BOOK REVIEW # 2015-137 - THE BISHOP, COMEDIANS, PROFESSOR, BROTHEL , , ,

I received a paperback edition of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway from the author and the following is my honest opinion.

The back cover of the book proclaims it’s the best since P. G. Wodehouse. Since there’s no mention of this British humorist’s name, I’ve got to assume he had been the biggest influence in Clifford J. Hearn’s wanting to write in this genre. However, I don’t think it had been the actual stories which had been the actual influence, but the televised stories on British television; that along with the British television Ripping Yarns [Michael Palin/Terry Jones from Monty Python’s Flying Circus], the author had watched as a child in London.

That said, this author’s short stories share an almost identical look at life itself, poking fun at society and those in it, with what P. G. Wodehouse had written.  Each of Hearn’s stories, like Wodehouse, are a snippet, although somewhat disjointed, of the lives of his characters.

If you’ve watched the British comedy series Wodehouse Playing or the Ripping Yarns series written by Michael Pallin and Terry Jones [Monty Python] on PBS television [which I have when I’d been considerably younger] or the BBC, then you’ll know what to expect in this book. My laughter ranged from a mere groan to a belly laugh.

If you’re not into the British sense of humor, reading the stories in this book might take a little getting used to; but once you do, you’ll find this book quite an enjoyable reading experience. Please be aware the author uses British terminology and spelling of words at times.

As a whole I totally enjoyed reading this book, which is the reason I’ve given this book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSC9F9C

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZSC9F9C

I'VE HIT ANOTHER MILESTONE

While yesterday I might have posted my 136th book review for this year here on my blog; yesterday I posted my  200th  review on Amazon.

I've loved reading/reviewing those books as it gives me something constructive to do instead of doing nothing. I've been retired about 5 years and 8 1/2 months now and while second career as an author has slowed down to a crawl; my 2nd second career as a Book Reviewer has become something I couldn't imagine when I began about 14 months ago in earnest. I know I've done a great review when the authors compliment me regarding the review I'd written for their books.  

With the holidays coming in less than two months, if you're considering giving a book to your child, a friend, a family member. or even yourself; you're always invited to check my reviews out on Amazon.

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

THANKS for following my blog.

Have a GREAT DAY !!!  :-) :-) :-) 

Love

Robin Leigh

BOOK REVIEW 2015-136 - MOVING ON

I received a free download of this book through The Romance Reviews website  [http://www.theromancereviews.com]   in return for my honest opinion

How would you feel if the wonderful guy you’re about to marry suddenly ups and dies just a week before your wedding day, then you’ll know precisely how Anna felt when her fiancé, Murray, had died. Unfortunately since that tragic day, on a daily basis she would receive an onslaught of condolences, gazing looks of sympathy, etc. from both friends and strangers alike.

Eventually Anna had taken all she could bare and decides ditch her current environment and move to the cottage she’s inherited from her fiancé and his family in Regina Beach.

      

As a child of the 1950’s I can remember those autograph books we used to use when we graduated junior high school [9th grade at the school I went to] where we would say congratulations to our friends. etc. Sometimes we would write little fun things like:

2 GOOD

2 B

4 GOT TEN

[which was written as an addition problem] or things like:

“Don’t make love by the garden gate. Love is blind, but the neighbors ain’t.”

This is the kind of place Regina Beech is, a place where everyone has to know everyone else’s business; and this is especially true when it came to someone who’s just moved there.

Along with Anna who’s here to recover from her drastic loss, we have Nick, a Sergeant in the Canadian Army who came home to recover from his tragic accident where he lost a limb due to an IED explosion. Both of these two main characters were there to find some sort of solace from their own predicaments, and it’s a chance meeting her first night in Regina Beach which and brought these two “lost” souls together.

I loved how the relaxed dialogue shortly ensued soon afterwards and then eventually led their relationship to blossoming into one of a more serious nature. However, this could never grow into a truly open relationship since she refuses to talk about her past, and he refuses to talk about his future, especially where it concerns his desire to return to active duty. Who will be the first one to break the silence and share their secret? Will their relationship become a happy ever after one?  I’m not saying, but I am giving Ms. Bower’s book 5 STARS !!!

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O2HZ4LW

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O2HZ4LW

STATUS REPORT # 65

About two weeks ago I got something in the mail which for the lack of any better words, reminded me of old I am. I received my Medicare card. YES, I’m going to be 65 shortly.

Having worked for the City of New York it means changing the health insurance my dear OH and I have. There’s a window of time in which I have to make my decision as to what I should take, otherwise I’ll have to wait an entire year to make any change.

This is something you can’t go blindly into, so last week I spent Monday arranging to go to the city to the union I’d belong to for counseling. Luckily I’ve got the best plan to be able to split out and calculate the new family insurance plan rates.

On Tuesday, since we go to the nearby senior center, along with the home attendant my OH has, for lunch; I couldn’t take the bus until after 1:00 PM. Needless to say, given my luck these days, when I got to where I needed to be, I found out they close at 3:00 PM for any new arriving individuals. This meant I wasted an entire afternoon, having to go back home empty-handed. The next day, I caught AN EARLY bus, and arrived at my destination to be the first person to be seen.

The day turned out to be to my advantage since I learned the two of us can have our own individual insurances because neither of us has any dependent children. Because of this my pension will increase slightly because it will be offset by having to pay for my Part B Medicare payments, and the good news is I’m supposed to get most of/if not all of these payments back the following year around August.

With two days spent taking care of this, I’d created a huge backlog of things I usually do. Spending every moment I could I’ve cleaned my backlog of books to read/review - - - only have 1 book now on my TBReviewed pile.

As for my writing endeavors are concerned, my two major WIPs are still on the back burner; my short story still needs some tweaking, and my endeavor to write something outside of my “comfort” zone needs a total rewrite, mostly because of a lack of any dialogue.

With all this, even with the help of a home attendant, I still need to look after my love. But at the same time, I’ve once again making myself available for interviews and guest blog posts.

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-135 - TRUSTING JACK

I don’t know why but I find something special when I read a romance novel where love is found, lost and found again. While losing a loved one is bad enough when he/she dies from an illness or having their life snuffed out due to an accident or even worse at the hand of someone else; having it happen through divorce results in a devastating, traumatic effect on the individual.

I loved how Ms. Hale wasted no time in getting to the apparent reason for emotional split between Emma and Ryan which culminated in their getting a divorce; both had made a mistake in their rushing to be married.

Naturally, after this Emma wanted to get her life back to the way it was, and to the job she once had in the movie industry before she’d entered this dismal period in her existence. Soon after she rejoined actress Norah Jackson as her personal assistant, she meets Jack Brandon who’s a sexy, young, inexperienced actor.

Although each had a kismet-like attraction to each other the moment they first met, each carries baggage from a previous love affair they once had. Both Emma and Jack are hesitant in allowing themselves to experience the kind of love they’re both seeking, which in turn creates them having an almost rollercoaster-like relationship.

Does their relationship in the happy ever after? I’m not going to say as I’d like you to share the emotions I’d experienced in reading this book. The story is well-developed without any of the sex scenes you might expect, which is why I’ve given Ms. Hale 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECZV076

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ECZV076

I'M FINALLY DOING A GUEST POST

After being sort of a recluse for several months due what's been going in my life especially when it comes to my dear OH, today I'm finally doing a guest post in which I tell the story of my transition from writing non-fiction commentaries for a community newspaper for several years to writing my first novel, a MG/YA Paranormal romance entitled "I Kissed a Ghost"

Here's the link to my Guest Post on Kim Cox's Blog - "The Writer's Journey" where I'd love to read your comments, ctc

https://kimwrtr.wordpress.com/2015/10/25/1280

If anyone would like to interview me or have me post my story on their blog/website, please feel free to contact me

BOOK REVIEW # 2015-134 - THE BACKYARD BUG HUNTERS

I received a KINDLE Edition of this book in connection with the first book of this series, “A Kids in the Tree House Book” which I’d won through a giveaway on LibraryThing, and the following is my honest opinion.

Ms. Cole has once again written an early reader children’s book revolving around the activities of two young boys around six years old, probably due to the inspiration she’s received from her own two sons and her own experience as a girl their age.

In this story Caleb and Logan want to go bug hunting. They gather various materials and construct two nets to use to catch their bugs, and after each has caught one, Logan suggests they need a natural habitat to place their bugs in. He gets a large empty pickle jar from the recycling area of their house, punches holes in the lid so the bugs can have some air to breathe and places leaves and twigs in the jar to complete the habitat.

They’re now ready to begin their hunting in their backyards. The bugs they found under a rock moved too fast for them to catch. Logan, apparently the smart of these two, knew a butterfly’s wings were too delicate to be caught and that some caterpillars can be poisonous.

Naturally Caleb’s young brother wants to join the hunt but is delegated to holding the bug jar and closing the lid tightly after the bugs are caught. All is well until they decided to catch bees, and when they realized the jar is full of now angry bees and decided to open to the jar to let them go. What happens next is exciting and almost deadly; but somewhat humorous to Caleb’s twin sister Isabella.

While the story is quite suitable for boys around the age of six, it can also be enjoyed by girls who want to read something about how weird they feel boys can be at this age; which is why I’ve given the author and her book 5 STARS.

US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014UAWQEI 

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014UAWQEI