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ABSR Blog

Annie Krabbenschmidt- Fred: An Unbecoming Woman

Jun 3

Annie Krabbenschmidt- Fred: An Unbecoming Woman

Genre: Memoir/LGBTQ2S 5 Stars Powerful Memoir What a powerful story of life, love, and living as ones true self in Fred: An Unbecoming Woman by Annie Krabbenschmidt. This is the first book of this author's that I've read, and I find telling this personal story, was very empowering. It is not always easy, or ever easy to let the world know who you really are. As I was reading the book, being gay or homosexual were words used, but also "the thing" was an interesting concept, as

7 views0 comments

Sally Lee Baker - Annie Alligator

Jun 2

Sally Lee Baker - Annie Alligator

Genre: Children Illustrator: Sally Lee Baker 4 Stars Aa Annie the Alligator What a fun story in Annie Alligator by Sally Lee Baker. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. The book was fun to read. I like the alliterations, and rhymes, and it is perfect for reading to children, and having them read aloud. This book was about the letter A. The character of Annie the Alligator was imaginative. I applaud the author for the creating of such magnificent

2 views0 comments

Karen A. Wyle- Wind, Ocean, Grass

Jun 1

Karen A. Wyle- Wind, Ocean, Grass

June's Genre of the Month Genre: Children/Picture book Illustrator: Tomasz Mikutel 5 Stars Brilliant and amazing read! What a brilliant story in Wind, Ocean, Grass by Karen A. Wyle. I am a fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. The illustrations were magnificent, so kudos to the illustrator as well. This book would be perfect to read to a child or have the child read it back. It's not about people, it's not about animals or cute little creatures, but the bea

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Avanti Centrae- The Lost Power

Jun 1

Avanti Centrae- The Lost Power

Genre: Thriller 5 Stars Magnetic reading What a superb story in The Lost Power by Avanti Centrae. This is the first book in the VanOps Thriller, and I actually read book three first, and now, I'm reading (or have) read the other two. This review is for the first book in the series, and it is very powerful. First, I am a big fan of this author, I was after I read book three, and going back to the beginning, I can say, I'm definitely a fan, and whatever she writes, I want to re

6 views0 comments

R Weir- Sold Souls

Jun 1

R Weir- Sold Souls

Genre: Thriller/Suspense/Mystery 5 Stars Magnificent Story telling What a superb thrilling story in Sold Souls by R Weir. This is the third, and highly awaited book in The Divine Devils series. Yes, book 3 is finally here. I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read or when he puts out his audiobooks, I want to listen to. Sold Souls was just released (today as of this posting), and I couldn't wait to read it, nor was I disappointed. This st

8 views1 comment

Susan Antony- Cherokee Summer

May 31

Susan Antony- Cherokee Summer

Genre: Young Adult Romance 4 Stars A Great Read What a great story in Cherokee Summer by Susan Antony. This is the first book of this authors that I have read. The story introduces us to Ace, who's on vacation for the summer. The reader and Ace is introduced to John, who is a member of the Cherokee tribe. So, of course, it's not love at first sight, or that love can conquer all. It's about all the obstacles and their connection, and if it can bring them together, or keep them

10 views0 comments

Jean Hanff Korelitz- The Latecomer

May 31

Jean Hanff Korelitz- The Latecomer

Genre: Women/Sisters 5 Stars Grand Read What an incredible story in The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz. This is the first book of this author that I have read, and I really enjoyed the story. It's a family story unlike any kind that I have read. A wealthy family, and the story is told from the meeting of the parents, and it grows from there. The plot has layers and a lot of subplots. The family dynamic is interesting, and if feels like the family wants to escape. Escape eac

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Chris Karlsen- Snifter of Death

May 30

Chris Karlsen- Snifter of Death

Genre: Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction 5 Stars Brilliant storytelling!! What a magnificently suspenseful story in Snifter of Death by Chris Karlsen. This is the second book in the Bloodstone series. I've read the first one, Silk, and the third one, A Venomous Love. So, I was definitely looking forward to reading this book. The crimes are just as interesting, and disturbing, as ever, and Bloodstone is on the case. I like that it's not just all crime and investi

3 views0 comments

Sally Lee Baker - Zach the Zany Zebra

May 30

Sally Lee Baker - Zach the Zany Zebra

Illustrator: Sally Lee Baker Genre: Children/Educational 4 Stars Zz Zack the Zebra What a fun and "zany" story in Zach the Zany Zebra by Sally Lee Baker. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. The book was fun to read. I like the alliterations, and rhymes, and it is perfect for reading to children, and having them read aloud. This book was about the letter Z. The character of Zach was imaginative. I applaud the author for the creating of such magn

2 views0 comments

Tobin Marks- Endeavor's run

May 30

Tobin Marks- Endeavor's run

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy/Space Opera 4 Stars Enjoyed this story! What a well told story in Endeavor's run by Tobin Marks. I've read work from Marks before, and I enjoyed that story as well. Enjoy seems a simple word, but I take it to mean a lot. Humanity was destroyed, extinct to be exact. Though it was almost forever ago, it doesn't seem like that long ago, but somehow, out of the dust, life will always become life, and there is a new world of humanity. But it's not j

11 views0 comments

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