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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Shadow of a Distant Morning

Author: William Topek
Kindle Edition
ASIN: B004CFB7NS
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

Every man at the bottom of his heart believes that he is a born detective.~John Buchan
Set in 1934, during the midst of a Ten Year Plan of Economic Depression, this book takes the reader on a journey back in time. A time where detective work was done with a dial telephone and people you know that were in the know. Devlin Caine is this type of detective. He has survived so far by doing the best job he can for his clients. All is pretty normal until Mr. Caine is visited by Thomas Lundquist, a secretary for Ronald Graham who is the wealthiest industrialist in the city. Devin is offered a job to look in the business dealings of a possible business partner that Mr. Graham is considering. He takes the job not knowing that the regular investigator of Mr. Graham is on a permanent vacation, sort of speak.

The plot of this read will keep all readers in suspect till the very end. It is written in an old fashion style that is appropriate for the year is it taking place in. Devlin Caine is humorous, witty and likeable, which gives the character substance and believability. It has an unexpected story line that keeps the reader on their toes as the plot thickens. Recommended for the avid old time detective murder mystery readers and others who are just looking for an author with talent and a good idea for a new book series.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Against Her Fading Hour

Author: Isaac Sweeney
Kindle Edition
ASIN: B004IPPKZS
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

Learning is any change in a system that produces a more or less permanent change in its capacity for adapting to its environment.
~ Herbert Simon

Inside this book are three short stories about three different woman who are experiencing a possible life changing moment. One woman has to learn to find her place in the world after the death of her husband instead of her trying to find it in other men. Another has to live with a husband who thinks he can fix things just by saying that everything will be okay and giving her a big hug. Still another woman must learn to understand her husband's obsession in building a shed after the death of his father.

Even though it is written by a gentleman, the voice of the book seems to has a feminine vibe to it. Given its sensitivity to the emotions and feels, women readers will be able relate to the characters and their situations. I think is would be a great book club read with its possible discussions of each person interpretation of the stories.

13 Horror Stories

Author: John McDonnell
Kindle Edition
ASIN: b004JF4MDI
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review

Horror is beyond the reach of psychology.~ Theodor Adorno

The stories in this fun read are short but are not, of course, sweet for they are horror stories after all. Although most of the tales are not what you would call overly “horrorly” horror stories, they do have a scarey element to them. Each having a different story line with a surprise at the end. Some leave the reader wondering what the “monster” looks like, where some others show the monster as an human.

The book reminded me of episodes that could be shown on either The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits. Both being great entertaining television and which were not over the top with the blood and gore aspects of some horror. These tales could easily be told around the camp fire or during a power outage to pass the time. Great book to have on hand for Halloween parties as well.

I would recommend book to all the enjoy a little scariest in there reading. Also would be an interesting book to discuss during a book club perhaps near the Halloween season.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Secret of a Spicy Jalapeno

Author: Charlie Courtland
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 9781460977156
Reviewed by Michele Tater for the Couch Tater Review

Let us beware of saying that death is the opposite of life. The living being is only a species of the dead, and a very rare species. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

From the beginning pages of this book I was stunned. It starts with a concept so unreal that it gives the reader a shock to the system, in a good way. It proved that there are still story lines out there that have not been used yet. That being said, it is story set in a small town called Providence located in the Pacific Northwest. The sheriff in this seemingly quiet and safe town has seen a upturn in the a criminal element so he decides to do something about it in an environmental and social way. With the aide of his close friend Joe Parker, they decide to grow Jalapeno peppers in an organic way. This organic way of farming becomes the solution to the problem of truly evil people who happen to do wrong in Providence. Business starts to boom with no one in town the wiser of how can their peppers are hottest and the best tasting. Along comes Vera, a streetwise woman, with a shady and sad past. She is but in protective custody at the farm where Joe is in charge of the secret ingredient. Things change from then on with the operates of the business.

I don't want to let the body out of the bag or anything, so I will not say more about the plot. In my opinion it is a great read that has a horror story overtones and a unlike start of a love story as well. Characters are small town bred with simply ideals to life's big city problems. Must read for gardeners everywhere; caution, the secret ingredient mentioned in the book could get you in trouble to say it mildly.




Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Cosmo's Reason

Author: Julie Losoya-Harthi
Publisher: PublishAmerica Baltimore
ISBN: 9781456006006
Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review the Book

To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.” ~Robert Brault

Witch meets good looking vampire and they live happily ever after. Not is this book they don't, which is a great thing for the reader. Reason Regan has had her share of relationships that ended in a sad, heartbreaking ways. She feels unlucky in love and that no one will love her being a plus sized witch. That all changes when Cosmo, a vampire, steps into the picture to be her protector against the evils that may do Reason harm. Their strong attraction is one that started a long time ago as their past lives have met. Oh and meanwhile there are rogue vampires wandering the small Ohio city of Findlay causing havoc. Just when the reader thinks that everything has gone to some sort of normalcy, more drama comes their way with more mysteries for them to solve. This book, in my opinion is a more “adult” version of a vampire love story. There are heated sex scenes that could make even a seasoned, sexual, experienced person blush. Characters are personable and engaging, which keeps the reader reading to find out what will happen to them next. Being a plus-sized, a one time divorced, animal loving gal, my favorite character is Reason. As the story goes on, she blossoms into a gutsy, fearless and ballsy broad, in the best of ways. What woman wouldn't want that kind of confidence! Cosmo, is the definition of a tall, dark and handsome man with the personality of a well-bred gentleman.

Since this a debut book from this author, there are some novice oversights, that take time to develop. I don't feel, however, that these errors are so outrageous that it interferes in the reader enjoying this book. I feel that the author has formed a great foundation for her continuation of this story-line into a fantastic series. She is currently working on book number two, which I am look forward to reading too.