Bleed to Love Her

Bleed to Love Her by David Andrew McGlone

Patrick Nichols is a writer.  He had worked for a newspaper, but became an author and wanted to write about Arthur LaSalle, his wife Catherine Tremayne and their life at Manor House.  He rented the Manor House to study and learn what he could about their lives using the family history.

The family of Arthur LaSalle did not want his seedier side to be written about, only his good side.  Arthur may have loved his son, but he was not always faithful to his wife.  His wife Catherine had kept a secret journal that Patrick found, with a little help, and read.  Maybe his wife was not as crazy as they were lead to believe.  The “Black Lace Lady” that visits him in the night, in his dreams, catches his attention with her beauty and intrigue.  She wishes for Patrick to write “The Truth”.

Patrick begins to learn about Arthur and his wife Catherine’s deaths.  Murder, suicide?  Which one is which?  Who killed who?

Although not considered a short story, it is still a quick read, and with a minimal amount of characters the story flows nicely, from an author seeking to write the truth but finding so much more along the way, to the husband and wife with issues of their own, to the current family who helps to take care of Manor House but wants to keep the image of Arthur in good graces, even keeping you in suspense as to who the “Black Lace Lady” is and what her hold is over men.  Well written and easy to follow while you live with Patrick and the history he finds, keeping you turning pages to find out what really happened all those years ago.

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Greedy for Life: A Memoir on Aging with Gratitude

Greedy for Life:  A Memoir on Aging with Gratitude by Lori Stevic-Rust

Dr. Lori Stevic-Rust is 50 years old and her Nana, Emily Bernice Sitosky Serian, is 100.  What a wonderful way to pay tribute to someone.

Lori writes using her memories of good times and bad, always keeping her Nana and her influence.  While this is a book on aging, it does show a true family full of love, friendship, trust, understanding and growth.

Not only is there a 100 year old woman, it also includes 4 more generations!  The story goes into different aspects of Lori’s past, including holidays and family traditions, learning what a caregiver really is, true friendship, sports and the realities of life and death.

While Nana had a difficult first 50 years, including physical, emotional and financial struggles, her second 50 years seemed to have made up for it.  Always willing to learn new things and never forgetting to have a sense of humor and laugh.

With minimal characters, you will get the true sense of family.  If only all families could experience this type of closeness.  While the plot is merely a series of chapters highlighting a specific feeling or experience, it will keep you smiling, laughing and feeling for the family during their heartbreaks.  The family closeness throughout the years, and the wonderful celebration of a woman turning 100 is worthy of your time.

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The Prelude

The Prelude by KaSonndra Leigh

A totally different avenue for author KaSonndra Leigh, not your young adult read, but none less worthy of your read.

Erin Angelo lost her father and sister at an early age.  Something she has held to her heart and vowed to kept within her.  Alek Dostov (otherwise known as Aleksandr Dostovsky) is a world famous Maestro.  While Erin finished high school and went on to study fashion design, becoming very good and catching people’s attention, she moved to Milan and began working at Blue Butterfly, a company that was hired to create designs for a new show of Alek’s.  Not only does Erin come up with some riveting designs, she also captures Alek’s heart, not something easily done, and not something he has ever experienced before, especially when he is very used to having women fawn over him.  But Erin is different.

But as in all good stories, the evil lurks.  Alek has a very demanding and protective mother, who still controls a great deal of his adult life.  Add in a secretive past that neither Erin or Alek will discuss with each other.  Both are so consumed with their past they have a difficult time trusting anyone with any details.

In what starts as a relationship “agreement” based on sex, it develops over time.  Their need for each other, in more ways that one, and those who are willing to stand by them and protect them against those who are not.  The twists and turns along the way discovering the reasons behind their fears and guarded nature will keep you turning pages.  Written from both Erin and Alek’s point of view, the story grabs your attention and keeps it.

Definitely an adult romance with a some intimate and graphic details, this is a story of passion, but not just about sex.  Passion to hold onto your deepest fears, secrets and truths and what passion it takes to learn to open up.  Set in Italy, a sexy male with a Russian accent, the small town girl from the US, the controlling mother, the mysteries surrounding both main characters, what’s not to make you want to read more?  Learning to love and trust someone can be difficult.

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The Bones of Others (A Skye Cree Novel)

The Bones of Others (A Skye Cree Novel) by Vickie McKeehan

The subject of child abduction is never one anyone wants to hear, but when you add the twist of murder, prostitution or sex trade, it becomes even worse.

Skye Cree was 12 when she was abducted and raped.  She was lucky to escape, but the loss of her parents a year later was devastating.  Her aunt and uncle forbid her to testify against the man who used her, and he was free to do it over and over again.

Skye made it her lifelong ambition and obsession to bring him to justice one day.  Every night she would walk the streets knowing he would find another innocent victim.  She trained to use her body, as well as weapons, in order to defend herself or others like her in her pursuit.

An odd twist of fate brought her to an alley one night where she rescued Josh Ander from would-be thieves.  He was so amazed by her ability and beauty he made it a point to learn more about her and meet her again.  Although Skye never opened up to anyone about her special ability and gift of a spirit guide, she eventually felt comfortable to open up to Josh, and they became a team in search of helpless victims held against their will.

Josh was able to use his expertise in the internet to locate info on Skye’s abductor.  While they plotted to find him and end his reign for good, what they found tugs at your heart.

A must-read, once you start you won’t want to stop.  Great mix of characters, from the determined Skye to the lowlife who prey on young girls.  Flows nicely and easy to follow, with some Native American legends and beliefs woven in.

On Amazon.com

Naebody's Hero

Naebody's Hero by Mark Wilson

Three different areas of the world, and three completely different individuals.

Robert, a child who was abandoned by his parents, was raised by a foster family, separate from his twin sister, Cara.  As he grew, he discovered he had unique abilities and wanted to use them for the good of others.

Arif, a child born to Pakistani parents, but lived in England and was considered a foreigner and bullied as a child.

Kim, a woman who lost her husband and infant child way too soon, had a lifelong desire to see those who murdered her family punished and killed for what they had done.

In a strange twist of fate, Kim saves Robert from a group of terrorists.  Arif is recruited to become a terrorist.

As the story progresses, Kim and Robert join forces to thwart evil all over the world, and Arif is trained to be a terrorist.  Even though he had met Robert and seen the good he can do, Arif was determined to kill those who had murdered his family.

Great mix of characters to have the story seen from very different angles and viewpoints, those working for the good of mankind, and those who are not.  Nice flow, chapters are written to focus on one of the three main characters at a time.  Keeps you turning pages to see what evil plot has been created and if it will come to fruition.

On Amazon.com

I Punch the General

I Punch the General by I. Flowers

It is the year 2248 and the planet Earth is doomed.  Overpopulation, lack of food and natural resources has caused the human race to be on the verge of extinction unless a solution can be found.  The most intelligent scientists have tried to discover another planet similar that the people can be transported to.

Gilese 581 g seemed to fit the criteria.  The distance was not too great, the atmosphere was similar, everything seemed to be acceptable, except the inhabitants already living there.  The scientists were unable to reconcile with the locals, called the Idakan, so the best of the military were sent to try to take over.

Kevin is one of the soldiers, but as time went by with no success, Kevin began to have dreams of communicating with one of the Idakan, but the dream made him think of his present situation.  Other soldiers were becoming bored of the losing situation, Earth had forgotten about them, their supplies were almost non-existent and there was no more hope of success.  

The only one still acting very military was the General.  Being a career military man, his motto was never to give up.  While the story goes on with numerous characters, the lack of ever returning home makes them all think of what they should do.  Written through the viewpoints of different soldiers and their struggle to survive on a distant planet.  Nice flow, easy to follow and plenty of characters to keep it interesting.

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omg (A CUL8R time travel mystery)

omg (A CUL8R time travel mystery) by Bob Kat

Kelly was a student in high school when her parents were killed in an auto accident.  Still needing a guardian, she went to live with her Aunt in another town.  There she met two friends, Scott and Austin.  While cleaning out her aunt’s garage, they discover an old radio.  Scott tinkered around with it and was able to get it working, where they hear a voice from Wendy, claiming she didn’t do it and needed help.

Scott was able to configure their phones to enable them to travel and find Wendy, a high school senior who committed suicide.  Through determination for wanting to help someone, they were able to uncover the real story of Wendy.

Quick read with a great bond of friendship.  Not what I was expecting when I first started the book, it keeps you turning the pages.  The characters are typical high school students and their parents, giving it a real feel.  A true test of friendship, determination and the need to help others.

On Amazon.com