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elocution lessons by j. william patrick

19/10/2019

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Elocution Lessons by J. William Patrick is a tale of intrigue and action that takes the reader all across the world, from Japan, to the U.S, to Turkey, to Pakistan and back to the U.S. as a rogue FBI agent seeks singlehandedly to take down and destroy a major weapons-smuggling and money-laundering cartel that is both violent and ruthless. The author introduces us to a wide range of characters in an extensive ensemble cast. The principal characters, though, are Tina Wood and Bryce St. John. Tina is a navy brat and spent her childhood travelling around the world where she displayed a remarkable ability with linguistics. She and Bryce first meet at an International School dance in Ankara, Turkey. Although deeply attracted they both decide to put their careers first before a relationship. Tina will go on to become a linguistics professor, with a maximum-security clearance, who does translation work for the U.S. Government, while Bryce will make a fortune as a trader for a privately held foreign bank in New York. Whilst keeping their friendship alive, long-distance, neither of them realizes that their professional paths are leading them both toward danger, mystery and intrigue in the criminal underworld.

As a reader, I found Elocution Lessons to be an exciting, fast-paced novel that fulfilled all the elements I would expect in a “spy” type thriller. Author J William Patrick did an excellent job of building the cast of characters and throwing in plenty of “red herrings” along the way, as any good thriller writer would. The skill, for me, in this author was his ability to bring all the disparate characters together at the end to make a logical conclusion to the novel. As a reader, the only jarring point for me was the constant back and forth between time periods and places. Although the author did a good job of telegraphing the POV and location changes, from a reader’s perspective, it felt choppy and disjointed in places. That being said, it was an excellent and satisfying read that kept me engaged the whole time. For those who enjoy a little steam in their romantic liaisons there was plenty of that to keep you interested. If, as I suspect, this is a debut novel from this author, it is a worthy beginning and one worth building on. I will be watching out for more from this author in the future.

You can find Elocution Lessons by J. William Patrick, here on Amazon:

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cats, chaos, and condo board wars by nikki leclair

14/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

In Cats, Chaos and Condo Board Wars, Hilary Brandt is an up and coming event planner who has made her mark in the industry by sheer hard work and dedication to her clients. Author Nikki LeClair brings us this tale of a successful, thirty-something woman who struggles with the eternal life balance between career and potential romance. Living in one of the city’s top condominium buildings, courtesy of her late grandfather’s bequest to her, with roommate and BFF Luna, Hilary and the rest of the tenants are dogged by an autocratic, Condo Board Chairwoman in the face of Mrs Glover, who it seems has been the tenant’s nemesis for almost forever. Incredibly unfair and favoring certain tenants over others, Mrs Glover has long been the bane of many of the condo’s residents. A group of them decide it is time to overthrow the ogre and Hilary, with her well-known organizational and people skills is the obvious person to do it. When Mrs Glover forbids Hilary from eating “very smelly” Indian Takeout in her apartment and makes her sit outside in the pouring rain to eat, that is the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Hilary and she throws herself headlong into the nasty, backbiting struggle to win the tenant’s support in the upcoming elections.

Cats, Chaos and Condo Boards is an unpretentious chick-lit romance that stands out primarily for the depth of characters that author Nikki LeClair manages to infuse into her story. I am probably as far removed from LeClair’s target audience as you can get and yet I found myself entranced by the political backbiting and general nastiness of this minor election. The author does a great job of instilling humour into the tale to give it an excellent balance between the drama and the fun. The relationship issues that Hilary has with both her friends and her potential love matches are genuinely funny and well-written. If you are looking for a break from the horrors, drama and angst of much of today’s offerings in both reality and the book world then this book will give you that. It is well-written and flows seamlessly from one dilemma to the next. As a character, I wanted to slap Hilary for being “too nice” and slap Eli for being “too camp” and that, in my opinion is the mark of an excellent author; one who can raise emotions within the reader. This is no literary masterpiece but what it is, is a fun, enjoyable romp away from reality that leaves the reader grinning to him/herself at the end and that is what we all look for in a romantic comedy. Kudos to Nikki LeClair and I am tempted to read more from this author.

You can find Cats, Chaos and Condo Board Wars, along with the rest of Nikki LeClair's portfolio, here on Amazon:

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the american terrorist (american terrorist series book 1) by jeffrey sabins

14/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The American Terrorist (American Terrorist Series Book 1) by Jeffrey Sabins takes us deep inside the Iraqi conflict, with Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jared Tremble. Jared joined the army straight out of high-school and is now a veteran of numerous campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan and even the Horn of Africa. He is well respected and extremely good at his role as part of a marine corps unit. Jared, however, has had enough. He feels the government and the army top brass have been lying consistently to the troops and that they should not even be there, fighting in some foreign land against an enemy that is simply trying to live its purpose and faith. The crunch time has come for Jared and he has decided on an audacious plan to try to gain some meaning in his life. Jared will walk out of camp one night and join the Army of Islam, to fight against his former brothers-in-arms – Jared will become a traitor. Bereft and lost he sees this as the only way to spark some meaning back into his existence. He is tired of fighting for cowards and liars who use the troops on the ground as their proxies to gain power and influence over the region. Gunnery Sergeant Jared Tremble is about to go rogue!

This book, The American Terrorist (American Terrorist Series Book 1) is the first in a planned trilogy of books involving the characters introduced in this novel. Author Jeffrey Sabins, as a marine himself, clearly has a deep understanding and empathy for the characters in the story. His development of his main character Jared Tremble and the attempt to understand his state of mind at the time of his desertion is well written. I did find the narrative a little choppy and truncated at times – perhaps that is the way of the marines (short, sharp, and to the point). The author raises valid questions about the purpose of the war in the Middle-East and the general response of the “grunts” on the ground that are required to prosecute it. The action scenes (of which there are plenty) are clearly written from the perspective of one who has seen action himself and this lends a realism and veracity to the carnage that is war, especially war waged close up against a determined and driven foe. As a debut novel and as one that sets the scene for future iterations, I felt the author had achieved his objective of the reader investing in his main character and wanting to follow more of his adventures in future. I look forward to seeing the style and scope of this author’s work, develop, in future books in the series. A good, solid effort for a debut novel in this reviewer’s opinion.

You can find The American Terrorist, here on Jeffrey Sabins' Amazon page:

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sarah by j.k. gunne

9/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Sarah by J. K. Gunne takes us to Brussels, where Irishman Denny lives with his son, his daughter-in-law and their three children. Denny, for years, had been caught up in the sectarian violence of Northern Ireland that had seen his own brother murdered by the Provisional IRA. After Denny’s wife had died and his house had burnt to the ground, he gladly accepted the kind offer to live with his son and his family. He found comfort and peace in the family, being especially close to his grandchildren who affectionately called him Bompa. With the two eldest children almost grown and out on their own, it was five-year-old Sarah that Denny was drawn to and captivated most by. He loved to go to the outdoor market next to their house with the young girl who would enchant and delight all she came into contact with. When Denny takes his eyes off his granddaughter for just a few minutes, the child suddenly disappears and Denny and his family are caught up in the unspeakable world of child sex-trafficking. Desperate to find her, Denny and Sarah’s elder brother Romain will go to any lengths to try to track her down.

Sarah is definitely one of those books that creeps up on you somewhat before gripping you in its spell and racing through to a conclusion, with you, the reader, hanging on for dear life. In Denny, author J. K. Gunne has created a character that is rich in both depth and empathy. As a reader it was easy to understand the old man’s sometime confusion and sometime certainty about what he had seen and what it meant. I particularly liked that the novel embraced some subject matter that is so often swept under the carpet or discussed covertly, especially the fact that many involved in the child-exploitation industry are not only extremely wealthy, but also often very powerful and “pillars” of whatever community they are a part of. The story’s assertion that even in the upper levels of the justice system, these vile creatures were prevalent and interfering in investigations, certainly resonated with me. I thought the story, especially at the beginning, was a trifle vague and seemed to meander along meaninglessly at times, however, once Sarah disappeared the true nature of the narrative emerged and it was an engaging and thrilling read. As, what I suspect is a debut novel there is room for improvement but equally hints of an excellent storytelling ability as well.

You can find Sarah by J.K. Gunne, here on Amazon:

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the fortune follies by catori sarmiento

7/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Fortune Follies by Catori Sarmiento takes us back in time to a very different version of life after the Second World War. The author has created a totally different backstory to the defeat of the Japanese. Instead of dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan, the Japanese army was defeated by a mechanical army of soldiers created essentially by one man, Robert Sinclair and his company Sinclair Industries. Sarah Igarashi, of Japanese extraction, along with her entire family were interred during the war, as a precaution but now she has decided to leave her poverty-stricken native Alaska and head to Seattle, where her cousin Penny, she assumes, is living a life of luxury on an inheritance that Sarah believes her family is entitled to some of also. When she arrives in Seattle, she quickly realizes the streets are not paved with gold and her cousin has no intention of sharing their inheritance with her. As a non-citizen of Seattle, Sarah has few rights and is forced to work long, hard hours at Sinclair Industries, for minimal wages, just to survive. Against a background of gangs, the Japanese underworld and a massive earthquake that strikes Seattle, Sarah must somehow find her place and her way in this alien environment.

I felt the premise for The Fortune Follies was unique and interesting. The idea that America post-war would become a repressive, almost fascist society was interesting. The struggles of the non-citizens in Seattle, as opposed to those who had citizenship resonated with me as being not too different from the problems faced by undocumented immigrants in the US of the twenty-first century. Author Catori Sarmiento takes us inside a dark, Japanese underworld and a city ruled by gang violence and the ever present, overarching spectre of Sinclair Industries. The writing style, was at times, beautifully descriptive, however the scene changes were often abrupt and unsignalled, which as a reader had me struggling at times. The POV’s change constantly between Sarah and her cousin Penny, which was fine and gave variety to the story. The two principal characters were well-drawn as almost opposites, despite them being cousins. I particularly enjoyed the tension and interactions between Sarah, Penny & George (family) in contrast to the warmth and friendship between Sarah, Ruth and some of the other rebels (comrades). All in all, an interesting idea and one worth delving into.

You can find The Fortune Follies by Catori Sarmiento, here on Amazon:

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Circle in the sand (oceanic dreams book 3) by tracy krimmer

4/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Circle in the Sand: Oceanic Dreams Book 3 is a novel in a romantic comedy series by Tracy Krimmer based around romance on cruise ships. Isla Hunter is a librarian, about to turn 30, who allows her two best friends, the vivacious and adventurous Charlotte and the gorgeous “player” Asher to convince her to celebrate the event by going on a cruise. Charlotte hopes the cruise will allow Isla to forget her old boyfriend, who left her a year ago, after eight years together and that she might “hook up” with someone and just have some fun for a change. But when Charlotte unexpectedly has to cancel her participation in the trip, it is just Isla and Asher, alone on a big cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean. When Asher appears to immediately hook up with an old childhood friend Isla begins to feel pangs of jealousy. Although she tries to rationalize it as just annoyance that Asher is not celebrating her birthday exclusively with her, she also begins to question whether, perhaps, she might have feelings for someone she had always thought of as being in the “friend zone”, albeit, the best-friend zone. This cruise maybe will allow them both to discover and explore anything that may be between them.

I love a good romance and especially a romance with a twist of comedic writing, which, as an author, I know is not an easy thing to do. In Circles in the Sand, author Tracy Krimmer is able to develop a character in Isla that appealed to my sensibilities and my sense of humour. Her self-deprecating manner and her habit of studying people (people watching) definitely resonated with me. She was, at her core, a fairly old-fashioned girl and not about to throw herself at the first man that gave her a cheesy pickup line and yet, a little part of her longed to be free, easy and sexually loose like her best friend Charlotte but she wasn’t actually sure she was capable of that. The author did a great job of developing Isla through the story and Asher was well drawn also, as the archetypal “player” who perhaps was not a player at all and had some extraordinary hidden depths. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between the two old friends who perhaps were not just old friends. The read is seamless, well edited and not at all pretentious; it is a straightforward romantic comedy that makes no bones about being anything else. I can definitely recommend this book if you love romance but require a slightly edgier and tougher format than perhaps your typical Mills and Boon. I’m impressed with this author’s style and will keep an eye out in future for work by her.

You can find Circle in the Sand: Oceanic Dreams Book 3) here, on Tracy Krimmer's Amazon page:

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bird kid by carl owens

4/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Bird Kid by Carl Owens is a graphic novel that explores the issues of bullying against young kids at school. Phil, “Pill” Anderson has just moved to a new town from Albuquerque and is faced with the daunting prospect of a new school, new friends, new (scary) girls and, of course, new bullies. Pill’s father is obviously no longer around, presumably deceased and it is up to his mother to provide all the guidance and security he needs but she has a job and Pill is often left alone to make the daunting walks to and from school where he is accosted, beaten-up and robbed by a couple of older bullies from the school. When he finds respite in a local junk-yard he discovers it is a shortcut to and from home but the junk-yard manager is alternately helpful and then sometimes not so much when it comes to allowing Pill to take the shortcut home and avoid the bullies. Bird Kid is an ongoing graphic novel that will continue in future issues, so there is no clear and definable conclusion to the story – we will have to wait for the next episode.

I’m glad I didn’t realise Bird Kid was a graphic novel when I chose to read it because had I known that, I would probably not have downloaded it (graphic novels are not my thing) and I would have missed out on a well-illustrated, well-told, story about bullying that was an enjoyable read. Author Carl Owens has produced a professional story here and one that draws the reader in. The illustrations are, at times, spectacular but in some areas of the novel appear to be just a tad rushed and underprepared. That being said, though, if the graphic novel’s intent was to draw the reader in and interest him/her in reading more of this series, I think the book has achieved its objective. I for one, am interested in learning more about the eccentric junk-yard manager and what exactly he is up to with his creations there in the yard. This is an excellent start to what could be a well-crafted graphic novel/comic-book series. Well worth the read, especially for those in the young or pre-teen group (middle school perhaps). It has a message that will resound with many young readers.

You can find Bird Kid by Carl Owens, here on Amazon:

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the mars one incident by kelly curtis

4/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

In The Mars One Incident, author Kelly Curtis takes us to an earth in the distant future, 2635. Humanity had made the decision some time ago that it was technology that was creating the angst and conflict in the war and it was decided to ditch all technology and cap the earth’s population at 13 Billion people. Most people on earth, in their blissful state, have no idea what those charged with protecting them are sometimes required to do. One of earth’s Guilds, that which is responsible for keeping earth safe from aliens and ensuring that rebels determined to reintroduce technology into humanity do not succeed, is paradoxically allowed to use and embrace technology, albeit sometimes scavenged technology from other planets and systems. Captain Alma Johnson is the youngest person to ever be appointed to a Starfleet command and is determined to prove her worth to all those who doubt her capabilities at the young age of 26. She is sent out on a mission to track down one of the rebel ships believed to be trying to bring technology to earth but she is not totally aware of all the backroom politics that may be taking place on this utopia non-technological earth.

The Mars One Incident is a fairly straightforward science fiction story that predicates an interesting proposition – that the use of technology is responsible for all of humanity’s woes and that by eliminating it we could reach a utopian state. Author Kelly Curtis has realized that to eliminate all technology would potentially be disastrous should there be internal dissension or indeed, external threat. The paradox of using technology to ensure there was no technology was not lost on me. I was impressed with the character the author has created in Alma Johnson. She is strong-willed, intelligent, and driven but it soon becomes very apparent that she also has a conscience and indeed an empathy for those who wish to bring technology back. I particularly enjoyed the way the author highlighted her frustration at being almost an “outcast” in a society that she was risking her life to protect. It makes you wonder if perhaps even today’s policemen have similar feelings. I noted that this is a debut novel for Curtis and also the beginning of a series featuring Alma Johnson and her crew. She has laid the groundwork with her interesting premise and first novel so I look for her to build on this work in upcoming sequels, perhaps a romance with her first officer might be on the cards.

You can find The Mars One Incident, here on Kelly Curtis' Amazon page:

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echo island: be prepared by gary travis

1/10/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Echo Island: Be Prepared by Gary Travis is an action/adventure, dystopian novel that focuses on a group of survivalists who are preparing for the worst. Dillon Prescott, an ex-Navy Seal, is in class at College in California when a massive earthquake strikes the Palo Alto region. Rushing home, fearing the worst, Dillon discovers his parent’s house has been totally destroyed, burying his mother and father. Thankfully his young brother is still at school but when Dillon finally manages to dig his father out of the rubble, he discovers his mother is dead and his father needs urgent medical assistance and an amputation of one of his legs. He texts his Seal buddies who swiftly arrive to assist him. After the younger brother Jack sells an invention to GE, the Prescott’s find themselves immensely wealthy. Determined not to be caught out by natural disasters again, the Prescott’s go full-on survival mode and purchase an island in Maine where they will set up an invincible fortress and a self-contained community for themselves and their friends. They will first have to deal with a corrupt and over-zealous local sheriff who wants the island for himself and is determined to send these interlopers packing. Once they become aware that evil forces somewhere are actually triggering these natural disasters, for their own financial benefit, Dillon and his team understand just how important their sanctuary will become in what looks like being a near-extinction event.

Echo Island: Be Prepared is an exciting, action-packed, roller-coaster of a ride for any reader. The survivalists, who have special forces soldiers at their core are experienced and well capable of building an impregnable fortress there on Echo Island. Author Gary Travis has unpacked a set of characters who although stereotypical of special forces personnel are indeed endearing and likeable. They don’t take any crap but that being said, they have hearts of gold. I have to admit though, I did get a little tired of their endless “hooyahs” eventually but it didn’t detract from the story too much. For lovers of a little romance there’s plenty of that here and the relationship between Dillon and Lauren was well written. The writing style is fast and frenetic as befits a thriller as well as being incredibly easy to read. I was thrilled as I get to the end of the story and realise that it wasn’t necessarily, actually, all over and that the door was left wide open for a sequel. I am particularly excited about the prospect of Dillon and his team attempting to take down the forces that caused this mass-extinction event. This appears to be a debut novel from Travis and I would have to say he’s done an exceptional job first up. I look forward to more from this author and can definitely recommend this tale for those who like their action, fast and frenetic with plenty of human values thrown in for good measure.

You can find Echo Island: Be Prepared on Gary Travis' Amazon page:

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the eyes of love by j.e. smythe

29/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Ruth is closing in on forty, still single and basically can’t figure out why. She’s always had the picture of the perfect man for her, in her head but where exactly is he? A few times in her relationships to date she’d thought she was with “the one” but then something happened and they drifted apart and eventually broke up. All she wants is to find that one special man who wants and needs her as much as she wants and needs him. Her only consolation in her constant introspection is the beautiful saxophone playing that seems to call to her on her back porch, from the mysterious new neighbor who recently moved in across the road. The Eyes of Love by J.E. Smythe sees Ruth, with a push or two from her two best friends, embark on a journey of discovery as she contacts all her previous boyfriends, many of whom she hasn’t seen for years, to try and ascertain from them, what exactly went wrong with their relationship and why she wasn’t “the one” for him? It is a journey sure to be ripe with self-discovery but also a fair share of pain and hurt at the revelations she discovers. Ruth is on a journey to find the one who was meant for her but what she discovers is she’s not everything she thought herself to be.

The Eyes of Love by J.E. Smythe has an interesting premise that will resonate with many readers – what do our ex-partners truly think about us and why did they break up with us? It was always going to be a journey fraught with pain and an element of self-doubt and angst but I felt the author did an excellent job of presenting Ruth, the main character, as anything but the neurotic woman she could have so easily become, without a firm author’s hand. I particularly liked her two friends, who couldn’t be more polar opposites; one happily married with two children and the other still a party girl thoroughly enjoying the single life. Their interplay with Ruth and with each other was definitely a highlight of the story for me. Although the ultimate outcome of the journey was probably way too obvious to an outside reader, that didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the journey and the recognition that many of the feelings and confusion over past relationships that Ruth felt, have been felt by all of us at one time or another. If you love romance and if you like your female leads with intelligence but also with a simplistic naivete of life, then this book will be right up your alley. I’m not the author’s target market audience by any stretch of the imagination but I can still say this story was an enjoyable read.

You can find The Eyes of Love, along with the rest of j.E. Smythe's portfolio, here on her Amazon page.

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hubris falls by matthew s. hiley

28/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

It’s the end of College and five friends have graduated, albeit only just but before they head out into the “real world” and their futures, there is time for one last “hurrah!”, one last road trip. They pack their gear and head for a five-day rafting trip down the Rio Grande, on the Mexican Border. In Hubris Falls by Matthew S. Hiley, we tag along with this unlikely bunch of friends who are linked mainly by one thing – their love of alcohol and weed. What was supposed to be a final salute to their youth quickly turns into a deep introspection of their lives, their beliefs and their prejudices. Brian and Jimmy have been close friends since High School. The two friends, unlikely as they are; Jimmy is black, a Democrat, and fervently believes in the redemptive power of faith despite the tragedy that has already struck his young life but he still holds strong beliefs on white dominance and suppression. Brian (Legs), on the other hand, is a child of white privilege, a Republican and simply cannot believe that any loving God would allow such tragedy as exists in the world today. Throw a redneck bigot into the conversation, in Williams’ and you have a ready-made mixture of dark humour, satire and ultimately tragedy. This will be one final hurrah that none of the participants will ever forget.

Hubris Falls is first and foremost a tragic comedy. The pathos and beauty that are exposed by author Matthew S. Hiley within the same narrative and often within the same sentence is a testament to this writer’s ability and talent, to be able to dig deep and mine into the heart of a reader’s emotions. I was entranced by the story and by the amazing relationships between the characters, especially Jimmy and Brian. Their friendship had been built over a number of years based on trust and understanding of each other’s situations and yet, there were still always questions over how much Brian truly understand of Jimmy’s life and difficulties and vice versa. No matter how hard it has been to deal with the tragedies in his life, Jimmy has kept his faith and his positive outlook on life and people, in general. The author uses the trip to confront many of the untold truths and fears of these five men (and many of us) as they embark on life after college. The humour, given the seriousness of the topics and events on the raft, is a wonderful panacea to the grim reality of their discussions. Good humour in fiction is very hard to produce and Hiley has done a superb job in lightening the topic with his sarcastic and farcical humour. I found myself laughing out loud as I read, a rare occurrence for me. For that alone, this book lifts itself out of the mire of “coming of age” stories. The characterisations of the fearless five were true to live and I’m sure will resound with many people. An excellent book, a fantastic read and one I can highly recommend.

You can find Hubris Falls by Matthew S. Hiley, here on his Amazon page:

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seventh flag: a novel by sid balman Jr.

26/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Seventh Flag: A Novel by Sid Balman Jr. tells us of the intertwining stories of two very different families on the prairies of West Texas. The author traces the journeys of three generations of a Syrian and American family to the small town of Dell City in West Texas. In the aftermath of 9/11 and the “war on terrorism” we see how the radicalization of both Muslims and Christians has led to a rupturing of American society and the splintering of long-term relationships and friendships, all across the country. The history of Zarkan family can be traced right back to the 1850’s when Ali Zarkan’s grandfather first arrived in America as part of a doomed experiment to introduce camels to the United States cavalry. When Jack Laws, an Irish/American immigrant decided he needed to stake a place for himself after World War II, he chose the remote area of West Texas, to farm. The Zarkan and Laws’ family bond was cemented following a bloody knife fight in a Mexican bar just across the border from Dell City. What follows is a tale of love, friendship, brotherhood and betrayal as these two immigrant families try to withstand the bigotry, religious intolerance and hatred that sweeps across America at the start of the new millennium. Their mutual love for football, their country, their Lone-Star State, and ultimately each other, will have to survive some extreme tests.

Seventh Flag: A Novel carries a deep message of tolerance and love in a world that is severely wounded by its very antithesis. However, Author Sid Balman Jr. pulls no punches in describing the turmoil that exists in both of the two families as they try to balance their love for each other against the rising tide of hatred against Muslims and indeed, immigrants of any colour. This story is a reminder that ultimately all Americans are either immigrants themselves or descended from immigrants. Despite the powerful, overarching moral concepts of the novel, the author has managed to deliver an exciting, action-packed story of courage, selflessness and duty, that impresses. The writing style is extremely readable and this is one of those books that I had trouble putting down, always wanting to know what would happen next. The core of the book, revolves around the relationships of the children and grandchildren of Ali Zarkan and Jack Laws. The characters were strong and believable, especially with the pressures being put on them from all quarters. I particularly appreciated that the author chose to show the dangers of both sides of extremism, within both families. To me, what made this book stand out was core belief that “we are all Americans”, together in this battle against extremism, racial bigotry and hate, in whatever form it may take. I put this book down, at the end, with a feeling of satisfaction and completion and that’s possibly the highest compliment I can pay the author. I highly recommend this read.

You can find, Seventh Flag: A Novel, by Sid Balman Jr. here, on his Amazon page:

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the devil and dayna dalton (book 9) A bulwark anthology by brit lunden

26/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Devil and Dayna Dalton (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology is a short, novella from the pen of author Brit Lunden. Dayna Dalton is known as what we might colloquially call, “trailer trash”. She grew up in Bulwark, Georgia and like her mother had gained an unfair (in her case) reputation as the town slut. From an early age, Dayna had designs on the gorgeous Clay Finnes but all through High School, Clay seemed impervious to her charms, placing her fairly and squarely in the “friend zone” or the “sister zone”. Unable to achieve her ambitions of a life with Clay, Dayna managed to escape the incestuous small-town atmosphere of Bulwark and attend Georgetown University, on a full scholarship, where she studied journalism. Just as Dayna’s career was beginning to take off, she loyally returned to Bulwark to take care of her mother who suffered a cancer scare. Now a reporter on the local Bulwark newspaper, she is still drawn to Clay Finnes, now the town’s sheriff but also now married, with a child. Realising she can never have Clay she runs through a coterie of men, never quite finding the love and care she craves, until… strange things begin to happen in Bulwark.

As a reader, I’m not a big fan of novellas, as I like the characters to develop and grow over the length of as novel, however, for The Devil and Dayna Dalton (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology, I’m prepared to make an exception. Author Brit Lunden has given us a complex character in Dayna Dalton who, having run the gamut of the worst in relationships is ready, willing and able to give herself utterly and totally to the man who steals her heart… and what a man he was! The paranormal feel to the novella coupled with the author’s vivid and breathtaking description of the people and the environment of Bulwark was a true bonus to this story. The story flows and yes, I was a little annoyed when it ended so quickly but rather than dwell on that, I’d just say Lunden has given me a thirst and desire to read more of her work and indeed more about this fascinating female lead she has created. I loved the way she so accurately portrayed the dynamic between the public and private persona of Dayna Dalton. Written off, virtually from the day she was born, Dayna has the spirit and the intelligence to rise above people’s perceptions of who she is and most importantly, not care what people think of her. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend, especially if you love strong, female, leads, as I do and the paranormal touch doesn’t hurt at all.

You can find the Devil and Dayna Dalton, here on Brit Lunden's Amazon page:

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your last breath by doug lafuze and carole parkes

23/9/2019

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Your Last Breath co-authored by Carole Parkes and Doug Lafuze takes the reader on a wild ride through the warped mind of a serial killer. American Raymond Lang was a "wannabe" author writing his first novel about a serial killer. Raymond's big problem was although he could picture the serial killer's acts and plot motivations he was struggling to get them down on paper. What he discovered was that performing the acts themselves was what was needed to break the writer's block he was experiencing. With police on his tail in America and an FBI agent with a personal stake in one of his murders, Raymond decides the time has come to leave the States. With a suitcase full of money, courtesy of his Grandfather's inheritance, Raymond relocates to London where he plans to finish the book and become a successful author. The same problem he faced in America resurfaces in London, as he finds the only way he can write is to keep killing and keep creating his plot in reality.
When Raymond's latest victim turns out to be a lovely woman who is also related to a private detective, things begin to close in on the ever elusive Raymond. Throw in a cheating and vicious British politician who gets caught up in the action and you have all the makings of a fascinating criminal chase story and suspenseful drama.
As an author of co-written books myself, I fully understand the difficulties inherent in such an enterprise. The two authors here have combined magnificently to create a suspenseful story but also a sweet tale of family and romantic love. The juxtaposition of the murderous viciousness of Raymond Lang and the loving, morally sound, and determined private detective Alex, probably shouldn't work but it absolutely does and it is Alex's side of the story that softens the absolute horror and harshness of Raymond Lang's heinous crimes and actually makes the story readable. The idea of using two different voices for the main characters was also an inspired choice. Initially I thought it wouldn't work well but I was wrong. Having the villain Raymond Lang write in the first person drew the reader into believing they were participating alongside Lang in his violent killing spree, whereas having the other characters written in third person allowed us to take a breather from being inside that evil man's head.
I loved the fact that the authors deliberately chose to leave a wide opening for a sequel to the story and I, for one, really hope they follow up with that. Your Last Breath, as a read, was indeed a "breath" of fresh air for this jaded reader and one I can highly recommend to all and sundry. This is a cleverly written book, well edited and one that rollicks along, at times, like a train out of control. Kudos to the two authors.

You can find Your Last Breath, here on Carole Parkes' Amazon page:

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the kalis experiments: tides book one by r.a. fisher

22/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Kalis Experiments: Tides Book One by R.A. Fisher is the beginning of a fantasy adventure in a world created by the author. Syrina, is a Kalis. Kalis’ are special creatures that are trained almost since birth to be faster, deadlier and more magical than the general population of the Author’s world. Like all of the Kalis, Syrina is at the beck and call of her master, one of the fifteen high merchants who run everything in their world and have done so, with the Kalis’ help for over a thousand years. She is often used for doing her master’s “dirty work” and keeping miscreants in line. Kalis are the stuff of legends and nobody has ever seen one and lived to tell the tale. When her master sends her on a new mission, she begins to realise that something is different and that there is some secret out there relating to their history that she is about to discover. After visiting the distant city of Fom in search of answers, she discovers a secret machine from antiquity which may be capable of destroying the world, all over again, as had happened before in the “Time of Ashes”. Will Syrina be able to unravel all the mysteries before it is too late?

In The Kalis Experiments: Tides Book One, fans of epic fantasy will find new worlds, new creatures and new technologies to excite and entertain them. I did, however, find author R.A. Fisher’s world building to be a little underwhelming, especially for what is clearly the beginning of a new, epic fantasy series. It takes some time to actually come to grips with the characters and where they fit into this world that that author has created. The idea of the Kalis and her unique skills was interesting and I always like a good, strong, female lead, which Syrina certainly was. Also intriguing, was the idea that these fifteen high merchants, who generally lurk in the shadows, in their disguises, were, in fact, just ordinary people who reverted to their normal personas during the day. This, of course, led to some interesting considerations as to who Syrina’s master might actually be. There was plenty of action and lots of interesting characters. I felt there were enough interesting questions, situations and preponderances that arose during the first book to give plenty of fodder and ammunition for further books in the series. If I was to make one recommendation to the author, should he/she be considering book two in this series, it would be a map of the world created and a bit more in-depth narrative on the political and social structure of the various locales. For example, more information about the church and its power over the populace would have been useful. All in all, though, a good, solid fantasy read here.

You can find The Kalis Experiments: Tides Book One, here on R.A. Fisher's Amazon page:

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auschwitz syndrome: A holocaust novel based on a true story (women and the holocaust book 3) by ellie midwood

20/9/2019

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As a long-time fan of the genre (WWII - Historical Fiction) and a real fanboy of author Ellie Midwood, I'm always excited to hear when she has a new book in the marketplace, being first in line to grab it. Her latest story revolves around a survivor of the terrible Auschwitz-Birkenhau death camp in Poland.
Helena, a Jew, was transported to Auschwitz, from her home in Czechoslovakia after voluntarily surrendering to the German occupation forces, believing she was being sent to work in a factory to assist the German war effort. On arrival at Auschwitz, she was immediately to be sent to the gas chamber and murdered, along with her entire transport. A chance encounter with Rottenfuhrer Wolff, would see her, instead, chosen to sing a birthday song to one of the guards in Auschwitz - Franz Dahler.
So taken by her singing and her beauty was Franz, he immediately ordered she be removed from the liquidation list and instead assigned to work in his section - the famous "Kanada" where the dead people's belongings (clothes, jewellery, money etc) were sorted and re-purposed for use by the German Reich.
The story switches back and forth between the Denazification Trial of Franz Dahler, in 1947, where he is accompanied by his "wife", the former inmate, Helena, from Auschwitz - to Helena's and Franz's actual time spent in Auschwitz and later Birkenhau. Overseeing the trial, from the sidelines is an American Psychiatrist, Dr Hoffman who is fascinated by the whole tale of the Dahlers' love affair and romance. How is it possible for an inmate of such a horrific place as a concentration camp to fall in love with the SS Guard appointed to oversee them? To Hoffman, it simply doesn't make any sense and he is sure there is something at play here, as yet undiscovered by modern psychiatry.
As with all of Midwood's novels, this story (based entirely on true events), despite it being set against such a hateful and depressing backdrop is all about love, survival and the indomitable human spirit. I felt Midwood captured perfectly what must have been the mindset of so many young, idealistic SS Nazis. Raised to believe that their superiors could NEVER be wrong, many of them must have looked at what they were doing to, principally the Jews, and wondered... even known, that it was wrong... and yet, it was their orders and orders were never wrong, even if they didn't understand them.
As always, Midwood's research is impeccable and her descriptive prose takes us right inside the horror and the evil that was Auschwitz-Birkenhau. While it is true that the "Kanada" was, as they put it, "a right kosher detail" and the girls there were well treated in comparison to the regular inmates, Midwood doesn't pull any punches in her descriptions of the conditions faced by Helena and even the regular inmates. Her descriptions of the systematic murder of an entire race are compelling, absolutely realistic and incredibly hard to read. But, like all her work there is an overwhelming sense of the dignity of humanity and the power of love, even among such unspeakable tragedy.
In my mind, Midwood is a superstar of this genre and Auschwitz Syndrome is just indicative of her immense talent at parading in front of our unsuspecting noses - "that which we must NEVER forget". I can't recommend this read highly enough. It is thought-provoking and mind-blowing and not something I'll forget in a short time.

To find Auschwitz Syndrome, or indeed any of this author's incredible novels, visit Ellie Midwood's Amazon page:

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a convenient fiction (parish orphans of devon book 3) by mimi matthews

20/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon Book 3) takes us back to the genteel, class-ridden society of mid-1800 England, the early Victorian years, where ladies were ladies, gentlemen were gentlemen and cads were damn bounders. Author Mimi Matthews brings us a romance of manners that takes us inside the genteel world of the wealthy landowners and all those who may aspire to be one. Alex Archer had a terrible start to life, as an abandoned orphan in a Devon orphanage, where he and his three best friends (brothers-in-arms) were there for each other against the cruelty and mistreatment of the orphanage manager. When Alex betrays his friends and runs away, at thirteen, he begins a life-long search for money, power, and most importantly position and land. His gambling prowess allows him to strike a deal with the drunken, wastrel son of an English Vicar who, to extinguish his debts to Alex will introduce him to his childhood friend and wealthy heiress, Henrietta. Alex will woo and marry Henrietta and finally have the place and position he has been seeking for some twenty years. Alex, however, does not plan on meeting another one of Henrietta’s childhood friends, Laura Hayes, who is down on her luck, let alone fall in love with the poor woman.

This was a fantastically easy read. I am an enormous fan of historical fiction anyway, but author Mimi Matthew’s accurate and telling portrayal of life for women and men of some privilege, in the early Victorian age was wonderful and compelling. A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon Book 3) is beautifully written and flows incredibly well. I found some of the scenes, especially the depiction of bathing at Margate to be hilarious and couldn’t help marveling at how on earth the participants of the time managed to actually get some enjoyment from the escapade. The romance and obvious electric connection between Alex and Laura was the centerpiece of this novel and I loved how their motivations changed over time and the almost shock when they realized their “marriage of convenience” was, in fact, so much more. Although I suspect I’m far from the author’s target audience, I really believe this type of story appeals to everyone. I think the highest compliment I can pay any author, especially one who has written a series is to say that her work has inspired me to read more of the series. This is a wonderfully, relaxing read of a gentler time and I can highly recommend it, to all.

You can find A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans Book 3) here, along with the rest of her extensive portfolio, here, on Mimi Matthews' Amazon Page:

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heart of steel (based on a true story) by kevin d. miller

16/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Heart of Steel: Based on a True Story by Kevin Miller takes us back in time to rural Ohio in 1920 – to the Puchalski Farm just out of Southington, Ohio. Family patriarch George Puchalski, a Polish immigrant, has made a success of his “American Dream” as a respected businessman and farmer in the rural district. George, however, has his demons, with a wandering eye, a violent temper, and an alcoholic disposition, which are expressed with rage and violence against, his wife, and children. After one particularly violent episode in which his wife and daughter, Sophie are both viciously beaten, the family is in turmoil. When George is murdered in his bed, one night and his wife arrested for complicity in his murder, the five siblings suddenly find themselves as orphans. It falls on twelve-year-old Stanley William Puchalski to step up and become a “little man”, in order to protect his siblings from the abuses that are inherent in Orphanages of the time. We follow Stanley’s rights of passage into adulthood, as Stanley William Puchalski transforms himself into Stanley William Miller, as the five children seek to put their violent pasts behind them, forever.

Author Kevin Miller has taken a gamble in writing about such a hidden and violent past from his ancestors. This is never an easy task, as it is difficult to be objective when dealing with family histories, with so many sensitivities to be aware of. In Heart of Steel: Based on a True Story, Miller handles the difficult teenage years of his grandfather with clear pride, but also tempered with an understanding that this young man, forced to grow up so early, was also stalked by demons, similar to his father. He was able to give the character a wonderful balance between his clearly big heart and his burgeoning wild side. I particularly loved the determination and courage Stanley showed in taking responsibility for his four siblings at such a tender age. The author’s pride in his grandfather’s courage shines through this book like a beacon, as does the love between his grandfather and grandmother. This story is one, first and foremost, of love – a mother’s love for her children that would drive her to commit and unspeakable act and the love of five siblings for each other and ultimately both of their parents. I thoroughly enjoyed the overarching them of forgiveness that ran through the narrative. This is a fantastically easy book to read and one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction and family drama, or simply anyone who loves a good tale, especially with a basis in fact.

You can find Heart of Steel, here, on Kevin D. Miller's Amazon page:

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it is all right now: inspired child by riki ella

14/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

It Is All Right Now: Inspired Child by Riki Ella is a beautiful, little children’s book aimed squarely at the K-Grade3 age-group. Riki is a happy, young, girl but things begin to percolate in her mind as she imagines what it might be like to have all those things that she so desperately desires. Riki wants to change her eye-colour, to ditch her glasses and for people to like her and the way she looks. She also wants to be a Princess, who people look to for guidance, protection, and love. Materially she wants to have her own horse as well as a lioness to sit at the end of her bed and protect her from everything bad. Riki quickly discovers that focusing on what she doesn’t have is counter-productive and quickly her mood changes from happy to forlorn. It takes her mother, quietly explaining the realities of how powerful our subconscious is, at setting our moods, to allow Riki to fully understand the power of thought and perception.

Based on the principles of the Law of Attraction and the idea that “thoughts are things” and we become what we think; It Is All Right Now: Inspired Child is a sweet, touching, story of a little girl’s dissatisfaction with her life and how changing her mindset can suddenly make “It All Right Now”. Author and illustrator Riki Ella has done a marvelous job of bringing her own childhood and childhood insecurities, to life, in this lovely, little tale. I particularly enjoyed the note at the end which assured the reader that little Riki, one day became big Riki and achieved almost all of the desires she had wished for as a little girl. The illustrations are wonderfully done and walk a perfect line between the amateur and professional illustrator. The book’s design is superb and the colours will definitely attract the intended reader’s eyes. As a proponent of the Law of Attraction, myself, this book serves as the perfect way to introduce such important concepts to our young ones at an age when they are being bombarded, often unknowingly, with negative forces, comments, and thoughts about themselves. You are never too young to realise just how powerful your thoughts and feelings are, at changing your reality. I can highly recommend this for the age-appropriate audience.

You can find It Is All Right Here: Inspired Child by Riki Ella, here on her Amazon Page:

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skids by jeremy houghton

10/9/2019

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Skids is the colloquial term used to describe Street Kids; such a problem in many major cities around the world and certainly one in the major gaming capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. In Skids, by Jeremy Houghton, the author takes us inside the mean life that is reality for the thousands of runaways and street kids in America. James was just six years old when his father began farming him out to people for payment and sexual abuse. By the time he was ten, James had decided to run and became just one of the many street kids trying to survive in the Las Vega underworld. Now, about to turn eighteen, James has not only survived but he has gathered a small group of similar kids around him, living together in an abandoned shopfront, as “family”. Life is tough for these children; forced into prostitution just to survive but they have each other and more importantly the have each other’s backs. James and his quasi-family are as happy, together, as any group in that situation could ever hope to be but that doesn’t stop James dreaming of a life that doesn’t require scrabbling, on the verges of society, to survive. James’ dreams of he, Harmony and the other three kids, just leading a “normal” life – that’s not too much to ask for, is it? Breaking out will not be easy though, as all five of them have an innate suspicion of adults who proffer assistance – they’ve all been burned by such people in the past.

In the past two weeks I’ve read two books that have touched me and moved me profoundly; Skids by Jeremy Houghton is one of those books. There is nothing pretty or pleasant about the disgusting trials and tribulations these innocent children have been put through and at times, Skids is a difficult read for that very reason. The author has, however, tempered the horror and sheer abomination of what was happening to the children with the loving and beautiful relationships built up between James and his four companions. I loved the humility that the author imbued in James’ character. Yes, he was the titular leader of the group by virtue, mainly, of his age but his lack of confidence in himself and in his abilities gave such a vulnerable and appealing edge to him that he shone through the story. This was one of those rare reads that I just didn’t want to end. As I got close to what was clearly the finale of the story, I was slowing down my reading just to keep these characters alive. The author’s unflinching and courageous effort to tell this story of innocence destroyed, in full, without pulling any punches, is to be greatly admired. I can truly rank Skids as one of the best books I’ve read this year. To be able to take such a subject and make it appealing and enjoyable, as a read, is a testament to this author’s abilities and I look for much more from him in the future.

You can find, Skids, by Jeremy Houghton, here, on Amazon:

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the devil and dayna dalton (book 9) A bulwark anthology by brit lunden

your last breath by doug lafuze and carole parkes

the kalis experiments: tides book one by r.a. fisher

auschwitz syndrome: A holocaust novel based on a true story (women and the holocaust book 3) by ellie midwood

a convenient fiction (parish orphans of devon book 3) by mimi matthews

heart of steel (based on a true story) by kevin d. miller

it is all right now: inspired child by riki ella

skids by jeremy houghton

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