Reading Fanatic Reviews
Books to Add to Your TBR list... or Not!Hey, ya’ll! I’m VERY behind getting my reviews up on the website! I’ve increased the reading and reviewing, leaving less of my leisure time available to update this website. I’ll do weekly posts with links to my reviews at Amazon; you can also check out my Amazon and Goodreads profiles.
By the way, I’m now a top 50 Amazon.com reviewer (#12 currently) and the top 8 US reviewer of all time on Goodreads (and top 9 in the world)… and the #6 US reviewer and #8 in the world in the past year. Cool stuff!
I hope to make updates to this site soon!
Productivity Plan by Robert Green
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Productivity Plan*
Fuzzy Focus, Not Much of a “Plan”
This book is all over the map. I like it when my nonfiction books are precisely about what they say. If you call a book a “plan,” it should have a plan. If a book is about productivity, every chapter should focus on that theme. I found the book did not fulfill either word’s promise. I didn’t see any big overall “plan” mentioned in this book. There are a variety of strategies and tips offered but no comprehensive plan. The book does have some discussion of productivity, including what hampers it, like perfectionism and thinking that working long equals working well. But I didn’t really feel like he got to the heart of the issues about what can make one more productive while still maintaining mental, physical, and spiritual health. The book should have been more tightly focused on productivity itself instead of peripheral subjects, and he needed to delve more deeply into productivity as well. Many sections in the Table of Contents (which is far too long and detailed) are just a paragraph in the book itself; there’s little depth here. The book in places felt like a grab bag of pop-psych ideas about productivity and peripherally related concepts like sleep and meditation. If you are genuinely looking for a productivity plan, you would do better to look elsewhere.
Day Trading for Beginners By Bill Sykes and Timothy Gibbs
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Day Trading for Beginners*
OK as an Intro to the Topic, But Lacks Depth
This book is full of hints and strategies for day traders. I don’t know enough about the markets or day trading to know if what they give is actually good advice. I always place a more substantial burden on books that claim to be for beginners. I do not think that this book alone will allow a beginner to start day trading successfully. While some terms are defined, the authors use other ones that are not as well explained, which would make the book confusing for some beginners. Plus, the book lacks the depth of explanation that a beginner needs. I definitely think there is some useful information here that would help somebody interested to start day trading, but they will need more to truly get them going. One bizarre thing, too: the names of the authors in the blurb are different than the names on the cover or inside the book; one author has a different last name, and the other has a different first name!
Lover Betrayed by J. P. McLean
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, 24 Symbols, Thalia, and Bol.de
Lover Betrayed*
Fascinating, but Odd, Retelling of Book One of Series
I found this retelling of part of Secret Sky from Jackson’s perspective to be a sometimes intriguing one. I have read a few books like this, where in one book of a series or duet the author tells the story from one character’s perspective, and then in another book recounts the same from another characters viewpoint, showing true motivations for actions and other, more subtle shadings. If you read Secret Sky, you know that Jackson is not wholly what he seems when we view him through Em’s perspective; we certainly don’t know why he acts the way he does. We get much more of his story, including what happened in his life leading up to when his and Em’s lives crossed paths (which is about a third of this book) as well as what happened after he left. He is a complex character, but not necessarily a nice one or a decent guy.
I found myself wanting to put this book down at times because I just didn’t like him and what he was doing. Like the other book, I sometimes felt that the pacing was off here. For long stretches, it didn’t feel like much was really happening–just a lot of talking–and then the pacing would pick up again. For it to be a truly good suspense, there needs to be a bit more evenness to the suspenseful actions or it is easy to become bored waiting for something to happen.
I’m feeling oddly ambivalent about this book, and I can’t quite figure out why. I still found the sensual scenes to be a bit cringe-worthy. I was intrigued by the first book, and I think the author has actually done a good job creating a world that is so similar to our own with just this one bizarre fantastical element to it. Take out the Fliers, and the first part of the book could just be about any ruthless businessman we see in so many fictional books. I did like seeing so many of the familiar scenes from Secret Sky from Jackson’s perspective. It really did give a completely different look at what happened in that story; it added richness and fullness, making a complete story.
First Edition Murder by Tessa Kelly
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
First Edition Murder*
Engaging Book-Based Mystery
This is the first mystery that I have read by this author, and I am glad to have found her. Even though this book is relatively short for mystery, the author still managed to surprise me with the ending. That doesn’t happen often, so I enjoy it when it does! I like the way the author described scenes and settings. I felt like I was in the room with the main character. The characters were well drawn and feel like real people. I loved being in the head of the main character. She is completely relatable and sympathetic, especially when her father looks guilty of the murder. (Even with the first line about her discomfort about catering a wedding wearing an evening dress and stilettos was just so authentic). As a book lover, too, I’m always drawn to novels where the story in some way hinges upon a book. This one does, and it is even a mystery! In all, I found this book to be an engaging read.
Love Repaired by Deana Birch
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Scribd, 24 Symbols, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Love Repaired*
Had Potential, But…
This one didn’t do it for me. I will admit that I am more of a fan of historical romance than contemporary, though I have been reading more modern romances this year. As swearing is often nonexistent or very minimal in historicals, I’m often surprised at the level of profanity in many of these contemporary romances. I know the blurb did warn about it, but the story sounded interesting enough that I thought I’d give it a try. However, the constant f-bombs and other crude words overwhelmed what could have been an interesting story about an overstressed mom and a hot younger man.
A Murder in Hope’s Crossing by Brooke Shelby
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
A Murder in Hope's Crossing*
Didn’t Work for Me
I will admit that I am turned off right away when a book starts with an information dump, and this book had quite a lengthy one. I do work with some authors on their books, and I sometimes recommended they just toss out the first chapter or two and get to the story! This book might have benefited from such an action. I thought the dialog sounded stilted, not like the way people talk. As such, I had a hard time getting into and sticking with the story. I didn’t really find the characters engaging, and I will be passing on the rest of the series.
Portrait of a Lady by Victoria Vale
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google Play, Kobo, 24 Symbols, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Portrait of a Lady*
Excellent Start to New Steamy Historical Series
I love the historical romances written by Victoria Vale! I have read the entire Villain series and totally loved the last two books, writing some of my longest reviews–nearly a thousand words each–for those books. I will try not to go on so long in this one! What I like about Ms. Vale’s novels is that she is able to pull me right into the story with a great setup and complex characters, making me not want to put the book down.
This book starts with a scene of drunken debauchery of five down-and-out friends. One of them comes up with a brilliant idea that they should become male courtesans so that they could live a life of more ease, as some have debts, have been disowned by their family, or want nothing to do with their family. Gentlemen of the era, of course, didn’t work proper jobs! In this scene, the author sets up the entire series about the gentleman courtesans… and hinted that the ringleader might have some secrets that will probably only be revealed in his book.
The central part of the book starts two years later, discussing the life of one of these courtesans who is hoping for his last keeper (as they call the women) before he breaks into the art scene. I loved the hero and heroine. I felt sorry for the poor girl; she was so meek and timid that she could barely request the services to initiate the relationship, and even after she did, she vacillated between wanting to go forward with her scheme and wanting to back out. As always in this author’s books, the sensual scenes range from steamy to erotica. I thought the author did an excellent job showing the world as it would have been at the time. I felt I was in Vauxhall Gardens at the masquerade (where the first meeting between the hero and heroine took place) myself; I can picture it that vividly from the author’s words. A thoroughly enjoyable first book of what I believe will be another fantastic series by the author.
Lesser Magicks Complete Trilogy by Kellie Sheridan
Available at Amazon only
NOT with Kindle Unlimited
Lesser Magicks Series*
Complex Magical World
This box set contains the prequel and three books that make up the complete Lesser Magicks series. I don’t like to give too much away when I talk about a series, especially a set where one novella leads to another. This is about a young woman who possesses what in her world are called lesser magics. I totally wish I had her lesser magic for technology! Through the series of books, we see her grow in her understanding and abilities within her world and become somewhat powerful within it. I felt like the series started a little slow, but each book got better and more enjoyable. The author has created a complex world of magical factions. While I am not a fan of backstory in books, I do think there needs to be some spread throughout to explain fantastical worlds; I felt like this book needed a little bit more backstory sprinkled in to explain some questionable things that happened or seemed to be a part of the history of its magical world. At times, the heroine didn’t act the way one would think a person in her situation would act, and that got a little annoying; I wanted her to be smarter at times. But that seemed to improve as the books went on and as the character grew. A fascinating paranormal world to get lost in.
In My Heart by Nora Everly
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Mondadori, and Angus & Robertson
In My Heart*
Well-Done Heartfelt Contemporary Romance
What a beautifully written second-chance-at-love story! Lily is blindsided when she moves back to town after her life was shattered, and her family lets her know that her former fiance, and father of her son, has recently returned to town as well. Lily is still reeling from the loss of her husband and went through a difficult pregnancy without him. Luke never knew he was a dad until he came back to Sweetbriar, suffering from PTSD and injuries from his time in the Army. The author did a good job describing how Luke felt, the struggles he faced and the pressure to be a good father to his new-found son. Dylan is such a big-hearted little man; he acted his age at some moment, but at other times, was so insightful. Parts of the story were very sweet while others were heartbreaking. A very well-written contemporary romance.
Torn by Ditter Kellen
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Torn*
Fallen Angel Finds Love and Redemption
What a lovely story! The hero, Exodus–who prefers to be called X–is a fallen angel biding his time on Earth while he awaits judgment because of one rather unfortunate indiscretion. Judgment time is almost upon him when a seemingly fragile young woman literally falls into his arms. X is a decent and compassionate angel (despite his fallen status). I love how X could appear a little bit jaded, but Niki’s demeanor and ways could charm him in a way he never had been in his immortal life. Niki is definitely physically fragile because of her heart condition, but she has a tenacity and strength that is the core of her character. All of this is complicated by Delia, the demon who was at the heart of X’s indiscretion. This book looks at the choices that we make and the repercussions that those choices have. (By the way, the cover seems at odds with the X I came to know and love in the story. That isn’t how I picture him at all, and really, not how he is portrayed.) A beautifully written supernatural love story.
Jamie Brydone-Jack
Reader, Editor, Writer
I’m an avid reader, for both fun and work/business. I enjoy a wide variety of books, including literary fiction, romance, thrillers, cozy mysteries, and fantasy for fiction and history, contemporary issues, philosophy, music, medicine, and cookbooks for nonfiction. I’m a freelance copyeditor who also does beta and alpha reading. I have two websites that are all about romance and mystery. You can also follow my reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
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