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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Books, Books, and More Books: A must read from Jacqueline Paige

Books, Books, and More Books: A must read from Jacqueline Paige: Book Review of Mystic Perceptions by Jacqueline Paige Released 2010 224 pages Paranormal Romantic Suspense Book II in the ...

A must read from Jacqueline Paige



Book Review of Mystic Perceptions by Jacqueline Paige

Released 2010
224 pages
Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Book II in the Hidden Senses Trilogy – Dream Visions coming in July 2012

Book One in the Hidden Senses Trilogy

Buy link: Class Act Books


Book Synopsis:

Tagline: Does she risk everything again?

Jacinda Brown keeps to her safe existence doing investigative research, avoiding people and places with people. To most, it appears she has a normal life; blending completely undetected in her lonely continuation.
She doesn’t investigate people; she can’t get that close. Through her hand she can feel emotions, thoughts. With a touch she can see what has been.

Unfortunately fate tosses her into a situation where her carefully guarded secret and her own conscience are at war when she finds herself working with detectives to find a killer. Jacinda clashes with the very strongly grounded detective, Reid Merritt, destiny has forced her to work with.

At some point he begins to matter, making her decision harder. Will he look at her with abhorrence, like she’s some sort of freak when she’s through?

What will be the price, this time, for the ability she doesn’t want?

Author Information:

I am a world class multi-tasker, a mother to five adventurous and unpredictable children, a cafe manager and I have a colossal imagination that allows me to step outside of reality into a world of paranormal romance with just a touch of suspense. Writer of all things paranormal, mythical and magical. Reader of anything!! http://jacqpaige.webs.com/

Book Review: 

So if you follow my blog, you know I love Jacqueline Paige as an author.  This was a fabulous book and I loved it, but it was totally different than the Magic Seasons Series.  This book was more grown up… and that’s not exactly the word I want to use.  It was a murder mystery with the detectives being assisted by a woman who could read emotion by touching someone or something they had touched while emotional.  The part I think I love best was that she didn’t want this “gift”.

Growing up I was a shy child and often felt that others were speaking badly of me.  Now that I’m older and have had time to process it most of them probably weren’t and the ones that were weren’t worth my time.  However, I didn’t feel that way when I was younger.  In fact, I often wished that I could see what people were really thinking about me.  Now, of course, I know that they were probably not thinking about me at all but rather about what people thought of them.  I would hate that power now. 

Jac, our main female protagonist, is sort of like “Rogue” from marvel comics.  She can’t touch anyone without seeing all their emotional thoughts.  That would be so hard.  I can’t imagine not being able to touch people, but then I’m a touchy-feely sort of person.  But imagine being alone and not able to tell anyone about yourself.  Now you’re getting the picture. 

And the men, well let’s just say Ooo-la-la.  Well before I give away anything too pertinent I’m going to stop and say, Read this book for yourself.

I give this book 5 out of 5 clouds.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Witches by Phil Stern




Book Review of Witches by Phil Stern

Book Synopsis:

When it comes to magic, women have always been in control.
Until Now.

For centuries, only gifted young women have been able to wield magic, using their special gifts to protect those in need.

But now a powerful wizard has appeared, attacking empowered women across multiple worlds.

A young Terran-based sorceress, the strongest of her generation, must find and stop the magical madman before he can bend the Coven to his depraved will. Along the way, she must also confront doubts about the role her fellow witches may have played in her own family’s demise.

Author Information:

Phil Stern is the author of both Contemporary and Science Fiction.

His debut novel, The Bull Years, was published in 2011. A hard-hitting commentary on both the frustrations and ultimate validation of modern-day life, The Bull Years follows the lives of four people throughout the late 80′s, 90′s, and into the 21st century, directly addressing the gradual alienation and disconnection often experienced during young adulthood.

"I wanted to write about characters everyone could relate to," Stern says. "We've all had our ups and downs. I think people sometimes feel everyone else has experienced more success than they have, or are more firmly grounded in our world than they could ever be. My hope is that everyone will recognize a little part of themselves in Steve, Sophia, Dave, and Brooke."

Born in 1970 in Ossining, New York, Stern grew up with a love of all types of science fiction, including the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, John Wyndham, Piers Anthony, and more.

"Speculative fiction is so different today than it was back then," Stern says. "I wanted to write stuff a bit more recognizable to fans of my generation. Science fiction should be about ideas and alternate worlds, strong characters and good stories.

Going into talk radio after attending SUNY Albany, Stern hosted regular shows in the New York City area, Albany, Utica, NY, and Greenville, NC. He later went into the advertising and sales industries.

Stern now lives in Florida, and is working on his next novel.

Book Review:

Phil Stern is an unusual author.  If you did not know that his name was Phil and he was a man it would be easy to think he was a female as his writings often have female leads and he is in tune with that strong, yet vulnerable side women really want to see in female leads.  You know this is true, when you are alone at home you yell at the foolish girls in movies that go into dark basements with no weapons and die, or have to be rescued; wonder why anyone would go into the woods on a hike in skimpy clothing and high heels; and bemoan the weak woman who needs to be rescued.

Real women are strong, weak, vulnerable, powerful, and use all of that to take care of themselves and everyone around them.  This is what Tiffany does in Witches.  She has had a rough life, we find out, but she doesn’t whine or blame anyone.  She works hard to help others and she is more powerful that you would think.

Phil Stern brings this world to life and makes you want to get in there and help Tiffany, not because she needs it but because she brings out that quality in you.  I enjoyed this book.  I read it in one sitting and was totally amazed to find that time had passed while I was in this other world.

My only complaint was that the story ends with characters that hadn’t been introduced before and I was really confused by it.  I am going to hope that as I read more I can connect these character in another book to help me come to some sense as to why they suddenly showed up.

I give this 4 out of 5 clouds.

Ungolden Silence... The hardest book I have ever recommended strongly. You must read this

Book Review of Ungolden Silence by Lydia E. Brew


Title – Ungolden Silence
Format – Print & Ebook
Genre - Fiction
Publisher - Xlibris
Release Date – 2008
Email – leco@wt.net

Book Review:

So I know you are thinking… there is something different about this review and I just started reading.  You are 100% right!  I usually give the synopsis and author information before the review, but in this book I had to put the review first.

Let me start off by saying that this book was amazing.. and horrible, an easy read and a very hard read, fascinating and terrifying.  Yes contradictory.

This book is well written, easy to read and follows the life of a woman and the people who love her.  It is about abuse and rape and how it impacts not only this woman but everyone who loves her and how this rape impacted everyone.  This made it a difficult read, yet in a way I was glad I read it.  Hard as it was to read about this topic, the story made me think and I glad I read it.  We need to make this topic less taboo and more about the crime.  I will be asking my 16 year old daughter to read this and then talking about it with her.  No I am not wanting her to read about rape and hear about these things, but I do want her to know that no matter what happens talking about it is the right thing.

I think every woman and man should read this book.  I think serious judicial  concern and effort should be made before any young person reads it.  While this is a topic we need to talk about and remove the stigma attached to the victim, not every young person could handle the topic.  My daughter can and we will talk about it (she is 16).  I need her to know that talking about it is the right thing and that no matter what happens, she can always tell me anything.

Despite the difficult read and the emotional toll this book took on me, I highly recommend everyone read it.  There is a quote in the book that sums this feeling up:

            ““Silence is not golden. It is not golden at all when it allows people to do things that are wrong.”

I give this book4 out of 5 clouds because of the emotional toll it takes on the reader, but I give it 5 out of 5 clouds for making you sit up and pay attention.

Book Synopsis:

Ungolden Silence will explore the world of rape and expose the myths through articles that are based on facts. The main question that needs to be answered is why one human being would rape another human being. These reasons are explored in a compelling story that will make the reader ask questions. Beatrice James wanted to take her co-worker Elaine on her first professional trip, she had to convince her employers and Elaine’s parents that she wanted to take Elaine on the trip. Elaine was in charge of the campaign.

Thomas Paige is a well-respected community leader, however, there is whole other side of side of him. The man can be charming when he needs to be and that is why he can get away with sexually harassing and raping women. He began to harassed Beatrice did not want Elaine to have to deal with it. Beatrice did not want to deal with the fact that she was being sexually harassed.

When any crime takes place, the families of the victims as well as the criminal are involved. Ungolden Silence will illustrate that the criminal is a real person, and rarely does he commit crimes just for the fun of it.

It is important to know that rape is a part of violence. Through the characters of Ungolden Silence it is hoped that society will begin to find a way to eliminate the acceptance of violence, which includes the act of rape.

It is through Beatrice, Elaine, and their colleagues that Ungolden Silence begins to explore the world of rape. Each of the main characters discovers what he has believed about rape and violence is not entirely true. A good example of this is when the firm’s secretary is told what happened on the trip. She discovered that some things that she was told when she was young was a myth.

Through all of the characters, Ungolden Silence offers an alternative to the everyday acceptance of violence. When it comes to rape, it tells us that the rapists are human beings and there is a way to curb the crime.

What does the author wants the reader to take away is that the story is about a woman was rape while she and her business partner was away on a business trip. Her business partner is disabled but that is an important part of the story. However, it is not the main story.

Book Excerpt (yes this can be read by all):

This is at end and this is a part of a speech that its being given at a launch of a magazine on domestic violence.
Shara stepped to the microphone and said “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Attitudes must change if this problem is going to be solved. I went to Washington the second that I heard Beatrice had been raped. The firm had a limo for Elaine and Beatrice so that Elaine could be as independent as possible. When I got to Washington, the rape and the act that a “community leader” was accused of rape was a major story. The limo driver just knew that the lady was a hooker, and he was mad. Again, it was the victim’s fault. This driver did not have the facts. Why didn’t I set him straight? Well. I thought I had to protect Beatrice’s privacy right?”
“Right,” the crowd answers slowly.
“NO, WRONG, ladies and gentlemen. This is what we are talking about; wrong because RAPE IS A CRIME! When it comes to sexual harassment or anything about sexual dysfunction, we don’t listen, we don’t tell. It is personal, private. NO! It is a crime and everybody needs to tell the world. Beatrice was not the first female that the man raped not even close to the first.”
“Each case of rape is different. In Beatrice’s case, this man was chasing her all the time that she was in Washington. Am I blaming her? To a degree, yes.”
“The audience seemed repulsed; “People. Please understand that what is being said here tonight is known by all people in the firm, especially top team members. I am not saying this to hurt my colleague. This is to make you see and understand what we are saying. The man who raped her stalked her all week. The women who saw the “bad” side of him kept quiet. That enabled him to cause more pain. He used that silence, and his list of victims got longer and longer. The women kept silent because they did not want to face the attitude that we as a society give them; oh, it was nothing. It was something when Mr. Paige touched my colleague inappropriately the second they were alone. She did not want him. We must allow women to say what they do and do not want men to do to their bodies. We must change the attitude about sexual problems, and we must listen when a woman is trying to get a man to stop. When a woman says a man is bothering her, we must hear and make sure the man understands that he must stop.”
Author Information:

Lydia E. Brew was born with cerebral palsy but has not allowed her physical limitations to stand in her way. Her writing also provides insights into the world of the physically challenged. She graduated from Texas Southern University where she received The Society of Professional Journalist Sigma Chi Citation for Achievement. She was a member of the drama club and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Under the leadership of one of her journalism professors, Miss Brew penned her first book Edith, The Story of Edith Irby Jones, M.D. about the first African-American to graduate from The Arkansas School of Medicine. Upon finishing college, Miss Brew worked with the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She is a Christian and attends St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church.
Miss Brew founded Lydia’s Educational and Charitable Organization (LECO) when she decided to encourage young people to write. LECO did this by sponsoring a yearly contest in which the contestant had to write about positive role models who were alive and from the Houston area. Each student who wrote an eligible essay was given a certificate of participation. Winning writers received cash prizes.
Her second book Our Learn Together Book is based on the biography of Dr. Jones. It tells her story in a simplified format on one page and allows the child to writes his biography on the other. There are activities in the back where children can learn developmental skills and older children can learn to do research.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Books, Books, and More Books: Shadow of Witte Wieven Review. A good solid YA ro...

Books, Books, and More Books: Shadow of Witte Wieven Review. A good solid YA ro...: Book Review of Title by Author   Book Title:   Shadow of the Witte Wieven Author: Debbie Peterson Genre:   Paranormal Romance ...

Shadow of Witte Wieven Review. A good solid YA romance


Book Review of Title by Author

 
Book Title:  Shadow of the Witte Wieven
Author: Debbie Peterson
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Publisher: InkSpell Publishing
Publication Date: April 21st 2012
Format: eBook, Kindle, Paperback

Book Synopsis:

Despite a contract on her head, lone Drug Enforcement Agent, Aliyana Montijo must ferret out a mole and stop the assassination of top DEA officials, as so ordered by the Colombian drug lord she seeks to take down. The task is a daunting one, for there is no one she can trust. No one that is, until she encounters a most unlikely ally.

Former seventeenth century captain of the Dutch West Indies Company, Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness, now from a parallel dimension, encounters the beautiful agent during an unearthly storm in the Bermuda triangle. Drawn to the Spanish beauty he rescues, he pledges his assistance, despite her reluctance to accept either his help or his heart.

Can Wolf bridge both space and time to claim the woman he loves?

Book Excerpt
Aliyana nodded as she released a breath and said, “Yes, as a matter of fact they did. Hank has demanded a tour of Mercado’s empire. He said that he wants to see the way they produce cocaine from start to finish. By so doing, he could point out their faults and help them improve production. According to Ortiz, Hank had the audacity to boast about his knowledge of the latest in drug manufacturing technology as if they were a bunch of ignorant ‘campesinos.’ As you can imagine, this rankled them a bit.”
“I’m surprised they aren’t going to use this outing as an excuse to kill him,” Cornelius remarked.
Aliyana shrugged as she cast a brief glance downward. “They actually mentioned that. However, as much as Mercado would like to permanently get rid of the man, he’s going to show a bit of restraint and allow the ‘pig’ to live—for now.”
“Did they mention whether or not Mercado planned to comply with this requested tour?” asked Cornelius.
“He is going to comply, but not in the way Hank intends,” she replied. “Mercado is going to take him much farther south, to a factory and lab he no longer uses. He is sending some of his employees ahead to clean the place up and make ready for their visit. Emil wants everything to look as if the lab is in full swing.”
“So Mercado is conducting the tour personally then?” asked Wolf.
“Yes, he is. He doesn’t trust Hank. Therefore, he wants to observe his every movement, personally.”
“How long will it take them to get to this lab?”
“If it’s the one I think it is, about three, maybe four hours. Why do you ask?”
Wolf brushed a hand against his beard as he contemplated this unexpected opportunity. “How many such places could he possibly take Morris?”
“I only know of two,” she said.
“How long would it take to get to other one?”
Aliyana shook her head as she lifted a shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know—perhaps an additional half an hour or so. That’s why I think he’ll opt for the closest one.”
“Did they say when they intend to conduct this tour?”
“Day after tomorrow. Hank is supposed to arrive at dawn. If you still want to follow the man, you will get your chance then.”
“So travel time, to and from is at least six hours, maybe more,” Wolf mused aloud. “The tour itself will take some time. What would you think, another hour maybe two for him to thoroughly inspect the facilities?”
“Every bit of that and then some,” Aliyana said as she knit her brows in consternation. “Wolf, why are you asking all of these questions?”
“With Mercado out of the way, I’m thinking this might be the perfect opportunity to escort you inside the man’s office so you can raid those files on his computer.”
“But we don’t have all of the numbers to his pass code yet,” Aliyana replied. “I can’t get inside without them.”
In response to the reminder, he allowed a slight smile to emerge and for several long moments, he held her gaze without saying a word. Her confusion finally gave way to understanding. He could see it. She drew in a sharp breath as a burst of anger exploded onto her cheeks.
“You have the ability to get me inside that office anytime you want to, don’t you Captain Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness,” she spat.
Wolf folded his arms against his chest, flashed a full-fledged grin, and bounced his brows.
“I can’t believe you would withhold that information from me,” she seethed as her eyes shot lethal daggers into his person. “And you just let me keep watching that screen for hours on end when such a need didn’t exist—”
“Oh come on, Aliyana,” Wolf laughingly protested. “You surely didn’t think I’d allow you to go in there until the safest possible moment, did you?”
His humor did nothing to improve her anger. If anything, it only served to fuel it. She shook her head then and let him have it--with both barrels blazing--in Spanish, of course. And he enjoyed every minute of the delightful display.

Author Information:

Debbie Peterson, author of “Spirit of the Rebellion,” is about to release her second novel, “Shadow of the Witte Wieven,” through InkSpell Publishing. This paranormal romance combines a seventeenth century sea captain, a modern DEA agent, and the Bermuda Triangle to send you on an incredible adventure, filled with intrigue and romance.
Debbie has always had a soft spot for fairy tales, the joy of falling in love, and happily ever after endings. She incorporates these aspects into all of the paranormal stories she writes. When she is not busy conjuring her latest novel, she spends time with the beloved members of her very large family. She also pursues her interests in family history and all things ancient and historic.
You can connect with her:

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Book Review:

One of my family’s favorite television shows is Dr. Who.  We love the idea of time travel and all the fun of the story.  Now I find a book that includes time travel, but not in the stereo-typical manner.  In the book, “Shadow of the Witte Wieven,” Debbie Peterson brings to life a world of time travel, romance, intrigue, and a hint of mysticism with the tales of the Bermuda Triangle.  The characters are well fleshed out, including the supporting cast.
I love that the lead character is a strong female character.  She is a take charge woman who can take care of herself, yet she also has a tender side that enjoys the care she receives from the handsome and caring Wolf pack leader.
I did feel that she accepted the whole time travel, other world ideas a little too easily, and some of the plot lines were a little contrived; but otherwise the story was well thought out and satisfactorily concluded.
I would give this story 4 out of 5 clouds.