THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The year had begun very promising. My dear OH retired at the end of last year and I had looked forward to us doing a lot of stuff together once winter would end. I had so hoped to have finished my two WIPs; a Contemporary Romance which would have been my first romance novel but had been put aside because of my inability to finish writing it due to my never being satisfied enough to get it published despite numerous re-writes. This endeavor is now about 85% - 90% complete and has a new working from what I’d originally planned; it is now called “His Darkest Secret.”

With my first romance novel, a MG/YA Paranormal, “I Kissed a Ghost” receiving decent reviews [currently 4.1 stars from 24 reviews] I wanted to branch out and write a MG/YA Urban Fantasy novella. By the time I wrote three chapters, I received a review in which the reviewer hoped there would be a sequel. This caused me to totally rewrite the first chapter. This WIP is also about the same percentage of completion and has a working title of “The Secret of the Well.”

Unfortunately in March of this year my dear OH took ill and got hospitalized until the end of April, followed by several weeks in REHAB; came home for two months then broke a hip needing a partial hip replacement followed by more REHAB, and coming home in the beginning of September and is now FINALLY on the mend with the home attendant we’ve constantly have to aid with whatever needs to be done.

With all this going on, it’s no wonder I haven’t made any progress with my writing endeavors. It’s a good thing I decided to become a Book Reviewer last August, as it has been a way of escaping, at least for a while, all the negativity I’ve had to deal with this year in my life.  Right now I’ve got 227 reviews on Amazon, with 163 of them being done this year; I’ve got an approval rating of 96% for my reviews, with an Amazon ranking of 5,625. If anyone is interested in checking out my reviews here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Leigh-Morgan/e/B00BWXT4VU

With everything beginning to fall into place with our lives I’ve decided to step out of my comfort zone and write a GLBT erotic novelette which currently has no working title.

In the coming year I’m looking to expand the topics I currently have on my blogs, which for the most part have been limited to my book reviews and status reports. I’m looking at possibly doing some interviews, going back to writing Flash Fictions, etc. I’ve self-published an anthology of 100 of my Flash Fictions. If you’re interested in checking out my two books, here’s a direct link:

http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Leigh-Morgan/e/B00BWXT4VU

I’d love to hear from my dear followers.  THANKS for being here. Here’s wishing everyone to have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR with your families. !!!  :-)  :-)  :-)

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR  !!!  :-D  :-D  :-D

LOVE

Robin Leigh Morgan

STATUS REPORT # 68 - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND MORE !!!

I know I’m late in posting this but I’ve been EXTREMELY business trying to clear up the backlog of books on my TBReviewed pile before Christmas. Right now I only have 1 left from that pile.

Since my last Status Report I’ve read a total of about 16 books and have posted my reviews for each of these books on Amazon / GoodReads / LibraryThing and Shelfari as well as my blogs on Blogspot/Wordpress.  I’ve also written 4 reviews for books I’ve won/received from The Romance Review, either from their Year End Splash Party or their website in return for my honest reviews.

So far this year, as you can by blog entries, I’ve read and reviewed 163 books from a wide variety on genres.

On my birthday next month [January 15] I will become eligible for Medicare [Yes, I’m that YOUNG :-D :-D :-D].

Having worked for the City of New York the time came for me to change my hospital/health insurance so both me and my dear OH can each have our own polices the last week in November.

In December while I’d received my new insurance cards my OH didn’t receive any. For some reason an error had occurred which forced me to go back to the office which handles the hospital insurance for EVERY retired NYCity Employees to correct the problem. Yesterday I checked the interactive response and verified my OH’s insurance is now active but since the office was closed I couldn’t obtain a policy #. Once I call office for the insurance tomorrow I can finally obtain a policy and start calling the doctor’s visits we went for; and reschedule appoints which got cancelled because of the lack of insurance.

Feeling plumb exhausted I decided to merely rest for a few days, but this caused me to realize today the I forgot to do an entry for the following:

December 20th was the 3rd anniversary of my fulfilling my dream of becoming a romance author, so to celebrate both of my books are in KINDLE Countdown mode until 12/26:

http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Leigh-Morgan/e/B00BWXT4VU

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-163 - TRAPPED IN TIMELESSNESS: FALLEN ANGELS

This book is another one of the five books I had won in Marie Lavender’s Halloween Giveaway and the following is my honest opinion.

Nowhere in the author’s description for this book is there any mention of it actually being a collection of three short stories, that is unless you consider the placement of two sets of three asterisks [***] between what appears to be a mini synopsis for each one of these stories serving that purpose. It’s not until you search the end of each of the first and second story, which ends in a “cliffhanger” that you realize the next story is a continuation of the previous one.

Mr. Schenna’s writing in each of these short stories is quite vivid and has just enough suspense to make it interesting enough to keep you wanting to read more.  Which is why I’m giving this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1625262469

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1625262469

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-162 - THE CURSE OF GRUNGY GULLEY

The following is my honest opinion for the PDF.file copy of this book which I’d received through Marie Lavender’s Halloween Giveaway.

While the premise of this book, good vs evil, has been done numerous times across several genres I enjoyed reading this one as it had been written for the teen and young audience which is the same audience my first book had been written for.

Random A Ransom, a Bewitcher, thought his immortality would go one forever. He also thought he’ll have no problem defeating Mary Barron’s young assistants: Tuck Barrons, Earl Lee Farley, and Sue Anne Edwards. Little could he envision that these three would be able to infiltrate the ranks of his brethren; and attack him from within.

Ms. K.C. Sprayberry writing is quite visual and adds to the enjoyment of reading this book, which I’m giving 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1625261365

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1625261365

BOOK RETURN # 2015-161 - THE TRUE STORY OF THE PSYCHOPATH OF SANTA CRUZ

httAs I read more and more of Jack Rosewood’s endeavors in this genre of True Crimes, the more can I see how his writing style is continuing to improve. The reason I’m saying this because for several years I wrote items for a community newspaper and as I look back to what I’d written I can see the same kind of improvement. I believe that the astuteness in our selection of words as continues increase the effectiveness and impact of what we’d like to communicate to our readers.

In this outing Mr. Rosewood has chosen to write about Herbert Mullin, a psychopath who wound up murdering several individuals in California in the early 1970s. Once again in order to paint an entire picture of this individual we are given information regarding what had occurred in his life which had lead up to the beginning of his killing spree.

Mullin was diagnosed has suffering from paranoid schizophrenia which caused him to believed that killing these individuals would help prevent earthquakes in California. Since he admitted to his crimes, the trial focused in on whether he had been sane and responsible for his actions. While the defense had attempted to show Mullin’s insanity at the time, the fact he made sure he had covered his tracks proved the opposite to be true.

For once again presenting a story regarding another infamous serial killer in an enjoyable format, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019CTWH2I 

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019CTWH2I

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-160 - RUNAWAY SMILE

I found this book to be a delightful story of a young boy’s fantasized predicament when he realizes he’s lost his smile. His eyeglass-wearing book-reading talking dog has no interest in what his owner was saying.

Readers follow the boy as he continuously fantasizes about everything he does as he gets already to go to school and trying to find his missing smile; his lack of luck continues on his way there with all the people he meets, especially when he asks them if he could have their smiles.

You would think he would get help at school from his teacher, but he struck out there as well.

I loved the melodic flow of words which Mr. Rossis has used in the writing of this book as it added to the enjoyable reading experience not only for its young readers, but for the adults who can have their inner-child come alive again. Not only did this boy find his smile again [what kind of story would this have been if he didn’t], he learned the important life lesson of sharing; you can never lose something if you’re willing to share it.

For rekindling my inner-child as I read this book, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

I received a mobi.file copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQC2YLY

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QQC2YLY

BOOK REVIEWS # 2015-159 - THE DANE'S BRIDE

This is the first erotic, in fact any romance novel, set in this time period; that I’ve read/reviewed and am looking to read more of.

I loved the author’s slow, methodical pacing, starting at the beginning of the first scene which truly had set the mood of what’s taking place as well as showing her reader’s the all the fear, emotions and uncertainty of her main character, Aetherlin had.

What starts out as Aetherlin and Hrald being almost adversaries to each to each other, slowly changes as the passion they begin to share keeps growing. Readers, I feel will get thrown into her shoes as they begin to feel the almost raw emotions these two have for each other, until a crescendo is reached.

The dialogue, the character’s actions and descriptions of the scenes are apparently quite accurate as far as I’ve found for this time period.

For giving her readers a sizzling hot read as they drink their morning cup of their favorite Joe, I’m giving Ms. Ashworth 5 STARS.

NOTE: I had requested a copy this book from The Romance Reviews website and I’ve been selected to receive a PDF.file copy of it in return for a honest review.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WT0GP8A

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WT0GP8A

BOOK REVIEW 2015-158 - SKIING WITH SANTA

I found this book a delight in getting in the holiday mood as I drank my mid-day mug of black hazelnut coffee, sweet. 

Sandy, like some people, hates how everyone participates in the commercialization the holiday season has become and have forgotten what the holiday is all about. He even resents being reminded about it by his wife; but she’s doing it more for their grandkids than anyone else.

Sandy’s boss, Jude, at the ski school where he works comes up with the wonderful idea of having all their instructors dress up as Santa so they can hear the Christmas wishes their patrons have. While there no three spirits in this story to help with Scrooge’s transformation. As he hears the students assigned to him talk about the holiday and their wishes, Sandy slowly begins to realizes he’s the one who been brainwashed by the overly commercialization and that there are still others who hold to the true meaning of the holiday and its value the way he remembers them to be.

For having been GOOD in writing this story, this Santa’s Helper is giving this author, 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HG1JKYS

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HG1JKYS

BOOK REVIEWS # 2015-157 - ROSETTA

I found it quite interesting that the author has decided to name the main character in his book Rosetta.

While Rosetta is mysterious, beautiful young woman who has several unusual disabilities, she performed a strange ritual at the funeral for Professor Alan Hargreaves using an ancient language only a small handful of individuals can understand.  When Graham Chandlers learns she’s the late professor’s adopted he’s quite surprised.

The mystery begins later when he receives the professor’s journals and upon examination believes something had been going at the dig which hasn’t been reported. And just like famed Rosetta Stone from around 196 BC helped to provide the key to the modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyph, Chandler is the key to resolving the mystery which has been presented with.

While the storyline presented in this intriguing and holds the reader’s attention, I feel parts of it could have been fleshed out somewhat to make it more readable, and would have provided the abrupt end to the book, which is why I’m giving this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00THOCEXG

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00THOCEXG

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-156 - FLASH 40: LIFE'S MOMENTS

There’s an old saying, proverb if you will which talks about walking in someone else’s shoes. Which in reality means you can't really understand someone else unless you live their life, walk in their shoes so to speak. 

The reason I’m mentioning this is that I’ve written and self-publish a Flash Fiction book myself; in fact the one’s I’ve written are for the most part are only FIVE SENTENCES long. So I understand the skill and complexity it takes to write a story which can be considered to be Flash Fiction.

In her book, Janelle Jalbert has written 40 Flash Fictions each complete with a beginning, a middle, and an ending with a surprise at the end; reminiscent to the short stories by O’Henry. Each of her stories is full of emotions; making for an enjoyable quick read. The best thing about these stories is that each can be read completely while having a single cup of your favorite coffee; and they can be read in any order you desire.

While all this might be the case, the book could use a little editing to tighten everything up, which is why I’m giving this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q1RKZ06

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q1RKZ06

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-155 - TOO CUTE TO KILL

What do you do when you find yourself in a painful relationship which is going nowhere? You leave it of course and hope to find someone who’d heal your broken heart.

This is what Jake and Emma Rand did and they now share a sublime life together in the foothills of Casper Mountain, in Wyoming. However their serenity is broken the day when they discover a frozen woman’s body literally at their doorsteps.

When their friend, the sheriff gets stymied during his investigation, the Rands decide to become a pair of amateur sleuths and work to untangle the facts and evidence. The two love working together as a team on a single goal, far more than the adversary life they’ve come out of.

The descriptive style the author used in the writing of this and sprinkling in of historical facts at the right points in the story adds to the charm in reading this books. If you’re able to pick up on the skillfully placed clues you’ll find the “surprise” answer as to who the murderer makes sense.

For having written a wonderful detective mystery story without a smidgen of sex, I’m giving this endeavor by Ms. Adams 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJDM4Z0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CJDM4Z0

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-154 - THE AVID ANGLER - The Hot Dog Detective

What is a guy to do when he gets kicked out of the Denver Police Department for a variety of reasons; reasons which had been connected to the murder of his own wife, and the man who had been accused of it.

In the case of the former Detective MacFarland, he eventually winds up on the streets of Denver, as a homeless alcoholic. It’s only through pure grit and determination he’s able to get a hotdog cart and begins getting back on his feet, trying to finally have his days as a detective to become a mere memory of his past.

Fortunately or unfortunately the location he has is right near the city’s courthouse. It’s there he learns about a woman who’s been accused of murdering her husband. Clues and evidence connected to the crime are beginning to be destroyed or are disappearing.

As his investigation ensues he finds the man involved in his wife’s murder and the destruction of his former career might have a hand in this murder as well. Can MacFarland solve this mystery, he just might; but you’ll have to read the book to find out for sure.

If you’ve watched detective shows on television then you might find, as I did, that Ms. Adams has used a hodge-podge of these detectives in created the detective in this book. In creating MacFarland I can see the element of Sherlock Holmes and his gang of street-wise kids collecting information, just like MacFarland uses his homeless friends. I also can see elements of other television detectives as well.

Ms. Adams has written a very cozy detective novel reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote; which is why I’ve decided to give this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RANNZ98

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RANNZ98

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-153 - THE 7 POLICEMEN AND THE TROUBLESOME TIME MACHINE

I received a mobi.file copy of this book from the author’s recent giveaway on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

Since I DON’T accept requests to review books, I’m always entering giveaways to get most of the books I review, the rest are books which I personally obtain on my own.

Instead of the adult books I usually wind up reading/reviewed I love being able to sit back and read something which is intended for a much younger audience, which is why I consider myself fortunate to have snagged one of the copies being offered by the author.

The storyline the authors have created in the pages of this book is a wonderful conglomeration of several genres; science fiction, fantasy, suspense with just the right amount of adventure and action to grab and keep the attention of any boy who reads this book. Girls can also get a laugh as they read what can happen to a boy who’s always full of mischief.

Just the way some cartoon shows although they’ve been for children had humor which basically only the adults could understand, this book had some of this same kind of humor. I’m specifically thinking of the Rocky and Bullwinkle show of 1959 to the early 1960’s with characters like Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, and the end of each episode.

This group of 7 Policemen is more than the regular ones we see on the streets each day. They appear to be more like the A-Team, with each member possessing a certain skill which when combined make for a formidable force, especially when they’re specializing in the wild, the weird, the wondrous & the inexplicable.

For allowing my inner child to come to the surface as I read this book, I’m giving it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989657515

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0989657515

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-152 - WILLIAM BONIN - THE TRUE STORY OF THE FREEWAY KILLER

What can I say, “I’m on reading these TRUE CRIME books written by Jack Rosewood”, which is I’m always on the lookout for a giveaway for his latest release. This time I once again am fortunate to have snagged a free copy from his LibraryThing giveaway, can give any potential reader my honest opinion.  I’ve written items for a community newspaper for several years, which is why I like his journalistic style of writing, while not making it read like a cheap tabloid newspaper.

It was no wonder William George Bonin turned out the way he did especially when you consider what his parent had been like. His father was an alcoholic and a compulsive gambler. His mother had been a drunk as well who frequently left him and brothers in the care of no less than a convicted child molester, his own grandfather. Their neglect had been so bad that neighbors who took pity on them wound up feeding them.

At six he got placed in an orphanage, where he stayed until he got moved into a juvenile detention center for a variety of minor crime. But it wasn’t until his teens that he began to molest younger children, a passion which followed him for the rest of his life.

Mr Rosewood never spares his readers from reading any of the gory details connected to the series of crimes the individual he’s chosen to write about. All the details are presented to all those who read this book [as well as others in the series] in “brilliant” black and white, there’s nothing that seems to be left out.

The series of heinous crimes near several California Freeways committed by a depraved William Bonin is history now, but it’s a history we can’t allow ourselves to forget. And for making sure that this history is not forgotten about, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018L29KY0  

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018L29KY0

BOOK REVIEW 2015-151 - WINDWARD SECRETS

I received a KINDLE copy of this book in connection with a giveaway I’d previously won from the author and the following is my honest opinion.

Ms. Davis has done a marvelous job in creating for her readers a wonderful suspenseful story which also contains humor, a tad of the paranormal, and a 50-year-old mystery left over from Claire’s childhood she’s now determined to solve. Throughout the book the author has made sure you can feel the emotions of her characters.

Who would have known when it became Claire McPherson’s turn to pick the location for the annual get-away with three of her closest friends from college that it would become a highly revealing experience for everyone concerned. As the mystery of Windward Cottage begins reveal itself no one is the same as they were when they first entered the place. And even though everyone thought they knew each other, the secrets they’ve kept for decades become an open book for all to see.

Will these four friends be able to bring a closure to the mystery which has haunted Claire for so long? Regardless of what happens, this is an adventure no will be able to ever forget.

For giving her readers an exciting, page-turning experience I’m giving Ms. Davis 5 STARS for her endeavor here.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017HLRB2O

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017HLRB2O

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-150 - A BRIEF HISTORY OF LIES

I obtained a PDF.file copy of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway the author recent had and the following in my honest opinion.

While the author did what appears to be a thorough job in researching the subject matter of LIES, which included giving his readers a historical respective as well as some psychological reasoning for people lying. I’m somewhat dubious regarding the subtitle for the book which states that this book is THE MOST BRILLIANT BOOK EVER WRITTEN.

To me this statement is one of self-praise, and self-praise is no praise at all.  The intent of self-praise is to elevate something to a level higher than it actually is. In my opinion indulging in self-praise is insulting the intelligence of those you are trying to impress, which is tantamount to telling a lie. There are literally hundreds of books from various genres which are considered to be brilliant by critics so what makes this book THE MOST BRILLIANT.

With all things considered, the best I can give this book is 3 STARS.

US:   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1449963277

UK:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1449963277