Book review: Echoes of Fortune: Shadows Over Cozumel by David R. Leng

   

 

Echoes of Fortune: Shadows Over Cozumel by David R. Leng

This story starts out with the team of specialists that are talking to a woman who has papers and documentations of a ship that went down decades ago. Some notes state it was to the east side of the island. Others have sturdied currents and tides and know where it really went down. Others are watching their diving expeditions and notice they don't bring anything up to the boat. The team think they are waiting til the treasure has been brought above then claim it as their own.

First book I've read form this series and am a bit lost as to who everybody is. Like being brought up to the present with glimpses of the past and those who lost their lives.   It all comes together as the dives and meetings with others that come up with more information that the team finds valuable. They dive to get a sense o what's down there, the 1800's ghost ship Del Rio and one of their own had died in finding it. They won't give up til they have the treasure in their hands. Their room at the hotel was searched but .... Jack is a sly one and Emma sees the other angles and Steve is always a few steps ahead of everyone. Together they make a great team. They know the signs of bad gas in their tanks but Jack is within reach and he starts having symptoms but he sticks with it. They all go up through a hidden hatch and the medical team....  So scary. This would make a super movie. They can't believe what they have in their hands and only half of one document... Jack knows who's to blame and they are able to move on, get back to the USA. It's not that simple...

Travel, mysteries, adventure, action and hidden treasure. What a story, something for everyone. First time reading this author and I can't wait to read more. SO very descrptie in the details of everything. I felt as if I was right there with them. 

Book Review: In Pursuit of a Dream by Donna Wichelman

  

In Pursuit of a Dream by Donna Wichelman

In this story we find Sarah and she's left her homeland and is in USA and finds not many like Irish folk. She finds a job tending to two young children as the mother has passed away. Matthew the father isheading his family to the west to settle intoa new life and home.

The journey is hard and many disasters are talked about as they are experienced. There are some deaths but they make it to the end, well Matthew and othes fall into danger and the others are most concerned as they see no way out for them...

Cute short story. Wish we had book prior to this, one where Sarah is actually in Ireland and how she was raised. Would be a good movie.

 

Book Review: The No diet military calisthenics for busy women over 40 reset your body at home in just 15

  

 

The No diet military calisthenics for busy women over 40 reset your body at home in just 15 minutes a day without equipment by kardyn training

Lots of introductory material to help you understand how it all works.  Protein intake and the amounts you need daily and hydrating with water are super important.  There are so many more tips along the way.  The hormones issues plays a big part in why regular exercise is not working for you to lose weight.  The exercises included here are low impact and there are precautions about certain parts of your body that might need to take things slower or easier.  Even if you miss a day you can make it up or forget it because the next days exercises will just fill in what you missed. Like the different rankings they give you and how much time to dedicate per day.

After 30 days you are graduating and then you start all over again from day 1 for another 30 days the same exact exercises you've already learned.

Love that it shows you in a  picture what and how to do them. It will show you a three step process with 3 different pictures so you know where to start and how to finish the movements. There are explanations on how not to do them also. NO hard jumping or grinding of your bones, no high impact movements.  This one is worth a try as there is no food limitations either. no counting calories or anything else.  There is a warning about the weight you will NOT notice a difference or quite some time but you are burning fat and actually creating bone density improvement  and strengthening your muscles.

Great resource book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Raise Street-Smart Boys: 150+ Essential Life Lessons not Taught at School to Think for Himself, Trust Their Gut, Handle Any Situation, and Grow into a Self-Aware Teen - Illustrated Edition by Joseph Hedlund

  

Raise street smart boys  150+ essential life lessons not taught at school to think for himself by Joseph Hedlund

Like this educational and fun story.  Love learning about the lessons not taught at school.. These are everyday realistic missions and problems that need a solution.

Although written for a young boy can also be used for older boys and even adults.  

Love learning the simple missions and tasks to do that are also a challenge and a learning lesson at the same time.  Especially like the online safety tips and being aware of your surroundings and the challenges.  Stranger danger is always a good lesson even if others are all going along.... love the laundry tips   Like all the tasks, missions and challenges.  So much useful information.

Love planning for next day, even if it's school items in your backpack or just paying out the clothes you want to wear. Like laundry care boys can do and also keeping their rooms so neat and clean. My son always did that.

Great resource book for everybody.

 

Book Review: Raise Street-Smart Girls: 150+ Lessons Not Taught at School to Set Boundaries, Trust Their Gut, Stay Safe Online, and Grow into a Confident Young Woman by Joseph Hedlund

  

 

Raise Street-Smart Girls: 150+ Lessons Not Taught at School to Set Boundaries, Trust Their Gut, Stay Safe Online, and Grow into a Confident Young Woman by Joseph Hedlund 

Like that the lessons given are good for a younger girl but also for a teen girl.

I like that I can even use some of the social lessons myself and I'm an elder adult.

Lessons given are also telling you why you have to wait and breathe a second before responding, not go fly off the handle with a rude remark. The author even gives you exmaples of what to say and what not to say.

Love the challenges the author suggests for you to do. Further explanations are given and why they need you to just do them.  Most are to keep you safe and are good lessons no mater what your age is. Love sections on body shaming and how to determine if it's a pattern what others are doing or saying to you.  Love the digital safety missions.

Love money and time missions, you are learning to take care of yourself.

Great read, educational and love the life lessons. 

Book Review: Digital SAT Prep for first - time test takers: the all in one guide to ace the SAT on your first time by Crucible Prep

  

 

Digital SAT Prep for first - time test takers: the all in one guide to ace the SAT on your first time by Crucible Prep

Really appreciate the way this book is laid out. the chapters are easy to follow along with and how they are categorized makes it easier for you to really study for one aspect of the test over others are have completed to your satisfaction.

Starts with introductory material and how to take the test and the options that are available.

Notes, tips, and alerts are also given in each section. The chapters are also broken up into several areas to help you get the most of the chapter and how to concentrate.  Each section also has their own question and answer section. What I love about the answer section is that they explain why the answer is correct and what pitfalls to watch out for as some are really trick questions. Like the tips about test day, I just remember I as just so nervous and didn't feel as if I had done as well as I could have. Wish I had this book the first time I took the test, would've prepared me for so much of what I was anxious about. All kinds of keeping calm and collected and warming up before you even sit down.

Great resource book to keep handy. 

Book Review: Lucifer's Triangle (Arkana Archaeology Thrillers Book 8) by N. S. Wikarski

  

 

Lucifer's Triangle (Arkana Archaeology Thrillers Book 8) by N. S. Wikarski

Have read other works about Lucifer and just didn't like the genre. Glad I checked this one out because it is full of  action packed full of fun things to check into. Starts out with two different people and they are in two different countries/states. Took me a while to figure out the link between them.

Love what Arkana stands for the their mission. Love that the woman can just sense things by a touch to find out what occurred in the past. Some of it is creepy but makes sense in the long run.

Lucifer is in charge of the suicide bombers and the locals who can find them for the mission he has planned. 

The team send more to the site where the action is taking place after they've met with a few life scares and warning to leave the area.

Love glossary at the end explaining so much about the groups and what to mean to the world. Glad ot know the author is working on similar books in the future, preserving and rescuing artifacts. 

Very descriptive scenes that are explained in detail. Love the travel, link to religions, the artifacts and the events, holidays and  the missions. Something for everyone.

Really great read, entertained and kept me awake.

 

Aug 13 The Highlander’s Defiant Bride Book 1 of The Munro Brothers by Gerri Russell

 

 

The Highlander’s Defiant Bride

Book 1 of The Munro Brothers by Gerri Russell

In this story we find Destiny and she's held the castle together for her father and family. She had to sell some furnishings to keep food on the table and pay the bills. In return her father upon his retun is sending her to marry Cameron from a neighboring town.

 Cam is known as the butcher but she needs to see that for herself. She is able  to keep her maid with her as she's like a sister.

She learns new things as she's now also in charge besides her husband. He has kept her safe and protected and he waits for her to signal him to her bed. Love how strong Destiny is.

When their home is attacked she is able to warn them all about what to expect as she's dealt with the same thing at her home. They listen to her and are amazed she knows so much. She also was able to interrogate the prisoner they hold. The attackers want the prisoner... Love how she directs the soldiers to protect the tunnel access to the castle and sends the women to tend to the children, upstairs, out of harms way.

She also shows the women how to protect the area with just holding weapons. Love all the strategies she is able to teach all the soldiers about, having lived through it all at her home.

Love tender moments when he shows her how much he loves her. She did try to betray him but stopped herself but he doesn't believer her and she has to earn his trust all over again.

She does prove herself beyond actions....

What an awesome start to a new series. Love this one because the author knows how to really dig deep for her storytelling, Appreciate the ending where she explains about the history of the castle and the area.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

Children's books read: Aug 6

   

 

Granny Goes to Egypt by Anna Kay

Nice to meet this granny. She is very advenutous and fearless. She wants to try everything, all the food and things to do. Love the camel ride where she thought it was a race. So many funny moments and some very nice history lessons of the area. There is so many thing she does on this trip. Colorful, children's story but as a granny I also enjoyed it.

Has a summary at the end of everythigns he did. Lvoe the ending where she picks up a piece of Egypt before she heads home.

Great read.

 

welcome to our solar system/Bienvenidos a Nuestro Sistema solar by elisa R. Gonzalez

Like that this book is half in Enlgish and the other half in Spanish.

Colorful children's, educational fun book to read.

Starts with Earth, the moves to the sun and the next planets in line. Also all kinds of facts about the planets, first in English, then Spanish.

Love ending where it shows them all lined up.

 
 grandpa, the swing and me by Nancy Khalife 

Colorful children's rhyming story about a grandfather that makes a rope swing for his grandchild. They pla and laugh every day while using it. They also watch as the weather gets rainy and how will the swing survive? They also watch at night with lightening, thunder, wind and rain. They find a surprise when they walk outside the next day, even before having breakfast.

Really nice story of love.

 

 

I find you in little things by Rosie Fenwick

Colorful, comforting, children's book about how to cope with a loved one when they are no longer there. You search the  rooms and places you shared with them, playing just laughing or reading a book. You feel sad then you remember a moment and you start laughing so hard. The memories will not fad.e 

Aug 1 Amelia's gift by Hilary Walker

  

 

Amelia's gift by Hilary Walker

This book starts out to Amelia and she's arriving on Sinclair Island for several weeks with her mother who is attending to her health needs and they will be staying at the aunt's house.  She lives year round on the island. All  are having lunch one day and she notices a man stepping off a boat and their eyes kind of look at each other before she has to look away. Little did she know he would be her instructor while she tries to get back on the horse again after all of her medical issues. Her mother does not like the man and finally explains to her  that she thinks he is the man who put her in harm's way when he ran into her and caused her all this pain and agony. Throughout the years being paralyzed from the waist down has caused her heartache. She is not able to ride her horse any longer.  What I really liked about this book was the compassion he shows And also she showed him how to do  dressage moves and get better at horse competitions. They form a great bond with their horses. All the obstacles that she is able to overcome are a miracle.  The program is explained: how things are done. I really appreciate the handicap angle.

There are many issues but there are solutions and options available.  I love how the locals help her and him stay connected with each other when they're not together. She has second thoughts when another woman comes in and just the things she says really put her off. Never thought this book would turn out as it did. Many tears and a lot of pain along the way, what an awesome read about realistic things.

 

Book RFeview: The Mark of Eternity by Murray Bailey

  

 

The Mark of Eternity by Murray Bailey

Investigators Charlie and Peter travel to find the clues to the murder mystery that links with so much more. a man contacts them as he enlightens them to other things going around that are also connected to the murders. Like how they all work together. Seems to have attributes of a cult and it's religious in nature. Never saw it ending as it did. Like Egyptian stones theme also going on.

Wow, explosive. Lots of action and travel and getting inside people's heads. Very creepy and sometimes gory. Great read if you're into horror.

 

Book Review: Murder at Kingscote by Alyssa Maxwell

   

 

 Murder at Kingscote by Alyssa Maxwell

 What I like about this book is it tells me About fun events and historical things that occurred in early 1900s in Newport Rhode Island. We lived very close by the area and are very familiar.  There's a lot of things  I loved hearing about the auto parade and how they dressed up their autos and the females standing on the running boards with rhododendrons. I love their fashion dresses and hats with big birds on them and all over the car was filled with flowers. The best won a prize but also a lot of the money went towards Emma's charity. I love learning more about Butler hospital and the things that they did there and why and how as it still exists today. There is a murder at the mansion and everything points to one person But with the clues they have they figure out who really did it. It seems such a simple thing to figure it out but then there's so many other pieces in more mysteries that come into effect that make it more confusing for you to figure it out who really did things and why. I loved hearing about the trains that leave the island from Sakonnet River bridge and head up to Massachusetts.  I love learning about the newspaper industry during that time and Emma's fall from being the editor.   Love hearing about how she helps other unwed women in their children with what everything they need. Such a all around great story.  So many different things: travel, fashion, food, mysteries, murders, auto parades and so much more. Great read.

 

Book Review: Murder at crossways by Alyssa Maxwell

  

 

Murder at crossways by Alyssa Maxwell

In this story we find Emma up to her elbows in murder. A huge Halloween harvest party is in the works and she's going. There is even a scavenger hunt in the backyard with a lawn filled with straw scarecrow.   I can just imagine what this looks like. Emma does a great job of  giving us the details of fashion, food and who's there.  So after the first murder things get really sketchy about who could possibly have killed the man. Then there's another murder, another man and another one of a woman. These are all linked together and you'll figure it out at the end but there's a lot of clues to pay attention to. I never knew that cocaine was around in 1899 in Newport Rhode Island.  They would use it as a painkiller but not the product of today where they've manufactured it with all kinds of really bad chemicals. I love how it all comes together especially like the fashion that talk about the food, scenery in different places in Newport that I am very familiar with. There is also a mystery about Emma and her job at the newspaper where she's the editor but things are not going so well for her.  There's all kinds of mishaps that are going on.  Some of the others  help her solve that problem. At the very end she's unsure what to do and who she should tell about the information she's learned and that will be in the next book in this series.

Great read. 

Book Review: Mademoiselle le Sleuth (Paris Backstage Murders)

  

 

Mademoiselle le Sleuth by Thesa Tuohy

This story I enjoyed because it's not only theatrical but also a mystery. Miranda is being watched by her aunt, Sarah who also has a part in the play on stage. At the theater people are dying and some clues are left behind and they collect them and figure out who the culprit is. They enlist other characters in the play to also help. 

Very imaginative. Fun at times and also very serious. Like how they find clues at the cemetery, of all places. Good read.

 

Book Review: Perfect by Maria Jane

  
 

Perfect by Maria Jane

This story follows a young woman who has the perfect life, the perfect boyfriend and the perfect friends that are there for her.

He has a few more years at college so they are long distance dating still and he appears when he has time off from school to surprise.

With her friends they take her out dancing, meeting new guys and having a good time. She meets a local student and they are able to help one another. She also has the opportunity to go to France for a year and she goes for it. Love the time she spends there, the people and everything about the area are so well described, I felt like I was there with them.

When she returns she meets up with her boyfriend and he's finished school now and she's dating several at one time, no set commitment.

She has the choice to make for herself. They each give her something different from the other guy.

Like how she selects the one she wants.

Love quotes especially the ones by Leonard Cohen.

Good read. 

Book Review: Thusnelda & Armin the Younger Years Book 1 by Michael Kramer

  

Thusnelda & Armin the Younger Years Book 1 by Michael Kramer

This story for all the strategy moves I learned about the older centuries of fighting.  Amazing to learn the women were trained and fought to take the heat off their husbands, to deter the enemies from focusing on them.

Love learning that the shield was more treasured in some armies then it was in others which was their swords.

Lots of turmoil and brutal revenge  and crucifixions.

Fascinating how allies become enemies in times of revenge in a second and everybody is on board with the onslaught.

Like Romans and the others involved but the language and how it's used to make a special code only a few understand was just so helpful to win wars.

Great read about kings and conquerors. 

July 14 The Cowboy’s One-Year Bride Book 4 of The Telfords of Montana by Sinclair Jayne

 

The Cowboy’s One-Year Bride Book 4 of The Telfords of Montana by Sinclair Jayne

This story starts out with Cam and his friend Telford and they have been making plans for the company and Cam's private life. Telford has been posing as Cam when it comes to online relationship he has with a woman. She's coming to visit, problem is Cam won't be there.  Ayana  is devastated but hits it off with Telford. They agree to a proposal, get married, pose as his wife for a year. They head to his home town Marietta and I love hearing there is a yarn store there. His DNA results are not back yet but he looks like his other siblings.  Super excited to hear of the items Ayana makes while traveling and she's able to sell at a local shop, western store.  Love hearing of his brothers bachelor party and the events for the women to attend with the bride. 

Tel has had a man approach him as says he's related, his father. She has run away from her  past and family. She was not careful enough because they find her...

Love scenes when at the brute force event for the men Tel is able to hold a child as is Ayana and they fall in love a lot more with each other.

So much turmoil you wonder if they can suvive it all to find peace again.

Love catching up with everyone in this series, super series!

Perfect read for my birthday, thanks Sinclair! 

Unrivaled by Mary Sue Jackson

 

 

Unrivaled by Mary Sue Jackson

This story starts out with Jake who now runs the family's ranch after his brother and father had passed away. He has hands that tackle the everyday chores so he can concentrate on the horse breeding area. He wants to buy Julia's stallion as he notices his horses are no longer winning.

Alternating chapters also follow Julia  a local large sized vet.  She has reasons why she will never sell the stallion.

They agree to take a day hike to discuss things.

They spend time alone in a cabin when a storm comes in quickly.

Adult situations.

Love quiet under the stars date but also the ones dancing and singing with their friends.

Both are stubborn and Jake is overjoyed at him becoming a father. He wants them to live at his family's ranch but she loves her independence.

Months go by with them being together at baby doctor appointments.

Things are up in the air as time to birth gets closer. They need to compromise but time is short.

Love hearing about their different careers and how they perform them and of the dangers. Love how Jake is there for her when she's injured even tending to her animals and making sure she has meals.

Great story and glad previous family characters are in this one, great to catch up.

Excellent series.

 

The Only Possible Solution by Fons Burger

  

 

The Only Possible Solution by Fons Burger 

I like this book because it teaches us what we need to change now so our grandkids will have a better earth. So aware of plastic in oceans and microplastics in containers and water bottles, I now use stainless steel water bottle. Losing our farmlands so you better know how to grow your own food. We have gardens and are able to store harvest and use the products during the cold winter months.  So many references and ideas of how others in other countries are moving forward. References are listed at the end along with other bright minds ideas.  Topics really are thought provoking and should encourage us all to do better.  Great read.

  

Dante's Revenge by Lotchie Burton

  

 

Dante's Revenge by Lotchie Burton

This book starts out with Dante and he and Sherry are together. He is being her bodyguard. She had left hurriedly from New York City and went to Seattle and she opened her own bakery. Her uncle had helped her escape with a new identity and no trace of her. She also had changed her name. The grand jury is indicting Preston her ex-boyfriend who had basically held her in captivity. He kept tabs on everywhere she went and who she met with and everything. She was able to realize what was going on and started looking around at all the paperwork and Wilson the butler helped as well.  They joined forces with others who are going to bring charges against Preston. She finally gives Dante a call and he rushes to New York City to be her bodyguard. Others are trying to kidnap her and kill her so she cannot testify. Adult situations. It was quite like a mob or the mafia some of the scenes remind me of that. I like when he is able to call in his friends from the military and they're on the same page with one another so they're helping each other out along with others who are forming a bond with Sherry. I like how she never really lied to Dante and she informs him of all of the things in the past so he can be brought up-to-date and he also shares his past with her as well as if there's nothing you're gonna be able to change about the past. Was a good read and there's also an excerpt for the next book in the series and it sounds just as good.   This book is about Rick who is one of Dante's military buddies.