Sage Nestler's Blog, page 76

Free and Bargain Book Event IS TODAY!

Hello Lovelies[image error]

I just wanted to remind all of you that the Support Indie Authors Free and Bargain Book Events is today, April 1st, 2016.  No, this is not an April Fool’s joke!  I have already visited the site and have collected many books that I will be a reviewing here on Peachy Keen Reviews.  Please visit the site and support the indie authors who have bravely put their work out there.  Nothing is better for indie authors than to have readers and reviews and that is the main goal of the events.  Below is the link to the site:

Free Book Event

Thank you everyone,

Ashley

Writing Tip #1

Hello everyone,

Today I wanted to focus on a writing tip that has really helped me to mature my writing, and might be able to help all of you authors out there.  This is a tip that I learned in Stephen King’s book “On Writing”.  If you have not that book yet, I recommend it.  In the book he provides some extraordinary insights on his life as a writer and insights for all of the aspiring writers out there, as well as seasoned writers.  I believe that you are never done learning or changing as an author and must continue to write, write, and rewrite in order to succeed.  But that being said, let us continue.

                Adverbs, as I am sure you all know, are the words used to describe different things, such as actions.  These words usually end in “ly” and the following are some examples: quickly, desperately, prettily, etc.  I am sure that for most of your life you have used these words in your writing to describe the actions of your different characters.  That being said, what I am about to tell you may change everything that you have thought about writing.

STOP USING ADVERBS

                When I first read this in “On Writing” I was stunned.  Adverbs had always been one of my favorite tactics to use in my writing and not using them seemed impossible.  I thought that without them I wouldn’t be able to develop my characters enough in order to have the reader understand them.  But once I went back through the novel that I was working on at the time and deleted all of the adverbs, I couldn’t believe how clean the writing was.  Not only did it sound more mature, but it took away all of the words that I had used to describe character actions.  Doing so gave the reader more freedom in picturing the characters, and their actions, for themselves.  Don’t believe me?  Well, don’t worry.  I am going to show you an example and let you decide for yourself.

The following paragraph represents a standard paragraph using common adverbs:

“Darla looked at herself eerily in the mirror.  Her hair was curled just right and her lips were painted softly with red lipstick.  However, she couldn’t look herself in her beautifully blue eyes.  She had just committed a dastardly crime and she was filled with guilt.  Instead, she shakily put a mascara brush to her eyelashes.  That was all she could do.”

Now I am going to write the same paragraph, but take out all of the adverbs:

“Darla looked at herself in the mirror.  Her hair was curled just right and her lips were painted with red lipstick.  However, she couldn’t look herself in her blue eyes.  She had just committed a crime and she was filled with guilt.  Instead, she put a mascara brush to her eyelashes.  That was all she could do.”

Doesn’t that second paragraph sound cleaner?  Removing the adverbs is like cleaning away the unnecessary dirt.  By removing them you allow the reader to make their own assumptions about why characters are doing something and how they are doing it.  You know how you see your own story, you don’t need to force your reader to see what you are seeing.  Your readers are smarter than you may give them credit for, and by removing your adverbs you are respecting the reader.

I hope that you consider limiting your use of adverbs in your writing.  It has changed my writing and my life and I am positive it will change yours.

~Ashley

Upcoming Book Reviews 5

Hello Everyone!

Here is round five of my upcoming book reviews.  Thank you to everyone who has reached out for me and shared your book.  I have been inspired by everyone’s passion and it has fueled by own writing as well!

Please check out all of the books that are posted and help support the authors!

~Ashley

* . * . *

Title: Pork

Author: R. S. Anthony

Purchase: Not yet released

* . * . *

Title: Call Her Sabine

Author: A.R. Simmons

Purchase: Call Her Sabine on Amazon

Deputy Richard Carter returns in the sixth novel of AR Simmons’ tales of obsession. Call Her Sabine is a contemporary crime mystery pitting a persistent “everyman” against a cunning abductor with an odd mania.

How did coed Charlie Fouts get here? Does anyone even know that she is gone? And what does “the freak” want of her?

Two young women are found drowned within the space of two weeks. Carter has a policeman’s distrust of coincidence, but it appears one the first woman’s death was an accident, while the second was a suicide. Then a college athlete goes missing during an early-morning jog, causing him to suspect that a local killer has claimed his third victim.

As Carter tries to reconstruct the last day she was seen, Charlie is held by an unknown abductor who only communicates with her via computer screen. Can she do what is necessary to survive? Can Carter find her in time?

Davenport House by Marie Silk Review

Title: Davenport House

Author: Marie Silk

Rating: 4/5

Purchase: Davenport House on Amazon

Davenport house is a historical fiction filled with mystery and intrigue.  The synopsis of the novel is as follows:

“The wealthy family upstairs and lowly servants downstairs have more in common than they ever imagined.

Emotions are running high in the midst of a family scandal at Davenport House, where social classes collide and discretion is the secret to survival.

Mary Davenport is a 22-year-old idealist who worries that the world in the Progressive Era is leaving her behind. She lives isolated in the Pennsylvania countryside with her affluent and secretive family. When her father dies suddenly, Mary becomes pained with grief and increasingly suspicious of those around her.

A humble servant girl has the chance of a lifetime to become a lady’s companion. Costly dresses, exquisite rooms, and fine dinners are pleasant distractions from what is really happening in the house.”

I am quite a sucker for any historical fiction.  I am a history buff and Marie Silk’s novel did not disappoint.  The novel follows Mary, the daughter of the house who seems to be understood by only her father.  Her mother and brother are constantly shaming her and making her feel as though she is as lowly as the servants.  I felt for Mary through these challenges and when she discovers that her father has died.  I will not reveal much about the circumstances of the death of Mary’s father, but I will say that her losing him left her in a bit of a Cinderella position.

I loved the mix of the wealthy with the servants in this novel.  It reminded me of The Luxe Series by Anna Godberson in this way.  Silk had a full understanding of the time period that she was writing about and her knowledge showed.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading her novel because of the way it transported me back in time.  It was also clear to me that Silk has a strong awareness of people and what hardships they go through.  One of my favorite quotes from the book proves this:

“’You are like me, Mary.  We can read and understand people like reading pages in a book.  But we only wish to focus on the good pages.  Sometimes it is important to see the bad pages for what they are.  I have been fooled many times by skipping over the bad, and I have paid dearly for it.  I hope you can forgive me and not the mistakes that I have.”

The only critique that I have about the novel is that it provided lengthy detail that was too much in some circumstances.  I know that it is important to provide detailing in historical fiction, but sometimes it works best to have the reader fill in the blanks with their imagination.

Overall, I highly recommend this fast paced, beautifully worded novel by Marie Silk.  The cover will lure you in and the writing will make you stay.  It takes you on a beautiful journey to the past.

Upcoming Book Reviews Round 4

Hello Everyone!

Here is round 4 of my upcoming indie book reviews!  Please look over these books and support these beautiful authors.

Thanks,

Ashley

Title: Journey to Glory

Author: Carrie Rachelle Johnson

Purchase: Journey to Glory on Amazon

The world has become a dark place in need of light. Evil runs rampant and people are in need of hope. On Mount Glory, the Ancient One waits to provide that hope to those who are willing to seek Him. By following the Bright Morning Star, some travelers embark on a journey that would change their lives forever. Yet the evil dragon Diablo has no intention of allowing anyone to accept the love of the Ancient One and join His service. The travelers must be swayed from their journey or if not, destroyed before they reached the mountain. What chance could these travelers have against such a heartless, cruel creature and the evil minions that serve him? What obstacles will they have to endure? Will any survive their journey to Glory?

* . * . *

Title: Guardians of the Grove

Author: J. W. Davis

Purchase: Guardians of the Grove on Amazon

Fifteen-year-old Meeka has trained her entire life for the ranks of the Sacred Grove. When her plans go awry, she flees her home and joins the Bow Maidens, a band of lethal women warriors. As she struggles to find herself, Meeka discovers her hidden gift—an ancient magic of her ancestors.

Meanwhile, the assassination of the king leaves Adrik, a young monk, next in line for the throne. To save the kingdom from the ruthless Duke, Adrik must join forces with an orphaned cutpurse, an over-sized monk, and bumbling aristocrat. Adrik’s survival—and that of the kingdom—depend on the alliances and friendships he forges.

In this fast-paced, epic fantasy, J. W. Davis weaves a tale where two young people come of age in a world of friendship, magic, and destiny.

Upcoming Book Reviews Round 3

Hello Everyone!

I have decided to start having my “upcoming book reviews” posts be in sets of eight books at a time so that they are more manageable.  Here are eight more books added to my list for reviews!  Please check them out and support these beautiful authors.

Thanks,

Ashley

Title: Against the Reign

Author: Dove Winters

Purchase: Against the Reign on Amazon

Ginny doesn’t want to be queen. Known as the mead-loving, trouble-making princess of Newrock, all she wants is for her beloved younger brother to marry, so he can assume the throne and she can disappear. But when tragedy befalls her kingdom and pushes the crown into her hands, she’s forced to face her worst nightmare. Surrounded by betrayal and the threat of death, her only thought is to save her brother–even if it means giving herself over to the enemy.

* . * . *

Title: Southbound

Author: Joseph Ferguson

Purchase: Southbound on Amazon

A short story collection about Basement Man ; moody drunk, sometime rock climber, absurdist philosopher, raconteur of the ridiculous, rogue, and not-so-merry prankster from the North End of Yonkers (aka Junkies Paradise). An every-man for nobodies, he is ever adrift between the carrot of sobriety and the reality of carpe diem. Bowing only to the laws of Murphy, he can never decide whether the lucky ones are the survivors or those who died years ago.

* . * . *

Title: Making Monsters 

Author: Joe Turk

Purchase: Making Monsters on Amazon

Making Monsters is an apocalyptic horse race. Man-made earthquake swarms, genetically engineered sterility, contagious insomnia, expanding sinkholes, scorned militants, and ancient, writhing, subterranean nightmares compete to bring the era of man to an unmerciful conclusion.

* . * . *

Title: Miriamne the Magdala

Author: J B Richards

Purchase: Miriamne the Magdala on Amazon

“Miriamne the Magdala-The First Chapter in the Yeshua and Miri Novel Series” takes place during the first part of the so-called “missing years” of Yeshua’s life. The novel explores the deeply personal relationship between twelve year old Miriamne and her cousin Yeshua bar Joseph. When a family tragedy strikes, and Yeshua and Miriamne are placed in a dangerous situation, heavenly forces intervene and a divine legacy that must be kept secret to all but their closest family members is revealed.

* . * . *

Title: Warlocks, Angels and Warriors

Author: Luciana Correa

Purchase: Warlocks, Angels and Warriors on Amazon

Read and follow the story told by the angel faithful to the Creator.

Meet the Knaasts. They are gorgeous and dangerous; rich and powerful. They are the cream of the cream of the international society.

Their goal is simple. They want to take up the world.

Witchcraft, violence, macabre rites and submission of will.

What is gonna weigh heavier on the scales? Darkness or light, life or death, right or wrong? They all get mixed and hard to sort out.

The human beings dragged by the battling forces for power over the Earth need to make their choices.

Can love justify any mistake? Any action?

Would you side with a demon for power?

You will take sides because you won’t help it.

* . * . *

Title: Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother

Author: Segilola Salami

Purchase: Yetunde on Amazon

Death is wicked . . .

Follow Yetunde as she narrates her mother’s ode to her grandmother. It is the Yoruba praise poetry for a mother known as Oriki Iya

This is a short story dedicated to past, present and future mothers.

A perfect mother’s day present

The book is mostly in English and any Yoruba words are translated, so everyone can enjoy the book fully

* . * . *

Title: Dancing With The Dead

Author: Charles Freedom Long

Purchase: Dancing With The Dead on Amazon

“For me, to live is to die,” Fahd al-Sharfa said. “I want to destroy Luna City and the space stations and become a martyr for truth.” Bit Fahd, a brilliant astrophysicist, never counted on falling in love with Doctor Quenby, his Antal coworker, whom he was now about to kill. Nor had he realized the tenacity of Vice-Marshal Natil’s Eagle Legion, determined to stop him. And especially Aidan Good…who dances with the dead.

A boy genius is taken from his family and trained for a suicide mission on the moon. But he falls in love with just the wrong person. This powerful and gripping novel explores questions of redemption, truth, love, and life beyond death. Richly detailed, imaginative and evocative, DANCING WITH THE DEAD blends science and spiritual fiction. Filled with vivid and convincingly drawn characters, this gripping tale is at once a poignant human/alien love story and a foray into the realms beyond.

* . * . *

Title: The Woman in the Jimmy Choo Shoes

Author: L. V. Krause

Purchase: The Woman in the Jimmy Choo Shoes on Amazon

What happens when you get in the way of a billionaire-to-be? Audrey Blue, a young attorney at a prestigious Chicago law firm, finds out when she discovers damaging information that could harm her law firm’s biggest clients, who will become billionaires when their financial firm goes public in one short week’s time. Before she knows it, Audrey’s accused of murder, drummed from her firm, and in a race for her life.

To save herself, she must find the real killer, who might be the dangerously charming head of the takeover firm himself. As the debonair financier plans his multi-million-dollar birthday bash, Audrey must infiltrate the world of the wealthy financiers, their trophy wives, and their spoiled kids—who all live in fear of disinheritance—as she spars with the handsome Chicago detective assigned to her case.

* . * . *

Title: The Cheating Wive Club: Women are Dying to Join!

Author: D. J. Jouett

Purchase: The Cheating Wives Club on Amazon

When women in her hometown become the victims of a vicious killer Psychiatrist Lana Reed is pulled into a world of serial killers and cheating wives. As her acquaintances are viciously murdered, she suspects one of her patients. Dr. Reed finds herself struggling with doctor-patient confidentiality. As women continue to die, Lana must decide between her professional ethics and helping the man she loves solve the heinous crimes. Great detective work. A real cliffhanger.

Romance, Love, Suspense, Thriller.

 

Forgotten by Neven Carr Review – 5/5 Stars

Title: Forgotten

Author: Neven Carr

Rating: 5/5

Forgotten is an indie suspense novel by author Neven Carr.  The cover of this novel perfectly captures the story as a whole and the synopsis of the book is as follows:

“A young boy is shot and one of the members of an elite gun clan takes his own life. The truth behind what happened lies only in those present, and in the forgotten memories of a seven-year-old child, Claudia Cabriati.

Fear and the bitter stench of death have haunted Claudia for much of her life, even now as a grown woman, along with odd dreams, puzzling cards and the bone-chilling sensation of being watched.

When a vaguely familiar woman possessing secret knowledge about Claudia’s family is murdered, it sets off a string of horrifying events including the brutal murder of a mysterious man and the shocking revelations of family skeletons better left buried.

As Claudia battles her adversaries and her own personal demons in search of answers, she begins questioning her relationship with the man helping her, a man she barely knows. As she starts to learn just who she might be, this mysterious man’s own personal demons must be revealed.”

Carr’s writing captured me from the beginning.  Many novels tend to use hooks that can often be seen as inexperienced, but Carr’s beginning was not reminiscent of this.  Instead, she treated us with this opening:

“Death has a flavor of its own.  I know; I had smelt it before.  I smelt it now.”

In these three sentences she tells us the history of her main character, Claudia, without revealing too much and providing further exploration for the reader.  I wanted to know more about her immediately and I was not let down.  The first chapter took my breath away and with each chapter that followed I was further surprised.  The mystery and suspense was not lacking and it was clear that Carr knew who’s story she was telling and that she wasn’t making up anything as she went along.  I felt like I was reading the novel of an experienced author who has had many books published before and has not lost her knack or passion for writing.  When finishing this book I felt myself craving more.  I felt that Carr admired and cared for characters and I wanted to do the same.

The novel is written in first person with each chapter title pertaining to a different character or event (i.e. Claudia, Araneya Estate, etc.) and the writing consists mainly of memories and present experiences in order to connect the two.  Since the character of Claudia has a lot of repressed memories we are gifted with being able to relive her memories with her and subsequently live through the pain that she has been through.  She is a character whose life has been defined by pain and terrible events that don’t seem to want to let her go.  I felt for her on a personal level with every page and the way that Carr forced you to create empathy for her characters was the gift of a truly talented author.  She seemed to make Claudia a helpless character but she also gave her hidden strength which allowed her to get past everything that she had been through.  Her life was not one that I would like to live on my own but one that I am glad that I had the experience of living along with her.

But aside from her well-developed characters, what made Carr’s novel most beautiful were her descriptions.  They were not tacky, as imagery can often times be when used in excess, but instead her imagery was beautiful and painted the novel as though it were a piece of fine art.  One of my favorite examples of the imagery that Carr presented to the reader is as follows:

“A roguish sea breeze played with a wisp of my hair.  I lazily fingered it behind my ear.”

Her vocabulary presents just how seasoned of a writer she is and shows us how able she is to rearrange and play with words to create the best effect.  She was also able to add in bits of humor that detracted from the drama that could have otherwise weighed down the novel too heavily and turned off the reader.  Being able to add humor to a novel of such high drama as Carr’s was memorable and made me create a wider appreciation for her work.

I am honored to have experienced her work and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a suspenseful novel with a dash of humor.  I will gladly read any future work of Neven Carr and I hope that you also check out her work, because her novel is not one to be missed.

Upcoming Book Reviews Round 2

Hello Everyone!

I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list.  These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order.  I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves.  Let’s support our fellow indie authors!

Title: Immortal Peace

Author: Tyler S. Harris

Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon

It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.

*.*.*

Title: Second Chances

Author: Lincoln Cole

Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon

Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.

Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.

Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?

*.*.*

Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance

Author: Michelle Connell

Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon

Where does the power to forgive someone come from?

A tender story of love and forgiveness.

Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.

Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?

* . * . *

Title: Bounty

Author: J. D. Cunegan

Purchase: Bounty on Amazon

Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore’s best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret — a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts’ connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.

Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she’s so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all…

Who is Bounty?

* . * . *

Title: Blood Ties

Author: J. D. Cunegan

Purchase: Blood Ties on Amazon

For as long as Jill Andersen could remember, her father was a hero.

But heroes don’t commit murder, do they? The state of Maryland said Paul Andersen did just that, three times over, and was set to execute him for it. But Jill and the rest of her colleagues at the Baltimore Police Department come across the murder of a law student that leaves her hopeful that she can clear her father’s name.

While Jill and her colleagues work against the clock to clear her father’s name, new players emerge, hinting to a deeper, darker conspiracy than what was previously known. An enigmatic faction known as The Order reveals itself, and the mystery surrounding Paul’s alleged duplicity leaves more questions than answers.

Along the way, Jill must not only face the possibility that her father was not who she thought he was, but she must also face the prospect of her secret being revealed. The stakes are higher than ever in Blood Ties, the intense follow-up to J.D. Cunegan’s debut mystery Bounty.

Can Jill save her father before it’s too late? Will she even want to?

* . * . *

Title: Give It Back

Author: Danielle Esplin

Purchase: Give It Back on Amazon (Pre-Order)

This novel follows three characters: Lorraine, Lexy, and Ella.

Lorraine:

Not long ago, Lorraine lost her husband to another woman. She thought that was the worst thing that could happen to her, but soon she realizes it’s just the beginning of an everlasting nightmare.

Lexy:

Lexy, an au pair from London, moves to Seattle to help Lorraine with her infant son. But she didn’t come for the child…she came for something else.

Ella:

When Ella receives a call from her sister, Lorraine, who begs her to leave San Diego to spend time with her, she decides to take a few days off from work to visit her. Frightened to see how much Lorraine has weakened since her diagnosis eight months ago, she packs a bag and heads to Seattle with a foreboding feeling that this might be the last time she sees Lorraine.

But on her way to the airport, she learns that something shocking has happened since she last spoke with Lorraine and now. To make matters worse, once Ella arrives in Seattle, Lorraine’s story keeps changing, making Ella question how reliable her sister really is.

Soon Ella is entangled in a mysterious investigation, and more so, in the lives of everyone involved. She realizes not only that she won’t go home anytime soon but also that she’ll never look at others the same way she did before.

* . * . *

Title: The Inter-Terrestrial

Author: Chad Descoteaux

Purchase: The Inter-Terrestrial on Amazon

An alien scientist has a half-human “inter-terrestrial” son on the primitive planet of Earth. Aliens from neighboring planets (Mars and Venus) think they own the Earth and are adamant that it not be used by higher species without their consent. For twenty years, this alien father has been trying to figure out a way to get back to this forbidden planet to see his son, desperately looking for an opportunity to present itself.

But how did this “inter-terrestrial” come to be? How has his human mother protected him on a planet where many people hate and fear what is different? And what role would this hybrid play in proving that humans are not inferior to our alien brethren?

* . * . *

Title: Tangled Web

Author: L. W. Tichy

Purchase: Tangled Web on Amazon

When fifteen year old foster kid and diagnosed schizophrenic, Ryne, bumps into a strange man only she can see, the carefully constructed pretenses of her life start to crumble, forcing Ryne to choose between the safe, mundane, mortal world that’s labeled her crazy, or the magickal world of nightmares she has spent her life pretending doesn’t exist. The truth will set you free. Not. At least, not for Arrynna Doe. The only thing the truth will bring Ryne is a straight jacket and a room at the local, state funded institution, again. So she lies- to her doctors, to her foster parents, to her best friend. Because, really, who’s going to believe there is a whole world filled with terrifying magickal creatures only she can see- faeries, witches, vampires, and werewolves, even dragons? That’s right, nobody! Ryne has her routine mastered- pretend you’re normal, lie to everyone you know, ignore supernatural beings. And the routine works, until the day she acquires stalkers. Faerie stalkers. As Ryne struggles to keep her days normal, she finds herself questioning the tenets’ of her life. Why can she see things that no one else can and why are these creatures suddenly interested in her? The answers might just be more than she can handle. Will she discover the truth? Or is she just as crazy as the doctors have always said? Either way, Ryne is facing a crossroads, and pretty soon she’s going to have to make a choice.

Upcoming Book Reviews – 03/28/2016

Hello Everyone!

I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list.  These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order.  I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves.  Let’s support our fellow indie authors!

Title: Immortal Peace

Author: Tyler S. Harris

Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon

It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.

*.*.*

Title: Second Chances

Author: Lincoln Cole

Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon

Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.

Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.

Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?

*.*.*

Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance

Author: Michelle Connell

Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon

Where does the power to forgive someone come from?

A tender story of love and forgiveness.

Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.

Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?

* . * . *

Title: Bounty

Author: J. D. Cunegan

Purchase: Bounty on Amazon

Jill Andersen is one of Baltimore’s best and brightest detectives, but she harbors a dark secret — a secret that threatens to come out when the body of Dr. Trent Roberts is pulled out of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Roberts’ connection to Jill reveals a past that involves a tour in Iraq, a secretive cybernetic experiment, and a conspiracy that involves a native son.

Can Jill solve the case while still keeping her secret? Will her partners at the Seventh Precinct find out what she’s so desperate to hide? What was Dr. Roberts looking into that led to his murder? And perhaps the biggest question of all…

Who is Bounty?

* . * . *

Title: Blood Ties

Author: J. D. Cunegan

Purchase: Blood Ties on Amazon

For as long as Jill Andersen could remember, her father was a hero.

But heroes don’t commit murder, do they? The state of Maryland said Paul Andersen did just that, three times over, and was set to execute him for it. But Jill and the rest of her colleagues at the Baltimore Police Department come across the murder of a law student that leaves her hopeful that she can clear her father’s name.

While Jill and her colleagues work against the clock to clear her father’s name, new players emerge, hinting to a deeper, darker conspiracy than what was previously known. An enigmatic faction known as The Order reveals itself, and the mystery surrounding Paul’s alleged duplicity leaves more questions than answers.

Along the way, Jill must not only face the possibility that her father was not who she thought he was, but she must also face the prospect of her secret being revealed. The stakes are higher than ever in Blood Ties, the intense follow-up to J.D. Cunegan’s debut mystery Bounty.

Can Jill save her father before it’s too late? Will she even want to?

Upcoming Book Review – 03/28/2016

Hello Everyone!

I have decided to add another post with additional books that are on my review list.  These are the books that have been gifted to me recently that are also on my review list, in no particular order.  I urge you to browse through them and take a look for yourselves.  Let’s support our fellow indie authors!

Title: Immortal Peace

Author: Tyler S. Harris

Purchase: Immortal Peace on Amazon

It is difficult to imagine a story about zombies, vampires, or aliens that has not already been told many times over. Immortal Peace, however, puts a twist on the common genre of science fiction by combining the elements of multiple well-known concepts. This story follows Mario Ramirez, a family man in Chicago, as he and his family witness the world erupt when aliens appear on Earth, not with a warning of waging war, but with a peace offering. The Gift is a promising medicinal panacea. When scientists first study the vaccine, they immediately find the potential value of the drug. Unbeknownst to the world, this medicine has some latent adverse side effects that are in no way beneficial. Now the world must wonder whether the gift is a genuine act of kindness, or possibly the most complex military coup known to mankind.

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Title: Second Chances

Author: Lincoln Cole

Purchase: Second Chances on Amazon

Nichole, a young black woman, is caught in a tough position. She is juggling too many responsibilities as her world falls apart around her. When her mother turns up missing while performing an errand, Nichole is left picking up the pieces of her shattered life and taking care of her younger siblings. She isn’t sure where she can turn to for help, and she is facing a lot of harsh realities about how life works and how much prejudice can hold her back.

Richard is a lawyer who lost himself in corporate law. He wants to help Nichole through her heartbreaking situation, but he makes mistakes and loses her trust. He discovers that he’s been doing the right things for the wrong reasons for a long time. Everything begins to fall apart as he realizes he’s swept problems under the rug for so long he might no longer be able to fix them. After meeting a young alcoholic who is struggling to take control of his life, Richard wakes up to just how far off-course his life has become and attempts to right it. He asks Nichole for a second chance to help her overcome her obstacles, and he hopes it isn’t too late.

Can Nichole and Richard overcome their prejudices and get a Second Chance?

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Title: Cookie Encounter: A Chance Encounter Inspirational Romance

Author: Michelle Connell

Purchase: Cookie Encounter on Amazon

Where does the power to forgive someone come from?

A tender story of love and forgiveness.

Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.

Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her. But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies. Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?