Kim’s Review – Fantasy Book #2:  2.5 Stars What a Brilliant Idea!

Thank you to Sliver Dagger Tours for my free copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was really drawn to this series of books I wanted to read them all!  By the blurbs of each book and the genres. I started off by reading Fantasy book #2. The blurb and idea are fantastic! As I read I had a lot of questions, around the plot, characters and how developed  they  are. It wasn’t the story or idea for the plot itself that I questioned at all, that is the masterpiece of this romantic thriller– the idea it’s brilliant.  What lacked was to read it transferred to paper, I had doubts about characters and how everything played out. It was  a little under developed for me.

We follow the  brilliant idea of this story a love triangle you could say, between Destini, Chloe, and Delvin. Without giving away spoilers for potential readers Destini and Delvin end up married, because Destini told him she is pregnant. However he loves Chloe and Chloe loves him a classic love triangle. It all starts off from a wild party, they had a four-some two couples had sex. This is where doubt crept in for me as a reader from the start,  I could not see why Delvin and Chloe love each other, there is little romance, they had group sex.  The relationship felt underdeveloped to be believable. I could not see their connection outside sex.

As the plot moves forward Destini is not pregnant, and readers are aware she has a plan though. This is where the plot also felt underdeveloped.  As I read, I felt possibly there would have and could have been in reality, sooooo many more challenges for Destini’s plan. Considering what she was trying to pull off. This girl is nuts! And I loved that about the plot– the main female is crazy. However, the lack of challenges, lack of her crazy-ness made everything fall into place, and caused doubt for me. Killing  the ‘thriller’ vibe with no challenges or tension given what she wanted to do. She’s a little under developed also.  I don’t want to give spoilers for readers. Over the course of her fake pregnancy everything ‘went to plan’ more a less with no challenges.  Because of this I guessed where the story was going,  and what’s up ahead  I got it right! No surprises for me.

I don’t want to put readers off and be too negative, but generally as a reader I felt when I finished that, the idea is genius for the story. I just wished the author smoothed over the gaps  in the plot and main character. This would have reduced my doubt as a reader and ability to guess what happens, and make it more realistic, believable etc. I did not read the other books in time, I can’t comment. However if you  like romantic crime thriller give this  a download it today! I am just one reader, you may love it!  I am sure others will love it to the bones!   I would read more from the author, as I said I was drawn to their work generally. For Fantasy book #.2 it’s 2.5 stars from me, for a brilliant idea.

I wish the author a lot of success and a brilliant readership, who love the books to the bone. Thank you to Silver Dagger for my copy again.

Giveaway time again guys! Super proud this one is narrated by me, and now on Amazon, Itunes, and Audible in an audio book version. Paperbacks and ebooks can be found on Amazon. To celebrate I’m giving away ten audio books!Just add  your email here to enter, winners picked at random by the system, closes on the 20th. Good luck.

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About the book:

Compared to novel writing, short stories and novellas need special and different skills that every writer should master. Readers love shorter stories! From Kim Knight, the award-winning and number #1 best-selling author of 365 Days of Writing Prompts for Romance writers, The Art of Short Story and Novella Writing writer’s reference is perfect for both seasoned and aspiring writers of all genres. The Art of Short Story and Novella Writing will help you perfect, sharpen, and increase your skills and abilities when writing engaging shorter stories, novellas, or novelettes for both stand-alone and series stories. With detailed and practical steps, the sole aim of this guide is to help writers confidently write within a high demand and well-paid market. With easy-to-engage-with chapters, discover the practical art of short story and novella writing. The Art of Short Story and Novella Writing includes practical exercises to help you master the skills to write your next series of stories:
•Story-telling styles for short stories: how and why it should differentiate from novel writing.
•Character development with limited word count.
•Strengthening themes and plots with limited word count.
•Where and how to start a shorter story to capture reader’s attention.
•Creating compelling stories with peaks and satisfying endings for readers, with a small word count.
•Learn about the market, paid writing contests, and where to submit shorter stories.

Each chapter has a dedicated writing space for every practical exercise, and for plotting your ideas and characters. Writing compelling shorter stories with meaning, and well developed characters is not easy! But, with The Art of Short Story and Novella Writing, you will ramp up your skills set and become a master of the technique. Note: the paperback will allow writers to make notes, carry out the exercises, and throw away the hundreds of note pads us writers have sitting around.

Thank you to Netgallery for my free copy, for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This is probably one of the most expensive books I’ve pre-ordered ever, but it’s simply wonderful I’m glad I stumbled on this free copy for grabs. It’s a must for my book shelf at home. I got more than I thought I would.

About the Book:

What does it mean to truly live gratefully, every day? In Wake Up Grateful, Kristi Nelson, executive director of A Network for Grateful Living, unlocks the path to recognizing abundance in every moment, and gives readers the tools to bring this transformational shift in perspective into their daily lives. Nelson goes beyond the proverbial question of whether the glass is half full or half empty, and encourages readers to awaken to the gift of having a glass at all. With questions for reflection, daily exercises, and perspective prompts for appreciating the fullness of life as it is, right now, this book promises profound personal change through the practice of taking nothing for granted.

Kim’s Review 5  Must Read Stars

I selected this book as I generally just love these kind of topics, I had no real expectations, based on the subject matter took an interest.  I got much more than I expected from it, before I even reached the end. This is the kind of book that could really help everyone, from those who are in deep need of uplifting, direction, a reason to keep going. And those like me, who just love this stuff! And take an interest.  What I loved about this book right for the first chapter is that, it’s practical so you can apply what  you’re reading.  The book is split in to two main sections ‘from gratitude to grateful living’ and ‘grateful living in the real world.’ The author clearly explains the difference between ‘gratitude’ and  ‘gratefulness’ , I could see the points made well. I had never seen them as different more interchangeable. In my mind once this was established I could clearly see how I could step up my daily practice of gratitude, by adapting the POV the author explains so well with the ‘grateful approach.’

The best thing is, this approach is outlined in a practical way, for example writing out a to do list, with a different mind set. Eg  ‘this week I have to x,y,z’  to ‘this week I am grateful I get to do x,y,z’. When I did this first exercise the burden of my to do list totally felt different! I could see why, how, and where the author’s approach can help not only  me, but also uplift, focus you, add motivation, and drive for us all! This is just one example of the many exercises, practical reflections, and points to ponder in the book.

Overall, this is a very practical guide, and can be used as a reference for what you need to focus on personally, or read from cover to cover.  I feel it  could be highly valuable for a lot of people, and a great companion to have to help set your goals, intentions,  manifest the life you want, and keep yourself in a positive state of mind at all times. I very much recommend it for everyone! Especially if you’re a busy person, with a lot to do, or  you just need a pick me up, or even if  you enjoy subjects like gratitude, spirituality and believe in the power of the Universe. I can’t wait until my copy arrives! 5 must read stars.

Believe it or not, I’ve never actually read a book by this author. But I’m fully aware of how popular he is, his books are always recommended to me on my Kindle. After reading this I can see why! Last night I just typed into my Kindle app ‘short mystery stories.’ I felt in the mood for some kind of anthology, or short, quick, read. Koontz came up!

About the Book:

Following LAST LIGHT comes FINAL HOUR, the second of two standalone ebook original tales tying in to ASHLEY BELL, the highly anticipated new novel of dark suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

Just by touching others, Makani Hisoka-O’Brien can see the darkest secrets they keep. The troubling talent has made the Southern California surfer wary of casual contact. But while impulsively saving a stranger from an accident, she experiences her most disturbing vision.

With only a good friend to help her, and mere traces of information to guide her, Makani must track down two mysterious women—one of them innocent, one not.

But Makani is stepping into the path of an adversary more dangerous than she can imagine: a brutal predator behind a pretty face, who won’t go down without drawing blood.

Kim’s Review- 3 Enjoyable Stars, but Maybe  Unfinished?

The blurb is what really pulled me in, I loved the idea of following Makani’s journey into this mystery. The story really started off well and I read quickly. The characters were really like-able – the ones we’re meant to like. As for the ‘mysterious woman’, Ursula and her twin, they ‘re the ‘bad guys’ and were well rounded too.

Without spoilers Makani’s ability to read people lands her and her friend, Pogo in hot water. They follow the lady in question and learn what she’s up to, due to Makani’s ability to read her via touch. Right towards the end there was a lovely twist which made me go, ‘wow! Okay, never saw that coming.’ That said once the twist happened it felt like the story was very rushed as I read it. Two people ended up dead, Makani and her friend make it out, but I had soooooooooooooo many unanswered questions it was unreal! I wanted more. I know this is a novella story, but it felt very incomplete how it ended. It was all happy go lucky, beach days, and surfing. However,  no mention of what happened to the ‘mystery’ the bodies, follow up on the mystery or even Makani herself.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, page-turning story with great characters, but the ending didn’t add up or  give a full conclusion  for me. That said, would I read more of this author’s work? Yes as I can clearly see that I would enjoy it, and have downloaded another! 3 enjoyable stars a great intro to a new author to read. I recommend it to all those who like mystery stories it’s a really quick novella read too.

Series Name: Perceptions of Glass

Book #1 Name: Watching Glass Shatter

Book #2 Name: Hiding Cracked Glass (cover reveal for this one)

Publication for Book #2:

Next Chapter, October 8th, 2020

PreSale / Amazon Link:

Pending from Publisher

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54399989-hiding-cracked-glass

About the Book

An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for?

In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?

Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light.

Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.

About The Author

Background

James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, an historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote some short stories, poems and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career in technology and business that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I refocused some of my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing and publishing.

Author

Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind and my body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full length novels and stories. My current focus is family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels and suspense thrillers. I think of characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.

Reader & Reviewer

Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever present in my day. I read 2 books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review and post it on all my sites and platforms.

Blogger & Thinker

I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.

Genealogist & Researcher

I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others; and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.

Websites & Blog

Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/

Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com

Amazon: http://bit.ly/JJCIVBooks

Next Chapter Pub: https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/james-j-cudney

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/james-j-cudney

Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonCampusMysteries/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsMyTruthNow/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jamescudney4/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescudney4/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jamescudney4

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4

Genres, Formats & Languages

I write in the family drama and mystery genres. My first two books are Watching Glass Shatter (2017) and Father Figure (2018). Both are contemporary fiction and focus on the dynamics between parents and children and between siblings. I’m currently writing the sequel to Watching Glass Shatter. I also have a light mystery series called the Braxton Campus Mysteries with six books available.

All my books come in multiple formats (Kindle, physical print, large print paperback, and audiobook) and some are also translated into foreign languages such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German.

Goodreads Book Links

Watching Glass Shatter (October 2017)

Father Figure (April 2018)

Braxton Campus Mysteries

• Academic Curveball – #1 (October 2018)
• Broken Heart Attack – #2 (November 2018)
• Flower Power Trip – #3 (March 2019)
• Mistaken Identity Crisis – #4 (June 2019)
• Haunted House Ghost – #5 (October 2019)
• Frozen Stiff Drink – #6 (March 2020)