{Review} Cinderella's Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost) by Ron Vitale

ASIN #: B005IHDX18

File Size: 612 KB

Page Count: 197

Copyright: August 21, 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

What happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince?

Set in the late 1700s as Napoleon is rising to power, Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to come to terms with her failed marriage and her inability to have a child. Torn between the Queen's insistence that she try all means necessary to conceive and her own desires, she agrees to travel to Paris to consult with a witch to help her become pregnant.

Her journey leads her to find her long lost Fairy Godmother and aids her to solve the mystery behind her mother's death. Yet the Fey Lord, the Silver Fox, also takes notice in her and her world is suddenly turned upside down ...

Mandy's Review:

I wanted to read this book because I thought it had the potential to go very right or very wrong. We all know the classic tale of Cinderella and how her Fairy Godmother helped her transform for the ball to win the prince's affections, allowing her to escape from the wicked rule of her stepmother and two stepsisters.

But ... what happened afterward? We all want to believe that she and the prince lived happily ever after in their own magical bubble, but that's not usually how life happens is it?

The story's set about 10 years after the prince finds Cinderella. The prince has many mistresses and Cinderella is a victim of unrequited love. Part of her believes if she could have a child that would help her win the prince's affections. The Queen requests Cinderella to see a witch in order to become pregnant, at which time the Queen demands the prince to forgo his mistresses for one year. Cinderella reluctantly agrees to see the witch because to deny the Queen is to sign one's death warrant.

By the time Cinderella sees the witch, many things have happened to change her view of the prince and her marriage. The witch, not at all as scary as Cinderella imagined her to be, agrees to help Cinderella escape her life ... as long as Cinderella agrees to stop trying to communicate with her Fairy Godmother.

Will Cinderella agree to go with the witch and deny the one person who helped her when she needed it most?

Ron Vitale has masterfully created the continuation of Cinderella's story. There are so many twists and turns (using the items and people that we're all familiar with) that it will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Evil and goodness are not as clearly discernible as one would think they'd be. I loved this story and the inclusion of the Fae. I cannot wait to read more!


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Sportman's Bet by Judy Nichols

ASIN #: B008OY00QS

File Size: 427 KB

Page Count: 229

Copyright: July 24, 2012

Book Summary:

Velma Saunders, the meanest woman in Tobias, North Carolina turns up dead in the Town Hall bomb shelter. The only clue to her murderer is a copy of a Nigerian Email scam message. It's up to British transplant Ian Dodge to find out who hated her enough to kill her. And what made her so mean.

Kathy's Review:

This small town mystery is engaging from the first page and doesn't let go until the end. Although the action kept up at a decent pace, I'd say that I felt like the way Ian Dodge was able to quickly zero in on the elaborate past that Velma had, and then was able to correctly guess and identify the murderer seemed a little too contrived. It just kind of happened within a couple of days, as opposed to a true police investigation which would probably have taken weeks, if not months, and might not have gotten solved. A seasoned mystery reader might have the same reservation about it that I had.

However, if you are able to give the author a little bit of leeway with these kinds of things, or if you're a casual mystery reader, then you will likely enjoy this book. It flows well, it's folksy, it's light and easy to get through. A perfect quick read if you're looking for something to enjoy in a weekend or over the course of a few evenings.


*An ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} Fractured Time by Alan Draven

ASIN #: B005JPT5VQ

File Size: 386 KB

Page Count: 388

Copyright: August 27, 2011

Publisher: Black Bed Sheet Books

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Donovan Vicar is a "feeler" - a man who feels the vibrations of people around him. One October evening on his way home, he bumps into a man that he senses to be particularly evil. The man is heading to Dallas, Texas. Donovan embarks on a late bus ride to seek him out. As the empty bus leaves the station in foggy Bitternest, Louisiana, Donovan falls asleep. When he wakes up, he is disoriented by what he sees - he is still in Bitternest, only his surroundings seem more primitive and unfamiliar. He is shocked to realize that he has traveled back in time to the year 1957 and that the city is plagued by the mysterious disappearances of numerous young women. Everything points to Timothy Crane, a man alleged to have many shady associations and rumored to be dabbling in black magic.

Aided by Ritchie Campbell, a young man with his share of dark secrets, and his old friend Edgar Ward, Donovan finds himself caught up with the events unfurling in Bitternest. He is slowly coming to terms with his gifts as a "feeler" and only begins to get a glimpse of all the power brewing inside him. The stakes are raised and everything culminates into one fateful night leaving them less than a week to figure out what Crane is really up to and how to stop him. It might also be Donovan's only chance to ever get back home ...

Mandy's Review:

This book wasn't what I expected it to be. It's actually better than what I thought it would be. I've always enjoyed a good time travel story (i.e. Back to the Future) and this did not disappoint.

Donovan's gift is that he can "feel" whether a person is good or evil. There's no specifics with his gift; he cannot "see" or "know" what it is that makes a person good or evil. As a matter of fact, he's pretty much useless with his gift in the year 2007. It's not until he goes back in time to 1957 that he finally learns how to utilize his gift and becomes powerful.

Apparently, in 1957, the crap is about to hit the fan. Women are going cuckoo killing people, the weather is acting chaotic, and it all can be attributed to one person: Timothy Crane. Mr. Crane does not deny that he has power. He's more than happy to let everyone think he's the cause (which he is).

Using the help of a few newly found friends, along with a couple of police officers, Donovan makes it his mission to bring down Timothy Crane ... even if it means he stays stuck in 1957.

With a mixture of the supernatural, suspense, and the tried-and-true good-versus-evil conflict, Fractured Time will keep fans of the suspense genre on their toes and ready for more.


*An ecopy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Princess (Alexander Trilogy, Book1) by Stan I.S. Law

ASIN #: B003VWCJ62

File Size: 286 KB

Page Count: 236

Copyright: December 15, 2009

Publisher: INHOUSEPRESS

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

A boy approaching puberty enjoys exuberant imagination which leads him through progressive stages of self discovery. His imaginary travels unfold an inner world within him, a reality he'd never suspected. An enigmatic Princess guides him in his search and finally rewards him with the realization of his own true and mysterious nature.

When a boy meets himself among the stars ...

Mandy's Review:

I'll just be blunt on this review, shall I? I suffered through this book. The only reason I did so was because I thought it was from an author or publisher for review. Then, after I had finished, I realized that it was a freebie I got off of Amazon one day because I decided to give it a try.

I am so glad I didn't pay for this book ... and yet I see it has nothing but 5-star reviews on Amazon (albeit there are only three of them). I'm not sure what book those reviewers were reading, but it must not have been the same one as me.

The boy mentioned in the summary is 13-years-old. He begins to hear an inner voice that is female. For the sake of the review, let's call her an inner guide. The boy and his guide go on these "spiritual trips" where the boy finds out who he really is. Not only that, but apparently he's a boy-genius who has skipped a couple grades in school, so he's also a deep thinker about life.

I really don't know what the point of this book was. I found the boy pretentious. I found his ability to deeply contemplate life and its meaning absurd for a 13-year-old. The spiritual trips with an inner guide I found to be a "nod" towards the demonic. You may not agree with me, but you're not writing this review. I am. These are my thoughts and I found this book to be a huge waste of time. In no way am I interested in reading the rest of this trilogy.

Review: Tears of Min Brock by J.E. Lowder

ISBN #: 978-0615699769

Page Count: 388

Copyright: September 22, 2012

Publisher: WordCrafts Press

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

Dark and brooding, Tears of Min Brock follows a young girl of 14 summers, named Elabea, who hears a whisper calling her to the shining land of Claire; a kingdom that was supposedly destroyed in the devastating Dark War. Outcast from her family and village, with her childhood friend, Galadin, her only companion, Elabea sets out on an epic quest to become one of the most powerful beings in the world - a storyteller.

Kathy's Review:

I first read this book over a year ago, and enjoyed it then (first review is here). The author has rewritten and re-released the book in anticipation of releasing the sequel. As I read through, I remembered much of it, but it felt a little bit more rushed, especially in the beginning. Without the old version to compare it to, I feel like maybe some of the early stuff was edited out?

Most of this book felt the same, and as I read along, I remembered some of the key moments. Those are all intact. I'm not sure what all was different, but for the most part I think it's still an engaging, touching tale that sets up the action for the second installment. You will find an endearing character in Elabea, as well as her companion Galadin, and their coming-of-age journey together to find the legendary land of Claire. Most believe it no longer exists, that it was wiped out in a great war. But Elabea believes, and Galadin is loyal to her though he has his doubts. Lassiter is another boy on a journey of his own, with his father figure Newcomb. This side plot is given more prominence in this writing of the story, I believe. Lassiter will become very important in the second book.

If you want to get on board with a gripping adventure series that's just getting started, I highly recommend Tears of Min Brock. I am personally looking forward to see where this adventure leads Elabea next.


*An ecopy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.