Review: TIME TO RETIRE by Jon Foyt

Things are not quite what they seem at Sunset Gardens, an active adult retirement community in California. The directors of the Homeowner’s Association has been handling money in questionable ways, there’s secret meetings occurring at The Silent Front, a former speakeasy, and an influential resident recently committed suicide. Reporter Willy Herbst, approaching retirement, is curious about what’s going on in the neighboring community “over the hill.” He and his eager intern, Sally Saginaw, team up to investigate. Their discoveries are surprising…

My thoughts: What do you do when you retire? Many think that old people just have way too much time on their hands, which is really what retirement is all about—finally getting to do what you want to do. For me, I’d spend all my time reading, writing, and traveling. However, Willy Herbst just can’t shake off his reporter’s instincts. Something is going on at Sunset Gardens, and Willy is determined to find out what.

As we dive into the story, the author presents some background and historical information on the scenes and characters. It acutely describes retirement living.

I was intrigued by the mysterious conspiracies of the retirement community and was looking forward to the unveiling, but my efforts were waned by the slow pace of the plot. For the most part, the writing was satisfactory and contained that small dose of “old timer” humor; however, it was not enough to hold my interest.

My rating: 2 stars

Review: THE REFLECTIONS OF QUEEN SNOW WHITE by David Meredith

On the eve of her only daughter, Princess Raven's wedding, an aging Snow White finds it impossible to share in the joyous spirit of the occasion. The ceremony itself promises to be the most glamorous social event of the decade. Snow White’s castle has been meticulously scrubbed, polished and opulently decorated for the celebration. It is already nearly bursting with jubilant guests and merry well-wishers. Prince Edel, Raven's fiancé, is a fine man from a neighboring kingdom and Snow White's own domain is prosperous and at peace. Things could not be better, in fact, except for one thing:

The king is dead.

My thoughts: My fascination piqued as soon as Queen Snow White entered the scene. For her daughter, the princess, every wedding guest would bring a gift that was more exuberant than the last—and Snow White grew weary of it. This was definitely different than the Snow White most of us grew up with. Once the pristine maiden “as white as snow,” our queen spent her days growing older in desolate and forlorn despair. 

Aimlessly wandering in bitter hopelessness, Snow White was lost without her king. In a desire to escape, she fled into the dark corners of the castle, where she stumbled across her evil stepmother’s chamber, bringing forth distant and tortured memories. Then she saw it again—that old mirror that answered the constant question, “Who was the fairest of them all?” This then launched the tale into a whirlwind of memories.

Draped with a dark twist, this story illustrates the emotional scars of loss and repression. Fear, anger, and sadness consume our dear Snow White in her suspenseful journey as she confronts the harsh truth of the mirror: “The past is the past and your past is ever a part of you! Only by facing it can you truly leave it behind. Otherwise, it will ever intrude upon your present…” (32)

The reader embarks on a harrowing voyage through time, experiencing fleeting moments in Snow White’s broken past. Much of the story and dialogue was in this Old English, which was somewhat ambiguous and at times unpronounceable, but oddly fitting.

Well-written and enthralling! This story reveals the underside of the “happily ever after.”

 

My rating: 4 stars

 

Review: SOUL STEALER by Sam Richardson

In order to save the Universe, Barney and Eve must hunt and capture a magical band of thieves, before they steal the Souls of any more worlds. On their amazing adventure, Barney nearly soils his underpants on a wild ride on a giant eel, and Eve narrowly avoids death by giant flying scorpions. Both must endure a feast of eyeballs and other gelatinous delicacies, escape the clutches of an undead child, and still stay on the trail of the evil thieves.



My thoughts: Like Alice falling into the rabbit hole, Barney and Eve stumble into an alternate universe. The author created a world blended with the mystifying styles of Harry Potter and Willy Wonka.

On a mind-boggling quest to save the world, Barney and Even blunder through floating fortresses, giant spiders, and pooping sea horses. I enjoyed the jovial quips between the two siblings in their journey. Barney is just the feisty, annoying, little brother while Eve is the sensible and pragmatic type, which make for a fairly odd couple. 

The story started off a little slow before transcending into an infantile plot that confuses the reader with complex characters and far-fetched notions.

The writing was okay, but could use a little improvement.

Overall, this book had good intentions for a Middle-Grade fantasy tale, but it was one that I couldn’t quite get into.

 

My rating: 2 stars

 

 

Review: DOGS AREN’T MEN by Billi Tiner

Dr. Rebecca Miller is a veterinarian with the “heart as big as Texas.” She loves animals. In fact, she always got along better with animals than people. So who needed a man?

“But dogs aren’t men,” her mother emphasized.  In actuality, dogs might be better than men (I think.) Like Rebecca said, “dogs are a lot easier to please. [Dogs don’t] care that I’m plain and old.” (13)

Then came the good doctor, Derrick…literally, out of nowhere! Twice!

On first impression, Derrick was strikingly handsome, but he was also a selfish louse. It was sad that he didn’t recognize the lady he so rudely bumped into. Still, the man did have a soft spot for animals, which you just couldn’t help but love.

Although awkward at first, the attraction between Rebecca and Derrick was evident. I found myself loving Derrick more in those fleeting moments when he let his guard down and revealed a softer side. Unfortunately, like most of us, Rebecca felt that he was “too perfect” for her. Sure, compared to the blonde, big-breasted women he’s so used to, she was tater tots.

Perhaps, at first, there may have been a few too many characters to keep track of with all the customers that kept bringing their pets in; however, I enjoyed the exasperating mother hell bent on getting her daughter hooked up and hitched before the next full moon.

The story was well-crafted with a blend of drama, humor, and tender affection. It is a sweet, contemporary romance you can’t help but enjoy.  You’ll want to snuggle up with your pets when you read this.

A great book for animal lovers!

 

My rating: 4 stars

 

 



Review: PROMISE YOU WON’T TELL by John Locke

“I think something might have happened to me Saturday night. Something bad.”

Saturday afternoon Riley quietly placed a little strawberry sticker on her private area and pretended it was a tattoo. She didn’t tell anyone about it. That night she went to a slumber party that featured drinking and boys. Riley fell asleep, woke up the next day with no reason to think anything happened…

…Until Monday, at school, when a classmate called her Strawberry.

Coincidence or crime? Dani Ripper agrees to investigate. And the roller coaster ride begins.




My thoughts: Dani Ripper is a private investigator specializing mostly in catching marital cheaters and liars in the most unorthodox methods, like using soiled panties. Well, like she said, to be a P.I., “you must be…sensual, cute, adorable, cunning, clever, and so much more…[It] requires a computer, a car, and a reliable bladder.” (409)

Then Riley, a 17-year old girl, comes in, claiming she may have been molested at a slumber party. The case is on for Dani.  

The whole thing was mostly written is a back-and-forth conversational tone with Dani asking the questions and her receiving short, quick answers (this was an interrogation, after all.)

“Every predator I’ve ever met had a Jekyll and Hyde personality…I need the photos. They’re as critical as Monika Lewinsky’s dress. Without the dress, there was no affair.” (1517) Each new clue brings the perceptive Dani closer and closer to the truth. What the heck happened on that night? You just have to know!

Narrated in Dani’s sarcastic and brazen voice, this book is a quick mystery and good for a laugh. It was like reading her journal—she was basically talking to it (or the reader, actually.) Dani Ripper was the female Holden Caulfield; she had the same humorous, snappy quips as Lorelais Gilmore, but in a more crude and cynical way. She was good—a sure spit-fire!

At first, I thought we weren’t going to know what happened on that tape, after finally getting our hands on it. I thought, “What a rip!” But it turns out it was just Dani’s way of making a bad joke to the reader. So not funny. I liked that she didn’t go into graphic detail about what happened. I never would’ve anticipated the way it ended.

Wildly entertaining! I want to read more Dani Ripper mysteries/cases.

Up next in the series: Call Me (on my TBR list)

 

 

My rating: 4 stars

Review: BAH, HUMBUG! by Heather Horrocks

Kyle Miller is a best-selling author of children’s mysteries. For the first time in his career, he has writer’s block. Nothing is more important to him than his writing career, and he hates Christmas. He is the Grinch of Christmas Street (this is the actual name of the street he lives – dumb, huh?)

Then, one day, a snowman gives him an idea for his story. Incidentally, he ends up destroying it, not knowing that it belonged to his attractive, new neighbor. Lexi couldn’t believe that she lived next door to Kyle Miller, her kids’ favorite author. She also didn’t realize how rude he could be. Yes, he was also handsome, but she doesn’t need another man. She should stick with her mantra: “Safe, secure, and single.”

If Lexi was the new Martha Stewart, then you don’t want her anywhere near your house on holidays. She’d make everything into a decoration. I don’t know why Kyle let her talk him into it. And $500 for Christmas decorations!? Are you kidding me? And all for a woman? Could Kyle be any stupid?

And Lexi thinking she can “bring a family together at Christmas”? Phooey!

Overall, this was a nice, clean romance. It was like any Hallmark movie special…at Christmas. Bah, Humbug!

My rating: 2 stars

 

 

Preview of THE INNKEEPER OF BETHLEHEM

I may not be religious, but that doesn't that I can't share a book with those who might find religious books interesting. Here's a new book this holiday season by Scott Roloff.

A Christmas book for children, families, and anyone who has ever wondered how Santa Claus came to be. This book will permit you and your family to enjoy Santa Claus and the other secular customs of Christmas within the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth. For little children, Santa Claus becomes a real person delivering presents to them from Jesus. Each Christmas season, reading a chapter a night will become a holiday tradition for the entire family. 

The tale begins with Shai and Adi, the childless owners of an inn in Bethlehem. When Shai rents out their bedroom, they must sleep in the stable. During the night, Joseph and Mary arrive and Adi helps Mary through a difficult labor. They bond, and when an angel appears telling Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, Shai and Adi go with them and become Jesus’s uncle and aunt. 

The book tells of Jesus growing up with his friends Mary Magdalene and John, his ministry, and his death and resurrection. These vignettes teach the lessons of life and the Bible through Jesus’s experiences. 

The book concludes with Shai and Adi following the Lord’s Star to the North Pole, where angels have built a palace. Jesus wants Shai and Adi to raise the baby angels there until they reach adulthood. The baby angels, or elves as the grown angels derogatively refer to them, are a mischievous lot. Shai becomes known as Santa Claus when a baby angel mispronounces “Shai, Uncle of Jesus,” claus being the angelic word for uncle. 

Jesus also wants to give a present to each boy and girl on his birthday, Christmas Day, a tradition he began during his life when he gave presents to his family. As part of their training, once a baby angel sprouts wings he or she is assigned to watch children and make toys for them. On Christmas Eve, Santa flies the sleigh to heaven to present the new adult angels to God, and then flies around the world delivering Jesus’s presents to the children of the world.

The book is a story within a story, told by a visiting uncle to a little girl and her nephew. Each night before bedtime beginning on December 6th, St. Nicholas’s Day, and continuing through Christmas Eve, the uncle tells part of the story. Instead of numbers, the chapters are titled by day. The book can be read as a normal book or a chapter each day, and it can be read to oneself or out loud to children. When read out loud, the chapter lengths vary between 10 and 15 minutes. 

Order on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FITS078

 

 

 

About the Author:

Scott Roloff is the author of the Christmas book The Innkeeper of Bethlehem-The Story of Santa Claus, the novel Dreams at Dusk and Short Stories for the Hopeful and the Weary. He is a lawyer and a CPA, having received his accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, his MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington, and his law degree from Southern Methodist University. Scott lives in Texas with his wife, Lynne, and his daughter, Kalie.