TITLE - A DEADLY TAPESTRY
AUTHOR - JEN S. SEVERSON
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS
STARS 5

There is a new super sleuth in the small town of Silver Valley and her name is Zoe Nettlesom! ! Zoe has psychic power BUT she has closed herself off from it until her head spiritual guide shows up. Hamden is a tiny little man with lots to say! Zoe starts seeing visions of a murder and not sure what to do with the info, she reports all details to a detective. She was shocked to see the detective was the same man she "literally" ran into at the market in which she blurted out some psychic info :) Ted is a handsome man and will soon capture Zoey's heart like a cowboy wrangling a baby calf. They have a puzzle of clues to put together and not much time to do it.

Zoe needs to learn a few lessons . . . . about love, about trust, about claiming her own power and above all being true to herself. . . . . will she learn them in time ? Will they catch a murderer in time ??

I loved this book ! Hamden was by far my favorite ! I could picture him dressed in his tweed suit jackets and his British accent. I think if I was to have a spiritual guide I would for sure want one like Hamden! He keeps things interesting :) The author keeps you guessing up till the very end and of course the love story makes it even more inviting!

Review of Moon by Laurann Dohner

Moon

5 out of 5 stars. Very adult sexy content and plenty of action and supense to spare!

Betrayed by his mind, Moon was shot by the enemy with mind altering chemical and now he his mind is his own greatest enemy, forcing him to attack all that are close to him. Years ago the one that was able to get closest has already harmed him the most, and his fragmented mind can only focus on broken memories of her.

Joy has lived with regret for years having to walk away from Moon, but nothing can make her leave him now. If there is any chance of bringing Moon back from the insanity that forces him to viscously attack all that he knows and loves, she is willing. Anything, that included sacrificing her own body and soul for him.

Moon's tortured mind keeps having these flares of telling him to kill the human. The humans have always been bad news for his people, but he can't bring himself to do it. All he wants to do is sink himself into her and all others be damned. The amazing thing is that doing that seems to be unlocking moments of sanity...where he remembers exactly what she did to him before.

 

Reading this book was a  nail biter at times. Joy has to fight not just the New Species people to help Moon, but she also has to fight Moon to help him, and the whole time she knows that there is no guarantee they will find an answer. All she knows is that she has to keep trying because she can never give up on the one she loves. I just kept wanting to yell at everyone that doubted her and tried to get in her way.

 

 Moon is tormented and aware only at times that his mind is full of holes.  These moments of awareness are usually preceeded by those thoughts of  "kill the human" making  everything so much harder for him because his first memories being alive are of being tortured by humans.  It is heart wrenching to watch him go through these emotions because he quickly starts to beat himself up when he realizes how close he comes to killing the one woman he has ever loved, Joy. Is it enough of a lifeline for him to hag on to his sanity though?

Jamie K

Interview with Jen S Severson

 Welcome to Julies Book Review! Jen S. Severson is visiting JBR today!

We are all very glad you came here to JBR. Can you tell us a little about yourself?


Happily! I graduated from college with a degree in English, and worked for several years in marketing communications before leaping into the fray of proposal writing for the health care insurance industry, where I’ve been for about 14 years. 

I have a treasured 19-year-old daughter in college, a beloved husband who is also a published author, and a small zoo of three cats, one dog and a miniature rabbit.

What genres do you write?

I write a series of psychic mysteries.

As a reader I love all genres but my followers want to know what to except from your books. Action, adventure, romance, sex, magic??

My books offer a bit of many elements, but magic (the spiritual sort), mystery and romance (reaching across past lives) lead the parade.

My goal as an author of psychic mysteries is to tell rollicking good stories that also open windows of understanding to the greater metaphor of life. I also want to help readers release their fear of death, and take comfort from my abiding belief that life never ends, it just changes form.

Who is your favorite character(s) from your books?
Without a doubt, Hamden, Zoe’s spiritual guide, is my favorite. He’s witty, wise and very loving, but best of all he leavens truth with good-hearted humor.

What is your newest release? can you tell us a little about it?

My newest is also my first release is A Deadly Tapestry, the first book in the series. It was released by Musa Publishing last August. 
Here’s the lovely blurb that provides a nice encapsulation:
Zoe has spent her adult life denying her psychic abilities. All that changes when she finds herself conversing with a tiny man only she can see and seeing details to a murder that only the murderer should know. Can she convince the annoyingly handsome detective that she was sent to help before he convicts her of the crime? Will she learn to trust herself —and her own heart—before more people are hurt? Or will the detective be the murderer’s next victim?

What about future projects? any hints?

I just learned last week that Musa Publishing is publishing my next book, A Karma to Kill For. I am VERY excited that Zoe’s mysteries are moving along nicely, with the same cast of recurring characters, plus a few new ones.  I don’t know what the release date is yet, but I’m hoping late summer or early fall. I’m also working on Zoe’s third book A Telling Tarot, and having great fun with that.

Can you give aspiring authors any advice?

I can only pass on what helped me. Trust in your creative self, and do your best to keep your ego out of the way. The heart writes in the language of wisdom and truth. Most of all, believe in yourself and in your ability to prevail. I keep a fortune cookie bit of inspiration on my cube wall at work: You will become an accomplished writer. Pave your way to success with positive thoughts, and keep on keeping on!

How about some "fun" personal stuff!

I’m also a psychic, so I can write Zoe’s role knowledgably and pull in my own experiences to lend credence and substance.  About 20 years ago already I studied metaphysics and psychic teachings, and became a trained clairvoyant, ethics and all. I still give psychic readings on the side.  We all have some psychic ability, as its standard operating equipment when we inhabit a body.

What book have they read that touched you deeply? and why? (yours or someone elses)

There are so many inspirational books available now, but one by psychic medium James Van Praagh touches me deeply. Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life. It contains so many lovely stories of healing on both sides of the veil, and every time I gain something new and uplifting in those stories.

Favorite past time activity?

I love knitting, bird watching, reading fiction and inspirational books of varying stripes, and spending time exploring the Meaning of Life and its Many Joys with my dear friends.

a favorite book or author you can recommend (not your own)? and WHY?

I highly recommend another Musa Publishing book Finding Grace, by Rhea Rhodan.  It has vibrant threads to its weave: adventure and mystery and psychic happenings, all leading to healing.  Just my cup of tea, as Hamden would say.

Favorite place to travel to?

England. I am a non-recovering Anglophile.

What kind of music do you listen too?

I love nature music – birdsong is my favorite – but I love folksingers like Ann Reed and Neal and Leandra too.

And finally where can we find your books?(please include any links you want including buy links)

Musa Publishing link:

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=371

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/A-Deadly-Tapestry-ebook/dp/B0091O1QRC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348504309&sr=1-1&keywords=a+deadly+tapestry

Barnes & Noble link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-deadly-tapestry?keyword=a+deadly+tapestry&store=ebook&iehack=%E2%98%A0

Well I know I learned a lot and have added to our TBR list. I hope you all have had fun as well as well. Thanks you again Jen S. Severson for coming and talking with me here on JBR. I hope you had fun and I hope to see you again. Good Luck and wishing you lots of success!

Thanks so much for this lovely opportunity, Julie!

Review of My Body My Soul By Suzzana C Ryan

Lori loves her boyfriend Tony. He is good looking and she loves him with all her heart. But his cheating has to stop. When Lori comes home to find Tony in bed with a good friend, she is done. She can not stand to be with him any more. She knows she will love him forever but can't take his cheating anymore. Tony begs Lori to take him back again, instead she kicks him out of the apartment. She feels bad but he will get a cab or stay over at someones place right??  She learns of his fate the next day, when she has to identify him at the morgue. Now feeling  guilty as hell and crying over her dead boyfriend, she gets a knock on her door. Lori gets the surprize of her life, and some questions answered. Tony Gets a chance to fix some past wrongs and maybe even more!

This is a short read, but a good one. I think Lori feels guilt over Tony's death. I don't agree with her guilt. I think I would have kicked Tony to the curb a long time before Lori ever does. I do think Tony pays for his wrongs to Lori. So I really liked the story but I disagreed with how Lori handles Tony.  So I had mixed emotions. Tony is the typical cheating jerk and he pays a hefty price for what he has done and I think he does learn quickly how much he wronged Lori. Good quick read Adults only.

Review of The Spirit Seeker Society By S. Kodejs

TITLE - THE SPIRIT SEEKER SOCIETY
AUTHOR - S. KODEJS
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS :)
STARS - 5 !  :)

NORA, ALEC, DANIEL, MAGGIE AND ASHWIN ARE ALL FIRST YEAR STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF KINGS COLLEGE OF NOVA SCOTIA. THEY WERE ASK  TO FORM A COLLEGE SOCIETY GROUP. THERE IS SO MUCH HISTORICAL EVENTS AND HAUNTING'S THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE AREA,WHICH GAVE THEM THE IDEA OF FORMING THE SPIRIT SEEKER SOCIETY. THEY HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INTO.
THEY EACH PICK A HISTORICAL SPOT AND GET STARTED, A FEW WERE DOUBTFUL OF FINDING ANYTHING.

THE GROUP QUICKLY BECOME FRIENDS AND START THEIR HUNTS! NORA AN MAGGIE ARE OPPOSITE FROM DAY AND NIGHT BUT SOMETHING DRAWS THEM TOGETHER AS FRIENDS. WHILE ON A OUTING TO SEARCH FOR MAGGIE'S GHOST THEY STOPPED AT A FORTUNE TELLER WHO WARNED THEM "YOU ARE DOOMED". WHILE THEIR MAGGIE AND NORA BOTH SPOT THE GHOST OF "MAGGIE". AS THEY LAUGH THE WARNING OFF THINGS JUST KEEP GETTING STRANGER AND STRANGER. NORA AN MAGGIE EVEN BECOME ROOMMATES.

THE ROOM MAGGIE AND NORA SHARED IS KNOWN TO BE HAUNTED AND IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG BEFORE NORA SEE'S THAT FIRST HAND ! DANIEL'S GHOST LILA ROSE WAS KILLED IN THEIR ROOM BUT NO ONE KNOWS HOW OR WAY. DANIEL EVEN BECOMES STRANGER TO THE GROUP, BUT WHY ??

MAYBE THE WARNING WAS REAL ?? WHAT THE GHOST TRYING TO TELL MAGGIE AND WHAT ABOUT THE GHOST DANIEL IS SEEKING ? WHAT MYSTERY IS SHE SURROUNDED BY ?? THIS IS A WONDERFUL READ THAT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES AND KEEPS YOU GUESSING ! I LOVED HOW EACH GHOST GOES WAY BACK IN TIME FROM 1812 TO 1969. I AM EXCITED TO GET MY HANDS ON BOOK 2! AUTHOR DID A WONDERFUL JOB !

Review of Chosen Above All Others by Elliot Richard Dorfman

Chosen Above All Others

by

Elliot Richard Dorfman

Brandon Stanton Caldwell, a charismatic Civil War spirit falls in love after meeting Arlene Romberg, a pretty, modern young schoolteacher and is given the rare chance to become mortal again when Arlene convinces her father, a brilliant scientist, to clone him from the ghost’s long buried remains in the graveyard. Mortal again, Brandon gets a new identity and becomes an assistant to the scientist due to extraordinary abilities he has acquired. But after marrying his beloved, he and his growing new family must endure many difficult personal situations and strange events — besides struggling to overcome unscrupulous and ruthless men who would stop at nothing to steal astounding scientific discoveries hidden away. To top this off, Brandon eventually finds out there was a supernatural purpose why he was allowed to return to live again and fulfill a mission in order to save humanity from extinction. How will Brandon and Arlene deal with all the adversity thrown at them? Will Brandon be able to fulfill his purpose?

This is a good quick read.  It's not the type of book I usually read, but I enjoyed it.  It was a little slow for me to get into, but if you hang in there you're sure to enjoy the story.  

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars

Jennifer Wadkins

Review of Steeled for Murder by KM Rockwood

TITLE - STEELED FOR MURDER

AUTHOR - KM ROCKWOOD

REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS

STARS - 5

JESSE DAMON'S LIFE HAS NOT BEEN EASY. AT THE AGE OF 3 HE LOST HIS MOTHER, HE WAS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM TILL HE TURNED 14 AND HIS FATHER WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON. HIS FATHER WAS A DRUG ADDICTED AND COULD NOT BE THE FATHER HE SHOULD HAVE. AT THE AGE OF 16 JESSE'S BROTHERS FORCED HIM TO DO SOMETHING HE DID NOT WANT TO DO . . . . THEY INFORMED HIM THAT HE WAS A KID AND WHAT ARE THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO YOU ???? THEY WERE RUINING JESSE'S LIFE BEFORE HE HAD A CHANCE TO DO ANYTHING. THEY LEFT HIM HOLDING THE "BAG" AND TAKING THE RAP FOR A MURDER. HE SPENT 19 YEARS IN PRISON WITH NO FAMILY TO VISIT AND GROWING UP BEHIND BARS.

AFTER 20 YEARS JESSE  WAS PAROLED AND PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST.  JESSE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO LAND A JOB AS A  MACHINE OPERATOR AT QUALITY STEEL FABRICATIONS. AT LEAST HE THOUGHT HE WAS LUCKY! THIS IS WHERE HE MEETS MITCH THE FORK TRUCK DRIVER. MITCH TRIES TO START TROUBLE WITH JESSE RIGHT AWAY. MITCH IS THE KIND OF PERSON THAT NO ONE WANTS TO MESS WITH AND JESSE JUST WANTS TO KEEP HIS NOSE CLEAN SO HE GOES ABOUT HIS JOB AND FORGETS THE INCIDENT. LATER IN THE EVENING MITCH WAS FOUND DEAD AND JESSE IS BEING QUESTIONED. NOT A START JESSE WAS HOPING FOR. FROM HERE JESSE'S LUCK JUST DWINDLES, HE FINDS HIMSELF IN SEVERAL SITUATIONS AT THE WRONG TIME. HE HAS ONE DECTECTIVE THAT IS OUT TO PUT JESSE BACK BEHIND BARS, HIS NAME IS BELKINS AND WILL STOP AT NOTHING TILL THIS TASK IS DONE.

JESSE MAKES MANY FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY. CHOICES GOOD OR BAD IS JUST IN JESSE'S FAVOR. DO THEY FIND MITCH'S KILLER ? WAS JESSE INVOLVED ?? WILL JESSE AND HIS FRIENDS FIND THE OUT THE TRUTH ??

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK! I WAS CAUGHT UP INTO JESSE'S LIFE AND REALLY FELT SORRY FOR THE POOR GUY ! IF IT WAS NOT FOR LUCK JESSE WOULD HAVE NO LUCK AT ALL ! THIS ONE WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING AND GLUED TO YOU READ THE LAST SENTENCE. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN READING MORE JESSE DAMON BOOKS! IT WAS WELL WRITTEN AND WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CHARACTERS. I FOUND MYSELF TEAR UP A FEW TIMES AND SMILE AT OTHERS ! VERY GOOD READ!

More with KM Rockwood

Bio:
KM Rockwood draws on a varied background for stories, among them working as a laborer in a steel fabrication plant, operating glass melters and related equipment in a fiberglass manufacturing facility, and supervising an inmate work crew in a large medium security state prison. These jobs, as well as work as a special education teacher in an alternative high school and a GED teacher in county detention facilities, provide most of the background for novels and short stories.
 Author Page and order links:
 http://www.amazon.com/KM-Rockwood/e/B007ZVDHR0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1367820918&sr=1-2-ent

 Jesse Damon has spent most of the last twenty years in prison on a murder conviction. Now paroled, he’s trying to beat the odds and stay out of prison with a pair of overactive cops watching him for mistakes. He’s got a one-room apartment, a job working the overnight shift at a factory, and some-times girlfriend Kelly. If he can just stay out of trouble, he may even be able to join the union.

But when he pays his last respects to Mrs. Coleman, his foster mother, he finds out that her death is being investigated as a homicide. And he’s the prime suspect.

Jesse’s life is getting complicated fast, what with a group of religious fanatics in saffron robes opening a tabernacle in the abandoned pizza parlor over his apartment, problems at work, and Kelly’s custody battle with her ex. It’s a lot to deal with while he tries to find out who really killed Mrs. Coleman and get the cops off his back.

Five stories of five people who struggle to survive on the fringes of society.

- Jerry, a homeless veteran with PTS who doesn’t need more trouble in the form of drug dealers who think he may have witnessed a murder, or an injured stray dog he drags out of the rain into his ragged shelter... or a demon.

- Ruth, a young mother abandoned on a drought-stricken farm by her husband and family.

- Joe, a recently paroled convict who has become a project for his aunt’s stern church auxiliary group.

- Crystal, whose children were sent to foster care, wants desperately to reclaim them and give them a better life than she ever had.

- And Harry, who has lost pretty much everything—his job, his wife, his house—and will take any job offered to him.

 Brooks’ boss Jake has disappeared, leaving him and Miriam, the boss’s wife, struggling to keep the business going until they can figure out what’s happened. Miriam thinks he’s mad at them and will be back. Meanwhile, Brooks has to deliver the robots that Jake has promised customers and handle any service problems. Friday, after business hours, he is summoned to the office of Dr. Watkins, their best customer, who is having a problem with one of his automated therapy robots.

The Automatic Therapist is a short story of 5900 words.


 Kurt was raised by his father's werewolf pack after his human mother abandoned him. Or had she been eaten? When he returns to the area from which she came, seeking answers, he does not anticipate falling in love with a woman. But what can he possibly offer her, especially when he realizes she is engaged to an heir of the wealthy family that now occupies the land?

After nearly twenty years in prison on a murder conviction, Jesse Damon has been released, a home detention monitor strapped to his ankle. Determined to make it and mindful of his parole restrictions, he struggles with life outside prison. He finds a basement apartment, a job on the overnight shift at a steel fabrication plant and a few people who treat him like anybody else. Especially Kelly, a woman who works in the shipping department. He seems to be making it. Until Mitch, forklift driver on the shift, is found murdered in the warehouse. Investigating detective doesn’t want to look any further than Jesse to close the case He’s not fussy about the methods he uses to gather evidence. If Jesse isn’t going down for this, he will have to be the one to figure out who killed Mitch and why.

Interview with KM Rockwood

Welcome to Julies Book Review! KM Rockwood is visiting JBR today! 

Musa is giving away some great prizes, take a look to the right of this page. So lots of GREAT items for a AWESOME giveaway!

We are all very glad you came here to JBR. Can you tell us a little about your self?

My employment background is varied. I worked in heavy industry, both steel fabrication and fiberglass manufacture, as a laborer. After I was injured in an industrial accident, I looked for less physically demanding  positions, and eventually was hired in a medium security state prison, where I supervised an inmate work crew. With some more education and a teacher’s certificate, I moved on to teaching GED in several correctional facilities and now teach special education in an alternative high school.

In my work, I try to feature characters  who seldom get a sympathetic treatment in fiction, like Jesse Damon, the protagonist in my crime novel series. He’s made some bad decisions in his life, but the consequences are way beyond those most people see, and he remains a decent person despite his years in prison. While of course all the characters are fiction, I draw on people I know and life experiences to create them.

What genres do you write?

I like writing crime fiction. There’s often a mystery element to it, as there is in Steeled for Murder and the other books in the series, but it’s the human factor drives the story. Some of my work strays into paranormal –Halfbreed Werewolf is an example of that, as are some of the short stories in Dealing with the Demon. And since romance is an important part of  life, a romantic subplot is often an important part of my work.

As a reader I love all genres but my followers want to know what to except from your books. Action, adventure, romance, sex, magic??

I hope they can expect a good story! My stories are set in gritty surroundings—factories, jails, small urban areas on the downhill slide. Jesse is trying hard to make it as a convict paroled on a murder charge who knows how lucky he was to get a job as a machine operator in a steel fabrication plant. He is determined to beat the odds and make a life for himself outside prison. He’d love a normal life with a family and a home, but he isn’t sure that will ever be in the cards for him. Meanwhile, when someone is murdered, Jesse is an obvious first suspect.

Who is your favorite character(s) from your books?

Jesse Damon.

What is your newest release? can you tell us a little about it?

My newest release is Buried Biker, the third in the Jesse Damon Crime Novel series. (Did I mention that I rode with a bike club, otherwise known as a motorcycle gang, in my callow youth?)

What about future projects? any hints?

Sendoff for a Snitch, the 4^th Jesse Damon Crime Novel, is in its final draft right now, and should be released at the end of the summer. After that is Brothers in Crime, in which Jesse finally confronts his older brothers about their roles in the murder in which they abandoned him to take the fall.

After that, I have another character, Amanda Corey, demanding I pay attention to her and finish Murder Moves In. Amanda is a 50’s something widow who finds herself in financial difficulties and takes a job as a resident manager in an older, three story courtyard apartment building in Chicago. And what a building it is! Some of the long-time residents are getting ditzy. Or maybe they’ve always been that way. A young man with Asperger’s syndrome has been working there part time, and he needs to keep his job. The last manager was fired because residents thought he was a pervert, and he resents Amanda for taking his job. There’s a marijuana grow operation in one of the apartments. And the first day she moves in with Roxanne, the benign Rottweiler and her cats, Amanda finds a dead body on her sunporch.

Can you give aspiring authors any advice?

Enjoy what you’re doing! Your are your most important critic. While of course it would be nice to sell lots of books and get rich off it, I think the most important factor is writing to please yourself. That said, have trusted people read your work and listen to what they have to say, rather than trying to defend or explain your work. It has to stand on its own! Sharing your work with others through publication is a huge thrill.

How about some "fun" personal stuff!

We live on seven wooded acres adjacent to a camp in a rural area and share our home with two rescue dogs. Hamish is a chocolate labradoodle who was snatched from a shelter by a pure-breed rescuer who was there to pick up another dog but couldn’t bear to see this wonderful, goofy large puppy put down just because there was not enough room for him. He’s named after Hamish McBeth, the lead character is a Scottish mystery series. And Vinny came from a rescue program where dogs from the local shelter are placed with prison inmates for rehabilitation and training. He came with the name Vinny, and it suits him. He’s like a guy from the old neighborhood in south Philly. We also have six cats, none of them deliberately acquired. When they show up, we feed them and take them to be neutered and get a rabies shot. If they stick around after that (and many of them don’t) they become “our” cats.

We spend as much on bird food, dog food and cat food as we do on people food.

What book have they read that touched you deeply? and why? (yours or someone elses)

Hands down, book Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is the book that has touched me most deeply. My mother and an aunt realized after 4^th grade that I couldn’t read, and the school was not addressing the issue meaningfully. I spent a miserable summer being drilled in phonics (which the school was not using) and returned to 5^th grade and a dreaded assignment. We were all to select an historic novel and write a book report. Reluctantly, I went to the school library with the class and came home with Snow Treasure. My mother insisted I try it on my own before she helped me with it. And you know what? I could read it! And I loved it! I’ve been reading, both for pleasure and for practical purposes, ever since.

Favorite past time activity?

I don’t know if it’s reading or writing.

a favorite book or author you can recommend (not your own)?and WHY?

I love Margaret Yorke’s work. She died last November, in her home in England. Her psychological suspense isn’t really mystery, but it is crime fiction, and I find it totally engrossing.

Barbara Seranella wrote the Munch Mancini mysteries, featuring a female car mechanic with a history of prostitution and drug addiction, are favorites and show characters with the same types of dilemmas as Jesse. She died unfortunately young, waiting for a liver transplant.

Favorite place to travel to?

My favorite trip was one I took with my oldest daughter to Tanzania. It wasn’t the world’s sanest venture (although we did have enough sense to go with a tour group led by someone who spoke Swahili, and didn’t try to navigate on our own. We didn’t encounter many people outside the group who spoke English for days, from the time we left Dar Es Salaam until we returned there. But we saw wonderful wildlife, breathtaking scenery and fascinating people.

What kind of music do you listen too?

The music I listen to usually depends upon what I’m working on at the time. With the Jesse books, it’s “outlaw” country music (Folsom Prison Blues, I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, The Perfect Country and Western Song, etc) For Amanda, it’s “Golden Oldies” rock.

And finally where can we find your books?(please include any links you want including buy links)

Links:

Musa Publishing:

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=km+rockwood

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=km+rockwood&sprefix=km+ro%2Cstripbooks%2C209

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/km-rockwood?keyword=km+rockwood&store=ebook&iehack=%E2%98%A0

Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=km+rockwood

Well I know I learned a lot and have added to our TBR list. I hope you all have had fun as well as well. Thanks you again KM, for coming and talking with me here on JBR. I hope you had fun and I hope to see you again. Good Luck and wishing you lots of success!

Julie Ramsey
ADM JBR

Review of Shade of Evil By Steve K Smy

TITLE - SHADE OF EVIL (THE GUARDIANS)

AUTHOR - STEVE K SMY

STARS - 4

REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS

HARRY PLUMMER WAS IN HIS 40'S WITH NO WIFE OR CHILDREN, HIS PARENTS HAVE DIED AND SISTERS AND BROTHERS HAVE ALL MOVED AWAY ON GETTING ON THEIR LIVES. HE HAD WAS AN OFFICE JANITOR AND LIVED DAY TO DAY WITH A SIMPLE LIFE. UNLIKE HIS BROTHER TOM HE WAS THE ONE THAT STOWED AWAY DARK AND BAD MEMORIES IT TOOK OVER HIS LIFE PUTTING HIM INTO A DEEP DEPRESSION.

HE LIVED IN A BLOCKHOUSE THAT WAS BUILT WHERE A OLD CHEMICAL FACTORY WAS ONCE HOUSED. HEALTH ISSUES WAS  PLAGUED BY ALL 30 RESIDENTS ON THE GROUND FLOOR. EVERYONE KNEW IT WAS FROM THE OLD CHEMICAL BUILDING BUT THE HIGHER UPS WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR SPEAK OF IT. 

WHILE WORKING ONE EVENING HARRY WAS STRUCK WITH EXCRUIATING PAIN AND DARKNESS OVERWHELMING HIM UNTIL HE LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS. DR. PATTINSON COMES TO HIS AID AND TRIES TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED. IN THE DAYS OF RECOVERING HARRY HAS DREAMS OF A MONSTER . . . . DR. PATTISON SOON PUTS THE PUZZLE TOGETHER AND TALKING ABOUT THE "SHADES" THEY INFECT PEOPLE, FEEDING ON EVERY DARK EMOTION.. . .

Review of Flesh of th Father Flesh by J A Dennam

Flesh of the FatherFlesh book #2
by

J A Dennam

Wealthy, cutthroat entrepreneur, Nick Turner, has rightfully earned his reputation as a shrewd businessman with little room for mercy. Known for his women, heart-stopping good looks and ruthless tendencies, most people would never believe he was once a Catholic priest; a past Nick refuses to discuss...until Sunny Devereux enters his life. The irresistible, high-spirited pastry chef quickly becomes a conquest for Nick, who always gets what he wants. But he soon learns that Sunny knows more about his past than originally thought. Could his latest bed mate be the same teen-aged girl from twelve long years ago who accused Father Turner of rape and ultimately caused his fall from grace? And if so, what are her motives now?

Sunny Devereux knows what she wants: to achieve greatness in the culinary arts and to remain independent of negative influence. Once the puppet of a charismatic cult leader, Asaph Josiah, Sunny is determined to rise above her mistakes from the past. But, once again, fate has delivered her into the hands of the two men who won't allow her to forget...or let go of...her guilt. Her struggle to resist both Nick and Josiah, devout rivals who vow to destroy one another, only intensifies the men's desire to control her. Who can she trust? Who does she fear most? The manipulative, self-professed "prophet" with the power to bend even the strongest will...or the merciless ex-priest with the power to crush her heart?

I loved this book!!   This author has quickly become one of my favorites & I encourage everyone to read her book.  The story was  quick to grab my attention & kept me reading until the very end.  The story had lots of  surprising twists & turns to keep you entertained throughout the story  & characters that are easy to fall in love with.  I even found myself shedding a few tears as well..  The ending was amazing & I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy... Book  three – FLESH OF INNOCENTS.

I rate this book 5 stars.

Jennifer 

Review of Saving Hope by Liese Sherwood Fabre

TITLE - SAVING HOPE
AUTHOR - LIESE SHERWOOD FABRE
STARS - 5
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS

Alexandra and her husband, Yuri were scientist for the Biomedical Research Center. Four years ago Alexandra left her job to care for her daughter, Nadezhda, which means HOPE.  Nadezhda was born with a heart condition, rather than put her in a sanatorium they felt the best care for her was home. The day this sweet little girl was born Alexandra found she had a new job, and her number one goal is to do what is best for her. . . NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.  Yuri lost his job at the center and now they are trying to pay bills, eat and make sure Nadezhda has her medicine.

When Nadezhda falls ill with pneumonia, they learn it has done some more damage to her heart. The medical care in Russia is hurting. Some of the many rules, you drop off the patient at the door and due to sanitation regulations there is no visitors. Its ran like a prison more than a hospital. You pay and bring in medicine that is required, which leaves several people to go without. Alexandra calls her oldest and dearest friend, Vladimir to help her get a specialist in to see Nadezhda, which only confirms that she needs to be transferred to a Cardo specialist in Moscow.
While Alexandra is scrambling to gather money to get to Moscow to petition the Ministry of Health, Yuri is still in doubt. How will they pay for this ??

Vladimir is under investigation with one FSB agent, Sergie Borisov. Vladimir is caught up in some underground business with the Iranians. When Alexandra gets caught up into this, she is torn on what side to run to. Who can she trust ??

I feel in love with this story ! This is a book of courage and shows what us mother's will do and what we will sacrifice for our children! Alexandra never gave up "hope", she was a fighter from the start to the finish! She knew her pipe dreams and her goals.

The author keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat from the first page to the very last sentence. I shed some tears in this one and really enjoyed learning some of the Russian history and customs. Its a wonderful read !

More with Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Liese Sherwood-Fabre grew up in Dallas, Texas and knew she was destined to write when she got an A+ in the second grade for her story about Dick, Jane, and Sally's ruined picnic. After obtaining her PhD from Indiana University, she joined the federal government and had the opportunity to work and live internationally for more than fifteen years. After returning to the states, she seriously pursued her writing career and has had numerous pieces published. You can follow her upcoming releases and other events by joining her newsletter at www.liesesherwoodfabre.com, or visiting her Facebook, Twitter, or Bebo accounts. You can also contact her at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com.

BUY links and Amazon Page :http://www.amazon.com/Liese-Sherwood-Fabre/e/B00810INE6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1367666862&sr=1-1

 Publication Date: October 8, 2012

Tina has a tendency to go a little overboard when decorating for the holidays, but Brian decides her skills are just what he needs to get into the Christmas spirit. Can this mutual attraction survive when they find themselves in a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s “most outrageous holiday sweater?”

 

 Publication Date: July 16, 2012 A collection of three award-winning literary short stories exploring the impact of love. “A Stranger in the Village,” nominated for the 2007 Pushcart Prize, describes how the arrival of a young woman into a Mexican mountain village changed sixteen-year-old Hector forever. “Sacrifice” offers an Aztec tale of political intrigue and love. Doña Rosa, a market-place curandera, assists the lovelorn through the heartache of love and infidelity. 

 

 

Publication Date: May 3, 2012

In one of Siberia's formerly closed cities, Alexandra Pavlova, an unemployed microbiologist, struggles to save her daughter’s life. When she turns to Vladimir, her oldest friend, for help, she's drawn into Russia’s underworld. His business dealings with the Iranians come to the attention of Sergei Borisov, an FSB (formerly the KGB) agent. Alexandra finds herself joining forces with Sergei to stop the export of a deadly virus in a race to save both her daughter and the world.

 

Interview with Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Welcome to Julies Book Review!

Liese Sherwood-Fabre is visiting JBR today!

They are giving away a copy of Saving Hope on the rafflecopter to the right of the page. The giveaway will last all April long. So lots of GREAT items for an AWESOME giveaway!

We are all very glad you came here to JBR. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My actual excursion into fiction writing began about twenty years ago, although its roots are much deeper. I still remember the A+ my second-grade teacher gave me for my story about Dick and Jane’s ruined family picnic. I dabbled in creative writing throughout high school and as an undergraduate, entering some contests and garnering a few honorable mentions.

I never considered writing anything but a hobby until I subscribed to Isaac Asimov’s science fiction magazine while living in Mexico. Like most beginning writers, I thought, “I can do that,” and labored for several weeks to produce a 20-page short story quickly rejected by the magazine. I learned two things from that experience: it was possible for me to complete a work, and that I needed to learn more about how to write if I were to ever be published (not so easy when living abroad and before the Internet came into its current form).

Shortly after the rejection letter came, my husband was transferred to Moscow, Russia, and I took a contractor’s job with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Once the dust settled in our new location and the children were in school, I decided to continue developing my skills—this time on a novel. Like many, I’d often said to myself, “I should write a book about this,” and turned to my own experience in a bicultural marriage for the basic story. Just as before, I learned a lot while writing it and the subsequent rejections.

What genres do you write?

I consider myself a woman’s fiction writer in the broadest sense. I enjoy writing about strong women who are able to overcome major obstacles. I have published several short stories. One appeared in Woman’s World (a straight romance) and another in an anthology for Girl’s Life (middle grade). My debut novel Saving Hope is a thriller set in Russia.

As a reader I love all genres but my followers want to know what to except from your books. Action, adventure, romance, sex, magic??

here’s mystery, action, romance and some sex in Saving Hope.

Who is your favorite character(s) from your books?

My favorite character so far has been the hero in Saving Hope. He was a maverick FSB (KBG) agent who was willing to do what was right (and suffered for it).

What is your newest release? Can you tell us a little about it?

Saving Hope is a thriller set in Russia. Alexandra Pavlova, an unemployed microbiologist, struggles to save her daughter’s life, but when she turns to Vladimir, her oldest friend, for help, she's drawn into Russia’s underworld. His business dealings with the Iranians come to the attention of Sergei Borisov, an FSB (formerly the KGB) agent, and she finds herself joining forces with him to stop the export of a deadly virus in a race to save both her daughter and the world.

What about future projects? Any hints?

I have a romantic novella (Reindeer Wars) and a collection of literary short stories (Corazones) available as both digital and trade back books through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. My short story Virtual Harmony is available for FREE through Musa Publishing.

I’m currently working on another thriller based on the Lori Berenson case in Peru and just started another project about Sherlock Holmes’ mother.

Can you give aspiring authors any advice?

Keep writing and keep learning. The best thing I ever learned was that you can’t edit what’s not written down. You can always fix things later, but it has to be there first.

How about some "fun" personal stuff!

When we lived abroad, we had a number of opportunities to travel to some pretty interesting places. Probably the most exotic places have been India and Thailand. The most moving was Israel and Egypt. We went to old Jerusalem and followed the Stations of the Cross. One of the most impressive was a paving stone where Christ’s hand supposedly touched when he fell. Pilgrims had placed their hand on the stone and worn it down about two inches into the stone. I was awestruck to think of all the millions of pilgrims’ hands that had touched it through the centuries and worn it away.

What book have you read that touched you deeply? and why? (yours or someone else’s)

Probably Anne Frank’s diary. We were able to tour The Annex and to see where she lived and wrote (with her movie star photos still on the wall) was beyond words.

Favorite past time activity?

I have a full-time job and I write, so I don’t have a lot of free time. When I do, I enjoy TV and movies (I do my reading of other authors on the elliptical), and playing with my grandbaby.

A favorite book or author you can recommend (not your own)? and WHY?

The one book I’ve read more than once is Gone with the Wind. I think because Margaret Mitchell did a great job in creating conflict within her heroine. I once read her summary of the book was “a woman in love with two men and not knowing which one to go with.”

Favorite place to travel to?

I truly enjoy Acapulco, Mexico—much more so than Cancún. Maybe because when we lived in Mexico it was such an easy trip to be at a great beach with great food and hotels.

What kind of music do you listen too?

Classical—both the high-brow kind and the rock kind.

And finally where can we find your books? (please include any links you want including buy links)

For Saving Hope (While you’re there, scroll down and snag a FREE copy of Virtual Harmony!) http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=264

For Reindeer Wars (a romantic novella):
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reindeer-Wars-ebook/dp/B009P6HWHO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350480367&sr=8-1&keywords=reindeer+wars

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reindeer-wars-liese-sherwood-fabre/1113366632?ean=2940015596823

For Corazones (a collection of literary short stories):
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=musa+publishing#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=corazones+fabre&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Acorazones+fabre

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/corazones-fabre?csrfToken=mHVceR1gAi6ZcPzjUZutLfzH8MM8D1aw&store=allproducts&keyword=corazones+fabre

You can also sign up for my newsletter on my Website www.liesesherwoodfabre.com. Also you can follow me through Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/liese.sherwoodfabre), Twitter @lsfabre, and the Plotting Princesses (http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com/)


Well I know I learned a lot and have added to our TBR list. I hope you all have had fun as well as well. Thanks you again Liese for coming and talking with me here on JBR. I hope you had fun and I hope to see you again. Good Luck and wishing you lots of success!

Julie Ramsey 
ADM JBR

Review of Geneva Connection by Martin Bodenham

TITLE - GENEVA CONNECTION
AUTHOR - MARTIN BODENHAM
STARS - 4
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS

JOHN KENT OWNS AN RUNS A PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM. HE IS ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD AND COULD NOT BE HAPPIER, TILL NEWS THAT HIS BACKER IS PART OF THE UNDERGROUND MEXICAN DRUG WORLD. FELIX SAFUENTES, AKA JIVARO, WHO IS KNOWN FOR HIS BRUTALITY IS THE MOST POWERFUL ORGANIZED CRIME LEADER THE WORLD HAS KNOWN.

MARK MERRIMAN IS THE HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE AT THE DEA, MARRIED AND HAPPY WITH LIFE BUT WANTS TO TAKE DOWN JIVARO. HE IS GIVING ON YEAR AND A NEW BUDGET TO GET THE JOB DOWN. WHY TAKE DOWN THE LITTLE PEOPLE FIRST WHEN YOU CAN GO RIGHT TO THE TOP ???

I FELT A LITTLE LOST IN THIS BOOK. THEIR ARE A LOT OF CHARACTERS TO KEEP TRACK OF AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE "FINANCIAL" WORLD AND HOW IT RUNS YOU JUST GET LOST. THE PLOT WAS GOOD AND KEEP YOU GUESSING.