When She Returned by Lucinda Berry Book Review

 

The one mistake I made with this book is to start reading it at bedtime. Don’t do that!

This story is told in three voices.

ABBI: Kate went missing eleven years ago, so Abbi does not remember her. She is telling her story in the now since Kate has returned. All Abbi wanted was to get to know her mom.

KATE: Kate is relating her story in the then timeframe … leading up to her disappearance. Scott, her husband, had to deal with her missing and refusing to accept that she may be dead or never return. Kate’s assignment was to do an interview series with Ray, the leader of Love International, an organization that had moved to Arcata with the premise of helping people detox from drugs and alcohol. There was more to Love International than anyone expected.

MEREDITH: Meredith met Scott in their grief classes. She is the new wife and is telling her story in the now, dealing with her own emotional rollercoaster. She has two sons, Thad and Caleb. You can only imagine the inner turmoil Meredith had to deal with when Kate returned. She discovered something about Kate, but nobody wanted to believe her.

As this story unfolds, each of the people mentioned (to the exclusion of Thad and Caleb as they were grown and out of the home) are telling the same story in their own words, dealing with their own emotions. Before Kate disappeared, she had left her journalist job to be a stay-at-home mom to Abbi. After a few years, she decided to go back to her full-time position and was doing a story on an organization in the Arcata area called Love International. She got more than what she bargained for.

Ms. Berry dropped a couple of clues, if you will, in this tale to lead the reader down one path of what might have happened … Talk about a mind twister! The ending will leave you going, “Say, what? I sure didn’t see that coming.” Good read!

Adrenaline by John Benedict Book Review

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Dr. Mike Carlucci and Dr. Doug Landry are both anesthesiologists who work for Keystone Anesthesia who provides services for Mercy Hospital. Through their work affiliation, they became best friends. Something mysterious started happening to the patients undergoing surgery, the exact cause was unknown until that particular mystery was solved. They were then faced with another mystery – the who behind the happenings. Keystone Anesthesia also employed Dr. Bryan Marshall who was the chief of the department along with Dr. Joe Raskin who was what you would call second-in-command, though he wanted Dr. Marshall’s position. Enter, Rusty Cranmer, an anesthesiology student, who was out to figure out what happened to his mother.

There are quite a few stories going on in this book. The marriages of both Dr. Carlucci and Dr. Landry, both having their share of difficulties as is true in any marriage. You have the power struggle between Dr. Marshall and Dr. Raskin which causes an underlying tension. There is the friendship between Dr. Carlucci and Dr. Landry, so Dr. Landry was especially concerned when he started noticing some changes in Dr. Carlucci who claimed he had things under control. Then, there is the interesting character of Rusty, the young student, who was eager to learn about his chosen profession as well as what happened to his mother.

Dr. Benedict’s work as an anesthesiologist gives him an inside look as to what sorts of pressure an anesthesiologist must feel when he is inducing a patient and waking the patient back up again. His knowledge of the medical field helps him to create scenarios that could very likely occur, though I hope not!!

 

Take What You Can by Heather Garvin Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

I have to admit that I have a hard time categorizing books into genres, but this one falls into the “young adult fiction” genre. While this book may be tailored for your readers, I think adults would enjoy it as well. I think Ms. Garvin does a good job at delving into what some teenagers may face, although the teenagers in this story come up against some odds that are not typical.

This story takes place in Chuloata, Florida, although no one likes to admit they are from Chuloata. Paige’s summer starts off with an end-of-the-year bonfire at the beach. Everyone from school is there including her two best friends, Josh and Leah, as well as a few others she doesn’t like, including Dan and Luke. Luke has had a crush on Paige for the longest time and Paige has always done her best to avoid going out with him. Dan isn’t from school, but is related to Luke and is what you could call a bad guy. At the bonfire, Paige meets Fredrick. Josh and Fredrick have a past which puts them at odds with each other, especially when it comes to Paige. Paige does not heed Josh’s warning. Through her association with Fredrick, Paige is introduced to Melissa, Jason, Carter, and Fredrick’s mom, Kelly, his sister, Nicole, and his brother, Ben. Fredrick, Melissa, Jason, and Carter are in a group that Paige takes to referring to as “pirates.” They are not modern-day pirates, rather they are pirates doing what they need to do to survive, at least in their minds. Through this association, Paige’s somewhat dull life is turned upside down, not only from what she discovers about this group but also because of the intense feelings she develops for Fredrick. Fredrick has feelings for Paige as well, but he fights them.

This book ends in such a way that it is the perfect set up for the next book … Give Nothing Back which is releasing in May 2021.

The Watcher Girl by Minka Kent Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Grace McMullen works for a company who delves into the deep dark web to uncover and destroy information people don’t want on the Internet. This leads her to looking into Sutton’s life. Sutton is her ex-boyfriend from long ago. It turns out he has married someone who looks suspiciously like Grace, so she takes it upon herself to go back home to apologize. She meets Campbell, Sutton’s wife, and also their little girl, surprisingly named Grace but whom they call Gigi. Grace, being one not to get close to anyone, develops sort of a friendship with Campbell.

This is also a story of Grace renewing her family connections with her dad, her sister (Rose), her father’s current girlfriend (Bliss, who holds a secret of her own). Grace also has a brother, Sebastian, but he is away at law school and is not an integral part of this story. Grace was adopted by the McMullens but she never really felt a part of the family, like there was some cloud hanging over her head, a darkness inside.

Through this tale, she discovers that some of her truths that she had been holding onto all these years are not the truth at all.

This tale really takes a turn when Campbell reveals yet another secret to Grace … Grace being her doubting self lends herself to believing Campbell. This is where the path veers off in another direction altogether.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, then I am sure you will enjoy this one. This one will take you down a slow path, leading you in one direction and then veering off in another direction altogether. I think you will be surprised and most definitely will enjoy this one! I look forward to reading more from Ms. Kent.

Bad Robot by John Benedict Book Review

 

I received a gifted e-book copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

This story takes place at Swahara General Hospital. There is just the right mix of characters who help to enhance this story.

Luke Boulton is the primary anesthesiologist in this tale; his wife, Kim; their daughter, Abi. Bad luck seems to follow Luke around these days.

Ramon Salazar, MD, is the premiere robotic cardiac surgeon (at least in his mind). His wife, Gabrielle. Dr. Salazar arrived at Swahara General after his fall from Mass General (where he would prefer to be).

Brandt Stevens, RN, changing his career to CRNA, with a very bad temper. Not to give too much away, but when things go wrong with a patient, Brandt seems to be right there with the solution. Brandt is the know-it-all in this story, the one with all the answers, the one who thinks he is a cut above all the rest, and Kaycee would be a fool to dump him (or so he thinks).

Dani and Kaycee are the two main nurses in this tale of medical whodunit. Dani is the married nurse who has the hots for Dr. Boulton. Kaycee is Brandt’s girlfriend, who is taken in by Dr. Salazar’s expertise, but is really more impressed with his money.

As a medical transcriptionist for more years than I care to count, I absolutely enjoy reading medical thrillers and BAD ROBOT fits the bill. This story also gives us a look into robotic surgery (published 2018). Dr. Benedict’s profession as an anesthesiologist only adds credibility to this story and a lot of realism, making for a really good read, I think.

Light Her Up by C.B. Wiant Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.  LIT is the second book in this series.

**POTENTIAL SPOILERS**

Cast of Characters (in no particular order of appearance):

Hudson: This is the young man this story seems to be based around. Hudson started out as a normal young man until he had an accident and was decidedly different after he woke up from a 5-month long coma. He was able to move faster than other individuals and read other people’s minds. He also took up sketching and consistently sketched a lady he had yet to meet. When he did finally run across her, he suddenly felt at peace with himself. It was not anything he could explain or understand, it was just a knowing. Along the way, they became separated and all he wanted to do was find her again, to be at peace again.

Aviana: Another main character, also called Lily. This is the young lady Hudson kept sketching unbeknownst to her. She had no idea Hudson even existed, until she met him. She also knew that he was the same as her, what with the eye color changes and his abilities. She also had an ability to light fire with the snap of her fingers. Then, there was the accident she created.

Genevieve: Aviana met Genevieve and thought she was the air she breathed and felt she couldn’t live without her. Somehow Aviana, being between homes, ended up becoming Genevieve’s roommate, until she wasn’t. Aviana still felt Genevieve was the air she breathed and wanted nothing more than to make up with her.

Terra: Terra was Hudson’s high school sweetheart and loved him from the very beginning. Terra and Aviana’s relationship adds the competition, the jealousy into this intense story. Who wins Hudson?

Mark: Mark started out at Genevieve’s across-the-hall neighbor until Aviana was moved out. He then became Genevieve’s roommate. He is kind of like the big brother in this story, a voice of reason.

Ben: Ben is one of the good guys. He bought a home where he invited Hudson to stay on the pretense he needed a roommate. Hudson helped Ben fix up his home and was Ben’s roommate for a time. Ben is like a beacon of light to those who feel lost, providing them a safe place to stay, a safe place they can be themselves.

Ramona: Because every story needs one, Ramona is the “resident” psychologist, the one people talk to.

Tracy: The final character bringing this story together. After Hudson and Aviana were separated, Tracy went out to find Aviana to bring them (Aviana and Hudson) together again. Hudson was restless and this was the only thing Tracy could think of to do to help him.

I would classify this book in the paranormal genre. While this is not my typical reading material, the one thing I appreciate the most is the way the author’s words just flow. The script does not feel forced in any way whatsoever, making me know that this book came from Ms. Wiant’s heart. If you like a somewhat dark, intense, kind of twisted (so far as the relationships between characters, good versus inner evil demons) read, then I am certain you will enjoy this tale.