New Book Reviews Blog Pages

The Dark Side of the Felt by Tylar Nals

the dark side of the felt, tyler nals
Review
Tylar Nals' "The Dark Side of the Felt" is about a man's journey through the world of underground poker. The main character details his many experiences playing underground games, including a game held in a twenty-something's parent's garage as everyone smoked weed (it became a factor during the game).

Nals has a knack for writing in a way that transfers the humor of the situation to the reader, and I found myself laughing out loud a number of times. The stories are engaging, and the author does a good job of capturing the suspense of the game. It's clear he knows poker like the back of his hand.

I would recommend this book to you if you want a fun, humorous book about the life of an underground poker player!

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The Legacy of Fear (Horror at the Lake book 1) by Vanessa A. Ryan

the legacy of fear, horror at the lake, a vampire tale, vanessa a. ryan
Review
Vanessa A. Ryan's “The Legacy of Fear” is a vampire story that incorporates elements of suspense and mystery and has an Egyptology theme. The protagonist, Susan Runcan, has some time her on hands, now that she has a hefty inheritance, and decides to write a book to clear the name of her archeologist grandfather Lindon Runcan.

When she heads to his mansion, a local landmark, in inland Southern California she finds herself in the midst of a years of secrets and intrigue, including mysterious killings. The book opens with a fair amount of back story and character development before letting the plot fully kick into gear, which I prefer rather than being thrust into a fast-paced plot without knowing the characters.

The Egyptology theme made this book feel unlike any vampire book I’ve read, in a good way. If you want a fresh vampire novel with interesting characters and a unique premise, then you’ll enjoy this book!

Anatomy of an Affair Part 1 by Melissa Martineau Alexander

anatomy of an affair, melissa martineau alexander
Review
Melissa Martineau Alexander’s “Anatomy Of An Affair: Part I” is a suspenseful romance novel that explores the development of a woman’s affair with her husband’s best friend. The protagonist, Lily, is a thirty-something who has it all – a beautiful daughter, a loving husband, a great job – yet has an affair. Rather than sweep the whole thing under the rug, Lily dissects the development of the affair, from first meeting her lover to their intimacy. One of the things I love about this book is how the narrator doesn’t point the blame for her affair and move on. Rather, she carefully examines everything that led to the affair, from her childhood to her earlier relationships to her marriage, with the hope of learning from it. The book is written in first-person with a very conversational style, which makes you feel like the narrator is right there talking with you. It is fascinating to learn every little detail of Lily’s life (some very surprising) and how they contribute to her actions. The author writes characters, especially Lily, Nick, and Kyle,with such developed back-stories that they seem like people you’ve known for awhile. Recommended for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with suspense and romance.

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Wladimir Klitschko (unauthorized biography) by Bill Redban

wladimir klitschko book, klitschko biography
Review
"Wladimir Klitschko | The Inspirational Story of Boxing Superstar Wladimir Klitschko" is an unauthorized biography that covers all aspects of Wladimir Klitschko's life, from his early life to his boxing career to his philanthropy, in a concise, straightforward manner.

As someone who doesn't like to be bogged down with stats when I read a sports biography, I appreciated how succinct the book is; the author really distilled it down to the essential details.

If you want an indepth look at Klitschko's life, this probably isn't the book for you. You'd be better off searching for the info you want on the internet. But if you want a quick, fun Klitschoko biography, you'll enjoy this.

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Leaves Piled High by Douglas Robbins

leaves piled high, douglas robbins
Review
Douglas Robbins' "Leaves Piled High" is a collection of short stories covering a wide range of topics. The stories vary dramatically in setting and characters. Although I enjoyed all of the stories, my favorite is "Unhappy Campers," which focuses on a married couple going camping on Labor Day weekend.

An unleashed dog causes a scene that pulls the story in an unexpected direction, and the ending really caught me off guard. The story asks a deep philosophical question that had me thinking long after the story was finished. A lot of the stories have deep themes that make you ponder as you read.

If you're looking for short stories with lots fantasy and action/adventure, this isn't the collection for you. These stories are grounded in reality and capture snippets of life that everyone experiences. I'd recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, character-driven short stories, look no further than "Leaves Piled High."



God Has Failed Me by K.M. Lessing

god has failed me, k m lessing, k.m. lessing

Review of "God Has Failed Me"

“God Has Failed Me,” by K.M. Lessing, is the true story of the author’s life, covering everything from her difficult relationship with her parents to her journey into the corporate workforce. The author, a self-described nihilist, writes the book from the perspective of someone who is disillusioned with society.

Lessing captures the evolution of her views as she ages with poignant writing and vivid descriptions. Sex and religion are recurring themes throughout "God Has Failed Me."

One of the more interesting topics covered in "God Has Failed Me," in my opinion, is mainstream Western romance. The author takes issue with monogamy portrayed by society. My favorite thing about the book is the author, by relaying her thoughts and experiences, makes the reader think. "God Has Failed Me" is a recommend read for anyone who wants to read a true story that’ll make you reflect on many of life’s important issues.

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Disenchanted by C.K. Farrell

the celtic vampyre saga, c.k. farrell, disenchanted
Review
"Disenchanted: Book One,"by C.K. Farrell, is a book that will surely delight Gothic lit fans. The story follows Faelynn LeCroix, a determined woman who wants to find those who killed her mother and kidnapped her father.

Her journey takes her to Nathaniel Valour, a powerful Irish vampyre, and their encounter raises more questions than it answers. I've always been a fan of more traditional, myth-oriented vampyre books, rather than the pop-culture vampire books, and this book is certainly more like the former. It has a cool Gothic feel to it. The plot is fast-paced, and the characters, especially Nathaniel, are fun to follow.

Recommended for anyone who likes Gothic literature and vampyre stories!

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The True Story of Human Evolutionary Genesis by Elvis Newman

Review
"The True Story of Human Evolutionary Genesis," by Elvis Newman, is a look at the origin's of humanity by investigating both genetics and history. The book walks you through the creation of the modern homo sapiens and their genetic makeup.

The book explores a wide variety of theories and ideas, even including lesser-known theories, such as the idea of human devolution.

One of the things I like most about the book is that it's written in an easy-to-understand manner and uses lots of examples and references to help you understand the ideas. A good read for anyone interested in the topic.

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On Distant Shores by Mark Harritt

on distant shores, mark harritt, book review blog
Review
Mark Harritt's On Distant Shores (Earth Exile Book 1) begins with an opening scene where a female dragon whose babies have died due to a disturbance lurks deep within a cave, furious and ready to hunt. Mike is a chief of a SpecOps team who is married but must leave his pregnant wife for a mission that suspiciously isn’t at all specified. The only information he receives is that it is in the US and requires five guys with TS and DOE clearances, and infantry backgrounds. Mike is jokingly referred to as a member of the “Geek Squad”, because they all have backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.

Mike and his team discover that they are test subjects for a new invention which is impressive on any scale. They couldn’t have been better test subjects, because they are so in shape, they are essentially athletes of the highest caliber. Although they don't mesh well with some of the "higher ups" in the mission, the crew love them and the invention looks promising. Further along in the book, it turns to the subject of  North Korea and their leader. North Korea causes a massive disturbance that touches Mike’s location and affects the whole mission. The scene flashes back to the original dragon scene, and spurs the intensity of the already frenzied situation. And so, a nightmarish hunt begins, in which Mike and everyone who was working with him is involved.

This book is a story of survival, chaos, heroic actions, and loss. The story is filled with dialogue between the team and the people they are working with, prodding the plot forward and keeping things fast-paced. The characters are well-developed and fleshed out as the story progressed. Although some of the elements are based on fantasy, the story remains believable and enjoyable. One can tell that the author has extensive knowledge of how the military works, between the military jargon and the team interactions.  This book is a good read for those who are interested in the military, survival, or action-packed literature.

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Gates of Perdition by R.P. Kraul

Review
“Gates of Perdition,” by R.P. Kraul, is a mystery thriller about a deft serial killer with a storied history. The killer is called the Indianhead River Killer, a man who suffered abuse as a child and now craves killing, although he hasn't resigned himself to this fate.

The protagonist is a complex, multi-layered character. In my opinion, “Gates of Perdition” is character-driven novel, with Kraul developing interesting backstories for many of the characters. The writing is descriptive, graphic and telling, effectively relaying scary, mysterious, and emotional scenes to the reader.

The plot is paced well, with ample time for development of the story before crescendoing. I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to read a serial killer novel with developed characters and tight descriptive writing.

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The Little Silver Book | Interviewing by D. Neil Berdiev

Review
"The Little Silver Book," by D. Neil Berdiev, is a comprehensive guide on maximizing your job interview. This book really runs the gamut, covering everything from networking to business writing skills to the actual interview to the post interview. 

"The Little Silver Book" is written in an easy-to-read manner, breaking the info down into bullet points and small sections. There are also action points at the end of each section, which state succinctly what you need to do.

There's a section on confidence that I particularly like. I think this is a book that'd be great for anyone preparing for a job interview, whether it's your first interview or you're a professional looking to move to a better company. Highly recommended!

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The Boy Who Walked a Way by Nancy Janes

Review
"The Boy Who Walked a Way," by Nancy Janes, follows the journey of a young boy as he grows as a person in a world set in the future. The main character, Jal, is constantly on the run, trying to survive in a war-torn world. He eventually finds himself in a fantastical place, with a swan and a butterfly as his guides.

Jal's journey through this imaginative world instills in him a deep sense of understanding, and he develops faith in himself. One of the things I love about this book is that it stimulates the imagination while also providing deep lessons for reflection. I could see this book being used in a book club for young people. It's a great book to discuss because of the many themes.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a book aimed at young people with fantasy elements and a deep theme.

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Falling into Forever by Stephen Parato

falling into forever, stephen parato
Review
Stephen Parato's "Falling into Forever" is a short story about a young woman with a special gift for seeing people's lives.

Disillusioned with the career she ended up in, she seeks solace in nature. She meets an old man who shares her gift, and they explore their gift together.

Although this is a short story, Parato does an excellent job making the story feel full, complex, and complete, despite its size. The story makes you think philosophically as you follow the protagonist as she learns about life through her gift. Recommended for anyone who wants a short story with a deep meaning.

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Pro-Choice: A Financial Guide for Women by Crystal Stranger, E.A.

Review
Crystal Stranger’s “Pro Choice: A Financial Guide for Women,” by Crystal Stranger, is a thorough guide for taking control of your financial situation. The book springboards off research that shows the distinct advantages women have in investing and business and explains how to use these to accomplish financial goals. When I say this book is comprehensive, I mean it.

The book covers everything from education to taxes to retirement accounts, all in a way that is easy to understand. Stranger's uses her experience as a financial consultant and tax expert to give you an inside look at being successful financially without drowning you in jargon. One of my favorite things about the book is that it uses examples to help you understand the material, which really helped me to understand the ideas. Another thing I like about the book is that it acknowledges that everyone is different and encourages you to create a financial plan that meets your needs.

I'd recommend this book to any woman who wants to read a straightforward book that’ll give her the knowledge to accomplish her financial goals!

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Opiate Addiction by Taite Adams

opiate addiction, taite adams
Review
I'm reviewing a book unlike any book I've reviewed so far. The book is called "Opiate Addiction," by Taite Adams. I bought the book because I have a cousin who is losing everything due to an opiate addiction, and I want to get a better grasp of what he's going through. If you are an addict or know someone with the addiction, you're familiar with the devastation it causes, but knowing why it does what it does and how to beat it are mysteries. 

This book starts with the basics -- what are opiates and how they work -- before going into what is opiate detox, methods of attacking addiction, etc. What I love about this book is that the author writes from firsthand experience, so the book really has a personal, humanistic touch. The writing is clear and concise, while still being thorough, making the book easy to get through yet informative. I would recommend this book to anyone who is or knows an opiate addict. Taite Adams does the subject justice.

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Gothic Immortal: The Necropath (Book .666) by Christian Masters

gothic immortal, christian masters
Review 
Having read and enjoyed Nightsongs: The Necropath Book 1, I got very excited when I learned about a new prequel novella to the series, featuring a character I love, Gothic.

The novella is called, Gothic Immortal: The Necropath Book .666. It takes the reader on Gothic’s journey from being a young boxer interested in violence and vampires to a necros. The story begins near the turn of the 19th century, covering Gothic’s death, time in the necrosphere, and return. As someone who was fascinated by Gothic in Nightsongs, I loved getting to learn about his origins in this book. You really get to see a different side of Gothic as he learns about the necrosphere. Much of Gothic’s knowledge of the necrosphere and abilities of those in it comes from interesting, almost philosophical conversations with his brother, Frederick, and the enigmatic, sage-like Bourne. The dialogue is extremely engaging and really shows the curious, inquisitive side of Gothic that you might not associate with someone with such a strong thirst for blood.
 

You definitely don’t need to read this prequel for the Necrosphere series to make sense, but it gives the reader a lot more insight into Gothic’s character and motivation. Recommended for anyone who is a fan of the series and even more so if you're a Gothic fan!
 

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The Heartless Game by Lola Allen

the heartless game, lola allen
Review 
“The Heartless Game,” by Lola Allen, is an urban love story, set in London, that follows a young woman as she learns the reality of relationships in adulthood.

Twenty-four-year-old Tamara Reynolds discovers many of her friendships are superficial, and begins questioning her identity, but is sparked back to life when she meets the sexy Ray-J.

One of the strengths of this book is the theme of change, which Lola Allen writes perfectly. Tamara goes through ups and downs, but it’s how she deals with them that counts, not that they happen. Another perk of Lola Allen's book is the eclectic cast of characters from the somewhat-quiet Tamara to the energetic Ray-J.

The relationship between Tamara and Ray-J is paced realistically with pushes and pull, and does include some rather steamy scenes. Allen also does an incredible job bringing London to the reader with descriptions and scenes that really capture the culture. A great read for anyone who wants a fresh urban romance written by a brilliant up-and-coming author, Lola Allen.

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Nightsongs: The Necropath by Christian Masters

Review
Christian Masters' “Nightsongs: Necropath,” the first book in a series, is a horror novel with bone-chilling villains and protagonists that you root for as they move through unspeakable horrors. One of the main characters is Steven Pierce, a man battling the demons of his past and the literal monster of his present, called Gothic. He joins forces with Steven to help him discover what happened when his mother was murdered.

Unfortunately for Steven, David is a walking bundle of trouble, tied up in an affair with Steven’s wife as well as a relationship with a witch named Melissa. The eclectic characters each have their own narrative thread that slowly draws together until a horrific tapestry is woven. As I read, I felt really connected to the characters, rooting for them as I saw their impending confrontation drawing close. Without giving too much away, the end book ends in a dramatic fashion, setting up for the sequel. Recommended for anyone who wants to read a character-driven horror novel!

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A Woman's Pleasure by J.F. Kelly

Review
"A Woman's Pleasure," by J.F. Kelly, is a collection of stories/interviews that depicts men who are dedicated to pleasing their romantic partners. Kelly springboards off the fact that women generally take longer to orgasm and shows men who put in the time to pleasure their partner, and the result is both partners end up satisfied.

Kelly's book is really the antithesis to most mainstream porn, which often depicts women as there only to pleasure the men. In contrast, this book emphasizes the empowerment of women, which is a much better situation for both parties. There are themes of mutual respect, selflessness, and love. Although this book certainly has an important message, it is also an entertaining, engaging book with lots of sensual scenes that will draw you right in.  Whether you’re a male or a female, if you’re looking for a romantic, sensual read, I'd recommend this book.
 
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