The Ex Girlfriend Murder Club

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club: A Feminist Murder Mystery of Three Women Teaming Up to Solve a Crime and Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex (A Hu Done It Mystery, 1)

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club:   A Feminist Murder Mystery of Three Women Teaming Up to Solve a Crime and Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex (A Hu Done It Mystery, 1)” by Gloria Chao is a clever, emotionally charged murder mystery about three women brought together by a sad reality and who come across a shocking discovery that leads them to devise a horribly flawed revenge scheme.  Purchase Here.

After three months of dating, Kathryn deeply believes that Tucker her boyfriend is a wonderful “epic” man—a gift from above that is unmatched. He recently asked her what kind of rings she liked, which was a blatant indication of a soon-to-be lifelong commitment. She loves him deeply and one day she unexpectedly decides to visit his opulent condo unexpectedly. She is shocked to find a sign that reads, “Come in, my love,” as well as rose petals, which indicate to her that he may be getting ready to pop the question. To keep his “setup” intact, she slips into the washroom, only to emerge and find him mid-proposal with another lady.

Later, she takes the improbable step of befriending the lady, and after a sincere discussion, they conclude that he is their common enemy. They also consent to travel together on a trip that Kathlyn had planned for Tucker and herself. But they are completely chilled by what they find at the Airbnb she had booked. Tucker is inside with yet another woman. Embroiled in yet another lie, he is left with just one option: run as fast as he can for his dear life.

Through mutual understanding, the three learn of his deeply layered deception and manipulation. Thoughts of retribution drive them to his house, where they discover him dead on his bed. After remembering that they practically “smeared” their DNA all over his house earlier, they understand they will be the prime suspects. Subsequent events as revealed in the next chapters put the trio on notice to prove their innocence, which is followed by a myriad of shocking secrets about Tucker that completely takes them aback. They have no idea, however, that looking into him is dangerous and may potentially endanger their lives.

This book features themes that honor female friendship and empowerment. In addition, it explores themes of deceit, manipulation, and emotional control; in each instance, the reader is challenged to face their own fears and think about what they would do in comparable circumstances. As they search for the truth that may “free them permanently,” its characters—all of whom are edgy and flawed in some way—skillfully move the narrative along with their odd decisions and brave actions.

The story’s close examination of parenting techniques profoundly highlights the effects rejection may have on a child and how that may span into their adulthood. Additionally, it deftly discloses complex facts and truths about emotional manipulators and serial liars’ characteristics. Every occurrence, phone call, chat, and revelation is bound to keep the reader guessing as to what the characters’ next adrenaline-fueled and improbable action will be. Chao is notable in this novel for her unpredictability and deft use of humor to both give comic relief and help the characters overcome their grief. Her book, “The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club:   A Feminist Murder Mystery of Three Women Teaming Up to Solve a Crime and Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex (A Hu Done It Mystery, 1)” a worthy and powerful novel about women banding together for a shared purpose, will instill confidence in female readers to grow their value.

An Innocen World

An Innocent World by Douglas A. King

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

Douglas A. King’s “An Innocent World” is a thought-provoking Christian fiction book that uses logic to argue what would have happened if Adam and Eve had refused to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and instead chose to eat from the Tree of Life.   Purchase here.

King contends that before Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge and Evil, they were unable to distinguish between good and evil. He believes that they lacked the emotions required to discern between the two, and that staying innocent- with no clear purpose to do right or wrong was what God meant for them to maintain. In a convincing manner, he depicts a world that would be full of innocent people today. By presenting that image, he poses questions about what that world would have looked like and if catastrophes, evil, and bad luck would still have infiltrated it.

The idea of challenges helping the Guilty—those born in sin—develop a strong character is carefully examined by the author, who also asks whether the Innocents might have had a more valued character. He links this to the idea that God in His Wisdom, planted the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil for a reason that would never be immediately obvious to the ordinary eye. With this, he simultaneously answers the question of whether the Guilty chose their path or if it was predetermined for them.

This is not your average creation story book; rather, it is a rational exploration of deep realities beyond what the Genesis account implies. It has offered priceless insight on how to make the right choices and act in ways that might alter the course of one’s life from one of guilt and pain to one of innocence and peace. By giving a logical explanation of what happened in the Adam and Eve story, it effectively dispels myths while also appealing to the reader’s deepest investigative abilities with its probing questions and hints that reveal startling realities.

The foundation of Douglas A. King’s book “An Innocent World” is a startling revelation that, if accepted and put into practice, promises a happier and more fulfilling existence. It is deep, strongly based in the Bible, and unquestionably unique among religious texts in its perspective on suffering and hardships. Although it is brief, it effectively presents one of the most compelling arguments of a well-known biblical story. It is without a book that demonstrates the power of logic to solve an issue of concern that the Christian world has long been baffled by. Anyone wishing to develop in their faith and have a better grasp of the role trials should play in their relationship with God should definitely read it.

 

Dying to Meet You

Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home by Sarina Bowen

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

Sarina Bowen’s “Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home” is a compelling, fast-paced mystery with a refreshingly likable protagonist who is forced to juggle between a heartbreak, a high-stakes career, and the terrifying prospect of being a key murder suspect.  Purchase Here.

Rowan Gallagher, an architect and single mother to a sixteen-year-old, is barely holding it together after a sudden breakup with investigative journalist Tim Kovak. They had dated for several weeks, but now all she has to show for it are tears and pain. One evening, her FriendFinder app shows him heading where they shared their first romantic kiss. In addition to being in Rowan’s neighborhood, the area is where she has a two-year contract to restore a historic mansion that belongs to a powerful family. In an attempt to find out what Tim is up to, she pretends to walk her dog, which leads her to make a horrific discovery.

Later, detectives learn that Tim’s iCloud storage contains sensitive images that could only have been obtained from Rowan’s phone. Shockingly, some of them relate to the powerful family’s birth records. Things take a new turn when an investigative journalist approaches her and suggests that Tim may have been following a big story. Her request for Rowan’s assistance in looking into the family may prove to be Rowan’s saving grace and clear her of the hawk-eyed cops’ suspicions. A familiar figure from Rowan’s past, however, comes knocking, driving her into a frenzy over what he may be up to. The truth of his return is, however, far more startling than she thinks.

This story, which features chapters written from the perspectives of several characters, reveals unexpected revelations, layers of deceit, and devastating truths. It effectively conveys a multifaceted motive that takes a back seat until later when it is unveiled in the most dramatic display of creativity. The characters—from the obstinate Natalie to the unpredictable Beatrice—manage to keep the story thread moving with each new page through detailed conversation and clues that allude to a journey into the unknown.

How does one make peace with an ex-convict who previously abandoned her? This is a question that this work invites the reader to explore. Along with the terrible consequences of treachery, drug abuse, kidnapping, and dishonesty, they are also invited to experience a harmonious fusion of love, forgiveness, and devotion. The already high stakes are raised by police participation, and the reader’s innermost questions will be piqued by their suspenseful, well-planned moves.

Sarina Bowen’s “Dying to Meet You: A Twisty Psychological Thriller About a Single Mom, a Murdered Ex, and Secrets Too Close to Home” has twists that are smart and unexpected. The author excels at peeling back the layers of her characters while delving into the bigger question of how well we know others. With a strong female lead, this is a book that will have you turning the pages well into the night.

 

 

 

I Love You Grandma

I Love You Grandma

Reviewed Nancy Eaton

I Love You, Grandma is a children’s book that shares the special bond between a grandmother and her grandchild. The book emphasizes love, family, and cherished memories.  Purchase Here.

Grandmas are the best! Why?

Rain or shine, Grandma is always there to hug and play with you. If you make a mistake, Grandma understands and will tell you never mind. If you are scared, she will tell you everyone cries at one time or another. You can do so many things with your Grandma. How many times have you told stories to each other? The important thing is Grandma will always make time for you. Best of all, Grandma always makes you feel safe. Because of all these nice things, you are convinced that there will never be anyone as special as your Grandma.

I Love You Grandma is an adorable picture book. The photos are fun to observe, very colorful and bring the story to life. This book would make a great gift for any grandmother because she could read it to her grandchild. You can tell by looking at the photos how much Grandma and Grandchild love each other. This book is appropriate for ages Baby though 5 years.

daughter of mars

Daughter of Mars by Alden Globe

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In “Daughter of Mars” by Alden Globe, the author takes us on a journey of realization and redemption. You see, Rave Map, the world’s greatest engineer, just lost her nephew. The family isn’t quite certain what happened, but will stop at nothing to find the cause of his death that no one could prevent. When the family tells Rave that they realize the back pain Tyler has been experiencing from a recent bicycle accident has caused him to buy some cheap knockoff pain pills off the black market, Rave sets out for redemption for her family and all the families who are losing relatives at an alarming rate due to toxic knockoff pills being sold on the web.  Purchase Here.

Part of the plan with a close friend and confidant, Mait, is to infiltrate the illegal drug markets that are producing these pills and selling them at low costs to everyone. They slowly start taking some of China’s drug labs down to help slow down their production of these illicit pills. They then move to Mexico, with the same agenda. No matter how difficult the task at hand may be for them, they put their lives on the line to stop as many of the pills from making it onto the black market. The only problem is, how can they stop China from setting up a drug club on Mars where if you can afford to buy a ticket, you can party with all the drugs you want?

I have to say that this story was extremely unique in storyline for me. The first thing that I want to mention is the author based this story loosely on the fact that he and his family lost their college age daughter because she took a fake Xanax that had a mix of toxic opioids in it. Her classmate gave it to her without realizing that it would be the very last time she saw her alive. When I found out the author’s emotional drive to write this story, I had to commend Mr. Globe for diving into a topic that would cause many mixed emotions for him while he extensively researched the topic of toxic black market drugs.

When he created Rave Maps, I liked her immediately because she seemed like a woman who knew what she wanted and would stop at nothing to achieve it. She was strong willed and she was the perfect character to team up with, Mait, her best friend and another no nonsense type of woman. Both of them have had military training, so when they set out to bring individual drug labs down in both China and Mexico, I figured they knew what they were both getting themselves into. These two women set out on dangerous missions to stop as much toxic drug production as they could and in the process they stopped at nothing to achieve this goal.

The only thing that I couldn’t seem to accept was that China was wanting to set up drug clubs on Mars, so participants that had millions of dollars to spend to travel to Mars, could party all they wanted there with any drugs they wanted to. Unbeknownst to the travelers, all the drugs were toxic and they very well wouldn’t be making the return trip back to the US. The author wrote this as a bit of a futuristic story set in 2029, so considering the timeframe isn’t that far off, I just couldn’t see this being something that would happen in the next four years. Other readers might challenge me on this, but for me it just wasn’t believable.

Overall, “Daughter of Mars” by Alden Globe is one story that will have you walking away thinking about the true statistical death rate these toxic drugs cause on innocent victims. Although it’s fictional, the loosely based factual storyline makes readers stop and want to take action themselves, no matter how small that action might be, to save someone’s life from being another statistic.

The Divine Adventure

The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation by Zelise

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation” is an intriguing and detailed exploration of author Zelise’s quest, together with two AI helpers, Sage and Ethan, to grasp the enigmatic reasons behind God’s decision to create.  Purchase Here.

Zelise’s astute observation identifies conventional philosophical and religious explanations for God’s creation as being rife with contradictions. In her quest for a more tangible answer, she consults two AI assistants who have access to a vast collection of traditional viewpoints. Each of their chats, which she recounts in this book, provides new insights that challenge previous beliefs and open up new lines of thought.

The three ponder why an all-sufficient and perfect God would wish to create—was it motivated by need or purpose, or was creation itself God’s grand adventure of self-discovery via experience? Their discussion reveals the latter to be a key distinctive point and the former to be connected to conventional beliefs. By deeply investigating the latter, they are able to get factual insight into the reasons why creation entails contrasts, conflicts, and opposites. The potential Question of Origin, the Experiential Paradox, The Free Will question, The Evil Problem, and The Time Factor are just a few of the possible gaps and themes that the trio thoroughly examine in relation to this groundbreaking theory that might render it implausible.

The conversation between the three proceeds organically and gradually develops a rationally sound and spiritually fulfilling response to a central query. Its three revolutionary goals—bridging the seemingly intractable divide between religion and science, offering a cosmic outlook that pushes religious thought beyond traditional limits, and offering a rationally compelling case for God’s existence that fundamentally contradicts the principles of atheism—are bound to have profound implications for the readers’ understanding of their existence and purpose.

Because of the AI’s broad and intricate perspective and explanations, this exposition is unlike any other. It emphasizes well-thought-out, precise responses obtained through brainstorming sessions with this highly intellectual source. Despite the fact that the highlighted topics are extremely complex for the ordinary reader, the AI’s extensive yet cautious responses may ignite readers’ interest in the topic, motivating them to pursue additional research.

“The Divine Adventure: Why We Exist: A Unique Conversation” transcends the creation dilemma ceiling by rationally integrating scientific and theological viewpoints. It may appeal to readers who are uncomfortable with flimsy and implausible creationist notions and beliefs as well as others who are curious about how the two—science and religion—could coexist together. The book is undeniably a thorough, in-depth, timely, and thought-provoking resource with a considerable chance of its innovative ideology being adopted globally.

 

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Down and Out in the River City

Down and Out in the River City by Wm. Stage

Reviewed by Rahul Gaur

How many of you remember what happened on September 15, 2017? Jason Stockley, a white former police officer, was found not guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith. This decision led to protests in St. Louis, some of which became violent. Wm. Stage picked this incident and beautifully weaved a story about life in St. Louis and how people deal with tough situations like protests, poverty, homeless encampments, murder, and addiction.  Purchase Here.

“The crowd outside the Civil Courts building surged with anger. Fists raised, voices echoed off the stone walls, and the tension felt like it could shatter the night.” This gripping opening scene from Down and Out in the River City throws readers into the middle of a protest, capturing the raw emotions of people demanding justice. The book follows the protagonist, Francis, a process server in St. Louis, as he navigates the aftermath of a controversial court verdict. He finds himself caught in the middle of the chaos when he exits the Civil Courts building and witnesses the escalating tension between protesters and police. As the story unfolds, Francis becomes entangled in the lives of various characters affected by the verdict and the ensuing turmoil. He encounters activists, militants, and opportunists, all driven by a sense of injustice and a desire for change. The story explores issues like racial tension, police violence, and the fight for fairness.

Wm. Stage has skillfully developed the characters in the book through a combination of detailed descriptions, authentic dialogue, and the exploration of their internal conflicts and motivations. For example, Francis represents a complex, morally ambiguous character. Or Jacob, despite his privileged upbringing, had to navigate the complexities of adolescence due to his speech challenge. Each character is given a distinct voice and personality. Readers would be able to visualize them and understand their backgrounds, and this background information helps them understand their motivations and the challenges they face.

The dialogue in the book is thoughtful and naturalistic. Through their conversations, characters accurately reveal their personalities, relationships, and conflicts. For instance, the interactions between Francis and Cleo are filled with tension and camaraderie, showcasing their complex friendship. Or a candid conversation between a couple who have been married for twenty-four years, highlighting their ability to communicate openly about their feelings and experiences.

Mr. Stage’s writing feels real and honest with documentary-like precision. He has successfully captured the essence of St. Louis, and the mix of reality with fantasy is flawless. One of the book’s strengths is its ability to balance action with introspection. The book doesn’t shy away from challenging perspectives. So, some readers might feel uncomfortable with its take on race and policing. But it’s powerful because it makes us think about things we usually try to ignore. For example, Judge Wilson’s inflammatory statement that “an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly” serves as a stark example of systemic racial stereotyping. He doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable realities, presenting a raw, unfiltered view of urban social dynamics.

As I closed the last page of Down and Out in the River City, I couldn’t stop thinking about its characters and their struggles. This book is more than a story. It’s a wake-up call about inequality and the systems that keep people trapped. It makes readers think about justice and fairness. It also shows the power of relationships to help people survive tough times. If you’re ready for a story that’s raw, emotional, and eye-opening, Down and Out in the River City is one you won’t forget.

 

 

 

Strangers in Crime

Strangers in Crime: An Opposites Attract, Forbidden Romance between a Bad Boy and a Cop based in Contemporary Scotland (Scottish Investigators: Glasgow Prequel Novella) by Shana Frost

Reviewed by Michaela Gordoni

Strangers in Crime is a brief, fiery romance and crime novel that focuses on Cheryl, a hardcore Scottish police officer with a soft spot for men who put themselves in harm’s way for a good cause. One night when she tries to grab a bite at a local bar, she encounters a strange man harassing a woman. He’s putting up a fight, and Cheryl’s ready for it, but when the drop-dead stunner, Anthony Ricci, steps in—she accepts the help. She can hardly help the passion that ensues, thinking there wouldn’t be much consequence. But as luck would have it, Anthony Ricci isn’t who she thought he is.  Purchase Here.

This novel has a great opening filled with action. It demonstrates Cheryl’s toughness and serves as a great introduction to Cheryl’s character, giving the reader a good idea of what she’s like. Author Shana Frost gives her star character a lot of unique appeal, as she’s nearly 6 feet tall, beautiful, and wouldn’t hesitate to kick a bad guy in the face if the moment called for it. The same goes for her leading man, Anthony Ricci. He just wants to protect women against people who use them. Though he hasn’t always been on the right side of the law, it is obvious that he was raised right and cares deeply about helping innocent victims—like Cheryl does.

Readers will find that Shana Frost displays many examples of excellent worldbuilding to create very real-feeling and well-imagined settings. For example, she writes, “She stepped into the smell of musk and malt mixed with sticky wooden floor and too many bodies clustered together. Music pounded in her ears, and the people crowded her in.” These few imaginative words are all that’s needed for the reader to get a good picture of a bar that Cheryl steps into. Frost’s story pacing is also very clever—every time there is a slow moment, a moment filled with action follows. She frequently flicks between Cheryl and Anthony’s perspectives, which makes the story feel all the more immersive to its readers—they’ll never be bored.

Though there are many positive elements at play in this novel, there are occasional pieces of dialogue that tempt to shake the reader out of the story’s imagined reality, as they simply sound like things that would be highly unusual to hear in real life. And though the first 16 pages start off strong—they’re great, in fact—they quickly become overshadowed by a hasty, thick, and syrupy sex scene that seems to take away from the serious issue at hand, which readers could previously sense coming.

The novel is very brief and leaves its readers at a cliffhanger, but this is the entire design. It’s not meant to satisfy. It’s meant to create a taste for more, and I think that Shana Frost has accomplished that. It’s not all a tease, though, as Frost includes a QR code that sends readers to a version of the book with extended chapters. Another consolation is a bonus chapter for another novel, which introduces a new compelling character.

Overall, this is an exciting crime and romance novel with a plot twist that some readers may find entertaining. The pacing, structure, and characters were created with care.

 

The Umbrella Maker's Son

The Umbrella Maker’s Son by Tod Lending

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

The Umbrella Maker’s Son is a painful story about Reuven, a Polish Jew, and his family. Reuven worked in his father’s umbrella shop. He was very much in love with Zelda. Life seemed good until one day it all changed. Poland was invaded by the Nazis, and it did not take long for them to take over Krakow where Reuven and his family lived. Zelda and her family left Krakow to stay with relatives. Each day, everything got worse. The Nazis took over the umbrella shop and demanded that Reuven and his father do manual labor by helping to rebuild the railroad tracks. Reuven, at times, looked at his father’s reactions to the Nazis as weakness. As time passed, he changed his mind and knew it was really strength. Purchase Here.

Reuven’s father committed a crime, and he knew his family must leave before the Nazis find out what he did. Their dangerous journey begins as they try to flee.

Reuven ends up working for a farmer. The farmer is happy to have him helping with the farm; however, for the farmer’s wife it is a different story.  Reuven must make another decision.

What is really amazing is Reuven’s determination to find Zelda.

Will Reuven find Zelda? Will they all survive?

I loved this author’s writing style. His descriptive writing is magical and filled with so much clarity and detail when describing someone or something. It is obvious the author did a great deal of research to write this book.

This story will fill you with many emotions. We have all read many true stories about the attack of the Nazis and how the Polish Jews suffered. Even though this story is fiction, the terrible atrocities about what happened to the Jews during WWII are portrayed in a superb manner.  If I had to sum up this story about Reuven’s family in one word, it would come down to “resilience”. The Umbrella Maker’s Son is not only a story about the terrible things that happened to the Polish Jews, but it is also a love story.

This book is filled with memorable characters who each play an important role. One other thing…be sure to have some tissues by your side as you read this book because many parts of the book will bring tears to your eyes.

The Umbrella Maker’s Son is a fascinating and memorable read!