Emilie written by the author Ingrid Ramsdale is a work of fiction in the romance, historical and drama subgenres. Story features a sixteen-years-old Emilie Lefroy. She was born as a noblewoman to a Protestant family in Paris, France. Emilie’s parents don’t allow her to have a classical education. Her brother Pierre is mean and her parents have a plan to marry her to Pierre’s friend Marcus Daval who is evil.
Emilie wanted to be a healer but by living at her home, she couldn’t get her hands on the books that would give her that kind of education. She started sneaking into the garden to learn about some herbs from her gardener Thomas. Emilie was given a choice by her parents to be either a lady-in-waiting or a wife of Marcus Daval? Which path Emilie will choose? Will she create her own path?
Story is intriguing and the plot is constructed so nicely that it hooked my attention till the last page. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable. Emilie’s character is something I cherished totally while reading this book. I liked her bravery. Emilie’s brother Marcus is really a pain in the neck. They played a perfect part of the villains. Ingrid’s writing style is nice and I am curious to read more of her work.
Recently I got my hands on the Science Fiction novel “Panglossian: Quasi-Daisy” penned by the author M K Bingman. Main character of the story is Faith. She is a junior in high school who is about to graduate. At the graduation ceremony, Faith didn’t have any friends. Faith’s life took a turn when she saw The Man. She asked The Man to run because she saw an unhappy creature coming towards them. The Man told her that this creature is Goobert. It usually lives on the sixth plane of existence in the third realm. When Faith unintentionally killed Goobert, she was marked for life with that little guy’s curse.
In the Home Realm, The Man told Miss Faith that it’s his birth place and she is an anomaly. The Great Powers Be willed her into existence for some reason. Story picked pace and become interesting when Faith and the Man travelled to the Kalolo Embassy’s, Planet Quii. Quii is the home to Rymuth Elves race. Grab a copy of this book and read it for yourself to know about the adventures and challenges that Faith encounters.
Story involves the use of technology. The Man communicated with Miss Faith using telepathy. Faith’s character is bold. She uses very strong and foul language most of the time. Cover photo of the book looks nice. Narration is smooth and I was easily able to follow the story. If you love reading sci-fi stories then go ahead with this one.
Book: The Adventures Of Vylette Bunny And Michie: Love At First Bite
Author: Michelle Crichton
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
“The Adventures of Vylette Bunny and Michie: Love at First Bite” is a Children’s Book written by the author Michelle Crichton and illustrated by i Cenizal.
Story features a quiet and shy 12 years old girl Michie. Ever since Michie was younger, she wanted to have a pet of her own. She even had savings for adopting or buying a pet. When Michie walked into the pet shop, her eyes fell on an unusual bunny Vylette. Taking care of a pet comes with responsibility. Will Michie be able to take care of the bunny or will she get stressed after realizing that taking care of a pet is not that easy?
This is a wonderful story from which kids could learn many things. I enjoyed reading it. Plot of the story is nice. Cover photo is amazing. The title of the story couldn’t have been better than this. Characters are well written. This is an adventurous story that kids will adore.
Hell Again written by the author Mihret Adal Gidi is an intriguing story. Story features Adah Bamlakfekad Aschalew. Adah has come from Canada to her hometown Ethiopia. She is about to marry Teddy who is not her father’s choice. But still somehow, Adah’s father agreed for their marriage. Adah went to a late night party with her bridesmaids the day before the wedding. Her friends offered to drop her home but she insisted on taking a taxi.
Unfortunately, the taxi was having issues so Adah decided to walk. She met a stranger on the way and he is quite handsome. Adah found herself attracted to him. She was attracted to him to the level that she didn’t mind spreading her legs for him. She lost her virginity to a stranger just before the day of her wedding. Next morning, Adah noticed that she was at a strange place that seemed magical and like a dream.
What is Adah gonna do? Will she still marry Teddy? The plot of the story is unique and interesting. Cover photo looks awesome and according to the story. I appreciate the author’s choice of title for this book. Writing style is nice with a smooth narration and I enjoyed reading this novel. World building is amazing. Go ahead with this book. I am sure you won’t regret picking it.
I am really glad to get my hands on an amazing poetry book Eleven Sundry Flowers penned by the author Frank Mundo and illustrated by Keith Draws.
Frank had written eleven poems for her wife Nancy Aceves during their courtship days. He has composed these poems for eleven days, one poem a day. The author has only written eleven poems i.e. flowers for his Nancy because she is the twelfth flower.
The author has narrated about his feelings and life in these poems. These are love poems and I enjoyed reading them. The illustrations are rich. This is the first time that I have read a book with such rich illustrations. Flower Powered is my favorite poem from the collection. In this, the author has related his love Nancy with the butterfly 🦋.
These poems seem very close to the author’s heart. This way of presentation of love is something I can’t appreciate in words. I loved this idea to present a flower/poem to your fiance during the courtship days. If you love reading poems then pick this book. You will love the author’s writing in which he has poured his heart.
The Forgotten Gun penned by the author John Reid is a crime thriller. Three months ago, Steve Burt was suspended by the Metropolitan Police Force. Because of his indiscipline he won’t be getting any pension. But his old boss Commander Malcom managed to get another six months temporary job for Steve. After six months, Steve will leave with pension intact, a wedge of redundancy cash and glowing testimonials.
Steve will be the head of the new fake units called Special Resolutions. Also, as the head of Special Resolutions, Steve will automatically be promoted so he will get a better pension, more redundancy money with higher salary for next six months. Steve agreed to Malcolm’s offer. He has two staff members also posted to him. Story became more intriguing when they have to solve a case of double murder. I was amazed by the killing machine that the killer has used and how accurate his planning was.
This is an unputdownable gripping thriller. The story kept me on the edge the whole time I was reading it. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable. Characters are very interesting and written well by the author. Pace of the story is fast and I enjoyed every bit of it. If you love reading crime thrillers, don’t miss to grab this one.
Shallow Like A Poet written by the author Anwesha Borgohain is a collection of poems. This poetry book has total thirty five poems. Poems are based on relatable topics like I want to forget him, if you ever come back, the haunted house, red, etc. My favourite poem from the collection is “The love once mine”.
I had a dream about you again. Today we were walking on a beach on a moonlit night. You were holding my hand as the waves touched my feet every few seconds, I looked into your eyes for the hundredth time today. And in your smile, I saw the love once mine.
The poems are written in a simple language. Even if you are not an avid poetry reader, you will be able to understand these poems easily. The poems are about different feelings like love, loss, grief, etc. Cover photo of the book could have been more creative. I enjoyed reading this beautiful collection and like to recommend it to all poetry lovers.
Rollover: A Nikki Doyle Novel written by the author Paula J Longhurst is a mystery thriller and a drama. Main character of the story is Nikki Doyle. She works for a division of Avalon that has taken over the running of the National Lottery from Camelot recently.
Nikki’s latest client is a couple – Marvin and Lydia Potts. They have won £10 million in the lottery. She introduced herself to her clients as Veronica Doyle, from Archimedes. The company for which Nikki works provides a barrier between the lottery winners and the downside of having so much money. This company helps in relocating the lottery winners and give them a new identity. Nikki started seeing a therapist Dr Caroline Bradley about a month after the bank robbery took place. Dr Bradley suggested her to try hypnoanalysis, in which the victim re-live traumatic experience in a safe environment. Even though the robbery has happened six months earlier but Nikki still finds herself disturbed by it. Is Nikki putting herself in danger by taking the Potts case?
I love reading stories that has a mystery. This book kept me on the edge as I read it. Cover photo is eye-catching. Pace of the story is fast and I didn’t feel bored anytime while reading it. The twists and turns in the story kept me curious to find out what will happen next. Dialog narration is wonderful and I loved the way the story ended.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is John Reid, born in Scotland more years ago than I care to remember (73 years young) and am currently enjoying retirement with my wife of over 50 years Liz splitting our time between Scotland and Portugal. Now that I am finally retired, and both children grown up, I have had time to concentrate on writing and bringing the ideas that I have carried around for years to life!!!
My early years were spent in the army serving in the Royal Corps of Transport on a Short a Service a Commission, serving in both Northern Ireland and the Middle East. My working career began in management trainee positions and ended in CEO positions working in venture capital and fund management. I was fortunate to travel widely before the world became so accessible, seeing different cultures first-hand and learning as you go – there was no Trip Advisor in those days!! I’m still not sure of the origins of several meals to this day, but slow flights and hotels in deserts gave me plenty of time to read!!
I’m also delighted that I can use writing to benefit Sense, a, a great charity that supports anyone living with complex disabilities. For anyone who is deafblind. Sense helps people communicate and experience the world. The believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential, just as I do.
My only regret is that I waited this long to start writing, it has become a real passion. There are times when I wish I could type with more than finger though!!!
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book?
Starting. I had a blank piece of paper and an idea for a story that I had thought about for a lot of years, but once I got that first paragraph down it immediately started to flow, with a sense of excitement at finally getting the nuances and subtleties of the story down on paper. Each book has been referred to as a ‘screenplay’, and that is exactly how I write.
The central plot for “The Forgotten Gun” is based on something that I had often thought about and intrigued me as an idea – The idea that someone can be killed, it looks like a shooting, but there is no bullet or any obvious firing point. Woven around this central story is an introduction to the main character in the series – DCI Steve Burt. A decorated but disgraced officer with a final chance to save his career, hindered by an impossible case to solve a newly formed team of misfits to manage.
The success of every story is getting the characters right. I wanted to create characters most people could identify with. Real people doing a real job, but to never become boring, predictable or disappear as in some books. Every character has a story, and I try to make the reader struggle to predict their next moves.
I also wanted to show a working policeman doing his job 24 hours a day with no padding out of the story line with statements such as “the following week etc. etc. ” Real policemen work their cases each day and my readers follow their time-line.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I’m an avid reader and have a wide and varied reading history. I wouldn’t say that any author in particular has influenced my writing style, but there are many authors that I admire, and I respect every single author who has had the courage and commitment to get their words into print. I have a style all of my own and deliberately do not follow any formula or other authors works – it keeps it fresh, orginal and a pleasure to write.
There are a number of incredible series from the likes of Lee Childs and Ian Rankin, and my guilty pleasure of Rumpole from the Bailey by John Mortimer, and I hope that the DCI Steve Burt series can emulate these fine bodies of work.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My wife and I live in both Scotland and Portugal. In Scotland our favourite spot is Loch Ness. The scenery is spectacular and you can still find places unspoiled by tourism and as nature intended. Finding lovely local bars, cafes and restaurants off the beaten track is one of our favourite hobbies!!
When in Portugal on the Algarve we enjoy walking the cliff tops and taking in the outstanding rugged, natural scenery with views out to sea. The choice of restaurants in the Algarve is incredible and my wife and I together with other friends enjoy eating out and trying different restaurants, all in the name of research obviously.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I think I am lucky in that I have a very productive imagination.
In all seven books to date, with the exception of “The Forgotten Gun”, I have started with only a vague idea for a plot and have allowed the characters to write their own script. So in answer to your question – no. There’s not a lot to do. I find if I give the characters the outline of a plot they then take over and I follow. I know it sounds weird but that’s how I write.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book?
I had the idea for “The Forgotten Gun” for decades in my head. I was lucky in that my way of writing was instant. As I said I allow the characters to run the story. “The Forgotten Gun” took me six weeks to write and my wife another six weeks to proof-read.
On each subsequent book I always have a vague idea for a plot-line, and once I sit down and weave in a series of sub-plots, characters and intrigue the stories flow naturally, growing and evolving with the characters.
I find it really enjoyable, quite absorbing, and a relatively quick process. The stories keep getting better and better too, although my publisher might just be saying that!!!
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book to buy?
I confess that today’s communication technology is beyond me so I am grateful for my in house support. I am reliably informed that ‘The Forgotten Gun’ is available on Amazon and the Austin Macauley website as the main channels. Other bookstores are available.
We also have a dedicated website for the series – http://www.steve-burt.com – and profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram if anybody wants to take a look.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Forgotten Gun’ ?
The book cover was started by our publisher and as a family we discussed it and came up with a few suggestions that were taken onboard. We wanted to create a mystery and not design a book cover that gave too much away. As to the title, as the story line evolves we could see only one title. The Forgotten Gun. The novel is after all about a gun that was forgotten.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
The simple answer is I don’t know. I devise plots with multiple layers of intrigue and find making notes surrounding the characters activity help me keep abreast of the action. Because the characters set their own agenda I feel the stories are always fresh. If I as the author don’t know what an individual character is going to do next, then the reader cannot possibly guess. It is always fresh and unpredictable.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I am sure there are but giving too much away in the blurb would spoil it for the reader. All I can say is that the identity of the killer, the reason he has selected his victims and his means of killing all become clear towards the final chapters of the novel. DCI Steve Burt and his misfit team uncover a web of events the reader could never imagine. I have been told it is a real page turner.
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Jolly Walker Bittick. I am named after my father and grandfather, but we each have different middle names. I was born in Denver, Colorado, but raised in rural western Washington. I served a term in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic, but have worked in numerous fields since, most recently as a communications editor for the Federal Government. I love to write and I also keep a daily journal to log the details of my day. As I entered my 30’s I realized that my life experiences are unique since I have traveled so much and lived in so many different places, so I decided to begin writing about the experiences and people I have met over the years.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Cape Henry House’ book?
The book is officially fiction, but based so much on true events that I had to make sure to protect the identities of people and certain locations showcased in the book. As this was my first publication, I was unsure how much detail I could include as it pertained to brands. Ultimately, I kept details as vague as I could in that realm, and tried to do so without taking away from the overall story. I did some general research and determined that protecting the military elements of the story was most important, and ultimately a few of the locations were real places but as they are no longer in existence I was safe to name them as they were in real life. Professional sports teams are mentioned in the story, but vaguely enough that there is no legal issue. Second, the creation of the chapters was challenging. I originally wrote the entire story without any chapters and then decided that chapters would help readers, particularly those who would not read the book in one sitting. I feel like the chapters are aptly named and well placed, but the initial challenge of creating and placing them seemed formidable.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
First and foremost, Ernest Hemingway in general. I decided when I wrote this book that I wanted it to be written for those who do not read. Short, sharp sentences and raw details were heavily incorporated into the work to keep readers interested and compelled. I also like author Harry Combs, and his western novel ‘Brules’ in particular. The opening to ‘Brules’ inspired the opening to Cape Henry House, and I also intend to use similar formatting in future publications (in fiction).
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Olympic National Park and National Forest. I am from the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington but I find it to be a place I prefer to visit as opposed to a place I call home full time. Anyone that has visited the peninsula is taken aback by its natural beauty and grand geography. It remains a wild place, and that by itself makes itspecial.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
There can be. A writer must have a purpose in writing a book, and at least a vague idea of what they want the story to be about. I have written material in the past that ended up with meaning different than what I was intending, and sometimes that is okay, but only if the writer can shape the work into something they can finish and produce for an audience. I take after Stephen King, who is known to sit down and start writing something without any outline beforehand of what the story will be about. I find my work is better when I write and get into the story myself, because it takes me on a journey as well.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Cape Henry House’ book?
Cape Henry House was written in six weeks. I contacted a few old Navy friends and discussed the story with them, and then I went about writing it. I had fun with it, so much so, that before I knew it, the story was completed.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Cape Henry House’ book to buy?
All major platforms, and most brick and mortar stores. The book is also available via box retailers like Walmart and Target. In particular: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google Books, Apple Books, Kobo, Books A Million, to name a few.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Cape Henry House’?
As the story is based on true events, it was an easy process to name the book as it is about a house on Cape Henry Avenue, a real street. My Navy friends and I have referred to the actual house as Cape Henry House over the years, the name was a natural fit for the book. I went through a cover design service and was provided with five cover designs based on specifications I provided. Ultimately, the cover of the book was the image selected. It was far and away the best of the bunch.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Focusing on the plot of the story and using as few words as possible to describe the characters and events while ensuring that the word choice is sharp, this gives a jolt to the reader which naturally keeps them compelled to read on. For me as a writer, it is important that I enjoy writing the story. I had fun writing Cape Henry House, because as I wrote it, I was brought back to the real-life memories that form the basis of the book. In other works, I follow the same blueprint. I make sure to apply my feelings and imagination to the writing so that it remains raw, raw in the sense that the person reading it can sense, smell, taste, feel, and apply themselves as so they are in the story as well.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Two things: Every character in the book is based (some more than others) on actual people from the days of the late 2000’s. In some cases, there is one character that represents more than one actual person, or multiple characters that are extensions of someone I remember from the actual party days of the real-life house on Cape Henry Avenue. The other thing: Nearly all of the wildest parts of the story are true. In some cases, it would be hard to imagine someone writing about such things without having seen or experienced it!
Sassy Reviews 