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Author Tina Griffith

Tina was born in Tiergarten, Germany. I came to Ontario, Canada when I was young, and tossed into school where I learned to survive. We moved to Calgary, Alberta when I was 19 years old, and that's where I met the father of my future children. I wrote 27 children's books while they were growing up, and when he died, my life ended. A year after he was buried, I began scribbling notes on a love lost. A friend of mine read what I had written, and decided that the world needed to see it, too. Hence, my first romance novel was born. Two years later, she saw my new notes and sent that off to get published. Now I had two books under my belt, so I took a writing course and wrote number three.

She now have 11 romance novels for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters, and other venues, and I'm writing two more as we speak - one romantic comedy and the other, a murder mystery.

Laura Fabian Caruso

the song that inspired the book.

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

If you believe in true love and fate then My Elusive Mr. Velucci by Tina Griffith is the book for you. This is a beautiful romantic story that will have you on an emotional 22-year roller coaster between Sadie and Enrico. To share the story on how they met is the wedding planner’s assistant Terri.

Kudos goes to Tina’s graphic designer for the amazing cover to the book. It is so picturesque! The male model is extremely handsome and the font is just perfect. The cover drew me to the book.

Tina writes with so much passion into her storylines and her characters. You can tell they are near and dear to her heart. It really shines through in her writing. Her writing is emotion felt, descriptive, and sometimes very sensual. Her storylines within the story are very creative. They are fresh, new and never been done before.

There was one character I didn’t care for at all. Mr. Waltzer for doing what he did to Sadie when she was younger. It was so wrong what he did! I am so glad that Mrs Waltzer tried to stand up to him.

The character Enrico decides go to NY from living in Europe to focus on studying English, American Culture, etc. before coming back home to study English. His plan was to be gone 6-8 months. Even though his parents were not to keen on the idea they allowed him to go.

While in NY he met this beautiful shy woman by the name of Sadie whom would be his English Tutor. Sparks flew over the next few months and their relationship bloomed into something amazing. However, there were a lot of ups and downs. A lot of twists and turns.

How would you like to meet the love of your life and be out of contact with them for years? Then only to be reunited when their kids are going to be married! What a shocking scene that was!!! I seriously felt like I was reading a script for a Soap Opera. One that I would be screaming at the TV!!

I will say Tina does write some good sexual tension scenes. Not to mention very erotic and sensual

sex scenes.

One strong point I got out of this book is that Sadie and Enrico never gave up trying to find eachother. They were eachother’s true love and soulmates. They always had fate that they would be brought together again.

I love how Tina thanks her husband Alberto Ruiz in the book for loving her with all her heart.

Aug 19, 2018

Review: In a Flash: A Memoir by R.J. Castille

Author R.J. Castille

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Author Bio

R.J. Castille was born in 1976 and lives in Southern California. She has been writing short stories and poetry since grade school and never ceased to feed her desire to write. Encouraged by her Mother, R.J. Castille set out to complete her first published, full-length, Erotic Romance novel, Goddess. Her tenacious nature drove her forward as her first manuscript came to fruition. Her goal is to provide true to life entertainment.

Book Trailer

Book Summary

Sometimes we experience something so traumatic in our lives, it changes us forever…

Renee Johnson has found herself in the midst of turmoil. She has made nothing but a complete mess out of her life and nothing could prepare her for the path laid out before her. An unexpected turn of events plunges her into the most challenging situation she has ever faced. With her best friend, Miah Hunter at her side, Renee must traverse a course that most would not even dare.

Chase Randall, Renee’s new love interest and her light in a dark world, has been challenged by something he never expected. A surprise situation sure to test his resolve and ultimately, his humanity. Despite the negative impact of their plight on their lives, Chase weather’s the storm, only to face the biggest tribulation in the end.

Together, Renee and Chase withstand the beating, leaving them to face a new world in the aftermath of their tragic loss.

Subjected to the indecision of medical professionals who insist on perpetuating a practice they claim is safe, every woman should learn to question them. Doctors are human too and are far from perfect, but patients tend to say nothing, never challenge their practices, and therefore things will never change. The events described in this memoir were either a direct or indirect result of a doctor’s dismissal of signs of impending difficulties, or their failure to act in a timely fashion using interventions that could have otherwise made a difference. In A Flash calls them all into question and, with any luck, will force them to at least look into what appears to be the source of devastating loss for thousands of women everywhere. End the madness: Question their motives, stand up for your rights, and never allow them to disregard even the slightest concern.

Book Review

First, I want to thank R.J. Castille for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.

Get out your tissues because you will definitely need them this heart wrenching story by R.J. Castile called In A Flash: A Memoir. This story will pull on your heart strings like no other memoir has before. To all the female readers out there it will make you second guess the care you get from gynecologists. Most of all it will make you question if it is really necessary to get a pap smear while pregnant. At the end of this book you will want to reach out and give R.J. Castille a huge hug. No woman should ever have to go through what she went through.

I loved how she acknowledged the staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center. They were incredibly supportive during her stay there! Plus, her Mom Trish whom was always there when she needed her to be no matter what!

Honeybee Creative Designs did an incredible job on the beautiful cover of this book. The cover model was an adorable baby Jayden Allister Wallace. Kudos to both of them! Totally perfect for this book!

This book is a true story based on actual events that actually happened. Names of the people and some places have been changed to protect their privacy.

Warning: Please be advised some characters use some offensive and adult language. There are scenes that have strong emotional responses.

There is a beautiful poem called Too Pure to Stay by Ron Tranmer that is in the book. It brought me to tears prior to reading the book.

The prologue was an amazing way to kick off the book. R.J. The medical information she found was fascinating I never thought of any of that until she brought that up. But then a woman always knows when her body is feeling off.

R.J. Brings up a good point that male doctors should not become Gyn’s. They don’t know the female reproductive system like females do. Also, many of us woman feel uncomfortable having that a man examines us.

Micah, was my fave character during all of this!! She is a strong, blunt, spitfire whom speaks her mind. She is definitely someone you want as a best friend.

One thing that got on my nerves was that they kept using the phrase “my friend.” Who says that anymore?

My heart went out to Chase for so many reasons during this book! It broke my heart what was going through with Renee.

Gone Too Soon Video by Daughtry

RIP lil guy! Gone way too soon!

Aug 12, 2018

Review: Seven Hot Nights in Greece The Taylor Brothers Book One Series

Author Rose Lange

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

Rose Lange gets right to the steamy scenes In Seven Hot Nights In Greece! Now I can tell why she titled it that way-cus it was hot! Emma and Patrick’s chemistry is off the charts when they are together! Granted there is a lot of tension due to their past together. But oh boy once they get past that look out these two are on fire!!

This storyline was fresh, new, never been done before. It was a very exciting read with the unique list of characters. You could tell by reading this book that the characters meant a lot to Rose. The way Patrick and Emma expressed their feelings was beautiful. You can tell she has a beautiful heart.

Sex aside it really is a beautiful love story between Emma and Patrick. How they met when they were younger, now reunited after all these years under unique circumstances, and dealing with life takes them.

Kudos to her Cover Designer Leah K. Suttle for the cover of the book. I loved the couple on the book, then the town below it, and the title in cursive lettering font. It was very appealing to the eye.

I think it is sweet that in the acknowledgments she thanked her parents for being so supportive of her dream to pursue writing romance. So much so that they bought her very first Brother typewriter/computer, took her to the library to research. Most importantly they encouraged her to follow her dreams. That in my eyes is so important not to give up your dreams, goals and passions in life.

This is the first book in the Taylor Brother Series. I would definitely continue reading this series.

Review Two Weeks in Winter A Memoir by Mike Maranhas

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Author Mike Maranhas

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

Mike Maranhas wrote an incredibly emotionally powerful memoir of his wife’s Bela medical journey after injuring her leg in Two Weeks In Winter A Memoir. It is incredibly brave of Mike to share this heart wrenching story with his readers. I can only imagine the pain of reliving this story as he was writing this. However, writing this could have been therapeutic for him. If this book could help someone then this book is worth him writing it.

Warning: you will NEED a box of tissues! I was totally engaged into the book within the first page. I didn’t want to put the book down. So times you will have compassion for the situations going on you will want to reach into the book to hug and console Mike. Not to mention you will want to pray for Bela.

Aug 8, 2018

Review: Closure by Tasche Laine

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Author Tasche Laine

#NetGalley

First, I want to thank Tasche Laine, Sky Blue Press and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Get ready for your heart to go on an emotionally drowned roller coaster ride while reading this book!! If you read this book and don’t shed some tears I will be shocked! I was bawling my eyes out in many parts of the book. Tasche Laine is officially one of my new favorite authors!! I must read and review for her again!!

Warning: this book discusses tough issues that may trigger some readers might such as rape, talk about abortion, terrorist attacks on 911, and clinical depression.

Kudos to her Graphic Artist for her cover. It is a beautiful picture of two kids side hugging on a deck over looking a lake. I will admit that pulled on my heart strings. It was one of the deciding factors plus the blurb to read the book. I am thankful for NetGalley for having this book offered on their list. You can find some great authors and publishers such as Tasche Laine and Sky Blue Press.

She says so in the book. This is not a love story this a life story-based on her own life. I did love the love story between Tasha and Trey over the years. That was a unique story.

My heart went out to Tara on many different occasions. So many times I wanted to jump into the book and give her a hug. Some of the situations she was put in so was I.

There are so many incredible lessons in this book to be learned by Tasche! Some eye-opening insights as well.

What made this book incredibly special was it came from Tasche’s heart since it was her own personal story. You could tell how much the characters meant to her. How truly special Trey was to her and their relationship over the years. Plus, the life lesson she learned through all of this.

This book had so many twists and turns to it. You didn’t know what was going to happen!

This is one book that I feel strongly should be made into a Hallmark Channel Movie. I think it would do amazingly well.

This book deserves more than 5 stars in my opinion!! It had a little bit of everything you could want in a book.

Aug 3, 2018

Review: The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow a Novel by James Alan Ross

Summary of the book

Dylan Klaypool’s dark history has her searching for answers that can only be found down a single path: paranormal investigation. Battling demons from her past, the high school junior’s obsession with proving the existence of ghosts has become the only consistent aspect of her troubled life. Now living with her estranged grandmother in a new town and attending a new school, Dylan’s focus has not wavered. And the boarded up, abandoned house she discovered on Cemetery Road might hold the key that can unlock the secrets that have long haunted her.

Author James Alan Ross
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First, I want to thank James Alan Ross for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

The Haunting of Dylan Klaypool Whispers in Black Willow by James Alan Ross was one of the best paranormal books I have ever read. Now, let me just clarify that I am not into paranormal books usually. However, this one had a lot of mystery and suspense involved in it. Plus, I am a fan of this author and his past book Forevergreen was amazing. So, I took a chance on this book. I am really glad I did.

I really liked the cover of the book so kudos to the graphic designer. Now I wonder if that is Dylan or if it is Sarah on the cover. If I had to guess I would think it was Dylan the main character.

One key aspect I felt a connection with was the mystery set around a ghost and the pictures Dylan and Mitch found were from when Sarah graduated high school in 1994. I too graduated in 1994. I loved the whole mystery aspect of finding out whom was haunting the house and why. The history behind the why was fascinating to me. My heart ached for Sarah when we found out what really happened to Raymond. I was not a fan of Sarah’s father when I found out.

Catherine the Grandmother was one of my favorite characters in the book. She was very loving and protective over Dylan. Unlike her parents were. It was cute how she had a little crush on Dylan’s friend Mitch. I laughed so hard when Catherine had the uncomfortable talk with Dlyan about lesbians! It was too funny!!

Dylan’s character was unlike any character in the book I have ever read before. She was very guarded at first but then she opened up to Mitch. You could tell and then read that she was hurt in the past by her father. That is why she is staying with Catherine.

James is very good at writing detail and suspense writing. There were twists and turns at every corner of this book. If you thought you knew how it was going to end you thought wrong. This is an very intense book.

In this book there are so many stories within this story that makes it so interesting.

I was happy to read at the end of this story that there will be a sequel to this book! What adventures will Dylan and Mitch go on together.

Jul 28, 2018

Review: Second Chance in Laguna Finding Forever in Laguna Series by Claire Marti

Author Claire Marti

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

Second Chance in Laguna by Claire Marti is the first book in the Finding Forever in the Laguna Series. After you read this first book you will be wanting to read her second book in the series. Claire has something for everyone packed into this book. She has this book set in a beautiful location of Laguna (somewhere I would love to visit after reading about it), Sophie’s profession was a writer, sexual tension between Sophie and her Landlord Nick, ex fiancés whom don’t have a clue, Mothers whom just don’t understand, etc.

Three characters I didn’t care for in this book for various reasons were Sophie’s Mom. She reminded me of mine in a way. Thinking of what society would think and not actually what was her daughter truly wanted. This hurt Sophie and made herself distant from her Mom. Heather, Nick’s Secretary because she was trying to cause problems between Nick and Sophia. That made Nick very upset and hurt Sophia. Then you have Doug whom hurt Sophia in the past badly. Now showing up unannounced threatening her and telling her he wants her back. Ex’s are exes for a reason and need to stay that way I say.

I absolutely love the Sophia and Nick storyline from how they met and how their relationship evolved. I loved how there was so much sexual tension built up on Sophie’s end. She was not going to give in as she promised herself no distractions. However, there was no denying their sexual tension that they both had for eachother.

One of my favorite scenes is reading how Sophie as an author prepared for a day of writing.

Author Claire Marti

Casa Luna was the inspiration behind the book.

Jul 27, 2018

Review: Crazy With You (Spotlight Book# 2) by Sophia Peony

Author Sophia Peony

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

Crazy With You the Spotlight Series by Sophia Peony was such a fun book to read that had me smiling and cracking up laughing at times. This book was so up my alley too. I love everything pop culture and would kill to be a personal assistant to the stars. So reading about Reid Sinclair and Kira Watson work relationship I loved it.

I absolutely loved the funny sarcastic banter between Reid and Kira it totally cracked me up! Kira had a mad crush on him but kept those thoughts to herself. She just wanted to make him a better person. However, he didn’t want to change for anyone.

With every celebrity you have one crazed fan or an ex-wife. In this case this person kept taking it a little too far.

The ending of the book shocked me! However, in a very good way.

I hope she writes another one in the series because I must read and review that one too. Sophia has mad talent!

Review: The Vengeful Caller by Rachel Woods

Author Rachel Woods

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Maggie Carpenter's Website

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

Vengeful Caller is Rachel Woods best book that I have ever read by her! Rachel has written great books in the past but this went above and beyond. It was fast paced, twists and turns at every corner, shady doctors and nurses, murder investigations, hotel scams, husband and wife investigators, major cover ups, reporters trying to get the real story, fake autopsies, a Ginger boyfriend, and an ending you never saw coming.

Rachel’s story is something you would see on a soap opera or in a movie. It is just that good and that sinister that it would make for amazing tv or movie. I would definitely watch it.

Rachel definitely knows how to captivate her readers in the story. I was literally glued to my kindle and could not put it down. Each character was unique to their role and made it interesting. Danny the Ginger spoke a language I never even heard of before.

Jul 26, 2018

Review: Forbidden Cure Part One: Duplicity by William Rubin

Author William Rubin

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

Forbidden Cure Part One: Duplicity by William Rubin is just a part of the whole novel that is coming out in short sections every few months instead of a huge book all at once. This book was an incredibly fast paced medically charged drama that had you at the edge of your seats. I love a good medical drama with mystery attached and this satisfied my craving. Having read William Rubin’s work prior I knew I was in for a treat.

Right from the prologue William gets the readers attention. From that moment on you need to know what is going on.

My heart ached for Chris whom just lost his Mother and his wife. Now he is sick and wanting to try this experimental drug that is very risky. His Dad is very worried about him taking this. He has every right to be-he doesn’t want to loose him as well.

Other stories in the book of individuals and their medical ailments will just rock you to your core as well like Irina Malekoviec a Concert Pianist.

William Rubin does an incredible job with describing all things medically related with the terminology. He keeps us at the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next.

What I found fascinating since I love all things medical is the ani-malaria medication Hyslop that was introduced in 1940’s that was the last line of defense of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I am big fans of the names Grayson, Kiki, and Dmitri that were in the book.

William Rubin himself not only Is an very talented author but is an practicing physician. So it makes perfect sense that he intertwines his love for medical/scientific into his works.

Unfortunately, the untimely death of William Rubin’s mother, provided some of the conflict, underlying drama, and turmoil to the series lead characters. As I always say write what you know and are passionate about and it will come out in your writing. The readers will feel it.

Review: The Chaplain: Book 2 Surrender for Love By Lynn Hammond

Author Lynn Hammond

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

Warning you that you will definitely need a lot of tissues for this emotional roller coaster ride in The Chaplain: Book 2 Surrender for Love by Lynn Hammond. This book must be read as a part of the series and not as a standalone so you can get a good feel of the storyline and characters. You will see the return of Linkin, Sophia, and Malcom. I thought the last book was good. WOW! She outdid herself on this one! This one is full of emotions and totally pulled on all of my heart strings for so many reasons why!

Immediately, you are brought into the story in a shocking way! That first page had me hooked! I had to find out what happened to Darcy! I was not going to end the book til I knew how it all played out. Believe me when I say with all the twist and turns in this book-I DID NOT see that ending coming!!!

One thing I commend about Lynn’s writing is she definitely writes from the heart, has a passion for her characters, and her storylines she writes about. You can tell by the way she describes events, actions of her characters, the emotions behind the characters, and the details of the storylines. She makes you feel compassion for what the characters are going through. For me there were times when I would I was so happy for Darcy that I would be smiling ear to ear. Other times I would be bawling my eyes out because life is not fair.

Emma is the cutest little girl ever and melted my heart in the story! The way she could not say Linkin so she said link. She called Malcom Mal. Sweetest kid ever who loved her Mama!

Jul 17, 2018

Review: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Author

Zoje Stage

#NetGalley

First, I want to thank Zoje Stage, St. Martin’s New York and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage had me very interested in this for many different reasons. First off the author mentioned she worked part time at the Monroe County Library in Rochester, NY where she started writing novels. I used to live in Rochester, NY and frequented that library. Learning this about the author made me more intrigued to read the book. Hannah was a very unique character one which I had never experienced before in any other book. At first you feel sorry for the sweet girl because she mute. But as the story goes on she is not that sweet and innocent girl you think she is. Suzette the Mom pulled on my heart strings a little bit. Hannah did not give her Mom the easiest time when she would homeschool her. Plus, the stress was not good on Suzette’s Chr disorder. Alex the father was caught in the middle of both his wife and his daughter whom he loved dearly. If you like mystery, thrillers, twists and turns this is the book for you!!

Review: To Kiss a Cowboy Hunks and Horses Book 1 by Maggie Carpenter

Author

Maggie Carpenter

MagCarpenter@yahoo.com