Tag: bookreview

Frede and Santa by Leen Lefebre Review

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A child’s journey to help his family takes him on a perilous adventure through elf infested woods ruled by the mysterious Elf King, and only Santa can help save the day. This is the story of Frede and Santa by Leen Lefebre, and here is they synopsis:

In a faraway village there lives a farmer with his wife. The summer harvest has failed and winter already arrives. So, how should they feed their three sons? The idea arises to fetch wood in the northern forest. They could dry it, sell it from door to door and earn some money to buy food.

Frede knows that his parents are doing their best, but is it enough to withstand the most barren period of the year? Together with his brothers, Rhune and Folke, he wants to visit Santa and ask him for help. But, first they must travel through that extensive forest where the evil Elf King lurks.

This was a fun read. It reminded me of an old and classic fairy tale, fraught with monstrous creatures and a child’s will to save those closest to him. Frede wants nothing more than to help his family, and the story allows children to see what happens when you put others before yourself, and go above and beyond to protect the ones we love. The story of the evil Elf King and his people reminded me of a Grimm Fairy tale, while the story of Santa and his village was a heartwarming story that when blended with Frede and his adventure makes for a modern day holiday classic that parents and children alike will love to read.

Overall this was a fantastic read. It was short yet sweet and to the point. A wonderful children’s book filled with adventure and a heartwarming tale of one child’s hope of helping his family, this is something parents and children alike won’t want to miss. If you haven’t yet, pick up your copies of Frede and Santa by Leen Lefebre today!

Rating: 10/10

Loving Ordinary Life by Anastasia Petrenko Review

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Are you tired of the typical “self-help” books? Then this might be for you. Rather than focus on experimental treatments from around the world or a surreal look at the ins and outs of the self-help world, author Anastasia Petrenko introduces readers to Loving Ordinary Life: a self help book for people who are tired of self-help books. The short and easy read is a simple guide on how to be your best self without changing yourself and learning to accept who you are in the most loving way possible. Here is the synopsis:

Loving Ordinary Life is written for us: living, emotional people.

We all want to live a happy life, but we can easily fall into a state of despondency. We prefer to smile, but more often we frown.

We like being inspired, but most likely, we can’t recall the last time when we were.

There are many books and courses about self-motivation and inspiration. You might have heard hundreds of platitudes and affirmations. Each of them sounds valid but their utility is limited when you actually find yourself stuck in a pit of pain and despair.

Loving Ordinary Life is meant to make a functional difference. It’s not a treatment for depression. It is about living a life where depression has no place.

Loving Ordinary Life is your guide. It is designed so that you can open any page and find the inspiration to act and improve your life when you’re feeling down.

Each chapter in Loving Ordinary Life is a tool for moving from a negative idle state to a positive proactive state. It displays to you the art of being present, free, and genuine every day.

If you want to be more fulfilled and enjoy life more, if you’re open to quality changes, Loving Ordinary Life will become your loyal companion.

Everything is within your power. You are the master of your life. How you experience it depends only on you. Take the lead.

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”
Marcus Aurelius

This was a great and quick read. From start to finish you felt a sense of calm take over as you allowed yourself to absorb this book fully. It allows readers to examine their own lives and find happiness not from any external source, but rather from within themselves. Putting a stamp on the reliance of the self over the reliance of society, this book does a great job of creating an air of ease and an atmosphere of relative calm.

Overall this was a wonderful book. Filled with passion, compassion and genuine care, this non self help book does a marvelous job of showing the power we all have within ourselves, and how to embrace it wholeheartedly. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copies of Loving Ordinary Life by Anastasia Petrenko today!

Rating: 10/10

Travel as Transformation: Conquer the Limits of Culture to Discover Your Own Identity by Gregory V. Diehl Review

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Travel can be fun. It can be a step onto the road of self discovery. It can also be a scary road filled with self doubt and financial woes. Trying to go into the world of travel and live your life on the road can be a daunting task, and yet in Gregory V. Diehl’s novel Travel as Transformation, you get to see first hand the trials, tribulations and wonders that travel can offer you, and how you can get started today. Here is the synopsis:

A daring, intelligent, and unapologetic call to find yourself in wanderlust.
When you travel to a foreign place, do you experience this new life as your old self? Or do you become a new self?

From living in a van on the streets of San Diego, to growing chocolate with indigenous tribes in Central America, to teaching in the Middle East and volunteering in Africa, bestselling author Gregory V. Diehl has followed a worldly and unconventional path. Leaving his home in California as a teenager, he went on to live and work in 45 countries across the globe by age 28. In Travel as Transformation, he uses his diverse cultural experiences as a world traveler to ask the reader to question how their identity has been shaped by the lifestyle they live.

As you delve into Travel as Transformation, you will learn how travel can profoundly influence your perception of yourself. Diehl teaches aspiring travelers to let go of their internal inhibitions and former sense of self. He shares his own moving experiences of transformation across Costa Rica, China, Morocco, Armenia, Iraq, Monaco, Ecuador, and more to encourage travelers to embrace change. He takes the reader on a nomadic journey that examines all of humanity through unbiased eyes.

To travel with a truly open mind is to forget who you were when you started. It is to be constantly born anew, and identify with ways you did not know others could exist. What affirms you most? What would it take to destroy you? Travel as Transformation will give you the wisdom, the inspiration, and the resources to conquer the limitations of your home culture. It’s time to take advantage of everything the world has to offer and become everything you can be.

This was an incredibly powerful book. Filled to the brim with insight and wonder, this book did an excellent job of highlighting the highs and lows of travel. As someone who is interested in travel, it was interesting to see the way the author approached the subject, diving into the differences in cultures, political and societal divides between nations and the impact travel has on you as a person. It allowed me to see what I want for myself in the future and embrace the idea of change.

A book with heart, emotion and a sense of excitement, Travel as Transformation was a fantastic read that will speak to the inner traveler in all of us. A fast yet evenly paced read, author Gregory V. Diehl does an amazing job of showing the paths we take both externally and internally as we step out of our comfort zone and embrace new and unknown adventures. If you are a budding travel enthusiast, be sure to pick up your copies today!

Rating: 10/10

Exodus ’95 by Kfir Luzzatto | REVIEW

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Biblical stories blend with international espionage and high-stakes spy thrillers in author Kfir Luzzatto’s Exodus ’95. Here is the synopsis:

Claire, a young graphic designer, learns a secret that her dying New York neighbor has kept for twenty years: the whereabouts of Moses’ Biblical staff.

Claire needs the help of an Israeli engineer and the money of a Russian oligarch to recover the staff before her body betrays her. But first she needs to stay alive in a race with fanatics, who will do anything to keep the staff from coming to light.

Then the LORD said to Moses: Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

While I’m not the kind of reader or reviewer who gravitates towards religious based books, this book actually does a great job of making the story of Moses and his staff more of a driving force for the main plot of the book. The story is rather focused on the story of Claire and her harrowing journey across the world. Thrust into a high stakes game between two powerful and deadly enemies, Claire seeks the help of an Israeli engineer with a special skill set to help her along the way, and there is a surprising twist halfway through the story that will leave readers floored.

The novel was well written, with little to no grammatical errors that I could spot. The story has a great narrative that takes the readers across the world and into the past. Be ready to explore the way the world ran back in the 90’s, and see the political landscape between nations and those who run the countries amongst the shadows. It’s a wonderfully high-octane adventure where no one is loyal and everyone is in danger. With no one to trust, Claire and her confidant must traverse foreign lands and seek allies in order to survive a truly deadly adventure.

Overall this is a wonderful read. The author as a great command over the thriller genre and has created some fantastic characters that make you really feel. The line between hero and villain can easily blur in this story, and soon you will be questioning whether the person closest to you is really on your side. An edge of your seat espionage thriller, this is a fun and adventurous read that everyone should sink their teeth into, so be sure to pick up your copies of Exodus ’95 today!

Score: 9/10

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWG6LYL/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06WWG6LYL&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

The Sweet Oil of Vitriol by Daniel Eagleton Review

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Soldier. Liability. Assassin.

These are the identities of Thomas, a Mossad Agent who finds himself on a brutal and secretive journey filled with action, death and intrigue in
author Daniel Eagleton’s novel, The Sweet Oil of Vitriol. Here is the synopsis:

Ever get the feeling the staff want to kill you?

After a government sanctioned hit goes spectacularly wrong, Mossad agent Thomas is blamed for the mission’s failure by his superiors, ousted before completing his very first job. Desperate to prove himself, Thomas accepts an offer from his former handler, Yakov, to assassinate Jacob Okonjo, the head of the African Union. It seems Jacob is allowing certain parties to control Africa’s lucrative diamond trade, and in doing so has made some powerful enemies. But like that Mossad hit-team caught on camera in Dubi a few years back, how is Thomas supposed to terminate such a prominent figure without being caught on CCTV? The answer: to work undercover as a room-service waiter at a top London hotel, where, in a few months’ time, Jacob Okonjo will be staying. It’s the perfect plan. Jacob is to be administered an untraceable poison, and afterwards, even if there is an investigation, a trusted member of staff like Thomas will be above suspicion. That’s the idea, anyway. In the meantime, he’s to suffer month after month of boring, menial employment, serving rich, famous people dinner, when he should be making a name for himself amongst the intelligence community. Because you can bet this never happened to Bond or Bourne. Never had to work for tips, subjugating themselves like some average, everyday citizen…

This story is full of espionage thriller action, brimming with lots of death and destruction as Thomas navigates the world after he’s been stripped
of his government duties. Without a purpose, Thomas flings himself into the world of a mercenary and assassin, determined to prove his worth and
his talents as an agent to not only his former superiors, but to himself. Yet his confidence and his inability to find a healthy relationship could
spell his downfall.

The book was well written, delving into the mind of a man in search of a purpose, and the desperate lengths he will go to to achieve his goals. It’s
filled with deceit, murder and room service as Thomas navigates the complicated world of a hotel worker. The suspense and tension between the characters
in the book was thick enough to cut with a knife, and lent to the story immensely. The characters were the highlight of this fun and entertaining
spy thriller, as you got to see that Thomas, the spy and assassin, isn’t always the one you can’t trust in this story, and everyone has secrets
to hide. You just have to know where to look.

Overall this was a fantastic read. While I’d love to see more of Thomas’s backstory in a future story, I think this was a great introduction into a
new series in the thriller genre, and I hope you guys will go check it out. Filled with suspense, action and a whole lot of mayhem, this is a
series you don’t want to miss as author Daniel Eagleton masterfully brings a unique tale that skirts the lines of spies like Bond and Bourne, but
brings a unique look at the psyche behind that spy. Overall I give The Sweet Oil of Vitriol an 8/10 score, and I hope you guys will go pick up
your copies today!

Rating: 8/10

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Oil-Vitriol-Glaze-Book-ebook/dp/B06X9BPTDB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511231807&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sweet+oil+of+vitriol

Backseat in The Dark by Milton Dewar

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One man’s bad day turns into a nightmare in author and director Milton Dewar’s “Backseat in The Dark”, a fantastic short story with twists and turns you won’t see coming. Here is the synopsis:

An about-to-be ex-husband is forced to confront his own demons, and something far worse, on his way back home, on a lonely stretch of road.

This short yet thrilling read takes the reader on a journey, as you delve into the angry mind of an ex-husband haunted by his past and confronted with an unexplainable and unbelievable new future. The story was well written, with the story and characters jumping off the page and painting  a portrait of a fantastic short film just waiting to be shot. The characters are real  and bring the dark story to brilliant life.

Overall this is a fantastic short story that needs to be read. With a fantastic setting that brings the story a whole new level of creepy atmosphere and a brief background that sets up a chilling ending, this story highlights the powerful storytelling of author and director Milton Dewar. If you haven’t yet, be sure to pick up your copy of “Backseat in The Dark” today!

Rating: 10/10

Traveller – Inceptio by Rob Shackleford Review

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A historical science fiction tale like no other, author Rob Shackleford brings to life a tale of ancient Viking invaders, Saxon villagers and a time travel experiment that puts real lives in serious danger. What would the affect of time travel have not only on the past, but the future as well? Here is a synopsis:

If you were sent 1000 years into the past, would you survive?

Traveller – Inceptio describes how the Transporter is accidentally invented and becomes public knowledge when it sends a subject 1000 years into the past.

A Special Forces team of Travellers is then selected and trained with the intent to send them to Saxon England to explore what could be a very dangerous period of history.

From the beaches of Australia to the forests of Saxon England, Traveller – Inceptio reveals how Travellers discover they need a lot more than technology to survive the trials of early Eleventh Century life.

A realistic look into the lives of our ancient ancestors from around the world, this incredible story takes an in-depth look into the scientific study of time-travel and the ramifications our interference in the past can have. It also does a fantastic job of showing the hardships, struggles and way ancient Saxons viewed the world and life, and the twist of ancient beliefs and the introduction of religion into the region.

The attention to detail and use of great historical context made this such an engaging read. Taking a twist on time-travel science fiction stories and incorporating a detailed look into this time of conflict and bloodshed was thrilling to read, and put into context the struggles of the 21st century. The characters felt personal and did an excellent job of highlighting the way we would view that time period, as well as how they would view us.

Overall this was a phenomenal read, full of twists and turns and a fresh approach to the time travel genre. Filled with great historical references and characters you’ll love instantly, this story reads like an HBO drama, and would translate perfectly onto the screen. If you haven’t yet, be sure to pick up your copy of Traveller – Inceptio by Rob Shackleford today!

Rating: 10/10

If I Was A Caterpillar by Ben Jackson, Sam Lawrence and Danko Herrera Review

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From the creators of the hit children’s book franchise Timmy and the Little Fart comes a brand new children’s book that tells the story of chasing dreams and believing in yourself. That story is If I Was A Caterpillar by Ben Jackson, Sam Lawrence and Danko Herrera, and here is the synopsis:

Read along with the caterpillar as it travels around the world trying exciting new activities and having fun! Reading with children is one of the biggest forms of early education, helping to develop young minds.
As a young child, it’s important to believe that anything is possible. If I Was A Caterpillar is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that follows a caterpillar on its journey as it discovers new activities.

Too often these days, children are being put onto tracks that are unachievable or told that a dream is just a dream and to forget about it. One of the most enjoyable things about being a young child is believing that you can fly to the moon as an astronaut or dive under the water searching for hidden treasure.

If I Was A Caterpillar shows young children that you can do anything you want. Your dreams can come true! If you enjoy reading books with beautiful illustrations and love having your child read along with you, then make sure you check out If I Was A Caterpillar!

This wonderfully written and illustrated children’s book helps reinforce the age old idea for children that they can be anything they want to be. No dream is too big, and if you work hard you can achieve said dreams. The artwork was bright and warm to see, and watching the story unfold will surely help children take the message of the story to heart.

Overall this is another strong children’s book from these incredible writers. Full of heart, warmth and a message all children deserve to learn, this is a story parents will adore reading to their children for years to come. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of If I Was A Caterpillar today!

Rating: 10/10

Ten Sheep to Sleep by Nidhi Kamra Review

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A simple yet beautiful children’s book comes to life in Nidhi Kamra’s Ten Sheep to Sleep. Here is the synopsis:

Sammy Jo counts ten sheep to put her to sleep, but tonight, ten more sheep appear. The new sheep are creating a ruckus. Sammy Jo has to find a way to calm the sheep down, count twenty sheep, and ensure everyone is happy so they can get a good night’s sleep.

Suggested age range for readers: 5-8

This book is the perfect story for parents and children alike. Sharing an important lesson about problem solving, the story features fantastic artwork that features splashes of bright, warm colors and childlike whimsy. As if pouring from the mind and imagination of a child, the artwork compliments a strong children’s story that educates and entertains all at once.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was a fun read that I think children will be delighted to partake in. With fantastic complimentary artwork and a strong command of the language and wonder that children’s books need to thrive, author Nidhi Kamra has proven to be a fantastic author that has a long career ahead of her as a children’s book author. If you haven’t yet pick up your copies of Ten Sheep to Sleep by Nidhi Kamra
today!

Rating: 10/10

The book is available on Amazon:

My author Facebook page to follow is: http://www.facebook.com/nidhikamra1111

Website : nidhikamra.weebly.com

Twitter: @nidhikamra

Here is the book trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0LCJE3ILuvo