Rewind Ranch by Peggi Davis - Chick Lit Book Café

Rewind Ranch by Peggi Davis

What price would you pay to reclaim the vigor and allure of youth? Four spirited Southern seniors are about to find out. Tempted by the promise of Rewind Ranch, a paradise nestled in Hawaii’s enchanting Hana hills, they embark on a journey that promises unlimited cosmetic enhancements, captivating company, and indulgent escapades. As the ladies dive into a world of luxury, laughter, and liaisons, they soon discover that the ranch offers more than just superficial pleasures. Beneath the veneer of hedonistic delights, a darker secret lurks. As doubts creep in and stakes rise, they realize their dream vacation might be a trap they need to escape to ensure their very survival. Join these fearless women on a roller-coaster of suspense and camaraderie, where beauty is more than skin deep, and friendship is the ultimate savior.

Review:

The promise of an exotic, pristine resort paradise offering cutting-edge beauty and wellness services, exciting mixers, and alluring luxury attracts four long-term friends who long to restore their youth and possibly find their match in the immersive thriller, Rewind Ranch by Peggi Davis.

Four retirees with different lives: Margot, a successful and prominent socialite from an affluent Alabama family, Elli, a Texas native and former creative director, Lacey Ann, a distinguished ballerina and teacher at American Ballet Theatre, and Mary Grace, a dedicated civil rights lawyer, all reunite at an exquisite condominium in Birmingham, Alabama. Wanting to regain their youth and feel attractive again, they travel to Rewind Ranch, a remote luxury resort in the stunning Hana Hills in Maui, Hawaii. At first, the enchanting paradise delivers everything the friends hoped it would but, later, they discover mysterious events happening in the resort.

Driven by a rich cast of characters, this mesmerizing tale follows the lives of four remarkable women with diverse lives who share a long-lasting friendship. Davis offers an in-depth background of each character, exploring their accomplishments, hopes, and insecurities, which make all four women feel real. At the resort, the women meet other people whose intriguing backstories are also covered.

The breathtaking, tranquil setting creates a seemingly peaceful backdrop for the story. A few chapters later, the storyline takes an unexpected, suspenseful turn once the women arrive at the resort. The story culminates with a hair-raising scene as the characters discover the danger they are in. The ending is gripping and exciting.

While the story can be read as a thrilling mystery led by compelling characters, it is also a beautiful portrait of female friendships. The four friends remain in touch even after they go their separate ways and follow different career paths. Their bond in the story is evident as they meet again in Birmingham and decide to travel together. In the end, they must work together to solve the mystery.

Rewind Ranch by Peggi Davis is a fascinating thriller with a page-turning storyline, splendid setting, and original, complex characters that readers will love. I am certainly looking forward to reading more fabulous novels by Peggi Davis. She has an original voice, and her expressive writing style transports the reader to paradise to fully feel, see and experience – both the pleasure and the terror that the lovely unsuspecting ladies feel.  Chick Lit Book Café highly recommends Rewind Ranch by Peggi Davis. Book reviewed by Anna Davis.

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To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure by Serene Rishi - Artisan Book Reviews

To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure by Serene Rishi - Artisan Book Reviews

To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure  by Serene Rishi
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To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure by Serene Rishi

Who am I? What is the meaning or purpose of my life? These were the questions that sparked one woman’s extraordinary odyssey to enduring peace. In her gripping debut novel “To Unshakable Bliss,” author Serene Rishi invites you to question the nature of your own identity.

Rishi introduces us to Qayum, a former star in the tech world rebuilding her career as an author of children’s tales. Despite the worldly success, there is a persistent restlessness within Qayum. She struggles to reconcile external validation from work and wealth with inner purpose. The more thrills she chases, the quicker euphoria evaporates.

On a road trip along California’s Pacific Coast, watching ethereal sunsets dissolve into darkness, she comprehends life’s transiency. She realizes the volatility of happiness while on life’s Ferris wheel of random ups and downs. Just then, the plot thickens. Befriending an old classmate in Denmark, Qayum remembers her carefree spiritual childhood self. Her friend’s unwavering faith in an eternal soul inspires Qayum to conduct her own investigations.

She unravels the world’s illusory nature through varied perspectives – from neuroscience, psychology, and Stoic philosophies to the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Back on that homeward-bound flight, scientific theories on consciousness are explored, exposing parallel themes from millennia-old scriptures. Profound implications set in – mystical visions across eras and cultures point to a fundamental reality underlying existence itself.

What our ambitious protagonist, and perhaps you too, have sought in relentless pursuits already dwells within. Qayum realizes this ever-present kingdom, once unveiled, holds fulfillment beyond imagination’s scope. The harder question is: how does one remain engaged in life’s theater while rooted in awakened truth?

Join Qayum’s liberating adventures across breathtaking terrains and ancient spiritual tributaries. From Zanzibar’s spice markets to Copenhagen’s quaint cafes to California’s majestic redwoods, uncover fresh joy and wisdom. Alongside vivid global backdrops, treasured contemplations from spiritual and scientific visionaries through history are instilled.

Artisan Book Reviews:

A beautiful tribute to the role of our consciousness, our ego, and our ability to create our own happiness, Serene Rishi has written a masterful guide entitled To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure. 

Written in four parts to help guide the main character, Qayum, through the quest to find meaning in her life, readers will discover the necessary tools for themselves to reach this enlightenment as well.  Qayum discovers not only what is holding her back from true happiness, but she also develops strategies to help herself overcome events or outcomes that seem negative.  Grappling with her own ego, Qayum also finds people that are there to help and support her as well as tools that meet her needs.  While no quest is easy, what Qayum discovers about herself, about the world, and about her own true desires make the journey completely worthwhile.

Pulled from ancient traditions, from renowned philosophers and thought leaders, To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure is a toolkit for anyone looking to find more fulfillment, more happiness, and even a greater sense of themselves.  I loved the mantras built into the storyline as well as the traditional readings and the ancient scriptures that assisted Qayum, but even more, I loved the actual real-world application of what Qayum was experiencing as a real person in the world.  Sometimes ancient teachings are hard to apply to one’s day-to-day life and through Qayum I found so much clarity and understanding.  I loved the tangible examples –especially as a woman myself going through similar adversities—and I thought that the different situations Qayum experiences will be applicable to anyone reading this book.  While the concepts are complex and difficult, Serene Rishi brings them down to a layperson’s understanding easily.  I found clarity especially in the way she intertwined multiple ideas together and had Qayum navigate applying them to her own life.

Written for anyone who’s searching for any kind of greater meaning in the world or in their own lives, To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure by Serene Rishi is perfect. It offers an unparalleled path to embodiment and to a deeper connection with the world, to us, and to others.  Readers of any type will not only walk away with a deeper understanding but also with a profound sense of peace after reading.  I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Book reviewed by Mary Rosenthal for Artisan Book Reviews.

Buy To Unshakable Bliss: A Techie’s Adventure by Serene Rishi

About the author:
Serene Rishi is a pen name for a tech professional based in Silicon Valley. She has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 25 years at major companies like Google and Cisco and a few early-stage start-ups, where she honed her analytical rigor and structured thinking. She was born into a Muslim home, studied at a Catholic school, and married into a Hindu family.

Outside the corporate demands, the author maintains an avid interest in positive psychology, scientific theories of consciousness, and Western and Eastern philosophies. Her existential dilemmas as a modern-day professional seeking tranquility are reflected in her debut novel. She illuminates important connections between science and spiritual teachings for analytical minds seeking practical tools for enduring peace.

Strong As Steel (Caitlin Strong Novels) by Jon Land

Strong As Steel (Caitlin Strong Novels) by Jon Land

Synopsis:

Tough-as-nails Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong returns in this electrifying tenth installment of the series, by USA Today bestselling author Jon Land

1994: Texas Ranger Jim Strong investigates a mass murder on a dusty freight train linked to a mysterious, missing cargo for which no record exists.

The Present: His daughter, fifth generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong, finds herself on the trail of that same cargo when skeletal remains are found near an excavation site in the Texas desert. She’s also dealing with the aftermath of a massacre that claimed the lives of all the workers at a private intelligence company on her watch.

These two cases are connected by a long buried secret, one that men have killed and died to protect. Caitlin and her outlaw lover Cort Wesley Masters must prove themselves to be as strong as steel to overcome a bloody tide that has been rising for centuries.

Review:

Strong As Steel (Caitlin Strong Novels) by Jon Land tells a story that begins with Texas Ranger Jim Strong, who is consumed by a mystery that has dumbfounded the elite lawmakers from the start. In 1994 a freight train is found abandoned, with dead bodies in abundance and no cargo. The mystery begins as there appears to be no logical explanation for the deaths, there being no outward signs of injury and no evidence to point to the cause of death. Add to that the strange disappearance of a cargo that has no record of its existence, and Jim Strong begins his quest to find the answers.

Twenty-five years later, and Jim Strong’s daughter, Caitlin, finds herself asking the same questions as her father when more mysterious deaths occur that are suspiciously similar. Caitlin has followed in her father’s footsteps and is a Texas Ranger, and she has inherited her father’s determination and dedication to the job. She sets out to unravel the mystery of the elusive containers and to discover their curious contents, whatever they may be. But there are others at work with a similar goal but a different purpose. Enter Molinari, a religious zealot determined to protect the secret of the past using whatever means necessary to accomplish his task.

Then we have a little girl as the ring-bearer at her father’s wedding who witnesses a massacre that molds her life’s journey as she becomes the deadly yet revered Luna Diaz Delgado, determined to rule by fear. Such is the roller coaster of this novel, a reader’s journey of mystery, hatred, deceit and murder, yet interspersed with family loyalty, an enigma from the past, hints of the supernatural, and a man who talks to ghosts.

There is so much in Strong As Steel, the tenth book (no less) in the Caitlin Strong series that it leaves the reader breathless in anticipation and turning the pages with expectation that all will be revealed and then being thwarted as the mystery deepens. Caitlin is all that her name suggests; strong in character and mind, unafraid of the consequences of her actions, still desirous of making her father proud, and yet at times there are glimpses of someone compassionate and controlled.

If the synopsis for Strong As Steel does not capture your imagination, then just open the book and you will be drawn in from the first page. The fact that this is the tenth book in the series is testament to the standard and quality of the writing, the vivid mind of the writer, the strong and well-developed characters, the Individuality of the protagonists, and that’s before even starting on the suspense that is created within the pages, culminating in a satisfying yet surprising ending. This is one of those books that the reader becomes so engrossed in, the end comes reluctantly. Author Jon Land, writes with confidence and credibility and brings these incredible characters to life with ease. Chick Lit Café is proud to recommend Strong As Steel by USA Today best selling author Jon Land, an excellent 5 star read for lovers of mystery, action, suspense and adventure.

Purchase Strong As Steel by Jon Land @Amazon today!

The Priest of Santa Maria by Alexandra Kleanthous

The Priest of Santa Maria (The Beginning of the End Book 1) by Alexandra Kleanthous

Synopsis:

A Catholic priest fresh out of the seminary. A mysterious young woman in hiding from her past with a secret that could destroy the Church.

Christiano finds himself obliged to act as the temporary minister of a small town convent. There he meets the captivating Angelica who, unknown to him, has been seeking refuge at the convent under the supervision of the abbess. Within a month, sparks ignite between them, but the abbess intervenes demanding that Christiano leave the convent before she reports his conduct to the Monsignor. Little do they know his timely arrival is about to clash with Angelica’s dangerous past. This leads to catastrophic events that shatter the very foundations of the convent and change the lives of all involved.

Forced to flee the abbey, Christiano reluctantly takes on the role of Angelica’s protector as destiny throws them together on a journey he cannot refuse. Pursued by a malevolent alliance intent on capturing Angelica, dead or alive, they face insurmountable danger as they race across Italy to keep her and the secret safe.

Can the mild-mannered Christiano rise to the challenge?

The Priest of Santa Maria is the first in the religious thriller trilogy by Alexandra Kleanthous. If you like fast-paced action and a gripping tale, then you’ll love this original and exciting debut novel that’s filled with page-turning suspense, plus a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Buy The Priest of Santa Maria today and join Christiano and Angelica on their momentous chase across Italy!

Book review:

The Priest of Santa Maria by Alexandra Kleanthous is a remarkable, suspenseful religious thriller with memorable characters, beautifully descriptive writing, and an intense one-of-a-kind storyline which readers will find unable to put down.

The story opens with a mysterious and ancient parchment with primal instructions inscribed in another language constructed by a talented Babylonian craftsman before the death of Christ. Later, to be pieced together by a Swiss grandfather/daughter duo who have been waiting their entire lives for such an enigmatic and unknown cosmical force. A wondrous discovery of the unexplainable connection to a bold and beautifully bright star, but what does it all mean or represent? Certainly, a grand mystery that leaves readers fascinated and eager to find out!

With terrific, suspenseful foreshadowing and a fun, unique style of writing, Alexandra Kleanthous showers her readers with a vivid description of every scene that never fails to make it feel like a reality. Young and new, Father Christiano gets a tour of the beautiful church and convent. He admires the art, exquisite beauty and the quietness of his surroundings. However, he finds more than he expected when he finds himself protecting Angelica, a beautiful, mysterious woman with whom he crosses paths. InThe Priest of Santa Maria, the vivid and detailed words of the author, Alexandra Kleanthous, completely pulled me in, captivated and fully engaged me. With feelings of being amongst her characters, I learned of their genuineness and felt them living throughout their journey, which made The Priest of Santa Maria hard to put down. This book is filled with action and adventure, gripping readers with suspense while pleasing with a bit of intriguing romantic narrative.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this riveting and gripping tale; it kept me interested and immersed the entire time. The plot was exciting, and I thought Kleanthous did a great job with keeping readers always guessing. A definite page-turner, Artisan Book Reviews recommends The Priest of Santa Maria by Alexandra Kleanthous for all that are looking for an exciting, interesting and entertaining summer read! A great enjoyment till the very end!

Purchase The Priest of Santa Maria by Alexandra Kleanthous today!

Restaurants & Tales by Reha Tanör - Book Review

Restaurants & Tales by Reha Tanor

Synopsis:

Reha Tanor’s culinary infused short stories, a new chapter in his journey after his successful multi-faceted life as an entrepreneur, investor, professor and a loving father/husband. The globetrotter digs interesting details up from his rich past inspired by his dining experience at some of the best restaurants in the world from Tokyo’s Omotesando Hills to Modena’s Osteria Francescana.

Review:

Restaurants & Tales is a delightful, entertaining and sensory exploration of restaurants and thoughts from an extraordinary man and excellent writer, Reha Tanor. Through his intriguing and amusing short anecdotes, readers will be taken on a culinary and sensual journey filled with colorful places, people and conversations. This book is about food, but more than that it is about the full culinary and dining experience. Reha Tanor states that he is not that curious about food in itself. But, rather the ambiance and all that he can observe and take in. In his book he tells of many extraordinary and enjoyable dining experiences. He shares about the scenery of the restaurant, its atmosphere, the customers, servers, smells, tastes and all the great conversations.

Restaurants & Tales held me captive from the very first page. It is filled with the most interesting stories of the author’s experiences while dining around the world. The people he has met, the conversations and humorous tales will keep readers fully engaged and turning the pages while savoring every word. Reading about these tales are, not only inspiring, but informative as well.

His many personal thoughts while dining all over the world will interest and impress readers. This book is magnificent and written with finesse and intelligence. This is a one of a kind book about dining out at exclusive, intriguing and enchanting restaurants worldwide. It is filled with positive philosophical thoughts, gastronomy and the beauty and randomness of life and the dining experience. Reha Tanor has certainly lived a rich, interesting, fulfilling and beautiful life. This book is perfect for those who have a passion for life, dining and travel. Reha Tanor, eloquently shares his impressive, entertaining tales and observations, with a wide range and variety of restaurants and dining places to tell about.

Restaurants & Tales by Reha Tanor is a brilliant, clever book and way to convey the author’s personal perspective on life by combining rich memories with dining experiences from some of the best restaurants around the world. This book is filled with ideas of great restaurants and places to visit and enjoy. A wonderful gem for short story lovers. It is easy to read, fascinating, delightful and a must read 5 star book.

Reviewed by Sophie Rose for Artisan Book Reviews

Purchase Restaurants & Tales by Reha Tanor today!

Ghosters by Diana Corbitt - Book Review

Ghosters by Diana Corbitt

Synopsis:

One day, Theresa’s mom dies.

The next, money problems force her family out of their home.

Life has definitely taken a downward turn for the twelve-year-old. But then she meets Kerry, and their friendship quickly grows.

Although obsessed with the paranormal, Kerry has never seen a real ghost. But when she hears how the powdered sugar Theresa had been combing the kitchen to find just magically flopped out of the cupboard she’d already looked in three times, she proposes they solve both their problems by entering the Ghosters video contest.

And why not?

Kerry has the ghost hunting equipment, and after seeing the dining room curtains close in front of them, Theresa and her autistic brother, Joey, know their new house is definitely haunted.

So, we’ve got three kids exploring a creepy old mansion. What could happen?

A lot.

That’s just the beginning of this paranormal mystery series.

Review:

Ghosters by Diana Corbitt is an entertaining, suspenseful, creepy and engaging mystery and ghost story that children will revel in and, be unable to put down. The story follows a young girl, Theresa, whose mother has recently passed away. Along with her autistic brother, Joey, they are forced to move into their deceased grandparent’s ancient, huge and boring house. The neighbors believe the house to be haunted, but the kids don’t believe in ghosts. They are disheartened by their situation. That is until, things take a turn when Theresa meets a new friend, Kerry. And, Kerry does believe in ghosts, and has accumulated much ghost hunting equipment. When creepy unsound occurrences begin to happen in the old house, the kids decide to enter the Ghosters video contest. That’s when they start to discover that this old house is not that boring and could really be haunted after all. What ensues is a suspenseful, chilling and eye-opening adventure for these three kids.

Ghosters by Diana Corbitt is a fantastic, suspenseful read for children that love the paranormal and ghosts. It is well written, easy to read and flows nicely. It explores the hardships of losing a parent, childhood struggles, the difficulties, beauty and importance of friendship and autism. This book is intended for children ages 9-12 and grades 4-7, but as an adult, I found it to be fun, engrossing and overwhelmingly entertaining.

Ghosters is thought provoking, humorous and captivating, as well. With surprises around every corner, these three kids are on quite a journey and adventure. It is an exciting tale about ghosts, mystery, friendship and adventure. There are family secrets to be discovered, along with self-discovery. This book held me mesmerized from the first chapter to the very satisfying end that has a shocking twist. I was always intrigued and wanting to know what I would discover next. What would happen next? What would the children find next? What will happen to them? Ghosters by Diana Corbitt is definitely one of the best children’s mystery, suspense and paranormal books I have ever read. It is so much more than just a ghost story. Artisan Book Reviews highly recommends it. Children will love it. Get your child a copy, you won’t be disappointed and they will certainly be delighted.

Purchase Ghosters by Diana Corbitt today!

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died by Bob Brink

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died by Bob Brink

Synopsis:

The doorbell rings in the home of a prominent Palm Beach citizen, quickly followed by a shotgun blast that shatters a window, cracking the calm of a cool January night. Rodger Kriger falls to the floor, mortally wounded, leaving a wife and six children.

Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide That Never Died is closely based on a sensational, real murder that happened in the posh oceanside town in 1976. In the thin guise of fiction, the book contains shocking new information never before made public. Author Bob Brink, an award-winning journalist, was a newspaper reporter in the locale where the sensational assassination occurred. It made media headlines for 15 years.

An ambitious prosecutor pins the deed on Mitt Hecher, a hoodlum and karate expert. At Hecher’s trial, fellow jail inmates testify that he confessed. He is convicted and sentenced to the brutal and anarchic state prison at Raiford, where a stabbing a day and a killing a week are the “mean” average.

Judges repeatedly frustrate Hecher and several attorneys working without fees to get a new trial, as investigators pursue myriad scenarios. Meanwhile, his wife contracts a deadly disease.

Was Hecher innocent, and if so, who did it? Did the sons of a wealthy Cuban kill Kriger? Were the operators of a gambling enterprise out to get him? Was a love triangle the basis for the shooting? Did a vicious underworld figure do the bidding of a criminal gang? Was a prominent politician behind the slaying? Those are the questions seeking answers amid the exploration of issues of justice and power.

Murder in Palm Beach is the saga of a battle between a man whose swagger has sent him spiraling to the bottom and powerful, sinister forces determined to keep him there. It is a story of redemption wrapped in a mystery tale reeking with power, sex, violence, and romance.

Review:

Murder in Palm Beach is both a mix of fact and fiction by author and award-winning journalist Bob Brink. In it, he brings readers a fabulous, heated story about one man who was falsely accused of a murder in Palm Beach that he did not commit. He spent years in prison trying to prove his innocence with the help of others. Mitt Hecher was a gritty troublemaker, but he was not a murderer. In 1976, Mitt Hecher was on a new path with his new love, Diane, when the unthinkable happened, he was arrested for the murder of a notable Palm Beach man, Rodger Kriger. Finally, after 15 years in prison, Hecher was released and set out to discover who the real killer was. What follows is a lot of surprises and twists and turns as readers follow the unraveling of the horrendous story of the murder and who actually perpetrated it.

Author Bob Brink throws a lot at readers in the opening of the story. A shotgun murder, a wrongful conviction, an unscrupulous, corrupt law system, and many distrustful and shady people. All this brings the reader a feeling of shock and unease which leads to an overwhelming concern and sympathy for Mitt Hecher, the main character. He loses his life, and everything it entails, for a crime he did not commit. What an injustice, which happens all too often. He must prove his innocence against all odds, and that is what this book is all about.

Murder in Palm Beach by Bob Brink is an exciting, fast-paced read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I couldn’t put this book down and read it late into the night. I love true crime stories and this is one of the best ones I have ever read. The character development is superb, while the dialog is pure, excellent and very impressive.

Bob Brink has a way with words that keeps readers fully engaged. The story line and plot are sheer genius, and oh so very entertaining. There is a lot going on in this story with sex, unjust use of power, romance, murder, investigations and much more. Murder in Palm Beach is intriguing, engrossing and fully compelling. It is thought provoking and very interesting. This is a real page turner and a riveting political crime thriller. An innocent man wrongly convicted, set free to exact justice and find the real killer. This is a must-read book for all avid true-crime readers. Highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews.

Purchase Murder in Palm Beach by Bob Brink @Amazon Here

Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman

Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman

Synopsis:

A bloody feud, brewing for seventy-five years, finally comes to its explosive end.

A wily Texas sheriff and a mythical Indian Chief are all that stands between the good people of a hill country community and a ruthless sociopathic killer and his gang.

William (aka the Prince) Laveaux leads his gang to Gary, Texas–a sleepy hill country town on the banks of the Guadalupe River–to exact a brutal revenge on Chief Running Wolf and his grandson Billy Cross. Wise-cracking Sheriff Bud Thomas (a former Rough Rider and Texas Ranger) overhears the son of the town doctor telling of his chance encounter with the Prince on the morning of his arrival at the town’s train station.

Following his gut instincts, the sheriff leads his deputies on a frantic manhunt for the gang as they weave a trail of murder and arson throughout the farming community.

On its surface, this novel pits the working class folk of a small Texas town against a ruthless gang boss intent on avenging the death of his grandfather. At its core, it’s a novel about the spirituality of the people and of the Native American culture that pre-dated their time in the land of the Sacred River.

Review:

Flow Like a River by Mark Guillerman is a fascinating 5 star read! The author’s suspenseful framing of the story in the prologue provides a meaningful reference point throughout the novel. You’ll be taken on a historical adventure tracing family ties from generations past – and learn the legend of the Chanas tribe’s four brothers.

You’ll be taken on the journey of Brenna Cross, her son Billy, and his grandfather, Running Wolf, the last of the pure bloodline of Chief Grey Wolf. An unusual motley crew thrown together by circumstances and family ties returns Running Wolf from Oklahoma to his tribe’s sacred ground in Gary Texas.

How it began? Brenna received a letter after her husband’s death in the big war from the owner of Bingham’s Country Store in Gary. His promise of a job was the catalyst for the family’s move from Ireland, to finding her husband’s father, Running Wolf, then crossing the rough terrain to meet him and accept his offer.

They settled in the cabin provided by Mr. Bingham with Running Wolf making his camp near a small stream a short walk from Brenna and Billy’s cabin. Billy made friends, attended school and worked at the general store. Things were looking good for the family until the prince, William Laveaux IV, of the Laveaux crime family came to town to avenge his great-grandfather’s murder at the hands of Silent Wolf, of the Chanas tribe.

Having been told the family’s story by his grandmother, he promised vengeance on the descendants of the Chanas tribe. His mother went from high society prominence to a poor outcast from the community. She’d died from drinking herself to death. He vowed the Laveaux name would again be feared and become the leading crime family.

Reading the newspaper story about the Ghost Rider Sighting in Central Texas, south of Goliad, he knew the spirit of the warrior and the white mustang horse was Chief Running Wolf of the Chanas Tribe although the sheriff, Buddy Thomas, denied the claim. He sent his brother Cory and Buck Tills the strongman, and the Peret brothers, along with Bobby Styles and Dalilah Morgan ahead to Gary, to set things in motion. He then booked his train passage along with the cargo marked Crescent Moon Trading Company to carry out his revenge.

With a showdown and dramatic conclusion, in the captivating story of Flow Like A River, author Mark Guillerman’s words “flow like a river” smooth and unobstructed from the pages to the readers mind. A dynamic deliverance of a multi-generational historical adventure. Highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews.
Reviewed by C J Bowen for Artisan Book Reviews

Don’t miss this exceptional read! Purchase Flow Like A River by Mark Guillerman today!

Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light by Lali A Love

Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light by Lali A Love

Synopsis:

Lali A. Love provides a supernatural thriller of metaphysical and visionary fantasy with her own revolutionary philosophy and unique narrative skills to produce this emotionally invoking, heart-wrenching and gripping tale of a family’s rise from poverty, oppression and abuse.

Lilac Noble must face the traumatic experiences of her childhood before she can conquer the dark entities that have wreaked havoc on her family. On this epic journey, Lilac undergoes the destructive process of spiritual enlightenment in order to lift the veil of darkness and shame that has obscured her youth. As Lilac unlocks painful memories of abuse, suppressed in her subconscious from years of fear-based conditioning, she uncovers menacing secrets feeding the evil within her generational bloodline. In an attempt to vanquish the sinister energies, Lilac finds the courage to discover her inner truth, vulnerability, and authenticity, as she awakens her divine light and overcomes her debilitating fears of the past. Lilac’s unconditional love for her family guides her through her process of healing and transformation, fueling her instinct for survival and her burning desire to illuminate the world.

Spanning two continents and three generations, this inspirational novel portrays the best and worst of humanity and shows how the “tiniest spark of light can overcome the darkness of any magnitude,” through forgiveness, compassion, and the most powerful force in the universe – Love.

Chick Lit Café Book Review:

Heart of a Warrior Angel by Lali A. Love is a haunting, emotionally-gripping story and I’ve not cried so much since reading Flowers in the Attic.  This is a tale on two dimensions: the first being the memoir of Lilac Nobel, and the second an introduction into enlightenment – the power by which humans understand the universe and improve their own condition.

I pondered whilst reading on why the author would choose to write a narrative with an absence of dialogue, after all most would contend that only short stories can carry off the lack of speech without boring the reader.  I feel now that I have finished and had time to reflect, that speech would have made it harrowing by making the people within the story even more real.  I was heartbroken by the first half of Lilac’s life and was only able to continue reading because of Lali A. Love’s clever and sensitive story-telling style, and I can assure you I was far from bored.  I was in fact gripped, fascinated, moved and unable to put the book down.

Although, we travel this novel through the eyes of Lilac, it isn’t only about her, but all the people she loves, especially her sisters.  The need to protect her mother and sisters from her father, even when that meant pain for herself, was so touching.  Love is the main message (I feel) behind this story, sacrificial love that puts others before self, but also the understanding of how important it is to love one’s self.

Lali A. Love has artfully crafted a mystical story that starts in Georgia in the 1950s and ends in Canada in the present day.  There is violence in this story, but it is neither graphic nor glorified, it is simply stated as what happened.  I think the title is very apt and also the lovely book cover clearly shows what type of book this is and will instantly attract people who love stories about the paranormal.

Lastly, Heart of a Warrior Angel is a must read for anyone with a traumatic past.  I am convinced that knowing we are not alone in our sorrows, understanding that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that we only have to move towards it, and learning about our own inner strength are all things that will inspire us to love without limits and to forgive when it hurts. Heart of a Warrior by Lali A. Love is a moving, thought-provoking read, and comes highly recommended by Chick Lit Café Book Reviews.
Reviewed by T N Traynor for Chick Lit Café.

Purchase Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light by Lali A Love today!

It’s Just Your Imagination by Revital Shiri-Horowitz

It’s Just Your Imagination: Growing Up with a Narcissistic Mother – Insights of a Personal Journey by Revital Shiri-Horowitz

Synopsis:

Pinnacle Award Winning “It`s Just Your Imagination” is the book you want to read when you are looking to find some answers: Have you always sensed something wasn’t quite right in your life, but couldn’t pinpoint the cause? Have you always felt controlled and manipulated by those closest to you? Were you raised by a mother whose main priority was set on herself? Were you constantly told by that mother, “It`s only your imagination” when you questioned her?

If the answer is yes, then this is the book you want to read. “Your mother will always love you, no matter what.” “Whatever you do, your mother will always be on your side.” We’ve all heard these phrases about motherhood. If this describes the mother you grew up with, then count yourself as one of the lucky ones and read this book to learn more about narcissism. If not, this book can help you. It can also help your loved ones understand you and your emotional state. It`s Just Your Imagination explores what it’s like to grow up with a mother who insists on putting herself at the center of every situation. This book gives you the tools to live a pain-free life if you were raised by a narcissistic mother. This first-hand account of my personal journey offers a vicarious understanding of maternal narcissism and its implications. With the aid of supporting psychological studies, you will learn how you, too, can overcome the challenges of growing up in a household driven by narcissism. It`s Just Your Imagination was my mother’s mantra throughout my life. Whenever I confronted her about her abusive and manipulative behavior toward me, she always had the same response: “It’s just your imagination.” If this sounds familiar, I invite you to join me on the journey through grief, loss, understanding, and forgiveness, and to find the healing and personal strength that awaits us at the end of the path.

Review:

It’s Just Your Imagination by Revital Shiri-Horowitz is a touching story of the author’s own life growing up with a narcissistic and selfish mother. It details her experiences and reveals her own, very personal and private, revelations and confessions. Her journey from being broken and damaged, to healing and recovery, is a remarkable story that everyone must read.

Revital Shiri-Horowitz is an incredible writer and woman that has suffered much pain and distress. With tedious determination to heal from, the unavoidable, harm and devastation placed upon her by a narcissistic mother, she has now become a compassionate and successful woman. This book is extremely inspiring and will help other women that are daughters of narcissistic mothers. It will enable them to search out help, and do the important work required, to go from despair and dysfunction to hope, wholeness and joy.

Recognizing the narcissistic person can be difficult, but Revital explains it well and emphasizes that a child knows when there is something wrong. Their mother doesn’t support them, and instead, it’s all about the mother and her own selfish needs. I grew up with a narcissistic mother, myself, and could relate to this entire book. I was able to glean from it and had many “ah-ha” moments while reading it. It has given me the courage, knowledge and understanding that I need to confront my own issues, and desire to work through them to become whole, strong and happy.

Written with sensitivity and emotion, Revital, opens her heart in hopes to help others. I commend her for her honesty and ability to enlighten readers. She brings the knowledge, steps and tips to overcome the effects from being raised by a narcissistic mother, and to guide others as adults and parents.

With courage and strength, she has shared her journey of growth with the world and exposed many secrets and personal sufferings. This book must have been hard to write and I thank her for doing so. It is a subject that needs to come to light and will give inspiration and hope to so many. The ideas and discussions expressed are intelligent, clear and concise and is clearly based on much research. But it is accompanied by the author’s telling of her own aching and painful memories which led me to tears and sorrow at many points.

I believe, It’s Just Your Imagination, is a must read for everyone because it will give light to our own behavior towards others and our children. It will help those who have suffered from the words and actions of a narcissistic parent. It’s not just in your head, it is really happening. Highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews!

Purchase It’s Just Your Imagination @Amazon

Something To Be Brave For by Priscilla Bennett

Something To Be Brave For by Priscilla Bennett

Synopsis:

SOMETHING TO BE BRAVE FOR tells the sometimes tender yet often harrowing story of abuse and of a woman’s resilience and courage, a tale that culminates in the triumph of self-discovery.

Review:

Something To Be Brave For by Priscilla Bennett is an eye-opening realistic look at domestic abuse. Whether physical or mental abuse, the victim feels trapped and unable to escape. In this novel we have Katie Giraud who lives a privileged life among the rich and affluent society. However, Katie’s life is not what it appears on the surface. Married to a prominent plastic surgeon whom everyone adores, Katie is constantly under the control of her husband. He physically abuses her on a continual basis while beating her senseless.

His charm and friendliness toward other people stops at the door when he enters the beautiful home that he and Katie share with their young daughter, Rose. While battling for her survival, without the support of friends and family, will Katie ultimately escape the fear and abuse, come to self-discovery and free herself from her abusive husband?

The story begins with some tragic events, but then author, Priscilla Bennett, neatly gives readers a look at the lovely love affair and marriage to the handsome young man and doctor, intent on an idyllic beautiful life together. Eventually her adoring husband, Claude, changes and turns into a monster with a serious mental illness issue. The author reminds and brings attention to readers on how such acts can go on without notice, repercussions or help for the victims.

This story will interest and help anyone who has been in their own fight to free themselves from mental or physical enslavement and violence. With an innate desire to help women that experience abuse at the hand of their spouse or someone close to them, Priscilla Bennett has woven together a thought-provoking, compelling and educational story that readers will appreciate and learn from.

Something To Be Brave For is not for the faint of heart. Filled with episodes of the horrors of attacks and the abuse perpetrated on the victim, it is also full of hope, inspiration and tenderness. Author, Priscilla Bennett is a retired emergency room nurse and relates that abuse has no confines and can occur in all walks of life. Her goal is to bring to light the atrocious cruelties of this continuing and rampant problem that we have in society- behind closed doors. Through her writing, she aims to give women a voice and to help them escape and heal.

This novel is remarkable, engaging and enlightening. Many women will identify with it and others will become more aware of the ongoing issue of domestic violence and hopefully reach out to those in need of help. It is written well with the author’s message and voice clearly heard. This is a must read story that I couldn’t put down. It is a sensitive and important subject, and Chick Lit Cafecommends Priscilla Bennett for addressing it and caring so much as to write  Something To Be Brave For.

Purchase Something To Be Brave For by Priscilla Bennett @Amazon Here