BOOK REVIEW # 2016-33 - MOON BORNE

I won an e-book copy of this book from The Romance Reviews Mega Anniversary & Valentines Party and the following is my honest opinion.

Having watched the Hercules – The Legendary Journeys starring Kevin Sorbo television series I had imagines of that program played in my mind as I read this book. Naturally the program didn’t contain any of the well written hot, steamy sex scenes this book contains, nor did the passion although there hit the same level.

Having an Amazon woman, Kyme, while she’s still mortal, being the female protagonist in the story and Arsenius, a godlike alpha male made for an entertaining love-hate relationship between the two especially when the Gods get involved with it with a plan of their own.  

I truly enjoyed how the author took would might have been an interesting modern day romance added in mythology with a touch of fantasy to give her readers a story of a hot alpha male and an adept Amazon woman who had the ability of giving him a real challenge in the game of love. Who’s going be the winner, or will it end in a tie, I’m not saying; read the book to find out.  Which is why I’m given 5 STARS to this book.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014HZUKZI

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014HZUKZI

STATUS REPORT # 72

If you’ve noticed I’ve slowed down a bit in the posting of my book reviews. The reason is two-fold, one I’ve not been able to win as many books I used to last year and those I do win I’m slow in receiving.  The second reason is I’m happy to say is that my dear OH has stopped using the wheelchair we have and is able to walk to get where we need to be. We’re still using a home attendant for bathing, dressing, transitioning out/into the bed, and from in/out of the wheelchair to watch the television as well as the nearby recliner.

I also glad that all this going on my ranking on Amazon is the best is has ever been; with 265 reviews, my ranking as of today is 5,536. So if you’re looking for your next book to read, you’re invited to check out my reviews at :

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

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-032 - THE GEEK CLUB

To better understand this book one first needs to look at the meaning of the word “geek.” And according to Wikipedia it means:

“A slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people; in current use, the word typically connotes an expert or enthusiast or a person obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit, with a general pejorative meaning of a "peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward.”

The parents of today’s children had individuals who were referred to as Geeks, and so did their parents as they were growing up. However, the violence against them was not as prolific as it is today. And while schools always had bullies even going back to the 1940’s, the issue of their presence back then is not as is in the forefront of news-worthy stories today.

The premise of this book deals with three boys: Austin, J J, and Josh, who have to deal with Ron, the new kid at school, who happens to be the quintessence of what a bully is supposed to be. They knew that violence would only beget more violence and therefore could not be the solution to the situation they had to deal.  Instead, these three decided to form a club of geeks to formulate a viable solution to their situation.  Since none of them were considered to be cool according to the standards of others they needed to figure out what could and would make them cool in their own right; enough that others at their school would want to join their club, and perhaps even the bully protagonist, Ron.

For having presented the subject of bullying in such an enjoyable manner I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B6ZKI68

UK:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01B6ZKI68

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-031 - JOKES FOR KIDS - 200 KNOCK KNOCK JOKES

In order to have a supply of books to review since I don’t accept requests to review books, which is why I’m always entering giveaways, and how I came to receive a mobi.file [KINDLE] copy of this book; and the following is my honest opinion.

What child hasn’t ever heard of or told a knock knock joke? As a child of the 1950’s I definitely remember telling them to my friends and have them telling to my friends

Knock, Knock who’s there?

Boy.

Boy who?

Boy, I can’t believe Jill kissed Jack. Can you?

Everyone kept trying to come up with new ones, and to see who could come up with the most funniest one.

As adults we can remember the fun we all had with these knock knock jokes. And at the same time we can recognize something about them which we totally missed as a child.

Knock knock jokes have an intrinsically unique characteristic to them. They’re all based on puns; a play on words based upon what the who word in the joke happens to be. If you examine all the ones listed in this book, you’ll see how true this remark is.  As kids we had no knowledge of this, we had no knowledge that while we telling them to our friends we had been increasing our verbal skills as we tried to come up with new knock knock jokes.

For allowing the kids of today to experience the fun we as adults when we were their age, and for furthering the creativity of the minds of our children, I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BLKYNJ6

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BLKYNJ6

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-030 - POET ROBOT

I feel fortunate to have received one of the seven paperback copies of this book which had been offered by the author on his recent LibraryThing giveaway and the following is my honest opinion.

I found Mr. Wong’s writing in this book to be quite raw as I sensed his unwillingness to be intimidated by certain standards of the literary world as what’s appropriate to write about and what’s not.  While, given the wide variety of genres and books I’ve read/rewrite nothing really shocks me when it comes to the written, some who read this book might be taken back with the coarse language used by this author; so be forewarned.

After reading some of the pieces contained in this book, the reader’s mind will want to stop and contemplate as to what it has just read; primarily due to all of the possibilities those words have created.

For having written a thought provoking endeavor without pulling any punches as to what has been said, this book is getting 5 STARS from me.  

US:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0997135506

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0997135506

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-029 - WILLIAM HEIRENS: THE TRUE STORY OF THE LIPSTICK KILLER

I love reading Jack Rosewood’s series of book of true crime stories which is why I’m always entering the giveaways he has on LibraryThing which is how I came to receive a mobi.file copy of this book and the following is my honest opinion.

William Heiren’s is unlike any criminal or mass murder Mr. Jackson has written about before.  Even though he had been born during the Great Depression, neither he; nor his younger or older brothers ever suffered from want. They always had food to eat, clothes to wear, and had been brought up in a religious manner; knowing what right from wrong, and sex being a dirty word.

Heiren’s major problem growing up is of being a loner who had been unable to connect to anyone even his own parents. All this resulted in a repressed sexual behavior which involved women’s underwear which he routinely would steal from basement laundry rooms, etc. He knew what he was doing was totally wrong but he also knew he just couldn’t stop himself.  This is why he cried out for help after having taken the life of his second victim by writing a message on a wall using her lipstick. Further, the victim herself didn’t match the usual profile of other victims, no drug/alcohol use, no sexual involvement with men, in short, she was an All American Girl.

Using methods which by today’s standards would be consider illegal, the Chicago detectives brought Heiren’s reign of terror to a relatively quick conclusion. While the number of victims who died in low in comparison to other serial murderers is low, he only killed three; the total number of burglaries he committed made for a one-man crime wave in Chicago.

Mr. Rosewood also, as usual, gives his readers a thorough psychological picture of Heiren, which when taken with the rest of the book, is the reason I’ve given this book 5 STARS.             

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/153001946X

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/153001946X

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-028 - DAILY PROMPTS TO SPUR CREATIVITY

I won an e-book version of this book through the author’s giveaway on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

Being a Book Reviewer as well as an author I know firsthand how it is to sit just staring at the blank screen of my desktop computer and not knowing what to write next. This, for those who don’t know, is the dreaded condition of authors known as Writer’s Block.

There are several remedies for this condition, from going to another room to listen to one’s favorite music, go for a walk or leisurely drive somewhere. And for others it’s writing something in response to prompt, prompts can involve an idea or a specific scene.

For me it’s writing a Flash Fiction, consisting of only five sentences, to tell a story in based on a single prompt word. At times I felt the need to increase the difficulty present for each prompt word; and I did it by using the letters of the prompt word as an acrostic to begin each of the five sentences to tell the story in.

Unlike the limitation here, in writing your response to each of the 365 prompts presented in this book you’ve got no restriction as what or how to write a response and if you’d like, you can go back to any given prompt as often as you want. The variety of prompts contained in the book will help get those little grey cells of your mind working again.

For helping authors and anyone interested in writing something either for themselves or a contest get their creativity humming, I’m giving Ms. Divitt 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014PZ77HO

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014PZ77HO

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-027 - I WILL NEVER FORGET

I received an e-book version of this book from the author through a giveaway Marie Lavender had on her FaceBook Page and the following is my honest opinion.

Of one many genres of books which exist the most difficult to write are memoirs. The reason for this is quite simple; it’s the personal connection the author has for the subject matter. The subject matter is about a portion of the individual’s own life or that of a loved one, and of the two writing about a loved one is far more difficult due to emotions which get brought up during the writing process.

Many memoirs of loved ones have a roller coaster element to them, the good times and the bad, the glad times and the sad. The book written by Ms. Pereira is no exception as it’s about the person who gave her life, her mother.  

Seeing one’s aged mother/father well is wonderful; but when you see her having them deteriorating away mentally due to dementia is an extremely rough burden to bear since you’re basically helpless to do anything about it. Dementia causes a long term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember which can affect a person's daily functioning; there can be emotional problems, problems with language, and a decrease in motivation. All this is far more difficult for the caregiver to handle than just seeing them age gracefully.

For allowing her readers see and experienced the pathos she had experienced, especially at her Mom’s final days like an open book, I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZWGCQW

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RZWGCQW

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-026 - SEA TURTLES: 101 SUPER FACTS and AMAZING PICTURES

Ms. Janet Evans has done a wonderful job in presenting her young readers her book regarding the six top turtles of the world: Green, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, Loggerhead, Leatherback and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

Starting with the general facts about sea turtles; the author then precedes to give us the complete scientific name for each of the turtles listed above [Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.] This is followed by the physical characteristics of each turtle, the reproductive cycle of females, the diets, habits and the habitants each lives in during their lives.

While highly informative, the writing is easily understood even by early readers and parents to share the book with their children. The photos in the book serve to help illustrate some of the facts being presented.

For helping parents educate their children regarding some of the turtles in the world of animals I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

I received a e-book copy of this book through a giveaway on LibraryThing and the above has been my honest opinion.

US:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RT5YTYEE0Y5SM

UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/review/RT5YTYEE0Y5SM

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-025 - THE GHOSTS OF PEBBLE BROOK LODGE

I received a e-book copy of this book through a giveaway on Marie Lavender’s FaceBook page from the author and the following is my honest opinion.

Ghost Whisperer, Pepper Connelly, her sister and chef parents had decided to move so they could undertake a new venture where they could apply their cooking skills. They wound up at the Pebble Brook Lodge which has been abandoned for many years, which meant a total renovation would also be needed.

And what good would a place like this be without a cast of ghosts inhabiting it; as well as a mystery added in for good measure. Pepper and her new friend Ally set out to solve the mystery of Karen Hullet’s death, and to prove that her brother Willet, who had been accused of her murder, is in fact innocent of the crime.

The loved the way Pepper with her friend are able to unravel some of the clues, with a variety of complexity, which had either stymied the adults who been involved with the original investigation, or had been misled in their findings.

In the end these two sleuths found there had been far more to Karen’s demise than anyone back then could have imagined.

The author has used the right combination of ghost hauntings, the occult and even time travel to give her readers a delightful reading experience which has been able to grasp their attention throughout the reading of this book. While this is my overall opinion for the book, I believe it could have been tighten up a bit; which is why I’m this book 4 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0176JLHEA

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0176JLHEA

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-024 - OM-BORK

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

What starts out as being a whimsical story about a young boy [Martin] seeing a spaceship and then tells his classmates about it. Naturally they all make fun of it and begin to call him Martian.

Fifteen years past and Martin is now a grown man and one night coming home from work he hears a whisper and sets out to investigate it just how he did back then. The only difference is this time he finds an alien.

The conversation which follows between them is not about anything scientific as you might expect, it is about G-D and praying. In between the dialogue we can find things important to the tenets of religion. There’s also a direct link to Jesus and an important passage from the Bible itself if you read this book carefully enough.

For the spiritual message presented here I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1516866347

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1516866347

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-023 - ANGELIC BUSINESS - YOUNG ADULT PARANORMAL SERIES

I received a mobi.file which contained ALL THREE volumes of this Young Adult Paranormal series from the author through a giveaway on Marie Lavender’s FaceBook site and the following is my honest opinion.

While the purist might say this book needs to have some editing done; I found the author, writing in the first person of the book’s protagonist, Petra aka “Pink”, adds a certain charm to both the narrative and dialogue in each of the book’s three segments.

In Volume 1, we’re introduced to “Pink”, as Petra prefers to be called.  Pink, who although is not one of the prettiest girl at school, she’s smart and has plenty of resources available to her.

When Seth’s asks for an insincere date with him, while she adores him, Pink and her friends seek some revenge for it.

But things begin to chance when two new and mysterious boys [one of them is called “G” who Pink come to her school, they say they’re angels on a mission and tell Pink she’s very special and the key to the survival of the universe. Naturally, given she knows her place in the hierarchy at her school, she’s quite dubious and skeptical. However, this changes when both Heaven and Hell arrive at her doorstep.

Once you’re drawn into Pink’s personae, you’re drawn into the story itself and are eager to turn the pages to the last page of this segment, and can’t wait to begin reading Volume 2.

In Volume 2, Greg’s assignment has changed, luckily since Pink gad gotten tired of his interference in her life. The tug-of-war between Heaven and Hell continues to increase with Pink playing the part of the rope. Pink learns the price which had been paid for the resurrection of her mother; she’s in mortal danger since Hell is not known for losing graciously.  With angel in her life who has his own agenda, and a demon who has no idea of when to give up and surrender. Pink’s life has become more complicated than ever. And with one of friends on a quest to find the perfect man to be in her life, and her other friend in a secretive relationship, Pink’s life can never be the sane.

Volume 3 has an Armageddon is afoot and Pink whether she likes it or not is at the center. Both the envoys of Heaven and Hell are getting closer and closer to Zero Ground and to her home which is something she can no longer sweep under the rug as if it meant nothing. Pink knows she can’t go down without a fight and she has loads of stuff she must do, like helping her family, figuring out who her true friends are. Everything is coming to a head; past romances, loves, etc begin to be fulfilled, there are new challenges which creep up, and emotions are running amok. What the upshot of everything is, I can’t reveal; it’s for you to find out when you read each of the books in this series.

For an interesting and fun reading experience I’ve given each book in this series 5 STARS.

VOLUME 1

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YIHTW96

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YIHTW96

VOLUME 2

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHZ21O2

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YHZ21O2

VOLUME 3

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHZHUYS

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00YHZHUYS

COMPLETE TRILOGY

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016QBBZBE

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016QBBZBE

STATUS REPORT # 71 - A MILESTONE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED

I’ve hit a MILESTONE yesterday with my second 2nd          career, that of a Book Reviewer; I reviewed my 250^th book since I began in August of 2014. I love the comments I’ve received from the readers of my reviews which indicates to me I must be doing a decent job, and even if I don’t get a comment I believe my current Amazon Ranking of 5,707 is some indication of how others perceive the reviews I’ve written.

I post ALL of my reviews on:

Amazon

GoodReads

LibraryThing

Shelfari  [Shelfari is now combined with GoodReads]

And, of course, here on my blog.

The vast majority of reviews have been done for books I’ve won through the various giveaways each week as I don’t accept requests to review books. I want my reviews to be honest and I merely accept requests to get a free book, I wouldn’t be able to be honest, as I only enter these giveaways for books I’m interested in reading. The other reviews have been done for books I’ve purchased myself.

If you’ve wondered why I’m continuously stating how I received the book I’m reviewing, the answer is quite simple. FTC regulations require me to do so.

When my TBReviewed file is empty I go on a quest to find something interesting on Amazon [which I hope is FREE] to read/review.

So far this year I’ve already posted 22 reviews, which if I continue at this rate will put me ahead of the 163 reviews I posted last year.

If anyone is interested in reading any of my reviews, which cover a wide variety of genres, you’re invited to visit my Amazon profile at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A19QLCLVPLZH0B

Have a GREAT DAY and I would love to hear from you.

Love,

Robin Leigh

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-022 - DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN - 2016 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION

I have a policy of not accepting any requests for review a book, the only books I review are those I personally want to read or are those I’ve won in the various giveaways I enter on a regular on-going basis for books I’m interested in reading/reviewing. With no books on my TBReviewed pile I decided to check out Amazon for KINDLE books being given a way for FREE.

When I came across this book I felt it would be a good time to have a book like this in my library as there are many mornings I feel as I need something inspirational with which to start my day; and this book is definitely fits what I need.

Each day of the year starts off with a thought and a wonderful quotation from the Good Book for it.  Each citation gives you which version of the bible it has been taken from; NKJV [New King James Version], NIV [New International Version], NLT [New Living Translation], etc.; which is then followed by an appropriate brief vignette for what you’ve read for the day.

I just caught up to today’s date and the book has most definitely fulfilled its intention as far as I’m concerned.  Even though we’re into February now, you can start reading it from the day you get this book and continue reading it for the days you’ve missed. In fact there’s no reason you can’t go on reading it for years.

While the book is entitled “Daily Wisdom for Women – 2016 Devotional Collection,” I feel a great deal of men can benefit from the book as well, which is why I given the Staff of Barbour 5 STARS for their endeavor here.

NOTE: A brief bio for each of the contributors for this book is also given.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015K1BRMI

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B015K1BRMI

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-021 - JAKE: KINKY IN KANSAS

Wanting to find something else to occupy my free time besides my writing in August 2014 I decided to become a Book Reviewer. When I started reviewing books, being the person I am, I would shy away from reading all erotic romance novels, especially those which are considered to be GLBT. But now I’m opened to reading/reviewing any and all genres.

Jake by Bea LaRocca is the first truly manage-a-trois involving three males I’ve read. One of these three males, Jake, is a true virgin—a virgin who’s never been even kissed by a female or male.

Jake hasn’t told anyone he considers himself to be gay, however that changes the moment he takes a job as ranch-hand in training at the Striker Ranch. It is there Jake’s true self begins to surface the moment he sees the ranch boss Jackson, and his main honcho Nate; and senses a deep physical attraction towards both of them he can’t really explain.

As in any manage-a-trois, Ms. LaRocca made sure sex played an extremely important part her storyline. But instead of merely having these sex scenes involving an empty shell of characters, she has also allowed for the character development of her three main characters, making sure they become real in her readers minds. And to hold everything together as someone reads “Jake” she threw in some drama and mystery.

For helping me expand my reach of genres to read/review and for having written a story which moves in an enjoyable, cohesive manner I’m giving Ms. LaRocca 5 STARS.  

I received a e-book copy of this book during the 2^nd week of The Romance Reviews Year End Splash Party and the above has been my honest opinion.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R1SMPGQ

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00R1SMPGQ

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-020 - A LOVE FOR THE PAGES

During the first week of The Romance Reviews Year End Splash Party I won an e-book copy of this book and for that I’ve written my honest opinion this book.

What young girl doesn’t fantasize even at a young age about becoming a princess and finding a prince she can fall in love with. And as they get older the characters in the books she reads mature along with her. In this book June Eyermann is such a girl, a girl who’s on the border of crossing over to womanhood.

Being the true bibliophile she is, June has taken a particular quality of a certain male character from several of the classic books she adores reading to form her own fantasy male. From Wuthering Heights she’s taken Heathcliff, from Jane Eyre she’s taken Rochester, and from Pride and Prejudice she’s taken Darcy. And just like Danny Kaye’s character did in the Secret Life of Walter Mitty, June’s mind drifts off to one of her books when she sees or hears certain things.

When June returns home from her first year of college she desperately needs something to occupy her time with; and what better way could a book lover like her to have than to take a voluntary position at the local library where she can be with all the characters she loves. Even with her characters close at hand, June has her ultimate nameless male character floating around in her mind.

For June to have a fantasy character on her mind is one thing, but to have him suddenly appear in real life is a totally different matter. As you read this book, Ms. Penny has made sure you’ve stepped into June’s shoes as her heart begins to race every time he’s in her presence even after witnessing his fierce sensitivity and having discovered his mysterious past.

If you’ve read things by Lord Byron then you’ll understand precisely what June is thinking about those heroines and that she’s fearful becoming one herself in real life. June is determined that hers will be one which will end in a happily ever after, but to know whether or not she gets it, you’ll have to read this book.

This book is right on target with its intended audience of young girls and will create wonderful memories for those who are somewhat older, which is why I’ve given Ms. Penny 5 STARS for her debut endeavor.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L0O0RZI

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00L0O0RZI

BOOK REVIEW # 2016-019 - MOTHER TERESA'S ADVICE FOR JILTED LOVERS

What woman doesn’t live for the day she’ll walk down the aisle wearing a gorgeous white wedding gown to begin her happy ever after? And the only nightmare she dreads coming true is being left at the altar alone with her man disappearing to parts unknown; and after which she begins to wonder whether or not she’s been the cause of her situation.

Imagine if you will if the reason for your true love’s no show had been his sudden demise? Wouldn’t you feel as if fate didn’t want you to marry this guy? But suppose each time you’ve fallen in love with some guy he had died as well, wouldn’t you begin to believe you’ve been cursed when it came to the game of love? I know I would and I would feel the same sort of helplessness Tara Hudson felt.

Now, if you can feel this same sort of helplessness, then you’ll be able to step into Tara Hudson’s shoes, because this is precisely how she feels when it comes to her happiness and relationships regarding men. And if you were in Tara’s shoes wouldn’t the last you’ll want or need is to have your best friend, the one who you could always depend on tell you that “You’re the reason behind your own situation and the men in your life are dying.” The reason I’m saying this is because this is precisely what Tara’s best friend, Betsy, is telling her. 

Perhaps what Tara needs is to find some sort of spiritual path and self-discovery to find what’s wrong in the life she’s living. And if you’ve ever tried doing this, then you’ll know it’s not as easy as it seems as there will be countless hurdles you’ll have to leap, and obstacles you must get around.

Will Tara be able to reach the land of bliss she’s so desperately trying to find; and if she does, will she get the happy ever after which has passed her by for so long. The answers are in the book.

The book is wrought with dark humor and other of the author’s characters can best be described as being somewhat pathetic, Tara is delight when compared with them; which is why I’ve giving Ms. Barker 5 STAR for her endeavor here.  

I received a e-book copy of this book from a giveaway the author had on LibraryThing, and the above has been my honest opinion.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016APS2HG

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016APS2HG