Book Review - The White Coat Effect by L.B. Wells

The white Coat Effect tells the story of Rory Webber. Strict Jewish parents bought Rory up in a house where she was not allowed to touch anything, and with a garden, no one was allowed to walk in. She has spent her life studying to please her parents by entering medical school. The book begins with Rory's first day at medical school, which is her first day of freedom. Rory is determined to find herself and step out of her parent's control.

When she becomes a surgeon, Rory finds herself up against forceful men. Her mother constantly told Rory that she was ugly, so she expected to follow her parent's plans to become a doctor and then a good Jewish wife! Does this ugly duckling become a beautiful swan? What effect does senior resident Amir have on her? Can Rory find the satisfying and happy life she craves while pleasing her parents? Read The White Coat Effect by L. B. Wells to find the answers to these questions.

The White Coat Effect is the debut novel by L. B. Wells, who navigates the complexities of the operating theatre equally well with the erotically charged and intimate bedroom chapters. I enjoyed the development of Rory's character as she enters womanhood and realizes that men are attracted to her. L. B. Wells dealt with this very sensitively. The story flowed well, and I could easily imagine the different situations that Rory has been in throughout her life.

L. B. Wells describes a very toxic environment that female medical students have to deal with, and I would have liked to know if the author has personal experience with this. I did not particularly appreciate the lack of proofreading and editing in The White Coat Effect. I found grammar and spelling errors throughout, which was disappointing.

I would recommend The White Coat Effect by L. B. Wells to older teenagers and young adults as I feel this is a coming-of-age story. We learn about Rory's childhood, her parent's forcefulness, and their determination for her to become a Dr. and a good Jewish wife. Mainly, this story is about Rory's blossoming womanhood, how she deals with her hormonally charged body changes, and realizes that she is not ugly as she has always been told. Rory then discovers sex, and these conquests are described in much detail, so I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than sixteen. Swearing is also present throughout this book.

I want to give The White Coat Effect by L. B. Wells 4 out of 5 stars. The book is engaging, and the story flows well, but I have had to reduce the score by a point due to the need for more editing and proofreading. This is an excellent debut novel, and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I want to thank L. B. Wells for a copy of The White Coat Effect in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

 

Children's book review - Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner

The animal friends are playing basketball at home in Australia when Louie Llama gets a call from America. Bernie Bear and Penny Pelican are planning a Fourth of July picnic with entertainment but the bear cub entertainers, the Potomac Pirates are sick and not able to do their tumbling act. They need the urgent help of Doctoroo. Why do the friends get frustrated with Terence Toad? What does Betty Bluebird think is wrong with the cubs? Moreover, will the picnic go ahead? Read Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates by Dr. Rachel B. Wellner to find out the answers to these questions whilst having fun along the way.

I liked that this modern story deals with problems like not sleeping due to too much screen time and putting on weight because of unhealthy eating habits. It educates young children in a fun way using colorful and appealing pictures to help tell the tale.  Children also learn about animals' habits and behavior including hibernating in the winter months. 

Words and sentences are repeated throughout the book which small children will enjoy as they will be able to join in with the story when adults read the book to them. There is a lot of humor especially when the animals eat out and enjoy food like sardine sausage sandwiches. Things like this open up more discussions and learning opportunities between adults and toddlers. 

I disliked the 'Food Pyramid Rap' it does rhyme which children will enjoy but it is difficult to read as it doesn't flow very well. It is not the best introduction to poems and rhymes for children which is disappointing as this is an educational book! 

I rate Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates 4 out of 5 stars. I have reduced my rating by one star as I found a grammar error and the rap needs more work so that it is easier to read. This is one of a series of books that Dr. Rachel B. Wellner has written to help educate young children to develop healthy habits and to be aware of health issues. I recommend this book to young children, parents, and teachers who will be delighted by the beautiful illustrations and will enjoy learning from the story.

I want to thank Dr. Rachel B. Wellner for a copy of Doctoroo and the Case of the Picnic Pirates in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Book Review - Those Who Are Gone by Lawrence F. Lihosit

 

It is nineteen-sixty-four, and Jack Colter recently moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, with his parents and older brother Dan. Soon after moving, Jack is on his bike exploring the area when he comes across a group of Mexican boys jumping ramps on their bikes. Jack asks if he can have a go, and the boys explore further afield as summer progresses. They swap the lunches they have taken with them, and Jack learns about the exciting flavors in Mexican food. 

The first Spanish Jack learns from his Mexican friends starts with swear words, then he buys a book and tape to teach himself, and soon, Jack can have conversations with his friend's families. The boys often get cuts and scrapes, and Jack learns about the healing properties of Aloe Vera from the grandmother of one of his friends. How is a young boy struck by lightning saved from death by an ancient Aymaran shaman? What is flag football? Moreover, what pamphlet was Jack given at school that his dad referred to as "hate garbage"? Read the novella Those Who Are Gone by Lawrence F. Lihosit to discover the answers to these questions and more.

I enjoyed learning about Mexican American Indians and their history while reading Those Who Are Gone. The book has a great title, which is appropriate for many of the subjects within it. Especially when Jack's class goes on a field trip to an archaeological dig, they learn a lot about the Hohokam, who built the great city about fifteen hundred years earlier. The author seems very knowledgeable about the history and archaeology of the area he is writing about. 

The boys in the story are keen on sports, and the author shows excellent knowledge of flag football and basketball. However, there were pages and pages of descriptions of basketball training and matches, which I did not enjoy. I felt that the author was using basketball to fill out his book. I was also not keen on the conversation at the top of page sixty-six, which was all in Spanish. I would have liked a footnote explaining what was said. Unfortunately, there were quite a few grammatical errors, and I feel Those Who Are Gone by Lawrence F. Lihosit would benefit from more proofreading. 

I would recommend Those Who Are Gone to anyone who enjoys factually correct fiction, where they can learn some of the histories of indigenous Mexican Indians in America. This is a novella of one hundred and eighteen pages which lovers of short novellas would also enjoy. As there are no swearing or sexual references, the book can be read by all, and in my opinion, anyone from young teenagers to older adults would find a lot to appreciate.

I want to give Those Who Are Gone 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this novella, but I have reduced the rating by one star because grammatical errors spoilt the story's flow. Moreover, I did not enjoy that so much of the book has descriptions and stories of basketball. However, I am looking forward to reading more books by Lawrence F. Lihosit.

I want to thank Lawrence F. Lihosit for a copy of Those Who Are Gone in exchange for my honest and impartial review. 

You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Kindle Book Review - Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney

One day Dimplin is hoeing vegetables in the fields when he sees a strange phenomenon. A glass-like dome has covered the village of Arinton, and no one can get out, and Dimplin cannot get in. At his wit's end, he decides to head off and find help. Dimplin walks for two weeks before coming across a stream by the village of Wiston. Here he finds Elisse, an Agan, one of the tall people. Elisse takes Dimplin back to her cottage to rest and have some food. When Elisse's twin sister Lenore returns from the market, Dimplin tells her about his people, the Genish (who never grow over four feet tall) and what has befallen them. 

The girls wish their soldier friend Drance were not away fighting in the war between the Agan and the Forsene people. Surely he would know what to do. Who forces Dimplin's nine-year-old son Tupin to squeeze into the Crystal Mountain to get the magic crystals? Moreover, what are their plans to wreak havoc with these gems? What words of wisdom does the old soothsayer Grendfar pass onto the Genish people from their God Evershone? Furthermore, what is the significance of the number 1665? Read the enchanting book Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney to discover the answers to these questions and more.

I admire how J. L. Putney has written a complicated storyline with many off-shoot stories, which Putney gradually gathers together for the finale. There are many interesting characters in this story. We have little people who are always happy and positive and believe that their God Evershone will always look after them if they are kind and caring. The soldiers Drance and Trestun are on opposing sides but have to work together for the good of the Genish people. There is the corrupt wizard Sagins, and then there are the beautiful twin sisters Lenore and Elisse. With a large cast of supporting characters, this book continually entertains and excites the reader while taking them on journeys filled with magic and mystery.

I appreciated the map at the front of the book, which makes it much easier to visualize where all the different communities live and where they are in relationship to the Crystal Mountain. Although it was difficult to keep going back to the map when reading the Kindle version of this book, I printed it out to have beside me as I read Within the Crystal Mountain. I loved the intriguing illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, which hint at what is to come. I enjoyed how the different groups of people united to fight evil. This book gives truth to the saying, 'Strangers are just good friends that you haven't met yet.'

The only thing I disliked about Within the Crystal Mountain was the number of grammatical errors. The book had not been adequately proofread or edited, and although the mistakes did not spoil the story, they detracted from it in places.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an entertaining book that is absorbing from start to finish. In particular, anyone who loves fantasy, magic, mystery, myths, and legends. Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney would be particularly enjoyed by readers who love The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Adults and confident readers from twelve would find this book exciting. There are no swearing or sexual scenes, so younger children would also enjoy having it read to them.

I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I am disappointed not to be able to provide the top rating as I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic fantasy tale, but there are too many errors not to remove a star. Once these are corrected, I will happily give the full rating. I would love to read more books by J. L. Putney!

I want to thank J. L. Putney for a Kindle copy of Within the Crystal Mountain in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Kindle Book Review - Rock's Wages by Vivian Doolittle

In 1976, twenty-three-year-old Ricky Harris was the lead singer and bass player for the Windy City rock group. He is feeling good. He has a bottle of whisky and a cigarette in his hands. He has just played a sellout concert and is in love with Angie. Life could not be better. When he finds Angie in their hotel room having sex with his best friend, Ricky's life falls apart! Ricky is heartbroken. He jumps in his car and drives around aimlessly until he sees a man being thrown off a bridge into a canal by two thugs. Ricky jumps into the water to save the man. Once he gets the stranger to dry land, Ricky realizes he is too late and the man is dead.

Ricky sees that the man looks very similar to him and swaps clothes, driving license, and keys with the man, then drags him into his car before pushing the car and the man back into the canal. Ricky Harris is now dead, and Thor Swenson lives. Who was Thor Swenson? What have Ricky and Thor got in common? Moreover, what happens forty years later when retired Detective Mick Thorne reopens the case of the rocker who is found at the bottom of a canal in his car? To find the answers to these questions, read Rock's Wages by Vivian Doolittle.

I enjoyed reading Rock's Wages. It was fascinating knowing what had happened to Ricky and Thor but reading how Thorne gradually gets to the answer. This well-written story has been thoroughly researched and planned. Vivian Doolittle pays attention to every detail, whether writing about the 1970s or 2010s. I liked how Doolittle used Ricky changing into Thor to get the young rock star off alcohol and drugs and create a new, improved version of him. The twist in the tale whereby Ricky is singing the songs he wrote forty years before, but as his new persona Thor, is brilliant. 

I disliked nothing about Rock's Wages. Vivian Doolittle takes the reader through a roller coaster of emotions with ease. She sensitively tells of a person living with cancer. Raunchily describes rock bands and gigs. It tells of an ex-policeman's struggles to find the truth behind a cold case. There is sex rough and drug-fueled, and sex gently built up to with romantic dates. I laughed, sighed, held my breath, and cried my way through this brilliant book.

I recommend Rock's Wages to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery with a bit of romance and a lot of heart. There is profanity and sexual references, so it would only be appropriate reading for adults.

I read the Kindle version of Rock's Wages by Vivian Doolittle, which I give 4 out of 5. I enjoyed everything about this book, but there were many grammar errors. Once this book has been professionally edited and proofread, it will get a worthy 5 out of 5 from me!

Book Review - Living in the Lap of the Gods by Lynn Roach

 

Lynn Roach was born in 1958 in Wales. In the early sixties, his parents took the opportunity to move to Australia as ten-pound poms. After three years, the family returned to Wales. Lynn believes all the traveling at an early age fed his wander lust, this and the tales his grandmother told him about her father, who had been a captain on a sailing ship. 

When Roach leaves school, he is keen to begin his travels, but his parents say he must get a trade. He lands a four-year apprenticeship and works hard to become a qualified toolmaker. Roach expects to be kept on when his apprenticeship ends, but the company decides not to keep on any of the apprentices that year. Roach is now over eighteen and in the perfect position to travel. However, despite all his adventures, it is the sea he yearns for. 

One day he meets up with a friend in the local pub, and a conversation leads to Roach being given a chance to follow his dreams. How does Penelope fit in with his plans? Why did Roach rename his first yacht Seefalke? Furthermore, what happens the first time Seefalke is launched? Read Living in the Lap of the Gods to find answers to these questions and follow Lynn Roach's adventures.

I enjoyed reading Living in the Lap of the Gods. Roach has a thorough knowledge of the subject. I found his experiences fascinating, and they brought back memories of crewing for my grandad in yacht races when I was a teenager. This well-written story has many technical terms but is also an engaging account of a young man's adventures: getting an old wreck seaworthy and then single-handedly traveling the world in it. I liked how the book is written as a ship's log while Roach is at sea, and while on land, it is an account of his travels. You feel Lynn Roach's fear when facing unknown situations and laugh at his humorous approach to life.  

However, I was not too fond of a couple of things about this book. Firstly many pages in the first chapters were taken up with Roach visiting the pub with his friends, always drinking more than he had planned, and always liaising with a barmaid. It became very dull, and I had to stop myself from flicking past these pages in case I missed something interesting. Secondly, in chapter five, a doctor friend of Roaches writes him a handful of prescriptions so he can make up a first aid kit. When the pharmacist discovers Roach's plans, he tells him he does not have to pay as the government can afford it! This is disgraceful, and I hope it is one of the untrue parts of Roach's account!

I recommend Living in the Lap of the Gods to anyone who likes reading memoirs with a travel and adventure theme. It is a fascinating read but has many terminologies to do with yachting, including shipping forecasts. I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not know the subject, as I think they may find all the terminology boring. There is profanity, but sex is only ever hinted at.

I want to give Living in the Lap of the Gods by Lynn Roach 4 out of 5 stars. I have taken a star away due to the dislikes I have mentioned and the fact that although, in the main, this book is edited and proofread well, there are some grammar errors. 

I want to thank Lynn Roach for a copy of Living in the Lap of the Gods in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Book Review - The Legacy of Job's Wife by Cynthia Koelker

 

In the Book of Job, Job is the main character, and there is not very much said about his wife, Ix'ises. The Legacy of Job's Wife is Cynthia Koelker's version of the other side of the story from Ix'ises point of view. It begins when Ix'ses is nearing the end of her life, and she wants to leave a record of the events for her ancestors. Job was five when his neighbour went into labour, and his mother was called to help with the birth. When Ix'ises was born, Job looked at her little face and fell in love. It is Job who names the new baby. Ix'ises had an idyllic childhood, her father was often away working, but she got lots of attention each time he came home. 

The family was not deeply religious, and Ix'ises questioned whether there was a God when her pet lamb drowned in a well when Ix'ises was a child. However, Job's family is highly religious, and they sacrifice animals to thank God for all he has done for them. What is wrong with Ix'ises brother B'nahram? Do Job and Ix'ises marry when they are old enough? Moreover, what tragic events will befall them in the future? To learn more about Job and Ix'ises's lives, read The Legacy of Job's Wife by Cynthia Koelker.

Job's family and Ix'ses get together for a meal to celebrate Ix'ses birthday. When her children are born, Ix'ses mother makes up a song for them. She sings these lullabies to soothe her babies and get them off to sleep. When the children are no longer babies, it becomes a tradition for their mother to sing their unique songs on their birthdays. The families are together celebrating Ix'ses birthday, but on this occasion, Ix'ses has asked her mother to sing all of the children's songs. I love the way Koelker beautifully describes the scene, and I could picture the families sitting around the fire listening to the beautiful singing while the sun sets and the summer moon rises.  

The Legacy of Job's Wife is written in a beautifully lyrical way. Example from page forty-three, 'God was talking to me in the secret melody of my wind chimes, a language forgotten as quickly as the sun dried the morning dew.' Cynthia Koelker found that when reading about Job in the Bible, very little was told of his wife, Ix'ses. This book tells a fictional version of Ix'ses life. Koelker is very knowledgeable about the era's history, making this book fascinating. She also writes in such a way that you can feel the raw emotions of the characters and empathize with their joys and suffering.

I disliked nothing about The Legacy of Job's Wife by Cynthia Koelker. It was well-written and researched. This book is, above all else, a love story, the love between Job and Ix'ses and the love for their families. I recommend this to readers who enjoy books about romance and those interested in learning more about the life and times of the Biblical story, the 'Book of Job.' I do not believe in God and the Bible, but I found this story fascinating. It would be best to read The Legacy of Job's Wife with an open mind. 

I rate The Legacy of Job's wife by Cynthia Koelker 4 out of 5 stars. I have reduced my score by one star because of many grammar errors. Although this is a fictional story, it is well-researched and provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of the people of the era in which the 'Book of Job' is set. It is an enjoyable story that educates the reader in a beautifully lyrical way.

I want to thank Cynthia Koelker for a copy of The Legacy of Job's Wife in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Book review - Second Chance by Patricia Morton

 

Carole is a retired school teacher in her early sixties. She has shared her home with her friend Paula for over thirty years. Sadly Paula died, and Carole spent four weeks in a B&B as she could not face returning to an empty home. Carole tries to build a life without Paula. However, she is dismayed and surprised at the secrets Paula kept from her. A chance encounter with an old school friend Valerie leads her to join the University of the Third Age. Gradually Carole discovers that life still has lots to offer, rekindling old hobbies, learning new skills, a love affair and engaging new friends. Before Carole can adequately move on, she needs to find out the answers to some of Paula's secrets to get on with enjoying her new life. How does she help Valerie with her son Mark? How does Jenny brighten up Carole's Friday evenings? How does Carole help Charlotte have a happier life? Moreover, why has their joint bank account paid out three hundred pounds monthly to SAM73 for years? For the answers to these and other questions, read Second Chance by Patricia Morton. 

I loved how Carole's character changes as she becomes more confident with her new life. Changing the way she dresses and making new friends. Carole is like a pupa, gradually changing into a butterfly. I also enjoyed how Carole manages to change the lives, of all the new people she meets, for the better. It was a fascinating journey finding out about the bright, funny and fascinating Carole after being introduced to a dowdy retired teacher. 

I would have liked to learn more about Paula. Carole and Paula have lived together for most of their adult lives, but all we learn is that she was a retired teacher, too; she has set up a standing order to SAM73, and she controlled Carole to the point that they only ever did things together. Paula remained a ghost in the story, but that could be the author's plan.

Patricia Morton also has a terrible habit of putting 'had had' where just 'had' would do. There are a lot of grammar and spelling errors, and these mistakes spoil the flow of an otherwise excellent narrative. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance. In particular, older ladies would be able to appreciate Carole's dilema's and could learn a lot from the situations she finds herself in. Second Chance is a lovely story with many layers slowly removed to reveal the Carole she was always meant to be. There is no swearing, and sex is mentioned in the vaguest terms so we can delight in Carole's romance. 

Due to the lack of proofreading and editing, which spoilt the flow of this otherwise fabulous book, I would like to give Second Chance by Patricia Morton 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review - Keep your mouth shut Carolynn by Carole Lonsdale

 

Carolynn was born in nineteen-forty-four when her dad was fighting in the war. It is nineteen-forty-five when he arrives home weighing six stone. He is immediately sent to a hospital in Wales, where he has a long recovery. Aged fifteen, Carolynn leaves school to begin a three-year hairdressing apprenticeship. She gains her diploma, buys a minivan and becomes a mobile hairdresser. Carolynn marries her childhood sweetheart in nineteen-sixty-six, and the couple wants to start a family. However, Carolynn suffers a miscarriage at twelve weeks and struggles to get pregnant again. Eventually, she delivers her much-longed-for daughter Kerry.

When Kerry tries to walk, her feet turn in so much that she struggles. She has to have plaster casts for six weeks. These make no difference; Kerry can only walk using her baby walker. When she is two, she has an operation on her Achilles tendons to help untighten the muscles in her legs. Although she can now walk with built-up shoes, Kerry has many falls and spasms, and the slightest illness, even a cold, worsens them. Over the next few years, she had endless tests, including EEGs and ECGs, but all returned normal. When Kerry is five, her brother Darren is born, weighing eight pounds twelve ounces. His birth is straightforward, but he is a dark blue colour. Why is Darren born this colour? Why does Darren also have to have an operation when he is two? What is Hyperspadious? Moreover, do they ever discover what causes Carolynn's children to shake and have spasms? Read Keep your mouth shut Carolynn by Carole Lonsdale for the answers to these questions and more.

I felt for Carolynn. All she wants is for her children to be healthy and well. On one side, she has the school saying they cannot cope; on the other, she has the Dr's doing lots of tests and saying there is nothing medically wrong. Being a mother myself, I found this heartbreaking, particularly when Darren starts having spasms and uncontrollable shaking. The Dr. says he is copying his sister, and Carolynn is an over-anxious mother! Kerry and Darren are disabled, but because there is no diagnosis, Carolynn gets no help. I admired Carolynn's strength of character, supporting her children to be the best they can be in mainstream life whilst fighting for a diagnosis. I also found it very scary to read about all the mistakes made by medical professionals. For example, when Darren has an operation, and after four days, a Dr comes over and tells Carolynn he can go home tomorrow. When Carolynn says that she had been told Darren would be in hospital for at least ten days, the Dr reads his wristband and says, "Oh sorry". He had the wrong child!

I disliked that Keep your mouth shut Carolynn by Carole Lonsdale is let down badly by the lack of proofreading and editing. I found at least one error on most pages. This book needs to be correctly proofread to do it justice. Some of the sentences make no sense at all, spoiling the flow of the narrative! 

I would recommend Keep your mouth shut Carolynn by Carole Lonsdale to adults who enjoy reading true stories and biographies dealing with disabilities and the struggles had to gain a diagnosis. This book is not for the faint-hearted it is a heartbreaking story about the lives of Carolynn's family, particularly their children Kerry and Darren, and later their grandchildren. The family have so much against them, an undiagnosed medical condition, bullying, negligent medical staff, child abuse and adultery. They stay strong as a family and are always supportive of each other. 

I want to give Keep your mouth shut Carolynn by Carole Lonsdale 4 out of 5 stars. It is with sadness that I have had to reduce the score because of the lack of proofreading. I found it hard to put this book down and had a whole range of emotions while reading it sadness, horror and disbelief, but there were parts where I laughed out loud. This is a fantastic account of a courageous family!

book review - A Pocketful of $20s by Madelaine Lawrence

 

Lynn and Alan have been together for some time, but their relationship is not good. Alan is critical of many things Lynn does and rarely considers her. One of the bug-bears is a Christmas tradition Lynn's mother Dorothy started, giving five strangers who needed help twenty dollars at Christmas. Dorothy is a frail old lady unable to give out the money herself, and Lynn wants to carry on the tradition for her. Despite the couple having well-paid jobs, Alan thinks this is a waste of money and makes Lynn unhappy by telling her his feelings. 

Lynn feels very down when she sets out on her quest but soon gets a smile on her face as she starts helping people. How does Lynn help a young student on his way home from college for Christmas? How does she help Theresa put a smile on David's face? Who does Lynn help to leave an abusive marriage? Moreover, how do Stan and Peter, the men she goes to lunch with, fit into Lynn's life? Read A pocketful of $20 by Madelaine Lawrence to find out the answers to these questions and more.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Pocketful of $20s by Madelaine Lawrence. The story has been well thought out and planned, and Lawrence handles some weighty subjects sensitively. I liked that Lynn is a nurse in the Emergency Department of her local hospital, which makes her much more in tune with people and their problems, particularly in the story about the abused wife. Furthermore, I enjoyed the way Madelaine Lawrence uses the plights of the people Lynn helps to lead into telling us more about Lynn's own life. Lawrence builds the characters throughout the book, and I enjoyed learning more about their lives, the type of people they are, and their outlooks on life. 

The only parts of A Pocketful of $20 that I disliked were the proofreading and editing errors. For instance, there is a chapter in the book where the Emergency Department has several patients from a road traffic accident, and Lynn is one of the nurses on duty. Theresa, one of the ladies she has given a twenty dollar bill to, arrives and wants to know how her husband is. Theresa does not give her husband's name, and Lynn does not ask for it, but she can explain Theresa's husband's injuries. This section needs rewriting so that it makes sense. There are also a lot of grammar and spelling errors.

I recommend A pocketful of $20s by Madelaine Lawrence to adults who enjoy well-written human interest stories, particularly those with a Christmas theme, a touch of romance, and much heart. There are no swearing or sexual scenes in the book, but it covers some weighty subjects, such as manslaughter and abuse, which would not be appropriate for a younger audience.

I want to give A pocketful of $20s by Madelaine Lawrence 4 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I have reduced my score by one star because it needs more proofreading and editing. 

Book review of Hemiphos by stefanie Jacob

Hemiphos by Stefanie Jacob begins at Edar Laxon's mansion in the Vosper Peninsular. It is a ruined castle perched on top of a hill. The elderly aristocrat who once lived there had vanished one night years before. None of the residents dare to go near it since the disappearance of John Hopper. They believe supernatural beings haunt the castle! Visitors to the town have often been curious enough to want to check out the castle themselves, but most of them never returned, and those that did had been driven insane! 

Three teenagers, Jason, Roxanne, and Pyrrhus, swim in a lake near the castle. Jason says that he has been inside the castle many times. The three have spent nearly all their time together since they were children, and Pyrrhus and Roxanne do not believe his boasts. They take up Jason's dare to enter the castle with him that evening. Do the teenagers make it out of the castle alive? What secrets do they uncover? Roxanne was told her father is dead, but she knows he is alive; what is the mystery surrounding him? Read Hemiphos by Stefanie Jacob to discover the answers to these and other questions.

There is absolutely nothing I disliked about Hemiphos by Stefanie Jacob. This book reminded me of being a child and devouring the stories written by the brothers, Grimm. It is a story that blends mystery, ghosts, and the supernatural seamlessly. There is a slow build-up, but Stefanie Jacob has written a powerful dark fairy tale that takes the reader on a magical journey introducing ghosts, spirits, and wolves with unique powers. Every chapter has some new element which kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. 

I recommend Hemiphos by Stefanie Jacobs to older teenagers and adults who enjoy fantasy fiction involving ghosts, mystery, and a sprinkling of romance; this enchanting book has many secrets to uncover. "For Christ's sake" and "Bollocks" are used, which makes the book inappropriate for a younger audience.

I want to give Hemiphos 4 out of 5 stars. The book has been translated into English perfectly, and I found no grammar or spelling errors. The cover art is beautiful and gave me a feel for the story before I even began to read it. The last chapter is excellent and left me wanting more. I am pleased that this is the first book in a trilogy.

 

Book Review - Clean Kill by Nick Everard

 

Clean Kill by Nick Everard revolves around several stories. John Gault whose wife Jenny has recently died of cancer has just started a new relationship with Sarah Hall. The husband of the latter committed suicide a year ago. John has a son Tom who, together with his wife, Emma, has taken over the running of the family farm. John is only fifty-five but has spare time on his hands now. Writing a murder mystery is something he has always wanted to do, and encouraged by Sarah, he begins.

Carl Barrow, a self-made millionaire who made his money through nefarious ways, is described as a wide boy. He has just been released from prison and has been on remand for over a month. His wife Cynthia is displeased when he is released at the trial, and she walks out. A Panorama investigation is shown on BBC, all about Carl's strange acquittal. The programme gives John the idea that his book will be about someone who kills a stranger just because they have heard about them in the news and have come to hate them.

Carl begins to retaliate against the people involved in the documentary. The BBC arrange round-the-clock protection for everyone. Why do the protectors suddenly walk out? How is Carl connected to Sarah's husband's suicide? What lengths will John and Sarah go to get the book written? 

I like Nick Everard's excellent plot and subplots woven into the story. It could have been confusing with so many characters in Clean Kill, but Everard brings them all to life with his descriptions. He has done a great job of mixing several stories without causing any confusion, and I like how the book progresses. I particularly liked how Nick Everard drip-feeds the reader on how the characters tie up. I enjoyed the way John and Sarah dissect every part of the novel John is writing. In chapter thirteen, John and Sarah discuss what gun would be best to use and take an A.410 gun and some old tins of paint up to the spinney. Everard has researched guns thoroughly. 

There is swearing in Clean Kill by Nick Everard. However, it is always appropriate to the character in the story and not used unnecessarily. For example, on page seventy-six, "You have made a friend of mine very angry. You fucked around with his life, so now he's fucked around with yours. Don't do it again, or it'll be worse."

One of my criticisms is that John has only been a widower for two months and had been happily married to Jenny for twenty-nine years prior to her death. I do not think anyone could get over their grief that quickly! The editing lets this great book down as I found several grammatical errors and confusion on page 192 quote, "The cheap new trainers he'd bought for what he termed "the event" were already in the back of the Volvo" it was Sarah who bought the trainers, not John!

I want to rate Clean Kill 4 out of 5 stars due to the errors. I am really disappointed that I had to reduce a star as Clean Kill is an entertaining page-turner with a satisfying ending. This book is an easy read. However, it keeps you on your toes, turning the pages to discover what will happen next and wondering where the story will lead at the climax. 

I would recommend Clean Kill by Nick Everard to adults who enjoy a well-thought-out whodunnit with lots of twists, turns, and surprises. There are mild sexual references, mainly hinted at and left to the reader's imagination, and swearing.  

Thank you to Nick Everard for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review - The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo

 

 

Gaby Summerhill is in her early fifties, she was widowed three years ago, and her four grown-up children have left home and have their own lives. Gaby often communicates with her children via video. At the beginning of  December, they each get a video telling them that Gaby is getting married again on Christmas day. Gaby has been proposed to by three men who are wonderful friends, and she is going to announce her future husband at the wedding. Will it be fifty-four-year-old Tom Hayden who grew up with Gabi? Or fifty-two-year-old rabbi Jacob Coleman who helps her run a breakfast club for local homeless people? Or maybe fifty-five-year-old Martin Summerhill, who is Gaby's brother-in-law? Only Gabi knows, and she is telling no one until the day of the wedding, not even her nosey best friend, Stacey Lee!

Meanwhile, Gabi's children have problems of their own Claire; her eldest daughter, is married to Hank. Hank only works part-time as he wants to spend the rest of his time either smoking weed or meeting up with his friends, Claire has been putting up with his behaviour toward the children, despite struggling to make ends meet. However, now that Hank has hit her and she has discovered their fourteen-year-old son Gus is also smoking weed, what direction will her future take? Lizzie, the middle daughter, is a homebody. She works in Walmart part-time and enjoys family life with her husband Mike and her eight-year-old daughter Tallulah. When Mike is diagnosed with a brain tumour, Lizzie takes it in her stride, taking Mike to his endless hospital appointments and chemo, but when Tallulah asks if her daddy is going to die, what answer can Lizzie give? Emily, the youngest daughter, is a high-flying lawyer and her husband Bart is a resident in neurology. Emily always pushes herself to do better and burns the candle at both ends. She also has a boss who makes sexual advances that are not entirely unwanted! With Emily and Bart spending very little time together, how will all these pressures affect their relationship? Seth is the baby of the family and the youngest son. He lives with his girlfriend Andie, a commercial artist. Seth works in a tedious job and longs to be a published novelist. His first novel 'Dream Chasers' is with an editor, and Seth is on tenterhooks. Will she think his book is good enough to publish?

The book differs from the style of book I tend to think of as the typical James Patterson genre; murder, investigation, thrillers, detective, and mystery novels. There is still an element of mystery as we do not know who Gabi's lucky man will be. I loved the little teases throughout the book, which constantly changed my mind about who it would be. This book has humour, sadness, tension, and a lot of love. I liked the little hints that made me think I had guessed who the groom would be, but I was left guessing right to the end. I think Gabi made the right choice!

I did not particularly like that everyone called Gabi by her given name. Even her children and grandchildren call her Gabi.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it very much. I think this would be enjoyed mainly by female fans of James Patterson, it is a love story with a difference, and I am not sure it would appeal to men so much.

I would like to thank my mum for recommending that I read this book.

Book Review - Blanket Immunity by Adam Van Susteren

 

 

Blanket Immunity by Adam Van Susteren begins by introducing us to Joanna 'Jo' Channing, who, after several years as a Deputy District Attorney, has run for Judge with financial help from her parents. When she is not appointed, she quits her job and sets up on her own as a Criminal Defense Lawyer. Today is her first day, and she wonders how to attract clients when there is a knock on her office door, and Brad Gecina becomes her first client. Brad, a policeman, has been suspended because a woman claims he stalked and raped her. When Jo looks into all the evidence, it seems that the rape victim is lying. Brad pushes for blanket immunity, which will protect him from future prosecution for crimes related to his testimony. When Jo achieves this by pulling strings, she thinks that is the end of the case.

Jo gains her second client when she visits Tai Nguyen for a lawyer friend. Tai is a small-time drug dealer arrested for possession with intent to distribute. Tai needs Jo's help to pass a message to Marcos Omar; he is worried that he will be killed if Omar does not get the message. When Jo gets in touch with Omar, he becomes Jo's third client. Along the way, Jo meets Dzuy Gong, a character who seems too good to be true. Within minutes of the meeting, Dzuy has offered to go with Jo to a family dinner to diffuse the tension between Jo and her younger sister Jami. Dzuy is pulled into a desperate situation with Jo, Omar, and Brad. Someone has been lying! Who? How far will Jo go to make amends?

Van Susteren's characters in Blanket Immunity are so well described that you can picture them while reading the book. I enjoyed how Van Susteren showed so many sides to the characters. Jo is a strong, independent woman but shows her soft side when interacting with her family and Dzuy. I loved how Jo struggles between helping her cash-strapped parents out, e.g., on page twenty-three, "She dreamed about helping her parents and paying off her campaign debt." and keeping her professional and moral integrity even when offered more money than she can imagine. I enjoyed how the characters jelled with one another, and their interactions felt right. I felt throughout Blanket Immunity that Adam Van Susteren had either been in the law profession at one time or had thoroughly researched the subject. It could have been a very heavy-going book, but the author writes in such a way that I felt the subject was well explained without any unnecessary detail.

I was not impressed when I came to page one hundred and seventeen, which had a whole conversation in Spanish, I had no idea what the conversation was about, and this spoilt the flow of the story. I also found many grammar errors, e.g., on page one hundred and twenty-one, "Aaron starting writing on his pad." I did not feel that this was professionally proofread or edited.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I have taken one star off for the grammatical errors and the Spanish conversation, which I felt was unnecessary to the story as it was neither translated nor explained. Hence, it meant nothing to the reader. I was disappointed I had to reduce a star as this book is fast-paced and enjoyable. It is a book you can lose yourself in, an actual page-turner!

I would recommend Blanket Immunity to anyone who enjoys a gripping legal thriller with several stories running alongside one another. I would only recommend this to an adult audience as it has rape, murder, and drug-taking scenes.

Thank you to Adam Van Susteren for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review - We are Voulhire : A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz

We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz is an exciting fantasy story. The author starts by setting the scene and tells us that the King of Voulhire has four sons. As the boys grow older, the King realises they are competing with one another in anticipation of the future and claiming the throne for themselves. To diffuse the situation, the King bestows a gift of an island to each son and all the money they will ever need. Unfortunately, this plan does not work, and a controversial civil war leads to a precarious truce.

Matthew Tysz does a brilliant job of creating different characters who are very well described so I could picture them in the story. Nearly all of the characters have magical power; e.g. page seventy, "Some schools of magic teach their students to dance to become in tune with their abilities, and they go on dancing in all practices of magic."

The main character in this story is Galen Bray, a young man who has grown up on one of the war-torn islands. His Uncle, a Master Blacksmith on Voulhire, fell out with his family years before. When he realises he does not have long to live, he tracks down Galen and sends money for him to travel to Voulhire and begin a new life. The story is mainly told through the eyes of Galen and his new friend Rowan who is the executor of his Uncle's will. We see Galen's disappointment when he arrives in Voulhire to find his Uncle has died. We see how Galen's character grows in confidence as he becomes immersed in his attempts to bring prosperity to the town, pursuing his aspirations to learn the blacksmith's trade and take over his Uncle's blacksmith in Voulhire. Always lurking in the background is Meldorath, a powerful and greatly feared wizard. Matthew Tysz cleverly uses the characters to help you visualise the geography, context, and politics of Voulhire.

I was fascinated by the adventures in this book. It is a well-written and well-thought-out entrance into the new and mystical land of Voulhire. Many characters have fantastic and magical powers, which intrigue the character development and storylines. It is a complex but exciting tale which draws you in and ends on a cliffhanger, hungry for more.

I was not too fond of how the book jumped between different characters and storylines. This made the story very disjointed and confusing in places. The reader needs to stick with the book to discover how everything marries towards the end and the links between the different characters and plots. I felt this should have happened far earlier in the novel, as not every reader is prepared to wait that long.

My rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars. This is a fantastic book but confused and disjointed in areas. 

Anyone interested in Fantasy and Magic would enjoy this book. There is a lot of swearing in the book and sexual references, so I suggest older teenagers and adult readers.

 

Thank you toMatthew Tysz for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

 

Audible Review - Looking Glass Friends by E L Neve

 

This review is of the Audible book version of Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve, a slow-burning romance between two married people, Neil and Ellie. Who bond over a book when they meet at a bakery. They have an online relationship by writing to each other through emails. Eventually, the relationship moves on to talking on the telephone. The book is multi-dimensional, and we get the growing relationship between Neil and Ellie but also see the effect of their relationship on their families. Ellie has a husband called Jake and a son, Johnny, and Neil has a wife, Fay. Both marriages have relationship problems that leave an emptiness in Ellie and Neil's lives, allowing their love for each other to grow and blossom.

I would not usually listen to romances, but the way the characters interact is very different from books I have read. I found the way the book is written challenging to get into to begin with, but I ended up loving this audible book. There is plodding progress where Ellie and Neil grow from being strangers, then friends to falling in love. At the same time,  I liked how I could see this effect on their failing relationships with Fay and Jake. All the characters in this book have lovely, uncomplicated personalities. Although this was a love story, I liked that it did not revolve totally around Ellie and Neil. Their families were equally important. This novel gives all sides of every relationship in the story and builds an excellent picture for the listener. I felt I experienced all of the characters' emotions even when I disagreed with what they were doing.

The build-up to the romance between Neil and Ellie is a slow burn, and I did find myself wishing the relationship would progress more quickly as there are times when the book can feel very slow. The story explains how Jake treats Ellie and how she feels about her marriage, her husband, and her relationship with her son. It equally told me about Fay and Neil's home life, and I could see how their marriage was going and where it was failing. I liked how the narrator, B. J. Harrison, read the book. His voice was very listenable.

I rate Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve 4 out of 5 stars. It is a compelling story, and I enjoyed listening to it. I marked it down because of the areas where the story plods.

I recommend Looking Glass Friends to adults who enjoy romantic books, especially ones which build up slowly.

Thank you to E L Neve for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review - Wild World by Peter S Rush

 

Wild World by Peter S. Rush begins in May 1970. It is a time when thousands of students across America are holding rallies to protest against the Vietnam War. Steve Logan, a law student and his girlfriend, Roxy Fisher, a medical student, want to make the world a better place to live in. The story begins a few weeks before Steve is due to have his graduation from Brown University. Sitting with his roommates and Roxy in front of the television, they cannot believe what they see. National Guard troops have been called out to a protest by students at Kent State University. The guards are armed and end up killing four students. After meeting a reform-minded police officer, Steve is convinced that getting involved is the only way to change things. He postpones law school and joins the city's police department. Steve is different to other rookie police. He has a good degree, and he is inherently honest. These make him an outsider, and a target for corrupt police, the reality of fighting the establishment soon overwhelms him. His college friends think he is a traitor to the cause, and even Roxy, the woman he loves, has begun to pull away. Devising a plan to shake up the system radically, Steve begins to collect evidence to bring the corrupt police down. Steve's life will never be the same again! 

I loved the fact that Peter S. Rush appears to have named his book after the Cat Stevens song Wild World which was released in 1970, an example from page 62, He turned on a transistor radio, and Cat Stevens sang, "Baby, baby it's a wild world...." I also enjoyed the parts of the book where Steve experiences inner turmoil between his work life and home life when he cannot always go with his instincts but has to play by specific rules to survive, even when they seem wrong. e.g. 'The man had stopped moving, and Steve realized he could be dead. It was under control - he had it under control. Was he responsible for the man's death? Was this police work?' This was very well written, and I could feel Steve's inner turmoil.

This is a great story, written with passion for the subject, but I was disappointed in the number of mistakes. It was as if the book had not been edited or proofread.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is a great story, but there are way too many errors to rate it the full 4 stars.

I would recommend this book to older teenagers and adults interested in novels telling American history during the 1970s. The continuous swearing in this book fits with the characterisation but would not be suitable for anyone who dislikes this type of language. 

Thank you to Peter S Rush for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

 

Book Review - Unlight by Chandra Shekhar

 

A massive cloud of dust has blanketed the Earth, causing the temperatures to drop to minus 127 degrees centigrade. Unlight by Chandra Shekhar is the story of Larry Brandon's forward-thinking vision to build a shelter he calls the Shell, which will keep his family safe while the Earth repairs itself. The story is told, in part, through diaries kept by the family, and we see different ways the situation is affecting them. From Elizabeth, the gentle, calm grandmother in her 70's. Her daughter Nicole  a top surgeon in her 40s. Teenage daughters Anna and Jessica; Anna who is thoughtful and kind, and Jessica, who is prone to criticising just for the sake of being critical. To Larry, Nicole's fiancee, a self-made billionaire and well-known engineer who has masterminded the Shell. We not only hear of their life now but get background stories telling us about their life before. While most of the world had ignored the threat until it was too late, with humans unable to survive such inclement weather conditions, the world's inhabitants froze to death. Believing they are the last people left on Earth, the family must work together to keep their shelter working for them because their lives depend on them working as a team.

It was refreshing to read a book with no swearing, and although sex is touched upon, it is all left to the reader's imagination. I liked how Chandra Shekhar works the characters so that they all influence their new life. There is not one person in charge dictating to the others. I liked that Unlight is a gentle but thought-provoking book; it is science fiction but has no strange life forms or made-up words. The people in it could be you or me, just in a new life in a changing world.

I feel that Unlight would have been more realistic if there was some confrontation between the characters, in particular Jessica, who begins by being a stroppy, very opinionated teenager, but within a few chapters, her character completely changes, and she is considerate, helpful and wants to please. People do not change that quickly in real life. I also did not think it was believable that Larry had a large team of people helping him to build the shelter and they were all happy to walk away once the shelter is finished knowing they would die? I feel there would have been at least some of the people who would have been able to create their own Shell or would have fought to access Larry's. 

 This book is very readable but needs some conflict to balance the harmony, there is no excitement, and this makes the book bland at times. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

As this book has very mild sexual content and no swearing, I would recommend this book to adults and teenagers. I think it would be enjoyed by readers who like science fiction stories which make you think -  this could happen!

Thank you to Chandra Shekhar for a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.

Audible original Novella review - Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath - Narrated by Hannah Monson

 

Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath is an Audible Novella set in Australia. It is a tense and compelling story with a damaged young woman at its heart. Elise is a disgraced elite athlete – the backstory to the cause of her disgrace is gradually revealed through the novella. She is searching for her older brother Callum who seemingly has disappeared. Demonstrating considerable strength and resourcefulness, Elise soon realizes that more choices are available to her than the two she has been presented with. As in all good psychological thrillers, the story unfolds with sufficient twists and turns to ensure the reader is kept enthralled to the last page.

Readers of the crime genre do not always look for depth in character development. Their requirements are more for a fast-paced plot-driven story with twists, turns, and perhaps some clarity at its conclusion as to who did what. There are, of course, some crime writers whose characters are fully-fledged and who inhabit their stories with depth and breadth of personality. This novella is essentially plot-driven. Its characters are drawn only to the extent that serves the plot. Elise's parents – for example – are lightly sketched out. Just enough to tell the listener how inadequate they were in their responses to the issues confronting Elise and Callum as children and teenagers.

Callum's personality features strongly throughout the novella, even when he is not physically present. His whereabouts and the reasons behind his disappearance drive the narrative. The third protagonist Stephanie, however, is the one who is the puppet master. Through the story's exposition, the reader slowly learns what led to her actions, even if there may be some difficulty in accepting them.

Telling the backstories of Elise, Callum, and Stephanie while at the same time ensuring that the momentum of the present time narrative is maintained is no mean feat. But it is one that the author manages exceptionally well. The tension increases as the novella moves closer to its conclusion. Kill Your Brother is a well-crafted psychological thriller that will satisfy the listener. 

 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to an adult audience who enjoy psychological crime thrillers.