My Book Reviews

Category: Book Reviews

This section categories all the posts that I have written for my book reviews.

  • Cross Bronx by Peter Quinn

    Cross Bronx by Peter Quinn

    Cross Bronx

    Cross Bronx by Peter Quinn
    Release:September 13, 2022

    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Empire State Editions
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    In his inimitable prose, master storyteller Peter Quinn chronicles his odyssey from the Irish Catholic precincts of the Bronx. Then to the arena of big-league politics and corporate hardball.

    Cross Bronx is Peter Quinn’s one-of-a-kind account of his adventures as ad man, archivist, teacher. As well as a Wall Street messenger, court officer, political speechwriter, corporate scribe, and award-winning novelist. Like Pete Hamill, Quinn is a New Yorker through and through. His evolution from a childhood in a now-vanished Bronx. Later to his exploits in the halls of Albany and swish corporate offices. Finally, to then walking away from it all, is evocative and entertaining and enlightening from first page to last. Cross Bronx is bursting with witty, captivating stories.

    Quinn is best known for his novels (all recently reissued by Fordham University Press under its New York ReLit imprint), most notably his American Book Award–winning novel Banished Children of Eve. Colum McCann has summed up Quinn’s trilogy of historical detective novels as “generous and agile and profound.” Quinn has now seized the time and inspiration afforded by “the strange interlude of the pandemic” to give his up-close-and-personal accounts of working as a speechwriter in political backrooms and corporate boardrooms.

    About the Author:

    Peter Quinn is a novelist, political historian, and foremost chronicler of New York City. He is the author of Banished Children of Eve, American Book Award winner; Looking for Jimmy: In Search of Irish America; and a trilogy of historical detective novels―Hour of the Cat, The Man Who Never Returned, and Dry Bones.

    From 1979 to 1985 Quinn worked as chief speechwriter for New York Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. He also helped craft Cuomo’s landmark speech at the 1984 Democratic Convention and his address on religion and politics at Notre Dame University. Quinn then joined Time Inc. as chief speechwriter and retired as corporate editorial director for Time Warner at the end of 2007. As an eyewitness and participant, he survived elections, mega-mergers, and urban ruin. In Cross Bronx he provides his insider’s view of high-powered politics and high-stakes corporate intrigue.

    Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Cross Bronx Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    Have you ever read a memoir that feels larger than life yet relatable? “Cross Bronx” left the same impact on me, and I was stunned by learning of the author’s experiences as a speechwriter.

    When I started reading this, I was still determining if I would enjoy it, as the world of politics is not my cup of tea. The author does a lovely job of luring you into his world, where we see how he moved up from VISTA to a court office and moved on to the life of a political speechwriter. My favorite moments were reading about his experiences at Time Inc, Time Warner’s merger, its implications, and the election between Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo.

    The author also highlights pivotal US history moments like the Vietnam War, Ronald Raegan’s presidency, the Riots, and the NYC Mayoral Election. It was interesting to see the amount of pressure a speechwriter has to develop the perfect dialogue, and I had no idea about the intricate workings behind the scenes.

    Moreover, the book is about more than the author’s professional life. Personal moments, like his affection for the Hot Dog Girl, his marriage and family, and his struggles to write his novels, were exciting and made the memoir personal. Even the author’s childhood days were adorable as we see moments that influenced him, from his time in Parkchester to Shelter Island. Having lived in NYC for some time, I loved how the author painted the city beautifully and realistically. It was engrossing to read about the Express Thruway, and I also enjoyed the moments will Bill Kennedy and the interview towards the end.

    Overall, “Cross Bronx: A Writing Life” is a beautiful memoir that will grab your attention and won’t let go.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Cross Bronx

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Cross Bronx by Peter Quinn Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours.

     

     

  • Death and Mr Fould by Alan Derosby

    Death and Mr Fould by Alan Derosby

    Death and Mr Fould

    Death and Mr Fould by Alan Derosby

    Release: 31st October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: SpellBound Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon 

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    A stunning gothic historical hybrid genre story perfect for Halloween!

    Max Fould, an aristocrat from the Fould banking family, goes off to war under the leadership of Napoleon.

    While stranded in Russia, he encounters a creature that sets his life on an unimaginable path based on Russian folklore.

    Follow Max Fould from post-revolutionary France to the First World War, where his past and present come full circle.

    About the Author:

    Alan Derosby, a Maine native, has spent the past several years focusing on his passion: writing.  Alan has created original and spooky short stories, having several published in a variety of anthologies. MAN OF CLAY is his debut novel.

    When not writing, Alan is teaching history at Messalonskee High School in Oakland, Maine, spending time with his wife and daughter, or watching the New York Mets suffer through another disappointing season.

    Amazon | Goodreads

    Death and Mr Fould Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    When I started reading this book, I had no idea how larger than life it would become. The author tells the tale so grippingly in three parts, and each section stands out. My favorite was the second part, where Max meets Alice, and I liked the touch of romance the author added. Even Molly became one of my favorites. However, the author’s creativity indeed showed in the third part, as he puts historical events from the end of the Russian Empire, like Rasputin and Nicholas II, into the picture. Seeing reality mixed with fiction and fantasy was exciting, and this was the book’s highlight for me.

    Moreover, the author wrote both the lead characters wonderfully. I loved Max from the get-go and his eagerness to do what was right. He had no idea how his life would change once he met Kutkh. The author takes us on an unforgettable adventure as we see the various ups and down that Max goes through. Similarly, Kutkh is a force to be reckoned with, and I had wondered how Max could beat him. The Raven was two steps ahead of him whenever Max went, pushing Max to a life of guilt and misery. I was glued to the pages, wondering how it would turn out.

    The only minor criticism is how some parts felt repetitive, particularly Kutkh retelling his plans or Max’s feelings for Alice. Also, I would have liked more history on Devana and felt there needed to be more closure from such characters in the end.

    Nevertheless, I loved reading “Death and Mr. Fould” and how the author mixed historical fiction with fantasy and facts. The author has a beautiful talent for thinking outside the box, and I would love to read some of his other works.

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    Death and Mr Fould I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Death and Mr Fould by Alan Derosby Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

  • The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland

    The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland

    The Perfect Husband

    The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland

    Release: 19th October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    He was gentle, kind, loving. Until he moved in.

    A small-town barbeque in summer’s dying days. There, gentle, bookish Laura meets a man who makes her laugh, hangs on her every word.

    He’s the one. Isn’t he?

    But once Laura falls pregnant, Robert’s mask slips. She can never quite keep him happy. He is cold and judgemental with a temper that can flare up at any moment. He goes out for hours and won’t tell her where he’s been, he even locks her own door against her.

    Laura realises she has married a total stranger, a man governed by dark impulses and darker secrets who seems determined to gain control of every part of her life. Who is this man she’s living with and what terrible things has he done?

    As Laura slowly discovers the truth about Robert, she begins to realise that she and her unborn child are in terrible danger. And finally she understands she will have to answer one terrifying question – how far is she willing to go to protect her baby?

    About the Author:


    Iain Maitland is the author of three previous psych thrillers, The Scribbler (2020), Mr Todd’s Reckoning (2019) and Sweet William (2017), all published by Contraband, an imprint of Saraband.


    Mr Todd’s Reckoning is coming to the big screen in 2023, courtesy of Infinity Hill, the team behind the award-winning BBC TV series Staged, starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen.


    Iain is also the author of two memoirs, Dear Michael, Love Dad (Hodder, 2016), a book of letters written to his eldest son who experienced depression and anorexia, and (co-authored with Michael) Out Of The Madhouse (Jessica Kingsley, 2018).


    He is also an Ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity. He talks regularly about mental health issues in schools and colleges and workplaces.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook

    The Perfect Husband Review:

    “The Perfect Husband” glued me because of the main character, and I wanted to find out what happened to her.

    Laura, Laura, Laura. Where do I begin with her? She had me going through various emotions, and I admire the author for writing her this way. She is not cunning, manipulative, or even astute and makes decisions and mistakes that an average person would make in that scenario. Initially, I felt sorry for her and all the trouble that Robert had put her through. But, in the second half, I sometimes rolled my eyes, trying to figure out how deluded she behaved with her bad decisions, especially when Andrew entered the picture. The author wrote the characters realistically, and it was fun to see how they reacted to the situations. Robert is a devious villain who you despise for how he treats Laura. Alex also creeped me out, especially with his weird dance and how he unnerves Laura.

    However, the only criticism I had was on the pacing. While I enjoyed the plot, the story staggered at times, where we get the same paragraphs of Laura fearing for her actions and what would happen to her. There are also quite a few ‘what-if’ scenarios that play out, which I felt unnecessary, and it would have been nice if the author had added more twists to the tale.

    Nevertheless, the story is engaging, and while you might not like Laura at times, you want to keep reading to find out just how far she will make it and if she will succeed in the end or not. The climax was not one which I wanted, but it felt like a proper ending.

    Overall, “The Perfect Husband” is a suburban thriller that will hook you for its surprising plot and Laura.

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Perfect Husband

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Perfect Husband by Iain Maitland Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

     

  • Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Hear Me Cry

    Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton

    Release: 28th October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Red Dragon Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    A nun hiding a chilling secret. A literary agent, Katie Kovacs is ghost-writing her mysterious memoir, and delves into her grisly past. What secrets will be revealed?

    Heather Parnell runs away from a commune in the 1970s. And in a disastrous catalogue of events, involves herself in the death of three elderly people. She becomes the focus of a media storm, who name her, The Commune Murderer.

    Katie has her own demons. An abduction in her childhood still haunts her.  Katie believes someone is stalking her. Her six-year-old son went missing years before, and Katie was sure her husband was responsible.

    Will she ever find out what really happened to Oliver? Will she finally unearth the truth about Britain’s most notorious female killer?

    SHE INVITED HER INTO HER HEAD, NOW SHE CAN’T GET HER OUT

    About the Author:

    Eileen Wharton is an Oscar winning actress, Olympic gymnast, and Influencer. She also tells lies for a living.

    Her first novel publishing was in 2011 to worldwide critical acclaim. And she’s won awards for exaggeration. It did top the Amazon humour chart so she’s officially a best-selling author.

    She currently has five ‘lively’ offspring ranging from thirty-three to fourteen years of age. And  she has no plans to procreate further, much to the relief of the local schools and police force. She lives on a council estate in County Durham.

    Moreover, she has never eaten kangaroo testicles, is allergic to cats and has a phobia of tinned tuna. She no more argues with people on the internet.

     Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Hear Me Cry Review:

    “Hear Me Cry” is a gripping psychological thriller that I could not put down because it was so good!

    Initially, when I started reading, I didn’t know in which direction the story for heading. On the one hand, you have Katie, who lives in a secluded house and encounters paranormal activities. On the other hand, Heather falls in love with Jovano, and her life spirals down. On top of that, we also have a parallel story of the horrors a child encountered in 1975. How are all these connected? The author did a fantastic job of maintaining the suspense; as the story progresses, you wonder how it will culminate. I adored the author’s writing style. Each chapter toggles various perspectives, shifts between the past and present, and progresses through letters exchanges, and I found the approach exciting. On a side note, I also loved the fairy tale-like short stories the author tells, like “Pollards Boar.”

    Moreover, all the characters stood out, but my favorite was Katie. My heart went out to Katie throughout, from when she met Mark to when she experienced scary things in the house. Certain moments had me at the edge of my seat, like when Katie realizes what kind of a person Mark is or when she learns of Laura and visits Mark’s mother. Also, some scenes, like when Katie goes to the spiritualist church, gave me goosebumps. Heather was also engaging; I thought the scenes with the cat and Christina were intense. The story also has an unforgettable cliffhanger that makes it so memorable. However, after reading a few such stories in the genre, I foreguessed the conclusion. Nevertheless, the book is unforgettable, and I could not put it down.

    Overall, “Hear Me Cry” is a brilliant suspense thriller worth reading!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Hear Me Cry

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Hear Me Cry By Eileen Wharton Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

     

     

  • Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Her Last Lie

    Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp

    Release: 12th October 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    He says they’re madly in love. So why can’t she remember him?

    Naomi wakes from an accident with no memory of her previous life. A stranger to her, Joel, claims to be her husband, and Naomi has no choice but to believe him.

    Joel keeps Naomi isolated and will only drip-feed her clues about the past. He says he’s just following doctor’s orders – Naomi has to take it easy or she could be overwhelmed.

    But Naomi can’t help feeling there’s something off about Joel and the wonderful life he claims they had together. And how did she get injured and lose her memory in the first place? And who is the strange woman who is stalking her?

    Naomi begins to suspect she’s in terrible danger. She needs to fully remember her previous life – and fast.

    When she finds some posts she made on Instagram, she realizes the clue to her identity may lie on social media. But are those posts even true? Or was that Naomi presenting a picture-perfect version of herself which has no basis in reality?

    Trapped in a web of lies and unable to trust even herself, can Naomi figure out the who she really is before it’s too late?

    Her Last Lie – the gripping psychological thriller perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K. L. Slater, and Daniel Hurst.

    About the Author:

    Kyla Sharp writes fun, dark and twisty suspense novels. Originally from Chicago, Kyla has worked as a breaking news reporter, at an animal hospice, and has traveled the world full-time as a “digital nomad.” She now lives in Melbourne, Australia.

    Her Last Lie is her first psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

    Website | Facebook | Goodreads

    Her Last Lie Review:

    I loved reading “Her Last Lie” and thought it was one of the best amnesiac psychological thrillers I have read this year.

    The book was so good from the get-go. You see a woman in the hospital with damaged looks who can’t remember her past. Throw in a man who claims to be her husband and takes her away. As the story progresses, you get hints of the woman’s past and what a prominent figure she was, adored, and admired by many. I loved Naomi in the role as she encounters people like Rachelle, Laura, Willow, and Joel. You don’t know who is telling the truth and using her, which makes the story so gripping. I was at the edge of my seat as Naomi tried to pick the pieces together and find her identity.

    Moreover, I loved the author narrated the story. She makes the book relevant by showcasing how scary a social media influencer’s life can become. The author also adds so many thrilling moments, twists, and turns that I did not see coming. Some moments that stood out for me are when Rachelle chases her with her car or when Laura tries to help her. The book also concludes with a surprising and exciting climax that I did not see coming, making the story memorable. There are some parts, albeit a tad unbelievable, only considering how far Naomi was able to get considering her frail condition, but that did not stop me from enjoying the story.

    Overall, “Her Last Lie” is an exciting read I enjoyed.

     
    Book Tour Schedule

    Her Last Lie

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Her Last Lie by Kyla Sharp Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

  • New vision 7 parallels by Jessica Lorenzi Conti

    New vision 7 parallels by Jessica Lorenzi Conti

    New vision 7 parallels by Jessica Lorenzi Conti

    Release: 6th March 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Independently published
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    A TIME TRAVEL adventure through history and a multiverse

    2121, the world in which the populations of the five continents evolve has become chaotic and unlivable.  Already, G20 countries leaders are in condemnation for genocide. New Vision established a new world order in 2080 and masters time travel since 2105.

    One of its most brilliant members, Kazuhiko Ken has developed a blank page project. It is a rewrite from scratch of the world as we know it by choosing to annihilate from the history of humanity. These are some events which would have, if they had not existed, avoided humanity’s decline.

    Recruitment of members of New Vision therefore takes place recruited across continents and eras to return to the past. And annihilate Six distinct events in the history of humanity and ensure that Seven parallel worlds, six alternate realities are created.

    A science fiction novel mixing history and adventure full of twists through space and time.

    About the Author:

    Born and raised in Los Angeles (exactly in Burbank in the San Fernando Valley), I grew up in a multicultural home as my mother is French and my dad is from Italian descent at a very early age I was already speaking and writing English, French and Italian and after obtaining a Master’s degree in Education with specialization in Human Development and Psychology, Social Science and Comparative Education from UCLA I worked several years as a teacher, a humanitarian aid worker for UNICEF and finally a linguist for Apple artificial intelligence system.

    Today I live in Algarve in Portugal and inspired by the many countries I worked and lived in, and by my background as cognitive psychologist I use my favourite topics, sociology, cultural diversity, and fight against inequalities in Science-fiction where I strive to get a sharp portrait of our society and get an idea, a preview of what could happen and what could become of our future

    .Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    New vision 7 Parallels Review:

    Imagine a World where you changed the events, so there is no racism, religion, and authority, and people live in peace and tolerance. I enjoyed how creative this book is for the science fiction genre. The author somehow takes the significant events of the world that shaped the last few centuries and conjures a ‘what-if’ scenario of altered reality and time travel. The story made it feel out of the box, unlike anything I had read earlier. It was fun to witness prominent figures from the past and present come together to make the world good again. For instance, I never thought I would read about Stephen Hawking, Abe Lincoln, and Albert Einstein coming together to stop a catastrophic event from taking place, and all this made the plot engaging.

    Moreover, this is a story that is surprisingly very plot-centric. The author has spent a lot of time researching and bringing such a large cast of characters to the pages; it sometimes feels larger than life. For example, the author details the test subjects and the specific events to target, and the group holding regular seminars and meetings with progress with such information, you feel as though the events have transpired and you are reading a detailed timeline of what happened.

    Perhaps the only downside is that since there are no critical characters, I found it odd that I couldn’t root emotionally or gravitate toward any of them.

    However, the story is grand and wonderful, and I applaud the author for executing it wonderfully. Overall, “New Visions: 7 Parallels by Jessica Lorenzi Conti is an enjoyable, futuristic time travel experience that will make you ponder and wonder.

    Book Tour Schedule

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the New vision 7 Parallels by Jessica Lorenzi Conti Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours. 

     

     

  • Killing Kindness by Lisa Sell

    Killing Kindness by Lisa Sell

    Killing Kindness

    Killing Kindness by Lisa Sell

    Release: 15th September 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Red Dragon Publishing
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    Summer 1992: The Six, a group of teenagers, met in a disused mill every night. They thought they were invincible until Simon, a kind young man, disappeared.

    Summer 2021: The Six – minus Simon – gather at the renovated mill for his memorial. The reunion begins and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. The body count rises. Someone is killing kindness.

    It’s cruel to be kind…

    About the Author:

    Lisa Sell is a thriller, crime, and mystery author. She is an avid reader with a to-be-read tower rather than a pile.

    Music rocks Lisa’s world too, particularly a good eighties tune. If lost, you’ll find her in a DeLorean, headed for her favorite decade.

    Lisa’s cats try to help her write but often fail. The furry pests demand attention and desk space. Lisa is currently applying for cat wrangling to be recognized as an Olympic sport.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Killing Kindness Review:

    “Killing Kindness” is a thrilling murder mystery that kept me guessing what was happening, and I loved how the author executed it.

    Firstly, I enjoyed the way the author told the story. Each chapter is short yet throws the punch effectively in terms of plot progression. We have a large cast of characters, and while it might take a few pages for you to get the hang of them all, you feel like you are part of the group once the plot absorbs you. Also, I loved how the story randomly goes between the past and present, where you see incidents from the 90s, then the 00s, and then a few years ago to the present, in no order. As the story progresses, you see the kill count increase and wonder who is behind it. The author connected all the plots nicely and even looking back at the events, it made sense.

    Moreover, each character stands out uniquely yet has an air of mystery. For instance, Simon, in the flashbacks, appears like a kind chap, but you sense there is a dark side to him. Similarly, Joe sometimes got on my nerves, but I still felt terrible for him. The author made me feel various emotions for each character, and it was exciting to see their backstory and what they were hiding. True, there were a few lackluster characters, in my opinion, like Erin and even Stevie, but it didn’t make the story any less thrilling. My favorite characters, perhaps, were Charlotte, Dylan, and the Witch. These people were just a big question mark, and I wondered how everything connected to the arc.

    If you love murder mystery whodunit thrillers that keep you guessing, check out “Killing Kindness by Lisa Sell”!

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    Killing Kindness

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Killing Kindness by Lisa Sell Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

     

     

  • The Stars in Their Eyes by Kristy Gardner

    The Stars in Their Eyes by Kristy Gardner

     

    The Stars in Their Eyes

    The Stars in Their Eyes by Kristy Gardner

    Release: October 18th, 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: City Owl Press
    Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, __

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    The stakes were clear after the Change – survive together, or die.

    Calay and Tess’s love has kept them alive four years after the aliens decimated Earth. But when Calay finds herself fighting for her life and Tess missing, she hears death knocking. Banging, really. She has nothing. Scraps for food, the clothes on her back, no safe place for respite. And yet, she determines to risk it all to reunite with the one woman she has ever loved. She only has one choice: she must find Tess.

    Reluctantly, Calay braves the new nightmares of a ravaged Pacific Northwest, alone. Thrust into the darkness, she is haunted by horrors beyond her imagination — alien executioners, a mysterious man whom she can’t quite put her finger on, the rise of a sinister cult, and a shocking family secret that challenges everything she thinks she knows.

    As the lines between good and evil blur, Calay’s desperation threatens to spill what’s left of her humanity. Her heart smeared across her tattered sleeve, she is pulled deeper into the madness of a world that has become kill or be killed. Calay realizes she must deny her feral instincts and resist becoming a monster herself, confronting her demons as share stares down the barrel of a terrifying truth: she may actually be forever alone. Time is running out and she knows it. Her only hope is to become who she is truly meant to be and unify with the love of her life once and for all. But, at what cost?

    To survive, Calay must choose between the unthinkable: give up, or give ‘em hell.

    About the Author:

    Kristy Gardner is a queer sci-fi fantasy writer.

    Her debut queer dark sci-fi novel, THE STARS IN THEIR EYES, is coming October 18, 2022.

    Furnished with degrees in Gender Studies and Sociology, she crafts complex female characters that adventure through space, time, and emotional maelstroms questioning what identity – and home – really mean.

    Her debut novel, THE STARS IN THEIR EYES, comes out October 2022. She is also the author of the award-winning cookbook, COOKING WITH COCKTAILS.

    When she’s not jet-setting words on her laptop, she’s chasing stars, mountain adventures, belly laughs, coffee, big dog cuddles, and planning her next trip to SE Asia. She resides in Vancouver, B.C., with her partner and 90-pound rescued American Bulldog, Riley.

    She is represented by Julie Gwinn at The Seymour Agency.

    Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | TikTok

    The Stars in Their Eyes Review:

    “The Stars in Their Eyes” surprisingly turned out to be much better than I expected, and the story immersed me completely!

    The highlight of the story was the relationship between Calay and Jacob. I loved the camaraderie that these two shared. Jacob suddenly appears out of the blue in Calay’s life as she embarks on her mission to find Tess. You don’t know his true intentions, but Jacob surprised me and turned out to be my favorite character, even more than Calay. Similarly, Calay is also lovely in the lead, as she learns a lot about her history and has to endure secrets, betrayal, abduction, romance, action, and thrills, to name a few.

    Moreover, I enjoyed how the author constructed the world. It’s like “War of the Worlds” meets “Mad Max,” and I loved the concept of aliens, planets traveling, hybrids, etc. The author writes the story so beautifully that it does not overwhelm me with the events that transpire. I was delighted reading this book as a standalone. Yet, when you finish this book, you want it to be the beginning of a series because it is terrific. Some of my favorite moments were when Calay meets Jacob or what she discovers in the restricted access room. Even Max was adorable, and Guy was devious in the negative role.


    Perhaps the only improvement I would have liked to see is if we got more history on Smith and Adam. I felt these two had a lot of potential to add more to the plot but have a minimal presence, and you quickly forget about them.

    Apart from that, I loved “The Stars in Their Eyes,” and I hope the author turns it into a series, as I would love to revisit these characters.

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Stars in Their Eyes

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Stars in Their Eyes by Kristy Gardner Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.

     

    October 17th
    Nine Bookish Lives-Interview
    Never Hollowed By The Stare-Promotional Post
    Cath’s Reads-Review & Playlist

    October 18th
    Jen Jen Reviews-Promotional Post
    PopTheButterfly Reads-Review

    October 19th
    Brinns Books-Promotional Post
    Althea Is Reading-Review

    October 20th
    The Book Dutchesses-Interview
    And On She Reads-Promotional Post
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Review

    October 21st
    Stuck in Fiction-Promotional Post
    BookMeSomeTime-Review

    October 22nd
    Boys’ Mom Reads!-Review
    Metaphors and Miscellanea-Promotional Post

    October 23rd
    Sadie’s Spotlight-Interview
    Forthenovellovers-Review
    Sheaf and Ink-Promotional Post
    dinipandareads-Review & Journal Spread

  • The Mother I Never Had by Gary Goldstein

    The Mother I Never Had by Gary Goldstein

    The Mother I Never Had

    The Mother I Never Had by Gary Goldstein

    Release:October 11, 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Hadleigh House Publishing
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    It’s tough enough for L.A. landscape designer Nate Cronin when his professor father, Jim, who raised him alone since birth, dies, leaving Nate an orphan at thirty years old. But when the provocative and mysterious Amy enters Nate’s life soon after, it sends him on a devastating journey to unravel the truth about his past, the veracity of Amy’s claims, and the history of the father he adored.

    At the same time, Nate must come to terms with his commitment to his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer, a dance instructor whose patience with the resistant Nate frays as she attempts to help him navigate the psychological minefield set off by Amy’s arrival.

    The Mother I Never Had asks readers to consider what they would do if they found themselves faced with a parent they never knew existed—and if they could accept the secrets and lies that kept her away for a lifetime

    About the Author:

    Gary Goldstein is an award-winning writer for film, TV, and the theatre with more than thirty produced screen and stage credits. The New York native and longtime L.A. resident has also been a contributing film reviewer and arts feature writer for the Los Angeles Times since 2007. His first novel, the romantic comedy The Last Birthday Party, won a 2022 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence in Fiction.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads| LinkedIn| Amazon

    The Mother I Never Had Review:

    “The Mother I Never Had” is a heartfelt drama between a man and his mother that touched me.

    I enjoy reading stories that realistically portray family dynamics, and the author writes them beautifully. Nate shares beautiful chemistry with Amy as she returns to his life and tries to patch things up with him. The author writes their scenes dynamically, and you can understand Nate’s reactions as you would react similarly if in his shoes. I could relate to Amy and Nate, and my heart went to both of them. There are also times when both characters frustrated me because of their impulsive reactions that jeopardize their bond. I was thoroughly invested in both of them and wanted to see how the story turned out.

    Even the supporting characters are memorable, as I enjoyed the turbulent relationship between Nate and Jennifer and his friendship with Danny. Danny is one of my favorite characters because of how upfront he is with Nate about his decisions. Some of my favorite scenes were when Nate meets his grandparents and Robin or when he sees Amy’s photo in the book.

    Perhaps the only minor criticism I had was that the book staggered in some places, like the scene where Nate sees a psychic, or even Charla’s character, which I felt did not add much value. On a side note, I would have also liked more background on Jim and why he did what he did.

    Apart from that, “The Mother I Never Had” is a lovely tale you can read if you love emotional family dramas. I would love to read some of the author’s other books in the future.

    The Mother I Never Had

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Mother I Never Had by Gary Goldstein Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. 

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  • Inglestone Manor by S.S. Saywack

    Inglestone Manor by S.S. Saywack

     

    Inglestone Manor

    Inglestone Manor by S.S. Saywack

    Release: 31st August 2022
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Blossom Spring Publishing
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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    It’s 1944 and the war, it seems will never end.

    When Lizzy, her brother and sister, are evacuated to the village of Inglestone, they find their new home strange.

    Under the shadow of the ruined Inglestone Manor, they meet Dorothy Inglestone, the last of her line, and the ever-watchful Mr and Mrs Gains. When they come to know of a treasure hidden in a ruin manor, they can’t resist trying to find it.

    During hunting, they come across a strange boy roaming the ruins.

    Not only the police wants the boy, but the Gains also want him. Can the Allens keep a secret and not betray the boy? Before long, their loyalties will be tested.

    About the Author:

    Originally from Guyana, a country in South America, S S Saywack came to London with his family in 1962. Educated in North London, he studied information graphics at a London college and then worked as a graphic designer for many years. He later changed careers and became a teacher at a sixth-form college in East London. Taking early retirement, he turned to a third career, being an author.

    With a love for reading and history in general, he wrote his first novel that became the Mary Finch Series (four books for older children set in the fictional world of Sherlock Holmes and an additional chapter book to make five in total) and that was swiftly followed by Inglestone Manor.

    His current writing scurries between children’s fiction and adult detective fiction.

    To find out more about S S Saywack, you can visit his website, https://saywackwrites.com/ or find him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SSSaywack/

    .Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

    Inglestone Manor Review:

    “Inglestone Manor” is a creative middle-grade historical fiction novel that follows three siblings and how their lives turn upside down when they arrive at the manor, and I found it intriguing.

    Firstly, I enjoyed the way the author wrote the plot. What I appreciate about the story is how the author tries to incorporate a lot. It is part mystery, part historical fiction, part family drama, part middle-grade adventure, part fantasy (and perhaps even time travel), and it touches many genres. You never know what will happen next, and even though I have read quite a few middle-grade novels, I couldn’t guess what was happening here. The characters are memorable and charming, and the author expresses their feelings beautifully.

    The highlight of the story was Lizzy. I loved how the author wrote Lizzy and how protective she is toward her loved ones. She is not afraid to put her foot down and even yell at the adults if needed, like Bill Gains. At the same time, Lizzy shares beautiful moments with Mrs. Inglestone and May. Similarly, Bill Gains is superb as the villain, and you wonder just how far his greed will take him. However, Mrs. Gains is perhaps the most complex character because you see her grow in the tale. Even Abel and Mrs. IngleStone were memorable and added a touch of mystery to their backstory.

    Perhaps the only downside to the tale is that we saw less of the other children, particularly Billy. It would have been nice if Billy and May were equally prominent like Lizzy.

    Overall, “Inglestone Manor” was lovely to read, and I look forward to reading more of the author’s works.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Inglestone Manor

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Inglestone Manor by S.S. Saywack Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.