Review: The Chemist: A Cale Van Waring Adventure

The Chemist: A Cale Van Waring Adventure by Janson Mancheski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Chemist: A Cale Van Waring Adventure
by Janson Mancheski

Okay, that opening scene? Brutal. The rest of the book, also a little brutal, though in other ways. These characters felt brutally one dimensional - but somehow it worked here. Several aspects of the plot were brutally unrealistic - and yes, I know, its fiction and therefore all unrealistic but 'super criminals' in novels don't work for me any more than 'super cops' do. No one can pull all of that off that flawlessly.

The Chemist is a rather long novel, weighing in at 479 pages. I am usually the one complaining a book isn't long enough so I have no complaint here but people do love their 'quick reads'.

Somehow all of those negatives came together to form a pretty taut thriller that I didn't hate and would probably recommend to select friends.

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Review: Garry's Upside-Down Adventure

Garry's Upside-Down Adventure by Karin Vardaman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Look no further for a fun, wickedly smart children's book for bed time, car rides or any free time. Karin Vardaman has written this fun adventure for intermediate readers about Garry the Gargoyle leaving his UP world to explore the DOWN. Page after page filled with gorgeous, vividly detailed illustrations by Paisley Hansen, Garry's Upside Down Adventure is sure to grab the attention of even those young ones who are most determined to not enjoy reading a book.

The glossary at the back of the book is a brilliant feature for this reading level, when vocabulary can expand so quickly and easily with little more than exposure. I don't know where Vardaman and Hansen met but together, they have created a world and characters that are perfectly ripe for a series every bit as successful as Llama Llama or Pete the Cat. My own kids are too old for this but I have 2 nieces who are going to LOVE Garry!

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Review: Cut Reality: A Novel

Cut Reality: A Novel by Zack Hacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You almost lost me when plastered on the cover is a blurb from Jonny Fairplay of Survivor infamy. God, that guy was a *insert forbidden word*. As it turns out, Cut Reality is a pretty clever mystery novel built around the reality TV craze that started with Survivor. The story line includes Jason's diary entries during game time, which were interesting to read while we are also learning about how he is currently dealing with the after effects of the game, the death of Billy and his ever increasing paranoia surrounding that death and the show. Zach Hacker manages to bring the excitement of reality TV to a fiction novel containing fairly complex characters and weaving a mystery in a psychological manner via Jason. I found that I enjoyed it more than I expected to, though I did think there were parts that got a tad convoluted. Cut Reality is surely a good choice for fans of reality TV.

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Review: The Dar Lumbre Chronicles

The Dar Lumbre Chronicles by Don Johnston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The premise of The Dar Lumbre Chronicles by Don Johnston is that 116 years in our future, not too much has changed; our government is corrupt, our healthcare system is in shambles, there are practical ways to fix these issues but those might cost rich people too much money so nothing gets done, people die and the cycle continues. At least in works of fiction, there can be some retribution and positive change and Johnston delivers in the regard.

Science fiction featuring medicine and genetics is a fascinating genre but where I fell some authors drop the ball is in developing characters who matter to the reader as much as whatever medical or genetic problem the plot is based around. Annie and Crane are an exception in that they are singularly focused yet complex enough to be interesting. That can be a difficult balance to achieve, though it seems effortless in The Dum Lumbre Chronicles. I found this novel to be a quick but fulfilling read.

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Review: Unshelled: A Tale of the Nutcracker

Unshelled: A Tale of the Nutcracker by M. J. Neary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let's just start with the author, Marina Julia Neary. Her bio states she is "a self-centered, only child of classical musicians..." and that she is "notorious for her abrasive personality and politically incorrect views that make her a persona non grata in most polite circles...". So basically, she is who I want to be when I grow up. I thought I might like this book based on that alone but I was wrong. I enjoyed Unshelled for many more reasons.

I love the way Neary wrote this Nutcracker adaptation. When she has Marie actually speaking to the reader, she is punchy and playful; 'What's the matter? I see your eyebrows creeping upward. Do you have a problem with a German nurse reading articles in English?' Those exchanges help me bond with a character and I appreciate writers who use that tactic.

The themes in this novel are deep and dark but there is plenty of hope and light to appease the Pollyannas among us.

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Review: Real Leadership: Waken To Wisdom

Real Leadership: Waken To Wisdom by Susan Robertson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For all the books you can find on leadership skills, they are all kind of blending together for me. Yes, of course a leader must be charismatic and be able to make people believe them and want to follow them and their ideas. Hitler was a perfect example of this but we all know how that turned out. I don't think the basics of leadership are in question and Susan Robertson focuses on that natural leader and how he or she can personally improve for overall positive momentum.

Real Leadership: Waken To Wisdom takes this theme of inner improvement and applies it in the business world where, naturally, leaders tend to come in handy. The author's command of the subject matter is obvious, the chapters are arranged logically and the wording is straight forward and in layman's terms. So yes, this is another leadership book but it also happens to be a good one for those in business to take a look at.

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Review: Redfish Oak

Redfish Oak by George Putnam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"A White girl, a Negro boy, and a young Indian warrior make a dangerous pact."
Redfish Oak
by George Putnam

The first sentence from the summary of this post-Civil War era novel, which encompasses topics from racism to romance to history, could not be more broad and yet it truly is a sincere abbreviation for this work of fiction - you almost cannot imagine where this might lead. George Putnam has written characters that feel as real to me as my own neighbors for the level of validity they have been given. The southern setting works both the explain and exacerbate the degree to which the prejudice, racism and customs that frame this plot.

There are many instances of brutality vividly portrayed in these pages so be forewarned. However, how could a book written about this time in history not be violent? In my opinion, inaccurately depicting those historic years would have been far worse.

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Review: The Pilot's Wife

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I seem to be drawn to these "The 'insert profession's Wife" novels. The message I'm getting? Men/husbands are assholes. Also, liars. And oftentimes, criminals. These titular wives are painted with a broad doormat brush in the more recent rash of publications of this sub-sub-genre, only slightly less so in The Pilot's Wife. Kathryn is a doormat, for certain, but perhaps due to the style of writing that Anita Shreve employs, the reader wants to smash reality into her head just a little bit less than in others. In short, I really did like this book, or more precisely, I liked the prose. Shreve can write a novel with feeling in a uniquely artistic way, of which I am in awe of.

Feeling compelled to comment on the ever-present alternate husband figure, I am wringing my hands because is it truly that unheard of that a woman becomes a widow/divorcee and just goes on to have a happy life? Must there always be a man waiting in the wings? Cue eye roll emoji.

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Review: The Darkwater Bride An Audible Original Drama

The Darkwater Bride An Audible Original Drama by Marty Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewing audiobooks is still new to me but The Darkwater Bride is different in another, brand new way. Here, there are multiple narrators voicing different characters rather than one narrator slightly altering his or her voice to notate characters. Also, this plays as more of an audioplay rather than audiobook - and by that, I mean the narrator doesn't audibly voice "there was a splash", instead you actually hear a splash sound effect. The overall execution is less an audio reading of the book and more an alternate version of the book, in this case a podcast/radio program.

That is not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did. The story was unique, creepy, and ultimately horrific. The voices were pleasant to listen to, even those of the most unpleasant characters. I can say I would recommend The Darkwater Bride to my creep-factor fiction loving friends who are anxious to experience audio storytelling.

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Review: Start Selling: A Guide For Survival And Success In Sales

Start Selling: A Guide For Survival And Success In Sales by M. Patrick Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Start Selling: A Guide For Survival And Success In Sales
by M. Patrick Campbell

Whether you are considering a career in sales, have been toiling in marketing for several years or are a hands on CEO looking for ways to streamline the efforts of your sales staff, Start Selling is a no nonsense manual with real life applications delivered in a straight forward manner. Included throughout the text are personal anecdotes from the author gleaned from his many years in business along with specific, step by step outlines and realistic projections. Mr. Campbell delves into the psychology behind both the seller/selling and the buyer/buying as well as discussing a broad range of topics from difficult customers to branding yourself within your field. I think it is important to note the "survival" part of the title here because sales is not just about success but surviving the failures. All in all, this book can go on the must read shelf for people in business.

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Review: Ripple Effect: Because Of The War

Ripple Effect: Because Of The War by Jenny Ferns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ripple Effect: Because Of The War (Ripple Effect, Book 1)
by Jenny Ferns

The terrors of war are as universal as they are devastating and in Ripple Effect the reader gets another heartbreaking - if fictional - example of this. In the British ruins of World War II, we meet sisters, Veronica and Rachel, Richard - Veronica's husband and Susie - Rachel's illegitimate daughter. Themes of abandonment, hunger, PTSD, alcoholism, and many other ravages of war are explored in varying depths but all with grand effect and tailored perfectly to the story. Jenny Ferns portrays these characters and their circumstances with heartfelt reverie, searing them into the minds and souls of her readers.

Though I am notoriously vicious about editing errors - the term "grammar Nazi" has been thrown about - in this case, I almost hesitate to mention them. They are there; misspellings, words in incorrect tense, etc... Obviously, though, the heart of the story was not lost so I can't be too harsh.

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Review: It's Always the Husband

It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don't know how to put this... I wanted this to be an amazing book. And perhaps it is because I'm still thinking about it days later. Why I have a hard time saying this is amazing is because by the end, I hated every character except the "bad guy/killer". Every. Single. One. I thought Aubrey was the protagonist but that went by the wayside pretty quickly - how soon we forget where we came from once we arrive somewhere better, huh? Kate was a viper from the onset and a far as I'm concerned, she didn't get enough of what was coming to her. And Jenny... hands down the biggest fall from the promise her character showed in the beginning. All three of them should have been knocked off that bridge, one after the other. That's the ending I wanted by page 435.

Four hundred thirty-five pages! That much text and all of two things happened beyond example after glaring example of these girls being, basically, assholes. They're assholes, through and through... Ugh, stop Amanda, first paragraph was character assassination, you're supposed to be talking about the plot here! My problem is this, the two events that this plot is centered around are bad, yes, but not bad enough to cause the drama these three drew out of it for 22 years. I mean eventually we all get over the petty stuff of college, right? I was disappointed when I realized that was it, there was no bigger, more significant event or bombshell. I felt blah when I was done and I didn't expect that.

On a positive note, I enjoy the way Michele Campbell writes and so much so that I will absolutely try more of her books in the future.



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Review: The Dispatcher

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*Audiobook

I'll admit that experiencing a novel via audio only is still very new to me. This is only the second book I've listened to without reading it first. The Dispatcher is an interesting, unique story, however, I am very interested in the origin of the premise on which the story was based - that murdered people 'respawn' 999 times out of 1000 - than the mystery of the missing Dispatcher. The dawn of the phenomenon is explained in a "glossed over" manner but I want to know the story from that point to where The Dispatcher starts. A lot more details and examples would make for a fabulous read/listen.

As for the story here, it is really good. The conclusion is realistic while still keeping the spirit of fiction for entertainment. The narrator, Zachary Quinto, has a soothing but appropriate voice to convey the events of the plot in the way I believe the author intended.


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Review: The Silver Lining of Cancer: 13 Courageous Women Share their Inspirational Stories After a Life Changing Diagnosis

The Silver Lining of Cancer: 13 Courageous Women Share their Inspirational Stories After a Life Changing Diagnosis by Tracey Ehman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never want to know the heart dropping feeling of sitting in front of a doctor and being told that I have cancer and could very well die from that terrible disease. The Silver Lining of Cancer: 13 Courageous Women Share their Inspirational Stories After a Life Changing Diagnosis is a collection of accounts of that very event and how thirteen different women chose to handle it. With a name like "The Silver Lining of Cancer" you can imagine that the stories are overwhelmingly positive and you would be right. Some accounts are more detailed than others, some more heart wrenching than others but all are inspiring in their own unique way. The author herself, Tracey Ehman, received her own devastating diagnosis and managed to not only beat the disease but create a vehicle for others in the same predicament to focus on positivity. I believe whether or not the disease is beaten physically, it can always be beaten mentally and that affirmative state of mind can make any outcome better.

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Review: Cursed: The Hunter Inside

Cursed: The Hunter Inside by Casey M. Millette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fantasy novel by teen author, Casey M. Millette, Cursed: The Hunter Inside has good bones that only just holds up the meaty 354 page body. Ms. Millette is a seventeen year old with a rather remarkable grasp of literature. Cursed: The Hunter Inside is in the vein of Lord of the Rings and/or Game of Thrones in terms of fantasy story. Overall this is a good book though it could be a little more streamlined plot-wise and at times the dialogue felt somewhat stunted and unrealistic. What this teen author holds in ability to create characters and creativity regarding the world the characters reside in is immeasurable and overshadows those negatives. This can be enjoyed, especially by younger readers, as is but it wouldn't take much to turn Cursed into a commercially successful series, catapulting Casey M. Millette into the fantasy fiction world wide stage in a leading position. I expect to see more from this talented author.

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Review: Debating to Win Arguments Mastery: The Debating Trilogy

Debating to Win Arguments Mastery: The Debating Trilogy by R. L. Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Debating to Win Arguments Mastery: The Debating Trilogy isn't just a book about debate in the clinical sense; Two people at podiums arguing the intricacies of long forgotten, ancient, philosophical theories in front of an audience and racking up affirmative or negative points for the win. What Greene and Donovan have presented is an outline for simply dealing on a day to day basis with people who disagree with you while avoiding devolving into a preteen-esque word riot. I'm sure I'm not the only one made it to adulthood and realized grown ups are no different ego-wise than school children. Debating to Win should be senior year required reading because we all need the information and the heads up. As long as humanity exists, so will debate/difference of opinion and having the skills to handle yourself in a mature manner while wading through fake news, propaganda, outright fraud and difficult people in general can make life a lot easier.

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Review: The Last Gathering

The Last Gathering by Norbert Monfort
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Last Gathering: Where Tragedy Takes a Twist Through Time by Norbert Monfort

This is a very short, just over one hundred pages, fiction novel in the genre of religion (specifically Christian, more specifically Catholic )/suspense/magical realism. In short, the main character is a 'lost soul' who has shunned God because she has had such a rough life. She is shown, through divine intervention, that all of her suffering was actually HER fault and how dare she expect a good and merciful God to shield her from pain that SHE caused. Magically this makes her believe and serve God again (this being where I see the magical realism portrayed in the novella).

Look, I'm not an atheist. I believe in... something. I don't know exactly what it is but at the core of whatever it is, is love. What I do know is it's not the vengeful at worst and neglectful at best God that any organized religion shoves down my throat. However, when looked at through the religious lenses of believers, I see the lesson/moral in the plot. Aside from some editing issues, I think the faithful would enjoy The Last Gathering and that alone earns the three stars.

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Review: Beyond Braces: A Consumer's Guide to Orthodontics

Beyond Braces: A Consumer's Guide to Orthodontics by Dr. Kelly Giannetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having just gone through my oldest child getting braces, this is 120 pages I wish I had access to beforehand. Now that I have, however, that fourteen year old boy will be reading Beyond Braces: A Consumer's Guide to Orthodontics every time I catch him trying to go to bed without properly caring for his braces!

Dr. Kelly Giannetti and Dr. Thais Booms have written a helpful and positive book on the subject for parents and children alike. Everything from prevention to treatment options and aftercare is covered rather thoroughly. Both authors are obviously well respected in their field and care about patients. Horrors and myths are dispelled while cautionary tales are used in a constructive manner. I would recommend this to all of my parent friends if only to simply arm them with useful information.

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Review: EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead

EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead by M.S. Valdez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a person out in the world who decided that the Roman Empire wasn't brutal enough and thought to themselves, "why not throw zombies into the mix?". And I guess, now that I think about it, Game of Thrones could be construed similarly. However, in this case, that author is M. S. Valdez and that book is called EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead.

Despite the grim summary featuring a grieving man raising an undead army to unleash revenge on the empire responsible for the horrors of war, EMPIRE PALADIN: Realm of the Dead is a surprisingly fun fantasy novel. Action packed enough for the adrenaline junkie and smart enough for those who require some depth of character and plot, this book is a well rounded example of the genre. There are some mature aspects throughout which might make me think twice about recommending this to younger audiences despite the popularity of the genre with youth recently.

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Review: Shattered Shield: Cole Cameron Thriller Series Book 1

Shattered Shield: Cole Cameron Thriller Series Book 1 by Camden Mays
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Though action/espionage and terrorism type thrillers are not my go to fiction genre, I gave Shattered Shield the good old college try, I really did. This is book one of the Cole Cameron Thriller Series by Camden Mays. Mays created a fairly realistic plot, characters readers could invest in and managed to write dialogue in an organic manner that is difficult for some writers. What I'm saying is, the negative I am about to expound on is not due to an untalented author.

First, as I stated before, try as I might, I can't seem to get 'there' with this type of novel, this subject matter. Perhaps it's because of the saturation of terrorism headlines and fear in today's day to day life. I guess I don't want it in my fiction, where I go for entertainment, relaxation, comfort, etc...

My other gripe is becoming redundant recently and I'm sorry but there are rules for commas and all punctuation, in fact, they aren't just sprinkled in all willy nilly. There is a difference in their, they're, and there and spellcheck isn't going to find those so I suggest hiring someone from a nifty profession called editing.

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Review: 99 Financial Terms Every Beginner, Entrepreneur & Business Should Know

99 Financial Terms Every Beginner, Entrepreneur & Business Should Know by Thomas Herold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

99 Financial Terms Every Beginner, Entrepreneur & Business Should Know (Financial IQ Series Book 1)
by Thomas Herold

It's a brave new world when it comes to finance and this book highlights how out of touch with the current financial pulse worldwide most people are. Herold puts it out there is a succinct "Formal term name, Acronym, Definition, Real world application" style that is easy to understand and enormously informative for anyone from stay at home moms taking over the household finances to entrepreneurs seeing their small home business grow into multi-million dollar companies. Even if you think you know the basics, I would suggest reading this anyway because chances are, you don't know everything you think you do and you are probably wrong about half of what you think you know. At least that was my personal experience. I found that while I understood the foundation of things, I was clueless as to the layers of complexity that can be revealed. Overall, a very well done, informative financial building block.

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Review: Restore Your Rest: Solutions for TMJ and Sleep Disorders

Restore Your Rest: Solutions for TMJ and Sleep Disorders by Shab R. Krish DDS MS DABCP DABCDSM
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Restore Your Rest: Solutions for TMJ and Sleep Disorders
by Shab R. Krish DDS MS DABCP DABCDSM

I am a person who had never dealt with sleep issues or slept with anyone who had to deal with them. Then I met my husband and everyone within 100 feet of our house of us was suddenly dealing with it. Finally, after months of what seemed like next to zero rest, his doctor ordered him to have sleep study done and eventually they settled on a series of treatments. It was in preparation for and delving into the results that we found out how detrimental the effects of not sleeping well can be on a human body. Even simple 'benign' snoring is not so benign. In Dr. Krish's brief but highly informative book on the subject, the reader gets a crash course in TMJ, sleep disorders, symptoms and methods of treatment.

I, like many other readers, have to comment on the editing, or lack thereof. Being an editor myself and knowing how high the competition for editing work is, I see no reason for a book to go to publication in this condition. We are out there, USE US!

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Review: The Innocent

The Innocent by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I keep waiting to dislike a Coben novel. The Innocent only proved again that if I open one, nearly nothing will be accomplished until I finish it. There have been a couple by this author where the twists were easier to see coming. I only saw ONE and I didn't get that one until just a few paragraphs before the reveal, which I LOVE!

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