Beyond Balancing the Books: Sheer Mindfulness for Professionals in Work and Life by George Marino CPA
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the beginning of the book, we see the life of two different CPA’s, one who is distracted by his work, simply goes through the motions and though he is successful, he is not mindful, the other CPA is very mindful of her day and her work and is happier in her life. This is the basic principles of this book. It is a book dedicated to teaching us how to be mindful and apply it to our lives and work, and yes, there is some emphasis on CPA’s as the author is one, however it is easily taken and applied to other situations.
I liked the exercises and the case studies that were included in the book, it made it easier to visualize how we are supposed to practice the mindfulness mentality. It was interesting, educational yet easy to understand.


View all my reviews

The Doomsday Machine: Space Scrap 17 Book 1 by Erick Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Space Scrap 17 has a new Captain and XO: Daisy Daryl and Michigan Jones, ex-lovers, and now unwillingly reunited co-workers. Sent on a dangerous mission (one fully out of their normal day to day operations) that will determine the fate of the galaxy, the two must learn to work together and fast before the Doomsday Machine can end their lives prematurely.
While the premise might seem more of a doom and gloom scenario of Sci-Fi, there is a wealth of humor, puns and jokes in this book that run the gamut from snarky to slapstick. There is certainly a plot here, and the story was good. I was not overly enthralled with the story, but I was entertained and sometimes that is all that matters.


View all my reviews

Replaced Parts by Stephanie Hansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sierra is not your typical 16-year-old. She is a staunch believer in rights, whether human or animal and will do almost anything to defend them. On her way to the planet Nexus in search of her Father, Sierra and her friend Yesha find out that not everything is as it seems. A fast-paced young adult Sci-Fi novel that is well written and well defined.
I liked Sierra, she was mature and determined in pursuit of her goals and even when she receives shattering news regarding her own families, she still does what she believes is right. I liked the plot and the undercurrent of danger that ran throughout the book. Great Book!


View all my reviews

Mistress Suffragette by Diana Forbes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Before the Great depression, the United States had The Panic of 1893. This is the backdrop to the story in this book, that follows a young woman, Penelope Stanton, as she navigates the society in which she lives, trying to balance the search for a husband with her ambitions and support for the Suffragette cause. In the end, which will win out?
While I liked the diary style presentation of the book, I was not able to truly connect with the main character. Penelope was not interesting, and I found the “love interest” Mr. Daggers much more interesting. The historical background was also more interesting than Penelope and made the book readable.


View all my reviews

The Leader Within Us: Mindset, Principles, and Tools for a Life By Design by Warren Rustand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the most important lessons came early in the book: “A leader must avoid being overwhelmed by the constant distractions of the day- and must make time to think”. I think that sentence, out of most of the book, resonated the most with me as I often found myself overwhelmed by the many tasks when I was a manager. Many of the stories in this book are from great leaders of the past, they dealt with and overcame extremely hard situations in the past, with much less than we have at our disposal, and they were able to achieve greatness. A rousing book, this is less of a self-help book and more of a collection of stories that will give you insight into the minds of great leaders and hopefully find the leader within yourself.

View all my reviews

The Bully - A Paranormal Thriller by K.J. Kwon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We’ve all had those bosses that we didn’t like, and if you are a woman, maybe you were even harassed, but in this book, the roles are twisted, the boss is a demanding and unpleasant woman. The victim is a young man, fresh to the city and simply wanting to start his career by doing a good job. Declining her advances do not work and when she sets her sights upon him in more ways than work, his life becomes a hell of her making. Gripping story and I am grateful to see the tables turned, not many books will approach the topic of female abusers. There is a satisfying ending and I liked the pacing; it was a very good book.

View all my reviews

The View From Breast Pocket Mountain by Karen Hill Anton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometime the road less traveled will bring us to the most unexpected places. In this touching memoir, we see the life of the author, from a young girl growing up in New York, to her worldly travels all throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia before settling in Japan. The honesty that she writes with was refreshing. She describes her encounters with new societies and locals, both positive and negative encounters which many books can leave out. I enjoyed the unique perspective she brings and this book renewed my desire to travel to Japan and experience the lifestyle myself.

View all my reviews

The Currency Of Gratitude: Turning Small Gestures Into Powerful Business Results by Michele Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gratitude and expressions thereof may be seen as personal and private endeavors; however, the author makes a big case for them being part of our busines models and operations. She focuses on two challenges, inward facing (Employee engagement, retention, etc.) and outward facing (Brand awareness, customer satisfaction) challenges a company might face.
All throughout the book, I found the personal experiences by not only the author, but others as well, to be informational, uplifting and a reflection of the overarching topic of the book. I think that the tools given in each chapter (the questions) will be helpful for most who might want to further their exploration into this subject.


View all my reviews

The Forgotten Queen by Matt Glicksman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The forgotten Queen might be dead, but she has put certain failsafe’s in place which will allow her soul to carry on her dark ambitions. The Priests guild strives to stand in the way as the populace begins to lose faith in the increasing evidence of the demons’ powers. A dark fantasy world will get even darker before the light will emerge.
I found for a second book in the series, that this book was much too complex. Complex can be good, however, a new cast of characters were introduced, each with their own histories that we went into as well as everything else about their personalities. The plot itself was satisfying, however, it was a slow read with me putting down the book a few times simply due to the information dumps we got.


View all my reviews

The Happy Leader: A Leadership Fable about Transformation in Business and in Life by Shawn Johal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Instead of another self-help book that promises you a quick scheme to further yourself in your profession, this book gives you a set of characters who all are woven into an intriguing story that showcases challenges and problems that they need to overcome. These can be quickly carried over into your own life and you can take these lessons and solutions for your own good.
I liked the “fable” aspect of this book, it made the topic intriguing and engaging, and you really feel more like you are reading a story instead of learning anything. It was surprising how much information stuck with me once I was done. Great job!


View all my reviews

Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali by Heather Nadine Lenz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Courage to Rise series by Heather Lenz, is about a new couple, that have a whole new set of problems to overcome. John and Caroline have solely been drifting apart, the more wealth John has amassed, the further it seems they are. Caroline does not want to lose her husband, but she is unwilling to be with the man he has become, always hounding after more money. John must make the decision; will he lose the marriage and woman of his dreams? Or will he let her go in his pursuit of the riches he can attain.
The synopsis is very brief; however, I enjoyed the first book in the series and wanted to continue. I am happy I did, this book continues in the same form, however, the tenderness of the 1st book is not quite here. Greed plays a bigger role here and how it can corrupt a person and make them lose sight of what’s important. I loved the ending and am glad I read it.


View all my reviews

Courage Caroline: A Romance Novel by Heather Nadine Lenz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every now and then, we want some wholesome, sweet, tender, and heartfelt stories to carry us through our days. Courage Caroline is the first in a series of romance books by author Heather Lenz. In this book we follow Caroline who is determined to follow her plan for her life, is excited to see new avenues of growth for her business beyond those she has mapped out. But when the yoga invite from Jolan turns into something more, will she have the courage to follow him? This book was sweet, and while I wanted to knock some sense into Caroline a few times for being stubborn, I liked that she was headstrong and knew exactly what she wanted. The fact that she was able to overlook faults in others was a nice trait for the main character to have. Enjoyable story and nice change of pace form the other romances I’ve been reading.

View all my reviews

Neglected Merge: A Fantasy Utopian Romance by Eve Koguce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A dystopian romance, Neglected merge is about two people from vastly different worlds that find themselves in unusual circumstances and embark upon a journey that will unite them in unexpected ways. Living in a world where pleasures are expected to be delivered instantly, building a meaningful relationship with anybody would be thought. Tauria and Doron, while on first glance were superficial characters, I found to find more depth to their stories as the book went on. A unexpected and pleasurable romance.

View all my reviews

Shadow & Poison by J.B. Curry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prohibition era Chicago has had many novels set in that timeline, however here the author set this time and place among monsters and creatures of the night. When something begins eating its way through Chicago’s gangsters, Private Detective Mark Van Ryn is called upon to investigate. His powers and control of the shadows will be needed if he wants to solve the case before more people are killed. He is also called upon by a Mrs. Karlova, a perfumist who need Van Ryn to find a dangerous man for her. The ensuing feelings between these two have the power to derail not just her search, but also the detective’s own investigations and possibly pout the safety of all of Chicago at risk.
History and Paranormal fiction fans will rejoice at the blending of these two genres’ in this book. While the pacing might need some improvement in a few areas, the overall impression is of an excellent start to a new series.


View all my reviews

New America 2042: Dystopian Science Fiction by Brett Krausse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Great Calamity, that destroyed most of the Western Nations, was eight years ago. We are now ruled by the Co-Op, a regime that boasts of unbiased leadership while secretly promoting a nonsocialist regime. Henry Smith and Derwyn Davis are robotics engineers that work for Co-Op. They are working on a new security platform that was supposed to be defensive, however, soon after its deployment, the platform is used to start a bloody war of attrition of foreign assets. Horrified with the use of their creation, Henry and Derwyn seek out the resistance le by Claire Avatar and hope to overturn Co-Op once and for all.
It was interesting, to see the thought process behind this book, in that the author took some relatively new technologies (or at least undervalued) and made them the dominant items in the near future. How would that all play out, for the good or worse of humanity? This was an interesting view into a possible dystopian future for us that I hope will not come true. Great book!


View all my reviews

The RICH Method: The Definitive Guide to Getting Money and Success. by Richard Gracia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Richard Garcia draws upon his financial experience to bring us his tips, tricks, and secrets into how you can become financially independent with a flush of income that replenishes itself through investment returns and more. In this book, we learn about how you can increase your income, the best way to tackle and pay off your debt, setting and adhering to a budget and even how investing can be most beneficial to you in both the short and long term.
There is much good advice in this book. Many tips and ideas however are ones that have been out there for a long time, while Mr. Garcia has a sound grasp on financial theories and the book has useful information, there isn’t any new or groundbreaking information given. If you haven’t read any financial advice books that are out there, then this is certainly a good buy, if you have read a few, then you won’t see anything new here.


View all my reviews

Darkness Awaits by Jamila A. Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Natalie and Alexander are students at Virtus Academy, and they thought their 1st year was rough to survive. Starting their second year, things are about to get much rougher, in that they are pitted against attacks from their families, other students and the shadows that are pressing in, trying to find some advantage over these two powerful girls. Navigating Junior year has just gotten much more complicated than simple relationship dynamics and tough classroom assignments.
The second in the series, it picks up where ethe other leaves off and the girls are still growing in both powers and maturity. I liked reading about their struggles, and they did not seem to grow too powerful too quick like some other series do. I liked the twist with the relationships, its good to see more representation in fiction novels. The story moved along quickly and even with some foreshadowing of events, there was enough surprise twists to keep the story interesting.


View all my reviews

Gray Wolf: A legends of Ansu fantasy by J.W. Webb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Corin an Fol is a simple teenager living in his small village and loves his family. When one day Pirates pillage his village and he attempts to warn them only to watch his father die, something inside him is unleashed. Corin is consumed with revenge and will do most anything to exact his revenge and find his missing sister, even join a notorious elite military unit, intent on gaining as much training as he can to aid him in his quest. This is the first book in a series and the stage is set with characters, motives, world building and much more.
I am unsure if I will continue the series. On one hand, we have a story worthy of Conan the Barbarian, complete with damsels in distress, heroes who cannot be vanquished and a true good vs. evil undertone of the plot. However, the story, is pretty misogynistic, a la “Tarnsman of Gor”. There is some issues with the worldbuilding and inconsistencies throughout, that easily jarred me out of the story, which became a bit annoying.


View all my reviews

Lost Angel by Ana Valen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

17-year-old Mia Moore is an orphan living in one of Hollywood’s Orphanages. Having lost her parents six years prior, left her with the distinct wish to simply disappear. Being invisible would be so much better for her and her ultimate goal. A chance encounter with an LAPD officer, finally brings her true goal closer into her reach. Seizing an opportunity, she changes her identity to ingratiate and insert herself into this officer’s life.
Plenty of twist and turns, the book is amazingly complex and deep, the characters are not clear cut and we don’t have a pure antagonist, nor a pure protagonist. This distinction Is what makes this book so great, there is a sense of realism to the characters, mainly because we can see ourselves in them, from their positive traits to their flaws. Much is revealed at the end and many things (or people) may not be all that they seem up until then, a truly surprising ending.


View all my reviews

A Tower Below The Sea by Karsten Krepinsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Offshore Oil Rigs have a rather bad rep with the public, mostly for spills and other environmental factors. But on one oil Rig, there is something much more sinister waiting than a simple spill. Six employees of Global companion have won an all expense paid vacation are on their way to the yacht when a sudden storm forces the pilot to seek the first safe harbor he can. This possible not so safe shelter turns out to be an oil rig that seems to be deserted and other than the pools of blood throughout, there are no signs of life. The group are spooked and when one person is murdered, they are suddenly all fighting for their lives before they too are next.
A suspenseful thriller and murderous story are the spine of this book. I am German, so I understand the German mindset in how stories flow and was easily able to follow along. The story is well done. The only issue I had is the main characters portrayal, she was not likeable, and even with the trauma in her past, the vast majority of women would not act the way she did. (Speaking as a woman, and as a multiple trauma survivor).


View all my reviews

Smart Pills by Tony Teora
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Captain Markus of the Spaceship Aerostella and his motley crew have just landed at the planet earth. Here, Captain Markus encounters some of Earth’s more bizarre inhabitants. From two bumbling mobsters trying to catch a quick payout, to the unstable president of the united states, Captain Markus and his crew will have their work cut out for them if they want to prevent the destruction of an ancient alien beacon, while leaving with their hides intact. Humor, sci fi and some catchy phrases all tie this entertaining tale together.
A lighthearted story, enhanced by a few illustrations scattered throughout the book, this was certainly entertaining. I liked the character of the two mobsters the best. Their antics were the funniest for me, I could see them having their own novella, a la three stooges’ style. The writing is well done and while I didn’t quite like Captain Markus, his character was tolerable throughout the story.


View all my reviews

What Lies Beneath: A Florida Action Adventure Novel by Scott Cook
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another book in the adventures of Orlando Private Investigator Scott Jarvis, now accompanied by Lisa Gonzalez. Together, the two PI’s take on a few small cases that quickly evolve to be much bigger and more connected than they originally thought. One case unearths a connection to Lieutenant Sharon Nolan, a close friend to the two PI’s. Nolan’s father is kidnapped, a battle over claimed land with drug runners and added to the mix are the private interests of two politicians that involve themselves in the case.
If the synopsis seems a bit convoluted to you, that would be because it is. There is a lot packed into this book and I must say I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I did the others I’ve read. The book moves fast and if you don’t pick up all the details, it is easy to get lost in the overarching plot. I know I had to go back and search for some clues that were previously revealed. If you like complex stories full of tidbits and misleading information that is not unveiled until the end, then this book is certainly for you.


View all my reviews

Legacy by Chris Coppel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Retired Marine Sniper Craig Edmonds likes his peace. He fought hard and long for it and even accepted a sheriff posting in the remote wilderness of Utah. One late evening, he gets a mysterious delivery addressed to him that is certainly not anything he was expecting. Once he opens the crate and reveals the ornate mirror, horrible forces are unleashed and only Craig will be able to banish these evil forces to where they came from. Travelling 25 years into the past, Craig will have to learn to rely on his marine training once more as well as a resurgence of his nightmares and PTSD.
A blending of genres, paranormal, sci-fi, mystery and even thriller, this book transcends many stereotypical notions and uses descriptive language to bring the novel to life in a horrifyingly tangible way. The ending, while foreshadowed comes about in an unexpected manner which is always great in these types of stories. Very well done!


View all my reviews

Finn: Stone Warriors Book Two by Chris Redding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second book in the Stone Warriors MC series, this story follows Finn, who finds Coleen one night and helps her out. Their paths cross later when Coleen persuades Finn, a hidden artist, to display some of his landscape paintings in her art gallery. As their paths continue to cross, Finn discovers Coleen is in a domestic abusive relationship and helps her leave her tormenter. Finn and Coleen both struggle with their developing feelings to each other until the HEA.
For an MC book, there was not much violence, or filthy stuff. This will be a selling point for some, or a turn off for others. However, I think that it is a good thing to show and write about MC’s in different styles, not just rough and tumble and turf wars all the time. Well written characters, the building love was palpable, and I enjoyed the tenderness of the story.


View all my reviews

Lover Boy by Stephen Kronwith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dr Peck is a physician who loves to “love”, spreading himself around as much as he can. He is contacted by Anna Franklin, who wants to see her husband no longer among the living and is willing to give Dr Peck what he wants, as well as millions to his dear friend, a Mafia boss. On the case is detective Rieger, who is struggling to unravel all the clues and solving this case, while keeping her personal life under wraps.
Billed as a Crime Caper, this book is more of an erotica story in my eyes. Plenty of sex grace the pages, with our main character, Dr Peck as the primary instigator for most of these. With this in mind, the book has the overarching plot of a crime story, but that is overshadowed by the frequent intimate encounters for all the characters. Enjoyable story, just not what I thought it would be based on the synopsis.


View all my reviews

Dwarven Steel & Dragon Fire: The Queen of Hamb by Ivan Ertlov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this fantasy adventure, the kingdom of Farank is excited about the upcoming war. Too long have the citizens endured while their King has allowed the neighboring kingdom, ruled over by a sea-witch, to shelter hideous monsters and their unnatural cravings. The King of Farank however avoids strife when possible until he is finally overruled. In a final attempt at diplomacy, Ambassador Kyara and Halbar of Malan set out for the north in hopes of delaying or even preventing a war that will cost thousands their lives. This best-selling German book has now finally been translated into English to allow more readers the opportunity of living the adventure.
I remember reading the German books growing up and the spirit of adventure that they can instill has given me my love for reading today. This book is no exception to that, and the story is exceptionally well written and the plot is complex yet fast-moving. A great book to lose yourself in.


View all my reviews

The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston by Tim Ferguson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In his newly revised edition, we revisit the story of Mattpaul, a young man living on the world Caperston. On his world, there is no religion, or faith or any gods. The people simply work and follow the rules of their ruler and believe whatever the propaganda machines want them to believe. Mattpaul meets a prophet who ends up changing his life and sets him upon a completely different path than the one he was on. In a later chance encounter, the youth of Caperston begin correspondence with the youth of planet Earth who inform them all about loving your neighbor and acceptance of others as well as the other Christian values.
A nice book, especially for the Christian youth in need of an uplifting message that will keep you optimistic about our world and events right now. The story is a coming of age story with a feel-good undertone that may be hard to palpitate for some who are not seriously religious.


View all my reviews

Fifty Things I Love About My Wife: Love is the Only Way by Keshav Jha
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In all his 27 years of marriage, author Keshav Jha has amassed information and experience that can help you in your marriage. Building better communication, understanding as well as practicing forgiveness towards both your partner and yourself, are just a few of the practical pieces of advice that Mr. Jha puts forward. The resources available in this book from the principles to the advice are all based on two things: love and gratitude. Both of which he has seen in so many successful marriages.
I think that even those who do not have a rocky marriage or relationship will be able to glean some good information here. I certainly found some reminders of tasks we should do or avoid that we haven’t been so vigilant on in our own 10-year marriage. Certainly, this will prove to be a charming book for those looking to find more meaning in their love.


View all my reviews

Sedition by Chris Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In 1861 Nathan Chambers, former army captain, is embroiled in a whirl of politics regarding the secession. Abraham Lincoln has just won the election and Virginia is poised to abandon the Union in revolt. Nathan fights against this while his Evelyn is recruited into the Underground Railroad and coerced to work as a spy. This book is the third in the series, continuing where the previous one left off and our characters continue to find their place in the tumultuous new world, that they live in.
Set during the Civil War era, I found this book to be very well written and the characters well drawn out. Even jumping into the middle of the series as I did, I was able to follow the plot with little difficulty and I found that Evelyn’s courage and even her conflicts resonated deeply with me. I am looking forward to picking up the next book in the series. Well Done!


View all my reviews

Another Big Lie: How the Government Stole Billions From The American Dream Of Home Ownership. And Got Caught! by Tim Pagliara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you ever wondered how the 2008 big housing market crash was allowed to happen, then this book could possibly answer the question for you. Tim Pagliara explores all the events leading up to the big crash, the failing of the government in protecting us, the consumers, and the aftermath that still affects us today. The GSE promoted the narrative that the big 2 Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae caused the housing crash through bad investments, greedy lending and coverups. The author goes to great lengths to expose the truth, the lies and everything in between.
I found this to be really interesting. I wasn’t a homeowner until 2012, so I escaped the great crash and plummeting of home values, however, I think that this book serves as a cautionary tale to those who put their trust 100% in the government and their lenders. We all need to consider backup plans in case our mortgages fail again.


View all my reviews

In the Shadow of Gold by Michael Kenneth Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The United States 1865, towards the end of the Civil War that ravaged the United States, there is much that happened that is recorded in history. One such event is the loss of the Confederate Treasure that was travelling with the Confederate president and then was lost. In this story, the man guarding the treasure states that a man named Yancey Arvindale (later known by Arvin), stole the treasure and hid it away. This book, set against the backdrop of this tumultuous time, gives us an intriguing account of what might have happened to the lost treasure.
A fascinating tale, I did not know anything about the lost Confederacy treasure and spent a few minutes researching and reading up on the topic prompted by this book. Always a good thing when a book can get you to learn about new things, even if the book is fiction. A good story and a great way to spend some downtime.


View all my reviews

Black Rifle by Alex Davidson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Gun situation in the United Sates can be described as bleak and harrowing. Especially if you consider the absurd amount of guns in the USA (there are more guns than people according to a 2018 study), and so the role of finding one specific gun is exponentially greater. In this book, the fictional tale of an ATF agent who is tasked with finding the gun used in a recent mass shooting. One of the victims is high profile and so, the pressure is even higher on finding both the weapon and the perpetrator. Will she be able to find the gun? Or will the secrets held by the rich and powerful prove strong enough to take everything she loves?
Even though this is a fictional tale, the topic is current and divisive enough that anybody will be able to pick up this book and feel strongly about it. The lead character was well developed and dealt with the issues in a rational manner, until the threats started to hit closer to home. I enjoyed the story.


View all my reviews

Princess of Independence by Icarus Bobain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Princess Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso was a real member of the Italian nobility and in her later years, instrumental within the Italians revolution. A shy child, she was married off early to a prince and although the marriage did not last, they remained cordial. This book takes some fictional license in regard to her life, and tells her story through both her eyes, and those of her daughter. Her early life, her marriage, the subsequent separation, and exile to Paris, as well as her later work as a revolutionary are all under the microscope in this book.
A young girl who was shy and introverted, who grew up to be strong, outspoken and passionate in the cause for her country is the underlining story here. But there is much more contained in this book. It is certainly a well written book, and the author easily draws you into the story and creates a character that will have you entranced and bespelled.


View all my reviews

From Jerusalem to Kashmir: The Secret Life of Jesus in India by Jozef Banáš
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this book, the author Jozef Banas takes a highly critical look at the foundations of Christianity. Dogmas that are pillars in the faith, such as Jesus’s identity, locations of important events that are chronicled within the old and new testament are all looked at in comparison to facts about the world at that time. What if what we truly thought of facts, were only misrepresentations that fit the current church’s narrative? Could Jesus have lived in India? Is his tomb not where we think it is? Such contradictions and facts have the power to truly shake the Christian faith at it foundations and so could change our understanding of it forever.
I really liked this book; I found the hypothesis and the supporting facts to be very compelling and informative as well as thought-provoking. While many will look at this book and dismiss it as purely hypothetical fiction, I believe the author may be on to something. I honestly believe that the church (Vatican) has a high interest in preserving the status quo, and it is commonly known that history is written by the victor. That being said, the narrative and information herein is well written, the author presents his facts in a clear and understandable way and follows up al his hypotheticals with facts and verifications.


View all my reviews

Past Present Rectangle: Tarot & Divination for the Spiritually Clumsy by Mike Costaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mike Costaney give us his unvarnished and unfiltered take on tarot, Qabalah and Magick. A personal take on some of the history of tarot, interpretations, and practice of it all. Does his book make perfect sense? Possibly, or maybe not to you. Is his history 100% accurate? Maybe, maybe not. His unfiltered view is a breath of fresh air in this world full of stuffy opinions and people who are telling you: You are doing this all wrong.
In all honesty, I picked this book up because it seemed pretty humorous based simply on the synopsis. And while there is a certain not of humor underlining and punctuating his musings and experiences, there is a certain freeing knowledge to be had here. Know the author does not judge you if you set his book down and come back to it 2 days or 2 years later, we are all on our own journey and will arrive in our own time. I’d recommend this book.


View all my reviews

The Most Important Lessons in Economics and Finance: A Comprehensive Collection of Time-Tested Principles of Wealth Management by Anthony M. Criniti IV
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Best for beginners, although some information would be good for midlevel’s to review, this book gives you the reader all the lessons that are the most important in economics and finance (As the title implies). Distilled into manageable bouts of information, the author relies upon his extensive background and expertise to write this informative book. Giving basic description of common and uncommon terms, the principles of various wealth management, as well as historical and more modern takes on finance and economics.
While there was a dearth of information in the book, I found it to be a bit dry and old fashioned. There were no true modern financial pioneers looked at, rather, the lessons were all centered around the highlights of Capitalism and not much else. I also would have liked to see more influential women in economics quoted, such as Anna Schwartz or even Carmen Reinhart. This book was certainly not the greatest, however, it was not the worst financial book I’ve read either.


View all my reviews

The Shade Under the Mango Tree by Evy Journey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Luna forgets her journal in a coffee shop which is in turn picked up by Lucien, a stranger to her. His curiosity gets the better of him and he begins to read her journal, causing him to become obsessed with the owner and finding her. When he finally does, he is able to convince Luina to go on a trip to see the world Luna so desperately wants to see. Taking this trip, opens Luna up to so many new experiences, cultures and dangers that have the potential to change her completely. In the background to the travels, Luna and Lucien grow closer and become romantically entwined.
I thought this story was more a self-reflection and personal growth story amidst the background of our beautiful world, but there is certainly a healthy dose of romance that builds between the characters. If romance isn’t your thing, then maybe skip this one. Overall, the writing was well done and I enjoyed the descriptions of the places in Cambodia.


View all my reviews

Ching Ling Foo: America's First Chinese Superstar by Samuel D. Porteous
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into law in 1882, the American people slowly started to get exposed to the mythos of Chinese culture and rapidly began to lust for anything to do with them (even while telling them they did not belong and could never become a permanent part of this country). From food to labor and magic, we were spellbound. And in this time, Ching Ling Foo rose to stardom, he was a great illusionist and knew instinctually how to market himself effectively. Faced with numerous setbacks and a devilishly clever rival, Ching ruled his fame for 20 years and showed America, what it meant to be Chinese.
This biography was extremely well written, at times educational and others entertaining, the story of Ling’s success unfolds from the beginning to the end and the author does an extremely well job in hooking us from the beginning. I was so excited to hear about someone from Asian descent before the times of Bruce Lee and was certainly not disappointed.


View all my reviews

SAMMI and the President by W.D. County
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sammi the android is pitted against Russia and its new superweapon: another Android. This Russian android, however, comes in the form of the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump and is controlled exclusively by Putin. In order to prevent the biggest mess-ups, Sammi becomes a Secret Service Agent close to the president and thwarts many plots. Furious over this, Putin send an assassin to take out Sammi and get the Presidential android back on track.
An updated and expanded version of he first book, this one is still entertaining in the best of ways. It imagines a world where the incredulous things that were coming from Trump actually make sense if viewed through the lens that he was an android controlled by Russia. This book was certainly far out there, but it makes for an interesting read and you will enjoy all the little interesting tidbits in here.


View all my reviews

An Alien Rescue by Calla Zae
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emma and her sisters get kidnapped by Aliens on the beach on New Years Eve. When they get rescued shortly after by another group of Aliens, Emma is immediately attracted to the leader and helps him as they try to escape from their hunters.
A insta-love romance novella, this one was very short and in many ways felt incomplete. The character development was rushed as well as the worldbuilding. I love other books by this author, so I know she can produce some amazing books. I am looking forward to see if the other books will be better.
I received an ARC and voluntarily decided to review the book.

View all my reviews

Blowback '07 by Brian Meehl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time-travel with a twist! A musical instrument sends other mysteriously into the past when its played. This book is the beginning of a trilogy, where warring twins Arky and Iris fight over most everything. Their latest fight is about a mysterious musical instrument left to them by their mother. When Iris plays it, Matt a friend of Arky gets sent back into time, 1907 to be exact. While Matt tries to survive in a unfamiliar time, the twins find secrets that they hope to unravel in time to bring Matt back. Will they be able to ever bring him back? Will they be able to work together?
Great young adult adventure novel. Plenty of mystery throughout the book and the characters go through quite a development and maturing over the course of the book which is good as they were not so likeable in the beginning. I will certainly recommend this to my young nephews and nieces.


View all my reviews

Acts of Dreams: Part 3 of The Inquisition Trilogy by Martin Elsant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book three in the series, Acts of Dreams is about a group of Jews who attempt to settle in England around the early 1600’s. By Church decree, Jews were not allowed to live there, although many did so quietly and discreetly. Blinded by their positions of power in the society, William and Maria Ames never thought to conceal their religious background and when they dismissed their lawyer Mr. Barham, they are suddenly thrust into the forefront of a court case followed by all of England.
A well written follow up to the last book, I again enjoyed the storytelling from this author. The history is well-researched and written so that it is a smooth and entertaining read that does not deviate from historical accuracy too much. I found it was also interesting to read, as I had no idea of the ban on Jews living in the UK until I read this book. The villains are properly villainous and although the protagonists make stupid decisions, they are redeemed in the end.


View all my reviews

The Old House By The Woods by Soma Kar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the vein of the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mystery series, this book is a mystery story geared for younger teens and even middle-schoolers. Ria Robertson is a retired officer turned private detective. She loves the challenge of solving puzzles and following the clues that will lead her to the solutions of a crime. As she is investigating the haunted house in Mistgrove, she unexpectedly comes face to face with a killer who is determined to continue his crimes.
This might not sound like a story for younger kids, but I read this book with my daughter and it wasn’t grisly or scary. I know my 8-year-old certainly enjoyed reading this book. She really liked the addition of the colored illustrations, and I think those esp. helped keep her attentions throughout the story. There were a few spooky moments, (haunted house), and yes some tension that is present in most mysteries, but this is certainly a book that younger readers can enjoy.


View all my reviews

Stuck In The Middle Seat: The Five Phases To Becoming A Midcareer Entrepreneur by Stephen E. Gerard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is typical for any professional to get stuck in a rut every now and then., Usually it is around the middle of your career, when you have accomplished somethings, but now are unsure where next to set your sights. The author of this book has been there before and has used his own personal experience to put together tis book that will give you guidance in the form of 5 steps. These 5 steps will allow you to find your unique Idea and plan out your launch and growth of the idea. The emotional phase might not sound important at first, but it is very important that you are emotionally ready to handle setbacks and triumphs whenever you breakout into a new career (or when you make a major change in your existing one).
This book is certainly a good one, the beginning phases had much advice I had already previously seen elsewhere, however The sections that dealt with the emotional phases and how to overcome your emotions, or even how to use them in a productive way were very interesting to me. I would recommend it for that section alone.


View all my reviews

The Lying, the Witch, and the Werewolf by Demitria Lunetta
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A continuation in Paige's saga, she is still being pursued by the VSK, she is morose over her ex-boyfriend Liam, and she is now being asked to infiltrate a sex cult to look for a clients sister. Some uncomfortable truths come out, and Paige has to find out who she really is.
I liked it. It wasn't my favorite book in the series, and it seemed especially short with the cliffhanger and there is basically no plot progression on the steamy tension with Nico, nor the VSK. Other than that, Paige still gets into all kinds of harrowing situations she needs to get herself out of and is still an enjoyable character to read about.
I received an ARC and voluntarily decided to leave a review.

View all my reviews

VISIBILITY: Success Stories from Elite Leaders Making an Impact from the Stage by Dannella Burnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A group of 26 well known and world renown entrepreneurs come together in this book to give their own words to success. From Daniella Burnett, Brigette Callahan, Dorothy Husen, to Louie Sharp, Jase Souder and Victor Vento. All of these and more have their own chapter where they give advice on speaking out, standing up, how to become a gifted leader, fixing mistakes in your management and even how to say yes!
These individual chapters taken together are a great way to boost your personal wellbeing and mindset as well as how to help you in your career. This book will help you to step out and stand up for yourself, boosting your self-confidence. I found most chapters to be relatable and easy to understand, or at least easy to identify opportunities within my own life. This is certainly a book that can help people, so if you like to read inspiring posts, or blogs, this will be up your alley as each chapter is dedicated to a different coach.


View all my reviews

Bringing Ragnarok by Andrew M. Tanner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In an alternate reality, Humanity has been living on a separate path, based upon three momentous events that turned out differently than in our reality. Those 3 events are: 1944 Germany, the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, then 2041 in post America a regional war over the control of hundreds of nuclear missiles and in 2147 in the Inner Solar System a plan by insurgents to launch a strike against the Governing Authority. The way that these three events intersect and the importance of how they played out is highlighted through the eyes of six friends who ended up tangled within Loki’s webs of plots. Will they be able to stop Loki?
The story in this book is a brand-new way of viewing Norse mythology, blended with Sci Fi and fiction in a intriguing way. The characters were not always my favorites, however, there was a solid World building and setup for the next books in the series. I was entertained and though the story is big (think many separate plots running simultaneously), it was still manageable. Certainly not a light read.


View all my reviews

Again: Surviving Cancer Twice with Love and Lists by Christine Shields Corrigan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A breast cancer diagnosis is a harrowing one for any woman, and Christine Shields Corrigan is no exception to that rule. Confronted by her own mortality at only 49 years old, she has to navigate a daunting world of checkups, chemotherapy, mothering her children and staying the upbeat wife that she has always been. But in attempting to cover up her diagnosis by pretending everything in her life is perfectly fine even when it is imploding behind the scenes, Christine has to learn how to lean on others and that it is okay as well as human to ask (and accept) help of others.
This book was visceral and emotional, and it brought the realities of life after a cancer diagnosis out of the shadows. My own family has been riddles with breast cancer, so this was a extremely poignant story for me. I wept and laughed with the author as she recounted her trials and triumphs and wish more people would read this so they can get a glimpse of what life is truly like.


View all my reviews

Children of Pleiades, Rise of the Henge by Lloyd Pilling Tosoff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A human drama story that explores the supernatural themes of our folklore such as pixies, fairies, angels, and other creatures. Rise of the Henge is the first in a series in which a man committed a heinous murder and flees with his only son to a faraway land. This land will later be known as Salisbury, southern England and 4 generations later, his offspring is still haunted by his crimes. A struggle between good and evil, the story unfolds between the ages and the meeting of two lineages, one human and one celestial will become ever so fateful.
I really wanted to like the story, although it seemed a little rambling to me. The worldbuilding was well done and the characters were ok. I think that maybe with some more focus the story could have been better? It simply did not resonate with me and I found myself longing to read other books even though I love to read books about ancient England and the mythologies there.


View all my reviews

Suzy Spitfire and the Snake Eyes of Venus by Joe Canzano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Outlaw Suzy Spitfire is a renegade that lives and works by her own set of rules and morals. She does what she wants and when she wants it. So, when she travels to Venus in the hopes of finding a prolific serial killer, she is prepared for almost anything. The gang war and revolution barely disturb her other than frustration about the delay of her search. It’s when a young girls life hangs in the balance that things suddenly become personal for Suzy and she has to decide between her revenge and the girl’s life.
High strung action and heart dropping stunts, Suzy is a reckless and confident character. If you like that in the female character, then this book certainly is for you, I know I enjoyed it immensely. It was a clear departure of the whimpering damsel in distress females of other Sci-Fi books. Great plot and world building by the author.


View all my reviews