WHEN YOU WENT AWAY by Michael Baron

Published by The Story Plant

ISBN-10: 0981956807

ISBN-13: 978-0981956800

This Kindle Edition is owned by me and was a personal choice of reading, that I downloaded via Amazon,  during a special that was being offered.

Synopsis (from Amazon): Baron’s carefully crafted debut tale, the Story Plant’s first mass market original, is too true-to-life to be interesting. Gerry Rubato’s wife has died and his teenage daughter has run away from home, leaving him alone to raise an infant son. Despite the recent tragedies, the focus of the novel is on rather ordinary non-events, such as Gerry’s work at a catalogue company, opinions about the Yankees and tedious descriptions of food. As Gerry struggles to confront his runaway child, he chronicles his emotional reactions in a series of journal entries. A romantic subplot involving a colleague provides predictable conflict. Buried in the minutiae is an earnest tale of a man’s emotional awakening and grief, but a too-easy resolution makes this more of a tour through Gerry’s processing than a story.

My Thoughts and Opinion: Once again Michael Baron pulls on the heart strings from the opening sentence to the very last page. A poignant, tender, emotional, romantic, softhearted and moving love story through the eyes of a male written by a male. A story of love on different levels and in different states of the main character’s life. Gerry has everything, a wife, which is the love of his life, a teenage daughter, a brand new baby boy and then his world collapses. His daughter runs away, his wife dies suddenly, he becomes an instant single parent, and even though there is so much grief, he has to go on.

I have read many books by this author and every time I do, I have to remind myself that it is written by a male author. The soft, compassionate, moving and touching words that the author conveys in his writing, tugs on the heart strings and allows the reader to see and feel from that of a male perspective. Ladies, I wish, all of this could be bottled and made into a vaccine for the male species, if you know what I mean. Another plus with this book was that the main character is a huge Yankees fan. When his son was just an infant, they would spend their evenings together on the couch, watching a game, while he explained the art of baseball, knowing that his son probably had no clue what he was talking about. This brought back memories. I would do the same thing, not about baseball but while I was cooking. And another plus, my oldest son is a HUGE Yankees fan, naming is dog after the team and even has a tattoo. So in my book….that gets extra points. Overall….a phenomenal poignant read!!! A grand slam!!!

Cold weather is here in New England, which means snow is right around the corner.  So when Rebecca from The Cadence Group contacted me to read, review and have the author stop by, I thought it would be fun.  So without further ado, please help me welcome, Mr. Mark Smythe!!

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful Southern geography of Western New York State.  It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just South of Buffalo, New York.


He, his wife Sandra and their two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.
Mark is an Interior Structural Fire Fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, and is also a member of the Emergency & Rescue Squad.
The concept for this particular book began years ago, as an original bedtime story that he made up for his own children, which they always asked for and seemed to like, especially on those cold and snowy winter nights, so reminiscent of the Northeast.
You can visit Mark at his website.

THE SNOWMAN’S REVENGEby Mark Smythe

Illustrations by Mike Motz

Published by Mark Smythe

ISBN-13: 9780982270400

At the request of The Cadence Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

 

Synopsis (from the author): The snow’s piled up high and school’s cancelled, so let’s play outside and, of course, build a snowman! Now, what if you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, like that poor snowman? Would you be mad? Of course you would!

 

Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let’s see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, very beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed.

So lovable, it’s sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with “kids” of all ages.

 

My Thoughts and Opinion: When I was approached to read and review this book, I thought it would be fun, especially with the holidays just around the corner. But in fairness to the author, I must admit, that since I did not have the opportunity to read it to a young child to obtain a reaction of a little one, it is based solely on my opinion of the book. The book is written in a rhyming fashion. I found the illustrations to be vivid and colorful which I would think would keep a child’s attention. However, the premise of the story is of the revenge of one angry snowman. I thought that and the images to go along with that part of the story line, a bit scary for a child, but again, that is my opinion. Because it has been many years that I have had the pleasant experience of reading to a youngster, I don’t feel that I am qualified to give this book a rating, only my opinion.  

 

 

THANKS TO REBECCA FROM THE CADENCE GROUP,

I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

 

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO

THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

 

 

 DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

 

 

Cold weather is here in New England, which means snow is right around the corner.  So when Rebecca from The Cadence Group contacted me to read, review and have the author stop by, I thought it would be fun.  So without further ado, please help me welcome, Mr. Mark Smythe!!

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful Southern geography of Western New York State.  It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just South of Buffalo, New York.


He, his wife Sandra and their two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.
Mark is an Interior Structural Fire Fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, and is also a member of the Emergency & Rescue Squad.
The concept for this particular book began years ago, as an original bedtime story that he made up for his own children, which they always asked for and seemed to like, especially on those cold and snowy winter nights, so reminiscent of the Northeast.
You can visit Mark at his website.

THE SNOWMAN’S REVENGEby Mark Smythe

Illustrations by Mike Motz

Published by Mark Smythe

ISBN-13: 9780982270400

At the request of The Cadence Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

 

Synopsis (from the author): The snow’s piled up high and school’s cancelled, so let’s play outside and, of course, build a snowman! Now, what if you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, like that poor snowman? Would you be mad? Of course you would!

 

Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let’s see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, very beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed.

So lovable, it’s sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with “kids” of all ages.

 

My Thoughts and Opinion: When I was approached to read and review this book, I thought it would be fun, especially with the holidays just around the corner. But in fairness to the author, I must admit, that since I did not have the opportunity to read it to a young child to obtain a reaction of a little one, it is based solely on my opinion of the book. The book is written in a rhyming fashion. I found the illustrations to be vivid and colorful which I would think would keep a child’s attention. However, the premise of the story is of the revenge of one angry snowman. I thought that and the images to go along with that part of the story line, a bit scary for a child, but again, that is my opinion. Because it has been many years that I have had the pleasant experience of reading to a youngster, I don’t feel that I am qualified to give this book a rating, only my opinion.  

 

 

THANKS TO REBECCA FROM THE CADENCE GROUP,

I HAVE ONE (1) COPY OF THIS BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

 

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO

THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE.

 

 

 DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

 

 

MEGAN’S WAY by Melissa Foster

Published by Outskirts Press

ISBN-10: 1432744429

ISBN-13: 978-1432744427

At the request of the author and WOW Tours, a digital edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (from Amazon): What would you give up for the people you love?

When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she’ll be faced with the most difficult decision she’s ever had to make. She’ll endure an emotional journey, questioning her own moral and ethical values, and the decisions she’d made long ago. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends, will be stretched and frayed.
Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia’s world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there’s nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, her life will hang in the balance.

My Thoughts and Opinion: Let me tell you right up front that I am going to have difficulty reviewing this book because of the heart wrenching premise and the moving emotions that were conveyed. Miss Foster’s writing style was flowing and allowed the characters to come to life from the very start. The friendships, so detailed and poignant yet flawed. Friendships that were so loving and loyal yet secretive with bits of betrayal. Decisions that are truly thought provoking, asking oneself “what would I do in that situation?”. This reader, as in real life, had tears of happiness and silliness but at other times sadness and grief. There is also a spiritual connection between mother and daughter. I think if you believe in an after life, Ms. Foster, describes one that is something we all hope for. An emotional block buster!! Highly Recommend!!!

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

MEGAN’S WAY by Melissa Foster

Published by Outskirts Press

ISBN-10: 1432744429

ISBN-13: 978-1432744427

At the request of the author and WOW Tours, a digital edition was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (from Amazon): What would you give up for the people you love?

When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she’ll be faced with the most difficult decision she’s ever had to make. She’ll endure an emotional journey, questioning her own moral and ethical values, and the decisions she’d made long ago. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends, will be stretched and frayed.
Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia’s world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there’s nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, her life will hang in the balance.

My Thoughts and Opinion: Let me tell you right up front that I am going to have difficulty reviewing this book because of the heart wrenching premise and the moving emotions that were conveyed. Miss Foster’s writing style was flowing and allowed the characters to come to life from the very start. The friendships, so detailed and poignant yet flawed. Friendships that were so loving and loyal yet secretive with bits of betrayal. Decisions that are truly thought provoking, asking oneself “what would I do in that situation?”. This reader, as in real life, had tears of happiness and silliness but at other times sadness and grief. There is also a spiritual connection between mother and daughter. I think if you believe in an after life, Ms. Foster, describes one that is something we all hope for. An emotional block buster!! Highly Recommend!!!

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold…they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE by Catherine Larose
Published by Friesen Press

Everyone wanted Cat’s life. She had a handsome husband, a stylish home and a fascinating career as an international color marketing consultant. Work took Cat to some of the world’s most beautiful cities but something was missing: ironically, it was color. One day she found herself in Paris watching a sunset and, in a moment of clarity, she caught a glimpse of her sepia-toned future.

When Cat got home, she did what she’d longed to do for years. She decided to paint her bedroom a magnificent Bordeaux red and put an end to her beige existence and her marriage. That was the beginning of a new life.

Any Color but Beige is a bright, funny, genuine account of one woman’s search for love in the deep end of the dating pool. None of the self-help books prepared Cat for the often funny, occasionally puzzling, sometimes sad but always colorful dating adventures with an international cast of frogs, princes and players. Cat makes the classic female mistake of thinking that love is a life preserver. Until one day she learns to swim.

ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE by Catherine Larose
Published by Friesen Press

Everyone wanted Cat’s life. She had a handsome husband, a stylish home and a fascinating career as an international color marketing consultant. Work took Cat to some of the world’s most beautiful cities but something was missing: ironically, it was color. One day she found herself in Paris watching a sunset and, in a moment of clarity, she caught a glimpse of her sepia-toned future.

When Cat got home, she did what she’d longed to do for years. She decided to paint her bedroom a magnificent Bordeaux red and put an end to her beige existence and her marriage. That was the beginning of a new life.

Any Color but Beige is a bright, funny, genuine account of one woman’s search for love in the deep end of the dating pool. None of the self-help books prepared Cat for the often funny, occasionally puzzling, sometimes sad but always colorful dating adventures with an international cast of frogs, princes and players. Cat makes the classic female mistake of thinking that love is a life preserver. Until one day she learns to swim.

LETHAL by Sandra Brown