Category: Mostly About Reading

Book Review: Lust, Money & Murder – by Mike Wells

Lust, Money & MurderBook: Lust, Money & Murder: Book 1
Author: Mike Wells
Publisher: Mike Wells
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: January 18, 2014
Genre: thriller, suspense
Pages: 107 
Price: Under $3.00, digital;  may still be free
My rating: a good start to a three-part book
 
 

Lust, Money & Murder is not a title I would ordinarily select, but the author requested reviews in exchange for the ARC.

Lust, Money & Murder is really a teaser. It is part one of three parts that make up a complete book; therefore, this volume is short and didn’t take long to read.

The author, Mike Wells, grabs the reader’s attention in the prologue, but then there is no connection with the rest of the story; perhaps that comes later. Some things are somewhat contradictory, such as this: Elaine looked down at it, unable to move. She abruptly rose. Later in the story, the man Elaine is falling for is somewhat cool toward her but then …. well, that changes abruptly, too.

Lust, Money & Murder takes the reader through Elaine’s life from a little girl doted on by her father, to a coming-of-age young woman. She becomes super focused, though, on her libido, and does some crazy things for a crazier reason. Later, she applies herself to her future goal and becomes highly regarded in her chosen field – chosen for the purpose of revenge – through which she meets the rather secretive man she thinks she can truly love.

Even though there are sections that could have been delved into more to extend the read, and the story could have benefited from more editing and development, Lust, Money & Murder is a good start. The groaner is the last line, which ended up being a cliffhanger mid-scene. (If you are tempted to get part one, please don’t spoil it for yourself by reading the end first!) The continuation is in book two, and since there are three parts it is likely the same thing happens at the end of book two as a lead-in to book three. Apparently, together they make one complete novel.

If you enjoy reading suspense, thrillers, espionage, you may enjoy Lust, Money & Murder, book 1, by Mike Wells, and want to purchase books 2 and 3 to continue the story.

You can find Lust, Money & Murder, book 1 listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

 

Author generosity … book giveaway extended!

As I continue on this adventure of reviewing books, I am finding most authors and/or their publishers to be generous souls. If they want to promote their books, and have the budget to offer a few for free to my readers, they will do so. It all helps with image of both author and publisher, and also puts more books out there. It’s not easy selling books, promotion is hard work. That’s one reason I enjoy helping in my own small way.  But …

Things don’t always go as planned.

Storms happen. Internet connections drop. Books aren’t scooped up for reasons we don’t understand … because … did you mean to enter the draw but forgot?

If you wanted your own copy of the adult mystery thriller The Tipping Point by Walter Danley, but you missed the deadline, don’t be discouraged. Even though the giveaway dates have passed, Walter has generously offered a copy of his book to be given to YOU if you are among the first five persons to leave a comment. (click HEREto read about Walter) How generous is that! Five e-books being given away.The Tipping Point. Walter DanleyPlease don’t delay, leave your comment today! Walter will be happy to respond because he wants to give you an e-copy of his book – The Tipping Point – a thrilling crime story filled with mystery, action, suspense, and interesting characters.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!   🙂

Book Review: Drowning Mermaids – by Nadia Scrieva

Drowning MermaidsBook: Drowning Mermaids
Author: Nadia Scrieva
Publisher: ThunderWords
Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: fantasy
Pages: 316
Price: paperback under $12.00; Kindle – may still be free
My Rating: interesting fantasy that adds dimension to one’s imaginings
 
 

There are depths of the ocean no one has ever seen, where no human could possibly survive. Or can they? There are places in the ocean that exist only in one’s imagination. Or do they?

What if a person has mermaid abilities? What if a person has mermaids in the family but doesn’t know it?

In Drowning Mermaids by Nadia Scrieva – book one of the Sacred Breath series – we get to find out the answers to those questions. In this book we follow the life and struggles of Aazuria and her sisters who are living on land despite being better accustomed to living under the ocean waves. There is the fight-to-the-death battle with opposing forces, fisherpersons in grave danger, events and misunderstandings that lead to tragic circumstances. And of course there is the love interest, the impossible dream, the hope for a future worth pursuing.

A warning to young readers: unfortunately there is some nasty language in some places and a few suggestive mature scenes, otherwise this would have been a suitable book for them to read.

Despite what I mentioned in the above paragraph, and some editing that was missed, Drowning Mermaids is a story depicting strong female characters and a storyline that holds one’s interest. If you ever wondered what it would be like to live under water, or if there are really mermaids in the ocean (or in your family), you may like to read Drowning Mermaids by Nadia Scrieva to find out what one creative author thinks about all that. Experience the fantasy.

You can find Drowning Mermaids listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) – by Jodi Carmichael

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger FoodBook: Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons)
Author: Jodi Carmichael
Illustrator: Sarah Ackerley
Publisher: Little Pickle Press
Date: November 26, 2012 – Kindle; April 1, 2013 – paperback
Genre: chapter book
Pages: 152
Price: Kindle under $5.00; paperback under $7.00
My rating: Excellent way to learn about Asperger’s Syndrome from the child’s point-of-view
 
 

The title – Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) – is the first thing that grabbed my attention, and then the happy innocence of the little boy on the front cover. 

For anyone not familiar with Asperger’s Syndrome, this book is such a great way to learn more about how it affects a child. The whole story is told through the voice of an eight-year-old boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome.

Connor is happy, smart, eager, energetic, and gets into trouble easily because of how differently he relates to his surroundings. He doesn’t mean to, it just seems to happen. And it happens in innocent funny ways. The way Connor tells it is both amusing and informative. For example: after one incident at school, when he was sent – yet again – to the principal’s office, he dashed immediately to his favourite blue chair. It was smooth and calming for him. Obviously he had been there enough times before to have tried all the chairs, but it was not said that way, the reader understood it from the way Jodi Carmichael had Connor tell his experience.

Here are the chapter titles:

  1. Mrs. Winters Does Not Like to Be Interrupted
  2. Girls Are Confusing
  3. Mr. O’Brien Does Not Believe Rules Are to Be Broken – Ever
  4. Smooth Things Are Calming
  5. Lunch Time Can Be Tricky
  6. A Library Voice Is Even Quieter Than an Inside Voice
  7. Stools Are for Standing on and Chairs Are for Sitting On
  8. Even Numbers Rule!
  9. Mrs. Rosetti Has the Best Smiley Face
  10. Feelings Are Confusing
  11. Not All People Are Dog People
  12. A Code Yellow Is Serious Business
  13. Stomach Swirls Can Be Both Good and Bad at the Same Time
  14. Kids Love Dog Tricks

Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) by Jodi Carmichael is a very well-written book that educates while it entertains, while the illustrations by Sarah Ackerley add a wonderful dimension. Having the opportunity to see the world from Connor’s perspective is enlightening. Both children and adults can enjoy this chapter book and learn from it.

You can find Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food (and other life lessons) listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

Book trailer for An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth – by Chris Hadfield

Just a quick post today…

On July 1 I posted my book review of Chris Hadfield’s book An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth. I should have also mentioned again the post I had written about his talk about facing one’s fear; you can watch it here.

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on EarthToday I am posting the trailer for his book, which I would have included yesterday had I thought to look for one.  (Thanks to Erik for the heads-up about this.) It is so funny and I hope you will enjoy it.  Click here to watch it.

 

Do book trailers increase your interest in a book? Do they help you make a decision about buying a book?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth – by Chris Hadfield

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on EarthBook: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth
Author: Chris Hadfield
Publisher: Random House Canada
Date: October 29, 2013
Genre: memoir; space science
Pages: 336, hardcover
Price: $28.00 – $32.00
My Rating: WOW!  or, A must-read book about life and attitude in Space and on Earth
 

Since July 1 is important for Canada, (HAPPY CANADA DAY TO MY FELLOW CANADIANS!), I have selected a fantastic book to review today.

While at the Credit Union one morning in early June, I noted their news board. On June 25 Chris Hadfield was coming to Truro, about two hours’ drive from where I live in Nova Scotia. Oh. My. Gosh! I excitedly told my sister who went online and obtained tickets for five of us to go hear him speak. I headed to the bookstore to buy his book — and one for my sister for her birthday. What a good decision. This well-written book, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, is full of “AMAZING”, not to mention how I feel about Chris Hadfield – the Canadian astronaut who was commander of the International Space Station.

When Chris was nine years old he watched – on a neighbour’s TV on July 20, 1969 – the Apollo moon landing, and knew right then what he wanted to be when he grew up. From that point onward everything he did was to obtain his goal to be an astronaut, even though here in Canada there was not yet a space agency.

In An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth Chris Hadfield tells about his journey. After the Introduction appetizer, he has divided the book into three sections: Part 1 – Pre-Launch; Part 2 – Liftoff; Part 3 – Coming Down to Earth.

Part 1 – Pre-Launch
  1. The Trip Takes a Lifetime
  2. Have an Attitude
  3. The Power of Negative Thinking
  4. Sweat the Small Stuff
  5. The Last People in the World
  6. What’s the Next Thing That Could Kill Me?
Part 2 – Liftoff
                  7. Tranquility Base, Kazakhstan
                 8. How to Get Blasted (and Feel Good the Next Day)
                 9. Aim to Be a Zero
               10. Life off Earth
                11. Square Astronaut, Round Hole
 
Part 3 – Coming Down to Earth
               12. Soft Landings
               13. Climbing Down the Ladder
 

This is an exciting, interesting, incredible adventure told in an easy-to-read way. Chris Hadfield‘s humility and humour shine through as he shares what he has learned and accomplished both on and off Earth. What he had to do to realize his dream is daunting. What he shares about life is sound and inspiring.

The paragraph that spoke to my heart is as follows:

If you start thinking that only your biggest and shiniest moments count, you’re setting yourself up to feel like a failure most of the time. Personally, I’d rather feel good most of the time, so to me everything counts: the small moments, the medium ones, the successes that make the papers and also the ones that no one knows about but me. The challenge is avoiding being derailed by the big, shiny moments that turn other people’s heads. You have to figure out for yourself how to enjoy and celebrate them, and then move on.  – Page 267, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth
 

 This book is thoroughly enjoyable. It is not only about travelling and living in Space, but also about his work as a fighter jet pilot when he lost several friends in flying accidents. In flowing conversational language he takes us all through the difficult journey that opened his way into NASA and eventually to commanding the space station where he conducted a record-setting number of scientific experiments. He also handled emergencies while in Space and became well-known for his activity on Twitter and his incredible photographs taken during his five-month stay on the space station he had helped build.

If you enjoy non-fiction, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield is such a good book to spend time absorbing. The information he provides is riveting. Even if you aren’t sure about the genre I recommend you give this book a try. It is so worth it.

A footnote: Chris Hadfield.2.06-25-14This image of Chris Hadfield is foggy because it was taken off the big screen in the community centre where he spoke. Chris is personable, interesting, funny, focused, well-spoken, humble, (good-looking – does that count?), Canadian … and I am so proud of him. I would have liked to tell him he’s an inspiration to me, but it wasn’t possible to get close enough with approximately 2800 people there.  *alas!*

If you buy only one book this year, may I suggest it be An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield. It will educate and inspire you.

You can find An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

 Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

Book Review: Sudden Death Overtime – by Steve Vernon

Sudden Death OvertimeBook: Sudden Death Overtime
Author: Steve Vernon
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Date: February 10, 2012
Genre: dark humour; fantasy novelette; horror
Pages: 123
Price: Kindle under $1.00
My rating: dark humour with shock value
 

Steve Vernon is an author who writes like no one I have read thus far. His freedom with the written word is astonishing. It’s as if every thought he has spills out onto paper and has to be shared. Every dark thought, as applies here.

Sudden Death Overtime does not fit my usual reading, because horror is not a genre I particularly enjoy, but I expect this is a dark fantasy unlike most others. This book (novelette because it is short) is sure to satisfy readers who like this genre, but it is not for young readers.

Steve Vernon writes well. His capturing of human nature and the could-care-less attitudes in conversation are true to life, including the coarse and vulgar language between men who are less than etiquette conscious. His imagination is spooky, in this case, horrific!

There is a totally black tour bus that shows up in odd places in a northern Canadian community and people start disappearing. There are four old men who still love hockey enough to clear the ice every Saturday for the kids in the community. There are vampires … and those determined old men … and hockey … and gore. And a twist at the end.

If you like hockey, vampires, horror, dark humour, and you don’t mind coarse language, then you will like this book. Steve Vernon has them all in Sudden Death Overtime. It is a short read that packs a wallop.

You can find Sudden Death Overtime  listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂