Tag Archive | book-review

Murder by the Stroke

Feb4

Book Link

From Amazon:

Detective Landry’s old flame is drop-dead gorgeous, and so are her paintings! Pittsburgh’s most influential cultural enthusiasts are overjoyed when famous artist, Vashti, has scheduled a gala followed by a weeklong exhibit of her latest works. On the other hand, Detective Nathan Landry isn’t so excited about the invitation he has received to the gala. Back in the day, he and the renowned painter were lovers. That is, when her name was Sadie Jensen, or as Nathan’s sister liked to call her, “Psycho Sadie.” Art experts, and collectors alike, have been intrigued by a tiny brush stroke, known as an invisible stroke. So subtle and out of place is the technique, that Vashti’s elusive stroke has become as famous as a Where’s Waldo search. Meanwhile, Fiona finds herself captivated by more than Vashti’s flair for the obscure. Rather, she is far more interested in the gorgeous artist and Nathan’s past. Against his wishes, Fiona, her mother, and her mother-in-law attend the exhibit. Indeed, Vashti’s paintings are killing it in the art world, and in more ways than one.

My Review:

McDonald writes her books with plenty of romance, spy types, detectives, and fun quirky main characters. From that, she weaves in new characters and situations, always with crime sprinkled about. I’ve not read these books in oder, but I knew the main characters and the paintings are described as such that I’d want to see each setting in real life. Humor is used in abundance, making this a cozy murder romance.

Princess Smile

Jan26

Book Link

From Amazon:

Lovable but flawed Jane Mercer struggles with her self-image while reaching for the stars in the cutthroat world of Los Angeles marketing. As she claws her way up the ladder at the agency, Warren Mitchell & Associates, she is driven into fierce competition with her colleagues. When Jane is coerced to comply with a client’s unreasonable requests, she frantically seeks an escape.


Enter the handsome and wealthy Craig Keller, managing partner of rival agency Keller Whitman Group. Jane has admired him from afar, and he’s taken a sudden interest in her. Craig lures Jane into his corporate web, showing her a high-powered world beyond her wildest dreams. But what he has to offer comes with a high price—one Jane is not sure she can pay. A high stakes tale of ambition, friendship, secrets, brutality and desire, Princess Smile is a must-read for the contemporary woman.

My Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a ride up and down in this bookReviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024

Verified Purchase

Royce nailed this novel completely. First of all, I’ve read the other two novels prior, so I knew characters. However, this is the first book in the trilogy. LA is a place of its own. I love fashion and this book is filled with fashion galore. The advertising world is extremely competitive and can be a bit seedy if you don’t check out your clients more thoroughly. The venues were richly described, and it’s a world I won’t ever be in, but it was great to read about it. Jane thought she was a plain Jane when, in fact, the opposite was true. The emotions Jane went through never let up. That’s the up and down ride in this novel.

The Poetry Mouse

Jan16

Book Link

From Amazon:

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.

The Trouble With Friends: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Jan16

Book Link

From Amazon:

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.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite

Jan11

5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!

BOOK LINK

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favorite

Kim Daily believed that her marriage to Steve was perfect. They had a beautiful, welcoming
home and a great group of friends. Unfortunately, everything was a lie. While attempting
to shut down Steve’s laptop, Kim discovers a hit list with her name at the top. Realizing
that her life is in danger, she decides to flee. The incident leads to a series of events,
including involvement with the CIA, a fatal accident, and Kim and her best friend Nancy
relocating to the town of Evergreen. There, they start a new life, healing from old wounds,
making new friends, and finding love. Pick up Christmas in Evergreen by Mary L. Schmidt
to enjoy this captivating story.

Christmas in Evergreen is the first book in the Heart of Evergreen series, and Mary L. Schmidt
does an excellent job laying the foundation for future installments. Kim is an admirable
character and I could not help but fall in love with her. I felt her turmoil when she discovered
the true nature of her husband of five years. It was heartwarming to see that she found people
who helped her get through a difficult time and helped her learn to trust and love again. The
story takes place during the festive season, and themes of family, friendship, and love perfectly
describe it. The author’s detailed descriptions paint a vivid picture of Evergreen and its intriguing
residents, whom I am excited to read more about in the upcoming books. I enjoyed Christmas in
Evergreen because it is entertaining and has an exciting plot.

Cyanide and Sensibility

Jan10

Cyanide and Sensibility (A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery Book 3) Book Link

From Amazon:

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she’s quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra’s sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. 

All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah’s new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally. 

When one of Hannah’s famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel’s assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra’s help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

My Review:

This is a modern-day novel akin to Pride and Prejudice, yet with a totally different spin on the characters. Phaedra dresses in period clothing and lectures at the local university about that time frame of Austin’s novel. Modern teas with French pastries and delicacies about in many settings. Unfortunately, a person dies after consuming a cupcake laced with cyanide at her sister’s newly opened patisserie. Cyanide isn’t the only poison used in this novel, but I thought I had the suspect figured out, but I was wrong. I did not see the ending coming. Five shiny gold stars.

The Neptune Girl

Jan5

Please welcome Nick Lloyd-Davies to my blog. Hello Nick, Shall we have a chat today?

1. Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hi everybody. I’m Nick Lloyd-Davies and I’m a self-published author of several children’s books. I live in the West Sussex countryside in England with my wife and son  – my daughter away at University (which I still can’t cope with!).

2. Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

I remember being at primary school, aged 7, wanting to write in my lunch hour, somewhat in competition with a friend of mine. We also competed with reading too! I think it was more about ‘who wrote the most pages’ rather than anything else, but clearly it was something we both enjoyed.

I didn’t pick up writing fiction again until I was doing jury service in my early 40s, sitting around waiting for a case. I had by then become a dad and was telling made-up stories most nights to my kids – they loved them, often more so than the other books that had been read a million times. It was being a dad that got my imagination flowing again and, when jury service came along I started to put these stories to paper.

3. How difficult was it writing your first book?

I didn’t find it particularly difficult to write (it just flowed out), but then I had little in the way of training as an author and it was full of many flaws, which I only came to see later on. Nevertheless, it was a sweet kids’ book about bullying and being my first – and only five thousand words – I am still proud of it.

4. Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

Never. If anything, I have only ever wanted to write full time but my day job and the reality of paying the bills means that that remains a dream. On many occasions, like most authors (unless on a trad contract with deadlines!), I go through drought periods. As a self-published author (with little in the way of financial gain through sales), you need that internal fire – plus free time and good health – to come together in tandem and this has been a rarity for me recently.

5. Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

Firstly, I would say myself, but secondly (and more significantly) my Twitter/X writing community. It’s wonderful how authors will support authors (especially in the world of self-publishing) and how social media can, in this instance, be a very positive resource.  

6. Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I would firstly say thank you, from the depths of my heart, for giving my books a go. If you are pondering, I would really urge you to give them a go, as I do believe they are a great read, full of silliness, adventure, imaginary worlds and important messages for children (eg around climate change, ocean pollution). Our readers are everything, especially if they can provide a glowing review!

7. What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

The best advice I have had has been from a tremendous children’s author, Bryony Pearce (@bryonypearce on X/Twitter). She taught me so much about ‘show not tell’, passive voice and world-building. With this crucial knowledge, I’ve been able to write with much more confidence and self-criticism.

The other source of advice I would say is simply through reading – some very influential authors, for their descriptive skill are Daphne du Maurier, Hardy, Margaret Atwood and Catherine McCarthy (@serialsemantic on X/Twitter).  Each of these authors manage to bring every scene to life, immersing you in their world. And as for children’s books, I especially love Ali Sparkes, Lewis Carroll and the great Roald Dahl.

8. What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

I have a series of books aimed at 6-9 year olds (the Glowstone Adventures, a series of five) which have animals as the lead characters, but led by a determined twelve-year-old girl, wanting to make a positive difference to the world and its innocent creatures. These books tend to have a subtle message, about the environment, or behaviours (eg. vanity, bullying, bad manners!).

My other books are middle grade/teen novels and are unapologetic adventures filled with imaginary worlds, dastardly villains, Sci-Fi, dystopian backdrop and lashings of hope! Always (well, maybe not always!) with a happy ending or a hint of a sequel.

9. Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I tend to have an early idea of what I want for my cover, but to date I have worked with illustrators, and one particular part-time illustrator, Nay Wilson (@0ysterchild on X/Twitter) , to produce these. My earlier books were vanity-published and that’s another story…!

10. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

I am working on a new teen/YA novel, set on Mars in the year 2046. A new Mars colony is under threat of destruction – and only eleven-year-old Kasper has cottoned on to this and the conspirator involved. Will anyone believe him before it is too late? Is the conspirator right to try and focus human effort to saving Earth, rather than reaching for new homes? Is there life on Mars – and will it make an appearance? Here is an excerpt – I hope you like it!

 FOUR-THREE-TWO-ONE-LAUNCH PML-EIGHTEEN!

As my whole body was thrust back into the seat, I forgot everything we were taught about controlled breathing and just held my breath. For how long I had no idea, but it was unbelievable force. Before I knew it, I felt the module heating up as we began punching through the Martian atmosphere. I started to breathe again and found myself just transfixed at the yellow glow splaying out from the heat shield. The module was shaking vigorously now, non-stop, my teeth chatting involuntarily.

Don’t bite your tongue. Just don’t bite your tongue. Deep breaths. I talked to myself in my head trying to manage the million sensations going through me. Fascination. Fear. A compulsion to laugh out of sheer terror. Excitement that the journey was nearly ending and no holes found yet!

The burning glow outside was fading.

Parachute deploy T-minus ten seconds.

As it opened we were all thrust forward, straining our harnesses to their limit. Now I felt sick and beads of sweat cooling on my forehead. The module was shuddering and another jolt came as the parachutes opened fully.

Heat-shield jettison! T-minus twenty seconds.

Surface lock-on confirmed.

Dad looked to me and winked. Mum was just staring in abject terror.

TRN confirmed.

Descent rocket start-up. T-minus ten seconds.

I held my breath now. I could see the landing point really clearly now and a defined landing pad marked PM18. Martian dust was now swirling everywhere, starting to blur any view in all directions. I couldn’t see the ground anymore. I had to trust that this thing would land safely.

And then it happened. Touchdown. I could feel that reassuring jolt as the module landed. We were no longer floating in space – we were on land, actual land. Martian land. I released my breath as the dust began to settle outside and I could see shapes and movement through the windows.

‘Welcome to Phoenix Four, Mars,’ announced Control.

‘Woo-hooooo!’ screamed Dad. ‘We’ve done it! We’re on Mars!’

‘Thank God for that!’ replied Mum, a huge smile of relief on her face.

11. Any last words before we wrap things up?

Just to ask all agents and readers, on behalf of all self-published authors – give us a go, give us a chance! You will find something special! And thank you to wonderful supportive people like you, Mary, thank you, thank you!

BIO

Nick has self-published 7 children’s books to date:

– Katie Helps a Giraffe Scared of Heights

– Katie Helps a Lizard in a Blizzard

– Katie Helps a Bear with Bad Hair

– The Boy Who Saved Time

– Katie Helps a Turtle with Tummy Ache (including a foreword from TV Presenter Julia Bradbury)

– Katie Helps at Seal Sports Day (including a forewords from an IPCC Lead Author, Greta Pecl);

and more recently

-The Neptune Girl

Now he is developing his writing, with new titles aimed at the mid-grade and Teen genres. Titles including Tommy’s Escape from Amelion and his current work in progress – Kasper and the Mars Conspiracy! These are fast-paced adventures with kids leading the way.

Nick is passionate about giving children alternatives to the world of WiFi, passionate also about protecting our precious planet, climate change issues featuring frequently in his books, including The Neptune Girl and Katie Helps at Seal Sports Day!

Nick’s idea of excitement is more likely to come from buying fresh tomatoes in a paper bag or doing some DIY, but otherwise writing from his home in the countryside of West Sussex.

Oh, and he would quite like to travel to Mars if he gets the chance. If this isn’t possible, then writing about it must surely be the next best thing!

Check out more at – www.nicklloyddavies.com

Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

Jan3

Congratulations!

Your book has been chosen as one of the NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winners for Fall 2023.

Each year, for the past 40 years, NABE, now known as the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs, awards fine books of quality.

Her Alibi by Mary L. Schmidt has won Best Book in the Category of True Crime.

 

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badges-heralibifrontcoverfinallarge3

Thanks to NABE. 

 

Visions of her Cherokee grandmother, Cordie, flashed through Mary’s mind as her mother, Marguerite, informed her that her stepfather shot himself and was in the hospital. Oh no! Did she use me last night? She’d never use her scapegoat! No, she couldn’t! Even Marguerite wouldn’t sink that low! Or would she? Marguerite had always been abusive and vile to most people, and especially to her children and husbands, but would she shoot Harold? Chills raked Mary and triggered her shuddering. Was she more shocked that her mother shot her stepfather with murderous intent, or that she left Mary as her alibi?

03 Sept 2022

On Amazon and all stores world wide! Book Link

Her Alibi – .99 cents only. On her third marriage to this man who didn’t deserve the traumas my mother dealt him. “Chills raked Mary and triggered her shuddering. Was she more shocked that her mother shot her stepfather, or that she left Mary as her alibi?”  #TrueStory #TrueCrime #HerAlibi #murder in real life. Living with a murderer! Finally, the truth comes out about the psyche of a woman known as the “Black Widow”! I, @MaryLSchmidt , had the bollocks to write this story from the perspective being her daughter. The psyche of Marguerite is one for the books… just like the psyche of #BTK and others, I never knew the REAL danger living with this woman. No slander or libel to family as the only one who could sue me has been dead for 10 years! #RealLife #LivingWithAKiller #memoir

I just want to say that the book “Her Alibi” had to come out. Harold mattered! Everyone matters! But Harold mattered, especially to his three children, Alan, Scott, and Darrel. I don’t know your faith or what you believe, but I know what I experienced yesterday morning. I had a Heavenly visit while in my recliner. Without words, no physical anything seen, my right foot was touched with pressure for several seconds. It was Harold letting me know he felt validated, finally. He appreciated my hard work (bad memories) and effort to get this book out. I’m NOT doing this for money. I have money and I donate to many things, causes, and to people in need. But this story needed to be told. Harold mattered. If family are offended, well, not the first time, nor the last time. HAROLD MATTERED! And I hated being used as her da#m alibi. The TRUTH had to come out!

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers’ Favorite
Stories of abuse and domestic violence always shock you when you read them. This happens to anyone who reads Mary L. Schmidt’s book, Her Alibi. Here, the author tells the story of her family, focusing in particular on the abuses of her mother, Marguerite, who had always treated her as a scapegoat. After divorcing her husband, Marguerite marries Harold (she will marry him three times, to be exact) and is most likely responsible for his death. Is it possible she used her daughter as an alibi? And how will relations between Marguerite and her children develop? Her Alibi tells a disturbing story of an abusive mother and the consequences her mental condition and behavior have on her family and children, especially the daughter she treats as a scapegoat. Mary L. Schmidt tells us this story in a way that clearly depicts the world of abuse that characterized her childhood and gives the reader a precise understanding of what she and her siblings went through. Marguerite is represented in such a way that her personality deeply impresses the reader, especially considering what she may have done to Harold and her daughter, the alibi. I appreciated that Schmidt included many photos of her family because this makes you know the people she describes and makes you even more sympathetic to what they have experienced. Her Alibi is not a book for the faint of heart, and I recommend it to readers who have the courage to read it, to match the courage the author had in writing it.

Amazon Number One Bestseller – 2022

Literary Titan – Gold – 2022

SoCal Book Awards – Honorable Mention – 2022

Reader’s Choice Book Awards – Finalist 2023

London Book Awards – Honorable Mention 2023

Los Angeles Book Awards – Honorable Mention 2023

NABE – Gold – Best Book in the Category of True Crime Fall 2023

Author Shout Reader Ready Award Winner – Recommended Reads 2024

Redemption

Dec31

Book Link

From Amazon:

REDEMPTION A QUEST: FROM VENGEANCE TO REDEMPTION

A Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy

Book III Of The Breach Chronicles

Amelia

She took on the mighty Peradorian dictator and lost. She loved Noah, but she might never see him again. Now she and Adrian are on the run. To make things worse, her shapeshifting ability has deserted her. What lies ahead for her?

Noah

He accepted that he was a monster to save the girl he loved, even if it meant losing her. The Heichi queen is determined to kill him and protect her throne at all costs. Now a sorceress has predicted great darkness in Amelia’s future. Will he be able to save her?

Adrian

He chose Amelia over his freedom and family. He protected her at all costs. Why does her heart still belong to another?

It’s all coming together in the exciting finale of The Breach Chronicles—Redemption. New enemies will rise, and old friends will rush to the rescue. Secrets will be revealed. Promises will be made. Promises will be broken. The lines will blur between friend and foe. Everyone is in a race against time, fighting for their life. But will they find Redemption?

My Review:

I found this book to be a great fantasy read and brilliant in how the characters were interwoven. Redemption? Is that possible? This is the third book in this series, and it’s woven tightly with complex characters who have tons of feelings and emotions that spill forth. Humans are humans, the supernatural war with each other, and there are hybrids and more realm wise. One sorceress finds out her fate when things go awry. Coexistence. Is that possible? Shifting strong pumas and other creatures with humans and more supernatuals fight for love and power. Love mingles with hate. Strong love is strong hate. Death is part of life, yet certain people come back from death. Magic is just that. Deep love mixes with deep pain. Redemption. That can be attained, but what characters will receive Redemption and those who won’t is for the next reader to find out.

Christmas Bizarre 

Dec29

Book Link

From Amazon:

It’s the weekend before Christmas and the storyteller tradition at interior designer extraordinaire, Rikkhe St. Claire’s home on the cliffs of Malibu is in full swing. Kick back and gather with Rikkhe and her family and friends for an elegant night under the stars as they share five, holiday tales of mystery and ghostly intrigue from around the world. Which tale will capture your heart…or make your mistletoe twirl?

The cozy magic of Christmas is in the air!

Noel A Versailles
Millicent is a young lady with a mind of her own in 1920s Paris. When she decides to build a replica of Marie Antoinette’s regal playhouse, the Petit Trianon, many think she’s lost the plot. A mysterious Advent calendar brings glamorous gifts of the season, until one fateful night…

Lady H
The ruins of an antebellum home with a heartbreaking past are in need of a major renovation. Will the ghostly inhabitants help or hinder the latest heir of Plum Hill and his architect?

The Ornament
Two cousins are off to celebrate a recent graduation on a European river cruise. As they tour the city ports, they join the quest to find an ornament from an elderly woman’s childhood. The search seems hopeless, until the magic of Christmas lends a helping hand.

The Rocking Horse
A nanny takes her first assignment with an expat family living in an historic home in Stockholm. As Christmas approaches, strange happenings are going bump in the night. Will the ghosts of Christmas past finally get their peace?

Moving Pictures
A holiday gala gets a major boost when a beloved screen star agrees to participate. As she makes her guest appearance, a mysterious man comes to her side. Will heartbreak turn into Christmas joy?

My Review:

I found this short novel quaint and filled with vignettes of times past and Christmas. I don’t have a favorite as they are all nice works, thus, I can’t choose a favorite among favoritism of each story.