“The monster isn’t beneath the bed. It is in the mirror swallowing at all the vile things it wants to say, choking on bile to make them go away.”
Wayward priest Cris Corelli rids himself of the sacred collar and leaves town, boarding the midnight train with no destination in mind. Satan is following him – lurking in the shadows. Corelli finds himself at an unassuming boarding house run by beautiful, yet tortured, Jules. She has her own secrets. They are the kind that echo in the mind, despite the screams that are meant to drown them. On Thanksgiving Day, 1985, Cris and Jules are bonded by a senseless act of violence that brings the small town to its knees. They indulge in drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, and together, they teeter on the edge of darkness. What they don’t yet know, is that Satan still lurks.
My Review:
This is a deep dark story similiar to books in the past of a priest trying to rid the world of darkness, in a house, or elsewhere. This type of dark story is NOT my normal read. That said, this is a deep and very dark tale of a priest who rips his white collar off his neck and tosses it into churning dark water until the collar becomes the color of the dark water. He ends up at a boarding inn, and the story evolves from there. If this is your genre, then this book is for you. The action does not stop and the ending was unexpected. Five stars.
Immerse yourself in the thrilling depths of “Genavine’s Hell,” a captivating book that seamlessly blends dystopian suspense, paranormal romance, drama, and supernatural elements into a suspenseful adventure like no other.
It all began with the government’s abandonment of society, but it has developed into something far more sinister. Six years later, the secrets of the past rise from their graves, revealing a world mired in darkness. A virus unleashed upon the world was meant to decimate civilization, but its unintended consequences have created a reality even bleaker than Gena could have ever imagined.
Amidst the chaos, Gena embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her past and the secrets that have haunted her. As she delves deeper, she discovers shocking revelations about her identity and is forced to confront her true nature. With treacherous alliances and unexpected allies, Gena must navigate a treacherous path where every step risks her sanity, her life, and everything she holds dear.
The paranormal world intertwines with her reality, threatening to consume her piece by piece. As darkness engulfs her surroundings, Gena must learn to harness her newfound powers and face the daunting challenges that lie ahead. Her destiny hinges on her ability to strike a delicate balance in the face of unparalleled adversity.
Prepare to be enthralled as you explore the intricate web of mystery and supernatural intrigue that envelops Gena’s world. With each turn of the page, the tension builds, leaving you breathless, craving more. “Genavine’s Hell” will keep you on the edge of your seat, your heart pounding, as you journey alongside Gena through a world teetering on the brink of destruction.
Embark on this thrilling, genre-blending adventure where dystopia, suspense, paranormal romance, drama, and supernatural elements converge in an exhilarating narrative that will leave you yearning for the next installment.
My Review:
Wow. This book is woven tightly, and Genavine continues on in her battles against all the darkness going on in this second book in this series. To grasp what’s going on, please read book one first. By doing so, you will understand this book, and appreciate what is written and why Genavine does what she does for her family. Genavine fights. She fights for what is right. The mix of evil, angels, humans, etcetera is tangled in struggles and passionate moments of love, actually. Gena is more than one sum of her parts and for that hook, you must read this book. Genavine is strong in many ways, a warrior even, but she feels like a normal human person does, yet she’s far from being a normal human. Five stars.
Artifical intelligence in writing is an issue. I have a new paragraph I’m adding to my 50th book as follows.
Nothing in this book was written with artificial intelligence. Some characters are from my own, real-life memoir, Her Heart, others are from Christmas in Evergreen, both written by Mary L. Schmidt. Scenes used are either real-life or make-believe. Certain medical issues are from the author’s (my) own real-life experiences; thus, I wrote them as my reality.
Evie believes there is more to life than taking care of her house and baking for her friends. She’s not like the other mice. She has a different path; her purpose is to write poetry.
Being a mouse, she longs for the simplicity of nature. So, every day she sneaks past the woods and into the meadow where she writes her inspired words. She might even find encouragement from a friend to submit her poems.
This is Evie’s story of finding her authentic self, becoming brave enough to do what she loves, and ultimately sharing her gift with the world as The Poetry Mouse.
My Review:
This was a lovely story to read. Evie, a mouse, works at her sewing and such to make a living in her pink house at the end of a lane. She yearns to write poetry and escapes for walks in the countryside. Her pen never stops, and everything she sees, she writes a poem. Mr Fox helps Evie to understand that she is a very good poet, giving Evie the boost she needed to take her poetry down to the post to send to a publisher. This book inspires.
A country miss from a modest estate may destroy Fitzwilliam Darcy’s closest friendship!
Darcy and his good friend Simon Lockhart are guests of Charles Bingley at Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. When the otherwise sensible Lockhart becomes infatuated with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who has neither wealth nor a renowned family name, Darcy attempts to make his friend see reason. But there is a complication—Darcy’s growing attraction for Miss Elizabeth.
Elizabeth has an instant liking for the amiable Mr. Lockhart, whilst she deems the arrogant Mr. Darcy to be an undesirable entity. In time, though, she is coaxed into judging Mr. Darcy anew. But when an unexpected predicament forces her to make an undesirable choice, it seems all hope of a happy outcome is lost.
In this Pride & Prejudice variation, Darcy faces a dilemma: Will he heed the yearnings of his heart—even at the expense of his principles?
The Trouble With Friends is a clean, light-hearted Regency romance of approximately 54,000 words written from the author’s imagination without the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
My Review:
Miller has done it once again. This variation on Pride and Prejudice was a delight to read. The foibles made between friends and confusion over who loves who is wonderful to read. Characters are the same, yet each version is different. Since I can’t decide which version I like best, I will leave it be that they are all my favorites.
Zoe 5.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024 Verified Purchase
$2.99 “Wow! Be prepared for the fast pace as you begin reading this novel. It takes off from the launch pad with rocket speed and doesn’t stop until the very end. I was impressed with the author’s medical knowledge and explanations. It was also obvious that Ms. Schmidt is familiar with elk and their habits. Excellent cautions and explanations were included in a dialogue. If only more people heeded them. And to top the storyline off, a nicely woven set of cozy love stories are introduced. Well worth 5 stars.”
A Bone-Chilling Mystery-Suspense-Thriller Set in the Edwardian Era
Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award
“Beauty is power,” Dr. Rome told her. “And with enough power, one can achieve anything.”
Straightening noses, trimming eyelids, lifting jowls . . . In the year 1907, his revolutionary beauty surgery is considered daring, perhaps dangerous. Still, women want what Dr. Rome promises. Neither is his young assistant Abigail Platford immune to Dr. Rome’s persuasive charm.
Abigail once dreamed of becoming a doctor, though of a much different sort. That dream ended with her father’s tragic death from a medical error for which she holds herself responsible. Dr. Rome, who proudly displays his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, seems to believe in her. If he were willing to act as her mentor, might there still be a chance to realize her dream of someday becoming a doctor serving New York City’s poor?
But something feels terribly wrong, as though an insidious evil is closing in. Broken promises, lies, and intrigues abound. The powerful are threatening to destroy the weak, and a doctor’s sacred duty hangs in the balance. Abigail no longer knows who to believe; but with Dr. Rome now her mentor and her lover, she desperately wants to trust him.
Even when she discovers that one of their patients has mysteriously disappeared.
From bestselling author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, a suspenseful work of historical fiction grounded in the social and moral issues of the Edwardian era in America. Second Edition with Author’s Preface.
Excerpt from Chapter Twenty-One of THE BEAUTY DOCTOR by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard
Work Count: 888
The air in Mama Sally’s front room was dense with the smoke of incense and cigars. The drapes were drawn closed, and the only light came from an overhead gasolier. Several women wearing silk robes left open to afford a glimpse of creamy flesh lay about on red velvet sofas, talking and laughing with half a dozen men. Seemed that Mama Sally’s attracted patrons from outside the neighborhood, as these gentlemen were somewhat fashionably dressed in jackets and ties. Everyone was having a fine time—except for one girl, thin and honey-toned, who appeared younger than the rest and sat off to the side, staring into space.
“Mama Sally!” One of the lounging women had spotted the new arrival. A moment later, Abigail heard the click of heels and a rustling of silk. The velvet curtain in a doorway to her immediate left opened with the harsh scraping of rings on the metal rod.
“Yeah?” The woman standing on the threshold was notable first for her size—not tall but extremely wide—and then her age, which was likely three times that of any other woman in the room. She wore an elaborately flounced gown, fancy but out-of-date, her reddish hair piled high in a mass of curls and adorned with several brightly colored feathers. Her powdery-white face looked as if it might crack if she were to smile; it did not appear she was likely to do so.
“Good evening. I’m looking for the proprietor of this—this establishment,” Abigail said, her voice faltering.
“You’re lookin’ at her.”
“You’re Mama Sally?”
“I said so, didn’t I?” She did not move from the threshold.
“I’m a friend of Riana, the young woman who—”
“Hung herself,” Sally broke in. “Could have done it easier some other way, but in the end it don’t matter. She’s out of her misery now.” She eyed Abigail suspiciously. “If you’ve come lookin’ to collect her things, you can forget it. She didn’t have a pot to piss in. I only let her stay here out of the goodness of my heart.”
“I’m not here for her things. I’ve come about the little girl— Shaena.”
Sally raised an eyebrow. “What about her?”
“I just wondered who will take care of her now.”
“And what business is it of yours?”
Abigail suddenly noticed how quiet the room had become. She looked behind her. Everyone had left, except for the young girl sitting alone. She turned back to Sally, who was lighting up a cigar. “I told you, I’m a friend of Riana’s.”
Sally extinguished the match with a flick of her wrist. “Riana didn’t have no friends.” She took a step toward Abigail, eyeing her up and down. “You’re not one of them do-gooders, are you? Wantin’ to stick your nose where it don’t belong?”
“I just came by to make sure Shaena is all right.” Abigail held her gaze steady. “I wondered what arrangements have been made for her.”
“Arrangements?” Sally sniffed derisively. “As long as she does her work, I’ll let her stay here. That’s what her mother wanted.”
“But Riana wasn’t her mother.”
“I’m well aware of that, missy. I guess you don’t know—her mother was one of my girls, too. And that little one, she would have made a pretty whore one day. A shame her face got ruined. But I’m holdin’ out hope for her yet. Men are funny that way; sometimes they don’t mind a girl who’s different, even like that.”
Abigail felt woozy from the smoke and incense, or maybe it was because of what Mama Sally had just said. It seemed there was nothing she could do to help Shaena. But there had to be. She couldn’t just walk away and leave her here.
“I’m taking Shaena with me.”
Sally showed no emotion, leisurely blowing a couple of smoke rings before she finally spoke. “It’ll cost you. Three hundred.”
“Why, that’s absurd! You don’t own her.”
Sally’s eyes narrowed. “She may be young, but she’s still worth something. I ain’t just givin’ her away.”
Abigail drew herself up. “I can have her removed from here, you know. There are laws—”
Sally clenched the cigar between her teeth, regarding Abigail as she would a harmless insect. “I’ll give her to you for two fifty, but that’s my last offer.”
Abigail couldn’t believe it. Here she was, engaging in the same despicable game as Joe Radcliff when he’d sent Franklin to bargain with Ludwik for the twins. Except, of course, she meant to rescue Shaena.
“All right, two fifty,” she agreed, realizing she would have to bluff her way out. “I’ll take her now and bring you the money tomorrow.”
“Afraid I don’t do business like that, honey. Bring me the money, I give you the girl. Until then, we got no deal. And if I get a better offer in the meantime, you can bet I’ll take it. So you best not dilly-dally.” She smiled smugly. “Now, I suggest you be on your way. A fine young lady such as you don’t want to be caught in a place like this, I’m sure.”
“But—”
Mama Sally’s smile vanished abruptly. “Good day to you, miss.” Turning her back with an air of finality, she passed through the doorway and drew the velvet curtain closed.
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Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical novels. Her 2023 release, Sisters of Castle Leod, is an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller (Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction), winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction, and an Editors’ Choice of the Historical Novel Society. Her biographical novel Temptation Rag (2018) was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . in which romance and creative passions abound.” Elizabeth’s 2017 historical mystery-suspense-thriller, The Beauty Doctor, was a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. The book’s re-release (Jan. 4, 2024) features a stunning new cover and an Author Preface with insights into social and moral issues of the Edwardian era that frame this shocking fictional story set in the early days of cosmetic surgery. Before becoming a full-time author, Elizabeth was executive editor of an international aesthetic surgery journal, and senior consultant to the National Cosmetic Network in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University’s plastic surgery educational program. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at http://www.EHBernard.com.
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.
When Angels Fly 