PEACE AT THE EDGE OF UNCERTAINTY by Neil Hanson

ISBN 13:  978-0-9826391-0-8
At the request of Tribute Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion

  Synopsis (from tour press package):  In this story told in the first-person form of a letter from a middle-aged man to his deceased father, Hanson invites us to journey with him through the final days of the father’s life, finding a magical transition waiting at the end of that journey. The story weaves end-of-life reality and spiritual questioning into a sensitive and revealing tapestry of Truth and Wisdom. The tapestry is colored with true stories of mystical experiences that inform the spiritual path of the son.

Most of us will face difficult and painful end-of-life decisions with the most important people in our lives. The threads of this aspect of the story are sensitive, and Hanson reveals the struggles and destinations of the son as he wrestles deeply with the journey that he must walk in making these decisions for his dying father.

  My Thoughts and Opinions:  When I was first approached to read and review this book, and after reading the synopsis above, I honestly had to step back and think about it.  Due to the fact that I am personally going through this same process, could this topic help or would it add to the stress I am already feeling.  I kept reading the 2nd paragraph and felt that, yes, being the sole person responsible, it would help, and so I accepted.

It is a very short read (approximately 100 pages), and as the synopsis states, is a letter from a son to his father through the process of death and dying.  It is also about the journey the son takes with his own faith.  And as stated in the synopsis “difficult and painful end-of-life decisions”,  yes, a decision had to be made by the writer and 2 siblings but I felt that it was glossed over.   In all fairness to the author, my expectations were set high on surviving family members having to make the “painful and difficult decisions”.  Being a former nurse and now the sole family member who is making the tough decisions, I was hoping that this book would convey how important it is and to help open communication within families regarding this topic, that is so uncomfortable to talk about but a reality no less, and one conversation that should take place.

SPACE by Emily Sue Harvey
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN  9781611880199
At the request of The Story Plant, Spread The Word Initiative, an ARC EPub Edition was sent via NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley):  Emily Sue delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child,” complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowes’s existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith’s endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most: her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own.

Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  I enjoy reading novels where there are relationship dynamics as the core of the story.  The characters in this book came to life through the words of the author, Emily Sue Harvey, and there were quite a few interwoven personalities within both the immediate and extended family of the Stowes.  I was also interested, after reading the synopsis, of the premise of what happens behind closed doors when a family member is overtaken by drugs, which is so prevalent in today’s society and the fracture of a family these drugs cause.

Here is where I am torn and confused about this book, which I honestly don’t quite understand.  And this is my opinion and my opinion only.  The book held my attention throughout.  However, I felt there was so much missing in the story.  It wasn’t until almost the end of the novel when the reader finds out what drug Faith is using.  It doesn’t describe the reality of true drug addiction, in my opinion.  But it focused more on her nicotine addiction.  I understood the underlying message of “needing one’s space” and as the synopsis states but I felt that some issues that would have made it more realistic were glossed over.  Examples like the loss of her parental rights were not touched upon until almost the end of the book.

Because it did hold my attention, but it also left me disappointed as far as the overall story line, I find myself having much difficulty rating it.

SPACE by Emily Sue Harvey
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN  9781611880199
At the request of The Story Plant, Spread The Word Initiative, an ARC EPub Edition was sent via NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley):  Emily Sue delivers us a deeply moving story of a family on the brink. Dan and Deede Stowe have worked for years, planning and saving for their idyllic retirement years. Just when they finally are about to realize their dream, their adult, recovering drug-addict daughter, Faith, moves back in with them and everything changes. Their “miracle child,” complete with druggie baggage, upsets the tranquil balance of the Stowes’s existence. Private romantic moments evaporate. Faith’s endless needs intrude hour by hour, devouring their finances, their emotions, and most crucially, their space. In turn, Faith finds herself bereft of everything she cherished most: her health, her marriage, her child, her family, her reputation and, most of all, a space to call her own.

Amid chaotic challenges, all three battle to find peace with each other, a harmony that doggedly eludes them. For the sake of family solidarity, each is forced to sacrifice elemental components of self, until desperation turns them one against the other. Will love be enough to turn the tide? Is it strong enough to warm again hearts grown cold?

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  I enjoy reading novels where there are relationship dynamics as the core of the story.  The characters in this book came to life through the words of the author, Emily Sue Harvey, and there were quite a few interwoven personalities within both the immediate and extended family of the Stowes.  I was also interested, after reading the synopsis, of the premise of what happens behind closed doors when a family member is overtaken by drugs, which is so prevalent in today’s society and the fracture of a family these drugs cause.

Here is where I am torn and confused about this book, which I honestly don’t quite understand.  And this is my opinion and my opinion only.  The book held my attention throughout.  However, I felt there was so much missing in the story.  It wasn’t until almost the end of the novel when the reader finds out what drug Faith is using.  It doesn’t describe the reality of true drug addiction, in my opinion.  But it focused more on her nicotine addiction.  I understood the underlying message of “needing one’s space” and as the synopsis states but I felt that some issues that would have made it more realistic were glossed over.  Examples like the loss of her parental rights were not touched upon until almost the end of the book.

Because it did hold my attention, but it also left me disappointed as far as the overall story line, I find myself having much difficulty rating it.

THE SANTA CLUB by Kelly Moss
Illustrated by Jim Keserich
Published by Palmary Press
ISBN 13:  978-0-9821340-1-6
At the request of The Cadence Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (from author):   A delightful book with captivating illustrations, The Santa Club transitions your child from receiving gifts to experiencing the joy of giving. With sensitivity, faith, and love, The Santa Club tackles the serious question, “Is Santa Claus Real?” To be read with your child, this wonderful book not only answers that sometimes “dreaded” question but it also addresses the questions of why Santa comes at Christmas and who was the first Santa.  The Santa Club is a wonderful parenting resource and a stunning children’s book, and is sure to become an annual family favorite.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  To those that follow this blog, you know that this is not the type of book that I would usually accept to review, however, when I was approached, I thought it would be different and fun.  When my boys were young, reading was an important integral of their upbringing.  From when they were infants, reading before bedtime was a nighttime ritual.  Books also played an important part during different milestones in their lives, such as bringing home a baby brother, potty training, starting school, and unfortunately, even loss.

Since it has been many years that I have read a children’s book, it was like a new experience for me.  The premise of the book is to help parents answer that hard question, Is Santa Real? Not only does it answer the question in a way that a child can understand but it also allows the child to feel special when the answer is revealed.  What also impressed me, which I am sure that some will disagree with me, is that it also explains the true meaning of Christmas.  At first, I was a bit unsure of the illustrations but the more I looked at them I could see the diversity the author was conveying to the parent and child.  I forgot to mention, this book states that a child must only read this book with a parent or guardian.  If you are a parent, grandparent or know someone with little ones, this should be in every household, tucked away for the day when that question is asked, Is Santa real?.  Highly recommend.

THE SANTA CLUB by Kelly Moss
Illustrated by Jim Keserich
Published by Palmary Press
ISBN 13:  978-0-9821340-1-6
At the request of The Cadence Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

  Synopsis (from author):   A delightful book with captivating illustrations, The Santa Club transitions your child from receiving gifts to experiencing the joy of giving. With sensitivity, faith, and love, The Santa Club tackles the serious question, “Is Santa Claus Real?” To be read with your child, this wonderful book not only answers that sometimes “dreaded” question but it also addresses the questions of why Santa comes at Christmas and who was the first Santa.  The Santa Club is a wonderful parenting resource and a stunning children’s book, and is sure to become an annual family favorite.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  To those that follow this blog, you know that this is not the type of book that I would usually accept to review, however, when I was approached, I thought it would be different and fun.  When my boys were young, reading was an important integral of their upbringing.  From when they were infants, reading before bedtime was a nighttime ritual.  Books also played an important part during different milestones in their lives, such as bringing home a baby brother, potty training, starting school, and unfortunately, even loss.

Since it has been many years that I have read a children’s book, it was like a new experience for me.  The premise of the book is to help parents answer that hard question, Is Santa Real? Not only does it answer the question in a way that a child can understand but it also allows the child to feel special when the answer is revealed.  What also impressed me, which I am sure that some will disagree with me, is that it also explains the true meaning of Christmas.  At first, I was a bit unsure of the illustrations but the more I looked at them I could see the diversity the author was conveying to the parent and child.  I forgot to mention, this book states that a child must only read this book with a parent or guardian.  If you are a parent, grandparent or know someone with little ones, this should be in every household, tucked away for the day when that question is asked, Is Santa real?.  Highly recommend.

SCREAM CATCHER by Vincent Zandri

Published by StoneGate Ink

  Now, in the wake of his literary success, the ever anxious Jude is hoping to lead a quiet, peaceful life in the idyllic Adirondack vacation town of Lake George, New York with his new pregnant wife, Rosie, and Jack, his young son from a previous marriage. But when Jude becomes the accidental witness to a bizarre “kill game” in which the killer, video game designer and master of disguise, Hector “the Black Dragon” Lennox, insists on recording the screams of his victims prior to shooting them dead, the ex-cop’s life is turned upside down.
  When Lennox is arrested by the L.G.P.D. and Jude is asked to act as the state’s “star witness,” he has no choice but to fight his demon-fear and take on the role. But what he doesn’t realize at the time is that the killer’s arrest is actually the first chapter in what is a carefully designed and scripted kill game that will involve Jude’s entire family.
  How will the kill game end?
  It will end not with a whimper, but a scream.

  My Thoughts and Opinion:  Where do I begin?  I’m thinking that I should apologize in advance as this is not going to be like my typical reviews where I attempt to make them short, concise, and to the point but this book has me reeling.  It all started in May of 2010 when I read a debut novel, Moonlight Falls, by an unknown author to me, Vincent Zandri and I was hooked.  Since that time I have read every one of his books and he doesn’t disappoint.
  I wrote a pre review last week when I was quite surprised when I received this galley in my email.  So I will start this review there.
(written on 07/28/11)  If you are a reader of mystery’s, thrillers, non stop action filled novels, mark your calendar for the release of this book!!!  Vinzent Zandri has IT!!!  Vincent Zandri is IT!!!  Vincent Zandri is brillIanT!!!  Just when you thought he reached the pinnacle in writing, he has found a higher mountain!!!  He has raised the bar with Scream Catcher!!  My heart was pounding at warp speed!!!  And that’s from reading 1/2 the book. It can only get better!!!  In ten days…plan on spending the day reading….it’s a page turning, can’t put down novel.
  Now that I have read the book in it’s entirety, I can give a full review.  Fantastic!!!!  Zandri is a genius at story telling.  Why does this book have me reeling?  His inventiveness of writing style.  I noticed a deviation immediately.  It has the classic Zandri flair, short chapters, cliff hanging chapters, twists and turns, non stop action and page turning suspense.  However, this had more drama, less quirky, quip dialogue and more of a psychological thriller plot.  Masterful!!!!
  In my pre review, I stated “it could only get better”…It did!!!  Exceptional!!!  His creative talent is phenomenal!!!  Vincent Zandri and Scream Catcher are Champions!!!!