Where The Earth Sings by Walter Rouzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very witty and engaging story for all the family...

Where The Earth Sings is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters. The author paints a series of engaging, humorous and reflective moments in a very vivid and convincing way. The characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of subtle 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 story 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 well written Humorous Fantasy with perfect pacing and a timely message.

The author starts off by setting no small task as a pair of young geniuses have only 10 days to lead the world to global peace. The book description continues with a sneak preview: ‘Imagine being twelve years old and waking up to discover technology is no more. Mobile phones don't exist. Automobiles, airplanes and modern conveniences aren't part of the fabric of lives. Well, if you’re Ziggy Zee, this is what your new reality is.

All the cars in the world turn into horse and buggies overnight. Commuters don’t have enough horse sense to drive them on modern freeways. Capuchin monkeys donning baseball caps embroidered with the letters GPS give directions. Electronic stop and go lights no longer exist. Instead, chimpanzees sit on top of poles directing traffic with STOP and GO signs.

Ziggy’s mother is in the hospital and needs technology to stay alive. She will die if technology is not returned in 10 days for her operation…The world is desperate to get technology back. Lucky for them, Ziggy knows what to do. But there’s a catch. She and her partner must first convince nations across the globe to work together in peace to save our oceans, forests and the animal kingdom.

Can Ziggy accomplish the impossible feat of bringing world peace in 10 days? Or has she been tasked to deliver the impossible?’ Well, if that doesn’t grab your interest, 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 second time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed again by his story-telling ability.

The story 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.

Captivating and commendable, this work had me immersed from the beginning. It’s a thrilling and adventurous fiction fully loaded with love, passion, witty dialogue, and sharp humor. 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 compelling and fascinating journey!

It’s one of those books that come 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.

I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Walter Rouzer in the future. The book has a distinctly cinematic feel to it, and I could easily see it being adapted for a made-for-TV movie or even the Silver Screen. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Neighbours & Tourists: Short stories by Ewa Mazierska
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fine collection of short stories...

Neighbours & Tourists is a fine collection of short stories by Polish born author Ewa Mazierska. Its’ a wonderfully written and richly descriptive book with brilliantly drawn characters. The author paints a series of engaging, reminiscent and reflective moments in a very vivid and convincing way. Also, the characters are drawn with great credibility and integrity.

I enjoyed the stories, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of subtle 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 a particular story 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 well written short story collection with perfect pacing.

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Mazierska pays as much attention to her sentences as she does to her plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. Her writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an almost poetic atmosphere.

I’ll be looking forward to what this author has to offer in the future. Recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Fierce Winds and Fiery Dragons by Nan Sweet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful children’s book that teaches valuable life lessons...

More often than not children relate themselves with the characters of a good story. In such circumstances, reading fiction can help them to get inspiration from the characters. These stories often portray real life implications through anecdotes, and as such makes it easier for them to understand the complex aspects of life. Moreover, reading these stories at regular intervals can actually help them to develop a positive outlook towards life, which eventually proves beneficial for good character development.

Fierce Winds and Fiery Dragons is a delightful and charming book for the younger reader. I read it with my grandkids and they loved. Nan Sweet writes in a wonderful, simple and imaginative style that will guarantee the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely story to share with them.

It seems to me that this book was created with a lot of love and joy and it’s clear 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 five stars from us!

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Fubars by Paddy Bostock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel starts out funny and ends up even funnier...

We regularly face a number of incidences that make all of us understand just how ridiculous or evil some people's behavior or ideas might be. Satire is the capability of showing, basically ridiculing these kinds of incidences by utilizing humor or hyperbole. It may be specific at nation-wide politics, society, tradition or individual people. Satire focuses on raising an individual's mind by smartly and shrewdly getting glimpses associated with high and also lowly things. It is admonition of vices creating good fun of the unique activity through powerful use of mockery and biting wit.

Author Paddy Bostock weaves a mesmerizing political fantasy tale, with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints an adventurous and action-packed satirical tale 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.

I’ve read this author before and it’s safe to say that his storylines leaves the reader spellbound to say the least. Paddy Bostock leaves the reader again mesmerized with ‘FUBARS’. The storyline and plot of ‘FUBARS’ was amazing. From beginning to end, the author holds the reader’s interest.

As always, Paddy Bostock does a great job with character and story development. He’s so prolific, so inventive, so exactly what I want to read. This book starts good but ends great and this is one book I didn’t want to end. Paddy Bostock’s writing style is both captivating and hypnotic.

The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Bostock pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a satirical atmosphere that will leave you laughing out loud.

I was uncertain as to what FUBAR actually meant until a Google search revealed that it was an acronym for F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition! Soldier Slang of World War II. Enter the main protagonist: Fergus Ulysses Barr. A clever title with an equally clever storyline.

There’s no doubt that ‘FUBARS’ is an exceptionally well-written book. However, it must be said that this story is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. A word of caution, therefore, for those who are linguistically sensitive. Nevertheless, the themes and outcome are just as affecting in the arresting contemporary political landscape.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Not Really Dead: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller by Leslie Wolfe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A suspenseful, gripping crime thriller...

Best-selling author Leslie Wolfe weaves a suspenseful, gripping crime thriller. With intriguing twists and turns it captivates the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a riveting and mesmerizing story 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.

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 story 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 well written thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Pooping Animals by Blush Design
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy crap! This is different!!

Adult coloring books are, very simply, coloring in books for grownups. Like children's coloring books, they are full of outline illustrations designed to be filled in with colored pencils, markers, crayons, or whatever other media you wish to use.

Believe It or not, adult coloring books gives you a reality check. First and foremost, it allows you to touch paper. And paper, as it turns out, is missing more and more from our daily lives, being replaced with all kinds of tech gadgets. You can also feel the pen you're coloring with, sense its texture, you can smudge and smear with your own fingers. And there's no "undo" button.

"Escapism" is defined as "entertainment or recreation, as an "escape"... from the perceived unpleasant, boring, arduous, scary, or banal aspects of daily life." In other words - coloring helps you cope with an otherwise stressful or boring routine or even with depression. The magical world of shapes and colors takes you to a far nicer place, where you can enjoy simple pleasures.

POOPING ANIMALS by Blush Design contains beautiful designs that will allow you to have hours of enjoyment and help develop your creative expression. As a non-practicing counselor, I would highly recommend this if you are looking for ways to relax.

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Instagram Life Vs. Real Life by Blush Design
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adult coloring books are, very simply, coloring in books for grownups. Like children's coloring books, they are full of outline illustrations designed to be filled in with colored pencils, markers, crayons, or whatever other media you wish to use.

Believe It or not, adult coloring books gives you a reality check. First and foremost, it allows you to touch paper. And paper, as it turns out, is missing more and more from our daily lives, being replaced with all kinds of tech gadgets. You can also feel the pen you're coloring with, sense its texture, you can smudge and smear with your own fingers. And there's no "undo" button.

"Escapism" is defined as "entertainment or recreation, as an "escape"... from the perceived unpleasant, boring, arduous, scary, or banal aspects of daily life." In other words - coloring helps you cope with an otherwise stressful or boring routine or even with depression. The magical world of shapes and colors takes you to a far nicer place, where you can enjoy simple pleasures.

INSTAGRAM LIFE VS. REAL LIFE by Blush Design contains beautiful designs that will allow you to have hours of enjoyment and help develop your creative expression. As a non-practicing counselor, I would highly recommend this if you are looking for ways to relax.

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