Tag: Booktasters

Book Review · Books

I Love You To Pieces

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Olivia appears to have a charmed life. Her father is rich, so she is not in need of want when it comes to accommodations, but the one thing missing is her mother’s love. No, matter what Olivia does it seems to grate on her mother’s nerves. Her times of respite come when gets to visit her grandmother. At her grandmother’s house Olivia’s stress can melt away while looking for seashells on the beach.

When incidents with Olivia’s mother turn sour, Olivia is whisked off to live with her grandmother. Peace reigns, but then Olivia has to return to life with her mother. Olivia can’t wait for her father to return from one of his business trips, but then the unthinkable happens. Olivia is crushed as her father was her protector. After a dire incident involving her mother, Olivia’s grandmother takes matters into her own hands. Olivia has got to be protected at all costs. She is sent off to a private boarding school.

With Olivia’s best friends by her side her as an adult, life seems to be normalizing after her rocky childhood. After a few incidents of Olivia waking up with different nail polish on and mystery items she’s wondering what’s going on. Why can’t she recall some evenings? Why does she wake up feeling hung over when she hadn’t drunk the night before?

I received my complimentary digital complimentary copy of I Love You To Pieces by Lori Flynn from Austin Macaulay Publishers, care of Booktasters and the author. The views are mine and of my own choice. This novel is nail biting. I can’t fathom growing up in a home with a mother as monstrous as Olivia’s. This story is one of great challenges, but also, shows how the gift of true friendship and a love interest can spur you on to survive.

Book Review · Books

Golden Keys To Open Doors

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This little booklet of sorts left me saying, “Wait what?” at the end. The author describes his spiritual journey and how there are so many spiritual scams out there. He expressed for the reader to research on their own, to not believe everything they read, even his little booklet.

I know that spirituality is an “in” topic. Gurus abound online asking for your time and money because spiritual secrets cost money to share. He warned against following the newest popular spiritual leader. I see them advertise on social media with links to find out more.

I received my complimentary digital copy of Golden Keys To Open Doors by Harry Meier from Booktasters, care of the author. The views expressed are mine and of my own choice. I was expecting more spiritual meat of sorts, but sadly came away feeling like this book lead me into a big circle. One thing is that the author writes in a very conversational tone so, it’s not a boring read. This book may produce food for thought though. It’s a swift read you just may need to read more than once to grasp it all.

Book Review · Books

The Anesthesia Game

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This story delves into the lives of: Mitsy, Hannah, Pandora and Sydney. Mitsy is Sydney’s mom, Hannah is Mitzy’s sister and Pandora is Mitsy’s personal psychic. Hannah is sick with the c word and her mom, Mitsy has checked out emotionally minus taking Sydney to appointments and her dad is MIA by over working. Mitsy reaches out to Pandora for help. Pandora is trying to find herself aside from her psychic business. Hannah is struggling with an addiction to spending to help ease the pain of her marriage falling apart. Sydney’s dad steps in to ask for Hannah to come help out since Mitsy is in her own little world, not wanting face her daughter’s illness in a real way. Sydney is trying to deal with being a teen and having an illness. This is the adventure of Hannah going to help out Mitsy and Sydney.

This novel is beautifully written with such in depth characters that they feel real. This storyline deals with tough topics like illness, marriage, friendship, sisterhood and spirituality. It’s the story of four women who are trying to find their way when their world’s are each falling apart.

I received my complimentary digital copy of The Anesthesia Game by Rea Nolan Martin from the author, care of Booktasters. The views expressed are mine and of my own accord. This novel took awhile to get through because I didn’t want the story to end. This to me is the sign of an excellent story.

Book Review · Books

The Fading Of Kimberly

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This novel takes place in the early 1900’s when Kimberly Weatherspoon is born to a rich railroad tycoon Warren Weatherspoon. Sadly Kimberly’s mother doesn’t survive the delivery and Kimberly is left to be raised by her aloof father. Kimberly is given anything she wants except what she truly needs, her father’s love. When she becomes school age her father whisks her off to go to boarding school, where a female headmistress can oversee Kimberly’s care.

At the boarding school Kimberly witness a tragic event that will shape her life. She is like her father more than she knows, butting heads against authority. After being kicked out of boarding she spends her time going out to flirt with men, drink and be wild. When one of her lovers disses her she takes justice into her own hands. Due to her choices Kimberly lads in a mental hospital. Will her wealthy father rescue her?

I received a complimentary digital copy of The Fading Of Kimberly by Kit Crumpton care of the author through Booktasters. The views are mine and of my own will. This novel tackles topics like family relationships, mental illness, crime and more. This is a fast paced novel that keeps you on your toes. If you enjoy historical fiction this novel may become a new favorite.

Book Review · Books

In The Image Of Man

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If you like outside the box fiction with a spiritual twist, then you might enjoy In The Image Of Man. This book follows the journey of a little invisible god named Bob who starts out as a little spark until an old vendor repair man named Ray calls out, “Bob’s your uncle,” when he survives a car accident. Thus how the little god got the name Bob. This is Bob’s journey on how he learns to be a god and what it means for a god to have faith in those who believe in him.

Bob watches over his first believer Ray until he discovers a new believer by the name of Mary. She’s been going through a lot with her job and boyfriend. One day when Mary is upset, Bob spells out some words using her tears for her to be able to see that he exists. She is shocked and not quite sure what to make of it, but when interesting things start happening in her life thanks to Bob, she starts to believe in him.

I received my complimentary digital copy of In The Image Of Man by Mark Long via Booktasters care of the author. The views are my own and of my own will. This book explores the concept of belief and how believing in something helped both Ray, Mary and others. I think it was fascinating hearing the story from the viewpoint of Bob. It was interesting how Bob interacts with those who were raised on Western Christianity vs an Eastern faith. It’s also, interesting how Bob learns about humans and our society throughout the story.

Book Review · Books

Trailer Trash: An 80’s Memoir

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I grew up in the 80’s. I get nostalgic when I hear songs from the 80’s because then I think of the show “Kids Inc,” that was on Disney. I was so in love with that show my aunt found out how I could get free tickets and just had to bring ten friends. That was the day my fascination with Hollywood got dumped real quick. I digress though. When I saw Booktasters was looking for reviewers for Trailer Trash: An 80’s Memoir, I thought it sounded fascinating and who can say, “No,” to going down memory lane?

Angie grew up in a trailer park. Her parent’s owned and managed one, so that was her community and social circle. I’ve never lived in a trailer park, but Angie brings to life what it’s like. There are stereotypes about trailer parks and Angie gives you the honest peek into what life what like growing up in one. The descriptions of her neighbors are hilarious and candid. She touches on the topic of alcoholism and how her mother’s drinking affected her and her siblings. The pet chapter is classic and brings to mind how many assortment of pets kids go through going up. She also, describes the classic moments from childhood like skating at the roller rink on the weekends, getting to experience SlipNSlide and many other 80’s references.

I received a complimentary digital copy of Trailer Trash: An 80’s Memoir by Angie Cavallari from the author via Booktasters. The views expressed are mine and my own. If you also, are an 80’s kid then you’ll appreciate every page of this book. I laughed, teared up and cheered for Angie. Thank you Angie for allowing me to read your deeply personal story. I hope anyone who loves memoirs will give this book a chance. Trailer parks are definitely their own little communities filled with laughter, beer, fights and don’t forget the cops.

Book Review · Books

Happiness Is All We Want

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What do you think makes us happy? Is it our relationships, our jobs, our faith, our looks, our belongings? Author, Ashutosh Mishra takes this time old question and gives a very in depth answer in his book, Happiness Is All We Want. Mr. Mishra breaks it down by categories like health, relationships, spirituality and more. He explains how we have used relationships, careers and belongings as the end all, be all that will make us happy when any of those options can be gone in a blink of an eye.

This book gives a lot of food for thought. The section on exercise is very convicting and the part that talks about the effects on everything becoming digital is disturbing. As for the yoga section I’m not quite there, or meditation, but it was interesting to read about the different types of yoga.

I received a complimentary copy of Happiness Is All We Want by Ashutosh Mishra from the author. The views are strictly mine and provided of my own accord. This book was so in depth it took me some time to read, but you do want to take your time since there is a lot of information provided.