2020 by Casey Dorman

2020 is a political thriller written by Casey Dorman.

Luke Evangelista, a non-violent activist and biographer/reporter whose books are banned by the incumbent government for their supposed subversive nature and attack on the president, is on edge. He just meets with Bill Lippmann, a witness in a recent terrorist attack that killed fifty people at the Galaxy Club, and what Bill tells him might incriminate the president for staging a false terrorist attack to heighten his popularity hence increase his chances of being reelected. Now, Bill is dead and so is another witness to the shooting. It is now left to Luke to look for other witnesses and uncover the truth behind the attack which might bring down the president and his authoritarian government.

This is a fast-paced and exciting political thriller that touches a multitude of subjects which include not only tyranny, bigotry, racism, discrimination and betrayal but also pacifism, camaraderie, unity and hope. It boasts of an intriguing and solid plot with equally intriguing subplots made more intense by unexpected twists that keep the suspense at high level. The author creates admirable and endearing characters like Derek Stewart, Wellspring Moon and Judge Eduardo Oreal as well as irritating, outrageous and even loathsome characters like Toby Davis, Barry Hurley and President Fremont Ferris, respectively. Told in casual tone with occasional sarcasm and witty remarks, the story develops smoothly and concludes in a satisfying ending.   

Congratulations to Casey Dorman on such a great book! For more books by the author, click HERE.   

The Last Child of Leif by Chris Pridmore

The Last Child of Lief is an exciting paranormal, historical fiction written by Chris Pridmore.

Young Valiant is a prince and heir to the throne of the kingdom of Munich. When he was five years old, his father was murdered and he and his mother, Queen Natasha, together with the queen’s personal bodyguard, Sebastian, fled from the castle.   

Sebastian and Valiant find refuge in a travelling circus owned and run by a kind and generous man, Konrad. There they met new friends with special talents. But they are far from safe. Because it seems like shadows are lurking wherever they go, and they are after Valiant.

This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and action and adventure-filled book set in the early industrial era. Told, for the most part, in Valiant’s perspective, with occasional third person point of view, the book boasts of exciting chasing and fighting scenes.  Moreover, the author successfully keeps the suspense throughout the book using a tone fitting for the setting for both the narrative and the dialogue. More importantly, however, the book has a set of endearing and admirable characters. First of which is Sebastian, the honorable royal bodyguard who fights fiercely and loves steadfastly. Then there is Konrad, the gentle and accommodating circus owner who treats everyone as family.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely except for a few noticeable errors (like I used to that, waiving my stick and destroy the whole the building). Furthermore, though I find the ending satisfactory, it doesn’t answer the questions raised in the prologue. Still, this is one great book and I recommend it to readers who enjoy medieval historical fiction.

Congratulations Chris Pridmore (@ChrisPridmore) on such a great book! For updates on the author, click HERE. 

Washed Away by Nikki DuBose

WashedAway: From Darkness to Light is a touching and unforgettable book written by Nikki DuBose and co-written by James Johanson. It is a moving and shocking memoir of a former supermodel as she recounts her dark and painful childhood which deeply affected her self-perception and thrust her to a life of alcohol and substance abuse, eating disorder, psychosis, body dysmorphic disorder and suicide.  

As a child, Nikki, a product of a dysfunctional family, experienced various kinds of abuse including physical, mental and sexual. This constant abuse and her mother’s deteriorating mental health led Nikki to develop eating disorder and distorted perception of herself. Without any friends to turn to or guidance from the very person who was supposed to protect her and keep her safe, Nikki turned to food, alcohol and sex to fill the emptiness she felt inside. This feeling intensified through adulthood and further pushed Nikki to the brink of insanity and self-destruction.

Through it all, however, Nikki stood her ground as she battled against her demons, falling down again and again but got up each time armed only with sheer determination and dim hope that, somehow, things will get better.

This is a story of an extraordinary woman as she fought to overcome adversity she had always believed to be much greater than herself and emerged victorious as she finally learned to love herself and recognized herself as God’s child. This is a well-written memoir that vividly paints a picture of one woman’s pain and suffering due to abuse inflicted by both herself and others. It gives the readers a glimpse to the plight and agony of someone afflicted with body dysmorphic disorder, psychosis and depression. Finally, this is a beautiful story of hope and faith, that no matter how bad things get, there is someone out there looking out for us and loving us regardless of how we look upon ourselves.

Congratulations to Nikki DuBose (@TheNikkiDuBose) on such a great book.  

God is a Woman by Michael Tavon

God is a Woman is a Price Jones Novel written by Michael Tavon. It is a story of self-destruction, and love that only a very special woman can give.   

Price Jones is a down-on-his luck novelist with a dark past and a murky future. After his mother died of heroin overdose, Price is left with two siblings who are his only reason for living. With his reckless life of drinking and indiscriminate sex, how can Price take care of two more people when he can’t even take care of himself? To make matters even worse, Price falls in love with two women: Benu, whom he feels deep attraction and Iris, whom he feels deep connection.

The story is written in casual tone making it an easy read. Scenes are realistically portrayed and dialogues are fitting which showcases the author’s writing skills. The plot runs smoothly and solidly with strategic twists and the readers are drawn to the story with that enormous question hanging over their heads: what would happen to Price?

However, though the ending is no doubt satisfactory, it leaves some unanswered questions like why is Price too deeply attached to Iris, what happened in the past that he simply couldn’t let go? A short chapter for a back story on Price and Iris would have helped. Moreover, though Benu seems like a likable character, some things about her weren’t explained, like why does she behave the way she does? Again, a short back story on her would have been nice.

All in all, this is an enjoyable story that readers can learn a lot from. It is interesting, hopeful and, somehow, inspiring.

Congratulations to Michael Tavon (@MichaelTavon) on such a great book! For more books by the author, click HERE.  

Ronaldo: the Phantom Carrot Snatcher by Maxine Sylvester

Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher is Book 2 of the Ronaldo the Flying Reindeer Book Series written and illustrated by Maxine Sylvester.

Ronaldo, a two snowflake second year flying cadet from the Reindeer Flying Academy, is having a problem keeping carrots in his backpack. Someone, whom Ronaldo calls The Phantom Carrot Snatcher, is stealing them right under his nose.

More than his missing snacks, Ronaldo is also preoccupied with the upcoming Speed Test. He wants so much to break the speed record and bring home the Gold Snowflake medal. But shortly before the anticipated test, Ronaldo meets Ernie, a playful wolf cub who recently got separated from her pack. Ronaldo is torn between helping Ernie find her pack and breaking the speed record.

Just like the first book, this is another exciting and fun story for children and grown up alike. It features various themes including friendship, courage, determination and sacrifice. It shows what it takes to be a friend and to have a friend. As Great Aunt Ernestinkle says:

‘Good friends make happy days brighter and problems lighter.’

Moreover, this book sounds more relaxed and more spontaneous than the first book, but just as enjoyable. Ronaldo seems more matured and Rudi seems smarter and a better flyer. I love this book and I recommend it to readers of all ages.

Congratulations to Maxine Sylvester (@flyingronaldo) for another great book! For more books in this series, click HERE.