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ABSR Blog

Malve von Hassell- Tapestry of My Mother’s Life

May 30

Malve von Hassell- Tapestry of My Mother’s Life

Genre: Memoir 5 Stars Magnificently written memoir What a magnificent title in Tapestry of My Mother’s Life by Malve von Hassell. I am a big fan of this author! And have read several of her books. von Hassel writes about her mother's life, and how the memories can be fragmented, and how because of her mother's life, living, surviving during the Nazi era of Germany, it affected generations of her family. The focus of the story is based on Christa's memories, and how they are p

11 views1 comment

D.S. Pais - How to identify my greatest passion in life

May 24

D.S. Pais - How to identify my greatest passion in life

Genre: Self Help 3 Stars An interesting approach What an interesting title in How to identify my greatest passion in life by D.S. Pais. I have read work from this author before, and she writes in different genres. This book gives steps about how to identify what someone's passion is, and how to achieve it. It's a step by step, and I'm sure this is a process that this author used. One thing, though, chapter two, seems to be common sense. It's called "List down our interests an

5 views0 comments

Brian O'Hare- The Dark Web Murders

May 24

Brian O'Hare- The Dark Web Murders

Genre: Mystery/Thriller 5 Stars Magnetic read! What an intriguing and chilling story in The Dark Web Murders by Brian O'Hare. I have read stories from this author before, and I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read. The Inspector Sheehan mysteries are one of my favorite series. I've read them out of order, but each one is a standalone, and I want to make sure I read all of them. This story revolves around the "dark web" which is way bey

5 views0 comments

Helene Munson- Hitler’s Boy Soldiers: How My Father’s Generation Was Trained to Kill and Sent to Die

May 24

Helene Munson- Hitler’s Boy Soldiers: How My Father’s Generation Was Trained to Kill and Sent to Die

Genre: Biographies & Memoirs/History/WWII 5 Stars Unimaginable What a superbly written title in Hitler’s Boy Soldiers: How My Father’s Generation Was Trained to Kill and Sent to Die for Germany by Helene Munson. I just became fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. I haven't read work from this author before, and I more than enjoyed this story. It probably sounds strange that I enjoyed this story of the life that Munson's father, amid the destruction of the b

6 views0 comments

Lynn F. Austin- Never Judge a Book - My Fur-Ever Friends

May 23

Lynn F. Austin- Never Judge a Book - My Fur-Ever Friends

Genre: Children/Animals 5 Stars He's a survivor, and one you want to just sit in your lap! What a magnificent story in Never Judge a Book - My Fur-Ever Friends by Lynn F. Austin. I am a fan of this author! This is the second book of "Newman's" that I've read, and I know it is for children, but anyone would love this story if they love, cuddly, uplifting, happy dogs. I see the Newman stories as a sort of memoir of Newman, and each one is inspired by his life. Newman learns som

3 views0 comments

Lynn F. Austin- Singing in Liquid Sunshine

May 23

Lynn F. Austin- Singing in Liquid Sunshine

5 Stars Another wonderful Newman story What a wonderfully story in Singing in Liquid Sunshine by Lynn F. Austin. I am a fan of this author, and Newman! Newman is such a lovely, excitable and happy dog. I wish I could meet him in person, as I would just love to watch his explorations. I love that his person is sharing Newman's stories, basically writing his biography. By sharing his adventures, and his love of life, and where he came from, it's amazing how he takes every momen

6 views0 comments

Marian Thorpe- Empire’s Heir

May 23

Marian Thorpe- Empire’s Heir

Genre: History/Fantasy 4 Stars A Great Read What a great fantastical story in Empire’s Heir by Marian Thorpe. This is the first of Thorpe's stories that I've read and I really enjoyed it. It has a lot of layers to the plot, and is very interesting take on fantasy and history, and how it all comes together. Thorpe is a wonderful writer, and brings the story to life. The base of the story is loyalty and family, and it brings in the fantastical and magical air of this world. The

9 views1 comment

Maria Yiangou - I SPY ALPHABET Easter egg hunt

May 18

Maria Yiangou - I SPY ALPHABET Easter egg hunt

Genre: Children/Easter 4 Stars Educational and fun Yiangou brings a new look at the "I Spy" game, and turned the game into children's books. This one is about learning about an Easter egg hunt. This another volume in her "I spy with my little eye" series. A wonderful book filled with grand illustrations, and it is fun to read to a child, and then, they can have fun naming the items they know. What a wonderfully thought-out story for a child. From Aa to Zz the fun begins. It's

5 views0 comments

Karl Beckstrand - Bad Bananas A Story Cookbook for Kids

May 17

Karl Beckstrand - Bad Bananas A Story Cookbook for Kids

Illustrator: Jeff Faerber 4 Stars So, bananas go "bananas" What a fun story in Bad Bananas A Story Cookbook for Kids by Karl Beckstrand. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. The characters were bananas from the time they were picked off the tree, to selected in the store, and how they ripen, and sometimes they are "bad" influences on other fruit. The illustrations were great, and funny. This book would be perfect to read to a child or have the c

8 views0 comments

Tommy B. Smith - New Era

May 17

Tommy B. Smith - New Era

5 Stars Magnificently written story What a thrilling (and chilling) story in New Era by Tommy B. Smith. I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read. This story touches the heart, and then rips it out. No, really, it shows that there isn't such thing as peaceful quiet. Marjorie experiences a lot of things that I can related to, most people can relate to, no sleep, severe headaches, and most of all, fear of what's inside of her and what is ou

36 views0 comments

Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Scarlet Letter

May 16

Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Scarlet Letter

4 Stars Another Classic, or is it? What a classic story in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I have read other Hawthorne stories, and this is not the first time I read this one. Anyone who ever went to high school English class, knows about the Scarlet Letter "A" and why Hester wore it. I remember reading this book in high school, so reading it for the second time (and decades later), gave me a different perspective of the story. I was now reading it as an adult, not

5 views0 comments

Lynn F. Austin- Newman's Awesome Year

May 16

Lynn F. Austin- Newman's Awesome Year

Genre: Children/Animal 5 Stars I just wanted to give Newman a huge hug. What a magnetic story in Newman's Awesome Year by Lynn F. Austin. I just became a fan of this author and her best friend, Newman! Any story about Newman, I definitely want to read, maybe over and over again. I think more people should read it, not just children, but people of any age. Newman is a Wheaten Terrier, who was rescued, and this rescue saved his life. Newman went through some unspeakable abuse u

9 views0 comments

Savannah Kade - Our Song

May 15

Savannah Kade - Our Song

Genre: Romance 4 Stars A Great read What an interestingly romantic story in Our Song by Savannah Kade. I am a big fan of this author! This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very real. Kade introduces the "rockstar romance" to the reader by bringing us in JD's life, and how it is complicated, and in disarray. In comes Kelsey, trying to be just his friend. There is a lot going on, and it's not just about hiding feelings from each other

4 views0 comments

Niki Danforth- Delilah: A Ronnie Lake Mystery

May 15

Niki Danforth- Delilah: A Ronnie Lake Mystery

4 Stars Grand Read What a grandly interesting story in Delilah by Niki Danforth. I've read a few books of the Ronnie Lake Mystery stories (book 3 and 5) and now I'm reading book 2. I have got to read the ones I've missed so far. Anyway, I like Ronnie. There is something about her that is intense, and yet, she's strong, and knows what she's doing. She always finds herself in the middle of a case that could kill her. It's a grand story to read, and see how Ronnie started, and h

5 views0 comments

Richard R. Becker- 50 States

May 13

Richard R. Becker- 50 States

5 Stars An entertaining collection What a grand collection of stories in 50 States by Richard R. Becker. This book is the first title of this author's that I've read, but I did read all 50 of his short stories. I do like the premise, each story takes part in a different state, and the stories vary. The genres of the stories vary as well, and each one is a complete story, leaving the reader feeling satisfied. Short stories are not easy to write, and Becker does a great job of

7 views0 comments

Jacob Paul Patchen - Sheltered: When a Boy Becomes a Legend

May 12

Jacob Paul Patchen - Sheltered: When a Boy Becomes a Legend

4 Stars An original story What a remarkable story in Sheltered: When a Boy Becomes a Legend by Jacob Paul Patchen. I am a definite fan of this author! A very passionate and strong read. I enjoyed this story, as it had many plot layers, and the characters were dynamic, and had a lot of depth. Many had backstories that showed how they ended up where they are now. In just reading the first chapter, there is a line that stood out, and it almost defined the story, and how importan

10 views0 comments

Dan Radlauer - FAT the other F word

May 12

Dan Radlauer - FAT the other F word

Genre: Young Adult, drama, humor 4 Stars Grand Read What a wonderful story in FAT: the other F word by Dan Radlauer. I have fast become a big fan of Radlauer. I've never read anything by this author before. I really thought the premise was somewhat unique. It's an interesting story about being fat. There is no other word that heavy people see themselves as, and there are a lot of words out there, but plain and simple, we feel fat. People are fat shamed all of the time, even i

38 views0 comments

Hanna Park - Finding Tiegan

May 12

Hanna Park - Finding Tiegan

Genre: Erotic Romance 4 Stars Grand Read What a grand story in Finding Tiegan by Hanna Park. This story brings in very interesting characters and brings a lot to the story. It's not just about one person, but two souls, wondering how they connected. There are several layers to the story, and back stories that come out just when they need to. I haven't read work from Park before, but I've become a fan. The writing style fits this story, romance, erotica, and a chemistry connec

17 views0 comments

George Kaplan - Tookie Goes Undercover

May 11

George Kaplan - Tookie Goes Undercover

5 Stars Magnificent I fell in love with Tookie when I first read about her in Only Tim Sent me flowers and then again in the wonderful book Finding Mr. Wrong. Tookie is one of those unforgettable characters, and Kaplan knows how to write for her. Yes, he writes for her, and brings her to life. The story brings a new level to Tookie, as she deals with her current life, and attempts to do something that'll make her happy again. Magnificent story that revels in her past and futu

4 views0 comments

Russell Moran - Leonardo Murphy

May 11

Russell Moran - Leonardo Murphy

5 Stars Absolutely loved this story! Moran pens a magnetic story in Leonardo Murphy. Yes, I said magnetic because once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I sat down to read this story, thinking I'd take a few breaks and come back to it over the course of this weekend, but no, I sat down and read it. I love how Leonardo became Leonardo (instead of his birthname, William or Billy). And as it did with Leonardo (who named himself after his favorite Renaissance man, Leonardo DaVi

3 views0 comments