Book Reviews

Escape From Paradise (Walk With the Wind Book 1) by D. Richard Ferguson

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Escape from Paradise : A Christian Adventure Novel (Walk with the Wind Series Book 1) by [D. Richard Ferguson]

Escape From Paradise is the first book of a two-book set by D. Richard Ferguson. It is an allegorical tale that is reminiscent of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, but D. Richard Ferguson digs deeper and includes more abstract concepts. As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy, but was not under any obligation to write a positive review or any review of the book. This review is my honest opinion of Escape From Paradise by D. Richard Ferguson.

In Escape From Paradise, Adam is torn from his home and family and dropped into an unfamiliar world where gold heals and fruit is the main food source. He begins a new life for himself in this world and is content enough until a little girl claims she can take him to someone who can help him return to his family.

He then begins a journey where he encounters giants, wild animals, and marauding mountain people. He must decide who to trust, and must also face his own struggles and the reality of who he is, and he must make a decision that will change his life for better or worse forever.

D. Richard Ferguson’s novel is well written and the story is fast-paced and has well-developed characters that the reader can relate to. The story’s message is compelling and the tale draws the reader in. The novel offers plenty of adventure, danger, and suspense. The reader follows Adam’s life, struggles, and decisions, is forced to examine his or her own life struggles and decisions.

This is Book 1 of the two book, Walk With the Wind set, and this book offers enough of a satisfying resolution so as not to leave the reader hanging from a cliff, but promises more as it makes clear that Adam has an important job to do in the next book.

Escape From Paradise was a pleasure to read as it was well-written, well-edited, and engaged the reader in Adam’s life, compelling him or her to continue turning the pages.

I give Escape From Paradise by D. Richard Ferguson 5 stars, and I look forward to reading Book #2 of the Walk With the Wind series. I recommend this book for Young Adult and Adult readers. Younger readers may need some help in understanding some of the concepts presented in this book.

The Rhise of Light: Darkness Overcome (Book 1) by Max B. Sternberg

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The Rhise Of Light: Darkness Overcome Book One (Darkness Overcome Series 1) by [Max B Sternberg]

The Rhise of Light: Darkness Overcome (Book 1) by Max B. Sternberg is a debut Christian fantasy novel. As a book reviewer, I received an Advance Reader Copy, and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a review of any kind.

I prefer a book that takes me deep into the mind of the main character, but this book was written mostly from a narrative point of view, therefore I wasn’t as deeply engaged in the main character’s life as I would have liked.

The main character, Leon returns home after his Naval airship is destroyed in battle. However, things at home are not what he had hoped and though he wants to help, he has no power to do so. Therefore he sets out on a new adventure, unsure of where he is going or what he will do.

Along his journey, he meets a dwarf, a pyromancer and her dog companion. These characters join him on his adventure after helping him battle a group of undead (a.k.a. zombies) that have been reeking havoc on their town. As this group of misfits continues on their journey, they meet more fantastical creatures and face more battles, and each of them must face pains of their past.

The main characters are my favorite part of the book. They are well-developed and unique, and seem an unlikely group of friends, but a bond of friendship builds between them.

There are some action scenes, as well as scenes of suspense that kept me turning pages.

Finally, there is a Christian message that threads throughout the story. I found it a bit unclear in some of its lessons, but it certainly exhibits hope and love.

I recommend this story to young adults and adults who enjoy Christian fantasy or who are looking for a story of friendship and hope amid life’s difficult struggles.

Max B. Sternberg promises two more books to come in this “Darkness Overcome” series.

I give The Rhise of Light 4 stars.

Making the Love List by Barbara DeLeo

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Making the Love List: A sweet, small town, older brother's best friend romance (Tall Dark and Driven Book 1) by [Barbara DeLeo]

As a Book Reviewer, I received an ebook copy of Making the Love List by Barbara DeLeo, the first book in her Tall, Dark, and Driven series, and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review or any review.

In Making the Love List, Yasmin Katsalos has been in Borneo, but now she’s come home, but she’s not the same studious, conservative girl she was when she left, and when her brother, Nick’s, best friend, Lane, is forced to work with Yasmin on renovations of her family’s restaurant/wedding venue, sparks begin to fly. What will happen to Lane’s relationship with Nick and his parents if Lane gets involved with Yasmin?

Making the Love List is a steamy contemporary romance story that will make you laugh, grip your heart, and maybe even cause you to shed a tear or two. Barbara DeLeo has done a great job creating engaging characters as well as a unique plot, and I love the way the characters learn some difficult things about themselves amidst the conflict of the story.

For my readers who like their romance clean, I will mention that there is a scene in Making the Love List that includes quite a bit of sexual innuendo. There is also one sexual scene that is not explicit that takes place between two characters who aren’t married.

For those of you who like your romances realistic and know that things in the real world aren’t always as they should be, I think you’ll find Making the Love List by Barbara DeLeo fresh with an unusual twist.

This book is also well written and has obviously been well edited.

I give Making the Love List by Barbara DeLeo 5 stars, and I look forward to reading the rest of the Tall, Dark, and Driven series.

Off the Map by JL Crosswhite

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Off the Map: In the Shadow Book 1, a Christian Romantic Suspense (In the Shadow, Christian Romantic Suspense) by [JL Crosswhite]

Off the Map by JL Crosswhite is a Christian Romantic Suspense novel. It is the first book of the “In the Shadow” series, and as a Book Reviewer, I received a free copy. This is my honest review, which I was under no obligation to write or post anywhere.

Allie, Melissa, and their siblings had been planning to take a road trip together for years, and now was the time. At the last minute some of their siblings backed out, disappointing both women. The two of them and one of their brothers decided to take the trip anyway, and invited three other people: Melissa’s boyfriend, Allie’s long-time crush from their growing up years, and one of their friend’s sisters.

JL Crosswhite created characters the reader could care about, and she did a great job creating tension in their relationships. The trip started off well. However, as the story continued and Ms. Crosswhite shared all the places the characters traveled and stopped to see, the pace seemed to drag a bit. My interest started to wain as each place was mentioned but the details to paint the places in my mind weren’t fully developed became more like a list.

However, danger reared its ugly head during the trip and the suspense began to build. Then an unexpected twist made me gasp and kept turning pages. The romances in the story were sweet, and the ending was satisfying.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance story with a dose of suspense.

I give Off the Map by JL Crosswhite 4 stars.

VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain by Edward Stanton

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VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain by Edward Stanton is a travel memoir. It is nonfiction, which I do not read a lot. As a Book Reviewer, I was asked to read and review this book. I agreed to read and review it because I have never been to either Spain or Mexico but have always wanted to go because I studied the Spanish language in high school and love the language and all that I learned about Spain from my teacher.

VIDAS: Deep in Mexico and Spain begins with Edward in Mexico in his teen years and as the book continues, he ages and travels to Spain as well. Edward shares about some of the many people he met in his travels — people who impacted his life. His descriptions of these people and the experiences he had in these places are very colorful. The details of his experiences paint pictures in the reader’s mind and bring the people and places to life.

I especially liked the second half of the book and found his stories of the running of the bulls and the bullfights exciting.

There was just one thing that made the book a challenge to read, and that is that the author jumps from first person, to second person, to third person narration a lot, sometimes in the same sentence.

If you enjoy stories about people in other places, you will want to read this book, as long as you can overlook the changing narration. For me, the stories, especially in the second half of the book were worth reading. I have always enjoyed learning about the lives and cultures of people in other countries.

I give this book 4 stars.

Belle of Eden by Sofia B. Ashford

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The Belle of Eden by [Sofia Ashford]

From what I understand, Belle of Eden is the debut novel of Sofia B. Ashford.

I received an ebook copy of this story in exchange for my honest review, and I have to say that I was disappointed in the story.

The book blurb states that Belle is rescued from the noose by Commodore Craven and his son, Benjamin, and asked to assist them in their search for the Garden of Eden and the salvation it promises.

Therefore, I expected a story about finding the Garden of Eden and salvation.

However, the book is quite depressing as the majority of the story is about the life bleeding out of Benjamin, and his life seems to ebb and flow throughout the story.

In addition, Belle is a pirate and has a lot of pirate enemies, and everywhere they go, some of her enemies show up and there are battles. In the beginning, most of the battles end quite quickly, but late in the story, the battles take longer and become bloodier.

Ms. Ashford also writes of the Garden of Eden and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, as one and the same thing, which they are not.

And, for those who like happy endings, I will warn you that you may be disappointed in the ending of this book.

I give Belle of Eden by Sofia B. Ashford 3 stars.

Heart of a Runaway Girl by Trevor Wiltzen

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Heart of a Runaway Girl by Trevor Wiltzen

As a Book Reviewer, I received a Free ebook copy of Heart of a Runaway Girl (A Mabel Davison Mystery), which is the debut novel of Trevor Wiltzen.

About the Book:

Mabel Davison is doing her best to raise her son, daughter, and niece, while running a motel and diner in a small mountain town. Mabel has a heart for people, and one day she notices a young couple in a back booth having an argument. The next thing she knows the town sheriff is telling her the young girl was brutally murdered and he has arrested the young black boyfriend that was with her in the diner.

Mabel is certain the boyfriend didn’t do it, and she starts poking around trying to find out who did, but it isn’t long before she pokes the local drug traders and makes some enemies. The sheriff tries to convince her to keep her nose out of things and says she needs to focus on taking care of her kids and her business, but Mabel cares to much to let an innocent man go to prison. But what she finds placing her and others in danger.

My Review:

Mabel Davison is a very likeable character with a big heart. She’s the kind of person everyone wishes they knew and called “friend”. She works hard and loves harder. She believes in truth and justice and personal rights and freedoms.

Trevor Wiltzen has done a great job with this first mystery novel in the Mabel Davison Mystery series. The story and characters are believable, and the small mountain town could be almost anywhere in 1980s America. Mr. Wiltzen draws the reader into the lives of Mabel and her family and soon the reader is rooting for Mabel in her determination to get to the truth. Things get intense and keep the reader on the edge of their seat, turning pages as Mabel faces some of the drug traders and heart-stopping danger comes to Mabel’s door.

Heart of a Runaway Girl is an outstanding debut mystery novel with a lovable amateur sleuth as the main character. I enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me guessing as to “whodunnit” til near the very end. I look forward to reading more Mabel Davison mysteries in the future.

I will mention that there is some violence in this book, but it is not graphic. There is also some profanity, but it is used sparingly and the characters who use it wouldn’t be as believable without it. The story also shows that Mabel believes in God, but this comes out in little bits and pieces and is not dwelt upon or preachy.

I give Heart of a Runaway Girl 5 stars.

Bag of Lies by Ricky Dean Wyrick

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As a Book Reviewer, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Bag of Lies, the debut novel by Ricky Dean Wyrick. for my honest review.

At first, it appears to be a historical fiction book set in the Civil War era. But, as you continue reading, a unique twist reveals this isn’t a historical fiction story about the North vs. the South.

Bag of Lies takes you on a journey and plunges you into the middle of a Civil War where it is sometimes hard to figure out who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Michael and a handful of his friends are soldiers in this war, but as friends become enemies and strangers seem like friends, Michael isn’t sure whom he can trust. Michael is sent on a special mission and is afraid of failing. As he attempts to accomplish his mission, more clues as to the true setting and actual story are revealed as Michael faces many struggles and challenges.

There are a couple scenes where Mr. Wyrick head hops, causing the reader to reread a paragraph or two to figure out whose point of view that particular section is coming from.

Ricky Dean Wyrick has woven a very unusual story with interesting twists and turns. Bag of Lies is the first book of a series. The end of Bag of Lies offers enough resolution to satisfy the reader, but also leaves a hint of things to come to whet the reader’s appetite for the next book in the Broken World Series.

Bag of Lies is a well-written, unique story. It is a tale of war, courage, friendship, betrayal, and much more. There is also an inspirational aspect to the story, and there is some mild profanity. If you’re looking for a Civil War story unlike any you’ve read before, I suggest you pick up Bag of Lies. You’re in for a treat!

In my opinion, this story is suitable for middle grade through adult.

I enjoyed Bag of Lies and look forward to the next book in the Broken World Series.

I give Bag of Lies by Ricky Dean Wyrick 4 stars.

Dancing With a Royal by Tomi Tabb

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As a Book Reviewer, I received a free copy of Dancing With a Royal by Tomi Tabb for my honest review.

Dancing with a Royal by Tomi Tabb is the story of an up and coming ballerina, Clara Little, in Los Angeles, California who is invited to replace a star ballerina in “The World of Ballet” showcase in England. An unexpected meeting with a handsome man at the airport in Los Angeles leads to another unexpected meeting with the same man in England, Prince David, the Duke of Leeds, a workaholic member of the Royal Family and eligible bachelor. Sparks ignite and the story becomes a sweet romance, and as the romance builds, it soon becomes a heartwarming love story.

Dancing with a Royal by Tomi Tabb is the best book I’ve read in 2021 so far. Tomi Tabb did a fantastic job of creating, not just likeable, but loveable characters — characters that made me smile, that had me cheer for them, that had amazing chemistry, and whom I would love to meet and spend a day with in real life. Ms. Tabb also wrote so well about what it’s like to be hounded by the paparazzi, I could easily sympathize with the characters. Ms. Tabb didn’t just create engaging, delightful main characters, but her secondary characters were just as well written.

This story was definitely a character driven story, but also had a very interesting plot line that kept things moving, and just enough description to paint a picture of the many settings in the reader’s mind.

This book and its characters will live in my memory and heart for a long time, and I look forward to reading the next book in Tomi Tabb’s “Unexpected Royals” series as soon as it’s available.

I highly recommend Dancing With a Royal to anyone who loves a good sweet romance or heartwarming love story, and I give this book 5 stars.

Songwriter Night (a musical romance) by D.G. Driver

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Songwriter Night by D.G. Driver

As a Book Reviewer, I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

Songwriter Night by D. G. Driver is a very unique story. I found it engaging and entertaining.

About the Book:
Trish is new in Nashville, TN. She’s chasing her dream of becoming a songwriter in the Country Music capitol of the U.S.A. Not long after she arrives, she sits in a coffee shop working on some lyrics when she meets Lyle. Lyle is a native in Nashville, but he, too, is chasing the elusive songwriting dream. He’s struck by her voice as he hears her humming a tune he’s never heard before. They talk a little and he invites her to the house, he shares with a friend, for their monthly Friday night “songwriter night”. She accepts.

From there, the reader is introduced to a small group of artistic people who all have a love for writing, mostly music. What an interesting group it is.

My Review:
D. G. Driver created a very simple plot line. It lacks the usual intensity, but there are some conflicts that keep the reader turning pages. The writing is also sparse on descriptive setting details, but there is enough for the reader to envision the two settings where the story takes place. Another uncommon aspect of the book are the descriptions told of the characters’ actions.

The best thing about this read is that the characters are each so wonderfully distinct in personality and voice that they each paint their own quirkiness in the reader’s mind. They also fascinate and bring an occasional chuckle and an occasional groan.

A very unique fun thing about this book is that D.G. Driver has included the original songs that each of her characters share at “Songwriter Night”. She even has them recorded for audio readers to actually hear. I didn’t receive the audio, but Ms. Driver has samples on her website that I listened to and I was impressed at the quality of the recordings. Made me almost wish I’d have gotten the audio.

After reading the story, I read the information about Ms. Driver at the back of the book. That’s how I discovered why this story is so unusual and written the way that it is. In addition to writing, Ms. Driver is also very involved in theater, or was until Covid shut down live theaters. When that happened, Ms. Driver, who also thoroughly enjoys listening to cast albums of Broadway musicals, got the unique idea to write a book/audiobook in this one-of-a-kind, (as far as I know), story.

If you love cute romance stories unlike any others you’ve read, you’re sure to enjoy Songwriter Night. If you are an artist or someone who appreciates the arts of music and writing, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this story as well. If you’re just someone looking for a fun, quick, easy read this book’s for you too.

I give Songwriter Night 5 stars.