Apr 20, 2019

Review: This Kind of Silence by Michele Susan Brown

Author Michele Susan Brown

Michele Susan Brown is a writer, author, and speaker based in Northern California, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, cat, and the wild birds that visit her backyard feeders. A former elementary school teacher, principal, and district-level administrator for eighteen years, Michele now spends time following her passions: writing, meditation, exercise, time in nature, swimming with wild dolphins in the Bahamas, and traveling on unique adventures all over the world with her husband, Gordon. Michele enjoys connecting with others and engaging in deep discussions about the importance of listening to our own intuition, being brave and vulnerable, and the freedom found in authenticity and truth. You can connect with her at www.michelesusanbrown.com, and/or write to her at michelebrownauthor@gmail.com

Apr 10, 2019

IndieView Interview with HeidiLynns BookReviews




Thank you to Indie Review for interviewing Me for HeidiLynns BookReviews!   

How did you get started? 
I have always been a very passionate reader. Reading was a way for me to escape my reality. A local author friend of mine thought I would be perfect for reviewing books. I found a great company called Candid Book Reviews that was actively looking for reviewers to join their team. Through Candid Book Reviews they introduced me to many creative and talented authors who I am blessed to still read and review for today.
How do you review a book? Is it a read first, and then make notes, or do you make notes as you go along?
Many of the books I read are on my Kindle or hard copies that the authors send me. If it is a Kindle book then I usually use the highlight feature as I go. That makes it easier to go back when you are reviewing it. If it is a hard copy, I make notes as I go.
What are you looking for? 
I am looking to help promote Indie Authors any way that I can by providing them an honest review on multiple social media sites. All I ask in return is for their book (mobi, pdf or hard copy) and their friendship. I pride myself in having a friendship with the authors. We communicate heavily on my HeidiLynn’s BookReviews Facebook page.  I have 2,303 followers made up of authors, personal assistants, book boggers/reviewers, and fans of my reviews.  Along with book reviews on my site I can add book covers, synopsis of the book, buy links, and author bio and pictures. This can also be cross posted to my Facebook page for more viewers to see it.
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
If I find the grammar, spelling or formatting of the ebook is off I will let the author know upfront before I post my review. This way if it is a ARC copy they can fix the issue before the book goes live. However, if the formatting and spelling are really bad I will have to bring it up in the review.
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
Depending how good the book is I would say 3-4 hours.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system? 
I won’t review anything that is below a 3 star for an author. I don’t think it is fair to the to bash the author on the social media sites. They work hard for their craft. If I feel like I can’t read the book or It does not deserve higher than a 3 star I will contact them. I will let them know my reasoning behind it and obviously apologize.
You will usually get a 5 star from me if you write something close to your heart and it shows in your writing, books that grab your attention from start to finish, and books that leave a permanent etching in your memory.
What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
Do your homework on the reviewer before messaging them. Make sure they review what genre you write before approaching them. Please introduce yourselves to us reviewers telling us about yourself, your book synopsis, how you learned abut us, etc.
I would say go on Facebook and start a street team of ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) reviewers. Build a relationship with your readers and get to know them. They are your fans and look up to you.
Try going on NetGalley that is an amazing resource for authors and reviewers. I have found some extremely talented authors there.
Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?
Few of my readers have commented on my reviews.  However, I have gotten much more positive feedback from authors thanking me for my review. Many have said I had made their day, that they have cried, that my reviews were very thorough. I have a section on my website of that authors reviewed my service.  This feedback is priceless and is why I love doing what I am doing. Giving back to the authors that let me escape to new worlds without leaving my couch!
My advice to authors on getting a ‘bad’ review (hasten to add that might mean a perfectly honest, well written, fair review – just bad from the author’s point of view) is to take what you can from it and move on. Under no circumstances to ‘argue’ with the reviewer – would you agree with that?
Yes, I agree with that. The author wants an honest review and I am going to give you what you asked for. I won’t lie in a review.

About Reading

We talk a lot about writing here on the blog, and possibly not enough about reading, which is after all why we’re all here. Why do you think people love reading? We’re seeing lots of statistics that say reading as a pastime is dying – do you think that’s the case?
For me reading is an escape from reality into a new world for a while. I don’t think that is true that reading is dying. Even my young nieces and nephews are always with a book in their hand.

About Writing

We’re told that the first page, paragraph, chapter, is absolutely key in making or breaking a book. Agents typically request only the first five pages of a novel; what do you think about that? If a book hasn’t grabbed you by the first five pages, do you put it down?
A really good book would grasp my attention and pull me in by the end of the first page. If it doesn’t capture my interest by the third chapter then we might have a problem.
Is there anything you will not review?
YES. I will not read Paranormal, Sci-Fi Fantasy, MC, Shape-Shifters, Political, Historical, Time Travel
End of Interview:
To see HeidiLynn’s reviews, visit HeidiLynn’s Book Reviews.


Mar 29, 2019

Review Timothy Mean and The Time Machine by William A.E. Ford

Author William A.E. Ford

William has always had a passion for books, writing and story-telling.  William’s favorite way to end a cosy evening is to spend time dreaming up and reading bed-time stories to his five wonderful children.

Just one of his many stories, ‘Timothy Mean and the Time Machine’ was inspired by the spark of his children’s colorful imaginations as they tirelessly created unique, laughter filled days from even the most mundane, everyday objects and situations!

Mar 24, 2019

Review: Mommy Loves the I.T. Guy. Mommy's Little Matchmakers Part 3 By Joanne Dannon



Author Joanne Dannon

Best selling, award-winning Australian author, Joanne Dannon, writes both sweet, and steamy romance. She want to give her readers the experience she loves to savor--indulging in a sigh-worthy-happily-ever-after, being swept away from the everyday by diving into a delicious romance novel.

Joanne is a happily married mother of two heroes-in-training who loves spending time with friends and family. She can be found on Facebook and her website www.joannedannon.com chatting about reading, writing, cooking, vintage-inspired dresses and all things romantic.

Mar 22, 2019

Review: Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry


                                                #Bookouture #NetGalley
Author Lucinda Berry
Dr. Lucinda Berry is a trauma psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She uses her clinical experience to create disturbing psychological thrillers, blurring the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche. If she’s not chasing after her ten-year-old son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. She loves hearing from her readers so feel free to drop her a line at hharrison22@gmail.com. Don't forget to sign up for her newsletter.

Mar 19, 2019

Review: Run Away By Harlan Coben




#NetGalley

Summary

A perfect family is shattered in RUN AWAY, the new thriller from the master of domestic suspense, Harlan Coben.

You’ve lost your daughter.


She’s addicted to drugs and to an abusive boyfriend. And she’s made it clear that she doesn’t want to be found.


Then, by chance, you see her playing guitar in Central Park. But she’s not the girl you remember. This woman is living on the edge, frightened, and clearly in trouble.


You don’t stop to think. You approach her, beg her to come home.


She runs.

Mar 17, 2019

Review: Crazy Hearts: (Hearts So Fine Book 2) By AnnaBeth Saryu






Summary
#CandidBookReviews 

What happens when an unexpected pregnancy puts a secret billionaire and a working-class nurse on a collision course?


Zoe Inglot


You couldn’t pay to date a rich man. Not after my surgeon boyfriend humiliates me in front of...well, everyone. I didn’t gut it out in nursing school to settle like my single mom did.
A one-night stand doesn’t fit into my life plan, either. Until it happens. Mike was just being nice. But one drink turned into two, then three...then a morning after walk of shame I won’t repeat. Ever.

‘Lucky’ Mike Daughtry

Why am I an MMA fighter? Win or lose, it’s all on you. Zoe’s on the rebound,but one taste of those cherry-red lips and I do something I know I’ll regret. I lie. About everything. My car, the family business... especially my bank accounts.
It’s not hard to convince her to come with me on an exotic beach vacation-- no pressure, letting her lead as far as she wants to go. But after spending the week naked and horizontal, she discovers who I am. And taps out.
Except one little souvenir ties us together, win or lose. I just hope my lie of omission doesn’t TKO our chance for a future.

Review: Love and Espresso: A Valentine's Day Romance

Love and Espresso: A Valentine's Day Romance Love and Espresso: A Valentine's Day Romance by Melodie March
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
#CandidBookReviews
First, I would like to thank Melodie March for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Melodie March instantly piqued my interest with her latest novel titled Love and Expresso. Who doesn’t love coffee and a good love story?! This is the third book in the Wintervale Promises Series. However, If you had not read the other books in the series no problem. You can read this as a standalone as I did. It was easy to follow the storyline and the characters.

Kudos to the Graphic Designer who did the cover of this book as they captured the essence of the book I got the sensation I was looking at Tate and Molly in Wintervale.

I had to smile when I saw the character’s name Brady in the book. Brady is the name of my nephew and it is rare you see that name used in a book.

Not to mention the name of the coffee shop Bean There, Done had me smiling from ear to ear. Such creativity Melodie March has.

As I was reading this book I kept thinking this would be so perfect for a Hallmark Channel Movie right around Valentine’s Day. This is such a sweet story set in a cute little town of Wintervale.

The character Tate lives in New York (as I live In Buffalo, NY) and we are used to bad snowy winters. We may not like it but we deal with it. So, when he goes to Wintervale in February it is comical to me when the towns people comment that NOBODY comes here in bad winter weather.

Melodie gave her readers two special treats at the end of her book. She gave us two recipe’s that she talked about in the book. The first one was the Hot Cocoa Recipe and the second one was Molly’s Homemade Coffee Cake.


View all my reviews

Feb 25, 2019

Review: Only Daughter By Sarah A. Denzil

#Bookouture #NetGalley
Buy Links
Book Summary
Your daughter is dead.’

When Kat Cavanaugh hears the words every mother dreads, her perfect world shatters. She takes in the beautiful long blonde hair, torn yellow dress and chipped blue nail-varnish. It can’t be real.

And then the police add the word ‘suicide’. But Kat refuses to believe them. 

Even when they show her the familiar looping handwriting and smudged ink on the note her little girl left behind. She knows her bubbly, vivacious daughter would never take her own life.

As she searches Grace’s perfume-scented room, filled with smiling photos, she uncovers secrets her daughter had been hiding. Secrets that make her wonder how well she really knew the woman her only child was becoming.

Kat’s determined to find out what really happened to Grace on the night she died, even if it means facing her own troubled past. But as she gets closer to the terrible truth, Kat finds herself faced with an unthinkable question: there was no way she could have protected Grace – or was there?

Author Sarah A. Denzil



























Only Daughter


By Sarah A. Denzil

Review written by HeidiLynn's BookReviews

First, I want to thank Sarah A. Denzil, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you with this review.

Only Daughter by Sarah A. Denzil is an extremely gripping and emotional Psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. Words can’t describe what an incredible Psychological Thriller writer Sarah A. Denzil is. Her prologue alone blew me away with Grace’s extreme details and descriptions of how she is laying there in the middle of nowhere left for dead and dying! Not to mention the remorse of how everything she felt was wrong. It was the best prologue I had ever read before in this genre! After reading that prologue, I needed to know what happened to Grace and I would not put my book down til I found out what happened to her.

Kudos to the cover graphic artist who did the cover for this book. I thought it was beautiful and really liked the heart charm necklace and the blue backdrop. However, there was no significance to the heart necklace mentioned in the story to tie in with the cover. I would have liked to seen that pay a part of it.

This book does cover some difficult subjects that may be triggers for some readers. Those topics include: Suicide, cyber bullying, drug abuse, inappropriate teacher/student relationship, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, etc.

This is one book that must be made into a NetFlix original!! It has so many great aspects to be a big smash hit on so many levels!





Feb 24, 2019

Review:Because You're Mine By Rea Frey

#NetGalley
Buy Links



Book Summary 

But it’s the lies that keep you safe.

Single mother Lee has the daily routine down to a science: shower in six minutes. Cut food into perfect squares. Never leave her on-the-spectrum son Mason in someone else’s care. She’ll do anything--anything--to keep his carefully constructed world from falling apart. Do anything to keep him safe.

But when her best friend Grace convinces her she needs a small break from motherhood to recharge her batteries, Lee gives in to a weekend trip. Surely a long weekend away from home won’t hurt?

Noah, Mason’s handsome, bright, charismatic tutor--the first man in ages Lee’s even noticed--is more than happy to stay with him.


Forty-eight hours later, someone is dead.

Feb 23, 2019

Review: Chasing Trust (A Harper Family Romance Book 3) By Nancy Stopper


Chasing Trust
Harper Family Series, Book 3
Author: Nancy Stopper
Release Date: February 27, 2019

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MC12PBL/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43609185-chasing-trust
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/chasing-trust-a-small-town-steamy-romance-harper-family-series-book-3-by-nancy-stopper

The world is his home, she’s afraid to trust those who she can’t hold close. Can the two of them find a way to make their ten year long fantasies a reality?

Serena Harper leads a good life, rescuing animals that need saving. After her high school boyfriend cheated on her and discovering her father’s betrayal, she’s content to live her life alone. She’s known the men in Cedar Hill her entire life, and she can’t trust someone who doesn’t stay put.

She reconsiders everything she held true when Chase walks back into her life.

World-renowned photojournalist, Edward “Chase” Foster’s home is the world, only staying in one place long enough to share the struggles of the world through his photographs. His work has taken an emotional toll, so he jumps at the chance to work an easy assignment—a charity calendar for a local animal shelter. He certainly didn’t expect to run into the girl who intrigued him from the day he met her ten years ago on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

The girl whose image has accompanied him around the world.

Now that Chase and Serena have reunited, they are determined to find a way to be together. To explore the attraction that has been lingering below the surface for all these years. But is Serena ready to let go of her deep-seeded trust issues in order to open her heart to Chase? Is Chase willing to put down roots after all these years? Will both of them compromise for a chance at forever?


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Formats: ebook on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited
Length: 270 pages

About the Author:
Living in beautiful northern Virginia, Nancy dreams of small-town living where the everyone knows everyone else (including their business) and neighbors wave when you pass. Since she doesn’t live in one, she creates them for everyone else to enjoy through her books.

She’s a mom to (almost) 2 college students and 1 middle schooler who has spent more hours at the baseball field and the dance studio than she cares to admit. With her husband, her primary goal is to finish raising her 3 kids into productive adults!

Nancy writes small-town contemporary romance with sexy heroes and strong heroines. Her books tug at your emotional heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling that lingers long after the last page. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, and Virginia Romance Writers.

Twitter:
Excerpt 1:

Serena didn’t know how much longer she could hold on to the shelter with their current level of funding. The town had a small line-item in their budget for basics… and the donation fees she charged helped out a lot. But there were more animals than ever in need of saving, and she was just one person. She couldn’t save every animal in the world, as much as she’d like to. To give each of them the loving home they deserved.

Thankfully, the building had a small cabin out back that she’d made her own, meaning she didn’t have a rent payment every month. And she ate more meals at her mom’s or siblings’ houses than she should. Anything to have a few more dollars free to help the animals.

But it wasn’t a sustainable living. And it certainly didn’t give her the option of imagining her future family like her siblings had found. If she wanted a family. She loved her brother and sisters but growing up with her father was not a childhood she would wish on anyone.

She checked her watch. Where was this photographer anyway? Maybe he’d caught one glimpse of her little shelter out in the middle-of-nowhere-Pennsylvania and high-tailed it back to wherever he came from. She wouldn’t be surprised. Why would an internationally-acclaimed photographer want to do something as simple as take photos of dogs for a calendar anyway?

Not that she was complaining—just skeptical.

Serena collected Sadie out of her kennel. Most of her dogs were mutts, and Sadie was no exception. From what she could figure, there had to be some terrier mix in her, but it was hard to tell. It didn’t matter. Serena loved them all and besides, mutts made for better pets. She didn’t know why so many people insisted on paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a purebred dog when a cutie like Sadie would love them just as much, if not more. And it only cost a small token amount to help keep the shelter running.

She dug her nose into Sadie’s fur. “Yeah, sweetie, wouldn’t you love someone to take you home and love you?”

“I know I would.”

She screamed and hopped to her feet at the sound of the deep male voice behind her…
Excerpt 2:

They strolled down the boardwalk, their hands swinging between them as they shared a huge stick of pink cotton candy. Strands of the spun sugar caught on the corner of her mouth and when she licked her lips, it was all he could do not to kiss her right there in the middle of everyone. But he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. He had to get her alone… and soon.

Chase wracked his brain for a place to be alone and then decided the Adirondack chairs would be the perfect location. They had worked last time, it was worth exploring it now.

He guided her down the wide, concrete stairs to the hard-pressed sand and before long, found the row of chairs. Yep, they were exactly where they had been then, too. Serena looked to him and in that minute, he knew that everything he’d done in the past ten years had led to this moment with Serena. He hadn’t been the man he needed to be back then, restless, arrogant with restless feet, ready to explore the world. And besides, she had been too young for him. But she had grown too and was now exactly who he needed in his life.

He guided her into one of the huge Adirondack chairs and then slid in beside her, his arm snaking around her shoulders and pulling her close.

She turned, her gaze landing on his, her eyes dancing with excitement. “This feels like that day we met all over again.”

“I wanted to recreate that day because it meant so much to me. I thought maybe we could start over as the people we are now.”

“That was one of the best days of my life, too. For a long time, I searched for your face in every crowd, thinking that maybe you’d found your way back to me. It just took a little longer than I expected.” She bit her lip, hesitant with what she was getting ready to say. That was okay. He could be patient. “You were my first kiss. And you ruined me for anyone else. I tried, but none of them were you.” With those words, she settled into his side, his other arm circling her and pulling her into his embrace. Underneath the boardwalk, the sounds of the pier faded away and it was as if the world outside of their bubble no longer existed. For a long time, he stared out at the ocean, its waves crashing against the beach in a soothing rhythm, and then pulling back out to sea. In and out, back and forth, give and take. Much like life.

Eventually, the sun dipped down behind the skyscrapers that lined the street across from the beach, and long shadows stretched along the sand. If he could find a way, he would slow time and live in this perfect moment for a bit longer.

He shifted Serena so she was looking at him. His gaze traveled to her lips and her tongue swiped across them. That was all the invitation he needed. As her hands slipped around his neck, his slid to her waist, his fingers digging into her hips as he lowered his head. The minute his lips brushed hers, he was a goner.

Her mouth was soft against his, the sweet flavor of strawberry cotton candy on her lips. He tilted his head, this time sliding his tongue along the seam of her mouth. She hesitated a moment and then opened to him. He didn’t waste any time sweeping his tongue into her mouth, tasting her, drinking her in. Her arms tightened around his neck, like she needed the support. Thank God they were sitting down. Otherwise his knees would surely buckle from the depth of sensation. After all these years, after what he’d seen in the world, he’d come full circle, back to the girl that inspired him.

He squeezed her waist, his fingers itching to slide up her torso, to palm her perfect breast. But he hesitated. She’d placed her trust in him today, and he knew her inner struggle after he’d waited so long to tell her who he was. He wasn’t about to betray that trust. Besides, now that he was staying in Cedar Hill for a little while, he’d have plenty of time to explore every inch of her body.

And he had every intention of doing exactly that. When she was ready.


Chasing Trust
A Harper Family Romance Book 3
By Nancy Stopper
Review by Heidi Lynn's BookReviews

First, I want to
thank Nancy Stopper for providing me with this book so I may bring you this
review.


Chasing Trust is
Nancy Stoppers third book in the Harper Family Romance Series. It can be read
as a standalone or as part of the series. Out of all three of the books in this
series so far this one by far was my favorite and left a smile on my face.


If you have a soft
spot for dogs then Nancy wrote the book for you! Serena is very passionate
about the dog shelter that she runs. She has a huge heart of gold for all of
the dogs that she takes care of there and at home.


Nancy wrote an
incredible story involving two wonderful characters Chase and Serena that were
from two different backgrounds. They met by chance when they were young and
reconnected years later. Plus, the ups and downs of life that always gets in
never forgot eachother growing up. This is their story on how they met and
the way. It is a story that will make you believe in fate, destiny and love.


I absolutely loved
that Serena twin sister was an author who wrote psychological thrillers. Those are
my absolute favorite genres of books to read.


Amanda Kelsey of Razzle
Dazzle Designs needs to be commended for the breathtaking cover of Chasing
Trust.  The colors that were chosen for
the cover were beautiful. Not to mention the couple on the front represent
Chase and Serena perfectly. Well done Amanda!



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