Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers

Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers by Robert Michael Lehmann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The real people behind the image...

Celebrities intrigue us for many reasons. One of the most popular obsessions in the media today is celebrities. While most celebrities are of the movie actor and actress variety, there are also sports figures, musicians, models and socialites who fall into the celebrities' category. There are many magazines, blogs, websites and television shows devoted to celebrities and their various antics. Some of them seek out fame; others complain about it and try to avoid the spotlight as much as possible. But there is no question that celebrities and their lives are incredibly popular topics.

Surviving Hollywood: Givers, Takers, Friends & Heartbreakers by Robert Michael Lehmann gives the reader ‘an all-access backstage pass for an up-close and personal look at life inside the entertainment industry.’ This humorous and insightful book offers a behind the scenes look at the golden age of the ’70s & '80s television and recording industry.

The book has some very interesting stories about Elvis Presley, ‘the original Star Trek television series, and a behind-the-scenes look at The Tonight Show with insight into the personal lives of celebrities after the cameras were turned off and the real people behind the image emerged.’

Thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating quick read. A blast from the past as they say. Highly recommended.

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Cycladic Girls: Celebrities, Deities, Love and Power - Greek Gods in the Modern World (The Winnowing Book 2)

Cycladic Girls: Celebrities, Deities, Love and Power - Greek Gods in the Modern World by Patrick Garner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A masterclass in storytelling...

Cycladic Girls by Patrick Garner is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this seductive tale that will guarantee the attention of the reader. A skillfully constructed ‘ancient meets contemporary’, this book will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

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 tale of intrigue, discovery and sensuality with perfect pacing. Highly recommended.

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Scary Night All in Your Head: A Children's Rhyming Picture Book Bedtime Story

Scary Night All in Your Head: A Children's Rhyming Picture Book Bedtime Story by Paul Wilson Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Easing a child’s fears about the things that go bump in the night...

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.

Scary Night All in Your Head by Paul Elliott is a delightful and charming children's rhyming picture book that makes a perfect bedtime story. The author writes in a wonderfully entertaining 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 very enjoyable story to share with them. I read this book with my grandkids and they loved it. Special mention also to Sidra Mehmood for the excellent illustrations.

It seems to me that this book was created with a lot of love and joy and it’s clear that the author 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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Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison

Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A steamy tale of erotic adventures...

Awakening Janet: The Erotic Adventures of a Silver Fox for Hire by JD Harrison is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this devilishly delicious novel that will guarantee the attention of the reader. The erotica is accomplished in the delivery of exciting and titillating prose. From mild illusions through detailed, sexy scenes, the concept is wonderfully delivered in truly amazing writing. Highly recommended.

Awakening Janet is a contemporary erotic romance that has a terrific plot that will tug at your heart strings. The main characters are well drawn, three dimensional and layered with subtext. It seamlessly blends romance, steamy erotic interludes and character development with a good story line. Highly recommended.

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The Measure of Ella by Toni Bird Jones

The Measure of Ella by Toni Bird Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gripping suspense-thriller...

The Measure of Ella by Toni Bird Jones is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this gripping suspense-thriller that will guarantee the attention of the reader. A skilfully constructed seafaring adventure, this book will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Seafaring chef Ella Morgan is an honest woman—until her life falls apart. When her dream of owning a restaurant is shattered by her father’s death and the loss of her inheritance, she is suddenly alone in the world. Desperate for money, she risks a one-time chance to crew on a drug run with a trusted captain, only to find herself fighting for her life in a violent underworld… Set in the Caribbean, The Measure of Ella is a dramatic story of love, murder, high-seas action, and the consequences of pursuing a dream at all costs. Like The Girl on the Train, it unwinds with gripping suspense from a woman’s point of view. With its brave, strong, complex female protagonist at the helm of a high seas adventure, The Measure of Ella is entirely unique..’

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 suspenseful thriller with perfect pacing. Highly recommended.

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27 Apple Trees

27 Apple Trees: A Memoir by Jason Callan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very inspirational story...

27 Apple Trees details the life of Jason Callan. From his upbringing in an alcoholic/poverty-stricken family to his extraordinary achievements in adult hood. It’s a powerful and inspirational story about a man’s triumph over poverty and adversary. It was a brilliant read that will leave you feeling like a better person for having read it.

The book description gives only a sneak preview: ‘27 Apple Trees is the story of a boy raised by a single mom who comes of age in suburban-Detroit in the 1970s and '80s before joining the military, traveling the world and then separating to go to college in the 1990s, before ultimately landing a job at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California in 2002.’

People write memoirs to fixate, analyze, share, or rethink past events. This book refers to important and significant moments in the authors life. I would highly recommend this very open, honest and frank autobiography. A well-deserved five stars from me.

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Dare to Live Greatly: The Courage to Live a Powerful Christian Life

Dare to Live Greatly: The Courage to Live a Powerful Christian Life by Larry C Fowler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A powerful story that will inspire and encourage many readers...

Profound thoughts are explained here in the simplest of terms. That’s all I can say about this book. It is difficult to write a more objective review because the impact the author will have on you will make you see life and its problems in a wise and practical way. The book should NOT be read – it should be absorbed and reflected upon.

The overall tone was simply imparting knowledge, personal experience and wisdom in a gentle and generous way from a Christian perspective. His words will help to better equip you to interpret and handle life in a whole new way, which in turn will bring peace, love and joy into your life. If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement in the face of serious issues, this would come highly recommended from me.

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