Apoca[hot]lips by Paula Houseman

Paula Houseman’s Apoca[hot]lips is an amazing new romantic comedy.  In Apoca[hot]lips we see where Ruth Roth moves on after her divorce and discovering that Ralph is NOT her cousin!  We see Ruth take on her mother and father, neighbors, come to terms with her ex-husband, her children and her new “in-laws” who have special and unique ties to her and her family!

“Everyone fought for a front row seat at the window after I closed the door.  We watched the cops make their way across to Portnoy’s.  Light seemed to be giving Dark a mouthful.  They stopped in front of her yard, surveyed it from the footpath.  I saw the diamond shape in her blinds get bigger.  And Lighter.  Her eye must have nearly popped out.”

I loved the interaction between her and her neighbor!  It made me recall with a huge smile all the neighborhood fights I witnessed between my dad and the crazy guy across the street.  I laughed until my husband asked if I needed to see a doctor!

Then there are the incidents involving her mother, Sylvia.  Houseman relays the incidents with humor but also with eye opening insight into what was really being said or done and how her mother might have actually felt.

“Over the years she’d crafted a whole bag of tricks to make me feel responsible for her misery.  When one, or ten, didn’t’ work, she’d pull another out of the hat.  I didn’t’ always see it for what it was.”

Paula Houseman is a very talented author with a profound ability to be both funny and perceptive.  Her style of storytelling is down to earth, real and importantly funny!  There are moments of gravity, of course, but through it all her gift to her readers is one that is almost a therapeutic session.  She shares insights, emotions and the reality of relationships that both captivates and helps to ease one into looking at things in a different light.

Sure, sometimes it is easier to go to bed, throw the blankets over you and hide for the rest of your life but where is the fun in that?  Where is the growth in that?  Houseman takes real life and gives it to her audience; it is said that laughter is the best medicine.  So if you’re in need of a good laugh, run do NOT walk to the nearest online or physical book store.  Paula Houseman’s Apoca[hot]lips is the book to get; prepare for hours of laughter as well as a book that will stick with you longer after you turn the last page. There will be times when you cannot help but think back to her book and begin laughing.

Her character development is spot on, she is consistent from book one to book two.  Her plot is well written and strong.  The strength of her plot is demonstrated through dialog and her character development as well as witty descriptions.

I honestly have not laughed so hard or felt so connected to a story.  Absolutely brilliant!

WordsAPlenty awards this book with a five-star rating for it's entertaining humor, solid plot and brilliant creativity of the author, Paula Houseman.

Click here to purchase.

The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife by Ellie Midwood

Annalise Meissner, a young woman living in Berlin had it all:  wealth, loving family, a career as a Ballerina and a sheltered and protected life.  That is until the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht) when violence against Jews broke out across Germany.  Then she discovers a secret her parents have kept from her, one that will change her life. 

Alongside her husband, Standartenfuhrer Heinrich Friedmann, they must survive the development of the Third Reich and all its political traps.  Will her secret come out?  Can she continue to love her husband knowing he is a Nazi? 

Everyone has a secret but for Annalise witnessing the oppression against the Jewish begin, she cannot sit idly by and let the innocent die or suffer.  She must do something!

Then he finally said, “You just came back from the Gestapo jail. You’re lucky to be alive.  Don’t you understand that you would be taking a risk and may go there again?”

Single-minded and single-handed, Annalise becomes a force that may just take down the Third Reich!

A historical novel, The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife is spellbinding and told from a woman’s persepective.  I found that once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.  Ellie Midwood weaves an intricate storyline in and out of the historical information smoothly and expertly.  She completely develops each character through dialog, description and emotion.  Midwood skillfully wrenches your heart and plays your emotions like a virtuoso, pulling every ounce of emotion from her readers.

Readers cannot help but become pulled into the action packed story with romance and thrilling espionage.  

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a wonderfully written book.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its flawless blending of history and creative story.

Of This Much I'm Sure by Nadine Kenney Johnstone

WordsAPlenty received an advanced reading copy “Of This Much I’m Sure” by Nadine Kenney Johnstone in exchange for an honest review. 

Finding that special someone you wish to spend the rest of your life with and have babies is daunting given the number of people in the world, the size of the world but Nadine Kenney found that special someone while on vacation in Florida.  Now she has to move from Chicago to a small suburban area in Massachusetts.  Life was going to be perfect.  For most starting a family would be easy and smooth going but not for Nadine and Jamie.

Given Jamie’s circumstances when he was younger, they must turn to IVF if they have any hope of having children.  Thus begins the nightmare and terrifying ordeal that Nadine and Jamie must face together as they go through the IVF process – the failures, the life changing process and mind numbing sense of being overwhelmed.   Then when everything seems to be going right, their baby is facing a life threatening danger.  Nadine finds comfort with her family and friends as well as a sense of hope.

“And if I do live to survive, I am acutely aware that my life will forever be categorized as before IVF and after.”

Nadine Kenney Johnstone describes her horrifying ordeal and desperate desire to have children every step of the way.  The reader feels her heart wrenching anguish as she vividly describes her experiences.   Told straight from the heart, one cannot help but connect with Nadine and feel her torment and heartache after each setback.  Told in simple down to earth terms, the reader is given a front seat on her emotional, mental and physical rollercoaster ride into motherhood. 

Johnstone’s memoir is moving; one cannot help but respond with tears, sighs and an urge to hug your children/spouse/grandchildren. Her path to motherhood is rough and fraught with hardships that are unimaginable, yet she stays strong throughout. 

This is a must read for anyone and everyone.  Johnstone talks about how she felt, not being able to conceive and seeing others slide into pregnancy and motherhood without problems.  She sees both sides of the situation as she experiences both.  As a woman, Johnstone’s openness and inner strength will provide guidance, support and most importantly HOPE. 

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for being well written, brutally honest and hopeful all at once.

To purchase this book, click here.  Will be available April 17, 2017. 

Zombie Fallout 10: Those Left Behind by Mark Tufo

Zombie Fallout 10: Those Left Behind is as riveting as the others in the Zombie Fallout Series.  From day one, it has been clear that Mike Talbot is unique and is full of witty sarcasm.  He continues to hold the world and fate of his loved ones in his hands knowing that one mistake or judgement can bring it all crashing down around him.  In this book we say goodbye to some longtime favorites and witness the return of some not so favorite people (will not spoil anything here).  BT proves himself more than capable of handling Knox (the newest and biggest bad ass around) in a hilarious yet unique manner then stepping aside so Mike and Knox can measure who has the biggest ... and most believable liar in a standoff (this is one you should NOT miss) You will be laughing.

I have watched Mark Tufo grow as a writer working his audience without mercy subjecting them to moments of humor, darkness and sarcastic wit.  He weaves his stories well and connects them expertly.  Tufo grows suspense even when you know what’s going to happen next, because he puts a slight spin on it eliciting a “I really didn’t see that one coming” response. His characters continue to grow and show more of their true colors and intestinal fortitude.  Tufo has created and grown Talbot, BT, and Trip in many ways making them seem more life-like.    I would not be surprised to see Talbot, BT and Trip being selected by readers/listeners, hands down, as the best folks to be stranded with in an apocalypse.

Tufo, as usual keeps his listeners off-balance but this time with an unlikely frenemy that has turned over a new leaf ... Don’t miss this book, the darkness is beginning again but more intensely and with gripping action.  As a storyteller, Tufo is an artisan who hones his skills and books with precision and deadly action – his internal dialogues are excellent and unfortunately for some of us – right on the money realism wise!

As usual the narrator, Sean Runnette takes the book and owns it Talbot style.  He draws the listeners in and holds them there with his talent and skill at projecting Mike, BT and the other characters to perfection.  His voice is clear and he drops Talbot witticisms skillfully, almost as if second nature.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

This is a must listen!

The Dream Stealers by Devra Robitaille

The Dream Stealers is about the life of Devin, a young woman just in her teens.  Her mother is gone and her father might as well be since he spends every waking moment building a laser spaceship.  Devin goes about life much on her own until one fateful day her father boards the spaceship called the Traveler and leaves her behind promising to return in a few minutes; The Traveler returns hours later but without her father!  The adventure begins when brave Devin straps herself into the spaceship and goes off in search of her father. 

She discovers many things about herself, her mother, her father and her future.  She finds herself in a race against dream stealers who are threatening the universe by stealing dreams and selling them on the black market.  Devin and her new friends at the flight academy on orders from the Dream Council must find a way to stop the thieving bandits.  Each dream that is stolen leaves the victim in a catatonic like state, a mere shadow of who they once were.  Can Devin and her crew outsmart the Stealers? 

Devra Robitaille, author and illustrator, creates a world that children and young adults will love.  She builds her story around a young girl who is both strong and smart; who meets challenges head-on. This story stresses the importance of listening, thinking things through thoroughly and not rashly which is something most kids and young adults struggle with daily. 

Her characters are strong, well developed with flowing dialog.  The story is action packed and fun.  While it is an easy read, you will be drawn into the story and find it difficult to put it down.  The illustrations are simple but colorful – a strong representation of what faces Devin.  Robitaille gives her readers glimpses of Devin’s mind as she works through the different situations before arriving at the right solution.  Her words are vivid and detailed with several plot twists that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.  The plot is well written and developed. 

Robitaille weaves the story around lessons to be learned, questions that young adults ask themselves and gently guides them while keeping them entertained. 

WordsAPlenty gives this book a five-star rating for its creativity.

The book will be released on February 19, 2017.  Click here to purchase on or after that date.

Double Down & Dirty by Samantha Cole

Double Down & Dirty: A Doms of The Covenant Short Story written by Samantha Cole is phenomenal!  Twin millionaires, Grayson and Remington Mann are owners of Black Diamond Records.  They have a lot in common – they share everything: the same birthday, the same house, the same business, and the same women. They are also very popular and well versed in the BDSM lifestyle.

Abigail Turner is their personal assistant.  She fantasizes about them, they fantasize about her but employees are off limits, especially one as talented as Abigail!  That is until the twins make an outstanding and shocking discovery that has them coming to blows and Abigail quaking in her shoes.

Now the fun really starts and Cole works her magic.  The seduction is slow and sweet sending tingles down the reader’s spine … romantic and intriguing.  Cole’s books are much more than romance, it is about respect, friendships, family and being ethical and moral.

Her characters are strong and yes, sexy in their own way.  Her female characters are not drop dead gorgeous models but are rather modeled around real people – they have the same struggles and doubts shared by many of her readers – image, emotional misconceptions of ourselves.  The men are strong and she demonstrates that chivalry is NOT dead.  They are strong but respect women.

Cole’s books show a depth to her characters and story lines that are growing with each book she writes.  Cole’s growth as a story teller and writer has been amazing to watch unfold moving from the simple to more complex story lines adding in more characters and growing the Trident/Covenant world.

Cole’s dialog is realistic as is her story lines from the BDSM piece to the mystery and romance pieces.  She writes with enthusiasm yet does so tastefully.   As an avid reader, I have enjoyed reading Cole’s series.  My first and last thought was, “WOW! Uh, Samantha Cole – when’s the next one coming out?”

WordsAPlenty awards this book with a strong 5-star rating for the continued growth of the series and author as well as being both action packed and extremely well written.

The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donahue

I decided to try eStories.com for a free audiobook download.  I found the membership allows me to choose from over 80,000 bestselling titles with new releases.  For my free audiobook trial, I selected The Boy Who Drew Monsters by Keith Donahue. 

Absolutely riveting!  Jack is a gifted young artist with Asperger’s with a deathly fear of the outside.  Trapped in his home by his deep fear, he struggles to keep himself safe from the noises on the outside and the monsters that want in – they want him!  As strong as his fear is, he is also harboring a secret that is tearing him apart – a secret with a responsibility that no one can comprehend.  Although he must put an end to the secret, it could be deadly to those around him.   No one knows what happened three years ago, but Jack does!  That’s when it all started … the evil … the fears … the noises.

His unsuspecting friends and family are captive to the same monsters; they just don’t know it yet.  A supernatural tale with a psychological twist or two. 

Donahue takes heartbreak, fear, and childhood nightmares twisting them into dark, evils that lurk just outside the edge of reality.  It is a book that will haunt you from day one.  Donahue is a wordsmith that vividly paints with words in dramatic detail drawing the listener in and putting them through the same fears.

The narrator, Bronson Pinchot was excellent.  He spoke clearly and became each of the characters.  His performance was pitch perfect and captivating with his strong yet soothing voice.  I thoroughly enjoy listening Bronson Pinchot’s performances.    He never disappoints!

The audio production was excellent; I had no issues.

I have been a fan of audiobooks for a long time.  Imagine my excitement when I found that eStories.com works on all my devices through a free app; about 80% or more of the audiobooks downloads are DRM-free leaving you to do what you want with them; unlimited cloud storage; and at $11.95 a month, it’s extremely affordable.     And at least for now, anyone who signs up is given an audiobook for free. 

I rate The Boy Who Drew Monsters with a 4.5 star rating for exciting, creative and captivating.  eStories.com gets a 5 star rating for their excellent service, opportunities and membership opportunities.

To receive an audiobook for free, go to eStories.com