#ShareAReviewDay

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – Unknown Reasons by Joan Hall

/ Marcia Meara / 40 Comments

Happy Tuesday, Everybody! This morning, we are getting the ball rolling with an excellent review of Unknown Reasons: Driscoll Lake Book Two, by Joan Hall. I know you’ll enjoy it and be glad to pass it along, too. Thanks so much! 

REVIEW:

Review: Irene Aprile 5 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads Review
May 2, 2018

Back to Driscoll Lake

Ok, I have a problem. I’m officially in love with Brian Nichols, the main character in this novel. In a literary fashion, of course (not even him could take my husband’s place). But this is a problem because now I’ve finished reading Unknown Reasons, what am I to do with my reader-self? How am I going to move on and leave Driscoll Lake?

I’ve already been there once, thanks to Unseen Motives, and I was only too happy to be back for another story. Matt and Stephanie, main characters in the first novel of the series, here are minor characters since the story follows events related to Brian and Rachel, other inhabitants of Driscoll Lake.

I would have liked to read it all in one sitting. Unfortunately, I had to go to work (too bad). If mystery with a touch of romance, or romance with a touch of mystery, are your thing, carefully plan your reading time because, once you start reading, Unknown Reasons isn’t going to leave your mind until the end.

It’s fast-paced, full of suspense, and has the right amount of love and passion, angst and thrill. I loved the fact the villain has a point of view because it makes the story multifaceted and well-rounded.

As usual, Joan Hall has the ability to fully represent the pros and cons, ups and downs, of growing up and living in a small town, where everyone seems to know everything about everyone, privacy is a luxury, and gossips never rest.

I can’t wait, (can’t wait!) for the third title in the series. Really. Can’t. Wait.

BLURB:

If you can’t stand the heat…

Rachel Jackson hails from one of Driscoll Lake’s wealthiest families. Like her father, she became a doctor and is now a respected physician. But despite her successful career, Rachel feels something is missing from her life—until she crosses paths with Brian Nichols.

The son of a hard-working mother and alcoholic father, Brian acted out when he was young, earning a reputation as a troublemaker. As an adult, he’s worked hard to clean up his act and now owns a burgeoning construction company.

Rachel and Brian form an unlikely friendship which begins to blossom into something more. But a series of structure fires—determined to be arson—puts Brian in the hot seat. The properties are all associated with his work, making him the prime suspect. Toss in his juvenile history, and he finds himself the focus of a tenacious investigator. Even Rachel starts to have doubts.

Brian struggles to save his relationship, his company, and his reputation. But unless the real arsonist is caught before striking again, everything Brian holds dear may go up in smoke.

Buy Unknown Reasons: Driscoll Lake Book Two HERE


Author Joan Hall

Joan Hall likes to create character-driven fiction with strong, determined female leads and enigmatic male characters. She’s always enjoyed reading a good mystery or suspense story, so it’s only natural that’s her favorite writing genre. When she’s not writing, Joan likes to take nature walks, observe the night skies, and explore old cemeteries. She also likes ghost walks and learning local folklore. Joan and her husband live in Texas with their three cats.

Contact Info, Website, and Social Media Links:
joan@joanhall.net

Website   |  Goodreads  | Twitter   |  Facebook   |   Pinterest    | Instagram   |   BookBub

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – How Dare the Birds Sing by Marina Osipova

/ Marcia Meara / 24 Comments

This morning, I’m very happy to welcome Marina Osipova to The Write Stuff. Marina is sharing a lovely review of her book, How Dare the Birds Sing, and I know you’ll agree this one sounds truly compelling. Please share it far and wide, so even more people will be intrigued. Thanks!

REVIEW:

Maya Daniels  5.0 out of 5 stars
What an emotional ride!
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
April 11, 2019

With each book I read, I’m becoming more and more in love with this author’s stories. A heart wrenching, emotional ride that will make you not want to put the book down. I would say this is a story of strength, survival and living life the best you can with the cards you’ve been dealt with. Wonderfully written, exceptional character development and a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading the book. I highly recommend this book, and this author!

BLURB:

How Dare the Birds Sing takes readers across the 1930s Stalinist Soviet Union and WWII in a tale whose characters are bound by secrets, love, hatred, and unthinkable quirks of fate.

Buy How Dare the Birds Sing HERE
Available now at your favorite digital store!


Author Marina Osipova

Website
Bookbub Profile
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook

 

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – Amanda in Alberta by Darlene Foster

/ Marcia Meara / 23 Comments

This afternoon, I’d like to welcome Darlene Foster back to The Write Stuff. This time, Darlene is sharing a review of her book Amanda in Alberta. I know you’ll enjoy it, and Darlene and I would both be grateful if you’d share it, as well. Thanks!

REVIEW:
More exciting adventures with Amanda and Leah, this time in Alberta, Canada
By Christa Polkinhorn

Amanda is overjoyed. Leah, her best friend from England, is coming for a visit. Amanda and her parents have a whole sightseeing tour ready for her. They take her horseback riding, on a cattle drive, they visit a dinosaur museum, and Leah gets to meet Armanda’s extended family. Everything seems perfect until Amanda finds a stone one the cowboys lost. She soon realizes that quite a few unsavory characters are very interested in this stone and she wants to know why. Leave it up to spunky, feisty Armanda to get herself and her friend into a lot of trouble. This is another fun read for the young and the young-at-heart, full of quirky characters and fascinating adventures. And you learn some very interesting facts about that part of Canada.

BLURB:

Amanda is delighted to show Leah around Alberta during her visit from England. They take in the Calgary Stampede, go on a cattle drive, visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, spend time with the dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and explore the crazy Hoodoos. When Amanda finds a stone with a unique mark on it, she doesn’t think it’s important until everyone seems to want it – including a very ornery cowboy. Is this stone worth ruining Leah’s holiday and placing them both in danger? Spend time with Amanda as she explores her own country while attempting to decipher the mysterious writing on the stone and keep it from those determined to take it from her.

Buy Amanda in Alberta HERE


Author Darlene Foster

Brought up in southern Alberta, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing stories, travelling the world and meeting interesting people. It’s no surprise that after a number of interesting jobs, she’s now an award-winning author of the exciting Amanda Travels series featuring spunky 12-year-old Amanda Ross who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy travelling with Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When she isn’t travelling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining dog, Dot. She believes everyone is capable of making their dreams come true if they´re willing to step out of their comfort zone. 

You can reach Darlene on Social Media here:

Website  
Goodreads
Blog 
Twitter 
Facebook

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – Finding Hunter by Marcia Meara

/ Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

I hope you’ll indulge me this afternoon, folks. I decided I was overdue in sharing one of my own reviews, so I’ve chosen a great one for my 2nd Riverbend novel, Finding Hunter. Hunter, the youngest of the Painter brothers, has a very special place in my heart. Hope you enjoy reading this one, and will pass it along where you can. Thanks!

REVIEW:

writester
5.0 out of 5 stars Gut-Wrenching, Heartbreaking, and Soul-Warming
Format: Kindle Edition

I was looking forward to this book because I enjoyed the first one in the series so much. And now I’m eager to read book three. Marcia Meara has found her groove in the complex-character/Florida-fiction niche.

I love character-driven fiction, and this is the epitome of a character-driven piece. Hunter Painter puts a smile on your face and a tear in your eye from the first page. His story arc had me an emotional wreck, so you can imagine what he and Willow went through. And Willow… so strong, so understanding, so amazing. She is a force to be reckoned with.

These characters and the supporting cast kept me on the edge of my seat. This book depicts the horrors of PTSD from not just the person plagued by it, but also from the POV of the family and friends who so often feel helpless and are relegated to watching their loved one suffer. Meara explored this condition thoroughly and without restraint. It was an eye-opening and heart-wrenching take on the topic.

As I said, I really enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read the next installment.

Continue reading →

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – The Gate by D. L. Cross

/ Marcia Meara / 67 Comments

So happy to have D. L. Cross joining us this morning with a review of her book The Gate. Folks, I’ve read this one, and trust me, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, I’m sure! Thanks for sharing this review far and wide, as well. 

REVIEW:

D. L. Finn 5.0 out of 5 stars
May 9, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition (Verified Purchase)
I highly recommend!

I’ve been looking forward to this release and was impressed from the first page. “The Gate” is the beginning of the Astral Conspiracy Series, and I found it was like reading a movie it was so vivid. The characters felt very real including my favorite, Landon Thorne. He had theories others made fun of until they realized he was right. I connected with him staying true to himself and not allowing others to force change. With so much action and urgency in the story, it was hard to put down. I found myself saying more than once: “They don’t have time for this!” There was plenty of history and research mixed into the story that added another level of intrigue. Ancient Alien Theories fascinate me, so I was thrilled to find an exciting story with that woven into it. I highly recommend this well-written book, especially if you love aliens, the what-if scenario, action, history, theories, and characters you can grow to love–and hate! Continue reading →

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – “Simple” by Anita Dawes

/ Marcia Meara / 27 Comments

This afternoon, I’d like to welcome Anita Dawes to The Write Stuff. Anita is sharing a review of her novel, Simple, and I know you’ll enjoy reading this one. Don’t forget to share among your friends on social media, thanks! 

REVIEW:

Amy Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Life’s Choices
20 October 2018 – Published on Amazon.com

Simple is a story told by a young girl living in the woods with her family, which is made up of mostly harsh characters, who are contrasted by Simple, and then later Amber. It’s a story of love and loss and family and living with the decisions we have made. I had a very hard time putting this book down. I got the majority of it read in one day because I just had to know what all the mystery was. It snags you right away, and holds you tight for the ride. There were some harsh moments in the book, as well as some gems that made me think about life. Overall, what a great book! Well written characters, good depth of detail, and a driven plot.

BLURB:

SHADES OF DELIVERANCE MEETS THE WALTONS…

Simple’s life is a painful nightmare.
He is one huge bear of a man, but with the heart and mind of an innocent child. He suffers terrible abuse from his vicious and uncaring backwoods family.
Together with his half-sister Leanne, they are hunted like wild animals and suffer the terror of nearly being burned alive as they try to escape.

Buy Simple HERE


Author Anita Dawes

Hi, my name is Anita and although I am over 70, I am by no means a ‘silver surfer’. I have been writing fiction for a while now but never been picked up by the mainstream publishers. They all loved what I wrote, but said it was hard to slot them into a category!  It came tantalisingly close with Bad Moon, but no cigar, as they say.

When I retired, and with the help of my sister-in-law Jaye, I decided to dust off some of my manuscripts and try to achieve the impossible.

I am a paper and pencil girl. You could chain me to a computer for years and nothing would happen! Jaye is managing to cope with it, but then she has much more patience than I do.  (She is as stubborn as a mule, which helps!)

They say you are never too old to learn, but in my case never is another word for infinity!

Reach Anita on Social Media here:

Anita’s email:  jenanita01@btinternet.com
Website/blog 
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads 
Author Page
Pinterest    
Bloglovin     
Amazon Buy Link for Simple 

 

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – CrossFire by Jaye Marie

/ Marcia Meara / 27 Comments

This morning, please help me welcome Jaye Marie to The Write Stuff. Jaye is sharing a review of her book CrossFire, and I know you’ll enjoy reading this one. Please don’t forget to share far and wide, too, thanks! 🙂

REVIEW:

MegaReader
4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars for an entertaining read
15 October 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The book begins with the mysterious murder of DI David Snow’s colleague, mild-mannered Detective Jim Harris, killed by a strange injury to the head. Snow is determined to find his friend’s killer, and grudgingly accepts the help of Jim’s replacement, the enigmatic Ruth Winton, who has her own reasons for wanting to work with Snow. Ruth seems efficient at problem-solving, but Snow dislikes ‘Ruthless Winton’ for reasons he cannot seem to put a finger on.

Meanwhile, other deaths are occurring that Snow realises might be connected to his friend’s murder. Snow must work fast to catch the killer (or killers) before they strike again.

This book kept me turning the pages to the end, and I was interested enough to find out who had killed Jim Harris. All the characters were nicely fleshed out too, and the tension built as I read on. There were some minor editing errors however, and so I cannot give it a full 5 stars, but am happy to give the book 4.5 stars for an entertaining read.

BLURB:

DI DAVID SNOW HAS ANOTHER KILLER TO CATCH, a killer a mysterious as the crimes he commits.

Betrayal and lies come to the surface as Snow struggles to find the truth, but is he looking in all the wrong places?

Can Snow outwit the killer, or will the truth cost him his life?

Buy CrossFire here:  HERE

 


Author Jaye Marie

My name is Jaye Marie, the genius ‘oily rag’ and one-half of the establishment http://jenanita01.com.  I usually prefer to stay in the background, but that is beginning change.

Since we decided to publish our books ourselves, most of my other interests have had to take a back seat. I am an avid Bonsai collector and my tiny trees demand a lot of my attention in the growing season, or they will die. (it is just like having children)

I prefer to be busy, although I did think that now I am over 70  I might be able to relax a bit more, but I don’t think I can for I am far too nosey. I love exploring all the wonderful writing possibilities and trying something new. I make all these plans in my head, knowing I will probably forget most of them, but I can’t help it.

For someone who loathes computers with a passion, and I suspect this is mutual, I have managed to master the beast to some extent, but there is still so much I don’t know. As long as there is life in this old body, I will keep trying, and you never know, our books might just make the bestseller list one day!

It won’t be for the lack of trying, believe me!

Find Jaye Marie on Social Media here:

Jaye’s email
Website/blog
Facebook
Twitter 
Goodreads
Author Page
Pinterest 
Bloglovin

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – “Allow Yourself to be a Better Person ” by Balroop Singh

/ Marcia Meara / 39 Comments

This morning, please welcome Balroop Singh to The Write Stuff. Balroop is sharing  Allow Yourself to be a Better Person, a non-fiction work designed to help us discover how to become the best person we can be. I know this is a book we can all learn from, and I plan to download it today. After reading this excellent review, I suspect quite a few of you will want to do so, as well. Enjoy, and as always, please don’t forget to share across social media. Thanks!

REVIEW:

By James J. Cudney: posted at Amazon and Goodreads

As a follower of a blog written by Balroop Singh, I decided to purchase one of her non-fiction books this month: Allow Yourself To Be A Better Person. In this self-help and advice collection, Singh provides readers with ~100 pages of her thoughts and research on how to live a better life. By sharing personal stories of her own life and those of people she’s met, Singh offers ways for readers to consider changing behaviors so that they are happier and stronger individuals.

Every once in a while, it’s good to pick up a book like this; much of the content are things we know or have been taught over the years, but that we also forget. Singh adds context and value behind the words, ensuring we have example and clearer understanding of different interpretations. We know not to take our anger out on others, but we do it still… sometimes unwittingly, and at others, on purpose. Singh reminds us why, shares alternative approaches, and provides a way of reacting to our own emotions with a twist.

I enjoyed reading this extension of her blog so that I could be reminded of a few things that are always a benefit to our lives. It’s obvious that she took a lot of time to craft the structure and advice, and she should be commended. I’m glad I took a chance on reading her book and recommend it to others who are struggling to find a bit of light or think differently about some problems and painful situations in their life. Continue reading →

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – “Gateway to Magic” by Annabelle Franklin

/ Marcia Meara / 20 Comments

This afternoon, please help me welcome author Annabelle Franklin, who is here to share a great review of her children’s book, Gateway to Magic. This is sure to be a tale your kids or grandkids would enjoy, and I know you’ll help us spread the word far and wide, in addition to grabbing a copy for your favorite young person. Thanks!

REVIEW:
Amazon Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

‘This is for all children who love gaming, and all the parents who never really grew up and are still entranced by the magic of the classic fairy tales and the “other worlds” of Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree. Annabelle Franklin has the rare gift of being able to enter a child’s mind. Stephen is a “hero” every boy and girl will identify with. His struggle against the absolute rule and authority of the Fairy Queen mesmerizing. And don’t worry, boys will love this Fairy Queen – there’s nothing girly or soft about her.

This is storytelling at its best. A book to read and re-read that will become a favourite in the tradition of the classics. I loved it, and as a “test pilot” for the books I buy my grandchildren I am one hundred per cent certain they will. I can’t wait for their next bedtime.’

BLURB:

Gateway to Magic features Steven Topcliff, an 11-year-old gaming fanatic trapped in Fairyland where all tech is banned by law. Steven hates Fairyland – there are no video games, no chicken nuggets and no one tells the truth. The inhabitants are dangerous, sometimes deadly, and the Land itself is a living being that deals out instant magical punishments to lawbreakers. He has to deal with spiteful goblins, a delinquent shapeshifter who insists on being his best mate, and the diva-like Fairy Queen who embroils him in a mysterious game of her own. Steven is a boy who plays to win, but there’s no controlling this dimension with a console – he must use magic to survive and get home.

Buy Gateway to Magic Here:

Gateway to Magic on Amazon
Smashwords 
Apple
Kobo
Nook 

Annabelle Franklin, Author

Annabelle Franklin is the author of two children’s books, Gateway to Magic and The Slapstyx. Her short story Mercy Dog appears in the anthology Unforgotten: The Great War 1914-1918 (Accent Press) and her horror story Haunted by the Future appears in Dark Gatherings, an anthology published by Swansea and District Writers’ Circle. She is currently working on a supernatural series for children.

You can reach Annabelle on Social Media Here:
Amazon author page
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Contact
Email annabellefranklin10@gmail.com

 

 

#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – “Someone Close to Home” by Alex Craigie

/ Marcia Meara / 13 Comments

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing one of the nicest people I’ve met online, Alex Craigie. Alex (a/k/a Trishthetrout) is sharing a lovely review of her book, Someone Close to Home. This book sounds so good, I can’t wait to read it, and I know many of you will feel the same way. Enjoy the review, and please don’t forget to share it on all your favorite social media sites! Thanks!

REVIEW:

WordsAPlenty – charla white
5.0 out of 5 stars AN AMAZING MUST READ

Someone Close to Home by Alex Craigie is amazing!  Megan Youngblood is a young girl with a domineering and manipulating mother who is seeking to climb the social ladder by any means.  Megan is a talented pianist who grows her talent and becomes renowned, earning money and fame.  All she needs is Gideon, but life takes a turn.  We are given a front row seat to the emotional and physical roller coaster ride that is Megan’s life after a stroke places her in a nursing home at the hands of a vengeful and vicious victim of her mother’s evil plotting.

Written as a memoir, Someone Close to Home is captivating as the reader moves from memory to the present and back.  Craigie skillfully places her readers into the story through the strong character developments and ease in which the dialog and plot move.  Without realizing it, I cheered at Jordan’s departure; I cried at the pain of Megan; I slapped my chair at Theo’s dressing down by Gideon; Martin’s subsequent impact on Annie; and when I closed the book at the end of the last sentence I cried. 

This is a beautifully written book, mixing thriller with memoir style writing. I have not had so many different reactions to one book ever.  Craigie has done what every author wants – transported their reader into a powerful, creative story and let them experience the book completely on many different levels.  There are several different characters in this book that are incredibly remarkable.

If you are looking for a book that holds your attention and elicits passionate responses from its readers, this is the book!  I cannot highly recommend this book enough.  I was truly surprised at how it captured and held my attention and continued well past the last page – and I absolutely hate to cry!   

BLURB:

Talented pianist Megan Youngblood has it all – fame, fortune and Gideon.

But Gideon isn’t good enough for Megan’s ambitious, manipulative mother, whose meddling has devastating repercussions for Megan and for those close to her.

Now, trapped inside her own body, she is unable to communicate her needs or fears as she faces institutional neglect in an inadequate care home.

And she faces Annie. Sadistic Annie who has reason to hate her. Damaged Annie who shouldn’t work with vulnerable people.

Just how far will Annie go?

Buy Someone Close to Home HERE


Author Alex Craigie

Alex Craigie was ten when her first play was performed at school. It was in rhyming couplets and all she can remember about it is that:

  • it was written in pencil in a book with weights and measures on the back
  • the two heroes were Prince Rupert and his brother (whose name was changed to Sam to facilitate the rhyming process.)      
  • as writer, producer and director she ‘bagged’ the part of female lead.

When her children were young, she wrote short stories for magazines and since then has fulfilled her ambition to write a novel. Someone Close to Home has won two ‘Chill with a Book’ awards – The Reader’s Award and the Book of the Month Award.

Alex lives in a small village in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and knows that she and her husband are lucky to have their children and grandchildren living nearby. It’s often chaotic and noisy but these are her most treasured moments and she savours them – even if she’s reduced to an immovable heap after they’ve gone.  

As an independent author, without a big publishing machine behind her, she is very grateful to all the people who have found and bought her first book – and a huge thank you to those who’ve gone out of their way to write a review on Amazon or Goodreads. These reviews make a massive difference to ‘Indies’ and the positive ones encourage other readers to risk buying a copy.

What else can she say?  Nothing, really. Writing this personal promotion has been very, very hard and she needs to go away now and lie down in a darkened room, preferably with a big bar of chocolate… 

She looks forward to any contact from fellow lovers of books and any honest feedback is very welcome.

You can reach her by email: alex@alexcraigie.co.uk