Book Review | Alan Eisenberg | Crossing The Line

Crossing The Line: A Cautionary Bullying Tale

This book was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review. Even if a book is sent to me for free, the review will always be 100% honest and the opinions shared will be completely my own. This book was sent to me through Bostick Communications. 

Author: Alan Eisenberg
Title: Crossing The Line
Genre: Fiction, Comtemporary, Coming Of Age, Young Adult, Teen

Pages: 342
Price: £12.72

Started: 30th April 2017
Finished: 4th May 2017

Synopsis: Four high school teens are going to find out just how much a bully target can take, before deciding that they can take no more. Will lines be crossed? On the surface, Berryville, Kansas looks to be a perfect midwest town to raise a family. But hiding in plain sight are the issues of teen bullying and the effects it has on the students at Lincoln High School. Four teenagers will learn the ultimate price paid for bullying others. Jessie, a girl with a tragic past, made worse by the turn of her best friend into her biggest bully. Brian, bullied during his younger years that led to a choice that made his situation worse. What decision will he make to deal with his fears? Sandi, the girl who got everything she wanted, except the attention she needed. What will happen when she schemes to bully and torture her old friend? Anarchy, a boy taken to the edge from a bullying event even he can't face any longer. Angry and lost, what will Anarchy do to get revenge on those he believes took his life away? Fate will bring these four lives together in a lesson about the ultimate cost of bullying others. Can anyone come out unscathed?

Review: I would like to thank Bostick Communications for sending me a copy of this book. When I read the synopsis I became very interested in this book and just had to read it. I could not wait to read this book as I knew that I would identify with some of the characters. I am a victim of bullying that started before I was 10 years of age and didn't stop until after I was 16 years of age. In fact sometimes I still get nasty comments that class as bullying but I have learnt to laugh at these comments and embrace myself as I am. This is a truly amazing book and a really gripping read that does not sugar coat the effect of bullying. I really enjoy books that are upfront about the effects of bullying and don't hide the feelings of those who are being bullied. This book is an accurate representation of what can happen because of bullying. It really highlights that bullying is a very serious issue that can have very dire consequences. This plot does not have a happy ending but that is the brutal truth of the outcome of bullying. I found the plot to be very gripping and realistic and could not bring myself to stop reading this book. A good thing about this book is how easy it is to identify with the characters that are bullied (if you have been the victim of a bully yourself). It takes a lot to make me emotional but I did find myself crying at the sad events that took place in this book. I think I was more emotional reading this book as I have experienced bullying for many years about many different things and I felt everything insult that was hurled at the poor victims portrayed in this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary and teen books but also if you have been bullied or want to see the consequences that can come from bullying. This book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf as it shows me how lucky I was to survive the bullying that I had to experience and how I came out stronger on the other side. 

Rating: I gave this book a 5 star rating as it was a really gripping novel that I could fully identify with and I found myself lost in between the pages feeling all the same emotions and the characters that were the victim of bullying. 

Book Review | John R. Clarke | Finding God In A Broken World

Finding God in a Broken World

I won this book in a giveaway. The giveaway was listed on Goodreads. A review is not required but I like to share them as I like to bring attention to new or lesser known authors and as a thank you for hosting the giveaway.

Author: John R. Clarke

Title: Finding God In A Broken World

Genre: Religion, Belief, Christianity

Pages: 119

Price: £9.80

Started: 19th April 2017

Finished: 30th April 2017

Synopsis: There is no doubt that we are entering the final stages of the history of this world. Lawless abounds, terrorism is on the increase, and wars and rumours of wars are abound. Natural disasters such as tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, floods and tornados are also becoming more common as the earth struggles under the burden of humankind's rebellion. So what does the future hold for the beloved of Christ? Finding God In A Broken World provides insight into the steps to remaining free in Christ during the turbulent days ahead. The book explores seven keys areas - from embracing the love of God, finding Gods purpose for our lives, and overcoming the world, to living the victorious christian life and remaining free in Christ, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves facing in the coming days. Author John R. Clarke's scientific background gives him a distinctive insight into the Bible and the word of God, and it allows for a different perspective on the events of the end times and christian living than those normally provided by theologians. Although the times of the last days can be fraught with tension, unease and even hostility, it is important for christians to know that by understanding the difficult aspects of God's teachings, his positive purposes and his plans for eternity will come into better perspective. By meditating on these teachings, the hope and prayer is that believers can find inspiration, comfort and blessings. 

Review: Firstly, I would like to say that I am grateful for having won this giveaway. Even though I am not a religious person I do like to know what other people experience in turns of belief and how it influences their life. I find religion to be an interesting topic so am always happy to read about the different religions. This book provides lots of insight into Christianity, the Bible and the modern world. I found this book to be an interesting read and would be a good read for everyone, religious or not, as they can get an in depth look into and understanding of Christianity. This book is not one that sugar coats Christians and Christianity; it shows that Christians are just regular people and that they make mistakes just like everyone else but that they atone for their mistakes and it also shows that some branches of Christianity misunderstand the teachings of the Bible by charging for the word of God. This book was written to show that God is relevant in the modern world and that Christians should not lose faith. Whether religious or not I would recommend reading this book to christians, other religious people and people who do not believe at all as it is an interesting read. 

Rating: I am giving this book a rating of 3 stars as I am not religious but I did enjoy learning more about Christianity and how it is relevant in the modern world for those who do believe. 

Book Review | Bruce Marcom | Galaxy Of Empires | Space Pirates

Galaxy of Empires: Space Pirates

I won this book in a giveaway. The Giveaway was listed on Goodreads. A review is not required on giveaway wins but I like to post them as a thank you for hosting a giveaway and to bring exposure to new or lesser known authors.

Author: Bruce Marcom
Title: Galaxy Of Empires
Genre: Science Fiction, Pirates, Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Action
Series: Space Pirates

Pages: 71
Price: £3.97

Started: 19th April 2017
Finished: 19th April 2017

Synopsis: The Space Pirate Series is an action-comedy about Captain Meek and his mischievous band of pirates who set out to find trouble and treasure in the wilds of space. They are met with alliances, betrayal, pirates, space police, telepaths, sorcery, bar fights, beasts and of course space dragons. 

Review: Firstly, I would like to say that I am very grateful for having won a copy of this book. Reading the synopsis made me very excited to read this book. I tend to gravitate towards fantasy, fiction, action and crime novels and this book is a unique mixture of all of these. This book was exciting and gripping from start to finish. I found it difficult to stop reading this book and put it down. Another good thing about this book is that it is a quick and easy read. I think that if the book was longer I would not have enjoyed it as much. After reading this book it made me more interested in reading more by Bruce Marcom. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading short stories and the numerous genres that this book covers. This book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf as I cannot let go of books that I have been sent or won in giveaways as they are just so special to me. 

Rating: I am giving this book a 5 star rating as it was a quick read that was full of action. This book is the perfect blend of length and action. If the book was longer I think that the action and excitement would fizzle out. 

Book Review | Des Ferry | Did Socrates Get Pissed?

Did Socrates Get Pissed?

I won this book in a giveaway. The giveaway was listed on Goodreads. When a book giveaway is won a review is not required but I like to post them to help the author as I am grateful for having won the book. Any opinions I share on this book are completely my own and have not been influenced by outside people. 

Author: Des Ferry

Title: Did Socrates Get Pissed?

Genre: Humour, Fantasy, Fiction

Pages: 84

Price: £7.53

Started: 10th April 2017

Finished: 17th April 2017

Synopsis: If you enjoy British humour then Did Socrates Get Pissed? is a must-read book for you. It is a black comedy with a lot of laughs which starts in Camp Bastion in Helmand Province with the impending discharge, following Defence Cuts Review, of Fred .... his concerns about the job opportunities available to him in civilian life, his troubled marital life with Chardonnay, his friendship with Wily Sid, the Regiment comedian and can do man, and ends back in the Lower Pennines in the United Kingdom.

Review: Firstly, I would like to say that I am very grateful for having won a copy of this book. When seeing the title I was confused about what the book was going to be about but when I read the synopsis I knew that this was a book that I wanted to read. Normally, I do not enjoy comedy/humour books but there was something about this book that drew me in and made me curious about the book. This was an unusual and interesting story that managed to grip my attention and made me want to read more by the author. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading humour and fantasy/fiction. 

Rating: 4/5 I gave this book a 4 star rating as it is a good read but it is not the genre that I like to read. However, this book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf. 

Book Review | Kevin Scott Olson | Breakout

Breakout: A Michael Quinn Short Story

This book was sent to me for free by the author. This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. The author contacted me about reviewing this book after I signed up to his newsletter.  Any opinion I share about this book is completely my own and is not influenced by the author or publisher.

Author: Kevin Scott Olson

Title: Breakout

Genre: Thriller, Military, Fiction

Series: Michael Quinn

Pages: 38

Price: £3.84

Started: 15th April 2017

Finished: 15th April 2017

Synopsis: An American soldier, traveling alone in rural Mexico, is arrested and, without a hearing or trial, thrown into one of the Country's most notorious maximum security prisons. If the American's true identity and mission are revealed, he will never leave Mexico alive. Michael Quinn, ex-navy seal turned CIA special operative, is given the assignment: rescue the imprisoned American before the soldier receives a life sentence from the Mexican Government ... or a death sentence from the Mexican drug cartels. 

Review: I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book. After reading the synopsis I was very excited to read this book. At the start of the book, I was unsure if I would actually enjoy the storyline. The more that I read the more hooked I was on the plot and ended up loving the book. This book was also a plus for me as it was a short, quick read that I finished in no time. Sometimes I lean towards short stories as I can have them finished in less than an hour. Short stories are something I like when I am in a reading slump as they don't take too much time up and they can also help to break through the reading slump. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories, fiction and/or mystery thrillers. I would also recommend the rest of the series. This is a short and gripping novel worthy of a place in all book collections. After reading this book I cannot wait to invest in more books by Kevin Scott Olson.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The only reason I gave this book a 4-star rating is that the first few pages were slow and made it difficult to get into the storyline.

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Book Review | Priscilla McGreer | Darkness Visible

Darkness Visible

This is a book that I won in a giveaway. The giveaway was listed on Goodreads. The author of this book, Priscilla McGreer, did not ask for a review of this book. Any opinions I share about this book are completely my own and are not influenced by the author or publisher.

Author: Priscilla McGreer
Title: Darkness Visible
Genre: Poetry, Feminism

Pages: 50
Price: £6.95 (May Change)

Started: 10th April 2017
Finished: 15th April 2017

Synopsis: Lilith is a figure of enigma and myth. Historically, her first appearance in literature seems to be medieval Jewish folklore, where she is considered the first wife of Adam, although there are hints she was once a Sumerian goddess. Lilith represents one of the most ancient archetypes: the dark feminine who awakens to correct serious errors among humanity. Darkness Visible is a collection of poems, written through the voice of Lilith, but also a critique of patriarchal society. In the first part, she addresses prominent historical, mythological and literary male cultural heroes from the last few thousand years. 
In the second part, female figures address Lilith and share their wisdom, guidance, and strength. Sometimes, it is necessary to destroy in order to build up, like mother earth through volcanic eruption. Now is the time. The ancient spirit of Lilith has been reawakened, summoned into the light of modern society. Although her words refer to old, even ancient, figures, it does so in order to address contemporary issues before its too late.

Review: Firstly, I would like to make it clear that I am very grateful for having won a copy of this book. In all honesty, I had little interest in poetry but I thought it would be good to try some poetry before I made up my mind about whether poetry was something I would enjoy or not. This collection of poems has an interesting theme and I did like reading this book. I will admit that this book was not for me. It made me certain that poetry is not for me. This may not have been for me but I know that if someone enjoys poetry then they will love this collection of poems. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in poetry and feminism. Even though it was not my favourite read this book will always be a part of my book collection as I am just so grateful that I won this book.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Lyn Coffin | A Taste Of Cascadia

A Taste of Cascadia

This is a book that I won in a giveaway. The giveaway was listed on Goodreads. As I won this book a review was not required. Any opinions shared on this book are 100% my own and are not influenced by the author or publisher. 

Author: Lyn Coffin

Title: A Taste Of Cascadia

Genre: Fiction, Play, Short Story, Comedy

Pages: 54

Price: 99p on kindle

Started: 11th April 2017

Finished: 11th April 2017

Synopsis: A taste of Cascadia features two short comedic plays, with the Pacific North West as a backdrop. 

In Lutefisk, a middle aged computer dating couple discover their previous connection from an unlikely event. 

Fries in a wine glass brings us two sisters exchanging differing accounts of their growing up years in a diner, following the funeral of their sister. Secrets and jealousies are revealed as they reconnect after a long absence, and hope for reconciliation. 

Following the launch of this book,  these plays were performed around the Seattle area in various senior centers with an abundance of laughter and appreciation.

Review: I would like to thank the author for listing this giveaway. If it had not been for the giveaway I would not have known this book even existed. I am grateful for having won this book. Even though I entered the giveaway, when I read the synopsis I was unsure whether I would like this book or not as I am not really a fan of plays or comedy. I much prefer crime, horror and fantasy novels. However, I found these short comedic plays to be relatively entertaining. This book is not something I would pick over something in my preferred genres but it was definitely an interesting read. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy plays or comedy; definitely a mix of the two. Even though this book did not blow me away it will remain on my bookshelves and maybe one day it will draw me back in for another read. Lyn Coffin is an excellent author and if she wrote stories of a darker nature then I would definitely invest in them. 

Rating: 3/5

The reason I gave this a 3 star rating is simply because I do not enjoy this genre of writing as much as others. My rating has nothing to do with the writing style or how enjoyable this book is. The writer has a good and gripping writing style and if this book had been a crime or horror novel then I would have been hooked.