Category: Books



A Woman Ignored (A Woman Lost, #2)A Woman Ignored by T.B. Markinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Know what I hate? Having to wait for the next book! I really love the characters in T.B. Markinson’s series which includes: A Woman Lost (book 1) and A Woman Ignored (book 2). I relate to Lizzie, the main character, a lot.

You know, I have had a hard time figuring out how these two books kept me so enthralled. There was no great mystery to figure out. No one is flying in spaceships. Nor is there a race to the finish of any kind. Yet I could not stop reading until I was finished with this second book. And though there is no cliffhanger, I am holding my breath hoping for the next steps.

I’ve had the kind of mother that Lizzie had. I’ve been through a lot of things like she has. No, I’m not rich with my own trust fund, which means I had to work harder at relating to others and still have a very hard time. Being with people wears me out. I think that is why I found myself reading a lot about autism and Asperger’s syndromes. And often my friends choose to show me how naïve I am. What they don’t understand is that I don’t know any other way of being. Thank goodness they still want to be friends with me, just as Lizzie’s friends cling to her. Ms. Markinson writes her world and characters so realistic that you feel you are hanging out with people you have known forever. And that is why when tragedy strikes it hurts the reader deeply.

If you get the chance to read these two books give them a try. Maybe you can explain how much empathy can be had for a reader. I picked the first one up for free though it is only $2.99 right now. And I see that book two is now free on Kindle Unlimited.

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Busy Bees: The Morelville Mysteries - Book 2Busy Bees: The Morelville Mysteries – Book 2 by Anne Hagan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate when I finish a book too early to go to sleep yet too late to write a review. But I’ll do the best I can nearly 24 hours and two books finished later.

Isn’t Kindle Unlimited the bomb? Do they still say that? What I mean to say is I am happy I am able to pick and and read some books even when I haven’t the money to buy them at the moment. Having read Morelville’s first book, Relic, I was curious as to what would happen to the new lovers. The last book didn’t end with a cliffhanger but the author, Anne Hagan, included the first chapter in book two at the end of book one. I like that. It did make me want to read more.

As the sheriff, Mel Crane, discovers yet another murder her lover, Special Agent Dana Rossi, is recovering from being shot in the leg in the last book. Sheriff agrees to let Dana move into her home to recuperate. Jumping the quick lesbian relationship to skip some levels, straight to the moving in. “Dating” will have to wait until later.

Except for a few editing errors, this book read quite well and kept me engaged, wondering how in the world they will catch the bad guys. Within the mysteries, are realistic characters who seem to have realistic relationships. And I hate to see my new friends go away. Luckily, I have book three ready for when I can get to it. I look forward to more!

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A Woman LostA Woman Lost by T.B. Markinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, that’s what I get for not writing the review the minute I finish reading a book. I have to take a moment away from the other books I’m reading to remember this one. Deep breath. Taking a moment. …

Let me start with how much I identified with the main character. No. I am not rich. My parents and brothers weren’t like Elizabeth “Lizzie” Petrie’s. But the cluelessness of what others feel. That’s where I relate. I could tell that others related to it too; the passages of highlighted passages were the ones I might have highlighted myself if I weren’t in such a hurry to see what happens next. Is she going to get the girl or live her life alone regretting that she didn’t see how she caused the break-up.

This was a contemporary story. T.B. Markinson wrote a believable tale in that the reader can feel themselves in the shoes of the characters, smell the trees, see the chipmucks of the Colorado area scampering in the areas Lizzie lives and camps in.

I loved this book so much that I made sure I had book two ready to go when I finished. I can’t wait to see what happens to Liz next.

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Beta: An Urban Fantasy Novel (War of the Alphas Book 2)Beta: An Urban Fantasy Novel by SM Reine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a sequel! I must admit that I am confused as to what our Omega/Beta, Deidre Tombs actually is as a shifter, still we were given a few clues in this book. I really love her character. Shoot, by saying that I show how Sara Reine writes her characters; so realistic that I forgot there is a writer! Yet how realistic is a shapeshifter? Yet, I believe it while reading it. As always, I am left gasping and wanting to become the main character in Stephen King’s Misery. I want the next book NOW!!!! I want to see if I am correct in my guesses. Don’t worry, Ms. Reine. I’m generally a passive person and have plenty to keep me reading until you can crank out the next.

I was glad to see old friends from Seasons of the Moon and on through other series our prolific author has scribed. By the way, I do highly recommend reading all her books start with Season of the Moon. Her books are full of chills and thrills and characters, places and scenes that are at once unbelievable yet the reader sees everything that is taking place. All senses are engaged and you are there! Beta felt as good as any of her books. And the ending, though not quite a cliffhanger, leaves you wanting to know more. What will happen next? What is she? Great job, Sara!

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The Financial Planners Guide to Business Best Practices and Client Engagement: Innovative techniques to maximize your business valueThe Financial Planners Guide to Business Best Practices and Client Engagement: Innovative techniques to maximize your business value by James Fredric

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not the audience that this book was written for. I am retired and disabled so as to make consistent work impossible. Even so, I am glad that Jamie Cawley recommended it to me to read and review. She was suggesting it for her friend, the author, James Fredric. I have to admit that it took me a while to get around to reading it, and then didn’t really want to read it. I like fiction, it is much more fun than reality. Especially a reality I haven’t played in for quite a while. But this book, grabbed me.

As Jamie Cawley suggested, I may find some of the book helpful in thoughts of publishing my books or selling said books. Sure, I can see where some of that may apply. But mostly I found wisdom. Yes, the wisdom of growing a business, but also, growing in a personal way. The author isn’t so removed from the reader as to preach what could work. He takes his time and lets us into his world, his mistakes, and his successes. He shows us how to not waste time by doing it the old way. To ask why. Why being the question to teach us how it should be done for better result.

This may be a book for the business people, but I think it is a self-help book for those who want to grow. Mr. Fredric is the counselor many of us cannot afford. He teaches a new way to think. Thank you, Jamie Cawley and James Fredric, for the opportunity and suggestion to read this. I wish you both the best and hope this helps lots and lots of people.

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Drawing AutismDrawing Autism by Jill Mullin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received my book from FirstReads in the mail today: Feb 27, 2014 It is a very exciting looking book. I can hardly wait to sit and actually pour over the drawings and descriptions!

And here it is April 18, 2015. What took me so long? Why isn’t this a 5 star rating? FONT! If it were for the artwork and the inspiration I felt from them it would be worth 10 stars! But it took me months to get through the reading part. I just couldn’t read the tiny faded gray font. There are a couple pages at the beginning which are by Temple Grandin (Forward). I really wanted to read it as I was reading/read her book Thinking in Pictures. But I found I could only read it a line or two at a time. Even with magnifying glasses, or my large magnifying page reader. It took me a long, long time! The next two pages were by the editor Jill Mullin. I just finally gave up. My eyes were hurting so much! After the torture of the first few pages, I found I could get by, a page a day. The pictures were wonderful! But, again, it was the font explaining the artist or the work that nearly killed me.

Still, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves art and are curious about those who think differently than yourself.

I found that I will have to make this part of my permanent collection as the pictures gave me ideas I’d like to try in my own artwork. BCID: 745-13301987

Thank you, First Reads at GoodReads.com for this win!

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Vitamin Deficiency - Stop Killing Yourself: Gain Control of Your Health, Diet and Save Your LifeVitamin Deficiency – Stop Killing Yourself: Gain Control of Your Health, Diet and Save Your Life by Paul Christopher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Picked this up today. It didn’t look too long so I decided to read it now. The first problem was that is wasn’t in a good Kindle format. I had to read it in white background rather than my preferred black with white lettering. The second is that each page is so long you have to scroll down and then hit page down. And though the book is lendable and has text-to-speech, it had useful charts that don’t translate well in TTS.

Other than the technical issue, the information in the book is basic vitamin knowledge. I plan to keep this for research. It’s free today so if you are curious go check it out.

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Time Walker (Spirit Bound #1)Time Walker by Meghan Ciana Doidge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this book through BookRooster.com. I received it after Spirit Bound by the same author, Meghan Ciana Doidge. Whereas Spirit Bound stars a strong adult female lead, Theo, Time Walker stars her young adopted child, Beth. As Beth grows up before our eyes, I learned to like her. But mostly I got tired of how she seemed–well, immature. Mooning over her brother while another adoptive brother mooned over her, whining about her lack of talents or gifts of magic.

Okay, I am not the audience this book is aimed for. But I think this may have been for the middle-grader, not even for a young adult, much less for a 65-year-old who wishes she had learned to time walk. There were parts of this book I liked, but I wish it would have had more of the Spirit Bound, Theo, in the story. She does show up after dealing with the aftermath of an Earthquake. But I missed her spirit.

Don’t take my word for it. I have been looking at the other reviews and most are of higher praise than mine. I might just be in a mood or something. I will try to read more by this author. I think I would like to meet Beth as an adult and see what she’s has made of herself and her abilities.

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Constricted (Flawed #1.1)Constricted by Becca J. Campbell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was given this ARC for an honest review.

And that is where this gets weird. If I hadn’t volunteered to read this, I wouldn’t have finished reading or given the book two and a half to three stars. But that is my own fault. I can’t remember much about this character from the other books in the series. You would think I would remember more as he has the name of my son. But… I never could recall this character’s back story.

On the other hand, the writing was great for an ARC. I can’t say I found any mistakes. That says a lot. So many e-books go out without editing, at least that is how they feel. What also brings this story up in my rating is that I did enjoy getting to know Logan in this book. He is a flawed, real person, who tries to do his best. Who couldn’t like that?

It doesn’t fit my goal of reading books of strong fem written by strong fem authors, but the other parts of this series do fit right in, so getting to know one of the non-stars helps. I think I may have to go back and reread the series to put it all into perspective.

Sorry, Becca J. Campbell. it’s on me. You wrote quite well. I have a memory like a sieve lately. I’m sure if I remembered I would be giving it five stars. Gulp. Sorry.

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Perilous: A Ripple Novel (The Ripple Series Book 7)Perilous: A Ripple Novel by Cidney Swanson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aw, shucks! The series is done. This was a well-rounded ending. Lots of anxiety and worry for the characters and how they would get through. Yet all threads are securely tied down. I do have a question, but rather than giving a spoiler, I will write the author.

Cidney Swanson is now one of my favorite authors. Her writing is so well done. She managed several plot lines and keeps the reader interested in all the characters, even those who are not so likable. She builds a world you can see and feel as the characters run or, um, kiss. You can feel the weather, humid or not, cold or hot. You can taste the cookies!

I am glad that this final book takes us back to Sam (Samantha) and her goals and problems and sees her through some of her own challenges. But it was nice to be able to get inside the heads of her friends and enemy. Ms. Swanson keeps the points of view separated and personal for each.

This is a great series for anyone, young adult and up. As a 65-year-old, I could still relate with all of it. In fact, the author includes people of other ages within the story, parents, step-parents, the ancient rippler who has learned to stay alive longer than anyone ever has. Most young adult books have the young people without older adults. Cidney manages to keep the story strong with all these people included.

Okay, I can’t let this go by without a nod to my favorite of these two series that Cidney Swanson has developed, Saving Mars. Yes, I love the Rippler series, but Saving Mars is my all time favorite sci-fi of all time. Again, it is for the young adult and older. I highly recommend both series.

I can’t wait to see what Ms. Swanson comes up with next!

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