Monday, March 25, 2019

Pre-Approved Identity Theft by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

SPOILER ALERT!

Pre-Approved Identity Theft is the newest release from Mrs. Neves, a "clean romance novel" as Mrs. Neves terms it.

Harper starts out her adventure by jumping out the window to escape a marriage she doesn't want any part of. She meets Indigo and together they devise a plan to switch identities, Harper (Max) to get away from the expectations placed upon her and Indigo to be able to take a trip she made plans for but was not performing well at work so was denied the time off. Harper (as Max) totally transforms Indigo's performance at work ... and she meets Declan. Max finds that Declan is the man she has dreamed of and more and also "falls in love" with his little girl. What happens in a few weeks' time when Indigo returns to reclaim her own life? How can she possibly tell Declan the truth? You won't expect the twist that is woven into this sweet love story.

I had the privilege of beta/proofreading this book for Mrs. Neves. This book demonstrates the versatility of Mrs. Neves as an author.

You can find Mrs. Neves on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Nellienevesauthor/ and her website here https://www.nellieknevesauthor.com/

Exhume by Danielle Girard Book Review

SPOILER ALERT!

When I first started reading Exhume, I knew immediately it would be a worthwhile read. It did not disappoint.

Annabelle Schwartzman (Anna to her friends and colleagues; Bella to her estranged husband, Spencer) leaves South Carolina to escape Spencer, to get a fresh start in San Francisco. She finds work as the medical examiner in San Francisco and is fortunate enough to work with Hal and Hailey of the San Francisco Police Department.  A suspicious murder happens, leading Anna to believe that Spencer is behind it. She opens up her painful secrets to Hal and Hailey. Do they believe her, that Spencer is behind the murder? Circumstances lead Anna to travel back to South Carolina, the place she least wants to be, where two apparent related murders have occurred, one being her Aunt Ava. Anna is devising a plan to catch Spencer and get him to confess. The question is ... did her plan succeed?

Next up, book two in the series, Excise.

Well done, Ms. Girard, well done! I am looking forward to Excise and Expose, to be followed by the fourth book in this series Expire.

You can find Ms. Girard here https://www.daniellegirard.com/ and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleGirard/

Monday, March 18, 2019

Cape May by Chip Creek Book Review

SPOILER ALERT!

The setting is Cape May, New Jersey, back in 1957. Henry and Effie have just graduated high school and gotten married. They go to Cape May for their honeymoon as Effie's uncle, at her mother's persuading, let them stay at his cottage. They discover each other sexually for the first time, shy at first. Their shyness didn't last long. Enter Clara and Max ... Clara is a long-ago friend of Effie's cousin, Holly. The four of these characters get up to a lot of no good in a time when I suspect what they did was unacceptable and, fortunately, for the most part, happened behind closed doors. Enter Alma, Max's "charge." Ultimately, Henry and Alma have an intense sexual affair and fall in love. Near the end, Effie finds out about their affair. Does Effie stay with Henry or kick him to the curb? Do Henry and Effie have a future together? What happens to Clara? To Max? To Alma?

While this genre of book is not what I would typically read, I gave it a shot as I received an ARC (Advance Reading Copy). I suspect if you are into books from that time period you would find this an entertaining tale of discovering one's sexuality and some other shenanigans. For me, not so much. I'm more of a legal/crime kinda girl.

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Falcon by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

SPOILER ALERT!

In order to "get" Falcon, I highly recommend you read Nightwatch first. In Nightwatch, you will be introduced to Emma and Adam along with Sentry 6.

In Falcon, we meet Sienna and the rest of Sentry 6 who are agents Adam (Falcon) worked with on previous assignments. Roach and Rat were abducted because Archimedes and his band of bad guys thought they were developing some sort of superior technology, all contained within a ring. Abducting Roach and Rat was also a way for Archimedes to get close to Adam. Sentry 6 rescues Roach. Do they find Rat? What happened to Archimedes? Does Adam reconcile his feelings of his past and his feelings for Emma? What happens to Emma?

The ending of Falcon is written in such a way that there could potentially be another adventure for Sentry 6 if the mood strikes.

Mrs. Neves' books, Nightwatch and Falcon, are filled with mystery and intrigue. I highly recommend you give them a read.

I am a beta reader/proofreader for Mrs. Neves.

Don't Dare To Dream by Dan Friedman Book Review

As a part of Mr. Friedman's ARC Team, I was given the opportunity to read/proof "Don't Dare To Dream."

SPOILER ALERT!

Part One introduces us to David Pascal who was feeling down about himself due to life circumstances. Rick and Angela moved into the same apartment complex, befriending David, Rick being a life coach and Angela being a student studying to be a psychologist. They get to know David. Rick even helps him develop a workout plan and helps David start to get into shape, physically, which ultimately helps him feel better about himself. Rick comes up with a brilliant business idea!

Part Two takes us through the attempted start-up attempt at a life coach app. David used to create apps for a living, from developing the app to getting investors. He was well on his way to feeling successful in life as he was able to secure an investor. Rick turned out to be a disappointment as a business partner and suddenly disappears.

Part Three is where this book really "heats up." The local police are involved. The FBI is involved. David becomes a suspect. Angela is even looked at as a suspect. Rick is nowhere to be found. When Rick resurfaces, do they believe his story as to the why behind his disappearance? Do they believe that "bad guys" are really after him? Or is his story just another scam?

Saturday, March 9, 2019

A Gambler's Jury by Victor Methos Book Review

Mr. Methos recently was awarded a Mystery Writers of America Certificate of Nomination for this novel. After reading it, I can see why. If I had more time, I would've been able to finish this book in a day, two at the most.

Danielle "Dani" Rollins, a lawyer with an affinity for booze, took on the case of Theodore "Teddy" Thorne, a mentally challenged soon-to-be 18-year-old young man. Teddy was accused of selling cocaine to a confidential informant. Was he capable of formulating the plan? Follow Dani through a few other cases (and beers) as she tries to figure out what is really going on with Teddy's case. She discovers what's really happening and decides to fight against the system. Does she win?

It is unfortunate that things like this really happen in this day and age.

I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from Mr. Methos who, as it turns out, is a practicing lawyer in Utah. Well done, Mr. Methos!

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Media Justice by Dennis Carstens Book Review

Mr. Carstens has done it again!  While Media Justice does not really take off until Chapter 13, when Marc Kadella shows up, give it a chance. Chapters 1 through 12 give you the backstory. A classic example of the media convicting someone before she's even been to trial. What really happened to Becky and who is to blame? There is a twist in this tale that you won't expect.

You can find Mr. Carstens at http://denniscarstensauthor.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarcKadellaLegalMysteries/

In my quest to transition from medical transcription to beta/proofreading in the literary world, I emailed several authors, Mr. Carstens being one of them. To my surprise, he responded with an affirmative. Thank you, Mr. Carstens, for giving me the opportunity to review Media Justice. I also have to admit that Mr. Carstens is one of my favorite authors. If you have not read any of his books, I encourage you to do so.

The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves Book Review

I recently received an ARE (Advance Readers' Edition) of The Girl He Used To Know. I had not taken the time to read it immediately, but kept reading such good reviews in Ms. Graves' Facebook group, I finally took the time.

Annika, a high-functioning autistic college student, meets Jonathan, a transfer from another college in chess club. Jonathan is the only person who has ever treated Annika the way she needs at the time, protecting her from sights, sounds, and people who may hurt her. College ends and, as often happens, the couple ends their relationship. Ten years later on a chance meeting on a sidewalk in New York … you'll just have to read the book to find out what happens.

Very well-written tale of two people who learn how to accept one another for their differences.

You can find Ms. Graves here:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1105171106321259/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tgarvisgraves/?eid=ARCFhgQn2XCsT8BLNjy69CsynStVUsPl_wnvxpi3CbsvZIYCLZTi4sxAgr1i1A5VHOCVO0JTmTXalyh0

Website: https://traceygarvisgraves.com/?fbclid=IwAR0kIETHXO1WArf7bsp8sBfNqpWl611BKOsCR3UQWdMe7NbrgA9jBm3FUlw