer young but he still pursues her. She calls him hubby. This is their story of a shared love for travel and history, for food and for their sweet and wily cats Munchie and Tuffy.
You might also say the book is unusual in that it totally engages the reader from the first page without a hint of violence, bloodshed, graphic sex, drugs or language. The author’s main character (besides the two cats) Alice, does say “you bastards” once. Alice is supremely self-confident and comfortable in her own skin as we learn early on when she promises the author a vehicle of his dreams if he will join her in a multi-state road trip from Mexico across the South and help wrangle two cats into restaurants, diners, cafes, and hotels. He expects to find a Suburban or maybe an Escalade in the drive. Alice surprises with a Japanese sub-compact – a Honda Fit. She says it’s “flexible”. They drive – Scott La. & the Boudin War. They dine – New Orleans at Gautreau’s, Clancy’s, and Herbsaint. They laugh – the Carousel Bar. They cry – tragic death. If you come along on this moveable feast you will find yourself caught up in a romantic love story that involves the Other Woman and a secret that Alice cannot keep. You will dine on scrumptious creations from America’s most acclaimed chefs from Austin and New Orleans to the Procope and Odeon Relais at Buci Market in Paris. Along the way, you will laugh at cats stuck in boxes, fight with a Pirate, terrify a US Vice-President, discover cat smuggling, and learn how the Other Woman persuaded Alice to accept the author’s ring. So what’s keeping you? Hop in ‘cause these cats don’t bite. Besides, “The Get In Here and Eat” pop-up food truck is waiting just up the Austin highway.
Short Review
Dining and Driving with Cats – Alice Unplugged is an eclectic love story with vibrant imagery. Readers with wanderlust are sure to get a kick out of it!
Full Review
Dining and Driving with Cats – Alice Unplugged is a fun beach read with a hint of romance and a love for animals. I adore novels that incorporate animals into the storyline and being a cat lady, I thoroughly enjoyed Pat Patterson’s writing. He made a romance novel that appeals to both men and women, and that is very rare.
Dining and Driving with Cats – Alice Unplugged is a book that allows the reader to travel with a couple as they explore romance and cuisine in the South, along with some hilarious misadventures. I found Patterson’s writing easy to read and quick to hold onto as I flipped each page. I couldn’t put the book down, and I enjoyed the clean storytelling style that brought Alice and her misadventures to life.
Unfortunately, I did find that Patterson seemed to take himself a bit too seriously by priding himself on his “hypnotic voice” and “clean writing style”. Even though his story was enjoyable and his travel descriptions spectacular, I would have liked to see a smaller synopsis with less ego-pumping material. If you can put the synopsis distaste aside, you are sure to love Dining and Driving with Cats for its wanderlust hype and cutesy romantic tendencies.
March 11, 2018
Book Review: Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.
Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story—wrapped in a geek romance—is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.
Short Review
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of the best YA novels ever written, and that comes from someone who pops YA novels like they do lemon poppyseed muffins. A lot.
Full Review
Going into Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, I have to admit that I was skeptical. I adore LGBTQ novels to death, but I feared that this novel might have been too stereotypical or cliche. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda shines through the cluttered sea of YA novels with a story that worms its way straight to your heart.
Author Becky Albertalli happens to be a clinical psychologist, and her knowledge of adolescents in just about every role is impeccable. As a social worker, I adored her representation of minority youth and the difficulties that adolescents face in high school. Each of her characters held a strong role, and they were all remarkably complex. Upon first meeting Simon I found myself drawn to his quirkiness, and I was so glad that Albertalli didn’t make him some sidekick to a female character in the novel, like so many authors do with gay characters. Simon was all his own, and by god, he won my heart.
I guess I assumed that Blue would be white. Which kind of makes me want to smack myself. White shouldn’t be the default any more than straight should be the default.
Simon is a junior in high school who happens to be gay but hasn’t come out yet. The story follows him as he emails with an anonymous student at his school who also happens to be gay, and they help each other come out to their families and friends while never admitting to who they are. However, Simon is also being blackmailed by another student and he is outed before he is ready, which causes his email friend to find out who he is. The plot follows Simon as he grapples with his identity, his friends, and his family while trying to become who he is meant to be. At times I found myself in tears as I struggled through Simon’s challenges with him, and I couldn’t help but root for him to find his love by the end of the novel. I was afraid halfway through that Simon wouldn’t be getting the happy ending that he deserved, but I was more than happy with what happened for him by the end.
Diversity is so important to me, and I was astounded by Albertalli’s flawless incorporation of characters from all different backgrounds. Her portrayals were real and flawed, and I found Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda to be the perfect mix of today’s youth. I enjoyed this novel as an adult, and I am sure that readers of all ages will enjoy it. Albertalli has a way of opening the eyes of even the most conservative individuals, and her story was all about acceptance. I believe that everyone needs to read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and you are sure to be changed by Albertalli’s flawless work just like I have.
March 10, 2018
Countdown to B2BCyCon: A.M. Nestler/N.M. Aaroones
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Happy Saturday!
I hope that you are all having a good weekend. 
March 9, 2018
Book Review: Telemachus by Peter Gray
Author: Peter Gray
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Told through the medium of a colony of migrating birds, this is essentially a love story which explores the meaning of the word ‘love’ to different individuals.
It’s about pain and joy, illusion and reality. It’s also about the fragility of love and the way it can be destroyed so easily for some, while for others, it’s the immutable spine of their very existence.
Tom John-Mary has two contradictory anticipations in his early days, both about females who will have a future influence on his life. Daisy, an unwelcome intruder, and Sally, the love of his life.
Daisy inserts herself into his respected family and Tom’s belief that Sally is to be his gift from Aves, God of Birds, is shattered. Meantime, Sally becomes paired with Jacob who, at an early stage, mistreats her and absconds.
Telemachus is the big red eagle at the end of the northern valley and from whose talons none return. Tom doesn’t know if he’s real or an illusion, as none ever return to say they’ve seen him. He’s the threat that’s there in the face of all life, the danger that’s met around any corner. In some ways, he’s the existential response to illogical teaching and distorted reasoning.
Follow this incredible story and discover the storms, twists, turns, tragedies, and migrations that Tom and Sally have to endure before love can really start to soar.
Short Review
Telemachus is a brilliant idea of a novel; however, the writing itself has a few shortcomings.
Full Review
After reading Telemachus and looking at the book on Amazon, I was surprised to see how many high ratings it has. Unfortunately, my review is not as stellar. Telemachus is a beautiful premise for its story, but the writing fails to translate the message well.
Telemachus is an unusual love story mixed with tribal-esque spirituality and a sense of fate. I loved the way that Peter Gray made Tom and Sally fight for their love through an incredibly adventurous plot, and I thought that his twists and turns were intriguing. His vision of Tom and Sally as birds was also unique in the way that no racial issues were crossed. The love story between Tom and Sally was exciting and I think that it would satisfy a wide audience.
However, I was disappointed in Gray’s writing style. His spacing between dialogue and narration was odd and a chore to get through. I felt as though he was telling me the story instead of showing me, and I skipped a lot of his descriptions. The brilliance of his idea was lost in blocks of dull writing and had I not been interested in the idea of his story, I wouldn’t have finished Telemachus.
Due to the odd writing style, I have to give Telemachus 3/5 stars. I gave it three because I felt that the story redeemed the writing a bit. You might enjoy this book if you like fast-paced romances, but be aware that it is a slow reader.
Countdown to B2BCyCon: Tiffany Apan
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Happy Friday!
Today I am featuring my good friend, Tiffany Apan! Tiffany is one of our featured authors for Brain to Books Cyber Convention, and I just love her. Her dark romance is one of my favorites! Take a look at Tiffany’s work, and enjoy.
March 8, 2018
Countdown to B2BCyCon: J.J. Devine
Happy Thursday!
Today I am featuring J.J. Devine – paranormal and historical romance author! She is one of our featured authors at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention, and I am so excited for you to meet her.
Enjoy!
Ashley
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Reading and writing have been J.J.’s passion her whole life. Starting out with being the poet, everyone came to in high school to get that “perfect” poem for his or her boyfriend/girlfriend. She spent her weekends locked away in her room, curled up on her bed, writing short stories for only a selected few readers.
She has been happily married for 32 years to her trucker husband. She is a mother of three, grandmother of four and one angel; a lover of dogs, cats, birds, and fish.
J.J. started to pen historical romance as a hobby when her youngest child was a year old. She got serious about her writing career joining Romance Writers of America and Indiana Romance Writers of America. She penned her first paranormal romance, Into the Darkness, in 25 days, taking herself beyond her comfort zone and just giving the characters free reign of their story. Now she is a published author both in historical and paranormal romance as well as four anthologies.
Connect
Email: jjdevineauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JJDevineAuthor/?ref=settings&qsefr=1
Website: http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com
Blog: http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/ramblings-of-a-writer
Twitter: @JjDevine2010
March 7, 2018
Book Review: Letters to Strabo by David Smith
Author: Dr. David Smith Ph.D
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Set in the late 1970s, Letters to Strabo is the fictional autobiography of Adam Finnegan Black, or Finn’, an innocent young American who is insatiably curious about life. His ambition is to be a travel writer, like his heroes; Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and the ancient Greek father of geography’, Strabo.
Short Review
Letters to Strabo is an educated and exciting read that appeals to authors and aspiring authors everywhere.
Long Review
I have to admit that I was blown away by Letters to Strabo. I haven’t been blown away by a book in quite some time, and it was much needed. Once I found out that David Smith has a Ph.D., his writing style made so much sense. His wording is educated, and his descriptions flow flawlessly. Those who love classic authors such as Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway will get a kick out of this gorgeous novel.
Letters to Strabo follows Finn, a boy who wants to be a writer and travel the globe. Smith references Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway throughout the book, as well as Strabo, the Greek father of geography. Each chapter presents a different destination, and the book is written like a suspenseful autobiography. While reading Finn’s story, I felt like I was traveling with him. With each page, the book felt like a true escape. Smith’s accurate details of each destination astounded me, and despite Finn’s story being fictional, I watched it come to life. Rarely do I find books that make me forget where I am when reading them, and Letters to Strabo does just that.
Travelers and wannabe travelers alike will fall in love with Finn and his story. David Smith’s clear and educated writing is much needed in today’s cluttered literary market. I can’t praise his elegant work enough. If you enjoy snarky protagonists and pages filled with adventure and sightseeing, then Letters to Strabo will be a hit with you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with this beauty!
Countdown to B2BCyCon: Cherry Seniel
Happy Wednesday!
Today I am featuring Cherry Seniel – a wonderful paranormal romance author! She is a featured authors at the Brain to Book Cyber Convention, and I am so excited for you to meet her. Enjoy!
Much love,
Ashley
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CHERRY SENIEL is a paranormal romance writer who believes that all of the best love stories have one thing in common—one must go against the odds to get there. Her novel tells about that. By day, she applies her skills as a Computer Engineer and leads a team. She pursued her IT career in Singapore for a couple of years and then she went back to her homeland. She loves the Entrepreneur world as well. She finished her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ateneo de Cagayan University in the Philippines.
At night, she writes her novels and talks to her characters. Her passion for writing is so massive that she cannot disregard its call. She took various courses online to develop her skills and to learn more in the field of literature. Writing about her characters and introduce them to the world is her deepest wish.
Connect
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/cherryseniel
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cherryseniel.author/
Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Seniel/e/B01HXJSUDO/
Website: https://cherryseniel.wordpress.com/
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The Chief of Aplon is dead. The entire village rejoices. His death serves as a reminder to everyone. Never defy the law of the land or succumb to the consequences. Loving a Samardian is against the rule. Did the spirit forbid it or is it a law mandated by man? No one gets immunity—not even the Chief.
Ingrid—the woman he loves. She can’t escape the wrath of the people, including the life she carries. But she will take her chances. Her baby will survive and rule Aplon one day to correct these idiosyncrasies. She will protect this claim even it will cost her life. It shall be done. This is her vow.
Elijah sees nothing but darkness the first time he opens his eyes while in the care of his newfound family. But thanks to his crystal, he pictures the world in black and white. He wants to believe he is normal, but his heart tells otherwise. And with his fatal touch—he knew he isn’t ordinary. He must conceal this secret. It’s the only way not to hurt anyone. But with Hayleya, the world he knew becomes the opposite. He can look into her eyes and feel her touch without fear. And she holds his heart captive the first time their gaze met. If only he can swap his reality with that kind of world he knew in his dream. He would stay in that place where there is no fear and darkness, but love and freedom. Their love is real. The story repeats itself. He fell in love with a Samardian—just like his father. But this time, he will fight for it and he must succeed. The life of Hayleya and the discovery of his true identity hang by a thread. There’s no room for failure. Saving Hayleya means unleashing the words written by a powerful Samardian—his mother.
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Two living souls who wish to rekindle a love—born from the past and reborn in the present. It was a love of a lifetime tested by time and age. But fate was elusive. The long days of waiting consumed her peace—it leads to a dark plan. Another soul can spark their flame of love in exchange for something she can never take back—her life. Death is not the end, in the name of love.
Mila opens her eyes and feels her heartbeat again. Thanks to her mysterious donor. Caught between life and death, a dream becomes her key. She knew that a lady gave her a second chance to live. But in return, she made her promise one thing—to find a guy she doesn’t know. The secret of the past is her only clue, but how to find him—she remains oblivious.
The dream can mean nothing—she starts to believe that until fate made its way to unveil the answers to her questions. Joshua’s penetrating gaze awakens a feeling that is new to her. Is it really a new spark? Or is it an old feeling, rooted deeply, waiting to be rekindled? She needs to lead her fate—to embrace the love from the past or to welcome Luke’s love in the present?
March 6, 2018
Book Review: When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira
Author: Ines Vieira
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
A wise man once said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
Determined seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mackenzie has her whole life planned out to the very last detail. Nothing and no one will stop her from getting what she wants, and that is out of her hometown. Her life would finally begin once she moves from the quiet streets of Plymouth, Massachusetts to the sunny hills’ of San Francisco to attend her dream college, Berkeley.
However, life has a way of pulling the rug from under your feet. Her family is falling apart, and she’s powerless to stop it.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only fallback to her carefully laid out plans. If cocky Isaac Silva gets his way, the future she so meticulously set out for herself will crumble at her feet.
But Isaac has secrets of his own. Dark and twisted secrets.
Their attempts to break from their tortured reality result in strengthening their unlikely friendship and awakening feelings each one isn’t prepared to face.
So when crossing that line means more heartache and pain, will they be strong enough to pick up the pieces after all is said and done? Or will love be their ruin in the end?
“When Life Gets in the Way” is a story about overcoming diversity and the grueling challenges that illness and violence can cause. However, it is also a story of experiencing that one feeling that surrounds us all.
Love
It can either make you or break you.
Short Review
When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira is a heartbreaking YA/NA romance that reaches into the souls of readers of all ages.
Long Review
Heartbreaking and gritty romances are my cup of tea, and I jumped on When Life Gets in the Way as soon as I discovered it. Sometimes I find that YA/NA novels can be even more emotional than adult novels, and this one sure packed a punch.
When Lifes Gets in the Way is an excellent look at how love can be traumatizing to some teenagers, but how that same love can open feelings within them that they haven’t experienced before. First love is always a bittersweet event in someone’s life, and Ines Vieira captured the pain and brilliance that first love brings through her beautiful language. Even though she switched point of views throughout the story, the plot moved seamlessly. The more I read, the more connected I felt to Cassandra and Issac. The diversity that Vieira presented in the novel brought the characters to life, and I couldn’t help but empathize with them.
Bittersweet romances are some of the finest elements in literature, and Cassandra and Issac’s story is on the top of my list. I was astounded by Vieira’s seamless writing, and how quickly I became engaged in her story. When Life Gets in the Way is not for the faint of heart, but it will leave you changed if you decide to pursue it. The book has a minimum reading age of 18, but I found that it connects to older generations as well. Vieira’s writing is timeless, and I highly suggest her work if you like to read realistic, painful love stories.
Countdown to B2BCyCon: Fiona Riplee
Happy Tuesday!
Today I would like to introduce to you romance author Fiona Riplee, one of our featured authors at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention! Fiona is a Paranormal Romance and Science Fiction-Fantasy Romance author – which happen to be two of my favorite genres. Check out her wonderful work below!
Much love,
Ashley
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SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY AND PARANORMAL ROMANCE AUTHOR
I have always been an avid reader of romance and science fiction. I decided to merge my two reading passions together and create my own version of paranormal/science fiction romance. I love creating new worlds where there are endless possibilities for finding love. I grew up in a small town in rural Pennsylvania and I am currently living in Indiana with my hopelessly romantic husband (who would never admit it under torture), the cutest and craziest toddler I’ve ever seen, and two mischievous dogs. While I haven’t sailed around the world I have been to Jamaica where I was married beside the ocean and in a previous career traveled to Germany and Switzerland.
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CIRCLE OF LIES
ALIEN PROPHECIES BOOK 1
Raz Donovan
Raz is a former M83 soldier for a secret alien military organization and distrusts all humans and most Sixxers. Betrayed, he leaves his comrades behind to protect his small circle from human Chasers determined to harness their Sixxer power. Hiding among the human population keeps Raz’s people safe. The small town he moves to appears the perfect place to live out his life in peace, and he meets an irresistible human female, Sandra, who breaks away the armor around his soul. She opens his heart. He begins to trust her. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to hide from Chasers. The town is a hotbed of Chaser activity and Raz has to leave or risk capture. He battles Chasers and his love for Sandra knowing he must leave her forever. Until the Chasers target her.
Sandra Robins
Sandra’s personal life and career are in the toilet. Her cheating ex brings an end to her dreams of a family. His connections at the university destroy her reputation in the biology department, and she scrambles to find research time. Wary around the mysterious man who cares for her sick friend, Sandra doesn’t want another relationship,. She can’t resist Raz. He is otherworldly, exciting and … sexy as hell. She’s thrown into situations where she can’t tell the truth from the lies. The energy Sixxers naturally posses is frightening and exhilarating. When she discovers her ex is responsible for the virus sickening Sixxers and possibly herself, she works tirelessly on a cure. As supernatural events unfold, she’ll be thrown into a world beyond imagination. There will be no turning back to her ordinary life when her heart convinces her to fall in love again.
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FINDING LOVE’S LIGHT
Senza Cavanaugh and Trevor Gate
are left alone in a world that no longer makes sense. As they uncover the roots of their mysterious power, Trevor discovers their alien ancestry. Is the light part of their DNA or something evil? Their power is uncontrollable and dangerous. With no one to help them, they search for a way to hold onto each other before the light destroys them.
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CIRCLE OF FANTASIES
ALIEN PROPHECIES BOOK 2
COMING SUMMER 2018!
Mia Wendel
After learning the man who raised Mia isn’t her father, she sets out to find the man responsible for half her DNA. She lands a high profile job at the biotech company her real father owns. Mia is drawn into a dangerous conspiracy regarding experimentation her biological father is accused of doing. She’s assigned to a project promising to reveal the truth, but she’s partnered with sexy nanotechnologist, Daniel Anderson. He gets under her skin, and inside her dreams. She has no room for Daniel’s form of romance when the stakes are so high. Yet, as they dig deeper into the company’s business, they both discover Mia’s DNA is part alien. By then, her passion for Daniel can’t be denied.
Daniel Anderson
Daniel crushes on Mia Wendel the first day he meets her. He doesn’t believe in love at first sight until she’s a part of his life. She needs his clearance levels to dig for information on her emerging psychic ability. She holds herself back from the slightest hint of their budding relationship. As his clearance levels decrease and their relationship changes, Daniel can’t hide he’s falling for her. There’s a pull between them that crosses the boundaries of the mind and filters into their thoughts and dreams. Daniel’s research becomes a catalyst used against them with Mia’s half brother and father targeting her for experiments. Their love forms an impenetrable bond as they fight for their freedom and the truth.
