BLOOD OF MY BROTHER by James LePore

Published by The Story Plant

ISBN-13: 978-0-9819568-8-6
At the request of The Story Plant, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): “When Jay Cassio’s best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay’s parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.
  Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I was a bit skeptical when I picked up this book to read for a couple of reasons, one being this was my introduction to this author, never having read any of his work and the fact that this book was part of a “Tristate Triology” and not reading the first book of the series, would I be able to give this author justice, if I wasn’t able to follow the story line out of sequence(I do have his latest one, Sons and Princes, also on my requested review shelf). I was proven wrong after reading the prologue, I was hooked. The plot started when the main character, Jay, and his best friend Dan were children in 1967. A story of true friendship, loyalty, betrayal, “street justice”, corruption, murder, trust, love and much more. The cast of characters is quite long and at times, I would have to go back in the book to try and find them to see what their roles were. The beginning of the book hooked me, the middle of the book was a bit confusing, and the end of the book was action packed and page turning with some surprises. And as far as the triology, this book can be read as a “stand alone” novel. I look forward to reading Sons and Princes.

DIAGNOSIS DEATH by Richard Mabry, M.D.

Published by Abingdon Press
ISBN: 07814267710216
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): When her comatose husband died in the ICU while on life support, the whispers about Dr. Elena Gardner began. Another death during her training puts her under suspicion. When the pattern is repeated in the hospital where she is attempting to start over, the whispers turn into a shout: “mercy killing.” What is the dark secret that keeps Allison’s lips sealed when she should be defending herself?
  Despite her move to a new city, the midnight phone calls that started after her husband’s death follow Elena. Who is the woman who sobs out, “I know what you did?” What does she mean by “You’ll pay?” And what can Elena do to prevent it?
  Two physicians, widowers themselves, offer support, telling Elena they know what she is going through after the death of her husband. But do they? And is it safe to trust either of them with her secret?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After reading the synopsis, I felt that this would be a good match for me. It had some of the ingredients, suspense and medicine, as it’s premise that drew me to this book. However, I had never heard of this author or read any of his books before, but thought I would give it a shot (no pun intended). I must admit, by the first couple of pages and to my surprise, Dr. Mabry had pulled me in. Not only was I so engrossed into the story but he had also transported me to the patient’s ICU room through his writing ability. I thought could this be possible? This early in the book? Then something happened on page 111 and I was very disappointed. It appeared to be quite obvious, that the author was exposing “the suspect” or so I thought, but kept reading anyway. I was wrong!!!!!! This book had a cast of characters that had this reader guessing from page 1, past page 111, to the end as to who really was behind the deaths, including the main character, Dr. Elena Gardner. A great read without a lot of medical jargon for those who are not in the medical profession. The suspense a page turner!!!!

DIAGNOSIS DEATH by Richard Mabry, M.D.

Published by Abingdon Press
ISBN: 07814267710216
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): When her comatose husband died in the ICU while on life support, the whispers about Dr. Elena Gardner began. Another death during her training puts her under suspicion. When the pattern is repeated in the hospital where she is attempting to start over, the whispers turn into a shout: “mercy killing.” What is the dark secret that keeps Allison’s lips sealed when she should be defending herself?
  Despite her move to a new city, the midnight phone calls that started after her husband’s death follow Elena. Who is the woman who sobs out, “I know what you did?” What does she mean by “You’ll pay?” And what can Elena do to prevent it?
  Two physicians, widowers themselves, offer support, telling Elena they know what she is going through after the death of her husband. But do they? And is it safe to trust either of them with her secret?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After reading the synopsis, I felt that this would be a good match for me. It had some of the ingredients, suspense and medicine, as it’s premise that drew me to this book. However, I had never heard of this author or read any of his books before, but thought I would give it a shot (no pun intended). I must admit, by the first couple of pages and to my surprise, Dr. Mabry had pulled me in. Not only was I so engrossed into the story but he had also transported me to the patient’s ICU room through his writing ability. I thought could this be possible? This early in the book? Then something happened on page 111 and I was very disappointed. It appeared to be quite obvious, that the author was exposing “the suspect” or so I thought, but kept reading anyway. I was wrong!!!!!! This book had a cast of characters that had this reader guessing from page 1, past page 111, to the end as to who really was behind the deaths, including the main character, Dr. Elena Gardner. A great read without a lot of medical jargon for those who are not in the medical profession. The suspense a page turner!!!!

SPINNING by Michael Baron

The Aronica-Miller Publishing Project, LLC

At the request of The Story Plant, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from author’s website): Dylan Hunter has it made. At 29, he has great friends, a huge job, all the women he can handle, and no commitments. A public relations executive, Dylan has dashed up the ladder of success by mastering the art of the spin – bending the truth to his and his clients’ needs. But when a former lover steps back into his life with a three-year-old girl by her side (no, she’s not his), Dylan suddenly finds himself in a place he can’t spin himself out of. And when Dylan unexpectedly becomes the child’s sole guardian, he finds himself to be like a circus performer trying to keep all of his spinning plates from crashing to the ground. In what seems like a blink of the eye, Dylan Hunter’s life has changed completely…whether he’s ready for it or not.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book was the best birthday present I ever gave to myself !!! People asked what my plans for my birthday were and my answer was relax and read, and I picked the perfect book to read. I became a fan of Michael Baron’s after I read Crossing The Bridge, and his next book, The Journey Home, which was just as good. Talented!!! In this book, Spinning, Mr. Baron, through his writing style and words created life like characters, whereas I fell in love with Spring, the 3 year old child in the center of the story line. Touching!!! This page turner, had this reader, actually able to feel the emotions the characters were experiencing. I had to keep reminding myself that this poignant book was written by a male author. Brilliant!! A novel from page one to the very last page, was full of emotion, heart wrenching and tender, funny and sad, warm with devotion and unconditional love. An engrossing read that pulls on your heartstrings and doesn’t let go, even after you read the last page. Superb!!! A highly recommended must read!!
  Mr. Baron will be visiting on April 12th, so mark your calendars and stop by!!!

SPINNING by Michael Baron

The Aronica-Miller Publishing Project, LLC

At the request of The Story Plant, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from author’s website): Dylan Hunter has it made. At 29, he has great friends, a huge job, all the women he can handle, and no commitments. A public relations executive, Dylan has dashed up the ladder of success by mastering the art of the spin – bending the truth to his and his clients’ needs. But when a former lover steps back into his life with a three-year-old girl by her side (no, she’s not his), Dylan suddenly finds himself in a place he can’t spin himself out of. And when Dylan unexpectedly becomes the child’s sole guardian, he finds himself to be like a circus performer trying to keep all of his spinning plates from crashing to the ground. In what seems like a blink of the eye, Dylan Hunter’s life has changed completely…whether he’s ready for it or not.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book was the best birthday present I ever gave to myself !!! People asked what my plans for my birthday were and my answer was relax and read, and I picked the perfect book to read. I became a fan of Michael Baron’s after I read Crossing The Bridge, and his next book, The Journey Home, which was just as good. Talented!!! In this book, Spinning, Mr. Baron, through his writing style and words created life like characters, whereas I fell in love with Spring, the 3 year old child in the center of the story line. Touching!!! This page turner, had this reader, actually able to feel the emotions the characters were experiencing. I had to keep reminding myself that this poignant book was written by a male author. Brilliant!! A novel from page one to the very last page, was full of emotion, heart wrenching and tender, funny and sad, warm with devotion and unconditional love. An engrossing read that pulls on your heartstrings and doesn’t let go, even after you read the last page. Superb!!! A highly recommended must read!!
  Mr. Baron will be visiting on April 12th, so mark your calendars and stop by!!!

SPINNING by Michael Baron

The Aronica-Miller Publishing Project, LLC

At the request of The Story Plant, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
 
Synopsis (borrowed from author’s website): Dylan Hunter has it made. At 29, he has great friends, a huge job, all the women he can handle, and no commitments. A public relations executive, Dylan has dashed up the ladder of success by mastering the art of the spin – bending the truth to his and his clients’ needs. But when a former lover steps back into his life with a three-year-old girl by her side (no, she’s not his), Dylan suddenly finds himself in a place he can’t spin himself out of. And when Dylan unexpectedly becomes the child’s sole guardian, he finds himself to be like a circus performer trying to keep all of his spinning plates from crashing to the ground. In what seems like a blink of the eye, Dylan Hunter’s life has changed completely…whether he’s ready for it or not.
  
My Thoughts and Opinion: This book was the best birthday present I ever gave to myself !!! People asked what my plans for my birthday were and my answer was relax and read, and I picked the perfect book to read. I became a fan of Michael Baron’s after I read Crossing The Bridge, and his next book, The Journey Home, which was just as good. Talented!!! In this book, Spinning, Mr. Baron, through his writing style and words created life like characters, whereas I fell in love with Spring, the 3 year old child in the center of the story line. Touching!!! This page turner, had this reader, actually able to feel the emotions the characters were experiencing. I had to keep reminding myself that this poignant book was written by a male author. Brilliant!! A novel from page one to the very last page, was full of emotion, heart wrenching and tender, funny and sad, warm with devotion and unconditional love. An engrossing read that pulls on your heartstrings and doesn’t let go, even after you read the last page. Superb!!! A highly recommended must read!!
  Mr. Baron will be visiting on April 12th, so mark your calendars and stop by!!!

MISS HILDRETH WORE BROWN by Olivia deBelle Byrd

Published by Morgan James Publishing
ISBN 978-1-60037-748-8
I originally won this book from My Reader’s Block blog and then at the request of the author, was asked to read, review and offer my honest opinion. There was no cost to me and/or no monetary compensation.
  Synopsis: While Olivia deBelle Byrd was repeating one of her many Southern stories for the umpteenth time, her long-suffering husband looked at her with glazed over eyes and said, “Why don’t you write this stuff down?” Thus was born Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. If the genesis for a book is to shut your wife up, I guess that’s as good as any.
  On top of that, Olivia’s mother had burdened her with one of those Southern middle names kids love to make fun. To see “deBelle” printed on the front of a book seemed vindication for all the childhood teasing.
  With storytelling written in the finest Southern tradition from the soap operas of Chandler Street in the quaint town of Gainesville, Georgia, to a country store on the Alabama state line, Olivia deBelle Byrd delves with wit and amusement into the world of the Deep South with all its unique idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms.
  The characters who dance across the pages range from Great-Aunt Lottie Mae, who is as “old-fashioned and opinionated as the day is long,” to Mrs. Brewton, who calls everyone “dahling” whether they are darling or not, to Isabella with her penchant for mint juleps and drama.
  Humorous anecdotes from a Christmas coffee, where one can converse with a lady who has Christmas trees with blinking lights dangling from her ears, to Sunday church, where a mink coat is mistaken for possum, will delight Southerners and baffle many a non-Southerner. There is the proverbial Southern beauty pageant, where even a six-month-old can win a tiara, to a funeral faux pas of the iron clad Southern rule—one never wears white after Labor Day and, dear gussy, most certainly not to a funeral.
  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of laugh-out-loud reading and hilarious enjoyment.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: A very light hearted, quick, funny, and at times, laugh out loud chapters read. The writing style of the author allows the reader to actually visualize the scene and gives the feeling of the author and reader engaged in a dialogue. Short chapters touching upon topics, in my opinion, everyone can relate to in some way. Her sense of humor and the way she relates events from funerals to family vacations, emergency room visits to Christmas attire is hysterical. A must read and a perfect gift for those “just because occasions”!!!!

 

Addendum: Olivia deBelle Byrd will be visiting here on April 14th while on tour. So mark your calendars!!! She also has a surprise in store for you!!

MISS HILDRETH WORE BROWN by Olivia deBelle Byrd

Published by Morgan James Publishing
ISBN 978-1-60037-748-8
I originally won this book from My Reader’s Block blog and then at the request of the author, was asked to read, review and offer my honest opinion. There was no cost to me and/or no monetary compensation.
  Synopsis: While Olivia deBelle Byrd was repeating one of her many Southern stories for the umpteenth time, her long-suffering husband looked at her with glazed over eyes and said, “Why don’t you write this stuff down?” Thus was born Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. If the genesis for a book is to shut your wife up, I guess that’s as good as any.
  On top of that, Olivia’s mother had burdened her with one of those Southern middle names kids love to make fun. To see “deBelle” printed on the front of a book seemed vindication for all the childhood teasing.
  With storytelling written in the finest Southern tradition from the soap operas of Chandler Street in the quaint town of Gainesville, Georgia, to a country store on the Alabama state line, Olivia deBelle Byrd delves with wit and amusement into the world of the Deep South with all its unique idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms.
  The characters who dance across the pages range from Great-Aunt Lottie Mae, who is as “old-fashioned and opinionated as the day is long,” to Mrs. Brewton, who calls everyone “dahling” whether they are darling or not, to Isabella with her penchant for mint juleps and drama.
  Humorous anecdotes from a Christmas coffee, where one can converse with a lady who has Christmas trees with blinking lights dangling from her ears, to Sunday church, where a mink coat is mistaken for possum, will delight Southerners and baffle many a non-Southerner. There is the proverbial Southern beauty pageant, where even a six-month-old can win a tiara, to a funeral faux pas of the iron clad Southern rule—one never wears white after Labor Day and, dear gussy, most certainly not to a funeral.
  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of laugh-out-loud reading and hilarious enjoyment.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: A very light hearted, quick, funny, and at times, laugh out loud chapters read. The writing style of the author allows the reader to actually visualize the scene and gives the feeling of the author and reader engaged in a dialogue. Short chapters touching upon topics, in my opinion, everyone can relate to in some way. Her sense of humor and the way she relates events from funerals to family vacations, emergency room visits to Christmas attire is hysterical. A must read and a perfect gift for those “just because occasions”!!!!

 

Addendum: Olivia deBelle Byrd will be visiting here on April 14th while on tour. So mark your calendars!!! She also has a surprise in store for you!!