Fitness 4Play by Marcus Woods

 Review
"One Night Stand" (Fitness 4Play series) follows Devin Banks (aka Dabs) a player personal trainer who enjoys being single and being a player. He questions his ways when he meets Lucy Jackson, a nurse practitioner, at a bar, and their one-night stand has him hooked. Written in first-person from the male perspective, this novel has a fresh feel to it. 

What's unique about this book is you get to read the male's thoughts, desires, concerns, etc as his feelings for the female deepen. The author flashes back to Devin's earlier days (e.g. college years) to give you a back story on him. The novel is funny, romantic, and sensual (there are adult scenes). You can feel that the book is loosely based on the author's experiences Recommended for anyone who wants a fresh, fun romantic novel!

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Dark Pursuit by Jennifer Chase

Review
Jennifer Chase's "Dark Pursuit" is a thriller about Emily Stone, a vigilante dedicated to catching serial killers. The novel opens with a vehicle pursuit that immediately grabbed my attention, and the momentum of the plot carried my attention to the very end. Although this book is part of a series, there is enough backstory given to you in this book that you needn't read the others to enjoy it.

In "Dark Pursuit," Emily and her partner and lover, Rick (a former detective), are hunting the Tick-Tock Killer, a serial killer who targets children. The killer has told authorities where the next body dump will be, creating a sense of urgency, which the author relays to the reader perfectly. I felt this sense of anxiety as I read, rooting for Emily as she squares off in a battle of wits with Tick-Tock. Chase writes a strong female protagonist, which is really refreshing in this genre. This is a must-read for anyone who wants a fast-paced thriller!

Tiger Beetle at Kendallwood by Norma Jean Lutz

Review
"Tiger Beetle at Kendallwood," by Norma Jean Lutz, is a clean teen book about a girl who discovers that changing who you are isn't the best option. The main character, Marcy Hankin, is a smart, scientific girl who loves collecting bugs at the abandoned Kendallwood estate. But when Spence Caldwell, the state football champ, moves into the estate, Marcy loses her bug-collecting stomping grounds, and furthermore, as she's pressured into trying to impress him by her sister, she loses her identity.

As the plot moves forward, the reader discovers that there is more than meets the eye with Spence, and Marcy learns an important lesson. This is a book written years ago, but is still relevant today because of the focus on timeless emotions and situations. This is a book that is engaging and interesting, yet is clean. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants an entertaining read that is wholesome and refreshing.

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The Book on Back Pain by Tom Barber

Review
Tom Barber's "The Book on Back Pain" takes a holistic approach to addressing back pain. One of the things I love about the book is it emphasizes the many different components that influence the experience of pain, including psychological factors. After the author walks the reader through what pain actually is, he explains various methods for addressing the pain and regaining control of your life. The book is written in an easy-to-understand style with plenty of anecdotes, references, and visual aids (charts, etc). One of the standout strategies to me is the Well-formed Outcomes strategy, from the behavioural communication model of neuro-linguistic programing. Overall, if you're looking to take a holistic approach to dealing with back pain, this is a great resource.

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Exile by James Cormier

Review
“Exile” is a fresh take on the dystopian YA genre. The book is set in a wild, chaotic world, centuries after the “Fall” turned society upside down. The protagonist in the story is Ever Oaks, a healer (called a Saint) with a remarkable talent who gets drawn into a political struggle that will shape the future. The author, James Cormier, does an excellent job of writing a character who reacts to her struggles in a realistic way that the reader can empathize with. Ever is a determined character with a strong-will who has a difficult path that is rivaled only by her resilience.

The world in "Exile" is hostile and unforgiving, and the author paints it with descriptive, affecting writing. For me, the book's standout feature is the plot. It is paced well, with lots of twists and turns (loved the rival factions) and solid character development. Highly recommended for any YA fans wanting a fresh dystopian read.

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Celtic Storms by Delaney Rhodes

Review

“Celtic Storms” is a fantasy book set in the fifteenth century that is sure to delight any reader who enjoys mystical stories with dynamic characters and a fast-paced plot and romance.

The plot follows Irish Celtic families that must struggle to survive in a land filled with magic. The two main families are the O’Malleys and the MacCahans. One of the things I love about the book is that Rhodes writes well-developed, strong female characters.

One of my favorite characters is Odetta Burke, the villain of the story. Although I don’t agree with her goals, I can’t help but admire her drive and desire to reach her goals.

Love and family politics play a large role in this book, adding another layer to the magic-laden story. The book had me engaged from the first page, and the twists and turns of the plot kept me reading eagerly to the end. Recommended for anyone who loves fantasy and romance!

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Not Where I Wanna Be by Sarantos

Review
“Not Where I Wanna Be” by Sarantos is a creative fantasy debut novel about a 30-year-old musician named Sarantos who has dreams of singing and songwriting.

The author of “Not Where I Wanna Be” is himself a singer-songwriter who, in 2014, decided to create and release a song, music video, and book chapter each month until the day he will die, something that no other musician has done before!

Each chapter of this novel mirrors a song the author created in his first album as a solo artist, of which 33% of all music-related profits are donated to charitable organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association.

In Chapter 1, for example, Sarantos says that he is “not where I wanna be.” Sarantos is at sea on a small boat and dreams of being a singer and having a voice in the world, but he feels downhearted. He meets the octopus, Charity, and the griffon, Hope, who help him realize that he can achieve his dreams by taking actions to achieve them. Charity and Hope also protect Sarantos from the one-eyed pirate cyclops named Captain Fear who won’t let anyone have hopes and dreams.

The author, Sarantos, has created a fantastic fantasy experience with great characters who are just like us. We want to be authentic and live out our passion, we want to find love, and we want to live with a sense of humor and see the magic of life. “Not Where I Want To Be” also includes wonderful illustrations throughout the book that provide a magical environment for readers.

“Not Where I Wanna Be” by Sarantos is a must-read for lovers of the fantasy genre who want to see how a real-world musician has translated his songs into stories.


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Man of Clay by Victoria Osborne

Review
"Man of Clay” is a literary fiction novel that explores life, loss, and transformation. The protagonist, Connie, is a sculptor who had a long relationship and a child, Peter, with a herpetologist named Jude who cycles through romantic partners.

Connie reflects on her past, reminiscing on the first time she met Jude, the first time she met his mother, etc, to gain meaning. She also contemplates sculpting and herpetology as analogies for aspects of life, driving the reader to make unexpected connections. Written in first-person, Osborne uses poignant, descriptive writing to relay raw emotion to the reader.

The narrative’s tendency to introduce historical and scientific information in an emotional context continually provides the reader with fresh perspectives.

A great read if like contemplative novels about life.

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Artist (Remote Series: Book Three) by Eric Drouant

Review
Eric Drouant's "Artist," book 3 in the Remote Series, is about a down-on-her-luck psychic who trains to become a government assassin to reinvent herself. This action/adventure novel features protagonist Cassie Reynold, someone who fans of the series are very familiar with. But readers just getting into the series, will have no problem getting caught up to Cassie's character. When she is sent to solve a set of murders in New Orleans, she meets a cocky homicide investigator, Kurt Dupond, and together they try to take down a depraved serial killer.

The plot moves forward with lots action, adventure, and mystery. In addition to those elements, there is an emotional undertone in which Cassie must confront new feelings, reconciling them with her past. Drouant makes excellent usage of changing the narrator's perspective, giving you a view of the story through the eyes of different characters. As someone who used to live in New Orleans, I feel Drouant did an excellent job of capturing the essence of the region, from the culture to the food. If you like multi-layered action/adventure novels with suspense and romance elements, you'll love this book.

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Lola the Buhund (Book 1) The Empty Sky by Elbot Carman

Review
Elbot Carman's "Lola the Buhund - The Empty Sky" is the first book in a fantasy series about an intelligent, inquisitive Buhund and her exploits through a magical yet hostile land.

Prithvi had its sky lose its stars a decade and a half ago, leaving the land all-but barren. The people who have survived are resilient, yet hoping the land returns to its former state. Venice , and his Buhund, Lola, lead a quiet life ... until they find themselves on an adventure that takes them through the magical land, meeting a variety of friends and foes. The casts of characters is eclectic, from the quirky, funny Grandmother to the evil Witch-Monarch, and the fantasy  world is interesting. The writing is accessible for young readers (maybe nine and up, depending on reading level), yet isn't "dumbed down" so adult readers can enjoy it, too.

The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested, and the book ends with some closure yet makes you want to read book 2.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a fun fantasy book set in a whimsical world.

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