Review: Mindfulness on the Go: Simple Meditation Practices You Can Do Anywhere

Mindfulness on the Go: Simple Meditation Practices You Can Do Anywhere by Jan Chozen Bays
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book sits in my pocketbook so I can re-read over some of the new skills I have learned from using this small book packed with everyday exercises in Mindful Meditation practices that I have incorporated into my life. Just being able to make my body relax has been a big achievement. Each chapter sets you on an exercise to complete with encouraging words to enhance the learning experience. Just today I used some breathing exercises while I waited for my blood to be drawn and it made the time I spent there that much more enjoyable and isn't that what we all want, a more enjoyable life.

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Review: The Sherlock Effect

The Sherlock Effect by Raymond Kay Lyon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this fictional crime-fighting mystery, we find a man whose Pastor father chose to give his son the middle name of Sherlock after his favorite author Sir Conan Doyle famous London private detective. With the help of a close friend, the two open a private detective agency called Baskerville's where they furnish the interior to resemble one in which Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson would find to their liking, with a violin in the corner of a fully equipped room straight from an antique store. To further the marketing of the Sherlockian theme, Christopher Sherlock Webster wears clothes similar to the original Holmes would have worn. I admire the way the author Raymond Kay Lyon and his publishing co. Thistle Publishing followed the same format that put each case into its own short story again similar to the way the original canons was published. Each story was a walk back into the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson that both the characters start to emulate wonderfully. I highly recommend this novel to any mystery book lover plus I can see this becoming a series in the future. This story was lent to me to read through NetGalley in exchange for an "honest" opinion of my thoughts on the book. Thank you, #NetGalley, #TheSherlockEffect, #RaymondKayLyon #BookReview

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Review: The Templar Salvation

The Templar Salvation by Raymond Khoury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay, I understand the whole concept of "The Church/Vatican" having documents that portray the religion in a bad light and that we the little people of the world with our minimal intellect must be kept from reading these ancient records and stories. But that is just what everything that is written is: a story. Benjamin Franklin said. "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. While the action was commendable I kept wondering why these two individuals learned nothing from their past experiences in the book "The Last Templar". As a mother, I wanted to reach out and slap Alex and say you have a daughter, stop putting your life in danger needlessly and of course, she gets nabbed by the bad guy, ugh.

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Review: The Hangman's Daughter

The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stupendous, I so enjoyed this art illustrated ebook version of this novel that was translated from German by Lee Chadeayne and first published by AmazonCrossing in 2010. The author Oliver Potzsch genealogy played an important role in the making of this book since his family can trace their lineage to the famous Kuisls, one of Bavaria's infamous families of executioners. It was intriguing to find that people have not changed in the manner they treat each other even to this day when people are different from themselves and produce what I like to think of as moments of complete insanity of reasoning. In this tale of malice, we find the Hangman not a cold-blooded killer but one who takes great care in studying the art of healing and the injustice of those who may be wrongly accused of a crime. When faced with the torture of an innocent midwife accused of witchcraft, the Hangman along with his headstrong daughter and her besotted physician admirer must follow the clues that will lead to the true criminals in the town before they can burn the midwife. From beginning to end I was enthralled with the way the story flowed and the true to life characters that graced the pages. I found this book on Amazon prime and was able to download a free version. Thank you, I have added this writer to my Follow list and look forward to reading more of these phenomenal glimpses into the past.

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Review: Meditation: Meditation for Beginners - How to Relieve Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Return to a State of Inner Peace and Happiness

Meditation: Meditation for Beginners - How to Relieve Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Return to a State of Inner Peace and Happiness by Yesenia Chavan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My doctors suggested that I try to meditate for my health. This book has helped me do just that. I found this book to be very informative with an easy to follow guide to attain my goals.

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Review: Scribes

Scribes by James Wolanyk
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Humph, not sure why I could not really get my teeth into this book. There are some good qualities to the novel by author James Wolanyk that include the overall story of a young girl who has the gift of using magical cuts upon the skin that bring health and healing upon the person. This was the first in the Scribe series so hopefully, in the next one, the action can be ramped up a few notches. At every turn, Anna is subjected to violence and cruelty but she finds real peace when she helps the foundling children that have lost everything. Can she break away from the individuals that want to use her power to back their side of the war? I was given a chance to read this book through the Goodreads giveaways for my honest opinion in a book review. Thank you, James Wolanyk, Goodreads and publisher Rebel Base Books.

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Review: The Fleur de Sel Murders: A Brittany Mystery

The Fleur de Sel Murders: A Brittany Mystery by Jean-Luc Bannalec
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who knew there were so many different brands of salt? In this crime mystery, we find Commissaire Dupin teaming up with Commissaire Rose to solve the mystery of the blue barrels and the murder of his journalist friend. What would cause someone to murder her? Did she find evidence of wrongdoing in the salt flats of Brittany in France? I really enjoyed learning about salt and look forward to reading more of Commissaire Dupin's escapades. And where might that escaped Kangaroo next make an appearance?

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Review: Arachnosaur

Arachnosaur by Richard Jeffries
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As much as I loathe spiders they have a weird fascination for me. Two of my favorite movies are Eight Legged Freaks and Arachnophobia and if this book was made into a movie it will also be added to the list of movies to watch time and again. The military acronyms were a little hard to follow but since I got it as a kindle version through Netgally I was able to quickly get the information quickly. There was lots of action, unique characters, creepy ancient spiders and some really bad ass villains you really hope get what is coming to them in the end.

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Review: Super Con

Super Con by James Swain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Las Vegas where even the gambling establishments are crooked. If you enjoyed the movie's Ocean's 11 or the Italian Job you are in for a treat. Billy Cunningham is the leader of a crew of grifters whose life revolves around pulling cons on the big casinos. With the super bowl just around the corner, Billy and his crew are forced into setting up a super con for a ruthless Asian criminal named Broken Tooth who kidnaps Billy's limo driver. With the aid of his past flame actress Maggie Flynn, a Gambling agent named Grimes, another crime family and of course some not so squeaky clean football players, the con is on but will he win millions or end up in jail for a long time?

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Review: Animal Farm and 1984

Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is the year 2017 and this book rings true to what is happening in the country of North Korea at the present moment in history. The North Koreans have had their rations cut and their leader uses all the money to build weapons of mass destruction. Too bad we could not drop copies of this book into the North Korean hands. Having been born a free American I see certain aspects that concern me here in my own country and around the world. Why does power so change people? So far in all of history, we have dealt with individuals who have become despots whose only aim is to take take take. When will we all learn that power to one or just a few people will change them mostly for the worst? Such a sad tale but one that is important to learn.

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Review: Nightblade

Nightblade by Garrett Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loren of the family Nelda has had enough of being beaten by her parents, so when she spies a stranger traveling through her forest homelands she bids him to take her with him. From the moment Loren leaves home she finds herself involved with the King's Law, thieves but also finds friends that she becomes attached to. The dagger she carries from her home has strange markings and jewels attached, she has named it Nightblade. But what do others know about this blade and its secrets? I am hooked on finding out what happens in this series and have added this author to the list of "follow author". I was able to read this book on Amazon Prime which I downloaded to my kindle app. This book reminded me of novels by J.R. Tolkien and the Game of Thrones series which are two of my favorites.

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Review: The Judas Hoard

The Judas Hoard by Barbara Erlichman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wonderful, I really liked the plot and characters in this story about several coins that go missing after the death of the owner that once belonged to Judas Iscariot making them immensely valuable. All leads so far lead to his niece Linden who has gone missing but of course, we all know that the most likely suspect is not going to be the most obvious one who committed the crime. Linden teams up with Alex who was hired to find Linden, together they set out to locate the coins so she can clear her name. I won this book through the Goodreads giveaways, thank you.

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Review: Leaves of Fire

Leaves of Fire by Michael B. Koep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this fantastical story, we are introduced to a world that's been influenced by two men, brothers, one a poet and another artist. What makes these men unique is their writing and art opens doors into heaven. I found the first part of the book somewhat hard to follow but once I became familiar with all the characters I was drawn into their adventures and look forward to reading the rest of this series.

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Review: The Backup Asset

The Backup Asset by Leslie Wolfe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intriguing fictional story delving into the world of American and Russian espionage by placing spies that will coerce scientists into stealing top-secret documents. With the help of a team of private experts, the CIA uncovers the trail of the thief and their Russian trainers. With so much going in the world today, you have to stop and think about how true life the storyline of this book really is. I am looking forward to the next installment of America's never-ending fight against the power-hungry individual despots the world has created. Why does power so change people for the worst? #BookReview #TheBackupAsset

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Review: What Hides Beneath

What Hides Beneath by J.L. Canfield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Crazy people do crazy things, in this whodunit that centers around a museum's stolen art, while detectives try to find not only the missing stolen object but also the insurance agent who has disappeared along with the stolen items. From the beginning, you have many suspects that could have committed the crime but as the pages unfold we are able to eliminate suspects to come to the real devious criminal insane mind behind the murders and thefts. Who will it be? Will they catch the killer in time to save lives? #BookReview #WhatHidesBeneath

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Review: Gods of Howl Mountain

Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this historical fiction, we meet a slew of unique characters that have been traumatized by war, violence, and poverty. Rory a Korean war veteran who has returned to Grannie Mae's home in rural Wilkes Couty of North Carolina missing a leg drives some souped-up race cars through the nights delivering moonshine and along the way become infatuated with the local serpent preachers daughter. Will Rory find and enact vengeance on the man who left his mother so traumatized that she resides in the local insane asylum? Are the men who drive and build these suped-up cars destined to start a national trend? I am always pleased with a book if I come away with some knowledge or wisdom that will stay with me, this book has done that and more. Will there be a sequel? I do hope so, I think this would make a great movie. Justin Beil as Rory? #BookReview #GodsofHowlMountain

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Review: Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth

Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth by Tamara Laporte
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I just love the ideas of melding art with self awareness while making a lifelong journal.

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Review: Look for Me

Look for Me by Lisa Gardner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Detective D.D. Warren has big plans this weekend with her son and husband to choose a dog from the local shelter but she dragged away when she gets a call concerning the murder of four family members. Tasked with solving this brutal murder she must also search the city for the last remaining member of the city. Could the missing teenage daughter be the murderer? or is she a victim? Was this murder related to possible child abuse allegations when the children had been briefly put in foster care with the state? or was one of the teenage girl involved with gangs? And how can some local survivors of violent crimes be able to assist the police? I like the characters and the fact that unfortunately, all the scenarios were believable in the present. Keep them coming, Lisa Gardner, I really enjoy your writing.

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Review: Beast of Dracula

Beast of Dracula by John Patrick Kennedy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bisexual Princess Ruxandra Dracula's daughter has been dragged away from NYC in 1927 and coerced into finding what is killing humans in California where another Vampire Elizabeth and Dorotyas live. So much blood dripping, splattering, and spilling from those caught in the teeth and talons of the creatures that feed on human blood will send goosebumps over your entire body. Will Ruxandra win the fight or die trying? Has the German Vampire Kade come to help her or someone else?

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Review: Richard the Lionheart: A Life From Beginning to End

Richard the Lionheart: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

King Richard is best known for his role in the tale of Robin Hood. But do you know anything else about King Richard? One of my favorite subjects is history and these short novels by Hourly History are perfect as a starting point into the lives of historical figures that have shaped our world. Has our society learned anything from history? In my own opinion, we have not. Power changes people and not always in a good manner. But we all have to start somewhere and reading about history is a good start to learning how to live today.

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