{Review} THE LOFT by Diane Paley

ISBN #: 978-1910530542

Page Count: 188

Copyright: April 24, 2015

Publisher: Mirador Publishing

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

THE LOFT is a gripping story about a young couple who rent a fifth floor residential loft and are soon witnesses to ghostly apparitions. Later, they discover that their neighbors in the loft below them are satanic devil worshipers who are members of a little known evil and deadly cult that makes human sacrifices to Satan. Although THE LOFT includes episodes of several hauntings, the story is about so much more than the paranormal events. However, as the story unfolds and the apparitions no longer appear, the spirits still affect the lives of the main characters throughout the novel. The previous residents of the fifth floor loft felt certain that the cult was responsible for the disappearance of their beloved dog, and the owners of the sixth floor were convinced that the cult was responsible for the murder of their four-year-old daughter. Those residents eventually fled their homes out of sheer fear. Unknowingly, the young couple rented the fifth floor loft and, regretfully, their lives would be confronted with eerie hauntings and later they would become victims of the brutal satanic cult. Diane Paley's previous novels, SLANTED and BACKING AWAY FORWARD, were written in completely different genres. THE LOFT is as unique and compelling as her other novels.

Shelley's Review:

The Loft by Diane Paley is a unique and interesting twist on your typical mystery/whodunit. The main character, Mara, and her husband Noah suffer through the trials and tribulations of any newly married couple.  After finding out Mara is pregnant, and with twins, the couple agree that their tiny apartment is not  big enough and they find a beautiful loft with plenty of space.   Soon, though they realize something is not right.  Strange neighbors and sightings of things not of this world start to concern Mara and Noah.  And then, Mara disappears, and all clues point to the strange neighbors.  Mara finds herself a victim of a kidnapping with horrible intentions.

Ms. Paley managed something that few have.  She has constructed a mystery without the unnecessary blood and gore overload.  There is enough to keep the reader interested without wading through a cesspool of a story.


*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{Review} OF FOREIGN BUILD by Jackie Parry

ASIN #: B00OQBWJJE

File Size: 1124 KB

Page Count: 402

Copyright: October 30, 2014

Book Summary:

(Taken from Goodreads)

After suffering an emotionally-brutal bereavement and against her counsellor’s advice, Jackie ran away. Suddenly within a new culture, with a new husband, and no friends, she was living in the obscure world of cruising with zero knowledge of boats.

Crashing within the first twenty-four hours, Jackie realised life would never be the same again; a floating home with no fridge or hot water, and with a dinghy instead of a car. Suffering self doubts, she became fearful of her new world.

The first off-shore voyage took Jackie into a ferocious storm, which battered her physically and mentally. Amid the raging seas, Jackie shed the fear she’d been harbouring.

Soon she was blissfully voyaging around the world, but she still carried the mixed emotions of losing one man, while falling head over heels in love with another.

Not only did Jackie deal successfully with the challenges of her new existence, she also battled with the testosterone fuelled nautical world to become both a professional captain and a qualified maritime teacher. Most importantly, Jackie found herself.

Kathy's Review:

This is a travel journal, really. It’s a history of her travels around the world, with a boat as her home. It is told in a very frank, unadorned manner; a stripped down, bare bones version of what happened. In that way, I think the writing style is a bit on the dry side. The book meanders on, kind of like the ocean itself – calm at times, then choppy, then calm again.

At each port, Jackie encounters a different culture, a different way the people either embrace or distrust them, different food, different attitudes toward women. I appreciated that part of it, because many, many places she visited I had either never heard of, or would probably never travel to myself.

And of course, Jackie’s personal journey is interwoven throughout. It’s great to see how she evolves as a person, in her marriage, and in her confidence with the seas she is sailing. Truly inspirational to anyone who’s ever considered giving up a desk job to do something unconventional. This is about as unconventional as you can get!

Thanks to Jackie, who participated in an author chat with Literary R&R several months ago. Her stories were very engaging and we all came away from that chat feeling very inspired.


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

{Review} RIGHTEOUS RELEASE by Richard Gardner

ISBN #: 978-1501076633

Page Count: 418

Copyright: December 4, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

David Chambers was born into a strictly religious family. As members of the Eternal Fellowship, they have chosen to reject the ways of the world and have separated themselves from the rest of humanity.

As his arranged marriage to another follower - a woman he has come to dislike - looms ever closer, David decides to break off the engagement. This comes as a shock to his betrothed, his family and the wider Fellowship community.

When the beautiful Alison Johnson, a non-believer and former classmate re-enters his life, David makes a series of decisions that will change his life forever.

Righteous Release will captivate the mind of the reader as David begins a life that is beyond his comfort zone. There are a number
of difficulties to overcome as he adapts to his new existence.

Has David jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire? Will he return to what he knows or embrace his new-found freedom?

Charlene's Review:

David Chambers grew up in a secluded religious sect that forbade contact with the outside world. When he unwittingly finds himself engaged to a demanding woman, and comes face to face with a girl from his past, David decides its time to move out into the world and make a new start. Unfortunately, this leaves him shunned by his family and the only life he has even known. As he struggles to navigate a world of "sin", David soon learns that the easy way out is not always the road best traveled.

I was quickly involved in this novel, as poor, innocent David, while not exactly a moral and upright man, has endearing qualities that kept my attention. I would have enjoyed more details of his acclimation to the "wordlies" but it was fascinating to see the him change as he became more accustomed to his new life. I enjoyed the characters, both quirky and down-to-earth.

Mr. Gardner threw in about as many topics into this story as he possibly could : religion, politics, murder, and love. Ultimately, it all comes down to love and the search for self.

A big majority of the book, however, focused on political elections and the war in Iraq. While it all tied together, I got a bit of the hum-drums while reading about the Torys and Labour Party and protesting the American invasion of Iraq. It almost seemed as if it should have been a separate book all together.

4 out of 5 stars


*A physical copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

{2015 TBR Pile Challenge Review} 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Kathy's Review:

Copied with her permission from her personal blog, 

Grown Up Book Reports

Whew! 1157 pages to this bad boy! The version I had was broken into three smaller paperbacks. I took a break in between each paperback, because that is a LOT to digest.

If the sheer volume of this book doesn’t scare you away, then be prepared for some weirdness. The story follows two main characters, Tengo and Aomame. They shared a moment in childhood, and then never saw each other again, but both still think of the other. Seems like a regular romance, right? Well, it’s not that simple. Aomame enters an alternate universe by trying to take a shortcut when her cab is met with highway traffic. She’s on her way to kill someone, because that’s what she does.

Still with me?

Tengo has been caught up in a fraud scheme wherein he ghostwrites a novel thought up by 17 year old Erika Fukado, also known as Fuka-Eri. This novel wins an amateur writing contest prize and becomes a bestseller. Seems like a fairly harmless deception, except the novel, “Air Chrysalis,” depicts this alternate world where there are two moons, these entities called “Little People,” and these things they weave called air chrysalises. It just so happens that this world is real, and it’s the world Aomame has unwittingly entered. Other than a few anomalies – the biggest being the whole “two moon” thing – the world seems unchanged.

Through alternating chapters, Aomame’s story and Tengo’s story start to come closer together. In the end this is a love story, though all the weirdness.

It’s not for everyone. That’s for certain. I’m not sure if was even for me. I stubbornly got through the whole thing, but there were several times I wanted to just say “screw it, this biz is too out-there for my liking.” Maybe you will feel that way, too. On the other hand, maybe you will find the writing (translated from the Japanese) to be beautiful and poetic. I don’t know you so I can’t say for sure. If this review has not daunted you from checking this out, then perhaps you’re one of the brave ones to give it a try.

By the way, this was one of my TBR Pile Reading Challenge Books! Check this one off the list!

{Review} THE SWORD & SCABBARD: THIEVES AND THUGS AND THE BLOODY MASSACRE IN BOSTON by Allen Woods

ISBN #: 978-0990884101

Page Count: 348

Copyright: January 2, 2015

Publisher: Boston Heritage Publishing

Description:

(Taken from back cover)

The streets and taverns of Boston before "The Bloody Massacre" were filled with brawls and scrapes, hot words and cold calculations. Firebrands like Samuel Adams claimed high revolutionary ideals for the Sons of Liberty, while John Hancock and other well-to-do merchants found smuggling very rewarding. The Tory lords stuffed their pockets with silver and scorned the rude Americans and their democratic ideas. Informers worked both sides of the street while crowds of itinerant, unemployed sailors and dockworkers ruled the streets and intimidated Customs officials with beatings and hot tar.

Nicholas Gray and Maggie Magowan run The Sword and Scabbard, a North End tavern which is home to both criminal and political intrigue. Each is a fugitive from a dangerous past and their relationship grows fitfully in the midst of the turmoil. They view the politics of the time with a cynical eye but are eventually caught up in the conflicts. Finally, Nicholas must choose between saving himself and crippling the march towards the Revolution.

Charlene's Review:

Set prior to what we now refer to as the "Boston Massacre", Mr. Woods introduces us to Nicholas Gray, a small crime, bar tending fugitive. Having deserted the British Navy, he has changed his name and is in hiding. He resides with bar owner, Maggie, and together, they run "the Sword and Scabbard". On the streets around them, trouble is never far away, as redcoats and the Sons of Liberty clash in a political offensive amid economic and societal issues.

I wish I could tell you that I learned a great deal about this time in history, and that is not because Mr Woods did not have the information, or the ability to tell it. Unfortunately, my historical radar has never been clear, and I glossed over quite a bit. My focus in this novel was more on the relationships and persons of Nicholas and Maggie, as well as the surrounding characters that brought a softer reality to the tale. The complexity of the characters and their flaws and weaknesses made them even more real. I even loved the secondary characters of Mouse and Julius for their quiet support working in the background.

The Sword & Scabbard is the first in a series of novels that will follow Nicholas and Maggie through the Massacre up until the Constitution. Mr. Woods took on a daunting task, retelling the days leading up to Revolution. Historical fiction may not be my genre, but there is so much more in this novel.

4 out of 5 stars


*A physical copy of this book was provided via Authoramp in exchange for an honest review.