Book Review of Three Days of Rain by Christine Hughes

Synopsis:

Just when he thought his life was turning around... Things haven’t been easy for Jacob Morgan. Persecuted by the ghosts of his past, Jake lives each day just going through the motions, barely getting by. Then Lily Burns comes to town and befriends him. As Jake starts to heal, he begins to hope that he has finally overcome the mistakes and tragedies that have tormented him for so long. But just when he thinks his problems are solved, his past comes back to haunt him, and once again, Jake is confronted by situations he is ill-equipped to handle. Can Jake hold on to the progress he has made, or will the lies, guilt, and secrets he’s tried to ignore shove him back into an abyss from which there is no escape?

Review:


Three Days of Rain by Christine Hughes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review 6******

This is a fantastic NA Romance story! I absolutely LOVED it!

Jacob Morgan is a fantastic character. He is a caring, loving man, but he has been hurt very badly by a relationship that was rather toxic. He is struggling to slowly pull his life together, but it's not until he meets Lily Burns that he feels hope for the future. I really liked this character a lot.

Lily Burns is also a fantastic character. She is warm, fun loving and carefree. I liked her very much. I would love to meet and befriend her, but as she is a fictional character, that would be rather difficult!

I had previously read a YA romance by this author, so I knew what her writing style was like. However, I was totally unprepared for the emotional roller coaster I would be in for. I had read some of the other reviews, but I thought I would be able to "tough it out". Nope, I was a total emotional wreck! The story starts off slowly, but as more of Jake's past is revealed in a series of flashbacks, I fell in love with Jake myself! I cannot understand what Jake saw in Maddie, as she was totally selfish and self serving. Jake is not perfect himself, but he didn't deserve to be treated in that way. However, I was glad for him when he met Lily; he deserved some happiness. The story is told mostly from both Jake's and Lily's points of view, which gives the reader the opportunity to get to know their thoughts and feelings, but some of the other characters have a say too; they all came alive on the page. The author states that this book is a work of fiction, but it felt like a true story. The events in the tale have a very lifelike quality to them. It is a good thing I keep a supply of tissues handy for my hayfever, because I needed to use more than a couple! There are some very touching scenes that had me in tears more than once and, although I didn't want to put the book down, I had to stop to mop them up! There are also a few twists that surprised me, but there is a big one near the end that nearly gave me a heart attack and left me reeling in shock! This book is an amazing and heartbreaking tale of love and tragedy that tugged on my heartstrings, and will stay with me for some time to come.

Christine Hughes has written a fantastic story that has touched me deeply! I love her ability to bring the characters to life on the page. I think this could be a great TV movie, given the opportunity. I eagerly look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Although there are scenes of a sensual nature, they are not explicit. I highly recommend this book if you love contemporary romance. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Murder & Single Malt by Mark Anderson Esq.

Synopsis:

Mike and his car appear to match a description given to police from a recent crime scene. The murder of two young women. He's taken into custody for further questioning. The worst possible outcome for a sloppy serial killer. Alcohol and depression, the perfect ingredients for a killing rampage the likes of which the sleepy town of Mainberry has never seen. Can the police put the pieces together in time or will Mike be forced to keep killing. As the police try to sort the lies from the truth, Mike must sift through the madness (butchering the homeless), the paranoia (slaying his former boss) and the violence (torturing Sally's new boyfriend). ### Murder & Single Malt is the debut novel of Mark Anderson Esquire. A psychological thriller fueled by mayhem, violence and a love for fine whiskey.

Review:


Murder & Single Malt by Mark Anderson Esquire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Mike Baker is a really interesting character. He is most assuredly a killer a la Dexter, but I just couldn't figure out whether the author wanted the reader to like him or hate him. Unfortunately, I found myself being a bit amused/disgusted (depending on the scene) by him. He is a psychopath with no idea why he is the way he is.

The story was quite intriguing; I found myself engrossed in the tale. It reads a bit like a memoir with several flashbacks. There are several scenes of violence that made me grimace, but there were also some scenes that were a little bit unbelievable. I, for one, also couldn't believe that the police in Mainberry were so clueless about the number of crimes perpetrated by Mike in such a short period of time; the sheer volume of murders in a town would have been noticed pretty quickly! Nevertheless, I did enjoy the story, even with the few inconsistencies. I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of horror, although I am a fan of psychological thrillers. This story was a mixture of both and an entertaining read. I am looking forward to seeing what other stories this author comes up with.

This is Mark Anderson's debut novel. I found his writing to be fast paced and enjoyable, but he needs to pay more attention towards the small details.

I do not recommend this book to younger readers due to the violence, but I recommend this book if you love psychological thriller or horror genres. - Lynn Worton

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Mike Meyer and his book The Three Kitties That Saved My Life

Mike Meyer and his book The Three Kitties That Saved My Life

Blurb
AN UPLIFTING TRUE STORY OF LOVE - from love and loss to love renewed - a feel-good read

Losing loved ones is an awful fact of life; losing one's loving spouse, one's day-to-day partner through life, especially in the prime of life, is one of the most unbearable tolls that we humans are forced to endure. This is the true story of my journey from grieving widower, not caring if I lived or died, to the once-again happily married man I am today, a man who both loves and cherishes life. My three kitties have given me a new zest for living.

Equally inspiring and entertaining, my story begins with loss and tears, but it ends with lots of love and laughter. I think that you will find yourself moved by my journey.

EXCERPT

It is amazing how time helps. In time, I have learned to overcome my own albatross. I have learned to live again, to love again. Life is a gift reads a plaque on our dining room wall, and that sums up what I have gained from the three kitties that saved my life. From Coco, I learned to care again. From Kitty, I learned to love again. From Pom Pom, I have learned how to cope with my own demons, the effects of aging being one of these. Pom Pom has taught me to accept what is and then to move onward. Yes, I have learned plenty from my three kitties.

My journey has been a long one, a difficult one at times, but it has a happy ending. The three kitties in my life have made it so. They have all helped me to become the happy-to-be-alive man that I am today. I now accept rather than cope. I live each day to the fullest, knowing full well that life is a gift, and a very precious one at that. I look back on my life and I often think that I must be the luckiest man in the world. I have so much to be thankful for. The wonderment and beauty of life are both so dear to me.

And, to add a delicious icing to the lovely taste of my life, I can say with total honesty to the whole world, my voice booming into the sky, my dancing feet not caring in the least who might see me, that I have been very fortunate to have done something that brings more sheer delight and wonderful pride to me than anything else that I have accomplished in my life: I have fallen madly, heads-over-heels in love not once, but twice, and how many others can say that?

Thank you, Kitty!

What some of the reviewers have to say:

Denise Jones wrote

This is like drinking tea and honey on a cold day. The story warms you up, it is written in such a comfortable and conversational style that the tea analogy is ever more appropriate. It felt as if I were listening to a new friend telling me how his life came together after a great personal loss. The kitties, the fur-balls steal the show. This is truly a read I would recommend to everybody! A 4.5*read.

Lauren Alumbaugh wrote

Really great book that will lift your spirits. Even after a major tragedy, life goes on. I love that throughout this whole book you are reminded to look for the positive in life. I have to say I now want another cat! Perfect read if you need to be reminded to look up in life and smile, everything will work out.

Click on the pic above to purchase your copy from Amazon.

Click on the pic to learn more about the author on Amazon and other titles that he has available.  

                                      Now for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Shining and Dr. Sleep on audio by Stephen King

Dr Sleep # The Shining book 2 by Stephen King

What an amazing talent this author has.  I reread The Shining to refresh my memory and the first thing that popped into my head after I finished the book was that it held far less of the shock element than it did when I read it at 15, instead it held the wonder of a well crafter work of art. 

Then I started on Dr Sleep.  Not OVERLY enthusiastic since I always say…. I like and much prefer 'OLD SCHOOL SK".  To my delight the book was marvelous.  Truly even better, more layered and the plot and theme running like a double helix throughout the book.

So it did NOT scare me enough to fear to switch off my light at night.  However, it kept me listening and listening for hours at a time sometimes going back a chapter if something distracted me.  A brilliantly written thriller by a true master of the genre.  I am sure SK will entice tons of new 15 years old and make them fear to turn off their light at night.

At the end of the audio production SK himself left a note that exactly says, only far better, what I came to realize while rereading The Shining.  We grow up.  We change.  The stories that scared us might not scare us anymore.

About the narrator…Will Patton.  This man is a master of his craft much as SK is.  He gave a tenderness to some of the main protagonists that made my heart melt and ache for them.  Others was hard edged and others still was totally disinterested.  All though were unique and his pacing and dialogue was brilliant.

WaAr

Amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Sleep-Shining-Book-2-ebook/dp/B009LOJK1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388997084&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+sleep

The Shining

King's strongest point as an author is his pacing. He has an uncanny knack for pacing his books in such away that I as a reader start it slow and leisurely, not over committing and then before I can think what I am doing, I find myself losing sleep because I simply cannot put the book down.

That is exactly what happened in this book. And if you notice the name of the review, it is amazing that King manages to do this even in a re- resd!
His world building is astounding. His character forming impressive and simply scary. His plot line is astounding.

I adore old time SK and would recommend new readers to try this. Fand- why not try a re- read. You might be surprised at how powerfull a punch is packed in a reread.

WaAr

Amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Shining-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B0037TPMOA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388997133&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Shining

Book Review of Crescent Moon by Delilah Devlin

Synopsis:

From ancient Egypt to present-day New Orleans, a woman of exceptional strength is called to protect against an unspeakable evil…and to experience an unforgettable seduction.
Khepri still isn’t used to being The God’s Wife. The daughter of a common farmer, she’s more comfortable being friends with servants than employing a whole team of them. Being the wife of Amun affords her luxuries she only dreamed of, but her dreams are not always a haven…they are also filled with demons. Lately she’s had doubts about the role she’s been thrust into. She’s had yearnings for another sort of life, one where she’s loved intimately, rather than only adored from afar.

When a powerful man lures her away from her temple, she’s thrilled at the chance for an adventure. Her adventure quickly becomes a nightmare when the handsome vizier mummifies her alive. Pure of heart and body, she’s the warrior he foresees will battle a demonic pharaoh if ever he awakens. Khepri’s sure he’s insane, until she awakens in a distant future. Alone and needing a guide in this strange and garish new world, she turns to the troubled man who set her free...

When New Orleans police detective Justin Henry Boucher is called to the Garden Museum to investigate stolen Egyptian artifacts, it’s not exactly the adrenaline rush he used to get working a homicide. But with a reprimand on his record and a sorrow he can’t shake, he will take what he can get – as long as he can keep his badge. What he doesn’t count on is having to keep his cool when he finds one of the priceless artifacts – a golden-skinned goddess wrapped in fabric like a mummy, left to die and needing his help. She’s a mystery he’s determined to unravel. She might also be the cure for his lonely heart.

This book was initially released in episodes as a Kindle Serial. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book.

Review:


Crescent Moon by Delilah Devlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book because the synopsis intrigued me. I'm glad I did, because I really enjoyed it!

Khepri is a wonderful character. She is The God's Wife, (a type of high priestess and spiritual wife to Amun) who is, because of her position, quite highly regarded as second to the Pharaoh in power. She is quite naive in some respects, living a sheltered life, but she has wisdom beyond her years. I liked her a lot.

Justin Henry Boucher is also another wonderful character. He is a police detective who has had a sideways promotion to robbery division after his partner was killed. He is tough, cynical and world wary. However, after meeting Khepri, he realises there is more to this mysterious woman than meets the eye. I loved this character's protective streak.

This is a very interesting romance story. I love ancient Egyptian history; I find it fascinating. However, this book is very much a modern romance. The author has taken poetic licence with the use of the gods and turned this book into a time travelling romantic adventure. Originally a serial released as a chapter at a time, this book has been put together to give the reader the opportunity to read it whole. The characters are very lifelike and likable. I found myself completely transfixed by the story and it surprised me when I came to the end! I must admit that I did find the motives and actions of the Vizier were not fully explained properly (in my opinion). However, the story was a fast paced action/adventure/romance with danger in the form of a resurrected, power hungry Pharaoh. There is a wonderful chemistry between Khepri and Justin (Juste to his friends). Their passion sizzles on the pages! I even enjoyed meeting Michael, Juste's police partner, who sounds rather dishy himself! I wonder if the author is considering (or had considered) writing a story with him in mind? I would love to read it if she has! The end of the story was quite touching, and I even shed a tear or two! (I love a happy ending!).

Delilah Devlin has written a steamy romance novel that kept me hooked from the first page. Her pacing on the story was a bit bumpy in places but, I suppose as it was written and released in stages, that is understandable. However, that did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. She is an author I have not heard of before, but now that I have sampled her work, I would consider reading her other books.

Due to scenes of a sensual nature that (although not as explicit as some books I have read) are on the steamy side, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I recommend this book if you love hot, steamy romance novels. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Hellhound: Dogs of War (Hellhound Series #2) by Rue Volley

Synopsis:

This is Book #2 in the Hellhound series. 

In 'Dogs of War' we rejoin Halo Bay and the Hellhounds as they adjust to an unexpected loss. Weakened and feeling as if they may be losing the battle, the Hellhounds reach out to the most unlikely of creatures...that of the vampires. At Ari's insistence, two very powerful vampires are called upon to help them. Hunter, who has a sordid past with Dorin and Vanessa, Queen of the vampires and daughter to Dracula himself. As they struggle to solidify their new alliance, Halo finds she has to barter with the only thing she truly owns. Herself. This is a deal that Lucifer is eager to seal and, blinded by love, Halo may be stepping into a plan set in motion centuries before she even existed. Will she restore the balance between Heaven and Hell? Or will be become the final seal? 

Review:


Hellhound: Dogs of War by Rue Volley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Hellhound series. I really enjoyed this novella!

Halo Bay is a character that I liked from the first book. She had horrible judgement in men when she was alive, but now she is a Hellhound (a type of guardian to keep the demons from getting out of hand in the human world). She is feisty and quite adept at kicking demon butt. However, she is also hunted by her nemesis, Lucifer, who desires her.

I began to read this book on the bus, going home from work, and I didn't want to put it down! The story introduces some new characters. Hunter and Vanessa are vampires who have been brought in to help the Hellhounds after the demise of Dorin, and the loss of Gunner to Hell. I wasn't sure what these two were to each other (lovers or friend siblings (as they weren't blood related)), as they constantly bickered. Unfortunately, I couldn't feel anything for these characters, although I did like Hunter more than Vanessa. They didn't seem to be as lifelike as Halo, Gunner or even Lucifer. Nevertheless, they brought a new dimension to the story. The story is told from several points of view, but mainly through Halo's eyes. I liked the way the story unfolded, and there were a few twists that I didn't see coming. However, there was a scene that I had my suspicions about, and the end of the story confirmed what I thought. I am now looking forward to reading the next part of the story as soon as it is released!

Rue Volley has written a wonderfully steamy erotic romance series that had more heat than the fires of Hell! Her characters are interesting and are very likable. I love her fast paced writing style, which flowed beautifully!

I do not recommend this book to readers under 18 due to scenes of an explicit sexual nature and the use of foul language. However, I recommend this book if you love HOT steamy romances (paranormal or contemporary), with a dark fantasy twist. - Lynn Worton

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Book Review of Possessed (The Thorne Trilogy #2) by R.K. Ryals

Synopsis:

Calling a Demon forth wasn’t the wisest thing the Ayers witches have ever done. For centuries, the Ayers have been slaves of the Demon Lilith, one Ayers witch destined to do her will while another was sacrificed to the Hunters. But Monroe Jacobs has changed the rules …

A witch from the Ayers line, Monroe’s powers have always been connected to Demons and now she knows why. Once a slave to Lilith, she has thrown off her blood ties to the Demon queen by calling on her son, the hybrid-Demon, Luther. Now Monroe must discover what it means to be a witch while fighting off demonic possession.

For Luther “Thorne” Craig, his attraction to the witch, Monroe, isn’t just a complication, it’s a distraction. He’s always been happy with his life, serving the denizens of Hell while living flamboyantly, but now he’s declared war on his mother and Lilith won’t rest until she sees him dead.

Armed with her own book of shadows, Monroe is dragged into a civil war between mother and son while Luther fights his demonic need to truly possess her. 

Review:


Possessed by R.K. Ryals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review 6******

This is the second book in the Thorne Trilogy. I loved it!

Monroe Jacobs is a fantastic character! I loved her when I first met her in Redemption (The Redemption Trilogy). She is the best friend of Dayton Blainey. She also happens to be a witch, a very talented one, who is now tied to Luther "Thorne" Craig, a hybrid demon.

Luther Craig is a complex character. He is very arrogant, power hungry and decidedly sexy! He is also attracted to Monroe (and her soul) more than he would like. I was unsure about this character when I met him in the Redemption series, but getting to know this contrary demon has been great fun!

First off, I would like to say I LOVE the new covers for this series! They are gorgeous!

This is a book that I have been wanting to read for some time. I finally got to read it and was quickly thrown back into a battle of wills between Lilith, Luther's mother, and Luther himself. Lilith is desperate to get control back over the Ayres family; whilst Luther wants to gain control of his mother's kingdom in Hell. The story continues from the end of Cursed and see's Monroe fighting more than demon possession; her attraction to Luther is growing.
The story is full of action and danger, and kept me turning the pages! I struggled to put this book down, and read it in one sitting! (Thank goodness for weekends!). When the book ended, I was quite sad, because I wanted to keep reading! I am looking forward to reading the concluding book in the trilogy to find out what happens next!

R.K. Ryals has written another fantastic YA Paranormal Romance Series. She is one of my favourite authors, and I will read anything written by her.

I HIGHLY recommend this series if you love YA Paranormal Romances with demons, angels, gargoyles, witches and strong characters that come alive on the page! I also highly recommend that you read The Redemption Series (to find out how it all began) and Acropolis Series (Conor Reinhardt's story). - Lynn Worton

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