Book Review: #BabyLove My Social Life by Corine Dehghanpisheh

Title: #BabyLove My Social Life

Author: Corine Dehghanpisheh

Illustrator: Corine Dehghanpisheh

Publisher: Book Baby, July 9, 2015

Topic: Bedtime, Social Media,

Age: 2-4 (and adults)

Opening: As I awake, a recording begins with family love and many grins.

Summary: An adorable baby tells a modern tale about life in today's digital world.

Book Review:

When baby wakes up, his day begins with a click. Likes, hearts and thumb ups follow him throughout the day as his parents snap, record and post his every move to social media and networks. 

A modern day tale from the point of view of a baby showcases how we use (and in my own personal opinion, sometimes overuse) technology and social media to stay connected with family and friends. I believe parents who enjoy capturing and sharing their children’s milestones and activities will find #BabyLove My Social Life entertaining. 

While I was not a huge fan of the illustrations, they are bright and colorful and will be sure to catch the eyes of little ones. 

Claws for Alarm Blog Tour and Book Review

Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio

 Since inheriting her mother’s sandwich shop, Nora Charles is more about hot grilled paninis than cold-blooded murder—until her sister Lacey is arrested. The victim, an esteemed art collector and Lacey’s bullying professor, was stabbed in the heart. Apparently, all over a lousy grade. Off campus, things were just as dicey. The prof had an ex with secrets, a trophy wife set to inherit a fortune in masterworks, and a scorned student mistress. Going undercover, Nora realizes that investigating this crime is the biggest test of her sleuthing career. Because if she fails, even Nick’s animal instinct won’t be enough to rescue Lacey from a perfectly executed framing.

My Review:

Claws for Alarm is the second book in the Nick & Nora series. In this story, Nora has to find the real killer of Professor Pitt before her sister goes down for murder. I want to first say that I love the series, Nora is a fun character and Nick, I wish I could pet the kitty. I loved Nora in the first book. But for some reason, she made me so mad with some of the stupid mistakes she made and the way she put herself in danger. I don't remember her character being soooo careless the way she was here, granted her sister's life was on the line but still. One thing the author is really great with, plots and twist. LOVE them. No matter how rocky this read was, the ending was quite satisfying and I am definitely going to wait for the third book :)

**** stars

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise for the Nick and Nora “Nick and Nora are a winning team.”—Rebecca Hale, New York Times bestselling author of How to Paint a Cat “Nick and Nora are the purrfect sleuthy duo!”—*Victoria Laurie, New York Times bestselling author of the Psychic Eye Mystery series

Author T.C. LoTempio

Born in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series. She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade. When she isn’t reporting or writing novels, she and her cat Rocco fundraise for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read.

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

 

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

 Ends 12/4/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Sandcastles & Snowmen by Sahar El-Nadi

Title: Sandcastles and Snowmen


Author: Sahar El-Nadi


Publisher: FB Publishing House, June 1, 2013


Book Description:

What makes a successful woman indifferent to her faith and what draws her back to it to see the world in new way? Why would a smart woman-of-the-world choose to be a practicing Muslim who voluntarily wears a headscarf, commits to praying five times a day and fasting a full month each year? And how does that decision affect her public life and her international work?


Sandcastles and Snowmen explores faith through the story of a woman on a personal journey to search for spirituality, leading her to reconnect with Islam in a new, global context in the turbulent post 9/11 world.


Review:
Sahar El-Nadi takes the open-minded reader on a true journey to explore and learn about Islam through her own spiritual journey of rediscovery. Born into an Egyptian Muslim family and culture, Sahar El-Nadi still went through a phase where religion was not the main focus of her life. Many young people go through this phase where they have to discover who they are individually and separate from their parent/heritage/cultural influences.


What I like most about this author is her ability to reach out and connect with the reader in a most respectful and culturally sensitive way. Sahar Nadi's  approach of sharing her faith and spiritual journey is a natural conversation. Anyone from any faith can read her book and learn about Islam without feeling pressured, talked down to or admonished. She uses every available resource, recent academic research, Islamic studies, recent and historical events, and religious texts to validate her point of view without invalidating a different point of view. She challenges misconceptions and mis-perceptions about Islam giving the reader a balanced understanding of Islamic faith and practices.


I enjoyed reading about her personal, work and travel experiences as a modern day Muslim woman in her field, the road to her rediscovering Islam, and her personal desire to become a practicing Muslim. She covers a diverse range of topics including, religion, science, arts, culture, politics, current events and so much more.

About the Author:


Sahar El-Nadi is a writer, public speaker and instructor, on leadership, change, creativity, communication and cross-cultures. She is also the creator & director of award-winning initiative 'Don't Hate, Educate!' promoting diversity and tolerance. 


To purchase Sahar’s book at Amazon, Click Here.


To visit the website for Sahar’s book go to Sandandsnow.info

Book Review: Kitty Hawk The Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost

Title: Kitty Hawk: The Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost

Author: Iain Reading

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,
September 11, 2013

Book Description: Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost is the exciting second installment in a new series of adventure mystery stories that are one part travel, one part history and five parts adventure.

This second book in the series continues the adventures of Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot who has decided to follow in the footsteps of her hero Amelia Earhart and make an epic flight around the entire world. After flying across North America Kitty's journey takes her down south to Florida where she plans to get a bit of rest and relaxation before continuing on with the rest of her long and grueling flight.

As Kitty explores the strange and magical water world of the Florida Keys her knack for getting herself into precarious situations sweeps her headlong into the adventure of a lifetime involving mysterious lights, ancient shipwrecks, razor-toothed barracudas and even a sighting of the great Ernest Hemingway himself. This exhilarating story will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept across the landscape and history of the Florida Keys all the way from Key West to the strange and remarkable world of Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas.

My Review:

In the second book of the Kitty Hawk series, Kitty is visiting the Florida Keys for a couple of weeks before beginning her major solo trip around the world.

This adventure around, she has to figure out the mystery of Ernest Hemingway's ghost who seems to be writing yet another great American novel, mysterious green glowing lights out in the waters surrounding Fort Jefferson, and the hunt for ancient ship wreck.Naturally, Kitty finds herself in very dangerous situations that she has to get out of but she always manage to do it with flare and sometimes......SPOILER ALERT....flames, as in a homemade Molotov cocktail! Seriously, where did she learn how to make one of those?

My favorite part came toward the middle of the story. Her visit to the Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park. I learned a lot about the history of Fort Jefferson, why it was there, how it got there and other hidden mysteries in its waters. The story is packed with fun tidbits of historical information.

What I didn't care too much for is how long it took to get to the good part of the story. Her time in Florida seemed to drag out for a long time. Nothing THAT interesting happened except for the Hemingway ghost sighting at his famed writing spot. In fact, the title seems misleading because she really isn't looking for the ghost through out the story. Most of the story is about trying to figure out the who and why of the mysterious glowing lights out on the water.

Overall, it was a fun read. I'm looking forward to Kitty's next adventure.

Book Review: Normal Calm by Hend Hegazi

Title: Normal Calm


Author: Hend Hegazi


Publisher: FB Publisher, Jan 1, 2014


Book Description:
Amina is an Arab American woman attending one of the best universities in the US. During the spring of her junior year, Amina is raped by one of her friends, making her essentially unmarriageable in the eyes of her parents and, possibly, the entire Arab community. When her mother experiences a nervous breakdown, Amina fears that she is to blame for her mother's condition. Eventually she falls in love with Sherif, but his reaction to her rape proves him to be unworthy. Deciding to forgo love, Amina focuses on her career. When her best friend introduces her to Mazin, however, she sees in him only good qualities. He is successful, kind, generous...but she feels no love for him. When Mazin asks for her hand in marriage, Amina struggles with the idea of settling for a man she does not love. Knowing that he, too, may abandon her when he learns of her rape is another burden she continues to bear.


Book Review:
This was a really good read despite it not being a book/genre I usually enjoy. The story touches on the subject of rape and how it is handled or viewed in Arab Muslim communities. Rape in general is viewed as "the woman's fault" in almost every culture but it is disturbingly so in Muslim communities because the responsibility of upholding ones dignity and honor is majorly placed on the woman. What is unfair about the practice is that it is not a religious thing. The Muslim faith places the responsibility equally and fairly on men and women to protect themselves and each other but somehow, somewhere, someone misinterpreted and placed it on women.

I enjoyed Normal Calm because Amina was/is a strong character. I loved that she stayed true to herself. Knowing the stigma placed on non-virgins, even rape victims, in her community, she did not allow the incident to change her character, her integrity when it came time to discuss marriage to potential partners.In all of her relationships, she was true to herself and those around, and that was her biggest asset, that is what strengthened her and her relationships.

I particularly enjoyed her friendship with Kayla, a non-Muslim friend she practically grew up with. The love, respect, tolerance and even humor they showed each other when it came to discussing religion, life, school, love and work, was refreshing. Amina found in Kayla a true friend, someone who listened with the intent to understand, not just respond. While Amina's family did eventually support and back her, Kayla was her rock in the beginning, when her life first fell to pieces.

There is still much needed discussions in our communities, discussions that will help heal, strengthen and finally put an end to the victim blaming society tends to do when a woman, girl, or child is raped or abused. Normal Calm opens that discussion, in my opinion, for the Muslim and Arab communities.

Book Review: Due for Discard by Sharon St. George

Title: Due for Discard

Author: Sharon St. George

Publisher: Camel Press, March 1, 2015

Genre: Mystery

Book Blurb: 

Aimee Machado is thrilled to be starting her first job as a forensic librarian at the medical center in the town of Timbergate, north of Sacramento, California. Her ebullient mood is somewhat dampened by her recent breakup with her former live-in boyfriend, Nick Alexander. And then there's a little matter of murder: on Aimee's first day on the job, a body is found in the hospital Dumpster, soon identified as her supervisor’s wife, Bonnie Beardsley.

Aimee’s heartbreaker of a brother and best friend, Harry, just happens to be one of the last people to see Bonnie alive, but he is hardly the only suspect. Bonnie was notorious for her wild partying and man-stealing ways, and she has left a trail of broken hearts and bitterness. Aimee is determined to get her brother off the suspect list. Aimee's snooping quickly makes her a target. Isolated on her grandparents' llama farm where she fled post-breakup, she realizes exactly how vulnerable she is.

Three men have pledged to protect her: her brother Harry, her ex, Nick, and the dashing hospital administrator with a reputation for womanizing, Jared Quinn. But they can’t be on the alert every minute, not when Aimee is so bent on cracking the case with or without their help.

Book Review: 

Aimee starts work at a dream job, a forensic librarian at Timbergate Medical Center. Her thrill is overshadowed by her recent breakup with boyfriend, Nick Alexander, a pilot for a rich philanthropist. On her first day of work, a murder is discovered. Not any murder, but the murder of her boss's wife. A woman with many secrets and even more vices. Nothing prepares Aimee for what she finds out next about the murder. Her brother, Harry, knew the victim AND saw the victim before she died. An investigator with a grudge is convinced Harry should be pinned with the murder. As things heat up and Harry is officially made the #1 suspect (after the victim's husband, of course) in the case, Aimee beefs up her detective and forensic knowledge to help find the real killer. She finds help in her new interim boss, single and good looking, Jared Quinn and ex-boyfriend, Nick. Aimee's first 'warning' goes unheeded. Now, she is convinced her brother is being set up. With a whole list of suspects, dangerously mounting threats and a conflicted love life, Aimee pushes on for the truth, whether it kills her or not.

What I loved: I enjoyed the characters. They were fun and easy to get to know and care about. It took me awhile to warm up to Nick but I liked him best of all. Aimee was a complicated character. I would like to say she was a strong character and it seemed like it. She is dedicated and loyal to her brother, to the point she risks her job, safety, and life to clear his name. Yet, she seemed to get herself into a lot of trouble she needed help getting out of, I was a bit disappointed her black belt was not featured as much in the story. I love a mystery where I suspect EVERYONE. With the exception of Nick, Harry, Amah and Jack (Aimee of course) anyone could have been the murder. After all, Bonnie Beardsley left a long trail of broken homes and hearts.

What I didn't like: The pacing of the story did not feel consistent. There were times where it seemed to move at a slow pace and then there were the "can't blink because I might miss something"  pace, like the final showdown! While I enjoyed the characters, there a were quite a few main players. It made it hard for me to keep up with the who's who and who did whats.

Overall, I enjoyed Due for Discard and look forward to seeing other books in this series.


Prices/Formats:
$4.95 ebook, $15.95 paperback

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TQMUVWU

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/due-for-discard-sharon-st-george/1120803480?ean=2940151250672&itm=1&usri=due+for+discard

Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/520641

Book Review: The Way of Tea and Justice by Becca Stevens

Title: The Way of Tea and Justice

Author: Becca Stevens

Publisher: Jericho Books, November 4, 2014

Genre: Religion, Political Science, Social Science

Book Blurb:
What started as an impossible dream-to build a café that employs women recovering from prostitution and addiction-is helping to fuel an astonishing movement to bring freedom and fair wages to women producers worldwide where tea and trafficking are linked by oppression and the opiate wars.

Becca Stevens started the Thistle Stop Café to empower women survivors. But when she discovered a connection between café workers and tea laborers overseas, she embarked on a global mission called "Shared Trade" to increase the value of women survivors and producers across the globe.

As she recounts the victories and unexpected challenges of building the café, Becca also sweeps the reader into the world of tea, where timeless rituals transport to an era of beauty and the challenging truths about tea's darker, more violent history. She offers moving reflections of the meaning of tea in our lives, plus recipes for tea blends that readers can make themselves.

In this journey of triumph for impoverished tea laborers, hope for café workers, and insight into the history of tea, Becca Stevens sets out to defy the odds and prove that love is the most powerful force for transformation on earth.

Book Review:

The Way of Tea and Justice recounts the amazing journey of Becca Stevens and her group at thistle farms as they established a tea cafe to help women off the streets heal and rebuild their lives. Becca Stevens is a pastor and much of the book reflects the ups and downs of her journey and how her passion for justice and love for her faith kept her focused even through some very difficult times in her life. Her concept of tea as a way to heal sent her on a journey to learn more about the history and culture of tea.

Her journey also took her across the globe as she visited tea farms around the world. She noticed the injustices against the tea laborers and began an effort called shared trade allowing for better wages and treatment of the labors while creating a business for women, other-wised not given a second chance by society, a safe way to heal and rebuild their lives. I enjoyed reading the many various aspects of tea history and tea culture Becca Stevens shared. I also enjoyed the heartwarming letters included in the book by various women who live and work at Thistle Farms. Many of their stories brought me to tears. I was moved by the love, hope and gratitude they shared in their letters.

The book is very contemplative and Becca Stevens does a lot of reflecting on faith, love, family and as well she reflects on matters of social justice. Sometimes the writing felt a little long-winded and repetitive, but I guess that is the nature of this type of writing. Despite that, I enjoyed the journey of the building of the Thistle Stop Cafe.

Book Tour & Review: The Story Catcher by Donna L. Martin

Title: The Story Catcher

Author: Donna L. Martin (read an interview with Donna, The 3 B's of Storytelling.)

Illustrator: Alyson Peterson

Publisher: Anaiah Press

Topics: Reading, Faith, Patience

Age: 4 - 8

Book Description: 

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or "story catchers," as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.

My Review:

The Story Catcher is a sweet tale about a young girl who wants to learn how to read, or "catch a story." She sees that everyone in her family can catch a story but when she tries, the stories, hide, play games and fly away from her. No matter how hard she tries, she just can't seem to catch them. No one seems to be able to help her except to say she will catch them "one day."

Many children will find this story relatable since learning how to read can be difficult and most children have little to no patience when it comes to learning how to "catch words/stories." I love Addie's dedication and desire. I love that she does not give up, even though she is frustrated with how difficult it is, something that is not unfamiliar to children. Her attempts at story catching were humorous and fun to follow. Faith. Faith is an important theme in the story. Children are encouraged to not give up and to believe in themselves.

About the author:

By day, Donna L. Martin is a Fourth Degree TaeKwonDo Black Belt; by night, she is a self-proclaimed “ninja author” of picture books, middle grade chapter books, and young adult novels. Somewhere amidst all this excitement, she also created the Free Author Promotion event that takes place every May during the Children’s Festival of Reading. Donna loves laughter, snuggling with her cat, and reading good books. To get a sneak peak of what it was like growing up among the swamps of southern Louisiana, check out Tales from the Bayou on her blog at www.DonnaLMartin.com.

I received an e-copy of The Story Catcher in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Tour and Review: Cranberry Bluff by Deborah Garner

How far is far enough to get away from your past?

Title: Cranberry Bluff

Author: Deborah Garner

Publisher:Cranberry Cove Press; November 21, 2014

Book Description: Molly Elliott’s quiet life in Tallahassee, Florida, is disrupted when routine errands land her in the wrong place at the wrong time: the middle of a bank robbery.

Accused and cleared of the crime, she flees both media attention and mysterious, threatening notes, to move across the country to Cranberry Cove, where she has inherited her Aunt Maggie’s bed and breakfast on the Northern California coast. Her new beginning is peaceful – that is, until five guests show up at the inn for a weekend, each with a hidden agenda.

Mix together one blushing honeymoon couple, one flamboyant boutique owner, a deadpan traveling salesman, and a charmingly handsome novelist, and there’s more than scones cooking at Cranberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast. As true motives become apparent, will Molly’s past come back to haunt her or will she finally be able to leave it behind?

Buy it on Amazon 

My Review:

Cranberry Cove sounds like a place I would visit and I would definitely stay at Cranberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast. On whole this was a good read. It was a bit tedious in a few place with a lot of descriptions but I still found it enjoyable to read.

The story is about Molly, a bed and breakfast inn owner who is trying to make a new life for herself after involuntarily being involved in a bank robbery. Life seems to be settling in for her until five guest show up. Five guests who are out for something other than a relaxing vacation in Cranberry Cove.

Mr. Charlie Miller was my favorite character. He was odd, reclusive and oh so O.C.D, he reminded me of one of my favorite detectives on tv, MONK. The other characters included Susie and Dan, the newlywed, Sadie, the wealthy boutique owner, I envied her ability to literally shop till she dropped! And then there was Bryce, a single, flirtatious novelist. While Miller was my favorite guest, the others were also well written and added their own charm and wit to the story. Each character is somehow connected to Molly and each other. The plots and twists throughout the story kept me on my toes (well, actually my bum) and reading on. I was pleasantly entertained and pleased with the ending. Kudos to the author. I did NOT see that coming! :D

Oh. Oh. Oh........

There are recipes at the end of the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doubly awesome!!!! :D

Book Review: Khadijah's Got Her Groove by F. A. Ibrahim

Title: Khadijah Got Her Groove

Author: F. A. Ibrahim

Publisher: University Publications

Book Description:

Khadijah Aziz, who only shoots for the stars, has running the perfect Muslim household under control. That was until a mysterious phone number from a woman named Saffron surfaces from her husband Raheem's pocket. Confused and distraught, Khadijah pushes the questionable number to the side and tries to maintain her grip on life as a slew of challenges arise in the relationships she holds most dear. With the threat of slipping, Khadijah struggles desperately to maintain her fascade, but inevitable change is already in motion. Putting family first isn't always easy. Will Khadijah lose everything she's worked for when escalating dilemmas leaves her life boiling like a volcano of issues of the heart, or will she push on to forge a new path for herself: choosing mastery over weakness, peace over strife, and love over fear?


My Review:
I was impressed with Khadijah's Got Her Groove. It is not normally the type of fiction I read, I'm more of a scifi-cozy mystery-action/adventure type of reader but this book really sent me on an emotional roller coaster. Any book that can have me in tears and reaching for tissues is a good book.

Khadijah is a woman in control, of her life, of her family, of her home, of her reputation. But then her life is turned upside down and soon realizes she does not have the control that she thought she had and struggles to the point of a break down and potentially causing harm to her unborn baby. Khadijah is pregnant and stress can cause her to have a very premature delivery. But stress seems to be in her face 24/7. From her daughter rebelling against her and her hijab, her best friend's spiteful and antagonizing non-Muslim sibling, an unknown woman's name and number found in her husband's coat pocket, and a dead-beat father who now wants to make amends. Khadijah learns she has siblings from her dad, her daughter, Laila, is failing school and add to all of this, she is not sure if her husband is faithful or not, if he is lying to her about the woman, Saffron, or not. Khadijah is seriously at a breaking point. But just when she figures out a way to put control back in her hands and bring peace to her heart and her family, she is tested again with the ultimate of handing over control.

I was moved by this story. It takes a lot of courage to learn how to forgive when you have been broken and hurt for so long. It takes courage to remove anger from heart, it takes courage to face your fears. F. A. Ibrahim takes you on a journey with Khadijah as she makes that terrifying effort to grow and become more forgiving, patient and strong enough to face her greatest fears and disappointments.

Book Review: Gilt By Association by Karen Rose Smith

Book Title: Gilt By Association

Author: Karen Rose Smith

Publisher: Kensington Books

Book Blurb:

Between training her new puppy, helping her sister with her baby, and searching for the perfect vintage dress for Kismet's Valentine's Day dance, home-stager Caprice De Luca has a lot on her to-do list. But she's never too busy to do a little staging, and she's looking forward to thawing February's frozen real estate market with her Hearts and Flowers Open House. Her client Louise Downing's romantically decorated home practically staged itself. But when Louise is found murdered, Caprice is forced to turn her attention from sweethearts to suspects. And as the truth comes out in stages, she discovers that Louise had more secrets than a box of chocolate truffles.

My Review:

A great cozy mystery to read on a wintry night with a cup of steaming tea. :)

I take it there was a book before this one as through out the story Caprice mentions her involvement in a previous murder investigation case. While it doesn't make a huge difference in this particular case, it's often mention was a bit annoying and could have been limited. But I guess the author had to since Caprice's "relationship"with Grant was based on their encounter in her first investigative case where he apparently saved her life. But other than that snag, I really enjoyed Caprice as a character who was dedicated, loyal and true to those she cared about.

When Louise, an old family friend is found murdered in her own greenhouse, just hours before her home staging event, Caprice promises her mother to find out the who and why behind the awful death. Between helping out with a charity event, her job as a home stager, raising and training her puppy, Lady, and her cat, Sophia, and wondering if there is even something between her and Grant, Caprice manages to not only reveal a vengeful killer but unearth secrets of Louise's troubled past.

There are a few recipes at the end that I plan on trying out :D

Blog Tour and Review: Danse Macabre by Cristelle Comby

Every police detective should have a Neve & Egan as sidekicks!

Book Blurb: 

Private investigators Alexandra Neve and Ashford Egan are hired to succeed where the police have failed, to safely return home a missing ballerina. With no lead to pursue and no idea who could be behind the young woman’s kidnapping, they soon find themselves at a loss as to what to do.

To make matters worse, the heart of England seems to be caught in the middle of a little Ice Age. With snow endlessly falling and Tube lines either too cramped up to use or out of service, it is a pain to do any legwork in the huge metropolis.

Oh, and because trouble never comes alone, there may also be a serial killer on the loose in the streets of East London...



My Review:

What does a singer, dancer, and pianist have in common? Death. A gruesome death that seems to baffle the New Scotland Yard police force. 

Once again, Neve and Egan are back in action with what appears to be a not-a-runaway investigation. When the police give Mrs. Doughton the brush off, she hires Alexandra and Ashford to find her missing daughter, an up and coming ballet dancer and ballet teacher. It's winter time and their mystery soon turns in to something even more sinister when they find the poor girl recently murdered in a very gruesome manner. Her body is staged as if she were dancing and her eyes are sewed open. Just when things can't get any worse, Ash's apartment is ransacked, a threatening note left behind and another kidnapping is announced. The race is really on to find the killer before he gets to stage another Danse Macabre.

I love how Comby really pulls the reader into the story at the beginning and keeps you there. She has fleshed out more of the main characters, especially my favorite character in the book, Ash. He never ceases to amaze me. This is one page turner that any one who loves a good mystery will not want to put down. I must say, if you have trouble sleeping at night after reading something scary/gory (my standards of gory that is) then proceed with caution and read this in the day time :D

About the author: 
Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, in Greater Geneva, where she still resides. Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent. She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.

Danse Macabre is her third new-adult novel, and she’s hard at work on the next titles in the Neve & Egan series.


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Cristelle Comby's Web Site: http://cristelle-comby.com/
Cristelle Comby's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cristelle
Cristelle Comby's Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/CristelleComby
 Cristelle Comby's Instagram: http://instagram.com/cristellec
 Cristelle Comby's Newsletter: http://cristelle-comby.com/?page_id=34
 Danse Macabre Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23377890-danse-macabre Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
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Book Review: Mr. Monk Is Open For Business by Hy Conrad

Title: Mr. Monk Is Open For Business

Author: Hy Conrad

Book Blurb: 

After failing to win back his girlfriend Ellen in Summit, New Jersey, Monk returns to San Francisco where he is surprised to find another relationship has taken a new turn. Natalie decided to make things official by setting up an office for Monk and Teeger, Consulting Detectives. With Monk’s typical response to change of any kind, they have more than a few wrinkles to iron out of their new routine. But when Lieutenant Amy Devlin comes to them for help, it’s time to stop bickering and get to work.

A disgruntled employee of a small import business, Wyatt Noone came into work one day and started shooting, killing three coworkers and leaving one female hostage severely wounded. Spotting Wyatt through the office windows, the police surrounded the building, but he still managed to disappear—leaving Lieutenant Devlin with a messy and baffling mystery on her hands.

Visiting the bed-ridden survivor, Sarabeth Winslow, Monk finds her to be helpful, cooperative and—now that he’s on the rebound from Ellen—quite charming as well.  But as he and Natalie try to track down Sarabeth’s assailant, they discover that Wyatt has left barely a trace of his past behind, almost as if he managed to disappear from existence all together…

My Review:

So I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads. It is not my normal rating for my beloved Monk series. It is not that I did not like it, I did, but it just was not the same. Monk was not the same. I missed many of his compulsive quirks that I found entertaining in the books Goldberg wrote. He still has a few in this story but his behavior, attitude and desire to have a love life is not characteristic to the Monk I know. But like I said, it was still a good read. I wont write off one of my favorite detective series for now, I will read a couple more authored by Hy Conrad to see if I can handle this new Monk. But on a side note, I love seeing more of Natalie's character in the story. :)

Monk and Teeger open their own agency and takes on a big case the very first day they open their doors. A lawyer's client, Henry Pickler is in jail on suspicion of killing a man in his field but Pickler is not talking, not even to his lawyer. Another case they take on at the same time is a case that Amy Devlin has brought to them. A man named Wyatt Noone kills his coworkers leaving one badly shot but manages to escape under the noses of the police force, including Amy Devlin. With her reputation and career on the line she gets help from none other than Monk and Teeger. Monk is on the rebound after his girlfriend dumped him for getting her brother arrested. Now, he is in love with Sarabeth, the lone survivor of the shooting spree. As Monk and Teeger investigates, a lot of things don't add up and with Monk's attention else where, Teeger has to a lot of leg work. But she manages to get Monk's head back in the game before it is too late and they catch the real killers in both cases.

Blog Tour & Book Review: Meow If It's Murder by T.C. LoTempio

Book Blurb:
Nora Charles doesn’t believe in fate, even if she is a crime reporter who shares a name with a character from The Thin Man. In fact, she’s moving back to Cruz, California, to have a quieter life. But after finding an online magazine eager for material, and a stray cat named Nick with a talent for detection, Nora’s not just reporting crimes again. She’s uncovering them…

Back in her hometown, Nora reconnects with old friends and makes some new ones, like Nick, the charming feline who seems determined to be her cat. But not everything about Cruz is friendly. Writing for a local online magazine, Nora investigates the curious death of socialite Lola Grainger. Though it was deemed an accident, Nora suspects foul play. And it seems that her cat does too.

Apparently, Nick used to belong to a P.I. who disappeared while investigating Lola Grainger’s death. The coincidence is spooky, but not as spooky as the clues Nick spells out for her with Scrabble letters—clues that lead her down an increasingly dangerous path. Whether fate put her on this case or not, solving it will take all of Nora’s wits, and maybe a few of Nick’s nine lives.


My Review:

This is definitely an easy book to cozy up with. My favorite character? Nick of course! That is, Nick the kitty. :) Who doesn't love a kitty with attitude, that can play word games, kick butt to save his lady master and solve a crime(s) to boot?

Nora Charles is a crime investigative reporter (she thinks she is a sandwich maker/sandwich shop owner) but investigating crime is in her blood. Once a mystery tickles her fancy not even her close friend or the hunk of a detective she meets can persuade to stop investigating the suspicious death of Lola Grainger, a close and good customer of her late mother's. She meets a feline who makes it's self at home in her shop. She settles on the name Nick after a favorite movie character. The cat has unusual talents that assist Nora in finding out the truth about the mystery behind the suspicious death of Lola as well as Nick's missing owner.

I enjoyed this story a lot, even though there were a few mistakes that caught my eye, but despite that, the story was packed with action and lots of interesting twists that kept me glued to my screen. If you like crime mysteries without the gore and horror, this is the book to read. There is a hint of romance, nothing that would make me gag but enough to make it fun.

Book Review: Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold

Book Blurb:
Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new young adult series of adventure mystery stories by Iain Reading. 

This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations. 
 

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales, Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada. As the plot continues to unfold, this spirited story will have readers anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon.

 

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves. 

There are currently four books in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series available for sale on Amazon:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold: http://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Flying-Detective-Agency-Series-ebook/dp/B00AGY6WWK/

Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost: http://www.amazon.com/Hemingways-Flying-Detective-Agency-Series-ebook/dp/B00F4A6WXA/

Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue: http://www.amazon.com/Icelandic-Intrigue-Flying-Detective-Agency-ebook/dp/B00CGS8862/

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic: http://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Titanic-Flying-Detective-Agency-ebook/dp/B00IIY8V1U

 

About Iain Reading

Iain Reading is passionate about Root Beer, music, and writing. He is Canadian, but currently resides in the Netherlands working for the United Nations. He has published 4 books in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series. For more information, go to http://www.kittyhawkworld.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kittyhawkworld

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276101.Iain_Reading

 My Review:

A surprisingly fun but a bit tedious read. Kitty Hawk is an adventurous young lady whole is spending her summer in Alaska observing whale social behavior that she believes will be valuable to researchers and students alike. Just as her summer is coming to an end, she stumbles upon a mystery and an even greater adventure she thought would come out of her summer study.

What I liked:
I liked the character, Kitty Hawk, because she was intelligent, ambitious, brave, strong-willed and filled with curiosity. Kitty certainly knew how to get herself into trouble and how to get out of it, her and her "little voice" inside her head. The story is filled with historical facts and information about the Gold Rush era which makes it a fascinating read. I love she was a girl all about science and nature, she didn't get all love-struck and turn her summer into Edward-ville. I wish Walter the whale made a few more appearances throughout the book :) But I loved the various twists in the story :D

What I didn't like:

It was a tedious read. It took a long time to get to the actual 'adventure' and 'mystery' described in the book blurb. I feel like much of her summer adventure could have been summed up into a chapter or two (certainly did NOT need a chapter zero) at most before delving into the crust of the story which was about her getting herself kidnapped, forced to trek up a mountain, then have her plan hijacked to retake stolen property all the while getting educated about the history of the Yukon gold rush and other historical facts and legends. I was a little concerned about how quickly she became an endeared friend to the guys who kidnapped her and forced her into helping them.

 

But in all, I give Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold 3 stars because I really did like it.

Blog Tour: The Tesla Gate by John D. Mimms

The Tesla Gate

When a cosmic storm enters Earth’s atmosphere, scientists are baffled by its composition and origins, but not nearly as much as they are by the storm’s side effect – anyone who has died and chosen not to cross over is suddenly stranded here, visible, and can interact with the living.

With the world thrown into chaos, Thomas Pendleton is eager to make up for many broken promises to his six-year-old son, Seth. Soon after the storm, they set out on a road trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, completely unaware of the social and political maelstrom they’re heading into that will change their lives forever.

Review:

Thomas Pendleton is a hard-working and loyal father and husband but he lets his work get the better of him. He is always busy and breaking his promise to his family. But when a cosmic storm hits the planet, he is given a second chance to show his son, Seth, just how much he loves him by finally taking him to the museum. But their vacation is cut short when dead people start showing up and the government decides to capture them and get rid of them once and for all.

Despite the awkward writing style, it was written in hindsight (Thomas retold the events of his life and adventure) I found the story line interesting enough to read on till the end. I’m glad I did. The ending was the best. Thomas Pendleton becomes the father he was meant and always wanted to be by making the ultimate sacrifice for his son, Seth.

The Telsa Gate took some getting used to. The writing felt more like the main character was reliving the story as oppose to me reading along and experiencing it with him, there was too much hindsight. The story was still enjoyable. Lots of action, suspense, betrayal, stupid mistake after stupid mistake, but in all, Thomas was a good father to the end. After getting used to the writing, I could enjoy the unique story line. The description of impals were vivid and interesting. The ending was the best. Thomas Pendleton becomes the father he was meant and always wanted to be by making the ultimate sacrifice for his son.

Even though this was not one of my favorite reads, it was still very interesting and I would definitely be interested in following this story if the writer continues with what happens to Thomas and his son and the Tesla Gate

Book Review: The Muslimah Speaks: Her Voice, Her Spirit

The Muslimah Speaks: Her Voice, Her Spirit by Janette Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Muslimah Speaks is a diverse collection of poetry filled strong and powerful voices of women largely unseen and ignored.

There is so much emotion and soul written into the lines of each poem that it was really hard for me to choose which one I liked the best but there were a few that really touched me because I was able to connect personally with the emotion and experience of the poem.

With such a wide range of themes and topics, there is something for everyone. I don't thin anyone will be able to walk away from this collection without at least one poem touching their heart and soul.

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Book Review: The Infinity Program by Richard H. Hardy

The Infinity Program

Jon Graeme and Harry Sale are unlikely friends. Harry is a world-class programmer, but his abrasive personality alienates co-workers. In contrast, Jon is a handsome and easy-going technical writer, the low man on the IT totem pole.

Sharing a love of nature, the men set out together, planning to go their separate ways--Jon on a hike and Harry, fly fishing. Three days later, Jon arrives at the rendezvous point, but his friend is nowhere in sight. When Jon finds Harry unconscious on the floor of a cave, Harry claims to have been lying there the entire time. But he is neither cold nor hungry. What Jon doesn't know is that Harry fell into an underground cavern, where he came into contact with an alien quantum computer.

Back at work, Harry jettisons his regular tasks and concentrates exclusively on inventing new operating language to access the alien system. In the process he crashes his office's Super Computer and is fired. Jon convinces the company to give Harry a second chance, arguing that the system he has invented will make them millions.

Jon has no idea what havoc Harry is about to unleash.

 

My Review

 

What I liked: The story was intriguing. I love the idea of using science and technology (an ancient alien one at that ) to fix our environmental problems. Some of the world incidents were kind of funny. I found the characters interesting. Jon I felt was the most fleshed out. While I don't get why he became such good friends with Harry, he was definitely a loyal friend. And I find that honorable. Harry was very mysterious, would have loved to know a little more about him. Lettie was a little harder to connect with. There was an element of romance between Jon and Lettie, but I was happy the author did not focus on it too much. A lot of it was relayed in flashbacks. The ending was brilliant! I did NOT see it coming! :)

 

What I didn't like: There was a lot that went over my head because of the technical jargon used throughout the story. Since I know next to nothing about hyper-computers and its technology, I often found myself skipping over it. At times, it felt like the story moved slowly before something major and interesting happened. Lettie's character was the only one that I could not connect with. It seemed like she was there but played no major role in the story. She was the token female character. There were quite a few typos and grammar mistakes throughout the books, more than I would have like to see in a book.

 

I give it 2 1/2 stars (Goodreads)

Book Review: A Taste Fur Murder by Dixie Lyle

Book Description:

Introducing an animal-loving Gal Friday with a telepathic cat, a shapeshifting dog, and a ghost of a chance of solving supernatural crime…

Meet Deirdre “Foxtrot” Lancaster. Trusted employee of eccentric zillionairess Zelda Zoransky, Foxtrot manages a mansion, a private zoo, and anything else that strikes her boss’s fancy. Her job title is Administrative Assistant, but chaos handler would be more accurate. Especially after she glimpses a giant ghost-beast in Zelda’s pet cemetery. For some strange reason, Foxtrot is seeing animal spirits. And, ready or not, in this mystery from Dixie Lyle, the fur’s about to hit the fan…
Still reeling, Foxtrot comes home to find her cat Tango—her dead cat Tango—alive and well and communicating telepathically. But that’s not all: There’s an ectoplasmic dog named Tiny who changes breeds with a shake of his tail…and can sniff out a clue like nobody’s business. So when a coworker drops dead while organizing closets, Tiny is on the case. Can Foxtrot and her new companions ferret out the killer among a menagerie of suspects—human and otherwise—before death takes another bite?

My Review

Dixie Lyle is my new favorite detective author! Whiskey, Tango & Foxtrot will be taking shelf space right next to my Cat in the Stacks mystery series.

Foxtrot is an outstanding assistant, cool, calm and collected when chaos knocks on her door. That includes talking dead animals. Foxtrot is called upon to save a graveyard that is more special than she can imagine, and the life of her boss from someone who would do anything to get their hands on the land that the graveyard sits on, that includes murder. With the help of her dead cat, Tango, and shape-shifting ghostly dog, Tiny (aka, Whiskey) you are in for the  supernatural experience of your life! Nothing scary here though! My favorite scene *spoiler alert* is the exchange between Foxtrot and the badger! I laughed so hard I cried! I wont be able to hear the word MUMBLE for a while without cracking up!

Book Review: Fireborn: A Dragonborn Novel by Toby Forward

Fireborn: A Dragonborn Novel by Toby Forward
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This story follows the adventures of Cabbage, an apprentice to Wizard Flaxfield, Perry, a roffle, from the Deep World, and Bee, a young girl whose powerful magic is stolen and creates a wild kind of magic that goes on a destructive path that threatens to kill everyone, including her. When the wizard, Flaxfield loses his magic, it is up to Cabbage and Perry to help Bee and stop Slowin and his hungry beetle army and return balance to the world.

When I first began reading Fireborn, I almost did not finish it. The beginning felt disjointed with the different story lines of Bee and Cabbage, it was hard to tell where the story was going. However, once I had a sense of the story arc and plot, I was able put the pieces together and enjoy the story. This was unlike any story about magic that I have ever read, which is great because I don't normally like to read about magic and sorcery.

I can see preteens liking the characters, Cabbage and Perry. They are brave, adventurous, loyal, witty and funny. They are boys from two different worlds, that would rather keep them apart, but they forge a friendship despite the rules in place to separate them. They are the reason I kept reading and cheering for their success. I was a little disappointed in Bee's character and the lack of her presence and journey in the book. I wanted to see more of her the way I experienced Cabbage and Perry.

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