The 1922 Club Murder by Stacy M. Jones

The 1922 Club Murder by Stacy M. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clean story of Riley Sullivan and her trek south to Little Rock, Arkansas. She meets up with online love who is married (unknown to her) and goes on with her life. She gets a job as a Crime Beat Reporter for a local newspaper. Co-incidentally, her boyfriend is a detective with the Little Rock police so they often trade clues with each other.

In this story, there is a crime at the 1922 Club, a club that uses a old bootlegger mansion as a private supper club. One day the chef of the club is murdered and Riley needs to find the killer to get a scoop for the paper.

Story is good, but about halfway through a sub plot that has nothing to do with the main story starts, and it is distracting to the story at hand. Since this is a prequel and I have not read the ones that follow, this may be a set up for the books that are to come. Still, it did nothing for the plot of solving the mystery.
Clean cozy type of mystery that can be read by all.



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In The Shadow Of The Past: A Prague Crime Novel by P a Wilson

In The Shadow Of The Past: A Prague Crime Novel by P a Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sharka is in a new city in a new country, trying to get away from a past that threatens her. Her former boss, holding fake evidence on her killing someone, needs her help. His daughter, Rio, has been kidnapped ad he only trust Sharka to handle the job. Shakara does not want it, but Jack insists and pays her well. Teaming up with a local man by the name of Radim (who always seems to have a friend that can help) she uncovers the mystery of why Rio was kidnapped and why Jack wants her at any cost.
Good thought out characters and well developed plot make this a great story to read. A little violent for younger readers. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I received an ARC of this book. This is an honest revew.

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THE PORT FEE: A Storm Ketchum Adventure by Garrett Dennis

THE PORT FEE: A Storm Ketchum Adventure by Garrett Dennis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Dennis once again weaves a tale of suspense. Storm 'Ketch' Ketchum is once more donning his mystery cap to see what is going on. Along for the ride is his ever growing list of friends. But when his girlfriend lies in a coma from his investigation and his grandson is kidnapped by meddling, there is no good that can gome of this.
My review is based on the Audible copy of the book. Contains small violence so not recommended for preteens and below.

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Always On (Theology for the Life of the World): Practicing Faith in a New Media Landscape by Angela Williams Gorrell

Always On (Theology for the Life of the World): Practicing Faith in a New Media Landscape by Angela Williams Gorrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book reads like a paper that was written for graduate school. That is not bad. Just a warning if you are expecting something a little lighter in non-fiction. The author gives examples from life, hers and the public in general. Of the good and the bad of being always on in every day life. Recommend it if you do not mind scholarly tone.

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Healing to Prosperity: Restoration Through God’s Way by Alex Young

Healing to Prosperity: Restoration Through God’s Way by Alex Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Healing for the broken

Healing to Prosperity

Dr. Alex Young has woven a story about a woman named Charity with her own story in this book about emotional healing. If you decide to read this book, consider them to be the same person. It is one of the confusing parts of the book, and you can thank me later.
All of us have moments in our life that cause pain. A few people have incident after incident. Or maybe are stuck in an abusive relationship. This book is for those people. If you are not then read it to help a friend who is broken.
It is a guide book. Steps are given to help you to recover from your normal to s true normal. My only problem with this book is the focus on helping woman. The author acknowledges this fact. I can understand to some degree but it still is a shortcoming of the book and in a future edition she may try to bring in some extra chapters for men. I recommend for most everyone.



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Sing Me To Heaven by Emily A Combs

Sing Me To Heaven by Emily A Combs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What is a simple formula turns in to an informative read. Each hymn is assigned a category. The story of that hymn, both how it is written and how it helped the writer are told. The faith that is displayed by the author is amazing and I only hope that I can be that faithful to God.
Safe for all to read, and to me it was enjoyable.

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#MURDER: A Suspense Thriller Short Story by William Oday

#MURDER: A Suspense Thriller Short Story by William Oday
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Short story from the author that I got as a gift for being on his mailing list.

Rachel is your typical stereotype of the current generation, got to get the right hashtag for the image being posted (hence the title). Her parents want an adventure that they thought would be fun, so they travel to a mountain lodge. What follows next is scary as one by one, the people in the lodge start diapering and blood is found.
You will have to read it to see what happens next.
Some scary scenes so it might be good to keep the kids and pre-teens away from this one. Otherwise, fun short read.

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The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker


I really was interested in this book as I had read books by the co-author, Ted Decker, though not by Rachelle Decker the other author. Was the book good, in its own way, yes. It however was not what I have come to expect from Mr. Decker. In fact, his style is no where near evident. I am curious how much of this he authored.

First up, I am not a politically correct person, but the 'girl' in the title is a bit misleading. When we first meet her, Grace is a child, but that lasts a chapter. After that she is a grown woman. She is 'married' and pregnant. The title should reflect that, but that is a minor point.

Is the book good, in it's own way, but it is not what I would call a never put it down book. In fact I put it down often. The characters appeared to be stereotypical caricatures of Christianity. The questioning person, Grace, our hero, is right to question all that is going on. Her brother starts that way but ends up not questioning. The rest of the people, both seen and unseen, are representations of where many people are in their faith. I was waiting for the Jesus figure to appear, and I was not disappointed. The only surprise was who it was. That was not a big one for me, as I saw no other reason to create this one person for the story. The whole thing was a bit predictable. That may be why I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

The story was meant as an allegory, like maybe, C.S. Lewis's books. So many people may enjoy it if they are of the questioning mind about being a follower of Christ. That and the message that love will cast out fear are the two things that give this book the rating I gave it.

Christian book, no sex scenes. Violence, there is a taking of a life but done in a non-violent way, though I would be hesitant to let young people read it, your millage may vary. Fans of Decker may or may not like it.

I received and e-copy of the book through Net Stacks, the publisher and the Interviews and Reviews web site. This has been an honest review.

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The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Time Lords: humorous epic fantasy / science fiction adventure by Steve LeBel

The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Time Lords: humorous epic fantasy / science fiction adventure by Steve LeBel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received and advance (Beta) copy of this book, what follows is an honest review.
Bernie is a god on a planet full of gods. The gods do not work, they let the people on planets they create make the products they need to sell. Now, there are some who work, they are the people who create these worlds, not all gods can. All his life Bernie wanted to be a universe builder and just by mistakes of his rival in earlier books, he lucks into the job. Bernie has something that the other builders do not have. When a universe stops working, the gods blink the population of the universe out of existence and start again, not a cheep undertaking. Bernie is in the repair area and is always under pressure from his boss to 'blink them' fix what cause it and move on. His conscious will not let him kill the people of the worlds.
In previous stories, Bernie has done well with saving the universes, but this new one is a problem. Every time he works on fixing the problem, when he comes back, things have changed drastically as if someone else was messing with this world. Who could it be, and why? No one else has access to it. While back on his home world Bernie along with Suzie and Lenny run into another mystery to be solved.

If you enjoy a good sci-fi time travel book then this is one to look into. It is designated as YA for young adult, but this 66 year old enjoyed it. It is clean fun. Nothing for you to keep the kids from reading and I am sure most would identify with lovable Bernie.

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Kaine's Reparation by D.M. Pruden

Kaine's Reparation by D.M. Pruden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided a copy of the book by the author. What follows in an honest review.

I have read other books in the D. M. Pruden library. I had not read the previous ones in this series. While there are some holes in my reading of the book, they are filled in interestingly by the author for what I need to know.

Kaine, in a previous story, had a choice to let an evil hoard of aliens attack or destroy the jump gates holding society together. In this book, he deals with the aftermath of his decision. While they have slowed the horde down, they have not stopped it, and it is slowly inching it's way across the galaxy and to earth as we know it.

There is word of an alien weapon that could stop this advance, but the crew of the ship Scimitar must find a way to find the parts needed and join them with the parts on earth to put the weapon together back. Is the weapon going to doom them, or is it going to help them.

The situation on earth is chaos. Political government of earth is in a shambles. One side wants to put the weapon together and the other side has it.

I enjoyed the book. It held my interest well. There were enough places where what I thought would happen logically next, did not, but it was not out of the 'pull a rabbit out of a hat' type of thing.

I recommend to all who like a good science fiction story. Nothing to hide from the kids in this one.

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Dark Unicorn: A Unicorn Shifter Novel by Taylor Haiden

Dark Unicorn: A Unicorn Shifter Novel by Taylor Haiden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wanted to give this 4.5 stars. I hate cliffhanger endings. I had read a beta copy of this book and would have dropped it to 4 if that ending had been in place. The ending ends with a mile cliffhanger but all story lines have been wrapped up sufficiently.

So the basic story. Boy (Thackery) loves girl (Wren). She likes him. Wren being the princess she is, does not want to get married just to please her father the king. By the way, as the story opens, her (evil) brother has stolen the heart shaped rock that provides her family and the kingdom with magic. Without it the kingdom will fall to chaos. The king sends Wren to recover the stone at any price (yes, kill her brother). He also orders Thackery to go with her and he still loves her.
As their magic is fading they head off through a magical woods and somehow make it through. They know a rumor that says there is a magical creature in a town, a unicorn, who can help them recover the stone, at a price, he wants his horn back and the stone and the horn are at the same place. So off they go, an interesting love triangle. Wren loves the unicorn (Calen), Calen loves any woman but more he loves himself, and Thackery loves Wren. (Yes you may need a scorecard to keep up with all of this).

The rest of the story and attempting to retrieve the stone is the meat of the book and I will leave that to you. Somehow they are able to ward off magic attacks to get to the stone and horn. What happens next is what you need to read.

While I enjoyed the book I recommend the book, I would advise there is almost a sex scene in it, but it does not complete. I say that because Christian friends of mine may not share my views here. You have been warned. Also, the nature of magic could be a problem for some, not sure why because you love Tolkien and Lewis.

Preteen and up. Lots of kissing going on (after all, the unicorn loves any woman he comes in contact with.

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The League of Orbis Novus

The League of Orbis Novus by C.C. Prestel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an e-copy of the book from the author. What follows is my honest opinion.

I have had a philosophical debate with others much like what the author of the book tries to present here. In my debate with friends the idea was that someone comes up with a cure for cancer that has to be put in the water supply so everyone will get it. Do you encourage them to distribute it or say that it is wrong, people have free choice.

In this book Orbis Novus has decided to stop a bigger problem, that being the opiate epidemic in the world. How and why are the mystery here and it plays out across the globe.

The story revolves around Jack, a reporter for a Las Vegas newspaper/web site. He is assigned a fluff piece about internet hoaxes and discovers a group called Orbis Novus who claim the will solve the opiate problem on December 1. He reports on it and other hoaxes and the next thing he knows, he is invited to interview them for a story.

Anything else I might say could spoil it for you. It was a little slow starting, we seem to be randomly introduced to characters that seem to have no bearing on the story and it seems confusing. Especially since the point of view changes from Jack to them. But the groundwork is being set up for the end, and it is a big ending.

Recommend it for anyone who likes a good thriller story. It is clean, thought our hero and his girlfriend do spend the night together there are no graphic descriptions. If this were a movie it would be PG13, mostly for violence. While it is safe for all, young children would not understand and pre-teen and young teens might not understand what the fuss is about.

It was a good book and glad I did not give up on it.


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Of Half a Mind by Bruce M. Perrin

Of Half a Mind by Bruce M. Perrin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided a copy to review by the author. What follows are my own thoughts.

Is it possible to expand your mind, truly. Can we train the mind to be able to remember things we thought we could not. When we use one side of the brain, what happens to the other. These are questions this book explores while delving into a murder mystery. A team is investigating for the VA to see if a technology could actually remove phantom limb pain, and help rewire the brain. The company head seems not to co-operate and is actually quite paranoid.

Most of the book is viewed from one of two people. Sam, who is being asked to determine if this technology is possible, and the experimenter, who appears to be continuing the experiments, even after the person who is trying to get grant money to continue is killed. There are a few chapters where we hear other people's thought but they are not major character, so they are more one offs.

The author has done a good job of keeping then story interesting. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it turned out it was not that person. The clues are there to show you who the experimenter is, you just have to take notice of them. It is a little heavy on scientific jargon, but that cannot be helped. In order to explain the murder, the way the brain functions must be told.

Does the technology exist today, in some form or fashion it does. Could it be used this way. I do not think so, but it could and that makes it that much more of a scare.

I recommend to any. Mid teens or older would be the starting line, I doubt children would want to read it as it is technical in many places. It may even be to much for young teens. There is no sex in it, though there are some jokes that are of that nature. The small amounts of violence seem to be done tastefully.

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AN OLDE CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Storm Ketchum Tale by Garrett Dennis

AN OLDE CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Storm Ketchum Tale by Garrett Dennis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Dennis makes this book available on his web site for free. It is an interesting take of 'A Christmas Carol', though it does not take place on December 25. Storm is recently retired. Renting a home in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina and with nothing to do, he and his dog, Jack decide to take a trip to 'Olde Christmas' time just up the road. In typical Dickens style he is visited by three Ghosts of Christmas. From these he learns the lessons he needed to so that he could start a new, good life in his new home.
Recommended for anyone, it is a cute tale.

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Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel

Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided a copy of the book by the author, what follows is an honest review.

So you are part of a race that can create planets out of goo and put things into motion so that the people of those planets can produce goods you need. That is the concept of the series written by Mr. Label.
Bernie has graduated from 'The School' as a god, well sort of, he needs a job, and 'The Business' gives him one, provided he can make a world that will impress a lot of people. Problem is, Bernie has enemies, ones that do not want him to get that job and try to ruin things for him.
Bernie and his friends tackle the problem head on. Even though his father is a legend in the world making business, Bernie cannot ride on his coat-tails. But what is a god from the wrong side of the tracks supposed to do.
This a YA book, but even at my age (65) I enjoyed it and the others in the series as well. I would recommend it for anyone want a little light fantasy.

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TEN: Laws of Love Set in Stone by J. John

TEN: Laws of Love Set in Stone by J. John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting approach to the 10 commandments. We have always looked at them as 1 being highest and 10 the lowest, and well we should. The author looks at them in reverse. Starting with 10 and working to 1, he shows us that they build upon each other that way. By doing 10 through 9, we really do not have to struggle with number 1.
Excellent read.

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Battle Ready: Prepare to be Used by God

Battle Ready: Prepare to Be Used by God by Steve Farrar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Steve Farrar had written an excellent book for men. As the name implies, men are called to be battle ready for when the time of stress hit, the times of economic upheaval, the times when we are not sure what to do. It tells the life of Joshua and Caleb as they take the country of Israel into the promised land. We see what is special about these men and how to make that same thing happen in our lives by implementing them.
Great book for men's ministry or stand alone.


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Stand Strong - 365 Devotions for Men, by Men

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38749397-stand-strong" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Stand Strong: 365 Devotions for Men by Men" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519638073m/38749397.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38749397-stand-strong">Stand Strong: 365 Devotions for Men by Men</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13666867.Our_Daily_Bread_Ministries">Our Daily Bread Ministries</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2856216022">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley. What follows is an honest review. <br /><br />It is hard to review a book like this. Devotionals like this are to be read one a day. Advanced copies for review have a time limit on them. The ebook stops working or you have a limited time to review. (Or both). So my first problem was reading several weeks at a time. There is a pattern most devotional books follow. This one it was: Bible verses, story about real life, moral. When done right all flows. When done wrong, you scratch your head and go 'huh'. The publisher of this book is the book publisher for Our Daily Bread magazine. If you have read it these devotionals are just like them and my guess came from them. They do have a habit of hitting the mark most times, we all hit a clunker now and then. <br /><br />Reading several weeks at a time got old fast. These are things you have to take time and ponder. That is not a fault of the book, more of the review process. The book I feel, when used in daily fashion would be good to read one and meditate one. <br /><br />In fact I feel these would be good for anyone. That is why I knocked off a star. These are not men's devotionals. I have said they were most likely culled from Our Daily Bread and for that reason they would have to appeal to all. That is not to say that these devotionals do not have a male focus, just that they are generic enough to, for my taste, to be gender neutral. <br /><br />If you are in need for a good devotional book, one that takes you through every day of the year this would be a book to pick up.
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Blessable: 7 Habits of People Blessed by God by Thien Doan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thien Doan has written an interesting book. Too many people say we are not to be blessed by God, but that is not true. We are to be blessed but only when we do as God asks us. An example early on in the book sets the example. If a child has a breakdown in Walmart and wants a toy, what do you do? You cannot (or should not) give in to the child and bless them for bad behavior. Likewise, God can not bless us if we are having a meltdown wanting him to give, give, give.
From here, he shows us the life of two men in the Bible, Saul and David. One was an example not to follow, the other was one to follow even though he failed. In looking at the lives of each of these men we can see the things that we should do to become more like God and then be able to have blessings in our lives, not because we seek them, but because we seek God.

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Review - Unfinished Puzzle - Ashley Alice White

At the beginning of the year I chose to start reading some devotional books I have been collecting but not reading. This was the first one. Ms. White writes a good series of short (and some longer) devotional studies. Many of them focus on trials she has been through. It appears that she has had some disease that appears to deal with the auto-immune system. Each story is a complete chapter. Some should have been closer together to have some continuity. Overall the book is a good devotional. While it is suitable for all ages, children would most likely be bored with it. It appears that the author's web site is now down.