The Magdalene Prophecy: Quickening - book one, not sure I want to read book two

 

The Magdalene Prophecy, Quickening: Book One by Shams-Tabriz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really did enjoy this book and found the characters were very well developed; however, the first couple chapters were populated by endearing characters, then the entire book shifted to someone from a clandestine organization, a killer. Not a spoiler since you learn all this at the beginning of the book.

The story felt unfinished and there were many loose ends. They may all be tied up in book two and three, but I'm not sure I love the characters enough to continue reading. The killer does redeem herself to a degree, but I didn't love her enough to proceed with further books in the series.

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Barbara Michaels, House of Many Shadows - excellent, earned a place on my keeper shelf

 

House Of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book won keeper status on my bookshelf, beside other Barbara Michaels books I've loved.

This book was a pleasant surprise, after a slow start, things became decidedly spooky after she moves into the country home her elder cousin owns. The house is vacant, but Andy Brenner, a man she knew as a child when growing up, lives in the caretaker's cottage and takes care of the property. But is the house truly vacant. Meg is suffering from hallucinations since she sustained a head injury after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. Her elder cousin Sylvia invites her to move into the house to get peace and fresh air that her doctor recommended.

Meg thinks she may just be crazy, until Andy experiences the visual hallucinations that Meg sees when he touches her. I don't want to say much more, what I have said so far is in the book description. The house holds many secrets and it takes both Andy and Meg to uncover them.

This was an excellent book and the last 100 pages were so absorbing that I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery with a supernatural twist.

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Grave's End: A True Ghost Story by Elaine Mercado - very good and makes 4 out of 5 stars

Grave's End: A True Ghost Story by Elaine Mercado
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very good book, written skillfully. The only issue is that it sagged quite a bit in the middle, and though this is a short book, it could have been shorter.

Elaine, her husband, and two small children move into a house that had been on the market without continued interest. This was a home that Elaine and her small family could afford, and after the old couple from downstairs was finally out, they could make it completely their home. From day one they could feel someone watching them. Things do accelerate from there and get worse. I don't want to say more because I don't want to include spoilers in this review.

This was a good, fast read of particular interest to those of us who believe in ghosts and those who teeter on the edge of believing. I do recommend this book.

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slow going, but becomes a very spooky, suspenseful tale

Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so sure I had a ton of time to read this one, but it languished half finished on the coffee table while I recovered from surgery. As soon as I started feeling better, I picked up the book and began to read, reaching the point where I couldn't put it down, and was reading late into the night wanting to know what happened next.

The first half of the book was slow going as stories for Kitty and the others at Portis House were taking form and being fleshed out. I wasn't a huge fan of the first half of this book, clearly. I almost abandoned it, but I'm happy I gave it another chance.

Don't worry, no spoilers here, you learn the following at the outset.

Kitty is fleeing her cruel, abusive father who turned his rage toward her after his wife left and her brother went off to war. We are transported back to the early 1900's and World War I. She can't take anymore abuse and takes off, running as far from home as she can get. She invents a story for herself, impersonating a nurse and goes off to Portis House to nurse shell-shocked soldiers, some driven mad by the things they have seen. Portis House, meanwhile is a decaying hulk with a completely locked off wing of the house that no-one is allowed to enter. I can't say more without giving away too much, but can say that there are ghosts and a love interest (as much is said in the blurb on the cover). If you can persevere through the first half of the book (you may enjoy it, I was distracted by a broken foot), the second half has all the fun stuff you want to read in this spooky, suspenseful tale.

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This book became the cornerstone of my research

Hashimoto's Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back by Izabella Wentz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book contained so much valuable information. I took pages and pages of notes to the point that I feel like I'll be teaching my doctors a few things. Her section about supplements (vitamins) was invaluable. I went out and bought all of the supplements, and honestly feel a little more energy since I started taking them. Your body needs mineral supplements (and what is found in a healthy diet) to run properly (just a few of them are selenium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D). The supplements are not usually either found in daily vitamins, or it they are, they are not at a high enough concentration to help. She also includes a section regarding diagnostic testing to find out if you are one of the 80% of hypothyroid people who actually have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

This is just a small part of the research I've been doing, but it was a great start. It gave me a foundation for how the endocrine system works, what Hashimoto's is and what it does to your body. I highly recommend this book if you are looking to gain a good foundation for your hypothyroid issues.



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Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson ~ beautifully written ~ serious subject matter that keeps you turning the pages

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I sat down with this book and read it, cover-to-cover in one day. Then I had to put it aside to wait a few days before I could write this review. The book was just that stunning.

I'm not new to the works of Laurie Halse Anderson. I have read and enjoyed two other stunning titles from her, including Catalyst and Speak. Yes, this is young adult work, but it is appealing to all ages. So, I am already a fan of her writing style.

This is the story of a girl's decent into the horrors of anorexia, along with what it does to that girl's family. But before you write it off as not subject matter that would interest you, give it a try. Laurie Halse Anderson joins the ranks of Alice Hoffman and other's who write in a nearly poetic way. She builds in just enough suspense to keep you reading.

This book is a beautifully written story about a harsh, heart-breaking subject matter that will leave you thinking for days.

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The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll ~ a totally life-changing book

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future by Ryder Carroll
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To say this book was life-changing for me would be an understatement. I was mired in to-do lists and abandoned planners until I found this book.

I checked this book out of my library thinking, okay here we go, another method that I'll fail. Planning is not my strong-suit, but I can see I need it desperately. Ryder Carroll shared his own story, and how he couldn't get anything done until his boss shared a new idea for a to-do list, and Ryder Carroll tailored it to his needs and created his own system in this book.

Before reading this book, I had watched quite a few videos on bullet journals and was a little turned off by the creativity and fancy lettering that some people put in their bullet journal. I knew that just wouldn't work for me because I would be more focused on being creative than actually planning out my life and accomplishing things. This book taught me that, using Ryder Carroll's message freed me, and I started getting lot more done. Now I have a B6 Stalogy notebook (which I love) in a cover that was my Dad's, and I'm getting more done every day, and planning the future well too.

This book is good enough to own, so I may buy my own copy soon. I love this method and I love Ryder Carroll for sharing it with everyone. Total awesome book!

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The Blood of Patriots by Bill Fulton and Jeanne Devon: Amazingly suspenseful, edge of your seat reading

The Blood of Patriots: How I Took Down an Anti-Government Militia with Beer, Bounty Hunting, and Badassery by Bill Fulton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The beginning of this book was laugh out loud funny during the chronicling of his trip from down south all the way to Alaska. After arriving in Alaska and being medically retired from the military, Bill Fulton starting selling military stuff like that you can find at any army/navy store on the internet. When he opened his shop in Alaska, he hired other veterans who were suffering from a lack of direction and some PTSD. It gave them a place to call home, and a job they could be proud of. And, of course, his shop carried more than the average army/navy store. He also had body armor and other such equipment. Over time, he attracts the attention of some anti-government militia, with one who was particularly dangerous.

To say more would likely ruin the story for you since most of the above happens very early, near the beginning of the book. It takes off frighteningly fast after that and runs at a breathtaking pace. Told in the first person, since this is a memoir, you feel every prickly fear that Fulton feels and cascades of emotion. I read this book in a matter of two days. This non-fiction book is not usually my type of book, but this story was impossible to put down. This was written with journalist Jeanne Devon and you could see the skill there in the story telling. I had to keep reassuring myself that Fulton didn’t die during the course of his dealings with one particularly dangerous person (I knew he lived to tell the story).

I think this book could appeal to anyone. I almost didn’t read it, but ended up the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and worrying. Now I’ve passed the book on to my husband, and he’ll enjoy the heck out of it too.

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Book reviews ~ Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann & Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry

Here are two book reviews for you, one fiction and one non-fiction. I highly recommend both, depending on what your interests are.

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Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice byColum McCann – this is serious and funny at the same time and the perfect book whether you’re just interested in writing, or you’ve been writing. It’s very encouraging - http://go.magik.ly/ml/50o2/

Vanishing Act (Jane Whitefield Book 1) by Thomas Perry – this is a suspense novel that does contain a lot of backstory, but the character development and suspense make it worth reading. There are many plot twists in this book that keep you glued to the page. Plus, it’s always best to read the first in a series, even if you skip around with later books - http://go.magik.ly/ml/50o4/

*****

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Book review: Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry

Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read and enjoyed so many of Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield series, so I finally got my hands on this first book in the series. The book does contain a history of the character, a Native American Seneca - I was particularly interested in this because I have Seneca in my family tree. So I was very interested in the history aspect of the book, but some readers may not be as interested in this background information, which you can easily skip past, but I don't recommend that. It does help explain what makes Jane the way she is.

This is an intriguing story about Jane Whitefield working with people who need to disappear because someone wants them dead. The focus character who comes to Jane is John Felker, a retired police officer with a bag full of money. The story follows the pair on the journey to anonymity. There are twists and turns that keep you reading to the very last page

Having read quite a few books in the series, you don't really need to read them in order. Even though this book builds her history, there are nuggets of that history sprinkled throughout the series. I do recommend this series very highly, but don't wait to read other titles until you've read this first book. Read whatever part of the series you can get your hands on - excellent and total worth your time.

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Book review: Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann

Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice by Colum McCann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, the title of this book may lead you to believe that this book is for young adults, not so. I believe the term "young writer" refers to a beginning writer, but this book could be read at any age and any stage in your writing journey. In fact, in one chapter he writes, "how old is the young writer? Seventeen, sixty, forty-six - who cares?" So be a brave writing soul and pick up this book, no matter what your age.

This is an excellent book that includes a lot of humor, as well as an abundance of encouragement and hints at what it takes to be a great writer. One of the funniest was the chapter titled: don't be a dick. He addresses the snooty attitude laden writer. The chapter goes deeper and funnier. I laughed out loud when I started the next chapter title: Then again don't be too nice (in your fiction anyway). I haven't written in a long time, but this book did jump start me right back again. Sometimes you need a book like this to give you a good kick in the pants (and encourage and instruct you as well).

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Book Review: The Green Beauty Rules by Paige Padgett - 5 out of 5 stars - will change the way you look at beauty

The Green Beauty Rules by Paige Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazingly eye opening book.

Paige Padgett is a makeup artist in Hollywood and has done the makeup of celebrities. Over time, she began using all natural, cruelty free products on her clients, and in her personal life. She also did a tremendous amount of research on ingredients, which she shares in this book. I had so many pages bookmarked (I read the ebook), that I realized that I should take out pen and paper and start writing some of the things she shares down. I had a couple pages filled by the the time I finished this book.

This book is broken down into sections and chapters that delve into different aspects of green, clean beauty that include some personal reflections, the science, the ingredients to watch out for, developing your own green beauty kit, beauty secrets, and a section I particularly enjoyed at the end that included multiple makeup looks and how to achieve them (she is a makeup artist). By the last page, I was thinking about what was lurking in my own makeup and toiletries. Fortunately she does not suggest throwing everything out, but does talk about transitioning over to clean, green, but that it's okay to keep some of your absolute favorites. This book has encouraged me to look a little more closely at what I'm buying and using, making some small changes, and eventually transitioning to green beauty as items I own run out. This is a life-changing book.

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Book reiview: The Touch by F. Paul Wilson - 4/5 stars, one of my favorite authors

The Touch by F. Paul Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a die hard F. Paul Wilson fan, reading everything I can get my hands on that he has written. That having been said, this is not my favorite book from this esteemed author.

One of the most enjoyable things about F. Paul Wilson's books is the touch, no pun intended, of a hint of the paranormal in all of this books. One of my favorites is The Tomb, which is awesome. The paranormal is loud and clear and front and center in this book. The Touch is about a healing touch that Dr. Alan Bulmer accidentally acquires from a dying man in the hospital. The book launches into a highly suspenseful story of where this magic touch takes him and what happens in his life, which you can imagine is anything but peaceful.

This book was published in 1986. For the most part its story line is timeless, but there are parts of it that are a bit cliche at times, reminding me that I'm reading a book written 20 years ago (wow, 20 years ago). Anyway, though I truly enjoyed this book, it did not earn keeper status on my shelf.


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Highly recommending this book below - if you like a touch of the supernatural and enjoy reading books about heroes helping those who can't help themselves, you'll love this book:

Project Book Finale ~ 2015 ~ The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo (KonMari)

Well here I am with the finale for Project Book fall/winter 2015. I didn’t succeed in reading 4 books – more like 2-1/2. I’m planning another Project Book for winter/spring 2016 that will run from January to April 2016.  This is also a book review for The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari method. This is a good little book that contains a lot of wisdom, and it did change my life.

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Beauty boxes I subscribe to – too many boxes again!  I unsubscribed from a few, but need to unsubscribe from a few more – just having a hard time figuring out which ones to leave:

Boxycharm - my favorite box

Walmart Beauty Box - seasonal (4 times a year), mostly samples with an occassional full size item

Ipsy - generous sample size and sometimes full size items

Kloverbox - eco friendly and cruelty free, a bit expensive

Julep - too expensive for the sizes of nail polish you get - may unsubscribe next month

Allure Beauty Box - a good starter box

Here are subscription boxes that I unsubscribed from:

BeautyFix - mostly skin care and hair care

Birchbox - a great starter box with mostly travel size products

PopSugar Must Have - random lifestyle things, very expensive box

Starlooks - cruelty free, great cosmetics

E.L.F. Play Beautifully Box - cruelty free and ships every other month

Unless otherwise stated in my video or description above, this product was purchased by me. I am not affiliated with manufacturers or any subscription service and am not compensated for the review.  I promise you that you will always get my full and honest opinion.

Marketing: I would be open to trying products from any company. Contact me if there is something you would like to send for me to try and review.

Goals for 2016 ~ planning, makeup, project pan, product reviews

Welcome to my channel. Here are my goals for 2016 – covering health, planning, and beauty. One additional plan that I’ve made is to read more. I mention my writing, one of the reasons I started using my planner the way that I have.

In the future you will see:

- More videos on planning and my planner (highly requested)

- More product demos and reviews (also highly requested)

- You will continue to see unboxing and project pan videos

And I’ve now had two requests to see an updated makeup storage and collection video, since I got the new vanity and second Alex cabinet from my wonderful husband.

Please stay tuned … and subscribe

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Beauty boxes I subscribe to – too many boxes again!  This is an ever fluctuating list - coming and going frequently. Now that Starlooks is eliminating the custom box for the look book only subscription, I'll be leaving them and going with another box.

Boxycharm - my favorite box

E.L.F. Play Beautifully Box - cruelty free and ships every other month

Ipsy - generous sample size and sometimes full size items

BeautyFix - mostly skin care and hair care

Walmart Beauty Box - seasonal (4 times a year), mostly samples with an occassional full size item

Birchbox - a great starter box with mostly travel size products
Allure Beauty Box - also a good starter box

Here are subscription boxes that I recently unsubscribed from:

PopSugar - random lifestyle thngs, very expensive box

Starlooks - cruelty free, great cosmetics

Unless otherwise stated in my video or description above, products were purchased by me. I am not affiliated with manufacturers or any subscription service and am not compensated for the review.  I promise you that you will always get my full and honest opinion.

Marketing: I would be open to discussing and trying products. Contact me if there is something you would like to send for me to try and review.

Finish 4 books by December 4th ~ Update #1 with a book review

Welcome to my channel. This is my first update for Finish 4 books by December 4^th. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the first book very much. Go see my full review of this book on my website HERE

I did receive this book for free from NetGalley.com to read and review. You can start reading books for free at HERE

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Excellent, well developed, loaded with suspense - Keri Arthur crafts another great suspense novel

Kiss The Night Goodbye by Keri Arthur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is the fourth and final installment in the Nikki and Michael series. Keri Arthur never missed a beat or made a misstep with these characters (easy to do when you're such a prolific author). In this final installment of this series, Nikki and Michael end up in a town in an old historic town, sealed in and unable to use any of their skills. They need to outsmart an evil that holds all the cards. Arthur manages to keep the tension high. Given that this was the final book anything could happen. I don't want to say more, as I don't want to spoil this book for anyone. Totally fabulous book, now I'm off to read the circle books. Can't get enough Keri Arthur.

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Erica Bauermeister - The Lost Art of Mixing - the Perfect Follow-up to The School of Essential Ingredients

The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a perfectly beautiful follow-up to The School of Essential Ingredients. This book could be read on its own, but I think reading the first book helps you understand the characters in The Lost Art of Mixing so much better.

Lillian is a sensitive soul with a complex history. She owns a restaurant where, in the first book, we met characters through a cooking class Lillian hosts at the restaurant. The focus of this book, however, is about the staff of the restaurant and their complex lives and relationships. The book is written in third person limited point of view, where we see only what the chapter's main character knows. Chapters shift from character to character, and deftly delve into their souls and what motivates them to do the things they do. Bauermeister adds a touch of suspense, will their relationships fail or bloom? How quickly will Isabelle lose her memory? These questions are deftly handled.

Bauermeister writes very lyrically. She relies heavily on metaphors, sometimes just a tad too heavily. Also, the voice of each character sounds very similar to the voice of the others. Sometimes there is just an oaf in real life who could care less about others, not so in this book. They are all sensitive, good people and you want to see them succeed.

I had to think about this one before writing this review. The book and all its characters lived in my mind for days. I think my favorite character may have been Finnegan... perhaps because his amazing story lives near the end of the book.

Cozy up with a cup of cocoa and enjoy Bauermeister's amazing story. I can't wait to read the next one.



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Linda Barnes "The Perfect Ghost" - Such mixed feelings... then left speechless

The Perfect Ghost by Linda Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have such mixed feelings about this book...

Em Moore is the writing half, while Teddy is the one who interviews the subjects of the books they co-author. Teddy is outgoing, while Em is timid and clearly agoraphobic. When Teddy dies in a car accident she is nearly crippled with grief, but pushes past her fear of going out into the world to convince the publisher to let her complete the research for their final book together about famed director Garrett Malcolm.

Written in first person from Em's point of view, you feel so sorry for the timid girl that you cheer her on as she drives out to the cape and moves into a home near Malcolm's estate to complete interviews and write the final draft of the book. Portions of the book were so dull that I felt like skipping sections, but I persevered to read every word of this novel. The twists and turns that came were well crafted and unexpected. Still, the book bordered on dull in sections, even though it left me speechless at the end.



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Excellent tale with present day mixed with Irish myth

Through the Door by Jodi McIsaac
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, so it took me two tries to really get into this book, but then I reached the point where this book was the first thing I picked up when I got home from work. It was that good.

Cedar had a great love, Finn, who disappeared on her on the night before she planned to tell him that she was pregnant with his child. Now seven years later, she is shocked to find that her daughter Eden can open doors to different worlds and times - as long as she can picture it in her mind. Searching for answers, she goes to see Finn's parents. Then Eden disappears. The search across continents begins for Cedar and a giant host of characters, including Finn who reappears during the crisis. Mythical beings from the Tuatha de Danann enter the story and all manner of mayhem and mystery begin.

This tale was written in third person, mostly from the viewpoint of Cedar. Some found her a bit weepy, but that was appropriate since her daughter disappeared. Still, she was so weepy as to destroy the character or the story.

This was a fabulous tale and I was thrilled to see that it is actually the first book in a series. I'm eagerly anticipating reading the other two books.


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