Review: Conceptus by Brian Herskowitz

Conceptus

By: Brian Herskowitz

★★★★

207 Kindle Edition Pages

Conceptus is a modern-day fictional novel written by Brian Herskowitz and published in February 2022 by Booklocker.com. While it’s a relatively short read, the story is one that has the ability to captivate a reader from the beginning and pull them to the conclusion.

The main character in the story is Laura Drummond. At only 14 years old, Laura was brutally attacked on her way home from a school event and left with an overwhelming fear coupled with a desire to do something for the greater good. Life moves on, however, and Laura finds herself in a position of working towards catching and stopping the kind of person who traumatized her childhood by being a homicide detective. Laura is tough and determined, always dedicated to preventing someone else from enduring the pain she went through as a child. No case is easy, but when a new case comes to her with a similar m.o. to her experience, the memories from her experience are triggered and she feels even more determined than ever to find the answers.

This read was one filled with the unexpected. While I had no idea where the story was leading, it’s obvious while reading that the author took significant time in developing a mystery that is full of conscious thought. It seemed like just when I knew where this story was leading, there was an unexpected twist that would shock me.

Not only is this the perfect reading recommendation for those who are interested in murder mysteries and thrillers, but it’s also exceptionally edited and crafted to taste. I’m the kind of reader who likes to predict the outcome, especially in stories with murder and suspects at large, so this one was fitting for me and one that I would recommend.

I also want to applaud on the author’s creation of the main character. I’m so appreciative of the author developing a character like Laura. She’s a complete badass and her dedication to her work is impressive throughout. Though she experiences traumatizing events in her life, she keeps her attention focused and her mind is always circling the possibilities to find answers that no one else can find.

Conceptus is a read for any mystery admirer and highly recommended by me. If you like books with the unexpected, don’t sleep on this one. Conceptus can be found on Amazon here:

Review: Country Folk by Larry K. Morphew

Country Folk

By: Larry K. Morphew

86 Kindle Edition Pages

Country Folk is a compilation of historical fiction short stories based on authentic events written by Larry K. Morphew. Based in the early and mid-1900s, the tales highlight the brutality of the financial situations as well as the hardships that came with the labor involved with rural living. The three narratives in the collection extracted a wide range of emotions from me while reading, though I absolutely enjoyed reading them, I could feel the passion from the characters.

The opening story in the collection, Sadie, is one to generate some anger and serious empathy for the ten-year-old main character who endures emotional abuse and physical abuse at home. The second story, The First Frost, emphasizes the financial struggle of raising children and in rural life during the time where the greatest anticipation is a brand-new pair of boots with the arrival of the first frost of the season. The last of the collection, Tinker, Tutt, and Doo Dobber exhibits the dangerous challenges that three adventurous boys commit to when left with vacant time on their hands and a raging stream caused by a recent flood.

I psychologically prepared myself for the emotions to come with reading Country Folk, but nothing could have quite prepared me for the passionate turmoil I was going to endure for only 86 pages. Morphew’s three-story collection accurately describes life when hard work was a normal part of life and in general, most people appreciated the humblest things. I could feel the pain radiating from each character and the fear that came along when they had no idea what to do or where to turn. The author depicts a clear representation of what it takes to develop distinct personalities and tell a story that will stay with readers.

I’m honored to share my rating of 4 stars for Country Folk by Larry K. Morphew with my fellow readers. While this one was a shorter read, it was equally enjoyable and something I think any reader could enjoy and learn from. Though there are some emotional struggles to deal with while reading, this is an excellent collection to share with younger readers to introduce some humbleness.

Get your copy of Country Folk here:

Review: The Brothers Silver by Marc Jampole

The Brothers Silver

By: Marc Jampole

★★★★

The Brothers Silver by Marc Jampole is a remarkable coming of age tale that accompanies the lives of the two Silver brothers, Leon and Jules, as they make their way into adulthood and beyond. Experiencing some profoundly anxious happenings deriving from their parents’ separation, father’s absentness, and mother’s mental illness and suicide attempts, the two siblings battle their way through the upheaval in their lives and the struggles that ensue.

At just under 300 pages, I felt the story developed in the perfect manner to captivate readers and permit an abundance of time to get to apprehend the main characters. Towards the end of the story, I felt as though I was experiencing the story right along with them, giving each more of a personable sense than imaginable.

My favorite thing about this novel was how the chapters emphasized a different voice and literary style, which only magnified the author’s capacity to morph his writing into whatever he coveted to project. With the chapter voiced by Jules, I could sense his PTSD and significant distress from the happenings in his life. My single- while minuscule- complaint about the story is that I would have liked to have a preface to who’s narrative was occurring from chapter to chapter. There were a few instances where it would take me numerous pages to discern whose voice I was following.

The Brothers Silver is a story that I know will stick with me and though the two experienced significant stressors in their lives, their experiences and backgrounds are relatable to so many, specifically, those originating from broken homes with damaging exposures. With the quality of writing presented by Mr. Jampole and his careful presentation of multiple narratives, I’m looking forward to seeing what other personalities he puts to pages in the future. The Brothers Silver has earned a solid 4 star rating from me.

You can get your copy here, currently available for preorder, launching June 15, 2021:

Review: Beef Every Day But No Latin by Kevin Newman

Beef Every Day But No Latin

By: Kevin Newman

★★★★

If you have ever felt like you could run a school better than your current teachers, you could likely relate to James Bernard Clifton. In Beef Every Day But No Latin written by Kevin Newman, Clifton not only thought he could run the school better himself, but he also set out to prove that he could. To set the stakes even higher, Clifton was only eleven years old when he decided to open his school.

Sounds far-fetched, right? Beef Every Day But No Latin is based on a true story and follows the eleven-year-old inspiring boy as he makes the decision to open his own school and showcases all the obstacles that seem to jump in his path along the way. From deciding on the study subjects, staff members, and basically the way the entire school functioned, Clifton focused on what he would have liked to see as a student and the payoff and outcome were substantial.

As an adult, the thought of setting up a school sends me into a spiral of stress, so I can only imagine the determination and dedication it required a child to do so and succeed. Beef Every Day But No Latin was an inspiring read and one that I would recommend to any reader. At under 200 pages, the story was one I was able to enjoy in a single sitting and one that will stick with me when I have moments of overwhelming stress from my own responsibilities. Should I find myself in a situation where I feel overcome with stress, I can think back to Clifton and the continuous work he put into ensuring that fellow students would have a learning experience that they would not only enjoy, but also benefit from more so than the traditional setting.

Beef Every Day But No Latin receives a solid 4 stars from me, as I’m sure my fellow readers would agree. The writing quality shows a sense of intelligence and comedic fill that is sure to captivate an audience and encourage them to root for the lead.

You can grab a copy for yourself and follow Clifton’s journey here:

Review: I Kissed a Girl by TF Hammill

I Kissed a Girl

By: TF Hammill

392 pages

★★★★

I Kissed a Girl is a modern-day suspense novel coming in a right under 400 pages and written by TF Hammill. After reading another novel by Mr. Hammill, Go Tell the Rascals, I got a taste of his main character’s personality and knew I needed more. Rebecca Stone is a detective, of sorts. She has amazing powers that allow her to communicate with her deceased great-aunt Nancy, who is more than helpful in her trials of locating lost objects, people, pets, etc.

When I read the first novel, Go Tell the Rascals, I felt like I had just been able to get to know Rebecca, or Becky, as she’s often called, when the story came to a close. Becky’s character is unimaginably unique in a way that I couldn’t help but love her. She’s a bit spastic at times, all over the place at any given moment, very attractive and intelligent beyond what others give her credit for.

I Kissed a Girl is a wonderfully put-together novel that features all the genres I typically enjoy; romance, suspense, action, mystery, and humor. The secondary characters that are described throughout the novel each present a distinct personality, showcasing the author’s ability to captivate an audience with multiple levels of appeal. There’s lot to love in this story, including a slew of characters, as well as scenic descriptions that will paint a perfect picture in your mind of Ocean Beach.

I Kissed a Girl is presented with a clean and concise reading experience with no grammatical or spelling errors to be found- I call that a win! I’m honored to have had the opportunity to read another novel by TF Hammill and am happy to share my top-notch rating of 4 stars with all my fellow readers. If you’re looking for a novel that will pull you in and take you on a wild adventure, I Kissed a Girl is a great place to start. I’ve spent quite a bit of time now getting to know and understand Becky, the main character, and I’m hoping this isn’t the end for us. Her witty personality is one I could continue to enjoy and am looking forward to experiencing her next adventure in another novel by TF Hammill.

You can grab your own copy of both of TF Hammill’s novels on Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Rebecca%20Stone&fcsearchfield=Series&seriesId=4338685d-274d-5c87-8557-b78c5d15b5c5

Review: Sea Knowledge by Scott E. McDowell

Sea Knowledge

By: Scott E. McDowell

180 Print Length Pages

★★★★

In honor of the approaching warmer weather, my mind couldn’t help but wander to the vacation state of mind. To temporarily appease my need for some Vitamin Sea, I entered into the world of Sea Knowledge by Scott E. McDowell. As an Ocean Physicist with a Ph.D., Mr. McDowell has substantial knowledge of the sea and marine concepts.

Broken down into chapters and sub-categories, Sea Knowledge is insightful for fully engaging study, as well as a quick reference guide for less-commonly known facts. What I enjoyed most about my sea-study experience was that the book felt nothing like a textbook, which I would say could easily become a bore for most readers. While reading, there were numerous occasions that I would find a fascinating fact that I was previously unaware of and had to share with those around me.

My son has always had a fascination with the ocean, specifically sharks, so there were several topics that he enjoyed hearing about as well, specifically Chapters 15 and 16, which focus on Great white Sharks. (He’s already requested that he gets to read the full book now that I’m finished!)

Due to the author’s experience as a licensed Captain and fisherman, McDowell has life experiences that I could listen to all day. Though I’ve always enjoyed visiting the sea, up until reading Sea Knowledge, I had never expanded my interest much further than the beautiful sights. Now that my knowledge is expanded beyond what I could imagine, I’m more interested in distinguishing between wind waves and swell waves.

One of my pet peeves while reading is always focusing on the editing quality of the writing. I’m pleased that Sea Knowledge has proof of professional and quality editing. I’m honored to share my rating of 4 stars with my fellow readers and would recommend Sea Knowledge. If you have an interest in marine life and enjoy reading about myth-busting facts that are exposed, this is a read you don’t want to miss out on.

Sea Knowledge can be found on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Knowledge-Fascinating-Topics-Explanations/dp/099095658X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Sea+knowledge+Scott+McDowell&qid=1617154401&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Review: Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained by Wayne Tatum

Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained

By: Wayne Tatum

225 pages (paperback edition)

★★★★

If you have previously peered at my reviews, you’ve likely read my impression of Quarantina by Wayne Tatum. I’m thrilled to share that Mr. Tatum has another novel, Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained, and it’s one you can’t miss out on!

Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained is exactly what the title insinuates, and it was a perfect fit for me. Composed of twelve short stories, the comedic quality shines through impeccably with a taste of occasional crude humor that will leave your need for a laugh satisfied. It was difficult for me to choose a favorite from the set of twelve, but Humpy the Couch was one that I’m still thinking about!

Something that I find continuously impressive about Mr. Tatum’s writing is that he possesses the ability to paint perfect scenery, even in the short stories. I was able to easily picture each character in my mind, even practically hearing their voices and accents. In Humpy the Couch, for instance, there are a few characters who speak in a notable Brooklyn-sounding accent and the dialogue is so accurately represented that I felt as though I could hear it clearly in my head.

As with Quarantina, Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained was edited to perfection, showing that the author takes careful consideration into how his work is showcased. I loved reading that Mr. Tatum’s stories are based on his teenage experiences, which goes to show even in more depth how detail-oriented his mind is and how bright his imagination shines.

I’m aware that several of my reviews seem to represent a shining reading experience, but I’m always dedicated to providing the most helpful feedback to authors/publishers. With that being said, my recommendation for everyone to read Illustrated Tales for the Easily Entertained is genuine and I promise you won’t regret the experience. I’m happily sharing my rating of 4 out of 4 stars! If you’re in need of a good laugh (aren’t we all?) this is a set of tales that will satisfy that craving!

Wayne Tatum’s novels can be found on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Wayne-Tatum/e/B08NWJHBPV?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1616203539&sr=8-2

Review: Tracing Time by Shelly Snow Pordea

Tracing Time

By: Shelly Snow Pordea

300 Pages

Tracing Time is the first book in a three-part series written by Shelly Snow Pordea and published in December 2016. In Tracing Time, readers are introduced to the main character, Anna. Anna is a married mother of two small children and has devoted her life to helping her husband achieve his career goals of glacier studies. Traveling to remote locations, she often feels alone and longs for the day to return to live near her family, though she couldn’t bear leaving her husband.

Anna’s life is changed completely when she’s met with the devastating news that her husband, David, has disappeared and is presumed dead after an accident near the glaciers he’s been working with. Unable to believe that as the truth, Anna sets out to find out the rest of the story, however, nothing could prepare her for the onslaught of information that she is soon surrounded by. Discovering that the glacier studies were a cover-up for something far more dangerous was scary enough, but finding out that her husband may be lost somewhere after a time-traveling experiment gone wrong, Anna is beside herself with overwhelming grief and confusion. Is Anna willing to potentially risk everything in hopes of trying to find her husband alive, or will she accept that he may be gone forever and try to move on?

This story has a little bit of everything and I am here for it! I loved the romance aspect of the novel and thought the relationships that were depicted were dreamily represented while maintaining the realistic aspects that are necessary for a believable story. The Sci-Fi aspect of the story was expertly presented and the information given about the specifics and calculations for time-travel were exponentially stunning.

Anna’s character was one that I thoroughly felt like I got an opportunity to get to know while reading Tracing Time. Her personality was presented in a way that made me immediately like her, as well as being able to feel her grief. I was impressed with the author’s writing quality and can tell that the novel was expertly edited for accuracy.

I’ve only read the first book so far, but I can easily say that the Tracing Time series is one I could definitely dive into and get lost in. I’m so pleased to share my rating of 4 out of 4 stars with my fellow readers and would highly recommend everyone who enjoys romance, Sci-Fi, and a bit of suspense to take a dive into the Tracing Time series.

Nowwww.. if you’ll excuse me.. I’m heading to download book two, Chasing Shadows.

You can find the series here:

Review: Happiness Power: How to Unleash Your Power and Lead a More Joyful Life by Robert Gill Jr.

Happiness Power: How to Unleash Your Power and Lead a More Joyful Life

By: Robert Gill Jr.

210 Pages

Happiness Power: How to Unleash Your Power and Lead a More Joyful Life is a ground-breaking lifestyle book written by Robert Gill Jr. Published in January 2021, Happiness Power is a well-rounded choice for all readers, as it not only elaborates on what exactly causes happiness but gives examples and ways for individuals to improve their levels of happiness.

The start to 2021 probably found several of us in a bit of a slump- 2020 was a difficult year! With higher rates of self-isolation and social distancing, it’s probably fair to say that the happiness level in most was depreciated. I began 2021 with the mindset that I was determined to increase my happiness and find joy in every day. In thanks to Mr. Gill’s book, I feel like I can comprehend the psychological aspect that controls happiness levels.

At first glance, many of you are probably thinking that Happiness Power is just another self-help book that you’ll skim through and probably shrug off after a while. Hear me out though- when I say this one was a game-changer for me, I mean it! Typically, I find myself rushing through my day-to-day with end goals on my mind and never take a moment to just stop and appreciate what’s around me. After reading through this book and learning the importance of taking those moments to be more appreciative, I feel myself slowing my mind down easier and enjoying the moments that I would have rushed through previously.

Along with the advice given by the author, he backs his information by credible sources. That’s a big pointer for me. It’s simple to read the information and just try to digest it, but when you’re shown statistics and sources that back up his evidence, you understand the thought even deeper. It probably sounds too good to be true, but when you are actually understanding the psychological process that goes hand-in-hand with the brain’s function and production of the important hormones that have to do with happiness (serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins), the picture becomes clearer.

2021 found me in a rough spot in life, and I’m thankful to have found Happiness Power: How to Unleash Your Power and Lead a More Joyful Life at just the right time. I’m honored to share my recommendation and review of 4 stars. If you’re like me and you need to take charge of your life and start building on happiness, give this one a shot. You won’t regret the opportunity to see the changes of a fulfilling life.

Check it out here:

Review: Go Tell the Rascals by T.F. Hammill

Go Tell the Rascals

By: T.F. Hammill

72 pages

★★★

Go Tell the Rascals is a fictional novel written by T.F. Hammill. At 72 pages, this one was a quick read that I enjoyed being able to digest in one sitting. The main character in the story is Rebecca Stone, often called Becky. Becky has a gift, of sorts, and has been using it to help find stuff for years. Because of her gift and talent for finding the missing things and people, Becky is summoned for the task of finding out what happened after a massacre involving a local motorcycle club.

With some help from the visits of her deceased Aunt Nancy, Becky starts to unravel the truth little by little and discovers that there was much more to the story than everyone was led to believe. She’s able to see into the past and see events as they happened, part of her ability that allows her to find those missing.

I loved Becky’s character while reading. I found her to be very down-to-earth and with a comical personality that makes her even that much more likable. Since finishing the story, I’ve learned that there is another novel featuring Becky that elaborates on her abilities more, which is something I had hoped for while reading, so I’m excitedly awaiting my turn at that one for a chance to get to know her better. I also found the language used for the story to be very fitting for the scene and characters, as everything felt truly authentic.

While reading, I noted a few grammatical errors I found along the way, though they were minuscule enough to not interrupt my reading experience. I’m looking forward to reading more about Rebecca Stone and her unusual abilities in the next novel by T.F. Hammill and would recommend everyone take a ride through her experiences too! Because of the grammar errors, I’m forcing myself to rate this one 3 stars, though it’s difficult for me because I enjoyed the characters and premise so much. Highly recommend this one to fellow readers who have craving for adventure!

You can find this one on Kobo here:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rebecca-stone-go-tell-the-rascals