My Review For The Dream Keepers by Linda Keen

⭐⭐⭐⭐. My first book review was for The Dream Keepers by Linda Keen which I reviewed in August 2020 for Online Book Club.  I found it quite difficult to grab my interest at the beginning and I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to finish it but how wrong I was!

In essence, the book is about a young brother and sister who, together, learn to find their way in a world that isn’t always accepting or tolerating the people who live in it. The novel follows their lives as they develop from children into young adults and how they deal with various situations and other people along the way. From their families to their friends and from strangers both kind and not so kind, Star and Thatcher deal with whatever life throws at them as they continue on life’s journey, showing the true meaning of being there for each other.

The book covers a multitude of life’s issues, from race and culture to suicide and near-death experiences and although it took me a few chapters to become used to the characters, I was soon embroiled in their lives and this became a real page-turner. I found the sister to be an addictive character and I often discovered myself encouraging her in some of her adventures and wanting to be involved.

There are many dream experiences described in the book and these are what I disliked the most throughout the story. Although I understand the relevance and insight these provided, in my opinion there probably didn’t need to be as many and I wanted to read through these as quickly as possible and to return to the main characters and their stories.

On the flip side, I found that the descriptions of the different characters, cities, and environments the children found themselves in were what I enjoyed the most. They were well written and the author drags the reader into each situation and you can imagine yourself being with the kids along their journeys.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a novel with a spiritual undertone, for those who value the importance and learning that reading about race, culture, and diversity brings and for those that like to be immersed in someone else’s world for a while to bring you relief from your own. I will definitely be looking out for future novels by Linda Keen.

Read More

My Review For A Long Dark Rainbow by Michael Tappenden

⭐⭐⭐   This review is for A Long Dark Rainbow by Michael Tappenden which I reviewed in September 2020 for Online Book Club. I was slightly wary before beginning this novel as some of the reviews were fairly negative but I did in fact love it. I think it may have helped that I’m from the UK, as was the author, so some of the quirky language that other reviewers mentioned, may have made more sense to me.

The novel is labelled as ‘erotic’ on the front cover and in my opinion, the majority of the descriptions are beautiful and romantic rather than vulgar. There are very few profanity occurrences and it seems that the novel is professionally edited.

There are two main characters in the story, Alex and Samantha, both in their 70s, who have found each other again after many years. The story follows their relationship as they get to know each other, learning what makes the other happy, both intimately and in their everyday lives. We also learn about what has brought them to this stage in their lives and their journeys from teenagers through to old age.

I really enjoyed Alex sharing his love of art with Samantha as she slowly begins to appreciate it in the way that he does. Alex shares his experiences with the reader, seemingly explaining that every picture tells a story, which I loved, and will perhaps now make me stop and think and actually ‘see’ a painting.

I disliked the ending the most, the story seemed to just stop which was disappointing. I actually thought there were pages missing! In my opinion, there could have been another chapter just to finalise the novel.

I think the novel would appeal to a wide range of audiences, the story is gripping and definitely makes you wonder what is going to happen next as you turn a page. Whether it makes a difference to people, that the author is from the UK I’m not sure. In my opinion, authors from the UK definitely have a different way of writing from other authors, particularly to those in the US but this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the novel. If you are uncomfortable reading about sex then this may not be the book for you, but it only amounts to a small proportion of the book. I would recommend this book and I will definitely be reading any other novels by Michael Tappenden.

Read More

My Review for Shifting Sands by Barry Litherland

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. This review is for Shifting Sands by Barry Litherland, which I reviewed in November 2020 for Online Book Club. I was thoroughly absorbed with the story, which kept me entertained throughout. I believe that this book has been professionally edited as I did not find any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

There is a mystery surrounding Westleigh Lodge, and local journalist, Phil Tyler, and his editor, Liz, are determined to find out what is going on behind the fortress-like walls. Between himself and Liz, and his madcap array of friends and colleagues they set out to unravel the mystery of the strange clinic which seems to have taken up residence in Westleigh Lodge.

This book was impossible to put down. The story is gripping and extremely well-written, with humour, action, and intrigue throughout. Written in the first person, the author involves us with each journey he embarks on, taking us along as he fights thugs, investigates weird goings-on, and tiptoes around love.

Litherland has a great descriptive talent. As the reader, you can easily visualise every character, every scene, every meal, and every scenario. You will cringe as Mr Tyler attempts to woo the girl, and shrink back at every fight - you will live within the novel.

Every character has their own story to tell and their own unique personality. Litherland is excellent at describing to the reader how each character fits into the novel, and how everything and everyone links together as the story progresses. The plot kept me guessing until the end, despite my continuing thoughts as to the outcome, there were twists and turns, surprises and revelations and I loved the ending.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was that I was hooked from beginning to end. I believe that only an exceptional author has the ability to achieve this and, Litherland falls into this category.

I am aware that this is a huge statement, but I didn’t find anything I disliked about this book. I will definitely be adding his other books to my ‘to be read’ pile.

I think the books would appeal to a wide range of audiences, however, due to the mature language I would not recommend this to younger audiences.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a crime/thriller/mystery novel, with a fascinating and humorous story from start to finish.

Read More

My Review for The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden by Londyn Skye

⭐⭐⭐⭐. This review is for The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden by Londyn Skye which I reviewed in December 2020 for Online Book Club.  I simply loved the story, and I can honestly say it has been one of the most compelling and spellbinding novels I have read in 2020.  I believe that this book has been professionally edited, as I did not find any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden is the first book in a trilogy by Londyn Skye, and is an absolutely incredible novel. Lily is a nine-year-old girl who is sold into slavery, leaving her mother behind, not knowing whether she remains alive or dead. The beginning of the story focusses on Lily’s fourteen years with her new master, but we soon jump ahead as she is provided with an escape and a way out of the only life she has ever really known, as she becomes a musical prodigy. A number of characters are influential in the change of her way of life, but an elderly gentleman, by the name of William Werthington, is paramount to how her life progresses from the moment of her escape.

Readers are transported back to the mid-nineteenth century where slaves were a part of normal life in the Deep South, and as well as being entertaining, I also found the novel educational, and this encouraged me to research more about those times. In fact, this is what I found the most enjoyable about the book, the inspiration it gave me to read more into American History.

The ending left me aghast and upset, which is what I disliked the most about the book. However as there are two more in the series, I am encouraged to read on and see how the story ends.

I was captivated throughout Skye’s telling of The Prodigy Slave, Book One: Journey to Winter Garden. She has an amazing talent for descriptive writing, and although I have read reviews stating that other readers have been bored by some of her writings, I found her a compelling author and was drawn into the story more and more as she wrote.

I think the book would appeal to a wide range of audiences, however due to sexual, racial, and violent content, as well as a high content of profanity, I would advise caution if you are of a sensitive nature.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, and to those who would appreciate a clearer understanding of the difference in people’s lives in the Deep South in the nineteenth century.

Read More

My Review for Honesty is Key: The Magic Ingredient by Tayma Tameem

⭐⭐⭐. This review is for Honesty is Key: The Magic Ingredient by Tayma Tameem, which I reviewed in  January 2021 for Online Book Club. I enjoyed the story, which was very easy to read and would be a good beach read. I believe that this book has been professionally edited as I did not find any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

Honesty is Key: The Magic Ingredient is the first book in a trilogy by Tayma Tameem. Atlas is an out-of-work actor who has previously claimed that he can cook, and has now been employed as a chef on a new television show. The only problem is; that he can’t cook!

The story takes us through the first series of the television show, and how Atlas adapts his skills and his personality, which will be imperative as to whether the show succeeds or fails. Selina is Atlas’s producer on the show, and throughout the book, the reader is constantly wondering whether this is a love interest that will lead to anything more than an employer/employee relationship.

Tayma’s book caused me to laugh out loud quite a few times, and not many books have that effect on me. The descriptions that Tayma includes in her text ensure that you can visualise what is happening, particularly when she is describing the scenes that take place when the filming of the television series is in progress.

Honesty is Key: The Magic Ingredient makes for easy reading, and although cringe-worthy in places, it is well written and entertaining. The thing that I enjoyed most about the book was that it made me laugh, and allowed me to escape into someone else’s world for a while.

There wasn’t really anything about the book that I disliked, although, in some parts, I felt embarrassed for Atlas and felt that perhaps these could have been written in a slightly different way, these didn’t detract from the easiness and enjoyment of the book. I would like to read the other books in The Honesty is Key series to find out what adventures Atlas has in the future.

I think the book would appeal to a wide range of audiences. As I didn’t find any profanity or eroticism in the content, they would suit Young Adults upwards. In my opinion, due to the storyline, it would probably suit a female audience rather than a male.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants something easy to read and a distraction from everyday life.

Read More

My Review for The Trafficking Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #5) by Brian O'Hare

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.   This review is for The Trafficking Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #5) by Brian O'Hare which I reviewed in  January 2021 for Online Book Club The storyline gripped me and will open the reader’s eyes to the trafficking and modern slave trade in the 21st century. I think the book was professionally edited because I found very few grammatical or spelling mistakes.

The Trafficking Murders are essentially about two different forms of slavery/trafficking. One is a high-end business that has the girls settled into luxury apartments and provided with enough money to purchase fine clothes, but with a very grim side to what they have to carry out to benefit from this. The other is rather less glamorous with the men and women brought into Northern Ireland in container ships and dealt with brutally from the start. Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his Serious Crimes Unit find themselves embroiled in several murders which all seem to be linked to the Chinese Community in Belfast. The Trafficking Murders follows the team as they attempt to solve the crime, eventually realising that everything is linked.

I was caught up in this book and curious about every page turn and what was coming next. The author treats a sensitive subject with delicacy and compassion, but there is also humour involved as his team often banter with each other as they continue with the case. As the story continues, the author’s descriptive style guides us through the Belfast police procedure, and therefore, most things that you think you may not understand become clear. The author is from Northern Ireland and consequently, some US readers may find some police terminology confusing. The author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of acronyms that are commonplace in police forces in the UK, for guidance.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that it wasn’t a normal, run-of-the-mill crime novel. It focussed on a sensitive and very real topic and appeared to be researched well. The crime is complex, and careful readers will notice the clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the Chief Inspector’s team.

There wasn’t anything I disliked about the book, but if I was pushed, I would have liked to see more graphic detail about the things these poor victims go through during these hideous crimes.

I think the book would appeal to readers who enjoy a crime novel but should know this is a very genuine subject and there are people suffering because of Human Trafficking every single day.

I haven’t previously read any Brian O’Hare novels, but this won’t be my last. The author has kindly sent me a copy of one of his other novels, and I will read this shortly.

Read More

My Review for The Dark Web Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #4) by Brian O'Hare

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. This review is for The Dark Web Murders (Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #4) by Brian O'Hare which I reviewed in  February 2021 for Online Book Club. I was hooked from the Prologue and just had to keep turning those pages. 

The Dark Web Murders details a series of killings by someone who, it is evident from the outset, is some sort of psychopath. There are a wide variety of characters in the book, and you need to be on your toes to remind yourself who they are and what relevance they have to the story. However, a list of characters has been provided at the beginning of the book if the reader wanted to check back at any time. As the author takes the reader on an incredibly descriptive journey, Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his Serious Crimes Unit set out to identify the killer.

The author’s descriptive writing entices you further and further into the story, and much of it is extremely dark, with each killing outlined in minute detail by the killer, as he writes his blog on the Dark Web for his loyal followers to read and enjoy. There is a side story alongside the killings, which becomes linked with the main story as the book progresses, and this too is explained in great and disturbing detail by the author.

As in O’Hare’s other Sheehan mysteries, as the story continues, the author’s descriptive style guides us through the Belfast police procedures, and therefore most things that you think you may not understand become clear. The author is from Northern Ireland and some US readers may find certain police terminology confusing. The author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of acronyms that are commonplace in police forces in the UK, for guidance.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was how O’Hare was so descriptive in his writings. I enjoyed the graphic detail, although sometimes I shuddered as I tried to imagine some of the things that were described. The crime is complex, and careful readers will notice the clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the Chief Inspector’s team.

There really wasn’t anything I disliked about the book and I can’t wait to read more of Brian O’Hare’s novels.

I was unsure whether such a thing as ‘The Dark Web’ existed or whether it was simply part of the story, so I must admit that I did Google it, only to find out that it is definitely a real thing. I didn’t delve too much into anything as I didn’t want the police to come knocking on my door!

I think the book would appeal to readers who enjoy a gritty crime novel but should know that there are certain things contained within the book that might disturb some people and is definitely not for younger readers.

Read More