October 14, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Pain Eater by LaShane Arnett (Book Review)

For most people, discovering the truth of who you are can be a harrowing journey, but when you’re 21-year-old Sadie Reed, discovering your truth can be downright deadly.

After her twenty-first birthday, Sadie has an undeniable vision and learns she’s psychic. She uses her gift to reconnect with her estranged father and spirals down an emotional rabbit hole…

When she has a vision of missing woman, Maxine Powell, being brutally murdered, she learns true evil does exist– and it’s killing gifted women just like her.

With the help of her best friend, Adrian, whom she is falling in love with, and Angel, an old dying Psychic, Sadie embarks on a journey to find the missing woman and quickly learns the path to her full potential lies within death.

Will it be hers, or someone she cares about?

The Pain Eater uniquely touches on the lasting pain associated with loss, the power within true love, and the strength of family.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from R&R Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Sadie was born special, different than other babies. She could “read other babies.” As she grew, her “powers” grew with her. She didn’t quite understand them. At times, they got her in hot water at school. Sadie didn’t have a parent to speak to regarding her abilities. Her mom was stripped of her life (dead), and her father checked out immediately (mentally and often times physically). Sadie was not alone though – she had her best friend Adrian to lean on. A friend who eventually became more than a friend.

With Adrian by her side, she found a psychic (Angel) to help shield her mind and harness her powers. During their brief time together, she learned secrets about her family. These secrets would change her world forever. When Angel passed on, Sadie was thrust head-first into predicaments she wasn’t entirely prepared for. Anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, and fear were emotions constantly bombarding Sadie. I would be scared, too, if I suddenly saw menacing shadows, dead people, and glowing objects. 

We met the most interesting characters at Angel’s Celebration of Life shindig. Brianna, the three-boobed woman, gave me flashbacks to the Total Recall movies. There was also the bearded woman, hypnotist, sword swallower, contortionist, and so forth. I’ve never been to a “freak show” before, but I can imagine walking into a room with this group of individuals must’ve been quite an experience. 

Through Angel, we learn how Angel became powerful and where Sadie’s powers came from. No spoilers. 

The unsub’s identity of who took the numerous women was not divulged in this book; however, the final chapter made me think the sequel will center on him or her. Psychic versus Psychopath – I can’t wait!  

If you like paranormal thrillers or believe in psychics, pick up this book! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Author Pic

LaShane Arnett is an African American poet and author living in Southern California with her husband of thirty+ years. She is the creator of Arnett Publications and the author of The Sadie Reed Series. The first book in the series, The Pain Eater, is highly recommended for anyone who loves Paranormal Thrillers.

LaShane Arnett | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

 

 

 

 

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October 11, 2022 · 7:00 am

Closer to Okay by Amy Watson (Book Review)

Weaving culinary delights with an honest, appraising look at how we deal with the world when it becomes too much, Closer to Okay is the comfort food we all need in these, well, crazy times.

Kyle Davies is doing fine. She has her routine, after all, ingrained in her from years of working as a baker: wake up, make breakfast, prep the dough, make lunch, work the dough, make dinner, bake dessert, go to bed. Wash, rinse, repeat. It’s a good routine. Comforting. Almost enough to help her forget the scars on her wrist, still healing from when she slit it a few weeks ago; that she lost her job at the bakery when she checked herself in as an inpatient at Hope House; then signed away all decisions about her life, medical care, and wellbeing to Dr. Booth (who may or may not be a hack). So, yeah, Kyle’s doing just fine.

Except that a new item’s been added to her daily to-do list recently: stare out her window at the coffee shop (named, well…The Coffee Shop) across the street, and its hot owner, Jackson. It’s healthy to have eye candy when you’re locked in the psych ward, right? Something low risk to keep yourself distracted. So when Dr. Booth allows Kyle to leave the facility–two hours a day to go wherever she wants–she decides to up the stakes a little more. Why not visit? Why not see what Jackson’s like in person?

Turns out that Jackson’s a jerk with a heart of gold, a deadly combination that Kyle finds herself drawn to more than she should be. (Aren’t we all?) At a time when Dr. Booth delivers near-constant warnings about the dangers of romantic entanglements, Kyle is pulled further and further into Jackson’s orbit. At first, the feeling of being truly taken care of is bliss, like floating on a wave. But at a time when Kyle is barely managing her own problems, she finds herself suddenly thrown into the deep end of someone else’s. Dr. Booth may have been right after all: falling in love may be the thing that sends Kyle into a backslide she might never be able to crawl out of. Is Jackson too much for her to handle? Does love come at the cost of sanity?

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from R&R Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Closer to Okay tore me up. I cried so many times that I thought I would have to go to the store for more Kleenex. I choked up when Kyle threw her arms around Jackson because she desperately needed a hug. I wanted to hug her at that moment, and I am not a hugger. 

When Kyle confided about her mother to Jackson, I again felt the urge to hug her. Kyle seemed so broken and, at times, almost came across as a lost child – not a struggling adult. 

When Jackson showed us his vulnerable side, my heart began to ache for him. I felt terrible for him when he begged Kyle for help, and she turned him down. I shed a tear when he first hugged her and wrote that beautiful letter. 

Closer to Okay does contain subject matter that might be difficult for some people to read. Trigger warning: suicide attempt, suicide, anxiety, depression, anorexia, panic attacks, etc. If these areas are difficult for you to read, I suggest not reading this book. If you suffer from mental disorders and feel like you can handle these topics, I encourage you to give this book a chance. I suffer from many issues and will admit this book was hard for me to read, BUT I’m glad I didn’t give up on it. Kyle and Jackson are beautifully broken people who bring out the best in each other. 

I don’t feel like the end is the end of their story. At least, I hope there’s a sequel in the works. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Amy-Watson-credit-Rita-Earles-1160x1536-1-300x300

Amy Watson is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. A wife, a mother to two boys, and a full-time office manager. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, drinking coffee, knitting, and watching football.

Amy Watson | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

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October 7, 2022 · 7:00 am

Rose: Future Heart by Jazalyn (Book Review)

A socially underprivileged rose witnesses unpleasant events and behaviors that threaten Her inner peace and is determined to set life and love aside in order to find Her true, pure and moral parts of character.

30 petals of MOOD and STATUS.

A society full of INJUSTICES and UNFAIRNESS.

A ROLE She doesn’t want to play.

A RAGE. A RAVE.

A PAST that leads to HATE.

A RARE SOUL.

A wishful CHANGE of HEART.

She AROSE and She ROSE.

From IGNORANCE to STRENGTH.

A FUTURE that should lead to LOVE.

But can there be LOVE?

A dark fantasy magical realism poetic novel that endures urban social issues and inequality, and challenges self esteem, self help, self improvement, self development, healing.

I never knew how to have
I’ve learned to live without love
And I can’t change all of a sudden
Something’s got to happen

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

 

Reading Rose: Future Heart was like riding on a merry-go-round that never stops. You go up (I want to love and be loved) and down (love escapes me, no one will ever love me). 

Jazalyn’s poetry speaks of love in different intensities, which usually piggyback on jealousy, tears, pain, feeling of shame and humiliation, and reasons why love eludes them. They speak of not becoming a lover until they find their “perfect fit” (“No Lover”). There is no perfect fit; we all have flaws. You might see these flaws as you date or move in together. Eventually, the imperfections will surface. Saving yourself for perfection is a goal that’ll be difficult to obtain.

The author discusses other reasons they can’t have intimate relations: OCD, mysophobia, and germophobia. I have OCD and am a germophobe, but “mysophobia” was new to me. Upon a quick internet search, I discovered it meant having an extreme or irrational fear of dirt and contamination. They feared disease entering their body. I get that, but unless a person with mysophobia wants a sexless life, they need to seek counseling for this condition.

 

Favorite poems:

“Entertainment Made Me Love Like That” – People indeed use many forms of creative outlets to help them cope with internal and external pain. I hope writing brings the author comfort and peace. 

“Sleeping Beauty (Life Back)” – I thought it was interesting writing about what’s going on inside the mind of the sleeping beauty. I’ve watched the movie many times, and not once did I stop and wonder what she was thinking or dreaming about. 

 

Overall impression: The collection was not my cup of tea. I was going to score it two, but upon reflection, I decided to score it based on how it would be received by others who struggle to find or retain love in their life – for those who are looking for their “perfect someone” to make them whole. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

With 150,000+ engagements and 20,000+ followers that grow more and more across 7 social media platforms, Jazalyn is among the most-promising newcomers authors-poets.

Her books have sold in 4 Continents and have been featured on best-seller category-based lists on Amazon US, Amazon UK and Amazon AU. Soon she will expand in every corner of the Earth.

Jazalyn attracts all cultures and traditions with an audience from all walks and stages of life as a consequence of the universal atmosphere that encircles her themes.

Her innovative and versatile writing style stemming from abstraction and absurdness captivates mystery and suspense with words swimming in surrealism and magical realism.

Her imaginative and inventive narration unites the philosophical with the psychological and the scientific elements of both fantasy and fiction that create and solve riddles and puzzles.

In what results as a contemporary genre of cinematic (epic) poetry in slice of life-vignette expression which provokes thinking and eyes new horizons.

Her latest books vViIrRuUsS, Rose, Hollow signify Jazalyn’s transition towards literary magnificence.

 

Website Link

Twitter Link

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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October 4, 2022 · 7:00 am

What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas TOO by Roni Robbins (Book Review)

This rhyming read and seek story is based on the 12 Days of Christmas carol. From twelve drummers drumming to one partridge in a pear tree, children will enjoy finding ten things wrong in each of these Christmas scenes. There are things to do and see. “But something is wrong. Or is it just me?”

Searching through our beautiful illustrations introduces basic skills children can build upon as they learn and grow. Read and seek books stimulates the child’s brain as they evaluate and determine things out of place. It enhances critical thinking, vocabulary, memory and builds their cognitive skills.

Don’t forget read and seek books just adds a little more fun to reading as they look, point and try to find all things wrong, out of place, or just silly in these Christmas scenes. The bright colors and interactive story grabs the child’s attention and entertains them away from screens. They are a form of fun that can be portable and does not require charging, batteries or cords. This entertaining read-and-seek book is perfect for engaging with young readers but great for all ages.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas Too by DJ and Roni Robbins is an interactive story loosely based on the “12 Days of Christmas” song. I love interactive books because they allow my children to be engrossed in the happenings, not just sitting there as I read them a story. Seek/find and spot the difference books are household favorites. 

What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas Too had a blend of easy and more challenging out-of-place items for a child to locate. If they get stumped, there is an answer key in the back of the book. The answer key wasn’t consistent in design, though. Some answers were colored in black, and some were outlined in red. Other answer cards had mistakes circled, then ones blackened and circled. Every answer card was mainly black and white except for “8 Maids -a- Milking,” which was in full color. I would suggest making them the same style. 

My kiddos were confused about how many mistakes they had to find on each image. Maybe making a small note under each photo will clear up confusion. 

From a design point of view, I like the creative ways the team wrote the various days of Christmas. Example: wrench in place of an “i’s” and words in different script sizes, fonts, and colors. These small touches made the words pop off the pages. 

When I submitted my review to Reedsy, I didn’t have a baseline for the author’s recommended audience. I would target preschoolers and elementary school-age children for the hands-on activity. The text is not difficult to understand, so elementary students should be able to read the book solo. I only recall one word that might prove confusing to young minds: infinity. But, this is a great time to broaden their vocabulary. 

Review submitted to Reedsy on 8/8/22. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author

DJ and Roni Robbins is a mom and son author team, writing fun and easy to read children’s books for early readers. Roni, married 25+ years with 2 adult children, 2 grand daughters and a 5 year old son DJ, who was the inspiration for their first published book. DJ likes buildings and hot wheels.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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October 1, 2022 · 7:00 am

vViIrRuUsS: I Never Forget by Jazalyn (Book Review)

Three robotic viruses are released from unknown forces and compete with each other exposing crimes, with humanity’s scale of existence oscillating between total destruction and reinventing recovery.

A REVELATION of the THOUGHTS.

An AWAKENING for the HIDDEN reality.

A MADNESS pandemic.

A WAR of ESPIONAGE.

Whose VIRUS is which?

Is it too late for reinstating?

The PANIC button pushed.

An attempt to erase the MEMORIES.

Can an EVIL virus SAVE the world?

A post-apocalyptic techno thriller poetic novel that emulates psychological reactions of a serious medical and technological global emergency and provides philosophical insights on the world’s best direction.

It’s unfair
To be guilty
When no one
Is innocent

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

 

vViIrRuUsS: I Never Forget is not a collection of poems focused on positive elements of society. Jazalyn writes about the darkness of the world and how “humanity screams for change” (“Apocalyptic Reality”). 

I do agree that the world needs to evolve. First, the world (as a whole) needs to agree that climate change is real. Global warming is real. We need to focus on saving our planet. The global disasters resulting from our negligence are evidence of our carelessness to our home planet. Everyone should band together and not fight on this issue (“Energy BYPRODUCT and “Electric Blood”). 

“Viral News” couldn’t have been read at a more perfect time. Let’s just say, the former prez came to mind as I read it. 

Many poems reflected a person who hated their life, desperate for change, and was crying out for help. I’m not a licensed physician, but if a person feels like they are “living in hell” (“I Still Live”) and no one understands them and is desperate for change (“I Hate My Life and I Want To Change It”) – please seek professional help. 

I couldn’t write this review without discussing the cover and its title. Without telling two people what I was reading, I showed them the cover. Neither person could figure out what it said. After I informed them it was virus written inside virus, they were able to see it. Unfortunately, you don’t want a buyer to question what your title says. If they have to stop and think, they might walk on. Both of my guests suggested changing the title’s design. I concur. 

I want to end my review on a positive note. I love the nod to The Joker in “Joker Just Wanted His Dreams” and “I Sympathize With This Joker.” Maybe if his upbringing were different, he wouldn’t be labeled the villain. (Nature versus nurture debate) His movie was spectacularly done. It made you feel for him and see past his villainous smile. I can’t wait for part two! 

One final, positive note: Thank you for placing value on space exploration. I also think it would be fantastic if a person introduced themself, and instead of saying, “I’m so and so from this state or country,” you say, “Hi. I’m blah blah from Mars or Proxima Centauri b.”

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

With 150,000+ engagements and 20,000+ followers that grow more and more across 7 social media platforms, Jazalyn is among the most-promising newcomers authors-poets.

Her books have sold in 4 Continents and have been featured on best-seller category-based lists on Amazon US, Amazon UK and Amazon AU. Soon she will expand in every corner of the Earth.

Jazalyn attracts all cultures and traditions with an audience from all walks and stages of life as a consequence of the universal atmosphere that encircles her themes.

Her innovative and versatile writing style stemming from abstraction and absurdness captivates mystery and suspense with words swimming in surrealism and magical realism.

Her imaginative and inventive narration unites the philosophical with the psychological and the scientific elements of both fantasy and fiction that create and solve riddles and puzzles.

In what results as a contemporary genre of cinematic (epic) poetry in slice of life-vignette expression which provokes thinking and eyes new horizons.

Her latest books vViIrRuUsS, Rose, Hollow signify Jazalyn’s transition towards literary magnificence.

 

Website Link

Twitter Link

Amazon Author Page Link

 

 

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