Tag Archives: book review

Book Review-‘An Affair In Las Vegas’ Book #1, By Rachell Nichole (Romance) 4 ‘Adorable’ Stars! #amreading #romance

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We have some rainy and stormy weather today, my son’s birthday party is called off as he is very ill and sleepy, what else is there to do but read? Recommended to me by Kindle Unlimited ‘An Affair in Las Vegas’ I stumbled across this romance series, and it was a good recommendation. I have never read this author’s work and to be honest it was very surprisingly different! Read in a few short hours also, I am for sure reading more. Let’s get into the review.

 

Blurb

Does what happens in Vegas truly stay in Vegas?

Dawn has only ever wanted one thing: to provide a life for her daughter in New York City, away from the small-town minds of her family and her upbringing. She has fought hard to become hotel manager, and one of her first duties is to attend a conference at the Marietta Las Vegas. But when she meets Barnaby, the man with the job she’s always wanted, there was one thing she didn’t count on. A sizzling attraction that won’t be denied.

Barnaby has always had one goal in life: to help people. He’s found his calling as manager of the Marietta Times Square, and since his past failed relationship, has focused all of his energy on being the best manager he can be. This year, that means helping to run the Marietta Hotels second annual Hoteliers’ Conference in Vegas. But as soon as he notices Dawn in the crowd, his focus instantly splits, his desires for her swift and fierce.

When he realizes the attraction is mutual, he doesn’t waste any time seducing her to his bed. But when he suspects she’s hiding something from him, he worries that maybe he’s just destined to attract two-timing women to his life.

Can what began as a fling in Vegas turn into something more once they’re home in New York? Or does what happen in Vegas truly stay in Vegas?

 

Kim’s Review 4 ‘so different and adorable’ stars

I really enjoyed and liked the first part of this series,  as a first time reader  I liked  how the story picked up quickly  it had good pacing for me. I also really enjoyed that the author decided to spin a rather different tale, featuring a single mother who goes on to find a man who is so good for her and her daughter.

Without giving too many spoilers both characters Dawn and Barnaby have their own ‘baggage’ from past relationships. However this does not come to surface until they need to depart the conference they meet at. The push and pull and tension was enjoyable and realistic to read.  Overall I feel that the issues both characters had from the past, and even relationships with their parents really helped to develop the story, and their reactions to events that happen in the story.

I also really enjoyed the character’s themselves, Barney is such an unassuming man…not to mention a bit of a freak in the sheets!! He is slightly older than Dawn and his sexual experience showed, I enjoyed the way the author played on this. He is also British so as a British reader I liked it!

Dawn is a like-able and very relate-able  younger female, her background, current place in life and attitude to survival felt realistic and enjoyable to read. 

The story also had a very good twist at the end to bring the two together, as they depart ‘leaving what happens in Vegas in Vegas’ , and they don’t part on good terms. But all ends up well with unexpected twists.

Overall, this was a very  steamy, different and adorable story line that ends well. It’s also rather steamy in places too which I did enjoy!  I will be reading the rest of the Las Vegas Series, but first ‘An Affair Across Times Square’s’ blurb at the back of this book looks good,  following a murder trial I’ll start here with this book.

Four really good, adorable and enjoyable stars from me.

Free on Kindle Unlimited too!

 

Book Review; ‘When Love Matters’ ( Non-Fiction), by Jessica Minasian – 3.5 stars

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This was a super quick read a few hours if that. Thank you to NetGallery for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I found this an interesting approach to love and relationships,  but unbalanced for the average reader. Let’s get into the review.

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Kim’s Review 3.5 Interesting Stars

Well, after browsing the non fiction section the cover and title caught my eye for sure. The blurb also pulled me in, as well as the advance praise for the book. With my own interest in universal laws and esoteric subjects, I was so intrigued at how this could be connected to relationships, love and even the concept of ‘soul mates’.

Here’s what  I loved

  • The logic.
  • The alternative way of looking at relationships,  love and connecting with others.
  • The idea of a ‘practical’ informative book, using science.
  • This book is for everyone no matter your relationships status.

I  enjoyed the scientific aspect of this book to start with as I read, as it touches on astronomy, how the universe, planets and solar system work. Areas I naturally enjoy this made it very easy for me to follow the direction of the book. However, while it helped hold my interest personally,  it also hindered the book’s overall purpose and main direction – to help others and inspire them when it comes to love and relationships, regardless of  being married, single or looking for love. I felt the heavy delivery of science took the book in a different direction, almost a pure academic direction. Given the genre, I  feel more balance between science and ‘self-help’ ‘inspiration’ is needed.

I would imagine an average reader who does not have GREAT interest or even knowledge in astronomy, astrology or the science of the universe and its function might become turned off quickly.  In addition even if you love these things like me, this probably is not what you may expect, or even hope to read mostly about, based on the book’s blurb and gene.  Too much science  took away the beauty of ‘self help’ and ‘inspiration’ when it comes to the subject matter of relationships, love and soulmates. This was the main downfall for me as a reader.  Too much science, less practical every day language and content.

Overall, it is a very interesting read ( if you like science), and the concept is intriguing, but the approach to delivering the  message  could be better balanced, for general readers and just generally.  Sadly, the book does need a bit more formatting and editing for readability too. But if you love the subject matter of the universe and it’s function, how it impacts on life here on earth this could be for you.  Note that the ‘ inspiration’ or practical ‘self help’ may not be fully gained, due to the balance of the content. 3.5 stars from me. More balance could have easily increased my enjoyment and overall star rating!

Book Review; ‘Stone De La Bru’ by Peter Mack (Crime Fiction) 5 ‘need more’stars!

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Oh I just love crime fiction and thriller! Well, what do we have here? This is a short novella as an introduction to the full novel S’Murda At Sweetwater Manor. I found this book in a Facebook group, free on Kindle Unlimited, I very much enjoyed it and downloaded the full novel. Let’s get into it!

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Stone Sweetwater plans to marry the last virgin in Los Angeles and adopt his murdered friend’s daughter. When a tenant of an apartment unit he owns is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose his secrets. He offers a reward to the tenants of Sweetwater Manor to find the killer before an eager detective.

 

 

 

 

Kim’s Review- 5 ‘Need To Read More’ Stars

I have never read this author’s work, and like you all know I love this genre, the cover and blurb pulled me in. There’s a murder? We don’t know who done it? Okay I’m interested! Let’s get to the bottom of the mystery.  This is a seventy-two page beauty of an introduction, I instantly connected to the story. The blurb does not give much away, but here’s what I loved.

Story line- it seems like this may be one of those past paced, yet complex ‘who dun-it’ crime mystery/thrillers. From the seventy- two pages I read I was drawn in, it held my attention. The plot itself surrounds Stone, his new affiliation with Bru Familia and rise in the ranks, and also real life- he’s  about to get married and not sure if he should, he also now has the new responsibility of raising the small child of  his murdered friend. Overall, a very good taste of what could be in the full novel.

While all this is going on and we follow his investigations and new affiliation, another body shows up *face palm*.  Stone was close to this murdered female also. They are dropping like flies. But what’s the connection? Is how I felt as I read I need more!

Characters- I immediately liked Stone, because he came across as a very street smart young man,  with a lot of money, respect, powerful and on a mission. But not your typical mean ‘thug in the streets’ and stereotypical ‘gangster’ at all. He seemed level headed, and not someone who is after the wrong things in life with his status, he was humble. I like him. He also seems extremely respectful towards women. For me as a reader I’m not keen on  reading a man in crime, street lit, urban fiction etc who thinks all women are, are ‘bitches and hoes.’ it turns me off, I never got that from him.

The secondary characters  like Stone’s mother, sister and the other female characters all have their own ‘sass’, and were like-able to read and meet. The wife to be though, I’m not sure about her and her game.  I am interested to see how she develops in the full novel.

Overall, from just the seventy-two page novella I read in one sitting, it left me wanting to read the full novel. I found the story engaging, one that could potentially deliver more than expected and rather gripping. I do love a good ‘who dun-it-‘ and really look forward to more. I would recommend this book to all crime/thriller lovers, those who enjoy mafia involvement, links over seas with other nationalities involving organised crime, like the experience of the crime underworld, and want something different other than petty low level drug dealing and street crime in a crime fiction read! Great attention grabber five stars from me.

Book Review: 3 stars – Willow #2 (Romantic Comedy) by Daphne Hargrow

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Publication Date: February 27th, 2019

Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Romantic Comedy

Length: 256 Pages

Blurb

How does a woman enjoy the company of a man without committing to a long-term relationship? Easy, love him for ninety days and leave him.

Willow gave up on love a long time ago, but she hasn’t given up on sex. So, to keep her chakras aligned and life force flowing, she abides by her tried-and-true rule: love him for ninety days and leave him. Consequently, she can feed her body while protecting her heart.

Willow’s practice of purposeful detachment serves her well until she sets her sights on Kendall’s friend Josh. Even though Josh expresses interest in Willow, he wants a more traditional relationship than she’s willing to give.

Despite their apparent differences, the universe seems to have other plans for the couple as their lives become increasingly intertwined. When Willow finally decides to follow the universe’s lead, she’s betrayed by her ninety-day rule and must rethink her life plan or face the future alone.

 

Book Review – 3 stars

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Thank you to R&R Book tours for a free Author Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I recommend this book to those who genuinely like romantic comedies,  as I was reading through there were some moments that I found amusing, and at times did more than turn the corners of my lips into an amused smile. I don’t often read this genre,  but I do enjoy it. The last book I did read in this genre well over a year ago (written by a man too!) really made  me want to read more romantic comedies. I was drawn to the blurb of this book and genre as I thought, ‘this sounds funny’ and also it reminded me of the movie Act Like a Lady , Think Like a Man with the 90 day rules, in reverse!  Overall, it is well written, some areas are amusing, and the writing goes in many directions with the plot. That said it took me one month to read less than 250 pages, I struggled a tiny bit at times to connect…I closed the book, reflected for a few days and settled on 2.5 – 3 stars based on my reading experience, and the story itself. While it was an okay reading experience, some stories call you more than others, I kept reading as I did want to see how it ended up, by the end I had three main areas that I found a little difficult  1. the story line 2. reality 3. the main female character herself…. here goes! ( I do recommend this book to romantic comedy lovers to check out though).

Story line & Reality; Willow is thirty, and has sworn off love due to a bad experience maybe ten years ago with an ex, but is happy to have sex with guys for just 90 days. To cut a very long story short there is a family gathering coming  up a wedding.  This messes with her rules, her mother does not want her to attend alone, as her grandmother will nag her ( the mother) and Willow for being a ‘spinster’. To not rehash the story or give spoilers, basically Willow’s mother tells her grandmother she has a boyfriend, a man they both know to stop her nagging.  This puts Willow in a ‘situation’ as you can imagine. As she moves on from this guy, the mother tells the grandma she has a new man, which of course Willow does not. At the family gathering Willow is forced to ‘act’ with the guy for the sake of what her grandmother will think. The  guy has no idea about Willow’s rules either.

Hmmm I’m a mother and I tried to imagine telling my mum, (my son’s gran) that he has a girlfriend who she  knows, to shut her up and stop her nagging him and me about him being single. I also tried to imagine my mum telling my gran, that I have a boyfriend to shut her up too.  As I was reading I found it a little hard to imagine any mother including myself, putting their child in this situation for the sake of  trying to stop ‘nagging’ over their child being single. I had a few other areas of the story line that I found hard to connect with.

Reality:  The romance genre is battered for having stories that are unrealistic, or ‘ insta-love’ between characters.  I don’t mind a bit of insta-love as a reader or as a writer either, but the reality of  it is important. The guy Willow’s drama surrounds is a man she met a year ago, at another wedding, slept with and never saw  or heard from him for a year- he never called her. Then, one year later they meet, have sex a few times,  circumstances throw them in each other’s circle, then all of a sudden (a matter of weeks maybe) ‘he loves her’,  she does not love him, but is pushed to tell him she does in order for the drama to settle.  I found the element of reality around their relationship as f*ck buddies vs love, and Willow being pushed a little hard to connect with too. Based on reality of not seeing someone for one year, having sex a few times and all of a sudden, it’s love.

Main character: ahhhh Willow…. she came across as a free spirited girl from a wealthy background, who smokes a lot of weed which gets her into trouble, and blames her need for sex on her ‘chakras’, she meditates to detach herself from men. I just could not connect with this chick or her motives.

This is just my experience as a reader, but I do recommend you check out this book and series if you really dig romantic comedy, don’t mind insta love, and Willow sounds like someone you’d find amusing. Final thoughts 2.5 -3 stars, there are areas that made me laugh, a little, the story has many different dynamics to it to keep you reading.  However, reality, time frame, and character development are areas that could be developed a tiny bit for me to of had a 4- 5 star reading experience. 

I do wish this author a lot of success with her series and hope she finds the perfect readership for her work. Romantic comedy lovers check her out!

Meet the Author

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Daphne Hargrow is a romance writer, avid reader, and novice yogi. She has also published a few young adult novels under a different name. When Daphne is not writing, thinking about writing, or reading about writing, she watches YouTube conspiracy videos and dreams of the day when she, too, can join the ranks of the Illuminati.

Author Website https://daphnehargrow.com/

Bad Reviews- In My View They Ain’t So Bad! #MFRW

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So it’s Monday and like clockwork I woke up at 7.00a.m after snoozing the alarm a few times, with a list as long as my arm, with things I want to complete today, in order to have a productive writing day. For one we’re one week into National Novel Writing Month, I’m participating this year, while I have 20,000 words down I’m still not quite happy with all of it, I have emails to respond to, one half of a story for The Suspenseful Collection #2 to write…. before tomorrow!  And let’s not forget the ‘day job writing’ also… I’m a translator by day!

Waking up to this list,  I knew today would be busy, right on cue my five year old son moseys into my room, jumps under the covers…”mama, I’m sick.” I sigh, roll my eyes, peel his warm five year old body off me and look him in the eye, then ask what’s wrong? He  holds his legs in the air like a tent under the covers. When he was born he had complications with his legs, now it’s fine but  I take his complaints seriously. I roll over thinking ” no school looks like today’s a sick day then, some much for productivity.”

It’s lunch time, what is he doing as I write this writing response?  Dancing and singing (rather loudly) to the Lion King movie, before that it was Frozen the movie. What else has he done today, given me firm instructions to leave my desk, to play kick the ball in the garden , attacked the washing line then ran around the house with my bra on his head, pretending he’s a “pirate of the Caribbean.” Clearly, there is nothing wrong with the little shit, boy… whoops sorry. He just fancies a day off to watch Disney all day, and disrupt his mama!

So I may as well do a writing prompt as it’s clear I won’t get to focus on any manuscripts until this evening after bed time…. sighs #shoutoutallparents.

 Bad Reviews, How They Can Help?

So bad reviews? The question  and writing prompt this week is how to overcome them. In all honesty, I don’t think bad reviews are really that bad as you grow as a writer. You soon learn that you can’t, should not try to, and DO NOT EVER want to try to write to please everyone, it’s impossible. If you do that, you’ll lose who you are as a writer,why YOU WRITE and you’ll have no idea of who you actually please- your target market and actually create sales, and a readership.

I also say this as I personally feel as a writer you get to a point where a bad review, you realise does so much more than make you feel bad if you have done the best you can on your work. 1. a review is a review whether good or bad, and sometimes the odd 1 star or someone not feelin’ your work shows a genuine picture or balanced picture. 2. a bad review can cause other people to pick up your book, out of curiosity anyway. How many times have you read reviews on somethings you wish to purchase, or a new product you wish to try and noticed the odd bad one or less positive review but decided ‘I think I want to give this a try, and see for myself.’ 3. it can also allow you to see what someone did not enjoy, genuinely as  long as they are not just on a bitchfest for no good reason.

So… how could you overcome a bad review?

I feel there  is the difference between a ‘moaning’ review and a genuine less positive review that’s more like ‘ this is critique that’s useful.’ I also feel it’s our job as a writer to weed out the two. If you can do this, that’s half the job of ‘overcoming’ a bad review. If the person is just going on, and on, and on, and on about why they hated your work with no real depth to it just…. just “hatin”’ on your work, disregard it and see that they are ‘moaning’. Instead pay attention to those who seem to be more realistic in their less positive review, and see what’s of use for you to know. Even then, take what’s helpful and leave the rest and focus on writing the next book.

Lastly, try  recognise if you have just sadly attracted the ‘wrong reader’ I hate to say this, sometimes it happens. It has happened to me, and I have also been the wrong type of reader for other books. This is when the book calls you,  the cover, blurb, genre whatever…you dive in and the connection is not there. If you can recognise within less positive reviews if this is ‘the wrong kind of reader, not someone you’d hope to attract or genuinely  a target reader’ for your work, this helps you to overcome bad reviews also. It is also helpful to define for  yourself as a writer who is, potentially could be, and definitely is not a target reader for you. Within the less positive reviews.

This is my honest approach to this subject that so many of us writers lose sleep over… a bad review pifff… I don’t allow it to bug me out so much these days. I take what I need and leave the rest, and know that it’s impossible to please all, and I would not ever want to, how the hell do I stand out if I do that?

Take what’s helpful, leave the rest. Just like when your work is rejected by a publisher, or an agent or an editor requests your work …but asks you to make what you would call major changes….that you’re not really feeling. Leave it if it does not help or changes your work too much in your view in a way you’d not really want it to. There will be someone out there that will say ‘yes, gimmie that’ as it is, you just have to find them.

Lastly, don’t ever lose your confidence over a bad review, once you develop that thick skin, this is impossible to happen anyway. But on the way to getting to this place of thick skinned and unflappable, don’t beat yourself up if someone did not connect, as remember you write for those that do connect.

 

Book Review: Seven Sundays To Sweet Inner Serenity (Non- Fiction) by LaNae Goolsby- 5 Brilliant Stars @URWorthTheLove

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About the Book

Title: Seven Sundays to Sweet Inner Serenity

Author: LeNae Goolsby

Genre: Nonfiction (Body, Mind & Soul)

Seven Sundays to Sweet Inner Serenity provides an experiential journey where mental and emotional vibrations rise and conscious awareness expands. Personal power is reclaimed and peace restored with each chapter and each sweet serenity tip.

My Review: 5 Brilliant Stars

Thank you to Enchanted Book Promotions for an ARC in exchange for an honest review….

I do love a non-fiction book based on personal development and growth, that said not all of them deliver for one reason or another. I read this book in one whole sitting, in one evening, on a Sunday and really felt good after reading it. I then tried to find a Facebook like page …  It really did deliver (for me personally). This is not a ‘religious’ book in anyway shape or form, even though it does refer to some quotes from the Bible, it is more to help with emphasis on the advice. Which is good, I am not a religion follower more spiritual, so this will suit those with this view point.

What I really loved about this short read of around fifty or so pages firstly is the author’s writing style, straight forward, more informal and very personal. There was even humour  which did make me chuckle. It felt like the author was talking to me, rather than at me,  the flow and style was really easy to read. I also really loved the fact that the book is 100 %  practical hands-on, rather than all theory. I often find this is what lacks in some non-fiction self help books in the mind, body and soul genre, the practical element. This powerful little book will provide you with examples, ways to approach things and actual ‘homework’ to work on each week, should you decide to read it over seven weeks. Which made it a very practical book and very empowering while reading. The author advises readers to read over seven weeks, but if you do read in one sitting like me go back do each tip each week over seven weeks- which I am doing!

While some of the practices were not new to me,  when it came to The Law of Attraction and The Universe etc, due to the way the author has put together such a practical book for readers, anyone who is new to these practices will be VERY empowered and motivated as a new comer . They will also have a good starting point which they can then follow up with further reading and discovery.  That said, I did learn a few new things, I  pulled out my journal while I  read and wrote them down, out of the seven week tips I did find two- three things to add to my daily and weekly positive well-being and outlook on life.

Overall, I’m giving this non-fiction mind, body and soul genre book five brilliant stars as it is well written, easy to use, it is extremely practical and fills a gap where some books in this genre of this subject matter lack, for a new comer or first time reading of this genre it is an ideal starting place to change your life, mind, and well-being/ inner peace in just fifty pages! The author is writing  two other books of this nature on success, I have signed up for the newsletter so I can hear when it is released! I will be reading more. I recommend this book of magic to anyone who wants to make a real positive change in their life or maintain the positive changes they have made. Also, anyone interested / curious in spirituality and Laws of Attraction. I loved everything about this book I can’t fault it, five brilliant stars for a powerful book and very like-able and relate-able author.

About The Author:

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LeNae Goolsby is the Founder/Owner of www.LeNaeGoolsby.com, the host of Empowered Living with LeNae which is syndicated on 50 global networks, as well as the Practice Administrator/Director of New Business Development for www.YourInfiniteHealth.com

In addition to running these successful ventures, LeNae is a wife, mother, artist, writer, oracle of the pragmatic persuasion, calm cultivator and energy healer.

LeNae received her certificate from the Duke University Integrative Medicine Center Leadership Development Program in February 2017, and her law degree from Tulane University Law School in 2010. And somewhere between Tulane and Duke she completed her universal law-centric coaching studies and honed her intuitive abilities.

LeNae is also an expert and writer for www.YourTango.com. She is the author of Seven Sundays to Sweet Inner Serenity, and is on the cusp of releasing “Empowered Medicine – Harnessing the Infinite Laws of the Universe for Optimized Health,” which she co-wrote with her husband. She is also working on her next book, Seven Sundays to Money Manifesting Mastery.

Links

Website: www.LeNaeGoolsby.com

Where to Purchase: https://books.pronoun.com/seven-sundays-to-sweet-inner-serenity/

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Book Review: Workings Of Energy In The Human Energy Field (Non-Fiction) by Dr. Z. Gojkovic 5 *Stars #amreading

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Title: The Workings of Energy in the Human Energy Field: A Psychic’s Perspective

Author: Zorica Gojkovic

Genre: Nonfiction

The happenings in your life are not erratic, whimsical occurrences. They are external expressions of the content of your energy field.

Before there is matter, there is energy. Your thoughts, beliefs, history and soul attributes exist as energy in your energy field. They create the reality that you know. When you change the content of your energy field, you change your life.

The Workings of Energy shows you how energy operates in your energy field and offers tools to successfully work with energy. When you have this crucial knowledge, you have power; you can consciously work with energy to create your life.

My Review:

Thank you to Enchanted Book Promotions for an ARC copy, in exchange for an honest review.

As a believer in “the universe” and its impact on our life, mind, body and soul this book really resonated with me. You don’t have to have this POV, or spiritual view point to enjoy this book. This is because this book  (to me)  is an advisory and informative book that can  help anyone. It can  guide you in many positive ways, even if you have never read about or believe in the universe, or these spiritual view points.  I read this book in one whole sitting one evening, that particular day was not a great one for me.  After reading I felt more in touch with what I needed to do, to shake the negative feelings. The next morning I woke up refreshed, empowered and most of all motivated.

I’m giving this book five wonderful and well deserved stars, as for me as a reader I experienced empowerment after reading. It also left me with some things to explore via journaling as well as some practical and informative tips to remain centred , so I can  carry out my important roles as a human, woman and mother. It was also really interesting to learn how psychics interpret things about people. I learned about energy and what this actually means. In many non-fiction books the word “energy” is mentioned a lot, yet many fail to address what this actually is, and which “layer” is relative to what kind of energy we have as people. I also learned and now understand “aura” , and how your thoughts, feelings and actions (good or bad) impact on the “aura”  you have as  a human, and project to others… also where the aura is! This little book   packs a punch as a good pick me up. I see myself dipping into this later down the line in life. Very interesting, very empowering, I felt good for reading it. I recommend this book to everyone, especially those who enjoy self discovery, ways to be centred or need a little pick me up reference to remain positive. Love and light for everyone in this short non-fiction book.

About the Author:

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Zorica Gojkovic, Ph.D., is a professional psychic consulting with people all over the world.She received her Ph.D. in English. Her dissertation is about evolution of  consciousness, mysticism and physics as they relate to the novel. Giving psychic readings has significantly expanded this original research. By reading energy in their aura, she helps clients heal core issues, realize their soul potential and experience ever-greater joy, love and peace.

More information and resources are available on her website, http://www.thetimeoflight.com .

Excerpt #1

“Nikola Tesla said, “If you want to know the mysteries of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, vibration . . . .” Who would have thought that giving psychic readings would have been a way for me to see this flow and action of energy, a way to discover the mysteries of the universe—and much more? Yet, that is exactly what happened.

I was born clairvoyant, but it was not until much later in life I officially began to use this ability by giving psychic readings. Those early days were filled with wide-eyed awe and nonstop discoveries. They permanently changed my life.

I was looking at people psychically and seeing them as maps of energy. I saw how they were constructed of energy. On top of that energy, the physical reality and earthly experience were built. (It is similar to adding the rest of the house once the frame is built.) Looking at this flow of energy, I was finally able to understand why we are who we are, why we are the way we are and why our lives are the way they are—and all this in the context of our relationship to the divine. These were answers to questions I had asked decades ago standing in front of my locker in high school mystified at the nonsensicalness of the world. Miraculously I believed that at some deeper level all this apparent nonsense had to make sense. My tacit life purpose was to discover this deeper level. I started to find answers a few years later, but it wasn’t until I started giving psychic readings that it all came together, when psychically I saw the entire picture.

It was amazing to see how obvious the causes of people’s problems were from this psychic, energy point of view. Even more amazing to see was that the solutions were just as obvious.

I was also in awe of the way each of us is a part of the divine whole and cannot be anything else. There is no separation from Source, just different forms of energy, vibration, frequency. Nothing exists outside All That Is. We are always in It, a part of It. Having psychically seen how we are softly ensconced in All That Is continues to give me hope and comfort even in the most difficult times.”  (pgs. 15-17)

Excerpt #2

”In sessions with clients I continuously move back and forth psychically looking at the human situation and the human perspective and at the divine potential and the divine perspective. Over the years it has become obvious that regardless of the type of difficulty the client faces, the solution is always for the personality to come into more perfect alignment with its soul truth, the Truth of All That Is and align with the fundamental laws of the universe. In this way the human personality is in the best possible position to experience greatest fulfillment in earthly life. It is also in the best possible position to experience greatest soul evolution.

In general, human evolution is a process whereby the human being becomes more and more aware of her divine nature until all the lessons have been learned and the soul no longer needs to incarnate in this earthly realm and can move on to higher levels of learning and experience.

Knowledge of how energy operates in the human energy is a way to consistently come into greater and greater alignment with your divine nature. You use your knowledge of how energy operates to continually transform your earthly challenges and problems into higher consciousness. Through this means you continually come into greater and greater alignment with your divine nature. You progressively become who you really are in truth. Knowing, expressing, being your divine self offers peace and fulfillment.”  (pgs. 21-22)

Excerpt #3

“Everything about you, at the core, is energy. Your thoughts, feelings, intentions, reactions, desires, responses—whatever you generate—exist as energy in your energy field. Every little thing that ever happened to you is recorded and exists as energy in your aura.”  (pg. 31)

 

The Workings of Energy in the Human Energy Field, Gojkovic

 

 

Book Review: Accidental Lawyer (Crime Fiction) by Kim Hamilton 5+ stars … Laaawrd! That Was Funny! @KHamiltonBooks

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Lawyer 2

About the Book

Title: Accidental Lawyer

Author: Kim Hamilton

Genre: Crime Fiction

Set in the brilliant and diverse city of Baltimore, Accidental Lawyer, is a humorous, often irreverent portrayal of the dubious practice of personal injury law. Jessica Snow has a crisp new law degree, a grinding ambition, and a pesky moral compass that is often at odds with her new job as an ambulance chaser. Her face and name appear on billboards and buses throughout the city, and if that isn t enough to embarrass her mother, there s a television commercial in the works. Her elevated status has her wrangling with a local mob boss, duping a drug dealer, and confronting phony clients. With the help of her bold and brassy sidekick, Kari, Jess develops a remarkable proclivity for this ignoble profession by wrapping up difficult cases and finding new business in unexpected places. When trumped-up murder charges are brought against her boss, she faces her biggest challenge yet tracking down a killer. Along the way, Jess builds a new kind of family for herself, her own tribe, made up of friends, colleagues and clients, many of whom are sure to raise eyebrows at her mother s dinner table.

My Review:

 

Thank you to Enchanted Book Promotions for the ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest review. I’m also very sorry Kim that my review is a little late forgive me 🙂

How the hell do you write a crime fiction story filled with humour, a touch of romance and not fall flat on delivery?…. I’m baffled, and very very impressed, as well as excited to read more from Kim. Accidental Lawyer is a true ” who-dun-it” crime fiction story with suspense, that’s also filled with humour due to the characters and their traits. Trust me it works, you may think wait wait…. that’s not why we read crime fiction/thriller/suspense for humour? Read this and you will. I enjoyed every moment of this book as a reader from my experience. It was refreshing to read as a massive crime fiction/ thriller lover, due to the humour and touch of romance, totally different to the norm.  The level of creativity in the plot to keep you guessing is really powerful.

I’m giving Accidental Lawyer 5+ stars because… well why not is the question?  This author has created a story that’s fast paced, engaging  with great characters. It’s impeccably written also. There’s a variety of lovable characters that will make you laugh out loud. My favourite was Mrs. Bianco a retired, Italian- American  landlady who never seems to remove her housecoat,  with her handgun and cigarettes tucked in the pocket. I also loved Kari, Delroy  and of course Jess. Mrs. Bianco  is close with Jess as her neighbour and central to the story, the parts with these characters sitting on the porch drinking port had me in stitches. Another thing I’d like say in my personal reading experience about the characters is, Kim has created characters that  feel so very real from an inner- city environment. I found myself reading her bio again as I read, I wanted to know where she is from… as the characters (for me) felt so alive, very real.

Overall, this is a laugh out loud novel, that’s true to the genre of  crime fiction/ murder mystery, that will keep you turning pages. I never guessed the who -dun -it,  the plot is not see-through, I was shocked when I found out in the last chapter as there’s a twist. Kim is truly talented, I would for sure read her work again without any hesitation. I recommend Accidental Lawyer to crime fiction lovers who want something different from the norm, with lots of suspense also. Good job 5 + stars for this page turner Kim! Can’t wait for the next one.

 

Kim

 

Author Bio

KIM HAMILTON was born in the D.C. suburbs and currently resides outside of Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, where they raised their two daughters. After beginning a legal career in real estate, an unusual set of circumstances thrust her into the family’s personal injury law firm. She spent ten inglorious years there as an ambulance chaser—an experience from which she has almost fully recovered. Accidental Lawyer is her first novel.

 

Links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Lawyer-Kim-Hamilton/dp/1946920150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503751718&sr=8-1&keywords=accidental+lawyer

 

Book Review: Is Love Enough by Taryn Steele (Contemporary Romance) 3*

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Taryn S

About the Book

Title: Is Love Enough

Author: Taryn Steele

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Hillary thought her marriage was bright and full of life but after a devastating miscarriage and a manipulative mother-in-law, the magic Hillary and Jameson once had is starting to crumble.

Their eight year old daughter, Maryn, begs to have a Twitter account just so she can follow her favorite pop star Justin Bieber. After much consideration and debate Hillary sets up an account, but what Hillary never counted on was finding Derek. A man who seems to understand her better than her husband.

Is Jameson’s love enough to save his marriage once Derek is revealed? Or will it be too much and too late for Hillary?

My  Review:

Thank you to Enchanted Book Promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Hmmm this was an interesting story,  it highlights a lot of what couples go through in a very realistic way.  What happens when the love fades away? Do you seek and look outside the relationship? Consider  an open marriage? Therapy? Or call it a day? This is what I enjoyed as I was reading, it felt like a good dose of reality playing out. I was engaged, felt like I could connect well with Hillary due to some of her likes, and who she is as a woman. Hilary came across as a very modern woman. All be it, a little unsure of herself as she did not ooze confidence, as a reader it led me to believe this is partly why she entertains Derek.

There is a bit of a twist to this story in terms of who and what Derek is, I don’t like spoilers so I’ll keep quiet about that! It was entertaining to see this twist and also unexpected, I enjoyed the twist.

What would have been nice is to hear the point of view of Jameson (Hilary’s husband), as he plays such a big part in the couple’s reality. And to flesh out what happened with the dramatic  ending with Derek, that could have been great reading! Not to mention Derek’s wife and the contact she mades… woah! So much drama could be added.

Overall I’m giving Is Love Enough 3* as it’s a quick short read, engaging and told in first person. Therefore you get up close to Hilary. It was enjoyable mostly to read, there were some gripping parts and it touches on reality. However it could have been fleshed out with Jameson’s POV, he had a part to play in why he and Hilary ended up as a couple where they did. And Derek’s dramatic ending etc…. But it’s an enjoyable story.

 

ILE.jpg

 

Author Bio

By day, Taryn is a dedicated wife and mother who works full time. By night, she continues her wife and mother duties, while plugging away at the keyboard to bring her stories and characters to life.
Taryn is an avid reader. If a story sucks her in she will stay up all hours of the night to finish it. Her favorite part of reading is when her rescue dog Ruby curls up with her.
Taryn is a big sports fan. Being a New Englander all of her life her heart belongs to the Boston Red Sox. When it comes to hockey, she follows her husband’s family and supports the Montreal Canadiens.
If you have a love/hate relationship with coffee, wine or beer like Taryn she will instantly befriend you.

Links

www.facebook.com/AuthorTarynS

 

www.twitter.com/AuthorTarynS

 

www.instagram.com/authortarynsteele

 

www.authortarynsteele.com

 

 

 

 

 

Authors, If You’d Like A Read & Review and Interview With Conscious Talk Magazine Let Us Know. #authors #spotlight #amreading #amwriting

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In the run up to launch day (30th August), I’ve had a brainwave. I love to read, and so do a lot of us over at CTM.  We also love to support authors, by helping with publicity for them and their work. My Bookish News & Reviews columnists and I are now offering a read, review & interview service, to all authors of all genres. This is a paid service, however we are nowhere near as expensive as many our rate is just $25.00 USD  per book.

What will authors get.

  • Any book read and reviewed within one month of acceptance.
  • A review published in an issue of CTM.
  • A review posted on Amazon, Goodreads and anywhere else the author would like.
  • An author interview published in CTM also.
  • The review &  book cover tweeted and shared on Facebook to CTM followers by the CTM official page, and all columnists who write for us will share!

Here is a bit about CTM:

Details: Conscious Talk Magazine will launch its first online edition in August 2017, (we aim to become a print version magazine also). Conscious Talk Magazine is a proud online multi-cultural and diverse global magazine, covering a range of topics. There is something for everyone. Readers will find interesting thought provoking articles, from health and wellbeing , fashion and beauty, bookish news and reviews, sex and relationships, men’s issues, finance,  travel, international news, music, LGBT, film and entertainment to name  just a few. We have a team of talented and diverse writers from all corners of the globe, and walks of life, here to entertain, support and empower our reader’s mind, body and soul.  Conscious Talk Magazine is neutral and does not lean to one side politically, religiously or socially.  Conscious Talk Magazine is published twice a month on the 15th and 30th of each month.

Readership Target: 25-50 years old, male and female, globally situated. Conscious intelligent readers not after Hollywood gossip!

Note: The editor will turn down any books promoting racism, or any form of discrimination, child harm, rape, or underage sex. In fact, she’ll say NO to anything not suitable. Reviews will be honest, fair and balanced. 

Any author interested should contact me at editor@conscioustalkmag.com