Book Spotlight and Review: Protect Her by Ivy Sinclair

PROTECT HER 

(Parts 1-3)

by Ivy Sinclair

Kindle Edition
File Size: 803 KB
Print Length: 202 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

About the book:

Human. Angel. Demon. 

Three species that have coexisted since the beginning of time, although humankind is blissfully unaware of the predators and protectors that walk among them. But there is a new threat emerging that affects them all. 

The story begins when an innocent girl is saved from certain death by a man who straddles the worlds of darkness and light. Their relationship holds the key to saving everyone. 

PROTECT HER: PART ONE BUY LINK

Get in. Get the job done. Get out. Get paid. 

It’s a simple motto that I’ve lived by for the last five years. It’s kept me alive and made me rich. 

There’s no love lost between me and the supernatural beings who walk the world beside us. But when it comes to being able to retrieve valuable information from the dead, Necromancer Riley Stone is the only game in town. They know it. I know it too, and that’s why my services aren’t cheap. 

The archangel Benjamin hired me to find out why he has a new demon problem. Three demon interrogations in, and the only thing I know is that the demons are in hot pursuit of a nameless young woman. She’s here on Calamata Island, and the demon officials are willing to risk Benjamin’s wrath to grab her. 

But I found her first, and she’s nothing like what I expected. In my line of work, you can’t afford to let anyone get too close. But there’s something about Paige Matthews that I can’t shake, and she needs my help. I won’t turn her over to Benjamin until I help her find out why the demons are after her. 

So now I’ve got a demon problem, and I’m in way over my head. 

PROTECT HER: PART TWO BUY LINK

Want to know what happens to a human caught in the crossfire between angels and demons? I’m going to make sure that Paige Matthews doesn’t find out. 

The job that originally brought me to Calamata Island might be done, but I can’t leave Paige behind. Without me she’s defenseless against the demons that are after her. I just met her, but I feel protective of her, and I can’t walk away. Not yet. 

Paige is at the epicenter of something big, and none of it is good. It’s not just the demons that want her. The angels are in on it too being led by the archangel Benjamin. 

Paige’s past is being hidden by her amnesia. Those secrets want to be let out. It’s up to me to make sure that she stays alive long enough to find the answers that will finally reveal it all. 

Excerpt

PROTECT HER: PART THREE BUY LINK

I want Paige Matthews. The archangel Benjamin’s claim on her soul is one that cannot be easily broken, but I intend to try. Of course, that’s assuming that she would want someone like me once this is all over. 

First, we have to get off Calamata Island in one piece. I know someone who can help Paige finally unlock the memories of her past. That’s the key to gaining the upper hand against the demons who are coming for her. Among those is a familiar face; a demon official who stole something from me five years ago. Having a shot at a little vengeance in the process is all right with me. 

Everything’s coming to a head, and this is one fight that I intend to win. I just have to make sure that I don’t lose Paige in the process. 

* * *

Ratings: ★ ★ ★  

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Ivy Sinclair. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

I am not the type of reader who gushes over book covers but this time I gotta say I love the cover! Looks so sweet yet intriguing and deadly. Cool!

As for the story, it was just okay. It was all good actually, the first few chapters but having read and loved Anita Blake (necromancer) by Laurell K. Hamilton and Georgina Kincaid (succubus; angels and demons) by Richelle Mead, I was expecting something more. Sorry, I blame myself for having read too many books, my mind tend to compare. I think had I not read these two series, Protect Her would have been more than okay for me. 

Characters Riley and Christopher made the story engaging, but I cannot say the same for Paige.  SPOILER!!! Trying to uncover her secret/past was, hmm tiring? My usual reason for losing interest in the book is when the secret is being kept too long. In this case, after three parts or 200 plus pages, Paige's identity is still hidden from us, readers!  Not  good. Would I keep reading? I don't know. I really like where the story is headed for Riley and Christopher. SPOILER!! Even though secrets of these two men were already revealed, felt like there are more to learn.   By the way, twists of the story were done neatly. 

To read others' positive reviews, click HERE.


About the author:

Ivy Sinclair cut her romance teeth on classics like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, and Sabrina. She is a firm believer in true love, a happily ever after ending, and the medicinal use of chocolate to cure any ailment of the heart. Ivy's guilty pleasures include sushi, endless Starbucks lattes, and wine. Readers of Ivy's stories can expect smoldering sweet stories of romance that tug at the heartstrings.

Book Review: Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery by Joyce Strand

Hilltop Sunset: A Brynn Bancroft Mystery 
by Joyce Strand

Paperback: 299 pages
Publisher: McCloughan & Schmeltz; First edition (November 12, 2014)
Amazon Paperback Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1312 KB
Print Length: 299 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Book Marketing Services. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

This is a good mystery book which quickly grabbed my attention from the first to the last pages. The characters are all likeable, I liked Brynn and her husband. They are recently divorced, decided to end the marriage as both of them had multiple affairs while married. I don't know much about their history as a couple since I didn't read the first book series (Jillian Hillcrest books). Anyway, I think this book one evolves on their relationship, husband / wife turned best friends...I found it weird, uninteresting at first but when I was halfway the book, boom! I couldn't stop reading! 

As for the mystery, I had a good guess who the bad guy was but the suspense was making me doubt myself. ;) Nice plot and ending. If you are looking for a good mystery book, pick up this book!

About the book:

A mystery set in wine country pitting financial exec Brynn Bancroft against a determined stalker, a troubled love interest, and career clashes. Brynn Bancroft learns that a former employee who beat her nearly to death has returned to stalk her and her friend, Jillian Hillcrest, also a former victim. Recently divorced, Brynn turns to a new love interest only to encounter additional unwelcome issues. Meanwhile, short-timer Brynn, who has resigned from her Silicon Valley company, becomes bored fulfilling her remaining responsibilities there. She begins to prefer supporting the launch of her ex-husband's new hilltop winery while waiting to move to her next position. Between her stalker and her new love interest, Brynn faces a series of life-threatening events.

About the author:

Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it mysteries set in the San Francisco Silicon Valley and Napa-Sonoma wine regions of California. 

Her most recent novel, Hilltop Sunset, is the first of a new series featuring protagonist Brynn Bancroft, a financial guru in transition to winemaker from corporate executive. Brynn Bancroft is a minor character in Strand's novels On Message, Open Meetings, and Fair Disclosure--three mysteries solved by Jillian Hillcrest, a publicist whose boss was Chief Financial Officer Brynn Bancroft. 

Much like her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in California's Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She focused on writing by-lined articles, press releases, white papers, and brochures to publicize her companies and their products.

Strand lives with her two cats and collection of cow statuary in Southern California, and seeks out and attends as many Broadway musicals and other stage plays as possible. 

She received her Ph.D. from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA

Book Review: Not My Mother's Son by R. K. Avery

Not My Mother's Son

Author: R.K. Avery
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC (November 20, 2012)
Amazon Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 396 KB
Print Length: 215 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC; 1st edition (May 30, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, R.K. Avery. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

The story picks up months after Bea Miller was sent to prison. The story now focuses on David. When his Aunt Benita died and left him money, he started a foundation he called, Never Give Up. This foundation is dedicated to finding kidnapped/lost kids. 

While the plot and set of characters have improved, still there's some stuff in the book that I found not convincing. Never Give Up foundation is working on some kidnapping/lost kids cases and they were written in a way like I was just reading it on a newspaper. I mean, some scenes felt rushed. Like this one case where a child got kidnapped in Portugal. I was just starting to imagine the scene and then the bad guy became too obvious after getting into just a few paragraphs. And then when the bad guy was caught, the foundation interrogated him and so surprised that he didn't deny the allegations. Overall, this book/story had so much potential but it was not executed well. To read 5-star book reviews, click HERE.

About the book:

NOT MY MOTHER'S SON Back Cover Blurb R. K. Avery Devious. Conniving. Deceitful. Insidious. David Miller thought he knew his mother. He thought kidnapping three children was the most appalling and horrendous thing any human being could do and she couldn't possibly do anything more monstrous. He thought there was nothing else she could do or say that would astound him. How wrong he was. After Beatrice Miller, David's serial-kidnapping mother, is sentenced to thirty years, David moves to Phoenix, Arizona; and with the help of a trust fund and an old friend, he starts the Never Give Up foundation, an organization dedicated to finding and returning exploited and missing children safely to their families. With all the wicked things his mother had done, David feels it is his unspoken duty to do something worthwhile. Hesitant at first, but after reading his mother's journal, David is determined to mend their dysfunctional relationship. Every time David visits Bea in prison, she seems deranged, insisting that people are trying to kill her. She ends each brief encounter with the chilling statement, "Remember David, things aren't always what they seem." As word about the foundation spreads, the services of Never Give Up are requested time-and-time-again to help where other agencies have failed. That is, until the police come knocking on David's door and arrest him, taking him back to Bunting Valley, North Dakota, for the murder of a newborn baby boy. Forced to shut down Never Give Up, David is amazed at how quickly the entire world turns their backs on him. The trial begins and his mother's testimony is the only thing that can save him. Telling the truth is as foreign to Beatrice Miller as giving up drugs is to an addict. As everyone in the courtroom holds their breath, you will, too. Remember, things aren't always what they seem.

About the author:

R. K. Avery was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and after taking a writing course at the Institute of Children's Literature, she fell in love with the entire writing process; from creating an outline to developing characters and plot. Being able to make someone laugh or cry simply by using the written language is something she finds so powerful and hopes one day her name will be mentioned among the authors that possess it. Her first novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, reached Best Seller status at Brighton Publishing and was quickly followed up by her second novel, Not My Mother's Son. R. K. Avery lives in Macedonia, Ohio, with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. 

Please visit her at www.rkaverybooks.com

Book Review: Be Careful What You Wish For by R.K. Avery

Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: R.K. Avery
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC (September 3, 2011)
Amazon Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 405 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brighton Publishing LLC; 1 edition (April 28, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, R.K. Avery. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★   

My thoughts: 

Bea Miller is a widow with four boys. She believes having a little girl will definitely complete her life. Since she cannot produce her own baby girl, she decides to take one from Lake Gerber.

The first quarter of the story immediately grabbed my attention. Maggie Taylor was abducted just in front of her parents. I can imagine how they must have felt during the time they found Maggie missing. It was such an intense kidnapping incident, it was surprising to know how Bea was able to take Maggie away from the beach resort. When the police got involve with the investigation, it was that intense that I couldn't take breaks. I was reminded of this famous kidnapping case involving a two-year old baby girl in Portugal. 

However, it slowed down once I reached more than half of the story. When Bea was apprehended and the police found her journal, I began to skim the book. I just didn't find Bea's life stimulating, Bea isn't a likeable character. Probably because she's been a bad mom throughout the whole story. The only thing that made me want to finish the book was David. Even though there's too much negativity in that boy, I still found myself connecting with him. 

Overall, it was just an okay book. I have just started reading book #2, Not My Mother's Son - about David putting up a foundation called Never Give up, dedicated to finding and returning exploited and missing children safely to their families. Review to follow shortly.    

5-star Amazon book reviews, click here.

About the book:

Bunting Valley, North Dakota-a scenic and picturesque town where nothing dreadful ever happens-is a place where people feel safe leaving their front doors unlocked and their cars running in the driveways. So when beautiful, blue-eyed, three-year-old Maggie Taylor mysteriously vanishes, the Bunting Valley Police Department begins a kidnapping investigation that uncovers crimes spanning many years-not only in Bunting Valley, but also in surrounding states and jurisdictions. Bea Miller is a penniless widow, living a meager existence among the town's residents with her four young, rambunctious boys. Unable to have any more biological children, she is haunted by her wishes and dreams of having a little girl of her own. Bea takes matters into her own hands and follows the chilling advice of her estranged father, "If you want something, take it." Through the handwritten journals of Bea Miller, you will venture into the mind of an individual who believes you can make your own wishes come true-at any expense; and sadly, also at the expense of others.

About the author:

R. K. Avery was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and after taking a writing course at the Institute of Children's Literature, she fell in love with the entire writing process; from creating an outline to developing characters and plot. Being able to make someone laugh or cry simply by using the written language is something she finds so powerful and hopes one day her name will be mentioned among the authors that possess it. Her first novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, reached Best Seller status at Brighton Publishing and was quickly followed up by her second novel, Not My Mother's Son. R. K. Avery lives in Macedonia, Ohio, with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. 

Please visit her at www.rkaverybooks.com

Book Review: Saving Grace by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Saving Grace

Author: Pamela Fagan Hutchins
Paperback: 278 pages
Publisher: Skipjack Publishing (September 24, 2012)
Amazon Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 436 KB
Print Length: 279 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0988234807
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: SkipJack Publishing (September 23, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Pamela Fagan Hutchins. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Saving Grace tells the story of Katie Connell, an attorney from Texas, who has very much complicated problems in life and love matters. After her parents died in a tragic accident, she realized she has fallen for someone she couldn't have. And then there is one bad rape case that Katie's superior instructed her to manage. Everything seems wrong with her life so she takes a break and goes to St. Marcos, the island where Katie's parents met their tragic deaths. When Katie saw the rain forest house, she finds herself bewitched and suddenly wanting to leave her life in the city for the house. Saving Grace has it all - romance, friendship, horror, suspense and mystery but the ghost story didn't appeal much to me. 

I loved Katie's story, I can totally relate with her character. The life she's living seemed very real to me. Even the dialogue the author used felt authentic. While I loved Katie's story, I hated how the story ended. I can't tell why because that would be a major spoiler. I was so heartbroken with this book, I couldn't get over Katie's pain even a week after I finished reading the book. Wished the story didn't end that way. 

Overall, it was a fantastic read, the story flowed just right. I look forward to reading more from the author, Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

About the book: 

Sometimes the problem with running away is what you can't leave behind.

Winner 2010 Writers League of Texas Romance Manuscript Winner 2012 "Ghost Story" Houston Writers Guild If you're at all inclined to be swept away to the islands to fall in love with a rainforest jumbie house and a Texas attorney who is as much a danger to herself as the island bad guys, then this book is for you. In Saving Grace, Texas attorney Katie Connell escapes professional humiliation, a broken heart, and her Bloody Mary-habit when she runs to the island of St. Marcos to investigate the suspicious deaths of her parents. But she trades one set of problems for another when she is bewitched by the voodoo spirit in an abandoned rainforest house and, as worlds collide, finds herself reluctantly donning her lawyer clothes again to defend her new friend Ava, who is accused of stabbing her very married Senator-boyfriend. Is it women's fiction? A legal thriller? A mystery? Romance? A ghost story? Suspense? Check all of the above. Saving Grace is the book you'd get if Janet Evanovich had written Wuthering Heights meets How Stella Got Her Groove Back: zany, tropical, intense, and eerie, all at once. Readers of Lisa Scottoline will love Katie, Annalise, and the unique and beautiful Saving Grace.

About the author:

Pamela Fagan Hutchins writes fiction and nonfiction. She is a former Human Resources executive and employment attorney who lives with her husband and two high school-aged kids, plus 200 pounds of pets in Houston, but their hearts are still in St. Croix, USVI, along with those of their three oldest offspring. She has six books out wtih SkipJack Publishing: Saving Grace, Hot Flashes And Half Ironmans, How To Screw Up Your Kids, Love Gone Viral, Puppalicious and Beyond, and The Clark Kent Chronicles. She is also a contributing author to Easy to Love But Hard to Raise and the upcoming Easy to Love But Hard to Teach (DRT Press), Ghosts! (Aakenbaaken & Kent), and Prevent Workplace Harassment (Prentice Hall). She won Romance in the 2010 Writers' League of Texas Manuscript Competition for Saving Grace (fka Leaving Annalise), and she also won both Mainstream Fiction (2010, 2011 and 2012) and Narrative Non-fiction (2012) in the Houston Writers' Guild's Manuscript Competitions for Conceding Grace (novel) and How To Screw Up Your Kids (nonfiction book). She won top Ghost Story in 2012 from the Houston Writers Guild. 

Visit her website http://pamelahutchins.com 
Follow her on Facebook http://facebook.com/pamela.fagan.hutchins.author

Book Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

The Wicked Wives 
(a novel based on a true story)

Author: Gus Pelagatti
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Mill City Press, Inc. (July 22, 2011)
Amazon Link

Note: I received this book free from the author, Gus Pelagatti. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

The Wicked Wives tells the story of a secret circle of wives murdering their husbands for insurance money. This novel is based on a true story and that made the book more interesting to read. This is a page-turner book, I had sleepless nights reading this. There were times I was tempted to skim the book because I can't wait to find out the head of the poison group. 

While reading the story, I had to do a little research on the book as I can't believe that this is indeed based on a true story especially after reading last chapter. I wonder why this story has not been adapted on the big screen, I believe this would be a great Hollywood movie. I really enjoyed reading this book. If you are looking for a great suspense/murder mystery book, I strongly recommend you get this book. You will not be disappointed, that's a promise.

About the book:

"Wicked Wives" is based on the true story of the 1938 Philadelphia murder scandals in which seventeen wives were arrested for murdering their husbands. Mastermind conspirator Giorgio DiSipio, a stunning lothario and local tailor who preys upon disenchanted and unfaithful wives, convinces twelve of them to kill their spouses for insurance money. The murder conspiracy is very successful until one lone assistant D.A., Tom Rossi, uncovers the plot and brings the perpetrators to justice. "Wicked Wives" is a story made for Hollywood, combining murder, corruption, treachery, love, lust and phenomenal detail as it vividly captures Depression-era Philadelphia

About the author:

I’m a practicing trial lawyer with over 47 years of experience trying civil and criminal cases, including homicide.

I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, limited to attorneys who have been recognized as achieving a standard of excellence as a trial expert.

I’ve spent years researching the true story of the 1938 insurance scam murders, interviewing judges, lawyers, police and neighbors involved in the trials.

I was born and raised within blocks of the main conspirator’s tailor shop and the homes of many of the wives convicted of murdering their husbands.

You can contact me at gus@guspelagatti.com

Book Review: Missing Persons: A Kate Conway Mystery by Clare O'Donohue

Missing Persons: 
A Kate Conway Mystery

Author:   Clare O'Donohue
Paperback:  288 pages
Publisher: Plume; 1 edition (May 31, 2011)


Ratings: 

★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

After more than fifteen years together, Kate Conway's husband, Frank, left her for another woman, an older woman. Not long after Frank left her, he suddenly died and since the doctor could not tell what Frank died from, the homicide detectives are thinking that Frank was murdered and Kate was the primary suspect. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, the story was well-written. This is a page turner, the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I was reading it fast because I want to know what really happened with Frank. Was it Kate who murdered Frank or was it Vera, his fiancee'? I also enjoyed the other story regarding the disappearance of Theresa Moretti. The witty dialogue made it better than those other mystery novels I've read in the past. I laughed and cried with Kate, the author did a great job in presenting the main character. If you're looking for a great mystery novel, try this and you won't be disappointed.

About the book:

The debut of an exciting new mystery series featuring a funny, but cynical television producer turned amateur sleuth.

The cause of death is "undetermined," but the cops peg Chicago television producer Kate Conway as the main suspect when her soon-to-be ex-husband, Frank, is found dead. To make matters worse-and weirder- Frank's new girlfriend suddenly wants to be friends.

Happy for the distraction, Kate throws herself into a new work assignment for the television program Missing Persons: the story of Theresa Moretti, a seemingly angelic young woman who disappeared a year earlier. All Kate wants is a cliché story and twenty-two minutes of footage, but when the two cases appear to overlap, Kate needs to work fast before another body turns up-her own.

About the author:

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of four children. My parents are both from Ireland, but they met in London, moved to the US, and settled on Chicago’s South Side, where I was born and raised.

I always knew I wanted to be a writer and in fact wrote my first novel (mini-novel actually. It was 60 pages) when I was 15. It was a mystery. After college I worked as a newspaper reporter and writing teacher before moving to LA and getting my first job in television. That was on the HGTV show, Simply Quilts.

I worked on the show for four seasons, eventually becoming the Supervising Producer, but I’ve written and produced for a lot of other shows as well. In the last twelve years, I’ve worked on shows for The History Channel, truTV, Food Network, A&E, Discovery, TLC, and others. My work has taken me all across the US and abroad and I’ve met a diverse group of people – from CEO’s to prison inmates, Malaysian orphans to famous athletes.

But all along I thought about writing a novel. I still loved mysteries so I finally sat down to write one. And lucky for me, I had the time. There’s a lot of what we in the freelance world like to call downtime, but is more commonly known as unemployment. Since I wasn’t earning any money, I also had motivation to write something that could catch the interest of a publisher.

And, luckily, I did. In 2008 I published The Lover’s Knot, the first in the Someday Quilts series. Now I’ve added A Drunkard’s Path and The Double Cross. And in the fall of 2011, The Devil’s Puzzle.

With the release of Missing Persons, I’m launching a new, edgier mystery series; one that gives an inside look at the world of television. It deals with murder, friendship, and love, just like Someday Quilts, but from a very different viewpoint.

It’s been an amazing few years and hopefully it’s just the beginning. Thanks for being a part of it.

Clare

Note:

I received a review copy of this book free from the publisher, Plume Books. The review posted above is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Book Review: Mystical Circles by S.C. Skillman

Title: Mystical Circles

Author: S.C. Skillman

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: lulu.com (September 9, 2010)

Ratings:

★ ★  

My thoughts:

This review is not for the entire book as I have only read the first 150+ pages.

The book moves at a slow pace and neither the plot nor the characters held my attention. I had trouble getting into the story because (1) the author introduced too many characters and I was getting confused with all of them (2) too much introduction on the story itself, found myself skimming through the pages always waiting for the good part of the book. And just when I was beginning to like the story,  my mind began to drift somewhere else again when the author introduced some more characters. I'm not really into stories which involves too many characters, it makes the story too complex for me.

Juliet, Zoe and Craig are not likeable characters. I hate it when Juliet would ask questions to Craig and he wouldn't answer it and then Juliet would just drop it. I felt that I was just left hanging there. The only character I liked in the story is Don, Craig's father. He's an interesting character and his interaction with Juliet and Craig makes the book interesting to read. But I realized that this is not enough reason for me to continue reading it. The book didn't work for me. Please note that what bothers me might not bother other readers at all. Here is a positive review for this book. Read here


About the book:


Concerned that her sister Zoe has become involved with the charismatic leader of a dubious New Age spiritual group, Juliet sets off for the Cotswolds to investigate. Upon arrival she soon comes to realise how complex the people and events are which shape the life of this place, under the distinctly flawed leadership of Craig. As her investigations deepen, relationships in the community are forged and shattered, with dangerous consequences for Juliet. - Goodreads

About the author:

Lives: Warwick, UK.

Occupation: Writer / mother

Family: Son Jamie, daughter Abigail and husband David

Siblings: Older brother Chris and older sister Julia

Pets: One cat, Hattie

Hobbies: reading, swimming, dog-walking, country rambles, visiting old houses & castles, singing, visiting art galleries and museums, going to musicals, concerts and theatre

Degrees: B. A. (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Lancaster.

Home town: Orpington, Kent, in the London Borough of Bromley.

Three words that describe you best: fluid, persistent, unstoppable

Childhood idol: Paul McCartney

People who inspire you: Susan Boyle for her courage and for being true to herself as in her first album I Dreamed A Dream; Rabbi Lionel Blue for his humour and wisdom; Archbishop Desmond Tutu and everything he stands for, as outlined in No Future Without Forgiveness

Groups and organisations: I am a member of St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa; the Warwick & Kenilworth Choral Society; the Kenilworth Writers Group; the Association of Christian Writers.

With only 24 hours left to live I would gather all my friends and family together for the best party ever

Most beautiful place I have ever been is a mystical mountain in the Himalayas called Neelkanth. I first saw it from Badrinath when it was entirely lit by the full moon.

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, S.C. Skillman. The review posted above is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Book Review: Mojo by Kris Sedersten

Title: Mojo

Author: Kris Sedersten

Paperback: 268 pages

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (December 21, 2009)

Ratings:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

 

Mojo is a mystery-horror book. I started reading this book around eleven in the evening Friday and when I was halfway thru I realized that it was already three in the morning, Saturday and I was alone in the living room! I couldn't put down the book because it was sooo good. I finished reading this book just before sunrise and wow, I enjoyed it a lot!

I loved the plot and the suspense, definitely a "wow" for me. The story was amazing and I liked how the author wove the story. I'm still thinking of the story a few days later.

As for the characters, oh well, I liked the secondary characters - Jesse and Cee better than the main character Scottie Brown and his girl friend, Aimee. Those times I stopped reading were mainly because I was irritated with Scottie's attitude and poor dialogue. I did enjoy Jesse's and Cee's adventure with the ghosts. I loved it when they were together and wished they were the main characters instead. 

Lovers of scary/horror stories will surely enjoy this book. If you want a great horror book that you couldn't put down, you might want to pick this up and you definitely won't be disappointed.

About the book:

When Scottie Brown, a New Orleans college student, is aggressively haunted by vivid nightmares and daytime apparitions, he begins a search for answers; unwittingly putting himself and those closest to him in a confrontation with evil. To defeat the energy that torments him, he recruits a team of paranormal investigators, friends from high school, and a psychic medium. Together, they pursue the ghosts of Scottie's ancestors in a haunted plantation deep in the Louisiana countryside. They uncover dark family secrets and the spiritual energy of a malevolent patriarch who projects an unholy prophecy that has deadly consequenes for all mankind. The power of an elusive mojo amulet becomes central to fighting Scottie's demons as the journey through the haunted mansion, filled with twists and turns, takes on a life of its own against time. Mojo is a fast-paced paranormal mystery-thriller. Edgy and fun, this book will show the reader how having faith in a power greater than ourselves will lift us through even the most unforseeable obstacles in life. - Goodreads

About the author:

Kris Sedersten is a Registered Nurse with a degree in Human and Social Service Administration. She has held credentialing in both Gerontological and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. She is currently employed as a Nursing Home Administrator and RN Consultant in her home town of Harvard, NE; where she lives with her husband Paul. She has a passion for the paranormal, writing fiction, and sharing her faith in innovative forums so combining the three has led to a series of books she is working on. If you've got mojo; look for upcoming new releases in 2011.

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Kris Sedersten. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.