From Amazon:
Taylor’s unexpected encounter with a charismatic stranger over the same book leaves them at odds, setting the stage for this fun, bookish tale.
My Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Home Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
This is a very short story about love, romance, and deep introspection into oneself. The soul of a bookworm is the only one to understand the soul of another bookworm. That connection is irrepressible.
From Amazon:
Humor and nonsense, flights of fantasy into other realms, fright, disgust and disappointment, silliness and wonderment, and the sadness of reality and heartache.
It’s all here, and more, in stories that may leave you a little Off Center in the Attic.
Acting in a Coffin – A director plays a prank that backfires on a movie set.
The Wallflower – A woman compares herself to one who is the life of the party.
Pupule – A neighborhood gets a lesson in humility from a crazy old Hawaiian man.
To Soar – What a bird drops.
Out of Body – A man is shot and his brain goes through a metamorphosis.
Looking for Life – Never the right one.
Most Wanted – The killer of young boys remains at large.
Grandpappy’s Cows – Antics of backward backwoods relatives.
Boy at the Crossroad – The making of a monster.
Cafeteria Science – How to lose your lunch.
Indoctrination – A daring woman wants to experience something different and gets her wish.
Explosive Day – No escape.
The Smell of Death – A clue to the dying.
Legacy – A woman in mourning changes her life to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
An Urgent Message – A plea to a writer.
Rituals – Neurosis as a way of life.
Watched – Being watched can kill.
The Swimmer – A man losing his sanity.
Thanatos – The urge to die.
Alien Footprints – An invisible perpetrator.
Vibratory Rates – Visitations from heaven and hell.
The Voodoo Kit – A Jamaican hex follows a woman home.
Pekoe – A newborn kitten abandoned in a portable toilet.
Great Lady of Wisdom – A holy goat.
The Last Thing I Do – The end of making memories.
Future Winner – A little-known artist gets a break.
Innocence – A high school girl on the verge of betrayal by her innocence.
Sister Fly – Karma
Homeless, Not Heartless – A man and his dog.
Roots – What you may find when tracing your family tree.
My Review:
This book is amazing with a collection of short vignettes. One is but one paragraph, and others are many pages. They all speak about life and the eccentricities of some characters. Real life has the same types of characters and more ‘normal’ types as well. Normal in the sense of your own perception of normal. From a wallflower to darker themes and HIV to floating above one’s body, you will want to read each story and see how they turn out.
From Amazon:
Welcome to my haiku perspective on life. It is easy to enjoy this book because haiku flows, which means it can be experienced effortlessly. Perhaps reading this book will open up some creative energy within you and if so, you will share your haiku as well. Those who live to express themselves with words, craft a world using the alphabet, are giving life to imagination and thought.
My Review:
I often read poetry books after reading four or five novels. I find this practice to be soothing to my soul. This book is soothing, the words perfect, the flow just right. Whether the Haiku is about a man holding his newborn daughter, or the charge of love in a 17 syllable stanza, each has its own uniqueness and wonder. Regardless, reading Haiku is rewarding and this book is exceptional. Five shiny gold stars.
Book Title: Steel Valley: Coming of Age in the Ohio Valley in the 1960s
Author: Jerry Madden
Publication Date: January 20, 2023
Publisher: Potomac Publishing Company
Page Length: 350 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Twitter Handle: @JerryMadden1948 @cathiedunn
Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #SteelValley #ComingOfAge #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-steel-valley-by-jerry-madden.html
Book Title and Author Name:
Steel Valley: Coming of Age in the Ohio Valley in the 1960s
Jerry Madden
Blurb:
For readers of The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni and Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers
Love is never easy…even in easier times, like the 1950s and 1960s in the Ohio Valley with the steel industry booming.
Second-generation immigrant families were reaching for the American middle class. And Catholic schools-made feasible by selfless Catholic nuns-promised bigger lives for everyone, including Jack Clark and Laurie Carmine. As they spent years searching for their separate futures, though, they were also stumbling toward love just as their world came crashing down.
Steel Valley depicts a story of love longed for, lost, and perhaps still within reach, just as our nation’s mythic yesterday became our troubled today, our last summer of innocence.
Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3nGw5K
Author Bio:
Jerry Madden grew up in the Upper Ohio Valley in the 1960s. He holds a B.A. from the College of Steubenville and law degrees from the University of Dayton School of Law and the Georgetown University Law Center. After law school, Jerry served as the sole law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, C. William O’Neill. He served in the United States Marine Corps (R) between 1970 and 1976.
Jerry has practiced law in Washington, D.C., since 1979, including fourteen years at the Department of Justice as a trial and appellate attorney. He is the principal of The Madden Law Group PLLC in Washington, D.C.
He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Cyndi, a retired educator. They have two children, Kelsey and Jack, both of whom hold M.Ed. degrees. They have one grandchild, Jamie Maclennan.
Author Links:
Website: https://steelvalleymadden.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JerryMadden1948
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Madden/author/B0BV19VM3FGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199752995-steel-valley
From Amazon:
Our two zany sleuths, Page and Betsy, return in Book 3, landing another twisty murder case. The two cousins stop by The Perk Coffee Shop for pumpkin lattes to celebrate the first day of fall. An ever-observant Page notices Shell Isle’s High School math teacher sitting nearby. His odd actions awaken her curiosity. Hunched over the newspaper’s classified section, the teacher is frantically circling numbers and mumbling to himself. More troubling, the sleuth witnesses a bruiser of a guy joining him. With a quick exchange of laptops and heated words, the thug disappears out the door, leaving the teacher rattled. Immediately, Page gets one of her inklings, signaling there’s more than coffee brewing at The Perk.
The story’s twisty plot will keep readers guessing until the last chapter. Splashes of light romance, plenty of shenanigans, and a few unexpected surprises await.
BONUS: Betsy’s recipes are included. Calling them a ‘bonus’ may be a stretch. She’s a lousy cook.
My Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Shell Isle HitReviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
This is another Shell Isle Hit for sleuths Page and Betsy. I tried to figure out the suspect that killed Dean and I failed. Page and Betdy are on it thanks in part to Page and her inklings and nudges. Romance is alive on Shell Isle, and I think it’s way past time for Page and Steve to at least become engaged. The use of ciphers gives a slighte sliver of a spy noir feeling.
Christmas in Evergreen: Heart of Evergreen by Mary Schmidt presents a riveting narrative centered around Kim Dailey’s profound personal upheaval. The story begins as Kim uncovers a shocking truth about her husband of five years, leading her into a vortex of emotional and physical danger. The discovery of her name atop her husband’s ominous hit list propels Kim into an unforeseen journey of survival and self-discovery.
The novel is captivating from the outset, with Schmidt’s meticulous writing effortlessly drawing the reader into Kim’s world. The intimate portrayal of Kim’s life with her husband, Steve, and the subsequent unraveling of their seemingly idyllic existence is both compelling and emotionally resonant. Schmidt’s narrative deftly navigates the complexities of betrayal and resilience, making Christmas in Evergreen a page-turner. Kim’s character is particularly engaging, her strength and vulnerability painted with a realistic brush. The suspenseful elements, particularly the looming threat of assassination, add a thrilling dimension to the plot. Schmidt’s ability to intertwine themes of suspense, romance, and mystery is noteworthy, crafting a story that is as much about self-discovery and new beginnings as it is about love and danger. The novel’s detailed settings and well-crafted dialogue enhance its immersive quality. Each character is rendered with depth, allowing readers to feel a genuine connection to their journeys. The twists and turns of the plot maintain a gripping pace, ensuring that readers remain engaged until the final page.
Christmas in Evergreen is a commendable work by Mary Schmidt, showcasing her talent for creating a multifaceted story that blends mystery, thriller, and romance elements. It is a recommended read for those who appreciate a story that skillfully combines suspense with emotional depth, set against the backdrop of a festive season. Schmidt’s next work is eagerly anticipated as she continues to establish herself as a versatile and skilled storyteller.
Pages: 165 | ASIN : B0CRGH8ZVY
From Amazon:
CAN YOU TAKE SOMEONE AT FACE VALUE?
OR IS THERE A DEEPER STORY BENEATH THE MASK?
Masked Intent is a debut novel that takes a taut, complex look at how we hide behind inauthenticity to guide us through interpersonal relationships. Through a series of detailed, interconnected storylines, the novel takes a timely look at our relationship with the truth and how it drives our actions and motivations.
Where do you draw lines in a world where authenticity takes back seat to the power and seduction of influence?
“An excellent romance novel (complete with several steamy scenes) that is also literary, intelligent, and partly inspired by ancient Greek plays.”
From being denied by her birth parents to marrying the wrong man, Alexa Winston has learned to cope with disappointment and heartache by masking her true self from the world.
Divorced and finally living on her own terms, she shrouds herself in half-truths and bravado, content to live her quiet, predictable life – until she finds the job and the man of her dreams.
As she falls deeper into both, and into a world ruled by powerful players jockeying for influence and dominance at all costs, she’s forced to weigh her truths against reality.
Trouble is, though she’s a master at detecting self-deception in others, she’s slow to recognize it in herself.
My Review:
This book is a true epic read. One can not help but feel the emotions except when cloaked and shut off to the world. This love story is different from others I’ve read and unique. Alexa must protect her heart. Mateo brings out deep emotions. Do you hide your heart, or are you an open book? I’ve been an open book all my life. The pain is devastating to relate my life to that of Alexa. Regardless, pain and doubt are dominant in this novel, but so is love. The characters are realistic and that’s not found in many books. Definitely a deep novel.
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Life on Molly is a travel and lifestyle blog. I am a normal girl with many passions. I am an explorer of new places, a learner of new languages, creator of my ambitions, blogger, and a good pal. This blog is my little corner of the world where I am able to share my adventures with you and inspire you to live a life full of purpose.
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