Category Archives: Books

Book Reviews – Melissa Style

Posted on March 28, 2014 | 2 comments

Hi Everyone,

Hope where you are the weather is getting milder, frozen North is still frozen but we have hope – around 40 today so all things are possible.

This is a note on my philosophy on book reviews.  I’m not doing my reviews for money or any sort of compensation – such as free books or other give a ways.

I’m doing my reviews because a librarian once told me to read only what you like when its for entertainment. So I read for enjoyment and hope you’ll be able to pick out books you’ll like based on my reviews.

Since I’m doing this as a way to share my likes you won’t see critical reviews on this site.  Sometimes I wonder why, with our finite time on earth, some feel it necessary to be critical.  You’ll accomplish much more by promoting and supporting authors you like and you’ll feel better when you’re sharing positive energy.

I do the same with any reviews on Amazon or iTunes where my user name is MissMed51.  In those cases it will cover reviews not only on books, but movies, TV or equipment I may need to buy.

This is my soap box talk for tonight – won’t promise never to do another post like this one but will if needed.  A good rule of thumb is this, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.  Don’t know who said that but have been hearing it in one form or another all my life and whenever I follow the advice my life goes very smoothly.

Also, one should always remember, each of us has a bias where anything is concerned.  Know the books you enjoy reading and review those. There are many styles – find one that makes you say, yes, this is something I like.

Authors are making their living based on book sales – your opinion matters – make the most of it.  My wish is to help out a few authors while sharing my joy in having shared an imaginary world with them for the length of the book.  Hope you find something in what I write that helps you find your favorite book type that will lead to your next arm chair trip into the jungles of South America or the Carpathian Mountains in Europe. Take some time to travel.

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, HennepinCountyLibrary, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, Hope, Hostage/Kidnap, Inspire, MurderMysteries, Mystery, Romance

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“Dark Witch,” Book One of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Posted on March 24, 2014 | 2 comments

IMG_0228.JPG (2) IMG_0235.JPG (2)IMG_0229.JPG (2)Dark Witch Back Cover

I love this book and recommend to all who enjoy well written mystery romance with a little Magick thrown in.

The following quote from Dark Witch, gives us the keys to solve the mystery in Book One, Two and Three.

“Sorcha shook her head as Brannaugh started toward her.  ‘Not yet.  Magick is work.  It gives, and it takes.  It must be finished.’  She reached in the cauldron, drew out three copper amulets.  ‘To Brannaugh the hound, to Eamon the hawk, to Teagan the horse.’  She slipped an amulet over each child’s head.  ‘These are your signs and your shields. ….’” (Dark Witch, copyright 2013 Nora Roberts, written by Nora Roberts pages 14 and 15 published by The Berkley Publishing Group).

The modern story begins with Iona Sheehan.  She’s from Baltimore, Maryland but never felt a part of that place and time.  All of her life she’s heard stories about Ireland from her maternal Grandmother, Nan, and longed to go to County Mayo to live and work.

Iona sells all that she has to fund the trip that will begin her new life in Ireland.  She’s in search of her destiny.  Relying on a map from her Nan, her first stop is to find the Dark Witch, Branna, her cousin.  Branna gives her a place to live and knows of a stable where Iona may be able to find work.

Iona meets Alaster, the wild stallion, at the stable where she gets a job as stable hand.  Alaster is destined to be Iona’s protector.  He is a magnificent animal beautiful in how he yields to Iona’s will.

Boyle McGrath, her new boss, is a force to be reckoned with, big and tough, will he be Iona’s destiny as well?

Dark Witch is a mystery full of adventure, intrigue and the bonds of family both those formed by birth or by will.   The descriptive scenery, witty dialog and well written story bring Iona and her quest to life.  The plot is steadily building throughout the book and comes to fruition at the end.  The story doesn’t end there though, for the next cousin must fight the evil that is even now restoring itself to full strength.  The saga to follow your destiny to overcome evil continues with Shadow Spell Book Two of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, by Nora Roberts, due for release on March 25th, 2014, I’ve got my signed copy coming in the mail soon.

I bought my autographed copy of Dark Witch and Shadow Spell from Turn The Page Bookstore TTPBooks.com 

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Posted in BookReviews, Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Destiny, EasternUnitedStates, FindingOneself, Hope, Magick, Mystery, NoraRoberts, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

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Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing

Posted on March 22, 2014 | Leave a comment

Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing
Tomorrow March 22 from 12 – 2 pm Eastern time Click here to find out more information.

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Posted in Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Historical Romance, NoraRoberts, Romance

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Why I Recommend “Delusion in Death” In Death, Book 35 by J.D. Robb Book & Audiobook?

Posted on March 15, 2014 | Leave a comment

What do you look for in a good mystery?

First thing I want is a complex crime that takes some time solving. I want a strong detective that thinks through their search in a way I can share. The criminal(s) needs to have some moves that keep police guessing.

These key elements are in every J.D. Robb story. “Delusion in Death” is no exception.

The crime is particularly nasty because friends are viciously killing friends, no apparent reason is on scene, and they are dying in very large numbers.  The time of the murders is also ironic – during Happy Hour.

Eve – a strong, smart female Lieutenant of Detectives at NYPSD – knows there’s more going on than just a bad day.  She starts her investigation with her usual style – all business. Her methodical search gives me a look into the criminal mind and the motives that drive them.

“Delusion in Death” brings out the best in Eve helping her learn more about how she thinks so I, as the reader, find insight into my own thoughts.  Always more than just the main story in J.D. Robb books.  When I study the story I acquire knowledge about human nature, what it takes to keep sanity on a job, and maintain a happy, healthy home life in a stressful career.

Give “Delusion in Death” a look – you won’t be disappointed.

Why try the audiobook? Because Susan Ericksen is the narrator of the series!  She creates characters I recognize from tone and inflection alone.  Emotions come out as the story unfolds.  Better than any old time radio drama by far.

The number one reason to try the audio J.D. Robb writes dialog that’s real (doesn’t describe every conversation with said, or asked, for examples – the text flows together without identifying every nuance of the speech).  You’ll never find yourself keying in on and counting phrases like “he said” or “she said” instead of what the book is about.

Where I buy J.D. Robb is at the following links:

Audiobook:

http://www.audiobookstanddl.com/51FA9AEE-1110-4CCE-AEDD-204FCE8C8D55/10/119/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=75779298-4189-4E72-8A3C-5505161828D1

My Favorite for Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books, audiobooks and movies:

http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=X35DELUSIONmm

Book and Kindle:

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, BrillianceAudio, JDRBookReviews, JDRobb, MurderMysteries, Romance

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Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe to Host Nora Roberts Book Signing

Posted on March 15, 2014 | 2 comments

Link for event details and ordering website is https://TTPBooks.com

When:  Sat., March 22 from 12-2pm EST

Who:  Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb will be signing her work, along with fellow authors Mary Behre, Addison Fox, Cat Johnson, Erika Robuck & Tracy Anne Warren.

Books I bought through the excellent virtual signing option are:

SHADOW SPELL by Nora Roberts book 2 of the Series: The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy 2 (loved book one – looking forward to book 2).

THE ACCCIDENTAL MISTRESS by Tracy Anne Warren,

SPIRITED by Mary Behre, HE’S THE ONE anthology, with stories by Cat Johnson, Linda Lael Miller, Jill Shalvis,Luck Monroe and Kate Angell,

THE REEF by Nora Roberts (Special Offer),

CHANGE OF HEART by Nora Roberts (Special Offer),

THE MACKADE BROTHERS DEVIN & SHANE by Nora Roberts (Special Offer). 

I’ve been getting books from Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe since last July, safe and secure on the website and in person.  Check them out.

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Posted in Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Historical Romance, HistoricalRomance, JDRobb, MurderMysteries, NoraRoberts, Romance, Uncategorized

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Can not wait for “The King” to come out by J.R. Ward

Posted on March 11, 2014 | Leave a comment

A friend of mine loves this author – I think I should give J.R. Ward another look. Thanks for sharing and reviewing:)

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Posted in Blogs, BookReviews, Books, JR Ward

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Release Date for MIRANDA WARNING, Audio Version of God’s Daughter, & Call Out for Early Readers

Posted on March 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

Love mysteries on audiobooks reminds me of old-time radio drama. Thanks for sharing I’ll be watching for “God’s Daughter,” by Heather Day Gilbert

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Posted in Audiobooks, Books, Heather Day Gilbert, HistoricalRomance

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“Whispers in the Dark” by Maya Banks – Romantic Thriller

Posted on March 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

What makes this KGI Series Book 4 a must read?

When a tough man is nearly broken its a story but when a woman this man has never met steps in with an empathetic gift to bring him comfort and new hope you have a Maya Banks romantic thriller.

Fast paced novel with lots of twists and turns but throughout you never give up hope. The images that Maya Banks writes about are still in my mind, when the hero is searching for his rescuer she describes what’s around her. Its as if I can still remember the smell of pine – the writing a vivid intense artwork.

When you finish you’ll want to read about Shea’s sister, Grace, a class act that wants the best for Shea.

Great story of family love and what really goes into defining a true clan.

Since I also benefited from the audio version of this book, I wanted to say that Harry Berkeley does a first class job with creating distinct voices for every character. Hearing the story really brings it to life.

I hope you all get the chance to experience “Whispers in the Dark,” its not your average thriller but something more.

Below is the image for Book 5, Grace’s book.

Echoes at Dawn

Here are some links to where you may find the Whispers in the Dark (I’m also thankful to Hennepin County Library for providing this excellent work on OneClickDigital last link listed below::

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/whispers-in-dark-kgi-novel/id533299033
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/whispers-in-the-dark/id453095699?mt=11
http://hennepinmn.oneclickdigital.com/Login.aspx

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Posted in Audiobooks, BookReviews, Books, HennepinCountyLibrary, MayaBanks, OneClickDigital

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Link

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover

New York Times best-selling author Maya Banks presents a story of lost love and new beginnings.

This novel grabs you and won’t let go – recommend for all that love a good mystery/romance.

Listening to this title today courtesy  of OneClickDigital an excellent source of audiobooks from Hennepin Count Library

See http://www.hclib.org/pub/

Love the selection at this library in Minneapolis MN. Be sure to support your local libraries – so much more than just books are shared – check yours out today.

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Posted on March 8, 2014 in Audiobooks, Books, MayaBanks

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Why buy this book, “Strength in the Storm:” by Eknath Easwaran? I believe so you can live life more fully, let me tell you why.

Posted on March 2, 2014 | Leave a comment

Dear Rears,

 Why buy this book,  “Strength in the Storm:  Transform Stress, Live in Balance, and Find Peace of Mind” by Eknath Easwaran?  Give me a few minutes to tell you why.

 Have you ever wished you could have more time?  If the answer is yes, this book is for you.

 Eknath takes you on a journey of a lifetime – his.  Reading about his stories and teachings of his life, along with the incredibly insightful ideas from his wife and others that have benefitted from his books and lectures, you will learn how to harness your thoughts and become the person you were meant to be.

 How?  The key is knowing your mind and body want to work for your spirit and soul.  You aren’t your mind or your body – you are something more – a consciousness that needs to take control – ask for what it needs and wants from the mind and body.

 After you master the lessons from the many stories featured within this composition there are many more that Eknath has written right on Amazon and itunes – check out the links below. 

 If your life feels out of control or you need a new direction, “Strength in the Storm:  Transform Stress, Live in Balance, and Find Peace of Mind” is for you.  May you find the inner peace that being one with the universe may bring you if you’re open to the possibilities.

Watch my blog at https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/ to see more ways this book has helped me with my life journey.

Find the book at these links:

http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Storm-Transform-Stress-Balance-ebook/dp/B00FIP6IY4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393789024&sr=8-1&keywords=Strength+in+the+Storm%3A+Transform+Stress%2C+Live+in+Balance%2C+and+Find

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/strength-in-the-storm/id717819233?mt=11

https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/strength-in-the-storm/id336324898 –

 Daily meditations may also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EknathEaswaran.

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Posted in BookReviews, Books, EknathEaswaran, Hope, Inspire, Meditation, Support, Weight, Wellness, You Make a Difference

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