#ReviewShare #BookReview #Mystery - Steps Into Darkness (Shakertown Adventure) by @BenSWoodard

Steps Into Darkness by Ben Woodard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book started off slow for me but I recommend that you stick with it. As the mystery develops, the plot becomes tighter and you breeze by the pages as quickly as you can. One of the downfalls of teen mysteries is that sometimes authors are unable to create natural dialogue or settings. This book wasn’t like that.

I enjoyed the story, the editing was close to perfect and the cover was perfect for the title. Simple, to the point and it automatically evoked “mystery” in a reader’s mind. The character interactions were important to me because it was this way that I connected most with the plot and overall story.

For parents or schools looking at setting up book clubs for younger folk, this is a book that must be included. A truly, marvelous read.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.


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#ReviewShare #BookReview #PNR - Date with the Dead (Ripsters, #1) by @CMyersFiction

Date with the Dead by Chris Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chris Myers uses Date with the Dead to explore the most impressionable relationships for a teenager. Friendship, young love and the stress of falling in with mum's plans are some of the challenges Jolie faces in her new school. This book was a much lighter version of The Ghost Whisperer tv series and the old cat man loved it.

I liked Chris Myers' snappy writing. From start to finish, the reader has a clear sense of what is happening. Drew's character was more important to me because he was the one who propelled Jolie towards who she could be. In terms of character, Jolie is exceptional and it's really hard not to fall in love with this "ripster." If there was one thing about the book I did not like, it did sometimes feel there were too many characters grabbing the limelight from Jolie.

The cat man's favourite scene? When they the sheriff that someone shot Distal and he insists he doesn't believe in ghosts. The irony of it all as he soon starts to soften towards Jolie's 'abilities.' Highly recommended.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.


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#ReviewShare #BookReview #Children - My Grandma Lives in Florida by Ed Shankman

My Grandma Lives in Florida by Ed Shankman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the better children's book I've read more recently. Children are a tricky audience - too little and it's not interesting enough, too much and you're boring. Never easy to find a good balance but I must say Ed Shankman is very close to perfection.

Based on My Grandma Lives in Florida, children between the ages of 3 and 6 will adore his book. In this book, his use of travel, family interactions and speech to teach a child unconditional love is beyond impressive. It's okay to have your imperfections, people will still love you - this is an important lesson for children to learn from a young age as they grow up in a society that demands unattainable perfection.

Illustrations are very well done and are well-suited to the story. Colours are vibrant and catchy for a child. Younger children learning to read may find the text a bit small but this also depends on the type of reading device and format. All in, fantastic work. Ed Shankman definitely has a new fan.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.


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#ReviewShare #BookReview - Killer Within (An Allison McNeil #Thriller) by @JeffGunhus

Killer Within by Jeff Gunhus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The title is pretty much explanatory. So many plot twists, the only concern for any reader is that he or she might end up with severe whiplash by the end of the book. It was breathtakingly eerie to see the two main characters intertwine with each other. Both have had blood on their hands for different reasons and the manner in which Jeff Gunhus points out the differences in their situations is much like some of the narrators you hear on the crime channel. They point you in the right direction but you need to form your own conclusions.

Jeff Gunhus has succeeded in creating a storyline with characters who are completely believable. What a breath of fresh air to have characters doing what they do in a way that entertains, informs and frightens. This story relies on the foibles of the human condition and is presented in such a way as to bring the reader into the story because they keep saying "I could have done that."

So inconclusive, so perfect filled with those "I didn't see that coming" heart-gripping scenes. Thank you, Jeff Gunhus for all the teeth-gnashing, head stomping emotions. Highly recommended book which I hope they turn into a mini-series at the very least.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.


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#ReviewShare #BookReview #Paranormal - Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by @ChristineAmsden

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by Christine Amsden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christine Amsden's bio on GoodReads mentions this phrase, "great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations." This is exactly what she has done with Cassie. Surrounded by all things paranormal, Cassie doesn't have any extraordinary abilities. Her being normal is the strange part which leads to some quirky situations in the book.

This a book with a lot of soul in it. Some writers you can feel when it's just a book to them and some you know have bled their emotions into each scene. Christine Amsden is in the latter category for me. Despite the laughs and background romance, Cassie's longing is felt by the reader in the same way you see a little child sitting at the corner of the playground because he or she is 'different.'

The family dynamic in the book gives a whole new meaning to "a dysfunctional family" and it's easy for the reader to become hot and bothered by their actions. This is the beginning of a solid series for young teens and adults. Well-written, imaginative with a whole new take on para-normal. Must read.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.


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#ReviewShare #BookReview #Mystery - Jubilee's Journey (Wyattsville #2) @BetteLeeCrosby

Jubilee's Journey by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bette Lee Crosby is an author whose books belong on the Hallmark Channel. They touch your heart in ways many authors can only dream to do. Her characters are ones you read about in the news but she takes their stories - binds, blends and creates a masterpiece.

We meet Ethan again from Spare Change (the first book I read by Bette Lee Crosby). While his life has settled down, we meet Paul and Jubilee who are two orphans who are in need of more than a roof over their heads. The raw emotion that comes from Paul and Jubilee's situation can make the strongest of us teary-eyed.

Great prose, wonderful descriptions and highly developed characters are only some of the reasons I would highly recommend this book. Whether you are reading it in the States or in the UK, it also offers a good perspective as to how society and economy changes can affect children without many realising it.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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#ReviewShare #Mystery #Thriller - Flight of the Tarantula Hawk by Michael Allan Scott @MAllanScott

Flight of the Tarantula Hawk - A Lance Underphal Mystery by Michael Allan Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you thought the first book - Dark Side of Sunset Pointe - was any good, this book will blow your mind. The writing is mesmerizing and the execution of each separate theme is good enough to keep you thinking about the story long after you have finished.

The reader meets Lance again, this time he is more comfortable with his 'gift' or curse of second sight. Unlike the first book, Flight of the Tarantula Hawk introduces more characters for the reader to discover on different levels be it from mindset, background or personality.

My favourite scene was the introduction from "Desert Vistas" which bonds character and setting seamlessly. It isn't the first time Scott does this throughout the novel and for this he deserves much praise. Most authors focus on either thinking the reader can only comprehend character or setting but not both.

For many of us at the book club, it was more than lovely to read self-published novel with no errors and the jerky feel of 'maybe this shouldn't be there.' Highly recommended read for any mystery lover who enjoys twists, characters you'll love or hate and writing that will leave you salivating for more. Must read.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.




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#ReviewShare #Romance - The Impossible Wish (Liberty, #3) by Christine Nolfi @ChristineNolfi

The Impossible Wish by Christine Nolfi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a remarkable way of discovering such a talented author. Best of all her books although part of a series can be read separately which is what series should be like instead of having cliffhangers that are explained two years later.

Nolfi's characters are bold and captivating. The drama and suspense was just enough to keep the reader at the edge of his seat but more than that it was the heartfelt emotion of the story that really spoke to me. In some ways, the flow and tone of the story was like Kathryn Sockett's "The Help" which is still one of my favourite reads of all time.

Sometimes reading about Wish made me think of Dog The Bounty Hunter and I mean that in a good way. She was truly entertaining and talk about anticipation of an arrival. You hear so much about her before she actually arrives it's as if she should have a clearer idea that she is no longer welcome in Birdie's life.

The Impossible Wish was my first Nolfi book and I am very sure it won't be my last. I'm definitely going to be making some time to finish the other books in the series. I highly recommended that you read this entertaining story from an author whose words will stay with you for a long time to come.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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