Jazzed Up by Laura M. Baird

September 19, 2023 By 2 Comments


Jazzed Up by Laura M. Baird
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jaz Reynolds needs a new lead for his band. One note, one look is all it takes for him to know Cheryl Mathers is the one. Now to convince the sultry jazz singer to make the leap to a different genre and tour with him. When their chemistry rockets off the charts, can he convince himself this is business only? Or will he take a chance to find his own love of a lifetime?

Cheryl Mathers has always wanted music to be center stage in her life. The offer to tour with world-renowned pop-rock band, Jazzed Up, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With each day in Jaz’s presence, she falls more and more for his charm and allure. But she’s been burned by love in the past and is hesitant to risk her heart.

As the two find their rhythm and embrace their attraction, a life-altering revelation rocks their world. Will the power of promising of love be enough to bring them back into harmony?

Musicians need love, too.

There was a plot twist close to the end that I thought was handled nicely. It involved both Jaz and Cheryl’s pasts and them having more in common than they already knew they did. Ms. Baird did a good job of keeping this under wraps until it was time to reveal it. Not everything needs a lot of foreshadowing in order to be effective, and this was a good example of how to keep an audience guessing and interested about what might happen next until the final sentence.

I was surprised and confused by how quickly certain business decisions were made in this novella. The main characters were willing to make huge changes in their lives based on limited information, and most of the people around them didn’t seem concerned about how fast things were changing. It would have been helpful for me as a reader to have more information about why everyone was okay with this as it isn’t something that happens too often in real life in my experience.

With that being said, the whirlwind romance made much more sense. Sometimes two people meet and instantly click. It’s rare, but it can be truly beautiful when it happens. I also liked the way the author dove into the difference between clicking with someone and actually taking the time to figure out if there is as much compatibility with them as there seemed to be at first glance. That was a mature and sensible expansion to this theme that only made me enjoy it more.

Jazzed Up was a fluffy and uplifting romance novel.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Deadweight by Paul Forster

September 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Deadweight by Paul Forster
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

It was hailed as the answer to the obesity epidemic; a pill that allows you to eat anything you like and still lose weight. Millions were attracted by the promise of a leaner, fitter body, but there was a fatal and unforeseen flaw in this new panacea. A tiny microbe, lurking within, slowly infects the users. In turn they pass the infection to others with a sneeze, a cough or a simple kiss, and before long tens of millions are infected and turned into mindless, shambling wrecks, with the sole purpose of existing to eat. The virus is rampant, reaching into every corner of the globe. Governments collapse and shut down, unable to contain the outbreak, while the army works hard against the unending assault in a desperate bid to stop the dead from total victory. But there are even greater dangers to be faced. A few unfortunate souls suffer with the hunger of the dead but the mind of the living. They are neither dead nor alive, but something in between; something far more dangerous to the surviving humans. And amidst this carnage of the end of the world, in the south east of England, a small group of survivors are fighting on, against all the odds, as they try to stay one step in front of the dead, trying to avoid being the next item on the menu. The question is, in a world now claimed by the dead, what will they have to do to survive?

When a new weight-loss pill comes onto the market no one thinks too much of it. Obesity is a global epidemic and millions of people are looking for a quick pill to make themselves thinner. And this pill becomes extremely popular as it proves to work perfectly in everyone – millions all over the world are quickly losing weight no matter what they eat. But no one knows that the microbe that’s being used in this
pill quickly becomes infectious through a cough, a sneeze, and soon the whole world becomes infected.

I found this to be a really well written and scarily believable book. I think some readers mightn’t like how a lot of the start of this book flips between the present – after the zombies are out there – and how the research and science behind the pills was discovered and let loose. I personally didn’t mind this jumping back and forth because I feel the author has done an amazing job in thinking through the background of the pill and making a really interesting, logical and believable plotline behind it. I felt this really set up the story as a whole and it was such a different spin on the whole “zombie apocalypse” thing that I really enjoyed it.

I also enjoyed how the past and present came together and then merged into the rest of the story. Readers who enjoy longer running series like Walking Dead and Last Of Us should find that this book really fills a gap that these series can leave behind. I found the main characters relatable and interestingly drawn and most importantly for me I found the plot to be gripping and interesting. There are a few sex scenes in this book and while there is some gore it’s kept to a fairly low level to my mind and neither overtakes the story. I would mainly declare this an intricately plotted zombie apocalypse style of book with a fair bit of action and a really good plotline.

Readers looking for an interesting and freshly written zombie-style end of the world book should find this a really good read.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Savage Moor by Robert Fael

September 4, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Savage Moor by Robert Fael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The Exmoor Beast is a creature of myth and mystery. Some think it’s a phantom. Others that it’s actually a big cat that escaped from a private collection. The bloody carcasses of deer and sheep found on the moor are often quoted as proof of its existence.

Now for the first time the Beast has taken human prey, and attacks seem to be intensifying. Ex MI5 agent Hollis is called in to investigate.

What he uncovers is more than just moorland myth. It’s a clash between a quiet farming community, and big city gangsters. Things are becoming increasingly violent, and the bodies they find have been pulverized with incredible force. Shotguns may be no match for AK47s, but it seems the people of Exmoor have a surprisingly fearsome ally.

Would you stake your life on local gossip?

The complexities of small town life made this such an interesting read. Some authors and readers assume that life is slower and safer in rural communities, but Mr. Fael knew better than that. Just because everyone knows everyone else doesn’t mean that terribly dangerous things can’t happen in isolated corners of the community late at night. If anything, that false sense of security can help to cover up certain crimes if people are willing to give old friends and neighbors the benefit of the doubt no matter what oddities they might witness. I enjoyed the depth the author brought to this setting and thought he did a good job of exploring both the benefits and the drawbacks of living in such a place.

This novella included a large cast of characters that I struggled to keep up with. There simply wasn’t enough space to get to know any of them well, including the protagonist. As much as I wanted to give this a higher rating, I didn’t feel comfortable doing so due to the limited amount of character development and how confused I was by who certain individuals were.

The mystery was well-paced and exciting. I had my suspicions about the possible identity of the Exmoor Beast, especially after reading a brief, bloody scene of it attacking someone, but the author still managed to surprise me in the end. As much as I’d love to go into detail about the differences between my theory and what was really going on, that’s hard to do without giving away spoilers. What I can say is that this kept me guessing and made me nod with understanding when certain clues were revealed close to the end.

The Savage Moor kept me guessing.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Serenade of Solitude by Asif Hossain

August 25, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Serenade of Solitude by Asif Hossain
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

In the idyllic coastal town of Portofino, Italy, where azure waters meet picturesque landscapes, an introverted post-teen named Firo found solace in solitude. The enchanting harmony of nature and the tranquility of his own company were all he ever desired. At the tender age of 19, Firo had become well acquainted with loneliness, drifting through life with a longing for connection he couldn’t quite fulfill. His life takes an unexpected turn as he encounters a captivating young woman named Anna on a rainy evening.

Love can sneak up on a person at any age.

The descriptions in this novella were vivid and beautiful. Sometimes reading it felt like watching a movie because of how effortless it was for me to imagine everything that was happening, from little moments like a character stepping outside into a clean, glittering world just after a rainstorm ended to scenes that changed the course of the plot forever. There clearly had been a lot of effort put into these passages, and they paid off nicely.

With that being said, I struggled with the slow storyline. So much attention was paid to describing the settings that there wasn’t as much space left over for plot development as I would have liked to see. Sometimes this made it hard for me to remain as interested in the characters as I was in the beginning.

Firo was an interesting and self-aware protagonist. I appreciated the fact that he knew what his flaws were and tried to correct them. That’s a difficult thing for anyone to do, especially someone who is nineteen years old and sometimes acts younger than his chronological age. I found myself wishing I could speed ahead in his life by a few decades to see how much insight he gained about his strengths and weaknesses when he was middle aged or even older than that. There was a lot of potential for growth with him, although I was satisfied with what the author shared at this point in this character’s life as well.

Serenade of Solitude was peaceful.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Buried In Secret by Viveca Sten

August 22, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Buried In Secret by Viveca Sten
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When two cold case disappearances are reopened, a decade of deadly secrets is unearthed on Sandhamn Island in the #1 bestselling thriller by Viveca Sten, author of In Bad Company.

A woman’s skeletal remains are excavated on an uninhabited island in Sandhamn’s archipelago, and Thomas Andreasson is called to officially investigate. But his best friend, Nora Linde, can’t help but get involved.

On leave after her last case took a dark turn, Nora is tortured by depression, nightmares, and guilt. Her marriage fractured, her pride chipped away, Nora could find redemption in this investigation. Then evidence suggests two possible cold cases linked to the grim discovery: two women who have been missing for ten years. Now Nora feels compelled to unearth a mystery someone has gone to great pains to bury. What could have happened to require such a cover-up?

As the cold case vanishings converge, Nora follows a twisting trail of revenge, blackmail, and betrayal. She’s also inviting the watchful eye of someone determined to stop her. To free herself from the damaging grip of the past—and the reach of a relentless killer—Nora is going to have to brave the darkness one more time.

Summer is drawing to a close and it’s been a very difficult one for Nora Linde. On extended medical leave after her last case left dark marks on her emotions, Nora is struggling to return to regular life again. When her best friend, Thomas, is drawn into the skeletal remains of a woman found buried deep on an isolated Nora is devastated to learn she likely knew the poor young victim. Thomas also is investigating the death, but there were two missing women from that long time ago. Could the cases be connected somehow?

This book picks up fairly quickly after the last one finishes. Often in this series there is quite a lag between books – even numerous years sometimes – but the previous book finished with a bit of a twist and so I was pleased only a few short months have passed between then and this book. Nora is struggling with quite heavy feelings of guilt and depression. This means in some ways her character is quite different to the comfortable and strongly confident Nora I’ve become used to reading about. While I did enjoy the fact this Nora felt a lot more relatable and human, it also came across quite strangely to me that this Nora was so different to the woman I’ve read about in all the previous books.

I did very much enjoy the police procedural aspects to this book. Thomas has always been a very up and down character – sometimes strong and confidant, sometimes depressed or moody, so his character felt very normal and consistent to me with the previous books. I very much liked the methodical puzzle solving of the murder mystery and trying to figure out who the victim was and what had occurred more than a decade ago. I feel readers who enjoy Scandinavian crime and mystery should likely enjoy this book and probably enjoy the entirety of this series. These books tend to be a little darker and grittier than many other popular fiction writers, but personally I’ve grown quite a taste for them and find them highly enjoyable and strongly relatable.

I found this to be an excellent addition to the series and hope there might be more from this author to come in the future. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

In Bad Company by Viveca Sten

August 15, 2023 By Leave a Comment


In Bad Company by Viveca Sten
Publisher: Self-Published/Amazon Crossing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Sandhamn Island’s archipelago is a beautiful place to visit. For a mother on the run, it’s the only place to hide in a novel of escalating suspense by Viveca Sten, bestselling author of Still Waters.

Building a case against Andreis Kovač is a risky strategy for prosecutor Nora Linde. A violent key player in Stockholm’s drug trade and untouchable when it comes to financial crimes, he has the best defense money can buy. To topple Andreis’s empire, Nora’s working a different angle. It’s personal. Nora’s critical witness is Andreis’s wife, Mina—if she’ll testify.

Mina has suffered her husband’s rage too long. It’s nearly cost her her life. Still carrying the traumas of the Bosnian War, Andreis can be triggered like an explosive. He must be taken down. And as the trial looms, Mina and her infant son must disappear. The police have found her a safe place to hide on Runmarö Island in Sandhamn’s archipelago. But there’s no shelter from a man as powerful and merciless as Andreis. Especially when he’s being crossed.

His campaign of terror has just begun. He’s prepared to crush anyone who stands in his way: Mina, Nora, and everyone they know and love. Andreis is coming for them. This time, Nora is on the defense.

Prosecutor Nora Linde is trying to build a fraud case against Andreis Kovac and finding it difficult. When Kovac’s wife ends up in hospital – Kovac’s abuse finally more than she can successfully hide or explain away – Nora works hard to help the woman escape her abusive marriage. As Kovac and his rage spirals out of control, Thomas is drawn into the suspicious murder of one of Kovac’s longest standing friends. Can Nora and Thomas keep the innocent from being harmed before it’s too late?

I have been really enjoying this Scandinavian mystery series and found this latest addition to be a solid and well plotted read. There were a few different threads of the story that the author managed to weave together very well as the plot progressed. While I do feel readers new to this series should be able to pick this book up and enjoy it on it’s own merits, there is a fair bit of history between Nora and her family, and also Thomas and his marriage that might not be easily picked up until well into the book.

As this is the ninth book in the series some of the character’s backstory seems to be expected to be understood so I do feel some readers might feel a little lost initially. The plot though and everything connected to both the legal trial Nora is building as well as the murder Thomas is investigating is all very well explained and self contained in this book. Only a few aspects of Nora and Thomas’ private lives are a little less clearly defined for readers.

I felt there was a really good amount of tension and build up to this book. The stakes grow quite high – especially as Kovac clearly loses control over himself and his escalation had me feeling quite worried in a number of places. I was also pleased with the ending – I felt it was quite a satisfactory wrap up – though I do have to admit the epilogue threw me for a bit of a curve and while it didn’t quite feel like a cliffhanger I did jump immediately online to discover if the next (and I believe possibly final) book in the series carried this plotline on or if it was a new case for Nora and Thomas. Readers who hate any lose threads might want to make sure they have both this and the next book in the series before they begin to read, as I could understand if some readers might want to jump immediately into the next book after reading this epilogue.

A well written and tightly paced murder mystery this is a good Scandinavian noir style of legal and police procedural novel.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

1956 Love & Revolution by J.A. Boulet

July 31, 2023 By 4 Comments


1956 Love & Revolution by J.A. Boulet
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

What would you do for your country?

In 1955, a group of uncommon people meet by chance. During the final year of Rákosi’s iron fist rule, Imre Nagy’s reforms are repealed, plunging Hungary back into economic ruin.

A university student, a cleaner, a Hungarian soldier and several others find themselves drawn toward each other as their love for their country is tested. In the fall of 1956, political strife deepens as the students begin demanding reform.

How far will they go to save Hungary?

Well-researched, politically charged and fast-paced, 1956 Love & Revolution will lure you into the lives of everyday Hungarians who risked everything for their country.

I didn’t know a lot about went on in Hungary during this time period, but reading this book made me feel like I was right there. The characters in this book came alive for me – they are fully formed, with pasts, with foibles, with imperfections. My heart broke for Elona as she dealt with her husband and the way he treated her.

And, it’s not just the characters, but the setting at well. I felt like I was right there, picturing everything.  The juxtaposition of the changes the country is going through and the changes and growth that the main characters are going through gives a richness to the story.

During the story, there is heartbreak, pain, sorrow, and yet still, by the end, hope prevails. And, isn’t that what we all want from a good book?

Thank you, Ms. Boulet, for introducing me to a part of history I didn’t know much about and characters I’ll remember for a long time.

 

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Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Black Comic Book History by Demetrius Sherman

July 28, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Black Comic Book History by Demetrius Sherman
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When no Black comic book heroes existed, Orrin C. Evans took action. The journalist published the courageous Ace Harlem and Lion Man. When no positive images of Blacks existed in newspaper strips, Blacks created them.

Black Comic Book History acknowledges Blacks who boldly created heroes during turbulent times and takes you on a dazzling trip of wonderful facts.

Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words.

It was a wonderful surprise to be introduced to so many comic book characters I’d never heard of before. I had no idea that there were black superheroes created by black artists and writers back in the 1940s and 1950s or that they were as popular as they were. This opened my eyes to a part of the industry I wasn’t aware of, and it made me want to read more about all of the characters the author mentioned.

As I read, I found myself wishing for more details. Each entry gave basic information like the name and origins of the superhero, but they usually didn’t share much more than that. I would have loved to know what audiences thought of these characters, how often there were crossover comics that featured more than one of them, whether they inspired the creation of other superheroes, and how long the comic strips or graphic novels about them lasted. Are any of them still in print, for example? If these sorts of details had been included, I would have happily gone with a much higher rating as I was fascinated by this topic in general.

One of the most interesting things about studying history in my opinion is seeing how change happens. It’s often a gradual process with many starts and stops along the way. There was a lot of information about this era that I wasn’t aware of, and it was eye-opening to piece together just how many people were working on making this industry more inclusive and diverse eighty years ago. These are the sorts of stories I wish had been included in history class! There are many ways to make the world a better place, and some of them involve science fiction and fantasy.

If you love history, comic books, or both of these topics, I recommend Black Comic Book History.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

33 Days ‘Til Christmas J. Paulette Forshey

July 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment


33 Days ‘Til Christmas J. Paulette Forshey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Archangel Gabriel is sent to Earth in human form to keep a woman, Zippy, safe for the next thirty-three days. He’s not told why, only that he must protect her. He finds his job is more difficult than he imagined, Gabriel has to watch over Zippy without falling in love with her. But when Zippy ends up in his arms there’s only so much an angel can do.

A girl, a holiday and an archangel?

It could happen. In 33 Days ‘Til Christmas, it does.

I liked this story because it’s not long, but it’s packed with details and the story moved along nicely. The author has penned a cute story with a great ending that kept me turning pages and needing to know what would happen next. I loved it.

Zippy has what could be considered almost too positive an attitude. She just wants to be happy, in spite of everything. I liked her and her attitude. I also liked the way Gabriel showed up in her life. He’s a bit caveman at times, but the super alpha-ness of him was fun. He knew how to take care of her (okay, with a little help). It was good reading and they have great chemistry. Yes, this story happens fast – 33 Days – but it works.

If you’re looking for a cute little Christmas in July or Christmas at any time story, then you can’t go wrong with this one. Check it out! Recommended.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Once Upon a Kiss by Selena Robins

July 14, 2023 By 2 Comments


Once Upon a Kiss by Selena Robins
Publisher: Self- Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

A survivor. A corporate shark. And a case of mistaken identity to warm the heart.

Hell on a stick. Is thirty-three too young to lose your mind? Sabrina Monroe is a survivor, but this epic streak of bad luck has worn her thin. Lately, she swears she’s seeing and hearing things.

With everything on her plate, she doesn’t have time to riddle out these oddball, mystical happenings. Corporate vultures are circling Maple Manor, the inn that’s been in her family for generations. And her new handyman looks like he’s better suited for the cover of GQ than Popular Mechanics.

Jason O’Neil can barely tell a Phillips from a flathead, but when Maple Manor’s stubbornly sale-resistant owner mistakes him for the new Mr. Fixit, he doesn’t hesitate to trade his Guccis for work boots. It’s the perfect chance to bag the lush mountain property for his company’s next five-star golf course. What could possibly go wrong?

He quickly discovers that not only is Sabrina no pushover, but he’s also enjoying the push and pull between them way more than he should. And when a new threat emerges, Jason finds himself risking everything to follow his heart—and convince Sabrina he’s her ally.

This was a captivating romance from beginning to end with all the ingredients necessary to be produced into a movie. I finished reading at one AM and should have been exhausted but I’m wide awake, filled with the desire to continue reading except Sabrina and Jason’s love story already has reached their HEA. I’m still on cloud nine so it’s the perfect time to write a review, reliving what I enjoyed most about this novel.

The heroine, Sabrina, is an exceptionally strong character considering all that she has endured in her lifetime. She has tried hard not to let her past define her future. Her wit and sense of humor made her an endearing leading character to me.

The hero, Jason, is as charming as could be. He has the looks, the career and the qualities of a gentleman that made me swoon just imagining being in the same room as him. Jason has his own baggage of issues to contend with before he could open up his heart to love.

Together, Jason and Sabrina’s journey to love made me experience a mix of feelings ranging from sad to laughing out loud, to feeling all gushy inside. It was the perfect combination resulting in a book glow. The author did a wonderful job creating relatable characters that came to life on the page for the reader to resonate with.

A few characters were purposefully undesirable which enhanced the plot throughout the story by creating a tense atmosphere causing me to be concerned for the hero and heroine. I enjoyed that bit of drama. This story sure did have some unpredictable twists that gave me a few surprises. I appreciated how the author took her time to tie up all loose ends in the story, leaving me with a satisfied smile on my face.

I was fond of the location where this story took place since I have been to Vermont on many occasions. I enjoyed reading the detailed scene descriptions written throughout the story. It made me feel more connected to the story.

Once upon a Kiss has the magical touch I look for in a book that leaves me wanting to read it again. I fully encourage others to read this heartwarming story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,
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