Higher Is Calling: How to Overcome Challenges and Achieve Your Dreams by Maxwell Adekoje
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This year has been challenging for even the most resilient of us. Between the pandemic, draughts, war and strife and economic downturns all over the world, the hits have kept on coming. The author of this book tells us his own life story and how he overcame all the hardships in his own life. Showing us how to survive a war-torn country through courage, perseverance and a little luck, we are given an uplifting message that tells us that no matter how hard we think it is, there is always a way to lift ourselves up and into a better life.
An inspirational tale, Mr. Adekoje write a great book. Very well written and great choice of words that make it relatable and engaging. Many people should be able to grasp some inspiration from this story and I think the Author deserves kudos for all he has lived through and overcome.


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Kissing My Husband: An Instalove Possessive Age Gap Romance Novel by Novel Cat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Set in Nanzhao City, this story starts off with the wedding day of Ms. Gu to Mr. Lu. One little problem arises, Ms. Gu has run away, and her mother is left to figure out how to salvage face. See spies her younger daughter, Valen and immediately orders the wedding dress to be altered and for Valen to take her sisters place. Scales Lu, the Husband-to-be, is annoyed at the younger girl, but sees no issue with it, as he still gets the Gu wife he wanted. Scales is cold and indifferent towards Valen who acts like a little naïve girl of 12 or 13 instead of the 18 she proclaims to be. Many scenes were cringeworthy.
Billed as an insta-love romance, instead I found it to be cringeworthy on account of maybe the translation? It seems to me that this book was translated poorly, as many of the sentences make no sense and there is poor continuity in the tenses. It was very hard to get into the story as a result and I did not enjoy it.


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Be the Light: "I Want to be the Light for Others, so They Can Be the Light for Others, and So On" by Jessica L Maricle Reiki Master
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this book, the author chronicles her journey of healing and acceptance. In July 2018, she had a bad car accident that resulted in many injuries, PTSD, depression, anxieties and pain. The author tells us her story, as there are countless others who as she puts it: “look normal, talk normal, walk normal and smile, but are dying inside”. From the accident, the initial days of recovery and then the realization that there will be no “easy” fix, we are given all the issues the author dealt with and how she stumbled through some areas and was better at dealing with others. Relief comes when she starts to hear about Reiki and researches it.
The whole book reads as if you are having a conversation with a friend and she is telling you about her experiences, it is very emotional at times, and I was able to connect with the author. My mother practices Reiki and is a Master so I am familiar. This is not a book detailing everything about the practice of Reiki, more it is a path of one woman who comes to Reiki and finds relief within it.


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It's Your Wealth-Keep It: The Definitive Guide to Growing, Protecting, Enjoying, and Passing On Your Wealth by John L. Smallwood CFP®
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Most books about your money, revolve around one or maybe two principles. Some tell you to only invest in the stock market, others talk about savings, but rarely do you get a book that gives you the information you need to build a well secure plan for your money. This author, Mr. Smallwood gives us 7 basic principles that we need to consider and include in all of our financial planning. From maximizing tax deductions, increasing savings and retirement accounts to life insurance coverage and even wills (something that can be easily overlooked).
This was a very detailed and comprehensive book. It didn’t just tell you to do something, the author broke it down and explained how to do these steps and gave examples on how it can be adjusted as nothing is one size fits all. I found it very informative, easy to follow along, and well written.


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The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent by Mike Sarraille
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a Business owner, or even just a Recruiter, you need to know how to attract, train and most importantly retain the top talent for your field. In an increasingly competitive world, the right talent c an be hard to come by. The three authors take a look at one of the most successful operations in attracting, training and retaining top talent: The US Special Forces. For them, quality over Quantity has always held true and by looking at their recruitment practices, we can glean a lot of beneficial information for our own companies.
I thought this was an excellent book. I have served as a recruiter in small and large businesses and I agree that attracting the right talent for each position is very hard to do. The tips given on how to even approach this from the beginning were very enlightening and helpful. I am sure that I will be able to implement them in my next role.


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The Ryder Code by Lawrence J. Epstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third installment in an action-packed series. Jack Ryder, a Detective in 1943 New York is approached by a Nun by name of Sister Grace. She has been organizing a network to help Jewish orphans and protect them from the horrors of the Nazi Reich. Sister Grace wants Jack to help her solve the murder of the benefactor’s daughter and how it all connects back to the Jewish Orphans. Jack, determined to help others, struggles with his own demons and therefor throws himself into his work. He fights against time as the Nazi’s are onto Sister Grace and her operations and want to eliminate her.
A fast-paced historical thriller, this book is in the same vein as the first two. Meaning it is very well written and researched and the characters seem to jump off the pages. I enjoyed reading this book and would certainly grab the next book in the series.


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Bootstrapped Millionaire: Defying The Odds Of Business Hardcover by Tim T. Mercer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tim Mercer gives us his success story. From an unlikely childhood into wealth and prosperity, Mr. Mercer built his wealth through out of the box thinking and an independent streak that pushed him to go even further, and not accept the status quo. In this book, he tells us his story and with it lays the groundwork for up and coming entrepreneurs who are looking for guidance from those who have come before.
Well written and inspirational for those looking to start a new business, or even those who are established but hitting some rough patches in the road. I was able to connect with Mr. Mercers’ story, I too served in the military and it helped pay my way through college and I now own a small business myself. I think that the story is important, almost as important as the guidance on how to build something and the mindset needed. People do better when they have a goal they are striving for.


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Perilous Last-Minute Christmas Shopping by Annie De Muynck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On Christmas Eve in London, a young lady by the name of Chrissie is headed out to get some last-minute gifts she has forgotten. She is assaulted and abducted by a Santa and then subsequently held prisoner by a man calling himself Joe. Joe is a sick man; he keeps his family hostage as well and Chrissie must use all of her wits to escape Joe. After her escape she gives birth to a girl (Daughter to Joes son) and she strives to live her life in peace away from the horrors she witnessed before she could escape. Joe and his family never truly leave her, and the book takes us on a few leaps through the years.
What could have been a great thrilling book, was spoiled by poor editing and formatting. The writing was also a tad awkward and very stilted and formal. I found the book hard to get into which I thought was sad. I quite like thrillers and I was interested in this one. Hopefully the author can get a good editor take a look. It would be better after a revision.


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The Alamogordo Connection by Don Johnston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The year is 2045, In New Mexico a meteorite strikes not too far from the Alamogordo area and life as we know it will be changed drastically. Many different people are brought together, Dustin, Derein and Carly to name a few and they along with numerous scientists begin the process of attempting to identify what happened, where it came from and what steps to take next. Carly and Derein become obsessed with ESP as a solution to decode a message and t out to track down Derein’s twin lost in the jungles of Panama. Will they find him and decode this message that was sent to earth? And will it even matter in the grand scheme things?
An entertaining and zany SciFi novel with interesting plot and set of characters. Some were plain odd and others very ambitious, however the flow of the story felt forced at times. I had to push through several areas of descriptions and dialogues that went on for pages which did not help the story. Overall a good read, although I may not reread it.


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Teaser: A Corey Logan Thriller by Burt Weissbourd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teaser, the second book in the thriller Corey Logan series, is in no way a disappointment for those familiar with the first book. It is as well written as the first and the characters are compelling, gritty, raw and at times horrific. The topic, child runaways, abductions, pedophilia, drugs and more will be hard for some people to read about, but the book is a good dive into this world that exists with ours day by day, side by side.
Corey and her partner in crime Abe are out on the streets of Seattle, looking into child and teen runaways. What they find with the help of their friend Billy is so much more sinister, kidnappings and even grooming is happening among the halls of Olympic academy and the fight is once again on to save these kids, earn their trust and ultimately help them back to a regular life.


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Single Vampire - Mated Alpha by Tabatha Austin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wesley, an ancient vampire, tired of his Sire’s rules and laws seeks a way to get away from Kaleb’s influence and with the assistance of some witches, takes over a recently deceased Werewolf Alpha’s body. What he did not account for was the ties that come with that boy, in this case two omegas that are bound to the alpha, Tyler and Ryan. They are shocked as they had thought they were finally free of an abusive alpha, only to suddenly have him back, even if someone new was inhabiting the body. And Kaleb will not let Wesley go so easily.
The potential is certainly here, however, the writing was a little stilted and some parts were hard to follow along as the plot seemed to jump around in spots. I’m glad to see a book that doesn’t just fetishize these types of characters, I just wished the writing/editing would have been better.
I received an ARC and have voluntarily decided to leave a review.

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The Circle and The Cross: Book One of The Wanderers Series by Caiseal Mór
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Many stories have been written about this time period, the conflicts between the missionaries and their efforts to bring the Irish pagans to heel and under the influence of mother church. This story has some of the elements of other book, rich worldbuilding, impressive and passionate Irish heathens and the zealous Christian missionaries. However, the main difference I saw in this book (the first in the series), was that the author made each character relatable. We hear from the missionary Bishop Palladius, who is sent to the Emerald Isle, as well as the Irish druids, local Chieftains and even one of his very own, who resist his efforts. All is not what it seems, with darkness (Demons) looming over the Irish lands and can anyone ever truly be the winner in such a scenario? Highly imaginative and dramatic, a superb book to read to occupy you during the winter holidays.

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Acts of Hope: Part 2 of The Inquisition Trilogy by Martin Elsant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book itself may be historical fiction, however, the author based it upon true events in that era. Utilizing accounts from Dona Garcia’s records as well as Father Antonio Vieira’s accounts amongst others, the author was able to build a vivid world in which we can experience the aftermath of the Inquisition upon the Jewish, Muslim and Catholic refugees seeking a better life even while being pursued by men of faith. Spanning from England, Portugal and finally to the new world, this grand fiction story will bring you back in time for true human grit, courage and suffering.
I really liked this book, the underlying theme is clear: No one, regardless of their station in life, is fully good or fully evil. There are nuances to us all and we can do great evil in the name of the greater good. The writing is engaging and gripping and the plight of the people in the story are compelling to keep you engrossed within the book until the very end.


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When She Touches: A Discovery of Destiny and a Gift Like No Other by Sheryl Frazer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genevieve is an empath by touch. She doesn’t fully understand her gift and finds her own way through life mainly through trial and error. Forced to feel the powerful emotions those around her, she wallows through depression, feels joy and struggles with jealousy and malice. Genevieve resolves to use her gift for good and starts helping comatose patients and missing people, trying to give comfort to the families and help find clues if possible. Slowly she starts to realize she is not simply experiencing emotions but can also “talk” to a person’s soul. Life shattering revelations in her own family threaten to derail her own life.
Second in the series, I liked Genevieve, and her progression throughout the novel. Her relationships are complex and her struggles with her gift are believable. I enjoyed reading this book, it was very much in a “feel good” vibe, with the main character powering through her own ills and helping person after person.


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Inherent Greed: Why The Fox Is In The Chicken Coop by Carney Vaughan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a mother overlooks the evils that are laying within her own child, it can become a deadly inevitable result for those who cross the child later in life. Set in Australia, Cameron and his mother live alone. Doted upon by his mother until her untimely fiery death, Cameron never learns to control his urges. These take him wherever he wants and lets him do whatever he does, even if it ends in someone else getting hurt. Taking these egomaniacal urges into politics, Cameron soon learns that he needs to resort to even more drastic measures in order to get what he wants.
Many of the characters get their own voices, and as such, this is a slightly more difficult book to read, on top of a hard topic. This is certainly a book that will make you think, it will have you ponder the nature vs. nurture arguments as well as the consequences of bad decisions. It was a well written book though, and kept me guessing on the ultimate conclusion.


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The Measure of Ella by Toni Bird Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In an alternate universe, life is always an adventure. Sometimes exciting, sometimes dangerous and fatal, but always an adventure. Our main character Ella Morgan is a Chef on a boat of miscreants. This was not the life she set out for, as her aspirations to become a highly ranked chef and restaurant owner fell to ruin before her very eyes. This story is set in the Caribbean, amidst the islands and beautiful landscapes there. The beautiful landscape cannot hide the more sinister reason for this trip and Ella is faced with some hard choices.
This book is a suspense novel, full of adventure, high seas action (obviously) and crime. The thrilling suspense unravels each chapter, until we are left with nail-biting action that propels us towards the end of the book at breakneck speed. A grand adventure for anyone looking for strong female characters, pirates and Islands. I highly recommend this book.


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Civility Rules! Creating a Purposeful Practice of Civility by Shelby Joy Scarbrough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Is there a direct correlation between the advancement of our technology and our increasing reducement of civil discourse? In this book, the author draws on anecdotes and personal experience to explore the ideas about Civility set forth in George Washington’s “Rules of Civility”. Even those “old” rules are desperately needed in today’s society if we want to keep our democratic republic thriving. One thing that is needed from all of us, is a conscious effort to practice civility in our daily lives and in each of our interactions, no matter how hard or confrontational.
I really liked this book. It was a great reminder, even for those of us who think we are civil, that sometimes civility can mean a little humility and a lot of consideration for others and their views. Especially now, when we interact through technology so much more than we do in person, a reminder to stay civil and respectful towards each other is sorely needed. Thank you to the author for a great book!


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Reaching Ten by Teresa Kokke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Teresa Kokke was born amidst Air Raids, Food shortages and regular bombings in England during World War 2. Her father, a doctor was one of the few lucky enough to not be forced to enlist. This gave Teresa a (for the time) fairly stable upbringing. Life in those times were at best tumultuous and at worst tragic. And we see the direct influence this war had on the lives of ordinary people through the eyes of this young girl growing up. Her nanny Victoria is a major player in this book, and after Teresa has a tragic bicycle accident that causes serious harm at eight, Victoria ominously tells her she will never live to the age of ten.
A very interesting biography of a very interesting time that changed our world in far-reaching ways. I like reading about history through the lenses of people who actually lived in those times. This was an interesting book. Easy to read and easy to care for the characters presented within.


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You're Joking: Become an Expert Joke-Teller by Tom E. Moffatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You’re Joking: Become Expert Joke-Teller is a great book for kids 8-year-old and older. This book gives you the mechanics of jokes, how best to deliver them, timing (very important) and body language. Even such things as rehearsing your jokes, so you can remember them and feel more comfortable telling them are covered here. You also get 100 original jokes, some one-liners, and a few longer to get you started on your jokester journey.
I have an 8-year-old who loves to tell jokes, but they are either not truly funny, or they are poorly delivered, so she was excited to try this book out. After a few days of reding the book, she has gotten more persistent with jokes, and she does use the new jokes in this book often. She seems a little more comfortable with delivering the jokes, so I would say this book did help her out.


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Urban Marriage 5: A Lesbian Marriage Stress Test by Tulipe Pascere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For those who have been following this series, the couple, Karin and Della are well known. Karins life, with her tumultuous ups and drastic lows has been rough, but Della and her friends are good for Karin. Together, Karin and Della deal with life as a Lesbian couple in Atlanta. In this book, Karin is outed to her family by mistake and the fall out from that discovery (by Karins young daughter no less) is not pretty. Muriel, Karins daughter is struggling herself with a relationship and she has a hard time coming to her mother after this all.
Well written as the other books in the series, Karin is a relatable person. She is real and is not perfect in how she confronts (or doesn’t) various scenarios. The book is not long, and the formatting is unorthodox, but it is a good stand it showcases a different way life than the “norm which is important I believe.


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UFOs: The Ultimate Abduction by Raymond E. Fowler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I think of UFO abduction, I, as most other people would assume this means little green aliens with huge eyes, transport us to their little round/oval ship and then fly us away for testing and other experiments. The author in this book proposes a slightly unorthodox theory: What if UFO abductions were not physical, but psychic? Using various case studies and the (as yet unproven) science of Ufology, the author puts plenty of facts forward that all give credence to his hypothesis.
At first, I was a bit skeptical of the book, it was a very interesting read as IO have never heard of UFO abductions being psychic before this book. How much of it is true is always debatable, and you will always have skeptical people out there. The ideas put forward are very unconventional, however the whole field of science is unconventional. So this book is interesting, but I don’t know how much of it I can take as truth.


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The Dating Itinerary by Brooke Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Penny, an ambitious reporter, is tasked with writing a piece on all the various dating apps and avenues one can take advantage of nowadays. The hitch? Penny is so not a dater, nor is she interested in finding her one true love. However, she takes on the task and starts to explore Tinder, speed dating, “dark dating”, etc. On her first outing, an old rival shows up and then subsequently is present at each event that Penny is. George is suave, cocky, handsome and smart and he is determined to write his piece.
A fun enemies-to-lovers romance, the two could not have been anymore diametrically opposite each other. They had great chemistry (even if they were in denial) and I got a “how to lose a guy in 10 days vibe”, but the story was still fresh and easily enjoyable. I really liked how the ending wrapped it all up.


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Holloway Witches by Isa Pearl Ritchie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ursula returns to Aro Valley after many years away. Returning to Holloway Road is bittersweet for her, on one hand she is eager to see her beloved Grandma Esme and Aunt Sorrel, on the other, her return comes after a horrible crash and burn of her life. Once she is back, she has strange visions and the eerie sense she is being followed. Finally, she is confronted with the reality that magic is real and her family has a long line of witches, of which she is one as well. Rebuilding her life anew, is hard, but trying to rebuild it while dodging dangers and stranger’s intent on harming not just her but her beloved family? Doubly hard!
As much as I wanted to love this story, I only feel lukewarm about it. I took too long to get into anything interesting, we had chapter after chapter of Ursula reminiscing about her failed relationship, what she would do now in life, remembering things about her past and the strange lapses in time she is having. But none of that Gripped my interest. It was hard finishing the book, it got a little better, but I am not sure if I would read it again.


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Soft Skills for Hard People: A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence for Rational Leaders by Helena Kim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The importance of this book by Author Helena Kim, cannot be overstated. We NEED more people in the workforce who understand how to manage their own emotions in order to work effectively and competently with others. If I am constantly irate at my co-workers, or my subordinates because I do not understand why they do things in a certain way, then I will never be happy in my job and as such not only my job performance will suffer, but those around me will suffer as well. The skills taught in this book are really common sense, but since they are never truly taught in high school or in college (unless you take electives), than this book will help you develop the skills you need such as self-awareness, empathy, conflict de-escalation and even active listening. Very well written and I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to take a more active role in improving their own as well as others work.

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HAIRBAG NATION: A Story of the New York City Transit Police: Book 2, Train Patrol by Robert L. Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in this series, this book is just as crazy as the first. The antics that the individuals get into are hard to believe, even knowing that this is all based on a time of rising crime in New York City. This book follows five different people as they all enter into the Police academy, determined to make their own individual mark on the police force. Follow along as we see these five take on the streets and the subways of New York, one Train at a time.
Hilarious and real, the stories within this book are told from the varying perspectives, which allow us to see how different people have different takes on similar situations. It makes for a highly nuanced book, something that might come as a surprise. As such, I enjoyed this book a lot and was glad I continued the story after reading the first book.


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Impermanent Universe: A Sci Fi Thriller by Vern Buzarde
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What happens when an AI becomes sentient? Even more concerning, what happens when said AI begins to network with an alternate dimension than our own? Tess Carrillo is a computer scientist who leads the team of experts who are to build the worlds first sentient AI. They succeed in their efforts; however, they could not have foreseen the dimensional repercussions of their actions. Our reality is called into question and Tess strives to sort through this new puzzle to figure out a solution before our reality becomes nonexistent.
The premise of this book is a great topic to write about. There are literally infinite versions of this type of lot that can be written about (pun intended). The problem with such books is that when your write about reality bending dimensions and puzzles, it becomes harder for the reader to follow along the entirety of the story. I felt that the story was solid, however, it had many random areas that did not fit in the overall plot (unless the were part of the warped reality). Overall, it was a good book, if a bit odd.


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One If: A Virago Fantasy by Carol B. Allen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A book that gives an eerie foreshadowing to Earth’s future if we cannot get climate change in check. But this book is so much more, a YA tale of three teenagers that are abducted to a faraway planet named Spyridon, where they are solely responsible to find a solution for the rampant changes that climate change has wrecked upon the planet. Parker and the other teens have to pool their wits and limited knowledge quickly to stop both a full out war between the divided population of Spyridon as well as the ravaging changes to the planet. A true coming of age tale for teenagers who love SciFi and fantastical adventures.
The adventures and SciFi portions of this book were very well done. The worldbuilding and underlying environmental themes were also well done. Some of the finer plot points and twists were odd or didn’t fit. I had to remember in this book that this was geared to YA and not Adults, so some inconsistencies are bound to be there.


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Homo Divinitas by Patrick Garner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the third and final book in the Greek Goddesses series about love, passion and coping with life in the modern world. In a mash-up of powerful deities, Olympic gods and now the Great Goddess, the originator of all. Through machinations, the great Goddess enacts her plans for mortals and gods alike, with wide sweeping consequences. Meanwhile, Gaia is reincarnated as a young 9-year-old girl in New York City and is as mischievous as ever. The love stories that bloom are sensual and emotional tales that even in happiness, carry some tragedy with them.
A very touching finish to the trilogy, and well executed at that. The blending of god mythology, be it Greek or pagan (Gaia), was very well done and I enjoyed the intricacies of the love stories within this book. This is a good book for a rainy day, as it is lighthearted and not very deep.


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SOLD by Ginger Rodeghero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the stunning sequel to “I’m not for sale”, author Ginger Rodgehero again tackles the difficult topic of human trafficking. The story follows Christine as she is tailing her mark but gets herself captured instead. Stolen and sold, she ends up making two friends, Liam, and Emma and the three must attempt to escape the human trafficking web. The tribulations and torments these three young people go through and have to endure are difficult to read about, but one must understand that Human Trafficking is very real and it is easy to get caught up into the net. This is an excellent book of caution for us all, a reminder that this does not only affect young girls and women, and that it happens every day all over the world. What I found interesting and helpful is that at the end, the author included some helpful signs that will allow you to spot any human trafficking in your area.

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Preons: alpha by Frederik T. Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Earth has been invaded and most of humanity falls in those initial days. What’s left is either scrambling for survival or gearing up to accept their new reality under Alien rule. David witnessed the slaughter of his two best friends and survived against the odds. He takes his chance at revenge against those who orchestrated it all and sets off along the galaxy, picking up dangerous allies and training himself to be stronger, better, and deadlier. He crosses paths with an alien named Hanla, who is herself on the run after she was framed for murder. Their chance encounter sparks the beginning of an alliance that can bring them both what they desire.
I was thankful that the romance was at a minimum here, the story is a well known trope in the SciFi genre, but the writing was well done and it did not feel as if I read the story before. It was a bit on the gorier side, and I imagine that David is not looking for sunshine and roses, revenge will come with entrails, blood, guts and gore.


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Children of the Miracle by Daniel Weisbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a global Pandemic wiped out much of the human population, the remaining world divided itself into 3 sanctuaries where humanity lived, and the scientists raced to fund a cure. If this seems similar to what we are currently undergoing, welcome to my first thoughts. Our main lead, Dr. Mercy Perching asks for more information on a certain genetic crossing research and is authorized to go to a different sanctuary. In this new sanctuary, Dr. Mercy finds a terrifying new strand of the virus that is resistant so far to their vaccines and attacks both human and animal sides of the hybrid’s DNA. Will Dr. Mercy’s brilliance be able to save humanity?
Very on the nose and poignant to what is happening nowadays, the book was easy to read and generally easy to follow along. The scientific elements of the story were well done, and I liked that the author really played with ethics and morals in the story. I was not fond of the ending, but as it’s the 1st in a series, I can overlook it.


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Fatal Decision: A Sam Harker Thriller by T.K. Wolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam Harker is a skilled Assassin; some would say even the best in her field. She did not choose this life; it was fate that brought her to the attention of the Delphi Intelligence Corporation. After her escape from their control, she has to lay low and go on the run for the reach of the Delphi Intelligence corporation is vast and far reaching. Living life on the lam is not easy and when Sam finally finds someone, she can love and confide in, she wants to settle down, but her past will always catch up to her. Only now, she actually has something to lose.
This was a good book, Sam is an accomplished woman and she does not let her feelings get in the way of what needs to be done to protect herself and her love Jake. A confident and well written female protagonist, Sam was an easy character to like and root for. I like that the author did not make her too emotional nor was she a rock, but that delicate balance was well drawn and written.


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Grime & Punishment by Kate Karyus Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great second book. Straight off the high from the first one, Paige is still struggling to handle her unwanted supernatural house guests and all the issues that come with them (broken TV's, pregnant vamps, Ex's and more). Add Nico, a werewolf who just might be looking for more and Paige is straight up done with it all. Can't a girl just have a nice Human boyfriend?
I loved this book, it was snarky, suspenseful and I certainly did NOT see the big reveal coming at the end. I was yelling at Paige to GTFO by the end. And of course its a cliffhanger, which is slightly disappointing, however the next book will be out around January.
I was given a ARC and decided to leave an honest review.

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BOUGAINVILLEA by John Deupree
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The wind was strong enough to blow sins from men’s souls.” This is a pretty strong and intriguing first sentence in the book. A traveler named Joseph, meets Maria, Pedro, and Miguel, who take him in and give him a place to rest and eat. Joseph feels safe and compelled to share stories with the three and hopes they can help him interpret them. Each new story brings about a new revelation for both Joseph and the three siblings and subsequently changes their perspective on their own lives by the end.
While at parts strange and at other times fantastical, this book takes a dive into the mystical and explores the shifting realities that can exist between people. It is a short book, and I found it an easy read. It was odd and difficult to follow at times but still entertaining. I would imagine such a mystical topic would be hard to write about in a sensical manner.


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Grimdark: Tales of Exile by Kyle Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacobus is a fallen knight who fought bravely against the invading demon horde, but ultimately failed and was captured. Not, he is being taken to the land of Grimdark, where he will be expected to labor as a slave and be tortured, until he finally perishes. Jacobus is not broken, and he will fight his new masters until he is free. Using a once in a lifetime opportunity, when he is given an ancient artifact, Jacobus starts to fight in earnest against the demons and he seeks his ultimate return to his homeland.
This book was a full-length novel distilled into a novella frame. With that, certain shortcomings were to be expected, however, the author was able to still bring a well thought out story, a well fleshed out plot and a great deal of action scenes in a coherent manner. I was not expecting the cliffhanger at the end, so that was a disappointment, but other than that this was a very well written book.


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A Magical Birthday Cake---For You! by Jeannie Dapra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tippet, a white and brown dog weas a very well-behaved dog. He loved to bake cakes, but of course his humans wouldn’t understand, so it was his big secret. He also had a brother, who was a very mischievous dog named Trout. Tippet and Trout kept Tippet’s cake baking skills amongst themselves and decided that they would bake a few cakes for a special person’s birthday. They hold a party and while some things go wrong, they all enjoy their day.
A cute children’s book, it is fairly short and very fun. The writing is easy to read, along with some questions for you to ask your child while you read it. Also, you are able to insert their name into the book, which will make it even more special to you and your child. I enjoyed the book, and my son likes to look at the pictures and he likes the antics of Trout and his friends.


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Independence: A Memoir of Secrets, Discovery and Forgiveness by Deb Landry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

35 years after her father dies, Deb Learns that he was not in fact her biological father. This revelation causes her to reflect on her past and her fraught relationship with her mother her entire life. Deb begins to view her mother’s behavior, that was uncaring at the least, and bizarre at the worst in a new light and the continuing revelations from her mothers as well as her own memories of Deb’s childhood. This book deals with childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and the deep scars it can leave upon a person that will follow them into adulthood.
I think most of us have suffered through some form of childhood trauma, and as adults it is hard to revisit those memories. However, for our own personal healing, it is important to do so and understand why we feel certain things in certain situations. To that end, I find it helpful in reading about others who have had similar experiences and how they dealt with them. This book is a very emotional one, but the author writes in a gentle manner, not abrasive or rash and so the book, sort of gently flows and takes you along for the ride.


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Get Rich in the Deep End: Commit to Your Niche, Own Your Market, and Audaciously Scale Your Agency by Brent Weaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Duo Brent Weaver and Aaron Wrixon join up to tell the story of Heather Carlyle, a business owner who is mentored by Mr. Weaver in how she should be approaching her business practices, from marketing to day-to-day operations. One major mistake he helped her overcome, is leaving the lead generation and sales largely u to the customers word-of-mouth. Too many businesses do this and in today’s online interconnected world, that can leave you missing thousands of dollars in lost sales. Through the story of Heather, the authors are able to give real world examples of what to do and what to avoid.
A guidebook that explains target audiences and how to identify yours, as well as how to approach marketing towards each group. By targeting your ideal customer group (market segment), you will be able to bring your business into the spotlight and grow it into a stable and successful venture. The advice is relevant and pertains to todays online driven world. A very good marketing book.


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Zipacna's Legacy by Cindy Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Chi’pais Mexico the locals have knowledge of a vortex that attracts outsiders to their village. When Jade inherits a hotel in the village from her Grandfather, she sets out to refurbish the place and return it to its former glory. What she did not count on is a hostility from the locals, and a mystery that seems to surround the hotel as well as her grandfather’s personal life. One day 8-year-old Miguel shows up at her doorstep and awakens dormant powers in Jade that show her she may be able to have a bigger impact on the world than she ever imagined.
This was a very interesting book. The mysticism and the spirituality of the “old ways” was fleshed out and I found the villagers reactions to it all believable, especially considering what we do to others we do not understand in the “real world”. All in all, the mystery helps propel the book along, as its no action or romance book.


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Business NOT As Usual: Success Strategies For Building A Pandemic-Proof Business by Diyari Abdah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Covid-19 Pandemic swooped in and changed the way we go about operating our businesses for potentially forever. This book gives plenty of tools, tips and advice on how any business leader can revamp and change their business model to cater to their customers in a new way. How to deal with a completely different shipping process, how to keep your employees safe, how to still bring in enough money to stay afloat and thrive are just some of the topics touched on. Breaking down your own mindset and reevaluating how you even make your decisions is one of the most important steps that this book recommends.
I highly recommend this book, as a business owner, it has much valuable advice in how to operate in the Pandemic era and how to thrive under such drastic daily conditions. Prevention is going to be the big “name of the game” catch word from now on, and I think that this also shows that over-reliance on one business model (think Just-In-Time) will be your businesses downfall.


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Ferdinand's Gold by Sheldon Charles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dex Kevan is an air cargo specialist in the USAF, stationed at Guam, and he has a pretty monotone life. Shipping manifests, warehouses and more dreary things fill his daily life while he just wants to go unnoticed and escape his fathers shameful shadow. Slowly but surely, his life is falling to pieces, his girlfriend on the verge of leaving him and his career hurtling towards a dead end. An unexpected event thrusts Dex into a dangerous plot, one that may very well get him killed, but can this be his chance at making his own mark in his life? Or will he end up losing his life to those filled with greed?
Based on a true story, this book might seem a bit far fetched to you, but the action is continuous (once it starts) and Dex is a charismatic Hero, when he wants to be. I liked the story, reminded me a little of my own USAF days in the big warehouses so much of it was familiar. Good job.


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Red Menace: The Martian Resistance by Mark Anthony
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 2026 the first humans traveled to Mars. On this fateful mission, the groundwork was laid for more frequent space travel. After many more years, advances in AI Technology enabled the trip from Mars to be cut down to a few hours. This opens Mars as a new Frontier and millions emigrate in hopes of a better life. One thing leads to another and now the millions on Mars are petitioning to leave Earth’s rule. The year is 2070 and the resistance is growing, in the midst of all this unrest is Ara Elio a Martian native who is unexpectedly thrust into the middle of everything.
Plenty of action, suspense, some political intrigue are in here that will certainly grip your attention and make you want to continue reading. Ara, along with her friends and compatriots struggle to find their place and struggle to really figure out what they want in this new world, where allegiance to Earth is expected, even when they have no knowledge of Earth.


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Twisted Bets by M.K. Roze
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rich and handsome millionaires, who never really left their childish young years behind play pranks on each other and the one who loses a bet has to face a week of humiliating and scandalous dares. All of which he must complete on pain of losing millions of dollars. This year its Damon Bailey’s turn to face the pain of completing these tasks and he does them, one by one even when they are cruel to others. His small conscious raises its head however, when single mother Natalie is drawn into a bet and Damon is forced to live with her in a dingy dirty trailer.
I honestly expected more connections with the characters. I did laugh, there is certainly a lot of raunchy comedic fun in the book, and although thee is a love story in here, I wonder if is was more aimed towards guys than woman. I just wish the characters (esp. Damon) were a bit more relatable instead of douche bags.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Candidate Spectrum by Brian Cato
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would happen if Superman, Spiderman, Thor or even Wonder Woman decided they would be able to do more good and have a greater impact on the world if they were to run for a political office? The Author, Brian Cato decided to explore that intriguing question and presents us with Candidate Spectrum, where Superhero Spectrum decides to run for the President of the USA. Various issues crop up that make his Bid exponentially harder (he is an alien, he is always off to rescue people around the world instead of campaigning and more).
Embedded within the greater story is a mirror image of what America is currently suffering from. Issues that we are battling with, are reflected in the book, where an alien superhero attempts to fix it all. But can we be fixed if we as individuals aren’t open to change and being “fixed”? I found this to be an interesting book and I certainly was entertained.


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The Happiness Journal: Your daily inspirational sips toward reaching happiness by Viet Hung
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Viet Hung has written a beautiful book. The Happiness Journal simply gives us daily inspirational and aspirational messages, some as short as a page, others a few pages long. Musings on various topics, that prompt us to think about how we go about our lives and approach situations. Happy memories and meaningful moments of the authors life are shared in this book and I truly think it helps sometimes to see how other lives are and how they go through similar things as I do. One thought that I truly agree with and that resonates with me: “We can only life in the present moment, right here and right now.” In such a world where we are anxious and afraid of what might come, we need to remember (and the author reminds us often), that we cannot change our past, and we can only minimally influence the future.
A well written book with an inspirational message that will change how you think and give you the courage to live.


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Et Tutu, Brute? by Robin Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set against the backdrop of many different places around the world, Et Tutu Brut follows the ambition and lives of several male Ballet dancers, some cunning men as well as a hitman named Rough Rafe. Who is the best dancer? Who is the most cunning and powerful of all these men, and who will come out on top in the end?
While there is plenty in this book to laugh about, there is also a dangerous undercurrent that can be palpable at times. With so many characters in play, the beginning of the book can be a bit hard to read as you must figure out how each one interconnects (if at all) and then keep track of it all. Once you get there (for me it was around halfway through), the book is easier to read and continues to entertain. I love dance (not necessarily ballet), so this was a fun merging of dance with crime and murders and power plays.


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Collateral Damage by Susan Cory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Iris Reid is a successful architect, working on her newest project when it all comes to a screeching halt. A body is found in the chimney and her client is the prime suspect. Iris sets out to clear his name and figure out the true killer before everything goes down in flames. At the same time, her boyfriend is distracted by his old lover and secrets that were buried will be dragged to life once more, ultimately hitting Iris from left field, threatening to knock her off track.
This crime mystery is set to a fast pace that will knock your socks off. Iris is an architect who is drawn to investigate, but the twist with her personal life going up in flames, she has much to distract her. Well written, well-paced and an intriguing plot, this is a good book to distract you and lose yourself in for a few hours.


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Clement: Boy Knight of Normandy by Craig R. Hipkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clement, a 13-year-old boy from 12th century Normandy wishes for a more exciting life after his adventures with Adelbert and the treasure. He gets a new opportunity, when he meets up with Dagena and learns of a plot from his Uncle Sven the Terrible, who is really quite evil. As his Father the king recently passed away, Clement is the next to rule once he is old enough to take over from his guardians. Those Guardians include his Uncle, who does not take kindly to the idea of handing over the reigns of Rule to a young pesky boy. Clement and his friends must find a way to undercut his uncle and secure support for himself before it is too late.
The worldbuilding in the book is really well done. I liked Clement, even as a young boy, he had spirit, grit and courage and it was a really good story for younger kids. I will be passing it on to my 8-year-old who loves adventure stories.


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Why Science Is Wrong About Life and Evolution: "The Invisible Gene" and Other Essays on Scientism. by Ted Christopher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, the book wasn’t quite what I expected based on the title alone. I figured this would be an amusing read that simply bashes established scientific norms and standards. However, what we have here is a thoughtful collection of essays regarding the missing genes, the spirit of Scientism, Prodigies, transgender children and more. The author puts together a collection of thoughtful pieces that examine each topic but does not layout a conclusion with certainty. Although, the individual pieces are somewhat leading the reader to a certain conclusion as other opinions are only superficially examined. The author does preface the book with what it is Not, and so he leaves us to use our own common sense as we consider the stance he has taken on certain topics and whether we might align with his views. Certainly, thought provoking, but I simply do not agree with many of the points being made by the author.

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HAIRBAG NATION: A Story of the New York City Transit Police: Book 1: The Police Riot by Robert L. Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The job and life of a New York City Subway Cop can be pretty hard, and nerve wracking. So many elements make the job harder, from the gangs and homeless, to the dirt, grime and graffiti, it’s all part of an uphill battle every day. On top of all this is a public that is increasingly hostile to the officers, so it is not surprising when the officers become depressed and indifferent. This book is set in the 1980’s where crime was rampant and officers (at least some) just didn’t care. The hijinks that some of these people got into and the crazy schemes they pulled off were highly entertaining. Of course, this is all fictional and purely conjecture, so you can’t pin any one story onto a factual event. I found the writing to carry the story well. I was thoroughly entertained and I would consider buying the second book in the series to see where the author will take the story.

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