BigAl's Books and Pals

Review: Fighting Words: Notes for a Future We Won't Have by Peg Tittle

2026-03-08T08:00:00.013-06:00

Genre: Short Story Collection/Speculative Fiction

Description:

“Fact-driven speculative fiction.

What could've been. What should've been.

A collection of 18 stand-alone, but related, pieces”

Author:

Peg Tittle is the author of several novels, a few screenplays, and multiple non-fiction books as well as writing in other venues including a couple blogs and various publications.

Appraisal:

Each of the stories in this collection have something in common, whether showing how bad things could end up if we (as in the world in general, although focused on the US and Canada) continue with some of the current social and political trends that are engrained in our cultures. Think a dystopian world due to things like climate change that remains relatively unchecked and misogyny (yeah, I know “tough guy”, you don’t think it’s real, but people like you are a big part of the problem). Or wait, maybe if we make some big changes things could turn out okay. It depends on which story you read, but those changes are far from trivial. If you read this and it doesn’t get you thinking, pondering the issues that it illustrates, and recognizing some of the problems it is illuminating, then I don’t want to say you might be a big part of the problem, but …

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

A special note that while you’ll want to go to Amazon to get a paper version of the book, if you want an ebook version you can get that that for free from a link on this page on the author’s website: https://pegtittle.com/books/fighting-words

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Throwing the Hammer by Gary J. Kirchner

2026-03-04T08:00:00.003-07:00

Genre: Literary Fiction/Humor

Description:

“Paranoid administrators, interdepartmental feuds, quirky staff members, and an eccentric headmaster: welcome to Winston Grant High School.

Mark Patterson has a master’s degree in physics, wants to do nothing more than surf and ski, and believes that high school teaching will be the cushy job of his dreams. He receives a rude awakening when he becomes a physics teacher at Winston Grant, a begrudging little brother amidst rival private school heavyweights.

From the outset, Mark must tiptoe through a virtual minefield of Procrustean rules, coddling parents, scheming colleagues, and, of course, teen-aged students.

Things don’t go well, inside or outside the classroom. His students call him Mr. Goofegg. His football team is pathetic. His lunch-table kids behave like Neanderthals. His teaching supervisor, aka the ‘education implementation strategist,’ criticizes him for using equations. His colleagues have even organized a betting pool for when he will get fired.

And when Mark discovers that a weak student in his class is a physics genius, he finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict between father and son, a conflict which could destroy the young man’s potential. Or help Mark find his.”

Author:

“Gary J. Kirchner studied physics at McGill University and did his Master’s work in sports biomechanics. He also played football with the McGill Redmen and continued as a coach with the team for many years after he graduated. In 1993 he was a recipient of Football Canada’s Gino Fracas Award.

Kirchner taught physics at several Montreal area high schools as well as at John Abbott College. In 2014 he was awarded La Mention d’honneur de l’Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale for teaching excellence.

He is also a flute-player, amateur astronomer, and keeps physically active as an avid cross-country skier, curler, and triathlon participant.

Kirchner lives in Dorval, Quebec, with his Estonian wife Hille. He is the author of five novels.”

Appraisal:

This book is an interesting read. It’s funny at times, frustrating at others if you’re imagining yourself in the place of or at least feeling a minimal amount of empathy for the protagonist, and thought provoking as you consider the complications that our protagonist Mark has to work through. For various reasons Mark finds himself using his education to get a job as a physics teacher because someone has to support his wife and the baby on the way. If he had his way he’d be in Vancouver surfing in the summer and hitting the slopes in the winter. The frustrations, battles, and learning he experiences are humorous at times, but the messed up priorities of a private school, sometimes more concerned with keeping the tuition paying parents happy than actually helping the kids being taught, the internal battles between different cliques (talking other teachers here, not just the students), and all the other complications keep this interesting and engaging to the end. What that end was going to be, I was not sure what it was going to be until we got there, but I had to find out and I eventually did. (You’ll have to read it yourself if you want to know too.)

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Uses Canadian spelling conventions.

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Gates of Polished Horn by Mark A Rayner

2026-02-28T08:00:00.006-07:00

Genre: Speculative fiction

Description:

This sort of fiction skips between science fiction and literary. The subjects are usually those that engage people who enjoy reading about real people in the real world, but there is a twist. Not as in crime fiction where (shock, horror!) the butler did not do it, but something … weird. In Britain TTA Press, run by Andy Cox, was the prime exponent of the genre in short form. That, sadly, ceased publication in the Noughties. But here is a whole collection of speculative stories. Yum yum.

Author:

Mark A. Rayner is a Canadian author of science fiction, satire and humour, from London, Ontario. His most recent books are The Gates of Polished Horn (Donovan Street Press, 2025.), Alpha Max (Monkeyjoy Press, 2021) and The Fatness (Monkeyjoy Press, 2017). The latter won and IndieReader Discovery award for humor and an Independent Book Publisher Association (IBPA) award for humor (silver). He has been nominated for the Prix Aurora Award (for short fiction) three times.

The Gates of Polished Horn was selected by the Toronto Star as one of its 20 favourite fiction books of 2025. ^[1]

Rayner teaches in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at The University of Western Ontario. He is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and is a founding member of The Emily Chesley Reading Circle. He is also the co-host of the Re-Creative podcast. And he has cats.

He has a Wikipedia page here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_A._Rayner#References where you can discover his other published works.

Appraisal:

The first thing to say is that this short story collection is first class. Even if you don’t usually read short fiction, you should really give this a try.

The title is found in a quotation from Homer’s Odyssey (book XIX):

“The dreams that pass through the gates of polished horn are fraught with truth, for the dreamer who can see them.” Are you that dreamer? I bet you are.

There are 20 stories in this collection. Some tiny, some much meatier. Here are a few thumb nails to whet your appetite: Socrates and time travel: worms and Adidas: a mind meld with a deer: celebrity cooking (a far cry from Master Chef): in the theatre, the essence of character vis à vis the height of your leading lady.

Each story has a dichotomy at its heart. Some of them simply investigate the human condition, with a penetrating eye. Others bring in outré elements.

I recommend this to you.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

A very few missed proofing errors.

There is an odd tic throughout the book which is an underscore where one would usually expect a hyphen. Is it a badge of slipstream-ery? Or a trick of the file? Having just finished this book I am inclined to say that it means you shouldn’t try to explain _everything_.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Reprise Review: Dangerous Memories by Donna Fasano

2026-02-24T08:00:00.018-07:00

Genre: Romance/Suspense/Psychological Thriller

Description:

“What kind of woman am I?

The question haunts Keira Rhodes when she awakens in the hospital with amnesia and learns that two men claim to be her baby’s father.

Logan claims he is her loving husband. Although Keira feels drawn to this quiet man, she senses that their marriage has been far from perfect. For Logan’s own brother, Kyle, staunchly maintains that Keira’s baby and her heart are his…

The truth lay hidden in Keira’s lost memory—and in the tender touch of one special man…”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog.

Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1...”

To learn more about Ms. Fasano, check out her website or stalk her on Facebook. “She loves to hear from readers.”

Appraisal:

I was enthralled with Keira Rhodes predicament. She awakens in the hospital with no memory of her life before her fall from Simon’s Point in this psychological thriller. The story is mainly told through Keira’s eyes with the exception of getting enough of Logan’s thoughts to complicate and intrigue the reader. Right along with Logan’s younger brother Kyle, who both claim to be her baby’s father.

I found the dialog realistic as Keira tries to put the pieces of her life back together. Logan is soft spoken as he tries to help Keira by giving her space and time to remember her past with him. Where Kyle is more insistent that she and the baby are his. Keira is not sure who to trust, to make matters worse, they all live in the same large house. All she can do is trust her own feelings while searching for something familiar that may jog a memory.

The plot has a nice pace. The tension rises as Logan and Kyle both share pieces of their past with Keira. Ms. Fasano’s descriptive prose puts the reader right in the middle of each scene to share the experience along with Keira as pieces of her life are revealed from each brother. I was sure the story was going to take a turn for the worse, which kept me reading late into the night.

I like character studies like this. They give me a lot to think about and the suspense gets my heartrate up. I enjoyed this story, it’s different from the other books I have read by Donna Fasano. “If you enjoy the Hallmark Mystery movies, you will love Dangerous Memories.”

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

This is a clean romantic suspense with just the right amount of sexual heat.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words

Review: Tripping Over Your Cane by Jass Richards

2026-02-20T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Humor

Description:

A humorous looks at the issues with aging.

Author:

“Jass Richards has, surprisingly enough (or not), a Master’s degree in Philosophy and for a (very) brief time was a stand-up comic (now she’s more of a sprawled-on-the-couch comic). Despite these attributes, she has received four Ontario Arts Council grants.”

She has several books written under this name as well as under a couple pen names.

Appraisal:

I’ve been known to say that “getting old sucks, the only thing worse is the alternative.” I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Jass Richards saying the same, not only because this book looks at aging and the pain in the … well, lots of body parts this causes, but does so in a humorous way that you old people out there could relate to (yeah, I’m looking at you, the balding grey-haired person reading this). This is a quick, fun read for you old people who can relate. You kids (yeah, the 48 year old, I’m talking to you), might still be amused, even though you won’t get some of it quite as well as those of us with more life experience.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Old people like me will be saying “language young lady, language” to the author as they’re reading. (Yes, I use those fucking words too, don’t tell on me.)

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 10-15,000 words

Review: The Crushed Can by F.E. Beyer

2026-02-16T08:00:00.011-07:00

Genre: Literary Fiction

Description:

“Kurt and Reece don't fight the reputation foreign teachers have in China in 2002—they embrace it. Opium, brothels, and booze help them forget unsuccessful classes and long commutes.

When Reece abruptly leaves the country, Kurt takes over his apartment and inherits Ronghua—Reece’s ex-girlfriend.

Originally from Anhui Province, Ronghua once sold cigarettes on a Shanghai street and is now an unlucky gambler. As her problems spiral, Kurt senses a chance to redeem his own failures through helping her. Or should he jettison her to avoid sinking?”

Author:

” F.E. Beyer writes about dead-end jobs, travel, history, and crime. He is the author of three novels. His articles and reviews have appeared in the South China Morning Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, Inside Indonesia, and Travelogues Magazine.”

Appraisal:

The premise of this book, a teacher from Australia is living in China and teaching English there is an interesting one. How realistic the culture and things he goes through are, I have no idea. It may be very accurate and it may have no relationship to the reality someone in this situation would experience. But either way it’s an interesting thought exercise as Kurt works his way through the things he encounters and tries to figure things out in a culture that he’s trying to figure out on the fly. If you’ve ever spent time in a foreign country, especially if that involved trying to communicate in a language you aren’t experienced in or depending on others to understand your foreign (to them) language, you’ll probably flash back on that a time or two. All in all an interesting read.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language and some relatively minor references to adult subjects.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of typos and proofing misses.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Review: Shot For Justice by J.R. Wheeless

2026-02-12T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Description:

“After rival gangs kill his sister during a gun battle, an Army sniper returns home for revenge.

Travel with him as he makes his way across the nation to visit a wife of a fallen comrade before settling into his hometown of Modesto, CA. Along the way, his journey forces him to examine his own life and the past he thought he’d left behind.

Before he can get settled in, he meets Henry Clay Jackson, a retired lawman with ideas of his own. Then there’s the young lady and her son, who have an influence on his life. The only thing standing between him and happiness is a husband with a violent personality.

From the beginning, Detectives Peterson and Dempsey become a concern for our hero, a man determined to make someone pay for his sister’s death. As the bodies pile up, additional problems arise to slow him down. And his old partner from his army days arrives with issues of his own.

Will the man who is out for justice succeed in his quest? Can he deliver retribution?

Does he ever quench the anger that pierces his soul? Can he stay a step ahead of the detectives who are intent on putting him behind bars, all the while carrying out the plan he has laid out for himself?

And how does he handle the situation with the woman who comes into his life without getting her tangled up in his problems?

Dealing with his past and the obstacles determined to thwart his plans, our army veteran attempts to establish a new life for himself, only to face adversity at every turn.”

Author:

A writer all his life, J.R. Wheeless was writing a weekly column for his local newspaper as a high school senior. His writing was more personal for a lot of years, journals he kept for himself and such, but in 2015 he published his first book and he has had several since then, some fiction, some non-fiction, some novels, some short story collections.

Appraisal:

As I was pondering this book one thing that struck me is how in a story like this it is possible for the reader to get behind and be pulling for a protagonist who could accurately be described as a mass murderer. As law enforcement is looking for him, trying to figure out who is doing this to arrest them, he’s doing his best to prevent that from happening and figure out who killed his sister, his ultimate target. As a reader, we’re pulling for him to meet his goal. Sometimes a “bad guy” by most definitions can still be a good guy. What the ultimate conclusion is, I’m not saying, other than to wonder if he’s done now or if there is more to come.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Review: The Collected Lives of Chuck Burke by Shawn Inmon

2026-02-08T08:00:00.014-07:00

Genre: Science Fiction/Time Travel

Description:

“Chuck Burke dies surrounded by clutter, isolation, and the remains of a life that never found its way—but Middle Falls, Oregon, offers the rarest gift of all: a do-over.

Waking in his nineteen-year-old body with all his memories intact, Chuck sets out to break the cycle of hoarding that has destroyed him. But as the weight of old patterns bears down, it’s not just his life at stake—it’s his chance to love, to connect, and to truly live.

In this quietly powerful tale of recovery and renewal, Chuck must learn that real change isn’t about what he can keep—it’s about what he’s willing to release.”

Author:

Former DJ, business consultant, and real estate agent, Shawn Inmon is now a fulltime author. He can’t seem to decide whether to write fiction (Rock’n Roll Heaven) or non-fiction (a couple travel memoirs) or something in between (a couple books he wrote that were slightly fictionalized memoirs mostly based on truth). He has a couple long running series, one of them the Middle Falls Time Travel series.

Appraisal:

It’s been a while since I read one of the books in this series, and decided it was time I dove into one. The premise of each book is an interesting one. The protagonist typically makes some questionable decisions or choices in life that eventually lead to his or her death. Then they wake up, but rather than being dead they’re at some earlier point in their life before it headed down that route with a bad ending. On the positive side, they remember that first life and given a second chance can hopefully do better this time around. But being human, the same impulses and tendencies have a way of making a different route a struggle even when you know how bad the repercussions might be. The result is often some improvement the second time around, but eventually the character falls into the bad habits and dies again. And again. And … continues to do so until they finally get things right.

As a reader we can often sympathize with the protagonist and while hopefully things work out better for us than for them, we might see ourselves in them and experiencing their lives will get us thinking about our own. In Chuck Burke’s case, he’s an obsessive collector. A little of this is okay. I tell myself it doesn’t matter how many books and CDs I have, but at some point I’ll run out of space. Chuck’s numerous collections do exactly that leading to fatal consequences. I really enjoyed watching him as he fought these urges and figured out eventually how to control them. As with the other books in the series, this was a fun, yet thought-provoking read.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

While this book is the 23^rd in the Middle Falls Time Travel series, each book stands alone.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Reprise Review: Castle Walk by Melissa Bowersock

2026-02-04T08:00:00.020-07:00

Genre: Paranormal/Cozy Mystery

Description:

“Paranormal investigators Lacey Fitzpatrick and medium Sam Firecloud discover their reputation has spread around the world when they get a surprise call to investigate ghosts in an Irish castle. They’re even more surprised when they learn it’s the Castle Fitzpatrick, the ancestral home of the Fitzpatrick name, and Lacey’s hopeful she can uncover some of her own family’s history. But while they’re researching that and the ghosts that Sam’s walk has revealed, they get unexpected resistance from the castle owners. If Sam is wrong about the impressions he’s received from the spirits, the releasement won’t work, and the ghosts will be doomed to walk the castle forever.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Lacey is thrilled when she and Sam have the opportunity to go to Ireland, all expenses paid, to release a couple of ghosts in an old castle. Castle Fitzpatrick is outside of Dublin and being renovated as a tourist attraction as well as a Bed and Breakfast. Needless to say the ghosts have been in residence for centuries and it is almost impossible to learn who they are and their stories. However, Sam is an optimist and is sure they can do it together. Sam and Lacey both become unnerved when Lacey gains a ghostly suiter who seems to have the run of the castle, including their private suite.

On a more personal note Lacey is hoping to be able to trace her family’s genealogy farther than she has been able to get on the internet. With what little info she has, she felt like it would be a pipedream to be able to trace her family back to Castle Fitzpatrick. However, that was not her goal. With the castle owner’s archivist, Oswald, Lacey is able to learn more about the ghosts. With castle employee, Harley, Sam and Lacey are led to a small abbey outside Dublin to meet Brother Jonas who has a hand-written history from which Lacey learns more about her ancestors than she ever dreamed possible.

Castle Walk is a lovely feel good mystery after the last harrowing story, Blood Walk. Both story arcs in Castle Walk are woven together seamlessly. The dialogue is engaging, the secondary characters are well written, and realistic. The descriptive prose puts the readers right in the setting. I highly recommend this series to lovers of mystery’s with an element of the paranormal.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Castle Walk is the ninth book in Ms. Bowersock’s A LACEY FITZPATRICK and SAM FIRECLOUD MYSTERY SERIES. I would recommend reading from the beginning to get the full benefit of Sam and Lacey’s storyline.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues in proofing or formatting.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: Human Again: In the AI Age by J.D. MacPherson

2026-01-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Genre: Non-Fiction/Technology

Description:

“In a world where algorithms shape thought and automation floods the creative field, Human Again is a field-tested playbook for staying awake, original, and alive in the age of machines. Part reflection, part practical guide, it invites readers to explore identity and inspiration in real time, learning to think with AI rather than be replaced by it.

Blending cultural insight, personal experience, and practical tools, Macpherson explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, work, and identity, and how to harness it without losing yourself.

You will learn how to:

Ask sharper questions that create leverage, not noise

Build a High Signal Question Engine to think deeper and faster

Use the Socratic method and mindfulness to train deeper thinking

Recognize the ‘qualia,’ the unspeakable textures of human experience, that no algorithm can touch

Protect your authenticity, taste, and voice while others sound the same

Learn how to compound clarity and creativity

Whether you are a professional, a creator, or simply curious about what is next, Human Again shows how to use AI better than anyone around you while keeping what no algorithm can replicate: your judgment, conscience, and imagination.”

Author:

“J.D. Macpherson is an author and journalist who works in the messy middle—turning complex ideas into stories people actually want to read. Relentless, jargon-allergic, and unmistakably human, she cuts through hype with a reporter’s instinct. A Canadian with a background in theatre and philosophy, Macpherson loves people-watching and finding beauty in unexpected places—and has an especially soft spot for chicken katsu.”

Appraisal:

This is an interesting book. I’m sure you’ve seen the same thing I have with lots of people badmouthing AI on social media and various news stories. I’ve seen acquaintances who are college professors complain about students having an AI application write their papers and mention how obvious it is and how bad the results are. I’ve also interacted with AI in various forms including hints and ideas from word processing programs or answers from Siri and her Android cohort for a few examples. The little I’ve interacted with AI thus far seems okay, but I’ve tried to stay away from it as a rule. This book has me reconsidering.

An author’s note at the start of the book makes it clear that these are the author’s opinions and judgements she has made, that the reader should research on their own and come to their own opinions on the issues raised. She doesn’t claim to be a tech expert, but it will become apparent from reading her thoughts that her background as a journalist who knows how to research, dig into new things to understand them better, and communicate her thoughts through the written word resulted in a book that should help most people who are curious understand AI, both its faults and its positives along with how an average person might put it to good use, much better. Like any tool AI can be used in a good way or a bad way. The author’s thoughts on this were very helpful in helping me better understand how to use various AI tools for a positive result for both me and the world as a whole.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 45-50,000 words

Review: Murder At Goldenleaf Apple Farm by Jodie Morgan

2026-01-27T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Description:

“Laura Evans has finally found her rhythm in the charming Vermont town of Silver Springs. Managing the General Store café feels like a world away from her high-pressure Boston restaurant career, and she's building genuine friendships with locals like Evelyn, her wise neighbor, and Izzy, the enthusiastic young man who works at Goldenleaf Apple Farm and lights up every room he enters.

But Laura's peaceful new life shatters when Vernon Reed, an apple farmer, is found murdered in his garage with a bung hammer—a tool used in cider production. And the weapon turns up covered in Izzy's fingerprints along with one of his distinctive handmade bracelets at the crime scene. But Laura knows the gentle soul who welcomed her to town could never commit murder.

Determined to clear Izzy's name, Laura teams up with Evelyn and her café colleague Jasmine to investigate Vernon's final months.

But the killer will stop at nothing to protect their carefully constructed lies...”

Author:

Jodie Morgan writes cozy mysteries. She has two novels available in this series (this is the first) plus a couple short stories that take place in the same small Vermont town.

For more, check out Ms Morgan’s website.

Appraisal:

In the first book of this series the protagonist, Laura Evans, was new to the small town of Silver Springs, Maryland. In her position as the manager of the General Store, she got to know a lot of people in town and ends up solving a murder that happened not long after moving there. In the short time since she’s continued to fall in love with her life in Silver Springs, continues to get involved with the community, both as a volunteer and by participating in various local groups. Then another murder happens and she can’t resist trying to figure things out.

Given her history in town thus far she has people trying to discourage her from getting involved and others wanting to clue her in on things they think might be pertinent in finding the culprit. This makes for a lot of clues, multiple possibilities for suspects and motive, and a fun read as the reader goes along for the ride, trying to figure out what the answer might be along with Laura. If you enjoy the cozy mystery genre joining Laura for her adventures is a fun time.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Review: A Remembrance of Death (The Castle Drogo series) by Andrew G. Tweeddale

2026-01-23T08:00:00.006-07:00

Genre: Historical fiction

Description:

This is both a sequel to the author’s earlier book, Of All Faiths & None (which won awards) and a standalone novel set between the latter days of World War I and the Fifties. It moves between Britain, California, India, Vienna and Kenya. It picks up where the first in this (short) series ends and continues a fictionalised story of the people involved with the building of Castle Drogo: its architect’s and its owner’s families and friends.

Author:

Andrew Tweeddale started his working life as a chef, went to university as a mature student to read Law, then worked in the legal world for some 30 years first as a criminal barrister, then as a solicitor before beginning his writing career. This is his second novel. This novel was short-listed for the Yeovil novel prize (a prestigious British award) which is why I picked it for review. I hope Tweeddale continues in his new career – he has a gift for telling an involved and involving story clearly at a good pace.

He splits his time between Spain and London.

Appraisal:

The families upon which the stories are based, some of the events, and all of the historical underpinnings in the book are real. Some of the characters bear the names of real people but Tweeddale assures the reader that they are, nonetheless, all entirely fictitious. I’m not sure what I think about that. However, as Tweeddale was a lawyer in a previous life I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. And you cannot libel the dead … The historical setting is rendered with a light touch as it moves forward in time. The language used never throws the reader out of its period. And it is always made clear ‘when’ we are as well as where.

This is an intricate work of fiction with a large cast of characters, who enter and leave and re-enter the book, sometimes with many years passing between appearances. Some of them, by contrast, cast a long shadow by their absence. The author maintains a godlike overview of the action, which could have been distancing but which, instead, enables the reader to keep the plot and action straight in what could otherwise have been quite a noisy novel. You may guess that, with so much going on, the book is not short. But it is consistently absorbing. The pages turn themselves. One becomes really invested in the characters.

I became increasingly delighted by the novel the more I read, and was saddened when I had to leave it, having turned the final page. There are not so many books which have this kind of power. I will definitely be investigating Of All Faiths & None.

Tweeddale says of his book “[it] is intended to take the reader through some of the darkest moments of our recent history and [show] how, as a society, we still make the same mistakes today. It does not seek to apportion blame but invites the reader to question the lessons that history teaches us.”

This is a beautifully written novel. Early in my reading of it, it began to remind me, in its tone and scope, of A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell. In his afterword the author says that he was keen to avoid it becoming too like Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited – but there are definite resonances. There may, too, be a faint whiff of The Camomile Lawn which rises from it. If you like that sort of reading, you will enjoy this.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Judi Moore

Approximate word count: 115-120,000 words

Review: The Gardener’s Wife’s Mistress by Cassondra Windwalker

2026-01-19T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Literary Fiction/LGBT

Description:

“Hayden Hill has always felt most comfortable with his hands in dirt, nurturing life. He designs natural spaces for others and comes home to his back yard, where he seeks refuge amidst the fruits and vegetables, flora, and shade-giving trees. When he finds himself suddenly a widower, his garden becomes the resting place for the ashes of his wife, Shelly, and he’s thrown into an unexpected vortex of pain, shock, and guilt. As Hayden struggles to survive the torment of each day and keep his landscaping company functioning, a directive in Shelly’s will leads him to the discovery of a shocking secret.

Fighting to find a path through the weeds of grief, Hayden meets his wife’s secret connections and becomes involved helping local, homeless teens cast out by their families for choosing to be who they are. Rocked by this newly discovered, complicated facet of Shelly’s life, he begins to question their marriage, her identity, his past choices, and whether anything he believed about his wife was ever true.”

Author:

“Cassondra Windwalker earned a BA of Letters from the University of Oklahoma. She's the author of nine novels and three works of poetry who does her best to keep fed the menagerie of stray critters, cryptids, marooned kelpies, and lost specters. Born and raised on the red clay, she's wandered the sticky corn fields of the Midwest, the frozen seas of the Wild North, and frequently rests her wings where orange skies meet purple mountains.”

Appraisal:

The description and even the title of this book hint at some things at the heart of the story. In order to avoid spoilers, I’m not going to expand on any of the specifics, but will say I found this book to be an incredibly great and in many ways inspiring. The author of the book works through some difficult discoveries in the wake of his spouse’s death. It’s a difficult time for him, but in the end, he grows as a person and learns a lot that will help him in the future. As a reader, it might get you thinking as well. I wonder how I (or you) would deal with things if you found yourself in the same situation.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an ARC (advance reader copy) so I can’t judge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words

Reprise Review: Maggie at Moonrise: Transcendence Book 3 by Lynne Cantwell

2026-01-16T08:00:00.019-07:00

Genre: Magical Realism/Contemporary Fantasy/Drama/Native American Myths/Adventure

Description:

“What’s behind the final door?

Maggie Brandt is the lone survivor of the fire that claimed her mother, her brother, and her childhood home. Turtle and Thunderbird, ancient Native American spirits who have enlisted her help, say the fire was necessary. They insist Maggie must move on quickly, for a greater trial is coming: the renewal of the earth, which only she can complete.

But first she must check in on two of her children: Emily in California and Tim in Mexico City. And something else is pulling her to Mexico, too – an ancient entity whose task Maggie will want no part of.

No wonder she feels like jumping off a bridge…”

Author:

“Lynne Cantwell writes mostly urban fantasy and paranormal romance, with a dash of magic realism when she’s feeling more serious. She is also a contributing author for Indies Unlimited. In a previous life, she was a broadcast journalist who worked at Mutual/NBC Radio News, CNN, and a bunch of other places you have probably never heard of. She has a master's degree in fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, she lives near Washington, D.C.”

To learn more about Ms. Cantwell, check out her website.

Appraisal:

I love this trilogy all the way through. Watching Maggie grow in ways I never expected. Her adventure in this book is a large part of the story. The plot twists frequently as Maggie follows her instincts to first procure an RV to drive across country to visit her daughter in California and her son in Mexico City. Maggie and Rick take off on this journey together as their relationship grows stronger only to falter, as Rick starts to get pushy and tries to interfere with things that are important to Maggie. I almost cried, they seemed like such a good fit!

There is so much packed in this last book of the trilogy. And Maggie is taking her role in the earth’s renewal seriously as she challenges a goddess and saves a young boy’s life, while still being there for her family. The dialogue is realistic and informative. I love Maggie, she is a true heroine, and I wish I was a part of her extended family. The ending is surprising, heart-breaking, and encouraging. It also fits well with Maggie’s own renewal of her character. Well done, Ms. Cantwell.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Maggie at Moonrise is the third book in Ms. Cantwell’s TRANSCENDENCE SERIES. It is important to read this series in order as the story builds on the previous books. Book one, Maggie in the Dark and book two, Maggie on the Cusp.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues with formatting or proofing.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, Growing Stronger by Shannon O’Brien

2026-01-13T08:00:00.014-07:00

Genre: Memoir/Narrative Nonfiction

Description:

“What happens when the path you choose leads far from everything you thought you knew?

Shannon O’Brien leaves behind a life of routine to chase adventure across South America and Asia. With only a backpack and a restless heart, she dives into landscapes as beautiful as they are unpredictable. But what begins as a journey to explore the world soon becomes a deeper quest to explore herself.

She finds herself lost and dehydrated in Peru’s Colca Canyon, nursing an injured spider monkey in the Bolivian jungle, and inside a high-altitude jail. A crude hospital in Cambodia tests her limits, while encounters with a shaman in Vietnam and a dangerous brush with Moroccan drug lords challenge everything she thought she knew about trust and survival.”

Author:

“For over 15 years, Shannon O’Brien has made the world her classroom—immersing herself in cultures and discovering how every journey transforms the traveler. A writer, educator, and lifelong adventurer, she crafts vivid, character-driven stories that explore identity, change, and the emotional landscapes of travel. Her debut travel memoir, Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger, blends raw honesty with rich cultural detail, capturing both the external journey and the inner one. Originally from California but now based in Malta, Shannon teaches at an international school and continues to write.”

For more visit the author’s website.

Appraisal:

I’m an avid traveler although the vast majority of that travel has been in the US rather than to places all over the world like the author, Shannon O’Brien, chronicles in this book. I also love travel memoirs. Since I can’t be on the road all the time reading these gives me the chance to experience places I’ve never been vicariously as well as seeing places I have been and travel experiences in general through someone else’s eyes, giving me a chance to compare. This book was incredible. I enjoyed reading it as much as some of the classics of the genre I’ve read over the years. If you like travel memoirs, giving this one a try is a no brainer.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy) and thus I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Review: How to Succeed in Life by Wol-vriey

2026-01-10T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Horror/LGBT

Description:

“Unlock success… at the cost of your soul.

Grady Burke was delivering a pizza when he found the evil book. Or more accurately, when the evil book found him.

Which was really very unfortunate for Grady and his family and friends and his employers.

Grady lived at home with his transgender older sister Kayla, who filmed internet porn in her bedroom, and his father Tommy, who laundered money for the Boston mob.

Now, Grady Burke wasn't exactly a loser or a slacker, he was just supremely unmotivated.

So, maybe the evil book had decided Grady needed motivating.

The evil book was titled: How to Succeed in Life.

And when, very soon, people around Grady began dying in gruesome and incredible ways, Grady and those closest to him were caught in a race against time to work out exactly how one succeeded in life without getting murdered, mauled, and mutilated by macabre monstrous forces in the process.

How to Succeed in Life folks: The world’s most deadly self-help manual.”

Author:

“Wol-vriey is Nigerian and quite tall.

He writes horror fiction—for adults only, please. And also some surrealist stuff.

To date, he has published over twenty novels in both genres.”

Appraisal:

I can’t claim to be a big fan of horror books, but like to give most genres a try once in a while when I find a book outside my norm that has something that draws me in. This one, the title was part of what did that. If it was a self help book I’d have seen it as a cliché title, but for horror it isn’t what you’d expect. The wide variety of people featured in the story, what happens to them, and figuring out how it is all going to shake out and (hopefully) end kept me engrossed the whole way. My only real complaint is that while it didn’t quite reach the level where I’d knock off stars to my ranking, there were enough proofing misses that snuck into the final book that I found myself getting knocked out of the story more often than I’d like. If you can overlook that and are interested in a strange twist on horror, this might be the book for you.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

As the author indicates in his bio, his books are for adults only. This book contains lots of adult content and language. Some adults might want to stay away from his books too. If you’re one, I’m sure you know that.

Format/Typo Issues:

More issues than I like to see with proofing misses, but came just short of the point where I would deduct stars from my ranking for these issues. Most of the problems are sentences or phrases that seemed like they were missing a word. For example “she replied me …” where it felt to me like it should have said “she replied to me” and was missing the “to.”

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Canyon Walk by Melissa Bowersock

2026-01-06T08:00:00.014-07:00

Genre: Paranormal/Mystery/Native American

Description:

“Sam is contacted by a member of the Paiute tribe of Northern Arizona and asked to clear a location that’s been haunted for so long, no one remembers why. There’s literally no information available about it, making Lacey’s job impossible. In addition, the location is probably the most isolated place Sam and Lacey have ever investigated: the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Can they really tap into this forgotten story and unearth the ancient mystery?”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and writes the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

For more, visit Ms Bowersock’s website.

Appraisal:

If you’ve read a few of the past books in this series (this is book 48) then you’ll know the basics of what to expect. Sam Firecloud, a native American, is able to communicate with the spirits of people who have died at some point in the past, but due to some unfinished issue, the spirit is unable to move on to whatever comes next. Sam’s wife, Lacey Fitzpatrick, assists him, taking videos of his end of any interactions with the spirits, and helps him with research, and in countless other ways.

This book conforms to the pattern, but like every other in the series, it is unique and has twists and qualities that are unlike the others in the series. You’ll get a peek into the history of the area of Arizona where the Grand Canyon is located. While fiction, I found myself flashing on how I felt reading certain kinds of travel or non-fiction adventure memoirs as Sam and Lacey had to take a multi-day rafting trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. If you’ve ever done a whitewater rafting trip of any length, you’ll be holding onto your chair and flashing back on the fun you had doing that. (If not, here’s your chance to try it out vicariously.) As with others in the series, this is a quick, fun, and entertaining read.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Review: Treacherous Hack by Kevin G. Chapman

2026-01-02T08:00:00.015-07:00

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Description:

“When electronics store owner Lou Palazzo is gunned down at a snowy Manhattan intersection, NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson catch a case that’s anything but ordinary. Back at Lou’s shop, two Chinese nationals linked to a powerful Shanghai cybercrime ring are dead. The only clue? A missing laptop computer, possibly containing something Lou was willing to die to protect.

Meanwhile, NYU student Ryan Gelb is panicking. His hacked laptop held the stolen university data — data he quietly gave to his Uncle Lou. Now Lou is dead, and whoever killed him is coming for the file. . . and for Ryan.

Caught between international cybercriminals, New York mobsters, and the police, Ryan is desperate to recover the file and avoid being expelled — or worse, executed.”

Author:

A lawyer specializing in labor and employment law by day, Kevin Chapman describes his real passions as playing tournament poker, rooting for the New York Mets, and writing fiction. For more, visit Mr Chapman’s website.

Appraisal:

I’ve read several of the books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series of which this is the latest, and I’ve liked all of them I’ve read. Of course while they have the same main characters, Mike Stoneman and his partner Jason Dickson, they have unique aspects in each. In this one we not only get the story of Mike and Jason trying to figure out the murder of pawn shop owner Lou Palazzo, but another story thread with Lou’s nephew, Ryan trying to find some data that he shouldn’t have had, but passed on to his Uncle Lou. We’ve also got some interesting characters involved that … I’m not sure the word incestuous is the best word to describe things, but it’s got to be close with people with ties to the main characters complicating things for all concerned. Even though the reader knows a lot of things that the characters don’t know, this kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing all the way. An interesting and different story.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Although this book is part of a series each book in the series stands alone, so reading prior books in the series or the order you choose to read each book doesn’t matter.

Format/Typo Issues:

Based on an advance reviewer copy although based on that there were no significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Reprise Review: Blood Walk by Melissa Bowersock

2025-12-30T08:00:00.017-07:00

Genre: Mystery/Supernatural

Description:

“The paranormal investigation team of Lacey Fitzpatrick and medium Sam Firecloud is keeping tabs on a serial killer case that’s baffling the LAPD: four murders in a month, with no solid leads or suspects. When Sam and Lacey offer their assistance, the PD reluctantly agrees, but Sam gets more than he bargains for when he visits the crime scenes. In addition to picking up impressions from the victims, he’s also receiving feelings from the killer himself. Sam’s unusual connection to the murderer’s mind may help them catch the criminal, but it could also lead the murderer to them. In a deadly race against time, Sam and Lacey piece the clues together to catch the killer before he catches them.”

Author:

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock and her other books on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

I didn’t know what to expect in Blood Walk, I’ve gotten used to the way Sam and Lacey work. This time Ms. Bowersock throws the reader, along with Sam and Lacey, a curve ball that changes things up with unexpected consequences. Trying to catch a gruesome serial killer who seems to not have a discernable pattern besides the disposal of his victims. The police are perplexed and welcome Sam’s mediumistic assistance.

The plot moves at a nice pace as Sam and Lacey try to identify the elusive killer and plan their wedding. Lacey has amazing Google skillz that offer as much guidance as Sam’s readings. (Honestly, I don’t know if Lacey uses Google. I just wanted to say Google skillz.) Blood Walk is well written with fully rounded characters and intelligent dialogue. The end of the first storyline is full of suspense, tension, and heart stopping action. The end of the story is heartwarming and may leave you with happy tears. It did me. I can’t wait for the next book. Anyone who loves mysteries with a small dose of the supernatural will enjoy this book. And the whole series.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Blood Walk is the eighth book in Ms. Bowersock’s A LACEY FITZPATRICK and SAM FIRECLOUD MYSTERY SERIES. Each of these mysteries can be read as a standalone if you choose. However, I am enjoying the relationship developing between Lacey and Sam, so I would recommend reading from the beginning to get the full benefit of their storyline.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: 77 Days by James Theimer

2025-12-27T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Political Thriller

Description:

“Elections have consequences. This one could spell the end of humanity.

Cursed with a near-perfect memory, former investigative reporter Quinn Hamilton cannot forget the nightmare image of her husband’s twisted, broken body. It’s been four years since she severed all ties with the outside world, so it’s a shock to forgotten friends when she suddenly resurfaces to take the job of White House press secretary just weeks before the next presidential election…

…for the man who accused her husband of treason.

The president is defeated, but he refuses to concede. Before Quinn can expose his plot to use a deadly virus outbreak to seize the White House, she is forced to flee the capital. But as a suddenly vulnerable America hurtles toward a calamitous nuclear war, she cannot escape the staggering truth her husband uncovered before his death. It will be neither contagion nor conflict that dooms us, but something more monstrous.

Something only she can stop, with memory her only weapon.”

Author:

“James Theimer didn't break all the rules to build a successful small-town architecture practice; sometimes it just seemed that way. Nationally recognized for his design, writing, and public speaking, he now follows that same path with his first work of fiction. James' writing examines how ordinary people respond when confronted with extraordinary events. Born in New Jersey, he met his wife in the Caribbean before moving to northern California. They currently reside on the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean.”

Appraisal:

This story, that could rightfully be called apocalyptic or dystopian in many ways, is in theory over the top. It has a president who pretends to be religious, something we’ve seen before, but this guy, President Gentry, goes way over the top with this. (Hopefully I don’t need to tell you that President Gentry, just like the current guy, was all talk in this regard though.) I read this book in late 2025 and was surprised to realize that the book was published the month prior to the 2024 US elections. That’s because there was talk of president Gentry using ICE in some questionable ways that happened in real life shortly after the book was released. Hopefully everything that happened in the book doesn’t happen for real or we’re in for an even tougher time than we’ve already seen.

It’s a good read regardless and I hope it remains (mostly) fiction. I should point out that it is a long read, about double the size of a typical novel, but still falls way short of the length of War and Peace, so not totally over the top in that regard. Definitely a good read, just keep repeating to yourself, “it’s only fiction” and you’ll be okay.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 180-185,000 words

Review: Cross Checking by Dennis Pierce

2025-12-24T08:00:00.010-07:00

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Description:

“A search for hidden treasure linked to a decades-old crime. A race against time to stop a fanatical church leader’s murderous plot. A well-educated mob boss who stands in the way of one of these goals—and could be the key to achieving the other.

In Cross Checking, book 2 of the Parker Hanson mystery series, former journalist turned private investigator Parker Hanson and Amalia Velasquez, his ex-Army Ranger neighbor, are back with not one but two major mysteries to solve.

When they aren’t trying to stop what they fear might be a large-scale assault, Parker and Amalia find themselves looking for a stolen painting that could help solve a 35-year-old crime.

Juggling two critical cases with far-reaching implications will require Parker and Amalia to summon every ounce of skill and resolve they possess. And when Parker is faced with a moral dilemma that could determine the fate of hundreds of people, how will he respond?

Featuring humor, pulse-pounding suspense, and plenty of hockey and pop culture references, this crime thriller set in New Hampshire from veteran journalist Dennis Pierce will keep readers engrossed until the very last page. If you’re a fan of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series or relatable, underdog heroes in general, you won’t want to miss this book.”

Author:

“Dennis Pierce is a freelance writer, author, and journalist. A graduate of Yale University, he began his professional career as an education journalist with eSchool Media, working his way from assistant editor to managing editor and editor-in-chief. In his last few years with the company, he served as director of content partnerships, working with advertisers to develop and execute content marketing campaigns. He has covered congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, interviewed former astronauts and Secretaries of Education, and ghostwritten thought leadership articles for company CEOs.”

Appraisal:

This was a fun, enjoyable read. I always enjoy a good mystery that keeps me engrossed in the story, trying to figure out what the answer is along with the protagonists makes for a fun read. With two cases intertwined in this story there was plenty to keep the reader engaged.

One thing that stood out in this book and set it apart in a good way from many mysteries was the subtle humor that is scattered throughout the story. There might be some things that I missed because I wasn’t clued in to a subtle reference, but I caught some that I suspect others might not pick up on. For example, if you aren’t enough of a music nerd to recognize the name Charlie Sexton, you won’t giggle like I did at one reference. But you ought to still enjoy the mystery.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Contains a minimal amount of adult language.

This is the second book in a series featuring Parker Hanson. However, each book is standalone.

Format/Typo Issues:

My review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy), so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words

Review: Class Action by Gail Ward Olmsted

2025-12-20T08:00:00.003-07:00

Genre: Legal Thriller

Description:

“R U in? Need $ now

Third year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam—a guaranteed ‘A’—but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.

Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.

With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blossoms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances.

A captivating read full of unexpected twists and emotional depth.”

Author:

“Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical novel featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband's, and his wife Mary. Miranda Fights is the third book in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series. Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies, and coffee is her love language.”

For more visit her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

I loved this book. The main character, Lennon, is someone I immediately liked and was pulling for her to do well. She’d beat the odds reaching the point she was at when the book started and was on the verge of graduating from law school with a bright future. However, these last few months throw more than a few curves at her. How or if she’d work through it while dealing with all her normal life struggles kept me engrossed from the first word to the last. I wish every book I read captured me the way this one did.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an ARC (advance reviewer copy) and I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Review: Resonant Blue and Other Stories by Mary Vensel White

2025-12-16T08:00:00.003-07:00

Genre: Short Story Collection

Description:

“The first collection of award-winning short fiction from the author of Bellflower and Things to See in Arizona, whose writing reflects ‘how we can endure and overcome our personal histories, better understand our ancestral ones, and accept the unknown future ahead.’”

Author:

“Mary Vensel White is the author of the novels Starling, Bellflower, and The Qualities of Wood, and the young adult novel, Things to See in Arizona. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in numerous publications. Born in Los Angeles, Mary has lived in northern California, Denver, and Chicago, and has been back in southern California for two decades.”

For more, visit her website.

Appraisal:

A unique and interesting collection of short stories. Each of the main characters in the stories were working through a significant event or change in their life, and observing how they dealt with them compared to how the reader or people they know have reacted to similar things is great to get the reader thinking about life and the differences in how different people approach it.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance review copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words

Reprise Review: Demon Walk by Melissa Bowersock

2025-12-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

Genre: Mystery/Supernatural

Description:

“Private investigator Lacey Fitzpatrick and Navajo medium Sam Firecloud are called in by the Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano to unravel the mystery surrounding an evil presence that is threatening the mission’s people and its liability, maybe its very existence. While Lacey digs into the research, Sam pulls out all the stops, planning to fight fire with fire and witchcraft with… witchcraft. Lacey finds his methods disturbing, but knows they have to combat the ancient, supernatural force that has killed before, and may very well kill again.”

Author:

“Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.”

Learn more about Ms. Bowersock on her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

With Lacey and Sam’s notoriety growing they are contacted by the Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano to investigate the strange happenings going on at their mission. While Lacey looks for connections from the mission’s past, Sam searches the more esoteric connections.

With their combined resources and skills will Lacey and Sam be able to determine the source of the ancient magic they have to face and defeat? Find out as Ms. Bowersock includes more members of Sam’s family and challenges Lacey to believe in herself.

I found Demon Walk enthralling. Ms. Bowersock continues to captivate me with every story she spins. Her secondary characters are strong and make each story well-rounded, which aids in the suspension of disbelief. I highly recommend this series to readers of paranormal mysteries. I guarantee you’ll love Lacey and Sam. I can’t wait to see where their next case takes them.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

FYI:

Demon Walk is book six in A LACEY FITZPATRICK and SAM FIRECLOUD MYSTERY SERIES. Each of these mysteries can be read as a standalone if you choose. However, I am enjoying the relationship developing between Lacey and Sam, so I would recommend reading from the beginning to get the full benefit of their storyline.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Review: Reunion Cruise by Maria A Palace

2025-12-09T08:00:00.008-07:00

Genre: Thriller

Description:

“Margarita Kauzlaskas (a/k/a Margot), a beautiful immigrant girl from Lithuania, is determined to have it all, no matter who she has to use to get it. The result is a long list of enemies, including a jealous husband, a revengeful ex-wife, an obsessed girlfriend, and a star-crossed lover. After convincing her four best friends into taking a reunion cruise to Bermuda, on the night of the ship's return to New York, a body is spotted going overboard. The next morning, Margot is nowhere to be found.

Enter FBI Agent Richard Heller, whose early abandonment issues cause him to become obsessed with finding out what happened to the infamous femme fatale. As the investigation unfolds, an aura of foul play descends upon her friends as well as her enemies. With insufficient evidence to convict, the case grows cold––until he receives an anonymous envelope in the mail. Is it someone's idea of a joke, or can it help him solve the mystery once and for all?”

Author:

Born in the Republic of San Marino, an enclave in the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy and one of the smallest independent states in Europe, Maria Palace moved to the US at a young age. After a career and raising her family Maria retired from her job in the legal field and started writing. This is her second book.

Appraisal:

My thoughts on this book are all over the place. There are some things I liked a lot, the characters, the overall premise of the book, and to some degree the solving of the mystery. But there were some things that happened that I found questionable. The FBI agent did a few things that, while I’m not an attorney, I still recognized as clearly being illegal. One specific time was not long after he started his investigation when he basically broke into an office that he didn’t have a warrant to do. That’s not to say that every FBI agent always toes the line, but this struck me as unlikely to happen the way it was told. He did a couple other questionable things as the story progressed. If you’re able to suspend your disbelief in parts like this, there is a decent story here.

Buy now from: Amazon US Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

Review is based on an advance reviewer copy, so I can’t gauge the final product in this area.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 90-95,000 words