Category: Reviews & Interviews

Book Review: Double Exposure – by Michael Lister

Double Exposure by Michael ListerBook: Double Exposure
Author: Michael Lister
Publisher: Tyrus Books
Date: September 1, 2009
Genre: thriller
Pages: 240
Price: Kindle under $5.00; paperback $14.95
My rating: mild thriller filled with action and drama
 

I had not read any of Michael Lister‘s books until Double Exposure, so I didn’t know what to expect. After reading the blurb on the cover: “… absolutely riveting! … squeezed every ounce of terror and thrills out of a dark night in the woods” I thought this book is one I would not want to read late at night. I can be easily spooked, especially if I am really drawn into the story. Not to worry.

There was one section near the end where I did feel the tension, but the rest of the story was mild as a thriller. I’m sure it could easily affect other readers quite differently. Although intended to add suspense, what broke the tension for this reader was how, in many places, the author wrote in clipped one word thoughts. It left much for one to imagine, which can be a good thing, but it also seemed to yank the reader through the story, the choppiness tending to keep one from fully engaging in the drama.

Remington James moves back to Florida after his father’s death and takes on the care of his ailing mother. He also picks up his camera again, something he had drifted away from in favour of the big income. While trekking through his father’s woodland (left to him) to check out his camera traps (hidden cameras set up to capture wildlife images when he is not there to do it) he discovers something unthinkable. Soon after, he finds himself in a dire situation. The rest of the story is the main character’s struggle to survive and all the dangers set against him.

Despite what I said in the second paragraph, Double Exposure does have its high points. Michael Lister has written a story that is gripping and action-filled. His main character becomes an accidental victim and is mercilessly pursued through hazardous circumstances. Never mind some questionable moments, this is a story that pulls the reader along just to find out what is going to happen next. If you enjoy thrillers, chances are you will like Double Exposure.

You can find Double Exposure listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: Cape Maybe – by Carol Fragale Brill

Cape Maybe by Carol BrillBook: Cape Maybe
Author: Carol Fragale Brill
Publisher: Brilliant Beach Books
Date: October 26, 2013
Genre: women’s fiction
Pages: 354
Price: $12.99; Kindle under $3.00
 
My Rating: true-to-life story that keeps the pages turning
 

I received a copy of Cape Maybe through an offer by the author, with the expectation of a review.

At the time of this writing, I finished reading Cape Maybe by Carol Fragale Brill about an hour ago. OH MY GOSH! Talk about getting into a story!

This novel begins with the young main character, Katie, arriving home from school to find a not-so-good situation involving her alcoholic mother. Immediately, the reader is rooting for Katie, annoyed with but hoping for her mother, sympathizing with her grandfather.

I have to tell you, there were parts of this story that were a little hard to read because of the honesty portrayed. The rawness of human emotion and reactions was so very well presented that I felt a range of my own emotions as I followed Katie through several years of her life. I should say, her difficult growing up years – the shame, the mistakes, the secrets, the lies, the promises, the denial, the anger, the tears, the discoveries, the regrets … but Cape Maybe is a story not only of the struggle but also one of love and hope. It is a story that won’t let you go, has to be heard, and doesn’t disappoint.

Katie’s mother stubbornly clings to her addiction after many failed attempts at sobriety. Although hating what it did to her mother, Katie feels the pull toward alcohol, and at a young age begins the slow tumble down that dark tunnel. It is a story I’m sure many can relate to from one side of the experience or the other – meaning, as one caught or as someone loving the one caught. And it is a story that carries the reader on the bumpy ride of Katie’s struggle, not letting go until the very last page. Even then, the characters linger in one’s mind.

When I reached that last page, I admit, tears welled up in my eyes. And I wanted more even though it was so fitting an ending. It was so well done I really felt that I didn’t want to go home from there!

There are other things I would like to share about Cape Maybe by Carol Fragale Brill, but I don’t want to have to issue a spoiler alert.  😉  You are going to have to get your own copy to find out. I’m sure you won’t regret it. 

You can find Cape Maybe listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

Book Review: Untraceable – by S. R. Johannes

Untraceable by S.R.JohannesBook: Untraceable
Author: S. R. Johannes
Publisher: Coleman and Stott
Date: January 10, 2014
Genre: teen thriller
Pages: 314
Price: $11.50 on Kindle
My rating: Action-packed, suspenseful adventure
 

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Author S.R. Johannes has created an action-packed thriller for young adults that will certainly keep them reading. In Untraceable she introduces us to Grace, the teen daughter of a forest ranger who went missing three months before and whom everyone has given up as dead. Everyone, that is, except Grace, who gets into trouble more than once in her quest to find her father. Not only does she get into trouble with the local police and her mother (with whom she is always fighting), she becomes caught up in a very dangerous situation when discovering something she is not supposed to know.

Grace does have an ally – an ex-boyfriend who, although not as nature savvy as she, has stuck by her through her risky schemes while trying his best to help at great risk to himself. Then there is the mystery guy Grace comes across while fishing. She can’t help falling for him, even though she is nervous about getting involved with anyone. Unfortunately, what she learns about him turns her world, and her heart, upside down.

S. R. Johannes builds suspense as Grace keeps seeking clues, getting deeper into a mess she may not be able to remedy. What she finds is shocking. The visuals in this story make the reader wince but simultaneously want to keep reading because it’s hard to put the book down.

Untraceable by S.R. Johannes is an action-packed novel teens will enjoy. It is the first book in the Nature of Grace teen thriller series. Book two has been released and the third book is to be released in June 2014.

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

 Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 
 

Book Review: An Illusion of Trust – by Linda Cassidy Lewis

An Illusion of TrustBook: an illusion of trust
Author: Linda Cassidy Lewis
Publisher: Two-Four-Six Publishing
Date: March 19, 2013
Genre: women’s fiction
Pages: 354
Price: $12.99; less on Kindle
My Rating: an excellent sequel but proudly can stand alone
 

Having read and reviewed The Brevity of Roses by Linda Cassidy Lewis I was happy to receive An Illusion of Trust to review as it is the sequel to Linda’s first novel. You can read my review of The Brevity of Roses here.

This story picks up where the first one left off. At the end of the first book, The Brevity of Roses, a new character was introduced, and under the circumstances I was not happy to meet her at first. In An Illusion of Trust she plays a major role. In fact, this story is told from her voice, her perspective, and it was cleverly done.

Renee is young, much younger than the women she now socializes with because of her marriage. Although her wealthy older husband professes to deeply love her, Renee is insecure and suspicious. A few times I was very annoyed with Renee, but I understood her insecurity and lack of confidence. She believes her husband is keeping secrets from her, and there is one woman in their circle whose attention to him adds to her suspicions.

Renee has secrets of her own, a past she doesn’t want known, and people she can’t forgive. Her tormented mind is reaching the breaking point, threatening her marriage, her children’s happiness, her own sanity. Combined with the pressures she feels from her new life – something has got to give. And it does!

An Illusion of Trust is a strongly written novel. Linda Cassidy Lewis is so convincing in her characters, bringing them to life in a very believable way, that it is easy for the reader to get pulled into their lives. This sequel to The Brevity of Roses is definitely not a disappointment. If you did not read The Brevity of Roses it is possible to read An Illusion of Trust and not have trouble following it, even though it is the sequel. Having said that, I would urge you to do yourself a favour and read both books, starting with The Brevity of Roses. Simply for the pleasure of it.

You can find An Illusion of Trust listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

Book Review: A Dragon’s Work is Never Done – by Stephanie Barrett

A Dragon's Work is Never DoneBook: A Dragon’s Work is Never Done
Author: Stephanie Barrett
Illustrator: Taryn Dufault
Publisher: Stephanie Barrett
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: August 28, 2012
Genre: children’s picture book
Pages: 64
Price: under $10 paper; under $3.00 Kindle
My Rating: A delightfully fun story to capture the imagination
 

What a delightful diversion from novel-reading! I enjoy a good picture book, and this one fits the bill.

Six-year-old Alfie is busy playing with his train set one afternoon when his mother interrupted him to come wash his hands and sit at the table to eat his lunch. She had prepared for him a ham and cheese sandwich slathered with mustard, and she warned him to take small bites and chew carefully. But, Alfie took a “great big whopping bite” and … ohhhh … spicy hot! When he took a deep breath of air out came smoke, just like smoke from a dragon’s nostrils, followed by flames when he burped! He had toasted the top of his cheese and ham sandwich!

The author, Stephanie Barrett, built such a fun story from there. The kitchen in which Alfie was sitting changed, with grass and tree branches growing out of everywhere and right up through the ceiling and out the roof. He was sitting in a forest. When Alfie looked up he saw dragons flying across the sky!

Now, what child wouldn’t love to meet a friendly dragon? Even now I think I would love it. But this adventure was for Alfie, and what an exciting adventure he had! He learned to fly, and helped a dragon scare a princess, guard treasure, and many other interesting things. The dragon always received payment from the people he helped, but I won’t dish out that spoiler.  🙂

A Dragon’s Work is Never Done is not the usual 32-page picture book, so it is a little long for young readers but should keep them interested easily. The marvellous illustrations by Taryn Dufault complement the story with wonderful visuals. 

An added highlight is at the end of the book. There is a Florida postal address with an invitation to write to Marty (the dragon) or Alfie. From reviews I’ve read they do send handwritten replies to the children who write to them. Imagine a letter from a dragon; how cool is that!

A Dragon’s Work is Never Done is the first book in the Alfie’s Sandwich Series. Book two has since been released.

You can find A Dragon’s Work is Never Done listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: The Tipping Point – by Walter Danley

The Tipping Point. Walter DanleyBook: The Tipping Point (A Wainwright Mystery)
Author: Walter Danley
Publisher: Marble Arch Communications
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: 1st edition December 9, 2013, 2nd edition May 15, 2014
Genre: mystery thriller; crime mystery
Pages: 354
Price: $13.78 but can be found for much less
My Rating: a crime mystery full of twists and intrigue to keep the reader hooked
 
 

* Before the book was in its finished state, I received the ARC of the second edition of The Tipping Point to review; therefore, my comments are based on the unpolished product. *

Debut novel, The Tipping Point by Walter Danley, begins with murder and continues from there with corporate greed, intrigue, conspiracy, suspense, and more. There are many questions that come up which the reader will want answered before reaching the last page. Even though there were a few contradictions in the story, sidetracks and extra information that drew the reader away from the main story, and times when it was hard to follow who was speaking, the main thread carried through. It was set in the 1970’s, so the reader may find some subtle sexism that seems to be accepted by the characters.

Instead of my dwelling on the problems with the editing of this story, and inconsistencies which I hope have been corrected in the final edits, I would suggest – if you enjoy a novel such as I described in the first sentence of the above paragraph – you give this book, The Tipping Point, a try. 

You will meet Wainwright, who, after one of his partners is murdered, tries to uncover the corrupt undercurrent he discovers that prevails in their multimillion-dollar company. There are more deaths, threats, fraudulent dealings, love affairs, an illusive hit-man, and many well-developed characters to follow through it all.

The Tipping Point is not a straightforward tale, but one that is tangled and interesting to read. It is fast-paced where needed, and dramatic. Even with my habit of noticing flaws as I read, this was a story I wanted to follow to the end. I’m usually a good guesser at ‘whodunit’, but this one kept me guessing as to whom was behind the murders and conspiracy.

Readers will be satisfied with the ending Walter Danley wrote to The Tipping Point. Because of his fans’ requests, the author is working on a sequel. 

Visit Walter Danley’s website to view the trailer for The Tipping Point.

You can find The Tipping Point listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

 

 

Book Review: Chasing Mona Lisa – by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

Chasing Mona LisaBook: Chasing Mona Lisa
Author (s): Tricia Goyer, Mike Yorkey
Publisher: Revell
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Date: January 1, 2012
Genre: historical fiction
Pages: 337
Price: Kindle list price $15, available for much less
My Rating: a fast-paced exciting read
 

If you don’t know much about the Second World War, or even if you do, Chasing Mona Lisa will present to you a different slant on how things were. Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey take the reader into the drama and danger of the time when Nazi Germany was overpowering Europe and laying claim to all the wealth they wanted.

Hitler’s Germany had overrun France, and some over-zealous prominent military officials were determined to add to their private collections as much valued artwork as they could.

We meet the famous Louvre’s curator who is responsible for priceless art treasures sought by the above-mentioned officials. We also meet spies, a few members of the Resistance group determined to get their country – and their country’s art treasures – back, some other interesting characters who round out the story, and a convincing glimpse into World War II.

Chasing Mona Lisa holds the reader’s interest from the beginning to the end. It is impossible to tell who of the two authors, Tricia Goyer or Mike Yorkey,  wrote which part. It is a well-delivered story, full of tension, excitement, faith, hope, drama, intrigue, suspense, and there are history lessons to be learned amid the fiction built around the facts. The reader gets drawn into a time of war, and introduced to situations where there is theft, kidnapping, a little romance, deception, blackmail, and more.

I found Chasing Mona Lisa to be a  fast-paced book, one I was eager to pick up again after short periods away from my reading. I had to know what was going to happen next! And my guess is you will, too. 🙂

You can find Chasing Mona Lisa listed on BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂