Tag Archives: 3 star review

Review & Spotlight – Tropical Scandal by David Myles Robinson @DMRobinsonWrite @pumpupyourbook

Posted on by
https://amzn.to/482xd4X

Title: Tropical Scandal

Author: David Myles Robinson

Publisher: Bluewater Press, LLC

Pages: 291

Genre: Legal Thriller/Suspense/Mystery

 MY REVIEW

I must confess, it was the tropical cover that made me pause and check out the book. Then, the blurb mentions that it is based ‘somewhat on bizarrely true events’, I had to read it.

I have not read any of the previous books in the series and I don’t feel like it impacted my enjoyment of Tropical Scandal, though I always recommend beginning at the beginning, if you can. It helps to keep from stumbling over references to earlier books.

The descriptive writing made it easy to visualize the intriguing characters. The storyline is in depth, convoluted, twisting and turning, keeping me reading, because there was no way this was going to be an easy mystery for me to solve. I don’t read a lot of legal thrillers, but David Myles Robinson led me through the investigation and court proceedings, step by step.

Greed runs rampant. Flawed characters abound. Some I cared for, others I think get their just desserts. All in all, I enjoyed my time in Hawaii and would love to visit again.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Tropical Scandal by David Myles Robinson.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

BOOK BLURB

When Pancho McMartin, Honolulu’s top criminal defense attorney, takes on the case of Dayton Kalama, a young drug dealer accused of murdering his grandmother (tutu), Pancho is faced with a daunting amount of evidence pointing squarely at Dayton. But as Pancho, together with his private investigator, Drew Tulafono, gradually pull back the layers of deceit, they begin to uncover hints at what is beginning to look like the biggest scandal ever to hit Hawaii’s legal community. This book is pure fiction, but is inspired by true, scandalous events which shook Honolulu’s legal community to its core.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/482xd4X

Book Excerpt

I was surprised when my current lover, Padma Dasari, asked me to meet with Isaac Goldblum, a legendary Hawaii trial attorney who, now in his eighties, was an alcoholic still representing clients. I had made known my intolerance for those attorneys who fell prey to addiction

yet refused help—all while still accepting clients. They were walking malpractice cases who risked everything they’d worked for in their own lives—not to mention the lives of their

clients—by living and working as functional drunks or addicts.

Being a trial attorney was stressful. Being a criminal defense trial attorney was particularly stressful. Aside from the relatively rare innocent defendant, our customer base was composed of criminals who, generally speaking, were not the warmest and fuzziest people to deal with day in and day out.

Whether they were guilty or innocent, their lives were in our hands—a situation only the most jaded and burned-out counsel didn’t find stressful.

My surprise didn’t arise from the fact that Padma knew Goldblum. She was the former medical examiner for the city and county of Honolulu, and just as I had cross-examined her many times in her capacity as coroner, so had Goldblum. My surprise arose from the fact that Padma knew Goldblum had been one of my early heroes. He was most famous for having won an acquittal for two Hawaiian teenagers who had been charged with the murder of a prominent haole (Caucasian) businessman. The public outcry against the Hawaiian kids had been reminiscent of the uproar in the Deep South when young black men were charged with the rape of white women. It was scary. Goldblum was vilified for taking the case.

As he later said in an interview for the Honolulu Advertiser, he knew that anything short of proving who the real killer was would fall on deaf ears. His cross-examination of the

businessman’s administrative assistant, who’d been having an affair with the dead man’s wife and who ultimately confessed to the murder, was nothing short of brilliant.

I had shared my early hero worship of Goldblum with Padma, but I had also made it clear that I now harbored a healthy dose of contempt for the man, who seemed intent on destroying his own legacy. At the time, Padma had not tried to defend Goldblum.

We were enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon at Padma’s Kahala Beach condo when she broached the subject of my meeting with Goldblum. “He lives here, in the next building,”

she said. “He’s invited us to stop by for a cocktail at about four.”

I stared out from her oceanfront lanai at the tranquil ocean.

The palm fronds on the coconut trees fronting the beach barely twitched. One lone puff of a cumulous cloud hovered in the bright blue sky.

“Why?” I asked. “Why would I want to go have a drink with a drunk who should have put himself on inactive status years ago?”

Padma stared back at me with her piercing dark eyes. I half expected her to admonish me for being too judgmental—a trait I seemed to have developed in recent years. “Isaac asked to

meet with you. We know each other from court, and he knows I live in this building, and he knows we’re in a relationship. I think he came to me rather than you because he knows—or at

least suspects—that you aren’t much of an admirer of his.”

Padma had been born in India and had done volunteer work as a doctor in Bangladesh, but she had lived and worked in the United States for most of her adult life. Nonetheless, she

still retained the remnants of an accent, which was melodic and soothing. No doubt she was a calming influence on many people grieving the loss of a loved one. She had been instrumental in

helping my mother in New Mexico get through the early stages of the loss of my father. Just the tone of her voice seemed to take the wind out of my judgmental sails.

“Okay, but do you know why he wants to meet?”

She gave a small shake of her head. “Something about a case. That’s all I know.” She paused for a beat. “Look, I know he’s a drunk and you hate the fact that he’s still going to court, but you have to admit: drunk or sober, the man knows the law and probably still has pretty good instincts. I doubt he would ask to meet with you if he didn’t think it was important.”

I resisted the temptation to make a snide remark and instead looked at my watch. It was three-thirty in the afternoon. “Why’d you wait until now to tell me about this?”

Padma’s beautiful brown face broke into a mischievous grin. “So you wouldn’t have time to obsess about it.”

I laughed. “Jesus, Padma. We’re not even married and you play me like a fiddle.”

“I love the fiddle,” was her only retort.

About the Author

David Myles Robinson has always had a passion for writing. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, while in college, Robinson worked as a free-lance writer for several magazines and was a staff writer for a weekly minority newspaper in Pasadena, California. Upon graduating from San Francisco State University, he attended the University of San Francisco School of Law. It was there that he met his wife, Marcia Waldorf. In 1975 the two moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and began practicing law. Robinson became a trial lawyer and Waldorf eventually became a Circuit Court judge.

Upon retiring in 2010, Robinson completed his first novel, Unplayable Lie. He has since published eight more novels.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Eco Friendly Gardening – The Broken Bridge by Iris March #IrisMarch

Posted on by
cozy mysteries with an eco twist

I won a copy of The Broken Bridge and The Story That Made Us Stronger by Iris March.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I got what I expected when I cracked open The Broken Bridge: A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery (Succulent Sleuth Series Book 1) by Iris March. While there was nothing earth shattering about the story, it is well written, with fun characters, and some eco friendly gardening tips that add a little bit extra to the story.

We are at Patty’s Plant Place (try saying that three times fast), an eco friendly garden center. The twins, Molly and May, and their cousin, Shannon, inherited it from their grandparents. May is the numbers person with an outgoing personality. Molly is more of an introvert and loved playing with the plants. Shannon only stops by to complain.

The Broken Bridge is a pretty laid back cozy mystery. We do have a little bit of danger and the kitty that makes it’s home at the garden center. We have characters that can’t help but put their nose where others don’t want them to be, and people who aren’t what they appear to be.

If you are looking for an easy reading, laid back mystery, The Broken Bridge by Iris March may be fore you. I have another book by Iris March, The Story That Made Us Stronger, that I will be starting very soon.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Broken Bridge by Iris March.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

An abandoned backpack. A damaged walking stick. A broken bridge. What happened on the Buckeye Trail?

Succulent-savvy sleuth, Molly Green spends her day tending her eco-friendly garden center, inherited from her beloved grandmother. She wants nothing more than to nurture her nursery and share her plant passion with the world.
When a hiker goes missing on the Buckeye Trail that runs behind the garden center and a bridge on the trail is damaged, the police suspect foul play. As clues mount up, Molly fears she may know who is to blame, perhaps someone in her own family.
To make matters worse, Molly must navigate the inconvenient appearance of a loquacious colleague, pulling her from her path to uncover the mystery of the broken bridge.
Can she discover what really happened that day on the trail? Or will the spikes and thorns surrounding this mystery take Molly out as well? Find out in the first book of the Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery series, The Broken Bridge.

  • Genre: Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Series
  • 218 pages, ebook
  • Published May 24, 2022 by Wandering Ginkgo Press
  • Series: Succulent Sleuth

ABOUT IRIS MARCH (from Amazon)

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats. Learn more about upcoming books and sign up for her newsletter at irismarchbooks.com.

Website / Facebook / Instagram

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Vampirilicious – The Darkest Blood by Kay Widow @KayWidow @booksirens

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Bloodline Dagger Series by Kay Widow may not be mind blowing, but I am having a great time following these characters, meeting new ones, and watching romance bloom. I will gladly grab any book I see by Kay Widow.

I love vampires, of all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if they are sparkly or grotesque. It doesn’t matter if they are Edward Cullen, Angel, or Nosferatu. Bring ’em on.

In The Darkest Blood, we continue the Bloodline Dagger series. The Dagger can kill a vampire, but must be wielded by a human.

Alec Blackwood is a vampire lord and those at the top need to be one their toes. There are always those who wish to have their power. And…many times it comes from their family.

Of course, Alec has to run into that one human woman whom he cannot resist, and that is Nina. She’s pretty up front about what she wants and not afraid of his fangs. She is not a morning person, and neither am I. I love their lively banter.

“Wakey, wakey, oh, Tiny Angry One.”

The last third of the book picked up the pace. The danger rose to an unputdownable level. If the whole book was at this level of suspense, the rating would have been upped a notch. I love being able to easily read through a story, but, also, love when there is more meat on the bones.

I love Prologues and Epilogues and The Darkest Blood by Kay Widow has two epilogues, one for Alec and one for Nina. Hmmm, would you want to be turned into a vampire? I have thought about this myself, and I think…..

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Blood & Fang by Kay Widow.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

I loathe individuals born with a silver spoon in their mouths, people like Alec Blackwood.

I watch as he glides across the street on that black Harley,

Leaning low and turning women’s heads like some conquering hero.

He has money coming from all directions –

Gold watches, Gucci shoes, an apartment in the most expensive part of town.

People call him the King of Manhattan.

But underneath the darkness of his gaze, I can sense something supernatural –

Fangs that glow in the light like a warning, ready to strike.

I can’t let him discover what secrets I am hiding,

But something about him makes every cell in my body tingle.

His piercing eyes look through my soul, making me powerless.

It turns out my enemy is his enemy, and if we fail to unite,

Defeat is inevitable.

  • Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
  • 318 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published August 8, 2023

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

MY KAY WIDOW REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs #kathyreichs #netgalley #thebonehacker

Posted on by

I want to thank NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read and review The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs. I still watch the Bones series reruns and never hesitate to pick up a Kathy Reichs book.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I always want to love a Kathy Reichs novel and I did enjoy and do recommend The Bone Hacker, but it fell a little short for me to love it. I do enjoy the adventure of heading to the Turks and Caicos, a place I have never been, but loved learning about, murder and all.

I smiled and laughed at the picture her words brought to mind of her dog, Birdie, sitting at the table minding her manners so she can eat with her human family.

A death in Canada has her on a plane to the Turks and Caicos faster than she can think, WTH. And there my confusion begins. Kathy Reichs has so much going on that doesn’t seem to connect in any way. I know to be patient, that most authors will bring it all together and once I have the full picture it all makes sense.

For an established author like Kathy Reich, I have very high expectations and look for excellence. I did not find that here, but Musgrove, then Monk grew on me. Island life doesn’t function the same as on the mainland, and I love the individuality of the characters.

I didn’t find anything earth shattering, but The Bone Hacker did have its moments. It confirmed for me…privacy is an illusion. If half of what I read in the book was true, unless you are completely off the grid, big brother is watching.

I enjoyed The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs, but it was not one of my favorites. Regardless, I am sure I will pick up the next book of hers I see.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her twenty-second high-stakes thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan who, following a series of bizarre disappearances on the islands of Turks and Caicos, enters a sinister labyrinth in which a new technology may wreak worldwide havoc.

Called in to examine what is left of a body struck by lightning, Tempe traces an unusual tattoo to its source and is soon embroiled in a much larger case. Young men—tourists—have been disappearing on the islands of Turks and Caicos for years. Seven years ago, the first victim was found in a strange location with both hands cut off; the other visitors vanished without a trace. But, recently, tantalizing leads have emerged and only Tempe can unravel them.

Maddeningly, the victims seem to have nothing in common—other than the strange locations where their bodies are eventually found, and the fact that the young men all seem to be the least likely to be involved in foul play. Do these attacks have something to do with the islands’ seething culture of gang violence? Tempe isn’t so sure. And then she turns up disturbing clues that what’s at stake may actually have global significance.

It isn’t long before the sound of a ticking clock grows menacingly loud, and then Temper herself becomes a target.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 352 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Series: Temperance Brennan #22
  • Expected publication August 1, 2023 by Scribner

ABOUT KATHY REICHS

Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY REVIEWS FOR KATHY REICHS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Blood & Fang by Kay Widow @KayWidow @booksirens

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love my vampires and really wanted to love Blood & Fang by Kay Widow. It took me a while to get into the book, though there was never any doubt that I would finish it. It felt too young adult for me, ya know what I mean, except for the smoking hot sex? BUT, by the time I was finished, I found myself eager to read Book II and find out if they claim the throne and how it comes about.

Things happen at a fast past. They have super hot sex before they even know each other, but we do live in a free society where one night stands are quite common, so I try to overlook it most of the time. Princess Jane is not shy and is quite rebellious. It seems, if someone says don’t do that, she will. She has felt no love from her parents, so maybe she seeks it out wherever she can find it.

Princess Jane is half human, half werewolf. Her lover, Ryder, is all vampire. Opposites attract is a true statement for these lovers, and they complement each other, him reining her in and she giving him strength to step outside his comfort zone. They could make a great team, when they work out the kinks in their relationship.

Princess Jane has some loyal friends that look past her issues, because she is a good person who sometimes does bad (?) things. It was interesting to watch her grow and learn from her mistakes, but I am hoping Book II will let her shine.

Chloe Jamieson is a thorn in her side and I wonder what her story is and will stop at nothing to earn the throne.

Princess Jane’s parent’s rule of their kingdom is for their own benefit and Jane disagrees with it. Many of the discriminatory laws are aimed at the poor. Can she do a better job, if she reclaims, what she considers, her rightful place? I think she’s got a lot of growing up to do, but she is on the right track.

The beginning seemed loosely written to me and gained momentum as I went along. Maybe Blood & Fang is more of a set up for Book II. I do love my vampires, so I am always game to see what an author does with them and I have enjoyed other books by Kay Widow, so I hope to be here for the finale.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Blood & Fang by Kay Widow.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

The moon goddess rarely favors vampires as mates, but to reclaim my throne, I have no choice.

I was exiled from my home, Golden Grove, by my parents.

Leaving me stuck at Academy Bluemoon.

I’m determined to return and rule with the help of my werewolf side.

And nothing will stand in my way.

Especially gorgeous vampires with crooked smiles.

I’m only half-wolf, but fate decides my mate.

We both enrolled this year, and I don’t know his story yet.

Except for the ancient prophecy binding us.

Our personalities are so different.

I’m rebel-esque, and he’s a goody two shoes.

Yet those hazel eyes light my internal fire.

And all prophecies have a dark side.

Malevolent sirens, selfish rulers, and an unclear fate face us,

While my people depend on me to restore the kingdom.

A rebellion must occur.

We must claim what belongs to us.

The throne.

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

MY KAY WIDOW REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review & Giveaway – The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland @JeanBookNerd

Posted on by

MY REVIEW

I had to stop when I saw the vibrant yellow cover and see what The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland was about. Then I saw angels and grabbed it. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland wasn’t quite what I though it would be and it took me a while to get into it, but it is worth a read if you are into science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. I love when I can recommend a debut novel.

My name is Akasha. I am mother of you all. You are the children of angels. And this is out story.

The Helios is a tribe of angels that, like I have seen before, think they have all the answers. They came to Earth to move humans to a new stage of evolution by delivering the Surge.

Horque comes to Earth with the Solarii, another tribe of angels to fix what the problem the Helios created when they made the hybrids.

Akasha has a premonition that foretelsl of all their extinctions with a great flood. So many moments reminded me of a religious and an Egyptian story.

I am not a church goer, but I have enjoyed some Christian books and those with a religious tone. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland is one of those. Many things sounded familiar, especially the polluting of religion for personal reasons. Political intrigue and revenge are alive and well. Is this where pyramids came from? I would think they would be more aware of Karma. 🙂

Issa made a deal with the devil and, at first, I though she was just a nice person. As the story comes together, I find she is so much more. Who knows what would have happened without her.

The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland is hard for me to rate. I wasn’t very far into the book and wondered if this would be one of those I wouldn’t finish. I was confused. Not just by the names, which I create my own way of pronouncing them in my head, making the reading easier, but figuring out what was going on…Is it Gods and angels? Is it aliens? A third or half of the way through, the religious tones emerged and things were coming together. All in all, I would recommend if this is your type of story and like immersing yourself in a fantasy world of fantasy.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Genes Of Isis by Justine Newland.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

SYNOPSIS

Akasha is a precocious young girl with dreams of motherhood. She lives in a fantastical world where most of the oceans circulate in the aquamarine sky waters.

Before she was born, the Helios, a tribe of angels from the sun, came to Earth to deliver the Surge, the next step in the evolution of an embryonic human race. Instead they spawned a race of hybrids and infected humanity with a hybrid seed.

Horque manifests on Earth with another tribe of angels, the Solarii, to rescue the genetic mix-up and release the Surge.

Akasha embarks on a journey from maiden to mother and from apprentice to priestess then has a premonition that a great flood is imminent. All three races – humans, hybrids and Solarii – face extinction.

With their world in crisis, Akasha and Horque meet, and a sublime love flashes between them. Is this a cause of hope for humanity and the Solarii? Or will the hybrids destroy them both? Will anyone survive the killing waters of the coming apocalypse?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE 

Praise for THE GENES OF ISIS

“The novel is creative, sophisticated, brilliant! I couldn’t ask for a more Egyptian-esque book!” —Lauren, Books Beyond the Story

“The book is exquisitely written, with good characterization and a compelling plot… Thoroughly recommended.” —Jennifer’s Reviews  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. His stories explore the themes of war and religion, and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.

Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

The historical thriller, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

The Coronation (Matador, 2019) was another historical adventure and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

His work in progress is a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it’s an epic tale of England’s coming of age. The Mark of the Salamander (to be published September 2023) takes us across the open seas of discovery with Sir Francis Drake while The Midnight of Eights culminates the series with the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin appears on LitFest panels, gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts.

Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM JUSTIN NEWLANDWEBSITE: 

Website / Facebook / Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click HERE to follow the tour.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide To Heists And Husbandry by A C Huntley @TheACEofHUNTLEY

Posted on by

I want to thank Book Sirens, A C Huntley, and Bena House LLC for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide To Heists And Husbandry.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I expected something outside the normal and that is what I got. At first, I was having a hard time getting into the story, even thought of not finishing it. Patience paid off, though it took almost half the book for me to get involved. Was it the writing style? My expectations?

Definitely worth the read as I watched Saffron Savage find a life worth living, since her life on Hialeah made her so desperate, she would even traffick one of the animals she cared for, an umemeh, sort of a two headed llama. She lied, she betrayed, she stole, she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

I watched her go from a job that stole her soul to second chances and finding enemies that became friends, and more.

The last half of the book was a winner. I got in the flow, from her struggle to deliver the umemeh to a notorious mobster, to meeting Captain Reyes and his crew, to finding a home. We have space battles, a little romance, and a crass, belligerent woman who finally had me laughing and supporting her decisions as she comes to the realization that not everyone is out to get her.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide To Heists And Husbandry by A C Huntley.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

For eight years, Saffron Savage has been stuck on a dilapidated zoo-planet on the outskirts of the galaxy. Her mountains of overdue student loans make it impossible to afford the cost of leaving, and her sleazy coworkers force her to work demoralizing jobs on a daily basis. Desperate to escape, she hatches a scheme that might just be crazy enough to work: steal the zoo’s rare, two-headed llama and sell it to the highest bidder.
When the poorly planned theft lands Saffron and her stolen companion as unwitting stowaways on an outbound ship, she must pose as an animal rights activist on a mission to return the animal to its home planet. To her surprise, the ride comes with some perks – an instant chemistry with Captain Michael Reyes and burgeoning friendships with the ship’s motley, animal-loving crew. Other than the lie that’s snowballing out of control, Saffron finds herself settling into this quirky, ship-bound life.
If only the buyer wasn’t the most notorious, cut-throat mob boss in the galaxy. Or there wasn’t a warrant out for her arrest.
The Galactic Zookeeper’s Guide to Heists and Husbandry is a fast-paced space romp about second chances, rediscovering purpose, and finding family in unexpected places.

  • Humor, Science Fiction
  • 394 pages
  • Expected publication June 1, 2023 by Bena House LLC

ABOUT A C HUNTLEY (from Amazon)

Ace is a creative artist who authors science fiction novels, paints impressionist art, and dabbles in film. She lives in suburbia with her husband and child where she dreams of adding a dog, a few cats, a snake, a bat-house, and some chickens to the family.

Website / Twitter / Instagram

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow @KayWidow

Posted on by

Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

All I had to do was see the cover and title and I knew I had to read Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow. I love vampires, and the thought of a vampire baby made me very curious.

The book shifts between Julia and Laurent’s point of view.

“She is the girl I expect you to kill. She is the girl from the prophecy.”

We have an Oracle, a prophecy and danger in the form of the Solar Sisters, who are vampire hunters. Is she one of them? Is she just an innocent that literally stumbles into him?

The story unravels in a slow and steady way, picking up the action as we go along. I didn’t expect Bloody Billionaire’s baby by Kay Widow to be deep, dark and meaty, and I got what I expected, some steamy sex, some angst and some danger. All in all, an enjoyable glimpse into the world of vampires.

This was my first ‘taste’ of Kay Widow’s work and I would gladly read more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bloody Billionaire’s Baby by Kay Widow.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

I’m not the hero. I’m the rich villain…
But hiding my identity will save my vampire baby.

She speeds around the street corner, bleeding.

I nearly expose my fangs before she passes out in my arms.

Now that I’ve patched her at my nearby manor, she must leave…fast.

But she’s still recovering.

We butt heads constantly, and I try to keep a distance.

She can’t discover what I am.

Interacting with her is melting my cold heart, even with the walls I’ve put up.

I want to feel her heat against my skin.

One night of weakness, and now she’s carrying my vampire baby,

And she has no idea I’m prophecized to kill her.

  • List: Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
  • 186 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published May 13, 2023

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Just Mr Love by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff @MimiJeanRomance

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads /

MY REVIEW

“I have imagined us having sex more times than I can count,” Just check out my ceiling. “But we can’t see each other again after today and having sex’ll it harder to let go.”

I have enjoyed Mimi Jean Pamfiloff’s humorous writing style and am curious to see what happens to Huff in Just Mr Love. He was a wimp, a nerd, but after an accident, he developed super powers. Of course, something given, something taken. I’ll leave it to you to find out for yourself. But, just to entice you a bit more, here are my thoughts.

I didn’t get as involved in Just Mr Love as I did in Mr Ultra Mega Love. Can’t say exactly why, but I still enjoyed the story. Not only is Huff trying to just survive, he has to deal with betrayal, danger, and loneliness. He makes some risky moves with the help of a new friend. Could she end up being a love interest? She is willing to put her life on the line forhim, and for a new start for herself. It will be interesting to see what develops.

I hate cliffhangers, but I love Mimi Jean’s writing, so that’s okay. Sometimes things happen.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Just Mr Love by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOOREADS BLURB

( Reading book 1 isn’t required, but this is a series. Fun, new drama in every book!)

From New York Times bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a semi-raunchy Rom-Com with a dash of the impossible and a whole lotta dirty language, Just Mr. Love.

Is he a love machine or a weapon of mass destruction?

My name is Huff, and I used to be a wimpy nerd, but after an unfortunate event, I now have the strength of a hundred men along with other interesting abilities. Even my, eh-hem, man part is pretty special—a recent discovery. “I can’t believe it can do that!”

No one knows exactly how this happened, but now I have enemies. Some want to reverse engineer me, and others want me dead.

The only thing keeping me from losing my sh*t is River, the girl I’ve loved since the second grade. I’d do anything for her. Anything.

But every time we try to move out of the friend zone, something gets in the way. This time, that something is me.

I just might be deadly in bed.

  • 248 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published April 14, 2023
  • Published April 14, 2023 by Paper & Silver, Inc.
  • Language: English

ABOUT MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.

Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.

She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Amazon / Bookbub / TikTok / Pinterestagram

MY MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF REVIEWS

MY M O MACK REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Review – Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke @ChadLutzke

Posted on by

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The old time feel of the cover and the Route 66 sign made me pause and check out Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke. The premise, a diner cook and a hot female customer, made me think of a twisted version of Thelma and Louise. It’s not believable, but isn’t that the meaning of fiction? An author has artistic license to make the story whatever they want it to be.

I’ve seen Chad Lutzke’s name around the blogosphere and he has a lot of books to his credit, so I decided to give him a shot. He has a quirky writing style and I felt there was some humor involved, along with the danger and murder.

I gave Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke a three star rating, because, after reading it, I would still give another book a shot, and I think others may enjoy his writing style more than I. I did read it in one sitting. I had to know how it would end, and, there was a surprise or two, including the ending.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Glover, Texas has three restaurants, two gas stations, and its very own underground crime syndicate. Other than that, the town’s about as lively as roadkill. That’s been Cake Donaldson’s experience, anyway.

Cake flips burgers at the local diner on Route 66 for the same mouths day in, day out. Life is simple. Too simple. So, when an attractive older woman shows up with a spontaneous proposition—a sex-filled road trip full of adventure—he bites the hook.

Unfortunately for him, she leaves out some details, like what’s in the trunk of her car, and just how bad her husband wants it.

A cat and mouse crime thriller that meets True Romance with The Graduate.

ABOUT CHAD LUTZKE

Chad has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue, Cemetery Dance, and Scream magazine. He’s had dozens of short stories published, and some of his books include: OF FOSTER HOMES & FLIES, STIRRING THE SHEETS, SKULLFACE BOY, THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU, THE PALE WHITE, THE NEON OWL and OUT BEHIND THE BARN co-written with John Boden. Lutzke’s work has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, Richard Chizmar, Joe R. Lansdale, Stephen Graham Jones, Tim Waggoner and his own mother.

He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com (less)

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Product images are linked/I am an Amazon affiliate.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!