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Book review, Books

Shamus Dust: #bookreview

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https://www.amazon.com/Shamus-Dust-Hard-Winter-Murder-ebook/dp/B07VV4SLHP

Shamus Dust by Janet Rogers is set in London during Christmas of 1947. The people of London were still rebuilding after World War II.

The main character’s name is not Shamus Dust. Shamus is a term for a private investigator. Mr. Newman has been hired by Councilor Drake to look into the murder of Raymond Jarrett. It’s not too long before the body count starts to rise. Trust me when I say, it’s all connected. I think that there is even a line in the book about everything in life being connected.

There was a possible witness to the first murder. Nurse Greer was the one who found the first body and called the police. Newman seems to find her intriguing. Maybe that’s why I thought she was interesting. She was hiding at least one secret. Mystery is very often alluring.

Newman has quite a journey to discover the truth. If I had been smarter, I would have written a chart so I could keep track of who was responsible for what crime.

I did enjoy the book but sometimes it was difficult to keep track of the characters. Don’t hold it against the author or the book – it’s probably a personal problem of my own. The problem is probably that I need a nap. Newman hardly ever sleeps so I want to sleep on his behalf.

If you are a fan of mysteries or crime noir, then you will more than likely enjoy Shamus Dust.

If you don’t need more mystery in your life, then shelve this book until you do.

Book review, Books

The Antique: #bookreview

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The Antique

The book starts out in China approximately two thousand years ago. A tiger has killed a young boy, the son of a warlord. A witch, Zi-Ling, was wrongfully accused of killing the boy. She vowed revenge upon those responsible for her impending death. Her ashes were separated by a monk and sent to different areas of the world in order to keep her from reconstructing herself and avenging her death.

Zi-Lin needs her descendants and the ashes to become powerful again. She uses people and insects to gather her power and find the descendants, also known as the Blood Children. Zi-Ling’s sister, Maylan, turns the monk into a worm and then called Lao Chong. From then on the worm does the bidding of Maylan. They use the worm and spells to control people.

There is also a golden box called Gu, which contain part of Zin-Lin’s ashes. Apparently, Gu has her own power and calls herself The Queen.

At this point, I’m confused. Why does Gu have her own personality? Why isn’t the witch the focus instead of the queen? There are so many characters and it’s still the beginning of the book.

Most of the book takes place during the present time in San Francisco. The Queen and her minions have tracked two of the Blood Children.

There’s at least one chapter devoted to understanding why and how the insects and other creatures run things for the Queen. I could have done without knowing understanding the insects point of view. Maybe it’s just my personal distaste for bugs.

Part of me wants the witch to avenge her death but I think that sympathy for her gets lost in the story. The book needs a bit of streamlining to make it easier to follow. Sometimes I’m not sure if the witch and the Queen are the same entity.

There are some good parts of the book. I like the section about the witch and the tiger. The parts with the current blood children are good. The premise of the book is good but it gets a bit off track in some places.

If you are seeking to avenge your ancestor’s death, then you might appreciate this book.

If you are an exterminator, then you won’t appreciate this book or the treatment of exterminators. Plus, there are so many bugs and spiders with an incredible amount of intelligence.

Will the witch be able to reconstruct herself or will the Blood Children destroy the boxes? Will the Orkin Man or Woman ever be successful against the power of the insects and spiders?

  • I received the ebook from Reedsy in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

Book review, Books, homeless

The Skin of Water: #bookreview

The Skin of Water

The Skin of Water by Cristina Salat is mostly set in San Francisco. Sixteen- year- old Lisel has run away from her home in New Mexico. She spends a few days squatting with a new homeless friend.

Her uncle has moved into her home in a Pueblo community in New Mexico. The house was left to her by her father, who passed away.

He is an abusive creep, which is why Lisel has left. Her aunt and grandmother do not come to her aid like they should.

After a few days, Lisel moves into a homeless shelter for at-risk youth. As part of the program, she has to take a self-defense class. The class really helps to empower Lisel and the other women in the class. Many of the class members believed that they had to accept being assaulted. The class helps the women to become empowered. It’s a beautiful thing to read about those who are weak becoming strong.

The shelter only allows people to stay for a few months before they have to leave. Lisel isn’t sure if she is going to stay in San Francisco with her new friends.

She has to decide if she’s going to confront her uncle and take the house back or build a life somewhere else. Will Lisel realize that she is powerful?

If you enjoy stories of women trying to overcome adversity, then you will like “The Skin of Water.”

Creepy uncles will not like this book. The book is too good for them anyway.

  • I received the book from the author in exchange for doing a review. We were brought together by the Indie Helper Database. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

Book review, Books

A Throne for Sisters : #bookreview

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A Throne for Sisters

At the beginning of A Throne for Sisters by Morgan Rice, orphaned sisters, Kate and Sophia, are living at The House of the Unclaimed, an orphanage near the town of Ashton. It’s a stretch to say they were living because they were more like captives. The orphanage was a nightmare for both sisters. The orphans were kept until they could be sold into servitude when they came of age at 17. They had been thinking of leaving but didn’t think it would be possible.

I don’t know what I was thinking but I read a few reviews. One person wanted to know why they didn’t just leave. It’s not as easy to leave a place where people are controlling your life as some would think. The sisters have no family, no money, no friends sooo where are they supposed to go? Shame on me for reading the reviews.

Sophia and Kate do finally escape from the orphanage. They are being hunted but manage to allude everyone.

The sisters are both able to read minds. It helps them out of some situations but not all. Their power is one of their closely guarded secrets.

Sophia and Kate decide to separate so that maybe one of them could stay out of The House of the Unclaimed. Sophia manages to find a way into a ball at the palace. She finds her prince, who is actually a prince.

Kate finds a home and a job with a blacksmith. She feels like she has finally found a place in the world.

However, the good times are short lived for both sisters. You will have to read the book to discover what happens to Sophia and Kate.

If you like books set in medieval times with a bit of magic, then you might enjoy A Throne for Sisters. If you don’t enjoy books that are part of a series, then there is no help for you in this case.

Some people in the review section seem to not be a fan of having to buy the next book. For the most part, I don’t mind getting the next book. In the case of A Throne for Sisters, I look forward to reading the next book.

Book review, Books

Sun & Moon Academy: #bookreview

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The Sun & Moon Academy is set on a college campus located inside of a mountain. The college is focused on helping supernatural beings learn about their powers. The WiFi is spotty so they should have more time to study – at least in theory.

There are several main characters. The book is told from the point of view of each of the characters at different points. Each character has to go through a major challenge that could affect many people on campus if they fail. No pressure, right?!

It’s an anthology with many authors. The authors are: Victoria Escobar, Rose Garcia, Victoria Flynn, Tish Thawer, Justine Winter, Amy Richie, Belinda Boring, EJ Fechenda and Kristie Cook.

Although there are several authors, the writing is fairly consistent. I cannot even tell any major differences in their writing style. I think if they were vastly different, it would take away something from the story.

If you are a supernatural college student, then you will love this book. If you are a supernatural villain or a vampire hunter, then you might not be a fan.

Book Info & Links:

SUN & MOON ACADEMY is now live! Don’t miss this exciting paranormal anthology. Ten paranormal tales and one page-turning supernatural academy story in this spinoff from the award-winning Havenwood Falls universe.

➜ Amazon US: http://havenwoodfalls.com/sma1-zon➜ Amazon UK:http://havenwoodfalls.com/sma1-zonuk➜ Apple Books:http://havenwoodfalls.com/sma1-ab➜ Barnes & Noble:http://havenwoodfalls.com/sma1-bn

Check out more from Havenwood Falls: http://havenwoodfalls.com/

  • I received an ARC in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.
Blog, Book review, Books

Keeping Lucy: #bookreview

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Keeping Lucy

Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood is about Ginny, a housewife from Massachusetts, trying to get her life back on track by getting her daughter back.

The main characters travel from Massachusetts to Florida. It’s not your typical road trip but they have an interesting adventure. Their lives won’t be the same after this trip but you’ll have to read it to find out what happens.

Ginny is a mother who has had her child taken from her moments after childbirth by her husband, Ab, and his wealthy family. Lucy has Down’s Syndrome. It’s 1969 before people took care of their own children with disabilities. No one around the mother believes that Lucy should go home with the family. Ab’s family sends her to Willowridge, an institution for developmentally delayed children.

She has been a stay at home mother and done everything to support her husband. Before they got married, she was a librarian. Her husband wants her to forget about Lucy and get back to how things were before. For two years, she is depressed ànd going through the motions of daily life.

Ginny’s friend, Marsha, discovers that Willowridge is being investigated for having less than ideal conditions. Ginny talks Marsha into traveling to Willowridge to see for themselves. She is allowed to take Lucy for the weekend. After seeing how Lucy has been neglected – severe diaper rash, intestinal worms and lice – she cannot stand the thought of taking Lucy back.

So the group travels to Florida. Ginny decides along the way that she won’t ever take Lucy back to Willowridge. Her husband and father-in-law try to talk her into coming back but she refuses to allow them to take her child away again. There is a risk that she’ll go to jail for taking Lucy, but Ginny is unswayed. She is keeping Lucy.

I cannot think of anyone that won’t like this book. Maybe if you like books or characters that are exactly the same as everyone else. If you like boring books and cookie cutout characters, then this is not the book for you.

Blog, Book review

Cold and Deadly: #bookreview

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Cold & Deadly

Do you think that you have what it takes to be a crisis negotiator? You would have to keep your cool when the stuff is about to hit the fan. Whatever you do or say, can be the difference in saving the lives of the hostages or not.

In Cold & Deadly by Toni Anderson, Dominic Sheridan is a crisis negotiator for the FBI. Sheridan and FBI agent Ava Kanas have a mutual friend who has recently passed away. Everyone believes that the friend committed suicide, except Ava.

Her theory is that someone is targeting FBI agents. Of course, no one believes her. She only has her theory but her boss isn’t supportive of investigating the case much further. The only person that listens to her is Dominic Sheridan.

Of course, they are probably going to fall in love even though they don’t want to because falling in love is ridiculous. They are probably going to come too close to the person who is murdering their fellow FBI agents. They are each going to risk their life and career to save the other one.

I did like reading this book. The romance part was predictable but I think that is what people like about romance novels. We know that the couple is going to fight and seem mismatched but still profess their love at the end.

The part that I did really enjoy was the mystery. I did figure out who one of the accomplices was before he revealed himself. However, the main antagonist was a little more difficult to spot. When they revealed themselves, I was like, “How did I not see that coming?” I was just trying to enjoy the surprise.

So if you’re looking for a good mystery/romance, check out “Cold & Deadly.”

  • I received an ebook from Inkslinger PR in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

Book review, Books

Ten Reasons to Stay: #bookreview

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TRTS e-COVER

I wish I could give the summer 10 reasons to stay so it doesn’t leave. The book, 10 Reasons to Stay by Candace Knoebel would be a great book to read at the beach.

It’s not for kids. There’s a lot of sex and talking about sex. 

The plot is that Corinne is married to Jack, who wants an open marriage. She thinks he’s going to pursue other women anyway so she agrees to try an open relationship. 

Corinne texted Cole on Tinder and they talk for awhile. When they do meet, they discover that he is her husband’s new boss. He’s just about perfect. So, of course, they fall in love. 

What is Corinne going to do? Stay with her husband or stay with Cole. Decisions. Decisions. 

All in all, I liked the book and it would be perfect to take on vacation.

Add TEN REASONS TO STAY to your Goodreads TBR here!

 

Get your copy of TEN REASONS TO STAY today!
Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU

 

 

Don’t miss FIVE REASONS TO GO, book two of the Risky Hearts duet, out October 25th!

Add it to your Goodreads TBR today!

 

 

About CANDACE KNOEBEL

Candace Knoebel is a hopeless romantic with an affinity for whiskey and good music. Her love of words began when she met the boy who lived in the cupboard under the stairs. She’s a self-proclaimed Lost Girl. Words are her mirror.

With two completed series, her work ranges from paranormal to contemporary, all centered heavily around romance. Currently she lives in Florida with her husband and two children, and has just completed her thirteenth novel, The Taste of Her Words.

Website /

  • I was going to do this review for InkSlinger PR in exchange for a review.  However, I bought the book on Amazon with my own money. All opinions are mine. Obviously.
Book review, Books, Uncategorized

History of the Void Garden: The Princess of the Infinite. #bookreview

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Histories of the Void Garden: Princess of the Infinite is the sequel to Histories of the Void Garden: Pyre of Dreams.  I thought that I would enjoy this book more than I actually did. There are so many questions left unanswered: Why Stephanie had special powers or what she was capable of doing? Is the waitress special? Why can’t I stay awake while reading books anymore?

This book introduced a few new characters. Normally, I wouldn’t mind but I felt like there was too much going on with several storylines.

At the end of the book, I still didn’t know what was going on at all. The ending left it open for a third book in the series.

So this book has potential but I think all of the characters and their purpose can get confusing. The story could have been written from the perspective of Stephanie, the Princess of the Infinite, and it would have been almost perfect. She is such an interesting character. I’m not sure about Sam Cushing . He’s kind of a douchebag and not especially interesting to me.

In my opinion, it’s called Princess of the Infinite and more should be written about her instead of making more characters that are not as captivating.

I think I gave the book 3 stars on Amazon. If you’re interested in reading the book, you can also find the book on Amazon.

Histories of the Void Garden: Princess of the Infinite

 

*I received a free ebook in exchange for doing a review.