#Free for your #Kindle, 6/18/2015

The author of each of these books has indicated their intent to schedule these books for a free day for the Kindle versions today on Amazon. Sometimes plans change or mistakes happen, so be sure to verify the price before hitting that "buy me" button.

Dreamy Dads by Cait London

Amazon US

Amazon UK

No Good Deed by M.P. McDonald

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Author's interested in having their free book featured either here on a Thursday or a sister site on a Monday, visit this page for details.

Reprise Review: The Atheist’s Prayer / Amy R. Biddle

Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Approximate word count: 60-65,000 words

Availability    

Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: YES  Smashwords: NO  Paper: YES

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

"Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Amy now spends half of her life at sea and the other half wherever the hell she pleases. An avid traveler and dangerous daydreamer, she is most at home when surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains or the great blue sea."

For more, visit Biddle's website.

Description:

“After a solar eclipse nearly two years ago, nineteen people were found dead in a remote area of the California National Forest. They were lying in a circle, holding hands and wearing plastic fairy wings.

Years later, on the other side of the country, no one in the southern city of Jefferson is concerned about fairies or fairy-worshiping suicide cults. Except for Candy. She might not have proof, but she’s damn sure it’s going to happen again.

The problem is, Candy is a coke-dealing stripper and the only person who will listen to her is an alcoholic mall Santa named Hank, who’s only listening because, well… she’s hot.

There are seven days until the next eclipse.”

Appraisal:

At first glance the title of The Atheist’s Prayer might repel the more religious while attracting non-believers. That initial impression is not only too simplistic an interpretation of the title (why would an atheist be praying?), but also assuming way too much. That isn’t to say that belief in a deity or the lack of such belief doesn’t figure into the story.

The characters in the book run the gamut of beliefs with my favorite, seven year-old Kevin, trying to make sense of it all. All the major characters are multi-dimensional and, like real people, refuse to conform to stereotype. Those that, at first blush, seem to have little going for them, confound that impression in the end, while those that seem to be among the best of people, show that appearances can be deceiving. In the end, they’re all human, with flaws and good qualities that aren’t immediately apparent.

No matter where you stand personally, if you approach The Atheist’s Prayer with an open mind, it will help illustrate the potential, both good and bad, in all people, regardless of which deity (if any) they choose to believe in.

FYI:

Minor (and not very explicit) adult situations.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was given an advanced reader copy which might be different from the final copy.

Rating: ***** Five stars

Heaven Enough / Ken La Salle

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Genre: Literary/Romance/Inspirational

Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: YES Smashwords: NO Paper: YES

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Author:

Author and Playwright, Ken La Salle grew up in Santa Ana, California and has remained in the surrounding area his entire life. He was raised with strong, blue collar roots, which have given him a progressive and environmentalist view. As a result, you'll find many of his stories touching those areas both geographically and philosophically. His passion is intense humor, meaningful drama, and finding answers to the questions that define our lives. You can find out more about Ken on his website.

Description:

Matt Murphy and Diva were married for nearly twenty years, yet he did not "know" her. A poet and lover of culinary delights, she is struck by a car and killed instantly—randomly—on the wrong side of town.

When her brother, the "monk," appears for the funeral, Matt is set on an unprecedented course. The two find Diva's computer filled with preparations to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Over 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada...and she was leaving without her husband.

Matt takes it upon himself to hike the trail and sprinkle her ashes along the way. What happens in the first two hours is dumbfounding.

What happens next changes his life forever…

Appraisal:

An engaging, thought provoking, and well written story. Matt begins as something of a stereotype (a boring accountant). So the decision to hike the PCT is completely out of character, and yet, because of the shock and grief and guilt he feels over his wife’s death, it seems to make sense.

Most of the story evolves on the trail. I recently watched the movie, Wild, which also features a journey along the PCT. Although the trail does change Matt, this tale is quite different from Wild. I never quite knew where Matt’s journey was going to lead him, and the ending was surprising, sad, and yet uplifting at the same time. The only criticism I have is that Matt’s stuffy accountant personality is overdone in places, but never enough to make me consider quitting, and nowhere near enough to stop me from recommending the book.

Ken La Salle’s writing is easy on the eye and the book is well edited. Although it doesn’t strictly fit in any one category, there are elements of Romance, Literary Fiction and Inspirational writing in this book. If you enjoy any or all, I think you’ll enjoy Heaven Enough.

Format/Typo Issues:

Very clean.

Rating: **** Four stars

Finding the Rainbow/ Traci Borum

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Genre: Women’s Lit

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: YES Smashwords: NO Paper: YES

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

“Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She's also an avid reader of women's fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she's written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.

Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater--must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it's the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to ‘look up, slow down, enjoy your life.’"

To learn more about her check out her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Description:

“Holly Newbury’s life is on hold in the cozy English village of Chilton Crosse. While her friends are marrying, having children, and embarking on successful careers, Holly is raising her three younger sisters and working part time at the village art gallery. Her life feels incomplete, but family is more important to her than anything. Then a film crew’s arrival galvanizes the community, and Holly becomes fast friends with Fletcher Hays, the movie’s love-shy American writer.

The production of an Emma film isn’t the only drama in town, though. Their father makes a choice that threatens everything she gave up her dreams for. Holly’s sisters endure growing pains. And Fletcher plans to return to America as soon as filming is over, ruining any chance of their relationship blossoming further. After years of sacrificing for others, Holly must find the courage to take a risk on a future she never dared to expect.”

Appraisal:

For the past six years Holly Newbury, being several years older than her sisters, stepped into the role of caring for and raising her younger sisters when their mother passed away unexpectedly from an aneurysm. Their father, Duncan, struggled with depression for months and hid himself away from the family in his home office. He is still practically non-existent in family affairs.

Chilton Crosse is a picturesque English community where everyone practically knows everyone else. It was nice to re-visit and learn about more people in this town. It is big news when a film company chooses an estate at the end of town to film the movie Emma. Everyone gets in the spirit and are lucky enough to play extras in the process of filming. Emma is one of Holly’s favorite Jane Austen stories. She decides everyone should read the book since the movie is being filmed there. She organizes a book club to be held at her cantankerous Aunt Gertrude’s house to try to draw her into the town’s excitement. She even invites Fletcher Hays, the American playwright who adapted the book for the big screen, as their resident Emma expert. They become fast friends and the book club is a huge success.

Each chapter is opened with a Jane Austen quote, which ties into the story. The plot is character driven with many twists that draws different family members into the spotlight. Family secrets are exposed, which must be dealt with, a teenage infatuation goes awry, and a hidden emotional time bomb explodes. To top all of this off Holly is suddenly struck how much her life parallels Emma. This turned into a satisfying read that left a smile on my face.

FYI:

This is Book 2 from the Chilton Crosse Series, however it can be read as a stand-alone story.

Format/Typo Issues:

I was given an advance reader’s copy but I noticed no glaring proofing errors.

Rating: ***** Five stars

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Reprise Review: The Road to Rebirth / Dean F. Wilson

Reviewed by: Sooz

Genre: Fantasy

Approximate word count: 80-85,000 words

Availability    

Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: NO  Smashwords: NO  Paper: YES

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland. The Call of Agon was his first published novel, which won an award for an early draft in 2001. Wilson has since published two more. He is also a journalist working in the technology field.

You can learn more at his website.

Description:

The Road to Rebirth picks up where The Call of Agon left off. Ifferon, Herr’Don, Delin and company learn what they need and want out of the next chapter of their journey when all seems almost lost beyond repair. The characters go through moments of self-discovery and are prepared to fight for what they believe in – even if that means meddling with the afterlife.

Appraisal:

The sequel isn’t usually better than the original in a series, but The Road to Rebirth is certainly an exception to that.

This is the second book in Dean F. Wilson’s series The Children of Telm. It picks up right where it left off when all the characters of the first book learned devastating news. Now, it’s time we learn how they deal with the challenges that have been put before them.

The action in The Road to Rebirth is much crisper than the original, likely because there isn’t much backstory that Wilson needs to tell to get this story moving. While there may be slightly less action than the first, there is more going on here with all the characters discovering more about themselves as they are tested to their limits.

The Road to Rebirth takes many of the characters in different directions than they plan on going, but the different journeys seem important to the quest that lies before them.

The writing is also much cleaner, cutting through any unnecessary words, but still allowing Wilson’s wonderful prose seeped with rich, lively color to allow the readers to get a full picture of the world he has created.

Wilson also shows the characters’ growth. They are all in such different places from when we meet them in the first book until the end of the second.  After going on a journey through two books with these characters, I feel invested in them and am intrigued to learn how it all plays out.

FYI:

This is the second book in The Children of Telm series and does not work as a standalone.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Matthew Willard And The Quest To Kiss A Girl / Collin Mitchell

Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Humor/Coming of Age/YA

Approximate word count: 85-90,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: NO Smashwords: NO Paper: NO

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

With the exception of the bit in the book description which says the book was written by a stand-up comedian, I was unable to find out anything about the author, Collin Mitchell.

Description:

“Matthew Willard and the Quest to Kiss a Girl is a humor novel written by a stand-up comedian about what it feels like to have a high school crush, and how it feels when that crush inevitably stomps on your heart.

The story begins with Matthew’s initial challenge in middle school – to kiss the girl of his dreams. After a serious of failures and mishaps, it progresses to his high school objective – finding any girl above a 'six' who will let him stick his tongue in her mouth for a split second. Along the way Matthew and his snarky friends attend carnival freak shows, encounter muscle bound Christian life coaches, and learn why nothing good ever happens when you put on a Speedo.”

Appraisal:

This book is humorous while still feeling real, hitting the right notes on what it's like for a reasonably typical boy growing up. We follow the protagonist, Matthew Willard, from sixth grade until high school graduation, and his quest to kiss a girl. (If he gets one kiss, making out can't be too far behind.) Much of what Matthew and his friends went through gave me flashbacks of my school years many years ago.

An example of the way a boy of a certain age thinks and the humor inherent in that is this line:

“The best out-of-town girls where the ones from small towns, because they have limited access to boys they’re not related to.”

The theory being that a hot small town girl visiting the state fair would be more likely to kiss Matthew or one of his friends, not realizing that he wasn't that great of a catch. Unfortunately this quote shows a minor instance of an issue that was widespread. Specifically, this book is in drastic need of copy-editing. Sometimes these errors made me laugh (a beautiful girl telling Matthew “put your hands on my waste” was one). More often it just irritated me as I tried to work out what was intended, just moving past one error and getting back into the flow when I'd trip on another. There is a fun story here, but unless you're much more forgiving of these types of errors than I am, it might not be worth the effort.

FYI:

Some adult language.

Format/Typo Issues:

Numerous issues with grammar, homonym errors, wrong words, missing words. Pretty much any kind of issue that should be shaken out as a part of the copy-editing and proofreading process makes an appearance somewhere.

Rating: ** Two Stars

Widow As Butterfly Dealing with Grief and Loss / Ty Nolan

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir/Self-Help/Native American/Myths/Legends

Approximate word count: 20-25,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: NO Smashwords: NO Paper: YES

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Ty Nolan is a professional storyteller and a therapist. He was asked to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) professors how to use Storytelling (a retelling of traditional Native American Stories) to more effectively communicate complex concepts about technology to a general audience. Most recently he has worked with the National Science Foundation's Flagship Project, Synergy.

He currently lives in Arizona near South Mountain Community College, where one can be certified as a storyteller at one of the only Storytelling Institutes in the United States.

“The author studied with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in working with the various aspects of Death and Dying. His book, Coyote Still Going: Native American Legends and Contemporary Stories received the 2014 BP (BigAl’s Books and Pals) Readers’ Choice Award for Short Story Collections and Anthologies.”

For more information check out Mr. Nolan’s website or follow him on Facebook.

Description:

“There are two things the dying can take with them when they go. One is the Story of how to deal with leaving life behind and what is believed to happen next. The other is Love. This book shares the gifts also given by the dying to the living—the power of memories. The Stories the living take with them help make sense of their own lives and relationships. Trained as a traditional American Indian Storyteller and One Who Buries, the author has had decades of experience in helping in the final ceremonies for the dead and in comforting the survivors. Traditional Native American legends and rituals that provide a framework for understanding death and dying are woven in with systemic family therapy and psychological studies of bereavement—and healing.

The title—Widow As Butterfly—refers to a traditional Sahaptin legend. Just as life repeats art, this Story sets a pattern the Sahaptin people use in accepting the loss of a loved one.

The author's personal history led to a major keynote for the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam and over thirty years of working with families, children and Hospice programs on a national and international level in coping with grief and loss. Importantly, the work also examines the needs of health care professionals—who cares for the caretakers?”

Appraisal:

I pulled this from the introduction of Widow As Butterfly. I shortened it some but thought it was important to note:

“This book is an outgrowth of my many years of working with Death on a number of levels… It reflects the many workshops on Grief and Loss I have led across the United States, Canada, and Europe… The approaches and techniques described in this book don’t lessen the pain of loss. That’s part of our humanity.”

I was impressed and am in awe of Ty Nolan’s wisdom in how he approaches his work and most likely people in general. He seeks to learn each patient or clients own personal story through their culture, nationality, religion/beliefs, and history to provide a map to follow or use as a guide. Everyone’s is different in one degree or another and the map is fluid/changeable to fit ones needs. Not only does he tell Native American Stories but also accesses Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, and other Myths to relate. There is a Jewish story that I particularly liked, it made me smile.

Mr. Nolan also talks about perspective and relates stories of those he has helped guide through their grief or depression. No matter what kind of loss is being dealt with, I found his insights into people’s soul remarkable.

Another story I really enjoyed was Dancing With Dash-Kayah, it is another traditional Sahaptin story retold by Ty Nolan. Dash-Kayah is a big scary monster, which can represent grief, addiction, or disease. A clever boy overcomes the monster to make it more manageable. This is the way Mr. Nolan teaches. I would highly recommend this book for everyone, grief-stricken or not. It’s never too late to learn your story.

Format/Typo Issues:

I noted a small number of proofing errors that included missing, extra, or wrong words.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Life Memories / J.R. Hopkins

Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Memoir

Approximate word count: 30-35,000 words

Availability

Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: NO Smashwords: NO Paper: NO

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Originally from Oklahoma, J.R. Hopkins, has lived a nomadic life, living in several states through her childhood and adult life including Alaska and currently in Idaho.

Description:

“A memoir of surviving life and preserving memories!

Life can sometimes be overwhelming. This book is an account of the two years during which I looked after my mother, who had dementia, and the stress it entailed. It is about how I learned to cope and how I sought to preserve happy memories and banish bad ones, so that I could carry on with my life. I hope this book gives peace and solace to others who are caring for or may have to care for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is to help you seek and find joy and happiness in overwhelming and sometimes overpowering circumstances we may all have to face at some point and how to deal with it.”

Appraisal:

It seems one genre I've read a lot more since getting my first Kindle has been the memoir. I'd always read some, primarily travel memoirs or stories of the notable and famous. But with the ease of self-publishing has come the ability for people who are more in the mainstream to tell their stories. Among others, I've read a true life love story, the tale of a teenage runaway, and about a bookstore owner living with their family in a broken-down RV in the parking lot of the local Walmart.

An author I follow just asked a question on Facebook about why story is important to readers. Part of my answer was that a good story can put you in the place of someone else, making it easier to understand other points of view and helping you relate to people with experiences different than your own. Those other memoirs I mentioned did that. So did this one. One big difference between this and the others is I can actually imagine this happening. Many of her experiences here are things that will happen to most of us. While we may not have to care for an aging parent, we'll all have to deal with death and many of the other difficulties she chronicles.

At a high level, Life Memories is the story of Ms Hopkins experience caring for her mother for the last couple years of her life and dealing with her mother's physical and mental deterioration. There are lessons here to be learned about life, death, and family. But the most important lesson Ms Hopkins attempted to impart (stated explicitly a couple times) is the importance of focusing on and remembering the positive life memories to help you through the difficult times.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

#Free for your #Kindle, 6/11/2015

The author of each of these books has indicated their intent to schedule these books for a free day for the Kindle versions today on Amazon. Sometimes plans change or mistakes happen, so be sure to verify the price before hitting that "buy me" button.

Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie by Michelle Duffy

Amazon US

Amazon UK

A Chance for Charity by S.L. Baum

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Author's interested in having their free book featured either here on a Thursday or a sister site on a Monday, visit this page for details.

Reprise Review: Machines of Eden / Shad Callister

Reviewed by: Pete Barber

Genre: Science Fiction

Approximate word count: 75,000-80,000 words

Availability    

Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: YES  Smashwords: YES  Paper: NO

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Shad Callister splits his time between the mountains of Utah and the rivers of northern Alabama. Machines of Eden is his debut novel.

Description:

Set in a post-apocalyptic world of constant warfare where the Grays (the establishment) leverage technology and the Greens (the seething masses) make do with what they can steal and re-purpose. A brilliant scientist has created an island paradise aptly named, Eden, to act as a model new beginning for humanity. But the scientist’s assistant goes wacko, reprograms the AI computer and plans to use the technology on Eden to re-purpose the whole surface of the earth by using nanotechnology to turn everything man made into potting compost.

Appraisal:

The book’s opening indicates that the war is finally over and our exhausted hero, John Fletcher, hitches a ride home on a transport flight. The flight is diverted, attacked, and John awakes, battered and bruised, on a tropical island beach.

From here, he penetrates the compound containing the AI computer controlling Eden and learns about the doomsday plans. Of course, there is a ticking clock, and our hero has to overcome enormous odds, both physical and intellectual, if he’s to save the world.

Nanotechnology, super computers, Artificial Intelligence, cyborgs, robots. Yep, this story has them all. Now don’t expect to get to know the characters in depth, or to get a visceral feeling for the settings. This book isn’t about those things. It’s about action. And when you’re riding a high-speed roller coaster, you don’t have time to take in the scenery.

I enjoyed the heck out of this read. The science is informed enough to make sense. The doomsday scenario is logical. Our hero can do more damage with a screwdriver and ring-spanner than anyone could possibly want. The crazy people add spice, and most enjoyable, the AI computer, Eve, is beautifully written and a lot of fun.

Format/Typo Issues:

None noted.

Rating: ***** Five stars