Currently reading
The Distance Between Us
Summer Skin
Get Dirty (Don't Get Mad)
Proof of Forever
Dollop Of Ghee And A Pot Of Wisdom
Dead Men Don't Kill
Flank Street: In The Sydney Underworld
There is something to be said about an author who writes a book that is so captivating you forget everything else that is happening around you. Flank Street did this to me. Mickey's exploits are so descriptive and so captivating, you cannot put this book down for a minute without wondering what you are missing out on. I did feel as if the dialogue was a stilted on a few occasions. Otherwise the writing is excellent. The plot is suspenseful, the characters well-developed and most of all the action scenes were realistic.
Despite the very minor setbacks of this story, this is an author who shows promise and I will keep reading books by him.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Last Stop, The Twilight Zone: The Biography of Rod Serling
If you grew up watching the Twilight Zone on tv your world was changed, like it or not. Joel Engel introduces the man who made this change possible. The book is revealing and engaging but some places in this book made me go, "No way." Some items of Rod Serling's life story were either exaggerated or seemed muted where the author appeared to have run out of information. The balance was not always there.
From Joel Engel's point of view, Rod Serling's life was almost as twisted as an episode of a Twilight Zone episode. True or not, the fact remains that Rod Serling was a genius who contributed to what television is today.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Fragmented (Boston's Crimes of Passion) (Volume 1)
I thought the plot of this story was excellent from start to finish. The challenge that Cameron faces in ensuring history does not repeat itself with her brother, adds a psychological twist to the story. Ultimately, this story is a triangle between Cameron Quinn, Darren Kennedy and the serial killer. Each tries to evade and outsmart the other so the story keeps you at the edge of your seat with all the suspense. The romance does add some fluff to the story, however, the reader is left wondering how much truth is actually in the story? When a person is sent to jail, is that really the end of the story? How many people have been wrongly accused? Scary thought.
I just started a historical romance by the same author, hard to believe both stories are written by the same author. Wish the next book in the series will be published soon.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 (Volume 1) - Colleen Connally)
Rogue (Plagued Trilogy, #1)
Kari Nichols' ability to take history and sprinkle it with romance, mystery and suspense must be applauded. Reading the description made me think this was going to be another historical fantasy story that would focus more on romance than fantasy. I was delighted to find out I was wrong. While the romance is visible, it is not over the top and you are not distracted from the plot at hand. The mystery and suspense of Rogue twists, turns and does more than a backflip with the characters almost becoming real people around you. The author also managed to keep me in suspense to the end, lots of surprises through the book. A vivid tale which is a must read anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an element of suspense.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 - Kari Nichols)
The Calling (Alaana's Way book 1)
This is a coming of age story like no other. The author weaves imagination, fantasy, life's daily struggles and community life in a way that captivates the reader. Even more, the use of a female lead in a society that questions the need for female leaders makes this story a must read for teenagers. The spirit world complicates Alaana's life. You would think that as a young girl these struggles will become too much and she would walk away but she stays on and puts up a fight. Her ideas and problem solving methods are creative and despite the situation she is in makes you want to say, 'you go, girl."
I recommend this story for many reasons but most of all for the detailed story telling which bring the characters to life.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 - Ken Altabef)
Rising Tide: Dark Innocence
From the start, I liked the author's writing. The story unfolds and then it gets even better. The plot kept me interested and I really did not want to put the book down because I felt like I would miss out a significant event. Maura (also known as Mink) is one of those characters that has many sides to her. The execution of this flawless because as a reader you keep reading to find out more about Maura. Because the story is filled with twists, turns and romance, you will not feel the length of the book. It all feels too short and like it ended too soon. The author's depiction of each scene is relayed in a realistic manner, a factor that made me like Rising Tide a whole lot more. Looking forward to reading the second book with glee.
Reviewer Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
2
2
The Bully Barn: A Lesson For Bullies, Bystanders and Victims
This is an engaging story with an excellent message. The colourful illustrations make it easy for a child of any age to understand bullying. Learning to be comfortable with yourself and understanding that everyone is different is a big part of also understanding why bullying occurs. This makes a barn an interesting background. Each animal is different and each has its own good to bring to the community. The book stresses on the face that there is no need to put another person down so you can shine which is an important lesson for a young child to understand. Bullying is painful for children but it is also painful for parents because they may have problems understanding what is actually happening. It made me really happy that this book also touched on what to do beyond bullying. The Bully Barn is a critical lesson for both parents and children.
