BOOK REVIEW # 2015-105 - ROME: A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR

If you’ve ever watched a program on the Travel Channel then you’ve heard the remark which advises you to seek out a “local” to tell you where the best places to eat are.  Following this advice you can avoid the overpriced tourist locations.

This advice also applies to what to see while you are there. In his book, Rome – A Photographic Tour, the author, Alexandru Ciobanu, take you on a “personally” guided tour of this capital city of Italy.

Using his skill as a professional photographer, Mr. Ciobanu has selected the best view possible for each of the sites he’s taking the reader to on this tour of Rome. The descriptions, with numbers directing you to the picture involved, cut to the chase without the flowery additions so prevalent on guided tours you pay for.

With both of us being retired, I’d so hope to do some traveling in Europe with my dear OH; but the events of the past few months this might not be able to become a reality. This book has to a large extend taken us there, without the sounds and smells of the city itself; which is why I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

I had originally won an e-book version of this book from the author through a giveaway on LibraryThing, but I couldn’t download the files he had provided. Luckily, this book had been offered as a FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon, which the author had advised me to take.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011UD35S4

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B011UD35S4

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-104 - SLICES OF SOUL: A COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY POETRY

I read this book as I ate my light breakfast and drank my sweet, black Hazelnut coffee, which I found to be a delightful departure from reading the morning newspaper.

Part of this author’s life had been spent living day/night in a Zen Buddhist Temple which becomes quite apparent as one reads the carefully selected words contained in each poem. This is not the kind of book you can rush through, even though there’s only one poem on each page.

The various poetry items contained here need to absorbed into your mind, and if any emotions start to appear, then you must listen to your heart and meditate on whatever you’re happen to be feeling at that moment so it can become real for you.

For trying to create some clarity in someone’s life I’m giving Ms. Kent 5 STARS, I only wish the collection of poetry would have been larger.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VVMBEWY

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VVMBEWY

I'M ECSTATIC !!!

I've just been accepted as a Book Reviewer on THE ROMANCE REVIEWS website where shortly I'll be posting most if not all the reviews I've already written for romance books and finding more books to review..

Here's the link to my profile there and the rest of the site:

http://www.theromancereviews.com/100001871186932 

This is a great site for all concerned when it comes to the romance genre: authors, reviewers, and readers.  AUTHORS have they book[s] on another site and hold giveaways. REVIEWERS have their reviews posted. READERS can find their favorite romance genre and have contests/giveaways for books.

If anyone is interested in the reviews I've already written here is the link to my profile on Amazon, perhaps one of them will prove to be HELPFUL in finding your next book to read:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A19QLCLVPLZH0B

This news has DEFINITELY MADE MY DAY as well as MY WEEK !!! 

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-103 - SECOND CHANCES

Since becoming a Book Reviewer about a year I can’t help but notice the number of books I’ve read/review which has caused me to reminisce the years of my youth. Such is the case as I read this book by Connie Stephany.

This time it’s a song called The Second Time Around in the 1960’s sung by none other than Frank Sinatra; and if you read the lyrics to this sung, you’ll see why I made the connection.

Love is lovelier the second time around

Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground

It's that second time you hear your love song sung

Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young

Love's more comfortable the second time you fall

Like a friendly home the second time you call

Who can say what brought us to this miracle we've found?

There are those who'll bet love comes but once, and yet

I'm oh, so glad we met the second time around.

While Abby had her first infatuation on a guy named Max thirteen years ago, but the problem is it had only been one way. But with his sudden return, it is now both ways.

As for Adam, the devoted guy she had been slated to marry, he disappeared leaving Abby alone at the altar.  Now, just as her relationship with Max is taking off, he decides to return and to once again ask Abby to marry him. And just like the words of the song by Mary MacGregor [Peter, Paul, and Mary], she’s torn between these lovers, feeling like a fool and knows that loving both of them would be breaking all the rules.

If you’ve ever had been in this same situation, having to choose between two guys who you love, then you can relate to one of the toughest decisions Abby will ever have to make in her life.

Ms. Stephany’s writing is one which allows you to experience what the main characters in the book are, which is why I’m giving it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S5BEZO8

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00S5BEZO8

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-102 - WITTY WAYS: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES WITH A TWIST

I received a KINDLE version of this short book from the author through his giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion. Given the length of this endeavor I read this twice as I ate my breakfast.

As a child of the 1950’s in school I can remember the teacher having her class read short stories my O’Henry.

O’Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter who was an American writer who became known for writing short stories similar to the ones in this book. And like this author, Mr. Akopyan, the few short stories he has included in this collection, are ones which contain good characterization, wit, and the obligatory surprise ending.

I wish the author would have included several more short stories here; still this is not distracting me from giving his endeavor here 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013GUFH58

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013GUFH58

NOTE: The author uses British terminology and spelling of words.

STATUS REPORT # 60

Having my dear OH improving at the nearby REHAB, a quick drive of about seven minutes has lifted my spirits and I’ve read/reviewed seven books since my last report primarily because of it.

Recently author read a review I’ve written for their book and then sends an email to tell me she thought it was STELLAR. I got it for “Social Anxiety and Shyness – Ultimate Guide.” [Book Review # 2015-094] which I feel as far as I’m concerned has validated my status as a Book Reviewer, primarily because authors can become highly critical of the reviews they receive.

As you can, I’ve just review my 101^th book so far this year, and my 164^rd on Amazon where I currently have an approval rating of 96% and a ranking of 7,156 as the last time I looked.  So if you’re ever looking for your next book to read you’re always invited to check out my Amazon profile

https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A19QLCLVPLZH0B

and perhaps one of my reviews will prove to be HELPFUL in your decision making.

I’ve hit another milestone on Twitter this week, I’ve posted my 30,000^th Tweet !!!

I had so hoped to find out whether my request to become a Book Reviewer on an internet romance site by now, which is why there’s been a delay in my posting this STATUS REPORT of what’s happening with me by now.  Well, no news is good news say the saying goes.

Given what’s happening with my dear OH at this time, I might return to doing some of the things I’ve done before jere on my blog, etc.

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-101 - UPSIDE DOWN: POWERLESS

As you can tell from the reviews I write, I’ve written reviews for practically every genre, so for a change of pace from reviewing books I’ve won through the giveaways I continuously enter, I’ve decided to go to my extensive list of books I’d like to read and one choose one which in the realm of being erotic.

I wished I’d known about Powerless before, and then I’d have to read it again here as the author tells us through Carol Anne Sullivan’s POV.

As I read this book Ms. Gavin had totally pulled me into her character and at times I began to fantasize being in her shoes as a bitchy, rich, financially astute woman who’s also a dominatrix on the size; a type of person I’m definitely not.

What woman would not love to have a guy, especially one who’s a hulk and at her beg and call, even if it’s without having to tantalize him into submission?

Carol drops a member of her “harem” the moment he begins asking for sex without giving anything in return; that is until Mark Aiken enters her life as a submissive employee. But there’s a price she has to pay for all this as family issues begin to distract her; and as an extremely attractive secretary, Cindy O’Rourke, starts working for her, who’s looking for any opportunity to please her new boss, even it means being a submissive competition for Mark.

I’m not going to go into any spoilers for this book, which I seldom if ever do; but rest assured, you’re in for some steamy times which all that comes in this genre, with scenes of bondage and spanking, etc. And I’m definitely not going to tell you how this story ends as it will ruin the journey you’ll be taking and experiencing with Carol.

For having me wipe my “steamed-up glasses” several times I’m giving Ms. Gavin 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFMMJY0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IFMMJY0

BOOK REVIEW # 2015 - 100 - THE DEAD GAME

I received a KINDLE Edition of this book from the author through a giveaway on FaceBook and the following is my honest opinion.

Being a child of the 1950’s as I read this book I heard the song “Behind the Green Door” playing in the back of my mind.

The specific lines from this song I heard I felt related to this stiry are:
Midnight one more night without sleepin' -
Watchin' till the morning comes creepin'.
Green door what's that secret you're keepin'?

Wish they'd let me in
So I could find out
What's behind the green door.

Door slammed hospitality's thin there.
Wonder just what's goin' on in there.

Saw an eyeball peepin' through a smokey cloud
Behind the green door.

In “The Dead Game” Susanne Leist has crafted a wondrous conglomeration of genres to create a story which is sure to please the widest audience possible; with elements of mystery, vampires, murder, intrigue and romance how can you go wrong?

If you can remember all of the haunted houses you’ve gone through for Halloween with all the twists and turns you had to go before you reached the exit, then you’ll understand what Linda and her friends went through after they’d entered the old abandoned mansion known as “End House.” The only difference is the ones you went through had been in fun, but theirs had been real.

Just as the characters had to walk a twisting, turning path within the mansion; so does the storyline twist and turn unexpectedly; making for a page turning reading experience that you don’t want to put the book down.

The juxtaposition which exists between the outward appearance of the ocean-side town of Oasis, Florida and everything else there; especially the secrets everyone apparently has, makes for the perfect backdrop for the mansion itself.

It’s therefore not surprising I’m giving Ms. Leist 5 STARS for her endeavor here.

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-099 - ALICE IN UNDERLAND

FTC regulations state I must acknowledge that I’ve received a copy KINDLE Edition of this book through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and that the following is my honest opinion.

Through NetFlix I’ve probably seen all the versions of “Alice ub Wonderland” on television and in films ever made here in the US and the UK, which is why seeing this book intrigued me enough to have entered this giveaway.

This I feel is part biographical as it pertains to the life of Carol Lewis [Charles Dodgson] since he was indeed a photographer in 1856, the year when Chapter One takes place; and that of Alice Pleasance Liddell and her family. In fact, if you look the collection of photos which exists, you’ll find one which closely matches the illustrations of Alice in the original edition of the books.

Ms. Knippling takes this relationship between Lewis, the Liddells, and then throws in zombies holding professional positions in Victorian England’s society along with the charm of the era but with mischievous children. If they got their daily dose of a special serum which controlled their normal behavior they could also hold menial jobs such as servants and the like; if not, the macabre aspect of the story takes over, giving us the intriguing read the author has given us here in the retelling of the story we came to love as children.

While blending of the genres of zombie and classical children’s literature is interesting; it’s not totally original as there had a series of books containing Alice and other characters from Wonderland set in a world of zombies. I feel it the author’s love of these items which had influenced her to write this book, and why I’m giving it 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0124IYP74

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0124IYP74  

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-098 - WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE LUNCH WITH A DUNG BEETLE or LUNCH WITH A BUG ?

I received a copy of this book from its publisher through a giveaway on GoodReads.com in return for my honest opinion.

This makes a wonderful first book for Pre-School and Kindergarten children ages 3 – 5 right after those thick board-like paged books they’ve just finished reading.

The book operates on two levels. The first draws upon a child’s vivid imagination by asking them to choose between several answers to questions pertaining to bugs; while at the same time giving them a subliminal education about facts concerning them; making for a total enjoyable read for the child.

The 9.4” x 10.2” format, large print and wonderful illustrations adds to the child’s reading enjoyment. The clear, understandable language use in the writing contained here has been accomplished by the author’s experience as a teacher as well as her experience of having authored over 250 books for children.

Parents should enjoy reading this book with their child as well being ready for any question they might concerning bugs; which is why I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609928148

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1609928148

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-097 - WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE YOU SAY "I DO/"

I received a copy of this book from the authors through a giveaway on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion for it.

Unlike most books on this subject which have been written either by a man or a woman, David and Elizabeth Lewis, a husband and a wife, have joined forces to write about their own experiences and to share it with others.

One of the things which have played a vital part in their experience is their equal religious beliefs in G-d; which can be seen as they’re continuously using appropriate quotes from the bible and relating them to the aspect they’re writing about.

As can be seen by the table of contents the book is divided into two segments, the Female’s Perspective and the Male’s Perspective. They’re each then followed by an introduction which deals with how society and sexes look at relationships and marriage. This is this is then followed with questions each sex should be asking themselves before walking down the aisle and entering into the bounds of matrimony.

I read this book twice; first with reading the biblical quotations and then skipping over them. What I found is that even without them this book still gives simple sound advice we all need to listen to before having to answer those “I DOs.”

Without being disrespectful to the book’s authors, touting the religious aspects of this book, I believe, diminishes the possible audience this book can actually get.

In the end, I’m left debating whether I should give this book 4 or 5 STARS. But since I need to look at the precise audience these authors have written the book for, I’m accordingly giving it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0100XP9PC

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0100XP9PC

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-096 - EDMUND KEMPER - THE TRUE STORY OF THE CO-ED KILLER

This review is for the second of two KINDLE Edition of books written by the author I recently received through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion.

Not only did Edmund Kemper, whose story is told in the pages of this book, become a sexual serial killer of six young co-eds; and due to his depraved indifference he also murdered members of his own family: his paternal grandparents, his shrewd cruel mother and her best friend.

Killing those six co-ed wasn’t enough, he chopped up his victims and scattered their parts throughout various remote areas around Santa Cruz. And in order to quell his morbid desire to fulfill his sexual fantasies, he used their heads in the process.

Instead of reading this story in a helter-skelter manner as you would have if you had read the events surrounding the events of this heinous crime in a newspaper or watched it on television/cable, Mr. Rosewood, has once again taken us back through the book’s pages to a story which had gripped the nation for months, in a proficient manner, adding information about this individual’s psyche along the way.

Having written numerous items for a community newspaper, I can understand and appreciate the efforts the author has made in putting everything in the organized and insightful manner; I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B0107FJAS0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/ebook/dp/B0107FJAS0

BOOK REVIEW 2015-095 - CARY STAYNER - THE TRUE STORY OF THE YOSEMITE PARK KILLER

I received a KINDLE Edition of this book from the author through a recent giveaway on LibraryThing.com and the following is my honest opinion.

Who could have thought that the majestic beauty of Yosemite National Park in California would one day serve as the backdrop for a heinous series of sexual murders? Well it did, and Cary Stayner was the culprit behind it.

The author of this book, Jack Rosewood, has skillfully taken us back through the book’s pages to a story which had gripped the nation for months. Instead of getting each bit of the story on a daily basis we’re presented with a complete detailed timeline, from the first sadistic killing of his first victim, his ultimate capture, his copping a plea deal at his first trial for the death of one of his victims, thereby avoiding an arduous trial [for his victim’s families and himself] and a possible death sentence which had been surprisingly encouraged by the mother of one of his victim, Julie Armstrong.

Luckily Cary Stayner eventually met his fate, proven guilty and sentenced to death.

In addition to this we’re given details about this depraved individual’s background and life so we can see, at least to some extent, what made this individual tick. An interesting part of this is that his younger brother, Steven, who most of us already knew about since his abduction by a pedophile and held as a sex slave for 7 years had been made into a miniseries, I Know My Name is Steven.

As an individual who has written numerous items for a community newspaper, I can understand and appreciate the efforts the author has made in putting everything into the organized and insightful manner he has; which is why I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013PU6VQS

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B013PU6VQS

STATUS REPORT # 59

As I mentioned last Monday my dear OH need to have hip surgery, luckily it was only a partial hip replacement and Friday evening got transfer to a REHAB facility far, far better than the previous one.

Friday began my work making sure everything which had been got put in place. The weekend practically nothing got done except for some Physical Therapy [PT]. Today I got to speak to the social worker for my dear, having to complete ALL the paperwork which needed to be signed, and discussing some additional matters so they’re in place when discharge time and a return to home comes.

As you can tell I’ve spent the last few days reviewing books, which helped to take my mind off things. My reviewer ranking on Amazon has hit a new low for me because as of August 10^th ranking is at 7,449 with a 95% approval ranking based on 157 reviews.

I learned today that the RWA Anthology writing contest I entered is still having its entries reviews. With the results originally scheduled to be released towards the end of May, I beginning to get a wee bit antsy. But then I remind myself “Patience is a Virtue.”

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-094 - SOCIAL ANXIETY and SHYNESS - ULTIMATE GUIDE

I received a KINDLE Edition of this book through a LibraryThing.com giveaway in return for my honest opinion of it.

As I read this book the song “I’m Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress began playing in my head. I remembered watching on television first with Carol Burnett in the early 1970’s and then with Tracy Ullman a few years ago.

In this song Winnifred sings about her having an air of being confident but confesses it’s merely a mask she wears because she’s actually shy and that deep down inside she’s demure and pure.

This book does a wondrous job in helping those individual who confess to being shy get pass what is creating it and to develop an air of confident whether it’s real or a veil hiding the shyness which still exists inside them. It speaks the truth in describing the kind of individual introverts are, will surprise them in revealing the kind of powerful individual they truly are.

I must confess I’m basically a shy individual however in some areas of social life I appear not to be the wallflower I am, because those observing me are surprised by the knowledge I possess. The listing of strengths introverts have in Chapter 3 describes me almost to a “T”; especially Number 10, when it comes to doing the book reviews I write.

As I read Part 2 which deals with overcoming social anxiety and shyness by giving suggestions, and given what I wrote in the above I began to wonder how many so-called extroverts who have developed some of them to the nth degree are truly introverts in real life.

The self-examination questions the book asks does an accurate job in what it’s asking you to look at.

For helping those introverts who read this book to discover the reasons behind their plight and hopefully overcome it, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YYDJXKW

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YYDJXKW

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-093 - LOVE QUOTES

This is the third book in this author’s Inspirational Picture Quotes series of books I’ve read, and the second one which I’ve been fortunate to have received through a giveaway on LibraryThing.com; and the following is my honest opinion for it.

While the first book I read dealt in this series dealt which HOPE which need to get by to the next day, especially if we’re facing any sort of turmoil in our lives; and the second book I read dealt with all of the HABITS we all have in what we do on a daily basis; this book deals with the one thing we CAN’T do without, which is LOVE.

The quotes contained within this book with have you laugh, feel warm inside, lift your spirits, and kindle the flame of what we all want to experience with that special person in our lives.

The advice I gave in my other two reviews for the books in this series, still holds true for this one: “To fully appreciate this book to its utmost you need to read each quote the author has selected for each picture separately, close your eyes and then meditate briefly on the words you’ve just read.”

The carefully selected quotes are quite vivid and almost awe inspiring in communicating the message the various aspects of what we call LOVE.

I would again advise anyone purchasing a KINDLE Edition of this book to view this book two pages at a time to fully capture the beauty of the pictures the author has selected for each set of quotes.

For allowing us, the readers of this book, to closely examined our individual experiences of LOVE, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SZ7V342

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SZ7V342

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-092 - SECRET FLORA REAPPEARANCE: Coloring Book For Adults

I received a PDF.file version of this coloring book through a giveaway on LibraryThing in return for my honest opinion which follows. Since this is not a book you can read, I’m going to give my opinion of what it has to offer those who decide to obtain a copy.

While this coloring book is definitely not for a young child it is also not limit to adults as the title suggests. The intricate, totally symmetrical design of each of the 10 drawings being offered, wish there were more, is suited for those of who are truly artistic and want to relive our days as a child when we used to enjoy spending hours coloring these books. These designs are also suited for those of us who have older, artistic children who need something where they can express their artistic skills without being bored.

Being able to print copies at will allows its colorful artists to use a different palette of colors to create different versions of the same drawing.

For what this book is offering I’m giving it 4 STARS.

US:   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012MU67ZM

UK:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012MU67ZM

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-091 - THE MARK OF THE HARBINGER

I received an e-book version of this book through a giveaway on LibraryThing in return for an honest review.

 

The disparity between the haves and have nots which exists on the massive spaceship Eden didn’t happen overnight, it occurred over the five millenniums it has been wandering space. It occurred because of the lack of a central entity/individual to oversee the entire operation of for the last hope for the survival of the human race.

 

Society has devolved from its democratic state to a state where Arc and the Human Council ruled and all dissidents got banished to a life of destitution from a realm where luxury endures.

It’s only when the book’s main character, the Harbinger, is found deep in the bowels of the Under where the dissidents are forced to eke out their existence. Harbinger has no recollection of who he is or any knowledge for/of his reason for being. But with the aid of the rebel Leema and others, the destiny of all those aboard the Eden can be returned to its original intention by destroying the current status quo.

While the writing could use some tweaking, the writing itself makes for a enjoyable page turning read with the vivid mental pictures it creates, as well as for the development of the book’s characters. The book is one that is multi-genre which is appealing to a broader range of potential readers; sci-fi, romance, adventure and societal life, than a single genre of sci-fi.

With all things considered I’m happy to give this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OL9DQH0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OL9DQH0

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-090 - ON DEMOCRACY'S DOORSTEP

I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on GoodReads and the following is my honest opinion.

In high school history had always been my best subject with about a 93 average, from the 10^th to the 12^th grade. The depth and breadth of the information author, J. Douglas Smith, has covered in his book is extraordinary when compared to what I’d been taught.

One would think given the democracy we reportedly live in; one person one, one vote has always been the way part of the democratic process. “On Democracy’s Doorstep” proves the contrary had actually existed prior to the Supreme Court decisions which corrected this situation.

The politics used by both parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, to maintain the levels of apportionment they’ve enjoyed for decades; as well as the gerrymandering of districts even within the same party to keep a particular individual in office would be deemed by those unfamiliar to the “Game of Politics” to be unbelievable.

To read about the details described by the author concerning the shenanigans pulled by both parties to keep their status quo is a real eye-opener to the uninitiated common citizen of the United States.

I’m therefore giving Mr. Smith my thanks and 5 STARS for opening the door and removing the “veil of secrecy” to the issue of “one person, one vote” for all those who read his book.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0809074249

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0809074249  

STATUS REPORT # 58

I hit bottom on Friday, my dear OH, being antsy, decided to get out of the wheelchair without anyone watching now needs to get hip surgery, which is scheduled to be done today.

I’m trying to get on mind on something else; and with my finally being able to return to working on my WIPs now out the question, I’m going to concentrate all my efforts on reviewing books. And to have a supply of books to read, I’ve decided to start entering giveaways for e-books; which is something I’ve avoided, just call me old-fashioned, doing since I rather have a real book in my hands that I can snuggle up with in a reclining chair.

Unfortunately, because of what’s being happening these past several months, I can’t bring myself promote either of my two books; which is something I definitely must do before the end of this month.

THANKS for allowing me to rant here, as I need all the support I can get.

Love

Robin Leigh Morgan