New Feature! Memory Monday – “Betsy’s Adventure”

Hey Followers! I’m starting something new with this post. Memory Monday is where I will feature books which have made memories for me that have lasted a lifetime. The first book I’m featuring is called “Betsy’s Adventure” by Gwyneth Mamlok. Ms. Mamlok wrote the story and did the pictures. This book is my first choice because it was my first book. My parents gave me this book on my first birthday and it has remained a favorite of mine ever since. “Betsy’s Adventure” was first published in 1963 in London and the following year in the US.
In the story, Betsy looks to be about 5 years old and she loves to go for walks. One day there is no one available to take her for a walk, so she decides to go for a walk by herself.

She starts off down the road and she see the ducks and the cows, and finally comes to the woods. She wanders off the path, into the woods, busily picking flowers, when she realizes she is lost. Just when she gives up hope of finding her way home her brother finds her and together they retrace their steps. After a warm bath Betsy goes to sleep vowing to never walk in the woods alone again.

The story and the pictures are absolutely charming. For many years I had a crush on Betsy’s adorable older brother, who sports orange hair, a cowboy hat, and a gun belt in this story. Every elementary schoolgirl’s dream!
I was disappointed not to find any biographical information about the author, though I did find pictures of a series of books she wrote featuring a girl named Candy. My memories of this story are all good and as I got older I always found it reassuring that when Betsy was in trouble her big brother came to rescue her. I was elated when my mother found this book again, packed away in a box, the year that my son had his first birthday. He also loved the story and I again got to enjoy bedtime with Betsy.

Let me know what you think of this new feature. Thanks!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: “Violation of Faith” by Jeannie Hall

Lynea and Corinne have been living in fear for the last 3 years after they escaped from the Reverend, a murderous cult leader who after killing the girl’s parents, forced Lynea to marry him at the age of 12. They are finally beginning to settle in to life in a small-town where Corinne has been granted a scholarship to the local college. With a little help, Lynea gets a job working at the college’s library where she is assigned to work with the gorgeous Brennan Gage. Brennan also happens to be an expert in religious cults. The two are drawn to each other, neither realizing the danger they will soon be in. The Reverend has found his errant wife and is plotting his revenge.

I found this book really engaging. The story kept bringing thrills and danger and the romance side was not overdone or predictable. The characters have great personalities and the evil Reverend is expertly drawn. I think the religious cult aspect and the tragedy within the story gives this romance an edge over its peers.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP!

Happy Reading!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Wjj5L0

Book Review: “Angels Flight” by Michael Connelly

If something bad ever happened to me in LA, I would want Harry Bosch to be the detective on the case. He’s tough on crime and criminals, but he doesn’t just leap to the easy or most obvious answer. Harry Bosch is a seeker of truth, even if the truth is very ugly. “Angels Flight” has some very ugly truths, and some very powerful people covering them up, but Bosch will not rest until he has unraveled every string in this knot. When a powerful lawyer, who is about to start a trial against the LAPD, is shot down on the Angels Flight railway, the Chief picks Harry and his team to lead up the investigation. Bosch knows he could become the fall guy for the department if there is even one misstep in the handling of this case. Was this a random shooting, someone out for revenge, or did one of LAPD’s own take down the department’s biggest enemy? You’ll have to get a copy so you can find out!

This is the 6th book in the Harry Bosch series and every bit as gripping as the ones that came before. I will admit that Bosch is one of my favorite male police detectives, so I was biased before I even started reading this one. In my defense, Michael Connelly has fleshed out his character in the kind of detail that makes you feel like you’ve known him all your life. I love that Bosch is tough but he also has a very tender side when it comes to his personal relationships. This is very evident in this book as he and his wife hit a rough patch, and a former partner makes a shocking confession. Another thing I have always enjoyed about this series is how the author incorporates real locations in LA into the story, which helps me to feel like I’m really there and these events could have really taken place. Hats off to Mr. Connelly for another great installment in this series.

Alinefromabook’s rating: TWO THUMBS-UP!

Happy Reading!

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NmZeca

Book Review: “Water Saga: Part 1” by Claretta Maynard

The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that is plagued by rain. People are living in small villages on whatever high ground can be found and a day when it is not raining is cause for celebration. Tess and Mabel are sisters who have been orphaned and do what they can to survive. Mabel, as the oldest, feels responsible for Tess, so when Tess takes off on her own one day, Mabel panics. Has something bad happened to Tess?

I found this story fascinating. As a post-apocalyptic story, I found the idea of a world where it constantly rained to be a new one. This is a short book and so the author puts you right in the middle of the drama from the start. I liked the characters of Tess and Mabel from the beginning, and the author definitely left me curious as to where the story would go in future installments. This is a great story for when your short on time.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP!

Happy Reading!

BONUS: This one is currently free on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MGRotT

Book Review: “Don’t Be a Stranger” by A.R. Winters

Valerie Inkerman is a newly minted PI who has no clients. With the rent coming due, she agrees with her roommate’s suggestion and spends an evening waitressing at an upscale house party. While working the party, Jerry, Valerie’s roommate, introduces her to his friend Esme, but before the party’s over Esme is dead and Jerry is the prime suspect. The following day, Jerry’s dad shows up and hires Valerie to find out who the real killer is.

Valerie may not yet be a seasoned PI but she is organized and methodical in her investigation. I really liked Valerie from the start. She’s had a job she loved go south and then she bumps into two of her former colleagues, who have obviously been relishing her downfall. Jerry, who fancies himself a great actor and lady’s man, is the kind of guy you can’t help but like even when he’s annoying the heck out of you.

I found this book to be an easy and fun lighthearted mystery. This would be a perfect lazy summer day read. A.R. Winters, as usual, has created a delightful story in this first of the Valerie Inkerman series.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP!

Happy Reading!

BONUS: Don’t Be a Stranger is available on Amazon for $0.99 http://amzn.to/1NdYpT1

Book Review: “Blood in the Soil” by Carole Townsend

This is the story of Joseph Paul Franklin, a serial murderer who went on a 3 year killing spree from 1977 to 1980. The book tells the story of his life, how he came to be a murderer, his crimes, and how he was caught. Amongst his crimes was the shooting of Larry Flynt, the much maligned publisher of Hustler magazine. The shooting left Flynt alive but paralyzed from the waist down and in constant pain.

I was initially drawn to this book because of the Larry Flynt angle. In the conservative community I was raised in Flynt was considered to be the height of evil. What I discovered in this book is that evil is much uglier than just publishing pornography. Joseph Paul Franklin had a hatred for Jews and black people that ran as deep as the river Styx. Every murder he committed was motivated by this hatred. He say himself as being on a mission from God to take revenge.

The story is told alternately from the perspective of Joseph Franklin and that of Detective Michael Cowart, the lead investigator of the Larry Flynt shooting. I found the author’s telling to be compelling and well-researched. I think any fan of true crime would enjoy “Blood in the Soil”.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP!

Happy Reading!

View on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ysxwex

Book Review: “The Ruth Valley Missing” by Amber West

Jameson just wants to get away from the big city for a while. When she sees an ad for a rental in rural Ruth Valley she jumps at the chance to experience small town living and take pictures of the scenery. Almost as soon as she moves in, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery. There are no men in this town except for the sheriff, who is also her landlord and gorgeous, and the local doctor. And why do the resident nuns seem so creepy?

This cozy mystery was a really fun read. I instantly liked James (Jameson), although it took me about half way through the book to get used to a male name being on the lead female character. The plot has some great twists and thrills that kept me intrigued till the end. This book is a stand-alone but I would love to see these characters again sometime.

Alinefromabook’s rating: THUMBS-UP for a really enjoyable cozy mystery.

Happy Reading!

Purchase on Amazon:

Book Review: “Siddhartha’s Brain” by James Kingsland

“Siddhartha’s Brain” is a fascinating look into the human brain and how meditation can have an impact on the way the brain works. Using the latest in scientific research, Mr. Kingsland has opened the door to understand how the meditation practices of Buddha worked to literally change the way his brain worked. The book starts off by laying a foundation of the various areas of the brain that process our perceptions and prompt us to act in think in certain ways. The author then goes into the research of meditation and describes the impact that meditation appears to have on the brain structures and how that impact changes our perceptions and thinking processes. Along the way, the author ties in relevant Buddhist teachings and reveals that Buddha was way ahead of his time in his understanding of human thinking.

I found this book to be relatively easy to read, though some chapters have more scientific terminology than others and that may prove daunting to some readers. This book is best for readers who have an interest in the structure and function of the brain, or those who desire a greater understanding of meditation from a scientific perspective.

Alinefromabook’s rating: TWO THUMBS-UP!! The author has done a fantastic job of elucidating the subject matter in a readable way.

Thanks to Edelweiss and William Morrow for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading!

View on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1REJ0rl

Book Review: “Daddy Dearest” by Paul Southern

A fabulous psychological thriller! One of the best I’ve ever read! “Daddy Dearest” takes the reader deep into the mind of a very troubled man. A man who will do anything to keep his daughter in his life. The story is being told by the father about the events surrounding his daughter’s kidnapping. But this is much more than a father’s grief and worry.

I found this story to be deeply engrossing. I especially liked the descriptions the narrator gives of the inner workings of his OCD. I really felt like I was inside this guy’s head, feeling his mental anguish as his “visitors” taunt him to perform a task over and over and over. The daughter is an absolute delight, though at 5 years of age, completely oblivious to the troubling circumstances she finds herself in. This is a must-read for lovers of the psychological thriller.

Alinefromabook’s recommendation: TWO THUMBS-UP!! Everything about this book is compelling. One caution: some of the subject matter may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Happy Reading!

This book is available for pre-order starting today on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DC2EPOE?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

On Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/595549