BOOK REVIEW # 2016-017 - ERIC EDGAR COOKE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE NIGHT CALLER

I received a mobi.File copy of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway and the following is my honest opinion.

In this outing the author, Jack Rosewood, takes us to the land down under and to the sadistic mind of Eric Edgar Cooke , otherwise known as “The Night Caller.”

Like most serial killers Cooke we can his depraved mindset to an abusive childhood, and in Cooke’s case his facial deformity which couldn’t be hidden and his speech impediment aided in the formation of his true Jekyll and Hyde personality.

While during the day the Jekyll half of his personality was prominent, the night allowed Mr. Hyde to take over. None of his co-workers or even the police never could associate Cooke to any of the murders and hit-and-run killings taking place around them. In fact, the police even had empathy for him and even called him “Cookie.”

As in the rest of his books Mr. Rosewood makes sure he discussed his early childhood, abusive from his parents and the torment he received from his classmates at school. Cooke’s shrewdness made sure he didn’t fall into any recognizable pattern; his victims in their sex, age and manner in which they died had always been in random.

While Cooke had been forced to take menial jobs and usually wound up injuring himself; he even had stints in the military but wound being dismissed when his criminal past caught up with him.

With a wife and seven children to take care of Eric began his spree of burglaries which eventually led to down the path to murders.

To round out his book the author has made sure to give a listing of some of his victims and ending by writing about the mistake which, as with all serial killers, eventually led to his being caught, his trial and execution.

In the end readers are also given information about survivors of his attacks and other factors connected to Cooke’s rain of terror and the effect it had on the City of Perth.

The book contains several bonuses including a brief discussion regarding the psyche of serial killers  and a link for a FREE e-book copy of another book in his series.

For another enlightening book about serial killers I’m giving this one 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AY8O6YI

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01AY8O6YI

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-016 - MOMMY BRINGS HOME THE BACON

In telling this adorable story I loved the fact the author has decided not to give a name to the boy who’s telling this story. If she did the reader would distance themselves from the story because it’s about someone else and their mother; but the use of “I” puts the reader into the story.

Every parent knows their child would love for them to stay at home with them and have fun and not go to work. It’s practically the same reason why children hate when they have to start going to school. The author’s use of “bring home the bacon”, which we as adult know means money, activates the imagination of the main character since he never really sees any of the bacon he and everyone else in his family eats for breakfast, and will activate the imagination of the readers of this book.

At least on Friday’s the character knows his mother will home tomorrow and the day after, but not the day after that when the sadness of not having his mother around will return.

For the charming way the book helps for children to understand the topic of mothers having to go to work, I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

I received a copy of this book in connection to a giveaway on LibraryThing and the above has been my honest opinion.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J35GR0A

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J35GR0A

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-015 - ERIC'S BIG BOOK OF RELIGIOUS HUMOUR

I’ve already read/reviewed four of this individual’s books which I had received through giveaways on LibraryThing so when I saw him offering other books which for free I haven’t read I couldn’t resist downloading them.

As I began reading this book I did so with a bit of a hesitation and somewhat intimidated, not knowing how far the jokes would go and fearful they might border on being sacrilegious. But to my relief I found none of the jokes contained in this book going that far. Instead I found them to be quite tasteful with just enough “spice” so you couldn’t help but at least snicker after reading them; with some of these jokes had an innocent cute twist at the end.

Some of the jokes contained in this can be considered to be classic religious, having been told so often. For compiling an anthology of good, harmless religious humor revolving around several major religions, I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ASAVFHI

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ASAVFHI

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-014 - ERIC'S BIG BOOK OF KID RIDDLES

I’ve already read/reviewed three of this individual’s books which I had received through giveaways on LibraryThing so when I saw him offering other books for free which I haven’t read I couldn’t resist downloading them.

This book was a sheer delight to read as it brought me back to my youth in grade/public school and to the jokes and riddles us kids would continuously say to each other. There isn’t an adult who can’t help but remember them and the way they we used to create “new” ones. Parents who want their children to experience the same fun they had with the riddles should look at getting a copy of this book.

So what is black and white and red all over; why copies of this book of course.  [Red = read]

For giving me chuckles galore when I needed it after being stuck at home over the weekend with a blizzard at my doorstep, I’m giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATZ8NYK

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01ATZ8NYK

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-013 - EMMA G LOVES BOYZ

I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher through a recent giveaway on GoodReads, and the following is my honest opinion.

What is the mystique which exists between young teenage girls and male singers and groups? And what about the infatuation they exhibit anytime these individuals in their presence. In every decade there is always some singer or group which enthralls them. Being a child of the 1950’s, in my teenage years The Beatles, The Beach Boys, etc. and of course ELVIS and all the girls would go wild anytime they would be in their presence.

Now we come to the protagonist, Emma, and for her and her friends there could be no other concert, but the BOYZ300 concert and the dream of seeing her heartthrob, the band’s lead singer, live in the Bahamas. The only problem she had now is the funds for the airplane ticket; and she knew she could let nothing get in her way of getting it, even it meant a great deal of self-sacrifice liking doing routine chores around the house without up a fuss.

Naturally through true grit and determination Emma amassed the funds she needed.

During the concert she not only had an unbelievable, up close to and stage, her seat had been next to the runway. The concert was fantastic, but what happen during it made her feel like she was in seventh.  Why?  Her heartthrob had touched her hand with his.

What happens after the concert? Does she see him again, up close and personal? Does she meet a boy she’s attracted to? I’m not saying. Read the book to find out.

While most girls would write about the important stuff like this in their diaries, the author takes Emma’s a bit further. Instead of a mere diary which would have summarized each day, Ms. Meyer has given us, the readers, access to the detailed journal Emma is keeping of each day’s events, as well as letting us into Emma’s mind  so we can know what’s going on and sense the emotions she’s feeling.

For allowing us into Emma’s life, and for allowing older readers to relive those days when they had a heartthrob like Emma, I’m giving this book 5 STARS

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01785HC9Q

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01785HC9Q

STATUS REPORT # 070

I’m still waiting to receive about 10 books which I had won since December 28, 2015 which is why I haven’t posted more reviews. Given the way things are usually go for me, I’m going to get this backlog of books on the same day. So I’m taking it easy until I win/receive more books.

We’re received the second largest snowstorm here in the NYCity area. The front of our building got totally cleaned, but the sidewalks only had a path has wide as the snow blower which had been used. If I didn’t hadh to go to the supermarket which is luckily a short, manageable distance away in this weather for a handful of items, especially the all-important toilet paper, I would have stayed indoors.

 

BOOK REVIEW # 2012-012 - KISS ME TWICE

I received a signed print copy of this book through a giveaway contest on The Romance Review website, and the following is my honest opinion.

In “Kiss Me Twice” Ms. Darin has given her readers a sweet, yet tender, amusing, love story without the usual sex scenes passionate ones using contain.

I know I’m reading a good romance novel if it triggers something in my life I can relate to.  As I read this book the lines of the song “It’s Been a Long Time,” began to play in my head. If you’re not familiar with the song here are the lines:

Kiss me once, then kiss me twice

Then kiss me once again

It's been a long, long time

Haven't felt like this, my dear

Since I can't remember when

It's been a long, long time

You'll never know how many dreams

I've dreamed about you

Or just how empty they all seemed without you

So kiss me once, then kiss me twice

Then kiss me once again

It's been a long, long time

While in reality three days is not a long, long time; but in Bailey’s mind each day seems like an eternity, especially since her wedding day is involved, and her groom is simply gorgeous. There’s a complete void in her life now, a void which only can be filled when she has Carter back in her arms, and to have him recognize who she is. This is not as easy as it appears as there are lots of his fans [he’s a wonderful Elvis impersonator] are vying to get his attention and make him their own which I feel adds an element of intrigue to the story.

The author’s skillful writing makes this multi-genre story an enjoyable reading experience and the reason I’ve given it 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014ED2N7Q

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014ED2N7Q

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-011 - ERIC'S BIG BOOK

I received a collection of several books by this author in connection to a giveaway he had LibraryThing. The following is my honest review for the second of these books.

In the bar called “Duckee’s Place”, where they service the giggle water.  That’s right giggle water because these days I have to avoid alcohol due to the medications I’m taking. But during my college days any time I went on a date we almost always wound up in a neighborhood bar where I drank beer and started to giggle every time I heard a bar joke being told.

Eric Duck, in this collection of classic BAR JOKES has transported me back to those carefree college days as I read them and I could visualize some guy telling them as if they were new.  Sometimes the person telling the joke would change the name of the person in the joke to someone familiar in the bar, or put a slightly different spin on the joke depending on their mood. Guys back then weren’t the only persons telling these jokes, gals told their fair of jokes as well, and at times they were better than the guys.

For taking me back to my college days in this delightful manner, I’m giving Eric Duck 5 STARS.  

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015CW9ZV0

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015CW9ZV0

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-010 - I'M ENGAGED ! NOW WHAT ?

I received a PDF.file of this book from the author through a recent giveaway she had on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

What woman hasn’t dreamt of the day of her happy ever after; starting from getting a ring on the finger to walking down to aisle towards the priest to say the “I Dos.”  But, at the same guide she’s hasn’t even begun to think of all those “little” things which come between these two major events in her life.

Ms. Divitt endeavor here as the back cover states, “answers the questions        of what you need to do and where you should start. It is a guide to finding your path to wedding planning bliss.”

The book besides giving you an informative timeline to make sure you’re not hopping around from pillar to post in a chaotic manner, it also includes checklists for planning and more important the budgeting of the blessed event.

While this book is intended to help the bride and groom make the process, given the vast increase in same sex couples getting married, this book can prove to be quite helpful as well.

For helping ALL couples make their event come together I’m giving Ms. Divitt 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GSWFVRG

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GSWFVRG

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-009 - ERIC'S BIG BOOK OF DIRTY JOKES

I received a collection of several books by this author in connection to a giveaway he had LibraryThing. The following is my honest review for the first of these books.

In this the first volume of his Eric’s Big Books the author has compiled a wonderful connection that would please any guy, and some of their “horny” girlfriends. The collection here runs the gamut from quick riddles through short story jokes, often with a surprised twist.

Having already read/reviewed several erotic romance novels, including one which bordered on being pornographic, and beginning to write an erotic novella myself, none of these jokes made me blush, but they did make me laugh.

Despite the fact I wish the author had included more jokes in this compilation, I’m giving this endeavor 5 STARS.

NOTE:  As you can tell from the book’s title, the author has used the British spelling of words and terminology in this book.

US:   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0140B5YPU  

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0140B5YPU

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-008 - LOCALLY LAID

I received an ARC [Advanced Reader’s Copy] of this book through an Early Reader’s Giveaway on LibraryThing, and the following is my honest opinion for the book.

If just read this book’s title without reading anything thing else you’ll be totally disappointed when you get the book into your hand or your e-book reading device. The book contains nothing of a erotic or sexual nature, unless you want to include the sex lives of chickens.

I found this book to be an enlightening memoir of one family’s transition from having a few chickens in their backyard to a large mult-state egg laying company.  The book relates their roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs, pitfalls and successes they’d experienced along the way.

Unfortunately, the book is of interest only to select segments of the reading population, as goes into a great deal of detail involved with the process of raising chickens and the egg-laying industry, as well as historical farming information, and practically of non-interest to those living in large town and cities. This book would be a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys reading memoirs.

I found it somewhat distracting when the author fluctuated between telling the story of her family’s success and personal family matters like raising her family, going to school. In the end I’m giving Ms. Amundsen 4 STARS solely for the efforts she’s made in writing this book.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0125VU312

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0125VU312

NOTE !!! THIS BOOK IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 1st

STATUS REPORT # 69 - HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

New Year’s Day began marvelously for me, as everyone, the home attendant we have, myself went out to eat at the local diner, with my dear OH using a walker to walk to our car and then into the diner instead of a wheelchair for the second time; the first time had been on Christmas Day when we ate at an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet at a Indian restaurant about 17 miles from our home.

As soon as Lillie McFerrin will start up her Five Sentence Fiction website again I will be posting my response to her prompt word for the week. Her website was the inspiration for my decision to compile 100 of my response into my second book, “Micro Fiction – An Anthology” available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QH15K4M  

I’m off to a great start with my second 2^nd career as a Book Reviewer. As you can see I’ve already read/reviewed 7 books, and am waiting for the receipt of about 12 more. I now up to 234 books being reviewed on Amazon, and the three other sites I post my reviews on, and I looking at reviewing a total of 400 books by the end of the year.

 If anyone would like to interview me, just send me a private message.

Here’s to a VERY HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to everyone and your families!!! :-)  :-)  :-)

 Love

 Robin Leigh

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-007 - MARK OF THE LOON

I obtained a mobi.file copy of this book from the author in connection to a RaffleCopter giveaway on FaceBook and the following is my honest opinion of it.

Reading this book I couldn’t help but wonder how much of the author, Molly Greene, is actually in the protagonist, Madison Boone. Both are involved in the real estate industry and both are house flippers. While both do it for the fun, self-gratification and additional income; when it came to Madison and the Blackburne house, she bought it because she finally found a home she could call her own, especially since she rarely stayed in any one place long enough to put down roots ever since her parents had died.

Little did Madison know when she and her three friends would start renovating this house which had remained empty since the owners had died several years before that things would begin to happen. No sooner did the renovation begin than the walls of the house began to slowly reveal its secrets, like hidden rooms, old keys which didn’t open anything around; it also revealed secrets belonging to a mystery which intrigues Madison enough into wanting to solve it. But unfortunately by doing so, it would put her life and those of her friends in serious danger.

I found the writing captivating, but there appears to be an abundance of friends who I felt didn’t really do anything until the end of the story when the solution to the mystery was at hand. Giving us the back story concerning the previous owners of the house I feel has added value to the understanding of the present day mystery which is confronting the protagonist.

For writing a story from a realtor’s/author’s mind fantasizing about an old house she’s just sold and the unknown secrets it might have contained, I’m giving Ms. Greene 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00838H1OY

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00838H1OY

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-006 - JOURNEY: SECRETAGENTMAN

The author had a giveaway for copies of this book on GoodReads and I won one of the copies being offered; and the following is my honest opinion.

This is the first book I’ve read/reviewed which has the multi-genre combination of science fiction/fantasy, historical fantasy and I found it quite interesting once I got into reading it.

Being a child of the 1950’s, I couldn’t help but sense elements of television shows I had watched as a child coming into play as elements of the storyline.

The main character Lawrence R Howard determination of hiding his true personae of being highly intelligent, being able to solve problems affecting everyone, changing the political environment of the world, without concern to himself, under the disguise of being a meek individual. This reminds me of the Danger Man/Secret Agent television shows of the 1960’s, which probably also played a part in the book’s title and creation.

The idea of being reincarnated reminds me of Dr. Who, who when the time came to “move on” became another individual.

The concept of an earth-like planet in this book, the trip to a “new” world and remnants of an old, etc., when coupled with the way Mr. Howard signed his name for a trial by jury request [L. Ron “Howard] created an image of L. Ron Hubbarb in the back of my mind, which is probably wrong.

For the reading experience given me by this book, I’m giving it 4 STARS

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1941758479

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1941758479

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-005 - CINDERELLA TREASURE TROVE

Com’on now, what girl has never pretended being Cinderella; a plain looking nothing being able to charm the most discriminating of princes so they’d fall madly in love with them, whether they’ve a fairy godmother or not.

And this longing of being her doesn’t change when the little girl matures into womanhood; it intensifies as she’s now willing to do almost anything she has to, to make that dream come true.

This book is a wonderful  COLLECTION OF EXCERPTS  from a variety of 15 romances which can mentally fulfill your fantasy of becoming her in your own way. I’ve been fortunate to have read/reviewed the first novel being excerpted in this book by Amber Daulton [check out my review].

You might find the recipes at the back of the book helpful in creating another kind smorgasbord; one at which you and your single girlfriends can invite a treasure trove of eligible hunks to become your own prince. Don’t forget; the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

For giving us romance readers a possible treasure of romance novels to devour I’m giving this collection 5 STARS.

BEST OF ALL IT’S A FREE DOWNLOAD

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019E764YA

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019E764YA

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-004 - I'M YOUR MAN

You know you’ve read a great novella if as you read it, it triggers something in your mind; it can be a memory of something you’ve loved or you can relate to.

Such is the case when I read any story where a woman, like the title of the song by Mary MacGregor from 1976, is torn between two lovers.  Being a child of the 1950’s I’ve got hundreds of songs I can relate to, particularly when I happen to be reading a book at the time. Making this kind of decision is the toughest any woman has to make, especially if she doesn’t want to regret the choice she’s made years later; there’s seldom a redo when it comes to love.

While Justin can easily be the desire of any woman, a real hot hunk. To me Justin is a kind of “traveling man” who’s unwilling or even afraid to plant any roots down in a particular place or to make a real commitment to an individual woman; this is seen when he’s always looking for an excuse to get out certain situations regarding Ruth, like meeting her family. Justin is this “traveling man”, just like the one in the 1961 song by Ricky Nelson of the same name.  

The book’s title also happens to be a song by Michael Buble where the guy is willing to do anything and everything to make his love happy, which is the type a guy Ruth found in Danny, the plain looking guy she had her first night stand with.  So why couldn’t she have it with Justin?

When push comes to shove, does Ruth go with her heart’s desire and Justin; or does she listen to her mind and what’s best for her future existence and happiness, and go with Danny.  While the answer might seem predictable, there might be more to it than meets the eye. What the ultimate outcome is I’m not going to reveal, you’ll have to read this book to find out for yourself.

For allowing me to recall songs from my younger years and being able to step into Ruth’s shoes, I’m happy to give Ms. Rawson 5 STARS.

NOTE: I had requested and had received a copy of this book from The Romance Review website in return from my honest opinion. This review has already been published there.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NWNFANO

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NWNFANO

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-003 - CLEAN EATING ON A BUDGET

With my dear OH being hospitalized twice with two rounds of REHAB this year instead of both of us now being able to enjoy our retirement years I’m more than ever interested in watching what we need and am constantly looking to review books which might help me in this endeavor; which is why I happy was able to get a PDF.file of this author’s book. The following is my honest opinion of it.

The author has written this book from the inspiration she had received from Rakesh Singla. According to the author Rakesh Singla is a coach who can help you grow, starting with how you look at and choose food. He has worked with and studied under many doctors and nutritionists to become an expert on food, diet and all things nutrition. Most of all, he is a MS [Muscular Dystrophy] survivor of which there is no known cure in medical science.

I found this book to be quite informative as it gives its readers the way clean eating can help transform themselves to a healthier individual. Ms. Borgelt gives us sensible substitutes to what we would normally use on a daily basis, as well as giving numerous recipes for her readers to try.

In order to attract more potential readers from the intended audience of this book, I feel the author should have indicated the vegan nature of the book in her [original] description of it.

For wanting to give her readers a healthier lifestyle I’m giving this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019I5VA5G

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019I5VA5G

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-002 - 300 JOKES FOR KIDS

Mr. Hogan had a giveaway for this book on LibraryThing and I was fortunate to have snagged one of the KINDLE copies which were being given away and the following is my honest opinion for this book.

Being a child of the 1950’s we didn’t have all of the things kids of today have. We had no DVDs, CDs, high-definition televisions, electronic game boxes, etc. Instead we all played street games; girls had their games and the boys had their games. Reading this book brought me back to those simple days, days in which kids had to be creative in finding things to amuse ourselves with. One thing we had in common was jokes and more jokes. Unfortunately, I believe the art of children telling jokes to each other has for the most part been lost.

Reading this book as an adult, I believe you’ll find it rekindling your memory of those days when you and your friends shared jokes on a regular basis and remember how happy you were telling them. If it does, then why not share this joy and happiness with your children and see if they’ll come up with some of their own jokes.

For rekindling the memory of my days as a child and for allowing today’s children to experience the telling/sharing of jokes, I giving this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019PEZOJS

 
UK:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019PEZOJS

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-001 - WELCOME TO MONSTROVIA

I received a KINDLE copy of this book through a giveaway the author had on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

After reading this delightfully, captivating book chuck full of monsters and other mythical creatures set in a who-dunnit storyline I doubt it has been written by someone who’s an adult. Instead, I believe it had actually been written by an inner child who’s free of any inhibitions of being an adult.

Image if you will, you’re in Brodie’s shoes, and discover you’re the only person getting off a plane after it lands and see a sign which reads,"WELCOME TO MONSTROVIA SPECIAL SECTOR! KEEP OUT! UNLESS YOU ARE SPECIAL!” what would you begin to think about the place you’re now in. If this isn’t enough you find out you find out that your uncle, the person you’ve come to stay with is an attorney whose clients are monsters, fictional characters and the like. What thoughts would begin to race through your imaginative mind other than a possible marvelous fun experience, rather than the reason you’ve been sent here by your mother – misbehaving in school. 

Mark Newhouse’s writing is quite imaginative which is why I’ve mentioned the inner child; it brings you right into the story as you continue to turn the pages to find out what happens next.

For letting his readers, as well as the inner child of his adult readers, have their imaginations run wild; I’m happy to give this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NO0COA

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016NO0COA