Book Review: Robbing Mind

Title: How Attitude and Intention Helped Prevent a Fate Worse Than Death Author: Chuck Collins Genre: True Story Length: 132 pages

Buy Links: Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Robbing-Mind-Attitude-Intention-Prevent/dp/0615892248/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385784187&sr=8-5&keywords=chuck+collins
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401638


Synopsis:
In the summer of 2013, Mystery Writer and Radio Personality Chuck Collins was diagnosed with a deadly form of brain cancer. This is the story of how he and a special community of professionals, friends and family made the best of a very bad situation. Portions of proceeds (60%) will go to aid families dealing with brain health issues. Go to RobbingMind.com for more information.

Review

I think this book was very well written as one can only imagine what it's like to be hit by cancer even more so with brain cancer. It was lovely to see the support of family and friends that helped make what would have been a very hard journey, so much lighter.
To be able to go through something like this and then to relive it in again in one's writing can be difficult and it was so well done by the author. An interesting read.

Author Bio:
Chuck Collins is a 40-year veteran of broadcasting and media in Northeast Ohio, most recently in Akron, Ohio. He is currently operations director with Rubber City Radio Group, WAKR, WQMX, WONE, and has been on the WAKR air 10-3pm weekdays for the last 7 years.
Chuck has written four novels and published hundreds of essays for online and other publications. He has supported the performing arts with leadership roles in the Greater Akron Musical Association and continues to work with alcoholics and recovery services as a trustee with IBH, Addiction Recovery Center.
Chuck and his wife Monika are devoted to family and community and live in Hudson, Ohio.



This book review is part of the book tour by CM Book Tours.

Snake Typhoon Book Review

Synopsis:

Move over Lara Croft, there’s a new action hero in town!

When unseasonable weather hits the sunshine city of Brisbane, a freak typhoon terrorizes the citizens. It’s not just any typhoon though, it’s a snake typhoon! And the deadliest snakes in Australia, with venomous fangs are flying straight for Kez.

Kez is the new girl in the office and she’s desperately fighting to prove herself, but what’s a girl to do when faced with a typhoon of snakes coming straight for her helicopter?

These flying diabolical snakes will stop at nothing to kill their victims and Kez only has one option: Figure out how to stop a snake typhoon and save the world... or die trying!

Review:

Short stories are my thing at the moment as I never find enough time to read through longer novels. The book takes you straight into the action of the story with no frills. Kez, akin, to a self made super hero has to save the world from nothing else but a snake typhoon! It is a very witty read and I love Billie Jones' humour. Comical characters, well written descriptions and utterly laugh out loud humour make it a very enjoyable read.

Author Bio:

Billie Jones is a writer from Australia who enjoys imaging herself wrestling killer crocodiles and swimming with great white sharks. She thinks she may have to attempt base jumping so she can write about it and Bungee is on the list too. You can find her either in front of her computer writing about her fictional adventures or at the beach searching for the next perfect wave.

Author Links:

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/billiejoneswrites

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bjoneswrites

Book Review: The Weight of a Feather and other stories

Title: The Weight of a Feather and Other Stories
Author: Judy Croome
Genre: Short Story anthology
Length: 200 pages

Publisher: Aztar Press; 1 edition (October 22, 2013)

Synopsis:

“The promise implicit in an anthology is that it aspires to present something different, unexpected”  Joyce Carol Oates (Introduction to The Oxford Book of American Short Stories) 

From the classical form of ‘The Weight of a Feather’, first published by The Huffington Post (2013), to the suggestive allegory of ‘The Leopard and The Lizard’, this collection of short stories by South African author Judy Croome is an ideal mix of the familiar and the startling.

These vibrant slices of life testify to the mysterious and luminous resources of the human spirit. Whether feeling the harrowing emotion in ‘The Last Sacrifice’ or the jauntiness of ‘Jannie Vermaak’s New Bicycle’, the reader will delight in a plethora of stories that cross boundaries to both challenge and entertain with their variety.

Review:

I like reading anthologies simply because I never have enough time to complete a story. It's nice to be able to finish a story in one go.
I liked the stories in it though I didn't really enjoy the stories that were just a page long as it did not make sense to me. I prefer reading stories with more of a storyline. The book seemed like too many stories were pushed into it.
Having said that, Judy Croome is a talented writer and I do look forward to reading more of her writing as she has a great writing style.

Author Bio:

Judy Croome lives and writes in Johannesburg, South Africa. Shortlisted in the African Writing Flash Fiction 2011 competition, Judy’s short stories and poems have appeared in various magazines and anthologies, such as the Huffington Post and the University of the Witwatersrand’s Itch Magazine. Her books “The Weight of a Feather & Other Stories” (2013), “a Lamp at Midday” (2012) and “Dancing in the Shadows of Love” (2011) are available. Judy loves her family, cats, exploring the meaning of life, chocolate, cats, rainy days, ancient churches with their ancient graveyards, cats, meditation and solitude. Oh, and cats. Judy loves cats (who already appear to have discovered the meaning of life.)  She is currently researching child murders for her next novel and you can visit Judy on www.judycroome.com or join her on Twitter @judy_croome

Disclosure: I received the book for an honest review. 

Inspirations: A Book of Poems - Cover Reveal

Review: Old Beginnings - The Forgotten Slayer 1

Title: Old Beginnings (The Forgotten Slayer Series Book 1)
Author: Alix Marsh
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Paranormal Middle Grade/Teen
Length: 182 pages
Publish Date: 3rd December 2013

Synopsis:

The first book in Flynn Heath’s magical world of amazing powers, dark demons, a perfectly mundane family at home and extraordinary friends at his new school, which happens to be a Demon Slayer Academy.

Flynn Heath is just an ordinary boy, living a very ordinary life in the perfectly pleasant village of Little Rislin. Until, one day, he mistakenly pledges his blood, honour and soul to a mysterious stranger and before he knows it, he’s enrolled into the finest (and only) demon slayer academy in the country.

But there’s a dark force swimming through the demon-infested undertow of the ordinary world, a king demon shaking loose the shackles that have him bound in Hades. Maybe Flynn’s pledge wasn’t some random mistake after all.

Sometimes, there’s a very good reason for a slayer to stay forgotten.

Review

I would normally much rather watch a paranormal film than read a book. However this book was so well written that I enjoyed reading it. 

Flynn unknowingly signs up to become a demon slayer and his world immediately changes. 

As an introductory book, I liked it and now look forward to reading the others that follow.

Aimed at middle grade/teens, I think it would be quite popular with this age group. 

Old Beginnings Cosmic Blast

Book review: Dreams of the Cursed

Title: Dreams of the Cursed (Dreamer #2)
Author: Allie Jean
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Length: 184 pages approx
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop (October 3, 2013)
Buy Link: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/101


Synopsis:
A violent war has waged in secret underneath the notice of humanity since the beginning of time. Evil has pledged the destruction of humanity in spite of a power those that covet it could not possibly contain. Now the Warriors have inherited this fight and are honor-bound to rid the world of this ancient malevolence. By guarding the most precious, piercing light they possess-their female kin known as the Oracles or Dreamers-the Warriors have a chance against the darkness. Chantal Breelan, plagued by horrific nightmares for most of her life, believes something is wrong with her. Why else would she have such visions of destruction? But when creatures of terror came crawling out of the shadows to hunt her down shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she discovers the truth. Her dreams become reality, throwing her headfirst into a battle wrought by cursed monsters, where death and torture lie at every turn. Mathias is a descendant of a Fallen Angel and a powerful Warrior. He vows his life in service to pay recompense for the sins of their fathers by guarding Chantal from within the shadows. Long has he fought, shedding sweat and blood, hoping that his struggles wouldn't be in vain. With Chantal's life in danger, he is forced to reveal himself, yet she manages to surprise him with her fierce tenacity and strength. In his sacrifice, he finds redemption and life's ultimate reward-a love to surpass all time. Now Chantal has picks up the reins of her birthright and stands by her Warrior kin, by Mathias. She's on a mission to rescue others like herself. Yet, in this challenge, a battle of wits is exposed. New players are discovered, throwing strategies into question. When the truth comes to light, can Chantal hold her band of brothers together, or will they crumble under the weight of betrayal?

Review:

Paranormal is not the genre that I normally read. However, this book, kept me going and I was glad I consented to review it. Chantal is plagued by terrifying nightmares of monsters and wonders why. Shortly after her 18th birthday when she comes to know the truth, she is even more horrified.
Chantal is a strong heroine who grows as a person as the story evolves. I didn't really like the torture of the young dreamers but I could see that this is essential to the plot.
The book definitely kept me reading and seeing that I don't like paranormal stories, it says a lot.
Well written with a well thought out plot, I would recommend reading this book.


Author Bio:
Allie Jean was born with an overactive imagination. She spent her childhood inventing stories and telling tales. Her mind never shut down, even while she slept. Vivid dreams containing extensive, elaborate plot lines of good overcoming evil villains captured her nightly visions, lingering into her waking hours and filling the pages of her well-loved bounded diaries. She was encouraged by her parents, even at a young age, to write down her tales, and it has remained a somewhat secret hobby. As a busy wife, mother and critical care nurse, Allie’s love of storytelling has been reborn through the adventures of her unforgettable characters.


Links:
Website: http://Alliejean.net
 About.Me: http://about.me/allie.jean
TWCS: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/authors/detail/35
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralliejean