The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it.

With the Beatles, John Lennon surpasses his youthful dreams, achieving a level of superstardom that defies classification. “We were the best bloody band there was,” he says. “There was nobody to touch us.” Nobody except the original nowhere man, Mark David Chapman. Chapman once worshipped his idols from afar—but now harbors grudges against those, like Lennon, whom he feels betrayed him. He’s convinced Lennon has misled fans with his message of hope and peace. And Chapman’s not staying away any longer.

By the summer of 1980, Lennon is recording new music for the first time in years, energized and ready for it to be “(Just Like) Starting Over.” He can’t wait to show the world what he will do.

Neither can Chapman, who quits his security job and boards a flight to New York, a handgun and bullets stowed in his luggage.

The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it. Enriched by exclusive interviews with Lennon’s friends and associates, including Paul McCartney, The Last Days of John Lennon is the thrilling true story of two men who changed history: One whose indelible songs enliven our world to this day—and the other who ended the beautiful music with five pulls of a trigger.

The last days of John Lennon. There isn’t much more to say.

Okay, there’s a little more to say. This is the first book I’ve ever read by James Patterson, Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. It reads like a compilation and seemed more to be about length than depth.

I know that sounds strange. This book seemed to touch on lots of little bits here and there about John Lennon’s life, intermixed with the actions of Mark David Chapman on the last days of John’s life. If one is a Beatles or John Lennon fan, then much of the details are already known. Not much new is presented. If you’re reading just for fun or to go on a ride, then this might be the book for you.

The book read like a thriller one might pick up for true crime night or for book club, but there wasn’t much depth to the tale and this is a complicated story.

Fans of Patterson might readily pick this one up. I’m glad I read it and it was a one-sitting sort of read, so it was worth the time.

If you’re interested in John Lennon, his murder or just like crime books, then this might be for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Passionate for Justice by Catherine Meeks and Nibs Stroupe

June 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Passionate for Justice: Ida B. Wells as Prophet for Our Time by Catherine Meeks and Nibs Stroupe
Publisher: Church Publishing
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction, Contemporary, Inspirational
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Ida B. Wells was a powerful churchwoman and witness for justice and equity from 1878–1931. Born enslaved, her witness flowed through the struggles for justice in her lifetime, especially in the intersections of African Americans, women, and those who were poor. Her life is a profound witness for faith-based work of visionary power, resistance, and resilience for today’s world, when the forces of injustice stand in opposition to progress.

These are exciting and dangerous times. Boundaries that previously seemed impenetrable are now being crossed. This book is a guide for the current state of affairs in American culture, enlivened by the historical perspective of Wells’ search for justice.

The authors are an African-American woman and a child of white supremacy. Both have dedicated themselves to working, writing, and developing ministries oriented toward justice, equity, and mercy. This book can be used in all settings, but most especially in churches (pastors and other church leaders, study groups), seminaries, and universities.

Ida B Wells, an unsung hero for our times.

I hadn’t read anything about Ida B Wells and when I saw this book, I picked it up. I’m glad I did. I knew nothing about this trailblazing woman and I should’ve. She was a strong woman, a forthright person and a force to be reckoned with. She’s a hero of women’s rights, of human rights and shows how to keep going no matter what. She witnessed some of the most awful things in history, but kept her head up.

There is a thread of discussion on race relations in this book as well as the upbringings of the authors, who weren’t alive during Wells’s time. This book requires the reader to think and consider their own upbringing in light of the world issues. This isn’t an easy book to read, but it’s worth the time.

If you’re looking for a book that’s thought-provoking, then this is the one for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby by Dan Abrams and David Fisher

June 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby by Dan Abrams and David Fisher
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Genre: Historical, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating; 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

New York Times bestselling authors Dan Abrams and David Fisher bring to life the incredible story of one of America’s most publicized—and most surprising—criminal trials in history.

No crime in history had more eyewitnesses. On November 24, 1963, two days after the killing of President Kennedy, a troubled nightclub owner named Jack Ruby quietly slipped into the Dallas police station and assassinated the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. Millions of Americans witnessed the killing on live television, and yet the event would lead to questions for years to come.

It also would help to spark the conspiracy theories that have continued to resonate today.

Under the long shadow cast by the assassination of America’s beloved president, few would remember the bizarre trial that followed three months later in Dallas, Texas. How exactly does one defend a man who was seen pulling the trigger in front of millions? And, more important, how did Jack Ruby, who fired point-blank into Oswald live on television, die an innocent man?

Featuring a colorful cast of characters, including the nation’s most flamboyant lawyer pitted against a tough-as-Texas prosecutor, award-winning authors Dan Abrams and David Fisher unveil the astonishing details behind the first major trial of the television century. While it was Jack Ruby who appeared before the jury, it was also the city of Dallas and the American legal system being judged by the world.

The trial no one remembers, for the murder no one forgets.

I had no idea how much time or how much effort went into the trial of Jack Ruby. When I learned about the man, it was in passing. He killed Lee Harvey Oswald. That was it.

In the case of this book, there’s a lot more to the story. Abrams and Fisher mention the insanity defense that was used, the epilepsy defense and Ruby’s odd behavior to explain why he committed this murder.

This isn’t a short book and one must be interested in the topic, otherwise in places, it drags. One must be a student of history or at least like history, or again, the overwhelming details can make this book a bit of a trudge. If you’re interested in the case, then it’s fascinating stuff.

I’d suggest reading this book like you might a crime novel. It’s packed with details, makes one have to wonder if everyone is telling the truth and covers THE crime of the 20th century.

If you’re interested in a crime novel, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Glass Demon by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead

June 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Glass Demon by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead
Publisher: Totally Entwined
Genre: Historical, Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

What you can’t see could kill you.

When Cecily arrives at her new home with her fiancé, Raf, she’s looking forward to a happy life with all her fears behind her. No longer a put-upon drudge, she is loved and free, ready to explore their new world.

After a summer spent battling the forces of darkness, Raf’s happy to get back to the garden of his chaotic ancestral home. There are flowers to tend and vegetables to harvest and he’s determined to create a perfect sanctuary for Cecily to call her own.

But when a demon made of glass escapes from an ancient church window, the peace of their idyllic village is shattered. Neighbour turns against neighbour, crops turn bad in the soil and flies blacken the air. As a child lingers between life and death, bewitched by the glass demon’s bite, Raf and Cecily must remind the villagers of what really matters and unite the community in a battle to send their infernal tormentor back to hell.

Raf and Sissy are making their way to their home up in Yorkshire. Both are looking for some quiet time. Will they get it, or will they get more than they bargained for?

This is the second book in the de Chastelaine series, and I definitely recommend you read book one as it will help you understand both the characters and the situation they are currently in.

The village in Yorkshire is very different from a boarding school in Devon, but still you are delighted with the descriptions of both characters and landscape/buildings, etc. With a glass demon on the loose that feeds off hate and fear, it is up to Sissy and Raf, plus the children of the village, to sort things out.

This is a fast-paced, intriguing, sweet story that gives me a nostalgic feeling. I adore the genteel romance between Raf and Sissy, plus the addition of new characters, like Mike and Mim (and I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but think of the magnificent, marvelous, mad Madam Mim!)

A fantastic addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next. Absolutely recommended by me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Only the Good Die Young: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Billy Joel by Josh Pachter

June 21, 2021 By 2 Comments


Only the Good Die Young: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Billy Joel by Josh Pachter
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

From Cold Spring Harbor in 1971 to River of Dreams in 1993, Billy Joel released a dozen studio albums that remade the face of American pop music, produced twenty-six Top 10 singles (on Billboard’s Top 100 and Adult Contemporary charts), and earned the Piano Man six Grammys. Although he hasn’t released a recording of new songs in almost thirty years, Joel’s live performances continue to electrify audiences around the globe—and until COVID-19 put things on hold he had sold out New York’s Madison Square Garden for a record-shattering seventy-four consecutive monthly shows!

In this collection, twelve award-winning writers of short crime fiction tackle the Joel catalog, and the result—edited by Josh Pachter, whose The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell earned rave reviews in 2020—is a journey down life’s mean streets with a soundtrack by one of the great singer-songwriters of our time, and contributors Michael Bracken, Jeff Cohen, David Dean, John M. Floyd, Barb Goffman, James D.F. Hannah, Richard Helms, Robert Lopresti, Jenny Milchman, Terrie Farley Moran, Richie Narvaez, and Pachter himself are donating a third of their royalties to support the work of the Joel Foundation.

In the Gospel According to Billy, only the good die young. Within these pages, though, Death is an equal-opportunity exterminator, and the stories you’ll find here don’t just hit the charts: they go all the way to Number One … with a bullet!

Some mysteries demand to be solved.

“The Entertainer” told the tale of Mercy, a single mother and aspiring singer who worked two jobs to make ends meet. I loved this character from the moment I met her. She’d lead a difficult life and could be a little rough around the edges at times, but she occasionally shared such brave and loving parts of herself with the audience that I couldn’t stop hoping she’d have a happy ending. While I can’t say anything about the mystery portion of the plot for spoiler reasons, I was pleased with how it was revealed as well as resolved.

I enjoyed reading this quite a bit in general, but there were a few stories that I thought would have benefitted from more development. “A Matter of Trust” was one of them. Sergeant Turner’s investigation of a website that claimed to be able to get rid of troublesome spouses once and for all was intriguing, but I was as puzzled by the personal interest he took in the topic as I was by the fast-paced ending that didn’t tie all of the loose ends together as tightly as I would have liked to see. It took me a moment to figure out what happened there. I’m fairly certain I came up with the right answer, but I would have gone with a full five-star rating if these moments of doubt had never occurred for me.

Rick was hired to play an elaborate prank to discourage investors from developing a rural patch of land in “Easy Money.” As soon as I realized this gig was going to be anything but simple for him, I eagerly began waiting for the next plot twist. There were so many things going on behind the scenes that could have changed what happened to Rick. I enjoyed piecing everything together and trying to come up with plausible guesses about how it might end that took all of these possibilities into account.

Only the Good Die Young was a solid anthology that I’d recommend to anyone who is a fan of pop rock music or, better yet, Billy Joel in particular.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lady August by Becky Michaels

June 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Lady August by Becky Michaels
Publisher: Mildred Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

August Summer thinks she is a nobody until a London solicitor barges into her employer’s drawing room, revealing not only is she the daughter of an earl but a wealthy heiress as well. Optimistic about a new life, she travels to her ancestral home of Linfield Hall, only for her brother to banish her to London to live with her aunt, a dowager duchess with a reputation.

When Lord Bolton asks him to fetch his illegitimate daughter, solicitor Samuel Brooks does not expect himself to become so invested in the young woman’s debut after wanting nothing to do with dinners and balls before. But as August navigates her way through this new world of the British aristocracy, Brooks is the one who is most dazzled by her unexpected charms.

Since society demands every young girl must marry, August decides she will accept nothing less than someone’s heart in exchange for possession of her newfound fortune. Forced to reexamine his negative views of love and marriage or lose August forever, Brooks soon realizes his heart is the only thing in danger of becoming possessed.

This synopsis sounded amazing. The best part was that the synopsis didn’t give every plot thread away.  I’m thrilled to tell you that Lady August is so much more than just the synopsis. Thank you Becky Michaels.

I was excited to read a story about a heroine that was consider a nobody until it was revealed that she was in fact the daughter of an earl. It was wonderful to read how that transpired and evolved. I appreciated the detail involved with the significance of the heroine’s name, August Summer. Her character was smart, strong and mixed with a little naivety. I easily related to her and quickly cheered her on.

The hero, Samuel Brooks, was a steady hero but not my typical book boyfriend. While he worked well with August, he had some issues he had to deal with that I felt he over-dramatized. However, Samuel and August were heartwarming together.

The best part of this story was that it was like an onion. There were multiple characters with side plot lines. It was easy and fun to follow along. I found the pace to be consistent and non-troublesome as some story lines flowed with expected and unexpected situations.

The writing style was smooth and authentic for a historical novel minus one curse word, or so I thought. I Googled the timing of when that curse word was invented and was surprised to learn that it is indeed an accurate historical curse word.

One thing that was an eye-opener was how the majority of the love scenes were sweet/sensual. It wasn’t until near the end of the book that a certain couple turned up the heat level. I wasn’t prepared for that intense heat index. Fortunately I don’t have an issue with that but my mother would. Ha, ha.

In conclusion, Lady August was a very nice read. I’m not sure if this is a series or not but I would like a book with the hero being August’s brother Charles. I’d like to see him redeemed. A third book would be nice with the heroine being August’s sister, Rosamund. I’d like Rosamund to find her happily ever after. I loved the epilogue that did tie up all the lose threads and gave me a feeling of satisfaction. I am just greedy and wanted more. Lady August is a welcoming addition to my list of books that I gladly recommend.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Essence of Nathan Biddle by J William Lewis

June 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Essence of Nathan Biddle by J William Lewis
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The Essence of Nathan Biddle is a timeless coming-of-age tale that, as novelist David Armstrong observed, “is like discovering The Catcher in the Rye all over again.” Protagonist Kit Biddle is a rising prep school senior who finds himself tangled in a web of spiritual quandaries and intellectual absurdities. Kit’s angst is compounded by a unique psychological burden he is forced to carry: his intelligent but unstable Uncle Nat has committed an unspeakable act on what, according to the Uncle’s deranged account, were direct orders from God.

The tragedy haunting his family follows Kit like a dark and foreboding cloud, exacerbating his already compulsive struggle with existential questions about the meaning of his life. When the brilliant, perhaps phantasmic, Anna dismisses him, Kit quickly spirals into despair and self-destruction. But when his irrational decision to steal a maintenance truck and speed aimlessly down the highway ends in a horrific accident and months of both physical and emotional convalescence, Kit is forced to examine his perceptions of his life and his version of reality.

In this exquisite bildungsroman, calamity leads to fresh perspectives and new perceptions: it focuses Kit’s mind and forces him to confront the issues that plague him. Readers will empathize—and celebrate—as the darkness lifts and Kit comes to terms with the necessity of engagement with life’s pain, pleasure . . . and absurdity.

An intelligent, clever, and captivating tale, The Essence of Nathan Biddle soars in the spaces that exist between despair and hope, darkness and light, love and loss. Beautifully written, profoundly moving, and resplendent with characters destined to remain with you long after the last page is turned, The Essence of Nathan Biddle is unforgettable.

Angst on overdrive.

This is the story of a young man of eighteen, but is geared more toward adult readers. It’s written in beautiful prose and is complicated.

Kit is the essential brooding young man. He’s angsty to the hundredth degree. He analyzes and overanalyzes things to death. While this might be a turn off to some readers, it’s rather close to what average young men do–especially sensitive ones. In that respect, Kit is very true to life.

That said, I wanted to empathize with Kit. I did. I wanted to so much, but sometimes the brooding and angst got to be too much. Then there’s the plot. Honestly, it goes all over the place at a hundred miles an hour. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. What it does do, though, is make this a book one needs to read slowly and carefully or you’ll miss things. The plot twists come thick and fast, so beware.

If you’re in the mood for a complicated book that will stick with you after the last page, then this is the book for you. It might take some time, but it just might be exactly the book you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Wake Up by Alejandro Marron

June 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Wake Up by Alejandro Marron
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“I get the feeling I am not real,” said Vlad.

“You are not. You are my dream.”

Vlad is a graphic designer for an IT start-up company in Denver. One night, he has a dream that reveals to him that he is not real, and the individual he meets in this alternate dimension, his creator, takes Vlad on a voyage through the annals of history. From the Belgian Congo, The Blitz, and The Crusades, to The Vietnam War, Ali vs Frazier, and the birth of a musical revolution, the dream is about to end, and with it, so too will Vlad’s existence.

Alejandro Marron’s Wake Up is a psychological, sci-fi, and philosophical petri dish that poses the ever-lasting inquiries of why are we here, where were we before, and when will this end?

And, of course, is it all just a dream?

A dream can last a moment or an entire lifetime.

This entire book had a dreamlike quality to it. Vlad floated from scene to scene while not always being terribly concerned about how he moved between settings so rapidly. It fit the themes of this novel nicely, especially once Vlad relaxed into the experience and followed his creator to a wide variety of places. I was often surprised by where they ended up next and couldn’t help but to wonder how it would all be resolved by the final scene.

With that being said, I did have trouble following the storyline due to the style in which it was written. There were multiple times when this lack of transitions between scenes and minimal plot development made it hard for me to piece together what just happened. This was a creative take on the speculative fiction genre, but it would have been easier for me to read if the narrator had followed a few more conventions of storytelling and explained the stuff he wanted to play around with more thoroughly.

The ending was satisfying and fit into the storyline well. I appreciated the way it tied up the most important loose ends while still leaving some unanswered questions for the audience to ponder. Given how often Vlad was expected to wait for answers to even his biggest questions earlier on, this made sense. If the author ever decides to write a sequel, there’s certainly room for one here.

If you like experimental science fiction, Wake Up could be a good pick for the summer.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

What Happens in the Spare Bedchamber Stays in the Spare Bedchamber by Rosie Ann Rammjoy

June 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


What Happens in the Spare Bedchamber Stays in the Spare Bedchamber by Rosie Ann Rammjoy
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Historical, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Edinburgh, 1893

Highlander Donall is paying an overnight visit to some very bohemian friends at their Edinburgh residence, with his handsome-but-shy partner Benjamin. Open homosexuality may not yet be accepted in Scotland, but bohemian is as bohemian does—and Donall’s friends are famed for their open-mindedness.

But after dark (and after quite a few whiskies), Donall and Benjamin overhear something that gets them fiercely hot under their wing collars. Their reaction surprises everyone—especially themselves. Can Benjamin overcome his Victorian reserve and embrace what he truly desires?

Two men, one love and a lot of passion.

This is the first story by Rosie Ann Rammjoy for me, but it won’t be the last. I enjoyed Donall and Benjamin’s tale. It’s very hot, yet sweet. I know that sounds odd, but go with me on this. These two men want each other. They’re together, but they haven’t gone to that level yet. It’s 1883 and it’s not okay to be gay, but being bohemian is another thing altogether.

I liked that these guys are on a journey. Sure, it’s only over the course of a night, but it’s a sweet journey. The way they handle it is anything but sweet, and it’s exactly how it should go. Do I sound like I’m leaving out details? I am because I don’t want to spoil the story.

If you’re looking for a story that’s a little offbeat and cute, but hot, then this is the one for you. Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Strong Within Us by J. A. Boulet

June 14, 2021 By 3 Comments


The Strong Within Us by J. A. Boulet
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

A struggle. A war. The past. Would you recover?

Nathan Olason picks up the pieces of his life in 1893 and becomes a devoted father and grandfather. Except something from his past is holding him back.

When his grandson, Mike, announces that he is joining the Great War, Nath fears the worst. Armed and deadly, his grandson hones his marksmanship skills to a perfection not seen in any other soldier. But once Mike arrives at Vimy Ridge, France, with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, the biggest fight of his life has only begun.

Feeling helpless to stop this dangerous chain of events, Nath flees to a place that he thought was his salvation but turns into something else; an old weathered cottage that holds the key to his future.

Follow in the footsteps of heroes.

Be vulnerable.
Would you recover?

This is the second book in the The Olason Chronicles series, but it can definitely be read on its own (because I did so–however, I’ve bought the first book and preordered the third book in the series so I can find out what happened before and what happens next with this family!).

The author does a wonderful job at explaining a time of history I am not familiar with.  It’s really a time in history many folks don’t write or talk about, and I’m pleased the author chose to write such a well-researched and clearly described story. There were times when I forgot I was reading and lost myself in the action.  I ended up reading way too late in the night!

I also really enjoyed the characters as well. They are not perfect, but they are real. And I love family sagas…following the different generations of family history and what they go through, and how their family ties help keep them strong.  I can’t wait to read more about them. The author did a fantastic job making me care about them and what happens to them.  That’s the mark of a strong author and well-written book.

Congratulations, Ms. Boulet!  I’m looking forward to book three.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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