Sunday, August 19, 2018

Book Review - Crypt Quest/Space Battles: A Play-Your-Way Book by Gabe Soria


Photo Credit - Amazon

While everyone is asleep, you and your friends sneak out to complete a dare. You climb a fence and enter an abandoned shopping mall, where you discover a video arcade managed by a ghostly attendant. With a magical token, you can decide to play Crypt Quest or Space Battles. After you make your choice, you have to continuously make choices as the game progresses.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of creating your own adventure books. I am still a huge fan but, this book left me a bit disappointed. The first few pages set the mood and then readers can choose how the story unfolds. However, after a few decision points, I felt annoyed that there was only"one correct" answer and all the other options lead you back to the previous decision point. I don't understand what the point is of having multiple options if only one progresses the story. I stopped reading after a few decision points after having to repeat the same decision point multiple times.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Friday, August 17, 2018

Book Review - The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sunnybrook used to be home to a top-notch cheerleading squad. Now there are no more cheerleaders.

On a dark rainy night, two girls were involved in a car accident leaving both of them dead. The scene was so gruesome that the paramedic team had trouble identifying which girl was which. Shortly afterward two more girls were murdered by their next-door neighbors. However, the police shot him, so why he murdered the girls will go with him to his grave. The last cheerleader, Monica's sister, committed suicide.  After the death of the five cheerleaders, the squad was disbanded.

On the five year anniversary of the girls' death,  Sunnybrook High faculty and students want to create a memorial for the cheerleaders.  Monica just wants to forget but, once she discovers her sister's cell phone, she is dragged back into the drama that happened five years ago. She meets a strange new friend and discovers sometimes, the past won't stay buried. Who is behind the murders? Are the deaths connected?

I found this to be an addictive and thrilling read. I couldn't put this book down. It was full of suspense and drama. My only qualm about this book is that in the beginning, there were a bit too many characters to keep track off. Overall, it was a thrilling and exciting novel to read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**



About the Book:
Title: THE CHEERLEADERS
Author: Kara Thomas
Pub. Date: July 31, 2018
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 384
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonAudibleB&NiBooksTBD

There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.

First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.

That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.

There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe. 

About Kara:
Kara Thomas is a true crime addict and the author of THE DARKEST CORNERS, LITTLE MONSTERS, and THE CHEERLEADERS, all published by Delacorte Press. You can find her on Twitter (@karatwrites), Instagram (@kara__thomas), or at http://www.kara-thomas.com.


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE CHEERLEADERS, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week Three:
Week Four:
8/13/2018- The Young FolksReview
8/14/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview
8/15/2018- Simply Daniel RadcliffeReview
8/16/2018- Moonlight RendezvousReview
8/17/2018- Two points of interestReview

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Book Review - Chaos in the Blink of an Eye: The Prequel by Patrick Higgins + Giveaway



Photo Credit - Amazon
The weekend before Thanksgiving more than a hundred thousand people are watching the game of the century at Michigan Stadium. Just before the game starts, a prophecy described in the Bible begins to unfold. Millions of people begin to vanish into thin air. Chaos and panic are filling the heart and mind of people everywhere.


This novel is the prequel to the series. I haven't read the other book in the series. However, I felt that this book was completely unnecessary. As it only introduces the readers to the characters and only towards the end of the book does the prophecy come through while leaving readers at a cliffhanger. This novel could have been better used if it actually showed why the prophecy finally occurred instead of just setting the mood for the next book.


**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Book Title: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye
Author: Patrick Higgins
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
Release date: September, 2015

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving. More than 100,000 fans were jammed inside Michigan Stadium, on their feet, to witness a heated football rivalry that had spanned more than 100 years. As the football was kicked into the snow-filled sky, they were about to get the shock of their lives, as long-foretold Bible prophecy came to pass before their very eyes, causing many to vanish into thin air without a trace.

But what they soon realized was that it reached far beyond Michigan Stadium. Chaos of unimaginable proportions ensued worldwide. Shock, fear and panic filled each heart and mind. It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…

About the Author

Patrick higgins 

Patrick Higgins is the author of The Pelican Trees, Coffee In Manila, the award-winning The Unannounced Christmas Visitor, and the award-winning prophetic end-times series, Chaos In The Blink Of An Eye. While the stories he writes all have different themes and take place in different settings, the one thread that links them all together is his heart for Jesus and his yearning for the lost.
With that in mind, it is his wish that the message his stories convey will greatly impact each reader, by challenging you not only to contemplate life on this side of the grave, but on the other side as well. After all, each of us will spend eternity at one of two places, based solely upon a single decision which must be made this side of the grave. That decision will be made crystal clear to each reader of his books.

Higgins is currently writing many other books, both fiction and non-fiction, including a sequel to Coffee In Manila, which will shine a bright, sobering light on the diabolical human trafficking industry.

Giveaway

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To celebrate his tour, Patrick is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Book Review - Miracle Man by William R. Leibowitz + Giveaway

Buy the book at Amazon


Robert James Austin was a victim of an unspeakable crime at a very young age. However, the tiny intelligent infant grows up to become a modern day superhero. Robert spends his life researching cures for various diseases.  While helping millions of people, Robert effects the bottom line of pharmaceutical companies.  Robert has to avoid greedy corporate executives along with an overzealous government official while he continues to work towards his life goals.

The novel had an interesting premise. I enjoyed the idea of a person overcoming personal obstacles to become a better person. However, the novel I felt was mundane and was too long for no reason. The book was very dull and boring. Even though the ending had a surprise twist, I honestly don't think it was worth reading this book until the end. This novel is listed as a thriller and suspense novel but, it's literally one dimensional with all the villains exposed with no mystery to be solved.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**


Book Details:

Book Title: The Miracle Man by William R. Leibowitz
Series: The Miracle Man Series Book 1
Category: Adult Fiction, 446 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Manifesto Media Group
Release date: February 2014

Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some profane language, some use of the word 'g*ddamit', mature subjects including pandemic disease, terrorism, sex abuse, suicide)

Book Description:

REVERED REVILED REMARKABLE

The victim of an unspeakable crime, an infant rises to become a new type of superhero. Unlike any that have come before him, he is not a fanciful creation of animators, he is real.

So begins the saga of Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in human history. But where did his extraordinary intelligence come from?

As agents of corporate greed vie with rabid anti-Western radicals to destroy him, an obsessive government leader launches a bizarre covert mission to exploit his intellect. Yet Austin’s greatest fear is not of this world.

Aided by two exceptional women, one of whom will become his unlikely lover, Austin struggles against abandonment and betrayal. But the forces that oppose him are more powerful than even he can understand.

Miracle Man is the winner of a Best Thriller national award, and was named by Amazon as ONE OF THE TOP 100 NOVELS OF 2015, a TOP 10 BEST SELLING THRILLER and a TOP 10 NEW YORK TIMES/AMAZON BEST SELLER


Buy the Book:

Meet the Author:



William R. Leibowitz practices law internationally and prefers not spending too much time in any one place. He is a graduate of New York University and Columbia University Law School.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook


Enter the Giveaway!
Ends 22, 2018


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Sunday, August 12, 2018

Book Review - Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Photo Source - Amazon


Darius Kellner never really fit in with his Persian family. He knows more about Hobbits and Klingon than Farsi and Persian traditions. When his family decides to take to Iran, Darius realizes this trip will change his life.

Darius has trouble fitting in at home and he knows things will be the same in Iran. However, when Darius meets Sohrab, everything changes. They start playing soccer together, talking for hours, and exploring the city together.  Sohrab makes Darius feels that finally belong somewhere.

I thought this was an emotional and delightful read. I found it endearing and easy to relate to Darius. I remember growing up around that age, I constantly felt out of place and had trouble fitting in. As a child of immigrants after a few years in America, I lost most of our culture and blended with American culture more easily. I had a tough time finding a balance between my culture and the love of my new adopted country. I love how this book illustrates that we all need someone to help us feel that we belong. Overall, a great read for readers of all ages!

*Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Friday, August 10, 2018

Book Review - Running by Dave Milbrandt + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jim Mitchelle thought he finally got his life together after a few bumps in the road. However, he is caught in the middle of an assassination plot. Jim is projected into a vacant state assembly seat. Jim doesn't want the job but, he is the best candidate they have. Together with his allies, he has to help prevent a political takedown while ensuring he keeps his job and life in the end.

I thought the novel had an interesting premise. Jim Mitchell was an egotistical journalist who let his personal ambition cost him dearly. He becomes a politician to help serve others and not himself. Upon taking this new job, he struggles with maintaining a healthy work and life balance. I like seeing how Jim was trying to manage his own personal demons. However, I didn't find this novel to be very suspenseful as the plot and murder was resolved very quickly without any plot twist. Overall, I found it to be a cozy read about politics.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book


Book Title: Running
Author: Dave Milbrandt
Genre: Christian Suspense
Release date: May 1, 2018
An assassin’s bullet sends Jim Mitchell running. When he’ll stop is anybody’s guess.

A tragedy propels Jim into a vacant state assembly seat. The new lawmaker and his wife have a baby on the way, but that doesn’t stop the people trying to keep him from a job he never wanted in the first place. Then Jim gets involved in a plan to thwart a major terror attack that could either make him a hero or get him killed.

Political intrigue and high drama accent this tale of what it costs to find one’s purpose, and what the rewards can be when you do.

Running is the third book in the Jim Mitchell series. Previous titles include Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure.

About the Author

Dave Milbrandt 
The author of Chasing Deception and Undue Pressure, Dave Milbrandt fell in love with writing in junior high and has been a storyteller ever since. A former staff writer for a daily newspaper, the Southern California native spent five years in journalism and public relations before becoming a teacher. Having worked at several area colleges, Dave has taught high school English and Social Studies classes since 2005 and fills his evenings sharing a passion for politics with his community college students. Dave and his wife, Lynn, have been married since 1997.

Giveaway

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To celebrate his tour, Dave is giving away a grand prize that includes ebooks of all three books in the series!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d33e/running-celebration-tour-giveaway