Jessica Samuelsen's Blog, page 18
March 12, 2017
Sunday Post – March 12, 2017
Hi, Everybody! It’s been a long time. I have gotten out of the habit of doing these posts. I will try to get back in it. Nothing much going on here. Getting the winter blues a bit its constantly dark and rainy. I will be glad for warmer, sunnier days. They will be here before you know it!
This Week –
In Review – Click image to go to review
On Tour –
This week’s discussion is Author Profiles.
Coming Up –
In Review –
This week’s discussion will be Authors and Social Media.
Question of the Week– How do you feel about daylight savings today? I’m not a happy camper I hate when we have to spring forward messes with my schedule!
March 10, 2017
Friday Coffee & Bookish Speaks – Author Profiles
Hey, Everybody! Sorry, it’s been so long. I’m just out of the habit of doing discussions. I have just been doing the bare minimum of blogging lately. I’m coming on my 2 year anniversary and I think I’m just a little burnt out. Regardless… Today I am drinking a hot chocolate to switch things up a bit.
What are you drinking?
I’ve been wanting to address this topic for awhile because as a blogger/writer myself I except professional author profiles. This includes a professional picture. I feel an author’s profile says as much about their writing style as does the cover of the book.
I must confess I don’t always remember to look at the author profile but when I am compiling a post and I see their profile the professional level usual matches the quality of the book.
Things I don’t like to see in an author profile is cutesy pictures. I like professional pictures. Have some dignity people! I also don’t like when the author is not approachable. This means in virtual terms they don’t have their information readily available. I feel an author can be made or broken by their availability on the great internet. I do not like when I have to go hunting for their information. I want my readers to be able to contact the author if they want. I want to expose the author that’s why I do my blog. When the author makes it difficult for me, I’m not happy. I think next week I’ll talk about authors on social media.
For now, I just want authors to be professional. Writer’s are not always taken seriously so I feel like its their duty to adhere to some level of professionalism in their profiles. It sure makes my life easier and I get to do what I love best give the author exposure.
What do you think of Author Profiles?
March 9, 2017
ARC Review – Can’t Fight This Feeling by Miranda Liasson
Can't Fight This Feeling by Miranda Liasson Published by Author on March 7, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 337
Source: Netgalley
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
SHE WANTS TO MOVE ON…WITH SOMEONE BLAND AND BORING…
Widowed psychologist Maggie McShae is ready to find someone who won’t make her heart beat fast, her knees grow weak, or make her feel hot and cold at the same time. No one she can really love, because love brings too much pain. Drew Poulos, son of a billionaire, is hiding out in Mirror Lake, working at his brothers’ brandy company. He inspires those very feelings Maggie’s determined to avoid. The hunky businessman, who left his high society bride at the altar, is the last person she’d ever seriously date…but he might just be perfect for a fling…
HE NEEDS A DATE FOR HIS BROTHER’S WEDDING…WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN CALM HIS QUIRKY FAMILY…
Drew’s too heartbroken to ever trust any woman again, but the sexy psychologist is the perfect person to deflect his family’s attention as his brother marries the woman Drew once thought was his. As sparks fly, two injured hearts might just find that true love can be even better the second time around….
In an Oyster Shell – A steamy heartwarming romance.
The Pearls – The characters were my favorite part of this story they were strong and distinguished. Maggie is a strong heroine almost to a fault. It’s nice to see in the romance. She kind of is more of the dictator in what happens which is not always the case. The hero Drew had quite a bit of character growth.
The small town setting was nice. Mirror lake seems like a quaint town. The characters that come around in this little town make the book comical at times. They add a nice depth to the story.
I liked the romance from Drew’s side of thing he is a playboy that wants to reform with Maggie. Maggie helps heal some hurts. Maggie is not as strong or fast in the healing department and it takes her longer to get on board. It was frustrating at times like she took Drew for granted. Drew hung in there and the ending is satisfying.
The Sand – Maggie was really stubborn at times and it became infuriating at times. She was unreasonable and irrational on occasion. I didn’t like that.
3.5 Pearls!
About Miranda Liasson
I won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award in 2013 for a story that became my first published novel, THIS THING CALLED LOVE, which debuted from Montlake Romance as a Kindle First selection in 2015. Like most of my novels, it’s lighthearted but also, like life, has a little bit of heartache in it too.
One of the best reviews I received about THIS LOVE OF MINE, my second Mirror Lake book, said, “This book is full of regret, sadness, loss, longing, friendship, family, love, laughter, and resolve. It would be a good book for anyone. A book that shows you your odds can always get better with friends, family, and loved ones in your corner.” This is everything I aspire my books to be!
My newest book, CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU (Dec., 2016) is an emotional second-chance love story about love, loss, friendship, family, and the journey of one woman to confront her past in order to move onto her future. I hope you enjoy it!
I write romance because I love stories about the experience of being human, and love is the universal experience we all share. I also love stories that have happy endings and make me laugh. I hope my stories make you laugh a little, too.
I live in Northeast Ohio with my husband, three children and my office mate Posey, a rescue cat with more attitude than my kids!
I love to hear from readers!
March 8, 2017
Blog Tour with Review – Off the Ice by Julie Cross
Off the Ice by Julie Cross Series: Juniper Falls, #1
on February 28th 2017
Genres: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 320
Source: Chapter by Chapter
I received this book for free from Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
All is fair in love and hockey…
Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.
Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.
It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.
For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.
In an Oyster Shell – A heartwarming YA romance that is worth cozying up and reading.
The Pearls – The story was really good. I have started to like sports romances. It helped that the story was told in two POV’s so you got more of the story. You get it from Tate and Claire’s POV. It is always helpful in a romance like this to see both sides it makes for a more fulfilling story.
I like the setting of the small town. Small town settings are so cozy and can be an epicenter of drama. This small town setting does not disappoint. Though this town has more secrets than most I think. The closeness between the townspeople keeps the secrets. Especially the closeness of Claire and Tate.
The romance was not clean but not too erotic. Just some steamy scenes. I liked the romance because it was Tate’s long-time crush to be with Claire. It’s a nice change that the guy gets the girl instead of the usual the girl gets the guy she’s been pining for. The romance was teased into existence and made for page turning frenzy.
The Sand – It was a good book
About Julie Cross
Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin’s Press).
She’s also the author of the Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, and many more to come!
Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children. She’s a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Director with the YMCA.
She’s a lover of books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres.
Outside of her reading and writing cred, Julie Cross is a committed–but not talented–long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as a ponytail and gym shoe addict.
March 7, 2017
Review – Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach on March 7th 2017
Genres: YA, Mystery
Pages: 400
Source: Entangled Teen
I received this book for free from Entangled Teen in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Some secrets are best kept hidden…
Anastasia Phoenix has always been the odd girl out, whether moving from city to international city with her scientist parents or being the black belt who speaks four languages.
And most definitely as the orphan whose sister is missing, presumed dead.
She’s the only one who believes Keira is still alive, and when new evidence surfaces, Anastasia sets out to follow the trail—and lands in the middle of a massive conspiracy. Now she isn’t sure who she can trust. At her side is Marcus, the bad boy with a sexy accent who’s as secretive as she is. He may have followed her to Rome to help, but something about him seems too good to be true.
Nothing is as it appears, and when everything she’s ever known is revealed to be a lie, Anastasia has to believe in one impossibility.
She will find her sister.
In an Oyster Shell – A thrilling mystery that will keep you turning pages to find out what’s going to happen.
The Pearls – It’s hard to nail this books concept into a cohesive paragraph. So much is going on but it’s all conducive. Anastasia’s sister goes missing presumed dead in that they find a lot of blood that would indicate she didn’t make it. Somehow Anastasia does not believe that she’s dead. Somehow she thinks it a hoax and she acts on her hunch. What she discovers is unbelievable and unexpected.
The settings in this book are fantastic from Boston to Europe you get an extensive look at these locations through the narrative. I felt like the author did each setting justice which added to the ambiance of the book.
The characters of this book were distinguished. It took a few characters to make this story go. One of my favorite characters is Anastasia’s roommate. She is a hacker extraordinaire who is by Anastasia’s side all the way. Anastasia was an amazing heroine who had great tenacity that pushed her through the mystery.
The mystery was fascinating. There is little that is as it seems. Anastasia’s world is turned upside down by her family secrets that she only suspected. Her suspicions are being fortified as the story moves on. I am so excited for the next book! So we can get more of the story.
The Sand – It was a good book.
4.5 Pearls!
About Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the author of the Anastasia Phoenix series, three YA spy thrillers set to debut beginning in March 2017 (Entangled Publishing). She is also the author of three award-winning young adult novels: Amor and Summer Secrets, Amigas and School Scandals, and Adios to All The Drama (Kensington Books); as well as a YA short-story collection based on the Narcissus myth, entitled Mirror, Mirror (Buzz Books, 2013).
In 2011, she published a highly regarded essay in Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperCollins). It was the only essay chosen from the anthology by Scholastic to be used in its classroom materials. Diana is featured in the anthology, Latina Authors and Their Muses (Twilight Times Books, 2015), and she is currently on staff as a featured blogger for Quirk Books.
In 2010 Diana was named one of the Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch by LatinoStories.com, and she placed second in the International Latino Book Awards. She is an advisory board member for the Philly Spells Writing Center, and is an active advocate for inner-city public schools. She holds a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, and currently lives in Philadelphia.
March 6, 2017
Blog Tour – Rose Petal Graves Extended Edition by Olivia Wildenstein
Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein Series: The Lost Clan #1
Published by Author on March 29th 2017
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 390
I received this book for free from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Founded two centuries ago by a powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly.
Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.
As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, new people began arriving in Rowan, unnervingly handsome and odd people. I begged them to leave, but they stayed, because their enemies—my ancestors—were beginning to awaken.
In an Oyster Shell – A great extension from the original version made a good story even better.
The Pearls – This is my first time reviewing a book that I’ve read part of before. There was another version that came out last year that ends up being the first half of this book. I like the extended version because it makes for a more full story. It fleshes out more of the mysteries. It even adds another dimension all together.
There were more characters added that really gave the story a lot more depth. There was one character in particular that added to the story. This was the added dimension I was talking about. Just by adding one character the story changes completely. The characters from the original story are a lot more fleshed out and reveal surprising attributes of them.
The concept of this story is unprecedented. I haven’t read anything like it. I like the idea of a lost clan though they were buried alive to be brought back to life. More of the story is revealed and though there is contention between the fairies and the hunters some are trying to make peace. This is a revelation that is new to this edition.
The Sand – I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
4 Pearls!
Blog Tour Schedule –
March 6th
Captivated Reading http://www.captivatedreading.com Review
Paradise of Pages http://Paradiseofpages.org Promo Post
the Blacksheep Reader http://theblacksheepreader.blogspot.com/ Review
Writing Pearls http://www.writingpearls.com Review
My Crea Bookish Kingdom http://angeltany.blogspot.it/ Review
Don’t Judge, Read http://dontjudgeread.blogspot.ca Review
March 7th
Angelic Book Reviews http://angelic-reviews.blogspot.ca Review
Haddie’s Haven https://haddieshaven.blogspot.com Review
With Love For Books www.withloveforbooks.com Review
Omg Books and More Books http://omgbooksandmorebooks.blogspot.com Review
Magick Readers Circle https://magickreaderscircle.wordpress.com Review
March 8th
Smada’s Book Smack http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ Review
Taking It One Book at a Time http://takingitonebookatatime.blogspot.com Review
Reading List Http://www.marissawrites.com Review
jrsbookreviews http://www.jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com Promo Post
Könyv Extrák https://konyvextrak.blogspot.hu Review
Drink Coffee and Read Books http://drinkcoffeeandreadbooks.wordpress.com/ Review
March 9th
books are love www.booksarelove22.wordpress.com Review
To Be Read www.tobereadsite.wordpress.com Review
Reading To Unwind http://readingtounwind.blogspot.com/ Review
The Rest Is Still Unwritten http://rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unwritten.blogspot.com.au/ Review
Two Heartbeats http://twoheartbeats.org Review
Lukten av Trykksverte http://luktenavtrykksverte.blogspot.no/ Review
March 10th
Crossroad Reviews www.crossroadreviews.com Promo Post
The Thought Spot https://hugsandkissesforbooks.com/ Review
Book Huntress’ World https://bookhuntressworld.wordpress.com Review
Booker T’s Farm – Books & Nails & Puppy Dog Tales http://bookertsfarm.blogspot.com Review
The Phantom Paragrapher www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com Review
forthenovellover https://forthenovellovers.wordpress.com/ Review
Rafflecopter Giveaway
About Olivia Wildenstein
Olivia Wildenstein grew up in New York City, the daughter of a French father with a great sense of humor, and a Swedish mother whom she speaks to at least three times a day. She chose Brown University to complete her undergraduate studies and earned a bachelor’s in comparative literature. After designing jewelry for a few years, Wildenstein traded in her tools for a laptop computer and a very comfortable chair. This line of work made more sense, considering her college degree.
When she’s not writing, she’s psychoanalyzing everyone she meets (Yes. Everyone), eavesdropping on conversations to gather material for her next book, baking up a storm (that she actually eats), going to the gym (because she eats), and attempting not to be late at her children’s school (like she is 4 out of 5 mornings, on good weeks).
Wildenstein lives with her husband and three children in Geneva, Switzerland, where she’s an active member of the writing community.
March 3, 2017
Guest Post – E.S Ready How to Do historical fiction
How To Do Historical Fiction
The way I approached doing historical fiction is pretty much how I would appraoch anything that I wish to become decent at; I immersed myself in it.
Until Someday is truthfully the first of many books I’ll scribe that take place not only in the past… but a hell of a long time ago. Fortunately, with the use of the internet, this trip backwards to whatever cherished or not so cherished period in history has become easier than ever before. Having said that, it still isn’t overly simple. I had to bring the roaring 20s to life so that when you stepped into Emmett Roane’s world you really felt like you were there. Everything had to damn close to perfect. This included not only materialistic things such as clothes, cars, décor, firearms and furniture, but also language/ dialect and behaviors. Its fun to throw in a few more modern themes or words into a period piece too just to throw a wink at the reader. Wes Anderson does this in some of his films and its quite funny. The trick is to not overdo it and bring the reader/viewer out of the world you’ve submerged them in.
As I stated before, you must immerse yourself in the era if you wish to immerse the reader. Prior to and during the composition of Until Someday I read a couple of books that took place in or around that period. Dennis Lehane’s Live by Night, a novel set in the 1920s and 30s, helped me. I also read books that took place in a similar setting, such as Richard Matheson’s A Bid Time Return, a novel that most people would recognize by its famous Christopher Reeve film adaptation Somewhere in Time. In addition to literature I utilized a number of online articles focusing on language, style, weapons and cars. I watched numberous youtube videos about the 20’s along with the Ken Burns documentary Prohibition, which I found to be immensely helpful and interesting.
It got to the point where, in my head, I was living in 1927 as much as I was living in present day. We’ve been blessed with an array of gifts in the form of modern technology. These tools bring us as close to stepping into a time machine as mankind will probably get. My advice… use all of it.
About E.S. Ready
E.S. Ready graduated from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in
Criminal Justice – Investigative Services. He enjoys reading and
writing crime, action, adventure, mystery, romance and historical
fiction. He currently resides in his Connecticut hometown. E.S. is an
old soul that is fond of mischief and living a good story as much as
he likes telling one. Until Someday is his first novel. His second
novel, a standalone western titled Crywood, will be released this
summer.
March 2, 2017
ARC Review – Garden of Thorns by Amber Mitchell
Garden of Thorns by Amber Mitchell Published by Entangled Teen on March 6th 2017
Genres: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 364
I received this book for free from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
After seven grueling years of captivity in the Garden—a burlesque troupe of slave girls—sixteen-year-old Rose finds an opportunity to escape during a performance for the emperor. But the hostage she randomly chose from the crowd to aid her isn’t one of the emperor’s men—not anymore. He’s the former heir to the throne, who is now leading a rebellion against it.
Rayce is a wanted man and dangerously charismatic, the worst person for Rose to get involved with, no matter what his smile promises. But he assumes Rose’s attempt to take him hostage is part of a plot to crush the rebellion, so he takes her as his hostage. Now Rose must prove where her loyalties lie, and she offers Rayce a deal—if he helps her rescue the other girls, she’ll tell him all the Garden’s secrets.
Except the one secret she’s kept for seven years that she’ll take to her grave if she must.
Rose has been in the garden for a long time. Taken from her home performing for the garden is more of what she knows. Being blackmailed to keep her identity a secret she stays where she is at. Until her companion tells her to run and is quickly killed after. Though she couldn’t save her companion she determines to not let her death be in vain and finds a way to escape. She just happens to get entangled with the leader of the Rebellion and things get complicated. Wanting to save the other flowers from the garden she must learn to work with the rebellion.
In an Oyster Shell – It was a captivating fantasy read that was a little on the violent side but was a really good story.
The Pearls – The concept was unique. To have a show called the garden with girls that lose their identity to flower names was really interesting. Add a rebellion and a controlling emperor that needs to be overthrown. It made for a page-turning read.
The point of view of Rose made the story easy to follow. Seeing the story through her eyes was very fulfilling. Sometimes with a first person POV you feel like you don’t get the whole story. That was not true for this story.
The characters were beautifully crafted. Rose was a most excellent heroine I loved following her story. There were some great supporting characters. That really helped move the story along. The villains of the story were really gruesome as good villains should be.
The romance was slow burning but was beautiful amidst the chaos. It was really nice that the romance was a nice thread that was woven throughout the narrative. It was a compliment to the story.
The Sand – The story was incredibly violent at times.
4.5 Pearls
About Amber Mitchell
Amber Mitchell graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Creative Writing. She likes crazy hair styles, reading, D&D, k-dramas, good puns and great food.
When she isn’t putting words on paper, she is using cardstock to craft 3D artwork or exploring new places with her husband Brian. They live a small town in Florida with their four cats where she is still waiting for a madman in a blue box to show up on her doorstep.
Garden of Thorns is her debut novel from Entangled Teen.
March 1, 2017
Review – Until Someday by E.S. Ready
Until Someday by E.S. Ready Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on July 22nd 2016
Pages: 240
Source: Author
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
The year is 1927 and professional boxer Emmett Roane is losing his grip on reality. His career is faltering, memories of a lost love haunt him and the horrors of the Great War muddle his mind. Emmett's past is hobbling his future, and no amount of booze or knockout blows can ease his painful memories. Seeking solace in the place where he and his Anna had once been so happy, Emmett leaves Brooklyn for a few days alone in Newport at the gilded waterfront Hermann Hotel. During a fateful weekend as he tries to make peace with his ghosts, Emmett crosses paths with Maude Mable, a lively beauty with secrets of her own. But they soon learn the luxury hotel also hosts Luther Irvin, an opium-addicted mobster who is as violent as he is desperate. When Emmett and Maude discover Luther's hideous plan to wage war on a rival gang, the pair is thrust into a deadly match of wits and force. His back against the ropes, Emmett finds his quest for self-restoration has become a mission of survival-for him, Maude and everyone at the Hermann. Can Emmett Roane, a fighter who desperately seeks an elusive peace, halt the embodiment of evil while finding a way to heal his own heart and mind?
Emmett Roane a fighter by profession is drowning in grief for his lost fiance Anna. His manager and best friend convinces him to take a little weekend getaway. He decides to go to Newport a place he visited with Anna. When he gets there he runs into some unsavory characters and a beautiful woman. The unsavory characters end up being a gang hell bent on getting back what they think is there’s. Roane’s weekend away turns grisly when he witness’s a crime of the gang. He finds a plan that could harm many innocence and Roane decides he must help to stop hit. With the help of his new lady friend will they stop many innocents from getting harmed?
In an Oyster Shell – An intriguing historical fiction that was full of interesting history paired with a great storyline.
The Pearls – I’m not a fan of historical fiction. I’m more of a contemporary girl. So to get me to like something I usually don’t says a lot about the book. It was really good. I usually find historical fictions to be a little on the dry side and this was anything but. I liked learning more about life in the time of prohibition. I thought choosing Emmett as an old war hero turned fighter was fitting for what happened in the story.
The characters made this story. From protagonist to antagonist this was a very character driven narrative. The characters were distinctive and made the story come alive. The antagonists in this story where really nasty and made for a good contrast to the hero that Emmettt Roane is. It really showed the gangster lifestyle that was propagated by the prohibition.
The setting at a historic hotel in Newport was unusual for what happens but very fitting in the end. What are the chances that the one place Roane goes to get away from it all puts him in the middle of the action. The hotel was appropriate for a lot of the scenes that take place. Being a place by the sea made this story even richer.
The Sand – The book had quite a bit of violence.
4.5 Pearls
About E.S. Ready
E.S. Ready graduated from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in
Criminal Justice – Investigative Services. He enjoys reading and
writing crime, action, adventure, mystery, romance and historical
fiction. He currently resides in his Connecticut hometown. E.S. is an
old soul that is fond of mischief and living a good story as much as
he likes telling one. Until Someday is his first novel. His second
novel, a standalone western titled Crywood, will be released this
summer.
February 28, 2017
Review – Missing Mona by Joe Klingler
Missing Mona: A Tommy Cuda Mystery by Joe Klingler Published by Cartosi LLC on October 23rd 2015
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 418
Source: Author
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
GoodreadsAmazon
Tommy has boomeranged back to his parents residence and a dead-end job after too many years in college. As he looks squarely at his next decade of life his smartphone convinces him the time is ripe for a change. A gift from his grandfather provides the means, so he embarks on the path of blues artists and beatniks before him-and hits the road. He immediately meets a damsel in hitchhiking distress who says her name is Mona. Her presence persuades him that the bright lights and dark clubs of Chicago might be his kind of town. So on a summer Saturday night they settle into a fancy hotel overlooking the beaches of Lake Michigan.
On Sunday...Mona disappears.
But she leaves behind more than a sweet memory that involves Tommy in a brand new cash flow problem he never imagined. While trying to sort out how to stay on the right side of the law and get back on the road, he meets a young criminologist who helps him, a DJ who doesn't, and a librarian who teaches him about the city, women, and the art of the makeover. After truth and lies are stirred like a blue martini, being assaulted by a pink monkey, and witnessing a drive-by shooting that drowns a Ferrari-Tommy is desperate to help Mona.
If he can find her.
Praise for Joe Klingler:
"...dramatic, vivid, evocative, and perfectly detailed."--San Francisco Book Review
"Fierce writing chops...balance action and subterfuge...effortlessly clever prose."--Kirkus Reviews
"Klingler is skilled at writing action scenes. He puts the reader directly in the line of fire, and doesn't let up."--Foreword Clarion Reviews
Tommy “Cuda” is looking to disconnect from his phone and life as he knows it in general. He gets in his car he inherited from his grandfather and hits the road with his phone out the window. He picks up a hitchhiker who name is Mona so she says. She hires him as a private detective to find someone but won’t tell him who until morning. The next morning she is gone and leaves an unexpected find. Tommy goes looking for her and comes across the unexpected. Who is Mona? Can he find her?
In an Oyster Shell – It was an intriguing mystery that had lots of twists and turns that made for a very entertaining and interesting read.
The Pearls – The mystery was fantastic. It was an interesting concept being hired to find someone and it ends up being the person that hired you. Though Tommy was an amateur sleuth he got around pretty good and found his way around the mysteries.
There were a lot of ladies that Tommy comes across and he becomes one very lucky dude. They all seem to like him in one way or another. It was a little funny, it was a little bit of male fantasy being played out in narrative. It was a fairly clean novel just some intense kissing, but there was a lot of kissing.
The setting was interesting Chicago. There was a lot of reference to the crime. It helped me to know more about that city and made it so I felt like I was there, I don’t have to visit.
There were a lot of interesting characters played out in some interesting themes. From the music scene down to the pawn shop to the bed and breakfast he stayed out. There were a lot of characters and not too many you couldn’t keep track of them. They were developed and distinctive.
The Sand – It was a little overboard on most women of the book falling for Tommy in one way or another. It was a little bit unbelievable.
4 Pearls!
About Joe Klingler
Joe Klingler was born in the Great Black Swamp on a hot July day during a cold war. In primary school he read Four Wheel Drift. That led to a soap box derby car named Restless, two crashes, and a lifelong love of motion.
Images of Jimi Hendrix playing the U.S. National Anthem at Woodstock inspired pounding on a Gibson in a garage band influenced by local groups like the MC5 and Iggy and Stooges whose pioneering punk music he figured existed everywhere—though it was actually coming out of Detroit, Michigan forty miles to the north.
Joe read The God Machine by Martin Caidin, and started thinking about the nature of computation. He studied electrical engineering, spent time doing research in medical image processing, published academic papers, wrote a few patents. All of which led to an interest in special effects and the software that made them. He co-founded a company that was soon acquired, leading to a string of jobs for bigger and bigger corporations until assimilation by a billion dollar enterprise gave him the idea for a book—which he wrote while moving 525 mph bouncing between the coasts of North America.
That book led to RATS, his debut novel, which draws on the beauty of technology, its uses, misuses and abuses. And how the collision of human ideologies shapes its future—and ours. A minor character in RATS led to Mash Up: a rollicking ride with student musicians through San Francisco, Silicon Valley, social media and the minds of persons who use sharp knives to solve problems.
He currently resides in California with an iMac and a couple of motorcycles, and has recently released his third novel: Missing Mona. He’s fond of turbochargers, and loves his S1000RR.
