How Did That Mouse Get In Our House by Reid Kaplan
***** Five Stars

What an awesome children's story. I loved the mouse on the cover so much I one-clicked this book and I'm so glad I did, what an wonderful story to go along with the brilliant illustrations.

Bravo! To both the author and illustrator. The final product is nothing short of spectacular. I highly recommend this book to anyone with or without children, because it was such a fun read.

Review: There's No Such Thing As People

There's No Such Thing As People by Michelle Williams-King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a wonderful illustrated children's book. The illustrations in this story are not short of spectacular and the story flows with each illustration. I love the little monster and I could see him as a Saturday morning cartoon. I loved this book from the first page to the last.

The flip of story from a monster in the closet to a boy in the closet that a monster is scared of is a wonderful touch. I enjoyed the underlining lesson of how fear can make us miss out in so much in life. Nicely told and I can't wait to see what else you do with little monster.

Well, done, Michelle. I hope you have much success with your stories!


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Review: The Lover's Portrait: An Art Mystery

The Lover's Portrait: An Art Mystery by Jennifer S. Alderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lover's Portrait: An Art Mystery
What an intriguing story set in Amsterdam a place I've never been to, but now would love to see. The way the author describes everything is nothing short of spectacular. I feel like I was standing right there.

The story or a young Zelda and an internship and eventually entry to the master's program she has applied for is mystery and excellent. As we follow Zelda as she stumbles her way through a trying time for the museum she is interning for and the case of returning stolen art work to the rightful owners. Zelda tries extremely hard to impress the project manager only to mess everything up.

The story behind the stolen art work project was fascinating and told with great detail a lot of this I had no idea had went on or is still going on. So thank you for teaching me something.

I give this book 5 of 5 stars and would recommend this novel.

Well done, Jennifer S. Alderson.


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Review: Chained

Chained by Adrienne Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chained
As I've stated in my review of Book 1, I'm a huge fan of these novels. The story line is completely engaging and Chained just up the fascination with the addition of several ruthless characters. This novel had me reading quickly trying to find out what would happen and where the story would go.

Again, our main characters are feeling their way through this unusual world where Kaleb is making a few friends and Leo is making a few enemies.

Another story well done Adrienne Wilder can't wait to read the next installment.

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Review: Miriamne the Magdala

Miriamne the Magdala by J.B. Richards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miriamne the Magdala-The First Chapter in the Yeshua and Miri Novel Series by JB Richards

What can I say about this masterpiece 2000 years in the making? I will admit, I was reluctant to read this novel believing it was about Jesus and the bible. Boy how wrong I was and I've never been happier to be wrong either. This story, at its core, is about young love and the struggles that plague us all when falling in love for the first time.

What a delightful, intriguing page turner this turned out to be. I was mesmerized throughout the entire story. Yeshua and Miriamne are the perfect couple. Although, we know of Yeshua's destiny it didn't damper this story one bit.

The way JB Richards weaves this story through this novel with beautiful scenery, explanations of so much misunderstood text, and the subtle way in which she handles the miracles preformed throughout the story, is nothing short of brilliant. In one scene in particular, Miri births a goat and after reading this scene I truly feel as if I was in the room watching the scene unfold. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

Thank you JB Richards for sharing such an inspirational story and persuading me to see the novel for what it is, a young love story that will fill your heart and soul.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Miriamne-Magdala-First-Chapter-Yeshua/dp/1503548422

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Review: The Body on the Barstool

The Body on the Barstool by Lolli Powell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Body on the Barstool (A Top Shelf Mystery) by Lolli Powell

What an intriguing story about love, loss and murder. What starts off as a simple murder –a body found on a bar stool in Erica Fountain's tavern –turns into healing the past, present and future for everyone involved.

This story swept me in from page one and kept me guessing to the end, which is saying a lot, for I am the type of person who can usually figure out the ending before it happens. Not this time which was quite delightful.

Highly recommended, this cozy mystery is well constructed and the written words flow flawlessly throughout the entire novel.

Well done Lolli Powell!

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Barstool-Top-Shelf-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01N3KIINE

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Hey Everyone,

Just a personal note about book reviews.

Thank you to the wonderful people at Uncaged Book Reviews for the awesome feature story and review of my novel Control. It's simply amazing to be part of great magazine that dedicates itself to bring books to the masses.

I write for the joy of writing but to realize that people enjoy the stories I write is an incredible feeling giving me the strength to keep writing.

For all authors, keep plugging away and tell the stories you love to tell. This will lead to people loving them back.

To readers, keep reading and immersing yourself in stories that authors pour their hearts and souls into and I promise it will never be a waste of time.

To check out the Feature Article and Review of my story and all the other things this magazine has to offer follow the link below and bask in my joy!

Uncaged Book Reviews:
https://issuu.com/cyreneolson/docs/uncaged_march2017_issue8_final?e=25448873/45134733

Review: 100+ Free Facebook Book Promo Sites: Annotated to save you time, money and mistakes!

100+ Free Facebook Book Promo Sites: Annotated to save you time, money and mistakes! by Frank Daley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A very informative book for anyone getting started in self-publishing and marketing their books. This book includes helpful hints, things to do and things not to do, all the early stages of marketing that we authors usually have to learn on our own.
The list of Facebook groups is enough to give this book 5 stars. It may seem easy to find groups on Facebook to advertise your novels in, but it really isn't as easy as one may think. This list will surely get you started. I also like how Mr. Daley stresses over and over again the reality of using Facebook groups as your only means of advertisement.
This book also indicates how review swaps are perceived by Amazon, which I believe can't be stressed enough.
Overall, what Mr. Daley is attempting to do with this informational book hits the mark and I recommend it to anyone who is just starting in the business.

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Review: Raven's Peak

Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raven's Peak is an outstanding, action packed adventure that kept moving rapidly till the bitter end. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from the settings, to character development and the relationship between Abigail and Haatim. I look forward to the next installment of the series. Don't keep us waiting too long Mr. Cole.

I was a little jolted in parts of this story, one being the Interlude. That pulled me right out of the story and it took a day to get back to it. I understand why Mr. Cole choose to use this tactic, but I'm not convinced it worked well. Once I started reading I was glad I did. What a ride Mr. Cole took us on. The other jolt was the ending, it just stopped. Without the prelude the ending would have had me furious, but I tend to do that with my stories, so I forgive you for that one Mr. Cole. LOL

Overall this novel is well-written, well-developed and an author I will read more from. Well done Mr. Cole! Keep up the great work.


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Review: Eve

Eve by Patti Larsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In giving full disclosure, I received this novel free because I nominated it in the Kindle Scout program, and boy, am I ever glad I did.

What an incredible story from start to finish. It was so good I could barely put it down. (Even to work, LOL) The way Larson weaves the story is nothing short of stellar. I loved everything about Eve from the characters, to the world, she made everything believable. There is not one moment in this story where I questioned what was happening or who these characters were. Well done, Mrs. Larson.

As a side note I wanted to add that my normal genres are not Folklore, Fantasy, Science Fiction because it's very hard for me to picture a world that doesn't exist, but after reading Eve I may have to try some other novels in this genre before quickly moving on from them. So thank you, Mrs. Larson for opening my eyes to a world I have been blind to in the past.


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Murder in 4th Hour by Michael Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel was entered in Kindle Scout program and was one of my first nominations. Unfortunately, it was not selected, but I bought a copy and read it anyways. I'm so glad I did. What a great story from start to finish. A smart mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

The characters of Jack and Chris are so well developed I felt as if I knew them both. The story moved along precisely right, giving the reader enough detail to visualize the scenes and scenarios, but never boring the audience. The way the two main characters played off each other was nothing short of excellent writing.

I'm not sure why this story wasn't chosen by Kindle Scout. (And we'll probably never know) But, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, YA, or a just a great read.


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Review: Follow the Crow

Follow the Crow by B.B. Griffith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an excellent novel, full of mystery and intrigue. This novel was definitely a surprise. I began reading not expecting much, but boy did I get a great piece of literature. I will be looking at more from this author. Highly recommend this novel if you love face paced mysteries with a touch of supernatural. The supernatural element mixed with realism was crafted so beautifully I never once questioned the realistic nature of the story. Well done B.B. Griffith!

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Review: Spoiled Little Princess Wears a Rat

Spoiled Little Princess Wears a Rat by Regina Puckett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A children's illustrated novel with a moral inspired story. I enjoyed the story and the illustrations that went along well with the story. My only advice for the author would be to make your text a little more prevalent. There were some pages of the novel that the text was diluted by the illustration and therefore became difficult to read. That is the only reason I give this work 4 stars.

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Review: Confessions of an Ugly Girl

Confessions of an Ugly Girl by Alice Wasser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say about this novel? It is hilarious. There are very few novels that I have read that had me laughing out loud, but this is definitely one of them. The author writes the novel like a diary of Millie Glockenfeld, which allows the reader a peek of her inner mind. Millie represents most woman, in my opinion, with her self-doubt, never believing she's good enough for anyone, until she meets someone she feels isn't good enough for her. Sad really, but it's the human way, I suppose. Funny story with many laugh out loud moments. I'll be looking at Wasser's other novels for sure.

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Review: Meditation and Mindfulness in Everyday Life: A Step-By-Step Approach to Reduce Stress, Regain Happiness and Good Health

Meditation and Mindfulness in Everyday Life: A Step-By-Step Approach to Reduce Stress, Regain Happiness and Good Health by Jere Taft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

'Mindfulness in Everyday Life' by Jere Taft offers its readers a jump start to a new lifestyle of meditation. Most people know how difficult it can be to integrate changes in our daily lives. Consistency is probably the most difficult part for anyone attempting to change their lifestyle or daily habits that have been practiced for years. It seems natural to get up out of bed in the morning, brush your teeth, shower and have breakfast, coffee, or whatever the case may be, but in realty you have trained yourself to do these things on a regular basis. It starts with the training you received from your parents, they woke you up in order to go to school, which began a lifetime of morning routine. You weren't born doing these things, your parents helped train your mind and body to do them making them seem quite natural today.

Meditation works the same way and Jere's book gives you an easy guide to begin that training. His easy to follow steps will help put you on a path to achieve the clarity you deserve. This book offers exercises that will start you on your journey to meditation offering you step by step instructions on how to begin your journey and most importantly how to keep going and reach your goals.

I feel there was a part of the journey missing in this book and that would be Jere's personal journey. Although this books offers explanations of why, how and when, a reader considering beginning this new journey, an easy way to integrate the process into their daily lives, leading them on the path to success, I feel having Jere's personal experiences of why, how and when he began his journey would have brought the book to a new level.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers looking to start their own journey.


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A Christmas Con by Erik Hanberg

The Con Before Christmas by Erik Hanberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Christmas Con by Erik Hanberg was a cute novella about a mother and son who get conned at Christmas and set out to find the persons responsible. The story was a nice read that made me laughing, in suspense and wondering if they would ever get there things back. What a delight read on the eve of Christmas. A recommend to anyone looking for a quick Christmas story.

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A Family Affair

A Family Affair by Mary Campisi
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you're looking for a story that has a happy ending no matter what happens, then this is the book for you. I am not a fan of happy endings in unbelievable circumstances, those kinds of stories just never did anything for me. I realize that most readers want a happy ending where everything is wrapped up nicely, but I'm more of a realist and I would rather not have everything work out good where it is not warranted, I would rather things end messy, if that is what the story calls for. And, I believe that this story would call for that.

It was slightly unbelievable to me that this girl would find out everything about her family, from her father's affair, to his secret daughter, to her Uncle and her mother, all in a matter of months and somehow find the love of her life, forgive everyone and live happily ever after. No, too far-fetched for my liking.

The potential for this story was there and the writing was good, the author has 8 more books in this series, perhaps the next one will be more to my liking.


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Inheritance: A Psychological Mystery and Suspense Thriller by Thomas Wymark


What an intriguing read this book turned out to be. From the first page I was hooked trying to figure out what was really happening. The author had me guessing for quite some time about the mental status of the main character. I truly believed the book was heading in one direction, but half-way through the story took a sudden twist.

It’s interesting when you think you’ve figured out what is going to happen within a story to find out you were utterly wrong. The old saying, ‘nothing is what it seems,’ was on repeat in my mind while reading this novel.

The overuse of description at times had me skimming a few pages and I believe there is a fine line between too little description to move the story forward and not enough to visualize the story. The ability to balance the two becomes very difficult when writing a mystery novel. This novel was well written, quite an easy read with an ending sure to shock you.


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Blackwater Lake by Maggie James

OCTOBER 2015

Blackwater Lake is a short novella that engages readers from the first page until the last. A effectively woven story where the pace was spot on. Characters were well developed giving the readers a clear view into Matthew’s childhood and the relationship he had with his parents. Blackwater Lake was an engaging read that offered stunning scenery allowing the reader to step into the setting the author developed for the story. The plot structure pushed the story forward at just the right pace. The twists and turns throughout the story were unpredictable. Just when you think you have it figured out, Maggie twists the story in a new direction.

What a pleasant surprise this novel was and a pleasure to read. I give the author credit in telling an age old story in a brilliantly fresh way.

Thursday October 1 2015

Well, here I am again, a couple of months after my last blog and my writing career has been moving along. Maybe not a quickly as I hoped it would, but I'm still writing and enjoying it.

At the moment, I'm editing my first novel, which was written 5 years ago. I have sent it out to about 20 agents, but no interest as of yet. That brings me to now and after some deliberation I've decided to publish it myself. For the past several months I have been researching how to self publish and now I am confident that I am making the right decision.

There are so many things to know about self publishing and it's easy to get sidetracked with all the information and different ways to do it, but I believe I have found the best way for myself. Through this blog I plan on sharing my methods step by step and hopefully give my readers helpful information that may help in your own journeys.

To start, I decided to go over my book, once more, considering I hadn't look at it in a few years. And it was a good thing I did because I now know this was not my best work. Fresh eyes have given me the ability to see and understand how to make my book a wonderfully polished novel. I'm excited by the process once again and that for me is what writing is all about.

Therefore, Step 1, would be to make certain your novel, or any type of writing, is as perfect as you can make it before you try to do anything with it.

Next post, Step 2,  book covers.

Till next time....