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Nothing Is Lost In Loving by Brenda Moguez (Book Review)

 

When Stella Delray unexpectedly loses her job a week before Christmas, which is also the anniversary of her husband’s death, she is forced to stop talking to his ashes, come to terms with her loss, and get her life back on track for her young son’s sake as well as her own. She never expected that posting an ad on Craigslist would send her into the arms of not one but two men, one of whom is her former boss. Now she’s working as an admin for a retired Broadway star, bookkeeping for an erotic video production company, and writing love letters for the mysterious “Oaklander.” Adding to the craziness of her new life, her monster-in-law resurfaces and the father-in-law she never met shows up on her doorstep. With the guidance of her best friend, Bono, Stella will learn to redefine the rules she’s always lived by.

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

 
Life is a tricky bitch. There are ups, downs, and sometimes it throws us a helluva curveball where you don’t know right from left or up from down. 
 
Stella was a recipient of such a curveball. She lost a husband to cancer, her job…..herself.
 
On the anniversary of her husband’s death, she decided it was time to live again. You could say the butterfly was finally emerging out of her cocoon. The emergence brought about a whole new set of woes and revelations.
 
Broken bridges started to rebuild, new relationships started to form and she realized, no matter what life threw at her, she would survive.
 
All it took for her to discover herself was stepping out of her comfort zone. 
 
She met some very interesting people along the way: Gus (ruggedly handsome man who brought passion back into her life), Joel (the nutty poet), Lucille Gantry (who is nutty in a eccentric sort of way), Buck (owner of a porn studio, a real charmer who resembles Magnum PI), and Outlander65 (a man who opened her eyes the most about living again).
 
Bono was correct in her summation about Stella’s life. It had turned into a soap opera. Heck it even featured a flirtatious doctor; because all good soap operas have at least one. 
 
My only complaint would be about Jack. I wish Brenda would’ve kept things in the friend zone. The last thing he needed to do was pursue Stella while going through a separation. Especially since Stella was ‘getting back on the horse’ after being out in the pasture for twelve years. Cowboy reference seemed fitting since Bobby, her deceased husband, is in “Cowboy Heaven” (Santi’s words). 
 
Speaking of Santiago, her 8 year-old son, he brought light, joy and tears to those around him. I was moved by the song he sang to his father; the day they released his ashes. The chapter he asked if Father Christmas brought daddy presents in “Cowboy Heaven” was also a very emotional moment for me. I’ve lost two parents, one about his age, so I can empathize with his emotions at such a tender age.
 
What a sweet, loving young man. 
 
I’d like to end this review with one final thought. 
 
As I stated in my initial sentence, you never know what each day with bring. You’ll have bad days, good ones, and somewhere in-between. Brenda has portrayed this quite well. She’s also showed us, the readers, how strong we all can be. Life moves on and we must move on with it. Embrace the bad, cherish the good, and be thankful for those quiet moments because you never know when things will go haywire again. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 

 
Brenda Moguez writes the kind of stories she loves to read–women’s fiction, starring quirky, passionate women who are challenged by the fickleness and complexities of life.
 
She’s particularly drawn to exploring the effects of love on the heart of a woman. She has aspirations for a fully staffed villa in Barcelona and funding aplenty for a room of her own. When she’s not working on a story, she writes love letters to the universe, dead poets, and Mae West. You can find her at http://www.brendamoguez.com where she explores passionate pursuits in all its forms.
 

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Sexcastle by Kyle Starks (Book Review)

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Image Comics (March 31, 2015)

The Former World’s Greatest Assassin leaves the world of killing to a small town only to be pulled back in. An exciting action romp in the style of classic ‘80s Action Film.

 

REVIEW

Sexcastle was quite a comedic find and I’m so glad our paths crossed. Kyle wrote/illustrated a story so funny and unique I read it more than once.

Shane (Sexcastle), now one of my favorite characters, had no qualms giving anyone the middle finger and the stuff coming out his mouth was funny as hell. Ex. When he spoke about the times when a man should be able to cry. 1.) When his momma dies. 2.) His dick’s got messed up. Like by a bear attack. Don’t know about you but those seemed like two valid reasons to allow waterworks.

Something else I loved about Sexcastle — his weaponry. The man had freaking gunchucks (nunchucks with built in guns). Seriously, they were wicked cool!!

Oh and wait until you meet the assassins after him.You’ll recognize most, if not all, of the 80’s action stars and chuckle at some of their names. Thunderbutt happened to be my favorite. 

From start to finish, I adored everything about this book. I wish it was longer because I DID NOT want it to end. Brilliant…. absolutely brilliant! 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

 

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The Christmas Lights by Rachael Kosinski (Book Review)

Historical Holiday Romance – Length: 96 pages 
 

“Where do Christmas lights come from?” 

The tiny bulbs of color that burn on a Christmas tree, or outside a house to shine in the night; does anyone really know where they originate? What if someone told you they weren’t intended for Christmas at all, but really for a miracle? That they were for love, a desperate idea, to light a boy’s way home? 

In that case, you must have some questions. What boy? What love? 

In that case, allow me to tell you a story.
 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us (like myself) are on the look-out for a sweet Christmas story to get us in the mood for the impending festivities. In my humble opinion, “The Christmas Lights” had the makings to be included in Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. 
 
Incase you are wondering why it had the goods to be turned into a tv movie, let me enlighten you about this novella.
 
We have a young man, with barely any money in the bank, with his heart set on marrying a young woman. Before Louis and Emmy can tie the knot, he needs to secure their future. In other words, they need money and now. He sets out on a journey to earn cash, which will have many high and low moments. 
 
As you would expect from a contender for the Hallmark Channel, all good things come to those who wait. 
 
Louis not only found success, but he also made invaluable friends along the way. 
 
One friend, Fabergé (yes, thee Fabergé) came to his rescue and ultimately changed his whole world. 
 
If this was a fairytale, Fabergé would be Louis’ Fairy Godfather.
 
Oh yes, Louis proved to be a very lucky, lucky man. 🙂
 
Now with all the positives, I must state why I gave The Christmas Lights a three. For me, I wanted to see more interactions between Louis and Emmy. I wanted to see their love blossom and grow, not just hit and miss moments through letters. If we had more showings of their love, besides the beginning and end, the score would’ve been easily a 4. Possibly a 4 1/2. 
 
Overall, I do think many people will enjoy this story while sipping on a mug of hot cocoa or apple cider. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 
 
 
 
 
When she was little, Rachael Kosinski wanted to be a paleontologist, an Egyptologist, an astronaut, a Broadway actress, a nature photographer for National Geographic, and the next Jane Goodall. Instead of being a new link between man and chimp, or discovering a planet suitable for sustained human life, or maybe even winning renowned fame by stumbling across an undiscovered dinosaur, Rachael finally decided that, if she never became a writer, she would simply die. Several years later, she now possesses a quirky knowledge of world mythology, an addiction to coffee, and a penchant for making over-expressive faces at her laptop.
 
 
 
 

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A Shackled Inheritance by Madeleine McDonald (Book Review)

 
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Spinster Abigail Carrick faces a frugal existence in dour Scotland—until her father’s will reveals she has two unknown half-sisters. Free women of color, they will share her inheritance of a sugar plantation in the Caribbean. Against all advice, Abigail crosses the ocean to meet them. Fellow passenger Euan Sinclair offers her welcome encouragement. As their friendship deepens, the young lawyer is torn between attraction to Abigail and his loathing of slavery. His principles also clash with his duty, for his legal mission is delicate and he dare not fail. Fate throws the slave owner and the abolitionist together, on an island gripped by rumors of a slave revolt. When Euan meets Abigail’s family, will her alluring sister Desiree steal him from her?

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

Let me begin this review stating I give props to Madeleine for depicting the harshness and hardness of a slave’s life. To see anyone abused, mistreated in any decade, at any age, is unthinkable and deplorable. I can’t fathom how someone can treat another person so cruelly. Despicable! 
 
You know what else is despicable? A vast majority of the characters in A Shackled Inheritance
 
Euan: His behavior towards Abigail after he met Desiree, the sister, was piggish. He saw a beautiful woman and suddenly the woman he expressed having “more” with is pushed to the farthest reaches of his mind. Euan is a louse. 
 
Abigaai: I wasn’t too fond of her either. She, like Desiree, seemed too consumed with money.
 
Desiree: She was a vile, human being. 
 
Their 1/2 brother, Jericho, was no better. His only saving grace was his love and devotion to Rosie. Theirs, too. 
 
That poor, sweet child deserved more than what life dealt her. 
 
As you can surmise, this book was extremely difficult for me to read because it was absolutely depressing to read. 
 
At least it ended on a HEA so that’s something. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤1/2
 
GET YOUR PRINT  or KINDLE COPY TODAY!! 
 
 
 
 

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Madeleine McDonald has been a voracious reader since childhood. Her early career took her to France, where she lived in the Dreyeckland, the three-cornered land where France meets Germany and Switzerland. Life on the border sparked an interest in the region’s history and tangled loyalties. Conflicted loyalties have been a theme running through her short stories and longer fiction.

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Claudia and the Lords of Peterborough by Adam Mann (Book Review)

 
 

Claudia immediately fell when she met good-looking William, the heir to the Earl of Peterborough, but several months later began to regret her childless marriage. Now widowed, she is forced to review her position and responsibilities, and is just about to move on when William’s younger brother, Benjamin, returns from a medical mission in Central Africa; turning her world upside down. She suddenly finds herself hooked again, but by this time Benjamin has inherited his father’s title, and if she marries him she will become the Countess. Can her heart take the chance on another whirlwind romance? Shire horses, Polo ponies, a Rottweiler puppy, and the Dowager Countess all contribute to make her decision easier.

 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Based off the well-written blurb, I had a vastly different impression of the story I was about to read. Claudia and Ben only shared ONE KISS before she suddenly found herself enthralled with his brother, William. Ten years later, Ben returns home to claim his title of the new Earl and they give a relationship another try. 
 
For a setup like that, I expected more bumps in the road before marriage and a promise of future babies. Wouldn’t you? But no, there wasn’t any of that. Everyone was on board with their relationship. No hiccups whatsoever that she was once married to his (deceased) brother. 
 
I find that odd. Another thing I found odd was some of the wording and topics discussed or described. 
 
1.) “Could you put that inside me?” (referring to his penis)
2.)  The paragraph detailing the process of using a diaphragm. 
3.) Claudia informing Ben he couldn’t kiss her vagina because “There’s spermicide all over it.” That’s not sexy. The image Adam planted in my mind was just ewwwww. *shuddering* 
4.) I didn’t need the image of a “cervix excreting a slimy liquid” either. 
 
IMHO, I think this book could’ve benefited with more discussion on his time in the Congo and/or maybe the apparent adjustments he must’ve experienced when leaving the Médecins Sans Frontières, otherwise known as Doctors Without Borders. That would’ve captured and held my interest. That’s the story I think readers will crave. 
 
 Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
score:
 
 
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I’ve written twenty four romance books all based in parts of the world where I’ve lived and worked.  As a result four are in sub-Saharan Africa, ten are in South or East Asia, and only seven based in the UK. 
 
I’ve been married four times, my first wife died, the second divorced me, the third marriage was annulled as that wife had forgotten to get divorced, and thank goodness the fourth wife is fit and well. 
We have between us seven children and five grandchildren.  As a result I think that I know a bit about life and loving.
 
I’ve lived and worked in Vietnam since 1997, where I live in a provincial city with my wife, and we have constant stream of visitors from the families of our seven adult children. 
 

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