Secrets of the Elders Book Review

Secrets of the Elders 

(Chronicles of Acadia Book 1)

by David Matthew Almond

After their peaceful village, Riverbell, is raided by the foul monstrous skex, brothers Logan and Corbin Walker find themselves caught in a race against time, desperate to warn the capitol before the dangerous skex arrive to wreak the same havoc upon the unsuspecting people of Fal. 

Never could they imagine, that this would only be the very beginning of their unforgettable journey, when Logan is suddenly exiled from the kingdom for a crime he did not commit. On the run, doggedly avoiding his own brother, sent to pursue the wanted criminal, can Logan Walker possibly hope to stay free long enough to unravel the Secrets of the Elders? 

And So the Fourth Age of Acadia begins... 

Ages long past, forced to abandon the surface, mankind descended inside the core of their planet, fleeing an impending xenocide at the hands of the mighty Jotnar invaders and settling a new homeland among the deep forests in the wide caverns of Vanidriell, under the light of the Great Crystal Baetylus.

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***MY HONEST REVIEW  OF SECRETS OF THE ELDERS***

Brothers Corbin and Logan Walker have been training since childhood. Corbin has become a fierce warrior, whereas Logan is a slacker. This causes much strife between them. After Skex attack their town, they are tasked to warn the Fal kingdom that they will be attacked next. They barely make it there in time and again have to join in the fight. They become heroes and are invited to a gala to celebrate the victory.

Magistrate Fafnir was running for a seat on the Council. Because of his scheming, Logan is accused of murder and flees over the walls into the wild lands. He also starts rumors of conspiracy, which puts Corbin having to bring Logan back. But the wild lands are uncharted territory with many dangers. Can Corbin find Logan and convince him to come back within the allotted time?

It took a little while before I was able to get into this story. Sometimes the descriptions of the fighting lost me, but otherwise I enjoyed the action. It was more interesting once Logan makes it into the wild lands. I appreciated the bit of humor that was thrown in too. I could relate to the relationship between the brothers, but it did get aggravating at times. I enjoyed most of the characters, but hated the villain. 

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

Buy the book from...

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About the Author

David Matthew Almond

David Matthew Almond has been working in the restaurant and IT industry for the last 19 years. Over the last two, he has made time to focus on his true passion, writing stories. 

David grew up in the small Upstate NY city, Utica (home to such rare delicacies as Tomato Pie, Utica Greens, Pusties, and Chicken Riggies) and attended "Buff State" in the amazing city Buffalo NY, where he would eventually return to run his bakery café, meet some of the best people in the world, and fall in love with his wife Julie.

David currently lives in beautiful Monkton, Vermont and would love to hear from you... 

Baseball Dads Book Review

Baseball Dads

by Matthew Hiley

Dwayne Devero has had enough. On the surface, he lives the good life. He has a great house, a great wife, and a great kid… except that's just on the surface. What's festering beneath will bring anyone who dares cross him to their knees. 

Tired of poor decisions being made all around him, from the politics of player positions on his son's little league team to the philandering of his wife in his own bedroom, Dwayne decides that breaking is better than bending. What follows is a wild ride full of carnage and revenge, led by a man who will stop at absolutely nothing to bring honor back to his family, his community… and children's baseball. 

Baseball Dads is a pitch black comedy by author Matthew S. Hiley in which one man takes on the duty of bludgeoning honor back into a sometimes dishonorable world. 

Baseball Dads… Sex, drugs, murder, and children's baseball.

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF BASEBALL DADS***

A true baseball dad is one who never does concession stands or bathroom breaks, and definitely never sits. Dwayne, Russ, Tommy, and Steve are true baseball dads. Their group bonding comes from their sons being on the same team. Dwayne’s son, Alex, is the best on the team, with the other three’s sons being next best. The team coach, Ricky Dale always left them on the bench or playing worse spots on the team. In fact, Coach Dale always gave his son the best spot, and his rich friends’ sons always got to play, even though none were good. Each of the baseball dads had gotten tired of this.

One night Russ is witness to Umpire Dave committing a murder. He anonymously blackmails Dave into killing Coach Dale. This works out great until Assistant Coach Pete takes over and nothing changes. Dwayne has had enough and takes matters in his own hands by killing Pete and taking over as coach. Before it’s over with, there are double-digit murders, but the team makes the playoffs. And to the baseball dads, that’s all that matters.

Truthfully, I didn’t think I would like this book, since it was about baseball. I’m not a sports fan. But this book was hilarious and I hated for it to end. My family thought I was crazy because I was laughing out loud so much while reading it. Please, please, please tell me that they’ll make it a movie.  If you’re familiar with American Pie’s Steven Stifler, you will understand when I say that Russ is at least ten times worse than Stifler. And the comical textings that the group did had me rolling. I liked the ending too. If there is a second book, I guarantee you I’ll read it. 

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

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About the Author

Matthew S. Hiley was born and raised in Forth Worth, Texas. He attended Texas Christian University, and then Northwood University, where he met his wife. They have four children together, along with five dogs, six cats, and two lizards (he's into the animal rescue thing).

After finding success for several years in the business world, Hiley decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a writer. In 2010 he published his first novel, Hubris Falls, which was met with many rave reviews. Hubris Falls dealt, in very raw language, with the taboo realities in race, religion, and politics.

In 2011, tired of the sewer-cycle of politics and pop-culture the country had become submerged in, he published his second novel, The Candidates: Based on a True Country. This dark and absurd comedy took swipes at the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of those leading the country, as well as the fame-whores in reality television.

A terrible musician, a reprehensible fisherman, a less-than-mediocre golfer, and a talentless children's baseball coach, Hiley has found his place in life as a writer whose voice is sharp, witty, and unafraid.

The Seventh Sons of Sycamore Book Review

The Seventh Sons Of Sycamore

by Domino Finn

Maxim Dwyer is a small-town police detective whose wife disappeared two years ago. He has since found comfort by burying himself in his career, and things have been going well on the surface... but a deep void is bubbling up within him, and he is looking for any excuse to dive headlong into it.

Meanwhile, a mysterious biker named Diego rides into the small town of Sanctuary, Arizona and mingles with the local motorcycle club. Trouble has a habit of following him, or is he following it?

The Seventh Sons, an outlaw gang that runs in the forests of Greater Sycamore, find themselves embroiled in a murder. Protection from city officials has kept them free from scrutiny until now but they may have just crossed the line. And, despite the well-known rumors that the bikers are werewolves, that is little deterrent to men who have nothing to lose.

The Seventh Sons of Sycamore is a supernatural crime thriller about desperate people forced into extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes digging for the truth is really just digging your own grave. How far would you go?

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE SEVENTH SONS OF SYCAMORE***

Detective Max Dwyer had heard the rumors about the Seventh Sons Motorcycle Club but thought that they were just that, rumors. That changed the night he arrested three bikers. One of the arrested is Diego, a biker that’s only in town searching for his sister. When Max and Diego team up, they uncover more than they bargained for. Each discovery draws them deeper and deeper in deception and murder.

I enjoyed the way the author made you think one thing was going to happen, but a totally opposite does. Max and Diego were very likable. Even though I can’t say that for the majority of the characters, I did feel strongly about them. I liked that even though this was a book about werewolves, the emphasis is more on each character’s actions and continuing plot. All in all, I liked it, and would read more on this town and its characters.

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

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About the Author

Domino Finn is a science-fiction and fantasy author who has a decade of award-winning experience in the video game industry in Los Angeles. He likes to write about believable characters in unbelievable circumstances. Travel, technology, and trouble are his inspirations; music and football his distractions; and alcohol, well, it depends on the number of drinks.

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Blood and Magic Book Review

Blood and Magic

by Ann Gimpel

Magic didn’t just find Luke Caulfield. It chased him down, bludgeoned him, and has been dogging him ever since. Some lessons are harder than others. Luke survives by embracing danger and upping the ante to give it one better. An enforcer for the Coven, a large, established group of witches, his latest assignment is playing bodyguard to the daughter of Coven leaders. 

Abigail Ruskin is chaperoning a spoiled twelve-year-old from New York to her parents’ home in Utah Territory when Luke gets on their stagecoach in Colorado. A powerful witch herself, Abigail senses Luke’s magic, but he’s so overwhelmingly male, she shies away from contact. Stuck between the petulant child and Luke’s raw sexual energy, Abigail can’t wait for the trip to end. 

Wraiths, wolves, and humans with dark magic attack. Unpleasant truths surface about the child and Abigail’s well-ordered world crashes around her. Luke’s so attracted to Abigail, she’s almost all he can think about, but he’s leery too. In over his head, he summons enforcer backup. Will they help him save the woman he’s falling in love with, or demand her immediate execution?

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF BLOOD AND MAGIC***

Luke lost his parents many years ago to a Wraith. Until that time, he had sworn off learning magic. But using magic helped him to kill the Wraith. From that point forward, he learned everything there was to know about magic, later becoming a Coven Enforcer.

Abigail is a witch that also worked for the Coven. She agreed to chaperone Carolyn, the young daughter of the Coven’s top leaders on a move to Utah. Luke joined them halfway through the journey. Unaware that he is a secret Enforcer, Abigail doesn't trust him, and the feeling is mutual.

It doesn't take long to discover that Carolyn is not as she seems. With Wraith, mad wolves, and rogue humans constantly attacking them, will they be able to work together to survive? And will Luke and Abigail conquer their feelings for each other?

I felt like there should have been more back-story to Abigail. You learn why Luke is as he is, but Abigail is just thrown in there as is. I did like the story and the characters. It’s just that I didn't feel connected enough, except with Luke. I also wanted to know more about his fellow Enforcers, and their stories. And the same goes with the Wraith, wolves, and rogue humans. There is no reason or explanation, just that they are. I think the book should have given more on that.

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

Buy the book from...

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About the Author

  Ann Gimpel

Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist, with a Jungian bent. She's also a mountaineer and vagabond at heart. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years back. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines, magazines, and anthologies. Her paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels are widely available in e-format and print. When she's not writing, she's skiing, hiking, or climbing with her husband and three wolf hybrids.

For a complete list of Ann's short stories, novellas, and novels go to her website at www.anngimpel.com and click the link on the home page.

New releases include:

Earth's Blood, Post-apocalyptic urban fantasy

Witch's Bounty, Dark paranormal romance

Look for:

Blood and Magic, Dark paranormal romance with a steampunk twist

Forever and a Day, James Bond shifter style paranormal romance

Witch's Bane, Dark paranormal romance

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The Seamy Corners of American Politics Book Review

The Seamy Corners of American Politics: Current Conservative Articles on American Politics

by Kevin C. Caffrey

"The book operates from the conservative agenda of American politics. The Tea Party conservative movement and not the establishment conservatism of the Republican Party are discussed. This country needs to change. The funny thing about change is that the change this country needs is a regression towards America’s roots. The progressives have progressed America right out of what the Founding Fathers had in mind when writing the United States Constitution. 

This is a good book for anyone entering a college classroom for political science. If you read this book you will impress your fellow students and the professor with your knowledge and understanding of the current issues facing America today. The articles represent a lot of American history that helps to provide context and understanding for the issues being discussed. The book is great for people of all political stripes because the arguments in each article are interesting and thought provocative. 


This book represents the politics of America from 2012 to the present. The book is based on articles from many different subject matters including: economics, education, environmentalism, immigration, international foreign policy (Asia, Middle East, and Europe), Affordable Care Act, presidential, progressives, and religion. All of the subjects are written from a conservative perspective. 

The book represents a discussion that is based on the politics that where part of the twenty four hour news cycle from 2012 until the present. Every article written in this book was written in real time as the events unfolded and blossomed on the media scene. Every article in this book can be found on the internet and all the articles are printed by http://www.nolanchart.com/. The Nolan Chart website is well known for its political discourse across the entire political spectrum from Liberals to Conservatives and everything in between." 

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF 
THE SEAMY CORNERS OF AMERICAN POLITICS***

This book gives a true understanding of today’s politics from 2012 to the present. Current issues are written from a historical perspective, as well as a political one. The book consists of articles written in real time, with a conservative angle.

A Power Elite whose allegiance is not to America, but to the entire world is running our Washington government.  Under President Obama’s administration, American government is gradually stepping away from the Constitution.  Obama has run the national debt so high that we may never recover from it. He has pitted American against American through race and religion. Instead of making the economy his first priority, with the Democratic party’s help, he instead pushed through Obama Care, which is so bad that he didn’t want his name affiliated with it and renamed it the Affordable Care Act.

Modern politicians have had to deal with issues like immigration, fossil fuels, minimum wage, debt ceiling and stimulus abuse, and an administration that refuses to give a budget. This administration, along with the Democratic party, has proven many times over that they could care less what their constituents want. The Republican party is doing its best to rein in their power, but are failing miserably.

After reading this book, I feel I know a bit more of how politics work. I can’t say I came away feeling any better about it though. I’m glad each chapter was only a couple of pages long; otherwise it would have lost me. It was easier to take each point in small doses. Although I didn’t vote for this president, and haven’t agreed with what he calls his accomplishments, I tried to read with an open mind. The author gave a description of each party members characteristics. It was eye opening, to say the least. I now understand why each party reacts the way they do.

I was already frustrated with the way our government is handling things. After reading this, I’m still as frustrated, but have more hope now than I did before. Mr. Caffrey presented a couple of ways that could help the economy of which I was unaware. And of course with elections this year, there’s still hope for us.

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

Buy the book from...

Amazon.com    Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Kevin C. Caffrey

I just finished writing my first book it is a non-fiction book about American Politics. The name of the book is The Seamy Corners of American Politics: Current Conservative Articles on American Politics. I write articles on a weekly bases for a political website called NolanChart.com. I studied political science and have a Master's Degree from the University of Colorado.

Kate's Escape From The Billable Hour Book Review

Kate's Escape from the Billable Hour

by Petula Parker

Kate Billings, a burnt-out, second-year attorney working in the dysfunctional world of Big Law, regains consciousness after a late night, career-ending meltdown at the office. Can she scramble to undo the damage? Or does she even want to? 

Kate is a Red Bull-dependent, yoga-hating attorney at Krapp & Lipschitz, L.L.P., Arizona's largest and worst-dressed law firm. At first blush, Kate leads an enviable life. At only 26, she earns a six-figure salary, owns a quaint downtown bungalow, and has managed to shed the 80 pounds that have plagued her for most of her adulthood. 

A devastating performance review by firm partners Krapp, Butts, and Waddleberger, however, calls Kate's chosen career into question. Her confusion is compounded by a stranger’s innocent inquiry: "Are you happy?" Finally, when Kate receives her annual bonus -- consisting of a smoked ham and skin concealer -- she cracks. Upon realizing that she has been passively allowing her life to unfold under the belief that at some point things would just click into being perfect, Kate ransacks the partners' offices, quits her job, and buys a one-way ticket to Barcelona, planning to stalk ("it's not 'stalking,' it's 'reconnaissance'") the Spanish exchange student she has been secretly in love with since high school.

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF 
KATE'S ESCAPE FROM THE BILLABLE HOUR***

Kate Billings was a second year associate at Krapp & Lipschitz Law Firm until her meltdown and she had to take a “sanity break”. Without forethought, she flies to Barcelona in search of Diego, the foreign exchange student who lived with her family 10 years ago. She had never gotten over her crush. Back then Kate was fat, unattractive and awkward. Now that she was thin, attractive and successful, she decided it was time to pursue him. But still plagued by awkwardness, mayhem seems to follow her everywhere. Her journey will take her full circle and end so much different than she expects.

Where do I begin on this? Kate’s hilarious comedic antics and thoughts are never ending. First, what kind of name is Krapp & Lipschitz? Then you have the fungus commercial that brands her as a foot model. Or what about the snakeskin, cat turd, pubic hair, anti-gay producing spell? And believe me, there’s many more. I was laughing out loud enjoying every bit of it. Although Kate’s life falls into place, I would love the author to continue a series on new adventures of her.  

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     GOODREADS

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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me.

Buy the book from...

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About the Author 

Petula Parker
Petula Parker was inspired to write Kate's Escape from the Billable Hour based on her own trials and tribulations practicing in the unforgiving arena of Big Law, and her experiences living in Spain. Miss Parker currently resides in the United States, where she avoids attorneys and men who wear denim shorts.

The Last Letter Book Tour

A Father’s Deceit
A Husband’s Betrayal
A Loved One’s Death
A Mother’s Choice
A Daughter’s Resentment
A Time to Forgive

For every daughter who thinks she knows her mother’s story…

Katherine wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t found the last letter…

Katherine Arthur’s dying mother arrives on her doorstep, forcing her to relive a past she wanted to forget. When Katherine was young, the Arthur family had been affluent city dwellers until shame sent them running for the prairie, into the unknown. Taking her family, including young Katherine, to live off the land was the last thing Jeanie Arthur had wanted, but she would do her best to make a go of it. For Jeanie’s husband Frank it had been a world of opportunity. Dreaming, lazy Frank. But, it was a society of uncertainty — a domain of natural disasters, temptation, hatred, even death.

Ten-year-old Katherine had loved her mother fiercely, put her trust in her completely, but when there was no other choice, and Jeanie resorted to extreme measures on the prairie to save her family, she tore Katherine’s world apart. Now, seventeen years later, Katherine has found the truth — she has discovered the last letter. After years of anger, can Katherine find it in her heart to understand why her mother made the decisions that changed them all? Can she forgive and finally begin to heal before it’s too late?

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***MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE LAST LETTER***

This is a beautiful story revolving around Jeanie and her daughter Katherine. As you begin to read, you think that it is going to be told from Katherine's point of view, and it is, to an extent.  The main story though, is through Jeanie's eyes. She tells of their unexpected life in the year 1888, whereas Katherine is telling of the resulting consequences in the year 1905. The story is told back and forth, so you basically know the ending, but the way it is written, you have to read the entire story to find out how it got to that ending, and this author knows how to make you want to know every circumstance that got Katherine and Jeanie to that point in their relationship.

Kathleen Shoop has a way of drawing you into the story. I wasn't just reading the story, I was living it alongside Jeanie. I felt every betrayal and horror that she felt. Ms. Shoop gave such vivid descriptions that you couldn't help but feel you were seeing it all pass like watching a movie, and I really did see the movie in my mind as I read. Once started, I could not put the book down until I finished it.  

I connected with this story more than I care to admit. I give very few ratings of 5, but this one earned it because there wasn't anything about this book that I didn't like.  I will definitely be reading more from this author.  

My review can also be found at:

    AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

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Buy the book from.......

Amazon.co.uk    Amazon.com    Barnes and Noble

About the Author
A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Kathleen's debut novel, The Last Letter was garnered multiple awards in 2011.  Her second novel, After the Fog (Silver IPPY), was a category finalist in the 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Awards. Her third novel, Love and Other Subjects, earned a Silver medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention from the San Francisco Book Festival. Recently, Kathleen has released the her first romance novella, Home Again (Book One). Book Two, a novel-length work in the Endless Love series called Return to Love, will be released in May, 2014. Books Two and Three in the historical fiction series that started with The Last Letter are nearly complete and should be released by fall, 2014.

Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

THREE Lucky Winners will each receive a $15 Amazon Giftcard,

courtesy of author of The Last Letter, Kathleen Shoop

Ending on Sunday 3rd August at 11.59pm EST

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