Bella Jewel's "Til Death"

Title: Publisher Read

“Til Death: Part I” by Bella Jewel  

Reviewed by T’s Blogging

Good morning family, friends, and page watchers. Talk about an odd, erotic novel with the kind of sex most women would die for. Yes, my last statement is a bit cliché, but trust me when I say, Author Bella Jewel has given booklovers something bookshelves have missed.

     Jewel’s main character Katia finds herself married and in love with a man that can’t possibly love her back, because he is so emotionally out of touch. And secondly, all Katia’s husband, Marcus, can offer her is clit throbbing, highly sensational sex followed by a coldness after kissing every inch of her. Very typical of a Dom, or is it?

Til Death, is an easy read, despite the flipping back and forth from past to present, which at first will have readers’ heads spinning. However, as the story starts to untangle booklovers will easily fall into the groove of the story as well as fall in love with Katia—she is such a likable character. As for Marcus, will…, he has this closed off behavior that is oddly exciting, entertaining, as well as magnetic.

Before I give my stamp of approval on this read there’s two questions that must be asked. One, will all erotic tales piggyback off 50 Shades of Grey? And two, do all Dominates have the same dark and sinister backgrounds and demeanors? As an avid reader, I fear that the genre I’ve fallen in love with is becoming predictable.

Nonetheless, I loved this book and give “Til Death” 5 stars.

Happy Reading

T’s Blogging 

Zeynep Guvenc's "Homeless"

Title: A PUBLISHER’S READ!

Homeless by Zeynep Guvenc

Reviewed by K. Royce

5/28/16

4:00 p.m.

We see them every day, and yet we don’t…, the homeless. They live on streets, under bridges, in cars, and possibly inside houses. They have become part of the fabric of society; and yet, many well-to-do individuals will walk pass the dispossessed man or woman who is asking for food or money, as if they are as insignificant. And mentally, the passersby will make excuses like, “If I give that homeless man any money he would just spend it on drugs.” But could it be that the person asking for help is really homeless? Is it possible that the streets have become his or her home, the place that they have come to feel comfortable and accepted? Let’s take it a step further.  Perhaps a homeless person has a roof over their head and yet they feel displaced, such as an immigrant.

Author Zeynep Guvenc’s Homeless is an excellently written novel that examines both the homeless on the streets and the displaced living behind closed doors. This story expertly intertwines the lives of five immigrant families and each dealing with their own shortcomings; the plight of immigrants, homosexuality, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and infidelity all linking each of the families together. As well as giving readers insight into the lives of those living on the streets of San Francisco and their hardships. Guvenc writes about the homeless individuals from the depths of her soul, as if she knows their stories personally, and her understanding creates a connection between the reader and the characters within the book.

Readers will enjoy every word. And fall in love with the author’s writing style. Each chapter has a series of vignettes that moved the story along and addressed each character’s story. Not once throughout the book was a date mentioned or when time had passed an actual amount listed, this gave the story a feeling of timelessness. Some of the chapters were written in a very post-modernist style of a character’s internal monologue; this was an excellent feature to the story as not many authors attempt to do this anymore, and yet Guvenc succeeded.

I give Homeless 5 out of 5 stars and nominate it for a Publisher’s Read.

Enjoy!

K. Royce

Maggie M. Larche's "The Mardi Gras Chase"

Title: Masks, Mayhem, Mysteries & More!

“The Mardi Gras Chase” by Maggie M. Larche

Reviewed by B. Smart

2/18/16

4:28 p.m.

Love puzzles, clues, and hidden treasure hunts? The Mardi Gras Chase is a heart-warming story about three friends in Mobile, Alabama who go on an adventure to decipher a mysterious code hidden in the Mardi Gras parades. 12-year-old Melanie Smythurst is bored of her small town and wishes desperately that her life was more interesting. Her dream comes true one night when she notices crooked letters on some of the parade floats. As Melanie and her two friends Faye and Kate collect more clues and delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover one of the biggest secrets they could have ever imagined.

Author Maggie M. Larche tells a wonderfully fun tale filled with humor, heart, and wit. Her characters are endearing, energetic, and clever and the reader roots for them until the very end. It is enjoyable, fast-paced, and a must-read during the Mardi Gras season. The Mardi Gras Chase is a story about the importance of friendship, loyalty, and trust. The three friends stick together in the best of times and the worst of times- even if it means braving a spooky graveyard or sneaking into a sketchy warehouse.

The Mardi Gras Chase tends to be a little under-detailed and dialogue-heavy at times, but this is to be expected for a middle-grade read. Larche’s characters appear goofy and surface-level, but that is part of their charm; they also have immense courage, sharp minds, and kind hearts. Melanie, Faye, and Kate would do anything for the ones they love which sets a great example for children of all ages.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, wholesome mystery.

I give “The Mardi Gras Chase” 4 out of 5 stars.

Cheers,

B. Smart

Amy Braun's "Crimson Sky"

Title: Firecracker or nah?

“Crimson Sky” by Amy Braun  

Reviewed by T’s Blogging

1/9/2016

9:58 p.m.

Claire is the key, but how in the hell will this teenager rid the world of the blood sucking killers known as the Hellions?

Author Amy Braun invites young adult readers into a world that has been invaded by monsters, leaving the humans to become prey and fuel. No longer listed as being at the top of the food chain, humans take to the underground tunnels in hopes of simply surviving. With the predators waiting above ground, Claire, Braun’s main character, finds herself seeking refuge under the thumb of a lunatic, Garnet. He is the epitome of an egotistic, selfish, emotionless prick that will cause reader’s lips to curl.    

Like so many, Claire decides it is better to deal with the human monster rather than attempt to relocate and faceoff with the Hellions. The only issue…the way fate is setup, eventually she will have to deal with them both.

Readers will enjoy the ease of the story as it plays out on paper as well as in their minds. Braun knows exactly how much enough is, and answers some questions while leaving countless others floating in the air. One thing is for certain this author keeps reader’s hearts thumping with explosive scenes and heart wrenching endings. Everyone has secrets, and as the truth shines its light on the darkness, readers will be surprised by the unexpected. But this is what really makes Braun the next must read author, she is not afraid to kill off anyone. No one is safe, not even Braun’s main characters, or are they?

Crimson Sky is fantastic, and offers such an amazing start to what appears to be a great series. Cannot wait for book 2.

I give “Crimson Sky” 5 out of 5 stars.

Happy Reading

T’s Blogging

R. L. Kiser's "The Last Battle"

Title: Spellbound

“The Last Battle” by R. L. Kiser

Reviewed by B. Smart

11/24/15

12:05 p.m.

Imagine a world where all magic stems from a single source; a crystal filled with the knowledge of thousands of souls of generations past. Then imagine that the source becomes the object of desire of the most sinister being in the land; an ancient dark arts user who wishes to use the crystal to commit unspeakable acts of terror. In The Last Battle, the second edition in the Tales of Crystal series, author R. L. Kiser follows the lives of dauntless warriors who are willing to defend that crystal at any cost, even if it means using a destructive weapon that has been forbidden for ages.

The Last Battle is a riveting legend that tells the timeless tale of the fight between good and evil, light and darkness. Kiser creates dynamic, unforgettable characters that are courageous, powerful, and intriguing. His vast universe, which he describes using beautiful poetic imagery, is a living entity itself, acting as much on the characters as they act on it. The picture of his story and its culture that he paints is all at once unique, enticing, moving, and spellbinding.

At times, however, the novel is slow-paced and fraught with lengthy details that do not advance the action or give information about the character. In these instances, it is difficult for the reader to move forward because of the excessive exposition and limited dialogue. On the other hand, the novel sucks the reader in immediately and leaves them hungry for more. As a result, those who appreciate well flushed out characters and expertly crafted worlds will find the novel to be an enjoyable, effortless read.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of the fantasy genre, especially those who love The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter.

I give “The Last Battle” 4 out of 5 stars.

Cheers.

B. Smart

K. Kumar's "Love and Tumult"

Title: A Novel of the World

“Love and Tumult” by K. Kumar

Reviewed by A. Anthony

10/29/2015

10:05 p.m.

Traveling from such African countries as Namibia and Rwanda, to various locales in Colombia and Brazil, K. Kumar’s Love and Tumult is truly a novel of the world.

Kumar establishes this sense of worldliness through intimate portraits—of rural South American villages, of bustling African metropolises—painted with beautifully descriptive language. Our imaginations are so enlivened that we feel we are traversing the streets alongside the novel’s protagonist, Vik Murthy.

Vik undergoes a sensation that afflicts many: when one looks at one’s life and realizes one’s dissatisfaction, followed by a compulsion to seek out an electrifying change. Vik decides to transition from working as a civil servant in Washington, D.C. to working as an auditor for the American Development Agency, a position for which he must travel the globe in order to assess the organization’s many humanitarian programs.

Now, it is true that no matter where we are in the world, Cupid’s arrow may strike; so it is with Vik, who endures love and its tumultuous consequences, as the title denotes he must. But love does not define the novel, nor does it become Vik’s primary narrative; the passion present in his life is for his work, and for the novel experiences it brings about.

Concerning that work, the reader may find the meticulous details of the many audits Vik performs to be slightly dull, though Vik’s work is admirable. Furthermore, there is a flatness in the dialogue which is sometimes indistinguishable between different characters. Though the author’s well-traveled intellect reconstructs places that may be appreciated for their splendor, this extraordinary development of scene tends to dwarf not only Vik’s development (it seems that his characterization ceases halfway through), but also eliminates the uniqueness of the very people that make those places splendid, as they are primarily defined by their place of birth.      

I give “Love and Tumult” 3 out of 5 stars.     

Until Next Time,

A. Anthony