Peter's Sisters by LM Foster

Peter's Sisters is an amazing book by LM Foster.

The story begins with Susan in the mental hospital. For her to get better, she is advised to write down her feelings on a composition notebook. So, she writes about how everything began.

She writes about Peter and the secret they keep. Then, she writes about Bonnie. Somehow, Susan wants to show the doctors that she is well and that she is telling the truth. Then, maybe they will release her and Bonnie will believe what she has been trying to tell her all this time. 

I love everything about this book. I love the plot. I find it very original. I love the characters. Peter is smart, quiet and charismatic. Susan is just as smart and tough for a girl. Her only flaw, that I see, is that she cares too much about Bonnie. Bonnie is devious and stupid. She only cares about herself. She probably cares about Susan but not because she really cares but only because she knows Susan cares about her.

The writing is superb, casual, smooth and easy to read. Most importantly, the book is very short and contains no irrelevant details nor any dull moments. 

Overall, this is one amazing read. Congratulations to LM Foster (@9thStreetPress) on such a great book!

Smiling Exercises, and other stories by Dan Malakin

Smiling Exercises, and other stories is a collection of 30 flash fiction written by Dan Malakin.

Some of the stories are funny, amusing and entertaining, but all of them are profound at some level and leave the readers thinking. I picked out some of my favorites which include: The Good Doctor, The Tree Sanctuary, Deelish; All the Animals, and Me; and Frances, Harry, Language, Love.

Most of the stories I found amusing: Brian's Secret Vagina, Morning of the Friendly Dead, The Office Door Fiasco, Snap, The Great Laundry Mystery, Donald, My Favourite Onion Plant, End of? An Interview with Harold Salt, Celestial Fondue; A Dream About My Wife, Seconds Away, Dairy Queen, Brain Parasite, At Least It Could Get No Worse and My Brother, My Kidney, while others I found sad: Lilies, Mirror, Long Tongue, Twisted, Contributions and Waiting for Nothing.

Other stories may not have made an impression on me but may be enjoyable to other readers. 

The story telling is superb, catchy and engaging. In fact, I found myself wanting for more at the end of the book.

Congratulations to Dan Malakin (@DanMalakin) on such a great book!

Saved by Angels by Bruce Van Natta

Bruce Van Natta, a self employed diesel mechanic, was working on a Peterbilt logging truck on Nov. 16, 2006, when the truck fell off the jack and pressed him on the floor. With a few inches of air space between the axle of the truck and the floor, Bruce was practically cut in half.

This book is about how Bruce miraculously lived after the accident. Moreover, it features ways how GOD talks to people: through the process of prayer; through the Bible; through spoken words; through the Holy Spirit; through design and circumstance; through dreams and visions; and through angels. 

I can say this is one of the best Christian books I have read so far. As a fellow sinner, I can relate to the author not only about reverting to my evil self repeatedly but also about the overwhelming love of the LORD as He takes me back again and again despite my sinful nature. 

As my favorite excerpt from the book states:

"It still puzzles me how GOD can be so faithful to us when we are not always faithful to Him."

Congratulations to Bruce Van Natta on such a wonderful book. 

To GOD be the GLORY!

Shadow Cell by Joseph D'Antoni

Shadow Cell is the 4th book in the Wade Hanna Series written by award-winning author Joseph D'Antoni.

After his two-month covert operation in Morocco, Wade is shocked to find that his former handler and girlfriend, Megan Winslow, has vanished. He strongly believes that her disappearance has something to do with her last mission. With everything he has and with everything he knows, Wade formulated a plan to find her. His search leads him to an orphanage in Argentina where children are experimented on to turn into walking biological weapons.

Basically, I like the plot. Moreover, I like the writing style: elaborate and detailed, exactly the way I want it. The settings are vividly described and the action scenes are masterfully depicted. 

In addition, there is a set of awesome characters. My favorite is the kind and generous Don Juan Carlos Mendoza, the wealthy Argentinian farmer who runs one of the largest farm operations. I also like Mario, the admirable Argentinian operative who helps Wade in his mission. 

All in all, I love the book and I hope other readers will enjoy it as much as I did.

Congratulations to Joseph D'Antoni (@dantonibooks) on such an amazing book!

Being Medusa: And Other Things That Suck by A. Lynn Powers

Being Medusa: And Other Things That Suck is a YA fiction written by A. Lynn Powers. The book is about a high school student from Grove High School, Medusa Gordon. She is gorgeous. She is smart. She likes making lists. She hates her classmate Thea and she is always sent to the school disciplinarian's office. What is so special about Medusa, though, is that she grows snakes out of her head and she can turn people to stone by staring at them.

Medusa is having a bad first day at school. First, she accidentally 'freezes' her English teacher and is sent to the school disciplinarian's office, again. Second, she catches her chemistry lab partner staring dreamily at her. She knows, however, that Donny is off-limits because he is Thea's boyfriend. Finally, by lunch period, while walking at the school parking lot, a new student hits her with his car.

I love this book. For one, I find the plot original, in this modern times. Second, it is written in a funny and casual way and third, it is packed with witty and realistic characters. I am so looking forward to reading the next book, Being Medusa: And other Nightmares.

Congratulations to A. Lynn Powers (@VivaLaToothy) on such an amazing book! 

The Spirit Guide by Elizabeth Davies

The Spirit Guide is a historical fiction written by Elizabeth Davies.

Set in 12th century Britain and told in the first person perspective, the story is about Seren, a 16-year old gentlewoman who has the ability to see and communicate with spirits of dead people. 

As she leaves her home to accompany Lady Matilda de Braose at Hay Castle, Seren meets various people whom she comes to love, to hate and to fear. Among them are Lady Matilda herself, Lady Matilda's most trusted adviser Vaughan fitz Maddock and an unknown knight whom she previously meets in the siege of Painscastle. 

For a paranormal story, this is creepy in an exciting way.  I have read several books with characters who can communicate with spirits but this is the first time I read about someone who guides the spirits to the light, making this story unique for me. 

There are so many things I like about this book. First of which, of course, is the romance part which is at times blissful and at other times painful, exactly how romance is supposed to be. Second is the surprises. They are plenty, making this book very difficult to put down. Finally, the ending is just awesome. It is not what I expected and I love it. 

Moreover, I commend the author for her top-rate descriptions. The settings are vividly described and the characters seem alive I can see them in my mind. 

Though I find the pace a little too slow and the use of language appropriate for the setting, somehow, makes for slow reading, still, it is one amazing read and I recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance and paranormal. 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Davies (@BethsBooks) on such an amazing book! 

Rune Gate by Mark E. Cooper

Rune Gate is the first book in the Rune Gate Cycle written by Mark E. Cooper.

The book features Alex Yorke, a police clairvoyant who is actually a witch. After an unfortunate incident, Alex withdrew to the peace and quiet of the farm she inherited from her grandfather. However, when her friend Deputy Jenn Hale asked her to check out a crime scene, she could not refuse and she discovered a rune on the body of the murdered victim. Not long after that, another body was found.

In the midst of the growing number of victims, Alex accidentally came across Douglas, a stranger who seem to be lost in place and time, but is somehow connected to the killings.

Though I initially dismissed this book as another witch story, I was completely surprised by an unexpected turn at Chapter 5. From then on, I could not put it down. I was totally intrigued. The arrival of the new and charming character makes the story even more interesting. 

However, I was a little disappointed by the cliffhanger ending. Despite that, I enjoyed the book immensely and I am looking forward to reading Book 2, Chosen. 

Congratulations to Mark E. Cooper (@mark_e_cooper) on such a great book!

The Gallery of Wonders: Magora Book 1 by Marc Remus

The Gallery of Wonders is the first book of the Magora Series by Marc Remus. 

When Holly's grandfather died in a mysterious fire incident, she was left to the care of her mean and abusive foster family, the Smoralls. However, everything changed. First, Holly received a package with strange things inside. Second, she discovered an equally strange creature in the attic. Finally, Holly and her three friends fell into a mysterious painting and found themselves in the magical world of Magora. 

Basically, the book is about art, love, friendship, and of course, magic. It is a real deal fantasy novel for the young and the young-at-heart. It features magical paintbrushes, talking tree houses and various creatures, some delightful and some not so delightful. 

Most importantly, the book is about faith, believing in yourself and what you can do, believing that you can do something even if other people tell you otherwise and believing in your friends the way you believe in them. 

Congratulations to Marc Remus (@MarcRemusArt) on such a wonderful and very enjoyable book with an amazing cover that he painted himself. A toast to such a very talented person!

Click HERE for the official review of The Gallery of Wonders: Magora Book 1 and for more amazing and interesting books check out Online Book Club.  

Altdorf by J.K. Swift

Altdorf is the first in the two Forest Knights novels by J.K. Swift.

The year was 1314. After 30 years of being with the Hospitaller Knights of St. John, Thomas was finally back in his hometown of Schwyz and settled as a ferryman. He believed he was living the peaceful life he deserved until he transported an injured boy. With the boy was the famous outlaw Noll Melchthal. They were trying to cross the river to go to the healer, Seraina, a reclusive druid priestess.

Written in a conversational tone, the book is a delightful read. The dialogues are engaging and the fighting scenes are vividly described. The characters are lovable. Thomas is an ideal protagonist, quiet, hardworking, an accomplished healer, first-rate fighter and a loyal friend. Seraina is an admirable woman, generous, brave and compassionate. Noll is inspiring, stubborn and fearless. My favorite is Pirmin, Thomas' brother-at-arms. He is funny, sweet and endearing. Even Leopold is a well-developed character, mean and loathsome.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely and I would love to read the second book MORGARTEN. 

Congratulations to J.K. Swift on such a wonderful book!

What the Hand by Todd Stockwell

What the Hand is a novel about the end of the world written by Todd Stockwell.

The book is told in the first person perspective of George Somerset, a man who witnessed the end of the world and ended up in a shack on the outskirts of paradise. 

George was a a divorcee who had an inclination to lying and other more evil acts. After having a serious talk with his co-worker, Charlie, George became aware of the signs that the end of the world was near, like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and wars. However, he was too lazy and too stupid to care. It was only after the Rapture, when good people as well as mentally challenged and children disappeared, that George finally believed what was written in the Bible. 

He started to pack some food, weapons, books that would help him survive in the wilderness including a Bible. After employing the help of an old acquaintance to obtain false documents to let him out of the city, George made a run for it. He lived in caves, hunted animals and searched for edible plants in order to survive. He eventually found seven other people and he invited them to live with him. 

This book is written in a conversational tone and is therefore easy to read. It told of the Rapture, Tribulation, Antichrist, New World Order and the New Kingdom. Other subjects include the Illuminati, Nephilim, giants, fallen angels, guardian angels and aliens. There are historical figures mentioned in the book like Adolf Hitler, Pres. John F. Kennedy, John Lennon and Abraham Lincoln. 

Needless to say I enjoyed the book a lot. It is very informative, highly entertaining and downright amusing. This is one great book that makes the reader contemplate and reflect on his life, what he did with it and what he plans to do. It leads to a very important question, What will I do if the end, indeed, comes? Will I take the Mark of the Beast and suffer eternal damnation or proclaim my faith in God and die a painful death in the hands of the Antichrist?

The choice seem easy at this time, but as my favorite excerpt from the book stated:

'It wasn't a life full of constant miracles and daily enlightenment, but a hard road of self-discovery and inner change, often beset by difficult test of faith and most difficult of all, the tedium of devout living.'

Congratulations to Todd Stockwell on such a great book!