A Vision of Fire Lights Up the Page - A Review

A Vision on Fire, by Gillian Anderson, Jeff Rovin

Renowned child psychologist Caitlin O'Hara is a single mom trying to juggle her job, her son, and a lackluster dating life. Her world is suddenly upturned when Maanik, the daughter of India's ambassador to the United Nations starts speaking in tongues and having violent visions. Maanik's parents are sure that her fits have something to do with the recent assassination attempt on her father--a shooting that has escalated nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan to dangerous levels--but when children start having similar outbursts around the world, Caitlin begins to think that there's a stranger force at work.

In Haiti, a student claws at her throat, drowning on dry land. In Iran, a boy suddenly and inexplicably bursts into flame. On the Pakistan border, a young man feels a burning in his chest and, against his will, opens fire on Indian troops. With Asia on the cusp of nuclear war, Caitlin must race across the globe and uncover the supernatural links between these seemingly unrelated cases in order to save her patient--and perhaps the world.

Review
 
This is the first novel for television and movie actress Gillian Anderson. I admit I gave A Vision of Fire a shot because I am a huge fan of the actress's work. Yes, I'm a total X-Files nerd!

Jeff Rovin has co-authored with other science fiction alumni like William Shatner and Adam West, as well as writing several Tom Clancy novels.

This science-fiction thriller collaboration is well paced and full of surprises. The main character, Caitlin O'Hara is a strong, independent, single Mom, with a successful career as a renowned child psychologist. She is a giver at heart, in her introductory scene O'Hara is negotiating with the World Health Organization for a modular house that would accommodate twenty souls sweltering or freezing in decaying tents for months.

Establishing early on that O'Hara is aware of political bureaucracy and the inner circles of the United Nations, O'Hara is called by a translator friend to assist in a medical mystery surrounding the teen daughter of Ambassador Ganak Pawar. The Indian Ambassador is in the middle of tense negotiations between India and Pakistan and Pawar is proposing Kashmir be made into a protectorate state, the distraction of his daughter's illness is putting the negotiations at risk.

O'Hara immediately jumps in and the journey begins.

Told mainly from O'Hara's point of view the book is layered and focused, seamlessly tying together each thread, willingly pulling you into the mix. A good mix of science, psychology, adventure and even some romance keep the plot moving forward with no lulls. Very interesting from the very beginning, I found myself enthralled and unable to put the book down. Lots of subtle little clues, hints along the path helping us, as the readers, to jog along. I'll admit to also very easily seeing Gillian Anderson as Caitlin O'Hara, and the visual assisted in the tale this book offers.

Without giving anything away, as the plot rolls along we see where the path leads and you begin to wonder if the authors are going to go there. Guess what? They do, and the presentation is grounded, believable and full of imagination.

Overall, very well written, enjoyable and definitely a worthy read. Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin make a great team. This is book one in a three book series. It can stand alone with no problems, but I will admit to be very excited to read the next!

Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

Love Owned - A Sexy, Sweet and Heart Warming Romance Full of Character!

Love Owned: A Heart Of Seeton Novel (Volume 1) by L.J. Kentowski

It’s her property…

Riley Kastner is desperate to prove she can make it as an independent business owner, if for no other reason than to avoid working for her condescending parents. Unfortunately, her fledging planning business isn’t exactly soaring. In fact, it hasn’t even lifted for takeoff. So, when she finds out she’s the beneficiary of a bar in small town, USA, she takes a chance and lets fate lead the way.

It’s his life…

Dax Beckett wanted nothing to do with his dad’s bar, but he sure as hell didn’t expect him to give it to a complete stranger, especially a big city girl who knows nothing about running one. So, what’s a guy to do to save the family business? Charm her out of her sexy undergarments, of course.

But who’s in charge, when it’s owned by love?

Making Beckett’s a success is the common goal, but are they willing to sacrifice their hearts to achieve it?

Review

Love Owned: A Heart Of Seeton Novel is a sexy, sweet, heartwarming romance with all the creamy goodness between. L.J. Kentowski has been known for her thrilling Fate Trilogy full of magic, and warring of good versus evil with loads of sexy suspense and thrilling rides. Love Owned is the first in a new romantic-comedy series for Kentowski. I think the genre shift is a nice change for her, and honestly a huge success as I was not only unable to put it down, I cried like a 17 year old girl at the end. 

I as a romantic suspense lover, wanted a little more external conflict, but Love Owed does fine without it. Not too mushy as the comedy relieves everyone taking themselves too seriously. 

I am a sucker for the big town girl meets small town world, and Dax, the hero in the story is a saucy, arrogant alpha male with a brooding heart. Portrayed beautifully in Kentowski’s prose I have to admit I had the hunky image of Luke Danes in my head the whole time (Gilmore Girls reference).

Riley , our heroine is striving for what we all look for, her place in the world and while I kinda wanted to smack her a few times I also found myself relating, laughing aloud, and swooning for Dax just as she does.

The story is simple and has good pacing, no lagging or eye rolling parts where you read through a little faster to get to the good stuff. It is all good stuff, in my opinion. The lovemaking is hot, spicy, funny and makes you smile.  While the small town of Seeton is a character in the book , it is a minor character simply enjoying the show like the rest of us(definitely a good thing).

Characters are well thought out and focused, each having their own inner debates and drivers through the novel. The emotional layers are played out not only in the action but in the dialog which I love. Very natural and full of human antics. 

Great read, I am not emotionally drained afterward, just feeling that good romance glow. Loved it, and looking forward to more romantic comedy from L.J. Kentowski!

 Buy your copy of Love Owned by L.J. Kentowski NOW!


Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

M Lemont Unleashes Brilliance with Write Like You’re Already Famous!

Do you remember the Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka? The ticket to your wildest dreams and utmost fantasies? Well Write Like You’reAlready Famous (WLYAF) is like that. WLYAF is full of Golden Nuggets, each one a plethora of information when read, studied, pondered and then actualized will help you create your own golden ticket. When M LeMont states says you’re already famous he is giving you the keys to the kingdom, encouraging every reader to defy the ‘rules’, smash the box and break out of our own self-imposed shells. 

WLYAF is witty, thought provoking and entertaining. Author M Lemont shares a wealth of information in varies forms. Some of them direct, some subliminal, all with the intention of motivating you to be the best you can be and break out from millions vying for their fifteen-minutes of fame.

Write Like You’re Already Famous  starts as an interview, a taste of the finer things, a little dazzle and mystery with co-author Jennifer Lopez.  You get to eavesdrop on a conversation between two professionals and Jennifer does a great job of asking the questions I would have if in her shoes. Next you dive into the theory and the reality of being an author in today’s digital universe. It is a tough act and M Lemont shares his strife and victories. 

Then we get to the conversation with you (or me) the direct ‘here’s what you need to do and why’ nitty-gritty of the book.  This includes the Golden Nuggets as well as an introduction to other amazing thought provoking ideas and people out there doing exactly what you are! WLYAF has a bit of repetition, but for me repetition works, it reminds me of how everything is connected and nothing can be put in a silo. You can’t complete only one or two pieces of the puzzle and expect success, you have to follow through to the end. 

Reverberation and spinning of the same ideas in new ways  is actually one of the genius tactics in WLYAF. LeMont challenges the readers to the end, making sure they are paying attention and not skimming the nuggets. If you don’t read the book cover to cover you’ll miss some of the best information he has to offer.

M Lemont taught us about Twitter, the ins and outs and the steps to becoming a master of the Twitter-verse. Write Like You’re Already Famous teaches us about ourselves and give us the tools need to push out of the norm and accomplish our goals.

Get YOUR copy of the book now here. 
and then Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!

The Genius Brain of M LeMont – How To Gain 100,000 Twitter Followers

I discovered M Lemont via Twitter (shocker, right?). Someone re-tweeted a promo tweet for his book, Write Like You’re Already Famous! The cover of the book and the title intrigued so I went on to Kindle Unlimited and downloaded it. Took me only a few days to start reading and within the first chapter I was already taking notes! I honestly haven’t finished the book because I immediately downloaded How To Gain 100,000 Twitter Followers: Twitter Secrets Revealed by An Expert (HTG100K Dare 2B GR8 Series) and dove in.

I have read a lot of marketing / social media how-to books and I usually don’t complete the books (even if they are short). I rarely review these kind of books because I hesitate to endorse or condemn anything that is subjective. All of that being said, I am not only going to rave about this book I am also going to admit my professional worship and  intellectual crush on M LeMont.

M LeMont (@mistersalesman) while an open book, is a bit of a mystery and personally, I kinda dig it. He’s like the alpha male of social media—confident, cool, educated, a love of the finer things and I know he has a gadget or two he is keeping to himself. 

So he is cool, big deal? Why, why is this on different, Amy? Why are you willing to go out on limb for this guy, this book, this system? 

Well as LeMont would say, the proof is in the results! I’ve been using only part of the system he lines out in the book and I have already gained 134 followers since the beginning of December 2016.  I know, my word is not enough, well peeps, let me lay it out.

HTG100KTF is simple, logical, and encouraging. . Lemont’s tone is not condescending or arrogant. His narrative voice makes you feel like he is talking directly to you, an old friend, over a glass of wine. In his book, M LeMont encourages you to engage him directly and it is not just a ploy. He is also completely engaged on Twitter! I have engaged him directly several times and enjoyed the conversation. Not auto-tweets, not canned answers, real conversation with candid commentary. 

How To Gain 100,000 Twitter Followers: Twitter Secrets Revealed by An Expert (HTG100K Dare 2B GR8 Series) is not a promise, it is not a guarantee, because the results depend entirely on you. HTG100KTF is a comprehensive, logical, no nonsense, no double-talk, plan of action for you to, for whatever reason, increase your influence on Twitter. 

As an author trying to find an audience, I whole heartedly recommend this book. Read it, follow it, memorize it and get it done. 

Here is a clip from the Amazon listing of HTG100KTF

 

“I'm not only the Author of a bestseller Twitter book, but I'm also a CLIENT. I USE the strategies every day to gain 200,000+ followers. I gain over 12,000 Followers a month and so do a lot of other people who read the book and implemented the strategies.”

The Book Offers:

• The Secret tool how to find people who follow back

• Six Powerful Factors that work fast!

• How to use the Secret formula to gain 300-400 followers a day

• Strategies for an unfair advantage

• Time-saving shortcuts

Come Find Me!
@AmyJRomine

Review: Moving In by Ron Ripley

Moving In (Moving In Series Book 1) by Ron Ripley

“Iron…and…salt,” whispers the old man. The dead old man. “Hurry or it will be too late…”

To escape the stress of living in the city and the anxiety of his high pressure job, Brian Roy moves his family to the country. His wife loves the easy living, but Brian hates it…especially when weird things start happening in the house. When he discovers a dead body in the woods and a burial ground in his basement, Brian could never imagine the shocking history of the house or its former occupants that comes to light.

As his life starts to unravel, Brian isn’t so sure living in the country is going to be the oasis of peace he and his wife expected. Lately, his home has become a haunting den of hell.

**Spoilers**

Started the book with enthusiasm and walked away disappointed. To me, I wanted more about the characters, more about Brain and his wife, there was very little said or referenced about their relationship so I was not as invested as I wanted to be. The ghosts and their presence were a backdrop to one particular ghost who seemed more like a hoodlum thug than a paranormal entity. Nothing really scared me in the book, and when it ended I wasn’t overly understanding of why Brian would become a paranormal investigator. He had an experience and now it was over. I get it, I know the bridge. We got the character from point A to point B and he changed but while the journey was mildly interesting I wanted more depth and commitment from the author.

Buy it HERE

Unique Character in a Shadowy World - Homecoming By Scott Langrel

Finn McCoy is a paranormal handler. He handles things that ordinary paranormal investigators can't or won't, and he often ends up cleaning up behind them.

For fifteen years, McCoy has turned his back on his hometown of Shallow Springs, Virginia, and the dark secrets the town harbors. But now an evil, unstoppable force has been unleashed on the unsuspecting residents of the town, and McCoy finds himself the only thing standing between the town and total destruction.

Review

Homecoming, is a well-paced, well written suspense horror. The main character, Finn McCoy is down to earth and home-grown which makes him likeable. He and his beat up pick-up truck named Boo seem to make a perfect pair. Mr. McCoy even has a girlfriend he apparently picked up on a previous case, her name is Amanda and she seems to be the right temperament for a paranormal handler, smart and stubborn.

I enjoyed the way Langrel created and described McCoy’s world. Much like our own, but the a few more shadows and a little less light.  The story was uniquely presented, has a few twists and an overall happy ending for almost all (well someone has to die, it is after all a horror!). I didn’t find the book scary at all but then again it takes a lot to give me goosebumps.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. 

Buy it now HERE

Book Review - Father Of Lies By S.E. England

Supernatural Horror

Blurb- Ruby is the most violently disturbed patient ever admitted to Drummersgate Asylum, high on the bleak moors of northern England. With no improvement after two years, Dr. Jack McGowan finally decides to take a risk and hypnotizes her. With terrifying consequences. 

A horrific dark force is now unleashed on the entire medical team, as each in turn attempts to unlock Ruby's shocking and sinister past. Who is this girl? And how did she manage to survive such unimaginable evil? Set in a desolate ex-mining village, where secrets are tightly kept and intruders hounded out, their questions soon lead to a haunted mill, the heart of darkness...and The Father of Lies. 

Let start with the good. Very authentic, the story was imaginative and researched. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the physical reactions and emotions of the victims of the spiritual attacks. Made me able to feel the terror of the victim. Love it.  The descriptions and overall feel of the story was spooky and engulfing.

That being said, I struggled to finish the book. There are several reason not all of which I will detail. A few weeks ago I went to see Batman versus Superman, not a great film but entertaining. While discussing the movie afterwards, my 11-year-old son and I decided the movie would have been 110% better if they would have just rearranged the flow of the story.  That is how I feel about Father of Lies.

I can be flexible with a nonlinear style of writing, that is until I start getting confused. Using flashback as a way to uncover the past, the truth, piece by piece is a tricky decision for a writer. If overused, in my opinion, it will strangle and kill the piece distracting from the central theme. Unfortunately, I think in this case the authors use of these plot vehicles were not beneficial.

I struggled in identifying the main character. I literally did not know whose story the author was telling. Once I would settle on a character, the author unfortunately would sweep the character away and then only refer to them. Telling me what happened instead of showing. This tactic rarely allowed me to connect to the characters at all.

Lastly, the overuse of exclamations and the constant recounting of events is distracting, insulting, and does not serve the story.

At 75% completion, I was frustrated and ready for the story to end. When I read the last page I was rather disappointed as nothing was resolved and there is a sequel.

In conclusion I didn’t hate the book, I just didn’t love it. Some editing and rearranging would have kept me longer and maybe even convinced me to read the sequel. (2.5 STARS out of 5)