'6.4 Squared'

There are only a handful of authors in the world who I would read every word they’ve ever written. John Walsh is one of those. With Irish wit and worldly knowledge, John has put together a wonderfully warm and humourous collection of reflective poems. Several of the poems from John's rich understanding and wisdom about life made me stop, think, reread and really absorb what he said. With a masterful command of verse and a bullish view of life, this book is both special and thought provoking. A true treasure to read and a book that you will pick up again and again and again and.....

'Solid Stone'

When it comes to 'Solid Stone' by E.G. Patrick, my opinion is to go into it blind. I say that because the way this heartbreaking and beautifully erotic story unfolds is just to die for, at least for me it was! Violet knows the alluring Adam Stone is renowned in the high-powered corporate world. He consumes all of Violet's thoughts. A control freak, Adam is determined to possess all of her. They embark on a passionate odyssey. How far is Violet willing to go to keep their relationship alive? Secrets are exposed leading to an explosive climax. This is a very well written story and even though I have not read a lot of this type of genre, I enjoyed reading it. This author kept my interest from the first meeting between the two main characters.

Naked.

Covered only by her long hair, Lady Godiva famously rode naked through the streets of Coventry. This tale entitled 'Naked' by author Eliza Redgold is a beautifully written novel filled with loyalty, sadness and the victory of grace and love. This book had me -- and took me right into another place and time. Just as Lady Godiva grew in the story, so did I. An immersive and compelling adventure that I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in good quality historical fiction, especially if you're interested in the time period of Saxon England.

The Du Lac Chronicles.

A wonderful meld of historical fiction, myth and romance. Alden’s kingdom lies in rubble. He has only one possession left worth saving: Annis. Alden has one hope: his brother Budic, King of Brittany, who could offer them sanctuary—but whether he will offer the same courtesy to Annis is far less certain. Right away, I had a good sense of the characters, which were well described and each had their own distinct personality (loved Merton). If you think this is just another Arthurian tale, you’re mistaken. It combine intrigue with suspense in the reality of the English 5th Century. This is a sit down and finish book.

'Places and Time'

Places and Times is a collection of poems by Arthur Turfa that are full of beautiful descriptions from America to Europe to Mexico. I loved the slow and steady pace of Turfa's verse, powerfully filled with lots of emotion. I thought the poems were all well presented in the best possible order, so that midway through you find yourself on a summit, seeing the drop ahead and the inevitable powerful halt at the end. This is a collection I will hang on to and read whenever I want to understand the ups and downs of life.

'Charms and Witches'

Charms and Witches by Herb Mallette is a magical story that will leave the reader ready for more with its bewitching  storyline. The story follows the young and beautiful Cirie, as she falls for the mysterious Lanton. The reactions and actions of these characters were real - which is hard to find in paranormal books these days. I really liked Cirie as the main character. I did have some trouble in places, but that could be fixed with better formatting. Still, that’s a minor hangup - so if you want a good indie paranormal read that will keep you turning the pages, then pick this up and give it a read.

'Seven Steps to Freedom'

Even if you want to change something, the first thing you should do is to say yes to the current situation. 'Seven Steps to Freedom' by Darrell Mowat maybe a fast and simple read but don't let that fool you! It's packed full of great thought-provoking quotes that will only better your life. I love how simple this book makes everything. The first half contains short stories, while the second half is a discussion for self-development. This is the perfect antidote if you are ever struggling to know your life and emotions.

'The Missing Husband'

The Missing Husband by Amanda Brooke is a spectacularly sneaky story about a husbands mysterious disappearance? In the first few chapters, I was thinking, "This is one of those rare novels that's totally engrossing, cleverly plotted and I'm eager to find out what happens next."  In a nutshell, this is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing. But it's not only a thriller, the book is also about the unconventional truths in love and marriage.

'The Treasure of Gwenlais'

The Treasure of Gwenlais by M.T. Magee starts out strong and just keeps getting stronger. A love story between Princess Laurel and Prince Caleb in a fantasy world that is actually written with attention to spelling and detail - therefore, this is one of the more enjoyable books I have read in the genre. Laurel is awe-inspiring as a protagonist and the emotional turmoil through which she and Caleb undergo is brought out effortlessly by the convincing words of the author, which would reach deep into the heart of any reader. This is the first book in the The Rienfield Chronicles, so the second book has the opportunity to delve more deeply into the world in which Laurel and Caleb were born i.e. to flesh out the mythology and rituals associated with it. If this happens - it could be a most wonderful book series.

'Punishment Summer'

Punishment Summer by Peggy Rothschild is a heart-warming coming of age story that makes you stop and reflect on both the beauty and the cruelty of life. When I read the blurb on this one, I had to dive right in. The story of a girl named Nicki, who is sent to her grandfather’s in the town of Punishment. She has secrets, but so has Grandpa. From pot farms to trafficking, Nicki discovers nothing in ‘Punishment’ is as it seems. Good thing Grandpa taught her to shoot. This is an all encompassing novel of love, anger, learning and growing - and those are just a few of the emotions I felt reading this book. Thanks Peggy for a wonderfully written book.

'All Hallows at Eyre Hall'

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and charm of Jane Eyre in this unique sequel. 22 years after her marriage, Jane is coping with the imminent death of her husband and Richard Mason reveals unspeakable secrets and leads Jane into a complex conspiracy.  The beautiful book cover compliments this well written historical fiction romance. This kind of book makes you wish you lived in the past just for the experience. Half way through I realised it was time for bed. I put the book aside, but I just couldn't sleep...I needed to finish it. And I did, now I'm looking forward to part two :)

'Nothing'

Nothing by Linda Naseem is, as the author says herself "unfortunately, inspired by experience". It tells the "fictional" story of Annie, who discovers her husband is a drug addict. It was a very interesting story highlighting the affects on a relationship due to drug abuse. Some of the writing was convoluted and hard to get through but nonetheless worth the effort. A raw story filled with tragedy, violence and hope. These kind of stories stir up just about every emotion possible. So thank you Linda for sharing a story that many of us are not strong enough to even articulate aloud.

'Melophobia'

A place where all music is outlawed!! That is my worst nightmare, so I just had to read 'Melophobia' by author James Morris :p If you like a good love story, bedded in an alternative history with a Nazi-Style government in control, you will absolutely love this book. The story of Merrin Pierce who is in search of a fugitive, but she soon finds herself drawn to the sweet sound of his music. I've read many a story about alternate worlds and this one is right up there. The characters are believable and the writing is crisp, which makes for a fast read. A solid book form this author and a good introduction to his writing.

'Losing The Plot In LA'

I couldn't really relate to these characters, that's part of the reason it took me so long to push through this short book. Some of the informal of language was hard for me to get use to, but 'Losing The Plot In LA' by Sonia Farnsworth impressed me for being what it was. The seemingly black and white morale I found at first, soon turned into a more entertaining canyon of adventure, showing that not every stereotype is to be believed. Funny and biting with saucy characters, it does a good job of exploring modern ideals of identity, so in that way it's a great little read for its target market.

'Samantha Posey'

So what first attracted Samantha to the millionaire Jacob? Love of course! She's a party planner but this time she didn't get what she planned. What you'll find in this story; An interracial romance between the main characters Samantha and Jacob, an interesting story-line, romance scenes, suspense, and betrayal. What you wont find in this story; A solid structure, likeable characters, an editor or a fast moving plot. The book is't badly written, it's just there is a number of things to like and dislike about this "heavy" read.

'Violet Chain'

People lie and manipulate, I simply don't know how I would react if I found my fiancé with another person at our engagement party!!! But things change for Violet when Chain comes into her life. The dual narrative tells the story from the alternating POVs of Violet and Chain. I'm not going to go into much detail, as I don't want to ruin anything. I will just say: within the first few pages of Chain being introduced, you'll develop a certain feeling towards him. The characters might seem stereotypical and one-dimensional to begin with, but as the story progresses we begin to see just how complex they really are. Absolutely delightful, well written, sensual, and characters you won’t forget. Janelle Kahele’s Violet Chain is a book not to be missed.

'The Death of Pat Bannon'

I like the straight forward way the author writes. It reads easy, and you don't have to go back and forth to figure out what he means about something. The Death of Pat Bannon by Kirk Bailey is quirky to say the least. At times its deeper than I was expecting with a character that's facing moral questions that the reader is forced to answer. The secondary characters added to the plot and the author writes well but I did feel like some of the dialogue was more like rehearsed speeches. I wont spoil anything but just say it's a fun read with delightful characters and a quirkiness that keeps you reading until the end. 

'Evitable Destiny'

Evitable Destiny is a heart-throbbing, gut-turning, love-fuelled story - beautifully written by author Izabela Monick. An excellent book for summer reading - bring it with you to the beach, but only if you can contain yourself. The author did a masterful job of building a sense of mystery and suspense. This glimpse inside the Stockholm Syndrome is a fascinating read and will surely satisfy lovers of a steamy, kidnapping romance. Izabela is a brilliant storyteller, creating characters that are both flawed and passionate. I thought Julia was an interesting character to read about. I couldn't always make sense of her behaviour or actions, but she did intrigue me. This book was crazy addicting as it took hold of me from the beginning and had me racing through the pages until the very end.

'Expecting'

After two miscarriages, Laurie and Alan are expecting - through IVF. But everything gets turned upside down when their doctor tells Laurie she was accidentally impregnated from a donor other than her husband! They must now face reality and their new future. You could easily see this being a movie. Expecting by Ann Lewis Hamilton is told with humour and substance that will leave you thinking of it long after you close the book. I thought it was going to be a bit fluffy but the author manages to pack in a lot of emotions without overdoing it. Ann's book was a wonderful read that I expect to rise on the best-sellers list.

'Leaving Normal'

Not your "normal" memoir :P Leaving Normal: Adventures in Gender by Rae Theodore will challenge you to examine your ideas about gender & society. Small anecdotes and memories make up this easy to read memoir dealing with a complex subject. Self-identity is so important for your peace of mind and it can be extremely difficult when society wont accept your identity. This book is an insight into the soul of woman who gives a tremendously moving and funny account of a bitter-sweet life. At about 120 pages, its well worth your time.