The Other Woman by Tim Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well-crafted murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat!

Author Tim Smith weaves a gripping murder mystery with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a dramatic and riveting tale of intrigue and suspense in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Former cop Vic Fallon only wanted to get home to Sandusky, Ohio in time for Christmas after completing his latest private eye assignment. A chance meeting in the Atlanta airport with a U. S. Senator from his hometown thrusts Vic into a murder investigation when the man turns up dead shortly after they speak. The unwanted case produces more questions than answers. Why did the Senator ask Vic to deliver a Christmas card for him rather than mailing it himself, and why does the recipient react with hostility when she finds out who it’s from? Why is the FBI looking at Vic up close and personal when he wasn’t involved in the killing? And why does a police detective from Atlanta show up in Sandusky, asking questions that have little to do with the murder investigation? Vic’s life becomes more complicated when the woman he delivered the card to is arrested after an accidental shooting, and he feels a responsibility to prove her innocence. Add the strain that the case places on Vic’s current romantic relationship, and it results in the holiday from Hell. Can Vic solve the multi-pronged mystery he’s found himself in the middle of and repair the damage to his love life? Or will the other woman cause a permanent rift? …’

Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class murder mystery with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it!

The Other Woman (Vic Fallon Book 4) had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Tim Smith in the future. I would highly recommend this book to all fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense genre. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Hunt by Casey Fry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Well-Crafted Dark Fantasy Tale...

Author Casey Fry weaves an outstanding and noteworthy dark fantasy tale with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a post-apocalyptic story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and integrity.

The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book. The darkness is accomplished in the delivery of exciting and titillating prose. From mild illusions through detailed graphic scenes, the concept is wonderfully delivered in truly amazing writing.

For me, there is something very magical about reading dark fantasy fiction. It speaks to the very thread of my imagination, jolting it to life and transporting it on an exhilarating journey. This story did exactly that, leaving me captivated as I was introduced to a post-apocalyptic world of both savagery and heroism with mesmerizing characters. Also, I just have to say that it’s a book that fans of the Dark Fantasy genre will not be disappointed in. I believe that the author has the potential to weave even more magic for future readers of this series.

The book description gives a preview: ‘Two hundred years after a nuclear war nearly wipes out humanity, Earth is a desolate wasteland in which people are struggling to survive. Ricker is an assassin who wanders the world, not daring to call any place home. He seeks penance for past deeds as he hunts DeathSpeakers - humans mutated by radiation and the interminable Dark Plague, able to kill a hundred men just by speaking a single word.

Mortimer is a DeathSpeaker. Born with his mouth sewn shut with unbreakable wires that will unseal his lips upon the arrival of his tenth year, he has been kidnapped from the only home he has ever known. Dragged across the wasteland of the world to destinations unknown by the servants of Master, a puppeteer hiding always in the shadows, his singular attempt at escape thrusts him into the arms of Ricker.

When a jewel rumored to grant any one wish ends up in the hands of the illusive Master, Ricker and Mortimer are forced to work together to escape, but there is too much they don't know, and this is only the start of it.’

Now, if that’s not enough to get your whet your appetite, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

Captivating and commendable, this work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly dark, yet fascinating and intriguing journey.

It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

If this book is anything to go by, I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Casey Fry in the future. I would recommend this book and could easily see this being adapted as a television series or even receiving a Hollywood treatment. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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The Cosmetics Entrepreneur Manual: The first complete book about starting a cosmetics business by Davor Pavlic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book will give you the edge you need to launch and grow your own business...

We all know that cosmetics are substances or products used to enhance or alter the appearance or fragrance of the body. We use them every day, and it’s an industry that was estimated to be worth about $265 billion worldwide in 2017.

This book was written for the cosmetics entrepreneur who is only starting out. The author gives all the necessary details of the process, from the initial idea to the end product. Everything is covered from dealing with laboratories, to creating a business plan, marketing and even funding your project. The author gives excellent insights into the things you need to do and also covers some of the hidden costs of doing business in this industry.

The author states that he sometimes refers to the book as a ‘business cookbook’ because he believes that it is more to the point than some of the others as it gives specific instructions and steps to take. While other books are sometimes written with a lot of technical jargon, this book is easy-to-read, down-to-earth and very hands-on.

The Cosmetics Entrepreneur Manual is a practical guide that will help harness your natural gifts and entrepreneurial spirit. Filled with fresh insights and actionable advice, this essential guide will support anyone who’s striving to make a difference in a loud and chaotic business world. It’s a book designed for those new (or early stage) to entrepreneurship or those who have watched from afar and have always wished to join in, but the fear of the unknown has kept them confused and unsure.

If you're tired of depending on others for your success and well-being, The Cosmetics Entrepreneur Manual will give you the edge you need to launch and grow your own business and create your own long-term financial freedom and security.



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Jayden's New Adventures by Ilene Goff Kaufmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“I waited my whole life to go to preschool, and it’s finally here!”

This is a charming and delightful book for the young reader. I read it with my grandkids and they loved not only the story, but also the illustrations. I thought the text and illustrations worked very well together. Jayden's story will take you and your child through the everyday real-life experiences of a four-year-old child.

Author and poet Ilene Goff Kaufmann writes in a wonderful soothing style that guarantees the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely read to share with them.

This endearing but significant story communicates important life lessons and teaches children good behaviors and attitudes. It will encourage children to believe in themselves and inspire them to be responsible, compassionate and respectful.

It seems to me that this book was created with a lot of love and joy and it’s obvious that the author really enjoys creating such wonderful stories. Thank you for sharing with us the gift that you have obviously worked so hard to refine. We’ll be looking forward to seeing what’s coming next. A well-deserved (three) five stars from us!


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It's Not Easy Being A Little Fart by Ben Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Little Fart introduces us to his family!

Authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence write in a wonderful style that guarantees the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a fun read to share with them. I read it with my grandkids and we loved it. I also thought the text and illustrations (by Danko Herrera) worked very well together.

Here are some wise words from Little Fart: “We may all be different, but together we are just one big happy family! It’s important that you love your family equally. Just because someone may be a little noisier or smellier, doesn’t make them a bad person, just different. We don’t always get along together, but in the end we’re family.”

It seems to me that this book has been created with a lot of love and joy and it’s apparent that the authors really enjoy creating such wonderful fun stories. Even though this is book 7 of 7 in the My Little Fart series, we’ll still be looking forward to seeing what’s coming next from Ben and Sam. Five stars from us. Another fun read and well done again!


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Talamk an Eisc: Book One of the Celtic Rings Series by K.D. Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well-crafted action-packed adventure...

Author K.D. Carter weaves a well-crafted historical fantasy. The story had every element a good story should have. A solid and captivating plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘One thousand years ago, Norsemen sailed across the Atlantic from the Emerald Isle in search of new lands. They found Talemk an Eisc, rich in timber and farmland. But war with the native population raged for thirty years. Now a fragile truce has been put in place, but forces are seeking to reignite the conflict, and a killer stalks the land. Now four very different people - a Farmer, a Merchant, a Warrior and a Thief - must work together the preserve the peace. But how can they, when no one trusts the other?’

Now, if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. This is my second time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed yet again.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.

Talamk an Eisc: Nordic Landing had me engaged from the first page to the last. It’s a suspenseful and adventurous fantasy based on a historical account of Vikings traveling to Newfoundland. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a spellbinding journey.

It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that will make you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. For those looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating read, this would be a great find. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from K.D. Carter in the future. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in fantasy, adventure, suspense, and plenty of action with a Nordic flair. It would also make a great selection for book clubs. A well-deserved five stars from me.


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The Invisible Heiress by Kathleen O'Donnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Author Kathleen O'Donnell weaves a gripping psychological thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a dramatic and riveting tale of intrigue and suspense in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Preston Blair, a blogger with a dark sense of humor, is committed to a private psychiatric hospital, accused of a shocking crime. Her father Todd’s influence as a D.A. has kept her from prison, but her sanity remains on a knife-edge.

Preston’s therapist, Isabel, is too preoccupied working her latest con on a rich, married, sadomasochistic secret lover, to care about Preston’s problems, even when Preston tells her that her socialite mother, Harrison Blair, had committed an unthinkable crime herself years before—one that might help explain Preston’s own misdeeds.

When Preston’s absent husband, Brendan, suddenly turns up and tries to prove her innocence, tragedy strikes. Preston’s convinced her parents were involved, but it turns out to be much more complicated. As Preston delves deeper into the mystery, her head clears and a devastating event that she had long erased from her muddled mind comes rushing back.

Stumbling onto video evidence, which exposes a killer’s greed and lust for power, Preston finds her own life is in danger from a surprising and once trusted source. She discovers that the truth hurts. It just might be the death of her…’

Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class psychological thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of mystery, thriller and suspense will want it!

The Invisible Heiress had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.

It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!

I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Kathleen O'Donnell in the future. I would absolutely recommend this book to all fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense genre. Five stars from me.

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